02 06 2007

JAVA AND ART

New decorum lines the walls of Tantra SEE TRENDS PAGE 4

Falling Down

Men’s basketball drops into sixth-place tie with loss to Mavericks SEE SPORTS PAGE

8

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

FEBRUARY 6, 2007

TUESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 50

Former sheriff’s deputy convicted of improper sexual activity

By Alex Hering The University Star A former Hays County sheriff’s deputy was found guilty Thursday of improper sexual activity with a person in custody after he forced his advances on a Texas State student.

Former deputy John Pastrano faces between 180 days and two years in a state jail and a maximum fine of $10,000 for his actions. Pastrano stopped Holly Cagle, fashion merchandising student, for what was thought to be a routine traffic stop.

According to affidavits acquired

by The University Star through an open records request, Pastrano

Pastrano

forced Cagle, who was 20 at the time, to expose herself to him. Court records further revealed Pastrano touched Cagle with his hand “with the intent to arouse and gratify (his)

sexual desire.”

District Judge Gary Steel ruled, after a jury trial was waived, that Pastrano was guilty of the crime, which is a felony. Pastrano will be sentenced in March.

Pastrano still faces two civil

cases stemming from incidents that occurred during his service with the sheriff’s department.

Documents that were circulated among Pastrano’s supervisors detailed department procedures and policy violations committed by the former deputy. Pastrano apparently disabled his patrol car’s audio recording equipment.

Another violation included forcing Cagle to drive her vehicle to a more secluded spot. That location was the Living Water Church at 3107 Ranch Road 12. Pastrano apparently asked Cagle if she had anything hidden on her body then advised her to show him. According to an affidavit, “he took his flashlight and shined it directly

on her genitals, observing the area.” He then asked Cagle to stand so he could pat her down.

The affidavit also revealed a threat made by Pastrano telling Cagle, “He had her life in his hands and would have her kicked out of school.” Pastrano ordered a passenger in Cagle’s car not to turn around while she was in the patrol vehicle.

Wesley Mau, assistant district attorney, said Pastrano was convicted of the lowest level felony, which involves a state jail rather than a prison.

“If the state judge (Steel) decides to suspend the sentence to probation, it can last up to five years,” Mau said.

Joe Turner, Pastrano’s attorney, said although his client did not deny the facts of the incident, he argued that his client’s actions constituted a class ‘A’ misdemeanor.

“In our argument in court, we believe that the legislature intended that if the person is just detained and not arrested, they are not an adult offender,” Turner said. “Therefore, if you knew the act, which Mr. Pastrano agreed he did, it constitutes a class ‘A’ misdemeanor, which is called official oppression and not the 3904 violation of abuse of a prisoner.”

Meanwhile, Cagle has filed a civil suit against Pastrano, which

Electrical fire sparks power-outage

By Alysha Mendez The University Star The Math and Computer Science Building was evacuated Thursday after a fire in an electrical closet caused a brief power outage.

“We had a short or a fault in a 26-yearold transformer and it caused an old switch gear to fail,” said Gordon Green, director of facilities management, who is working on repairing equipment in the MCS building.

Green said that the power surge “bumped down the line,” causing power outages in most of the campus buildings, until it finally hit the circuit breaker.

Only one class was scheduled in the MCS building Thursday.

The building is mainly used for faculty and administrative offices and computer labs.

Gabrielle Baffi, undecided freshman, was in Derrick Hall at the time of the fire. Derrick is connected to the MCS building.

“One of the students had commented on the smell of smoke and right afterward the power shut off,” she said. “I didn’t think it was anything until I saw two fire trucks pull up.”

Police and firefighters arrived right away.

No injuries were reported.

Green said that after looking at the damage, it was decided the switch and the transformer needed to be replaced.

“So we ordered a transformer coming from California and a switch coming from Oregon,” Green said.

Facilities management was forced to cut power to MCS Building from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday in order to remove old wiring safely. As a result, other buildings spanning the campus were without power.

Austin Byrd/Star Photo The computers in MCS Building will now have power because of a generator, but the LOSING POWER: Students stand outside along Pickard Street as fire fighters go into the building to investigate the source rest of the building may not have power for of the fire. It was determined an old transformer caused the failure that could leave the building without power for as long as two weeks. as long as two weeks.

is scheduled to go to trial in the fall. Hays County is named in the suit.

Attorney Keith Weir, who will represent Cagle in the civil suit trial, said Thursday’s ruling might have an effect on the upcoming case.

“Holly is doing the best she can,” Weir said. “She was very emotional (Thursday) when the verdict was read. Hopefully, that can help with the healing process to know Pastrano is prosecuted now for what he did. But, she is still struggling.”

Pastrano also faces a suit from Rhett Posey, 38, who claims the See DEPUTY, page 3

ASG passes bill for LBJSC expansion

By Paul Rangel The University Star Plans to expand the LBJ Student Center won approval from the Associated Student Government Monday when senators passed legislation in support of making the expansion part of the Texas State Campus Master Plan.

“We want them to start planning for it now, so when the funding comes in we’ll have something ready,” said Amanda Oskey, ASG vice president.

The “LBJ Student Center Expansion” legislation cites the university’s rapid growth in the past decade. When the LBJSC was built, the student body was less than 20,000. In the fall of 2006, the university had about 27,500 students.

The students have expressed a need for the expansion, Oskey said. The LBJSC is a high traffic area in which its size doesn’t reflect the student population, she said.

“The meeting rooms are always full,” Oskey said. “The population is only going to grow more. If they’re making plans then why not that as well.”

The LBJ Student Center Advisory Committee is in favor of the expansion. Possible adSee ASG, page 3

More than $1 million granted to Development begins on university for water-use research conference center, hotel Scott Thomas Special to The University Star Texas State was awarded three grants for water use studies by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The grants will go toward supporting faculty and graduate students in assessing water problems in the Guadalupe Basin, training volunteers to monitor water quality and supporting environmental awareness programs.

“We were chosen for these grants because we have an established, well-deserved reputation with water issues,” said Andrew Sansom, geography research professor and director of the River Systems Institute. “Texas State has got a good track record.”

The total amount for the grants is $1.27 million. $788,200 comes from the EPA to fund the Rivers Systems Institute, TCEQ provided $350,000 to fund the volunteer environmental education organization Texas Watch and $140,000 was provided by the LCRA to fund the San Antonio Water Systems project.

“We are continuously seeking funding for our program,” Sansom said. “It may seem like a lot of money, but it will only fund us for about a year.”

Today’s Weather

Sunny

70˚/47˚

Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 63% UV: 5 Moderate Wind: SSW 11 mph

“T

he most significant danger facing rivers is there is no guaranteed protection for river flows — we can leave rivers dry to no consequence. We are seeking legal protection for rivers and streams.”

—Andrew Sansom director, River Systems Institute

Sansom said that the short-term goals of the Rivers Systems Institute is to understand how rivers work and operate, and in the long term they hope to take the information they have obtained and put in place programs to protect water resources.

“The most significant danger facing rivers is there is no guaranteed protection for river flows — we can leave rivers dry to no consequence,” Sansom said.

See GRANT, page 3

Two-day Forecast Wednesday Partly Cloudy Temp: 74°/ 51° Precip: 10%

Thursday Mostly Cloudy Temp: 61°/ 39° Precip: 10%

By Christina Kahlig The University Star Construction on the $21 million city conference center and $50 million Embassy Suites Hotel at I-35 and McCarty Lane began Thursday after the groundbreaking the day before.

The hotel will be owned and operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts, while the conference center will be owned by the city of San Marcos and managed by Hammons “It’s quite an accomplishment for San Marcos,” said City Council member Betsy Robertson. “It is definitely going to bring more people to businesses in San Marcos. I’m glad we landed it.”

The 10-story full-service hotel and 77,300gross-square-foot conference center are expected to accommodate a variety of conferences and special events.

“This job will be great for the community,” said Chris Jones, City Council member and graduate of Texas State. “I hope that Texas State students as well as community members can take advantage of it.”

