Vacations, school, cartoons alone time and musicalsArts Editor Sara Snelson examines her top six Christmas movies of all time, page 3

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Abilene Christian University Serving the ACU community since 1912

December 7, 2007

FRIDAY

Vol. 96, No. 27

1 sections, 8 pageswww.acuoptimist.com

THE

Textbook buybackStudents can sell their books to The Campus Store beginning during finals week, page 4

There’s no break in basketballBasketball won’t get much of a break playing a tough schedule while students are home, page 8

OPTIMIST

By Kelsi PeaceManaging Editor

The Students’ Association Congress called for uniformity and reform in the attendance policy on campus at Wednes-day’s meeting, passing an act asking professors to reconsid-er stringent policies.

Senior senator Brandon Smith authored the act, which aims to eliminate “varying de-grees of restrictiveness and academic punishment,” ac-cording to the legislation.

The act recognizes the necessity of an attendance

policy, but criticizes the ar-ray of enforcement. Some in-structors penalize students full letter grades for missing more than two classes, a far cry from the 20 percent atten-dance policy that is generally the standard, Smith said.

Congress agreed with the policy of dropping stu-dents from a course if they miss more than 20 percent of class meetings, but re-quested instructors seek a common standard — and not necessarily the current 80-percent standard.

Smith said he presented

the legislation at the end of the semester in the hopes that professors would revise their attendance policies over the break.

Despite urging from Rep. Tony Godfrey and Rep. Casey Bingham that Congress uni-formly support the act, the leg-islation passed with 37 votes for and one vote abstaining.

“The ambiguity of the policy makes it difficult for students,” SA president Matt Worthington said.

And representatives across the board agreed – many shared instances of being

dropped from courses for missing more than 20 percent of class because of school-sponsored activities, losing a grade for being sick or earning a poor grade in a general class simply because of attendance.

With the support of Con-gress, the act will next be turned to the Faculty Senate and Dr. Jean-Noel Thomp-son, vice president of stu-dent life, to open dialogue, Worthington said.

Also at Wednesday’s

SA pushes for even attendance policies

By Karie SchmidtStudEnt rEportEr

Sandy McCoy remembers vividly how the night played out — the door-bell rang, and she saw all the faces at her door so early in the morning. A police sergeant, a lieutenant, a Chap-lin, a best friend and his wife and a pastor all came to support her and to bear bad news.

“It was almost like I thought I was dreaming, and I turned around, and I thought, ‘This is a dream,’ and I turned back around, and I knew it wasn’t, and I could not believe what I

heard…my stomach, I can feel it right now, imagine the sickest feeling that you could ever feel.”

This summer McCoy lost her hus-band Jeff, a father, a man of faith and an officer in the Abilene Police Department, when he was killed in a drunk-driving accident.

On June 5 around 3 a.m., Officer McCoy was out on patrol near South 14th and Barrow when Marcos Su-arez, who was under the influence of alcohol and driving at a high rate of speed, lost control of his vehicle and ran Officer McCoy off the road and into a light pole. McCoy was pro-

nounced dead at the scene.Officer McCoy has become a tragic

statistic in a rising trend.The ACU Police Department and

the Abilene Police Department both have been working to keep drunks off the streets through task forces, grants and just keeping an open eye for suspicious drivers.

Abilene has around 4,000 ac-cidents a year, and approximately 350 of these accidents are related to drunk driving, said Sergeant Doug Wrenn, the traffic division’s com-mander of the Abilene Police Depart-ment. Since 1990 about 13 fatalities

occur per year relating to motor ve-hicle accidents, and one out of four are due to drunk driving. Although these statistics have changed in the last year, now about 50 percent of motor vehicle fatalities are due to drunk driving.

The Texas law defines legally in-toxicated as blood alcohol level of .08. Wrenn said it does not take too much to reach this state and for younger students, “18-25 [year-old students] still have enough immaturity to be-lieve they are invincible.”

Death brings attention to alarming drunk driving numbers

photo courtesy of abilene police departmentOfficer Jeff McCoy’s patrol car hit a street light pole after being run off the road by a drunk driver during the early morning on June 5. McCoy was killed in the wreck.

By Jared FieldsEditor-in-ChiEf

Brandon Dale Wood-ruff, a former ACU student charged with killing his par-ents in 2005, still awaits his jury trial and is held on a $1 million bond.

Woodruff, 21, had a trial date set for Oct. 31 of this year, but has had it delayed when the Hunt County Dis-trict Attorney’s Office asked a state district judge to be re-cused, for the judge to be tak-en off the case, according to the Rockwall County News.

No trial date is set, and a gag order is placed on all par-ties involved with the case, including the judge, the pros-ecuting and defense teams, people answering phones at the county and district

Woodruff trial date unsure

By Denton JoseyfEaturES Editor

Gibson gymnasium could undergo renovations as soon as 2008.

As a part of the 21st Cen-tury vision, Gibson would transform into the Student Recreation and Fitness Cen-ter (SRFC), pending suffi-cient funding.

A committee of students, faculty, staff and adminis-

trators is working with Tip-ton and Associates on the center’s conceptual architec-tural design. Additionally, the committee consulted stu-dent focus groups, residence assistants and the Students’ Association to gain feedback on the project.

Dr. Nikki Rippee, chair of the project, said the commit-tee formed in May. In addi-tion to the student feedback, the committee researched

fitness centers at other uni-versities around the country. “It’s going to be a facility where students can improve their health and wellness, so it improves quality of life for our students, faculty and staff,” Rippee said

The construction plan in-cludes renovating existing parts of Gibson and adding several thousand square feet. The total footage would range from 85,000 to

100,000 square feet upon the project’s completion. Once construction begins, the estimated completion time is 18 months.

Several options are under consideration for inclusion in the SRFC. The potential options include improved weight rooms, additional basketball courts, racquet-ball courts, multipurpose areas for indoor intramu-rals and open gym times, a

community lounge with TV space, new locker rooms, a smoothie bar, an aerobics room and a pool with an out-side area for sand volleyball and outdoor basketball.

The fitness center would create a variety of jobs for students. Rippee said the De-partment of Exercise Science and Health would eventually

ACU considers renovations to Gibson

By Colter HettichStudEnt rEportEr

Abilenians will have a new stop to make downtown dur-ing the next Artwalk. On De-cember 13 at 5:00 p.m., ACU will unveil its latest, 2,600 square foot expansion: the ACU-Cockerell Art Gallery.

A $3,000 grant from the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council opened the doors for the new downtown gallery. The ACAC acts as the city’s art council, funding exhibits at the Grace Museum and the Center of Contemporary Art and generally promoting the arts in Abilene

The new ACU-Cockerell Art Gallery, though free of charge, is currently available by appointment only, but Dr. Garlan Jenkens, professor and curator of the on-campus Shore Gallery, hopes it will soon be open to the public.

Jenkens, who personally pursues art, songwriting and poetry, has a vision.

“We want the gallery to be about much more than just

Cockerell Gallery opens door for Artwalk

Getting seriousSee GIBSON page 7

See GALLERY page 7See DWI page 7

See SA page 7

See WOODRUFF page 7

katie gager CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior senator Brandon Smith presents the attendance reform act to the Students’ Association Congress at its meeting Wednesday.

The Food Bank of Abilene needs volunteers to help with its annual Share Your Christmas Food Drive on Wednesday. The food drive will take place at United Supermarket at S. 14th and Willis. Shifts are available from 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

The Christmas Store, a min-istry of Highland Church of Christ, needs volunteers Thursday and Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to help set up, assist with shopping and clean up. The Christmas Store gives lower income individuals somewhere to shop for their family.

Hendrick Hospice Care needs volunteers to accept donations at its “Light up a Life” tree, which will be located at the Mall of Abilene in the courtyard in front of Dillard’s for men. Shifts are available seven

days a week in two-hour incre-ments until Jan. 5. For more infor-mation, contact Jennifer Forrest or Brooke Hearon at (325) 677-8516.

