07 11 2007

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Grades are in for Texas Teams SEE SPORTS PAGE 12

SUMMER GETS

TRENDS PAGE 7

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

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JULY 11, 2007

WEDNESDAY

VOLUME 96, ISSUE 82

ASG’s acquisition of student service fee funds in question Investigation backs removal of former ASG president

By Nick Georgiou News Editor

Three pieces of legislation requesting student service fee allocations totaling $40,000 were approved by a committee in May despite not being properly processed.

The legislation, passed by the Associated Student Government senate during the spring semester, was never forwarded to the dean’s office, which goes against protocol, said John Garrison, associate vice president of student affairs and student service fee committee chair.

The legislation is given to the dean’s office so they

can send it to the appropriate channels of the administration to be reviewed. The allocation requests would then eventually make it to a student service fee subcommittee, who would suggest their opinion and send a report to the larger committee.

But this never happened.

Instead, Garrison said the proposals were brought directly to the student service fee committee by cochair and then-ASG President Kyle Morris. “(Morris) cited the fact that the legislation had been passed on those items and that they were bringing them to the committee,” Garrison said.

The student service fee committee deliberated and approved the allocations, despite the proposals

circumventing the subcommittee.

Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs, said this should not have occurred.

“It passed in the larger group, but when it came up through my office and I met with (University President Denise Trauth), we looked at it and it was clear there was never a request, so we’re not accepting anything that didn’t have an official request to it, and it wasn’t vetted through the proper channels,” Smith said.

Some committee members expressed concern that correct procedure was not followed, Garrison said, but because ASG members, appointed by Morris, serve as See FUNDS, page 4

Decrease in Friday classes approved for fall semester

Monty Marion/Star photo illustration FAREWELL FRIDAYS: Many classrooms will sit empty because a modified scheduling system resulting in fewer Friday classes was approved to go into effect in the fall.

By Alex Hering News Reporter A modified scheduling system involving a decreased number of classes offered on Fridays was approved to take effect this fall.

Michael Heintze, associate vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said he is confident in the new scheduling system and its benefits

to students and faculty.

“In the new class schedule students will have an additional five minutes to get to class,” Heintze said. “(The old system) was making it increasingly difficult for students to take classes and make it to class on time.”

The Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday classes will run on the familiar hour and fifteen minute schedule. Heintze said this scheduling will

create a “rhythm” to the business day.

“This will help continue to standardize class times, which makes it easier for students and faculty to plan their days and also to see students during class hours,” Heintze said. “There is a pattern that the day will follow; it will help the day go smoother for everyone.”

Heintze said he has not seen any

negative reaction from students or faculty about the modified system.

Joanne Smith, vice president for student affairs, said her division will monitor the effect of the new scheduling system on students.

“Hopefully students will decide to stay over the weekend for athletic events and programs being held, but we See FRIDAY, page 4

SHSU students, alumni band together to protect name

By Philip Hadley Assistant News Editor A rumor the Texas State University System Board of Regents wants to rename its institutions prompted Sam Houston State University students and alumni associations to take action to preserve their historic namesake.

The bill that would preserve the name of SHSU became law when Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed it on June 15.

House Bill 1418, which passed in the Texas House with no objection on April 27, and passed the Senate on May 22 uncontested, will prevent the board of regents from changing the name of SHSU. Christopher Whitaker, president of the Student Government Association at SHSU, said Sam Houston represents a deep embedded legacy within the community of Huntsville, as well as the state of Texas.

“Within our community and school we all have a tremendous amount of pride and honor for being the namesake of a founding father of Texas,” Whitaker said. “The students and alumni are very proud of the historical legacy that our school represents, and are grateful to (state) Rep. (Lois) Kolkhorst and (state) Sen. (Steve) Ogden for their support in protecting the name of our school.”

Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, who co-authored the bill, said community support and student concern drove her to see the bill through the House.

“I have heard much concern from students and

Today’s Weather

Scattered Storms 93˚

Precipitation: 30% Humidity: 64% UV: 10+ Extreme Wind: S 8 mph

his was a proactive “T measure meant to give the student body reassurance that the name of their school would not change.”

—Rep. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham

alumni urging me to protect the schools name and its legacy,” Kolkhorst said. “Sam Houston is a very important part of Texas History. He was a founding father of Texas, a signer of the declaration of independence from Mexico and also served as a senator and a governor of Texas. He was very instrumental in Texas becoming part of the United States. It is very important that his namesake, Sam Houston State University, is protected.”

Kolkhorst said while there were no actual plans to change the name of the university, the students desired reassurance.

“This was a proactive measure meant to give the student body reassurance that the name of their school would not change,” Kolkhorst said.

Amy Williams, spokesperson for the Texas State University System, said rumors of a proposed name change of the schools within the system were completely false.

“The rumor that the Texas State University System is planning to change the names of all its colleges is

Two-day Forecast Thursday Partly Cloudy Temp: 92°/ 72° Precip: 10%

Friday Scattered Storms Temp: 92°/ 72° Precip: 40%

absolutely untrue,” Williams said. “This bill was campus driven, which means that the students and the alumni associations banded together to make this bill a law.”

Charles Matthews, chancellor of the Texas State University System, said the board of regents had no plans to change the names of any schools within the system.

“The power to change the name of a Texas public university rests solely with the Texas Legislature,” Matthews said. “Over the past few legislative sessions, the bills we’ve seen associated with the name of a Texas State University System institution have been the product of campus-driven initiatives, and not the Texas State University System or its board of regents.”

In 2003, Texas State changed its name from Southwest Texas State University after student leaders organized a campaign presented to state Sen. John Wentworth who filed the legislation.

Williams said during the legislative process, the board of regents remained evenhanded on the issue.

“The university administration as well as the board of regents remained neutral on the issue throughout committee hearings and legislative floor debate,” Williams said.

Once the bill became law, private donations underwrote the expenses associated with changing the university’s name.

“Sam Houston State University basically did the opposite of what Texas State did,” Williams said. “Texas State’s students and alumni banded together to change their schools name.”

By Nick Georgiou News Editor The university’s investigation into Kyle Morris, former Associated Student Government president, confirmed his ineligibility to serve in office and upheld the administration’s decision to remove him from his position.

Morris was relieved of his duties May 25 after the Dean of Students Office learned of the allegation he did not meet one of the five qualifications to be president.

The removal came six days before his term officially ended.

As set forth by the ASG Constitution, presidents have to be classified as full-time students unless they are in their final semester of study. Morris, however, was not a full-time student in the spring and will not graduate until August.

“The course of the investigation here revealed that the questions and issues raised were valid questions and issues with regard to his eligibility during the spring semester,” said John Garrison, associate vice president for student affairs.

Morris labeled the administration’s action against him as “one big hit job” and an attempt to “micromanage” ASG. “(ASG) had a really productive year and that ruffled some feathers, and so (the administration) feels like they’ve got to reassert their authority so they feel good about themselves,” Morris said. “The only thing they’ve done here is stripped ASG of its ability to regulate itself.”

He said the question regarding his eligibility should have been determined by the ASG Senate or Supreme Court or by the student body. But because ASG is not in session during the summer, Garrison said the administration decided to take action.

“When the court is not in session, the university has the responsibility and the duty to respond,” Garrison said. “The university would very likely have forwarded this matter to the ASG Supreme Court had the court been in session.

“In matters of student government, the university’s preference in student government problem-solving is to let the students resolve the (issue) whenever possible. This was simply a case when a student resolution was not possible because of the timing of the matter.”

Morris does not buy that argument.

“That makes zero sense whatsoever because the U.S. Supreme Court takes breaks and has intermissions and they come back and deal with issues,” he said. “Why couldn’t that have happened with this issue?”

Amanda Oskey, former ASG vice president, said she would have understood the administration’s actions had it been earlier in Morris’ term.

“It just doesn’t make sense to me,” she said.

Morris said he believes no actual investigation took place.

The administration already had its mind made up, he said.

“Who did they talk to? Who did they investigate?” Morris asked. “The last time I talked to anybody about this was May 25.

And that was when supposedly, according to (Smith), before the investigation began. How are

Inside News ........ 1,2,3,4 Opinions ............ 5 Trends ............. 7,8

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

Diversions .......... 9 Classifieds ....... 11 Sports .............. 12

See MORRIS, page 4

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2007 The University Star

NEWS

Page 2 - The University Star

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Storm system moves northeast, Central Texas towns left damaged

By Nick Georgiou News Editor Last summer, Central Texas experienced severe drought conditions. This year, the opposite happened.

“For about 40 days now, there’s been some type of significant rainfall across some part of the state,” said Mark Lenz, National Weather Service meteorologist.

Lenz said an upper level trough of low pressure “meandered” over the state, and when mixed with the moisture, it produced an abundance of rainfall. The upper level trough had nowhere to go because of high pressure to the east and west.

The constant rain and subsequent flooding left in its wake at least 15 deaths, including a 6-year-old boy whose body was found Friday. Property damage is expected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The problem was compounded because, for the first time since 1957, five of the state’s major river basins were at flood stage. Many other rivers, lakes, reservoirs and creeks were filled to their banks. With these conditions, it took only one or two inches of rain to cause flash flooding.

“Recent storms have devastated the communities in Central and North Texas, sadly taking lives, homes and livelihoods,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry in a news release. “State resources and volunteer organizations are on site providing assistance, and we will continue to work with local officials in addressing the needs of these devastated communities.”

Perry issued a disaster declaration for 37 Central Texas counties June 27, which enables residents to apply for various kinds of assistance. Hays County was not included as it managed to escape the brunt of the storms.

“We’ve been wet, there are puddles everywhere, but we haven’t seen the rises of the creeks and rivers that other folks have been seeing,” said Dan O’Leary, San Marcos city manager.

While June is the second wettest month in Central Texas, with an average of about 3 inches of rain, more than six times that amount fell on Marble Falls — in less than 10 hours — causing

extensive flooding and property damage. For about a week, more than 1,200 homes were without water and the storm was estimated to have cost $118 million in damages.

