VOLUME 102, ISSUE 51
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FEBRUARY 6, 2013
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Merchandising gains new master’s degree
CONSTRUCTION DISRUPTION
By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor Texas State’s School of Family and Consumer Sciences will offer a new master’s degree starting in summer 2013. According to a University News Service press release, the master’s in Merchandising and Consumer Studies will provide students with specific knowledge of the fashion industry, which is rapidly evolving. In a press release, Rodney Runyan, director of the School of Family and Consumer Science, said the master’s degree will take an “applied approach to graduate education,” helping students with leadership, communication and analytical skills. “The retail industry and all of the companies that support and supply it have become increasingly complex,” Runyan said in a press release. “The experience, knowledge and skills needed to be successful in today’s fast-changing market are difficult to accrue during a baccalaureate program.” The department’s ongoing look at various areas of merchandising and consumer markets will include research. The research, including a focus on sustainability, cross-border shopping and entrepreneurship, will help students in the field, according to the press release.
FM 110 financing in planning stages
Austin Humphreys, Photo Editor
Nearly 200 residents of Blanco and San Saba halls have requested compensation from the Department of Housing and Residential Life because of inconveniences caused by construction.
By Paige Lambert News Reporter A highway loop designed to bypass San Marcos and alleviate traffic on Interstate 35 is expected to be complete within the next few years. The San Marcos Loop, known as FM 110, will stretch from McCarty Lane to Yarrington Road. The first portion of the loop is already complete, the second is under construction and the third is in the planning stages with the Texas Department of Transportation. The loop will connect North and South San Marcos, allowing drivers to bypass I-35. The 1.2-mile stretch of the loop currently under construction broke ground on Nov. 15, according to the Hays County Commissioners Court website. This stretch of the loop will contain four lanes and run from McCarty Road to Highway 123. This section has limited entrance points. However, Hays County is working with TxDoT on environmental studies for additional access roads to be built, said Don Nyland, area engineer for Hays and South Travis Counties. The access roads are slated to be complete by August, Nyland said. Mike Weaver, FM 110 project manager from Prime Strategies, Inc., said this 1 portion of the loop will provide better access to and from the airport and I-30 east. Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, Precinct 1, said congestion
READ FM 110, PAGE 3
Noise, dust among resident complaints By Natalie Berko News Reporter Some Blanco and San Saba Hall residents are saying they have paid the price for living next to a construction site and are asking for part of their money back as a result. Domonique Gray-Berroa, president of the Blanco Hall and San Saba Hall Council, said residents have come to him throughout the year with issues resulting from construction. Gray-Berroa, political science freshman and member of Associated Student Government Freshman Council, authored a proposal in support of the Department of Housing and Residential Life reimbursing money to students affected by construction. The proposal requests “the residents of Blanco Hall and Saba Hall are reimbursed 20 percent of money paid to the Department of Housing and Residential Life for housing for the semesters in which they resided, including the spring 2013 semester if applicable.” Gray-Berroa is circulating a petition “in support of”
Juveniles charged with arson for historic building damages By Caitlin Clark News Editor Three juveniles have been charged with arson and criminal mischief after a historic fish hatchery building on Sunday caught fire. Ken Bell, San Marcos fire marshal, arrested two boys, ages 14 and 16, and one 14-year-old girl Sunday in connection with the fire. The fire severely damaged the Old Fish Hatchery Community Building at about 10 p.m. The building, located in San Marcos
Plaza Park, suffered “major damage” to the back stairs and porch, according to a press release from the City of San Marcos. Interior smoke and water damages were also incurred. Repair costs are estimated at between $75,000 and $150,000. Bell is continuing his investigation of the fire. According to the press release, the Old Fish Hatchery Community Building is part of the park system and is used for public and private events and meetings. The building will remain out of service until repairs are made.
Madelynne Scales, Staff Photographer
The Old Fish Hatchery Community Building was burned by three juveniles Feb. 3 at San Marcos Plaza Park. The building experienced damage to the back porch and the interior.
the proposal. “The petition is saying ‘I am a resident of Blanco or San Saba Hall, and I am also a member of Texas State, and I do agree that Blanco and San Saba Halls should receive some form of compensation,’” Gray-Berroa said. Residents’ complaints range from power outages to disrupted sleep to low water pressure in the dorms. Kristi Belcher, computer science freshman and Blanco Hall resident, said she signed Gray-Berroa’s petition. Belcher said she is often woken up at 7:30 a.m. because construction workers are jackhammering outside. There is dust in the air and power outages because of construction, she said. “We are paying thousands of dollars just to live there,” Belcher said. “We should get functional power and electricity.” She wrote a letter to University President Denise Trauth complaining “the focus is on future students and not current students.”
