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At last, SAC books spring concert

Not quite ‘the suburbs’: Ben Folds set to rock Cintas Center instead

John LaFollette
Editor-in-Chief

It has been three semesters since the Student Activities Council last sponsored a concert, but SAC said on Tuesday that they have scheduled a spring concert for Feb. 19 at Cintas Center.

Ben Folds, the renowned piano man, is slated to grace the Cintas stage for the second time in four years, according to discussion at the Senate meeting held on Monday, Dec. 9.

“SAC is in an awkward situation,” said junior Jessica Kelly, the chair of SAC’s Special Events Committee, explaining that SAC could not officially identify the artist because the artist’s spring tour has not been formally announced.

“I think [the scheduled artist] will have great appeal to Xavier,” Kelly said. “Our goal was to reach the broadest group possible.”

SAC will start selling tickets on Jan. 14, the Wednesday after the spring semester begins.

In scheduling the concert, Kelly said, the Special Events Committee generated a list of possible artists that they thought would be of interest to most students.

After that list was voted on and approved, it was sent to a third-party booking agent, along with available dates at Cintas Center.

The booking agent then matched the Folds’ performing schedule with the availability at Cintas, and the artist was scheduled.

Kelly said that the artist they booked was SAC’s first choice for the spring concert.

Earlier this semester, SAC submitted one offer for a possible concert that would have been scheduled for last month, said Kelly, but that Cintas Center was unavailable on the dates the artist could come.

Last year, SAC decided to roll over its budget for fall and spring concerts to this school year, in the hopes of booking a sizeable act.

Folds has experience playing the college circuit, having travelled to area colleges and universities in recent years. His shows typically include Folds on piano and a backup band featuring guitar and drums.

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Endowment down 31 percent

Emily Hoferer
Managing Editor

Xavier University’s endowment has lost 31.1 percent of its value this year, and is currently valued at $86 million, according to Maribeth Amyot, the vice president of financial administration.

“No one is doing particularly well,” said Amyot. She said that Xavier is down less than the S&P 500, a widely-used index of 500 large corporations whose stocks are traded the most.

In the wake of a recent recession, the endowments of many other major universities have also decreased, most notably Harvard University.

Xavier’s endowment is funded by alumni and friends of the university. Donors specify where they want their money to go when they contribute to the endowment. The University invests its contributions and uses the return to fund things such as scholarships, general programs and the general operation of the University.

Amyot said that Xavier will not take drastic measures to rescue its endowment. “We live in the environment and react to it, but fundamentally we will stay the course,” she said. “We stand by our spending rules and diversification strategy.”

Xavier has 24 different investment strategies ranging from stocks, bonds and the international market, as well as long-term and short term investments in both large and small companies.

Amyot said that Xavier’s decrease is not as problematic for the University compared to schools like Harvard and Yale, which have significantly larger endowments and rely more on those returns to the fund their university programs than Xavier. At 36.9 billion dollars, Harvard’s endowment is the largest in the country and has decreased 22 percent from last year.

The University’s overall financial situation is more sensitive to changes in enrollment than to changes in the endowment.

While the value of Xavier’s endowment is down 31.1 percent, it does not mean that spending will decline by that amount, said Amyot.

The portion of the endowment that funds general programs in compiled by looking at the value for the last 12 quarters, averaging them and then spending 4.5 percent of that amount on the programs. This process creates what Amyot calls a “smoothing effect.”

“As the economy recovers we would participate in the upside,” said Amyot. She also said that at a time when the market was particularly worrisome Xavier was opportunistic and acquired bonds at favorable rates. She said that it showed that people are still willing to invest in Xavier.

Xavier’s endowment, as well as that of other universities, has decreased as a result of the current economic crisis. According to Flyer News the University of Dayton’s endowment has decreased 20 percent in the last five months. The News Record at the University of Cincinnati reports that UC has lost $80 million of their endowment in the stock market. UC had to cut $4 million of their budget as well as implement a hiring “frost” similar to that of Xavier’s.

Both Amyot and Academic Vice President and Provost Dr. Roger Fortin said that the support of alumni and friends of the University is remarkable and they in turn will support the endowment.

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Verdict: Crawford must sit

Doug Tifft
Sports Editor

While the Xavier men’s basketball team continues a 7-0 start to its season, it had to deal with a setback on Wednesday, Dec. 3 when they received word that sophomore transfer Jordan Crawford will not be eligible for the 2008-09 season.

Crawford, a 6’4” guard out of Detroit’s Arts and Communication High School who spent the 2007-08 season at Indiana University, was seeking immediate eligibility as a result of NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations committed by former Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff.

