03 31 2009

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MARCH 31, 2009

tuesday

VoluMe 98, Issue 66

Officials ‘unsure’ of when hot water will resume By Amanda Venable News Editor

An estimated 3,500 to 4,000 campus residents have been without hot water since Wednesday evening, according to Rosanne Proite, director of Residence Life. All residence halls and campus buildings east of Comanche Street are without steam or hot water following the failure of a

temporary boiler the university has been renting since February 2008. Residents were told Thursday via e-mail that hot water was estimated to be back on “no later than” 6 a.m. Saturday. It was not. In fact, officials are unsure when the boiler will be fixed. Neither students nor hall directors were sent information about the heating and hot wa-

ter outage until late Monday afternoon, which Proite called a blunder on the administration’s part. “We should have been communicating more,” Proite said. “What occurred over the week weekend was, we thought it was going to be Saturday, and then we were told Sunday, and it was dif difficult to get someone to get that information out, and then Sunday was Monday. We just didn’t

communicate very well.” As a result, Proite said she and fellow administrators have gotten “non-stop” phone calls and e-mails from disgruntled students and parents. “We have been talking with everyone who is contacting us,” Proite said. “The entire administrative staff has been answer answering calls. There have been some parents who have been very accepting of the information and

others who have not.” University officials were hopeful the steam and hot water would be back on Monday after afternoon, but the temporary boiler failed a pressure test. Contractors Holman Boiler Works, Inc., have been working two, 12-hour shifts to repair the boiler since the outage Wednesday, according to Pat Fogarty, vice president of facilities. The $250,000 rental has been the

sole provider of steam and hot water for the university since the only two primary boilers, which were 35 years old, reached the end of their useful life. Fogarty said the first of two new $2.2 million boilers will not be installed until late April. “We will continue working throughout the night to do what whatSee HOT WATER, page 5

House Bills could affect uninsured students

LONE STAR AWARDS

By Allen Reed Assistant News Editor

David Schmidt/Star photo Rodney Parker and the 50 pesos reward entertains the audience at The lone star Country Music Awards inside Greune Hall on sunday. FOR FULL STORY SEE TRENDS PAGE 8.

A bill in the Texas House may bar thousands of Texas State students from enrolling, if passed. Texas Rep. Vicki Truitt (R-98) authored House Bill 1875 that, if passed, will prevent anyone without health insurance from enrolling at a general academic teaching institution in Texas. ASG President Brett Baker said the bill could discourage people from seek seeking higher education. “You’re born with the right to get an education,” he said. The bill will not only affect incoming students. Current students would not be able to continue their education unless they obtain insurance. Proof of insur insurance would be required every semester. The house could vote on the bill beginning this week. Section two of the bills states the changes in law will begin with the 2010 fall semester. Baker and Asha McElfish, public administration sophomore, traveled to Austin Wednesday to voice student concerns to the house higher education committee over the bill and House Bill 103, which would replace the college See HOUSE BILL, page 5

ASG candidates debate Bill would grant tax-free textbooks to students questions from senators By Rachel Nelson News Reporter

By Teresa Wilburn News Reporter ASG presidential candidates have two days to win students’ votes, but focused on questions from the senate at Monday night’s debate. Student government elections being held Tuesday and Wednesday have candidates talking about improvements within the senate body. Sen. Francesca Flores asked the candidates what they could do regarding alumni relations with the university. “I have done research with the Alumni Association,” said Brice Loving, presidential candidate. “Bobcats hire competent Bobcats. If we are going to get those better paying jobs and the things that are going to perpetuate the university into a higher serving institution, it comes down to alumni relations.” Chris Covo, presidential candidate, said the Alumni Association is vital to the university. He said ensuring all alumni feel as if Texas State is their home should be the focus. “Alumni want to talk to students,” Covo said. “It is just that simple. Alumni want to talk to

students, and we want to talk to them. This is their university and they can help us learn. We need to network.” Trenton Thomas, presidential candidate, said bridging the gap between alumni relations could be the ticket to university advancement. Sen. Andrew Salazar addressed concerns for a greener campus. He said the issue was raised last year, but nothing has been done to further efforts. “We need to get the environment committee more involved,” Covo said. “Students do not understand that in the Campus Master Plan, we have included the green parts, including lights. What we need to do is be proactive in the transformation of that.” Loving said the issue is rooted in sustainability. “It really comes back to using digital marketing,” Loving said. Thomas said the progress has to come from the community as a whole, and the proposed compost project within the univer university is a great start. “We do have a Campus Master Plan,” Thomas said. “Talking See DEBATE, page 5

today’s Weather Isolated T-Storms

74˚

Precipitation: 30% Humidity: 33% UV: 9 Very High Wind: N 20 mph

College students in Texas could see tax-free textbooks if Senate Bill 22, filed by Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini, passes. “It’s one of my highest priorities,” said Zaffirini (D-21). Zaffirini filed the bill in November and is now waiting for the appropriations bill to be passed, which could happen late this week. “After that, I’ll pursue it in the finance committee,” she said. This is not the first time a bill of this kind has been filed. Zaffirini filed similar bills in 2005 and 2007, but they each died before being passed. The bill would provide a holiday at any store for those who have a valid student identification card, Zaffirini said. “Basically, it would give them two, 10-day tax-free periods — one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester,” Zaf Zaffirini said. “I wish all textbooks would be free.” Ans Bucio, pre-health care administration sophomore, agrees. “I think we should get free books along with our tuition,” he said. Bucio said he buys around five books per semester and estimates saving about $45 if SB 22 passes. “I guess it’s a good amount of

pocket change,” Bucio said. “It would help.” Zaffirini said students at a fouryear institution pay an average of $843 for books annually. “Everything is so expensive, and there are so many students that are working hard to complete their college education,” Zaffirini said. “And those who are supported by their parents — their parents need relief, too.” Alli Cox, digital and photographic imaging freshman, said she sold three of her textbooks back to the store before Spring Break because she was having financial struggles. She said, if passed, the bill would help students like her. “I think it’s a good idea,” Cox said. “I know I have to pay for my own books, so anything would help.” Zaffirini said there would be no way to regulate if students are always buying textbooks during the tax-free holiday period, but she does not believe it would be an issue. “I don’t think many students buy extra books not tied into their coursework,” she said. “Most students can’t afford it.” Zaffirini said the tax-free text textbook holiday would not have a negative impact on cities. “I do not believe this will be harmful to the cities in any way See TEXTBOOKS, page 5

Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo NO TAX: If senate Bill 22 passes, college students will be able to purchase text books without the extra cost of tax.

two-day Forecast Wednesday

Thursday

Mostly sunny Temp: 82°/59° Precip: 0%

Partly Cloudy Temp: 79°/45° Precip: 10%

Inside News ..... 1,2,3,4,5 opinions ............ 7 Trends ................ 8

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

Diversions...........9 Classifieds..........9 sports...............10

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