01 23 2007 by The University Star

SICK & TWISTED

On the line

Spike and Mike put on an ingeniously nauseating show

Blanchard sinks two free throws to put away Roadrunners

SEE TRENDS PAGE 5

SEE SPORTS PAGE

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

JANUARY 23, 2007

TUESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 43

Cigarette tax hike doesn’t deter some smokers from habit By Chelsea Juarez The University Star It’s been almost a month since the cigarette tax hike came into effect and San Marcos smokers are appalled by the blow to their wallets. “I think it’s ridiculous, and people are going to do what they want regardless,” said Julia Salazar, five-year smoker and San Marcos resident. “This new tax has just caused smokers another financial burden.” The legislature passed a bill in May 2006 raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1, up from 41 cents to $1.41. Texas will move from having one of the lowest cigarette tax rates in Cotton Miller/Star photo the country to ranking 10th nationally, accordEXPENSIVE HABIT: On Jan. 1, the state cigarette tax increased ing to the Tax Foundation. The increase for by $1 to $1.41. Some smokers say they consider it extra incentive other tobacco products such as smoking and to quit because they fear burning too much money. chewing tobacco and snuff is about 5 percent.

Man arrested for impersonating police officer By Alex Hering The University Star The San Marcos Police Department arrested a 35-year-old man in the early morning hours Thursday after an intense two-hour standoff at the Graystone Apartments. Police investigated reports of a man posing as a police officer in two instances on Wednesday. They identified Timothy Logan Taylor as the suspect after a woman who had been pulled over by the man wrote down Taylor’s license plate number. Police also believe he is the same person who impersonated an officer on Jan.12 and 14. “In all four incidences he had displayed a badge and asked people to step out of their cars,” said SMPD Commander Bill Glasgow. The standoff started when police were serving a warrant at Taylor’s residence. Things went awry when they discovered he had barricaded himself in his bathroom, claiming he had a gun, Glasgow said. Subsequently, the Crisis Negotiations Team and the Hays County SWAT were called in to assist with the situation. San Marcos resident Kevin Peterson said police asked him and his family to leave their nearby apartment around 1 a.m. “We couldn’t really leave because of all the cop cars (that) were in the way, but I had my family in the car outside,” Peterson said. When negotiation efforts proved unsuccessful, the SWAT team used tear gas to remove Taylor from the apartment. “They actually used our house to get him,” Peterson said. “My back window is by his; that’s where he was. I saw when they dragged him out, he (had) cuts all on his arms.” Glasgow said Taylor had to be taken to the Central Texas Medical Center because of several self-inflicted lacerations. He said Taylor was then transported to the Hays County Law Enforcement Center. “He had evidently … injured himself by cutSee ARREST, page 3

Continuing the

City Council continued its discussion Jan.18 on the possible repeal of an ordinance passed in 1989 that prevents local manufacturers from receiving a statemandated property tax break. In a 5-2 vote, City Council passed on the ﬁrst of three readings required to pass the repeal. Two council members, John Thomaides and Gaylord Bose, opposed the tax break, citing the cost to the city and the irreversibility of the decision. “This is a very serious step to take when there is no chance to change this decision later. Once we make this decision — it’s there,” Bose said. “Whatever we decide, we have to live with it; future generations have to live

David Bailiﬀ stepped down as head football coach last week and interim head coach Brad Wright was announced as his replacement to lead the Bobcats next season. For the full story see Sports Page 8.

with it, whether it turns out to be a good idea or not.” These Freeport Tax exemptions apply to goods in transit, which are goods that come into the state for assembly into other goods. Eight local companies are eligible for the tax breaks that will cost the city more than $200,000 in collected revenue. Manufacturing firms look for these tax breaks as one of the prerequisites when determining site selection for moving or expanding into a different town. The San Marcos Economic Development Board recommended in Oct. 2006 that the council allow for manufactures to receive these tax cuts. Members of the business community and represtantatives from local manufacturing firms attended the meeting to express

Today’s Weather

Light Rain 44˚/37˚

Precipitation: 70% Humidity: 69% UV: 3 Moderate Wind: N 10 mph

their loyal cigarette consumers. Nicole Nelle, the assistant manager at an Exxon gas station, said the tax is useless. She said her customers have all shared the same negative reaction toward the tax, especially those who were not aware of it in the ﬁrst place. “People have habits and they aren’t going to break them,” Nelle said. “If anything, people will stop buying as much as they use to. So far there hasn’t been much of a decline in cigarette sales.” In one rare case, Patricia Perez, who runs the night shifts at a Philips 66 gas station, said sales have increased because of the new tax. “Customers are upset by the tax but it hasn’t seemed to stop them from buying,” Perez said. “I think cigarette sales have inSee CIGARETTES, page 3

Councilman speaks to ASG, addresses R1 zoning

MOMENTUM

San Marcos city council discusses, begins voting on property tax breaks for local manufacturers By Zach Halﬁn The University Star

Cigars remain unaffected. “I don’t like the tax because it’s making me spend so much money,” said Audrey Adkins, Spanish senior. “It’s been an incentive to quit, and I’ve definitely been thinking about quitting.” Several reasons exist for the new hike in tobacco products: to discourage people from smoking, prevent children and non-smokers from picking up the habit and, according to House Bill 2, the tax creates revenue to use toward the public education system. The legislature had to think of ways to increase public education funding in 2005 after the Texas Supreme Court found public school funding to be insufficient. As state legislators and health organizations say the increased tax is another victory in the fight against smoking, most vendors are skeptical that the tax will have any effect on

support for the tax cuts. Richard Mendoza, president of the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the measure, resounding the words of other local business leaders. “This is like going out and looking for a job; the more positive things on your résumé, the better chance you have of obtaining that job,” Mendoza said. “The same thing goes when site selectors are going out and looking for new sites and prospective sites. The more positives the city of San Marcos has on its résumé, the more incentives we have (and) the better chance we have of attracting new business and industry to San Marcos with better-paying jobs and beneﬁts.” See TAXES, page 3

Two-day Forecast Wednesday Showers Temp: 48°/ 36° Precip: 80%

Thursday Partly Cloudy Temp: 55°/ 35° Precip: 20%

By Paul Rangel The University Star Associated Student Government representatives began a new semester with guest speaker Gaylord Bose, Place 2 city councilman, who recognized the senate’s involvement with the community. “We need help as a city to bring issues up to state legislation,” Bose said. He said water issues such as the potential pumping limit increase of the Edwards Aquifer is important to address because it eﬀects communities like San Marcos. Senators brought R1 zoning to Bose’s attention in hopes that the city council would be willing to work with students living in such zones. R1 zoning, or singlefamily zoning, prevents more than two unrelated people living in the same residence. It was a controversial issue because some students who were unaware they were in violation of the ordinance have had to change residences. Bose however said he was unaware of any problems associated with R1 zoning and that it was working as far as he knew. He asked ASG members to discuss the issue with him privately after the meeting. ASG President Kyle Morris conducted his report with updates of higher education legislation and explored state Sen. Florence Shapiro’s proposal for a cap on tuition. “My mind isn’t made up on this

Monty Marion/Star photo illustration

See ASG, page 3

House backs bill to reduce student loans By Paul Rangel The University Star The U.S. House of Representatives took a step forward Wednesday in an attempt to aid the increasing expenses of college students by passing a bill to cut the average student loan interest rates in half, from 6.8 to 3.4 percent. The bill received a vote of 356 to 71. “The argument that Republicans are using is that this is going to cost a couple of billion dollars to do,” said Jeﬀ Brooks, advocate for the Texas Public Interest Research Group. The bill in debate states that it would gradually cut the average interest rate of government subsidized loans until 2011, when it would reach its lowest rate of 3.4 percent. “The Senate is considering it right now and there is a possibility of a presidential veto,” Brooks said. “The sooner we get it going, the better.” He said students are picking up an added burden right now, and that the money it would cost to enact the bill would be well worth it. “With the soaring national debt, combined with the personal debt for the cost of going to college, many of our young people ﬁnd that their future is already mortgaged,” said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett,

