08 24 2009

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

Volume 99, Issue 1

www.UniversityStar.com

Going Batty Music lovers flock to bat festival, See page 4B

Southland Favorites Preseason poll predict Texas State football on top, See page 1C

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University will move Elementary education, top forward with recital major at Texas State hall despite setback

By Megan Holt News Reporter

By Rachel Nelson News Reporter Requests for tuition revenue bonds did not see approval from the state legislature in May, but Texas State officials said they will break ground for a new recital hall and theater building in 2011 — a project expected to reach completion by 2013.

“As we moved into the legislative session last summer, we initially heard there were not going to be any tuition revenue bonds considered,” said Bill Nance, vice president for finance and support services. “Then we got communication from our system office that they were going to consider TRBs.” Texas State requested TRB funding for five construction projects. “(Funding for) the new recital hall and theatre center were our highest priorities at the time,” he said.

Richard Cheatham, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, said he was not surprised Texas State’s

requests did not make it past the committee stage in the legislature and cited the poor state of the national economy.

Institutions in Houston which suffered hurricane damage were awarded construction funding, Cheatham said.

“Unless it was a special need like that, the budget was so tight this year they did not fund any of the tuition revenue bonds,” Cheatham said.

A gift of $8 million donated

by Patti Harrison will go toward funding for the recital hall and theater center. The rest of the funding will come from Education Assistance Fund allocations, Nance said.

Nance said $52 million in TRBs had been requested for the project. When combined with Harrison‘s gift, the building was estimated to cost $60 million. However, Nance said economic conditions have caused the price of construction materials to fall.

“Because we’ve re-done the construction cost estimate, we’re going to be able to get everything for some-

thing closer to $40 million than (the original estimate) $60 million,” Nance said.

Nance said the recital hall and theater center is just one part of several projects.

Other elements, such as a parking garage and road modifications, will be funded by “self-supporting revenues,” he said.

Nance estimated the parking garage will have 350 to 400 parking spaces and will be pay by the hour, not permit-based. It will be erected adjacent from the new recital hall and theater center where Falls Hall currently sits.

“It’s being put in this location to facilitate the attendance of the events that will be held in the new center,” Nance said. “Student and community members will have convenient parking.”

Other projects Texas State requested TRB funding for have been put on hold.

“We’re hopeful two years from now when the legislature meets again, the economy will have improved and some of these projects will

Out of the approximate 100 undergraduate degrees offered at Texas State, students choose interdisciplinary studies — elementary education more than anything else.

Perhaps not surprising, considering the history of the institution.

The Texas Legislature authorized the teacher’s school in 1899, and in 1903, South-

west Texas State Normal School opened its doors as primarily a teacher’s college.

“Students who are looking into an educational field to major in see there will always be a need for teachers,” said Jose Laird, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions. “It reflects the university’s history.”

The Texas State Fact Book states Fall 2008 saw nearly 1,400 students enrolled in interdisciplinary studies.

“From my perspective,

people are looking for various skills that will provide insight and valuable input into a degree plan,” said Stephen Springer, Occupational Education program chair.

“Interdisciplinary studies offer various skill sets and provides students with the opportunity to learn various useful skills.”

State as of March. The two publication writers in the Office of University Marketing will head the Twitter and Facebook pages, respectively.

King said Texas State reached “critical mass” after reviewing social-media practices universities around the country employ successfully .Officials decided it was time to launch its own accounts aimed at engaging students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“We are going to have

Twitter Tuesdays and Facebook Fridays, King said. “We are going to make it fun for people. We’ll have contests.

On Twitter Tuesdays we will give some things away — we will announce how to claim your prize. Facebook Friday we are still working on –

SEE “MAJORS” page 9A

Texas State makes its debut on Twitter, Facebook

By Amanda Venable Editor in Chief Students may have an unlikely follower in the coming weeks — Texas State.

The university is jumping on the social-media bandwagon, creating an official Texas State Twitter, Facebook and, soon-to-come, YouTube page.

