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Students say meal plan #1 problem Athena Curry / Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Bagley, Vice President of Student Affairs, three representatives from Atlanta architect firms and 14 students sat down recently to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the CSU campus. H. Warren Snipes, Executive Vice President and Walter Miller, Director of Planning and Design of Portman Architects and Engineers and Lily del C. Berrios, AIA of Sizemore Floyd Architects headed the Master Plan meeting on March 3rd to hear what students like and dislike about the CSU campus. Berrois said during the meeting, “We wanted to hear directly from the students. What are our strongest assets? What do we need to improve?” Concerns for the students ranged from building problems to incorrigible roommates. Overwhelmingly, among the mostly dorm dwelling participants, students’ main complaint is the meal plan. Students said the meal plan is too expensive and too restrictive, not offering meals at times when most college students are eating. Students also said that there are few choices on campus and that the food in the cafeteria is of poor quality and not very healthy. Lawrence Noles, pre-engineering major on campus, says, “You have to eat at school if you stay in Courtyard. There’s no choice.” Ryan Johnston, a CSU theater major, put it simply, “It’s not good, but it’s food.” Most of the students agreed that once meal plan users have access to the new Healthy Choice Deli in Howard Hall, the problem will be at least partially relieved. Some students commented that on other campuses, such as Mercer, meal cards can be used for vending machines and the book store as well as the cafeteria. Maria Holmes, Director of Auxiliary Enterprises, says that meal cards like the ones at Mercer may be implemented in the future at CSU, but it won’t happen until at least Fall of 2000. Other concerns for students were the lack of, and poor condition of, guest parking lots for the dorms, loss of green space due to construction and unsatisfactory lab equipment in some buildings. Along with discussion about needed improvements were comments regarding CSU’s positive aspects. Most students in the forum cited campus size as their main reason for choosing CSU. “I moved here to get into college life. I wanted to start at a small college. I have a better relationship with my professors here at a smaller campus,” Noles said. Students said that the small campus size makes it easy for students to meet new people, build meaningful relationships with their professors and become involved with many students activities. Students also like the individual dorm rooms and prospect of the new P.E. complex. Carnival on campus: dirty business or good clean fun Lisa Grant / Staff Writer The Spring Break Celebration will be held for its fifth year during the week of April 12-18. The Columbus State University Alumni Association puts on this event as a fundraiser for CSU scholarships and faculty and staff development, such as attending seminars. The proceeds are used for things that have a direct impact on students, support scholarships and academic endeavors. Controversy has arisen from the Spring Break Celebration. Dr. Daniel Ross, Chair of the Department of Language and Literature, said that the Celebration was “undignified, not becoming of what should be on a college campus.” He says, “The whole thing is an eyesore, [the attendees] tore up the grounds and the noise was a distraction to students and faculty, particularly night classes.” Ross also raised the issue that parking becomes difficult as one street is closed and says there are more positive ways of raising money and having a cultural impact. Dr. David Johnson, Professor in the Department of Language and Literature, says he doesn’t care one way or the other about the Celebration except that he was disappointed to see a tree cut down to accommodate the event. Johnson is also concerned about the litter. “Trash in the parking lot [makes me] far more upset. It sets my day on edge to see the trifleness of people and lack of social responsibility,” he says. Dr. Harvey Richman, Professor of Psychology says, “I didn’t see anything wrong with it, but maybe [the Celebration] was too commercial, maybe overdone.” Also, says Richman, “Fundraising is a good idea, but the extensiveness of it is a bit much.” Richmand suggest that maybe the alumni should moderate the Celebration. Dr. Jeanne Dugas, also Professor of Psychology, voiced her opinion of the Celebration saying that she thinks it’s just fine. “There’s nothing wrong with sponsoring fun,” Dugas says. Dugas says those opposed to the Celebration are just “stuffy”. Dugas adds that she likes the change this year with the addition of the “Festival of Southern Culture”. “Anything teaching is fine with me,” says Dugas. The “Festival of Southern Culture” is a new feature this year that encompasses workways, dance, food, arts and crafts, and music. Lakes says the festival is a way to celebrate southern uniqueness. This part of the festivities will be on Saturday and Sunday of the week, and a mini-version will be presented on Friday with area schools being invited to visit as field trips. The Registrar’s