VOLUME 102, ISSUE 54
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FEBRUARY 13, 2013
Paying for background noise Domonique Gray, Blanco Hall president, petitioned on behalf of the building’s residents to be reimbursed for living near heavy construction. For more information, visit UniversityStar.com.
Decrease in transfer student applications worries officials
A NEW TRADITION
By Paige Lambert News Reporter Transfer applications to Texas State have recently dropped, and admissions recruiters are trying to pinpoint the reasons why in order to combat the problem. There was a 15.4 percent decrease in transfer student applications from spring 2012 to spring 2013, according to the Undergraduate Campus Admissions report. About 3,880 transfer students applied to Texas State in spring 2012, but approximately 3,280 applied in spring 2013, according to the report. Stephanie Anderson, director of admissions, said the reason for the drop in applications is uncertain because the trend began only a few semesters ago. “The numbers aren’t as big as we would like, and we’re not taking this lying down,” Anderson said. Anderson said she suspects the economy has something to do with the drop, but won’t know for sure until more research is done. Research has to be started at the state or community college level because most of the top feeder schools have seen a drop in students. Texas State mainly receives transfer students from local community college districts. Among those are Austin and Alamo community colleges. Lone Star College System was the only one of the top four feeder districts without a decreased enrollment number, according to the Campus Admissions Report. Craig Howard, recruiter for Austin Community College, said non-four year institutions are hit hard by the education budget cuts from the state. The government seems to support technical schools more because their students graduate with a specific skill set. Howard said the state of the economy and a change in community college students’ priorities have led to the decreased transfer figures. Community college students put off furthering education as their debt accumulates and jobs become harder to keep. “Some (community college students) were working, had a routine, and it was easy,” Howard said. “Then they realize some required credits don’t transfer as easily. So, some of them do end up just going for associate’s (degrees).” Howard said the unemployment rate is stabilizing, and some students are finding it easier to get a job with just an associate degree. Admissions officials are taking initiatives to tackle the decrease in transfer students interested in Texas State, said Jessica Foreman, recruiter for Alamo Community College. Anderson said the admissions department is using a national database to collect data about college enrollment to see what students do after graduating from the feeder schools. “With this new information, we can go back and see if they are still interested or not and focus on the ones who are,” Anderson said. “Then on top of it, (we can) see where and if they are enrolled.” Reverse transfer is another new concept recruiters are considering in conjunction with the community college systems, Foreman said. Students, with reverse transferring, will be allowed to apply credits from a four-year university toward an associate degree at the community college from which they transferred, Foreman said.
Each represents 517 Non-Traditional Students*
Increase of Non-Traditional Students* Fall 2007
Fall 2008
Fall 2009
Fall 2010
Fall 2011
Fall 2012
1,593
1,642
1,846
2,036
2,034
2,033
*Non-traditional students ages 30 or older, account for 2,080 of Texas State’s undergraduate population of 29,458.
Older students returning to improve employability By Liza Winkler The University Star Tammy Kothe-Ramsey has more appreciation for her education now than she did 21 years ago. Kothe-Ramsey, a 46-year-old wife and mother to two young adults, recently decided to return her attention to education so she could pursue a career in psychology. Kothe-Ramsey falls outside the age range of a typical college student, yet the number of adults enrolling at Texas State to broaden employment opportunities is rising. The term “non-traditional student” offers an open interpretation, Kothe-Ramsey said. There has been an increase in the number of Texas State students over the age of 30 during the past five years. There were 1,593 students at least 30 years old enrolled in fall 2007, while 2,033 of the same age group were enrolled in fall 2012, according to Institutional Research. Joe Meyer, director of Institutional Research,
City officials discuss benefits of improved area education By Adrian Omar Ramirez Special to the Star
Investing in students’ educations
could pay off in the future for the local government, county and community, officials say. Representatives of Core Four, a collaboration of entities in Hays County, held a presentation during the Feb. 12 Commissioners Court meeting to outline goals for education within the county. The Core Four represents Hays County, the City of San Marcos, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District and Texas State. Presenters for the Core Four Education Committee included Councilwoman Kim Porterfield, Place 1, Stephanie Reyes, assistant to the city manager, and Provost Eugene Bourgeois. Bourgeois said the committee began as part of the Dream San Marcos project, which provides a vision statement regarding development in Hays County. Bourgeois said the project outlined the six elements of “communities of choice,” which are good public schools, stable neighborhoods, family-wage jobs, community amenities, sustained economic development and an educated workforce. Having “schools of choice” in San Marcos would attract a number of businesses to Hays County, Bourgeois said. Bourgeois said the committee found through an “enormous” amount of research children’s chances at succeeding in life and education are most impacted during the pre-K, kindergarten and first- through third-
Each represents 517 Traditional Students
grade years. Bourgeois recommended adding a full day to the school district’s pre-K program. The program was cut back to half days due to budget cuts during the last legislative session. Porterfield recommended making out-ofschool activities available for students, which she said can lead to better attendance, engagement in learning and grades and a lower likelihood of dropping out. Porterfield said for every single student who can be changed from a dropout to a graduate, more than $200,000 in tax revenues is brought to the city. She said there are lower expenditures for the government during the student’s lifetime. “Investing in out-of-school time pays off for government,” Porterfield said. Out-of-school programs could additionally benefit the private sector. Porterfield said a working parent could lose up to eight workdays per year because of a lack of childcare in the summer. This translates to a loss of approximately $300 billion for businesses across the country. Reyes said another benefit of out-of-school programs is they prevent children from being unsupervised between 4 and 6 p.m. She said this is the highest-risk time for a child. Reyes said the committee looked at nationwide practices regarding the best types of out-of-school programs. She said wellness, fitness and nutrition were identified as the areas best for the programs. A nutrition program, for instance, would
READ education, PAGE 3
BEAT UTSA!