READ construction, PAGE 3
City council approves Lazy Oaks Ranch development agreement By Karen Zamora News Reporter The San Marcos City Council approved a piece of development Tuesday that would create up to 1,750 new singlefamily residences in the city’s outlying land. The councilmembers voted 6-1 in favor of the development agreement for the western extraterritorial jurisdiction. The approval allows Lazy Oaks Ranch, LP to build single-family neighborhoods on a 937-acre tract near San Marcos Baptist Academy, with an additional 469 acres of open space and floodwater drainage area. Councilman Jude Prather, Place 2, was the dissenting vote. Kristy Stark, assistant director of Development Services-Permit Center, said Lazy Oaks Ranch would sit entirely on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, with Purgatory Creek dividing the site. Stark said the amount of land to be developed depends upon the results of federal environmental studies. The agreement includes dedicating 23 acres of parkland, enforcing environmental standards and leaving Pulpit’s Cave undisturbed. The developer would have to comply with current specifications for water and extend city infrastructure to the land. Matthew Lewis, director of planning and development services, said the closest useable wastewater facility to the land is approximately two miles away. Councilman John Thomaides, Place 3, said the developer will pay for the water and wastewater infrastructure, but the city will maintain it once the construction is completed.
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The agreement provides a 100-foot buffer between the new and existing homes near the Settlement and Fox Ridge subdivisions. City Manager Jim Nuse and County Commissioner Will Conley, Precinct 3, said they met with non-city residents in the area in late November and early December to discuss the proposal. Conley said there were residents who were not pleased with the development agreement at the time. One San Marcos resident who is not pleased with the development is Charles Soechting, who spoke during the citizens’ comment portion of Monday’s meeting. He said the councilmembers will not “find one person who is happy with this deal.” Soechting said the city council is not doing the most responsible thing with the piece of land because once completed, the developer will try to “flip it.” He said by approving the agreement, the city council is not protecting the aquifer or the San Marcos River. “If we are going to approve this deal, might as well put a sign on each end of town that says ‘We are for sale,’” Soechting said. Stark said there is not a specific timeline for development or infrastructure, but the developer has to make progress within the first five years of the contract. Councilman Ryan Thomason, Place 5, said the partnership between the developer and the city has come a long way from the original agreement brought to the council in December 2011. The agreement brought to council Monday is more specific. “It’s not everything everyone wants, but it’s a good document,” Thomason said.
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2 | Wednesday February 6, 2013 | The University Star
OPINIONS
For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu
Athletics needs more marketing, promotion to gain student support
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Emmanuel Ramirez. Star Illustrator
tudent involvement in athletic events is not growing fast enough, and the athletics department needs to explore new and creative ways to help that initiative. Texas State’s athletics program is gaining support, not only with record donations to the Bobcat Club, but with rising ticket sales across the board. However, one issue still facing the athletics department is getting students more involved in the growing process. In a University Star interview with associate athletic director Don Coryell he expressed the athletics department is “willing to try anything” to get students through the front doors and hopefully stay inside. Athletics needs to give Texas State’s commuters and visitors a reason to stay in town. Unfortunately, the games alone are apparently not enough to sway students’ minds. Athletics has tried giveaways and raffles, which are great additions, but the next step needs to be taken. Partnerships with small businesses and companies around San Marcos would be a great start and a creative way to get the community involved. The San Antonio Spurs routinely partner with Valero during the playoffs. When the Spurs win a playoff game, Valero corner stores in San Antonio give away free coffee. At Texas Lutheran University, for every touchdown scored, 5 percent is taken off the price of items at the campus bookstore. On a national scale, a Baltimore store promised free furniture for customers during the weekend of Ravens games if the team returned a kickoff for a touchdown, which happened at the Super Bowl. Texas State should strive to implement similar models for promotional partnerships within the community. There are many opportunities for these types of promotions that will not only get students coming to athletic games, but will also help San Marcos’ economy and local businesses at the same time. Viable promotions include
half-price appetizers after football victories at Root Cellar Cafe, two scoops for the price of one at Rhea’s Ice Cream and discounts on pizza at Valentino’s. If Texas State scores twice as many points as its opponent, students and residents with the “best smiles” on the game screen could get coupons to Grins, or other such promotions. With the goal of ensuring that the deals do not break the bank, only people with a Texas State ticket voucher should be eligible for the rewards. Vouchers could be printed off in the thousands at a minimal cost to the athletics department so that those who do not actually attend the events will not be able to participate. The overall goal would be to increase game attendance. So, those who do not take part should not be able to reap the same rewards as avid athletic event supporters. Texas State partnered with Nelligan Sports Marketing Oct. 2 who, according to the Texas State press release, “provides sales and marketing expertise for sports properties worldwide.” Bringing in the group is a step in the right direction from a marketing standpoint as a whole. However, its primary motivation in improving Bobcat sports is increasing athletic exposure and profits, which students are not likely to contribute to since they get into games for free. The group can be beneficial for the university’s athletic department in marketing terms, but athletics officials can do more to support an increase in game attendance. If athletics is “willing to try anything,” an attempt should be made on a variety of promotional ideas to better interlink the university and the community as whole.
