Wise up
Demonic weekend
Softball team faces Northwestern for a doubleheader this weekend/Sports/Page 18
Spring Break hot spots
A few recommendations on where to spend your week off/Trends/Page 10
Austin Music Network should clean house in management, not shut down/Opinions/Page 8
THURSDAY
VOLUME 93, ISSUE 60 www.universitystar.com
MARCH 4, 2004
T E X A S
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y - S A N
M A R C O S
Fraternities face troubles Texas State SAE chapter gets charter revoked IFC loses fraternities to grades, suspension
By Kirsten Crow News Reporter
Two fraternities being investigated at Texas State have received final decisions, while another fraternity’s future at the university remains influx. The national Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter decided to close its Texas State chapter on Jan. 31. After the national chapter conducted an investigation, the university and the fraternity issued a joint statement to revoke the chapter’s charter, said Robert DeMarco, assistant executive director
of the Western Region for the National Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Lanita Hanson, LBJ Student Center associate director, said the closing of the chapter was not the university’s decision, but DeMarco disagreed. “If we did not close the chapter, it’s certain that the university would have,” DeMarco said. “This chapter has been in trouble over the years for alcohol policy, pledge policy and academic-scholarship policy. Given the circumstances that we had,
By Kirsten Crow News Reporter
The Texas State Interfraternity Council has lost eight fraternities from its organization after seven were placed on academic probation and one was suspended from campus. IFC President Noe Vela said it was difficult to accomplish with seven fraternities what could be accomplished with 15. “It’s hindering our programs, but we’ll make do with what we have,” said Vela, exercise and sports
STEEL DRUMMING
g See SAE, page 5
University looks to up Hispanic enrollment
g See HISPANIC, page 4
TAKING A LOOK
Andrew Nenque/Star photo Yoko Yaneda, geography junior, examines minerals and curvatures in several different rocks to determine their geological name.
g See IFC, page 5
Faculty Senate may triple its size next year By Julie Daffern News Reporter
By Ruby Rizo Special to The Star As part of an effort to expand the university’s cultural borders, Texas State is looking to increase the Hispanic student population. The university is working to join the ranks of 35 other Texas universities that are classified as Hispanic Serving Institutions. In order to receive this classification, 25 percent of the student population must be Hispanic. This will mean an increase of more than 3,000 students for Texas State. To reach this goal, the university faces two problems: location and initiating a combined effort of increased recruitment and retention. The competition for the right location is fierce in Texas. Federally accredited Hispanic Serving Institutions, such as the University of Texas-San Antonio and Texas A&M International University, effortlessly attract Hispanic students because of the universities’ prime positioning in largely Hispanicpopulated cities. “They have the location, so it’s harder for us,” said Joanne Smith, associate vice president of Student Affairs and director of enrollment management. Recruitment is closely tied with the university’s competitive location, but retention is also an issue watched closely by university officials. In 2002, the overall university retention rate for first-year students was 77 percent. Hispanic retention rate for that same year was 75 percent, while the black student retention rate was 86 percent. In comparison, the overall university retention rate for transfer students was 79 percent, while the retention rate for Hispanic transfer students was 82 percent. To be considered a Hispanic Serving Institution, the university is going to students for ideas. Focus groups made up of sophomore and senior Hispanic
science senior. “It will take some time, but it’s working.” Kurt West, IFC recruitment vice president and advertising senior, said the organization was working to make grades a priority. “IFC is really stressing academics right now,” West said. “We don’t want to lose any more people than we already have.” The fraternities facing academic probation Phi Delta Theta, Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Tau Kappa
Andy Ellis/Star photo Music education freshmen Matt Erickson and Ryan Pride, along with the rest of the Texas State Panorama Steel Band, performed Friday in the University Bookstore. The cool Caribbean sounds have been directed by music professor Genaro Gonzalez since 1989.
The Faculty Senate may triple in size in the next year if a petition, originating in the geography department, succeeds. Richard Earl, geography professor and departmental Senate liaison, and Fred Shelley, geography professor, submitted a petition to the Faculty Senate on Wednesday. “We feel that a larger body would be a bigger voice for the faculty,” Shelley said. The changes proposed would increase the Senate from 15 to 46 faculty members. Currently, the Senate is representative of the number of faculty in a department rather than the number of departments. The amendment modifies the constitution to state the following: “The Senate shall be composed of one voting senator from each academic department and one voting senator selected at large from each college.” Earl said the Faculty Senate would operate similarly as larger senates at other universities. The senators would meet in subcommittees weekly but with the entire Senate on a less regular basis. If Earl obtains enough support, the Faculty Senate will decide whether to endorse the amendment. The final decision would be put to a vote by the faculty in April. Currently, there is approximately one senator for every 45 faculty members in a department. The proposed amendment would establish six senators each in the Applied Arts, Business Administration and Fine Arts and Communication colleges. The College of Health Professions and the College of Science would each have seven senators. The College of Education would have four senators, and the College of Liberal Arts would have the most representation with 10 senators. According to its Web site, the University of North Texas enrolls just 1,000 more students than Texas State and its Faculty Senate is composed of 47 senators. g See SENATE, page 4
Real estate company plans new development I N S I D E By Amber Conrad News Reporter
In a part of the state where suburban sprawl has defined the latest wave of housing development, steps have been taken to ensure the protection of the indigenous ecosystems threatened by human expansion. A total of 1,539 acres of ranch land will be developed along U.S. 290 in the Dripping Springs area, with as much as 1,000 acres of the tract going toward a nature preserve, which would include the confluence of Barton Creek with Little Barton Creeks. The proposal entails that Flying L Land and Livestock, a real estate company that specializes in enabling its clients to see their property from helicopter view, will develop a land tract named Hazy Hills Ranch. In the proposal submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Lower Colorado River Authority,
Flying L proposed that 185 acres be set aside for commercial use along U.S. 290, 300 acres for residential use and 1,054.5 acres for conservational habitat. The entirety of the property lies within the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, with a substantial portion of the conservation site embodying the confluence of the two creeks. Water permits for the development would be attained by Flying L through the city of Dripping Springs because of the subdivision’s location in the city’s potential service area. However, Ginger Faught, City of Dripping Springs secretary, said the parties involved are still negotiating. “They need to make an actual formal request to the city, which hasn’t been done yet,” Faught said. “If they do ask the city for water service, we’d have to turn around and ask LCRA if they had the capacity to source them.” Michael Lugis, ranchland buyer and seller, was unavailable for com-
ment, but the city expects Lugis will file more requests for permits in the upcoming months. The Hill Country Conservancy, which has been consulted in planning such developments in the past, is also waiting for its role in the project to be determined. “We are very interested in the proposal, but right now we’re just trying to lay out all the elements concerning what it might look like,” said Fred Ellis, Hill Country Conservancy government and community affairs director. Because the role in the planning of Hazy Hills Ranch has not been defined yet, Ellis said there are many preliminary topics to consider, but he is not worried about the validity of the project. “Michael Lugis has a strong nature background. He’s the one that put the entire proposal together,” Ellis said. He said Lugis expects to make a decision on the future of the development in the next several months.
Classifieds....................15
Comics/Crossword......14 Film.................................12
Music..............................13 News..........................2-5,7 Opinions........................8,9
Sports........................16-18 Trends........................10-13
Today’s Weather
High: 74 Lo w : 50
AM Rainy/PM Cloudy
Wind: From S at 17 mph Precipitation: 40% Max. Humidity: 78% UV Index: 5 Moderate Friday’s Forecast Partly cloudy 78/59
NEWS
2 - The University Star
THE GIFT OF LIFE
Friday NA Me et ing is at noon. For more information, call 245-3601.
Calendar of
EVENTS Thursday
B ike f or t he R ight meets at 5 p.m. at the San Marcos Public Library. Public R ela tio ns St udent Soc iet y of America meets at 5 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 310.1. Vict ory Ove r Viole nce meets at 5:30 p.m. at LBJSC, Room 313.1. Ima ge s of Wome n, an event that celebrates diversity among women of color, is from 6-9 p.m. in the LBJSC Teaching Theater. Americ an Sig n La ngua ge Club meets at 7 p.m. in LBJSC, Room 3-10.1. Texa s Sta t e Cru meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Academic Services Building-South, Room 315. The Ro ck meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center chapel. Chi A lpha Christ ian Fello wship meets at 8 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. Dec k Support : U nde rgr ound hosts a techno show from 8:3011 p.m. at The Basement, on the 1st floor of LBJSC. Christia ns o n Ca mpus meets at 9:30 p.m. at the McCarty Student Center.
Texa s Sta t e wo men’ s bask et ball te am plays Stephen F. Austin State University at 5:30 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum. Admission is free with student ID. Texa s Sta t e men’ s bas ket ba ll te am plays Stephen F. Austin State University at 7:30 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum. SWAT runs from 11 p.m.-3 a.m.
Saturday Texa s Sta t e so ft bal l t e am plays Northwestern State University at 1 p.m. at Bobcat Field. SWAT runs from 11 p.m.-3 a.m.
Sunday Texa s Sta t e so ft ball plays Northwestern State University at 1 p.m. at Bobcat Field. Admission is free with student ID.
Andrew Nenque/Star photo Hig her Gro und meets at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church. Dec k Support , an electronic music radio show, airs from 8-10 p.m. on 89.9 FM, KTSW.
Monday Dea ling w ith Dysf unc tio nal Families meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Texas State Counseling Center. For more information, call 245-2208. Fello wship o f Christ ian At hlet es meets at 8 p.m. in the Bobcat Stadium Endzone Complex.
Ca lend ar Su bm ission Policy Calendar submisions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events Manager Paul Lopez at TexasStateCalendar@yahoo.com or call 245-3487 for more information. Notices for weekly meetings need to be submitted once. The University Star reserves the right to refuse entries or edit for libel, style and space purposes. Deadline: Three working days prior to publication.
Hours of Operation
Albert B. Alkek Library Monday -Wednesday 7:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. Thursday 7:30 a.m. - midnight
Student Recreation Center Monday - Thursday 6 a.m. - midnight Friday 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Sunday Sunday 1 p.m. - 1 a.m. noon - midnight Golf Course Open daily 7 a.m. - dusk
The Interfraternity Council’s fourth annual blood drive was held Wednesday in The Quad giving students, faculty and staff the opportunity to give back to the community. Biology lecturer Claudia Rast, on her way from picking up exams, takes advantage of the convenient on-campus blood drive bus.
Kappa Sigma retakes place at Texas State Fraternity regains campus charter By Chris Boehm News Reporter The Kappa Sigma fraternity will retake its place as a Texas State greek organization Saturday after an alcoholrelated incident back in Spring 1999 and subsequent banning by the school that included the revocation of its national charter. After being re-colonized in Fall 2002, the fraternity is set to receive its charter as a full and active Kappa Sigma chapter. “We have worked diligently for the past year and a half,” said Kurt West, Interfraternity Council recruitment vice president and public relations chair. “That process included several hundred man hours of community service, such as highway and river cleanups and the restoration of the playground at the campus’ Children’s Center.” The fraternity also donated
to food, clothing and toy drives. Founded at the University of Virginia in 1869, Kappa Sigma is the oldest greek letter organization at Texas State, which was originated on campus in 1966. “We have 72 members here at Texas State,” West said. “As of 2003, Kappa Sigma has existed on 289 campuses throughout the United States
major community service events and were not allowed to have alcohol at any of our events.” The organization also had to get recommendations from Texas State faculty and Kappa Sigma alumni saying they were worthy of returning to campus. “All this was done just to petition to our nationals for the opportunity to regain our char-
“It’s been a difficult task. We had to raise $2,500, participate in three major community service events and were not allowed to have alcohol at any of our events.”
— Kurt West Interfraternity Council recruitment vice president and public relations chair
and Canada.” Following the incident in 1999 on bid day, West said he estimated the re-colonization process to take about six to nine months. Instead, it lasted nearly two years. “It’s been a difficult task,” West said. “We had to raise $2,500, participate in three
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ter,” West said. Initiation and a following banquet will take place Saturday, which Grand Master Joe Matthews, marketing senior, will attend. “It’s an honor to be both a founding father and Grand Master of the fraternity,” Matthews said.
Matthews has been grand master since the fall and will step down upon graduation at the end of this semester. “I’d like to train the new guys on how to be leaders before I go,” he said. Kappa Sigma has traditionally participated in highway and river cleanups, but its most well-known event is Fite Nite, an amateur boxing event featuring students. This fall will see the fraternity’s 45th annual event. “We are especially looking forward to Fite Nite,” West said. “It’s one of the longest ongoing events on campus and has drawn an average of (more than) 3,000 attendees.” With the road to reinstatement now over, West said he is, once again, looking forward to joining the ranks of Texas State’s greek letter organizations. “Words can barely describe how excited and proud we are that Kappa Sigma is finally returning to the Texas State campus,” West said. “We have devoted a lot of time, effort and money throughout the past 18 months just to get to this point.”