said the rise in non-traditional student enrollment could be attributed to the downturn in the economy a few years ago. Economic conditions caused many adults to return to higher education in the hopes of becoming more employable. Kothe-Ramsey attended a business college after graduating from high school, but ended up withdrawing. Many of her friends at the time were not enrolled in college and were into a partying lifestyle, she said. Kothe-Ramsey would have been more inclined to finish the degree early on had she been more involved with the campus and classwork. As the vice president of the Non-Traditional Student Organization, Kothe-Ramsey followed the trend of many older students and returned to school to increase job prospects, specifically in the field of psychology. Kothe-Ramsey became interested in becoming a licensed professional counselor after her divorce
READ tradition, PAGE 3
Communication design standards to be raised By James Carneiro News Reporter Communication design students will soon be subjected to higher academic standards. The department will be implementing a portfolio review of each student’s work at the end of the first year, said Timothy Mottet, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. There will be an increased
emphasis on internships and a more challenging curriculum. The proposed changes have passed the department and college levels but still await approval from the University Curriculum Committee. The strain on resources and infrastructure in the School of Art and Design is prompting these changes, Mottet said. There is an
READ DESIGN, PAGE 3
Madelynne Scales, Staff Photographer
Loren Rangel, communication design senior, works on a project Jan. 28 in the Joann Cole Mitte Art Building. Texas State’s communication design program is becoming stricter when judging final portfolios and will allow fewer graduates in the future.
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2 | Wednesday February 13, 2013 | The University Star
OPINIONS
For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu
Permit increases unfair to residents, commuters
S
Lara Shine, Star Illustrator
ome students, particularly on-campus residents, are about to be financially blindsided by transportation services’ history of poor planning and shortsightedness. Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of transportation services, said in a Feb. 5 University Star article all parking permit prices could increase in the fall, some by as much as 135 percent. These proposed increases, the steepest of which will be for green residential and silver campus apartment permits, are the largest in Parking Services’ recent history. The changes, if implemented, will arrive just as the interurban bus routes to Kyle/Austin and New Braunfels/San Antonio cease to operate. Nusbaum said “the money from buses doesn’t go to parking,” but it seems hardly coincidental commuters who previously relied on these buses will now be forced to buy a more expensive permit. All of these changes seem suspiciously connected just as it comes to light transportation services will finish the fiscal year hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Debt service for the construction of Speck, Matthews Street and Edward Gary parking garages will total $4.5 million by the end of spring 2013, according to the same article. Both parking ticket payments and permit purchases are down this year, compounding the issue and, according to Nusbaum, justifying the increase in price. Basic economic theory dictates raising the price of a product whose sales are already declining will not work. The current drop in permit sales, while noticeable, is likely not as proportionately drastic as the proposed increase in prices. Parking Services’ budget should
have allowed for natural fluctuations in sales, and that it was so quickly and easily depleted is worrying. If Parking Services plans to force students to pay for its shortcomings, the responsible solution is to more gradually raise prices over time. It is hypocritical for Parking Services to expect students to be ready for sudden economic stress when it certainly was not. It is doubtful increasing permit prices alone will solve transportation services’ debt concerns. Per-permit revenue will increase, but the price hike will push sales down even faster after a possible initial spike from commuters caught by the bus cancelations. Conversely, allowing students with permits to use the garages their money is already paying for, rather than charging them extra fees, may be the one solution that would increase voluntary purchases. The most worrisome aspect regarding the transportation changes is evidence the university is willing to exploit the most financially vulnerable students—out-of-city commuters and on-campus residents—to pay for its poor decisions. Some of these commuters cannot afford cars, and many on-campus residents are freshmen who are still dependent on their parents and financial aid. A breaking point will eventually be reached where some students may go without their cars or, in extreme cases, enroll elsewhere if permit prices continue to increase. Such an outcome will end only in an even more strained bus system and less permit revenue for Parking Services. Ultimately, increasing permit prices is a shortsighted solution to past shortsighted mistakes. Nusbaum said in the same article prices may never go down, and she only hopes they can “stabilize.” Currently, hoping even for stabilization is a dangerous gamble that may or not pay off for Parking Services and certainly will not for students.
