04/17/2007

HILL COUNTRY CHAOS

AWARDED AUTHOR

English professor, poet to receive $39,000 grant from Guggenheim Foundation

Fite Nite brings hurtin’ for fans of blood sport

SEE TRENDS PAGE 4

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

APRIL 17, 2007

FIRM FOOTING

TUESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 76

Student-run organization rebuilds floor, restores local woman’s safety at home

By Ashley Gwilliam The University Star

Monty Marion/Star photo HANDY WORK: Keith Whitley cuts a notch from a piece of plywood Friday for the new floor of San Marcos resident Ella Rodriguez’s home Friday. Whitely is a volunteer with the Safe at Home program.

For three years, the floor in 80-year-old Ella Rodriguez’s pale yellow modular home was covered with about 20 strategically placed, unattached fragments of tile and plywood. She gingerly toe-steps the cautionary reminders, trying her best to avoid the sunken-in pockets of vinyl flooring. The medium density fiberboard supporting the floor had deteriorated in some areas because of plumbing and water leakage, leaving holes ground-deep.

Rodriguez finally got the floor she had long dreamt of Friday.

Under a crisp, blue sky, Texas State’s volunteer program Safe at Home replaced Rodriguez’s fiberboard with plywood and installed new linoleum flooring on Thursday and Friday.

There was hardly a cloud in the sky, but the sunny day was bittersweet for Rodriguez.

On March 22, shortly after returning home from having heart surgery, her only son Johnny Rodriguez, 49, died from pneumonia.

Although he had suffered from congestive heart problems for many years, Janelle Espinoza, wife of Ella Rodriguez’s grandson, said the death came unexpectedly.

Rodriguez, who lived with his mother, arranged their participation in the Safe at Home program.

“He was a very humble, sweet man,” said Jana Lee, healthcare administration graduate student and program director. “He was overjoyed that someone would do this for a stranger. His face lit up when we came over.”

The new floor is part of his legacy of what he did for his mother, said Melanie French, healthcare administration senior and project volunteer.

Ella Rodriguez visited with family

“I

am getting my master’s in health and have always wanted to be in the field of giving service. It’s been my passion.”

By Paul Rangel The University Star

—Jana Lee director, Safe at Home

in the backyard, trying to stay out of the volunteers’ way while they worked.

She initially said her life had been OK the past few months, but then reconsidered and shook her head, saying, “Not too good.”

She smiled meekly and her eyes became glassy with tears. Rodriguez and her son were very close.

“He was very outgoing and a very good person,” she said.

Espinoza said Rodriguez was having a difficult time dealing with the death.

“Everything in this house reminds her of him,” she said.

Rodriguez said she is happy with the way the floor is turning out and gives her thanks and appreciation for the help the volunteers have given.

The volunteers consisted of five Texas State health and administration students, under the guidance of Seth Lawhead of Lawhead General Contracting Inc. Safe at Home is a volunteer program that focuses on reducing the risk of death and injury of disabled and elderly members of the community from falls in the home. The program, founded in 2000 by Cecil Renick, chair of the health administration department, typically does two or three big projects a year, operating on donations from See VOLUNTEER, page 3

ASG presidential candidates face off one last time

By Molly Berkenhoff The University Star Presidential candidates Reagan Pugh and Chris Anderson had no reservations Monday in the last debate before Tuesday’s election.

The debate took place in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom at the conclusion of the ASG meeting. Moderated by Vincent Luizzi, ASG’s faculty advisor, the event had a five-minute introductory period for each candidate to give their personal background and explain their motivation for running for president.

This was followed by six questions, each with a three-minute response time and

one-minute rebuttal period. Candidates were each given one question specifically tailored for them and a five-minute closing remarks period.

Both candidates highlighted their respective experiences working with organizations at Texas State. Anderson’s introduction echoed familiar statements regarding the importance of strong leadership in the presidential position.

Pugh, as in previous remarks, said strength in leadership is important, but stressed the need for communication.

When asked to explain his vision of the student body, Anderson reiterated his goal of moving the football team to Division I-A, and said from this other

Suspects in Pike house fire facing additional charges

By Karen Little The University Star The San Marcos Police Department filed additional charges of burglary and trespassing Thursday against the two suspects arrested for starting the April 9 Pike house fire.

The suspects, Nicholas Ryan, 25, of Kentucky, and a 15-year-old male, were initially arrested on arson charges after being caught several hours after the fire started.

The arrest made by SMPD and the fire marshal took place at 1:30 a.m. April 10 at Colony Square Apartments on the 700 block of River Road. Margie Hernandez, justice of the peace, issued the

warrant at 12:30 a.m.

Ken Bell, San Marcos fire marshal, said witnesses reported the incident.

“They saw something that seemed unusual and reported it,” Bell said. “It may seem innocuous See PIKE HOUSE, page 3 Monty Marion/Star photo STILL STANDING: The Pike house on Bevin Street is charred after a fire scorched the building April 9. Charges of burglary and trespassing have been filed against two men suspected of starting the blaze.

Today’s Weather

Few Showers 79°/52°

Precipitation: 30% Humidity: 66% UV: 8 Very high Wind: SSW 14 mph

Two-day Forecast Wednesday Sunny/Windy Temp: 78°/54° Precip: 10%

Thursday Mostly Cloudy Temp: 80°/57° Precip: 10%

goals can be accomplished.

“We are at the perfect crossroads right now,” said ASG Sen. Anderson, McCoy College of Business. “ASG can be the vehicle to help get to Division I-A and set tangible goals for our athletics department.”

Pugh, whose platform includes the move to Division I-A as well, said while this goal is important, it is not the most crucial point of interest.

“We have a long year where we need to be getting things done that directly affect the students,” said Pugh, English junior. “My desire and my vision are for an honest, open, ethical and transparent ASG.”

Pugh

Texas Secretary of State speaks at ASG meeting

Anderson

Not all in attendance were pleased with the extensive discussion of the desired move to Division I-A. See DEBATE, page 3

The Associated Student Government passed legislation Monday recognizing Roger Williams, Texas secretary of state.

Williams, who was a guest speaker at the abbreviated meeting, was awarded for commitment in serving the people of Texas.

Williams spoke about the need to increase voter turnout on the heels of the ASG election beginning Tuesday. He said people ages 18 to 29 are not voting, but they are the future and need to be involved.

“Texas is going to give you so many opportunities,” Williams said. “It’s going to be unbelievable, and after you are successful you need to give back to Texas — give back to the community.”

He said recent statistics were low, with 33 percent of registered voters participating in the gubernatorial elections and 18 percent in the last Texas constitutional amendment.

“Voting is what democracy is built on,” Williams said. “Voting is a precious right and a patriotic duty.”

Williams discussed attempts the state has made to increase voter turnout, citing a new program called Super Precinct, which was tested in Lubbock.

Currently, citizens are required to vote in the precinct assigned to them. The new technique allows for anyone to vote in any precinct.

Williams said the technique was a success in Lubbock and will be tested in other counties in 2008.

When asked about growing problems at the Texas-Mexico border, Williams said there were actions being taken to fund more efforts there. In the next session of the Texas Congress, $100 million will be requested to help fund projects being conducted at the border.

He said unlawful behavior should not be allowed and amnesty should not be given to those illegally crossing the border.

“If you look at the list of people coming over here, it will blow your mind,” Williams said. “On that list you have Iraqis, Iranians, Columbians and Venezuelans. Do you think they’re coming over here to give themselves and their families a better life? I don’t think so.”

The government needs to know where these illegal immigrants are, and why they are here, Williams said.

Williams attended Texas Christian University on a basketball and baseball scholarship. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves, and later returned to TCU to coach. He entered politics, helping President George W. Bush run for governor in 1994 and again in 1998. He then went to Washington in 2000 to help Bush in his presidential campaign.

ASG voting begins, ballots available online, in The Quad

By Christine Mester The University Star Voting for The Associated Student Government elections will begin at 8 a.m.

Tuesday and continue through 5 p.m.

Wednesday.

Students will vote for the ASG president, vice president, at large, on or off campus senators and their respective college representatives. Voting for on or off campus senators is dependent upon the student’s current residence.

“When a student logs in to vote it will automatically be determined whether they are registered as an on-campus or off-campus student and the ballot will be composed accordingly,” said Ryan Galloway, election commissioner.

This will prevent off-campus students from voting for on-campus senators or

vice versa.

There will be two permanent voting booths located on-campus; on the second floor of the LBJ Student Center and in The Quad in between the Taylor-Murphy History Building and Evans Liberal Arts.

Students can cast their vote at any computer with an Internet connection. Students who choose to vote online should know their login information. A link on the Texas State home page will direct students to the Web site where they can vote.

