A closer look at Brittney Malloy: Page 8
Anna Fernandez on display at ITC: Page 5
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio
October 9, 2012
Volume 47
Issue 21
Lackland recovering from sexual misconduct scandal Valeria Rodriguez Staff Writer Photo Courtesy of Patrick Dunn, UTSA
news@paisano-online.com
UTSA President Ricardo Romo praised the university for its recent accomplishments while also laying out a long-term plan for attaining tier one status
President Romo illustrates success, long-term vision for UTSA in speech Magaleih Acosta Staff Writer
news@paisano-online.com UTSA is well on its way to achieving Tier One status, according to President Ricardo Romo. In his State of the University Address on Oct. 3, Romo outlined the successes of the university, as well as plans to increase retention and graduation rates and research output to advance its role in shaping the future of the San Antonio community. “Great things are happening here,” said Romo, regarding the football team’s recent invitation to Conference USA and undefeated record this season. He also discussed the addition of faculty from prestigious universities—such as MIT, Harvard and UC Berkley—and the construction of the new residence hall and athletic complex as signs that UTSA is on the rise. President Romo also spoke of the university’s first capital campaign. The goal is to raise $120 million for student and faculty initiatives by 2015. In his first three years as president, Romo raised $9 million. Within the last three years, that amount increased to $110 million. Since April 2012, when the campaign was publically launched, over $17 million has been donated to the campaign. According to Chief Communications Officer Joe Izbrand, UTSA is “far ahead of schedule.” “I’m curious about the progress towards Tier One status,” said junior psy-
chology major Derek Wills. Wills, who works in Dr. David Jaffee’s neurobiology lab, recognized that advancement to Tier One status “means [there will be] more research funds. And with more research funds, there are more opportunities for student research.” Fortunately for students like Wills, President Romo reported that UTSA had a 75 percent increase in research funds from 2006 to 2011. “That’s phenomenal,” said Romo. “We want to continue to accelerate the growth of research at UTSA.” Romo also discussed the establishment of a Research Advisory Board, which will be chaired and composed of faculty researchers and which will report directly to him with matters regarding the research efforts. However, according to Romo, the highest priority continues to be the improvement of graduation and retention rates. With only a 12 percent four-year graduation rate, the biggest push is to ensure that every UTSA student has a four-year degree plan so that they are on the path to a timely graduation. As a result, the Graduation Rate Improvement Plan (GRIP) was implemented last year. The plan is “the most comprehensive... most collaborative initiative ever produced,” Romo said. Through GRIP, UTSA will promote its Ready Program to students of San Antonio high schools. The goal of the program is to prepare college-bound students for the rigors of college and
to ensure that they do not need to take developmental courses. The program will provide juniors and seniors with a financial incentive to graduate on schedule with a four-year degree plan. Romo also mentioned that San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro believes that the city and state need UTSA graduates—and they need them sooner, rather than later. Already, of the 5,000 students who graduate from UTSA each year, 4,000 choose to stay in San Antonio. Romo also stressed the importance of investing in an education. Graduates who enter into in the San Antonio workforce are a catalyst to help the community, he said. The community, in turn, will see UTSA as a key shareholder and smart investment for the future of San Antonio. UTSA alumni create a college-educated workforce who potentially create jobs, build homes and become taxpaying San Antonio residents. This investment in education yields an enormous impact on the economy, schools, communities and, ultimately, a viable city that Roadrunners can call home. In the spirit of cooperation, Romo concluded the State of the University Address by asking everyone to join the collaborative effort to transform UTSA into a Tier One university: “Let’s use the power of education and research to transform lives... for… students, … San Antonio and … Texas.”
