The Rambler, Vol. 100 No. 11

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The Rambler

The students’ voice since 1917

www.txwes.edu/rambler

April 23, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS Honoring Dr. Espinosa A reception for Dr. Miriam Espinosa, honoring her five years of service as the dean of the school of arts and sciences, will be held April 23. Join Provost Allen Henderson, from 2 p.m. 3:30 p.m. in the University Club in the basement fo the administration building.

Espinosa will continue as a member of the faculty and other programs.

News Briefs

M.R. Lecture Series The final installment of the Mitchell-Reed Lecture Series of the semester is from 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

April 23 in the orientation room of the library. Religion and psychology professor Ron McManus will present “Bringing Ethics Discussions into the Classroom.”

Quiet, please!

Texas Wesleyan University’s chapter of the Gay Straight Alliance is sponsoring the National Day of Silence on campus April 25. The national tradition began in 1996 on the University of Virginia campus and is still the largest student action to protest the harrassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies.

Participants can meet at noon April 25 in the orientation room of the library for a presentation by Dr. Bruce McDonald and a representative of MoSAIC: Methodist Students for an AllInclusive Church.

Gotta love that prairie!

The Third Annual Prairie Fest will be held from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. April 26 at Tandy Hills Natural Area. The event is free and features live music, entertainment, arts and crafts, green licing exhibitors, environmental speakers, botanical educators and wildflower tours. THNA is located at 3400 View Street in Fort Worth.

Vol. 100, No.11

Once you go GREEK

Alpha Xi Delta (above) won the Greek Week 2008 sorority contests for the sixth consecutive year, facing challenges from Gamma Phi Beta and the Ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority. Members of Kappa Alpha triumphed in the fraternity competition after the talent showdown (right).

This win came after the seven-year reign of fraternity Lambda Kappa Kappa.

“The turning point was definitely when we won soccer,” said Zach Growcoque, a freshman pharmacy major in KA. “From that point on, we began to pick up. We won the last four bits.”

The final event of Greek Week was a talent show at Competition Music by Martin Field. The judges chose the KA act as the winner, after the group danced and captivated the crowd and the ladies. They posed as N’SYNC and danced to their song It’s Gonna Be Me. “We were tied with Lambda Kappa going into the talent show,” Growcoque said. “That decided Greek Week.”

- Kevin Keathley

Photos by Kevin Keathley

Delta Mu Delta inducts new members CHASTITI DIXON GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

The school of business received its charter for the Lambda Lambda chapter of Delta Mu Delta, national honor society for business schools accredited by the American Collegiate Business Schools and Programs March 27. Kitty Campbell, region six representative of Delta Mu Delta, installed the chapter and presented the charter to Dr. Hector Quintanilla, dean of the school of business.

Readings for the induction of the chapter were completed by Associate Dean Dr. Sameer Vaidya, Dr. Thomas Bell, professor of management information systems; and Drs. Sandra Hart and Tom Smith, pro-

fessors of marketing. Smith will serve as the Delta Mu Delta faculty adviser. Each inductee was presented with a lapel pin and a stole to wear at graduation.

The stoles were a gift from the school of business.

Induction requires students to be junior and senior business majors who have a minimum of a 3.25 GPA, at least 24 hours earned at Texas Wesleyan University and are in the top 20 percent of their class.

Graduate students inducted must have earned a 3.7 GPA and completed over one-half of their program classes.

University Provost Dr. Allen Henderson, business faculty and staff and numerous family and friends participated in the celebration.

Music to your ears.

Come hear Wesleyan Chorale’s biannual concert at 7:30 p.m. April 29 in Martin Hall. They will perform Anton Bruckner’s Mass in E Minor. The performance is open to the public and refreshments will be provided.

Get Informed Now Get instant text message updates on Texas Wesleyan University events, exclusive contests and other fun stuff by joining the text message mob. Joining the group by sending a text to student activities at 66937. You will get a text back asking you to reply with a “Y” to join the group. Standard rates apply.

Courtesy of Delta Mu Delta

New Inductees Included: Tuong Gia Pham, Boris Sestan, Patricia Kneblick, William Slaydon, Mary Ball, Alicia Garza, Lindsey Molinar, Leah Wilson, Terry Barriere, Mitchell Hendon, Jennifer Pearson, Aaron Warren, Trey Bomar, Alphonsine Kabasele, Latasha Roberson, Sarah Young, Jared Brown, Rachel Karr, Brent Santos, Heather Zvidzai, Shiretha Brown, Megan Krause, Melinda Smith, Jason Dally, Nancy Lock, Rosemary Smith, Matthew Filewood, Heather Miles, Mary Smithee, Carlos Chiu, Odis Sonny Mauldin, Brittany Morales

Tuition on the rise SHAMEKA HYATT STAFF WRITER

The message that “college costs” is echoing around the nation as universities are experiencing a continuance in tuition increases from the 2006-2007 school year.