The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
New manager can bring needed change to campus dining
By Christian Penichet-Paul Opinions Columnist
C
hartwells’ new leader at Texas State must make important adjustments to the university’s dining services in order to provide a higher level of assistance to students. Chin-Hong Chua, Chartwells director for Texas State, has a unique opportunity to make a fresh start in addressing the dining needs of students on campus. Chua said he will work to enhance students’ eatery experiences. Chua said a main concern will be “addressing the specific needs of different customers in the dining areas on campus,” according to a Jan. 30 University Star article. Chua intends to use surveys taken by Texas State students to gain some insight into the additions and improve-
ment Bobcats would like to see in the campus dining halls. These efforts are appropriate and necessary for Chartwells. There are a number of imperative adjustments that must be implemented in the dining halls to benefit students. Dining halls must be able to meet the dietary needs and preferences of all students on campus. Students should not be generalized into one unambiguous group. There are different students with specific nutritional preferences, and their needs must be met at a respectable level. Currently, dining halls offer limited choices for vegetarians. Texas State’s “Dine On Campus” website lists potato chips and fried rice as some of the vegetarian options at Jones Dining Hall. Furthermore, the salad bar at Harris often has limited or inadequate vegetable selections. While the variety of campus vegetarian options has become wider in recent years, there is still ample work to be done to accommodate a larger scope of students. In the same University Star article, Chua admitted his customers’ needs can not be generalized. He makes an important point because diversity is a huge part of Texas State’s background and is visible in students’ dietary needs. In turn, it is important for Chartwells
to meet this challenge by providing adequate dining options for students across the board. Chartwells must become more socially responsible. An official said in the same article that Chartwells worked with the Associated Student Government to bring certified humane beef to the university. Chartwells officials must continue to expand these positive efforts to include other food products and work to utilize locally grown vegetables only. Students should eat sustainable and hormone-free products as much as possible. Chua began his career washing dishes in a dining hall. It’s important for him to never forget where he came from. His influence from those times must be remembered as he now has an impact on Chartwells employees. His job is tough, but the company must continue to recognize and appreciate exceptional employees such as Susie Mullen, known by some as the Viking Goddess of Jones. Chartwells can be more accountable through these methods. A number of Chartwells policies should be reevaluated. Chartwells limits meal trade usage to three per transaction, according to a Sep. 11, 2012 University Star article. The policy is unjust because on-campus students
are required to buy a meal trade plan, and they should be able to get as many as they want. The money is already in Chartwells’ purse, and they should not be restricted in utilizing the meal trades they’ve paid for. Leftover meal swipes should not remain in the hands of Chartwells after the spring semester. There should be a policy that allows meal trades to roll over to the next semester without having to go through the current process of purchasing new plans. Leftover meal trades or funds behind the swipes can be given back to students or used to better the university as a whole if they cannot be rolled over. Chua should evaluate these policies to create a fairer dining environment for students. Chua’s promotion to resident district manager provides a special opportunity to discuss and improve Chartwells’ relationship with Texas State. Important adjustments should be made through an in-depth examination of the current campus dining situation. In turn, students will be better accommodated by the university’s dining services in the near future. --Christian Penichet-Paul is a history senior.
