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Tuesday
MARCH 10, 2009
Texas bill proposes concealed carry rights on campuses By Allen Reed Assistant News Editor A new bill in the Texas legislature has students in its sights. Texas Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R -25) said he has wanted concealed carry on campus legislation ever since the shooting at Virginia Tech. “The same thing could happen at Texas,” Wentworth said. “I don’t want to read one morning that Texas students were picked off like sitting ducks.” Wentworth, along with 10 other Texas senators, authored Senate Bill 1164 which would allow for concealed carry on campus. An identical bill is currently in the Texas House. State law makes a distinction between having a firearm in a university building and having one on a campus. Texas State University System Board of Regents’ policy does not allow for concealed weapons on campus at all. Students found to be in violation can be expelled and employees fired. The bills would remove the ability of institutions of higher learning to prohibit concealed handgun license holders from carrying on campus. Wentworth said students should not feel any less safe on a campus where concealed weapons are allowed. “Nearly anywhere else they go in the state there are concealed weapons — at the grocery store, mall, post office,” Wentworth said. “They don’t feel unsafe
VoluMe 98, Issue 60
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because they don’t see them. That’s a bogus and false fear.” Eleven colleges in the U.S. currently allow for concealed carry on campus. Every univer university in Texas, public or private, will add to that number, if the bill is passed. “People simply are unaware of their surroundings,” said ASG Sen. Michael Guzman, president of Students for ‘Concealed Carry on Campus’ national chapter. “People say, ‘I want to be in an environment where I don’t have to be around firearms,’ and I tell them they better not leave their home, because one in 74 Texans carry a firearm for self-protection.” Wentworth said the bill is tar targeted at people who have a concealed carry license. “It’s important for people to realize my bill does not affect freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors — you have to be 21 to have a concealed carry license,” Wentworth said. “Kids right out of high school aren’t going to be carrying weapons. It’s going to be graduate students, faculty, staff and seniors.” Guzman said misconceptions about the concealed carry movement turn people off. “We believe firmly in self-defense,” said Guzman, economics senior. “We don’t advocate that people carry guns. All we advocate is freedom of choice.” Guzman said Students for Concealed Carry on Campus wants
Tina Phan/Star photo Fullback Brad Vaughan chases after the ball during the game against Texas Christian university. The Rugby team became state champions this past weekend. FOR A PHOTO SLIDESHOW VISIT THIS STORY AT UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM
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employees continue receiving perks, despite hiring freeze By Megan Holt News Reporter Existing employees will continue receiving annual perks, despite the flexible staff-hiring freeze implemented February. Bill Nance, vice president of finance and support services, said staff members will receive their annual pay increase this year despite the flexible staff hiring freeze. “The flexible staff-hiring freeze does not touch compensation increase for staff and faculty,” said Associate Provost Gene Bourgeoisie. “(The hiring freeze) really doesn’t affect the salary budget.” Texas State’s operating budget includes a 3 per percent merit pool, used for faculty and staff salary increases. Nance said the 3 percent translates to about $44.5 million, which will be dispersed to
each university department, granting raises to eligible faculty and staff members. According to the University Longevity Program, a plan outlining compensation for individuals working for the university for long periods of time, “Each regular staff employee is entitled to receive a 1.5 percent increase every two years, up to a maximum of four such increases from each appropriate eligibility date.” “We use 3 percent of total salaries to calculate the pool for merit raises,” said Budgeting Director Gordon Thyberg. University Policy and Procedures provide guidelines for additional staff compensation. According to the guidelines, “Merit increases for both faculty and staff employees may be awarded on a selective basis to recognize outstanding documented performance.”
Individuals who have been at the university longer receive raises based on their annual perfor performance evaluation. According to Bourgeious, new employees must have been in their position a minimum of six months and have a successful evaluation by the department manager to be considered for a merit increase. “Raises come out of resources that we gener generate,” said University President Denise Trauth. Nance said 19 percent of the $15 million budget is labeled “appropriations of operations.” The funds are authorized by the legislature, and can only be used in specific reserves made public. The 3 percent used for the merit pool must come from these allotted resources. “Although our highest priority is to give faculty and staff a pay increase, we have to get through the legislature first,” Trauth said.
Bourgeious said Texas institutions are being advised to spend state money carefully. “The reason for the careful review of staff travel and flexible staff-hiring freeze is because we received a letter from the lieutenant governor and speaker to all state agencies asking universities to begin cutting 2.5 percent of a $2.8 million appropriation,” Bourgeious said. The letter, written by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker of the House Joe Straus, asked state agencies and universities to help condense the Texas spending budget by reducing general revenue and state appropriations. Dewhurst and Straus ask the state of Texas to “be prudent with taxpayer dollars, and leave a reasonable reserve in the Rainy Day Fund to ensure” See SALARY, page 4
Bills would provide tuition ASG passes bill requiring relief for higher education senate petition support By Lora Collins News reporter Alyssa Scavetta/Star photo GREEN PIECE: Neal Denton, water studies junior, and Renee Carnes, from the Brain Injury rehab, lead the saturday morning project to pick up pieces of trash along the san Marcos River.
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Central Texas students descended on Austin Saturday with the hopes of alleviating tuition woes. Legislators are reviewing multiple higher education bills. Among those are Senate Bills 326, 46 and 105. SB 105, authored by nine senators, requires student approval for fee increases. Texas State and University of Texas students teamed up to advocate for the bill at the Texas Democratic Party’s State Democratic Executive Committee Meeting Saturday. Amanda Domaschk, president of the Texas State College Democrats, urged the committee to adopt tuition relief in her address to the members. “It’s not just a Texas State problem, it’s a State of Texas problem,” said Domaschk, political science senior. The Democratic Executive Committee approved support of the bill unanimously and gave the
students a standing ovation after the College Democrats’ presidents of Texas State and UT gave their speeches. Domaschk said the committee members’ support is encouraging. “I think the Texas Democratic Party is very receptive to tuition relief,” Domashck said. “With the passing of this resolution, I think they will urge Democratic congress members to put this as a number one importance.” Domaschk said delays in tuition relief are “pricing the middle class out of an education.” Samuel Ortega, member of College Democrats, made the trip to Austin and said the push for tuition regulation is a relief to his pocketbook. “For me, taking out a $7,500 loan every two semesters is a pain,” said Ortega, political science junior. “Any kind of tuition relief, even if it’s not perfect, would be nice.” SB 326, authored by Texas Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-8), foSee TUITION, page 4
By Teresa Wilburn News Reporter
ASG legislation passed Monday night that might help ease the pain for a Texas State student still in mourning. The piece of emergency legislation entitled “Samantha’s Bill” required the senate’s full support and endorsement of Josefina Ibarra’s petition by installing their signature on the document. Josephina Ibarra, whose sister Samantha died in an automobile accident Jan. 9, started a petition calling for a left-hand turn lane be put on Highway 123. Having the turn lane could have prevented her sister’s car accident, she said. “What we are saying is that we are not going to lose any more students to Highway 123,” said Sen. Tommy Luna, who authored the bill. “The rebuttal to any kind of movements on Highway 123 has been money. We cannot put a price on life. It has taken 16 people, including a sister of someone who attends the uni-
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versity.” According to the legislation, Ibarra, as well as residents living in the area, believe turning lanes and road divisions are necessary for the safety of the motorists. Ibarra began the petition to address the problem to the Texas Department of Transpor Transportation, county commissioners and Texas Sen. Jeff Wentworth (D-45). Effective petitions, especially those affecting university students and Hays County citizens, require the most support possible, according to the legislation. Luna said the required support is something the senate can do to help ensure student lives are not taken. The effect ASG has on the university extends beyond the county and beyond the state, he said. “She (Ibarra) can go into these meetings with commissioners and with senator with the back backing of the student senators,” Luna said. “We are the voice of Texas State.”