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NEWS
Thursday, March 4, 2004
A HEALTH AFFAIR
The University Star - 3
Heart Walk helps to fund research ferent kinds of heart problems,” said Paul Neilson, Co-Chair of 2004 Hays County American Heart Walk. Registration for the participants of the five-kilometer walk will be held between 8 and 8:30
Participants hope to raise more than $30,000
By Megan Knighton News Reporter
More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in this year’s Hays County American Heart Walk on Saturday at the Prime Outlet Mall. The money raised from the event will help fund heart research for the American Heart Association and provide assistance within the communities of Hays County. Participants and volunteers hope to raise more than the $30,000 that was raised last year. Currently they have raised $21,726. “The money earned will be used to fund projects and heart research developed in extending the lives of those people with dif-
Rebel leader declares mission accomplished
from selected merchants in the Prime Outlet Mall. A slew of raffle prizes will be handed out at the end of the walk, including DVD players, $10 gift certificates to Grin’s Restaurant and front and rear car alignments
“The money earned will be used to fund projects and heart research developed in extending the lives of those people with different kinds of heart problems,”
— Paul Neilson Co-Chair of 2004 Hays County American Heart Walk
a.m. The walk will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Individual walkers and companysponsored groups of walkers will collect and contribute donations. The participants will not only be contributing their time and dollars to the fund, but they will be receiving special discounts
from Quick Align. The goal of the Hays County American Heart Walk is not only to raise money for the association but to also increase awareness about heart disease. Heart disease is the nation’s leading killer. The national goal of the association is to reduce the rate of heart disease
News Briefs stabilization force and Marines began arriving.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — As Marines in Humvees began patrolling Haiti’s capital, rebel leader Guy Philippe declared his mission accomplished Wednesday and said his forces would lay down their arms now that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide had fled into exile. More than 2,000 soldiers from nations including the United States, France, Canada and Chile have arrived in Haiti in the three days since Aristide resigned, but Port-au-Prince has continued to be plagued by looting, destruction and revenge killings. On Wednesday, the U.S. Marine commander here said foreign forces were now ready to begin stepping into the security void and protecting Haitian citizens. Caribbean nations, however, announced they would refrain from taking part in the peacekeeping effort to protest what they see as the unsavory role played by unnamed Western countries — presumably France and the United States — in Aristide’s ouster. The 15-nation Caribbean Community, which includes Haiti, had pushed the U.N. Security Council to send an international protection force to Haiti three days before Aristide’s departure, but that plea was rebuffed. After Aristide departed Haiti on Sunday for exile in Africa, the Security Council quickly approved an international
Kerry supports benefits for legally wed gays SAN FRANCISCO — Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., under fire from gay Democrats for opposing same-sex marriage, has promised that if elected president he would grant state-sanctioned gay couples the same 1,049 federal benefits married heterosexuals enjoy, according to people who met here with Kerry last Friday. Kerry, who personally opposes gay marriage, said for the first time he would bestow all federal benefits such as the right to file joint incomes taxes and collect survivor benefits to same-sex couples who unite legally in civil unions, domestic partnerships and even marriage under their state laws. Kerry made the comments at a gay and lesbian fundraiser in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood. Until Friday’s event, Kerry had talked mostly in general terms of providing federal benefits and the “same basic rights” to samesex couples. “It’s the first time in history that a presidential candidate has ever supported full and equal protection for same-sex couples,” said state Rep. Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat and an early Kerry supporter who attended Friday’s fundraiser and queried Kerry about his position. “He told me that he would grant all 1,049 federal rights to samesex couples in whatever legal
union their states recognize,” said Leno, who has sponsored a bill that would legalize gay marriage in California.
Harvard scientists make stem-cell lines available
Sidestepping federal funding restrictions on stem-cell research, Harvard scientists announced Wednesday that they had created 17 new stem-cell lines with private money and that they would share them free of charge with other researchers. The development more than doubles the number of stem-cell lines available for research into treatments for a variety of ailments ranging from diabetes to heart disease. Dr. Douglas Melton, a Harvard diabetes researcher, said he developed the stem-cell lines from surplus embryos donated by couples who had completed treatment at a Boston fertility laboratory. He said he decided two years ago to create the lines after discovering that many of the cell lines approved for federally funded research were difficult or impossible to obtain. “I tend to be a very impatient person, so I decided to just get on with this on my own,” Melton said. Some scientists said their cells were not available for shipping, charged exorbitant prices or imposed limitations on the type of research that could be done on them. Briefs are from wire reports.
Looking for the Shortest Walk to campus?
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and stroke by 25 percent by 2010. Walking is not the only way a person can contribute to the Hays County American Heart Walk. There will also be volunteer opportunities available. Members of the Texas State Students In Free Enterprise organization will host a booth at the event to help with registration. “SIFE will be helping to set up tables and helping out with registration on the day of the walk,” said Guillaume Balley, SIFE member and management senior. “I feel giving back to the community whenever you can is everybody’s responsibility.” Other Texas State student organizations will be participating in the walk as well. The Texas State College of Business Team, headed by team captain Susan Kirby, will also be walking on Saturday to help promote heart awareness.
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No One is Closer
Kristin Sims, public relations senior, has her blood pressure checked by Gabriella Morales, health and fitness management senior and Central Texas Medical Center intern, at the annual Health Fair in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.
FILING FOR ASG
ELECTIONS HAS BEGUN! If representing the student body as the
PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, OR AS A SENATOR for your college is something you would like to do, go to the ASG Office (LBJSC 4-5.1) and file today!
Filing ends March 12 at 5:00 p.m. Elections will be March 30 and March 31. Please consult the ASG Constitution and Election Code for candidate qualifications and the election process. Call the ASG Office at 245-2196 for more information.
ASG FILING FORM Name: Texas State ID: Classification: GPA*: Local Phone No: Permanent Phone No.: Email: Local Address: Permanent Address: *GPA requirements: President and Vice President nominees must have a 2.75 Texas State GPA at the time of candidacy. Senate nominees must have a 2.50 Texas State GPA at the time of candidacy. Please circle the position as to which you wish to run. Y o u ma y o nly se le ct one . Be sure to read the requirements for each position to know if you qualify. Consult the ASG Constitution and Election Code for rules concerning other eligibility requirements and the election process. Call the ASG Office for any concerns or questions. PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SENATOR for College of: APPLIED ARTS EDUCATION LIBERAL ARTS SCIENCE BUSINESS FINE ARTS & COMM. HEALTH PROF. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE GRADUATE
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Statement of Understanding By signing this form I agree that the preceding information provided by myself is true. I agree that I have read and understand the guidelines specified in the ASG Election Code. I agree to campaign within the guidelines specified therein. I understand that a copy of the ASG Election Code is located in the ASG Office in the LBJSC 4-5.1 and at www.asg.txstate.edu. I additionally understand that failure to abide by the ASG Election Code rules and falsification of this document will result in my disqualification from the Associated Student Government election. Signature:
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SENATE: Approves adding list of raises to its web site 4 - The University Star
g Cont. from page 1
The senators also discussed adding to the list of vice president merit and performance raises currently posted on their Web site. Currently, the list does not contain the raises of some vice presidents of the university. The senators approved an amendment to add the missing raises to the list already posted on the Web site. Sen. Vivek Shah, quantitative methods professor, will make the appropriate changes. Sen. Steve Gordon, educational administration and psy-
The proposed amendment would establish six senators each in the Applied Arts, Business Administration and Fine Arts and Communication colleges.
chological services professor, presented a letter to be sent to the University Tenure and Promotion Committee, de-
NEWS
claring support for the criteria for tenure of faculty on a departmental level. The letter reads that the dean’s role is “to review, suggest revisions to, negotiate on, and approve guidelines.” “These are basic traditions that we’ve always had at Texas State,” Gordon said. However, some of the senators expressed concern that the tradition did not hold true in all colleges. The discussion will continue at their next meeting on March 10.
“Know Your Dreams, Know Your Limits, Know the Consequences.”
The Quad Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9 Don’t Drink and Drive Public Service Announcement courtesy of The University Star.
HISPANIC: Texas State looks to increase its Latin population
Thursday, March 4, 2004
g Cont. from page 1
students are being held in order to better understand the Hispanic student population. “These focus groups will solicit information from Hispanic students for the purposes of determining what sort of initiatives the university can plan, which will better enable us to attract and retain Hispanic students,” said Sherri Benn, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and director of Multicultural Student Affairs. The university also plans to ask Hispanic Serving Institutions what has worked for them. “We have to have a multif a c e t e d approach,” Benn said. “We must reach out to Hispanic communities, develop a reputation for caring about Hispanic students and promote our desire to become an HSI. Also, we must develop a reputation for being on the cutting edge of diversity-related initiatives so we can attract Hispanic faculty, staff and administrators from across the country.” These university initiatives were prompted by the 2000 Legislature proposal, “Closing the Gaps by 2015,” which calls for a statewide enrollment of 1.5 million students to guarantee Texas will have the educated workforce necessary to sustain the state economy, with Hispanics comprising 70 percent of the total. By 2015, the state’s goal is 584,000 Hispanics enrolled in college. However, state higher education institutions have set a
goal of approximately 438,844, about 145,000 students fewer than what the state recommends. “(The university) wants to do (its) part and better represent the state of Texas,” Smith said. Hispanic students make up the largest minority on campus, accounting for 18.4 percent of the student population. Black and Asian minorities make up approximately 7 percent of the student population combined. The university reports a 6.7 percent Hispanic enrollment increase from last year, which amounts to approximately 305
and faculty opinion. Some question university admission policies and standards, including affirmative action. Hugo Vega, former financial aid student worker and mass communication junior, believes keeping a low cost of tuition would increase enrollment more than offering scholarships and grants. “Latinos have a chance (to receive aid), but Latinos don’t apply for it,” Vega said. “I think the university should increase the population of Hispanics so more Hispanics can be attracted to campus and can relate to other students.” In recent y e a r s , Hispanics have begun to play a key role in the — Lindsey Schildgen w o r k f o r c e . Social work senior According to university statistics, the new students. Hispanic population on campus “Diversity in the university has seen a slow but gradual setting is crucial for our develincrease. opment in the ‘real world,’” said “When I was a student here Lindsey Schildgen, social work in the ’70s, SWT was oversenior. “Hispanics, along with whelmingly Anglo,” said the rest of the student populaSharon Miley, sociology tion, teach as well as learn from instructor. “The same was true one another.” The university offers current when I taught as a graduate stuHispanic students the opportu- dent. When I came back to SWT nity to establish strong bonds in 1990, I was struck by the with other students. The Office number of Hispanic and students of Multicultural Student Affairs African-American enrolled. sponsors and coordinates activi“If and when you can create ties and events, such as an environment where people Multicultural Affairs Welcome feel comfortable sharing these Home Social, Latino Leadership differing attitudes, values, expeConference, Hispanic Heritage, riences, etcetera, then we can all Cesar Chavez Week, Semana de La Raza activities and co-spon- learn from each other,” Miley said. “This is a tremendous asset sors Salsa Y Salsa. Mixed feelings on the subject in dealing effectively with our of becoming a Hispanic Serving ordinary, everyday lives in our Institution amount to student multicultural society.”
“Diversity in the university setting is crucial for our development in the ‘real world.’ Hispanics, along with the rest of the student population, teach as well as learn from one another.”
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NEWS
SAE: Three greek chapters face suspension
IFC: Organizations focus on GPA requirements Thursday, March 4, 2004
g Cont. from page 1
g Cont. from page 1
Elpsilon, Kappa Alpha Order, Sigma Lambda Beta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Omega Psi Phi. In response to the number of fraternities placed on academic probation, the individual organizations, the university and IFC are taking steps to improve grades. Lanita Hanson, Student Center associate director, said only chartered groups such as greek organizations and student-governing councils have an organizational GPA standard. Hanson said active member GPA, new member GPA and the collective chapter’s GPA determine the organizational GPA. “The distinction is that these are chartered groups,” Hanson said. While the national chapters may have higher GPA requirements, the university requires a fraternity to maintain a 2.25 average, Hanson said. “We look at the average of the new members, the active members or the chapter (as a whole). If any of these three combinations falls below a 2.25, then they are on academic probation,” Hanson said. Greek Affairs coordinator Terence Parker said the first sanction by the university for greek organizations is to meet with him to discuss their scholarship program, which is then reviewed by Student Affairs. “They also may host an academic retreat for their members to have an opportunity to discuss deficiencies in their program,” Parker said. “It’s kind of like strategic planning to see what steps they need to take to improve.” Additional sanctions include limiting the fraternity to only one social per semester. The next semester the organization must meet or exceed the minimum GPA requirement, Hanson said. “Students are different when they come into school,” Parker said. “They have different needs, different study habits. We try and develop a competent program that will help with resources.” Parker said the scholarship programs often offer incentives to their members by recognizing the brother or sister with the highest GPA for the semester or the most improved GPA for the semester. Some organizations also offer to pay a month’s dues for members with higher GPAs. Kappa Alpha Order President and exercise sports science senior Travis Dalrymple said this semester was not typical for the KAs. “It’s a fluke,” Dalrymple said. “This is not going to happen again.” Dalrymple said the KAs have the highest GPAs historically but will be amending their scholarship program to prevent being on academic probation in the future. “We just want to make sure that our scholarship program is not lax, and it will be enforced so we can get back on top,” Dalrymple said. West said Kappa Sigma offers incentives and recognition for members with high GPAs and tries to pair up members for tutoring. “For every member that’s bad at math, there’s someone else that’s great at it,” West said. In addition to university and national chapter sanctions, fraternities face sanctions with the IFC. Vela said IFC’s GPA requirement is 2.25, and if not met, the members can no longer hold executive positions or vote. Parker said although members may not officially vote, they may still have a voice in the council. Dee Newberry, IFC management vice president, said the council is drawing up plans to improve academics, including offering scholarships to fraternities with high GPAs, hosting guest speakers to lecture about educational issues and hiring tutors for members of IFC in preparation for finals. Hanson and Parker said the number of fraternities on academic probation was unusual. “Last semester we did not have any fraternities on academic probation,” Parker said. Vela said he is concerned about how many fraternities were on academic probation, but is also confident that they will soon be in good academic standing. “I know they will all get their grades back up,” Vela said.
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the sanctions will be great opportunities for the chapter. The sanctions can help us become bigger and better.” Buckley said the sanctions included a more active alumni board of advisers, a GPA requirement, having advisers being present during meetings and holding meetings with university faculty. “The sanctions aren’t punishments. They can help us out,” Buckley said. He said the initial investigation was sparked by concerns
“With the (fraternities) getting suspended, the rest (of the fraternities) have been stepping up to be a unified greek community,” Buckley said.