Behind the outreach are David King and Yvonne Taylor, who are new to Texas

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

SEE “ONLINE” page 9A

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2A - The University Star

Monday, August 24, 2009

Letter from the Editor Hello friends, As I begin my term as editor in chief, I feel this is a particularly exciting time to be a journalist. We are a part of a unique setting within our society — a university campus. Herein lies a place filled with opportunity. A place that — by its very nature — fosters and thrives on exchange of diverse ideas. And in the center of this exchange is one completely student-run medium — The University Star.

The Star works hard to ensure you have the information and platform to engage in a dialogue of ideas, from delivering community news, to featuring local entertainment, to timely coverage of Bobcat Athletics, to opinions and debate that shape our community. And it is our privilege to do so.

Allow me to introduce myself, my name’s Amanda Venable, and I’m a communication studies senior from Austin. I love politics, current events, psychology, the outdoors and animals.

I came to Texas State three years ago with no clue what I wanted to study. I spent my freshman year, for the most part, unengaged in campus life.

However, I applied to be a news reporter at The Star when I returned for my sophomore year. The editor at the time, either sleep deprived or having a temporary moment of insanity — likely both— took a chance on me: a girl with no journalism experience. However, my stories soon began frequenting the front page, and I won’t lie friends, it felt good to see my name in print.

I worked hard, took every story that came my way and became the senior news reporter the next semester before being hired as the news editor last year. And now, here I am, working side-by-side with the rest of The Star staff as the conduit between university officials, students and the City of San Marcos.

I tell you this for one reason. No matter what your interests are, get involved. Whether it’s with the Associated Student Government, intramural sports, a volunteer organization, greek life, The Star, or any of the other 300 some-odd organizations on campus, be a part of this community. This is your home now, and The Star wants to help you be engaged.

To better do so we are launching a revamped Web site — universitystar.com — complete with videos, blogs, one-on-one interviews, a Twitter feed and more. But this site is, above all, about you. You’ll be able to post your comments about each article, comment on our blogs and submit news tips. And we’ll be bringing current events to you in print three times a week. We value transparency and openness, and when we make mistakes — like any professional publication — we will correct them. When breaking news happens, we will report it.

And when a debate is taking place on campus, we will be the sounding board.

It is our hope that you will be a part of our team. If you’re interested in being a part of The Star staff, come visit us at the Trinity Building.

Or stay connected with us: visit universitystar.com, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook or submit letters to the editor. We will do a better job, and improve our community together with you part of the exchange.

Cheers, Amanda Venable

The Star’s Mission Index The University Star is a student-run publication that uses its First Amendment rights to keep government and the university administration honest and transparent while informing, entertaining and engaging Texas State and the local community.

Q&A

Q&A with University President Denise Trauth

By Allen Reed News Editor

AR: You’ve lived and worked in Ohio, Oklahoma and North Carolina. What is the biggest culture shock you felt when moving to Texas seven years ago?

DT: I wouldn’t say I had culture shock because big universities are amazingly similar and the faculty at any major university is going to come from across the country — they tend to be very cosmopolitan places.

AR: Is there anything particular about Texas that jumped out at you?

DT: Texas is different from any other state I’ve lived in. I remember the weekend before I came for an interview I was at a party and people knew I was coming here for an interview. A native Texan who was in North Carolina pulled me aside and said, “Ok now Denise, get this straight. Texas is not the South and Texas is not the West, Texas is Texas.” That’s really true… In many ways Texas is the friendliest state I’ve ever lived in…

People are more forthright. I came here from North Carolina and that might be the other end of the spectrum. North Carolinians will be very cautious in how they speak to you because they don’t want to say negative things or appear to be saying negative things….

Texans are plain spoken. They just say what they think. At first it catches you off guard but seven years later I think it’s great because you know what people think and don’t have to beat around the bush.

AR: Rubbed off on you a little bit?

DT: (laughs) I think probably it has. People tell me I’m getting more blunt all the time.

AR: What’s one fact about you that students probably don’t know, but you wish they did?

DT: My whole background before I became a dean was as a faculty member, and I loved teaching and working with students. I like to think that as I gradually moved from dean to provost to president that those insights you have about a university, because you’ve been on the faculty a long time inform the decisions you make.

AR: What type of work did you do as a faculty member?

