Just insult me, already
Aggies go down
Softball beats out A&M with 9-6 win/Sports/Page 10
Hops on the bandwagon Winter brews are quickly going out of season, so get some while they last/Trends/Page 7
Anti-drug ads bear problems when it comes to viewers’ intelligence/Opinions/Page 6
WEDNESDAY
VOLUME 93, ISSUE 59 www.universitystar.com
MARCH 3, 2004
T E X A S
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y - S A N
Certification plan passes first hurdle State Board of Education doesn’t veto ‘instant teacher’ rule By Kathi Bliss Special to The Star The State Board of Education elected not to veto an “instant certification” rule on Friday, which would allow college graduates with a bachelor’s degree to forgo training programs and learn on the job. The rule change, passed by the State Board of Educator Certification in November 2003,
has been pushed to help alleviate the teacher shortage problem across Texas. The board voted 8-7 to veto the rule, but did not achieve the two-thirds majority required for a veto. In the current State Board of Education rules, teachers are required to complete a bachelor’s degree in an academic field from an accredited university. Further, they are required to complete training classes prior to passing grade-level-specific certification exams. The emergency certification rule, which is expected to take effect in May 2004, gives school districts the right to train teachers on the job under a temporary
STRING THEORY M A R C O S
certificate, and then issue a permanent certificate at the end of the two-year training period. Potential teachers will have to pass certification tests before earning the right to teach in grades eight through 12. Opponents of the instant certification rule expressed uniform concern that such a rule will be detrimental to students and to the profession. “For the last 15 years we have been hard at work trying to increase standards for Texas teachers,” said Texas State Teachers’ Association President Donna Haschke at a press conference held Feb. 23. “With the
Habingreither seeks second term as mayor
By Jennifer Warner Senior Reporter
San Marcos Mayor Robert Habingreither filed for re-election Tuesday and is now campaigning for another two-year term in the city’s highest elected seat. Habingreither, also technology chair and a professor at Texas State, is running for his second term as mayor, originally sworn in June 4, 2002. He is running against current City Council member Susan Narvaiz, who will be giving up her Place 3 seat on the council HABINGREITHER in hopes of becoming mayor. “I feel like I’ve done good for the city and the university and I would like to continue that mission,” Habingreither said. Habingreither said he believes himself to be very qualified for the job, listing off more than 30
g See TEACH, page 4
years of teaching experience and involvement in numerous professional organizations. Originally from New Jersey, Habingreither received his bachelor’s degree in Technical Education in 1970 from Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J. He received his master’s degree in 1971 from the same university and earned his doctorate in 1978 from West Virginia University. He began teaching at West Virginia University in 1976 and joined the faculty at SWT upon his graduation in 1978. He has been technology chair since 1984. Habingreither is a certified manufacturing engineer and belongs to many professional organizations including the American Society for Engineering Education, the National Association of Industrial Technology and the American Foundry Society, among others. g See MAYOR, page 4
Andrew Nenque/Star photo Yunhong Jiang, music performance graduate student, practices a piece by Beethoven in a soundproof booth in the Music Building. Jiang’s main instrument is the violin, but she also likes to play tunes on the piano.
Ad leads to unexpected situations Victims hope stories serve as warnings
By Amelia Jackson News Reporter
At least two women recently found themselves in uncomfortable situations after responding to a help wanted ad. The advertisement, which ran in The University Star classifieds Feb. 3-19, read the fol-
lowing: “Local housekeeper needed for light cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, laundry. 3-4 hrs./day paid $50 cash. One, possibly two days/week.” According to police reports, Jason Carter, a Texas State graduate student, was the employer. Several attempts to contact Carter by The University Star were unsuccessful. Although the women thought they were simply applying for a cleaning job, they soon found the job requirements included working while wearing a robe
with nothing underneath. An 18-year-old freshman, who requested anonymity and will be referred to as Sara Doe, responded to the ad. Because she and her family are currently in need of money, she was happy at first to find such a well-paying position in a field with which she had experience. During her first interview with Carter, conversation was more about Doe’s personal life than her experience, she said. They discussed Carter’s wealth and a home he claimed to own
in California. Doe thought Carter seemed like a genuinely nice person who was concerned with comfort levels. Doe said Carter repeatedly talked about how important it was for the two of them to feel comfortable with each other if she was to be working in his home. The day before Doe was to begin working for Carter, she said he called and asked her for a date.