The expected Embassy Suites Hotel will of-

fer 283 suites, a spa with massage and treatment rooms, fitness rooms, a full-service restaurant, café and bar, a business center with meeting rooms and glass elevators.

“We’re really excited about the new hotel coming up,” Jones said. “The groundbreaking went great.”

Among the amenities of the conference center will be a ballroom, meeting space, kitchen, catering center and audio and visual equipment.

“I think the conference center will attract regional conferences from all over,” Robertson said. “It’ll also be an opportunity for parttime jobs from catering to desk jobs.”

In July 2005, the City Council approved a Chapter 380 Economic Development Grant and Loan Agreement for the hotel and conference center project with Hammons. This agreement allowed the city to loan $1.5 million and grant $500,000 to the Hammons Trust to purchase the hotel site. The loan was converted in December to a future grant to facilitate the project.

In March, the City Council formed a Tax InSee GROUNDBREAKING, page 3

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To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2007 The University Star

PAGE TWO Tuesday in Brief

February 6, 2007

starsof texas state Two Texas State students, Andrea Cobarruvias of San Marcos and Sean Morales of Bay City, have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad.

Cobarruvias, pre-mass communication senior, will study this spring in Barcelona through Academic Programs International.

Morales, social work senior, is participating through the collaborative exchange program between Texas State and the consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration.

“Winning this award has allowed me to gain a whole new level of confidence in myself as a student,” Morales said. “The reward for trying, struggling, and yet completing has been tenfold in courage, tenacity and perseverance.”

Cobarruvias

-Courtesy of the University News Service

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

Bobcat Cultures

TUESDAY Texas State baseball will play Rice 6:30 p.m. at Bobcat Field.

Women’s Personal Growth Group meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. This group offers an opportunity to receive feedback and affirmation from other women while exploring common experiences women face. For more information and a screening, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Career Services will conduct “A Virtual Internship Fair” online at Jobs4Cats. Fore more information, contact Jonathan Pliego at (512) 2452645 or jp55@txstate.edu.

There will be a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all students in the Catholic Student Center lobby.

Night Prayer will be 9 p.m. in the chapel of the CSC. A CEO meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room127.

A scripture presentation with special guest speakers will be from 7 to 8 p.m. at the CSC. Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information, call (512) 3572049.

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;

Corrections The Jan. 30 article “ROTC hosts blood drive” contained several errors.

Texas State’s Air Force ROTC did not host the blood drive. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 923 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4313 were the hosts. The blood is not intended for troops in Iraq and Iran, but for those in Iraq and Afghanistan. VVA Chapter 923 President James Stuart’s name was misspelled.

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 meeting at 4:15 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 113.

CRIME BL TTER

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center will hold advocate training for volunteers interested in helping victims of abuse. For more information, contact Elizabeth Dixon at (512) 396-3404.

University Police Department

WEDNESDAY The Association of Information Technology Professionals will hold a chapter meeting with guest speaker Griselda Bautista. She will discuss working in IT for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 124. Pizza and soda will be provided. All majors are welcome.

Latino Student Association will have a Taco Sale 8 a.m. to noon by The Quad. For more information about LSA, visit www.studentorgs. txstate.edu/LSA\ or e-mail lsa_txstate@yahoo.com.

Come join Le Cercle Francais for its first meeting of the semester from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Reading Room on the second floor of Centennial Hall. Le Cercle Francais is dedicated to spreading the love of all things French, but you need not speak French to attend. For more information. e-mail kec@txstate.edu.

Career Services will conduct “A Virtual Internship Fair” online at Jobs4Cats. For more information, contact Jonathan Pliego at (512) 245-2645 or jp55@txstate.edu.

Karen Wang/Star photo Saki Matsukawa, marketing junior, and Misa Yamamoto, undecided freshman, present their Japanese Language and Culture Club display for Bobcat Day Saturday at the LBJ Student Center. Bobcat Day brought prospective students and parents to Texas State to familiarize themselves with campus organizations and activities.

Health Beat

FDA suggestions to keep those resolutions

People often begin the year with resolutions of weight loss and promises to exercise regularly.

The Food and Drug Administration offers helpful suggestions for a healthy balance of food and physical activity.

First, the FDA advises to start by eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day to stay within your daily caloric needs. You can find a daily calorie intake suited for you at www.fdaregistrar. com.

Experts cite the importance of eating fruit (two cups per day), vegetables (with an emphasis on dark greens and oranges as well as peas and beans of all types), whole grains (at least 3 ounces per day) and fat-free or low-fat milk or milk products such as yogurt or cheese (3 cups per day). When selecting proteins, choose lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. When eating meats, it is best to prepare them by baking, grilling or broiling. A smart diet avoids saturated fats, transient fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars. Also, whether eating out or at home, it is important to avoid impulse eating and oversized portions. A quick handful of candy or the desire to “eat everything on your plate” can add up to

unwanted calories.

The other important part of weight loss and staying healthy is finding a balance between food intake and physical activity, as activity is vital to maintaining overall health and fitness. Consider the following: when you eat 100 more calories a day than you burn, you gain about a pound a month. With this in mind, plan a program based on losing, maintaining or gaining weight.

The FDA offers advice at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines.

Proper nutrition is fundamental in any exercise program. A minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per day, most days of the week, is recommended. Increasing this time can provide even greater health benefits and may be needed to control body weight, as some adults need up to 60 minutes per day to prevent weight gain.

Campus Recreation offers a variety of programs such as intramural sports, sport clubs, outdoor recreation and golf to encourage healthy outdoor activities. Informal recreation and fitness and wellness programs also provide resources and opportunities for any student to begin a healthy and physically active new year.

-Courtesy of the Health and Human Services De-

Jan. 29, 7:48 p.m.

Driving While License Invalid/Comanche Hill An officer initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation a student was found to be driving without a valid license.

The student was arrested and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration.

Jan. 29, 8:34 p.m.

Drug – POM & PODP/ Brogdon Hall An officer was dispatched for a report of a suspicious odor. Upon further investigation a student was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. The student was issued a citation, arrested and transported to HCLEC to await magistration.

Jan. 29, 9:37 p.m.

Information Report/ UPD Lobby An officer was dispatched to the lobby for a report from a student stating someone had threatened to damage her vehicle. This case is under investigation.

Human activity blamed for global warming AUSTIN — The world’s scientists are more than 90% certain that human activity — primarily burning fossil fuels to power cars, power plants and factories — is responsible for most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century. This statistic is according to a consensus report released Friday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations body charged with assessing the scientific record on global warming.

The report finds that warming of the climate is “unequivocal” and warns that temperatures could further increase substantially if serious action is not taken to reduce emissions of the pollutants that cause global warming.

Cars and power plants are the largest sources of these emissions, though the U.S. could reduce its emissions immediately

using on-the-shelf technologies to improve energy efficiency and shift to renewable energy sources.

“Sections of this report read like the book of Revelations,” said Liz Wilfong, Environment Texas field associate. “But there’s still time to protect future generations if Congress puts strict limits on global warming pollution.”

The report is the first volume of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report. It synthesizes the peerreviewed research published prior to 2006 on the science underlying global warming. Additional volumes, examining global warming impacts and options for reducing future warming, are due out later this year. The full report includes input from more than 2,500 experts worldwide.

The IPCC released its last assessment report in 2001.

Among the major findings of the report include the following:

Human Activities to Blame: It is very likely, greater than 90 percent, that human activities — primarily burning fossil fuels — have caused most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century.

Record Temperatures: 11 of the last 12 years rank among the 12 warmest years on record.

Cold days, cold nights and frost have become less frequent, while hot days, hot nights and heat waves have become more frequent.

More Intense Tropical Storms: There has been an increase in intense hurricane and tropical typhoon activity since about 1970. The report also finds that it “is likely that future tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) will become more intense, with larger peak wind speeds and more heavy precipitation,” associated with warmer oceans.

Wilfong said that the report is inherently conservative because it reflects the consensus of hundreds of parties, including industry groups and governments opposed to taking action to reduce global warming pollution. In addition, the report does not include any research published in 2006, though there have been major research developments on sea level rise and hurricane intensity, among many other areas.

