The Optimist Print Edition: 04/09/2010

Optimist the

Vol. 98, No. 48

The Spin Zone

1 section, 8 pages

Friday, April 9, 2010

acuoptimist.com

BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT SPIRITUALITY

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Godfrey out, Palomares in

Soulforce to discuss gay rights over lunch Jeff Craig Sports Editor A group advocating the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is scheduled to visit campus Friday and meet with students, faculty and staff members.

The group Soulforce was on campus three years ago and requested to return this year for discussion with members of the ACU community. All activities will take place in the LYNAY room in the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center on Friday.

Soulforce members will eat lunch with some faculty and staff at 11:30 a.m. and meet with staff in the Counseling Center from 1-2 p.m. Students will only be able to interact with the group during a discussion period from 2:15-3:15 p.m.

The discussions will conclude with a closed session with Dr. Jeanine Varner, provost, and Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for Student Life and dean of students.

All meetings will take place in a single location to maximize discussion and minimize distractions, according to the Office of Student Life.

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Tony Godfrey, junior political science major from Burleson, speaks in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday. Godfrey withdrew from the race two days later.

The surprise, last-minute withdrawal of SA candidate Tony Godfrey decided this year’s presidential election.

Colter Hettich Editor in Chief Ten minutes before voting closed Thursday, the withdrawal of Tony Godfrey, junior political science and English major from Burleson, decided the presidential race for next year’s Students’ Association president. Samuel Palomares, junior communications major from Elsa, will take office as president of the Students’ Association for the 2010-11 school year.

contact Craig at

SA officers would not release Godfrey’s vote count because he was no longer a candidate. Charles Gaines, current SA president, said turnout was “pretty consistent” among the three races, and students can accurately compare Palomares’ numbers to those of the other winners.

Godfrey also resigned as vice president Thursday after the Office of Student Life received reports of an off-campus incident that occurred Tuesday. Student Life declined to comment on the incident.

Jonathan Pendergrass, junior architecture major from Hershey, Penn., was present at the incident. Although the two have

QUICK FACTS This week, the student body elected the officers who will lead next year’s Students’ Association.

President n 438 - Samuel Palomares Vice President n 414 - Jared Elk n 295 - Scott Adrian Treasurer n 447 - Chris Shim n 258 - Carson Henley

see SA page 4

jrc07d@acu.edu

MOBILE LEARNING

Grant to benefit university, high school chemistry teachers Linda Bailey

try area are waiting for approval of a grant that Opinion Page Editor will provide iPads to sciACU isn’t the only school ence classes.

Pamplin said the in Abilene planning to comes from integrate the iPad into money education. Dr. Kim Pam- the state as part of the plin, chair of the Depart- Teacher Quality Grant, ment of Chemistry and a program designed to high-quality Biochemistry, and 20 provide developteachers in the Big Coun- professional

well as the monthly fee for the data plan.

I don’t know all they are capable of, but it’s something that Pamplin said money we could really use and invent new ways to use in a class. was left over in the budDWAYNE NORTON get in Austin this year, Science Teacher at Albany High School and Member of the TMSA and project directors were invited to submit Pamplin said the grant for approval. The grant requests for the remainment for, in this case, high school and middle will not be official for a will pay for top-of-the- ing money. school science teachers few more weeks, but he line 3G iPads with a see iPAD page 4 is confident in its chance 64-gigabyte memory, as in and around Abilene.

ARTS

STUDENT SERVICES

Career counseling available Alan Cherry Contributing Reporter With the end of the semester looming, many students may find themselves considering the age-old question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Fortunately for some

students, the Career Center has answers.

The Discovery for Deciding program started four years ago as a pilot program to help undeclared freshmen and sophomores choose majors. In the last two years, it has evolved into a program encompassing

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all classes and majors.

“If you don’t know your major, we’re going to help you choose your major,” said Rachel Phillips-Buck, career counselor at the Career Center.

“If you know your major, we’re going to help you see CAREER page 4

The university’s first campuswide undergraduate research festival will highlight the work of more than 75 students from various fields, including physics, chemistry, education, music, biology and agriculture, according to www.acu.edu.

Students will present their work to the public, and guests from other universities will speak April 13-15.

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Sun

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Student films star in FilmFest contest Sondra Rodriguez and Linda Bailey Staff Report The 12 entries in FilmFest 2010: “Timeless” will be shown at a free screening from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at

the Paramount Theatre in downtown Abilene.

The awards gala, where categories will be presented and the Best Picture award will be announced, will take see REEL page 4

Online

ABILENE CHRISTIAN College and Abilene Christian University are radically different places. Read how rules and policies have changed during the years.

TIGER WOODS IS BACK. Former Optimist staff reporter Hutton Harris checks in from the Masters with an update on the reaction to Tiger’s return.

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PHOTO

LOUDandCLEAR

Are you planning on going to FilmFest? a. Yes, I go every year. b. No, I don’t watch films. Not even short ones. c. What is FilmFest?

Honor Society Inductions

Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.

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Campus Day

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@jmcnetwork.com.

Friday, April 9, 2010

To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before.

The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

9

FRIDAY

11 a.m.

Praise Day in Moody Coliseum

10

SATURDAY

12 p.m.

ACU Softball v. Angelo State

4 p.m.

ACU Baseball v. Cameron

2 p.m.

ACU Baseball v. Cameron

5 p.m.

ACU Softball v. Angelo State

8 p.m.

Abilene Christian Opera in Cullen Auditorium

8 p.m.

