02 24 2009

Overtime Victory The men’s basketball team wins its first overtime game of the season SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

Brew Biz Alumnus starts keg-filling business for home brewers SEE TRENDS PAGE 6

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

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february 24, 2009

tuesday

Volume 98, Issue 54

Texas loses international student enrollment

BUS BUSINESS

By Megan Holt News Reporter

Blackhorn party bus takes students to their good-time destinations safely and affordably. SEE PAGE 6 FOR FULL STORY.

Texas State is competing with other institutions for international students and losing the battle.

International students looking overseas to continue their education now have a choice between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Institutions outside the state of Texas have tweaked tuition rates for international students.

Students from overseas are being charged in-state tuition to attend universities in Arkansas and Illinois within the last year.

The state of Texas has not followed their lead.

According to a Texas State Institutional Research report, undergraduate enrollment for international students in fall 2006 decreased from 257 to 190 in fall 2007. Dianelle Ritter, head of undergraduate admissions, said 60 international students were enrolled at the university fall 2008.

Michael Heintze, vice president of enrollment management, announced at the University Council meeting Feb. 12 Texas State is losing students to the University of Arkansas, because they are offering in-state tuition.

University of Arkansas’ reports international enrollment

Lindsey Leverett/Star feature photo

See STUDENT, page 3

New council helps link Austin government with students

By Christine Mester News Reporter A new student organization is providing representation for commuter students in the Austin City Council and Mayor’s Office.

The Mayor’s Council of Student Affairs, formed Sept. 15, meets once a month at the Austin City Hall to discuss issues in higher education at the local level.

Daniel Neal, Mayors Council of Student Affairs representative, said the

university participates in the organization because of the large number of commuter students.

“We have so many commuter students from Austin who attend Texas State,” said Neal, communication studies senior. “A lot of the issues the Austin City Council and Mayor preside over affect them. It’s important their voices get heard too, and we are their voice in the decisions made.”

Neal and Francesca Flores, ASG senators, were chosen to represent Texas State in the organization. Flores

said one of her duties is keeping students informed about the upcoming races for the Mayor’s Office and City Council in Austin.

“We talk about issues that are going to have an impact on students living in Austin,” said Flores, international studies senior. “We are still brainstorming, but we are focusing on textbook and tuition prices. It is also important to us to keep students informed on what each candidate represents.”

Neal said textbook regulation is an important issue the council will discuss.

“One idea is to make it mandatory for textbook publishers to provide a list of all the updates in the new editions,” Neal said. “That way, teachers can decide if it’s necessary for students to buy the new edition. Students save a lot of money if they can purchase the used version.”

Two student representatives from each of the six Austin area institutions sit on the Mayor’s Council, which are University of Texas, St. Edwards University, Concordia University, HustonTillotson University, Austin Community

College and Texas State.

Neal said the organization will focus on the important issues affecting the local institutions on the council.

“It is not just UT,” Neal said, though representatives from the university are leading the council this year. “Because all the local institutions are represented, we are a pretty powerful body. Each one of us is going back to our (university or college) to see what students actually care about.”

See MAYOR, page 3

Honors program succeeds Board revisits microchipping ordinance without Mitte scholarships

By Christine Mester News Reporter

By Lora Collins News reporter The number of students within the university honors program has risen, despite the loss of one of its largest benefactors last spring.

Heather Galloway, program director for the university college department, said severing ties with the Mitte scholarship foundation in April did not devastate the honors program.

“First of all, there were at least four, maybe five, programs that the Mitte foundation was funding on campus, and I think only two were focused on students,” Galloway said. “That scholarship program has ended, but no students lost their scholarship as a result.”

The Mitte Honors Program handled two scholarships known respectively as the Mitte, which awarded $5,000, and the Laureate, which gave $25,000, each year. Galloway said the programs were kept separate, and as a result, did not affect any students in the honors program.

“While we appreciated the

funding from the Mitte foundation, we did not change the program for them,” Galloway said.

“The needs of the program are based on the needs of the faculty and the students.”

The Mitte foundation donated more than $9 million to Texas State, but the university did not lose a penny. Galloway said the endowments from the foundation for the honors program were never large sums of money.

“Even though it looks like the biggest chunk of money was actually ours, when it’s an endowment you don’t (earn all of it) — last year we only got about 2 percent,” Galloway said. “So it looks like we lost this enormous sum of money and we did, we lost that endowment, but the amount of funding annually that the university has to provide for replacement is actually quite small.”

Ava Pope, physics senior, said the loss of the Mitte scholarship benefited the students.

“When the university decided to give back all of that money, See HONORS, page 3

Today’s Weather Partly Cloudy

81˚

Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 49% UV: 6 High Wind: S 17 mph

Tracking the four legged is getting controversial.

The Animal Services Advisory Board will hold public hearings to re-evaluate the disputed Animal Ordinance.

Mark Brinkley, assistant director of community services and environmental health, said San Marcos residents are concerned about the mandatory microchipping of pets included in the ordinance.

“The mandatory part seems to be the biggest issue,” Brinkley said.

“Some people think we’re punishing those who are being responsible pet owners by making it mandatory to microchip their pets.”

The decision to re-evaluate the ordinance was made by the Animal Services Advisory Board, which wrote the regulation. The ordinance is scheduled to go into effect April 1.

Brinkley said the board is looking into options other than mandatory microchipping.

The board asked the City Council for more time to make changes to the ordinance, Brinkley said. Public meetings to reevaluate the Animal Ordinance will be scheduled in March.

“We are working through the issues,” Brinkley said. “We want to see what changes the public prefers. We will propose the changes and see if the City Council is comfortable. Ultimately, the decision lies with the City Council.”

Bert Stratemann, Animal Services manager, said the Animal Ordinance does not need revisions. “(Mandatory microchipping of pets) is something that is a means of trying to move us toward having more animals returned to their owners,” Stratemann said.

“That is strictly what it is about.

It seems like more is being made of this. It’s meant to help reduce the number of animals being euthanized at our shelter.”

According to the San Marcos Animal Shelter, nearly 6,000 animals were taken in last year.

Seventy percent of those animals were euthanized.

The City of San Marcos held three public information sessions on the Animal Ordinance in January and February.

The Animal Services Advisory Board recommended the ordinance after months of review.

Some pet owners are against the Hannah VanOrstrand/Star photo mandatory measure and are rais- PET TECHNOLOGY: Heidi Luna, practice manager of Springtown See MICROCHIP, page 3

Veterinary Hospital, holds her dog Bindi as Laura Englstrom, vet tech assistant, inserts a tracking microchip.

