04 28 2009 by The University Star

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April 28, 2009

Texas State may not have to pay if boiler failure fault lands on contractors By Allen Reed Assistant News Editor Students paid in a weeks worth of cold showers, but the cost for Texas State was approximately $670,000. Multiple university departments were affected by the weeklong hot water boiler failure in March. Pat Fogarty, associate vice president of facilities, said after the original rental boiler failed, a second was brought in at a cost of just under $20,900 a month for 15 months. “When the rental boiler failed, I did not have complete confidence the repairs would hold, and I asked the contractors to bring down an additional boiler,” he said. Fogarty said the contractor paid for the parts, which repaired the original rental boiler. “We have to determine what caused the boiler failure,” Fogarty said. “If the cost was our fault, we pay. If it’s the contractors, they pay.”

Volume 98, issue 78

TOP OF THE SOUTHLAND

The second boiler was put to use af after the first failed a second time. Students would have been left in the cold longer if the decision to acquire the additional boiler had not been made. “That’s why when we had the second failure, we got it up so quickly,” Fogarty said. Fogarty said a third party contractor was brought in by the university to review operating procedures — an estimated cost of $6,900. Fogarty said the price of the two permanent boilers, which were scheduled for installation before the failure to replace the current rental, cost $2,481,600. Fogarty said some costs, such as labor, are unquantifiable. “I don’t know the cost, but there is a cost involved,” he said. “Basically, the Harris plant, which was running the whole time, took care of everything west of Comanche. Every facility that See BOILER, page 4

student Health Center takes precautions for swine flu By Scott Thomas and Amanda Venable The University Star Students who come to the Student Health Center with flu-like symptoms will be tested for the now infamous H1N1 swine flu, according to center officials. Emilio Carranco, director of the Student Health Center, said students with “suspicious” symptoms will be tested. “(The test) will allow us to deter determine in about 30 minutes if they have a type A influenza,” he said. “If it is positive we will send a swab to a state

lab and the state lab will test if it is swine flu.” Carranco said the system was implemented Monday and went “very smoothly.” There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in San Marcos. However, Carranco said the city’s proximity to Guadalupe County, where there have been three confirmed cases, is “concerning.” Carranco said there are additional suspected cases in the area. “We are meeting on a daily basis with the Texas emergency management team to see what is going on

Austin Byrd/Star photo Taylor Hall, senior outfielder, steals second during Texas State’s win over Stephen F. Austin Saturday. Texas State won two of three games against the lumberjacks during the weekend, giving the Bobcats the outright regular season slC championship. FOR FULL COVERAGE SEE SPORTS, PAGE 10

See FLU, page 4

Online Spanish workbook causes petition, Texas State student may be appointed to Board of Regents apprehension for affected students By Theron Brittain Senior News Reporter A Texas State student may be appointed as a member to the most powerful authority in the Texas State University System. The Board of Regents, a ninemember committee with an operating budget of $794 million in 2008, appoints a student representative every year by the gover governor to liaison between those who call the shots and the students most often affected by them. Gov. Rick Perry is required by law to make the appointment before the term term begins June 1. Perry is expected to announce his pick sometime between May 1 and May 15. The student representative holds a non-voting position, but is designated to represent the interests and opinions of thousands of students in the eight institutions included in the Texas State University System. Two Texas State students, Clay Patterson and Caleb Hudgens, are vying for the position. “Anytime I go anywhere, I like to leave it better than when I found it,” said Patterson, international studies sophomore. “I have noticed inconsistencies with certain areas of our university, and I am sure the same thing is going on throughout the system. I want to make it run more efficiently and serve the students better.” Patterson said he believes it is important to give voting members student opinion on issues

being discussed, despite the nonvoting status of the position. Patterson, an Eagle Scout and former Marine, serves as the financial coordinator for the Student Foundation and will serve as president of the organization during the 2009 to 2010 academic year. He said his experience operating within organizations has provided him with the tools to negotiate between different individuals. “Throughout my time serving in leadership positions, I have been successful in relaying messages between one group of people and another, which is something I feel is important for somebody who is going to be representing the student opinion for all the universities in the system,” Patterson said. Hudgens agreed, saying effective interaction with peers and administrators was the primary responsibility of the position. “Communication with each of the student governments at each of the respective universities is paramount,” said Hudgens, public relations and English senior. He said running for the position is his way of paying Texas State back for everything the campus has provided, namely, with the experience of working in the political arena. Hudgens said he expects his experiences to serve him well as the student regent and later in a career in state politics. “The administrators really love the students here, and it has given me a really good insight on how institutions and government

today’s Weather Isolated T-Storms

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agencies operate and how effective they can be,” Hudgens said. Except for continuing to serve as chair of the Foundation for Excellence committee, a Student Foundation event honoring outstanding faculty and staff, Hudgens said he declined office nominations in his organizations to dedicate himself to the duties of the student regent. “What is really going to set me apart is that I have set aside next year entirely to devote to the students of the Texas State Univer University System,” Hudgens said. “I am really exited about taking the student regent’s position and create what it should be, which is accurately representing the constituents of the system.” He elaborated on the seriousness with which he considers the regent’s job, saying the “best of the best” are usually considered for the nomination, but these students tend to be involved in too many organizations to be ef effective liaisons. The Board of Regents is the highest governing authority in the Texas State University System, overseeing a system enrollment of 64,000 students divided among Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University and Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, Texas State University, Lamar Institute of Technology and Lamar State Colleges in Or Orange and Port Arthur. The Board was awarded $349 million in fisSee REGENTS, page 4

By Amanda Venable News Editor A Texas State student, enrolled in a first-year Spanish class, is disseminating a petition, which claims a required work workbook for the course is ineffective and inefficient. John Torres, mathematics senior, is circulating the petition. His goal is to decrease the work workbook’s impact on a student’s overall average. Torres argues the workbook, currently valued at 30 percent of a student’s semester grade in all Spanish 1410 and 1420 classes, is too problematic to carry such a critical weight. There are at least two mandatory purchases for all students in the first two Spanish courses. First, the textbook — “Puntos de Partida,” and second, a $100 supplementary online workbook application designed by Antonio Gragera, who is the coordinator of the first-year Spanish Depart Department. “The many problems with the program are likely to discour discourage students from continuing in second language learning,” Tor Torres said. “I think the department underestimates how negatively students react to having to pay $100.” Not only does Torres question the workbook’s value, he doubts its effectiveness as a learning tool. “If you’re willing to sit there clicking and dragging long

Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo illustration PROGRAM PETITION: John Torres has gathered signatures on a petition for lowering the percentage that the spanish online workbook will count as a grade.

enough, you can complete most of the activities without knowing or learning a single thing about

two-day Forecast

Inside

Wednesday

Thursday

scattered T-storms Temp: 86°/69° precip: 60%

isolated T-storms Temp: 90°/68° precip: 10%

News ........ 1,2,3,4 opinions ............ 5 Trends ............. 6,7

Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Diversions ..........8 Classifieds..........8 sports...............10

the Spanish language,” Torres See SPANISH, page 4

PageTwo

2 - Tuesday, April 28, 2009

starsof texas state

Today in Brief

Alex Newton, senior shortstop, started the game off with a solo shot over the left field wall for her fifth homer of the season to give Texas State a 1-0 lead in the first against Stephen F. Austin. Newton’s long haul was the eventual game-winning run as

both teams failed to put any more runs on the board. Newton, special education senior, went 2-for-3 with one run and an RBI on the day. —Courtesy of Texas State Athletics

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

RUN FOR COVER

Correction In Thursday’s issue of The University Star, students who received the first round of the Gardasil Vaccine at the Student Health Fair must get these remaining doses from the Hays County Personal Health Department if they want the reduced price of $25. The University Star regrets this error.

CRIME BLOTTER

University Police Department

Hannah VanOrstrand/Star Photo Students run into the breeze way from outside Alkek library to find shelter from Monday’s heavy rain.