Abilene Christian Opera in Cullen Auditorium

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Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

SUNDAY

8 p.m.

Filmfest 2010 at the Paramount Theatre 9 p.m.

Nine O’Clock Worship service at University Church of Christ

Texas section of the Mathematical Association of America meeting

Chapel Checkup

Credited Chapels to date:

Credited Chapels remaining:

58 15

Texas section of the Mathematical Association of America meeting

Announcements Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is now available to staff, faculty and students through the Counseling Center. For more information, call 674-2626.

The Upward Bound Program is in need of students to serve as summer advisers. The program is looking for encouraging, energetic and responsible students to assist in preparing high school students for college. For more information, call 674-2529 or 674-2514.

HIGHway Bible study will meet at 9 p.m. Wednesday in The Grove Clubhouse. All students are welcome to attend.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Chapel will meet the first Thursday of each month in Room 258 in the Foster Science Building. All ACU students who participate in BBBS are welcome to attend.

The Bible Bowl will be Saturday on the ACU campus.

The Meek Blood Center is sponsoring a blood drive April 16.

Filmfest 2010 will be at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are availbe through Friday in the Campus Center or in the Office of Student Productions in McKinzie Room 121.

For more information call 325-674-4864.

Beltway Park Church is sponsoring A Night of Worship with Leeland and Phil Wickham today. Tickets are $15 in advance and $10 for students or groups of more than 10; they are available at Beltway Park, Mardel and Lifeway stores or online at www.itickets.com/ events/240228/Abilene_ TX/Leeland.html.

Re-Fresh, the Freshman Devotional, is every Thursday at 10 p.m. in the Beauchamp Amphitheater.

Freshmen are invited for a time of worship for freshmen and by freshmen.

The Abilene Christian Opera Theater’s spring opera opens Friday at 8 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium.

This semester’s show is Massenet’s Cendrillon, an interpretation of the classic Cinderella tale: a journey of enchantment, triumph and romance. General admission is $12 for adults and $5 for students.

The ACU Career Center is sponsoring an information session about jobs with Hawkes Learning Systems, a company that develops educational programs for mathematics teachers at the high school and college levels.

For more information, contact the Career Center at 674-2473, or email at careers@acu.edu.

ACU for Abilene will be April 17th.

Volunteer Opportunities There will be a benefit concert for Haiti from 6-9 p.m. tonight in the University Park Clubhouse.

Freshman Formal will be April 16th. Tickets are on sale in the McGlothlin Campus Center; the cost is $25 for an individual or $40 for a couple.

The Student Social Work Association is sponsoring a meeting at 6:30 p.m.

April 12 and 26 to help plan for Diabetes Day this fall. The meeting will be at Hillcrest Church of Christ.

For more information, contact Darrell Jordan at 674-4886.

The Outdoor Club is sponsoring the fifth annual Red Dirt Adventure Challenge duathlon April 17. For more information or to register, visit www. acuoutdoorclub.org.

The Pruett Gerontology Center is sponsoring Careers in Aging Week.

Booths will be displayed from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. this week in the McGlothlin Campus Center.

The ACU Percussion Ensembles and Steel Drum Band will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Monday in Cullen Auditorium.

There will be an All-Club Rush at 5 p.m. April 12 in the campus mall area for those interested in pledging a social club this fall.

The Campus Activities Board is sponsoring a Beach Bash from noon until 4 p.m. in the campus mall area April 23.

The Noah Project needs volunteers to cover the domestic violence crisis hotline between 6 and 10 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call Yvonne Myers at 676-7107.

Love and Care Ministries needs help with its clothing ministry and street feeds at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. MondayFriday. To schedule a time to help, call Terry Davis at 670-0246.

The City of Abilene’s Adaptive Recreation Services needs volunteers to help mentally and physically challenged adults with activities between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Activities can include arts and crafts, exercise, ceramics, bowling, field trips, etc. For more information, contact Barbara Liggett at 676-6575, or e-mail barbara.liggett@ abilenetx.com.

Abilene Hope Haven needs volunteers to provide child care between 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact Kathy Reppart (before 3 p.m.) at 677-4673 or Christina Spillers (after 3 p.m.) at 437-0611.

The Betty Hardwick Center needs volunteers from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on any weekday.

For more information, contact Katie Fawcett at 690-5128.

Breakfast On Beech Street serves breakfast to Abilene’s homeless community and is in need

of volunteers. Breakfast is served from 6:30-7:15 a.m. at the First Christian Church at 3rd and Beech Street. Volunteers must arrive at 5:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 5 a.m. Tuesdays. For more information, visit the First Christian Church’s Web site at www.fccabilene. org/outreach.html.

Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot meals each week to seniors and adults with disabilities.

Volunteers may work once a week between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. MondayFriday. For more information, contact Elisabeth Rodgers at 672-5050.

The Alzheimer’s Association needs volunteers any time 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday. Volunteers must be present for at least one hour and will perform various office duties.

For more information, contact Libby Connally at 672-2907.

The American Heart Association needs volunteers any time 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers will help with general office tasks and assist with mailings.

For more information, contact Kay Alexander at 627-0070.

The Christian Service Center needs volunteers to fill requests for clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc., from the donation center. Volunteers may work from noon-4 p.m. Friday or Saturday. For more information, call Jim Clark at 673-7531.

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to sort and stock

food items between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information or to schedule a group of six or more volunteers, contact Janice Serrault at 695-6311, or email abfoodbk@ camalott.com.

