WEDNESDay
NOVEMBER 12, 2014
Wednesday High 55, Low 38 Thursday High 71, Low 50
VOLUME 100 ISSUE 35 FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS
NEWS Briefs World MOSCOW — Russia signed a contract Tuesday to build two more nuclear reactors in Iran to be possibly followed by another six, a move intended to cement closer ties between the two nations. EW DELHI — India’s drive to limit population growth by offering free sterilization surgeries left at least eight women dead and 20 others seriously ill Wednesday, highlighting the risks women face in reproductive health in a country struggling with high rates of poverty.
National PUEBLO, Colo.— An arctic storm system has some Coloradoans shoveling out from under tumbleweeds rather than snow. Tumbleweeds piled up around houses and shops and along roads several feet high in and around Colorado Springs and Pueblo on Monday as the system moved from north to south across the state. WELDON SPRING, Mo. — Police will work to protect peaceful protesters after a grand jury’s decision in the Michael Brown shooting case is announced later this month, but those who cross the line into violence will face consequences, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon warned.
Texas AUSTIN — Governor-elect Greg Abbott on Tuesday chose a Hispanic Republican as the first nominee of his nascent administration, naming Carlos Cascos, a county judge from the Rio Grande Valley to be the new Texas secretary of state.
We will, we will Rock the Vote TAYLOR HARDY Contributing Writer thardy@smu.edu Moody Coliseum boomed with energy Monday night as SMU students of all ages and affiliations cheered on their Homecoming candidates at the Rock The Vote event. Organized by Student Foundation, the event marks the kickoff of SMU’s 88th Homecoming Week. Students showcase their spirit with signs, balloons, blow horns and crazy costumes that represent this year’s theme: Dynamic Duos. Senior accounting major Hilary Skillman said Rock the Vote has always been her favorite part of homecoming week. “There’s so much school spirit!” she said. “Plus I love all the balloons.” The event featured performances from the SMU Cheer team and Pom Squad that got students excited about the upcoming week. While the main focus of the pep rally is meant to foster school spirit, it also gives the student an opportunity to meet all of the candidates for homecoming king and queen.
COURTNEY COX/ The Daily Campus
Members from each organization went to Rock the Vote to cheer on their candidates and participate in the pep rally.
Each candidate had the opportunity to address the crowd and was asked one question by the emcees. This year, the potential kings and queens were asked to do everything from shoot a half-court shot to show off their best dance moves to compare themselves to
a kitchen appliance. Kyle Cantrell, the student representing Christian fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi was asked to show the last picture he took on his cell phone. He proudly showed the whole arena a selfie he took in front of Centennial Fountain.
In the middle of the madness, the students in attendance were surprised by an appearance from Men’s Basketball Coach Larry Brown, who expressed his appreciation for the students’ support. “The only reason we’ve been so successful in this building
TATE
is because of you,” he said, “It means a lot to this team. This school is pretty special.” Voting for homecoming king and queen started Monday and the winners will be announced at half time of this weekend’s football game against the University of South Florida.
ALUMNI
Political analyst talks meaning of life Student Katelyn hall Contributing Writer khall@smu.edu David Brooks used humor and anecdotes to talk about life’s deep questions and the human pursuit of character. David Brooks warmed up the audience on a very chilled evening with jokes about shopping centers and suburbs at Tuesday night’s Tate Lecture. Brooks knocked his home state of New York and poked fun at American staples. “It’s like Wal-Mart on acid,” he said of Costco. But the political and social analyst, New York Times columnist, and PBS and NPR icon soon made a serious change in tone. For an hour, he filled McFarlin Auditorium with commentary on how to lead a meaningful life. He talked extensively about the conflict between resume virtues and eulogy virtues, and the traits necessary to build character. Resume virtues are those people would list as skills for success, whereas eulogy virtues are those like integrity or bravery. “I think we all know that eulogy
Courtesy of SMU
David Brooks at the SMU Tate Lecture Series.
