INSIDE
All that jazz
Avoid the freshmen 15
PAGE 2
Meet student body officers
PAGE 3
Student paper walks out
PAGE 6
PAGE 4
MONDAY
AUGUST 20, 2012
MONDAY High 92, Low 69 TUESDAY High 84, Low 68
VOLUME 98 ISSUE 4 FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS
VIRUS
Associated Press
An operations manager at Dallas Executive Airport helps hold up a map of Dallas County that highlights areas targeted for spraying.
West Nile visits Park Cities TASHIKA VARMA Editor in Chief tvarma@smu.edu SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH / The Daily Campus
SMU President R. Gerald Turner speaks to first year students at Convocation in McFarlin Auditorium.
First years stride with tradition JAN ANDERSON Contributing Writer janderson@smu.edu SMU welcomed 320 transfer students and over 1,400 members of the Class of 2016 and a number of new faculty members, in a tradition-laden ceremony Sunday. The faculty wore robes whose design is not dissimilar from those worn for centuries at Oxford and Cambridge. The new Mustangs, like thousands before them, processed two-by-two through historic Dallas Hall from back to front, carefully avoiding stepping on the seal. Over 20 blue-robed alumni marshals, alumni who have children among the entering class, stood guard around the seal to avoid an errant step derailing a student’s plan to graduate with her or his class. As new students exited Dallas Hall and processed to the ceremonies in McFarlin Auditorium, they were greeted by cheering continuing students, residence hall staff, parents and other relatives. As they prepared to move up the steps of the auditorium, many stopped to greet a real Mustang.
For Peruna IX, who only began his mascot duties in the middle fall semester last year, this was his first Convocation too. While Peruna refused to speak on the record, it did seem that he had his eye on the green grass of the Main Quad lawn. Like nearly a century of students before them, the new Mustangs took their seats in McFarlin and then stood for the processional and the invocation by Stephen Rankin, chaplain and minister to the university. When they were once again seated, Paul Ludden, provost and vice president of University Affairs, introduced Caren Prothro, chair of the Board of Trustees; Faculty Senate President Steven Edwards and student body President Alex Mace who each spoke in turn. Prothro said, that the Board of Trustees pledged, “to strive to make wise decisions.” Edwards encouraged the new faculty to become involved in the life of the University, offered words of encouragement to parents and challenged the new students to take charge of their education, saying, “be changed and change
those around you,” and concluded by adding that the faculty was eager to help students achieve their dreams. Mace encouraged the first years and transfers to become involved in student organizations and to “support our athletes” by attending games. Mace’s closing advice was to “read widely, speak boldly and drink deeply of what SMU has to offer you.” One of the many things SMU has to offer is great entertainment provided by students at the Meadows School of the Arts, some of whom, and many of them first years, arrived on campus early to practice “Ballade to the Moon” and “Varsity” with which the Meadows Convocation Chorus captivated the audience. Though some wondered how different SMU President R. Gerald Turner’s remarks would be from his speech last year, he chose not to recycle last year’s. Instead Turner focused on both university traditions and that many people are investing in the new students. While he did mention the
seven billion dollar boost the Dallas economy gets from SMU’s presence, he also mentioned other ways students can provide a return on the investment made in them, mainly be giving to others as has been given to them. And as he quoted from the prophet Micah, “what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” In closing Wes K. Waggoner, the dean of Undergraduate Admission and executive director of Enrollment Services revealed that this entering class has for the first time in over a decade more men than women, a rare thing in modern academia. Students appreciated the input from top university brass. For many, it was their first on-campus university experience. “I am a first year. Convocation was really special today. While we were walking through Dallas Hall, it hit me that we are really starting college right now,” Michelle Vogler, a pre-business major, said.