The Salvation Army needs volunteers Monday through Saturday. Volunteers may help sort and price items in the thrift store, help in the kitchen or do yard work.

The International Rescue Committee needs volunteers to teach English and mentor refugees. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Daina Juryka-Owen at 675-5643 ext. 16.

Hill Resources needs volunteers from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. any weekday to encourage and entertain disabled individuals.

For more information, contact Michelle Espinoza at 673-3346.

ACU for Abilene service day will take place April 17. The event, sponsored

by SALT and the Christian Center for Service and Leadership, will take place in various site around Abilene. For more information, e-mail vslc@ acu.edu.

Find more volunteer opportunities by visiting the Service-Learning and Volunteer Resources Web site at www.acu.edu/slvr and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities, or visit the Service-Learning and Volunteer Resources office located in the lower level of the McGlothlin Campus Center.

Campus News

April 9, 2010

Page 3

ACADEMICS

Class work pays off for students Kelsi Williamson Chief Photographer Math, computer science and information technology majors had the opportunity to learn how to add up and cash in their class experience through internships with Hawkes Learning Systems on Thursday in the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center.

Hawkes Learning Systems, founded in 1979, is an educational software and publishing company based in Charleston, S.C. The company “concentrates on a complete approach with integrated textbooks, intelligent homework software, and testing assessment software, in essence a

QUICK FACTS The paid internships, beginning May 15 and lasting through August 15, are spread among three departments. n Marketing: One internship available. The intern will research, input information in databases and coordinate events. n Product development: 10 internships available. The interns must be math majors and will test and edit Hawkes Learning Systems textbooks. n Information technology: Five internships available. The interns must be sophomore engineer majors and will work with Hawkes’ small software programs.

complete ‘System’ for teaching math,” according to its Web site.

This was the first time the Career Center

offered an information session about internships specifically targeting math and computer science majors, said Bradon Owen, Career Center employer relations manager.

Owen said the Career Center likes to highlight specific internships to help students solidify their career interests.

“It helps them to better decide what it is they want to do once they graduate,” Owen said.

Hawkes Learning Systems is offering one internship in its marketing department, 10 internships in company product development and five internships in the information technology department. The internships are all paid and will last for about

12 weeks this summer.

April Davis, from Hawkes Learning Systems marketing and recruiting, said students must have a 3.5 grade point average or higher to be considered for any of the internships.

“We do have tons of résumés coming in,” Davis said.

Besides good experience in their chosen fields, Davis said Hawkes Learning System interns may have the opportunity for a full-time job after their internships end.

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer contact Williamson at

kkw07a@acu.edu

Wanda Douglass, resident at Christian Village, gets a strike while playing Wii Bowling at the Honors Gerontology Wii Party.

THEATRE

Shakespeare goes Hollywood in spring comedy Shea Rattan Contributing Reporter The Department of Theatre’s final spring production stands in sharp comedic contrast to the department’s previous two shows. The large cast and a dizzying mix of historical and fantastical elements combine to make Shakespeare in Hollywood a funny, fastmoving farce.

Shakespeare in Hollywood, written by Ken Ludwig, is based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and is technical-

ly classified as a 1930s screwball comedy. The show is mainly about two characters, Oberon and Puck, who are magically transported from their Shakespearean world to Hollywood where they end up playing themselves in a movie.

Peter Hargrave, sophomore musical theatre major from Amarillo, plays Oberon, who falls in love with the leading woman in the movie. He said he thinks the show is a good way to end the season, especially after the dramatic winter shows.

It’s definitely not one of those shows where you have to be all reverent because it’s Shakespeare.

KARI HATFIELD Director, Assistant Professor of Theatre

“It’s a good contrast to the last two; people can come and just watch and have a good time,” Hargrave said.

Director Kari Hatfield, assistant professor of theatre, has directed productions at smaller universities in the past; however, this is her first

time to direct a play for ACU. She said she is excited about the production as well.

“It combines the intricacy of Shakespeare and the fact that a lot of them [the cast] are playing people that actually lived makes it a good challenge,” Hatfield said.

The first-time director said she also has loved working with the cast and crew. Despite rehearsing from 7-11 p.m. most nights of the week, Hatfield said she loves everyone’s collaborative spirit and the fun nature of the show.

“It’s definitely not one of those shows where you have to be all reverent because it’s Shakespeare. It’s actually kind of making fun of the fact that Hollywood kind of exploited Shakespeare at the time,” Hatfield said. “We just hope

that people enjoy the show and word gets out about how fun it is.”

The show will run April 15-17 and April 22-24 in Fulks Theatre.

Tickets can be purchased at the ACU Box Office in the Williams Performing Arts Center until 5 p.m.

Friday, online at www. acu.edu/theatre or by calling the ACU Box Office at 674-2787.

contact Rattan at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

From the Front

Page 4

April 9, 2010

MOBILE LEARNING

iPad: Fuses with science Continued from page 1

“I requested one iPad to share with teachers, to let them put their hands on it and see what they thought of it so maybe they could order one in the future,” he said.

However, the program director in Austin had a different idea. He suggested funding for all 20 teachers in Pamplin’s Texas Midwest Science Alliance.

The problem Pamplin said he and the other teachers are running is the same for most iPad users – they aren’t sure what the iPad is capable of. Pamplin says he envisions using the iPad to surf the Web for lessons, view video clips useful for the classroom and look into electronic

chemistry textbooks.

Also, he said he thinks applications are being written for iPads about the periodic table and other chemistry and education-specific apps.

