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january 28, 2009
Wednesday
Volume 98, Issue 43
University construction threatens river, Texas Wild Rice By Brigette Botkin News Reporter The San Marcos River has endured multiple threats — now it faces campus construction. Silt buildup created by construction taking place at Texas State is running into the river, according to environmental officals. Texas State officials say the univer university is working to decrease the threat sediment saturated runoff produces by using settling ponds and requiring contractors to submit and follow a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
Dianne Wassenich, San Marcos River Foundation executive director, said the settling ponds are not working. She said settling ponds, which serve to catch and resolve sediment in runoff water, by the Freeman Aquatic Biology Building are only causing more harm because Hyacinths, a bulb-like plant related to the Lily family covering the ponds, are washing into the river. Excess growth of Hyacinths in the river can crowd native plants. Wassenich said the sedimentcatching pond near Sessom Drive, by the Co-gen Plant, is “ridiculously undersized,” only serving to “catch the
Law enforcement Rock presses underage drinking laws
sediments in one place and then wash them all into Sessom Creek.” Sessom Creek then drains directly into the San Marcos River near the intersection of Sessom and Aquarena, she said. Wassenich said problems stem from the loss of natural runoff areas caused by construction and additions to the university. “The university has filled in ravines along Sessom Creek and paved them for parking lots, which accelerates the runoff,” Wassenich said. “This speeded up water, tears out the banks, and that causes more sediment to flow into the river as well.”
Sediment settles on the bottom of the river with the Texas Wild Rice, an endangered species unique to the area. The sediment continues to build up, burying the Wild Rice and harming or killing the plant. Timothy Bonner, associate professor in the department of biology, said efforts are being made to solve the problems. “The university is working on multiple fronts to resolve issues,” Bonner said. “We’re trying to figure out how to protect these systems, but it takes time.” William Fogerty, associate vice pres-
See TABc, page 3
See WIld RIcE, page 3
language yoUR WoRld arabic proves vital in job markets By Lora Collins News reporter
By Scott Thomas Editor in Chief The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission worked with local law enforcement to catch minors using fake IDs this past weekend in San Marcos, issuing 51 charges and arresting 22 people. TABC and local law enforcement arrested the individuals during Operation Fake Out. Commission officials and officers are present at places selling alcoholic beverages — such as convenience stores, supermarkets, bars and restaurants — looking for violations of the law concerning alcohol. According to a press release from the commission, a doorman visually scans an ID and then passes the customer inside to the waiting police officer. The officer re-checks the ID using a magnetic strip reader and ultraviolet light to detect imperfections. If the ID passes the test, the officer compares the ID’s description and picture with the person’s appearance. TABC Sgt. Pete Champion described the operation as a success because officers were able to apprehend minors using fake IDs. Champion said any crime concerning a fake ID would be enough to get someone arrested. “That’s something we want to present a strong message on,” he said. Champion said furnishing alcohol to a minor will give someone a night in jail as well. “We don’t want to just apprehend minors, we want to hold (people who give minors alcohol) accountable,” he said. “Also, we want to work with retailers, show them our expertise. Hopefully we left them with an idea of their legal obligation and responsibility, to let them do their job.” Champion said most charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor come from convenience stores, but not employees. He said most often the charge is issued to an individual older than 21 years of age giving the alcohol to minors outside the establishment. Unlike most stings, Operation Fake Out does not work in secrecy. TABC members send out press releases to media sources in the area announcing their intentions. However, the commission has been able to round up dozens of offenders despite the forewarning. “We try to get the word out, educate people about the consequences, but they still try and they get a ticket or go to jail,” Champion said. “In big cities they announce they are running
ident for facilities, said the university has plans with the Corps of Engineers to return areas of Aquarena to their natural state. He said nearly all the buildings on the peninsula at Aquarena will be demolished, except for the Texas River Center. “This restoration should lessen problematic runoff,” he said. Fogerty said Texas State and the City of San Marcos are creating a Habitat Conservation Plan, which will set steps to keep the river healthy.
