ACUOPTIMIST.COM | Friday, September 20, 2019 | 1
Professors receive their doctorates
A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
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BY RILEY FISHER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore Hannah Pinson talks to two members of GATA about their experience in club at Women’s Teas on Sunday.
Sub T-16 social club dealt indefinite suspension BY DILLON DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR
Social club Sub T-16 has been suspended indefinitely for “multiple policy violations” of university rules, said Dr. Scott McDowell, vice president for student life. After further investigation, McDowell said the university found multiple violations made by members of the social club. The suspension means the club will not be allowed to accept pledges this fall, participate in
campus tailgates, Homecoming and Sing Song. In addition, McDowell said the university has placed stipulations on the club’s return to campus and recognition by the university at some point in the future. “A substantial amount of work will be required on the membership’s part to meet the stipulations,” McDowell said. “But the amount of time is largely dependent on how engaged they are in the process. We will maintain the suspension until the
stipulations are met.” The sanctions include a renewed pledging process, significant engagement with sponsors and approved community service. The university would not disclose details of the violations, but McDowell said changes to state law enacted this year will require the university to issue a full repor t in December. McDowell said the Office of Student Life wants Sub T to be able to rebuild itself in a
healthy way. “The suspension is intentionally ‘indefinite’ because we wanted to create a redemptive path toward re-establishing the club in good standing and to incentivize the current members to meaningfully engage in the process,” McDowell said. Sub T has a storied history. It was founded in 1923, making it the oldest men’s club on campus. It’s members have included two ACU presidents, and its trademark Sing
“A substantial amount of work will be required on the membership’s part to meet the stipulations.” SCOTT MCDOWELL VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE
Song performances are often unrehearsed and irreverent, typically ending with a reference to the Sub T-funded Moody scoreboard. This is not the first time Sub T has been suspended. The club was suspend-
12th day numbers show increased retention BY ALLISON HARRELL EDITOR IN CHIEF
The retention rate of last year’s freshman was the third highest retention rate of first year students in history at 79 percent. According to student population numbers found in the report as of the 12th day of the semester, data shows that enrollment numbers for the graduate programs have increased by 101 students and undergraduate enrollment is down by 19 students. Enrollment growth overall as an institution over the last five years has been related to continued growth in the graduate programs.
Provost of the university, Dr. Robert Rhodes, said that every year nationally, universities look at their 12th day numbers for the official count and ACU does the same. “We are down approximately 20 students overall at the undergraduate level, but we’re up about 100 students overall as an institution because of growth in graduate programs,” Rhodes said. “So, as an institution we’re larger this year than we were last year. As an undergraduate population we’re about the same.” Last year’s graduating class of 2019 was one of the universities largest
classes to exist. The class of 2019’s graduation and movement out of the university had an effect on enrollment numbers. “But we’ve also benefitted by increased retention,” Rhodes said. “We’ve had more students retained this past year than in the previous year. So that helps us, as well. Overall, even though we had a large class graduating out, more students staying across the other classes combined with the freshman class coming in, is about the same as last year.” Kevin Campbell, senior vice president for operations of the university, said that retention was up at all
“Retention is extremely important because it’s obviously what leads to our graduation rates.” KEVIN CAMPBELL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR OPERATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY
three levels of returning sophomores, juniors and seniors. “Retention is extremely important because it’s obviously what leads to our graduation rates,” Campbell said. “What it means for our university is a couple of things. First, retention is one of the better indicators of, are students satisfied
with the experience that is taking place? Do they feel like they belong? Do they feel that they are getting a good education, that they are getting encouraged and stretched in the classroom?” Campbell said the more satisfied current students are, the more likely students will want to attend ACU in the future. “Healthy retention rates are typically the number one indicator that those things are improving,” Campbell said. “Student satisfaction is an extremely important component of not only what we desire of our students but also helps drive future enrollment.”
ed in 1986, 1987, 1995, 1998, 2005 and 2016 for various infractions, including a deviation from an approved Sing Song act, a profane homecoming float and numerous reports of hazing. Since the suspension, no comment has been made by Sub T members. Dr. Todd Womble, associate professor of language and literature and an on-campus sponsor for the club, said he was not interested to discuss details of the infraction or the suspension.
NEWS
5th annual Hudson Wade 5K run PAGE 2
SPORTS
COBA class is renewed for a second year BY OWEN SIMPSON SPORTS DIRECTOR
Dr. Laura Philips, associate professor of management sciences, and Dr. Sarah Easter, assistant professor of management, led students to Costa Rica for the College of Business Administration’s first-ever Social Enterprise Consulting class in spring break of 2019. They plan to continue the class next spring. In 2019, the main purpose was to provide students with handson experience dealing with a real and substantial challenge faced by a socially-minded organization according to Easter. “One of the key takeaways was to allow students to obtain real world experience by analyzing a situational need expressed by the client and developing solutions to meet that iden-
tified need,” Easter said. “Our clients were interested in better understanding the U.S. market for sustainable rural tourism in Costa Rica and then developing a marketing strategy to reach the identified markets to grow the organization further.” Students spent six weeks prior to spring break learning about consulting, as well as about the cultural context of the country and organizations they would visit. “Dr. Phillips and I were impressed with the way that the students took ownership of this complex challenge and worked well together as a team to deliver on the clients’ expectations,” Easter said. “Our clients were also very pleased with the end result, and we are planning to continue our partnership.” Philips also believed that
this experience gave students a broader perspective of businesses and how they run in different countries. “I think our students got a much better appreciation for how different it is. It’s difficult starting a business in the rural parts of a developing economy,” Phillips said. “It’s difficult to start a successful business here, but this class helped them understand how they can use their business knowledge and skills not only for creating economic value for themselves and their families but how those skills can also be used to minister to and serve others.” The students experienced Costa Rica in ways that emphasized interactions involved with the local culture. “The most eye-opening thing about this trip was the cultural immersion,” junior
“One of the key takeaways was to allow students to obtain real world experience by analyzing a situational need expressed by the client and developing solutions to meet that identified need.” DR. SARAH EASTER ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT
marketing major Luke Stephens said. “To actively participate in activities with the locals gave me a unique perspective into who they are. Instead of feeling like an outsider looking in, I felt more like I was a part of them.” Easter and Philips plan on bringing a new group of students to Costa Rica next spring break. They believe that it expands the students’ mindsets of the business world. “I think this class gives
our students a broader world view,” Phillips said. “They get to meet people who want to earn ‘enough’ instead of the U.S. norm of ‘as much as possible’.” The students in the spring 2020 class will work on a more detailed market assessment for Costa Rican sustainable tourism in the U.S. according to Easter. They will also develop and execute a digital marketing strategy for the Costa Rican female entrepreneurs involved in the RETUS project. RETUS is a network of female entrepreneurs focused on experiential rural tourism offerings as a means to help provide sustainable livelihoods in communities of central Costa Rica. Eight to 10 students will be assigned to the class as they travel to Costa Rica, March 7-15.
Volleyball vs. Texas Tech recap
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