The Prairie Issue XX

Volume 93

the Prairie

Issue XX

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Student Senate opposes America walks fine line with Middle East proposed athletic fee

United Nations supports actions against Libya

KRYSTINA MARTINEZ Staff Writer

T

he March 7 session of the WTAMU Student Senate came away with the passing of SR 21011 in response to the proposed raise of the student athletic fee. The senators chose not to support the proposed fee increase.

Currently, WT students are charged a $240 athletic fee. The student body voted in 2008 to double the fee to support the Buffalo Sports Complex and additions to the Virgil Henson Activities Center. The new fee would add an additional $24 per semester, bringing the athletic fee to $264.

SR 21011 will voice opposition on behalf of the student body to the Board of Regents against raising the fee. A letter will be sent out to members of the Board of Regents and Dr. Patrick O’Brien, the president of WT. “It would not be as shocking if we hadn’t raised the fee by $120 two years ago,” Casey Hayes, a senior senator and author of SR 21011, said.

Schools similar in size to WT, such as Sam Houston State University and Tarleton University, have an average athletic fee of $160. The Student Government is pushing for greater transparency when it comes to what designated tuition will pay for.

“I was at the debates in which we originally discussed the proposal for the athletic increase,” Kyle Haugh, student body vice president, said. “I do believe there was a lack of budgeting and I don’t believe that designated tuition should go for this at all. I feel that’s a little shady. We were under the impression that this would be fully paid for by the doubling of the athletic fee and that’s not what happened.”

Some feel that SR 21011 is an overreaction to the proposed fee increase.

Student Senate continued on p. 3

LISA HELLIERandKATELYN GARRITY Staff Writer

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gyptian protestors’ success in removing President Mubarak from power has spiked political unrest in other areas of the Middle East. The country of Libya has descended into violent commotion as Gadda�i �ights back against protestors. The king of Bahrain is facing opposition and has sent in Saudi forces to take control of the protestors using threats and violence.

Each country has a similar story with powerful consequences.

The political, social and economic turmoil of the Middle East has quickly become an issue the rest of world must face because it no longer impacts that region alone.

In reaction to this tumult, everyday citizens watch the rise in product prices. Gas price increases are one of the biggest issues that make American citizens look around and ask, “what is going on?” Some are oblivious to what happens in the world around them while others are in outrage as they �inally see how differently these countries function.

“Probably the best thing Americans could do is work harder at learning as much as possible about Middle Eastern countries and governments,” Dr. Dave Rausch, WT Political Science professor, said.

In dealing with the Middle East, America plays a careful role by not making outright demands or declaring strong political decisions that largely impact society and the economy. The decision to interfere is a slow process.

Courtesy of wildfireplatform.com Libya, in green, is located in northern Africa.

“The problem is that we have supported those leaders either because their countries have natural resources we need or because they were a buffer against the Soviet Union in the past and fundamentalist Islam today,” Rausch said.

Obama is working to preserve what relationships he can, whether it is to sustain social responsibility, avoid more economic crisis or evade dangerous political problems.

“The Obama administration, like most Americans, does not know what to do,” Rausch said. “Everyone likes democracy, but sometimes elections in Middle Eastern countries go awry.”

Middle East continued on p. 2

Counting down to finals 3 days until...

6 days until...

9 days until...

45 days until...

48 days until...

The Amarillo Museum of Art opens their art show featuring WT and AC students’ and professors’ artwork.

The 2D/3D art show begins in Mary Moody at WT.

The last day to drop or withdraw from the University.

Dead day.

The beginning of finals.

the Prairie

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WTAMU students show artwork

Middle East continued from p. 1

Amarillo Museum of Art hosts University art KATELYN GARRITY Assistant Editor

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he Amarillo Museum of Art will be exhibiting art by WTAMU and Amarillo College students and professors from March 25 through April 10.

Students had the opportunity to have their pieces judged by professors if they wanted a chance to participate in the art show. Students will find out today whether or not their pieces were selected for exhibition in the art show.