President meetings give opportunity for input
By Molly Block Opinions Columnist
M
ore students should make their voices heard this semester by attending outreach sessions with administration officials and participating in student organizations and petitions. President Denise Trauth made the decision to host two Open Door sessions this spring in an effort to better connect with Texas State students, according to a Jan. 29 University Star article. The first session occurred Feb. 6 at the J.C. Kellam building, and the final one this semester will be held March 4 at the LBJ Student Center. Trauth will be
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available to answer student questions at the March 5 Associated Student Government Round Table and April 10 at an invitation-only event called Cat Chat. All of the outreach events are open to any interested Texas State students who have ideas or concerns to share with Trauth. Nine students spoke with Trauth on a variety of important issues during the first Open Door session, according to a Feb. 7 University Star article. However, more than nine students should have attended the session, considering the increased enrollment and diversity among the student body. Trauth has not historically hosted many sessions throughout the year, but many students continually choose not to attend because of the belief their voices cannot make an impact on administrators. It may seem otherwise at times, but Trauth has increased her availability to students this semester, making it apparent she is interested in their input. What students have to say is important. Without them, Texas State would cease to exist. Administrators should be open to ideas so they can improve the university
Editor In Chief................................................Beth Brown, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor............................Lee Moran, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................................Caitlin Clark, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor............................Hollie O’Connor, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Liza Winkler, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..........................................Cameron Irvine, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief......................Thomas Glasebrook, starcopychief@txstate.edu Web Editor.............................................Cayla Green, starwebeditor@txstate.edu
and attract more students in the future. Many student concerns and ideas are valid and have the potential to drastically change the future of Texas State. It is important for students to take advantage of Trauth’s outreach events this spring, but there are many other ways Bobcats can make an impact on the university. Students who want to make a difference but are unsure of how to start have a plethora of options from which to choose. Residents at the West Campus Housing Complex recently started a proposal regarding complaints about noise and other issues caused by nearby construction, according to a Feb. 6 University Star article. The students requested a 20 percent reimbursement for substandard living conditions in the dorms and created a separate petition in support of their proposal. It is unclear whether university officials will agree to this exact request. However, it is important these students found an appropriate outlet to express their grievances with the administration. All students have the ability to make
Multimedia Editor.........................Alex Peña, starmultimediaeditor@txstate.edu Design Editor.............................................Sarah Ansell, stardesign@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist................................... Chris Salazar, chris.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu
a difference at Texas State if they are willing to step out of comfort zones. There are nearly 300 registered student organizations at the university, according to the Campus Activities and Student Organizations website. All of these groups cater to different interests and people. So, students should be able to find an organization that satisfies interests and allows them to interact with like-minded people. These organizations provide students with the chance to get together, discuss concerns and bring these thoughts to the attention of administrators who can then enact policies. Students who want to see changes at Texas State will need to take a stand for what they believe in. Change will not happen overnight, but speaking with Trauth during outreach events, starting petitions and joining clubs are a few ways to begin the process of implementing ideas into university policy-making. --Molly Block is a mass communication junior.
The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, February 13, 2013. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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News | The University Star | Wednesday February 13, 2013 | 3
NEWS
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tradition
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and child custody case lawyer recommended she see a forensic psychologist years ago. “It’s kind of funny. As a younger person, I wasn’t quite disciplined enough and let myself slip, but then as a more mature adult, I guess I take more pride in what I want to do,” Kothe-Ramsey said. “I have a daughter who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. So, in order to understand what she is going through better, psychology really hit home with me.” Kothe-Ramsey ¬completed her basic degree requirements at San Antonio College. She was inspired to transfer to Texas State in fall 2011 after meeting Shirley Ogletree, psychology professor. Ogletree said Kothe-Ramsey, along with many other non-traditional students, greatly contributes to the university atmosphere by being reliable and showing a willingness to work hard in the classroom. Joellen Coryell, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School of Psychology assistant professor, said the term “non-traditional student”
DESIGN
is relatively inclusive toward a variety of factors. These factors include age and life experience. Coryell has noticed a trend at Texas State and other universities of devoting more attention to better understanding adult learners regarding research in the field and teaching practices. Coryell said teaching practices used for adult learners are effective for all age groups. In some situations, instructors must rethink their methods to better accommodate older non-traditional students. Kothe-Ramsey is expected to graduate in May and recommends other non-traditional students avoid dropping their entire class schedules when life interferes with school. “Times will always get difficult where you think you can’t handle it, and if it does become too much, you’ve got to take care of yourself first,” Kothe-Ramsey said. “But if there’s any way possible to keep (enrolled in) the one (class) and keep your dream alive, then keep going.”