Two-day Forecast Wednesday

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Inside News............ 1,2,3 Opinions............. 5 Trends............. 6 ,7

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

Diversions..............8 Classifieds............8 Sports.................10

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2009 The University Star

PAGETWO

starsof texas state

Taylor Hall, exercise and sports science senior, went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run in a softball game against the UAB Blazers Friday. The Bobcats improve to 7-4, winning their third straight, while the Blazers fall to 2-4.

—Courtesy of Texas State Athletics

Today in Brief

2 - Thursday, February 24, 2009

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

This day in history WORKING HARD

CRIME BLOTTER

1803: The Supreme Court (in Marbury v.

Madison) ruled itself the final interpreter of constitutional issues.

University Police Department

1821: Mexico declared its independence from Spain.

1903: The United States signed an agreement acquiring a naval station at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Feb. 9, 10:16 p.m.

Suicide - Attempted / Sterry Hall A student attempted to harm herself.

The student was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

1945: American soldiers liberated the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese control during World War II. 1980: The U.S. hockey team defeated Finland 4-2 to win the gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Feb. 10, 12:12 a.m.

Medical Emergency / Student Recreation Center A student was injured while playing basketball. The student was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

1981: Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Britain’s Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer.

1997: The Food and Drug Administration named six brands of birth control as safe and effective “morning-after” pills for preventing pregnancy.

Feb. 10, 10:06 a.m.

Medical Emergency / Student Health Center A student reported to a police officer he was experiencing pains in his chest. The student was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

2004: President George W. Bush urged approval of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

—Courtesy of The New York Times

Lindsey Leverett/Star photo Sasha Knight, studio art senior, stocks shelves Monday at Paper Bear.

City wins award for new metering technology The project installing “smart meters” for water and electric customers in San Marcos has won the “AMI Project of the Year.”

The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project in San Marcos was selected for the top award by Utility Automation and Engineering T&D Magazine, a division of PennWell Corporation. Eka Systems, a global provider of smart grid solutions and AMI infrastructure, will begin installing the smart meters in San Marcos this spring after completing two pilot phases.

The City of San Marcos, Eka Systems and UtiliWorks Consulting were recognized at DistribuTECH 2009, a national conference in San Diego for the industry. Tom Taggart, Director of Public Services for the City of San Marcos, and Richard Stankiewicz, Chief Technology Officer, received the award on behalf of the City.

The award was presented to the City Council on Feb. 17, by the City’s AMI team.

“The City of San Marcos is honored to win this

award for our venture into smart metering,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “The AMI project reflects the City Council’s policy commitment to streamline government, make our services more accessible and encourage conservation. Advanced metering will give citizens ready access to information about their water and electric use and the ability to better manage their consumption.”

The project will replace water and electric meters with modern technology on new ones that can communicate to the Utility Office. The “smart meters” will use radio transmitters to send frequent readings to the Utility Office. Installation of the system citywide will begin in April. Meter change outs will take about six months for electric meters and 18 months for water meters. The project has a cost benefit payout of 5 to 7 years, due to labor savings, reduced water and electric line loss and increased operational efficiencies.

Customers will be able to access their accounts online and track their electric and water consumption,

enabling them to monitor and adjust use throughout the month when the project is complete.

The AMI system will provide more accurate meter readings, faster connects and disconnects, identify water leaks and power failures quickly and provide better tracking of customer demand and system loads for the City water and electric utilities.

“Public Services, Eka Systems and UtiliWorks have worked hard on this project,” said City Manager Rick Menchaca. “The City of San Marcos continues to raise the standard in resource conservation and environmental stewardship, with plans for all City electric and water customers on the grid by the end of 2010.“Winning this award reaffirms our belief that AMI and Smart Meters are a good investment for the citizens of San Marcos.”

The City contracted with UtiliWorks Consulting to plan the new system and Eka Systems for the installation of the network.

—Courtesy of City of San Marcos

Feb. 11, 12:00 a.m.

Criminal Mischief - Under $50 / Brogdon Hall A student reported to a police officer his property had been damaged. The case is under investigation.

Feb. 11, 1:30 p.m.

Harassment / Blanco Hall A student reported to a police officer he was harassed by another student. A report was made of the incident.

Feb. 11, 5:45 p.m.

Theft-Under $20,000 / McCoy Business Building A student reported to a police officer her property had been taken without her consent. The case is under investigation.

Feb. 11, 6:04 p.m.

Graffiti - Under $1500 / Texas State While on patrol, a police officer noticed university property had been vandalized.

The case is under investigation.

—Courtesy of University Police Department

News

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

MAYOR CONTINUED from page 1

“Through the council we learn about important things going on at other (institutions),” Neal said. “It is a really beneficial organization because we can learn a lot from each other.”

Neal said the council will decide on three issues the student bodies from each of the six instituions support and send a mem-

MICROCHIP orandum to candidates running for office.

“It’s a really powerful tool,” Neal said. “There are so many voices represented by the council, so it shows the candidates the issues that are important to the students from all the local universities. It shows it’s not just important to one university, but that it is important to higher education as a whole.”

STUDENT CONTINUED from page 1

increased by 64 students between fall 2007 and 2008.

“It’s a Texas state law that we offer out-of-state tuition for international students,” said Valarie Van Vlack, Texas State treasurer.

The Texas Education Code states nonresident students must pay out-of-state tuition. Waivers can be issued on a case-to-case basis to students who meet outlined criteria.

Debbie Thorne, associate vice president for academic affairs, said in an e-mail interview “public universities in Texas must abide by state rules and regulations for basing tuition on residency requirements.”

The Texas Legislature gave institutions the ability to set their own tuition rates for students in 2003, but there are still guidelines.

Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale offers in-state “alternate tuition” for international students.

“It’s all about terminology in

this situation,” said Larry Dietz, Southern Illinois University vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management. “Otherwise, the state wouldn’t allow it. The chancellor has allowed the university to offer ‘alternate tuition’ to international students. The alternate tuition rate just happens to be the same as in-state tuition.”

Students at these universities must be transferring to Southern Illinois University from an institute with contracted similar tuition rates to receive the instate benefits.

“If we can bolster international student enrollment by recruiting students away from other more culturally diverse institutes and offering this lowered tuition rate, we will,” Deitz said.

Thorne said institutions are allowed to offer students grants, making them eligible for in-state tuition in some cases. She said Southern Arkansas University offers scholarships that “effectively eliminate the difference between resident and nonresi-

Neal said the organization is “unique” and connects the local institutions.

