BAYLOR CAGERS BEST BUDDIES: MAGIC CHINA LOOKING FORWARD PROGRAM IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS OFFERS UP TO CU GAME TO HELP MENTALLY CHALLENGED QUALITY SERVICE PAGE 6 PAGE 4 PAGE 7 ROUNDING UP CAMPUS NEWS SINCE 1900 THE BAYLOR LARIAT TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2007 Research initiatives to pick up steam in ’07 By Claire St. Amant ics and director of CASPER, in-depth five-to-10-year plan.” “Exposure to the research pro- for Engaged Learning Groups tember. Staff writer a partnership between Baylor And while the process is cess predominately occurs in (ELG), which was written by Dr. “Our plan is completely fo- and Texas State Technical Col- lengthy, Hyde recognizes its im- the junior and senior year, and Frank Shushok, dean for student cused on undergraduates and Homework, group projects, lege that focuses on space portance. we would like to see that happen learning and engagement. enhancing the type of expe- final exams and late-night study research. “We have to do it so your in the first two years as well.” The learning groups will be rience they have at Baylor,” sessions. Finally, you’ve got your Baylor was initially degree is worth some- Plans for the research initia- interdisciplinary in scope and Shushok said. “This is the latest credentials. One oversized sheet accredited in 1914, thing,” he said. tive date back to fall 2005, Hyde composed of 60 students and mechanism we’ve developed to of paper qualifies you for the and it’s evaluation One aspect of the re- said, when the call for “quality teams of two, three or four facul- draw students in and engage real world. time once again. tier affirmation is a quality en- enhancement proposals” went ty members, Shushok said. The them earlier.” But all elongated parchments “Originally SACS hancement plan focused out. groups will meet for three one- The learning groups fall aren’t created equal. reaffirmation was de- on undergraduate research, Dr. Susan Bratton, chair- hour seminars over the course under the general umbrella of The Southern Association of signed just to make said Jan Nimmo, assistant woman of environmental stud- of three semesters, with an op- “learning communities” along- Colleges and Schools accred- sure everything was running vice provost for research. ies, submitted a winning plan tional research component in side Living and Learning Cen- its colleges every 10 years, said smoothly,” Hyde said. “It’s “We want to start students focusing on undergraduate the fourth. Bratton and Shushok ters and Brooks College, Shush- Dr. Truell W. Hyde, vice provost evolved into a huge assessment out in research earlier in their research, Hyde said. Her pro- co-authored the final proposal, for research, professor of phys- of current projects as well as an college career,” Nimmo said. posal was combined with a plan which was announced in Sep- Please see 2012, page 8 SSurveyurvey sayssays ...... 81st?81st? Film details By Melissa Limmer Staff writer aylor falls in rankings media In the race to be a B top American university, Baylor comes in 81st, ac- cording to U.S. News and ‘war’ World Report’s list of Ameri- ca’s best colleges for 2007 College Democrats The No.1 university for host viewing of film 2007 is Princeton University. Baylor ranks in a five-way on bias in television tie with Marquette University, Iowa State University, North By Kate Boswell Carolina State University and Staff writer Clark University. Other ranked Texas schools Those who believe all media include University of Texas at coverage is fair and balanced 47, Texas A&M University at 60 may have their convictions and Southern Methodist Univer- America’s shaken tonight at Baylor Demo- sity at 70. Baylor was ranked 78th crats’ showing of Outfoxed: Ru- in 2006. pert Murdoch’s War on Journal- According to U.S. News and ism. The documentary, which World Report, seven categories are Best will be shown at 7 p.m. in Ben- considered when ranking schools: nett Auditorium, attempts to peer assessment, graduation and re- reveal the alleged conservative tention rates, faculty resources, stu- bias of Fox News. dent selectivity, financial resources Colleges A discussion, moderated by and alumni giving. Baylor Democrats, will follow Each of these categories is weight- the screening. Baylor Demo- ed differently. crats president Alexandra Nev- The most weight is place on peer as- ille said she hopes the film will sistance, and the least is placed upon 2007 make viewers think about what graduation rate performance and alum- they are watching. ni giving. “Our main mission is to tell One of the main factors that separates people that there is bias in the Baylor from the Harvards and Princetons news, and not just Fox itself,” of the college world is endowment. At the said Neville, a San Antonio ju- time U.S. News and World Report rankings nior. were released Baylor’s endowment was She