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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 1999)
website at opas,t« r Page 5 • Tuesday, January 26, 1999 The Battalion A GGIELIFE ^Broadening horizons W^mJniversity Plus offers classes beyond average curriculum Volume Continued from Page 4 sound of their performance- an ac complishment worthy of tenure. (Grade: A) —Michelle McNeely Eric Newnam/Thk Battalion Virginia Smith, a junior biology major, works a potter’s wheel while Jay vlatthew$a r :p r(; S ke T a sophomore engineering major looks on. Reynolds romLutheii by susan overcash The Battalion RCA Record'. latthews and: n Reynolds de nation on the ices on Liivc bum is anaco itthews’ song: the twangs’sc nild You Say" of"Minarets, >lds perform a angementsan ons. ds’ smooth do ind Matthews bine for a me- Stream.” ppy accents o: ’ are still prev, ;#r 'r 'T'ould not it be great to impress the big date with Travolta-es- H A / que moves on the dance floor? Or, better yet, not only being V able to pronounce the wine you order at dinner, but actually klowing that it tastes good before it reaches the table? How about spending an evening showing off artwork or pottery instead of looking at others? ■ Unfortunately, Texas A&M does not offer any wine-tasting classes, aid how many can fit art classes into an engineering majors? HEven if A&M did offer an extensive art and crafts curriculum, most students would not have the time or money to participate. Students reg- uh rly miss out on developing facets of their personality that would tru ly make them well-rounded individuals. ■ Enter University Plus. Tucked away in the basement of the MSC, Uni- versity Plus is a little known MSC program that offers a variety of in expensive arts and crafts classes. ■ Cher McHan, University Plus manager, said the program is a perfect way for students to explore their creative sides. “University Plus encourages students to balance their academic lives by building strengths through imagination and creativity,” McHan said. Traditional classes offered include swing, ballroom, Latin and belly simplicity of dancing, language instruction, woodworking, painting and photogra- ply. Most classes are offered at the beginner and intermediate levels, er, the livealbiiiBN ew classes, offered this semester, include wine-tasting class, mas- ty of “Hallowedsage for partners, therapeutic breathing, CPR and support for pregnan- nent of “Tripi cy and childbirth. Stic climate. ■ Laura Ramis, a pottery student and a senior speech communications tthews make m, jor, said she became aware of University Plus because of the distinc- the album lack tile class offerings. , fetishes and it« “1 really like University Plus because they offer interesting, artsy class- ■ not offered in school or classes that I’m interested in but don’t have ws and Reynolffi 1 ' 016 t0 ta R e as a credit hour,” she said. ic cioht hntuiiB All classes are inexpensive, between 15 and 50 dollars an hour, and 0 Sl % m ’ Dut ale designed for A&M students. ■ McHan said University Plus is a student driven, self-directed program SEE Volumeovwhere students are encouraged to bring in ideas and information for new classes. 111 i J Student workers with special interest or talent in a specific area teach ■■any classes. Specific departments are also run by student workers. ■ Students are encouraged to visit the University Plus facilities. 11 Kim Callier, a pottery instructor and a sophomore chemical engi- .nlering major, said University Plus is a good place to hang out and have I while learning a skill or craft. * ■ ■Gw “Nol a\\ \eammg\s books,” CaWver said. “Here, you can expand your mind — do something different.” I University Plus also offers a place for students to relax and release frus tration. I “We’re open until 10 p.m. at night so you can relax after class or Italian ope ri ® 0r k’” ^ cHan sa ^- s non-alcoholic stress relief.” New YorkC combined ved and da3 lutterfly. 11 Comps Jtterf & 27 at Jf iuditorii For tick*' I 845-125 Idillio Dol [ hing Romaft | ia IrresisP esistible Sto| QoCden National Honor Society General Meeting Tuesday, January 26th 8:30 p.m. MSC 292A Part-Time Inventory/Warehouse Universal Computer Systems is the industry leader in auto dealership business sys tems. Continued growth leads us to seek trainees who will learn our computerized inventory system, interact with our employees and distribute and monitor computer jarts and equipment. Hours are flexible, Monday through Friday, 7am-10pm. These positions offer real world work experience and long term opportunity. UCS n'res non-smokers only. EOE. To apply, please call our personnel department or /isit our website. UCS, Inc. 1-800-883-3031 www.universalcomputersys.com 1998-99 All -T TniArp'fQitrr xlll Uliivci oily Calendar Jason McGarvie, a woodworking instructor and a junior construc tion science major, said he agrees that University Plus offers a stress re lief. “University Plus gives me somewhere to vent my frustration and stress from school,” McGarvie said. University Plus’ extensive facilities are also available for students who want to pursue a hobby or craft, but don’t