03 22 2007

NINJA TURTLES

TENNIS AND TRAVEL

South American-born Ali Gulida has made Texas State her home while refining her game on the court

In your sewers, protectin’ your streets!

SEE SPORTS PAGE 11

SEE TRENDS PAGE 6

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

MARCH 22, 2007

THURSDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 67

Students vote ‘Yes’ on every item on ASG referendum

By Philip Hadley The University Star The Associated Student Government will begin filing for new officers Thursday. Offices up for re-election are ASG president, vice president, graduate representatives and senators.

The requirements for presidential candidates will change, pending university President Denise Trauth’s approval of Tuesday and Wednesday’s student referendum

Faculty Senate looks to cut courses, follow legislation

to amend the ASG Constitution.

All six items on the ballot passed, but two amendments directly affect filing for presidential and senate candidates. The Constitution previously stated the president must have been a member of ASG for two semesters before running for office. Students voted to remove the clause, opening the presidency to all student leaders on campus. They voted to expand the ASG Senate from 40 to 60 members and reapportion

the body to create on-campus, off-campus and at large seats. Results show 970 students participated in the referendum vote.

The change in presidential requirement was the most hotly contested amendment. It passed with only 52 percent of the vote.

All the other items passed with comfortable margins.

ASG President Kyle Morris said he expects Trauth to approve the amendments.

Interfraternity Council Presi-

dent Brett Baker and Panhellenic Council President Meridith Pumphrey started a petition last month calling for a referendum to change the requirements for ASG president. The day their petition began, ASG passed emergency legislation calling for a similar amendment.

“It’s what we wanted in the end,” Pumphrey, healthcare administration senior, said. “I think it will open a lot of doors for a lot students here. I think we did a

84-YEARS YOUNG

Roberto Galván’s love of language kept him teaching for 40 years

By Ashley Gwilliam The University Star

By Scott Thomas The University Star The university is looking into modifying its graduation requirements for some majors to comply with state legislation.

The legislation states all nonexempt universities must allow students to be able to earn a degree after completing 120 course hours.

The Faculty Senate and several professors discussed Wednesday whether they would accept or reject a proposal made by the curriculum committee.

The committee suggested not amending the core courses to comply with the 120-hour rule.

“The question is what is essential to our students’ education, and the faculty is going to have to decide this,” said Jeff Gordon, philosophy professor.

If the Senate rejects the curriculum committee’s recommendation in next weeks vote, they would have to come up with a recommendation of their own. One idea introduced was to reduce or even eliminate core courses.

“Our department feels that our courses are important, and the college feels that their courses are important,” said Faculty Sen. Lucille Montondon, accounting professor.

“We’re in the minority, how are we going to go up against the entire university?”

Some colleges are affected more than others by this rule.

Faculty Sen. Debra Feakes, chemistry associate professor, said it seems to be more of a problem in the college of science.

“That would be nice if we could cut electives, but we don’t have any,” said Faculty Sen.

Jon Clark/Star feature photo DECADES OF SERVICE: Robert Galván announced that he will retire at the end of the spring semester after serving as a professor of modern languages at Texas State for 40 years.

ASG Supreme Court reverses VP’s decision The Associated Student Government Supreme Court voted unanimously Wednesday to reverse the nullification of ASG’s Graduate House of Representatives.

An appeal to seek relief was filed to the Supreme Court by members of the ASG Graduate House after Amanda Oskey, student government vice president, announced March 8 she would be dissolving the organization. She wanted to dissolve the Graduate House because the 2005 referendum that allowed for the creation of the organization was based on a plurality vote, not a majority.

A majority vote is needed for a constitutional amendment.

“My justification for what I did is that I saw some things that I did not think should have happened because of the fact that if it says in the constitution, ‘you need this, this and this to amend the constitution,’ we need to abide by that,” Oskey said. “If we’re supposed to be student leaders, how can we say, you know, (whatever percentage) is good enough when it’s clearly not.”

Although a majority of students voted for some form of graduate representation in the referendum, only 45.9 percent voted in favor of establishing a bicameral representation and 43.6 percent favored creating

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AM Drizzle 75˚/62˚

Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 76% UV: 4 Moderate Wind: SE 15 mph

the Graduate Student Association.

“This is a clear call for adding graduate representation, but technically, not the majority that is needed for a Constitutional Amendment to take place through a student referendum as outlined in Article VII, Section 2 of the ASG Constitution,” wrote Chief Justice Andrae Turner, who delivered the opinion of the Court.

Although the court recognized the Graduate House was unconstitutionally created, they said dissolving it undermined the will of the student body. “…The question is not a matter of the constitutionality of See DECISION, page 3

Two-day Forecast Friday Isolated T-Storm Temp: 75°/ 60° Precip: 30%

Saturday Isolated T-Storms Temp: 79°/ 62° Precip: 30%

ASG president. He agreed with Baker’s belief that students need to be more informed.

“It would be a good idea to have ASG doing a better job of publicizing (the referendum),” Pugh said. “This is a big deal.

You can’t make people vote, but I have heard people say, ‘I didn’t know much about it.’ There’s a happy medium where students meet student government and See REFERENDUM, page 4

University, city seek grants for river restoration

By Zach Halfin The University Star

After a forty-year-long career at Texas State, 84-year-old professor Robert Galván is retiring at the end of the spring semester to spend more time with his family.

During his tenure at Texas State, the modern language professor emeritus has seen the school go through four name changes and from an enrollment of about 3,000 students to 27,000.

Galván said his experience at Texas State has been very rewarding, and he has enjoyed the recognition he has received as a teacher, publisher and server of his community.

“I have influenced many students I have had in my past classes,” he said. “It has been very gratifying, really.”

Galván said he keeps a book filled with thank-you notes from past students.

Oralia Flores, administrative assistant of the modern language department, has known Galván since 1978 and said working with him has been very enlightening and educational.

“As a matter of fact, I call him my walking dictionary,” she said. “When I have a question on a Spanish word or phrase, he is always ready to help.”

Although Spanish was his first language, he understood English by the time he started kindergarten.

He said his first Spanish teacher in junior high, who was his father’s cousin, instilled a love of language in him early on.

After graduating high school, Galván planned to become a bookkeeper, but was offered a scholarship from his high school principal to attend junior college.

“My folks had only gone up to the third grade,” he said. “My mother worked out in the cotton fields in Texas and my father used to come as a child to where his parents worked

The San Marcos City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enter a contract with a consulting firm to assist the city in lobbying a series of grants from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The $70,000 contract with Jones Walker, one of the South’s largest legal firms, will focus on acquiring grants for the San Marcos River Ecosystem Restoration Project.

City Manager Dan O’Leary said the firm was picked for their strong ties to specific federal agencies.

“This firm has had a history of working with the Corps of Engineers, and will work with that agency to make a case for our river project.”

The contract pays Jones Walker no more than $10,000 a month over the next seven months.

Texas State began applying for similar grants to work on the San Marcos River in 2006. The funds are made available through the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Section 206, of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996.

The federal act puts funding in place for the U.S. Corps of Engineers to pay for 65 percent of construction costs and 100 percent of operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement costs of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, with their total contribution not to exceed $5 million at any single locality.

Gaylord Bose, place 2 councilman, questioned why the city was not working cooperatively with Texas State to acquire the grants.

“I heard Texas State University is trying to get a grant to work on the river also,” Bose said.

“This is a simple question: Can’t we all work together to stretch this money further? We have two separate entities located in the

See GALVÁN, page 4

See COUNCIL, page 4

See FACULTY, page 3

By Nick Georgiou The University Star

good thing for the university as a whole.”

Baker, finance sophomore, said he was surprised the vote was so close and blamed the low turnout on a failure to educate students.

“I’m just happy it passed,” said Baker. “I just don’t think they had the knowledge out there.

I don’t think it was advertised very well.”

Reagan Pugh, English junior, has declared his candidacy for

Binge drinking on the rise among college students

By Christine Mester The University Star About half of full-time college students binge drink or abuse drugs, according to a report released Thursday by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

The findings were based on more than four years of research, surveys, interviews and focus groups. The study was the most extensive examination of the substance abuse situation on the nation’s college campuses ever undertaken, the report said.

“More than a decade ago, CASA convened its landmark Commission on Substance

Abuse at Colleges and Universities to understand better the issues surrounding substance abuse at our nation’s colleges and universities,” said Susan Foster, vice president and director of policy research and analysis at the center. “CASA conducted this comprehensive analysis to examine what progress, if any, has been made and to determine what can be done to reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among college students.”

The report found that from 1993 to 2005, there has been no significant decline in the number of students who drink or binge drink. However, the intensity of binge drinking and rates of drug abuse have jumped sharply.

The College Alcohol Study defines binge drinking as consuming at least four consecutive drinks for women and five consecutive drinks for men in a twoweek period. Frequent binge drinking is defined as binge drinking three or more times in a two-week period.

“In a world where alcohol affects people differently based on tolerance, weight class and sex, you can’t define binge drinking as the same for every person,” said Elliott Jempty, studio art sophomore. “Therefore five drinks equaling binge drinking is an inadequate definition to base the study on.”

The proportion of students

Inside News ..............1-4 Trends .............5-8 Crossword ......... 8 Sudoku .............. 8

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

Comics .............. 8 Opinions ............ 9 Classifieds ....... 10 Sports ......... 11,12

See DRINKING, page 4

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2007 The University Star

PAGE TWO Thursday in Brief

March 22, 2007

starsof texas state

Paul Paese, director of teacher education and former associate dean of the college of education, has been elected president of the Association of Teacher Educators.

“It is an honor to be elected president of ATE,” Paese said. “As a profession we have many challenges, such as high stakes testing, program accreditation and the importance of quality teacher preparation.”

The Association of Teacher Educators was founded in

1920 and is an individual membership organization devoted solely to the improvement of education both for schoolbased and post-secondary teachers. Association members represent more than 700 colleges and universities, more than 500 major school systems and the majority of state departments of education.

— Courtesy of Texas State Public Relations

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

THURSDAY The Stations of the Cross will be 6 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center chapel The Catholic Student Organization will meet 6:30 p.m. in the CSC lounge.

The Rock - Praise & Worship will be 7:30 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

Sigma Tau Delta-English Honor Society will have its spring book sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Quad.

The Philosophy Dialogue Series presents “Atlas Shrugged: 50th Anniversary,” with Andrew Bernstein, visiting philosophy professor from Marist College, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Psychology Building, Room 132.

The Philosophy Dialogue Series presents, “Human Freedom: Burden or Gift?” 11 a.m. in the Psychology Building, Room 132.

Meditation and Contemplation will be 4 to 5 p.m. at the Campus Christian Community Center. For more information, e-mail Micah Robbins at mr1235@txstate.edu or call (512) 878-2036.

Overeaters Anonymous will meet 5:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. Call (512) 357-2049 for more information.

Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will meet 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. There will be contemporary worship, relevant teaching and prayer. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call (512) 557-7988 or e-mail mail@texasstatechialpha.com

SATURDAY Texas State tennis will play A&MCorpus Christi 10 a.m. at the Tennis Complex.

SUNDAY Texas State tennis will play A&MCorpus Christi 12 p.m. at the Tennis Complex.

MONDAY An orientation and training session will teach attendees to use the Freeze-Framer biofeedback program to reduce the negative effects of stress. The session will be 1 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 311.1.