DT: I was in the radio, television and film department at Bowling Green. I taught everything from scriptwriting to audio/visual production. My area of research was broadcast and electronic media law and policy.

AR: You have a master’s in journalism and a doctorate in mass communication. How have you applied your educational background in communicating with the student body?

How has it prepared you?

DT: One of the important things you learn as a journalist is to write and write well under deadline pressure. Even though I give a lot of public speeches, the main way I communicate with people still is in writing. I still do the vast majority of my interactions through written communication, and I always tell students that’s not going to go away and anything you can do to hone your written communication skills is a good thing.

AR: You have open door days twice a semester. What is one concern or issue expressed over the years that is particularly memorable?

DT: I’ll tell you what has surprised me the most — how little students complain about food. When I was in college, if you got the opportunity to speak to the president, you were going to complain about food. There wasn’t any question about that. I’m surprised that I don’t get nearly as many complaints as I would have guessed, and that tells me we have a good situation here.

AR: What challenges do you expect to face this upcoming semester?

DT: The single biggest thing the university is going to face this year is the re-affirmation of our accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This is something we have worked on for two years. We’re continuing to work on it this year and a team will be here in March.

AR: What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment at Texas State thus far?

DT: I think the greatest accomplishment is putting together a good team of people who has provided extraordinary leadership across all sectors of the university, particularly, having a team in academic affairs who has really been able to advance the university. I really feel like we’ve moved the academic mission of this university down the road and I feel very confident about that.

AR: What is your favorite book?

DT: I was an English major as an undergrad, and I love reading novels. In college, I loved reading The Brontë sisters and today I like early-American literature, Louisa May Alcott. It’s hard to pick one book because I’m always reading a book.

AR: How about movie?

DT: It’s hard to pick just one. I have to say one I only saw a year ago that I loved is “Mama Mia”. I’m a big Meryl Streep fan and I loved it.

Section A News

Professor uses math to track criminals, shark patterns................. 3A Developers withdraw proposals for Springtown Mall.................... 4A KTSW has more accessibility with new tower purchase............... 4A New center will advance entrepreneurial education..................…. 5A Bar hours extension helps summer lull of customers...................... 5A ASG Supreme Court to take a more active role................................… 6A Summer brings decrease in noise citations.......................................... 6A Organizations encourage students get politically involved............ 7A Letter from Mayor Susan Narvaiz …...................................................... 15A Main Point, Opinions … ................................................................................16A

Section B Trends

10 Things Every Bobcat Should Know …................................................. 1B City program benefits art-based projects, bring community together .................................................................................................................................... 2B Costumes, dancing come together in Houston rave …....................... 3B Concertgoers celebrate bats at festival under bridge ….................... 4B Seniors give freshmen advice for balancing school, life …............... 5B “Bruno” leaves some audience members bored ….............................. 5B Volunteering offers opportunity for community involvement …. 6B Chain sandwich shop becomes fixture on The Square …............... 11B Couple opens trading spot for pop-culture memorabilia, memories ..................................................................................................................................11B Diversions ......................................................................................................… 13B

Section C Sports

Preseason polls predict Bobcats win conference …............................ 1C New Bobcat athletes prepare for college careers …............................ 1C Cross country teams train, hope to maintain conference rank ….. 2C Bobcat sports continues success in titles, awards ….......................... 3C NFL players’ crimes do not fit punishment …........................................ 5C Returning quarterback fills role of leader for new season …........... 6C Football readies for keeping last season’s offensive momentum … 6C

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Professor uses math to track criminals, shark patterns

By Travis Hord News Reporter More than a decade ago, Texas State criminal justice professor Kim Rossmo developed an investigational method known as geospatial profiling to assist in the apprehension of serial criminals by attempting to narrow the search for the suspect’s residence or headquarters to a small range of potential locations. Now, this same method is being used to track one of the world’s oldest predators.

The information is derived from applying a complex mathematical algorithm, developed

by Rossmo, to available evidence in each individual case — particularly existing attack locations and their positions relative to each other.

Since Rossmo developed the algorithm, the use of geospatial profiling has yielded results in criminal investigations, including the South Side Rapist in Louisiana and the Washington, D.C. sniper cases.

