The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 37, Ed. 1, Friday, February 11, 2000 Page: 1 of 8
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Students share creative Valentine's Day ideas page 2
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Abilene Christian University Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
February 11 2000 Volume 88 Issue No. 37
Friday
Taxes frustrate students
page 3
-BMiONBf"
Practices lengthen as Sing Song nears
Hillary Evitt
Student Reporter
Sing Song participants have no time to
waste.
Most social clubs and classes have been
rehearsing since the beginning of the
spring semester with limited practice
time.
Each club and class has been limited to
only seven rehearsal hours each week.
The restriction is designed partly to
encourage directors and group members
to use their rehearsal time wisely said
Moody
Weekend
changes
Patrick Buhrmann
Student Reporter
Sing Song participants can associate a
new word with Moody Weekend this year
sleep.
Moody Weekend the time when club
and class acts rehearse in Moody Colise-
um for the first time has traditionally
been an all-night event.
But this year instead of rehearsing
throughout the night the club acts will
start at 5 p.m. Friday and end at 12:30
a.m. The class acts will begin their
rehearsals Saturday at 7 a.m. and they
will finish at 10:30 a.m. Each act will have
45 minutes of rehearsal time.
Sing Song director Phyllis Wilson said
changing the traditional schedule was
designed to keep stress at a minimum
during what is always a hectic time.
"Staying up all night is very hard on the
body" Wilson said. "Right now everyone
involved in Sing Song needs as much
sleep as they can gel."
Wilson said the requirements of the
ACU basketball teams often mandated the
all-night schedule in the past. However
this year basketball won't create a conflict.
Wilson said she has received positive
feedback about the scheduling change.
Jeremy Harrison a graduate Bible stu-
dent from Huntsville Ala. said he agrees
Please see Moody page 5
Last chance
to register
Those interested in voting in the Texas
primaries must register by 5 p.m. Monday
The College Democrats will provide reg-"
titration cards available in the Campus
Center Monday.
The grbups goal Is to" register 500 stu-
dents to vote in the Texas primary "which
is on March H
Students who plan to be out of town '
March 14 the Tuesday of spring break
may vote early. -
Early voting runs Feb 28-March 10 at
the United Supermarket on Judge Ely
Boulevard.
Polls are open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. the
first week and 7 a.m. -7 p.m. thereafter.
Regular voting for students who live on
campus will be at Hillcrest Church of
Christ from 7 a.m.-7 p.m March 14.
Call the Taylor County Election Office
at 674-1216 for more information.
Jenkins plans move to Alaska
Amy Wilson
Copy Editor
An ACU employee soon will trade the
Abilene winds for the cool weather of
Fairbanks Alaska.
Ed Jenkins commonly known as Mr. Ed
and manager of ARAMARK will leave
after Bible Lectureship to manage the food
services at the University of Alaska. Stu-
dents are invited to attend a going-away
party in honor of Jenkins in the Bean
Sprout Tuesday at 6;30 p.m.
Jenkins declined to be interviewed for this
story but colleagues say they will miss him;
they are not surprised at his job offer.
"Ed brings with him a lifetime of work-
ing in the food service industry and hav-
ing a servant heart" said Kevin Watson
director of campus services.
Watson said Jenkins servant attitude has
reached students through catering events
concessions midnight breakfasts provid
Phyllis Wilson director of student enter-
tainment and Sing Song.
"You have a certain number of hours a
week to get a certain number of things
accompllsned" she said.
Another reason for the time limit is to
help participants remain focused on
classes.
"We don't want people to rehearse to
death" said Wilson. "The main reason
we're here is because of academics and
thats the first thing we need to take care
of."
Because each act is allowed the same
Ji
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t9NR-4 iW
P.
Jr
Marcus Davis performs with other
Step group
Rick Bentley
Student Reporter
February is a busy month for ACUs
Shades Step Group.
The organizations unique brand of enter-
tainment is in high demand especially
during Black History Month; their perfor-
mance Wednesday in Chapel is just the
beginning.
After forming last year the 20 members
arc making more appearances around cam-
pus and in the community.
Jeff Allen sophomore exercise science
major from Houston and Shades co-captain
said opportunities are plentiful this
year.
"Last year things really didn't get off the
ground but we're starting to perform more
this year" he said. "We have more support
ing study breaks in the dorms and his
napkin board.
Jenkins implemented the napkin board
to give students a chance to communicate
with him Watson said.
"He's got 1000 people eating at lunch
and dinner" he said. "It gives him an
opportunity to know what their needs
and wants are and be able to respond."
Jenkins began working at the university
before the Bean was renovated. Since then
he has used student feedback to bring
Chick-Fil-A Pizza Hut and TCBY to cam-
pus and make changes to the Bean Sprout.
"Ed is responsible for much of what you
see today" he said.
Jenkins has been working at ACU for
about eight years; his choice of employees
throughout that time has reflected a dedi-
cation to students that will continue after
he leaves Warr said.
"Its nationally known as being innova-
tive clean quality service that is student-
&m. mte&mm$
amount of rehearsal time the competitive
field is leveled No group is required to
practice seven hours each week but many
do Wilson said
Many club and class act directors feel the
time limit is a good idea.