Fields couple donates $1 million to Texas State Jerry and Linda Fields of Houston have donated $1 million to support the department of athletics at Texas State. The gift was announced Friday by University President Denise Trauth. “Jerry and Linda Fields are alumni, generous donors and dear friends of this university,” said Trauth. “Their support has helped us achieve new standards of excellence, and their continuing generosity and work on behalf of Texas State serve to further brighten our future.” The Fields’ are among Texas State’s most generous benefactors. Their recent gift brings a total contribution of $3.8 million to Texas State. They are co-chairs of Texas State’s Pride in Action fundraising campaign. The campaign has five pillars: academic excellence, a new performing arts center, an alumni center, athletics and the university library. In the past, they have donated $2.8 million in support of academic excellence, the alumni center and athletics. “Our gift, along with the $1 million gift by Darren Casey, has enabled the university to make huge strides in its move to the Football Bowl Subdivision,” said Jerry Fields. “Look at the new baseball and softball complexes, and the records of our teams, and see the difference these gifts have made. All one has to do is look at the progress of Bobcat Stadium, and see the time is right for supporting our Athletic Department. It is a pleasure, and honor, to support Texas State and to lead the Pride in Action Campaign. I hope our gifts will inspire others to follow in our actions and leave their last-

ing footprints on this university with their gifts as well.” Larry Teis, director of athletics at Texas State, said the Fields’ gift will strengthen the university’s drive toward becoming a member of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of collegiate competition in football. “We are very appreciative of the Fields’ generosity. This is an exciting time to be involved in Bobcat athletics,” said Teis. “We are seeing unprecedented success on the playing fields, our student athletes are excelling in the classroom and we are making tremendous improvements to our facilities. This gift will help take all that positive momentum to new levels.” Jerry Fields, a 1969 business graduate of Southwest Texas State University, is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of J.D. Fields & Co., a worldwide supplier of steel products headquartered in Houston, with regional offices in Dallas, Tulsa, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Guadalajara, Mexico. His wife, Linda Gregg Fields, is a 1966 graduate of Southwest Texas State College and a native of San Marcos. The Fields are well-known philanthropists and are involved in a number of charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She is on the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors. —Courtesy of University News Service

This day in history 1758: James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, was born in Virginia.

1788: Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 1789: The crew of the British ship Bounty mutinied, setting Captain William Bligh and 18 sailors adrift in a launch in the South Pacific. 1937: Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was born near the desert town of Tikrit. 1945: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed. 1967: Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the Army.

1980: President Jimmy Carter accepted the resignation of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, who had opposed the failed rescue mission aimed at freeing American hostages in Iran. 1988: The roof of an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 peeled back during a flight from Hilo to Honolulu, killing a flight attendant and injuring 61 people.

1990: The musical “A Chorus Line” closed after 6,137 performances on Broadway. 1994: Former CIA official Aldrich Ames, who had betrayed U.S. secrets to the Soviet Union and then Russia, pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

HEALTH HAZARD

1996: President Bill Clinton gave 4 1/2 hours of videotaped testimony as a defense witness in the criminal trial of his former Whitewater business partners. 1999: The House rejected on a tie vote of 213 to 213 a measure expressing support for NATO’s five-week-old air campaign against Yugoslavia. The House also voted to limit the president’s authority to use ground forces in Yugoslavia. 2001: A Russian rocket lifted off from Central Asia bearing the first space tourist, California businessman Dennis Tito. 2004: The first photos of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal were shown on CBS’ “60 Minutes II.”

April 15, 8:37 p.m. Burglary - Habitation Falls Hall A student reported to a police officer his property had been taken without his consent. The case is under investigation. April 15, 10:31 p.m. Burglary - Habitation Bexar Hall A student reported to a police officer her personal property had been taken without her consent. The case is under investigation. April 15, 10:36 p.m. Medical Emergency Intramural Fields A student reported to a police officer she injured her ankle while playing soccer. The student refused medical transportation. April 15, 10:44 p.m. Burglary - Habitation Bexar Hall A student reported to a police officer her personal property had been taken without her consent. The case is under investigation.

April 16, 12 a.m. Medical Emergency Elliott Hall B A student reported to a —Courtesy of New York Times police officer he had taken too much medication. The student was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation. April 16, 7:24 a.m. Assist Outside Agency Oscar Smith St. A police officer assisted SMPD with the chasing of a suspect. A report was made of the incident. April 16, 12:04 a.m. Medical Emergency Evans Liberal Arts Building A student had suffered from a seizure and was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

Hannah VanOrstrand/Star Photo Maisa Aguiar, public relations junior, and Kate Peterson, photography sophomore, take safety precautions to protect themselves from Swine flu Monday as they head to class.

—Courtesy of University Police Department

News

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The University Star - 3

Flames destroy Lions Club building in morning fire By Lora Collins News Reporter

Anthony Martinez/Star photo FLAMING TUBES: The San Marcos Lions Club caught fire early Monday morning causing the building to be destroyed. The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.

The San Marcos Lions Club caught on fire Monday morning. Karl Kuhlman, San Marcos Fire Rescue division chief, said the fire department was paged at 5:20 a.m. “The details on that call, they couldn’t really pinpoint where the fire was exactly so there were some problems with dispatch getting the correct location,” Kuhlman said. “They paged out the fire department at 5:20 a.m. and our guys were on scene at 5:21 a.m. with heavy fires showing from the building.” Fire Marshall Kenneth Bell said 27 fire fighters were on scene. “They found heavy flames showing, and at least half the building was involved when they arrived on the scene,” Bell said. Kuhlman said much of the building is “completely destroyed.” “The inner tubes, once they get burning, (make) it a very hot fire and hard to put out,” Kuhlman said. “The structure itself is cinderblock and a lot of that’s damaged, and it’s probably going to have to come down.” Mike Rhoades, president of the Lions Club, arrived on the scene of the fire at 5:50 am when the building was al-

ready in high flames. “I am a little sick to my stomach, but we will be back,” Rhoades said. He said the fire will cause problems with the funding the club normally receives and may impact other organizations. “It is very discouraging because that is how we make most of our fundraising money for many different clubs and organizations around San Marcos,” Rhoades said. Rhoades said measures will be taken to fix damages and get the Lion’s Club tube rental back and functioning. “First we have to check and make sure there are still tubes available, and we are going to have an emergency meeting to start getting plans together,” he said. The building’s front side is severely damaged, Kuhlman said. However, he said the Parks and Recreational Building will be salvageable. “The fire department did a good job of saving the other side of the building, the Parks and Rec building — there were a lot of table chairs and things like that and they were able to stop it and contain it just to this side (the front) of the structure,” Kuhlman said. The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed. Kuhlman said the fire is still under investigation.

ASG passes two pieces of legislation at meeting Teresa Wilburn News Reporter ASG ended the academic year on a green note. Legislation passed at Monday night’s meeting entails that the senate supports Jason Sanders’ efforts with Bobcat Blend, a program designed to filter the trash output across campus. “Really, all ASG is doing is just supporting what he is doing,” said Sen. Brandon Guerra, author of the legislation. The program designates three main sources for the distribution of trash: recycling, compost and landfill. The compost will be used across campus, Guerra said. “Currently, 100 percent goes to a landfill,” Guerra said. “That is pretty harmful. One day of waste at the LBJ Student Center adds to 153 trash bags.

That goes to a landfill. What Bobcat Blend could do is make 34 percent of it compost, 8 percent recycled, and only 54 would continue on to the landfill.” Guerra said the goal of this program is to reach 82 percent compost. Sanders obtained the necessary funding and the program is set to launch soon, he said. According to the legislation, entitled, “Bobcat Blend,” the program will bring Texas State closer to being a zero waste campus. “We will be the first school in the state to have this initiative to source separate trash,” Guerra said. “It is going to generate attention. People are going to say, ‘Hey, look at Texas State’s system of waste management.’ I think this is going to be a good image.” Guerra said he wrote the legislation after Sanders came to speak at an ASG

meeting. “We have had many guest speakers,” Guerra said. “But when I heard Jason Sanders talk about the project, it seemed like such a big deal that I wanted to write the legislation supporting it.” Jason Moore, ASG vice president, said Bobcat Blend is a great way for the university to start an important trend. “Jason Sanders is going to be working it and he is hiring on more staff,” Moore said. Moore said the actual compost bin is going to be located behind LBJSC by Arnold Hall. He said he agrees with the senate decision to support this legislation. “It is very much a time when people are going green,” Moore said. “This is a great way to do it. Not only for environmental purposes, but it should also save

the university money. With everything going the way it is, I think they did a great job in researching and a good job in asking questions. I do not have the chance to voice anything in the meetings, but I definitely agreed with it.” The senate also passed new legislation regarding the computer logos on campus. The legislation, entitled, “Money and Screen-Saving Marketing,” will mandate all computers on campus to have Texas State logos on the screen. According to the legislation, the default 2009 to 2010 wallpaper would represent the university’s “Drive to Division One Football Bowl Series”, encouraging students to attend athletic events. The installation of these new logos, implemented over the summer, will be during the next “ghosting” or refresh

for the computer system. Sen. Brice Loving, author of the legislation, said he was sitting in the McCoy Building computer lab when he noticed the multiple computers displaying the Windows logo. “I thought we should change that,” Loving said. “Instead of generic backgrounds, I thought, why not be creative and display Texas State?” Loving said this idea goes back to pride for the university and brand identity. He said the new logo will strengthen the image for the school. “I am really excited,” Loving said. “This is my first piece of legislation. I definitely had a lot of support.” Loving said the athletic logo will give new students the impression that athletics are a big deal for the university. Both pieces of legislation were passed with full support of the senate.

Different test days for disability services concerns Faculty Senate members By Kosaku Narioka News Reporter Faculty members are concerned disparities between the regular exam schedule and that of the Office of Disability Services’ could lead to the leaking of exam questions to fellow classmates. At the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday, Sen. Steven Wilson said their concern is “security,” indicating students who take the test earlier can provide test questions to their peers. Debra Feakes, Faculty Senate chair, said they are uncomfortable about giving a test on a day different from the date when the rest of the class takes the test.