The TMSA has been awarded the Teacher Quality Grant since 2002.

Through the years, Pamplin said the grants have provided $1,000-$1,500 to buy new technology, such as PowerPoint, digital video cameras, laptops, projectors, probes, photography equipment and iPods. These technologies are used in science classrooms to help with labs and curriculum.

“It is really whatever kind of technology they can convince me they will use,” Pamplin said.

Dwayne Norton,

Albany High School science teacher and member of the TMSA, said because of all the technology they have received, people have come in to train them on the technology and show them things they haven’t thought of. He thinks the same thing will happen when they get the iPads.

“We’re pretty excited.

I don’t know all they are capable of, but it’s something that we could really use and invent new ways to use in a class,” Norton said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to have that chance.”

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Students go barefoot in the McGlothlin Campus Center in honor of the TOMS-sponsored One Day Without Shoes on Thursday.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SA: Candidate eliminated Continued from page 1

STUDENT SERVICES

been friends for several years, Pendergrass said Godfrey’s actions crossed the line.

“He just said some racially insensitive comments, and I think, being a leader, that’s something you can’t do,” Pendergrass said. “You have

Career: Exploring options

ART

Continued from page 1 passed through the program this scholastic year. Most of the students are freshmen and sophomores, although a few older students have also taken advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s not just undeclared students who need help – it’s all of our students,” Phillips-Buck said.

Rachel Elam, career resource assistant at the Career Center, is a recent ACU graduate and an alumni of

the Discovery program.

She lauded the course, saying the program’s assessments helped to match her personality and skill set with an appropriate career choice.

The Career Center split from the Office of Career and Academic Development two years ago and moved into the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center. It offers a variety of services to students, including the CareerLink program, mock interviews and financial planning assistance.

“If we can get that

contact Bailey at

ljb07a@acu.edu

ironed out in the first semester, then you have three-and-a-half years to build your résumé, network, get interviews, etc.,” Phillips-Buck said.

Discovery for Deciding will begin at 6 p.m.

Thursday. The cost to attend is $40, which can be charged to students’ accounts. Students interested in signing up should visit www.acu.edu/careercenter and follow the links for D!SCOVERY. contact Cherry at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

to be aware of all the cultures you’re going to be leading.”

Godfrey described the incident as a personal matter between “two longtime, close friends.”

“Individuals outside our friendship took it upon themselves to make this matter public without the knowledge

of Jonathan or myself,” Godfrey said in an email. “I hope that we can move past this and continue to grow closer and learn from one another as a community.”

contact Hettich at

clh05d@acu.edu

Reel: Filmmakers compete Continued from page 1 place at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre.

Tom Craig, director of student productions, said attendees can expect a great show.

“People can expect to see some really great talent on screen both from the production end and the acting end of things,” Craig said.

“We’ve got great writing,

editing, directing and production.”

The event will also feature original music

by ACU students, three of whom will perform songs from several of the films. Performers include Aaron Carlile, Swing the Lead and Alex Howard, and will take place at intervals throughout the show. Craig said the event is formatted much like the Oscars – awards, film and music.

Preston Woolfolk, senior political science major from San Antonio, and Anna Peters, master’s student from Houston, will host the evening gala. Tickets cost $5 per person and the event will last two hours.

contact Staff at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

April 9, 2010

F

Arts

rom Justin Timberlake to The Beatles to The Magnetic Fields, the music industry has seen one big trend in recent years: an increase in vinyl production.

It comes as a surprise to much of the music-listening world that major record labels have once again begun releasing new albums on vinyl records.

Analog or hard copy recordings, which many thought peaked in popularity in the 1960s and ’70s, became virtually extinct after digital recording appeared in the 1980s. But recent studies by Nielsen SoundScan report the vinyl record as a relevant musical format is slowly making – or remaking – its mark on the same industry that once had it on the ropes.

There’s been much speculation as to why vinyl presses are making such a resurgence; the answer is a combination of reasons – of consumers and record labels.

A report by SoundScan at the end of last year stated more than 2.2 million units of vinyl were sold in 2009, and mainstream retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and Best Buy have begun selling vinyl LPs on their Web sites. Stores like Costco and Urban Outfitters have even introduced turntables to their inventories in the last two years.

A motivation at the forefront of the format shift originates in the audiophilic movement. The consumer target market known as “the audiophiles” is purely concerned with sound quality.

This group claims vinyl records allow for the best possible sound depth, allowing a listener to really hear all the layers of sound on any given track, from the beat to the bass to the vocals. They believe hearing a record on vinyl is hearing the record the way musicians intended it to be heard.

During digital production, the music is compressed and therefore subtly altered, but the dimension of sound offered by vinyl records is deep and ominous – so say the audiophiles.

Another reason for the increased interest in vinyl is the perceived collec-

Page 5

tor’s value of the record. Limited numbers of new vinyl presses draw consumers in by making them feel they own a piece of musical memorabilia.

Depending on band popularity, a record will get anywhere from 500 to 3,000 presses, fewer than demanded, to increase market value among collectors.

Collectors also find value in the artwork of the album sleeves and inserts that are often designed by prominent artists and featured on high-quality, full-color prints.

For many record labels, pressing vinyl albums is simply a diversification of a product line.

They have a market interested in investing in records, and they do their best to meet that need. For them, it is a sales game.

Sales of CDs and digital formats still far outweigh vinyl sales, but record companies and press factories are still finding vinyl releases to be a profitable venture.

