Volume 77, Number 25 First copy free, additional copies 50 cents eachAPRIL 5, 2006

ROTC ranks in nation’s top 15By STEPHANIE COWARD

Online EditorAustin Peay State University’s

Reserve Officers’Training Corpsreceived national recognition for itsperformance at the LeadershipDevelopment Assessment Courseduring the summer of 2005.

Maj. Gen.W. Montague Winfield,commanding general of the UnitedState Army Cadet Command,Department of the Army, sent aletter to APSU president SherryHoppe, commending the ROTCcadets.

The ROTC unit received aranking in the top 15 percent for the2004-2005 school year. CadetCommand has 272 ROTC unitsthroughout the nation.

“This accomplishmentdemonstrates excellence in theoverall Army ROTC program andthe hard work and competence ofAustin Peay State UniversityCadets,”Winfield said in his letter.

The ROTC unit traveled to FortLewis,Wash., to participate in thecourse, which is held annually.

The 30-day course tests the cadets

on what they have learned throughthe ROTC program.

They participate in a garrisonenvironment for the first 20 daysand spend the last 10 days in thefield conducting training exercises.

Justin Roman, 24, a senior publicmanagement major, is a member ofthe cadet unit that receivedrecognition.

“I feel that our class did wellduring our warrior forge experience,and we hope we’ve set the exampleand enhanced the experience fortheir (junior ROTC class) trainingthis summer,”Roman said.

More information can be foundabout the university’s ROTCprogram on its Web site,www.apsu.edu/rotc.✦

Deanna HensleyFor SGA PresidentJunior, Chemistry

“I want to motivate SGA senators to get more active inlegislation and getting out, finding what students have issues

with. Also I plan to be more active on campus and in legislationbefore it happens.”

Nick PittsFor SGA President

Junior, Corporate Communications

“My plan is to be a voice that accurately reflects students’voices but that actively seeks out students’voices and the

opinions of students.”

Jeremy SmithFor SGA Secretary

Sophomore, Political Science

“I hope to fulfill the responsibilities that are required of me if Iam elected.”

Richard LongstrethFor SGA Vice President

Freshman, Political Science/History

“As SGA vice president, I would like to head up the Senate, andthere’s a lot more legislation coming in. So I would like to keep

this trend going. Also I would like to work with the senatorsand have them get more involved with their constituents so

that the student body is more represented.”

Studentsmaketeachers pass the testWeb site allows studentsto view teachers’ratingsbefore enrolling in class

By APRIL MCDONALDStaff Writer

Austin Peay State University studentscan search among ratings of 418 APSU fulltime and adjunct professors, forcing themto “make the grade”atwww.ratemyprofessors.com.

“It’s great to be able to look at whatothers thought of a professor before I chosemy classes. This way I know how hard theclass may be and can decide if I should waituntil I have a lighter class load to take it,”said Ashlee Parks a senior health andhuman performance major.

Ratings are categorized by ease,helpfulness, clarity, overall quality and raterinterest. Students can also insert their owncomments on instructors and their classes.The “easiness”category is not included inthe overall quality rating because it’s themost controversial of the ratings.

The helpfulness category rates theprofessor’s helpfulness and approachability.Clarity is the most important classification,according to the site, and is based on howclear the professor is in presentation,organization and effectively using classtime.

The overall quality designation takes theaverage of helpfulness and clarity ratingsand determines the type of “smiley face”that the professor receives. Rater interest isbased on how interested the student was inthe subject before taking the class.

“There’s a lot of comments on thereabout how they teach,”said Ieisha Brown, ajunior public management major. “I justread everyone’s comments and go by that.That’s how I picked my professors.”There is also a “hotness”category addedjust for fun, where students can rate howgood-looking they think the professor is.

Someone from every school volunteersas a moderator for the school’s site,checking ratings and professor additionsdaily, while also removing anything that isdeemed inappropriate. Moderators arekept anonymous, and according to JenniferSinclair of ratemyprofessor.com, thecompany will not release their identity,saying,“They volunteer to be moderators,and we don’t want to put any of ourmoderators in any kind of stressfulsituation by giving out their identity.”

Moderators also keep in contact with thecompany, and once they graduate then alink is placed on the schools homepage onthe site for someone new to volunteer to bemoderator.

Comments or ratings may be removedby the moderator if certain guidelines areviolated.

Some of the “do’s” include being honest,limiting your comments to the professor’sprofessional abilities and trying to beobjective.

“Do not’s” include talking about yourprofessor’s sex life, making any racistcomments, posting ratings for people whodo not teach at your school, using thecomment area to talk about irrelevantsubjects, signing your comment with anysort of identifying mark or e-mail addressand threatening harm to a professor.

According to www.ratemyprofessor.com,threatening harm will cause a student’s

Bryan HuffmanFor SGA Vice President

Sophomore, Corporate Communication

“I would like to see SGA continue toprogress. The main thing is for students to

get involved and for their voices to beheard. The students are the driving force;without them, we wouldn’t have an SGA.”

Physical plant calls on community for beautification projectBy HOLLY MARTIN

Staff WriterThe physical plant is recruiting teams for

the Sixth Annual Plant the Campus Red,which will take place on Saturday,April 22.

Beginning at 9 a.m. in the McCordparking lot, volunteers from the AustinPeay State University faculty/staff, studentsand the local community will help plantover 5,000 plants and spread 150 cubicyards of mulch across campus.

We have around 150 to 200 volunteerseach year, said Lindsay Jackson, landscapemanager and event coordinator.

The participants will be divided intogroups of five to 10, and spread throughout

campus.Expert gardeners from the Master

Gardener’s Association of MontgomeryCounty will lead the teams.

“Come in shorts if it’s hot, and plan ongetting dirty,”said Jackson. When the job isdone, the volunteers will gather in the UC

plaza for lunch.“We normally grow all our own plants,”

said Jackson. “This year we bought themand saved $400. We will continue to buythe plants only if it becomes economicallyfeasible. I enjoy being able to grow theplants myself.”

Geraniums in red and white were themajority of the plants purchased. However,marigolds, begonias, sweet potato vines,wave petunias and caladium were also inthe mix.

“Plant the Campus Red is abeautification project that connects theAPSU campus with the community andmakes them feel like they are a part of it,”said Jackson. “As long as they show up witha good attitude, we’re happy.”

Students and faculty/staff who areinterested in volunteering should contactBrenda Harrison at harrisonb@apsu.edu or221-7024. Volunteers who pre-register willreceive a free T-shirt. ✦

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOAPSU’s ROTC battalion gears up for land navigation training at

Fort Campbell in this file photo from October, 2005.

APSU offers new agents for change

“Plant a Campus Red is a beautification project that connects the APSU campus

with the community and makes them feel like they are a part of it,”

– Lindsay Jackson, landscape manger and event coordinator

see Rate my professor, page 2

Recognition of the senior class gives APSU’sprogram a chance to set the example

PHOTOS BY LOIS JONES/STAFF

Sports

Five straightConference

sweep of Eaglesextends Bat Govs’

win streak.page 8

Features

Student Art ShowA deep-fried American flag,isone artist’s commentary on thecountry’s obesity epidemic.

page 4

SGA elections will be heldApril 6-9 online at

apsu.edu

The voice of Austin Peay State University since 1929

News THE ALL STATEPAGE 2; WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006

GOTWOYEARSIn two years or less, earn an associate degree in one of these areas:

GOFURTHERChoose from the following bachelor’s degree programs:

AdministrativeManagement

Automotive TechnologyComputer Sciences &

ElectronicsConstruction TechnologyCorrections Management

Culinary ArtsGeneral StudiesElectronics:

CommunicationElectronics:

Computer ScienceFood Service

General Business ManagementLiberal Arts (General Studies)Industrial ManagementManagement TechnologyMetal Construction (Welding)Police AdministrationRestaurant Management

Criminal JusticeHomeland Security

Engineering TechnologyElectronicsManufacturingElectrical/RobotsManufacturing/RoboticsGeneral

Public ManagementCriminal JusticeGeneral ManagementGeology/GeographyHistoryHealth & Human

PerformancePolitical ScienceSociology

Professional Studies*Technical Studies, including

concentrations in:**AutomotiveComputer ScienceConstructionElectronicsFood ServiceMetal Working

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Classes begin April17(931)221-1400

www.apsu.edu/apfc

*Accelerated Professional Studies degree also available. **Other programs available.

Good Morning APSU

Campus CommunityCalendar

Operation Fairy GodmotherAustin Peay State University’s social sororities will host Operation FairyGodmother on Saturday, April 8. The program was designed to help local highschool girls attend spring prom by providing donated formal wear. Studentswill also have access to hair and makeup consultants. Donations are beingaccepted through Friday, April 7, in Morgan University Center 211 or at theMemorial Health Building Recreation office on Drane Street. All donationsshould be clean and in good condition. For more information contact LindsayMazer, at 221-7431 or email mazerl@apsu.edu.

Dance of ColorThe African American Cultural Center is sponsoring the play Dance of Colorwhich was produced, written and directed by students. The play will be inClement Auditorium at 6 p.m., Wednesday April 5. The center can be reachedat 221-6276 for information.

