University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 77, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, October 20, 2000 Page: 3 of 6
six pages : ill. ; page 23 x 14 in.View a full description of this newspaper.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
UlEditorial
University Press • Friday, October 20, 2000 • Page 3
University Press
Editor...........................................................Joshua Cobb
Managing Editor......................................Natasha Dailey
The opinions that appear in editorials are the official views of the
University Press student management as determined by the UP
Student Editorial Board. Opinions expressed elsewhere on this
page are the views of the writers only and are not necessarily
those of the University Press student management. Student opin-
ions are not necessarily those of the university administration.
UPfetters^_
Editor:
Thank you for allowing me to comment on Mr. Sanchez’s less-
than-flattering letter to the editor in Friday’s University Press. I
sincerely regret that Mr. Sanchez is unhappy, and we hate to see
any past employee depart with negative feelings.
I want to agree that past director Mr. Brian Pruegger did a
great job creating the Fitness Center into a first-class facility with
a great color scheme, state-of-the-art equipment, and a good
sound system. He is to be credited with a positive contribution to
student affairs and rec sports.
Having said this, I am told his style was easy and “hands off.”
Upon my arrival in July, it was a truly student-run facility, as were
most of the programs in rec sports, as Brian quit the university in
December of 1999. Having worked in rec sports for 20 years at
Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and Middle Tennessee State —
all much bigger recreation operations — I have had the good for-
tune of observing/working in large, quality programs. In each case,
the philosophy was similar to that of Lamar’s as espoused by Dr.
Simmons and Dr. Barry Johnson, STUDENT CENTERED. In
essence, this means the student, our customer, is the “heart of the
matter” and should be given first-class service — not just by full-
time staff but by student staff as well.
As a result of this philosophy, we implemented a few rules
such as rec sports staff are here “to serve” students. This means
wearing a staff shirt so customers can identify who to ask for help.
This means getting certified in CPR in case a customer has a prob-
lem. This means spraying disinfectant on machines and wiping
them down to wipe off sweat, body oils and germs. This means
greeting and mingling with customers, rather than sitting with
your head down in a book. Would you want your intramural flag
football official to have his book on the field? Would you want
your lifeguard to he studying on the lifeguard stand? Would you
want a student to be studying in the fitness center or wiping off
germs, making sure collars are on weights or answering questions?
This change also means if you have a problem on a shift, you write
it down in the log book so the rec sports staff can address a con-
cern and hopefully fix a problem — this has nothing to do with
trust, but rather customer service. If the staff in McDonald Gym
does not know of problems, how can we serve?
Lastly, the approved budget states that rec sports staffing will
include 35 percent of student employees on work study. This pro-
vides students in need of a job on campus work to pay for their
studies. In July, only 5 percent of the 25 summer students were
work study; therefore, an effort was made to give work study first
priority. Currently, 26 percent or 10 of 38 student employees are
work study with September’s payroll to students being $6,100.
Simply translated, when a student such as Mr. Sanchez resigns, we
attempt to look for work study to fill the position. In this case, his
position was filled by a current non-work study fitness center stu-
dent employee who is energetic and happy to serve our customers
— the students. Rec sports is not about me (Jed) nor the “me men-
tality.” It is about sportsmanship, participation, wholesome physi-
cal activity, adventure with a group, friendly competition, team
spirit, learning and practicing fitness, FUN, and helping others
reach these goals.
In conclusion, rec sports is always “looking for a few good
men and women” who want to serve (our students).
W.T. “Jed” Taylor
Director of recreational sports
P.S. Brian Pruegger got out of rec sports and is working on
his Ph.D. in psychology at FSU.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Individuals who wish to speak out on issues should send a letter fewer
than 400 words in length to Letters to the Editor, P. O. Box 10055,
LU Station, Beaumont 77710, or drop letters off at our offices in
200 Setzer Student Center. The writer’s name, address, telephone
number and social security number must accompany each letter.
Letters received without this information cannot be printed. Letters
mav be edited for leneth. grammar, style and possible libel. Opinions
expressed in letters are not necessarily those of the UP student man-
agement. Letters by the same writer on the same subject will not be
published. Poetry, reprints, anonymous letters and religious debates
will not be published.
University Press
©2000 University Press
News
Editor..............................
................................Joshua Cobb
Managing Editor............
........................... Natasha Dailey
Copy Editor....................
..............................Kuntal Kotnis
Sports Editor..................
