The voice of Texas Wesleyan University students since 1917

The RamblerTheatre Wesleyan gears up for Crimes of the Heart.A&E, page 6

WEDNESDAYNovember 10, 2010

Vol. 93 • No. 23

www.therambler.org

Lady Rams volleyball finish strong on Senior Night.Sports, page 5

Jonathan Resendezjlresendez@mail.txwes.edu

Wesleyan received a visit from Dr. Sandra Harper, Presi-dent of Our Lady of the Lake College and one of two remain-ing presidential candidates, as part of her final interview pro-cess Nov. 8 and 9.

Harper met with the execu-tive vice presidents and provost council and toured the Burle-son campus Nov. 8.

“All the meetings have been very positive and hopeful about the future of Texas Wes-leyan,” Harper said.

Harper said most people wanted to know what her pri-orities would be the first 30 to 90 days in office were she to get the position.

“The new president needs to have somewhat of a blend between the internal under-standing of the campus and the external focus of visibility and fund raising,” she said.

Pati Alexander, vice presi-dent for enrollment and stu-dent services, said although Harper and Slabach were both familiar with developing stra-tegic plans, Harper’s questions were totally different.

“She’s very focused on SACS [Southern Association of Col-leges and Schools],” she said.

“We’re going to be up for reaf-firmation soon and her famil-iarity would be beneficial to us.”

Alexander said she was equally pleased with both can-didates.

“Our community would love both of them,” she said. “The students would be happy with either one.”

Harper’s broad-based expe-rience that higher education is different than a regular busi-ness is a key advantage to the

financial aspect of the presi-dency, said Provost and Senior Vice President Allen Hender-son.

Concerning the strategic plan, she demonstrated her knowledge of structure plan-ning and program assessment, Henderson said.

Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and ad-ministration, also said he was impressed with Harper’s knowledge of university gover-nance and SACS accreditation.

“She’s very astute where our accreditation is concerned,” he said. “She’s been around the block a few times and knows how to deal with them.”

Beverly Volkman-Powell, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the Presidential Search Commit-tee, said the committee will meet again on Nov. 19 and will make a final decision by Thanksgiving. If elected, Harp-er would be Wesleyan’s first fe-male president.

TARGETEDCampus officials demand airsoft gun use stop

Counseling available to student body

Jonathan Resendezjlresendez@mail.txwes.edu

A student shouts, pol-luting the air in Stella Hall with curse words. He con-fronts a student who is holding a large, black plas-tic gun with an orange tip—the same gun that spit out a 6 mm bright orange BB that strayed from its path and struck the angry stu-dent. An RA separates the students.

In Elizabeth Hall, not 200 feet away, another air-soft gun, an automatic that sounds like a sewing ma-chine, pierces the quiet and is followed by laughter and quick footsteps.

Airsoft guns, gas or bat-tery powered replica guns that shoot small plastic BBs 100 to 500 feet per second, have a presence on Wes-leyan. The Officials

Although Wesleyan stu-dents who keep and play with airsoft guns said they

do it for fun, the dean of students and campus se-curity said the guns are dangerous and prohibited. Security will start cracking down on those caught with the weapons.

“We see several forms of danger related to the airsoft guns,” said Dean of Stu-dents Cary Poole in an e-mail. “In the most extreme case, a student exiting from their residence hall may be struck on the eye and re-ceive severe injury.”

According to the student handbook, “Students shall not carry a weapon on uni-versity property. Weapons include but are not limited to: BB/pellet guns, paint guns, air guns and airsoft

guns.” Prohibition of pos-session and use are also outlined in the handbook. The repercussions for vio-lations include probation, monetary fines and sanc-tions to perform commu-nity service, Poole said.

An incident involving airsoft guns was reported in mid-October in Elizabeth Hall and warnings were is-sued to students, many of whom were athletes. Poole said students can be placed under two probations, with the more severe not permit-ting the student to repre-sent the school in any way.

“In an extreme case where injury may have re-sulted or where repeated attempts by university of-

ficials to cease the activity [were ignored], suspension may result,” Poole said.

Poole also said the BBs left behind could cause one to slip and create a mess.

“If you walk into the Cafe [Dora’s], you’ll see little green pellets everywhere,” said junior history major Emma Fradette.

Director of Security Feli-sa Barnes said she received

complaints about airsoft guns last year, which led her to speak with the basketball team.

“I told them to cut it out, and they did,” she said.

Barnes said at this point security staff will press for violators to be punished to the full extent, because she has already warned the

“Students need to put the guns up. It’s not worth it. We will catch you.”

Felisa BarnesDirector of Security

Shauna Bankssbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

Graduate students aiming to help oth-ers in their future careers, and students needing help working through day-to-day life troubles, should look no further than the counseling degree programs and Glick House at Wesleyan.

“Students that seek a career in coun-seling have several options, including marriage counseling, guidance counsel-ing, rehabilitative, mental health coun-seling and substance abuse counseling,” said DeTrae Warren, graduate admis-sions recruiter.

Warren said the university currently offers three graduate-level counseling programs: Marriage and Family Thera-py, Professional Counseling and School Counseling. Students must earn a bach-elor’s degree and have at least 18 hours in psychology or related course work to enter these programs.

“Counseling isn’t a one dimensional degree—you can go so many ways with it,” said Jennifer Connell, coordinator for graduate counseling programs. “You can work in a corporate setting, a private practice setting, an educational setting and various other settings.”

Connell said it’s a great idea, especially given the current job market situation, to get a degree that is as versatile as counseling is.

“The training and knowledge that counseling majors gain in the programs make them better active listeners, see things from another’s perspective, and

Second candidate visits campus

Photos by Jonathan ResendezWesleyan’s director of security and dean of students have recently scrutinized the use of airsoft guns by Wesleyan students. (Above) The 6 mm BBs are made of plastic, come in a variety of bright colors and have been found all over campus.

¡Celebracion!

Jonathan Resendez | Rambler StaffVice President of the Alumni Board David Martin chats with presidential finalist Dr. Sandra Harper at a cocktail reception on Nov. 2. The Presidential Search Committee and executive vice presidents also attended the social.

 GUNS, page 8  GLICK, page 3

Photo by Jonathan Resendez

Latin organizations gather to celebrate Dia de los Muertos Nov. 2 with food and drink(Above) Senior psychology major Karla Rodriguez spoons salsa on sophomore English major Adam Cruz’ tostada during a Dia de los Muertos Celebration hosted by the Bilingual Education Student Organization and Interna-tional Programs. (Below) Senior bilingual education major Mayra Olivas serves students corn in a cup for $1. Photos by Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff