The East Texan STUDENT NE WSPAPER OF TE X AS A& M UNIVERSIT Y- COMMERCE SINCE 1915 XCV, No. 18, 8 pages
www.theeasttexan.com
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
University refines closing procedures Recent winter weather gives university chance to test its emergency response system CALEB SLINKARD EDITOR
W
hile winter storms played havoc with weather conditions and class schedules, they also gave Texas A&M University-Commerce the chance to test its emergency response system. The university has a complex structure in place for situations that require closing the university and, according to A&M-Commerce officials, the response went with only a few minor glitches. “I know there’s been some discussions at high levels in the university about what worked and what didn’t work, and
IRIS continues to shine through as being a reliable method,” Crime Information Officer Jason Bone said. “Nothing beats the direct phone call.” One of the issues encountered was the lack of communication between A&MCommerce campuses. While the president or acting president determines whether or not to close the A&M-Commerce campus, the heads of the other campuses make the call to close their campuses. “We have a lot of campuses other than Commerce, and it has been a real challenge to become integrated with other campuses,” Bone said. “If you are an A&M-Commerce student and you
take classes in Navarro, but you don’t take classes with them also, you’re on their campus but you’re not in their system. You wouldn’t get their alerts. What we started doing the last few days [of the inclement weather] is that if Collin College sends out an alert, we re-broadcast that to our students that attend Collin College.” While students may only receive the phone calls or read the message on the website, the system in place to determine whether or not to close the university is complex, as is the way the university disseminates that information to students, faculty, staff and the surrounding media.
“The crisis team, headed by [Safety Manager] Derek Preas, has a crisis room with a giant computer screen that has a live feed from the National Weather Service,” Assistant Vice President of Marketing Communications Randy Jolly said. Once the situation gets to a critical point, Preas calls University Police Department Chief Donna Spinato, who makes a recommendation to the president. “At that point, the president or the acting president makes a determination,” Jolly said. “The satellite campuses are
6HH Procedures page 3
Student Forum a success
Chinese New Year perfomers teach audience members Tai Chi during the Chinese New Year celebration at the Morris Recreation Center.
Chinese New Year ushers in “Year of the Rabbit” JUSTIN CHEATHAM CO-SPORTS EDITOR
Director of Residential Living and Learning Dennis Koch answers students’ questions at the Student Forum. The discussion was moderated by Vice President Dr. Mary Hendrix and focused on potential budget cuts, the cafeteria and student housing.
ADAM TROXTELL MANAGING EDITOR The first Student Forum of the spring semester was held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, in the Pride Room of the Sam Rayburn Student Center. Vice President for Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix led the discussion during which students had an opportunity to voice concerns and comments. Hendrix began the meeting with a few announcements and statements, the first of which involved impending budget cuts by the state of Texas on universities. She said a number of grants and loans the state usually gives to students, specifically the Texas B-On-Time Loan, were in jeopardy of being reduced or completely eliminated, and A&M-Commerce will be working with students
affected the most by these changes. She also said the university would be looking to help education students graduating in the near future who may struggle to find a job. “We’re going to be offering help for those in [teacher education],” Hendrix said. “We are very concerned for people graduating on loans who have to find jobs.” Her next statement was about the recent incident involving freshman wide receiver Kenzee Jackson. Jackson was cited for entering the SRSC cafeteria without his Lion card, and Hendrix said both the card and the rules about it exist for a purpose. “Our ID card is not only for food, but other access on campus,” she said. “We’re hearing about students loaning cards. Think about if that card is
6HH A&M-COMMERCE page 3
Community prepares to duke it out in Commerce Idol CHANCELLOR MILLS OPINION EDITOR The Commerce Rotary Club is preparing to host its sixth annual Commerce Idol talent show and scholarship fundraiser with auditions starting on Feb. 18. “Commerce Idol is the most exciting event we sponsor each year,” Commerce Rotary President Mike Roberts said. “ Not only is it a fun time for kids and adults to show
This week in The East Texan
off their talents, but it is also our most important fundraiser. The money we raise is used for the scholarships we award each year to Commerce High School seniors. Two students are selected each year and each are awarded $500 for four school semesters.” Commerce Rotary President Elect Jalinna Jones has been in charge of publicity for the event for the past two years. “Really what we need to push
A&M-Commerce students’ art to be exhibited at the Plush Gallery in Dallas. Lucky... -Page 4
right now is auditions,” Jones said. “We’re hoping to attract from around the community, but also different student groups on campus, individuals on campus who would like to participate. We would love to have them and we hope they come out.” According to Jones, there will be a new addition to the contest this
6HH COMMERCE page 3 Editor James Bright admits Bright Eyes is “too intellectual” for his taste. -Page 7
Despite the Chinese New Year celebration being postponed twice because of the winter weather that hit North Texas, a large number of students showed up to the event when was finally held on Feb. 15. Chinese New Year, hosted in the Morris Recreation Center, featured traditional Chinese dancing, games, crafts and food. Chinese Students Association (CSA) President Chin Vu Hsu watched over volunteers painting Chinese characters on hand fans. “I know in our school we have many Chinese students, but not everybody knows about the Chinese New Year or where it comes from,” Hsu said. “We prefer to celebrate and enjoy it.” In China, it is known as the “Spring Festival” because it marks the end of the winter season and begins on the first day of the Chinese calendar’s first month. The two-week celebration is the longest and most popular holiday in China, and has elements similar to the American holiday season. “New year time is a time of celebration, sort of renewing yourself,” performer Patty Sun said. “We always do the Lion dance to bring in good luck and
get rid of any bad luck from the previous year. You can kind of start over if you mess up the previous year and hope for good luck and better fortune for the new year. It’s similar to the New Year we have here with people making resolutions and things like that, but we don’t really have resolutions. Its like our biggest holiday; like Christmas.” Sun and the other performers entertained the crowd of students, staff and locals with tai chi and the Lion dance. “One of the most common mistakes people make is they think we are doing the dragon dance, because the dragon is a symbol of China and is like the emperor and represents power,” she said. “But actually the lion is more new year’s timely; the lion represents good luck. So you will actually see the lion more often than the dragon, and I noticed it’s the mascot here; so it fits.” The event featured photo opportunities with traditional Chinese items and clothing, as well as Chinese food. “There could have been more stuff, but I liked it,” freshman Alex Thornton said. “The food was really good, I had some orange chicken and a shrimp dish. I liked the decorations, I feel like they really did a good job on those. For
6HH Morris page 3 This week’s poll: Are you sad Pasesano’s closed? Vote online at theeasttexan. com.
OPINION
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Clarification The photo of President Dr. Dan Jones and Provost Dr. Larry Lemanski printed on the third page of the Feb. 17 edition of the East Texan was not meant to depict a signing of the reorganization proposal. It was merely a stock photo of the president and the provost, who were both key indiYLGXDOV LQ WKH VWRU\ $Q\ PLVcommunication by the choice of this photo or its cutline was unintentional.
