The Prairie, Volume 95, Number 1

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Today’s WeaTher

NEwS

City of Canyon faces criticism on Facebook for water conservation policy.

SUNNY 1000/690

SPORTS

September 4, 2012 • Vol. 95, No.1

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Friday classes begin this spring Brittany Castillo staff Writer

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TAMU will extend many Monday and Wednesday classes to Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes in the spring of 2013.

“The main reason for this is to maximize the use of the classrooms,” said Dr. Wade Shaffer, Interim Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“The second reason is to make it a five-week campus where students are engaged and involved in activities all week.”

Student Body President Nick Goettsche, a Political Science major, agrees the change should spark renewed Buff spirit and appreciation.

“I think this change is smart on the part of the University, as it will encourage student involvement and participation,” said Goettsche.

“The students will appreciate the value of having classes on Fridays, but it will take time.”

The decision was made by Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien late last spring and is a traditional

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WT Men’s Soccer wins season opener.

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OPiNiON

Students and faculty lose with the addition of Friday classes.

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STOCK EXCHANGE

concept for WT. “Essentially the president made the decision sometime around April [2012],” said Dr. Shaffer. “When I started here we had Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes and dropped those about five years ago.”

Some students, like

sophomore Tobie Browder, a Sports and Exercise Science major, believe this change will be beneficial.

“In high school, we had classes five days a week. So I know I’ll get used to it,” said Browder. “Overall, I think this is a smart way to get students to

stay on campus.”

Along with the major change, Dr. Shaffer expressed importance in student feedback.

“Give it a chance, see if you like it,” said Shaffer. “If this doesn’t work out the way that we thought it would we’ll adjust it again until we get it right.”

fEATuRE

Varsity Theatre to end Free Movie Night.

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NEWS

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

Canyon takes down Facebook criticisms City’s Facebook page explodes over criticism of water policy follow-through Robin MosieR staff WRiteR

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s the blistering days of a summer accompanied with record-setting heat trail away, residents of Canyon are still living with the side effects.

Drought conditions are afflicting the city for the second straight year. City officials had no choice on July 3 but to enact stage two of the state-mandated drought contingency plan.

According to the official ordinance, written in the year 2000 as precautionary measure under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the city is obligated to shift from the first to the second stage when the city’s total water consumption has reached 75 percent of total production capacity for five consecutive days. The plan requires that citizens, both residential and commercial, comply with odd and even watering days and other restrictions for non-

STAFF

Editor-in-ChiEf Krystina Martinez

ASSiStAnt Editor Ashley Hendrick

WEB Editor Daniela Fierro

essential water uses, or be fined steeply.

After being notified of the new rules and goals through an obligatory press release, water bill inserts and a Facebook post on the City of Canyon’s official social media page, junior Theatre Education major and Canyon resident Andrew Young said he was troubled when he drove past the city’s new north entrance at 1:45 p.m. on a hot August afternoon to see the sprinkler system running full force - a direct contradiction of the watering rules.

“I drove by at 1:45 in the middle of the afternoon, and again at 3:00, and the entrance was still being watered,” Young said. “At 5:30, while the grass was getting a rare drink of water from the sky, (the entrance) was still being watered. At 8:00 the same night, the same system was still running.”

Frustrated, Young took the initiative to voice his concerns on the city’s official Facebook page.

Ad MAnAGEr Zivorad Filipovic

dESiGn Editor Kati Watson

CoPY Editor Brooke Self

Photo Editor Alex Montoya

“In less than 48-hours, my post had gotten, at last count, 712 likes and over 20 comments,” Young said.

“I take ‘likes’ to mean people are agreeing with what I have to say, and with 700+ likes in two days, that’s a lot of people saying they agree something needs to be done about the issue of water being wasted. Many of the people commenting and liking I didn’t even know, people of all ages.”

The city removed Young’s Facebook post within 48-hours.

“We want Facebook to be an avenue for the public to ask legitimate questions, not bash us,” Director of Public Works Dan Reese said. “To keep (Young’s post) from spiraling out of control, we needed to remove it. It was the only way we saw we could stop the flooding.”

Young said one of the individuals leaving feedback on his post was City Manager Randy Criswell, who was able to shed some immediate clarity on

the subject before the post was taken down.

