Accent, March 1, 2010 Issue

March 1, 2010

Effects of change proposed for faculty pay policy disputed

Michael Needham Staff Writer

The board of trustees proposed methodology change for computing faculty pay has found resistance from the Adjunct Faculty Association.

The proposed change to the F10 board policy would expand the current comparative payment structure that uses the Austin market to one using “Texas metropolitan community colleges.”

“Now they would like to switch the market and instead of looking at local colleges, they want to look at eight community colleges spread across Texas,” said President of the Adjunct Faculty Association Dawn Tawwater. “Some of these are really different.”

Tawwater argues that it doesn’t make sense for ACC to look at what different cities are paying because they’re not trying to hire teachers from those areas.

“If we recruited from all over Texas this would make sense,” Tawwater said. “If we’re only hiring in the metro market, then the metro market should be the market for pay.”

In an e-mail, vice president of human resources, Gerry Tucker, states, “ACC is best compared to its peer institutions, Texas metropolitan community colleges with the same mission, funding, students, and employees.”

In a recent memorandum to faculty and staff, ACC president, Stephen Kinslow, expressed the school’s desire to properly pay faculty.

“The administration values all employees and will continue to ensure that all employees are paid fairly and competitively,” Kinslow

wrote.

“The administration is not proposing any reductions in pay, layoffs, or freezing of salaries as other institutions have done,” Tucker writes in an e-mail. “The administration is only proposing to change the methodology by which we ensure market competitive salaries.”

Tawwater disagrees.

“What we’re talking about is a significant decrease in adjunct pay over time,” Tawwater said.

She explained that the cost of living varies throughout Texas, and that Austin should be used for formulating salary in Austin.

“Imagine the cost of living versus El Paso. It’s drastically different,” Tawwater said. “You can’t buy a home in Austin for what you can buy one for in El Paso.”

Tawwater believes this decision will have a negative impact on the students because of the relationship between a professor’s pay and their quality.

“Students want an affordable education, but they don’t want a cheap one,” Tawwater said.

Kinslow’s memo refuted the claims that salaries would be frozen or cut.

“There is no budget recommendation to cut adjunct faculty salaries. Each year the board determines the annual increase and has treated all employees fairly,” Kinslow wrote.

The board will meet on March 1 to make a decision. At the meeting Tawwater is planning on making a passionate plea for the adjunct faculty. Until then she is trying to rally them together. She believes in the cause.

“We’re on the side of righteousness and fairness,” said

Sosa has Board seat in her sights Guadalupe Sosa tells her story to the Accent Assistant Editor

Teodora Erbes • Photo Editor

ACC student running for Board

Michael Needham Staff Writer

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Davis Jones is a 26 year old ACC student running for place 5 on the ACC Board of Trustees.

He expects to win.

“I’m a proponent of positive thinking,” said Jones. “I’m certainly going in humble; I’m going to do my best.”

Jones believes that the main James Eastham • Staff Photographer value he will bring to the board is the unique perspective of a Candidate — Lupe Sosa, student. candidate for a place on the “I’m not coming as a Board of Trustees, stands politician,” said Jones. “I’m not for a photo at South Austin coming from a Democratic Campus on February club. I’m not coming 23, 2010. from a Republican club. I’m coming as a clear voice “She’s my from ACC hero,” said representing Sosa as she the students – recalled her representing mother’s the hard work.

OARD customers.”

Being the OF Jones feels oldest of four RUSTEES that currently children, Sosa the board helped raise her members are too siblings while she similar to one another. went to school and learned The board is full of PhDs and English. Eventually, Sosa later adult professionals that dropped out. She had fallen are lawyers or educational administrators, said Jones. ȩȩ see sosa pg 3 “We need diverse

BT

Volume 12, Issue 9

SXSW 2010

Davis Jones tells his story to the Accent

Christopher A. Smith When it came time for Guadalupe Sosa to vote for the chair person of the advisory committee, working on the plans for a South Austin Campus, she hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she should vote for herself. Sosa had brought the idea to build a campus in South Austin to ACC’s Board of Trustees, and she had been working on it tirelessly for years.

There were many qualified people in the room. She hesitated, but then voted for herself. She won the chair position by one vote.

South Austin Campus is a reality today in large part because of Sosa’s efforts. Now she has her eyes set on a seat on ACC’s Board of Trustees.

“I love ACC,” said Sosa.

“To me education is the key to moving up, to doing better for yourself, and taking better care of your family.”

Sosa knows first-hand the importance and the opportunities an education can provide. She moved to San Antonio, when she was 13.

Her father had died, and Sosa’s mother used the money they had left to obtain visas and move to Texas to be near family.

“My mother started working as a domestic worker to send us to school and keep a roof over our heads,” said Sosa.

www.theAccent.org

Estrella Gutierrez • Staff Photographer

Student Candidate — Davis Jones, candidate for a place on the Board of Trustees, talks about his motivations for the run on February 19, 2010.

perspectives to address complicated issues,” said Jones.

“Having another PhD on the board, that’s just like ordering a bowl of rice and putting a little more white rice on it. All you’re going to get is more rice.”

Recently, students have heard talk that the board might move the add/drop deadline to before the first day of class. ȩȩ see jones pg 3

Real local coverage by real locals Ah, South By Southwest. That magic time of the year, when the first hints of spring hit the air and downtown Austin becomes a roiling pit of congested crowds, booming sound systems, and obnoxious out-of-towners. With so much going on, it can be pretty hard to get one’s bearings. Luckily, Accent has got you covered.

Inside this issue, we kick things off with our preview coverage of all the films, free shows, and other events that have caught our eye. We also run down a list of the essential supplies every adequately prepared attendee is going to be packing.

Then, we introduce you to our star staff of bloggers who will be fighting their way through the mobs, staying awake during the films, and rocking out at even the most hastily assembled venues, all to give you that insider glimpse into the Austin phenomenon that is South By Southwest.

Now in its 24th year, SXSW has grown into the premier music, art, and media conference in the United States. Austin’s tourism department loves to brag about being the “Live Music Capitol,” and this is where we put our money where our mouth is.

Though our live music gets the most lip service, Austin is also home to an incredibly vibrant film community. From star directors like Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez, to an impressive and prolific crop of up and coming filmmakers, Austin’s cinema scene gets bigger and better every year.

Though we’re wary of Twitter after last year’s catastrophic crash, we’re still going to be live blogging harder than an Iranian dissident this year.

Expect photo updates, primo video footage, and first person accounts of what secret surprises, and over hyped let downs, we find at this year’s festivities.

So open up the Accent, and get acquainted with our intrepid reporters for 2010. They’ll be out in the trenches giving you the cutting edge coverage you deserve. And if you happen to be out and about enjoying the fun yourself, don’t hesitate to say hi and maybe buy them a drink or two. ȩȩ see SXSW pg 6

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Karissa Explains

Forum

it ALL Size matters

Karissa Rodriguez Design Intern

Condoms are a staple on my grocery list, right along with milk and fruit.

The family planning aisle always has rows upon rows of various condoms and choosing one can be a daunting task.

It is important to choose the correct size because buying condoms that are too big or too small could slip off or break during intercourse and may also reduce sexual pleasure according to a large minority of men surveyed for a research study that was released in February.

The study, conducted by Dr. Richard Crosby of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Bill Yarber of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction in Indiana, was based on a survey of 436 men aged 18 to 67.

The men surveyed completed a questionnaire posted on The Kinsey Institute’s web site. Requirements for those surveyed included being at least 18 years of age, experience using condoms for penile–vaginal intercourse in the past three months and the ability to read English.

Even though the study was conducted on a small sample of men, the findings have big implications, especially for public health advocates who encourage people to use condoms to lower their risk of contracting AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or unwanted pregnancies.

Out of the 436 men, 196 or about 45 percent reported they had used ill fitting condoms in the previous three months with a female partner.

The researchers found that those men were more than twice as likely to take the condom off midway through sex due to a poor fit. They also reported that poorly-fitting condoms more than doubled the risk of breakage, slippage, erection loss and contributed to difficulty in reaching orgasm for both sexes.

The men were also five times more likely to suffer irritation of the penises, as well as reported reduced pleasure both for themselves and their female partner.

Due to the implications of

using ill-fitted condoms, it is clear that men need to find a condom that fits them correctly.

There are several options for men seeking a properly fitted condom.

First, there is always trial and error, but it is the riskiest option. Second, you can custom order your condoms over the internet.

Web sites like condomania. com have a downloadable chart that teaches men how to measure their penis. Once men do this, they can search the web site for condoms that come in their size and purchase them by the dozen.

The third, and the most far-fetched option in my opinion, is still in development.

Researchers at the German Institute for Condom Consultancy plan to launch a spray-on condom.

The prototype, which has begun testing, consists of a hard plastic tube with nozzles that spray liquid latex from all directions. Supposedly, this product is set to launch later this year.

However, men shouldn’t have to go to great lengths to find a condom that works for them. The condom companies need to create a better way of labeling their products.