Editorial: Student Forum brings good opportunities to students Members of the East Texan staff attended the Student Forum held on Wednesday, Feb. 16, in the Pride Room of the Sam Rayburn Student Center, and we would like to congratulate the XQLYHUVLW\ DQG VSHFLÀcally Vice President of 6WXGHQW $FFHVV DQG 6XFcess Dr. Mary Hendrix, in giving students a way to voice their opinions in an interactive and friendly setting. It is never easy to take criticism, but the Student Forum was a very real outreach by the university toward answering students’ concerns. The fact that many $ 0 &RPPHUFH IDFXOW\ and staff members were present and able to readily answer questions, concerns and comments raised by students was reassuring. Often, student
concerns are merely the result of a lack of information, so the forum is particularly effective in diffusing those issues. $OVR WKH 6WXGHQW )Rrum gives students an opportunity to forge a closer relationship with faculty and staff members. It’s one thing for students to read a name in the faculty directory and an entirely different thing to actually meet the individual and communicate with them. Finally, the university has to make sure to deliver on the promises they make in these forums. It’s one thing to hear complaints and it is another thing entirely to do something about them. Obviously, not every student can be happy, but if the Student Forum results in real, tangible change, then it will truly be successful.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editors, Thank you and Caleb for attending the VWXGHQW IRUXP WRGD\ $V you know, concern was expressed about articles that appear in The East Texan. I believe it is important for me to model what we instructed students to do if they have concerns with the articles that are published. Thank you for allowing me to respond to the most recent post regarding enrollment growth and your concern that we may be lowering our admissions standards to achieve this enrollment growth. The average comSRVLWH $&7 VFRUH IRU WKH Class of 2010 was 20.93. The statewide average FRPSRVLWH $&7 ZDV 20.8. President Jones has made it very clear that we are to adhere to our admissions standards. Certainly, we have an obligation to the students, their families, and to the state of Texas to provide access to those students who possess the aptitude to achieve a degree. We also have an obligation to have high expectations that are clearly communicated, to provide support services that may be needed,
and to prepare students to meet real-world requirements. In your article, you mentioned that the student you observed did not have a blue book. , WDXJKW D ÀUVW \HDU success seminar in the fall and one of our lessons consisted of preparing students for a mid-term examination. Less than one-third of the class knew what a blue book was. You also mentioned that you all knew the expectations of this professor, but that this student arrived late, did not have a blue book, and did not respond in the manner and standards expected by this professor. If this was a transfer student, it could be that he was not aware of the expectations. If he was not a new student and was familiar with the expectations, he made poor decisions and should suffer the consequences. This is what happens in the real world. I agree with your statement. It was a clear lack of effort and motivation on the student’s part... My best, Mary Hendrix
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
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Chancellor Mills’ Information for Life: Lesson 5: getting over a painful end to a relationship CHANCELLOR MILLS OPINION EDITOR College is a place for learning. You learn who you are, who you’re going to be, how to survive on your own, what you’re going to be when you “grow up,â€? etc. There are some things, however, that you may not learn how to do – certain skills that will aid you during your time in college and could serve you for the rest of your life. So I have decided to write a series of “how-toâ€? columns over completing some these tasks. This week’s lesson: getting over a break-up. So, after your failed movie night with your (now ex-) girlfriend, you Ă€QG \RXUVHOI VDG VLQJOH and missing her. Well, I’ve got the perfect remedy. What you’ll need: .OHHQH[ 1HWĂ L[ ELQRFXlars, rental van, donuts and a gym membership. Step one: Weep. Step two: continue weeping as you watch each and every one of the comedies, romantic comedies, GUDPDV DQLPDWHG Ă€OPV DQG LQGHSHQGHQW Ă€OPV that reminds you of the girl that broke your heart. Most people will tell you that this is the absolute last thing you want to do. I’m telling you the only way to get the emotional pain out is through the tear ducts. It’s basic anatomy.
LEEX.INFO
Columnist Chancellor Mills continues his “how to� series by attempting to teach readers how to perform the not-so-simple task of getting over a painful break-up.
Step three: take every single thing that reminds you of your ex – things she left at your place, things she gave you, CD’s that you bought because she told you to listen to them, à RZHUV WKDW \RX KDG planned to give to her before she ripped your beating heart out of your chest and swallowed it whole, and stuff – and build a shrine in her honor. I know some will tell you that this kind of fanatical idolizing of your ex is unhealthy, but who are you going to trust? C’mon, have I ever steered you wrong? That’s what I thought. Now, worship the shrine. Step four: now that
the “mourning periodâ€? is over, it’s time to start “getting out thereâ€? again. 6WHS Ă€YH WDNH \RXU rental van and park it outside your ex’s house. You’ll want to use your binoculars here to get a better look‌at how happy she is without you. Step six: now that you have seen how quickly she’s gotten over you and your “abandonment isVXHV Âľ Ă€QG QHZ ORYH LQ chocolate donuts and other baked goods. Step seven: after six weeks of this bear-claw and donut-hole regiment, look in the mirror. I mean, really look; look at yourself. I’ve heard of a double
chin, but is that a triple chin? That’s ridiculous. Step eight: gain perspective. Okay, NOW your “mourning period� is over. Get gym membership. Step nine: spend the summer losing not only the donut weight, but also an additional 20 pounds. Step ten: meet new girl who digs your “sexy bod.� Step 11: fall in love with new girl. Yippee!! You have now learned how to get over the heartbreak that you’re ex left you with!! Congrats. Now you can begin the countdown to the moment when you will need to utilize this lesson again.
Increased enrollment should not equal lowered standards ADAM TROXTELL 0$1$*,1* (',725
room to turn his “testâ€? in. +H KDG QR EOXHERRN MXVW sheets of paper. Our proThe other day, a few of fessor allowed him to use my friends and I had our notebook paper, but this Ă€UVW H[DP LQ D MRXUQDO- student only turned in one ism class. Our professor page with what was supKDV D VSHFLĂ€F ZD\ RI GR- posed to be answers to ing things when it comes 12 essay questions. It was to his tests: you need a barely front and back, and bluebook, you should take our professor was none your time in answering the too pleased. questions, and he wants It was a clear lack of you to be as detailed as effort and motivation on possible with your answer the student’s part, espewithout being too lengthy. cially when it comes to We all have had this pro- this class. This class is one fessor before, so we knew RI WKH PRUH GLIĂ€FXOW RI the drill. the required courses for $ERXW Ă€YH PLQXWHV LQWR D MRXUQDOLVP GHJUHH \HW the test, a student walked in he treated it like it was late. He grabbed the exam MXVW D ZDON LQ WKH SDUN RU at the front of the room more like a walk from the and sat down. It could bedroom to the kitchen. not have been 20 minutes 7KLV ZDV QRW MXVW RQH LVRlater when he stood and lated incident of blatant walked to the front of the laziness I have witnessed
in my classes. Unfortunately, it seems to be a growing trend. This causes me to wonder, as the university sets enrollment goals higher and higher each year, whether we are getting the kind of people that we should want to be on our campus. In our pursuit to attain a higher and more impressive student population, the standards and expectations of incoming students cannot be lowered in a sort of twisted trade-off. There is no doubting the importance of advertising the university and attracting more students. But, at what cost are we willing to increase our numbers by astronomical amounts? This university should want only those
students who want to be here or in college period. I do not have any hard HYLGHQFH WR VXJJHVW $ 0 Commerce is shrugging off its responsibility to enroll only those students that meet the standards and have a desire to learn PRUH $OO , NQRZ LV ZKDW I see, and I understand that’s probably not much. However, with the goals our university appears to be setting, it can be easy to fall into the trap of trading TXDOLW\ IRU TXDQWLW\ $Q\ KHDOWK\ XQLYHUVLW\ ÀQGV a balance for both. If in UHDOLW\ $ 0 &RPPHUFH is dropping its standards for the ability to stroke its ego over a few numbers, I do fear for its future and the future of the students it will cart through each semester.