Financial aid for Fall 2006 & Spring 2007All students who wish to apply for financial aid for the upcoming academicyear 2006-2007 will need to complete the 2006-2007 Free Application forFederal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information please contact yourfinancial aid counselor at sfao@apsu.edu or 931-221-7907.

Weight Watchers at APSUIf you are looking for a way to lose weight and keep it off then Weight Watchersis for you. The meetings at Austin Peay are held in ten-week series and are opento anyone. Each meeting is approximately 45 minutes, including a privateweigh-in. Please visit the website listed below for complete information (seespecial rate for APSU students). For more information please contact LynneYarbrough at yarbroughl@apsu.edu or 931-221-6844.

Tutors neededHigh School Upward Bound needs tutors in math, English, science, socialstudies and Spanish. Please contact 221-6226 or come by Dunn 259 ifinterested. For more information contact John Howard at barfields@apsu or221-6226.

Spring break soccer schoolAPSU soccer is offering a soccer clinic during the Montgomery County springbreak. The clinic is for boys and girls ages 5-14 and will take place from 8 a.m.to 3 p.m. daily. No experience is needed. The fee is $90 for the week. Earlydropoff and late supervision will be available for an additional fee. Call 221-7972 for information, or visit www.sureshotsoccer.com.

Latin dance classesFree dance lessons with Juan Vazquez at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays inthe fitness studio of the Drew Simmons Fitness Center. Classes end onThursday, April 20. Sponsored by the Hispanic Culture Center and UniversityRecreation. For more information please contact Tina Tarpey at 221-6645.

ASTAR coordinatorsApplications are now being accepted for 2006 ASTAR Coordinators. For moreinformation please contact Toya Richardson at 221-6100.

Teach in Spain The Education Office of the Embassy of Spain is pleased to announce that theSpanish Ministry of Education and Science will be sponsoring a NorthAmerican Language and Culture Assistant Program for elementary andsecondary schools in Spain. This program enables US citizens to work asEnglish Language Assistants in Spain for the school year 2006-2007. For moreinformation please contact José Francisco Olivares Ruiz atnorteamericanos@mec.es 202-728-2335.

Summer job opportunityTri-County Upward Bound is interested in hiring APSU students as residentadvisors to supervise high schools students on campus from June 4 to July 15.Student must be at least 21 and have auto insurance. Stop by 223 CastleHeights or call 221-6410 for details.

Consider taking a Maymester geology course.Physical and Historical Geology will be offered during the short semesterbefore regular summer classes. Maymester session is onlythree weeks long (May 15 to June 2). Physical Geology lecture and lab classes(GEOL 1040, 1041) will be taught by Dr. Phyllis Camilleri and the HistoricalGeology lecture and lab classes (GEOL1050, 1051) will be taught by Dr. JackDeibert. For class times see http://www.apsu.edu/schedule/068_GEOL.HTM.

Campus Crime Log

03/06/06, 2:58p.m. Kimbrough, theft of property

03/06/06, 7:00p.m. Hand Village, criminal trespass, arrested: Andre F. Wildy, of 19DLincoln Dr., Clarksville

03/14/06, 10:40p.m. Harvill Hall, minor possession of alcohol, arrested: Andrew J.Wilson, of 235 Elwood Dr., McKenzie

03/15/06, 6:32p.m. Meacham, theft of property

03/15/06, 5:10p.m. Meacham, theft of property

03/17/06, 9:00a.m. Sevier Hall, Harassment

03/17/06, 5:58p.m. Meacham, theft of property

03/19/06, 9:20p.m. Meacham Lot, motor vehicle theft

03/20/06, 6:17p.m. Trahern, theft of property

03/20/06, 7:27p.m. Killibrew Hall, theft of property

rating to be deleted. The site willnotify authorities and provide themwith the user’s IP address and thetime the rating was posted.

In addition Sinclair says,“ifsomeone posts like 10[inappropriate] comments andmakes it look like a differentperson each time, we can track theIP address, and we will delete thecomments and block the IPaddress.”

Federal law allows the site some

level of legal protection from libeland defamation suits because ithosts third-party comments.Sinclair adds,“Students have freespeech rights, so if they feel thatthey want to give a teacher acomment, then it’s their right to dothat.”

The site was created in 1999.Today more than 7.5 millionstudents use the site each year toview the approximate 5,500colleges and universities listed.More than 709,000 professors arerated.

Anyone can look at a few of theratings,and make ratings withoutregistering for the site. Howeveronce registered, students can freelyview and track any ratings theyhave made.

If a student or professor findssomething they believe is wrong,the site offers a link that can beused to report this information.

“I use the site, the same way asevaluations. I look at them as awhole in order to improve myteaching style,”said RamonMagrans,APSU Spanish professor.✦

Rate my professor: Some teachersuse the Web site for feedback as well

ASSOCIATED PRESSTwo smashed cars, above left, are barely distinguishable at a home destroyed by a tornado in Dyer CountySunday night. Several people died as the cyclone swept a 25-mile path through Western Tennessee.

_____________

from page 1

EEddiittoorr’’ss NNoottee: As per the Clery Act,federal law mandates campus crimelogs be updated and open to publicinspection within two business daysof the initial report being made to thecampus police.

For more details go towww.securityoncampus.org/schools/cleryact.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 , 2006, PAGE 3 THE ALL STATE

THE ALL STATEis not an officialpublication ofAustin Peay StateUniversity. Theviews herein do notnecessarily reflectthose of The AllState, Austin PeayState University orthe TennesseeBoard of Regents.

WHO WE AREeeddiittoorr iinn cchhiieeffNatalie Gilmore

mmaannaaggiinngg eeddiittoorrMandy White

nneewwss eeddiittoorrDave Campbell

ssppoorrttss eeddiittoorrMichael Young

ffeeaattuurreess eeddiittoorrJason Drumm

ooppiinniioonn eeddiittoorrAmanda Wadley

oonnlliinnee eeddiittoorrStephanie Coward

aarrtt ddiirreeccttoorrDustin Kramer

pphhoottoo eeddiittoorrJarod Leonard

cchhiieeff ccooppyy eeddiittoorrMegan Steele

ccooppyy eeddiittoorrssSuzanne AlbrightAllison Morrow

Elizabeth Walker

aaddvveerrttiissiinnggmmaannaaggeerr

Brittany VanPutten

cciirrccuullaattiioonnmmaannaaggeerr

Corey Hasty

bbuussiinneessssmmaannaaggeerr

Jamie McCandless

ssttaaffff wwrriitteerrssRobert ButlerA.J. Dugger

Phil GreyKasey HenricksMichael Kellum

Holly MartinApril McDonaldMicheal Weakley

pphhoottooggrraapphheerrKim BalevreLois Jones

Krystell Miller

ggrraapphhiiccddeessiiggnneerrss

Alexander ElliottWesley Hall

Crystal Mefford

aaddvviisseerrKristy M. Galbraith

OpinionTHE ALL STATE

THE BASICSOOnn CCaammppuuss LLooccaattiioonn::University Center 115

VViissiitt UUss OOnnlliinnee::www.theallstate.com

CCaammppuuss MMaaiilliinnggAAddddrreessss::P.O. Box 4634Clarksville TN 37044

EE--MMaaiill::theallstate@apsu.eduallstateads@apsu.edu

MMaaiinn OOffffiiccee::phone: 931.221.7376fax: 931.221.7377

PPuubblliiccaattiioonn SScchheedduullee::The All State is publishedevery Wednesday of theacademic year, exceptduring final exams andholidays.

Letters to the editorshould be emailed as atext only document or asa Word documentincluding the author’s fullname, address andtelephone number (plusmajor and class ifapplicable). All letters willbe checked forauthenticity. Lettersshould be received nolater than 4 p.m. onFriday of each week for itto be considered forpublication. Letters maybe edited for clarity andgrammar.

WE WANT YOUROPINION

Send your letters tothe editor in a Worddocument totheallstate@apsu.eduby 4 p.m. on Friday.Please include yourname, classificationand major or jobtitle.

OUR TAKE

Last week, our staff writers covered astory about the audit of the Mexico studyabroad program that was put on holdbecause of “irregularities in the program”and President Sherry Hoppe’s “concern forstudent safety.”The problem is that no oneis talking about the events that led to thisaudit. The only information givenconcerned an “incident” involving studentsfrom another university who thought theywould receive transferable credits byparticipating in Austin Peay StateUniversity’s program.

This doesn’t sound like the need forsafety concerns.What is the real reasonbehind the audit and suspension of thestudy abroad program in Mexico? Why isthe university being so secretive? What arethey trying to hide? It’s impossible to get astraight answer out of the administration.

Even professor Ramon Magrans, whohas been overseeing the program for thepast 23 years, is in the dark as to thereasons behind this audit and the reasonsfor the hold on the course. If Magrans, theman who is practically in charge of theprogram, is unaware of what is going on,then it is worth looking into if there issomething deeper behind this than justexpectations of transferable credits. TheSpain study abroad program is now beingpushed, but that culture is not the same asthe one in Mexico.

Hispanic/Latino is the fastest growingculture in the United States and it ispertinent that students educate themselvesin order to avoid stereotypical assumptionsabout these citizens. The Mexico coursegives students the opportunity to learnfirsthand about the Mexican culture and isstill bringing in money for APSU.