Blood drive gives students chance to save lives
By Julie Suenram News Reporter
Those looking for a way to give back to the community by donating an essential substance for life will have the opportunity to participate in the Interfraternity Council’s fourth annual blood drive today. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place between Evans Liberal Arts Building and Flowers Hall. The Central Texas Blood and Tissue Center will administer the event. IFC members will help with set up, give blood and pass out refreshments to donors. “Our goal is to beat last year’s collection of 47 units,” said Noe Vela, IFC president, Omega Delta Phi member and exercise and sports science senior. “Blood is always a necessity; people are always looking for different blood types.” The procedure takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete and is open to all students, faculty and staff. In order to donate,
the Central Blood and Tissue Center requires a photo ID and Social Security number. It is also important to eat a nourishing meal before donating blood. Donors must be 17 years old or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. “I think it helps because a lot of people need transfusions, and this is a nice way of giving back in some way,” said Terence Parker, Greek Affairs coordinator. “They don’t know who it’s going to help but at least they’re helping in some way.” There is no sign-up in order to donate, and those interested are welcome to come throughout the day. However, the technicians will only be able to take six people per hour. Donors will go through counseling to make sure it is safe to give blood. Donors’ iron level will be measured, as well as their temperature, pulse and blood pressure. There will also be refreshments available after the donation. The blood drive began in Fall 2000 in order to benefit Carrie Giesler, Chi Omega
g See AD, page 5
member and former president of the Panhellenic council at the University of Texas who was diagnosed with cancer. “Our students felt like the way they could help her was to have a blood drive, and they had it in her name for a few years. It was very successful because she was a Chi Omega and our Chi Omega chapter was very instrumental in getting it started,” Parker said. “The IFC sponsored it and was very instrumental in building the foundation upon which it is now.” The blood drive is the IFC’s main sponsored event during the year. In the past three and a half years, it has collected more than 300 pints of blood and helped at least 1,200 families. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Vela said. “ We have got a lot of work to do. We do this every year and hopefully they’ll keep on doing it after I’ve finished my term and all our officers are gone.”
Annual project aims to raise funds for the university By Jennifer Warner Senior Reporter
On Feb. 24 Texas State began its 27th annual University Fund Drive to raise money from faculty and staff for scholarships, endowments, campus beautification and numerous other projects. The project began in 1977 to give faculty a way to give back to the campus community in which they work. Last year, they raised nearly $119,000. “The main purpose is to show a level of support for the university from the staff,” said Jen Beck, one of this year’s co-chairs for the fund drive, campus recreation assistant director and Texas State Golf Course manager. “We’re trying to encourage faculty and
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staff to come together on this so that we can build that community here on campus.” All faculty and staff on campus working at least half time for the university received a packet with information on how they can participate. It is completely voluntary, and those who choose to give can request their money be put toward any campus department or organization. This year’s goal is for 62 percent of faculty and staff to donate. A monetary goal is not made because they choose not to focus on the amount each person gives. “We don’t want to push ‘if you can’t give 500 dollars, don’t give at all,’” Beck said. “That’s not what it’s about. It’s g See FUNDS page 4
Today’s Weather
Classifieds........................9
High: 73 Lo w : 63
News.............................2-5
Wind: From SE at 16 mph Precipitation: 20% Max. Humidity: 83% UV Index: 3 Low
Comics/Crossword........8 Opinions...........................6
Sports..............................10 Trends...............................7
AM Clouds/PM Rain
Thursday’s Forecast Scattered T-Storms 75/49