“I appreciate that we have Facebook access to our city council members to communicate,” Young said. “It’s nice to know that we can get immediate feedback, even on the weekend. It’s nice the city has the ability to communicate through a social network that the majority of the city regularly uses.”

According to Young, Criswell was able to explain what he referred to as exceptions for the plan, such as individuals or businesses that have new grass to maintain, which would include the city’s entrance.

Reese said these exceptions, referred to as variances in the ordinance, were never advertised. “ We wanted it to be more word of mouth,” Reese said. “(The city) didn’t want to create a snowball effect where people were requesting variances for something that wasn’t necessary.”

Brittany Castillo Robin Mosier Chelo Rivera Matt Watkins Keltin Wiens

Dr. Butler Cain

rEPortErS

AdViSEr

Reese further explained that the entrance was still a TxDot project and didn’t belong to the city yet. According to Reese, the contractor in charge of the new entrance had to submit a request for a variance just like anyone else in the city had the ability to do.

“With as much time and money that is invested in that project, it was the fiscally responsible thing to do for the city,” Reese said. “We should be the stewards to do everything we can, (the city) needs to be the good example.”

Reese and Young both conceded that conserving the city’s water is a critically important issue.

“This problem is bigger than Canyon and I’m glad something is being done about it here,” Young said. “Conserving water is a global issue that needs to be taken seriously.”

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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The Prairie verifies the legitimacy of the advertising appearing in The Prairie, but cannot be held liable for any advertising claim made in this publication. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by the Amarillo Globe-News.

NEWS

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

Pepsi Replaces Coke at WT Ashley hendrick AssistAnt editor

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oca-Cola has provided WTAMU students, faculty and staff with beverages for years, but after more than a decade that reign has come to an end as Pepsi makes its debut as the official thirst quencher for the University.

“It’s an exclusive contract,” Vice President of Business and Finance Gary Barnes said. “Everything we have to do on campus, every product, has to be a Pepsi product.”

The switch from Coke to Pepsi is a campus-wide change that will be exhibited in the cafeterias, convenient stores and hallways of WT beginning this fall 2012 until the year 2020.

The decision to make the switch came in the wake of Coke’s expired contract with WT. In order to renew their contract, Coke had to bid against Pepsi and the race for the best offer was on.

“After we talked about it and we understood what was included in their proposals, Coke and Pepsi gave us their best and final offer and Pepsi’s offer was huge,” Barnes said.

Pepsi’s offer not only supplies the school with nearly 20 new beverages such as Mountain Dew, Gatorade and SoBe, but also includes $43,000 worth of scholarships, a part of the deal the administration hopes students will be pleased

with, said Barnes.

“If the right information goes out, I think people will understand that Pepsi was the best provider for vending for the campus,” Barnes said.

A survey was conducted in the spring of 2012 regarding preferences for either provider. According to Barnes, there was slight preference for Coke among faculty and staff, but no so much with the students.

“I think part of that is because faculty and staff are pretty well geographically located and our students come from all over,” Barnes said.

Despite optimism from the University administration, some students aren’t too excited about the switch.

“If I had a vote I definitely would have been against it,” Brett Dunlap, a junior Computer Information System major, said.

“More people have to be upset than anything because I really don’t think Pepsi is as strong of a product as Coke is.”

For other students,

personal preference depends on their mood for the moment.

“It would really be a split,” Thomas Koenig, a junior Graphic Design major said. “It just depends on the mood I’m in, but I drink a lot of Mountain Dew, so I say Pepsi.”

Though the contract with Pepsi is exclusive, WT has secured Dr Pepper as the only Coke product on campus based off of the survey results.

“Regardless of what you get, 63 percent wanted Dr Pepper,” Barnes said. “So we told them, in order for us to enter into an agreement, you have to provide Dr Pepper.”

Despite the prospects of more scholarships and Dr Pepper, some students are still not convinced the University will benefit.

“I would be more for that if it does go to scholarships,” Dunlap said. “Anything to help out the students, but I don’t know how that’s going to affect the students who don’t have scholarships and want their Coca-Cola products.”

midnightrodeoamarillo.com

$2.00 Coors Light Drafts $4 Crown Royal During all Concerts!