The United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization established the IPCC in 1988.

“If lawmakers still needed a wakeup call, this certainly is it,” Wilfong said. “Now, it’s time to get to work to pass meaningful legislation that reduces pollution quickly enough and sufficiently enough to avoid the worst effects of global warming.”

-Courtesy of Environment Texas

NEWS

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Bush’s $2.9 trillion budget plan faces skepticism in Congress

By Ron Hutcheson and Margaret Talev McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON — President Bush’s proposed 2008 federal budget landed with a thud Monday on Capitol Hill as Democrats prepared to rewrite his $2.9 trillion spending plan.

Setting the stage for a potentially bitter struggle over priorities, Democrats said Bush’s proposal tilted too much toward war, national security and tax cuts. His request includes $174

billion for Iraq through 2008, which would bring the total spent on that conflict to more than $500 billion.

Add Afghanistan, and U.S. taxpayers would have spent $662 billion on both wars through next year.

The war costs would contribute to a record $624 billion spending package for the Pentagon next year, with generous support for big weapons systems.

The president would squeeze spending on most everything else.

But for the first time since he has been president, Bush sent his budget to a Congress that Democrats controlled, and they made it clear that they didn’t much like it.

“I doubt that Democrats will support this budget, and frankly, I will be surprised if Republicans rally around it either,” said Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., the chairman of the House Budget Committee.

“The day of the blank check for the president for the war is over,” said House Speaker Nan-

Berkley scholarship will go to students with drug convictions

By Edward Oser Oregon Daily Emerald (U. Oregon) (U-WIRE) EUGENE, Ore.— The biggest problem with question 31 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, which asks whether a student has been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs, is not that it will strip students of their financial aid, but rather that it will scare people off from applying to school in the first place — at least according to University of Oregon Director of Student Financial Aid Elizabeth Bickford.

In her experience, the extreme minority of students who initially answered yes to the question soon realized that their convictions didn’t affect their aid. Those who do answer yes — that they were convicted of selling or possessing drugs when they were older than 18, while they were receiving federal financial aid and have not completed a drug treatment program — can easily get their aid reinstated, Bickford said.

But the political opposition to question 31 is gaining momentum.

On Jan. 24 at the University of California at Berkeley, the student government passed a bill creating a small scholarship for students who have lost their aid because of drug convictions.

The scholarship — a one-time payment of $400 to an affected

student — is the brainchild of Associated Students of the University of California Senator David Israel Wasserman. In an interview, Wasserman said he campaigned for office on the platform of creating this scholarship.

“It’s an unjust penalty to deprive someone of the means to an education,” he said. “We’re putting our money where our mouth is.”

In terms of a college education, especially at Berkeley, $400 is not a great deal of money, but it’s enough to pay for a semester’s books, Wasserman said.

Also, a similar scholarship at Western Washington University existed for four years and no one applied for it, the school’s student government Board Programs Assistant Erin O’Reilly said.

He also said he had not encountered any students requesting the scholarship, and that UC-Berkeley’s financial aid office told him that no students currently on campus had lost their aid. But the scholarship is not just a scholarship.

“It’s a very important statement,” Wasserman said.

The Aid Elimination Provision of the Higher Education Act that created question 31 is the target for the political aims of the scholarship.

“We plan to use this as a larger lobbying tool.”

“It’s important that we take

a stand,” Wasserman said.” It’s important that we use our voice so they can hear us in Washington.”

The Aid Elimination Provision has been the object of several lawsuits on behalf of the lobbyist group Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, with which Wasserman worked closely to draft the bill, both he and a spokesman for the group said.

SSDP is currently heading a campaign to repeal the law — a campaign supported by more than 70 groups including the United States Student Association, the National Education Association, The National Lawyers Guild, The Washington State Bar Association and The National Black Police Association.

But does the University need such a scholarship?

Bickford, the University’s director of financial aid, said no.

“In my experience,” Bickford said, “I don’t know if a scholarship would be helpful or necessary.”

Associated Students of the University of Oregon President Jared Axelrod said he’s against the Aid Elimination Provision and supports Wasserman’s scholarship.

“I think it’s great,” Axelrod said.

Cal’s student senators “really put their neck out there and took a stand,” Axelrod said. “It (took) a lot of courage.”

cy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Bush’s spending priorities were “disconnected from the needs of middle-class Americans.”

The president’s plan would permanently extend tax reductions that now are set to expire in 2010, a change that would reduce anticipated tax revenues by $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years. Democrats oppose him on that, too.

Even with the lost tax revenue, the president said his spending

University police are now saying a suspect has been identified for the alleged sexual assault that occurred Jan. 17 in a student’s dorm room at The Tower, however, they need to link the individual to the crime.

The individual is reported to be an acquaintance of the victim.

Investigator Jeb Thomas said different avenues are available for probing the case.

“During the same night there was property that was taken from the victim,” Thomas said.

“That has led me in a different direction,” he said. “It was the type that was traceable. If I could prove that my suspect had that, then that would help.

People hook up in college, but if you hooked up with someone, you would not expect them to steal from you afterwards.”

He also said consent might be

boost spending on national security by 6 percent, while holding domestic programs other than Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to a 1 percent increase, well below the current 2.5 percent annual inflation rate.

Bush proposed to trim the growth of spending on Medicare by restricting payments to health-care providers and charging wealthy beneficiaries higher premiums. That would save an estimated $66 billion over five years, though Democrats aren’t likely to go along.

DEPUTY: Pastrano has history of violence CONTINUED from page 1

former deputy broke one of his fingers during an arrest in May 2003.

Pastrano was fired in October 2004 for violating Hays County Sheriff’s Department policy and procedures.

Records obtained by The Star detail other incidents Pastrano was involved in while employed

as a Hays County sheriff’s deputy. One memo describes San Marcos police officers intervening at a party attended by Pastrano and his girlfriend. According to the memo, Pastrano was drunk, violent and rude to the responding officers. The memo reads, “the only reason Pastrano did not go to jail that night was because he works for the sheriff’s office.”

A 2006 affidavit by Pastrano’s ex-fiancée reveals Pastrano, while still employed with the sheriff’s department, beat the woman, broke her fingers and threatened to kill her. When their relationship ended, the woman said Pastrano broke the windshield of her vehicle.

Turner said these incidents were not pertinent to the criminal case.

“Many students and faculty volunteer, but we’re always looking for more volunteers,” Sansom said.

The River Systems Institute also administers Texas Watch, an organization that educates the public on water issues and trains and collects information from more than 400 volunteer water monitors throughout the state of Texas.

“Texas Watch is doing public outreach programs across the state to schools, people and

through the media,” said Eric Mendelman, director of Texas Watch.

Mendelman said Texas Watch partners include agencies, schools, businesses and principalities, which help develop resources for programs that ensure standardization of water uses.

On April 22, Texas Watch will host an Earth Day celebration at the Aquarena Center, where the general public is invited to attend.

not be adjusted soon, but if funds were needed for the expansion then those fees would be up for consideration. As of now, the project would only be in the planning and design phases, which would address the situation of where to add on.

An estimated $1 million is currently reserved from student fees, Morris said. That

money would not be enough to cover all the costs, but it, along with other fees, could help pay for some of the additions, he said.

Other plans for the LBJSC include changing the room numbers. Ideas for alternatives were naming the rooms after different Texas State alumni, said Eddie Gomez, pride and traditions chair.

GRANT CONTINUED from page 1

“We are seeking legal protection for rivers and streams.”

The River Systems Institute administers research and seeks funds for water treatment throughout campus, administers environmental education programs at the Aquarena Center, which reaches more than 150,000 people a year and is the steward of Spring Lake, the headwater for the San Marcos River.

ASG CONTINUED from page 1

ditions could be located above the LBJ Ballroom.

The LBJSC is paid for by students and if an expansion is approved, “the money would come from the student service fees, which would possibly have to be changed,” ASG President Kyle Morris said.