With the typical college degree currently costing more than $90,000 to obtain, according to U.S. News and World Report, the price students have to pay for college – an average of $13,727 for tuition, books, room and food – continues to exceed the general U.S. inflation rate of 2.8 percent.

Among the many other universities dealing with this matter, Texas Wesleyan University is also increasing its tuition rates for 2008-2009.

Tuition will cost $15,500 for the upcoming school year. This is up from this year’s $14,616 annual price tag.

“As we have had fairly consistent tuition rate increases over the past five years, the rate increase for next year is along the normal growth pattern,” said William Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and administration.

Part-time students will pay $525 an hour next year, up from the current $493 rate.

Covering student education at Wesleyan and normal fees associated with technology and general activities, the increased tuition rate has also increased the general cost fee and the technology fee for fulltime and part-time students next year.

Fees are also increasing.

For the 2008-2009 school year, the general fee will be $440 per semester for full-time students, $42 for part time. This is up from $420 and $40, respectively.

Technology fees are increasing from $160 for full-time and $16 for part-time students per semester to $175 and $17, respectively.

Contributing to the increasing cost of college is the rise of operation costs at universities, which is increasing faster than inflation rate for the past 15 years, Bleibdrey said.

“Part of this is due to the significant dependence on physical facilities, especially the construction and upkeep of buildings,” said Bleibdrey.

Along with this, according to Bleibdrey, a large portion of university cost deals with personnel.

Typical annual increases of 10 to 15 percent in medical benefits and a need to pay higher wages for the talented are exceeding the nation’s inflation rate.

Being a small institution, Wesleyan highly depends on increases in tuition revenue.

“Nearly all our operating revenue comes from tuition and fees,” said Bleibdrey.

Unable to receive external funding through grants and tax revenues like larger universities, Wesleyan, he said, “must provide the best for its students while striving to minimize the annual tuition increase.”

Upon deciding the tuition rates for any upcoming year, Wesleyan considers many factors including the size of the student body, rates of competing schools, amount of revenue needed to balance the operating budget and any other significant needs or issues that arise during the school year.

After considering the factors, administration recommends a set of rates to the board of trustees, who ultimately decide what the new rates will be for the upcoming

See Tuition, page 2

News

2 April 23, 2008

The Rambler

Innocence project frees falsely accused rapist ter left from the crime, and previous tests had been inconclusive. So the next test, one Chatman couldn’t afford, would destroy what little material remained.

At 47, Charles Chatman feels like a new member of sociBut the Innocence Project, which has been working with ety.

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins to review Released from prison in January after serving about 27 questionable convictions, agreed to pay for the test as part of years for a crime he didn’t commit, Chatman is learning to its case review. use a debit card and a cellphone. When he celebrated his “I got down to the last of it and it would consume it and release with a judge, Chatman had to be taught how to use a I would be stuck,” Chatman said. “The result is that I’m knife to cut his food: Knives aren’t allowed in prison. standing here today.”

“I try to base my life on the faith I had to get out. I don’t Chatman counts himself as lucky because he had a famdwell on the past,” Chatman said April 2 at the Texas ily to help him. He didn’t get the standard $200 that inmates Wesleyan University School of Law, where he spoke to stuget upon release or access to programs to help them reintedents involved with the Innocence Project. “I try to live my grate into society. life from this day on.”

Now, he wants to work with the Innocence Project to Chatman is the 15th inmate from Dallas County to be help others who have been released but have no one to help freed through DNA testing. He was convicted of them. raping a woman in 1981 and was sentenced to life in “I’m dealing with it, but it’s slow,” Chatman prison. said.

The Innocence Project of Texas, which includes Funding for review team students from Texas Wesleyan and other schools, On April 1, Chatman went with Watkins to helped secure Chatman’s release. The luncheon at ask Dallas County commissioners to fund a which Chatman spoke is an annual event.

DNA evidence review team for two more years.

Alibi goes unchecked The county agreed to pay $823,392 for the Wearing a small cross on a chain around his salaries of two attorneys, an investigator and a neck, the soft-spoken Chatman told the students and paralegal, said Jamille Bradfield, a spokesfaculty about his almost three decades behind bars woman for Watkins. without a trace of bitterness or anger in his voice.

The Justice, Equality, Human Dignity and Chatman, 20 at the time he was convicted, said Tolerance Foundation also said it would provide police initially picked up him up because he had $453,900 for DNA testing, contingent on the fallen behind on probation fees resulting from a burcommission’s funding, she said. glary conviction.

The Innocence Project is kicking in $36,000.

Chatman said he paid the fines, but before he The project is a consortium of innocence projcould be released from jail he found himself in front ects at Texas Wesleyan, Texas Tech University, of a judge being charged with the aggravated rape of the University of St. Thomas, the University of Courtesy of Texas Wesleyan School of Law a neighbor, a white woman he barely knew.