“It shows we can all come together to support similar issues important to college students as a whole,” Neal said. “Sometimes we get bogged down in stuff we’re doing at Texas State.”

The Mayor’s Council of Student Affairs will have its next meeting Friday.

dent tuition.”

Idaho State University grants a limited number of nonresident tuition waivers on a competitive basis, some of which are specifically reserved for international students entering technologyrelated programs. Similar waivers are available for doctoral students at the University of California-Berkeley who advance to a certain status.

Higher education in Texas follows Closing the Gaps by 2015, a strategic document adopted in October 2000. The document outlines four goals for state and public universities: increase participation, success, excellence and funded research. Texas State remains focused on the goals outlined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Thorne said tuition is a key decision criterion for students of higher education, but other factors such as degree programs offered, scholarship availability, word-of-mouth recommendations, cultural aspects and location ought to be considered.

Tina Phan/Star feature photo SERIAL PROFILNG: Dr. Kim Rossmo, professor and endowed chair in the department of criminal justice, works with the local police in crime investigations as the world’s leading geographic profiler.

Kim Rossmo said even the most bizarre serial killers have a structure when searching for targets.

He wants to find that structure.

Rossmo, endowed chair and professor in the department of criminal justice, is the world’s leading geographic profiler. He works with local police in crime investigations and intelligence.

Rossmo began his developments in the field of geographic profiling after deciding to improve the tracking model.

“If we can understand (serial killer’s underlying logic), we can use that information to decode their patterns and focus on criminal investigation.” Rossmo said.

Quint Thurman, chair of the criminal justice department, said Rossmo has gained recognition for himself and the university through his accomplishments.

“Dr. Rossmo’s work is unique.

He is one of a kind,” Thurman said. “He is the world’s leading geographic profiler, and he invented that discipline based upon an algorithm he created while he was getting his doctoral degree.”

Rossmo said his Ph.D. supervisor helped him discover the idea.

“The field of environmental criminology is concerned with why crime happens and where it happens,” Rossmo said. “He developed a model that helped explain where crimes occur based on where an offender lives, works, plays and travels.”

Rossmo said he had an idea to change the mechanics of the model.

“The question was if crimes have occurred that you think were done by the same offender, what can we say about where that offender is based, where he is living, where his anchor point

is?” Rossmo said.

His development in the field began after generating a program to fit the model.

“That was my doctoral research question, and in the course it led to a computer algorithm that I developed, which then became software called Rigel,” Rossmo said. “I then began to be asked about cases and people began asking for help on cases.”

Thurman said he became acquainted with Rossmo through a mutual friend and his growing popularity in the criminal justice field.

“I was running the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute at Wichita State University. Their idea was to bring in the most gifted criminal justice public safety people in the country and have them teach,” Thurman said.

Thurman said Rossmo’s exhibition caught his interest.

“He spent two days teaching people about geographic profiling, and I was skeptical at the beginning and hooked at the end,” Thurman said.

Thurman introduced Rossmo to Texas State while working together at Sam Houston State on crime mapping along the border.

“What I was thinking is ‘I know a geographer map guy from criminal justice, which if we had this grant we could bring him in to do this piece of work for this project and have an opportunity to show off Texas State, get him used to the area and then make it permanent,’” Thurman said.

Rossmo took the job at Texas State and has since brought recognition and funding, Thurman said.

“Currently, we are expecting him to get $1.3 million,” Thurman said. “It has been designated for us for some projects we have been working on with

CONTINUED from page 1

raising concerns over possible health risks and costs.

Elliott Jempty, studio art senior and pet owner, said he is glad the board is taking more time to reevaluate the Animal Ordinance because mandatory microchopping is not a “good idea.”

HONORS CONTINUED from page 1

Professor develops geographic profiling model to track serial killers’ logic

By Lora Collins News Reporter

The University Star - 3

the U.S. Military. Some of the projects he is working on are military applications.”

Rossmo said the research has brought in most of the funding in the department.

“Thurman thought this stuff had value. From the university’s prospective, we have been able to turn this line of research into something — like more than $3 million worth of funding,” Rossmo said.

Pete Blair, assistant professor in the department of criminal justice, has worked with Rossmo for two years. Blair said the recognition gained within the department is substantial.

“It helps to give us some name recognition,” Blair said. “He is well respected within our field and that adds to the way people see us.”

Blair said Rossmo’s form of work differentiates from other profilers in his math skills.

“Obviously, something like what Dr. Rossmo does is something more like the traditional form of math, because he is looking to apply mathematical constructs to how far people travel. So I would probably argue his work is more mathematical,” Blair said.

Jennifer Carreon, graduate research assistant in the criminal justice department, has aided Rossmo for almost a year and is responsible for a “number of duties on separate grants,” including working with him on his software.

“By inputting certain crimes into this software, we are able to predict the possibility of future locations being victimized by a criminal based on a percentage basis (called the hit score percentage),” Carreon said.

Rossmo said his field will continue to grow and hopefully provide answers for investigations.

they decided to give up the same amount, and they actually reduced the requirements for us to get the scholarship,” Pope said. “So instead of taking 15 hours a semester, now we have to take 30 hours a year, and they don’t require us to do community service, even though most of us still do.”

The honors program housed 1,013 students with more than half being continuing students from 2008. Galloway said this represents the growth of students despite the Mitte foundations removal.

“Over the past few years, we have been growing rapidly,” Galloway said. “We have also been increasing the number of students taking classes. It has

“It is a pretty big deal to make microchipping mandatory,” Jempty said. “It is a lot to ask of the residents of San Marcos.”

Stratemann said the board is waiting for direction from the City Council.

“I’ll do whatever is requested to do by the council,” Stratemann said. “We made our rec-

ommendations and we still stand by our recommendations. But we will listen to the council and what the citizens want to see if there are other options we can come up with.”

The San Marcos Animal Shelter expanded last year to accept animals from all of Hays County.

grown by 50 percent in the last three years.”

Diann McCabe, associate director of the honors program, said the courses and activities offered through the department attract students.

“We really see ourselves as a kind of lab where people know that if they have some wild idea, like throwing a birthday party for Darwin, they can do that,” McCabe said.

Galloway said the department plans to add more classes to the curriculum and possibly turn the honors program into an honors college.

“We are adding departmental honors courses and then expanding our regular course offerings,” Galloway said. “This program is open to all majors, so we would like the classes to

be welcoming to all disciplines.”

