The Columns April 15, 2011

The Columns

Memor Factum Vacuus Desiderium

Friday, April 15, 2011

Community Comes to WestMO

In This Issue National Student-Athlete Day honors and celebrates students’ achievements in sports.

Haylee Rethman Staff Writer

Students share creativity, poems, and songs at Open Mic Night in JCI.

Fine Arts Club puts on two student-directed One Acts in Coulter Science Center.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month raises campus consciousness.

Campus Events 2 & 3 Clubs Corner 4

U.S.F. 2011

Photos and project spotlights!

Students present their work at the 4th annual Undergraduate Scholars Forum.

U.S.F.

6&7

Our staff review the new Panic! at the Disco album, Vices and Virtues.

Reviews

8

Face painting, crafts, games, animals, and a dunk tank were all in one place as students, parents, and children of the Fulton community came to campus on Saturday, April 9. Sunshine and smiling faces were in the air during the annual CAB Community Carnival and Heiffer International Petting Zoo.

Located in Latshaw Plaza, the carnival portion of the festivities consisted of various campus organizations that sponsored the kid-friendly activities.

“The Community Carnival happened to fall on the same day as our Service Day at Delta Tau Delta. We were excited to come out and enjoy

the weather with the rest of the community,” said freshman Michael Bruchsaler. “CAB did a great job of setting up different stations so that kids and adults were having a great time.”

Spectators and funseekers were offered everything from free food and drinks to balloon animals and a chance to dunk an unsuspecting volunteer in the dunk tank. People could also exercise their creative talents at the many craftmaking booths. The tables, sponsored by various organizations on campus such as the Piecemaker’s Craft Club and Peer Health Educators, held attractions not just for kids, but for everyone in the community.

Also at the carnival, supporting Fine Arts week and creativity, were the Capture

Student Speak What’s your favorite part of Springtime in Fulton?

“Smelling those trees of death in the quad.”

-Haylee Rethman, Freshman

“Hide yo kids and hide yo wife.

It’s when the crazies come out.”

-Brian Hoeppner, Senior

Photos: Capture The Moment

TGIF-It’s a Showdown Elyssa Mann Managing Editor

“I love watching the fraternities coming back to life and seeing everyone outside being happy.”

-Mariana Hernandez-Johannesen, Sophomore

“After wearing sunscreen all my life, I found out it causes cancer. Now, I question everything my parents told me as a child. Like. if “your friend jumped off a bridge would you”....well now that I have no protection against the sun.”

-Matt Antone, Junior

the Moment and Making Lives Better clubs. The Capture the Moment club displayed photography that was entered in the TGIF sports photo challenge.

The Making Lives Better club sold paintings by senior Dawa Sherpa to raise money to buy art supplies for her village in Nepal.

“This year’s Community Carnival was a huge success,” said freshman Community Carnival coordinator Mary Nestor. “All of the community members, students, faculty, and staff involved had a great time!”

In conjunction with the CAB Community Carnival was the Heifer International Petting Zoo. Among many animals such as llamas, goats, pigs, bunnies, and miniature ponies, the main attraction of the event was a cow-kissing contest.

Throughout the previous week, students could purchase tickets in JCI to cast votes for the person they would most like to see kiss a cow.

“I ended up kissing a black hog named James,” said senior contest participant Brigitta Vieyra. “But I prefer to call him ‘Sweet Lips.’”

All proceeds from the event go to benefit Heifer International’s Women in Livestock Development program (WiLD). This is an effort specialized to train women in livestock development in order to lift themselves, families, villages, and nations out of poverty.

Heifer International helps people feed themselves.

The organization envisions a world with communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet. Their goal is to work with areas everywhere to end hunger and poverty in the world.

Luckily enough, the weather held out for the Sports Showdown TGIF on Friday, April 8. Good spirits abounded at this TGIF, where a relaxed atmosphere pervaded. Fresh Ideas served hotdogs, hamburgers, and other picnic foods to help foster this backyard-barbeque type atmosphere, and a cotton candy machine was on hand, much to the delight of all. All students and faculty were encouraged to wear regalia for their favorite sports teams to hype up the summer spirit.

