OPTIMIST
The Vol. 95, No. 35
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Social justice on ‘Oprah’
Freshman Crista Cope and her mom will be featured on “Oprah” Friday for their help in rescuing seven children from indentured servanthood in Ghana. Read about why on Wednesday’s Optimist.
Leaving a mark
The senior class decided to donate its money for an ACU insignia to be placed at the intersection of Campus Court and E.N. 18th Street as its senior class gift, page 3
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FRIDAY
1 section, 10 pages
February 9, 2007
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Competition brings change to UP n University Park Apartments has been surveying its residents about changes the complex could make to compete with other apartment complexes. By TODD PIERSALL Arts Editor
Surveys are nothing new for residents at University Park, after all, they are given once a month. However, a recent survey, which asked residents if
they would enjoy having a pool, generated quite a buzz. Though the reality of pool may not be realized for sometime, the survey illustrates UP’s willingness to compete against other apartment complexes. Residents should be ready for change at UP. Patricia Hail-Jackson, director of University Parks, said scores from the survey are still coming
in but made clear the purpose of the survey was to see interest levels only. Hail-Jackson said surprisingly a lot of students were not interested in building a pool. However, even if residents don’t see a pool they will start seeing other changes around University Park. “A lot of new changes are coming,” Hail-Jackson said. “It’s all starting to come in at once.”
Residents and future residents can look forward to having free laundry, new living room furniture, $30 electrical allowance and a revamped contract that requires no security deposit. Residents who have already paid the security deposit will be credited $50 in their rent bill. Hail-Jackson said she See
UP page 8
www.acuoptimist.com
Campus Center updates scheduled in summer n Construction for an on-campus Quiznos could begin this summer. By summer 2008, students could see more renovations and food stations added to the Bean, including produce and stir-fry.
FEATURES
By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
The McGlothlin Campus Center could look like a food court next fall if Anthony Williams gets his way. Williams, the director of retail and purchasing, said the university plans to expand the food retail area of the Campus Center this summer and renovate the World Famous Bean in summer 2008. Williams updated the Students’ Association Congress on plans at Wednesday’s meeting at the request of Maher Saab, SA executive president, to keep Congress informed of progress. Over the summer, Saab said members of Congress agreed to
Take a peek
Get a sneak peek at what the scenes from the Black History Production’s show will look like Friday and Saturday night, page 5
See
SA page 8
ARTS Third time’s a charm
As the final part of the series on the Wii, Tripp Page looks at the newest games Nintendo has to offer for this system, page 7
Becoming ‘Relevant’
Relevant magazine blends culture and Christianity in an attempt to bridge the gap between today’s generation and the church they grew up in, page 7
SPORTS
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Stanley Kowalski, played by Joseph Clingan, sophomore theatre major from Austin, yells at his sister-in-law Blanche DuBois, played by Rebecca Johnston, junior musical theatre major from Kansas City, Mo., for allegedly selling their family home.
Theatre’s spring season opens with ‘Streetcar’ n The first play of the semester opened Thursday night in Culp Theatre. Set in New Orleans, the main characters depict an abusive relationship in the 1940s. By JOHNNY BAUTISTA Staff Writer
Swinging seaside
The women’s tennis team will play in Honolulu, Hawaii this weekend, page 10
Payback time
The nationally ranked baseball team will play Southern Arkansas, the team that ended their season last spring on Saturday, page 10
ONLINE Tickle me Elmo
Fans of the men’s basketball team need to bring a new and wrapped Elmo toy or doll to the game for admission, find out why online at www. acuoptimist.com on Saturday.
The Theatre Department will present A Streetcar Named Desire on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Feb. 15-17 at the Culp Theatre. Tickets for this weekend’s shows are already sold out but a few tickets for next Thursday’s showing are available for $12 at the Theatre Box Office. Tennessee Wiliams’ A Streetcar Named Desire has won several Oscars and Tony Awards as well as a Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1948. The play opened on Broadway in 1947, and the
movie was later made starring Marlon Brando. Adam Hester, director of the production and chair of the Theatre Department, said the department decided on doing this play last spring and students began auditioning in November. “It’s my first Williams play to direct,” Hester said. “It’s been a great challenge and a thrill for me to work on something as complex as this.” The play touches on several controversial issues such as fantasy, cruelty, loneliness and desire. “It’s our job as theatre artists to communicate the truth whether it is pretty or messy,” said Lindsey Lehrman, junior theatre major from Cleburne, See
PLAY page 8
Spring enrollment slightly decreases n Despite more transfer students than in past years, the Admissions office predicts the university could see less transfers in the spring because more choose to begin ACU at the beginning of the school year. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Stanley Kowalski embraces his wife Stella, played by Lindsey Lehrman, junior theatre major from Cleburne, after a fight in rehearsal Wednesday.
Future spring semesters may see less transfer students because many are choosing to come at the beginning of the school year, said Gretchen Etheredge of the Office of Admissions and Recruiting. This spring, 94 new and transfer students joined the ACU community. “I think we’re getting more [students] from the beginning,” Etheredge said. However, this semester, Etheredge estimated that actually a few more transfer students came to ACU than in years past. Lisa McCarty, assistant director of institutional research and assessment, See
NUMBERS page 8
Essence of Ebony offers students singing Valentines n Students can purchase a singing valentine from Essence of Ebony through Sunday for $7. A quartet will interrupt class and give the recipient a carnation and song. By MALLORY EDENS Page 2 Editor
Students can purchase singing Valentines called Val-O-Grams for $7 from the Campus Center ticket windows until Sunday.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
The Val-O-Grams will be prepared by Essence of Ebony members and delivered on Valentine’s Day by Byron Martin, sophomore psychology major from Mesquite; Eric Powers, junior communication sciences and disorders major from Houston; and Carnell Nealy, junior management major from Houston. Martin says that the Val-OGrams are like telegrams with a twist.
“They are love songs for the person’s valentine,” Martin said. “We will interrupt the person’s class, have them stand up and we will give them a carnation and a card from the person that’s giving it to them. Then we will sing them a verse from a love song.” The verse chosen for the Val-O-Gram can be customized, but there is a pre-approved list of songs like “Earth Angel” and “My Girl” to pick from.
Money earned from the Val-O-Grams will go towards Essence of Ebony’s Spring Break Campaign. Tuesday was the first day Val-O-Grams were on sale, and Essence of Ebony member, Charrelle Coates, who helped attend the ticket windows after Chapel, said the fundraiser looks like it will be a success. “I think [the fundraiser] is worthwhile,” Coates, sophomore biochemistry major from
Abilene Christian University
Sing your heart out n Cost: $7 n Recipients receive a card, carnation and verse from a love song from a quartet n All money raised benefits Essence of Ebony’s Spring Break Campaign. Clarksville, Tenn., said. “People are showing interest. It’s a fun idea. If it goes well we might do this again in the future.” E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu
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