The Amarillo Museum of Art has been hosting this show for 38 years. Alex Gregory, Amarillo Museum of Art curator of collections, said the founders of the Museum had a strong tie to the

students and the Panhandle and believed that working with them was part of their mission.

“It was part of the idea of the founders to display art from students,” Gregory said.

The Museum will host a Gallery Talk on the opening day of the exhibit at 6:30 p.m. Students can receive a free membership to the museum by showing their WT or AC ID card.

The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit amarilloart.org.

Go to theprairienews.com to see a list of the students whose art was chosen to be a part of the gallery.

An exhibit stands in front of the Amarillo Museum of Art.

Courtesy of amarilloart.org

The Prairie Editorial Staff 2010-2011 Editor- Maria Molina Assistant Editor- Katelyn Garrity Managing Editor- Randi Hudson Copy Editors- Krystina Martinez & Eva Harder Web Editor - Georgia Romig Faculty Adviser- Butler Cain

The Prairie is a student-operated publication at West Texas A&M University.

It functions to inform, educate, and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, faculty or students. The editorials that appear on these pages represent the opinion of the Prairie editorial board. The views expressed by other columinsts are the writers’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the board’s views. Advertising rates are available upon request at (806) 651- 2410 or at theprairiemail@yahoo.com. WTAMU Box 60754, Canyon, Texas 79016. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by the Amarillo Globe-News.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Courtesy of thenews.com

The United Nations declared that they would not stand by idly and watch civilians die. As a result French, British and U.S. forces have become a part of the �ight in Libya. U.S. ships �ired missiles from the coast of Libya aiming to take out radar and communications locations. The British aided the Americans from a submarine. The French have �ired from airplanes above the city. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated the U.S. has become involved in Libya, but that this is an international effort.

Libya has responded to the attacks by saying they are barbaric. Libya claims that the attacks have not only destroyed places, other than the targeted areas, but lives have been put in danger and lost because of the missiles �ired under the U.N.’s authorization.

As long as revolts and uprisings continue in the Middle East, America will be affected. Political tension is running high, and this has become a time �illed with stressful situations. The political upheaval does not seem to be slowing down, and America continues to balance their actions to avoid severe consequences.

For many around the world it has become a question of what will happen next and what is the next step for the Middle Eastern countries.

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the Prairie

Illegal immigration bill favors rich Texans Household workers could still be hired under the proposal MARIA MOLINA Editor

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MARIA MOLINA Some people enter the Country illegally without proper documentation.

llegal immigration has been a long-debated theme in both the Texas House and the Senate, but a recent bill proposed by Republican state Rep. Debbie Riddle has become highly controversial. This bill would make hiring an “unauthorized alien” a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 �ine. The controversial aspect of this bill is its exceptions: those who hire a maid, a lawn caretaker or another type of domestic worker. This proposed law is written for a limited few.

Texas Republican state Rep. Aaron Pena told CNN that without the exemption, “a large segment of the Texas population” would end up in prison if the bill became a law. My question is, “Who are these large segments of the population?” House workers are a luxury that not everyone can afford. In fact, it is not unusual to pay $75 to $80 for half a day’s work in an average three-bedroom home of about 2,000 square feet. The average household in the United States cannot afford to pay a maid or any other type of house worker. In other words, to afford a maid in this country you need to have a higher-than-average income.

Congratulations!

National Broadcasting Society Convention

-WTAMU: Winner, Model Chapter of the Year

Notably, there is a coincidence in this exemption; candidates collect millions in campaign donations. The Federal Election Commission released on Feb. 28 all donations that took place during the 2009-2010 cycle. Based on contributions of $200 or more, the Republican Party received a total of $575.5 million. Democrats received $583.7 million. These numbers do not take into consideration money given from donors who gave to both parties.

People who have money to donate are the ones who have political power and are being exempted from the bill.