The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
Additional student service fees can benefit city operations
By Molly Block Opinions Columnist
A
lthough Texas State students contribute significantly to the city’s overall economic profits, the university should consider creating an additional fee to compensate for the absence of property taxes collected from campus. According to a Jan. 16 University Star article, the university does not have to pay property taxes to the city, county or school district because of its status as a state institution. San Marcos obtains most of its funds for improvements through property taxes, and the current state of the economy has left the city struggling for these resources. According to the same article, the city would re-
ceive $7.4 million from the university if it were not exempt from paying property taxes. To make up for this lack of funding, Texas State officials could require students to pay a small fee to support basic city operations such as infrastructure and transportation services. There are many students who utilize the services and facilities provided by the city on a daily basis. The university opting to add a minor tuition fee under $10 with the goal of supporting city operations should not be a large issue for students overall. San Marcos would have a greater pot of funding for community projects if all the estimated 34,225 Texas State students paid an additional $5 fee with tuition to aid the city. Students would benefit directly through environmental, infrastructure and collaborative projects between the city and university through the use of these added funds. The city has had a historic disconnect between residents and students over the years. This added fee would allow students to make a direct impact on the city they live and work in. They would see better
improvements as a result. Texas State students bring their own financial benefits to San Marcos. The median resident age in Hays County is 23.1, according to city-data.com. The city would likely lose much of its business and would be far less prosperous if not for the Texas State students who live in San Marcos and shop locally. The spending power students bring is a vital component to the city, and many retail stores may not have decided to build in San Marcos at all without this component. Without the profits Texas State students bring to the community, it is hard to imagine the condition San Marcos would be in financially. For example, Texas State alumni Seth and Chase Katz opened a local business called Dos Gatos in June of 2009 and opened Zelicks Icehouse two years later in May. Dos Gatos and Zelicks are still thriving today on business from students and residents stopping in to grab a kolache or socialize with friends over a few drinks. There are other ways that the university currently pays the city back, even disregarding the strong spending power
students bring to San Marcos. According to the same Jan. 16 University Star article, there are certain circumstances in which the university has to share costs with the city. Bill Nance, vice president for Finance and Support Services, said Texas State financially compensates the city for half of the salary earned by the city habitat conservation plan manager. The job manages environmental problems affecting the river, which profits both Texas State and the city. Texas State officials can expand upon these collaborative projects to aid the city in additional ways since students have such a huge impact both economically and population-wise. San Marcos may struggle to secure financial resources, but the city still greatly benefits from the economic growth the university and students bring to the community. Texas State officials should consider adding a small $5 fee to tuition to further support San Marcos’ operations that, in turn, directly benefit students. --Molly Block is a mass communication junior.
University must reconsider plan to outsource custodians
By Christian Penichet-Paul Opinions Columnist
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espite a plan already in progress to outsource all of the university’s custodial services, Texas State officials need to reconsider their strategy and keep the staff employed by the institution. The university has built a beneficial relationship with its custodians over the years by offering extensive support and benefits packages for the employees. However, according to a Nov. 27, 2012 University Star article, Texas State has started the process of outsourcing its custodial positions to Houston-based McLemore Building Maintenance, Inc. As university custodians retire or quit over time, McLemore employees will fill
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in the vacancies, according to the same article. Although the outsourcing of custodial services is anticipated to save money for the university, it will create a negative impact on custodians and Texas State students. Texas State must revisit the contract and continue to employ its own custodians. Custodians employed under McLemore will receive fewer benefits. In the same University Star article, Bill Nance, vice president for Finance and Support Services, said that McLemore does not have a benefits package as extensive as the one at Texas State. Texas State custodians earn health insurance, a retirement program and a 1.5 percent salary increase every two years. On the other hand, CEO Curtis McLemore described his company’s benefits as within “industry standards” in the same article. Texas State custodians are hard-working men and women who have difficult but essential jobs. It would be unfair for future custodians to work in a company that provides few job benefits. The custodians’ commitment and work ethic toward Texas State might additionally suffer. This is because outsourced custodians would be employees of McLemore and not the university directly. A Nov. 29, 2012 University Star
Editor In Chief................................................Beth Brown, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor............................Lee Moran, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................................Caitlin Clark, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor............................Hollie O’Connor, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Liza Winkler, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..........................................Cameron Irvine, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief......................Thomas Glasebrook, starcopychief@txstate.edu Web Editor.............................................Cayla Green, starwebeditor@txstate.edu
article states the starting salary for a custodian is $16,000 to $18,000, which means that benefits appear to be essential for the job. Kim Graves, director of Custodial Operations, noted in the same article it takes two to three times as many McLemore custodians to complete the work of one Texas State employee. In essence, McLemore employees may put less effort into their services if they are offered lower benefits than what the current Texas State-hired custodians receive. Texas State custodians are responsible for cleaning extensive areas. The same Nov. 29 University Star article noted that the university’s cleaning standard is roughly 18,208 square feet per custodian during a seven-hour shift. However, because of a freeze in the number of in-house employees, Texas State-hired custodians clean approximately 31,818 square feet, which is almost double the amount the university set as its standard. Currently, the beginning stages of the university’s plan to outsource all custodial services are putting a greater burden and workload on institutionhired staff. Texas State’s growth should be matched with an increase in the number of in-house custodians instead of McLemore employees.
