Dallas Grows More Important With Addition of Bush Library

11/17/11 21:10 PM

By Sara Carabasi/ Pony Post Scarabasi@smu.edu Mark Langdale, president of the George W. Bush Foundation, gave a sneak peek of The George W. Bush Presidential Center at a recent event at The Meadows Museum. One highlight of the library is the interactive tour of critical decisions made by Bush during his presidency.  This will definitely attract young visitors, particularly past, present and future students, who grew up with Bush as president. Because Bush had such a controversial presidency, the library is likely to attract people from home and abroad.  What does this mean for Dallas?  It certainly puts Dallas on the map globally. Dallas locals should prepare for the cultural and economic impact of the presidential center.  Dallas has been...

International Education Week comes to SMU

11/15/11 10:18 AM

By Natalie Posgate/ Pony Post nposgate@smu.edu If you’ve been thinking lately that you need to learn more about other cultures, you’re not alone; the government thinks so too. That’s why the U.S. Departments of State and Education have proclaimed this week as International Education week. This 12th annual joint effort aims to teach Americans more about other countries while attracting foreign people to “study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States,” according to the website. Here at SMU, many interesting things are going on this week to appreciate the foreign students who add some diversity to the “SMU Bubble.” Here’s what to look out for during the rest of the week: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m.: Learn more...

Baylor University Causes Outrage, and more in LGBT News

11/15/11 09:02 AM

By: Logan May/ Big D Blog ljmay@smu.edu - Baylor University, a prestigious Baptist university, has offered the course “Homosexuality as Gateway Drug” until it was forced to be removed 24 hours ago. Although it is not clear what the course is about, a replacement class is being offered. “Family Studies” is the new name. - Typical pageant girls, move over. Jenelle Hutcherson was the first openly lesbian contestant to perform in Miss Long Beach and Miss Southern California this weekend. She donned shorts and a tank top for the swimsuit competition and a suit and tie for beauty, according to the LA Times. "But history has been made," Hutcherson wrote on her Facebook fan page. "Doors have been opened and memories made!!" -...

A new use for used hotel soap

11/15/11 09:00 AM

By Chandler Schlegel/ Pony Post cschlegel@smu.edu If you have ever spent the night in a hotel, you have probably used the complimentary shampoo, conditioner and soap found in the bathroom. However, once you take your shower or two, you are done with the soap and either take it with you, or the hotel throws it away. Every year more than two million partially used hotel soaps are thrown away.  In fact, even if the bar and bottles haven’t been used, the hotels are required to throw them away due to quality control standards. But this wasteful habit will no longer be a problem any more thanks to the Global Soap Project. This non-profit is taking barely used soaps, reprocesses the bars, and distributes the new bars to populations in need of sanitation. Hotels in 42...

Greek Life: Students Crowned King and Queen of Homecoming 2011

11/11/11 13:08 PM

By Meghan Garlich/ Pony Post Blog mgarlich@smu.edu Being a part of the Greek system at SMU is something that I treasure. Senior year is speeding by, and I’ve realized my involvement in the Greek community is unfortunately coming to an end. With that said, I couldn’t be more proud of every chapter on campus after Homecoming 2011: Bright Lights, Big City, a much-loved tradition among students, faculty, and alums. While Greek students contribute to campus life and school spirit all year, homecoming continually serves to recognize and encourage the community’s involvement and accomplishments. The special week dedicated homecoming events and competitions bring together the entire Greek community, and the rest of the student population as well. On Saturday,...

World Freedom Day

11/10/11 15:34 PM

By Sara Carabasi/ Pony Post Blog Scarabasi@smu.edu Do you know what today is? 22 years ago marked a monumental day in history, when the Berlin Wall was torn down and Germany was reunified. My mom traveled to Germany before the wall was torn down, and witnessed first hand the incredible divide between East and West Germany.  In our living room is a piece of the Berlin Wall, framed on the wall. World freedom has still remained an issue, but institutions such as the George W. Bush Institute work to promote human freedom around the world. You might not have seen Ronald Reagan’s famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech, but freedom from a controlling government is still prevalent in today’s society. To see how the Bush Institute promotes world...

Learn a new language through social media, the Web, or mobile apps

11/09/11 15:32 PM

By Natalie Posgate/Pony Post Blog nposgate@smu.edu If you missed the boat to take a foreign language at SMU (or if you didn’t learn as much as you wanted if you did take one), the realm of technology is offering new methods for you to brush up on a different tongue before traveling abroad. Budget Travel ran a blog post a few days ago that talked about a few programs that let you learn a new language via your smart device, social media, or in the comfort of your own home for under $100 – easy and affordable options for college students. Here’s the two I found most interesting: Babbel.com: Website and mobile app that lets you learn a foreign language on your computer, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It offers 11 languages to choose from and you get...

Why protesters say no to the Keystone XL Pipeline

11/08/11 00:02 AM

By Chandler Schlegel/Pony Post cschlegel@smu.edu   This weekend, over 10,000 protesters surrounded the White House to show their disagreement over the Keystone XL Pipeline project that will run tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to Texas. Along the way, environmental groups say the pipe will devastate eco-systems, pollute the water systems, and hurt public health. The core aspect of the controversy is the state allowed the firm Cardno Entrix to conduct the impact reviews for the pipeline despite a conflict of interest. Emails between the State Department and a TransCanada lobbyist indicate a bias in State, and proves that Hillary Clinton was inclined to side with one particular side. (Here is a link to the more in depth explanation of the claimed corruptions.) ...

Greek Life: Prepare for 2012 Recruitment at Panhellenic Preview

11/07/11 23:58 PM

By Meghan Garlich mgarich@smu.edu Three years ago at this time I was a freshman girl who could not wait for January in anticipation of sorority recruitment. While I was overjoyed at the mere thought of joining the Greek community, I was also apprehensive about what the formal recruitment process would entail. For those of you in that same position, you’re in luck. To rid all of your angst, SMU’s Panhellenic Council organizes a “Panhellenic Preview” each year. On Sunday November 13, all potential new members have the opportunity to see exactly what spring recruitment is like. Women from all eight chapters will be split up equally among four different sorority houses. Traveling from house to house will give you a glimpse of what happens...

SMU welcomes friends, family and alumni for their annual Homecoming Celebration

11/04/11 06:45 AM

By: Christine Jonas cjonas@smu.edu  With homecoming celebrations starting up at Southern Methodist University this week, there is a change in travel. Students do not have to pack up and leave, they get to stay right where they are. The extent of their travel will be driving to and from the airport to pick up and drop of their friends and family traveling to Dallas. As alumni, family and friends make their way to Dallas for a fun week of homecoming events and football, SMU prepares for this influx of people provides a list of travel partners they work with—hotels, car services, airline companies and even babysitting services—to help make their journey as easy as possible. They also have arranged for Homecoming Hotspot Discounts, which is a list of...