WEDNESDAY
November 11, 2009 Vol. 92 • No. 23
ONLINE:
www.therambler.org
The Rambler The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917
Coffee X Spot teams with student organizations to raise funds. College Life, page 4
Student-athletes juggle families, class and sports. Sports, page 6
Campus safety still an issue for some
Wesleyan business school seeks title Kimberly Saleh
ksaleh@mail.txwes.edu
Jonathan Resendez
jlresendez@mail.txwes.edu
Campus security is a concern at every university, no matter how large or small. According to campus security reports, there were 19 burglaries and five assault violations on or around Wesleyan since 2007. Comparing these numbers to Texas Christian University’s 27 burglaries and 10 assaults would make Wesleyan appear safe. For some Wesleyan students, however, safety is still a concern. Heath Scott, president of the Student Government Association, said campus security is the only SGA priority that hasn’t made discernible progress this year. “I can’t walk around this university without hearing students talk about the lack of cameras, lack of lighting and things in that regard,” he said. Over the summer, Scott met with Felisa Barnes, security manager, and Kun Dunson, director of facilities and security, to discuss a campus lighting and security camera initiative. SafirRosetti, a nationally renowned security firm, was hired by Wesleyan to do an assessment of the campus’ security. The report included possible short-term and long-term security investments Wesleyan could consider. Suggestions for physical factors such as lighting and fencing were included along with personnel suggestions like hiring an armed police force. “We had a lot of anecdotal evidence and individual opinions about, ‘We need to do this or that,’ but it was good to have an expert opinion as to what we ought to do,” said Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and administration. “Some of the things were kind of no brainers, and we had them underway already. We knew we needed better lighting.” Bleibdrey said some of the things in the report, like blanketing the campus in security cameras, will not be implemented because they are “impractical.” The lighting project still has a way to go, especially as more parking lots are added, Laura Rosser | Rambler Staff Bleibdrey said. For some students, campus While efforts are made by the univerity each year to improve campus security, some students still think
SECURITY, page 3
improvements are needed.
The school of business is working to receive accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB is an international accreditation that symbolizes the highest standard of accomplishment for business schools worldwide. “Only about 5 percent of all schools of business hold the elite title,” said Dr. Hector Quintanilla, dean of the school of business. The main purpose of the accreditation is to show that the institution confirms its pledge to quality and continuous improvement through meticulous and comprehensive peer review. AACSB has a standard of excellence in management education. “Schools like [the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Arlington] are AACSB, and we want Wesleyan to join this prestigious level,” Quintanilla said. AACSB puts colleges and universities through a process to obtain the recognition. It begins with the school establishing AACSB international membership, then moves to a recommendation for accreditation by the accreditation committee are sent to the board for approval or remand. “AACSB would enhance the look of the school because the school would be on an international level,” Quintanilla said. “It would allow students from other countries to attend, and it would allow them to transfer credit hours from their current school to Wesleyan.” The possible status has stu-
BUSINESS, page 3
Theater students hard at work in new shop Amanda Edmondson
aedmondson@mail.txwes.edu
The long-awaited Claudia Stepp Scene Shop opened this semester at the corner of Binkly Street and Avenue C, giving theater students a functional place to work on technical theater. “I absolutely love it,” said senior Jenny Jones, student foreman at the new scene shop. “It’s nice to have a new building with enough space and work areas.” The scene shop is where theater students go to build the sets for all of their performances. This scene shop is not only the first one on campus to be designed specifically as a construction zone for sets, but it is also the first building ever designed specifically for the theater department’s use. “It makes it more appropriate to the environment our students are going into,” said Bryan Stevenson, designer and technical director of the theater program. “It brings us more up to the industry standard.” The previous home of the scene shop was in the Baker
“It makes it more appropriate to the
environment our students are going into. It brings us more up to the industry standard.” Bryan Stevenson
Theater Program Designer and Technical Director Building, built in 1915, before its extensive remodel last year. It was originally three different storefronts and was purchased by Wesleyan in 1982 to serve as the international gymnastics headquarters center. That idea was terminated and – fortunately for the theater students who, at the time, were working out of a threecar garage – it was approved to house the scene shop. “Everything we had there we had found to come in; and that was our home,” said Joe Brown, theater professor. However, while the Baker Building improved upon the garage, it was still less than adequate. It had only basic electricity, an old central heating and cooling unit and one tiny
bathroom. “It was really not meeting code; it was a dangerous building,” Brown said. Last year, when the school was given the opportunity to remodel the Baker Building into the new Coffee X Spot and community center, the theater department was given the chance for the new scene shop. This was due in large part to Wesleyan board member, Claudia Stepp, the benefactor Andie Massingill | Rambler Staff and namesake of the scene Nick Young-Davis and Michael Rudd work on sets in the new Claudia Stepp scene shop. shop. She donated the down payment for the building and Although the students have an production of The Woman to celebrate. provided additional funding been working in the scene in Black. “They haven’t had time to for landscaping. shop all semester, it will beThat’s when the theater stu- stop, look and enjoy because “It’s a replacement building come official the evening of dents – who have been busy we had to get shows built,” for something we really need- Nov. 14, when the shop will customizing the shop and Brown said. “But generations ed, a good classroom space,” have its ribbon cutting and a putting together sets for two will benefit from this shop.” Stevenson said. reception prior to the Wesley- shows – will get their chance