NEWS Features Sports A long-time public relations Religion professor Andy The baseball team has a series professor calls it quits. Fort pushes students to against Air Force this weekend. TUESDAY “mentally migrate.” PAGE 6 PAGE 8 TCU EST. 1902
DAILY FRIDAY,SKIFF april 4, 2008 Vol. 105 Issue 97 www.dailyskiff.com Accounting department toughens course retake policy
By Michelle Anderson allow students to retake lower calculated into a student’s ment,” Ferrandino said. ed to prevent that,” Lanier Jared Meadows, a junior Staff Reporter level accounting classes after GPA and credit is given once The accounting department said. finance and accounting major, While the Faculty Senate they have taken upper level for a course that is retaken, is the only one to set rules Melissa Stewart, a sopho- disagreed. is investigating a new course accounting courses, said Lynn said Blaise Ferrandino, Fac- apart from the university’s more accounting major, said “My initial reaction is this retake policy, the accounting Cole, assistant dean of under- ulty Senate Academic Excel- policy so far, Cole said. she doesn’t think the policy won’t affect too many peo- department is implementing graduate academics. lence Committee chair. T he ch a nge i s me a nt to get a is necessary. ple, but I’m for it because its own. The university’s policy Ferrandino said he doesn’t fair representation of grades, “It’s kind of a useless rule it rewards people who did Starting in the fall, the allows students to repeat any think the accounting depart- said Danny Lanier, assistant because retaking two lower well the first time around,” accounting department of grade, and there is no limit to ment is trumping the TCU’s professor of accounting. level classes isn’t going to Meadows said. “It gives the Neeley School of Business how many times a class can policy. “People were retaking help your GPA that much,” those who retake classes an will implement its new course be retaken. The last attempt “Colleges often have rules classes just for the sake of Stewart said. “I would rather unfair advantage and pads retake policy, which will not at the course is the only grade specific to their own depart- GPA-padding and we want- go by the university policy.” their GPA.” Group to camp out Give me two steps for Darfur support
By ANNA HODGES Staff Reporter FOR YOUR INFO When Danielle Boyd Camp Out wore a shirt that said “Save Darfur,” someone asked her for Hope if “Darfur” was a band. Who: STAND “Times like those just When: 5 p.m. Saturday to encourage me to keep doing 8 a.m. Sunday what I’m doing,” said Boyd, Where: Sadler Lawn vice president of a student Contact: [email protected] anti-genocide coalition. Members of the TCU chapter of Students Taking will sign petitions and write Action Now: Darfur have letters to members of Con- organized a camp out on gress in support of send- Sadler Lawn to confront ing aid to the peacekeeping what they call a “lack of mission in Darfur, Boyd awareness” about the con- said. flict in Darfur, the soph- “We wanted to give peo- omore education major ple the idea of what it feels said. like to live outside in a refu- Students will pitch tents gee camp,” Boyd said. “But and stay overnight Satur- we still had to make it fun day beginning at 5 p.m. to get people to come.” on Sadler Lawn, where they See DARFUR, page 2 Center to help fund
Matt Medanich / Staff Photographer Bob Schieffer and head football coach Gary Patterson put on a show during the Campaign for TCU reception Thursday in a tent near Frog Fountain. Schieffer’s band, Honky Tonk Confidential, entertained crowds as the university’s fundraising event carried on through the evening. alcohol-free events
By Yusi Cheng Giovanis said. “They just Funding campaign begins public portion in style Staff Reporter don’t call them that. So Today is the last day for we are here to offer them By ROB Crabtree Ed Landreth Auditorium followed by “We wanted to thank our current student organizations to funds for doing that.” Staff Reporter a reception on the lawn between the donors and encourage some new donors apply for $200 to finance She said the center has One hundred fifty-five million dollars Brown-Lupton Student Center and the to pitch in,” Boschini said. alcohol-free or alcohol- received applications from down, $95 million to go. unfinished Brown-Lupton University Don Whelan, vice chancellor for uni- awareness events in hon- eight organizations, and The Campaign for TCU kicked off the Union. versity advancement, said the overall or of Alcohol Awareness five other organizations public portion of its fundraising effort Chancellor Victor Boschini said the fundraising goal for the campaign is Month, the assistant direc- have requested applica- Thursday night with a presentation in goal of the evening was two-fold. See CAMPAIGN, page 2 tor of the Alcohol and Drug tion forms. Education Center said. She said the criteria for Yvonne Giovanis, assis- the funds will be based tant director of preven- on the goals of the orga- tion services, said this is nizations, such as raising the center’s first year doing alcohol awareness and Students to honor Holocaust Remembrance Day this. Instead of the Alcohol educating students about and Drug Education Center alcohol and alcohol relat- By Talia Sampson ever attempted to create a mini- and escaped and rebuilt his hosting all the events every ed issues, or providing Staff Reporter museum. life.” FOR YOUR INFO year, the center wants to alcohol-free and alterna- Beginning Monday, a Jewish “We have never tried anything Marco said she hopes the Holocaust see how student organiza- tive social opportunities student organization on cam- of this magnitude before, and mini-museum will educate mini-museum tions will help raise alco- for students. pus will host a series of events by doing so, we hope to show people about more than just hol awareness on campus, She said the events the in honor of Holocaust Remem- the horrors of what happened the death counts of the Holo- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. she said. student organizations are Monday brance Day, also known as Yom in such a way that visitors will caust. “Many organizations hosting don’t have to be Hashoah, which falls on May 2 leave with an understanding of “Six million is just a number Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday have alcohol-free events,” See AWARENESS, page 2 this year. why such events should never on the paper. It’s hard to grasp 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday The organization, TCU Hillel, occur again,” Barkman wrote how big it really was,” Marco Where: Brown-Lupton Student will create a Holocaust mini- in an e-mail. said, giving the estimated num- Center room 207 museum in the Brown-Lupton Marco, a sophomore physics ber of Jews killed in the Holo- Admission: Free CLARIFICATION Student Center that the pub- major who moved to Fort Worth caust. Matt Ivester, the founder of JuicyCampus.com, lic can visit Monday through from Israel three years ago, said Claire Sanders, an instructor of told the Skiff on Wednesday that he would comply Wednesday, said Belle Marco, remembering the Holocaust has history who specializes in mod- Sanders wrote: “Teaching TCU Hillel president. special significance to her. ern Europe, wrote in an e-mail the Holocaust involves not with a lawful subpoena seeking user information. Arnold Barkman, an associ- “My grandfather survived the that teaching the Holocaust can only explaining the enormous The site stores user IP addresses, which could poten- ate professor of accounting and Holocaust in Romania,” Marco be a challenge “in a world where number of lives lost, but also tially be used to track user identities, but it doesn’t Hillel’s faculty adviser, said this said. “He was relatively young violence has become more or explaining the fact that the hold user identity information. is the first time the group has when he was in the Holocaust less commonplace.” See HOLOCAUST, page 2
