6 | Wednesday June 27, 2012 | The University Star
OPINIONS
For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu
Boiler fine reveals need for greater attention to procedure
Kara Ramer, Star Illustrator
F
rustration should be boiling over in the wake of Texas State’s embarrassing oversight, which cost multiple people their jobs and the school more than $17,000. According to information from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas State was fined $17,150 for two offenses. The first was failing to notify the TCEQ before two new water boilers were operational. The second was failing to perform an official compliance test after the boilers were installed on campus. The new boilers were put into place after a boiler went out and left the residence halls without hot water for two weeks in the winter of 2009. Texas State officials need to ensure that proper procedures and designated tests for campus projects are successfully completed. The employees working on the boiler at the Cogeneration Power and Chill Plant should have better communication skills, proper incident training and knowledge on the TCEQ policies. These improvements would ensure an official boiler test and report do not slip through the cracks again.
Although the university’s lapse did not pollute the air, the fine by the TCEQ is still damaging. Since the plant employees failed to test the boilers and sample the air emissions, a few of the workers have retired, resigned or been fired from their positions. According to a June 27 University Star article, some of the employees had additional violations in the past. Small operational oversights do happen, but a fine of this scale could have been avoided by ensuring that reliable and trained officials are on hand at the plant. Money is tight everywhere at the university level, and the $17,000 fine from the utility operating budget would have been better served easing strain elsewhere. Members of the custodial staff may soon be working night hours and cleaning more buildings filled with more people than ever, and that money may have helped ease the burden on them. The university cannot go back and undo the past. Lessons need to be learned from errors. Although no student tuition and fees went to pay the $17,150 fine, the utility operating budget felt the burden financially. The boiler incident should be an example of why Texas State should tighten up its relationship with the TCEQ. The university needs to make sure designated plant employees are aware and on
the same page about the regulated boiler standards. Almost 100 other entities were also fined by the TCEQ, according to the same May 30 TCEQ violation report. Dow Chemical Company in Brazoria County was given a $207,378 fine for five reporting violations and one related to exceeding annual allowable emission rates. Texas State has no excuse for environmental violations given the significance of the San Marcos community, even when $17,150 seems a small price to pay when compared to other’s fines. The university is surrounded by precious natural resources such as the Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos River. Because of this, extra preparation should always be taken with campus boilers to keep the community as eco-friendly as possible.
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 UniversitySan Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
Advice for incoming freshmen: enjoy, learn
By Ariella Hannon Opinions Columnist
T
here are a few important pieces of advice that every college freshman should know when transitioning from high school to a big university. As a junior this year, I personally wish someone had passed this advice on to me. Stay true to yourself, be open to opportunities around you, and never abuse the freedom college brings. Many people say who you become in college is who you will be for the rest of your life. While I don’t think that is completely true, the person you were in high school is not who you are anymore. You will grow as a person with everything you experience in
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life, as long as you remain true to yourself. People can get wild in college – you might participate in activities you never thought of, but your personal standards should not be lowered by the change surrounding you. With all the adjustments occurring, there will be a plethora of new opportunities including studying abroad, internships, jobs and professor-student bonds. Although you may have never considered participating in those activities and fostering those relationships before, do it. If you visit another country and immerse yourself in its culture, you will not regret a dime. Get to know your professors, because someday you might need them for a letter of recommendation, a job or a friendship. If you have a 30-minute commute to get to an unpaid internship, do not fret. You got experience from the internship and something to add to a commendable résumé. Do not worry about money or the debt you might get in during the next four years. You are probably going to have debt, but you will pay it off eventually. Worrying about money adds stress, and finals and midterms are bad enough. If there is an opportunity, take it. Regret will be worse than
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paying off debt. Most importantly, handling increased responsibility is what every parent worries about when a child moves away to college. Being able to take care of yourself for the first time without having to answer to anyone is a lot of responsibility. No one is there to clean up after you or tell you when to go to bed. Living on your own is awesome, but be wise in your decisions. Eating habits in college are horrible and sleeping habits are even worse. Classes are the most important aspect of college – the whole college experience is a plus. Have fun, but think about your future as well. Four years goes by fast. Enjoy what you can, and accomplish what you want to do. There is a lot of important information to know about college. Learn what you can on your own, and listen when someone with experience teaches you. Orientation may not be your idea of a fun weekend, but the university staff has important information you need to consider. No matter what, be who you are, do not worry about money, and take the opportunity to learn what you can and cannot do. Good luck!
The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, June 27, 2012. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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