Office does not have any statistics on the percentage of students attending CSU who have children, but the diversity and changing faces of the students here would incorporate a family event being sponsored on campus. Lakes says that any ideas for this year’s festival will be welcomed and that more participation by students can contribute to the success of the Celebration. At this year’s Celebration there will be approximately 30 rides, including a Ferris wheel, entertainment and food. Admission for CSU students with identification is free and regular admission for adults is $5.00, children 12-18 is $2.00, and children under 12 is free with tickets available at Burger King. The first year the celebration was on a weekend and the alumni association raised about $20,000 with attendance at over 7,500. Those figures have increased with last year’s profits reaching $35,000 and attendance at 30,000. This year, Lakes says that with good weather, attendance is expected to reach over 40,000. Since the costs are fixed, with greater attendance, they will yield more net proceeds. Lake says the event, “has the potential to be a major fundraiser for the alumni association with proceeds expected to reach $80,000 at future [Spring Break Celebrations].” March is Kidney Month Press Release from the National Kidney Foundation of Georgia [picture caption] Tonya Watford (right), volunteer activities director and a recent graduate of Kennesaw State University, enjoys arts & crafts with a young camper at the National Kidney Foundation’s Camp Independence. (picture courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation) The National Kidney Foundation of Georgia announces the national campaign “March is Kidney Month 1999.” The Foundation is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. Kidney stones affect millions of Americans each year. Increasing your fluid intake may help prevent kidney stones, and now new studies show that what you drink is as important as how much you drink. According to one recent study, people who drank over 2.5 liters (about 2.5 quarts) of fluid daily had a 38 percent lower risk of developing a stone than people drinking less than 1.4 liters (about 1.5 quarts) daily. The researchers also examined the relationship between 17 different beverages and the risk for symptomatic kidney stones. Surprisingly, the risk was lowered among coffee (regular or decaffeinated), tea and wine drinkers, while grapefruit juice seemed to increase the risk. In fact, each additional 3 ounces of grapefruit juice a day increased the risk by 44 percent. Beverages like coffee, tea and wine may reduce stone risk by increasing the flow of a more dilute urine, but the reasons for the higher risk with grapefruit juice are not clear. Other beverages like milk, soda and other juices did not seem to affect the risk of stones in this study. In another recent study, cola drinks were implicated as a possible culprit of kidney stone formation in men. When a group of heavy cola drinkers (at least 5 1/3 ounces a day) who had suffered a previous bout of kidney stones cut their consumption of colas to less than half their customary levels, they were almost one third less likely to experience a recurrence of stones. The main symptoms of kidney stones are severe pain, nausea and vomiting, frequent need to urinate, burning urination, blood in the urine and blocked flow of urine. If infection is present, you may have fever and chills and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. For more information about the kidney stones, your kidneys and kidney disease, contact the National Kidney Foundation of Georgia at (404) 248-1315 or toll-free in Georgia at 1-800-633-2339. Rape Prevention leader visits Press Release from the Office of Public Relations, CSU [picture caption] Katie Koestner, who will be visiting CSU to speak on rape awareness, was featured in TIME Magazine in 1991. (picture of TIME magazine June 3, 1991) Columbus State University and Columbus Rape Crisis will present Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Week, March 22-26. Events will include a poster contest for CSU student organizations, training by law enforcement personnel, workshops and an evening “candlelight” rally and presentation for the Columbus community. Katie Koestner will conduct workshops and deliver the week’s keynote address. Koestner, featured by HBO and TIME magazine regarding her ordeal as a victim of date rape while in college, and instrumental on Capitol Hill in getting sexual assault legislation passed, will present a series of programs on Wednesday, March 24, at Columbus State University. The programs, free and open to the public, are sponsored by CSU and Columbus Rape Crisis in conjunction with Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Week, March 22-26. At 3 p.m. in the Davidson Center auditorium, Koestner and Brett Sokolow, a lawyer and expert on date rape, will present “He Said—She Said,” an interactive program that shares the message of prevention through respect and responsibility, and combines typical stereotypical misunderstandings between the sexes with scenarios of typical student sexual interactions. The audience is invited to ask questions and act as a jury, voting on whether the scenario describes a