Volunteers are needed until Dec. 17 at the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Mall of Abilene. Mondays-Saturdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30-6 p.m. Volunteers will help greet shoppers, record personal information from those adopting angels, log in presents and bag presents. Volunteers are also needed at the Civic Center Dec. 17-Dec.22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to organize presents, sort and display toys by age group, as-semble food bags for families and assist during distribution days, which will be Dec. 21-23. For more information, contact Cecilia Barahona at (325) 677-1557.

Java City on Ambler across from Hardin-Simmons University will be open later than usual dur-ing finals week. Extended hours of operation are Sunday from 7 p.m.-1 a.m., Monday-Thursday from 6 a.m.-1 a.m. and Friday from 6 a.m.-midnight. Also, all students will receive 10 percent off any drink purchase with a valid university student ID card, so come study for finals this week at Java City.

The ACU Theatre Improv Class will put on two nights of Improv Comedy on Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 in Fulks Theatre, located in the Williams Performing Arts Center. Take a break from finals and come to one or both shows. Each nightly performance will be completely different, so nothing will be repeated between shows.

A Christmas Concert will take place on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center to benefit institutions in Ghana, including the Village of Hope, Heritage Christian College and the children of Yendi. For

more information, contact Dr. Tanya Brice at (325) 674-2072.

“Food for Fines” will take place throughout December. All Abilene Library Consortium libraries, including Brown Library, will forgive $1 in overdue fines for each can, box or bag of nonper-ishable food item donated.

The Office of Multicultural Enrichment invites students, faculty and staff to join in remem-brance of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Apr. 4-5, 2008 at Southern Hills Church of Christ. Guests will enter into conversations over Christian re-sponsibilities in racial reconcilia-tion within the church. This event will expand on conversations that were held at the ‘Erasing Racism: Reconciling the Races in Christ’ conference that took place Nov. 2-3 at Southern Hills. One hundred people attended this conference, which was spon-sored by the Office of Multicul-tural Enrichment. E-mail Dr. Doug Foster at fosterd@acu.edu with questions or comments.

Last day of class

Last day to withdraw from the university

7 p.m.Power103 will broadcast live from JavaCity on Ambler across from Hardin-Simmons University until 9 p.m. Come in and meet the DJs over a cup of coffee.

8 p.m.Ian Moore will play at Crossroads with special guest Hurt Street. Tickets cost $15 per person. All ages will be admitted. Crossroads is located at 4216 N. 1st St.

Final Exams

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Calendar Events&

The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mxe06a@acu.edu.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

About This Page

Friday, December 7, 2007

Announcements

10 Monday07Friday 08 Saturday 11 Tuesday

Volunteer Opportunities

7 p.m.ISA, Essence of Ebony and Hispanos Unidos will host a combined Christmas Party at the University Park Clubhouse. Bring a friend and enjoy free food, music and games.

Dead Day (no classes)

7 p.m.The Rockin Extensions and Play Heaven will perform at Monks Coffee Shop. The show will cost $5 per person.

10 p.m.Midnight Breakfast will take place in the Bean until midnight. Use a meal plan or pay $5. The Midnight Breakfast, hosted by Wildcat Parents, will feature kara-oke, prizes and a $100 give-away at midnight.

CreditedChapelsto date:

CreditedChapelsremaining:

Chapel Checkup6600

Help keep area traffic safe and avoid expen-sive municipal traffic citations. Drive slowly, stop at stop signs and always yield to pedes-trian crosswalk traffic.

Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Department at (325) 674-2305.

Mon., Nov. 26, 2007 7:06 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with vehicle accident at 1400 Ambler 12:10 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Teague Lot 2:22 p.m. Found cell found and returned to owner 2:27 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at South Parking Lot 3:05 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at University Church Lot 6:02 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Zellner Hall, misdial 6:21 p.m. Vehicle hit and run accident in Business Lot 8:19 p.m. Contacted terminated employee in Campus Center, was told not to return

Tues., Nov. 27, 2007 1:30 a.m. Walk through of Onstead-Packer Biblical Stud-ies Building 1:55 am Walk through of Mabee Business Building 9 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at 2400 Rountree9:30 a.m. Vehicle accident at the Grove Apartment Complex, no report made 12:14 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at University Park Lot 2:10 p.m Attempted to locate subject with warrant 7:33 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at the Bible Lot 9:58 p.m. Gave access to Gib-son Health and P.E. Center to retrieve lost item 11:30 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at University Park Lot

Wed., Nov. 28, 2007 9:15 a.m. Jumpstart vehicle at the Library Lot 11:25 a.m. Theft of bicycle1:21 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with vehicle accident at College Drive and EN 18th 1:44 p.m. Parking violation at Gardner Lot 6 p.m. Burglar alarm at Physical Resources, false alarm 9:45 p.m. Noise violation at the Grove Apartment Complex, no violation upon arrival 10:30 p.m. Unlocked motor vehicle at Nelson Lot

Thurs., Nov. 29, 20072:15 a.m. Walk through of Mabee Business Building 2:35 a.m. Walk through of Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building 6:30 a.m. Walk through of Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building 6:58 a.m. Unlocked Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building 8:21 a.m. Parking violation at Teague Lot 9:21 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at Sikes Lot 10:17 a.m. Incomplete 911 at WPAC, misdial1 p.m. Traffic stop at 1600 Campus court for disregarding stop sign 2:10 p.m. Report of subject on campus with trespass warning, unable to locate 4 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle off campus 4:24 p.m. Assisted student with flat tire in Edwards Lot 5:45 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at

the Station 8:39 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at 1700 Smith 8:54 p.m. Vehicle hit and run accident at Sikes LotFri., Nov. 30, 20078:30 a.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Administration Lot 11 a.m. Standby at Univer-sity Park Apartments. UP staff searching apartment.11:44 a.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Big Purple Lot 2 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with theft at EN 10th and Cockerell 5 p.m. Locked main campus 7 p.m. Gave access to Mabee Auditorium for lost item 10:30 p.m. Report of loud party at Cedar Crest and EN16th, leasee warned 10:55 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with loud party at EN 16th and Cedar Crest, party was shut down

Sat., Dec. 1, 20077:30 a.m. Unlocked Mabee Business Building 7:40 a.m. Unlocked Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building 7:45 a.m. Secured the Fatted Café 8:05 a.m. Unlocked Zona Luce 8:07 a.m. Unlocked Don Morris Center for construction workers 8:25 a.m. Secured north door of the Administration Building 8:30 a.m. Secured loading dock doors at Don Morris Center 8:12 a.m. Unlocked gates at Gibson Health and P.E. Center8:45 a.m. Discovered broken window at Gibson Health and P.E. Center, no report, old damage 8:50 a.m. Secured northeast doors of Gibson Health and P.E. Center10:37 a.m. Parking violation at the Administration Lot 5:20 p.m. Vehicle accident at United on Judge Ely Boulevard, referred to Abilene PD 6:55 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with disturbance at the Grove Apartment Complex 7 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at Nelson Lot 11:32 p.m. Loud party at 600 EN 22nd, contacted tenant, in compliance upon departure

Sun., Dec. 2, 200712:20 a.m. Second report of loud party at 600 EN 22nd, as-sisted Abilene PD with shutting down the party 7:55 a.m. Secured Moody Coli-seum and Gibson Health and P.E. Center 8:20 a.m. Unlocked the Campus Center Living Room 8:58 a.m. Incomplete 911 at the Administration Building room 104, no one there1:18 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Sikes Lot 2:12 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Sewell Theatre, no one there 3:25 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at United on Judge Ely 4:30 p.m. Request from student to study in Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, request denied 4:45 p.m. Gave access to Central plant to work on heating units

Police LogEdited for space

ACU Police Tip of the Week

By Sara SnelsonArts Editor

I am a Christmas fanatic. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. There is plenty of good food to go around, no school, pres-ents, Christmas lights, snow and, again, no school. But I think my favorite part of Christmas is all the Christ-mas movies that come out during the holidays. As the years go by, there are very few great Christmas movies that have been made. Christ-mas classics never fade out, and I would love to see a new classic Christmas movie pro-duced. But for now, here are my top six favorite Christmas classics. Of course I have more than just six favorite Christmas movies, but these are the ones I can watch over and over again. If you have not seen all of these, you bet-ter rent them this holiday.