The ASG official voting booths will close 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the Internet site will remain open all hours until Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The results of the elections will be announced at approximately 5:45 p.m.

See VOTING, page 3

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PAGE TWO Tuesday in Brief

April 17, 2007

starsof texas state

A team of astronomers has applied forensic astronomy to the rainbow’s nocturnal cousin, the moonbow. The astronomers unraveled when and where this natural phenomenon can be viewed in the remote California wilderness.

Donald Olson and Russell Doescher, physics professors, and Mitte Honors students Kellie Beicker, Ashley Ralph and Hui-Yiing Chang have published their findings in the May 2007 edition of Sky & Telescope.

Although moonbows have been observed for centuries, this is the first time dates and precise times have been calculated for the unusual event.

Conditions must be ideal for moonbows to form — a bright moon and abundant water droplets suspended in clear air in opposite directions from the viewer.

— Courtesy of Public Relations

News Contact — Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

TUESDAY

There will be a free lunch for all students 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center lobby.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place 5:45 to 9 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

Night Prayer will be 9 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

There will be a free lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSC lobby.

The San Marcos Sunrise Club will sponsor Centerpoint Bingo at The Zone, Sk8, Arcade and Party Place. Doors open 6 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. $1,700 in cash prizes will be given each night. Bingo money will be used to fund college scholarships for local high school students.

Facing the Fear: Anxiety and Panic Group will meet 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sessions offer a supportive way to cope.

For more information or to register, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Every Nation Campus Ministries will meet 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G-02. There will be free food, fellowship and a relevant message.

There will be a CEO Meeting 5 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 127.

The Tennis Club will meet 6 to 8 p.m. at the tennis courts on Sessom Drive, behind Joe’s Crab Shack. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, e-mail Scott Schoenmakers, tennis club president, at SS1485@txstate.edu.

Overeaters Anonymous will meet 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St. For more information, call (512) 3572049.

San Marcos Toastmasters Club will meet 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lone Star Café at the Prime Outlet Mall.

Visitors and guests are welcome.

For additional information, call Ren Linér at (512) 353-0217; e-mail smtoastmasters@yahoo. com or visit www.sanmarcos. freetoasthost.org.

Students in Free Enterprise will meet 4:15 p.m. in McCoy Hall, Room 113. Students interested

in becoming involved with the community, making business connections and learning leadership skills are encouraged to attend.

Play it loud

On this day...

1492 — Christopher Columbus signed a contract with Spain to find a passage to Asia and the Indies.

WEDNESDAY

A student-led rosary will be prayed 6:25 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

1521 — Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.

Sound Wave, a Christian rock band, will perform a free concert 7 p.m. outside the Campus Christian Community Center.

1629 — Horses were first imported into the colonies by the American Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The Association of Information Technology Professionals will hold a social 5 p.m. at Sean Patrick’s Irish Pub. All majors are welcome.

1704 — John Campbell published what would eventually become the first successful American newspaper. It was known as the Boston “NewsLetter.”

The Earth First Organization will meet 4 p.m. in Evans Liberal Arts, Room 314. For more information, e-mail Bogan Durr at bd1132@txstate.edu.

The Alcohol and Drug Resource Center will hold “The Network” meeting 5 to 7 p.m. in The LBJSC, Room 3-6.1.

THURSDAY

The Catholic Student Organization will meet 6:30 p.m. in the CSC lounge.

The Rock - Praise & Worship will be 7 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

The Badminton Challenge, sponsored by Chi Alpha, will be 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the LBJ Mall. Players compete to win a $100 gift card. Everyone is welcome.

The San Marcos Sunrise Club will sponsor Centerpoint Bingo at The Zone, Sk8, Arcade and Party Place. Doors open 6 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. $1,700 in cash prizes will be given each night. Bingo money will be used to fund college scholarships for local high school students.

A one-hour orientation and training session will teach attendees to use the FreezeFramer biofeedback program to reduce the negative effects of stress. The session will be 3:30 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 3-11.1.

Meditation and Contemplation will be 4 to 5 p.m. at the Campus Christian Community Center. For more information, e-mail Micah Robbins at mr1235@txstate.edu or call (512) 878-2036.

Monty Marion/Star photo Jon Starres, music education freshman, prepares for a final exam by playing his trumpet Monday afternoon in the Music Building.

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department April 9, 10:07 a.m.

Driving With Invalid License/700 N. LBJ An officer initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation a non-student’s driver’s license was suspended. The non-student was arrested and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration.

April 9, 10:25 a.m.

Regent Rule Violation/ Aquarena Springs Pond An officer was dispatched for

a report of a student fishing in the Aquarena Springs pond. The student was escorted from the area. A report was made of this case.

April 9, 11:00 a.m.

Information Report/Falls Hall An officer received information regarding an unknown person observing or attempting to observe a person taking a shower. This case is under investigation.

April 9, 5:15 p.m.

Information Report/LBJ Student Center An officer was dispatched for a report of an incoherent student. EMS was dispatched and provided medical assistance. The student refused

transport to Central Texas Medical Center.

April 10, 2:45 a.m.

Criminal Mischief /Alkek Parking Garage An officer was dispatched for a non-student report of a company vehicle sprayed with chemicals. The chemicals are thought to have been from a fire extinguisher. This case is under investigation.

April 10, 7:06 p.m.

False Alarm Report/Derrick Hall An officer was dispatched for a report of an activated pull station. There was no sign of smoke or fire. The station was reset and a report was made of this case.

1758 — Frances Williams published a collection of Latin poems. He was the first African-American to graduate from a college in the western hemisphere.

1808 — Bayonne Decree by Napoleon I of France ordered the seizure of U.S. ships.

1810 — Pineapple cheese was patented by Lewis M. Norton.

1824 — Russia abandoned all North American claims south of 54’ 40’.

1860 — New Yorkers learned of a new law that required fire escapes to be provided for tenement houses.

1861 — Virginia became the eighth state to secede from the Union.

1864 — U.S. Civil War General Grant banned the trading of prisoners.

1865 — Mary Surratt was arrested as a conspirator in the Lincoln assassination.

1875 — The game “snooker” was invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain.

1895 — China and Japan signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki. It was the end of the first Sino-Japanese War. In the treaty China ceded Taiwan to Japan.

Health Beat Learning labs may help calm test anxiety We’re at the end of another long semester and here come the deadlines for projects, final presentations and dreaded final exams. For some, the latter can be most problematic.

Test anxiety can cause physical symptoms like headaches, nausea and faintness or emotional symptoms such as fear or frustration. The main problem with test anxiety, however, is on one’s thinking ability; anxiety can cause students to blank out or experience intrusive, racing thoughts during an exam.

So how should students deal with test anxiety?

One of the best prevention

techniques is through exam preparation. During study, try to include as much self-testing as possible. While preparing for exams, think positively. Instead of worrying or mentally comparing yourself to others, focus on prior knowledge: other instances of a good performance or other ways of understanding a topic. The night before a test, collect all necessary materials and get them ready to go to reduce stress on the morning of the exam.

Arrive to the exam on time, try not to talk to other students about the exam just before it begins and carefully read all exam instructions. Relax by breathing deeply and slowly, stretching and shifting to positive thoughts

if feeling anxious. If the exam is more difficult than anticipated, focus on prior knowledge.

When the exam is over, reward yourself, regardless of how you feel you may have performed.

Take control of test anxiety and display true potential on the upcoming exams. Test-taking tips are available at the Student Learning Assistance Center and other learning labs on campus.

If anxiety persists, talk to a counselor. For more information visit www.counseling.txstate.edu or call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

— Courtesy of Texas State Health Center

NEWS

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

VOLUNTEER Students’ accounts reveal shock, sadness of Virginia Tech massacre CONTINUED from page 1

“T

here was blood everywhere. People in the class were passed out, I don’t know maybe from shock from the pain. But I was one of only four that made it out of that classroom.”

—Erin Sheehan student, Virginia Tech

By T. Rees Shapiro The Collegiate Times (Virginia Tech) BLACKSBURG, Va. — Erin Sheehan was one of four people able to walk out of her 9:05 a.m. German class in room 207 of Norris Hall.

“It’s a small class, about 25 people,” she said. “And I would say no more than two people didn’t show up, were absent. And of those of us that were in there today, only four of us walked out of that room, but two of us had been injured during the shooting,” Sheehan said.

“It seemed so strange,” Sheehan said. “Because he peaked in twice, earlier in the lesson, like he was looking for someone, somebody, before he started shooting. But then we all heard something like drilling in the walls, and someone thought they sounded like bullets. That’s when we blockaded the door to stop anyone from coming in.”