D-TX, in a recent speech. He urged Congress to move forward with the bill and stated that the Republican Congress is only making matters worse. “This bill represents a constructive step forward in making the dream of attending quality institutions a reality,” Doggett said. “It lends a hand to working parents who want to earn a degree and provide a better life for their children.” What the democratic supporters did not say when proposing the bill to the public is that it would end Jan. 12, 2012, said Conwey Casillas, director of public affairs for the Sallie Mae Foundation. Also, the bill does not include loans taken out by parents to help pay for their children’s college expenses. Any loan taken out after Jan. 1, 2012 would revert back to the original rate of 6.8 percent. “Essentially what is happening is (Congress) is shifting money around,” Casillas said. It will take four years for the interest rate to reach 3.4 percent, and would only be in effect for six months. For the bill to continue after its fiveyear budget, it would take an additional $3 billion, he said. “We are all for supporting the lowering of colSee LOANS, page 3

Inside News .............. 1,3 Trends ............. 4,5 Crossword ......... 5 Sudoku .............. 5

Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Comics .............. 5 Opinions ............ 6 Classiﬁeds ......... 7 Sports ................ 8

PAGE TWO Tuesday in Brief

January 23, 2007

starsof texas state Brad Wright was announced as the Bobcats’ 15th football coach Monday at a press conference. Wright is the former assistant football coach under David Bailiﬀ, who left Texas State Thursday to coach at Rice University. Wright graduated from then-Southwest Texas State in 1981. He ﬁrst worked as a student assistant coach for Jim Wacker’s 1981 NCAA Division II national championship

team. Prior to Texas State, Wright was the athletics director and football coach at Canyon High School in New Braunfels. As a football player in college, Wright originally was a wide reciever, and then switched to defense where he was at free safety. He was a member of the Bobcats’ 1980 Lone Star Conference Championship. Courtesy of the Texas State Athletics Media Relations

News Contact — Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Tidy Texas

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information, call (512) 3572049.

Texas State Men’s Basketball will play Stephen F. Austin, 7 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum.

The Tennis Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the tennis courts on Sessom Drive, behind Joe’s Crab Shack. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact Tennis Club President Chris Harris at ch1282@txstate. edu. San Marcos Toastmasters Club will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lone Star Café at the Prime Outlet Mall (Interstate-35 exit 200 at Centerpoint Rd.). Optional dinner at 6:30 p.m. Visitors and guests are always welcome. Practice speaking, listening and thinking skills; boost self-conﬁdence and develop leadership skills. For additional information, call Ren Linér at (512) 353-0217; e-mail smtoastmasters@yahoo. com or visit www.sanmarcos. freetoasthost.org Students interested in becoming involved with the community, making business connections and learning leadership skills can attend Students in Free Enterprise at 4:15 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 113.

WEDNESDAY The Earth First organization will hold its weekly meeting at 4 p.m. in Evan Liberal Arts, Room 314. For more information, contact Bogan Durr at bd1132@txstate.edu. The Tennis Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the tennis courts on Sessom Drive, behind Joe’s Crab Shack. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact Tennis Club President Chris Harris at ch1282@txstate. edu. The Alcohol and Drug Resource center will hold its weekly “The Network” meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-6.1.

1556 - An earthquake in Shanxi Province, China, was thought to have killed about 830,000 people. 1789 - Georgetown College was established as the ﬁrst Catholic college in the U.S. The school is in Washington, DC.

Simple Silent Sitting Group will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Christian Community Center.

1845 - The U.S. Congress decided all national elections would be held on the ﬁrst Tuesday after the ﬁrst Monday in November.

Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. There will be contemporary worship, relevant teaching and prayer. Everyone is welcome. Contact (512) 557-7988 or email@texasstatechialpha.com. An on-campus Alcoholics Anonymous meeting will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center at (512) 245-3601.

1849 - English-born Elizabeth Blackwell became the ﬁrst woman in America to receive a medical degree. It was from the Medical Institution of Geneva, NY.

Austin Byrd/Star photo Bobby Tapia, exercise sports science junior, speaks with a representative from Environment Texas about what he can do to help keep Texas clean.

CRIME BL TTER

Want to serve and learn about the community? Want to have your voice heard and socialize with others? Join the Organization of Student Social Workers at 12:30 p.m. in the Health Professions Building, Room 234. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Jan. 13, 3:14 a.m. Warrant Service/UPD An oﬃcer was dispatched to serve a warrant. A student was arrested and transported to HCLEC to await magistration.

Students interested in becoming involved with the community, making business connections and learning leadership skills can attend Students in Free Enterprise at 4:15 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 113.

Jan. 14, 6:17 a.m. Alcohol: Public Intoxication/Bobcat Trail An oﬃcer was dispatched for a report of an intoxicated individual. Upon further investigation, a student was found to be intoxicated. The student was arrested and transported to HCLEC to await magistration.

Every Nation Campus Ministries will meet at 7p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G-02. There will be free food, fellowship and a relevant message.

SATURDAY Texas State women’s basketball will play Sam Houston State, 4 pm at Strahan Coliseum. A statewide antiwar march will convene at Austin City Hall at 3:00 p.m. and commence at 3:30 p.m. at the Texas Capitol. Speakers will greet marchers at the Capitol grounds and City Hall. For more information, contact Karen at (512)659-4564 or antiwarcampus@yahoo.com.

On this day...

University Police Department

Jan. 15, 4:52 a.m. Criminal Mischief Under $500/Arnold Hall An oﬃcer was dispatched for a report of criminal mischief. Upon further investigation a ﬁre extinguisher was found activated and an alarm was set

off. This case is under investigation. Jan. 15, 2:20 p.m. Theft Under $500/San Saba Hall An officer was dispatched for a theft report. Upon arrival, the officer was informed by a student that her textbooks were missing from her room. This case is under investigation. Jan. 16, 6:11 p.m. Medical Emergency/ San Jacinto Hall An officer was dispatched for a report of a medical emergency. A student reported feeling ill and weak and was transported to CTMC for further evaluation. Jan. 17, 3:55 a.m. False Alarm/San Jacinto An officer was dispatched on

a report of disorderly conduct for noise. Upon further investigation a fire alarm was found to have been pulled. This case is under investigation. Jan. 17, 7:46 p.m. Failure to Comply/Striking Unattended Vehicle An officer was dispatched for a report of a hit-and-run. A student reported that a vehicle had been hit by an unknown individual. This case is under investigation. Jan. 18, 12:49 a.m. Criminal Mischief Under $20000/Quad An officer was dispatched to The Quad for a report of criminal mischief. Upon further investigation, two students admitted to having vandalized a statue.

1907 - Charles Curtis, of Kansas, began serving in the United States Senate. He was the first American Indian to become a U.S. Senator. He resigned in March of 1929 to become U.S. President Herbert Hoover’s Vice President. 1968 - North Korea seized the U.S. Navy ship Pueblo, charging it had intruded into the nation’s territorial waters on a spying mission. The crew was released 11 months later. 1971 - In Prospect Creek Camp, AK, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was reported as minus 80 degrees. 1973 - U.S. President Nixon announced that an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War. 1978 - Sweden banned aerosol sprays because of damage to environment. They were the first country to do so. 1985 - O.J. Simpson became the first Heisman Trophy winner to be elected to pro football’s Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. 2002 - John Walker Lindh returned to the U.S. under FBI custody. Lindh was charge with conspiring to kill U.S. citizens, providing support to terrorists and engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban while a member of the al-Quaida terrorist organization in Afghanistan.

