Book Person Seeking Skills Art and design student looks overseas for class project SEE TRENDS PAGE 8
NFL scouts watch Texas State football players on annual pro-day SEE SPORTS PAGE 12
Defending the First Amendment since 1911
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April 2, 2009
Thursday
Volume 98, issue 68
asG sENaTE rEsuLTs The current number of ballots submitted: 4730 Candidate
Votes
Percent
College of Applied Arts Xavier A Garza 129
100%
College of Business Administration Russell D Garcia 326 38.6% Joe E Koenig 226 26.7% College of Education Ariana M Vargas 336 Justin W Collard 293
53.2% 46.4%
College of Fine Arts and Communication Colter D Ray 348 35.1% Allison L Birk 211 21.3% College of Health Professions Sarah A Cruz 162 100% College of Liberal Arts Daniel A Burrow 401 Asha C McElfish 374
51.5% 48.1%
College of Science Austin R Weisinger Jon M Riggs 180
194 48%
On Campus Melanie F Ferrari 825 William C Fox 711 Temitayo A Gidado Cody Lee DeSalvo Patrick B Samuels Zachary D Gonzalez Jonathan P Moldenhauer Cameron L Tanner Dallen M Terrell 642 Meredith K Gatewood Kristopher M Infante Morganne E Montalvo Cristina Solis 622
9.4% 8.1% 707 696 673 671 666 652 7.3% 636 632 631 7.1%
Off Campus Cameron J Kincaide Laura C Carhart 746 Lisa S Paulson 736 Griffin F Taylor 735 Matthew C Posey 712 Fidencio Leija 706 Ashley R Hanrahan Luke P Cagle 674 Michael K Florer 673 Julia E Barnes 672 Joseph L Doyle 653 James T Flink 616 John C Nesselhauf
746 8.3% 8.2% 8.2% 7.9% 7.9% 691 7.5% 7.5% 7.5% 7.3% 6.9% 607
8.3%
At Large Brandon M Guerra Tommy L Aguilar 1244 Cameron J Johnson Kristin N Guerra 1202 Rebecca R Flores Lindsay J Dabbs 1116 Gordon F Taylor 1113 Chrystah R Carter Krista L Tucker 999 Blake W Millican 933 Maria Olicia 908 Sara M Darby 896 Andrew P Gonzalez Lakeisha R Houston
1245 5.9% 1230 5.7% 1135 5.3% 5.3% 1105 4.8% 4.4% 4.3% 4.3% 894 840
5.9%
51.7%
ASGelectionresultsnamestudentgovernmentexecutives
8.1% 7.9% 7.7% 7.6% 7.6% 7.4% 7.2% 7.2% 7.2%
7.7%
6.8%
5.9% 5.4% 5.3%
4.3% 4%
College of Applied Arts College of Business Administration Kathryn A Morris 1 50% Martin Hardis 1 50% 100%
College of Fine Arts and Communication Jason A Estes 2 66.7% Richard V Lopez 1 33.3% College of Liberal Arts Roel Elizalde 11 Robert C Fyrst 7
By Amanda Venable News Editor Chris Covo and Tommy Luna will sit in the highest offices students can achieve at Texas State as ASG persident and vice president, respectively. Covo gained 62 percent of the votes cast, 1,909 more than opponent Trenton Thomas, who came in second place. “I feel like I’m in a dream kind of, but I’m very excited,” Covo said. Almost 4,730 people voted in this year’s ASG elections, just over 6 percent of the student body. Last year’s election had the highest voter turnout, with approximately 4,770 ballots cast. Covo was embraced by supporters and campaign rivals alike upon learning he will be the next student body president. He described the moment before the announcement was made as“the most humbling ex-
39.3% 25%
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Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 26% UV: 9 Very High Wind: NW 24 mph
of the campaign. I was very impressed with all of the candidates.” Thomas got 20 percent of the votes, 4 percent more than opponent Brice Loving, who entered the race later than the other candidates. “I can’t really describe how I’m feeling,” Thomas said. “Of course, I would have loved to have been able to serve the student body in that capacity, but I think Chris is going to do a great job. I think if anyone other than myself was going to get in the office, it should be Chris. I do not see any drawbacks. It was a good campaign, a clean campaign.” Thomas is not the only one to note sportsmanship. Election Commissioner Austin Shelton said it was the first campaign Sara Strick/Star Photo “in a long time” that has not had WALKING AWAY: Trenton Thomas and any violations. “I think people actually read Brice loving, former AsG presidential candidates, shake hands after the election results Wednesday.
See COVO, page 5
By Megan Holt News Reporter
University officials are considering compensating students affected by the weeklong hotwater outage. Rosanne Proite, director of the department of housing and residential life, said she will meet with university officials to discuss the matter. “We’re going to be reviewing this situation and one of the topics is how we can find a way to provide some compensation,” Proite said. “I can’t give you any more information than that, but we are looking at that issue. It’s my hope that we can provide some kind of compensation. There’s no way for me to know what the end result will be.” Proite and Pat Fogarty, associate vice president for facilities,
spoke to and took questions from the Residence Hall Association Wednesday. Fogarty started with an apology. “First off, how sorry I am that the student body had to go without heat and hot water for this past week,” he said. There are two boilers on campus that will replace the permanent ones, which do not work. Fogarty said he is negotiating with a contractor to try expediting the process, which is expected to take a month. “Our contractor has until May 31, but the contractor has been very good at working with us and the contractor has made a commitment to get the first permanent boiler done by the end of April and the second as soon after as possible,” he said. See WATER, page 5
The battle over $1.8 million between the Texas State and Texas Tech university systems is now in the hands of the Texas Legislature. According to a state audit report, the Texas State University System received more than $1.8 million in student housing revenue after selling Angelo State University’s Texan Hall dormitory in June 2006. Angelo State, originally a part of the Texas State University System, transferred to the Texas Tech system in September2007.Thedormitorymoney was transferred to the Texas State University System instead of the Texas Tech system after the sale of the dormitory, according to Charles Matthews, chancellor of the Texas State University System. The Texas Legislature is now deciding which system is the rightful owner of the funds. “The attorney general and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board investigated the sale and issued a letter sayingtherewasnomoneyowedtoTexas Tech,” Matthews said. “We thought it
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perience” of his life. Covo joked the first thing he plans to do is get his grades back in order, then said he would“figure out how much work he has to do, which is a lot.” Luna, who ran unopposed after opponent Edwin Maldonado dropped out of the race last week, cinched 97 percent of the votes. “I am ready to start,” Luna said. “The first thing I am going to start working on is senate training. I am working on the training they will have and the objectives we want them to meet. We are elected to the seat, and now it is time to live up to what it means to be a senator.” Covo’s parents and oldest sister, who came from San Antonio to hear the results, were among his campaign supporters. “We are so proud,” Angela Covo, Chris Covo’s mother, said smiling. “To be honest, I have been following every minutia
dorm sale raises issue Officials discuss on-campus student concerning owner of funds reimbursement By Allen Reed Assistant News Editor
Graduate House of Representatives
College of Education Shaun T Owen 1
Karen Wang/Star photo
Covo, Luna 2009 WINNERS: 2009 AsG winners, Chris Covo and Tommy luna, celebrate their victory Wednesday at the lBJ student Center.
was over. Then, in December 2008, the Texas Tech chancellor (Kent Hance) was urged to sign a settlement agreement, which at the end (of the document) in a small paragraph included a money agreement.” David McClure, assistant vice chancellor for communications for theTexas Tech University System, said because the $1.8 million came from the student boarding fees, “Obviously, that money belongs to ASU (Angelo State).” “Nobody knows if the money will be returned to Angelo State,” McClure said. “It’s still all up in the air.” According to the audit, the Texas State University System did not maintain sufficient financial records, which resulted in an error with the Texan Hall closing documents drafted during its sale. The Texas State University System used part of the money it received from the sale to make a partial interest payment on the Series 2006 bonds issued by the system itself, according to the audit. “In June 2006, the system sold bonds on behalf of (the system universities)
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Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System
Diversions...........10 Classifieds..........10 sports............11,12
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starsof texas state Bret Atwood, exercise and sports science sophomore, went 3-for-4 to lead the offense in a 5-3 victory at Baylor Ballpark Wednesday night. It has been four years since
the Texas State Bobcats staked a victory over the currently 7th ranked Baylor Bears. —Courtesy of Texas State Athletics
Today in Brief
News Contact — Amanda Venable, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System
LUNCH BREAK
CRIME BLOTTER
THURSDAY Veterans Support group is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Veterans can help veterans cope with the stress of transition and the demands of college lives. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512-2452208.
University Police Department March 25, 4:30 p.m. Information Report - Sewell Park Outdoor Center A student reported to a police officer a nonstudent was harassing her. The nonstudent was issued a criminal trespass warning and was told to leave the premises.
Coping with Grief and Loss Group from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. It is a source for students who have experienced the death of a loved one. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting on at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, room 320. Enjoy contemporary worship, relevant teaching, prayer and plenty of fun. Contact 512-557-7988 or mail@ texasstatechialpha.com for more information. There will be a meeting of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University at 5 p.m. in LBJ Student Center, room 3-14.1. Cost is $25. Learn how to get rid of debt and build wealth by using the principles Dave discovered after the hardship of bankruptcy that have now turned him into a millionaire. Contact Krista at 512-353-4414 or bsm4jesus@ centurytel.net for more information. There will be a “Simple Silent Sitting” meditation group from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. in Psychology Building, room 130B. All are welcome (any religion or no religion). Brief instruction can be arranged before we “sit” by contacting Colby at 512-4084544 or Sheila at 512-847-2159. FRIDAY There will be an AA meeting from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in LBJSC, room 3-6.1 The Student Recital Series presents Scott Harrison Graduate Trombone Recital at 8 p.m. in the School of Music Recital hall. Admission is free. SATURDAY The Student Recital Series presents Heather Harmon Voice Senior Recital at 6 p.m. in the School of Music Recital hall. Admission is free. SUNDAY Every Nation Campus Ministries invites you to join us at Christ Community Church, meeting at Travis Elementary (by TXstate golf course). We will have a one-hour service starting at 10 a.m. with contemporary worship and an encouraging message. The Student Recital Series presents Amanda Kay Shelton Graduate Voice Recital at 6 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall. Admission is free. MONDAY Sexual Assault abuse Abuse Survivors Group is from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. It is a support group of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center for Texas State Students. Pre-screening is required by calling the Counseling Center at 512245-2208.
