The Summa Vol. 4, Issue 14
University of St. Thomas
Thursday, April 26, 2012
ustsumma.wordpress.com
University Hosts United for Life Rally on Campus Stephanie Hernandez News Editor On Saturday, April 21, 2012, the University of St. Thomas hosted a pro-life rally on campus. The event was planned by the Houston based organization, United for Life with the cooperation of the University of St. Thomas student club Celts for Life. The event, which was held on the Student Life Mall, consisted of a concert and various speakers with tables of pro-life organizations placed around the field to promote awareness from various groups within the prolife movement. The event was open to the public, and had both university students and families from the surrounding Houston community in attendance. The United for Life Rally is held annually in Houston. In past years, it has been hosted at the Catholic Charismatic Center located close to University of Houston, which has the world’s second-largest Planned Parenthood facility in front of their campus. Past rallies have typically included a prayerful march around the Planned Parenthood facility. This year’s Rally for Life, however, focused more
»INSIDE
THIS ISSUE » Opinion
A Bid Farewell Our out-going Editor-in-Chief takes a look back at her stay at UST. Page 4
» Features Walking for Literacy Kappa Delta Pi walks for literacy awareness Saturday, May 5.
Students and community Unite for life
Photo by Stephanie Hernandez
Carlie Bejarno (center) stands with her fellow Celts for Life Andrea Bonilla, Jose Bollivar, Jonathan Cruz, Joveline Ollero, and Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE.
upon raising awareness and family-based activities, such as a cake-walk to raise money for crisis pregnancy centers, and a moonwalk for the many children in attendance to play in. “We like to get students involved in the pro-life movement, especially on college campuses,” said Mary Catharine Maxian, who is Chair for the United for Life organization. “We at United for Life are very appreciative that the University of St.
Thomas is willing to host our event on campus this year.” Various pro-life organizations set up tables around the field, such as Texas Right to Life and Hispanics for Life. A Houston musician, Brittney Pierre sang Christianthemed songs with her softrock band. Various speakers were also invited to take the stage, including Ted Cruz, the former Solicitor General of Texas who is currently running for United States Senate, and Dr.
John Bruchalsk, who was a former abortionist and is now the founder of largest pro-life obstetrics and gynecology clinics in America. “I have a strong thirst for justice, and I’m mortified that abortion has become acceptable in our society. That’s why I’m involved in Celts for Life,” said Carlie Bejarno, an Education major and Theology minor. Bejarno
Rally for Life, Page 2
Page 7
» Entertainment
The Lucky One Check out our movie review of Nicholas Sparks’ latest tearjerker. Page 9
» Sports & Clubs
SGA Updates SGA released the 2012-2013 SOC budget allocations and a welcome from our new President Page 11
Playwright Student Debuts Original Work Clubs Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Stephanie Hernandez
Stephanie Hernandez News Editor
News Editor The University of St. Thomas Center for Faith and Culture, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Paragon Arts, will present the play Magdalene. The original play was written by current University of St. Thomas student Sara Kumar, and will open on May 4, 2012. The play is a modern interpretation of the life of St. Mary Magdalene, who is presented as a figure with a love for art, music and dancing. The play tells the story of her life from childhood through adult, following her journey from sinner to redeemed saint. The play is directed by Stewart Hawley, with dance choreography by former Houston Ballet dancer Richard Hubscher, and features a cast of twentythree professional actors and dancers. Though Kumar is now
Photo courtesy Paragon Arts
an aspiring playwright with a professional production in her credentials, a career in the theatrical arts was not her first calling. Kumar graduated in 2003 from Rice University
with a degree in electrical engineering, and then moved to Los Angeles. “I was living in Los
Magdalene Page 2
Each year, the University of St. Thomas hosts a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on campus. Past celebrations have included salsa dancing, free Mexican food being served to students, and a surprise mariachi band singing on the Crooker Patio. Because the actual date of the celebration, May 5, occurs during finals, the university has the tradition of celebrating this Mexican holiday in the weeks prior to May 5. The celebration this year will happen on April 26. “This year’s celebration will be just salsa tasting, and to educate people about Cinco de Mayo, and BESO,” said Kristina Arrambide, the president of the Bilingual Education Student Association (BESO). BESO is one of the groups helping to host the celebration. “The true meaning of Cinco de Mayo is not about Mexico’s independence,
but a battle that was won against the French that took place in Puebla,” she said. This is a widespread popular misconception about Cinco de Mayo, that the holiday is the equivalent of the United States’ Independence Day. In the Mexican state of Puebla, which is located in the Eastern Central part of Mexico, the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla. One reason that this battle is commemorated in Mexico is that, despite the Mexican army being heavily outnumbered by the occupying French Army, the Mexican army somehow managed to inflict a decisive defeat upon the French, leading to the end of the French occupation. The holiday is celebrated in Mexico and by the Mexican community in the United States. This year’s Cinco De Mayo celebration will be jointly hosted by university student groups BESO
Cinco de Mayo, Page 2
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The Summa
Angeles, working as an electrical engineer by day and doing theatre at night. And I felt a tension between my faith and the Hollywood culture. That’s why I decided to move back to Houston, and do a Master’s in Faith and Culture at the University of St. Thomas,” said Kumar, who is also the founding artistic director of Paragon Arts, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to explore faith through the arts, and to bring together an interfaith dialogue and collaboration between different religions and cultures. “As my final project, I wanted to do a play that reflected my own conversion of faith, and the story of Mary Magdalene seemed to fit. I began to read the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, and then the character of Magdalene began to emerge in my mind and heart,” he said. Before writing Magdalene, Kumar explored the theatrical world with a theater company. This theater experience later helped shape her writing of Magdalene. “I always was attracted to theatre as a young girl, but
I didn’t start doing theatre seriously until after college,” said Kumar. “I joined a theatre company called Shunya, which is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to using the performing arts to share the Indian-American experience. I started writing, acting, and directing.” Writing Magdalene has not only been an artistic and spiritual exploration for Kumar, but also one of academic achievement. “This play is my capstone final project for my master’s degree in Faith and Culture. All of the things I have been studying over the last two years in some way find themselves into the script, and into the production,” said Kumar. “It is truly an integrative process, which the program teaches and encourages you to do.” Magdalene will show May 4 through May 20 at the Obsidian Art Space, located at 3522 White Oak Drive in the Heights. Friday and Saturday show times are 8 p.m., and Sundays are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and $10 for students, and can be purchased online at tickets2events.com, or by phone at 713-412-8478. For more information, visit paragon-arts.org.
Cinco de Mayo Continued... and the Spanish Club. BESO and the Spanish club both work to bring Hispanic and Latino cultural events to the University of St. Thomas campus. In addition to hosting the Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, BESO will also host a salsa dancing competition on campus during the month of September. Past events by the Spanish Club have included the annual Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, which begin on November 2,
when students are invited to participate in a potluck and view the decorative commemoration altars displayed around campus. Cinco de Mayo is one of the most important Mexican holidays, and students are encouraged to participate in the celebrations, and learn more about the history behind the holiday. On April 26, students are invited to attend a special Spanish Mass at 12:30 p.m., in the Chapel of St. Basil followed by the salsa tasting outside of Malloy Hall, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Magdalene Continued...
