The student voice of Midwestern State University
The Wichitan page 4 Cinematic screams
‘Quarantine’ kicks off scary movie season with edge-of-your -seat chills.
page 8 Best in the nation
A pair of home victories vaults the men’s soccer squad to No. 1 team in the nation.
WEDNESDAY, October 22, 2008
Nicole Allen For the Wichitan
MSU senior Jerrad Norman had come home early to surprise his girlfriend. Instead, he was the one who got the surprise. Cloaked in darkness, he watched her emerge from a house, followed by a mystery guy. Norman, standing behind a light pole, felt his heart drop to his toes when he saw them hold hands and kiss. His girlfriend, he discovered, had been cheating on him. “I can’t believe she betrayed me like that,” he said. See CHEATING pg. 3
Photos by Patrick Johnston Illustration by Brittany Norman
Climate change could wreak havoc The future of life on earth is very uncertain, Dr. Richard Leakey, noted paleoanthropologist, environmentalist and political adviser, said Monday night. Leakey, who has made groundbreaking fossil discoveries and was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Greatest Minds in the 20th Century, spoke as part of the Artist Lecture Series. He offered the audience in Akin Auditorium a chilling perspective on the topic of climate change. Photo by Loren Eggenschwiler “Climate change is not some- Dr. Richard Leakey speaks thing new,” Leakey said. “Had Monday as part of the Artist there not been changes in the Lecture Series. Earth’s climate, life would have not climate change is manmade, never appeared.” Climate change, however, Leakey believes global warming also causes extinction, which will have an effect on all speleaves room for new species to cies. “The Earth’s population today develop, he said. While acknowledging that is 6 billion and we occupy evskepticism exists on whether or ery conceivable environment,”
Leakey said. This, he said, demonstrates that humans are adaptable. “The question is, can 6 billion people adapt quickly enough to climate change?” Humans will not likely become extinct, in Leakey’s opinion, but they will be forced to adapt in what he believes will be some remarkable ways. Evidence, he said, is visible that humans have not only precipitated global warming by increasing emissions, but they are also accelerating it. A glacier has been present atop Mt. Kilimanjaro for more than 15,000 years, he said. “There will be no ice within 10 years,” Leakey said. And the phenomenon is not limited to Africa. Leakey said that a study of glaciers in South America, the Cascades in the western U.S., the Alps and the Himalayas reveal that perma-
nent ice is melting at an “unprecedented” rate. “At the ends of the Earth, ice is breaking off and falling into the sea,” he said. The sheer volume could affect sea level, and the cold water pouring into the ocean could result in changes in ocean currents. Carbon emissions pose a problem as well, Leakey said, because so many organisms that absorb carbon dioxide, such as plankton, live in oceans. If too much carbon is absorbed by these organisms, the ocean surface could become more acidic to the point that plankton and other photosynthetic organisms could no longer exist. Their extinction would disrupt the food chain from the bottom up. “The last time there was a major episode of climate change
sic, Mass Communications and Theatre Departments. Gallery Director Catherine Prose came up with the idea of the exhibition while looking through a collection of past artists. “There was such an extensive collection of art work, ” the assistant professor said. “I’ve never seen a place so well documented.” After compiling a list of artists who have been displayed over the years, Prose sent the names out to MSU professors. “The professors selections were a combination of people whose work they appreciate and enjoy and also the ones they would like to see come back,”
she said. After much deliberation, the selections were narrowed down to 29 artists. The pieces that will be displayed have already arrived. “Looking at the digital images is one thing, but when you actually see them up close, you really get an appreciation for the artists and their work.” The artwork will include traditional and modern pieces as well as pieces that have been rendered. Also included will be artwork that has been treated like drawings but are actually 3-dimensional and will hang from the ceiling. Guest will have a chance to view wood-fired stoneware, photographs, paint-
ings and other mediums. With the help of the President’s Excellence Circle, which finances projects at MSU, a color catalog will be handed out during the opening ceremony so guests will have a permanent record. The opening ceremony will take place on Halloween night from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the main gallery of the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery. Along with the Juanita and Ralph Harvey School of Visual Arts, other participants from the College of Fine Arts include the Theatre Department, Mass Communications and the Music
Brittany Norman Editor in Chief
Photo by Brittany Norman Cori Bobbett rides her longboard in front of the Fain Fine Arts Center. Skateboarding is illegal on campus, but some students are trying to get the rules changed.
Campus sidewalk surfers left afoot Chris Collins Managing Editor
When an MSU police vehicle pulled up behind freshman Terrance Marsh last month, he didn’t know what to think. An officer exited the patrol truck, Marsh framed in its flashing LEDs. The lawman rattled off Marsh’s transgressions – no headlights, no license plate, no turn signal. His crime: skateboarding on campus. The art major was issued a $25 ticket. The “violation” didn’t fit into any ticket category, so none was listed, he said. “It didn’t make sense to me,” Marsh said. “I don’t have a car. For them to deny me what I was given by my situation is wrong.” Marsh learned the hard way that skateboarding on campus is illegal.
He approached the Student Government Association in October about changing campus skating rules. Skateboarding is a valid form of transportation, he maintained. “I’m on a skateboard to avoid traffic and pedestrians,” Marsh said. “It’s time to let skateboarding transportation be.” Police Chief Michael Hagy met with met the MSU administration Tuesday to discuss changes in the skating policy. A current proposal to allow skateboarding on campus is being considered, he said. It will be sent to one of the school’s attorneys for review. “It’s something we’re working on,” Hagy said. “We’re trying to meet the needs and desires of the students.” Skateboarding on campus might pose a threat to pedestriSee SKATEBOARD pg. 3
See CLIMATE pg. 3
Fain Fine Arts Center marks milestone Latoya Vaughn For the Wichitan
A world with no art is a world with no color. Since 1978 the Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts has brought color to MSU and the surrounding communities through student and professional art exhibits. To celebrate this 30-year achievement, the MSU Art Department will host a retrospective of past artists whose work has been displayed at MSU. The exhibition, “Thirty Year Selected Retrospective: Midwestern State University Art Gallery 1978 – 2008,” will commemorate the anniversary of the building, home to the Art, Mu-
See ANNIVERSARY pg. 3