Inside News ........ 1,2,3,4 opinions ............ 5 Trends ............. 6,7
Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System
Diversions............9 Classifieds...........9 sports.................10
See ASG, page 4
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starsof texas state
Softball player Ryan Kos, economics senior, had a bunt that led to an 8-2 win over A&M-Corpus Christi Sunday. The Bobcats beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 8-2, to sweep the three-game series over the Islanders. The Bobcats improve to 15-9, 7-2 SLC, while the Islanders fall to 8-17, 0-9 SLC. —Courtesy of Texas State Athletics
Today in Brief
News Contact — Amanda Venable, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System
Correction
MONEY WATCH
In Thursday’s issue of The University Star, The National Association of Environmental Professionals is sponsoring Bike to School Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Quad April 2 to promote bicycles as a primary form of transportation and recreation.
TUESDAY “Say What You Need To Say” is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Become a pro at direct, open, honest communication. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208.
The Star regrets this error.
Every Nation Campus Ministries will be holding our weekly campus meeting at 7 p.m. in Centennial, room G-02. Bring your cell phone. We will be responding to hot topic questions that are texted in and giving a biblical response.
CRIME BLOTTER
Career Services presents the Spring Engineering and Technology Job Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. in the LBJ Ballroom.
University Police Department
The Counseling Center Presents: First Generation Students-Breaking the Cycle is from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. in LBJ Student Center, room 3-7.1 The Ensemble Series Presents: Concert Band Concert-Dr. Caroline Beatty, Conductor at 8 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. Admission is free WEDNESDAY LGBQ Pride Group is from 12 to 1:30 p.m. It is open to students wanting to discuss the impact of their sexual identity on crucial aspects of their lives in a safe and confidential place. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208. Anger Management Group is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Learn simple, innovative techniques for managing anger and developing healthier ways of relating. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208. ACOA/Dysfunctional Families Group is from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. It is for adult children of alcoholics dealing with dysfunctional families group. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208. The American Marketing Association presents guest speaker Robert Cowes, IF Marketing at 5:30 p.m. in LBJSC, room 3-14.1. (Free food and drinks are available starting at 5:15 p.m.) Bring a friend. All majors welcome. Businesscasual dress is suggested. More info at www. business.txstate.edu/AMA
Bridgette Cyr/Star photo Austin Helms, botany senior, follows the economy and his money in a national publication while waiting for class with Jonathan Burchett, pre-psychology senior.
This day in history 1629: England’s King Charles I dissolved Parliament.
1785: Thomas Jefferson was appointed minister to France, succeeding Benjamin Franklin. 1848: The Senate ratified the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the war with Mexico. 1864: Ulysses S. Grant became commander of the Union armies during the Civil War. 1876: The first successful
voice transmission over Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone took place in Boston as his assistant heard Bell say, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want you.” 1969: James Earl Ray pleaded guilty in Memphis, Tenn., to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. 1993: Authorities announced the arrest of Nidal Ayyad, a second suspect in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New
York.
1993: Dr. David Gunn was shot to death outside a Pensacola, Fla., abortion clinic. 1997: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” debuted on the WB network. 2005: A suicide bomber blew himself up at a funeral in Mosul, Iraq, killing at least 47 people.
Feb. 21, 7:15 p.m. Medical Emergency / LBJ Student & Visitor Center A student injured her ankle while walking down the stairs. The student was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation. Feb. 27, 8:48 a.m. Medical Emergency / Baseball Field A nonstudent reported to a police officer he was injured while working. The nonstudent was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation. Feb. 27, 10:54 a.m. Elevator Rescue / The Tower Hall A police officer was dispatched to the location for an elevator rescue. Nine people were rescued without incident. A report was made of the incident. Feb. 28, 5:15 p.m. Medical Emergency / Strahan Coliseum A nonstudent had passed out and was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation. A report was made of the incident.
—Courtesy of New York Times
—Courtesy of University Police Department
Library Beat Library offers databases for athletic training majors The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) recognizes National Athletic Training Month each March. The theme for 2009 is “Health Care for Life and Sport”. Texas State offers an accredited athletic training education program, which embodies the spirit of the 2009 NATA theme. The program and theme aim to prepare students for careers as athletic trainers who work, under the direction of team physicians, to prevent sportsrelated injuries and to provide treatment and rehabilitation for injured athletes. Texas State athletic training students help care for 400 Division I student athletes at the university, and may seek Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees here. The Alkek Library offers numerous resources, including specialized databases, books,
e-books, video materials and journals to assist both undergraduate and graduate students with their athletic training assignments and research needs. Specialized research databases allow students to access journal articles, trade magazines and reports covering current and historical topics. The library also offers databases that provide interactive, 3-D anatomy images, MRIs and CAT scans, which can be invaluable to students learning about sports injuries. Among the databases athletic training students have access to are Anatomy.tv, Infotrac Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Collection, Sport Discus with Full Text, Rehabilitation Reference Center, STAT! Ref Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment and Health Reference Center. These databases are available both on- and off-
campus and offer full-text journal articles. Librarians are available inperson, by phone or online to help students learn to use these research databases. Information on how to “Ask a Librarian” is at www.library.txstate.edu/askalibrarian.html. The Alkek librarians have created a comprehensive online research guide directing students to library resources for athletic training. The guide provides suggestions for useful reference books, print and electronic books, DVDs, journal databases and links to web resources and Web sites of professional organizations. The research guide is available at alkek.library.txstate.edu/wiki/ index.php?title=Athletic_Training —Courtesy of Alkek Library
City residents surpass goals for lower water use San Marcos residents have been helping protect precious water resources by limiting their per capita water use to below state averages, despite exceptionally low rainfall for the last year. The 2008 statistics on water use shows San Marcos residents used 122 gallons per person per day, which is better than the state goal of 140 gallons and the city’s own target for 2008, which was 133 gallons. The Texas Water Development Board Water Conservation Task Force has recommended to water utilities to reduce per capita use by 1 percent a year until they reach 140 gallons per person per day. “We have improved on that goal significantly,” said Tom Taggart, Director of Public Services. “San Marcos residents tend to pay close attention to their water use because of our rate
