Not Dynasty
3 is a magic number
That was close
Bobcats wrestle with Broncs for win in the 11th/Sports/Page 8
The O.C. keeps viewers entertained with their rich antics/Trends/Page 5
New law on repeating courses is less than perfect/Opinions/Page 4
WEDNESDAY
VOLUME 93, ISSUE 71 www.universitystar.com
APRIL 7, 2004
SMCISD David Robinson: role model considers monthly drug tests T E X A S
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y - S A N
By Kassia Micek Assistant News Editor
By Chris Robinson Senior Reporter
A public forum was held Monday to discuss the potential implementation of student drug testing in grades seven through 12 in the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District. The discussion allowed for the drug testing policy committee, which includes school board members, teachers, athletic coaches and school principals, to elaborate on their proposal for drug screenings. Afterward, the public was given time to respond to this plan. “We’re here to put together what we feel is the proposal that will do the most good,” said Steve Van Nest, a student drug testing committee chair, San Marcos High School assistant principal and football coach. If the SMCISD Board of Trustees approves the proposal, students involved in extracurricular activities could face monthly drug tests. Because of pressing financial issues, only a group of randomly selected students will be tested. Community members were concerned about where the source of funding for these tests would come from. The committee indicated that there was an adequate sum of money available through federal grants that could potentially cover the testing expenditures, which the committee approximated at a maximum of $10,000 a year. However, Van Nest said if the grants could not be secured, then the cost of the screenings would not detract from regular educational expenses. He said the program would be cut before anyone considers siphoning money from other departments. “(The drug tests) won’t affect money being spent on the classroom,” Van Nest said. Testing positive for narcotics usage will not immediately affect a student’s participation in extracurricular activities, either. Following the removal of the school’s “zero tolerance” policy in favor of a more lenient “four strikes,” a student must exceed two positive drug tests before removal from extracurricular activities. Under the new guidelines, a student will spend time in
Retired San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson holds many titles. Member of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of Fame, 2004 Texan of The Year, 1998 Inductee to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, 1990 Rookie of the year, 10-time NBA AllStar, one of the NBA’s greatest Players of AllTime in 1996 and two-time National Basketball Association Champion are just a few of them. What people may not know is Robinson is also the founder and chair of a charter school in San Antonio called The Carver Academy. He spoke to the Studies in Entrepreneurship class Tuesday about his life
M A R C O S
experience and explained to the students the reasons behind his success. “David Robinson is a true life hero,” said Jim Bell, management professor who teaches the Studies in Entrepreneurship class. “He’s not only a great athlete, but a great human being.” Robinson did not brag about his many accomplishments during his presentation. Rather, he attributed all his success to God. “The Lord put me in the right place at the right time,” Robinson said. He said he had no control of how tall he is, but God does. During his adolescence, Robinson grew 15 inches in five years. Robinson emphasized the importance of God in his life. He said after a meeting with
David Robinson, retired San Antonio Spurs center and Most Valuable Player of the 1995 season, lectured Tuesday to discuss his charter school, The Carver Academy. Tiffany Searcy/ Star photo
g See ROBINSON, page 3
IN THE YEAR 2000 ...
Andy Ellis/Star photo By the summer, Parking Services’ new electric trams will provide service from the J.C. Kellam Administration Building through The Quad and to LBJ Student Center. Drivers are currently being sought to fill vaccant positions. Contact Parking Services for more information.
Festival’s events to celebrate Japanese culture Photo contest g See SMCISD, page 3
By Megan Knighton News Reporter
EVENT INFORMATION
The first Japanese Culture Expo, sponsored by the Japanese Language and Culture Club and the National Collegiate Network Institute, is being held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom. The festival’s purpose is to inform students at Texas State about the presence of the Japanese culture on campus. The event will highlight many different aspects of the Japanese culture, including origami, food, drumming and two Karate demonstrations. The festival is open to all. Festivities will begin with traditional welcome songs performed by a
I N S I D E
Amusements....................6 Classifieds........................7
Comics/Crossword........6 News..............................2,3 Opinions...........................4
Sports................................8 Trends...............................5
What: Japanese Culture Expo When:5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Where: LBJ Student Center Ballroom Japanese chorus. The songs “Sakura” and “Shimauta,” which mean cherry blossom and song of my land respectively, describe fond memories spent with friends and family. After the songs, Daniel Baker, health, physical education and recreation lecturer, will present the first martial arts demonstration of the festival. “I have had several students take
Today’s Weather
High: 82 Lo w : 60
AM Clouds/PM Clear
Wind: From N at 16 mph Precipitation: 20% Max. Humidity: 68% UV Index: 9 High Thursday’s Forecast Partly cloudy 83/60
classes from me in the past that associate with the Japanese Club, and some have asked if I would put on a demo,” Baker said. “I have been involved with Karate for 47 years and I hold a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a third-degree black belt in Goju ryu (Japanese) and an eight-degree black belt in Kajukenbo (Polynesian) Karate.” Mari Amanohe, the consulate general of Japan from the Houston Consulate office, will attend. The Japanese consulate is hoping to highlight the 150 years of relations between Japan and the United States and show support for the continuous integration of the Japanese culture into America. Many Japanese students on cam-
pus involved with the festival are also participating members of the NCN Institute, which takes wellqualified students from Japan and sends them to different universities across the United States, including Texas State. The students involved with the NCN Institute and members of the Japanese Language and Culture Club hope to increase awareness about themselves and their culture. The festival’s events are meant to emphasize unique aspects of the Japanese culture, to help create a stronger connection between Japanese and American culture and to give students the opportunity to learn more about Japan.
Teachers sought out at job fair By Kay Richter News Reporter
Future teachers are being offered the opportunity to participate in a job fair just for them. The job fair is hosted by Career Services and the College of Education and begins at 9 a.m. today at Strahan Coliseum. The fair is divided into two parts. Prospective employees are encouraged to attend the browsing section between the
hours of 9 and 11:30 a.m. followed by the interview time block from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Interviews by school districts will be made during the browsing time period. All students are welcome even if they have not attended previous job fairs. “I’ve never been to a job fair but I hope to find an internship at this one,” said Amber Parker, education graduate student. All graduates who will either receive g See FAIR, page 3
gives students chance to showcase work By Jennifer Warner Senior Reporter
From digital snapshots to 35-millimeter works of art, the Campus Activities and Student Organizations office is looking for student photographs that represent “A Week in the Life of Texas State.” The contest, which began Monday and will run through Friday, is designed to document what life on campus means to students. “A Week in the Life of Texas State’ is kind of a photographic timeline or montage of what goes on here at Texas State,” said Landon Nickerson, event coordinator and CASO special programs manager. “It can be anything from professors teaching, to faculty and staff interaction, to kids brushing their teeth, to kids sleeping in class. It is anything and everything that takes place on campus.” To enter the contest, photographers must submit a release form to the CASO office in the LBJ Student Center, Room 4-11.1, or online at lbjsc.txstate.edu/caso/awitl/releaseform.doc. All photographs will be accepted — black g See PHOTO, page 3