Optimist the
Vol. 98, No. 8
A Fair-Weather Fan
PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Committees restructured to increase efficiency Chelsea Hackney Copy Editor Students’ Association redesigned congressional committees to reflect its new image of honesty, efficiency and flexibility, said SA Vice President Tony Godfrey. Instead of form-
ing five or six committees as it has done in the past, the Congress will be divided into only three groups: finance, internal affairs and external affairs. The purpose is to increase the Congress’ ability to deal with any situation, said Godfrey, junior political
science and English major from Burleson. “Whether we meet opportunities or obstacles, we want to be prepared to interact as fluidly as possible,” he said. To do that, each committee will be given the authority to create task
forces – Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean for Student Life, is responsible for the name – if and when issues that need special attention arise. The three committees are larger this year than in the past, with 14-16 members. This
makes it easier to carve them up into the smaller task forces. For example, SA Treasurer Luke Cochran, senior finance major from Round Rock, has already set up two different task forces in the finance committee to deal with appro-
UTILITIES
priations and conference requests, respectively. In fact, the system for hearing conference requests has been overhauled entirely. Student organizations often request funding for trips to see SA page 4
STUDENT LIFE
KEEPING IT COOL
Follies draws friends, family
Physical Resources is preparing for what could be a five-year overhaul of the university’s aged heating and cooling system. For now, students can relax: the current system should be able to bear the load of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Colter Hettich Editor in Chief The 40-year-old closedloop system that heats and cools most of the campus’ air has reached maximum capacity, and Physical Resources and the Board of Trustees are working with a national engineering firm to replace it. Don McLeod, central plant manager for Physical Resources, has participated in several meetings and said firm representatives have spent a lot of time on campus. “It has gone past a couple of approval stages, and we have the basic design [for the new system],” McLeod said. “We can cool what we have right now, but if there is any growth, we’re maxed out.” That growth does JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer not include the Student Recreation and Well- Don McLeod, central plant manager, checks on Physical Resources’ newest chiller, which helps maintain a proper water temperature. ness Center. Physical Resources used utility management soft- are used for both heating and cooling, ware to estimate the demand the Recre- making it impossible to heat one buildation Center would place on the system. ing and cool another at the same time. Scott Colley, director of Physical Re- New pipes will be added to the current sources, said energy-saving construction loop, although in an attempt to avoid methods will allow the system to support buildings, they will not follow the old the facility as-is, according to computer loop exactly. Colley estimated laying the pipe would calculations. The current underground system cir- take nine months, with up to five crews culates 95,000 gallons of water per day working independently. Replacing asto cool campus, and 75,000 gallons in phalt is less expensive than repairing JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer the fall and winter to heat it. Four 12A giant fan on the cooling tower helps chill water inch pipes and countless smaller ones see LOOP page 4 before it reenters the underground loop.
Casey Oliver Student Reporter Freshman Follies is a weekend of good memories for many students. Part of the fun is the challenge to create clever lyrics in line with the theme; this year’s freshman class will have to think retro for the 2009 theme, “Peace, Love and Follies.” This psychedelic throwback came after a lot of planning and discussion between the Student Production Office and Tom Craig, director of student productions. The committee has been meeting together to look for a trendy and relevant concept for the show since last April. “We wanted something fun that the students could relate to,” Craig said. For some students, Follies is not just a fun way to bond with roommates and neighbors; it’s a family tradition. “I have been really excited to be a part of Freshman Follies since I saw the show when my older sister was in it,” said Julie Tarter, freshsee FOLLIES page 4
ACADEMICS
New office, philosophy for undergraduate research Linda Bailey Opinion Page Editor Research can be the bane of a student’s existence, but the Office of Undergraduate Research, directed by Dr. Greg Powell, M.E. Pruitt Professor of chemistry, is trying to improve its reputation. This year marks the first for the department, formed
ing but actually learning by doing ... It’s not just textbook or classroom learning, something,” Powbut learning by doing something. ell said. “The ViDR. GREG POWELL sion Leadership M.E. Pruitt professor of chemistry Team saw this as an opportunity to as part of ACU’s 21st an area of emphasis, make ACU a place where because it provides stu- people know academics Century Vision. “It was the Vision dents with experiential is taken seriously.” Many students are inLeadership Team that learning, so that it’s decided undergradu- not just textbook learn- volved in research projate research would be ing or classroom learn- ects in the spring and
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EDITORIAL The fear and panic associated with Swine Flu prompted our editorial board to weigh in on responsibilities of individuals and administrative Page 6
fall semesters, but Powell said he wants research to be a year-round activity. To that end, the office supported seven students in research projects last summer. ACU also had its first Undergraduate Research Festival, a three-day event, in April, although it was conducted by the Honors College, the Ad-
ams Center for Teaching and Learning, the McNair Scholars Program and the Brown Library, not the Office of Undergraduate Research. Powell said planning is underway for a second festival next semester. “Last year’s festival generated excitement see RESEARCH page 4
Online WILDCAT SOCCER suffered a dramatic overtime loss against local Hardin Simmons University Thursday. Find out what went wrong for the Wildcats. Page 8
VIDEO
LOUDandCLEAR
PHOTOS
Will hand sanitizer dispensers help stop the spread of disease? Chris Thomsen Show
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Wildcat Soccer vs. HSU