“He was just a normal looking kid, Asian, but he had on a Boy Scout type outfit. He wore a tan button up vest, and this black vest, maybe it was for ammo or something.”

“I saw bullets hit people’s body,” Sheehan said.

“There was blood everywhere. People in the class were passed out, I don’t know maybe from shock from the pain. But I was one of only four that made it out of that classroom. The rest were dead or injured.”

“My professor, Herr Bishop,” Sheehan said, “I’m not sure if he’s alive.”

Philip Kai Seward, who started a Facebook group in August about an incident involving the murder of two men by a drifter near the Virginia Tech campus, described his closeness to the events of today.

“I started phoning around to some of my friends,” Seward said, “And eventually I got in touch with Erin.”

“She told me she was one of just a few people to make it alive out of a class room that got attacked.”

“I picked her up from the Blacksburg Police Department just a while ago, but when she first told me what had happened I thought it was all a bad joke,” Seward said.

“It was all just a surreal moment,” Seward said, “When I realized it wasn’t.”

ASG

Jason Arthurs/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT DEADLY OUTCOME: A police officer stands guard near Norris Hall on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., where 33 people were killed and more were injured Monday.

members and organizations within the community. McCoy’s Building Supply donated all of the supplies for the project, a grant from the city of San Marcos paid for the workers, ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings of Austin donated the flooring and McGlothlin Carpets and Flooring provided free labor to install the new floors.

Lawhead said he has been helping with the Safe at Home program for almost four years and that he offers his expertise free of charge because he wants to give back to his hometown of San Marcos.

“I just felt God wanted us to help with Safe at Home in any way we could,” he said.

Lee said participating in the program is a great opportunity for healthcare administration students to develop a better understanding of the population they will serve in their future careers.

“I am getting my master’s in health and have always wanted to be in the field of giving service,” she said. “It’s been my passion. It feels selfish in a way because it is happiness for me.”

Melanie French, healthcare administration senior, said she could not believe the previous floors were in such poor condition.

“I was surprised that anyone could even live here,” she said. “It was really hard work pulling everything up.”

Lee said volunteers immediately saw the floor’s sunken impressions and would have fallen through the surface had they walked on it directly.

As the floor was removed, the particleboard that had been supporting it would collapse, revealing the ground beneath the house.

“The floor beneath the washer and dryer crumbled as we pulled it out,” Lee said.

The volunteers replaced about 532 square feet of the 1000-squarefoot home in the small dining area, kitchen, den area, hallways, laundry room and back entryway.

They fixed leaks caused by appliances and installed proper piping underneath the kitchen sink.

“I’ve learned a lot,” said Theresa Williams, health administration senior. “It makes you realize what you have when you see others living like this.”

DEBATE

CONTINUED from page 1

CONTINUED from page 1

Wednesday at Lilly’s Lounge on the forth floor of LBJSC. ASG President Kyle Morris said it is important for students to vote in the election.

“Decisions are made by those who show up,” Morris said. “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”

The ASG candidates have been campaigning for the past few weeks, utilizing the social networking Web site Facebook and mass e-mail messages to educate students on their positions and the importance of ASG. They set up information booths in The Quad and visited on-campus organizations.

ASG hopes to increase student participation in this year’s election. Last year, there was a 14 percent turnout.

“In recent years, voter turnout has spiked due to online elections,” Morris said. “Before online elections, you’d be lucky to see 250 people vote total. The turnout has also spiked in recent years due to a higher level sophistication with the campaigns and the messages they emphasize.”

Students who wish to find out more information on this year’s candidates can visit the election guide on The University Star’s Web site.

“I don’t agree with how much vocalization there has been over the Division I-A change,” said Melanie Aranda, political science senior. “We have other sports at this school, and as someone involved with the football team, it’s hard to accept this move. I think game attendance is the biggest issue, not changing to Division I-A.” Regarding the parking situation on campus, Anderson said he wants to hold the administration accountable for plans to build additional parking garages, which he says should have broken ground in December.

Pugh defended the administration’s delay of the project.

“The projects haven’t begun for a reason,” Pugh said. “Hurricane Katrina created a situation where contractors were needed elsewhere, and I think understandably so. The garages are set to break ground this summer, and in the meantime it’s important to be understanding when situations arise.”

Pugh found himself on the defensive yet again when questioned about his controversial move of vacating his senate seat at the beginning of the spring semester. Pugh defended his decision by saying he did not agree with the direction the current administration is taking. He didn’t have enough time for the Senate because of his extensive involvement with organizations,

and made ‘the responsible decision,’ he said, to give his seat to someone who could ‘give it the amount of attention it deserves.’

Anderson, who has produced no legislation this year, was asked to explain his basis for making accusatory statements about Pugh’s decision to quit.

Anderson said while he has not written legislation, he ‘stuck it out to the end,’ which he said is indicative of strong leadership ability.

Anderson defended himself again later in the debate when ASG Sen. Eileen Galvez, College of Liberal Arts, mentioned his choice in Halloween costume this year. He had dressed as a Duke lacrosse player after highly publicized rape charges

were levied against members of the team.

“Obviously anyone running for student body president is interested in politics,” Anderson said.

“At the time, the story was big in politics, and it was a case I was following closely. Given the time and place, I wasn’t making a statement one way or the other, I wanted people to think about politics.”

Pugh said the question was irrelevant and joked about his own costume choice in the fall, which he said was a person who had just gotten out of the shower.

Voting centers will be available Tuesday and Wednesday in the LBJ Student Center and The Quad. Students can also vote online at www.asg.txstate.edu.

PIKE HOUSE CONTINUED from page 1

at the time, but from that comes results in the case.”

Bell said he could give no further details on how they located the individuals because the suspects have not yet been indicted. The county has 30 days to issue the indictment.

“Once (the case) goes to trial, records

come unsealed,” Bell said.

He said the suspects are eligible for bond, and will have a hearing where they can plea their case.

Flames from the well-known San Marcos historical site rose from 50 to 100 feet into the night sky, attracting dozens of spectators. The San Marcos Fire Rescue received help from surrounding areas to battle the blaze. According to a news release issued

by the city of San Marcos, the fire was under control within an hour and a half.

The 101-year-old building, located on Belvin Street, was originally a boy’s dormitory for the Coronal Institute. It was turned into a hospital and later bought by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity in 1968. Developer Terry Gilmore then purchased the house in 1998 from the Pike fraternity. His younger brother was born in the hospital.

Vice president candidates debate issues in Star-hosted forum

By Molly Berkenhoff The University Star Alexis Dabney and Rebecca Quillin have openly discounted one another for weeks, but the two have been friends since freshman year.

The Associated Student Government vice presidential candidates participated in a debate Thursday highlighting their differences and agreements for their prospective office.

The debate, hosted by The University Star, was held in the LBJ Amphitheater. Ten initial questions were asked, with each candidate given one minute to respond and 30-second rebuttals. The event was moderated

by Jason Buch, The Star’s editorin-chief.

Quillin, microbiology senior and running mate of presidential candidate Chris Anderson, said the position of the ASG vice president has lacked in training

senators to be knowledgeable enough to carry out their duties.

“The past two (vice presidents) have had quasi-Senate orientation,” Quillin said. “They weren’t taught to write legislation, or many other things they need to know to do their jobs.

I want to be there to help senators and to make sure they have access to the information they need, and I think that will come through better training.”

Dabney, public relations senior and running mate of presidential candidate Reagan Pugh, agreed with Quillin over the necessary training, but said there is a need for motivation in the legislative body.

“I want to make sure that the senators don’t feel like they’re not serving a purpose,” Dabney said. “They are directly accountable to the students, and I want to make sure that we have senators in The Quad every week

listening to and addressing student concerns. That’s why they’re here.”

Reflecting the debates of their running mates, the vice presidential candidates found themselves at odds over the style of leadership they advocate.

“I think the aspect that most qualifies me for this position is my backbone,” Quillin said. “I’m a strong leader. I think a lot of people can engage a body like the Senate, but it takes someone with a lot of knowledge and motivation to get things accomplished.”

Dabney said her motivation and communication skills are her most qualifying attributes.

“The Senate doesn’t need to be ruled with an iron rod like they’re a bad class,” Dabney said. “I understand that it takes strength too for this position, but I think more importantly it takes someone who can motivate the Senate and address

their concerns.”

When asked their position on giving ASG’s endorsement of students running for city council, both Quillin and Dabney supported allowing candidates to speak at ASG meetings to relay their causes. Quillin said if all 60 senators were in favor of endorsing such a candidate, she too would support the decision. Dabney disagreed with a candidate’s endorsement from ASG. “I would welcome any speaker to appear,” Dabney said. “But I believe our role is first and foremost to (serve) the students.