THIS WEEK’S ‘PLAN B’ by Arielle McMahon and Brad Ray
Read the rest of the letter at www.theeasttexan.com
The East Texan, RIĂ€FLDO VWXGHQW QHZVSDSHU RI 7H[DV $ 0 University-Commerce, is published 12 times per semester during the Fall and Spring by students in reporting and editing classes. Content is solely the responsibility of the student editors and writers. The comments and views expressed in The East Texan GR QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHĂ HFW WKH beliefs of other students, staff, faculty, administration, or the Board of Trustees. The East Texan is located inside the Journalism building on the east side of campus in room 113. Single copies are available in Journalism 113 for an additional 25 cents. Letters to the editor are welcome and should be limited to 250 words. They will not be edited for spelling, grammar and libelous or malicious statements. We reserve the right to refuse publication. Letters should be typed or e-mailed DQG PXVW LQFOXGH D VLJQDWXUH OHJDO QDPH FODVVLĂ€FDWLRQ (grade level) and telephone number. Mailing address is The East Texan, P.O. Box 4011 Commerce, Texas 75428.
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Thursday, Feb. 24 2011
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A booth for international students at the Chinese New Year celebration. A&M-Commerce is continuing a trend of attracting international students to Commerce.
University increases recruiting ties ADAM TROXTELL MANAGING EDITOR Texas A&M UniversityCommerce is increasing the amount of international contacts they have with universities, embassies, and other global programs with each passing semester as part of a globalization trend. This process is being facilitated by Global Initiatives, a department that specializes in creating avenues for the university to advertise for potential students and faculty or allow their own students and faculty to experience different cultures. Dr. Kenneth Clinton is the Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives, and he said the increase in the amount of international students and their influence on campus has been evident for quite some time. “We had a major influx this last year of students from other countries,” Clinton said. “We were one of the first schools in the state of Texas to have a degree in computer science. We were ahead of the curve. We’ve had an influx of students for many years from India, and that’s the largest population [of international students] we have on campus and have always had for as long as I can remember.” Clinton said after this initial increase, those same students tell their friends or family living in their countries of origin about A&M-Commerce. This, plus work done by the Enrollment and Retention Division, which is led by Dean Stephanie Holley, has produced the recent
influx of students from Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and China. “It’s the result, I think, of Stephanie Holley and her shop working the community colleges, so we get all of those transfers coming in,” Clinton said. “It’s the word of mouth. And economically, we’re still a good buy.” Another way A&M-Commerce attracts international students is by having their own faculty and students visit new or established contacts around the globe. “Dr. [Larry] Lemanski went to India and made contact with a number of universities there in terms of creating a relationship; either exchanging faculty or recruiting students to come here, or vice versa,” Clinton said. “Dr. [Dan] Jones has done the same thing in China and in Morocco. We have a relationship with some universities there.” Clinton also said there is a specific reason China should be considered a hotbed for international recruitment in the next few years. “They’ve gone from one million college students 15 years ago to 10 million,” he said. “They have a rising middle class where parents have money. They have a desire to come to this country to study, and I hear that from the Chinese over and over again. We have a course where our business professors go every year to Beijing to the Geo Science University and do lectures. The Chinese students come in to hear those lectures, because they want to know.” Clinton himself will be traveling to South Korea in the future and visiting Konkuk University in the
capital, Seoul. The plan is to set up a program where Korean students learning there become a part of a Global Frontier Program, in which they spend their freshman year at Konkuk before having the option of studying at A&M-Commerce. With the university’s international ties increasing year after year, Clinton said he hopes American students will get the most out of this exchange of cultures and ideas. “The maximum benefit should be for our students here, and I’m not sure it is,” he said. “It should be where you have the multiple conversations between students from India, China, and Saudi Arabia. You have a sense of the world that goes beyond National Geographic. I think Americans are very ethnocentric.” Clinton said the entire process is about building a solid relationship with these international contacts and engaging in dialogue for years to come. Vice President for Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix said she believes this is becoming a more important process in today’s global climate. “Now, more than ever, international education is needed to build understanding and collaboration between and among nations,” Hendrix said. “There is increasing evidence that our graduates will be competing in an international labor market and that they must be able to function in a global economy. Education is about being exposed to diverse perspectives, but also learning that we are very similar.”
Procedures stronger following closings Continued from page 1... dependent on whoever owns that campus. After the president makes his decision, Chief Spinato calls me and I immediately call the web manager, who puts a notice on the website. Then I call the GM of KETR, who updates the KETR website, starts broadcasting it on KETR and updates the weather hotline.” Jolly then communicates with some of his staff, who are tasked to call local radio and television stations with the information. After that, he emails the A&M System. “Then I write an email to System Communications so they know that we will be closed,” he said. “The whole process from when I get the call from Spinato to when the
media is alerted is usually between five and 10 minutes. While we’re doing that, UPD is handling the IRIS alert system.” When determining whether to close the campus or not, the president has quite a few factors to consider. “So much of our student body, faculty and staff is off-campus, so we have a lot of driving over from Dallas, Rockwall, Mesquite, etc.,” Jolly said. “The other day it was bright sunshine, but we still canceled because the roads west of here were covered in ice. The call for the president is ‘what is safe for our students.’” There are some misconceptions surrounding the result of closing the campus.
“My office has received a number of inquiries as to whether or not canceled class days would have to be made up,” President Dr. Dan Jones said in an email to faculty, staff and students. “The short answer is no: unlike public schools, universities are not required by law to meet a minimum number of days per term.” The university did have faculty come on campus even when it was closed. “We had some problems where some of the faculty didn’t understand that when we close the campus, the buildings are closed, and you can’t come up and work on something,” Jolly said. “Those buildings are closed for a reason, for liability reasons.”
Commerce Idol offers prizes for winners continued from page 1... year that she hopes will add some “incentive.” “There are [going to be] cash prizes for the top winners in each category,” she said. “So that may be a pretty good incentive for our A&M-Commerce students to come out – either as individual performers or as a group.” There are going to be four separate age groups competing and the winner of each category will win a monetary prize, according to Jones. “There are four different age groups and cash prizes will be given to the winner of each age category with trophies also given to 1st and 2nd place winners,” she said. “The 3rd-5th grade winner will receive $75 with the 6th-8-
th grade winner receiving $100. The 9th-12th grade winner receives $200 and the 180 and up winner receives the top prize of $300. There is also a category for church groups. A church band or performing group of more than three people can enter this category and the prize is a $250 donation to the church.” This will be Jones’ second year to work publicity for the event and she said that she has noticed a change in the demographic of the audience. “[In the past] the turnout has been really exciting,” Jones said. “We’ve certainly had a lot of acts and a lot of diverse acts, which is really nice to have. And then ticket sales have really increased each year. A lot of our audi-
ence is comprised of people who know someone who is performing, but it seems like, in recent years, we’ve had students and other community members coming out, which is really exciting.” As part of the winning group in the 18 and older category, junior animal science major Stephanie Langford said that participating in Commerce Idol last year was an overall entertaining experience. “I was in show choir in high school, and was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to perform anymore during college, so I was really excited when I heard about Commerce Idol,” Langford said. “JenAnne Shumway, Morgan Saxon, Tyler Harwell, and I decided to perform a fun
skit/song as a group, and I think that really made the overall experience, for me at least, really entertaining. We definitely had some laughs and made a lot of good memories throughout the experience.” Commerce Idol will take place on March 5 at 7 p.m. in the Commerce Middle School auditorium. Audition applications and a non-refundable $10 fee are currently being accepted through Feb. 18. Applications and rules are available at the Chamber of Commerce as well as the main offices of each school. Tickets for the show are $5.00 each and are available at the Chamber of Commerce and from Rotary Club members.