In 2007, shipments increased to 1.3 million units from 900,000 units moved in the U.S. alone, according to a report published by the Recording Industry Association of America. For smaller and independent record labels, this increase represents a huge profit margin.

Last year, Universal Music Enterprises announced its plans to reissue 40 albums on vinyl, and Warner Music Group announced it will rerelease 30 albums on vinyl, as well as press 12 of its new releases on vinyl.

To meet the needs of an on-the-go society, record companies have even begun to include digital download vouchers with their vinyl records so consumers have the tangible hard copy as well as the portable music. Record labels are using such tactics to prove they have the consumers’ interests at heart.

Abbey Road and 69 Love Songs may have found many fans through their widely acclaimed digital releases, but their vinyl popularity stems from consumers wanting the best experience with the best quality. Buying vinyl records offers clean, beautiful music with the opportunity for music lovers to create memories – and record labels to make sales.

Opinion

Page 6

EDITORIAL

April 9, 2010

Old school rules offer new age perspective length – “two or three inches below the bottom of the knee-cap, according to the height of the girl.”

This policy extended into the 1980s and still women were forbidden to wear pants at ACC And forget about shorts during the hot summer months; they were so far out of the realm of modesty, women might be scolded for thinking about them.

Walk around campus today, however, and you’ll realize we take for granted the policies that have been adjusted in our favor, while we’re busy complaining about the rules with which we disagree.

Today, we’re required to attend Chapel 55 times per semester, and we’re allowed 18 “skips”. Additionally, we can take advantage of those “skips” and still meet our Chapel quota by attending Chapel forums.

The old handbook included a section titled Regulations for the Girls, which forbade women, except seniors, from riding in cars with men “without permission and a chaperone selected by the hostess of the dormitory.” A woman had to sign in and out every time she left and returned to campus, and each were given specific measurements regarding sleeve length and skirt

It is not unusual to hear students complaining about ACU’s “strict” policies. The typical sources of discontent are Chapel policies, freshman curfew and dress code. However, when examined next to former rules at Abilene Christian College, our policies today don’t seem so bad.

According to the 1929-1930 ACC Students’ Handbook, if a student missed three or more days of Chapel, one hour of credit would be deducted from the student’s work. Three unexcused class absence or “cuts,” also resulted in the deduction of one hour of credit.

Lynda Thornton, coordinator of adult education in the Department of Applied Studies, attended ACU from 1964-’68. She said she remembers the intensity of ACU’s former dress code.

“Pants did not seem to indicate you were a girl, and shorts – oh my word, nope,” Thornton said She remembers men wearing button-up shirts – no tank tops – and no one complained.

Today, “students are encouraged to demonstrate by their dress and appearance a mature Christian attitude and the ability to discern propri-

Pears

By Lucas Wright

THE ISSUE

ACU’s history is full of antiquated rules and regulations concerning student life.

OUR TAKE

Taking a look at old rules should make us appreciate the rules in place now. ety,” according to the ACU dress code policy.

Thornton said visitation rules were also different.They would have one open house night each year where men could visit women’s dorms.

Today, men and women can visit residence halls once a week from 6-10 p.m., as long as the resident assitant is on the hall.

Policy changes are just one of the many reasons Thornton says ACU students have it better than they think.

Our university has policies that may seem rigid, but the next time you put on a pair of shorts, remember it could be worse.

Email the Optimist at:

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

COLUMN

Childlike activity preserves sanity LIttle Linda Linda Bailey

COLUMN

TV fathers illustrate moral decline Self–Examination Ryan Self Ray Barone just cannot seem to do anything right.

To be fair, neither can Jim Belushi, Tim Taylor or most of the fathers in sitcoms and advertising today.

None of t h e s e Self men or their cartoon counterparts, like Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin, ever seem to be able fulfill their fatherly duties without making a huge mess of things – a mess their wives always have to clean up.

We’ve come a long way since the days of The Brady Bunch or The Cosby Show where fathers were productive members of their families. In the early days of sitcoms, the woman of the family was the helpless one whose sole duty was to mind the kitchen

and look good for her husband. She was pretty onedimensional. Thankfully, those days are over, and women are portrayed in a much more positive light.

However, one has to wonder whether the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction.

Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor was perhaps the first father figure who just couldn’t figure it out. Tim would do something to upset Jill, either on his hit cable show, Tool Time, or at home. Confused, Tim would proceed to the backyard where his sagelike next-door neighbor, Wilson, would dispense advice. After a comical backand-forth session with his clad-in-plaid assistant, Al, he would come to a better understanding of his error and make amends.

So Tim might have been lovably slow at times. But at least he had plenty of redeeming qualities.

First, he actually went to work and was productive around the house.

Most men in sitcoms today seem capable only of occupying the recliner in front of the TV while their wives handle the kids, the housework and whatever mess their incompetent husbands have gotten themselves into (see According to Jim; King of Queens; Yes, Dear; Everybody Loves Raymond; Still Standing; etc.). Nowadays, it seems all men are portrayed as overweight couch potatoes who somehow managed to marry much more attractive and independent women with much higher IQs than their husbands.

Interspersed between these sitcoms is advertising that sends the same message: Men are incapable of taking care of themselves or their families. While these comedic portrayals of men can be entertaining, they can also be quite damaging.

According to Gender Issues in Advertising Language, “Television portrayals that help create or reinforce negative stereotypes

Editorial and Letter Policy

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can lead to problems with self-image, self-concept, and personal aspirations.