March 25, 4:40 p.m. Medical Emergency Edward Gary Street A student suffered from a seizure. The student refused medical transportation. March 26, 10:25 a.m. Warrant Service - Blanco Hall A police officer arrested a student for a warrant. The student was transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center and is awaiting a court date. Kayla Hartzog/Star photo Jenny Mercier, studio art senior, and Ashley Lozano, studio art senior, take a break for lunch between classes Wednesday at Zookas.
Library Beat
Photography exhibition adds art interest to the Leisure Reading Area A small exhibition from the Southwestern & Mexican Photography Collection is on view in the new Leisure Reading area of the Alkek Library. The photographs are by noted Mexican photographer Lázaro Blanco and have been described as ‘visual poems.’ They illustrate the simplest objects and environments. The seven images on display in the Leisure Reading area par particularly reflect his interest in form and architecture, and include several from his only published monograph, Luces y Tiempos (“Lights & Times”) published by Fondo in 1987. Created using traditional darkroom techniques, these silver-gelatin photographs will be on view through the summer.
Born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in 1938, Lázaro Blanco studied architecture and physics in Mexico, and science and physics education at the University of Michigan and SUNY. Blanco has worked as a teacher since 1964, and he was one of the founding members and first vice-president of the Mexican Council of Photography. His work has been included in exhibitions in Mexico, the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Blanco currently lives in Mexico where he continues to teach the next generation of photographers. The Wittliff Collections are proud to own 53 Blanco prints to date. Featured in Tuesday’s “Library Beat,” the Leisure Reading area is on the east
side of the library, in back of the grand staircase on the main floor. Tucked behind shelves holding the Leisure Reading book collection, casual groups of sofas and comfortable chairs offer students a refuge in which to lounge, relax, and study. Now world-class photographs make the area even more inviting. Call 512-245-2313, visit www.thewitt www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu or drop by the Wittliff Collections on the library’s seventh floor for more information about Lázaro Blanco or the permanent holdings of almost 15,000 photographs by renowned artists from the Southwest and Mexico. —Courtesy of Alkek Library
This day in history
1513: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed in Florida. 1792: Congress passed the Coinage Act, which authorized establishment of the U.S. Mint.
1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis and most of his Cabinet fled the Confederate capital of Richmond, Va. 1872: Samuel F.B. Morse, developer of the electric telegraph, died at age 80. 1932: Aviator Charles Lindbergh, through an intermediary, paid
$50,000 ransom in a New York cemetery to a man who promised to return his kidnapped son. (The child was found dead the following month. The ransom money was eventually traced to Bruno Hauptmann, who was executed for the crime.) 1968: The science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey had its world premiere in Washington, D.C. 1974: French President Georges Pompidou died in Paris.
1982: Argentina seized the disputed Falkland Islands from Britain.
1992: Mob boss John Gotti was convicted in New York of murder and racketeering. 2005: Pope John Paul II, who helped topple communism in Europe and left a deeply conservative stamp on the Roman Catholic Church that he led for 26 years, died in his Vatican apartment at age 84.
March 26, 6:18 p.m. Information Report - J.C. Kellam Administration Building A nonstudent reported to a police officer she received a suspicious letter. A report was made of the incident. March 26, 11 p.m. Criminal Mischief - Under $50 - Sterry Hall Parking Lot A student reported to a police officer her vehicle had been vandalized. The case is under investigation. March 27, 1 a.m. Criminal Mischief-under $500 - Comanche Hill Apts A student reported to a police officer university property had been damaged. The case is under investigation. March 27, 1:15 a.m. Graffiti - Loss under $500 Mitte Art Building A nonstudent reported to a police officer university property had been vandalized. The case is under investigation. March 28, 2:43 p.m. Medical Emergency Bobcat Stadium A student reported to a police officer he injured himself while walking. The student refused medical transportation.
March 29, 7:38 p.m. Medical Emergency Intramural Fields 2007: In its first case on climate A student injured himself change, the Supreme Court declared while playing softball. The in a 5-4 ruling that carbon dioxide student refused medical and other greenhouse gases are air transportation. pollutants under the Clean Air Act. —Courtesy of University —Courtesy of New York Times Police Department
News
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bobcat Build volunteers strive to help community
Jon Clark/Star file photo HELPING OUT: Around 3,000 Texas State students will be volunteering at 150 job sites as part of Saturday’s Bobcat Build.
By Chase Birthisel News Reporter Students will flood the community Saturday holding shovels, hammers and other tools in Texas State’s seventh annual Bobcat Build. Greg Foster, Bobcat Build assistant director, said around 3,000 student volunteers will
go to 150 job sites. “Almost every organization on campus is involved,” Foster said. “Residence halls are bringing groups of people, and even the police department is volunteering.” Bobcat Build is a volunteer event that gets Texas State students involved in San Marcos by helping residents and orga-
nizations throughout the community. Students involved will be par participating in a variety of jobs ranging from clearing brush to repainting houses. “The job sites are churches, parks and homes, a lot of which are in lower income neighbor neighborhoods,” Foster said. Foster said the Bobcat Build committee has an outreach team to find members of the community in need. The team worked with leaders of the community and has gone doorto-door in neighborhoods to select the best jobsites for the event. This is the first year Bobcat Build is completely organized by students. The committee has around 30 members, all of which are volunteers. “It is really a year-round process,” Foster said. “When the fall semester started, we really were focused on hitting the ground running. It’s logistically a big challenge, getting everyone in the right place at the right time.” Foster said he is proud of the way the Bobcat Build committee has handled planning the event over the last few months. Alistair Laing, management sophomore, is participating in Bobcat Build this year for the first time. He said the event will be a great opportunity to give back to the community. “College students live in this community, too — we need to make it the best it can be,” Laing said. Laing said Bobcat Build changes the image of college students. “A lot of times, negative stereotypes are connected to students at Texas State,” La-
ing said. “Partying loudly late at night and things like that. I think Bobcat Build works to fix that image and let people know students care about the community, too.” Daniel Pacer, Bobcat Build outreach co-chair, said the San Marcos community has welcomed the help. “The response is overwhelmingly positive from everybody,” Pacer said. “They are so appreciative of what the students will do for them. Some think students are just out to wreck the town, so this completely reverses that image.” Pacer said the volunteers will be engaging in a number of jobs, including cleaning downtown San Marcos and Sagewood Circle and going to elementary schools to work on playgrounds. Pacer said Bobcat Build started with a small budget but received donations from organizations on campus, boosting its resources. “We received funding from ASG, and we had a rather large contribution made to us by the Non-Traditional Student Organization,” Pacer said. Pacer said San Marcos businesses, such as McCoy’s Building Supply, Sam’s Club and Texas Disposal Systems, have contributed as well. Bobcat Build starts 8 a.m. Saturday at Bobcat Stadium with a performance from singer/songwriter Tje Austin. The program will continue with remarks from University President Denise Trauth, Mayor Susan Narvaz and Texas Rep. Patrick Rose (D-45). Students will then volunteer their time from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in hopes to make a positive impact on their community.
The University Star - 3
FLORA, FAUNA
Members of the Texas State horticulture club at the agriculture building Wednesday afternoon.
Teachers make classrooms more green with less paper By Hannah Sampson McClatchy Newspapers MIAMI — In some school classrooms, paper is becoming more of a relic than an educational staple. The result: homework done online. Paperless term papers. Math problems completed on an interactive whiteboard. An entire course of physics problems contained on a single compact disc. And, schools hope, savings in an ever-tightening budget crunch. “It’s budget, it’s green, it’s best educational practices,” said Mark Strauss, principal of Vir Virginia Shuman Young Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Educators are trying to trim the reams of paper they use to save money, spare trees and keep kids engaged in ways that old-fashioned writing just doesn’t allow. Schools would be hard-pressed
to eliminate paper altogether, but technologies like interactive whiteboards and document projectors have proven to be popular substitutes. Strauss keeps track of how many copies teachers are mak making and sends a note (e-mail, of course) to those who have fewer than 500 per month with “a thank you for thinking green and helping the budget,” he said. Those who exceed 2,000 copies in a month get a note urging them to reconsider their paperdependent ways. “If they can get more engaged in active learning and less reliant on worksheets, they’ll learn more,” Strauss said. Christopher Stella, who teaches a fourth- and fifth-grade class at the school, posts to his class Web site all the information he might have otherwise sent home with kids on paper. Documents for homework are scanned and
posted as PDF files. Kids can write book reports on a book-themed Web site and submit them to the teacher there. “The interest level for any anything that’s technology-related is much higher,” Stella said. At South Miami Middle, seventh-grade civics teacher Sofia Padilla prefers to have her students learn on computers or through games like “Jeopardy!” “That’s what those kids are used to,” she said. “So we kind of have to move with the times and keep their interest piqued.” While today’s students were born into an age of technology, some parents haven’t quite adapted. “Some parents ask: ‘Where’s the paper?’“ said Dawn Huck Huckestein, who assigns homework online and has her second- and third-graders at Virginia Shuman Young use the interactive whiteboard. “It’s what they’re used
to.” She explains to them that her method is “not just being friendly to the earth, but being friendly to the budget.” MAST Academy in Key Biscayne, Fla., a school known for its focus on green innovation, tries to conserve paper _ and recycles what gets used. One way they cut down on paper: “E-mail, e-mail, e-mail, e-mail,” said principal Thomas Fisher. “Everyone’s favorite communication initiative.” Teachers get one case of paper, which contains 5,000 sheets, each semester, Fisher said. “We say, ‘Look, this is your allocation. Use it as wisely as possible,’“ he said. Erica Kane, a fifth-grade teacher at North Lauderdale Elementary, said she tries to be as frugal as possible in her classes because paper is not easy to get.