Vice President Dr. Mary Hendrix leads the discussion at the Student Forum.
A&M-Commerce students express concerns at forum continued from page 1... used to get in somewhere on campus and something gets stolen. UPD would go after the owner of the card.” She also had a statement about the graffiti found on the Science Building and Art Building on campus, and asked students who have information regarding the identity of the graffiti artist to come forward. “This is your university,” Hendrix said. “When someone defaces a building, they are defacing your university. If you know who this is, please pass that on.” Hendrix then referenced two East Texan opinion articles that questioned university policies. The first was an article from this week about the goals involving enrollment and whether or not that was resulting in a lowering of standards for acceptance to A&M-Commerce. Hendrix said the average composite ACT score for the high school class of 2010, which was 20.93. The average composite score for Texas was 20.8. The other article Hendrix mentioned brought up the treatment of freshmen students compared to that of upperclassmen on two specific instances: housing and academic advising. This was also brought up later by sophomore pre-med and psychology double-major Unswella Ankton. “It seems like it’s a lot about the freshmen,” Ankton said. “We already have Whitley as freshmen only. You’re going to give them a new dorm. Maybe we could have the new
dorm with juniors, seniors and grad students, and Smith and Berry should be all freshmen.” Director of Residential Living and Learning Dennis Koch said while the freshmen will get this new residence hall, plans are in place for four more new ones are currently being discussed and not all of those will be freshmen only. “We had to start somewhere with residential living and learning,” he said. Koch continued to take questions regarding housing, which included plans to renovate Craddock Hall that are “in the plan” and issues concerning Whitley Hall’s problem with heating and air conditioning and wasps. “That’s kind of a mother nature issue, because she’ll just bring them back,” Koch said about the wasps. “Central heating and air is on the to-do list.” Other topics discussed included school spirit, Sodexo’s catering prices, and repairing the hot tub at the Morriss Recreation Center. Director of Career Services Tina Boitnott also addressed a question about difficulty finding on campus job listings. Boitnott said the Career Development service Lion Tracks would soon be expanding. “This is one place you can go to find internships, part-time jobs, and fulltime jobs,” she said. “We are working to roll in campus jobs.” A&M-Commerce students with further questions can post them on the Student Forum’s Facebook page.
Morris hosts event continued from page 1... something they had to postpone for two weeks, I think they pulled it off without a hitch.” Hsu said there was a purpose for some of the decorations. “We write on the red paper and put it up on the wall, and that celebrates the meaning of words like happiness or money,” Hsu said. “When we write them and turn it upside
down it means that money or happiness is coming.” There was also a raffle at the event, with prizes ranging from Chinese New Year shirts to an iPod shuffle. The winner of the iPod, graduate chemistry student Kiran Nallea, was surprised at his free gift. “Actually, I was thinking about going home, saying to my friends ‘Lets go,’ but we stayed until the iPod and I won it,” Nallea said.
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Ca mpus Life
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
www.theeasttexan.com
COURTESY AMBREA DEAN
The plush gallery in Dallas will be hosting ‘Kids From Commerce’, an art show consisting of work from A&M-Commerce students. The show is a result of work done by members of the Art Club at the university, and some of their work is currently on display in Art Building room 205.
Dallas gallery to host students’ work SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Several Texas A&M UniversityCommerce students’ work will be featured in an upcoming art show titled “Kids From Commerce.” The show is set to open Feb. 26 at Plush Gallery in Dallas. Junior painting major Sam England said the idea for the show came from a group of students in art professor Michael Miller’s painting class. “[The idea] started last semester with a small group that wanted to stimulate the art community around us by creating an artistic environment that encouraged creativity and collaboration,” England said. Creating this inspirational environment took long hours of work and dedication. “There were times we were here until the sun came up, but by doing this we created an environment where people could work,” England said. According to senior experimental studies major Eric de Llamas, whose artwork is also featured in the show, the time put into this “project” created not just a place for people to work, but a tranquil niche for stu-
dents to produce art. It was from this group effort that the Art Club was created, displaying student-made illustrations all across the walls of Room 205 in the Art Building. “There was tons of work everywhere, and the walls were literally covered,” England said. “Randall Garrett, the owner of Plush Gallery, heard about what we were doing and came up to Commerce to look at the progress of the painting class. Fortunately, he really liked what he saw and he decided to feature six students in a show that would display what is going on at this university.” Senior fine art major Val Curry was also chosen as one of the spotlighted students and is a friend of Garrett, a rather well-known gallery director in the art industry. “Randall Garrett is a long-time friend of mine, and he was recently featured in Papercity, an arts and culture publication, for his innovative gallery,” Curry said. “This is an unprecedented event insofar as such a large group of undergraduates is being featured at an art gallery with such a strong reputation in the DFW area.”
According to England, it was inspiration and recognition that helped the group advance as much as they did. “We definitely influenced each other and were able to appreciate each others work which is the only way you really grow as an artist,” Llamas said. England and Llamas also agree that Miller is to thank for their success. “Professor Miller always tells us ‘The rising tide raises all ships,’” England said. “This was motivational and taught us if we want to be successful we are going to have to go where the art is.” Curry said the themes and motifs of the show are not necessarily a fixed idea, but are based more on the work that is coming out of the art department. “Camaraderie is just as important as the individual which is something we have learned,” Llamas said. “I have seen groups that are counterproductive but our cooperation helps us to be conducive, bouncing our concepts off each other.” The show opens Feb. 26 from 6-9 p.m. and will be featured through March 26. Visit www.plushgallery. com for more information.
COURTESY KATHERINE DYESS
A fire scorches trees in the field north of McDonald’s and the Corners at Commerce apartment complex on Monday, Feb. 14.
CFD battles field fire ADAM TROXTELL CLAY DYESS A brush fire broke out just north of the Commerce McDonald’s and the Corners at Commerce apartment complex earlier this afternoon. The Commerce Fire Department and Commerce Police Department were dispatched to the scene, as was the Campbell Fire Department for assistance. CFD Fire Chief Brian McNevin said the fire began between 2:30 and 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon by the rail road tracks that run just north of Corners at Commerce. The wind caused the fire to spread further north, away from the residential area. McNevin said firemen could not get themselves or their vehicles out to the flames as fast as they
wanted due to the recent wet weather. “We had trouble getting to it,” he said. “Because of the snow, everything was wet. Luckily, the wind was in our favor and blew it [North] instead of back toward the apartments.” The fire was quickly contained by the firemen on scene. “It took us about 30 minutes to contain it,” McNevin said. “There was never any danger.” The cause of the fire is not known yet, and McNevin said it may never be known due to the location of the fire’s origin. “It could have had something to do with a train coming by, it could have been kids playing with matches,” he said. “We have no idea. Stuff like this is hard to determine.”