“We’re disappointed in the decision, but greatly appreciate the efforts put forth by our staff and Jordan and his family throughout this process,” said Mike Bobinski, the associate vice president and athletic director. “Since his arrival on campus Jordan has been an important part of our basketball team and we look forward to his continued efforts and development as he prepares for next season.”

Hopes for Crawford’s eligibility had waned recently after the NCAA ruled on Nov. 26 that Indiana University would only receive a three year probation and a loss of one scholarship for failing to monitor the actions of their assistant coaches. Sampson was punished much more severely, receiving a five year show-cause punishment.

The chances for Crawford’s eligibility had already been weakened by the Nov. 24 announcement that fellow Indiana transfer Eli Holman, now at Detroit, would be ineligible for the 2008-09 season. With the denial of Crawford, only Armon Bassett, now at Alabama-Birmingham, has yet to be denied eligibility of the four former Indiana players to transfer to other division one institutions following last season.

In Crawford Xavier would have gained a player with the ability to play either guard position, help out on the glass, score off of the dribble adeptly and, perhaps most importantly for a team struggling with questions at the point guard position, run an offense. Crawford averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a freshman at Indiana, starting alongside NBA talents Eric Gordon and D.J. White.

“He is an outstanding player. I have no qualms about being confident and letting people know that he is a special player,” Xavier head coach Sean Miller said before the season about Crawford. “I know that Jordan will develop… [into] perhaps the most talented guard that has ever played [at Xavier].”

Miller’s confidence in Crawford comes not only from the talent level that Crawford posses, but also in his work ethic.

“The thing that I have come to learn about him is that he loves the game of basketball. He is a passionate, he works hard, and he is a great competitor,” Miller said.

Miller is not the only person to have noticed the skill set that Crawford brings to the table, as some NBA scouts have already put Crawford on their radar.

“Crawford is definitely an NBA prospect… Overall, he does a lot of things well,” said Doug Baxter of DraftInfo.com.

While the absence of Crawford may weaken the Musketeers this season, the thought of adding Crawford to a team that may still include fellow NBA prospect Derrick Brown leaves plenty of optimism for Xavier fan in the future.

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Officials explain task force

Kelly Shaw
Senior News Writer

Xavier’s newly formed Structural Review Task Force has been charged with identifying potential “permanent budgetary improvements” in the university’s operating budget, according to a letter from Xavier President Fr. Michael Graham, S.J., that was sent to members of the task force almost three weeks ago.

The letter, which has since been posted on the MyXU Portal, asks the task force to identify, by Jan. 14, 2009, a minimum of $3.5 million in permanent cost reductions and revenue enhancements that can be used to fill a projected gap in next year’s operating budget.

The task force is also charged with identifying, by May 1, 2009, similar permanent reductions and enhancements of 3 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent and 12 percent of the current operating budget.

It will then make recommendations based on its findings to the Budget Review Committee that will develop the budget for the next fiscal year.

“We want to make sure we’re using the university’s money most efficiently and most wisely,” said Maribeth Amyot, the vice president for financial administration and chair of the task force.

Amyot and task force co-chair Dr. Roger Fortin, the academic vice president and provost, emphasized the holistic nature of the task force.

“It’s important to realize that this is a Structural Review Task Force, not a cost-cutting task force,” said Fortin.

The difference, he said, is in the “redeployment of dollars,” rather than the strict elimination of money from the budget.

“We want to do this while maintaining the Jesuit identity of the university,” Fortin said.

Amyot and Fortin agreed that it was important to involve voices of people across the Xavier community and, per their instructions from Fr. Graham, invited input from those not on the task force.

“In order to make informed recommendations it’s important to involve those people who are going to be affected,” Amyot said.

The task force will not, however, be sharing its recommendations to the Budget Review Committee with the rest of the Xavier community, Fortin said, so long as the work of the Budget Review Committee is not complete.

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Finals: the binge and caffeine roller coaster

Kelly Shaw
Senior News Writer

December marks a rollercoaster of a lifestyle for most college students. The culmination of an entire semester’s work is coming to a head, and a buildup of assignments accrue, all leading up to the non-stop pace of exam week. The sporadic, stressful lifestyle of this time has the potential to alter the regular emotional state of the typical college student, and many form certain unhealthy tendencies during this time.

The binge tendency, or aptness of students to partake in activities of excess, is undoubtedly heightened in the end-of-semester months of December and May. Increased caffeine intake, binge drinking and excessive eating are common activities that occur.

It is normal to eat for emotional reasons—in times of holiday celebration or social get-together, for example, or for reasons of comfort or bodily repair while sick—but overeating can become unhealthy when a person eats merely to alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety or depression—feelings commonly associated with college finals.