structure that encourages conservation and because they are aware of how dependent the San Marcos River is on spring flow and the Edwards Aquifer.” The city has a year-round water ordinance prohibiting outdoor sprinkling during daytime hours (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) as well as a four-stage drought response plan triggered when aquifer levels or spring flows drop to low levels. The City of San Marcos receives about 70 to 80 percent of its water supply from Canyon Lake and pumps 20 to 30 percent from the Edwards Aquifer. Surface water is piped to San Marcos from Canyon Lake via the Guadalupe River and a 20-mile pipeline. The water is treated at the San Marcos Water Treatment Plant. The City’s pumping from the Edwards Aquifer during 2008 was 1,912 acre-feet, only 35 per-
cent of the 5,433 acre feet the City has in aquifer water rights. The City’s total water production for 2008 was 7,287 acre feet from both surface and ground water sources out of a total of 11,183 acre feet in both surface and aquifer water rights. San Marcos’ per capita use compares to Austin, for the 2008 fiscal year, at 159 gallons per person per day for non-industrial use, New Braunfels at 160 gallons and San Antonio at 139 gallons. San Marcos received only 17 inches of rain in 2008, less than half the average rainfall of 37 inches annually. San Marcos has received less than an inch of rain — 0.83 of an inch — in 2009, which already is a deficit of 4.13 inches for the first two months of the year. —Courtesy of City of San Marcos
News
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Board endorses department changes By Kosaku Narioka News Reporter The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved campus curriculum changes. The bachelor of fine arts in digital and photographic imaging will become a major in photography in the department of arts and design, effective fall 2009. The department will transform to the school of art and design. The department of technology will be renamed as department of engineering technology, and the School of Social Work will move from College of Health Professions into the College of Applied Arts. “The university, like any progressive organization, has the responsibility to continuously evaluate and refine its programs,” said Debbie Thorne, associate vice president for academic affairs. “Curriculum changes are a key indicator of Texas State’s commitment to this responsibility.” University officials do not expect any additional costs or savings to come as a result of the changes. Erik Nielsen, chair of the department of arts and design, said people did not understand that digital and photographic imaging
meant photography. “They though it was a program that’s related to health and science — to the medical field, because of the digital naming of it,” Nielsen said. “And so there were a lot of people thinking it did not offer a degree in photography because of their misunderstanding of the name. The name change was just to clarify the fact that we do have a photography program.” The department of technology has, in recent years, broadened its traditional programs to encompass new areas of studies in engineering technologies. “The name change better reflects the changing mission and broadening scope and reflects the rigor and depth of the science and engineering orientation of the department,” university officials said in an explanation to the board. The name change is expected to help faculty seek research funding from industry and government agencies. Thorne said the faculty of the department of art and design decided to seek an accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design in 2010. “The combination of ‘school
status’ and accreditation will make Texas State’s art and design programs more competitive and attractive to future students, faculty, employers and other stakeholders,” Thorne said. Texas State’s art and design unit is one of the largest in the nation with 1,200 students and 70 faculty members, she noted. Thorne said the university is planning to eventually move the College of Health Professions to the Round Rock Higher Education Center. She said it made sense to move the School of Social Work, which does not have a highly health-related curriculum, into the College of Applied Arts so the faculty can maintain collaborations with colleagues in family and consumer sciences and criminal justice. Thorne said the university uses a faculty-driven approach in making curriculum changes, and committees and individual stakeholders are involved in the decision making process. “By the time such proposals reach the Texas State University System Board of Regents, the decisions have been thoroughly discussed and vetted by the Texas State academic community,” Thorne said.
Geography department holds conference, showcases work
Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo GREEN ECONOMY: Faculty members and graduate students gathered for a panel discussion on the economy versus the environment during the Texas Geography Student Research Symposium Friday.
By Jordan Gass-Poore’ News Reporter The fifth annual Texas Geography Student Research Symposium had people rocking out Friday in the Evans Liberal Arts building. Students and faculty had the opportunity to present and hear research at the free, student-led professional all-day mini-conference hosted by the geography department. Other Texas institutions attended along with high school advanced placement human geography teachers and students from San Antonio. Tara Noah, graduate Texas Geography Student Research Symposium co-chair, said the event is designed to showcase undergraduate and graduate work. “It’s good for faculty to see what’s going on — to see what other students are doing other than theirs,” Noah said. Noah said the event gives students who have never been to a conference “a taste” of what it is like. “For geographers, the big conference is the Association of American Geographers, which happens every year. It is massive. The Texas Geography Student Research Symposium is so much smaller, which makes it a little more comfortable for some students to come and get a feel for what a professional confer-
ence is like and to have people look at their work.” Noah’s previous research was on an endangered flower endemic specific to Texas. She looked at different geographic information systems, such as the soil date and weather data. The symposium is often used for students to prepare for the Association of American Geographers conference and get feedback before they attend. “It’s a good thing for undergrads and graduates to hear their peers’ research and hear especially the faculties’ research — to know what they’re being funded on,” said Veronica Urzua, geography senior. “It’s a good way for geography students to learn more about what issues are out there, and it especially ties in with the professors.” Urzua became interested in geography while attending a community college in her hometown of Houston. “I took a geography course from a professor, who’s an alumus from here, and he was just so passionate about it — he made it sound so cool and so, like, ‘You’re an idiot if you don’t know everything about geography.’ I’m really happy he showed me the light, because it’s so fascinating.” Urzua presented her research on the late-Cretaceous basalt formations in Texas, specifically, Honey Creek. She said there is an
igneous intrusion that is “really significant” in the Hill Country. “Most of Texas was a shallow marine environment for millions and millions of years,” Urzua said. “Recently there was a geologist in the ’50s who found an outcrop of basalt, which is an igneous intrusion.” Urzua said there are three different types of rock: metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary, which comprises most of the Hill Country. The event was compromised of 15-minute paper and poster presentations, panel discussions about health and the environment and its relation to the economy and a plenary speaker session, featuring Doc Augustin, regents’ professor in the department of geography. Augustin’s plenary address focused on how geography is suited to field research and encouraged students and faculty to go out into the field. “The department does a really good job of putting together the panels, and the professors and faculty do a good job leading the discussions,” Urzua said. “It’s good for people who are passionate about geography, or any type of human issue, to express their opinions.” Urzua said geography is “not just knowing where things are on the map,” it is the “influence the landscape has, that humans have (and) the culture has.”
