03 01 2007 by The University Star

CELEBRATING THE FEMALE EXPERIENCE

Three seniors say goodbye to Strahan Coliseum in important season ﬁnale

Women’s History Month begins today

SEE SPORTS PAGE 14

SEE TRENDS PAGE 7

SENIORS SAY SAYONARA

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

MARCH 1, 2007

THURSDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 61

ASG president works to extend financial influence By Jason Buch The University Star A resolution read during Monday’s Associated Student Government Senate meeting is the most recent in a series of moves made by ASG President Kyle Morris to bring control of other organizations’ money under his group’s umbrella. The legislation, written by Student Sen. Rebecca Quillin, president of the Student Organizations Council, calls for 80 percent of the council’s budget being transferred to ASG’s control. The Student Organization

Council (SOC) is a support organization for student groups. The council provides workshops and leadership training, allocates resources available to student organizations in the LBJ Student Center and hosts events. It also provides funding, allocated by the Student Service Fee Committee, to those organizations. If the plan goes through, ASG would ﬁnd itself responsible for somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 to be doled to student organizations. Quillin said the council has been bogged down with the funding aspect of its mission and hasn’t been able to concentrate

on leadership enhancement. “The problem that occurs is when I think about what SOC is supposed to do, and you read our mission statement and our constitution and you talk to the members of our council, our most important thing is organization and leadership,” Quillin said. She said the council spends too much time assessing applications from student organizations requesting funds and not enough time holding workshops for those groups. SOC would retain 20 percent of its budget for workshops and host events like the annual Student Organiza-

tions Fair. Morris said he proposed the idea to Quillin in an attempt to streamline the process. “Why is there a need to recreate a new model if student government is already wiling to take on that burden?” Morris asked. “And, we are willing to take that burden. “They should be focusing on leadership development, we should be focusing on government and that’s what we’re talking about with specialization.”

Advisers not advised Jonathan Forester, Student Or-

Delicate balance

ganizations Council’s graduate adviser, said he became aware last summer of discussion, headed by Morris, to extend ASG control over the council. He hadn’t heard anything in months, until he read an article in The University Star. The article reported student government was raising questions about the Campus Association for Student Organizations taking away SOC’s right to conﬁrm or deny applications to become student organizations. Actually, the council never had the right to do so. When the council tried to deny an application, its members were told

it could not do so because the organization in question met all the necessary requirements. Several weeks later, the plan to take control of the council’s money was on the ASG Senate agenda. “It totally blindsided me,” Forester said. “The ﬁrst time Michelle (Lopez, assistant director of the student center and SOC’s staﬀ adviser) called me and said, ‘hey, did you read that article in the paper?’ “I read it and … we never took away their right to approve organizations. Then, with the legis-

USA Today study ranks Texas State third most selective school in state By Philip Hadley The University Star

Jon Clark/Star photo Texas State Alumna Emily Torgerson of the Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble practices during Wednesday night’s dress rehearsal with fellow performer D. Poet Powell for the Thursday night opening of The Hotel at the George Washington Carver Center in Austin. SEE TRENDS PAGE 6.

San Marcos River due for 22nd annual cleanup By Karen Little The University Star The 22nd annual San Marcos River cleanup will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in City Park. Hosts include the San Marcos River Foundation, the Texas Rivers Protection Association and Keep Texas Beautiful. Josh Spradling, communications manager of Keep Texas Beautiful, said the organization sends out all the supplies needed such as plastic bags and promotional posters. “It’s up to the person holding the event to get volunteers,” he said. “We give them the tools they need to make a difference.” Tom Goynes has been making a difference for 35 years. As president of the Texas Rivers Protection Association, he has hosted the event since the first organized cleanup in 1972. He has been a frequent visitor of the river since the 1960s, when he moved to Hays County. “When you’re on the river a lot, you get tired of seeing trash in it,” Goynes said. “It distracts from the natural beauty.” The San Marcos River, which stretches 90 miles, begins at Aquarena Springs and ends at the mouth of

the Guadalupe River. The river is a popular hangout for students, residents and tourists. Students can be found sunbathing at campus-owned Sewell Park, which the river runs directly through. “At the fall cleanup there were (an estimated 200 people) helping pick up around town,” Goynes said. “We’ve had whole stores from the outlet mall show up.” They never turn anyone down for an extra hand, he said. Residents from Austin, Houston, San Antonio and the surrounding areas come to participate. The river is divided into portions appropriate for each volunteers’ familiarity with the river. “The Houston Canoe Club, (which) races canoes around the coast, are put in the river by Luling,” Goynes said. “They are used to paddling See CLEANUP, page 4 Monty Marion/Star file photo DOWN IN THE DIRT: Amber Francis, athletic training senior, picks up small pieces of trash from a group of trees near the banks of the San Marcos River during the river cleanup held Oct. 7.

Today’s Weather

Mostly Sunny 73˚/40˚

Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 20% UV: 7 High Wind: NW 17 mph

Two-day Forecast Friday Sunny Temp: 76°/ 42° Precip: 10%

Saturday Sunny Temp: 66°/ 37° Precip: 10%

See INFLUENCE, page 3

Students are ﬁnding acceptance to Texas State is becoming increasingly competitive as indicated by a recent study showing the school to be the third most selective public university in the state. Texas State’s acceptance rate is 57.7 percent, which puts it third behind the University of Texas at Austin at 51.2 percent and the University of Texas at Dallas at 53.1 percent, the study said. Michael Heintze, associate vice president for enrollment management, said the study was interesting and positive, but of minor importance compared to other aspects of Texas State. “Texas State’s graduation and retention rates are among the highest in the state, placing the university in the top 10 percent of schools in Texas” Heintze said. A university’s retention rate is the amount of students who continue school through their sophomore year. According to the Texas State Web site, the retention rate of freshmen is now 77 percent, up from 57 percent in late 1980s and above the national average of 71.6 percent. The graduation rate refers to the amount of students who successfully earn a degree. Heintze said the graduation

rate at Texas State was 52.7 percent in 2000, which placed the university at sixth in the state. “This demonstrates that the university is attracting stronger students and creating academic programs that are helping and assisting students at a greater rate,” Heintze said. Luis De La Cruz, music senior, said the study was reassuring. “It makes me feel good about being a student at Texas State,” De La Cruz said. “I am glad that they are selective.” Today, almost all incoming freshmen graduate in the top 50 percent of their high school class, and more than half of students are from the top quarter. “I am not surprised at all about this statistic,” said Nancy Grayson, associate dean for student academic aﬀairs for the college of liberal arts. “I think it’s wonderful. Texas State has exceptional students and it is something we should all be proud of.” The study was conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling and published in USA Today. It contains acceptance information from 857 four-year colleges in the U.S. that accepted more than 1,000 students in 2004. The study said 2.6 percent of the schools included accepted less than 25 percent of their applicants, while 82.5 percent accepted more than half.

Faculty Senate discusses structural differences, strategies among colleges By Molly Berkenhoﬀ The University Star Diﬀerences in the organizational structure of colleges within the university topped the agenda at the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday. The Senate listened to each dean describe the design of their department and the purposes of the committees and subcommittees each employs. The Senate hoped this communication of ideas would provide constructive information to other departments interested in reforming their structure. While each dean was encouraged to share the information behind their organizational strategy, the Faculty Senate recognized that because of the diverse nature of the departments,

Inside News ..............1-5 Trends .............6-9 Crossword ......... 9 Sudoku .............. 9

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

Comics .............. 9 Opinions .......... 10 Classiﬁeds ....... 12 Sports ......... 13,14

no particular cohesive structure could be applied uniformly to each college. Some deans described the facilitation of minimal committees such as the science department, which features two primary committees, with the chairs of each department assigned to lead both. Hector Flores, dean of the college of science, said guidance in decision-making is sought from the department chairs. In contrast to this minimal structure, Ruth Welborn, dean of the college of health professions, said she leads a department that is complex in structure, with nine academic units controlling various aspects. She said there were advantages to this complexity. See STRATEGIES, page 3

PAGE TWO Thursday in Brief

Thursday, March 1, 2007

starsof texas state

Jennifer Hinger, a 1996 Southwest Texas State University graduate, works for the publishing company Hundreds of Heads and writes for its survival guide series. These books focus on life challenges and feature testimonies from hundreds of people. Hinger’s education at Texas State led her to be an experienced freelance writer with a strong background in newspaper reporting. After graduation, she began work-

ing in Manchester, England, at a newspaper and then The University of Manchester. Hinger then moved to Austin to work for the Austin American-Statesman. She later went on to work as a full-time freelance writer, editor and reporter in Dallas and Portsmouth, N. H. Hinger currently works in Edgewater, N. J. -Courtesy of Public Relations

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

FRIDAY Texas State tennis will play Trinity University at 3 p.m. at the Tennis Complex. Texas State baseball will play Texas Southern 6:30 p.m. at Bobcat Field. Texas State women’s basketball will play TexasArlington 7 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum.

SATURDAY Texas State softball will play Southeastern Louisiana 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Bobcat Field. Texas State baseball will play Texas Southern 2 p.m. at Bobcat Field. The Texas State High School Invitational track meet will be at Bobcat Stadium.

SUNDAY Texas State tennis will play McNeese State 10 a.m. at the Texas State Tennis Complex. Texas State softball will play Southeastern Louisiana noon at Bobcat Field. Texas State baseball will play Texas Southern 1 p.m. at Bobcat Field.

MONDAY The Philosophy Dialogue Series presents, “Feminist Pedagogy,” with philosophy professor Rebekah RossFountain at 1 p.m. in the Psychology Building, Room 132. An on-campus Alcoholics Anonymous meeting will be from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, call the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center at (512) 245-3601. The Latino Student Association will host a ﬁlm festival 6 to 8 p.m. in Boko’s Living Room. The Latino Student Association will meet 6 p.m. in the LBJSC USAC Ofﬁce, Room 4.9-1. All cultures are welcome to join. For more information, visit www. studentorgs.txstate.edu/LSA\. The Sexual Assault and Abuse Survivors Group will meet from 5 to 6:15 p.m. For more information and

screening, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Slacking off

On this day... 1498 — Vasco de Gama landed at what is now Mozambique on his way to India.

The Alcohol and Drug Resource Center will hold the Men Against Violence meeting 5 to 7 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 3-6.1.

1562 — In Vassy, France, Catholics massacred more than 1,000 Huguenots. The event started the First War of Religion. 1692 — In Salem Village, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Salem witch trials began. Four women were the ﬁrst to be charged.

Alpha Lambda Omega Christian Sorority will hold its weekly Bible study 8 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 3-13.1. Everyone is welcome to attend.

1781 — In America, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation.

Rise ‘N Shine Toastmasters Club will meet from 7 to 8 a.m. at Cabela’s in Buda. Practice speaking, listening and thinking skills; boost self-conﬁdence and develop leadership skills. Please use the employees’ entrance on the south side of the building. Visitors and guests are always welcome. For additional information, call Clark Lyman at (512) 295-7777; e-mail clyman2059@aol.com, or visit risenshine.freetoasthost.info.

TUESDAY The Philosophy Dialogue Series presents “The Feminine Mystique Revisited,” 11 a.m. in the Psychology Building, Room 132. There will be a free lunch for all students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center lobby. Facing the Fear: Anxiety and Panic Group will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to offer a supportive way to cope. For more information or to register, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208. A Chief Executive Ofﬁce Meeting will be at 5 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 127. Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information, call (512) 3572049. The Tennis Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the tennis courts on Sessom Drive, behind Joe’s Crab Shack. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, e-mail Chris Harris, tennis club president, at ch1282@txstate.edu.