ThursdaysMiss 3 x $150

Cash Weekly

Midnight

1 Miller Lite Punch Top Cans $ .00

Ashley hendrick/The PrAirie Pepsi trucks have begun rolling onto campus.

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Rodeo

2012

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NEWS

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

Parking Changes Affect Faculty, Staff and Students Chelo RiveRa Staff WRiteR

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rowded parking lots are a familiar sight to WTAMU students.

The 2012-2013 academic year is no exception from this view despite the recent changes in the parking situation on campus.

Students are still required to purchase parking permits if they intend to park on campus.

However, the permit is now valid for any zone on campus.

This is a change from the zoned parking from previous academic years in which students were required to park in designated areas. The changes were brought forth in an effort to maximize utilization

of the parking lots available on campus.

“The designated permit per area limited the use and utilization was low in many areas,” Meri Odell, director of Police Administration, said.

“The goal is to provide the best utilization of the available parking.”

The retirement of zoned parking is not the only change in the parking situation.

Violation charges have also increased to $35 per violation.

The recent changes are a concern to many students as well as faculty who were also subject to the change.

“Finding parking on campus is extremely difficult and very hectic,” Alexa Roberts, WT

Graduate student, said. “More often than not I end up parking off campus.”

There are alternative parking options available to students.

The shuttle buses located at the First United Bank Center are up and running. Students are allowed to park at this location and ride the shuttle, which makes four designated stops around the University. A parking permit is not required to park at this location and this option is also available to faculty. The shuttles run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition to the shuttle service, zone 17 was opened last week. This additional parking lot is located behind

the Buff Sports Complex and adds an additional 600 open parking spaces. A parking

permit is not required to park in Zone 17, which is available to both faculty and students.

Krystina Martinez/the Prairie Parking has been reduced to a one permit system.

Election 2012: What You May Have Missed So Far KRyStina MaRtinez editoR-in-Chief

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itt Romney formally accepted his nomination for the Republican ticket last week at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. He emerged as the Republican winner in the long primary season, beating out eight candidates to face off against President Barack Obama in November’s presidential elections.

The economy is at the forefront of the campaign issues. More than 90 percent of voters said that the economy was extremely or very important in the way that they will cast their votes, according to a CNN Opinion poll. Policies on immigration, same-sex marriage, healthcare and more are still on the agenda as well.

The race may become more vitriolic and ridiculous in the

Follow the 2012 election Democratic Party @BarackObama @JoeBiden @TheDemocrats

election Updates @thecaucus @ElectionsUSAT @WSJpolitics

republican Party @MittRomney @PaulRyanVP @GOP

hashtags #RNC #DNC

next three months. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism, media coverage of Obama and Romney has been 72 percent and 71 percent negative, respectively.

U.S. Representative and Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan is already in a war with words with Vice President Joe Biden over the

President and Ryan’s roles in the bipartisan deficit commission, according to ABC News.

It wouldn’t be an election season without a series of verbal gaffes and embarrassing moments. The Romney camp edited out Clint Eastwood’s now infamous “interview” with Obama – an empty chair – out of an RNC highlight video.

According to ABC News, Romney thought the routine was funny, but other Republicans thought Eastwood’s appearance was a big mistake. President Obama is still a big fan of Eastwood, according to comments he made in a USA Today interview.

Obama will most likely still be defending “you didn’t build that” comments he made at a July 13 rally in Roanoke, Virginia, that stirred up some controversy.

“If you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own…If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help, there was a great teacher out there…If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that,” Obama said at the rally.

He will also have to make a case against those saying he has not done enough for the economy as unemployment hovers at 9.1

Chelo RiveRa Staff WRiteR

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onfetti and balloons marked the official announcement of the WTAMU “Show Your Pride” campaign on Tuesday, Aug. 28, in the Cornette Library.

Alumni, students, and faculty present at the announcement listened as WT President Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien revealed the campaign as part of a five-year effort to raise funds for continued University improvement and scholarships. It is set to be the largest fundraising effort in WT history.

“The goal of the campaign is to have a greater impact of stu-

versity and the economy. dent lives and the community,” The initial phase of O’Brien said. the program earned the The goal of the campaign university $20.2 million. is to raise $35 million, which The “Show Your Pride” will benefit both students and campaign is the final faculty. Of that amount, $15 push for fundraising and million will go toward scholaris expected to last two ships, $12 million for capital years. projects and $8 million for faculty and program support. Funding is expected to generate from Alumni, businesses and various foundations.