Texas at Arlington and the University of North Chatman said he was picked out because he was Charles Chatman, released from prison in January, speaks at Texas Wesleyan School Texas. of Law April 2. He is the 15th person to be freed from Dallas County by DNA testing. black.

MAX B. BAKER REPRINT COURTESY OF FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM

Chatman said his court-appointed attorney showed very little interest in his case. He said the attorney didn’t check out his alibi or mention in court that Chatman was missing his front teeth at the time of the assault.

“One day I called him, and he said that he was glad I called because I was going on trial the next day,” Chatman said. “He was just going through the motions.”

In prison, Chatman continued to profess his innocence.

On at least three occasions, the parole board denied his release because he refused to apologize or admit to a crime.

“They wanted to know my version of the crime, and I told them I didn’t have a version, I didn’t do it,” Chatman said. “They thought I was being disrespectful.”

A risky test In 2001, Chatman read about the new state law making it easier to seek DNA tests. But there was little genetic mat-

Brown makes mark on stages, minds across Fort Worth KEVIN KEATHLEY STAFF WRITER

For the last 13 years, Texas Wesleyan GST instructor and theater professor Joe Brown has been sharing his love of theater with the students, faculty and staff of Texas Wesleyan.

But there’s more to him than that.

“Joe is an incredible man who does more than his fair share for Texas Wesleyan’s students and faculty,” said Rob Carroll, a junior theater major.

“My main job is to work with incoming freshmen as the director of the freshman success classes. I was asked by the provost, Dr. [Allen] Henderson, to coordinate GST because of my reputation with student-centeredness,” said Brown.

Brown works with hand-selected faculty to teach the classes for incoming freshmen, a job that dominates his fall semesters. During spring semesters, Brown teaches theater courses.

“Right now I usually teach stage makeup,” he said. “I’ve taught speech, technical theater, lighting and design.” His training is in theater design, and he helps with theater productions all year.

But his influence doesn’t stop there. His productions and collaborations are also performed on stages off of the Wesleyan campus.

Recently, Brown finished directing a production of Driving Miss Daisy at Artisan Center Theater. The classic tale (both a Pulitzer Prize-winning play and Academy Award-winning film) spans 1948 to 1973 and centers around a wealthy, elderly Jewish woman and her African American chauffeur.

The story’s main themes are tolerance, understanding and family.

“I have known and admired Joe Brown for years but have

never had the opportunity to work with him as fellow actor or to be directed by him in a theatrical production, until just recently,” said Gary Payne, one of the actors in Daisy.

“It was an extremely enjoyable collaborative endeavor where everybody in the cast had an opportunity to explore their characters thoroughly to ensure that the end result was an excellent production of Alfred Uhry’s beautiful story,” said Payne.

Brown has a history of directing for Artisan since the theater was created five years ago. Last fall Brown directed theater department chair Connie WhittLambert’s adaptation of It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Show at Artisan. Wesleyan students performed at Artisan for a month for about 3,200 people.

“I don’t normally direct here at Wesleyan,” said Brown. “I’m scheduled to direct at Jubilee Theatre next year. We’re in the middle of talking about what I would direct there.”

He said he anticipates that it will either be an African American version of Steel Magnolias or a Moliere comedy.

In May, Brown will direct some current Wesleyan students in an original one-act play for the More Life Celebration at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. The More Life Celebration is a city arts event where arts organizations are featuring plays, readings and artwork that deal with the theme of AIDS and HIV, and it all calumniates with the Fort Worth Opera doing a world premiere of Angels in America as an opera.

Archive photo “We’re doing a one-act play called Waiting for Theatre professor and GST instructor Joe Brown recently ended a Opera, written by a former Wesleyan student, Roger directing stint for Artisan Center Theatre’s production of Driving Miss Daisy. His next project may be an African-Americanized version Dieleman, who tragically passed away due to AIDS,” Brown said. of Steel Magnolias.

“We’ve done this play before when the AIDS Quilt was on display here in Fort Worth. The play is about an eccentric group of people waiting in the green room to go on the Opera Winfrey show. The characters include a self-righteous Southern senator, a black female activist, a person with AIDS, his lawyer/boyfriend and the stage manager of the show. It’s a comedy about what can happen when you put these personalities in one room,” said Brown.

He plans to use current Wesleyan students and theater alumni for the roles.

Another specialty of Brown’s is lecturing about sexually transmitted infections in Tarrant County. This year he’s worked at Tarrant County College Northwest with the freshman humanities classes, talking about HIV and STIs. He’s spoken with more than 400 students and gives many presentations to young people as someone who is living with HIV about safe sex and the current statistics relating to college students and HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

“The other thing I’ve known for is animal rescue. I’ve rescued over 150 animals on campus and placed them in homes. I have 18 of my own pets currently: dogs, cats and exotic parrots,” said Brown.