consensual or non-consensual sexual experience. Following the formal program, Koestner and Sokolow will facilitate discussions about the scenarios in either single sex break-out groups or with the co-ed audience. Koestner’s keynote speech, “No—Yes,” will begin at 7 p.m. in the Davidson auditorium. She will discuss her journey from victim to survivor, weaving her story with vignettes from survivors across the country and offering a message of successful sexual communication, responsibility, and respect. Koestner’s personal experience with campus sexual assault led to her becoming a national spokesperson for awareness of this silent yet prevalent problem. Her courage in speaking out helped give a name and a face to date rape, a crime that few ever spoke about. She earned degrees in public policy and women’s studies in 1994, Pi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude, from the College of William and Mary. Koestner has presented her acclaimed program to hundreds of thousands of students at more than 600 colleges, high schools, and military institutions internationally.
ON CAMPUS Within a Room Leslie Maxwell / Columnist The other day I was reading a list of witty sayings entitled, “There should be a button that says. . .”. One of the quips reminded me of our culture; it said: “I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted paychecks.” I was struck by how many people it described, especially people in my generation. I think that over the last generation, we have lost our work ethic in America. The baby boomers grew up penny-pinched because their parents had suffered through the Great Depression. So, when the baby boomers had kids, they decided to give them “everything that they never had.” Sure, that was a great sentiment, but sometimes I think that we Generation X-ers had it a little too easy. Many of us in my generation, including me, grew up with not only everything we needed, but most of what we wanted as well. We coasted through childhood saying, “Give me this” and “I want that” without having a strong concept of reality. No matter how many times dad said “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” we seldom stopped to contemplate where it did come from. Then, all of a sudden, we toss that mortar board and are expected to start taking responsibility for our own lives. We walk out into the world, thinking, “I’m here! Now where’s my high pay - low exertion job, sport utility vehicle, and comfortable home?” We expect the world to hand us success on a silver platter, and when it doesn’t happen, we can’t understand why. We go to college and the professors expect huge amounts of work, and the mediocre slap-dash work of high school just doesn’t cut it anymore. Bills start rolling in: tuition, rent, car payments, textbooks, grocery bills. Not to mention the things you’ve been used to all your life: eating out, movies, expensive clothes, etc. We slowly start to down-grade our tastes to ramen noodles, and we start to feel less embarrassed folding our underwear at the laundromat. The point is, too many people feel that the world owes them a living. It doesn’t. With few exceptions, you won’t get anything out of anything if you don’t work for it. In education, especially, the more effort you put into it, the more results you get back. I had to figure this out for myself when I moved from pampered high school days to college and the real world. I live in Courtyard II, and I only make $50-70 a week between tutoring and writing this column. You better believe that I don’t have any problem eating ramen noodles or folding my underwear in public. I think we all need to be a little more conscious that there isn’t a ready-made niche on the upper end of the latter just out there waiting for us. The only niche that we’ll get in life is one that we carve out of the rock with our own sweat and ambition. Public Safety Means YOUR Safety Sergeant Jim Boling / Public Safety Officer Are you prejudiced? C’mon now, really, is there anything about certain classes or groups of people that just makes you automatically dislike or distrust them? Sure there is. We ALL have certain prejudices which we’ve probably carried around with us since we were very young and now don’t even think about. My own is an intense dislike for upper-middle class Yuppies from Monterey, California who have both ski racks and bicycle racks on their mini-vans. But, I don’t go out looking for these people to shoot them, blow up their homes, or terrorize them in general. In other words, I’ve learned to control my prejudice and not let it manifest itself as discrimination. Besides, this particular species is very rare in this part of the country (maybe one reason I chose to live here). But what if the object of your personal prejudice is all around you? Can you “un-learn” these deep-rooted feelings and fears? Maybe, and maybe not; all that’s certain is that you can refrain from any overt discriminatory practice against other people, no matter where you are. If you do this for long enough, pretty soon you’ll find that the prejudice diminishes and is no longer getting in the way of your experiencing all the best life has to offer. What does this have to do with Public Safety? It’s very simple - if everyone harnesses their unreasonable