Don Powell, chairman and donor of the campaign, said the campaign was Chelo RiveRa/The PRaiRie critical for the UniPresident Patrick O’Brien at the podium.

Chelo RiveRa/The PRaiRie Don Powell speaks to the audience.

The Prairie wants YOU! Come join an organization that has been serving the WT community since 1919!

We Are Looking For: Reporters Multimedia Layout Designers

national Poll (as of Sept. 3)

Courtesy of Real Clear Politics

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WTAMU launches fundraising campaign

percent and the national debt predicted to hit $16 trillion, according to Fox News.

The GOP used the national debt as a major theme at the Tampa convention last week. The Democratic National Convention will take place on Sept. 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Barack obama 46.4% Mitt romney 46.3%

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September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

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SportS

For the good of the sport Keltin Wiens KWts sports Director

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or seven straight Julys, from 1999 to 2005, the United States was engrossed with cycling. Those were the years that Lance Armstrong was dominating the sport. He won cycling’s premier event, the Tour de France, a record seven consecutive times.

Before Armstrong’s great run, he was diagnosed with lifethreatening testicular cancer in the mid-90s. He was given a fifty percent chance of survival.

In 1997, he started the Lance Armstrong Foundation that has raised over $500 billion for cancer research. Since walking away from cycling, Armstrong has dedicated countless hours to make sure nobody ever has to hear the words “you have cancer.”

Even with Armstrong’s great humanitarian work through his foundation and passing hundreds

of drugs tests while he was competing, he has faced constant questions from doping officials and the European media about his supposed use of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.

This has happened continuously since his first victory in 1999.

Last week, the United States AntiDoping Agency (USADA), ruled that Armstrong is to be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and have a lifetime ban from professional cycling. Armstrong has decided to give up the fight against those who believe he was taking steroids from 1999-2005.

This decision hurts the sport of cycling.

I don’t know whether Armstrong used steroids or not, and we may never know, but that is not the issue here. The issue is the USADA continuing to go after the greatest champion cycling has ever known seven years after last winning the

Tour.

Bike races are not a popular sport in America and thanks to Armstrong, it finally has a shred of relevance. With USADA’s decision to strip Armstrong of his amazing titles, the sport will again fall into a great pit of despair full of athletes whom people will fail to recognize or even care about.

To put it in other terms, imagine other sports that don’t have much relevance. What would sprinting be like without Usain Bolt? Irrelevant.

What about swimming without Michael Phelps or beach volleyball without Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings? Irrelevant.

These events are on our collective sports radar simply because they have great champions who have dominated the sport and left legacies that people will talk about for years to come. Lance Armstrong and cycling should be no different.

return for a TD in a season. Whose mark did he tie?

4. Name the only conference to have three No. 1 seeds in one year in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

women’s archery team competition.

Sports quiz for the week of Sept. 3 2. Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs was the first shortstop to hit three home runs in a game. Who was the second?

3. In 2011, Patrick Peter- son tied an NFL record with his fourth punt

ANSWERS:

5. When was the last time before 2012 that the St. Louis Blues won an NHL playoff game?

7. How many times in his career did golfer Jack Nicklaus finish as the runner-up in a major?

6. Name the last country other than South Korea in the modern Olympic era to win a gold medal in the

Devin Hester (2007) all returned four punts for touchdowns.

4. The Big East, with Connecticut, Louisville and Pittsburgh as No. 1 seeds in 2009.

5. It was 2004.

1. How old was Pete Rose when he had his last 200-hit season?

SPORTS

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

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WTAMU 2012 Volleyball opens 2012 campaign strong sports schedule Volleyball

