NEWS

Work Crew Progresses on Building
Nicole Ford | Opinion Editor

In the cold and nasty days of winter, the men of Electra Construction Co. Inc. work on the first stage of constructing the new business building, which is tentatively expected to be completed sometime in the second quarter of 2006.
A crew of about 25 workers is currently excavating the basement and laying the foundations of the building and this work is expected to continue for some time, project superintendent Mark Vallejo said.
Vallejo anticipates that structure work on the lecture hall will begin sometime in March.  Work on the larger, three-story sections of the project will be “much further down the line,” Vallejo said.
 The wet weather is keeping the project from progressing as they had hoped, Vallejo said.
“The weather is a big problem at this time of year.  We’ve missed a lot of days due to the weather,” Vallejo said.  “When it’s raining and muddy we can’t work.  We get back to it as soon as we can, but we’re dead in the water until the place dries out.”
Though the cold could pose a problem when pouring concrete, Vallejo said that it has not been a problem this year.
“There are temperature guidelines we have to follow when pouring concrete, but it hasn’t affected us yet this year,” Vallejo said.  “The cold is not too bad of a problem.  The guys are used to working in the cold and though it slows them down, it doesn’t stop them from working.”
Vallejo said that in the next few months as the weather gets better, the progress will pick up.
As progress continues on the building, the crew of 25 is expected to grow to as many as 50 workers in the next few months, Vallejo said.
The Electra Construction Co. Inc. has done worked on other projects at MSU before, including work on Bea Wood and O’Danohoe halls, Daniel Hall and Bridwell Hall.  The company is also currently working on the remodel of Pierce Hall.



Campus Events Planned for Black History Month
Rachael Jacobs | Staff Reporter

The Student Development Office is adding pizzazz to Black History Month with a soul food dinner, step show and a celebration booth.
The celebration booth will be in the Clark Student Center food court February 16 and 17 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; free popcorn, drinks and tattoos will be passed out.
Sofia Rodriguez, director of Student Development, said, “It gives our predominantly African American organizations to give our information in regards to their upcoming events.
The second annual Soul Food Dinner will be held on February 27 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Comanche Suites. The $5 buffet will include two keynote speakers, Dometrius Hewitt, an Alpha, and a second speaker to be announced at later date.
The dinner is hosted by numerous African American organizations on campus and all proceeded go to the Wichita Falls Food Bank. Tickets will be available at the door.
 “This is a good way for all of us to bond while also giving back to the community,” said Robert Potts, president of Alpha Phi Alpha. He also urges everyone to arrive early due to the number of people expected.
On February 28 at 7 p.m. in the Fain Fine Arts Auditorium the Student Development Office and University Programming Board is presenting Step Afrika and MSU Greek Step Show. Admission is free with a valid MSU I.D. but tickets need to be picked up at the Information Desk in the Clark Student Center two weeks in advance.
 “If you have never seen a step show I encourage you to come out. It’s and interesting form of dance in a way our student express themselves in a positive manner,” said Rodriguez.
Step Afrika is a group based in Washington D.C. who teach the African American history through an age-old dance using modern music. They have performed throughout the nation and South Africa and Europe.
This is about African American pride throughout the years not just one month, said Rodriguez. “I encourage all cultures to learn about one-another.”



Activities Coordinator Fills Days with Calendars
Paige Dickerson | News Editor

Her job sounds like playing all day, but Student Activities Coordinator Ronnie Hoffert said there is a lot more to it than that.
“I get to plan activities for students all day, but there is real work behind it,” she said.
She looks at calendars all day, coordinates budgets, fun programs for students, presents ideas to the board and makes decisions on what will work or not.
“It doesn’t sound like all that much, but it is kind of a bit,” Hoffart said.
Donkey Basketball was one of her favorite activities to plan. In it, students had to play a game of basketball while riding on a donkey.
“It was funny to see the students on the donkeys freaking out or being silly,” Hoffart said. “It became more of a game of who could conquer the donkey rather than a game of basketball.”
Later this semester she is helping bring in Step Africa, a group that does a historical presentation on step dancing and then performs after the show. Fraternities and sororities that have step dancing teams were invited to show off their skills before the professionals take the stage.
The upcoming Salsa night, taught by Antonio Paramo and Carla Sylvester is another activity planned by Hoffart.
“We’ll have loud salsa music going and have dancing. It will be a lot of fun,” she said.
Things can get hectic when an event day arrives.
“There’s paperwork and getting things set up and the day goes by really fast,” Hoffart said.
Homecoming, Spring Fling and Family Day are just a few of the major events Hoffart helps coordinate.
“We try to get a lot of it done in advance so we don’t have to worry about it that day, but stuff comes up and you still have to do all of it,” she said.
The 2003 MSU graduate snagged the job as coordinator of student activities after she looked around for a job for a while and heard this one was opened.
“I applied all kinds of places. I heard this one had opened up and I went ahead and applied for it,” Hoffert said. “It really is a great fit. I’m an active person so this is a perfect fit for me. I love this campus and I love working with college students.”