Christina Laine, public information officer for the city of Marble Falls, said about 12 homes were destroyed and approximately 108 residences were affected in one way or another.

“We’re pretty much in the cleanup stage,” Laine said. “Red Cross has closed down their disaster system center.”

She said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Food and Drug Administration toured the area, and the city is awaiting damage assessment reports.

The storm system has now moved to the east, but the puddles and standing water left behind pose another threat to Texans because of the expected outbreak of mosquitoes and the possible spread of malaria.

“We’ve been in these situations before in the past,” O’Leary said. “We know that several days after it stops raining, we suddenly begin to see mosquito problems and we’re expecting that a little bit here.”

The city is recommending residents try to limit the amount of mosquitoes by getting rid of standing water.

According to a city of San Marcos news release, “With heavy rains and recent flooding in parts of Texas, the Texas Department of State Health Services recommends that people take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. All standing water is a possible breeding source for illness-causing mosquitoes. As little as two tablespoons of water is all it takes.”

To combat the mosquito problem, the state health services department suggests using mosquito repellent, making sure doors and windows are properly sealed, mowing the lawn and draining standing water around the home.

Eliminating standing water is one of the more effective ways of combating the mosquito problem because it gets rid of the larvae, according to the city of San Marcos Web site.

As of Monday, chances for scattered and isolated thunderstorms in parts of Texas are in the forecast through next week.

Monty Marion/Star photo WATER LOGGED: Parking lot signs at the Cypress Creek County Park on Lake Travis sit mostly submerged July 8 after heavy rains caused flooding in the area.

Monty Marion/Star photo ROAD BLOCK: FM 2769 leading to Volente Beach on Lake Travis became impassable because of flooding after heavy rains, leaving business and homes unreachable.

NEWS

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Newly-released survey identifies sexual, drug trends

By Laura Morehead News Reporter According to a recent nationwide survey, men have more sexual partners in their lifetime than women and are more likely to do drugs.

The federal government has data documenting 29 percent of American men surveyed saying they have had sex with 15 or more women. However, only 9 percent of women surveyed report having 15 or more male sexual partners.

“Remember that it is still more acceptable for men to have many partners compared to women,” said psychology professor Shirley Ogletree, who teaches a human sexuality class.

“In (my course), I argue that men’s sexual socialization is to be competitive in their sexuality while women are socialized to be sexy, but not sexual…

This may have lead to women underestimating their number of partners and men overestimating their number of partners.”

The study, entitled, “Drug Use and Sexual Behaviors Reported by Adults, United States, 1999-2002,” gathered data from 6,237 people aged 20 to 59. The study was conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, which is a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I think a lot of it is American culture,” said Amanda Flores, 21-year-old San Marcos resident. “Back in biblical

times, men were to have many wives and spread their seed. These days, I think peer pressure plays a bigger role.”

The study reports men have a median of seven female sexual partners in a lifetime. Women were reported as having a median of four male sexual partners.

“Although I wouldn’t completely discount the role of nature, especially since level of testosterone is related to sexual desire in both men and women, I would give a heavier role to socialization for differences in male/female sexuality,” Ogletree said.

The study states: “Use of illicit drugs has been shown to influence sexual behavior and present risk factors

for disease.” According to the study, 26 percent of men were reported to be more likely to have ever tried drugs compared to 17 percent of women.

“Men have been socialized to take more risks than women,” said Julie Eckert, peer education coordinator of the Alcohol and Drug Resource Center at Texas State. “Our culture promotes and rewards men for taking risks and putting themselves in danger. Therefore, we see them suffer more health problems and die at an earlier age than women ... Men are twice as likely than women to be heavy drinkers and to engage in risky behaviors such as abusing drugs and driving without a seatbelt.”

According to the latest National College Health Assessment, approximately

Money talks: Presidential hopefuls spend fortunes to stay in race

By Matt Stearns McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON — Two lessons learned about why money matters to political campaigns can be found by examining Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, outpaced all Republican rivals in amassing campaign cash so far, with a total of $44 million. That includes nearly $9 million of his money. McCain, an Arizona senator, raised $24.8 million over the same period.

The disparity allowed Romney — a little-known oneterm governor of a state considered outside the political mainstream — to vault to front-running status in key early-voting states. And it’s why McCain — an American hero, best-selling author and media darling — struggles to keep his campaign afloat.

Romney used his haul to buy 4,549 television ads through June 10, more than all the other candidates combined, according to a report by The Nielsen Co., which analyzes ad buys.

The ads ran in seven markets, including a torrent of more than 2,000 in Iowa, the site of the influential first-in-the-nation caucuses next Jan. 14. Another 788 ads ran in New Hampshire, where an equally important primary occurs eight days later.

“Romney is pounding news slots and the space

between popular prime-time programming,” said Bruce Gronbeck, the director of the University of Iowa’s Center for Media Studies and Political Culture.

“That’s costing real money.”

The result: Recent polls show Romney is in first place in Iowa with an average lead of about 8 percentage points. In New Hampshire, recent polls put him in first place by an average of 7 points. At the beginning of this year, Romney languished at or near single-digit support in both states.

“Up here in New Hampshire, the fact that he’s been on the air for so long has helped his poll numbers a great deal,” said Dante Scala, a political scientist at the University of New Hampshire. “They’ve enabled him to do things that he needed to do to get the exposure he’s needed in the last six months. Stories that call him a contender weren’t being written before.”

Romney has what’s generally considered the best political operation in Iowa, which costs money to build and nurture. He’s working for a strong showing at a Republican Party straw poll next month in Ames, Iowa. One way campaigns do well in the straw poll is to pay supporters to show up.

On the other hand, Romney is spending money at a breathtaking clip, having gone through $32 million of what he’s raised. His second-quarter fundraising saw a drop-off of about one-third from the first quarter despite all that advertising — which ran virtually unop-

posed — designed to sell him to potential supporters.

That means he’ll need a lot more money to keep up the pace and make the sale with voters, especially when his rivals start advertising in earnest.

Then there’s McCain, whose fundraising woes led him to lay off dozens of staffers this week and prevented him from mounting any television ads to combat the onslaught from Romney, whom McCain aides long have regarded as their most dangerous opponent.

How bad is it? McCain, once the front-runner, has sunk in some polls to single-digit support in Iowa, which aides say will be one of the main targets of his now-shoestring campaign.

Yet his campaign staff in Iowa was cut from 16 by more than half this week. Staff cuts in New Hampshire and South Carolina, which holds a primary Jan. 29, were smaller.

McCain’s layoffs are supposed to free up money for advertising, mailings and other voter contacts. But the smaller staff will make it harder for his organization to capitalize on whatever success advertising has.

Organization is especially important in a caucus state such as Iowa, because a caucus is more complex and time-consuming than simply going to a polling place and voting.

“You need (paid staff) to take all the positive exposure you get and put it to good use, to seal the deal and make sure all the bases are covered,” Scala said.

19 percent of students surveyed at Texas State used marijuana within the last 30 days of being polled in 2005.

“I believe the male psyche is the way it is because of social norms,” said Michael Butler, marketing junior. “We, as a society, think that this is the way men act so we act that way to conform.”

According to an article by The Associated Press, it is likely statistics from this study will be used in the upcoming presidential elections to argue many public health issues such as sex education.

According to the report, sex before the age of 15 increased as the age groups became younger. Males in the study were more likely than females to have sex before the age of 15.

News Briefs ALUMNUS DEATH Daniel Reiter, a Texas State alumnus who graduated in May, died in car accident June 18 in northwest Harris County, according to a www.khou.com article.

Reiter, 22, who studied philosophy, was killed when a Nissan Xterra collided head-on with Reiter’s Chevy truck. The Xterra was apparently racing a Nissan Titan.

While at Texas State, Reiter was active in student ministries on campus.

A full story on Reiter will be available in the July 25 issue of The University Star.

SETTLEMENT A settlement was reached in a groping case filed by Texas State student Holly Cagle against former sheriff’s Deputy John Pastrano.

The incident happened during a routine traffic stop in 2004. According to affidavits, Pastrano, after putting Cagle in the backseat of the police car, forced her to expose herself.

Pastrano was originally sentenced to two years in state jail, but was placed on probation for three years.

County Commissioners are expected to vote on the settlement Tuesday, but as of press time, the vote is still pending.

COCAINE Two San Marcos residents were arrested Friday for the possession of more than a pound of cocaine.

The Hays County Narcotics Task Force served a search and arrest warrant at 916 Sagewood Trail after an investigation had led police to believe cocaine was being sold from the residence.

Evidence of distribution was found at the home, according to a city of San Marcos news release. The contraband, estimated to be worth $30,000, included crack cocaine.

Jesus Bernal, 23, and Audon Cruz, 24, were transported to Hays County Jail with bond set at $125,000.

Graphic courtesy of MCT

— Compiled from various news sources

NEWS

Page 4 - The University Star

White House firm on ‘surge’ in face of war progress report

By Ron Hutcheson and Renee Schoof McClatchy Newspapers WASHINGTON — President Bush dug in Monday against demands for change in his Iraq policy, despite eroding support within his party and growing doubts his troop increase will make a significant difference.

Through his spokesman, Bush urged patience at the start of what is likely to be a rough week for his policy. Members of Congress returned to Washington from their July Fourth break feeling heat from voters to come up with a plan to bring the troops home.

“There is no intensifying discussion about reducing troops,” said White House spokesman Tony Snow, rejecting reports internal administration discussions were doing precisely that. “You are talking about a surge that literally just got completed, in terms of troop complements, two weeks ago. ...Don’t expect us to lift a veil and have a whole different strategy.”

The Senate got back to work Monday by debating the first in a series of proposals intended to wind down or pull out of Iraq. Senate votes later in the week could test Republican loyalty to Bush.

Three senior Republican senators have questioned Bush’s war strategy recently, although it’s not clear any of them is ready to break with the president when voting on legislation.

Speculation about a possible policy shift increased over the weekend when Defense Secretary Robert Gates canceled a trip to Latin America to work on the Iraq progress report.