“We would use the fronts and backs and wouldn’t miss any spaces,” she said. Kane said she’s also printed reports on the backs of fliers, used paper brought in by students and even used old pin-feed printer paper, the kind with sides that need to be ripped off. Some administrators and teachers say students are allowed to print materials at school but are urged to print out only what is needed. Many Broward teachers say they use a document camera and projector and have students copy from the board in their own composition books instead of giving handouts. Some post their materials online. Others simply buy their own paper if it is scarce at school. Robert Rosen, who teaches Advanced Placement physics at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla., grew weary of
wondering if his paper supply was going to be cut off from year to year. So, about six years ago, he scanned all of the information he hands out _ which would amount to something like 200,000 copies for all of his classes _ and put it on compact discs. “The kids just loved the CD,” he said. “They just warmed up to the idea immediately.” If there’s something Rosen wants to distribute to students during the school year that wasn’t included in the initial disc, he puts it on his Web site as a PDF. Rosen has been trying to spread the paperless word among fellow teachers. He thinks it might be an easier sell as schools continue to cut spending. “It might be that necessity is the mother of invention in this case,” he said.
4 - The University Star
News
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Hannah VanOrstrand/Star file photo PET FREEDOM: City Council is not enforcing San Marcos residents to microchip their pets.
City Council amends ordinance to remove mandatory microchipping By Brigette Botkin News Reporter The Animal Control Ordinance went into effect Wednesday without the controversial microchipping clause. The ordinance, which has spawned protests and heated debate, was discussed and amended at the City Council meeting Tuesday. An amendment adopted at the meeting removed mandatory microchipping of household pets from the ordinance, along with the ban on selling or adopting animals in parking lots. These changes to the ordinance came after city residents raised concerns. “We’ve had many complaints about the new ordinance,” said Andy Quitner, interim city attorney. “We’re just trying to do what’s best.” City Councilmember John Thomaides, Place 6, said the items will return to the advisory committee to be reviewed and discussed further. Quitner said public hearings will be held to discuss the future ordinance changes, but no date has been scheduled yet. The advisory committee will make new recommendations to the City Council after the public hearings. “We want to have input from the public and to know what they think,” Thomaides said. “These (issues) will, for now, go back to the advisory board
for rewording and to be looked at in more detail.” Quitner said some residents will still be required to microchip their animals, though the mandatory-microhipping clause was removed from the ordinance. “All feral cat colonies will still be required to be microchipped,” Quitner said. “But the every-day person doesn’t have to microchip their pets.” Those against the manda-
ll feral cat “A colonies will still be required to be microchipped. But the every-day person doesn’t have to microchip their pets.”
—Andy Quitner, interim city attorney. tory microchipping claim the ordinance takes power away from citizens. “Anytime you give unelected officials power, citizens lose theirs,” said Rob Roark, San Marcos resident. “We don’t want to see people become criminals in their own homes.” Roark said a similar ordinance in Bakersfield, Calif. resulted in violent measures. “They were kicking in doors and fining people in their own homes,” Roark said. “I don’t
want it to go that far.” Thomaides said the ordinance is aimed at protecting citizens and their pets. “It’s supposed to help (citizens),” Thomaides said. “Microchipping helps locate animals, and the ban on selling animals in parking lots help keep out unethical breeders.” Thomaides said the prohibition on the selling or adopting of animals in parking lots was aimed at “backyard breeders” and puppy mill owners. “We’re trying to find some language to allow (selling and adopting) but ban the other practices like puppy mills,” Thomaides said. Sections of the Animal Control Ordinance that did go into effect include restrictions on the tethering of animals, vaccination requirements and increased penalties for dog attacks. Tom McNaire, San Marcos resident, spoke at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, asking attack penalties be enforced for the safety of the community. “In the last five days, two children have been attacked by dogs in San Antonio,” McNaire said. “In Luling, Thursday, a 2-year-old child was attacked and died. I don’t want to see this happen here.” Roark said he hopes the city is able to keep up with every section of the ordinance. “We don’t want (the city) making promises that aren’t enforceable,” Roark said.
Electronic cigarette sparks attention, debate as FDA crackdown looms By Ken Mclaughlin San Jose Mercury News The young man in the tall swivel chair at the mall seems lost in nicotine nirvana as he takes a deep drag on a cigarette and blows smoke rings, to the surprise of passing shoppers. Sarah Kruberg, a 21-year-old college student from Portola Valley, Calif., does a double take, but keeps walking. “I knew it couldn’t be someone smoking a cigarette,” she said with a laugh. “But I didn’t know what it was.” What Kruberg saw at Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara, Calif., was a kiosk salesman puffing away on an electronic cigarette, a new product Jose Canseco, the steroid-tainted baseball slugger turned e-cigarette pitchman, predicts will “revolutionize the industry of smoking.” Health officials worldwide, however, are casting a wary eye. Last summer a Florida company began aggressively marketing e-cigarettes — which emit a nicotine vapor with the help of a computer chip — but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now seems poised to pull e-cigs from the market because the agency considers them “new drugs.” That means they need approval from the FDA, which requires companies to back up their claims with scientific data. “It is illegal to sell or market them, and the FDA is looking into this,” said Rita Chappelle, an agency spokeswoman. Asked if that meant the FDA would crack down on the dozens of mall kiosks nationwide where the product is being sold like perfume and cellphone covers, Chappelle said: “This is an open case. Beyond that I cannot comment.” Informed of the FDA’s posi-
tion, David Burke, general manager at Westfield Valley Fair, said Monday that the shopping center is looking into the legality of the product. “All our retailers are required to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations,” he said. Invented in China several years ago, the e-cig not only “smokes” like a cigarette. It also looks like a cigarette, feels like a cigarette, glows like a cigarette and contains nicotine like a cigarette. But it’s not a cigarette. It’s a slender stainless-steel tube. When someone puffs on an e-cigarette, a computer-aided sensor activates a heating element that vaporizes a solution — usually containing nicotine — in the mouthpiece. The resulting mist — which comes in flavors such as chocolate and cherry — can be inhaled. A light-emitting diode on the tip of the e-cigarette simulates the glow of burning tobacco. A rechargeable lithium battery powers the device. Its boosters say it is the perfect way to quit smoking, because the nicotine mist contains no tar or any of the host of cancercausing agents of tobacco smoke — yet has the touch and feel of smoking. That, they say, makes the e-cigarette superior to other nicotine-delivery systems such as patches, chewing gum, aerosol sprays and inhalers. The levels of nicotine can be adjusted, from “high” to no nicotine at all. That, e-cig supporters say, allows smokers to wean themselves from nicotine, which most doctors say is highly addictive but not, as far as they know, a carcinogen. The product’s aficionados say because it contains no tobacco, it can be used in bars, nightclubs,
restaurants and other public places where states and localities have banned tobacco use. But anti-smoking groups say that’s exactly the problem. They fear it will reintroduce a “smoking culture” into places where people no longer are used to seeing wisps of smoke and cigarettes hanging from people’s mouths. “I understand why people use the nicotine replacement aids,” said Serena Chen, regional tobacco policy director of the American Lung Association in California. “But I don’t understand why people want to pretend that they’re smoking.” Chen believes ex-smokers will conclude the e-cigarette is harmless and can be lured back into the smoking trap. “If you had a serial killer who liked to stab people, would you give him a rubber knife?” asked Chen. “This just boggles the mind.” Executives at Smoking Everywhere, the Sunrise, Fla., firm that is marketing the product on the Internet and in mall kiosks, say criticism of the e-cigarette is irrational. “The mist is mostly water. It has to be better for you than smoking,” said Eitan Peer, vice president of the company. “It’s been approved by doctors. We’ve been on Fox News. We’ve been on the ‘Howard Stern Show.’ Our spokesmen are Jose Canseco and Danny Bonaduce.” Company officials say the other main ingredient in the e-cig is propylene glycol, which is used in everything from Hollywood smoke machines to food colorings to hydraulic fluids. Peer said the suggested retail price of the Chinese-made e-cig is $149, but because the kiosk operators are independent vendors, the price varies.