The Philosophy Dialogue Series presents, “Funny or Offensive?

The Racially Charged Comedy of Dave Chappelle,”1 p.m. in the Psychology Building, Room 132.

The Sexual Assault and Abuse Survivors Group will meet 5 to 6:15 p.m. For more information and a screening, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Just add water

CRIME BL TTER

University Police Department March 18, 11:38 p.m.

Alcohol: Minor In Possession/Bobcat Stadium Lot An officer initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation a student was identified as minor in possession of alcohol and issued a citation.

An on-campus Alcoholics Anonymous meeting will be from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, call the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center at (512) 2453601.

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

March 19, 1:11 a.m.

Information Report/Alkek Library An officer was dispatched when a non-student reported a dead bat in the building.

Animal Control was called in and addressed the situation.

A report was generated for this case.

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

Rise ‘N Shine Toastmasters Club will meet 7 to 8 a.m. at Cabela’s in Buda. Please use the employees’ entrance on the south side of the building. For additional information, call Clark Lyman at (512) 295-7777, e-mail clyman2059@aol.com or visit risenshine.freetoasthost.info.

The Latino Student Association will meet 6 p.m. in the LBJSC USAC Office, Room 4.9-1. All cultures are welcome to join. For more information, visit www.studentorgs. txstate.edu/LSA\.

TUESDAY There will be a free lunch for all students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSC lobby.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be from 6 to 9 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

There will be a Lenten penance service 7 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

The Philosophy Dialogue Series presents “Talking Dirty and the Offense Principle,” 11 a.m. in the Psychology Building, Room 132.

Facing the Fear: Anxiety and Panic Group will meet 3:30 to 5 p.m., and offer a supportive way to cope.

For more information or to register, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Every Nation Campus Ministries will meet 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G-02. There will be free food, fellowship and a relevant message.

There will be a CEO Meeting 5 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 127.

Overeaters Anonymous will meet 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information, call (512) 3572049.

Monty Marion/Star photo Cortnie Jones, recreation administration graduate student, asks passers-by in The Quad if they would be interested in a California rafting trip with Outdoor Recreation while Kyle Uran, recreation administration junior, paddles behind. The trip costs $449 for students May 14 to 20. Call the Outdoor Recreation Center at (512) 245-2004 for more information.

March 19, 8:57 a.m.

Medical Emergency/Student Recreation Center An officer was dispatched for a report of a medical emergency. A student reported feeling ill and was transported by EMS to Central Texas Medical Center.

‘World-class’ C.S. Lewis scholar visits, speaks at Texas State Walter Hooper, the world’s foremost C.S. Lewis scholar, will present a lecture titled “The Legacy of C. S. Lewis: Master Communicator,” 7 p.m.

Tuesday in Centennial Hall, Room 157. The lecture, sponsored by the department of communication studies and the Mitte Honors Program, will be free and open to the public.

C. S. Lewis is the author of such popular books as The Lion, the Witch, and the Ward-

robe from the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity, as well as more than two dozen other works including novels, science fiction, philosophy, literary criticism and other literature.

Hooper, who now lives in Oxford, England, had extensive written correspondence with the author and became his assistant in 1963 shortly before Lewis’s death. Hooper is the

Library Beat Locating reference material simplified with Alkek Library advancements

Alkek Library wants to be the first place students go for their research needs. In the age of Google and the Internet, it is even more important that students are aware of the great resources available to help them fulfill their research assignments, find a good book to read, or check out a movie to watch.

The library is staffed with helpful and enthusiastic librarians and assistants who are available

to help students locate materials for classes, research assignments and entertainment, such as the growing collection of videos and DVDs on the 4th floor.

Beginning last fall, the Ask a Librarian Live service expanded the options for inquiring about library resources, services, and information to include instant messaging.

Clicking the “Ask a Librarian” icon on the library home page at www.library.txstate.edu, then on “IM a Librarian” brings up the different librarian usernames for messaging. Students can add

literary executor of Lewis’s work and has written or edited numerous books about him including the award-winning C. S. Lewis: A Companion and Guide, a definitive biography, and a three-volume collection of letters. During his talk Hooper will discuss his personal memories as well as Lewis’s legacy as a communicator.

“This is a rare opportunity to hear from a world-class C. S. Lewis scholar who knew Lewis

personally, “ said Steven Beebe, department of communication studies chair, who teaches a course on the author from a communication perspective.

“For any Lewis enthusiast this is an event not to be missed.”

For additional information about Hooper’s lecture, call Beebe at (512) 245-2165 or email sb03@txstate.edu.

a messenger name to their contacts list and ask a question anytime.

The “Ask a Librarian” link opens to the introductory page of the service which lists other chat options, including e-mailing a librarian and calling the Reference Desk.

Those who do not have an instant messaging account can choose the first chat option and simply log in to contact a librarian. This option also includes co-browsing, which allows the patron and the librarian to browse together and lets the librarian

point out how to navigate the library’s resources. An additional option allows patrons to save the transcript of the chat session for future reference.

Students may also use their existing accounts from AIM, Yahoo or MSN to chat with a librarian.

For more information, e-mail Lisa A. Ancelet, virtual reference services librarian, at lisancelet@txstate.edu, lisancelet@yahoo.com or librarian_l@myspace.com, or call the Reference Desk at (512) 2452686.

— Courtesy of Alkek Library

— Courtesy of Texas State Public Relations

NEWS

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

ASG Sen., Auxillary Services coordinate Fight to the finish in GPS-enabled Bobcat Tram initiative

By Paul Rangel The University Star The university bus system could be on track to using innovative Global Positioning System software.

With this technology, students, faculty and staff can access tram routes, destination times and bus locations in real time. The system would provide the university with information to create more effective scheduling for better services.

Joseph Prather, Associated Student Government senator, began researching options to equip trams with Global Positioning System-enabled phones through Sprint Nextel.

He said Texas State would be one of the first universities in the country to have this capability.

The equipment would allow students, faculty and staff to access a map with the location and stop times of trams. These maps could be accessed from a Web site, cellular phone or designated kiosks at popular bus stops.

“We had already been talking about this before buses were ordered,” said Paul Hamilton, manager

of Auxillary Services.

He said a competitive bidding process will be done, which would take at least 12 to 18 months overall before the system is built and deployed.

“This will allow us to better track when buses are needed on a particular route, the number of people on a route day to day and (to make) a lot more informed decisions providing better services,” Hamilton said.

The technology is fairly new.

Sprint Nextel is currently being used in two school districts in Texas. The districts primarily use it to track school buses and increase student safety, said James Woods, education account manager for Sprint Nextel.

“In general, Texas State currently uses our technology with 400 users within different departments,” Woods said. “With about 50 percent using (push-to-talk) services and the other 50 percent using various voice services.”

He said two methods could be used. One is a modem installed on the bus and the other a GPS-enabled Sprint Nextel handset.

Tracking could possibly be ac-

FACULTY SENATE CONTINUED from page 1

Gary Winek, engineering and technology professor.

Other universities’ methods of reducing hours were discussed, such as hiding courses, described by Winek as making an advanced course required.

“What we could do is combine two classes,” Winek said.

Other non-exempt universities’ decisions to make their degree plan comply with the 120-hour rule were read aloud.

Texas A&M plans to cut courses soon, and other universities such as the University of Texas, the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at San Antonio have yet to make a decision.

“Most universities are around 128 hours, which leaves them to cut eight hours,” said William Stone, Faculty Senate chair and criminal justice professor.

The legislation making uni-

cessed through a link on the Texas State Web site. Prather said it could be used as an opportunity for public relations and advertising.

The Web site is an opportunity to get the university name and apparel out to the community, as well as generate money for the university, Prather said. It could be run by a particular department within the school or by a separate company.

The Web site is additionally seen as an opportunity for students to gain experience by marketing for local companies.

“These marketing and advertising departments would easily love to have the hands-on experience to do this kind of stuff,” Prather said.

Prather is trying to gain support from faculty and students to back Sprint Nextel as the vendor. He said he needs to get more support, funding and consensus of which department it would fall under.

“No matter which direction this goes, it will be really beneficial to the student riders,” Hamilton said.

“As much as Prather and others would like to see this happen tomorrow, it will take some time.”

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo R.O.T.C. cadets fight for the ball during the 2007 Warrior Spirit Day Tuesday afternoon at Sewell Park. Warrior Spirit Day is an annual event in which R.O.T.C. classes compete in various athletic games.

DECISION: Court says government branches should cooperate

ur “O department feels that our

courses are important, and the college feels that their courses are important.”

—Lucille Montondon accounting professor

versity degrees available within 120 course hours is more than two years old, however it was not until recently the state started enforcing the decision. “(The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board), like us, has been ignoring it until now,” Stone said. “The coordinating board may decide it’s a joke and not enforce it still.”

CONTINUED from page 1

the Graduate House of Representatives, but instead, it is on which form of representation the student population of Texas State most desired,” Turner wrote.

Despite a plurality vote, former ASG President Jordan Anderson and the Senate in 2005 ratified the changes to the Constitution and created the Graduate House. ASG President Kyle Morris, who was an executive assistant to Anderson at the time, sponsored the legislation.

In their ruling, the justices said the legislation went “though the proper ‘chain of command’ for final approval.” The chain of command included Rod Fluker, ASG adviser, John Garrison, dean of students, Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs, and finally Denise Trauth, university president.

“The fact here is that President Trauth has final approval

and that approval was granted, thus, creating the Graduate House of Representatives as it currently exists,” Turner wrote.

On March 5, Oskey used power given to her under the ASG Constitution, which allows her to amend the document so it complies with “university policy, past referendums (most recent), procedures, rules, or regulations, or local, federal or state law.”

Turner said Oskey acted within her boundaries. “…However, after research, it was determined (that) Ms. Oskey was not aware of legislation sponsored by her running-mate and current ASG President; the same legislation which was approved through all appropriate channels of administration …,” Turner wrote.

Oskey said she has no problem with the court’s decision.

“My concern was the fact that the constitution was amended unconstitutionally. But if the

decision has been made that it’s constitutional, then it’s not in my hands,” Oskey said.

In their decision, the court said they are aware some ASG senators “are not satisfied with the functionality of the newly formed Graduate House.” The court recommended the ASG Senate, the executive branch, the university administration and the Graduate House work together to resolve the issue.

ASG Rep. Chris Harris said there is progress to be made within his organization, however, he said the Graduate House has only been around for two years and needs more time to perform at the same level as the ASG Senate.

“We’re looking for ways to constantly improve our abilities to expand our communication and get feedback on what’s going on and try to represent the graduate students the best we can,” Harris said.

He said Oskey’s decision was

premature and that not everybody had a chance to discuss the issue.

“That’s all I wanted from the very beginning was for this thing to through the proper channels, and in my mind the proper channel for a constitutional question was through the Supreme Court, because they are supposed to be the ones that look at that sort of thing,” Harris said.

NEWS

Page 4 - The University Star

Thursday, March 22, 2007

DRINKING: Stress relief major factor COUNCIL: City behind university in grant acquisition process CONTINUED from page 1

who binge drink frequently increased 16 percent from 1993 to 2005. Students who drink on 10 or more occasions in a month increased 25 percent.