1784 — In Great Britain, E. Kidner opened the first cooking school. 1790 — The U.S. Congress authorized the first U.S. census. 1803 — Ohio became the 17th U.S. state. 1810 — Sweden became the first country to appoint an Ombudsman, Lars August Mannerheim. 1811 — Egyptian ruler Mohammed Ali massacred the leaders of the Mameluke dynasty. Bridgette Cyr/Star photo Taylor Hughs, communication design freshman, flips from his slackline Tuesday afternoon at Sewell Park while Matthew Southerland, psychology junior, spots him. Slacklining is a popular outdoor sport requiring intense balance that evolved from rock climbing and uses similar materials.

1815 — Napoleon returned to France from the island of Elba. He had been forced to abdicate in April 1814.

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department Feb. 22, 9:57 a.m. Burglary of Motor Vehicle/ UPD Lobby An officer was dispatched for a theft report. A student said items had been taken from his vehicle without consent while the vehicle was parked at the San Marcos Hall parking garage. This case is under investigation. Feb. 22, 11:07 a.m. Fire Call/Derrick Hall An officer was dispatched for a fire report. A staff member reported a small, controlled fire

in a trashcan. The ﬁre was extinguished and a report was made for this case. Feb. 23, 11:43 a.m. Criminal Mischief under $500/Comanche Hills An oﬃcer was dispatched for a report from a student who said an unknown person caused damage to his vehicle. This case is under investigation. Feb. 23 9:49 p.m. Warrant Service/Weapon-Unlawful Carrying/Blanco Hall

An oﬃcer observed a suspicious person. Upon further investigation the non-student was found to be in possession of a weapon and had a warrant out for his arrest. The non-student was arrested and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. Information Report/Disturbance/Bexar Hall An oﬃcer was dispatched for an assault report. Upon further investigation, two students

reported having been in an argument. The students declined to press charges. A report was made of this case. Feb. 24, 6:22 p.m. DWLI/Expired No MVI/Sessom Drive and Tomas Rivera An oﬃcer initiated a traﬃc stop. Upon further investigation, a student was found to be driving without a valid license. The student was arrested and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration.

Trading Up Day rids campus of other schools’ colors Christina Kahlig The University Star The Student Chapter of the Texas State Alumni Association will host the third Trading Up Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in The Quad. The association will exchange T-shirts, caps and sweatshirts from other universities for Texas State shirts, in promotion of Bobcat pride. “It’s really a great time to show pride,” said Cynthia Shipman, communication studies

graduate and secretary for the Student Chapter. “It shows that you support your school more than UT or A&M.” Trading Up Day began in Spring 2006 when all 600 shirts ordered were given away by 1 p.m. “There was a lot of Longhorn orange, Aggie maroon, and Raider red,” said Lindsay Johnson, 2006 president of the Student Chapter. “We wanted to make it known that we’re Bobcats.” In the fall, the Student Chap-

ter ordered 1,000 shirts. Only 65 were left at the end of the day. “We had a lot of coaches, players and Student Chapter members volunteering and handing out shirts,” said Johnson, computer information systems sophomore. “We all had a lot of fun.” This year, all of the shirts are expected to be gone early in the day. “There are so many shirts that say ‘Princeton’ or ‘Harvard’ and it’s great that people will give

those up,” said Allison Lynn, biology senior and vice president for the Student Chapter. “They’ll still be wearing Trading Up shirts six months later.” Johnson said she does not understand why a student would wear a university’s T-shirt without attending that school. “As students and education go, I think we have a great university,” Shipman said. “We all appreciate everyone showing support for the school they attend.”

professor of art and design •Asha Hegde Niezgoda, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences •Charles Hurt, professor of music •Matthew Juge, assistant professor of modern languages •Matthew Kutz, assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation •Elizabeth Makowski, professor of history •Monica Michell, senior lecturer of theatre and dance

•Christopher Russian, assistant professor of respiratory care •Keri Stephens, assistant professor of communication studies •Yixin Zhang, assistant professor of biology.

Library Beat Faculty members receive Library Research Grants The Alkek Library is pleased to announce the 2006-2007 Library Research Grant recipients. The grants are provided to faculty to acquire non-curricular materials to support their research projects. In all, $20,000 was made available this year. Members of the Library Committee, the library’s faculty advisory board, reviewed 24 grant proposals, and in January, the following award

recipients were announced: •Alyssa Adomaitis, assistant professor of family and consumer Sciences •Yasmine Beale-Rosano-Rivaya, assistant professor of modern languages •David Butler, professor of geography •Christina Conlee, assistant professor of anthropology •Ian Davidson, associate professor of music •Erina Duganne, assistant

For more information regarding Library Research Grants, contact Joan Heath, university library assistant vice president, at (512) 245-2133. – Courtesy of Alkek Library

NEWS

Thursday, March 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

STRATEGIES: Proposed change for six-year tenure process discussed at meeting CONTINUED from page 1

“The nature of our program requires more governance than some other departments,” Welborn said. “The structural complexity works as an advantage for our department, but wouldn’t necessarily do the same for others.” Another topic on the agenda for the meeting was the issue of an expansion of assistant and associate dean positions in all de-

partments. The Senate gathered information on tasks performed by these deans in each college, along with the compensation awarded to these positions in each department. The Senate again recognized that no speciﬁc model would be suitable for each college because of departmental diﬀerences. Some faculty senators said increasing the number of these positions could direct funding away

from the creation of additional courses. Senators expressed further concern that deans placed in teaching positions may be preventing more qualiﬁed candidates from earning a spot that is more deserved. Others argued the expansion of assistant and associate deans provides invaluable service to all departments, as these positions are involved in grant writing,

which provides additional funding each year. Senate members continued their discussion from previous meetings on the proposed revisions to Policy and Procedure Statement 8.01, a document that outlines the process of attaining tenure for professors. Alterations impact many stipulations in the six-year tenure process. “The revisions changed the criteria and expectations with the

issue of service when considering professors receiving tenure,” said Eugene Bourgeois, associate provost of academic aﬀairs. “Service is no longer as highly considered with the revisions.” Many senators and deans said a lowered consideration for the service of tenure candidates would decrease their allegiance. Several deans said this decrease in loyalty would have a negative impact in all colleges.

Discussed next on the agenda was rising concern among minority faculty members who feel pressured to join committees. As each college seeks to increase diversity in committees, faculty members often feel they are placed on one of which they have little expertise or interest simply because they are a minority. Usually, these committee appointments are made without prior consultation.

INFLUENCE: SOC, Environmental Service Fee, Panhellenic Council targeted CONTINUED from page 1

lation coming up, we’re still not being informed, we’re still not being consulted.... They can do what they want, but there’s a lot of information they’re not aware of that we are. The dean of students has to approve to take on this responsibility and the (vice president for student affairs) has approval of where the money goes.” Forester said he doubts the university’s administration will allow such a change to happen. “Ultimately, if the administration doesn’t want something to happen, it’s not going to let it happen. This is one of those deals,” he said. Lopez said by not involving people the university pays to advise them, the groups have made the process anything but efficient. No one is stopping students from making these initiatives on their own, but the system isn’t set up for them to do so without consulting their advisers. “If that were the case, the university would not pay for advisers for ASG, for SACA, for other student organizations to make sure the policies are followed,” she said. Forester said he understands the frustration SOC members feel about spending so much time dealing with funding. He said since Quillin has taken office, the council’s processes are more streamlined and student organizations are more aware of what SOC has to offer. “Rebecca has been a great SOC president,” Forester said. “She has been really good with everything she’s done regarding SOC, and she’s never expressed any dissatisfaction with what’s going on. So I was caught by surprise and I wasn’t sure why she didn’t bring it to me.” He said he doesn’t like being left out of the loop. “I don’t want to say I distrust them, I do trust them,” Forester said. “But why would they go through all these hoops and doing all this stuff when they could accomplish what they want when they work with us? That’s all Michelle and I really asked, ‘Work

with us. Let us help you ﬁgure out what you want to do.’”

ASG better equipped Quillin and Morris said not only will student government make the process more fair because elected officials will be on the committee, but student government is better equipped to take on the financial burden. Quillin said the idea would be to create a new Student Leadership Council to provide the outreach side of SOC, and ASG can handle the money. “I think we don’t lose anything definitely by moving it over,” Quillin said. “All it does is benefit student organizations, because that means this new organization, SLC, can focus solely on student leadership development and organizational development, which is what we think as Student Organization Council is our true role is and the things we think are most beneficial to student organizations on campus.” But Lopez and Forester think there could have been another solution. “I think everything ASG wants to do can be done within SOC right now,” Forester said. “We can change the constitution. We can work it so there’s a better distribution of our time, and the funding hearings don’t overwhelm us. Maybe, even expand the membership; maybe add an extra three or four members dedicated to funding.” Lopez suggested a similar plan, which would create funding and a leadership branches for the council.

Environmental service Morris appointed Hayat Qurunful as a student government representative to the Environmental Service Fee Committee. The committee receives an annual budget of about $60,000 to provide campus with environmental improvements. The fee was approved by the Texas Legislature in 2003 and ASG formed the committee shortly thereafter. The committee is comprised of four students and three faculty members. Two

of the student members are appointed by ASG. Earlier this semester, the ASG Senate passed a resolution adding two student government appointees to the committee. Despite the legislation stating it should be forwarded to the committee and Brad Smith, grounds director and the committee’s staff adviser, they said the first anyone on the committee heard of the resolution was when The Star contacted Qurunful for comment. Both said they had heard from Morris recently, but did not know he was planning to add members to the committee. “Kyle Morris approached me … and said he was interested in having more ASG appointees,” Smith said. “I think I recommended he come speak to the committee, because I interpreted that to mean he wanted more feedback from the committee, which we could provide him, and that’s really the only thing I remember him being interested in.” The legislation, written by Student Sen. Bogan Durr and sponsored by Quillin and Morris, is riddled with errors. It states the Environmental Service Fee Committee was enacted by legislation in 2005. It also states the committee is not living up to its purpose of providing beautification projects on campus. “We want to bring more Associated Student Government influence into the committee on the grounds that we want the committee’s intent and function to be more in line with the reason why it was established by Associated Student Government, and that is purely, in my opinion, and the way I recall the discussions going down, campus beautification,” Morris said. In fact, neither the student government resolution, nor the State Senate bill creating the fee and committee mention beautification. The only document that does is the committee’s bylaws, which list beautification as one of eight suggested services it could provide. “I knew at least one or two people who were on ASG when this was created,” Smith said.

“They were primarily interested in things like recycling … those folks were interested in environmental issues. To me the original intent of the committee is focused on environmental issues, not beautification.” Smith pointed out that the grounds-keeping crew is involved in campus beautification and the Campus Master Plan will also include beautification projects. The State Senate bill prevents Environmental Service Fee money from being used “to reduce or replace other money allocated by the university for environmental projects.” “In terms of the original intent (the ASG legislation) says the ESC committee is achieving its original intent,” Smith said. “If you look back at the original intent, it had nothing to do with beautification whatsoever.” Qurunful said the committee is living up to its purpose by initiating projects such as clearing vegetation from the San Marcos River and recycling cardboard leftover from students moving into the dorm. The cardboard recycling has been so successful, she said, Waste Management is taking it over. “That is beautification, but that’s more in line with what we’re doing, which is not watering plants every day,” Qurunful said. “It’s every couple weeks going out and making sure there isn’t standing vegetation on the river.”

Greek affairs Every year, the Panhellenic Council holds a dodge ball tournament to benefit the San Marcos Education Foundation. Rachel Hartsfield, Panhellenic’s vice president for community relations, is planning September’s event. Hartsfield said her organization is working with the National Pan-Hellenic Council, another greek organization, and the Multicultural Greek Council for this year’s event. She said their goal is to raise $1,000 for the foundation. Last year, the event raised $1,400. She met with Morris Jan. 24 to discuss the event.