Health Beat Good hygiene best defense against staph infection Since viruses and infections are more prevalent in communal settings, remembering basic health care and hygiene is essential. Not only is the ﬂu and cold season continuing, but other health concerns, such as staph infections, can also oc-

cur. Therefore, it is important to know what students can do to keep themselves and others healthy during the spring semester. Staph is the shortened name for staphylococcus, a type of bacteria that usually live harmlessly on the skin’s surface but can cause infections if it enters an open wound on the skin. Most of these infections are minor and include styes, a red swelling near the edge of the eyelid, and impetigo, small blisters that usually occur on the face, hands, or feet. These infections often are easily treated, but they can develop into life-threatening conditions such as toxic shock syndrome and sepsis. Staph infections spread most commonly through skin-to-skin contact. For instance, if you have a staph infection such as impetigo on your hands, then touch the infected area and rub your eyes, you can spread the infection to your eyes. Staph infec-

tions can also occur by touching a contaminated surface, such as bed linens, towels, or clothing. Warm, humid conditions also contribute to the likelihood of spreading staph infections. Remember that staph infections are usually infrequent and minor. Early, uncomplicated infections can often be treated at home by washing the skin with an antibacterial cleanser, applying antibiotic ointment, covering the skin with a clean dressing, and using a towel only once when cleaning the area. Warm compresses, heating pads, and pain relievers such as Advil or Tylenol may also be used to reduce the pain. If the infection becomes worse or is accompanied by a fever or other symptoms, a medical provider should be seen immediately. Staph infections can easily be prevented. The strategy is simple: cleanliness and good hygiene. Washing hands frequently and showering or bath-

ing daily with an antibacterial soap is an important step. Any open wounds on the skin should be cleansed daily, treated with antibiotic ointment and covered with a clean dressing in order to prevent infections. Finally, if you or someone you know has a staph infection, do not share clothing or other belongings that may have touched infected skin. If you have a staph infection, remember to take your medications as prescribed and keep the infected area covered so as not to spread the infection to other parts of your body or to other people. If you need additional information or are unsure about how to treat an infection, call the Student Health Center at (512) 245-2167 to schedule an appointment or receive free information. By following these guidelines, you can have a healthier spring semester. Courtesy of the Health and Human Services Department

Petition calls for untaxed textbooks By Alex Hering The University Star Associated Student Government members will be stationed outside the University Bookstore at the LBJ Student Center and various Colloquium Bookstore locations Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to rally students in support of tax-free textbooks. ASG members will ask students to sign a petition in support for a Senate bill that will exempt all students enrolled part-time and full-time at any college or university from tax on textbooks for a limited period at the beginning of each semester. Amanda Oskey, ASG vice president, said if the bill is passed it will go into eﬀect next fall. “Students pay $30 to $60 in taxes each year,” Oskey said. “It is kind of like tax-free weekend and it will be giving students a break.” The limited period, according to the bill, will start the second Friday in August and end the second following Sunday. The “sale” will also run from the second Fri-

day in January and end on the second following Sunday. This 10-day sale period, Oskey said, will save students $40 million statewide on textbooks. The bill, proposed by state Sen. Judith Zaﬃrini, D-Laredo, has support from a Facebook group called “I’m Broke & Sick of Ramen Noodles…so HELL YEAH I’M FOR TAX FREE TEXTBOOKS”. “The group started at a Student Government Summit meeting in August where we discussed diﬀerent issues that we wanted to bring up at Senate,” Oskey, a member of the Facebook group, said. Bogan Durr, political science junior and senate member of ASG, said petitions are occurring at different colleges and universities around the state. “(The University of Texas) and Texas A&M are petitioning and students all around Texas are doing it too,” Durr said. “As much as we can we are letting students know what’s going on. They should be informed about what’s going on in the legislature.” Lauren Ortega, management sophomore, has been waiting

s much “A as we can we are letting

students know what’s going on. They should be informed about what’s going on in the legislature.”

— Bogan Durr, ASG senator

weeks for the petition to happen and plans on signing it. “I read about it on the Texas State homepage, and I have been waiting a few weeks now for this to happen,” Ortega said. “I usually spend about $20 in taxes so I can deﬁnitely buy some groceries with the money I save.” Students are asked to provide their name, a dollar amount of taxes that was spent this semester buying textbooks and their signature.

NEWS

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

CIGARETTES: Smokers claim to be cutting back, not quitting CONTINUED from page 1

creased, especially with brands that have a buy-one-get-one-free promotion.” According to a notice from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, cigarette distributors must complete an inventory and report back with the number of cigarettes with Texas stamps or any stamps of the old value. If that inventory includes 2000 or more cigarettes, there will be an additional tax to pay. Both the in-

ventory and payment are due at the end of this month. “I sent my inventory and payment in as early as possible to avoid any consequences,” said Naveed Muhammad, who has managed the K-Korner Food Store for eight years. It appears smokers have insisted on smoking regardless of the tax, although some have admitted to cutting back on how much they smoke. “I’m old enough to consciously do what I want to my own body,”

ASG: Tax-free textbooks require state wide effort CONTINUED from page 1

issue,” Morris said. “Forcing administration with the inability of knowing what would happen in the next four years of a students education could mean making tuition costs higher.” The tuition cap legislation would prevent a student’s tuition from increasing throughout the first four years of college. Yet, it would be locked at the tuition cost of when the student began his or her freshman year. The tax-free textbook petition was a major topic during the ASG meeting. Wednesday will end ASG’s two-day drive to collect signatures of students who support tax-free textbooks. Morris said it is important to show the economic benefits this will have on the community. “A tax-free holiday window is proposed, however, if it were to start this year it would end three days before the school year begins,” he said. With several other Texas universities beginning their semesters at different times, it could cause students to miss the tax-free window. “We are communicating with other universities to possibly amend the bill to provide a little more flexibility,” Morris said. Also brought to the attention of the Senate committee was State Sen. Wentworth’s bill to place the athletic service fee in the hands of the Athletic Advisory Committee. “I am not in favor of advocating something that the student government will not be able to determine where the money is spent,” Morris said. He said the majority of the Athletic Advisory Committee is made up of faculty and staff and that he would like ASG to have a say in where the funds are allocated. The athletic service fee currently resides in the student service fee. In other business, Senators Ashley Weaver, Shanika Ware, Stefanie Hicks and Damosa Rosas were removed from office due to excessive absences. With open seats available in the Senate, nominees representing the Fine Arts and Communications Department include Marisel Saucedo, advertising senior, and Drew Surprenant, pre-mass communication sophomore. Jeremy Kuykendall, history senior, is seeking to represent the College of Liberal Arts. Voting of these nominees will be held at the next week’s meeting. Swearing into office will be held after deliberation Jan. 29. Also new to ASG is Josh Hughey, communication studies senior, who will fill the position of Communications Director. “I have a major in communication studies, and hope to help the student government take the next step,” Hughey said. Hughey has his own business and will be helping ASG set up a Web site on a separate server, Morris said. Filling the position for the Special Projects Director will be Mathew Golding, political science senior. “I wish to further community involvement of ASG along with the outreach of those here such as city council member Chris Jones,” Golding said. Senator Eddie Gomez has also taken the chair for the Pride and Tradition Committee. He said he would like to take the pride that he grew up with of Texas State and spread it throughout the university community.

Perez said. “I’ve cut back enough to be able to balance my habit and the tax.” On the other hand, some merchants are timid of the long-term eﬀects of the tax. Most noticed a slight decrease in sales the ﬁrst couple of weeks, but have said it did not last for very long. “There was a period when cigarette sales were down 50 percent, but now it’s at about 30 percent,” Muhammad said. “If sales were to drop down like that again and continue throughout

the year, then there would be a problem.” He also mentioned the lack of inside business from people that go to the convenience store to buy snacks or soft drinks along with their cigarettes. For those who are reluctant to pay the imposed tax, switching to a cheaper brand has been a reasonable solution. Others have sworn oﬀ cigarettes and jumped over to dip or rolling their own cigarettes. “I’ve smoked for a really long

time but I’ve always rolled my own,” said San Marcos resident Webb Branen, as he pulled out a pouch of Bugler tobacco. “Nowadays it seems that more and more people are starting to do the same.” Muhammad agrees and said that he has noticed an increase in sales for pouches of tobacco. While smokers seem to be unhappy about the tax, some people, such as Crystal Brasher, psychology graduate student, are grateful for it. Although she gives

credit to the cause, she is hesitant to believe that the tax will accomplish its supposed purpose, “I don’t think the tax will discourage anyone from smoking,” she said. With mixed feelings abounding over the tax, by and large, frustration and annoyance seems to stand out the most. “Tobacco has been around so long,” Muhammad said. “Any tax won’t stop people from smoking.” For more information on the tax, visit www.legis.state.tx.us.

