By Lori Eshelman staff reporter Recent changes made to campus dining facilities have left a bad taste in the mouths of many students. Decreased hours of operation in The Main and long lines in the new Pizza Hut eatery are the two major complaints from students, said David Ripple, general manager of Sodexho Marriott. Many students, such as senior finance major Charles Sizemore, said the lines in the new eatery are too long. "The lines in this place are awful," he said. "It's like Disneyland in here." Ripple said preliminary numbers from the eatery's first week of operation indicate its opening has spread traffic out among the other on-campus eateries and decreased lines in those locations. "It is definitely pulling lines out of The Main," he said. "The lines in the new store right now are long mainly because it's new, and anything new will die down after a little while." The longer lines are also due to employees who have to learn new jobs at the eatery. It will take them a little while to figure out the most efficient way to work in the new area, Ripple said. He said the lines in the new store are being monitored, but nothing will be done until the eatery has been open for a while and has established a regular schedule. Michael Watkins, chairman of the Student Government Association Dining Services Committee, said he does not think the long lines are a direct result of the decreased hours in The Main. "Because The Main is closed, they have more employees working (in the eatery)," he said. "So the line may be long, but you go through it quickly." Ripple said Marriott decided to close The Main earlier because there were very few food purchases made after 8 p.m. "Between 8 p.m. and midnight in The Main, there were a lot of people in there, but there were not many food purchases," Ripple said. "So the new store should be able to handle those purchases that are made after 8 p.m." By closing The Main from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, employees have time to restock, and the drink coolers have time to cool down, Ripple said. It also allows time to clean up the dining area for dinner. He also said the major issue students have with The Main closing is that they miss having the space available to congregate. Marriott did not intend to eliminate student gathering areas by closing The Main and moving The Grind out of Reed Hall, Ripple said. He said he hoped students would utilize other places in the Student Center, such as the lounge. "We are using a holistic approach," he said. "We are trying to incorporate the lounge and other areas into the plan." But Ed Hale, a senior management major, said there is no way the Student Center Lounge can capture the atmosphere of The Main or The Grind. "We used to come study in The Grind or hang out in The Main," Hale said. "Now you've got all these people in (the eatery) and no place to sit." Marriott has ordered additional bar stools for the computer counter and tables for the eatery which should arrive in mid-November, Ripple said. Watkins said the Dining Services Committee is talking with Marriott about re-opening The Main after 8 p.m. to give students a place to gather, but nothing has been decided yet. But Martha Belden, a freshman premajor, said the lack of variety in the eatery is also a problem for students in search of food after 8 p.m. "It's going to encourage bad eating habits if all they have is hot dogs, pizza and pretzels," she said.
Lori Eshelman
By Tealy Dippel staff reporter TCU students will be able to enter the voting booth without leaving their homes, residence hall rooms or computer labs beginning Oct. 25. The opportunity to vote online will debut with the Mr. and Miss TCU competition, which will take place Oct. 25 through 29. Students will be able to log onto the voting Web site, enter their identification and pin numbers and vote. With the help of La Forge Digital Enterprises, a company based in Iowa City, Iowa, students will be able to vote anywhere there is a computer. Jenni Jones, a sophomore business major and Homecoming co-chairwoman, said she is excited about the new technology. "The voting turnout will increase because people will have a whole week to vote, not just a day," she said. Student Government Association President Ben Alexander said House members have known for the past couple of years that there is a more efficient way to vote. "Now that we have a company, we are going ahead with things because it's such a good idea," he said. Jason Cordova, chairman of Elections and Regulations Committee, said House members have been examining different voting methods since Spring 1998. La Forge, which specializes in online elections, contacted them first, he said. "It can't be any worse than the system we have now," Cordova said. "With the current system, you can only vote (on campus), which makes it tough for commuters." Alexander said the new system will be beneficial to both students and SGA. "It will make the election process more accessible to students and increase voter turnout and student voting participation," he said. Amy Mattice, a senior nutrition major, said voting online will be much more convenient. "I think it's a good idea because it's a lot easier to do from your home instead of having to go up to school," she said. "I think more people off campus will vote." Brian Becker, a sophomore finance and accounting major and chairman pro-temp of the Elections and Regulations Committee, said with the new system, students won't have to go out of their way to vote. "Voting online will become a normal occurrence and will become the wave of the future with the Internet," he said.