Also, Spain only offers three hours ofclassroom time, while Mexico offers eight.Mexico sounds like the better deal foreducating students and they get more for

their money.Focusing on the motives behind this

audit is important. Magrans posted a letteron his door from Provost and VicePresident for Academic and Student AffairsBruce Speck telling him to “not engage ingiving students advice about study abroadprograms.”All questions are to beaddressed to Susan Calovini, head oflanguages and literature.“In other words, Iam re-emphasizing that you have nocommunication with students about studyabroad programs,” the letter concluded.

If the administration will be thissecretive over a course for students, whatelse will they or are they hiding from us?Once again, the administration forgets thatstudents have a right to know anyinformation regarding their education.

The point has been brought up in TheAll State many times that if not for thestudents,APSU would not be in business.Considering that we are its backbone, wehave every right to be informed on thebehind-the-scenes aspect of our school.Wouldn’t this information better serve us indeciding for ourselves what is in our bestinterests?

The administration apparently doesn’tthink so. They treat us all like children.Weare educated adults.

Traditional and non-traditional studentsalike deserve to know everything thataffects us.What will it take for Hoppe andher followers to understand this? Maybethey think that we don’t know what we’retalking about and should mind our ownbusiness.

Well, this audit of the Mexico program isour business; the motives behind it are ourbusiness.And if they really do think wedon’t know what we’re talking about,maybe they should shed some light on thesubject, especially considering the allegedinvolvement of student safety issues.✦

Reasons for Mexico studyabroad suspension keptsecret by administration

America’s procedures seenas hypocritical, egotistical

A friend recently asked me,“Kasey, areyou proud to be an American?”to which Isaid,“No.”He said,“Well, would you wantto live anywhere else?”and once again Isaid “No.”I far too much enjoy all the

luxuries that comewith being anAmerican but stillfeel remorseful forthe paths taken toaccomplish thesehigh standards ofliving.

The indulgencesthat we have socome to expect havecome through theoppression andphysical infliction ofother races andcultures. No pride

should be taken for raising one’s standardof living through the decreasing ofanother’s. What does it really mean to bean American? When addressing thisquestion, we must look outside the source.For many Americans, this question is blackand white; it is an isolated query, thusindependent of the concern and influenceof other cultures. Are we even asking thecrucial question? Do we acknowledgeoutside opinions of ourselves and use themto help mold our own? I would say that weare not.Yet, what defines an American isnot just an American; everyone else had apart in defining us, just as we have a part indefining them.

To not acknowledge this point is toemploy the blatantly ignorant attitudewhich has caused my discontent. Thisindependent perspective we have ofourselves becomes oppressive to others.When there is a lack of consideration forother viewpoints, we Americans, areimplying that others’views are not validand are therefore subordinate.

What it means to be an American is toooften approached at a microscopic levelpertaining to the individualistic concerns ofone person. People think that beingAmerican guarantees God-given civilliberties to which all human beings shouldbe entitled.While this is true in theory, weare contradicting ourselves through ourpractice of American actions that do notsupport American idealism from a globalperspective.We do not succeed in helpingother cultures enjoy these same liberties.

Example 1: Our lavish lifestyles areconsumer-driven and even our dailypurchases make a statement to the rest ofthe world. These statements have led toimposing non-progressive lifestyle toweaker and tyrannical-led nations.

Take Indonesia for example.With theAmerican demand on the shoe industry,we have indirectly forced upon Indonesiaworkers a serf class. Americans opposeinhumane labor wages when it comes toour lifestyles, but we sacrifice this standardwhen it is necessary for the luxuries towhich we have become accustomed atanother country’s expense. This is twenty-first century slavery.

It would be an injustice to this questionif we were not to ask this question at amacroscopic level. How we interact with

other countries should be the determiningfactor in how we define ourselves asAmericans.Without acknowledgingoutside views of ourselves, we areexemplifying a form of oppression deeplyrooted in a prejudice to which we think weare immune.We are saying to outsiders isthat they are inferior by not acknowledgingtheir perspective, but we think they shouldacknowledge ours.

When we define what it means to beAmerican, opinions from within ourselvesare necessary. These opinions though, canonly be seen holistically through ourinternational encounters. The questions weAmericans need to ask ourselves are,“Howdoes our American self-image hold up toothers’aspects? Are they the same?”Theanswer to that is “No.”We have muchhigher regard for ourselves than any otherculture does.

Example 2: The Guatemala Crisis givesevidence to our arrogance and hypocrisy.This poverty-stricken country has suffereddirectly from American action. Maybe weshould ask Guatemalan citizens theiropinions of America. Guatemala has areputation for having one of the worstdevelopmental environments in world.

This is due to extreme poverty, highilliteracy rates, and an unbalanced systemof wealth with approximately 10 percent ofthe elite controlling more than half of thewealth.When a chance for reform camearound (early 1950s), the United Statesturned its back on civil duties andGuatemalans by supporting a dictatorship.This dictatorship protected the views of theelite minority and, of course, U.S. interests(political pull and cheaply produceimports). Little American action has beenmade since supporting the crueldictatorship that would help the strugglingcountry, and their unbalanced system ofwealth and poor economy continue to be acrippling factor for the vast majority of itscitizens.What do you think Guatemalansthink about being an American? Ouractions don’t stand up to our beliefs.

Don’t take me as un-American forthinking critically about our country. Myintent is not to be un-American, but I’mnot the only one with these samefrustrations. Recently, in a Gallup/HarrisInteractive poll released on March 13, 86percent of the (American) responsesfavored not having a country anymore.

The majority cited their reasoning beingthat there is a “lack of significant resultfrom the current democratic process.” I’mnot ready to take that stance.Although ourcarrying out our American ideology has itsflaws, I still believe it can be improved.Improvement is the key. To improve is toremain dynamic and accept change.

These issues must urgently be addressedin order for any kind of justice to prevail.What I seek is the fundamental essence ofbeing American.What I seek is liberation.In order to achieve liberation, we mustunderstand and acknowledge other ways ofseeing.We must realize what we aresupporting with our actions and how thataffects the rest of the world.

Or we can always shout “Amen!”of whatChris Rock once said,“God bless America,and no one else!”✦

OPINIONKasey

Henricks

YOUR TAKEMr. Campbell:

The article“Public informationfree however difficult to obtain”(March 22) attributes a statementconcerning the (lack of)applicability of Tennessee lawgoverning public documents thatto me is quoted out of context.

During your recent interviewwith me, we talked extensivelyabout Tennessee laws regardingpublic documents and access to"public meetings."

We even discussed specificexamples of requests forinformation contained in routinelymaintained records or files of theuniversity and how they differfrom requests to create a specialreport requiring staff research andanalysis.

The quote contained in theportion of the article aboutrequests for documents wasactually made in response to yourquestion about whether meetingsof university officials were publicmeetings thereby permitting anyinterested person to attend. Myresponse was that laws dealing with"public meetings" were generallydirected to elected officials,legislative bodies and decisionmakingboards/committee/commissionsand that they did not apply tomeetings typically conducted byuniversity administrators.

You then asked the follow-upquestion, "How could studentslearn how to operate in anenvironment where openness wasthe expectation?" To which Iresponded that the meetings andactivities of the StudentGovernment Association providean excellent opportunity to becomeacquainted with the concept.

I should also point out thatstudents are also provided withopportunities for participation andinput in university decisionmakingby being routinely and widelyincluded on university committees,including but not limited to thePresident's Cabinet, faculty searchcommittees, hearing panels, etc.

I hope I have refreshed your

recollection of our discussion andthat you will take the necessarysteps to clarify the erroneousimpression given by your article.For the record,Austin Peay StateUniversity is subject to andcomplies with requests forinformation pursuant to Tennesseepublic records law.

Richard E. Jackson, J.D. Vice President

Legal Affairs & Strategic Planning

Austin Peay State University:The men of Kappa Alpha Psi

Fraternity Inc. of the Theta BetaChapter would like to extend anapology for the actions and orbehaviors unbecoming of ourorganization. It has come to ourattention that certain behaviorsduring the Fall semester 2005 mayhave been misconstrued ordemeaning and/or insulting towardwomen.

This was not our intent; we seewomen as vital components of oursociety and we would especiallylike to extend a sincere apology toany women who may have beenoffended during the fall 2005academic school term.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.is an organization based on anachievement.

As a premier Greek letterorganization on Austin Peay StateUniversity campus, we strive toassist in the aims and purpose ofthis great institution.

Mareco ThomasPresident

Kappa Alpha Psi

Scientific theories, just theoriesI recently wrote an article about

evolution vs. religion, and I havejust read a reader’s response to it.There are a few questions thatcome to my mind when peoplethink about the evolution religion.First off, what is the origin of theuniverse?

Students are taught today that 20billion years ago,“nothing”exploded into everything.Somehow all of these fragments ofthis nothing somehow pulled

themselves together in a frictionlessenvironment and formed theplanets as we know it. Heavystorms on Earth created apremordial soup which came formrain on rocks. Then the soup camealive and thus the creation of man.

