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The Rambler
The students’ voice since 1917
www.txwes.edu/rambler
November 21, 2007
NEWS BRIEFS Happy Holidays The Rambler wishes the Wesleyan community a happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and holiday season. The Rambler will return with new issues next semester.
News Briefs
Deck the halls and party! The 38th annual Omega Chi Christmas party for underpriviledged children is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7, location to be announced. Donations and gifts for 100 children are needed this year. Sponsors for children may act alone or in teams. Sponsors are asked to purchase one gift and one article of clothing (total value must be in between $30 and $50). Items are to be turned in unwrapped to Omega Chi by 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 to the religion chair or chaplain’s office on the third floor of PUMC in a bag with the assigned child’s name. All are welcome to attend the party. For more information, contact keslaten@mail.txwes.edu. Bear Hunt The school of arts and sciences is now collecting new stuffed bears and friends (16 inch maximum) for the Fort Worth Police Department East Division. The captured bears will be given to children in crisis situations and can be delivered to the dean’s office (PUMC 256) by Dec. 6. Call Patricia Ersland at (817) 531-4247. Chaos & Bondage Come and see original artwork by art majors Zainah Usman, Thomas Boylan and Amanda Winkleman with a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Boyd House on Wesleyan St. Pay your dues people! Several options are available for students regarding payment on their account balance. For the spring 2008 semester, students must pay in full or set up a tuition payment plan no later than Dec. 5. Visit www. txwes.edu/cashier/index.htm for more information. Movie time! Wanna see a movie on the cheap? Student Life has movie theater tickets for both AMC and United Artists theaters for $6.50. Tickets are good for any showing at anytime. Contact Jenny Houze at (817) 5314870. HOT JOB opportunities @ Career Services Youth Minister/College Ministries, FUMC Loan Processor, Fort Worth Community Credit Union IT Specialist, Trademark Property Company Salaried Summer Internship, Muscular Distrophy Organization Financial Analyst, LACAR Secondary Counselor, Castleberry High School
Vol. 99, No. 12
Giving a tradition at TWU RACHEL HORTON STAFF WRITER
The traditional West Library Christmas tree is now assembled in the lobby, heralding – in this corner of the city – the beginning of the most widely celebrated holiday in world. American author Washington Irving once said, “Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” The West Library is trying to kindle that spirit. Since 2004 the tree has served as a way that members of the Wesleyan community can give a little good will to those less fortunate. During the holidays, people can donate a gift to the Meals on Wheels program via the library staff. “We had our biggest success last year when we had over 200 gifts we were able to give,” said Sheri Parker, coordinator of library operations. The tree is decorated with brightly colored bits of construction paper on which a name and a request are written. For instance, Louise would like some knitted booties; Edith needs a magnifying glass; Rick and Jack would simply like some socks. The beauty in this particular kind of endeavor is that these gifts are well within reach of a college student’s financial means, Parker pointed out. Two pairs of socks, for instance, can sell for a few dollars. One year, Parker said, a Wesleyan student was able to give about six small gifts to six different people. The idea was born when, a few years ago, various departments would deliver goods on a Meals on Wheels route. Parker said she and other volunteers got to know some of the participants and saw a need. According to its Web site, Meals on Wheels was established by 11 Fort Worth churches in 1973 to “promote the dignity and independence of the disabled, the elderly and other homebound persons by delivering nutritious meals and coordinating needed services.” Meals on Wheels currently serves about 2,000 people with a volunteer force of 3,500 who deliver blankets, fans, supplemental groceries, medical equipment, microwave ovens and other items essential to help a client maintain their independence. Photo by Shawn R. Poling Through the West Library Christmas Tree, all Wesleyan students, staff The Meals on Wheels Christmas tree in the Eunice L. West Library is a tradi- and faculty have the opportunity to assist in this endeavor. Gifts are accepted through Dec. 10. Donors can wrap their own gift or, if unwrapped, Parker tion on the campus of Texas Wesleyan. Last year more than 200 gifts were said, library staff will be happy to wrap them. donated through Wesleyan by students, faculty and staff.