In their defense, they do provide a wide array of condom products in varying shapes and textures with or without lubrication. But if they can create glow-in-the dark (not FDA approved) and ribbed condoms they should be able to create a system to indicate the varying sizes of condoms.

A system similar to how women’s bras are sized would be ideal. Seriously, if condoms came in sizes like 6C or 8B it would be so much easier to choose the right one.

The bottom line is that when walking through the family planning aisle at the local grocery or drug store, don’t be tempted to buy a box of condoms because it’s labeled extra large or has bold, shiny lettering on the package with phrases like ‘ecstasy’ or ‘ultra thin.’

Purchase a condom that will fit correctly, because buying magnums will make you feel confident at the checkout counter, but not so confident when you’re getting lucky.

For

Devons ’ Sake

Devon Tincknell Life & Arts Editor

It’s every straight man’s dream: The ability to walk up to a random woman on the street, strike up a conversation, and within minutes have her phone number. The only problem with that fantasy is how quickly it evaporates in the cruel light of reality. Before most guys could even take a step in that woman’s direction, their inner monologue kicks in, shutting them down with fears of rejection, inadaquency, and anxiety.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. According to professional dating coach Jeremy Soul of Love Systems, Inc., meeting women is easy. They’re everywhere. The only trick is learning how to properly approach them.

While I’m no Don Juan or James Bond, I’ve always been a pretty confident and outgoing guy. Without kissing and telling, I could honestly say that I’ve never considered getting professional help when it came to meeting women. But when Love Systems contacted Accent to see if a reporter wanted to cover their “Day Game” workshop in Austin, I jumped at the unusual opportunity.

When I entered the conference room at the La

Love games

Quinta, I was expecting to see a room full of sad pathetic losers, desperate to learn how to seduce women with a handful of creepy techniques. To my surprise, I found a group of friendly, amicable guys whose only common link was the financial means to cover the workshop’s hefty price tag.

All of the guys were eager and outgoing, and mainly just curious about the idea that attraction was a skill that could be learned and practiced, like bowling or basketball.

The first thing I learned in the four hour seminar was how far pick up artist culture has come since it was brought into the mainstream five years ago by Neil Strauss’ book “The Game.” Jeremy Soul uses the motto “100% Integrity,” which is a far cry from the early tactics of canned lines, memorized routines, put downs, and other methods which ranged from sleazy to outright misogynistic.

Fortunately, Soul shared my concerns about the old ideology.

Instead of relying on deceit and manipulation, the primary technique that Soul espouses is direct approach. The theory is simple. If you are interested in a woman, let her know immediately so she can view you as a potential suitor.

Instead of prowling bars and night clubs, Soul practices his techniques in an environment

w w w.the Accent.org

March 1, 2010

Petitions for annexation circulates in central texas

Karen Kuhn • Staff Artist

Voters shouldn’t be scared of new taxes, new campuses, or ACC Staff Editorial

Several communities within the ACC service district are in the process of petitioning signatures that, if enough are collected, would allow them to vote to be included in the ACC taxing district. Often when discussing raising taxes, people cross their arms and immediately decide that it is a bad idea, no matter what. It is important that voters stay open minded to the possibility of an ACC presence in their community, and realistic about what annexation would actually mean for them.

The North Hays Effort, which is a collaboration between Buda and Kyle, and Bastrop ISD, Elgin ISD, and McDade ISD independently, have all been petitioning for signatures, and the San Marcos ACCess coalition officially kicked off a petition drive on Feb. 25.

Those against annexation have expressed concern over the new property taxes that would be in place

full of single attractive woman: the real world. That’s the crux of day game. Any time and anywhere you might see a beautiful woman, simply go up to her and start talking.

The advice Soul offered seemed sound. The idea was to tell a woman you found her physically attractive, and then casually steer the conversation toward topics that cast you in a flattering light. If it worked as well as Soul promised, I assumed I’d have plenty of good looking ladies’ numbers by the end of the day.

After we broke for lunch, we split into two groups and set out to find some “sets,” pick up jargon for single women out walking. My group headed to South Congress, which was bustling with families, couples, and the occasional single woman all out and about on an overcast Saturday afternoon.

Out of the conference room and out on the street, my former confidence was nowhere to be found. I fumbled my way through a couple of approaches and, though I didn’t score any digits, I avoided making a

if they joined the ACC taxing district.

Right now the there is a 9.46 cents tax per $100 of assessed property value, which is just under a $100 dollars for residents who own a $100,000 home.

One of the things that appear to be of great concern to some of the residents in these areas is that the taxing rate could legally be raised to 50 cents per $100 of property. That’s right around $500 a year for a $100,000 home.

That’s a huge difference, and those numbers would be frightening, except that the average tax rate in Texas for community colleges is around 15 cents per $100 and ACC has always been competitive in this area. There is absolutely no reason to believe that ACC would have a need to raise their taxes that dramatically, and the taxes can’t be raised without the voters’ consent.

There is also concern with the actual interest that students in these communities would have with

complete fool of myself.

Rather than being offended or annoyed, all the women I approached were flattered by my conversation-starting compliment. Even though I was all sweaty palms and shot nerves, most of the women were nice enough to stop and talk for a couple of minutes.

My career as a pick up artist didn’t take off quite like I’d hoped, but I realized that Soul was probably right. If men practiced approaching women all the time, they’d be bound to get better at it sooner or later.

I still worry about the implications of Soul’s methods.

If day game caught on, women wouldn’t be able to walk two blocks without being accosted by a flock of would be pick up artists praising their looks.

Feminist guilt aside, I was pleased to find that the harshest rejections I encountered were the ones I created in my own mind.

I’m probably going to stick by my tried and true method for meeting women, dumb luck, but it’s nice to know that there are brave men out there making that impossible dream a reality.

ADVERTISING 512.223.3166

attending ACC. Right now there are not a lot of students coming from these areas, but if the tuition went down from the $137 per credit hour out-ofdistrict rate, to the $39 in-district rate, and a campus was available within the community, students would be more inclined to enroll.

This would not take away from students who would otherwise be in four year universities, but rather help create a bridge into higher education that those not ready or not interested in a university education currently don’t have.

The decision to join the ACC taxing district is not a small one, and it should be weighed carefully by the voters in all the communities that are interested, but unrealistic predictions about nonexistent sky-high taxes shouldn’t scare anyone away from what could be a good opportunity to make central Texas a more educated and more prosperous place.

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OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE RGC, 1212 Rio Grande St., Room 101.1 Austin TX 78701

Editor-in-Chief..................................................................................................................... Sarah Neve Assistant Editor................................................................................................... Christopher A. Smith Photo Editor.................................................................................................................... Teodora Erbes Layout Editor.........................................................................................................................Chris Scott Design Intern............................................................................................................Karissa Rodriguez Life & Arts Editor ......................................................................................................Devon Tincknell Campus Editor................................................................................................................ Sarah Vasquez Web Editor...........................................................................................................................Hanlly Sam Accent Adviser........................................................................................................ Matthew Connolly Accent Coordinator.......................................................................................................... Lori Blewett Student Life Director................................................................................................... Cheryl Richard Writers Michael Needham, Jason Witmer, Diana Leite, Brynne Harder, Ethan Gaines, Olivia Watson Photographers James Eastham, Trevor Goodchild, Estrella Gutierrez, Jason Haydon, Adrienne Sparks ACC President Dr. Steve Kinslow Board of Trustees Nan McRaven– Chair; Dr. James McGuffee—Secretary, Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Allen Kaplan, Jeffrey Richard, John-Michael Cortez, Tim Mahoney, Raul Alvarez All rights reserved. All content is the property of Accent and may not be reproduced, published or retransmitted in any form without written permission from the Office of Student Life. Accent is the student newspaper of Austin Community College and is printed by the Austin American-Statesman.

Accent is published biweekly. ACC students may submit articles for publication in Accent to RGC’s Office of Student Life Room 101.1; e-mail articles to accent@austincc.edu or fax submissions to 223‑3086. ACC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or disability. Accent offers ACC’s faculty, staff, students and surrounding community a complete source of information about student life. Accent welcomes your input, as well as information about errors. If you notice any information that warrants a correction please e-mail accent@austincc. edu. Individual views, columns, letters to the editor and other opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of Accent.

News Briefs

Texas law officials to round up those with warrants on March 6 It’s that time again. The Great Texas Warrant Roundup will begin on March 6 and will run to March 13. Representatives from the more than 250 law enforcement agencies and courts from around Texas will be combining forces to gather those of you that have outstanding warrants from traffic and parking tickets as well as city ordinance and penal code violations to higher charge warrants.

If you currently have an outstanding warrant, now is the time to contact the appropriate jurisdiction to deal with the case voluntarily.

Hundreds of thousands of notices were mailed out. Information pertaining to the number of outstanding warrants, how to take care of warrants prior to arrest and any other helpful information can be obtained by contacting each agency.

According to the Constable Precinct 5’s Web site, you are able to plea a no contest with a pdf form obtained from their Web site with a form of payment in cash, money order, cashier’s check, or credit card to clear your record immediately. The Web site to download the form is www.constable5.com/info/Warrant_Roundup.html.