Page 3December 7, 2007

ArtsFridAyOptimist

1. IrvingBerlin’s‘WhiteChristmas’Bob Wallace and Phil Davis are army buddies from WWII who team up after the war as a very suc-

cessful song-and-dance team. They meet up with Betty and Judy Haines, sisters of an army friend, and they all travel to Vermont. There, Wallace and Davis encounter their retired Army general who misses the army life. They decide to bring their entire production to his inn in Vermont to give him a spectacular surprise and snow.

“White Christmas” is by far my favorite musical of all time. Every song and dance gets stuck in your head, and the story provides one of the best feel-good movies out there. No matter what age you are, “White Christmas” offers something for every one.

1

2. ‘HomeAlone’Kevin McCalister’s Christmas wish is for his family to disappear,

and just that happens. Kevin is left home alone while his family travels to Paris without him. While any kid would be scared, he de-cides to live it up by going through everyone’s things, shop lifting and “eating junk food and watching rubbish.” When he discovers Marve and Harry are going to break into his house, he decides he has to defend his house and sets it up with painful traps. The two are in for a disastrous break-in gone bad.

“Home Alone” can make me laugh no matter the time of year. This movie was an instant classic and deserves all of the praise it has received. It is hilariously painful and a movie that deserves to be quoted.

26. ‘CharlieBrown

Christmas’Charlie Brown is struggling

to find the real meaning of Christmas. All of his friends are obsessing over cards, skat-ing, letters to Santa and the Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown was chosen to get a tree for the pageant, and he ends up getting a scrawny, little tree who’s needles fall off. His re-sponsibility-gone-bad ends up helping all find the true mean-ing of Christmas.

3. ‘Elf’Buddy has always wondered why he is so much bigger than all

of the other elves. When he finds out he is a human and ended up in Santa’s sack one year, Buddy wants to travel to New York City to find his dad, Walter Hobbs. While in New York, Buddy finds his father. He comically struggles to make his father want him and to learn the ways of the humans. He brings Christmas cheer to his family and brings them all together for Christmas.

“Elf” is my comfort movie. The music and innocent humor makes this an incredibly feel-good movie. Kids and adults will like the humor and holiday cheer it brings.

3

4. ‘ChristmasVacation’Clark Griswold is a true

family man and wants to bring back the good ‘ole fash-ioned Christmas to his kids. This involves cutting down their own tree, putting lights on the entire house and in-viting the entire family over. Clark wants everything to be perfect, but everything goes completely wrong.

This movie is chalk-full of memorable quotes and is never dull for one moment.

4

5. ‘AChristmasStory’The only thing Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB

gun. Only, when he tells his mom, she says, “No, you’ll shoot your eye out.” He sets out to convince everyone he knows that it is the perfect gift, and he needs it. Between having to handle the school bully and his little brother, Randy, tagging along, Ralphie does not know if he can wait long enough to get his Red Rider BB gun. In anticipation of his gun, Ralphie goes through many ob-stacles: Ralphie’s friend gets his tongue stuck to a pole, he writes a paper about his dream gift, his dad puts up a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg and he utters the f-word in front of his father.

This movie is a favorite of everyone and travels into the mind of a child who just wants one thing for Christmas.

5‘Tis the season for deserving Christmas classics

6

Page 4 Friday , December 7, 2007CAMPUS NEWS

By Tanner AndersonStudent RepoRteR

Sure, students can gain knowledge from their text-books, but starting Monday at 8:30 a.m., they can gain some cash as well.

Next Monday ACU is starting up their textbook buyback tradition once again. Students will be able to return their books in ex-change for cash throughout next week.

The hours for the book exchange will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30, except on Tuesday, when the Cam-pus Store will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30.

Students must bring some sort of picture identification with them in order to sell their books. The Campus Store cannot accept books without a photo id.

The Campus Store also does not accept books that have missing pages or have water damage; books that have been highlighted or underlined are usually ac-cepted as long as the mark-

ings do not make the mate-rial illegible.

The book store also does not accept course readers or work books. Some study guides are accepted, so stu-dents can try to exchange those if they wish.

Also, outside the Campus Store there will be a sign with up-to-date informa-tion for the students about which textbooks the Cam-pus Store is not accepting.

“I always try and go as early in the morning as possible,” said Jeff Dun-can, accounting graduate student from Colleyville. “Sometimes its fun to go when there’s a big crowd. Sometimes I run into and talk to people I haven’t seen in a while.”

While it’s always nice to receive a little extra change, sometimes it may be more beneficial for students to hold onto their textbooks.

“Lately, I’ve been keep-ing my books. It’s a good way to review when you get into deeper subject mat-ter. I even took one of my

books to work to do some accounting services,” Dun-can said.

If students are looking to make money but don’t want to wait in line at the Campus Center, they can always try the World Wide Web to as-sist them in finding a home for their former books.

“I use the Internet to sell my books,” said Brad Chapman, senior account-ing major from Mesquite. “I use Amazon because it has the biggest market, as well as the most buyers. To set up an account, it takes 15 minutes, and it doesn’t take long to list the books that you want to sell. I’ve sold three books in one hour be-fore. It just depends when you sell the book and its popularity.”

Students can check the demand for textbooks on the Internet just by observ-ing the prices from which they’re being sold online.

Textbooks generate Christmas cash

By Kimberly PratherStudent RepoRteR

The Bean will pull out all the stops at Midnight Breakfast on Dec. 10.

Every year, the Mon-day before finals start, Midnight Breakfast, which is an opportunity for stu-dents to come together and enjoy breakfast food from the Bean, occurs. Midnight Breakfast is from 10:30 p.m. until midnight. Students can use their meal plans or pay $5 at the door.

This year, the classic traditions of karaoke and prize giveaways will con-tinue to take place. Door prizes will be drawn every 15 minutes at the door. These prizes include gift certificates to restaurants such as Chili’s and oth-er franchises outside of Abilene in addition to ran-dom prizes like poker sets. All students have to do to be eligible is be present and show their student ID. Like last year, a $100 draw-ing will take place at the

conclusion of the breakfast at midnight.

“Midnight Breakfast will be the same as usual, offer-ing lots of fun and the great opportunity to blow off some steam before finals begin,” said Samantha Ad-kins, coordinator of Alum-ni Programs and director of Midnight Breakfast.

Midnight Breakfast has been a long-standing tradi-tion for more than 15 years. Wildcat Parents sponsors the breakfast and is responsible for getting the door prizes together. Midnight Break-fast usually has more than 400 students in attendance.

The event is open to all ACU students on a come-as-you-are basis.

“The Midnight Break-fast, to me, means the best food the Bean has to offer all semester,” said Tami

Fleming, junior psychology major from Orange Coun-ty, Calif.

Likewise, Jessica Ro-driguez, junior elemen-tary education major from Kyle, believed that Mid-night Breakfast has great food but also admitted to using Midnight Breakfast as an excuse to get out of her residence hall.

“I don’t really eat in the Bean, but when I was a freshman, it was my op-portunity to miss curfew. This year, I look forward to attending Midnight Breakfast because I don’t really eat in the Bean, and Midnight Breakfast was some of my best times in there,” Rodriguez said.

Bean serves stress relief

E-mail Anderson at: optimist@acu.eduE-mail Prather at: optimist@acu.edu

By Katie HowertonStudent RepoRteR

Mine By Design has provid-ed students a new venue to express their artistic abilities.

