The Optimist - Nov. 14, 2008 by ACU Optimist

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Pg. 8: Jumping Forward: Wildcats hope to build on winning season

Friday, November 14, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 24 :: 1 sections, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

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Essence of Ebony skates the night away

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Jack in the Box delays grand opening

Honors students tour ancient Egyptian exhibit

Library hours to be extended during finals week By Rachel Morris Student Reporter

Students can make use of the extra study time when the Brown Library extends its hours of operation beginning Nov. 30 until Dec. 12. The library will open at its usual times: 1:30 p.m. on Sundays, 9 a.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m., Mon-

for finals. He said many students have loaded schedules with latenight jobs and classes that require them to study late. He discussed the issue with Mark Tucker, dean of Library and Information Sources. “Tucker has wanted to do this for a while; he was very helpful and was the key member in getting this

day until Friday, but will extend its closing time to 3 a.m. every day. Students’ Association Rep. Kyle Moore, senior accounting major from Double Oak, began this initiative after speaking with students on campus about their concerns when it came to the library’s closing policy at midnight and the limited study hours available

Rec center plans halt due to lack of funding

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The Brown Library will remain open until 3 a.m. during finals week. The extended hours begin Nov. 30 and end Dec. 12. n Monday through Friday — 7 a.m. - 3 a.m. n Saturday — 9 a.m. - 3 a.m. n Sunday — 1:30 p.m. - 3 a.m.

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SA tables debate for election rules bill

Pg 5 Students from an array of cultures combine talents for the annual ACU culture show Ethnos Friday and Saturday. Read how to get your tickets and what to expect on this week’s Arts Page.

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Late NIght Library

A Touch of Culture

By Colter Hettich Most members of the ACU community have at least heard of the administration’s plans to construct a fitness and recreation center on campus. All signs but one point to impending construction: the dollar sign. The 21st Century Vision that Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, unveiled in October 2006 placed a student wellness and recreation center near the top of the university’s to-do list. Dr. Nicki Rippee, former chair of the exercise science and health department, serves as chair of the student wellness and recreation center committee. “With the 21st Century Vision, the committee decided the student recreation center was probably first priority as far as buildings go,” Rippee said. “I kind of became the squeaky wheel.” Rippee included the construction of a recreation center in her required five-year plan since 1998. But a 21st Century Vision declaration of priority and a “squeaky wheel” in the committee chair have not been enough to get the project a spot in the projected budget. Like a seesaw, the economy lifts building and supply costs as the recreation center’s priority drops. The committee initially planned to keep building costs under $20 million, but Rippee said every day it becomes harder to cover the price tag. “The university is willing to get a loan once we’ve raised half the money or more,” Rippee said.

initiative going,” Moore said. While Moore is excited about the success of extending the library hours during pre-final and finals week, he said, “The next thing to consider would definitely be when the library closes for church on Wednesday and Sundays.”

By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief

acuoptimist.com See a video profiling the Ethnos’ performances online next week

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Christy Ruiz, senior exercise science major from Mission, rehearses a dance number for Ethnos: Unity on Wednesday night.

After a heated debate on whether to add election rules to the Students’ Association ByLaws ran longer than 30 minutes, the Congress voted to table the bill indefinitely and vote on the matter the following semester. In addition to tabling the bill, SA passed another bill to sponsor and begin a recycling program on campus. Edwards Hall Representative Jared Elk presented the controversial election rules bill, and congress members argued backand-forth on whether the addition of election rules to the ByLaws was necessary. “We debated this to death, now we have something concrete, something solid; it makes sense to amend the By-Laws and leave a balance,” said Education Building Representative Aaron Escebedo, citing the amendment as an issue debated by last year’s Congress. Several congress members and Executive Officers said the main qualm they had with the rules was a clause giving SA Congress the power to overturn a decision by the Elections Chair and Elections Committee to expel someone from a race. According to the election rules Elk presented, candidates can appeal to Congress within 24 hours of expulsion from an election race, and Congress will make the final decision on whether or not the candidate can re-enter the race. “This is not about a few dollars or cents,” Elk said, defending his See

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Theatre alumna takes stage on Broadway By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

Bright lights, dance numbers and powerful performances on the elusive stage known as Broadway are a dream many actors pursue, but few obtain. Just the chance for an individual to belt out a single line on stage is an honor and rarity. This year one actress successfully has broken through Broadway’s barri-

ers and looks to present her natural and rare talent. Lara Seibert (’06) decided right after graduation to take the big leap from Abilene to New York to pursue her theatrical career in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. “It was terrifying, absolutely horrible. I didn’t know anybody and I didn’t have much money to spend,” Lara said. “It’s such an intimidating place because it’s where the best of the best are; which contributes to your

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It’s such an intimidating place because it’s where the best of the best are…

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:: Lara Seibert, ACU alumna (’06) on Broadway doubts. You just have to have the mindset that it is just another city and that if others can survive, so can I, and after awhile it becomes just another place to live.”

In two years Lara metamorphosed from a university student to a working Broadway performer. Two years See

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Brian Schmidt :: file photo Lara Seibert (’06) dances with Sunday Ibok (’06) in the opening number of “A Grand Night for Singing” in 2005. Seibert now acts on Broadway.

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