9.14 ACU* 7 p.m.

9.15 Southern Oklahoma State 3 p.m.

9.15 St. Edwards 7 p.m.

9.25 Midwestern State* 9.28 Tarleton* 7 p.m.

9.29 Angelo State* 2 p.m.

10.16 Eastern New Mexico* 7 p.m.

10.19 Texas Woman’s* 7 p.m.

10.20 TAMU-Commerce* 2 p.m.

10.23 Cameron* 7 p.m.

10.31 Dallas Baptist 7 p.m.

11.9 TAMU-Kingsville* 7 p.m.

11.10 Incarnate Word* 2 p.m.

Men’s soccer

9.16 Fort Hays State 3:30 p.m.

9.18. University of the Southwest 7 p.m.

9.30 Wayland Baptist, 3:30 p.m.

10.19 Incarnate Word* 7 p.m.

10.21 Midwestern State* 7:30 p.m.

10.26 Eastern New Mexico* 7 p.m.

WoMen’s soccer

9.6 UT-Permian Basin - 5 p.m.

9.8 Dallas Baptist NOON 9.11 Eastern New Mexico* 7 p.m.

9.14 TAMU-Commerce* 7 p.m.

9.16 Texas Woman’s* 1:30 p.m.

9.28 Angelo State* 7 p.m.

9.30 Incarnate Word* 1 p.m.

10.5 ACU* 7 p.m.

10.7 Midwestern* 1:30 p.m.

Football

1. He was 38 in 1979, when he tallied 208 hits for Philadelphia.

2. Freddie Patek did it for the Angels in 1980.

3. Detroit’s Jack Chris- tiansen (1951), Denver’s Rick Upchurch (1976) and Chicago’s

chris richcreeK Kings synDicate

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

9.8 Western State 6 p.m.

9.15 TAMU-Kingsville (Arlington)* 8 p.m.

9.29 Tarleton* 6 p.m.

10.13 ACU (Homecoming)* 6 p.m.

11.3 Midwestern State* 6 p.m. *Conference Game **Only home games are listed

keltin Wiens kWts sports Director

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he No. 9 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs welcomed five other teams to the WT Fieldhouse on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 for the annual Lady Buff Classic in Canyon. The Classic was the showcase event for the Lady Buffs, but didn’t quite start off the season the way the Lady Buffs would have liked.

Adams State Grizzlies picked apart the Lady Buffs in four sets to start WT off on a 0-1 record.

It’s the first time since 1994 WT volleyball failed to win a seasonopening match and the first time

to ever drop a home opener.

“Adams, barring anything odd, will make the national tournament...that’s not a bad thing,” Head Coach Jason Skoch said. “I’m upset because I would say that how we lost was bad.

That’s a very, very good team.”

The loss was particularly hard for the team’s five seniors. It marked only the second loss in “The Box” for this group of seniors, and only the 13th loss in the historic venue.

“It’s probably the most gutwrenching feeling ever,” Lauren Beville, Sr. libero player, said.

“Losing in The Box is such a no-

no. Just letting all these people down, letting our team down, the alumni down. I mean it’s just the worst feeling that I think you could have.”

The Lady Buffs regrouped after losing to the Grizzlies and didn’t drop a set to North Alabama, UT-Permian Basin or Western State, finishing 3-1 after the first weekend of the regular season.

“We were still able to fight through a lot of points,” Beville said. “We showed a little character coming back and fighting hard to come back and win.”

With five seniors on the squad

the Lady Buffs have plenty of leadership, but they also have ten newcomers, including five freshmen, to help carry the flame into the future.

One new face on the squad is freshman outside hitter Lexi Davis who is a local product from Dumas High School. Davis recorded three kills against Adams State and one kill versus Western State.

“The pace is definitely faster, the girls are bigger and it takes more IQ to put the ball away than it would in high school,” Davis said.

With so many new players now

in a Lady Buff uniform, team cohesion is a big concern early in the season.

“I think that’s what a big problem was against Adams, we were trying to play as six different people instead of trying to play as a team,” Beville said. “We just got to figure that out. It takes all 21 of us to play as a team and to do well.”

The Lady Buffs head to Denver, Colorado on September 7-8 for the Colorado Premier. The Lady Buffs will take on No. 5 Central Missouri and No. 13 Metro State on Friday, Sept. 7.

junior quarterback Dustin Vaughn found fellow junior Lance Ratliff for a 57-yard touchdown strike tying the game at 7-7. After Pueblo scored a touchdown on their next drive, junior Aaron Harris capped off a WT scoring drive with a sevenyard touchdown run to tie the game at 14.

The Buffs were unable to put up any more points before

the half. However, a sevenyard touchdown run from J.B. Matthews and a late field goal gave the Thunderwolves a 2414 halftime lead.