Geospatial profiling has been employed in television shows, such as “Numb3rs” and “Law and Order.”

Even the United States military has explored applying geospatial profiling to insurgency attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan — giving U.S. troops the edge by plotting the locations of individual attacks and using that data to derive the locations of insurgency bases, safe-houses and weapons warehouses.

“The goal is to help law enforcement, intelligence and military agencies focus their limited resources in areas that are most likely to contain what they’re looking for,” Rossmo said.

Throughout the years, Rossmo’s algorithm and technique have seen numerous applications outside the field of crimi-

nal justice. Rossmo employed geospatial profiling to the study of habits and patterns of bees and bats, two species that depend on a tangible base of operations in order to thrive.

“I always try to think, ‘Where can it be applied next?’ and ‘Where will this take us?’”

Rossmo said. “Some of the most interesting possibilities in law enforcement exist where different academic disciplines intersect. And this is really criminology, geography and mathematics, with maybe a little bit of forensic psychology. There is a lot of potential.”

Most recently, Rossmo and a team of researchers have applied geospatial profiling to the hunting patterns of the Great White Shark — an animal known to not depend on a den or similar structural headquarters. Their research was recently published in the scholarly periodical, Journal of Zoology.

Setting up shop at Seal Island in False Bay, South Africa, Rossmo and his research fellows collected detailed data on more than 300 individual shark attacks on Cape Fur Seals.

“Sharks are constantly swimming, and unlike other animals, they do not have the equivalent of a den, nest or burrow.” Rossmo said. “Therefore, establishing the existence (location, size and shape) of an anchor point or “centre of gravity” for a search pattern could provide important insight into their hunting behavior.”

After applying the geospatial profiling algorithm to the data, documenting the precise location of shark attacks and the approximate size of the animals, Rossmo discovered a pattern.

“We found that spatial patterns of shark predation at this site were nonrandom.”

Rossmo said. “Sharks also processed a well-defined anchor point or search base, but not where the chances of prey interception were greatest. This location may therefore represent a balance of prey detection, capture rates and intershark competition.”

Because shark attacks, statistically speaking, are rarely observable in the wild, the hunting habits and patterns of Great White Sharks have remained largely unexplained to the scientific community.

Some researchers postulated that the concentration of shark attacks was directly proportional to the amount of prey in any given area, but Rossmo’s research reveals the actual truth may be far more complex.

“We found that smaller sharks had more dispersed prey search patterns and lower success rates than larger sharks,” Rossmo said. “This could mean white sharks refine their search patterns with experience, and learn to concentrate hunting efforts in locations with the highest probability of successful prey capture. It might also be larger sharks competitively exclude smaller sharks from the best hunting areas.”

Rossmo cited the dramatically decreasing global population of Great White Sharks, and a general lack of human understanding of the animal as sources of driving motivation for the project.

“Sharks are apex predators, so studies of shark hunting behavior are important for understanding their ecology and role in structuring marine communities,” Rossmo said.

“Our need for more knowledge of these fascinating animals has become critical because of recent, drastic declines in their populations globally.”

The University Star - 3A

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4A - The University Star

Monday, August 24, 2009

Developers withdraw proposals for Springtown Mall

By Christine Mester News Reporter Austin developers LamySpringtown Mall Ltd. withdrew their proposal to redevelop the Springtown Mall center after they failed to receive financial incentives from the City of San Marcos.

The developers requested a multimillion-dollar, no-interest loan from the city. The center, which once housed Target, Best Buy and JCPenney, is now nearly vacant.

The proposal outlined redeveloping the strip mall into an entertainment center, set to include restaurants, movie theaters and bars, such as an Alamo Drafthouse and Graham’s Central Station, although those businesses had not been confirmed.

Brian Montgomery, presi-

dent of the San Marcos Downtown Association and owner of The Wine Cellar, opposed the proposal.

“There were going to be a lot of big box bars and restaurants and that is not really what we are trying to move toward in San Marcos,” Montgomery said. “We are not opposed to the development of the center. We had some challenges with the way the process was handled. Quite a bit of money was going to be given to businesses that aren’t from San Marcos.”