The event was co-sponsored by Blue Jays Across the USA, who also hosted a derby car race. Cars could be picked up earlier in the week so that participants could decorate each car to his or her own liking.

Capture the Moment participated in the TGIF this past Friday as well by exhibiting all of the photos that were submitted to their baseball photo contest.

Pennsylvania is misspelled on the Liberty Bell.

Blue Jays for Japan were also present, selling buttons for $2 to raise money for relief in Japan.

Students were able to get in touch with their inner child by running through an inflatable obstacle course. Complete with jumps tunnels, and a truly spectacular slide, the obstacle was an attraction for both young and old. There was also a pitching cage that determined the speed at which someone is able to throw a baseball. SAC held a raffle in the midst of all the goings-on. Prizes included items such as a volleyball net.

The main event, though, was Brave a Shave, sponsored

by Civicus. Various students and faculty raised $2600 by pledging to shave (or dye) their hair in the name of cancer research. Each participant named a goal (like $100, $200, etc.) and if he or she reached said goal, they would either shave or dye their hair.

Those who shaved their head included senior Marianne Bampire; junior Max Edele, sophomores David Strawhun, Andrew

Ketchup was once sold as a medicine.

Robertson, Ed Batliner; freshmen Noah Lennon, Mohamed Shahin, Abigail Stokes, Phillip Taylor, Andrew Lankford, Feiran Li, and Michael Baker.

Those who dyed their hair included Residential and Greek Life Coordinator Erin Edwards, senior Vicki Flynn, and Jim the

Security Guard. A huge crowd of students gathered to support their fellows in this endeavor.

The event was so successful that Civicus plans to host another Brave a Shave event next year.

Photo: Westminster CAB

A flea can jump 30,000 times without stopping.

No

Campus Campus Events Events Following Passion; Discovering Potential Friday, April 15, 2011- Page 2 - Columns

Haylee Rethman Staff Writer

Athletics are a big part of college life. Whether students choose to participate or support them, the atmosphere of a college would not be the same without varsity sports and the student-athletes who desire to play them. Student-athletes are just that – students first, then athletes.

On April 6, 2011, students and faculty joined together to honor and celebrate the student-athletes of Westminster College for National Student-Athlete Day. It was a day to appreciate, reward, and recognize achievements.

On this day, achievements of high school and college student-athletes were recognized.

These students had excelled in academics (with a 3.0 GPA or above) and athletics while having made significant contributions to their schools and communities.

Beside a “Blue-Out” all day in which students wore blue to show pride and support for athletes, the two events that were held were a studentathlete breakfast panel and luncheon. All students, faculty, and staff were welcomed to these events to show their support. The breakfast consisted of a brief introduction to Division III athletics in which a panel of seven student-athletes discussed what their passions were and how to balance being a student first while participating in a sport.

The luncheon included guest speakers with the intention of honoring student-athletes and what they mean to Westminster. “I believe our students compete within athletics because they are passionate about their sports,” said Assistant Athletic Director and head volleyball coach Kristen Ely. “And at Westminster, we provide them with the opportunity to excel in both the classroom

and playing field and to be recognized for those accomplishments.”

To open the luncheon, Ely addressed what it means to be a student-athlete. She then introduced Matt Mitchell, Athletic Director, men’s head basketball coach, and golf coach.

Mitchell discussed the main benefits to of participating in a sport at the collegiate level.

“Regenerative leadership,” or underclassmen learning the values of upperclassmen and leading by example when they are upperclassmen, is one of the positive outcomes. Students learn from those who are older than they are and then become positive role models for younger students. Students who are also athletes are also able to handle adversity as well as success.

Sean Peterson, President of the Westminster College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) spoke next. The committee enhances

the experiences of student-athletes.

Peterson announced during his s p e e c h , among many other valuable things SAAC has done, that participating in the Polar Bear Plunge was by far the most rewarding to him.

“I don’t want to be lost in the crowd,” said Peterson on one of the videos shown during the luncheon, “so I give it my 110%.”