Rally For Life Continued... is the current Vice President of Celts for Life. “We support United for Life in everything that they do, and Celts for Life is happy to help host this rally at the University of St. Thomas. Its uplifting that so many people are working towards a good cause, and having so many great groups here at our university. This is where the pro-life movement starts: on college campuses, with our generation.”
Other students from St. Thomas also took time to attend the event. “These events are very important to our Catholic identity, so it’s important to show support for these causes,” said Jose Bolivar, who is the newly elected President of the SGA President, “especially in these hard times of the antiCatholic HHS mandate.” “We also need fresh faces in the pro-life movement, and that’s why I decided to attend this Unite for Life Rally,” said Leticia Gordillo who is a Political Science Senior.
News
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Student housing to be demolished, repurposed
Photo by Stephanie Hernandez
One of the houses on Yupon Street that will prospectively be repurposed for university use. Stephanie Hernandez News Editor The University of St. Thomas owns properties close to campus, located on Yupon Street, which have provided affordable housing for the Ph.D students from the Center for Thomistic Studies. The university has reached the decision to demolish these properties for repurposing uses. Students currently residing in these properties have taken issue with the situation, protesting the lack of housing options offered by the university. “They’re planning on tearing down my house and the house next door. We were hoping to get into some other housing when we found out that they were going to get rid of our place,” said Charles Robertson, who is finishing his Ph.D. at the Center for Thomistic Studies. “There are four other graduate students affected by this. Another student and myself both have families, and we both live in houses on Yupon Street, so this whole situation is displacing entire families.” Because of the repurposing project, these students will have until the end of the summer to find a new residence.
“A big part of the reason we’re moving back is all the added expenses. If we were to move into non-campus housing, in order to live reasonably, we would have to live somewhere outside Beltway 8,” said Robertson, who will have to move with his family back to his native Canada. “Because of the requirements for my student visa, I cannot work anywhere except on campus. I’m not exactly sure what the other students are doing; I know the other student and his family really needs to find a new place soon, since he is still working on his dissertation, but as an American citizen he has more possibilities and can work anywhere.” Robertson will need to complete his dissertation from Canada, though he would have preferred to stay on campus, close to advisors and other aid that the Center offers to Ph.D. students. “The Center for Thomistic Studies tends to attract Catholic family men. This situation is bad for the program itself, because housing for its Ph.D students is limited, and having affordable housing so close to campus was a great feature,” said Robertson, who has five children. “One of the first questions
prospective students would ask me about the program is ‘How is the housing situation?,’ and now I have to tell them that housing no longer exists. It’s unfortunate, because the Center for Thomistic Studies program of the University of St. Thomas is the only one in North America that focuses on medieval philosophy.” Though the graduate students will have to move out, the repurposing plans include the construction of new buildings. “The university owns four houses on the east side of Yupon Street, and has been using them for Student housing for several years. Three of the houses have outlived their useful life, and in accordance with the campus master plan, will be demolished,” said Howard Rose, head of Facilities and Operations. “The fourth house will be re-purposed to house the custodial office, and the structure in which they currently reside will also be demolished. It is unfortunate for those students affected by the non-renewal of their leases, but the university has had to do this in the past with other properties. We have held on to these properties for as long as has been practical.”
The Opinion
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams ” - Eleanor Roosevelt
America’s Charity Marium Nisa Staff Writer America is usually the first country aiding foreigners when it comes to poverty, famine, and humanitarian concerns. What went wrong this past week when they passed an ordinance forbidding sharing food with the homeless, here, in our hometown of Houston? City Council voted 11-6 on April 2nd and passed an ordinance they claim will “safeguard charitable feeding and protect private property owners.” With no reports of any signs of illnesses or deaths caused by food poisoning, what was the purpose of the ordinance and what does this say about America? Let’s start off by considering who is trying to solve the problems of America’s poor. Elite college educated, trust funded, white collared males that have probably never experienced an inch of poverty dictate the destinies of many civilians through out the world. The all high and mighty one percent that are trying to provide what is best for the other ninetynine without ever having lived in their shoes. Take a look at what America exports. The majority of our money comes from entertainment. We can easily update our statuses about catching an African fugitive terrorizing children through brutal guerrilla warfare tactics and then gun down a black teenager because he seemed doubtful. We “pin” quotes by Mother Teresa and Saint Augustine to frame our spiritual philosophies on the web, but do we ever abide by them? After watching a major motion picture about global famine, we return to poking at our hot dinners. We fast for forty days and then right after Easter, return to our ways,
unchanged, because Lent has become a social and cultural practice and continuation would be a faux pas. So when the city has put up signs in Downtown reading “DO NOT FEED THE HOMELESS,” do not be shocked or surprised. At the end of the day, we allow these “private property owners” to decide our fate, to choose our morality, and to allow the arrest of someone handing the hungry a token of humanity. It is because we mesmerize over global social trends that nothing, besides the update of a status or tweet, is ever attempted to solve the issue. First came Darfur, and then came (phony) KONY. Right now, the unethical repulsive issue of aiding our very own neighbors is at stake. Don’t just update your status but do something. Yesterday came the airport pat down and today comes the authorized strip search for any arrest. The Supreme Court’s ruling repudiates privacy and transgresses the sanctity of the Fourth Amendment. In the case of this anti-food sharing ordinance, our First Amendment rights of freedom of religion are being violated. Surely, religion did not teach us to let the hungry starve. We live in a country that celebrated a “Welcome Back Veteran’s Parade” five days after an ordinance that would starve one out of every four homeless men who are veterans, and yet we go about critiquing other nations. Jean-Paul Sartre said about humanity,” Everything has been figured out, except how to live.” Before we aid Uganda or invade another “needy” nation, we must assess the hypocrisy of our own governments.
The Summa University of St. Thomas Student Newspaper 3800 Montrose Blvd. • Houston, TX 77006 • 713.525.3579
The Summa is the official newspaper of The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. It has a circulation of 2,000 copies. The Summa is a student run organization, whose purpose is to inform, comment, and interpret events of local, national, and worldwide importance. This paper serves as an open forum of student expression and welcomes letters from the UST community. All submitted materials will be printed at the discretion of the editorial board. The Summa is dedicated to serving as a model of ethical journalism, acting with honesty, objectivity, and integrity.
