02 08 2007 by The University Star

TOURNEY TIME

Hecho en Tejas

Texas State softball starts season Friday as host school of CenturyTel Classic

Southwestern Writers Collection book features Texas-bred authors SEE TRENDS PAGE 7

SEE SPORTS PAGE 12

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

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FEBRUARY 8, 2007

THURSDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 52

Prevent a Litter sponsors free pet sterilization By Christine Mester The University Star At the beginning of each semester, students shell out hundreds of dollars for books, lab fees and supplies. To help students out with these early semester costs, the organization, Prevent a Litter of Central Texas (PALS), will host a free pet sterilization clinic Saturday for Texas State students at the UPS Store of San Marcos, located at 350 N. Guadalupe, suite 140. The clinic will begin at 8 a.m. and appointments must be made ahead of time by contacting Sherri Boyett, PALS director, at (512) 392-9747. Students are advised not to feed their pets past 10 p.m. on

Friends say Harmeyer took care of people around him

“S

paying or neutering our pets and feral cats is the most eﬀective way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family who loves them.”

—Sherri Boyett PALS director

the night before the surgery. In addition to the surgery, pets will also receive a free rabies vaccination. Spay Day is a national campaign that encourages pet owners to spay or neuter their pets as a simple and eﬀective way to end the euthanizing of homeless pets. Boyett said spay and neuter programs are

the key to ending pet overpopulation. It is the only way to prevent surplus birth, she said. “We provide a human service,” Boyett said. “We help full-time students with hopes (that) this will lessen the number of abandoned pets from our student population.” The problem of pet overpopula-

tion in San Marcos has resulted in the euthanization of 4,900 pets between 2004 and 2006 at the city of San Marcos Animal Shelter. According to the The Humane Society of the United States, thousands of puppies and kittens are born every hour and that not enough homes are available for these animals. The burden of unwanted pets also extends to taxpayers. The number of animals in overcrowded animal shelters costs taxpayers $1 billion annually. “Spaying or neutering our pets and feral cats is the most eﬀective way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family

Keep it up!

Trauth identifies tuition deregulation as top priority at Senate meeting By Scott Thomas The University Star

By Alysha Mendez The University Star Jason Harmeyer said he was looking forward to his little brother Tommy’s wedding day. “He’s my best friend,” Harmeyer said. “I was going to be the best man.” Tommy Harmeyer, undecided junior, died Sunday in an automobile collision near campus. According to a press release from the city of San Marcos, the Rockwall native and Texas State student was riding his motorcycle at about 3:15 p.m. eastbound on University Drive when an oncoming Nissan Sentra turned into the motorcycles path. Harmeyer’s motorcycle struck the right side of the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the press release, police said Harmeyer was wearing a helmet and padded jacket at the time of the accident. His roommate at Tower Hall, West Neinast, management sophomore, said Harmeyer “took care of other people around him more than himself.” “We met each other and became really close,” Neinast said. “He was a real open and funny guy.” Neinast described a few inside jokes between himself, Harmeyer and suitemate Kris Farr, management freshman. “Like whenever we would ﬁnd out about grades, he’d ask us ‘Wanna go to the library? Wanna go to the library?’ over and over again,” Neinast said. Jaci Johnson, business management sophomore, was also one of Harmeyer’s closest friends. “He was very outgoing and no matter what he felt like, if you were having a bad day, his goal was to (cheer) you up,” she said. “He brought out the best in people.” Johnson said it was a tragedy Harmeyer died so young. “I think anybody that knew him even for one day or one class has been devastated by what happened,” she said. Graham Glover, pre-healthcare administration sophomore, said Harmeyer was “the kind of guy that would just come up to anyone and say ‘Hey’ and ask how their day was going.” “He was so easy to talk to and get along with,” Glover said. Jason Harmeyer said how happy his little brother was with life — in the aspect of religion, college, friends, family and his girlfriend. “He truly lived life to the fullest and he was always happy,” Harmeyer said.

The Faculty Senate met Wednesday to discuss legislative agenda concerning Texas State, new construction projects, new faculty position allocations and other ongoing matters. During the legislative agenda discussion, President Denise Trauth said the highest priority was to keep tuition deregulation intact, and that Gov. Perry is very forthright about keeping it that way. However, she said the Texas Senate wanted to put a freeze on tuition. The Faculty Senate discussed an initiative backed by the governor for a new funding program that would give universities ﬁscal rewards of up to $2,000 for every student that graduates, and even more for at-risk students. Trauth said graduating students and raising funds for the university were two top priorities and that she thinks the See SENATE, page 4 Jennifer Williams/Star photo Kirk Runyon, pre-health care administration junior, keeps the sack moving while a 10-person circle attempts a “hack.” A hack occurs when each party keeps the hacky-sack from touching ground. Hacking is more than a social activity, it’s considered a sport to some. For the full story on this between-class pastime, see TRENDS page 5.

Smithsonian director tells how both past, present make up Black History Month By Karen Little The University Star Nearly 60 students and faculty members gathered Wednesday night to listen to Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, speak about the continuing importance of black history month. Jesus DeLaTeja, chair of history department, introduced Bunch to the crowd. “He has the monumental task of getting the doors open on the new National Museum of African American Culture,” Teja said. “As director, he works to identify the museum’s mission, develop exhibitions and public programs about the history, culture and contribution of African Americans.” Bunch began his lecture accounting his voyages across the nation. “One of the joys about being a historian is I get to start every talk with a story,” he said. Bunch was asked to create a major exhibition of the 19th century for the museum. To gather information and get an idea on what he wanted to do, he ventured to the South. “I looked at cotton plantations in

Today’s Weather

Partly Cloudy 70˚/50˚

who loves them,” Boyett said. “Millions of healthy, adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized each year in the U.S. because there simply are not enough homes for them all.” According to www.petﬁnder.org, “an unspayed female dog and her ﬁrst average litter can produce a total of 67,000 dogs over six years.” PALS are also looking for student volunteers in the hope of holding more free clinics in the future and solving the problem of pet overpopulation in San Marcos. “PALS is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership,” Boyett said. “We are always looking for ways to accomplish our mission of ending pet overpopulation.”

Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 72% UV: 4 Moderate Wind: SSW 8 mph

Texas, sugar plantations in Louisiana and tobacco in North Carolina,” Bunch said. Up a highway and down a dirt road in Georgetown, S.C., Bunch came across 12 slave cabins still standing from the 1850s. There he met a 93-year-old referred to as “Mr. Johnson.” Johnson lived in the cabins with his grandmother, who had been a slave. “It was like a holy grail — to meet someone that could help me understand the day-to-day living in this cabin,” Bunch said. He said Johnson talked about how his grandmother and other slaves would use a broom to sweep the ground so hard it would be like concrete with no grass or dirt. Johnson proceeded to take Bunch to the back of the cabin where slaves planted and grew provisions. “He talked quietly about how his grandma and other slaves grew food to supplement what they were given on the plantation,” Bunch said. The most memorable thing Johnson told him that night, Bunch said, was something he will always carry with him. Bunch said Johnson told him, “Boy,

Two-day Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy Temp: 68°/ 48° Precip: 10%

Saturday Few Showers Temp: 60°/ 55° Precip: 30%

See BLACK HISTORY, page 4

Mark Decker/Star photo AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY: Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the Smithsonian’s Natural Museum of African American History & Culture, speaks on his contribution in the establishment of the institution Wednesday in Flowers Hall.

Tax break passes second reading 4-3 By Zach Halfin The University Star The City Council continued its discussion Tuesday on the possible repeal of an ordinance passed in 1989 that prevents local manufacturers from receiving a state-mandated property tax break. In a 4 to 3 vote, the council passed on the second of three readings required to repeal the ordinance. The tax exemption affects eight local manufacturers and will cost the city a likely $202,000 in lost tax revenue. The tax break allows for the exemption of property taxes on items known as Freeport property, meaning goods used in manufacturing or goods that are stored in the state, which are then distributed out of state within 175 days or less. Many members of the business community and representatives from local manufacturing firms attended the meeting to express support for the tax cuts. Kim Moore, director of economic development, said the

Inside News ..............1-4 Trends .............5-8 Crossword ......... 8 Sudoku .............. 8

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

Comics .............. 8 Opinions ............ 9 Classiﬁeds ....... 10 Sports ......... 11,12

See COUNCIL, page 4

PAGE TWO Thursday in Brief

February 8, 2007

starsof texas state Mike Hart, exercise and sports science sophomore, was named Aeropostale Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week for his performance against Oklahoma. Friday, in an 8-3 victory over Oklahoma, Hart pitched ﬁve innings. The right-handed pitcher allowed no hits and gave up no runs. Hart struck out

four batters and walked only three before being relieved in the sixth inning. Aaron Garza, exercise and sports science senior, and Chris Smith of Steven F. Austin received honorable mentions for Hitter of the Week. -Courtesy of Public Relations

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

Stuck in the Cold THURSDAY Texas State men’s basketball will play McNeese State 7 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum. The Catholic Student Organization will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the lounge of the Catholic Student Center. The Rock - Praise & Worship will be at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of the CSC. The Healthy Relationships Group will meet. For more information and a screening, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208. Overeaters Anonymous will be at 5:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information, call (512) 3572049. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship weekly meeting will be at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. There will be contemporary worship, relevant teaching and prayer. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, call (512) 557-7988 or e-mail at email@texasstatechialpha.com.

Feb. 1, 9:26 a.m. Elevator Rescue/San Jacinto An oﬃcer was dispatched for a report of an elevator rescue. A student was released from the elevator and refused medical attention.

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

Feb. 1, 9:30 a.m. Elevator Rescue/San Jacinto An oﬃcer was dispatched for a report of an elevator rescue. A student was released from the elevator and refused medical attention.

FRIDAY Texas State tennis will play Texas-Pan American, 10 a.m. at the Tennis Complex.

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

Facebook, Ziddio.com partner to enable video-sharing Facebook, the Internet’s leading social utility, and Ziddio. com, announced Wednesday a partnership that will allow Facebook users to create and share user-generated videos and give them the chance to become part of a new television series titled “Facebook Diaries.” Beginning in March, the companies will kick oﬀ a program that includes contests asking users to submit short videosegments about their lives. Throughout the contests, Facebook users will be encouraged to upload, view, share and rate the videos. Selected videos will be featured prominently online on Facebook.com and Ziddio. com and on television including Comcast’s ON DEMAND service. Submitted videos will also form the basis for the new television series, “Facebook Diaries,” to be produced by R.J. Cutler, the Oscar-nominated, Emmy award-winning producer of TV shows including “American High” and “30 Days.” Cutler will choose from the best submissions and weave them together to produce ten halfhour episodes to air online and on television. “Video sharing is extremely popular among Facebook’s 16 million users,” said Owen Van Natta, chief operating oﬃcer for Facebook. “Through our partnership with Comcast, we are making it even easier for the Facebook community to share video content in a trusted online environment and giving them the opportunity to tell their stories on TV.”

University Police Department

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

Texas State baseball will play Texas A&M-Prairie View 3 p.m. at Bobcat Field.