The study focused on the abuse of illegal and prescription drugs, as well. According to the report, 23 percent of college students meet the medical criteria for substance abuse and dependence compared to 8.5 percent of the general population Between 1993 and 2005, the number of students who use marijuana daily more than doubled to 310,000.

The use of cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs is up 52 percent to 636,000 students. Abuse of prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall has increased 93 percent.

“I’m not surprised (by the report) at all,” said Meghan Nichols, prepsychology sophomore. “I live in an apartment complex where lots of other college kids live. I see people drink-

ing nearly every night of the week.”

The primary reason for the excessive drinking and drug abuse is to reduce stress, Foster said. Other causes outlined in the report were easy availability, failure of leadership on the part of college presidents and trustees, heavy marketing by the alcohol and tobacco industries and the failure to recognize addiction as a health problem.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse warns this new trend could result in alcohol-related injuries, arrest and rape or sexual assaults.

“Students who abuse substances generally perform at lower levels academically than their non-abusing peers, which can influence their future work options,” Foster said. “Alcohol and other drug abuse increase the chances of trouble with the law, which could reduce future job options. And, each year close to 2,000 college students die from alcohol related injuries alone.”

CONTINUED from page 1

same place, the same city, going to the federal government, both separately trying to get the same funds.”

Mayor Susan Narviaz said that because the university and the city are attempting to begin two different projects, the city needed its own lobbyists.

“We are working together in that we endorse each other’s projects, but they are two different projects — it’s not just one place,” Narvaiz said. “We are applying to the same section 206 grant funding.”

She said the city and the university have both emphasized to the Corps of Engineers the importance of both projects receiving funding.

“When we go to talk to Washington D.C., we do talk about the university’s project,” she said. “When the university talks to the Corp of Engineers in Washington D.C., they talk about our project.

They started down this path before we did on this particular request, and last year when they came before them, we wrote supporting letters, they wrote supporting letters. We both talked about each other’s

project equally.”

O’Leary said the university has already begun discussions with the corps so the chance of the city entering into a contract with them was unlikely.

“Is the university going to participate with us in this contract? We have not had that discussion with them, but I think the council should assume that the answer is probably, ‘No,’” O’Leary said. “They typically like to do their own thing and have their own methods of discussing these things with Washington D.C. folks as well as the Corps of Engineers.”

He said that because the city was beginning the lobbying process a year later than Texas State, there are difficulties associated in working cooperatively.

“We have explored that option with the university,” he said. “There is one problem in the ability to do that. The way the grant system works is a step system. Year one you get some money, year two a little more, year three a little more. We haven’t even got year one.

The university is already on year two.

So they are ahead of us.”

Betsy Robertson, place 1 councilwom-

an, questioned if the city should spend the money on a consulting firm if the university’s one-year advantage could effect whether or not the city received the grants.

“Speaking with Congressmen Doggett, he seems to think because they are one year ahead of us that they have a better chance of getting money,” Robertson said. “Does that mean maybe we should put off seeking the consultant until we have a better chance?”

Narviaz said the consulting firm was confidant with their connections in the Corps of Engineers.

“Sure we could wait, but I think the fact is that they feel they have a connection that could make our (project) happen regardless of what happens to the university,” she said.

O’Leary said the contract did not guarantee the city any awarded grants.

“Obviously it’s a risk,” O’Leary said.

“We are not sure we are going to get anything out of this. That’s why we get a contract that we can reevaluate several months later to see if we are getting our money’s worth. “

REFERENDUM: Election slated for April 17, 18 GALVÁN: Accomplished writer credits wife as muse CONTINUED from page 1

that hasn’t been found yet.”

Morris said ASG did its duty to educate students.

“It appeared in The Star last week and all students were sent an e-mail,” Morris said. “If they were not educated on it, it’s because they chose not to be educated on it.”

Pugh has already begun compiling a ticket of candidates he is running with. His candidacy joined Baker in opposing items I and II on the ballot. Item I adds to the ASG Constitution the clause, “The Associated Student Government reserves the right to legislate, take up and act upon any issue affecting any student of Texas State University for any reason. We affirm this as responsibility in the name of the students and for the purposes of fair, honest, and dutiful representation.”

Baker said this gives ASG too much power.

“There is no reason why if something affects me, the student body president should be able to jump into my personal business and take on legislation that affects me,” Baker said. “No Texas State student should be put in the position

where if they have something that effects them personally ASG should be able to take up and act on it.”

Pugh and his running mate Alexis Dabney, public relations senior, will file Thursday.

“We’ll be going in there and continuing the process we’ve started,” Pugh said. “We’d like to talk to as many people as possible and inform them not only about ASG, but about what we’re trying to do.”

Students can begin filing for office Thursday by obtaining forms directly from the ASG office located in the LBJ Student Center, Room 4-5.1. An e-mailed link to the documents will be sent to all students on Friday so they can file online.

Students who are interested in running for legislative office are required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA and maintain a 2.25 GPA throughout their term.

To run for executive positions a student must have attained at least a 2.75 GPA at the time of candidacy and may not drop below a 2.50 GPA during their term of office.

“A candidate for the senate and executive offices cannot be under disciplinary or scholastic probation or suspension,” said ASG President Kyle Morris. “A

person will be ineligible to run for office or serve any ASG office if under probation or suspension.”

Assuming the student meets the minimum GPA and student status requirements, their name will be placed on the ballot for the election, which will be held April 17 and 18. The length of the term for both executive and senator offices is one year.

“I encourage all students to apply,” Morris said. “ASG gives students great opportunities to learn valuable leadership skills applicable later in life and in business. ASG is also a great organization for networking.”

ASG is currently looking for two students interested in serving on the Election Commission. Serving on the commission is a paid position. To qualify, a student cannot be on the ballot for the upcoming election. The duties of the Election Commission are to oversee all filing procedures, supervise campaigns, monitor polling and hold special and run-off elections if necessary.

For more information or to apply, contact the ASG office at 512-245-1ASG. The University Star’s Jason Buch contributed to this article.

CONTINUED from page 1

out in the cotton fields.”

He smiled as he said he didn’t really make a big deal of being the first one to go to college, but he knew his parents were proud of him.

Galván has an associate of arts degree from San Antonio College, a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University, a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate from Tulane University.

He began his career in 1944, teaching classes in Spanish at Mayo General Hospital in Galesburg, Ill., while serving in the Army as a soldier during WWII. Galván said he was put in charge of delegating cleaning duties to German prisoners while he was stationed at a general hospital in England because the Army administrator heard he had memorized a German technical manual.

Before coming to Texas State, Galván worked as a teaching assistant at Tulane University and as a French and Spanish instructor at Trinity University.

In addition to his success as a professor, Galván has experienced success as a poet. He has had over 200 poems in Spanish and English published in magazines, newspapers and books on a local and

y mother “M worked out in the cotton

fields in Texas and my father used to come as a child to where his parents worked out in the cotton fields.”

—Robert Galván modern language professor emeritus

international scale. Galván said he began writing poetry as a teen.

“I like the musicality, the rhyme scheme and the flexibility that allows me to write on almost any topic that comes from within my experience,” he said. “Most of my poems are love poems that I dedicate to my wife. When you have a good wife, you have to show your appreciation.”

Galván affectionately called his wife “the woman behind the man.”

Another activity Galván is proud of is his involvement in dozens of committees over the past 30 years.

During the past 10 years, Galván has been an active member of the

Lions Club, an international organization that donated more than $500,000 to the needy and to civic improvements in San Marcos.

“Another thing that has been very satisfying is that I have served as a sponsor for many student clubs, including Sigma Delta Pi, which is the National Collegiate Hispanic Society,” he said.

After retirement, he plans to keep researching, publishing and writing poetry and articles of the Spanish language usage of the Southwest.

Galván’s eyes lit up as he said he is looking forward to visiting his seven children and seven grandchildren after his retirement.

“We have been begging him to retire,” said Galván’s wife, Eva. She said she feels great about her husband’s retirement.

He was so busy with work and committee involvement, he sometimes wasn’t able to spend as much time with their children as he would have liked, she said.

As Galván is getting ready to close a chapter in his life, and many students are about to begin working, he had some advice for upcoming graduates.

He said graduates should trust in themselves and keep the faith.

“Have faith in yourself and you will succeed,” he said.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

weekendhappenings Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Lucy’s San Marcos — Melting Social Project Songwriter Showcase

Lucy’s San Marcos — Packaged Habits/ A Mind Divided/Subtle Creeps

Lucy’s San Marcos — Oceanus/ Pack of Wolves/Dual Exhaust

Triple Crown — Fambly/Trip 7/Mugsy Flows

Triple Crown — Three Leaf CD release party

Cheatham Street Warehouse — Keith Davis Band with Taylor Davis

Cheatham Street Warehouse — Houston Marchman

Triple Crown —Blood Shot Pyramid/Duke/ Van Buren Boys

Thursday, March 22, 2007 - Page 5

Cheatham Street Warehouse — Luckenbach Cultural Exchange

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Documentary displays struggles of Mexican immigrant workers

By Laura Jamison The University Star Alex Fernandez’s father was an invisible Mexican.

Fernandez, criminal justice senior, attended the screening of the documentary The Invisible Mexicans of Deer Canyon created

by John Carlos Frey. He said it helped put a face to the suffering his father told him about when Fernandez was a boy.

“I finally got to see how what my father went through for me.

He always spoke about it but I never really knew,” Fernandez said.

Frey, an award-winning filmmaker, screened his documentary Wednesday in the LBJ Teaching Theater. He has traveled from Washington to California, showing the film since November.

Frey and photojournalist Alicia Wagner Calzada will speak 10 a.m. Thursday at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s spring symposium.

The film documents the lives of several immigrant workers who live in hidden shacks amid million-dollar San Diego mansions. Frey said he produced the documentary as an educational resource for people trying to understand the immigration issue.

While Frey was making the film he said he could not bring himself to live exactly like the immigrants.

“No I did not live like them …

I could not bring myself to go to sleep after a spider was crawling on my face. I could not bring myself to bathe in the dirty stream after I saw what was in it,” Frey said.

Family and faith were the dominant sources of inspiration for the immigrants. They had a small Catholic chapel where approximately 100 immigrants gathered in the mountains for Sunday ser-

vice.

Many immigrants said they crossed the border with God and they could not have survived without their faith.

Father Morro, the priest who runs the immigrant service, said in the documentary, “Only when we live like them will we understand.”

“It puts a good spin on what it means to be Christian,” Frey said.

According to Frey, neighborhood groups eventually destroyed the chapel and the immigrants were evicted.

Frey said he hopes people will become more educated about the issue and people know the movie was not a political statement.

“This is not a political statement, I just want to show what these people live like,” Frey said.

Diann McCabe, assistant director of the Mitte Honors Program, said she was able to see the invisible Mexicans in the documentary.

“It’s amazing to see those people that seem to be invisible,” McCabe said. “There are probably a lot of people like that in San Marcos.”

David Nolan, mass communications professor, said the documentary was very well done.

“It showcased exactly what he wanted to present,” Nolan said.

“It presented a point of view that we never see.”

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the documentary will benefit the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, according to Nolan.

✯ FYI John Carlos Frey and Alicia Wagner Calzada will speak at 10 a.m. Thursday in Old Main, Room 320.