have the necessary equipment and don’t need to take a class. A semester shop card is avail able at a reasonable rate, and allows access for a full semester. Day pass es are also available. The University Plus facilities are currently in a remodeling stage to ensure space for as many students as possible. The facilities include a woodworking area equipped with tools and resources, a pottery room with two kilns, an area designed for stained glass construction, a hall way full of personal darkrooms with chemicals provided and a full pho tography studio. However, most students do not know these extensive facilities exist. “It’s a big area full of tools and resources and information,” McHan says, “And its available to every student on campus.” Although University Plus is funded by MSC Student Programs, much funding is self-generated through their custom frame shop and class costs. University Plus also offers a variety of custom woodworking services and products. “Pretty much anything you can imagine,” Callier said.“We can do.” To register for a class, simply visit University Plus in the MSC or call at 845-1631. The remodeling of University Plus is not the only piece of the pro gram under change. “University Plus is evolving,” McHan said. “People should keep an eye on us.” around and always will be around has the ability to reach a wide au dience with dark, deep baritone sounds. Showcasing 17 hit songs from 1981-1985, 81 >85 revisits what set the band on the track to the hall of fame. The album is a must in a fan’s collection, and a must if Depeche Mode music has always been a passion but the thought of buying five CDs is not appealing. “People are People,” “Blasphe mous Rumors” and “Somebody,” are among the highlights of the CD, but are not the only great songs collected together on this al bum. (Grade: A) —Marinm Mohiuddin. Sugar Ray 14:59 Atlantic Records For those who think Sugar Ray’s 15 minutes of fame are up, think again. On the verge of be coming a one hit wonder, the band has baked up a solid batch of songs to satisfy the cravings of their sweet-tooth fans. “Every Morning” is saturated with sum mertime blues as fly guy Mark Mc Grath croons his way into the hearts of suburban America. The pop-rock candy of “Personal Space Invader” is filled with artificial fla vors from the 80’s, and KRS-One adds his rub-a-dub style to the recipe on “Live & Direct.” Still un able to commit to a single music genre. Sugar Ray suffers from a lack of consistency in parts of the album. 14:59 does not contain all of the ingredients recommended for a great album, but is certainly enough to appease the appetite. (Grade: B +) — Michelle McNeely Ani Difranco Up Up Up Up Up Up CD Courtesy of r‘ ’ Babe M Righteous usic Eric Newnam/The Battalion (Clockwise from left): Leah Cordoncillo, a junior international business major, Chris McRae, a junior bioenvironmental science major and Vir ginia Smith, a junior biology major, display stained-glass works. Depeche Mode The Singles 81 >85 CD courtesy of Reprise Records Following the success of U2, many bands from the eighties have been trying to make a comeback in the nineties. However, other bands are missing the one secret ingredi ent that ties success and the eight ies together — talent. There is an exception, Depeche Mode, a band among the handful of bands that have always been TAMU Career Center Workshop tfntetevlew Savvy m ** m During tfiis seminar ; you will have an * * opportunity to interact witft a panel of \ m m corporate recruiters. • . . . • Ovet 700 empPoyets wiCC be tectuiting on campus beginning eatCy Jebkuaty. Get the tacts about "how to interview" from these expert panelists! ^huts, Jan 28 206 MSC 5 p.m. Panelists: Arm Gibson ; YMCA of Greater Houston Stephen Austin, Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Ron Novak, Tfte Shawm Williams Company Cakeet Centet 209 K,oCdus SutSding 845 - 5139 aggienet.tamu.edu/cctt A little over a year ago. Difran co released Little Plastic Castles, her most radio-friendly album to date. The album kept the same vi brantly personal lyrics but made the music more accessible to fans not acquainted with Difranco. With her recent release Up Up Up Up Up Up the queen of mod ern independent music keeps her powerful lyrics and explores a mel low funk groove previous albums such as Puddle Dive have flirted with. While her percussive use of gui tars still peppers Up, Ani has moved on to other styles. The influence of blues pulsates through the album making it a much darker album for Difranco. The album’s strongest track is “Everest” where Difranco once again examines society’s percep tion of her as the quintessential “freaky chick.” The album’s weakest aspect is its monotonous tone, and the funk, while initially an interesting venture artistically, just turns funky. Past Difranco albums have ben efited from her eclectic style and ability to take listeners on a vocal roller coaster. While Up may not be Difranco’s best work, the album’s stylings is a forgetable addition for true Ani buffs, but novices may find the al bum off-putting and feel like her head is stuck up in the clouds. (Grade: C +) — Aaron Meier