Alyssa Scavetta/Star photo students are excited for the newly renovated student recreation Center offering activities such as rock climbing, yoga, and swimming. See full story page 3
A growing modern language program is preparing students to travel to the Middle East. Amjad Mohammed started Texas State’s Ara Arabic program in August 2007. The program has since grown from 10 to 33 students and attracts people from all majors to study the culture and language of the Middle East. Mohammed was born in Jordan and earned his bachelor’s degree in the English language and literature. He then studied in the Univer University of Colorado at Boulder where he earned his master’s in linguistics. Mohammed transferred to the University of Texas in 2002 and was later hired as a teaching assistant in the Arabic department. Mohammed was promoted to teach Arabic classes and remained at the University of Texas until 2006. “I enjoy teaching the American students with a new language and a new culture,” Mohammed said. Mohammed wanted to work at Texas State because of aspirations to start his own program. “I like it here because it is my program,” he said. “There is a lot of lack of knowledge about the Middle East and the Arab world, so now I have the pleasure of teaching the language and the culture.” Mohammed hopes the Texas State Arabic language program will continue growing. “There are thousands of students in the Unit United States that know Arabic,” Mohammed said. “The (program at the) University of Texas at Austin started small. Now it is the biggest and the best program in the United States. Almost every university is opening a program now.” Mohammed said the Texas State program will expand with time. “If this program succeeds then we will be one of the best in Texas,” he said. “I always tell the students we compare ourselves with excellent universities, and that gives the students pride to join the program.” Mohammed said students join the program because of their future job plans. “Some of them are interested in the language, others want to work because there are oppor opportunities with the government or in the army,” Mohammed said. “We would like to encourage the ROTC students to join because that is very important to them as part of their army. They get deployed to Iraq, and the language is very important.” Mohammed said the lack of Arabic speakers See ARABIc PRoGRAM, page 3
Pet microchipping ordinance concerns residents By Christine Mester News Reporter A cat named Fluffy was the unwilling star of a meeting held in City Hall Monday. Bert Stratemann, Animal Services manager, implanted a microchip in Fluffy as part of a demonstration held to educate residents about rules of a new city ordinance. The Animal Ordinance, which will take effect April 1, was adopted by the City Council in December. The most controversial issue of the new ordinance involves the mandatory microchipping and registration of pets. Stratemann said the purpose of the microchip is to return lost pets to their owners and lower the number of euthaJenny Polson/Star photo nized animals each year. “The most important benefit of PET PRoTEcTER: a new city ordinance is now requiring san marcos resithis microchip is the opportunity to dents to microchip their pets beginning april 1.
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recover your pet,” Stratemann said. “By having (the pet) registered both at the national level and the local level there are more chances your pet is going to be returned to you and not end up as one of the pets that ends up euthanized because we can’t find their owner.” The San Marcos Animal Shelter received nearly 6,000 animals in 2008. Stratemann said more than half of those animals were euthanized. Groups against the new ordinance, including the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance of San Antonio, cited health risks involving the implantation of the microchip and issues of personal privacy. “We have had some questions about the health risk of the microchip,” Stratemann said. “We want to reassure people that the microchip side effects are extremely rare.” The cost of the microchip and regis-
tration fees is raising concerns among students. “My cat is an indoor cat and I have never felt the need to have her microchipped,” said Veronica Boston, social work junior. “I don’t think the city should require our pets to be microchipped. It should be a personal decision and, as a college student, I really can’t afford it.” According to the San Marcos Animal Shelter, the cost of a microchip varies between $10 and $60. The local registration fees have not been established. Low-cost microchipping clinics will be organized by the city to help lower-income residents comply with the new law. Stratemann said the main goal of the ordinance is to promote safety. “We want to increase the health and safety of the pets and the people See MIcRocHIPPING, page 3
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