Moreover, the organization Fair Vote reported that approximately 86 percent of people with incomes above $75,000 voted in the presidential elections, compared to only 25 percent of people with an income of $15,000 or less. Considering these facts, it is important to examine the results of this disparity. Fair Vote reports that a study of roll call voters in the 107th and 108th Congresses showed that legislators were three times more responsive to high-income constituents than middle-income constituents and even less responsive to low-income constituents.

Laws should be applied equally and it is clear that the proposed House bill was created with a certain segment of people in mind – people with money.

Student Senate continued from p. 1

“If I was on the Board of Regents and if I were to get this [letter], my �irst question would be ‘how many of you went to the fee hearings and expressed the question when you had the opportunity?’” asked Dr. Don Albrecht, Vice President of Student Affairs.

Albrecht continued to address the fact that he feels Student Senate is losing some of its credibility through this resolution.

“I don’t think anyone [from Student Government] came to ask those questions about the student athletic fee. This ‘promises being made’ is really being overstated and is not accurate. I don’t think any promises were made and [their] credibility is falling quickly when [they] make those kinds of statements, no promises were made,” Albrecht said.

-Jeff Horn: Winner, Comedy Segment Audio -Chris Jesko: Winner, Rookie of the Year

SIFE Regional Competition -WTAMU: Winner, Chapter advances to National Competition

The unfinished Virgil Henson Activities Center additions.

MARIA MOLINA

SR 21011 states: The WTAMU student government, with the utmost respect, cannot support in due conscious any additional increase in the athletic fee, regardless of the amount. We believe that any increase in the athletic fee should be postponed for several years. Be it further resolved, that raising the athletic fee in the following 2011 school year is incongruous with promises made in the 2008 student elections.

the Prairie

Sports

Buffs shock Cardinals with win WT takes series from ranked opponent

EVAN GRICE Staff Writer

WT looked to continue their �ine home form as they took the �ield against #23 ranked Incarnate Word in Lone Star Conference play on March 18-19 at Wilder Park.

Game one saw the Buffs claim a 5-0 lead after three innings of play.

By the end of the sixth inning it was 9-0 and the game looked like it might end due to a run-rule. However, UIW wasn’t going to go quietly into the night. After plated one run in the seven and eighth innings, the Cardinals tried to rally in the ninth but could only manage four runs and the Buffs won 9-6.

Leading the offense for the Buffs was senior Garrett Camp�ield who

had a two RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth. Fellow senior Will Miller went 3-for-5 at the plate and scored three times.

Junior Justin Kuks picked up the win for the Buffs (5-0) pitching. He gave up two runs on four hits with six strikeouts in eight innings of work. Senior Mike De Long made a relief appearance giving up four runs on three hits in 0.2 innings of work.

Junior Zach Walker picked up the save for the Buffs.

UIW struck back in the second game of the series thanks to a four run fourth inning to claim a 5-3 victory.

Junior Jordan Easom led the offense for the Buffs going 2-for-3 with an RBI in the game. Fellow

Lady Buffs battle against ACU EVAN GRICE Staff Writer

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T looks to defend its LSC South crown. WT played against Abilene Christian on March 18-19.

Game one didn’t start out great for the maroon and white as ACU plated three runs in the bottom of the �irst inning to take a 3-0 lead. WT tried to rally in the top of the �ifth but could only muster one run as they fell 3-1 in the �irst game of the series.

Junior Kimberly LeComte led the offense for the Lady Buffs going 3-for-4 at the plate. Sophomore Meghan Slattery drove in the only run of the game with a solo homerun.

Junior Shelby Cockrell took the loss for the Lady Buffs (12-3) giving up three runs on six hits and striking out four batters.

WT got a measure of revenge in game two as they used a strong offensive attack to shutout ACU 5-0. LeComte once again led the offensive attack with two RBI.

Senior Christie Russell also had two RBI. Junior Marci Womack picked up the win on the mound for the Lady Buffs (10-2) giving up no runs on �ive hits with two strikeouts.