ACC Students to participate in interactive forum on jobs Even with the recent announcement of new jobs opening up in Austin in thanks to Facebook, it still doesn’t change the fact that more students are still worried about getting a job after college graduation.

Austin Community College’s Center for Public Policy, the Economics Department and the Center for Student Political Studies are hosting an interactive forum on March 10 at 6 p.m. called “The Jobs Summit, Will I have a Job after Graduation” for students to discuss solutions for those post college job searches especially in this current poor economy. The event is in Eastview Campus Multipurpose Hall, Room 8500.

More information on this event will be available online soon. The event was changed from the original economics forum called “How to Fix the Economy.”

SGA Candidates preparing for election campaigns Campaigning will occurs during March 29 through April 25 for the Austin Community College’s Student Government Association election. The SGA has just accepted the necessary election packages for students wanting to run for office with SGA. Now those candidates will conduct interviews with an SGA officer. After these interviews are conducted and the Office of Student Life checks their GPAs to ensure they meet the required 2.5 GPA and are in good standing prior to the election, the SGA advisor and Student Life director will approve candidates to participate in the rest of the election process.

Opening SGA positions will include: President, VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Communications, and Parliamentarian. There will also two Senators voted from each campus as well as one Senator from the following constituencies: Distance Learning Students, Students with Disabilities, International Students, Non-Tradional Students, Minority Students and Veteran Students. After the Senators have been elected, they will then elect a Senate Chair. Becoming a SGA officer will give students a greater opportunity to affect change and make things happen at ACC.

As more solar energy companies are forming in Austin, Austin Community College will be offering two women focused classes.

The two classes on solar installation will start on March 22 and will meet on Mondays and Wednesday at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at Highland Business Center.

Students that take this class will receive an introduction to the solar industry and learn various topics such as: solar energy fundamentals, photo voltaic (PV) electrical design, and workplace safety. There will also be an installation lab where students will get hands-on experience and those that complete the course will be eligible to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Entry Level Exam. The exam A free two hour information session will take place on March 6 at 10 a.m. at Riverside Campus Room 8100. This will give interested students a chance to meet the solar course instructors and learn information about how to start training toward a job in this ever growing green industry.

For more information on this new program, go to www.austincc. edu/green.

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SGA against changes to add/drop Christopher A. Smith Assistant Editor

The Student Government Association passed a resolution on Feb. 19 strongly opposing the proposed changes to the registration schedule.

“The current Add/Drop Dates benefit all students,” states the resolution, “removing the Add/Drop Date could negatively affect all students; especially the students effected by the Texas Legislature bill stating that students who enroll in public colleges and universities beginning in fall 2007 and thereafter may not withdraw from more than six classes during their undergraduate college career.”

The resolution also states that “By moving the dates, a student could lose their academic freedom and impede their ability to succeed.”

Bacak said that he would like to see the administration deal

with the issue of late registration separately from the add/drop period.

“I am hopeful that the administration will hear the voice of the student body and that [students] don’t want add/ drops to move,” said Bacak.

Currently the ACAC is reviewing the proposal to change the late registration and add/drop schedule. The ACAC is a recommending body of ACC’s shared governance structure.

The ACAC has discussed the issue at its last two meetings and will likely take it up once more at their March 5 meeting.

Vice president of workforce education and business development and co-chair of the ACAC, Mike Midgley explained that the ACAC is gathering input from faculty, employees, and students. The ACAC can take as much time as it needs to review the proposal, and it can send the proposal back to a committee if the ACAC feels

Sosa to focus on education ȨȨ Continued from pg 1

behind in school, and at 18 she had just finished the ninth grade.

After getting married and having five children, Sosa decided she needed to finish her education to get a good job.

She got her GED and then a teaching degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. She studied education with the goal of teaching bilingual students.

Sosa never got her teaching certificate but instead worked in social services first in Victoria and then in Austin. It was in Austin working at a Medicaid program that provided transportation to clients, that Sosa said she found her most rewarding job.

“I loved that job not because it paid so much, but because it gave me the satisfaction of knowing I was helping people.”

After retirement, Sosa joined her neighborhood association, and through that association she has been involved in projects such as the building of ACC’s South Austin campus.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. Last year Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell declared July 9, 2009, Lupe Sosa Day. It has been the encouragement of friends and people in her neighborhood association that have gotten Sosa to run for a place on the ACC Board.

Sosa said that, if elected, she wants to keep ACC’s focus on “serving the needs of the community, the needs of the students.”

that more work needs to be done on the proposal, explained Midgely.

Eventually the ACAC will make its recommendation to Kinslow, said Midgley. Whether or not the ACAC approves the proposed changes, Kinslow makes the final decision on whether to implement the changes to the schedule.

To go into effect by next fall, the new registration deadline dates would need to be sent to the Publications and Creative Services department by March 29, the last day to include new information in the Fall 2010 Student Handbook and Course Catalog.

“It is a pretty rare circumstance when the recommendations aren’t taken, but certainly that is a possibility,” Midgley said.

Currently, students have three days after the first class day to register for class and make changes to their schedule by adding and dropping courses,

but if the new schedule is approved, students would have to register and make all changes to their schedule before the first day of class.

Bacak said the SGA will send a copy of the add/drop resolution to Kinslow and to the ACAC. In the resolution the SGA states that “the current Add/ Drop Dates benefit all students in planning for classes, work schedules, coordination child services, and allows all student to voice their academic freedom by being able to choose their own professors and classes once they have been able to meet the professor and review the classroom environment.”

“I think that the administration has their own views on how this should be pursued,” said Bacak, “and right now I don’t think that is in line with the Student Government’s views.”

Jones wants to bring student perspective to board seat in May ȨȨ Continued from pg 1

One area of interest for Sosa Jones feels that this is a practical is the high school dropout rate example of the impact of not among Hispanic students. She having student representation said she would like to see what on the board.

ACC could do to work with Jones knows what it is to local schools. have a busy schedule; he is Sosa also spoke about currently taking 18 credits. He current issues like the proposed feels like ACC students are changes to the late registration already required to have a high and add/drop schedule, which level of organization, and that she said, “is not a good idea.” the board doesn’t need to move Of the Adjunct Faculty pay issue currently before the Board, the add/drop date.

“I think that that’s Sosa said, “We want quality something we certainly need to teachers, quality professors. You work on together versus getting pay for what you get, and we bullied into having a drop date are competing with UT. We are that doesn’t suit the students’ competing with big institutions needs,” Jones said. that can afford to pay, so we As with this issue and have to pay for quality.” others, Jones Because of ACC’s understands that role in the Austin he won’t be able community to go in and and because immediately of her work change with the things.

South “The Austin bottom Campus, line is that Sosa joked OARD this is a that she board of is “part of nine people.

ACC even RUSTEES I will humbly though I don’t listen to the work for it.” perspectives of the After the May other eight members 8 Board of Trustees of the board,” Jones said. “I elections, Sosa hopes that she will say that I will fight for the will officially be part of ACC student view.” and that is why she said she will Jones is looking at the definitely be voting for herself. financial future of ACC with a skeptical eye.

“As our enrollment is Editor’s Note doubling, our state funding is Candidates running for a seat definitely not doubling, so it is on the ACC Board of Trustees putting a pinch on our money,” can contact the Accent at editor3@austincc.edu or 223Jones said.

3111 for an interview.

As a counteraction, Jones

RA 0 1

BTOF

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New female focused classes to be offered in solar installation

www.theAccent.org

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March 1, 2010

News

would use his place on the board to reach out and get money for the school.

“As a person in a position of trust, I would use that position to motivate certain parts of certain institutions to consider Austin Community College as a recipient of private funds,” Jones said.

Jones desires a more practical education at ACC. He wants the college to integrate with local businesses for the benefit of the students.

“We need to have local business leaders in the college telling students what they need in order to get a job, and what opportunities are out there,” Jones said. “Don’t give me a degree in water management if I live in a desert.”

During his campaign process, Jones has been in communication with the trustees.

“The board has been good about informing me about issues facing the board,” Jones said. “In that sense, they have been very supportive.”

Jones encourages people to be part of the upcoming election.

“Tell your friends and family that there is a strong voice coming from the students, and we need their support in getting it heard,” Jones said. “It starts in the ballot box on May 8.”

Editor’s Note

Candidates running for a seat on the ACC Board of Trustees can contact the Accent at editor3@austincc.edu or 2233111 for an interview.

March 1, 2010

Campus Life

Calendar of Events

For those interested in submitting campus events for our Accent calendar, please e-mail the information to editor3@ austincc.edu for consideration.

Rhythm of the Nations!

March 3, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Eastview Campus, Room 8500 Bring your dancing shoes so you can learn dancing styles from Bollywood to Hip Hop to Salsa. Students will also have the chance to win an iPod touch, iPod Nano, and much more.

www.theAccent.org

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ACC celebrates black heritage with Cajun cuisine, jazz music, and a look back at America’s Buffalo Soldiers Jayson Haydon Staff Writer

February is Black History Month, and with it came several events on ACC campuses.