“Ziddio has leveraged Comcast’s powerful reach in broadband and television to create a nationwide site that elevates the world of user-generated videos to a cross-platform experience,” said Amy Banse, president of Comcast Interactive Media. “We are excited to connect this phenomenon with the Facebook community and bring Ziddio to its unique demographic.” “Everyone has a story to tell and ‘Facebook Diaries’ is a really new and exciting way for people to share their experiences,” said producer R.J Cutler. “The concept is a fresh spin on entertainment and programming, and I think it’s truly groundbreaking. Facebook and Comcast are terriﬁc partners for this and I can’t wait to get started.” Once the contests launch in March, Facebook users can begin uploading video by joining the Ziddio-sponsored group on Facebook or through Ziddio at www.ziddio.com. To join Facebook, people can authenticate into a school or work network, or they can join a regional network by registering at www. facebook.com. Ziddio is a new multiplatform user-generated site launched last year by Comcast Interactive Media. The site brings together premium networks and partners to host co-branded contests with unique prizes and the chance for users to showcase their content across multiple platforms — online, on Comcast’s ON DEMAND service and on linear networks —Courtesy of Collegiate Presswire

CRIME BL TTER

Star photo/Bridgette Cyr Maintenance workers address a water leak in the Arnold Hall courtyard Wednesday, to restore hot water to its residents. Arnold residents have been without heated water since Tuesday.

Library Beat Southwestern Writers Collection celebrates newest volume The Southwestern Writers Collection at Alkek Library celebrates the newest volume in its book series Saturday. The first-ever anthology of Texas Mexican literature, Hecho en Tejas, is now available from the University of New Mexico Press. Faculty, staff and students are invited to the all-day event, which will include discussions, readings and book signings by almost a dozen authors, plus live music and lunch. Keynote speakers will be Sandra Cisneros and Dagoberto Gilb, who is on the faculty of Texas State’s creative writing master of fine arts program. Admission is free and open

to the public. Those interested in attending are encouraged to R.S.V.P. via e-mail at southwes ternwriters@txstate.edu or by calling (512) 245-2313. Hecho en Tejas Schedule of Events 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Morning panel discussion 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Exhibit Viewing 12:00 p.m. Performance by Conjunto Aztlán 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Afternoon panel discussion with Sandra Cisneros, Dagoberto Gilb, Christine Granados and Macarena del Rocio Hernández, moderated by Arturo Madrid

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Remarks and Readings by Dagoberto Gilb and Sandra Cisneros 3:30 to 5:00 pm Book signing with the guest authors. Performance by Santiago Jiménez, Jr. Additional funding for the anthology and book launch is provided by the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center, Texas State’s Oﬃce of Equity and Access, the Texas Commission on the Arts and private donors. The Southwestern Writers Collection is located on the seventh ﬂoor of Alkek Library. Exhibit hours and the full calendar of exhibits and events are online at www.swwc.txstate.edu, or call (512) 245-2313 for more information. —Courtesy of the Alkek Library

Feb. 1, 9:44 a.m. Elevator Rescue/The Tower An officer was dispatched for a report of an elevator rescue. A student was released from the elevator and refused medical attention. Feb. 2, 1:34 a.m. PI/Resisting Arrest An officer was dispatched for a report of an intoxicated person. Upon further investigation a student was found to be intoxicated. The student was arrested and transported to the Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. Feb. 2, 1:46 a.m. POM/Falls Hall An officer was dispatched for a report of a suspicious odor. Upon further investigation a student was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The student was arrested, issued a citation for PODP and transported to HCLEC to await magistration.

Texas experts discuss urban, wildlife issues DALLAS — Deer in the driveway? Coyotes on the concrete? While many suburbanites love wildlife and a country setting, and wildlife experts tout the value of native habitat and open space, conﬂicts between people and wild animals are on the rise statewide. A conference Feb. 20 will gather experts to explore solutions. Managing Urban Wildlife: Planning for Success is the ﬁrst Texas gathering of its kind, bringing together not only wildlife biologists, but also city animal control workers and local park and nature center operators. “As Texas cities expand, housing subdivisions are replacing green open space,” said John Davis, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urban wildlife biologist for the DallasFort Worth region. “Urban wildlife issues pose both problems

and opportunities. Concerns like nuisance coyotes and overpopulated deer can become flashpoints for divided communities, but properly managed wildlife and green space are vital to our quality of life. This conference will show how deliberate, proactive planning can maximize the benefits of living with urban wildlife while minimizing conflicts.” The conference is geared particularly toward elected officials, municipal staff, animal control personnel, regional planners, park and nature center staff, and local wildlife rehabilitators — but organizers say the topics offered will benefit anyone working with or interested in urban wildlife populations. Throughout the day, experts will discuss successfully navigating news coverage of wildlife issues, managing urban

coyotes, deer and feral hogs, peacefully living with raccoons, opossums, skunks, and bats, and avoiding potential wildlife diseases. The conference will close with a look to proactive, regional planning, the real key to urban wildlife success, and will end with a panel of experts addressing audience questions. Participants include TPWD, Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University, North Texas Master Naturalists, Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, City of Austin and DallasFort Worth Wildlife Coalition. Rob Denkhaus of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge will speak about controlling feral hogs in a Fort Worth park setting, an example of successfully managing a dangerous species while addressing stakeholder concerns and proactively involving the media.

Dorinda Pulliam, head of City of Austin animal control programs, will talk about Austin’s effort to monitor, report and control nuisance coyotes, a model that experts would like to see shared with other cities. Diana Foss of TPWD will speak about Houston’s popular bat viewing projects, involving volunteers and the news media to create effective public education and ecotourism. Prudi Koeninger of the DFW Wildlife Coalition will promote ways of living peacefully with common suburban wildlife. For more information, contact Fred Burrell with Texas Cooperative Extension at (214) 904-3056 or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urban wildlife office in Cedar Hill at (972) 293-3841. -Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife

NEWS

Thursday, February 8, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Expert weighs in

Texas State looking for proactive solutions to underage drinking By Karen Little The University Star Every week the University Police Blotter lists a number of students receiving citation for alcohol related offenses. Nonetheless, Randy Haveson, nationally renowned drug and alcohol counselor, recommends college officials take a proactive approach regarding under-age and binge drinking on college campuses. According to Strategic Vision, a widespread public relations firm, college administrators across the country have implemented tougher policies aimed at cracking down on under age and binge drinking. This is not necessarily the case with Texas State. “We try to make sure that the student judicial process they go through is educational in nature,” said Vincent Morton, associate dean of students. “We are committed to a student’s success. You’ve been through this office once, and we want to make sure you don’t come through again.” Punishments issued to underage students caught with alcohol on campus include an alcohol education course, parent notification and suspension for first, second and third offenders. Morton said the university has different ways to discipline students. It is possible for the students to go through a judicial

board or programs like the alcohol education course. University officials usually determine what kind of punishment a student receives based on the situation. Shawn Bates, creative writing sophomore, used to be a resident of San Saba Hall, a “dry” dormitory. He was caught with alcohol in his room by the University Police Department and did not receive a sanction. Bates was told to pour the alcohol out. “Anything they are trying to enforce isn’t effective,” Bates said. “The threat is more effective than their action.” Currently the university police have several programs to deter students from drinking and driving. Haveson, a professional speaker with a master’s in counseling, said such programs on campus are an effective tool for informing students on issues regarding alcohol. “It takes a full campus effort to make students aware of what’s going on,” he said. By addressing self-esteem and leadership, he said that he wants to teach people to make better decisions. “All you hear is ‘be responsible,’” he said. “It almost loses its solidity.” To help combat any miscommunication between students and officials, UPD started a program called “Cops and Doughnuts”

where students can ask questions and expect honest answers in a peer-to-peer setting. “Cops and Doughnuts is an informal Q & A that deals with general issues students want to know,” said Otto Glenewinkle, crime prevention officer. Hall directors and resident advisors buy doughnuts, pastries and juice while students ask two officers questions. “We give them the most honest answer, as if we were asked by someone in our family,” Glenewinkle said. “So students can make their own informed decisions.” Haveson said programs such as Cops and Doughnuts are very effective in informing students. “I applaud that and I think it’s very proactive,” Haveson said. “Normally the perceptions students have are not even close.” Another approach to inform students is taken by the student wellness team, who has started a social marketing program to help raise alcohol awareness. Haveson agrees with social marketing programs because they create a realistic view of what is happening for students. Julie Eckert, peer education coordinator of the Drug and Alcohol Resource Center, said the perception people normally have of students and alcohol is much higher than the actual amount

they consume. She also said a lot of the citations given to students are not on university property. “The majority of sanctions issued are not on campus,” Eckert said. “Most of the sanctions are issued at parties off-campus and on The Square. Only 40 percent are issued on campus.” Eckert helps organize an alcohol education course for minors, in which students are required to take six hours after receiving their first offense. She said even students issued a ticket in their hometown could take the course on campus. “Not everyone that takes the course is sanctioned by the university to be there,” Eckert said. “We are trying to change the perception of the university to all students.” Haveson said in order for students to be safe, he encourages them to do a quick evaluation of the night ahead. “Who are you going out with? What is your plan for the night? When’s your limit? Where are you going? Why are you drinking?” Haveson said. “‘Just say no’ does not work unless you are in sixth grade.” In addition to the assorted programs Texas State promotes, UPD will be hosting a program right before spring break with a DWI simulator set up in The Quad. There will also be booths

Monty Marion/Star photo illustration TAKE IT EASY: Drug and alcohol counselor says Texas State is taking a proactive approach on college-aged drinking by initiating programs such as the University Police Department’s “Cops and Doughnuts.”

from various organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, San Marcos Police Department and Hays County. Haveson said Texas State is taking a very practical approach

and is slowly achieving ways of reaching out to the student body, which is vastly eﬀective. “Sounds like (Texas State) is slowly implementing solutions and is doing a wonderful job,” Haveson said.