(ASG) is not a dating service between candidates and students.”

After the initial 10 questions were posed, the candidates were tested on their Texas State trivia knowledge in what moderator Buch called “a blatant rip-off of the gubernatorial debates.”

These questions included listing the six names Texas State University has gone by throughout

its history. Another question was naming the student regent of the Texas State University System Board of Regents. Neither candidate was successful in this round of questioning, but both laughed at their own wrong answers.

The candidates, who said in a previous interview that they have been friends since their freshman year, hugged at the conclusion of the debate despite differences of opinion the event brought out.

✯FYI Voting for the ASG election will begin Tuesday and continue until 5 p.m.

Wednesday. Polling centers will be available in the LBJ Student Center and in The Quad. Student can vote online at www.asg.txstate. edu.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

releasesof the week music Year Zero — Nine Inch Nails

dvd

At the End of Paths Taken — The Cowboy Junkies

The Best Damn Thing — Avril Lavigne

The Last King of Scotland — (R) Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy

Smokin’ Aces — (R) Ben Affleck, Zach Cumer

Notes on a Scandal — (R) Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - Page 4

Trends Contact — Maira Garcia, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Jack Kerouac subject of English professor’s podcast PROUD GUGGENHEIMER: Kathleen Peirce, English professor, was recently awarded a $39,000 grant from the Guggenheim Fellowship. Peirce will use the funds to write a new novel, The Green Vault.

By Jeffery D. Hooten The University Star

Karen Wang/Star photo

Texas State professor wins prestigious grant

By Michael Lee Gardin The University Star Kathleen Peirce is one of nine poets in the United States and Canada to win a prestigious 2007 Guggenheim Fellowship.

The English professor will receive a $39,000 grant from the Guggenheim Foundation, which she will use toward writing her new book, The Green Vault.

Peirce said the Guggenheim Fellowship was something she had applied for several times, but receiving the award came as a surprise.

“The greatest thing anyone can give an artist is time,” Peirce said.

Peirce said the Fellowship will further her career by freeing more time to spend on poetry.

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation was established in 1925. The foundation was created by former U. S. Senator Simon Guggenheim and his wife as a memorial for their son, who died in 1922. The foundation awards Fellowships to professionals from all fields and funds the individual’s future research or artistic creation.

Peirce said she began to write poetry at a young age.

“I was about 10 or 11 when I really — in a way that none of my friends could understand — could happily spend a long time by myself writing words down,” she said.

Peirce said she can draw inspiration from many things such as watching a ray of light, or by reading other literature.

“I read poems that I love. I always start writing by reading literature that absolutely humbles me,” she said.

Peirce has written five books of poetry including The Ardors, The Oval Hour, Divided Touch, Divided Color and Mercy. She has received numerous honors such as the Iowa Poetry Prize. She received the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America. This year, Peirce was chosen as Texas State’s Honors Professor of the Year.

Peirce said she has taught in different of environments, from community college to hospice education. She started teaching at Southwest Texas State University in 1993.

“I like to see what work my students can produce, how they can challenge themselves, how I like challenge them in ways,” Peirce said.

Julia Henry, English junior, is currently enrolled in Peirce’s Erotic Poetry class. Henry said she is happy Peirce was awarded the Fellowship because she is an amazing writer. Henry said The Oval Hour is her favorite work

by Peirce.

“The Oval Hour is about adolescent females coming into their own,” Henry said. “It is about the period of when you’re discovering your sexuality and who you are and coming into yourself.”

Henry said Peirce is a poet, outstanding person and professor.

“For somebody who is so renowned and somebody who is so well published, she is very approachable,” Henry said. “She is very direct and honest. She is very personable. People genuinely like her and she genuinely

cares in return. She makes herself very accessible.”

Henry said Peirce has an active part in her student’s education.

“She is able to take a poem that you can’t figure out and expose the structure in a way that makes you appreciate it,” she said. “She really makes us (her students) technicians of poetry.

She helps us achieve our potential as poets and as readers of poetry.”

Heather Robinson, English senior, is in enrolled in Peirce’s Erotic Poetry class.

“I think it is a really great honor for her,” Robinson said.

“She manages to take just a little snip-bit of an idea and she can write so many different things about it from different perspectives. I think that is really a great thing in a poet — that you can be so detailed about one thing and how it relates to the world.”

Robinson said Peirce teaches in a way that helps students acquire a deeper understanding of literature.

“She is very passionate about poetry and also making sure people understand in a way that allows them to feel it the way that she does,” said Robinson. “She is very easy to talk to. She is very open to helping you out.”

Peirce said she encourages students to continue reading and studying literature and never hesitate to visit their professors.

“I would like the students to know that they should feel as though they have access to their faculty. Take advantage of the place that you are in with your faculty and have conversations with them.”

Jack Kerouac’s famous Beat Generation novel On the Road has become an American institution and a right of passage for young people.

Steve Wilson first read the book during high school.

“I keep going back to it,” said Wilson, English professor. “I can’t count how many times I’ve read it now.”

Wilson recently contributed to the Finding My Kerouac podcast series produced by David Berner, Columbia College faculty member, radio anchor and producer.

Finding My Kerouac has been an ongoing project for the past two years, which began just before Berner and a colleague set out on a road trip to relive some of Kerouac’s travels.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the first publication of On the Road. As the original manuscript tours the country, this year’s contributions to Berner’s podcast have changed from chronicling two men’s journey to a scholarly discussion of the novel.

“The goal shifted,” Berner said.

“Now it’s much more about the Beat writers themselves and why anyone would want to pay attention to what they had to say.”

Wilson’s contribution is the second installment this year.

Wilson said he had heard of the series, and when Berner invited him to take part in the podcast, he accepted.

Wilson’s contribution to the podcast discusses the issue of race in the novel, which is set in the late ‘40s. “(Berner and I) started talking and I said, ‘You could talk about treatment of women — that’s not something has been addressed

much before — and race,’” Wilson said.

Berner said the subject of race was a natural choice.

“Race is a large part of America now and probably always will be,” Berner said. “Kerouac wrote at a time when blacks in America were beginning to make changes.”

Wilson said Kerouac understood what it was like to be an outsider because the author was a FrenchCanadian who did not speak English until he was six. This may have lead Kerouac to reject what he called white ambitions.

Wilson said these ambitions include idealistic, suburban desires such as a nice house and a stable job.

Although Kerouac may have been guilty of certain racial prejudices, something can be said about his desire to confront that aspect of his personality.

“It would be a shame to dismiss him because he didn’t see race the way we do now,” Wilson said.

Unlike many other writers, Wilson said Kerouac was relatively honest about his prejudices, and chronicles his struggles with racism in his work.

“He was aware he was a racist,” Wilson said.

Jan Nickells, English senior, is in Wilson’s course, Literature and the Contemporary Reader. Nickells said although she has not yet read On the Road, she appreciated the podcast.

“I thought it was extremely interesting,” Nickells said. “Now I want to read the book.”

✯FYI The Finding My Kerouac podcast can be found at www.findingmykerouac.com.

Karen Wang/Star photo PODCAST CONTRIBUTER: Steven Wilson, English professor, assists Jan Nickells, English senior, with a research assignment at Alkek Library. Wilson recently contributed to a podcast series on American novelist Jack Kerouac.

TRENDS

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Funds raised from benefit concert to help Ethiopian villages

By Maira Garcia The University Star H2O7 was more than a benefit concert.

It was a learning experience on several levels.

The concert, held Sunday at Gordo’s on The Square, was a fundraising event for A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, an Austinbased organization founded by Philip and Donna Berber, which provides aid to villages in Ethiopia. It was organized by Charles Kaufman’s Public Relations Campaigns class, which handled everything from booking the

bands to selling tickets.

“The main goal was to help buy a well and a filtering system for potable water for a village in Ethiopia,” said Kaufman, School of Journalism lecturer.

Kaufman said creating and organizing the benefit concert was a chance for students to get real-world experience in creating a public relations campaign. At the same time, it would raise awareness of the need for clean water in Ethiopia, which, according to Kaufman, is a major issue affecting all levels of society.

“We chose to get involved with a real client

H2O7: The Egress plays a concert to aid rural Ethiopia. The band took the stage Sunday at Gordo’s on The Square.

Cotton Miller/ Star photo

instead of doing worksheets in class,” he said.

“These type of events are fun to do and relate to students.”

H2O7 featured performances by Eleven Fingered Charlie, Shotgun Hustler, the Bernie Calcote Band and The Egress. The Berbers made a stop at the concert and said they were proud of the contributions the students had made.