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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Sen. Jon Riggs said Ibarra has “managed to stay upbeat” throughout the process. “As a fellow Bobcat, we should all be extremely proud of what she has done about this.” Riggs said. “In ASG, we speak for the students, but right now, she has taken on the responsibility of speaking for students, and the people living in San Marcos. She
really worked hard and has been so passionate about this.” Chris Covo, ASG executive assistant, said he supports the legislation. “Some senators were not fully informed of what was going on,” Covo said. “When they realized what they could possibly do to help this girl, they jumped in and did it.” Ibarra, whose eyes welled up with tears after the meeting,
said she is glad to know Texas State students are in the battle with her. Senators came to sign the petition and offered to see what they could do for her from the beginning, she said. “As of right now, we are going to e-mail the signatures that we do have,” Ibarra said. “We still have online signing going on as well.” The petition has more than 2,000 signatures and will be sent to Wentworth within the coming week.
senators to reply with “two fold” recommendations for what should be done to make changes. “They want to retro activate this bill so if it passes, then if tuition at Texas State rose more than the percent of inflation for this past school year, then we would be refunded that amount,” Ahrlett said. “So that is going to be a pretty big burden on the school.” Drew Surprenant, member of the Texas Student Association, said a lack of funding causes a problem for institutions like Texas State. “It’s very hard to distinguish when you talk about tuition freezes and funding — it’s really hard to find funding from different areas of the university,” said Surprenant, electronic media senior. ASG President Brett Baker said ASG is monitoring tuition relief bills. However, Baker, alongside fellow members of the Texas Student Association, said they are not publicly endorsing tuition freezes. “Students want more affordable higher education, but the thing is we don’t want to hurt our actual institution for lowering the cost of education,” Baker said. “I think we need to make higher education an important focus of the future.” Cristina Solis, international studies senior, said she is in favor of a tuition freeze, but agrees funding causes a problem. “I think that (a tuition freeze) is a good idea, but then again I think they need to raise tuition in order to pay for construction on campus,
because I don’t know where else they would get that money,” Solis said. “If it’s going to help to promote Texas State as a better university, then I support it.” Ahrlett agreed with Surprenant saying she does not believe students are willing to “paralyze our school” while trying to make tuition affordable. However, textbooks, transfer credits and tuition are the top three priorities higher education legislators want to get out of the 2009 session, Ahrlett said. “Nobody is willing to see their schools growth stagnate,” Ahrlett said. “Nobody wants to lose funding for programs and new buildings. We want new programs, and we want new degrees offered, and it’s going to be a really competitive market right now with this bad economy.” Michael Dimitri, economics senior, said tuition should be regulated on the basis of which classification a student files under. “I think the undergraduates should pay for undergraduate fees and allow those who are looking to get doctorates to pay for those fees,” Dimitri said. “I think they need to put a cap on tuition to control the inflation.” Ahrlett said compromises need to be made to achieve some form of tuition relief. She said she is worried the decision made by legislators “might be a Band-Aid and just help for the moment,” but will not “be a long term solution.” Reporting contributed by Allen Reed
immediate effect undoing what the Board of Regents have done, we will have the funds generated revenue.” Nance evaluates each vacant staff position and notifies the departments if they are able to start looking for qualified applicants. “I got a request from facilities,” Nance said. “There were seven vacant maintenance spots. I allowed (Thyberg) to fill the most important ones. We still have to be concerned with the
cleanliness of buildings.” Nance said he was at the Texas State System office in 1985 when a hiring freeze was implemented for years. “I understand people said it really put a burden on the staff that remained to cover all the work,” he said. Bourgeoisie said Trauth is planning to move forward with her strategic plan and continue to “maintain competitive market salaries.”
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cuses on “stabilizing the amount of tuition charged” to certain state residents. Senate Bill 46, authored by Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-21), chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, would allow tuition exemptions for students who volunteer for outreach programs in the area. The bill states, “The governing board of an institution of higher education may exempt from the payment of tuition and fees for one course offered by the institution per semester.” Lisa Ahrlett, ASG legislative liaison, said the bill will have an advantage over others because of Zaffirini’s committee position having “a lot of sway.” Ahrlett is a member of the Texas Student Association, an organization comprised of campus leaders statewide who come together to discuss higher education legislation. Ahrlett said the bills give hope to students, but are in a slow moving process. “You have a lot of repetitive ideas going into each of these bills, so it’s really early in the game to know what is going to come out of this,” Ahrlett said. “But it’s going to be a combination of these bills that gets passed.” House Bill 215 relates to the regulation of “limitations on increases in fees and designated tuition charged by public institutions of higher education.” Ahrlett said the bill and SB 105 are causing
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Texas does not “face a large deficit in the 2011 Session.” Texas State’s proposal to reduce university spending includes limiting faculty and staff travel and department spending. “Right now, we’re trying to minimize the pain, if we do have to give back to the state by activating this hiring freeze,” Nance said. “Unless the legislature enacts something for
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individuals who can already purchase a firearm and obtain a concealed carry license to continue to exercise their rights. “We’re not trying to lower the age or lessen qualifications to get a license,” Guzman said. “What we really want to see is a restriction on the administration from enacting their own gun policies so they can’t expel a student or fire an employee.” Guzman said he did not believe allowing firearms on campus would have a sizeable effect on a faculty retention or desertion. “I don’t see a large exodus of faculty to other states,” Guzman said. “That same claim was made by Utah faculty, and it didn’t happen. There were a lot of republicans saying if Obama won they would move to Canada — no one moved.” ASG Sen. Amanda Domaschk, president of College Democrats,
said she opposes handguns being in classrooms. “When I’m in a classroom, I don’t feel unsafe to begin with,” said Domaschk, political science senior. “I don’t think having people with handguns sitting next to me while I’m studying political geography will make me feel safer. I don’t think we need them, and it’s scary to have them. I think it will be detrimental to our institution and every institution in the state of Texas.” Domaschk said proponents of the bill use scare tactics to push their agenda. “The president of the university, the university police department, Texas state students who I’ve talked to, administrators and faculty members do not support this,” Domaschk said. “The only people who support this are a small amount of radical conservatives who are trying to push their agenda through the legislature.”
Guzman said Students for Concealed Carry on Campus does not take a stance on whether concealed carry license holders should be able to have firearms at private schools. “Why would I not want to protect kids?” Wentworth said when asked why his bill targets both public and private institutions. “Either you’re for protecting kids from being massacred or not. I’m trying to make sure that all students are protected.” Domaschk said the bill would make it harder for Texas State to attract out-of-state students and hire faculty and staff. “I don’t think it should be written at all, but I definitely don’t think it should affect private universities,” Domaschk said. Guzman said Howard Williams, San Marcos police chief, and Texas State students will be testifying before committees in favor of the bills, and an empty-holster protest is planned for April.