The main focus of the events was culture, and lots of food was served to students who attended the events at Northridge, Riverside and Rio Grande campuses.

Riverside campus served up Jazz music and Cajun dishes by Greg Lee and his family.

There was also a celebration of gospel music held at Eastview earlier in the month.

The Northridge event was called “A Taste of the South,” and the café was crammed full with students waiting to sample the traditional southern dishes, including fried chicken and beans with ham hocks. Deserts were also provided, along with iced tea.

Dishes were prepared and served by faculty, staff and student volunteers.

A large donation of food for the event was made by Chick-Fil-A, who donated eight large trays of chicken nuggets.

“I wish they would do more events like this. The food is good, and does help to bring about cultural awareness on campus,” said Thomas Withers, an English major at Northridge. “It helped me become aware of a different culture. I’d never tried some of the food that was served before, and it was really good.”

Advisory Session One: Transfer Essentials

March 3, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Northridge Campus, room 2140 This is the first of an ongoing series to guide ACC students who are looking to transfer to another university. Speakers will address answers most commonly asked about the transferring process and what is needed in the application process.

“Women in Green Jobs” Solar Training Information Session

March 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

This free 2-hour session will inform students about the upcoming solar installation courses designed by women for women. Students will learn why green technology is the future and how women will play a vital role in this whether it’s in installing, being a sales representative, or a designer.

ACC Texas State University Advisor Networking Forum

March 5, 12-1 p.m. Cypress Creek Campus Multipurpose Room 1102 Texas State University’s representatives from various departments will meet with interested ACC students looking to transfer.

“Smoking Lesson”

Mar 5-7, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. Rio Grande Campus Gallery Theater The ACC Drama Department presents its production of a 90 minute play written by Julia Jordan and directed by Marcus McQuirter. The story tells about four young women bound by a childhood secret.

Student Literary Gathering

March 8, 7 p.m. Austin Java The monthly Literary Gathering is organized by ACC’s Creative Writing Department. Students and the public are invited to share anything from poems to non-fiction to songwriting.

The Jobs Summit, Will I Have a Job After Graduation

Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 6-8:30 p.m., Eastview Campus, Mulitpurpose Hall Room 8500 ACC’s Center for Student Political Students, The Center for Public Policy and The Economics Department are teaming up to present an event for students to interact and share solutions on how to create jobs in our current poor economy.

Spring Break

March 15-21 It’s Spring Break. No classes. South by Southwest Festival.

Check out the Accent coverage. Enough said.

Trevor Goodchild • Staff Photographer

BUFFALO SOLDIERS — Dorothy Jorgensen, mechanical engineering major, and an ACC staff member look over Buffalo Soldier artifacts on February 18 at Rio Grande Campus. Nathaniel Booker set up a table to represent the Black Regulars for the event which took place at several ACC campuses as part of the Black History in America month.

Library Technology Survey Goes Live

March 22, To provide more services that reflect the current technology generation, ACC Libraries will be posting an online survey for students to inform them what services they are currently using in all aspects of technology: social networking, smart phones, e-readers and more. Three students will be randomly selected to win $120 cash prizes for completely the survey.

LIVE Leadership Broadcast-National Society of Leadership & Success

March 23, 6 p.m. Riverside Campus Building G, Room 8100 Best-selling author David Bach will be sharing his knowledge on how to take action to live and finish rich.

He has eight national best-sellers which have influenced Americans’ approach to finance. This event will be broadcast live.

The Balancing Workshop – Raising Kids and Your GPA March 25, 2-4 p.m., 6-8 p.m. Highland Business Center, Room 222 Students who balance their classes and their children are invited to attend these two free workshop hosted by The Support Center. The two discussed topics include: Emotional Well Being and Personal Finances. Free childcare, food and door prizes will be provided.

Percival Everret Reading

Apr 1, 7 p.m., Rio Grande Campus Gallery Award winning author, Percival Everret will be on campus to read from his selection of literary fiction. He has written books such as “Suder,” “Glyph” and “I am Not Sidney Poitier.” This event is open to all students and the public.

Jason Haydon • Staff Photographer

CULTURAL FOOD — Students, Staff and Visitors taste the great variety of cultural food served at Northridge Campus on February 16 for the Black History event which took place at several ACC campuses as part of the Black History in America month.

Blackout has awards, games for students Ethan Gaines Staff Writer

The Student Government Association hosted the second annual Blackout at the Eastview campus Multi-purpose Room on Feb. 19.

Blackout is a free social event open to all ACC students.

This year’s Blackout provided students with five Nintendo Wii’s, three Xbox 360’s, two Alienware PC’s furnished by

Dell, a PlayStation2, a Nintendo 64, board games, food, a lounge area, music and a dance floor set up with stage lighting.

The SGA took advantage of the massive projector that’s generally used for presentations to large crowds, hooked up under the balcony in the Multipurpose Room.

“We had a real good turnout this year,” Vice President of the SGA Mike Reid said.

Reid explained that last year the SGA used projectors, carts,

and TVs provided by ACC’s Media Department. When SGA requested the equipment this January, they were told that most of the projectors and screens that were used for last year’s Blackout were now permanently installed in other classrooms throughout ACC campuses.

So for this year’s Blackout, the SGA worked with Dell and A+ Federal Credit Union as well as renting most of the equipment from Rock and Roll

Rentals.

A Flip video camera was donated by A+ Federal Credit Union, two iPod Shuffles and an Xbox 360 were provided by SGA, and Student Life chipped in four 2GB flash drives that were all raffled off to students.

Since the SGA has already decided to rent everything they will need for the next Blackout, Reid said they intend to increase its budget for the rental fees and have more information about the event available much sooner.

March 1, 2010

R

www.theAccent.org

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Pinnacle Campus Student and Staff Opinions

Pinnacle’s Albertson parking lot will be closed, and the Shuttle services from the parking lot to campus will be terminated on May 13. A new parking lot will be built to accommodate the campus parking needs. What do the students think about the new parking changes?

“If the Albertson parking lot closes before the parking extension is finished, there will be a mess on campus. I really like the shuttle, taking it is better than driving in circles like a vulture, trying to find a parking spot.”- Julie Tomlan, education major

“That is going to be a great idea.

There is not enough parking here, so I always have to drive down to Albertsons.”

-Curtis Miller, undecided major

“I take the city bus to go to school, but sometimes I use the bus shuttle to get from the bus stop to campus.

I’ll have some trouble if the shuttle service stops.”

-Crystal Ramsey, veterinary major

Campus Life | page 5

ACC theater lights up Diana Leite Staff Writer

Smoking Lesson, a play directed by Austin Community College Professor of Drama, Marcus McQuirter, made its debut on Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Rio Grande Campus Gallery Theater and has five subsequent presentations. The play, written by dramatist Julia Jordan, was chosen

by McQuirter because it is “a really good play for young actors.”

“It has a small cast with roles that are appropriated to college level students, so there is not too much stretching,” said McQuirter.

The play tells the story of three very different girls bound together by a dark secret. When they were eight years old, they were the ones to find the body of a 15 years old dead girl floating on the Mississippi river. Every year after that, they perform a ritual on the place where they found the dead girl, giving her their best experiences for each year.

The play begins with three characters, Theresa Louise McCauley played by Tess Haynie, Mary Kate Riley played by Miranda Guillory and Lisa Ann Manley played by Pais Raynor, performing their seventh and last ritual. The then 15-year-old girls play games and light matches, sharing to their dead friend, Pearl, their best experiences for that year.

In the midst of their ritual, 27-year-old Tom Delany, a local misfit played by Nathanial Dunaway, enters the scene with cans of beer and teaches the three girls how to smoke.

His relationship with Theresa soon develops as his past with

Pearl is slowly revealed. He is accused of her murder, but whether he is guilty or innocent of that crime is unclear.

As director McQuirter put it “the play is a little dark, but we have an angst filled generation that can relate with the story.”

“We were lucky in the casting.

We got a lot of people coming in for the audition, so we had the luxury to really pick and choose not only actors that I thought are really good, but actors that fit the roles pretty well and actors that had good chemistry,” said McQuirter. He auditioned over 25 actors for the four roles.

According to the director “The final decision came down to chemistry,” and the chemistry between the four actors is tangible on stage. Dunaway interprets a naturally unlovable character, but he manages to show a very human side of his character that instigates the audience to see the story from Tom’s perspective.

With an estimated duration of 90 minutes divided in two acts, McQuirter’s play incorporates a new aspect to the play. Five short videos with a total duration of six minutes filmed and edited by assistant director Diego Martinez, will be projected between scenes.

The short videos represent the dreams of lead character Theresa Louise McCauley.

“Smoking Lesson” will be performed at the Rio Grande campus Gallery Theater March 5 - 7 at 8 p.m. Fri-Sat and 2 p.m.

Sun.