Fred Terry, City Council Place 3, said the development would have provided more entertainment opportunities for families and underage students as well as draw more visitors into San Marcos.

“I was excited to provide a place of entertainment for

people who were underage or didn’t drink,” Terry said.

“If you look around San Marcos there is not much to do in terms of entertainment if you don’t want to go to a bar or be surrounded by people who are drinking.”

Montgomery said someone is looking to develop an Alamo Drafthouse style theater downtown.

“There is a question of fairness when incentives are given to businesses that will compete against someone who wants to come downtown,” Montgomery said.

“That group basically already has the money. We’re not sure that would have been a wise expenditure of funds.”

According to Montgomery, the Lamy-Springtown Mall Ltd. development would not

have benefited San Marcos.

“What we saw with the project was it was going to bring in minimum wage jobs,” Montgomery said.

“That is not something that is in the spirit of what these incentives are for. Incentives are given when businesses will bring in people that will make San Marcos their home and that will continue to provide an economic benefit to San Marcos and this project did not do so.”

David Dalton, mass communication junior, said he was excited about the development.

“The Alamo Drafthouse brings a track record that leaves it in a much better position to thrive and pay the loan back,” Dalton said. “It’s the perfect movie theater for college-age students, and would undoubtedly be

Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo ABANDONED: Failing to offer financial incentives from the City of San Marcos, the Springtown Mall shopping center remains empty, leaving some to worry the center may decay if something is not built soon.

a new favorite hot spot for students.”

According to Terry, there are no current plans to redevelop the center.

“My worry is the center

will sit there and decay and become a place for vandals and homeless,” Terry said.

“The developers would have provided a big face lift for that area.”

KTSW has more accessibility with new tower purchase

By Lora Collins News Reporter Fans of the Texas State radio station, KTSW, may have a clearer advantage in the coming months thanks to a new purchase.

The university bought the station a $285,000 radio tower in order to broadcast a clearer signal to areas of San Marcos, said Dan Schumacher, KTSW general manager.

He said one of the main objectives of buying the tower was to guarantee KTSW’s future existence.

“It’s like everything else,” he said. “If you rent an apartment you are still at the will of your landlord.”

The station was paying a little less than $500 a month for renting the current space of the radio tower and had an

agreement in the lease allotting a short warning period if the decision were made to remove the radio station. Schumacher said this was not a good arrangement for KTSW. “We had a lease agreement that said all they had to do was give us 60 days notice and we had to get off the tower so we have always felt a little unsettled about that,” Schumacher said.

The new tower will have a tenant paying fees, which will allow all of the earned money on site to be used for tower repairs, yearly inspections and maintenance. Schumacher said the process of finding the tower space and securing its future was a difficult, drawn out ordeal. He said multiple options were discussed to extend the tower.

“We looked at a number of

different ways,” he said. “We looked at possibly purchasing property that the university owns and we were not able to do that because of (interference). Land can be way too expensive and so we decided in order to achieve a couple of our objectives, we would buy the existing site.”

The existing site is currently located outside of San Marcos. The location has caused problems for the radio station in the past but now the new tower will allow for easier contact and maintenance on the system.

Schumacher said the signal was affected because the radio station could not see the tower’s lights without driving to the site. He said with the new tower the radio station can contact the tower and see if the signal is strong

without looking directly at the source.

“We want to make improvements to the existing power,” Schumacher said.

“We are also investigating the purchase of a translator.

A translator will allow us to broadcast out a channel on a different frequency and focus that signal specifically on San Marcos.”

Schumacher said the operation is “full speed ahead” and hopes to reach students with less static this coming semester.

Adam Swank, KTSW station manager, said the radio station receives complaints from students who cannot hear the station clearly.

“Having a clearer signal is great for a number of reasons,” Swank said. “Some students and even some busi-

nesses have difficulty getting us in the valley area. We do a survey of how many students listen to us every year and it is a high number but every little bit helps.”

Swank said the addition of a new tower will help KTSW fix multiple problems.

“Now that we own the tower we have the authority to put some certain upgrades on it,” Swank said.

Schumacher said relations with the university and the City of San Marcos are important to the radio station.

