Group takes weekly trips to 14th century
Alexis Stoddard | Managing Editor

Ya-Rei Chan | The Wichitan

Lord Charles Von Srausberg, also known as Charles Scribner, holds his daughter, Maggie at an event at the Outdoor Education Center Sunday afternoon. Time Machine Graphic by Daniel Chavez

Earl Daffyd Whittaker, a 35-year-old native of Wichita Falls, became a knight at the age of 21. At the semi-annual Crown Tournament in July 1999, armed only with a sword, he defeated more than 30 trained fighters to be crowned King of Ansteorra. Weekdays, he’s an employee at Howmet, a maker of airplane parts. But on weekends, he plays the role of a 14th century Welshman in the Shire of Brad Leah. It’s all part of being an 18-year member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). If you’re confused, you’re not alone. “It’s a history club that re-enacts the best of the Middle Ages from 1600 all the way back,” said Whittaker, whose real first name is David. “You research a time period and do everything you can to relive that period in full costumes and etiquette.” If you meet him, don’t forget your manners. “Your Excellency” is the only proper way to address nobility. The society, which has about 30 local members, draws its name from the word anachronism—something out of its proper place in time. The SCA, a worldwide organization which promotes everything unique to the Middle Ages except the plague, aptly fits that definition. “Life was a lot more settled in the Middle Ages,” said MSU freshman Amy Giles, a newcomer to the group. “Everyone had their place in society and knew it. It’s good to have choices, but we have trouble finding our roles today. Belonging to the SCA is a way of acting out a fantasy without having to answer to somebody’s opinion of who you should or shouldn’t be.” Europe is the most popular place to be from, but you can choose anywhere in the world. Some people take Japanese, Russian and even American Indian personas from centuries ago, Whittaker said. Members dress to fit their roles. Usually simple tunics made of bright, solid colors are worn, accessorized by a pouch or drawstring purse, a small dagger and leather boots or slippers. Formal banquets call for fancier gowns, gold jewelry with large stones and ornate headwear suitable for the company of knights and nobles. Has the question “why” crossed your mind yet? “I’m a real bad adrenaline junkie,” Whittaker said. “I can’t help it. I love history, heraldry and hitting people with swords.” Hitting people with swords? “I put on full body armor, made out of the hard plastic used for car dashboards, and defend my honor using solid bamboo poles covered in duct tape,” Whittaker said. “It’s full contact, almost like getting hit with a baseball bat.” Injuries, surprisingly, are rare in these events. “Whiplash, two broken ribs, hurt knees, three teeth knocked out—that’s all,” Whittaker said, laughing. Remember, he’s been fighting at least once a week for nearly two decades. “I’ve only broken a knuckle and my collarbone,” said Craig Wright, known in the SCA as Krag MacIntyre, the seneschal or president of the Wichita Falls chapter. “But that’s nothing in 20 years of fighting.” Wright works as a hearing officer for the Wichita Falls District Parole Office. He considers this stress relief. “It’s a slowing down from the pressures of the modern world,” Wright said. “In the SCA, I get to be someone today’s society would never allow.” Combat in the SCA can be heavy or light and is participated in by both sexes, with men and women often fighting each other. See Anachronism

 

Students react to Board’s tuition increase
Jason Palmer | Staff Reporter

With advising for the fall semester creeping close for MSU students, the reality of the $9.50 per hour tuition increase will hit pocketbooks across campus. Students reacted to the news from the administration along similar lines. “It was a G-rated dangit,” said theatre major Matthew Hester. Angela Owens, sophomore biology major, echoed those sentiments. “I was upset because tuition is so high for me already,” Owens said. It will cost students with a 15-hour course load in the fall an additional $142.50 for their tuition. Board of Regents members and MSU President Jesse Rogers nixed the original idea to raise tuition by $13 per credit hour in favor of the lesser amount. That move will likely pay off with favorable reactions from students. “I was upset, of course. No one wants to pay more,” said special education sophomore Jessica Dunn. “But after attending some of the budget meetings, I was also aware that the administration did the best they could to keep it down compared to other (schools).” MSU should not change position in terms of cost compared to other school in the state for the fall. With the economy still unstable, students may be advised to not take fewer hours in the fall to try to save money. Cathy Fisher, freshman psychology major, said she would still be taking a full load in the fall. “In the See Tuition

 

War, SARS won’t derail Europe studies
Annette Moore | Staff Reporter

With the United States at war and the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) on the rise, many people are thinking twice about international travel, including MSU students on the verge of touring or planning a semester of study abroad. Director of International Education Larry Williams said all summer study abroad sessions for Mexico, Spain and England remain as previously scheduled. “SARS is not going to affect any of our trips,” he said. “All international programs are going well.” Williams says the international study abroad program has approximately the same numbers registered for travel as there were last year. “We have not had any problem with the program sites and we don’t anticipate any unusual problems,” he said. The music program, however, has extended the option of withdrawal to choir members registered for the MSU European tour of England and France in May. A letter to the participants said, “With the world situation what it is at this moment, and with such uncertainty of what lies ahead, we did feel it our responsibility to let you know that you are in no way obligated to go on this tour should you not wish to travel abroad.” While the tour is scheduled to go on as planned, Dean of the MSU Fine Arts Department See Summer

 

Summer schedule changes for 2003
Eleanor Roberts | Staff Reporter

From two-hour long classes to major relocations, summer school will be as it has never been since 1986 due to changes brought by this year’s budget cuts. Summer School 2003 will be one with a difference. Some students will have to take classes that begin at 7 a.m. and last for two hours. What might be most surprising to students will be the four-day weeks and the three-day weekends. “Even the four days and long hours might prove to be intense, so the three-day weekend might very well have a balancing effect,” said junior international studies and English major Wendy-Anne Wells. “You get time to rest and do assignments during the long weekend.” Sophomore computer science and manufacturing engineering technology major Juan Paramo was not fond of the setup considering it in his first summer session. “It can be bad because the classes will be very long,” he said. “It is too early to wake up for 7 a.m.” Paramo does think, though, that the shorter week will help regenerate money for scholarships and other necessities. “They should shut down computer labs that people don’t use very much, like the one in See Classes