Student service fees would

News Briefs UPD announces possible suspect in sexual-assault case

blueprint would lead to a balanced federal budget in 2012. He projected a $239 billion deficit at the end of fiscal 2008, down from a projected $244 billion for this year.

Even some leading Republicans were skeptical.

“Quite honestly, Humpty Dumpty could reach balance in the next five years” using the assumptions that Bush made, said Sen. Judd Gregg of R-N.H., the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee.

The president’s budget would

GROUNDBREAKING an issue, as it is in most sexual assault cases involving acquaintances.

The individual could face a second-degree felony with a punishment of two to 20 years in a state penitentiary, with a fine up to $10,000 if he is found guilty.

Open Record Division rules in favor of The Star The Texas attorney general’s Open Records Division ruled Jan. 26 that the Hays County district attorney’s office must turn over to The University Star documents pertaining to the case of two Texas State students facing charges for burglary of a habitation.

Rene Esquibel and Stephen Darnell are accused of stealing electronic equipment and money from a residence in San Jacinto Hall. Both will begin trial this month.

The attorney general’s of-

fice ruled in favor of The Star after the district attorney’s office failed to provide a copy of The Star’s open records request and a copy of the documents requested, as required by the Texas Government Code.

Material given to The Star includes evidence logs, written statements, printouts of Esquibel’s and Darnell’s MySpace pages and three DVDs. On those DVDs is security camera footage from San Jacinto showing Esquibel and Darnell entering and leaving the building twice during the night the burglary occurred. They also contain digital images, some showing the victims of the burglary and others showing Esquibel and Darnell playing guitar and Esquibel and an unidentified woman flashing $20 bills.

To view the video footage, log on to www.universitystar.com.

Motorcycle accident claims life of Texas State student

Texas State student Thomas David Harmeyer, 22, died in a fatal wreck Sunday after his motorcycle collided with an oncoming car on University Drive.

According to a press release, Harmeyer was driving eastbound when a Nissan Sentra, traveling westbound, turned into the motorcycle’s path. Harmeyer, who was wearing a helmet, struck the right side of the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Intoxication was not believed to have been a factor in the accident,” said Melissa Millecam, communications manager of San Marcos, in the press release. “No charges have been filed. Police are continuing their investigation.”

Harmeyer, undecided junior, was a resident at The Tower and a native of Rockwall.

—Compiled from other news sources

CONTINUED from page 1

crement Reinvestment Zone to take tax revenue from the project to reimburse construction cost of the convention center.

The zone is expected to last 25 years.

Also in March, the council members approved a Master Development Agreement.

Broaddus & Associates were hired as project manager, Lohmeyer-Russell Architects to design the conference center and later Flintco Inc. as the design-

build general contractor.

“This project will advance our economic tourism strategy and will bring many people to San Marcos,” said Susan Narvaiz, mayor of San Marcos, in a Jan. 31 press release. “San Marcos is the third most popular tourist destination in Texas due to the success of our outlet malls. The Embassy Suites Hotel and our Conference Center will have a phenomenal impact on our city and this region.”

Completion of the project is expected in October 2008.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - Page 4

releasesof the week music

Weekend in the City — Bloc Party

Children Running Through — Patty Griffin

Infinity on High — Fall Out Boy

dvd

Flags of Our Fathers — (R) Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford

Running with Scissors — (R) Annette Bening, Brian Cox

The Science of Sleep — (R) Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

A change of face: Tantra exhibits new art

By Todd Schaaf The University Star Doug Mallard and Jeff Truth were the featured artists of a new art exhibit that opened Saturday at Tantra Coffeehouse.

The show also featured several other artists and two live musical acts. Truth and Mallard spent the evening with the company of friends and fans alike.

Mallard, a relative newcomer to the Tantra art scene, was pleased with the exhibition and the crowd at the reception.

“This is my first actual art show here, and it’s probably my best turnout for a show,” he said.

Mallard’s work is small in size and detailoriented, mostly comprised of stippling, or dots of ink to convey line, shadow and form. His older pieces are surreal, almost abstract.

His later works are of a more realistic nature, comprised of things such as portraits and landscapes. Mallard said he enjoys making his art even if it is tedious and time-consuming because the end result is something to be

“H

proud of.

“If a one-by-one-inch square takes me three hours, I’m OK with that because it keeps me doing something and it shapes up and turns into something really different. You take your time on something, and repetition produces a pretty good product, and you realize taking your time works out for the better,” he said.

Dean Elizardo, mathematics junior, said he was taken aback by the detail present in Mallard’s art.

“Mallard’s work shows a great amount of technical skill and a great amount of patience,” Elizardo said.

Elizardo said she was impressed and fascinated with Truth’s pieces.

“He does a lot of work that is very rich in color and shows an enormous amount of skill; his work demonstrates a lot of interior human qualities that all of us feel. A lot of stuff that we say to ourselves on the inside but don’t necessarily outwardly demonstrate,” Eliz— Dean Elizardo ardo said.

Truth’s art is a mathematics junior concoction of several different mediums. Truth uses photographs, paint and digitally-altered images.

Truth said his artwork is inspired by music.

e does a lot of work that is very rich in color and shows an enormous amount of skill; his work demonstrates a lot of interior human qualities that all of us feel.”

Monty Marion/Star photo NEW GALLERIES: Shayne Lovelace (left) and Brendon Moore practice chess in the Tantra Coffeehouse Monday evening under the newly hung art of Doug Mallard and Jeff Truth.

“The driving force behind most of my stuff mainly is music. I do a lot of stuff with bands and stuff like that. I just sit down and put on their music and do some work from there, see where it takes me and somehow it comes out,” Truth said.

Truth said his art skills didn’t come from his parents.

“Neither of my parents have any artistic skill at all; they’re both blown away at the fact that I’m as artistic as

I am. They have no idea where it came from in the family,” Truth said.

Some of Truth and Mallard’s works can be found in T-shirt form at Wood Apparel. If a shirt just won’t do, Truth said, he can be found at work to discuss purchasing one of his pieces.

“I work at a print shop here, Z Media on The Square. People can find me there and if they really want one, I could totally do one for them. I’m hoping to get a Web site up soon,” Truth

said.

The exhibit will be on display at Tantra Coffeehouse through the end of the month. Tantra is located at 217 W. Hopkins St., across from HEB. No stranger to Tantra, Truth said he is happy with the show and the opportunity it presents.

“It’s a pretty cool place, it’s a really awesome place for me to have my art.

Its an awesome place to have anybody’s art,” Truth said.

My Chemical Romance marches to The Black Parade on global tour

By Jessica Sinn The University Star

Photo courtesy of Reprise Records GROWING UP FAST: After a string of hit singles, New Jersey garage band My Chemical Romance gained national popularity writing songs that they felt impacted not just themselves, but their audience as a whole.

WWW.

As Gerard Way, lead vocalist for My Chemical Romance, watched the twin towers crash down in front of him he set out to write a song that would forever change his life.

After the production of their post-Sept. 11 song, “Skylines and Turnstiles,” the New Jerseybased garage band began plans to work on a new album — chock-full of death, fire and destruction.

A few years later, the band has topped the billboard charts with a handful of hit singles and is currently pursuing a global headline tour. Guitarist Frank Iero said that in a short amount of time the band has evolved at an accelerated pace.

“We started out as a group of friends growing up in Jersey, wanting to write music that meant something — not only to ourselves but to a large amount of people,” Iero said. “In just a few short years, we’ve grown about 20 lifetimes.”

Iero said the Beatle’s Sgt.

“T

his was a very in-depth writing process and it took a really long time, but it was the most amazing experience and it really allowed us to perfect everything.”

— Frank Iero guitarist, My Chemical Romance

Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Pink Floyd’s The Wall influenced the band’s theatricalconcept third album The Black Parade. He said it’s important to understand the past in order to move forward.

“I think we’re seeing a resurgence of real bands, real artists and real musicians that do care and take pride in their craft and the art behind it,” Iero said. “I’d like to think that we’re a part of that — a part of this revolution of doing things from the heart and doing things for the right reason.”