— Jack Buckley Tau Kappa Epsilon president said. Parker said suspensions are usually long enough to have the current members of an organization graduate so the group can begin with all new members. “You don’t want the old guard around that was part of the old culture; you want the new culture,” he said. Parker said while it is possible for a fraternity to operate underground, it is not something the university can control. “You can’t control what a group of people get together and do,” Parker said. “They have a right to assemble and do what they want, but you hope they realize that they cannot represent an organization when the organization does not recognize you.” While SAE has been suspended from campus, Tau Kappa Epsilon President Jack Buckley said the TKEs won their appeal against suspension. “We are not off-campus whatsoever,” Buckley said. “We have been sanctioned, but
HEY YOU!
from various people about alcohol and risk management, not hazing. “People were curious about what was going on with the chapter. A lot of it was hearsay and it was put away very quickly,” Buckley said. He expressed concern about the university’s investigation process. “The school was treating us like we were guilty before they even started to investigate,” Buckley said. He said the university’s investigation process could potentially cause a conflict of interest. “The same people who conduct the interviews are also on the review boards that make the decisions,” Buckley said. TKE will not be rushing this semester, but will be back next semester. “We’re just getting organized and getting ready for fall rush,” Buckley said. “We plan on having one of the biggest pledge classes next semester consisting
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of the best guys.” Though SAE and TKE’s final decisions have been made, the status of Pi Kappa Alpha after a hazing investigation has not been determined. Parker would not confirm whether the fraternity had been suspended. Dean of Students John Garrison said suspensions are not final until after the appeal process has been completed. “Up until the time they have exhausted their final appeals, no final decision is made,” Garrison said. PKA President Brandon Jacobs would not comment about whether his fraternity will be appealing the decision. Interfraternity Council President Noe Vela said the suspensions will hurt the IFC. “These are some of our biggest chapters, and they pull a lot of weight,” Vela said. “You can tell by looking at rush — the numbers were down.” Vela said hazing allegations were also a concern. “It worries me because the university already has an eightweek pledge program,” he said. “I don’t know what other measures can be taken.” Hanson said suspending a fraternity was a difficult decision to make. “Alumni and national organizations invest a lot of time and effort and money into these groups, and the university invests a lot of time, resources and staff,” Hanson said. “To make a decision that a group should not exist on campus is pretty significant.” Buckley said the suspensions would not destroy the greek system. “With the (fraternities) getting suspended, the rest (of the fraternities) have been stepping up to be a unified greek community,” Buckley said. “The greek community is not falling apart, it’s becoming stronger.”
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sparked by information it received via the university, which had been tipped off by a confidential source. Although Hanson and DeMarco said the chapter might return to campus in 2008, it will depend on whether the university can accommodate an expansion to the greek system and the national chapter’s availability of resources. “It just depends on when the national comes back to re-charter, because it’s a significant financial investment,” Hanson
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we did not feel like it was necessary to put the school through the trouble of having a hearing.” James Guerra, SAE fraternity president and public relations senior, said the suspension was unfair. “We weren’t given a right to trial or due process,” Guerra said. “That’s why we’re trying to appeal it to the national office now.” Terence Parker, Greek Affairs coordinator, said the suspension process typically involves an investigation by the university’s Disciplinary Review Team, meeting with the chapter’s officers and conducting individual interviews with the organization’s members. Although it is unclear why the chapter was suspended, Parker said a suspension is usually a result of hazing allegations. “Most times, if it’s a serious hazing incident that has been substantiated, that could be grounds for suspension,” Parker said. DeMarco would not comment about the specifics of the incident that caused the loss of the chapter’s charter. “The press release has matters about pledge education. I’ll let you make your own conclusions,” DeMarco said. Guerra said he does not know what the specific allegations against the fraternity are. “We don’t know what the charges are, who said it, when it was said or what was said,” Guerra said. “For all we know, it could all be hearsay.” According to the press release from the national chapter, the Texas State chapter is to be closed for four years “due to violations related to member education, alcohol and academics.” DeMarco said the national chapter’s investigation was
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6 - The University Star
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Interdisciplinary Symposium:
“the
passion of the Christ”
Tuesday, March 9 5:30 p.m.
th
Alkek Teaching Theater
A disting uished panel of scholars in religion, psychology , an d film will examine Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ ” on Tuesday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m . in Alkek Teaching Theater.
Is this film consistent with the findings of the best recent scholarship in Christianity? Does it accurately portray what we know of the life and character of Jesus? The causes and circumstances of his execution? Is this film a provocation to anti-Semitism? Does the movie itself reflect anti-Semitic sentiment? Does it subject its audience to such savage and unrelenting violence as to anesthetize us to any possible impact? In the final analysis, does it or does it not make a positive contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the central figure of the Christian faith? Religious and psychological issues aside, just what are its merits and shortcomings as a work of cinematic art? These questions will be the focus of the discussion. Panelists will be Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau (English Department, Texas State), Maxine Cohen (Director of the Holocaust Museum of San Antonio), Dr. Chris Frost (Psychology, Texas State), Father George Montague (St. Mary’s University), and Dr. Rebecca Raphael (Religious Studies, Texas State). Moderator will be Dr. Jeffrey Gordon (Philosophy, Texas State.).
CLEANING IT UP NEWS
Thursday, March 4, 2004
The University Star - 7
San Marcos readies for 19th annual river cleanup By Daniel Mottola News Reporter
The world’s longest river cleanup, spanning the entire length of the San Marcos River, will originate at the Lyons Club tube rental building in the San Marcos City Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. For the 19th consecutive year, people from across Texas will pick up trash along a 90-mile area running from the San Marcos City Park to the U.S. 183 highway bridge in Gonzalez. Previous cleanups have accumulated as much as nine dump truck loads of trash, said coordinator Tom Goynes, Texas Rivers Protection Association president. “We’ve been hammered for three years in a row with bad weather,” Goynes said. “I’m hoping to cover at least 70 miles of the river and have a good cleanup.” The majority of the trash encountered is immediately downstream from San Marcos, Goynes said. Much of the trash people throw on the
in Martindale following the cleanup. Goynes said San Marcos’ Green Guy Recycling has been instrumental in the last few years, accepting at least one truckload of recyclables such as refrigerators, tires and plastics that would otherwise become garbage. Canoes donated by Spender Canoes and TG Canoe Livery will be available for volunteers to use in the cleanup. The river is divided into 11 sections by difficulty level, where longer, more dangerous areas are recommended for canoe racers and avid paddlers. The sections closest to City Park are designated for recreational — Tom Goynes canoeists. Texas Rivers Protection Association president Volunteers are also needed to walk along the banks of the river, river in previous cleanups. especially at parks and highway Organizations such as the San crossings, picking up trash. Scuba Marcos River Foundation and Green divers and snorklers are also urged to Guy Recycling co-sponsor the event participate. along with the city of San Marcos and The cleanup is recommended for Guadalupe County. campus organizations looking to satParticipants will be treated to a free isfy community service requirements, barbecue dinner courtesy of the San which can be verified if necessary. Marcos River Foundation at More information is available at (512) Spencer’s Shady Grove campground 392-6171. ground and place in ditches is carried into the rivers during rains and flooding, he said. “If people want a clean river, they have to have a clean town,” Goynes said. Mike Spencer, an event organizer, Texas State canoeing instructor and owner of Spencer Canoes in Martindale, recalls a housed portable toilet, which had to be precariously balanced on his canoe, as the single most interesting thing pulled from the
“If people want a clean river, they have to have a clean town,”
Andrew Nenque/Star photo Trash along the banks of the San Marcos River is mostly due to the rain washing trash people throw on the ground or in ditches. The river clean up will start from San Marcos and go as far as the U.S. 183 highway bridge in Gonzalez at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
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OPINIONS CONTACT Scooter Hendon staropinion@txstate.edu (512) 245-3487
OPINIONS
THE UNIVERSITY STAR Defending the First Amendment since 1911
AMN should shape up, not get shut down R
Page 8
Thursday, March 4, 2004
THE MAIN POINT
ecently, several choices made by the Austin Music Network management may have been questionable, but is that really a good reason to shut the network down? Although the “obscene” video and political attack ad were arguably bad calls on the part of the management of the Austin Music Network, there is more reason to keep funding the station than to cut it. Austin Mayor Will Wynn threatened to try to get the $150,000 worth of funding, which comes
from the city and keeps the network on its feet, cut after informing the city council of his charges against the network for running “raunchy videos” and a “political attack ad,” according to a March 3 article in the Austin American-Statesman. According to the article, the ad is not a paid advertisement, but a network-run clip about voting that featured photos of Wynn and Council Member Brewster McCracken, along with other government officials. Although this reeks of sour grapes, it may not have been the best way to go about making the
commendable point that you should vote. It is also not a good reason to cut a network’s funding. If the decision is made to cut funding, which would lead to the inevitable collapse of the network, the negative results would reach far beyond those making the decision to air the commercial and video in the first place. It would hurt aspiring musicians whose only chance to be seen is through videos aired on the station, not to mention those who really enjoy the local style and prefer it to any of the cable alternatives. All across the nation, Austin is
known as the “live music capital of the world.” This action would be in direct opposition of that label. So, admittedly they may have made mistakes, but not enough to merit a shutdown. This is not the first time the network’s management has come into the spotlight for some risky decision-making. The solution is to clean house. It is the right and obligation as the major funding body of this network to give the management a thorough looking into in hopes to straighten that area out. But the answer is in no way to cut funding.
Thhe Mai n Poi nt 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 UniversitySan Marcos Student Media, the department of mass communication or Texas State University-San Marcos. Let ter s poli cy : E-mail letters to starletters@txstate.edu. Letters must be no longer than 350 words. No anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, space and libel. We reserve the right to refuse obscene, irrelevant and malicious letters. All e-mails must include the name and phone number of the letter writer. Students should also include their classifications and majors.
Bush should stand up to Cuba Dear George Bush or The Scrub or Curious George or George II or George whatever: How’s it going in Washington? Or Crawford? I heard recently that it was determined by the United Nations that our neighbor to the south, Cuba, is having a largTravis Upchurch er degree of difficulty in Guest Columnist feeding itself. Being a benev-
Racial profiling: Will it ever stop?
Chris Sipes/Star illustration
Is racial profiling ever justified? the United States. The simple answer to the question is What about my sister? Should a hardabsolutely not. Racial profiling, whether it is working black woman be profiled to protect against people of Middle the innocent in the United Eastern decent, blacks or anyStates? I think not! Latasha was Porsha Thomas one else, is never good for sociprofiled simply because of the Star Columnist ety. stereotypes attached to people We must take into account with dark skin. not only the basis of the Constitution, but My point is very simple. American methalso the feelings of the victims of this injus- ods have finally been stretched too far for its tice. I remember very clearly the day my sis- own good. Policing in foreign countries has ter called to share the fiasco when her and her backfired; we are too proud, rich, prosperous husband became involved with white subur- and corrupt. Now we are taking away from ban police. Ceedric supposedly fit the profile the entire ideal that our country was based of a man who had been stealing clothing upon: liberty. from Target. After finding out they had the Terrorists come in all colors. I don’t wrong guy, the police offered only a noncha- remember minorities lashing out against lant excuse: “Well, he just looked aggres- whites or whites being racially profiled after sive.” Timothy McVeigh was named the Oklahoma Had they known anything about him, it City Bomber. would have been quite obvious that my 6The teenagers who participated in the foot-7-inch basketball-player brother-in-law Columbine Massacre — another form of teris far from aggressive. Since when did being rorism — didn’t make white teenagers susa tall black man become the basis for looking ceptible to racial profiling. Those who are aggressive? Is a tall white man also consid- racially profiled are those who impose a ered aggressive? Or were my sister and her threat to white society. family profiled for the good of society? So what do we do about this? Nothing! The answer to my two latter questions is, There is nothing we can do. The world holds of course, no. White people are certainly not biased opinions about everyone. Even I, an at the butt of the racial profiling proposal. If intelligent black woman, have succumbed to anything, it is driven by them. it. America the Great and all of its problems Boarding commercial flights is the most rest upon the shoulders of the powerful white nerve-racking experience for me. My fear of males who run the country. These men, along flying is now heightened by my fear of attack. with the help of cabinet members, are Who are the first people I notice when I get extremely good in their craft of brainwashing on the plane? Of course it’s Arabs, Indians or society. any immigrant or person speaking another These are the men who created evidence, language. presented it to the American people and based This is wrong. I should not look at these a war upon it. These are the men who allow people as terrorists simply because of factors innocent Muslim immigrants to be deported that determine their race. The American pubto their mother countries, all for the good of lic has made this acceptable.
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Something else that is puzzling is that we are still in the dark. If this justified racial profiling is working, where is bin Laden? Why is it that he is able to make appearances on tape and get them to the media, but we still can’t find him? Why should our soldiers in foreign lands continue dying mercilessly at the hands of the people they are helping? It is my very obvious assumption that these people are the product of government brainwashing as well. They do not want to be helped. As Americans, it is our job to pry into every venture that spells “more money” or “prosperity” for our country. The part left out of the history books is that the United States is a country built on greed and dishonesty. It is no one’s country. The U.S. government may not understand the concept of privacy but it certainly knows how to lie, take and conquer. It is the reason for our world dominance and for our hatred of and from other countries. So what do we do about this mess the Bush administration has made? The land of the free is the land of the paranoid. Security checks at the airport are insanely ridiculous, and we have the audacity to criticize American citizens with different backgrounds, and we listen to a leader telling us everything is great. It’s all for the good of the society. Somewhere in the future, I feel and hope this plan will backfire in the faces of the conservative, close-minded Americans who support such ludicrous acts. It’s hard to care when you’re not made to understand, but hardcore patriots probably wouldn’t want to understand. Pay attention to history. Every empire must fall.
olent leader, you also recently tightened the embargo on Cuba in regards to travel and ship searches. Now, I’m not one to say we should not mess with Cuba, seeing how it is still a towering menace to our way of life and to the safety of the entire free world, but you look to be sucking up to the Miami Cubans. Bush, we all know you are the scourge of international terrorism and a champion for the cause of free people around the world, but some Miami Cubans sponsor terrorism. Of course, you know of the Cuban athletes whose plane blew up over Barbados in 1976 or the recent hotel bombings in Cuban cities that have killed and injured Cubans and tourists alike. All were linked to Miami Cuban organizations. Perhaps it is not terrorism if the victimized country disagrees with our policies. OK, I’ll give you that one; it’s only “terrorism” if we or our allies are attacked. It’s not like Cuba isn’t a threat. Recently, Fidel Castro publicly humiliated you by reading some of your stupid remarks from a book to an audience of hundreds. For that horrible insult, you have more pretexts for an invasion of Cuba than ever before. He has no right to degrade you. It’s not as if we have wronged Cuba in any way. It’s not as if we condoned a brutal dictator predating the current one to support our claims in Cuba. It’s not as if we armed Cubans to fight their own people in a fake invasion 43 years ago. It’s not as if JFK broke his promise to end the Cuban embargo after the missile crisis. It’s not as if the CIA (your daddy’s former employers) tried hundreds of times to kill that stinking rat Castro. It’s not as if your daddy lied to Cuba about ending the embargo if it would stop supporting revolutions in Latin America (which the Cubans did). So help me here. Am I to understand you don’t plan on normalizing relations with Cuba anytime soon? It would boost the economy of Texas and give Spring Breakers a new place to romp. Why not, you just got cool with Libya again! Oh wait, I get it now. Libya has oil, Iraq has oil, Afghanistan has gas and Cuba has … sugar? Cigars? There’s nothing of interest but a dirty, stinking and extremely dangerous Communist. For that, they should be bombed to dust as only you know how to do. No country should have the bravery to stand up to us, even if we are caught up in our own lies. How dare such a highly educated dictator such as Castro make fun of your big ears and stammering speech impediment. For that, you got the green light to turn the beautiful city of Havana into a sea of fire. Go get ’em Bush. Upchurch is a history senior.
