acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Pirates of Penzance, page 5
Friday, April 8, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 48
1 section, 8 pages
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Presidential race left uncontested campaign and inform students of his goals for next year. Editor in Chief “To be honest, I kind of wish there had Connor Best will run uncontested in the been another person running, because it Students’ Association presidential race. would help with discussion of SA and effecBest, junior political science major tiveness of it,” Best said. “But I am excited from Sacramento, Calif. and chief devel- about four people running for vice presiopment officer and parliamentarian for dent and the discussion it will bring.” SA, said even though he doesn’t have an Best said multiple people running for opponent in the election, he would still the vice president spot, would increase
New rules for employee endorsements, Page 4
Linda Bailey
TANNER FREEMAN // Staff Photographer
Connor Best, junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif., and Jared Elk, senior political science major from Savoy, address questions during the weekly SA meeting.
the amount of ideas presented and create better advocacy for the student body. Candidates for vice president include: n Katherine Handy, sophomore English major from Plano, see ELECTION page 4
Jammin’ Out
SPRINGBOARD
Contest winners to fund ventures Christina Burch Page 2 Editor
Aspiring entrepreneurs with top mini-business plans were awarded at the Springboard Ideas Challenge awards dinner Thursday. Cash and in-kind prizes were granted to select business ideas under the Student Division, the Community Pre-Revenue Division, the Community Post-Revenue Division, the Most Fundable Award and the Social Entrepreneurship Award. The winners were recognized and awarded at the Springboard Ideas Challenge awards dinner, where several businesses featured exhibits. The keynote speaker for the evening was Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, a nonprofit organization that helps struggling entrepreneurs allocate funding to support their business ambitions. Jim Litton, J.D., director of the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, said he was excited about participation from ACU students this year and that he looks forward to helping those interested in launching their new ventures.
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Emily Schuster, freshman animal science major from Red Oak, tries to knock down Nick Tatum, sophomore family studies major from Lubbock, at the Post Break Jam Summer Beach Bash on the Campus Mall outside Moody Coliseum on Thursday.
Social Clubs, Students’ Association provide post-break entertainment
A
Jeff Craig, Managing Editor
CU students had a chance to break out of the mid-semester doldrums with Post Break Jam, three days of outdoor activities designed to build community and decrease stress. The social clubs, Students’ Association and Campus Activities Board worked together to sponsor the event. Tyler Allen, senior exercise science major from San Antonio, worked on the committee to make PBJ a reality. He said the event was the
together and get to know each other.” PBJ began Monday with a concert featuring Find more photos of the fun four campus bands. Tuesday, students could by visiting our website or get free ice cream and watch a movie outside scanning this QR code. on the wall of the Campus Center. Thursday, a beach bash was held on the campus mall with creation of some social clubs who saw a need free food, T-shirts and bounce houses. for a campus-wide event after spring break. Allen said PBJ never would have happened “It started with clubs just wanting to work without the cooperation of the social clubs and together to unite students, regardless of support from SA. whether they are in a social club,” Allen said. “We now have this event where we can all get see PBJ page 4
see BUSINESS page 4
REACCREDITATION
Accrediting board visits campus, approves QEP
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through Wednesday to complete the on-site evaluation, the last phase of the The Southern Association reaccreditation process. of Colleges and Schools They gave their recommenaccepted ACU’s plan to dations to Dr. Phil Schubert, increase research literacy president of the university, across campus as a part and a committee of faculty of the university’s reac- members representing ACU creditation process. on Wednesday. Members of the SACS SACS will give its ofvisited ACU on Monday ficial report at its annual
Christianna Lewis Senior Reporter
inside feature ACU’s last theatre production of the semester, The Pirates of Penzance, will provide energy and laughs. page 5
While the SACS reviewed ACU’s progress over the last 10 years, the university’s greatest challenge was demonstrating DR. PHYLLIS BOLIN // chair of the its plans for the future, QEP development team Bolin said. The SACS has meeting in December, but “The SACS Onsite Com- recently required colleges Dr. Phyllis Bolin, associate mittee was very complimen- and universities to put toprofessor of mathematics, tary about their visit to ACU,” gether a Quality Enhancesaid the informal review Bolin said in an email. “We ment Plan to meet reacwas encouraging. are thrilled with the results.” creditation standards.
The SACS Onsite Committee was very complimentary about their visit to ACU. We are thrilled with the results.
website
sports Wildcat baseball goes for its fourth-straight LSC series win against Eastern New Mexico this weekend at home. page 8
Bolin served as the chair of the QEP Development Team. The team produced a plan called “Pursuit,” which centers on increasing students’ research literacy. The QEP will use the CORE curriculum to introduce underclassmen to the basics of research, see QEP page 4
weather
news The men of Galaxy will conduct their annual Kirk Goodwin 5K this weekend. All proceeds from the event will go toward Samantha Bahl and her family.
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