One word: Futile
Cat fight
Bobcats sweep Bearkats in conference play/Sports/Page 8
Gods and nymphs
Greek mythology comes to life on campus with Metamorphosis/Trends/Page 5
Government’s intervention has done nothing to quell Iraqi rebellion/Opinions/Page 4
TUESDAY
VOLUME 93, ISSUE 73 www.universitystar.com
APRIL 13, 2004
FIGARO, FIGARO, FIGARO T E X A S
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y - S A N
M A R C O S
ASG questions part of Higher Education Act Legislation concerns denial of financial aid to convicted drug users By Amelia Jackson News Reporter Tempers flared and emotions ran high during debates about legislation at last night’s Associated Student Government meeting. Quintin Matthews, geography senior, has authored legislation calling for ASG to join other universities in support of repealing the section of the Higher Education Act that denies financial aid to convicted drug offenders. “By passing this, we as a Senate do not condone drug use,” Matthews said. “We just want to make sure no obstacles are placed in the way of anyone’s education.” Other universities that have passed similar legislation include Rice University, the University of
Texas and Yale University, among others. After senators hotly argued the issue, the legislation eventually passed with 15 ayes, five nays and four abstentions. Lee Hunt, criminal justice junior, was one of the strongest advocates against passing the legislation. However, after the referendum passed, he offered his support for his fellow senators. “I expressed the dissenting opinion, and I was the minority,” Hunt said. “I completely stand behind the decision of ASG, even though I do not support the issue.” After the meeting, many senators who took opposite sides during debates offered thanks to their opponents for the lively discussion and issues raised. “Tonight we had a really great debate,” said ASG Vice President Justin McGarry. “It’s probably the longest debate we’ve had this semester. We have a very diverse Senate and a lot of different opinions were
expressed.” President-elect Jerry Parker, political science senior, thanked the ASG for the intense discussions, but also cautioned senators to respect each other despite differences of opinions on issues. In other business, the Senate passed emergency legislation calling for support of enhancement to the Honors Program. The program boasts 500 members and has existed on campus since 1967. Future plans for the program include possibly incorporating it as a minor, said Catherine Reed, communication studies sophomore. David Bailiff, Texas State football coach, spoke to the Senate about his plans for the upcoming season. Bailiff is an SWT alumnus and said he is happy to be back in San Marcos. “I can think back to when this was a sleepy little school of 12,000,” Bailiff said. “We packed that stadium because we were winning and Coach g See ASG, page 3
Mock presidential election stirs political controversy on campus Andrew Nenque/Star photo Mela Dailey, Texas State graduate, and Shawn Haywood of Austin Lyric Opera, rehearse Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, one of several pieces sung by several vocalists for Opera Gala, taking place at 7:30 p.m. today in the Music Building Recital Hall. For more information, contact the School of Music.
Week of events pays tribute to San Marcos emergency dispatchers By Chris Robinson Senior Reporter
Mayor Robert Habingreither read a proclamation Monday designating this week as National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week. The commemoration, which was held at the San Marcos Police Department Auditorium, paid tribute to San Marcos 911 operators. “The 911 service is absolutely essential,” Habingreither said. Habingreither, also Texas State’s technology department chair, once used the emergency service when a student in
I N S I D E
Amusements....................6 Classifieds........................7
Comics/Crossword........6 News..............................2,3 Opinions...........................4
Sports................................8 Trends...............................5
Today’s Weather
High: 68 Lo w : 4 4
Sunny/Clear All Day
Wind: From NW at 8 mph Precipitation: 0% Max. Humidity: 49% UV Index: 10 Very High Wednesday’s Forecast Sunny/Clear 75/50
his class went into insulin shock. After placing the student in a safe position, Habingreither dialed 911 and medical assistance arrived five minutes later. “I’m not a medical professional, but I can tell you as a layperson that it didn’t look good,” Habingreither said. “(Emergency Medical Services) handled the situation beautifully.” In addition to Habingreither’s proclamation, other activities planned for National Public Safety Week include a bowling party and a picnic at Rio Vista g See WEEK, page 3
Event coordinator hopes to motivate student voting
By David Doerr News Editor
The Texas State chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, a political science honor society, is inherently no stranger to politics, but doesn’t often find itself in the middle of a political controversy. However, the organization’s decision to stage a presidential mock election between President George W. Bush and democratic U.S. Sen. John Kerry this week has set it in the center of a political battle between it and the College Democrats, which has refused to participate in the event citing Kerry’s lack of having officially obtained the Democratic nomination. Pi Sigma Alpha President Robert Arellano, who has led the coordination of the event, said he hopes the
Pedagog makes return, celebrates new milestones
By Jennifer Warner Senior Reporter
In Fall 1903, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors to students, and in Spring 1904, they commemorated this grand opening with the publication of the Pedagog yearbook. In Fall 2003, two new major milestones were reached — the 100th anniversary of the first day classes started at the school and a name change designed to reflect the prestige the school has garnered throughout the years. Again the university will celebrate these events with the yearbook publication. “All of this needs to be documented somewhere,” said Ralph Chislett, Pedagog co-editor and marketing sophomore. “It’s a great piece of history of the university. It commemorates what happens and records history as it happens for people to go back and look at it later.” Pedagog has been published on and off
throughout the years, with gaps between publications because of lack of funding, and it ceased publication in 1999 after miscellaneous problems with deliveries and delays. But thanks to the Associated Student Government, the yearbook is expected to make a return appearance this year. It will be an abridged version, omitting traditional yearbook mug shots, but student organizations and the university’s history will be represented in the 100-page, limited edition copy. Chris Jones, ASG senator and vice president elect, and ASG Sen. Kyle Morris pitched the idea to bring the yearbook back and production is already underway. The books should arrive by August. Pedagog was discontinued in 1975 but was brought back for a 75th anniversary edition and then continued for another 20 years. g See PEDAGOG, page 3
event will help motivate people to go to the polls in November and to educate students about Bush and Kerry’s platforms. Prior to the election on Wednesday and Thursday, members of the College Republicans and a coalition of student Democrats will distribute information on the candidates’ respective platforms in The Quad. “We want to do it now to get the ball rolling,” said Arellano, a political science senior. “I feel like it will help peak everybody’s interest and give them something to think about over the summer while the conventions are going on and everything gets really heated.” Although Arellano gained unanimous support from members of the College Republicans, he ran into resistance when he approached the College Democrats with the idea. Tim Small, College Democrats president and public administration senior, said he felt his organization was being pressured into participating in the event. “Basically, the first thing out of his mouth was that College
NATIONAL SECURITY STANCES
George W. Bush • We will defend the peace by opposing and preventing violence by terrorists and outlaw regimes. • We will preserve the peace by fostering an era of good relations among the world’s great powers. • And we will extend the peace by seeking to extend the benefits of freedom and prosperity across the globe.
John Kerry • America should not ask our domestic responders to go with inadequate staffing or equipment. • Believes winning the war against terrorism will require tapping the best our country has to offer and asking more of Americans • America needs an independent intelligence capability that focuses explicitly on domestic intelligence. SOURCE: Candidate’s Web sites
Republicans have decided to do this, the College Democrats should do it, too. It wasn’t a ‘we’re doing this thing and it would be really great to g See MOCK, page 3
GETTING SLASHED
Andrew Nenque/Star photo Daniel Vasgard, chemistry senior, gets slashed by his teammate Max Mello, mass communication freshman, in a practice match Monday afternoon.