THE Vol. 95, No. 50
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Insignia doubts
Seniors are unsure if they can raise the money for an insignia, but previously graduated classes can chip in, page 4
Spring honorees
Two professors will be honored at the spring concert Sunday, page 4
Slide and fast
A student is trying to get the Bean to sponsor a fast that would benefit an organization by donating meal plans or Bean Bucks, page 5
ARTS
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OPTIMIST FRIDAY
1 section, 10 pages
April 20, 2007
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www.acuoptimist.com
Varner selected as CAS dean n The new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Jeanine Varner, an administrator from Oklahoma Christian University, will begin her position July 1. By MALLORY SCHLABACH EDITOR IN CHIEF
When Dr. Jeanine Varner arrives on campus this summer, the first thing she’ll do is look to see where she can fit best. Varner, vice president of academic achievement at Oklahoma Christian University, was selected as the new dean of the College
of Arts and Sciences earlier this week, after a semesterlong search process. She will take the place of Dr. Colleen Durrington, current dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who will retire at the end of the semester. “I’ve heard and read so much about ACU, and went through the course catalog,” Varner said. “Now I’m just excited to get to Abilene and begin working with the faculty and students.” Varner and four other candidates both from in and outside the university,
were chosen as the five final candidates for the position by an eight-member search committee, made up of faculty members from various fields in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Carley Dodd, assistant professor of communication and chair of the search committee, said the committee was pleased with who was chosen. Once the candidates were narrowed down to five, Dodd said the candidates then met numerous people on campus including: the deans of
the other colleges, Dr. Royce Money, president of the university and Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost; an ethnic and diversity committee; department chairs from the College of Arts and Sciences, staff from both the technology support department and library, and staff in the dean’s office. From there, the committee then ranked the candidates after receiving feedback from the faculty, staff and administrators who had See
DEAN page 5
SPORTS EDITOR
Prayers
‘Disturbia’ offers an entertaining line, but takes straight from Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window,’ page 6
Virginia Tech
SPORTS
EMILY SMITH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
This banner is in the Campus Center for students to sign in support of the students at Virginia Tech. It reads: “Abilene Christian University is praying for you.”
Students grieve for those slain n Students can support the Virginia Tech campus by signing a banner in the Campus Center or attending a prayer vigil Monday. By KELSI PEACE FEATURES EDITOR
The new women’s soccer team that will begin this fall will bring the ACU Athletic Department even more recognition, page 10
Students can tangibly reach out to the Virginia Tech campus through a written word of encouragement or a prayer of support, thanks to efforts by the Students’ Association and Spiritual Life Core. Mark Lewis, director of Spiritual Life, said a banner is available to sign in the McGlothlin Center until Monday or Tuesday, when it will be sent to a college ministry on the Virginia Tech campus. “There’s no ideal way to respond, and we felt the need to do something,” Lewis said. “A simple banner would be a simple way to express a deep concern.” The banner, which reads, “Abilene Christian University is praying for you,” has messages from students like “Keep the faith, we love y’all,” and “May the Lord bless you and keep you.”
Jessica Casella, freshman English major from Spring, signed the banner Thursday, and said she thinks this is the best response from the university. “Really, it’s all you can do,” Casella said. “Just let them know you’re there.” For Nick Graves, sophomore theater design major from Granberry, the tragedy hit closer to home — Graves has several friends who attend the school. “These are people just like us,” Graves said. “This could have happened anywhere.” Graves said the quiet time in Chapel on Tuesday and the banner are both excellent ways to offer support. “What’s better than this? What’s better than our prayers for them?” Graves said. Students can come to the amphitheater Monday at 9 p.m. for a prayer vigil, where Lewis said 33 candles will be lit to represent each life lost in Monday’s shooting — including Cho Seung-Hui, the shooter. “Each one of them was a life,” Lewis See
BANNER page 5
EMILY SMITH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Johnathan Ferguson, junior business management major from Belton, signs a banner in the Campus Center on Thursday that ACU is sending to Virginia Tech.