University begins honor code revision By Kosaku Narioka News reporter Officials initiated the process to revise part of the university policies and procedures statements honor code, said Debra Feakes, Faculty Senate chair, in a Thursday meeting. The section under the student discipline of the university policies and procedures statements sets forth the action faculty, students and staff should take when a student is believed to have violated the honor code, specifically cheating and plagiarism. Faculty Senate will send members for the honor code revisions to committee. “Last time we talked about it, there was an agreement that this is a university-wide issue,” Feakes said. “Everyone needs to be involved.” She said the Office of Academic Affairs has begun the process. Re-
becca Bell-Metereau, professor in the English department and chair of the Honor Council, said the committee has held one meeting and is trying to schedule another. The Honor Council hears “cases of academic and disciplinary penalties associated with academic dishonesty,” according to the Texas State Web site. Bell-Metereau visited the Faculty Senate meeting last week. Faculty Sen. William Stone, professor in the department of criminal justice, said the honor code was originally created as a contract between students and faculty, signed by both ASG and Faculty Senate. “When this whole thing is through, it needs to be a student-Faculty Senate issue,” Stone said. Faculty members have ideas for possible revisions. Faculty Sen. Steven Wilson, professor in the English department, said he
would like to see a revision addressing cases involved with distance learning. Faculty Sen. Sally Caldwell, associate professor of in the department of sociology, said the document should to have a flow chart of procedures. Bell-Metereau said a wording in the university policies and procedures statements asks the dean of the college to convene an Honor Council, but that is not always the case. “As soon as the student says (they) don’t accept the charge of academic dishonesty, that automatically convenes the council,” she said. “So that wording needs to be changed.” Feakes said she hopes revisions will “clear up” confusion. “The concern that I hear the most is simply that people read the policies and procedures statements, and they don’t really understand the procedure,” Feakes said.
OpiniOns 5 - The University Star
onlineconnection Check out www.UniversityStar.com in the following weeks for continued News, Sports, Trends and Opinions coverage.
HEALTH HAZARD
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Opinions Contact — Krista Almazan, staropinion@txstate.edu
The Main PoinT he days of convenient, free healthcare on campus could be going.
T
According to the March 4 issue of The University Star, a House Bill has been proposed by the Texas government to incorporate private insurance programs into college healthcare, replacing the current system. The only people private insur insurance plans help are the private insurance companies. House Bill 103 will greatly increase Health Center costs including visit fees, service charges and possibly staff and remodeling charges. Most health insurance companies drop anyone over the age of 21 from their parents’ insurance plan unless they are enrolled full time at a college or university. The 25 percent of Texas State students who do not have health insurance, and the students who do not qualify for their parents’ insurance because they are enrolled only part time, depend on the Health Center as an economical alternative to private insurance and doctor visits. If HB 103 is passed, Health Center visits will no longer be free to the students in need. Having uninsured students, even if they cannot pay, would result in a germ-breeding ground and a losing situation for everyone. The great thing about having a health center on campus is students do not have to make of official doctor appointments to see a practitioner. Students experience short waiting times to see a healthcare professional at the Health Center and by implement implementing a private insurance plan, those waiting times are increased because staff must handle insurance claims. Students have no idea how long they will be at the Health Center, resulting in unreliable schedules and missed classes. In addition, privatizing the Health Center would likely cause the on-campus pharmacy to close. Like students and parents, the pharmacy would ultimately be losing money when converted to accept only private insurance plans forcing students to go elsewhere for their pharmaceutical needs. This creates problems for students who do not have money for or have transportation to a third party pharmacy. Even for the students who do have health insurance, the Health Center will only accept in-network plans, meaning if they do not accept your insurance you will have to pay the same amount as someone who does not have insurance at all. Students may as well make an appointment at their own doctor’s office where their insurance is accepted. By implementing a private insurance model for college health centers and raising visit fees on just about everything, all students will be disadvantaged. The interests of students should not come second to that of insurance companies. It is possible some may not receive the healthcare they require because costs are so high. This bill puts the safety of our students in danger. The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
U.S. banking system brought on recession
Russel Weiss/Star illustration
By John O’Connor Guest Columnist The common man’s lack of confidence has caused economies around the world to stop working. I remember a story from my childhood in which an emperor stands naked before his townsfolk. The story is analogous to our cur current political situation. Everyone that could not see the king’s wardrobe was dismissed as an idiot, but by the end of the story, a kid points out the obvious and everyone but the king snaps from the fantasy. I feel as though I am the kid and the bailout is the emperor, when I point out that no amount of confidence will make our economy any less broke. Barack Obama won the election because he noted long ago that we had a problem. It should be the goal of every citizen to analyze the thought train that led us into this mess. To do otherwise will surely continue our nose dive into hell. Personally, I am fond of capitalism. Capitalism means we regard the worth of people, product and money as the center of our economic policies. The bad news is today America does not appreciate the value of the dollar. The handling of money is a simple concept. When you deposit a paycheck into a bank account, the bank keeps some of it on hand and has the option to loan out a por portion. However, the bank’s books say that all of a person’s money is still on hand. The current law dictates that about 10 percent of a person’s cash is not loaned out, but with all these pseudo banks running around today the actual number is much lower. America has not always had a 10 percent law. It was during the Reagan Administration that the last of The New Deal was lost as banks became deregulated. Up to that point, banks kept nearly 50 percent of a person’s money on hand. Recently, the mass media have been groping every new book suggesting the New Deal did not pull us from the depression and that it may have worsened things. Supposedly, World War II should receive all credit for saving America. First of all, this is a terrible time to start rewriting history. Second, guns and butter are centerpieces of all economies. The war covered guns and FDR covered ‘butter.’ Of course, no amount of government spending or global war will end this slump we face until we address how money is handled. In short, nearly all money is being gambled by banks. When it all gets tied up, moved elsewhere, or just plain lost, the banks file for bankruptcy. Unlimited amounts of taxpayers’ debt is created by the federal reserve as they print off greenbacks so fast we have to stop and wonder why we ever did hard work in the old days. A recession is not natural. I encourage Texas State students to do more talking about the faulty economy among themselves. John O’Connor is a Texas State alumnus.
Obama needs to ignore media criticisms nathan seltzer star Columnist
Anyone tuned into the world of politics lately has probably seen or heard about the escalat escalating battle between President Obama and Rush Limbaugh. The clash of the titans began in January when Sean Hannity, in a Fox News interview, asked Limbaugh if he wanted the president to succeed. Limbaugh responded, “No. I
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want him to fail.” Obama later told a group of Republican legislators who disagreed with his agenda, “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.” The conflict has continued to escalate since then, with Limbaugh assaulting the Obama administration, and the president responding personally and through surrogates. Limbaugh has taken a lot of heat for his statement, but there are two enormous questions needing to be asked about the entire situation. Why is the president of the United States engaging in petty bickering with a talk show host?