With new opportunities on the horizon, Brown looks forward to more years at Texas Wesleyan.

“I hope to teach at least 10 more years because Wesleyan is not known for its fabulous salaries,” he said. “I plan to keep working with freshmen, contributing to the theater program, contributing to the life of Texas Wesleyan, rescuing animals, doing theater in the community and educating young people of the dangers of not having safe sex.”

Tuition, from page 1

year.

Administrators advise students to consider options of scholarships, loans and other forms of financial aid, which, fortunately, are growing along with increasing college costs.

According to The College Board, national average net costs (subtracting scholarships and tax benefits) of private universities increased from $23,777 in 2006 to $24,756 in 2007.

These averages compare to that of in-state public institutions, which averaged $11,412 in 2006 and $11,879 in 2007.

Opinions

“Not being in class.”

“Hot, sizzling, summer love.”

“The heat, the beach and traveling.”

“Having a mental break and vacation.”

Ashley Johnson Sophomore Business Finance Major

Claire Fisher Freshman Biology Major

“What are you most looking forward to about summer?”

Blake Shonuga Junior Biology Major

Ross Mullens Senior English Major

The Rambler

Are you soakin up the sun?

Outside or in, tanners should practice caution S

pring officially landed on our doorsteps March 21st. Officially. Even though the equinox occurred in mid March, this doesn’t mean that our ever-sounpredictable Texas weather is cooperating. The seasonal warmth hasn’t arrived here to stay, yet the seasonal tanning craze has begun.

Salons are offering membership deals, the pools are opening up, and darker skin is becoming more evident. Whether by tanning outside, fake baking, taking MARTIN pills or getting sprayed, people are searching for the GARCIA most effective way to darken their tone in hopes of a more attractive look.

And that’s exactly what the fad has become—an attempt to create an appeal to one’s image. Although it might appear that females partake in the activity more often, the truth is quite the contrary: males are becoming more and more inclined to participate in a little coloring themselves.

The early 20th century laid the foundation for the current trends in tanning. Sun exposure became more and more common as clothing loosened up and exposed more skin, and the bed eventually followed. The fashion statement is obviously here to stay…at least for a while. It’s true that most trends are reoccurring; however, I don’t expect to see people whitening themselves up anytime soon.

Society today likes to associate tanning with health and splendor. For some, it’s natural to crave a little bronze in their skin to boost attractiveness after a long, pale winter. But this hasn’t always been the case.

According to Tanning Adviser, the Romans and the Greeks were known to use lead and chalk-based products to whiten themselves up a bit. Imagine that. Historically, people used to shield themselves from the sun in attempts to keep their much valued pale skin.

Society has definitely taken a 180 degree turn from this belief and

Olympiad controversy T

he “Journey of Harmony” Olympic Torch relay could not have been more ironically named. The travels of the Olympic Torch are traditionally marked with parades and acclamations – the carrier of the torch treated with great respect and admiration. However, this year’s controversial location of the Summer Olympic RACHEL Games in Beijing has sparked mass HORTON protests in many of the countries.

According to the Olympic Charter, the Olympic Movement’s goal is “to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination ... in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Unfortunately, many have observed that China’s human rights record, its strained relationship with Tibet and its friendly ties with Sudan stand in direct contradiction to the purpose of the Olympic spirit. Consequently, activists see the “Journey of Harmony” with its international coverage as an excellent opportunity to express protest over China’s policies.

Some, such as France and Norway, have discussed boycotting the Olympics as a symbol of displeasure over China’s handling of the Tibet protests. However, the Olympic Games are part of a world-wide tradition and, despite the controversial policies endorsed by the government of the host country, are not typically considered a political forum. Hence, the leaders of many countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have clearly stated their determination to attend.

Should the Olympic Games be treated as a political forum? China’s human rights track record and her macabre treatment of Tibetans should not be permitted to slip by without notice. Yet the very fact that China is willing to undertake the arduous task of hosting hundreds of representatives from countries who oppose Chinese policies is clearly a diplomatic step in the right direction.

Rachel Horton is a freshman major and is the Web editor for The Rambler.

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practice. The Tanning Truth suggests that upwards of 30 million Americans are turning to tanning beds, as opposed to sun-to-skin contact.

But what exactly are the benefits, if any, to indoor tanning? The secret essentially rests with controlling one’s exposure, both inside and out. It has been proven that direct contact with the sun for extended periods of time can be highly detrimental to the skin in the long run. The tanning industry runs on this fact. They promote the supposed controlled and smart way of tanning without the risk of burning (tanning beds). ... that’s exactly what the Salons promote this safe alternative to the all-natural sun and label it as the fad has become -- an attempt to create an appeal intelligent way to manage and enjoy to one’s imange. the benefits of a tan.