Teodora Erbes • Photo Editor

THE FIGHT — Theresa McCauley, playing Tess, and Tom Delaney, playing Nathaniel, rehearse a fight scene of the Smoking Lesson play on February 24, 2010.

“We should just be able to park on the grass until the parking lot extension is finished.”

-Corey Hewlett, general studies major

“That is good to see. I think ACC is seeing that more parking lot is needed, and they are trying to adjust to that necessity.”

-Nathaniel Dickerman, computer science major and library assistant

All photos by Diana Leite

Teodora Erbes • Photo Editor

Teodora Erbes • Photo Editor

REHEARSALS — Actresses Theresa McCauley PLAYING GAMES — Theresa McCauley, Mary Kate Riley and Lisa Manley, playand Lisa Manley, play Tess and Pais at rehearsals of the Smoking Lesson play on February 24, 2010.

ing Tess, Miranda and Pais respectively, rehearse a ‘girls playing’ scene of the Smoking Lesson play on February 24, 2010. Smoking Lesson, directed by Marcus McQuirter, starts playing February 26, 2010 in the Gallery Theater at RGC.

Riverside

Rio Grande Programs offered: With 72 programs, Rio Grande doesn’t quite pack the needed punch.

Class Size: According to Campus Manager Marilyn LeeTaylor the average class size is 36.

Parking Capacity: The count of total spaces is a comparatively scant 786.

Planned Growth: Rio Grande is the clear victor of this category.

Executive Director of Alma Hernandez Facilities and Construction William Mullane pointed out that Rio Grande will be opening a 30,000-square-foot facility in May. The building, which used to be a gymnasium, will include offices, classrooms, and a large computerized classroom that is unlike anything else in the ACC system. The computerized classroom will be about the size of three normal classrooms, and will have brand new equipment geared toward self paced instruction for students.

Also, ACC recently purchased an office building adjacent to RGC for the purpose of expansion.

Why RGC? Marilyn Lee-Taylor said that people come to RGC because it is the only school in the ACC system with a theater that puts on productions. Also, it’s the only campus with ceramics or sculpting courses.

Already, two great campuses have been cast out of the competition. As we attempt to guess at our own legacy, we must forgive ourselves for littering our follies or friends along the wayside.

This week the husband’s school goes up against the wife’s. Marilyn Lee-Taylor and her husband Frank Taylor manage RGC and RVS respectively. Both are top-notch campuses, but which one is better? Let us narrow our gaze of glory a little more, and distinguish between the schools.

VS

This has to be the closest match yet. Riverside wins every category except for Planned Growth.

Rio Grande wins that category by enough to make up for its shortcomings in the rest. This is neck and neck.

When it comes down to it, Riverside just gives the students more. Even after the old gymnasium turns into a computerized supercenter in May, it looks like Riverside’s six buildings will still offer more. This’ll probably be a bittersweet victory for Taylor, and so, I sweetly apologize.

Congratulations Riverside, you advance!

Programs offered: With 89 programs Riverside strikes first.

Class Size: According to Campus Manager Frank Taylor, the campus has rooms with class sizes of 24, 28, and 37. There is also one chemistry room used for a double lecture that has a class size of 44.

It seems that RVS has a slightly smaller average class size.

Parking Capacity: Despite RGC’s new parking garage, Riverside wallops the category with a stunning 1,009 Alma Hernandez spaces.

Planned Growth: Mullane says there is currently nothing in the books for Riverside expansion.

Why RVS? Frank Taylor says that students love the environment at RVS. He added that students think that the campus feels like a university because it is so spread out. Specialized courses at RVS include automotive, small engine, building construction technology, welding, electronics, and a solar program.

r e n Win

“We have the solar rays that were erected. It’s the one and only of its kind. It’s been featured in Time Magazine, as well as Popular Mechanics,” Taylor said.

Michael Needham Staff Writer

SXSW

on theacc

Sarah

Dev

Tinyurl.com/Sarahsxsw

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Hola amigos, this is Sarah Vasquez checking in. When I’m not clocking campus news for the Accent, I also moonlight as a professional music writer at Austin Vida. This is my sixth SXSW, so I’ve got the experience, the knowledge, and the stamina required to tackle a festival of this magnitude. While all you amateurs are suffering from heat stroke and blown ear drums, I’m going to be front and center, taking video and photos of the hot acts descending on Austin’s downtown.

From off the map parties to wild and raw day shows, I’ll be proving that, here at the Accent, we don’t need no stinking badges (though I will have a full music badge).

Music to Watch Finding something to do is never the problem at SXSW. The real difficulty lies in sorting through the information overload to pick the events you’re most interested in. Even without a high faluting badge or wristband, the vast amount of open to the public events can be overwhelming, That’s why The Accent did that dirty work for you, and picked out eight of our favorite SXSW events for 2010. Be warned, information is liable to change so check always check online to confirm details.

1. Night of Rage II - Night of Mayhem,

The second annual Night of Rage jams an astounding amount of rough shod, lo-fi, cutting-edge punk and noise acts into its impressive line up. Grrl power gets a 21st century kick in the pants from acts like The Carrots and Explode Into Colors, while the city that gave birth to feisty post-modern feminism, Olympia, Washington, gets its day in the sun with sets from Gun Outfit, White Boss, and Broken Water.

March 18 3 p.m., Baby Blue Recording Studio, 1522 East 12th St.

2. Terrorbird and Forcefield

Indie rock power brokers Terrorbird Media and Forcefield PR step out from the shadows with this stunning Wednesday day show. From the lethargic haze of acts like Toro y Moi and former Austinite Neon Indian to the southern fried country roots rock of Those Darlins, this show is the perfect way to get yourself in the SXSW spirit. March 17 12 p.m., Red 7, 611 East 7th Stree t

3. Other Music Presents

The French Legation will once again be a part of Texas’ history after it hosts the two day Other Music Presents showcase. Featuring on the rise Austin act Yellow Fever, the xx, and The Antlers on Thursday, OMP outdoes itself Friday with sets by new acts like Woods and Dengue Fever before conducting a history lesson on the roots of counter culture rock with special professors Pierced Arrows and Thurston Moore.

March 18, March 19 1 p.m., French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos Street

4. KVRX Day Shows & KVRXplosion

When it comes to top notch student run media in town, the stellar UT run radio station KVRX only comes second to Accent. Friday and Saturday finds the station setting up day shows with sets by Javelin, Golden Triangle, and Teenage Cool Kids. Thursday night things are liable to get wilder than an F-bomb on the airwaves when KVRX reclaims the old Obama HQ for their legendary KVRXplosion.

March 18, Abuelita’s, 1107 I-35 March 19, Okay Mountain, 1312 East Cesar Chavez Ste B March 20, Domy Books, 913 E Cesar Chavez

5. Red Gorilla Fest

Since 2007, this festival has expanded to a multi-venue display of up-and-coming independent music. Former alumni that have performed in RedGorilla Fest include Cage the Elephant, Dead Confederate and Family Force 5. Centrally located on downtown 6th Street, fans can enjoy bands and musicians from a variety of genres such as acoustic, blues, hip hop and punk. March 17-21, Venues TBA

6. FUSXSW

With the abundance of cliched indie rock scheduled during SXSW, Giant Steps Productions provides a much needed relief with a week of loud, in your face rock bands. Located in the small confines of Plush Bar, the lack of stages gives a more intimate feeling as the fans are right there rocking with the performing bands.

March 14, Beerland, March 16, The Parlor, March 17-20 Plush, March 20 Music Gym

7. The Versatile Cache: Volume 2 Release Party

To celebrate the second volume of their compilation, Versatile Syndicate is throwing a day long showcase at Hole in the Wall. Bands featured on the compilation such as Prayer for Animals, and Obsolete Machines perform on two stages at this free show.

March 18, 12 p.m. Hole in the Wall

8. Octopus Project’s Hexadecagon Show

The Octopus Project are bringing another visual experience to the masses during SXSW. The band is joining forces with visual artist Wiley Wiggins, who some may remember as the upcoming freshman in Dazed and Confused. The audience will be surrounded by eight speakers set up in a circle as eight images will project over their heads.

March 16 7:00 p.m. and 9 p.m. Whole Foods Rooftop

SXSW

3

Survival Kit

1. SUNGLASSES - Wear them during the day to avoid squinting.

Take them off at night to avoid looking like Cory Hart.

2. WATER AND SNACKS - Pack a couple of Powerbars and a bottle of water to keep your energy up and avoid the dreaded “Dorritos for dinner” phenomenon.

3. SUNSCREEN - Most of the free events scheduled when the sun is blazing, a little SPF protection is always essential for avoiding that lobster red rookie look.

4. EARPLUGS - You can buy some cheap foam ones at Home Depot, but real music afficonados spring for something that won’t make every band sound like a dull, muffled mess.

5. BACKPACK - Because cargo pants are for losers.

6. PHONE CHARGER - Twittering, talking, texting. they all drain battery life quick. Don’t be left without a clue when your phone dies and your charger is back home.