Tina Schultz, director of disability services, said the office had to create a schedule maximizing the number of exams that they can administer with limited space. “Last year, we administered more than 3,300 exams,” Schultz said. “If you saw our space, you would be very surprised that we were able to administer 3,300 academic exams for faculty.” Schultz said the Office of Disability Services administered about 530 exams back in 1996. “I’m not sure (about) the best solution to that,” Feakes said. “Clearly, you have limitations, but I also understand the faculty’s concern.” Schultz said students can sub-

mit requests for a testing spot after they know exam dates. Faculty Sen. Brock Brown said he announces his exam date at least two weeks in advance and asked Schultz if a student is responsible for scheduling an exam at the closest corresponding time in the Office of Disability Services. Schultz said the office requires students to sign up for an exam at least 48 hours in advance. “Generally, we do everything that we can to get them in,” Schultz said. “I cannot remember a time during a regular semester we’ve told a student we are full.” Brown suggested the Faculty Senate make a statement to en-

courage the university administration to expand testing space in the Office of Disability Services. “Any support is greatly appreciated,” Schultz said. “I think it’s hard because in our office I serve the entire university community. You know, we are there to be an advocate for students, but on the other hand, faculty and staff are (part of the) community too, and so I feel an obligation and a duty to be as responsible as I can to faculty and staff needs.” Associate Provost Gene Bourgeois said people in the Office of Academic Affairs are aware of issues, and he has expressed support for space expansion. The

Office of Student Affairs supervises Disability Services. Schultz said faculty members are sometimes hesitant to tell the disabled students “no.” “It is okay to say ‘no’ if it’s not reasonable and appropriate,” she said. “Providing you less than 48-hour notice about their need for accommodation on a test, in my mind, is not reasonable.” Schultz said if a syllabus spells out accommodation issues, it helps alleviate some of the problems that might otherwise arise later. Bourgeois said recently reviewed Academic Affairs policy statements show recommended language to be included in the

syllabus. Every year, the Office of Disability Services conducts a quality survey among faculty, staff and students, according to its Web site. Last year, survey results showed faculty and staff suggested to modify the final exam accommodations, noting “the overcrowding of test takers and difficulty in scheduling around finals.” The summary lists no complaint or suggestion from students. The respondents included 318 faculty and staff and 123 students, according to the summary. The executive summary in 2007 included complaints and suggestions from faculty, staff and students.

News

4 - The University Star

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

FLU

REGENTS CONTINUED from page 1

cal year 2008 in state appropriation funds. ASG President Brett Baker was involved in the collection of applications for student regent. Baker reviewed Patterson’s and Hudgens’ applications before

they were sent to the administration for appraisal. “I think both of them are very qualified for the position,” Baker said. “Both of these guys are ready and willing to work for Texas State, the Texas State University System and all of the schools that are part of it. I think

Lindsey Goldstein/Star feature photo STUDENT REGENT: Caleb Hudgens, public relations senior, is one of the applicants for the new Student Regent position.

it is time for a student from Texas State to serve as regent, and I am completely confident in any one of these two individuals.” Nicole Lozano, who is the current student regent from Sam Houston, said she has found the board to be welcoming of her views.

“Both the board and the system’s office are very supportive of having a student in an official position,” Lozano said. “I think whoever is appointed will be lucky. This is something that you should take joy in, as it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Lindsey Goldstein/Star feature photo STUDENT REGENT: William Patterson, pre-international studies sophomore, is one of the applicants for the new Student Regent position.

SPANISH CONTINUED from page 1

said. “The activities are tedious and repetitive tasks that encourage guesswork and process of elimination — not learning.” Torres said some students refuse to sign his petition because the online workbook is actually supporting their grade. “Some students hesitate to sign, not because they like it or because they think it’s an effective learning tool, but because it’s so simple that even people who know very little about Spanish can complete the activities for the easy grade,” he said. Texas State policy requires a student to earn at least a ‘C’ average in Spanish 1410 before moving on to 1420. Non-participation in the online workbook, when valued at 30 percent of the semester grade, is not an option for students hoping to move forward in their graduation plan. “You can’t pass the class without it, and you have to pass the class to graduate. So you’re going to buy it,” Torres said. “The

department knows they can get away with charging this extortionate amount, so they do.” Gragera said he has never seen the petition. “Two weeks prior to the end of any semester, it is not unusual to have this sort of reaction from students who have failed to meet the qualifications set forth in a course,” Gragera said in an e-mail. Gragera said he has not received any complaints from students or faculty members. “We have 2,000 students,” Gragera said in an interview. “I wouldn’t have time to listen to every complaint. I do not have time to deal with one student.” Alberto Mendez, lecturer in the department of modern languages, who has worked at Texas State for 13 years, said he does not have any problems with the online workbook. Mendez, who teaches approximately 100 students, said though he addresses concerns with workbook assignments at the end of class, the majority of his students are “wise enough to

answer their own questions.” Gragera would not confirm if he is authoring a textbook that will replace “Puntos de Partida” as the first-year Spanish department’s mandatory textbook for all Spanish 1410 and 1420 classes. Kelly Chambliss, art freshman, said the online work for her 1420 class does not follow the class curriculum. “It’s not what we are doing in class at all,” Chambliss said. “Some of the times, you’re just dragging and clicking. I’m not leaning anything for the most part.” Students Luke McBroom, electronic media junior, and Casey Fithen, undecided freshman, said the process of elimination was more effective in the workbook than learning the material. “It’s really easy to cheat your way through,” Fithen said. “It encourages you to cheat … It’s repetitious and mind numbing instead of getting you to try to find out (the answer).” Fithen said the program

should be cheaper because it is designed by a Texas State faculty member. “I haven’t gotten anything out of it,” he said. McBroom echoed the sentiment. “I don’t feel like it helped,” McBroom said. “You can do it through the process of elimination. I’m not learning a lot.” Torres, despite his concerns, remains optimistic about the future of modern language at Texas State. “As much as all this is costing every student who goes through the department, hopefully, we will begin to see all that money being invested in ways that benefit the students and increase the value of our degrees,” Torres said. “I’d hate to think it’s all just leaving our pockets and going into someone else’s.” Other faculty members in the department approached for an interview declined comment.

of their room and board rate. The smallest checks of $68 went to students living in Burleson and Hornsby, and the largest, $136, went to College Inn residents. Proite said it was important students have a physical refund. “We wanted to give them a check rather than a credit to their account,” she said. John Root, director of auxiliary services, said the only dining hall to accrue additional expenses was Commons. He said ap-

proximately $2,000 was spent on using paper plates and replacing utensils that would normally be washed with hot water. “Of all things that went wrong, the dining halls had a very minimal fiscal impact,” Root said. Students were urged through university e-mails to use the Student Recreation Center to shower during the boiler failure. Ryan McAfee, assistant director of campus recreation, said the center did not spend addi-

tional funds because of the extra accommodations. “We didn’t have any extra staff,” McAfee said. “I didn’t see a huge impact. We had some students use the facility to shower, but that’s it.” William Nance, vice president of finance and support services, said residence life reimbursement checks and additional costs by the facilities department were covered by pre-existing reserve balances. “Residence life has what we

—Travis Hord contributed to the report.

BOILER CONTINUED from page 1

ity that was on the other side of campus was affected, with some exceptions such as San Jacinto and Smith Halls, which have their own boiler.” Rosanne Proite, director of Housing and Residential Life, said the total amount paid to students through reimbursement checks was $351,381. She said money refunded to students was equal to one week

CONTINUED from page 1

around the state,” he said. “We should have a very heightened awareness about the possibility of a case winding up in this town and campus.” Carranco said officials are concerned about San Marcos’ proximity to “the hotbed” Mexico and the outlet malls. “We have a lot of people come from the border to the outlet malls,” he said. “We have a lot of students that work there who come to campus.” Students who come to the health center with respiratory or flu-like symptoms will wear a surgical mask and gloves. They will be asked to wait in the part of the lobby with other people who have respiratory illnesses, then be treated by health-care professionals wearing protective gear. “At this point, we are trying to take reasonable measures without being overly aggressive,” Carranco said. “If the swine flu progresses, we will take more aggressive measures to ensure the safety of the Texas State community.” Carranco said university officials are following the emergency preparedness plan. “This is an evolving situation, from day to day this changes,” he said. Carranco said online appointment scheduling has been taken down so that health center staff can talk to students and find out if they need to be examined that day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials have said the best way to avoid contamination is to wash hands frequently and avoid contact with those who might be sick. The World Health Organization raised the Pandemic alert for swine flu by one level, still two short of officially being a pandemic. A pandemic is defined as a disease prevalent over a whole country or the world. President Barack Obama said the United States was ready to confront the outbreak. He called the situation a cause for concern but not alarm. Carranco said an educational campaign will be put into effect on campus. There are no plans to change class or exam schedules. The university home page will be updated every morning.

call a healthy reserve balance,” Nance said. “The checks are being paid out of those reserves and will have no impact on future room rates. Nance said the majority of the facility department’s money comes from state appropriations, and the boiler failure cost was a one-time incident that would be drawn from a reserve fund. Nance said there will be no direct fiscal impact on students because of the boiler failure.