Snow said Bush wouldn’t bow to political pressure for a new strategy.

The administration is expected to send Congress a progress report on Iraq that will provide little evidence of improvement. The assessment, tentatively planned for delivery Thursday or Friday, could provide more ammunition to war critics.

“I’m not sure everyone’s going to get an A on the first report,” Snow conceded. He downplayed the significance of the report, calling it an early snapshot that shouldn’t be used “to draw any broad-based conclusions.”

Bush and his aides have insisted any discussion about changing course should be put off until at least Sept. 15, when U.S. military commanders will deliver another progress report. But the timetable could accelerate if the outlook in Iraq doesn’t improve and more Republicans abandon the president.

“The president’s Iraq strategy is not working. We cannot wait until September to act,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. “We have an opportunity in the next couple weeks to truly change our Iraq strategy to make Americans more secure, more safe. The question is whether President Bush and Senate Republicans will join in that effort.”

Despite unease in Congress and polls showing Americans have lost faith in Bush’s Iraq policy, Democrats don’t have the votes they need to force a change.

In the Senate, about a dozen Republicans would have to align with Democrats to chart a new course and get it past pro-Bush Republicans exploiting Senate rules, and even that wouldn’t be enough to

override a presidential veto.

At least 16 Senate Republicans would have to defect to give Democrats enough votes to overcome a veto, and an override in the House of Representatives could be even more difficult.

Still, lawmakers in both parties agree congressional feelings toward the war are in flux. Republican loyalty will be tested as the Senate debates war-related amendments to the annual Defense Department authorization bill.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, a longtime war skeptic, said she now was seriously considering voting for binding legislation that would require withdrawing most combat forces from Iraq.

“We have to move from the nonbinding to a binding approach in changing our strategy in Iraq.

It’s a message we need to send to the administration and the Iraqi government. We can no longer countenance the loss of lives and the exponential growth of violence,” she said Monday.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who’s already facing negative campaign ads for his support of the war, said Monday: “I gotta believe the president’s looking at Plan B.” Coleman said he didn’t support a Democratic timeline for withdrawal soon but he’d back legislation with a longer timeline.

“We need to redeploy; we need significant withdrawal sometime next year. I think there will be a lot of votes before September.

We’re all kind of struggling for what’s the right path. There’s going to be a Plan B. So the question is whether it’s fleshed out in September or whether it’s fleshed out before,” he said.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

FRIDAY: Instructors will benefit from policy CONTINUED from page 1

will just have to see how that goes,” Smith said.

KTSW, the student-run radio station at Texas State, is usually in attendance at many of the events of campus, including sporting events.

Patrick Barrett, mass communication senior and KTSW manager, said the station will have to adjust promotion efforts if attendance becomes low on weekends.

“It could potentially hurt attendance for sporting events if we have a three day weekend,” Barrett said. “People will be more inclined to go out of town. This will be just one more thing we will have to contend with to get people to come out.

I understand though, who wants to go to class on Fridays anyway?”

Barrett said faculty will favor the new system.

He said most professors already teach on the two-day a week class schedule.

“I think teachers will be freaking ecstatic,” Barrett said. “They are teaching less and making the same amount of money. It’s like a raise so I don’t think it will be an issue for teachers. I would imagine most of them already teach twoday a week classes.”

Heintze said prior to the modified class schedule, not many classes were taught on Fridays. But with the new system, a higher concentration of classes will be taught Monday

“T

his will help continue to standardize class times, which makes it easier for students and faculty to plan their days and also to see students during class hours.”

—Michael Heintze associate vice president for enrollment management and marketing

through Thursday.

“Friday is a time that we will see an increasing number of graduate classes offered as well,” Heintze said.

He said the different departments have had a hand in helping make the new system work for students and faculty. He said the system has been “well received.”

“The departments have been wonderful and faculty has been just super with the way they have helped out and made the new system work out,” Heintze said. “I am confident that students are going to enjoy the new class schedule this fall, it will be a service to them.”

FUNDS: ASG’s second time in financial question the majority of the committee, the items were approved.

“It’s always going to be a 4-3 split if students always have a majority of the votes,” Garrison said.

The three pieces of legislation in question include one that would transfer $19,000 from the Student Organizations Council to ASG; another would allocate $10,000 from the student service fee to ASG’s Pride and Traditions subcommittee; and the third requests a $10,000 budget increase for the Texas State Mentoring Program.

Morris said this legislation was forwarded to the Dean of Students Office.

“As far as I know, we took care of all that,” said Morris, whose term as president officially ended June 1, but the administration removed him from office six days prior for not meeting one of the qualifications to be president.

“If there’s any administrative process issues that didn’t occur, like paperwork being filled out, first of all that’s absurd; that’s just another piece of bureaucracy

that the university administration uses to prevent real progress,” Morris said. “And so I wasn’t aware of any sort document that needed to be filled out regarding student service fee proposals.”

A University Star article published March 1, titled, “ASG President works to extend financial influence,” showed some controversy surrounding the legislation that would direct 80 percent of the Student Organizations Council budget to ASG. According to the article, Morris proposed the idea to then-ASG Sen. Rebecca Quillin, who authored the legislation. The council’s advisers were upset they had not been consulted on the proposal and their graduate adviser predicted the administration would not allow the budget transfer to occur.

Whether that will happen has yet to be determined.

Smith said the administration will let Reagan Pugh, the new ASG president, decide what he wants to do with the three pieces of legislation, in addition to some others Garrison said were not forwarded. Smith

said she will recommend Pugh give it to the ASG Supreme Court.

Morris said the administration’s response and action in regard to the proposals should be irrelevant.

“A lot of the pieces of legislation that (Garrison) is talking about we were still able to get the votes rallied in the Student Service Fee Committee,” Morris said. “So those allocations should have gone the way that the students voted on. If they didn’t, then the administration has once again circumvented the will of the students.”

Amanda Oskey, who served on the committee and was the former ASG vice president, echoed Morris’ sentiments, but did say correct procedure was not followed.

“I do understand that the process wasn’t exactly followed 100 percent, but I was also in the meeting where it was passed and we had administrators voting on our side saying that if that’s what the students want then we should follow it,” Oskey said.

MORRIS: Case could inspire future scrutiny Graphic courtesy of MCT

you investigating when you’re not talking to the person that you’re supposedly investigating?”

Morris was further upset that his arguments were not addressed in the letter sent to him regarding the administration’s decision. The University Star’s open records request for the letter was denied by the university attorney’s office.

“It didn’t address the serious major issue that nobody is willing to talk about, how it’s impossible to take two Spanish courses at the same time,” Morris said.

He took four hours in the spring, but said he needs two more Spanish classes in order to graduate. Because the Spanish courses cannot be taken during the same semester, he said it would have been impossible for him to be classified as a full-time student unless he took a class that was not required. He said paying for an unnecessary class just to meet the qualification would cause a financial burden on him.

Garrison disagreed.

“The problem resulting from the two needed Spanish courses in the final semester came about because of some personal decisions that could have been remedied very easily through thoughtful scheduling of classes or through maintaining full-time student status as is required by the ASG Constitution,” Garrison said. ”No attempt was

ever made to seek relief from this requirement of the ASG Constitution.”

Morris said he has not ruled out appealing the decision.

“Nobody has articulated what is due process and I’ve never been provided any documentation about my rights to appeal, my rights as an employee,” he said. “Nobody has talked to me about that.”

As a result of Morris’ case, ASG member’s qualifications may be closer scrutinized, Garrison said.

“In the future, the advisers will be more intrusive in ensuring that all senators and executive officers are clear about all eligibility requirements and that there is no ambiguity in the interpretation of those requirements,” he said.

The Dean of Students Office only checks the eligibility of ASG members once a year — when the students file for candidacy. So Morris’ qualifications were verified for the fall 2006 semester, but not for the spring. In these instances, an honor system between ASG members and the dean’s office is relied upon, where, for example, if a student’s GPA dropped below the qualification requirement after the fall semester, then he or she would be expected to address the situation with an adviser.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - Page 5

onlineconnection For news updates throughout the summer, check out www.UniversityStar.com.

BLAME Opinions Contact — Sydney Granger, staropinion@txstate.edu

I

THE MAIN POINT

n the competitive world of higher education, a name is everything.

The prestige factor has colleges and universities nationwide looking for names more recognizable and ostensibly prestigious to students, faculty and donors.

The same is true in the Texas State University System — the oldest multicampus system in the state.

Rumors surrounding the renaming of the nine institutions within the system were temporarily squelched by legislation protecting Sam Houston State University from such a change. However, there are still whispers across the state regarding the other seven universities.

Name change is not uncommon.

The University of Texas System has nine renamed schools carrying the UT moniker. Of the ten schools in the Texas A&M University System, only Tarleton State does not have ‘A&M’ in its official title.

The name of a university is the brand for an institution.

The more visibility a university has, the higher its prestige. Renaming the eight eligible universities in the Texas State University System will bring higher regard for all the schools within it.

Other Texas universities that have created a unified naming system are already benefiting from the correlated reputation the re-naming brings.

When it comes to legislative support, having recognition across the state — in Del Rio, Alpine and Port Arthur to name a few locations— can only help strengthen the university and the system as a whole. The more support the system has in the capitol, the more benefit all the universities receive.

However, when a school is renamed, it loses its individual identity.

It is likely alumni relations will suffer at the renamed institutions. The Texas State name change has affected support with graduates of Southwest Texas State University. Alumni dissent bars university pride and consequently, support.

The different schools are not the only individuals affected by name change — students are as well. If the institution is a functioning body of a system, it is the students who are the beating heart, keeping the university alive.

The pride of a student body is directly related to this identity, rich with traditions, expectations and community.

Changing a name does not alter the faculty, the students or the community. If the TSUS is looking for instant prestige, the system will have to earn it. Recognition and visibility cannot be achieved when the individuals who have chosen to associate themselves with the institution are ignored.

The University Star urges those involved with the TSUS name-changing decisions to look at the big-picture benefits and the individual concerns of students. The opinions of the various student bodies must be considered before stripping away the only thing any institution of higher education has: its good name.