prejudices and learns a little tolerance for folks who are unlike themselves, we won’t hear any more about Hate Groups, Hate Crimes, and Hate-Mongers. It doesn’t mean we’ll all fall into each others’ arms in a giant lovefest of New Age Harmony, it would only mean we’d quit killing each other over differences which are beyond our control. Now whatever your personal prejudice may be - racial, ethnic, religious, nationalistic, linguistic, sexual, or minivan-istic, try putting it aside for one day. After that, try for a week, and then a month. If you can ditch this negative for a month, you’re probably well on the way to overcoming your prejudice on a permanent basis. When enough people do this, your friendly local Five-Oh in Public Safety can forget fighting hate crimes, and go try to find your stolen bookbag. Remember, Public Safety Means Your Safety!! The Legend of St. Patrick's Day Bridgette Brumbaugh / Staff Writer In his youth Patrick was a pagan, but things changed when he was 16. Warriors raided the cost of Whales and kidnapped him. In Ireland, they sold him into slavery, but after six years of imprisonment, he escaped. Legend has it that Patrick had a religious vision showing him converting the Irish to Christianity. He soon went to a monastery in Gaul, Italy to study for 12 years. He was ordained a deacon and later consecrated a Bishop, taking on the Christian name Patricius. When a Bishop had been killed after only a year as head of the first Irish mission, Patrick was sent to replace him. He knew the Irish customs and the language, because of his time in captivity, and used this to his advantage. He spoke to the Irish on their terms, connected their traditions to Christianity, and was soon accepted as one of their people. He was able to convert important nobility and create a local clergy. He built his first church in Saul and from there went all over Ireland. He was said to use the shamrock to explain the holy trinity to the people. His contemporaries said he was charismatic, courageous, and possessed an extraordinary zeal. Patrick continued his mission of conversion for 29 years. He died on March 17, 461 AD. Legend says he was buried at Downpatrick with Saints Bridget and Columcille. In the 17th century he became recognized as a saint. St. Patrick’s Day is a National Holiday in Ireland. On March 17th all businesses, except restaurants and pubs, close for the day. People attend mass and traditionally pray for missionaries. America held its first celebration in Boston in 1797. Today, we celebrate with green beer, parades and traditional Irish food. Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and Savannah hold some of the largest festivals in the nation to honor St. Patrick. St. Patrick’s Day is also celebrated in Canada, areas of Australia, Singapore, and a few other countries. Nesmith nominated for faculty award Bridgette Brumbaugh / Staff Writer [picture caption] Dr. Jaynie Nesmith has been nominated for this year’s Outstanding Faculty Woman award. (photo by Grant Salter) This is our second article in our Women’s History Month series. The nominee for Outstanding Faculty Woman is Dr. Jaynie Nesmith. She has been the assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for several years. On July 1, 1998, when the University College was created, Dr. Nesmith was named as the Dean. This made her one of the two highest female administrators on campus. In 1994, Dr. Nesmith received the Faculty Service Award at CSU, and will soon receive a Woman of Excellence Award from the Girl Scout Council when it is announced at the end of March. Dr. Nesmith was awarded the opportunity to attend leadership training as well. While she was in Meriwhether County, she was invited to Leadership Meriwhether and has also attended a leadership program at Harvard University. She believes this training helped her become the Dean of University College. Nesmith is very active in the community. With a background in Education, Dr. Nesmith has been on several boards, including The Muscogee Excellence Education Foundation, which selects the Teacher of the Year. She has been involved with the Cancer Society and the Heart Foundation as well. She feels her most important community activity is reading to children. Dr. Nesmith says she feels very fortunate to work with a great faculty and staff at CSU. The support of Dr. Frank Brown, President of CSU, and Thomas Jones, Vice President of Academic Affairs has helped her greatly. She believes she is fortunate to be at CSU and that, with the help of a great administration, she has had opportunities other females may not have had. She says that as long as you love what you do, you could achieve your dreams. Dr. Nesmith received her undergraduate degree and her doctorate from Auburn University. She has also attended Georgia State and Columbus College. OPINIONS In your face! with Stephanie Adams Burn baby burn!! Spring Break 1999 is officially over! So much for fun in the sun. Those of you who chose to go to Panama City this year probably spent more time in your hotel rooms than on the beach. Jack Frost just won’t go away. You don’t really need the sun to have fun though! Most activities can be done indoors. Let’s face it, most women go the beach to get whistled at and to get