LOANS: Plan, as is, will ARREST: SWAT team praised for work in standoff only benefit future students CONTINUED from page 1

ting himself with a razor blade or razor of some type,” Glasgow said. “He was released from the medical center and taken on to jail after that.” Taylor has been charged with two incidences of impersonating a public servant, a third degree felony, and is currently in custody with bond set at $150,000. Peterson said he was impressed with the SWAT team, and was happy the situation was handled quickly. “The SWAT team was very good,” he said. “They don’t get recognized very often but they handled the situation very well. I was happy the whole ordeal was over. There was a sense of everything being back to normal ...” Glasgow oﬀered advice for people who think they are being stopped by someone impersonating an oﬃcer.

CONTINUED from page 1

“Our officers have their badges displayed on their belts next to their side-arm and officers, due to departmental policy, are required to give their name and their badge numbers upon request,” Glasgow said. “If they feel uncomfortable for some reason, they should still comply with the directions of the police officer but not put themselves in the wrong situation, for example get into a car that is not a properly marked car.” Glasgow said officers try to make traffic stops in well-lit areas in order to maintain safety standards. Taylor has not yet been charged with impersonating a police officer in the two incidents on Jan. 12 and 14. “We are certainly going to look at Mr. Taylor in relationship to the previous incidences,” Glasgow said. “He is a good suspect for us in the two other cases.”

lege cost and making it more affordable for middle-class citizens,” he said. The Sallie Mae Foundation is the nation’s leading lender and has provided services for the past 35 years to student borrowers. “88 percent of Texas students use the private sector and save $700$2,000 over the life of their loans,” Casillas said. “There are different lenders that compete for their (students’) business, which benefits the students.” “Students that are in school now will not benefit from this plan,” he said.

The government should focus on making higher education more affordable overall, Casillas said, noting federal investment. “With Sallie Mae there are different lenders that will pay for the fees that normally are associated with loans,” he said, “which is why students are benefiting from this type of program.” The Deficit Reduction Act of 2006 cut a net of $20 billion out of the student loan program, which is the same program that would be cut if the bill were to be passed, Casillas said. “It is not important what lenders make,” Casillas said. “It is what ultimately costs the borrowers.”

LBJ River

TAXES: Council members Thomaides, Bose oppose plan CONTINUED from page 1

Other advocates of the tax break read letters of support to the council from various manufacturing-related groups. Bibb Underwood, a San Marcos Daily Record columnist, questioned the need for the council to pass the measure without discussing it during their annual budgeting process. “We don’t have much proof that (manufacturers) don’t come because of the tax,” Underwood said. “What’s the hurry? As I understand it, the city council is going into a budget process later in the year. If you consider this item in the budget process, you have to look at those things that you are going to eliminate as a result of eliminating this tax. Or you are going to have to look at replacing this tax with a tax on some-

thing or someone else. If this is a good idea, why not wait until the budget process?” The San Marcos Manufacturers’ Association donates heavily to local charities, including United Way. Manufacturing representatives pledged to continue their support of local causes. The council will request that Hays County and the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District follow in allowing the tax breaks. According to a report complied by Bruce H. Tiﬀt, Chair of the San Marcos Economic Advisory Board, the combined loss of tax revenue for the city, county and school district will likely total $541,000. The ordinance must be approved during its next two readings, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20, in order for the tax cuts to go into eﬀect.

Monty Marion/Star photo The water tower next to Jackson Hall dumps hundreds of gallons of water onto Liveoak Street Sunday afternoon after the facility’s controller caused an overﬂow.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

releasesof the week music

Wincing the Night Away — The Shins Freedom’s Road — John Mellencamp

Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer — Of Montreal

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - Page 4

Cartoonism exhibit brings unconventional art to campus By Todd Schaaf The University Star Artist and former Texas State student Ryan Thies is featured in an on-campus exhibit called Cartoonism. Thies describes his artwork as colorful and imaginative, and the name of the exhibit was an obvious choice. “I guess I’m inﬂuenced a lot by animated cartoons, and so that sort of comes out in my art,” Thies said. Thies’ art is full of vivid color, dark heavy lines, and warped subject matter contrasting relatively calm backgrounds. The subject matter varies from mythical creatures with bulbous body parts to Thies’ take on tarot cards. Some of his pieces are so warped and contorted that people frequently ask if he is on drugs when he produces them. Thies says he is not. “I use something that’s called imagination,” Thies said. Angela Piehl, lecturer in the department of art and design, is the faculty sponsor for the show. “Ryan is not a traditional academic painter or drawer. It is important for students to learn about art that pushes both stylistic and conceptual boundaries and be challenged by something they might not otherwise get to see,” Piehl said. Thies’ art reﬂects his attitudes and beliefs regarding what art should really be about. “Most of the images that I create do sort of come out of, I guess, a spirit of spontaneity. I just let the pencil do the draw-

ing. And then before I know it, there’s this kind of interesting image staring back at me,” Thies said. Thies’ spontaneity brings his artwork to life in both a visually exciting and thought-provoking ways. “His sense of personal artistic style is well-developed for his age and experience — he works in his own way, and doesn’t compromise his visual language,” Piehl said. Considered an independent thinker and artist, Thies is also a bit of a comedian when it comes to the titles of his works. “I definitely try to incorporate puns into the title because sometimes I feel like people take art too seriously, and you should be having fun with it, which I think art is about. Just having fun and exploring creativity and your imagination,” he said. Thies’ Cartoonism exhibit will be displayed on the first floor of the Alkek Library until Mar. 2. The show is roughly two years in the making. Thies has been trying to get an exhibit displayed at Texas State since the spring of 2005. After several attempts to open the exhibit and an exhaustive search to find a sponsor for the show, representatives from Alkek contacted Thies, who felt like the time was finally right. “I was surprised that I ended up getting a show there,” Thies said. If you miss Cartoonism at Alkek, Thies’ artwork and the works of three more artists will be featured at Tantra Coffeehouse in an exhibit tentatively titled Four I’s.

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

dvd The Guardian — (PG-13) Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher SherryBaby — (R) Maggie Gyllenhaal, Brad William Henke

Employee of the Month — (PG-13) Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson

Sick, twisted animated

✯FYI All showings are 18 and up. Children six and up will be allowed with a parent or guardian, but no children under the age of six will be admitted. For tickets or more information visit www. originalalamo.com or call (512) 476-1320.

Monty Marion/Star photo DECK THE WALLS: Ryan Thies, former Texas State student, hangs his art Friday in the ﬁrst ﬂoor gallery of Alkek Library.

Justin Jackley/Star Illustration

By Jeﬀery D. Hooten The University Star

Monty Marion/Star photo CRAZY CARTOONISM: Ryan Thies’ Cartoonism exhibit, which was two years in the making, will be on display until March 2.

January is here and for Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse it means that some of the most disturbing and irreverent pieces of animation around will be on display for the next few weekends. Spike and Mike’s Festival of Sick and Twisted Animation, which has been a part of the Alamo Drafthouse’s January lineup for years, opened Thursday night in all its sadistic glory. Patrons attending this year’s festival hoping for more of the mayhem, guts, sex and derangement were given a little surprise as the festival rolled through numerous short animations. “Some of (the animations) were less sick or twisted than I had expected, but some of it was really absurd,” said Amy Pohodich, biology and psychology sophomore at the University of Texas. The animations, which included such psychotic novelties as an elderly woman beating the angel of death into submission with a rocking chair and a

surrealistic killing spree in the style of an early nineties sidescrolling Super Nintendo game, might be considered by some to be a bit crude. But few could criticize Spike and Mike for their persistence in the pursuit of the cutting edge in graphic, strange and at times, simply silly animations. During the intermission, Henri Mazza, organizer of the Spike and Mike Festival of Sick and Twisted Animation for the Alamo Drafthouse, arranged for some audience entertainment. In typical Drafthouse style, this entertainment consisted of audience members being humiliated for the beneﬁt of their peers. In this case couples were brought up on stage and the men were instructed to place eggs in their mouths while their dates spanked them until the eggs fell out — last one still sucking on the egg was the winner. Mazza commented on the spectacle from the stage while wearing grey tights and an oversized foam cowboy hat. “We just get drunk and say