THE NAME Branding university monikers in system will yield mixed results

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.

Justin Jackley/Star illustration

Over-abundance of water just as eco-unfriendly as scarcity June typically isn’t a green month. Yet all across the Interstate 35 corridor, verdant life is in abundance. By the same token, BILL RIX the rain we have Star Columnist to thank for the green hills has also done millions of dollars worth of damage to parts of East Texas.

Marble Falls is an example of this, flooding residents out of homes and closing businesses heavily reliant on decent weather.

But the unexpected occurs often.

About this time last year, San Marcos and the rest of the East/Central Texas area experienced quite the opposite from what we just weathered.

The drought was so destructive; San Marcos instituted Stage 2 water restrictions as part of a water management plan (see: The University Star, August 19, 2006). The plan only comes into play when water is at its scarcest, but why isn’t something like this in play all year round, to ensure ready access to water throughout the year? For an area so reliant on the Edwards Aquifer, it’s imperative to conserve not just during an emergency. The management plan ensures no water is wasted by over-irrigating and specious outdoor watering practices.

Seems reasonable enough, so why aren’t their restrictions like this all of the time?

Last year is in stark contrast to the almost steady downpour we have been experiencing, which brings me to the subject of disaster relief: When clean, usable water is unavailable to residents, as was the case in Marble Falls, the Texas National Guard rushed to supply aid to those trapped or in need of aid. In this case, thousands of bottles of water were dispersed by the Texas National Guard, which was stationed at a local Home Depot. People need the water, naturally, but was bottled water really the answer? The bottles are recyclable, but when they are given away in such massive amounts, you can be sure not all will find their way to the appropriate recycling stations. Many, if not most, will be discarded and a great many of the bottles will find their way into the Colorado River, which will, in turn, help spur efforts down the line to clean up the same body of water.

The waste comes full-circle.

A better choice would have been to disperse gallon jugs and to offer refills from larger tanks rather than hand out fresh supplies whenever peoples’ water levels ran low rather than handing out what is essentially a large amount of plastic rubbish.

This may seem ostensibly petty, debating the water policies of the National Guard when several people died because of the rain, but this is exactly the sort of thing which needs to happen for the U.S. to step up and take control of environmentalism. If all one ever does is worry about the inconsequential, small-scale trashing of the environment through on-campus water-bottle purchases, no big change can ever be expected.

Fine print protects airlines’, not flyers’ valuables Losing your luggage can total would rise from 3,260,400 be one of the most painful lost bags to 4,144,803. things a person can experiIf you are unfortunate enough ence. Well, maybe not, but it to have something stolen out certainly feels like it at the of your luggage, or even more time. Thousands of people’s unfortunate and have all of your luggage gets lost every year. luggage stolen then you should Unfortunately, according to go your airline’s Web site and CARSON GUY Bureau of Transportation attempt to find the baggage liStar Columnist Statistics, the likelihood of ability page. On this page you your baggage being “mishandled,” is should be able to find a claim form, as quite a bit higher now than in previous well as information that will probably years. In May of 2006, the ratio was tell you what they lost — or let get sto4.94 bags mishandled for every 1,000 len — is not covered. bags that were properly handled. HowIt is humorous to note some of the ever, as of June, the airlines’ collective items airlines include on their list of statistic was 6.28 bags mishandled per “fragile and perishable items.” This 1,000. entire list means the airlines are not While these numbers might seem responsible if any of these items are miniscule even minor changes can indi- lost, stolen or damaged. The legality of cate big problems for your airlines, but blanket denying these claims is dubious most importantly for you. For example, at best. So much so the airlines at the using the 4.94 and 6.28 numbers, the end of their claim form suggest even if amount of lost luggage in the U.S. in everything you had stolen or lost was

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one of these items you should submit your claim, anyway.

Although the list contains more than 100 entries, I will only point out what I feel like are the highlights of this list.

Any terms or names I mention here are directly from Continental Airlines’ form. No embellishment necessary here. If you are traveling with heirlooms, collectibles or antlers, you are in trouble. Continental refuses to accept responsibility for any CDs, DVDs or MP3s.

On a personal note, I do not claim to be an electronics or computer genius, but I am not sure how you could lose MP3s. Maybe you could accidentally delete them and try to hold the airlines liable?

Forget about anything that could possibly be labeled as an electronic device, because they are not covered by airlines either. Make sure when checking your luggage you do not have

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any “items made of paper, irreplaceable items, works of art, backpacks not designed for travel, business equipment or business samples.”

Initially upon reading this list, I found it nearly impossible to think of anything the airlines would accept a claim for.

However, after much deliberation, I realized next time I go on a plane, I will fly safely knowing if my “prescription glasses, sunglasses, binoculars or any of my other eyewear and eye-vision devices” are stolen I am safe and can get them replaced by the airline. Actually, I just found those on the list, too.

Although you might be able to squeeze some money out of airlines for things on this list, they will make it slow and agonizingly painful to do.

Consider that after mailing in your claim form, you can expect to wait 45 business days for a response saying they are now, with this new information, trying to locate your luggage. The

only problem is for people who had something stolen. It is rare, indeed, the day your laptop and power supply fall out of the open pocket that unzipped itself, then managed to zip itself back up. But who knows, maybe they will be able to find that laptop, or the MP3s you misplaced.

The best thing to do while traveling is to split your valuables among bags you check and carry on, if and only if, you are unable to carry them all on.

When taking medicine, you should take two prescriptions worth in two different bags in case something happens to one of them. Finally, much like with apartments, insurance is the way to go. For a respectable $70, you are able to buy travelers insurance that covers everything from your bags to medical procedures. Hopefully you will never need it, but it is nice to have a safety net, especially while you are traveling, hopefully to exotic places.

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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 other Wednesday of Summer I and II with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright July 11, 2007. 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.

Page 6 - The University Star

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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - Page 7

gettingon the tube McCall Adams, biology senior, is included in the top 3 finalists in a competition to be an MTV correspondent at the Video Music Awards. Top 10 finalists included Tiffany Pelt, pre-mass communication junior, and Michelle Thoreson, communication studies student. According to MTV reports, it is unusual to have three finalists from one university.

Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Magic coming to an end for popular franchise Jessica Sinn Assistant Trends Editor In bookstores around the world, millions of readers will anxiously await the midnight release of J.K. Rowling’s final installment of the Harry Potter saga: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

As an avid reader and huge fan of the series, Stephanie Harvey, mass communication sophomore, said she is anxious to see what fate has in store for the boy wizard. Although it’s sad to see the series end, she said now is the time for Rowling to bow-out gracefully.

“In the end, I think it’s time,” Harvey said. “It’s kind of like a TV show, when it reaches its peak, it’s time to stop.”

With its ominous title, readers speculate the possibility of death for Harry Potter or perhaps one of his loyal sidekicks.

“There are so many different theories,” Harvey said. “I hope nothing bad is going to happen to Harry, but I have a feeling something might happen to his group of friends.”

Armed with broomsticks, wands and wizard regalia, Harry Potter enthusiasts, including Harvey, will prepare to line up July 20 at bookstores on the evening, to purchase the much-anticipated book.

One of the many midnight book release parties can be found in Austin at BookPeople. Beginning at 10 p.m., magicians, tent mazes, fire dancers, wizard rock bands and food vendors will transform the BookPeople parking lot into Diagon Alley, a fictional street in London frequented by wizards and magical beings.

BookPeople Marketing Coordinator Mandy Brooks said this will be BookPeople’s most extravagant Harry Potter

event, in celebration of the final book.

Brooks said over 850 vouchers for the book and party have been sold. She expects over 3,000 people to attend the event.

“It’s going to be quite an experience; the fruits of our labor are going to be very sweet,” Brooks said. “We’re just very excited — we’re expecting this to be the biggest party between New York and Los Angeles.”

An array of live music performers, including Austin-based wizard-rock band The Mudbloods, are slated to perform at the event. Brooks said the creation of a new music genre is an example of the worldwide Harry Potter phenomenon.

“Harry Potter has really has taken on a life of its own,” Brooks said. “The wizard-rock bands are a good example of that. Wizard rock has become its own genre of rock music. It’s music that’s all

about wizards, magic and Harry Potter — it’s the coolest thing.”

Pre-Theater Senior Zach Christman said he has read the entire series and is planning to purchase his copy of the final book at a midnight release party at Hastings. He predicts a bittersweet ending for the young wizard’s final adventure.

“It’s going to wrap up everything,” Christman said. “People are going to die — and yes, there’s going to be happiness, because the good guys are going to win.”

Christman said he believes Harry Potter has attracted a massive fan base because people seek escape from everyday life by transporting themselves into Rowling’s vivid world of magic.

“We’re in a situation where we want wizards right now,” Christman said.

“With rising oil prices, it costs a fortune

to just drive, so who doesn’t want to just take some ‘flu powder,’ go to the fireplace and travel anywhere you want?”

Potter fans are gearing up for another major event July 13: the release of the fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harvey said she and her friends add an element of magic to Harry Potter movie nights by wearing spectacles, capes and striped scarves.

“It wouldn’t be as much fun if you just went in a T-shirt and jeans — you’ve got to get the full effect,” Harvey said. “It would be like going to a Star Wars convention and not dressing up.”

Harvey said she’s interested to see what the future may hold for Rowling.

“I think this is a good time for her to move on to a different phase in her life,” Harvey said. “And who knows — maybe she’ll go on to write something that will change the rest of the world again.”

Womens’ experiences focus of new exhibit Elisa Botello Features Reporter

Graphic courtesy of MCT

‘Diet’ food labels not always factual Linda Shrieves The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — If a sugar-free cookie tastes too good to be true, there could be a reason.

That cookie may not be sugar-free at all, even if the “nutrition facts” label says so.

In these days of epidemic obesity, diligent consumers are reading the nutrition labels on packaged foods, but apparently they’re the only ones doing so regularly.

Although Congress has forced food manufacturers to place nutrition facts labels on their products since 1990, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t have enough staff to check labels’ accuracy. So where does that leave a consumer?