“He called me one day and said he wanted to set up a meeting with me to talk about dodge ball and the San Marcos Education Foundation,” Hartsfield said. “I thought maybe he wanted to participate in it or something.” In fact, Morris had requested the meeting to ask Panhellenic if it would donate the money raised by the event to an ASG scholarship for San Marcos High School students attending Texas State. Hartsfield said, although she thinks the student government scholarship is a great idea, Panhellenic could not donate the dodge ball money. “He was basically saying if all of us give our money, instead of giving $1,000 to one thing, we can give $4,000 to this thing … and it will be better for all of us, and we’ll all look better because we’ll give a lot more money, and we’ll all get noticed a lot more, but really we won’t,” Hartsfield said. “We would get hidden in that. And really what we want to do is donate to the San Marcos Education Foundation, because that’s what we do every year and they count on us.” Morris said he asked Panhellenic and other organizations to donate in an attempt to bring more attention to the small scholarship, which relies on surplus from the University Book Store. Morris said he approached Panhellenic and promoted the Environmental Service Fee and Student Organizations Council legislation to improve the way student groups work. “We’re just about efficiency and collaboration,” Morris said. “We’re looking for new ways to collaborate and enhance the efficiency of student organizations and their efforts to improve the university and the city of San Marcos.”

Miscommunication The Student Organizations Council advisers and Environmental Service Fee Committee members said this confusion stemmed from lack of communication. “I’d just like better communication on the whole thing, that’s

all,” Forester said. “I’ve told Rebecca, I’m not completely opposed to what you’re doing. But I think it can be done within SOC, and I think there are ways we can get what you want.” Durr, the author of ASG’s Environmental Service Fee Reform legislation, said she didn’t realize no one had contacted the committee. “As far as contacting the ESC, I just assumed (other members of ASG) were in contact with them and they already knew we were planning this,” Durr said. Durr said she inherited the legislation after Quillin became chair of the ASG Senate’s Public Relations Committee. Durr then became Environment, Transportation and Facilities chair. Durr said she was sorry the Environmental Service Fee Committee hadn’t been kept abreast of the developments concerning it. “I authored it, but it wasn’t my idea per se,” Durr said. “I was new to the chair this semester, so there were other things left over to that committee.” Morris said he attempted to get in touch with Qurunful and get her to appear at a Senate meeting. Qurunful said she did the same for Morris. “I wrote him and asked him to come to our meeting, reminded him there’s an open invitation, and he shot me back an e-mail saying to get on the agenda with (ASG Vice President) Amanda (Oskey),” Qurunful said. “I wrote him back to get more information, and I sort of got blown oﬀ so it’s sort of been left up in the air.” Qurunful said she is willing to work with student government, but she thinks if ASG representatives are going to be added to the Environmental Service Fee Committee, the number of members from other organizations represented on the committee should be increased as well. “We’re both in this university, we’re both part of this community,” she said. “Let’s work together. The main thing is communication and we want to be part of that. Come to our meetings or invite us to come to yours. Just don’t make changes to our committee without letting us know about it.”

Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Thursday, March 1, 2007

CLEANUP: Volunteers can camp out free of charge CONTINUED from page 1

long distance in a hurry.” He said it is encouraged for paddlers to partner up so they have a quicker advantage to rapids. Divers should travel in groups with a canoe to dump the waste in, he said. Aside from various locals and participants around the state, students are encouraged to help in the process as well. “If students want to participate, they are needed on (every) street, sidewalk and around the university,” said Dianne Wassenich, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation. She said any trash dropped

on the ground travels to a storm drain and washes into the river. Abuse of the river downstream has increased because of drinking and litter problems, she said. “There have become entire islands of beer cans,” Wassenich said. Volunteers will dump the waste at Shady Grove campground in Martindale. Dump trucks and Green Guy Recycling will collect Monday, said Mike Spencer, owner of Spencer’s Canoes. “We normally have four to seven dump loads full of trash,” Spencer said. River trails, underpasses and public access by bridges tend

to have the most litter, he said. For this reason, he said it is important to have people picking up along the river. “This is the longest continuous cleanup in the country for a one-day event,” Spencer said. Volunteers are invited to camp free of charge at Shady Grove Saturday night, where there will be a free barbecue. The next morning a Christian worship service will take place on the campsite. Wassenich said she would like to see more San Marcos residents help out. “We are trying to encourage locals to help cleanup before summer begins,” she said.

Source: Keep Texas Beautiful Michael E. Perez/Star graphic

For the latest news visit ...

www.UniversityStar.com

NEWS

Thursday, March 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 5

Arrests can be avoided during amnesty week NASA visitors to highlight By Ashley Gwilliam The University Star For the third year, the San Marcos Police Department and the City Marshals’ Oﬃce will join more than 150 law enforcement agencies statewide in the Great Texas Warrant Roundup beginning Saturday. They will be knocking on doors and arresting people with outstanding warrants. As of Wednesday, approximately 300 of the 3,718 people with warrants have contacted the courts and had their warrants lifted. Upon announcing the roundup Feb. 16, law enforcement agencies granted a two-week amnesty period, allowing warrant holders to voluntarily pay their ﬁnes or post bond to schedule a court appearance. The amnesty period has shown itself to be successful in the past by encouraging people who have outstanding warrants to come in and address them, said Susie Garcia, San Marcos municipal court administrator. Rusty Grice, San Marcos deputy marshal, said it is important for college students to understand that when they fail

ust because “J you have a warrant in San

Marcos and live in San Antonio, doesn’t mean you are not subject to arrest.”

— Rusty Grice San Marcos deputy marshal

to address tickets at court or fail to comply with court orders, there is a hold on your driver’s license. “You have to renew it eventually,” he said. “It’s kind of important. If you get stopped and your license is suspended, that’s automatic jail.” Grice said some San Marcos students with outstanding warrants think they can avoid having to pay their citations by leaving town when they are ﬁnished with school. “It will catch up with them eventually,” he said. The roundup is focusing on people with warrants concern-

ing Class C misdemeanors, which include traffic, criminal parking, penal code and city ordinance violations. After receiving a citation, a person is given a certain number of days to pay or contest it. If the person does not take care of the citation within the specified timeframe they are issued a failure to appear warrant. “In most cases people forget to take care of their tickets,” Grice said. “If you just continue to ignore this, warrant fees continue to be added.” Jurisdictions participating in the roundup include all of the largest Texas metropolitan areas, along with numerous counties, justices of the peace and municipalities of all sizes. “It is more helpful when there are more people involved,” Grice said. “Just because you have a warrant in San Marcos and live in San Antonio, doesn’t mean you are not subject to arrest.” Those with outstanding warrants who show up to the courthouse sans handcuffs after the amnesty period will be allowed to address their case without being arrested. “We are not looking to arrest

anyone legitimately trying to address their cases,” Garcia said. “The goal of the court is simply to gain compliance with court orders or in cases where the defendant’s have never been to court, simply to have them address those charges in court.” After the amnesty period, individuals who want to contest non-adjudicated charges should be prepared to post bond in order to lift the warrant and get a court date. Fine amounts and additional sanctions can be clariﬁed by calling the court at (512) 393-8190. Defendants with pending charges in the San Marcos Municipal Court, who wish to resolve their citations before the amnesty period’s end, can come to the court from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday to pay ﬁnes or post bond to schedule a court appearance. The court will also hold special docket sessions from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday and Saturday to give people an opportunity to appear before the municipal judge. “Honestly, this is the best time to come in,” Grice said. “You can get a payment plan and talk to the judge.”

Science Extravaganza By Chelsea Juarez The University Star The Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists will host the 13th annual Science Extravaganza from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Supple Science Building and the Roy F. Mitte Technology and Engineering Building. The event will include an entire day of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on presentations. Participants will be introduced to the diﬀerent ﬁelds such as biology, robotics, geography and mechanical engineering. The presentations will last about 40 minutes and will encourage audience involvement. David Leija, president of the organization, said this year, teachers and students are looking forward to a visit from NASA. “It’s not a company from around here so it’s very exciting to have them come,” Leija, biology senior, said. “We’re hoping next year to bring an astronaut to the fair. Our goal is to make each year better.” The group is an international

organization that promotes higher education and diversity and has chapters throughout the U.S. and Mexico. It was established at Texas State in 1994, with the initial goal of promoting biology and physics to San Marcos High School students. Two years later, the focus was shifted to a younger audience — now primarily targeted at pre-high school students. “I feel other countries are beating us in ﬁelds such as engineering and it’s important that children become more involved and informed,” said Kaleb Crowell, interdisciplinary studies freshman. “(They’ll) hopefully be more interested in ﬁlling those types of professions and invest in our future.”

✯FYI This event is free and available to all young students, parents, volunteers, sponsors and guests. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and prizes will be provided.

International Polar Year examines melting ice’s relationship with global warming By Robert S. Boyd McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) WASHINGTON — It seems like a paradox, but scientists say the best places to study global warming are the coldest regions on Earth. The Arctic, the Antarctic and lofty mountain ranges are showing the impact of higher temperatures more rapidly and dramatically than anywhere else on the planet. Collapsing ice sheets, thawing permafrost, shrinking glaciers and thinning sea ice will be the focus of a yearlong, worldwide scientiﬁc extravaganza known as the International Polar Year, which researchers and policymakers from 60 nations will formally launch Thursday in Paris after ﬁve years of preparations. “This is a critical time in humanity’s reMike Siegel/Seattle Times lationship with our planet,” said an author of the International Polar Year concept, MELTING GIANTS: Hikers Travis Harder, left, and Mark Harder pass by Robert Bindschadler, an Antarctic scienNisqually Glacier on the way to Camp Muir Pass, July 11, 2002. Between tist who’s based at NASA’s Goddard Space 1912 and 2001, the Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier retreated nearly a mile.

Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. “What’s happening in the polar regions is a powerful, irrefutable demonstration of change on a global scale,” he said at a pre-launch ceremony in Washington. “The poles are changing even faster than we anticipated,” said Robin Bell, head of the Polar Research Board at the National Academy of Sciences. “We need to monitor environmental change to understand what’s happening to our planet.” Data collected for International Polar Year will provide a baseline by which to measure future climate changes, said Arden Bement, the director of the National Science Foundation. “We want to ring the Arctic with scientiﬁc observatories,” said Conrad Lautenbacher, administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Warming is felt most sharply in the far north, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average. Greenland, for example, lost as much

ice in one year as is contained in all the Swiss Alps, said Konrad Steﬀen, a climatologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder. A prime concern during International Polar Year will be the fate of the world’s glaciers, not only in polar regions but also in higher altitudes at lower latitudes near the equator. Glaciers are “sentinels of climate change,” said Mark Myers, director of the U.S. Geological Survey. “All the glaciers in the tropics are retreating,” said Lonnie Thompson, researcher at Ohio State University in Columbus who’s spent 30 years studying glaciers in South America, Africa and the Asian Himalayas. In the Himalayas, 22 percent of the ice disappeared in the last four years, Thompson said. One glacier in the Peruvian Andes is likely to be gone within the next ﬁve years, he said. Tanzania’s famous Kilimanjaro peak will lose its remaining ice by 2015, if not before.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Thursday, March 1, 2007 - Page 6

weekendhappenings Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Lucy’s San Marcos – Boombox/ Emcee Eats

Lucy’s San Marcos – SuperHeavyGoatAss/ Dual Exhaust/Backwater Gypsy

Lucy’s San Marcos – Eleven Fingered Charlie CD Release/Shark Attack

Triple Crown – Wailing Walls(Fluffers Union)/Silver Pines

Triple Crown – Blackholicus/Opposite Day/ Muchas Backﬂips!