WEATHER PECULIAR FACT TODAY’S HEADLINES CONTACT US TODAY: Morning storms, 65/46 MINNEAPOLIS — A woman bit a pit bull on NEWS: Faculty duo to perform at cello concert, page 2 Send your questions, the nose after trying to pull the dog off her TOMORROW: Sunny, 72/51 compliments, complaints Labrador retriever. OPINION: AIDS awareness important to students, page 3 and hot tips to the staff at SUNDAY: Sunny, 81/56 — Associated Press SPORTS: Equestrian team to face A&M, page 6 [email protected] 3HOWERS COL X v P X P 2 NEWS TCU Daily Skiff Friday, April 4, 2008
campaign From page 1 strong-armed Faculty duo makes $250 million. “Currently we’ve raised $155 mil- debut at cello concert lion,” Whelan said. “We’re not quite halfway through the campaign.” By BIBEK BHANDARI FOR YOUR INFO Whelan said the total fundraising Staff Reporter figure was reached after assessing Mozart, Vivaldi or Bach’s com- TCU Cello TCU’s potential needs and looking at positions often grace Ed Landreth Ensemble the university’s fundraising history. Hall, but for the first time Satur- When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday “Knowing what we know now, we day, the cello ensemble will per- feel we have the ability to raise $250 form original compositions by Where: Ed Landreth Auditorium million,” Whelan said. “Our poten- faculty. tial needs are higher than that, so “Symphony for Violoncelli” and piano together. we really had to narrow it down to and “Anxieties of the Heart” will Ferrandino said “Symphony our core set of priorities.” echo through the music hall along for Violoncelli” is in three move- Whelan said one priority of the with the sounds of classical com- ments — “Prayer,” which explores fundraising, which is expected to fin- positions, said Jesus Castro-Balbi, the nature of prayer, “Scherzo,” ish in four to five years, is to provide founder and director of the TCU which combines motivic pitch- more scholarship money for students. Cello Ensemble. es and rhythmic patterns, and However, Whelan said he thinks it Castro -Balbi said the ensemble’s “Romance,” which is a transition won’t take that long. concert will premiere composi- at the end of “Scherzo.” “There’s so much momentum in tions of two TCU faculty mem- Castro-Balbi said the composi- general at TCU right now,” Whelan bers. Blaise Ferrandino, former tions are an excellent addition to said. “So many people want to invest Jordan Haygood / Features Editor Faculty Senate chair, will conduct the ensemble’s repertoire and to In a game of tug-of-war team Ares defeated team Zeus in the championships at the Greek Olympics for in the university’s future. I think we Greek Week. This is the second year for all Greek organizations to get together for Greek Week. “Symphony for Violoncelli,” and music at large. He said students will exceed the $250 million mark Robert Garwell, who teaches the will have a first-hand experience in three to four years.” popular “Rock to Bach” class, will of the creative process that exists Matt Rose, CEO of Burlington debut “Anxieties of the Heart,” the in the professional world. Northern Santa Fe Railway and cam- first time in the event’s three-year Hyung-joo Kim, a freshman paign chairman, said contributions darfur their comfort zones and challenge history that original works will be music performance and cello have been higher than the campaign From page 1 them to take action,” he said. performed. major who will perform in the committee anticipated. To date, more than 400,000 have “It’s very meaningful that com- ensemble, said it will be a great “With any fundraising campaign Chris Cooksie, a student organizer of died and more than 2.5 million have posers of their caliber have writ- opportunity and a learning expe- you hope to make 50 percent of the event, said this is STAND’s biggest been forced to leave their homes in ten a piece specifically for us and rience to premiere the composers’ your total goal during the leader- event yet. About 75 people from dif- Darfur, resulting in a major refugee dedicated their work to us,” Cas- pieces. He said he likes how “Anx- ship phase,” Rose said. “We have sur- ferent student groups on campus have crisis, according to STAND. tro-Balbi said. “That is a sign of iety of the Heart” starts with a ten- passed this at the start of our public agreed to participate, he said. The event will have speakers such trust into our (ensemble’s) abilities sion, and he enjoys the themes of campaign.” “Our hope is that these people will as state Rep. Lon Burnam, the direc- to take care of their creation.” “Symphony for Violoncelli.” Rose said he thought locating the take the message back to their organi- tor of a Holocaust museum, teachers “Symphony for Violoncelli” “We have tried to make music reception between the Student Center zations and the awareness will spread and students, Boyd said. is based on contrapuntal tech- and express the composer’s idea and University Union was fitting. from there,” said Cooksie, a senior Those who attend the event will be niques, which refer to the relation- and his work, his music,” Kim “I think it is very symbolic of criminal justice major. encouraged to sign a petition and write ship between voices, developed said. “We try to find ways to make where TCU is at right now,” Rose Boyd said the lack of knowledge letters to members of Congress and through the history of Western it sound cohesive so people can said. “We recognize our past, but about the ongoing humanitarian crisis the president, the group said. Students music, Castro-Balbi said. “Anxi- understand and feel a part of the we are looking forward.” in Darfur is too common. who set up tents and stay the night eties of the Heart,” he said, is a music.” Boschini said he was pleased “I would say only about 20 percent will listen to bands expected to play passionate and energetic compo- School of Music Director Rich- with the turnout for the evening. He of people know what Darfur is, where until 2 a.m., Boyd said. sition that will be supported by ard Gipson said the ensemble will said he was hoping the event would it is or have ever even heard of it,” “We just want people to realize that a piano performance by Gloria be a unique experience for the attract 600 people but more than 900 she said. you don’t have to do something big,” Lin, a music prep instructor at the audience, students and faculty. ended up attending. Cooksie said he thinks most stu- said Kasey Waas, a sophomore art his- School of Music. “Like any ensemble at School “One of the things we realized dents don’t want to know about the tory major and an organizer of the Castro-Balbi said the event will of Music, we like to present music from this campaign is the love all conflict because it is an uncomfort- event. “People only have to write a be a unique experience because at highest level and the cello over our country for TCU,” Boschi- able subject. letter or sign a petition to make a dif- the composers have seldom used ensemble is really doing it,” Gip- ni said. “Our goal is to get people outside ference.” the combination of cello ensemble son said.