“What you have done here tonight is extraordinary,” said Philip Berber to the audience. “You have achieved what no other university in the nation has accomplished in raising funds for this water project in Ethiopia.”

Martin Costas Chillemi, public relations senior, said the class has been timeconsuming, but he feels it is important to contribute to peoples of less fortunate countries.

“We had to turn in progress reports every week and keep up with different people and remind them of what we needed to do,” he said. “I was there since 1 p.m. on Sunday, making sure bands showed up for sound checks and seeing if anything needed to get done.”

While numbers are still being tallied for the amount raised by the concert, Kaufman said the event was a success regardless.

“They were able to raise awareness of the foundation and it is gratifying to know we are making a difference,” Kaufman said.

“The message was not lost among the party-goers of San Marcos.”

School-supply kits help children in Iraq

By Jeffery D. Hooten The University Star The on-campus organization Beyond Borders is taking part in a program called Operation Iraqi Children, an opportunity for those concerned with the war in Iraq to contribute something positive.

Operation Iraqi Children, which was founded by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand in 2004, is a program which allows Americans to send school-supply kits to children in Iraq.

Kathryn Brown, founder of Beyond Borders, said she started the group two years ago to show students they could impact lives all over the world.

“I feel it’s a very relevant issue socially,” said Brown, applied sociology graduate student. “I

wanted to see what Texas State students could do if we all pulled together.”

Beyond Borders focuses on one humanitarian issue each year, and this year’s decision to contribute to Operation Iraqi Children was met with a great deal of support from local bookstores.

“Initially I approached Colloquium and the University Bookstore for help,” Brown said.

Brown said the Colloquium Bookstore was unable to help supply the kits, but made a donation to the effort instead. The University Bookstore has been assisting in the project. “(The employees of the University Bookstore) were completely on top of it, and were as excited as we were about the project,” said Brown.

Lauren Williams, assistant

manager of the University Bookstore, said they were glad to help.

“We looked into it and thought it would be a great idea,” Williams said. “A lot of things that are in the (school-supply kits) we don’t carry, so we did a special order.”

The school-supply kits consist of basic items needed for early education, such as scissors, rulers, pencils and erasers.

The kits are mailed to the Operation Iraqi Children warehouse in Kansas City, and donators are not required to pay any of the shipping costs from the warehouse to Iraq.

Once the kits arrive in Iraq, they are distributed from American military bases.

Brown said they are dispersed by the American military and this is important because it

IN DRAG Day’rein Klein performs onstage at Gordo’s on The Square Saturday night at Bobcat Ball, a fundraiser for Lambda.

The event featrued professional drag show, themed “Comic Book Heroes and Villains.”

Jon Clark/ Star photo

helps contribute to a positive image of our troops among the Iraqi people.

“They use it as a way to build trust in the Iraqi communities,” Brown said.

Many, however, such as Doug Pollard, communications design sophomore, are skeptical of organizations which claim to send resources or funds to foreign nations.

“It sounds like a good idea,” said Pollard. “I (just) wish I had some way of knowing the kits were going to the kids.”

The school supply kits are available for purchase near the service center at the University Bookstore for $14.99.

Anyone who does not have enough free cash to buy a kit alone may make a donation for the purchase of more kits at the University Bookstore.

The University Star - Page 5

Relay for Life surpasses goal despite weather

By Clara Cobb The University Star It may have rained, but it didn’t pour on Relay for Life participants Friday night.

Alison Ketterer, a Texas State alumna, came out to fight cancer and the weather.

For her, the relay is a personal event.

“I lost my dad in October to prostate cancer,” she said.

“Watching the survivors’ lap was really hard.”

The survivor’s lap is homage at the beginning of the event, which recognizes those participants who have overcome the disease.

Ketterer said the relay imitates a battle with cancer. In the beginning, continuing around the track is ‘heartbreakingly rough.’ As the night continues, she said, the tiring effects of walking are similar to those of chemotherapy. As the light breaks the next morning, it symbolizes hope for the future.

“But we didn’t quite get to the hope part,” she said.

Before the luminaria ceremony, a Relay tradition usually reserved for after dark, an announcement was made for students to move under cover, as rain pelted Bobcat Stadium.

Stacy Whittaker, athletic training junior, served on the relay committee at Texas State. She said the luminaria ceremony eventually took place after the storm let up.

“We just used glow sticks, since we didn’t have any more bags, and everything was great,” she said. “It was very memorable.”

Since government funds have been cut, Whittaker said the event is now the No. 1 way money is raised for cancer re-

search.

“It was actually very productive,” she said. “Our goal was $50,000 and we raised $60,000. Cancer effects everyone, and I personally want to (help) beat this disease.”

Weather aside, all funds raised for Relay for Life will help the American Cancer Society continue work in research, education and patient service programs in the Hays County area, said Michelle Ortiz, community relations director for the society.

While the event was officially called off at 3 a.m.

Saturday, it is not too late to contribute.

“There’s always an opportunity to help and give to the American Cancer Society,” she said.

Ketterer, who planned on going for 26 miles, fell short of her goal. She did continue through the rain and wind until the announcement was made for participants to vacate the field.

“I felt last year, the more I walked, the closer we were to a cure for my dad,” she said. “So this year, I just felt every step I took was for one person to live, for one person not to lose their dad like I lost mine. It is a disease that hurts everyone.”

✯FYI For more information or to become a member of the relay committee, visit the Wrap-Up Party 7 p.m. April 26 in Evans Liberal Arts, Rooms 114 and 116.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Page 6 - The University Star

✯

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

‘Perhaps the man was a better universe in its infancy’ Kurt Vonnegut is dead, his essays and and I feel I should write blivits, a term he something. coined to describe a The 84-year-old author book containing ficdied Wednesday from brain tion and non-fiction, injuries suffered several were the works that weeks ago. With his passhad the most imJASON BUCH ing, one of the few people pact on me. Palm Editor in Chief I never met but who had a Sunday: An Autogreat impact on the way I biographical Collage look at the world, left it. and Timequake showed me even I wrote about Vonnegut in a though Vonnegut wrote books column printed last semester poking cruel fun at humans, he in The University Star’s self-im- still believed we are good and can provement special section. In the do good things. They helped me column I brought up how Von- realize we cannot take ourselves negut considered reading to be a too seriously, and we need to be western-style meditation with all able to laugh at ourselves and not the benefits of eastern medita- give up hope. tion, and then some.

Thursday’s wonderful obituary I wish I had sent Vonnegut the in The New York Times quoted column. I’m told he responds to Vonnegut writing about his hero his fan mail, and I would have Mark Twain in his blivit Fates loved to hear what the old author Worse than Death, a collection of had to say about it. essays. Twain, Vonnegut wrote, I shouldn’t be sad Vonnegut “finally stopped laughing at his is gone. The Trafalmadorians of own agony and that of those Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five around him. He denounced life would say the man is not really on this planet as a crock. He dead. He may not be alive at this died.” point in time, but at other times We have to laugh at our own he’s still very much alive. agony and that of those around And the Books of Bokonon from us. Otherwise we’re delusional Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle would or dead. tell me this: “It is never a misI would hate to think the take to say goodbye.” earth’s population drove VonBut I’m unable to take in stride negut to Twain’s end, but as I sit the death of this author whose here listening to the news blaring writings meant so much to me. in the background about a school I love Vonnegut’s fiction, but shooting, the war in Iraq and the

government’s infidelities to the American people, I wonder if we let him down.

Brad Buchholz, author of an article about Vonnegut in Sunday’s Austin American-Statesman, seems to think so. Buchholz brought up a television interview in which Vonnegut said it’s too late for humans because “we’ve treated the earth too cruelly.” I hope he was wrong.

Buchholz mentioned Vonnegut’s recent A Man Without a Country, a sad collection of essays reflecting on how absolutely absurd his world had become. It is the last work I read by Vonnegut. Its depressing tone makes me think perhaps Vonnegut, too, denounced his life on this planet as a crock and died.

It would be awful if humans, whom Vonnegut wrote for his whole life because he believed in us, let him down. If we’ve gone so far we can’t even laugh at ourselves any more, we really are in big trouble. But maybe we’re lucky, and Vonnegut’s wrong, and we can keep on as Bokonon says: “We do, doodley do, doodley do, doodley do, “What we must, muddily must, muddily must, muddily must; “Muddily do, muddily do, muddily do, muddily do, “Until we bust, bodily bust, bodily bust, bodily bust.”

© Pappocom

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Thursday’s solutions:

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OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection Do you believe you had enough information to make an informed decision in the ASG elections? Go to www.UniversityStar.com to vote in our online poll.