Multimedia Editor.........................Alex Peña, starmultimediaeditor@txstate.edu Design Editor.............................................Sarah Ansell, stardesign@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist.............................................Chris Salazar, c.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu
The alternative solution to outsourcing custodial services is to find money in other areas to support the operations. The university could attempt to reallocate some funding from other campus services such as athletics. The most adequate solution, however, would be for the administration to lobby the state legislature for more funds. According to a Jan. 29 New York Times article, the state of Texas has $8.1 billion in a Rainy Day Fund. Texas State officials should lobby to secure adequate funding for custodial operations without having to outsource the services to a private company. Texas State officials should not have to hire an outside company that may lower the benefits of custodians when there is a major fund available in the state’s coffers. Texas State’s contract to outsource its custodial services to McLemore must be reconsidered. Plans to potentially reduce custodian job benefits through outsourcing would have negative consequences on future employees. University officials must request, through lobbying state representatives, additional funds to provide for custodial services. --Christian Penichet-Paul is a history senior.
The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, February 6, 2013. 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. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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The University Star | Wednesday February 6, 2013 | 3
NEWS
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construction CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Everything about the construction is detracting from our experience at Texas State,” Belcher said. Gray-Berroa said the petition had about 200 signatures before the Freshman Council approved the proposal on Jan. 31. He does not have a goal number of signatures for the petition. It is now up to the ASG senate to approve the proposal before it is forwarded to the administration. Belcher said she would be happy if she were reimbursed, but fixing individual issues such as dust, water pressure and power outages would be helpful. Gray-Berroa said residents were not aware of the construction of the West Campus Housing Complex on the east side of Blanco Hall when the year started. Their situation took a turn for the worse once the building projects picked up speed. “The cranes started coming, and your parking is shut off,” Gray-Berroa said. “Then they dig up the front so you have to go all the way around (the dorm) to get to the entrance. Then they are digging in the front by your window.” However, Rosanne Proite, director of Housing and Residential Life, said a meeting was held in the fall with Blanco Hall residents and SpawGlass, the construction company. “We basically walked through what was going to happen and what the general work hours would be,” Proite said. The Department of Housing and Residen-
FM 110
tial Life notified students of disturbances at “the last minute,” Gray-Berroa said. Those notifications usually occurred only by hanging signs saying air conditioning or water, for example, would be shut off. Proite said she told students they would be given 48 hours notice if there was going to be work done in the evening or middle of the night. She said the department is going to begin putting information about construction in the description of dorms on its websites. Providing an 18-month project schedule will help new students know what to expect in terms of living in a dorm near construction, she said. Proite said she does not think reimbursing Blanco and San Saba Hall residents is an appropriate solution. She said the department “simply does not have that money.” However, Proite said she knows students are enduring noise and inconveniences because of the construction. Construction should be happening between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., but Proite said it has come to her attention this has not been the case all the time. Proite said she hadn’t heard from the students this was happening, so communication between residents and the department needs to be addressed. Proite said she wants students to communicate with the department if they have any concerns or complaints. “Construction is no pain, no gain, but we want to minimize the inconveniences as much as we can,” Proite said.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
on I-35 has always been a concern, along with the developing east side of San Marcos. Ingalsbe said she believes the San Marcos Loop will bring in economic growth to the east side of town, which is currently fields and open land. The commissioners court has considered plans for the San Marcos Loop for three decades, Ingalsbe said. The plans started to come to fruition when San Marcos voters approved a bond in 2008 to begin construction on FM 110 in response to the new San Marcos High School on Old Bastrop Highway. Ingalsbe said the first portion of the loop by the high school was built because of major concerns about added traffic near the building. “With more buses and families using that road as a direct route to the high school, it became a real safety hazard,” Ingalsbe said. “We knew it needed our immediate attention.” Hays County was in jeopardy of losing approximately $8 million in reimbursed funds because City of San Marcos officials paid for the road improvements by the high school. Hays County would have received money from TxDoT as part of a pass-through program if it had paid for this section of the loop.
