Turn up the Heat
vol. 100, no. 39
friday, february 24, 2012
1 SECTION, 8 PAGES
‘Cats win second series this season
Sports page 8
university
Two deans to resign before 2012 school year Hannah barnes editor in chief
adrian patenaude staff Photographer
DANCE, DANCE
RESOLUTION Board approves changes to long-standing policy
“Many forms of dance and cultural expression are managing editor embraced by our society, some of which are consisDancing is now permitted tent with our Christian misin university-sponsored sion and values, while others events or other events spon- are more likely to distract us sored by official student or- from a Christ-centered life,” states the revised policy. ganizations. ACU’s Board of Trustees “Therefore, in keeping with affirmed a revised dance the Christian mission of policy statement created by the university, only certain the office of Student Life. In- dance forms and venues will stead of prohibiting all forms be considered for approval.” Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, of dance at any university or organization event, the new vice president of student life statement says Student Life and dean of students, sent may consider certain dance students an email detailing forms for approval. Only of- the difference between the ficially recognized organiza- old and new policies to factions may submit requests ulty and staff Tuesday afterfor permission to incorpo- noon. It was sent to all university students soon after. rate dance into the event.
Two ACU deans are resigning from their positions at the end of the academic year. Dr. Charles Mattis, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is leaving the u n iversit y to open a dental practice, and Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the College Mattis of Biblical studies, will fill a different role at the university. “I just wanted to do some Reese different things,” Mattis said. “I’ve invested a lot of my life here, but I’m ready to do something different.” Before taking the role of dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Mattis served as the dean for the First Year Program for seven years. He has been with the university 17 years. “I hadn’t dreamed that when I came here I’d be a dean someday,” Mattis said.
“
mark smith
low organizations to request permission to have social dancing, beginning see dance page 4
see deans page 4
mandy lambright Chief Photographer
ganizations. “We’ve been meeting within Student Life and with the Students’ Association to create a plan that would al-
Dr. charles mattis dean of the college of arts and sciences
Mattis originally came to ACU to teach biology. He continued his dental practice while he was a faculty member. “The more and more I got into administration, the less I was able to practice,” Mattis said. Reese has been with the university since 1988 and completes his 15th year as dean of biblical studies in
Top: Lindsey Smith, sophomore business management major from New Braunfels and Michael Davis, sophomore accounting major from Malibu, Calif. dance at the Oplin Dance Hall. Below: Swing Cats performs on-stage at Sing Song 2012. Thompson said the decision was made to help students have a more positive experience at events sponsored by the university or official or-
The more and more I got into administration, the less I was able to practice.”
UNIVERSITY
Gardner intruder arrested, investigation continues in custody. After two managing editor residents con f i r med they had ACU Police arrested a man seen Jacques for trespassing in Gardner on the secHall Saturday night, 11 days ond floor of after Gardner residents re- Jacques the dormiported a nearly identical incident before the sus- tory, Valdez took him to pect got away. ACU Police the county jail. Jacques is are actively investigating a 5-feet 2-inch, 140-pound the arrest but haven’t con- Sweetwater native. Jacques committed no cluded the same man was involved in both incidents. crime other than Class-A According to a Taylor trespassing and no moCounty Sheriff’s office ar- tive is known, according rest report, Jeremy Dan to the police report. ACU Jacques, a 40-year-old His- Police issued him a formal panic male, was booked in Criminal Trespass Warnthe county jail at 8:47 p.m. ing, which makes it an ofSaturday after Thomas Val- fense for him to come back dez, ACUPD patrol officer to ACU properties. Jacques was arrested for and lead detective, saw him crawling out of a bathroom a similar incident last year window on the north side on Oct. 31 and accused of Gardner. Valdez tackled of peeping into women’s Jacques and placed him bathroom stalls various
mark smith
Abilene businesses, according to a KTXS report. Jacques has no affiliation with ACU. Jimmy Ellison, ACU Police Chief, said the department increased patrol time around residence halls immediately after the first incident, and that helped to ensure the suspect was caught. “We increased our patrol presence around all residence halls,” Ellison said. “We had every patrol officer check in twice per shift with desk workers at each residence hall.” The night Jacques was caught, Valdez had patrolled the Gardner perimeter, parked, checked in with the desk worker briefly and returned to his vehicle to back out when he saw a man climbing out of the shower facility window.
Ellison said the heightened patrol time helped to make the arrest possible. “In response to that first incident, we took some immediate, proactive steps that led to this arrest,” Ellison said. “It was good police work, and I truly believe the steps we took led to apprehending the intruder.” Madison Brown, freshman interior design major from Frisco, found a short Hispanic man in her friend Taylor Brown’s room in Gardner Feb. 7. Taylor said the news of the arrest eased their minds. “We’re glad they caught someone,” said Taylor, freshman advertising and public relations major from Southlake. “We hope it’s the same guy for the sake of safety of everyone in the ACU community.” ACUPD is working with
the Sweetwater Police Department because when Jacques was arrested, he had stolen property from Sweetwater in his possession. Ellison said having an unknown intruder in a res hall is a rare occasion and on-campus residents should feel safe. “We’re working with residence life and facilities management to make sure the facility is as safe as can be,” he said. “While it’s rare, we’re not immune to crime. This should remind everyone to not get caught up in the ‘ACU Bubble’ mentality.” Ellison cautioned firstfloor residents on and off campus to keep windows secure. “Keep your windows locked and keep your curtains closed at night,” Ellison said. “Don’t give Peeping Toms an easy target. Make
sure people can’t see inside.” Ellison said it’s necessary to alert the ACUPD as soon as students see suspicious activity. “In the first incident there was a rather lengthy delay between when the suspect was spotted and when we received a call,” he said. “Alerting us when you see suspicious activity should be the first course of action.” While Ellison couldn’t say for sure whether Jacques is the same man in the Feb. 7 incident, he said the two events were too similar to be a coincidence. “We think we arrested the right guy,” he said. “The circumstances in each incident were nearly identical.” contact smith at mds10a@acu.edu
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