Romney shines in first debate David Glickman Staff Writer
news@paisano-online.com On Oct. 3, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney met for the first presidential debate in the 2012 election. Following what most pundits agree was a onesided performance, CNN stated that “There’s no question Romney claimed it in Denver on Wednesday night.” The candidates provided very little to no information concerning their presidential plans during the 90-minute debate, which the New York Times said, “quickly sunk into an unenlightening recitation of tired talking points and mendacity.” Without either candidate providing any real insight into his plans for the executive office, some viewers agreed that the debate itself was bad. Dr. Walter Wilson, UTSA assistant professor of political science and geography, said, “There is nothing to suggest that this
debate will have an effect on the general election.” The issues addressed in the first debate were limited to domestic affairs. Jim Lehrer, the moderator, stipulated that each candidate would have only two minutes to address and refute each question. However, both Obama and Romney blatantly disregarded the allotted time. Viewers watched as Lehrer struggled to hold either candidate accountable for violating the grounds of the debate and his “light touch was widely criticized during and after the debate on Wednesday night,” according to the New York Times. The tone was set early by the first question: which asked the candidates to explain what made their plan to create jobs different from their opponent’s. Romney attacked Obama’s expansion of the federal reach of power, dubbing it “trickle down government.” Obama challenged Romney’s tax policy, which the president called a “five
trillion tax cut.” The debate launched a flurry of accusations in issues ranging from the status of the middle class to energy policy. However, as the debate progressed, the questions centered on the more specific topics on entitlements, Medicare and Social Security. Romney insisted that Obama is cutting over $712 billion from Medicare. Obama retaliated by accusing Romney of planning to transform Social Security into a voucher program. Obama also defended his health care plan in detail, as Romney attacked Obama for creating mandates for all citizens while also criticizing Obama’s plan to expand the role of the federal government. On this issue, Romney was at his strongest, Wilson claimed. “[It was] Romney’s biggest success, casting himself more as a moderate then he previously had been thought of,” said Wilson. “While taking on the president’s proSee DEBATE, Page 2
On Sept. 22, Col. Deborah Liddick was appointed as the new commander of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. Only three women in the last decade have held such an esteemed position, and over 36,000 airmen graduate each year under the basic training commander’s leadership. One of San Antonio’s most prominent landmarks, Lackland has been under close watch since July, after females from the camp spoke out about being sexually violated by one of the instructors. “I will ensure the airmen under my command maintain the highest standards possible, that the standards are enforced and folks are held accountable,” Liddick told reporters at Star Telegram. According to the San Antonio Express-News, in the midst of the controversy at Lackland, Liddick told reporters that gender was not an issue in her appointment. “Col. Liddick was the best-qualified officer that I think I could have made a recommendation for,” Col. Mark Camerer, commander of the 37th Training Wing, told the the San Antonio Express-News. Several UTSA students feel the same. “I think it is great that women are finally getting equal chances in our nation’s military,” stated anthropology major John Poplawsky. “Women have long been given lesser opportunities, and I think our base is unique in that a woman’s perspective would have the opportunity to change the overall environment.” Lackland Air Base has been in the media regarding sexual violence since 2009. Six instructors were charged, and 12 instructors are under investigation
for alleged sexual violence against some of the trainees. Airforce investigators received reports from 42 women who claimed sexual abuse by someone in an authoritative position at Lackland, not including the women who may have remained silent about any sexual misconduct. Even consensual relationships between instructor and trainee can result in criminal charges. The most serious charge involved a commander who was convicted of raping one of the trainees and sexually assaulting several other women in July. He will face 20 years in prison. Three Democratic congresswomen met at Lackland last week to discuss stricter legislation against sexual violence in the military. Reps. Susan Davis, Loretta Sanchez and Jackie Speier of California met with officials at the base. The representatives spoke with current trainees and held a conference call with three of the estimated 40 victims. The lawmakers are considering several possible actions, including the establishment of a hotline for victims to call and report abuse, as well as making sexual abuse counselors more readily available to trainees. “I think it’s great they hired a woman; gender is not an issue. However, I would think that they would hire a male because of all the violence that is occurring, but I’m glad that they’re not thinking that way. We shouldn’t deny women of being in the armed forces,” stated sophomore nursing major Jessie Sassaman. “Something needs to be done about this; this type of violence should not exist at Lackland or anywhere, for that matter. People should get to work wherever they want without fear of being sexually violated,” Sassaman said. Speier, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, stated to the Washinton Post that she fears the See LACKLAND, Page 2
Professor suing UTSA for pay discrimination Bridget Gaskill Staff Writer
news@paisano-online.com A lawsuit has been filed against UTSA by Dr. Kelly Suter, an associate computational biology professor, regarding gender pay discrimination. Suter is a biologist whose work focuses on the neuron interaction that governs sexual reproduction by a specific process that releases a particular hormone. This is her second lawsuit against the university; the first was in response to a delay in her previously guaranteed laboratory research money, which she claimed jeopardized her career. Suter received a starting support offer from UTSA of $230,000 and close to a million dollars in grant money from the National Institute of Health from her previous employer, the University of Louisville. Details of her first lawsuit explained that, after having her research funding and plans postponed, she claimed that the university had failed to maintain their commitment and support for her research. Her most recent lawsuit
claimed that another male professor received a substantially larger salary increase, even though they were promoted with tenure at the same time. According to the lawsuit, before the promotion, the male professor earned $579 more than Suter annually because he had been employed by the university a year longer than she. After the promotion, his salary increased to $103,000, while her salary rose to just $83,795. The lawsuit stated that the male professor clarified he had been offered more money due to a counteroffer from another university. UTSA stated that it did not counter any offers from other universities. According to Laura Hoopes of “Nature,” a scientific journal, Suter is demanding an apology for several financial misjudgments that nearly ended her loss of federal funding because her research may be beneath productivity standards. “The last five years of my life have been a nightmare. And I will not in any way give the impression that this is acceptable,” Suter told Hoopes.