Race, religion biggest hurdles in Obama’s presidential bid Bill offers reduction in Contender’s faith will be closely examined, exploited by competition By Manya A. Brachear and Bob Secter Chicago Tribune (MCT) CHICAGO — The expected launch of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is still days away, but his quest to become the nation’s first black commander in chief already is forcing a delicate examination of how candidates talk about race. That conversation took an awkward turn last week when Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., ruined his presidential campaign announcement with clumsy comments meant to praise Obama though widely interpreted as a putdown of other prominent black politicians. But Obama also faces his own challenges in dealing with race as he seeks to frame himself as a candidate who can bridge historic divisions not only of race, but class and religion as well. Even the simple act of choosing a church can become fodder in a national political campaign, where every facet of a candidate’s life and associations will be put under a microscope. A year before the first primary contests, Obama is taking fire from both the left and the right in these matters. The product of a black Kenyan father, white American mother and a series of elite schools, Obama has prompted some blacks to question whether he is really in touch with their lives. At the same time, conservative critics already have begun a buzz on the Internet about a far less known part of his biography: his adherence to the creed of the prominent Chicago church he attends, Trinity United Church of Christ. The congregation posits what it terms a Black Value System, including calls to be “soldiers for black freedom” and a “disavowal of the pursuit of middleclassness.” In an interview Monday, Obama said it was important to understand the document as a whole rather than highlight individual tenets. “Commitment to God, black community, commitment to the black family, the black work ethic, self-discipline and selfrespect,” he said. “Those are values that the conservative movement in particular has suggested are necessary for black advancement. “So I would be puzzled that they would object or quibble with the bulk of a document that basically espouses profoundly conservative values of self-reli-

tuition for off-peak classes By Chelsea Juarez The University Star

Chuck Kennedy/MCT RACIAL PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Democratic National Committee winter meeting in Washington. Obama’s bid to become the nation’s ﬁrst black president has already caused some to examine how lightly they must tread on racial issues.

ance and self-help.” In his published memoirs, Obama said even he was stopped by Trinity’s tenet to disavow “middleclassness” when he first read it two decades ago in a church pamphlet. The brochure implored upwardly mobile church members not to distance themselves from less fortunate Trinity worshipers. “As I read it, at least, it was a very simple argument taken directly from Scripture: ‘To whom much is given much is required,’” Obama said in the interview. That was then. On Saturday, Obama is expected to thrust himself into the hothouse atmosphere of presidential campaign politics, where the principles and teachings of Obama’s church might require some explanation for, say, some white, middleclass voters in Iowa or New Hampshire. As a candidate who has presented himself as able to enliven a national discourse on faith — he filled his now-famous Democratic convention speech in 2004 with religious language — Obama would not be the first presidential candidate to invite an examination of the political implications of his religious beliefs. Like President John F. Kennedy, a Roman Catholic, 2004 vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, or current GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney, a Mormon, Obama at some point in a presi-

dential campaign would be asked to explain how he would balance the tenets of his faith with his political positions. The intended meaning behind certain Trinity precepts is complex, but some theologians argue that on one level they brush up against a number of the same issues raised by Biden’s awkward choice of words. “In both cases—in the value system and in the case of Biden’s comments—we do have a situation where Americans are trying to talk across the wide chasm that is race,” said Melissa Harris-Lacewell, a professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University. Harris-Lacewell until last year attended Trinity when she taught at the University of Chicago. “Perceptually, blacks and whites live in vastly diﬀerent worlds,” she said. “Biden didn’t mean it to be racist. Certainly Obama doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love white people. Malicious (intent) or not does not necessarily matter if the ideas are prepackaged with all of this historical baggage.” Looking to weigh Obama

down with some of that baggage, conservative critics have seized on Trinity’s 12-point Black Value System, especially the portion relating to “middleclassness,” as evidence that Obama is a divisive candidate who rejects mainstream American values and is primarily focused on the black community. “I question his ... ability to be able to reach out to a lot of people when he is committed to a group of people who are focused on helping a certain group of people,” said Fran Eaton, editor of Illinois Review, a conservative political blog. “It seems wrong.” But Obama scoﬀed at the suggestion that Trinity espouses a value system that seeks to help blacks exclusively. “If I say to anybody in Iowa—white, black, Hispanic or Asian—that my church believes in the AfricanAmerican community strengthening families or adhering to the black work ethic or being committed to self-discipline and self-respect and not forgetting where you came from, I don’t think that’s something anybody would object to. “I think I’d get a few amens.”

State Rep. Fred Brown has proposed a bill that would offer students the opportunity to graduate in a more timely fashion by allowing lower tuition rates for courses during off-peak hours. The proposal is intended for closed-enrollment institutions, or those with higher requirements for enrollment, including the University of Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M. The bill will be primarily aimed toward non-traditional students, older students or students working toward a career. Texas State is not included in the bill, but university administrators and the Associated Student Government have shown an interest in the proposal. “If one of the three universities implemented this (bill), we want to know after they had some experience with it: what the student demand for such classes was, by how much did they lower the tuition rate and what class times did they deem to be ‘off peak,’” said William Nance, vice president for finance and support services. Kyle Morris, ASG president, said possible inclusion in the bill is of student interest, however, at the moment it is not a focal point on their agenda. If the pilot is successful and branches out in the future, then there will be more potential interest, he said. The bill will begin as a pilot for two years and will lower tuition rates for those who take advantage, said Mike McEwen, spokesman for Brown. “(The bill) will also maximize

the efficient use of existing instructional facilities therefore reducing the need to build additional instructional facilities,” he said. “The rates at which students graduate will determine the success of the program.” Under the bill’s terms, Texas State already has a full schedule of evening classes, which appear to be considered off-peak and accommodating to non-traditional students, Nance said. He said 8 a.m. classes all the way through those at night are already successfully utilized. However, he said he is hopeful the bill will prevail because it would be a “win-win” situation for both Texas State and its students. The universities’ funding formulas will be adjusted to cover the loss in revenue resulting from reduced tuition, McEwen said, which he hopes will encourage students to take classes during off-peak hours. For those like Adam Ochoa, that may have a full or part-time job, taking night classes with a lower tuition rate would be ‘heaven sent.’ “Having classes at night would make it easier for me,” said Ochoa, pre-geography and urban-regional planning junior. “I wouldn’t have to jumble my work schedule around to take certain classes, since most full-time jobs are 9 to 5.” Zachary Perry, pre-international studies sophomore, agrees, but is also skeptical. “(The bill is) definitely a good thing,” he said. “I would just hope that they don’t try to use the bill as a shortcut to avoid building newer, needed facilities.”

NEWS

Page 4 - The University Star

Thursday, February 8, 2007

BLACK HISTORY: Historian enters field to fight inferiority s black history still relevant? Is “I black history as a month a time when goals can be achieved?” CONTINUED from page 1

everybody used to remember and now they forget. The real importance as a historian is to help people remember not what they want, but what they need.” Continuing his research for the expedition, Bunch said he learned of a man named Carter Woodson, an American historian who ﬁrst opened the longneglected ﬁeld of black studies to scholars. “He is someone who dedicated his whole life to African American history,” Bunch said. “Woodson has used black his-

—Lonnie Bunch director, Smithsonian

tory and culture as a weapon in racial conﬂict.” Woodson’s passion was simple, Bunch said. “He was a driven individual who wanted to make everyone understand the importance of black history,” he said. Woodson hoped the use of black history would prove blacks play an important role in

the creation of this country, he said. Bunch also said Woodson felt he could prove blacks were worthy of citizenship because of what they had accomplished. “There were people like Louie Armstrong that captured the rhythm and passion that the city created, and the concerns of new migrants in those great cities,” Bunch said. “Artists like

COUNCIL: Exemptions would be permanent once passed CONTINUED from page 1

San Marcos is the only city in the county that has not already passed Freeport exemptions. “When compiling a list of companies that are actually receiving Freeport exemptions from surrounding communities, I discovered that Kyle has passed Freeport exemptions at the city level,” Moore said. “So we are now the only entity in Hays County that doesn’t have any type of Freeport exemptions.” Moore also said the San Marcos Economic Development Board recommended that the City Council allow for the tax exemptions, rather than the San Marcos Manufacturing Association asking the council for the tax exemptions. “They did not come to us, it was actually our board that made the decision to go ahead and pursue Freeport exemptions,” Moore said. “The San Marcos Manufacturers Association has been involved because they are the ones with the ﬁnancial numbers to show what the impact would be if we passed the exemptions.” Daniel Guerrero, place 3 councilman, emphasized the city’s need for higher paying skilled jobs available for local workers.

“One of the things that strikes me when I am having conversations with different individuals is that we have always been thought of as undereducated and under skilled,” Guerrero said. “Manufacturing is one of the true industries that will bring in bright minds that will train people in what is not only a skill, but something you can make a career out of.” John Thomaides, place 6 councilman, who voted against the ordinance both times it came before the council, made a motion to table the ordinance until April 3 to allow for city staff to take more time to determine the total amount of tax abatements that local manufacturers are already receiving. “I would like to offer an alternative process for concluding this important change to our tax collection revenue,” Thomaides said. He offered a Freeport tax exemption plan that only applies to new manufacturers and current manufacturers that are expanding. “If we are truly proposing this tax cut to attract new jobs and new manufacturers, then a Chapter 380 Freeport Tax Equivalent Grant would be a legitimate, viable option that we could offer,” Thomaides said. “With a blanket exemption, cur-

rently being considered, a company could actually reduce the number of employees in San Marcos and still receive the exemption.” Thomaides’ attempt to table and amend the ordinance was rejected by a 4 to 3 vote. Gaylord Bose, place 2 councilman, said he opposes the tax exemptions because, once passed, they would be permanent. “I still have a hard time understanding why anybody would choose to make a tax exemption that would last forever,” Bose said. “That is just one heck of a lot of power in my hands — that my decision is one that can never be changed.” Mayor Susan Narvaiz said she supports the tax exemptions because she is sick of hearing people say San Marcos is a second-tier city. “If we don’t start doing something to change our future, what happens is that we are left further behind,” Narvaiz said. “It’s sad that we are the last city to be doing this. We are a progressive city; we have smart people. We should be fighting for things for our future.” The ordinance must be passed on its third and final reading, scheduled for Feb. 20, before the tax exemptions go into effect.

Aaron Douglas created images that celebrated black people and provided real positive exceptions to the way African Americans were depicted.” In 1926, Woodson established Negro History Week, which evolved into Black History Month. “Woodson wanted to overcome the overwhelming sense of racial inferiority,” Bunch said. “Is black history still relevant? Is black history as a month a time when goals can be achieved?” Bunch said even his own teenage daughter asked him to explain the importance of having a Black History Month.

“I’ll spare you all the three hour lecture I gave her,” Bunch said. At the end of his lecture, Bunch was approached with questions from students in the auditorium. A student asked Bunch how to deﬁne blacks. “What is African?” Bunch replied. “The history of miscegenation is quite categorizing, deﬁning and limiting.” Bunch said that black history profoundly shapes who we are. “I don’t see history that is dead,” Bunch said. “I see in the way my brother smiles just like my mother.” Nichole McNeil, philoso-

phy senior, said she thought Bunch’s speech was informative on the history of slavery and black culture. She also said historical museums are important for “making known the African American cause.” “There are so many advantages that museums advocate,” McNeil said. Jonnie Wilson, assistant director of multicultural student aﬀairs, said she really enjoyed Bunch’s speech. “He’s very engaging and entertaining,” Wilson said. “He gets his point across to show the importance of Black History Month.”

SENATE: Campus facility upgrades, new funding program under consideration CONTINUED from page 1

program would be great. “We’re trying to get the top 11 issues of our university in there,” Trauth said. “However, the governor can’t introduce legislation. He has to get someone to carry it, as we do.” Also on the docket for review were new construction possibilities such as expansion of Strahan Coliseum, new scoreboards and new theater and recital halls that would cost around $50 million. A much-debated topic of the evening was merit and performance cycles pertaining to professors. Perry Moore, provost and vice president for academic aﬀairs, said that things to take into consideration for assigning promotions, tenure

and merit to professors and assistant professors were 40 percent research, 40 percent teaching and 20 percent services to the university. Some senators called this model into question. “It’s not 40/40/20, give me a break,” said Debra Feakes, faculty senator and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. The workload of teachers was brought into question during the talks of allocations for new faculty positions and whether or not the amount of teaching, research and merit expected of the faculty was too much. Wayne Sorensen, faculty senator and health administration associate professor, said he had seen good people leave positions at Texas State be-

cause of the overbearing work load. “No one’s salary should be cut if they are doing their job,” said Richard Warms, faculty senator and anthropology professor. “Faculty should be judged on what they are hired to do.” Faculty Senate Chair William Stone said the Senate should be interested in cautiously exploring a proposal from Hector Flores, the dean of science, to pull all administration from the review board and allow the faculty to vote on matters such as granting tenure. “The idea of a faculty controlled committee sounds good but we don’t want to endorse a committee until we really understand it,” Stone said.