News
Thursday, April 2, 2009
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to resell residence halls,” said William Nance, vice president of finance and support services for Texas State. “We were leasing them to house students.” The Texas State University System retained the remaining 64 percent of the fund revenue and combined it with its general fund. Nance said the money, combined with the Texas State University System’s general funds, was for repair and replacement reserves. Universities put in maintenance requests for each residence hall after they were leased. The money was then taken from the general funds. “There were some of the funds for Texan Hall kept by the Texas State University System,” said Sharon Meyer, Angelo State vice
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around,” Shelton said. “I think they all really respected each other.” Thomas said he hopes to go through the senate selection committee next year and stay active with ASG. He said he will continue to push for his campaign initiatives. “I will try to put Texas Bobcats ROAR (a student grievance program) into play and I want to focus on helping every organization I am apart of, especially ASG.” Thomas said. “It doesn’t stop here.” Loving, who said he considered himself to be an underdog throughout the campaign, said he would not have done anything differently, calling it an in-
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The rented boiler, which had been the sole heat provider, had been repaired. Another back-up boiler is coming from Dallas. “We’re back online now,” he said. “I don’t want to promise you it’s not going to fail again because this boiler was tough to fix this week and we might develop other problems.” Fogarty said he is taking steps to ensure a similar problem does not happen. “There’s a company in Austin that provides consulting services and we have invited a person who is an expert in boilers and water chemistry to come and take a look at our procedures to see if we could make any improvements,” he said. “Just as a check to see if we’re doing things right.” He said the boiler failure was unexpected. “A boiler will last for many years as long as you take care of it,” Fogarty said. “This boiler we got 35 years out of and we thought we would get longer, but we didn’t. The thing that needs to be done differently is we need to make sure we replace the equipment before it fails.” Students wondered why the hot water failed for so long. “Realistically, we probably aught to be spending on infrastructure six to eight million dollars more per year,” Fogarty said. Fogarty said some of the pipes on campus are 80 years old. “I really think the weakest utility I have here on campus is my steam system, my piping system,” he said. Proite said the university received phone calls from parents. “I’ve talked with, in the last five days, several hundred parents who have called and been very angry, rightfully so,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of threatening
president of finance. Matthews said in an interview with The San Angelo StandardTimes that Texan Hall, which opened in 2003, was built using private money from the Texas State University System. The private funds were used by the system to prevent the campus from acquiring too much debt, accord according to the audit. “The Texas Tech system didn’t want our debt to be standing,” Matthews said. “They were just as liable for our debt as we were.” Meyer said the change in systems was not because of wrongdoing by the Texas State University System. “It made more sense to move systems because we have the same issues that Texas Tech has,” Meyer said. “We have a lot of the same problems and commonalities. There were a lot of people standing behind the change.”
valuable marketing experience. “I have worked the hardest I have worked in years, just pounding pavement and talking to people and to classes,” Loving said. “I just think it goes back to being confident in everything.” ASG President Brett Baker has two months left in office. He said there is still work to be done and looks forward to spear spearheading projects with Covo and Luna. “I have a strong passion for all of the candidates that were running,” Baker said. “As a candidate last year, I know what they were going through — how they weren’t sleeping very well, how they are really giving it their all. It was awesome being there last year, it was one of the best experiences of my life.”
language that they are going to be contacting attorneys and that we have violated the landlord tenant laws which we’re not under the landlord tenant laws in the state of Texas.” She then explained the university’s responsibilities to the students. “We do have in our contract a clause that states we are required by our contract to provide reasonable amounts of steam and hot water and electricity and those kinds of things,” Proite said. “But we are not responsible for a failure of those things. That clause is in there because we do periodically lose electricity and sometimes it’s because substations go out that’s beyond our control.” Proite said she has worked at other institutions of higher learning and all of them had old buildings and equipment. “The reality is, this could very likely happen at any university,” she said. “Universities, over a period of time, have had to accumulate a large amount of deferred maintenance because we haven’t necessarily always been funded by the state to the degree that we need to take care of some of our infrastructure.” Dallen Terrell, political science freshman, has been without hot water and said his peers’ reaction has been one of anger. “People naturally act irrational,” said Terrell, council president of Falls Hall. “Some people just stick it out and go into the shower and scream or make noise.” He said not everyone was proactive. “I do know of some people that not the full week, but for like three days, wouldn’t shower and tried to wait it out,” Terrell said. He said it was a humbling ex experience. “I take Mr. Fogarty’s side,” Terrell said. “Sometimes these things are going to happen and you just have to deal with it.
The University Star - 5
New Aquarena Springs overpass meant to ‘alleviate traffic, improve air quality’ By Christine Mester News Reporter Designs for a new train overpass on Aquarena Springs Drive are scheduled to begin this summer. City officials pushed for the overpass to alleviate traffic and improve air quality in San Marcos. The city has more than 20 railroad crossings and 47 trains pass through daily, according to Melissa Millecam, communications relations director for the City of San Marcos. Laurie Moyer, assistant city manager, said city officials are now looking for input from the university on the overpass. “We’re excited the project is finally underway,” Moyer said. “We want to get the university involved, because Aquarena Springs (Drive) is very much a front door to the university, Bobcat Stadium and the river center. We don’t want it to look just like a regular overpass. The overpass would be an asset to our entire community.” Moyer said there are multiple reasons as to why the overpass would benefit the city. “The overpass would relieve congestion, improve access to Post Road and Bobcat Stadium and provide safe frontage roads
for pedestrians and cyclists,” Moyer said. Andrew Russell, history senior, commutes to Texas State from Austin and said the overpass would be a welcome addition to the city. “Every time I’m stuck at a train I’m thinking ‘really?’ because every major city has a way of bypassing that,” Russell said. “It feels like a huge inconvenience.” Millecam said there are more than 51,000 San Marcos residents and 29,000 university students, half of which are commuters. “Aquarena Springs is a heavily-used road, and there are a lot of students living along the road as well,” Millecam said. “Traffic delays due to train crossings affect thousands and thousands of people. It will be a big benefit to the whole community and the university.” Millecam said the main goal of the overpass to ease tension of increasing, frustrated drivers impeded by the train passing. “The primary reason for the overpass is to improve mobility in the area,” Millecam said. “It will also improve air quality. When hundreds of cars are backed up in either direction waiting for a train to pass, they are emitting air pollution. The over overpass would help reduce that.” The project is estimated to cost $26
million. The City of San Marcos has received $15 million for the overpass thus far through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Rail Safety Fund. Moyer said the City of San Marcos submitted the project for stimulus funding and federal earmarks to fill the $11 million gap. “We’re out there beating the drums,” Moyer said. “But as of right now, we don’t have a defined place to get the remaining $11 million.” Construction on the overpass will not begin until all of the funding has been obtained. Moyer said the City of San Marcos approached the Texas Department of Public Transportation to build train overpasses on large city streets 20 years ago. A train overpass on Wonderworld Drive has been completed, and the funds needed to build one over Aquarena Springs Drive have not yet come. Construction delays on the train over overpass are due to a lack of funds and coordination with Union Pacific, Moyer said. Millecam said construction on the over overpass is estimated to start in 2010 and be completed in late summer 2011. The designs for the new overpass are estimated to be completed by the end of the summer, Moyer said.
OpiniOns 6 - The University Star
onlineconnection Check out www.UniversityStar.com in the following weeks for continued News, Sports, Trends and Opinions coverage.
RECYCLING
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Opinions Contact — Krista Almazan, staropinion@txstate.edu
The Main PoinT veryone has bought something he or she did not use.
E
Maybe it was a set of knives from a late-night infomercial that could cut through a boot. It might have seemed like the most necessary item in the world at the time. Then, after arrival, they just sat in a kitchen drawer. Maybe it was a piece of exercise equipment, but once again, after it arrived, it sat at the back of the room. People pay for a lot of things they never use, most of the time because they realize how trivial and useless the items truly are once they get them (who needs to cut through a boot anyway?). However, San Marcos residents recently purchased something that should be used for the rest of their lives: singlestream recycling. Unlike the previously mentioned items, single-stream recycling is important. Humans have been callously wasting resources with no regard to the world around them. They have been doing that for a long time. It was only in the past few decades people started noticing the effects they can have on the environment. This means there have been millennia of waste versus a few years worth of conservation. That means there is a lot of catching up to do. Perhaps the worst part is the waste has not stopped. There are still those who fling empty fast-food bags into the street. Even now that people have started realizing the effects they have on the world, apathy is still prevalent in some. This means those who care have to work harder. Sure San Marcos residents should use single-stream recycling because they bought it, that only makes sense, but the most important reason is because it can help. Reducing waste is important, and singlestream recycling makes it easier. Several multi-colored bins might scare some people away, but now recycling is as easy as throwing waste in a trash can. Seeing as how one is better for the environment all sensible people will know where to put those discarded beer bottles and newspapers. The City Council did the right thing by implementing single-stream recycling. But now is not the time to sit around giving pats on the back. Remember: those who care need to work harder. The single-stream recycling program needs to be implemented at dorms and apartments as well. Only houses have the option currently. This is a step forward, but students and other apartment residents care as well. They should get the same chance. Implement the program for anyone, because conservation needs everyone.
RESOURCES
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.
Students can implement change in government GARRETT MCSPADDEN
Star Columnist
Each news headline across the country rings out that our interests are not being served in Washington. We voted for Obama because we wanted to see change of any kind really. I think President Obama won because he was more of a rock star than an honest politician. Now we realize what the implications of the arising presidential budget could mean to our future as U.S. citizens, and we are angry. He has his own prerogative, but I am not yet sure what it is. There is a chance he is a warmhearted humanitarian busting his walnuts to save our country and thinks eliminating any power the dollar might have once had is a viable forfeit to the cause. There is a chance. We really do not have much say in what goes on in Washington. However, we do have a say in the direction our campus takes. In the recent debates for ASG president, one objective rang clear. Covo, Loving and Thomas all want us to feel like we have more of a say in the legislation passed in the senate. No doubt the proposals brought on by the school during the financial crisis that keeps bludgeoning us in the brains have raised more than a few eyebrows. The new Bobcat statue in The Quad is a perfect example. After its construction, someone wrote in front of it, “Give us lower tuition, not statues.” The funny thing is we the students were the voting force behind the creation of this statue. Rather, it was those who voted that had the say. The rest of us are left with the piece of chalk in our hands voicing opposition on the concrete in front of the new structure. I am apathetic to the statue. What I care about is the student who wrote that. I wonder if he or she opposed the legislation or knew it was even on the books. I agree with the candidates, we need more transparency and openness in ASG. However, it must be clear we have had the power of voice all along; we just have not used it. They have a Web site posting all of their meetings, and are required by law to display every word spoken in every meet meeting. What’s murky about that? If you have a legitimate problem with the school, you have every power allocated to you to make waves and let your voice be heard. Otherwise, complaining about the school’s ways is like whining about watching “The Real Housewives of Orange County” when the remote control is in your hand. We have more power than we think. It is not the job of the ASG president to implement change. He should implement the changes we want. Stand up and change the channel, if you want to.