The student-athletes at Westminster College raised over $1,400, making them the top donors of the event to ben-

Photo: Haylee Rethman

Open Mic Night Full of Creativity Chelsea Wherry Editor-in-Chief

Coffee Nights are always well received across Westminster campus. Not only does it provide a break from homework for a few hours, but also quality entertainment whether it is a poet, band, comedian, or student endeavors.

April 5 fell completely on exploring the creativity of the student body as CAB paired with Rubato and Janus to provide the first ever Coffee Night/ Open Mic/ Janus Teaser.

Rubato opened the night with a soulful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s, “Hal-

lelujah” followed by sophomore Chris Brown singing a beautiful version of Ben E. King’s, “Stand By Me.”

To follow the amazing act, a member of the literary magazine Janus took the stage to announce the much anticipated Poetry winners. Coming in third was senior Jordan Bitticks with her song, “Blue River Man.” Sophomore Colin Wallace took second with his poem “Anthem.” Sophomore Dean Moran swept poetry with “Masturbating Mind Frames.”

The night then temporarily turned to Open Mic Night as freshmen Abdullah Al-Hadeethi and Liridona Osmanaj sang riveting ver-

sions of both Jim Brickman’s “Beautiful As You” and Enrique Iglesias’s “Hero.”

Sophomore Karma Gurung then took the stage to perform an electric number titled “Love in Vain.”

Soon, after a few slight technical difficulties, Janus was ready to announce the winners for the Graphics section. Coming in third was a piece titled “Country” taken by sophomore Sarah Janisewski. Second was taken by junior Samantha Hollenburg with her piece “Antique America.” “The picture was taken in Michigan. It has down-town roots, and really feels like home,” said Hollenburg. Junior Matt Antone

took first with a picture titled “Shadowing Nature.” “That white blob in the picture is where a friend punched a hole in the wall while he was really drunk. It really embodies fraternity life,” said Antone.

Immediately after, the Prose winners were announced.

Senior Besjana Nikoci took third with her piece, “Father’s Love.” Second place was taken by junior Jennifer White with her piece, “Breaking the Habit.” Senior Zach Williams took first with a piece called, “The Root of All Evil.”

Again, the stage became open for willing students to showcase their talents during the Open Mic

section. Sophomore Glenn Wooten wowed the audience with his smooth rhymes as he performed his original “Flyer than the Rest of Us.” Senior Stephan McKee and sophomore Dean Moran then took the stage to perform Bob Dylan’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Though the JCI staff gave the duo a bit of heckling, the chorus was powerful.

Moran closed the show with his rendition of Lou Reed’s “What a Wonderful World.” April’s Coffee Night was yet another success with a great turn-out and well received talents.

Fine Arts Club Performs One-Act Wonders

Shayla Gambon Layout Editor

On April 6 and 7, the Fine Arts Club held its fourth annual play. This event was one of the main happenings for Fine Arts Week, which allowed students to express themselves artistically through singing, paintings, photography, and acting. Unlike the previous

years, the club had several new features to the play.

“This year we had two one acts, instead of one full play,” Senior and Vice President of the club Zach Williams said. Williams had been involved in the first two plays and decided to do more behind the scenes work. “We also had student directors instead of hiring someone and it was the first time the

two lip impressions are the same.

play was held in the Coulter Atrium.”

Coulter Atrium marks the third location the play has taken place. The first year it was held in the old Fulton Theater and the previous two years, the plays were held in Champ Auditorium.

Each night, the atrium was packed, forcing some audience members to stand or watch from the second floor. By then end of the two nights, it was estimated that 150 students, faculty and parents had come to watch the plays. It was later stated that having the play was a blessing in disguise because many students were able to stop and watch the play before continuing their studies. “We weren’t sure how many people would show up,” Williams said. “But we were extreme-

ly happy with the turnout.”

Both nights the play began with “Asylum,” a dark comedy that follows the lives of seven mental patients and why they were in the mental hospital. The ensemble cast included junior Rodney Brown as Tracy, freshman Miran Milavic as Kevin, freshman Madi Holcomb as Dinah, junior Matt Antone as Geoffrey , sophomore Allison McSherry as Janine , junior Sarah Fry as August , and sophomore Benjamin Bor as Tim. Unfortunately, on the second night, Holcomb was not able to perform, but the director, freshman Felicia Lang, graciously stepped into the role.