Another thing that I findinteresting is which reproductiveorgan evolved first. Scientifictheory states that we probablyevolved from a sort of bacteriawhich is a much better reproducerthan us humans.

So why did we stop reproducingasexually and just decided to havesex to reproduce? If either of thesexual organs evolved first,wouldn’t it be impossible toreproduce without the other?Strange how we “evolve.”

Another question that I come upwith is how we even get around toevolving. I was taught that it wasthrough mutations which madecreatures better so their offspringwould survive.

Well, I have never seen anexample of a good mutation. Eventhe textbooks only have examplesof bad mutations.When have weever seen an example of a goodmutation?

I love it when people try to usefossils as evidence for evolution.The only thing fossils prove issomething died.

They don’t know if it even hadoffsrping, or different offsrping atthat.Any fossil record is not prooffor evolution.

Lots of bones in the dirt areevidence for a great flood a fewthousand years back. That’s aboutit.

Well, I hope to receive someanswers to my questions. I am notsaying to teach Creation, butschools shouldn’t teach either.Scientists have faith in theirevolutionary theory much like weChristians have faith in God. Ifthere are any questions just pleaseask me and I would be glad to findan answer for you.

Chris WhitsonFreshmanPschology

Does America suffer frompremature cooperation? WhenHurricane Katrina hit there werecountless numbers of peoplearound the country offering help,money and support for the victims.Thousands flocked to the mangledcities to help rebuild lives and

shape thefuture forthesedistraughtpeople.There was ahomemakershowcompletelydedicated tohelping thevictims. Onthis campusseveral

organizations, fraternities, sororitiesand staff were all coming togetherin an effort to help. Now it has allcome to a dead stop. It is as thoughwe feel we do enough to show aneffort then the problem will goaway.Wrong answer!

Countless numbers of homelessand helpless people spreadthroughout lower parts ofMississippi and Louisiana still needhelp. I feel that the negative media

has shown mishandling of money,support and the reckless way thatthe (cough) Bush (cough)administration has handled thishas made some weary of offeringadditional help. However, theproblem still exists. If you cannotdonate money, donate your time.

There is an organization calledCommon Ground that still needsvolunteers.What they ask is twodays of service offering to helprebuild or build homes, and helpwith distribution of materials andsupplies or whatever else is needed.Now do not expect to go to NewOrleans as some have (and latercomplained) and expect four oreven three star accommodations.

Most organizations recommendthat you bring a tent or utilize“creative sleeping options,” in otherwords, sleep in your car.You mightbe thinking,“Well that sucks. Theyshould at least offer the volunteersa place to stay.”About 100,000people lost their homes, families,jobs and belongings; some evenlost their lives. Is it really too muchfor volunteers to have to rough itfor the weekend? There are limitednumbers of dorm situations, but Irespectfully say, let those in needuse them.

My best friend and I are goingon Easter weekend.We both feelthat of all weekends to go, Eastermakes the most sense.We are allout of school for Good Friday.Youcan drive down Thursday evening,wake up Friday morning and helpbuild a house for some family.Youwill end the day extremely tired buthopefully a little more content withyour existence, knowing that youhelped out people in need.Yourfamily will understand if you arenot there on Easter Sunday or youmight even ask them to go andmake it a family adventure. Make achange. Rebuild lives. It should be apart of your human experience.The website for one of theorganizations that is approved bythe government is. Check it out!✦

OPINIONMicheal Weakley

Hurricane Katrina victims hurt as Americaencumbered by premature cooperation

“About 100,000people lost their

homes,families, jobsand belongings; someeven lost their lives.Isit really too much forvolunteers to have to

rough it for theweekend?”

Section THE ALL STATEPAGE 4; WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2006

Focus on conquered culturesprevents unity of civilizations

During the “Gran Marcha”against immigration legislation,which took place in Los Angelesthis past week, a group calling itselfthe “Mexica Movement”

prominentlydisplayedsigns attestingto theownership ofthe entireNorthAmericancontinent byindigenouspeoples.

The group,which hasbecomeincreasinglyprominentduring the

immigration debate, advocates theremoval of all people of Europeanancestry from the WesternHemisphere.

It claims that by 2100, thedemographics will exist to makethis removal a real possibility.

It is an argument that carries agreat deal of emotional weight incertain circles.

However, the Mexica Movementis based on a theory of racial purityand identity that absolutelyconflicts with historic and present-day reality.

In the sordid catalogue that ishuman history, true innocence ishard to find.

Thus, the claim of the MexicaMovement to a priority ownershipof land is one that nearly everypeople of every race and ethnicity,past or present, could make againstsome other group.

Truly indigenous Spaniardscould make the claim against theRomans,Visigoths and Arabs.

The vanished Harappancivilization of ancient India couldmake the claim against the Aryanpeoples that came east frompresent-day Iran.

The Jews could make the claim

against Egyptians,Assyrians,Babylonians, Greeks, Romans andothers.

Indigenous Turks and anynumber of other central-Asiannomadic peoples could make theclaim against the Mongols. Kurdshave their claims against Turkey,Iraq and Iran.

Tibetans and others have a caseagainst China, just as China has acase against a number of othernations.

Islamic civilization did notspread from Spain to China byinvitation, but by force of arms.Christianity came to North andSouth America in the same way.

When the latter arrived, thenative peoples of those twocontinents were engaged in theirown tribal and inter-civilizationalconflicts.

In the North, some indigenoustribes west of the Mississippi weredestroyed or subjugated by morepowerful tribes and confederaciescoming from the east.

Those tribes were in turnslaughtered, dispossessed andsubjugated by European settlers.

In what is now Mexico, theAztecs had risen to prominencethrough wars of conquest andextermination that eliminatedearlier civilizations.

In the early part of the MiddleAges, western Europeans barelysurvived invasions from north, east,and south– from Scandinavians,Magyars and Arabs respectively.Afew hundred years before,Germanic tribes had destroyed theRoman Empire, as the Romans haddestroyed the Carthaginians inNorth Africa before that.

The tribes that inhabitedmodern-day Spain, France andBelgium were conquered and somewere enslaved by Rome, as were thetribes that inhabited present-dayEngland and part of Germany.

In time, their descendants wouldmake forays into Africa to enslaveand conquer peoples who at

various times engaged in wars ofconquest and enslavement againstother African peoples.

In West Africa, some of the firstEuropeans were greeted bychieftains who owned white slavesfrom the Balkans, procured fromthe Ottomans through Arabtraders using Jewish intermediaries.

The point is, the list of thedispossessed is also a list ofconquerors, and the list of slaves isalso a list of the enslaved,depending on what era you chooseto look at.

The question as to what thenshould be the statute of limitationsregarding history is an importantone to which we should devotesome thought.

It is important because ourfailure to address it honestly, tofocus on recriminations of peoplemostly long dead, prevents thereever being an end to the insanity ofwar.

Likewise the entire “indigenouspeoples”argument needs to beaddressed in light of the reality thatlies in its inevitable conclusion; aworldwide ethnic-cleansingmassacre predicated on theunbelievably stupid premise thatpurity– racial, ethnic, political,religious or otherwise – isachievable and desirable.

Hundreds and even thousandsof years of intermixture between allof these various groups hasproduced a situation in which themajority of earth’s population is nolonger pure anything.

If anthropologists andpaleontologists are right in sayingthat we all have a commonancestry stemming from southernAfrica then the notion has neverhad a basis in fact.

It is a lot easier to work theproblem from that starting pointthan from the other way around.Indeed, acceptance of our commonorigins may be the only chance wehave of avoiding commonannihilation.✦

OPINIONPhil Grey

Creation of 9/11 moviescome sooner than should

If you’ve not already heard, UniversalStudios will be releasing a movie on April28 called “United 93.” For those of youwho don’t know, this was the plane that

went down in aPennsylvania field onSept. 11, 2001. Thefilm will focus on the40 passengers onboard that foughtback against thehijackers.

It has been fiveyears since the 9/11attacks andHollywood is onceagain trying to makemoney off of tragedy.

Paul Greengrass(“The BourneSupremacy”) iswriter-director of“United 93”. He claimsto have been

respectful and accurately portrayed thecatastrophe.

He got unanimous support from familymembers of the crash and involved themin the making of the film by researching asmuch information as he could gather.These family members believe the stories oftheir departed should be told. Perhapssomeday, but I think it is too soon.

These family members want everyone toremember this disaster and the heroic actsthat took place.

But honestly, how can anyone forget? It’shard for me to not break down as I writethis article. Horrific images flash throughmy mind as I recall the live footage.

I, as well as every other Americancitizen, was devastated as I watched theseevents unfold.

How could anyone forget plans crashinginto the tower? How could anyone put out

of their minds the desperate people whohad to choose between jumping out of awindow or burning to death?

How could anyone not rememberrescue crews who helplessly tried to savethe unsaveable, the terrible feeling of angstwhen the towers came crashing down, thePentagon exploding or the heroes onUnited Airlines Flight 93 who sacrificedthemselves by deterring terrorists’plans totake even more lives? You can’t! It’simpossible! And it’s too soon to makemovies about these events.

There are still open wounds, brokenhearts and lots of healing to take place inour nation before Hollywood gets involved.According to Newsweek,“Universal...plansto donate 10 percent of its open weekendgross to the Flight 93 National MemorialFund.”Is that it? You’ve got to be kiddingme.