Juan Ramirez/Star Illustration
Mexican drug wars are America’s problem too
AMMIE JIMENEZ
Star Columnist
By Ammie Jimenez Star Columnist Developing addictions is bad news no matter what. It could be something as seemingly harmless as choco-
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late or something potentially deadly like alcohol or drugs. Both are pretty bad but at least alcohol is legal. Illicit drugs are in such strong demand in the United States that it is fueling a devastating war along the Mexico and United States bor border. The problem needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. To do this there needs to be less finger pointing and more cooperation. The Mexican drug wars have claimed thousands of lives. The violence around the border has now claimed around 7,000 lives in Mexico City since the begin-
ning of 2008 according to The Los Angeles Times Web site. It is a war involving the United States in more ways than simply being Mexico’s bordering country. Stopping the violence requires a massive effort from both Mexico and the United States. Felipe Calderon, Mexico’s current president, is the front man in attacking the problem from Mexico’s side, but I believe in order to have any ef effect on this he needs all the support he can get. One major problem is too much time was spent name calling, accusing the Mexican government of not
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doing enough or losing control of their country. The truth is Felipe Calderon has been battling these cartels with little help from the United States all while receiving the criticism. This is not just Mexico’s problem and in order for this conflict to have a chance of being resolved, there are a few things that need to be dealt with on our side. First, is accepting responsibility and realizing we play a huge part in the problem. The United States provides solid business for these cartels, and we are providing the advanced weapons
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being used in the drug war. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitutions Web site, about 2,000 weapons are smuggled into Mexico from the United States every day. This is an incredible amount of weapons passing through right under the noses of border patrol and it is unacceptable. If we do not place stronger regulations and seriously reinforce border inspections this problem could begin to spill over to our side even more than it already has. There is hope though and the fact Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton visited Mexico
just a few days ago shows the beginning of an effort to control the war. According to The Austin American-Statesmen Web site, Hilary Clinton said, “This situation is intolerable for honest, law-abiding citizens of Mexico, my country or anywhere people of conscience live … The United States recognizes that drug trafficking is not only Mexico’s problem. It is also America’s problem.” It is our responsibility to support the efforts being put forward by both countries in order to stop the Mexican Drug War.
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Trends The universiTy sTar
springsplash
The third annual Springs Fest at Rio Vista Park will be kicking off Friday. The event will feature classes on kayaking and boating for riders with little or no experience. Presentations will be given on fun aquatic vacation destinations like Mexico, Canada and spots all over Texas. The weekend will also feature tournaments in aquatic sports like polo and a freestyle rodeo. The festival will close with a slalom race, which is a competition in which competitors navigate their canoes or kayaks around obstacles in the water. The race will also work as the Texas Junior Olympic Qualifier.
7 - Thursday, April 2, 2009
Trends Contact — Brett Thorne, starentertainment@txstate.edu
Local attorney gives advice on confrontations with police By Jovonna Owen Trends Reporter Students should remember to mark their calendars for April 20th. Charlie Roadman, a local indie-rock musician and criminal defense attorney, has been defending misdemeanor and felony DWIs and marijuana possession cases for the last 8 years in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Roadman said he has defended Texas State students. It is the fourth year Roadman will teach a comical presentation giving people a chance to learn about the consequences of DWIs and marijuana possession. Roadman said being charged with a DWI or possession is
“humiliating.” Roadman breaks down each phase of a DWI from being arrested to being prosecuted in his DWI presentation. “Once you describe the system, the only rational conclusion is that you shouldn’t drive intoxicated,“ Roadman said. Roadman gives examples of what the police are looking for when pulling people over. “People don’t understand that when you get stopped by the cops and they smell alcohol is that (the cops) have two choices, to arrest you or let you drive off. Most of the time they aren’t going to let you drive off,” Roadman said. Roadman pointed out common signs cops look, for such as not using your turn signal or driving
with high-beams lights on. “I tell people how to reduce the chances of being pulled over, but the best defense is to take a taxi. One DWI will cost you about the same as 300 taxi rides,” Roadman said. Brian Hanley, psychology senior, received a DUI when he was a minor. Hanley said he was not intoxicated and was not asked to take a breathalyzer, but was arrested because he argued with the police officer. “It screwed my life up, but it was dismissed,” Hanley said. “My license was suspended for 6 months. I had to pay a thousand dollars.” Roadman said in his marijuana law presentation, he mainly talks of how it is possible to get a mis-
demeanor marijuana possession charge dismissed. “But people often make that difficult by arguing with the cops or resisting arrest,” Roadman said. “Keep your mouth shut and don’t be disrespectful. The cops will write down everything, and the prosecutors will evaluate that.” Roadman gives examples and evaluates arrest records in his presentation, including the infamous Matthew McConaughey arrest for marijuana possession. Roadman said he understands people in today’s society, especially musicians and artists, are raised around marijuana. “They’re so used to it, but they don’t realize how aggressive cops are to following the
rules,” Roadman said. “They’re going pull you over for your rims, loud music, a traffic violation—but use common sense. They’re going to profile you, but don’t help them.” “I’m not advocating marijuana use.” Roadman said. “I’d probably even be on board for prohibition of alcohol.” James Wilson, mass communication senior, said he thinks mar marijuana should be legalized and regulated. “Marijuana is becoming more of a popularized drug, but people shouldn’t drive when they’re stoned, just like alcohol,” Wilson said. “If the government regulated it, there wouldn’t be so many in jail for weed, it would make it less taboo. If we taxed (marijuana), it would also help
the economy.” Roadman said it is important to keep a clean record. “Nowadays, a company can easily pay to do a background check. I’ve heard so many times of people with convictions who can’t get jobs,” Roadman said. “Convictions have these collateral consequences, if you can’t get a regular job, you can’t get health insur insurance, can’t get an apartment.” The fourth annual Marijuana Law for Musicians and DWI Law for Social Drinkers will be held on at 8 p.m. April 15 at Mohawk in Austin. The event is free, and there is a chance to win tickets to Flight of the Conchords and Will Oldham/ Bonnie Prince Billy concerts.
Theater department features Outdoor center hosts three-day water festival Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ By Lindsey Leverett Features Reporter
By Ashley Dickinson Features Reporter William Shakespeare’s timeless tale of greed and manipulation will come alive through talents of the Texas State theater department tonight. Students in the “Macbeth” cast have spent as much as five hours a day, five days a week rehearsing for sword fights, beheadings, complicated language exchanges and extensive stage effects. Charles Ney, director of “Macbeth” and professor in the department of theater and dance, said the cast recently spent a “grueling” 25 hours on technical and dress rehearsals from Thursday through Sunday. “Macbeth” features a mer merciless struggle for power accompanied by supernatural meetings, which may have helped certain characters find manifest destiny in their desires. Audience members will witness a slide into insanity as visions of bloodthirsty opposition grip the main character in a 12th-century Scotland setting. Ney said it was time for the department to do a Shakespeare tragedy, and he submitted the title to the selection committee because of affection for the play and a wish to direct it. “It has a large cast and more women’s roles than most of Shakespeare’s plays,” Ney said. “This is one of the greatest plays ever written. It is an unusual love story, as well as a bloodthirsty tale examining the consequences of a ruthless pursuit of power.” Caleb Straus, graduate student who will be playing the role of Macbeth, did not expect to get the lead in the production. Straus’ part in the play will be his first at Texas State. “I kind of had my eye on a smaller role,” he said. “I didn’t anticipate getting Macbeth, because I wasn’t sure if people would make that kind of bet on me. But it was nothing I could
turn down.” Straus said his favorite feature of acting in “Macbeth” is the physicality of it, namely, the sword fights. Ney, however, said his favorite experience has been the learned details and sharing Shakespearean discoveries with students. “I am always learning new information about, for example on this production, what weapons 12th-century warriors might have used, or what we know about rules of decorum,” Ney said. “And working with students and introducing them to the challenges and pleasures of performing Shakespeare is a real treat.” Ney said the most difficult task in directing the play was coordinating all the details, such as the 27 actors, 100 lighting and sound cues, the “purely spectacle moments” and the period clothing. Straus’ difficulties with stepping into the role of Macbeth were in the force of his character. “The kind of energy it requires — it’s quite a lot. A lot of negative energy,” Straus said. “It’s the first show I’ve been a part of at Texas State, so to start back with something like this was kind of a jolt. It’s been very rewarding.” The cast has followed the Shakespeare script closely and consulted different editions for punctuation and word choice. Ney said only occasional words were changed for modern clarity, and he embraced the typical Shakespearean anachronisms within the context of the setting. Straus said the cast is one of the strongest he has worked with. “I’m excited for people to see it,” he said. “Macbeth” performances will be at 7:30 p.m. today to April 4 and Tuesday to Thursday of next week in the Theatre Center. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee this Sunday. Admission is $10 for the general public and $7 for students with a Texas State ID.