...................................R.J. Enard
Briefs Editor...................
..............................Kacey Jordan
Staff Writers...................
... Daisy Hargraves, Shay Bayly,
Tara Smith, Catherine Wright,
Kasey Jordan, Pat Dennison,
Jeff Barker, Jennifer Sparks, Jacob Hooker
Photography
Photographers.................
..............................Kevin Gilliam
Office Assistant..............
............................Allison Caillier
Director...........................
...........................Howard Perkins
Assistant Director..........
............................Andy Coughlan
Advertising Manager.«...
...............................Linda Barrett
Applauding Area Arts
Culturally devoid? Not Beaumont by a long shot
Those who are sitting at home, eating
popcorn and watching television and surfing
the Internet have been missing out on the
exciting theatre and music performances and
art exhibits that the city of Beaumont has to
offer.
I would like to applaud the many the-
atre, dance, music and art organizations for a
job well done on planning a wide range of
cultural events for this year.
Just in this past month, those who stayed
home to channel surf missed out on about
four musicals, the Symphony of Southeast
Texas opening with jazz vocalist Marilyn
Maye, and the Beaumont Civic Ballet’s sea-
son opener with the National Ukrainian
Dance Company. The last of these perfor-
mances was a festive celebration of folk
dance that I made sure I would not miss
because this is only the group’s second time
to tour America in its 57-year history. I
would have to say this was probably one of
those one-time opportunities, for it will be a
long time before this company returns to
Southeast Texas, if ever.
Some of the musicals that have been per-
formed at the Julie Rogers Theatre during
the past month have been the Beaumont
Community Player’s production of “Annie,”
“The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” Cole
Porter’s “Anything Goes” (as part of the
Beaumont Music Commission season), and
the Theatre League of Louisiana’s produc-
tion of “Grease.”
Out of all of these performances, I had a
chance to attend the production of “Grease,”
which starred Cindy Williams and Eddie
Mekka of the 1970s television sitcom
“Laverne and Shirley.” In my opinion, this
was one of the best performances I have seen
in a long time. Beaumont really got a treat
when Williams and Mekka shared their time
and talents by enthusiastically dancing and
singing all over the stage of the Julie Rogers
Theatre.
This list of performances does not even
include the many outstanding theatre and
dance productions that Lamar University has
planned or the calendar of events for
Lamarissimo! for this year.
Not only has Beaumont been offering a
great selection of musical theatre produc-
tions this year, but it also has offered a wide
range of art exhibits at Lamar University, at
the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and at
The Art Studio, Inc.
As a student who is preparing for her
future career, I believe that it is necessary to
become culturally diverse in the arts.
Through attending these functions, one
could be surprised at how much knowledge
one can gain.
For example, what is the popular name
of Beethoven’s Symphony, No. 9? Who is
Bob Fosse? Who composed the score of the
music for the “Sleeping Beauty” ballet?
The answers to all of these questions can
be revealed in the upcoming theatre, music
and art events. Some of these include the
Symphony of Southeast Texas performing
Beethoven’s ninth symphony (also known as
“Ode to Joy”) on Thursday, and later this
month,. “The Man of La Mancha.” In
January, “Chicago,” which is choreographed
by Bob Fosse, will be staged. “Sleeping
Beauty on Ice” is set for February. And these
are not even a complete listing of upcoming
performances planned for this year.
With the above information, I have
answered two of the previously asked ques-
tions. But I leave the last question for you to
answer for yourself.
Of course, I am in the fine arts, but
everyone needs to try to develop a taste for
some type of art form. This provides an out-
let for an individual to escape his or her
everyday, routine responsibilities.
In closing, I would like to applaud
Beaumont once more for having an exciting
season planned in the arts for this year. I
once heard an old Broadway tune called
“Hooray for Hollywood.” Well, today, I
would like to say “Hooray for Beaumont.”
JUS PETV/EEN
PRB71PENT CUMION W
N[IP&CTIFAPEKOW/EP
5K5M; of iaipkv/ng
pEUnCNS TOW...
...MY 14 WEFT
imoucep 2
inthmfierncon’g
?0OC-TVIP7WIN<3 MELEE-
Foreign policy shouldn’t be set by TV cameras
WASHINGTON — Perhaps we should
not expect too much foreign policy detail
from a Texas governor who refers to the
country of Nigeria as “an important conti-
nent.”
Yet, despite that little gaffe, George W.