Too often, in the dark.

“Consumers have such a hard time trying to eat healthfully and keep their calories in check,” said Delia Hammock, nutrition director for the Good Housekeeping Institute. “We’re always saying, ‘Read the label, read the label.’ And then you find out that the labels are lying ...

It’s wrong.”

Although the FDA doesn’t regularly check nutrition labels, a handful of organizations are trying to fill the gap, including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which tests hundreds of products each year in its Tallahassee, Fla. food lab. In addition, testers at www.consumerlab.com, along with the Good Housekeeping Institute, dabble in nutrition-label testing.

During the past decade, Hammock has become a label crusader. She monitors diet chat rooms to learn which lowcalorie or low-carb products people are buzzing about.

Then, she sends samples of the product to an independent lab for testing.

In one case, her co-workers were raving about Pirate’s Booty, a cheeseflavored puffed-rice snack. The label boasted one serving contained 120 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. Yet when Hammock tasted it, she knew better.

“It didn’t taste like a low-fat, low-calorie snack. It tasted like Cheez Doodles,” she said.

Indeed, the lab found Pirate’s Booty contained 147 calories and 8.5 grams of fat per serving — 6 grams more than the label claimed.

A few months ago, Hammock uncovered another label lie. She was suspicious because Rising Dough Bakery cookies,

which are sold at Jamba Juice and online retailers, are the size of a compact disc, and yet the label says they contain fewer than 100 calories per serving.

“I’ve been in the field for a long time,” she said. “You know how many calories a cookie has. When you taste something that doesn’t taste like it’s possible, it’s probably not.”

The company’s oatmeal cranberry raisin cookie lists 70 calories per serving, which is half of one cookie. However, the lab found each half cookie contained 153 calories, more than double the label’s claim.

Although consumers don’t have many advocates on their side, Florida’s Department of Agriculture regularly tests food products to see if ingredients match the nutrition label.

In the past two years, the agency has tested more than 700 products and found about 70 violations, or one violation for every 10 products tested.

In Florida, violators receive one notice and, if the product isn’t corrected, they receive a $500 fine for subsequent violations.

Yet, with the exception of Florida, few government entities watch the nutritionlabel cheating, said Bruce Silverglade of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

When trendy diets hit the market, he said food makers might claim their products are low-carb or low-sugar — even if they’re not. “Often these fads come and go … long before the FDA gets a handle on it.”

In 2005, when the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet spurred consumers to buy low-carb foods, a host of low-carb energy bars showed up on store shelves.

When www.consumerlab.com tested 34 nutrition bars, they found three bars failed — one had 33 percent more carbs than listed; another contained 50 percent more fat than the label noted and a third contained 27 percent more saturated fat than listed on the label.

When notified, most of the companies change the label, Hammock said. Some of the label misinformation is a simple mistake, she said, but at other times, it appears deceptive.

What’s unfortunate, she said, is testing isn’t more widespread.

“I think if you tested products more, you would find even more cheating,” Hammock said. “It’s very, very easy to lie on the food label because there is no one checking, and there’s very little risk if they get caught.”

Joanne Smith is alone and loving every minute of it.

Her best friend never accompanies her to the mall or calls her phone, but Smith remains loyal. Smith’s best friend is the land of the Southwest, and she is dedicated to writing about her experiences as a hermit of this region, according to her book — she is one the dozens of writers featured in the latest anthology in the Southwestern Writers Collection.

The Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series has added another volume to its archive, What Wildness is This: Women Write About the Southwest. The anthology’s publication is celebrated with a summer exhibition at the Alkek Library.

What Wildness is This showcases the published writings of women in the Southwest. Michele Miller, marketing and media relations coordinator for the Southwestern Writers Collection at the Wittliff Gallery of Southwestern and Mexican Photography, said the featured authors write about what it is like to live in, with and on the land, and what events they experience in their processes.

“I feel it is very empowering for female students,” said Miller. “Sometimes in the world of literature, male names take up the shelves. I feel it can have a positive effect on young women to walk in the gallery and see a wash of women’s names in one area.”

The collection includes almost one hundred works of poetry, creative nonfiction, prose and memoir by both famous and emerging writers. The list of writers includes Barbara Kingsolver, Denise Chávez and Joanne Smith.

While the Special Collections department usually shows off archives, this particular exhibit specifically aims to celebrate published works, Miller said. The exhibit still includes photographs, manuscripts and biographies of several of the featured authors.

The project was created by the Story Circle Network, a nonprofit organization focusing on the sharing and preserving of women’s stories and documented experiences.

The organization was founded by Susan Wittig Albert, a former English professor and vice president of academic affairs at Southwest Texas State University. Albert is one of four editors for the anthology.

“S

ometimes in the world of literature, male names take up the shelves. I feel it can have a positive effect on young women to walk in the gallery and see a wash of women’s names in one area.”

— Michele Miller media relations coordinator, Southwestern Writers Collection

The other three editors are Susan Hanson, Texas State senior English lecturer, writer and poet Jan Epton Seale and memoirist and publisher Paula Stallings Yost.

Miller said the exhibit is complimented with artwork carefully chosen from the Wittliff Gallery. The art includes two prints by Kate Breakey from her art collection Small Deaths.

This collection is comprised of black and white photographs of dead creatures that have been enlarged and hand painted

by Breakey.

The exhibit is decorated with works by documentary photographer Russell Lee. According to Miller, Lee was the most prolific photographer during the Great Depression, and the photographs displayed in the What Wildness is This exhibit document real women at work during the late 1930s.

To experience the colorful What Wildness is This, visit the Southwestern Writers Collection at the Wittliff Gallery on the seventh floor of Alkek Library. For further information on the book, visit the Web site www.storycircle.org/WhatWildness/ landstories/aboutbook.shtml. Call the Special Collections department at (512) 245-2313 for exhibit hours.

✯ FYI For more information on the Story Circle Network organization, visit its Web site www.storycircle.org

Monty Marion/Star photo NEW COLLECTIONS: The What Wildness is This exhibit, housed in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library, features women authors’ works about the Southwest.

TRENDS

Page 8 - The University Star

Rains keep students off river, in living room during summer Chris Copple Features Reporter San Marcos was not a city built for rainy days in the summertime.

After a rainy start, students have found other activities to pass the time than swimming and tanning at Sewell Park.

Layla Asmar, psychology senior, said she has felt the effects of the poor weather.

“I haven’t even been able to walk my dog lately,” she said.

“I thrive on sunlight, but it’s summer and I hardly have a tan anymore. It’s kind of depressing.”

Asmar noted an increase in the number of parties. She said a lot more people have been going to the bars in San Marcos since it started to rain.

The rain has pushed many people together in town, she said, and apartments and houses have become some of the only enjoyable places around.

When it started to rain a couple of weeks ago, some students were happy to take advantage of the weather by sleeping late and catching up on movies, Asmar said. Now she believes many have been overcome with boredom.

To ease the doldrums of rainy summer days, quite a few students have turned to shopping. Josh Bonds, communication design junior, works at the outlet mall and has seen a steady increase in the number of people shopping for entertainment.

“There are more people shopping, so work has been a lot busier lately,” he said. “They tell you that too: ‘I’m in here to get out of the rain.’”

As the weather clears up, the trend of staying inside has left students finding more creative ways of spending their time.

“The rain has kept me from even trying to attempt to go anywhere because I feel like if I do it will just start raining again, so I have been playing guitar and drawing a lot more lately,” Bonds said. The down time is preparing him for classes in the fall, he added.

Brooke Beckmann, business junior and waitress at the San Marcos River Pub and Grill, noticed the rain has been keeping customers home lately.

“Sunday is usually our busiest day, but last Sunday was horrible,” she said. “We were so slow.”

Beckmann has been filling her days by painting and said she has rearranged her house twice already.

If a student is looking for ways to have fun out of the sun, she said, they should try finding a new hobby or working on an existing one.

Muslim rock musician uses art to break fundamentalist taboos

By Tabassum Ali The Ticker (Baruch College) NEW YORK - Salman Ahmad, a charismatic guitarist from a famous Pakistani rock group Junoon, brings a new message of peace and respect as moderates and extremists are vying for influence and power in his home country.

Ahmad was involved in two BBC documentaries: “Muslims in America: It’s My Country Too” and “The Rock Star and the Mullah.” In the latter, he appears to be challenging fundamentalists, asking students at a Pakistani madrassa, or religious school, “Who are the Mullahs who say that (music is forbidden)?”

He asked the students to tell him why they believe that music is “haram” — meaning forbidden — in the teachings of Islam. As he pressed them and they responded, the young Muslim students were torn between their fascination with this cultural icon, who represents rock ‘n’ roll and 21st-century values, and their adherence to a form of increasingly extremist Islam taught by their local mullahs. Eventually, Ahmad reached for his guitar and, as the students sat around him, their expressions displayed a mixture of shock and intrigue, as he defied the ban on music and sang a verse from the Quran.

The teacher of this small group studied his famous visitor. “You can decide whether you want to go to heaven or hell,” he finally declared.

“I wanted to highlight the inner debate that’s happening between the modern and traditional Pakistani society. Music’s

role in Pakistani culture and Islam was a perfect way to illuminate the diversity of opinion that exists there,” Ahmad said.

“The documentary follows me on a journey through Pakistan in which I show the dialogue of Pakistani citizens regarding music, Islam and modernity. ... After going to Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and other cities, I went to Peshawar because there the local government had banned all types of music (even traditional folk music) and I spoke with politicians and the general population as well as a radical Mullah known as ‘Mullah Electricity,’ who tries to convince me to give up music — but doesn’t see the contradiction in his own argument when he starts singing devotional Islamic songs to me on camera, perfectly in key,” Ahmad said.

A goodwill ambassador for the United Nations, and as United States’ national spokesperson in a fight against HIV/AIDS, Ahmad was personally invited by former President Bill Clinton to the Global Initiative panel in New York, which featured well-known guests such as Bill Gates, Pakistan’s President General Pervez Musharraf and Queen of Jordan Rania Al-Abdullah.