‘What can we do to people?’ — it’s great,” Mazza said. “Leave the pansies at home.” The animation festival also featured recurring shorts from Spike and Mike veteran Dr. Tran — including a murderous drive to the toy store with his grandmother — as well as a gory trip to the zoo with long-time favorites The Happy Tree Friends. By far one of the standout segments of the festival was a mostly hand done short by animator John Goras. It involved a tiny yellow bird named Chirpy who — after eating some unidentiﬁed, smiling mushrooms — has a very unnatural and graphic sexual encounter with a horse. “I’ve always been interested in visual narrative,” Goras said. Chirpy, which is a shortened version of a longer animated ﬁlm of the same name, is at times excessive even by Spike and Mike standards. “I was looking at a lot of porn at the time, like so many young men do, and I thought there were really a lot of sociological issues within it,” Goras said. “That’s really where society

bangs out its hang-ups.” Despite the sociological interpretations, or the deeper Jungian connotations Goras claims the hallucinogenic mushrooms Chirpy eats at the beginning of the animation possess, “strange” is still the best word to describe the piece and the reaction has been as expected. One piece of “fan mail” Goras received in response to his part of the animation festival was short and to the point: “You’re sick. Grow up and get a life, or a job. Or even better, sign yourself into a psychiatric hospital.” “I was trying to think up the most bizarre coupling between two creatures,” Goras said. “I thought it was deﬁnitely excessive and kind of disturbing, but I had to go there.” Spike and Mike’s Festival of Sick and Twisted Animation runs every Thursday through Sunday at the Alamo Downtown until Feb. 3, and at the Alamo Village Feb. 9 to 10 and 16 to 17. Tickets are $8.75 for general admission or $6.75 for Heroes of the Alamo members.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Viewers soon to say goodbye to The O.C. By Daniel Fienberg www.Zap2it.com The O.C. is coming to an end Feb. 22, a fact that viewers may have gleaned from the sudden rush of promotional might that Fox has thrown behind the show. “There’s been an increase in promotional time and audience that’s seeing it,” said Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori. “Again, it’s a reality of our schedule across the board. If we’re able to put an O.C. promo within (American) Idol, within 24, within football playoﬀs, it’s just naturally getting greater audience. And, you know, I’m hoping that the show responds accordingly.” Thus far, ratings for the show haven’t changed appreciably, which shouldn’t be surprising given that The O.C. is still airing opposite new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and CSI, to say nothing of The CW’s Supernatural and NBC’s young-skewing comedies. Much has been written already about the slow trickle of promotion that greeted the fourth-year soap’s November premiere, a si-

lence that operated in contrast to the show’s early-season creative resurgence. Since Fox and O.C. creator Josh Schwartz announced the impending end or cancellation, however, the network has had an active countdown warning that life as O.C. fans know it is coming to an end. “We have something else to promote with, which is the series ﬁnale,” Liguori notes. “And, you know, one thing about Josh is this season he really has gone back to the old O.C. There’s a greater sense of humor. There’s a greater sense of frivolity. All the characters are highly activated. And these shows — and I know you’ve heard this, this week in reference to other shows — we want the show to end on a creative high note. We wish we were ending on a higher ratings note. But again, I think this is respectful to Josh, all the actors, the show, its legacy and, most importantly, the audience.” Liguori notes that the show’s dedicated (albeit dwindling) fan base was actually the reason why the end was announced formally and oﬃcially at the beginning of January, leaving no hope for a

The University Star - Page 5

✯Star Comics

last-minute reprieve. “I think, for the loyal fans of the show, announcing that this is the final season puts them on notice, alerts them, lets them realize and anticipate that Josh is going to end this with a flurry,” said Liguori. “I just think it’s respectful to fans to do that.” Many factors have been cited in the show’s demise — poor scheduling, the death of Mischa Barton’s Marissa, the show’s second season creative dip, etc. — leaving Liguori at a bit of a loss to explain things in hindsight. “You know, I can always Monday morning-quarterback our lack of successes,” he said. “Yeah, I can sit back and say ‘I wish we put more money against promoting it.’ I can’t tell you that would have made that much of a difference. I could sit back say, ‘Should we have moved it out of Thursday night and avoided those big shows?’ Yeah. I could secondguess myself to death. The fact is that we have supported the show. The fact is that it has continued to hit its stride creatively. And these white-hot shows, they come and go a little bit quicker than your more standard fair.”

LIONEL HAHN/ABACA PRESS Ends: The cast of O.C. attends the 2003 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Dec. 10.

Universities offer burial plots for dedicated alumni By Anne Blythe McClatchy Newspapers RALEIGH, N.C. — So many people are dying to return to their alma maters that some universities are making it possible to spend eternity there. Duke University and UNCChapel Hill are among those that have recently carved out a niche in the afterlife business. As families become more transient and less attached to hometowns, many are investing their loyalty in their old schools. At some, you can invest a lot. At Duke, eternal rest for cremated remains at the new Memorial Garden in the Sarah P.

Duke Gardens costs $25,000. “We have visitors, unauthorized, who sprinkle ashes here now. We wanted to have a little more control,” said Jeffrey Yohn, director of development at the gardens. Stories are legion across the country of loved ones scattering ashes at night on football fields, in gardens and at other campus haunts potent with meaning. Now they can do it less furtively — but some schools have seized upon the final homecomings as fundraising opportunities. In Duke’s case, the university is trying to build a $10 million endowment for the Sarah Duke

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gardens to pay for paths, walls and special plots, Yohn said. The $25,000 ash burial fee goes toward that goal. UNC-Chapel Hill oﬀers a different opportunity. The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery, with gravestones that chronicle more than two centuries of a town and gown closely intertwined, has run out of room for all the Tar Heels born and bred. So in 2005, UNC-CH dedicated Memorial Grove, a patch of woods just outside the cemetery, to accommodate the ashes of those with strong UNC ties — for a state-school price of $300. Now there is more room for the Tar Heel dead.

SU DO KU Thursday’s solution:

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Thursday’s solution:

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - Page 6

onlineconnection What do you think the Texas State Associated Student Government should lobby for at the 80th Texas Legislature? Go to www.UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll. Results will be published in next Thursday’s issue of The University Star. *This is not a scientiﬁc poll

THE COST OF COLLEGE Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

oday, a college degree is more necessary than ever. But for most students, rising tuition costs have only made college less affordable. For many, the price of that degree becomes years of debt after hefty loans. The U.S. House approved a Democratic bill Wednesday that could cut the cost of borrowing money for college in half. Congress is finally on the right step to make higher education more affordable. But the real roadblock lies with President Bush. He’s publicly announced his opposition to this bill that would only help a growing number of college students in the nation. Instead, the president sides with Sallie Mae and CitiBank, the big private lenders in the industry that would foot the bill if interest rates were reduced. In the meantime, Congress needs to take a more comprehensive look at the costs of higher education. Sen. Edward Kennedy said he will look into broader initiatives concerning interest rate cuts. College students need the financial assistance. The average cost of in-state tuition and fees at U.S. public colleges has risen 35 percent, after adjustment for inflation, over the past five years, according to the College Board. The escalating costs leave few financial opportunities for today’s college students. In addition, lawmakers need to take additional measures to make college more affordable for everyone. State lawmakers need to ensure more affordable tuition for its college students. Last week, state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, introduced a Senate bill that could freeze the price of tuition for incoming college freshmen during the first four years of their higher education. Since deregulation, Texas State tuition has increased by 52 percent, according to a report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. If passed, this bill could supply a slight sigh of relief for Texas State students and future students. The price of your education currently lies in the hands of your elected representatives in state and national offices. You can contact these representatives to share your opinion on these issues. Their contact information is available on the Texas Legislature Web site. You can also contact Kyle Morris, Associated Student Government president and Vice President Amanda Oskey, who are currently lobbying the Texas Congress on a bounty of important student issues. Unless legislators find a solution for making college more affordable, higher education will be too pricey for too many of our nation’s citizens.

Legislation could reduce burden placed on students

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reﬂect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.