Iero said filming the “Famous Last Words” video inside an in-

ferno proved to be hot, painful and treacherous. He said after the video was shot, almost everyone walked away with third-degree burns and torn ligaments.

“They had these blowtorches and there were like these pyroexplosions behind us,” Iero said.

“I don’t know what happened but as soon as they said ‘action’ we just went nuts. It was very much like Lord of the Flies.”

While producing The Black Parade, the five-man band spent painstaking hours writing, recording and perfecting their music.

“This was a very in-depth writing process and it took a really

long time, but it was the most amazing experience and it really allowed us to perfect everything,” Iero said.

Iero said The Black Parade is a depiction of an epic battle between life and death, set to music. The deeply personal lyrics are derived from life experiences, such as Way’s bout with depression and alcoholism. Iero said the song lyrics reflect some of band members’ personal obstacles, such as finding a sense of purpose and overcoming feelings of helplessness “Once you leave the record, you’re left with a sense of hope,” Iero said. “Even though this is a dark record for us, it is very hopeful.”

✯FYI My Chemical Romance will launch its U.S. arena tour Feb. 22. A limited number of presale tickets can be purchased by visiting mcrblackparade.ducatking. com/

Author Percival Everett performs his characters, provides advice

By Michael Lee Gardin The University Star The audience shifted their attention from the oversized poster of a man’s head and stitched neck to the podium. The author positioned his glasses and turned to the first of many folded corners in the book he held.

A group of students, professors and literary fans gathered for a reading by acclaimed novelist Percival Everett Thursday afternoon in at the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library.

Everett has written more than a dozen novels, various short stories and a book of poetry. Among other honors, Everett has won a New American Writing Award for his apocalyptic novel Zulus. Everett’s versatile stories have been published in the Pushcart Prize Anthology as well. Everett is also a professor at the University of Southern California. The English department’s Therese Kayser Lindsey and Katherine Ann Porter Series hosted the event.

The audience listened as Ev-

erett explained his decision in choosing which story to read.

Everett said he struggled before the event.

“I had to decide whether to be funny or sad,” Everett said.

Everett said all the audience needed to know was that the narrator was 4-year-old boy. The audience listened as Everett narrated excerpts from the dark comedy novel Glyph, a story of a mute child prodigy who can read and write at 18 months old.

Laughter came from the audience as Everett read a note written by the child genius.

“Why should Ralph speak?

Ralph does not like the sound of it,” Everett said. “Ralph watches the mouths of others form words and it looks uncomfortable. Lips looked ugly to Ralph when they are moving. Ralph needed books in his crib. Ralph does not wish to rely on the moving lips for knowledge. Ralph does not like peas.

Ralph is sorry he stole Da-Da’s pen.”

Everett ended the excerpt when he described the how the protagonist continued using his

“H

alf way through I realized that it might be over soon and I was just hoping that it would keep going and going.”

— Erika Garza psychology senior

wit, humor and amazing intellect; throwing the characters into a frenzy.

Everett said that this was one of the easiest books for him to write. He also said that some part of every character, even Ralph, includes a little bit of his own personality.

During the question and answer session, one listener asked Everett about the inclusion of a manuscript in his novel Erasure.

Everett paused, laughed and asked the audience, “Did I make a mistake?”

Erika Garza, psychology senior said she enjoyed the reading.

“Half way through I realized that it might be over soon and I was just hoping that it would keep

going and going,” Garza said.

She said she found the main character intriguing.

“His character, from a baby’s perspective, was original,” Garza said. “I never heard or read anything like that.”

Michael Moreno, political science junior, thought the reading was entertaining and took pleasure in hearing the question and answer section. He described Everett as approachable.

“Some authors have issues reading their own work, but he seemed to do a really good job,” Moreno said.

Everett concluded the reading by giving a piece of advice to aspiring writers: read and love literature.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

The University Star - Page 5

No more stealing from the wife: Men finding skin-care market of their own REVIVED VISAGE: James St. John undergoes a four-step facial designed to clean the pores, nourish the skin and keep him youthful in appearance at the Body in St. Louis, Missouri. He is wearing the exfoliant portion of the process while ionized steam wafts over his face.

Kevin Manning/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

By Gail Appleson St. Louis Post-Dispatch ST. LOUIS — Tim Fisk is a 61year-old farmer and probably one of the last men you’d expect to find looking for skin-care products made by L’Oreal Paris, maker of Endless Kissable lipstick, Volume Shocking mascara and Feria shimmering hair color.

But Fisk turned into a L’Oreal fan during a visit to his local Walgreens, where he discovered Men’s Expert Vita Lift with SPF 15. The label describes the L’Oréal product as an “anti-wrin-

✯Star Comics

kle and firming moisturizer.”

“I’ve been out in the sun my whole life. I went without a shirt for 30 years,” Fisk said. “But everyone wants to postpone getting old.”

And that’s as true for men as it is for women. Indeed, a range of retailers from drugstore chains to department stores report that the demand for men’s skin-care products and treatments is rising rapidly.

“It’s the fastest-growing segment of our cosmetics,” said Tina Hodak, creative merchandising manager for St. Louis-based Macy’s Midwest.

And it’s not just women buying for their men. The Clinique counter at the downtown St. Louis Macy’s, surrounded by law and financial services firms, draws a steady clientele of male shoppers, said Burnice Glasco, a saleswoman there.

“A man is a different customer,” said Glasco, who has sold cosmetics for more than 30 years. “He buys in bulk. If he

can’t get a larger size, he’ll buy two or three at one time.”

Drugstore chains Walgreen Co. and CVS Corp., based in Deerfield, Ill., and Woonsocket, R.I., respectively, have also seen a boom in the category.

Market research firm Datamonitor reports that about 19 percent of skin-care products sold in 2003 in the U.S. were for men. While Datamonitor hasn’t updated its gender statistics since then, evidence suggests the men’s share is growing.

Overall, skin-care sales are expected to grow to $5 billion in 2010 from $4.3 billion in 2005, an 18 percent increase.

But several sub-categories with high male appeal are expected to see even faster growth over that time. Anti-aging products, for example, will see 30 percent growth to nearly $2.6 billion in 2010, according to Datamonitor.

Sandra Doty, the St. Louis area cosmetic supervisor for Walgreens, said the number of products aimed at men has been

growing over the last few years, and that the demand began to “skyrocket” last summer.

“We quadrupled our shelf space for men’s grooming in 2006,” said Erin Pensa, CVS spokeswoman.

And it doesn’t stop there. Men are boldly going where mostly women have gone before: day spas.

Peggy Mitchusson, owner of Face & the Body Day Spas in Brentwood, O’Fallon and Chesterfield, Mo. said men now account for between 25 and 30 percent of her clients getting facials.

“They want to know how to take care of their skin,” she said.

In describing facials to men, Mitchusson said estheticians stress that the process removes impurities.

“We try to create an environment that’s about health, not about fluff or pampering,” she said. “But once they have one (facial), a lot of men learn to like it because it’s relaxing.”

Cartoon Network’s latest advertisement finds explosive reaction in Boston I have no qualms signs depicting Ignignokt, with the city of a character known as a Boston. I have nevmooninite from the Adult er been there, but Swim show Aqua Teen I’m sure it is a nice Hunger Force on Cartoon place with good, Network. well-intentioned Aqua Teen depicts the MAIRA GARCIA people. Yet I have mishaps and adventures Trends Editor to say one thing: of Master Shake, Frylock The events of last and Meatwad as they live Thursday put them life in a New Jersey subat the pinnacle of stupidity. urb. The signs were part of an Post-Sept. 11, the government advertising campaign for the has taken extra precautions to Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon prevent terrorist attacks from Movie Film for Theaters, which happening. Better safe than sor- will be released in March. ry is the thought nowadays.

