By Sarah Carlson, Arts Editor

I Am The Enemy

Bible Lectureship: three days with no Chapel, no Bible classes and no parking. At least this is how many students see it.

Campus leaders have their reasons for the moving Lectureship from February to September, but few will benefit students.

Here are some of the reasons why Lectureship should not be moved:

1. The weather.

The average high in September in Abilene is 87 degrees with a low of 65 degrees, compared to 60 and 36 in February. In September 2004, the temperature was 90 degrees or higher seven times. In 2003, it passed 90 five times,12 times in 2002, eight in 2001 and 21 times in 2000. On eight days in 2000, the temperature was 100 degrees or higher.

In February 2003 and 2004, however, the temperature only dipped below 45 degrees five times each, three times each in 2001 and 2002, and never in 2000. Although the past two Lectureships, 2003 and 2004, saw ice and snow, the short sleeves and sandals I’m wearing indicate this is the exception instead of the rule.

Abilene in September is not conducive to sitting around outside and enjoying the heat waves. And, if the heat does not induce a stroke in some visitor, the short shorts, skirts and tank tops some women wear to beat the heat, despite dress codes to the contrary, surely will.

2. Class goes on.

Unless Dr. Mark Love, director of Ministry Events, will be able to cancel all classes during Lectureship, students will not be able to participate as he hopes. Our lives are already consumed with classes, extra curricular activities and friends. As of now, if we are excused from Chapel or a Bible class, we’ll take it gratefully, go home and sleep.

3. Life goes on.

A September Lectureship will fall right in the middle of pledging, which means students who are involved in Sing Song and too tired to care about Lectureship in February will be involved in pledging and too tired to care about Lectureship in September. Then there’s Homecoming, just one month later-pledges building parade floats, club members planning club breakfasts and teas, the Homecoming Steering Committee preparing for dozens of events.

Regardless of whether it moves or not, Lectureship remains a time when students feel their campus is invaded for an event that doesn’t apply to them. If this is to be remedied, more needs to be done and considered than simply moving the date.