Breakdown of the American Family Jacqueline Lopez Features Editor Author Elizabeth Stone once stated that, “The decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” This accurately depicts the beautiful pain involved in being a parent; highlighting the unfathomable amount of compassion. “All words that derive from the Latin word ‘compassion,’ by combining the prefix meaning, ‘with,’ and the root meaning ‘suffering’.” Being a parent therefore literally means to love someone so much that it entails suffering and sacrifice. Stop any parent on the street and ask what being a parent accompanies. Most would easily say: compassion, understanding, patience, sacrifice, and selfless love. By this point I will assume that you have begun to wonder – so what? Perhaps it’s because of the past year of seeing neglected children, or the past couple of months of getting terrible parenting advice, either way I feel very saddened and tired to the point that I feel people ought to know that there is something wrong happening. Myself and others care for two children whose lives are tragic. Their father and mother are divorced for selfish reasons, and instead of trying to make the divorce a ‘best possible scenario’ for the sake of the kids, both have gone on to live a happy single lives that don’t often include the kids. The two children spend their time being shuffled around between great-grandmother, greatgrandfather, grandmother, two aunts, and a niece. Sure, every parent needs help with their kids, but this takes the concept of ‘it takes a village to raise a
child’ to a whole new level. The mother thus far has taken no responsibility for them. For example, when she sees them she quickly becomes frustrated and threatens to hit them. This last week alone has been sad to watch. Her youngest, a little girl, came down with a high fever. Upon coming to pick her up, she waited in the car and let the 3 year-old, get into her car seat alone as she talked on the phone. When they arrived home, the mother went to her room without speaking to her daughter and let the two greatgrandparents spend the rest of the night attempting to bring down the girls fever. The entire time her daughter was sick, the mother remained on the phone with her boyfriend. Her older son, a 4 year-old, had already been staying with his grandmother for the past week. The only time this woman is a ‘good mother’ is when she sees an opportunity for a photo-op, in which she takes a picture with her kids and posts it to Facebook. Then she adds a cliche caption like, ‘my everything.’ Her ‘good mother’ demeanor comes out again on the kids birthdays, when instead of planning birthday parties for her kids or even telling them happy birthday, she writes their birthday message on Facebook for the world to see. Little do all her Facebook friends (who are quick to post what a great mother she is) know, that picture and message she is posting is a facade. Often times the pictures she posts are not even pictures she takes of her kids, but rather ones taken at events that her aunts took them to. This isn’t the only scenario I know like that. Another woman I know, a stay at home mom, often leaves her newborn son with the grandmother weeks at a time
because she is tired and has a migraine (for two weeks). Family life seems to have drastically changed in the past few decades. I have been surprised to look around and see that the families forming now have a new added twist to them: most of the people are selfish. Most people are now too busy with their own image and shallow happiness to take anyone else into account. Facebook, social status, and what is going on that night seem to have taken higher priority than family life. The families I knew before this were stronger and the parents did whatever possible to make things as happy as possible for them and their children. This is of course a broad generalization. Don’t get me wrong, there are still great single mothers out there who make their situation into the best situation possible for their kids. There are divorced couples, who couldn’t make it work as a marriage, but still make it work for the kids. There are even couples who adopt, who give their children a good life they otherwise would not have had. Those things still exist, but it seems that broken families have become the norm rather than the rare scenario. Why is it that people have begun to care more about themselves than the people that depend on them? What has happened in our society that all the aesthetic things and virtual things have become more real than people themselves? It is as the late Pope John Paul II said, “The family is the center and the heart of the civilization of love.” So what happens to our society when the family is no longer the center and heart of civilization, but rather an after thought - what happens to love then?
Jeremy Heallen • Faculty Advisor Rebecca Mechler • Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Katie Thomson • Incoming Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Hernandez • News Editor Chelsea Ferramosca • Opinion Editor Sarah Oyarce • Entertainment Editor Jacqueline Lopez • Features Editor
Staff Writers & Photographers Claudia Arguelles • Samrat Bhattacharya Nadine Fahmy • Stephanie Hernandez Serge Zeda • Marium Nisa Abigail Nava • Micaela Brebion Melyssa Navarro • Sarah Oyarce Jihane Rodriguez Douglas Tobar • Hien Tran Chris Michels • Cindy Alvarado
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Opinion
The Summa
Making Some Summer Money
Hien Tran Staff Photographer Summer jobs, now that’s something to talk about. Summer jobs can ease the boredom and help pass the time of summer while helping to pay for school. A summer job can either be a relaxing or a strict work environment. My cousin, for example, once had a summer internship at Aker Solutions. His job was to get on Craig’s List and draw pipe lines. He was paid $10,000 to do this work. His hours were nothing to complain about, working 9 to 5 on the weekdays. On the other hand, my Canadian cousin, an art student, was paid to draw extricate art patterns for a client. She was paid minimum wage. My cousin then quit her job and started selling her paintings at a place called the Arts Markent. It was a building where growing artist have a chance to sell and work their work at the price they please. Her work took hours to do and the income was not worth it. Some students can work in a variety of areas, such as internships and co-ops, as well
as both part-time and full time jobs. Now the new employee at the office may be required to get breakfast or make coffee runs. I will soon be doing these tasks as I am applying to Baylor for the summer. Now you may be thinking Baylor University in Waco, but in actuality I am applying for the Baylor College of Medicine. For the past few years I have worked as a babysitter for my cousins, implying that I just lay around all day, but I did not. She made me cook, clean, and help them with their homework. I was also required to get up at the crack of dawn to have a run with the kids. When college students are working a co-op job, they are learning concepts and applying them at the same time. There is always the possibility of working parttime while earning full-time benefits, such as health and optic insurance, after working there for a specific amount of time. Pharmacy Technicians at CVS (consumer value savings) Pharmacy get rewarded with health insurance and other numerous benefits.
When it comes to the opinion of Mariel Machuca, a freshman at the University of Saint Thomas, she says ‘I like it’. As for the opinion on Jason Taffet, the intercollegiate soccer goalkeeper, thinks that, ‘summer jobs are quite essential’. Our very own President Barack Obama is trying to open 250,000 jobs for the youth, mainly during the summer. On a different standpoint, summer jobs can help college students build character and make some money. After all, money does not grow on trees as we have often been told. I think the most important lesson I learned working for my cousin was self control. It helped make me the man I am today. Summer jobs can be beneficial for the struggling teen who wants to go out with his friends, but does not have the money to do so. It can also be beneficial for the independent teen that is paying for school without help. I strongly believe that any kind of summer job is something worth your time and effort.