Bush’s budget includes request for $35 million to help Iraqi refugees By Warren P. Strobel McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) WASHINGTON — One out of every seven Iraqis has fled his or her home or sought refuge abroad, the largest movement of people in the Middle East since the war that followed Israel’s creation in 1948, according to United Nations officials and relief workers. Every day, violence displaces an estimated 1,300 more Iraqis in the country; every month, at least 40,000. Last year, 202 refugees from Iraq were allowed to resettle in the United States. Against that backdrop, the Bush administration is moving — belatedly, in the view of critics — to address a problem that it’s widely seen as having created by invading Iraq in March 2003. On Monday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the creation of a highlevel State Department task force on the refugee issue. State Department officials said the Bush administration will expand the number of refugees it allows into the U.S., with special attention given to Iraqis who may be at risk because they worked for the U.S. government. But the administration would admit only 20,000 Iraqis at most this year. In his just-released budget, President Bush asked for $35 million to help Iraq’s refugees in fiscal year 2008, plus $15 million in supplemental funding for this year. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a private nonprofit group, had urged Bush to seek $250 million as part of a supplemental war funding request. The Bush administration “has been slow to react to a worsening situation, amid ample warnings,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said in a statement. Rice’s task force, he said, “is a hopeful sign, and it can move us forward as long as it doesn’t waste time pondering the obvious.” The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees estimated in a report last month that there are as many as 2 million Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, primarily in Syria and Jordan. Another 1.7 million people are displaced within Iraq, the UNHCR said. Some of the refugees fled during Iraqi President Saddam

Hussein’s reign, before the U.S. invasion. But the exodus has accelerated since the bombing of a Shiite Muslim mosque in the city of Samarra last February. Non-governmental groups working with refugees say that outside aid can’t come fast enough, because Syria and Jordan are hinting at closing their doors. Other neighbors, such as Saudi Arabia, have accepted almost no refugees. The Saudis are building a barrier along the border with Iraq, “In six months, it will be too late,” said Kristele Younes of Refugees International, an advocacy group. “We’re not seeing the U.S. do much, frankly.” Senior U.S. oﬃcials sidestepped the question of whether Washington bears special responsibility for Iraqis ﬂeeing the violence. “It’s a shared global responsibility,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. Randall Tobias, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, said the emphasis will remain on helping refugees in the region. “Obviously what we’re trying to do is to create circumstances to reduce the numbers of refugees who want to come to the United States or elsewhere,” Tobias said. Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey told a Senate hearing last month that the United States had admitted 466 Iraqi refugees since 2003. She ascribed the small number to

the Department of Homeland Security’s stringent security review of each applicant. She said that number could expand to as many as 20,000 this year. The U.S. Committee for Refugees said Wednesday that it welcomed Rice’s initiative and urged the administration to expedite resettlement of Iraqis who worked for the U.S. or allied militaries. But even if the United States and other countries open their doors wider, only a small fraction of Iraq’s legions of refugees would be resettled abroad. The Geneva-based UNHCR last month asked for $60 million from foreign donors to protect and aid the refugees. Of that amount, $40 million has been pledged, and $9.1 million received, said agency oﬃcial Tim Irwin. The UNHCR acknowledged that even if the appeal is fully subscribed, it would help only a fraction of displaced Iraqi families. It’s “a drop in the bucket,” Younes said. The crisis is likely to get worse before it gets better. UNHCR projects that the number of internally displaced in Iraq could grow to about 2.7 million by year’s end. A recent report by the Washington-based Brookings Institution said that if Iraq spirals into all-out civil war, U.S. troops might have to establish “catch basins” along Iraq’s borders to care for tens or hundreds of thousands of Iraqis ﬂeeing the violence.

www.UniversityStar.com

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

weekendhappenings Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Lucy’s San Marcos – Bernie Calcote Band/ Alligator Dave CD Release

Lucy’s San Marcos – Subtle Creeps/Vallejo

Lucy’s San Marcos – Heart of Texas Productions

Triple Crown – RC Banks/The Gougers Cheatham Street Warehouse – Honeybrowne

Triple Crown – Highly Likely/Kallisti Gold Cheatham Street Warehouse – Texas Renegade

Thursday, February 8, 2007 - Page 5

Triple Crown –Dual Exhaust/Raditude/ The Belgraves/ Bermuda Briss Cheatham Street Warehouse – Lucky Tomblin Band

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Flowers Hall home to Texas State’s most recognizable hacky-sackers By Jessica Sinn The University Star As one swarm with the heavy traﬃc of students on your way to class, take a break from the monotony by “tapping the sack” or “manipulating the orb” with a gaggle of trash-talking, fun-loving hackers. In stark contrast to the usual sea of worried faces that can be seen trudging in and out of Flowers Hall, the hack-circle exudes a friendly vibe ﬁlled with laughter and smiles. Jessica Listi, interdisciplinary studies sophomore, said it boosts her spirits to joke around while hacking. “When you play ‘hack’, everyone pretty much laughs at themselves; it’s a really fun game and it’s hard to not laugh,” Listi said. Listi said the circle is nonexclusive and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. “We would like to consider ourselves as a ‘hack club,’ but whoever wants to join us is obviously welcome,” Listi said. Listi is striving to spruce up the physical education curriculum by creating a hacky-sack class. She said playing hacky sack is a great way to get blood pumping and to build cardiovascular strength. “I’m studying to be a teacher here so I’m working on getting a hacky-sack class going,” Listi said. “When I’m able to make my own curriculum, maybe I can work in hacky sack as a gym credit instead of something like bowling or gym class.” Listi said her friend and fellow hacker, “The Rob,” has mastered impressive skills and techniques through years of practice and

training. “The best hacker here is ‘The Rob,’ or ‘Bug.’ He is amazing; he was taught by a monk,” Listi said. “He can pass the hack directly to where you are from 10 feet away or 100 feet away. He even walks and hacks — he’s amazing.” The rules are simple: keep the ball afloat by “beaming” it with every appendage except for the hands. Eric Hibbs, computer science sophomore, said hackysacking is a sport everybody can enjoy. He said body type doesn’t matter, it’s all about reflexes and teamwork. “Nobody ever gets angry at anybody for not being good,” Hibbs said. “The whole point of it is for everybody to get together to achieve the hack, which is when everyone kicks the hack once in the circle without the hack dropping. So it’s all teamwork; there’s a lot of trash-talking involved, but it’s all in good fun.” Jonathan Davies, philosophy and English senior better known as “The Pickler,” said some hacky-sack players take the sport to the next level by infusing elements of acrobatics and freestyle choreography. “I can do some tricks, but there’s some people who seem to defy the laws of gravity,” Davies said. “I’ve seen some people Jennifer Williams/Star photo pull off some amazing stuff, like PLAYING FOOTSIE: Kirk Runyon, pre-healthcare administration junior, kicks the bag during one of the regular rounds of hacky-sack stalling the ball on the bottom of Wednesday afternoon outside of Flowers Hall. the foot. I’ve also seen people do some strange, dance-like behavior while they’re manipulating “Most people realize it’s not Davies said there’s little con- friendly and we’re not going to to gravitate toward local parks. the orb.” intentional and sometimes peo- flict within the hack circle be- roll someone for making an of“Usually the circle stays Most people duck and cover ple get kicked,” Davies said. “I cause everyone seems to be fensive statement. Usually like around this location outside of when passing by the hack circle, guess we kind of assume we’re a laidback and respectful. minds wander the circle, so we Flowers or outside the Psych but sidewalk casualties still oc- pretty visible circle so, if you’re “We don’t close out the circle don’t have to regulate or any- Building,” Davies said. “Somecur. Davies said most people are walking by you should have your unless someone’s being hostile thing.” times we play at Sewell Park good sports when they acciden- eye out for a random flail of a foot or bringing about the negativWhen the hack circle is not or other random places where tally get hit. or a flying sack.” ity,” Davies said. “We’re pretty congregating on campus, it tends there’s good lighting.”

Civil Rights photographer to speak at exhibit Computers may malfunction from weeks-early time change Jeannie Yamakawa/ Star photo

By Clint Swett McClatchy Newspapers

FIGHT FOR RIGHTS: Matt Herron’s collection of photographs depicting the struggle for voting rights in the South is on display in the Lampasas Building. Herron will give a presentation in the Alkek Teaching Theater following his reception and a documentary from the Eyes on the Prize series will be screened.

By Jeﬀery D. Hooten The University Star Renowned photographer Matt Heron will visit Texas State to speak about his work featured at Mitte Honors in the Lampasas Building and its tie to the Common Experience theme of “Protest and Dissent.” A reception for Herron will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday in Lampasas, Room 407. Herron’s portion of the exhibit, titled, “Voting Rights: The Struggle in the South,” depicts the eﬀorts of blacks to register to vote in the South prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His work won the World Press Photo Contest in Brussels in 1966 for the Best New Photograph. The exhibit also features two paintings by Joshua-Scott Clements and Christopher Reckner, communication design majors and a pictorial tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. on loan from the San Marcos community archives. Following the reception, Herron will give a presentation in Alkek Teaching Theater in conjunction

with a screening of the Eyes on the Prize documentary series about the Civil Rights Movement. Some of Herron’s photos are featured in the documentary. “The pictures were an eﬀort to capture what was going on at the time,” said Diann McCabe, assistant director of the Mitte Honors Program. “They’re beautifully done.” McCabe said that the photographs are an important reminder that such injustice happened in this country, and of the ambitions of individuals to change the status quo. The photographs, which were previously on display in the Berkeley Public Central Library, portray such socially resonant images as a black child being forcefully arrested while holding an American ﬂag. “When you get older, you realize that the past is not as far back as it seems,” said Linda Kelsey-Jones, art and design professor and curator of the exhibit. Kelsey-Jones said that for her the photos evoke feelings of nostalgia for the period of great positive social change.

“I feel a personal connection to (the exhibit),” Kelsey-Jones said. “To students it seems like a long time ago, but it was part of my youth.” Kelsey-Jones explained the ﬁrst exhibit she curated was an outdoor exhibit at Harvard Square in Boston to raise money for those going to Mississippi with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the ‘60s. In addition to honoring past heroes of the struggle for equality, Kelsey-Jones said the exhibit is an important reminder that the improvement of society is an ongoing process. “I don’t think we’ll ever realize our dream of democracy until we stop our tendency to create ‘others’ and polarize society,” Kelsey-Jones said. The exhibit, which is sponsored by the Common Experience, the University Seminar Program, the Mitte Honors Program, Multicultural Student Aﬀairs, the Student Affairs Diversity Team and the Texas State Parents Association, will be on display in Lampasas until Feb. 24.