The funny thing is that the However, Boston took it a signs were placed in nine other step too far when Mooninites cities almost two weeks earlier, were the considered the source according to an E! News article. of terror. In case you missed it, Those cities simply took the the city of Boston was in an up- signs down and that was the end roar to find what were thought of it. There were no terror alerts to be homemade plastic bombs or bomb scares, probably just after several reports were called annoyed city workers that had to in to police. It resulted in bomb take the signs down. squads scouring subway staBostonians were quoted as tions, bridges and interstates for saying they were the laughing the signs, which put a halt to the stock of the nation. Well, Boseveryday-happenings of the met- ton, I think of my self as a nice ropolitan area. Signs were care- person, but I have to agree. You fully removed and some even are the laughing stock of the nadestroyed on site. tion.

Upon closer inspection, inAccording to news reports, stead of bombs, the only thing Turner Broadcasting, which the city found were light-up owns the Cartoon Network,

SU DO KU

forked over $2 million to pay for the trouble it caused Boston and gave a formal apology.

Boston mayor Thomas Menino announced that a million dollars would go toward local law enforcement involved in the bombscare and the other half would go toward homeland security.

I’m pretty sad that one of my favorite cartoons had to get so much bad publicity. I swear they are nothing more than harmless aliens and fast food brought to life. Just like the signs, perfectly harmless.

Look, I understand security concerns and if something appeared suspicious, I would report it too. Saving lives is important, but I really think we crossed the line here. I don’t like government wasting money, effort and resources for something so incredibly ridiculous. You would think after the first mooninite was shot down that authorities would have gotten a clue that it wasn’t a bomb.

Oh well, perhaps I am too much of a die-hard Aqua Teen fan. Hopefully Boston can put this behind them and Aqua Teen will break box office records come March. Bad publicity is good publicity.

Thursday’s solutions:

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

Thursday’s solutions:

© Pappocom

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection Should Texas State establish an open-air forensic anthropology facility? Go to www.UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll. Results will be published in Thursday’s issue of The University Star. *This is not a scientific poll

Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - Page 6

Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

HOW VERY ELEMENTARY

THE MAIN POINT

T

he Associated Student Government tabled legislation last week that would call for a student referendum to amend the ASG Constitution and reform Individual ASG senators need to be more involved with constituents the senate.

The student body is certainly apathetic toward ASG, and the senators should be finding new ways to engage their constituents.

But this reformation is not the way to do it.

The amendment would create 20 additional senate seats. Under the proposed reformation, the senate would be reapportioned to include 14 off-campus seats, 16 academic college seats, 15 on-campus seats and 15 at-large seats. Currently, the senators represent the seven colleges within the university and the graduate program, with two per college and two members of the House of Graduate Representatives.

Proponents of the reformation say it will help ASG senators deal with student issues.

The off-campus senators can field complaints about parking and the on-campus senators can hear complaints about the food.

This is starting to sound like grade school student council.

The Texas State administration knows parking is a problem and the food served on campus is awful. Having a governmental body dedicated to reminding them of this is not useful.

The benefit of having the senate divided up by colleges is they can bring attention to issues that might not reach the forefront.

As the voice of the students, senators can make the administration and board of regents aware of issues concerning research, student organizations and facilities. Senators can write legislation commending work done by their constituents or drawing attention to schools or departments that require more funding.

Our student government is not failing to be our voice. ASG has created a scholarship, is petitioning the state legislature and is involved in the debate over curriculum changes. But it would be nice to see individual senators getting involved, rather than rubber-stamping executive initiatives.

Senators who take the time to meet with faculty and students from the colleges they represent can bring the concerns of their constituents to the student government.

This allows a sort of grass roots ASG, through which students find themselves engaged in the process and see the impact student government can have.

ASG holds a well-intentioned student grievance session in The Quad, but it unfortunately yielded complaints about problems such as the hills on campus.

The onus doesn’t rest entirely on ASG. Students can contact their representatives and complain about actual issues, not topography. Students wanting to find out who represents them may some day be able to log on to www.asg.txstate.edu, the ASG Web site, and find an updated list of senators. Until then, they can stop by LBJ Student Center Room 4-5.1 to try to find an updated list.

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 UniversitySan Marcos.

Black History Month a time of reflection Over the years, Black History Month has been a time of reflection and learning. Each year it was always celebrated with a program in school, BRANDON SIMMONS reading about a Star Columnist certain historical figure, or singing the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Yet as I grow older and wiser, things have come to have a different feel.

The month to celebrate some of America’s greatest heroes has become different for me and other people within my age group. Now it is our time to pass on to the younger generation what we have learned. It is time to pass on the inspiration of Black History Month.

The stories of this month are rich with inspiration and encouragement.

What started as “Black History Week” in February to celebrate the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln has become the commemoration of an important part of American history. I can listen all day to stories about Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. Dubois. It makes me feel proud reading what they wrote and understanding their actions of determination.

The inspiration those heroes gave was passed on to later Black History heroes. People such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks, Langston Hughes and others all have stories of perseverance.

Perseverance is what makes our history so unique. These American heroes came up in a time where there were many obstacles set against them — a lot more than what goes on in our country today. Much of black history has been made because blacks were treated as second-class citizens, or worse. So when people remember the marches led by King or the speeches made by Malcolm X, it reflects the resolve people had that could rise above anything set in their way.

Those historical examples are what we need to look back upon daily to help us progress toward the future. There is plenty more black history to be made as time goes on. The NFL had no black players in its league when it first started; now it just had its first Super Bowl with two black head coaches. That is amazing, considering black head coaches in the NFL are a rare sight. Will Smith received an Oscar for best actor for his 2001 portrayal of Muhammad Ali, but 62 years ago when Hattie McDaniel, who played the maid in Gone With the Wind, won an Oscar she was not even allowed to show up to the film’s premiere. It is highly possible that America is about to elect its first black president, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

Even in an era such as the present, where things may appear to be better, problems continue to arise. Maybe if people such as the law students at Clemson University in South Carolina learn about this part of American history, they would not have those ignorant “thug” parties. Looking back on Black History, I am very appreciative of what my people have done along with my parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents. They make me want to put my own mark on this world; not for the glory, but because it is something everyone, no matter what race, should want to do. It is what Black History Month is really about: remembering those who came before you and paved the way, but also inspiring you to make your own road.

Brandon Simmons is a pre-mass communication junior

Justin Jackley/Star illustration

Texas’ liberal columnist Molly Ivins made them laugh (well most of them) A healthy democaffair, but she was always racy needs a strong funny and folksy whether you voice of dissent and knew her or not. all the better if that As an editor at the San voice speaks with a Antonio Express-News, I ocTexas drawl and occasionally had to talk to casionally makes us angry readers who disagreed laugh. For decades, with one of Ivins’ columns, one of the nation’s back when the paper ran her KYM FOX strongest dissenting columns in the ’90s. Over voices, Molly Ivins, Guest Columnist the years as Texas grew wrote her nationally syndicated ever more conservative, Ivins column from Austin and spun sharpened her pen. She did it some of the best one-liners in with purpose. She said she was the business. sincerely worried about where Breast cancer claimed her life the country was headed.

Wednesday. She died at home in In 2004, she told Neal Conan Austin with friends. on National Public Radio’s Talk As a journalist working most of the Nation that it angered her of my career in Texas, I ran when people acted as if they into Ivins over the years, but could opt out of politics and pay never really got to know her. It no attention to what is happenwas always a little intimidating ing with government. “It’s your sharing a stage with Ivins if we life!” she said. were speaking at a journalism Some of her one-liners have conference together or even just stuck. She called President Bush showed up at the same political Shrub and even titled one of

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her books by that name: Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush. Ivins also coined the phrase Gov. Good Hair for Gov. Rick Perry. Just to show that her pen points to both sides of the aisle occasionally, in the introduction to another of her books, You Got to Dance With Them What Brung You, she said of Bill Clinton: “If left to my own devices, I’d spend all my time pointing out that he’s weaker than bus-station chili.”

Ivins was the one who wrote of the convening of the Texas Legislature, that “they’ll all be here, leaving many a village without its idiot.”

Whether you agreed with Ivins or not (and truth-be-told I usually did more often than not), you had to respect her moxie. Even as cancer sapped her strength, it stole nothing from her spirit.