Interactive, retiring professor leaves positive impressions on students By Merrill Balassone McClatchy Newspapers TURLOCK, Calif. — Ida Bowers once camped out with her students on a volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island, watching rivulets of lava explode in the distance. She calls this “great fun.” The 70-year-old geography professor will retire in June after 37 years at California State University, Stanislaus; she’s taken her students to exotic reaches ranging from Indonesian jungles to the artists’ villages and temples of Bali. Two weeks ago, Bowers spent spring break in Death Valley braving windstorms so fierce they shook her tent. “I think they just think I’m crazy,” Bowers said of her students. But, she said, “It’s so boring in that classroom.” Undergraduate Cameron Pallotta said watching Bowers hike 30 miles worth of desert terrain in a week reminded him more of “a kid in a candy shop.” “She was just right there with everyone else and never uttered a complaint,” Pallotta said. “The smile never left her face most of the day.” On April 20, Bowers was back at work on campus, watering a newly planted butterfly garden and a plot meant to mimic a forest setting. Bowers has been practicing sustainable farming techniques — “going green” in today’s lexicon — long before Leonardo DiCaprio ever bought a Prius. She was raised in the 1940s and ’50s on an isolated Michigan farm with no car and no electricity. Her father prided himself on planting techniques that would keep the soil fertile and forbade pesticides. Her uncle was a geographer who brought back slides of his travels to India and Asia. “I got that fiddle-footed thing,” Bowers

said. “I just had to see it.” She earned her master’s degree from the University of Hawaii on the topic of Indian agriculture and did her Ph.D. work in Indonesia, although she dismisses her title of “Dr.” with a flap of her arm. Bowers prefers “Ibu Ida,” which means “Mother Ida.” The term, used for Indonesian teachers, reminds her teaching “is more responsibility than just giving out facts and theories.” In Indonesia, Bowers saw the negative effects of a government push for farmers to grow hybrid rice, use chemicals and rely on irrigation. “One farmer told me, ‘I did everything the government said and I can’t feed my family,’“ Bowers said. As southeast Asian refugees began flooding into Modesto in the 1980s, Bowers saw people who needed help. She helped create The Bridge, a nowthriving west Modesto, Calif., community center for Hmong, Cambodian and Laotian residents. It has served about 35,000 people since it opened 20 years ago. But The Bridge started out humbly. Bowers and co-founder Cammie Lear, a now-retired Modesto Junior College cultural anthropology instructor, convinced an apartment manager to give them a storeroom if they cleaned it up. Inside, they found greasy stoves, rusty refrigerators and a dead cat, among other disgusting finds. “I didn’t want to go in there,” said Lear, 65. “She kind of pushed me in there and said, ‘We can do this.’” Bowers said she could feel the eyes of the community on them in the three months of cleanup work before their opening in April 1989. Children would ask the women what they were doing, then run home and pass the word along to their

parents. Bowers began sitting and sewing with the women, hardly a word exchanged because of the language barrier. “As a refugee, you seek a calm, quiet place because you’ve been through hell,” Bowers said. Bowers envisions anything but a calm, quiet retirement. Her La Grange, Calif., house is “a jungle.” She lives with her husband, Jim Bales, who accompanied Bowers on trips to Indonesia and Death Valley when he was a graduate student at CSUS. The pair also has six dogs, 10 cats, two rabbits, three chickens and a cockatiel.

When asking about calling Bowers at her house, she responds: “Leave me a message ... I may be out weed-whacking.” Lear, who was a student of Bowers’, finds it hard to imagine her not teaching. “If you have a class with her you don’t forget her,” Lear said. “When Ida speaks, the room is quiet.” For now, Bowers is working on the instructions she’ll leave behind for students tending the gardens she’s planted over the years. “Working with life — not just people — I think is so important,” Bowers said. “After I retire, oh boy.”

Cary Edmondson/Modesto Bee Ida Bowers, a professor at California State University-Stanislaus, leads a geography field trip class at Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park, Calif.

OPINIONS 5 - The University Star

onlineconnection Check out www.UniversityStar.com in the following weeks for continued News, Sports, Trends and Opinions coverage.

IMMIGRATION

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Opinions Contact — Krista Almazan, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT mmigrants arrive everyday in our country with little more than a dream.

If passed, The Dream Act would grant green cards to illegal immigrants who came to the United States when they were 15 or younger upon completion of two years of college or the military. It is not fair to deport people who have always lived in the United States because their parents brought them here. Most people would not stay behind if their parents left for another country, legally or not. The U.S. government should not treat these people like criminals. Furthermore, The Dream Act would help the United States compete in the new global economy. Having a well-educated population is what will keep the United States a global power. Therefore, it would be a major mistake to deport people who are educated. But this is something the country does. It only hurts the economy and makes our many industries less competitive. Anytime someone goes to college in this country it actually costs taxpayers money. Why pay to have people educated in this country, then deport them to their home countries? It just does not make ﬁnancial sense. In an April 21 column in The University Star, Erica Rodriguez told the story of an illegal immigrant who attends Texas State. She works, goes to school and pays taxes. However, she cannot get scholarships or ﬁnancial aid. These are the people the Dream Act could help. Hardworking people who are as American as the next-door neighbor, yet live in fear of deportation. It does not make sense to harm the economy and make people live in fear. If there is one thing the history of America has taught, it is hardworking, intelligent people make the country great. There is no reason to assume those qualities are exclusive to natural-born citizens. One argument cited against illegal aliens is it is unfair to those who came to the country by working in the system. It is true people should not break the law, but it hardly seems right that people who were 15 years old or younger when they came to this country should be held accountable for what their parents did, especially if they have been productive in college or the military. The Dream Act is not a solution to the immigration debate. However, it is a step in the right direction. People come to this country to see their children have better lives, and The Dream Act ensures that is not done in vain. People who can improve America should not live in fear, and those same people are the ones we should embrace — not push away. People come to the United States because it is truly a land of opportunity, but if immigration policy continues down the path it has been, it might not be forever.

INVESTMENT

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 UniversitySan Marcos.

Conservatives labeled as ‘extremists’

NATHAN SELTZER

Star Columnist

According to the Department of Homeland Security, I am a right-wing extremist. That’s right — little old Nate is harboring beliefs that present a clear and present danger to the security of the United States. Well, they didn’t name me exactly, but according to an article on Foxnews.com, Janet Napolitano, the Director of the department, released a memo that assumes right-wing extremism is set to surge and law enforcement should be on the alert. The causes for this urgent bulletin include the election of the first black president, illegal immigration and the economic downturn. Returning military veterans, like my brother, are especially susceptible to recruitment. Thanks for the tip, Janet. I’ll get right on recruiting him. Just to be clear, Homeland Security is not worried about closing the border to illegal immigrants. It is worried about what we think about those immigrants. They are not interested in “right-wing” solutions to the economic crisis, but ways to label us as potential terrorists for thinking differently from the president. And obviously any right-winger who doesn’t like the president’s agenda is only finding reasons to nitpick as a cover for our real motive: he’s black. Napolitano has since apologized for the statement, but the cat is out of the bag. We right-wingers just caught a glimpse of what our government thinks of us. I hope no one reading this attended a tea party demonstration recently, as you are now probably on a terror-watch list. We conservatives are constantly throwing wrenches in the works of big government when it tries to stick its fat nose into our daily lives, and apparently it is becoming a threat to this country. I submit that the threat to this country is not from us, but from the big, fat nose of government. Our government is increasingly treating us like helpless children who must be protected, coddled and burped before bedtime. The government interventions are too numerous to list, but I’ll touch on a few highlights. The Legislature approving steroid tests for high school athletes, is Zach Ashburn/Star Illustration now considering bills to restrict teen use of tanning salons, raise the legal smoking age to 19, ban trans fats in restaurant foods and raise the “sin” tax on strip clubs. This is in addition to efforts across the country to restrict gun ownership, and nationwide laws requiring things like wearing seat belts in cars. These nanny state politicians must have horrifying nightmares about what terrible things we would do to ourselves if not for their chivalry. Apparently, if not for their It was not Homeland Secuprotection, I would be tremenrity’s intent to cause suspicion dously obese and, as a result, toward our former troops. The department employs thousands would have a massive coronary while driving to a strip club. of veterans and was merely I would lose consciousness, warning that if someone with military training were to initiate swerve into a wall and be ejected because I wasn’t wearan attack at home, the consequences could be more serious ing a seatbelt. As I flew over a high school’s football field, than if the attack was planned my sidearm would accidentally by someone who knows little discharge, killing one player about weaponry. and sending the rest into a Instead of becoming out“’roid-rage” against the cheerraged Homeland Security isleaders, who all have skin and sued such a report, we should lung cancer anyway. be relieved our government Luckily, the Texas legislature is taking precautions against violence at home. I think I’m a has foreseen just such an eventuality and saved my life so that little happier with my governI can recruit military veterans ment knowing they don’t want into my extremist organization. me to be killed by anyone — Thanks guys. American or not.