Rosedale Street
City aids Wesleyan’s quest for property COLLEEN BURNIE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Texas Wesleyan is submitting a proposal for almost a million dollars in funds from the city of Fort Worth that would aid in the school’s acquisition and renovation of the buildings across campus on Rosedale. With cooperation from the city, Wesleyan has worked for some time on the purchase, which would give the campus an option for a new facility and help the look of the neighborhood. “They are an eyesore to the community,” said University President Dr. Harold Jeffcoat when he was asked about the buildings at the recent President’s Forum hosted by Student Government Association. The project has been a frustration for Wesleyan. According to Jeffcoat, it was less expensive to buy the Wesleyan Village than to buy out the buildings across the street on Rosedale. What once was presented at a Fort Worth City Council meeting as a project on the fast track became a venture full of delays stemming from negotiations with the current property owner. Jeffcoat said that the partnership for the buildings fell through and the owner took the titles. After getting an appraisal, Wesleyan offered to pay twice the amount of the building’s worth, he said. The owner then asked four times Wesleyan’s offer – making it a total of eight times the appraisal. Wesleyan then acquired a donor who would be willing to pay the amount asked, Jeffcoat said, but the owner said it was no longer for sale. The city has also been active in its desire to see the property improved. The area was designated as an Urban Village, which gives the area access to funds and shows a concerted effort to improve the neighborhood. In hopes of moving things along, the city gave the current property owner 90 days to renovate, fix up or sell the property, Jeffcoat said, and, in response, the owner painted the building tan. After some misunderstanding with the city, the owner was granted another 30 days to fix the roof. The property owner also brought forth the idea of making them historical buildings, which would prevent anyone from demolishing them. Most recently, Wesleyan was offered the opportunity for a grant, Jeffcoat said, of nearly $1 million from the city to help with the property. “The city is moving forward in partnership with Texas Wesleyan University to utilize the Economic Development Initiative Grants in the Poly-TWU Urban Village,” said Dolores Garza, economic development specialist for the city’s economic development department. “We hope to have more definitive plans to present to the City Council on Dec. 4 at the Central City Revitalization and Economic Development Committee meeting.” Jeffcoat said at the forum that he would like to tear down or renovate for the admissions office to have a place of its own or maybe even for a café as a new entrance to Wesleyan. A possible site for a campus bookstore has also been mentioned during the months of speculation and negotiation.
Photo by Kevin Keathley
University President Hal Jeffcoat addressed students concerns at the President’s Forum Nov. 13.
President’s Forum aims to answer COLLEEN BURNIE & ASHLY SPENCER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR & CONTRIBUTING WRITER Wesleyan students gathered Nov. 13 to bring their questions and concerns to the ears of University President Dr. Hal Jeffcoat at the President’s Forum. The meeting, hosted by the Student Government Association in the Carter Conference Room, attracted students from all over campus. Jeffcoat opened with a brief bio and jumped right into questions about the departure of research librarian Andy Baker and the current status of the library. One student even mentioned that the library has had problems functioning since Baker left. Although he would not comment on library administration, Jeffcoat did say that he felt Baker was an asset to the library and that student concerns would be conveyed to Provost Allen Henderson. “Almost every time an employee leaves, they are to fill out a statement with the reason for their departure,” said Jeffcoat. He said that such a statement from Baker should be in the provost’s office. SGA officer Michael Chaney asked Jeffcoat about the future plans of the student union building and asked what steps were being taken to ensure that students have an inviting and fun venue to relax and participate in activities. Jeffcoat agreed that the building is uninviting, but said it would take $26 million to make a new Student Activities Center, and Wesleyan needs to build its population before doing so. “Some of the major attraction for Wesleyan is not having a large student population or big fancy facilities,” he said. “You can’t have a small school like Texas Wesleyan without the small facilities.” He did, however, remind students of the new fitness center in the works, and facilities are on the agenda for future plans. According to Jeffcoat, the next three to five years include a plan for residences for families and renovation of O.C. Armstrong Hall. The old dorm will become offices for student activities, nurse anesthesia dorms and a “homey place where you can sit down and have a cup of coffee,” said Jeffcoat. The managing of such projects is a challenge for a small school. “It’s sort of a Catch 22, it seems,” said Jeffcoat. “In order to attract students, we need to have better facilities and student activities, but we can’t do it until we have funds, high
See Forum, page 2