Game three was a tightly contested affair that brought a little piece of history for WT. In the top of the fourth, LeComte hit a two-run homerun which was her 40th all-time setting a new record in the Lone Star Conference. Unfortunately, ACU had the last word and snatched a 9-8 victory.

Along with LeComte, seniors Kaitlyn Witte and Slattery also homered in the game. Junior Shelby Cockrell was tagged with the loss (12-4) giving up �ive runs on �ive hits in her 5.0 innings of relief.

WT’s overall record now stands at 22-6 with a 2-4 record in LSC play. The Lady Buffs will now prepare for a crucial series against region opponent Emporia State at a neutral site on March 23. First Pitch from Oklahoma City University is set for 1:00 p.m.

junior Irving Camacho was tagged with the loss (4-2) giving up four runs on 10 hits in 4.0 innings of work.

WT was determined to claim the series in game three. UIW however, had other ideas and it looked like they were going to claim the victory after pinning the Buffs down 5-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

But, that’s when the offense came alive for the Buffs. Senior Garrett Camp�ield tied the game with his �irst career homerun over the left �ield wall. Four batters later with no outs; it was junior Kendall Boone who played hero by hitting a walk-off grand slam to left center to give WT a 9-5 victory.

Junior Zach Walker picked up the

victory on the mound for the Buffs (2-0) giving up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings of relief.

WT’s overall record now stands at 18-7 with a 9-8 record in conference play. The Buffs will play host to nonconference foe Wayland Baptist on March 22. First pitch from Wilder Park is set for 5:00 p.m.

Go to pg. 8 for pictures of WT against Incarnate Word

SPORTS QUIZ

By Chris Richcreek

1. In 2010, the Florida Marlins’ Jorge Cantu set a record with at least one hit and one RBI in the �irst 10 games of a season. Who held the record of eight games?

2. Who is the all-time major-league record-holder in saves for a left-hander?

3. Who is the only starting quarterback other than Drew Brees to lead the New Orleans Saints to at least a 12-win regular season?

4. When was the last time before 2010 that West Virginia reached the men’s basketball Final Four?

5. Who was the youngest player to tally an overtime series-winning goal in the Stanley Cup Finals before Chicago’s Patrick Kane, 21, did it in 2010?

6. Name the �irst American men’s soccer player to lead a foreign league in scoring for a season.

7. In 2011, Chris Barnes became the sixth player in PBA history to complete the career Triple Crown. Name three of the �irst �ive to do it.

Answers 1. George Kelly of the New York Giants in 1921.

2. John Franco, with 424 saves.

3. Bobby Hebert guided the Saints to 12 wins in 1992.

4. It was 1959.

5. Bobby Orr was 22 when he did it for Boston in 1970.

6. Herculez Gomez led a Mexican league in scoring in 2010.

7. Billy Hardwick, Johnny Petraglia, Pete Weber, Mike Aulby and Norm Duke.

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(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Medicare fraud poses a challenge to system

Some consider Medicare regulations unclear and vague MELISSA BAUER-HERZOG Staff Writer

I

n a time of rising health costs, a new issue has hit the forefront in recent weeks: Medicare fraud.

Medicare is often involved in small cases of fraud, but a recent rash of high pro�ile cases has some calling for reform of the government-run health care system.

“I would like to see the whole healthcare system reconstructed before it crashes,” Bryan Parker, a junior Emergency Management major, said. “Medicare is a disaster, with no accountability. I am realistic and know that both sides are guilty, but Medicare dictates to health care providers how much and what they will pay. It is very wrong when any of our government services refuses to be a participant in free enterprise.”

A current problem with the Medicare system is that information stays private, allowing it so doctors to remain unaccountable for any claims they �ile.

As a program paid for by tax dollars, the information made public would not only help prevent false claims by medical professionals, but also inform the public where their money is going.

Courtesy of businessclarksville.com Medicare fraud has become a more high profile crime.