Binge eating is an activity often used to cover negative emotions, but can actually make things worse by creating feelings of guilt or disgust with oneself, and heightening the initial negative emotions.

“Binge eating is ongoing because of the psychological impact that occurs,” said Jennie Wade, the registered nutritionist and dietician who works at Xavier’s McGrath Health and Counseling Center.

“You just don’t make good decisions at these times,” she said. Quite debilitating, binge eating usually prevents a person from studying, socializing or partaking in daily activities.

Besides weight gain, the behavior increases insulin in the blood, which can cause nausea and dizziness and lethargy. Triggers for these occurrences can be both physiological and psychological. High levels of the stress hormone, Cortisol, are produced in times of sleep depravation, also causing an increase in appetite and cravings.

If a student is not used to eating breakfast, his or her body may respond to the extra stress of finals week in a way that makes you feel extra hungry because of the long hours of studying and mental stress. Even if you are not hungry during the day, it is best to eat breakfast within an hour of waking up.

“Have a decent meal and include protein source like an egg, yogurt or cheese, because protein is going to stick with you for the day,” said Wade. She also recommend eating a small snack or meal every 2-3 hours during the day to avoid low blood sugar levels, which may lead to overeating at one meal. “One of the cycles students may get into with binging has a lot to do with [foods that affect] blood sugar—like simple carbohydrates,” said Wade, referring to refined starches and sugar. Carbohydrates trigger the chemical associated with cravings, whereas protein, on the other hand, triggers the chemical in the brain associated with feeling full.

In addressing the longer-term effects of eating in excess, Wade said, “It can be common for people to use food as a coping mechanism for stress.
If this is short term, during finals week for instance, it probably won’t have a lasting impact on health or weight. However, if these unhealthy habits become more routine, it is important to talk with someone about it, and the staff at McGrath Health and Counseling are available to help with this,” said Wade, reiterating the fact that if these unhealthy habits extend into your daily routine, it is important to seek help.

Another contributor to these cravings is a lack of sleep, which also serves as the main catalyst in college students’ tendencies to over-caffeinate themselves during this time of year.

As one of the nation’s most popular nonprescription, mood-altering drugs, caffeine has been shown to speed metablosim, eaise blood pressure and enhance mental and physical performance. Studies show caffeine to have six most common uses:

• To make up for insufficient sleep
• To increase energy
• To aid in studying
• To stay awake while driving
• To mix with alcohol while partying
• To treat a hangover

These uses appear to be very valid on Xavier’s campus as well, especially during this busy time.

“We have noticed an increase in customers[during the time surrounding finals],” said junior Coffee Emporium worker Michael Jonagan, when asked about the current volume of customers in comparison to other months not associated with exams. “It is more consistent business, I’d say—and especially more intense during our afternoon rushes,” he said.

Sales at the on-campus Coffee Emporium for Monday, Dec. 8 added up to $1,341.29, which is about $250 more than the same day of the month in October of this year. While a seemingly small difference, this would be the equivalent of nearly 50 extra customers during the day, if each were to spend $5. Students are using caffeine not only to wake themselves up in the morning, but also to keep going during the day and to stay awake at night while studying.

For many students, this caffeine boost extends beyond the school week and into the weekend party life. A lack of sleep and simultaneous desire to unwind and let loose can cause not just binge-drinking, but also the tendency to mix caffeine with alcohol in order to keep going.

“I like to order a Red Bull and vodka or a Moon-rocket (a common mixture of Blue Moon beer and Sparks energy drink) if I’m feeling tired before going out,” said a Xavier senior who wished to remain nameless. “It really gives me the energy I need—I think I just have a lot more fun when I drink [caffeine with alcohol].”

The practice of general planned binge drinking can be dangerous, as students build up excitement for the activity, and tend to over-indulge, leeching their bodies further of nutrients, hydration and precious sleep.

Because the body needs about seven or eight hours of sleep to function properly, getting as much sleep as possible in the days and even weeks building up to finals is best suited to allow for effective late-night studying.

Planning meals and study breaks is really important as well, according to Wade. “I would recommend that students take multiple breaks while studying to either eat a nourishing meal, take a walk, stretch or do some breathing or relaxation exercises,” she said. “And stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.”

Leaving many college men and women over-worked, overtired, undernourished and over-caffeinated, finals can take a clear and immense toll on the physical and psychological well-being of students. Despite this, these practices show no signs of letting up. However, as shown, there are more healthful ways to partake in and cope with the stresses of finals week.

As final words of wisdom in planning for nutrition for next week, Wade offers that, “It’s a good idea to think ahead for finals week, making sure that you have a plan for eating consistently and keeping some balance between studies and rest.”

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