Triple Crown – Word Association/ Emcee Eats/Los Hip Hop Guys

Cheatham Street Warehouse – Texas Renegade

Cheatham Street Warehouse – Doctor G and the Mudcats

Cheatham Street Warehouse – South Austin Jug Band

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Multimedia murder mystery takes the stage in Austin By Maira Garcia The University Star Love, murder and revenge come full circle in the first multimedia production from the Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble. The Hotel is a performance portraying a scorned lover and her plot for revenge that was created by Executive Director Emily Torgerson and Artistic Director Erin Mayo, both Texas State alumnae. “The Hotel has a vagueness to it, but it’s essentially a ‘who done it’ mystery murder,” Torgerson said. “The character Target dies and everyone is trying to figure out who hired the hit guy.” Mayo said the production was a team effort. “Emily and I came up with a different version of the story before we actually put it on stage. Artistically we all worked together,” Mayo said. “We let the story mold as it would for the show.” Mayo said the film Reservoir Dogs inspired the anonymous nature of the characters and the minimalism of the names. Jon Clark/Star photo “Everything is simply named,” she said. “Even the dance names FINAL CHECKS: Dancers dressed as hotel maids check their powe came up with are simple like sitioning on stage during dress rehearsals for the Austin Metamor-

‘The Entrance’ and ‘The Exit.’ They’re very generic, but stylized at the same time.” Torgerson said the choreography has a similar feel. “I would say the dances, they’re not mundane, but simple,” The production comes with the merger of Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble and Austin Dance Ensemble to form Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble. The merger has combined the more traditional dance aspects of Austin Dance Ensemble with the modern style of Metamorphosis, according to Torgerson. Mayo said the choreography in The Hotel is a fusion between ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. She said it is extra-special because Torgerson, Choreographer Fiona Wolstenholme and herself worked as a team. “No part is done by a single person,” Mayo said. “Whenever we felt we got stuck, we called someone over to choreograph part of that piece. There was no lull time. It made the choreography look more textured and not all the same.” In addition to dance, the production features music, videos clips and acting. “I love the music I picked out

for it,” Mayo said. “When the music can stand alone, it makes (the production) all the better.” Torgerson said they wanted to include ﬁlm sequences in the show. The dancers in the sequences act out a scene that will appear on the stage in between dances, she said. “One example is the Miss Blue toll elevator scene. We actually built the elevator ourselves,” Torgerson said. “The scene shows Miss Blue coming into the lobby from the elevator, and then Miss Blue goes on stage, which is our lobby.” Mayo said she produced the videos with Adam Schlender of Mercenary Mediums and wrote the scenes. “The videos are basically the back-story that help drive the plot,” she said. Torgerson said she was impressed with the videos. “I was just blown away by Adam’s editing skills. It just looks really, really neat,” she said. Rehearsals for the production began late last year and have been a weekend project for those involved, Torgerson said. “We started in November of last year and have been working on it only on weekends,” she said. “Everyone has full-time day jobs, so it was the only time

we could do it.” While it has taken several months to create The Hotel, Torgerson said she and Mayo were excited to work on the production together. “We’ve actually been dancing together since we were 14 and it’s cool to ﬁnally do something like this together,” she said.

hide the color of her face, now a red that would make apples jealous. She couldn’t help it; she’d seen the boy around the high school, and he’d been in her chemistry class this year. If that wasn’t enough, she ended up being lab partners with the boy. Finally, she decided, she would tell him how she felt. He had to know before summer came and he was gone, lost once again amidst the crowd of students jammed into the hallways and cafeteria. “Jamie,” the teacher asked, snapping her out of her daze, “what is the positive ion found in salt?” “Sodium, sir,” she answered. Of course, once her question was done, it was back to her imagination. Today is the day… she thought. Today I’ll tell him how I really feel.

ion found in salt?” the teacher asked. The boy looked at Jamie, watching her shake her head and look up. “Sodium, sir,” she answered before returning to her notebook. After a few seconds though, she glanced over at him. Of course, he was already looking at her, so Jamie quickly whipped away and buried her face in her notes with a small smile. She was cute, and he enjoyed working with her in class. She was one of the few he was going to miss. He couldn’t tell her that, though; it would just hurt her too much. The boy gave another small shrug of his shoulders and turned to the next page in his spiral. “Adam,” the teacher continued, “what is used to speed up a chemical reaction?” “I don’t know, Mr. Sanchez,” he replied. Mr. Sanchez gave him a skeptical look. “You don’t know?” “No sir.” Mr. Sanchez sighed as he turned to the boy between him and Jamie. “Can you help out your friend here?” “A catalyst,” he answered. “Correct,” said Mr. Sanchez. “Hopefully you’ll do better on Monday’s test.” Adam could only smile. Monday’s test would be a piece of cake, mainly because he wasn’t going to take it. Monday was never going to come. Today’s the day… he thought to himself. Today’s the day it all ends.

✯ FYI The Hotel will be performed at the theatre of the George Washington Carver Center in Austin, located at 1165 Angelina Street. Tickets are available at www.austix.com (click on Texas Performs), by calling (512) 474-8497 or at the box oﬃce 30 minutes before each show. Adults $12; students, seniors and children $10. Dates and times: Thursday - Saturday — 8 p.m. Sunday — 2 p.m.

phosis Dance Ensemble’s presentation of The Hotel.

SOULSPEAK: Where the dead live By David Conrad The University Star

will be a regular section in The Star. These are not news stories.

Editor’s note: Soulspeak is the ﬁctional prose and poetry writings of David Conrad, math sophomore. In an eﬀort to promote creative writing and the arts, Soulspeak

Adam Moore 1989-2005 Today is the day… she thought as she strolled into her chemis-

try class. Today I’ll tell him how I really feel. Everyday it was the same routine: walk into the room, sit at her assigned desk and wait for the bell to signal the beginning of class. Then she would get out her binder and begin to take

notes before looking to her left and seeing the boy who sat two desks down and get lost in his eyes. Of course when he looked back, she would whip back to her notebook and begin a ﬂustered sort of scribbling so as not to look suspicious, but she couldn’t

Today is the day… he thought as he looked over at the girl sitting two desks down. She quickly turned away and shoved her head into her notebook, her pencil frantically ﬂying across the page. A journal, no doubt. Or maybe a diary…eh, it’s the same thing. He shrugged and smiled as he returned to his notes. He still wasn’t quite sure why he even bothered to come to school today, but something made him. One more chance to change his mind, he guessed, but there was little chance of that. His mind was already made up. “Jamie, what is the positive

Continued next week…

TRENDS

Thursday, March 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 7

George’s presents local acoustic acts Writers Collection hosts By Tug Ledermann The University Star It’s time for cold beer and free music on campus. The Student Association for Campus Activities will host an acoustic show featuring Cameron Joyner, management freshman, and local singer-songwriter Ben Danaher 8 p.m. Thursday at George’s. Joyner said he is not particularly new to the music scene and has been playing guitar for four years. “My dad taught me three cords and I taught myself the rest by going to concerts,” he said. Joyner has opened for Rog-

er Creager, and said he enjoys artists Ryan Turner, Mickey and the Motorcars and Randy Rogers Band. Joyner said he hopes to establish some new fans at George’s. “I hope to get a new crowd who have not heard my stuﬀ,” he said. Joyner writes his own songs and said a variety of things inspire his music. “Anything can spark a song,” he said. Joyner said he appreciates the opportunity to do what he loves most: perform in front of a crowd. Will Joseph, George’s employee, manages Joyner.

Joseph, marketing sophomore, said he helped Joyner attain the gig at George’s. He said Joyner’s music is Texas country. “It isn’t so much country, because country can be twangy. It has country roots, but it is deﬁnitely more rock,” Joseph said. Joseph said he considers himself a music buﬀ, but admits he did not always listen to Joyner’s style of music. “Being around his music all the time, I just grew into it,” Joseph said. Natalie Diaz, George’s coordinator for SACA, said performances such as Joyner and Danaher’s acoustic show are created for a special audience.

“(Another goal) is also bringing live music to Texas State for students living on campus,” Diaz, psychology junior, said. But because so many students are unfamiliar with George’s, Diaz said, “the turnout is hit-ormiss.”

✯

renowned Chinese writer

FYI

To learn more about Cameron Joyner and Ben Danaher, visit: www.MySpace.com/ cameronjoyner www.bendanaher.com. Courtesy of www.emigospel.com

School of Mass Communication celebrates women’s history month By Maira Garcia The University Star In the spirit of Women’s History Month, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will host Women in Media Work: How Far We’ve Come, Where We’re Headed, and Why it Matters. Women in Media Work is a daylong symposium consisting of three panels: “How Far We’ve Come: The Changing Communications Career,” “How Far We’ve Come — or Not: Women in Television News” and “How to Get There: Planning for a Career in Mass Communication.” The event starts at 9:30 a.m. and will be held in Old Main, Room 320. Kate Peirce, mass communication professor, is coordinating the event. Peirce currently teaches “Women and Minorities in Media.” Students in the class helped organize a panel. “It’s a way to do something

to highlight Women’s History Month and gives the students a way to participate in Women’s History Month,” she said. The panels will feature women from various media such as Debbie Hiott, assistant managing editor of The Austin AmericanStatesman, and KSAT 12 reporter Rosenda Rios. “We mainly selected these women because faculty members know them, which is so great,” Peirce said. “It’s hard to get them to come if you don’t know them.” Kym Fox, senior lecturer in the School of Journalism, helped bring some of the panelists. She said the panels should cause provocative discussions on the history of women in media. “It will be enlightening for students to see that it was not always easy for women to get into the newsroom,” Fox said. Fox said she is particularly

excited about the second panel, which features Mary Walker, Angela Vierville and Cathy Teague, all of whom are former KSAT 12 reporters. “They’re now in different careers and all in different places,” Fox said. “It is sort of a reunion for them, because I don’t know the last time they were together.” A video will also be shown about Vierville, who recently retired from KSAT, and will showcase her 30 years of work. The final panel will discuss how women can enter the mass media, with tips on interviews and résumés, among other things. Peirce said it can be particularly beneficial for students that are about to graduate. “The panelists will tell students ‘if you can notice this or do this, we won’t hire you’ or ‘when I hire, I look for this,’” Peirce said.

✯

FYI

Register for the symposium by e-mailing Kate Peirce at KateP@txstate.edu. Lunch is free, but donations are accepted. 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. — “How Far We’ve Come: The Changing Communications Career” 11 a.m. to noon — “How Far We’ve Come — or Not: Women in Television News” Noon — Lunch 1 to 2 p.m. — “How to Get There: Planning for a Career in Mass Communication”

By Ashley Wilrich The University Star Award winning author Yiyun Li will be reading a collection of her short stories as a guest to the Southwestern Writers Collection. Li grew up in Beijing and moved to the U.S. in 1996. Many of her stories are written about Chinese culture. “I write about China often. I hope that my readers believe that Chinese people are the same as Americans,” Li said. “They have the same problems as anyone else.” Li is one of several authors reading at the Southwestern Writers Collection throughout the year. In addition to the reading, a book signing and questionand-answer session will be held. Li’s ﬁrst novel, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers was published in 2005. The collection of short stories has won many awards including the Frank O’ Connor International Short Story Award and California Book

Award for first fiction. The novel won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award as well, a distinguished award for first fiction. Although Li has won many, she said she does not write for the awards. “For me it’s more of wanting to write like writers I really admire,” Li said. Li has a Master’s of Fine Arts from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a Master’s of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing from the University of Iowa. Besides writing her short stories and novels, she teaches creative writing at Mills College in Oakland, Calif. “I just started teaching in 2005, so I’m fairly new, but I’m definitely enjoying it,” Li said. Michael Noll, Katherine Anne Porter writer in residence, said Li is considered a player in the literary world. “She’s probably the biggest new writer in the country,” Noll said. The event will take place Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of Alkek Library.