Chris Sewalish, hall direc- pus, especially in residence could have the opportunity respect from the events, it applying for this fund. Achim AWARENESS tor of Milton Daniel Hall, said halls without alcohol,” Sewal- to host bigger events to reach would continue to support stu- said the group will host a dry From page 1 the dorm’s council is applying ish said. more TCU students, which dent organizations for at least event with the help of the held on campus. for the fund to host an event The hall council wants to could further help raise alco- the next year, Giovanis said. fund. “It’s more like an experi- with Moncrief Hall involving show students the alternative hol awareness. Hannah Achim, president of She said alcohol awareness ment,” Giovanis said. “We food and games. activities that don’t involve alco- The funds are from the Alco- TCU STAND, a student anti- is a part of human aware- want to see if there is an audi- “We believe there are a lot hol, he said. hol and Drug Education Cen- genocide group fighting for ness, and her group wants to ence for the events students of events and great program- Giovanis said with the funds ter’s budget, and if it receives Darfur recognition, is one of promote global and human are hosting.” ming that can happen on cam- some student organizations a lot of positive responses and the organizations on campus awareness.
mass killing of Kurds and the is an increasing amount of anti- for Dallas Holocaust Museum Hollinger said the increasing Marco also said other than an holocaust ongoing conflict in Darfur. Semitism today. and Center for Education and number of Holocaust deniers is occasional joke, she has never From page 1 “We are all a part of com- “Survivors are still among Tolerance, wrote in an e-mail another form of anti-Semitism encountered anti-Semitism at Holocaust was intentional, munity,” she wrote. “However, us, but for younger people who that the Holocaust was unique and is another reason why edu- TCU. systematic, industrial, state- we define community, and as may not have any direct con- because “never before in his- cating people about the Holo- “Other students are open and sponsored violence and how a part of community we are nection to the eyewitness gen- tory had a state/government caust is important. accepting,” Marco said. it was possible for a nation to responsible for each other.” eration, it seems like history,” planned and tried to implement Dlin wrote, “The historical Hillel will also host a mid- embark on such a program of Andrew Hollinger, director Hollinger said. the complete murder of every evidence of the Holocaust is April Passover dinner and violence.” of media relations for the Unit- Hollinger said the Holocaust man, woman and child belong- overwhelming — even much will place flags symbolizing Sanders wrote that the Holo- ed States Holocaust Memorial is the “most extreme example ing to a particular group of peo- more extensive than more the various groups impacted caust of World War II was not Museum in Washington, said of anti-Semitism,” which is dan- ple and the total expunging of contemporary events like the by the Holocaust on the lawns the last instance of genocide, the importance of remember- gerous to everyone in society. every vestige of their existence genocides in Cambodia or of Sadler Hall and Reed Hall citing examples such as Iraq’s ing the Holocaust is that there Elliot Dlin, executive director from the face of the earth.” Rwanda.” on May 2.
Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Chavez Sports Editor: Brett Larson Advertising Manager: Erica Savage The TCU Daily Skiff is an official student publication of Texas Christian Circulation: 6,000 Web site: www.dailyskiff.com University, produced by students of TCU and sponsored by the Schieffer Subscriptions: Call 257-6274. Rates are $30 per semester. Copyright: All rights for the entire contents of this newspaper Managing Editor: Bailey Shiffler Features Editor: Jordan Haygood Student Publications Director: Robert Bohler School of Journalism. It operates under the policies of the Student Location: Moudy Building South, Room 291, shall be the property of the TCU Daily Skiff. No part thereof may TCU Box 298050, Fort Worth, TX 76129 Associate Editor: Ashleigh Whaley Multimedia Editor: Marcus Murphree Business Manager: Bitsy Faulk Publications Committee, composed of representatives from the 2805 S. University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76109 be reproduced or aired without prior consent of the Student student body, staff, faculty and administration. The Skiff is published On-campus distribution: Newspapers are available free on Publications Director. The Skiff does not assume liability for any Phone: (817) 257-7428 Fax: (817) 257-7133 News Editors: Saerom Yoo, Joe Zigtema Design Editor: Max Landman Production Manager: Vicki Whistler Tuesday through Friday during fall and spring semesters except finals campus, limit one per person. Additional copies are $.50 and are products and services advertised herein. The Skiff’s liability for E-mail: [email protected] Opinion Editor: Ana Bak Web Editor: Lindsey Bever Director, Schieffer School: Tommy Thomason week and holidays. The Skiff is a member of The Associated Press. available at the Skiff office. misprints due to our error is limited to the cost of the advertising. “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
TCU Daily Skiff QUOTE OF THE DAY “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 3 OpinionFriday, April 4, 2008
THE SKIFF VIEW By Jeremy arnold Gossip site not so anonymous
he business of gossip is becoming a seems to have no discretion and thus will sticky mess for Matt Ivester, founder not exercise this right — which takes about Tof JuicyCampus.com, now that his site a second to figure out after viewing the site’s is under legal investigation by the attorneys home page. general of New Jersey and Connecticut. They Ivester said that if subpoenaed, he would are alleging that the site commits consumer turn over users’ IP addresses, which Inter- fraud through misrepresentation to the public net service providers could then use to track and unconscionable business practices. and identify JuicyCampus users. He said he is It seems the ellipses in “Always Anony- confident JuicyCampus has not violated any mous... Always Juicy...” are extremely signifi- law and refuses to take responsibility for any cant. The first ellipsis cancels out the word of the site’s content, placing full blame on his “always.” The Web site’s Privacy and Tracking own consumers, the posters of dirty posts. Policy states that a user is always anonymous But law aside, Ivester should learn that if and only if his or her computer is set to what goes around, comes around. One can- block cookies and uses an IP-cloaking service. not build a house of gossip, in which people The second ellipsis implies that JuicyCam- burn each other, and expect to dodge the pus is always juicy because, though Ivester flames. admits he has a right to remove content that And as for the posters of dirty posts, the is “unlawful, threatening, abusive, tortuous, same goes for them too, especially now that defamatory, obscene, libelous, or invasive of they may not be granted anonymity. another’s privacy” at his own discretion, he Associate editor Ashleigh Whaley for the editorial board. Jeremy Arnold is a religion major from Sugarland.