McCabe said the addition of new classes may attract a larger diversity of students.

“We would really like to have more students,” McCabe said. “I don’t know how big we will grow, but I would love to have all kinds of students from different majors and different backgrounds.”

Pope said the opportunities for students allow interaction with people in the program and expansion of her experience.

“I think they provide a good opportunity for students to take classes in a close environment where you get to know the professors really well,” Pope said. “That is the most valuable aspect of them— having small discussion-based classes where you are not just a number in a big auditorium.”

ASG hopes to cut time of run-off election

By Teresa Wilburn News Reporter Senators running for student body president might have a reason to exhale during elections.

ASG passed legislation Monday changing the time allotted during run-off elections. The legislation, still contingent on a vote from the Graduate House of Representatives, will mandate run-off elections be held seven opposed to 14 days after the general elections.

Sen. Justin Collard, pro-tempore and lead sponsor of the legislation, worked on ASG President Brett Baker’s campaign last spring, which went into a runoff election. He said the legislation will benefit individuals running for office this spring.

“We were still working on campaigns during finals last year,” Collard said. “It was very stressful. Personally, for me, and

a lot of other senators, school comes first. “ Baker said the run-off last year was “tough” for everyone involved.

“We campaigned for over a month,” Baker said. “As a student, it was a strain. You are here for an education, first and foremost. But as a candidate, you feel like you’re so close you have to keep going further to win.”

Two ASG members have announced their candidacy for student body president. Run-off elections will occur when no candidate receives 50 percent of the votes plus one. There will notbe arun-off election if a third candidate enters the race.

Sen. Trenton Thomas will be running for president alongside his vice presidential candidate, Sen. Edwin Maldonado. Thomas said the legislation will help students involved in the campaigns prioritize.

“Having less time to stress about campaigning and getting their votes out should give more time to concentrate on grades,” Thomas said. “They can continue being the rising stars that they are supposed to be.”

Thomas said he is proud to be part of the ASG senate and he is excited about the upcoming election.

Chris Covo, ASG executive assistant, is running for student body president alongside Sen. Tommy Luna, Residence Hall Association president. Covo said he expects there will be a “clean-cut election trail,” but a shorter run-off period could be more efficient.

“I think this bill is a good thing,” Covo said. “They had trouble with campaigns last year, and we ended up campaigning for two months. I personally think it is a wonderful idea to complete the process in a brisk manner.”

4 - The University Star

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Opinions VINDICATING VANDALISM onlineconnection

Check out www.UniversityStar.com in the following weeks for continued News, Sports, Trends and Opinions coverage.

5 - The University Star

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Opinions Contact — Krista Almazan, staropinion@txstate.edu

The Main Point esidents: drop your felt-tip markers and step away slowly.

R

The San Marcos Police Department says it should be unlawful to even think about writing graffiti.

An amendment to a current city ordinance would make it legal under specific circumstances to carry art supplies that could be used to create graffiti if the San Marcos Police Department has its way.

Police would have the right under the proposed city ordinance to cite persons in possession of graffiti implements on any community grounds, facilities or buildings when the areas are closed to the public.

Spray-paint cans, felt-tip markers and etching tools are graffiti implements deemed finable under the amendment.

According to the Feb. 19 issue of The University Star, Police Chief Howard Williams and state law does not give officers the authority to prevent graffiti crimes.

Dallas, San Antonio, Rowlett and Bryan enforce regulations against graffiti implements, but San Marcos does not need to follow suit. Citing graffiti culprits is one thing. Citing people that could potentially create graffiti is another.

If this rule is applied to everything, everyone who carries a gun is a murderer, everyone who drives a car will commit vehicular manslaughter and everyone who has a lighter is an arsonist.

Laws are set in place to create boundaries for which our society deems right and wrong. Graffiti is a problem. It is outrageous that tax dollars are going toward cleaning up vandalism and defaced property. Police ought to enforce the laws against graffiti. However, the police cannot penalize the thought of graffiti.

People will scream, “Police state!” The comparison is too strong and over-used, but the point that this measure goes too far is valid.

Police Chief Williams has always been a friend of the students. He works with Texas State’s administration, student government and is cooperative with The Star in its reporting.

However, lately the actions of the police department have been less than student-centered. The recent initiatives pushed by the San Marcos Police Department have been student-targeted. First-time students at Texas State might have a negative view of the local police department as a result.

City Council tabled the amendment at their Feb. 17 meeting, with some members saying the measure is an overregulation.

According to the article, Councilmember Chris Jones, Place 6, said statistical data should be provided which demonstrate expanded graffiti provisions are affective in curbing occurrence rates.

Unless the San Marcos Police Department can show a graffiti epidemic is running rampant in the city, there is no reason to have such an overbearing and overreaching ordinance.

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.

Russell Wiess/ Star Illustrator

Journalism is not dying, but transforming

By J. David McSwane Rocky Mountain Collegian Questions surround the future of journalism within the industry and beyond. It’s scary for those studying it, painful for those forced to leave their jobs and a sad reality for the public who appreciates journalism.

I find a great deal of the conversation in journals, news articles and in the classroom to be little more than masturbatory self-assurance, but as the newspaper I grew up with faces extinction, I am compelled to join.

The Rocky Mountain News is preparing to shut down as a consequence of dwindling classifieds

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

and print ads and the emergence of the Internet, which robs journalists and organizations of compensation for work and public service. And journalism, in its purest form, is a public service.

These pre-existing hardships have been further compounded by a growing economic recession, which has journalists across the country gripping to the presses.

I don’t see a journalistic dark age upon us, though things will undoubtedly change and become challenging. I do see the death of journalism as a capitalist venture. The Rupert Murdochs of the world will become their own undoing.

The giant infrastructure that was American news is crumbling.

And it might be the best thing to happen in journalism.

The true believers know what they are up against, and those are the vanguard in redefining the industry to once again understand its primitive roots. To seek truth in the public interest and keep the powers-thatbe accountable.

Professors and current professionals tell students we must learn how to do video, blogs, podcasts, take photos and report for the Web on top of the traditional media. We must become mobile journalists who know a little about a lot.

Editor In Chief.............................Scott Thomas, stareditor@txstate.edu Letters....................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor.............................Amanda Venable, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor....................Brett Thorne, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.......................Krista Almazan, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.....................................Karen Wang, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor.....................................Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu

There is no harm in knowing that stuff, but the philosophy is flawed.