“That’s something we emphasize with our students that they need to contribute to the community or the campus community and I think the administration sees we do good things and we do make positive contributions,” Schumacher said. “We also

have had good relations with city hall. We help out the city in cases of emergencies for instance when Hurricane Ike was bearing down on Texas we were very willing to offer our services and airwaves to help out if they needed us to get the word out there.”

He said the students’ work at KTSW illustrates why the station is improving and will continue to improve in the future.

“I think to me, the fact the university did go so far as to spend this money on the radio station, it really shows we are important to the university,” Schumacher said. “So to me it’s confirmation we are doing a good job. I am immensely proud of what they do and how hard they work and this is just a further affirmation of that.”

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 5A

Bar hours extension helps summer lull of customers

By Sajen Claxton-Hernandez News Reporter

As students migrate to San Marcos for the fall semester, city officials wait to see how the full student body will interact with the later bar hours that went into effect during May. Local bars were issued permits that allow the sale of alcohol until 2 a.m.

Businesses have not seen an extreme change in revenue thus far. City officials decided to use the summer as a warm-up before the return of the full student body, said Eric White, manager at Green Parrot.

“They wanted to (introduce later bar hours) at a slow time of year,” he said.

Because the later bar hours went into effect while most of the students were gone, White said he is not sure if the later hours are why Green Parrot had a good summer in terms of business. “(During the summer), business usually drops off quite a bit,” White said. “It’s been a good summer, but it’s hard to tell until the students get back.”

Matt Salcher, a cook at The Tap Room, said the later bar hours have had some minor effects there during the

summer.

“The normal rush hour got pushed back a little bit,” Salcher said. “Other than that, it hasn’t really changed the way we’ve been going so far.”

Salcher said he has not noticed a massive increase in business throughout the summer.

More hours could mean an increase in revenue, but some residents and local officers expressed concern the extension could mean an increase in violence because of drunkenness.

White said the first few nights of the extension were more adrenalized than usual.

It was like a big celebration, he said. People were coming out at the same time (as before the extension) and drinking the same way.

After the patrons got used to the new hours, the atmosphere calmed as people began arriving later, White said.

“We really had to be on top of things and cut people Tina Phan/Star photo off or not let people in that LATE CHANGES: Students returning to San Marcos for the new semester at Texas State will be able to stay out later thanks to the bar were intoxicated,” he said. “It hours 2 a.m. extension. seemed to kind of smooth out since then.”

Both White and Salcher said police and City Council- students act responsibly to intoxicated customers, doing their jobs,” White said. they have not had any drastic members do not expect to see keep the extension around. especially since the bars have “We’re going to be doing our problems with violence or major problems.

He is hopeful bars will not more time to make their sales. jobs, and I just hope the rest of excessive drunkenness.

White is hopeful bars and be tempted to over serve “I know the police will be the bars follow in sync.”

Bar owners and managers,

New center will advance entrepreneurial education

By Kosaku Narioka News Reporter Texas State is planning to expand its scope of entrepreneurship education with the help of federal funding.

Texas State will launch Center for Entrepreneurial Action by the beginning of Spring 2010, said Robert Hill, associate professor at McCoy College of Business Administration.

Hill, who will direct the center, said it will operate based on three principles: learning by doing, interdisciplinary learning and community connection.

The $150,000 in federal money U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) recently secured for the project will become the primary source of funding.

“I am confident these funds will be put to good use and an innovative new generation of American entrepreneurs and inventors will emerge from this program,” Doggett said in a press release.

The congressman was not available for an interview.

Hill said the money allows him to carry out a fraction of what he is planning in the future, but it will set the plan into the motion. “(If) you got a little seed money to get something actually started, even if you’re fairly small scale, you can attract more funds,” said Hill, who also serves on the executive board of Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers, which counts about 200 university-based centers as its members nationwide.

Entrepreneurship education is growing at Texas State.

The department of manage-

ment offers a concentration in entrepreneurial studies which, at the end of the curriculum, requires students to launch their own business.

The concentration is open to students of any major. Hill said when the department started offering the concentration four years ago, he had a small class at the end and the students sold T-shirts. But four years later, a little more than two dozen students made it through to the end.