SACRAMENTO — First there was Y2K. Then came the plagues of viruses and worms. Now computer experts must cope with an extra hour of sunshine. Most of the nation will switch to daylightsaving time at 2 a.m. March 11 — three weeks sooner than normal, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. While that additional hour may be good news for the winter-weary, the changeover could cause headaches for businesses and others who operate computer networks. The issue isn’t nearly as complex as the Y2K problem seven years ago when computer experts feared havoc in systems not programmed to read the year 2000. But this year’s changeover has prompted warnings from analysts and spurred computer managers to assess their systems’ vulnerabilities. Experts say most consumers have little to fear, other than perhaps a missed appointment because their electronic calendars aren’t reset to the correct time. But businesses that haven’t addressed the issue could face problems. “There is some potential for business disruption,” said Cameron Haight, an analyst for Gartner Inc. in Austin. “It’s nothing like the Y2K event where you had to search through all your applications for date fields. But anything that takes its time from an operating system will have some degree of risk.” Most potential pitfalls aren’t enough to shut down a computer system, but could range from minor annoyances to major hassles. If, for instance, banks don’t make the appropriate adjustments, ATM withdrawals or credit card payments might be recorded at the wrong time. Brokerages might execute automatic stock trades at the wrong hour. Airline flight schedules could be affected, especially if foreign carriers don’t update their systems. BlackBerry users could find that their handhelds incorrectly sync with their calendars, causing missed appointments. Companies using Internet-based phone systems could find voice mails logging an incorrect time. Mike Dillon, chief technology officer at Sacramento-based Quest Technology,

which installs and maintains computer systems, said as many as 100 of his clients face glitches if the problem isn’t addressed. “Not everyone is scheduling enough time to patch all their systems,” Dillon said. “A lot of people don’t like to put patches on their servers because it could cause other problems.” According to Gartner, few companies have formal procedures to address the daylight-saving issue. While businesses scramble to adjust, most consumer devices will be unaffected. Cell phones, for instance, continually get their clocks updated by the carriers’ wireless networks. Computers using Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Apple’s Mac OS X operating systems should handle the time change smoothly as long as users have downloaded regular system updates. Users of older operating systems, however, may have to manually reset their clocks. Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler said his company is issuing software updates for consumer and business users. One, designed to fix calendar issues in Microsoft Outlook, should be posted within a few weeks, he said. Information is posted at www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx. There is some precedent indicating the early switchover won’t be catastrophic. In August 2000, parts of Australia shifted to daylight-saving time two months early to provide more daylight for the Sydney Summer Olympics. Haight said the only major fallout was a spate of missed appointments because electronic calendars didn’t sync to the new time. The U.S. change this year is a little-noted consequence of sweeping congressional legislation in 2005 to improve energy efficiency, primarily through tax incentives and alternative energy projects. In addition to arriving three weeks early, daylight-saving time will end a week later than usual, on the first Sunday in November. Despite the advance warning, there appears to be little urgency in making the required computer changes. Perhaps that’s just human nature. “I would be surprised if everyone got the work done,” said Quest’s Dillon. “About 20 percent will have been proactive, about 60 percent will have a mad scramble at the end, and about 20 percent won’t worry about it.”

TRENDS

Page 6 - The University Star

Thursday, February 8, 2007

‘Un-fried’ chicken satisfies fast-food cravings Dartmouth senior vies for Top Model spot

By Kathy Manweiler McClatchy Newspapers If we are what we eat, then America might be a nation of chickens. On average, consumers say they eat chicken five times in a two-week period, according to a 2006 National Chicken Council survey. Other research finds that fried chicken has been the fastest-growing fast-food menu item over the past decade. No doubt it’s popular, but fried chicken is far from healthy. A five-piece order of McDonald’s Chicken Selects contains 630 calories and 33 grams of fat. A more nutritious alternative is “un-frying” breaded chicken in the oven, but it can be tricky to find a method and recipe that mimics fried chicken. I experimented with several recipes, then mixed and matched some of the tips and ingredients to come up with “un-fried” chicken that made my junk-food-loving taste buds happy. My version is based on a recipe by Rosie Daley, former chef to Oprah Winfrey. Her breading was fantastic, but it wouldn’t stick well to the chicken with the yogurt coating she suggested. I tried some tips from The Joy of Cooking and then found a Food Network recipe that called for brushing the chicken with a mixture of light mayonnaise and Dijon mustard before breading it. That worked like a charm with Daley’s breading. You can use this breading and baking method on bone-in chicken, but I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts here because they’re the leanest. A serving of these un-fried chicken fingers contains 369 calories and 11.3 grams of fat. If you eat these instead of Chicken Selects, you’ll save enough calories and fat grams to get a small order of McDonald’s fries sometime when you’re really craving those.

✯

By Brook Jackling The Dartmouth

Brian Corn/Wichita Eagle FAKE FRIED: Fried chicken is one of the most popular and least healthy foods among Americans; “un-frying” breaded chicken in the oven can produce tasty, yet less detrimental meals.

UN-FRIED CHICKEN FINGERS

Ingredients: Cooking spray 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts Ice water 1 cup light mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 cup dried Italian breadcrumbs 1 cup all-purpose ﬂour 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning 1 teaspoon black pepper Dash cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Set a rack on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray the rack generously with cooking spray. Put the chicken in a large bowl of ice water. Mix the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl. Set both bowls aside. Put all the breading ingredients in a pie plate and combine well.

the chicken on the prepared rack and spray each piece lightly with cooking spray. Repeat process with remaining chicken breasts. Place the baking sheet on the bottom shelf of the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the coating crisps and browns and an instant-read thermometer reads 170 degrees. Serve with barbecue sauce or another favorite dipping sauce. Serves 5.

One at a time, remove the chicken breasts from the ice water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim oﬀ fat. Between two sheets of waxed paper, pound the chicken breast with a mallet or rolling pin until it is about 1/3-inch thick. Cut the chicken into strips.

Per serving: 369 calories, 11.3 grams of fat, 44.4 grams of protein, 17 carbohydrate grams, 0.8 grams of ﬁber, 975 mg sodium.

Brush the mayonnaise/mustard mixture on each piece of chicken until coated thoroughly, then transfer the chicken to the pie plate and bread each piece. Put

Adapted from recipes from In the Kitchen With Rosie: Oprah’s Favorite Recipes, Food Network and The Joy of Cooking.

(U-WIRE) HANOVER, N.H. – Unlike most Dartmouth students who travel abroad or work at lucrative internships during their off terms, Whitney Cunningham spent her fall in Los Angeles as one of the 13 contestants on cycle eight of America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks’ hit reality-television show that pits wannabe models against each other for a $100,000 CoverGirl contract. Cunningham first auditioned for the show last February hoping to be a contestant on Cycle Seven, but was called back this year for Cycle Eight. “I decided to audition on a total whim,” Cunningham said. “I quit the basketball team at Dartmouth and was looking for my next move. Everyone always asked me if I was a model, so I decided that I would try it.” When she did not make the final cut for the seventh season of the show, Cunningham put together a portfolio and decided to start modeling on her own. In October, Cunningham received a call from workers on the show, who had saved her information. She bypassed most of the audition process — including a 15page application — and after meeting personally with the casting director, was selected to be a contestant on cycle eight. Cunningham spent two months in California filming the show. The majority of her days lasted from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and she stressed the difficulty of dealing with demanding photographers and having to consistently look her best. “I think that nowadays everyone wants to be a model, but everyone can’t be a model,” Cunningham said. “It’s really hard work — sometimes it takes you to your breaking point.” As one of the two plus-sized models on the show, a Dartmouth student and a former Division I athlete, Cunningham encountered both scrutiny and respect from fellow contestants. “I know that a lot of the girls on the show were intimidated by me because I was the black girl who went to an Ivy League school, but they had a lot of respect for me,” she said. “There were racial issues, and people would always turn to me for my opinion. It was cool being the smart girl.” Cunningham added that she found a lot of criticism about her looks and modeling capabilities when looking at Web logs about the show. “There’s a lot of scrutiny for plus-sized girls. I feel as though it’s always trying to prove that you’re worthy to the other girls in the house, to Tyra and the panel and to the world. I’m reinventing the industry, and that was my aim when I went out there,” she said. Although grateful for her experience, Cunningham said she was ready to return to Dartmouth after two months in front of the cameras. “I felt as though I was missing out on things back here. I was glad to get back to reality,” she said. Because she left campus during her senior fall semester, Cunningham plans to make up the classes that she missed next year either at Dartmouth, in New York City or Los Angeles. After graduation, she hopes to use modeling as a jumping point for the rest of her career. “I’m definitely going to use modeling to get my foot in the door for other things, but I realized that my voice is my selling point,” Cunningham said. “I want to use my voice and get in the public eye that way.” During the interview, Cunningham remained elusive about the most rewarding part of her experience, replying, “You’ll see,” in response to the question. The first episode of cycle eight of America’s Next Top Model airs at 8 p.m. Feb. 28. on the CW Television Network.

TRENDS

Thursday, February 8, 2007

The University Star - Page 7

Star-studded symposium to feature Mexican-American works By Maira Garcia The University Star The Southwestern Writers Collection will host a book launch and symposium Saturday for the latest installment in the collection’s book series, Hecho en Tejas: an Anthology of Texas Mexican Literature. The book launch and symposium will feature renowned authors Sandra Cisneros, English professor Dagoberto Gilb, Tony Díaz, Christine Granados, Macarena del Rocio Hernández, Rolando Hinojosa, Arturo Madrid, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, raúlrsalinas and Carmen Tafolla. The symposium will include panel discussions, music, book signings, art and a free lunch. Performances by Conjunto Aztlán and Santiago Jiménez, Jr. are also scheduled. Hecho en Tejas, which was edited by Gilb, is the ﬁrst book of its kind

Thursday Lonesome Dove Revisited This exhibit gives a close-up look at props, costumes, photographs and other items from the filming of the CBS miniseries. The exhibit is located in the Southwestern Writers Collection in Alkek Library, 7th Floor. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 245-2313 for more information. Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature The Hecho en Tejas exhibit displays a comprehensive selection of books, photographs and literary excerpts reflecting the Mexican-American experience in Texas. It includes the Collection’s rare 1555 edition of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s La relación y comentarios. The exhibit is in conjunction with the anthology, Hecho en Tejas: an Anthology of Texas Mexican Literature. The exhibit is located in the Southwestern Writers Collection in Alkek Library, 7th Floor. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 245-2313 for more information. Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide The exhibit includes self-portraits, portraits, famous works and neverbefore-exhibited images by one of Mexico’s greatest photographers. Pieces will be featured from the Wittliff Gallery’s major collection of Iturbide’s work. The exhibit coincides with publication of the ninth volume in the Wittliff Gallery Book Series from the University of Texas Press. The exhibition is located in the Witliff Gallery of Southwestern

according to Steve Davis, assistant curator of the Southwestern Writers Collection. “This is a historic event because it is the first anthology on Texan Mexican-American writers,” he said. Davis said the idea to create an anthology of Texan Mexican-American writers came from a 1997 exhibit at the Southwestern Writers Collection titled Flores del Nopal, which featured books, recordings and photographs of such writers. He said the book took several years to finish and was happy to see no one beat them to the punch. “We were terrified someone would publish an anthology like this sooner,” Davis said. “It’s amazing it took so long for something like this to come out. The Mexican and Chicano culture is very unique and rich.” Davis said he credits Gilb for its thoroughness on Mexican-American

and Mexican photography in Alkek Library, 7th Floor. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 245-2313 for more information. Faculty Exhibition Galleries I and II in the Joann Cole Mitte Art Building will feature work by current art and design faculty. The event is free and open to the public. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday though Friday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Soprano Jenna Black Jenna Black, a guest artist, will be performing at the University Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $2 for the general public and $1 for students. The performance will be at 6 p.m. Call (512) 245-2651 for more information. Music Lecture Series Lecturer Cynthia I. Gonzales will give a music lecture titled “Heimweh: The Background Structure of Nostalgia in Songs of Brahms and Schoenberg” The lecture will be held in the Music Building recital hall. This is a free event. Call (512) 245-2651 for more information. Philosophy Dialogue The Philosophy Dialogue Series will present “Satire from Juvenal to Jon Stewart Sophists and Sages” featuring student presenters from the philosophy dialogue class. The dialogue begins at 11 a.m. in the Philosophy Dialogue Room in Psychology Building, Room 132.