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ideal number at which to cap communication design students, but Mottet does not yet know what that limit is. There were 780 communication design students in fall 2012, and 725 enrolled currently, according to Institutional Research. Currently, students’ portfolios are reviewed before they are accepted into the School of Art and Design. Moving the portfolio reviews to the end of freshman year will allow students to better develop their skills in fundamental art classes before being critiqued, Mottet said. “In some (communication) design programs, you don’t gain admission to the university until you submit a portfolio,” Mottet said. “We have decided we are not going to take that approach because that depends on what kind of a quality high school you went to.” Mottet said he hopes the changes will “level the playing field” for students who come from less affluent high schools. Isabel Martinez, communication design senior, said better work will be produced for the portfolio reviews, since all students will now be getting the same art foundations. Martinez said students who produce stronger portfolios will be noticed and sometimes hired just on the basis of their bodies of work. Business professionals are included in the portfolio review process. “Looking at a student’s portfolio is like (looking at) a museum,” Martinez said. Mottet said the curriculum in communication design classes will become more
difficult. Martinez said stricter academic standards are necessary because communication design is a combination of many different job fields, such as advertising and public relations. Other majors are “limiting” when compared to the wide berth of opportunities to which communication design graduates will have access, Martinez said. “Graphic design exposes you to so many things,” Martinez said. “You can do digital illustrations by hand and merge (them) with typography and layouts. You could do a relief painting of a park or a building. All of that is stuff that graphic design touches on.” An increased emphasis on internships is another aspect of the updated standards, Mottet said. Martinez said an internship makes a student much more valuable to a potential employer. “Taking an internship is like running a marathon instead of just going to the gym,” Martinez said. “These skills complement you very well.” Ross Conover, communication design junior, said competition between former students exists because many Texas State graduates gravitate toward the Austin area. Well-prepared students who take classes seriously will be ready for whatever competition lies ahead of them. “The harder they make us work, the better,” Conover said.
Students use social media as classroom aid By Nancy Young News Reporter Social media is transforming today’s classrooms and may be advancing the way students connect to peers and sources in the professional world. Some faculty members are allowing students to use social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook to better engage in discussions both in and outside the classroom. Social media adds to the conversation in the lecture hall while allowing outside sources to participate in the discussion, said Kym Fox, School of Journalism and Mass Communication senior lecturer. “I love the fact that you can engage with the audience—and in this case, students—to ask them to be looking for something, contributing to (the conversation),” Fox said. For instance, Fox said social media has allowed more people to contribute to conversations during Mass Comm Week. The annual event is presented by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Several panels and sessions are held to address how the field is evolving and changing. Fox said students are not able to attend each session during Mass Comm Week, but they can be a part of the discussions without physically being there thanks to social media. “It lets the people who were there use their little takeaways in 140 characters to say, ‘Here’s something I took away from what (the speakers) said,’” Fox said. “So, the people who weren’t able to make it can be there.” Social media additionally allows some faculty members to get to know their students better. Gilbert Martinez is a senior lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He said students in his Media Law and Ethics course use Facebook to
education
connect with each other outside of class. Martinez said students created a Facebook study group to discuss notes and prepare for tests and invited him to be a part of it. “It gave me another avenue to communicate with students,” Martinez said. “It would help them prepare for class, exams or whatever it might be.” Martinez said the Facebook group has allowed him to get to know his students who don’t like to speak up during class. He said it makes for a “nice interaction” outside the classroom. Jacie Yang, web publishing and design assistant professor, said she believes instructors should show students the technology available to them and encourage its use. Yang said not only can social media keep students updated, but it could benefit them in the future. Networking through a social media outlet is a beneficial tool for finding a job after graduation, she said. Some students use social media as an aid for preparing for class. Delaney Navarro, public relations junior, said she uses Twitter to prepare for weekly current events quizzes in her Writing for Mass Media class. Tony McKinney, communication studies sophomore, said he rarely uses Twitter outside of school. McKinney said he uses it to look up helpful hash tags mentioned by faculty members. There are benefits to using Twitter and other social media platforms in class, but it presents issues, some faculty members said. Martinez said his concern is the technology may cause disruptions to the learning process or distract students. Fox said students should not assume using social media is acceptable in all classes. “I don’t think it is true of all classes,” Fox said. “So, I think students should be cautious before they just whip out their iPad, mobile phone or computer. Some faculty members feel strongly the other way.”
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provide healthy snacks for students while counseling them on how to make sound dietary choices, Reyes said. Reyes said there are existing out-of-school programs in San Marcos, but they might not be aligned with one another or are less comprehensive. County Judge Bert Cobb agreed with the importance of outof-school programs from Hays County having some of the lowest standardized test scores in the corridor. “The school system is integral to the society at large, particularly to the economic development of Hays County,” Cobb said. Cobb encouraged the committee to look to retired teachers for their ideas involving education. Bourgeois said the committee will continue to make presentations to the community, including the San Marcos City Council and district school board.