For students, the time is now Rep. VP pick crucial to campaign John McCain announced like to see a diverse ticket. But centered on a conservative Wednesday that he has com- he may also become disen- family-values platform, and at to stop AIDS in its tracks piled a list of 20 people he chanted with the Democratic 51, he is also young enough to is considering for the No. 2 Party’s nomination process. be on the bill. The invisible monster rears its head to make light of the issue in “Team America spot on the Republican tick- He needs a running mate Former Republican rival ravage you from the inside out, and you are World Police” and “South Park.” et, though he is not releasing who could be president. Mike Huckabee could be on completely unaware. And, what’s that? You Apparently, after a couple of decades, it’s names. Again, McCain’s age is a fac- McCain’s list. Huckabee, 52, don’t care? This monster has safe to make fun of something, according Commentary While tor here. Should he not be able has a strong reputation as a Commentary killed millions and it’s only 25 to the characters in South Park. the Arizona to fulfill an entire term, his conservative. He has advo- Rachael Embler years old. Don’t get me wrong. I think “South Park” senator and second-in-command should cated a border fence, supports The first cases of AIDS were documented and “Team America World Police” are hilar- likely Repub- be capable of stepping in and the Iraq War, and is social- in newspapers 25 years ago. This monster ious. Parker and Stone are making people lican nomi- ably leading the nation. ly conservative. As a former stems from the human immunodeficiency laugh and, in the end, making people more nee need not So, who’s it going to be? At Arkansas governor, Huckabee virus or HIV, and it’s invisible because no comfortable talking about taboo topics such worry about this point, it’s up in the air, has demonstrated leadership one seems to care anymore. as AIDS. choosing a but there are a few names that abilities. His extreme views According to The New York Times, the In fact, the stigmatization of subjects con- Kara Peterson running mate have popped up. on many social issues and his first wave of AIDS patients in the U.S. is cerning public health is the worst thing at this point Minnesota’s governor, Tim tenure as a Southern Baptist reaching late middle-aged people. Many society can do, which is one of the major in the campaign, McCain and Pawlenty, has received plenty preacher could work against have survived because of the “cocktail” issues concerning the AIDS epidemic. his handlers must consider of mentions. He has served as him, though. of drugs, some experimental, given to the The stigma surrounding AIDS arrives several qualifications when co-chairman of McCain’s cam- Secretary of State Condo- patients. from several sources, one being homosex- narrowing the list. paign, and has been lauded leezza Rice is another con- These Americans have made it. Many uality. In the early documented cases of McCain’s vice presidential as the most conservative Min- tender. Rice, 54, is familiar have health problems and permanent dam- the disease, it seemed that it affected only running mate should be both nesota governor in 80 years, with the inner workings of age, the article stated, but they have sur- homosexual men. fiscally and socially conserva- according to a column in the White House and has vived. The religious right saw this as God’s con- tive. Many Republicans have The Washington Post. At 47, maintained her foothold in There are many people around the world demnation of homosexual acts, but now the been turned off by McCain’s Pawlenty fits the bill. world affairs. Her knowledge who don’t have any medicine and don’t disease has spread further than that, and moderate (and sometimes left Charlie Crist, governor of of foreign policy and her sup- have the education needed to survive. We people still associate it with the unmention- of center) stance on several Florida, is another name that port of anti-terror measures do. able topic of homosexuality. issues, including tax cuts and has come up. He campaigned can assure her support among As responsible citizens in a global com- HIV/AIDS affects mothers, fathers, broth- immigration. Choosing a run- with McCain in Florida and those concerned with national munity, we have the responsibility to help ers and sisters. ning mate with a consistently helped the senator secure the security. Her involvement in those who can’t help themselves. If you knew and loved someone with the conservative voting record is state’s delegates over Rudy the Iraq War, however, could People in Africa are suffering every day disease, you might be more willing to learn key to winning over Republi- Giuliani, who did most of be her undoing. because they don’t have the medication to and help people understand it. can conservatives. his campaign spending in Kara Peterson is an advertising/ quell the symptoms of the disease or the However, people don’t realize they prob- His vice presidential candi- the Sunshine State. Crist’s public relations graduate knowledge to prevent it. Women are raped ably do know someone who is affected by date should be young. McCa- campaign for governor was student from Fort Worth. and also unknowingly contract HIV, which the disease because no one wants to talk in’s age — he will turn 72 on is then passed on to their children. about it. Inauguration Day — can’t be It affects millions, which means most Even if you can’t bring yourself to ask a ignored. Although he does likely you know someone who has the dis- friend if he or she has been affected by the appeal to young Republicans, ease or has been affected by it. disease, either because someone he or she his war-hero persona may not Most college students don’t know much knew or loved was infected or otherwise, be familiar to many of them — about the disease, how it affects people or there is still something you can do. it was simply too long ago. what they can do to help. What they know There are ways college students can be McCain could benefit by is pop culture. involved in the effort to aid and educate running with a woman. The In a country where students know about those infected, especially in Africa. Democratic nominee will every element of the life of Britney Spears The Peace Corps has youth education either be Sens. Hillary Clin- and little about the life of Barack Obama, programs in Africa about safe sex and ton, D-N.Y., or Barack Obama, it’s no surprise that what students know hygiene. You can volunteer for the AIDS D-Ill., who are still battling about AIDS is from TV. Resource Center or the AIDS Food Pantry. for every vote. If McCain can I bet most college students know about There is time to make a difference. recruit a female running mate, the musical made into the movie “Rent,” or Rachael Embler is a senior international he may pick up votes from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s attempts to communications and history major from Dallas. undecided voters who would Mct HUD secretary’s resignation will help relieve housing stress
The path to U.S. Depart- eral criminal investigation, The events to date look like tion PHA for allegedly violat- ing PHA’s federal funding. wrong person to lead HUD ment of Housing and Urban and charges of cronyism have vindication for PHA Execu- ing requirements on disability Not only did Jackson stone- in the midst of a housing and Development Secretary dogged his entire tenure. tive Director Carl housing. That wall Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen mortgage meltdown. HUD Commentary Alphonso But Jackson’s inept, allegedly R. Greene. Give action culminated Specter and Bob Casey on the includes the Federal Housing “Now that Jackson is Philadelphia Inquirer Jackson’s punitive handling of the PHA Greene credit for in the threatened subject, he also later said he Administration, which is being downfall led matter is what led most imme- standing up to gone, he will soon be withholding of wasn’t concerned about the called on to provide solutions straight through Philadelphia, diately to his ouster. the HUD dud. forgotten. He won’t the $40 million damning e-mail exchange. to the wave of subprime mort- and out the door. Jackson announced his res- Greene sued be missed.” from PHA. A spokesman for PHA said gage foreclosures. Now that Jackson is gone, ignation Monday, in the midst HUD, claiming Philadelphia Jackson denied Tuesday that Greene won’t President Bush now has an he will soon be forgotten. He of an escalating feud with the the federal agen- Inquirer his agency was drop the lawsuit because PHA opportunity to replace Jackson won’t be missed. Philadelphia Housing Author- cy was trying retaliating. But is still disputing HUD’s allega- with someone who can devote There were so many allega- ity. At least as he quit, Jack- to punish PHA his credibility tions that the city agency did full attention to the nation- tions leveled against Jackson son, or someone, had the good for failing to turn over a par- dwindled when Greene’s law- not provide sufficient housing wide housing crisis, instead of over the years that it’s hard to sense to allow the temporary cel of land to Jackson’s friend, suit produced e-mail between for the disabled. a secretary who spent so much choose which one is the most renewal of a $40 million fed- music industry mogul Kenny two HUD assistants glee- With the PHA lawsuit and time looking out for cronies. serious. eral program for PHA, sparing Gamble. Greene says after he fully discussing how to cause other problems of his own This editorial appeared in the He’s the subject of a fed- possible layoffs. refused, HUD moved to sanc- Greene pain by withhold- making, Jackson was the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday.