WT got a 62 yard touchdown pass from Vaughn to Ratliff, but were unable to complete the two-point conversion. Pueblo kicked two field goals in third quarter to take a 30-20 lead into the fourth.

with receivers Torrence Allen and Lance Ratliff,” said Coach Carthel.

The Buffs will play their home opener on Sept. 8 against Western State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

in a header in the 11th minute to put the Buffs up 1-0. WT and redshirt freshman goalkeeper William Cooper maintained that lead through the first half.

The Buff’s offense caught fire early in the second half. Senior Dominic Furness scored WT’s second goal from three yards out on a one-on-one breakaway in the 49th minute. Furness would score again on a penalty kick with 35 minutes remaining in the game to put the Buffs up

3-0.

“I thought we defended well and created good scoring chances,” said Coach Butch Lauffer. “I would like the team to get more clinical in front of the goal; there were several chances I thought we could’ve done better on.”

After WT got off to a 0-4 start that helped keep them out of the postseason last year, 1-0 is a good way to start off this season.

An interception returned for a touchdown gave Pueblo a 37-20 lead before Vaughn hit junior Torrence Allen for a 75 yard touchdown that brought it back to a 10 point game. Despite redshirt freshman Geremy Aldridge scoring a one-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left in the game, the Buffs were unable to rally late.

“Our defense played pretty well, we did not allow any long passes, but we did not tackle well,” Head Coach Don Carthel said.

Freshman Calvin Burns led WT’s rushing attack with 4 runs for 41 yards, while Harris had nine carries for 34 yards and one touchdown. Ratliff finished with seven catches for 153 yards and two scores and Allen had nine catches for 164 yards and one score. Vaughn was 28 of 45 passing for 380 yards with three touchdowns and a pick.

“Vaughn executed the offense very well and was in sync

Buffs football loses season opener against Pueblo

Matt Watkins staff Writer

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he No.24 WTAMU Buffalo football team traveled to Pueblo, Colo. on August 30 to take on the No. 6-ranked Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves.

Despite gaining 546 total yards, the Buffs fell 44-34.

After falling behind 7-0,

WTAMU soccer wins opener

Matt Watkins staff Writer

T

he WTAMU Buffalo men’s soccer team won its seventh season opener out of the last nine openers on August 30 by defeating the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm 3-0 at The Pitch in Canyon. The Buffs improved their record in openers to 17-4-1 alltime.

WT scored quickly when senior Colin Bjostad knocked

courtesy photo/gobuffsgo.com Junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan.

6. South Korea has won every gold medal since team competition began in 1988.

7. Nineteen times.

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ENTERTAINMENT

GAMES

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

Amarillo: a surprising cure for boredom Brooke Self Staff Writer

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or many students, boredom is a sickness that cannot be remedied. Between the hours of intensive studying or stacks of homework, students can find themselves wondering, “What can I do to catch a break?” For those who are new to the area and even some who have been here for a while, the choices for off-campus activities seem to be limited. Even students who have lived here all their lives often say, “There is nothing to do here.” However, both Amarillo and Canyon are homes to historical sites, sporting events, live music, and other events.

“Historic Route 66 has a bunch of funky little shops, great hamburger joints and restaurants.” Eric Miller, director of Communication at the

Amarillo Covention and Visitor Council, said.

Most of spots are located on Sixth Street between Western and Georgia.

“Sixth Street is also the center of our live music scene and you can almost always catch a show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Miller said.

Those who decide to explore historic Route 66 in Amarillo can also take a trolley car ride.

Route 66 Trolley Express is a fairly new addition. It is an actual trolley car that is available for people to ride down the main part of Sixth Street, allowing them to see what the area has to offer and get on and off the car at certain stops.

The trolley also travels to downtown Amarillo’s Polk Street.

“Polk Street is also a popular place for college age students and a great place to find some

good eats and live music,” Miller said.

For people who are looking for a great place to watch a movie, Miller suggested trying one of the two large movie theaters in Amarillo. Hollywood 16 is located off of Canyon Drive and is about ten miles from Canyon.

“And don’t forget about the Tascosa Drive-in Movie Theater,” Miller said. “They show first run movies and it is very affordable.”