SOULSPEAK: Where the dead live

By David Conrad The University Star

Editor’s note: Soulspeak is the fictional prose and poetry writings of David Conrad, math sophomore. In an effort to promote creative writing and the arts, Soulspeak will be a regular section in The Star. These are not news stories.

Adam Moore 1989-2005 Part III It’s the classic story of guy meets girl, girl falls in love and guy wants to die.

Angered that she froze when she had the perfect chance to proclaim her love, Jamie has run after Adam in hopes of finding him at home. Where she finds him, however, is not quite where she expected…

He stood, looking down off of the bridge, but this was not a stop just for the scenery. He was too close for comfort and she wanted to know why.

“Adam!” she shouted. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He turned around and shouted back; “I give you a ride home to keep you from getting wet, and look at you now!”

“Adam,” she repeated, “what do you think you’re doing over there?”

Cars were whizzing past, scaring the living daylights out of her, but she didn’t want to move.

Something was wrong, and she was going to find out what.

“Don’t try and stop me, Jamie.

I have my reasons.”

And then she knew. He was

going to jump. But one question remained: “Why?” There came no answer. “Adam, why are you doing this?” she shouted in desperation.

“I have my reasons!” he yelled back. “There’re a lot of things right now, and I can’t deal with it all, alright!”

“But I can try to help you!”

“No!” Jamie was stunned. She wanted to say something, but no words could come out. It was as if she was in a trance. Her hypnosis broke, and she finally said it: “I love you!”

This time, Adam stood still.

“Adam, I’ve been trying to tell you all year. I love you, and I know I don’t know you, or what’s going on, I wanna help you. And I don’t care if I only know you through Chemistry, I don’t wanna see you die.”

Her voice trailed off, but Adam heard what he needed to. His mind began to race a mile a minute. If someone he barely knew cared for him, then maybe there were others out there too. It was hard not having any close friends, but knowing that there were people out there that did care for him, maybe he did have someone to lean on when things were down like they were. He turned around, and for that time, it was only the two of them: just Adam, Jamie and the road between them.

Adam jumped off of the bridge, and landed on the street, deciding to give life one more chance.

It was a shame that 18-wheeler lost control coming down that slippery hill. They would have made such a cute couple.

Web site accepts donations, offers downloads in exchange

By Laura Jamison The University Star Charity meets the world of downloadable music at www.hopemusicfund.org.

The HOPE, “helping other people everywhere” campaign introduced the music Web site in an attempt to raise money for a non-profit organization, Global Grassroots.

Brian Stiedle, a renowned activist against the Darfur genocide, was in Austin last week to help launch the Web site. The Web site is the first of it’s kind, enabling music purchasers to donate their money to charities helping women survivors of the genocide.

“The music is 100 percent downloadable and 100 percent of the proceeds go to a non-profit called globalgrassroots.org,” Stiedle said.

Stiedle said they are asking artists to donate at least one song to the project.

“We are trying to get mainstream artists, too. Right now you can log on and download three songs for free,” Stiedle said.

Gretchen Steidle Wallace, founder and president of Global Grassroots, said their program focuses on social entrepreneurship training and seed funding for women who have escaped genocide in Africa.

“We go into refugee camps in eastern Chad and bring together groups of women for two weeks of training,” Wallace said. “We help these women recognize their own gifts and talents and help them diagnose social issues they are facing like domestic violence and how girls need to go to school.”

One of the projects initiated by Global Grassroots helped a woman pay for

medical supplies, Wallace said.

“You have heard don’t just give them a fish, teach them to fish,” she said.

“Well we want to take that a step further and create new ways of fishing.”

Stiedle said the women and children bear the brunt in crimes and that is why the songs on the Web site deal with hope and the need to cherish a woman.

“Women and children are the most affected. They are left to rebuild those communities that were destroyed,” Stiedle said.

Brendan Lake, a musician and friend of Brian Stiedle, wrote a song about the Darfur genocide, which he played at the launch party for the site.

“When Brian came back I felt his pain so I wrote a song from his shoes,” Lake said. “He put pictures in my mind beyond the photographs. I can remember he saw a baby tossed in the air that landed on a bayonet.”

A graphic poster covering the walls at the launch party displayed the image of a dead man who was burned alive.

“This campaign needs to be a little more rough,” Lake said. “Not having the posters like some people were trying to tell us earlier is not an option.

We are here to disturb. That is our purpose.”

Currently, the site features songs such as “All That Matters Is Now”

by Chris Pierce, “Rise” by Samantha James and “Red Lights” by King Orba.

“This is just another way to reach people,” Stiedle said. “Some people you reach through a documentary.

Some people you reach through a book.

Some people you reach through a feature film and the rest of the people you reach through music.”

Photo courtesy of globalgrassroots.org

The Triple Crown hosts Three Leaf’s CD release party “It is our first full-length album after seven years of playing together,” Chandler said. “One neat thing about the album is that we did it without any professional help. We did it all on our own, which is the recording process, all the mixing and mastering, and all the album art and design.”

Chris Brennand, communication design senior, plays guitar and writes lyrics and melodies for Three Leaf. Brennand said the new album includes music written throughout their career.

“The album, in particular, is a good representation of the time we have been together,” BrenPhoto courtesy of myspace.com/Threeleafmusic nand said. “It has really old songs on it and it has brand new songs CD PARTY: San Marcos’ Three Leaf will perform their brand of blue on it. It covers the whole specgrass and folk rock 9 p.m. Friday at Triple Crown for the release of trum of the seven years.”

Banjo player Jared White said their debut album Big Light. music is just a part of what influBy Michael Lee Gardin 9 p.m. Thursday at The Triple ences the band.

The University Star Crown. The San Marcos band is “It is impossible for me to nereleasing their debut album Big gate the influence of bluegrass on Three Leaf’s debut album is Light on their label Pitch Dark my playing, but I know that is not the result of self-production and Records. the only influence,” White said. seven years as a live act.

Bass player Kent Chandler said Drummer Zac Catanzaro said The bluegrass and folk-rock the album was produced entirely the band’s encounters shape band will host a CD release party by Three Leaf. their music.

“We are influenced by everything — life, meeting people and traveling,” said Catanzaro, a management senior.

Chandler said he is excited about their upcoming performance.

“We plan on playing most of our songs from the album,” he said. “At the CD release show, we actually are going to unveil a significant amount of new material.”

Chandler said the audience should expect a celebration.

“It is basically going to be a big party,” Chandler said. “We are going to make everything really sweet, sexy and still rockin’.”

Kyle Bryant, Three Leaf’s manager, said he hopes for a large and diverse crowd.

“Overall we want to invite everyone out to the show that has any interest in local music,” Bryant, a Texas State alumnus said.

FYI ✯ Copies of Three Leaf’s Big Light can be purchased for $10 at the CD release party.

TRENDS

Page 6 - The University Star

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Jazz-influenced Kneebody’s communicative style rocks SXSW

By Jeffery D. Hooten The University Star With a self-created musical language and improvised style, Kneebody was one of the more versatile acts at South By Southwest this year.

The Los Angeles-based quintet played a late-night showcase Thursday at the Elephant Room.

The closest description the band committed to was “electro-acoustic new instrumental music.”

“Ultimately I think this stuff is fairly unique and it’s hard to keep track of (genre labels) when

you’re in the middle of it,” said trumpet player Shane Endsley.

As a group with heavy Jazz roots, the members of Kneebody could all be considered accomplished musicians, but according to Endsley, the cohesive nature of the group enables their distinct sound.

“You have people in the band with these really strong solo voices that do a lot of freelance work and kind of get known as soloist,” Endsley said. “But this is our thing where we make it only about the band and the music.”

Bass player Kaveh Rastegar

said this quality is especially important in their live improvisation, a key part of the band’s sound.

“We tend to be less of a band backing up a soloist and then another soloist, and are rather more of a whole band improvising as one,” Rastegar said. “Everybody kind of sacrifices their musical whims in some ways for the collective sound of the band.”

Rastegar and Endsley said creating dynamic improvised music in a live setting is largely dependent on band’s ability to commu-

nicate musically on stage.

“A lot of times it’s like a conversation,” Rastegar said. “Whatever direction somebody in the conversation wants to go, they can say something (through what they play) and if the other people are good listeners, they’ll go with the conversation and respond to it.”

Endsley said stage communication relies on music language cues.

“Specifically the thing that is most unique to the band is we have this whole list of musical phrases that can cue changes in

the music,” Endsley said. “We’ve tried to make that as all encompassing as possible …there’s a little phrase that can cue almost anything, and anybody can do it.”

Endsley said in order for the group’s sound to be truly new and creative, the band must be willing to avoid repetition from night to night.

“Say if one series of things goes really well one night it’s like, ‘oh that was perfect how that unfolded,’” Endsley said.

“I think the idea then is the next night not to do that, which

would be the easier thing but it wouldn’t have that same kind spark of having been figured out in the moment.”

The band said the genuine enthusiasm they have for their music is what has brought them to this point in their careers, and they do not expect to stop anytime soon.

“We’ve been doing this for five or six years now, so it’s not exactly brand new, but it still feels that way,” Endsley said. “I think the band will be together for a long time — I imagine we’re not even at a half way point yet.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles find welcome return to the big screen “A MICHAEL E. PEREZ Star Design Editor

Everyone has their little obsessions: fine wines, expensive shoes, social networking sites, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Wait. What?

Seriously — Ninja Turtles?

Well, you may have MySpace and Facebook, but I grew up with a different sort of addiction.

In 1987, I was an average seven-year-old child who enjoyed running around the playground pretending to be G.I. Joe or a Ghostbuster. It was during one of these after-school romps that a friend of mine, Lawrence Grant, told our little gang about this new cartoon that featured four surfer turtles and a talking brain. We were all so excited that we ran home and turned on the television just in time to watch our first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episode. It was incredible. I was hooked and to this day, I still am.

The Ninja Turtles have been a part of my life for 20 years and are not leaving.

I graduated from high school in 1998. With no immediate aspirations, I decided to move to

s I sat in the theater mesmerized by the ninja action, I felt like I was back on the playground with my old friends.”

Austin to explore city life. But a bad job and an uncomfortable living situation left me feeling lost and insecure. I grew up in a close family where everyone looked out for each other. But in those few months, I never felt more like everyone was out to get me.

I spent a lot of time watching TV and reminiscing about the old days. One day, I pulled an old VHS tape from the bottom of my video bin. It was the original, 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. A flood of memories came rushing back: going to see the movie on opening night and buying my first comic book where Raph, Leo, Don and Mikey were ninja warriors – not slapstick, pizza-eating surfers. And that fateful day in the seventh grade when a classmate saw me drawing Leonardo on my book cover and asked incredulously, “You still like the Ninja Turtles?”

I never played with another action figure again, and my sketches of Mikey whirling his

nun-chuck disappeared.

But this time, I watched the movie with newfound appreciation. When it was over, I was left with a feeling of comfort and security.

The film delivered a message of family, teamwork and appreciation for strength in others.

The Turtles were back in my life and I decided to do something about it, so I created a Web site.

It was just a page of character profiles and artist renderings, but it started getting noticed by other fans around the world.

Nine years later, MikeysTMNT. com is still going strong.