6 | Wednesday February 13, 2013 | The University Star
TRENDS
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Program aids low-performing districts “discrepancies in the public school system” firsthand when she asked her sixth grade student what country he lived in. “Houston,” he told her. Southerland’s first day teaching was more than becoming familiar with her new students and surroundings. It was a lesson in the reality of day-to-day life in a school rated “academically unacceptable” by the state of Texas. “They were so behind in reading and writing and spent the majority of time on these basic skills, instead of other content areas, like social studies,” Southerland said. Of the 8,526 campuses in the state, 496 rated academically unacceptable in 2011, according to the Texas Education Agency. The agency is responsible for monitoring the accountability of every public and charter school, as well as educational districts. A district or school that receives an academically unacceptable rating for two conOlivia Ordoñez, Staff Photographer secutive years can be closed by the Texas Jessica Castanon, recruitment manager for the Education Agency. Teach for America aims to reconcile low South Texas Teach for America program, speaks at an interest meeting Feb. 4 at Career Services in LBJ school and district performance ratings. They help resolve factors that may affect Student Center. state agency decisions, such as teacher shortages. The organization places college graduates trained by the program to teach By Jordan Gass-Poore’ in high-poverty pre-K through 12th grade Trends Reporter schools for at least two years. Jessica Castanon, Teach for America As a social studies teacher in Houston through Teach for America, Bonnie South- South Texas recruitment manager, taught erland, Texas State alumna, experienced the in an elementary school in Jefferson Parish.
Jefferson is the largest of seven parishes in Metropolitan New Orleans and has experienced debt and teacher layoffs. Castanon said she experienced problems as a fourth grade teacher with the school’s administration. “My principal never once saw me teach, and my vice principal saw me once to do my evaluation. It was really frustrating,” she said. “I was a fourth grade teacher and my kids needed to pass a test to go to fifth grade. So, it was a high-stakes year.” But life for Castanon was not always so hard in the Big Easy. Castanon said her students’ parents were actively involved in their children’s education at the school. She said veteran teachers across the hall from her classroom provided feedback and support. The help was similar to the training she received from Teach for America employees who trained her during the organization’s five-week summer program. She heard about the program during her senior year at St. Mary’s University and applied to be an elementary school teacher in New Orleans. She had previously visited the city on a road trip with friends prior to Hurricane Katrina. Castanon said she was compelled to teach in New Orleans after watching the news coverage of the hurricane’s devastation. She left Texas in 2009 to become a corps member after graduating with a degree in psychology . “It was a rude awakening, just about what
the city had been through,” Castanon said. She was one of 250 Teach for America participants placed in schools throughout New Orleans. “It was also really hopeful as there are new education initiatives.” These new education initiatives include the charter school where Castanon taught special education for kindergarten through second grade her last year as a corps member. “Teach for America really challenges you to go above and beyond,” Castanon said. Southerland, much like Castanon, had no prior education experience, having graduated with a geography degree in 2008. Southerland’s Teach for America experiences have led her back to Texas as a sixth grade instructor in Schertz, as well as back to Texas State to pursue a degree in education. “I completely fell in love,” Southerland said. “I think Texas State prepares you for Teach for America. We’re very real-world, and we’re very hands-on.” Twelve Texas State students out of 48,000 applicants nationwide were accepted to Teach for America last year. Teach for America is the brainchild of Wendy Kopp, who proposed the idea in her Princeton University undergraduate thesis in 1989. Five hundred college graduates joined the organization nationwide the following year. There have been almost 33,000 participants since 1990.
Student entrepreneur’s delivery service caters to campus residents
Courtesy of Josh Martin
By Zach Mayer Trends Reporter When late-night hunger strikes, Jacknife, the one-man campus courier service, runs to aid students in need. Jacknife started the courier venture this
semester. His idea is to be paid in exchange for students’ comfort and convenience. Jacknife is the alter ego of Josh Martin, computer science freshman. His services include food delivery to students stuck on campus, as well as printing out papers and providing computer assistance. Martin said the business is still in the “beta phase” and needs the kinks worked out. “I haven’t established any solid hours yet,” Martin said. “(I’m) still trying to get a following, getting the word out, and (I’ll) see what happens.” He said the idea of the courier business emerged last year when dorm life proved inconvenient. “Late at night, (my former roommate and I) wanted something, like a Monster or Coke,” Martin said. “We would have to go all the way to the gas station, because everything would be closed on campus. We were always too lazy to do that.” He decided what Texas State needed was a courier.
“The foundation of entrepreneurship is to find something that people don’t want to do that you’re good at doing, and you do it,” Martin said. Martin thinks there will be enough students who want courier services, but business has been slow with only two customers in its first couple of weeks. However, he has been putting up fliers around campus to advertise, and his Jacknife Facebook page has 75 “likes.” Martin participated in the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps last summer. He said the program taught the importance of having a good work ethic and not accepting failure, which Martin translates into his courier business. Madison Scouts improved his endurance, making running Martin’s preferred method of travel. The alias “Jacknife” comes from a quick-running character in the 2008 video game Mirror’s Edge. Among his supporters is Sherri Mora, political science senior lecturer. Martin talked to Mora after class this semester and was encouraged keep the courier business going.