The Skin Cancer Society has a different idea of the widespread indoor business. They base their beliefs on studies that show how a tanning bed exposes the skin to equal or more ultraviolet radiation. The Skin Cancer Society also denounces the tanning industry’s claim that their controlled techniques expose their clients to a healthy amount of UV rays and help the skin produce Vitamin D. According to the SCS, regular diets should produce enough Vitamin D to help prevent cancerous diseases.

Both sides of the argument essentially have valid points; it’s the consumer’s decision whether they choose to tan—naturally or artificially—or not.

Of course, this trend isn’t for everyone. There are those who are perfectly content with their way of being and wouldn’t want run the risks of damaging their skin. Then there are others with year-round tans that may not need it but still wouldn’t mind a little bronze action.

Tanning popularity shows no signs of slowing. The secret is safe and responsible tanning to avoid any potential harm to the skin. Use care, love your mind, and love your body.

Soak up the sun…in an efficient manner.

Martin Garcia is a junior English major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

An international thank-you Thank you for the excellent coverage you have given our university activities this year!

You all deserve to be award winners! The paper is great.

We in International Programs especially appreciate your covering our events because we put so much effort into providing the international and study abroad programs for the university, and you all have helped advertise them and make them successful. We couldn’t have been as successful without your support. Have a great summer.

Betsy Johnson Director of International Programs

Loan information one complex deal Colleen Burnie wrote an article (April 9) about financial aid in the paper and did not adequately represent information regarding the Be On Time Loan.

The article states that B-On-Time Loans (BOT) are being approved for previous recipients of BOT loans, but there is not sufficient funding to provide these loans to students who have not received a BOT loan in the past.

This loan is no longer available to students that are not already receiving it.

Also, in the fifth paragraph, when it talks about how financial aid is determined, the wording makes it seem as if our department comes up with a formula on our own to award students. The federal government sets the standards, and we go by what they determine.

After we award students according to federal and state guidelines, we can look over what funding our own institution can provide but even then we are bound to federal regulations.

For example, if a student is awarded scholarship from Wesleyan or some other outside source, they are only allowed to receive up to a certain dollar amount, per the federal government. If the scholarship money exceeds what the regulations state, then we have to decrease funds the student receives in other areas.

Determining financial aid is very complex and difficult to explain to the average person, but students need to understand we are bound by an authority higher than Wesleyan and all of our decisions are in accordance with those regulations.

Tara Cates Receptionist for the Office of Financial Aid To submit a letter to the editor, e-mail twurambler@yahoo.com

Rambler Ratings

The Rambler Founded in 1917 as The Handout Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher Kelli Lamers, adviser Tiara Nugent, managing/college life editor Colleen Burnie, entertainment editor

April 23, 2008 3

Shawn R Poling, editor-in-chief Bryce Wilks, sports editor Skyla Claxton, advertising manager

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual author only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters.

All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature; however, confidentiality will be granted if requested.

While every consideration is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space.

The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style.

Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinions page.

"We are not afraid to follow the truth...wherever it may lead." -Thomas Jefferson Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University, The Rambler, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105.

Newsroom: 531-7552 Advertising: 531-7582 Fax: 531-4878 E-mail: twurambler@yahoo.com

Thumbs up to Kevin Keathley and Amber Barger, 2008 winners of Mr. and Ms. Texas Wesleyan, and all who voted.

Thumbs down to the fence still being down around Martin Field.

Thumbs down to no fans in the weight room. We’re working up a sweat!

Thumbs up to the Dallas Stars advancing to Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Go Stars!

©2003. Paid for by Army ROTC. All rights reserved.

FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS AND PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR TWU SOPHOMORES! Scholarships include $4500-$5000 yearly stipend and $1200 per year for books.

For more information contact: LTC ROD JOYCE 817-531-4273 rjoye@txwes.edu

ARMY ROTC. START STRONG.

Entertainment

6 April 23, 2008

Texas Wesleyan and Guitar Fort Worth welcomed world-renowned classical guitarist Elliot Fisk to Martin Hall April 18. The guitarist gave his performance Friday night and then taught a guitar master class the next day.

The next perfomer scheduled is Boston Duo Zaira Meneses & Grisha Goryachev who will grace the stage May 23 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more informatio visit the Guitar Fort Worth Web site at www.guitarfortworth.org/

Photo by Gasten Schoonover

A guitar serenade

The Rambler

Don t Forget Sarah Marshall A comedy that delivers the laughs

L

ook in most any college dorm room’s DVD collection and Judd Apatow’s name is bound to appear more than once.