Spending quality time in the San Marcos River is a common activity for Texas State students. Students can check out boats and floats at the Outdoor Center, but there are not many students who take kayaks and canoes on the cool waters of the San Marcos River. The Power Olympic Outdoor Center works to educate people on riverboat usage, and one way is by a large event at the beginning of the spring season. The center is hosting a threeday water festival at Rio Vista Thursday through Sunday. The festival will not only be for the skilled and experienced water recreationalist, but also for those who are interested
in watching and learning. The third annual Spring Fest will offer riverboat classes for all skill levels. Michelle Kvanli, Southwest Texas State alumna and cofounder of the center, said there would be multiple classes for beginners. Registration and specific courses may be found on the Web site, www.kayakinstruction.org. An introduction to the Red River Racing Junior Olympic program will also be offered. Those who have experience with kayaks and canoes can participate in freestyle competitions, slalom races and an obstacle course on the river. There will be a slalom race on the final day that will also function as the Texas Junior Olympic Qualifier. Those interested in purchas-
ing a canoe or kayak, or just in test driving different types, will have the opportunity to try them. TG Canoes and Kayaks will be present with about 70 boats for people to take on the river. “For people who are trying to find the right boat, this gives them the opportunity to try out several different ones,” said Duane Te Gro Tenhuis, owner of TG Canoes and Kayaks. Tenhuis has been in the business for 24 years and can answer most boating questions. An ocean kayak fly-fishing team will be available to teach fly fishing from kayaks. Other representatives will be present from groups such as Epic Kayaks and Mad River. “A bunch of real knowledgeable folks for people who have specific questions will be
there,” Tenhuis said. The festival will have presentations on canoe and kayak vacation destinations to places such as Canada, Mexico and the local Texas rivers. Kvanli said booths will be available for people who do not want to get in the water. According to the center’s Web site, the weekend will feature a cook-off competition. “The biggest thing for us is bringing people out to the river and trying to show what is available,” she said. Kvanli said she thinks students should be more aware of the river. “They should take advantage of the awesome resource right in their back yard,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun. There is something for everybody.”
Trends
8 - The University Star
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Texas State student self-produces compilation art book FINE ARTS CALENDAR
Sara Strick/Star photo EVERYTHING’S OKAY: Rand Renfrow, studio art senior, received submissions for his book from artists all over the world.
By Erica Rodriguez Features Reporter Art submissions from Australia were not what Rand Renfrow planned for when he put together his first book, Everything’s Okay, I Drew This for You.
The 16-page, hand-screened art book features submissions from all over the globe. The cracker box-size book contains doodles and professional sketches depicting anything from robots to headless people, all containing the phrase “Everything’s okay, I drew this for you.” Renfrow, studio art senior, described the book as community art and believes it serves to bring people of artistic levels together. “I wanted it to be more about the people who sent stuff in than about me,” he said. “People are always like ‘Oh I can’t draw,’ and it’s not like you have to be a professional artist to draw. This is just a way for people to start being creative.” Renfrow called for submissions in early February on Flickr.com, a photo-sharing Web site. Professional artists and doodlers from London, South Korea, Germany and China submitted more than 20 pieces of artwork in just a few weeks. Renfrow produced 50 books in three days last month in the Joanne Cole Mitte Art Building printmaking lab, many of which he sold from his backpack during South by Southwest. The book was also sold at Domy, an Austin contemporary art bookstore and gallery. The magazine world was Renfrow’s first introduction to bookmaking. He worked at a magazine where he observed techniques to fold, cut, print and bind. All other techniques have been self-taught. “It was definitely a learning experience,” Renfrow said. “I don’t think I could say that anyone has taught me to do this other than myself.”
Renfrow hopes to eventually turn a profit, but for now he is happy with Everything’s Okay, I Drew This for You, which is a whimsical line he pulled from a drawing. “It’s more of a book to show how fun it is. We love doing art, and we don’t really care if we get paid. We just want to get it out there,” said Craig Smith, a long-time friend of Renfrow who helped produce the books. Smith believes the book offers people an outlet for showcasing their work in a way not possible otherwise. “I think it helps to bring more and more people out to put their stuff on the Internet or in a book,” he said. “Not just to put it in a sketchbook and hide it forever.” The silk screening process, mostly used on T-shirts, makes the book unique and creates an effect impossible for digital printing to duplicate. Fellow artist Katherine Marshello, communication design senior, described the process as time consuming, but rewarding. “He’s not printing out the booklets at Kinkos — he’s printing them himself. It’s definitely a labor of love,” she said. “I found the illustrations to be really inspiring and just graphically delicious. The kind of work I would desire to make myself.” Renfrow hopes to continue his bookmaking projects and create something like this at least once a month. He will continue selling the book online through his publishing company, Test Everything, until his next project. Visit www.myspace. com/testeverything for more information.
Thursday Alyson Fox I Misako Inaoka I Mimi Kato: What Isn’t Is, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II Rollan Melton Judges in JSchool Program, Old Main Fifth annual Music Student Research Day, 6 p.m., Recital Hall “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center Friday Alyson Fox I Misako Inaoka I Mimi Kato: What Isn’t Is, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II Elision Saxophone Quartet, 6 p.m., Recital Hall Scott Harrison Graduate Trombone Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center Saturday Alyson Fox I Misako Inaoka I Mimi Kato: What Isn’t Is, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II Heather Harmon Senior
Voice Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Gamma Phi Chapter’s American Music Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center Sunday Alyson Fox I Misako Inaoka I Mimi Kato: What Isn’t Is, all day, Mitte Gallery I & II National Press Photographers Association Advanced Storytelling Workshop, all day, Old Main Andrew Golden Senior French Horn Recital, 2 p.m., Recital Hall Fifth annual Student Composition Competition Concert, 4 p.m., Recital Hall Amanda Kay Shelton Graduate Voice Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, 2 p.m., Theatre Center
Thursday, April 2, 2009
San Marcos offers diverse nightlife Crystal Davis
Trends Columnist
If one were to look at San Marcos as an ecosystem, there would be two popular watering holes for students: school and The Square. These are predictable places where groups of students belonging to different social systems can be found at any given time in the city. Just because the herd stampedes in one direction doesn’t mean there aren’t other places to turn. Sometimes the most interesting niches are found off the beaten path, as nature documentaries have proven. For example, I have heard students complain about the desolate music scene in San Marcos, because of Lucy’s closure. However, there are still places to experience good music. Triple Crown and Cheatham Street Warehouse are two historicallyrenowned music venues. It is possible, in my opinion, these clubs don’t get the credit they deserve because they are not on prime real estate. Every band, for the most part, that played at Lucy’s has (and still does) play at Triple Crown.
Cheatham Street has helped musicians like Stevie Ray Vaughn, George Straight and Randy Rogers begin highly successful careers. It still surprises me students who have lived here for any length of time haven’t experienced the two most established music venues in town. There are also good bars in town offering the same amenities as those on The Square, but are in different areas of San Marcos. For a non-Square place to chill, relax and enjoy a tasty beverage, I would recommend The Gray Horse Grill, Riley’s, The River Pub or Treff’s Tavern. Changing up the night-time routine is a way to meet new people, diversify one’s perspective and avoid monotony — everyone needs a change of scenery now and then. There are also different ways to fill an evening. Join the “pubcrawls” if you have a bicycle, where groups of cyclists travel to different bars and socialize. My most beloved memories have come from discovering new places and people. There is nothing wrong with having favorite things to do, or favorite places to eat, drink and socialize. The familiar sometimes makes us feel safe and comforted. I do believe, however, even creatures of habit need to seek out a little adventure now and then. What better way to do that than in our own backyard?
Trends
Entertainment Calendar Thursday Austin Collins, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall HoneyBrowne, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Kent Musick Band, 10 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon Mike and the Moonpies, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Ricky Stein, 6 p.m., ElevenFingered Charlie, 10 p.m., Triple Crown Friday Zach Walther & the Cronkites, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall Nathan Daniel Band, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street The Skeletons, The Moonhowlers, 10 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon The Hoyle Brothers, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Hoyle Brothers, 6 p.m., Opposite Day, Muchos Backflips, Falcon Buddies, 9 p.m., Triple Crown Saturday The Doc Marshalls, 1 p.m., Adam Hood, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall Chris Knight, 8 p.m., Cheatham Street Jason Arnold and the Stepsiders, 10 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon The Kings of Hard Luck, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern
Word Association, Phranchyze, Melody Murder, 10 p.m., Triple Crown Sunday Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue, 12 p.m., Jerry Jeff Walker’s Texas Bash, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Ash Family, 4 p.m., Cheatham Street Jazzie-Oke, 9:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon Open Mic with Grant, Holly and Nate, 9 p.m., Triple Crown Monday Bret Graham, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Battle of the Bands, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Matt Begley & Friends Song Swap, 9 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon Robbie Doyen, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Tuesday RC Banks with Ponty Bone, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Midnight River Choi, Jordan Minor, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street The Joey Borja Association, 6 p.m., Scotch Mountain Gang, Shayna and the Bulldog, 9 p.m., Triple Crown
The University Star - 9
Diversions
10 - The University Star
Thursday, April 2, 2009
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Thursday, April 2, 2009
SPORTS
The University Star - 11
Kentucky basketball will have new coach for next season By Jerry Tipton and Ryan Alessi McClatchy Newspapers
Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press SHAKEN, BUT NOT STIRRED: Raymar Morgan of Michigan State gets in front of Andre McGee of Louisville in the men’s NCAA regional tournament in Indianapolis, Ind. March 29. Morgan broke his nose earlier in the season and has played with the injury since.