Thomas is a pre-mass communication freshman.
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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. with a daily circulation of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Co pyrig ht Ma r ch 4, 2004 . 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.
OPINIONS
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Media election coverage worsens unfair process
I
n a recent discussion at the University of Texas, Ralph Nader summed up the futility of the primary election process best by stating that the candidates who initially Tre Miner raise the most money receive the most media attention. Those who Star Columnist receive the most media attention get the highest polls; those who get the highest polls receive the most money, etc. This vicious circle must come to an end before we can ever expect any worthwhile candidates to stand a chance to win. Enter John Kerry supporters, stage left. Kerry is not a worthwhile candidate. Just as his predecessor, Al Gore, who ran on the public’s “anyone but Bush” platform in 2000, Kerry is running on the public’s “anyone but Bush again” platform. I have heard few people express any endearing support for Kerry above raging animosity towards Bush, which shows that the dismal quality of “electability” has once again overshadowed all of the positive traits we normally look for in a candidate. So, after feeding off the catchy sound bites and tiresome Bush-bashing blame-game rhetoric of the Democratic candidates, how does it feel to be herded like cattle by the American media-lection of 2004? If you are not outraged by such a statement, then chances are you either wholeheartedly support a specific candidate regardless of popular opinion (in which case I applaud you), or you are wallowing in your own apathy. For those who are the least bit concerned, corporate media has hijacked our voting system while we stand idly by, waiting to be told who our next president will be. Browsing popular online news sites can be a fun yet monotonous game: Add up the number of times the names Sharpton or Kucinich appear in the latest news headlines, divide that by the number of times Kerry or Edwards appear, and the first Web site to receive a number greater than 1 wins. Occasionally, big media puts the spotlight on the less fortunate candidates in the form of questions about their struggle against interminable odds — odds which are commonly caused by the neglect of media coverage and rarely on the hot issues debated between frontrunners. During the last televised Democratic debate, the Rev. Al Sharpton berated Dan Rather about the selection of candidates
This letter is in response to the article, “Clear Channel fails to offer balanced content”, printed on March 2. The article focuses on the Clear Channel corporation refusal to syndicate the radio show hosted by Randi Rhodes, a talk show that carries liberal viewpoints. The articles also state that Rhodes has asked her listeners to voice their want for syndication to Clear Channel, which they have in great numbers. Clear Channel has not responded, supposedly because Rush Limbaugh has threatened to pull his show from syndication if Rhodes is given the opportunity to join him in syndication. The editorial board claims that a corporation of Clear Channel’s size has “the responsibility to provide all viewpoints, despite the obvious conflict.” The “obvious conflict” refers to Limbaugh leaving Clear Channel radio. This complaint seems familiar to me. Maybe The University Star should take a look at itself in the mirror before it criticizes others. This newspaper fails miserably to offer Republican, conservative, or even moderate viewpoints. The majority of The University Stars’ political opinion articles are anti-Bush, anti-Republican, and extremely liberal. I think that makes the “Clear Channel” article a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black. The editorial board deemed it necessary that a large corporation such as Clear Channel should provide all political viewpoints. I believe it is the responsibility of the Texas State (a state school) new! spaper to provide its readers with opinions from all political viewpoints. I find it ironic that just like Clear Channel The University Star has not responded to countless letters asking for conservative or Republican viewpoints. Why can't you provide the students of Texas State with different political viewpoints? Will you listen to your readers or brush us off just like the multinational you chose to criticize? — De re k Ward Hist ory sen ior
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In the spirit of democracy, candidates should be allowed an adequate amount of free television time in order to help level the political playing field.
by the media in which Rather stated, “Reverend, debate them, not me.” The irony of such a statement can be truly appreciated by simply understanding that Sharpton was taking the issue to its source, the media, instead of avoiding such politically taboo arguments of media bias, which is prevalent among frontrunners. In the spirit of democracy, candidates should be allowed an adequate amount of free television time in order to help level the political playing field. Perhaps then we would see more coverage of the candidates who aren’t willing to sell their first born in order to be in the spotlight. We must combat this country’s de facto two-party system standard by continuing third party pressure on Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dumb, thus ensuring that every voice gets heard. The spoiler factor, which is commonly attributed to Nader’s candidacy in the 2000 election, is no longer a necessary evil. Through Instant Runoff Voting, a process now being used in several local governments including San Francisco, we can eliminate the “spoiler” effects of third party candidates. The IRV system allows voters
to rank their candidates in descending order from “favorite” to “least favorite.” If no candidate has a majority of the “favorite” votes, than the least favorite candidate is discarded and the votes are instantly re-tallied. The process is repeated until a candidate wins by a majority vote (as opposed to a plurality vote, meaning the “most” votes out of all candidates). Such a voting system has also been proven to be quite cost-effective alongside eliminating most mudslinging campaigns between candidates. Through media and election reform, we can, despite the opposition of powerful political incumbents, balance the playing field. Write or call your state congressman, or even your municipal government, and stress the importance of systems such as IRV or free political media coverage, because the very candidates who support such reformation measures are those who get the least attention. We must contribute more than just a vote within a biased and unfair system to bring about change. Miner is a political science sophomore.
CAMPUS QUOTES “I don’t think it matters in Texas, because the primary voting comes so late that it is almost already decided.” — Lee Kul ig i nter nati onal st udi es s eni or
Edit orial boa rd respo nse The University Star welcomes balanced viewpoints with ideas from the left and the right. The reason that most of the views expressed on the Opinions page are liberal is the simple fact that those are our columnists’ stances. The Star offers an open call to students of all majors and classifications to apply at the beginning of each semester and we continue to hire throughout the semester. We would feature columnists with conservative viewpoints if they applied. This semester, most of the opinions columnist applicants tended to have liberal views, so that is what we publish. If you want read a more conservative ideology, check out Brett Bousman’s columns when they run.
Homosexuals deserve moral equality
In response to Marisa McCormick’s opinion “Misquoting Bible doesn’t make gay marriage OK.” (March 3), I am upset by her demeaning comments to the gay community. But believe what you want and I will what I want. I know I am loved by God and I love him. How does the Bible address homosexuality? Homosexuality didn’t even exist until 1869. The term homosexuality first appeared in Germany to describe the theory that from birth some people are predisposed toward persons of the same sex. Because the biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek) had no words for heterosexual or homosexual, it’s anachronistic and misleading when “homosexual” is used to translate a biblical text. It is wrong to proclaim the biblical view of homosexuality since there is none. This violates the integrity of the individual texts and the biblical witness as a whole. If Jesus ever said anything about homosexuality, it is not recorded in the Bible, or even mistranslated. He did, however, speak extensively on God’s unconditional love. Yet instead of dwelling on biblical love, Christians have historically been more concerned with obscure passages of Levitical cleanliness codes and Paul’s misunderstood comments in Romans. Instead of focusing on the incredible injustice and hatred demonstrated by Christians and others, trying to deny homosexuals even basic civil rights, people appear more concerned with the specific homosexual acts between consenting adults who naturally have a homosexual orientation. Now looking at what the Bible does say, and if taken literally, lots of everyday activities would be outlawed. Examples are eating shellfish (Lev 11:19-12), wearing gold jewelry (1 Peter 3:3), wearing polycotton blend clothes (Lev 19:19), and women talking in churches (Corinthians 14:34). If someone wants to be consistent about his observance of biblical restrictions and prohibitions, then he must also preach and practice abstinence from many other activities that are commonplace in society. With few exceptions, most people are not willing to apply the morality of the Bible to their lives today. Let’s not dwell on the fact that homosexuals want to be together, but focus on the love they show each other, as do heterosexuals. — B ria n Glo or pre-ch emistry jun ior
No one chooses homosexuality
This letter is in response to Marissa McCormick’s comments regarding the gay marriage issue (March 3). In her letter, she said, “a person can change if he decides to. I know it can be challenging to change, but you can do it if you want to.” This argument is often heard against the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community and it implies that being gay is a choice. Honestly, who would choose to be gay? In high schools in the United States, being called gay is one of the worst insults a person can receive. Who wants to risk being ostracized from family, friends and society? While our country has come a long way in accepting homosexuality, many people worldwide are still beaten, arrested and tormented for this so-called “choice.” I invite anyone who still believes homosexuality to be a preference or something one could change to go home and tell his family and friends that he is gay. Sit there and wait for their reactions, knowing they may suddenly hate or be ashamed of you and your lifestyle. Listen to your mom tell you she no longer loves you and does not want to ever see you again, and then tell me people have a choice and can change. The fact is, the only choice to be made is to accept who you are. It is sad that in today’s day and age, with all the information available, ignorant people still work so diligently to see that not all people are treated equally. — De rrick Ch inn so ciology jun ior
Compiled by Alissa Shilander and Linda Smith
“Yes, I think it is. It gets people involved in politics and to stay educated in current events.” — Les l ie Rans l eben educ ati on j uni or
“Yeah, of course it is. Why not? It’s your duty. If you’re going to bitch about the government, then vote. The ones that don’t vote shouldn’t bitch.” — Dr ew A ddis on ad vert is in g and publ ic rel ati ons ju ni or
“Absolutely, but the smaller states have already narrowed down our candidates. However, I think it’s important to be an active citizen.” — Syd ney By ram undec ided fr es hm an
“I do think it is important to vote if you care who the candidate is. It does make a difference.” — Sar ah P owell s oci ol ogy s eni or
“I don’t think any aspect of voting is important at all. Voting is stupid. Upper class Americans are going to decide anyways. It’s whoever has the most money that wins.” — Mi chael H aynes undec ided fres hm an
Do you think it’s important to vote in the primaries? Why?
T he U n i v e rs it y S t ar
TRENDS
happenings
SAN MA RCOS Cheatham Street Warehouse TONIGHT: Roger Wilco FRIDAY: Two Tons of Steel SATURDAY: The Wedding Party (9 p.m.) SUNDAY: Grant Mazak Band (4 to 8 p.m.)
Triple Crown TONIGHT: Cory Richardson (6 p.m.), Fender and the Skirt Chasers (9 p.m.) FRIDAY: Bill Jerram (6 p.m.), Unified Feel Theory (9 p.m.) SATURDAY: Word Association (10p.m.)
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Spring Break destinations
Page 10 — Thursday, March 4, 2004
U.B. Ski provides fun in the Rockies
Big Apple brings plenty of variety
BY KRYSTAL MERCER TRENDS REPORTER
BY TERRY MARTINEZ SENIOR REPORTER
It’s a well-known fact the typical college student’s ideal Spring Break vacation has to do with sun, sand, benders and glistening brown beach bodies, but for those who seek a different kind of good time, there is another great and inexpensive option — U.B. Ski. Breckenridge, Colo., is located just southwest of Denver and has been recognized as one of the finest ski towns anywhere in the Rockies (that any self-sufficient college student can afford, anyway). U.B. Ski offers very economical ski packages which include lodging in the area’s finest hotels and condos, four day and night lift passes, transportation among resorts, ski passes and access to 20 different mountains and 300 trails ranging in ski levels from beginner to advanced, including Keystone and Vail. The packages do not include airfare or transportation outside the town, but it compensates with discounted ski or board rentals and lessons. Though it’s a little late in the game to give these guys a call and expect immediate reservations for the finest accommodations — considering the low price and length of time — it still remains the better alternative to booking it all yourself. Booking the trip is easy; getting to Colorado without spending an arm or leg and losing the possibility of early retirement is the hard part. If a group of Spring Breakers was to purchase one of these packages, the cheapest yet most tedious way to get to Colorado would be to drive and evenly split the cost of fuel. At this time, a direct flight could range from $200-$450 per person. Whichever seems more reasonable obviously depends on the group’s wealth and sense. In preparing for the trip, several things will come in handy for the first-time skier. Borrow ski clothes from family and friends that have gone skiing before. Purchase the remainder of your ski needs elsewhere, such as Wal-Mart or another place where the clothing is sold in abundance and is not overpriced. Another place to buy sweats and ski pants is Goodwill, which can be found for less than $10. Exercising is another good preparation. Leg stretches are recommended because those muscles will be utilized on the slopes. Also focus on the knees and calves. Don’t forget to stretch before and after hitting the slopes.