According to the TxDoT website, passthrough financing was created by the state to stretch already-limited tax highway dollars and to allow local communities to fund upfront costs for constructing a highway project. The state then reimburses a portion of the project cost to the community over time by paying a fee for each vehicle that drives on the new road. TxDoT allowed county officials to transfer the pass-through program on the stretch of land by the high school to the portion of the loop by Yarrington Bridge, which is the future ending point of FM 110. County commissioners are looking for ways to continue work on the remaining uncompleted 11 miles of the loop, Ingalsbe said. Weaver said Prime Strategies, Inc. is helping the commissioners look at financing options, starting with buying the private land that sits where the road is planned to cross. A total of $30,000 of the $207 million bond approved in 2008 will fund the last portion of the loop. Ingalsbe said she hopes TxDoT will approve the last part of the loop so it will be completed faster. She said if that happens, it will only take a few years to complete, rather than 10 to 20 years as previously predicted.
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4 | Wednesday February 6, 2013 | The University Star
TRENDS
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Assistant professor, founder exhibits with artist collective By Mark A. Alvarez Trends Reporter The ability to capture moments through a lens has been explored, practiced and perfected for more than a century, and now assistant professor Barry Stone has made his mark on the world of photography. Stone’s work history includes his tenure as the Coordinator of the Department of Photography in the School of Art & Design and showcasing at the Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery in New York City. He received the 2012 Artist of the Year honor from the Austin Visual Arts Association and will have an upcoming feature in “Zing Magazine.” However, his most prominent contribution is the founding of the artist collective, “Lakes Were Rivers.” Originally, Stone set out to form the collective in 2008 as an outlet for supporting and critiquing photography. “I noticed an incredible amount of talent here in Central Texas,” Stone said. “There was always an energy for contemporary photography here in Austin.” The collective consists of eleven artists, including former and current Texas State faculty members Ben Ruggiero, Jason Reed, Elizabeth Chiles, Jessica Mallios and Mike Osborne. Currently, “Lakes Were Rivers” is pre-
senting its own work and works frequently with the Harry Ransom Center, a nationally recognized archive of photographs at the University of Texas. “It is always cool to go through the archive and make connections,” Stone said. “Lakes Were Rivers” has utilized its association with the Harry Ransom Center as a resource to study and support their work as a collective. “We feel very privileged to be able to work with such a unique collection,” Ruggiero said. In 2011, The Austin Chronicle contributed to the collective’s exposure, naming Elise Laird, Staff Photographer them Best Lens Crafters of 2011 and referBarry Stone, School of Art and Design assistant professor, founded the Lakes Were Rivers photography ring to them as “11 of Austin’s sharpest, collective. The group showcases work from Texas State’s photography instructors in galleries. most industrious artists working in photography and video.” space. ences as family-oriented. Stone said photos Five of the artists involved in “Lakes “‘Dark Matter’ was a show we put togeth- were a way to support one’s own happiness Were Rivers,” including Stone, Ruggiero er last fall dealing with and inspired by sci- through capturing such moments. and Chiles, were each selected in 2011 to ence-fiction and notions of the unknown,” “Photography is meant to convey that slip exhibit their work at the Austin Museum of Reed said. between truth and fiction,” Stone said. Art as “New Art in Austin: 15 to Watch.” Outside of “Lakes Were Rivers” and “It’s really cool to be picked and recog- Texas State, Stone continues to take pride nized,” Ruggiero said. “Our work has a life in his work, describing his overall influof its own, reaching people when we don’t necessarily know that it is.” In the fall of 2012, “Lakes Were Rivers” presented a photo series at Vanderbilt University entitled “Dark Matter,” which explored the subject and concepts of deep
Tutoring program aims to help student veterans By Glen Tadych Assistant Trends Editor Veterans having a tough time adjusting to college life may find help in a new tutoring program tailored specifically to their needs. The spring semester marks the beginning of the Writing Center Tutor Corps, a new program aimed at the needs of Texas State’s veteran community. The program’s methods involve military-based Elise Laird, Staff Photographer techniques and workshops to assist student veterans Beckie La Point, criminal justice senior, spreads awareness to Jesse in developing and improv- Huertas, criminal justice senior, in The Quad Jan. 31 to help gain paring writing skills, as well ticipants for the Veteran’s Writing Program. as transitioning into the comfortable rather than unfamiliar one social world of a university. Strategies in the program include mis- for