He’s no big name star or familiar face, but he has written and directed some of the most popular movies of the last five years including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad and his latest box-office hit, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

The newest flick, released April 18, tells the story of Peter Bretter (Jason Segel, who also wrote the film), a struggling composer and ex-boyfriend of TV-star Sarah Marshall (Kristen RYAN Bell). In an attempt to rediscover himself, Peter takes the AUTHIER advice of his stepbrother Brian (Bill Hader, Superbad) and takes a vacation to Hawaii, only to discover that Sarah and her new boyfriend, English pop star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), are taking a holiday at the same resort. Peter’s only source of escape from the newly-discovered turmoil is through hotel desk girl Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis, That 70s Show). As the awkward tension escalates and contrasts with the relaxing nature that is Hawaii, the love connections begin to intertwine in a way that doesn’t fit the typical “guy meets girl” mold.

Although the movie has a romantic subplot, it is a comedy first and foremost, and in this department it does not disappoint.

“I probably missed about one-third of the plot because I couldn’t hear over everyone’s laughter,” said sophomore English/athletic training major Joakim Soederbaum.

Segel, who gained popularity starring in the NBC show Freaks and Geeks (also produced by Apatow), delivers every gawky line and clumsy move in a subtly hilarious fashion.

Though not a major character, the one I found to be most humorous was Aldous Snow. This completely narcissistic, cliché pop-star is utterly oblivious to

e N wduosetsthescenewithsmoothtunes I

don’t frequent the indie music scene very often. In fact, I find it quite boring. MTV-U actually keeps me from visiting Dora’s Residential Restaurant.

Could music be any more unenjoyable?

For me, “indie” is synonymous with “crap” or “unable to capture fans,” at least in terms of music. I mean, come on, there is a reason these acts can’t get mainstream airplay or afford to have their lyrics printed with their homemade CDs! Although I believe most indie music acts should leave their awkward sounds to die in some garage somewhere, there’s something about the new SHAWN R. group She & Him. POLING She & Him is made up of celebrated young actress Zooey Deschanel (Elf, Tin Man, Weeds), who just happens to also be an accomplished vocalist and pianist, and indie guitarist M. Ward. Now, is that an odd pairing or what? Even though Deschanel has some experience, is she good enough to headline a musical duo?

Short answer: yes.

Although the two have some suitable credit and significant funds available to them, their album, simply titled Volume One, is indie to the core.

No effort is given to tailoring their sounds to play on popular radio stations, and their musical stylings are an odd mashing of whiney emo-guitar riffs and period-piece vocals that were probably inspired by a 40’s lounge diva. Basically, you won’t hear any of this on 106.1 Kiss FM, ever.

The 12 crawling tracks are the kind of laid-back numbers you expect to hear in old-school martini bar; nothing too overpowering to the ears and light on the subject material (mostly longing for love) that’s guaranteed to keep the mood at a nice and calm pace.

In a major change from today’s mainstream hits, there’s not a scream or insult to be heard.

No boundaries being declared, no refusals to marriage or friendship, no bodies in a club dripping with sweat, no response to the haters… heck, I don’t even think there are drums.

The lyrics are another breath of fresh air, void of the profanity and rampant sexuality infesting today’s top hits. Mostly written by Deschanel, the simple lyrics are the thoughtful and honest words you might see in your own diary or journal.

So even though my iPod is dominated by the exhilarating likes of Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Fallout Boy and Timbaland, I’m trading in the Apple wonder for my trusty CD player and tonight I’m chillin’ to the sounds of She & Him. Deschanel and Ward aren’t trying to impress anyone, they’re not out to rule the radio, and honestly, they probably wouldn’t mind if you never listened to their music. It’s theirs and more “real” than anything I’ve heard in a while.

Think of it as liquid poetry. It’s probably the smoothest set of sounds you’ll hear this year.

Wednesday

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On Campus:

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Thursday On Campus:

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Friday On Campus

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*Baptist Student Ministry: Sid *The Rambler staff meeting: * Gay Straight Alliance Stella Russell Hall lobby, Richardson Building, noon, meeting: B17 basement of 12:15 p.m. free lunch served the library, 12:15 p.m.

AHEAD

*Methodist Student Movement meeting: Poly UMC, noon, free lunch served

Jason Segel (left) shines as the ousted boyfriend in this spring’s comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Costars Kristin Bell and Russell Brand add comedic relief.

the uncomfortable situation that is plaguing everyone around him. Even his songs, which are inserted throughout the film, have delightfully explicit connotations as they mock the status that pop music is currently in.

One of his songs, which can be heard at his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/officialinfantsorrow), states “We gotta do something, before Mother Earth gets any more hurt, we gotta do something.”

The only thing that could have made this movie any better is more of Snow and his over-exaggerated singing.

In typical Apatow fashion, there are minor roles throughout the film that are filled by past stars from his earlier films. Forgetting Sarah Marshall includes Jonah Hill as a waiter/over-zealous fan of Aldous Snow, and Paul Rudd as a zoned-out surfing instructor. Though both roles are minor, seeing these familiar faces only brings more smiles to the audience.