If you want to be fair, at least 50 percentof all proceeds should go to this fund.Afterall, if not for these people giving their livesthere would be no lives to exploit.

“United 93” is not the only film comingout during the five year anniversary of thisAmerican calamity.

Oliver Stone will be releasing “WorldTrade Center”on August 9.While “United93”has unknown actors, Nicholas Cagewill be starring in Stone’s movie.

Maybe these directors think it’s a storythat needs to be told. Maybe they think thevictims’ last moments need to be broughtto our attention. Maybe so.

But these aren’t movies of fiction; they’rereal events with real people who diedhorrifically at the hands of terrorists.We allremember this.

The making of these films comes toosoon to stomach. Let the wounds heal andallow America time to recover.

Don’t exploit a five year anniversary forthe sake of Hollywood glory and money.✦

OPINIONEditor

AmandaWadley

Strong government is a limitedgovernment; United State’s biggovernment repeatedly falls flat

During thepast year, one ofthephilosophicaljustifications forthe Bushadministration’sapproach to

government has collapsed. It held thatPresident Bush was a “big-governmentconservative,”or in the more strikingformulation of the influential, Bush-friendly journalist Fred Barnes, a “strong-government conservative.”

In theory, strong-governmentconservatism is alluring.

If government is going to do something,it ought to do it well. In practice, however,strong-government conservatism hasmostly been a rationalization for lazy andpolitically expedient accretions togovernment.

It hasn’t given us a strong government,but a further-sprawling government that inmany ways is contemptible.

Take the response to Hurricane Katrina.The Department of Homeland Securityshould be a perfect forum for stronggovernment. Congress and the presidentidentified a goal — preventing terroristsfrom attacking us on our soil — andnamed a new federal department after it:Homeland Security.

They threw 22 desparate governmentagencies together, apparently on the theorythat bigger is stronger.

In the House report on Katrina, therewas one target for criticism that has goneunnoticed — big government itself. Thereport notes how important it was to shareinformation “within agencies”and “acrossdepartments.” It didn’t happen:“Unfortunately, no government does thesethings well, especially big governments.”

Another signature Bush foray intoexpansive government is the Medicareprescription-drug plan. It takes one of thenation’s problems — exploding

entitlements for the elderly — and makes itworse.

As Michael Mandelbaum argues in hisnew book,“The Case for Goliath,”a majorthreat to the dominant U.S. role in theworld is a declining public willingness topay for it.

Piling up new entitlement costs makesthis dynamic even more likely.

Some government programs actuallypromote strong government.A large,capable military is a foundation of nationalpower.

The Patriot Act — by updatinggovernmental capabilities to deal with anew national security threat — representsstrong, flexible government.

But these kinds of programs hardlynecessitate an ever-expanding federalgovernment.

According to Brian Riedl of the HeritageFoundation, nondefense, nonsecurity andnon-Katrina-related discretionary spendinghas increased 34 percent since 2001. Hugeentitlements like Medicare, Medicaid andSocial Security are growing at 6 percent to9 percent annually.

None of this makes for stronggovernment in the conservative sense. Itcreates a self-perpetuating appetite for evenmore government.

As spending increases, so does pressurefor higher taxes.

This threatens the most successful Bushdomestic initiative, which is of the old-fashioned limited- government variety: taxcuts that helped boost the most importantfactor in national strength and well-being, astrong private sector.

When the GOP begins its post-Bushdeparture — roughly after the midtermelections in November, when the 2008presidential nomination race begins —“big- government conservatism”willprobably end up on the ash heap.

The party will have to relearn what itused to know: A strong government is alimited government.✦

Native Americans deserve equal sensitivity,not stereotypical mascots and caricatures

Nobodyhere issettingbuildingson fire toprotest acartoon,

yet the quintessentially AmericanMarch Madness arrived with aquintessentially American scuffleabout cartoons.

For the first time, no “mascots,nicknames or images deemedhostile or abusive in terms of race,ethnicity or national origin”will beallowed at the collegiate basketballchampionship tournament,ordered the NCAA.

The rule applies only to“mascots, nicknames or imagesdeemed hostile or abusive”toIndians.

Political correctness run amok,reply conservatives. “When, in themultiplication of entitlements, didwe produce an entitlement foreveryone to go through life withoutbeing annoyed by anything, even ateam’s nickname?”wrote GeorgeWill.

Would that it were as simple asthe cultural commissars of the leftand right have decreed.What’smore American than mom, applepie — and painting ethnic issues inblack and white?

Which brings us to the issue of

skin color.Will seems to believe it is never,

ever, OK to demand an“entitlement” just because a team’snickname causes annoyance.

But imagine that someone buysthe Washington football team anddecides to honor the millions ofAfrican-Americans in its homemarket by renaming it theBlackskins.Actually, it’sunimaginable.Why? Because it’salso unimaginable that sane people— conservative columnistsincluded — would claim anyone“annoyed”by Blackskins wasmerely a lefty looking for an“entitlement.”

The nickname is unmistakablyoffensive, and demanding a namechange is a perfectly sensibleposition, far from the ultra-sensitivity of mere politicalcorrectness.

Of course, the actual name ofWashington’s NFL franchise is theRedskins.

One is just as legitimatelyentitled — that word again — tofeel insulted by it as by a “skin”ofany other color. If the NCAA canban offensive names, why doesn’tthe NFL?

It’s not the only such case. Thebucktooth Chief Wahoo characterof the Cleveland Indians is themoral equivalent of the hooknosed

Jew.Why does the team continueto use it?

Two reasons. One, the voice ofNative Americans is too easilyignored because it is not as loud asother voices.And two, NativeAmericans lose credibility whenthey claim that every single Indiansports reference is inherentlyinsulting.

One can easily see why the ChiefWahoo caricature is insulting, but itgets more difficult to sympathizewith the cause when Alcorn State“Braves”and Arkansas State“Indians”(on the NCAA’s — dare Isay it? — blacklist) are said to bebad too simply because of theirname.

Neither seems particularlyoffensive.

Arkansas State’s logo features ahand holding an arrow.AlcornState is a historically black collegethat barely emphasizes anythingIndian beyond the “Braves”nickname.

In a country where peopleknew to put aside ideologicalblinders long enough to tell thedifference between an offensivelybucktoothed caricature of anIndian and just the word “Indian,”nobody would think these thingsneeded regulation, and nobodywould complain about overbearingregulations.✦

We are hiring for fallsemester!

The All State is looking for writers to cover issues with diverse

points of view.Is this you?

Come visit us at our office located in the UC basement room115 and

fill out an application.

Must have a 2.25 GPA and be enrolled fulltime.

THE ALL STATEis not an officialpublication ofAustin Peay StateUniversity. Theviews herein do notnecessarily reflectthose of The AllState, Austin PeayState University orthe TennesseeBoard of Regents.

WHO WE AREeeddiittoorr iinn cchhiieeffNatalie Gilmore

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006, PAGE 5 THE ALL STATETHE ALL STATE

FeaturesTHE ALL STATE

A.J. DUGGERStaff Writer

Some people are chosen by God forspecial missions. Some people alsohave amazing stories to tell. One ofthese people attends Austin Peay StateUniversity. He is an instant inspirationto all who get the chance to meet himand witness his persona andpersonality.

Lloyd Michael Harris, Jr. was bornOct. 21, 1975 in Dickson, County. Heis a health and human performancemajor at APSU. He also is a junior anda straight-A student.As a matter offact, he has been on the Dean’s listevery semester he’s been here,including the summer semesters.

On Jan. 4, 1999, Harris was in anaccident that resulted in his currentuse of hooks for hands. Despite this,he has a very positive outlook on lifeand his condition.

“Everybody has problems…justyou can see some of mine,”Harrissaid.

Harris is unfazed by the stares ofstrangers when he goes out in public.“That doesn’t bother me the least bit.It’s something that’s not ordinary. Ifyou see a pink elephant walk by, youwould look,”Harris explained.

When Harris was 23 years old, hehad a job working on power lines.One day, he was struck with 2200volts. The volts entered through hisneck and came out through his arms.Harris stopped breathing when thisoccurred. However, his quick-thinkingco-workers pulled him off the truckhe was on.When his body slammed tothe ground, he started breathing again.

“When I woke up two weeks later, Ididn’t have any skin on my arms,”Harris said. The voltage burned hislower arms, as well as his right ear,which also had to be removed. Thedoctors had to pull muscles out of hisback to repair the back of his neck.Harris also was given hair transplants.Over time, Harris had undergone 25surgeries. Regardless of the physicalchanges, Harris is happy to be aliveafter what many considered couldhave been a fatal accident.

“I was glad to be alive,”Harris said.“God had a reason for me to stayaround. [The accident] could’ve andshould’ve killed me.”

None of these events changedHarris mentally. He’s never seen apsychiatrist or taken anti-depressantpills. He always has had a strong mindand a positive outlook on things.

Harris wants to be a grade schoolfootball coach, a job that combinestwo of his goals: to be an inspiration tothe younger generation and to beinvolved in one of his favorite hobbies,sports. Harris was an excellent athletebefore his accident.