Editorial Board Editorial Policy Andrew chavez Ashleigh Whaley The content of the Opinion page does the left. The Skiff View is the collective writers and do not necessarily reflect the to [email protected]. Letters Bailey Shiffler Jordan Haygood not necessarily represent the views of opinion of the editorial board and may opinion of the editorial board. must include the author’s classification, Saerom Yoo Ana Bak Texas Christian University. The Skiff not reflect the views of the individual Letters to the editor: The Skiff major and phone number. Skiff reserves Joe Zigtema Brett larson View editorial represents the view of the writers. Signed letters, columns and welcomes letters to the editor for the right to edit or reject letters for style, Lindsey Bever Marcus Murphree TCU Daily Skiff editorial board listed to cartoons represent the opinion of the publication. To submit a letter, e-mail it taste and size restrictions. 4 NEWS TCU Daily Skiff Friday, April 4, 2008 Gene may increase smokers’ risk of lung cancer, studies say
By JEREMY MANIER of the Human Genome Project, to contribute to.” Several experts how to use it to improve their this decade in cataloging mil- who led one of the recent pros- Chicago Tribune which promised a new era of pointed out that although an 80 health,” said David Hunter, a lions of points where people’s tate cancer studies. CHICAGO — In the latest proj- personalized medicine based on percent higher risk may sound professor of epidemiology at the genomes frequently vary. Each of the three new lung ect to use the findings of human an individual’s genetic risks. significant, all smokers are at Harvard School of Public Health, The lung cancer studies cancer studies used data from genome research to assess indi- But experts caution that high risk of lung cancer. The who co-wrote a commentary on released Wednesday used a thousands of people, and the vidual health risks, a suite of many of the emerging tests risk for smokers without the the research in Nature. type of analysis called genome- deCODE study had the largest new studies has found a genetic are brand new and have severe genetic variant is about 14 per- Yet Stefansson said the field wide association, scanning sample with about 40,000 partic- variant that can increase smok- limitations. cent, compared with 23 percent is moving so fast that he thinks about 300,000 genetic markers ipants. All three research groups ers’ risk of getting lung cancer For example, none of the new for those with the variant. wide-ranging genetic profiles for variation and seeing how zeroed in on variation in a por- by as much as 80 percent. findings in the new lung cancer The usefulness of such genetic of individual patients will be they match up with people’s tion of chromosome 15 that was One of the research teams, study would change doctors’ basic information for ordinary consum- common practice within five diseases and habits. previously known to affect cells deCODE Genetics of Iceland, advice regarding cigarettes: If you ers is a sub- years. Scores of similar genome- that respond to nicotine. already has incorporated the don’t smoke, don’t start, and if ject of intense “The effect of any one of The road wide analysis studies have been The researchers disagreed discovery into a package of you do smoke, try to quit. debate among these genetic markers is to such tests published since early 2007, as on whether the genetic variants tests it sells to the public, offer- Kari Stefansson, chief execu- researchers and small, but we’re looking at b e g a n i n improved lab techniques made make people more likely to stay ing consumers genetic profiles tive officer of the Icelandic com- genetic counsel- complex diseases where 2001 with the such work almost routine. In hooked on cigarettes, or if they that estimate a person’s risk for pany, conceded that its lung ors. many genes have a role.” completion of March, groups from America, Brit- directly affected the develop- 26 conditions including pros- cancer test would not aid a typi- Genome- Stephen J. Chanock the Human ain and the deCODE team pub- ment of cancer. The deCODE tate cancer, diabetes and even cal person’s health decisions but wide tests are National Cancer Institute Genome Proj- lished papers showing about a group found a direct link with male-pattern baldness. argued that “knowledge is never at such an ear- ect, which dozen genome regions that affect smoking behavior, but the oth- Authors of the three cancer evil in and of itself.” ly stage that the mapped out the risk of prostate cancer. er two teams did not. reports published Wednesday in “As a diagnostic test, I think, risk assessment a consumer gets all the genes that most peo- “The effect of any one of these “Future studies will tell us the journal Nature employed a it is of no value,” said Stefans- today may well be obsolete next ple possess. genetic markers is small, but whether the effect has more to powerful new method to scan son, who also co-wrote his team’s year, if not next month. That blueprint varies slightly we’re looking at complex dis- do with smoking or lung cancer, thousands of people’s genomes report. “I am actually even a little “There’s a serious concern from person to person, often eases where many genes have but my intuition is it’s a combi- looking for links to disease. The bit afraid that some may look at that people will be flooded with in the form of tiny variations a role,” said Stephen J. Chanock, nation,” said Chanock, who co- results suggest that scientists are it as a green light to smoke, and information that changes over called SNPs, or “snips.” Scien- chief of translational genomics wrote the Nature commentary beginning to reap the benefits that’s something I would not want time, and they’ll have little idea tists have made steady progress at the National Cancer Institute, on the lung cancer studies. Obama Girl’s Rust Belt hometown supports Sen. Clinton
By Margaret Talev gotten older, working-class place on the front line of the Amber Lee Ettinger, 26, bet- dad says nobody should con- McClatchy Newspapers whites talking more than they illegal immigration debate. ter known as Obama Girl, fuse her public persona with HAZLETON, Pa. — This otherwise might have about When an influx of undocu- plaster the store’s walls. In how she’ll vote — which he bleak former coal town in the young black politician mented workers changed the them she’s modeling her says is nobody’s business. northeastern Pennsylvania from Chicago. city’s character and took a mom’s 1960s and 1970s out- A couple blocks east, at occupies a unique perch in this This is Clinton country, toll on school, hospital and fits. People call or drop by Jimmy’s Quick Lunch, Clin- year’s presidential contest. however. It’s close to Scran- public safety budgets, Hazle- ton’s the favorite of many It’s the hometown of “Obama ton, home to Hillary Clinton’s ton adopted headline-grab- “I like her backup regulars. Girl,” the New York City model father, grandparents and great- bing measures to punish man, and her fam- “I like her backup man,” of YouTube fame whose racy grandparents, and it’s full of companies that employ ille- ily’s from Scranton. said retired machinist Ron- videos proclaiming her crush white ethnic working-class gal immigrants and fine land- She seems to be an ald Duser, referring to for- on Barack Obama are definite- voters, who’ve sustained her lords who house them. Other honest person, just mer President Bill Clinton. ly not campaign-sanctioned. campaign so far, especially in cities followed, but last year like my wife.” “And her family’s from Her parents still live here, and the Rust Belt. a federal court threw out Ronald Ruser Scranton. She seems to be her unlikely career break has Then, too, there’s Hazleton’s the law. The ruling’s under Hazleton retiree an honest person, just like appeal. my wife.” All these forces are com- Of Obama, Duser said: “I’m ing to a slow boil as Hazleton to say they saw Amber on not crazy about voting for a looks to Pennsylvania’s pri- TV — and Roseann Etting- colored guy, but that’s not mary April 22 and to the gen- er thinks about supporting why I don’t support Obama. eral election in November. If Obama. But she’s apathetic. I’m not prejudiced. I just like