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Ca mpus Life
Page 5
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Fun run challenges students and faculty AMY BRANHAM STAFF WRITER
JORDAN WRIGHT / THE EAST TEXAN
Dozens of competitors pack The Club in the Sam Rayburn Student Center for the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 tournament on Feb. 15. Prizes included controllers, a subscription to Xbox Live, and a copy of the game.
Club event offers new gaming experience JORDAN WRIGHT STAFF WRITER The Texas A&M Un ive r s it y- C o m m e r c e Sam Rayburn Student Center hosted a Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The tournament, sponsored by GameStop in Sulphur Springs and held to commemorate the release of the third entry in the critically acclaimed fighting game series, was hosted at The Club and was open to all students on the day of the game’s release. At 4:00 pm, the participants of what would be a 52-player contest were required to register at the front table. The four corners of The Club containing wall-mounted televisions each had an Xbox 360 gaming console hooked up to them. The player that won 2 of 3 fights would advance to the next round. Before the matches began, the contestants had time to mingle and plot out strategies. Several of the players had even
played the newly released game immediately before the tournament in preparation for the day’s competition. “Dante is one of my main characters so far because his move sets are easier to memorize,� contestant Charlie Biter said. “It’s mainly about countering what your opponent uses. If they use a brawler, use a fast character.� Although the game’s recent release status had prevented several of the competitors from practicing very much, a number of alternative tactics were employed by the players in hopes of advancing to the final round. “I did get to play the game just a little bit last night and a bit today but not much so I don’t have a whole lot of experience,� competitor Mikey Kenney said. “I did play Marvel vs. Capcom 1, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and even Street Fighter vs. X-Men so I’ve got a few strategies that we’ll see on screen.� The spectators voiced their enjoyment of the
onscreen action that the game provided. “There are a lot of different combos that are pretty cool,� spectator Cedrick Freeman said while waiting for the next round to start. “There are a couple of people that don’t know all of the controls yet, so that’s fairly interesting.� In between each round, there were several smaller events going on as well. At the end of each round, a raffle was held in order to give out prizes such as “Marvel vs. Capcom 3� themed controllers and a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live. A costume contest for the characters of the game was also held. Due to a lack of entrants, the prize went to Noah Doran. For his costume based on the character of Ryu from the “Street Fighter� series, Doran received a free copy of the game for the Xbox 360. “I had to buy all of the equipment from Goodwill and it took me about 2 hours to put together,� Doran said, in regards to
his costume. “This is the best 2D fighting game that I have ever played� The final matches were displayed via projector on the screen at the front of The Club and utilized its surround sound system. Although the final round, determined by winning three out of five battles, required all five fights to be played out in order to determine the victor, the final match, as well as the grand prize, ultimately went to Chazmon Bradley. “It feels great, I didn’t expect to win, but once I made it to the final round, I was really happy,� Bradley said. “I love the game and had already preordered it, so I’ll probably give that copy away to a friend.� Club Coordinator Wayne Grabow said that he is impressed with the progression of the event and considers the tournament a huge success. “We had about 70 people in here and 52 competitors in the tournament,� Grabow said. “I would say that the turnout was pretty good.�
Campus Recreation and Intramural Sports teamed up Monday, Feb. 14, to bring runners and walkers alike together for a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) fun run. About 50 students and faculty members participated in the event. “We really want to get people running or walking,� assistant director of fitness and wellnes Moira Johnson said. “We usually team up with intramural sports to create exercise opportunities [for students and faculty].� Participants had the option to run, walk or jog the event, with the majority electing to walk. “Some of us aren’t running for one reason or another,� John Nystrom said. “I’m walking.� Before the event, runners began their warm-up stretches together. Connie Kercher of the Regent Scholar Program brought several of her students to run in the event. Kercher’s students expressed feelings of “super excitement� and being “pumped� for running a 5-kilometer race, as many had never competed in such an event before. A fun run is different from a competitive run, according to Johnson, who pointed out that while competitive runs focus on granting awards to the top three male and female finishers, fun runs are won by people estimating how long it will take them to complete the race and the closest times win a prize. “They are really for everyone, not just runners,� Johnson said. Johnson also said she looks forward to when she will be able to run along-
side participants in future races, and that “once the organizational side is 100 percent [operational], I will run with them.� Some students had obstacles to overcome prior to competing in the run. Accounting major Melonie Hall underwent surgery in September, and this was her first 5k since then. Hall’s doctor gave her permission the week before to walk the event. “It’s frustrating,� Hall said. “If they do [another 5k] in March for St. Patrick’s Day, maybe I’ll be able to run a little bit.� After finishing the race, several students expressed feelings of fatigue. “I’m feeling tired, but it was a good day for a run,� said senior volleyball player Rachael Shelton, who took first place for the females. “I only do two 5k’s a year.� Gerardo De La Fuente, who finished first for the males, said he had been trying to “get back in shape� after taking a few months off. “I haven’t ran in a while, but I had fun,� De La Fuente said. “My muscles are feeling a little tight though.� Sophomore Rashid Lane, who took third place for the males, also felt exhausted after finishing the race. “I feel like I’ve run off a few pounds,� Lane said. It has been two years since he last competed in a 5-kilometer run. All students received a water bottle as a prize for finishing the event. Two 5-kilometer fun runs are scheduled for next month: a Mardi Gras Fun Run on March 10, and a Saint Patty’s Fun Run on March 22.