Spartans recover from bad-luck streak of injuries By Mark Stewart Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The hits just kept coming for Raymar Morgan. Trouble for the Michigan State junior started with a bout of the flu. But instead of going away after a few days, the illness sparked an upperrespiratory problem that led to walking pneumonia and mononucleosis. One of the Big Ten’s best players was a shell of himself from about mid-January to mid-February, but Morgan proclaimed he was back to his old self before the NCAA tournament. And just on cue, he caught a break. Too bad it was to his nose. “It’s been incredible what he’s gone through,” said Spartans coach Tom Izzo. Injuries are part of any game, and the teams that will play in the Final Four Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit have not been immune. Connecticut has been hit the hardest, losing Jerome Dyson, junior guard, its second-leading scorer, to a season-ending knee injury on Feb. 11. Ty Lawson’s jammed right toe gave Tar Heels nation a reason to fret, until he returned after a three-game absence and led North Carolina to a second-round victory over Louisiana State. Villanova’s Dwayne Anderson, one of the team’s most experienced players, missed the first seven games of the season because of a stress fracture in his foot. Still, none of the remaining teams has endured as much as Michigan State. Freshman forward Delvon Roe, a highly regarded recruit, was slow to round into form after two knee surgeries within nine months, the latter coming in August. Senior Goran Suton, the Big Ten’s top returning rebounder, missed six games early in the season with a knee injury. Both of those players appear to have recovered from their injuries. The jury is still out on Morgan, who has worked his way back into the starting lineup, but is averaging just 15 minutes per game in the tournament. Morgan’s playing time has progressively decreased since a 16-point, five-rebound outing against Robert Morris in the first-round of the tournament. He played just 10 minutes in the Spartans’ 12-point victory over Louisville in the regional final. He is averaging 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in the tournament. Last season, he led the Spartans in scoring (14.0 points per game) and was second in rebounding (6.1). “After coming back and playing pretty well in some games, he struggled a little bit lately. But
I still know how good he is,” Izzo said. “And I still think he could be one of the surprise players in this tournament.” Morgan could figure prominently when the Spartans (30-6) face Connecticut (31-4) 5:07 p.m. Saturday. The Huskies boast a powerful front line, and Morgan will be needed to help against either All-Big East performer Jeff Adrien or Stanley Robinson, one of the team’s hottest players. If that was not enough for Morgan to think about, there is his nose, which was broken in the regional semifinal against Kansas. The plan was for him to wear a mask during the Louisville game, but he was not comfortable with it and took it off after play began. Perhaps his difficulties adjusting to playing with a broken nose — besides the pain, it is tougher to breathe — played into Morgan’s 10minute, four-foul effort against the Cardinals, but it does not explain his struggles for much of the remaining tournament. He said his health was fine before the first round,. “I’m back at 100 percent. I’m feeling well,” he said last week. “My strength is back. It’s just a matter of me getting my timing down, and I think that’s back, so I am feeling all right.” Morgan is a tough defender and rebounder with a nice mid-range game at his best. When he is not 100 percent, it seems his defense suffers the most, as he is prone to foul trouble. Try as he might, he has not been the same player since he recovered from his illness. Morgan scored 20 points or more six times and opened the Big Ten season with three straight double-doubles in scoring and rebounding before he got sick. Since his return, he has scored in double figures just three times in 12 games, although he showed signs of a breaking out in the final three games of the regular season, when he averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. But it did not carry over to the NCAA tournament.. He has been largely ineffective, with the exception of the 16-point showing in the opening round. Entering play Saturday, six of his teammates are getting more playing time. The Spartans have gotten by, in part, because forward Draymond Green has played beyond his years. The coach has to be hoping that one of his best players is ready to remind folks of what he can do. “We need Ray more still,” Izzo said. “He’s still got a lot to give.”
Memphis Coach John Calipari has accepted Kentucky basketball’s offer to become their coach, giving the program the star power its fan base has craved, several news outlets reported Tuesday. Calipari will be the school’s first charismatic basketball coaching star since Rick Pitino left Lexington in 1997. ESPN commentator Dick Vitale called Calipari “an absolute superstar” and the hire by UK “an absolute grand slam.” Andy Katz of ESPN.com reported Tuesday evening he received this text message from Calipari: “I am accepting the UK job! Go Big Blue, coach Cal.” University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr. said he could not confirm the hiring of Calipari. But Todd said the school had looked into Calipari’s background and found nothing that would kill the deal. While at Massachusetts, Calipari had one of his players, Marcus Camby, admit to accepting $28,000 from agents. That caused the NCAA to vacate the Minutemen’s advancement to the 1996 Final Four. Questions have also been raised about Calipari’s association with William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley, a behind-the-scenes figure linked to Memphis recruiting efforts. “That’s a guy who works for a lot of people,” Todd said of Wesley. No details on the contract for Calipari had emerged. There were reports of a deal covering eight years and $35 million. Todd said he was unaware of any effort to raise private funds to supplement Calipari’s pay. Calipari’s hiring holds the promise of an added bonus of several players leaving Memphis and joining him at Kentucky. In Miami for Wednesday’s McDonald’s AllAmerican Game, heralded prospect DeMarcus Cousins told The Miami Herald he spoke with Calipari. “I’m trying to stay focused right now and have fun,” Cousins said. “When I get back home, it’s time to get back down to business. I did get a chance to talk to Coach Cal, and he said he was considering the job. Now I’m basically waiting like everybody else to see what he does.” Calipari fits the criteria of a well-rounded coach who can perform the job’s varied duties on and off the court. In terms of coaching, Calipari is one of 13 coaches to take two schools to a Final Four. He guided Massachussets in 1996 and Memphis in 2008 to college basketball’s grandest stage. Only Pitino has taken three schools to a Final
Four: Providence (1987), Kentucky (1993, 1996 and 1997) and Louisville (2005). Calipari has compiled a record of 445-140 in 17 seasons as a college head coach. That includes a nine-season record of 252-69 at Memphis. As for the job’s public component, Calipari has been a highly visible presence in Memphis. The Commercial Appeal called Calipari not only “this city’s most beloved sports celebrity but as ‘Citizen Cal,’ a Memphian as integral as shipping envelopes and barbecue.” Sports figures avoid taking sides on public issues, but Calipari freely addressed non-basketball issues. “I used to think I had a lot of ideas,” Memphis banker Harold Byrd told The Commercial Appeal. “His mind races a million miles an hour.” Calipari opened his home to fundraisers for local politicians. He also offered opinions on civic problems like crime and poverty. He solicited advice from business leaders and reached out to state legislators. “If this program or me or my family can bring light to something good in this community, I get involved in it,” Calipari told The Commercial Appeal. “Whoever is sitting in that seat, if you’re not getting involved in the community, you’re cheating this place...(If) people recognize you, then to use it to bring light to good stuff, it’s almost an obligation.” Calipari spoke with former Kentucky coaches Joe B. Hall and Eddie Sutton Tuesday. When asked if Calipari said he was taking the UK job, Hall said he did not have “definite” information on that. “Just looking at it from a coaching standpoint, I know he hates to leave the players there and the friends he’s made,” Hall said. “That’s a big step.” Hall expressed his hope that Calipari becomes Kentucky’s coach. “He could do well here,” he said. “He could help the program in a positive way.” Sutton, said he gave Calipari a balanced appraisal. Sutton said Calipari did not reveal his decision on the job to him. “I told him all the good things about Kentucky,” Sutton said. “Kentucky has the best things (a coach) would ever want. Sutton suggested Calipari’s family enjoyed Memphis, making a decision to leave more difficult. When asked about drawbacks to the Kentucky job, Sutton said, “You lose some of your privacy. It’s hard to go out and take the family to dinner without a lot of people wanting autographs. It’s something you live with. “But it also has some real pluses. I didn’t say anything negative.”
Sports the university star
darringtondistinction
Iris Darrington, interdisciplinary studies junior, was named Southland Conference track and field athlete of the week Tuesday. Darrington had an 11.75 time for the 100-meter dash at the UTSA Relays Saturday. The result put her in the No. 8 spot on Texas State’s all-time record list.
12 - Thursday, April 2, 2009
Sports Contact — Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu
Bobcat football players welcome NFL scouts for annual pro-day By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter
NFL scouts from the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles came to San Marcos in search of potential professional talent at the annual Texas State football pro-day March 25 at Bobcat Stadium. “It’s an exciting day,” said Coach Brad Wright. “You just hope everybody does their best and some of these kids get a chance to take it to the next level. I think we got some kids that have a good chance.” Stan Zwinggi, senior running back, arrived to the event with a résumé and highlight DVD. Zwinggi holds the school record for longest touchdown the reception of 91 yards and the longest run from the line scrimmage with 92 yards, despite coming off the bench most of his career at Texas State. He averaged 35.1 yards per touch-
down off 20 career touchdowns. Zwinggi averaged six yards per carry running the ball. Zwinggi had a 23-yard kickoff return average for his collegiate career. “Stan is one of those guys that you hope gets a chance,” Wright said. “He’s got straight line speed, he’s a tough son of a gun and he’s a hard worker.” Zwinggi had the fastest 40yard dash time, recording a 4.4 while running into 11 mph wind on a damp field. “I slipped a little at the beginning,” Zwinggi said. “I could have gotten a 4.3 for sure.” It appeared Zwinggi was the only one unimpressed with his time, as one scout was quick to point out that not one player from Oklahoma clocked under a 4.6 on the 40-yard dash during its pro-day. Zwinggi jumped 10.4 feet on the standing long jump, bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times and had a 33.5-inch vertical leap. Zwinggi has been extensively training for pro-day during off-
season with Lance Wooten, a personal trainer who has helped athletes enter in the NFL. “He (Zwinggi) had a solid proday,” Wooten said. “He came out and did exactly what I thought he would. Once teams see the film, they’ll know what we’ve been talking about.” Scouts at the pro-day are professionally obligated not to release any information about a potential athlete or whether or not they believe that athlete will make it to the NFL. However, one scout, who wished to remain anonymous, was more impressed with Cameron Luke, senior wide receiver, despite the hype surrounding Zwinggi. “His (Luke’s) workout numbers may not be the best, but he’s got size and amazing hands,” the scout said while watching Luke run routes and receive passes. “In my opinion, he’s got the best shot to help out a team more than anybody else out here.”