“I’ve always been very competitive,”Harris said.

He used to play tennis, golf, footballand basketball often. He’s even beenracing horses since he was 5 years old.Weightlifting was also a commonpractice for Harris, and in the longrun, it helped to save his upper arms.He explained that if he hadn’t workedout all those years and built up musclemass, he would’ve lost his arms from

the shoulders down.Harris is enjoying the atmosphere

of APSU.“It’s been refreshing,”saidHarris. He admires his professors andthe friendly students on campus. He ison his way to receiving his master’sdegree.

David Arnett, an assistant professorat APSU, is Harris’Transitions andWorld Literature teacher.“He’s abrilliant, remarkable person,”observedArnett.“In fact, he leads thediscussions very often and veryeffectively.”

Getting around is not very difficultfor him, although he is still learningtechniques that make things easier.Things began kind of rough.“It tookme forever to get to where I couldshave,”Harris said. Harris gets aroundjust as well as anyone else. He evendrives using a stick shift.

He was raised by his grandparentsuntil he was 12 years old.“They were amajor influence on me,”Harris said.“They’re good people.”

When he was 18, Harris began totravel around the world. He’s been toCanada, Mexico and all over theUnited States. In fact, Harris stilltravels every day he has school. Hedrives from Pepway, drops off his 2-year-old son at daycare and thendrives to Clarksville. In total, it’s athree-hour trip.

“I’m as happy as the next man,”Harris said. He wants to be aninspiration to other people, provingthat no matter what happens to aperson, he or she can still reach goals.He also strives to inspire his son, LloydMichael Harris III. He wants his son tosee that he did not let his accidentdefeat him.

Harris still goes to school and takescare of responsibility like other people.“I think a person’s confidence withinthemselves is what allows them toachieve whatever they achieve in life,”Harris said. He naturally has a positiveenergy others could quickly learnfrom.“I feel like I’m doing what I wasmeant to do.”✦

JESSICA LAVELYStaff Writer

Time to get those dancing shoes on.There are Latino dance lessons beingheld at the Drew Simmons FitnessCenter at Austin Peay State University.

Classes are taking place everyTuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m.to noon. Classes started March 23 andend April 20. So hurry before the funends.

The classes are laid back and yetprofessional.“Our instructor is acertified dance teacher,”said JulianJuan-Vasquez.“He’s taught Merengue,Salsa and will teach the Cha-Cha inour next lesson.”Juan-Vasquez is fromClarksville and is part of the HOPEorganization [a Hispanic organizationdedicated to the progress of Hispanicheritage in society].

“We met him at the ImmaculateConception Church where hecoordinated an ESL [English as aSecond Language] class,”says TinaTarpy, president of Pi Nu.“By the endof the class we can do the wholepassage of the dance taught in thathour,”Tarpy said.

Juan-Vasquez also teaches the basicsteps to ballroom dancing, which isthe foundation of many dances in anyculture.Want to impress someonewith some “sweet”moves? Come to asession and just check it out.

Not only does it give youskills that many peoplecan’t say they have,but it is also agood workout.

Dancing stretches muscles, helps thecirculatory system and helps burncalories while having fun.“It’s betterthan just being on a treadmill alone,”Tarpy says. “It’s proven that if youhave a partner and the activity is fun,the ‘exercise’doesn’t seem likework…but more of a ‘play’. Grab apartner and cha cha cha!”

The program is sponsored by thefitness center, PAC (ProgrammingAllocation Committee) and theHispanic Culture Center. Come jointhe fun and participate in the DanceLessons.And of course, men areneeded to partner up with a lady, socome on guys.

For more information visit theHispanic Culture Center or contactthe Drew Simmons Fitness Center.✦

Free Latino dance lessonstaught on APSU campus

LOIS JONES/STAFFMichael Harris is a junior majoring inhealth and human performance.

APSU studentremains positive

Art Show LOIS JONES

Staff WriterWhat is art? That has been the

question for hundreds of years. Thisyear Austin Peay State University’s38th Annual Student Art Show willmix what is considered “traditional”art and “controversial”art in variedmediums.

With over 100 entries, the juriedshow will have 48 accepted pieces.This year’s juror is Gina Binkley.Binkley is an APSU alumna and aGrammy nominated illustrator anddesigner.

Robb Fladry has two entries inthis year’s show. Fladry won lastyear’s Best of Show with hissculptural video piece titled “Exaltthe new God.”Fladry’s pieces thisyear are titled,“American Dreams”and ‘Without a Face.” Both aresculptural video pieces. Fladry said,“‘American Dreams’ is about John F.Kennedy and my theory thateveryone wants to be president atsome point in their life; ‘Without aFace’ is a look into the thought

processes of human beings.”William Gentry was last year’s

first place winner with his piece,“napalm burned wood withaluminum teeth.”Gentry’s piece thisyear is titled “Golden,”a deep-friedAmerican flag. Gentry said,“thispiece is my commentary on theobesity epidemic in America.”

Megan Ellis has a piece titled“President.” It is an Andy Warhol-style silkscreen with four head shotsof President Bush with a subtitleunder each shot;“racist,”“sexist,”“hypocrite,”“president.”Ellis said,“Itstarted as a class project, and I likecontroversy rather than a silkscreenabout hearts.”

Five awards will be presented,including Best of Show, First,Second, Third and a new category,Best Design for graphic design. The38th Annual Student Art Show runsfrom April 10-30 with the openingreception 7-9 p.m.,April 10.✦

Kasey’srandomthoughts

• The real reasonthe highs andlows are offeredevery night onthe weatherreport is to satisfythe largegamblingindustry ofbetting on theweather.

• If interstatemeans,“connecting twoor more states,”Hawaii has beenmisleadingpeople for almosthalf a century.

—By KaseyHenricks,

Staff Writer

Word of theWeek:

xxeebbeecc -- (zee-BECK) noun.a usually 3-mastedMediterraneansailing ship withlong overhangingbow and stern.

Etymology:modification ofFrench chebec,from ArabicshabbAk.

—www.m-w.com

Today in thePast:

1965MMyy FFaaiirr LLaaddyy aanndd

JJuulliiee AAnnddrreewwsswwiinn

Movie musicalssweep the Oscarson this day in1965. My FairLady won BestPicture, and itsstar, Rex Harrison,won Best Actor.Singer-actressJulie Andrewswon Best Actressfor her role inMary Poppins.

1931FFooxx ddrrooppss JJoohhnn

WWaayynnee

Fox Film Corp.drops JohnWayne from itsroster of actors.Wayne hadstarted playingbit parts at thestudio in 1928after working onthe lot as alaborer. Hisperformancesevidently failed toimpress thestudio, andWayne spent thenext eight yearsplaying mediocreparts in 80 films.

—www.historychannel.com

QUOTE OF THEWEEK:

“love”

“Love iseverything it'scracked up tobe…It really isworth fightingfor, being bravefor, riskingeverything for.”

Erica Jong, O Magazine,February 2004

—www.quotationspage.com

ContactInformation:Jason DrummFeatures Editor:allstatefeatures@apsu.edu

LOIS JONES/STAFF“Golden”is a deep fried Americanflag created by William Gentry.

LOIS JONES/STAFF“President”is a silk screen by MeganEllis depicting President Bush.

Latino dance lessons are held in the Memorial HealthBuilding Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

JASON DRUMMFeatures Editor

The weather this weekend waswarm to say the least. However,those who watched “Ice Age: TheMeltdown”had a differentexperience all together.

“Ice Age”made in excess of $68million last weekend alone. Themovie stars the voices of RayRomano (Manny), John Leguizamo(Sid) and Denis Leary (Diego).They are still the stars and ‘oddpack’of animals, just like in the first“Ice Age”movie.

Along the way, a few newcharacters, which are just as lovableand hilarious, are introduced. Onenew character the odd pack meetsis Ellie (Queen Latifah), a new girlmammoth. Jay Leno also talks thecrazy creature, Fast Tony.

As usual, the film features thatacorn-obsessed squirrel. Unlike the

first film,“The Meltdown”lets ussee more of the squirrel’s battle forthe ultimate acorn. The squirrelscenes lighten the mood and holdthe suspense during those ‘edge ofyour seat’moments.

There are a whole new group ofproblems the pack faces from“We’re all gonna die!” from Sid togetting along with newacquaintances. The only problem Ihad with the film was a song brokeout of nowhere. Last time I checkedthis wasn’t a Disney.

All in all,“Ice Age: TheMeltdown”is a great movie. Onlyrated PG, the film is appropriate forchildren but throws in plenty ofhumor for people of all ages.

You can go ahead and get theextra large drink with free refills; themovie isn’t drastically long. Take afriend, laugh together and enjoy theflick.✦

Features THE ALL STATEPAGE 6; WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006

BECCA YEATTSStaff Writer

Jeremy Lister, like mostmusicians, always wanted to be amusician. Also like mostmusicians, Lister began his careerhumbly.“I knew from a very earlyage that music was what I wantedto be doing,”said Lister.“I was aband and choir nerd and was theartsy kid around school.”

Lister is still the artsy kid, but ona bigger scale. He’s the artsy kid inthe Nashville music scene, and he’screated quite the buzz.