“She did a really great job,” Freshman Haylee Rethman said. “I wouldn’t even have noticed she hadn’t rehearsed if no one had told me.”

The second play was “Caught in the Act,” directed by Dean Moran and performed by junior Derek Legg as Don and sopho-

Butterflies were formerly known by the name Flutterby.

Sexual Assault Awareness Haylee Rethman Staff Writer

efit Special Olympics. The event is just one of the many that are held in partnership between Division III athletes and Special Olympics.

The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of the program is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent it. Every day, people witness an array of behaviors that range from being respectful and safe to sexually abusive and violent.

The first event on the agenda during SAAM was the Picnic for CARDV (Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence). In Latshaw Plaza, a picnic was held and donations were accepted to benefit the non-profit organization. Food was provided to individuals who donated an item needed by CARDV or $3.00 which was all donated back to the establish-

ment.

On Thursday, April 7th, the second event of SAAM was held. It was deemed “A Day to End Sexual Violence.” Mayor Charles M. Latham announced that April is officially Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Fulton. Prosecuting Attorney, Chris Wilson also spoke at this event that was held at City Hall.

Another effort to raise awareness was held by a collaboration between one Fultonbased organization and another campus-based organization.

The Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV) and the Remley Women’s Center invited the women and men of Westminster to attend open-mic events entitled “Westminster Tackles Sexual Harassment” on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 12th and 13th. During this event, students and attendees discused ways in which we, as a community and as a college, can help keep our campus free

of sexual assault and harassment. Not only have there been efforts to reduce sexual assault, but also the more common and widely accepted issue of sexual harassment was addressed.

The first night of the two-night event was held just for women, and refreshments were provided to those who attended. Representatives from CARDV and the Remley Women’s Center spoke about their experiences and led discussions about how participants feel about the issues of sexual assault and harassment.

“The event really helped start some discussion and ideas to prevent sexual harassment on our campus and made us more aware of how we really need to talk about and address it,” said freshman Betsy Lehman.

The second night of the event on April 13th was open to both men and women. Hopes of the speaker were high that

the same women from the first night would come on the second to get a male’s perspective on the issue.

Katie Woodward, a freshman at Westminster College organized the event. She is very passionate about the subject and has made it an effort of hers to lessen the amount of sexual violence, assault, and harassment on campus.

“I don’t hold the expectation that an event like this is going to completely revolutionize our campus and rid it of all forms of sexual harassment,” said Woodward. “My only goal is to get people thinking about this issue so that if they see something wrong happening on our campus, they will feel motivated to put a stop to it.”

About one in four women and one in six men have been sexually assaulted. After a woman reports sexual assault, any clothing she is wearing is seized for testing. Among the

many events that occurred in April to raise awareness about sexual assault and harassment, CARDV and Remley Women’s Center teamed up to collect clothing donations. The clothing drive will last the month of April, and all donations will be given to these women some comfort during their time of need.

“There’s such an overwhelming need and that’s why we’re hoping to take this month of April to raise awareness for CARDV and men and women everywhere,” said Woodward.

feel like we’re losing touch, but I’m not sure what else I can do to stay in contact. How can I stay in contact and not feel like I’m losing my friends?

-Communication Challenged

lars for a plane useful in the efticket and a place forts to help rebuild the country? to stay in Japan, but there are - Relief Without Riches plenty of things you can do.

If you have a little money to donate, be wary of whom : It’s wonderful you want you donate to. The American to help, especially when so Red Cross, Salvation Army, much needs to be done. It’s or Save the Children are aweunderstandable that you don’t some organizations that could have several thousand dol- always use your help. If you

don’t have spare money (like most college students don’t), you could try giving something up for a week or two to get that extra money to donate. Every little bit helps.

De a r M e g a n

Q:Despite the change

in temperature and the approach of summer, I find that I am more upset and in less of a good mood.

What can I do to make myself happier?

- Down in the Dumps

A: I attended a conference A: We all get caught up in

recently that dealt with ways in which to address health issues within our community.