this slice of hard-times coun- “Nothing appeals to me Hillary.” Barelypolitical.com via MCT try mirrors how Pennsylva- about what I’ve heard yet” A couple tables over, Jean Amber Lee Ettinger, a New York model nia ends up voting, there’s from any of the candidates, Fetterman, a foster grandpar- known as Obama Girl, gained fame hope for Clinton. she said. ent, said of Clinton: “Oh, I though a video on YouTube. On West Broad Street, the Husband Terry Ettinger love her. She’s a very intelli- scruffy main drag, one pass- is a registered Republican, gent person, and she has her FOR YOUR INFO es a billboard for Spanish but the veteran is “very dis- husband who went through legal services, a Latina beau- appointed” in his party. He this.” To see Obama Girl’s latest ty salon and storefronts that admires John McCain’s mili- She scoffs at the idea of pro-Obama video, go to: reflect the city’s German, Pol- tary background but not his voting for Obama: “I don’t www.youtube.com/watch?v= ish, Italian and Irish roots. immigration stance. He likes want to be a Muslim!” She axxooGIgOKs&feature=user Just past them, Obama Obama’s speeches but wor- looks dubious when told Girl’s mom, Roseann Etting- ries that there isn’t enough Obama is Christian. “Then immigration may cost him er, is tapping her savings to substance beneath the rhet- why did he go see what’s- Republican support too, keep her vintage clothing oric. his-name over in Iraq, that perhaps even from the city’s and jewelry shop, called Hearing about Obama’s Lama?” mayor, Lou Barletta, who’s Remember When, afloat. former pastor, the Rev. Jere- She isn’t clear about whom using his activist role in the The store used to be open miah A. Wright, makes Terry she means. She may have immigration debate to chal- daily; now it’s open only on Ettinger mad. “It’s the black seen a photo of Obama wear- lenge the local Democratic Saturdays and by appoint- philosophy of the white ing traditional clothing dur- congressman. ment. Foot traffic waned as people holding them back,” ing a visit to Africa. “I don’t Further east on Broad is a longtime businesses closed he said. “That they can just care what color he is, I don’t small Obama campaign head- and immigrant-related say one side of it and have care if he’s pink,” she said. quarters, opened last month. crime troubled old-timers. the congregation cheering “I don’t think he’s got the Some locals drive by just to Meanwhile, high oil prices — when I don’t think it’s same education Hillary has, see if it’s real. took their toll; between the true!” and he’s so young. He’s arro- “We’re in Clinton country; Ettingers’ nearby home and Obama Girl rents a place in gant, too.” we m a ke no b ones ab out t h at,” the store space, the cost of New Jersey but still considers Democrats already out- said Elaine Curry, a medical a month’s heat approaches Hazleton home. Her parents number Republicans by close librarian who helped set up $3,000. say she plans to vote in Penn- to 2 to 1 here. But McCain’s the office. “But I’ve always Photos of their daughter sylvania’s primary. But her sympathetic approach toward broken from the pack.” TCU Daily Skiff Friday, April 4, 2008 Advertisement 5 TCU Daily Skiff fly like a falcon The baseball team takes on the Air Force Falcons this weekend. DAILYSKIFF.COM
SportsFriday, April 4, 2008 6 commentary New head basketball coach should recruit from Texas talent By JOSH DAVIS and lost two of its five best play- a change, and you’re more than does putting hometown heroes Without the Greeks’ support, we ning program here. I promise. Staff Writer ers for a team that fell far short qualified after a great six years on the court lead to more fans will continue to have a joke of a As long as you don’t settle for Welcome to the basketball of the National Invitation Tour- with the Golden Flashes. in the stands, but it turns out student section. I’m not saying being overshadowed by that oth- program, new head coach Jim nament and lost two of its five However, a couple of week- these men can play. There is no you need to recruit from intra- er program and demand a prop- Christian! Now best players. one hints never hurt anyone at reason our recruiting should be mural teams, but establishing a er share of the advertising dime, Commentary that you are set- You’re leaving a team that a new job, and I am glad to give beaten locally by A&M or Baylor better relationship between the there is an audience for you. But tled and don’t averaged 3,500 plus fans a game them to you. in state. I mean, they are talk- program and Greek fans will cre- don’t pull a “Pony Up” and try to have a chance for a team that would kill to put 1) Mess with Texas — I know ing these players into living in ate a better home-court atmo- get fans to watch a terrible team. to back out, I that many butts in the seats. Bear we’re in a football state, but the Waco. sphere. You’re capable of a 20-win pro- would just like in mind, Kent State University’s Baylor roster had seven Texans 2) Go Greek — Occasion- 3) Get the Word Out — TCU gram. Build that here, and Dan- to check — are total enrollment is about 34,000 on it. The University of Texas had ally, the university downplays will always be a football school. iel-Meyer may be rocking again. you crazy? and ours is a bit closer to 9,000, nine, Texas A&M had 16 and six the presence of “Greekdom” on That’s why we’re marketing I hope sooner than later. Josh Davis Just mak- but nonetheless. them came from the Dallas/ Fort campus to those who are new spring football all across cam- So, welcome, Christian. Get ing sure, but Coach, if there is such a thing Worth area. All three of those around here. Let your eyes be pus, despite the fact that several to work with those tips in mind you’re leaving a team that made as a “right person” for this job, I teams qualified for the NCAA the judge. See those Croakies other teams are in season. You next week, and I cannot wait to the NCAA Tournament this year think you are it. It was time for Tournament this year. Not only and boat shoes around campus? can have a well-attended, win- see what you bring in the fall.