In a column published in Time magazine in 2002, she wrote:

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“Having breast cancer is massive amounts of no fun. First they mutilate you; then they poison you; then they burn you.

I have been on blind dates better than that.”

In August in San Francisco, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication honored Ivins with the First Amendment Award for her life’s work. It was a national conference with journalism professors and students attending from around the country.

The room where Ivins spoke should have been larger. It seated about 150, but another 50 or more spilled into the hall.

Aging professors joined college students sitting on the floor just to get close enough to hear.

Though it went unspoken, we knew it would probably be the last chance for many of us to hear Ivins speak.

What was even more remark-

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able was that before she went in to give her speech, she’d been in the hotel business center filing her column. Yes, she was halfway across the country about ready to be honored for a lifetime of fighting the good fight for the First Amendment and, yes, cancer was sapping her strength but neither of those were excuse nor reason enough to keep her from meeting her deadline.

Ivins really loved what she did, and more than that, she knew it was important.

Likewise she did it again about two weeks before she died. Ivins wrote her last syndicated column. This one contained none of her signature wit. Instead she implored Americans to act for peace. She knew the power of the press, and she used her last weeks and the last of her strength so that her dissenting voice could be heard:

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“We are the people who run this country,” she wrote in that last column. “We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell.

Make our troops know we’re for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush’s proposed surge.

If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on Jan. 27.

We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, ‘Stop it, now!’”

Ivins really loved what she did and more than that, we know it was important.

Kym Fox is a senior lecturer in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication and coordinator of the print journalism sequence.

She joined the faculty of Texas State University after more than two decades as a daily journalist.

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 February 6, 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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FOR RENT-DUPLEX

HELP WANTED

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THE SAN MARCOS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT needs energetic individuals to work Spring Break Madness Camp (March 12-16, 2007). Hours are 7:30am-5:30pm. Call Jessica Jenkins at (512) 393-8283 for more information or to set up an interview. Application deadline is Feb. 16. E-mail: Jenkins_jessica@ci.san-marcos.tx.us 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.

NURSERY WORKER for Sunday mornings and occasional weekday events for Wimberley United Methodist Church. Background in Early Childhood studies preferred, but not required. Call church office (512) 847-3109, 9am-1pm Mon.-Fri. to obtain an application and to arrange for an interview.

VOLUNTEER SOCCER COACHES NEEDED for San Marcos Youth Soccer (www.smsoccer.org) - Great community service opportunity, season starts 3/1/2007, contact Michael Colca for more information - colca@io.com DIRECT CARE: BROWN-KARHAN HEALTHCARE in Dripping Springs is looking for individuals who would like a unique employment experience in the healthcare field. Our direct care positions offer opportunities to work with either brain injured or psychiatric clients. Looking to fill weekend and overnight shifts. Candidate must be 21 years of age and have satisfactory driving record. Background check and drug screening is required. Pay begins at $8.50, but commensurate with experience and education. Benefits may include health insurance, dental, vision, monthly gas allowance, PTO and 401(k). If eligible there is a sign-on bonus of $150. Please contact Kerri (512) 894-0701 ext. 219, or fax resume (512) 858-5104 or e-mail kalvis@brownkarhan.com. Please visit our web site at www.brown-karhan.com.

EXPERIENCED SERVERS AND HOSTS WANTED AT PALMER’S RESTAURANT. Apply in person between 2-4 p.m. daily. EOE. No phone calls please.

DOMINO’S PIZZA EQUALS GREAT PIZZA, GREAT VALUE, GREAT PLACE TO WORK. We are now hiring for management positions.

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PAPER BEAR - A downtown gift shop hiring for the following shifts: 9-7, 9-2, 1-7. Starting pay $6.50/hr. Pick up application in person. Must be able to work minimum 30 hrs. per week, Mon.-Sat. 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 ADULT CARE TAKER NEEDED. Mon.-Fri. from 3pm-6pm, Sat.-Sun. 3pm-6pm. Weekly pay, serious applicants need only apply. Please call (512) 557-6113 TEXAS ELKS CAMP!!

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS IN A FUN SITUATION. CHECK US OUT AT www.texaselks.org. GO TO TECSI AND THEN ELKS CAMP. THIS WILL BE THE BEST SUMMER YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED!! (830) 875-2425 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.

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FEMALE ROOMMATE WANTED to sub-lease at The Exchange. $449/ mth. plus electricity. First month free.

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EXCELLENT CONDITION. Call Brenda (512) 393-4752.

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HELP WANTED UPSCALE RESTAURANT IN KYLE hiring experienced and professional server. Excellent income potential.

Also hiring kitchen prep/expo and dishwasher. Call (512) 268-3463 for interview, Bordeauxs.net.

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SPORTS

runningwild

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

The women’s 4x400-meter relay team brought home first place Saturday at the Houston Invitational.

Katya Kostetskaya, Liudmila Litvinova, Iris Darrington and Liat Anav recorded a time of three minutes and 46.38 seconds, placing ahead of teams from Texas and Sam Houston State. Litvinova and Kostetskaya were also part of the distance medley team that broke a school record Friday when they finished second to Lamar. They joined Brittany Rosen and Tenley Determan to set a school-best time of 11:59.22.

—Courtesy of Athletic Department Media Relations

Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - Page 8

Sports Contact — Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

Texas State takes 2

By Jacob Mustafa The University Star The Bobcat baseball team started its season in a winning fashion this weekend, with victories over the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas-Pan American.

Texas State went 2-1 on its opening weekend in the UTPA Classic tournament, which included an 8-3 win over the Sooners Friday. The Bobcats split two games with the Broncs, losing 3-1 Saturday but winning Sunday’s contest 12-5.

Coach Ty Harrington said the series was a good benchmark to start the season with.

“You can’t ever figure out what you have to improve on until you go out and screw something up,” he said. “I thought we were great on Friday night though.”

Sophomore Mike Hart started on the mound Friday, delivering five innings of hitless baseball, in an outing Harrington described as “dominating.”

The team was also supported by an offense led by freshman designated hitter Paul Goldschmidt’s 4-for-5 night, in his first game at the college level.

“It was very good, what Goldschmidt did on his first collegiate night,” Harrington said.

The night’s scoring surge began with a two-run double by leadoff hitter Thomas Field in the second inning, and helped the Bobcats defeat Oklahoma for the first time during Harrington’s tenure as coach.

“We know that we can play well against the top competition and (Oklahoma) was just another win for us,” Field said.

“I feel real comfortable as the leadoff.”

But the Bobcats lost momentum in a Saturday loss to the Broncs.

UTPA’s Josh Wymer pitched eight innings and gave up four hits and a run, while Bobcat starter Kyle Gembler picked up his first loss of the season.

Gembler allowed one run in a five-inning effort.

Harrington blamed Saturday’s failure on the other side of the ball.

“We didn’t hit,” Harrington said. “There was a hangover from Friday night and I don’t think we did a very good job of-

By Gabe Mendoza The University Star

Onydia Garza/The Pan American JOB WELL DONE: The Bobcats went 2-1 over the weekend, including a 12-5 victory over Texas-Pan American in the UTPA Classic. The Bobcats will host their first home game against No. 1 Rice 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

fensively.”

Though Harrington had some harsh words for his Sunday relievers, the Bobcats prevailed over the Broncs in the finale, a 12-5 win started by junior Philip Lynch.

Lynch is coming off of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. The procedure is more com-

monly known as Tommy John surgery, named for the pitcher to first come back from it.

“Considering I’ve had surgery myself, I thought he did really well,” said outfielder Jarred Bunn. “I thought he was out there locating the zone, attacking the guys and doing what he needs to be doing.”

The Bobcats will play their first home game Tuesday against the Rice Owls, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation. Senior B.J. Boening is tentatively scheduled to start the 6:30 p.m. game.

“Rice has a lot of tradition and a national championship,” said Harrington. “Hopefully we’ll have some good weather,

a nice turnout and we’ll play a good game tomorrow.”

After Friday’s victory over the Sooners, the Bobcats said they stand a chance against any team, even the best in the country.