“I

write about China often. I hope that my readers believe that Chinese people are the same as Americans. They have the same problems as anyone else.” — Yiyun Li author, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers

TRENDS

Page 8 - The University Star

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Gospel Fest will spread the word with help from award-winning artist By Zandria Avila Special to the Star

The Gospel Expressions Association, along with the University of Texas, will host the Central Texas Gospel Fest 2007. The event will be held Saturday in Evans Liberal Arts Auditorium. Award-winning gospel artist Myron Butler and several visiting university choirs from Central Texas will perform. “Gospel Fest has been an annual event and tradition for GEA since 1984,” said John Troy Jacobs, director of the Gospel Expressions Association. Yohantis Moore, vice president of the association, said the concert is free of charge because the

THURSDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited The exhibit is located in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of Alkek Library. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 245-2313 for more information. Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature The exhibit is located in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of Alkek Library. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 245-2313 for more information. Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide The exhibit is located in the Wittliff Gallery of Southwestern and Mexican photography on the seventh floor of Alkek Library. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 245-2313 for more information. Yiyun Li Reading The author will read as part of the English department’s Therese Kayser Lindsey/Katherine Anne Porter Series. A book sale and signing follows. The reading begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Southwestern Writers Collection, followed by a question-and-answer session at 5 p.m.

concerned in saving souls than charging for people to have their souls saved,” Moore, biology senior, said. Gospel Expressions Associations, a proclaimed ministry, chooses a motif for the Gospel Fest every year. This year’s theme, “Forget What You Heard, We Live the Word,” was inspired by Scripture found in James 1:21-22. Jacobs, communication studies senior, said he encourages students, faculty, staﬀ and San Marcos residents to attend the event, as it will be a spiritual experience. “The purpose of Gospel Fest is to bring believers together, glorify God (and) to provide the good news of the Gospel,” he said.

“Furthermore, this event is for everyone. If you love the Lord and like to hear gospel music, Gospel Fest caters to you,” Jacobs said. Butler, the featured artist of this year’s Gospel Fest, will sing two songs featured on his debut album, Set Me Free, Saturday night. Although it is Butler’s ﬁrst album, he is not new to the industry. He has written for other gospel artist such as Kirk Franklin and produced several gospel albums. “Because Myron Butler is a Texas native, an anointed minister and familiar with colleges, we found he appeals to our audience best,” Jacobs said. “This is Photo courtesy of www.emigospel.com deﬁnitely a free concert you don’t SONGS OF PRAISE: Award winning gospel artist Myron Butler want to miss.”

LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent This exhibit in Gallery I of JCM is relevant to the Common Experience theme “Protest and Dissent” Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday though Friday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

FRIDAY

Split Second — Linnea Glatt

Lonesome Dove Revisited

Split Second — Linnea Glatt

Lonesome Dove Revisited

Move Over Mrs. Markham

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

Music Lecture Series — “Music for the Rotary Trumpet” Jack Burt, trumpet, and Jason Kwak, piano, will perform at 8 p.m. in the Music Building Recital Hall. This is a free event.

Split Second — Linnea Glatt This exhibit features work by mixed media artist Linnea Glatt. It is located in Gallery II of JCM. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday though Friday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent

2007 National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA) Texas Conference The conference features two concerts at 2 and 8 p.m. and a keynote lecture at 4 p.m. entitled “Composition: Utopian Traces in Dissent,” given by Mark Sullivan of Michigan State University. All events are free and take place in the Music Building recital hall.

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

“W

e cover all the charges of this concert because we are more concerned in saving souls than charging for people to have their souls saved.”

— Yohantis Moore vice president, Gospel Expressions Association

intention is to help others. “We cover all the charges of this concert because we are more

Move Over Mrs. Markham The play will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the Mainstage in the Theater Center. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students. Communication Week 2007 All events are held in Centennial Hall. “Talking the Talk: Communication, Homosexuality and the Family” — 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Room 103; “Professional Training: How to Prepare for a Career as a Trainer” — 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Room 400; “Understanding Intercultural Communication through Literature: A Canadian Studies Approach” — 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Room 400; Spotlight Event: Communication Studies Convocation — 3:30 to 5 p.m., Room G01; Chat with Dr. Mark Knapp — 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Room 206 Philosophy Dialogues Philosophy Dialogue Room, Psychology Building, Room 132 — “Too plugged in? Media Manipulation and Freak Show Politics,” 11 a.m.; “Power, Politics and the Media: A Dialogue,” 3:30 p.m. Evans Liberal Arts, Room 116 — “Power, Politics and the Media,” 6:30 p.m.

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

Split Second — Linnea Glatt Move Over Mrs. Markham Women in Media Work: How Far We’ve Come The School of Journalism and Mass Communication will host a symposium on women in media in observance of Women’s History Month. The panels will be held in Old Main, Room 320 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Texas State Symphony Orchestra The orchestra will play under the direction of Howard Hudiburg at 8 p.m. in Evans Liberal Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $2 for the general public and $1 for students. Philosophy Dialogue “Facts about 9/11” will be held at 3 p.m. in the Philosophy Dialogue Room, Psychology Building, Room 132.

SATURDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent

will perform during Gospel Fest Saturday in Evans Liberal Arts Auditorium.

Voice Studio Recital Voice students of Bert Neely will perform at 3 p.m. in the University Performing Arts Center. This is a free event.

SUNDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent Split Second — Linnea Glatt Move Over Mrs. Markham Graduate Trumpet Recital Brett Nelson, student of Keith Winking performs at 4 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. This is a free event.

Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent Split Second — Linnea Glatt Jazz Lab Band The band will perform at 8 p.m. in Evans Liberal Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $2 for the general public and $1 for students. Eyes on the Prize Series - Part XI & XII Eyes on the Prize, a 14-episode documentary on the American Civil Rights Movement, aired in two parts on PBS. Episode XI, titled “Ain’t Gonna Shuﬄe No More (1964-1972),” and Episode XII, “A Nation of Law? (19681971),” will be screened at 7 p.m. in Alkek Teaching Theatre. This is a free event. Philosophy Dialogue “Feminist Pedagogy” will be held at 1 p.m. in Philosophy Dialogue Room, Psychology Building, Room 132.

TUESDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

Guitar Studio Recital Students of Mark A. Cruz will perform at 2 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. This is a free event.

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

MONDAY

LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent

Philosophy Dialogue “The Feminine Mystique Revisited” will be held at 11 a.m. in the Philosophy Dialogue Room, Psychology Building, Room 132.

WEDNESDAY Lonesome Dove Revisted Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Ojos Para Volar/Eyes to Fly With: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide First Tuesday Reading Series MFA creative writing students read their poetry and ﬁction at 6 p.m. in the Southwestern Writers Collection. LOYAL OPPOSITION: an exhibition of protest and dissent Split Second — Linnea Glatt Texas State Faculty String Quartet Music faculty will perform at 8 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. Tickets are $2 for the general public and $1 for students. Philosophy Dialogue “Gina Weatherhead Dialogue: Writing Women Back into Modern Philosophy” will be held at noon in the Philosophy Dialogue Room, Psychology Building, Room 132.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Thursday, March 1, 2007

✯Star Comics Sony’s slumping sales due to expensive gaming systems, foolhearty attitude So much depends on a red wheelbarrow. The same simplicity is what has kept many of BILL RIX Sony’s PlayStar Columnist Station 3s on store shelves. While there’s no mistaking me for some sort of hobnobbing industry insider, I’ve felt enough time has passed for me to ﬁnally take on the catastrophe that is, so far, the PS3. The deciding factor is the absence of a killer app, a musthave gaming experience. The Nintendo 64 had Super Mario 64, the ﬁrst PlayStation had Final Fantasy VII and Xbox had Halo. Games sell systems, not the other way around, so as long as Sony lacks a Halo 2 and Wii Sports killer, they can’t expect to move too many units. Perhaps Sony doesn’t really “get” gaming, though. This would explain the price tag. I’m

only a columnist and it would take 10 months of me saving all of the money I make in order to afford one (and another full month if I wanted a game). In comparison, I bought my Wii with the money I saved doing similar work over the summer. As it stands, not many people can afford PS3s and it looks as if it will remain that way for a while. One can only hope Sony and other game companies are taking notes from all of this and will try to avoid the “bigger and better” road next generation. This is something one just can’t throw money at and expect it to succeed. Staying on the topic of economics, the prices will stay static for another two years or so, according to Sony spokesperson Kimberly Otzman. Sony expects the PS3 to find its legs eventually, but they are still losing a good deal of cash by not giving it a helping hand. It’s not really that big of a dent in its wallet anyway, seeing as how it’s a multi-billion dollar company,

but still, every bit counts. For all the advice being thrown around about what Sony should and shouldn’t do, in the end it’s up to Sony to take control and turn things around. And when Sony Computer Entertainment of America President Jack Tretton tells a major games outlet he’ll pay $1200 to anyone who can ﬁnd a “PS3 anywhere in North America that’s been on shelves for more than a few minutes,” it sort of makes you wonder whether or not the people in charge are even paying attention. It’s bad enough Sony is fooling itself, but it makes you wonder what they think of their customers: “Hey, let’s release a violently expensive console with no good games and then be bafﬂed when the Super NES has a higher selling rate on Amazon.” Hopefully, when all is said and done, companies won’t think this is something that bears repeating. It’s an interesting experiment, but that’s about it as far as I can see.

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

Wednesday’s solutions:

The University Star - Page 9

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Thursday, March 1, 2007, Page 10

onlineconnection Faculty Senate voiced its opposition to the Texas Legislature’s House Bill 956, which would require professors to issue textbooks useable for at least three years before being replaced by newer versions. How do you feel about the bill? Go to www.UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll. Results will be published in Thursday’s issue of The University Star. *This is not a scientiﬁc poll

Opinions Contact —Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

an Marcos has long been touting a commuter rail that will connect the city to Austin, San Antonio and various other points. But we have yet to see much action.

Cross-County

Connection Actions, not words will build the commuter rail

With the proposed Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail project, a 110-mile rail would extend from Georgetown to San Antonio, utilizing existing Union Pacific freight rail lines. The rail is expected to include 14 stops along the line, including one stop in downtown San Marcos at the site of the current Amtrak platform. It is expected to be completed as early as 2012. It does seem like we have seen a lot of talk. Earlier this month, the San Marcos City Council passed a motion that aims to ensure funding for the commuter rail. The council made a unanimous decision to extend its contract with the Winstead Consulting Group, which provides lobbying services for the city. The Star reported that San Marcos will pay Winstead $15,000 a month to lobby state and national-level lawmakers to pass funding and legislation favorable to the city. This includes the relocation of the freight rail that would run through downtown. It would become part of the proposed commuter rail system. The city’s lobbying firm, which is funded through taxpayer money, needs to ensure that this commuter rail becomes a reality. The deadline is a long way away, but the city needs to see that the appropriate steps are taken along the way. A commuter rail will be beneficial for the city and university. It can alleviate our growing traffic problem, boost the local economy and give residents a way to travel throughout the Central Texas area. Place 6 councilman John Thomaides wrote in his October column that there will be plenty of parking for the rail and a connection to the Texas State campus. Thomaides advocated the commuter rail in his Oct. 31 guest column in The University Star during his bid for city council reelection. He is also a member of the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District Board, which will meet Friday in San Antonio. Thomaides wrote in his October column that the rail “would provide a much-needed economic boost for the city’s central business district and would help to pay for the system.” He didn’t indicate any sort of deadlines for this project or how the city would be involved in this project. San Marcos politicians, residents, its lobbying firm and the university all need to work together to make sure the city is an integral part of the commuter rail project. The commuter rail is beneficial for Texas State. Let’s see the university join the city and throw its weight around this legislative session and see that this actual happens.