7. UMBRELLA - Don’t bring an umbrella. If it rains, you get wet. It’s part of the experience.

8. BUS PASS - What? You thought you were going to find parking downtown?

1

9. CASH - Whether you encounter a cash-only food vendor or you’re trying to grease some wheels in order to get into a sold out show, it always helps to have cash on hand.

2

4

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Films to See

From big screen premiers to mumblecore indie flicks, SXSW is quickly becoming one of America’s must attend film festivals. Whether you want to rub elbows with celebrities, soak in high brow art films, or just scope out the sweet after parties, SXSW Film is the place to be. Below are the top 10 films, shorts, and panels that the Accent is eagerly anticipating. Please check the official SXSW Film Schedule for show times.

1. Kick-Ass: Based on the series by respected comic writer Mark Millar, Kick-Ass has everything a fanboy could want: gritty, gratuitous action, ordinary people acting like superheros, and a viral trailer where Nicolas Cage shoots his daughter point blank in the chest (spoiler alert: she’s wearing a bullet proof vest).

2. Directing the Dead: Genre Directors Spill Their Guts: When it comes to Q&As, lectures, and panel presentations, it’s sometimes wise to go with speakers that are likely to be entertaining over subject matter you find fascinating. Luckily, the Directing the Dead panel features over enthusiastic motor mouth Quentin Tarantino, his bosom buddy Eli Roth, and up and coming horror auteurs Ti West, Matt Reeves, and Ruben Fleischer. Even if these guys were talking about proper drywall maintenance, the pure, unfiltered geekery of the speakers would be fascinating. .

3. Dirty Pictures: Back in the heady days of the 1960s, psychedelic gurus were expecting drugs to expand our mental horizons and revolutionize society on every level. That dream faded away when baby boomers turned off, tuned out, and rejoined the mainstream, but chemist Dr. Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin continued to tinker. This documentary on the man who discovered MDMA (also know as ecstasy) should be almost as fascinating as a long night staring at your hands while contemplating the nature of reality.

Hey, I’m Christopher Smith, the Accent’s assistant editor. This is my first SXSW film festival, but it ain’t my first rodeo. Unlike my sidekick Devon, I don’t really know much about these so-called “buzz bands” and “hot films.” I’m a down to earth Texan, and so I plan on using my own eyes and ears to evaluate these things, rather than listen to some city boy blogger. But if I do happen to come across that elusive hipster troll who dictates what’s hot and what’s not at SXSW, you can count on me lassoing, hog tieing, and branding the Accent logo on the side of that ugly beast’s hairy hide.

4. MARWENCOL: After receiving a horrific, brain-damaging beating, Mark sought solace in Marwencol, the 1/6th scale town he began constructing in his backyard. This documentary investigates Mark’s unusual road to recovery and the unique way that art can helps heal wounds, both physical and emotional.

5. Enter The Void: Filmmaker Gaspar Noe’s Irreversible is one of the most gut wrenching, hard to watch films ever created, featuring a horrific rape shown in real time as a nine minute, unbroken shot. His newest work, Enter The Void, doesn’t sound as quite unwatchable as Irreversible but knowing Noe the film is bound to be hard to take in one way or another. At the very least it will give you something to talk about at the after parties.

6.The Ride: A new documentary film from Vice, The Ride follows the lives of bull riders, rodeo clowns, and stock ranchers in the Professional Bull Riders Association. The documentary includes a cast of hard riding, fast living, modern day rodeo cowboys exploring what happens when a classic American myth runs head first into modern America’s big business .

7. Camp Victory, Afghanistan: This documentary tells the story of several U.S. National Guardsmen stationed in Herat, Afghanistan and the Afghan officers they work with. The United States wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are often the 800 pound gorilla in the room we try to ignore but sometimes you have to stare the gorilla in the eye.

8.Tub: The synopsis of this short film on the SXSW web site is: “Paul jerked off in the shower. Paul just impregnated his bath tub.” Why would you NOT want to watch this film?

9. MARS: MARS is a feature length film that follows three astronauts on the first manned mission to our neighboring planet.

Director Geoff Marslett developed an animation process specifically for MARS. Filmmaker Magazine named Geoff Marslett one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film in 2009, and he is quoted in the magazine as saying that the movie is “a big allegory for Earth’s relationship to Mars,” but it’s also has “scientists and robots and astronauts falling in love.”

10.Writing a Successful Screenplay: Consider the Source: Screenwriters get together to talk about the work of the “modern studio scriptwriter.” The panelists will talk about “the wide range of source material, how to use it, and how to write an effective adaptation that sells.” The panel will include novelist and Texas Monthly columnist, Sarah Bird and Shauna Cross, who wrote the film Whip It among others.

Teodora Erbes • Photo Editor

5 6

7 8

Karen Kuhn • Staff Artist

9 Use a QR code reader on your smartphone to take a photo of the above code which will then directly link you to our specific SXSW coverage page on www.theaccent.org. Because typing the url is so 2009.

page 8 | Campus Life

w w w.the Accent.org

March 1, 2010

Intramural Sports and Rec. Spring 2010 New semester of events kicks off late February

Student Life Intramural Sports started its latest season on Feb 18.

Registration has closed for all teams, but everyone can attend games for free.

UPCOMING DATES 4x4 Men’s Indoor Soccer March 1, 8, and 22 Games start at 9 p.m. at the Austin Sport’s Arena in Round Rock 4x4 Women’s Volleyball March 1, 8, and 22 Games start at 9 p.m. at the Austin Sport’s Arena in Round Rock Men’s Basketball March 4 Games start at 6:30 p.m. at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation center March 6 Games, scheduled to start at 9 a.m., will take place both at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation center and the Brentwood Christian School in Austin.

Estrella Gutierrez • Staff Photographer

ACC INTRAMURALS —

ACC students participate in Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Indoor Soccer intramural tournaments at the Austin Sport’s Arena in Round Rock on February 22, 2010.

Life & Arts

March 1, 2010

www.theAccent.org

page 9

Movies

The big bad wolf is back Horror classic gets enjoyable, but unnecessary, update Jason Haydon Staff Writer

Well first off, to state the obvious, this is a remake. Not only that, but it is a remake of what many consider to be a classic.

Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) is an English born American actor who hasn’t spoken to his family in years.

While in London, he receives a letter from his brother’s fiancée, Gwen (Emily Blunt,) imploring him to return to Talbot Hall to help search for his missing brother, Ben Talbot (Simon Merrills).

He does return, only to learn that his brother’s body has been found, and it has been mutilated in a most inhuman way. The local townsfolk immediately cast long hard looks at a gypsy tribe staying in the area, and blame the gypsies and their trained dancing bear.

On the night that Lawrence goes to investigate, it is a full moon, and there is a savage attack, and people see that it is a wolf that moves with preternatural speed and determination. Lawrence is bitten. His wound is treated by the gypsies, who then return him to

Talbot Hall.

We watch as he begins to suffer from Lycanthropy, the condition of being a werewolf.

Soon we learn who infected him, and how he is being used as a scapegoat to cover this other person’s identity.

This reboot of an old franchise of Universal studious is well done.

The characterization could have been deeper, but is satisfactory.

Anthony Hopkins, playing the role of Sir John Talbot, plays his part perfectly. He’s cold, distant, and disinterested, until almost the end, when he shows quite a bit of emotion. His character has a line in which he says he is basically dead. Hopkins does a superb job of playing someone who is dead inside, who no longer has any passion or concern for life and is emotionally drained and empty, and just no longer gives a damn.

He doesn’t come off as an actor playing the part of someone who doesn’t care, but does such an excellent role of conveying these feelings, it seems like he truly doesn’t care.

Blunt plays her role, first as grieving lover, then as cautious love interest nicely as well.

The audience can tell that she

March 1 - Rust Never Sleeps Alamo Drafthouse Ritz 9:45p.m., $2 Perhaps the greatest musician to ever walk the Earth, Neil Young had a hot streak in the 1970s that hasn’t been touched to this day. This rare 35mm screening capture Young at his zenith, playing solo and then going electric with Crazy Horse.

photo courtesy of Stubber Pictures

is interested in this brother of her fiancé, but that she is still mourning the loss of her fiancé as well. She is Not weepy or overly emotional at her loss, but resigned and emotionally conserved.

Del Toro was passable. He did a very good job with the material he had, but his character never evolves, at least not before he is bitten. Something more could

have been done with his part.

The effects are decent. They could have been better, but there are some very cool and grizzly dismemberments and an awesome beheading. It is on the gory side, but these scenes seem to be a so over the top that they aren’t that disturbing, and sometimes even comical.

It’s worth watching, but it

would be nice if Hollywood would come up with something new instead of constantly remaking what has already been done well. Plus, horror is always better in black and white.

B+

The Wolfman Opened Feb. 12

The Name of the Game

Showdown at Arcade UFO Jason Witmer Staff Writer

I’ve been playing video games competitively for as long as I can remember. I love the thrill of competition, so it’s lucky for me that the competitive gaming scene is big in Austin.