“HIV/AIDS is a disease which still has a lot of stigma and discrimination attached to it, especially in South Asia,” Ahmad said.

“My role is to help shine a light on the heroic role being played by men and women who live with HIV/AIDS and to promote greater awareness about HIV/AIDS amongst young people.

“I spoke on a panel to discuss the role that pop culture can play

in bridging the cultural divide between the Muslim world and America. I also feel that there is too much negative reporting on Islam in the media. Positive Muslim role models and their stories are under-represented in the media which creates unbalanced, distorted perceptions of Muslims in the world.”

Along with his wife Samina, Ahmad joined the Bono Apparel Project to promote HIV awareness by designing a new T-shirt.

“T-shirts are produced by Bono’s apparel company Edun Live, which employs poor HIV plus women in Africa who help make the T-shirts from 100 percent cotton,” he said. “People who buy the T-shirt can promote peace and cultural dialogue and also provide a living to women in Africa.”

Ahmad intends to visit colleges in South Asia later in the year to “discuss HIV and AIDS and its prevention with students in a project named Alvida Tour, or Farewell to AIDS.” “I feel music videos, TV and films can help humanize the face of HIV and AIDS,” he said.

In his message to all students in the U.S. and abroad, Ahmad takes a moment to remind us of our social responsibility.

Referring to the Virginia Tech shooting, he said, “One of the lessons to learn from this terrible tragedy is that each individual has a responsibility to the peace and security of his (or her) community.”

“Whenever anyone feels left out or marginalized, they pose a danger to themselves as well as others,” Ahmad said. “That’s why it’s important to be compassion-

ate to your fellow students and colleagues and to show positive interest in each others’ lives.”

Ahmad’s message is beginning to expand beyond Pakistan. Teaching a class called “Islam Music and Culture of South Asia” in spring 2007 at Queens College as a guest professor, Ahmad embattled to change Western views on Islam.

His lectures have been part of Queens College history professor Mark Rosenblum’s nationally acclaimed project, “The Middle East and America: Clash of Civilizations or Meeting of the Minds.” The project is aimed at promoting understanding and informed discussion about the Middle East conflict on campus, in high schools and in the larger community, and is an initiative of the Michael Harrington Center at Queens College and the Taft Institute.

“Queens College ... has such a uniquely diverse student population that my class is like a mini United Nations. I’ve enjoyed the atmosphere at Queens College’s music (department) a lot and loved the interaction with students and faculty.”

Padmini Naidu, Queens College senior, said, “(Professor Ahmad’s teaching) overall is that music, regardless of where it comes from, is unifying.”

Calling herself a spiritual person with a background in Hindu philosophies, Naidu says, “Through music, people can see how similar they truly are instead of trying to be secular and dividing themselves and using culture and religion as the dividers.”

— Zahra Rafique contributed to this story.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Star staff summer entertainment picks Clara Cobb — Trends Editor The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker For anyone in college who has ever said “I can’t cook,” this book will teach you how with food preparation instructions and recipes. This classic gem might possibly be the only cookbook you need to own — ever. After condensing a semester’s worth of reading into four weeks, pick up a copy, a pound of butter and make Paula Deen proud.

True Romance (R) — This Quentin Tarantino movie is part of a loose trilogy including Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Clarence (Christian Slater) marries hooker Alabama (Patricia Arquette), steals cocaine from her pimp, and tries to sell it in Hollywood, while the owners of the coke try to reclaim it. This comic-inspired romantic comedy is flavored with excess violence and profanity, so basically, it’s the perfect date movie.

Colm Keane — Copy Desk Chief Keane: The Autobiography by Roy Keane The definition of an easy read, this autobiography focuses on Roy Keane, arguably the greatest Irish soccer player to play in Barclays English Premier League (as well as international affairs for Ireland). Interesting insights are revealed, and first-hand accounts of the Manchester United locker room are humorous, to say the least. This book is a must-read for fans of the beautiful game.

Equilibrium (R) — Action meets substance in this Orwellian-inspired gun fighting action fest. Christian Bale stars as a law enforcement agent in the future — one in which the citizens consume antiemotion medication to suppress aggressive behavior. The government blames feelings for war and crime in general. Art is forbidden, and Bale’s wife is found guilty of expressing herself — and sentenced to death. This event turns the government’s killing machine and best agent (Bale) into its number one enemy.

Sydney Granger — Managing Editor The Awakening by Kate Chopin Set in Southern Louisiana at the turn of the 20th century, The Awakening is about one woman’s quest for individuality and selfdiscovery. Any time is a good time to read this classic about finding the power that comes with being a woman. To tap even further into your feminine side, pick up a copy that includes a selection of Chopin’s short stories.

Amelie. (R) — This French film centers around a woman’s adventures in helping better the lives of those around her. The title character, a naïve, innocent girl in Paris, finds love during her quest. Amelie has received international acclaim and is the perfect film for a rainy day.

Nick Georgiou — News Editor Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami Set in Tokyo, a narrator whose head has been implanted with electrodes is caught in a hightech info war while dealing with perceptions of reality, shadows, underworld creatures and a librarian with a huge appetite.

Pan’s Labyrinth (R) — In the fascist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world in a fairy tale not intended for children.

Cassie England — Copy Editor Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides A century-spanning epic about family, tradition and self-identity. Taking the reader from the Greco-Turkish war to the Detroit race riots to the seedy streets of San Francisco in the 1970s, the novel is well worth the time it takes to get through 500-plus pages. This Pulitzer Prize-winning page-turner leaves you feeling like you’ve been somewhere, as all great books should.

L.A. Story (PG-13) — This 1991 comedy is a great satire about celebrity culture. In a city where half of the women are 10 percent silicone and a trip to the colon cleansing clinic is considered a good date, Steve Martin finds love with the help of a clairvoyant traffic sign.

Scott Strickman — Sports Editor The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera This book was very relatable for me, which made it very readable. It offered general life philosophies, with the added touch of emotion and suspense that makes every story better and more influential. The plot follows the life of love, and how it impacts the lovers.

The Simpsons Movie (PG-13) — Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. This has been nearly 20 years in the making.

I quit Karate during grade school because it fell on Wednesdays, which happened to be the same day The Simpsons aired way back when. The initial ambassadors of animated satire and sarcasm, this will definitely be worth the price of admission … and the price of the exorbitant Director’s Cut, Collectors’ Edition, etc.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The University Star - Page 9

✯ Sophistication factor draws iPhone buyers, despite its technical shortfalls To Slate writer Tim a comparatively swift Wu, “... it isn’t yet a Internet, take photos revolutionary device.” and video and has And this is a thorn in had integrated touchthe side of Steve Jobs: screen capabilities for He wanted to be the years, and can be had, impetus behind the unlocked, for less than BILL RIX mobile revolution, an the iPhone.

Star Columnist act he was probably Just being in exissure the iPhone would tence is all the iPhone usher in. But you can only get needs to be wildly popular, so far, even if you do have a though, being the de facto super-loyal fan base willing to choice for the 20-something purchase, promote and live iPod-wearing crowd and the by your products, when your 30- and 40-somethings looklatest and greatest only barely ing to them out of the corner touches what similar devices of their eyes. Never mind the have been doing for years. phone’s average call quality or Apple’s vetting into the world the mediocre, almost sub-dialof smart phones is a modest up speed of the AT&T EDGE one: It allows Internet access network and the complete lack (with terrible speed courtesy of a camera, standard in most of AT&T EDGE), has a fullcompeting smart phones — it’s color, touch-sensitive display hip to follow the Cult of Apple. (yet no camera) and can sync Not that there is anything with iTunes (in an albeit clumsy wrong with that, of course; usway). Palm’s Treo series, for ers will shell out more money example, can play music in a than their beige companions variety of formats without relybut will ultimately get a level of ing on specific software, access sophistication not present with

those toting the more utilitarian Treos and Samsung BlackJacks. It’s more of a status thing than anything else.

Regardless of its shortcomings, this probably isn’t the last iPhone we’ll see. Looking at Apple’s business models, they are wont to keep product lines around for years — they’ve kept the iMac around for 10 years now, although you wouldn’t think so by comparing the models. So in a few years, likely being more than two seeing as how the AT&T contract goes up to two years, we will like see a new incarnation of the iPhone, be it a 2.0 or mini model. By then, hopefully through firmware upgrades, software enhancements and — fingers crossed here — an open development platform for programmers, the oversights of the iPhone’s design will be patched up. As it stands, it’s a waiting game for perfectionists, but it’s standard fare for those in technology. © Pappocom

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

Tracking Tre n d s LAUNCHED Houston-based www.yippykya.com launched a social networking Web site that enables users to develop their own stores. Features allow users to sell products directly to consumers and to personalize their market and develop their brands.

EXTENDED San Marcos Nature Center has new weekend hours. The center, located at 430 Riverside, will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and welcomes visitors.

6/28 solutions:

EXPECTING The Simple Life star Nicole Richie is three months pregnant and getting married to the baby’s father, Good Charlotte front man Joel Madden. The celebutante faces driving under the influence charges July 11, which could land her a three-month sentence in jail.

TALLIED An online, world-wide vote produced a final tally of the Seven Wonders of the World including: The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Brazil’s statue of Christ the Redeemer, Peru’s Machu Picchu, Mexico’s Chichen Itza pyramid, The Colosseum in Rome and India’s Taj Mahal. Egypt’s Pyramids were awarded an honorary status. Before the vote ended Friday, organizers said more than 90 million votes had been cast for 21 wonders.

this space for sale

CONTRIBUTE User-generated video will drive presidential candidate debates — www.youtube.com’s live forum will feature video questions submitted to the site which will be broadcast and answered by the Democratic and Republicans. The two-hour debate and follow-up questions may be submitted until July 22 on the site. The first debate will air live July 23 on CNN.

Call (512) 245-3487 or email starad1@txstate.edu for details.

piled Photos com

mpus

a from MCTc

WEDNESDAY JULY 11 Molley Hayes Triple Crown, 6 p.m Tracie Lynn Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Electric Mayhem Lucy’s, 9 p.m.

Rodney Branigan/Lucus Cookus Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

The Wesley Cox Band Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

6/27 solutions:

THURSDAY JULY 12 R.C. Banks Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Texas Sapphires Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Onie Hendrix and the Texas Tallboys Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Buttercup/Darling New Neighbors Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

Rockus Circus Lucy’s, 11 p.m.

FRIDAY JULY 13 Shotgun Party Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Engaged in Mutilating Lucy’s, 8 p.m.

Reckless Kelly Gruene Hall, 8 p.m.

Disfigured Lucy’s 9 p.m.

Heybale Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Lug/Soul Strung/Every Other Fate Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

Indisgust Lucy’s 10 p.m.

Method of Destruction Lucy’s 11 p.m.

this space for sale

Call (512) 245-3487 or email starad1@txstate.edu for details.

COPIED Avril Lavigne faces a lawsuit by the members of a 1970s rock band who claim her hit song, “Girlfriend” rips off one of their tunes.

Songwriters Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer alleged in lifted the plaintiffs’ 1979 song “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” originally performed by The Rubinoos. The pop star has posted an open letter on her Web site refuting the charges.

SATURDAY JULY 14 Mingo FishTrap White Water on the Horseshoe, 8 p.m.

Dale Watson/Rich O’Toole Gruene Hall, 9 p.m.

Ricky Stein and Slowtrain Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Hognose/Split hoof/Backwater Gypsy Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

The Grinding Wheels Lucy’s, 11 p.m.

The Harlots Lucy’s, 12 a.m.

SUNDAY JULY 15 Bruce Robison River Pub & Grill, 7:30 p.m.

Daivd Insley Gruene Hall, 9 p.m.

Compiled by Clara Cobb/Trends Editor

Open Mic with Glenn Allan & Kim Mackenzie Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Robyn Ludwick Gruene Hall, 12:30 p.m.

MONDAY JULY 16 Ricky Stein Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

The Band of Heathens Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Triple Tronica w/ Jon Dishon Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

TUESDAY JULY 17 George Kinney and the Cedar Creekers Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Two Tons of Steel Gruene Hall, 8:30 p.m.

Guitar Hero Lucy’s 9 p.m.

Beverly Hensely Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

The Dedringers Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY JULY 18 Jane Bond and Chad Tracey Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

The McKay Brothers Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Stone Dakota Manifesto/Brink of Disaster Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

Matt Dunnam Band Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY JULY 19 Eric Hisaw Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Jason Allen Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Lonesome Spurs Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Wes Heathcock Lucy’s, 10 p.m.

Mr. Lewis & the Funeral Five/Low Down Family String Band Triple Crown, 10 p.m Jarred Francis Band Lucy’s, 11 p.m.

FRIDAY JULY 20 New Texas Family Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

The Derailers Gruene Hall, 8 p.m.

Turbo 350/American Graveyard Triple Crown, 9 p.m.

Low Down Family String Band Lucy’s, 9 p.m.

Lucus Hudgins and the First Cousins Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

Sour Mash Lucy’s 10 p.m.

Shotgun Hustler Lucy’s, 11 p.m.

SATURDAY JULY 21 White Ghost Shivers Gruene Hall, 1 p.m.

Stoney Larue Whitewater on the Horseshow, 8 p.m.

Roger Creager’s Birthday Show Gruene Hall, 9 p.m.

Scott H. Biram Riley’s Tavern, 9 p.m.

The Belgraves/Monkeytown/Shotgun Hustler* Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY JULY 22 Jed Kelley Gruene Hall, 12:30 p.m.

Adam Hood Gruene Hall, 5 p.m.

Guy Forsyth River Pub & Grill 7:30 p.m.

Open Mic with Glenn Allan & Kim Mackenzie Riley’s Tavern 9 p.m.

MONDAY JULY 23 Gerry’s Kids Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

The Band of Heathens Gruene Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Doomsday Device Triple Crown, 10 p.m.

TUESDAY JULY 24 Two Tons of Steel Gruene Hall, 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY JULY 24 Guitar Hero Lucy’s, 9 p.m.

Cody Bones Triple Crown, 6 p.m.

Slow Train/Boone Graham Triple Crown, 9 p.m. * Indicates a CD release party If your local live music is missing, please e-mail your music calendar to starentertainment@txstate.edu.

Venues covered must be within a 20mile radius of Texas State campus.

Deadline for next issue’s calendar events is July 23.

Page 10 - The University Star

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Wednesday, June 11, 2007

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Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - Page 11 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu.

Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication.

The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

E-mail starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifieds Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

AUTO

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97’ JEEP CHEROKEE W/ MUSIC MAKER. Perfect condition. $2,700.

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FOR RENT 2BD/1BA ON SHUTTLE ROUTE. Adorable layout. Perfect for students!!

106 Ladybird B, $550. VJE, (512) 353-3002.

WONDERFUL TRI-PLEX in the heart of the historic district. Walk to the square & bike to campus!! Peaceful with lots of trees. Huge living room, ceramic tile floors and new carpet.

1015 MLK, 2BD/1BA, $650. VJE, (512) 353-3002.

KYLE: 3BD/21/2 BA WITH 3 LIVING AREAS! 20 acre sports complex across street with pool, variety of courts/fields, hike/bike. $1,550/mo. Kent @ (512) 670-6647.

239 CRADDOCK. Large 2BD/2BA. W/D included, $565 per month. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

HWY 80 APARTMENT. 2BD/1BA. Newly remodeled. $550 per month, water & trash paid. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

FOR RENT-APTS BEAUTIFUL 2BD/2BA IN DOWNTOWN SAN MARCOS. Call (830) 609-6162 or (830) 832-4914.

HUGE 1BD/1BA, $495/MO. Most bills paid. Walking distance to campus.

For more information call Apartments to Go at (512) 353-FREE. TAKE OVER MY LEASE. 4BD apt., individual leasing. Cable, internet and phone paid. Call (956) 572-6725.

PRE-LEASING 1BD APT. FROM $395/MO. (512) 353-5051.

FOR RENT-APTS

BISHOP’S CORNER HAS 1BD/1BA FOR $405. Water/waste water & trash paid. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

FOR RENTCONDOS/TOWNHOMES 736 CENTRE. Extra large 2BD/1.5BA. Water/waste water paid. $750 per month. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

WALK TO CAMPUS!! Great views.

Balcony off bedrooms & living, fireplace. Full size washer/dryer. Baynebridge Condos, 2BD/2BA, $795. Some bills paid. VJE, (512) 353-3002.

FOR RENT-DUPLEX 612 MILL. 2BD/2BA with washer/ dryer. $675 per month. On the shuttle.

Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

3BD/2BA LOCATED AT 1305 BAYLOR, 1312 BAYLOR, 108 CREST AND 1408 EARLE. July and August availability. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

519 HUTCHISON. 3BD/3BA for $1,100 per month. So close to campus you can walk. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

SAGEWOOD – 2 story duplex feels like a home!! 3BD/2.5BA, or a 3BD/ 3.5BA. 2 car garage & full size WD. $1,150-$1,200. VJE, (512) 353-3002.

FOR RENT-HOUSES 500 CREST CIRCLE DRIVE. 2BD/ 2BA. Fenced yard. Out by the outlet mall. $825 per month. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call (512) 665-3321 for showing.

1BD HOUSE IN COUNTRY. 15 min. from campus. $625/mo. Includes internet/cable. Call (512) 392-2700.

FOR RENT-HOUSES

1BD APT. NEXT TO CAMPUS. $625/mo. Includes internet, cable, electric, gas, water, and garbage.

(512) 392-2700.

FOR SALE KENMORE STACKED W/D. 5 years old. $450, OBO. (512) 259-3482.

1BD CONDO ON RIVER W/ POOL IN NEW BRAUNFELS. $99,000.

(830) 708-5254 or (702) 688-9577.

GREAT FOR GRANDMA’S HOUSE. Baby crib, mattress, chenille bumpers, very good condittion, $60. Antique civil war baby crib, $850. Call (512) 754-0681.

HELP WANTED WIMBERLEY ATHLETIC CLUB FRONT DESK POSITION. To work set schedule, 20+ hrs. weekly, working Saturday or Sunday is required, $6 hr. to start, in exchange for professional on the job training with clients who have health, fitness, sports conditioning, post surgical, and medical exercise needs. Ideally suited for kiniesology, physiology major looking to develop into a full-time professional fitness trainer upon graduation. E-mail resume to Ironsarah@AOL.com and call (512) 560-6761.

HANDYMAN NEEDED: FULLTIME GENERAL MAINTENANCE. Plumbing, painting, repairs, lawn. Must pass criminal history check. Rocking Horse Academy, (512) 405-3700.

ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc. $75-200/ hr. No exp. needed, (512) 684-8296.

EDUCATION STATION AND SCRAPBOOK DEPOT NOW HIRING PART-TIME SALES STAFF. Education majors preferred, but not limited to. Starting pay minimum wage with opportunity for increase. Must be available to work during holiday seasons. Come by to complete application at 1941 IH-35 S.

HELP WANTED

!BARTENDING! Up to $300/day.

No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800) 965-6520 ext. 157.

MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST / INSURANCE BILLING CLERK. Send resume to medicalassistant_dw@hotmail.com TEACHERS NEEDED: Now hiring part-time & full-time teachers. Education major/experience/bilingual preferred, but not required. Quality child development center in Kyle.

(512) 405-3700 or fax (512) 405-3701.

DAYTIME HOST AND WAITSTAFF NEEDED. Apply in person at Rose Garden Chinese Bistro, 700 N. LBJ. Dr, Suite 114; (512) 805-0880.

FRONT DESK CLERK WANTED. Duties include: answering phones, reservations, guest check in, and check out handle cash & credit card transactions and guest services. Will train.

Math and sales skills necessary. Need smart, hardworking, computer literate, enthusiastic person with common sense. Apply in person at Americas Best Value Inn, I-35, Exit 221, Buda.

EXPERIENCED SERVERS, HOSTS, AND COOKS WANTED AT PALMER’S. Apply in person between 2-4 p.m. daily. EOE. No phone calls please.