Letters to the Editor Authority in question makes for great story Re: “Athletic oﬃcials voice concern with Web site” I love your article. It’s about time that the students know what is going on with the athletic department. I graduated in 1980 and have never seen so much talk on a subject in The Star. Keep up the good work and keep questioning authority. I love it! Rick Reyna alumnus

Protestors leave bitter taste of university I am truly embarrassed as a student at Texas State, because a small percentage of our student body decided to show up for the Karl Rove lecture with the sole intention of interrupting him during his speech. No, I am not talking about the silent protestors who held signs inside, or the group that let him know verbally how they felt outside while he was leaving. I am writing in regards to the group that continually stood up and yelled while he was speaking. I am fine with the fact that they are upset with many of the allegations that have been brought up against Rove, but I am not fine with them ruining what I thought to be a higher education learning experience. Though it might be your right to freedom of speech, we all know there are times to exercise it and times that it is considered rude to exercise it. Most do not use this right at a church they voluntarily attend. Nor do we exert that right at a children’s play, during a classroom presentation by peers, and I certainly would hope that people would not loudly express their individual thoughts during a presentation by a high-ranking government official with so much to share. What was demonstrated was not professionalism nor an impression I would want left with any visitor of our fine university. He was not sharing political views. He was not teaching us morals. He was simply stressing the importance of communication as he has experienced in Washington. Robert Hangren marketing senior

Online Poll Results Football Program

Justin Jackley/Star illustration

LEGAL GUY: Don’t let fees, contract conflicts plague moving day Subletting fees, the loss of your deposit and damage fees are just a few of the things stuCARSON GUY dents in the Star Columnist San Marcos area will be dealing with in just a short time — unless they meet the obligations found in their leases. Many people seem to believe that when their lease is up, they can just box up their stuff and move out. But the reality of the situation is usually a different tale. If you are leasing and do not plan on living in your apartment the rest of your life, then there are things you probably need to take care of long before you break out the cardboard boxes and duct tape. Most leases offered by apartment complexes range from 10 to 12 months, although different places have different rules. Typically, these leases are designed

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

to either end mid-May in order to coincide with the end of school or at the end of summer for students who might plan on staying in town. Every tenant’s situation is different, and will have unique characteristics separating each case. However, most Texas State students, especially at large apartment complexes, have signed Texas Apartment Association leases. This lease is a standard agreement that, when signed and put into force, requires certain obligations of the new tenant and bestows them new rights, just as other leases do. The reason for focusing on the Texas Apartment Association lease is because of their great number and because they are in general standard agreements. However, always consult your own lease before taking, or not taking any action. If the lease you signed was for 10 months, meaning you signed your lease most likely in mid or early August and it is a Texas Apartment Association lease, then it is almost certain you have

errol Dillon and Mike Barela have joined the Texas State football program in replacement of Chris Stacy and Rick LaFavers, bringing the total number of departures from last season’s staff to seven. What do these departures mean to the football program?

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

an obligation to notify your landlord of your intent to either resign or move out at least 60 days before the expiration of your lease. However, some leases only require 30 days notice. Many complexes send out notices to their residents alerting them their leasing contract is about to expire along with an offer to renew. Always keep a copy of any documents submitted to your landlord for your records in case there is ever a discrepancy. If you do not provide the aforementioned notice and are a party to a Texas Apartment Association lease, then you could ﬁnd yourself responsible for a sublet fee, sometimes near or even exceeding $1,000. Another frequent problem students face is recovering their security deposit. According to the Texas Apartment Association Web site, there a number of things tenants should do in order to ensure the return of their security deposits. Often, tenants are required to give written notice as mentioned before of their

Editor In Chief...................................Jason Buch, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.........................Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor..............................Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor....................Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor...................................Monty Marion, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..................................Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

intentions to move out. Tenants must also leave a forwarding address and not be delinquent on rent or other fees owed. And of course, do not damage your residence. Although obligations must be met by the tenant, the landlord also has obligations to the tenant. A consumer protection brochure from the office of the attorney general, which can be found on the attorney for students Web site mentions, “The landlord may not charge you for normal wear and tear on the premises and may only charge for actual abnormal damage.” If you believe the damage to your apartment or home is normal wear and tear then you should first contact your landlord before considering other options. If you find yourself without your deposit after 30 days and find out your landlord plans on keeping it and possibly even charging you more for damages, you will almost certainly want to check the move-in, move-out check sheet you should have

Copy Desk Chief................Sydney Granger, starcopychief@txstate.edu Design Editor..........................Michael E. Perez, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator.............Chris Jeane, starsysadmin@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Advertising Sales Manager....................Lindsay Lee, atlas@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................Jonathan McCoy, jm1751@txstate.edu

filled out. Without this sheet it will be next to impossible to get your landlord to relent and reduce or drop the added charges because there is no proof of your claims. For students wanting more indepth information, the attorney for students Web site is a great place to start. Simply type “attorney for students” in the upper right-hand search box of the Texas State homepage and click on the appropriate link. Carson Guy is a political science senior. His column tackles legal quandaries. E-mail questions to Guy at staropinion@txstate.edu. The content and opinions contained herein are in no way meant as legal advice. All information is general in nature. Do not rely on information within this article when trying to resolve a specific legal issue. All situations are unique and require specific legal advice from competent counsel.

Account Executive...........................Jackie Pardue, jp1271@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................Krystal Slater, ks1429@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

They left Texas State out in the cold

41% It’s OK for David Bailiff and his staff to move on

32% It won’t affect football next season

18% Not sure/ I don’t know

Results compiled from The University Star Web site online poll. This is not a scientiﬁc survey. The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright March 1, 2007. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 11

�LASSIFIEDS �� C THE ��UNIVERSITY ��STAR ��

�� ad policiesand costs

Thursday, March 1, 2007 - Page 12 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu. Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication. The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

E-mail starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifieds Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

FOR RENT $495, 1BA/1BD, ON TSU SHUTTLE. FREE internet. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. 1BD/1BA, $450. 4-PLEX, 500 SQ. FT. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. $410 EFF., DOWNTOWN & CLOSE TO TSU. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. NEXT TO CAMPUS-BALCONES APTS. 1BD, 2BD, 3BD, roommate matching. Pre-lease for May or Aug. Now updated w/ wooden ﬂoors and ceramic tile. Economical with bills included. Most rooms $300-$375. 1BD/1BA with electric, cable and Internet, $620. (512) 392-2700. BEAUTIFUL 2BD/1BA AND 1BD/1BA in downtown San Marcos with parking. Call (830) 609-6162 or (830) 832-4914. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION Walk to class. 427 Lindsey St. Apts. Priv. 1BR/1BA. Very nice. Tile ﬂoors, ceiling fans, W/D. $675/mo. Adjoins campus at Lindsey & Academy St. James K. Wise Real Estate (512) 396-8400. $0 APP. $0 DEP. $199 total movein. 1bd/1ba, $475; 2bd/2ba, $570. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. 4BD/2BA, $279 P.P. Most bills paid. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123.

FOR RENT-APTS NOW PRE-LEASING FOR MAY ‘07 AND AUGUST ‘07. Call Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. AWESOME DEAL! 2BD/2BA, 974 SQ. FT. $696. W/D included. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. ALL BILLS PAID! 1, 2, 3, 4 bedrooms available. W/D included. Walk to school. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. MOVE-IN TODAY!!! $785 2/2.5 townhouse, 3 blks. from TSU. Free HBO, Free Road Runner, Full size W/D, Small, Clean & Quiet Community www.windmilltownhomes.com for ﬂoor plans & prices. (512) 396-4181. $785 PRE-LEASE NOW FOR 5/20 OR 8/20. 2/2.5 townhouse, 3 blks. from TSU. Free HBO, Free Road Runner, Full Size W/D, Small, Clean & Quiet Community. www.windmilltownhomes.com for ﬂoor plans & prices. (512) 396-4181.

FOR RENT-APTS

HELP WANTED

APARTMENTSTOGO.COM. Free list of apartment prices and amenities or visit our oﬃce on The Square! (512) 353-FREE. TAKE UP MY LEASE at The Zone. $340/mo., all bills paid except elec. (split 2 ways). Call (512) 635-9539. Ask for Jason. TAKE OVER MY LEASE! $595/mo. 2BD/1.5BA oﬀ Aquarena. Lease ends in October. (830) 445-9140. 4BD/4BA, $350 A MONTH. Internet/ cable w/ HBO/phone/trash pd. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. $575, 2BD/2BA, 810 SQ. FT. $200 OFF 1st month rent. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123.

WAITSTAFF: NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Day or night shift available. Apply in person 2-4pm or 8-10pm. Sugar’s-Austin; 404 Highland Mall Blvd., (512) 451-1711. GREAT OPPORTUNITY! We are a well-established company looking for PT candidates interested in making $10 to $20+/ hr. Job entails collecting water samples in select neighborhoods. Flexible schedule and no selling involved. Great personality, professional appearance and reliable transportation a must. Contact Emma after 9 a.m. @ (210) 650-4000, M-F. www.rainsoftofsanantonio.com SEMEN DONORS NEEDED! $150 per specimen, healthy college students age 18-39. For application go to www.123donate.com. EARN $250+MONTHLY AND MORE to type simple ads online. www.DataAdEntry.com NIGHT PROCTOR-Female night proctor needed to supervise girls’ dorm at San Marcos Academy, a private Christian school. Must enjoy working with 7th - 12th-grade students in a Christian environment. Needed 3-4 nights per week with shifts every other weekend. Contact Mrs. Paul at (512) 753-8098 or e-mail Kris Spillers at spillersk@smba.org. ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc. $75-200/ hr. No exp. needed, (512) 684-8296. !BARTENDING! Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800) 965-6520 ext. 157. CITY OF KYLE SUMMER JOB OPENINGS: The Parks & Recreation Dept. is now accepting applications for Summer Camp Staff, American Red Cross Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors for the Summer Day Camps and Kyle Pool. Competitive pay for all positions! Recreation and Education degree seekers preferred for Camp Staff. Applications available at www.cityofkyle.com/kyle-employment. php. Contact Program Coordinator at programs@cityofkyle.com for camp positions. Contact Aquatic Supervisor at (512) 262-3936 for pool positions. WEB DESIGNER/DEVELOPER, secretarial, correspondence flexible hours, decent pay. Email exp. resume: via www.texasarabianhorses.com or call (512) 353-3477 or (210) 367-7842. MARKETING POSITION AVAILABLE: PT work 5-10 hours per week. Contact Jackie at (512) 644-1610 for pre-interview information.

FOR RENTCONDO/TOWNHOMES $785 PRE-LEASE NOW FOR 5/20 OR 8/20. 2/2.5 townhouse, 3 blks. from TSU. Free HBO, Free Road Runner, Full Size W/D, Small, Clean & Quiet Community. www.windmilltownhomes.com for ﬂoor plans & prices. (512) 396-4181.

FOR RENT-DUPLEX 1628 POST. 2BD/1BA for $425. Immediate move-in. On the shuttle. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy (512) 665-3321. $765 2/2 DUPLEX, 3 BLKS. FROM TSU. Pre-leasing for 5/20 or 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, Full size W/D, Small, Clean & Quiet Community. www.windmilltownhomes.com for ﬂoor plans & prices. (512) 396-4181 PLAN JUNE MOVE. DUPLEX: Beautiful 2&3/BD near W. Campus & Crockett Elem. Quite Neighborhood, Crown Mold, Fireplace, Tile, Fans, Drapes, W/D, DW, Microwave, New Kitchens & Bath, Lg. Storage, Courtyard, Deck, Walk-ins, Garage. Fenced Wooded Yards. Exceptional at $585 & $835. Non-smoking, No dogs. (512) 353-8384.

