Pandora’s drug test Rollin’ with it
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Islanders bury Bobcats in softball doubleheader/Sports/Page 16
Proposed practice could unleash bouts of unconstitutionalism/Opinions/Page 8
Zookas now providing San Marcos with ultimate burritos/Trends/Page 9
THURSDAY
VOLUME 93, ISSUE 75 www.universitystar.com
APRIL 15, 2004
T E X A S
S T A T E
Policy change may soon be invalidated Faculty Senate discusses issue of non-discrimination
By Julie Daffern News Reporter
Texas State’s recent policy change that added sexual orientation to the current nondiscrimination policy may soon be invalidated when the State University Texas System Board of Regents meet in May. According to an e-mail sent to senators by Faculty Senate Chair Bill Stone, crim-
THE BIG SWITCH
U N I V E R S I T Y - S A N
M A R C O S
President Trauth returns to the classroom, this time as a student
inal justice professor, an unidentified member of the Board of Regents has proposed to add a statement to the Equal Employment Opportunity policy reading “sexual practice or orientation does not constitute a privilege to be protected under any non-discrimination policy of any university within the TSU (System).” After heated debate, in December 2003, President Denise Trauth changed Texas State’s non-discrimination policy to include sexual discrimination. Former SWT
By Nikki Dawson and Dan Mottola News Reporters
T
Parker sets his goals for ASG presidency By Kirsten Crow News Reporter
Associated Student Government President-Elect Jerry Parker said Tuesday he would be taking on big projects in his upcoming 2004-2005 term. In addition to promoting PARKER m o r e scholarships for students and supporting legislation to keep tuition rates low, Parker said he would be pushing legislation to
g See SENATE, page 3
make Texas State the flagship school of the Texas State University System — a task which he said may be more difficult than the name change. Parker strongly advocates making Texas State the flagship school of the TSUS, calling it the “centerpiece” of his campaign. “We are the only system in Texas that does not have a flagship institution,” Parker said. He said while Texas State cannot claim seniority to justify it becoming the flagship school, our student population size and the programs Texas
Above: Taking detailed notes as a Texas State student in a vertebrae physiology class, President Denise Trauth attends her first class as a student for the day in “The Big Switch.” Right: Switching rolls from student to president and president to student, Trauth and Lester Vega, microbiology junior, hand off their daily routines.
Panelists to debate on issue of gay marriage By Ryan Coggin News Reporter
Tiffany Searcy/Star photo Rockstar Productions dressed Jacob Long, business management junior, as a bird and Tony Clayton, geography junior, as a bear to promote Punch Bowl Wednesdays at Bennigan's.
Amusements..................13
Classifieds......................14
Comics/Crossword......13 Music.........................10-12 News......................2,3,5-7 Opinions...........................8
Sports.........................15,16 Trends..........................9-12
g See SWITCH, page 6
g See PARKER, page 5
THE ODD COUPLE
I N S I D E
Andrew Nenque/Star photos
Today’s Weather
High: 79 Lo w : 60
Partly Cloudy All Day
Wind: From S at 14 mph Precipitation: 0% Max. Humidity: 63% UV Index: 10 Very High Friday’s Forecast Partly cloudy 82/60
A group of panelists will discuss gay marriage, an issue sure to factor into this year’s presidential race, at 5:30 p.m. today in the Alkek Teaching Theater. Arguments will be made for and against a proposed amendment, recently endorsed by President George W. Bush, which would only allow marriage between two people of the opposite sex. Gay rights activists have condemned the president for supporting the amendment, which some feel is biased against samesex couples. Jeffrey Gordon, philosophy professor and National Endowment for the
Humanities distinguished teaching professor who will moderate the event, said both sides of the debate will be equally represented. “I’m personally hoping to learn what the really important issues are in this controversy,” Gordon said. “A debate, where you have both sides strongly represented, has two great advantages — the key issues are sharply pointed and the fears are wholly avoided.” Gordon recalled two lectures last year that were both given by John Corvino, a philosophy professor at Wayne State University, and were attended mostly by Texas State’s gay community. He said g See DEBATE, page 3
Christian sorority to celebrate its founders with series of events By Megan Knighton News Reporter The Alpha Lambda Omega Christian sorority will begin its founder’s week Sunday with a church service held at 4 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-15. The festivities are intended to celebrate the founding of the ALO sorority in 1990 at the University of Texas. A few of the week’s events include a Bible study in LBJSC, Room 3-13.1, a
exas State President Denise Trauth gave up her usual role Wednesday morning as she traded places with a student raffle winner in an event benefiting a university scholarship fund. The Big Switch raised more than $500 for the Ben Hogue Memorial Scholarship through raffle ticket sales. Members of the Texas State Student Foundation, an organization that represents the university in student recruitment, visitors’ tours, university and alumni award programs and scholarship fund-raising events, organized the day’s activities. “The event allows me to get out and see what the students are seeing, not to mention being a great cause,” Trauth said. Between 8:30 a.m. and noon, Trauth exchanged places with biology junior Lester Vega, attending his vertebrate physiology and second semester algebra-based physics classes. Before turning the presidency to Vega, Trauth said that it’s important not to loose sight of the big picture in the midst of her busy schedule and left him four books on leadership to read in preparation. Shortly after, Trauth departed her office with Vega’s backpack in tow and went to class. On the way to Vega’s first class, Trauth said she loved her years in college. “It was a fabulous experience and I’m glad to be back in the mode,” she said. Trauth said she thought the most difficult aspect of college was sorting through the great opportunities available on any given day. “It’s harder at Texas State because there are so many positives to choose from,” she said.
three-on-three basketball tournament at the Student Recreation Center and a talent showcase. Events will be open and free to all students and members of the community. The sorority is also selling raffle tickets for two different vacation packages to help raise money for the founder’s week. One of the vacations contains a five day, four night stay in a g See SORORITY, page 5
Events honor SWT alumnus David Rice
By Amelia Jackson News Reporter
A successful SWT alumnus will soon be returning to San Marcos. David Rice, children’s author and educator, will be in town Monday through Sunday for a sequence of events honoring his work. “This is an exciting opportunity for students to meet an author and learn the story within themselves,” said Judy Leavell, RICE curriculum and instruction associate professor. The first event will be a performance of “She Flies,” a short story from Rice’s book, Crazy Loco. “Through his works, Rice is able to give the world a better understanding and appreciation of the vast wealth that the MexicanAmerican culture has to offer,” said Eudocio Garcia, education senior. “It should be a real treat for anyone who appreciates the MexicanAmerican culture and/or a truly great short story.” The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Monday at the University Performing Arts Center. “Students should take advantage of any author coming to campus, whether it’s me or someone else,” Rice said. “That is where stug See RICE, page 5