Lucky for you, I took notes.

One presenter, the Director of Personal Development and Counseling Services at Northwest Missouri State Tim Crowley, had an interesting concept to share about the importance of being happy in order to be successful. The key is looking at what you have already, and showing gratefulness for it. Crowley suggests that doing so for at least 21 days can alter our state of thinking from negative to positive: “our brains fix more readily on what’s not going well so the skill is to train our minds to flip the negative over and dwell on the positive side.”

Likewise, Crowley suggests sticking to your goals as a means of becoming happier. Completing goals you set for yourself gives you the motivation to complete more goals. The concept of ikigai is the key, says Crowley: the question of why I get up in the morning. Find what that is, and stick to it.

more Chelsea Wherry as Annie. “Caught in the Act” was about two characters who were constantly befuddled by the change in characters and lines due to the writer having writer’s block.

Both casts performed very well and were able to bring their characters to life.

Those who played in “Asylum” portrayed their crazy characters, transforming from light comedic bantering to haunting stories of their lives. Wherry and Legg closed the night with their comedic performance and allowed the audience to leave on a happy note as the two rushed off the stage ready to begin their life unscripted.

With the young new talent Westminster has in the acting department, the Fine Art Plays can only continue to rise. The play allowed stu- : I have friends dents to showcase their artis- who live all over the tic talents, putting the “Arts” world, and sometimes in the Liberal Arts College. it’s difficult to remain in contact with Photo: Capture the Moment them.

I sometimes

A teaspoon contains 120 drops of water.

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 3 - Columns

Q

our busy schedules, but having friends overseas or on the other side of the country is extremely beneficial: whether to network, have a place to stay, or just because you get along outstandingly well. It’s important to try to remain close, and with everyone’s hectic lifestyle I’m sure your friends will cut you some slack.

If the popular social networking sites or email don’t work, you might try writing letters.

I know that I love getting mail (apart from bills), and I love keeping letters that people have written to me. It’s a great keepsake, and is very personal if you’re looking for something a bit different.

There are also several apps out there for iPhones, BlackBerrys, and Android phones that allow for free texting.

Whatsapp, Kik, and PingChat! are either free or 99¢ and work with overseas phones. Simply being able to text your friends or significant other in a different country should certainly bring you closer on a daily level.

Q:Watching

the news and seeing all the disaster following the events in Japan has made me want to help, but I don’t have much to give.

What can I do to be

Jack is the most common name in nursery rhymes.

A

Sincerely, Megan Hardeman

Meet the Columns Staff Chelsea Wherry Editors in Chief

Megan Hardeman Assistant Editor

Shayla Gambon & Dominique Sciacca Layout Editors

Haylee Rethman & Kathryn Leetch Layout Editors In-Training

Elyssa Mann Managing Editor

Dr. Debra Brenegan Faculty Adviser

The dragonfly can reach speeds of up to 36 mph.

Lifejackets used to be filled with sunflow-

Clubs Corner

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 4 - Columns

Fine Arts Week

Westmo Receives Commemorative Panel

The Fine Arts Club brought together all the different fine arts clubs and planned an amazing week during the week of April 4th through the 8th. On Monday and Tuesday of this week, there was a Piecemakers craft table in JCI from 11 to 1 pm where students could come and make crafts to take along with them after lunch.

Also these days, there was a Fine Arts Gallery in Hermann Lounge from 6-10pm where artists could display their works of art. Rubato played in the Coffee House Open Mic Night on this Tuesday.

Wednesday and Thursday, the one and only theatrical play of the year was held in the atrium of Coulter Science Center.

And finally, on Friday, the Capture the Moment Club hosted a photo contest during the sportsthemed TGIF.

Missouri has many ties with the Civil War, from having people representing each side to the Dred Scott Decision. Westminster and Fulton is commemorating such events with “War Comes to Westminster” and the unveil of a new interpretive panel placed at the entrance of campus April 16 at 9am.

This is the fourth of seven panels in a series placed throughout Callaway County to draw tourist attention to “The Gray Ghosts Trail.” Each piece represents individual Civil War events occuring throughout the county.