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
And It’s Goodbye to UST
Rebecca Mechler Outgoing Editor-in-Chief My time at St. Thomas has come, very nearly, to a close. I cannot say that I am too sorry that this time has finally come – four years of exams, readings, finals, papers is rather exhausting – but UST has been incredibly good to me through it all. I would like to be able to say that I have left my mark on St. Thomas, although I am not quite sure I really have; St. Thomas has certainly left its mark on me, as cliched as it is to actually say it. The one thing I will say for myself, however, is that I have tried to give it my all. By all means, you can say that I have failed in my endeavors to make St. Thomas a better university, but you cannot say that I didn’t try to the best of my abilities, and of that I will never be made ashamed. But that is neither here nor there. The past is done and I wouldn’t change anything that has happened for the world anyway. Now is not the time for regrets but for fond reminiscence, thanks to those who have given me so much over the past four years, and recognition for who and what I now leave behind. In four years I have built the best and strongest relationships of my life. As Janice Ian says in the highly quotable Mean Girls, here are “the greatest people you will ever meet, and the worst.” And that has certainly been true. UST is full of the people who celebrated with cupcakes and dancing on top of Moran, who stayed up in caffeine fueled frenzies until way pass bedtime to finish that English paper, who cheered loudly and passionately for our sports teams, who taught me how to dance, how to play “slam,” how to live my life to the fullest. It has also been full of the people who have set off fire alarms, who have kept their fellow residents up to all hours running up and
down the halls, who have been notoriously full of their own brand of fun. You, my fellow Celts, have been grand. I thank my professors and the amazing faculty and staff here. I really do not know how you do it, putting up with us all day, year in and year out. I am fairly certain there are kindergartners more mature than some of us, especially on mornings after papers are due. I know I for one have not always been the best student, the most studious, and I have a tendency to say rather silly comments during class, but that has not stopped you from giving me an amazing education. You have taught me so much more than how to count by two’s and buckle my shoes. You have taught me not what to think, or even only how to think, but also how to defend what I think passionately, respectfully and logically. I thank the students who have come before me for laying the foundations of this university which has made it what it is today. I do not know who they are, but I am grateful for the people who started Pub Night, Neewollah, the Crawfish Boil, Shadwell’s Wake, and the other events that make this place so much fun. There are so many people who make UST what it is and who have formed me. It would be impossible to thank them and the only way I can see of repaying them is going forth, using what they have given me, and be the best that I can be. I am still not sure where my life is going to go after graduation in three weeks, but I am sure that I will be prepared for whatever the world throws at me. Earlier this semester, I had said that I cannot pass on everything I wish I had known starting school, and I can’t, but I do want to leave behind a few words of mediocre wisdom and advice. I leave St. Thomas to you. Take it with a dose of good humor, a large serving of patience, and lots of love. Classes will be boring and seem useless, you will fight with your roommate and your parents, papers and assignments will keep piling up, but don’t let these keep you from having a good time and leaving your own mark here. Don’t be afraid of getting involved on campus. It doesn’t take much to be great.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Opinion
As Graduation Looms in the Air Ryan Hess Staff Writer Graduation approaches— and, in my case at least, it has brought with it a strangely large number of assignments. Or to put it more accurately, it is preceded by a great and intimidating host of them: a paper, or a presentation, or an exam a week, and a stack of books to read that I am not at all in the mood for. All of this when I—innocent soul!—had planned on my final semester before graduation being an unstressful one. And on top of this, my editress—that, by the way, is the feminine form of “editor”; it corresponds to such words as “actress,” “waitress,” and “hostess”—don’t argue with me. Now where was I? Oh, yes. As I was saying: on top of this, my editress is clamoring for an article that I foolishly promised to write a couple of weeks ago. It is all very difficult. For I, more than most I fear, am a man who prefers his ease. I enjoy reading, even in large amounts (at least they are considered large by today’s meager standard); but this is only the case when I get to choose the material. Rarely does my mood correspond to the stuff on the syllabus. I also like to write on occasion, but not on a schedule—and certainly not for professors. Presentations and exams I would rather do without entirely. But enough of this. An article must be written, and (by your leave) I think I will write the rest of it on what I have learned during my years at college. I will approach this task in terms of individual disciplines. First there is the Queen of the Sciences, by which name I refer to Theology. When I first came here it was going to be my major, but then I changed my mind. I still ended up taking several courses though, and have picked up what I suppose is a good deal of information. Yet the only real lesson I learned as a direct result of those classes was this—One of my professors told me that I was a very clever fellow (for an undergraduate), but that I needed to learn to be “a little more subtle.”Now what exactly was meant by that, you ask? It is quite simple. The professor’s sense was that, when dealing with men who had embraced some dangerous error (and errors in theology are
dangerous indeed), I needed to find some way of getting the truth across while remaining inoffensive to those who had embraced the contrary. I say that I have learned this lesson, but honestly I have no idea how to put it into practice. It seems like the only way to tell the truth without irritating those who love a lie is to put it in such a way as to conceal from them what one is actually saying, but then one is not really getting the truth across at all, in which case one has wasted his time and theirs. So what is a man to do? Like I said, I cannot really say. Anyway . . . then there is the Handmaid of that Queen of the Sciences, or Philosophy. It was to this discipline that I turned after I changed my mind about my first choice of majors, and I do not think I have ever really regretted the decision. Yet what can I say I have learned in all those dozens of classes? The most important thing is that I still have so much that remains to be learned. This may sound like some kind of platitude or truism—and it is—but I never realized the full weight of the thing until lately. When I was a sophomore one of our professors said that a man can never do metaphysics till he reaches the age of forty, and I thought it was a joke when I heard it. Now, however, I have come to the conclusion that what he said is true. Perhaps it is not true on its face—for why would we bother to take Metaphysics courses here if it were?—but it is true in its implication. And that is a fact which
fills me with both fear and eagerness. Not eagerness to be forty, but you know what I mean. And now I turn to some lesser disciplines. So in the natural sciences I discovered two things: (1) that I had an undeveloped interest in the stars, and (2) that I had no interest at all in electrons and vitamins and all other such things which modern men believe to exist but which they cannot see. This latter thing I count as a weakness in myself. Then there is the study of literature. Outside of my few English classes I have found out that I like books more than most people do, which (I regret to admit) is not saying much; in the classes themselves I have discovered, or begun to discover, Dante and Chaucer. I have also chafed because nobody teaches a course on Hilaire Belloc, who was the best English-speaking author of the twentieth century. But what can I do? Then there are the social sciences, such as Psychology and Sociology; but it would be better if I wrote nothing at all about those, lest I write something which might be thought rude. And I simply cannot write anything about mathematics, save that Algebra is unpleasant—which I hardly need to tell you, no doubt. Then there are foreign languages, of which I took three. . . .But I have written enough now. I have to prepare another presentation and, unless I can get an extension, put together another paper before the week is out. So farewell!
The Summa
In the Arms of a Hero Chelsea Ferramosca Opinion Editor There is nothing worse than being separated from the ones you love. Everyone knows this, but no one truly understands it like a military spouse. There are a lot of us on the UST campus, including two on the Summa editors staff; I am an Army girlfriend, and the Features Editor, Jackie Lopez, is a Marine wife. She and I have traded a few stories here and there, but never anything too serious. I have been getting a lot of questions about being a military girlfriend lately, many from a good friend whose boyfriend recently enlisted in the Air Force. I don’t offer feelings about it too often. I usually wait for people to ask questions before I give my two cents worth because, in all honesty, it is not always easy. When the person you love most is a world away (a world that includes guns, bombs and terrorists), everyday can feel like an eternity. Luckily I do not have to deal with this worry anymore. My boyfriend, Matt, is finally home after a year in Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in the Operation Enduring Freedom, the first being a year long tour in Iraq in 2009. To say that he is an American hero would be an understatement. In September of 2011, he was shot three times, twice in the right leg and once in the left, receiving a Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for his actions. He was given another honor when his actions were described as, “a heroic and inspiring sacrifice for his nation” by a high ranking officer. Needless to say, I went a little nuts after this. I wanted him to put on a helmet and work in the mailroom or just plant flowers on base or something safe like that. I was even more paranoid of him getting wounded than ever before. But being the soldier he is, he went back into combat after his wounds healed, until the frigid winter weather forced them to hunker down on base in the Hindu-Kush Mountains. So, if I was going to answer the questions asked by those who are about to join myself and others as a military spouse, I would say that being an military girlfriend/wife is a position you should be proud
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of, but that does not mean it will always seem bearable. The first change to deal with is signing yourself over to the military. Your life is no longer yours and you must do what the military says, when it says to do it. They decide where Matt lives, what he does with his time, and when he can take a break from Killeen to visit Houston. Long deployments usually involve taking life one moment at a time, between studying and trying to pay attention in class while Facebooking them on your phone because you know you will not be able to communicate for a few days after he gets off. It is hard when you have class discussions that lead to the morality of their mission or the need for it, and even harder when a professor agrees that, “they are doing nothing but causing terror to that region.” Yes, one of my professors did say that. I got very angry. But the hardest part is staying strong for them. They do not need to be worrying how we are doing while they are fighting for their lives. Be strong when you talk to them, and save the fear and worry for when they are not around. Just don’t forget that every soldier is different, some might want the distraction of home-life drama. Listen to what they want and need from you. We all deal with being military spouses differently. The hardest time is right after they leave, but once you get a routine down things get easier. Skype and Facebook will become your best friends and you will learn to balance your time around their schedule. It is a rewarding, hard, scary and proud thing to be a military girlfriend or wife. For me, knowing how strong Matt is and how he is looked upon as a great soldier by even high ranking officers gave me comfort in his ability to stay safe. He is my hero, just as your serviceman is yours. Just remember that the military also relies on us to take care of them, comfort them and support them while deployed and at home. In choosing to enlist, they no longer belong to us, they belong to America and the institution that guards its freedom. We have to share them, honor them, love them and be strong as we wait for them to return to us. Just take it one moment at a time.