Results will be published in Thursday’s issue of The University Star. *This is not a scientific poll

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - Page 7

Opinions Contact — Emily Messer, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

T

he cost of birth control has gone up, and with that increase in price will come an increase in unwanted pregnancies.

We are now feeling the effects of a decision by the federal government that will dramatically increase the cost of birth control for college students.

Because of the 2005 Deficit-Reduction Act, birth control prices for university and college campus health centers have risen. President Bush’s plan is to cut growth in Medicare and Medicaid spending more than $11 billion during the next five years.

But placing a limit on who can and who cannot be able to afford birth control will only lead to more money spent on government services such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The University Star reported Thursday the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, a birth control pill that is the Student Health Center’s top seller, is expected to increase from the current price of $12 to $40 later this year. The NuvaRing, a ring contraceptive, and Desogen, an oral contraceptive, have increased from $12 to $35 and from $12 to $40, respectively. Previously, a Medicaid rebate statute allowed university and college health centers to purchase prescription drugs such as birth control at discounted prices, because the health centers often treat low-income patients.

But increasing the price of birth control only creates problems. When people can’t afford birth control, their chances of pregnancy increase.

This will lead to more children whose parents cannot afford to care for them, and in turn, will shift even more of a burden onto taxpayers.

Laura Greek, nurse practitioner at the Student Health Center, told The Star she is concerned students may not explore other options to obtain birth control. Some students don’t feel comfortable about or are unable to talk to their families about paying for birth control, she said.

This dilemma could have been prevented. The U.S. Congress and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did not put colleges and universities on an exemption list that could have provided them with discount prices, Mary Hoban, director of the American College Health Association, told The Star.

What’s more important is Congress should not have allowed this to happen. Our legislators should know this will only create more financial problems with our medical system.

The onus was on them to prevent this problem.

CONTRACEPTIVE

CONTROVERSY

Efforts to curb Medicaid spending a short-term solution

Letter to the Editor Environmental protection should stay top priority I want to thank The University Star, specifically The Main Point, for addressing some real problems that face San Marcos and Texas State University. With that said, I have to disagree with one specific statement made in the April 5th edition of The Main Point: “There is no immediate result of a person not being environmentally conscious.” I feel the immediate result we face is the discord among residents of San Marcos and students at Texas State.

I am very pleasantly surprised to see the residents of San Marcos place “environmental quality” at the zenith of their list of concerns. I believe this exhibits a true sense of community and forward-thinking. If only there were enough students who felt the same way. The residents of San Marcos said “yes” to higher taxes in order to preserve their beautiful city. In case you didn’t know, San Marcos is not a terribly wealthy city either.

Students should not only acknowledge this sacrifice, but honor it by becoming more environmentally conscious.

We should try to leave San Marcos better than we found it, not just try to leave as quickly as possible. Believe it or not, some students want to lay roots here.

Although I do feel the City Council needs to act with a stronger sense of urgency (see: bicycle paths approved two years ago), students need to take a more active role in these efforts. Please make an effort to recycle, or at the very least throw your trash in a trashcan.

Every candidate running for ASG is addressing school pride and how instrumental moving to Division I-A would be for it. School pride starts and ends with the community. Everyone in San Marcos, student or resident, should be proud of Texas State University. The residents of San Marcos have their priorities in order, I think it is time the students follow suit. If we do so, I believe much of the discord between students and residents could be erased.

Daniel Palomo pre-mass communication junior

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.

Pat Stark/Star illustration

Think you have something to say? Log on to www.universitystar.com and click on the letters link to read old letters and submit new ones.

39 years later, aftermath of King assassination still resounds Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a three-part series about Journalism Lecturer Bob Mann’s coverage of the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination in 1968.

By Bob Mann Journalism Lecturer When we ran out of strong drink, I suggested a nightcap to her and friends at the ancient, low dollar hotel where I was staying. I had a fifth of cheap bourbon.

The hotel’s elevator operator was similarly ancient, a grizzled, bent character who eyed our integrated arrival with what seemed like grim disapproval. He delivered us to my floor in silence.

The “nightcap” lasted until dawn. I walked my new friends to their car, worried about what they might encounter.

Without uttering a syllable,

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our elevator man deposited us in the lobby as we talked about the march scheduled for 10 a.m. The walk to the car was uneventful, but I anticipated unpleasantness in the elevator.

I braced. He spoke: “Heard you telling your friends you’d see ‘em at 10 for the march. Radio said it’s moved to 11. Might wanna call and let ‘em know.”

I learned much about black America covering Dr. King’s assassination, but I learned something too about white America that morning on that elevator.

Officials told journalists they couldn’t “shadow” the march, but could walk in it — with protestors — if they wanted access.

They protested. I saw opportunity and endeared myself to cops guarding the route, and ended up “marching” alongside Mrs. King, Belafonte and United Auto Workers Chief Walter Reuther.

But whatever gumption it took to get to the front of that march exhausted my confidence. I didn’t ask a single question of the three. It just didn’t seem appropriate. It was an era when journalists worried about propriety.

Although it went without incident, the march’s pace and the tension of scanning rooftops for snipers eroded my energy, and I was headed for bed. My Fort Worth editors encouraged me to keep working “around the story.”

I found a “Christian” bookstore and asked what it had on Rev. King. “We’d have nothing on a man like him,” a clerk replied. “This is a Christian book store.”

Two days later the StarTelegram dispatched senior reporter Roger Summers to spell me. He suggested we visit the boarding house from which police said the fatal shot had

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come. That had not occurred to me.

Litter and the stink of stale alcohol hit us when we entered.

There were no other reporters, no yellow tape protecting the crime scene.

The barren room from which the bullet had allegedly been fired offered a clear view of the Lorraine Hotel balcony. The boarding house’s elderly, frail landlady stood with us. A door opened across the hall.

The frail, old and sickly man who emerged hugged the fragile landlady and the two huddled while Summers and I prowled the room.

Summers wrote about the bond the assassination had foisted on the two sad, aging figures, who lived their twilight years in near-destitution and anonymity until the murder of one of the world’s great men linked them forever in history’s web.

Summers wrote that the

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landlady was likely the old man’s “only friend,” capturing the lonely, desolate aura trapped within the walls of an ugly corner of the universe from which pure evil had struck. I had a flight to catch.

My plane landed hard at Love Field, catapulting beneath the rows of seats in front of me my briefcase, newspaper stacks, notebooks and loose papers I’d put on the seat next to me. I crawled along the plane floor to retrieve every scrap.

I was juggling it all when wife Ann, then 23, and daughter Liz, only 4, met me. Ann lifted from my tired arms what I saw as a collection of firsthand history. She toted it to our 1962 Volkswagen. Months passed before I boxed it all up.

For almost four decades, the tattered, yellowing collection of paper and notebooks survived storage in numerous garages and attics as I chased jobs and

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absorbed career changes in Colorado, Washington, New York, Virginia and — when I foolishly got involved in electoral politics — several moves back and forth to Texas.

While press secretary to Sen. Edward Kennedy in the 1980s, I chatted once with Coretta Scott King when she visited the office. I did not mention that we’d met before, in Memphis on April 6, 1968. It didn’t seem appropriate.

Those musty storage boxes survived a final move back to Texas in 1993. I opened them a few weeks ago when I decided it was maybe time to write about my days in Memphis 39 years ago.

Bob Mann served as press secretary to Senator Edward Kennedy from 1984 to 1987. He is currently a lecturer for the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

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1BD HOUSE IN COUNTRY. 15 min. from campus. $680/mo. Includes internet/cable. Call (512) 392-2700.

3 ROOMMATES NEEDED. 2,600 sq. ft. house, 1 mile from university. $400+ utilities. Call (210) 422-0577.

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FOR SALE SCOOTER FOR SALE. 2005 KYMCO PEOPLE 50. 1,900 miles, warranty, $,1495. (512) 396-7047. Leave a message.

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HELP WANTED WIMBERLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH seeking Christ-centered person for Youth Director. 20 hr./wk. Three years exp. in a structured youth program preferred.

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HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

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Benefits may include health insurance, dental, and vision, PTO, mileage reimbursement and 401(k). If eligible there is a sign on bonus of $200. Please contact Kerri at (512) 894-0701 ext. 219 or fax resume (512) 858-5104 or email kalvis@corehealth.com. Please visit our website at www.corehealth.com OLDER COUPLE OFFERING FOR LEASE 1BD/1BA FOR FEMALE STUDENT OR PERSON. w/d and computer available, 2 meals furnished daily, $350/mo. (512) 396-0748.