“We talked about personal responsibility and ways to be engaged in our community,” Mora said. “(This includes) anything you can do in your college career to keep you engaged academically and socially and committed to the community.” Becky Reichenau, computer science senior lecturer, said the skills Martin learned in her class last year could prove beneficial in his services. “He learned to pay attention to detail,” Reichenau said. “That will hit home for his own business.” Currently, Martin’s customers pay what they want for the service, though there is a 50 cent upcharge if they want to use a credit card.
Jacknife can be contacted by phone at 512-644-6742 or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/Jacknifetxstate.
The University Star | Wednesday February 13, 2013 | 5
SPORTS
Check out more at UniversityStar.com
Men’s Basketball Standings WAC Total La. Tech
12
0
21
3
NM State
11
Denver
11
2
17
8
2
15
8
Utah State
8
4
17
5
UTA
7
5
12
9
Idaho
5
8
9
14
SJSU
3
9
9
14
TEXAS ST.
3
10
7
18
Seattle
2
11
7
16
UTSA
1
12
5
18
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW: WHAT’S BREWIN’?
Next step still looms for baseball
Men’s Upcoming Schedule Thursday February 14 Denver @ Utah State 8:05 p.m. La. Tech @ Seattle U 9:00 p.m.
By Jordan Brewer Assistant Sports Editor
NM State @ San Jose State 9:00 p.m. UT Arlington @ Idaho 9:05 p.m.
I
t is getting to be that time of year. The aroma of freshly cut grass, overcooked (yet absolutely delicious) hot dogs and roasted peanuts. Plus, who can forget the over-reactive umpire on called third strikes? It’s baseball season. The Bobcats will embark on their 2013 season Friday at 2 p.m., hosting Missouri State University in the CenturyLink Invitational. The Bobcats should expect a good turnout their opening weekend for what could be the start of something special. Like it or not, Bobcat fans, Texas State is a baseball school. Since the 2005 season, Texas State has eclipsed the 30-win mark seven times in eight years. It has reached the 40-win total twice, including the season just two years ago. Students and supporters in San Marcos can finally reunite after the recent threemonth hiatus of basketball season and turn to a proven winner. Baseball is Texas State’s best opportunity to make a national brand of itself, similar to what Texas Christian University did in 2010. TCU reached the eight-team plateau in the prestigious College World Series. The condition of the Texas State athletic program is actually quite promising. The football team’s progress might not show in record, but judging from the recent recruiting and improved competitive results, it is on the right path to become a force among non-BCS schools. It might be a couple of years before football can overcome the speed bumps and sharp learning curves of the FBS, but baseball can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The team has faced excellent baseball programs and beaten them too.
Saturday February 16 UTSA @ TEXAS STATE 4:00 p.m. Denver @ San Jose State 9:00 p.m. NM State @ Utah State 9:05 p.m.
Women’s Basketball Standings WAC Total 9
Seattle
10
3
13
Utah State
10
2
13 10
Idaho
9
4
12 12
UTSA
7
6
13 11
La. Tech
7
5
11 12
SJSU
6
6
9
Denver
6
7
11 13
NM State
3
10
9
14
14
TEXAS ST
3
10
9
14
UTA
2
10
4
18
Women’s Upcoming Schedule Thursday February 14 Seattle U @ La. Tech 7:00 p.m. Idaho @ UT Arlington 7:00 p.m. San Jose State @ NM State 7:30 p.m. Utah State @ Denver
The Bobcats have beaten elite baseball schools such as Rice University, Baylor University, TCU and the University of Oregon. The one hill the Bobcats have to climb is beating the University of Texas, most likely in Austin. The Bobcats defeated UT in 2005, 2-1, but they have the lost the other 17 meetings since the 2005 season. However, the domination in the win-loss column could look a lot rosier when checking the scores. The Bobcats lost by three runs or less in 13 of those defeats to the Longhorns. I am not saying Texas State baseball has clearly made it over the hump of becoming a national power. The Bobcats, beside showing they can beat UT, have to prove they can beat the “Rices” and “Baylors” on a more consistent basis. The prominent wins are there in small doses. Just last season Texas State defeated an 18th-ranked TCU twice, along with a fourth-ranked Rice. The stage is set for Texas State. Coach Ty Harrington has had a foundation laid for his baseball program for many years. This is a program that has proven it can hang with the big boys. Now, the Bobcats should expect more than to just “hang.” If Texas State wants to get out from underneath the “little brother” title, this is its chance. Baseball has the ability to plant the flag on top of the Sessom Drive hill and claim greatness for Texas State athletics. The quickest way for that to happen is for the Bobcats to take this step forward. The majority (cough, cough) of the Texas State programs have taken significant steps toward bettering themselves as a whole. Baseball is leading the way, but there is still some room for improvement. There is no better time to move ahead than in its first WAC season. Get out to the ball park and enjoy some baseball this weekend. Heckle the umpires, boo the extended trips to the mound and avoid spitting your sunflower seeds on the person in front of you. Most of all, prepare for an extremely important season in Bobcat baseball history, one that could waive the baseball program around third, sliding into home.