Unlike most college-kid-targeted comedies, Apatow’s tend to get very high reviews from professional critics, and Sarah Marshall is no exception. The film is exquisitely pieced together and performed to near-perfection by all actors, big and small. It is by far the best film I have seen this year, and it is one that will grace my dorm room DVD collection in a matter of months.

Ryan Authier is a junior psychology major and is a staff writer for The Rambler.

Shawn R. Poling is a senior English major and is the editor-in-chief for The Rambler.

A

Photo courtesy of google.com

We Don’t Bite!

* Senior Recital: guitarist Roman Coronado: Martin Hall, 7:30 p.m.

To submit an event for the calender, e-mail twurambler@yahoo.com.

Saturday On Campus:

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* Woman’s Softball vs. LSUAlexandria: Softball field, 2 p.m & 4 p.m.

Off Campus:

Sunday Off Campus:

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* Margaret Cho: Nokia Theatre, 8 p.m.

Monday On Campus:

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* Voice Recital: Thad Smotherman Theatre, 7 p.m.

Tuesday On Campus:

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* Wesleyan Chorale presents Anton Bruckner: Mass in E Minor: Martin Hall, 7:30 Off Campus:

* Avril Lavigne: SuperPages.com Center, 7 p.m.

* Dinner & A Movie: Ferre Ristorante & Bar, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m ($25.95)

* Jimmy Buffet: Pizza Hut Park, 7 p.m.

* Jack Ingram: Bass Hall, 8 p.m.

Come Work For The Rambler www.txwes.edu/rambler

Sports

The Rambler

Quick Quotes “I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments.

The front page has nothing but man's failures.”

Chief Justice Earl Warren

Log on to: www.ramsports.net for the latest game information and profiles of your favorite Wesleyan Teams and Athletes

Upcoming Events

Desperados deliver for desparate RYAN AUTHIER STAFF WRITER

Ah yes, the beauty of spring. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, the weather is warm, and the skies are blue. And, not unlike the world around it, the sports world is blooming. The Mavericks and Stars are both in the playoffs, and the Rangers are getting comfortable at the bottom of the American League West preparing to make their optimistic comeback around 2012. Yes, everything is normal in the Metroplex. But if you are anything like me, you have probably woken up at least once this spring in a cold sweat asking yourself, “Where’s the football?” Well, I am here to tell you, my friend, that the sweet pad-pop-

4/23 2 p.m. Softball vs. Jarvis Christian 4 p.m. Softball vs. Jarvis Christian 6:30 p.m. Baseball @ UT-Arlington 4/24 1 p.m. Softball @ Langston 3 p.m. Softball @ Langston 7 p.m. Athletic Banquet 4/26 1 p.m. Baseball @ LSUAlexandria 2 p.m. Softball vs. LSUAlexandria 3 p.m. Baseball @ LSUAlexandria 4 p.m. SB vs. LSUAlexandria *denotes home games

Sports Briefs Lady Rams stomp out the Mustangs April 19 The Wesleyan softball team took two games of a double header from the College of the Southwest Mustangs, defeating the opponents 5-0 in game one and 5-4 in game two.

Rams have triple-record day on the field April 18 For the second time this season, the Rams matched the school record for hits in a game with 23. They also matched the school record with eight doubles and, in addition, senior pitcher Hayden Lackey tied the NAIA national record by making the 95th relief appearance of his career.

All of that added up to a 161 shellacking of Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Villanueva twins sign April 17 The men’s soccer team gained a dynamic duo from the signing Luis and Angel Villanueva of North Side High School. Coach Josh Gibbs comments, “We are very excited to have these two great players and great people joining us at Texas Wesleyan. I believe their futures are bright in the Texas Wesleyan soccer family.”

Lady Rams sweep twin bill April 16 The women’s softball team claimed 17-0 and 25-0 victories over Jarvis Christian College during the teams’ double header.

April 23, 2007 5

ping sounds of the gridiron are just up the road awaiting your eager spirit.

The Dallas Desperados certainly cannot call themselves America’s Team. Heck, they probably can’t even call themselves Dallas’ team. They are, however, the only representative from Texas in the Arena Football League, and they are making the Lone Star State proud. As of this week,

‘Believe’ F

the Desperados are undefeated with a 7-0 record and are 3-0 in Eastern National Conference play at the midway point in the season.

This year, the only team in competition with the Desperados is their conference rivals, the Philadelphia Soul (7-0). While Tony Romo is off in Cabo and Donovan McNabb is filming chunky chicken noodle commercials, no-name athletes like Will Pettis and Tony Graziani are keeping the rivalry between Dallas and Philly alive. The fascinating part is that this season is no fluke. Over the past three seasons, the Desperados have only lost four games, including a 15-1 run last year that was stopped short in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Though the main idea of Arena League is still bone-crunching action, the rules are a little different from traditional football. Rather than a full 100 yard field, the AFL uses a 50 yard, indoor playing surface surrounded by walls on the sides and nets at each end. This means no running out-ofbounds, which results in heightened intensity and some nasty wall tackles.

