Trinitonian SERVING TRINITY UNIVERSITY SINCE 1902 s WWW.TRINITONIAN.COM
VOLUME 109, ISSUE 18 s February 3, 2012
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Drought continues, but fountain flows
What’s Inside
n Water feature is up and running again on recycled water as San Antonio downgrades to Stage 1 restrictions by John Reesman Reporter
Get your art on “Decaydence” and “New Work” art exhibitions open in Dicke-Smith building. Page 11
Prior to Bid Day 2012, many students passing by Miller fountain perhaps wondered if water would be cascading down for the occasion. Miller Fountain was offline due to Stage 1 water restrictions and a persistent growth of algae. Recycled water and a new filtration system are responsible for the functional, renovated fountain. “The only way we can legally
operate any water feature is if it is 100 percent recycled water,” said Mark Schweitzer, acting director of Facility Services. “We had fountains hooked up to recycled water in the past. Because of the sun load on the recycled water, the water had a tendency to turn green very quickly.” While recycled water is in use for nearly 99 percent of campus landscape irrigation, the transition had come only more recently to several water features on campus, including Miller Fountain and the acequia in front of Northrup Hall. “When we entered Stage 1 water restrictions, we had to stop using potable water in the fountains,” Schweitzer said. “We have gone back to using recycled water in the fountains. n See FOUNTAIN Page 5
photo by Purushottam Shah
The use of recycled water in Miller Fountain allows its use on Bid Day even during drought restrictions which restrict the use of foutains in the city.
Campus weighs in on new science building
n The Center for Sciences and Innovation is making an impression on students, faculty and staff
It’ll be a smash Viva features some fun drinking games you and your friends can play during the Superbowl.
by Rachel Puckett Reporter
Page 13
Wins for basketball Men’s basketball wins home games against Millsaps and Rhodes. Page 16
WEEKEND WEATHER High
Friday 77° Low
High
Saturday 66° Low 48°
High
Sunday 54° Low 42°
61°
ON THE WEB Follow the Trinitonian at www.trinitonian.com
photo by Moira Allen
Students walk in the lobby of the newly opened Center for the Sciences and Innovation. CSI officially opened for classes on Jan. 23.
Trinity staff is winning n Faculty and staff earn national recognition for various projects in their fields by Avantika Krishna Reporter
Various professors and administration have received recent accolades, distinguishing them in their respective fields. Back in December, Lawrence Kim, assistant professor of classical studies, was selected as the recipient of the 2011 AIA/
APA Charles J. Goodwin Award of Merit for his book, “Homer between History and Fiction in Imperial Greek Literature.” Kim, whose book was published by Cambridge University Press in 2010, wrote about the way notable Greek figures perceived Homer and questioned Homer’s works. “It’s actually about the reception of Homer in antiquity. The question I look at is the people who are concerned with the issue of whether Homer was more of a poet or a historian. n See FACULTY Page 3
As Phase 2 of Trinity University’s massive construction project updating science and math facilities drew to a close, the Center for the Sciences and Innovation opened its doors and began holding classes on Monday, Jan. 23. CSI now holds classes in a variety of different subjects including biology, chemistry, geosciences, psychology and neurology. Most students and professors are pleased with the building’s functionality. “As you can see, there are still I’s to dot and T’s to cross to get this building complete, but we’re really excited about our initial feeling. The spaces are working the way we thought they’d work. We think students are already discovering it, and we encourage everybody to come hang out,” said David Ribble, chair of the biology department. Ribble encourages students and faculty of all departments to visit the new space, reflecting a desire to publicize the work by science professors and students. The science departments hope that CSI will allow for “science on display.” “In the days of old, we were doing our science behind brick walls, and it’s kind of mysterious which is unfortunate. We’re trying to celebrate the fun stuff, the great stuff, that we’re doing in our science labs, and that’s one of the hallmarks of this building. Our intention is to
make people walk past our labs and see what’s going and share in the excitement,” Ribble said. In order to allow visitors to see into the space, the building’s design includes large, open spaces and windows. Tessa Conaway, a sophomore psychology student, spends time in CSI for her social development course and has noticed the building’s design. “On the second floor when you walk in, there’s a lab, and it has a wall of windows. I think it’s nice to be able to see into the science lab. It connects science classes with the rest of the university,” Conaway said. The ground level contains a large atrium that Ribble and other professors have found draws students to the building. “This atrium is fascinating because it’s big, and it’s sort of grand, but it also still has some intimacy. You can be in here with a lot of people and still have a private conversation. Students are already discovering that it is a great place to study,” Ribble said. “We’ve already noticed students coming in and hanging out because it is a really pleasant, open, airy space.” The building also offers updated, state-of-the-art equipment for students and faculty to use. This equipment upgrade even affects introductory level students. Both the first-year chemistry and biology labs have access to the equipment. The building also provides space for classes outside of math and various science departments to use. Conaway’s modern East Asia course uses the building for film screening. n See IMPRESSION Page 4