Hill said some businesses are gone by the end of semester, about as quickly as they get started, but a few of them are still running.

“I feel pretty good,” Hill said.

“There are at least three or four out of that last semester that will be around for a while.”

Tim Mauz, a student who took the class last Spring, is visiting local supermarkets and convenience stores this summer to sell a product he and his teammates brought into existence. The product called SuperCat Salsa, is essentially a bottle of salsa with the licensed Bobcat logo. His team worked with alumni Scott and Keith Vrana of Consolidated Mills Inc. in Houston.

Mauz said the most difficult part in the class was trying to set up appointments and talk to people without having the product in their hands. The first shipment came at the beginning of April.

He said selling salsa with the Texas State logo was the idea of students in the businessplanning class where launching a business is not required and that he intends to hand it off to a group of students this

coming fall “so they can take it even further, possibly create more product lines for Texas State.

“In stead of just starting a business plan, we actually had to go through the whole process of licensing and getting the product to market,” Mauz said of the final entrepreneurship course. “It was a great experience, something I’ve never done before.”

Hill said businesses typically break even and Supercat Salsa is going to put more money back into the program. However, he said as the program has grown, and the $5,000 seed money given from Ozona National Bank two years ago is no longer enough. He said part of the federal funding is used to fund these student businesses.

Future entrepreneurs are developing their skills outside the curriculum as well. Briton Smetzer, president of Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Texas State, said the members learn how to write a business plan and implement ideas with knowledge of trademark, patent and copyrights. They are attending a national conference where students from nationwide compete in pitching ideas and selling business plans.

Hill said besides providing funds for students’ business plans, the center will work on technology commercialization projects, in other words, taking technologies that are being developed on campus to a market place.

He said such projects, if carried out in an interdisciplinary manner, gives business students a chance to see tech-

nology and science behind things and technology students a chance to learn how their trade can be applied in the real world.

Amy Madison, executive director of economic development for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, said innovation is the driver of any economy and it is entrepreneurship that generally fuels that innovation.

In the greater San Marcos area, “the highest percentage of self-employed individuals work in construction, followed by professional, scien-

tific, and technical services, other services, and real estate, rental and leasing,” according to a community assessment conducted by Market Street Services Inc., Atlanta-based economic development consulting firm. “Local entrepreneur average incomes in Hays County are slightly lower than the (Austin) metro area but higher than the state and nation.”

Madison said besides helping entrepreneurs find angel investors, information and resources, the chamber now has plans to start seminars and

training sessions for them. It tries to beef up such programs partly because the chamber wants to provide a solid foundation for Texas State graduates who stay in San Marcos and launch their businesses.

Hill said the center will also set up programs so students can work with local businesses.

“You think about it (entrepreneurship) being a lone wolf kind of thing, but really in fact a successful business is a result of a lot of interactions between different businesses,” Hill said.

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6A - The University Star

Monday, August 24, 2009

Summer brings decrease in noise citations ASG Supreme Court to take a more active role

By Chase Birthisel News Reporter

It has been a quieter summer for Texas State students.

Noise complaints and citations have decreased since last summer, officials say.

Lisa Dvorak, assistant police chief, said noise complaints during the months of April through July are down from 792 calls in 2008 to 696 during 2009. Noise citations during those months are down from 76 in 2008 to 35 citations in 2009.

The decrease correlates with the implementation of a new noise ordinance, she said. The highly controversial new noise and unruly gathering rules were made law May 12.

The mandate describes violations as “(noise) that can be heard across property lines” and unruly gatherings as “of more than one person” and “by reason of their conduct.”

City Councilmember Chris Jones, Place 4, was the only member to vote against the ordinance. He said the decrease this summer was predictable.

“I don’t think there are as many students that stuck around this summer,” Jones said. “You can see it when you go to different events or go to the movies. Some of the businesses have even been complaining because sales are down.”

What effect the new ordinance will have on students during the Fall has yet to be seen.

Jones said the new ordinance is vague.

“One of my major issues is we didn’t present the citizens with the clear proven standard as to what within the law is OK and what is not OK,” Jones said. “I think one of the major effects will be people will not know if they are in violation or not.”