Bush seemed not only to hold his own but to
set the agenda during an extended discussion
of foreign policy that took up half of his sec-
ond presidential debate with A1 Gore.
So, why should we care? This is foreign
policy, after all, not something that most vot-
ers really care about.
Since the Cold War, Americans have
been living through the sort of quasi-isola-
tionist period that typicqjly follows a big war.
The “button” question — Which candidate
would you trust to be in charge of the nuclear
button? — is not asked as often of today’s
presidential candidates.
Ah, but weren’t we jerked alert the day
after the debate with renewed Middle East
violence, including an apparent terrorist
attack on a U.S. Navy warship. Suddenly, we
were reminded of how difficult it is to leave
the rest of the world alone. Somebody’s
petty skirmish halfway around the world can
send our stock markets tumbling and oil
prices soaring.
But foreign affairs are complicated and
far away, by their nature, and today’s elec-
torate seems to be telling the candidates that
we don’t want our little brains to be taxed by
too much thinking.
The Vice President’s poll numbers went
down after the first debate, as he was widely
criticized for appearing to be too arrogant
about his own knowledge. It’s one thing to be
smart; it is another to shove it under people’s
noses. As a result Gore was less-aggressive
this time, to the point of being apologetic
during those instances in which he actually
acknowledged some disagreement with Bush.
With that in mind, it was significant to
hear how few differences or details were
expressed by Bush and Gore in their most
exhaustive airing of their foreign policy
views..
Both men showed themselves to be
internationalists to the point of being inter-
ventionists, but stopped short of detailing the
circumstances in which they think this
mighty nation should intervene.
In the post-Cold War world, neither
President Bush nor President Clinton came
up with a clearly stated comprehensive for-
eign policy to replace it. The elder Bush did
try “new world order” during the Persian
Gulf War, but that only raised more ques-
tions than it answered, especially among
those who are particularly paranoid about
government power.
The younger Bush introduced another
novel term during the debate — “humility.”
Bush wants more of it and, by golly, Gore
agreed. Never mind that during the same
debate Gore called this country “the natural
leader of the world” because of its military
and economic might. Not much humility in
that remark.
But, of course, humility has not been a
traditional Republican theme, either. Can
you imagine Ronald Reagan lifting the
nation’s spirits by talking about our “hum-
ble” responsibilities in the world?
But that was during the Cold War, when
we were opposing an “evil empire” like so
many Luke Skywalkers. This is now, when
Gen. Brent Scowcroft, former national secu-
rity adviser, also spoke of “humility” at the
National Republican Convention in Phil-
adelphia. Like Scowcroft, George W. Bush
frets that our nation is far too often seen as
too arrogant and unilateral.
In this way, Bush departs from Clinton
and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s
description of America as “the indispensable
nation.” But, that’s hard to say, since Bush
and Gore were not very specific about how
we should work with our allies, if not proud-
ly. He may be following the model of his
father, who successfully enlisted important
allies before engaging in such big overseas
adventures as the Persian Gulf War.
The younger Bush offered America’s
“vital interests” as a standard for our inter-
vention, but in reality, we tend to go where
the television cameras go. TV pictures of
starving children lured the administration of
Bush’s father into Somalia, for example, with
the support of then-senator Gore. But the
mission crept from rescue into an ill-fated
nation building that accelerated when the
Bush administration yielded power to the
Clinton administration.
Expressing fears of us “overcommitting”
ourselves, Bush called for Europe to take
over more responsibility for the Balkans.
Gore did not bother to remind him that
European nations already supply 80 percent
of the troops there. If our one-out-of-five is
too many, how many are enough?
He also called for an early warning sys-
tem to avoid tragedies like Rwanda. But at
least a half-million unarmed civilians were
slaughtered there in about three months in
1994 because the United States and other
major powers ignored repeated early warn-
ings from the United Nations commander
there and from Belgium. Sadly, it took TV
pictures of the slaughter to awaken the
Clinton administration’s sleeping giant.
The sad thing about our failures to think
seriously about these tragedies of the past is
the way our apathy dooms us to repeat them.
Most likely, we will have to wait until after
the elections to find out what the course of
American foreign policy will be. I have a
good guess: Just follow the TV cameras.
*
V
I
I
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View six places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Cobb, Joshua. University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 77, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, October 20, 2000, newspaper, October 20, 2000; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth500711/m1/3/?q=Lamar+University: accessed May 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lamar University.