Hailing from Mississippi, thesinger/songwriter came toNashville as a self-promotingmachine, wisely passing out demosto anyone he met in the business,“which was most everyone, beingthat this is Nashville,”said Lister.

But his hard work paid off andhe is now a staple in the scene.Lister is booked on nearly anygiven day all over Nashville. He alsoplays select shows in the Kentuckyarea.

He has released a six-songalbum,‘Shooting Star’ (1999) and isin the process of working out thekinks in a major label deal. Lister isalso heavily involved in MovementNashville, a network of local artiststhat play together and promote oneanother.

But no matter who he’s playingwith or where he’s playing, Listeralways brings his one-of-a-kindsound with him. His music flowsand creates an ambiance, one that

is reflective of his songwritingprocess.

“I just let the song form itself,”said Lister.“I start singing,strumming some chords and dosome free association writing untilI find out what direction the songis forming.”

Lister has developed his musicover the years, starting young witha little inspiration from the classics.“The Beatles were my first loveaffair in music.”Lister said. “I wasdoing homework on my mom’s

bed in junior high and had theradio on an oldies station where Iheard ‘Hey Jude’by the Beatles, andit totally enthralled me. Thatsparked my love and appreciationfor writing.”

Lister’s love for music has madethe artsy choir nerd fromMississippi one of Nashville’s risingstars.

For more information aboutJeremy Lister, go towww.jeremylister.com orwww.myspace.com/jeremylister.✦

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOComing from Mississippi, Jeremy Lister brings with him a unique sound.

Jeremy Lister’s ‘Shooting Star’ lands in Nashville

‘Held ‘em’up in tourney

JAROD LEONARD/STAFFUniversity Recreaction hosted a “Texas Hold ‘Em”tournament on Monday in UC 111 for a night of fun. Noone counted cards, and everyone had a chance to practice their poker faces. The entry fee was $10.

Ice Age heats up box office

ASSOCIATED PRESSManny gets troubling news fromFast Tony, voiced by Jay Leno.

ComicsWEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, PAGE 7 THE ALL STATE

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CartoonistsWanted!

Would you liketo write and drawa comic strip or

political cartoon forweekly publicationin The All State?

It looks greaton a resume!

For more information,contact Dustin at

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(931) 221-7376

VVoottee SSGGAA!!Online Voting will be April 6th – April 9th

(www.apsu.edu)

Items On The Ballot

Executive Officer Elections

Candidates for President:

• Deanna Hensley “As a senator, I have worked hard to write legislation that makes Austin Peay a better learning environment for students, and as SGA President, I plan to use this experience to encourage and motivate senators to gather input from students and write legislation to continue improvement on campus. I can make it happen.”

• Nick Pitts“As a member of the previous executive committee, I have gained wisdom and experience about the practices of SGAat Austin Peay. As President, I will continue to place an emphasis on passing legislation and policy initiatives. I will not let SGA sit on its current success, but I will continue to forge ahead seeking my fellow students’opinions about our campus.”

Candidates for Vice President:

• Bryan Huffman“My goal is to completely and whole-heartedly serve as the instrument of the students. I will strive to improve the quality of life for students and to help move Austin Peay forward as a top regional institution. As Vice President, I vow to work tirelessly for you.”

• Richard Longstreth“My name is Richard Longstreth and I am running for the position of SGAVice-President for next year. If elected, I intend to encourage the Senate to bring forth more legislation, work closely with the students to meet their needs, and talk with the staff in order to make Austin Peay the best campus in Tennessee.”

Candidate for Secretary:

• Jeremy Smith“I will work to the best of my ability to uphold all responsibilities set on me as SGA Secretary. I will work diligently to ensure my duties are fulfilled in a timely manner.”

SGA Fee Increase

We have experienced tremendous success and progress during the past two years.

Please take a look at a list of our major accomplishments:

o Reduced the number of required hours for scholarship work hours from 96/semester to 75/semestero Donated $15,000 to the Miller Fund account to assist students in financial need at the beginning of academic semesterso Oversaw the student referendum to create a smoke free campuso Streamlined processes to enhance fiscal status of SGA to provide better services for all studentso Requested the purchase of the kiosks now in the University Center through year-end fundso Introduced PEAYlympics to benefit students with children, providing a fun activity for the children of studentso Proposed legislation improving safety on campus with placement of new speed bumpso Requested review of TBR policy to exempt library books as surplus material, preventing them from being dumped in the landfillo Worked with Campus Police to enhance communication to students regarding parking on campus and improved traffic citation

appeal process resulting in a greatly reduced number of traffic citations being given

We would like to continue such success and progress and thus request your support in asking that you vote YES! to the SGA Feeincrease of one (1) dollar per semester which will result in a total SGA Fee of five (5) dollars per semester.

Below are some ongoing issues in SGA:

o Study Abroad Fundingo Additional Computers on Campuso Additional electronic Kiosks in Academic Buildingso Electronic Message Boards

Newly Revised SGA Constitution

SGA has worked for two years in revising and clarifying your SGA Constitution to better serve you. The newly revised Constitution is moretimeless and clearly defines the role of SGA as a governing body. Please take the time to review the changes of your Constitution and voteYES! for this forward progress in SGA.

Major changes to the Constitution include:

o Minimum GPA increases to hold officeo Student representation by classo Fall Senatorial Elections o Tribunal Structureo Guidelines for amendments to and adoption of the Constitution

** PLEASE Make your voice heard by participating in this Spring’s Vote!!!**

VVoottee SSGGAA!!

SportsTHE ALL STATEWEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006; PAGE 9

Softball swept by Lady ColonelsHELP WANTEDHigh School Upward Bound needstutors in Math, English, Science, SocialStudies and Spanish. Please contact221-6226 or come by Dunn 259 ifinterested.

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The All State is now acceptingapplications for writers and advertisingrepresentatives. Earn extra cash whilebuilding your portfolio. All majorsaccepted. Minimum GPA 2.25 required.Pick up application in UC 115. Call 7376for more information.

WANTEDAPSU students who are interested inlearning judo (martial arts) contactJustin at 931-338-0084

The XchangeBuy, sell or trade name brand clothingmade by Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap,DKNY, Express, American Eagle, Guess,J. Crew, Hollister, Sean John, Fubu,Banana Republic and many more! 20percent off with APSU I.D.

Like Sports?Do you like sports? Do you like towrite? If not, would you like to learnhow to write? If so, The All State sportssection is accepting applications forstaff writing positions for theremainder of the spring semester. The position allows students to getexperience in the field of journalism aswell as building a respectable portfoliofor future positions. Call 7376 for moreinformation.

Summer InternshipAvailable in Nashville or Chattanooga.Earn $656/week while gaining salesand business experience in FasTracTraining program. Email resume to:fastractraining@hotmail.com or callJohn at (615) 394-2134.

CLASSIFIEDSBy MICHAEL KELLUM

Staff WriterThe Austin Peay State University softball

team dropped all three games last weekendagainst Ohio Valley Conference rivalEastern Kentucky.

The Lady Govs were shutout in the firsttwo games, 4-0 and 5-0, respectively, beforefalling in the third game, 2-1.

“We played flat on Saturday and justcouldn’t put anything together,”Lady Govshead coach Jim Perrin said.“Sunday weplayed better, but unfortunately still cameup short.”

The Lady Govs almost won Sundayafternoon, getting as close as only two outsaway.

Eastern Kentucky’s Keri Macinsky hit atwo-run homer in the bottom of theseventh inning, giving them the 2-1 victory.The game was scoreless until the seventhwhen Brianna Venable hit a home run overleft center – her ninth home run of theyear.

The Lady Govs out-hit the LadyColonels, 5-3, in the contest as pitcherNatasha Anderson racked up sevenstrikeouts.

APSU had a chance to take the leadearlier in the game with back to backsingles from Anderson and Venable in thetop of the first but couldn’t capitalize. JuniorAmi Bush hit a double in the third inningbut Anderson grounded out to end theinning.

Perrin said he was proud of his teamduring the final game.

“We beat them in all the categoriesexcept on the scoreboard,”he said.“Weplayed hard and played well during in thisgame. Natasha pitched well but we justcouldn’t get it done.”

During Saturday’s games, the Lady Govscouldn’t put it together offensively anddidn’t score in either game. The LadyColonels started off the first game of thetwinbill hitting well by scoring one run ineach of the first two innings to take an early2-0 lead.

The Lady Govs best chance of scoringcame in the fourth inning when they hadtwo runners on base and only had one out.Sophomore Sarah Longmire struck out andTaylor Newberry popped up to end theinning.

The Lady Colonels scored their last tworuns in the sixth inning.

EKU’s Kelsey Anderson pitched acomplete game striking out eight andwalking one. The Lady Govs had two hitsin the contest.

Game two mirrored the first as EasternKentucky again scored early in the first,

third, and fourth innings. The LadyColonels tacked on two more runs in thesixth inning to close out the win.APSUsquandered scoring opportunities in thesecond and fourth innings.

Venable advanced to third base in thesecond inning with two outs but that wasas close as she would get.

In the fourth inning, Longmire wouldreach second base before having Jennifer

Walker pinch-run for her.The Lady Govs, unfortunately, couldn’t

advance and finished the game with fourhits.