But those involved in the medical side of the issue have other ideas for how the system can make doctors think twice before �iling false claims instead of showing each claim.

“I think there are several things that can be done to help prevent fraud,” Dr. Melvin Yamase of Providence Health and Services said. “Randomly audit charges to con�irm documentation of services. They should especially audit those doctors who seem to make an inordinate amount of money from Medicare charges.”

Yamase continued to say there should be more

equity in Medicare.

“The program should also reimburse cognitive services equally to surgical services,” Yamase said.

“The way it is set up now, they reward procedures and surgical treatments more than the detective work to �igure out what a person has.”

While Dr. Yamase would like to see Medicare changes in the future, he also believes that medical practitioners should be educated about what exactly constitutes Medicare fraud.

“I never knew what things we commonly do and charge for or the way we document services was considered fraud.” Yamase said.

Kyndra Shea, an Emergency Management Administration sophomore, also believes that more severe consequences would help straighten up the Medicare system.

“Perhaps an outside agency could send in actors pretending to be patients to evaluate the care they received and watch to see what the provider actually claimed,” Shea said. “If they are falsifying their claims, strip their license to practice, hit them with a monetary �ine and consider prison time [or] community service.”

Medicare is not used by every American, but the effects of its services rendered impact each tax-paying citizen.

El Paso named on Foursquare’s ‘20 Rudest Cities’

Manchester, England takes first place on list KRYSTINA MARTINEZ Copy Editor

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obile platform Foursquare has named the 20 rudest cities in the Englishspeaking world based on check-in data from their servers. The top American city on the list was not Los Angeles (number-15), but El Paso, Texas, taking second place to Manchester, England.

The Foursquare Engineering blog based this information off of the frequency of curse words in user check-ins, which are meant to be recommendations to other Foursquare users about restaurants, bars and other places. Both Manchester and El Paso boasted an average of 0.016 percent of tips having a curse word.

Foursquare’s findings are experiencing some mixed reactions across the globe.

UK newspapers such as the Manchester Evening News and Metro took the honor with stride.

“That might not sound like a lot, but when you consider that Foursquare tips are supposed to be recommending high quality things to fellow users, it’s quite impressive,” said Metro reporter Tom Phillips. “We can only assume that it’s lots of people saying things like ‘try the f---ing lamb’ or ‘the mojitos are the s--t.’”

However, readers of the El Paso Times didn’t feel so proud of their city’s second place ranking and voiced their displeasure on the Times’ message board.

“This survey can’t be taken seriously at all,” said one user.

Claudia Stuart, an instructor of Political Science at WTAMU, says there is some merit in Foursquare’s experiment.

“When people understand how these kinds of comments affect your city, it really can cut into the quality of life,” said Stuart. “I just left Tempe, Arizona, another on the list, and this does influence your movement because of ‘how folks act.’”

WT student Scott Cooper knows personally the type of environment surrounding El Paso.

“I lived in El Paso until my freshman year of high school,” Cooper, a sophomore Social Work major, said. “I saw the change when I moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and it was a hard knocks lesson.”

Courtesy of texastribune.org Downtown El Paso at night.

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Entertainment

Johnny Depp heads to the wild west Rango fails to impress movie goers JES ROSKENS Staff Writer

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ango, a lizard voiced

by Johnny Depp, finds himself taking on the duties of the sheriff of Dirt, a western frontier town in the Mojave Desert. From there, the movie begins its decisive struggle.

Rango simultaneously aspires to be a comedy like Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles and a serious film similar to Open Range; in the end, it achieves neither.

Although Rango does warrant a few laughs and has some

touching moments, most of its scenes seems as if they were meant for two entirely different movies.

The plot is typical: a group faces a crisis. An outsider comes in and inadvertently helps the group. Outsider leads the group, acting like something he is not. Outsider is revealed to be a fraud and leaves. Outsider comes back in the nick of time, saves the day, resolves crisis and gets the girl. Cue credits. This formula rips off so many movies.