Adding to the intensity, there are only eight players per side, six of which play both offense and defense alongside two specialists on each side of the ball. Basically, you take the NFL, cut it in half, put a barrier around the field, add some surprisingly intense athletes, and bake.

In a league with this much intensity and desire, it’s a surprise that the AFL doesn’t have a much larger following than it does, especially in cities with successful teams like Dallas and Philadelphia. This season, most teams are experiencing crowds of around 13,000 people, about one-fifth of the average attendance for NFL games. Granted the players aren’t as popular, the owners aren’t as dramatic, and even the team names seem like they were picked by 7-year-olds (Crush, Rush, Force, Blaze), but the heart of football is still there and should be appreciated accordingly. With a little Courtesy of Google Images support this season, the city of Dallas just might be able to break that playoff curse with a little help from the Desperados.

Dallas faces off away against Philadelphia at 7 p.m. April 28 on ESPN2. The next home game is May 10 at American Airlines Center with tickets starting at $12.

Faith and hard work land the Dallas Stars in Round Two

or Dallas Stars fans, the was making big plays,’’ said Stars forward Stu sun is shining brightly Barnes, who contributed two goals to the after the playoff eliminaseries in addition to his penalty killing and tion of the Anaheim Ducks, rough checking. “That was huge for us, getDallas’ conference rivals. ting everybody going like that. It makes us a My sun is certainly beamdifficult team to play against.’’ ing. The series, which The sport, which is very quickly becoming ended with a 4-1 win at a young man’s game, found just that in the home, was the first playoff four young defensemen who managed to not COLLEEN series win for the Stars only keep their cool against the Ducks, but BURNIE since 2003. who all contributed to the series wins. It was Going into the round the combination of the new talent and the vetone, nearly all the prevailing opinion among eran players that made the difference for sports analysts was that the Ducks would Dallas. repeat their 2007 Stanley Cup run and take the “It was pretty emotional and pretty speStars in the first round...they were wrong (I cial,” goalie Turco told the Dallas Morning love to be right!). The California teams News, who had 17 saves, including some huge seemed to have the right formula for a run to ones in the third period when the Ducks were the championship, and with Dallas missing All trying to overcome a 2-1 deficit. “But that Star defenseman Sergei Zubov and Philippe said, it will be quickly forgotten, because we Boucher, the odds weren’t in Dallas’ favor. really do have plans beyond this.”

The series Defenseman Stephane Robidas who began with the played game six with the broken nose he ... the momentum built in Ducks, second this exciting series won’t be sustained in game five made the absence of in the Western the two defensemen less of a blow to the easily quenched ...

Pacific team. In a span of 52 seconds of the third Division, claimperiod of game six, he scored the tying goal ing home ice advantage and hosting games and set up what proved to be the game-winner. one and two of the possible seven. While the If you were looking for good ol’ fashion prospect of beating the defending champs may hockey fights you’d have to look somewhere have seemed slim to the analysts, Dallas won else as the refs kept the rivals from doing both games and then returned home to try and much damage. Even forward Steve Ott, who is defend their ice. known as a physical and agitating player only Those two wins gave Dallas the confispent four minutes in the penalty box the dence that they have been lacking for the last entire series. few years.

The future holds a challenge with seven “What it does is build a belief system in more games against a tough team, but the our group that we can do this….We had a momentum built in this exciting series won’t team that we weren’t sure how good we were. be easily quenched, and the extra days of rest We talked about being good, but to get the will only help. true belief system, you have to do things,” “Getting this Stars head coach Dave Tippett told first series win, it’s DallasStars.com. “I thought from the first something we’ve game of the series, we were competing hard, talked about for a blocking shots and doing whatever it took to lot of years here,’’ win.”

Barnes said. “We Although the Stars lost game three at can enjoy it for a home and game five in Anaheim, they couple of days. proved that they can outplay the higherBut we know ranked Ducks and were rewarded. As Tippet we’ve got a heck and the rally towels at the game stated, they of challenge ahead believed. The defense was breathtaking with of us.’’ strong fronts to block the bullying opponent And I’ve got and the phenomenal goal tending was some great hockmatched by an offense that placed the puck ey-watching ahead in the net. The Stars worked as a team, and of me. it showed.

Colleen Burnie is a senior writing major and is “Every night it seemed somebody else the entertainment editor for The Rambler.

Throw out the records

Photo by Kevin Keathley

Senior Jason Rachuig picked up the win for the Rams’ April 18th match with Southwestern Assembly of God. Rachuig and senior Hayden Lackey are vying to break the national career relief appearances record of 101 with current statuses of 95 and 97, respectively.

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