Planning a Spring Break trip doesn’t have to involve ripping your hair out and screaming for entertainment or drinking until you don’t remember your name or what city you are in. Vacationing somewhere such as New York City — the urban jungle — can be just as fun as partying on the beach in Acapulco or skiing on Aspen’s slopes. Planning a vacation to NYC takes a lot of forethought. You need to allocate funds for travel, cab and subway fares, food, Chris Sipes/Star illustration board, shopping, nightlife and emergencies. Whew, this seems like a lot to worry about, but don’t be overwhelmed. or from Palo Duro, make sure to check Make travel arrangements out the Cowboy Cafe on U.S. 60, west early in the semester to miniof Canyon, where stands Tex, the giant mize costs. Perhaps consider cowboy. McLean, 75 miles east of booking a flight as soon as Amarillo, is headquarters of Texas’ receiving financial aid refunds. “Historic Route 66 Association,” and Look at Web sites such as the town is being preserved in prime Hotwire.com and Expedia.com nostalgia-inducing condition. To your for deals on flights and hotel dismay, the pump stations advertising rooms. gas at 17 cents a gallon aren’t going to If only staying in the city for fill up your Expedition, but they do a few days, decide what you offer plenty for your camera. absolutely must do and make That’s all fun now, but New Mexico time for it. An itinerary is never offers a Route 66 far different from that a bad idea; just leave enough of the Sooners or the Lone Star State. time on it to actually enjoy Although there is less of the old road in where you are going so you the Land of Enchantment, New don’t feel rushed. Mexico offers stunning geography, a NYCTourist.com offers plethora of arts and crafts and a juicy maps of New York districts, jolt of neon in every town at night. restaurant locations and store locations. Cajun Country Print copies of maps and For good or bad, a lot of the “real” study them well before leaving. Louisiana isn’t going be on the Web. It is a big city, which means it’s If you’re looking for swamp tours or easy to get lost. Your best backwoods blues joints, it might be defense in all of this is to find a best just to toss yourself into the friend or relative from or familAtchafalaya Basin and thumb through iar with New York City and the phone book and talk to the locals. make sure he is with you at all For lodging, most small Southern times. Louisiana towns have inexpensive If visiting the city in a motels, some so wholesome they group, try breaking down your
Road trips offer chances for adventure BY IAN RAGSDALE SENIOR REPORTER Would you prefer the open road to the claustrophobic nightclub this Spring Break? Looking for a change from the Hill Country scenery or just trying to get away from people for a while? The road trip has long been a cure for the little things that ail you, and Spring Break offers the perfect chance to explore beyond the borders of Texas before summer’s heat kicks in. A week might not seem like much time, but if you leave early and drive hard, you can fit in a lot of sights and fun in a short time. Route 66 If you are really into driving and haven’t discovered old Route 66, it’s time to do so. Running from Chicago right to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, Route 66 was for three decades before and after World War II called the “Main Street of America” because it connected towns in the Midwest and the Southwest and was lined with hundreds of motels, cafes, gas stations and tourist attractions. During the Great Depression, hundreds of thousands of farm families followed the road to California to escape
g See SKI, page 13
drought in the Dust Bowl. After World War II, thousands more expressed upward social mobility by leaving the industrial East for the Sun Belt out West, and Route 66 began to symbolize a more cheerful prospect. Today, the highway is such a legend you might not realize it passes through Texas, crossing the panhandle and going right by the famous Cadillac Ranch six miles west of Amarillo. Unfortunately, legend is no match for progress, and in some places faster interstates have been built right on top of the old road. Only through shameless promotion can many of Route 66’s landmark cafes and lodgings stay in business now that they are competing with national restaurant and motel franchises, or have been completely removed from the main flow of traffic. For a week’s worth of Route 66 fun, make the eight-hour drive from San Marcos to Oklahoma City, eat some barbecue, pass out, then get up in the morning and head west. You’ll have two chances to stop at Route 66 museums — one in Clinton and another in Elk City — before hitting the Texas border. In Texas, you’ll find the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian, the Cadillac Ranch and Palo Duro Canyon, 25 miles southeast of Amarillo via I-27. On the way to
g See ROAD, page 14
g See APPLE, page 13
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Don’t let flaws make you
Thursday, March 4, 2004
S C R E A M
Sure fire ways to avoid teeny-bopper fashion status on campus
The University Star - 11
The Fashion Assassin Our school is in a state of fashion disillusionment. We are following mindless sophomoric trends and contaminating our own individual styles. The Fashion Assassin is mad, and this week, school is in session. The lesson I am trying to impart this week is moderation. It is the art of looking fabulous, fun and trendy without turning into a fashion explosion. I have compiled a list of the most common violations appearing on our campus.
Face-saving remedies start in the fridge BY PORSHA THOMAS TRENDS REPORTER How big are the bags under your eyes? A. Nothing a little make up can’t handle. B. Strangers are asking if you’re tired. C. Packing up and moving to another place altogether. If most of you are feeling as stressed as I am after completing a marathon of homework, you might be trying to mark A, but add that to the heavy partying you did Friday and Saturday and you’re better off marking C. Now, I know Monday is right around the corner and you (or he) might freak out if the fine specimen you tell your girlfriends about sees you looking like death, so I’ve put together a few things to get you back to looking as flawless as you did last week. To make a honey mask, rinse your face with warm water to open the pores. Apply honey and leave on for half an hour. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores. For those of you with oily skin, mix 1 teaspoon of brewer’s yeast with plain yogurt to make a thin mixture. Apply it thoroughly to all oily areas and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.
For dry skin, mix 1 teaspoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply it thoroughly to all dry areas and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Now, I’m sure none of you have wrinkles yet, but here’s a recipe to prevent them. Mash a quarter of a banana until creamy; apply on face and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores. For super-soft, lovable skin, try an oatmeal mask. Take 2 teaspoons of oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of baking soda and add water to make paste. Apply to face and rub gently. Have a lot of grapes and nothing to do with them? Split 2 to 3 grapes and rub them on your face and neck. Rinse with cool water. OK, so now you know about a whole lot of natural, money-saving masks guaranteed to cleanse, but what about those bags under your eyes? Cooled green tea bags work well; don’t leave them on for more than four minutes or they will stain. You know about the cucumber method, and vitamins K and C will help, too. Now you’re ready to brave the world and class on Monday morning. A word of caution: Remember to find out if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients before you put them on your face. You don’t want to face your hottie with hives, now do you?
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seemingly overnight. So why is it afflicting our students? Too much ego … maybe they think I care that their name begins with a “K.” But if you must label yourself, do it in moderation. Pick one classy piece that softly displays your self-love without screaming it to the world.
Christina Gomez
insert brand name here
NASCAR-Syndrome This is the unfortunate affliction compelling normally rational people to adorn their bodies with more brand names than the average stock car driver. Isn’t it time to tone down the homage to materialism by ixnaying the free advertising space on your chest? I’m not saying to ditch labels all together; just incorporate them in a way that, instead of reeking of Tiger Beat magazine, moves toward adult sophistication and simplicity. A solid cotton T from Banana Republic worn with dusted vintage denim from Seven along with sassy slingback heels from Aldo will give you your label fix without spraying them all over your body. Crack-Attack I’m already prepared for the riot that could ensue with this section, but I’ll be nice. OK, no I won’t. I hate, I hate, I hate super-ultra low-rise jeans. Why would you wear them to
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I hope no one can see my crack ...
Shoe Problems I shouldn’t even have to go here. Look around ladies, where do we go to school? Texas State — the home of the never-ending staircase and insane alpine hills. Sky-high stiletto heels don’t exactly bode well here. Still, I’m not one to pass up a good pair of heels, and I am exceedingly fond of school, the one place where you spend the majority of your time sitting? Yes, sitting, so all of your esteemed colleagues can stare at your flagrantly displayed butt crack. I understand low-rise jeans are sexy; that I won’t dispute. But come on. Who really wants her fanny out for everyone to see? So for the sake of your peers and your own self-respect, leave the crack jeans for the clubs. Please, I beg you.
V
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Initial Madness I will confess; I was really into the whole initial bag trend … in 2002 when monograms were confined to little leather bags and key fobs. Now, everywhere I look someone is sporting obnoxiously large initial totes, bulky monogrammed sweaters and bling-bling rhinestone necklaces. The trend has risen to teeny-bopper status
So for the sake of brevity, and the numerous hit lists I have undoubtedly been placed on, I will retire the tirade for now. But be warned; wherever there is fashion that is cheesy, overrated or just plain wrong, I’ll be there. Lovely thought, isn’t it?
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It’s All About the Denim
my stilettos. But I will impart this fashionista’s advice to a fellow shoe-aholic: Temper your lovelies with basic denim, never a miniskirt — unless you are a pole-dancing minor and it has become your career goal (And bless you if it is, honey). If you can’t carry your backpack and walk in heels, for God’s sake, don’t! Throw on some classy kitten heels or pointy flats, because a broken ankle will never be in style. Also, never underestimate the power of sneakers. They come retro, sporty, classic and all around space-age. They work with skirts, jeans and even suits (That’s you, Johnny Knoxville). And here, at the great staircase we call campus, I can’t live without them.
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FILM/TRENDS
Starsky & Hutch is a disappointment
12 - The University Star
How is it possible that film a remake of Starsky & R E V I E W Hutch could « go awry? Starsky & Hutch Dir.: Todd Phillips When the Stars: Ben Stiller, title roles Juliette Lewis, are being Vince Vaughn, played by Owen Wilson Rated PG-13 two of Hollywood’s premier comic actors (Stiller and Wilson), one would expect the same slapstick chemistry as displayed in Zoolander , which was a damned funny flick. So what happened? Let’s look at the casting in this movie and wonder why it wasn’t the gut-buster it should have been. As stated, the duo of Stiller and Wilson seemed like a no-fail formula for a buddy-cop flick. Add Vaughn (of Old School fame) as the wealthy villain Reese, and Snoop Dogg as Huggy Bear, and it seems you’ve got yourself a winner. It’s sad to say, but in this struggling spoof, the actors simply don’t deliver the humor we have come to expect from them. For most of the film, it felt like a great gag was just around the
Candies no match for inebriated gluttony BY IAN RAGSDALE SENIOR REPORTER
Courtesy photo Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson in a scene from Starsky & Hutch. humor, but they were few and far between. There were some gratifying hot-chick cameos, such as Carmen Electra and Amy Smart. Unfortunately, the lovely ladies in ’70s fashion didn’t make up for the fact this revamp of a good TV show should have remained a memory, rather than pulled up out of the mire and sloppily applied to the silver screen. — Je ff Mille r
corner. However, just as the hilarious line seemed imminent, there would be an inappropriate scene cut, or the director would allow the humor to trail off. On top of that, much of the wouldbe hilarity was too contrived, and you could tell the actors were slogging through their roles rather than enjoying the ride. There were moments of
Schindler’s List offers bonuses on DVD BY JENNY LINDSEY FILM REPORTER People will soon be able to own a piece of movie history; on Monday, Schindler’s List will be released on DVD. The release date marks the 10th anniversary of the movie’s Academy Awards sweep. The film took away seven awards in 1994, including Best Picture and Best Director. The DVD includes bonus material, including a moving documentary called Voices From the List. Combining still shots with taped testimonies, it retells the horrors of the holocaust.
Sweet defeat
Although it stands on its own merit, it also illuminates and reinforces the intensity of Schlindler’s List. It is these and many more testimonies that comprise the Survivors of the Shoal Visual History Foundation. Also included in the bonus material is an explanation of the foundation’s origins and goals of the Shoal Foundation by Schindler’s List director Steven Spielberg. Inspired by stories of holocaust survivors he met while filming the movie, Spielberg created the nonprofit organization. He wanted to record the
near 52,000 testimonies before the remaining survivors passed away and their stories were forever lost. A collection of thousands of testimonies in 56 countries and in 32 languages was amassed and chronicled in six short years. The DVD bonus material titled “The Shoal Foundation Story with Steven Spielberg” expounds on the ongoing uses of the testimonies and accomplishments of the foundation. Also available this month will be the collector’s gift set that includes a book of photographs and the film’s soundtrack.
DAILY SPECIALS
5 Arby’s Melts or 4 Roast Beefs or 3 Beef ‘N Cheddars
Step into Lamme’s Candies at Prime Outlets and one is engulfed in a sugary air that compels small children to bug parents for sweets and causes college students to reflect on the success of the “Freshman 15” program. But nevermind health — I wouldn’t be in a candy store just to admire bubble gum molded into colorful animals and gawk at Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. I came here to buy enough chocolate to make me sick so I could write about it and warn everyone not to try this at home. After purchasing approximately a pound of sweets at Lamme’s, the Fudgery and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, I returned home and put off eating it until the end of rugby practice, when I knew I’d be famished. Problematically, though, I hadn’t considered my inability to turn down Wednesday’s routine afterpractice visit to Draft Choice. I made it home just after midnight, pleasantly inebriated, and asked my walking-home partner and fellow drunkard Chris whether I should eat all my sweets. He said I should. I was easily persuaded and commenced the gluttony. Having little coordination but lots of foresight, I kept a diary of my engorging experiences. I can’t imagine doing sober introspection on candy. Here’s a selection of my night’s activities (misspellings corrected, punctuation added, profanities deleted): 12:13 a.m. — Return home from rugby-after-practice-drinking ritual. Fighting was involved. Turn on computer. 12:18 — Chocolate-dipped BIO191-867_5.75x5Logo.qxd cherries from Lamme’s — have to remove the stems, but still richer
than cherry cordials. Instant Message a friend who is probably asleep, asking for help consuming my fudge (so ready to give up, belly full of beer). No response. 12:21 — Tiger bark from Rocky Mountain … white chocolate and peanut butter. Tastes like nothing in my mouth, but goes down smooth. 12:26 — Begin to consume white chocolate (Lamme’s) at rapid pace. It cleaves into pieces that melt and reform in the mouth; it has a sweetness that tickles the top of my mouth and is very rich. I leave a couple of bites for tomorrow (or later). 12:28 — Unwrap the Fudgery’s 1/2-lb. block of vanilla nut fudge. This will be my Everest. Its richness is immediately discernable. I hesitate, then move on to something less ominous without taking a bite. 12:29 — Take bite out of chocolate pecan fudge (Lamme’s). Drunken dizziness seems to increase. Oh God, it’s chocolaty and it dissolves in the mouth unlike the long-lasting white chocolate. The pecans provide a crunch that balances the smoothness of the chocolate. What do they make fudge out of? They say it’s all-natural, but it can’t be good for you. 12:32 — Deep Thought: Drunkenness has omitted my inhibitions toward eating too much. 12:34 — Take a break from the rich stuff and take a bite out of a pair of chocolate lips (Lamme’s, again). It’s supposed to be massmanufactured chocolate (and for Valentine’s Day — the lateness of my purchase comes with a discount) and therefore be of a much lower quality, but its rather humdrum creaminess is something of a respite from the overpowering flavor of the candies made in-store. 12:36 — Sniff white chocolate: no scent detected. Sniff tiger bark: smells like Reese’s Pieces cereal. Take a bite of the tiger bark. My teeth sink through it quickly and it dissolves at the back of my mouth. Not outright bliss, but a sort of 1/22/04 AMNirvana Page if1 one is miniature9:00 taste of contemplative enough.
Thursday, March 4, 2004
12:38 — Finish off white chocolate to get it out of the way. 12:39 — Read e-mails from radical leftists’ mailing list. Howard Dean’s former national Steve campaign manager, Grossman, has defected to John Kerry, but oh, he supports the war in Iraq and has served as head of the AIPC, the most powerful Israeli lobby in the United States. In other news, I could really use some real food, like Taco Bell. 12:42 — Put on pants in preparation for trip to Taco Bell. Very drunk, as well as high on sugar. 12:44 — Instant Message Jill. I want her to take some of my fudge so I won’t eat it all myself. Jill doesn’t need much convincing. 1:07 — Did it really take that long to deliver Jill’s fudge and go to Taco Bell? I made Jill eat a bit of fudge in front of me so I could document the first taste experience (which I wrote on my hand, having no paper). She takes a bite. “I love fudge,” Jill said, while trying to contain the decomposing confection in her mouth. “It’s very sweet.” Is it too sweet or sweet in a good way? I ask. “Very sweet in a very, very good way,” Jill replies. She reminds me of why we keep girls around: They are sensitive to things in ways men are not. 1:12 — Instant Message: Girls have already eaten almost all of the fudge I gave them (half my Fudgery loot and a quarter of the stuff from Lamme’s, about 3/8 pound of goo). 1:18 — Record rugby team song as painfully taught to me by the coach. I can’t forget it. 1:22 — Stumble to and from bathroom. Drink half a Nalgene at the sink. 1:23 — Too drunk and tired to continue. Sweep chocolate crumbs and fudge tissue off bed. 1:39 — Did I really take that long in the shower? Curious friends have begun responding to earlier drunken IMs. Starting to sober up. Head still cocked down when I walk, like I’m a boxer. 1:45 — Deep thought: Tonight would be an excellent night to brush my teeth.