I’d rather not take at face value the advice of professionals who just laid off 10 reporters or the professor who teaches because the industry is so daunting. We need specialization and the dedication of intellectuals to important topics to fulfill journalistic potential.

We must accept the challenge the Web has delivered if the future of journalism is to be bright, and, for those who aren’t The New York Times, consider the possibility that a public service shouldn’t be a profit game ruled by conglomerated media akin to

Copy Desk Chief...............Claire Heathman, starcopychief@txstate.edu Design Editor...Kelly Patterson, Carrie Evans, stardesign@txstate.edu Art Director...........................Michelle Oros, starartdirector@txstate.edu Sales Manager..................................Krystal Slater, starad2@txstate.edu Marketing & Promotions........Samantha Manley, sm1299@txstate.edu Jr. Account Executive...................Rachel Harville, rh1276@txstate.edu Jr. Account Executive.............. Emilie Hernandez, starad4@gmail.com

an overextended Roman Empire.

Esteemed publisher of the Rocky Mountain News, John Temple, disagrees with the non-profit model for newspapers. But, again, I would rather not take advice from a man steering a sinking ship, though I admire his poise.

Some of the codgers who run the biz with their failed ideas say my generation doesn’t care, we don’t appreciate the news and we are too ADD to read more than a Twitter submission. I say bite me.

That sounds like something the scrappy reporters of old might appreciate. People like that — well, we’re just too stubborn to disappear. Journalism isn’t going anywhere.

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NYU students hold pointless tuition protest

Nathan Seltzer

Star Columnist About 15 New York University students were suspended Friday after barricading themselves in the school cafeteria as a protest.

Normally, after hearing such a tag line, my reaction would be “Down with the establishment” or “Vive la resistance!” However, before I don my Robespierre costume and lead the call to join the revolution, let me delve into a few facts.

According to an article in The New York Post, the students at NYU were protesting the university’s high tuition.

NYU is private and it costs as much as $50,000 per year to attend the lucrative and prestigious institution.

Therefore, it would not be difficult to sympathize with the students who protested the exorbitant price tag if it weren’t for a single, pesky little problem: capitalism.

NYU can charge whatever it wants in tuition. Basic economic principles dictate that the university will seek to maximize its profit and will therefore charge what people are willing to pay. Unfortunately for the protesters, NYU is more focused on the arts than on business, or they might have spared themselves a suspension.

Julliard or Harvard are always available as options if NYU is charging too much.

Students could lower themselves to attend a state college like the rest of us mediocre commoners if they felt those universities were overpriced as well.

“They (the school) can outlast us and they know that, and they’ve been using that for years and years to get more and more control over our parents’ money,” said Duncan Horst, former NYU student and protester, in an Associated Press video, Horst accidentally made an excellent point. The students are far more concerned about their parents’ money than their parents. Parents were writing checks so their children could attend one of the country’s finest universities while their children decided not to attend class and to instead rail against the amount of tuition.

It seems like a rather expensive protest. Parents would not pay for the expensive school if they didn’t want to. Students would be attending class and studying if they valued their parents’ money. They should not waste time protesting a non-event.

Now the parents will be very proud. Their check spent on a semester of education for the young student will now buy nothing, since their offspring were suspended. I doubt the university is giving refunds.

The students weren’t actually demanding tuition be lowered. They were merely demanding the university make its financial information public. They wanted this information because they felt any money not spent directly on education should be given to a university in Palestine, which was recently damaged by Israeli air raids, and to provide scholarships for Palestinian students.

Why doesn’t Horst go to his parents and ask them to cut a check directly to Hamas?

He could write in the memo field, “For Rockets.” It would sure be easier than all this protest business.

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 Tuesday, February 24, 2009. 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.

Trends

slumdogsweep

the university star

Slumdog Millionaire came up big at the Academy Awards Sunday. The film dominated the traditional film categories and was a big winner in the music category. Composer A.R. Rahman won the awards for Best Song and Best Original Score after opening the show with a medley performed alongside John Legend and the Soweto Gospel Choir. The movie also won Best Director, Best Picture and Best Adaptation. The indie film grossed $160 million in less than a year and pulled in eight awards at the 81st Academy Awards.

6 - Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Trends Contact — Brett Thorne, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Business connections Party bus offers students ‘safe, Keg Connection achieves success by catering to home brewers

affordable’ transportation option

By Jovonna Owen Features Reporter

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu KEG KINGS: Keg Connection was started by Todd Burns he graduated from Texas State. The company, which is owned and operated by Texas State alumni, fills kegs with home brewers concoctions.

By Christian Wallace Features Reporter State law allows an individual to home brew no more than 200 gallons of wine, malt liquor or beer annually.

Todd Burns, the owner of the San Marcos-based company Keg Connection, is going to help store every drop.

“We cater to individuals who want to pour their own draft beer from a keg,” Burns said.

The practice of home brewing is undergoing resurgence as the do-it-yourself method grows in popularity. The act of brewing for personal consumption has been a staple in societies since man discovered fermented grape juice could induce intoxication.

People see brewing their own beer as a hobby, attracting thousands of members to organizations like the American Homebrewers Association.

The rise in popularity of home brewing has helped the company that started in Burns’ backyard develop into a booming business.

“Keg Connection started about two and a half years ago as a really small company,” Burns said. “I had my own kegerator, did some research on it and felt there was a need for

this type of business — not only locally, but nationally. I left my full-time job about six months ago and never looked back.”

Burns’ assessment of a gap in the market for his business seems to have been wellfounded, based on the steady expansion Keg Connection has experienced.

“About five months ago, we moved into a warehouse,” Burns said. “We now employ six people, and are continuing to grow.”

All of the company’s employees, including Burns, are enrolled or are alumni of the university.

Pedro Gonzalez, social work senior, is an employee at Keg Connection.

“I have been working since I was 13, and this is by far the coolest job I have ever had,” Gonzales said. “Todd Burns really just started the business from the ground up. He started doing everything himself and hired people here and there. He definitely knows his beer. All of the guys at Keg Connection are beerologists.”

Burns said knowledge of brewing is important. People who have not delved into home brewing may be surprised by the care the process requires for each step. An expert’s as-

sistance is invaluable for an amateur brewer.

Keg Connection’s success can be attributed to the company’s online store.

“Almost all our business is done through the Web site, almost 95 percent,” Burns said.

“We sell a lot of products to wholesale retailers like liquor stores or other commercial businesses, as well as to people with home bars.”

Home brewers have opted to prepare their own alcoholic beverages for the economic benefits compared to more expensive commercial products.