I heard wind of a two vs. two Street Fighter 4 tournament at Arcade UFO (Austin’s only coin operated Japanese arcade), and decided to go. I invited my friend Alec Garcia, a fellow gamer from Houston, to be my partner.

Standing outside Arcade UFO, it looked like nothing more than a shanty building in the middle of an ordinary neighborhood. The bright blue walls give the venue a cave-like vibe. Upon entering, I realized that the modest building is merely a shell for the awesome arcade inside. Rows upon rows of games line the walls, filling the room with glowing lights and loud music. Some might find this overwhelming, but for a gamer, it’s home.

A total of 66 gamers came from across the state to match wits and mash buttons. Once we registered, Alec and I found ourselves surrounded by fellow fighting game enthusiasts, huddled over arcade cabinets trying to observe and get in a little more practice against potential competitors.

The smell of competition, a heady mixture of stale air, sweat, and concentration was in the air. The drowning sound of video games and the clicking of jumping hands on arcade buttons echoed across the room as the gamers battled against their opponents. Strangely, the din helped sooth my pretournament jitters.

Listings were announced one by one for the first matches.

The tournament was doubleelimination, which means if competitors lose their first game, they still have a chance to come back and win (with a little extra effort).

I heard our team name over the speaker, and fear welled up within me as I made my way through the crowd. It was at this moment that I realized why I love the gaming community so much.

As I walked toward the stage, everyone around me made

way, clapping and cheering in excitement. This wasn’t just a competition for these people.

It was a show: they were spectators, and I was the next actor.

After shaking hands with our first opponents, Alec and I decided that I would go first.

Our competitors were diverse: a husky gentleman and a diminutive Asian kid. While the two of them might have been verbal and physical candy for bullies as children, in this community they are the alpha males, and I respected them as such. Appearance is nothing in this sport. It’s your combos and kicks, not your “coolness,” that matters here.

I blew into my hands and rubbed them over the buttons as I sat down at the arcade cabinet, a good luck ritual I perform before every match.

The game was best two out of three, and before I knew it we were in our last match. A single error would mean elimination for me.

We sat on opposite sides of the screen trying to provoke each other into attacking. I struggled valiantly, but he was a skilled fighter and finished me off with a special move.

My partner went in to see if he could fare better against my opponent. If our opponent lost, his partner would go in and face Alec. Whoever won that would move on, while the defeated would descend into the loser’s bracket.

Alec made a faulty move and was punished accordingly.

Even though we were not the victors, we were praised by the surrounding viewers with words of encouragement like “good match” and “well fought.”

There is more to tournaments than just being good, there is the pressure of being observed, trying to make fewer mistakes than anyone else, and balancing offensive and defensive tactics against master competitors.

We congratulated the other team and slunk away to wait for our next match in the loser’s bracket.

Time passed, and soon we were called to the stage again for our second match, pitting us against another defeated team.

We took our seats and were ready to begin.

I played first once more though I was scared to do so.

Fortnight Forecast

My opponent was using El Fuerte, a character I had very little practice against. Alec gave me a few quick tips like “back jump fierce” and “focus attack all day”, which probably mean nothing to many readers, but for me they were words of wisdom, leading me to a two to zero defeat over my unknown adversary.

My defeated opponent stepped back while his partner sat down, choosing Sagat, the character who is the complete counter to my beloved E. Honda, the fighter I play with.

Even with that working against me, I still won a round before he emerged victorious. I stood up, allowing Alec to come in and finish what I had started.

Alec started strong, brimming with confidence in the first round, but then the second round ended just as soon as it started as Alec’s character Ken crumbled in defeat.

Once again, it was down to sudden death. Both fighters were evenly matched, and only the winner would move on.

I could see beads of sweat on our enemy’s brow. The stress and pressure were killing him.

Alec never let up for a second and with a kick of his leg, he defeated our opponent.

Cheers and applause surrounded us as we advanced in the tournament, while our opponents were knocked out entirely. Sorry dudes!

Unfortunately, our luck didn’t last long. Our final match went as poorly as our first, and we were knocked out of the tournament and back into training.

Though we didn’t win, I didn’t leave with a grudge or any bitter regrets. I left with confidence, knowing that I was never completely beaten into the ground.

I held my own, even though I’d had very little practice with the new character I was using.

I know that the next time I compete, I will do better. That is the thrill of competitive gaming: The dozens of spectators who watch you play, the skill and thought used to ascend in the ladder, and striving to be the best in this growing scene.

For more information on game tournaments in the Austin area, or for more information on the fighting game scene in general, go to shoryuken.com.

March 7 - Tank Girl & Night of The Comets Spiderhouse 9p.m., free This double feature of post apocalyptic girl power proves that nuclear wastelands aren’t a boys only club. Cult classic Tank Girl is as sassy and silly as the comic it’s based on, while Night of The Comet pits two material girls against a legion of drooling undead.

March 8, March 10 - Trust Us, This Is All Made Up w/ Director Alamo Drafthouse Ritz 7p.m., $8.75 This portrait of two of the hottest improvisers in the business shows an inside look at this quickly expanding, and often hilarious, artform.

March 24 - Master Pancake: Star Trek Kirk vs. Picard Alamo Drafthouse Ritz 7p.m., $13.50 Austin’s favorite hecklers finally settle the ultimate nerd debate. No matter whose captain is your captain, this show is bound to be more entertaining than an Enterprise overrun with Tribbles.

March 26 - Evil Dead Trilogy Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek 7:30p.m., $15 Bust out your boomstick for this marathon screening of Sam Raimi’s classic series.

Subpar Cinema Spring Break Edition

What Not to Watch on DVD

Out Now

Couple’s Retreat - Yeah, couples should retreat alright, from this film.

The Box - Here’s an idea; push the button, but instead of killing a stranger, it makes this movie go away.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant - Just trust me folks, this one “sucks.”

Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer

COMPETITIVE GAMING — An Austin Community resident

plays Arcane Hearts, a virtual fighting game, during the Competitive Gaming event set up at the UFO Arcade on February 20, 2010.

The Informant - This movie about a whistle blower blows alright.

March 2nd releases 2012 - The real disaster is wasting time watching this movie.

March 9th releases Old Dogs - There is a better version of this movie, its called “Three Men and A Baby.”

Capitalism: A Love Story - How ironic, a capitalist venture that’s against capitalism.

Planet 51 - Warning, if you do watch this, you may find yourself wishing to be abducted just to escape having to sit through it.

Adrienne Sparks • Staff Photographer

VIRTUAL PLAYERS — Austin Community residents compete

in virtual games, during the Competitive Gaming event set up at the UFO Arcade on February 20, 2010.

Ninja Assassin - Maybe just maybe someone will send an assassin after the Wachowski brothers for this one.

page 10 | Life & Arts

w w w.the Accent.org

Spring Break watch and read W I anna get away for vacay but can’t cough up the cash for a week in South Padre? Luckily, spring break is coming up quick, and even if you’re not partying in close proximity to a Girl’s Gone Wild film crew, you can still vicariously experience all the sun, fun, and debauchery of the beach from the comfort of your couch. From retro classics to campy carnage, here is a list of the top five spring break films for 2010.

1

Beach Blanket Bingo is a classic of the 1960s beach party film genre. Pop idol Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello star as a couple of sweet hearts who get mixed up in all manner of beach related hijinks. Jam packed with old-fashioned tom foolery, celebrity cameos (Whoa! Was that just Don Rickles?), musical numbers, and yes, girls in bikinis, this film delivers all the wholesome fun one could want from an era when it was still safe to go in the water.

2

From the cultural trash collectors over at Troma Entertainment comes Surf Nazis Must Die, perhaps the sleaziest surfing film ever made. California lies in ruins after a devastating earthquake, leaving surfing gangs to fight for supremacy up and down the beach. The titular surf Nazis are the rottenest apples of a particularly bad bunch, and led by their ambitious leader Adolph, are attempting to take over the beach. Will California succumb to this Third Reich of righteous waves or will the film deliver all the glorious fascist deaths its title promises?

Rent it and find out.

3

Though technically not a spring break film, One Crazy Summer is so chock full of quintessential 80s beach comedy goodness it would be an offense against God to leave it off this list. Hot off the heels of the winter rivalry classic Better Off Dead, director Savage Steve Holland and John Cusack reunited for this heartwarming tale of young love, boat racing, and hijinks galore. Co-starring a preStriptease Demi Moore and hijink master Bobcat Goldthwait, One Crazy Summer delivers all the fun of the surf, with none of the sand in your shorts.

4

Speaking of hijinks, did somebody say Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise? Everyone’s favorite fraternity is back and this time the lovable losers of Lambda Lambda Lambda are taking their extra curricular activities off campus. Not as raunchy as the original thanks to a PG-13 rating, Nerds In Paradise sends the boys off to For Lauderdale for a fraternity conference, only to have their plans upended by those snobby Alpha Betas. Anthony Edwards only appears briefly in this sequel, but that’s okay because it gives everyone’s favorite Harry Nilsson fantatic, Curtis “Booger” Armstrong, his time to shine.