Congress rejects election amendment Hitting the home stretch ACU plays Eastern New Mexico here this weekend. The Wildcats are fourth in region and tied for first with Angelo State in conference, page 10
ONLINE Convicting steps
Take a look behind-thescenes of the SHADES Step Show as they prepare for this weekend’s show at: www.acuoptimist.com
n The Hilton Room will be remodeled this summer to accommodate a food court and make room for the Bean to expand its space. By DANIEL JOHNSON
Disturbingly similar
Kick start
Hilton Room to close for food court
n Congress could not hear a second addendum on the agenda Wednesday because not enough members were present for the two-thirds quorum required. By KELSI PEACE FEATURES EDITOR
After the most debate SA has had all semester, Congress rejected an amendment to the bylaws that would revoke the power of the election chair and election committee to dock votes from candidates who violate campaign rules at Wednesday’s meeting. The amendment, written by sophomore senators Caleb Archer and Daniel-Paul Watkins, required a two-thirds
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
vote from Congress to pass, but received only 21 votes supporting it, with 17 opposing and three abstaining. Last week, Archer, political science major from Southlake, and Watkins, political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., wrote a bill to revoke the power to dock votes, but chief development officer Hallie Roberts, junior political science major from Fort Sumner, N.M., ruled that the bill could not amend a document written by the chair of the committee. Archer and Watkins appealed, but Congress upheld Roberts’ decision 30-2. Archer and Watkins said they want the power to dock
votes taken away because docking votes that have been cast essentially disenfranchises the voter. “In my opinion, one vote negated is a problem,” Watkins told Congress. “We’re trying to uphold the democratic way.” While Archer and Watkins said candidates who violate election rules would still be penalized, others voiced concerns over how to penalize a candidate who violates the rules during voting once most campaigning is finished. Freshman senator Abby Barnes, political science major from Odessa, opposed the amendment, and said it took away power from the
Abilene Christian University
committee chair. She also said Watkins’ suggestion to announce candidates’ violations to the student body was not a suitable punishment because most voters are not familiar with the rules to recognize the seriousness of a violation, and, Barnes said, a Christian campus should not use public humiliation as means of punishment. Congress could not hear the second addendum on the agenda because only 30 Congress members attended the meeting, and there were not enough absentee votes for the addendum to meet the two-thirds quorum. E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
University luncheons, departmental chapels and numerous other campus events will have to find a new home in the fall — the Hilton Room will be removed from the McGlothlin Campus Center to make way for a new food court. Construction of the food court is planned for this summer and will include the retail restaurants Chick-fil-A, Pizza Hut, Freshens and Quiznos. “I look forward to having more options to offer for dining services,” said Anthony Williams, director of retail and campus stores manager. The three retail restaurants already on campus and a new Quiznos restaurant will take the space in the Campus Center where the Hilton Room is currently located, while the leftover space in front of the Bean will be used to extend the Bean. Williams said the construction will be handled by a contractor out of Dallas and should be finished by the beginning of the fall semester. Williams and a committee of representatives from around the university including Kevin Watson, associate vice president for administrative services, chose to replace the Hilton Room with the food court from a list of plans varying in cost and total renovation of the Campus Center. “We had several different scenarios,” Williams said. Students’ Association President Maher Saab, senior political science major from Abilene, represented the student body on the committee. Although Saab said he did not play a part in choosing the final plan, See
HILTON page 5
CONGRESS ABSENCES Congress members who miss at least three congressional meetings can be impeached. As of March 7, nine people were eligible for impeachement. Ten people had two absences. Impeachable members: Faith Brodie Valerie Hanneken Seth Copeland Steven Cardona Robyn Folks Jordan Ziemer Kent Akers Stephanie Stryhal Andy Perkins Members who have missed all office hours as of March 30. Jordan Steger Steven Cardona Seth Pinson Kent Akers Andy Perkins Tim Thyne
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