Prices at Keg Connection can range from $30 for a used keg to more than $100 for a new homebrew keg kit.

Texas State students can utilize the business to optimize keg-party experiences.

“We have everything you would ever need to make a kegerator,” Burns said. “We also have party pumps, hand pumps and other custom products.”

Finding the perfect spot to party can be worrisome for students facing a tight budget, student-loan debt and a dwindling job market. Then there is always the question: Who is going to drive?

Matthew McGee, communication studies senior, has come up with a solution — his party bus package by BlackHorn Buses (www.blackhornbuses.com).

BlackHorn Buses provides a convenient and comfortable way for students in San Marcos to travel to downtown Austin.

BlackHorn Buses makes the trip safe and affordable.

“Austin has a great nightlife, and it should be showcased,” McGee said.

McGee works with Austin bars to get drink specials and save students money.

McGee said his party bus is the only company in San Marcos that is legal with the Texas Department of Transportation. McGee’s insurance would cover students in case an accident occurred.

McGee said his party bus, unlike other companies, will pick a group up at one location and drop it off at

the same place. McGee said the policy was out of concern for students.

“I really don’t want people drinking and driving,” McGee said. “I want to drop you off at your doorstep.”

Sarah Smith, fashion-merchandising senior, has ridden three times on BlackHorn Buses to 6th Street in downtown Austin.

“The other party buses don’t compare,” Smith said. “It’s an amazing bus, and you feel like you’re at a club. You don’t have to worry about being too drunk to drive and get to party there and back.”

Money is tight, but students still want to go out on the weekends. BlackHorn Buses charges $15 per person and guarantees a free round of drinks.

“If you do the math for parking, gas and drinks — $15 bucks is nothing,” McGee said.

Krista Geden, family and child studies graduate student, took five friends visiting from Boston on the BlackHorn Bus. “I loved it. We had a great time,” Geden said. “Everyone was super nice. The price was awesome, and I didn’t waste gas.”

Geden said she met new people from the bus.

“By the end of the night, we were all partying together,” she said.

BlackHorn Buses does not provide alcohol, but it is allowed on the bus as long as everyone is 21 and has a valid photo ID. The BlackHorn Bus can hold 40 people.

One or two party hosts are always on board the buses.

“They take care of everything, and make sure everyone is having a great time,” McGee said. “They provide cups, ice and coolers if needed.”

McGee said his party bus provides round-trip transportation, a professional driver with 10 years of experience, limo-style seating, restroom, professional sound system, LED strip pole, plasma screen, DVD player, chrome floor, laser light show and fog machine.

McGee said he hopes to become a household name for party transportation in the San Marcos and Austin area.

McGee said he is not satisfied with one bus. He plans to expand to a fleet of all black buses, party boats, jet skis and airplanes.

✯FYI Keg Connection can be reached at customerservice@ kegconnection.com or by phone 512-805-3300.

Lindsey Leverett/Star photo ULTIMATE PARTY BUS: Matt McGee, communication studies senior, has started a party-bus company called Blackhorn Buses.

Trends

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Recent slasher film not as gory as some hoped

By Brent Vickers Trends Columnist I am an avid horror-film fan, and my favorite character is Jason Voorhees.

The world was caught off guard when Sean Cunningham released his epic teen sexploitation/slasher masterpiece, Jason, in 1981. The film was originally banned in Finland and Iceland, among other countries.

It went on to become a legacy, slotting its antagonist, Jason, as one of the most recognizable and feared villains in cinema history. One would think with the kind of reputation, and the B-movie Hollywood-cult classics such as Halloween, The Hills Have Eyes and Prom Night being re-made, that Friday the 13th would have no problem dominating the screen, re-writing the terror, and Jason, into more

brutal and sinister dimensions.

It is true in some ways. The movie was released Feb. 13 (the Friday before Valentine’s Day), and has earned more than $64 million, making it the second highest grossing film in the franchise. However, it is evident director Marcus Nispel gave producer Michael Bay a little bit too much power.

I expected the director to juice up the original Friday to a blood-fueled, sex party in the woods because of Nispel’s remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The sex was there, but I was thoroughly disappointed with the amount of blood, or lack thereof, in the film. The brutality of Friday The 13th could’ve been far more than it actually was when considering B-movies from the ’80s and ’90s such as Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead and Peter Jackson’s DeadAlive, and

the violence in the remakes of The Hills Have Eyes and even films like Hostel. Now the argument, “Why all the blood and violence?” is certainly a legitimate one. If a film is marketed as horrifying, I want to be horrified.

There were four writers attached to the movie, and it seems not one of them saw the original film. The entire premise of the film was completely altered, and the idea for characters was changed. The character of Jason was totally re-developed, and the twist ending leaving everyone terrified in 1981 was completely dropped.

Yes, it is a remake of the film and it is logical that the writers made changes, but the ideas and changes that were used to transform a 1981 masterpiece into a forgettable 2009 adaptation were the wrong way to go.

But at least it’s making money.

Facebook uses content anyway they want

By Wailin Wong Chicago Tribune Facebook knows your age, alma mater and favorite band.

It has seen your Spring Break photos and read the messages you sent to your friend. So, can it do anything it wants with that content?

Legally, almost. But in practice, the rules that govern Facebook’s relationship with its users are abstract and subject to constant negotiation.

The blogosphere was abuzz Monday after a popular consumer affairs blog pointed out changes to Facebook’s terms of use that the social networking Web site quietly made earlier this month. The issue of who controls the data posted to the site is a massive gray area that continues to evolve as Internet companies and consumers shape social norms of how to define trust in the digital age and share their lives through new technology.

Under both the old and new rules, members grant Facebook a license to use content “on or in connection with the Face-

book Service or the promotion thereof.” But the revised agreement eliminates language saying this license would “automatically expire” if content were removed from the site.

“They’re saying, ‘Once data gets in our database, we can do whatever we want with it,’” said Eric Goldman, associate professor and director of the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. Suzie White, Facebook’s corporate counsel for commercial transactions, announced on the company’s official blog on Feb. 4 that the site was updating its terms of use. But Facebook didn’t send out a mass notification asking users to sign off on the changes. And White’s brief post, which didn’t call attention to the content license, went unnoticed.

Then, on Sunday, the Consumerist blog, which is owned by the publisher of Consumer Reports, warned readers of the changes by describing the revised policy as, “We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever.”

Facebook founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg responded to the controversy

Monday, posting a note that explained the rationale for the content license.

