2A
NEWS
November 15, September 20,2013 2013 Vol. 89, No. 8 Vol. 89, No. 3 online at thelink.harding.edu
OPINIONS
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
CAMPUS LIFE
4B
Searcy, Ark., 72149
Deans approve new women’s club Phi Kappa Delta by Alexis Hosticka news editor
About 30 girls have come together to form Phi Kappa Delta, a new women’s social club set to officially launch at the start of the spring semester. According to Kara Abston, assistant dean of students, the club is still in early stages and has a lot of work to do regarding things like officers and the constitution. They are also still working to secure sponsors, which are required before the club can become official. Abston said, however, she is not worried about the progress of the club.
“I think with the determination of these young ladies and the fact that they’re very eager, motivated and enthused, the club will be ready,” Abston said. Abston explained the way Phi Kappa Delta came together as “friends of friends who found each other.” Although the handbook states that new social clubs need at least 10 upperclassmen with club experience, Phi Kappa Delta was approved to begin without involvement of any students who had previously been active in a club. “We’re willing to accommodate chartering new clubs in order to help them meet their goals,” Abston said. “They may lack
Recent Libertarian momentum sparks political speculation
actual club experience but I think they’re going to do great and be fine.” Phi Kappa Delta’s official symbol is a key and the colors are Tiffany blue and gold. They are also looking to be a part of Spring Sing with Iota Chi and Shantih. Sophomore Courtney Petree said she is excited for the opportunity to grow in friendships and be a part of something new through Phi Kappa Delta. “One of my friends had told me that Phi Kappa Delta was starting and I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to be a part of,” Petree said. “It gives me a chance to make more friends in a much more relaxed and natural way than I would if
I were going through club week.” Petree said that, looking to next fall, she hopes Phi Kappa Delta will stand out among other clubs because of the relationships they form with girls looking at the club. “I think Phi Kappa Delta will really strive to be a club that, even if we couldn’t take everyone for third and fourth rounds, we still stop you on the sidewalk to say ‘Hi,’ and we (will) still try to make sure that you know you are still loved and included even if you don’t have a jersey to wear on Fridays,” Petree said.
SEE NEW CLUB, PAGE 2A
by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols editor-in-chief
On Nov. 1, election officials announced that the Libertarian Party of Arkansas received enough petition signatures to appear on the 2014 ballot. According to THV 11 News in Little Rock, this is the second time in Arkansas history that the Libertarian Party of Arkansas will be considered an officially recognized political party. More than 100,000 Arkansans cast their vote for a Libertarian candidate in 2012, but since Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson did not receive 3 percent of votes, the party was forced to re-petition for a spot on the 2014 ballot. According to the Libertarian Party of Arkansas’ website, Libertarians advocate smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom. LPAR Chairman Jessica Paxton, in a press release by the LPAR, said Arkansas Libertarians are happy with amden -- Henry the results, but frustrated because, due to the petition process, the party’s “resources have been exhausted before campaigning even begins.” A new poll by the Public Religion Research Institute suggested that 7 percent of Americans now identify themselves as Libertarians, and another 15 percent said they sympathize with Libertarian principles. Last week, in Virginia’s governor race, Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis pulled 6.5 percent of the vote – a substantial amount for a third party candidate – according to an article by the Daily Beast. A CNN exit poll indicated that a lot of Sarvis’ support came from young, white, educated voters. “College students and young people are suffering enormous consequences because of the decisions made by previous generations of both parties,” junior Thomas Coffey said. “Between student debt, the national debt, health care reform and many other things, there is a trend of passing financial burdens down to the younger generation. This has caused distrust and dissatisfaction with the current system. Libertarianism often speaks directly to the problems of young people, and offers ways to deal with them over time.” Steven Breezeel, associate professor of political science, said, despite the commotion about the Libertarian party, he does not think the party will ever be large enough to account for a reasonable threat to the two-party system. Coupled with Congress’ approval rating at 9 percent, according to Gallup, Breezeel said much of the buzz about the Libertarian party is indicative of general discontent among voters. He said public polling shows growing dissatisfaction with both the Republicans and Democrats, which could lead to a partisan re-alignment. “Familiarize (yourself ) with what these parties stand for,” Breezeel said. “Then take a look and see how that understanding squares with (your) understanding of faith, because I firmly believe partisanship should follow faith, not lead it, and that it absolutely should not be independent of it. Try to avoid just reacting in frustration to politics, because politics (have) always been messy, and it’s always been a difficult process, and it’s always been kind of frustrating to watch, because you don’t win every time.” The Libertarian Party of Arkansas said they are currently recruiting candidates to run next year and will hold a convention in Little Rock on Feb. 21-23. The Green Party of Arkansas was also cleared to appear on the 2014 ballot.