Located at 4150 South-west in the Plaza at Park Central, Mine By Design is an art studio and was re-cently opened by Kristen Simpson, sophomore nurs-

ing major from Abilene, and her mother J.V. Johnson.

The purpose of the estab-lishment is to provide a place where people can come and paint ceramics and mosaics and also offers the option of glass fusion.

Simpson said she and her mom got the idea to open the business after visiting a similar store in Lubbock. To

get out word of their busi-ness, Simpson and her moth-er have done a commercial, passed out flyers and even rented billboard space.

With 300 pieces of ceram-ics to choose from, Mine By Design offers a great deal of options within a limited price range. The painting equip-ment is provided; customers are just responsible for pur-

chasing the ceramic of their choice. Prices of ceramics range from $6-$58.

Lauren Kreitz, sopho-more communications ma-jor from San Antonio, has already tried the place out and approves.

“It’s a really cool and fun place to go with your friends,” Kreitz said.

In its third month in busi-

ness, Mine By Design has seen an even balance of adults, children and college students come in for their services.

Simpson said it is great for families to come and spend time together and also a place for couples to come on a date. People are even allowed to rent out the place for a large party.

“Its just fun for all ages,

and you don’t have to be creative, you just come in, and we will help you,” Simpson said.

Mine By Design is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, except for Tuesdays when it is open from noon to 9 p.m.

Ceramic shop offers customers chance for creativity

E-mail Howerton at: optimist@acu.edu

“The Midnight Breakfast, to me, means the best food the Bean has to offer all semester.”

Tami Fleming, junior psychology major from Orange County, Calif.

December 7, 2007 Page 5 CAMPUS NEWS

By Laura AcuffStudent RepoRteR

Brown Library’s Starbucks is undergoing an evaluation by the Campus Center reno-vation team to decide wheth-er to maintain the facility as is or to convert it into a fully-licensed Starbucks or an Einstein Bros. Bagel.

The decision may be an-nounced as early as this spring, with any potential renovations scheduled for summer 2008, said chief auxiliary service officer An-thony Williams.

“We’ve had conversations about this over the last year, and we’re continually trying to make sure that we iden-tify expectations from those who we serve, and then we position ourselves to exceed those expectations,” Wil-liams said.

The Brown Library Star-bucks claims “proudly

brew” status, Williams said. As opposed to a fully-li-censed Starbucks, “proudly brew” level establishments sell only Starbucks’ custom-ary hot beverages. Most of Starbucks’ seasonal items and cold beverages are not on the Brown Library Star-bucks’ menu.

Lucy Balthrop, sopho-more biology major from College Station, said she usually eats in the library at least once a day, mostly out of convenience. While she finds the library facili-ty’s current “proudly brew” status satisfactory, she be-lieves improvements could be made.

“I don’t know anything about Einstein’s Bagel,” Balthrop said. “I think it’d be pretty exciting if they went to full Starbucks, but bagels are cool. It might be cool if they had the same cold drinks as real Starbucks.”

Ellen Pfeiffer, sophomore marketing and finance ma-jor from Katy, said although she has never eaten at an Einstein Bros. Bagel, she an-ticipates positive and nega-tive changes accompanying either option.

“I like Starbucks because I like coffee,” Pfeiffer said. “I don’t want it to change to a bagel shop if there’s no more coffee, but I would like

the bagels because they’re healthier. It would be a good alternative to coffee and/or the muffins.”

ACU’s 21st Century Vi-sion campaign inspired these potential changes, like others around campus, Wil-liams said.

“It is a very exciting time to be at Abilene Christian University,” Williams said. “You have a number of dif-ferent committees and individuals who are col-lectively trying to offer an atmosphere and amenities that really position Abilene Christian University in a very advantageous position compared to those who we compete against. We will probably continue to try to retrieve information to make sure the systems we’re mak-ing are consistent with the system we serve.”

JMC department converges on renovated facilitiesBy Denton JoseyFeatuReS editoR

As students take finals next week, the Department of Jour-nalism and Mass Communica-tion will move back into the Don Morris Building after being displaced since May.

During the $1.1 million ren-ovations, which included funds for repurposing space to the re-located interior design depart-ment, the JMC faculty taught classes in various buildings on campus and worked out of temporary office spaces in three different buildings.

Dr. Cheryl Bacon, professor and chair of the department of journalism and mass communi-cation, said the renovations fit better with a curriculum geared

toward preparing students for professional journalism.

“The primary purpose of the renovation was to allow construction of the converged media newsroom. We have had a vision for a converged media space for a long time — we ac-tually worked on funding for seven years,” Bacon said.

At the forefront of the renovations is a new media room for converged media. The new room will have vid-eo editing stations, television screens for news and an au-dio recording room with pod-casting capabilities. Some el-ements of the room will be in place by the end of the semester, such as furniture and flat screen monitors, but new computers will not be

installed until the summer.“It is a rethinking of our stu-

dent media operations,” said Kenneth Pybus, assistant pro-fessor of journalism and mass communication. “We need to be in the position to distribute news and teach students to dis-tribute news in the way that the industry is going.”

In the past, the Optimist, the Prickly Pear and other student media productions were sepa-rate, but in the new converged media room they will all be together. Pybus said that as a graduate of the department, he is excited to see the department adapting to changes in the pro-fessional journalism world.

“One of the overarching phi-losophies of the newsroom is we’re all together in gathering

news with different methods of distribution,” Pybus said.

Bacon said the reason the de-partment created a converged media room is because in the professional environment, me-dia professionals increasingly have to have skills to allow them to function in more than just one traditional medium.

“I think it is the most excit-ing and dramatic thing that we have been able to do for our students since we moved into the Don Morris center in the late 1970s,” Bacon said. “It re-ally is a state-of-the-art student media space.”

After the renovations, all faculty offices and classrooms will be located on the third floor, while the second floor will house the student me-

dia productions. Cade White, instructor of journalism and mass communication, said the new locations help students and faculty alike.

“All of the faculty offices are on the third floor, they are no longer separated and divided by floors,” White said. “When the faculty is able to communicate and cooperate easier, that’ll only make it bet-ter for students.”

White said that before the renovations the facilities were designed from a profes-sional journalism paradigm that wasn’t relevant anymore. “News outlets around the world are developing into a new converged medium that includes components for print, broadcast and radio,” he said.

“So far, in our student me-dia, we’ve been making efforts to provide the students with collaboration opportunities, for broadcast and print stu-dent media to work together,” White said.

Another addition to the de-partment is a student, faculty and staff commons area for eating and socializing.

“One of the strengths of the program since I’ve been alive has been that it incorporates student media productions in the classroom,” Pybus said. “There’s no lessening of that commitment, but now there’s a greater commitment to in-cluding all of the outlets.”

Starbucks may see upgrade, add bagels

By Sara SnelsonaRtS editoR

What was thought of as a student mission trip to Ghana ended up being just the opposite. The people of Ghana were missionaries to the students and the trip changed the lives of both parties involved.

“The people of Ghana showed us how to live and taught us spiritual disci-pline,” said Dr. Tanya Brice, associate professor of so-cial work.

Now, because the stu-dents were so taken back by their experience, they are doing something to ac-knowledge the work that is being done in Ghana and raising awareness about other needs to be met.

On Dec. 13 Brice and Dr. Jerry Taylor, assistant pro-fessor of Bible, missions and ministry, will host a benefit concert that will feature five

gospel choirs from Abilene in hopes of raising aware-ness.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Ghana just in time for Christmas. “What is cool about this is the people over in Ghana have no idea this is happening. It will be a bless-ing to them,” Brice said.

When the group was in Ghana they started a gospel choir that performed. They wanted to replicate what hap-pened there, thus the benefit features gospel choirs. ACU gospel ensemble; George Pendergrass, director of mul-ticultural enrichment; the

Highland singers; Minda St. adult choir and an ACU stu-dent group will perform.