Young men learn that they are expected to screw up, that women will have the brains to their brawn, and that childcare is over their heads.”

Negative portrayals can be especially damaging to children who grow up without fathers because these children will grow up with a distorted view of what men and fathers are really like.

The earliest sitcoms may not have been the most realistic depiction of the typical American family life, but as far as depicting men as fathers, they were much better than what we have today.

Men are smarter than that.

I hope television networks will figure that out, but for now that seems as likely as Ray Barone figuring out how to take on his fair share of fatherly duties. contact Self at

rcs06g@acu.edu

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I went home last weekend to celebrate Easter with my parents and younger sister. I love my family with all of my heart, but my love for my h o m e town runs about as deep as Bailey the driedup riverbeds on the outskirts of town.

But, my mom wanted me to come home, so I agreed. I thought it would give me a much-needed opportunity to finish a research paper and catch up on my sleep.

I pulled into our driveway after more than four hours of driving and was immediately greeted by my mom’s smile and outstretched arms. It was then I suddenly remembered that going home is like being a kid again.

All weekend, my parents took care of me and my needs while I slept, ate and played.

Without asking, my mom washed and folded the majority of the month’s worth of laundry I’d brought home, and my dad washed my truck, even spending extra time to shine up the hubcaps. I ate three hot, homemade meals a day; I hung out with my Aggie sister; and I even spent one evening playing catch with my dad in the backyard.

The childlike and carefree weekend reached its pinnacle Sunday afternoon. After returning from church, my sister and I started loading our vehicles in preparation for our drives back to college. However, the Easter bunny made an unexpected stop in our backyard.

Apparently, he hides eggs for the 18- to 21-year-old demographic these days.

I walked to the backyard thinking the hunt would be mediocre at best. Due to harsh, Panhandle weather conditions and a desolate landscape to begin with, our huge backyard contains one tree, a cement slab for the patio furniture and a grill. However, the Easter bunny had a trick up his sleeve – the plastic eggs we hunted were colored and textured to look like things you naturally find in a backyard. Some were green and spiky to look like grass, some were dark brown with a rough exterior similar to a nut freshly fallen from a tree, and some were gray and rocklike. Not only did this catch me off guard, but they were actually a challenge to spot in our barren yard.

After finding all the eggs, we went back inside the house, and I started loading up my truck, feeling a tinge of sadness at the thought of going back to my life in the adult, college world full of responsibilities and obligations.

Transforming into a kid last weekend was just what I needed.

When I’m at school, I can wear my colorful Keds, bows and outfits that don’t always match to revert back to childhood, but being home, having my parents take care of me and feeling a sense of security and relaxation is keeping me sane.

Sometimes I need to act like a kid – I think I’ll appreciate it in five years when I have a real job and real bills and a month’s worth of laundry staring me in the face. contact Bailey at

ljb07a@acu.edu

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From Sports

April 9, 2010

Page 7

SOFTBALL

Split: Wildcats lose second game in a heartbreaker Continued from page 8 the game. Peterson came off the bag because of the call, but after the umpires consulted, they called Peterson out at first for leaving the bag.

The game ended in another heartbreaking onerun loss; ACU is now 4-11 on the season in games decided by one run.

“I felt like we played two great games even though we won one and lost one; our pitching was a great both games,” Wilson said.

“Overall, I thought we played a lot better than we have and made some

I felt like we played two great games even though we won one and lost one.

CHANTIEL WILSON Head Softball Coach

good improvements.”

The twin bill against the Rattlers was a nonconference series. The Wildcats will resume conference play against Angelo State this weekend, starting with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday. The final game will be at noon Saturday.

“We are going to approach Angelo just like any other opponent.

We know that they can hit and have two solid

pitchers,” said Head Coach Chantiel Wilson.

“We just need to stay with our game and stay focused on playing and not worry about our opponent.”

The Wildcats have 14 games remaining before the LSC postseason tournament, and the hunt for consistency is becoming ever more pressing.

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

Third baseman Brianna Fowlkes applies a tag against St. Mary’s on Tuesday.

COLUMN

Upsets: Fans can better relate to underdog teams Continued from page 8

team, Rudy, Upset v.

Man O’War (100-1 odds), Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson, Bob Knight vs. his temper, Tiger Woods vs. everyone and Matt Millen vs. the Detroit Lions.

I’m baffled at people’s reactions when a team like Northern Iowa de-

feats Kansas. That one victory was the No. 1 topic of discussion in the NCAA tournament.

But why? One basketball team played another and won; that’s all. But people reacted differently because nobody expects a team like the NIU Panthers to even be in a tournament with the “big dogs,” much less win.

Another prime example, and my personal favorite, is the 2005 National Championship football game. The USC Trojans, one of the most prestigious teams in all of football, were once again playing for a title. On the other end of the field were the Texas Longhorns, who had not won a championship

GOLF

since 1970. All year, the Trojans were ranked No. 1 and Texas No. 2. Reggie Bush won the Heisman Trophy, and Vince Young came in with a second-place finish. Few predicted a Longhorn victory in the Rose Bowl that January night.

The game was back and forth until the fourth quarter. With 2:09 left, USC was

on its way to a victory; all they needed was two yards on a fourth down to seal the deal. But the Longhorn defense held. The championship came to a fourthand-2 from the 8-yard line, Texas’ last chance at victory. With 19 seconds to play, Vince Young ran the ball into the end zone to put the Trojans in their place. Young finished with

200 rushing yards, compared to Bush’s 89.