GRANT SCHOL | THE BISON Juniors Harrison Waldron and Kayli Kendall rehearse “A Company of Wayward Saints” on Tuesday night. The production, which opens this weekend, will feature a different theme for each performance. Minutes before the performance, the theme will be announced to both the actors and the audience. The actors are then challenged to improvise lines to fit the theme. The show is playing tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in the Ulrey.
‘A Company of Wayward Saints’ opens on Ulrey stage this weekend
GRANT SCHOL | THE BISON by Jesse Hixson student writer
This weekend at the Ulrey Performing Arts Center, the theatre department will be showing “A Company of Wayward Saints” directed by professor of theatre Steven Frye. The show follows a wayward commedia dell’arte troupe as they try to perform the history of mankind for a nobleman in the audience who has promised to send them home if he is impressed. While the first act is full of commedia-style humor and physical comedy, the second act takes a serious turn as the troupe falls apart at the seams trying to work together. According to Frye, commedia dell’arte is a style from the 1500s that involves fast paced, physical motions that move away from realistic facial expressions. Every character wears a mask throughout the performance.
BISON BASKETBALL
A look at Tuesday’s Rowdie Runthrough and expectations for this season’s Bisons and Lady Bisons basketball teams. SPORTS, 1B
“We’re looking for an overall comic expression and how to translate that into your voice and body,” Frye said. Along with the commedia dell’arte, the show will employ a large amount of improvisation. Throughout rehearsals, actors are encouraged to add lines and jokes they feel fit the scene. Additionally, every performance of the play will have a certain theme that is announced to both the audience and actors the night of the show. The actors then have the task of adding lines throughout the evening that pertain to that theme. “As far as the improv and the themes go, it doesn’t really make me nervous because it gives the show a chance to be fresh,” senior David Goble said. “I’m excited for the themes and I’m excited to not know what they are until minutes before we go on stage because the show will never get dull.” According to Frye, “A Company of
FIVE MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL
The annual festival, which features student talent, is tonight. NEWS, 2A
Wayward Saints” is a new approach to the theatre department’s season. Two of the department’s pieces every year will now be focused less on lights and set and instead will feature talented actors and introduce them to a new technique like commedia dell’arte. “One of the things our students ask for regularly is more faculty directed opportunities,” Frye said. “With only five or six faculty members and multiple productions in a year, we have to give and take a little. The focus in these shows is on the student performers, not the costumes and set.” With this new idea from the theatre department being launched this season, students said they are more excited than ever to be involved in these productions. “This is constantly proving that we are diverse as a department, and that we can do different things,” junior Kayli Kendall said. “It ’s exciting because every night you get to show off what makes you different and unique as an actor and prove why you’re in this profession.” Freshman Patrick Jones agreed, saying that it has been incredible taking a script and adding to it to make it their own new and fresh show. “A Company of Wayward Saints” will be showing Thursday through Saturday night at the Ulrey at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 or free with a CAB Pass.
HARDING MEETS SEARCY
In Part 2 of this series, meet the people behind Searcy’s local hospital. FEATURES, 3B