Friday Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With:

writers. “It’s a great book and its pretty thick. Dagoberto put it together well. It includes historical writers, very recent young writers and just a lot of energy. It showcases Texas Mexican-American writers, where they’ve been and where they’re going,” he said. While Hecho en Tejas focuses on writers of a particular heritage, Davis believes it is not an indicator of the quality of writing that can be found in the book. “Regardless of ethnicity or race, there is a lot of good writing collected in the book,” Davis said. The symposium will begin at 10 a.m. RSVPs are being taken for the lunch scheduled at noon. According to Michele Miller, the marketing and promotions director for Alkek Library Department of Special Collections, many people will

be attending. “We’ve had around 200 RSVP’s which is the most we’ve had in a long time. We are expecting upward of 300 people on Saturday,” Miller said. Miller said anthology can be purchased at the symposium and the University Bookstore will also sell numerous books by all the featured authors as well. Accompanying the book launch and symposium is an exhibit also titled Hecho en Tejas, which displays a selection of books, photographs and literary excerpts reﬂecting the Mexican American experience in Texas. The exhibit will be on display through May 15.

✯ Hecho en Tejas Visit www.library.txstate.edu/ swwc/exhibits/hecho.htm for a full schedule.

Photographs by Graciela Iturbide

Lonesome Dove Revisited

Faculty Exhibition

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

Hatha Yoga Certiﬁed Sivananda Yoga instructor Tina Baumgartner oﬀers a free Hatha Yoga class. Bring a towel, blanket or yoga mat to sit on. The class will be held at 5 p.m. at the San Marcos Public Library. It is free and open to the public.

Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Faculty Exhibition

Monday Lonesome Dove Revisited

Saturday

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

Lonesome Dove Revisited

Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Faculty Exhibition Hecho en Tejas Book Launch & Symposium The Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series will be hosting the book launch of Hecho en Tejas: an Anthology of Texas Mexican Literature. Hecho en Tejas is an anthology of Texan Mexican American writers edited by English professor Dagoberto Gilb. A symposium will feature authors Sandra Cisneros, Tony Díaz, Christine Granados, Macarena del Rocio Hernández, Rolando Hinojosa, Arturo Madrid, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, raúlrsalinas, and Carmen Tafolla. The symposium will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and held in the Southwestern Writers Collection in Alkek Library, 7th Floor. This is a free event. Jazz Festival Concert The Texas State Jazz Ensemble will performs with a guest artist at its Jazz Festival Concert. Tickets will be $5 for the general public and $3 for students. The event will be held in Evans Auditorium. Call (512) 245-2651 for the time.

Sunday

Faculty Exhibition Eyes on the Prize Series - Part V & VI Eyes on the Prize, a 14-episode documentary on the American Civil Rights Movement, aired in two parts on PBS. Episode V, titled “Mississippi: Is This America? (1963-1964),” documents when college students traveled south to help register black voters and three activists are murdered. Episode VI, “Bridge to Freedom (1965),” depicts a decade of lessons applied in the climactic and bloody march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. The federal Voting Rights Bill also passes. The ﬁlms will be shown at 6 p.m. in Alkek Teaching Theater. Admission is free. Voting Rights: The Struggle in the South Renowned photographer Matt Heron will visit Texas State to speak about his work and its tie to the Common Experience theme of “Protest and Dissent.” He will give a presentation in conjunction with a screening of the Eyes on the Prize documentary. The reception for Herron will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in Lampasas Building, Room 407 and he will speak at the Alkek Teaching Theater at 7 p.m. Jack White Pool Tricks & Tips,

Monty Marion/Star photo TEXAS COLLECTION: The book Hecho en Tejas: an Anthology of Texas Mexican Literature, will celebrate its launch Saturday in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the 7th ﬂoor of the Alkek Library with music, lunch and book signings.

The Student Association for Campus Activities will host Jack White, who will be giving pool tips in the LBJ Mall. The event begins at 11 a.m. Philosophy Dialogues The Philosophy Dialogue Series will present “Pornography: An Academic Subject?” at 10 a.m. by Christine Vaughn and “The Voice of Eros” at 1 p.m. by Jacob Kidd. The dialogues will be in the Philosophy Dialogue Room in Psychology Building, Room 132.

Tuesday Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Faculty Exhibition The Core Essentials of Wellness: Conscious Breathing and Structural Awareness Lauren Robins will demonstrate how conscious breathing and

structural awareness support can enrich a healthy lifestyle. Robins is the author of The Palette of Breath: Facts About Breathing. The workshop will be held at 7 p.m. in the San Marcos Public Library. It is free and open to the public. Philosophy Dialogues The Philosophy Dialogue Series will present “Plato’s Lessons of Love Sophists and Sages” by student presenters in the Philosophy Dialogue class at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., Zach Perry will present “Are Computers a Threat to Privacy?” The dialogues will be in the Philosophy Dialogue Room in Psychology Building, Room 132.

Wednesday Lonesome Dove Revisted Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide Faculty Exhibition

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Page 8 - The University Star

Thursday, February 8, 2007

RIX’S

✯Star Comics

TECHNOLOGY Multiplayer gaming is still possible without the Internet

I’m almost it’s been a while since I thankful for havhad played checkers, so I ing gone almost fetched the board and we two weeks withbegan to play. out Internet. That is, we began only After the server after re-reading the rules. at my apartment Pitiful to be sure, but complex “burned because of being spoiled BILL RIX up,” I’ve had to by Internet gaming, I had Star Columnist face the cold realforgotten the most basic ity of life without much access aspects of the game. What to e-mail, multiplayer gaming color do you put the pieces on and forums. (black), who goes first (white) Don’t get it wrong, though, and are you forced to jump piecnot that much changed. I still es if you can (yes you are)? watch Foster’s Home for ImagiWe called the game a draw nary Friends and play Wii Sports after nearly 45 minutes of play. instead of doing real work or He was tired and I had my eye studying, but I missed reading on the dominoes, a game that my favorite tech blogs and read- I must embarrassingly admit I ing game reviews. had no idea how to play. A helpThere’s a silver lining to all of ful waiter solved that dilemma, this, however. Through the loss and afterward we must have I’ve rediscovered my love of invested an hour and a half in it. traditional games. Somewhere Later, we went back to my between the glitz and glamour place to hang out for a bit. of perusing the Web logs Joystiq Chess comes with OS X, and and Kotaku and spending an my friend had his MacBook inordinate amount of time read- with him, so we decided to play. ing Play and Nintendo Power An hour into the game (and Magazines, I forgot how pleaswell into Comic View I might ant and engaging it was to actuadd), I managed to force his ally play a real tabletop game king into a corner from which with real, present individuals. it could not escape. Ah, my This rediscovery began when first checkmate. Chess on OS X a friend and I decided to grab might not count as an authentic some food — instead of playing exercise of the real board game, StarCraft, mind you. After eatbut bear with me. ing, we went to check out the The next day, he dropped restaurant’s hookah bar and by after he got off work. He after sitting for a few minutes, brought a game I had never I spied a box of checkers, domi- seen before with him, mancala. noes and some playing cards. I know calling it “mancala” is I’m not much for cards, but as about as accurate as saying

FIXES

“playing cards” when referring to poker or blackjack, and for all I know I could be playing Oware, but it suffices in this context. Regardless of name, mancala proved to be an easy game with setup and instruction. An explanation would take too much space here, but it’s in the same vein as other “sowing games” common in Africa and Asia. It was easy to learn and turned out to be a good exercise in thinking ahead. So where does the technology fit into all of this? While I recommend playing these sorts of games with a real, live person, there are several good sites on the Web that provide instruction and multiplayer action. Those interested in board games — or anything else, really — should head to Yahoo! Games at games.yahoo.com or iWin at www.iwin.com. An excellent site for dominoes can be found at GameColony.com and those interested in learning about or playing mancala can find out everything they need to know at RocketSnail Games (www. rocketsnail.com/mancala/). Next time the server at your apartment breaks for some inconceivable reason, consider investing in some traditional games. You might find plastic pieces, wooden tiles and foldout boards a welcome alternative to bloom lighting, anti-aliasing and realistic blood splattering.

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

Wednesday’s solutions:

WWW.

Thursday’s solutions:

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Thursday, February 8, 2007 - Page 9

onlineconnection Do you agree with Provost Perry Moore’s recommendation to remove philosophy from the core curriculum but keep university seminar and speech communication exempt from consideration? 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

Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

he Texas House of Representatives may have found a way to make higher education more efficient. A bill filed late January could save institutes of higher education money and allow more students to attend college. The catch: So far, the bill would only affect three universities.

THE SPOILED

BIG THREE Bill to reduce tuition should also apply to Texas State

Under House Bill 120, the three universities — the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M and Texas Tech — would be able to offer lower tuition for classes held during the weekend, night or other times when classrooms may be underutilized. The goal is to ensure student enrollment for evening and weekend classes is met and to better use existing instructional facilities. On Jan. 30, the House referred a bill to the higher education committee. If passed, it could lower tuition rates through courses provided during off-peak hours. This law would spend the state’s money more efficiently and save students money on tuition. It doesn’t make sense to have it apply to only three state universities. Weekend and night classes, while not always popular, help some students manage a difficult work schedule. Students who have to work a full-time job with regular hours can’t attend classes held on weekdays. This gives more working students the opportunity to attain a college degree. With weekend and night classes, universities are able to better use existing buildings. If classes are all shoved into a four-day time period, more classrooms will be needed alongside new facilities. Texas State is suggesting an amendment to include its name on a bill that would benefit higher learning institutions. Rep. Patrick Rose, who represents District 45, is a member of the higher education committee. Rose has championed Texas State in the past, and would do us a great service if he pushes for adding Texas State and other higher learning institutes to this bill. Students can express their opinion too. On the homepage of the Texas House of Representatives Web site, representatives can be found through their address, city or ZIP code. Contact your representative to let him or her know this bill is essential for Texas State and all public universities and colleges.