Kelly Simmons/Star illustration

Proposed state smoking ban would be beneficial to everyone As a respiratory care student, Natasha Norris has seen the eﬀects of smoking STEPHANIE SILVAS ﬁrsthand. Star Columnist And it’s not a nice sight. Norris, respiratory care senior, says she hopes the Senate will pass the proposed state smoking ban during the 80th Legislature. “People don’t understand what smoking does to them,” Norris said. “I see it all the time during my clinicals, and it isn’t pretty.” Smoke also makes public places less enjoyable to Norris. “I hate coming home from the bars here in San Marcos and having my hair smell like smoke,” Norris said. Secondhand smoke causes nearly 50,000 deaths on average in the U.S. every year, according to the American Lung

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Association. If passed, a state smoking ban could heavily impact that number. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, will file a bill at the end of this month to join 17 other states in outlawing smoking in public places. If, by some miracle, the bill sidesteps all the political manipulation from the big tobacco companies, we might see something come out of Austin that benefits the state as a whole. There is currently a muchdisputed city ordinance in Austin that prohibits smoking in restaurants and bars. One side argues the government is violating a person’s right to make his or her own decision about what goes into his or her body. Where will it stop? Will the government try to outlaw smoking like they did alcohol? This argument, however, is flawed. If a person has the

right to make their own decision about what goes into their body, a person should have the right to decide what does not go into their body. In moderation and with safe choices, drinking alcohol aﬀects only the person drinking it. I could walk into The Quad today and get stuck behind a person smoking a cigarette and have to endure the carcinogens that come from their bad habit. Now I know there are rules at Texas State that are supposed to help keep smokers away from nonsmokers, but the rules are practically nonexistent. Rules about smoke-free zones on campus are not enforced and cigarette butts litter the campus grounds. The University Star reported last year that Bobcat Build volunteers picked up 13,600 cigarette butts in one hour on April 1, 2006. Those picking up the butts were not college students — they were children.

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During the last four years, local Camp Fire Girls and Boys picked up more than 40,000 cigarette butts on our campus. The child volunteers were in the third through seventh grades. Texas spends $5.8 billion each year in health expenses directly related to tobacco and $349 million in health expenses related to secondhand smoke, The Austin American-Statesman reported. And although most people agree that smoking is indeed bad for your health, it also costs nonsmokers. Tobacco has been identified as the No. 1 cause of premature death in Texas, The Statesman reported. A selfish argument is that the state will lose money in sales revenue. However, in 2003, a report by the Department of Health and Human Services found there were no “statistically significant changes after the smoking ban was implemented” in relation

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to sales revenue. Eating in a restaurant that bans smoking is more enjoyable than dining in one where everyone can light up. Another offset to the smoking ban is the newly enacted cigarette tax, which may not deter smokers from smoking, but will put revenue into Texas. Now I doubt the bill will pass. With only 20 percent of Texans who smoke, The Statesman reported, the bill will benefit more than it will harm. Yet the tobacco industry puts more money into lobbying for their agenda than any anti-smoking group could ever imagine. And in Texas, it’s all about big business and deep pockets. So although this bill may seem like it is long overdue, it will continue to be a fantasy as long as there are smoke-filled rooms in the state capitol. Stephanie Silvas is a mass communication senior

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Exchange students need a bit of a friendly nudge By Jon Monteith Daily Illini (U. Illinois) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Last semester, I had the privilege of studying abroad in the land of the Scots and I did it all. I hiked to the ruins of medieval castles, downed many a pint at the pub, attempted to decode Scottish slang and laughed at drunken guys in kilts who wanted to fight someone, anyone, for no apparent reason. I have returned to America with just one major regret: After a third of a year there, I only have one Scottish friend. No, I’m not a loser. I was merely part of a large bubble of international exchange students who found themselves utterly dismayed at the difficulties they experienced as they tried to form genuine, lasting friendships with permanent residents of their host country. And as students at a university that receives nearly 300 international exchange students each year, I beg of you: help them from falling into the same trap. Each year, the University of Illinois’ study abroad office makes a valiant effort to welcome international exchange students to the university and help them adjust to their new surroundings (I swear I’m not their minister of propaganda). Like the study abroad staff at my university in Scotland, their team offers personal counsel and boatloads of resources to acquaint justifiably bewildered international students with campus organizations, athletic clubs and local attractions that can add a certain degree of flavor to their semester or year in the U.S. What they can’t directly provide, however, are authentic relationships with American students who can provide a much more meaningful understanding of life in the U.S. than the most brilliantly written “All You Need to Know!” pamphlet or flawlessly choreographed orientation program. At the beginning of my Scottish semester, I remember how tempting it was to stay with so many American students and other international exchangers. We were all eagerly seeking a sense of comfort and familiarity to stick together and to rely on each other as our primary source of social life. I was particularly stunned by what amounted to a legion upwards of 30 California students who seemed to do almost everything together. It’s obviously more difficult to feel homesick when you’re attending American theme parties or commiserating over the local shortage of Starbucks. I imagine many, if not most of the incoming exchange students at the University of Illinois will encounter a similar opportunity to drown themselves in familiarity. But studying abroad cannot just be a series of therapy sessions. It’s intimidating to try to find a comfortable niche among groups of friends who are permanent residents of your host country. They share memories and inside jokes that predate your arrival and are likely to outlast your departure. But the initial feelings of awkwardness are a meager price to pay for companions who will introduce you to a truly different way of life, a worldview that challenges your own or even a food or drink you wouldn’t have back home. I learned that lesson from having just one good Scottish friend and a few acquaintances. The experience is mutually beneficial. When you reach out to an international exchange student here at the university, you are engaging in a reciprocal relationship that will offer new spices to both of your racks. Ultimately, the responsibility to meet and befriend American students here at the University of Illinois will fall on the exchangers, but you can certainly help them along the way. If you meet someone at a club meeting, in your class or at the bar who is studying abroad, open your mind to getting to know them better. Take them out with your friends or to your favorite coffee shop, but don’t make it a charity case. The ability to see through people is universal. View it as an opportunity to develop and to help someone else do the same. Few things in life can match that sort of opportunity — not even a soy vanilla latte. The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright January 23, 2007. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

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All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu. Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication. The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

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HELP WANTED STUDY BREAKS MAGAZINE is now hiring account executives/advertising sales. Great pay, flexible hours. (512) 480-0894. TEACHERS NEEDED: NOW HIRING PT TEACHERS. M-F 2:30- 6:30pm. Education major/experience preferred, but not required. Quality Child Development Center in Kyle. (512) 405-3700 or fax (512) 405-3701. ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc. $75-200/ hr. No exp. needed, (512) 684-8296. HAVE THE SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE at a prestigious coed sleepaway camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, 2 1/2 hours from NYC. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any Team & Individual Sports, Tennis, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Mt. Biking, Theatre, Tech Theatre, Circus, Magic, Arts & Crafts, Pioneering, Climbing Tower, Water Sports, Music, Dance, Science, or Computers. Kitchen and maintenance positions also available. Great salaries and perks. Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors. On-campus interviews on Feb. 7. Apply online at www.islandlake.com. Call (800) 869-6083 between 9 and 5 eastern time on weekdays for more information. info@islandlake.com. !BARTENDING! Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800) 965-6520 ext. 157. JOHNNY ROCKETS “THE ORIGINAL HAMBURGER” located at Prime Outlet Mall is now hiring for all positions! Have fun at work and be apart of the team that serves fun food with a 50’s flare. Food service experience desired, but not necessary. Please apply in person Monday-Thursday, 3 p. m.-8 p. m. JOIN CAMP SOUTHWOODS AND HAVE THE BEST SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE! Southwoods is a co-ed residential camp in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. Southwoods is seeking ENTHUSIASTIC, ENERGETIC, AND FUN-LOVING individuals to make an impact on a child’s life. Positions are available in the areas of Counselor, Activity Coaches, Waterfront Staff & others. Benefits include salary, room, board, laundry, & the best summer of your life! For more information & to complete an application visit our website www.southwoods.com or please contact us at 1-888-449-3357. DO YOU LIKE ATTENDING SPORTS EVENTS? Do you like free movies and pizza? Do you like challenges? Do you like knowing you’re making a difference in someone’s life? If so, ResCare Premier is looking for you. We provide rehabilitation services to persons with acquired brain injury. You eat, work, and play together. Sometimes a tough job. Always a rewarding experience. Absolutely a great career. The hardest job you’ll ever love! Applications available at 220 W. Hutchison, San Marcos. EOE, M/F/D/V. ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED. FT/PT, experience required. Call (512) 842-2233.