Julie Rankin director of the Delta
Thcta act said more rehearsal time early
in the process might have been helpful
but that generally the time limit is a
good thing.
"I think its good that there's a limit
because that way everybody has the same
amount of time to prepare" said Rankin
Stepping
m. y li ?? FT 'Jf SM
members of Shades Step Group in Chapel Wednesday.
practices 'tough art form'
this year from both students and faculty"
The group was well received after step-
ping in the 1999 ACU Homecoming
parade and many upcoming engagements
are scheduled.
Shades members will march in Saturday's
Black History Parade in downtown Abi-
lene. They also look forward to appearing
at Abilene High School and for the Big
BrothersBig Sisters and the Texas Depart-
ment of Protective Services
The art of stepping comes from African
tribal roots said Shades' faculty adviser
Dave Merrill coordinator for student mul-
ticultural enrichment.
"It came from African roots and it's just a
way of telling a story" Merrill said "Most
major universities have fraternity and
sorority step teams."
Its movements are closely related to tap
oriented said Dr. Jeff Warr professor of
journalism and mass communication. "
Warr who does the marketing for food
services said Jenkins has always made the
students his first priority which is why he
insisted on the slogan "Serving you better."
"He said 'We are in the service business
and these students are our customers"
Warr said.
Jenkins strives for quality in all aspects
and this can be seen in the food and the
employees Warr said. Eight managers
work under Jenkins' supervision to pro-
vide students' needs.
"Its really hard for students to realize
how many employees and how complex it
is and what he has done is insist on qual-
ity" Warr said.
He said the students do realize how
much Jenkins and his staff work to make
campus dining a comfortable experience.
"He is really like the guy that juggles
about 10 balls at once "
junior elemental) education major from
Oklahoma uty
Seven hours is an appropriate amount of
rehearsal time said Andrew Babcock
senior class director
"I feci like thats plenty of time to put
together a J-nunutc show" said- Babcock.
senior music major from Kalkaska Mich
J P Conway director of Galaxy said the
limit keeps the competition under control
"If there wasn't a limit it would just keep
increasing" said Conway senior youth
and family ministry major from Lnvcrgnc
Tcnn
up
Amanda Rcltcr
dancing Allen said
"It basically involves guys and girls com-
ing together and making music with our
hands and feet " he said
The group normally practices two-three
times a week for two hours at a lime Mer-
rill describes it as "a tough art form "
"They lake a lot of pride in what they do
because ihey represent not only ACU but
the community as a whole" he said
Allen says the key is "having fun and
looking comfortable with ihc routine. Its
got to be one sound without unity it Just
sounds cluttered "
The group held tryouts in September
which involved learning a basic step rou-
tine and performing About 50 students
tried out but 20 made the final list
Please see Shades page 5
Ed Jenkins has managed the Bean for
Lectureship.
Pi Kappas director Jeff Goolsby. also val-
ues the limit for curbing groups' inclina-
tions to rehearse loo much
"I actually like it because it keeps you
from going overboard" said Goolsby.
junior vocal music major from Mcsquitc
Jodi Gray director of Ko Jo Kai said
without the limit participants might
"push the envelope too much "
"I think its a really good idea and its
probably my favorite rule they give us as
directors" said Gray senior math cduca-
Please see Practice page 5
SA looks
at absence
policy
JARED SCHRODDliR
Editor
The Students' Association
addressed the regular absences
of three Student Congress mem-
bers during its meeting
Wednesday
Eli Perkins graduate representa-
tive. Lill Nezzcr Shcriod repre-
sentative and Josh 1 lampton Bib-
lical Studies Building representa-
tive have each missed four of five
SA meetings this semester
The SA bylaws call for class
officers or representatives who
have missed four meetings to be
presented before Congress for
dismissal.
Congress asked the executive
officers to look into each of the
representative's situations and
then suggest which of them
should be dismissed.
If all three of the absent mem-
bers are dismissed or resign Con-
gress will be left with seven empty
voting positions
Adams Hall McDonald Hall
the Fam.lly and Consumer Sci-
ence Department and one of the
Foster Science Building posi-
tions arc open.
Those interested in fulfilling
any of these positions should
stop by the SA office for more
information The office is located
in the basement of the Campus
Center
$1000 request fulfilled
Congress voted 31-5 to give the
Spiritual Life Committee $1000
to bring Darrcll Scott to speak in
early March
Scott who is already scheduled
to speak at an Abilene Christian
Schools benefit dinner March 7
lost his daughter in the shooting
at Columbine High School last
year.
The committee is putting the
$1000 together with us $1500
to pay Scotts speaking fee
Meeting schedule changed
The SA will not meet Wednes-
day because of Sing Song
Meetings will continue Feb 23
in the Room IB of the Bible
Building
Amanda Rtlter
eight years; he is leaving ACU after
i!
i'i
'8
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 37, Ed. 1, Friday, February 11, 2000, newspaper, February 11, 2000; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101640/m1/1/: accessed May 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.