“This is all just a faith effort; its just us wanting to share our story and give back,” Brice said.

Christmas is just around the corner and is the per-fect time to give. “This is the time when we spend so much money on people who already have so much. I would think this would be the time when we would take the opportunity to re-spond practically to people in need,” Taylor said.

Taylor said this is only

the beginning of activities to help raise awareness. “Hope-fully this benefit will show students they can do some-thing practical to help for a good cause,” Taylor said.

They are hoping the benefit will raise $5,000 to send to the Village of Hope, Heritage Christian College and the Chil-dren of Yendi. “We have sent letters to all congregations in Abilene,” Brice said. “The benefit is not necessarily how many people come, but to raise awareness of the situation.” It is not required to give if you at-tend the benefit. Any love of-fering is appreciated, whether it is now, later or never. It is about the knowledge that will be brought by it.

The benefit will be held at the Williams Performing Arts Center in the recital hall. Ad-mission is free to all.

By Becki HamiltonStudent RepoRteR

Dr. Timothy Coburn, in-terim director of the School of Information Technology and Computing and the as-sistant dean of the College of Business Administration, has received three phone calls from people in tech-nological fields looking for students to work for them.

“Information technology is a hot area right now,” Co-burn said. “The top jobs are in areas of computing.”

Because of growth in the job market in these areas and the desire to create awareness of these opportu-nities among ACU students, the computing department is offering two new Mayme-ster courses.

Between 70 and 80 Maymester classes are of-fered each year, with only one or two focusing on com-puting technology.

One of the new courses, Introduction to Game Devel-opment, is taught by profes-sor Brian Burton and aims to help students develop programs in digital-gaming technologies.

“The class is intended for students who are interested in the basics of gaming and possibly a profession in that,” Coburn said.

Burton, a first-year facul-ty member at ACU, is a pro-fessor of Information Tech-nology. ACU hired him after he successfully created a similar degree plan at Mis-souri State University.

“We as Christians need to be leading the field of en-tertainment rather than fol-

lowing it,” Burton said.He said through gaming

courses, students would have the opportunity to learn how to create special effects for TV shows like CSI or video games like Gui-tar Hero.

Burton hopes students will learn how to “develop and design the story be-hind a game or movie” and receive useful feedback on their ideas through his Maymester course.

Professor Fortune Mhlan-ga will teach the other new course, entitled Information Technology Entrepreneurship.

Before coming to ACU, Mhlanga worked on eco-nomic development in Af-rica, as well as with IT and global business problems.

Coburn said that Mhlanga’s Maymester course will benefit students in business, manage-ment or communication.

Both Maymester courses will count as three credits and will fill regular elective requirements. The classes will be held on campus starting May 13 and will run through May 30.

“These are two topics that will draw students,” Coburn said. “With careers in these fields, I can guaran-tee internships.”

Students who are inter-ested in either class should complete regular Maymester sign-ups or contact Burton at extension 6989 for more information.

E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu

E-mail Hamilton at: optimist@acu.edu

E-mail the reporter at: optimist@acu.edu

Maymester line-up to include classes in new technology

Concert raises funds, awareness for Ghana

E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu

“I would think this would be the time when we would take the opportunity to respond practi-

cally to people in need.”

Dr. Jerry Taylor, assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry.

“It is a very exciting time to be at Abilene Christian University.”

Anthony Williams, chief auxiliary service officer.

ViewsFridayOptimistPage 6 December 7, 2007

Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal

attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to:ACU Box 27892

Abilene, TX 79699

E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

Editorial and letter policy

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Newsroom:(325) 674-2415

Sports desk:(325) 674-2684

Photo department:(325) 674-2499

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Subscriptions ($40/academic year):(325) 674-2296.

Online:www.acuoptimist.com

Editorial Board and News Staff

Jared FieldsEditor in Chief

Kelsi PeaceManaging Editor

Lauren SuttonCopy Editor

Rachel DavisOpinion Editor

Katie GagerChief Photographer

Denton JoseyFeatures Editor

Daniel JohnsonSports Editor

Sara SnelsonArts Editor

Camille TurnerVideo Editor

Val ValleOnline Editor

Christi StarkAdvertising Manager

Kenneth PybusAdviser

I might owe a healthy pallet to delicious milk

c h o c o l a t e M&M’s, but I also owe an expectation of rewards to that same package.

As a little girl, I av-idly sucked my thumb, which lead my exasper-ated mother to set up

the “M&M system,” in which I was awarded a certain amount of the chocolate candies for each day I did not sin.

Ten years of dental work later, my mom’s M&M plan prob-ably spared me more agony — but it also taught me that performing un-pleasant tasks required re-wards to ease the pain.

But a hand-ful of M&M’s for a four-year-old sets a different precedent entire-ly from the one Seminole County, Fla., schools just established.

Kindergartners to fifth graders who earn A’s or B’s or miss two or fewer school days enjoy a McDonald’s Happy Meal for their ef-forts, The New York Times reported Thursday.

The district’s corporate partnership with McDon-ald’s follows a 10-year partnership with Pizza Hut, simply continuing an ex-tremely harmful program.

For McDonald’s, the pro-gram stands only to benefit. With advertisements printed on each student’s report card jacket and their product hailed as the “food prize” for achievement, they’re simply watching the next generation

of fast food junkies walk through their doors.

The schools involved, however, do a disservice to themselves and their stu-dents with this detrimental program, despite the $1,500 to $1,600 they receive from the sponsorship.

Students’ job at school consists of learning and earn-ing the best grades possible. Academics are not a nasty side effect of school, they are its purpose, and students must learn to excel simply because that is their job — not because they can munch on chicken nuggets later.

Also, the childhood obe-sity epidemic has spurred nutrition programs in the

schools — efforts a partnership with McDonald’s undermines.

M c D o n a l d ’ s argues its alter-native options — such as apple slices instead of French fries or ap-ple juice instead of soda — coun-ter the unhealthy potential.

But teaching children to re-ward themselves with any sort of food teaches them unhealthy

eating habits and encourag-es unrealistic expectations of rewards.

As a society, we have clearly stopped cherish-ing education when we feel compelled to reward chil-dren for doing their duty rather than simply praise them for a job well done.

I enjoy M&Ms, but some-how I don’t think my mom will greet me at the door with a package of them when I come home at Christmas — even if I earn good grades.

Using food for reward teaches bad habits

SoarSubjectsKelsiPeace

The issue:The administration has been planning the 21st Century Vision for three years now, and it has several ways to enrich campus life, academics and spiritual life.

Our view:The vision’s planners have great ideas for ACU, and we believe the administration is doing what’s best for ACU, the students and campus.

The solution:The administration should begin implementation as soon as possible, so ACU students and faculty can benefit from the vision.

21st Century Vision benefits students, campusBy 2020, ACU will become

the premier university in Christ-centered education.

At least, that’s what the 21st Century Vision states as its primary objective and lists the ways that ACU hopes to achieve that goal.

The vision aims to make ACU a better university aca-demically, spiritually and physically and contains four imperatives, said executive vice president Phil Schubert.

“We want to produce lead-ers who think critically, glob-ally and missionally; build distinctive and innovative programs; provide a unique Christ-centered environment with good student commu-nity and extend ACU’s reach nationally and internation-ally,” Schubert said.

Sounds great — but how does the university exactly plan to achieve these goals?

Several different aspects make up the vision, which fo-cuses on spiritual, academic and physical improvements to the campus.

After planning the vision for three years, Schubert said the administration plans to choose

a select num-ber of academic programs they believe repre-sent the univer-sity best and market and in-vest extensively in those.

The investments may in-clude faculty research grants, student scholarships and help with internships.

Giving more funding to programs at the university would provide added ben-efits to both faculty and students and would enrich the educational value of the spotlighted programs.

