Crash blame differs
Response varies on fault, U.S. apology

By Julie Ann Matonis
Staff Reporter

Campus response to the collision of a Chinese fighter jet and an American spy plane over the weekend has been mixed, with some disagreement over which country is to blame.
Kaili Chen, a graduate student in education, said she hopes that the United States and China can work out their conflicts because the two countries are important to each other.

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Enrollment leads to budget increase
Funds to be used for campus renovations, faculty compensation

By Alisha Brown
Staff Reporter

An increase in enrollment led to the $20 million increase in the operating budget the Board of Trustees approved Friday, said Carol Campbell, vice chancellor for finance and marketing.
Campbell said the $189 million budget is the largest budget in the university history.
“We build based on the previous year’s revenue,” she said.
Last fiscal year, the operating budget was approved at $169 million, but was based on lower enrollment figures from the previous year, Campbell said. With increased enrollment last fall, the actual revenue generated came to approximately $175 million.

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Smith to become trustee
‘TCU mom’ will help balance board, some say

By Melissa Christensen
Staff Reporter

The roll call for next year’s Board of Trustees will include four new names — three business leaders and one wife and mother.
“I am not a career woman,” newly-elected trustee Sarah Smith said. “I just believe very much in family and in these young lives.”
As a parent to Rayner Smith, a senior business management major, and Rachel Smith, a sophomore psychology major, Sarah Smith has been involved with TCU for four years, including membership in the Parent’s Council, the Chancellor’s Advisory Council and the Austin Regional Council. Her name was among the nominations received from alumni, faculty, students, trustees and community members to fill vacated positions or expired terms.

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Individuals discuss differences
Inclusiveness conference to celebrate diversity, global cultures

By LaNasha Houze
Staff Reporter

Professors, lecturers and students from across the nation are gathering today and Friday to discuss diversity at the Second Conference on Inclusiveness: Working Together to Create a New Community.
The conference will give students an opportunity to explore what it means to be a part of a diverse community, said Cornell Thomas, special assistant to the chancellor for diversity and community. He said two days is not enough time for students to learn everything about inclusiveness, but it is a step in the right direction.

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Buzz word
Diversity won’t happen overnight

As the Second Conference on Inclusiveness: Working Together to Create a New Community begins today, diversity is once again at the forefront of the university’s consciousness. Or at least that’s the idea.
We commend the Chancellor’s Council on Diversity and the other organizations who put the event together. We understand what they are trying to do: help students, faculty and educators nationwide further appreciate the impact different cultural perspectives can have on a college campus. We agree their cause is worthwhile and support them in their efforts.
But we are concerned.

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Neeley School fosters prejudice towards non-business majors

By Dana Strongin

Have you ever heard jokes pertaining to the exclusivity of the M.J. Neeley School of Business? I know I have — both faculty and students make them. It has always seemed to me that the school separates itself from the rest of the campus. Whenever I walk inside, I feel like I have entered a whole different university.
Everything is pristine, and many of the people inside walk with purposeful, confident strides. There are signs everywhere supporting “Neeley this” and “Neeley that.” The school shows definitive signs of pride. There is nothing wrong with a little spirit. However, in light of recent changes in the school, I have to say this pride may have gone a little too far.

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Funding for new stadium passes halfway mark
Athletics department on way to beginning construction by June 1

By John Weyand
Staff Reporter

In its sixth month of fund raising for the new TCU baseball facility, the athletics department has surpassed the halfway mark and is pushing to break ground by summer.
Associate athletic director Davis Babb said funding as of April 1 totals about $4 million, equaling about 58 percent of the $7 million needed to pay for the new stadium. Since Feb. 2, benefactors have contributed an additional $1.45 million, putting the athletics department on pace to earn the 70 percent needed to begin construction by June 1.

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Men’s tennis team shuts out rival Baylor
No. 2-ranked Horned Frogs unbeaten at home

By Matt Stiver
Skiff Staff

After hitting a forehand into the net, Reiner Neurohr of Baylor threw down his racket and kicked the ball into the net. Neurohr’s agony was pure delight for the TCU men’s tennis team.
Senior Trace Fielding went on to defeat Neurohr in straight sets as the Frogs defeated No. 30 Baylor 7-0 Wednesday at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center.

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Frogs quell Baylor’s early intensity
Men’s tennis team tops list of nationally competitive programs in Texas

By Rusty Simmons
Editor in Chief

The 90-minute bus ride from Waco to Fort Worth didn’t lessen the intensity of the Baylor men’s tennis team Wednesday. The Bears arrived at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center chanting and clapping.
But before the doubles competition was complete, a lot of Baylor’s fury was silenced as the Frogs swept the doubles point and went on to a 7-0 victory.
TCU players spoke few words when describing their feelings about the Bears.
“We hate them,” senior Petr Koula said. “Everybody hates them because of the way they play. They try anything to win. We really didn’t want them to come in here and beat us.”
With the victory, the No. 2 Frogs move to 15-2 and a perfect 10-0 at home.
The Frogs swept three doubles and six singles matches for their first 7-0 win of the spring. Only one match went to three sets.
TCU has now won consecutive matches against the Bears, one of the biggest rivals on the schedule, and eight of the past 10. The Frogs defeated Baylor 4-1 in the third round of the NCAA Championships last May.

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This week at the movie

By Yvette Herrera

Get ready for yet another psychological suspense thriller adapted from James Patterson’s first highly acclaimed novel in the Alex Cross series. “Along Came a Spider,” staring Morgan Freeman, is about a Washington, D.C., police detective and psychologist who is tired of playing mind games with criminals.
Well, that is until a methodical predator, Gary Soneji, commits a daring kidnapping, which lures Cross into the case. Soneji doesn’t care about ransom. All he wants is a place in history books. Soneji knows exactly how to get to Cross. He leaves a piece of evidence in Cross’ mailbox. Soneji’s motive — to commit the crime of the century.

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