MISCELLANEOUS NO MONEY DOWN - FREE LIST OF PROPERTIES WITH NO DOWN PAYMENT. FREE RECORDED MESSAGE. (877) 594-5570 ID #1043.

BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in San Marcos.

100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.

ROOMMATES WANTED: 2 FEMALE ROOMMATES, attending Texas State in the fall. $250 per month and 1/3 utilities. Call (830) 625-1465.

SERVICES WWW.STUDENTATTORNEY.COM

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

THE UNIVERSITY STAR IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2007 FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: DESIGN EDITOR COMIC ARTISTS ENTERTAINMENT COLUMNISTS ENTERTAINMENT WRITERS FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANTS ILLUSTRATORS NEWS REPORTERS

WANTED OFF-CAMPUS DELIVERY DRIVER OPINIONS COLUMNISTS PAGE DESIGNERS PHOTOGRAPHERS SPORTS COLUMNISTS SPORTS WRITERS Launch your career in journalism, advertising, design or get involved in campus life by building your portfolio at one of the premiere collegiate newspapers in Texas. The Star is a student newspaper, created and edited entirely by students.

Pick up an application at the Trinity Building, or download one at www.universitystar.com.

For more information, please call (512) 245.3487.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

this bud’snot for you Budweiser officials are shopping for a new NASCAR sponsorship, a clear indication the beer company will not sponsor Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Anheuser-Busch is negotiating with Evernham Motorsports — so the Bud sponsorship will most likely move to Kasey Kahne’s No. 9 Dodge next season. It’s expected PepsiCo Inc., or a variety of the brand’s products, will pick up the Earnhardt sponsorship.

— Compiled from other sources

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - Page 12

Sports Contact — Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu

NBA Draft Report Card Federer tops

By Scott Strickman News Editor The three in-state teams had outstanding regular season, leaving them out to dry come draft time. So what do we think of how they did in the NBA Draft?

Dallas Mavericks The Mavericks didn’t improve dramatically through the draft, but that’s because they didn’t need to. Even with their incredulous first-round flameout, the Mavs still completed one of the most impressive regular season performances in NBA history. As a result, the pickings were slim once the Mavs were on the clock. They did come away with a notable collegiate standout in 6-foot-11-inch, 245pound forward Nick Fazekas of Nevada, threetime Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year (2005-07). He offers a potential inside-out scoring combination; Coach Avery Johnson said has had the Mavs eyeing Fazekas for a while.

However, Fazekas, the fourth pick of the second round and 34th overall, lacks the defensive and athletic ability to match up with the NBA standard of competition. Thus, he is expected to be more of a role player as a professional than the primary scorer he needed to be for the Wolf Pack. Maybe Fazekas can provide everything that has been expected of fellow Maverick Austin Croshere, who has severely underwhelmed since signing a mega-deal (7 years, $51 million) with the Indiana Pacers in 2000 following his timely playoff explosion when the Pacers reached the NBA Finals (just cheaper, hopefully).

Dallas also selected guard Renaldas Seibutis, with the 50th pick of the draft, a 6-foot-5-inch, 176-pound sharp shooting toothpick from Lithuania. He’s believed to be very coachable, which shouldn’t be very hard in Dallas anyways, as Avery Johnson is a player’s coach. Seibutis has decent range, but a skinny frame coupled with raw talent will keep him stowed away in Europe for another year or two as he develops.

With the 60th and final pick of the draft, the Mavs selected another European, Milovan Rakovic, a 6-foot-10-inch, 235-pound power forward.

Rakovic was promptly traded to the Orlando Magic for the rights to forward Reyshawn Terry (6 feet 8 inches, 232 pounds). Terry attended North Carolina for four years and is regarded as a great athlete with a terrific stroke from threepoint territory. He shot 41.9 percent from threepoint field goal range over his four-year career, third best in school history.

GRADE:

C-

Houston Rockets The Rockets shocked the world, or at least the city of Houston, by selecting another undersized player at a position that needed improvement, but still seems to remain waterlogged in mediocrity. OK, as for the actual choice, with the 26th pick of the draft, Aaron Brooks, (no, not the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders) was what the Rockets deemed fit. Out of the University of Oregon at 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, Brooks size or lack thereof made the selection astonishing initially. After some time has passed, the mental acuity the Rockets extorted in making this choice becomes a little more apparent. The kid can shoot, and shooting plagued the Rockets in their first-round matchup with the Utah Jazz in the NBA Playoffs (see Alston, Rafer). He is also an extremely quick point guard that should mesh well with the up-tempo transformation the Rockets front office and coaching staff seem to have made with the addition of Rick Adelman, coach of the Sacramento Kings during their heyday (19982006); replacing former Rockets Coach Jeff Van Gundy. Brooks averaged 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game for the Ducks last season, whom he helped carry to the Elite Eight. Although he rarely displayed it during his collegiate career, his ability to finish at the rim has comparisons linking him to Spud Webb, though he is five inches taller than the diminutive Webb. Brooks should be a good addition to offset the great passer, horrid shooter and the good shooter, no-intent to pass combination that Alston/Mike James supply, as he seems able to adequately do both. His size and quickness give hope for another rendition of T.J. Ford. Just don’t expect it to happen right away.

In the second round, the Rockets came away with another guard, the 6-foot-6-inch, 194-pound Brad Newley. From Australia, Newley has shown the ability to score, but lacks defense, another characteristic of a draftee that bears resemblance to Adelman-led teams. The Rockets though, have been near the top of the league in recent years defensively, and should be applauded for their efforts to speed up their stagnant halfcourt offense, even if the defense is to suffer, consequently. Newley has been described as “The Australian Scoring Machine,” but plays in a league not known for its defensive prowess. He is a good athlete with a decent shot and range and plays with heart. He is predictably slow to his left and, as previously mentioned, relatively incompetent on the defensive end due to his lack of lateral quickness. He’s worth a gamble as a late second-rounder. Hopefully he can provide more than the soon-to-be departed “T-Mac back home,” Vassilis Spanoulis, of Greece.

GRADE:

C+

San Antonio Spurs The Spurs didn’t make a selection until the 28th pick of the draft, but still came away with someone who many believed to be a lottery pick in Brazilian center Tiago Splitter (7-feet tall, 245 pounds). Splitter is believed to already possess an NBA-ready body, in both size and strength, and places a steady defensive presence in the paint for the Spurs. His strengths fit in almost perfectly with what the type of basketball philosophy the Spurs have employed to win championships in three of the past five seasons. Splitter is considered a great on-the-ball defender and an imposing shot blocking force. His versatility also allows him to be a great rebounder. While Splitter used to be a good shooter, once he began playing in Europe the intent was to program him as more of a post-up scorer. As a result, his shooting touch has faded over the past few years, but he is still effective in the paint and a step or two out. At first glance, he may seem like a Rasho Nesterovic clone, but Splitter seems to mold better with the pursuit of perfection that coach Gregg Popovich demands of his players. As is par for the course, the Spurs seemed to have stolen another international diamond later in the draft. Look for Splitter to supplant the incumbent Francisco Elson as the starting center, if given the chance.

With the 33rd pick, San Antonio selected Marcus Williams, a 6-foot-7-inch, 205-pound forward who came out of the University of Arizona following a breakout sophomore season. The twenty-year old Williams averaged 16.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and shot 49.4% this year as a member of the Wildcats.

His athleticism will allow him to play both the two and three slots in the NBA, as will his adept midrange shooting touch. However, the only knock on his game is the regression of his three-point shot.

As a freshman, he made 43.5% of his threes, but his sophomore season that percentage dipped to 28.8%, as he put up more attempts. Williams is quick off the dribble though, able to create his own shot, and a strong finisher at the rim. Poor shot selection should not be an issue with him. Expectations are for Williams to be groomed into a serviceable NBA swingman off the bench, a la Michael Finley, making him an ideal sixth man for years to come.

The Spurs continued to go big with their final pick, choosing 6-foot-9-inch, 223-pound Greek forward Giorgos Printezis with the 58th selection of the draft. He was then traded to the Toronto Raptors for the rights to their second-round pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Printezis is expected to remain in Europe for another year or two.

GRADE:

B+

Wimbledon for fifth time

By Charles Bricker South Florida Sun-Sentinel

WIMBLEDON, England — Roger Federer, in one of the most stirring Grand Slam finals in recent years, defeated archrival Rafael Nadal Sunday to win a record fifth consecutive Wimbledon.

On Centre Court, Bjorn Borg, the tennis icon whose record Federer matched, came down from the Royal Box at the end of this 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2 epic match to greet the victor.

It was a match that was Nadal’s for the taking.

Until he crumbled in the fifth set, Nadal had held serve 22 consecutive times. He won virtually all the long rallies with the impatient Federer. He had an avalanche of momentum after breaking Federer twice in the fourth set. And, he would have four more break points as the two men hit the homestretch.

He could not, however, convert any of them.

It’s been said many times about champions: They find a way to win; and that’s precisely what happened in this match.

With the most important two shots of this three-hour and 45-minute odyssey, Federer sent an extremely low slice backhand to Nadal, who could only return it with moderate pace deep to Federer’s backhand side.

Federer turned sharply on the ball and whipped a clean winner down the sideline that put him up 4-2 in the fifth.

“I was almost crying when I was up 5-2 (in the final set), so I had to kind of just stay pretty relaxed,” said Federer. “And then, you know, the next game starts love-15. I’m like, `Oh, my God, this is going too well.’ Then, all of a sudden he’s got game point and I’m just trying to stay focused.”

Federer told himself, “Let’s do it again, play aggressive on the second serve. It paid off, so I was thrilled.”

This was a harrowing loss for Nadal.

“I have big chances in the fifth at 15-40 (twice),” said Nadal. “Maybe if we have to find any difference, the difference is the serve.”

It was Federer’s serve that pulled him through this extremely difficult ordeal.

And so he wins his 11th Grand Slam, and second of the year, to go with the Australian Open, placing him just three behind all-time leader Pete Sampras.