FOR RENT-HOUSES 2BD/1BA, CENTRAL AIR AND HEAT. Fenced backyard. $650/mo. Available Jan 1. (512) 396-1717

HELP WANTED LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS WANTED for the #1 apartment locating service in San Marcos, Apartment Experts. Full and Part time available. Call Greg @ (512) 805-0123. ATTRACTIVE, ATHLETIC, ARTISTIC models for creative photography: portrait, ﬁgure, fashion. Apply at www.nabilcronfulphotography.com. (210) 367-7842. EARN MONEY OVER SPRING BREAK and potentially secure a Summer Job. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is HIRING Outgoing, Enthusiastic, and Motivated applicants for Visitor Center Positions which can include Tour Guides. Apply in person, 7 miles west of IH-35 on FM 3009. TEACHERS NEEDED: NOW HIRING PT TEACHERS. M-F 2:30- 6:30pm. Education major/experience/bilingual preferred, but not required. Quality Child Development Center in Kyle. (512) 405-3700 or fax (512) 405-3701. DORMITORY RESIDENT ASSISTANTS. Need male and female Dormitory Resident Assistants at San Marcos Academy, a private Christian school. Must enjoy working with 7th-12th grade students in a Christian environment. Positions may include room and board plus an hourly wage. Contact Kris Spillers at (512) 753-8004 or spillersk@smba.org. EXPERIENCED SERVERS, HOSTS, AND COOKS WANTED AT PALMER’S. Apply in person between 2-4 p.m. daily. EOE. No phone calls please. WEEKEND DISCIPLINE COORDINATOR. Need Weekend Discipline Coordinator to supervise weekend work/discipline details at San Marcos Academy, a private Christian school. Must enjoy working with 7th-12th grade students in a Christian environment. Contact Kris Spillers at (512) 753-8004 or spillersk@smba.org. FAMILIAR WITH FACEBOOK AND MYSPACE? Real estate related positions available $6+hr. Call (512) 665-3306. Dorm residence preferred. WIENERCHNITZEL NOW HIRING. Immediate openings for all areas. Must have food handlers card. FT/PT. Will work around schedule for students. (512) 392-7077. DRIVER WANTED - Clean Driving Record, at least 25y/o, $10/hr. +, call (512) 665-3306.

HELP WANTED DIRECT CARE POSITIONS: Are you wanting a career where you help people? Brown-Karhan Healthcare is looking for individuals to work with brain injured or psychiatric residents. Positions available in the Dripping Springs area (25 miles SW of Austin). Looking to fill primarily weekend shifts. Pay begins at $8.50, but commensurate with experience and education. Candidate must be 21 years of age, have satisfactory driving record. Drug screening and criminal background check required. Benefits may include health insurance, dental, vision, PTO, mileage reimbursement and 401(k). If eligible there is a sign-on bonus of $200. Please contact Kerri (512) 894-0701 ext. 219, or fax resume (512) 858-5104 or e-mail kalvis@brown-karhan.com. Please visit our website at www.brown-karhan.com. MAKE UP TO $75 each taking online surveys. www.CashToSend.com CORRECTIONAL OFFICER $9/HR. Lockhart Correctional Facility has immediate openings for persons seeking a career in corrections. Paid benefits and training. Must have a high school diploma or GED and a valid TDL. Must pass drug screening, physical, and background check. Apply in person at: 1400 Industrial Blvd. Lockhart, TX EOE/m/f/d/v. ENGLEBROOK APTS. HIRING PT leasing agent and maintenance assistant to begin in April. Experience preferred. Contact (512) 353-7274. UPSCALE RESTAURANT IN KYLE hiring experienced server, dishwasher and busboy. Call (512) 268-3463, Bordeauxs.net

MISCELLANEOUS BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM. Paid Survey Takers needed in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

ROOMMATES ROOMMATE NEEDED TO SUBLEASE at 108 Crest Dr. $310 mo. plus electricity and cable. Call (512) 618-7306. OLDER FEMALE looking for nonsmoking female roommate to share 2BD/2BA apt. $400/mo. plus 1/2 utilities. E-mail dm1260@txstate.edu for more info.

SERVICES SPECIAL OCCASIONS SEWING. Call (830) 372-1672 or (210) 902-6130 and leave msg.

SERVICES PSYCHIC TREE READER. Dr. Kaberle. Call (830) 515-7497. WWW.STUDENTATTORNEY.COM

SUBLEASE TAKE OVER MY LEASE! $216/mo. plus 1/3 of utilities. 2BD/2BA. Have own bedroom. Call (817) 832-1941.

WANTED USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition, running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. (512) 353-4511. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW A NEWSPAPER IS MADE? DO YOU HAVE A WRITING TALENT NONE OF YOUR FRIENDS APPRECIATE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT? THE UNIVERSITY STAR IS NOW HIRING! The Star is the 2005 and 2006 winner of Division II best in show, best overall paper and sweepstakes at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s annual convention.The Star is a student newspaper, created and edited entirely by students. Employment at The Star provides you with an opportunity to work with motivated students who are interested in journalism and newspapers. This is a must for anyone who in a career in journalism, and it is an excellent opportunity for students who want to get involved with the university and learn about the world around them. The Star is currently hiring for the following positions: •NEWS REPORTERS Must be able to gather information, conduct interviews and come into the newsroom to have stories edited. •SPORTS WRITERS Must be able to attend games, interview coaches and players and come into newsroom to have stories edited. •SPORTS COLUMNIST Must be able to write interesting and entertaining columns about Bobcat Sports. •ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS Must be able to report on arts and entertainment events on campus and in Central Texas, conduct interviews and come into newsroom to have stories edited. •ENTERTAINMENT COLUMNISTS Must be able to write intelligent and interesting columns about arts and entertainment on campus and in Central Texas. •OPINIONS COLUMNISTS Must be able to write well-organized and thought-provoking columns about on-campus and local happenings. •COMIC ARTISTS Must be able to create a comic strip three days a week. •ILLUSTRATORS Must be able to work with the editorial staﬀ to create editorial cartoons and story illustrations as well as bring original ideas to the table. •ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Create revenue by selling display ads and classiﬁed line ads. Includes servicing and renewing existing accounts as well as prospecting new accounts, work with customers to design ads, complete paperwork to insert ads and collect payments. Accepting applications for Summer 2007! Pick up an application at the Trinity Building, or download one at www.universitystar.com.

SPORTS

Thursday, March 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 13

Bobcat softball quells Mavericks in third of game series By Carl Harper The University Star Texas State softball was able to salvage game three in a series against Texas-Arlington Wednesday in Arlington, beating the Mavericks 7-3 after being swept in a double-header the day before. Second baseman Ryan Kos hit 2-for-3 with a two-run bomb to left center in game three, while freshman Leah Boatright added two runs and an RBI to pick up on win in the threegame series. “It was good because UTA is hitting really well and we needed more runs,” Kos said. “It felt good to ﬁnally hit a homerun and get on the board.” Blake received plenty of run support and lifted her season record to 7-4, giving up three runs on nine hits and striking out eight. “Blake pitched games two Monty Marion/Star file photo and three because I felt like she RETURNING HOME: Texas State plays Southeastern Louisiana in a three-game series this weekwas throwing the ball the best end at Bobcat Field. The action starts 1 p.m. Saturday with the ﬁrst game of a doubleheader. against her hitters,” Coach Ricci Woodard said. “It wasn’t a hard

CLUB: Large

decision.” Texas State, 9-9 overall and 12 in Southland Conference play, will return to the Bobcat Field for a 10-game home stand, starting with a weekend series against Southeastern Louisiana. “It will be very nice to get into the month of March and play at home and hopefully take advantage of that,” Woodard said. “We can’t be our own worst enemies; we’ve got to make sure we take care of ourselves this weekend and make things happen.” The Lions stand at 12-7 overall and 1-1 in conference as they split a double-header Tuesday against Nicholls State, and were rained out in the series ﬁnale Wednesday. Second baseman Arica Rodriguez leads the SLC with ﬁve homeruns and is third with 23 RBIs. The series begins 1 p.m. Saturday with a double-header. The series wraps up with a game noon Sunday. “It’s going to feel great,” Newton said. “Everybody is ready to come back home to San Marcos and play in front of our fans.”

TENNIS: Coach encourages players to stay confident CONTINUED from page 14

turnout expected for UNT game CONTINUED from page 14

going into Saturday’s match. Rugby went 18-5 this season, won the Cowtown Tournament and ﬁnished second at a tournament hosted by Stephen F. Austin. Will Burns, president of the club, predicted his team and San Angelo State would advance to the championship game. “UNT and San Angelo are both going to be very good games,” Burns said. “We’re going to have to come out hitting hard against both.” Men’s lacrosse will begin to wind down its regular season 1 p.m. Saturday against North Texas, at the West Campus Competition Field. “We are expecting a large number of fans,” McAlpine said. Lacrosse holds a 3-1 conference record heading into Saturday’s game. The team is also still in contention for the Lone Star Alliance South Division championship, coming up later this season. “I think that it’ll be a pretty close game all the way to the end,” said John Westmoreland, pre-athletic training junior and president of the club. “We beat (UNT) by one goal in the fall and they’ll be looking for a little bit of revenge. Texas State has not lost to North Texas in the past four years, but it’s kind of a rivalry for both teams.” The athletes playing this weekend diﬀer from varsity athletes in several ways. According to McAlpine, sport clubs compete against Texas schools and are left to support their own teams monetarily. “They have to coordinate their own travel and manage their own budgets,” McAlpine said. McAlpine said campus recreation funds around 75 percent of clubs’ annual budgets. Teams are then left to collect dues, fund-raise through local businesses or write letters to alumni and friends to help raise money.

Travis Atkins/Star photo BIG REACH: Junior Natalie McLeod extends to hit a serve at practice Tuesday afternoon at the Texas State Tennis Complex in preparation for the Bobcats’ match Friday against Trinity.

SENIORS: Work isn’t over, tournament still ahead CONTINUED from page 14

that the Mavericks blew the Bobcats out a month ago on TV. Forget that UTA is undefeated in conference play. What matters is that Texas State currently holds the second-best record in the SLC West division. A win over UTA coupled with a Stephen F. Austin loss in one of its two remaining games would give the Bobcats the No. 2 seed in the tournament, not to mention a tremendous boost of conﬁdence heading into the ﬁrst round in Houston. But still, everyone is treating it like it’s just another game — the seniors too, even if there is a little extra incentive in the back of their minds. “I do think (about how) this is my last time playing at Strahan, my last home game, the last time I’ll be with my family, my teammates,” Wright said. “So I do think about that. But as far as preparation and the actual going in and playing the game, it’s completely the same (as any other game) but with the added thoughts of knowing it’s your last.” From the pre-game honor for the seniors, to the halftime com-

Shortstop Alex Newton recorded a hit in each game of the UTA series, but is still batting .208 after struggling early in the schedule. Newton hit .282 last season to lead all freshmen. “It was good to get a hit in each game,” Newton said. “I’ve been in a slump and it felt good to make good contact with the ball. I feel like I am getting it back.” Senior pitcher Sarah Lancour took the loss in game one, dropping her to 2-5 on the year as she allowed four runs on four hits while walking five and striking out seven. Katie Jones and Courtni Anderson of the Mavericks put the hurt on Bobcat pitcher Ragan Blake in game two with back-to-back home runs to start the bottom of the first inning. Blake, named SLC Pitcher of the Week prior to the start of the series, calmed down after the two blasts, allowing no further damage but still took the loss in a 2-1 game. Sophomore Ali McCormack was the only Bobcat that provided offense production, with an RBI double later in the game.