Women’s Tennis Baseball Win streak on line; squad Vegas bound Bottoms up
By Kyle Arnold ence and SDSU is tied for Staff Reporter last place at 0-2. The women’s tennis team Last season, the Horned takes its six-game winning Frogs split their two con- streak on the road as it con- tests against the Runnin’ tinues its Mountain West Rebels, one of only two con- Conference schedule in Las ference losses for the squad Vegas today. last season. The No. 24 Horned Frogs The loss came in the will square off against the semifinals of the Mountain University of Nevada, Las West Conference Cham- Vegas Lady Rebels at noon pionships, knocking the today and play another Horned Frogs out of the 24 hours later against the tournament. San Diego State University UNLV holds the overall Aztecs on Saturday, also in series advantage at 3-2. Las Vegas. San Diego State finished TCU is currently undefeat- its conference season 6-3 ed in Mountain West play last year and lost to TCU and is tied for the lead with 6-1. the University of New Mex- After its two weekend ico with a 3-0 conference matches, TCU will have record heading into today’s three more matches, which contest. will all be against confer- The Horned Frogs are ence opponents, before the led by the doubles team of Mountain West Conference junior Anna Sydorska and Championships. Macall Harkins who are 12-2 The conference champi- this season and ranked No. onships will be held from 12 nationally. April 23 to April 26 in Fort UNLV is tied for fourth in Worth, at the Bayard H. the MWC with a 1-1 confer- Friedman Tennis Center.
kate jones / Staff Photographer Senior shortstop Bryan Kervin leads off of first base during the Horned Frogs’ win over Texas A&M Corpus-Christi. TCU faces Mountain West Conference foe Air Force in a three-game series starting today. The two teams are positioned last and second-to-last in the conference. Baseball team faces winless Falcons in series
By Brett Larson five seasons the squad has Force, he said. Horned Frogs in their two Sports Editor reached a double-digit win The squad has been get- conference series. The baseball team will total. ting tremendous support In TCU’s four conference pick up conference play Last year the Horned Frogs while playing at home where losses the team surrendered today, starting a three-game took the series 5-0, easily it is 12-5 this season. Tues- 26 runs. series against cellar-dwellers besting the Falcons offen- day’s game against Baylor Fortunately for the Horned Air Force. sively and defensively. featured the ninth largest Frogs, the Falcons pitching The Horned Frogs have TCU outscored Air Force crowd in Lupton history with staff has a conference-worst won their last two games, but 47-11 in the five games, 2,346 fans in attendance. The 7.58 earned run average this are in second-to-last place in including a 15-run effort in all-time three-game series season. the Mountain West Confer- the team’s final contest of the attendance record was set in ence with a 2-4 record. series, and their second high- the first series of the season FOR YOUR INFO The Falcons have had an est run total of the season. against Cal State Fullerton, Air Force vs. TCU incredibly rough stretch, fail- TCU has a 15-1 all-time Head coach Jim Schloss- ing to win a conference game record against the Falcons, nagle said the team has been When: 6:30 today, all of last season, and starting who have never won at Lup- hitting better than the final Saturday, 2 p.m. this season 0-5 in the Moun- ton Stadium. score often indicates. Sunday, 1 p.m. tain West. Redshirt junior pitcher Seth Wednesday, the Horned Where: Lupton Stadium However, at Air Force has Garrison said every remain- Frogs’ bats caught fire again, Stakes: The conference’s already reached 10 wins this ing conference game is huge beating Texas State 12-8. second-to-last place Horned Frog take on the Shaley sanders / Staff Reporter season at 10-16, marking only for the Horned Frogs, who Consistency in pitching Sophomore Nina Munch-Soegaard uses her forehand to return against her Fresno the second time in the past are focused on taking on Air and hitting has hurt the last-place Falcons. State opponent March 3 at home.
Equestrian Match before National Championship ‘practice game,’ coach says
By MEGAN MOWERY 2 in Hunt Seat and No. 4 who holds the No. 1 seed in count toward Nationals, Reynolds said that he is Staff Reporter in Western this year, is the FOR YOUR INFO Horsemanship after the first Huffman said she does not coaching a great team and Win or lose, today’s defending National Champi- Texas A&M vs. TCU 10-0 season ever, said win feel pressure. he has confidence that they equestrian game against on in Western and finished or lose, the contest should Junior Chloe Baker, who will do well at Nationals. Texas A&M will not affect sixth place in Hunt Seat last When: 1 p.m. today help the Western team for went 7-1 in Horsemanship “Going undefeated this TCU’s position in the Varsity season. Where: Fieldstone Park, Nationals. She said it should this season, said the team year and playing the sched- Equestrian National Cham- TCU fell to A&M last sea- Mansfield help the team focus on any- has been strengthening its ule we played is unbeliev- pionships. son and the teams have not Stakes: The match against thing that might go wrong riding` skills by riding as able,” Reynolds said. TCU, which holds the No. met since. the Aggies is the Horned and work on it before the many horses as they can to The Hunt Seat team was 1 seed for Nationals in West- The game won’t count Frog’s last contest before the team goes to Nationals. prepare for Nationals. She disappointed that they didn’t ern and the alternate posi- toward either teams ranking championships. Huffman said there’s a said competing on differ- make the Nationals brack- tion in Hunt Seat, host the for Nationals. Head coach good chance TCU could play ent horses is a mental chal- et, Reynolds said. But he Aggies at Field State Park Gary Reynolds said it was make us better, no matter A&M at Nationals and she lenge. said next season he plans for its last regular season a practice game for the two what the outcome,” Reyn- thinks the Aggies are the “The horse is only going on adding to the momen- contest. teams. olds said. team to beat this year. to beat you if you let it,” tum the Hunt Seat team has A&M, which is ranked No. “It will sharpen us up and Senior Kindel Huffman, Because the game doesn’t Baker said. gained. 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassi- nated.
TCU Daily Skiff TODAY IN HISTORY WORTH A LAUGH –– BUT ONLY ONE 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated. Q: How do French poodles greet each other?