“When a person shares information on Facebook, they first need to grant Facebook a license to use that information so that we can show it to the other people they’ve asked us to share it with,” Zuckerberg wrote. “Without this license, we couldn’t help people share that information.”

In a statement, Facebook said its policy of maintaining a license over old content is consistent with general use of its site and other Web services such as e-mail. For example, if a Facebook member sends a message to a friend, that message remains in the friend’s inbox even if the member quits the site.

The company said this is similar to Web-based e-mail, where sent messages remain archived in recipients’ inboxes even if the sender’s account is deleted.

The controversy over the revised terms highlights a crucial question of user responsibility in the social networking age: Do consumers understand what can happen to their data?

The University Star - 7

Fine Arts Calendar Tuesday Film screening: The Great Debaters, 7 p.m., LBJ Student Center Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I American College Theatre Festival, all day, Theatre Center Wednesday Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I American College Theatre Festival, all day, Theatre Center Thursday Philosophy Dialogue Series: Science and Postmodernism, 12:30 p.m., Psychology Building Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I American College Theatre Festival, all day, Theatre Center Friday

Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I American College Theatre Festival, all day, Theatre Center Saturday Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I American College Theatre Festival, all day, Theatre Center Sunday Senior Jazz Recital: Nickolas Conte, 2 p.m., Recital Hall Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I Monday Communication Week Kick-Off, various events, all day, Centennial Hall Room 157 Faculty String Quartet, 8 p.m., Music Building Neal Wilson: Silent Dialogue, all day, Mitte Gallery I

Diversions

8 - The University Star

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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

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Sports

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The Texas State baseball team will hold its 2009 home opener in its newly-renovated stadium March 3 against Texas. The softball team will host Texas the same night. Only 750 student tickets for the baseball game and 350 for the softball game are available on a first come, first serve basis. Students may retrieve these tickets from the Texas State athletic ticket office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Students must have a valid Texas State I.D. to receive tickets.

10 - Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Sports Contact — Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu

Bobcats claw into overtime Women’s basketball Bobcats Men’s basketball takes victory against Nicholls State

conquer victory over Colonels

By Blake Barington Sports Reporter

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Brandon Bush, senior guard, takes on two defenders from Nicholls State Saturday at Strahan Coliseum. Texas State won 71-66 in overtime.

By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter The Bobcat men’s basketball team upset the first place team in conference, the Nicholls State Colonels, thanks to a game-tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left by Brent Benson, senior guard. “‘Big Shot Benson,’ that’s what we call him,” said Brandon Bush, senior guard.

Benson’s 3-pointer Saturday was the only field goal he made.

However, it sent the game into overtime, which was the first at Strahan Coliseum this season.

Texas State won 71-66.

“We started out the game tentatively,” said Coach Doug Davalos. “At first, we tried to just guard them instead of taking stuff away (and) attack them.

They kept scoring on us within the last five seconds of the shot clock because we let them run their offense. Then in the second half, our half-court defense was as good as we’ve ever played. We were playing as good a half-court offense you’ll see in NCAA. I thought we did a good job of pressuring them and taking them out of their element.”

Both teams held each other to less than 25 points at halftime. The biggest lead of the half was 4-0 by the Bobcats in the first minute of the game.

The Colonels took a 24-23 lead at halftime.

The Bobcats allowed the Colonels to take a 30-23 lead off three layups at the beginning of the second half.

Corey Jefferson, senior guard, ended the drought and drove to the paint with a layup.

Ryan Bathie, Nicholls State forward, came back with a 3-point shot to increase the score to 3325, giving the Colonels their biggest lead of the game with 16:42 left to play.

The Colonels lead was short lived as Jefferson countered with a 3-pointer.

The momentum appeared to be shifting in favor of the Bobcats after Jefferson’s shot.

“We knew going into this game from watching film that this team is physical,”Bush said. “We had to go in there and bump around with this team — show them that we don’t back down.”

Texas State clawed its way back during the next five minutes and regained the lead 38-37 off John Bowman’s, freshman guard, layup with 11:59 left.

The two teams battled back and forth with neither having higher than a 3-point lead. There were six lead changes and three ties in the second half.

Benson received a pass from Jefferson with the Bobcats down 60-57. Benson pump faked, causing one of the defenders to jump.

He made the basket to tie the game at 60.

However, with 13 seconds left,

Remaining Games Feb. 25 Stephen F. Austin Feb. 28 Northwestern State March 4 Texas-San Antonio March 7 Sam Houston State

Nacogdoches 7 p.m.

San Marcos 4 p.m.

San Marcos 7 p.m.

Huntsville 7 p.m.

Davalos was concerned about closing the game.

“I was wondering how much time was left on the clock,” Davalos said. “Thank God it was under 20 seconds so that they couldn’t get the shot they wanted. If they would have had the whole 35 (seconds), they could have set up a play, and who knows what would have happened.”

The Colonels missed their next shot attempt, sending the game into overtime.

The Bobcats stepped onto the court for overtime with the momentum and the crowd on their side. They made six, straight points to start with a 66-60 lead, their biggest advantage of the game.

Jefferson had a perfect game shooting in his 33 minutes of play. He went 8-for-8 from the field, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and 2-for-2 from the free throw line for 22 points, his career-high record.

“Corey (Jefferson) was unbelievable tonight,” Davalos said.

“We needed him to be perfect to win this game and, as an offensive player, he was perfect.

(Jefferson) has the ability to put up double digits every night, but that’s not what is important to him. He is a pure point guard — real play maker.”

The Bobcats will play 7 p.m.

Wednesday in Nacogdoches against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

Box Score Nicholls State 66 Bathie 6-13, 3-7, 4, 21; Bose 8-16, 3-9, 2, 21; Payne 2-3, 1-2, 4, 7; Hunter 2-3, 0-1, 4, 4; Carter 5-7, 0-0, 4, 10; Iles 0-1, 0-0, 4, 1; Czepil 0-2, 0-0, 1, 0; Friend 1-3, 0-2, 4, 3; McCallum 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Paige 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0.

Texas State 71 Bush 6-8, 0-1, 4, 16; Moseley 0-1, 0-1, 0, 0; Jefferson 8-8, 4-4, 4, 22; Benson 1-6, 1-6, 2, 6; Rybak 2-6, 2-6, 3, 6; Jackson 0-1, 0-0, 1, 0; Bowman 1-2, 0-0, 0, 3; Gough 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Sloan 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0; White 2-4, 0-0, 1, 12; Johnson 2-7, 0-0, 4, 6.