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The Summa
The Features
Thursday, April 26, 2012
ECOS brings green initiatives, environmental awareness to campus Jacqueline Lopez Features Editor Have you ever stood at the edge of a vast ocean or a grand green mountain and been in awe? From the beautiful rolling green mountains of Hawaii to the beautiful beaches of Mexico to the flat evergreen trails of Houston, one could easily see that this beauty in the world is indeed worth protecting, conserving and advocating for. This is a cause the local University of St. Thomas club, ECOS (Environmentally Conscious Organization for Students), is familiar with. As long as the land is taken advantage of and not cared for, Earth moves closer and closer towards not only global warming, but also loosing crucial wildlife and ecosystems. Now more than ever before we are seeing unprecedented amounts of beach erosion, air pollution, deforestation, climate change, endangered animals, and mass consumption of nonrenewable products. While this problem is going to need world-wide efforts to tackle to ECOS is doing its part right here at the
university. The ultimate goal of the club is to connect people with as many opportunities to protect the environment as possible through chances to volunteer, recycling, clean energy education, and learning about environmental justice issues. This year the ECOS took a step towards accomplishing their mission by partnering with Pi Sigma Alpha to host the first annual UST Environmental Week. Events of Environmental weeks included a Texas bluebonnet seed giveaway, an Environmental Career and Volunteer Fair, a Focus the Nation Clean Energy Forum, a Politics and Sustainability Forum, and a symbolic tree planting. Senior and President of ECOS, Jennifer Amelang disclosed the importance this year’s tree planting served for the community of the University of St. Thomas. “The tree was planted to commemorate the inaugural UST Environmental Week, and to replace trees that have recently been cut down on the Academic Mall. It is a Red Drummond Maple, a native tree to Texas,” Amelang said. As the tree grows,
Photo courtesy of Texas PTA
University of St. Thomas students band together to help protect the environment by raising awareness to fellow students and community members.
Amelang hopes that environmental awareness at the university will grow along with it. Although the event did not receive as much attention as Amelang would have hoped, she ultimately believes that environmental week will successfully continue to bring together students of all different backgrounds to care for something that affects everybody. “There are many aspects to the environmental movement. It isn’t just pulling weeds - all sectors of society and a community is needed. Through the event we were
able to bridge the gap between majors and disciplines. For example, Tyler Rountree, co-coordinator of UST Environmental Week and I are a part of the Political Science and Environmental Science Departments, respectively, and we worked closely together. By working with Tyler, a politico, I was able to become more aware of what it takes, politically, to accomplish a project,” Amelang said. Beyond the university Amelang understands that it takes everyone’s combined effort to truly make a difference within the world.
After all this world belongs to everybody, so naturally it takes grand participation on everyone’s behalf to make a true difference. “The clean energy movement needs innovators to create new ideas, technicians to build the technology, storytellers to get the word out and politicians to make informed policy decisions. If anyone is interested in joining the club, regardless of your major, you have skill-sets and ways of looking at a problem that can be helpful,” said
Environment, Page 17
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Features
The Summa
7
Kappa Delta Pi strives to raise money for local high school Jacqueline Lopez Features Editor One child in four grows up not knowing how to read. Up to one fourth of the American population is Level I illiterate, meaning that they cannot read or write past a fourth grade level. Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare (85 percent of all underage children who become part of the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate and 90 percent of all welfare recipients are high school dropouts). Those who are illiterate are also said to suffer from poorer health in comparison to those who know how to read. This ultimately costs the US $73 million in health care costs alone each year. Kappa Delta Pi, the educational honor society, is hosting a one mile walk to raise awareness in favor of literacy that will be held May 5, 2012 at 9 a.m. at the University of St. Thomas. It is just $10 to enter and additional funds are donated by family and friends who sponsor you in the walk. Sheena Blain, a graduate student at the University of St. Thomas and current president of Kappa Delta Pi explains that not only will the walk raise awareness, but also the proceeds will begin helping out education in Houston immediately: “KDP has an annual program and this year it is ‘Alive for Literacy.’ So our chapter had to come up with a way to raise money for literacy. We are raising money for Cristo Rey Jesuit, a Catholic School here in Houston,” said Blain. Their goal to raise money for this local school is a noble cause as Christo Rey High School is a private school for children who are underprivileged. Students who normally are not given a chance at a great education
Environment Continued... Amelang. Learning your strength and then how to contribute this strength in a team setting that works toward a common goal is not only important for the environmental cause, but beyond and into the workforce as well. Working together should extend beyond the student body. Amelang hopes that through working together and raising
Photo courtesy of Bright Sky Learning Inc.
Kappa Delta Pi is doing their part in targeting illiteracy within America by hosting a one-mile walk around UST. Proceeds from the event will go towards Christo Rey High School, a high school for economically disadvantaged youth.
with reading and math which are two of the most important subjects that you need to survive in the world. If you do not receive a foundation of these subjects and start moving up in the education system at some point you are going to be left behind and this especially impacts the high school years,” Blain said. The simple foundation of both reading and math not only serve to further knowledge within education, but also are essential basic skills that one needs to have in order to be able to function within America’s society. For years, America has tested as mediocre amongst the countries of the world in both reading and math. This has many worried as to how America will not only stack up here at home, but also in the global economy. Although some of the problems teachers are experiencing in classrooms are not problems that many other countries have to face, America’s diversity and size are both factors that teachers are left to deal with, and are given a curriculum to teach that does not address this vast diversity in classrooms. “We have an influx of non
English speaking and reading students so illiteracy is still impacting our classrooms. If Americans can’t read how can we as a nation perform our tasks in life? How can we as a nation globally communicate with other countries if illiteracy is still a major issue in the USA? We need to address this and keep this to the front and slowly change this for the better,” said Blain. Blain also acknowledges that there are ways that we can help our students and give them a way to achieve. “We have to nurture our students and we have to make sure that our classrooms are not overcrowded as we need to maintain a balance so that we are impacting our students in a positive way. They are our future,” said Blain. Reading not only gives the students a better chance at a future, but is also a beautiful escape and opens an entire new world to a reader. There is so much personal fulfillment to be gained from reading. As university students, it is easy to take this skill for granted, and not see the huge impact illiteracy in America truly has. “You need to be able to read. Reading is so important.