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Room to Breathe is formulaic at best APPLE: Make agenda
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Adelayda’s release Room music to Breathe takes the lis- R E V I E W tener into a «« familiar setAdelayda ting, if the lisRoom to Breathe SuperKala tener has an ear for the sensitive-rock genre. Some examples of this music are Nickelback and Matchbox 20, who typify the agonized-male style while attempting to rock out at the same time. Adelayda follows right behind them, opening its album with three tracks similar in both lyric and music content: “I’m such a sensitive guy and everything sucks since you left/I broke up with you.” Not until the fourth song, “Hung Up,” does the band finally turn its frown upside down and deliver a harder melody and better lyrics explaining a bad phone breakup and ending on a dial tone. It sucks to be broken up with on the phone, and it’s great that Adelayda wrote a pretty good tune about it. As the listener progresses through the CD, the auditory landscape doesn’t stray too far from the formulaic, woeful-lover setting. There are two or three worthwhile tracks, but for the most part; the band sticks to its guns and pours out its heart to some girl. The only dynamic alteration of these songs is the singer’s breaking up, then begging her return and then whining about how much he misses her. So, if you like this kind of sound, with lyrical self-abuse and standardized melodic accompaniment in “Goo-Goo Dolls” format, then go for it. Otherwise, you’ll wind up buying a CD you might already own, because it’s much like too many other weepy rock albums. — Jef f Mille r
album is absolutely extraordi- music nary. Frusciante’s attempt R E V I E W toward cutting««««« edge music is John Frusciante Shawdoes Collide successful. with People “I’ve been a Warner Bros. meal of mine/and slid down my throat/and all I’m facing is one more way to go/died so many times and reappeared/all death looks like to me is a word that causes fear,” Frusciante sings in “Second Walk.” Frusciante demonstrates his talent as a musician in this album. He experiments with sound by sampling ambient tunes on tracks such as “In Relief” and “Songs to Sing when I’m Lonely.” He invites his fellow Red Hot Chili Peppers to play throughout the album. Chad Smith plays drums on the entire album, while Flea plays bass on the last track, “The Slaughter.” Mars Volta’s Omar Rodriguez lends his talent, playing slide guitar in “Chances” and “23 Go into End.” Listeners of Shadows Collide With People will become captivated by this masterpiece. All the tracks will convey a sense that can be described as nothing less than beautiful. — Ana -Lisa More no
Frusciante offers dreamy tracks
For anyone out there who means to music release all R E V I E W inhibitions, «««« forget every Earth, Wind disco-dancand Fire ing, bootyI Am Sony shaking hangup you’ve ever had or just plain get your funk on this weekend, I believe we’ve unearthed your soundtrack.
John Frusciante is often perceived by his dreamy and demure persona, and his solo debut, Shadows Collide With People, purely illustrates this. Shadows Collide With People is 17 tracks of catchy, atmospheric and experimental melodies that paint a portrait of Frusciante’s view of life, fame and despair. The
Earth, Wind and Fire’s 1979 album I Am, re-released and digitally re-mastered as part of Legacy’s Rhythm & Soul Series, was a significant landmark for this funkadellic soul squad and stands as its most commercial effort to date. It produced the massive hit single and hugely disco-influenced “Boogie Wonderland” and the legendary “After the Love has Gone,” each of which cracked the Top 10 pop charts in their day. “After the Love has Gone” even scored the group a Grammy. The sound of this album is highly refined and sophisticated, and the production is nearly perfect. You hear those funky guitar tracks, emblematic of the band, everywhere throughout the album and terrible infectious percussion, particularly in “Let Your Feelings Show” and “In the Stone.” I Am commences with a bang through the first two tracks alone, cools down with “After the Love” and takes off again with “Boogie Wonderland,” featuring The Emotions, a female group for whom the band’s Maurice White helped produce numerous hits in the later disco era. What distinguishes Legacy’s release from the original LP are the three mind-blowing bonus tracks that follow sexy song “You and I.” The first bonus and previously unreleased track “Diana” is epic. White’s vocals soar gracefully over a catchy horn arrangement and urban beat percussion. The other two bonus tracks are both titled “Dirty.” The second one is a funky remix of The Eternal Dance’s interlude involving Junior Wells on harmonica. Though Earth, Wind and Fire may have fallen into that “guaranteed for a goodtime” music cliché in the past two decades, I say there is absolutely no harm in cranking up the failsafe when you’re heading out for a fun night on the town. — Krysta l Merce r
I Am keeps with band’s funkiness Lederhosen Lucil brings about gut wrenching tunes Lucil, Lucil. As soon as this CD began spinning, I felt the need to take a few headache pills and a shot of vodka. I’m convinced nothing else would numb the pain my ears were subjected
to during my j o u r n e y music through Tales from R E V I E W the Pantry. « be To Lederhosen Lucil completely Tales from the Pantry honest, the Independent entire CD release isn’t an assault to your ears. Just stay far from tracks 1, “Anarchavid;” 5, “Herr Noit;” and 8, “Doin’ the Ganglion.” These are the tracks my friends scoffed at, my neighbors complained about and my poor stereo was subjected to. “ Anarchavid” is best described as the Powerpuff Girls theme song on crack, and much more annoying. This girl is hitting notes I didn’t know existed and somehow weaves her love for food and the French language all into one song. I’m confused. I’m scared. I hate it. And I’m usually comfortable with the avant-garde. “Herr Noit” is a trickier song because it begins seemingly normal but somehow transcends the plane of annoying to earsplitting within a matter of seconds. The first few lines sound like a music box and the lyrics aren’t half bad — “You say there’s no it/did you mean it/you say there’s no it/ can I believe it” — but about half a second after thinking, “not bad,” things get worse. The beat speeds up to nauseating degrees and somehow Lucil’s voice turns into Lucifer’s. Not only does the music sound like a bully taunting children on the playground, but it also is incredibly annoying and seriously scary. I felt like I was in hell, being tortured by the devil himself. I have yet to listen to the entire track. It was just too painful. “Doin’ the Ganglion” is a toned-down version of the schoolyard bully-esque taunting I endured during “Herr Noit,” but that does not mean it’s any less annoying. I also have yet to listen to the track in its entirety. The rest of this CD isn’t actually bad for the ears; it’s just, well, nonsensical. Lyrics such as, “Mind melting summer sun and potpourri kites cut/and the pollen flies free/like tea iced in a jug and sitting idle on the porch step” abound in this CD and make me wonder just how many illegal substances Lucil was ingesting while writing her lyrics. I have to admit the reason I chose to review Tales from the Pantry was because of the cute artwork. I have learned my lesson; as cliché as it is, never judge a book (or CD) by its cover. — T erry Ma rtin ez
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The University Star - 13
to simplify NYC trip
indulge in street foods and, most importantly, if going to the Museum of Modern Art, ask to make a donation in lieu of paying the steep entrance fee. Some other common-sense advice: Pack lightly but pack what you need so you won’t get stuck paying for $7 tubes of toothpaste. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Also, take an umbrella, scarf, gloves, comfortable shoes and clothes you can layer if it gets chilly. New York is a big city, so don’t expect to visit every single famous spot. Limit yourself to a few you have your heart set on and visit others on another trip. This will ensure a fair amount of time everywhere you go and that you won’t be disappointed when you have to leave.
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activities into three categories for each person to choose from, such as food, store and sight. The breakdown ideally will mean that everyone in the group gets to see at least three major attractions, eat at three restaurants in areas of interest and get to shop or browse in any one store of choice. Some choices may overlap, which means your group gets to spend more time in one place. Also, if ideas for where to eat are scarce, take a chance on a new restaurant or get a hot dog from a street vendor. The most important advice for this trip is to expect to spend a lot of money. To keep costs down, try purchasing a subway pass and not pay for rides as you take them,
SKI: Break for the slopes
from snow and ice directly onto any exposed skin. With the strong bite of the wind, the sun can be very damaging. Sunglasses or ski goggles are an absolute must when attempting to painlessly tackle a mountain summit. With these tips in mind, the most cost-efficient and enjoyable ski trip is possible, without any monetary or physical consequences. Information about ski packages for Breckenridge can be found at www.ubski.com.
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Rather than dining at restaurants ever night, hit a local grocery store or supermarket for sandwich materials and soup. This will allot more money to blow at bars and souvenir shops without becoming malnourished. One final preparation, which many first-time Texas skiers often forget, is to stock up on plenty of lip balm and sunscreen. The light from the sun reflects
What are The Star staffers listeni ng to? Matt R. — Pop Will Eat Itself Mando F. — Björk Scooter H. — A.R.E. Weapons Laura V. — Britney Spears John B. — Christopher Cross Kassia M. — Deftones Terry O. — Azure Ray David D. — Explosions in the Sky Siobhan C. — The Doors Julie D. — 40 Day Fast Brad S. — Rage Against The Machine Victor A. — Stevie Ray Vaughan Jason O. — Tha Down Low Genevieve K. — Soundwave
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Dive Shop
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AMUSEMENTS
ROAD: Trips provide alternative to spending Spring Break at home
14 - The University Star
g Cont. from page 10
won’t allow an unmarried couple to share a room, while others unwittingly offer outrageous amenities such as door-to-door pimps and drug dealers. New Orleans and the French Quarter at its heart are going to be packed during Spring Break. The road tripper — groggy from a long drive, hair a mess — may or may not be in the mood for Bourbon Street. But if you can’t stay away from the blues and the booze, check out the 544 Club before getting smashed at Pat O’Brien’s. If you end up in the northern Baptist (read: boring) part of the state, check out Gibsland, where Bonnie and Clyde met their doom, and the Ark-La-Tex Car Museum in Shreveport. In case your road-trip-mobile begins to smell bad, perhaps you can steal one of its classic models. The Land of Enchantment Besides the neon glory of Route 66, New Mexico has preserved the mythic West, minus the shootouts. Of course, Mother Nature has helped; it’s easy to preserve what isn’t good for building a suburb on. What was unfortunate for the natives is now a blessing to us who can truck in food and water because the government has secured a number of sights around the state, which anyone can visit for a few greenbacks. Geology buffs will love most of this country, especially the state parks Rockhound and City of Rocks. The former possesses an abundance of agate and quartz crystals, and visitors are encouraged to steal away with as much as 15 pounds of silicates. The latter is a rare display
of rocks weathered into shapes resembling buildings, complete with chimneys and fixed-rate mortgages. Other sites of geologic value include White Sands National Monument, with more than 250 square miles of soft, white gypsum sands, and the extinct Capulin Volcano in the Northeast. The volcano is so watered down these days that one isn’t allowed to walk or bicycle up to the crater, although any automobile will do just fine. While no more exciting than Capulin, the unrelated Bandera Crater has a fringe benefit: It is connected with a volcanic ice cave that stays below freezing throughout the year. See if the cave at Wonder World can pull that off! El Malpais and Petroglyph National Monuments are both west of Albuquerque and feature plenty of land to roam or, in the latter’s case, upward of 25,000 images from native peoples and Spanish travelers; the oldest dates back at least 12,000 years. Other cultural destinations include the Gila Cliff Dwellings from the Mogollon culture and Aztec Ruins National Monument, with 12thand 13th-century structures from ancestral pueblo people. New Mexico also has a number of numbingly ordinary reservoirs, if you feel the need to get in a boat or fish in an artificial body of water. For real water in New Mexico, try Oasis State Park, an actual oasis pleasantly planted with non-native trees. Road Trip Tips Your typical Internet road trip resource is going to tempt you with a lot of hopeful but
vacant tips advocating an open mind and reminding you, “Don’t forget to have fun!” But there are some actual things you need to do to prepare. Perhaps you have thought of all these by yourself, but maybe one will be a reminder. Gas and lodging will most likely be your biggest expenses. Friends help cut down on individual gas costs, and a friend with a gas-efficient automobile may be a wallet-saver. As far as lodging, if you want to be the ultimate road trip god and be totally flexible, be ready to sleep in the car or pony up the bucks for a motel, because some campgrounds might be sold out. Check ahead for camping availability. Most parks also close their doors after dusk, so be sure to check in early. And remember, if you’re heading out west, it gets below freezing in the desert at night in March. Hostels are the way to go for the curious. At hostels you can meet hippies from across the country, discuss American foreign policy with European backpackers and sleep in large rooms with a dozen strangers, all for a very competitive rate. Some hostels are part of national organizations but don’t require memberships. Don’t forget the little things, such as a phone card, toilet paper, lunchmeat and a visit to K-Bob’s Steakhouse in Las Cruces, N.M. So, if you’re going on a road trip this Spring Break, here’s how to get started. Change your oil, check your fluids, wax the dash, put air in your tires, grab a map and some friends and your favorite CDs and hit the road.