Dr. Bill Parish, former history professor and historian, will speak at The Columns Saturday from the perspective of The Callaway Guards, the first county company to go in favor of the Confederacy. U.S. Army Major General Byron Bagby, alumnus, will speak on behalf of the U.S. Colored Troops who fought in favor of the Union.

Museum Hosts

The Callaway Guards included six Westminster students. “If ever there was a microcosm for this dramatic page in our history, we would find it in Fulton, Viewing of Royal Missouri,” said Westminster President Forsythe. “In spite of all the emoWedding

Royal weddings always cause a buzz around the tions and violence surrounding this period, Westminster College world, but for many students it is not possible to stay managed to remain one of the few institutions of awake until 4:30am to watch His Royal Highness Prince Wilhigher education in our state that stayed liam of Wales wed Miss Katherine Middleton on April 29.

Churchill Museum Friends has stepped in to hold a open.”

reception for the couple at 4:30pm the next day. The celebration will begin with an Invocation in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanberry followed with an address by Dr. Rob Havers.

The celebration will then be moved into the Undercroft where attendees can enjoy champagne, hors d’ oeuvores, and wedding cake while watching a recording of the royal wedding on big screens.

Ladies are asked to wear hats, but everyone is encouraged to dress however they feel comfortable. For a royal experience of their

When a crisis strikes a counown, carriage rides will be available try, the aftermath strikes around the outside of the museum for $5. world. That is why Westminster has dedicated

Blue Jays for Japan

I-Club Sponsors Water Festival

The Westminster College International Club sponsored a Water Festival on Wednesday, April 13th. To support the new year of Burma, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, on the practice football field, students poured water on one another for blessings and good wishes. The club provided BBQ with hotdogs and chicken wings, drinks, music, a fire truck, and not to mention fun with water!

this month to offer several fundraising projects to help with the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

April 8 kicked off with a week-long effort of button and bracelet sales in JCI. At last week’s community carnival, proceeds from the tie-dye t-shirt sales and dunk booth went to the effort.

April 15 begins Service Corp’s Quilt Project in Hermann Lounge. Students are asked to buy and decorate quilt squares for $5. Completed blankets will be donated to the Presbyterian Manor.

From 12pm-1pm, EcoS will be teaching how to make old t-shirts into reusable shopping bags in JCI.

Those with ideas for other projects or wishing to make a donation are encouraged to see Jill.

Alumni Weekend Schedule

Friday 5pm: Westminster & William Woods Cocktail Party Mueller Leadership Hall Saturday 10:30am: Westminster Alumni Awards Convocation Church of St. Mary 11:30am: Alumni Weekend Luncheon Mueller Leadership Hall- tickets available at door 1:00pm: Yesterdays at Westminster Lecture by Former Professor Bill Parish Coulter Lecture Hall 2:30pm: Affinity Networking Receptions Coulter Science Center 7:30pm: Spring Choir Concert Champ Auditorium- $3 at door

Photos: Capture the Moment The “ZIP” in the ZIP code stands for Zone Improve-

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 5 - Columns

Budget, Budget, Budget

If you do not know already, Westminster is yet again making big changes to their budget, including increasing enrollment and tuition yet again to try to close the deficit that reached $4,000,000 as President Forsythe began working here in 2008.

Though the deficit has closed to about $500,000; all departments are being asked to make further cutbacks. The recession is one aspect playing a role in such deficit. “The recession has caused it to be hard for the school to fundraise as much money as they normally did in the last couple of years; and fundraising is an important source of income for Westminster. In addition, it has made it harder for students to choose to attend private colleges or be able to remain in them,” said junior SGA President Paola Protti Nunez in and email to SGA Senators and Committee Chairs.

Another factor, as Dean Rajmaira pointed out, is the increasing number of students leaving both this year and last.

This has led to about $290,000, roughly 10.3 students, in lost revenue. Protti Nunez also said, “Having more students in our Campus means a bigger amount of revenue for Westminster, yet it also has other implications

like the need for more faculty and staff members to ensure the Westminster experience. More faculty and staff members mean more expenses for the college in well deserved salaries and benefits.”