Homeland Security protects Americans by warning against extremist groups By Kaycee Toller Guest Columnist Students who have questioned the importance of history classes are given the same response. History tends to repeat itself, and we must learn from past mistakes to prevent them from happening again. Unfortunately, critics of the Department of Homeland Security’s report warning against right-wing extremist groups may have slept though their history classes. The nine-page report was distributed to law enforcement agencies across the country. It warned that the current economic conditions and a black president, as well as the debate on immigration and ﬁrearms restriction, could

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fuel rapid growth of right-wing extremist groups. Critics of the report entail that it unnecessarily targets conservatives and veterans. According to CNN, Rush Limbaugh said the report “portray(s) standard, ordinary, everyday conservatives as posing a bigger threat to this country than al Qaeda terrorists.” Unless Limbaugh is insinuating ordinary conservatives are all members of violent extremist groups, he knows they are not the targets of the report. The Department of Homeland Security is on the lookout for terrorism, not conservatism. Homeland Security should be applauded for the report rather than chastised. Americans need to be reminded terrorists

come from all ethnic and racial backgrounds and all areas of the globe. The report should have been a wake-up call to critics like David K. Rehbein, whose response to the report was “It is important for all of us to remember Americans are not the enemy. The terrorists are.” People just can’t accept terrorists can also be white folks who were born and raised in the United States. If someone uses violence or threatens to accomplish political goals, he or she is a terrorist. Rehbein and others need to understand this includes Americans. It is Homeland Security’s job to keep us safe within our borders. Noticing historical trends and

Editor In Chief.............................Scott Thomas, stareditor@txstate.edu Letters....................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor............................Amanda Venable, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor...................Brett Thorne, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.......................Krista Almazan, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor....................................Karen Wang, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor....................................Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu

warnings of possible threats to our safety seems like a proactive way to protect Americans. Hitler rose to power in a time of economic trouble. An economic recession in the ’90s fueled tremendous growth of extremist action. Unemployment and home foreclosures could cause extremist groups to take action in the near future. Hopefully, with adequate warning, law enforcement will be able to prevent attacks before innocent people are hurt. The report expressed concerns some veterans may be active in extremist groups after returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. I will admit that the claims seem harsh against people who have risked their lives to serve our country.

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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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Trends the university star

hardtimes

6 - Tuesday, April 28, 2009

General Motors and the Dow Jones are not the only institutions hit by the downturn in the economy. The long arm of the economic depression has reached seminal British rock artists like Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Elton John. McCartney saw his fortune lose $88 million since last year. McCartney will not be applying for government assistance or standing in soup lines any time soon. The former Beatles music empire is still valued at nearly $650 million. Jagger lost 16 percent of his fortune to end at $278 million. John’s personal wealth has been cut by more than a quarter to end at $256 million.

Trends Contact — Brett Thorne, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Choreographer’s Showcase exhibits modern, folk, jazz By Morgan Wilson Features Reporter

Jacqueline Terriault, mathematics freshman, said she felt a wide range of emotions while watching the dancers. “‘Dollirious’ was cool,” Terriault said. “It was a different take on dolls. It started out happy, transferred into evil and then happy ending again. It just reminded me that everything isn’t always good.” This year’s themes reflect subjects like life, love and war. “Because I love to dance, I came. I wish I could be a dance major, but I like speech pathology more,” Wilson said. Hernandez said the showcase

continue doing it.” Terriault said she especially enjoyed the grace with which the Texas State’s advanced dance dancers moved. students displayed their choreo“Overall, I think the showcase graphing abilities Thursday and was worth the two hours,” she Friday in the Jowers Center, stusaid. “I got to peddle through many dio 178B. The Choreographer different feelings and emotions. It Showcase sponsored by the demade me just want to dance when partment of theater and dance feait was over.” tured 17 student-choreographed Wilson said as a dancer, she pieces varying in genre. knows performers are their own “The one that spoke to me the harshest critics. Wilson had a hard most was ‘Resolution,’” said Sentime judging the dancers from a eca Wilson, pre-communication strictly technical perspective. disorder sophomore. “It was re“As a dancer myself, I look at all ally emotional, especially with the the technical stuff,” Wilson said. closing pose.” “Because the music, the lighting The dance ended with the perand the choreography all went so former’s back to the audience well together, I didn’t have time to while wearing a shirt that read focus on the technicalities.” “Resolution?” Wilson said studio 178B has “Plus, I knew the song, so I was now been transformed to a “procurious to see how the dancers fessional auditorium.” would incorporate a more hip-hop “This event brings together stusong with modern dance moves,” dents and teachers from across Wilson said. the board who share a passion for The Choreographer’s Showdance,” Wilson said. case covered the major genres of Hernandez said it is clear how dance, such as modern, folk and committed the dancers are to Alyssa Scavetta/Star photo jazz. Varying in taste of music and their choreography. She said with DAY AT THE RIVER: Riverfest 2009 brings in Texas State students to celebrate the end of the semes—Jacqueline Terriault complexity, some pieces required this being her first year, she is ex- ter with food, games, and live music on Friday at Sewell Park. a different disposition than othcited about the future programs mathematics freshman ers. organized by the department of “I can’t remember what it was inspired her to consider dance as a theater and dance. called, but I loved the piece with major, even though right now she “I think it’s cool these dancers the dancers dressed in all white,” is only in the beginning stages. have shown dedication to their said Dionisia Hernandez, pre-mass “Well, I’m taking a ballet class craft,” she said. “It is easy to see communication freshman. “They now outside of school just to learn that they are really perfecting were great. Plus it just seemed a little bit,” Hernandez said. “I their skills. I can’t wait until next so emotional. I loved the fact that wanted to come and see what it semester so I can see everything By Mike Patterson mass communication senior. “I just heard about it from they tried something different and would look like if I continued to the dance department has to disFeatures Reporter Preparations for the event a friend and decided to come came from the audience.” take classes. I like it, so I might play.” started last November. SACA out. It’s definitely fun so far,” Smiles and swimsuits abound- began by distributing a ques- she said. ed April 23 at Texas State’s an- tionnaire to students asking The Expendables began as a nual Riverfest. what theme they would like. teenage band of friends in high Riverfest is an event put on Riverfest has had musical school. The band consists of every spring by SACA. Rosie’s guests from county, rock, rap Adam Patterson on drums, Raul Pizza provided free food and and pop genres. Bianchi on lead guitar, Ryan Dedrinks. Venders ranging from “We wanted this time to ask Mars on bass and singer Geoff Rukus Board Shop to face the students what they wanted Weers. painters and caricaturists were to hear, and that led us to (the “In the beginning when we selling and giving away their bands we chose),” said Nelly were just getting started, we wares. SACA arranged to have Chavez, Riverfest staff and were nobodies, so that meant we a climbing wall, as well as in- SACA member. were expendable,” Weers said. flatable games such as “BlowThe concert began at 6 p.m. The band has a wide range of up Bungee” and “Gladiators,” Texas State’s Battle of the Bands influences from a list of Pantera provided by Parties, Picnics winner, 46, took the stage with and Metallica to the Police and and Promotions. Additionally, audience applause and head Bob Marley. The Expendables three bands, 46, 11 Fingered banging. The homegrown rock have four albums, which were Charlie and The Expendables, band got approval for their drum available at the concert. took the stage. and guitar solos from the grow“‘Sacrifice’ is all about the “There were between 3,000 ing crowd of listeners. Also hail- sacrifices you have to make as and 5,000 students attending. ing from San Marcos, Eleven a performer, and especially as This year’s musical theme is Fingered Charlie followed and a band, like the long road trips rock and reggae,” said Jill Brown- filled the night air with slow and nights away from home,” field, Riverfest coordinator. rhythmic reggae. The Expend- Patterson said. Students came to Sewell Park ables, hailing from Santa Cruz, The concert ended after 11 for one last hoorah before finals Calif., had fans in the audience. p.m., and the bands said they Tina Phan/Star photo week. Maria Bonaparte, nursing would be open to the possibility MEANINGFUL MOVEMENTS: Students from the department of theater and dance in the Advanced “This is our last chance for us to sophomore, was giving away free of future performances here at Choreography class demonstrated their dance moves Friday at the Choreographers’ Showcase in Jowers. get our kicks in,” said Brownfield, caricatures during the event. Texas State.

“O

verall, I think the showcase was worth the two hours...It made me just want to dance when it was over.”