Another aspect of the vi-sion involves catering more to students outside of the Churches of Christ.

Schubert said the universi-ty does not plan to abandon its Church of Christ roots, but wants to encourage stu-dents who are not Church of Christ to attend ACU.

“Being clearer about our heritage will be central to who we are in the future,” Schubert said.

Attempting to reach out to non-Church of Christ stu-

dents will create great spiri-tual diversity on campus and would allow for students to experience a broader view-point on Christianity.

“There’s already a trend with students from broader Christian backgrounds com-ing to ACU,” Schubert said. “We just want to specifically acknowledge that trend and embrace it.”

The vision also includes a new academic plan that involves completely chang-ing the core curriculum and tailoring it more to specific majors, Schubert said.

“The focus will be on how to create a learning environ-ment that is exciting for stu-dents,” Schubert said. “But we’re still thinking about how to make it innovative and exciting for them.”

Giving students a core curriculum based on majors would definitely be more bene-

ficial to them, and paying money for a generic class that won’t help students in their cho-

sen professions seems like a waste of that money.

Schubert also said that while some believe the plans for the vision will make ACU more exclusive in admissions processes, it is not at all a part of the vision.

He added that the only way admissions processes would grow to be more ex-clusive would be if ACU be-came too crowded and had to increase selectivity.

Another plan the vision has involves more renova-tions to campus facilities and amenities, like adding a sports recreation center and renovating the Bean to make it a better student hang-out, Schubert said.

“If we’ve got a better cam-pus life, I think that will reflect better on the academic life of the school,” Schubert said.

Schubert said the vision will take at least 10 years to

unfold and at this stage, the plan lacks specificity of invest-ments. The planners have not yet decided where to invest money and how to best begin implementing the vision.

Beginning the vision will cost somewhere around $12-15 million, Schubert said.

He said there really wasn’t a way to pinpoint the exact cost of the vision but said the cost is definitely worth it to the school.

The administration needs to move quickly with the beginning stages of the vi-sion so ACU students can experience this new spiri-tual diversity, a more ben-eficial core curriculum and enhanced community.

The 21st Century Vision may not be perfect, but the steps the administration plans to take will certainly help make ACU into a better institution.

The administration needs to move quickly with the beginning stages of the vision, so ACU students can

experience this new spiritual diversity.

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Cherry Waves Jordan Blakey

Teaching children to

reward themselves with any sort of food

teaches them unhealthy

eating habits and encourages

unrealistic expectations of

rewards.

The problem:Illegal downloading of music continues to be a problem, and it is an offense that can be prosecuted.

Our view:Illegal downloading is wrong, and obeying the law is not an option, no matter how free you feel to download music.

The solution:Pay for music, and don’t disobey the law.

Illegal downloads cheat music industryIllegal down-

loaders do create victims.

Jammie Thomas did and now must pay them — the copyright owners and record label companies — more than $9,000 a piece for only 24 songs she download-ed. Now, young users of music find that difficult to swallow.

Thomas’ lawsuit is the first of its type to go to tri-al, according to a CBS News story. Six record companies rightly accused Thomas of downloading the songs with-out permission and offering them online through a Kazaa file-sharing account.

Despite Thomas’ repeated denial of any wrongdoing and testimony that she doesn’t have a Kazaa account, a jury levied $222,000 in damages against her — a harsh fine be-cause you can buy the music online for a dollar.

Kenneth Pybus, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, said the record companies’ victory will make it easier for them to win other downloading cases.

“No one would argue that going into a music store and taking a CD without paying for it isn’t stealing,” Pybus said. “But when you download a song, there is nothing tangible, so it’s harder for people to un-derstand that it is stealing.”

The Copyright Law of 1976 states the person who created the work or other owner of the copyright exercises control over its distribution. Unfortunately the computer age makes deter-mining illegal distribution diffi-cult. How do you tell if a student

bought the song play-ing on her iPod or took it off a Kazaa ac-count?

Let’s not blame just the ille-gal downloaders for the wrong-doing. “The industry needs to change; it should have em-braced electronic download-ing, not have been forced into it by Apple and iTunes; but it didn’t, and now the record labels and the artists are hurt-ing,” Pybus said.

The court sent a message that stealing violates the law, and certainly Thomas suffers from the court’s desire to cre-ate a chilling effect. Despite our inclination to believe that technology creates a new free-dom, we must obey the law.

The court sent a message that stealing violates the law, and certainly Thomas suffers from the court’s

desire to create a chilling effect.

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Friday, December 7, 2007 Page 7FROM THE FRONT

Students who are of the legal drinking age, 21, whose alcohol blood level is above .08 and are pulled over will be arrested for a Driving While Intoxicated, (DWI). Minors with any detectable trace of alcohol will receive a Driving Under the Influence, (DUI) no questions asked. Alcohol not only impairs vision, but it slows down reaction time. Wrenn said it is those split-second decisions that can save lives, “and as we become older we realize how fragile life can be.”

Wrenn said a DWI can be issued not only for alcohol consumption, but also for narcotics, illegal substances and even prescriptive drugs. Students should consult a doctor before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

“It does not have to do be blood levels; it has to do with your loss of normal, physical and mental capacity, and that’s by the book,” Wrenn said.

Jimmy Ellison, Chief of the Abilene Christian Univer-sity Police Department, said, “Some people think that when Officer McCoy was killed by

the drunk driver, they [Abilene Police] cracked down more on drunk driving, but that just brought the issue home.”

Both the ACU police and the Abilene Police have made it known that this year they intend to clean up on drunk driving, furnishing alcohol to minors and minors driving while impaired. Last year the Abilene Police Department was granted the Impaired Driver Mobilization, (IDM) grant, which according to Wrenn, basically funded overtime money for peace officers to go out and to look for nothing but drunk drivers. Also the Department of Public Safety is putting together a task force that targets DWI enforcement. Wrenn says that drunk driv-ing is a serious issue, and ex-treme precautions need to be taken. Unfortunately, the criti-cal staffing shortages that the department currently faces diminished the time that the regular duty patrol officers could engage in self-initiated activity. Ellison and Wrenn both agree about what should be done if there is drinking in-volved in any situation. First, make sure there is a designat-ed driver.

“Your designated driver at minimum should not consume more than one drink, but pref-erably they should not drink at all,” Wrenn said. If you do drive your car and end up drinking an unreasonable amount, which does not mean drunk, call a cab, friend, family member, or if all fails, walk. Before you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after alcohol consump-tion, think not only about your safety but the people who are driving on the streets around you, Ellison said. If anything, “think of the legal and financial implications on you and your family that could occur if you get pulled over and most of all, think of your own life.”

If friends decide to drink and try to get behind the wheel, take away the keys, he said. If they were your friend before the keys were taken away, they will be your friend the next day.

The ACU Police Department has full jurisdiction one mile around ACU, and the depart-ment will use legal action for a situation on or off campus. Ellison wanted students to know that “it does not matter who you are — all rules apply,” and if it was a visitor passing

through who gets stopped, they will get the same treat-ment as any other person.

Wrenn said with the re-cent staffing shortage, the ACU Police Department has been a major help since they have full arrest powers of any peace officer, and the Abilene Police Department has never worked so closely to the ACU Police Department in the his-tory of the department. With Abilene being a college town there is much need to be con-cerned about drunk driving, especially with minors.

If minors are caught drink-ing, it is a class C misdemean-or, and they will receive a DUI or Minor In Possession, (MIP), depending if they are in a vehi-cle at the time. Again any trace of alcohol on a minor is reason to give a DUI. Older students who furnish alcohol to minors and are caught will receive a class A misdemeanor, which will include a hefty fine along with possible jail time. If you cause an accident while driv-ing drunk and a person dies, most likely you will be charged with intoxication manslaugh-ter, which has a maximum jail term of 20 years in prison.