This strikes me as quite audacious. (Also that is probably how it strikes you when you find out this is an opinion piece.) If there is a decrease in students possibly linked to the economy, it seems a bit silly to increase the tuition. Now, an even smaller amount of students will be able to afford the school.

Taking this into mind, fewer students means less revenue for the school gained through tuition.

With less funding, Westminster will have to begin to make drastic cutbacks to their dear programs. There goes things like Janus and The Columns, no more Ben Folds (maybe we can get A Flock of Seagulls), the food in the dining hall can only get worse, and Coffee Nights become Lukewarm Water Nights.

This does not even account for all the other cutbacks actual academic departments are going to have to make to supplement all this lost money.

With cutbacks in individual departments, professors are going to have to settle for less pay,

when they have already not received a raise in two of the last three years (including the upcoming budget year). Now, this falls two ways. Dedicated, wonderful professors will see this as an insult to their credibility and will leave the college for other higher-paying endeavors.

The other option is that in order to keep a legitimate amount of professors, Westminster will have to start hiring less qualified teachers.

So, the final simple outcome of making budget and department cuts while increasing tuition makes for fewer students receiving a somewhat lackluster education as compared to now while paying a perpetually increasing tuition for lower quality in both programs and professors. Oh, but maybe we’ll have a balanced budget – cannot forget that one.

It’s baseball season, and despite my lack of a Y-chromosome, I spend far too much time watching SportsCenter highlights, playing catch, and wearing my rally cap. But I seem to wear my rally cap more often for my favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, when they play the Philadelphia Phillies. We seem to have such a difficult time with the Phillies, particularly at the end of the season when we’re battling for the division title.

Similarly to my favorite team, I always have problems

around this time of the year: the end of my season. The weather turns nice and warm, I have thoughts of summer and its lack of work, and I struggle to be successful. I seem to have so much more to do, but less and less motivation to get it done.

And I’m not even a senior.

Unfortunately, that rally cap won’t get me through the end of the year. Neither will watching baseball. But I think there’s something interesting in the theory of finishing out the year strong. The Braves spent the season being average – floating around the rankings

but never being completely successful. All they needed was a bit of a push in order to make it to the playoffs. Despite their early elimination, they played with passion and finished ahead of seven other teams.

Tired of reading this?

Well, listen up. This article has nothing to do with baseball. I would imagine the majority of us are looking to finish the year with academic success, despite our lack of interest in achieving that academic success. However, particularly if we’ve had a less-than-satisfactory year so far, we need to push forward

The Profs

By Anonymous

Keep Your Game Face On

CHURCHILL’S GRUDGES

Join the festivities as hundreds of former Blue Jays come to campus!

er seeds for flotation. Apples, peaches and raspberries are all members of the rose family.

Editorials

these next few weeks, especially if we’re looking for next year to turn out well. The better we end this year, the more likely next year will start out with that same sense of motivation and encouragement. Just ignore the method of drafting in the sports world…

So go put on your rally caps, take your books outside to study, and finish out the year with a division title. Or at least a few As. Megan Hardeman Soon to be EIC

1. Yet another increase in tuition and enrollment with cuts in departments and clubs, man; those townhouses look so nice – too bad the residence halls are falling apart. (Really, there is mold on the shower curtains.)

2. We really enjoy getting three copies of the same e-mail with minute differences within one day – proofread your shit before you flood our inboxes.

3. First SGA supposedly ran out of money, got that fixed; now SGA is out of checks!!! WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?? Some people worked very hard for their SGA check.

4. Last year Security would offer rides to and from campus events or off-campus school business related things if we felt unsafe walking. That doesn’t exist anymore, moreover; they charge to let you in your hall. Guess we’ll stay out and freeze.

5. Voices is now in charge of the talent Show. looks like international students have a lock on that competition.

Seriously, I could use that prize money.

By: Anonymous Student, Faculty and Staff Input

Undergraduate

Scholars Forum

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 6 & 7 - Columns

Sam Richman and Daniel Grundl wait patiently for the Creative Writing presentations to start.