With the release of the new film, Warner Bros. has taken an interest in helping the site gain popularity as well as publicizing the movie. In fact, I was invited to the premieres in Los Angeles and New York. Of course, with the budget of a college student, I had to settle for an advanced press screening in Austin. But despite the theater setting, the new film brought back that old feeling. As I sat in the theater mesmerized by the ninja action, I felt like I was back on the playground with my old friends.

When Splinter lectured Raphael on his temper and Leonardo returned home after a year of estrangement, it all came back to the same thing: We’re all flawed and we’re all at least a little bit insecure. But with the guidance of our peers and our family, things will work out in the end.

Images courtesy of MikeysTMNT.com, NinjaTurtles.com

Michael E. Perez/Star graphic

TRENDS

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The University Star - Page 7

Lecture series defines, explores musical narrative

By Hayley Kappes The University Star As part of the Music Lecture Series, Byron Almén, music theory professor at the University of Texas, will give a lecture titled “An Introduction to Musical Narrative” 8 p.m. Thursday at the Music Building recital hall.

The lecture, sponsored by the school of music, will focus on the concept that music utilizes the same sort of storytelling techniques found in literature or plays.

Almén has been teaching at UT for nearly 10 years and conducted his graduate research in the field of musical narrative.

“What musical narrative looks at is the link between the way music organizes itself in terms of plot and the way literature organizes itself in terms of plot,” Almén said.

Almén’s lecture will focus on the developments made in this field over the past several years and the historical significance of music as a narrative device, and give a broad overview on the significance of the relationship between music and literature.

“There are many different world views and preconceptions on the topic that don’t tend to meet at the same place, so there are a lot of misunderstandings,” Almén said. “I’m trying to dig into why that is.”

THURSDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited The exhibit is located in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of Alkek Library.

Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 2452313 for more information.

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature The exhibit is located in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of Alkek Library.

Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (512) 2452313 for more information.

Little Heroes Featuring children as subjects, this exhibition reflects the breadth and depth of the Wittliff Gallery’s permanent collection, including its worldclass holdings of contemporary Mexican photography.

The exhibit is in the Wittliff Gallery of Southwestern & Mexican Photography on the seventh floor of Alkek Library.

Nico Schüler, music associate professor, is responsible for organizing the Music Lecture Series.

“I established the music lecture series when I came here in 2001, but it was quite small in the beginning with only one or two lectures per semester,” Schüler said. “Since about 2005, we have a series with a lecture every two or three weeks.”

Schüler said some lectures have an accompanying live performance.

The purpose of the music lecture series is to expose students to facets of music that they would not normally experience in the classroom, Schüler said.

“We would like to have representatives of as many music sub-disciplines as possible in our Music Lecture Series,” Schüler said. “We have never had someone talk about musical narrative and Dr. Almén is one of the best known specialists on this subject.”

Through the Music Lecture Series, he is trying to establish an international center for interdisciplinary, methodological and cross-cultural music research.

“The field of music research is quite big, with a lot of intra- and interdisciplinary research being done nowadays,” Schüler said.

Monty Marion and Austin Byrd/Star photo illistration “Our students — not just muPLAYING BY THE BOOK: University of Texas music theory professor Byron Almén will give a lecture entitled “An Introduction to Musical sic students — should be made Narrative” as an examination of the similarities between music and literature in terms of plot 8 p.m.

Thursday at the Music Building recital aware of that.” hall.

Exhibits are free and open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

An Introduction to Musical Narrative Music Lecture Series presents Byron Almén, assistant music professor from the University of Texas. The lecture is at 8 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. This is a free event.

George’s Live Music The Student Association for Campus Activities will host live music 8 p.m. at George’s.

FRIDAY

Texas Mexican Literature Little Heroes Duruflé Requiem Concert Texas State Chorale and University Singers will perform with the Alamo City Men’s Chorale and Tapestry Singers.

The performance is 7:30 p.m. in the Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 3003 Northland Drive in Austin.

Shaun Danford Senior Horn Recital Danford, a student of Steve Hager will perform. The recital is 6 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. This is a free event.

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

Ramon Parker Senior Saxophone Recital Parker, a student of Todd Oxford will perform. The recital is 4 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. This is a free event.

Little Heroes

SUNDAY

Voice Studio Recital Voice students of Cary Michaels studio will perform at 8 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall.

Lonesome Dove Revisited

SATURDAY

Little Heroes

Lonesome Dove Revisited

Duruflé Requiem Concert Texas State Chorale and University Singers perform

Lonesome Dove Revisited

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating

Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature

with Alamo City Men’s Chorale and Tapestry Singers. The performance is 3 p.m. in the Travis Park United Methodist Church located at 230 E Travis Street in San Antonio. This is a free event.

Jason Dunn and Justin Glosson Senior Recitals Dunn, horn player, and Glosson, tuba player, students of Steve Hager and Raul Rodriguez perform. The recital is 8 p.m. in the Evans Auditorium. This is a free event.

Guest Artist Steve Kostelnik Guitarist Steve Kostelnik will perform 2 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall. Tickets are $2 for the general public and $1 for students.

MONDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Little Heroes All-Student Juried Exhibition The All-Student Juried Exhibition is an annual competition for students hosted by the Art & Design Department. This exhibition is a survey of selected student

work by a guest juror.

The exhibit will be in Galleries I & II located on the second floor of the Mitte Complex.

Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday.

TUESDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Little Heroes All-Student Juried Exhibition Protest and Dissent Art Exhibition - Roundtable Discussion At this last day of the Protest and Dissent exhibition, several artists, critics, curators, and educators will participate in a roundtable discussion.

Most of the works are about issues regarding social ills: racism, immigration, justice, consumption, gay rights, animal processing, death penalty, apartheid, politics and war.

The discussion will be at 11 a.m. in the Joann Cole Mitte Art Building, Room 2121.

Freestyle Battle Texas State students are invited to compete in this rap and

poetry competition 7 p.m. at the LBJ Amphitheater.

Sigma Alpha Iota Faculty Recital Faculty members of the music sorority will perform 6 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall.

Tickets are $2 for general public and $1 for students Texas State Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble The ensemble will perform under the direction of Raul I. Rodriguez. 8 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. This is a free event.

WEDNESDAY Lonesome Dove Revisited Hecho en Tejas: Celebrating Texas Mexican Literature Little Heroes All-Student Juried Exhibition Symphonic Band Concert The band will perform under the direction of Rod Schueller at 8 p.m. in Evans Auditorium.

Tickets are $2 for general public and $1 for students.

Movie Night The Student Association for Campus Activities will host movie night 8 p.m. in the LBJ Amphitheater.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The University Star - Page 8

✯ SXSW home to the latest and greatest Fourteen years runAustin the best place to ning, South by Southdevelop massively mulwest Interactive has tiplayer online games definitely come into its (“Austin, Multiplayer own. For many, it served Game Development as a preliminary event to Capital of the West?” usher in the music feswith John Blakely, Todd tival, but with keynote Coleman, Shannon CuBILL RIX speakers such as Will sick, Richard Garriott Star Columnist Wright and Dan Rather, and Gordon Walton). it’d be a mistake to square away I even got to sit in on a panel Interactive as anything less than discussing the finer elements of a tech junkie’s dream come true. World of Warcraft, including an inHow does one go about describ- depth look at the graphical user ing Interactive? While the music interface and what it means for festival featured the progenitors other games and the business of punk, Iggy Pop and The Stoog- world at large (“Online Games: es, Interactive brought in the Beyond Play and Fantasy” with godfather of “Sim” games, Will Joi Ito and Justin Hall).

Wright. Redman rocked the mic That panel in particular expandat Cedar Street Courtyard while ed my entire mindset surroundMozilla (think Firefox) wined and ing gaming and what boundaries dined the savvy at Brush Square are set between “real life” and Park. the digital existence. If anything, Panels ruled the roost at the I would have gladly paid the $350 Austin Convention Center where just to see this presentation. all but few of the Interactive I can’t keep all of the informaevents took place. Industry lead- tion to myself, though — here ers from all across the globe de- are some of the more interestscended on Austin and brought ing Web 2.0-style sites I learned with them all the experience and about during my stay in Austin. wisdom they could shove into half-hour and hour-long sessions.

Passively Multiplayer Online Game, Men and women, young and old, bud.com/pmog from all walks of life technologically, sat behind microphones While still in it’s infancy, the and booths and dished out infor- aforementioned Justin Hall and mation to expand tech and Web crew have created a passive take horizons for the press, other in- on gaming. It’s a full-fledged game siders and regular SXSW attend- which tracks your surfing habits ees. in Firefox by way of a small plugAnd what a group they were: in. It’s very meta, as it shows you Everything from a retrospective your own browsing patterns, but on how to best moderate online it also pushes you to expand your communities (“When Commu- boundaries and seek out sites unnities Attack,” with topix.net’s familiar and new.

Chris Tolles) to what makes

Twitter, www.twitter.com This site looks to answer the question, “what are you doing right now?” It’s sort of an awaymessage for your entire life. Log in, check out what your friends are up to at any given moment (you can even change your status via instant message or cell phone text message). There’s even an awesome widget for OS X, Twitterific, which will let you update Twitter from Dashboard.

Slacker, www.slacker.com Pandora might be in hot water because of the RIAA’s latest rate ruling on Internet radio, but Slacker keeps the music pumping with personalized radio. Unlike Pandora, which only shows artist, track name and album, Slacker offers more in the way of choice — you can examine other stations by genre and see what others are listening to. A brief biography on the artist is given as a well as a list of similar artists.

It’s still in beta, so there will be errors every now and then, but it brings the noise when other stations get stale.

This is only a smattering of the sites and panels I was able to experience and learn about at Interactive, but it’s a good steppingstone. Unfortunately, because of my word count, I can’t take you through the entirety of Interactive, but you get the picture.

For now, all I can say is it’s something not soon forgotten, and I definitely hope to attend again.

See you in Austin next year.

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

Wednesday’s solutions:

© Pappocom

Former Texas Congressman immortalized in film

By Maria Recio McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON – Charlie Wilson, a Texas congressman known for his foreign exploits, love of beautiful women, fun-loving lifestyle and serious legislating, always seemed to be a creation of Hollywood.

Now, he is.

The former Democratic lawmaker, who retired in 1996, is the main character in Charlie Wilson’s War, a movie starring Oscar winners Tom Hanks as Wilson, Julia Roberts as a connected Houston socialite and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a shadowy CIA agent. The film, directed by Mike Nichols, is nearly wrapped up for release on Christmas Day. “It’s just unworldly,” Wilson said of watching Hanks play him.

The movie, based on the 2003 best-selling book by the late CBS 60 Minutes producer George Crile, details Wilson’s exploits supporting the mujahedeen in Afghanistan against the Soviet occupation during the 1980s.

Wilson, then in Congress, secretly secured funds to arm the Afghans and, in a move that would have made State Department officials hyperventilate had they known, sneaked across the Pakistani border to deliver arms and fight the Soviets. Once, the man known as “Good-Time Charlie” even took along a girlfriend who was a former Miss World contestant.

Different women in Wilson’s world are at center stage in the movie. One is Texas socialite Joanne Herring, played by Roberts, who channeled Wilson’s

GOOD-TIME CHARLIE: Charlie Wilson, a former Texas Congressman, is being immortalized

by Hollywood in a film based on a book by George Crile.