Letter to the Editor Respect the First Amendment, even if speech considered obnoxious The past week, walking back and forth between classes, I couldn’t help but notice the very vocal man in The Quad, shouting his beliefs about pornography and drug use at passing students. At first I kind of laughed at what he had to say. Then I ignored him. Then I stopped and listened for a while. And what struck me wasn’t what he had to say, but the way that my fellow students were reacting to him. There was lots of laughter and muttering, but also some derisive shouts, flipping him the bird, and jumping up next to him to ridicule and insult him and things of that nature. I walked up, offered the man my hand and told him that I admired him. I by no means agree with everything he has to say — I’m not even a Christian. But if someone elected to jump up there one day and start shouting their beliefs about pro-choice, tolerance and the right of homosexuals to marry, I would shake their hand too. I admire anyone who has the conviction to state their beliefs in front of a large crowd and in the face of mockery and derision. More than that, I respect his right to say it. I would hope that as college students, we’d be a little more open to allowing people to express their opinions. If you don’t agree with what he says, just walk on by. Standing there shouting at him that he’s wrong won’t change his mind — just like him shouting at you won’t change yours. People who truly have faith in their own ideas and convictions can agree to disagree. Jennifer Fricks English junior Think you have something to say? Log on to www.universitystar.com and click on the letters link to read old letters and submit new ones.

Visit www.house.state.tx.us to ﬁnd the person who represents you in the Texas House.

Online Poll Results

Higher Education Committee Chair: Rep. Geanie Morrison Vice Chair: Rep. Brian McCall Budget & Oversight Chair: Rep. Fred Brown Members: Rep. Roberto R. Alonzo, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, Rep. Helen Giddings, Rep. Donna Howard, Rep. Diane Patrick, Rep. Patrick M. Rose

Forensic Facility

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

Kelly Simmons/Star illustration

o you think Texas State should establish an open-air forensic anthropology facility? Yes

New Braunfels’ proposed drinking ordinances don’t float well With the laws with one swing vote left enacted over the undecided. If passed, the last two years in recommendations will New Braunfels and become law. the new recomLimiting alcohol conmendations that sumption is always a good may be made into idea when factoring in law Monday, tubers hazardous activities such may soon find them- STEPHANIE SILVAS as tubing down a river. Star Columnist selves floating in a But while New Braunfels single-file line down the Guadais working diligently in its eflupe River. forts to keep a few people unLast summer, the New der control, it is hurting those Braunfels City Council passed who are responsible, including laws that prohibited beer bongs tourists who bring their famiand Jell-O shots on the river. lies to the river every spring Two years ago, the council and summer. passed one of the strictest It is likely the new laws will noise ordinances in the nation. have little effect on those who This year, the New Braunfels chose to be irresponsible, reRiver Activities Committee gardless of laws already estabhas proposed 15 new city ordilished. nances. A few include limiting Instead of punishing the the size of coolers brought on whole, the city should work on the Guadalupe River, restrictenforcing other drinking laws ing tube sizes and limiting the like citing more PIs, DUIs and number of people per tube. The DWIs. first vote on the proposal reCity officials admit the majorsulted in a 3-3 tie, but Monday ity of tubers contribute to the the city council will vote again problem.

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

“There’s a small percentage, 1 or 2 percent, that come and either have too much to drink or their behavior just isn’t really good for being inside city limits,” said Bruce Boyer, New Braunfels mayor, in an article published on KXAN.com. Parents who bring their children on the river often double up on tubes and bring large coolers full of food and beverages. With the new laws, families will be unable to enjoy the river like they did last summer. The city will undoubtedly lose tourists and revenue with these new laws. Even businesses are already feeling the burden of the new recommendations. “I’ve already had several calls from people asking about the new rules,” Bobby Hanover, owner of Second Crossing Camp on the Guadalupe River, told the San Antonio ExpressNews. The city ordinances do not apply to the ﬁrst 15 miles of

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the Guadalupe River, according to the Express-News article. However, most tubers who travel from outside of New Braunfels are unaware where the city limits lie. The city council has been receiving e-mails from hundreds of tubers, according to The Herald-Zeitung. Most e-mails voice opinions against the new recommendations. “One started oﬀ with, ‘You suck,’” Ken Valentine, New Braunfels councilman, said in the story. College students have organized a letter-writing campaign via MySpace.com in order to inundate council members with e-mails, he said.

Many of them are families, not just the young kids,” Pospisil said.

However, other council members are receiving e-mails from a variety of individuals. “I think I have received somewhere around 80 that are overwhelmingly against (the ordinances),” Councilwoman Gale Pospisil said in the story. “It’s more than three-to-one against.

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Most of the feedback is negative, which should speak volumes. Politicians sometimes forget that they are the voice of their constituents and are not the deciders. The e-mails and the negative impact of the recommendations should influence the council members more than a few rowdy tubers. I also find it offensive that college students are being blamed for the disorderly conduct on the rivers. How can anyone know for sure that college students are at fault? Is it too far-fetched that some of the rowdy people floating down the river are not in college? The council members in New Braunfels need to listen to the public before making a decision. But if they do not, float outside the city limits of New Braunfels and take your tourist dollars somewhere else. Stephanie Silvas is a mass communication senior

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73% No

17% Not sure/I don’t know

10%

Results compiled from The University Star Web site online poll. This is not a scientiﬁc survey.

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 8, 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.

SPORTS

Thursday, February 8, 2007

The University Star - Page 11

UTSA contemplates addition of football program By Carl Harper The University Star The Bobcats’ turf war with Texas-San Antonio could be taking place on a new field. UTSA officials received a report in November from Carr Sports Associates Inc., a national consulting firm, to begin a study that would determine the feasibility of putting a football program together. The school has never had a football team in the 26 years it has housed an athletic program. “Football hasn’t ever been a big thought, but because of the growth and the culture that we live in here in south Texas, it’s appropriate to investigate,” Hickey said. “I think it will help campus life and draw students here.” The Gainesville, Fla.-based firm helped the coaches and athletics staff members review existing athletic department operations and resources that are required to advance to higher levels of NCAA competition. A group of alumni and community

members contributed $50,000 to finance the feasibility study, which was sponsored by the office of student affairs. UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey said the university has not finalized anything to date. Nor does she know what would become of others sports’ inclusion in the Southland Conference, but guessed they would leave the SLC should a future football program do so. “The purpose of the study was to do an assessment of the university and have it tell us what we need to do to get a football program,” Hickey said. “We have not officially decided to bring in the football program yet. We received the feasible report after Thanksgiving and released it to the public. Soon the student government will meet with the vice president of student affairs and will make a decision on how to take it to the student body. Right now we are trying to investigate on what kind of financial support we will need.” The NCAA eliminated the

rom the year you make the “F decision, it would be three years until you see a team on the practice ﬁeld.”

— Lynn Hickey Texas-San Antonio Athletic Director

Division I-A and I-AA football divisional labels, as of Dec. 15. Division I-A is now referred as Football Bowl Subdivision. The Football Championship Subdivision moniker replaced the IAA label. The NCAA made this change to acknowledge football played at this level is Division I. UTSA would begin in the FCS. In order to bring the program up to FBS, it could cost as much as $8 million, not including startup expenses. UTSA is looking at the possibility of playing in the Alamodome in the early stages to avoid additional costs. “Putting a football stadium together has not been put on

the table yet,” Hickey said. “We bring six or seven events to the Alamodome every year. I think that if we can determine that this program is financially intangible, then it would be outstanding.” If UTSA decides to go forth in the FCS, it must finalize the declaration the summer prior to the first year it plays a schedule in the division. The team would have to play a minimum of nine football games, with half of its total contests against FCS institutions. The study focused on various issues, including the addition of more scholarships for athletes, staff and athletic facilities. The firm advised UTSA to

evaluate interest in additional athletic fees among administrators, athletics department staﬀ, coaches and student-athletes. The school would be eligible for the FCS championship game in its inaugural season. The program would want to award the FCS maximum of 63 scholarships as soon as possible to open up scheduling opportunities with FBS schools. FBS schools are required to play 60 percent of their games against other schools in the subdivision, with a minimum of ﬁve home games yearly against FBS programs. Scholarship maximums would increase to 85 full grants-in-aid. Public support is also a huge factor in moving to FBS. It requires an annual average of at least 15,000 seats in actual or paid attendance for all home football games, once every two years. FCS does not have an attendance policy. If UTSA decides to add a football program, the university would enter what the study

called Decision Year. The following year UTSA would hire a head coach and two assistants in what would be known as Preparation Year 1. The firm outlined a five-year plan to bring a team to the field, in what would be known as Play Year 1. The first four years would allow for the school to hire coaches and bring in players. “From the year you make the decision, it would be three years until you see a team on the practice field,” Hickey said. “That third year would have a partial schedule. The team would play in the Alamodome and have practices on campus.” Play Year 1 would take place as an FCS school; the following season UTSA could decide to move up to FBS. According to the study the team will have moved up by Play Year 3 but would not be eligible for post-season in the FCS or FBS. Play Year 5 would mark the first season UTSA would be FBS bowl eligible in a conference at that level of play.

TENNIS: Texas State hungry for victory over Roadrunners CONTINUED from page 12

Austin Byrd/Star file photo BAYOU BOUND: Junior Ashley Lefﬁngwell looks for a path to the basket during Texas State’s Jan. 27 game against Sam Houston State State. The Bobcats take on McNeese State 7 p.m. Thursday in Lake Charles, La.

Women’s basketball faces McNeese State By Gabe Mendoza The University Star

go into every other game. (We have to) learn from what we did this last game, fix it, and try to go at them again.” Women’s basketball will look to rebound from Putnam has had a terrific senior season, ranking Friday’s loss when the team heads to Lake Charles, ninth in the conference in rebounding with over La. to face the Cowgirls of McNeese State. seven a game, while shooting over 50 percent from Texas State heads into its next contest with a 13-9 the floor. Junior forward Joyce Ekoromadu leads the record, including six wins and three losses in South- team in scoring, averaging 13.8 points per game, land Conference play. That record puts the Bobcats good for ninth in the conference. in third place in the SLC West Division. With only seven games remaining on the regular They face a McNeese State season schedule, the Bobcats look team still searching for its first to make a strong finish in February, conference win of the season. in order to set up for the SLC tourThe Cowgirls sit at 0-8 and have nament in March. The Bobcats will just a 2-19 mark overall, putting play four of the remaining games at them last in the SLC. Strahan Coliseum, where they have “Right now it’s really just enjoyed an 8-1 record this season. about us,” Coach Suzanne Texas State is holding onto third Fox said. “We felt in-the-game place in the SLC West Division, where against (Texas-Arlington); it there is little breathing room at the wasn’t really about what they moment. Aside from UTA, the rest of did to us but what we did to the division is still very close in the ourselves, so these next games standings. Stephen F. Austin, Texas we have to keep improving State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and because we have to have a big Texas-San Antonio are separated by — Erica Putnam no more than one game in the loss colFebruary.” senior forward umn. The tightness of the race makes Fox’s team committed 22 turnovers and allowed 79 the remaining schedule crucial. points in last week’s loss to the Mavericks, who are “February is going to be a very decisive month for a perfect 9-0 in conference heading into this week’s us as to how we finish and what place we’re in when games. we’re seeded in the (SLC) tournament,” Fox said. Coach Carol Sensley left the team in early Janu- “Right now we have to focus on the things that we ary due to medical reasons, and has not found much can get better at.” success on the court in her absence. The Cowgirls Following McNeese State the Bobcats will return enter Thursday’s game with the league’s worst of- home to take on their second consecutive East fense, averaging 55 points per game while shooting Division opponent, Lamar. Texas State has been 36 percent from the field as a team. successful against the East this season, posting a “Every game is equally important no matter who 3-1 record, with the sole loss coming in January to we play,” said senior forward Erica Putnam. “We Southeastern Louisiana. look at every game as being a game we have to win. Tip-off for is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday’s in Lake So we’re going to go into McNeese the same way we Charles.

very game “E is equally important no

matter who we play. We look at every game as being a game we have to win.”