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Today’s slang th e penn y dropp ed A phrase British in origin, this is used to signify that a person finally understands something, usually as the last one. Example: It’s a miracle Brad finally dropped the penny. I thought he was never going to get it.
h ugs A subtle way of saying sex, usually really good sex. Example: I ran into my ex the other day and all I could think about is how we used to hug all night long.
the university star classifieds
Classified ads are accepted by phone or email only if payment is made by credit card or if the client has established billing status. The deadline for all classified ads is n o on tw o b usin ess d ays pr io r to p ub lic atio n. No physical addresses or names will be printed in ads placed under the heading of “Personals.” All classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. T her e ar e no ref un ds o n c lassif ied ad s. There is no charge for “Lost call call 245-3487 245-3487 or or email email starclassifieds@txstate.edu starclassifieds@txstate.edu and Found” ads. Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication. To change or cancel your ad, please call 512-245-3487 or email cg1020@txstate.edu The University Star Use the following formula when determining the cost reserves the right to refuse, edit, discontinue or classify ads under appropriate headings. Please remember it is HOW TO PL ACE A CLA SSI FI ED AD: for your ad: 1. Provide your name, address, and phone number to us by always in your best interest to research or investigate any company from which you plan to purchase a good or fax, e-mail, mail or phone. Number of words x appropriate rate per word service. Un ive rsity/No n-P ro f it Clas sified Rate s apply to campus departments, official student organizations of Texas 2.. Provide the written text of your ad. Certain conditions + 5¢ per bolded words State University-San Marcos and recognized non-profit organizations. This rate includes classified ads placed by apply. Please read all policies and terms. + 5¢ per italicized words students, faculty and staff under the headers of “Personals,” “For Rent” and “Roommates.” Ads placed by stu$10 typing fee for ads over 50 words + U ni v er sit y /N on- Pr ofi t Cl assif ied R at e i s 15¢ per wor d. dents, faculty and staff for personal profit will be charged the Loc al Class ified Ra te. The Lo cal Clas sified Ra te + $10 for ads not run consecutive days L oc al Classi fi ed Rate i s 25¢ p er wo rd. Take number form above and x by the number of applies to all advertising that does not fall under the area of University/Non-Profit Rate or is for straight profit. days you would like your ad to run to determine the “For Rent” and “Help Wanted” ads placed by businesses will be charged the Local Classified Rate. Extra services that are offered: TO TA L CO ST. 5¢ per bo lded or italicized word. Please indicate.
Thursday, March 4, 2004 - 15
announcements
¹GET TRULY EXCELLENT TUTORING FROM THE STUDY NOOK! * Only 2 blocks from campus! * Only $30/hr. * Discounts Available Stop stressing and start addressing YOUR study needs! To call for an appointment: 512-665-1230. (3/23)
automotive
Honda, Chevy, Jeep, Toyota, etc. From $500. Police Impound. For listing: (800)719-3001, ext. 7462.
for rent
2/2 Condo, Washer/Dryer, Walking distance to TX State. $675 (512) 784-6598. (3/31) ____________________________ Female roommate Next to SWT, don’t worry about parking or shuttle, own bedroom. $320. 757-1943. ____________________________ Two people needed to sublease 2 bed/ 2 bath apartment. Available immediately through August. (512)805-4163. (3/11) ____________________________ 2 bedroom/ 1 bath. 788 square feet. Washer, dryer, free cable. $640/month. Contact Mike at (210)373-7676. (3/11) ____________________________ Huge 1/1 in small quiet complex. Big closet, free cable, water & trash, pets welcome. Reserved parking, beautiful location, 2 blks from shuttle. Avail. 3/10. $545/mo. 393-3300. (3/4) ____________________________ Downstairs 1 bedroom apartment. $400/monthly, $200 deposit. 754-0954. (3/11) ____________________________ Large upstairs apartment. $550/month. $200 deposit. 754-0954. (3/11) ____________________________ Available now. 2 brand new homes for lease or purchase in Kyle. 3/2/2 w/ all appliances including washer and dryer. 1 month free w/ one year lease. Call Norman (512)268-6325 or (512)699-1587. (4/1) ____________________________ Huge 1/1 in small quiet complex. Big closet, free cable, water & trash, pets welcome. Reserved parking, beautiful location. 2 blks from shuttle. Avail. 3/10. $545/mo. 393-3300. (3/4) ____________________________ Roommate wanted, $200/month + utilities, call Nathan (512)878-1846. (3/31) ____________________________ 2 bedroom/ 1 bath house. Carport, fenced yard, and central AC/ Heat. Pets ok. $650/month. (512)754-7716. (3/10) ____________________________ 1/1 at 1630 Post Road. Very clean. $435 + DEPOSIT. 589-6535. (3/10) ____________________________ The bad news: old house with window unit. The good news: cheap! Right by campus - never fight for parking. Spacious 2/1 with storage room (or small 3rd bedroom), big kitchen, w/d, pets ok. Available 3/10. $795/month. 393-3300. ____________________________ Live rent free! Buy my big, near new 3/2 mobile home. Sell when graduate. I’ll finance/ good credit. Payments $165/mo. ($18,500) After 5 p.m. 512-868-3900/ 738-0652. (4/29) ____________________________ Sublease my one bedroom apartment. Lease ends in May. 2 blocks from the school. $400/month. This month’s rent paid. Call 665-1568. ____________________________ 1b, 2b, 3b & rooms, next to Tx State. Good prices. Why shuttle or commute? Large pool, upgraded apartments, wooden or tile floors, preleasing May & August. Call 392-2700, or 757-1943. (3/31) ____________________________ Part of the drama. Female roommate ISO to male roommates. $250 per person. 210-387-8831. ____________________________ Summer Apt. for lease at Bobcat Village, $300/month, all bills paid & furnished. 408-8050. (3/25)
for rent
Awesome Deal 1/1, $395, gas, water, trash incld. Now pre-leasing Apt. Experts 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Townhome Community 1/1.5, $436, 2/1.5, $545 w/ dryer incl. $0 app. & 1/2 off dep. Now preleasing. Apt. Experts 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Great views of Tx State. 1/1 $435 +, 2/1 $550+, Now pre-leasing for Fall ‘04. Pet friendly. Apt. Experts. 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Brand New Community. Fully furn., most bills pd. Ethernet, local ph, w/d incl. $399 +, AE 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Texas Size Townhomes. 1 & 2 bdrms $495, most bills paid w/cable. Pets ok. Apartment Experts 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Industrial Modern Living. $375 +, cable, ethernet, phone & w/d incl. AE 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Downstairs 1 bedroom apartment. $400/monthly, $200 deposit. 754-0954. (3/26) ____________________________ Great Community. 1/1 $460 +, 2/1 $480+, on shuttle, pets ok. Now preleasing for May ‘04!!! Apartment Experts 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ $100 prelease + bonus offer, 3 bedroom 3 bathrooms w/d 396-1520. (2/3?) ____________________________ NO RENT TILL APRIL!! 1/1 $495+, 2/2 $685+, 3/2 $699+, w/dryer included (rest. apply) Apt. Experts 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Big Dogs Okay! Walk or shuttle to class. most bills pd. w/cable. 1/1 $450+, 2/2 $595 + Apt. Experts. 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Small Community, 1/1 $450, 2/2 $650, with free wireless internet. Pet’s o.k Apt. Experts 805-0123. (4/29) ____________________________ Pre-lease Today For 5/20 or 8/20/04 MOVE-IN!!! 3 blocks from TxState. $785/mo. 2br/2.5ba TH. $300/dep., Full size w/d, FREE ROADRUNNER & HBO. No dogs 396-4181 or windmilltownhomes.com (4/29) ____________________________ ON A BUDGET? So am I. That’s why we have Langtry Apartments. 205 Craddock Ave., Waiting for you. 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment homes with washer/dryer ready for you to move-in today. Only $650 per month. Who said living in San Marcos had to be expensive? Langtry Apartments 396-2673. (4/29) ____________________________ TWO BEDROOM FOR THE PRICE OF A ONE! That's right! Rent a two bedroom for the price of a one bedroom. You pay only $575.00 a month. Move in today to West End Condominium # 3. 1221 West Hopkins. VJE Realty Group 353-3002. (4/29) ____________________________ Skinny Dippin! In the middle of Winter! Our Skinny prices are dippin even lower! One bedroom now only $575.00. Washer/Dryer, microwave, free high speed internet with no dial-up and resort style amenities. Call the Metropolitan 393-6000. (4/29)
for rent
Privacy, Privacy and More Privacy! A place of your own! Stadium view apartments has a few 1 bedroom 1 bath homes for you. Fireplaces, ceiling fans, PRIVATE outside storage and covered parking await you. On-Site laundry, pool, and spa are only one call away. VJE Realty 353-3002. (4/29) ____________________________ Ready & Waiting! Nice, 1 bedroom , 1 bath studio home. 1642 Post Road. lot’s of storage and yard area. VJE Realty 353-3002. (4/29) ____________________________ 1 bd APT. $395/mo. 353-5051. (4/29)
for sale
Blue and gold 6 drawer chest, $48, Oak entertainment center, $65, new King Koil twin mattress set, $160, solid pine 3 shelf book case , $35, set of 4 wood chairs, $65, used twin mattresses, $20-25, whirlpool electric dryer, $50. Partin’s used Furniture. 2108 Ranch Road 12. Free delivery. 396-4684. (3/4) ____________________________ Must sell 2/2 mh in nice park near campus, great condition, $14k, price negotiable. 787-7277. (3/10)
help wanted
Part-time Female preferred word-processing 15-20 hours per week. Saturday 9-1 required in office. Other business hours based on employee schedule. Start $6.00/hr. This job was designed for a student. We need year round attendance. Call 392-8900. (3/3) ____________________________ NANNY NEEDED To care for three-month-old baby in our home near the univeristy. Full-time (year-round) position, M-Th, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Would consider either one person full-time or more than one person for a job-share. Must be loving, responsible, and reliable. Background and driving check, references required. If interested, please call (512)754-7796 or e-mail (dk7878@aol.com) or fax ((512)754-7748) qualifications to Rachel. (3/3) ____________________________ Make money taking Online surveys. Earn $10-$125 for surveys. Earn $25-$250 for focus groups. Visit www.cash4students.com/swtxsu (3/31) ____________________________ Earn $10+/hour. Ideal student job. Evening hours, weekly pay. Call 392-0730. (3/9) ____________________________ Clear Springs is now hiring grill/saute cooks and line cooks. Full-time including weekends. Starting pay $10/hour. Insurance and vacation available. High-volume experience necessary. Apply in person at 1692 Hwy 46 South, New Braunfels. (3/11) ____________________________ Juan Enrique’s Restaurant in Wimberly now accepting applications for waitstaff. Are you happy, energetic, responsible, and entertaining? Come join our super staff and enjoy making great money, and a happy environment. Staff receives free breakfast and discounted meals. Apply in person 2-4 p.m. M-F. 500 River Road. (3/11)
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SPORTS Softball: Team faces U of H doubleheader
16 - The University Star
Thursday March 4, 2004
g Cont. from page 18
Ashley A. Horton/Star photo Danielle Vice, freshman third baseman, catches a ground ball and throws the runner out at first. The Bobcats defeated the Colonels, 4-2. The Bobcats take on Northwestern State University in a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday at Bobcat Field.
The Demons are hitting .280 as a team, paced by shortstop Shay Hunt, who is hitting .434 with two home runs and nine RBIs. Outfielder Kiana Scott and third baseman Lindsay Leftwich are both hitting better than .400 as well, at .405 and .404, respectively. NSU has stolen 33 bases in 40 attempts this season but is lacking in the power department. The Demons have hit only six home runs but have 28 doubles. Freshman Aime Ford is the Demons’ leading pitcher so far this season, as she is 6-2 with a 0.80 ERA. Ford has allowed opponents to hit just .147 against her this season and has struck out 76 batters in 61 1/3 innings of work. As a team, the Demons’ ERA is a sporty 1.74. That NSU staff will be facing a Bobcat lineup that is hitting .255 but has an on-base percentage of .360, thanks to their ability to work 81 walks so far this season. And once the Bobcats get on base, they are able to get into scoring position, having stolen 39 bases. Three Bobcats — center fielder Kristen Zaleski, catcher Rachel Bonetti and first baseman Hannah Snow — are hitting better than .300 this season and all have more than 10 RBIs.
Zaleski has been unbelievable for the Bobcats, as her .500 batting average and .593 on-base percentage sets the table for the offense. Once she gets on the base paths she is just as good, having swiped 16 bases in 17 attempts. Last season, Zaleski set the school record for batting average and stolen bases and is on pace to shatter both of those marks. Zaleski, Bonetti and Snow, along with second baseman Ashley Wilson, who missed the first couple of weeks with a shoulder injury, provide power for the Bobcat lineup as they have combined for 13 of the team’s 20 home runs. Wilson’s latest home run was a grand slam Tuesday against A&M, which gave the Bobcats a commanding 9-3 lead, which they held onto for a 9-6 win. In the circle, the Bobcats will be counting on senior Nicole Neuerburg, who has an 11-2 record with a 1.94 ERA. Neuerburg has been dominant at times and has fanned 108 batters in 92 innings of work. The Bobcats will continue their season-long six-game homestand with a Tuesday doubleheader with the University of Houston beginning at 6 p.m. before welcoming the Baylor University Bears to town Wednesday for a single game, also at 6 p.m.
Orts: Texas State softball remains unranked g Cont. from page 18
Well, apparently not, and for the next few minutes I stared at the screen in disbelief, as if by doing so it was going to change something because in neither poll did the Bobcats move into the Top 25. Texas State is now 16-5 on the season, with a 4-2 record against teams ranked in the Top 25 at the time they faced the Bobcats. The game against A&M Tuesday did not factor into this week’s rankings, but will for next week’s. But even with that, the Aggies were ranked 23rd
when the game began with an 11-8 record, with one win against a ranked team. UT is 11-9 with its best win coming against DePaul University this past weekend in the NFCA Lead-off Classic. So the Longhorns, with exactly zero wins against ranked teams and four wins against Southland Conference teams, including the one against Texas State, are ranked 19th this week. Go figure. A valid argument could be made that the Bobcats are the best team in the state of Texas, so how are we not ranked above these teams? Who’s
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doing these rankings? The Bobcats were ranked for one week early in the season (No. 25 NFCA/No. 23 USA Softball), but fell out after a loss to the University of Illinois-Chicago, which was their one really bad loss so far this season. So do the pollsters think the Bobcats don’t deserve another week in the rankings? Do they not think Texas State has enough history and this must be a fluke that it’s even doing as well as it is? Well, there are some problems with that argument. First of all, Texas State’s
overall record in its history is 383-542-2, which is far from stellar to say the least. But I like to throw all records prior to coach Ricci Woodard’s arrival in 2001 out the window. And in her threeplus years at Texas State, all Woodard has done is lead the Bobcats to a 153-57-1 record and a 73-10-1 mark in SLC play. Not only that, but the Bobcats are one of only 13 Division I softball programs to make it at least to the NCAA Regional Finals (final 16 teams) in at least two of the last three seasons.