The story of the underdog will always be the one I relate to the most. Truly, nothing is better than watching David kill Goliath.

And in my mind, the underdog will always be the favorite. contact Goggans at

zdg08b@acu.edu

GOLF

Masters: Golf great returns Triumph: ACU’s Bouniol NUMBERS GAME finishes two shots back Continued from page 8

Watching Tiger Woods in person is an experience every true sports fan should have. Regardless of whether you approve of his actions off the course, he is the best at his sport and an athlete that comes along only once every generation.

As I walked the grounds here at Augusta National today, the atmosphere was tenser than usual. I wanted to see how the fans – or “patrons” as they are called here – would react to the return of the game’s greatest player on the most revered course in the world. As he approached his tee shots, a silence reigned that usually is not there even at a golf course.

I guess I expected those in attendance to treat him as if he had wronged them. But instead they revered him even more today than I have seen them do in the past.

14

The number of major championships won by Tiger Woods, second-most victories of all time, behind Jack Nicklaus, who has won 18.

If you have watched Tiger in person you know it is nearly impossible to watch more than one shot up close to him because of his enormous galleries.

People will wait for hours on a fairway or a green to see just one shot in his round. Today was no different.

In fact, these practiceround crowds may have been the biggest I’ve ever seen around Tiger in any tournament.

The atmosphere was full of more than excitement – it was curiosity.

They all wanted to witness how the “new Tiger” would react inside the ropes. I could tell even though the crowd knew the No. 1 player in the world had admitted to these mistakes, and he was not the person we as a sports nation

thought he was, they all wanted a reason to cheer for him again.

After a few holes of this hesitancy amongst the crowd, the cheers began to grow louder, and the familiar encouragement from the gallery begin to build with every hole.

After he sank his final putt of the day, Woods tipped his cap to the endearing Masters gallery and then hugged his playing partner Mark O’Meara as walked off the green to fans shouting,”Welcome back Tiger. We missed you.”

Golf fans may not be completely ready to forgive and forget Tiger’s mistakes, but the majority of those here, it seems, are ready to give him a second chance. contact Harris at

sports@jmcnetwork.com

Continued from page 8 Alex and Adam Carpenter tied for 12th and 16th, respectively, in the individual standings.

Alex Carpenter also received high honors from the LSC athletic committee last week when he earned his second LSC Golfer of the Week award.

“It’s a really big honor,” Alex said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all. I am just glad I can help the team out.”

With three wins already this season, Carpenter joins an elite club for ACU golfers. The only other ACU golfer to win three tournaments in a season was Jeev Singh, now a PGA Tour pro.

Singh currently holds the record for the most wins in a season with five, but Carpenter has a chance to break that record this season. The

I believe our team can really perform well there again.

ALEX CARPENTER Freshman Golfer

’Cats have three tournaments remaining: the conference, regional and NCAA national championships.

ACU currently sits atop the regional rankings, and with the LSC tournament only two weeks away, the Wildcats are hot at the right time.

The Wildcats’ next tournament will be the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament on April 19-20 in Thackerville, Okla. The Wildcats’ previous win this season was at the same course in Thackerville at the Red River Intercollegiate Tournament, and the team hopes to duplicate that February win in a couple of weeks.

“I love the course out there,” Alex said. “I be-

lieve our team can really perform well there again.”

The Wildcats hope their season will end with a solid finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship May 1821 at the Sagamore Golf Club in Noblesville, Ind.

contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

Sports

Page 8

Standings SOFTBALL Ovrl.

Div. Team Angelo St. WTAMU TAMU-K TWU Tarleton St. ACU ENMU

6-2 6-3 6-3 4-2 3-3 1-5 0-8

32-7 32-13 18-16 27-13 18-17 16-23 10-30

BASEBALL Ovrl.

Team Div. ACU Cameron SE Okla. St. Angelo St. TAMU-K ENMU Tarelton St. SW Okla. St. Northeastern WTAMU East Central Central Okla.

21-7 21-9 20-10 17-15 16-16 16-16 15-17 13-16 13-19 9-16 8-16 8-20

34-8 23-12 24-15 24-19 20-21 18-20 19-20 19-20 15-24 15-16 9-20 11-21

April 9, 2010

TRACK AND FIELD

Wildcats debut in top 10 of national polls Jeff Craig

The women’s team starts the outdoor season Sports Editor at No. 3, two spots behind The men’s and women’s Angelo State, which holds track and field teams the nation’s top seed.

The men’s team begins debuted in the top 10 of the U.S. Track and ranked No. 9 in the naField and Cross Country tion. St. Augustine’s, the Coaches’ Association 2009 champion, ranks polls released Tuesday. No. 1 in the men’s poll.

Both teams will be in Lubbock on Saturday for the Texas Tech Invitational. The 'Cats will battle NCAA Division I competition, including the Red Raiders, who are currently the No. 4 team in Division I, according to the USTFCCCA poll

Both teams won the national championship in 2008 and look to bring another title back to Abilene this year.

The men's and women's teams have combined to win 57 national titles in track and field and 45 conference titles.

SOFTBALL

Win Some, Lose Some

The Lone Star Conference Championships are scheduled for May 7-9 in San Angelo. The national championships are scheduled for May 27-29 in Charlotte, N.C. contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

COLUMN

Everyone loves the underdog Cattywampus

By Zane Goggans

Scores

take the lead at 5-3. ACU answered with three straight singles, making the score 5-4 with the bases loaded and only one out. Ashley Peterson reached on a fielder’s choice as Genevie Ramirez was thrown out at home.