“We respect them and what they’ve done,” said Bunn. “But we’re not intimidated.”

Mavs stampede the Bobcats Texas-Arlington 110, Texas State 103 TEXAS-ARLINGTON Giffin, Jermaine Read, Matt Guignard, Ro’ger Hunter, Cardell Epps, Rodrick Henry, Terrell Long, Brandon Vereen, Anthony Moffitt, Tommy Posey, Larry TEAM Totals

Min 24 5 32 18 5 5 27 18 9 27

FG M-A 3-6 1-2 4-11 1-3 3-6 0-1 7-13 4-4 1-1 8-10

FT M-A 4-8 1-1 0-0 1-1 11-11 1-2 1-8 8-8 0-0 2-3

200

32-57

35-42

Reb O-T 2-7 0-0 1-2 2-3 0-0 0-1 0-4 2-5 1-4 4-9 4-9 14-42

A 1 0 5 3 5 3 1 2 3 3

PF 3 3 0 4 4 1 4 4 0 3

PTS 10 3 12 3 19 1 26 16 2 18

26

26

110

Percentages: FG .561, FT .833. 3-Point Goals: 11-22, .500 (Long 5-9, Guignard 4-9, Epps 2-4). Blocked shots: 5 (Griffin 5). Turnovers: 26 (Epps 8, Griffin 4, Guignard 4, Posey 4, Long 3, Hunter 1, Vereen 1, Moffitt 1). Steals: 10 (Guignard 2, Epps 2, Vereen 2, Henry 1, Long 1, Moffitt 1, Posey 1). Technical Fouls: None.

TEXAS STATE Williams, Antwon Moseley , Dylan Thomas, Brandon Blanchard, Antwoine Holder, Brent Agwumaro, Chris Fullenwider, Matt Bush, Brandon Kiel, George Kollo, Didier TEAM Totals

Min 22 27 29 24 23 19 8 26 17 5

FG M-A 4-9 9-15 3-4 3-6 6-11 0-2 1-4 4-10 3-8 0-0

FT M-A 2-2 1-3 8-10 7-7 1-2 0-0 0-0 2-4 0-0 0-0

200

33-69

21-28

Reb O-T 1-3 1-2 2-3 0-4 1-1 0-0 0-0 2-6 2-3 0-0 4-5 13-27

A 2 0 3 8 1 0 0 7 0 0

PF 3 4 5 4 4 2 2 4 2 1

PTS 12 23 14 14 19 0 3 11 7 0

21

31

103

Percentages: FG .478, FT .750. 3-Point Goals: 16-34, .471 (Holder 6-11, Moseley 4-6, Williams 2-3, Blanchard 1-3, Fullenwider 1-3, Bush 1-3, Kiel 1-4, Agwumaro 0-1). Blocked shots: 5 (Williams 4, Moseley 1). Turnovers: 18 (Blanchard 4, Bush 4, Thomas 3, Kiel 3, Williams 1, Moseley 1, Holder 1, Fullenwider 1). Steals: 15 (Thomas 5, Blanchard 3, Moseley 2, Holder 2, Bush 2, Williams 1). Technical Fouls: 1 (Team).

Texas-Arlington Texas State

Women’s basketball falls to UTA

53 57 — 110 48 55 — 103

Attendance — 1,108. Officials — David Stevens, Jon Stigliano, Brent Sherrod.

Austin Byrd/Star Photo TEXAS SHOOT-OUT: Antwoine Blanchard goes up for a basket against Texas-Arlington Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.

The Bobcats’ record dropped to 8-14 overall after a closely contested 110-103 loss.

The Bobcat men’s basketball team dropped to 3-6 in Southland Conference play, losing to TexasArlington 110-103 Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.

Down 53-48 at the start of the second period, the Bobcats retook the lead four different times in the half, including as late as 32 minutes into the game.

Dylan Moseley hit a threepointer to put the Bobcats up 8786, but the lead was short-lived.

UTA came right back with a trey of its own by Ro’ger Guignard.

Guignard’s basket ignited a 16-3 run that sealed the win, as UTA moved its record to 3-6 against the SLC and 8-14 overall. The Bobcats hold identical records in each category.

Texas State led early in the first half, jumping ahead 12-4 after a field goal by George Kiel. The

Bobcats continued to lead in the first half until UTA’s Larry Posey knocked down a two-pointer to put the Mavericks up 37-35.

Moseley led Texas State from the field with 23 points, while Brandon Long came off the bench for the Mavericks to knock down five three-pointers and score 26.

Texas State and UTA currently share the sixth spot in the SLC. The Mavericks hold a tiebreaker with their win, but the teams will meet March 3 at Arlington, in the last regular season game for both squads.

The Bobcats get a chance to snap their three-game losing streak Thursday, when they host McNeese State.

Game time is 4 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum.

—Compiled from other news sources

In a match-up of top-tier Southland Conference teams Friday night, TexasArlington proved too much to handle on the road, as the Bobcat women dropped their third conference game of the season.

Texas State could not muster enough offense against the SLC’s top-ranked defense. UTA held the Bobcats to just 32 percent shooting in the second half and forced Texas State into 22 turnovers en route to a 79-50 victory.

“The turnovers were really our Achilles heel in the game,” Coach Suzanne Fox said. “We shot a good percentage but because we turned it over we didn’t get enough attempts at the basket.”

Guard Joyce Ekworomadu led the Bobcats in scoring with 11 points, but was just one of two players in double figures for Fox’s team. Forward Erica Putnam added 10 points to go along with eight rebounds in the losing effort.

The Texas State defense, which has been among the conference’s best all season, struggled against a dynamic backcourt led by senior Terra Wallace, who contributed 21 points and eight rebounds. Maryann Abanobi matched a team-high with 21 points of her own.

“They don’t do anything really complicated, but they’re really good defensively and they pressure the ball really well,” Fox said. “UTA has a very veteran squad; they had patience and showed why they’re 9-0.”

Texas State was able to keep it close through much of the first half, but UTA would build a double-digit lead shortly before heading into the break. The Mavericks led at the midway point 3923.

UTA outscored Texas State 7-2 to start the second half, as the Bobcats struggled to find the basket, shooting just 1-9 over the first seven minutes.

The Mavericks took advantage by building their biggest lead of the game to that point at 46-25, with just over 15 minutes to play in the contest.

“We kept being aggressive the whole game, even when we got down,” Putnam said. “We still tried to push it at them, even down to the last two minutes we were saying ‘let’s finish out strong.’”

An Ekworomadu jumper sparked an 8-0 Bobcat run that would bring her team to within 13, but UTA quickly responded with a 14-3 run of its own to push the lead back up to 25, a deficit the Bobcats could not overcome. The Mavericks would finish the game with a 13-9 run.

Texas State went into Friday night’s game at Texas Hall in second place in the tightly packed SLC West, sitting right behind the undefeated Mavericks.

The win kept UTA perfect this season in conference play as they move to 9-0 and sit alone atop the division. The Bobcats have a second shot at UTA March 2 when they come to town for a rematch.

“They were pretty much what we expected from them but we learned a lot from it,” Putnam said. “We looked at game tape and practiced and tried to switch things up a little bit.”

The Bobcats dropped their second straight road game and fell to third place behind Stephen F. Austin, who lost Saturday to Texas-San Antonio.

Texas State sits at six wins and three losses in conference, with a 13-9 record overall.

Next on the schedule is another road contest, at McNeese State in Lake Charles, La. Thursday. The Cowgirls are still searching for their first conference win. Texas State returns Saturday to the friendly confines of Strahan Coliseum to face Lamar.

Game Notes Tough D disappoints The 79 points allowed were a seasonhigh against a conference opponent for the Texas State defense, which still ranks second in the conference at 58.6 points allowed per game.

Mavericks set new mark Texas-Arlington’s ninth conference win of the season broke its school record for Southland Conference victories in a season, which they set in 2005 with eight.

TV time Friday’s contest was televised locally

by Fox Sports Southwest, and was the first Bobcat women’s game to be televised this season.