Jim Mahoney/MCT

anti-Soviet energy.

But the audacity of Wilson taking his own belly dancer to Egypt to perform for the minister of defense stands out.

That belly dancer, Carol Shannon, beguiled Wilson when he first saw her dance at a Fort Worth, Texas, hotel.

“You don’t expect to find really professional belly dancing in Fort Worth,” said Wilson, who recalled attending a political function and going to a happy hour where Shannon was entertaining.

Wilson, something of a connoisseur of belly dancing, said, “I was stunned that she was so good.”

Wilson and Shannon, both divorced, soon started a yearlong romance that took her to Egypt, Israel, Pakistan and the Khyber Pass.

Shannon’s dancing in Egypt helped win over the defense minister, who sold Wilson the arms he sought.

But filling Shannon’s small but colorful role in the movie has

been a problem.

Nichols, according to Wilson and Shannon, wasn’t happy with the dancing scenes shot with Prince’s ex-wife, Mayte Garcia, as Shannon, so he’s looking to re-shoot with another actress.

“That’s a big scene in the movie,” said Wilson, who visited the movie sets in Morocco and California over the past year.

He said the problem has been finding a dancer as “exciting” as Shannon.

“Carol was spectacular,” he said.

As for Wilson, 73, he and his wife, Barbara, were married in 1999 after Wilson’s self-described “longest midlife crisis in history.”

On the movie sets, Wilson wasn’t a paid consultant and doesn’t have a financial piece of the film. But he was given “a chair,” as he puts it, and would sometimes interject “when they didn’t get something quite right.” And “sometimes they appreciated it and sometimes they didn’t,” he said.

Wednesday’s solutions:

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection Do you think binge drinking is a problem at Texas State? Go to www.

UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll. Results will be published in Thursday’s issue of The University Star. *This is not a scientific poll

Thursday, March 22, 2007 - Page 10

Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

T

he Associated Student Government Supreme Court’s decision to nullify ASG Vice President Amanda Oskey’s attempt at dissolving the organization’s Graduate House of Representatives was correct.

However, The University Star has to question the executive branch’s reason for dissolving the House.

Before that, we must take issue with the court’s ruling that “Oskey acted within the powers afforded the Vice President by the ASG Constitution.” The court’s opinion cites Article VII, Section 3 of the ASG Constitution, which states: “This Constitution may be amended by the Student Body Vice President without a referendum vote of the students to comply with university policy, past referendums (most recent), procedures, rules, or regulations, or local, federal or state law.”

Oskey said she dissolved the Graduate House because the constitutional amendment creating that body contradicted other parts of the document. In other words, she thinks Article VII gives one person the power to decide which of two contradictory passages in the Constitution is legitimate. The Constitution does not give the vice president any right to amend the Constitution so it complies with itself. That wouldn’t make any sense.

Apparently, at some point ASG realized the Constitution might be misinterpreted. To clarify, they included in Article I of the ASG Senate Code of Laws a clause stating the vice president may “at no time decide on a question involving the constitutionality of a piece of legislation.”

By declaring the Graduate House of Representatives unconstitutional, Oskey passed judgment on the legislation creating the House, thereby violating the Senate Code of Laws.

Oskey’s argument that ASG erred in creating the Graduate House is absolutely correct. It’s an embarrassing oversight no one in student government, the Dean of Student’s Office, the Vice President for Student Affairs’ Office, the University President’s Office or The Star noticed when the legislation was passed in 2005. The referendum item to create a Graduate House did not receive a majority of student votes, so the legislation doing so, which was sponsored by current ASG President Kyle Morris, should never have been passed. However, it was not Oskey’s place to decide that.

And because the two referendum items on the ballot that would create graduate representation, either in the form of a Graduate House or graduate council, received a combined 89.5 percent of the vote, ASG’s executive branch undermined the will of the student body by removing all graduate representation.

So we have to ask ourselves, why would the executive branch go back on a decision the president supported, violate the Senate’s laws and ignore the student body’s wishes?

The first answer that comes to mind is impeachment. The Graduate House is a largely toothless body, but it shares one major power with the Senate: it can initiate impeachment proceedings against ASG officers.

Furthermore, the House is removed from the influence of the executive branch. While more than half of ASG senators are appointed by a committee Oskey heads, graduate representatives are appointed by the deans of their respective colleges. In other words, if the Graduate House ceases to exist, the legislative branch will be almost entirely composed of executive branch appointees. So much for checks and balances.

Constitution

Conundrum VP’s dissolution of Graduate House brings motives to question

Letter to the Editor Bible accepts herb, people should too Re: “Bill could reduce punishment for marijuana possession” One reason it is time to stop caging humans for using the God-given plant that doesn’t get mentioned is because it is biblically correct, because God indicates he created all the seed bearing plants, saying they are all good, on literally the very first page (see Genesis 1:11-12 and 29-30). The only biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that it is to be accepted with thankfulness (see 1 Timothy 4:1-5).

Stan White Dillon, Colo.

Online Poll Results Graduate House Dissolution

S

hould Amanda Oskey, Associated Student Government vice president, have dissolved the ASG Graduate House of Representatives?

She shouldn’t have dissolved the Graduate House

51% It was fair because of a mistake in past legislation

23% I don’t know/not sure

26%

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.

Pat Stark/Star illustration

Results compiled from The University Star Web site online poll. This is not a scientific survey.

LEGAL GUY: New House resolutions show a positive step for government

This may be a little-known fact, but the week of Spring Break is also Sunshine Week. And that doesn’t have anything to do with South Padre or Caribbean cruises.

Sunshine Week is used to promote open government and freedom of information. These things are of paramount importance to every citizen because the freedom to have information and transparency in government is very unique among nations.

To honor Sunshine Week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed four resolutions March 14 that would create accountability for the government by strengthening the Freedom of Information Act. This would improve protection for whistleblowers and journalists, requiring all presidential library donors’ information to be disclosed, and nullify an executive order allowing presidents to withhold their own records. The resolutions are all referred to as Sunshine Laws.

These are laws — or resolutions — created with the soul purpose of making the government’s actions more transparent so

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citizens and citizen groups can monitor their actions.

This first of the four resolutions passed was H.R. 1255, CARSON GUY which passed Star Columnist with 333 yeas and only 93 nays. Titled “The Presidential Records Act Amendment,” the resolution will nullify an executive order that allowed presidents to withhold, almost indefinitely, any records they wanted. According to a statement released by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the resolution “makes clear that presidential records belong to the American people, not the president who created them.”

If this resolution becomes law, it will ensure that all pertinent documents from this time period are retained so the complete historical record is preserved for future generations.

The second House Resolution passed, H.R. 1254, was approved

with the most support of any of the resolutions. It requires disclosure of information about all donors who give money to a presidential library. An old loophole will finally be closed by this resolution. Upon passage, this law would require any donations over the amount of $200 to be reported. Currently, supporters can give limitless amounts of money toward a president’s legacy while that president still resides in the White House with no information on the supporter needing to be disclosed.

House Resolution 1309 would strengthen the Freedom of Information Act and make it easier for the general public and journalists to access information from the federal government. Under the Bush administration, a key part of the act, the assumption of disclosure, was eliminated in 2001. If this resolution becomes law, then the burden of proof for withholding government documents will be shifted back to the government and away from the general public.

Lawmakers are also attempting to add teeth to the Freedom

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of Information Act so that federal government agencies have to respond in a timely manner to requests for documents. Agencies had and will continue to have 20 days to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.

However, this resolution will provide consequences for agencies that take longer than 20 days to respond.

There is one final accountability measure that would be added if this resolution becomes law.

It would expand a petitioner’s right to attorneys’ fees if the petitioner wins his or her suit and disclosure of the information in question. This addition could encourage more people or citizen groups to retain lawyers in an attempt to extract information from the government.

The last resolution, passed March 14 was House Resolution 985. It was designed to improve protection for federal whistleblowers. With the federal government spending more money than ever, it is vitally important that the employees and contractors of the federal government are able to report misappropriations

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of funds and other wrongdoings to authorities without fear of reprisal.

Another important protection included in this resolution reiterates scientists retained by the federal government, who see the integrity of any of the United States’ science-based agencies comprised, will be protected by the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007.

With allegations of government cover-ups of scientific data collected by federal researchers about global warming and other politicized scientific topics, this resolution would solidify government scientists’ insulation from the political views of the administration in power.

Also, contractors who expose fraud perpetrated against the government and the public will be afforded more protection than they are now. This resolution is meant to ensure the fear of losing one’s job does not prevent them from reporting people who waste the public’s money.

Many in Congress feel these resolutions are necessary. Evidence of that fact can be seen by

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the strong support these resolutions garnered from both sides of the aisle. In a statement released after the floor resolutions were passed, Waxman said, “Today, Congress took an important step towards restoring openness and transparency in government.”

Waxman also said he is pleased that Congress is passing, “four critically good government bills with strong bipartisan support.”

All of these resolutions, if they become laws, should greatly help in the battle to combat government waste and fraud and improve government transparency.

Carson Guy is a political science senior. His column tackles legal quandaries. E-mail questions to Guy at staropinion@txstate.edu.

The content and opinions contained herein are in no way meant as legal advice. All information is general in nature. Do not rely on information within this article when trying to resolve a specific legal issue. All situations are unique and require specific legal advice from competent counsel.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright March 22, 2007. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

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

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HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

CITY OF KYLE SUMMER JOB OPENINGS: The Parks & Recreation Dept. is now accepting applications for Summer Camp Staff, American Red Cross Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors for the Summer Day Camps and Kyle Pool. Competitive pay for all positions! Recreation and Education degree seekers preferred for Camp Staff. Applications available at www.cityofkyle.com/kyle-employment. php. Contact Program Coordinator at programs@cityofkyle.com for camp positions. Contact Aquatic Supervisor at (512) 262-3936 for pool positions.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW A NEWSPAPER IS MADE? DO YOU HAVE A WRITING TALENT NONE OF YOUR FRIENDS APPRECIATE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT? PART-TIME MERCHANDISER/ ROUTE SALES Resumes are being accepted in the New Braunfels or San Marcos area. Looking for a talented individual to assist with our rapid growth. This individual will be responsible for writing orders for HBC, general merchandise and snacks. Must have reliable transportation. Two days per week. $10/hr. + mileage. Reply no later than Friday, March 23, 2007. Send resumes to: Grocery Supply Company P.O. Box 33850 San Antonio, Texas 78265-3850 Attn: Human Resources Or Fax to (210) 532-6128 E.O.E. TEACHERS NEEDED: NOW HIRING PT TEACHERS. M-F 2:30- 6:30 p.m. Education major/experience/bilingual preferred, but not required. Quality Child Development Center in Kyle. (512) 405-3700 or fax resume to (512) 405-3701.

AUDIO OUTLET OF SAN MARCOS is looking for an energetic & outgoing Salesperson to help educate our customers on car audio & video. Spanish speaking a PLUS!!!PLUS!!! Must have resume. Call (512) 392-2886.

PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR is seeking friendly, outgoing cocktail waitresses with big smiles and hardworking doormen. We are open and accepting applications Tues.-Sat. 6:30-8:30 at 421 E. Sixth St., Austin, Texas.