said the club’s officers listed at about $746 million. discussed showing several films, However, according to Lori Scott Fogel- among them Who Killed the Elec- man, director of media relations, that num- tric Car?, but decided that media ber is around $870 million today. bias would be the most relevant Increasing Baylor’s endowment is one of issue for college students. the imperatives of Baylor 2012. According to “We figured media bias is Imperative XII, Baylor hopes to achieve a $2 good when you’re in college billion dollar endowment by the year 2012. because you’re reading articles, Jennifer Carron, director of admission ser- you’re watching the news and vices, says U.S. News and World Report typical- you’re more likely to be influ- ly contacts the Institutional Research offices at bbie Rosen enced when you’re younger and Baylor to get the information they use in their avid Poe, A newer to all the biases,” Neville survey. Survey admissions questions are direct- Photo illustration by D said. ed to the admissions office. Dr. Jim Kendrick, assistant So does being 81st affect the recruitment of professor of communication studies, said he thinks Outfoxed Please see SURVEY, page 8 Please see FILM, page 8 Rehab center open Popular television host for Iraq war vets lobbies for child safety By Jim Vertuno charged with the crime. By Michelle Roberts ing singer John Mellencamp and The Associated Press Walsh, who also co-founded The Associated Press celebrities Rosie O’Donnell and the National Center for Miss- Michelle Pfeiffer. AUSTIN — John Walsh, host ing and Exploited Children SAN ANTONIO — Sens. Hill- Both senators skirted politi- of America’s Most Wanted and after his 6-year-old son Adam ary Rodham Clinton and John cal questions about the increas- an activist for protecting chil- was abducted and killed, said McCain, both 2008 presidential ingly unpopular Iraq war. dren from sex offenders, threw several states have passed ver- hopefuls, joined military leaders Clinton, D-New York, said his celebrity behind Lt. Gov. sions of Jessica’s Law which are and others Monday at a dedica- whatever political disagree- David Dewhurst’s campaign for either too weak or impractical to tion ceremony for a rehabilita- ments divide the nation, Ameri- tougher Texas laws against child enforce. tion center designed to treat cans are united in support of the molesters. “A good law is one that has the growing number of severely nation’s veterans, particularly Dewhurst is pushing Texas oversight, is well thought out, wounded Iraq war veterans. those wounded in combat. to join states which have already has money and the ability to Clinton and McCain, mem- “We are obligated to ensure passed “Jessica’s Laws,” a group enforce it,” Walsh said. “Texas bers of the Senate Armed Ser- every way we can that they and of get-tough measures named needs to and should pass a vices Committee, thanked the their families are given the sup- after Jessica Lunsford, a Florida tough Jessica’s Law.” wounded for their service at the port they have so richly earned Associated Press girl kidnapped and murdered in Dewhurst, a Republican who Fort Sam Houston event attend- Senators John McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton dedicate a new rehabili- 2005. ed by about 3,200 people includ- Please see REHAB, page 8 tation facility in San Antonio for severely injured veterans from Iraq. A registered sex offender is Please see LAWS, page 8 VOL. 106 No. 58 www.baylor.edu/Lariat © 2007, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 2 The Baylor Lariat OPINION Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Opponents of library can ‘hate Bush’ there, too More and more people are an idea many SMU students and talks about banning Bush from opinions, even some that — gasp alma mater. As President John saying George W. Bush is a lame faculty don’t like. Baylor, I’d really appreciate it. — not all people agree with, but Lilley said in a recent Student duck president. In fact, some Methodist cler- So maybe we don’t all like that’s a poor reason to keep it Senate meeting, “I think it will His name and legacy have gy are so excited about the idea point him. That’s fine. George W. away. go to SMU. I think it’s always become associated with “suf- of hating Bush and his library Bush has made some mistakes. Baylor would do well to get been theirs to lose.” fering, death and political ‘bad they’ve started a national online of view All presidents have. All people the library. Colleges are sup- Sadly, he’s probably right. faith,’” according to a Dec. 16 petition drive, hoping to pres- have. His might be on a bigger posed to be places of learning But if discussions don’t work letter written by faculty mem- sure SMU into rejecting the BY JON SCHROEDER scale than most, but so is his — where controversial ideas are out, and if SMU faculty can’t bers at Southern Methodist Uni- library.