Tealy Dippel
By Matt Stiver staff reporter Argentina and Texas. Both raise cattle as a part of the economy. Both also take advantage of TCU's resources to help train their business leaders. A group of 25 Argentine businessmen and women and civic leaders have come to Fort Worth to learn American business practices and better understand American culture from the M.J. Neeley School of Business and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. The group consists of citizens from the Argentine state of San Luis. Maria Inés della Croce, a representative of the Argentine Federal Investment Council and spokeswoman for the group, said they came to learn. "We came here to look for technology and to obtain the similar capacities in information abilities," she said. "We want to make a partnership, as you say in English, because it is important for us to have a friendly relationship between (Argentina and America)." Larry Adams, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, who is coordinating the Argentines' two week seminar, said the Argentines are learning aspects of creating businesses as they tour American corporations such as Alcon and Bell Helecoptor-Textron.
"They will also learn about TCU, and in turn, we will establish good relationships with these young people who will be the future leaders of Argentina." Garry Bruton, an assistant professor of management, said the group is learning about one of the major issues in international business, understanding different cultures. "They come from a region in Argentina where its big growth has come from many American corporations relocating," Bruton said. "So learning about American culture helps them." The members of the contingent said they are enjoying their stay in the United States. Della Croce noted the hospitality of Texans. "America is a wonderful country," she said. Fabrísio Roche, who has visited the United States before, said he prefers Fort Worth to other American cities. "I have been to Boston and to New York," he said. "And what surprised me here is that the people here are so friendly, especially the people from (TCU). Sometimes that does not happen in New York and Washington, D.C." Another visitor, Raul Calvo, said in the United States people respect public places. They do not crowd public streets by parking anywhere and keep them clean, he said. Sandre Funes said the group members were thankful for the opportunity to visit the United States and, especially, TCU. "We want to thank TCU for this moment to learn," she said. "We hope TCU students can come and visit San Luis someday." Matt Stiver
By Jaime Walker skiff staff Josh Stroud said he will always remember what the Starpoint School did for his family. Now, with his recent $2,000 contribution, another Fort Worth family can create its own memories at Starpoint, he said. Stroud became involved with the Starpoint School four years ago when he began researching educational alternatives for his son, Josh Stroud III. Stroud said when his son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), it became clear that he and his wife should find a school that would serve Josh's special needs. "From the moment that we saw (the Starpoint School), we knew it was where our son should be," Stroud said. The Starpoint School is a laboratory school for learning disabled students. It also serves as an on-campus training site for TCU School of Education students preparing to become teachers and as a setting for educational research opportunities for faculty and staff. Stroud said his son made emotional and academic improvements quickly after entering Starpoint in the third grade. ADD affects a child's ability to concentrate, and often, it takes a special, patient teacher to take on the behavioral challenges associated with the disorder, Stroud said. "The teachers at the Starpoint School turned our nightmare into a miracle in less than six months," he said. Stroud went on to call the school "a blessing from God." Now, Stroud's son is mainstreamed in public school and doing well. "I am so proud of Josh, and I know that he would not be who he is without the guidance of the teachers and staff at Starpoint," he said. "Starpoint laid the foundation which is making my son so successful." For those reasons, Stroud, who owns and operates a personal fitness center, decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from his annual Texas Natural All-Star Body Building Championship to fund a scholarship at Starpoint. Contributions were also made to several other individuals and local charities. Stroud said he would not have been able to give back to the community the way he did without the help of John Goff, chief executive officer of Crescent Real Estate Equities Company, and his wife. The couple matched the total funds raised at the event. "Mr. Goff gave out of the goodness of his heart, and there is no way that I could ever express my thanks to him," Stroud said. Stroud said he hopes his donation to the school makes the neighborhood more aware of the work that goes on there. "My personal experience with Starpoint was definitely rewarding, and I just want others to understand what a wonderful resource we have right here in Fort Worth," he said. Kathy Cooter, principal of the Starpoint School, said the Stroud family's donation is an example of its deep appreciation for the love and the services they received at the facility. "They are a dear family, and the donation means a lot coming from them," she said.
Jamie Walker |
"These leaders have come here and are learning about
successful American businesses," Adams said. "They have looked
at some businesses with 300 employees that are very successful. The chief
executive officers have spoken with them about how to start a successful
(enterprise). Then they will go back home and implement (what they have
learned).| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |