‘Fade West’ Switchfoot returning to Abilene for concert Arts Page 5 vol. 102, no. 24
friday, november 15, 2013
1 SECTION, 6 PAGES
INSIDE SPORTS Women’s basketball remains undefeated behind Whitney West’s superb play
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NEWS Wildcats for Sustainability raise funds for additional bike racks Page 3
SPORTS Matthew Sloan talks about the outstanding guard play of men’s and women’s hoops
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NEWS The theatre department to open play “Next to Normal” for Cornerstone classes Page 3
OPINION
Jarred schuetze staff photographer
Sanctify Dance Company members Rebekah Cherniss, sophomore ad/PR major from Katy, Josh Cook, senior digital entertainment major from Abilene, and Shaobeny Johnson, sophomore psychology major from Odessa, rehearse for their show in Cullen Auditorium Sanctify will perform their show “Anomaly” on Nov. 15 and 16. Tickets are for sale for $5 in the Campus Center and $7 at the door.
Board discusses employment policy Marissa Jones
The editorial board reflects on last week’s Chapel and the idea of respect
Page 4
NEWS Abilene to restrict soliciting and panhandling because of safety concerns Page 3
SPORTS Men’s basketball holds half-time lead before losing to Maryland Page 8
OPINION Ben Todd explains why ACU shouldn’t push college students to date Page 4
ONLINE VIDEO Watch students battle it out in a feature on waterball intramurals
acuoptimist.com
editor in chief A majority of faculty members favor the university hiring Christian faculty outside of the Churches of Christ, according to a recent faculty survey conducted by the Faculty Senate at the request of the Board of Trustees. At the same time, an even larger majority said the board should conduct a comprehensive study of potential effects of changing the policy or leaving it the same before making a decision. Faculty members answered an eight-question survey this fall regarding
church membership requirements for faculty. The results of this survey were presented to the Board of Trustees during their regularly scheduled meeting last weekend along with a Faculty Senate resolution. The Board of Trustees discussed this issue with the chair of the faculty senate, Dr. Neal Coates, who presented the Faculty Senate resolution, and with a faculty panel including Dr. Cheryl Bacon, Dr. Carisse Berryhill, Dr. Stephanie Hamm, Adam Hester, Dr. Dana McMichael, Robert Oglesby, Dr. Rusty Towell and Dr. Phil Vardiman. Dr. Barry Packer, chair of the Board of Trustees,
said the panel of faculty expressed a diversity of opinion among faculty about this issue. Packer said, however, the board made no decision regarding a change in the current employment policy. “The survey was an important step in helping the board to understand the diverse perspectives of our faculty,” Packer said. “We value their input and thinking, which will enable us to have greater insights as we further contemplate the best course of action to take. The board desires to be very thoughtful and intentional as we discern what is in the best interests of ACU.” The survey reported
62.10 percent of the faculty agreed or strongly agreed that ACU should change the faculty employment policy to allow Christian faculty outside of the Churches of Christ to be hired. 14.53 percent disagreed, and 23.46 percent of faculty strongly disagreed with the question. About 78.45 percent of faculty agreed or strongly agreed that ACU should thoroughly study the impacts an employment policy change would have. In another question, 79.44 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed that ACU should make no changes to the current policy, granting no exceptions. About 71 percent of fac-
ulty disagreed or strongly disagreed that ACU should keep the current policy but allow the Board of Trustees to grant exceptions. This question in the survey was related to a suggestion made by Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost of the university, in the faculty presession last summer. The Board of Trustees had allowed the university to hire two faculty who were not members of the Church of Christ – one in the School of Nursing and one in the School of Social Work. Rhodes suggested the board allow eight faculty exceptions to be hired outside of see survey page 3
Students vote Anabel Reid for contest JC Peeples Student reporter Former ACU student and Cru Dinnerware designer Darbie Angell, is on the search for a woman who is selfless, humble and passionate about paying it forward. A few ACU students believe Anabel Reid, victim of the 2011 bus crash, would be the perfect winner of this contest. Angell created a contest where women who are passionate about giving back a chance to have a line of dinnerware designed after them, with part of the proceeds being donated to help
construct water wells in Bangladesh. “I think it is important for women to know how Reid much of a difference they are making in this world,” said Angell. “I wanted to find a project that motivated women to do more.” Rebekah Singleton, recent ACU graduate, works with Angell and said she remembered Anabel when Angell began the project. She said she had recollection of hearing stories about
how passionate Anabel was about providing clean water to those in need. “I did not know Anabel personally,” said Singleton. “But I have heard from many people how selfless she was and how passionate she was about providing water to areas that do not have any.” Singleton said she thought the contest would be a way to live out Anabel’s mission and a chance for people to hear the passion she had for helping others. “I contacted Rachel Easley, who was Anabel’s best friend,” said Singleton, “I wanted her to know about the contest and hoped that
she could encourage people to nominate Anabel.” Rachael Easley, senior psychology major from Belton, was Anabel’s best friend. Easley said she heard of the contest through an email Singleton sent her about two weeks ago. “When I heard that part of the proceeds go to a water well in Bangladesh I thought it was a great way to carry on Anabel’s passion,” said Easley. Easley said she is hoping other people will hear about this contest and nominate Anabel as the winner. “The one thing I want people to remember about
Anabel was that she was selfless and loved Jesus so much,” said Easley. “I wish that everyone would have been able to see her joyful spirit.” To nominate Anabel, visit the Cru Dinnerware Lady Cru Contest Facebook page. After liking the page, participants will be able to vote for her or any other nominee, daily. Angell said she is aiming for 10 percent of the proceeds from this dinnerware line to help build the wells. contact The optimist at optimist@acu.edu
Nelson Hall sees increased trend in thefts Maggie Marshall Copy Editor Minor theft is a continuing problem in dorms, with two reports of theft in Nelson so far this year. Amy McLaughlinSheasby, area coordinator in Residence Life, said theft is a growing problem in the dorms, especially in Nelson Hall. “Usually, clothing is sto-
len from laundry rooms or jewelry is stolen when found lying on the ground,” Sheasby said. “On a few occasions, it appears that items have been stolen out of peoples’ rooms.” Current reports list of money as being stolen, as well as an iPod. Sheasby said many of the girls like to think of the dorm as one big family, but this is not the case. Love and respect for other residents
is encouraged but students should not assume theft cannot happen. “We have keys for our dorm rooms to protect our belongings,” she said. “As the area coordinator of Nelson and McDonald, I have told my RA’s to begin mandating locked doors.” There ways to protect belongings in rooms that are not secure, such as laundry rooms, including not leaving items unattended.
Abilene Christian University
“The best advice I can offer to people who want to protect their clothing is to keep a close eye on your clothing,” Sheasby said. “Set timers for when your laundry will be done so that it’s not left sitting unwatched for long periods of time.” Sheasby said there are suspects in the current cases, but no major leads. However, it is important that students do not rely on
staff or resident assistants to protect their belongings. She said part of growing up is being responsible for our belongings. “We can choose to protect whatever things we have, or we can experience the heartache of having something special or valuable taken from us.” contact marshall at mxm10d@acu.edu