Mrs. McCoy wants to re-

mind students that it is a choice, and consequences will happen. “I mean would you want to be Marcus Suarez? Do you want to be sitting in jail thinking about the next 20 years of your life? I mean is that really where you want to be? Do you want to be at ACU or sitting in a jail cell?”

So far this year in Abilene there have been two cases of intoxication manslaugh-ter. Marcos Suarez is one of these two people. Mrs. Mc-Coy said she deeply misses her husband but has decided to do something in his honor. Working closely with Susan King, a Texas representative, Mrs. McCoy has helped to change legislature from kill-ing a peace officer on duty from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony as of September. This brings the jail sentence up to a maxi-mum of 99 years.

Not only did the McCoy’s lose Jeff, the community lost Jeff.

“I don’t want people to for-get every time they drive by remember what was taken from us as a city. I mean Jeff belonged to all of us, he was a public servant, he was there

for you, he was there for me, he was there for all of us.”

The McCoys know first hand the price that can be made and how this will affect those involved.

“He paid the ultimate price for this man … lives have been destroyed because someone was selfish, someone was thoughtless, selfish, [and] ir-responsible,” Mrs. McCoy said. “They took a good man’s life; the rest of his life is gone from here, and Ella and I have lost years of plans of things we want to do together and all the memories … that were going to happen, and its all gone be-cause someone was selfish.”

Ever since the minute that doorbell rang Mrs. McCoy said her “whole life stopped,” and that she’s slowly beginning to pick up the pieces.

“People have no idea the pain it’s caused me, just no idea. To sit here, and I have to talk about it a lot, I think about it 24 hours a day, and its on my mind constantly. My stomach has a knot, a con-stant knot all the time, and it doesn’t go away.”

DWI: Police urge students to use designated driverContinued from page 1

E-mail Schmidt at: optimist@acu.edu

like to see students from the department available to the student body as personal train-ers and nutritionists.

The project still needs funding and approval from

the Board of Trustees, but if the necessary components fall into place, the work would begin during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean for student life, said in an e-mail

that the people involved in the project’s planning are excited about the project and feel that it will enhance the quality of student life on campus.

“We’re hoping it draws stu-dents into the center of cam-pus and become a gathering

place for students to meet each other,” Rippee said. “I just hope that the students are excited about the possibilities and see this as a very positive thing for them.”

Gibson: Work slated for 2008-2009 school yearContinued from page 1

E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu

court house, Woodruff and his former ACU roommate, Eric Gentry. The gag order restricts those involved from speaking to outside parties about the trial.

The request for a recusal came after State District Judge Richard Beacom Jr. ruled that prosecutors recorded phone calls between Woodruff and his attorney while in jail, violating his Constitutional rights.

According to the Rockwall County News, Beacom recused the Hunt County Prosecutor’s Office on Oct. 10 from trying the case, and instead would ask for a special prosecutor from the Texas Attorney General. Beacom’s decision also means the prosecutors cannot use any evidence obtained through the recorded phone calls. Howev-

er, the Rockwall County News reported that prosecutors claimed they learned nothing from the calls.

According to original Opti-mist reports, Woodruff became a suspect when a family friend found Dennis, 43, and Norma Woodruff, 42, dead in their mo-bile home near Royse City on Oct. 18, 2005, two days after being killed. At the time, chief deputy Robert White of the Hunt County Sheriff’s Depart-ment, said the bodies were shot and stabbed several times, and the doors to the house were locked. No sign of a forced en-try was found.

While at ACU, Woodruff was an agribusiness major and enrolled as a part-time freshman.

Woodruff: Gag order placed on those involvedContinued from page 1

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

ACU students’ art,” Jen-kens said. “We want to in-volve the theatre, music and English departments by displaying other arts, such as creative movement, dance, music performance or poetry.”

Jenkens’ vision extends far beyond ACU’s campus and Texas’ borders.

The university plans to host a Big Country Colle-giate Juried Art Exhibition, which can include students from the University of North

Texas, Texas Christian Uni-versity, University of Texas in Arlington and Southern Methodist University.

“We will also host a Shore National Biennial Exhibition, where students from anywhere in the country can enter their work,” Jenkens said.

Lynn Barnett, executive director of the ACAC, be-lieves the gallery will have a significant impact on the Abilene community.

“It is a wonderful way to not only encourage addition-al activities for Abilene but also get ACU plugged into

downtown,” Lynn said. “We were very pleased that ACU pursued this.”

The gallery will open with “Double Vision: Ladder Dream Series.” “Double Vision” is a collection of historical prints and digital compositions by ACU’s own Dr. Jack Maxwell, chair of the art department and his wife Jill.

Maxwell said the exhibit is a result of his continued interest in historical prints.

“Every one of our original pieces incorporates one of the older prints,” Maxwell said. “We used digital tech-

nology, just like they used the latest technology they had. I think seeing the two [time periods] together pro-vides great contrast.”

Ultimately, the art depart-ment hopes Abilene will see the quality of students and faculty at ACU and want to be a part of it.

“We want to link everything we do at the downtown gallery back to ACU,” Jenkens said. “We hope visitors will make the connection and want to see what we’re all about.”

Gallery: Downtown venue to display workContinued from page 1

E-mail Hettich at: optimist@acu.edu

meeting, Congress formally re-quested the university release an e-mail list to the SA office. Smith’s bill requesting an e-mail list passed by voice vote.

The request comes after SA’s comprehensive stu-dent survey failed to be sent out Monday as planned be-cause of some confusion be-tween SA and Student Life, Worthington said.

“We intended to send out a survey Monday night to stu-dents, but that didn’t happen because there was a break-down in communication,” he told Congress.

The bill requests that the administration “provide clear and free access to e-mail all stu-dents” by the spring semester.

“We’ve always had access to this in the past,” Smith said.

SA: Congress requests student e-mail accessContinued from page 1

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

Optimist

spOrtsFridayDecember 7, 2007Page 8

Standings

Upcoming

For complete intramural scores and schedules

visit:w w w. a c u o p t i m i s t . c o m

IntramUral roUnd-Up

Scoreboard as of Wednesday

ScoreBoard

Briefs

n The intramural schedule in the Optimist is subject to change and is not permanent. Any changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum.

men’s BasketballTeam Div. OverallTAMU-KTarleton St.

ACUWTAMUAngelo St.

MSU

0-00-00-00-00-00-0

5-15-14-16-23-22-4

ENMU 0-0 2-5

Women’s BasketballTeam Div. OverallTarleton St.Angelo St.WTAMUTAMU-KMSU

TX Woman’s

0-00-00-00-00-00-0

4-05-23-23-42-32-3

ACU 0-0 2-4ENMU 0-0 1-5

thursday

Women’S BaSKetBallACU vs. East Central, scores not available by press time

men’S BaSKetBallACU vs. East Central, scores not available by press time

Scores

Saturday

Women’S BaSKetBallACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.

men’S BaSKetBallACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, 4 p.m.

n Home games listed in italics

acU baseball adds four players for the 2009 season

n The Wildcat baseball team added four players for the 2009 season, said head baseball coach Britt Bonneau during an announcement Monday. The foursome includes two high school standouts and two junior college transfers. First baseman Slade Brown of Keller High School and catcher JoelWarren of Boerne High School have signed national letters-of-intent with ACU, while shortstop Steven Camillucci of American River College (Calif.) and pitcher Brent Smith of Galveston College have agreed to transfer to ACU next year.

n Softball games will be played through Saturday on the south softball fields by the Edwards parking lot. Playoff games will begin in the spring semester.

TODD PIERSALL STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior guard Cortnie Ross goes to the hoop during ACU’s 77-56 win over Northeastern State on Nov. 29 in Moody Coliseum. Ross and the rest of the Wildcats played East Central on Thursday but results were not available by press time.