HELP WANTED IS NOW HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS!! Assistant Trends Editor: Job pays $250 per month. Must be proficient in AP style. Duties include assembling weekly Trends calendar, writing six stories a month, helping edit Trends stories and helping run meetings. Contact Trends Editor Maira Garcia at (512) 245-3487 or starentertainment@txstate.edu. Assistant News Editor: Job pays $250 per month. Must be proficient in AP style. Duties include overseeing Page 2, writing six stories per month, helping editing News stories and helping run meetings. Contact News Editor Nick Georgiou at (512) 245-3487 or starnews@txstate.edu. Columnists: Job pays $15 per published column. Must be proficient in AP style and able to meet deadlines. Duties include developing original column topics, attending weekly meetings and working with editor to develop succinct columnwriting skills. Contact Opinions Editor Emily Messer at (512) 245-3487 or staropinion@txstate.edu. Copy Editors: Job pays $5.15 per hour. Must be proficient in AP style. Duties include editing editorial content, writing headlines and attending weekly meetings. Contact Opinions Editor Sydney Granger at (512) 245-3487 or starcopychief@txstate.edu. The University Star is the 2005 and 2006 winner of Division II best in show, best overall paper and sweepstakes at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s annual convention. The Star is a student newspaper, created and edited entirely by students. Employment at The Star provides you with an opportunity to work with motivated and creative students who are interested in journalism and newspapers. This is a must for anyone interested in a career in journalism, and it is an excellent opportunity for students who want to get involved with the university and learn about the world around them. Pick up an application at the Trinity Building or download one at www.universitystar.com. LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS WANTED for the #1 apartment locating service in San Marcos, Apartment Experts. Full and Part time available. Call Greg @ (512) 805-0123. PT POSITION FOR DOCTOR’S ASSISTANT needed for busy medical office. Duties will include preliminary testing and general office tasks. Apply within; no phone calls please. Texas State Optical 1104B Thorpe Ln.

HELP WANTED

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LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO WORK ALONG SIDE CARING PROFESSIONALS AND SKILLED, SUPPORTIVE SUPERVISORY STAFF. Our treatment focus is a non-aversive, active and individualized approach in pleasant, home-like surroundings. Work with psychiatric or brain injury individuals. Opportunities in Dripping Springs (25 miles SW of Austin). Shifts available Mon.-Fri. 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7am and weekend opportunities. Candidate must be 21 years of age, have satisfactory driving record. Drug screening and criminal background check required. Pay begins at $8.50, but commensurate with experience and education. If eligible there is a sign on bonus of $150.00. May also qualify for health insurance, PTO, 401K and monthly gas reimbursements. Please fax resume to (512) 858-5104 or call Kerri (512) 894-0701 ext. 219, or email kalvis@brown-karhan.com. Please visit or website at www.brown-karhan.com UPBEAT, DEPENDABLE BARISTA FOR EARLY MORNING SHIFT at Heartland Coffee Shop in Wimberley. PT/FT positions available. (512) 847-7799. NEED A JOB? Find what you are looking for in The Star Classifieds! MOTEL FRONT DESK WANTED. Perfect job for students. Duties include: answering phones, reservations, handle cash & credit card transactions & guest services. Will train. Basic math skills necessary. Need hard working, computer literate, motivated and enthusiastic person. Apply in person at Americas Best Value Inn, I-35, Exit 221, Buda. BE YOUR OWN BOSS! PT-$6,000-$8,000/mo. plus $800-$1,000/mo. Mercedes car allowance. 26 year old business. Beauty, Skin care, Weight-loss products. Contact Brooklynn at (210) 912-3113. www.brooklynn.myarbonne.com PERSONAL ATTENDANT to assist wheelchair user with personal care and housekeeping, 5:45-7 a.m., 3 days a week, days are flexible. Must be available through summer, have own car and be dependable, female preferred. Good pay. Call evenings, (512) 353-1330. EXPERIENCED SERVERS AND HOSTS WANTED AT PALMER’S RESTAURANT. Apply in person between 2-4 p.m. daily. EOE. No phone calls please. PT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NEEDED. Flexible hours-data entry, phone, etc. Call (512) 357-0015.

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SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - Page 8

parcellspasses Bill Parcells released a statement Monday saying he would step down as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The two-time Super Bowl champion’s decision comes two weeks after Dallas was removed from the playoffs after a first-round loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The coach compiled a 34-32 record during his time with the Cowboys, including 0-2 in the playoffs. Parcells directed the Giants, Jets and Patriots as well, and is the only coach to take four clubs to the postseason. —ESPN.com news services

Sports Contact — Chris Bohem, starsports@txstate.edu

Cornerback coach follows Bailiff, three others to Rice By Chris Boehm The University Star

Coach Brad Wright was not the only football staﬀer with big news Monday. The football team’s cornerback coach was also experiencing a step forward in his life. Jason Washington is out as the Bobcats’ cornerback coach, leaving to take the same post at Rice University. The three-year cornerback coach is leaving Tuesday, making his way to Rice after

receiving a call from David Bailiﬀ, the former head coach of the Bobcats. Wa s h i n g t o n said he would work with the Owls on special teams. Washington “It was a little bit surprising,” Washington said. “I knew there could be a chance, and with

this job I have to opportunity to give back to my parents. The first thing I asked them was ‘Mom, Dad, what can I do for you?’” Washington said he was at his home with his family when Bailiff called around 10 p.m. “My family was having a discussion, and then the phone rang,” Washington said. “The discussion, of course, quickly moved on (to the job opportunity).” The news came on the same day Brad Wright was officially

named the coach of the football team after Bailiff accepted a job to run the program at Rice. “He’s an outstanding coach,” Wright said of Washington. “We loved having him here.” Bailiff originally brought Washington on in 2003 for the coach’s first season. Washington said he respects Bailiff and was hard pressed to say no to his offer. “Coach Bailiff brought me up in this business,” Washington said. “I’ve been blessed for the

“I don’t know what to call something that’s more than a dream come true. I never even thought of becoming a college head coach.”

Assistant coach steps up By Chris Boehm The University Star

The new head football coach said he felt overwhelmed. And who could blame him? Brad Wright spent the last few days waving goodbye to David Bailiff, taking the interim coaching position and handling recruiting duties. The hoopla ended Monday with the announcement of his new position 11 a.m. at the Bobcat End Zone Complex. Wright fills the vacancy left when Bailiff signed on last week to be the coach at Rice University. “I don’t know what to call something that’s more than a dream come true,” Wright said. “I’ve never even thought of becoming a college head coach.” Wright was given a three-year, $150,000 contract to move up from the assistant coaching position he held this past season, when the Bobcats went 5-6. Athletic Director Larry Teis introduced the new head coach Monday, saying he never looked outside the university when considering a replacement but received a number of calls from coaches expressing interest in the position. Teis would not reveal any names. “I wanted to stay in-house,” Teis said. “I wasn’t going to make any calls until I took a good look at what we already had. When I talked to Coach Bailiff, he said ‘You’ve already got the guy in your office.’” Wright announced a new staff around him, after David Bailiff revealed Friday that he would be taking co-offensive coordinators Tom Herman and Blake Miller, as well as defensive coordinator Craig Nairvar with him to Rice. Ben Norton and Travis Bush will step in as offensive coordinators, while D.J. Elliot from Tulsa takes the defensive reins. Norton will also work with the offensive line, after coaching for two years at Southland Conference rival McNeese State. Bush, a 2000 graduate from then-Southwest Texas State, has been the wide receivers coach for three seasons with his alma mater. “It’s really exciting to get this opportunity,” Bush said. “It’s good to be able to stay here and coach at the place I love, and get the chance to stay with this group of players.” Cornerback coach Jason Washington is also leaving, to take the same position at Rice after he received a phone call from Bailiff Sunday night. Wright, a 1981 graduate of then-Southwest Texas State, coached at New Braunfels Canyon High School for four years before returning to the Bobcats in 2004. In 2003 he reached the state quarterfinals with the Cougars, going 11-2 on the season. The athletic department moved quickly in hiring Wright and a staff around him; the coach was given the interim spot on Thursday, the night before Bailiff made his announcement at the Rice press conference. The decision comes two weeks before Feb. 7’s National Signing Day, when high school seniors can make written commitments to play at a given university.