When I was little my parents took us to the library every Friday to get books and take them home and read. I love to read and we need to instill this concept into our students. Imagination takes over and takes you to another world. Reading enhances your ability to communicate. What can’t you learn from literature,” Blain said. Ultimately, as university students we are blessed to be in a position of knowledge; we have the opportunity to not only improve our lives, but to create a better world. We are each in a position in which we could truly make a difference right here in Houston. “Maybe [the walk] will inspire some of our students to mentor elementary or even high school students in this educational weakness. I want the student body to come support us and walk and realize that we need to help our young students. They need positive role models in schools to see that with education and hard work - the work is worth its weight in gold,” said Blain. Come out Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 9 a.m. to the University of St. Thomas and walk for America’s future.
awareness across campus that In order to make more sound decisions both ECOS and the the whole university will “When we community expand its green see land as a needs to be movement. She hopes that community to which involved. In the future, this year’s I really environmental we belong, we may hope ECOS week will begin to use it with a d o p t s ultimately be only a starting love and respect.” sustainable initiatives point for Aldo Leopold and as a change. “My hope is that this school, UST could do so much week will become a tradition. more in terms of sustainability.
ECOS recently had an action plan meeting and we decided we want to focus our efforts on energy efficiency,” said Amelang. Eventually Amelang hopes that the university will do its part for the greater good of Earth by merely switching to energy retrofits, appliances for the maintenance and preservation of buildings through utilizing these energy efficient technologies. These technologies make a huge
difference in regards to the energy efficiency of a building. Aldo Leopold, American author and ecologist, corrects the common misconception that most people have in regards to the environment. “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect,” Leopold said.
work outside of school to raise money for their own tuition. Blain, who is a teacher of history and government, at Ball High School, understands the crucial issue of literacy as her students also display great responsibility and hunger for knowledge within the classroom. “I have never felt so happy as the first time I walked through a classroom door. I knew that this is where I was supposed to be. The students I have are lovely students they bring so much diversity to the classroom and I am originally from Scotland so my diversity enhances the classroom. It is nice to see a student flourish in education and see them work constantly to become better than the first day they walked in the door. I have always asked for and demanded high standards in my classroom and my students are always willing and able to constantly demand of themselves,” Blain said. While Blain has seen the bright and beautiful side of education she is still willing to admit that there is much work to be done within the education system. In the past few years the dropout rate within the United States has risen. “Students are struggling
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The Entertainment
The Summa
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Titanic’s second theatrical screening brings out critical eye for flaws Stephanie Hernandez News Editor There is little that any critic of Titanic 3D can say against its the box office numbers, it’s first 1997 release made it the highest grossing film of all time (a number later outdone by Cameron’s most recent film, Avatar), and its 3D release has made $300 million internationally, according to the latest Hollywood Reporter reports. The film made an unusually spectacular opening in China, garnering close to $70 million over six days. As a viewer who was part of the generation deemed too young to watch the film during its original release, but who has nonetheless watched it at least a dozen times over the years, seeing Titanic for the first time in theaters brought out a critical eye for flaws. Watching the film on April 14, 2012, exactly 100 years since the tragedy of Titanic occurred, may have been a poor way to commemorate
the thousands of lives lost. For one, the story of Titanic becomes lost in the impossible love story between the film’s main characters: Jack, the vivacious but penniless vagrant who falls in love with the wealthy Rose, a rich girl who is trapped by the straight-laced mores of her upper class existence. It must be admitted that Cameron has a talent for crafting worlds with down to the minute detail, bringing them to life through the lives and personalities of his characters. Titanic brings to life the constraints of economic class and hardship that ruled the Victorian Era and the way these ideas reined with an oppressive (if polite) fist. Cameron reportedly hired legions of historians to assist him with the creation of the world of Titanic, so that the audience could have an authentic experience of what it meant to live in that time. Modern viewers of this era are familiar with hearing
the term “class warfare” -a warfare that to most people watching Titanic is obvious in the class-torn love story of Rose and Jack. Cameron may have been attempting to draw in a younger audience by using both the looks of young Leonardo DiCaprio and the relatable story of a rebellious love affair, but the love story serves a dual purpose for showing with painful clarity the Victorian Era, where money and social status was everything. In the case of the Titanic, it literally meant life and death, as the majority of the third class passengers were held back from getting back onto the life boats. These historical facts are skimmed over, as the audience is instead treated to sweeping views of the Titanic in her full glory as she speeds across the Atlantic, doubtless to show off Cameron’s visionary skill as a filmmaker by utilizing special effects to portray his ideas of how the Titanic must
have looked. In a 1997 review be argued that he presents the of the film, a New York Times painful sight of hundreds of critic compared Cameron frozen bodies bobbing in the to Gone with the Wind’s David water to serve as a reminder O. Selznick; both certainly for how to prevent these had a talent for spending vast disasters from occurring again. Regardless what any amounts of money in pursuit of creating their artistic critic, past or present, says vision of historical tragedies. about it, Titanic will somehow Cameron tends to present always be the film that people historical facts only when they watch when they want to serve as emotional tugs for the remember the disaster of the plot, such as when Andrew’s, Titanic. When standing bow of the Titanic’s designer, gravely a boat, people will still scream repeats to Rose the number of “I’m king of the world!ʺ life boats in comparison with and still recite the film’s the number of passengers. catchphrase of “I’ll never let There is no arguing go.ʺ And perhaps only those Cameron’s skill as an artist who have seen the movie when it comes to crafting multiple times would have the aesthetic and visionary caught it when Jack tells Rose appeal, by ensuring that the “I see you,ʺ the catchphrase naval terminology used by the for Avatar, causing viewers wonder if perhaps Titanic’s crew was accurate to and the period costumes are Cameron simply recycles his sewn exactly according to the material and merely changes times. His skill as a storyteller, the scenery for each film. Like it or not, however, could be called into question, as he applies this Cameron’s Titanic has worked same skill into capitalizing its way into our culture, and like on the deaths of thousands for the tragedy of the Titanic, most his own profit, though it could certainly will not be forgotten.
TV Tracker Sarah Oyarce
Modern Family (ABC)
Photo courtesy ABC
Punk’d (MTV)
Photo courtesy MTV
What it’s about: Members of one large, unique family all share their humorous experiences and troubles in this mockumentary style show.
What it’s about: MTV has brought back the celebrity-on-celebrity pranks minus its original host and co-creator, Ashton Kutcher.
What’s happened so far?: Phil tries to secure a closer relationship with Alex, Cam and Mitchell invite their fathers to their house for dinner and Luke deals with his elderly friend passing away.
What’s happened so far?: Rapper Tyler, The Creator gets his revenge by pranking actress Shenae Grimes, Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey and UK pop band, The Wanted.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Photo courtesy CBS
The Secret Circle (CW)
Photo courtesy CW
What it’s about: In the year 2030, Ted Mosby tells the story of how he met his wife, their mother, to his kids and in the meanwhile, reminisces about their past life experiences.
What it’s about: This supernatural drama takes place in the fake town of Chance Harbor where Cassie Blake discovers that she is a witch involved in a (you guessed it) secret circle.
What’s happened so far?: Ted wanting to stay in his apartment gets locked out, Barney explores his relationship with his new beau and Marshall tries to figure out Lily’s compromising dream.