free drinks. Men...well...it doesn’t take a great imagination to figure out what they are there for. Binge-drinking and sex (preferably with a stranger). The man who can funnel more then two beers at a time is king during this week of indulgence. It reminds me of the Roman tradition of celebrating the Winter Solstice. One week of pure over-indulgence and decadence. This is not to say we party like the Romans (we would all be dead). While it is fun to cut loose and be wild, I hope everyone parties safely. Oh, and the tanning! Hats off to those of you who use tanning beds. When we are all 60 years old I will still have beautiful tight peaches and cream skin, while the rest of you give a new meaning to the word leatherface. By the way, is there such a thing as self-tanning lotion that doesn’t turn people orange? I myself celebrated in true Spring Break fashion in Cozumel, Mexico. With a number 48 sunblock to protect my delicate skin, we partied like it is 1999. This was definitely an unforgettable Spring Break. That is what it is really all about. Building memories with friends you will have forever (and building blackmail material you can use forever). It is a time to party! So, cut loose and have fun, and remember that condoms are our friends! A not-so-Spring Break A letter from the editor Athena Curry / Editor-in-Chief Last week was spring break, time to dust off the old snow skis, snuggle up by the fire and head for the mountains! Wait . . . that doesn’t sound like Spring Break. Well, it does now. Remember when spring break was in spring? There was a time when spring break meant loading up and heading out to Panama City to enjoy the sun and surf. Head for Panama City this Spring Break and you’ll spend it in the hotel room with the heat on. Two weeks into March is just too chilly to enjoy the traditional spring break activities. The days aren’t too bad, but there will be no nighttime clambakes on the beach this time of the year. The Muscogee County public schools aren’t out for another week. The end of March is better than the beginning, but the beginning of April would be even better. May is too close to June, when kids get out for the summer and March, as we’ve established is too cold for a proper spring break. As for CSU students, it’s Mai Tais by the fireplace instead of in a lounge chair by the pool. No one expects a summertime scorcher, but short sleeved weather is preferable for a spring vacation. Springtime is supposed to be a time to frolic nude in the flowers, drink strawberry wine and turn our faces to the sun. Well, at the beginning of March you can drink wine, the rest of the activities will be postponed until, well, spring. Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I recently initiated the organization of a new school club called the “Freethought Society.” This organization’s goal is to be an alternative club to discuss philosophy and other issues as well as have social interactions. Last week, I placed many posters around campus, with permission and when I returned to campus over spring break, the majority of my posters had been taken down. Snatched down would be a more appropriate way of saying it as there were still little corners of the colored paper stuck or tacked in many places. No other posters or flyers where mine were had been removed. This university states that it is dedicated to “educating students to think critically, work creatively, communicate effectively” and to meet “the academic, social, cultural, and health needs of students through co-curricular activities, student services, and a strong academic advisement program.” And further, to foster “the cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity of students, faculty, and staff.” These are some of the very same aspirations of the Freethought Society. I’d like to say to whomever out there that they should study the mission statement of this university and take note the next time they run around removing my posters. I can only guess that the possible controversy surrounding this group has put fear into someone who is threatened by our grouping of atheists, agnostics, skeptics and humanists. Instead of childishly trying to stifle my advertising and thus, infringing on my basic constitutional right of freedom of speech, why don’t you try and attend a meeting (March 16 at 12:30 in Arnold 106)? For any information feel free to contact me at: grant_lisa@colstate.edu or 660-5514 and leave a number. Sincerely Yours, Lisa Grant ROAR! Can someone please get on the ball and correct these clocks on campus? The clock tower is out yet again, and there’s one in Howard Hall that has never been right in the year and a half I’ve been here. Most of the classroom clocks that I observe are wrong. In Stanley Hall last semester, the clock hands kept spinning throughout class! We were just waiting for the walls to fall down and we’d be in a space warp. If it takes hiring a full time clock monitor it’d be worth it. Some professors are not very understanding if you are late for class (I’ll refrain from centing. . .er, I mean saying any names). And we have enough stress in our lives without having to fume over the time. Yes, I could buy a watch but if that is what I need to do, why have any clocks at all on campus? They are