Miller also suggested the Amarillo Museum of Art for people who are on a limited budget, because it is free.

“Right now they have a really cool exhibit called Blue Dog in Texas,” Miller said.

Another historical landmark, Cadillac Ranch, is also free to visit and people are encouraged to spray paint on half-buried cars.

Alternative History

The Top 21

Kickin’ It Country

The Rocket

KWTS special radio programs Starting Sept. 10

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Sundays, 7-9 p.m.

The Morning After

Monday-Friday, 7-9 a.m.

The Terminal

Mondays, 5-7 p.m.

Mondays, 7-9 p.m.

Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m.

Psychotic Reaction Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.

The Timeline

Thursdays, 1-3 p.m.

For those who enjoy science, the Don Harrington Discovery Center has interactive exhibits of all types for all ages. Sports enthusiasts will have a variety of sporting events to choose from in the upcoming months including baseball, football and hockey games, motor races, arena cross, MMA fights and roller derby.

For artsy types, The Botanical Gardens hosts “Music in the Gardens” every Thursday. The Lonestar Ballet will kick off their season with “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” showing on October 26 and 27.

As far as Canyon goes, Shanna Carnes, an administrative assistant at the Canyon Chamber of Commerce, suggests people take part in Tailgate Palooza on the Square on September 29.

“People will set all of their stuff out in the square and

it’s a really cool tailgating atmosphere,” Carnes said.

“There will be drawings where people can win things from the retailers, and the big prize is a basket with one item from each retailer.”

Keegan King, an Advertising and Public Relations major, said even though she’s lived in Amarillo most of her life, it can be difficult to think of something to do, but if you just ask around a bit, you are sure to find something worth doing.

“The fair is just around the corner and I’ve always loved the fair no matter what age I was,” King said.

The Tri-State Fair and Rodeo will begin September 14 and run through September 22. For more information about things going on in Amarillo, Miller said people can check out www. visitamarillotx.com.

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9

10 FEATURE

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

opinion 11

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

Varsity Theatre to end free movie night Faculty, students lose with Friday class Daniela Fierro StaFF Writer

V

arsity Theatre first opened its doors to the Canyon community in Sept. 1947. Fast forward 65 years and that same theater now finds itself on the verge of closing those doors permanently if it doesn’t raise almost $100,000 to update the equipment.

“I don’t own the building but I own the business,” Garry Cathey, business owner, said. “I think that a lot of the problem is that since I don’t own the building, people are reluctant to spend money to upgrade it.”

Cathey has been leasing the building from the original owner and running the business since 1994.

“It’s going to be a downer when free movie nights come to an end,” Cathey said. “But I’m thinking we’ve got a least another year before [movie companies] stop releasing films.”

Although the dates are not confirmed when companies will stop releasing films, Cathey said the companies are talking about the third quarter of 2013.

“But last year they said by the first part of 2012,” he said. “So we’re still going.”

Cathey said that even though the Varsity Theatre isn’t the anchor for Canyon, it’s going to slow things down and move things towards Amarillo.

“People will go out to a movie and they’re going to continue to do that, but they’ll have to drive all the way to Amarillo,” Cathey said.

If Cathey were to make $250 a weekend, he would only make a 30-cent profit while the rest of the money would go to the movie companies.

“Most of the money we make is from the concession stand,” he said. “We make enough to be able to keep going on.”

Assistant Director of Student Activities Stephanie Brackett is in charge of contracts for “Free Movie Night” in the theater.

“Every semester when we do evaluations, [Varsity] is consistently ranked the highest on the student’s love,” Brackett said.

She said it would negatively affect the students for the love of Free Movie Night, “not only because of the history of the

T

theatre but because students go there for date night or when they need a break from study.”

Brackett said that she would hate to think there would be no Free Move Night on Sundays and that they have looked into buying the license so they can show movies on campus.

“There are a lot of other issues like weather,” she said. “And we wouldn’t know if off-campus students would show [up].”

Brackett said that she has heard about several groups thinking about having fundraisers to help out the theater.

“I think if we can all give a little we can save this historic building in Canyon,” Brackett said. “I think it would be such a loss if it closed…not only for the University but for the city and the area in general.”

Nursing major Tori Sills has lived in the area her entire life and said it would feel weird if the theatre closed.