Mark Decker/Star file photo WALK THE LINE: Brad Wright will now patrol the sidelines at Bobcat Stadium as the new head coach of the football team.

“We can’t let the momentum die,” Teis said. “We’re going in the right direction and we’re excited to have Brad here as head coach.” The program said it was not worried about losing players from all the coaching changes. Wright said he met with Teis and President Denise Trauth Saturday morning, at different times, and was certain then that he would be the university’s next football coach. Bailiff brought Wright on staff in 2003 when the school was transitioning from the one-year tenure of Manny Matsakis, who was fired January 2004 for violating multiple NCAA regulations. “When I got here three years ago it was a strange place,” Wright said. “Academics and character were in disarray and the team was in a mess.”

Teis said the fact that things were not in disarray this time around made hiring a current assistant coach an easy choice. “If we were in disarray we would have looked elsewhere,” Teis said. “But we’re in good shape right now.” Wright inherits a club that went 5-6 in 2006, missing the playoffs after reaching the Division I-AA semifinals in 2005. He emphasized a better running game on his first official day as head coach. “We don’t want to run the ball more, but we want to run the ball better,” said Wright, who worked with the running backs in his three years as assistant coach. “Defensively, we’re going go with a different philosophy, and keep one guy back rather than go all man-to-man.”

Men’s basketball moves to 3-3 in conference, stand in fourth place

Texas State senior guard Antwoine Blanchard calmly stepped to the free throw line with 8.9 seconds remaining in regulation, his team clinging to a one-point lead against Texas-San Antonio. “That’s the most pressure I’ve ever had,” Blanchard said. “I tried to take my time as much as possible, take a deep breath and sink the free throws.” Blanchard composed himself and nailed the two free throws, helping Texas State put away the Roadrunners with a 67-63 win Saturday at Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats had a late threepoint lead cut to just one after UTSA forward Carlos Francis scored on a short ﬁeld goal with 10 seconds left on the clock. Blanchard was fouled on the ensuing inbound pass and went to the free-throw line with the game hanging in the balance. “I’m really proud of him,” Coach Doug Davalos said. “Antwoine is the guy I want at the line in that situation every time.” The win moves the Bobcats record to 8-11 overall, and 3-3 in

Southland Conference play. More importantly, the win snapped a three-game losing streak in league competition. The Bobcats suffered a lopsided 90-42 loss Thursday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. “We got embarrassed on Thursday,” Davalos said. “A quality young man comes out looking for the first person to take it out on. We have character kids on this team and they were determined to prove that game was a fluke.” The Bobcats responded with gritty toughness in a slower and more physical game, one that was different from their usual high-scoring track meets. “They did a good job of slowing down the pace and changing defenses on us,” Davalos said. “But I’m not really worried about the score. I’m just glad the game wasn’t in the 40s, because then we would be in trouble.” Sophomore guard Brandon Bush led the way for the Bobcats with a game-high 22 points, in addition to five rebounds. Bush finished the night shooting nineof-13 from the field, including an 8-for-8 start from the floor. “My teammates did a great

job of getting me the ball,” Bush said. “They knew I had the hot hand. That’s the way we play on oﬀense — keep feeding the guy with the hot hand.”

Strahan Stuffed Saturday’s match up against UTSA was “Stuff Strahan” night at Strahan Coliseum, and the fans respond with 3,124 in attendance, the largest turnout so far this season. Coach Doug Davalos was impressed with the raucous atmosphere created by a large student turnout. “I want the students to feel like this is their basketball team,” Davalos said. “I want them to come back Thursday and stuff Strahan even if they’re not going to win free pizzas.” However, the coliseum was not in top shape for the event. Early in the second half a small section of lighting went out and delayed the game momentarily, but the lights were still out by game’s end. Strahan also needed a designated mop crew at the end of press row for a spot on the floor collecting drops of water from a leak in the roof.

Home Sweet Home Texas State was happy to be back home where they improved to 8-2 at home this season with a win over UTSA. However, the road has been much tougher on the Bobcats where they have gone 0-9 this season. Exactly how tough? At home, the Bobcats are averaging 86.9 points per game while giving up 79.7 a contest. On the road, Texas State is averaging 66.6 points per game while surrendering 89.6.

On tap Texas State hosts Stephen F. Austin 7 p.m. Thursday at Strahan Coliseum. The Lumberjacks are coming oﬀ a 55-52 loss to Sam Houston State. SFA previously won six straight. Austin Byrd/Star photo RISING TO THE OCCASION: Sophomore Brandon Bush and the Bobcat team prove worthy of a packed house as they defeat their rival Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners Saturday night at Strahan Coliseum.

mored to be going to Rice also, but said at Monday’s press conference he was working with Wright and company. “As of right now, I’m working on the recruiting class for Texas State,” Stacey said. “I’m trying to make the transition easier for Coach Wright.” Athletic Director Larry Teis said Bailiﬀ and Wright would be communicating to determine if anyone else would make to move to Rice.

Bobcat women grab hat trick with third straight victory By Gabe Mendoza The University Star

Bobcats slam Roadrunners, 67-63 By Nathan Brooks The University Star

three years that I’ve coached here, and maybe down the road when Coach Wright moves on I can come here and be the head coach.” Washington is the fourth confirmed staff member to leave the football program. Bailiff announced in a press conference Friday that he would be taking Tom Herman, Blake Miller and Craig Naivar with him to Rice as well. Chris Stacey, director of football operations, had been ru-

The women’s basketball team continued to get productivity from the entire roster as it kept its winning streak alive. The Bobcats have now won their last three contests, improving their season record to 12-7, including a 5-1 mark in conference action. Saturday night the Bobcats defeated Texas-San Antonio 76-64 on the road to climb into second place in the Southland Conference West division. Junior guard Brooke DeGrate led all scores with a career-high 19 points and was one of four Bobcats to score in double figures. Junior forward Joyce Ekworomadu, who leads the team in scoring, matched her season average with 14 points, to go with five rebounds. Guard Janesha Washington came off the bench to drop in 14 points as well. Washington shot a superb 7-11 from the floor raising her SLC best shooting percentage to just under 59 percent. Senior forward Erica Putnam recorded her fourth straight doubledouble with 13 points and 10 rebounds. “That’s what we want, is unselfish basketball,” Putnam said. “As long as lots of people are getting touches, we move the ball around. A lot of it is getting into the paint and then kicking it back out, so it’s an inside-out approach.” DeGrate picked up four steals for a defense that ranks second in the Southland Conference, allowing just over 57 points a game. Coach Suzanne Fox’s team defensive strategy has continued to excel as the Bobcats forced 18 turnovers against the Roadrunners and held them under 40 percent shooting for the game. “We really feel like we have to guard and rebound to stay in games to hopefully get some easy offensive opportunities for us on the other

end,” Fox said. “And our kids really work hard on the defensive end.” Senior Vivian Ewalefo contributed a team-best 15 points and seven rebounds for UTSA, who fell to 6-10 on the season and 2-2 in SLC play. Thursday night it was more of the same as Texas State easily put away the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, 76-48 in the finale of a three-game home stand at Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats had five players score in double figures for the contest, led by DeGrate and Ekworomadu, who each put in 12 points. “Our depth is something that has really helped us and I think that’s something you’ve seen all year long if you’ve watched us play,” Fox said. “In the first half we ran six guards deep and ran five post deep. We are going to do that and our kids have bought into that way of playing and everyone has to do their part.” The story on the defensive side of the ball during Thursday night’s contest was a defense that pressed to force 17 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi turnovers in the first half. The Bobcats also notched 11 steals as a team during the first half. “We just wanted to keep putting a lot of pressure on them,” Putnam said. “We decided that we weren’t going to have an uncontested shot, whether that means a hand in their face or something. We were always going to force a contested shot and keep somebody up on them every shot.” With the results of the weekend games, Fox’s squad sits in second place in the West, behind Texas-Arlington. The Bobcats will face the Mavericks Feb. 3 in Arlington. Texas State will hit the road to face Stephen F. Austin Thursday before returning home Saturday to take on Sam Houston State. Game time is 4 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum.

01 23 2007

Published on Jan 23, 2007

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