However, before the next batter could come up to bat, Peterson was called out at first to end

Favoring the big dog is often the most logical choice, but favoring the underdog is the most compelling one.

T h e story of the underdog is a story we can Goggans all relate to. We want the little guy to take down the biggest and the best is because we all feel like the little guy sometimes. When we see someone do great things who is not expected to succeed, it gives us the idea we too can accomplish bigger things in our own lives. The accomplishment of the little guy gives us a "take on the world” mentality.

Sports are the easiest way for us to express our feelings about the little guy. Honestly, what sports movie is not about an underdog?

From Seabiscuit to Cinderella Man, the underdog seems to dominate the film industry and our imaginations.

Some famous underdogs include Tom Brady, the 1968 New York Jets, the 1980 U.S. hockey

see SPLIT page 7

see UPSETS page 7

TUESDAY Baseball ACU 12, Texas Wesleyan 3 ACU 6, Texas Wesleyan 0

Softball ACU 12, St. Mary's 8 ACU 4, St. Mary's 5

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

Upcoming Baseball

FRIDAY

ACU vs. Cameron, 3:35 p.m.

ACU vs. Cameron, 7 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. Angelo St., 5 p.m.

ACU vs. Angelo St., 7 p.m.

Baseball

SATURDAY

ACU vs. Cameron, 2:05 p.m.

ACU vs. Cameron, 6 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. Angelo St., noon

Track and Field ACU at Texas Tech

Women's Tennis ACU vs. St. Edwards, 11 a.m.

Men's Tennis

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

Pitcher Brittany Rexroat winds up during the Wildcats' 5-4 loss to St. Mary's on Tuesday.

Inconsistent Wildcats split series with St. Mary’s Ryan Cantrell The Wildcats kept the Assistant Sports Editor bats going when, in the The Wildcats split a bottom of the third, Candoubleheader against St. dice Miller hit a grand Mary’s on Tuesday, tak- slam to make the game ing the first game 12-8 8-3. Andi Anti hit anbefore dropping the sec- other two-run home run in the fifth inning to put ond game 5-4.

In the first game the game away.

In the second game, against the Rattlers, the Wildcats used the long the Wildcats were leading ball to put up four runs 2-1 in the sixth when the in the first inning, led Rattlers scored on a douby a two-run home run ble steal. The Wildcats had runners on second blast by Andi Anti.

and third with no outs in the sixth but could not break the tie. Anti struck out, and Missy Mendoza was tagged out at home trying to score on a wild pitch. Brianna Fowlkes then grounded out to end the inning.

Neither team scored in the seventh, but they both added one run in the eighth to force the ninth inning. The Rattlers scored two runs in the top of the ninth to

ACU vs. St. Edwards, 11 a.m.

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

Briefs n ACU outfielder Travis Latz was named Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week on Wednesday. n ACU pitcher Cameron Aspaas was named Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Week on Wednesday. n Friday is the deadline to sign up for intramural softball. The cost is $45 per team. Registration for tennis mixed doubles runs through Wednesday. n After a solid performance in Austin at the Texas Relays last weekend, the track and field teams will be at the Texas Tech Invitational in Lubbock on Saturday. n The women's tennis team ranked No. 1 in the first NCAA Division II South Central Regional poll released Wednesday. The men's team ranks No. 3 in the region.

GOLF

Wildcats triumph at UCO Austin Gwin Assistant Sports Editor On a windy Tuesday afternoon, the Wildcats came from behind to win the UCO/KickingBird Golf Classic.

Although the Wildcats were down by four strokes heading into the final round, they rode on the shoulders of Tyler Sheppard's under-par

round to beat Cameron by six strokes.

“I was trying to stay patient,” Sheppard said.

“I didn’t want to make anything worse than a bogey and just limit my mistakes. I putted really well, and a string of birdies in the middle of my round really gave me confidence.”

Sheppard's 68 was the only under-par

round Tuesday; he finished fifth overall.

Throughout Tuesday the wind gusted at nearly 40 mph and wreaked havoc on the players drives and putts.

Cyril Bouniol was two strokes off the leader and came in second, firing a 54-hole total of 207. Frosh phenoms

Handicapping the field ACU golfers pick who will win The Masters

Tiger Woods or Rory Mcilroy ALEX CARPENTER Freshman from Little Rock, Ark.

Carpenter

Ernie Els or Anthony Kim TYLER SHEPPARD Junior from Midland

see TRIUMPH page 7 Sheppard

GOLF

Tiger met with applause Hutton Harris Special Contributor From the 18th tower Thursday I took in the panoramic view of the Augusta National Golf Club, and it became clear to me we live in a forgiving society. The world’s greatest golfer and most talkedof athlete of our time, Tiger Woods, was approaching the final hole

of his practice round when patrons who had been following him all morning welcomed him with a roaring ovation.

Fewer than five months ago, Woods was involved in a single-car accident that resulted in a citation for careless driving in front of his Orlando home the day after Thanksgiving. Since the accident Nov. 27, Woods has been

publicly ridiculed and questioned about events in his personal life, including extra-marital affairs with up to 12 women during the last few years.

This week, Tiger made his to return to the PGA Tour for the first time since these affairs have been made public at Augusta National for The Masters.

Tiger Woods or Ernie Els MORGAN JOHNSON Sophomore from Rowlett

Johnson

Ernie Els and Chad Campbell CYRIL BOUNIOL Junior from Laloubere, France

Bouniol see MASTERS page 7