What’s happened so far?: The circle tries to find their family crystals and go searching for answers from their grandparents. Adam and Cassie get closer and there is a plot to kill.
House (FOX)
Photo courtesy FOX
What it’s about: Doctor House and his team try to figure out what patient’s strange illnesses are before their time runs out and along the way, the viewers delve into House’s relationships. What’s happened so far? : House and his team try to determine why a man is crying blood and they also try to find a new “lady friend” for House.
Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
Photo courtesy ABC
What it’s about: Celebrities are pitted against each other in a ballroom dancing competition for the coveted mirrored ball trophy. What’s happened so far?: The dancing couples had to dance to Latin music in last episodes Latin Night. Duh. In the end, it was singer Gavin Degraw’s last night on the show due to his notso-stellar performance.
Entertainment
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Summa
9
Yet another Sparks novel is transformed onto the big screen: The Lucky One Sarah Oyarce Entertainment Editor As audiences have come to expect every couple of years, Hollywood once again adapted another one of Nicholas Sparks’ acclaimed novels into a film. When one mentions the name Nicholas Sparks in any review (or conversation for that matter) one always goes back to fan favorite, The Notebook. This automatically sets up the film for failure because there is no way that The Lucky One can live up to the impossible standard set by The Notebook. The Lucky One opens on Logan Thibault (buff former teen star, Zac Efron), a Marine currently on his third tour in Iraq. After a night raid which turned into an ambush, he finds something on the ground that catches his attention. A few seconds later a bomb blows up on the very exact spot where he was standing. What was that something that saved him? A picture of a beautiful, blonde woman named Beth (Taylor Schilling) with a message on the back saying “keep safe.” The cliché does not end at that. After his friends convince him that this woman is his guardian angel, he sets off to find this girl, on foot, to
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
personally thank her for saving his life. Why? I have no idea. It was probably the filmmaker’s way of portraying Thibault’s post-traumatic stress disorder. But walking thousands of miles from Colorado to Louisiana sounds pretty traumatic to me. Forrest Gump, anyone? Upon arriving to her town, which is where audiences assume the plot will begin, it doesn’t; critics are
disappointed because there never really seems to be one. The entire rest of the film consists of cliché and predictable sequences of Logan and Beth’s budding romance. One of the major and only conflicts in the movie is the trouble caused by Beth’s borderline abusive ex-husband Keith Clayton (Jay R. Ferguson). The Lucky One will
please those target audiences in the same ways that Dear John and The Last Song did. Judging by the screams from women in the theater that I saw the film in, Zac Efron shirtless is probably one of the main reasons why some women are paying the ten dollars for a ticket stub. Speaking of Efron, this is his first major movie role as a leading man since his
High School Musical days. His performance in this movie was decent. However, it does not secure his future as one of Hollywood’s dominant leading males. He has said that he wanted a more mature role but this one may have not been so fitting. In my opinion, Efron has the potential to be the next Brad Pitt; he just needs a really good and fitting role. Some of the good and funny scenes in the film were the ones that included Ellie (Blythe Danner) who played Beth’s grandmother and Ben (Riley Thomas Stewart) who played Beth’s son. Each of the actors stole the scenes in the ones that they were present in. Something that was also surprising was Efron and Schilling’s chemistry in the film, even though Schilling performed better portraying the struggles of a single mom in a tough situation. If you are a fan of any Nicholas Sparks’ movie adaptations, then this is a must-see however, do not expect it be another Notebook, because it is not and you will be disappointed. All in all, The Lucky One was a cute movie, overly cliché and predictable but cute nonetheless. However, it will probably be one of the least remembered in Sparks’ and Efron’s history.
Pike’s fairy trilogy is reminiscent of other supernatural novel, Twilight Jihane Rodriguez
Staff Writer A few months ago I was on a mission to find an easy going, fresh yet intense book to read. That is when I found the novel Wings by Aprilynne Pike, more by accident than intention. I was mesmerized by the freshness of the absence of cliché supernatural characters in the story. No wolfs, no vampires… how refreshing. These books are really intended for young adults but I find it rather invigorating to indulge in some of its intense love stories now and then (as I did with the Twilight Saga – guilty as charged!) Anyway, Pike has managed to capture a beautiful and delicate story combined with action and adventure entangled in a mist of romance; in my opinion, this Fairy trilogy is one not to be left out on, especially if you are into supernatural stories. Pike opens on a new dimension to the “faire land” with a different approach to the origins of the species and gives a magical insight to their nature. You will
rediscover all you think you knew about fairies, as the author makes them out to be very different from what we have learned through years of magical stories. Pike even manages to include old fairy tales into her stories and mocks these so-called myths, in a way that will make you smile. [Spoiler alert] Wings introduces you into a world divided by races (humans, fairies, and even trolls) – battles, romance, and mundane typical teenage problems that take place in this first book which certainly leaves you wanting more. Do not be fooled by the use of otherwise childish characters (I saw your face when I said trolls), as this is not your typical kindergarten troll, nor is it your typical fairy. Think more Lord of the Rings meets Twilight kind of fairy; trust me, it is just different. The book is written with intricate details, immediately transporting you into the middle of the story and action - of course, that also depend on how much imagination you have but it’s hard not to feel like you are a part of the
Photo by Jihane Rodriguez
unfolding drama in this novel. Spells, the second book on the series is just as magical but with the twist of a love triangle and less high pitch adventure - it allows the reader to know more about each one of the intrinsic characters and fall in love with either one or the other (this is the part where you pick your team). It takes you into a journey of self-discovery and
inner doubts. It also takes you into the inner corners of a confined fairy world, untouched by humans yet in a constant parallel dimension in terms of history. The author combines story with history as she tries to explain the long term relationship fairies and humans have had throughout centuries. Illusions, which is the third and I believe last of the
fairy series, completes the circle in the same mystical way as the other two books. Expect romance, adventure, self-discovery, and mystical creatures all embedded in this wonderful trilogy. Overall, it was an extremely girly, magical adventure; perfect for summer reading! Sorry boys, I’ll try to review something more “manly” next time.
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The Summa
Entertainment
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Turquoise Grill offers authentic Turkish cuisine, Mediterranean desserts Samrat Bhattacharya Staff Writer The clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea bring a soothing color to mind: turquoise. The Turquoise Grill is hidden in an office complex in Upper Kirby at the Norfolk intersection, between Richmond and Southwest Freeway. The Turquoise Grill has the Turkish culture influence all throughout the restaurant. You can watch Süper Lig, the Turkish football league, while enjoying Turkish food with Turkish music
playing in the background. Oh and don’t forget the Turkish people, of course! The Turquoise Grill is a great place if you have very little time to spare for lunch or dinner. The office visitor lot allows for ample parking, even though the restaurant is small. With this being said, the best time to go is at lunchtime. For the Turquoise Grill, this means until 5 p.m.; take advantage of the lunch baskets and combinations. Also, there are daily specials every weekday until 3 p.m. However, the real delight is the famous Mediterranean desserts. For those that want to
Sudoku
Riddle of the Month: RIDDLE: What goes around the world yet stays in a corner?