Freshman Lacey Briscoe pitched thewhole game giving up 11 hits and five runs,while walking two.

Perrin said they have to regroup after theweekend.

“We really didn’t play with enthusiasm in

Saturday’s games and we have to go backand work on a few things,”Perrin said.“Wearen’t playing with consistency and have towork on that. Our goal is to make theconference tournament and try to get backon a winning streak.”

The Lady Govs (10-21-2, 2-9 OVC)return to action this weekend as they hostMorehead State in a three-game conferenceseries.✦

JAROD LEONARD/ STAFFSenior Amy Hale bears down on a pitch during one of the Lady Govs’contests last weekend. Hale holds a .232 batting average for the2006 season, which includes six doubles. Hale, however, was one of many Lady Govs’players who fell victim to the Lady Colonels’pitchingas she went 0-6 in two of the three APSU losses.

SportsWEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2006, PAGE 10 THE ALL STATE

Bat Govs extend win streak to five

By MICHAEL YOUNGSports Editor

After dropping the opening conferenceweekend to Jacksonville State, the AustinPeay State University baseball team

followed up with acomplete three-gamesweep of Ohio ValleyConference memberMorehead State.

“We were confidentlast weekend but thisweekend we just put itall together and we

played as a team,”sophomore transfer Jake Lane said.“Wehad two good outings from our two bestpitchers and it was a total team effort tobring in three W’s.”

The Bat Govs (18-8, 4-2 OVC) pickedup wins during the Saturday doubleheaderwith strong pitching performances fromstarters Rowdy Hardy and Shawn Kelleybefore pounding the Eagles duringSunday’s contest, 10-3.

“These are big wins,”Lane said.“Conference games are always big wins forus, and any time you can sweep a teamthen it is good for your momentum goinginto the next week.We needed themomentum with our games againstVanderbilt and Western Kentucky thisweek.”

APSU starters Hardy (6-0) and Kelley(2-1) used the Saturday twinbill as adominating pitching display.

Hardy picked up his season’s sixthconsecutive after pitching a complete gamewhere he scattered eight hits, allowing justtwo runs while striking out seven.

Kelley followed up Hardy’s display with acomplete-game performance of his own.Kelley held the Eagles to just one run onfour hits as the Bat Govs cruised to a 4-1victory.

“It’s just a positive feeling when thoseguys come out and compete like they did,”senior centerfielder Cody Youngblood said.“They just got the job done for us and wefollowed it up with some runs so it was a

good day.”“Two complete games by two different

pitchers allow us to leave the rest of ourstaff open,”Lane added.“We get to go intothe third game with our entire staff, and nomatter what situation came up with leftiesand righties, we were prepared. So theirperformances were big.”

Sunday’s contest continued the samepattern as the Govs found themselvesdown 2-1 after five innings of play.

However, in the final four innings, theBat Govs would post nine runs en route toa 10-3 victory to cap the conference seriessweep.

“We were a little cold starting off, but allgood teams keep battling and eventuallygood things will happen, and that is whathappened,”Youngblood said.

Senior hurler Brad Daniel (2-1) pickedup the victory after replacing starter JamesRay and completing 4.1 innings of workduring the Govs offensive burst.

Senior outfielder Ryan Kane alsoextended his hitting streak to 22 gamesover the weekend, picking up four hits inthree games.

The Govs will return to action onWednesday with a mid-week match-upagainst Southeastern Conference memberVanderbilt University.

The Commodores (19-9, 7-2 SEC) arejust one game behind Eastern Divisionleader South Carolina for the best record inthe SEC.✦

JAROD LEONARD/ STAFFSophomore transfer Jake Lane takes a swing during the Govs’weekend contests against Morehead State. After going cold in the firstgame of the conference weekend, Lane posted two hits and one run in the second Saturday contest before hammering a stand-updouble on Saturday that opened the door for the Govs’offensive burst on Sunday.

Dominating pitching,late-hittingleads APSU to conference sweep

KANE

“Conference games arealways big wins for us andany time you can sweep a

team then it is good foryour momentum going

into the next week,”

– Jake Lane, sophomore first baseman

Track and field gets third place finishAustin Peay Sports Information

Austin Peay State University’s track and fieldteam posted a third-place finish at the 25thGatorade Classic, Saturday, hosted by SoutheastMissouri.

Senior Sherlonda Johnson, battling a leginjury, won the 100-meter dash with a time of12.51 seconds, the only event victory for theLady Govs.

However,APSU posted 10 season bests in themeet and finished with 80 points. Indiana Statewon the meet with 204 points followed by hostSoutheast Missouri’s 187-point effort.

Johnson did not fare as well in her specialties,finishing third in both the long jump (18-03.75)and triple jump (35-06.50), both distances welloff her personal bests.

Sophomore Leeann White, who is alsobattling an injury, finished fourth in the longjump (18-01.50).

“It was pretty impressive how the team cameout and put up its best effort of the season,”saidLady Govs head coach Doug Molnar.

“We had numerous personal records andseason bests today.Any time you do that, youhave a good chance of having a productive

meet.”Junior Jennifer Pond, who joined the team

last week after playing for the Lady Govs’basketball team earlier this season, competed inthree of the throwing disciplines and made animmediate impact.

She finished fifth in the javelin throw – herfirst time ever competing in the javelin – whereher throw of 118-10 is fourth-best in the OhioValley Conference this season. She added asixth-place finish in the shot put (38-08.25) anda ninth-place finish in the discus throw (103-10).

She is only the eighth female athlete to throwthe discus 100 feet this season in the OhioValley Conference.

Sophomore Danja Yates showed markedimprovement, posting season bests in both herevents.

She finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdleswith a time of 15.34 seconds and added a sixth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles with atime of 1:09.06.

“Jen’s performance in the throws is exactlywhat we need to take this team to anotherlevel,” said Molnar.“Her addition will be a hugeplus for us as we get ready for the conferencemeet. Danja also had an impressive meetposting career marks in both her events. It’simportant for everyone else on the team to stepup as Sherlonda and Leeann battle throughtheir injuries.”

The Lady Govs now prepare to host a pair ofmeets during the upcoming weekend. First up,the track and field program will host theGovernors High School Classic, Friday.

The teams will then take part in the AustinPeay Governors Invitational, Saturday, withother collegiate squads.✦

Young,new players make biggest impact in Gatorade Classic

Austin Peay Sports Information

Brendan Gregory, a former defensive lineman ontwo Ohio Valley Conference championship teams atEastern Kentucky, has been named defensive line coachand strength and conditioning coordinator for AustinPeay State University’s football team.

Gregory comes to APSU from Taylor County HighSchool in Perry, Fla., where he has served the past yearas defensive line coach, head strength and conditioningcoach and physical education instructor.

“We are certainly excited about having a full-timeposition to our staff,”APSU coach Carroll McCray said.“We had a good candidate pool and we were lookingfor something very specific.We were looking forsomeone who could handle our defensive front plusalso could work with our football team in the weightroom.We were fortunate to bring in a person of thecaliber of Coach Gregory.

“Character-wise he is a very good fit for ourprogram. I think his background of playing in theOVC, playing for two championship teams for Coach(Roy) Kidd at Eastern Kentucky, serve as a big benefitfor us. I think he will be that way with the players bothon the field and in the weight room. He is a really goodfit for us as we are making our transition back to theOVC in football.”

The Barbourville, Ky., native received both hisbachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky.He played four seasons, from 1989-93, as a Colonelsdefensive lineman. In addition to being part of twoOVC title teams, he also was a member of two EKUfootball teams that played in the I-AA playoffs.

Initially after graduating from EKU, Gregory workedas a fitness specialist and personal trainer. He alsocoached high school in his native Barbourville. In

August 1999, he served as a volunteer in the Tampa BayBuccaneers strength and conditioning program.A yearlater he spent a month as football operations internwith the Cleveland Browns.

Gregory returned to Eastern Kentucky from August1999 to January 2001, completing his master’s whileserving as the program’s assistant strength andconditioning coach. From there he served a seven-month internship with the University of Louisvillebefore being hired by the University of Richmond as itsassistant strength and conditioning coach from 2001-02.

He moved to the high school level at ChristianCounty High School in August 2002 as its strength andconditioning coach while also coaching running backs.From there, Gregory spent more than a year workingwith Velocity Sports Performance before returning tohigh school at Taylor County last August.

Gregory is a certified Strength and ConditioningSpecialist (CSCS) and has certification as a USAWWeightlifting Club Coach.

“From the weight room perspective, we are going tofinish the program we are in. His first assignment is todraw up and implement the summer program and helpus with the testing of our current players.”

Gregory’s hiring will allow McCray to move awayfrom position coaching. Last year, he served as thedefensive line coach.

“This gives me a chance to move around in practice,”McCray said.“When you are on one side of the ball,you don’t have a chance to be around the other playersas much. I will get to visit with the kids more and seethem live instead of on tape.

“It also will allow me to spend time more with ourkicking game.”✦

Football Govs hire new coach

“It’s important for everyone elseon the team to step up as

Sherlonda and Leeann battlethrough their leg injuries,”

– Doug Molnar, track and field coach