What's new at ACU for the 1999-2000 school year For immediate release August 19, 1999 As Abilene Christian University students, faculty and staff return to campus for the 1999-2000 school year Monday, Aug. 23, they will greet several new elements of campus life and many physical improvements at ACU. Some of the more significant differences will be: Establishment of the Office for Student and Multicultural Enrichment: This office was created to provide multicultural enrichment opportunities for students during the process of educating them to be servants and leaders in intercultural contexts. Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, ACU provost, said, "We desire a seamless organization where educators (faculty and campus life professionals) are partners in student development; where we all have the same educational goals; where we are intentional about learning objectives in all contexts - inside and outside of the classroom, in the residence halls and laboratories, in the curriculum and co-curriculum." Bob Gomez has been named assistant for student multicultural enrichment and spiritual life. He will be creating and enhancing ways to promote and encourage multiculturalism on campus and nurturing the spiritual life of ACU students. "We are emphasizing multiculturalism because as Christians, it's the right thing to do," said Dr. Royce Money, ACU president. Establishment of a new multicultural enrollment program: Aaron Ashford has been named associate director of admissions to lead this operation to specialize in outreach, admissions counseling and transition to college for minority students. Creation of the First Year Program: ACU has hired Dr. Mark Davis as dean of the First Year Program, a new initiative beginning this semester. The purpose of the program is to provide integrated learning experiences inside and outside the classroom for students who are in their initial year at ACU. Grand opening of new Campus Store: ACU's Campus Store has been replaced by a 2000-caliber department store that Jack Rich, ACU's executive vice president, said resembles a transition from a 1960s Woolworth to a 1990s Nieman-Marcus. Along with traditional bookstore offerings, the new Campus Store offers such lines as housewares, bath and body luxuries, Texas-theme gifts and one of the largest selections of Christian music in the Texas Midwest. Residence Hall improvements: Improvements made to several residential halls on campus during the summer include new carpet and windows for Mabee Hall, new room and lobby furnishings for McKenzie Hall and new room furnishings for Nelson Hall. Complete Ethernet connections in residence halls: During the 1999 summer, a project to install Ethernet connections in every residence hall room was completed. The project was started in 1998. Now, ACU offers 'a port-per-pillow' in every residence hall room on campus for Ethernet connections. -30- Archived News Releases - Current ACU News and Events If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact Tom Craig, director of media and community relations, at craigt@nicanor.acu.edu or call 915-674-2692 (cell phone: 665-5469). Last update: August 19, 1999 This page is maintained by Tom Craig, craigt@nicanor.acu.edu. http://www.acu.edu/people/news/990819-newacu.html