The president’s job is to lead this country. We are in the midst of a heavy global recession, we are threatened with the prospect of a nuclear Iran and we are actively engaged in a conflict in two Middle Eastern countries. These are the things the president should be focused on. Limbaugh’s job involves none of these things. His job, in the capacity as a radio personality, is to get ratings so he can sell advertising and turn a profit. Every time the president says Limbaugh’s name only serves to send more listeners to the radio to hear what the ruckus is about. Did Bush ever tell the Democrats, ‘You can’t just listen to
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George Clooney and get things done’? No, because that would be absurd. The leader of the free world does not respond to the remarks of entertainers, because he should have better things to do. Another important question to ask is, what is wrong with want wanting President Obama to fail? The president is promoting one of the most radically left-wing agendas in American history. He is advocating completely socialized medicine, redistributing wealth to the lower class, raising taxes on corporations and stifling private sector growth through rigorous environmental standards.
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Why should I want the president to succeed in passing policies I disagree with? It seems like the media has been caught up in the personality cult sur surrounding Obama that it simply can’t understand the position of anyone who hasn’t guzzled the Kool-Aid. Let’s go back, for a frame of a reference, to a 2006 Fox News poll that asked respondents, “Regardless of how you voted in the presidential election, would you say you want President Bush to succeed or not?” An overwhelming 51 percent of Democrats responded “No,” they did not want the president to succeed. Is that not the same
thing as wanting him to fail? Why was no one in the media talking about this poll? I will define success since it is not politically correct to say I hope President Obama fails. Success is not socializing the entire healthcare system and making it into the same horrific sewer plaguing countries like Great Britain. Success is not taxing American businesses out of business. Success is lowering corporate taxes to attract private investment and lower the price of goods. Success is relaxing environmental standards which costs businesses much-needed money in tough economic times. I want Obama to succeed.
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Trends the university star
phishyfans
When the world-renowned psychedelic band Phish announced they were reuniting after a fiveyear hiatus for a string of shows, fans of the musical innovators rejoiced. The reunion shows took place this weekend in Hampton, Vt. at the Hampton Coliseum where police say they confiscated $1.2 million in illegal drugs and nearly $70,000 in cash. Most of the arrests were for possession, use and sale of illegal drugs. The rest of the band’s reunion tour will take them on June 4 from Wantagh, N.Y. to East Troy, Wis. on June 20.
6 - Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Trends Contact — Brett Thorne, starentertainment@txstate.edu
Film exposes discrimination within races Eminem releases new album By Mike Patterson Features Reporter C.C. Stinson is a young black woman with a very light skin tone. “Light, bright, damn near white!” was the jeer Stinson heard from bullies as a child. Stinson found it peculiar that the girls making the racist remarks were also black, but of a darker tone. Stinson, as an independent filmmaker in Austin, along with Neobe Welis, have now produced a film bearing the same jeer she endured for all those years. The film delves into the topic of colorism. “Colorism is defined as internal discrimination based on skin tone, or discrimination within a race,” said Sherri Ben, vice president of multicultural student affairs. Stinson and Welis’ interview people in the film from multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds and found they had either heard of, or experienced, this form of discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 374 charges of color-
based discrimination in 1992. They received 1,241 in 2006. Stinson quotes Professor Joni Hersch of Vanderbilt University in the film, who said, “Light skinned immigrants to the United States, have 8 to 15 percent higher incomes than immigrants that have the same characteristics, but with a darker skin tone.” The fact reflects a difference in how American society treats people within a single race. Laurie Fluker, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, had the lightest skin of her siblings. “I was spared of this (colorism) by my mother,” Fluker said. Color was an area that was off limits for the basis of teasing in her family. Fluker believes the real problem of being of a lighter color is the risk of being ostracized by one’s race. “If you have light skin, other blacks might think you have it better or are better,” Fluker said. Fluker said she was concerned about the way people
view skin color. If someone asked a black girl “who do you think is a pretty girl from your race” their answer would almost always include Alicia Keys and Tyra Banks, Fluker said. Fluker said the problem is not exclusive to the black race. She believes if someone were to ask the same question to a Latina girl her answer would probably include Jennifer Lopez or Jessica Alba. Colorism is not often talked about within discussions on racism, and it is certainly not limited to America. According to BE Magazine, in India, the major skin product that has dominated the market is known as Fair and Lovely, which contains lightening elements. “I do believe (colorism) is a dirty little secret,” Fluker said. The film Light, Bright and Damn Near White will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday in LBJ Teaching Theater. The film will be followed by a discussion panel lead by Dr. Laurie Fluker and Dr. Sherri Ben. Students are encouraged to attend to this panel.
By Brian McCollum Detroit Free Press Eminem fans finally have another date with Slim Shady. Relapse, the long-awaited new album by the Detroit hiphop superstar, will be released May 19, Universal Music announced Thursday. The disc will arrive nearly half a decade after Eminem’s last studio record, which was followed by a botched tour and rehab stint as the international hit maker eased out of the public eye. Eminem will compensate for lost time with a twofer: Relapse will likely be followed later this year by a sequel, featuring songs recorded with longtime collaborator Dr. Dre during a productive stretch last fall. “We were on such a roll. We wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre,” Eminem said in a statement. “Putting out Relapse 2 will let everyone get all of the best stuff.” Dre has also produced the bulk of the tracks on Relapse, Eminem told Billboard Magazine in December. But the rapper and his associates have otherwise remained tight-lipped about the
new material’s musical vibe. “We are up to our old mischievous ways,” he told Billboard. “Let’s just leave it at that.” The infectious Em-Dre-50 Cent collaboration “Crack a Bottle,” officially released last month after a leaked version caught fire online, will be included on Relapse. But the chart-topping track is not considered to be the album’s leadoff single, according to Universal, which said a new single and video will come April 7. Thursday’s announcement caps months of rumors and chatter about the album, which was originally thought to be set for a December 2008 release. At his peak earlier this decade, Eminem was regarded by many as the world’s biggest music star, a headline-generating celebrity whose work also earned the respect of critics, Grammy voters and street-level hip-hop purists. Relapse is the first major hiphop album of 2009, and the return of Eminem will likely garner major attention around the globe. But however hot the hoopla, it is unlikely Relapse will match the sales heights of previous Em efforts, thanks to the increasingly dismal state of the record indus-
try. Long gone are the days when high-profile releases were guaranteed to make blockbuster debuts: Since 2005, just one album — Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III — has topped first-week sales of 1 million. Eminem’s last studio release, 2004’s Encore, has sold 5.1 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That compares to 10.2 million for his biggest seller, 2000’s The Marshall Mathers LP. The national release schedule will continue to fill up in coming weeks, at this point Eminem largely has the springtime docket to himself. New albums by Dave Matthews Band, Whitney Houston and Green Day are among those expected to hit shelves by summer. Aaron Anderson, a music-retail veteran, describes Relapse as a pivotal release. Rap sales in 2008 were down nationally nearly 20 percent from 2007. “This tests the waters for hiphop in 2009. It is a tried, true, tested name — if it does not work, I fear for any other scheduled big releases,” he said. “Because that could mean the industry has lost its hip-hop audience.”