veterans. “We’re working to make it more accession-oriented workshops that set specific sible to veterans,” Shaffer said. “All the objectives for student veterans and a more structured environment for improv- tutors have been trained in the program’s methods. So, if someone is comfortable ing writing skills. The basis for the program spawned with one tutor, they can stay with that tufrom the experiences of Micah Wright, tor.” The program is also working with orWriting Center Veterans Coordinator. ganizations such as Veterans Alliance at After serving four years in the Marine Corps, Wright attended the University of Texas State in order to expand its reach Texas-San Antonio where he discovered among the campus community. Jeremy Casselberry, Navy veteran and coming from a different discipline made president of Veterans Alliance at Texas it difficult to relate to the student body. Wright’s familiarity with the discon- State, emphasized the importance of usnected lifestyle of college veterans and ing the tutoring program and VATS to serving students prompted him to help bring the serving student community tothem settle into a non-military atmo- gether. “We’re really helping to get the word sphere through peer assistance using out,” Casselberry said. “We have more military-concept programs. “The whole mission is to bring veter- than 1,100 veterans on campus. So, we’re ans together,” Wright said. “Because hoping this helps get them connected military students are non-traditional, the with one another.” best way to bridge the gap is to increase the veterans’ ability to adapt.” Tutor Dean Shaffer said a critical purpose of the program is to help student veterans, as well as those currently serving in the military, complete their degrees. “Graduation rates for veterans have been steadily declining,” Shaffer said. “They don’t feel socially active and as a result, wind up dropping out.” Shaffer said if a student veteran makes it through the first year, their chances of graduation increase, rendering the program’s efforts vital early on in their college career. The program aims to achieve this by making the college experience a
The University Star | Wednesday February 6, 2013 | 5
SPORTS
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2013 Softball Preview Team, WAC coaches predict successful year for Bobcats By Odus Evbagharu Sports Reporter Texas State’s softball team will start the season on Friday with high expectations, both for themselves and from around the conference. Last month, the Texas State softball team was selected by the WAC coaches to win the conference in their first and only season in the league. The ball club received five of the eight first place votes and the 43 points the team earned beat out San Jose State University by one, placing the Spartans second. “The good thing for us is that this isn’t a spot we haven’t been in,” said Coach Ricci Woodard. “We go into the season expecting to be in that spot. It’s not like there is more pressure on us than there has been as it’s just a different conference. We hope to come out the same way we have the last few years. We all understand that poll doesn’t mean anything in February. It only means something in May.” Woodard, who is entering her 13th season as the Bobcats’ head coach, was announced as the preseason WAC Coach of the Year. Senior second baseman Anna Hernandez and pitcher Anne Marie Taylor were named to the preseason softball All-WAC Team. “I think those expectations are well deserved because we know we work hard,” Taylor said. “We’re going into this season to win, and we’re not going to let down for anyone. I don’t think the expectations are too high, and I think we deserve it.” Last season, the team finished first in the Southland Conference and earned a bid in the NCAA tournament by winning that contest. Texas State was selected to participate in the College Station regional but was unable to advance into the superregional. “I expect to win the WAC this year,” said senior outfielder Brooke Baker. “I expect us to go further than what we have done in the past and believe we’ll get past regionals and get to super-regionals. We believe we have a real strong team this year and that we will do well.” The team lost pitcher, utility player, and last year’s Southland Conference tournament MVP Chandler Hall to graduation for this upcoming season. Hall as a hitter posted a .277 batting average, accounted for 26 RBIs and contributed 41 hits for the team. However, her value is lost more on the mound. Hall led the Bobcats starting 28 games as a pitcher and posted a 22-8 record with a 1.73 ERA. The Bobcats will look to Taylor to fill that void this season. The left-handed pitcher posted a 17-8 record last season, starting in 28 games,