Lainy Chafitz, Muller and Ali Gulida. The sixth spot is yet to be determined. Giraldo and Chafitz form the top doubles team, while Muller and Gulida make up the second-ranked team and Ellis and Mackenzie Farmer are the third duo. While Plunkett said she is pleased overall with the facilities at the Texas State Tennis Complex, she wouldn’t mind some higher fences. The coach expressed a disdain for intruders. “A higher fence would keep the skateboarders, roller bladers and soccer players off the courts,” Plunkett said. “The skateboarders tore up court one just after it was resur-

faced, and left marks.” Plunkett is now the head of the regional committee ranking, which determines the places of teams, and said she hopes she can use this position to help promote Texas State tennis. “Right now we don’t have a regional ranking,” Plunkett said. “However, we’re about to change that,” she said. Austin Byrd/Star file photo OVER THE TOP: Sophomore Ashley Ellis returns the ball during the Bobcats’ Jan. 19 practice. After a heavyhanded loss to Rice Jan. 28, the Bobcats hope to bounce back with their ﬁrst home match against Texas-Pan American 10 a.m. Friday.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

signingtime Texas State football announced 17 high school seniors signed to national letters of intent Wednesday. “It is a very well-rounded class,” said Coach Brad Wright in a press release. “It is the most talented group of guys we have had since we have been here.” 16 of the 17 players signed come from Texas high schools,

including the San Marcos Rattlers’ T.P. Miller, a ﬁrst-team selection for District 25-5A at both running back and defensive back. Miller recorded 81 tackles for SMHS in 2006, and rushed for 1,102 yards on oﬀense. — Courtesy Athletic Media Relations

Thursday, February 8, 2007 - Page 12

Sports Contact — Chris Boehme, starsports@txstate.edu

Softball to host weekend tourney CenturyTel classic comes to Bobcat Field By Robyn Wolf The University Star Texas State softball will kick off the regular season by hosting the CenturyTel Classic tournament at Bobcat Field. The Bobcats play a doubleheader Friday, with game times slated for 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. against Alabama and Southland Conference rival Texas-San Antonio, respectively. Texas State will resume play Saturday with a game versus Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State at 12:30 p.m. The first and fourth tournament seeds will play 3 p.m. Saturday. The second and third seeds will face off 5:30 p.m. Sunday will mark the end of the tournament, with the consolation final at 11 a.m. and championship game at 1:30 p.m. The Alabama Crimson Tide made appearances at both the 2005 and 2006 College World Series and will play the Bobcats for the first time in school history. Junior Chrissy Owens, who was second in the nation last year with a 0.68 ERA, headlines Alabama pitching. Outfielders Jordan Praytor and Brittany Rogers return after leading the Crimson Tide offense in 2005, hitting .415 and .427, respectively. Praytor also led Alabama with nine homeruns.

“It’s going to be a really good game,” said senior pitcher Sarah Lancour. “We just have to play up to our potential. We’re playing really well right now, so I think it’s going to be a good game. I’m excited about it.” The UTSA Roadrunners are the Southland Conference’s defending champions and were tabbed as the postseason favorites in both the head coaches and sports information directors’ polls. Junior Amanda Nikolenko anchored the pitching staff in 2006 by posting a teamhigh 2.24 ERA. Jessica Els led the team with a .371 batting average, with 15 homers and 34 RBIs. On defense, infielder Stevi Simpson was perfect for the Roadrunners, committing no errors in 38 games a year ago. Simpson also finished third on the team with a .352 batting average. “The reason UTSA took the championship last year is because we basically gave it away,” Lancour said. “UTSA is definitely our biggest rival. But we had two new teams (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Central Arkansas) added to the Southland Conference this year, so every team is going to be competitive.” New Cowgirls’ coach Rich Wieligman is looking to improve

Monty Marion/Star file photo STEALING SECOND: Shortstop Alex Newton tags out a runner during the Bobcats’ practice Jan 18. The softball team’s regular season starts at 3 p.m Friday against Alabama in the CenturyTel Classic.

on Oklahoma State’s 21-29 record from 2006, which was just the third losing season in program history. Oklahoma State brings back Kim Kaye, who led the team last season with nine homeruns and 42 RBIs. Senior

outﬁelder Shanel Scott led the Cowgirls with 12 steals. Pitcher Jessica Hoppock started 38 games last season and notched a 3.51 ERA while striking out 217 batters in 233.1 innings. “It doesn’t matter who we

Men’s basketball controls own fate with win Thursday By Nathan Brooks The University Star

han Coliseum. “Until they say ‘coach, you lose this game and you’re eliminated,’ technically it’s not a must win,” Coach Doug Davalos said. “But honestly, every time we take the ﬂoor it’s a must win to us.” A loss to the Cowboys would not mathematically eliminate the Bobcats from postseason play, but it puts them in the unenviable position of not being in control of their own fate, a point Davalos made clear in his Tuesday end-of-practice message to the team. “I know it may not seem like it guys, but we’re right where we want to be,” Davalos said to the Bobcats as they huddled up at the end of practice. “Right now we’re in control of our destiny, remember that.”

But Texas State can lose that control in the blink of an eye with another loss at home. The last four weeks have The Bobcats find themselves been a nightmare for the Texas fighting with four other threeState men’s basketball team. win clubs for the final three In a span of 27 days, the spots in the eight-team SouthBobcats have plummeted from land Conference Tournament being tied for first place in the March 7 in Houston. That group Southland Conference West of teams includes Texas-Arlingdivision down to fifth after ton, Lamar, Nicholls State and dropping six of their last sevThursday’s opponent, McNeese en games, including a current State. three-game losing streak. The Cowboys (8-14 overall, 3The Bobcats now sit with a 35 conference) come in riding a 6 record in conference and an two-game losing streak of their 8-14 mark overall after jumping own after suffering narrow lossout to a 2-0 start at the begines to Southeastern Louisiana ning of January. and Nicholls State last week. It is not an exaggeration to McNeese State is having a say Texas State enters its first tough time on the road this seamust-win game of the season son with a 2-10 record overall when it takes on McNeese and a 1-4 mark in conference State 7 p.m. Thursday at Straplay away from Lake Charles, La. But the one conference road victory came at 7-2 Sam Houston State Jan. 11, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Bobcats. “They’ve got their quality win on the road this season and we have to be aware that they are very capable of coming in here and getting a win,” Davalos said. They’re also capable of adapting to opponents strengths and weaknesses by using a versatile inside and outside attack led by junior forward Jarvis Bradley. Bradley leads the Cowboys with 13 points and seven rebounds per game. And it’s his versatility at 6 feet 6 inches that spearheads McNeese State’s strong defensive attack, one that gives up 67.5 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting. Texas State’s fast-break offense has struggled over the last seven games, averaging only 68.7 points per game on 39.7 percent shooting. But the Bobcats exploded for 103 points last week in their loss to TexasMark Decker/Star file photo Arlington and they’ll need that type of balanced scoring effort HOME COURT: Brandon Thomas goes for a basket during the again to have a chance at breakBobcats’ win against Texas-Pan American. The Bobcats next face ing out their slump. McNeese State 7 p.m. Thursday at Strahan Coliseum.

Davalos continues to make changes to lineup Texas State coach Doug Davalos could once again use a different starting lineup tonight against McNeese State. Davalos has used eight different starting lineups this season. He said he is trying to ignite a spark in the team by making them compete everyday in practice for a starting spot. “We have competition in practice with mini-scrimmages,” Davalos said. “We’re going to take the winners of these scrimmages and their going to be our starters. I want them to realize practice is just as important as the games.” It isn’t terribly important who starts in a Texas State’s system that routinely uses a 10-man rotation, but Davalos said he wants his team to understand that not a single second can be wasted on the floor. “This program can not afford any wasted minutes,” Davalos said. “We have to get the most out of every single drop of sweat. I told the guys that I don’t want them to think of the game as a 40-minute game, but as 2,400 seconds. Antwon Williams status up in the air Freshman forward Antwon Williams sat out practice earlier this week after taking a shot to the head in the Bobcats’ loss to Texas-Arlington Saturday. He was still inactive for Tuesday’s practice but coaches expect him to be ready for Thursday’s game barring the results of testing. “He’s been a little loopy the last couple of days,” Davalos joked. “He hasn’t passed his court sobriety test yet, but we do expect him to be ready on Thursday.” Williams tied a career-high with 12 points and also had a personal-best four blocks against the Mavericks.

play as long as we get the job done. Some girls don’t know about the teams we play. All we have to do is go out and play our best,” Lancour said. The CenturyTel Classic is one of three the Bobcats will

play in this season. The Bobcats travel to Houston and Miami for the Crowne Plaza Classic and Golden Panther Invitational, respectively, before starting the SLC season at Texas-Arlington Feb. 23.

Tennis prepares for first match at home By Travis Atkins The University Star Fourth-year tennis coach Tory Plunkett thinks the first step to building a winning tennis program is to gain some exposure. “We can ask some people on campus to come out to our tennis match and they will say, ‘Oh, we have a tennis team?’” Plunkett said. Texas State does have a team, and the first home match of the season takes place 10 a.m. Friday against Te x a s - P a n American. The team will be fielding four new starters from last year’s team, including freshman Andrea Giraldo, the team’s secondseeded player and a native of Columbia. Her strength, she said, comes from experience on clay courts while growing up. “The topspin I use bothers a lot of the players here from America,” Giraldo said. Giraldo represents the international influence of college tennis in recent years. She is one of five players on the team not from the U.S. In recent years, the popularity of tennis in the U.S. has declined, Plunkett said. Many top American players opt for schools such as Stanford, UCLA, Florida, Florida State and Texas. In order for the rest of the schools to compete, they have to look to other countries. With conference matches coming up, the first next weekend at Texas-Arlington, Plunkett and the players are eager to crack

the top six in the Southland Conference and get into the league tournament. “Well, they picked us to finish in the middle of the pack again this year,” Plunkett said. “We have had some injuries, but we should be able to make the tournament regardless.” A victory over SLC rival TexasSan Antonio will go a long ways towards making the conference tournament. The team’s most experienced player and fourth seed from South Africa, junior Sumarie Muller, said she is looking to beat the Roadrunners for the first time as a Texas State athlete. “We haven’t beat them in a — Tory Plunkett while, and that really gets me,” tennis coach Muller said. That competitive nature is derived from her on-court demeanor. “My biggest weakness is getting annoyed with my opponent,” Muller said. “I can’t stand it when they make a bad call.” The Bobcats started the season with a loss to nationallyranked Rice 7-0 Jan. 28. While the result was lopsided, Muller was impressed with the team’s unity. “That was such a good school to play for our first game,” Muller said. “We had a really good attitude.” Each team’s rankings are set by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The current rankings for Texas State, from highest to lowest, are Ashley Ellis, Giraldo,

e have “W had some injuries,

but we should be able to make the tournament regardless.”

See TENNIS, page 11

02 08 2007

Published on Feb 8, 2007

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