Photos courtesy of the Texas State Rodeo Club RODEO LOVERS: Rodeo club members Caylen Boyles, agriculture freshman, Brady Bauer, agriculture senior, Ashley Coker, agriculture freshman, Garret Hibler, agriculture senior, and August Schueling, agriculture senior, are part of an organization that brings together rodeo and animal enthusiasts who compete with clubs from all over the state.
Lassoing the competition Rodeo club members prepare for fundraiser, events By César G. Rodriguez Sports Reporter
Some people are intimidated by 1,800-pound bulls, but for the rodeo club, it is pure excitement. “Watching somebody ride an 1,800-pound animal is fun,” said Caylen Boyles, agriculture freshman. “It’s exciting.” The Texas State rodeo club is composed of students who compete and enjoy the sport. Boyles said rodeo is one of the most-watched sports in the United States with a popularity almost equivalent to basketball and football. Brady Bauer, agriculture senior, said the interest in rodeo has grown over the years. He receives more than 50 e-mails per week from high school students inquiring about the club. “Rodeo is always going to be around. It’s an American sport,” Bauer said. The club has been back since last spring when Bauer was president. “This club used to be a very large thing, back when George Strait was going to school here,” Boyles said. “The rodeo team was active and had quite a few members, but in the last five to 10 years, the team dropped off and never got picked back up.” Rodeo’s history brings back memories and connects the western heritage in America, Bauer said. “It’s a family pastime sport,” Austin Byrd/Star file photo He said. “It’s also a unique sport NFL POTENTIAL: Stan Zwinggi, senior running back, runs the ball at the game against Central Arkan- not everybody can do.” Barrel racing and team roping sas Nov. 7, 2008. Zwinggi was a participant in Texas State’s annual pro-day, bringing his résumé and are the club’s strongest events. highlight DVD to show NFL scouts. “Team roping is our primary event. It gets our name out
Weather conditions delay tournament By Javier Gonzalez Sports Reporter
The Texas State men’s golf team finished in fifth place at the UALR Invitational held at the par72, 7,221-yard course Monday and Tuesday at Arkansas-Little Rock. The finish came after the Bobcats dropped from second place in the second round. The tournament had thunder and rainy conditions, delaying play for almost one hour prior to the third and final round. The team shot a 310 in the final round to bring its total to 891 once play resumed. Coach Shane Howell said the weather was natural for the competition. “There was a small delay due to the weather the last day,” Howell said. “All in all, it is what it is. It was the same for everybody. Everybody had to deal with a little bit of a wet golf course.” Howell said the rain made the course seem like 7,500 yards, compared to the 7,221 yards it actually was. Philip Krebsbach, accounting sophomore, tied for seventh with his total score of 220. Corey Roberson, exercise and sports science senior, shot a total 221, which gave him a tie for 11th place. Both men shot thirdround scores of 77, though Rob-
erson finished one stroke behind his teammate. Krebsbach and Roberson were followed by Jeff Gerlich, mass communication senior, who tied for 20th, Carson Gibson, business sophomore, who tied for 56th and Michael Carnes, history junior, who placed 69th. Gerlich said the rain did not help the golf balls’ directions. “When it rains like that and it’s really wet and soft, (the ball) moves slower,” Gerlich said. “There was no roll on the fairway at all. It just plopped right down.” Gerlich said there were puddles everywhere in the wrong spots. Gerlich, who tallied a total 223, shot a 78 in the rainy final round. He shot a 78 and an 80 in his second and third rounds, respectively, totaling his score at 234. Howell said the team did not play well. “We, just, unfortunately, didn’t play our best (Tuesday),” Howell said. “We put ourselves in a great position to win and, for whatever reason, played probably our worst round of golf of the year. But that’s kind of the nature of this game: it’s a tough and cruel game, but it’s a great game.” Gerlich agreed. “We got off to a bad start,” Gerlich said. “And, for some reason
or another, we happened to all not play well. I think that’s the first time (that) has happened pretty much all season.” Fellow Southland Conference team Lamar won the event. UALR placed behind the Cardinals in second place. SLC teams Southeastern Louisiana followed in third place and Central Arkansas finished fourth. Howell said Lamar did not have the best tournament, despite its winning reputation in the SLC. Gideon Pienaar of Central Arkansas won the individual title outright with his four-under-par total of 212 and a third-round score of 71. Following Pienaar were Leroux Ferriera of Lamar and Kell Shenep of Arkansas State, who tied for second place with their totals of 215. Howell said the Bobcats will look to improve their game with less than one month until the SLC Tournament, which will take place April 27 to April 29 in Kerrville. “We’ve played all of March,” Howell said. “We’ve had some good results. Other than the disappointing round yesterday, we’ve improved a lot since the start of the season. We’re going to build upon that and really work on chipping and putting. We’ve played the course where we’re going to be (at) conference.”
there,” Bauer said. “Everybody knows when we show up.” Ashley Lynn Coker, agriculture freshman, is a barrel racer. She is currently learning to team rope. Coker said events bring risks to participants, and a minor accident can have costly consequences. “The barrel racing is extremely dangerous because you are flying around barrels at an incredible speed,” Coker said. “If your horse slips, trips or fumbles, it could be a very bad situation.” Coker enjoyed being with animals since she started riding at the age of four. She has participated in rodeo since she was nine years old. Working with live animals is not cheap. Bauer said he has to take care of horses, travel miles, purchase diesel and use trailers. Expenses average $5,000 per month to attend a competition, depending on the travel distance. Bauer travels to Louisiana, Arizona and Colorado. “That’s a three-day trip for me, plus I have to take of horses on the way,” Bauer said. Boyles said the equipment, such as saddles, ropes, tack, trailers and vehicles, are personal. “(It) makes this club team so unique because we have to use our own stuff for the schoolbased club,” Boyles said. The club is in the planning process of open competition, its main fundraiser. The club plans to host the tournament in the last week of April or first week of May. Boyles said the fundraiser gives income to cover tourna-
ment expenses the club attends. Each event costs $80 per person. Bauer said future plans for the club include hosting two tournaments as the club grows over the years. The competition would include barrel racing and team roping. “Members will have a chance to compete. Barrel racers help us work the event (fundraiser),” Bauer said. “It’ll be their gift for them. They will have their competition to compete against people for all over the state.” The club is working on a proposition from a stock contractor to rent steers from the company to practice, Boyles said. The club is part of the southern division of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. It competes against other clubs from Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Southwest Texas Junior College and McNeese State, among other universities. Community service is a part of the club. Coker said members are currently working on a project which involves teaching special-needs children to rope. Coker said the club is for people interested in the love and care of animals. “It isn’t an organization that is there for your résumé,” Coker said. “People in the rodeo club enjoy animals, love to have a good time and have a passion for the rodeo.” Bauer said students could entertain themselves while benefitting from the club. “We welcome anybody to come and join us. It’s a fun experience. You’ll learn a lot,” Bauer said.
Bobcat basketball loses center player to unknown school for different ‘style of play’ By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter The Texas State men’s basketball team will lose more than just senior players this offseason. Ty Gough, sophomore center, will transfer to an undisclosed school after this semester. “It’s a shame to see him go,” said Coach Doug Davalos, “But it’s just like when a couple gets a divorce: once one person decides they want one, the divorce is more than likely going to happen.” Davalos was not at all shocked by Gough’s announcement, despite surprise from most parties surrounding the team. “(Gough) expressed discontent to me after his freshman year,” Davalos said. “He just never felt like he fit into our fast-paced system. He decided to give it another shot his sophomore year, but at the end, he felt the same.” Gough met with Davalos to discuss the matter, and the coach made it clear the player was not disgruntled with the staff or the university. Davalos said Gough was just not happy with Texas
State’s style of play. “I felt (Gough) could have done well in our system,” Davalos said. “I’ve seen him run, and he can run the court very well. That’s why we recruited him, but he feels his talents can best be utilized in a different system.” Davalos is unsure of the school at which Gough will play. “It could be D-I or D-II, I’m not sure,” Davalos said. “Wherever he goes, I wish Ty (Gough) the best, and I know that he’ll succeed without Texas State just as Texas State will succeed without him.” Gough averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in his two seasons on the team. He appeared in 59 games and started in 43. Gough began the 2008 season as a starter, but because of an injury and play by Cameron Johnson, sophomore forward, he saw his minutes of playing time decline. Davalos is optimistic about next year’s team, despite the departure of Gough and graduating seniors such as Brent Benson and Brandon Bush, the
season’s two top scorers. Davalos said there is now an opportunity for other players, such as Emanuel Bidas a’Moute, junior forward, to step up and become leaders. Next year will be Bidas a’Moute’s first year to play consecutive seasons on the same team since his move from Africa to the United States. Bidas a’Moute attended California-Santa Barbra his freshman season after going to two different high schools, one in New Mexico and one in Florida. He transferred to Kilgore Junior College the following year before moving to Texas State for his junior season. The 6’7”, 240-pound forward only appeared in 16 games for the Bobcats this season because of academic ineligibility. He averaged 6.4 points per game and 3.8 rebounds, despite only averaging 11 minutes per game. “(Bidas a’Moute) has got his grades under control now. He just needed a little time to adjust since he’s moved around so much,” Davalos said. “There is no doubt in my mind that he’ll be ready to go next year.”