One last hoorah before finals Riverfest brings variety of music genres to event

Fine Arts Calendar Tuesday Thesis Exhibition II, all day, Joann Cole Mitte Bethany Raynes Junior Violin Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall Laura Wood Sr. Violin Recital, 9 p.m., Recital Hall “Foxtales,” 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center Wednesday Thesis Exhibition II, all day, Joann Cole Mitte Piano Studio Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall Symphonic Winds Concert, 8 p.m., Evans Auditorium “Foxtales,” 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center

Thursday Thesis Exhibition II, all day, Joann Cole Mitte Ninth Annual Spring Public Speaking Festival GO 2, 2 p.m., Centennial Hall Comm Club Party, 3 p.m., Sewell Park Jimmy Smith Junior Guitar Recital, 6 p.m., Recital Hall Elizabeth Krajewski Senior and Tristi Gillean Junior Voice Recital, 7 p.m., Recital Hall Concert Band Concert, 8 p.m., Evans Auditorium “Foxtales,” 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center Friday

Thesis Exhibition II, all day, Joann Cole Mitte Mysterium for Modern Music Composition, 8 p.m., Recital Hall “Foxtales,” 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center Saturday Thesis Exhibition II, all day, Joann Cole Mitte Jamie Posey Junior Voice Recital, 11 a.m., Recital Hall Cello Studio Recital, 2 p.m., Recital Hall Flute Studio Recital, 4 p.m., Recital Hall Eric Peterson Piano Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall “Foxtales,” 7:30 p.m., Theatre Center

Sunday Nick Garcia Junior Guitar Recital, 10 a.m., Recital Hall Matthew O’Neill Senior Guitar Recital, 11 a.m., Recital Hall Jake Ramirez Senior Guitar Recital, 12 p.m., Recital Hall Viola Studio Recital, 2 p.m., Recital Hall Wind Ensemble Concert, 3 p.m., Evans Auditorium Flute Studio Recital, 4 p.m., Recital Hall Patricia Ruiloba Graduate Cello Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall “Foxtales,” 2 p.m., Theatre Center

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Trends

The University Star - 7

Electronic waste increases with environmental harms By George Bryson McClatchy Newspapers

Standing in the bed of a pickup truck backed against the concrete ledge of the dump, the silhouette of an adult male teeters for a moment, a small but bulky television set held overhead. Then like some Pleistocene hunter, he thrusts his body forward and lets the TV fly. It clears the ledge with feet to spare and crashes on the concrete floor. Later its shattered remains will be bulldozed into a large pile, bound for the Anchorage, Ala., landfill. Scenes like that, municipal waste workers say, are getting repeated more often these days as residents — prompted by a national deadline to switch to digital TV technology — choose to replace their old sets with new ones. Alaskans, however, unlike Americans in most states, have a choice of how to dispose of their old TVs. They can recycle them, or they can toss them in the dump. It’s illegal to throw bulky old computers or pre-digital TVs in a local landfill in some states, like Washington, Oregon and California. Why? Because they’re toxic. The cathode-ray tubes inside their monitors are heavily enameled with lead, which can cause Photo courtesy of Akira Suwa/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT irreversible neurological damage to humans. WOEFUL WASTE: For the second year in a row, the amount of waste generated in the TVs and electronic waste in United States has gone down, according to a new report from the consulting firm Waste general take up a lot of space at Business Journal. the 82-acre Anchorage Regional

Landfill, which opened 22 years ago and is now more than a quarter full. For that reason, let alone the toxicity issue, municipal officials encourage residents to recycle their TVs and other so-called ewaste. “Electronic waste has been increasing exponentially,” said Anchorage Solid Waste Services recycling coordinator Jeanne Carlson. “It’s taking up a lot of room.” Credit the increasingly brief life span of most high-tech products these days. Nationwide, about 250 million computers were expected to grow obsolete between 2004 and 2009, according to the National Safety Council. Now TVs are catching up. When they’re thrown in a landfill, TV tubes invariably break apart and the four to eight pounds of lead lining their backsides tends to get dissolved by snowmelt and rainwater. When landfills have a liner and are mostly capped, as the Anchorage landfill is, water can be kept to a minimum. But it’s impossible to keep the landfill entirely covered. So lead and other heavy metals, including mercury and cadmium, bleed through the soil in a solution that pools on top the landfill’s plastic floor. Six to seven times each weekday, workers pump the polluted water from a landfill lagoon into 6,000-gallon tanker trucks and haul it to an Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility sewage

receiving station. About 39,000 gallons arrive there each weekday, said AWWU assistant general manager Brett Jokela. At the station, which is no more than a manhole, the lead in the solution enters the city sewage stream, blending with wastewater from household toilets and sinks as it begins its journey to the Asplund Wastewater Treatment Facility — on a bluff overlooking Cook Inlet. But what happens to all that television lead? Last year about two-thirds of it settled to the bottom of the sewage treatment pond as sludge, Jokela said. The rest dissolved into a lead solution and passed through the system, entering Cook Inlet at a negligible concentration of 2.8 micrograms per liter — well within the EPA-allowed standard of 8.1 micrograms of lead per liter. But don’t be so sure that what’s inside the dump is going to stay in the dump, says New York journalist Elizabeth Royte, author of “Garbage Land,” which documented the notorious Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. Even the best landfill liners in the nation ultimately leak, she says, citing studies by EPA engineers. Then everything inside them that’s still toxic can leak into local streams. Writes Royte: “The dumps of the Roman Empire more than 2,000 years old are still leaching today.”

Actor feels connection with character from new film By Roger Moore The Orlando Sentinel Is there a figure in show business today with more breathtaking ambition than Jamie Foxx? A chart-topping pop star at 41, a “brand name” comedy talent with his own Sirius Satellite Radio channel and an Academy Award winning actor who has parlayed his film stardom into an array of attention-grabbing “for your consideration” performances, Foxx has made more of his Oscar win (for Ray) than most any actor you can name. “The tag line of The Soloist really works for Jamie Foxx,” says Joe Wright, who directed Foxx in the drama about a newspaper reporter and a mentally disturbed musician that opens Friday. “‘You don’t get anywhere without taking some risks.’ Jamie challenges himself, film after film. Not being afraid of failure makes a different sort of actor. Being brave enough to fail is how you get great performances.” Foxx made the leap, as actor and movie star, with 2004’s Collateral. After that, Entertainment Weekly and others could pronounce, “Jamie Foxx has arrived as a movie star.” But fans might have picked up the ambition, the attention to craft, as far back as his deep character turn as trainer and friend to Will Smith’s Muhammad Ali in 2001’s Ali. “I look at Will Smith and think, ‘Wow, he’s got a niche,’“ Foxx says. “Look at Chris Rock. He’s got a niche. What’s my niche? So I see movies like this as a chance to find my niche, character roles. To take somebody on and just dive into the role, disappear if I can.” For The Soloist, Foxx disappears into the chattering, fragile and schizophrenic Nathaniel Ayers, a once-promising musician who went to Juilliard, but whom Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez discovered homeless, living and playing a battered violin on the streets of Los Angeles. “We have even more in common than you might think,” Foxx says of Ayers, whom he observed and secretly camera-phone recorded to get “the syncopation, the rhythm” of his patter, his noeye-contact mannerisms. Foxx said he, like Ayers, “sees music, visualizes it. He is possessed by it, and I am, too. I hear

music and I see a movie in my head. Nathaniel, I think, experiences it in a similar way.” Like Ayers, Foxx was once a promising classical musician who went to college to study music composition. “When I was 18 years old in college somebody slipped me something into my drink. I lost it for like 11 months,” Foxx said. “Paranoid, man, all my childhood fears came back. That’s always been my fear, losing my mind. I played piano to keep myself grounded. A doctor I saw at the time said, ‘Some people get that done to them and never come back.’ But music and friends really helped me through it.” He confessed his fears of mental illness lingered through the filming of The Soloist. If you get too deep into character, he wondered, “Can you catch schizophrenia?” Of course not, “but still, I had to let my mind go to get to that place where he is. I relied a lot on Joe Wright and Robert Downey Jr. at the end of the day to pull me back.” The movie pairs Foxx with one of the few actors who can match him in playing fast patter. Downey and Foxx turned their conversations into improvised duologues — both characters talking at once, neither really listening to the other. “Joe told us ‘I want this to be like music, both guys talking at once — solos, duets, competing melodies, complementing one another.’” Photo courtesy of Francois Duhamel/Courtesy DreamWorks/MCT The Soloist was originally slat- FLYING SOLO: Director Joe Wright and Jamie Foxx discuss a scene on the set of the drama The Soloist. ed for release during last Oscar season, so a late April arrival can’t help but disappoint cast and crew (although the Oscarnominated The Visitor arrived at roughly the same time last year). In any event, Foxx has worn, as he likes to put it, “another coat, another character” for his filmography. “I did this (tribute) for Al Pacino a while back, and we’re looking at clips of his movies, all across his career, the people he played, and you see this variety, all these different people he became,” Foxx marvels. “That’s what you do it for. You don’t do it for the success, the cash, whatever. You do it so you can look back and see, years on, the great characters you’ve brought to life. It’s about who you become and reminiscing over those great parts you got to play when you’re older. That’s my ambition.”