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Page 6
Art Scene
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
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crew and designers as a director. Acting is definitely a very rewarding experience on many levels, but directing gives me a feeling of accomplishment like I never felt.” Work in the theatre is not the only artistic endeavor this graduate student engages in. He’s also a member of The Moving Stills, a band formed and filled with A&M-Commerce students. Despite his love for music, Plummer said his current schedule has it made it difficult for him to practice with the band. “Hopefully it will pick back up again soon enough and we’ll get some new recordings,” he said. “Right now we are looking for some new equipment due to an accident with our van and guitars. Needless to say the van won that battle. Music is definitely a passion of mine and has become much more than a hobby.” Plummer - also a prominent member of Cricket City Improv – said scripted material and improv present different challenges and yield different awards. “There is nothing like going on stage with no idea what is going to happen and using a suggestion to create a performance,” he said. COURTESY PHOTOS MATT PLUMMER “But, then again, there is nothing like rehearsA&M-Commerce graduate student Matt Plummer is a staple of University Playhouse productions, including his directoral debut “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.” He is also a prominent member of Cricket City Improv and a guitarist for the Commerce band The Moving Stills. ing a performance and getting it to the best it can be and showcasing your hard work to an audience. It really depends on the day of JAMES BRIGHT of ways to express myself artistically and Playhouse’s production of “Sideways the week and the mood to what I ART SCENE EDITOR challenge me personally.” Stories from Wayside School.” Plummer prefer doing.” Plummer’s work is not just meaningful said he adored being the director. As far as the future goes, Plummer In the history of the world there is a to him. Theatre major A’Mari Rocheleau “I’m not used to being on this side of has no intentions of sticking around the long list of people who have overcome said working with Plummer is a dream. the stage and giving out direction but DFW area. adversities of varying types and used “He’s such a talented, upbeat, positive luckily I have a fantastic cast and crew “I want to get out in the world and their lives to touch thousands of others. person that he makes you look forward alongside me to help keep things going in One more for that list is graduate student to every bit of rehearsal and is constantly the right direction,” he said. “It is going try my hand at professional theatre and Matt Plummer. providing laughs to keep the cast in good to be a fantastic show and something I improv abroad,” he said. “I really want Despite being confined to a wheel spirits,” she said. am very proud to be a part of. Everyone to get as much experience as possible chair, he is very active in music and Despite his love for the arts now, involved has made this experience one and find what is best for me through multiple theatre groups. Plummer said Plummer said he was not always inter- to remember.” those experiences.” his disability has not hindered him in ested in theatre and it took a little coaxRocheleau said Plummer is equally True to the nature of any direcany way. ing to get him into acting. talented in acting and directing. tor, Plummer has those who would “I do believe that it has made me “I was forced to take an elective in “Every time he goes onstage, you know love to follow him and work with who I am and has given me a different high school and it was theatre,” he said. the audience is in for a treat because he’s him professionally. perspective on life in general,” he said. “[Theatre] was the only class available either going to provide enough laughs “He and I have always talked about “It has shown me that with persistence, at the time. I was definitely not a theatre to make their faces hurt, or he’s going opening up our own theater sometime a strong mind, and ingenuity anything person and hated having to do any- to bring tears to their eyes,” she said. in the future,” Rocheleau said. “We have is possible. I have never let my disability thing in front of a group of people. I “But he’s also absolutely fabulous as such a great ability to be open with each get in my way of accomplishing my goals was not very happy about having to a director. He has such a clear idea of other and manage to come up with crazy and I rarely even think about me actually take the class.” what he wants to see onstage and man- yet great ideas without ever fighting so having a disability.” Despite his initial reaction to the acting ages to guide you through accomplish- I think we’d be great business partners It’s a choice how much a person world, Plummer said a teacher helped ing that while still allowing the actors one day.” lets life get them down, according to him take the first steps of the path he is to have creative power in coming up One thing is for sure though- Plummer Plummer, and he has no interest in cur- on today. with characters.” has proven himself to be adaptable tailing his life. “The teacher, Vonya Eudy, helped me Though he still loves acting, Plummer and despite the un-likeliness of being “You can only accomplish as much as along the way and soon put me in my said his flirtation with directing may be casted in a conventional adaptation of you believe you can,” he said. “Sure, I’ll first show, ‘The Crucible’, as townperson turning into love. a Shakespearean play; he still sees the never play Romeo but then again who #3,” he said. “I was terrified and did not “I’m really starting to love directing,” possibility of one day acting in such said I ever wanted to? If I ever come have any lines. But since then, I have he said. “It gives me an ability to look a production. across anything that I ‘cannot’ do I find been hooked on theatre.” at the overall production and have my “An all wheelchair production of something else I can do and put everyRecently Plummer has taken on a hand in a little bit of everything. I love Romeo and Juliet would be a very interthing I have into making it the best I new role in the acting world. He had the collaboration I can have with actors, esting artistic choice,” he said. possibly can. Theatre gives me a variety his directorial debut with the University
Plummer directs path through life
Sci Fi movie jolts genre to life CHANCELLOR MILLS OPINION EDITOR Let’s be clear about something: I am no Fox Mulder. I do not believe; I do not WANT to believe. So when I walked into the theater to see “I Am Number Four” and discovered that the basic premise involved aliens from another planet, I was a little concerned. I have not seen a well-executed sci-fi flick involving aliens in a long time – if ever. So, I thought, this movie probably won’t be any different. And, boy, was I wrong – big time. Here’s the story: Number Four (played by Alex Pettyfer) and his protector Henri (Timothy Olyphant) are refugees from the destroyed planet Lorien. Number Four is one of nine gifted aliens who are on Earth hiding from a race of planet decimators called Mogadorians. The movie starts out in Kenya where we see Number Three and his protector unceremoniously hunted down and killed by the “Mogs” and a large, flying beast that they seem fond of using to kill Number Three and the other visitors from Lorien. After the opening credits, we are then transported to Florida, where Number Four (going by Daniel at this point) is doing cool tricks on a jet ski and being an overall badass. However, all that changes when a third glowing scar
begins to appear on his leg signifying that Number Three is dead. Through a conveniently timed voiceover, we find out that the gargantuan “Mogs” are the ones responsible for the destruction of Lorien After the incident with the glowing leg scar, Daniel has to leave Florida with Henri and relocate to Paradise, Ohio, where he adopts the identity of John Smith. Here, he meets Mark (Jake Abel), Sarah (Dianna Agron) and Sam (Callan McAuliffe). Mark is your run-of-the-mill “big man on campus”/bully who torments alien conspiracy nut Sam, as well as anyone – namely John – who goes near his slightly voyeuristic ex-girlfriend Sarah. While all of this is going on, we intermittently catch scenes of a mysterious woman (played by aussie Teresa Palmer) who is on John and Henri’s trail and who blows up their home in Florida. The characters of the movie – as well as the base story archetype – are all fairly unoriginal and generic, but it’s the actors and the fantastical action that makes “I Am Number Four” such a wonderful movie. Some will complain, saying there is no deeper meaning to movie, but to me that doesn’t take anything away from the film. There may be no “moral of the story,” but “I Am Number Four” succeeds in providing moviegoers with the basic entertainment value that you don’t get
SCIFICOOL.COM
“I Am Number Four” reinvigorates a genre of movies that has recently been lacking in originality by focusing on strong acting and rivoting action scenes in a successful effort to entertain viewers.
from other films. Pettyfer plays a believable troubledand-gifted teen, which complements Olyphant’s portrayal as the over-protective “father figure” character. Agron plays the perfect “girl next door” who is into photography and wants nothing more than to get out of Paradise. This movie also managed to highlight relatively unknown actors Abel and McAuliffe. I have seen Abel in a few productions before as the teenage nemesis, and that is where his acting sort of shines. McAuliffe, however, I have never seen before, and I have to say that I was impressed. I have never seen such a wide array of emotion come from an actor as young as this 16-year-old playing Sam. Now, while I did enjoy Palmer’s perfor-
mance as the mysterious and hot Number Six, the only thing I didn’t enjoy was her spotty Australian accent. Despite being a native Australian, Palmer’s accent seems to be constantly going back and forth between her natural accent and a naturalsounding American accent. The only other area that this film fell short for me was the ending. I don’t know whether it was because of the PG-13 rating or the fact that it was based on a teen drama novel of the same name, but everything is wrapped up in a neat bow, including Abel’s bully character becoming friends with John. However, even with this neat, uncontroversial ending, “I Am Number Four” was one of the best sci-fi action adventures that I have seen in quite some time.
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Art Art Scene Scene
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Page 7
COURTESY PHOTO ERIN PLEAKE
Barry Alan Berryhill (left) portrays Mrs. Gorf, the evil, witch-like teacher of the 30th floor Wayside School classroom. The production, the directoral debut for Matt Plummer, entertained both adults and children with its laugh-out-loud humor. CHUFFMEDIA.COM
The “People’s Key” continues indie band Bright Eyes’ tradition of making music praised as genius by some and hated by others.
