STROLL f fOR OR IBLINGS BASEBALL BUST Charity walk in San Marcos to benefit
see TReNDs PAGe 7
see sPoRTs PAGe 10
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wednesday
MARCH 11, 2009
VoluMe 98, Issue 61
Villagio apartments under investigation by university By Theron Brittain Senior News Reporter
to be cautious and careful during the holiday. “While we want students to go out and have fun and enjoy their Spring Break, we want them to come back safe when it’s over,” Rodriguez said. “There are lots of ways to have fun, but if you do decide to drink, please use a designated driver.” UPD officers encourage students to utilize other available forms of transportation, such as taxis, designated drivers or free university services like SWAT, as alternatives to driving drunk. “Accidents like this one happen everyday because of bad choices,” Rodriguez said. “While we’re out on the streets every night, especially between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., there’s only so much the police can do. Today’s demonstration is all about helping students make the right decisions about drunk driving.” According to Mothers Against Drunk Driv Driving, who was also present at the demonstration, more than 1,500 people lost their lives in DWIrelated accidents in 2006, and another 60,000 were injured in other alcohol-related traffic incidents.
University officials are investigating allegations of unfair and predatory leasing practices at Villagio apartments. The attorney for students’ office has recorded at least 12 complaints lodged by student residents against management personnel. Vincent Morton, dean of students, held two meetings last week with Villagio property manager Danny Gonzalez. The meetings are preliminary at this point, but both parties said a problem exists. “There are some concerns that have been brought to our attention,” Morton said. “We are trying to form a conceptual framework in which to talk about the concerns and see how we can work together to solve them.” Students say they have been forced to sign post-lease agreements requiring them to pay for water. Residents were charged hundreds of dollars for damages they say were present prior to move in. Residents have had trouble disput disputing charges because of missing paperwork documenting damages. “I am receiving reports and compiling them,” said Milena Christopher, university attorney for students. “My effort will be to introduce this information to the correct sources who can take action. We can also advise students in taking legal action.” Residents have alleged Gonzalez has acted unprofessionally and treated them poorly. Gonzalez disputed those accusations Monday, saying residents are not aware of the whole picture. According to property manager Anton Hoff Hoffman, an August 2008 management shake-up resulted in the firings of the manager and assistant manager for mismanagement. “They did such a poor job,” Hoffman said. “It was unbelievable. They did not know Property 101.” Gonzalez said he has a bad reputation because of being suddenly thrust into the position of enforcing polices set a year ago that had been loosely applied by the previous managers. “I lay a lot of blame on the previous management company for not keeping up with their employees,” Gonzalez said. “The manager and assistant manager were not being checked on at all.” Gonzales and assistant manager Amanda LeJeune acknowledged Villagio had received a barrage of negative feedback. However, they say, they are dealing with problems they did not cause. A “water addendum” presented to residents on move-in day required them to pay a portion of the water bill though the original lease did not. Management would withhold apartment keys until addendums were signed, a practice Gonzalez said he discontinued after ascending to the manager’s office. He said the current policy is to require signatures to the water addendum the same time the lease is signed. “Now when people come in to sign their
See DRUNK DRIVING, page 3
See VILAGIO, page 3
Alyssa Scavetta/Star photo CRASH TEST: The university Police Department hosts the yearly crash simulation, warning Texas state students of drinking and driving during the spring Break season.
‘Do something, help my son’
By Travis Hord Special to The Star Students gathered around the intersection of North LBJ and Bobcat Trail Tuesday as the University Police Department and several other San Marcos organizations staged an elaborate demonstration of the potential consequences of drunk driving. City officials and local businesses collaborated to create a realistic scenario illustrat illustrating the dangers of driving while intoxicated as part of the University Police Department’s 7th annual “Know your Dreams, Know your Limits, Know the Consequences” Spring Break awareness program. “Do something, help my son!” a woman screamed, sobbing and pounding on an of officer’s chest as the San Marcos Fire Depart Department peeled away the roof of the wrecked vehicle to reach the lifeless body of the young man inside. A drunk driver slammed into the passenger side of another vehicle in the PAWS Market intersection in the narrative which was five months in the making. The drunk driver was able to walk away from the accident — straight into a pair
of handcuffs and a waiting police cruiser. The driver of the other vehicle was loaded onto a stretcher and rushed away in an ambulance. His passenger, however, was not so lucky. Students were initially unaware they were watching a demonstration. “It was pretty realistic,” said Travis Voyles, political science senior. “It took me a minute to realize what I was watching was fake.” The true-to-life demonstration aimed to leave a lasting impression on students about the dangers of drunk driving, particularly dur during the upcoming Spring Break. “I’d never drive drunk anyway, but I can appreciate all the effort the university has put in here,” Voyles said. “They put on a convincing show.” Sgt. Adam Rodriguez, a 13-year veteran with UPD, was at the scene to help organize and participate in the event. “With demonstrations like this, students get a more realistic look at what could happen when you drive drunk,” Rodriguez said. “It’s more memorable than a pamphlet or a flier.” The awareness program has become an annual tradition at Texas State, coming each year on the eve of Spring Break to remind students
University urged to reduce water usage By Brigette Botkin News Reporter Spring may not be green this year if low-flow rates continue in the San Marcos River. The river is flowing at 98 cubic feet per second. According to a U.S. geological survey, this is less than half its average rate of 192 cubic feet per second. Flow rate is considered critical at 96 cubic feet per second. If the critical level is met the university will cut back on river-based water use. Associated vice president of facilities, William Fogarty, said a large portion of water used by Texas State comes from local, natural sources. These sources include Spring Lake, the San Marcos River and an Edwards Aquifer-fed well behind Jackson Hall. The university pumped 217 million gallons from its well last year to be used for on-campus drinking water. Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo Additional water was pumped from
RIVER DROUGHT: Officials are encouraging residents to reduce the water usage because of the current low water of the river in San Marcos.
Today’s weather Scattered T-Storms
68˚
Precipitation: 70% Humidity: 68% UV: 3 Moderate Wind: NE 20 mph
See DROUGHT, page 3
NEVER FORGET
Hannah VanOrstrand/Star photo American Widow Project, started by Taryn Davis, alumna, is touring through Texas, bringing recognition and unification to widows across the state. See page 6 for more.
Two-day Forecast Thursday
Thursday
Rain Temp: 52°/41° Precip: 70%
Mostly sunny Temp: 55°/42° Precip: 50%
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