A: a stamp
play it safe, it’s best to go with a kebab like the chicken or lamb kebabs, whether it is in sandwich or platter form, you will not regret it. If you want to try meat items from the region the way it was meant to be eaten, though, definitely order anything with doner in it. It’s basically shavings from a block of ground meat that has been grilled. Regardless of how that might sound, it is indeed very tasty. Any good Mediterranean dish has to come with yogurt-based sauces and the Alexander Plate does just that. If you want to go in a
group, take a stab at their specialty handmade pizzas. They might as well be called “pita-zas,” though, since that is essentially what it is. Basically, don’t expect delivery-style pizza with thick crusts, etc. To be frank, if pizza is on your mind, just go to an Italian restaurant, because it’s really all about the desserts here. Everyone has tried, or at least heard of baklava, right? Well, here’s some baklava that should never go untried. The juice just flows once you bite into one of these. Another favorite is the Crème Brule, because it’s not an ordinary coffee-based dessert: It’s
Puzzles Corner
Mid April Crossword
ACROSS 3. Female pigs 6. Indonesia’s capital city 7. 21 Jump Street star Hill 8. Selena movie star Jennifer 9. Official language of China 12. 1976 Oscar Best Picture winner 18. Original capital of Texas
19. Beatles hit song 21. Founder of Vogue magazine Turnure DOWN 1. Late American television personality Dick 2. Lead singer of the Black Eyes Peas 3. YouTube CEO Kamangar 4. 29th state to join the
made with rich Turkish coffee. That leads to another aspect of Turkish cuisine that should not go untried during your trip to the Turquoise Grill. Turkish tea and coffee is a very popular and a delicious thirst quencher. It goes with any meal, not that it means that ordering the cheeseburger and fries is encouraged (you’re at a Turkish restaurant, so grow up already). As you can notice this place is not as vegetarian friendly (the falafel and babaganush are not that tasty) as, say, Aladdin’s? The experience at Turquoise is not mind-blowing, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Created By Sarah Oyarce
US 5. Hawaiian Island 10. Lead singer of The Supremes Ross 11. #22 of the Miami Dolphins Reggie 13. Super model Moss 14. “Run It” singer Chris 15. Blue Valentine star Michelle 16. “Boyfriend” singer Justin
The Sports & Clubs
The Summa
Thursday, April 26, 2012
11
SGA allocates budgetary funds for 2012-2013 school year (SCA), Council of Clubs SGA Vice-president (COC), and Student Activities Board (SAB), were giving a The following budget portion of the student activity reflects the SOC allocations fee to operate on, which you that took place on Tuesday, can see in the highlighted area. These allocated budgets April 24, 2012 at the SGA are what they SOCs operate meeting. Each SOC which on to create events and includes Student Government support clubs for the next Association (SGA), Graduate school year; however, if they Student Association (GSA), need more funds they are able Sports Club Association to return to SGA to request Nicole Hickl
additional funds. You can see at the bottom of the report underneath “SGA Leftover Allocations” in the 2012-2013 school year that SGA will have around $74,000 next year to allocate to those who request additional funding. If you have any questions in regards to how the allocation process works please feel free to email me at hickln@stthom. edu.
SOC Name
2011-2012
2012-2013
Projected Revenue
$279,260.81
$290,000.00
SGA Rollover
$78,177.71
$114,168.00
SGA Subleger
$29,000.00
SOC Allocations
$269,688.75
$300,288.75
SGA Allocations
$87,749.77
$74,879.25
2011-2012
2012-2013
Approved
YTD Spent
Add’l Alloc
Requested
% Increase
Approved
Student Government Association (SGA)
$30,288.75
$23,693.68
$0.00
$30,288.75
0%
$30,288.75
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
$54,000.00
n/a
$6,500.00
$70,300.00
24%
$67,000.00
Sports Club Association (SCA)
$64,400.00
$59,411.88
$0.00
$68,507.58
4%
$67,000.00
Council of Clubs (CoC)
$60,000.00
$61,288.50
$0.00
$72,710.00
15%
$69,000.00
Student Activities Board (SAB)
$61,000.00
$60,636.00
$5,000.00
$73,265.00
10%
$67,000.00
Total Expenses
$269,688.75
$205,030.06
$11,500.00
$315,071.33
11%
$300,288.75
A message from the new SGA president Dear Fellow UST friends, This has been a very important week for our UST family. During this week, we started the transition of power in all the SOCs and many clubs at the University of St. Thomas. First of all, I would like to thank former President David Torres and former VicePresident Nicole Hickl for their outstanding leadership and service to our UST family. Thank you tremendously! This upcoming year we are facing a crossroad for our university. We will be facing many challenges this upcoming year. To start, the HHS mandate, will not only fine our University, but it will also wound our Catholic identity. As your student body president, it worries me that such a fine can rather be used to invest in more resources for our university or scholarships that are much needed. It is really important that no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, that we are all very aware of the deep wound that this will have on our beloved university. Great student leaders have taken it upon themselves to provide more information regarding this sensitive subject– with lectures and events this semester and their work will not stop next semester. “College Students Against HHS” can be found
on Facebook and I highly encourage you to find them and “like” their page. It is important for us to appreciate our Catholic heritage and identity, but also to defend our right to choose. On average the fine for our university will be up to $800,000. This is money that we cannot afford to pay. These are fines for our liberty, this money needs to be invested in our students. I appreciate all the hard work of the Catholic student organizations regarding bringing awareness to this matter, but also of all the students, faculty and staff working hard to provide a solution. We all understand that collegiate conferences and competitions are an integral part of our Academics. We have been facing difficulty in this last year regarding the fundraising for such events; we will be working together with the COC Chair, Ms. Mariam Nisa, to find several options and solutions to this matter. Financial Aid is an important part for many of our peers, to make the decision to return to UST. SGA understands this and is very aware of the tough decisions many students face, we will be working this upcoming year for a holistic approach to financial aid. We will be working with SCA as more sports
club are joining leagues and participating in competitions. You can expect SGA and SAB to work together in improving our traditional events and bringing more awareness to new events. SGA will be also be hard at work with GSA in providing more representation to graduate students that are unrepresented, fellow students taking classes at satellite campuses, and the diverse demographics of the graduate student population. SGA believes that every club should have all the necessary resources to be able to succeed in their mission; SGA with the other SOCs will work together in making sure that this is true. The challenges we face are real, but in tough times our spirit of hard work and innovation will help us find solutions that work for UST. This upcoming year we will have a Student Government that is continually active and aware of what we all face here at the University of Saint Thomas. Student Government is here to help, no matter what your concerns or recommendations, we are here listening and working for you. Benedicite Deus, Jose C Bolivar SGA President Our office can be found at
Crooker Center, first floor, the doors are always open. If you have any questions, concerns, recommendations, come and share that with us.
We are here for you and our sole mission is to be there for you. You can always directly email me at sgapresident@stthom.edu.
Upcoming Events Sunday, April 29
10th Annual Leadership Banquet Chapel of St. Basil, Scanlan 12:00 PM
Monday, April 30 Arab Spring Lecture Jones Hall 6:30 PM
Late Night Breakfast Crooker 9:00 PM
Tuesday, May 1 Honors Convocation Scanlan 7:00 PM
Friday, May 11
Baccalaureate Mass and Reception Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 12
Commencement Ceremony Reliant Arena 10:00 AM
12
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Daily specials for UST Students and Alumni
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Jackson’s would like to welcome back the UST students and faculty. Have a great 2012!
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