memoration of the 40-year anniversary of Texas State women’s basketball, the night will be special to no one more than the seniors. Putnam and Riley have spent all four years of college as Bobcat basketball players. Wright came in as a junior, and said she has grown as a person because of her time spent in the maroon and gold. Through all of their experiences here, they will each have things to take away from school and the game. “The opportunity to play Division I basketball is huge,” Putnam said. “There aren’t a lot of people who get the opportunity to play at such a high level of competition. Along with it comes the people you meet and the places you go.” Still, however much they have grown, it can be diﬃcult to let go of the connections they’ve made in what will be, in the long run, just one chapter of their lives. “I keep thinking that I’ve been a part of a team since I was about 8, and to think that it’s kind of coming to an end now is a little touching,” Wright said. “Your teammates really are your family and they are what you know. We take care of each other and are

there for each other.” But before sentiment sets in, and they completely move on from the hardwood at Strahan, there is still work to be done. “I feel like everything that we’ve worked hard for is now here … on a platter for us to take,” Riley said. “It’s one of those things where it’s up to us. It’s a good feeling to have because there’s no pressure at all, it’s just us performing.” Come Friday night, that’s all

that will matter — the performance of the players themselves, under the watchful eye of a coach who has seen her team and players grow through the years. “For me, it’s really the reason I’m in college coaching,” Fox said. “It’s watching the development of kids coming in when they’re 18 years old and then leave when they’re 21 or 22 years old. That growth process as a young college woman is an amazing process to watch.”

years old, Farmer said. Farmer said she drew much inspiration from her mother. “I am very goal oriented and so is my mom,” Farmer said. “Seeing her succeed as a single mom motivated me a lot.” Now on full scholarship at Texas State, Farmer enjoys being in a competitive team environment every day. “I like being on a team where everyone is good and everyone is an athlete,” Farmer said. “I get better everyday just playing with them.” Since dropping three out of four matches on their last road trip, including losses to nationally ranked SMU and TCU, Farmer and the team have been working hard in practice for a week-and-a-half to try to improve both physically and mentally. “(Plunkett) and I are working on my serve and transition game right now,” Farmer said. “Coach is so good at mentally preparing us for each match. We had a match in Dallas in 40 mile-per-hour winds and we won the match because we were the better team, but also because we were mentally prepared.” The Bobcats were 3-1 after beating North Texas Feb. 17 in Denton, and Plunkett stressed to her players to keep up their confidence despite the recent troubles. “We have been playing well. We just went up against some really tough competitors,” Plunkett said. “I tell them not to let the past affect the future and keep up their confidence because we showed up well against those tough schools.” Plunkett said they are also changing up their doubles teams before Friday’s match, but was not sure what the new combinations would be. Freshman Andrea Giraldo lost three of her four singles matches on the team’s road trip and said is looking to rebound against Trinity. “With the practices we have had, I feel like I am getting back my confidence,” Giraldo said. “Also, I was struggling with my ground strokes, which are the strength of my game, and have really been working on them.” Trinity comes in with a 4-4 record and is riding a fourgame winning streak. Trinity was a powerhouse in Division I tennis during the 1990s, winning national champions for both the men and women. Since then, they have moved to Division III and do not have any scholarships to give out. “Trinity is the top Division III school in the nation,” Plunkett said. “They have always had a very good program and their reputation precedes them. Even though they are Division III, it is still a good match for us.”

SPORTS

endof the road

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Men’s basketball concludes its season 4 p.m. Saturday in a road contest against Texas-Arlington. The game marks the end of Doug Davalos’ ﬁrst season at Texas State as head coach. Texas State comes into the game with a 9-19 overall record, good for six more wins than 2005, Dennis Nutt’s ﬁnal season at the helm. UTA enters the game following a 69-62 win over Stephen F. Austin and holds a 12-16 record. Anthony Vereen and Ro’ger Guignard lead the Maverick offense, averaging 10.4 and 10.3 points a game, respectively.

Thursday, March 1, 2007 - Page 14

Sports Contact — Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

BITTERSWEET BALLGAME: Seniors take home court for last time By Gabe Mendoza The University Star If you do something – anything – often enough, it becomes routine. Shooting drills … routine. Road trips … routine. Pre-game warm-ups … routine. But even the most ordinary things can become special if you care enough about them. For seniors Erica Putnam, Ashley Riley and Elyse Wright, the long practice sessions and late afternoons reviewing game ﬁlm will soon be a thing of the past. Friday at Strahan Coliseum is senior night for women’s basketball, and Texas State will say goodbye to these three players, as they play on home court for the last time. “I don’t think it has really hit me yet,” Putnam said. “I’m sure it probably will, the day before the game or game day. I guess I’m just trying to savor the last couple of games left.” In a season that has exceeded the expectations of everyone outside the Bobcat locker room, Coach Suzanne Fox has watched this year’s team grow from roots that were planted well before the season ever started. With several new faces, and experts picking her squad to ﬁnish no better than the middle of the pack, Fox knew she could depend on the leadership of her three veterans.

“Between Ashley, Erica and Elyse, they sort of set the standards and were the coaches’ voices to the rest of the team,” Fox said. “That really helped us establish a good team unity and a team identity.” The role for seniors as leaders on this squad is an important aspect of Fox’s program. No one has taken that responsibility more seriously than Riley, who has spent all four years at Texas State. For her especially, the send-oﬀ will be bittersweet. “It’s bitter because I love my teammates,” Riley said. “At the same time it’s a happy feeling too because I’m able to move on and go to the next step of my life. So it’s real bittersweet and I’ll try not to think about it until then.” For each of them the next step means something diﬀerent, but for now there’s still business to take care of. The Southland Conference Tournament takes place in Houston next week. Then there’s possibly a national tournament to deal with. And before that is senior night, where after Putnam, Riley and Wright are honored, there will still be a game to play. And it happens to be a big one. Regular season conference champion Texas-Arlington takes Cotton Miller/Star photo the court opposite the Bobcats, with much at stake. Never mind GOING OUT STRONG: (from left to right) Seniors Erica Putnam, Elyse Wright and Ashley Riley will celebrate senior night Friday at StraSee SENIORS, page 13

han Coliseum, which will be their last home game as Bobcats.

Tennis team looks to end slump in Friday match By Travis Atkins The University Star At the end of practice, Coach Tory Plunkett oﬀered her mental note of the day to tennis players in preparation for their upcoming home match 3 p.m. Friday against Trinity. “Never allow your opponent to know what you are doing or thinking,” Plunkett said. Texas State will try to keep Trinity in the dark this weekend at the Tennis Complex. The team is currently enduring a threematch losing streak, but is 2-0 at home. Plunkett said she tries to mold each of her athletes into the best tennis player she can be through her speeches, speciﬁc drills geared to each player’s weaknesses and constant encouragement. “One of my questions when I recruit is ‘Have you ever played another sport?’” Plunkett said. “If they have, that means they are a good athlete and I like working with athletes.”

Freshman Mackenzie Farmer from Middletown, Ohio played soccer most of her life and picked up tennis as a freshman in high school. “I always wanted to be a soccer player and thought that is what I would play in college,” Farmer said. “But I had to make some decisions and there was a better tennis program at my high school.” Once Farmer made that decision, she never looked back. She played as many tournaments as she could; traveling as far as Hawaii for United States Tennis Association tournaments that would help boost her ranking in the organization if she did well. Farmer went through ﬁve private coaches, picking up something from each before moving on to the next. “I was in a hurry,” Farmer said. All this intense preparation was designed to get to the same level as those who had been playing since they were ﬁve See TENNIS, page 13

Weekend brings championship tournament play for club sports By Robyn Wolf The University Star Three of Texas State’s club sports teams will host important events Saturday across campus. Men’s rugby and women’s volleyball will each host ﬁnal championship tournaments while men’s lacrosse will wind down its season before making an appearance at the championship tournament at the end of April. “In reference to numbers, these clubs are some of our top clubs in terms of enrollment,” said Chris McAlpine, graduate assistant for sports clubs at the department of campus recreation. Saturday marks an exciting day for club sports, considering the scope of the games. The volleyball tournament will feature 12 teams, all playing from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Student

Recreation Center. According to McAlpine, reserving the use of the facilities was a milestone for club sports. “Volleyball tournaments are rarely held inside the Recreation Center because of the need for four courts,” he said. “But we have secured all four courts for most of the day at the Student Recreation Center this weekend with some hard work and persistence.” Texas State club volleyball, which has been in existence since 2002, is coming off a third-place finish at a Texas A&M tournament. The team finished behind Texas and the Aggies, both of which are expected to be its biggest rivals this weekend. “UT has also won the national championship the past two years, so knowing we are coming close to beating them is a great accomplishment for us,” said Amber

Holden, president of club volleyball. Holden described this year’s team as somewhat inexperienced, but said she is optimistic about its success. “We have really grown as a team over the past months of playing together,” Holden said. “It’s always refreshing to have new girls come in, but I truly believe the girls that have come in this year have made an excellent addition to our program.” Men’s rugby is the secondoldest club team at Texas State, founded in 1983. The 48-man roster will host the state ﬁnal four championships at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at the West Campus Competition Field. The team holds the No. 1 seed See CLUB, page 13

Baseball faces TSU after losses to Lobos, Longhorns By Jacob Mustafa The University Star The Bobcats’ feet may have ﬁnally touched Earth. After an 8-2 start that included two victories over ranked opponents, Texas State baseball had a 1-3 week on the road. The Bobcats, 9-5, will try to recover, at home for the ﬁrst time in two weeks, in a three-game series against Texas Southern this weekend. Texas State is set to play TSU 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Bobcat Field.

Texas State’s hitting gradually improved in a week that included a loss to the Texas Longhorns and a 1-2 series against the New Mexico Lobos. The team was outscored 17-1 in the first two games but recovered to score 16 in the final two games of the series against the Lobos, which ended with the Bobcats’ sole victory of the week. “The offense is just going to have some off-days where we’re not feeling it,” said first baseman David Wood. Friday’s 10-0 loss may have been the most glaring defeat of the three on paper, but Lobos

left-hander Bobby LaFromboise’s shutout should not be solely blamed on ineﬀective hitting, according to Wood. “He did everything that a good pitcher should do,” Wood said. The loss to Texas may have been caused by a want for the team to succeed against baseball powerhouses, as they had done against Rice and Notre Dame. “Games like the one against Texas, the guys really want to play well,” said Howard Bushong, assistant coach. “All they really need to do is play within themselves.” Though they did not always

succeed in a way the team had hoped over the last week, Bushong’s thoughts on the road stretch were mostly positive. “It’s always good to go on the road and play against very good teams,” Bushong said. “It was tough getting beat by those guys, but we competed well through most of it.” After weeks against some of the premier college baseball programs in the country, the Bobcats will face a Texas Southern team that has lost ﬁve consecutive games at home this weekend. The Tigers’ history with Texas State baseball is not

a stellar one; TSU has lost 32 of 39 contests all-time between the clubs. Regardless of whom the Bobcats are playing, a visit home could be the most comforting part of their upcoming weekend series. “In every possible way, being at home is a good thing for this team or any team,” Bushong said. Texas State is undefeated at Bobcat Field this season, compiling a 4-0 record the team will look to build upon. This weekend’s series versus the Tigers will be the Bobcats’ only

chance to play at home for another two weeks, when they will host Nicholls State in their first taste of conference play. Pitcher Mike Hart will have a chance to recover from his first loss of the season Friday, after giving up seven runs in five innings. Bobcat starting pitchers gave up 18 runs in 11 innings during the New Mexico series. According to Bushong, the best way to recover for the Bobcats is a welcome return to San Marcos. “It’ll be really nice to be at home and be comfortable,” Bushong said.

The University Star

Published on Mar 1, 2007

03 01 2007

Published on Mar 1, 2007

universitystar

Go explore