Diversions

8 - The University Star

✯Star Comics

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Family group 5 Imogene of comedy 9 Succeed 14 Widespread 15 Made fun of, in a way 16 Prefix meaning “vinegar” 17 Where the steeple is, vis-à-vis the church 18 Composer Édouard 19 In-your-face challenge 20 Talk aimlessly 23 Parlor piece 24 Opposite of “All rise” 28 Snowfall unit 30 Ex-quarterback Dan 31 Blame someone else 36 Debussy’s sea 37 MD’s calendar listing 38 Traveler’s choice 39 Fluids in shots 40 Brazilian port 41 Dress to impress 45 Space along the page border 47 Chimney sweep’s sweepings 48 Old things 51 Looks shocked, e.g. 55 Pass its peak, slangily, as a TV series 57 Margaret Mead subject 60 Burn a bit 61 Buffalo’s lake 62 Sci-fi staple 63 Aware of 64 Pre-deal payment 65 Rising agent 66 Where Homer drinks Duff Beer 67 Insect repellent ingredient

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively. Solutions for 4/23

Classifieds

4/28/09

By Joy C. Frank

DOWN 1 Boorish 2 Supple 3 What the game is, to Holmes 4 One hiring relatives 5 Pasadena science institute, familiarly 6 Colorful fish 7 Fanzine focus 8 Hacienda brick 9 Dangerous pipe problem 10 Of the eye 11 Lawyer’s charge 12 Place to get bucks fast, briefly 13 Fish eggs 21 It’s pitched by campers 22 “Semper fi” military org. 25 Like Olympic races 26 Año starter 27 Rapper’s cap 29 Oven output 31 Italian city known for its cheese

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

32 Like beehives 33 Baseball or golf 34 Much of an obit 35 Java holders 39 Adjust for daylight-saving time 41 Pleasingly pungent 42 E pluribus __ 43 Bullfighters 44 Cultivation tools

4/28/09

46 Military action toys 49 English Derby site 50 Dictator’s aide 52 Mexican meat 53 Clichéd 54 Shooting contest with traps 56 Despise 57 “By the way ...” 58 Stein filler 59 Actress Farrow

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FOR RENT

1 BEDROOM FULLY FURNiSHED. Cable, internet, water, and w/d included! GL, (512) 878-2233. 334 cRADDOcK. 3BD/2BA with covered parking. $985/ month. Immediate occupancy. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for a showing. 611 BRAcEWOOD. Newly remodeled 2BD/2BAs for $625. Immediate occupancy. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for a showing. 906 N. LBJ TOTALLY REMODELED. Water & trash paid. 2BD/2BA for $850 and 3BD/2BA for $1,050. Walk to campus! Immediate occupancy Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for a showing. ALL BiLLS PAiD, W/D iNcLUDED, ROOMMATE MATcHiNG, PETS WELcOME! $375/month. GL, (512) 878-2233. BRAND NEW PROPERTY! Wood floor, black appliances. Huge closets. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. cHEAP RENT! 1BD/1BA, $425, 500 sq. ft. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. LUXURY 1, 2, 3, 4 BEDROOM. Private shuttle to TxState, most bills paid, furnished w/ TV! GL, (512) 878-2233. MOST AFFORDABLE! 4BD/2BA, $350 pp. Other floorplans available too! Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. NOW PRE-LEASiNG! Sagewood, Crest, Cedar Grove, and Conway Duplexes. Hundreds of homes, duplexes, and condos to choose from. Prime Property Management, (512) 878-1792.

FOR RENT

FOR RENT-APTS

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FOR RENT-APTS $50 DEPOSiT & $200 OFF 1ST MONTH. 1BD/1BA, $550. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123. 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. $199 move-in special includes application/deposit/1st month’s rent! GL, (512) 878-2233. 1 BEDROOM APT. $550/MO. Very nice clean property, on bus route, near shopping. This is a terrific space! Call Living Solutions (512) 757-8900. 1-3BD APARTMENTS NEXT TO c cAMPUS. MOVE IN FOR MAY and AUGUST. $340-$630/mo. Includes internet, cable, gas, water, garbage, beautiful wooden floors. Roommate matching available. (512) 618-1843. 2BD/2BA APT. $560/PERSON. Really cool roommate floorplan! Awesome newer property with all the extras. Big rooms, private baths, walk-in closets and beautiful Hill Country views. Call Living Solutions (512) 757-8900. 4BD/4BA, $435/PERSON!! Includes all bills except electricity. Very cool property with a great pool and all the amenities. Call Living Solutions (512) 757-8900. APARTMENTS FROM $425/MO. Central location. (512) 353-5051.

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FOR RENT-cONDOS/ TOWNHOMES $800 PRE-LEASE TODAY FOR 5/20 OR 8/20/09! 2BD/2.5BA townhouse 1,000 sq. ft., 3 blocks from TxState, small, clean & quiet community. Free HBO, free internet, W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com or (512) 396-4181.

FOR RENT-cONDOS/ TOWNHOMES 1 & 2 BEDROOM TOWNHOMES, cable/internet paid, 1/2 month rent FREE! $533/month. GL, (512) 878-2233. 2 BEDROOM TOWNHOMES! No more neighbors above or below. Flexible lease terms! $99 application/deposit. GL, (512) 878-2233. 2BD/2.5BA TOWNHOME. Cable and internet paid, w/d included, walk to campus. May move-in. GL, (512) 878-2233. TOWNHOMES AVAiLABLE! $625+ w/d included. Apartment Experts, (512) 805-0123.

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HELP WANTED

NEED FUN UPBEAT SWiM TEAcHERS. New Braunfels. June & July. Mon.-Thurs., 3:30-6:30pm. Will certify. Email: contactus@swimcentex.com NOW HiRiNG FOR SPRiNG AND SUMMER POSiTiONS. Apply in person at Wonder World Park. 1000 Prospect Street. (512) 392-3760. SAN MARcOS LiONS cLUB TUBE RENTAL in the City Park needs sales clerks, tube handlers, drivers for 2009 summer season, May-September. Open weekends in May, 7 days/week JuneAugust, weekends in September. Fun job! Apply at: www.tubesanmarcos.com

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The University Star - 9

Sports the university star

primeposition The Texas State baseball team is ranked No. 26 in the Collegiate Baseball poll released Monday. It is the highest ranking ever for the team, as it was put in the No. 30 spot in March 2007. The Bobcats also received votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Rivals.com polls.

10 - Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Sports Contact — Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu

Baseball winning streak continues By Joseph O. Garcia Sports Reporter

The Texas State baseball team owns a 12-game winning streak including a sweep over the McNeese State Cowboys Friday to Sunday. The Bobcats won 9-4 Friday. Kyle Kubitza, freshman infielder, went 2-for-4 with a pair of tworun homers. Kane Holbrooks, senior pitcher, earned his ninth win of the season. Other contributors to the victory included Tyler Sibley, freshman outfielder, who hit his seventh home run of the season with a solo shot on two outs, and Ben Theriot, junior catcher, who went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored. Holbrooks held the Cowboys to two runs on eight hits while striking out six batters. “Kane did another fantastic job for us, and Kubitza had some big hits,” said Coach Ty Harrington. The Cowboys were up 2-1 in the third inning in game two Saturday before the Bobcats responded in their half of the inning. Keith Prestridge, junior outfielder, hit a two-run homer to left field. McNeese State tied the game at 5 in the fifth inning with a two-run homer to left field by Andy Riche’, McNeese State outfielder. The Bobcats took back the lead when it was their turn to bat in the fifth inning. Sibley

knocked in his eighth home run of the season. The three-run homer was part of a six-run, fivehit inning for the Bobcats. Texas State led 11-5 after five innings. An RBI double from Spenser Dennis, senior outfielder, pushed Paul Goldschmidt, junior infielder, across the plate for the final run of the afternoon, giving Texas State the 16-6 victory in seven innings. Zach Tritz, senior pitcher, was credited with his sixth win of the season. “I thought he (Tritz) showed a lot of guts and courage because they can really hit,” Harrington said. The sweep was completed Sunday. Brian Borski, sophomore pitcher, obtained the first complete game in his career and earned his fifth win of the season. Texas State scored runs in every inning Sunday for a 15-2 victory. It was the Bobcats’ fourth 10-run rule victory of the season. The Cowboys scored first with an unearned run in the first inning. Dennis answered in the bottom half with an RBI single through the left side to tie the game. McNeese State, down 2-1, tied the game in the top of the third with an RBI single. The tie was broken in the third inning when Laurn Randall, junior outfielder, and Kyle Livingstone, junior infielder, hit back-to-back home runs to give

the Bobcats a 4-2 lead. “Offensively there are moments when this team really gets going,” Harrington said. “If you make some mistakes, they will hit you.” Borski closed out the game on the mound, allowing just two hits over the next four innings and did not allow a McNeese State base runner to move past first base. The Bobcats added three runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings and tacked on five runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win. Dennis went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. Bret Atwood, sophomore outfielder, went 3-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to 15 consecutive games. Texas State improves to 3110 on the season and 18-5 in Southland Conference play. McNeese State drops to 19-21 and 8-16, respectively. “We talk about each game, and we don’t go beyond it,” Harrington said. “Our focus has been about the moment in each game. They buy into what they are trying to do right now and they believe that they want to do something (special).” The Bobcats will play the Texas Longhorns Tuesday in Austin. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. “They will be ready to play,” Harrington said. “That place creates so much adrenaline and excitement.”

Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo

STUPORBOWL SUNDAY: Michael Rowe, manufacturing technogoloy senior, of the Unicycos, aka “Turbo VanWinkle,” and Tor Greisen of the Gnarwhals, aka “Bjorn,” struggle for the ball in the Stuperbowl Sunday. The Unicycos won 20-18 at the Tantra Coffeehouse.

Unicycos win ‘neck-to-neck’ league Stuperbowl against Gnarwahls Austin Byrd/Star photo

HOT HANDS: Spencer Dennis, senior outfielder, Bret Atwood, sophomore outfielder, and Ben Theriot, junior catcher, contributed to the Bocbats’ seven-inning victory over McNeese Saturday. Texas State swept the three-game series against the Cowboys during the weekend.

Bobcats win regular season title for Southland Conference By Blake Barington Sports Reporter Alex Newton, senior shortstop, led the Texas State softball team to the Southland Conference regular season championship Sunday with her first-inning home run against Stephen F. Austin. The Bobcats lost the first game 2-0, but came back to win the last two games of the series 3-2 and 1-0, respectively. Jenna Emery, sophomore third baseman, caught a hard-hit ball that came right to her, then tagged the runner out at third in the first inning. Ryan Kos, senior second baseman, was the first Bobcat to get on base, drawing a walk in the bottom of the second inning. However, the Bobcats’ first hit did not come until the sixth inning when Newton hit a line drive to Monika Covington, SFA pitcher, who was unable to throw the ball to first for the out. Chandler Hall, freshman pitcher, walked after Newton’s single, putting runners on first and second base. However, the Bobcats were unable to score any runs. SFA pulled ahead in the seventh inning after a close play at third base. Emery attempted to tag the SFA runner going to third after Jessica Arana, SFA shortstop, singled to left centerfield. The runner was called safe, putting players on the

second and third bases. SFA led Texas State 2-0 in the middle of the seventh inning. “He (the umpire) said we bobbled the ball,” said Coach Ricci Woodard. The Bobcats put runners on first and second base in the bottom of the seventh inning after McKenzie Baack, sophomore first baseman, was hit by a pitch and Lacey Duncan, junior outfielder, walked. Emery hit a foul ball behind home plate in the second game of the series. The catcher assisted the SFA first baseman while Taylor Hall, senior outfielder, tagged third base and scored. Newton would tag second base and advance to third while T. Hall scored. Newton then tagged third and scored. The Bobcats led 2-0 after two SFA errors. The Lumberjacks tied the score in the top of the sixth inning after Ashley Struchtemeyer, SFA second baseman, hit a homer that passed the left centerfield wall, scoring two runs. The game was tied at 2 after six innings. T. Hall answered in the top of the seventh inning with a single. C. Hall would reach first base on an error by the SFA second baseman, moving T. Hall to second. T. Hall scored after Emery flied out deep to centerfield, giving the Bobcats the lead and

the win 3-2. The Bobcats needed one more conference win Sunday to claim the regular season SLC title. Newton scored the Bobcats’ only run in the first inning to win the game. Texas State became the first team in the SLC to clinch a spot in the conference tournament. C. Hall got her 20th win on the mound Sunday with three strikeouts. Hall currently leads the SLC in ERA with 0.55. Texas State moves to 34-15 on the season and 21-7 in SLC play. SFA fell to 27-24 and 16-11, respectively. The Bobcats will face North Texas 6 p.m. Thursday at Bobcat Field. The Mean Green are currently 25-26 on the season. Texas State will return to SLC action 6 p.m. May 2 against Sam Houston State in Huntsville. Coach Ricci Woodard said the team needs to improve on hitting to finish out the season well. “We need to come out and swing at good pitches,” Woodard said.

✯FYI The Texas State softball team still has eight conference games left to play before the SLC tournament. The tournament will take place May 7 to May 9 in Lake Charles, La. and will determine which team receives a bid to the NCAA Regional.

By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter The Unicycos and the firstplace Gnarwahls faced off in the third Unicycle Football League Stuperbowl Sunday. The game took place at Tantra Coffeehouse and marked the second consecutive meeting in the Stuperbowl for the two teams. The Unicycos won the game and sported their championship bolo ties. However, the Gnarwahls battled hard, resulting in a close score of 20-18. “Last time, we stomped them (the Gnarwahls),” said Michael Rowe, manufacturing technology senior, aka Unicycos quarterback, Turbo Van Winkle. “This year it wasn’t as easy. We are very lucky we pulled this one out. It was neck-to-neck the entire time. The intensity of the game has gotten way crazier as it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Dudes are jumping off their rides and dive tackling. The flags are like invisible now. It’s great.” Turbo Van Winkle was named MVP of the Stuperbowl for the second consecutive year. He scored a touchdown and threw for two more. He scored five touchdowns in the Unicycos’ defeat against the Gnarwahls in last year’s championship game. “It feels great (winning MVP twice),” Rowe said. “(It) makes me glad that I learned to ride a unicycle.” The match began with a man wearing a Scottish kilt playing “American Glory” from his bagpipes. The man would wander to the middle of the playing field and play a tune after each touchdown. The Gnarwahls struck first with an over-the-shoulder touchdown snag by Slim Jim, giving them a 6-0 lead. The Unicycos came back as El Jefe made a leaping touchdown catch. The Unicycos took

their first lead at 8-6 after Turbo Van Winkle converted the extra point. Slim Jim had three interceptions on the day. Slim Jim had one-on-one coverage on El Jefe as Turbo Van Winkle floated a pass in toward the end zone. Slim Jim leaped from his unicycle, caught the ball and regained his balance on the unicycle. He pushed El Jefe out of the way and pedaled almost the entire length of the playing field as he tauntingly held the ball behind him, strolling into the end zone. The Gnarwahls had a 12-8 lead after a missed point and a touchdown. El Jefe caught another touchdown pass from Turbo Van Winkle, giving the Unicycos a 14-12 lead at halftime. The halftime show started with songs by Unsurpassed Profit, but it ended with a crowdpleasing and jaw-dropping BMX freestyle show by The Austin Flatland Crew. Six riders from all over Texas showed off their skills with bunny hops and dizzying spin moves. Chris Balles, Texas Flatland promoter, was among members of the crew. “I’m a San Marcos native. I was born and raised here,” Balles said. “(Austin Flatland Crew) is from all over this state, representing our hometowns. We got guys from here (San Marcos) Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.” Balles said the Austin Flatland Crew competes in freestyle competition throughout Texas, the United States and other countries. “We’ve had guys get the chance to compete in Amsterdam and places like that,” Balles said. “Flatlands is getting global. Watch out for us Flatlanders.” Turbo Van Winkle found the end zone at the beginning of the third quarter as the Unicycos took a 20-12 lead. Neither

team would score until minutes left in the fourth quarter. A long pass popped out of Slim Jim’s hands on third down and 15 yards, and into the hands of his teammate Kenny Skrobanek, geography graduate student, better known as “Baby Punch,” who pedaled 20 more yards for what appeared to be the game-tying touchdown. However, on the ensuing extra-point attempt, one of the Uni-Brawdz, the UFL’s cheerleading squad, moved her arm during the kick, acting as a goalpost, making the ball go through the uprights. A controversial call was made after minutes of discussion, and the Gnarwahls’ point was no good. Time finally ran out after back-to-back interceptions, and the Unicycos were crowned the kings of UFL once again. “This stuff is just so amazing,” said Bear Byrd, owner of High Life Glass Works. “I love coming out here to watch these kids because most of them are my customers that I see in the shop. It’s great for San Marcos, too. It shows off our creativity and that we’re not just some old Texas town.” Byrd discussed creating and sponsoring a team to compete last season, but was unable to find sufficient riders for his squad. “The guys I wanted are another team, but I won’t say who,” Byrd said. However, like other local business owners, Byrd has toyed with the option of sponsoring an already-formed team. Most teams currently have sponsors. However, the very first UFL team, the Hotdogs, do not have a sponsor. “These dudes need pads and helmets and stuff to compete and a lot of them are just kids that can’t afford that stuff,” Byrd said. “I would absolutely be interested in sponsoring a team.”

The University Star

Published on Apr 28, 2009

04 28 2009

Published on Apr 28, 2009

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