MOTEL LOOKING FOR MAINTENANCE/HANDYMAN with D.I.Y. skills and common sense. Apply in person at Americas Best Value Inn, 15101 IH 35, Buda, TX. GRUENE GENERAL STORE Now hiring mature, energetic individuals to work full and part-time. Apply in person at 1610 Hunter Rd. in Gruene. No phone calls, please.

FRONT DESK CLERK WANTED. Perfect job for students. Duties include: answering phones, reservations, handle cash & credit card transactions & guest services. Will train. Math and sales skills necessary. Need smart, hard working, computer literate, enthusiatic person with common sense. Apply in person at Americas Best Value Inn, I-35, Exit 221, Buda.

MARKETING POSITION AVAILABLE: PT work 5-10 hours per week. Contact Jackie at (512) 644-1610 for pre-interview information.

HELP WANTED AT IMPERIAL GARDEN. Please apply in person.

Call (512) 805-0880.

LOCAL BUSINESS LOOKING TO FILL SEVERAL FT/PT POSITIONS. Duties include light office work.

Please call (512) 805-0208.

FAMILIAR WITH FACEBOOK AND MYSPACE? Real estate related positions available $6+hr. Call (512) 665-3306. Dorm residence preferred.

LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS WANTED for the #1 apartment locating service in San Marcos, Apartment Experts. Full and Part time available. Call Greg at (512) 805-0123.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS ON Lake Travis. Salary, room & board provided. Experience not necessary, love of children essential and willingness to learn camp life required. Contact camptexlake.org or (512) 264-1044.

MAKE UP TO $75 each taking online surveys. www.CashToSend.com UNCLE BILLY’S SMOKE HOUSE AND BREWERY is the newest addition to Barton Spring’s restaurant row.

Uncle Billy’s is now accepting applications for all positions. No exp. required. Please apply in person at 1530 Barton Springs (next to Austin Java), Monday through Friday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER $9/HR. Lockhart Correctional Facility has immediate openings for persons seeking a career in corrections. Paid benefits and training. Must have a high school diploma or GED and a valid TDL. Must pass drug screening, physical, and background check. Apply in person at: 1400 Industrial Blvd. Lockhart, TX EOE/m/f/d/v.

OMA’S HAUS RESTAURANT. Hiring all positions. Apply within between 2-5pm. 541 Hwy 46 South, New Braunfels.

WIENERCHNITZEL NOW HIRING. Immediate openings for all areas.

Must have food handlers card. FT/PT. Will work around schedule for students. (512) 392-7077.

LOOKING FOR LEAD CARETAKER. Must have medical experience, seeking female with trusting and respectable disposition. M-F possibly some weekends. $9/hr., 20-30 hr. weekly. Please call Melissa at (512) 557-6113. ONLY SERIOUS APPLICANTS NEED APPLY.

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I AM TRYING TO START A MEDITATION and Yoga club. Any students or possible advisers interested in helping make this happen please call Paul (512) 366-2443.

SUBMIT YOUR POETRY AND SHORT STORIES TO SIGMA DELTA PI’S AL PRINCIPIO: STUDENT LITERARY MAG. IN SPANISH. HA1038@TXSTATE.EDU. DEADLINE MARCH 26.

SERVICES MATH TUTOR. 1st hour free unless satisfied. Rates range from $18-$40/hr. Modest dress and responsible adult present required. David at (512) 659-0623 or davidmcy@io.com WWW.STUDENTATTORNEY.COM

SUBLEASE TAKE OVER MY LEASE AT THE EXCHANGE. 2BD/2BA with own bed and bath! $375/mo., all bills paid except electric (split two ways). Call (512) 750-5492.

WANTED USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition, running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. (512) 353-4511.

SPORTS

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The University Star - Page 11

World traveler turned Bobcat prepares for Roadrunner rivalry

By Travis Atkins The University Star When the tennis team plays Texas-San Antonio Sunday, Ali Gulida will get her first taste of the rivalry Coach Tory Plunkett and veterans on the team are so desperate to win.

The Bobcats have never beaten the Roadrunners in the schools’ history.

“I think we have a great chance to beat UTSA because we really want to beat them and we are willing to fight hard to accomplish that goal,” Gulida said.

Accomplishing goals is nothing new to the economics junior from Argentina. She’s played multiple sports at a high level, was an academic all-American and is planning on getting a master’s degree after she graduates.

Now on a full athletic scholarship, Gulida’s career took many twists and turns before arriving in San Marcos.

She grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she played tennis and field hockey beginning at age eight. When she was 13, Gulida chose to give up ten-

nis because her high school did not offer the sport; it was too expensive and took up too much time.

“In Argentina in high school, we don’t play tennis because it is a really expensive sport that is for the higher class,” Gulida said. “Paying for tennis was 200 dollars a week and I would have to get up at two in the morning then go to school. I just didn’t have time.”

At her private school in Argentina, there was a big emphasis on academics. Gulida said she was forced to spend most of her time studying.

“I knew every country in Europe and Africa. It took me so much time that I couldn’t focus on tennis or anything,” Gulida said. “I like the schooling here because they don’t teach you stuff you don’t need to know.”

Field hockey worked much better with her busy schedule.

She played for her school and could practice with the team at night. Gulida played for five years while in high school.

“When I talk to my friends in Argentina they say, ‘man, you should be playing field

hockey, you were so much better at field hockey than tennis,’” Gulida said.

Plunkett can be glad she isn’t, and said Gulida’s strength lies in her athleticism.

“She’s just a fierce competitor,” Plunkett said. “You can tell she has played some other sports. Now it’s just about gaining experience and knowledge.”

After graduating from high school, Gulida studied medicine for two years in Argentina. In her spare time she decided to take up tennis again, playing for a club. Her coach there noticed she had talent and suggested Gulida go to the U.S. and get a scholarship to play tennis.

“I love to travel and I wanted to learn English so badly,” Gulida said. “So after practicing for two years, I came here and played at (North Central Texas College) when I was 20.”

Gulida was the fourthranked player on the team her first year at the junior college in Corinth. By her second year, Gulida was ninth in the nation in the National Junior

College Athletic Association rankings and began receiving many offers to play at universities.

Plunkett was able to secure Gulida and she is now settled at Texas State, at least for the time being.

“They say you have eight semesters to play one sport and then two more to play another sport,” Gulida said. “So I hope when I am done here, I can move to the East Coast somewhere and play field hockey. I love that sport.”

Once the athletic itch is fully scratched, Gulida plans to get a master’s degree, which she said would most likely be at Texas State. She wants to spend some time in Italy, her mother’s native country, and become fluent in Italian.

Finally, Gulida wants to get an internship somewhere in the U.S. for a while before finally settling down either back home in Argentina or in Canada, where her boyfriend is from.

Before her ambitious travel plans materialize, Gulida is focused on constantly improving her game to help the Texas

State tennis team break free from their mediocrity of past seasons and become a powerhouse in the Southland Conference.

The team is coming off two matches over Spring Break, including a 6-1 win against Stephen F. Austin March 10. The Bobcats lost a later match to Sam Houston State, 4-3.

“We came out and played very well,” Plunkett said of the win over SFA. Gulida won three of her four matches on the East Texas road trip and has now been victorious in seven of her last eight.

She looks to continue this hot streak when the team plays Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 10 a.m. Saturday and Texas-San Antonio 12 p.m. Sunday.

Both matches are at the Texas State Tennis Complex, where the Bobcats are 4-0 this season. Plunkett thinks the team should take care of business Saturday and is eagerly anticipating a breakthrough against UTSA on Sunday.

“This weekend is going to be a true test of where we are going to be this season,” Plunkett said.

Eagles head coach ends hiatus, returns to work

By Ashley Fox The Philadelphia Inquirer PHILADELPHIA — It is mid-March — pushing into late March, actually — and guess what? Andy Reid is about ready to return to his full-time duties as the Eagles’ head coach.

He probably won’t be back Wednesday, but when the NFL’s annual owners’ meetings get under way in earnest Monday, Reid is expected to be there.

And that, loyal Eagles fans, will signal that Big Red is back.

It should be comforting that Reid is returning to work, just as the Eagles’ brass said he would when they announced last month that the 49-year-old coach would take a short, voluntary leave of absence. Certainly after the troubles Reid’s two eldest sons encountered Jan. 30, when they were involved in separate driving incidents that police said included drugs and guns, no one would’ve faulted Reid for stepping away permanently.

That, however, is not the case.

Harry E. Walker/MCT BACK ON DUTY: Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid returns to his team after a leave of absence he took in February.

To be sure, this is a complex situation. Garrett and Britt Reid are in a load of trouble.

Garrett, 23, is facing misdemeanor drug and traffic charges after admitting to police that he used heroin on the day he caused a traffic accident. Britt, 21, is facing a felony charge of carrying a firearm without a license, and several other misdemeanor charges.

As a parent, getting the call that one of your kids, much less two, is in that kind of trouble has to be awful. It certainly would cause all sorts of second-guessing and self-doubt, as well as make something like the game of football seem irrelevant.

Reid showed his human side by stepping away from his day job to focus on his family.

He hasn’t uttered a peep publicly about his family’s ordeal, but last month accompanied Garrett to an out-of-state drug-rehab center.

As it should be, the private man has remained private. Now, the public personality will return.

During Reid’s hiatus, the Eagles have kept details of their coach’s ordeal close to the vest. Although he did not attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month and hasn’t been working out of his office at the NovaCare Complex, Reid has been available to his staff.

He rarely turned off his cell phone. He has given his opinion on players, and met in person with two free agents the Eagles were targeting — wide receiver Kevin Curtis, who signed with the Birds, and linebacker Ryan Fowler, who did not. (Reid did not meet with free-agent running back Ron Dayne, which tells you how much interest the Eagles had in him).

“He’s been here,” General Manager Tom Heckert said. “He’s met with (the free agents).

If we need him, he’s available.”

Hopefully, for the Eagles, the arrangement has worked out well for both parties. The first — and main — concern is and should be for Reid and his family. Say what you will about Reid’s public persona or his coaching style or his reluctance to run the ball, he is a decent, kind man, not some android.

A happy, healthy home life will only aid Reid’s ability to effectively direct the Eagles,

which to local paying customers still is extremely important.

If Reid feels he has stabilized his family and is ready to return, we should trust his decision.

In the grand scheme of things, Reid really hasn’t missed that much. One thing the Eagles have done over the years is built stability inside the organization, so Heckert and Joe Banner and Reid’s assistants have been able to operate without Reid’s having to be in the office day after day.

The Eagles’ off-season plan was in place well before Reid went on sabbatical. They wanted to re-sign Juqua Thomas and Quintin Mikell, and they did. They wanted to add a few players in free agency, which they did. They didn’t want to overspend on Jeff Garcia or Donte Stallworth, which they didn’t.

Yes, they desperately need help at linebacker, but that may come, too.

The draft still is over a month away. Many of the Eagles’ players are participating in the team’s voluntary workout program. Veterans David Akers and Sheldon Brown were at the NovaCare Complex Monday, along with Hank Baskett and Jason Avant, among others.

And the Eagles’ first mandatory mini-camp still is a ways off, scheduled for early May. All that is left for Reid to do now is reemerge full-time. Unless things change in the next couple of days, he will do so in front of his coaching peers. It might be momentarily uncomfortable, given the public nature of his sons’ problems, but what Reid likely will find is empathy.