virtues are more important than resume virtues,” he said. But those character virtues can be difficult to focus on because our culture values personal success so much. “It’s important to step back,” he said. You will not be content with just personal success and accolades, Brooks argued. “Your inner self will not be the self you wanted it to be,” he said. He commented on how driven students like those he teaches
at Yale University have all done amazing things but are “hungry” for something deeper. That deeper something, he contends, is character, which can be built by love, suffering, selfdefeat, service to an organization and wisdom. “We plan for happiness but are formed by suffering,” he said. He said, suffering, as does love, humbles you and then lifts you up. “It’s like being invaded by an army, and you welcome the invasion,” he said of falling in
deep love. Throughout his talk, Brooks referenced historical events and anecdotes about well-known political figures. But the columnist, known for his political analysis, did not offer his take on current events whatsoever during his talk; he focused on his message of how to lead a fulfilled life. Junior Jennifer Zotz found this to be refreshing. “I think Brooks gave an unanticipated but beautiful reminder of the importance of character on a campus who’s culture so often puts too much emphasis on material success,” Zotz said. Senior Kelly Zitka was also surprised by Brooks’ message. “That was not at all what I expected, and I loved it,” said Zitka. Greg Lang, sophomore and Tate Lecture regular, found this one to be among his favorites in the past two seasons. “The greatest take away is that while we’re here to learn, we’re also here to develop as people. There are more important things than personal success,” Lang said.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Student Senate holds weekly meeting Cody beavers Contributing Writer cbeaverscurt@smu.edu SMU’s Student Senate met for its weekly meeting in the basement of Hughes-Trigg Student Center Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. About five non-senate students were present. These are some of the highlights. On the speaker’s podium was Rafey Anwar, vice president of the SMU Muslim Student Association. Anwar encouraged the Student Senate to pledge for the upcoming Fast-a-Thon. Anwar also asked
the senate to sign a petition that would change the way that meat was processed in Umphrey Lee. Student Body President Ramon Trepalacios said that he was going to take part in the annual light walk, Tuesday at 7p.m. Trespalacios also encouraged members to stay until the end of the football game to support the players on the field. A few members of the Student Senate visited USC’s and Loyola University’s student centers to see what changes they could make to Hughes-Trigg. Some of these potential changes included an
outdoor seating area, a workroom for organizations and a bar on campus. Members hope that graduate students will get involved in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center Renovation Task Force. While Executive Director Jennifer Jones was on the podium, a discussion about underage drinking broke out. Many members of the Student Senate were concerned of the increasing amount of underage drinking while Boulevarding. The senate discussed ways to reduce underage drinking including putting a cap on the amount
of alcohol that can be brought, advertising more awareness and adding more alcohol-free tents. The final highlight of the Student Senate meeting was a proposal that was made to the Office of Information Technology. The senate discovered that many students were unhappy about the change from Webmail to Office365. The proposal stated that the senate seeks to advise OIT to go through the Student Senate whenever it makes decisions that are going to impact the entire student body. The proposal was passed unanimously.
Senate hosts alumni brunch Katelyn hall Contributing Writer khall@smu.edu
As the campus goes abuzz with Homecoming celebrations this weekend, Student Senate’s Endowment Committee is hosting a brunch for senate alumni. The reunion brunch will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Mack Ballroom of Hughes-Trigg Student Center. The committee hosting the brunch is also in charge of fundraising campaigns and soliciting contributions to the Student Senate Endowment fund. That fund is the primary source of Student Senate Scholarships, that are available to all SMU students. Junior Kevin Steinhart hopes former senators will attend the event and donate to support scholarships. “Having served on the endowment committee for two years now, I really look forward to this year’s Student Senate reunion and hope that we can raise the necessary funds needed for the Student Senate scholarships,” he said. Those who have any questions or would like to attend the event can contact Tim Hettinger, the Student Senate endowmnet committee chair, at thettinger@smu.edu.