here, so let’s get them working accurately. Time’s a wasting. ----------------------------------------- In response to last week’s reader poll: Homosexuality is not a disease! No it CANNOT be cured! That is the attitude many people take who are afraid and ignorant. I truly believe that God created me this way. I can choose to give in to what society deems as “normal” by being with someone of the opposite sex, but it would not be who I am inside, just as a heterosexual can have sexual relations with someone of the same sex and still consider themselves straight. We should stop trying to change people to be more like ourselves and accept diversity as a beautiful gift from God. ----------------------------------------- Your poll asked: “Is homosexuality something that should be cured?” My answer is NO. I believe that society needs to become more tolerant. As I think back throughout history. There have been many instances when people who were different were ostracized. Even as late as this century when I was in school in the 1950’s people who were left-handed were forced to change. I can remember my friend would naturally pick up her pencil and start to write with her left hand. Almost immediately the teacher would make her change to her right hand, which was very awkward for her. Now we know that some people are naturally born to be left handed. In the same way some people are born to respond emotionally and sexually to member of the same sex. There is nothing sick or unnatural or sinful about it. ENTERTAINMENT The Insider's Edge Brian Hale / Entertainment Editor The owner of the limousine that was used during the Raven vs. Hak match on the March 8 Nitro, which saw Bam Bam Bigelow get involved, was very upset that it was used for the match and damaged. Oops. It did make for a good prop during the match, though. Word is that Sick Boy will be returning very soon with a new gimmick. WCW negotiated with no holds barred fighter, Mark Coleman, about doing a worked match with Goldberg at Uncensored, but decided against the plan. WWF is expected to bring in some no holds barred fighters, such as Tank Abbott and Mark Kerr, as potential Brawl For All opponents for Bart Gunn. Scotty Riggs, Mike Enos, and Brian Adams may form a stable in the near future. By the time this gets read by anybody, WCW “Uncensored” will be over and done with. It is rumored on the internet that both Ric Flair and Hollywood Hogan want to revert back to their characters of old, with Hogan doing a revised “Red and Yellow” good guy character and Flair doing the “not so nice cheater” character. If this happens , it will start to unfold in the next few weeks if it didn’t start at “Uncensored.” Either way, expect Flair and Hogan to exchange the WCW Title back and forth a few times, again maybe starting with Flair winning the belt at “Uncensored.” With “Wrestlemania” just weeks away, there will be more WWF stuff to talk about in the next few weeks, but it is kind of slow right now. Adios. Why men are glad they are men Brian Hale / Entertainment Editor A friend of mine sent this to me this week through an email. I thought I would share it with you: “Why men are glad they are men” Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about military tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. Dry cleaners and hair cutters don’t rob you blind. You can go to the bathroom without a support group. You don’t have to learn to spell a new last name. You can leave the motel bed unmade. You can kill your own food. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. Wedding plans take care of themselves. If someone forgets to invite you to something, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $10 for a three-pack. If you are 34 and single, nobody notices. Everything on your face stays its original color. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger’s seat. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You don’t have to clean your apartment if the meter reader is coming. Car mechanics tell you the truth. You can quietly watch a game with your buddy for hours without ever thinking: “He must be mad at me.” Same work - more pay. Gray hair and wrinkles only add character. Wedding dress - $2,000. Tuxedo rental - 75 bucks. You don’t mooch off other’s desserts. You can drop by to see a friend without having to bring a little gift. If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you just might become lifelong friends. Your pals can be trusted never to trap you with “So, notice anything different?” You are not expected to know the names of more than five colors. You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. At least a few belches are expected and tolerated. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes, one color, all seasons. You can “do” your nails with a pocketknife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. Christmas shopping can be accomplished for 25 relatives, on December 24th, in 45 minutes. Music Bits: 80's bands to tour together Brian Hale / Entertainment Editor [picture caption] Tommy Petty performs for a very receptive audience. (http://www.tompetty.com) >> Long live the 80’s. Check this out - Poison, L.A. Guns, Ratt and Great White will hit the road together on a tour scheduled to kick off on Memorial Day weekend. Poison’s agent told MTV News that the dates are not confirmed, but the bands are. The tour headlines the original Poison, including returning guitarist C.C. DeVille, along with singer Bret Michaels, bassist Bobby Dall and drummer Rikki Rockett. A spokesperson for Poison tells MTV News that Michaels and crew have been in the studio recording on and off over the last year or two, but says there will not be a new Poison album released prior to the tour. The spokesperson confirms the group is currently working without a label, but notes that they are leaving their options open. >> Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ended their two-year absence from the stage last week at San Francisco’s Fillmore, and took some time to preview a few new songs for the lucky fans. “Room at the Top,” “Swingin’,” and “Free Girl Now” were the new songs, and are taken from the upcoming album,”Echos.” Tom and the band,guitarist Mike Campbell, bassist Howie Epstein, keyboardist Benmont Tench, guitarist Scott Thurston, and drummer Steve Ferrone also reached deep into their songlist for the show. The band played several classics, including “Listen To Her Heart,” “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.” “American Girls” and “Even The Losers” were played during the acoustic set of the show. “Echoes” will hit stores in April. >> Ol’ Dirty Bastard was in a Los Angeles court room, AGAIN, last week to plead not guilty to charges that he was recently found wearing a bulletproof vest. That is an illegal act for convicted felons. ODB, unfortunately, fits the bill of a convicted felon, so off to jail and court for him, again. ODB also told the court that he is facing financial hardship and that he could no longer afford an attorney. After he pleaded not guilty to the charge, ODB watched his bail increased from $15,000 to $115,000. He should have just admitted it. As of late last week, ODB was still in police custody, so relax, we can all sleep a little easier for the time being. If found guilty of the charge, he could face between 16 months and three years in jail. Three years with no ODB? Whatever will I write about? NEWS Brain Bank needs donors Lisa Grant / Staff Writer With your help, researchers can develop more refined treatment and better prognoses for those now suffering with neurological and psychiatric illnesses. Hope can be provided for the millions of people who wonder, each day, when or if symptoms will soon appear. Research also assures a healthier future for all of the unborn children who are at risk for inheriting a neurological or psychiatric illness tomorrow. Research over the past decade has shown that the study of human brain tissue is essential to increase our understanding of how the nervous system functions. Most recently, postmortem human brain research played a significant role in the development of a genetic test for Huntington’s disease and treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Current reports indicate that a gene associated with one form of dystonia will soon be isolated, but only if individuals donate more brain tissue afflicted with this disease. Similarly, several neurochemical and anatomical studies focusing on neurological and psychiatric disorders are under way. Unfortunately, many are being delayed due to the scarcity of tissue donors. The McLean Brain Tissue Resource Center (commonly known as the Brain Bank) was established in 1978 as a centralized resource for the collection and distribution of human brain specimens for research and diagnostic studies. Over the years, hundreds of scientists from the nations top research and medical centers have requested tissue from the Brain Bank for their investigations. Since the majority of these studies can be carried out on a very small amount of tissue, each donated brain provides a large number of samples for many researchers. For comparative purposes brain tissue is needed from healthy individuals, as well as from those who died with neurological or psychiatric illness. There is also a critical need for relatives of people with genetically inherited disorders to donate their brains after death. When possible, a small portion of frozen tissue taken form each brain donated to the Brain Bank will be kept available to serve as a resource for future (DNA) testing. Becoming a prospective tissue donor is easy. Any person, 18 years of age or older, can simply complete the forms and send them by the Brain Bank (1-888-BRAIN-BANK). Then, do the most important thing of all, inform your family that you would like your brain donated to the McLean Brain Tissue Resource Center after death. Your next of kin must be available to verify your intent to donate at the time of death. Even if a decision to donate was not made prior to death, family members can arrange for the donation of brain tissue after an individual’s death. In all cases, the identity of each donor and potential donor will remain confidential. After an autopsy is performed, only a donor’s brain will be sent to the Bran Bank. The donor’s body will not need to be transported. Brain donation does not interfere with an open casket or other traditional funeral arrangements. When appropriate, a diagnostic report will be sent to the family