MATT NEWHOUSER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Northeastern State guard Kimberly Hunter blocks a shot by senior guard Alex Guiton during the first half of ACU’s win on Nov. 29. The Wildcats played East Central on Thursday but results were not available by press time.

By Daniel JohnsonSportS Editor

CBS Sports coordinating pro-ducer and ACU alumnus Lance Barrow has seen his fair share of great sports moments.

From witnessing Tiger Woods’ first Masters win in 1997 to ACU’s own Danieal Manning’s first Super Bowl in January, Barrow, a 1978 gradu-ate, has produced sports for CBS for more than 25 years and has won eight Emmy awards for his work.

But Wednesday, Barrow modestly accepted an honor of his own when the ACU athletics program named the classroom inside Teague Spe-cial Events Center where the football coaching staff does the most of its film work the

“Lance Barrow Football Film/Editing Classroom.”

“Wait until Phil Simms finds out I have a film room named after me,” Barrow said, allud-ing to the former NFL quarter-back and CBS a n n o u n c e r in front of a crowd of ACU administra-tors, coaches and his family Wednesday.

B a r r o w was pre-sented with a plaque that will hang outside the video-editing classroom. The plaque thanked Barrow for his contributions to the athletics program and con-gratulated the Emmy-award winning producer for his her-

alded career, which began as a spotter/researcher in 1975 for CBS golf coverage. From there, Barrow has worked his way up the CBS sports ladder and at-tributed some of his success to being, “at the right place, at the right time,”

“To have my name on a plaque especially with a class-room involved in it is some-thing else,” Barrow said.

But Barrow’s connection to the ACU athletics program extends well beyond the new plaque and classroom carrying his name. A former ACU foot-ball and baseball player during the 70s, Barrow’s ties to the athletics program run deep, and athletics director Jared Mosley said he has been instru-mental in helping the athletics program grow.

“Thirty years ago I was run-ning you up and down this field, but we’re not going to do that today,” athletic director emeritus and Barrow’s coach during the 70s Wally Bulling-ton said jokingly to the pro-ducer during the presentation.

Barrow’s career includes producing coverage of the 1994 Olympics, numerous PGA tour-naments, the 1998 Daytona 500 and his latest achievement was producing Super Bowl XLI, his first to produce and a game in which Manning started for the Chicago Bears. As an associ-ate producer for CBS Barrow’s resume includes the Masters and PGA championship; NCAA Men’s Final Four; Daytona 500; the U.S. Open Tennis Champi-onships; “The NFL Today” and six Super Bowls.

But regardless of his suc-cess in the sports production world, he said it’s always great to come “home,” to ACU.

Alumnus, CBS producer honored by athletics program

By Rachel Davisopinion Editor

While most ACU students will spend their winter break relaxing, the men’s basketball team faces a tough schedule over break.

The men played Thursday night in a Lone Star Conference Crossover game against East Central in Ada, Okla., but results were not available at press time.

Head coach Jason Copeland said earlier in the year that he and the team aren’t going to focus on specific op-ponents this season.

“Right now, we’re just really focused on us and the stuff we need to do,” Co-peland said.

The Wildcats be-gin winter break play on Dec. 17 against Rhema Bible College and Dallas Baptist on Dec. 18 in the ECU Christmas Clas-sic in Ada, Okla.

After a break for Christmas, the team will play at Dallas Baptist on Dec. 29.

The team faces two LSC Crossover games in a row on Jan. 3 against South-western Oklahoma State, currently 7-0, and Cameron, who is 0-6, on Jan. 5.

After the Wildcats played their first LSC Crossover game against Northeastern State University on Nov. 29, Copeland said he felt pretty optimistic about conference play.

“I think we’ll do some great things this sea-son,” Copeland said after that game.

Rhema Bible College comes to ACU on Jan. 8 to face the Wildcats again, and the Cats will travel to LSC Crossover opponent 1-5 Texas A&M Commerce on Jan. 12.

Copeland said before the season began that if everything goes right, the Cats might have a chance to play in the LSC Conference tournament.

The first game after break is over will be on Jan. 15 at Texas-Permian Basin in Odessa, and the Wildcats begin LSC South division play on Jan. 19 against Angelo State in San Angelo.

Wildcats face tough winter break schedule

By Michael FreemanASSiStAnt SportS Editor

The women’s basketball team began last season with seven straight wins. Through seven games this season, the Wildcats are not quite off to the same start. ACU has a 2-4 overall record. The Wildcats played East Central Thursday in Ada, Okla., but re-sults were not available by press time. However, head coach Shaw-na Lavender is optimistic about the rest of the season.

“We’re fine right now,” Laven-der said. “I think the girls still have a lot of high expectations for this team, as do I. There’s a lot of season left.”

ACU’s next game will be against Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant, Okla., on Saturday. South-eastern Oklahoma State owns a 6-1 overall record, and is atop the Lone Star Conference North Divi-sion standings.

“Southeastern is always tough. And they’re playing well right now,” Lavender said. “If we can

limit their easy baskets and keep them off the offensive boards, then that’s really going to be key for us.”

After Saturday’s game, the Wild-cats will get nearly a two-week break before playing four home games. On Dec. 21, ACU will host the University of Texas-Permian Basin, a team that currently is 1-5 for the season. After that game, the Wildcats will get another break for Christmas.

“Hopefully, it gives the girls a

little bit of time to rejuvenate,” Lavender said. “To me, after Christmas break is really when the season starts.”

The Wildcats will be back in ac-tion on Jan. 3 when Southwestern Oklahoma State comes to Moody Coliseum. Two days later, the Wildcats will take on Cameron. Finally, the Wildcats’ home stand will wrap up against Texas A&M-International on Jan. 7. All three teams currently do not have a winning record.

ACU will begin a three-game road trip as the Wildcats will first take on Texas A&M-Commerce on Jan. 12. Then, the Wildcats will get their first taste of conference play as they face Texas Woman’s on Jan. 16 and Angelo State on Jan. 19.

“Last year, I felt like we played some of our best basketball be-fore Christmas,” Lavender said. “And hopefully this year, we’ll play some our best basketball af-ter Christmas.”

Break brings hoard of home games

In his more than 25-year career, ACU alumnus and eight-time Emmy-award winning producer Lance Barrow has produced or helped produce numerous sports events as CBS Sports’ coordinating producer.

n Super Bowl XLI

n The Masters

n Daytona 500

n 1992 Olympic Winter Games

n NCAA Men’s Final Four

SportIng SUcceSS

Barrow

men’s Basketball

e-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

Women’s Basketball

The ACU women’s basketball team will play six games during the Christmas break.

n ACU vs. Texas Permian Basin, Dec. 21

n ACU vs. SW Oklahoma State, Jan. 3

n ACU vs. Cameron, Jan. 5

n ACU vs. Texas A&M International, Jan. 7

n ACU at Texas A&M-Commerce, Jan. 12

chrIStmaS BreaK gameS

e-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

The ACU men’s basketball team will play seven games during the Christmas break.

n ACU vs. Rhema Bible college at ECU Christmas Classic, Dec. 17

n ACU vs. Dallas Baptist at ECU Christmas Classic, Dec. 18

n ACU at Dallas Baptist, Dec. 29

n ACU vs. SW Oklahoma State, Jan. 3

n ACU vs. Cameron

n ACU vs. Rhema Bible College, Jan. 8

n ACU at Texas A&M-Commerce, Jan. 12

chrIStmaS Ball

e-mail davis at: red04a@acu.eduglobetrotters to play at acU

n The world famous Harlem Globetrotters will be playing in Moody Coliseum on Jan. 31. Tickets can be purchased at the ACU Athletics Ticket Office located on the North side of Moody Coliseum. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the box office at (325) 674-6798. Courtside tickets cost $50 each. VIP reserved seating tickets will cost $30. General admission tickets cost $26 for seating in rows 6-12. And seat-ing in rows 13-18 will cost $21.