Entertainment Calendar Tuesday Alyson Fox, Misako Ianaoka, Mimi Kato: What isn’t is?, 5-7 p.m., Mitte Gallery I & II Wednesday Alyson Fox, Misako Ianaoka, Mimi Kato: What isn’t is?, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II Adah Toland Jones, Flute recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall Thursday Alyson Fox, Misako Ianaoka, Mimi Kato: What isn’t is?, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II Alejandro Montiel Guitar
Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall Common Experience Concert: Julliard Joins Texas State, 8 p.m., Evans Auditorium Philosophy Dialogue Series: Do Animals Have Rights? A Debate, 12:30 p.m., Psychology 132 Friday Alyson Fox, Misako Ianaoka, Mimi Kato: What isn’t is?, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II Saturday Alyson Fox, Misako Ianaoka, Mimi Kato: What isn’t is?, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II
Trends
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The University Star - 7
Design conference cancelled because of low funding By Jovonna Owen Trends Reporter The Creative Summit is a design conference for students to get work recognized, receive cash prizes, scholarships, internships and network with industry professionals. Students will not have the opportunity this year. The Creative Summit will be taking 2009 off, after 23 years of connecting design students with industry professionals. Chris Hill is the founder and organizer of the Creative Summit. “With the economy being down, the corporate sponsorships needed to fund the event have dried up this year,” Hill said. Hill said sponsors laughed in his face when asked for a donation. “The summit is a $20,000 to $30,000 cost endeavor. Many corporations are facing hard times and do not have the financial means to donate time and money to the event.”
“D
oing it halfway is not an option. It rips my heart out, kills me— it means so much to the students. I wish the economy was better.” —Chris Hill, founder organizer of Creative Summit
Hill considered doing a smaller summit where students would not enter artwork. “Doing it halfway is not an option,” Hill said. “It rips my heart out, kills me— it means so much to the students. I wish the economy was better.” Ben Rondeau, communication design senior, said the summit’s cancellation this year was unfortunate, but he understands Hill’s reasons. “I’m very hopeful that it happens next year. I’ve met great contacts through the Creative Summit,” Rondeau said. Erik A. Nielsen, department chair and professor in the department of art and design, said he has noticed students are disappointed. “The Creative Summit is one of the most important features we have outside of the classroom experience,” Nielsen said. “We are doing the best we can to substitute it with some other experience.” Communication design students are now looking to the Dallas Society of Visual Communications national student show to fill the void left by the Creative Summit. Kristen Worster, communication deBobby Scheidemann/Star photo illustration sign senior, said she was unhappy about the cancellation. ART RECCESSION: The long arms of the recession has caused the Creative Summit to be canceled this Worster said students were informed the year
Taken may change international travel plans
Brent Vickers Trends Columnist
Study-abroad season and summer vacation are fast approaching. Pierre Morel’s action-packed thriller Taken is sure to change the minds of some parents. Starring Liam Neeson and Famke Janssen, Taken tells the story of a 17-year-old girl named Kim who goes on vacation to Paris with her best friend, Amanda. They are unexpectedly tricked, kidnapped and sold into a woman slavetrade and prostitute trafficking ring moments after the two arrive. The kidnappers don’t know Kim’s father, played by
Neeson, is an ex-CIA assassin who vows to track the men down in an allotted 96 hours. The film is permeated with fierce acting from Neeson, whose other movies include Batman Begins, Gangs of New York and Kinsey. Outstanding action causes Taken to soar at the top of the list of spy and action thrillers released in recent years. The character development in the early stages of the film is contrasted with the action ensuing near the film’s end, leaving no questions as to why the protagonist seeks revenge. The intensity of Neeson’s character contrasts well with his relaxed and quietly-composed demeanor. The part played by Famke Janssen as Kim’s loving mother and Neeson’s ex-wife likewise demonstrates how a parent would realistically respond to such a situation. The genre of film can sometimes get exhausting, but Taken is a breath of fresh air. Writer Luc Besson proved
once again he can take an idea all too familiar to the public film medium and turn it in to something unique by adding something new and exciting to the stereotypes and motifs of the spy and action thriller. I could certainly feel his writing style as I watched this film, which can be seen in The Fifth Element and Leon: The Professional. There were similarities between Leon and Taken, such as the fact both men were not entirely pleased with what they were doing as a career. Neeson is retired in the latter. Taken proves even within a clichéd genre of film, there are still new twists and turns with which to experiment. The film demonstrates the intensity of a parent’s love, and harming someone’s child may have dire consequences. One thing is for sure: any and all lovers of the action and spy thriller genres should not miss an opportunity to see this exhilarating film.
Creative Summit was cancelled, and then only had a week to prepare entries for the Dallas show. She said her portfolio is at its best because this is her last semester. “I wish they still had it, even though they don’t have the money,” Worster said. “I’m not interested in it just because you win money, it’s the recognition that you get.” Chris Garza, communication design senior, said, word spread immediately when everyone found out the Summit was not happening. “The Creative Summit is easier to get into than the Dallas show,” Garza said. “The $20 entry fee is more expensive, and doesn’t guarantee you’ll even get in. Pretty much everyone is bummed. If you’re not an advanced design communication student, there’s not a lot of opportunities to get your work shown.” John Powell, assistant professor in the department of art and design, is trying to make disappointed students happy. Powell, an alumnus, and the 502 Alumni Organization for communication design, will be holding a “Pick and Pull” design competition on the 3rd floor of Joann Cole Mitte Art Building on March 28th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Since our students rely on the summit every year for recognition and scholarships, the alumni felt this is an opportunity for us to continue to give back to communication design students,” Powell said. Students from all grade levels can submit their work, at no fee to industry professionals and alumni to be judged and pulled for an opportunity to win scholarships. “It’s a great opportunity for students to talk to industry professionals,” Powell said. “Students get face-to-face interaction with major industry professionals that would never happen after they graduate.” Hill said he plans to give back in any way he can. Hill will speak to graduate students about the design industry, and is also willing to contact past speakers and sponsors on behalf of students interested in internships. Hill said if the economic situation improves by next year and he is able to have the Creative Summit, he would allow seniors from this year to enter next year’s summit. “We hope it will come back in full strength next year,” Nielsen said.
✯FYI The next Creative Summit is scheduled to take place March 26-27, 2010 and any students graduating in 2009 will be eligible to display their work at the event. Creative Summit began in 1984 while Chris Hill was teaching art and design at Texas State The Summit has raised over $200,000 in scholarships for students
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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Sports the university star
catclash
The Texas State men’s basketball team lost to Sam Houston State 92-82 Saturday in its final regular season game. The Bobcats are 14-15 overall and 7-9 in Southland Conference play. Texas State will take on Nicholls Sate in the first round of the SLC tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for noon Thursday at the Merrell Center in Katy.