8:00 p.m.
Twitter: @jbrewer32
Tailgating Saturday
The Maroon and Orange series returns to Strahan Coliseum Saturday when the men’s basketball team hosts the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners. The Bobcats are coming off two losses this weekend, including against the University of Texas-Arlington, 75-50, which was their worst of the season. The Roadrunners, who Texas State defeated in overtime earlier this season, are 1-12 in the WAC, in last place. Tailgating will begin at 12 p.m. in the Strahan grass area known as Bobcat Alley, and fans are encouraged to participate in a “white out” by wearing white to the game.
The other 2013 class
Soccer announced, on the same day football released its 2013 commitments, new players that would be joining the team next season. Coach Kat Conner believes it could be a “Cinderella-type story” next year in the Sun Belt. All seven newcomers are from Texas, including Taylor Allen. She was named First Team All-District the last three years and is one of two new players who will make the short trip down from Austin to play at Texas State.
Puisite still swinging
Senior Krista Puisite continued her success this golf season with her fourth top-five finish of the year. Puisite led the Bobcats with a 215 score. Sophomore Iman Nordin finished second best of Texas State’s squad with a 222 total. The Bobcats finished eighth out of 18 teams. The University of North Carolina finished 17 strokes ahead of the rest of the competition, with 854 as a total combined score. Men’s golf placed 13th out of 14 teams, with only McNeese State University shooting a worse score than the Bobcats. Junior Stuart Smallwood and Freshman Torbjorn Johansen led the way for Texas State, posting a 224 total in three rounds of competition.
Undefeated no more
Saturday February 16 TEXAS STATE @ UTSA 4:00 p.m.
Baseball Home Opener
San Jose State @ Denver 5:00 p.m.
Vs. Missouri State, Friday February 15, 2 p.m.
Seattle U @ UT Arlington 6:00 p.m. Idaho @ La. Tech 7:00 p.m. Utah State @ NM State 7:30 p.m.
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Texas State tennis suffered a 6-1 defeat to Houston this past weekend at the Bobcat Tennis Complex. The Bobcats have four more home games before hitting the road for the first time in 2013 against Rice. Report compiled by Cameron Irvine Sports Editor Twitter: @txstcamirvine
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6 | Wednesday February 13, 2013 | The University Star | Sports
RECRUITING PROFILE Dila Rosemond and I feel that I am very versatile and can do a lot of things. I can run. I can hit. And I can really just do a lot of things with my skill set. OE: I know in high school you played multiple positions. What position do you feel most comfortable at? DR: I am going to treat it like high school. Whatever position the coaches want me to play, I’m going to be open to it and play that position. I really would like to stick on defense and special teams especially. I really like the ball in my hands and the thrill of special teams. I feel like I can be a difference maker at punt and kick returner because those are big game-changer positions. Simply, that position is just fun for me. By Odus Evbagharu Sports Reporter Athlete Dila Rosemond committed Jan. 20 to Texas State football. OE: Recently you chose to play football at Texas State. Why’d you choose to play football for the Bobcats? DR: The big reason is location. My parents, my friends and even my coaches can come watch me play. San Marcos is such a great place, and I felt right at home when I went on my visit. Those were really the biggest factors in me choosing to be part of Bobcat nation. OE: What special skill sets do you possess that made coaches want you to come play ball for the Bobcats? DR: I have good football speed. I run track. So, that helps me a lot,
OE: How does it feel to be part of a program that is up and coming and is in its second year of Division I football? DR: It’s real exciting to see myself go from Cy-Springs to Texas State that’s Division I. I know a lot of kids and I have friends around this area that went to a school with better football teams that are not in my position right now. It’s just a real big blessing, and I just feel really blessed to be put in this situation. OE: What was your favorite football memory while playing at CySprings High School? DR: I would have to say when we got our only win against our rivals, Cy-Lakes. I had a good game with an interception, forced fumble and a fumble recovery. That game was a lot of fun, and I had a good time playing that game. Twitter: odus_Outputs
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