and led the team with a 1.71 ERA. In the fall, Taylor had a strong showing against the National Pro Fastpitch All-Stars, pitching all 13 innings, striking out four and giving up three hits and a run in a 1-0 defeat. “Obviously, losing Chandler Hall is a big loss,” Woodard said. “I think Anne Marie has been overshadowed by Chandler Hall to some degree. Chandler had 20-plus wins last year and Anne Marie Taylor had 17. It’s not like they were doing anything different.” Woodard said Anne Marie has worked “behind the scenes” in the past. “We are going to see her out in front of the scenes a little bit more,” she said. “She’s in a great spot and feeling confident. That 13 innings against the NPF All-Stars only helped build her confidence. She is in a good spot to carry us this spring.” A positive for Texas State is that they return all eight starting fielders and six seniors will lead the team this year. Senior first baseman Haley Lemons believes the seniors on the team must lead by example to be effective this spring. “It is important for us seniors to show leadership by actually doing the work and hard jobs,” Lemons said. “We need to show leadership by being servants to players on our team and respecting one another.” Lemons said it is important for seniors to set that example. “You can’t ask anybody to work hard, and you can’t ask for anyone to do things for you if you are not going to do things for them and for the team,” she said. “We view those things for the team as very important for us finding success this season.” Since Woodard took over the team in 2001, the Bobcats have posted a .752 win percentage and have never finished below third in conference play. “I expect this team to be very good,” Woodard said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they did some great things this year.” Twitter: @odus_Outputs
Anne Marie Taylor Senior Pitcher Taylor went 17-8 as a starter in 2012 with an ERA of 1.71. Taylor appeared in 30 games, starting in 28. Taylor pitched against the NPF All-Stars in the fall and held some of the best softball players in the world to just three hits and one run in 13 innings. Taylor was named to the All-WAC preseason first team. Anna Hernandez Senior second baseman Hernandez played in all 56 games for Texas State in 2012, starting 55 of them. Hernandez’s .304 batting average was second on the team to Brooke Baker’s .306. Her three home runs were tied for best on the team, and she was second best on the team in slugging percentage (.404). Hernandez was named to the AllWAC preseason first team.
Star File Photo
March 9: Vs. Texas The Longhorns come to town for the first time in two years after defeating the Bobcats twice in a doubleheader in 2012. The home contest for Texas State is part of a threegame series with the Longhorns, with the first and third hosted by UT March 8 and 10, respectively.
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April 16: Vs. Texas A&M The Aggies ended softball’s season last year with a 7-4 win at College Station. In the regular season, Texas A&M defeated the Bobcats 3-2. Texas State managed just three hits against the Aggies, two from first baseman Haley Lemons.
Did You Know? California State University-Fresno dominated WAC softball for the last 20 years. The Lady Bulldogs have made the tournament 26 consecutive years, an NCAA record. Fresno State is now participating in the Mountain West Conference. So, Texas State has one year to make its mark on conference softball history. The Bobcats became the first team not named Fresno State or Hawaii in the last five years to be picked as the winner of the WAC. Texas State will play Fresno State in the Capitol Classic in Sacramento, Calif. March 16.
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Anne Marie Taylor, senior pitcher, is expected to carry the pitching workload in 2013 following the graduation of pitcher Chandler Hall.
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6 | Wednesday February 6, 2013 | The University Star | Sports
Bobcat News and Notes
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Bulldogs to face Bobcats with formidable 11-win streak By Samuel Rubbelke Sports Reporter Texas State will face Louisiana Tech University, the top dogs of the WAC, this weekend. The Bulldogs recently surpassed last year’s national champion in the Top 25 poll race. The Bobcats travel to Arlington Thursday, and Saturday will reach Ruston, La. Texas State lost its last six games at home but has won three straight on the road. “On the road, it’s different,” said junior forward Joel Wright. “We know we are all we got. We are the only ones that we have to worry about. When we are at home, I think there is a lot on our minds. We are focused this week, ready to go on the road and get back two games.” After the Bulldogs’ (19-3, 10-0 in WAC) recent 64-51 victory over the University of Texas-Arlington, Louisiana Tech received 16 points in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This placed Louisiana Tech at No. 33, just ahead of Kentucky, last year’s National Champion. Votes from 65 distinguished sportswriters and broadcasters from throughout the nation comprise the AP Top 25 college basketball poll. The Bulldogs crept into 10th place in the CollegeInsider.com Men’s Mid-Major Top 25 poll. “They are an up-tempo team, and their pressure makes them a good team,” said Coach Doug Davalos. “They create turnovers, and there are more shots per game when you play them. They beat you with numbers. They are such a good system and 1-10 all contribute.” During the UT-Arlington game, the Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers that contributed to 20 points. The game was the ninth time the Bulldogs have forced 20 turnovers this season. Louisiana Tech leads conference play with 8.3 steals per game. It has accumulated 191 steals on the season. Louisiana Tech extended its win streak to 11 games, the longest winning streak since 1985 for the Bulldogs. The team has won 13 straight games at Thomas Assembly Center, which dates back to Jan. 28, 2012. Louisiana Tech is currently one of 14 teams with at least 19 wins in NCAA Division I Basketball. However, it is unusual that Louisiana Tech has a 9.1 scoring margin over its opponents (first in the WAC). It man-