“I like that it’s a lot cheaper and inconvenient for students because it’s right on campus,” Sills said. “Its kind of one of those things that it’s an old theater that makes it cool

Daniela Fierro/The Prairie Varsity Theatre’s current projector needs to be upgraded.

because it’s in a small town.”

Sills said that if they needed funding, WT should help out in raising money for the theater.

“There are a bunch of things that WT can do to help out,” Sills said. “I think college students would want to help in funding and I wouldn’t mind pitching in a couple of dollars.”

Sills said that it is a popular spot for the junior high kids and remembers going herself.

“It’s one of those small town theaters that we would lose a lot if we didn’t have one,” she said.

“It’s always been there and I’ve grown up with it.”

Sills said Canyon is complete with its coffee shop, rock and roll shop, the theater and the museum.

“If we don’t have the theater anymore, I don’t know. It’s just sad to think about,” Sills said.

Free Movie Night will start Sept.

9 at 7 p.m. and will continue until the end of the fall 2012 semester.

Virgil Henson Activities Center fall 2012 schedule Aug. 27 through Dec. 14

Water aerobics 12:30 p.m., MTTh, VHAC Pool, Instructor: Audrey Jones

Water aerobics 5:30 p.m., MTWTh, VHAC Pool, Instructor: Pebbie Comer/Audrey Jones

open Format 6 a.m., MWF, VHAC Mirror Room, Instructor: Stephanie Hall

Dance Fitness/Zumba Senior Swim 7 a.m., MWF, VHAC Pool, 6 p.m., MW, VHAC Instructor: Elosia Reyna Mirror Room,

Instructor: Stephanie Hall

Body resistance 6 p.m., F (Every Other), VHAC Mirror Room, Instructor: Stephanie Hall

Kickboxing 6 p.m., TTh, VHAC Mirror Room, Instructor: Stephanie Hall Shoto Kan Karate 7:15 p.m., MTh, VHAC Mirror Room, Instructor: Glen Stocker

he University will be offering more MondayWednesday-Friday classes starting in the spring semester.

The University cites unused facilities and high electricity bills as reasons for the switch.

Besides music, art and a few history classes, most WT classes run on a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday schedule with an hour and 15 minutes allotted for class. However, the added Friday class has been a staple at other universities in the A&M system and around the nation.

The addition of Friday

classes will reduce the MondayWednesday-Friday class times to 50 minutes, which may be beneficial for students enrolled in difficult classes such as the sciences or math. However, some classes don’t really “get going” until 30 minutes in.

A lot of adjustments will have to be made on the part of students and faculty. Professors will obviously have to readjust lesson plans to accommodate the change, which could be good or bad. Class discussions will have to be cut or dramatically shortened for the interest of saving time.

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Friday classes will cut into the time that professors would have otherwise used for research or other projects.

Students will have to readjust work schedules to accommodate the Friday classes. Many students work on the weekends and Friday classes not only cut into hours, but also add more study time to students’ already packed schedules. Amarillo commuters will have to make another trip into Canyon and will have to spend more on gas.

Student athletes will have more class time to make up for

when they go out of town to compete. Open Fridays meant that athletes could go to practice.

Coaches will now have the burden of coordinating schedules around Friday classes.

Because of all of the adjustments, wouldn’t it make more sense to implement Friday classes in the fall? What was the reasoning behind starting midschool year? It makes more sense to have started this in the fall, when new freshmen and transfers are coming in.

Inevitably, some students will try to avoid Friday classes

at all costs by either signing up for more Monday-Wednesday, Tuesday-Thursday classes or skipping altogether. The University should be prepared for low attendance for Friday classes in the beginning.

Eventually, students and faculty will make the adjustment, but at the expense of having time to do the other things required of them.

12

PHOTOS

September 4, 2012 | theprairienews.com

WTAMU kicks off the year with a bang Alex MontoyA/the PrAirie

Cedric Gaston playing live during Buff Branding at Ceta Canyon.

Delta Zeta’s Briana Harbell (sophomore) and Keleigh Taylor (junior) wait in line with transfer students at President J. Patrick O’Brien’s home.

Micheal Johnson (sophmore) attending the Transfer Student Cookout.

Incoming freshmen chanting the school song and showing their pride.