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CORRECTIONAL OFFICER $9/HR. Lockhart Correctional Facility has immediate openings for persons seeking a career in corrections. Paid benefits and training. Must have a high school diploma or GED and a valid TDL. Must pass drug screening, physical, and background check. Apply in person at: 1400 Industrial Blvd. Lockhart, TX EOE/m/f/d/v.

PAPER BEAR - A downtown gift shop hiring for the following shifts: 9-7, 9-2, 1-7. Starting pay $6.50/hr.

Pick up application in person. Must be able to work minimum 30 hrs. per week, Mon.-Sat., and summer and fall semesters.

THE UNIVERSITY STAR IS CURRENTLY HIRING FOR:

WHICH WICH?

SUPERIOR SANDWICHES All positions needed for exciting new sandwich concept opening soon in San Marcos, TX, across from the University on University Dr. and Edward Gary.

Positions needed: General Manager, shift leaders, sandwich makers, cashiers, both part time and full time.

To apply please fax resume to (972) 492-9424 or email resume or request for an application to bobcats@whichwich.net.

LOOKING FOR A FUN and exciting job that is flexible? Well, check out Wonder World Park! Now hiring tour guides. Apply in person at 1000 Prospect St. or call (512) 392-3760.

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•ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Create revenue by selling display ads and classified line ads. Includes servicing and renewing existing accounts as well as prospecting new accounts, work with customers to design ads, complete paperwork to insert ads and collect payments. Those graduating in Summer or Fall 2007 need not apply.

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I AM TRYING TO START A MEDITATION AND YOGA CLUB. Any students or possible advisers interested in helping make this happen please call Paul, (512) 366-2443.

ROOMMATE NEED TWO ROOMMATES TO SHARE NICE 3BD/2BA HOME. $475 includes utilities. Neat, serious minded persons only. (940) 553-4046, (940) 357-0051, (940) 357-1397.

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WANTED USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition, running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. (512) 353-4511.

SPORTS

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The University Star - Page 9

Maroon and Gold game readies Texas State for football season

By Nate Brooks The University Star All Bradley George could do was drop his head and smile as Morris Crosby went walking past him after Saturday’s Maroon and Gold Classic.

They weren’t laughing about their Maroon team’s 14-7 victory, or that spring practices were finally finished, but George’s dropped touchdown pass from Crosby in a rare role reversal early in the third quarter.

The junior wide receiver threw a toss to George in the back of the end zone on a reverse-pass attempt, but the sophomore quarterback let it fall right through his fingertips.

“That’s probably the only time I’ll ever get that play called for me and I dropped it,” George joked Saturday. “I’ll be catching heck for it tonight, but hey, maybe they’ll give me another

chance. I won’t drop it again.”

That one dropped pass best signified what first-year head coach Brad Wright was trying to accomplish on the final day of spring practices.

“This is what we wanted to do from the beginning,” Wright said. “We wanted to have great attitude, great effort and have fun. Sometimes we lose sight of that. Football is a game and your supposed to play games to have fun.”

The defenses on both the Maroon and Gold teams had the most fun, combining to allow only 290 yards of total offense and cause five turnovers.

It was exactly what the coaching staff was looking for from the new 4-3 scheme focused on sound secondary play and a shifting defensive line.

“That is something I wanted to change,” Wright said. “I’m not a big 4-2-5 guy. I think it re-

lies too much on the blitz.

“We’re going to rely on multiple fronts and moving those guys around, and on a conservative secondary. We want to have a base defense, something that when times get tough we have a defense where guys know what to do.”

Sophomore defensive end Travis Houston showed how hectic the Bobcats’ new defense could be, recovering a pair of fumbles.

He showed off a new number, No. 8, after switching from the No. 91 he wore last season.

“When I was in high school I changed my number out of nowhere in my senior year,” Houston said. “I got comfortable playing in it. I’m a tall, skinny guy so I figured a single digit number would look good on me.

I think it looks nice.”

The Gold team, which was made up of the first-team defense and second-team offense,

turned in some of the top individual performances in the game. Junior defensive back Phillip Alexander led all tacklers with six total stops, senior defensive lineman Ramel Borner had five tackles, and senior defensive end Nate Langford notched four.

Even though Wright was happy with the defensive performance, he said the offense needs to take better care of the football.

“This is the most time since spring started that we’ve had the ball on the ground,” Wright said. “But honestly, I was shaking hands and kissing babies most of the time, but I will look at it on film. But we’re going to make sure we hold onto the football.”

Gold team quarterback Clint Toon got another extensive look after taking repetitions in the team’s first scrimmage

March 31. The junior transfer from Kilgore College completed 7-of-14 passes for 51 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Toon connected with redshirt freshman Da’Marcus Griggs for the game’s first score, on a sixyard touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining in the first half.

The Maroon team responded quickly after halftime to tie the game at 7-7.

On the first play of the second half, Bradley George found Cameron Luke for a 39-yard reception down to the Gold 26 yard line, and again a few plays later for 12 more yards, giving the Maroon squad a first-andgoal from the one-yard line.

Stan Zwinggi carried the ball in on the next play to tie the game.

George finished 4-of-7 for 58 yards and one interception.

Then, on what proved to be

the Maroon team’s winning drive, Zwinggi carried the ball six times on the 10-play drive.

Crosby capped off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run on a “jet sweep” in the Bobcats’ new offense.

“We’re getting the ball into the playmakers hands,” said Crosby, a junior wide receiver.

“It’s getting us a chance to get the ball early and run 50 yards downfield before we even see the ball.”

Zwinggi carried the ball 11 carries for 44 yards and one touchdown, leading all rushers.

Crosby tallied 15 yards on four carries, including the game-winning score.

The team will now refocus their efforts on weight training for the rest of the spring and summer, before starting practice in preparation for the season opener Sept. 1 against Cal Poly at Bobcat Stadium.

Bobcats shut out Ladyjacks twice in three-game series FITE NITE

By Carl Harper The University Star The road ahead is looking good for Bobcat softball, with early season struggles in the rear-view mirror.

The team shut out Stephen F. Austin in a pair of weekend games, sandwiching a 3-1 loss in a series at Bobcat Field.

The games mark the team’s third-straight series win in the Southland Conference.

Ashton Peters hit her first home run of the season in the fourth inning of game three, to give her team a 2-0 lead. The Bobcats went on to win 4-0 Sunday.

After junior left fielder Jetta Weinheimer and junior shortstop Alex Newton had each flown out to begin the inning, Peters let loose on a 0-1 count.

“I like to attack in the beginning of the count; I hardly ever get to a full count or even take a walk,” said Peters, junior catcher. “I was looking inside and (SFA pitcher Magen Butler) gave me the inside pitch that I was looking for.”

The Bobcats scored the first run of the game in the second inning when Newton hit what looked like an RBI triple to left center. Weinheimer was on first after taking a walk and scored on the play, but Newton was called out when she reached third base. An umpire ruled she had left the bag once the pitcher had entered the circle with the ball.

“The pitcher had her glove under her arm. She had taken her glove off and the ball was in there,” Coach Ricci Woodard said. “I was trying to get Alex to go but she waited until the pitcher got in the circle.

Once she is in the circle and you’re on the base, you can’t get off it so it ended up being

Alex Hering/Star photo HARD RIGHT: San Antonio native Crystal Real swings at Lisa Ybarra, exercise and sports science junior, Thursday at the Hays County Civic Center.

CONTINUED from page 10 Austin Byrd/Star photo TURNING TWO: Ryan Kos, sophomore second baseman, turns a double play during the Bobcats’ 4-0 victory over the Lumberjacks Sunday at Bobcat Field.

a dead ball.”

Texas State tacked on two more runs in the sixth frame when freshman pinch hitter Lacey Duncan laid down a perfect squeeze bunt with Weinheimer on third and Newton on second. Weinheimer beat the throw home from the pitcher. Newton scored afterward when Duncan attempted to advance to second but was thrown out on the play. The bunt was Duncan’s second RBI of the series, after notching a single to win the first game 1-0.

“She controls the bat as well as anybody out here,” Woodard said. “She’s the one I go to when we have some different situations like this one come up.”

Texas State played its longest game of the season in game one Saturday. A 10-in-

ning pitching duel ended when Duncan knocked a bases-loaded single to left field that scored senior pinch runner Jill Kloesel, who started the inning at second base.

An NCAA rule allows each offense to start the 10th inning with a runner on second.

Kloesel reached third base after sophomore third baseman Tamara Keller laid down a sacrifice bunt, with sophomore second baseman Ryan Kos and senior right fielder Amy Krueger each issued intentional walks to bring up Duncan’s first pinch-hit of the series.