and health professionals involved with the case. There are three major reasons why a brain generally becomes unsuitable for donation: 1) when a person dies while on a respirator 2) When a person dies from a highly contagious disease and 3) when a person plans to make a whole body donation to a medical school. Government grants and private foundations fund the McLean Brain Bank. Usually, brain donation involves no cost to the family. Occasionally, however, charges may be incurred with the local hospital or funeral director. For more information call 1-800-BRAIN-BANK. GREEKS New sorority going strong The Sisters of Sigma Omega Only five months old, Columbus State University’s youngest sorority is off to an enormous start. Five women founded Sigma Omega on Sept. 9, 1998, and have more than doubled its size since then. Sigma Omega has made many outstanding accomplishments and plans for the future. Spring Rush was a success, involving an ice cream social, cook out at the clock tower, karaoke, game night, and dinner at Applebee’s. Jill Gildart, Kim Hancock, Kymber Huff, Ashley Johnson, and Heidi Kienz received bids on Feb. I I and are currently going through an educational program. On March 1, Sigma Omega supported the Sigma Nu snake auction held in the Davidson Cafeteria. The sisters bought a total of four brothers, donating more than one hundred twenty dollars. Spring semester is a busy time for the new sorority. The sisters of Sigma Omega are hosting a ‘Luck of the Irish Social’ on March 19. There is also an open invitation to all sororities to participate in an auction to raise money for a variety of philanthropies and organizations. Sigma Omega’s Teacher of the Month will begin in April. Teachers will receive gifts from local sponsors and will be featured in the Saber. A blood drive with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, face painting at the Spring Carnival, and the March of Dimes Walk are all coming up next month. Much more is still to come. If you have any interesting or exciting ideas, please contact any Sigma Omega sister. The opportunities are endless with the best, new sorority on campus. If any women are interested in the Sisterhood of Sigma Omega and would like to receive more information, please contact Jackie Velez (569-2774) or Jenn Horn (569-2743). Sigma Nu host Snake Auction Clayton Bryant / Sigma Nu Ever since the Mu Xi chapter of Sigma Nu was founded, it has been recognized as one of the largest philanthropy based organizations around. All year long Sigma Nu has given sizable donations to a 4-year-old girl stricken with aplasmic-anemia. In addition, on March 1, 1999, Sigma Nu took the Davidson cafeteria by storm with the 3rd annual Snake Auction to raise money for the Valley Rescue Mission. The brothers of Sigma Nu, with the support from a few area restaurants and movie theaters, hit the auction block to be sold to the highest bidder. Kris Lambert, who is in charge of fundraising for Sigma Nu, organized the auction. In April, brothers will play host to the Valley Rescue Mission with the third annual Sigma Nu Easter egg and treasure hunt. Congratulations new Delta Zeta members! Stephanie Adams / VP Memebership, Delta Zeta Delta Zeta Sorority recently completed its Spring Semester Rush. We are always looking for women who will carry on the traditions of our sorority and women who exemplify the characteristics that make a Delta Zeta unique. We are proud to welcome Cassie Duncan, Elena Land, and Shalon Veasey as new members of Delta Zeta. They join the pledge class from Fall Rush 1999: Holly Sumner, Gina Parlentari, Julie Glass, Helen Godwin, Ashley Jones, Catherine Hand, Lisa Allen, Emily Chandler, Jennifer Gallati, and Marcie Self. We take pride in the women who join our organization, These women will continue the traditions and the spirit of Delta Zeta that we hold dear. Each new woman is unique and contributes her own individual talents and personality to the sorority. We are proud to call all of these women our sisters. Congratulations to all of the women who have become part of the Sisterhood of the Delta Zeta Sorority this past year. May you walk truly in the light of the flame. STAFF Editor-in-Chief ................................................ Athena Curry Associate Editor .......................................... Helen Godwin Business Manager ......................................... Grant Salter Layout/Online Editor .......................................... Ben Wells Entertainment Editor ......................................... Brian Hale Greek Editor ................................................ Heather Leedy Advertising Manager .............................. Molly Henderson Columnists ............................................ Stephanie Adams Leslie Maxwell Writers ............................................. Bridgette Brumbaugh Lisa Grant Angel Jackson N. S. Pierce-Brown Assistant Layout ....................................... Brandy Hopson Photographers ................................................. Grant Salter Shannon Sando Ashley Simmons Delivery ..................................................... Elke Brumbaugh Faculty Advisor ................................... Dr. Patrick McHenry 
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