Season of Lights Christmas spirit brightens the city of Abilene vol. 100, no. 28
wednesday, december 7, 2011
1 SECTION, 8 PAGES
Features page 5
Winter Welcome david singer arts editor Students and Abilenians experienced their first wintery weather of the year early Monday morning when an inch of snow blanketed the city. ACU as well as Abilene and Wylie ISD held classes as planned despite many area schools posting delayed starts to promote safe travel for parents and buses. Although much of the snow stayed through the next day, roads were already clear by Monday morning, allowing students to drive to campus. Many students displayed disappointment in finding out that classes would continue as usual, but some were happy with the decision. “I’m actually kind of glad,” said Lezli Boren, senior math education major from Levelland. “It sounds really nerdy, but I have way too much to do.
It would not get done if I was stuck at home. I would be in my pajamas watching movies and not doing homework.” Temperatures dropped in the weeks leading up to Monday’s snowfall. A nighttime low of 28 degrees helped Abilene broke the daily snowfall record previously set on Dec 5, 1950 when the city received 0.2 inches. Although this first storm comes more than a month earlier than last year, it was also not the earliest, since snow fell over 70 years ago on Nov 7. It was also nowhere near the most snow Abilene has seen, which came in 1996 when the city received nearly 10 inches. Most students love the rare event that is a snow day, but some students, used to the hot and dry climate, are not a fan of the wintery weather. Zach Miller, freshman biochemistry major from Boerne, is one of those students.
“I do not like having cold and wet feet all the time,” said Miller, “so I would rather it not snow.” For many students who hail from Texas, snow days are few and far between. But for some of ACU’s out-of-state students, Monday’s weather felt a little bit like usual winter weather of home. What is unusual to Texans is quite normal for Brandon Bolden, senior counseling psychology major from Saint Louis. “The same amount of snow in Missouri and we would still be in school,” said Bolden. “Since we have salt trucks it would literally take a blizzard all night to keep us out of school.” Temperatures are expected to rise towards the end of the week with weekend highs in the high 40’s and low 50’s. photos by adrian patenaude staff Photographer
contact singer at dis08b@acu.edu
Students bundle up for class after winter arrived suddenly in Abilene Monday. Temperatures are expected to rise toward the end of the week.
university
Committee to begin search for new provost mark smith managing editor The search for the university’s next provost has begun with the formation of the provost search committee. Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, sent an email to all university faculty and staff Thursday announcing the members Provost Search Committee. Schubert said the committee was to begin the search process immediately. Dr. Stephen Johnson, dean of the Honors College and chair of the committee, said the committee has already met twice since the committee was revealed. “When we met for the
first time, we were organizing our work process,” he said. “We organized the committee’s timeline and the work that lies ahead.” Schubert said he expected the search process to take at least all of the spring semester. Johnson echoed that thought. “We’re hopeful that when right person for the position is identified, he or she would begin the appointment on or before June 1,” he said. “More time is allowed if needed, however. It’s not a deadline but a goal.” Johnson said the committee is beginning to seek input from faculty and administration as to what qualities they expect from the new provost.
“The committee aims to involve the faculty, academic leaders and Dr. Schubert to construct a desired profile for the position,” he said. “We’ll be listening to the characteristics they think are important for the chief academic officer of the university.” Johnson said Schubert will be involved in the search process in many different facets. “The committee will ask Dr. Schubert for his perspective on the potential provost’s profile, and he’ll also participate in the interview process when we reach that stage in the search,” Johnson said. “And ultimately, once the committee has concluded its work to advance a recom-
Provost Search Committee Dr. Stephen Johnson Dr. Rodney Ashlock Dr. Orneita Burton Dr. Laura Carroll Dr. Sheila Delony Dr. Monty Lynn
mendation to the president, he will make the final decision of hiring the provost.” Dr. Greg Straughn was named interim provost last month after Schubert asked Dr. Jeanine Varner to step down from the position before the end of the semester. Straughn said the transition experience has gone as smoothly as possible.
Dr. Gary McCaleb Dr. Greg Powell Dr. Jonathan Stewart Slade Sullivan, J.D. Dr. Autumn Sutherlin
“Any time there’s a change in the middle of the year, it’s an unusual situation,” he said. “Dr. Varner has been incredibly professional and gracious and she’s been extremely helpful.” Straughn said he hasn’t yet decided if he will apply to be provost. “I think it’s too early to make any decision like
that,” he said. “I’m open to it, but I really want to make sure it would be the right decision for me and my family.” In addition, Dr. Nancy Shankle, assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, has agreed to serve as both interim director of the Adams Center and interim assistant provost for general education in January, according to an email from Varner. Shankle is currently a professor of English and serves as liaison between ACU and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. contact smith at mds10a@acu.edu
inside sports
opinion
video
news
Soccer team nets two All-Americans and Coach of the Year
Read why professors should not plan tests the week before finals
New ballet class offers students a lesson in poise and strength
Rec Center to offer free fitness classes on dead day
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Abilene Christian University
acuoptimist.com
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