“It felt really good to hit it solid,” Duncan said. “I knew she wasn’t going to walk me with the bases loaded so I told myself ‘what ever she throws me, I’m going to be swinging.’”

SFA came away with its lone win of the series in game two thanks to four Bobcat errors.

Bobcat junior pitcher Ragan Blake pitched all three games, picking up two wins and a loss. Only one of the Ladyjacks’ three runs of the series was earned against Blake, as she gave up seven hits with eight walks and 24 strikeouts. Her season record now stands at 18-10.

“Our goal today was to make sure that everybody knew that (Blake is) just as strong, if not stronger, in game three than she is in games one and two,” Woodard said. “I thought she did a great job of proving that.”

Pitchers Butler, Kari Hugie and Wilburn of SFA combined to give up six runs on 16 hits, 13 walks and six strikeouts.

the first time,” Griggs said of the loss to Jay Busey, history senior. “He just connected more times and I started feeling dizzy.”

Busey was one of 20 winners who walked out of the convention center with a trophy and one of the few who said they trained for the event.

“I woke up in the morning a little nervous, but then all your training comes back to you,” Busey said.

Two other fighters had an entirely different style of training. Carl and Jeremiah Jackson are brothers who fought each other Thursday night, and whose only real time in fights could be attributed to life experience.

“We used to fight in our neighborhood like that, but never really against each other,” Carl Jackson said.

Jeremiah Jackson said the two Kyle natives had never fought each other in an organized setting like Fite Nite, but Carl used to beat him up as any older brother would. Once again Carl came out victorious Thursday, but Jeremiah said he still thought it was an exhilarating ride.

“It was intense,” Jeremiah Jackson said. “It would have been better if I hadn’t quit smoking a week ago.”

One fighter who smoked her opponent was San Antonio native Crystal Real, who dominated Lisa Ybarra from San Marcos’ Tough Enough Boxing Gym. After the win, Real walked out of the ring with a trophy in one hand and a freshly lit cigarette in the other. “(I attribute my success to) support from my friends,” Real said. “Oh, and I’m crazy.”

The fighting spirit may have spread a little too far in the room Thursday.

After several fights were billed as “grudge matches” by the announcer in regard to rival fraternities, chants from the groups escalated and police were needed in the situation.

“It was just some verbal chants,” said Daniel Arredondo, San Marcos Police Department officer. “They were escorted out.”

One person who enjoyed the remaining bouts was Gerald Gagnon, biology sophomore.

Gagnon was outsized in his match, two inches shorter and visibly smaller than his opponent David Cook, health and fitness management senior. Still, Gagnon found a way to succeed and won one of the night’s more exciting bouts. “(I was) not really nervous (about his size),” Gagnon said. “That’s life.”

SPORTS

golfupdate

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

The Texas State golf team is tied for fifth place after round one of the men’s Southland Conference Championship, ongoing through Wednesday at Comanche Trace Golf Course in Kerrville. Freshman Carson Gibson paces the club, tied for 11th with a score of 74.

Freshman Michael Carnes follows Gibson with a score of 77. Lamar leads all schools, with four players recording a 72 or lower in round one. The Cardinals’ Casey Clendenon leads all golfers with a 71.

— Courtesy of Media Relations

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - Page 10

Sports Contact — Chris Boehm, starsports@txstate.edu

Bobcat baseball takes conference series vs. Lions

By Jacob Mustafa The University Star It’s said there’s a first time for everything, but the Bobcats are doing their best to prove that adage false.

Texas State baseball came close to losing its first Southland Conference series Sunday, but came back and ended the weekend by taking two out of three games from Southeastern Louisiana.

Senior pitcher Justin Fiske started the weekend for Texas State with a 13-strikeout effort in Friday’s 7-0 win, allowing two hits. But the Bobcats’ chances to win the series looked slim after a 5-2 loss Saturday and a disastrous first inning in game three.

After allowing four runs in the first inning the Bobcats fought back to scrap out a 5-4 victory, improving to 12-3 in the SLC. The Bobcats are 2712 overall.

Coach Ty Harrington said Sunday’s win had great significance if only to prove the team could recover from Saturday’s failures.

“I thought playing well after what was probably our worst defensive game of the year was important,” Harrington said of Saturday’s effort, which includ-

ed three errors.

The Bobcats completely changed their tone with an error-free Sunday, led by headsup defensive plays by junior catcher Gerry Cervantez. Cervantez caught two base runners stealing and picked off an SLU player who was a few too many steps off second base.

“During practice, I usually do creative throws, so that’s just usual for me,” Cervantez, who added a two-RBI single Sunday.

“We just try to catch them offguard in awkward situations.”

It was defense, and particularly pitching, that saved the series for Texas State. Friday Fiske registered his second complete game in two starts; the senior pitcher has not allowed a run in 18 straight innings.

“I’m finally getting to where my arm is strong enough,” said Fiske, the team’s 2006 closer.

“I’ve been building the strength up, and I’m trying to get over elbow tendonitis. But I’m feeling good now.”

Junior closer Eric Weaver is another important element in the team’s success of late, including Saturday when he relieved junior starter Steven Siers in the top of the sixth inning and pitched three and two-thirds innings of one-hit

By Jacob Mustafa The University Star

Cotton Miller/Star photo ROUNDING FIRST: Adam Witek, sophomore third baseman, rounds first base during Sunday’s comeback win over Southeastern Louisiana. The game was Witek’s first in over three weeks after returning from an oblique injury.

baseball.

“Probably, the difference in the game was Weaver,” Harrington said. “Because we had 11 outs to get when he came in and that’s a lot of outs for a guy that’s your closer. I thought he

did a tremendous job.”

Weaver, 4-0, and his submarine pitching style lead the Bobcats with a 1.89 ERA in 22 appearances. The closer said he was not quite expecting to be needed so early in Sunday’s

contest, but will do whatever the team asks of him.

“If I get my name called, I just go out there and do what I can do and hope everything works out my way,” Weaver said.

Game Notes Witek back on the field Sunday’s game was the first back for starting third baseman Adam Witek, who had been away for over three weeks because of an oblique injury.

“It feels good to be back,” Witek said.

“I’m lucky it only took as long to heal as it did, with the tough injury I had.”

The sophomore registered one hit Sunday, adding his nineteenth stolen base of the year to pace the Bobcats.

The steal almost didn’t happen because he walked into the bag without sliding,

Amateurs hit Fite Nite centerstage

inviting a possible tag from the Lions.

“I thought I had the bag, and sometimes, when you’re up a little bit, you take it for granted,” Witek said.

Texas State’s loss only second at home The Bobcats’ home field advantage has been one of the strongest the team has ever had, playing at a 16-2 clip at Bobcat Field this season.

Harrington cited this as one of the reasons for the importance surrounding

Sunday’s win.

“It was a good Sunday Southland game that you have to win at home,” Harrington said.

prove you can still win. There’s a lot of different ways to the finish line.”

Bobcats executing in close games

Texas State baseball’s two-week run at Bobcat Field is over and the team will hit the road against Central Arkansas this weekend.

The Southland Conference series will be played in Conway, Ark., where the Bears are 10-5 this year. Central Arkansas’ overall record is 15-19, with a 5-10 record in the SLC.

In the past week, the Bobcats have improved their record in games decided by two runs or less to 6-5, including Sunday’s 5-4 battle with the Lions.

“Sometimes you prefer to win prettier than you do,” Harrington said. “But then sometimes when you play bad, you

On the road again

It was a mess. There was sand everywhere, including in the ring. Cigar and cigarette smoke clouded the top of the building and by the end of the night, there was plenty of blood.

Basically, the 47th annual Fite Nite could not have gone any better.

Forty amateur fighters and 20 fights saw the ring at Hays County Civic Center Thursday night, with most fighters onstage for the first time.

The reasons for participation varied. Some of the fighters simply liked being on a stage.

“I’ve been practicing for six months, because I wasn’t going out there unprepared,” said Oscar Ramos, advertising junior, who knocked out his opponent.

“I just love all of the attention.”

Ramos’ opponent, however, was in a different position in the ring. Alex Darley, Bobcat wide receiver and undecided freshman, was one of four football players in the ring Thursday, and one of three who lost before his match was over.

Football coach Brad Wright was among the many members of the Texas State football team to go out and support the four players. Wright had no worries about what might happen to the freshmen.

“It’s good for the kids,” Wright said. “I don’t think anyone’s getting hurt with 20-pound gloves.”

Wide receiver Da’Marcus Griggs finished his fight by retiring, the only time a fighter did all night. The undecided freshman said he just didn’t want to get seriously hurt.

“I was straight until he hit me See FITE NITE, page 9