See CEREMONY page 5
SMU and University Park have been feeling the effects of the West Nile virus with three recent cases in University Park. “It’s something I’ve never really had to think about before, but now I am having to consider taking precautions,” senior Mallory Presutti said. “It’s scary, I’ve already been bitten by mosquitos just moving in this weekend.” The West Nile virus has been in the United States since summer 1999 and can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and a few other animals. The virus is transferred most easily through mosquito bites. Most people who are infected with West Nile will not show any symptoms. Only 20 percent of people will have mild symptoms like fever, headache and body aches. The more severe symptoms are headaches, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. About one in 150 people will develop the severe symptoms. It is rare that deaths occur from this virus. The SMU Health Center will test and care for anybody who suspects they are infected with West Nile. Some students are concerned about the West Nile virus. “I’m worried about the amount of people being infected
by the West Nile in Dallas, but it will not affect the amount of time I spend outside on campus,” senior Tomin Kozhimala said. Because of the amount of cases in Dallas, the city of University Park has been spraying for mosquitos. There has been aerial and ground spraying on Thursday, but additional mosquito spraying was cancelled due to Dallas County wanting to evaluate the need for further spraying. An updated schedule of aerial will be available on Aug. 20 at http:// www.uptexas.org. There has been controversy over the aerial spraying and what it means to the surrounding community. Southern Methodist University Associate Professor Brian Zoltowski spoke to CBS 11 about the issue saying “If you ever take Raid and spray on a bug, they basically drop to the ground. That is what they [the spraying] are designed to do. They basically stop their ability to move.” Zoltowski explained that these chemicals have been sprayed on yards for years for pest control. He continued to say that the amount the city will be spraying will kill mosquitoes, bees and fish, but will not harm humans and pets. “I weigh around 70 kilograms which means I would need to consume 400 grams for this to be harmful to me. In one acre of land, they are only going to spray 20 grams,” Zoltowski said to CBS.
See INFO page 5
SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH / The Daily Campus
Williamson Slack and Alex Ussery, honors students, study on a whiteboard in the Scholars Den. SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH / The Daily Campus
Members of SMU’s Mustang Heroes, a service organization, greet first years at Night at the Club.
First years find campus niches TASHIKA VARMA Editor in Chief tvarma@smu.edu
Students filled Moody Coliseum Saturday evening for SMU’s annual Night at the Club. Night at the Club is a club fair tailored to first-year students put on by Student Activities and New Student Orientation and Student Support. “Night at the club is such a fabulous way to learn about all
the organizations on campus,” junior Savannah Stephens said. After the first years returned from Mustang Corral, students headed over to Moody Coliseum for an opportunity to learn about student organizations as well have fun with games, food, prizes and more. Some students were still reeling in excitement from Mustang Corral. “Mustang Corral is something everyone should do,” first year Blake Ann Seeker said.
“The leaders did a great job, but I’m excited to be back at SMU and to learn about all the organizations.” Student organizations from Student Senate to Student Foundation to College Democrats and College Republicans were there telling students about their organizations and how to get involved. Some other organizations in attendance were a
See CLUBS page 5
Scholars’ Den hosts art contest LEILA MUSTAFA Chief Copy Editor lmustafa@smu.edu
The Scholars’ Den Council is exhibiting student and faculty artists in the Scholars’ Den on the bottom floor of Clements Hall. Any form of art will be considered, including sculpture, painting, photography, hanging or free-standing. The art will be on display for at least one semester and will include the artist’s name, the name of the work,
the medium, date, and an optional description. The Scholars’ Den is a study area for University Honors Program Students, BBA Scholars, Dedman Scholars, Engineering Fellows, Hilltop Scholars, Hyer Society Scholars, Meadows Scholars, International Scholars, New Century Scholars, Mustang Academic Bridge Scholars, Hunt Scholars and President Scholars. The aim is to promote intellectual interaction and with this exhibit, creative interaction
as well. “It will add a nice touch to the Scholars’ Den,” President Scholar Dennis Takeda said. “The exhibit will make it a more elegant workspace for all of us.” In order to be considered for the Fall 2012 exhibition, artists must send in a completed submission form and a photo of the work by Sept. 14. Contact Scholars’ Den Council representative Rachel Stonecipher at rstoneciph@smu.edu for a submission form.