Fha Chalerporn, Tyson Kankolenski, and Ato Appah’s poster describes their work to bring teachers and students together through a database profile that a student can instantly update.

Sarah Janisewski and her group presented on a psychological study comparing the role of declaring a major has on a person’s higher achieved personal identity.

On April 14, 150 students from 18 different disciplines presented their work in the form of presentations, posters, and creative performances to gain recognition from their fellow peers and share what they have learned. This event was the 4th Annual Undergraduate Scholars Forum.

Chris Givan talks about the mind’s perception on adventure, stating, “we must not be afraid of the risk when one acts.”

Brigitta Vieyra talks about her case study on personal attachment to peers and students.

Gaurav Khanal gave a brief description of his paper titled Gender, Social Status, and Justice in Prevost Manon Lescaut

Chris Arnold poster gives information on the Missouri Compromise

Dr. Kurt Jefferson led the discussion for presenters Mike Buterra, Caitlin Nelson, Kristin Bail and James Phiri in the Transnational Studies session.

Dean Carolyn Perry, Dr. Maureen Tuthill, and Grace Wetherington listen during the Creative writing session

Sneha Bhandari and Derek Dailey speak about their projects. Bhandari spoke about her paper on the WorldCom Scandal, while Dailey gave his on Public Education.

Whintey Young stands by her group’s poster on the Cadavar Program that Westmo offers. After their findings, her group hypothesized the woman died of heart problems. ment Plan.

Kangaroos can’t walk backwards. A twit is the technical term for a pregnant goldfish.

There are 336 dimples on a regulation

Anna Bjur entrances the audience with the reading of her peom called Have You Ever?.

American golf ball.

Photos: Shayla Gambon

One acre of peanuts will make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches. The Statue of Liberty wears a size 879 sandal.

REVIEWS

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 8 - Columns

Don’t Panic! They’re Back!

Elyssa Mann Managing Editor

Seriously. The exclamation point is back on the newest Panic! At the Disco album, Vices and Virtues. Vices is the first album to be produced in several years by Panic!, and the first to be produced after the departure of Ryan Ross and Jon Walker (the band now consists of Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith).

Instead of a barrage of songs that bled into one another that caused their sophomore effort to be a bit of a snooze in some places, Vices is an odd blend of both their first album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out and Pretty. Odd. The romping, illogical tunes we loved from the first album combined with the maturity and smoothness of the second.

The first song on the album, and coincidentally, the first single, is a clear nod to the Fever days. The carnival-like tone matches old tunes like ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies.’ The subsequent video even goes as far to nod to the band’s beginnings, starting with front man Brendon Urie in a top hat and in

the same church that ‘Sins’ took place in. Metaphorically, it signaled that this song, and the rest of the album, was a departure from Odd.

Songs like ‘Nearly Witches’ and ‘Memories’ are clear nods to the Odd days, but with an updated sort of sound. Where nearly all of the songs on Odd seemed like they could have been straight out of The Beatles’ songbook, ‘Witches’ and ‘Memories’ feel more like they’ve been influenced by that age of music, rather than paying direct homage.

‘The Calendar’ is another beast entirely. The odd, intro, which mostly sounds like someone poured water over some speakers to see what would happen, is at odds with the song itself, a sadly nostalgic tune that nonetheless is catchy as hell.

Earlier critics have lambasted the simple lyrics penned by first-time songwriter, Urie, and some old fans miss the nonsensical, fast-paced lyrics of old. I ask those on that side of the fence this: Isn’t it nice to actually know the words of a song and get some kind of meaning from them?

Call me old-fashioned, but I like to SING

songs, not attempt to figure out what the words my might for year on end. Though I will grant that one used to get a great deal of satisfaction and personal pride from finally learning the words to an old Panic! song.

Overall (if you

couldn’t already tell), I liked the new Panic! At the Disco album. It’s what logically should have come next in their album progression, and it’s full of the utterly sing-at-the-top-of-yourlungs-while-driving-downthe-street-with-the-win-

dows-down songs that I’ve come to expect from them.

But I’m a sucker for anything with a good sound, so there you go. Four and a half out of five stars.

Movies April 15

The Profs

By Anonymous

April 22