The 31 other head coaches in the league — OK, 28, because rookies Bobby Petrino, Lane Kiffin and Mike Tomlin don’t have a clue what’s going to hit them in a few months — understand the demands of the job. The long hours. The obsessive film study. The precious time lost at home. The sacrifices by spouses and children.

Life is a series of trade-offs. For the last several weeks, Reid has traded work for family.

Now that he’s set to return to his job, hopefully he’ll be able to strike a comfortable balance between the two, for the good of his family, himself and his franchise.

SOFTBALL: UTSA up next for Bobcats CONTINUED from page 12

harder part for her right now than underhand. It’s just a matter of keeping her going and trying to get her to throw enough pitches to keep us in ball games.”

Blake retired shortstop Macie Morrow with a ground-out to end the threat.

In the sixth frame Blake gave up one of her two runs of the night, on a bases-loaded walk to

Scarborough that put A&M up 5-0. Blake finished the night with 3.1 innings pitched, giving up two runs with four strikeouts.

“I felt pretty good coming out of being sick for the past two days and being told by the doctor that I was suppose to sit out for a week,” Blake said. “But with a great defense behind you, you can always play well.”

Lancour took the loss to drop her to 4-8 for the year after giving

up three runs on five hits.

Gibson improved her record to 11-1, pitching a complete game shutout and giving up three hits with six strikeouts. It was her 41st career victory as an Aggie.

“Gibson is always going to do a good job when she has the ball in the circle,” Woodard said. “She is aggressive, she doesn’t mind coming in at you hard and she mixes her pitches well.”

The Bobcats will return to

Southland Conference play when they face Texas-San Antonio for the first time this season, with a doubleheader slated for 5 and 7 p.m. March 30. The series will end March 31.

“We’re going to take a few days off (including the weekend) and get away from softball a little bit and hit the academic side,” Woodard said. “We’ll see if we can come back out next week a little hungrier.”

Travis Atkins/Star feature photo WORLD TRAVELER: After growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ali Gulida used her skills on the tennis court to secure a scholarship at Texas State and will face her first match against Texas-San Antonio Sunday, at home.

College fun doesn’t compare to NBA fame, fortune

By Mike Bianchi The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — Go to the NBA. Don’t stay in school.

College basketball will ruin your life.

OK, so maybe I don’t believe everything I just wrote, but sometimes you have to fight hyperbole with hyperbole. At this time of year, we need an alternative viewpoint if for no other reason than to counterbalance the many college basketball propagandists (see ESPN/CBS broadcasters) who would have you believe a college underclassman jumping to the NBA is akin to joining a Taliban jihad.

Granted, it’s a great story when the Florida Gators and their three sophomores decide to come back for their junior seasons to make another run at a national championship. But you know what? If I had been them, I would have turned pro faster than you can say LeBron James.

I love March Madness, but the one thing I hate about this time of year is the college basketball publicists, er, analysts trying to vilify life in the NBA. They try to make it seem like underclassmen such as Ohio State’s Greg Oden and Texas’s Kevin Durant are about to make a choice between staying for another joyous and fun-filled year of college or going to work in a Siberian coal mine.

The “college is more fun” argument is almost as ridiculous as the “college is a better place to develop your basketball skills” argument. Yeah, skipping college really hurt the development of LeBron, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett. And poor Dwight Howard. He could be a junior at Georgia Tech this year. Instead, he’s just an NBA all-star.

“By not going to college, I got a chance to come to the NBA and work on my game to become the best player I can be,” Howard said. “In college, you have to go to class and you have a lot of other obligations other than basketball. I made

the right decision.”

As for missing out on the ‘fun’ of college, Howard just smiled: “Basketball is fun – whether it’s the NBA, college, high school or preschool.”

Seriously, who in their right mind would actually say playing college basketball is more fun than playing in the NBA? Would you rather spend your days taking a boring “Intro to 19th-Century English Literature” course? Or would you rather spend your days on the ‘golf’ course waiting for that night’s game against the Bulls? Fun advantage, NBA. Would you rather spend your nights sleeping in a dumpy dorm room with a sloppy roommate? Or would you rather spend your nights sleeping with a supermodel at your Isleworth mansion? Fun advantage, NBA. Would you rather go on a college road trip and stay at the Holiday Inn Select with four bikers in the room next to you? Or would you rather go on an NBA road trip and get a nice pedicure at the salon in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton?

Fun advantage, NBA. And, please, spare me the rhetoric about how these kids aren’t ready for the ‘pressures’ of pro basketball. Yeah, sure, there’s a ton of pressure trying to decide whether to drive the Bentley or the Beamer.

Or wondering what your personal nutritionist is going to cook you for dinner that night — the pan-seared striped bass in pomegranate sauce or the duck schnitzel with roasted shallots?

Give me the schnitzel, the shallots and the supermodels.

Give me the ‘drudgery’ of the NBA. Let the college basketball propagandists have the ‘fun’ of 19th-Century English Literature.

Then maybe they can study the works of Charles Dickens, who once wrote in David Copperfield: “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.”

SPORTS

texantrade

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Atlanta backup quarterback Matt Schaub has been traded to Houston in a deal to be announced Thursday, making way for more speculation that David Carr’s days as a Texan are numbered. The deal involves Houston and Atlanta swapping first-round picks for April’s collegiate draft. Houston will end up with the 10th overall pick, while also giving up second round picks this season and the next. Schaub threw for 1,033 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in three years with the Falcons.

— Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Thursday, March 22, 2007 - Page 12

Sports Contact — Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

The heart of a Bobcat Post-injury, outfielder considers team unity, plans for future

By Jacob Mustafa The University Star

Jon Clark/Star feature photo SUPPORT FROM THE SIDELINES: Although senior outfielder Kyle Jones will have to sit out the rest of the baseball season, he says the time spent observing from the dugout will help if he pursues becoming a coach.

All was right in the world of Kyle Jones.

The Texas State baseball team, which Jones considered the best he’d been a part of, had just defeated a ranked opponent to open the 2007 season.

Then he got hurt.

The outfielder was declared out for the season after an arm injury required he undergo ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, more regularly known as Tommy John surgery. Jones, exercise and sports science senior, will graduate this year, but come back for his master’s.

Despite his plans to return, Jones’ disappointment with the accident still lingers.

“When I first found out, I was really bummed,” Jones said. “I definitely had to do some serious thinking.”

According to Jones, an important part of his continued connection with the team is the way his teammates have made him feel at home while sitting on the bench, unable to assist them on the field.

“They’ve done a great job of making me feel like a part of the team,” he said.

One Bobcat who has always been close with Jones is his longtime roommate and fellow outfielder Jared Bunn. Bunn, who has lived with Jones for the past three years, is coming off Tommy John surgery as well and has helped his friend to understand the recovery process.

“We compare our rehab programs and stuff like that,” Bunn said. “I had to do it

and I know it sucks and (that) will make it difficult to go out there.”

In Jones’ absence, the team has gone 16-7 and leads the West division of the Southland Conference. The team’s current success comes as no surprise to the senior, whose expectations for the team were high going into 2007.

“I knew we’d have the best team I’d ever been a part of,” said Jones.

Even though the team has found its way without Jones, Coach Ty Harrington said the outfielder’s veteran leadership would be missed, even if he will be back next year.

“The team has missed him because he’s a proven performer,” Harrington said. “And one that can perform in big games.”

Laurn Randell now starts in centerfield, filling the void left by Jones when he was injured in the second game of the season. Jones is quick to remind Randell of this fact.

“I kind of give him a hard time,” Jones said. “That’s what the older guys do.”

One example of joking about their odd relationship concerns what Jones said to Randell after the freshman got the game-winning hit in a 3-2 victory at home against Rice in February.

“The first thing I did was walk up to him and say, ‘You’re welcome’,” Jones said.

Despite his joking with younger members of the team, what Jones feels he gained most from his time on the bench is a deeper understanding of the game and a veteran connection with younger players.

“I definitely try to involve myself with

those guys, since coaching is something I want to do for a long time,” Jones said.

Jones’ previous interest in coaching has been strengthened by his time watching the game intently and not preparing for his own at-bats.

“This is the first time I’m actively watching what everyone’s doing out there,” Jones said. “I get to see all the tendencies of all of our hitters for the first time.”

Harrington said if coaching is what Jones wants to do after his time at Texas State, it will not be out of his reach.

“Absolutely (I think he would succeed as a coach),” Harrington said. “I think Kyle Jones will succeed at pretty much anything he chooses to do.”

Jones believes the learning he has done this season and throughout his career, during which he transferred from Texas-Brownsville in 2005, will be the ultimate preparation for a foray into coaching.

“Whether it’s coaching my son in little league or a high school baseball team, that knowledge will never go away,” he said.

While he may be looking into the distant future, it is next year that may be a greater challenge for him. Jones said he will feel as though he’s much older than the rest of a team not much younger than he.

Jones said right now he is just enjoying the time he has to relax.

“You have no idea how much stress a baseball player has throughout the year,” Jones said. “Even though I wish I could play, you do feel good to be able to take a break.”

Aggies shut out Bobcat softball 5-0

By Carl Harper The University Star Texas A&M jumped on the Bobcats with three runs in the second inning, and never looked back, as they claimed the battle 5-0 Wednesday night at Bobcat Field.

After former American Idol contestant Jimmy McNeal, sound recording technology senior, kicked off the evening with the singing of the national anthem, starting pitchers Megan Gibson of the

Aggies and senior Sarah Lancour cruised through the first frame.

An inning later, Mandy Gegen hammered her first career homerun with two runners on base to get the Aggies a 30 lead. Texas A&M struck again in the fifth and six innings with two runs to cap the night. Gegen was credited with her fourth RBI of the game when she barely missed a second homerun in the fifth inning.

After first baseman Amanda Scarborough and designated player Alex Reyn-

olds walked and singled, respectively, Gegen kept the two-out rally going with a shot off the top of the wall that scored Scarborough.

The Bobcats had a great opportunity in the third frame when they started a twoout rally of their own. After senior right fielder Amy Krueger walked, freshman center fielder Kristina Tello legged out an infield single to put runners on first and second. Sophomore catcher Karen Taylor then ripped a single into left field that juiced the bases for cleanup hitter Ali Mc-

REACHING OUT: Texas State’s first baseman Leah Boatright reaches for the ball to get the out against Texas A&M Wednesday. The Bobcats were shut out 5-0, registering three hits as a team.

Austin Byrd/Star photo

Cormack. Gibson was able to get the sophomore to pop up the third out in the infield on the first pitch.

“We had a couple of opportunities early in the game and didn’t capitalize, and we are in a spot right now where we have to capitalize to get ourselves some confidence,” Coach Ricci Woodard said.

“That has been our frustration for awhile now (and something) that we need to get over. We have to get some key hits when we need them.”

Lancour started the game for the Bob-

cats, but then left in the in the fourth inning after just throwing 69 pitches.

Lancour hit Reynolds to begin the inning, followed by a walk to second baseman Joy Davis and an infield single to center fielder Sharonda McDonald. Woodard then made the change to bring in junior pitcher Ragan Blake.

“Sarah’s got some things that we really have to limit what she does,” Woodard said. “Overhand throwing is kind of the See SOFTBALL, page 11