ages to score 72.1 points per game (first starters, each scoring in double figures. in the WAC) while only shooting .397 Forward Karol Gruszecki led the charge from the floor (eighth in the confer- with a career-high 23 points. The figure ence). included seven 3-pointers. Forward KevThe Bobcats fell 84-67, though Wright in Butler has 15 points. Forward Branproduced 24 points and seven rebounds, don Edwards posted a double-double of in Texas State’s last game versus Louisi- 14 points and 13 rebounds. Forward Jorana Tech. dan Reves and guard Cameron Catlett “We know we should have beat them each added 11 points. when we were at home,” said sophoUT-Arlington went on a 10-0 run with more guard Wesley Davis. “We were 4 minutes to go during play. Texas State down by four with a couple minutes left, couldn’t get a basket, going 2-7 from the but we just let it go.” field over the final minutes to cement a The Bulldogs dominated the battle 91-74 loss. The most the Bobcats have of the boards, led by guard Kenneth given up during conference play is 91 Smith who tallied 10, taking a 54-37 ad- points. UT-Arlington is 5-5 in the WAC. vantage. Louisiana Tech accounted for 19 total offensive rebounds, which were Twitter: @SamuelRubbelke attributed to the double-digit lead going into the half and 23 total second-chance points. The first-half struggles were evident for Texas State, shooting 29.4 percent from the field. The Bobcats’ resiliency manifested itself during the second half, converting 60.7 percent of their shots from the floor. Texas State matched Louisiana Tech at 46 points for the second half. Davis and Deonte’ Jones finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively. “You’ve got to play a complete 40 minutes against them,” Davalos said. “If you get down to them, they will let you back in the game. If you get up on them, they’ll get back in the game.” The past UT-Arlington game at Strahan Coliseum featured 24 combined 3-pointers. Wright tallied 24 points shooting 4-4 from beyond the arc. Deonte’ Jones finished with 21, converting 5-9 from behind the 3-point line. Feb. 15, 2011 was the last time two Bobcats scored over 20 points in a single game. The 12 Star File Photo 3-pointers for the Bobcats became a then-high season Men’s basketball will be on the road this weekend, playing record. against UT-Arlington Feb. 7 and stopping in Ruston, La. Feb. 9 The Mavericks got to battle it out with Louisiana Tech. The Bobcats have a threeproduction from all five game winning streak on the road.
Signing Day
Texas State athletics and Coach Dennis Franchione will announce the 2013 class at 11 a.m. Feb. 6, National Signing Day. Follow the University Star sports Twitter account, @ustarsports, for live press conference updates and read our Feb. 7 edition for all the details on the Texas State commitments.
Second Best
Texas State baseball was predicted to finish second, behind Dallas Baptist, for the WAC title this year. The WAC and the league’s 10 head coaches conducted the vote. Dallas Baptist, along with California State University-Sacramento and California State University-Bakersfield are baseball-only members of the conference. Texas State received one first place vote to Dallas Baptist’s eight and received 65 points to Baptist’s 80. UTSA was picked to finish eighth.
500 Wins
At the Hurricane Invitational this past weekend, Mike Akers, women’s golf coach, achieved win No. 500 as the Bobcats finished second in the event out of 16 teams. Only Baylor was able to eclipse Texas State. Krista Puisite finished with a tournamentbest 213 score through three rounds. Following a fall season that placed the Bobcats as high as 28th in the country, Texas State heads into its all-day duel Feb. 6 with Florida International University
BracketBusters matchup
Texas State men’s basketball will face 2-20 Lamar, former Southland Conference foe, in its ESPN BracketBusters matchup. Last year’s BracketBusters match against South Dakota State University resulted in a 93-92 edge for Texas State.
First Place Winners
At the Red Raider Open in Lubbock last weekend, junior transfer Chelsea Stephen won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.95 seconds, a new school record. In the women’s 800-meter run, Briana Sharp and Kimberly Krtinich finished first and second, respectively. In the women’s weight throw, the Bobcats placed in the top three. Jalisa Hall finished first with a throw of 18.11 meters. Carter Nell finished first in the men’s pole vault, Section B. Darian Brown finished first in the men’s weight throw, Section A.
A Strong Start
Women’s tennis scored a pair of wins at home to begin the spring season this past weekend. The team achieved a 7-0 victory in their match against Texas-Pan American on Feb. 2 and a 6-1 triumph over St. Edwards the next day. The Bobcats’ next three matches are at home, including a Feb. 10 match against the University of Houston. Report compiled by Cameron Irvine, Sports Editor Twitter: @txstcamirvine