5

The Endless Summer gave birth to a whole wave of surfing documentaries following its 1966 release. Based on the idea that if a person had the means, they could travel around the world living in a perpetual summer, documentarian Bruce Brown followed two surfers across the globe as they searched for that perfect wave. This revolutionary film not only updated documentary style for the modern era but also features awesome cinematography and, as surfing enthusiast Jeff Spicoli would say, “some pretty tasty waves.”

n need of an escape from the lackluster textbooks spring semester requires?

Thankfully, spring break is upon us, and whether you’re heading to the beach for a relaxing week in the sun or enjoying your downtime at home, a fun and interesting book is a great way to unwind. From funny to motivational to spiritually inspiring, here is a list of the top five spring break reads of 2010.

1

Bridget Jones’s Diary is a hilarious book about a thirty-something single female surviving the dating life in London. A career-oriented woman, Bridget fears she may have wasted her prime years working and has failed her parents by remaining unmarried and without grandchildren. Her single’s dilemma doesn’t last for long, and she quickly becomes perplexed by two polar opposite love-interests: Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy. While Darcy may seem like the perfect Brit to steal her fancy, it seems Cleaver’s game-playing ways keep her reeled in.

Read the book to find out which man she keeps and who she sends packing. You won’t be disappointed.

2

Jemima J is a perfect spring break read that will motivate anyone to get in shape just in time for summer.

The book revolves around the talented London newspaper writer, Jemima, who is 100 pounds overweight and unhappy with her mediocre life. She works with the wonderful Benjamin who she has adored since they met, but who does not see her as girlfriend material. In an attempt to find love, she succumbs to international internet dating where she meets the beautiful all-American Brad. The catch is Brad thinks she is model thin and wants to meet her in person. In an effort to keep him around, Jemima must lose the weight and gain a load of confidence before their rendezvous. But after Jemima becomes the perfect girl, will it be Ben or Brad that she chooses?

3

A spiritually inspirational and beautiful story is found in Eat, Pray, Love. It is the written journey of a freshly divorced woman who goes to Italy to appreciate food and learn Italian, India to find herself again by way of prayer, and Indonesia to gain independence but where she ultimately finds love. It is a story of human growth everyone can relate to. A must read.

4

A New York Times Bestseller, A Long Way Down is the story of four strangers who meet accidentally on a rooftop on New Year’s Eve. Each of their plans is to end their lives by jumping off the building, but their arrangements are put on hold when they discover each other. A Long Way Down will make its reader welcome heartache and happiness with open arms. A story about appreciating life for what one does have rather than what is missing. This book shows that the little things in life really do matter.

5

The Beach is a thriller novel about three people who are given a map of an uncharted island. As they arrive, they are surprisingly greeted by a dangerous community that has already made the island home and wants no visitors. In order to keep their lives, the tourists try to become one with the community and eventually become successful. The plot thickens when sickness strikes the island and terror breaks loose. Will the three ever be able to get off the island? A story of intensity, The Beach is a wonder to the imagination and an extraordinary escape from reality.

No smiles for depressing new album from Smile Smile Sarah Vasquez Campus Editor

Smile Smile’s newest album Truth on Tape reveals an open letter from the heartbroken vocalist/guitarist Ryan Hamilton to the woman who caused these scars. His lyrics portray the hurt and longing of his former lover. They are accompanied by a simple acoustic piano backing or a head bopping ditty complete with a full band.

The woman who is Hamilton’s muse of these public proclamations is Smile Smile’s keyboardist herself, Jencey Hirunrusm. Hirunrusm even provides backing vocals to the angsty lyrics written about her.

Smile Smile was formed when Hirunrusm and Hamilton were living together in Dallas.

These two were engaged to be married, but after an infidelity broke the couple apart, the duet still stayed together musically, documenting the process of getting over the emotional situation through song.

March 1, 2010

Each song in Truth on Tape share all the mix of emotions one goes through when handling with a gutwenching split whether it’s the straightforward declaration of anguish in the last track “Labor of Love” or Sarah Vasquez • Campus Editor cleaning out the memories like SMILE! — Smile Smile’s Ryan Hamilton in the song “The sings his emotions at Emo’s December 3, Attic.”

2009..

Hamilton even revealed during their live shows bluntly addresses Hirunrusm as the two jab at each other in with lyrics such as “Yes I write a friendly and not-so-friendly about love. It’s only cause I love matter. you so much” (Beg You to Stay).

Smile Smile’s Truth on Tapes “Cancer” provides an adorable is the second testament of country folk jingle about loving these two people chronicling someone to the fullest as if they the experience of a shattering have, you guessed it, cancer. breakup and overcoming their Even though Hamilton and personal feelings to pursue their Hirunrusm have moved past musical dreams. the aftermath, the bitterness and cattiness is sometimes

Music

SPEAK gives 80s pop new voice Sarah Vasquez Campus Editor

SPEAK immediately got the Antone’s crowd dancing through their shyness at a December show with their 80’s reminiscent indie pop. These four baby-faced guys looked like they weren’t born to enjoy that music when it originally debuted but the lack of black x’s on their hands proved they are much older than their looks insinuate.

Those young looking kids are really vocalists Troupe Gammage, guitarist Nick Hurt, drummer Jake Stewart and bassist Joey Delahoussaye.

The origin of SPEAK began when Gammage, Nick Hurt and Stewart formed Jupiter-4 in high school as a piano rock band with post rock influences. But when Delahoussaye joined a year ago, the band became SPEAK taking on a new name as well as a new sound. The progression of this new genre took shape rather quickly.

“I was having a conversation with Troupe and I remember saying ‘yeah dude, we need to get people up and dance,’” said Nick Hurt. “It was definately a decision we made... We didn’t want to be shoegazer. We didn’t want to be ambient indie. We really wanted to play pop. Classic pop songs.”

Early in February, the four piece finally debuted their first EP Hear Here to the masses. Hear Here serves as an appetizer before their main course full length which is tentatively planned for a summer release. The band shows that they have perfected the craft of writing sugary sweet pop tunes listeners can’t seem to get enough of.

However, as we have been told many times throughout our childhood, too much

sugar will cause a tummy ache.

Eventually, you will need something with a little more substance to fill your hunger, but for those guilty pleasure binges, SPEAK has you covered.

The five track EP almost two years to make. With the combined effort of recording in converted bedroom studios and at The Bubble with local producer Frenchie Smith, the guys took their time to produce an album they could be proud of.

“I think we really annoyed the management,” said Stewart. “They’d say ‘Come on...

You don’t need to make any changes’ but we’d say “No...

There’s that one little guitar lick that needs to be adjusted.’”

Sarah Vasquez • Campus Editor “We’re pretty SPEAK — Indie Pop Band SPEAK performs at The Independent for the release of their EP Hear Here on February 12, 2010. This show was meticulous. We kind the grand finale of a week long celebration which included an album listening party and a Waterloo in-store performance. of obsessed over the little things,” said Nick Hurt. worried about cops seeing us themed covers such as Britney finished and released, the At the listening party, fans Once the EP was done, shooting the projector out Spears’ “Toxic” and Whitney band is preparing for the watched a special premiere SPEAK declared a SPEAK the side and kept turning it Houston’s “I Will Always Love upcoming South by Southwest of SPEAK’s music video for Week to celebrate the off whenever we saw cops,” You,” in honor of Valentine’s Festival (SXSW). SPEAK is “Carrie.” Danger Films filmed momentous occasion. The Dane Hurt, the part owner Day. taking some time away from the guys individually rocking events included an album of Danger Films said. “It was Notorious for performing performing before their out in a simple black room listening party at Sneak Attack at Sanctuary Printshop’s hard to line up the focus of an off-the-wall but accurate official showcase at Encore and a Waterloo in-store the camera and the projector cover song at every show, the and a day party at Clive Bar as warehouse. performance where they idea for the cover set sparked well as all the socializing and “Each band member had to at the same time as the arrived in an Oscar Meyer surfaces we were projecting when someone mentioned bands they want to see. perform the entire song five Wiener mobile. onto constantly got closer and that the guys perform as a “SXSW is always insane to ten times, probably 15 for “Our photographer had farther away, but we knew we cover band. because we have a lot of me, from various angles,” said an intern who worked for were getting great footage, so “We do all these covers, friends that we made during Gammage. “That’s all we had the Oscar Meyer Wiener we weren’t discouraged.” and we try to do them as the past few years from out to do.” mobile... He offered to allow For the finale of SPEAK accurately as we can,” said of town and that’s a good Then those performances us to roll up in that thing Week, SPEAK performed Gammage. “I just thought it opporunity to hang out with were projected on Austin and we obviously had to two sets at the Independent, would be fun to actually be a them,” said Gammage. “It’ll buildings and landmarks from say yes because who wants one set with their original cover band for a night or at be a hectic week but I’m really a projector mounted on a to turn down that kind of songs featured on the EP and least half a night.” looking forward to it.” moving car. opportunity?” said Gammage. another set featuring love Now with the new EP “We were constantly