The Texas State women’s basketball team was victorious in Saturday’s contest against Nicholls State after setting a new record of 52 combined turnovers.

The Bobcats defeated the Lady Colonels 70-58.

Texas State is 11-13 in the season and 5-7 in Southland Conference play. Nicholls State fell to 1-22 overall and 1-11 in SLC play.

The Bobcats closed out the first half with a 10-2 run. However, the Colonels outscored Texas State 43-36 in the second half.

The Colonels had their only lead of the game at 2-0 with 18:57 remaining in the first half after a layup from Portia Washington, Nicholls State guard.

The Bobcats missed their first three shots before Ashley Cole, senior guard, scored on a layup almost three minutes into the game. Texas State took its first lead of the game after a 2-point basket from Aimee Hilburn, junior forward.

The teams traded baskets throughout the first 10 minutes of the game. The Bobcats then went on a 12-0 run sparked by a layup from Cole at the 10:47 mark.

Victoria Davis, junior guard, scored four points, and Chika Ofoegbu, sophomore forward, added two points and three defensive rebounds during the Colonels’ scoring drought.

Nicholls State players scored 15 points in the first half and six points in the last seven minutes.

Kelsey Krupa, freshman guard, began the Bobcats’ run by connecting on a 2-point basket. Gabriell Mattox, sophomore forward, scored two free throws at the first half’s 2:15 mark.

The Lady Colonels committed four turnovers and three missed shots during the Bobcats’ scoring run.

Kim Cessna, senior center, scored her first points of the game with two layups and 1:43 remaining in the first half to make the score 30-15.

Texas State ended the first half shooting 58.3 percent with a 34-15 lead, while Nicholls State shot 20.7 percent.

Cole started the second half with a jumper and increased the lead to 21 points after a missed layup by Danielle Douglas, Nicholls State guard.

Hilburn converted a 3-point play putting the Bobcats at 4324 after her free throw.

Texas State made five consecutive free throws in 16 seconds, increasing its lead to 24, the largest of the game.

However, Nicholls State went on a 10-0 run for more than one minute. The Bobcats had three turnovers during the Colonels’ run, cutting Texas State’s lead to 55-41.

Krupa’s free throw ended

Nicholls State’s run with 7:58 remaining in the game. Christie Bryant, Nicholls State forward, answered back with four consecutive points to raise the score 56-45.

The Bobcats then went on an 8-1 run to separate themselves from the Colonels. Davis, Mattox and Ofoegbu scored eight points for the Bobcats, making the score 64-46.

Nadia Cox and Tiffany Jones, Nicholls State guards, both forced a steal and converted 3-point plays to cut the Bobcats’ lead to 13 with 2:24 remaining.

However, the Colonels’ secondhalf comeback was not enough, and the Bobcats finished with a win.

Cole returned to the starting lineup and led the Bobcats in scoring with 16 points. Coach Suzanne Fox said having Cole back in the game was beneficial to the squad.

“Having Ashley back is a tremendous asset to our team,” Fox said. “Ashley’s a competitor. The major thing she gives us is maturity on the floor, be-

cause she’s been through the experience of playing on a conference championship team and has such a solid understanding of what we are trying to accomplish on the court.”

Mattox had 14 points and nine rebounds. Nicholls State had three players score in double figures with Bryant scoring 18 points, Dominique Washington, Nicholls State forward, with 12 points and Cox with 10 points.

Fox said the Bobcats need to match teams competing in the SLC tournament.

“It seems like a cliché, but teams that are going to make it to the tournament have to approach it in a workman-like manner. A game by game, possession by possession approach,” Fox said.

Texas State will play Stephen F. Austin 7 p.m. Wednesday in Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats are tied for fourth place in the west division of the SLC. The Lumberjacks are 13-11 overall, 8-4 in SLC play and in first place in the east division.

Austin Byrd/Star file photo

DEFEATED COLONELS: Verinus Kalu, freshman guard, and the Bobcats defeat Nicholls State on the road Saturday 70-58.

Bobcat track, field place high in championship

By Jessie Spielvogel Sports Reporter The Texas State track and field teams sped past other competitors and took second place at the Southland Conference Indoor Championship Friday and Saturday in Houston.

The women’s team brought home 113.67 points, following Stephen F. Austin with 158 points. The men placed sixth with 62 points.

Asiya Iskakova, marketing junior, took honors as the highest point scorer for women with 26 points for the team.

Three records were broken during the meet. Aaron Jones, accounting junior, broke the school record for 60-meter dash for the second time this season with 6.74. He placed third in the event.

De’Andrick Johnson, undecided freshman, and Jones have been breaking the record back and forth.

Kemuel Morales, health and wellness promotion senior, broke the school record for throwers and his personal re-

cord in shot put with a distance of 18.19 meters.

Kevin Aje, undecided sophomore, took eighth in the 60-meter dash in 6.97. Clay Holland, exercise and sports science senior, placed fourth in the 60meter hurdles with a time of 8.18 seconds. Johnson grabbed fourth place in the 200 meter in 22.25. Michael Webley, accounting senior, placed eighth in the 800 meter in 1:56.05. Andy Ysebaert, exercise and sports science senior, placed sixth in shot put, followed by David Hernandez taking seventh.

Dmitri Kabakov, senior, placed eighth in the heptathlon with 4,753 points.

Iris Darrington, interdisciplinary studies junior, contributed 23 points by scoring in all three of her events. Darrington placed third in the 60 meter, second in the 200 meter, and second in the 400 meters. This was the first time for Darrington to run the 400-meter event.

“I think the 200 is my strongest, but the others are coming along,” Darrington said.

Jennifer Matthews, interdis-

ciplinary studies senior, placed first in the pole vault with a height of 3.65 meters.

“I had a goal, and I knew if I reached it, I would place first. I did not look at the competition,” Matthews said.

Iskakova took first in the triple jump with a height of 12.13 meters. Sara Olayiwola, finance senior, placed third in the event with a height of 11.92 meters.

Kayla Smith, general studies senior, placed fifth in the women’s shot-put event and Jiovanna Martinez, nutrition and foods junior, placed seventh.

The women’s 4-by-400 meter relay team finished in 3:53.71.

Darrington said the team was happy with the results.

“I am very proud because it is hard for any team to score more than 100 points, and we scored well over,” Darrington said.

Matthews said most of the team exceeded above what they expected.

“Everyone did close to their personal best,” Matthews said.

The NCAA Indoor Championships will be March 13 in College Station.