Bright Eyes album dangerously awful JAMES BRIGHT ART SCENE EDITOR I’m a pretty open guy. I’ll usually give anything at least one shot to impress me, and, I’ll be honest, I’m always a bit wary of music or movies that “revolutionize the field.” One such band is the immensely popular Bright Eyes. Throughout the years, my friends have told me how short sighted I was for not absolutely adoring this band. I just couldn’t get into them. Their sound has always been like an empty shell of what should have been good indie music. Shockingly, I loved Bright Eyes’ front man Conner Oberst’s flirtation with punk rock in the late ‘90s with his short-lived band Desaparecidos. The world’s love for Bright Eyes however, has always been a mystery to me. Against my better judgment, I decided to give the face of indie music another shot with their new album “The People’s Key.” That was a mistake. I can usually find one redeeming grace in an album or one track that I can actually enjoy. Not the case this time. From the beginning, this album pissed me off with a recording of a random guy spewing nonsense about a time paradox. I love intros. I literally adore a band that uses the first track of an album as an introduction. There has never been an intro fail like this. The first track, ‘Firewall’ literally has three minutes of babbling prior to any music. Three minutes of nonsense, just plain and simple maddening nonsense. It does nothing to set the tone of the album. Several bands have tried this sort of thing in the first track, but they succeeded. Their introductions actually worked as a setup for the album. Unfortunately, this is the least of this album’s problems. The worst being it is flat out boring. The album is uninspired and semi-melodic. The music will lull any listener into a hypnotic state where he or she could be in danger for their life. Driving while enduring this album is more dangerous than the dreaded text messaging motorist. COVER ART FOR “THE PEOPLE’S KEYS” The danger doesn’t stop there. I can literally see some indie kid running over his or her foot with a lawn mower because they allowed themselves to be zombified by this album while trimming the grass. It’s that bad. Granted this is not my favorite genre of music, but I like quite few bands that come from the same mold. My Morning Jacket, And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead and Iron & Wine are cool with me. Two of these bands are in my top 20, but Bright Eyes is just ridiculously overrated. There is one good thing about this album. Resistance forces seeking democracy in the Middle East and North Africa could blast it over a PA at their respective government’s offices. The act should result in repulsion, or zombification. Either way no member of the country’s government will be able to put up much of a fight. Thank you Conner Oberst for your efforts in spreading democracy. You should be commended for that, but certainly not for the quality of your music.
Play reaches out to all audiences CALEB SLINKARD EDITOR Creating a production that entertains both children and adults is a complex task that requires layering dialog and movement with meaning for both age groups. In “Sideways Stories from Wayside School,” director Matt Plummer balanced these competing interests with a deftness unique for a debut director. The play centers around six elementary school students on the 30th floor of Wayside School, Myron (Gerald Taylor, II), Bebe (Latrice Owens), Leslie (Kelsey Cooper), Rondi (A’Mari Rocheleau) and Dameon (Josh Simmons). The school was originally conceived as a one story building with 30 classrooms, but an architect’s mistake led to them being built one on top of each other. The students are taught by Mrs. Gorf (Barry Alan Berryhill), a mean, witch of a woman who turns them
into apples if they do not behave. When attempting to turn Bebe into an apple, Mrs. Gorf accidently turns herself into an apple and is eaten by the Yard Teacher, Louis (Micah Haynes). Mrs. Gorf is replaced by Mrs. Jewls (B.F. Steddum), a complete opposite of their former teacher that encourages the students to let her know if she is being boring and disciplines them by writing their name on the blackboard instead of turning them into fruit. The students quickly grow attached to Mrs. Jewls, whose whimsical ways are refreshing to them. Mrs. Jewels teaches the students to play instruments and attempts to correct the teachings of Mrs. Gorf, although she is soon distracted by a mutual attraction between herself and Louis. Mrs. Jewls has her hands full keeping Myron from pulling Leslie’s pigtails, a problem that is dealt with during recess by school counselor Mr. Pickle (also played by Micah Haynes) in what is perhaps the most
comical scene in the entire production. Mrs. Gorf begins appearing to students in various forms, reminding them of their involvement in her demise. When Mrs. Jewls begins displaying characteristics of Mrs. Gorf, she disappears and is replaced by Mr. Gorf (Berryhill), Mrs. Gorf’s son. Initially, Mr. Gorf appears to be a nervous and polite teacher, but soon the children realize that the only reason he has come to Wayside School is to find out who ate his mother and punish them accordingly. Mr. Gorf discovers that Louis was the perpetrator and turns him into an apple, but Louis and the children are saved by the powerful Ms. Zarves, who returns Mrs. Jewls to the class to the joy of the students. The acting by all involved was superb. Their high energy performances kept the play moving at a dramatic pace and kept all of the younger audience members on the edge of
their seats. Micah Haynes’ performance as Louis and Mr. Pickle was the highlight of the production. The set was the most complex the University Playhouse has created in recent memory. There were numerous moving parts, including a moving loud speaker and a chalkboard that doubled as Ms. Zarves’ mouth. Perhaps the most impressive was the glow in the dark chalk that covered the set, which produced a satisfactory amount of “oohs” and “ahs” when the lights went out for the first time. Overall, “Sideways Stories and Wayside School” was a hilarious experience children and adults. The only negative thing about the production was that there was only one university performance. But the lucky A&MCommerce students, faculty members and Commerce community members that were able to see the play left with sides aching.
Third installment of franchise is flawless in entertainment, game play JON McDANIEL CO-SPORTS EDITOR I’ve been waiting for this video game to come out for the last eight years ever since I played “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” at the arcades. When the game finally came out, I rushed to Walmart to pick up copy at midnight. When I inserted the disk into my Xbox 360, however, the console wouldn’t read the game. After frantically restarting my Xbox several times, the game title finally popped up on the screen. Was the game worth all of the wait and stress? The answer is a definite ’Yes.’” “Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds” continues with the frantic pace of action that the series is known for but ups the ante. Fans of the series will instantly be familiar with the controls and some of the returning characters such as Wolverine, Akuma, and Captain America. Newcomers will be able to pick-up on the action with the game’s adaptive “simple mode” controls for novices, but veteran players will stick with the traditional controls. For those who aren’t
familiar with the fighting game, players pick a team of three super heroes and duke it out until only one team is left standing. The game is based around huge combos, flashy moves, and hyper reflexes. You can tag-out between characters in the middle of a match or have them come out and use an attack, but that will leave your assisting character vulnerable. There is plenty of strategy with changing characters since they can regenerate some of their health back. There are over 30 characters in the game and each character has three different types of assist attacks and four different special finishing moves. This gives the game plenty of variety and gives the gamer virtually endless combinations. Many fans of the previous titles will notice the developers moved from hand-drawn characters to 3D-rendered ones, which makes the game look simply amazing in action. Despite all of the chaos on the screen, the game always maintains a smooth frame-rate. The online play is topnotch with little-to-no lag, which I didn’t have high hopes for since
most the time playing fighting games online is just getting destroyed by some smack-talking 15-year-old spamming the same moves with a bad connection. There are online lobbies in which the top ranked player in the group goes against everyone else in the lobby until they’re defeated and have to try and climb all the way back to first. You can also play in ranked matches to try and unlock some achievements or invite up to seven of your friends into a private lobby. There really aren’t too many blaring flaws with “Marvel vs. Capcom 3”. It would have been nice to include even more characters but, instead, the developers will charge everyone for future downloadable characters. I’ve never been a fan of paying for downloadable content since I did just drop $60 on the game, but I’ll be a sucker and shell out my money. The game includes a less than stellar “mission mode” where you perform each character’s moves. “Mission mode” is a great way to learn new moves but it’s tedious and repetitive. Despite what little
shortcomings it has, the developers showed some nice fan service by putting in so many little touches in the game. For example, they use some memorable levels from classic Capcom video games such as “Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts” and having each character with four different costumes to choose from such as having Spider-Man sporting the black and white symbiotic suit, which is a great extra touch. You also have your own player license in the game where you can set up your three favorite teams, check all of your playing statistics, and unlocking new titles, similar to the recent “Call of Duty” games, which will keep players busy. Marvel vs. Capcom 3” is one of those games that has tons of replay-ability. I’ve been losing sleep trying to unlock all the character’s unique endings in the arcade mode. I don’t know when this game will be leaving my Xbox because it actually met my high expectations I’ve had set for so many years waiting for it to finally be in my hands. This is the first game in almost a year that I decided to purchase and it’s worth every cent.
