The Prairie, Vol. 94, No.11

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the

Prairie

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011

The sTudenT newspaper of wesT Texas a&M universiTy

Partly Cloudy 52°F | 30°F

Volume 94, Issue XI theprairiewt

the_prairie

www.theprairienews.com

WTAMU volleyball team wins LSC Championship 6th straight LSC title win

Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog Girls volleyball team poses for a picture after winning the LSC championship.

Volleyball story on p. 4

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Penn State scandal opens questions around WTAMU MeLissa Bauer-herzog sTaff wriTer

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college scandal that rocked the nation over the last week was brought even more into focus by the behavior of its students after the news that their football coach had been removed from his position. After a week of widespread speculation on what Penn State officials would do with head coach Joe Paterno when it was revealed that he knew about sex abuse allegations involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the scandal was rocked with more news. It was first announced by Paterno he would be retiring from coaching at the end of the season. However, vicechairman John Surma of the Penn State Board announced in a press conference on Nov. 9 that Paterno and university President Graham Spanier had been fired, effective immediately. Within minutes of the news, students gathered in support of the legendary head coach. But the gathering quickly

turned into a riot with supporters throwing rocks, turning over at least one TV news van, and shouting support for the ousted coach. But some people around the country wondered if the riot was going a little too far in support of Paterno. “I feel it’s almost like they are putting aside what [Joe Paterno] has done just because of his status and success. It’s almost like they’re excusing [his behavior] by rioting,” Environmental Science junior Morgen Ayers said. The movement also had people questioning how much sway college sports had on Penn State’s students and fans, especially with more focus on the football coach than the victims involved. “I feel that a sport being put in front of the victims is wrong,” Public Relations junior Shannon Gray said. “It’s a child and it will affect the rest of his life whether people think he is a tough kid and he can move on or whatever. The fact that people are focusing on the fact the football team doesn’t have a coach rather than what this has done to the families isn’t right.”

Nursing program no longer on conditional status sTephanie wiLLiaMs

MCoM 3309 news ediTing & reporTing

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n April 2011, the Board of Nursing placed WTAMU’s Nursing program on a conditional status due to a drop in passing rates. Although the majority of students were passing the NCLEX, the exam to become a nurse after receiving a degree, at a percentage of ninety-seven percent, a few students had to retake the test a second time. Because of this the passing rate dropped to around seventy

InsIde

percent. However, this past October the program was reevaluated and has become fully accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education with a first time passing rate of ninety-five percent. “I am pleased and proud that for 2011, WT nursing baccalaureate graduates achieved a 95.18 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX,” said Dr. Dirk Nelson, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “The program’s status change is due to the persistence, professionalism and outstanding work of the faculty and staff, as well as our

sporTs:

news:

Football team beats TAMUC on final game.

Meningitis shots are required to live in the WTAMU dorms.

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enTerTainMenT:

students in the Department of Nursing. The Board’s decision is not a destination, rather one step in our journey of excellence.” The conditional status, which put a hold on the nursing program accepting new students, was lifted and has been the main celebratory gain from the status change. “I think what I am most proud of is the fact that we have improved,” said Dr. Helen Reyes, Nursing Department chair. “Last April we were in the bottom half of first time pass rates for the NCLEX. But along with the yearly checks on our

Rebecca Hayes and Brittany Busch are the winner of this week’s game competition. Page 7

scores we also get six-month scores and we gradually increased in ranks every six months. This past September’s reviews put us at the top compared to other schools.” From there, the program began to make changes to help the students pass the test. The program changed from six semesters long to four, making the students take an exit examination before graduation and increasing the admissions requirements into the program as a whole.

Nursing story continued on p. 5

CaMpus Life:

feaTure:

Residence Hall Association hosts annual Skip-A-Meal.

Street signs, plaques and memorials honor the military.

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