Men: Basketball tries to regain SLC spot g Cont. from page 17
Arlington on Jan. 9, 1998. The win keeps the Bobcats in the race for a home playoff game in the tournament, which starts Monday. The ’Cats are trying to regain their confidence along with the fourth spot in the SLC. Texas State is going to need the same effort on the defensive end it showed against Nicholls if it hopes to keep up with SFA. The last time the Bobcats and Lumberjacks squared off in San Marcos was March 1, 2003. In that game, the Bobcats blew a 15point, second half lead, only to win the game, 60-58, on a Conerway 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining. But the Lumberjacks got their revenge two weeks later, scoring a 67-58 win in the SLC Tournament semifinals. Friday’s game against SFA will tip off at 7:30 p.m. and can be heard on KTSW 89.9 FM and at Boostercast.com.
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The first time was in 2001, when the Bobcats finished ranked 17th in the country, and the other was last season when they ended up 26th in the final rankings. So even though the Bobcats were one of the last 16 teams playing, they still didn’t rank in the Top 16. Strange. And the Bobcats weren’t ranked to start this season, even after last year’s performance and returning their two best players in school history in pitcher Nicole Neuerburg and center fielder Kristen Zaleski, a Second-Team AllAmerican last year.
Don’t expect the SLC season to help the Bobcats’ national standing. Instead, look forward to a doubleheader on March 16, when the Bobcats face the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns, a 2003 College World Series participant, are 20-2 this season and ranked 12th this week. If the Bobcats are able to take one or maybe even both of those games, maybe they’ll finally get some respect. But until then, just consider Texas State softball to be a lessannoying Rodney Dangerfield.
Baseball: Hosts annual Express College Classic g Cont. from page 18
Year for 2004, but has struggled in the early season, going 0-2 in two starts this year with a 5.51 ERA. Niemann was on the mound, appearing in his first relief stint of the year, Wednesday when Texas began its seventh-inning comeback. The other starters for Rice have been much more effective, going a combined 6-0 with a 1.61 ERA. Junior Wade Townsend has picked up much of the slack for Niemann. The other 2003 All-American has only two earned runs in 22.1 innings while recording an amazing 31 strikeouts. The Rice offense does not look the same as it did June 2003 in Omaha at the College World Series, mainly because
of the loss of Enrique Cruz and Vincent Sinisi to graduation and the minor leagues. The Texas Rangers selected Sinisi in the second round of last June’s amateur draft. Senior Chris Kolkhorst, batting .417 with an on-base percentage of .560, leads the Owl offense. Supporting Kolhorst is junior Adam Morris. With a .387 batting average, Morris leads the team with three homers and a .806 slugging percent. After the weekend series against Rice, the Bobcats will host the annual Express College Classic on March 12-14 against Penn State, Illinois and Texas Tech. The team will return to San Marcos March 19 to open its conference schedule against Lamar University.
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Texas State to face SFA in season finale Thursday March 4, 2004
By Matt Isam Sports Reporter
The Texas State men’s basketball team closes its regular season play with a Southland Conference finale at home against Stephen F. Austin State University on Friday. SFA is coming off a convincing 6959 win against Northwestern State University Tuesday to bring its record to 18-8 overall and 9-6 in the SLC. Senior forward Dedrick Sanders led the team in scoring with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds to help the Lumberjacks win their 29th consecutive home game. Junior forward Rodrigo Segantim and sophomore guard Marcus Clark had 11 points each, and senior forward Antonio Burks had 10. Against NSU, the ’Jacks started off slowly with a terrible shooting performance but somehow fought back to lead 31-27 at the half. SFA then scored the first four points of the second half, increasing the lead to eight points, and never looked back. The ’Jacks bring to the table the SLC’s No. 1 scoring defense, scoring margin and turnover margin. They also
have a lethal weapon in Burks, who is No. 3 in scoring with a 16.2-point average and 405 point total in the SLC. The Bobcats are coming off a 61-37 blowout win against Nicholls State University on Monday to bring their record to 13-13 overall, 8-7 in SLC. The Bobcats have had a rollercoaster ride through the conference season, starting 5-0 before losing seven of their next nine to drop to .500. But Texas State is now hoping to end the regular season with back-to-back wins and momentum going into the SLC Tournament. Senior guard Terry Conerway came up huge, leading all scorers with 19 points in 19 minutes. Also contributing to the rout was junior forward Zach Allison, who had eight points and seven rebounds, and junior forward Nick Ponder, who had seven points. The ’Cats had their best defensive game ever, setting a school record for lowest field-goal percentage by an opponent in a game by holding the Colonels to 22 percent on the night. The defensive effort by the ’Cats broke the old record of 23 percent set by the University of Texasg See MEN, page 16
SPORTS
The University Star - 17
Thursday’s
S c o r eb oa r d SLC SOFTBALL Standings
the fourth seed last season, when they swept through the SLC Tournament, winning a home game against the University of Texas-Arlington before going on the road and bouncing second-seeded SFA in Nacogdoches. The Bobcats then beat top-seeded University of Texas-San Antonio on its home floor to claim the crown. The Bobcats (8-17 overall, 8-7 in SLC) are coming off an 86-82 victory against Nicholls State University, snapping a
three-game losing skid. Junior post Tori Talbert led the way for Texas State, scoring 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Talbert remains the only player in the conference to average a double double at 15.2 points per game, fifth in the conference, and a conferenceleading 10 rebounds a contest. Senior guard Julie Brooks adds a potent outside scoring threat for the Bobcats, hitting 31 percent of her tries from beyond the three-point arc (11th in the conference), while averaging 9.1 ppg. She also
SLC
TEXAS STATE Texas-San Antonio Sam Houston Texas-Arlington Southeastern La. Nicholls State Northwestern St. McNeese State Stephen. F. Austin Louisiana-Monroe
W 3 3 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
Overall L 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 2 3 3
T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PCT 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .667 .200 .500 .000 .000 .000
W 16 11 10 6 9 3 10 9 5 2
L 5 6 10 10 11 9 9 14 10 13
T 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
PCT .762 .647 .500 .382 .450 .250 .526 .391 .333 .133
Tx State softball Schedule
March
6 7 9 10 13 14 16
Northwestern St. (2)...1/3 p.m. Northwestern St..............1 p.m. Houston (2).................. 6/8 p.m. Baylor................................. 6 p.m. at SE La. (2)................. 3/5 p.m. at SE La................................noon at La.-Lafayette (2).... 3/5 p.m. SLC woMen’s Standings
Ashley A. Horton/Star photo Anthony Dill, junior forward, goes up for two but gets fouled by a University of Texas-San Antonio forward. The Bobcats were defeated by the Roadrunners, 6966. The Bobcats take on Stephen F. Austin State University at 7:34 p.m. Friday in Strahan Coliseum.
Women: Friday’s game determines tournament standing g Cont. from page 18
Teams
just moved into 10th on the Texas State all-time steals list with 132. Aleise Johnson, senior forward, is also a main scoring threat for Texas State, averaging eight points on 45 percent shooting from the floor. Johnson is a slasher, and the Bobcats will need that ability to open up Talbert and Brooks. The Ladyjacks are coming off a hard-fought loss to SLCleading Northwestern State University, 75-72, and enter the game with an 8-18 mark overall and 8-7 in conference.
Four SFA players average at least seven points per game, led by frontcourt standouts Kendria Smith and LaToya Mills, who each scored 19 points in the loss to the Lady Demons. Smith, a 6-foot-1-inch forward, scores 11.8 ppg and is third in the SLC in field goal percentage at 50.3 percent. She is also coming off a career-high nine-rebound performance against NSU. Mills averages 11.7 ppg and shoots at a 48 percent clip from the field. The 6-foot forward grabbed 13 rebounds last time
out and leads the Ladyjacks with 8.2 boards per game. Freshman point guard Nikki Carr is third on the team in scoring at 7.7 ppg and dishes out three assists each time out. Junior Kirby Killingsworth, 5-foot-7-inch guard, was a preseason second team all-conference selection and comes into the game scoring 7.4 ppg and also pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game, third on the team. The game can be heard on the radio at KTSW 89.9 FM and on the Internet at Boostercast.com.
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Teams
SLC
Northwestern St. Louisiana-Monroe Texas-Arlington Texas-San Antonio Stephen F. Austin McNeese State TEXAS STATE Sam Houston Southeastern La. Lamar Nicholls State
W 14 12 11 9 8 8 8 6 5 1 1
L 1 3 5 6 7 7 7 9 10 14 14
Overall PCT .933 .800 .689 .600 .533 .533 .533 .400 .333 .067 .067
W 21 16 17 13 8 10 8 6 12 4 2
L 5 10 11 13 18 16 17 20 14 21 24
PCT .808 .615 .607 .500 .308 .385 .320 .231 .462 .160 .080
SLC Men’s BBall Standings Teams
SLC
Southeastern La. Texas-Arlington Texas-San Antonio Stephen F. Austin Louisiana-Monroe TEXAS STATE Sam Houston Northwestern St. McNeese State Lamar Nicholls State
W 11 11 10 9 8 8 7 7 6 5 1
L 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 14
Overall PCT .733 .688 .667 .600 .533 .533 .467 .467 .400 .333 .067
W 19 16 15 18 12 13 12 10 10 11 6
L 7 11 13 8 17 13 14 16 16 17 20
PCT .731 .593 .536 .692 .414 .500 .462 .385 .385 .393 .231
BASKETBALL: BOBCATS HOST STEPHEN F. AUSTIN FRIDAY, WOMEN-5:30 P.M., MEN-7:30 P.M.
Spo r t s
Thursday, March 4, 2004
The University Star — Page 18
Bobcats set to tackle Demons in weekend set By Jason Orts Sports Editor
Ashley A. Horton/Star photo Tori Talbert, junior center, goes up for two points against University of Texas-San Antonio Jan. 21 in San Antonio.
Women head to season finale By Geoff Eneman Sports Reporter Heading into Friday night’s season finale against Stephen F. Austin State University, the Texas State women’s basketball team still doesn’t know where it will begin its defense of last year’s Southland Conference tournament crown. The only thing the Bobcats can control right now is what happens on the court 5:30 p.m. Friday at Strahan Coliseum. Only after that game is completed will Texas State have any idea where it will be seeded in the conference tournament. Texas State can finish anywhere from fourth to seventh place, depending on Friday’s result and what happens around the conference. The Bobcats were g See WOMEN, page 17
After stepping out of conference play for a win Tuesday night against No. 23 Texas A&M University, the Bobcats will resume their Southland Conference schedule, facing a threegame home set with the Northwestern State University Demons. The win against A&M was the Bobcats’ seventh in their last eight games and put them at 16-5 on the season, and 3-0 in the SLC after a sweep of Nicholls State University last weekend. The Demons enter at 10-9 overall. This will be the official conference
opener for NSU, despite having played two games in tournaments against SLC opponents. The Demons beat McNeese State University, 3-0, and the University of LouisianaMonroe, 6-0, in those games. Last season, the Bobcats swept the Demons in Natchitoches, La., in the conference opener for both teams. Texas State scored two shutouts in the series, 4-0 and 3-0, sandwiched around an 11-9 slugfest. This season, NSU features a station-to-station offense that relies on speed to put pressure on the opposing defenses. g See SOFTBALL, page 16
Softball gets the shaft in national rankings It has been a thought, but knew, Jason Orts while since I’ve there was no way gone back-to-back Texas State could days, but as they be left out. say repeatedly in I was certain that a 4-1 week, The Godfather, with a doublePart III, I’ve got a stone in my shoe, header split with or maybe it was a No.15 University pebble. Either of Texas, on the Sports with Orts way, it ain’t good. road, which left Anyway, the the Bobcats with a problem began about 8 p.m. 15-5 record, would be Tuesday when I was listening enough to push them into the to the Texas State-Texas Top 25. A&M University softball They were 29th last week game. Sometime during the (they were listed in the “othbroadcast, it was announced ers receiving votes” categothat the national Top 25 polls ry) and with their fourth win had been released. against a ranked team on the So I went to check them season, it would be impossiout, first the National ble to ignore their résumé, Fastpitch Coaches Assoc- right? iation and then USA Softball, g See ORTS, page 16 mainly because I knew, not
Baseball to face defending champions By Travis Summers Sports Reporter The Texas State baseball team knows how to play against defending national champions. Last season, the University of Texas was the defending champ, and the Bobcats had two games against the Longhorns. The two teams split the season series’ win, with Texas State winning the last game, 3-1, March 2003 in Austin. Now the Bobcats face a similar situation as they travel to Houston
this weekend for a three-game set against this season’s defending national champion, Rice University (7-3). After getting swept by No. 4 Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge last weekend and seeing its record fall to 8-6, Texas State is looking to rebound against the No. 2 team in the country. Despite being in the middle of its first losing streak of the year, there were some bright spots for Texas State. Fresh off being named Southland Conference Player of the
Week, junior leftfielder Matt Miller continued his torrid pace, hitting .545 in the series against one of the elite pitching staffs in the nation. Junior Brian Hurley, considered the Bobcats’ No. 3 starter, pitched a gem of a game Saturday in Baton Rouge, going six innings while allowing only two earned runs against a potent Tiger batting order. The Owls lost a thriller Tuesday night to the Longhorns in Austin. The Owls were up 7-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning before allowing Texas to score
three runs in each of the next two innings to blow the lead and the game by a final of 8-7. The Rice bullpen showed the shakiness that has been a problem all season. The bullpen is working with a 5.24 ERA with only one save to show for its efforts. The strength in pitching has come from their starters, but not in an expected way. Junior Jeff Niemann was selected as Collegiate Baseball’s Preseason Player of the g See BASEBALL, page 16
SWT Student Health Center Get in. Get out. Get well. Meet Our Providers SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2PM AT THE ERWIN CENTER! You’ve heard about it... You’ve read about it... you’ve seen it on TV... Isn’t it about time you experienced a Wranglers game for yourself?
Special Student Seats $ Upstairs start at EACH... Downstairs at $ EACH!
6 10
Anna White, MS, RN, CS
The explosive pregame show starts at 1:40. Then sit back & buckle-in for the fastest game in pro sports! To purchase tickets call
477-6060 TexasBoxOffice.com
or online at: or at Austin area H-E-B or the Box Office at the Frank Erwin Center
Student section seats and prices require valid University or College Student I.D.
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Received her Family Nurse Practitioner degree in 1997 from Texas Woman’s University. Ms. White also has a Master’s Degree in Community and Family Health Nursing. Ms. White works full-time in the Women’s Clinic, Monday through Friday.
To schedule an appointment, please call 245-2167.
Quality Care by People Who Care. Visit: www.austinwranglers.com A FESTECAPITAL HOLDINGS COMPANY