The majority of Rango’s strengths lie in its production values. The cinematography is

pretty, rich and detailed: one can almost feel like they are going through the Mojave Desert on a miserable road trip with the family. Best yet though, no 3D. On the subject of families, this film is advertised as a fun film for all. However, a lot of jokes in Rango are over the heads of younger audiences, as there are often references to movies they may not have seen.

In the end, Rango is a loud, pretty-to-look-at drag, which, instead of creating laughs, creates confusion and annoyance.

Zombies scheduled to attack on March 23 Courtesy of rangotrailer.com

S p e c i a l g a m e o f t a g s p o n s o re d b y R H A

DAVID MERAZ Staff Writer

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arch 23 will mark the beginning of a war among humans and zombies at WTAMU. WT students will participate in the �irst game of tag, put on by the Residential Hall Association at WT. Any WT student is allowed to play.

However, they must have attended a pre-game meeting before spring break to be allowed in the game.

“Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) is a game of moderated tag, commonly played on college campuses,” Miguel Sosa, RHA president, said.

“Human players must remain vigilant and defend themselves with socks and Nerf guns to avoid being tagged by the growing zombie horde.”

At the beginning of the game, all students will start

out as humans, except for one randomly student chosen to be the original zombie. It is his or her job to tag as many humans as possible and convert them into zombies.

“Humans win by surviving and zombies win by turning everyone to zombies,” Sosa said. “Humans survive by outsmarting the zombies and stunning them with their Nerf blasters or socks.”

Humans can either carry an approved Nerf gun or solid white socks to throw at the zombies. If the zombie gets hit by either the Nerf bullets or the sock, they are stunned and unable to attack a human for 15 minutes. The zombie stuns are timed and ends every 15 minutes on the hour, making it easier for the players. This means that if a zombie is hit at 1:05, they must wait only ten minutes until 1:15. The stuns will end exactly on the hour, a quarter after, half after and �ifteen till

the hour.

“I’m really excited to play,” Steven Scott, freshman Sports and Exercise major, said. “It is going to be intense, since there will be multiple people against you at all times, trying to turn you into zombies.”

Scott is a resident of Guenther Hall and said he wouldn’t buy a large Nerf gun.

“I don’t want to spend too much money, but I feel it’s better to have a smaller gun to make you agile to be able to run better,” Scott said.

All humans and zombies are required to wear a bandana. If they are human, they wear it on their arms and if they are zombies, they wear it around their foreheads.

To tag a human, a zombie gently touches the back of the humans shoulder. After a zombie tags a humans, the zombie must say “Shazaam” to make the tag of�icial.

Zombies must “feed” or must not go without tagging a

human for at least 48 hours before being disquali�ied from the game. Once the zombie tags a human, the human will give the zombie his or her unique PIN or number and the zombie must go to the game’s website and report the tag.

Once the game has started, the players may not shoot in the following locations or risk being disquali�ied: dorm rooms, bathrooms, academic buildings, the library, the

Hastings Electronic Learning Center (HELC), Activity Center, the First United Bank Center (FUBC), the Box, the dining hall and the Jack B. Kelley Student Center (JBK).

The game will last �ive days. The last day to play will be on March 27. There is no grand prize, only the satisfaction of either surviving and remaining human or the satisfaction of unleashing a zombie horde.

the Prairie

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Entertainment

Can you finish first?

Bring your correct answers to the puzzles to the Fine Arts Complex Room 103 and win a $10 iTunes card.

JD Newman, winner of the second iTunes gift card.

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Bryce Baugh goes up to bat against Incarnate Word.

Jess Cooper catches the ball putting an Incarnate Word player out.

Jess Cooper runs to first base.

WT baseman tries to tag an Incarnate Word player.

Brad Elders runs home.

Jordan Easom bats for WT.

WT team members discuss their game plan.

Jordan Easom runs home.

Trey Horn runs to second base.