A: Bone-jour. Etc.Friday, April 4, 2008 7
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In a classroom on the second floor of Beasley Hall, Fort sits among his students in a circle. n what he calls one of the high points With his long, skinny arms folded and resting in his life, Andy Fort got arrested on charg- on the desk, he beams from behind his glasses as es of disturbing the peace in 1972 in front he looks around the room. Some make eye con- Iof Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Mass., tact, expectantly waiting for his first words. Some when he joined the 400 people protesting the shift in their chairs and dart their eyes toward Vietnam War. their peers, smiling and shrugging at one another. The base was a strategic location for protest Finally, Fort breaks the silence. because it was where the military trained and “Any questions about reality?” sent bombers to Vietnam. The base had deployed Silence. B-52 bombers and tankers to Southeast Asia two “Inner peace?” weeks prior to the protest. More silence. As one of the 95 people arrested on charges The silences at 9:30 a.m. in Beasley’s room 205 of disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and are not sounds of boredom, daydreaming or sleep. blocking the public’s way, Fort said, he didn’t Silence, in a Fort classroom, is the grunts and plead innocence because he “went to be guilty.” moans of the students’ minds wrestling with novel Instead, he pleaded no contest and paid about concepts and questions. Silence, in a Fort class- a $50 fine. He says because the protests were room, is the sound of furrowing brows, widening costing the city a lot of money, he felt he had to eyes and nodding heads. Silence, in a Fort class- pay it back. room, is the sound of what he calls “mental migra- The protest was mostly a symbol – a symbol tion,” or understanding an that thousands of people considered the war alternate worldview. immoral. And though their interfering with the It is in this atmo- “You can’t road to the base two hours a day didn’t stop the sphere that Fort has “Nixonian war machine,” Fort said the protest- been inviting his stu- really be OK ers made a dent that they couldn’t have without dents to his academic showing up to express their opposition. “home” for the last 26 if the world “Practically speaking, we interfered with peo- years. But this doesn’t ple being able to get on the base to fuel and pre- mean that students find around you pare bombers,” he said. themselves subscrib- ing to whatever reli- isn’t. You Seasoned Change gion Fort teaches as More than three decades later, Fort opposes their own beliefs. see that you the war in Iraq with a similar passion that fueled Fort simply cracks his protests in the ‘70s. His voice crescendos and open their minds and can’t be speeds up and he can barely keep himself from shines light on ques- spouting expletives as he curses the Bush admin- tions they have never liberated or istration for its policies in the Middle East. thought about before. “It’s just so many people died – it’s like Viet- Bryce Harp, a 2004 even fully nam in that sense – who didn’t need to die,” he alumnus with an eco- said. “They died because of ignorance of our nomics degree, said happy while political leaders.” one of the memories But this passionate opposition to the war that stands out to him others are doesn’t take him out to the streets protesting the is when, during the first way it did when he was a student. class of his world religion suffering.” “It’s not the temper of these times,” he said. class freshman year, Fort Fort has become less politicized over the years, “shook up everyone’s reli- Andy Fort and he suspects it has come with age. His activist gious foundations and attitude doesn’t manifest itself physically or tangi- upbringings” by pre- East Asian bly, but the passion for change remains blazing. senting the history and religion professor He received the lowest student evaluation rat- facts about the Bible. ings in years fall 2004, and he speculates his Harp, who was depression over the presidential election had raised as a conservative, fundamentalist Christian, something to do with it. said he had begun to question his beliefs and the “I never thought that Kerry was going to be reasons behind them by the time he reached col- able to beat Bush, and the notion that this coun- lege. He said Fort showed him he had a factually try, which I love so much, would not only elect logical reason to question the values he grew up that idiot but would also re-elect him and just con- to believe in. tinue that disaster in Iraq, shafting the poor peo- “Shaking your foundation is a good way to ple and building up this unbelievable debt – it was improve your intellect,” Harp said. something that was so depressing to me,” he said. “I think it showed up in my everyday behavior.” Lasting Impressions He says although he isn’t protesting and getting But Harp says his favorite moments with Fort arrested, he holds the same opinions and values. have been in their conversations during office He now manifests them by donating and voting in hours, and it is during these hours that Fort causes correlation with his views. ripples in his students’ lives, beyond their intellect. His influence on campus has also taken on a For Harp, the change occurred about a year ago, different role over the years. Besides helping pio- when he found himself dissatisfied with where his neer Hunger Week, Fort petitioned the Board of life was going. Trustees to divest from corporations that invested He frequently drank at bars and clubs, and at in South African countries during the apartheid one point, he says, wanted to switch lanes and and the same year Fort was granted tenure. choose sobriety. So he began meditating, some- As chairman of Faculty Senate, he stayed active thing Fort has been practicing since he was 20, helping start the plus/minus grading system, and which he says helped him get his life back on the following year, as chairman of the University track. Jordan haygood / Features Editor Andy Fort, an East Asian religion professor, listens as junior broadcast journalism major Alyssa Dizon talks about the Compensation Advisory Committee, he worked to “I always thought of Dr. Fort getting into tran- Schieffer Symposium in his 9:30 a.m. Buddhism class. Fort has been encouraging “mental migration,” or seeing an ensure the lower-ranking staff received sufficient scendental meditation as a way to keep my head alternate worldview, in his students for 26 years. health care coverage. on my shoulders,” he said. “He said the desire for altering substances goes away.” Abandoning Self Harp recently quit teaching music and playing Fort, an East Asian religion professor, had guitar for a band. He now works as a legal assistant been an activist against the Vietnam War before at a law firm and is preparing to go to law school. he began studying religion, but he explains his “Dr. Fort influenced a lot of people in ways that involvement in social justice issues through Bud- he doesn’t know about,” he said. dhist philosophy. For a 2003 alumnus Wesley Longhofer, Fort’s According to the Buddhist worldview, everyone concept of mental migration manifests itself physi- is interrelated. People’s attachment on the con- cally. He is in the middle of researching glo- cept of self separates them from one another. He balization in India, where Fort also spent years explains that when one says, “I am,” people often researching. ental find importance in the subject – the word “I” – the Besides his academic career, Longhofer often self. But Buddhist teachings say the significance in remembers Fort’s Buddhist teaching about detach- the phrase is not the subject, but the verb, “am.” ment from the concept of self when he hits low The verb illustrates the belief that humans are inter- points in life. related in the fact that they are all human beings. “He has his Birkenstocks on, and his hair is too “To be is to be related,” he says, “and you and long, and he says, ‘Just detach,’” Longhofer said. igration the world aren’t truly divisible. “That’s when I know I’m taking life too seriously.” M “You can’t really be OK if the world around you But times have shifted. He no longer wears the isn’t. You see that you can’t be liberated or even Birkenstocks or has long hair, and the changes he fully happy while others are suffering.” is most actively involved in are not as controversial Religion professor Although it is easy for many to lock Fort up in a or conspicuous. box labeled “Buddhist,” Fort says Buddhism came “I had some students who wanted to go into to him, not the other way around. the Peace Corps or wanted to go into teaching or challenges status quo in During his academic exploration of world reli- did things they wouldn’t have thought of without gions, Fort found aspects of Buddhism “simply meeting me – that’s been hugely satisfying,” he rang true.” says. “It’s not like I believe it or I have faith in it,” he The changes Fort catalyzes in his students are students’ minds, lives said. “This is just how it looks to me. It couldn’t what keep him going. He says he is most religious be more obvious to me.” about being a liberal arts professor, because it’s what he is most deeply committed to. Alternate Worldviews “Doing this may be the best thing in the world,” Although Fort is no longer causing a ruckus in he says. “To be able to get to do the thing that the streets protesting the war, getting tear-gassed you think you’re best at. I like having people and arrested, he continues to challenge the status understand alternative worldviews so they can be quo, but this time in the minds of his students. touched and they can’t be narrow-minded.”
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