10 - Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sports Contact — Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu
Bobcat rugby club wins state championship By Derek Genovese Sports Reporter The Renegades rugby club played Saturday and Sunday in the Texas Rugby Union Collegiate finals. The Renegades captured its second consecutive state championship title. Texas State was the No. 1 one seed going into the tournament. The Renegades faced the Baylor Bears in the semifinals. The Bears won 70-5 against Stephen F. Austin, while the Renegades defeated San Angelo State 57-10 in the first round of the tournament. Texas State won the semifinals match. The game’s first score came from a penalty kick nine minutes into the first half, giving Texas State a 3-0 lead. The Renegades were able to hold the ball in the Bears’ territory for most of the first half. John Grosch, geography senior, secured a 15-point lead for the Renegades by scoring the 15-0. Texas State led 24-0 at the end of the first half. The Bears scored twice in six minutes at the beginning of the second half. The score was 24-12 after a missed goal kick by Baylor. However, Texas State made another try, making the score 29-12 with 10 minutes left in the game. The Renegades missed the final goal kick, but still advanced to the finals on Sunday afternoon against Texas Christian. Texas State defeated TCU earlier this year 35-0. TCU began the finals game with a 7-0 lead, and Texas State responded scoring 19 straight points, putting the score to 19-7 at the end of the first half. Phil Laney, exercise and sports science senior, attributed the comeback to teamwork. “We played well as a team and came through a tough situations,” said Laney. Texas State won the match 24-12. Coach Scot Courtney said he hopes the team will advance further. “Our ultimate goal is to make it as deep as possible Tina Phan/Star photo and make it to the Sweet Sixteen,” Courtney said. BREAKING LOOSE: Peter Kanicki, health and fitness management junior, runs the ball while Kevin Kemp, pre-geography senior, holds off Texas Texas State will play against Wisconsin-Madison Christian players Sunday at the West Campus Fields. Texas State won the state championship against TCU for the second consecutive year. March 20 on the West Campus Fields.
Bobcats take second sweep of season By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter The Texas State baseball team defeated the Purdue Boilermakers in all three games this weekend. “We didn’t really know what to expect,” said Coach Ty Harrington. “I felt this weekend we did well, offensively and defensively, but we still need to grow in the bullpen and that’s our biggest interest right now. Anytime you sweep somebody, it’s a good thing.” Paul Goldschmidt, junior first baseman, had one home run on the season going into the series. He added four more runs to his total by the end of the weekend. “I hit those two (home runs) in the second game and just kind of carried that momentum over to (the third game),” Goldschmidt said. Goldschmidt homered twice in the second and third games Saturday and Sunday. He improved his batting average to .365 and leads
the team in RBIs on the season with 23. The Bobcats won their first game Friday 9-2. Tyler Sibley, freshman infielder, hit his first home run as a Bobcat and went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. “It felt good to get that first (home run) — to come through in that situation and help out the team,” Sibley said. Sibley is the team leader in batting average with .525 and on-base percentage with .655. “People are shocked to see how good (Sibley) is,” Harrington said. “He has been unbelievable so far. He is competitive, he is incredibly inspired, he has been a great leadoff guy and I hope it continues.” Laurn Randell, junior outfielder, led the Bobcats in their 17-4 victory Saturday. Randell hit 2-for-3, a triple and a double and drove in three runs. The Bobcats put up 16 hits Sunday to sweep the Boilermakers 14-10.
Women’s basketball loses spot in conference tournament
Zack Tritz, senior pitcher, Kane Holbrooks, senior pitcher, and Brian Borski, sophomore pitcher, all improved their individual records to 3-0 on the season. “Our starting pitchers have been great and they had a great weekend,” Harrington said. “But I still feel (like) if we want to contend, our bullpen still needs a lot of development.” The three wins improve the Bobcats’ overall record to 9-3. The Bobcats are 3-0 in Southland Conference play and 3-1 at home. One of those three losses was against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs, the Bobcats’ next opponent. “I feel like they’re (TCU) a top five team in the country,” Harrington said. “We’ve played them and Texas and it felt like we were playing the same team. I’m anxious to see how we play against them this time, but I feel our guys are ready.” Texas State will play TCU 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bobcat Field.
Austin Byrd/Star photo ONE LAST SHOT: Ryann Bradford, senior guard, looks to end her career with a win Sunday at Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats fell short to Sam Houston State 88-83.
By Blake Barington Sports Reporter
Austin Byrd/Star photo TURNING TWO: Jason Martinson, sophomore infielder, turns the double play Sunday en route to a three-game sweep of the Purdue Boilermakers at Bobcat Field.
One missed free throw by Sam Houston State and an offensive rebound by Ray Alexander, SHSU guard, prevented the Texas State women’s basketball team from winning its last home game of the season Sunday. The Bobcats trailed Sam Houston State 85-81 with 14 seconds remaining after the free throw from Khamra Echols, SHSU guard. Echols missed the second, which was rebounded by Alexander. Alexander was fouled immediately by Aimee Hilburn, junior forward, who gained her fifth personal foul with 13 seconds remaining. The offensive rebound resulted in an 88-83 win for the Bearkats, knocking off Texas State’s chances to play in the Southland Conference tournament. The Bobcats ended their season at 12-16 overall and 6-10 in SLC play. “We had a lot of different trials and tribulations
throughout the season with injuries,” said Coach Suzanne Fox. “The kids stuck together. It’s frustrating for them. This is never what we had anticipated.” Kim Cessna, senior center, led the Bobcats with 26 points in her last game at Texas State. Ashley Cole, senior guard, finished her collegiate career scoring 16 points. Hilburn led the Bobcats with 13 rebounds. Texas State took its first lead of the game at 9-8 with 15:08 remaining in the first half after Cole made one of two free throws. Texas State then went on an 8-0 run that spanned over five minutes. SHSU broke its scoring drought with two free throws from Echols with 1:50 remaining in the first half. Three turnovers by the Bobcats in the last 25 seconds kept them from expanding their lead. The Bobctas led 31-26 going into halftime. Lydia Gonzales, SHSU center, shot 70 percent from the
field and scored 19 points in the second half. SHSU shot 74.1 percent from the floor and 77.8 percent from 3-point range, resulting in 62 second-half points. “I thought they shot the ball extremely well,” Fox said. “That credit goes to Sam Houston.” The Bearkats regained the lead at the 14:34 mark in the second half after a 3-pointer by Leasa Ailshie, SHSU guard. Ailshie hit three 3-pointers in the second half for the Bearkats. Cole made a 3-pointer to put Texas State up by one with more than 13 minutes remaining in the game. SHSU began pulling away from the Bobcats, stretching their lead to 12 with less than eight minutes to play after a free throw from Ailshie. Texas State gained points scored by Cessna, Gabriell Mattox, sophomore forward and Victoria Davis, junior guard, but Echols made two free throws to seal the victory for the Bearkats.