Page 8
sports
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2010
ALEX NOBECILLA/MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Junior Desmond King goes up for a contested basket under the net during Saturday’s loss to the Cameron Aggies. The players and coaches alike sported pink accents on their normal home uniform to support breast cancer at the annual Pink Zone night at A&M-Commerce.
Cameron conquers Commerce at home JUSTIN CHEATHAM SPORTS EDITOR The Texas A&M University- Commerce men’s basketball team lost their second game in a row Saturday, Feb. 19 to the third placed Cameron University Aggies 80-74. The loss puts the Lions in a three-
way tie for second place in the Lone Star Conference North Division with Cameron and Southwest Oklahoma State University. “We just go out rebounded,” Head coach Sam Walker. “I think if we had rebounded better we would have won the game. We shot the ball well enough, we executed well enough, I think we played defense
well enough, right down to the different categories of what you have to do; like turn the ball over, we got the ball to the right people, made shots, free throws but when it came down to rebounding the basketball we jus kept gave them too many extra shots. It really was the difference in the game, the glaring difference
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in the game.” Despite the loss, junior LaBree Sledge led the team offensively with a career high 15 points off the bench and junior Desmond King and senior Tyris Dowell led defensively with six rebounds apiece. “I try to make the intensity of my game play benefit the team,” Dowell said. “Being the only senior on the team I try to provide leadership on the court. I try to motivate the younger guys and make everyone around me better.” The Lions were our rebounded 47-29, with 22 of the Aggies rebounds being in their offensive zone. “I thought we did a lot better at handling the ball screens and containing their dribble penetration,” Walker said. “I think they were really good today at spreading us out, they dribble penetrate and I thought that in the second half we did a better job than the first half doing that. But once we forced them to a shot, we have to contain the boards and we just didn’t do that; we did not get enough rebounds to win.” The Lions are coming off a crowded two weeks, with basketball games that were cancelled due to winter weather causing a period of congestion. “We have to get ready again, we have to practice tomorrow and get ready to play,” Walker said. “We have another game in 48 hours that will be our fifth game in ten days. We won the first two and lost the last two, I think it’s wearing on us. I thought we had the depth to handle it but I don’t know.” Cameron overcame a ten-point deficit at the beginning of the game to beat the Lions. Milton Garner led the team with 26 points, and Nathan Murray had a doubledouble with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Nine of Murray’s rebounds were on the offensive end. “We knew we had to come in and rebound hard and we still got beat on the boards,” Dowell said. “So that resulted in a loss.”
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The A&M- Commerce band playing for the basketball teams during the games Saturday, Feb. 19 while wearing their Pink Zone t-shirts supporting the Susan G Komen foundation.
A&M-Commerce band booms JUSTIN CHEATHAM SPORTS EDITOR
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Freshman guard Kourtney Briscoe-Adams puts the ball up in the game against Cameron University.
Women fall to Cameron despite strong outing from Stevenson JON MCDANIEL CO-SPORTS EDITOR The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball team was unable to overcome a strong first half showing from the 6-6 Cameron University Aggies on Saturday night, losing 86-64. A&M-Commerce freshman forward Bianca Stevenson put up a team-high 19 points with nine rebounds while senior guard Mattilyn McIntyre put up 13 points. The Aggies’ had three players score 20 or more points each and A&M-Commerce Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Nicole Anderson, said the team was not able to stop some of Cameron’s weapons. “Cameron has some very good athletes,” Anderson said. “We wanted to limit them to 30 touches and we didn’t really do that as well as we needed to. We wanted to stop, number one, them from being able to penetrate and we didn’t do that as well as we needed so we’re prepared but we just didn’t get it done. We had a lot of breakdowns on defense and they had far too many rebounds, they were able to score too often and transition against us.”
Freshman guard China Pippen believes the team was prepared for the game because of their practice regiments. “We tried our hardest tonight but fell short,” Pippen said. “During our practices this week, we focused on figuring out the best abilities that each player for Cameron has and we worked on that every day in practice and we’ll continue to watch film on our next opponents.” McIntyre said the team did not hit its stride until the second half. “They we’re a little bit more physical and little bit taller than us and once again we waited until the second half to try and really put it together,” McIntyre said. “We need to play all the way until the end and fight hard the entire game.” Anderson says the team still has work to do before the season comes to a close. “We need to learn how to continue to play consistently, offensively and defensively,” Anderson said. “We need to learn how to hold people and not allow them to score; if we don’t score then they shouldn’t score either and if they do score we got to make sure that we get an opportunity to get a good basket.”
The Texas A&M University- Commerce band is a major part of the atmosphere at the basketball games hosted in the Field House, according to Men’s Basketball Head Coach Sam Walker. Not only do they entertain the stands and teams, but they also conceive cheers for the home team and heckle the visitors. “The team and the coaches believe that we make a big difference in the outcome of the game,” Drum major Brian Ewing said. “And they have expressed that to the music department, the directors and the students. After a big win they always come over and they’re pointing at us, thanking us, and shaking our hands. We make a difference when it comes to the end of the games.” The band’s effort get the crowd more involved in the game and help cheer the Lions on to victory. Players and coaches alike adore the band for their dedication and voice their appreciation regularly.
“I think the band is the most important [contribution] to having a great home crowd,” Men’s basketball Head coach Sam Walker said. “I wish I had an opportunity to go out and talk to them and thank them for their involvement. I think they are a major difference maker in our crowd because sometimes it’s silent in here, and if you can hear me talk then it’s too quiet. Not to mention that they are extremely talented.” With the band attending every home game, men’s and women’s, the job comes at the price of time and is not always a requirement for the students’ music classes. “This is the first year we have a lot of volunteers playing who really are playing just for the fun of it,” Ewing said. “They want to be here, they want to get the crowd into the game. This being a commuting school it’s really important to get the crowd involved. We are a big part of that because if we’re not excited then the crowd is quiet, and that makes the game not quite as energetic, not as
fun and it helps the players because we’re in the game.” The extent of the band’s effect on the outcome of games is a mental high five for the home team as well as mentally draining for the visitors. The band often heckles the visitors with friendly chants like ‘ball hog’ to throw off the star players. “It comes from the brass in the back,” Ewing said. “They are the creative minds and usually they have a roster as well. So at all the girls’ games we use their names, like this game we had a girl wave at us, and that was the first time they have ever responded.” Along with presenting a mental roadblock for the visitors to overcome, the band has altered the outcome of games slightly with their antics; counting out a fake shot clock and fooling the visiting team into a rushed shot. “Somewhere around eight seconds on the clock we decide to start doing it,” Ewing said. “We just do it every once in a while just to catch them, and we have; several times.”