Dvorak said the new or-

dinance could increase the number of calls for noise violations. She said a loud stereo in the prior ordinance would not be a violation, but now is.

“I think anytime you have a change, there is an adjustment period,” Dvorak said. “There is going to be an adjustment to what the expectations are of on-campus conduct and off-campus conduct.”

City Councilmember Kim Porterfield, Place 1, said another variable involved with the number of noise complaints is the extra two hours students can spend in the bars.

“I think when you couple the new amendments to the 2 a.m. bar closing, it is really anybody’s guess,” Porterfield said. “Will it mean that people will stay at the bars longer instead of going home and having an after-party?”

Jones said the bars closing later will decrease the amount of noise complaints.

Star File Photo CONTROVERSIAL LAW: The noise ordinance placed into effective May 12 has caused this summer to be a quieter one for Texas State students.

He said people leaving at closing time will go to bed because it will be late.

The Achieving Community Together program is working with landlords and owners to distribute information among citizens in order to educate residents of the city on the new ordinance. ACT Co-chair Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs, said when it comes to the new ordinance, knowledge is power.

“If students know what the expectations are, the vast majority of students are going to comply with those expectations,” Smith said.

“A part of our effort is to be proactive and get to students first and say, “Here are the guidelines.” Our hope is to see a reduction in the number of noise complaints.”

Dvorak is working with Smith as another ACT cochair. She said the program is meant to educate the community.

“Students want to be able to socialize, and that’s all well and good as long as it fits in with the scheme of the neighborhood,” Dvorak said. “We want neighbors to understand students are going to socialize, and there is nothing wrong with them doing that. So you have this educational process that’s on both sides of the fence.”

Dvorak has advice for students living within the community this fall.

“Look at what it takes to have a responsible gathering,” Dvorak said. “Know where you’re going to have the event and who you’re going to invite. Make sure to control the alcohol, the noise, the parking, the trash, and make sure to control the crowd. Also make sure everyone is of legal drinking age that is drinking at the gathering.”

By Lyanna Fuentes News Reporter Despite their lack of involvement in the past, ASG President Chris Covo said the ASG Supreme Court will play a significant role in the lives of students and senators this year.

The ASG Supreme Court serves as the university’s version of the judicial branch of the government.

The Supreme Court can review cases, issues that arise and actions made by ASG as a whole.

“They can review our budget and our senators,” Covo said. “If a student’s got a problem, they can take it to the Supreme Court.”

Covo said he has high hopes for the Supreme Court.

“They have the power to review us and to keep us in check,” Covo said. “My goal is for them to be very active.”

Each year, the new ASG president nominates one chief justice and a maximum of eight associate justices to serve on the ASG Supreme Court.

This term, Covo has selected four nominees for the Supreme Court associate justices. The two confirmed nominees are Michael Fyrst, political science graduate student, and Trenton Thomas, finance senior and former ASG presidential hopeful.

Two other nominees were chosen but have yet to accept the nominations. Michael Guzman, economics senior, has been nominated for the top position of chief justice.

“They have to be completely not involved in the senate because they will review some decisions we make,” Covo said.

All three confirmed nomi-

nees have served in student government previously.

Covo said he hopes the court will meet bi-weekly and stay involved in the everyday activities and actions that affect the student body.

“I’m hoping that if we elevate the way the executive branch is run, we should be completely elevating the entire system,” he said.

During the first ASG meeting of the Fall semester, members of the senate will be given the chance to meet and mingle with the nominees.

“They can speak to them, ask why they should be a part of this, and then they can vote ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” Covo said.

After being elected to the Graduate House in the Spring, Fyrst decided to sit in an ASH meeting.

“There were changes that were to occur to the ASG Constitution that hadn’t happened yet,” he said. “Yet the Grad House operated as if the changes had been made.”

Fyrst expressed his concern to Covo, and soon after, Fyrst was asked to serve on the court.

“We need to make sure everyone is complying with the same rules,” Fyrst said.

Fyrst said it is not the Supreme Court’s place to change rules, but to review actions and enforce legislation. He said his background in political science would be useful when reviewing the fairness of decisions that were made.

“Things shouldn’t be changed because it’s convenient, but because they need to be,” Fyrst said. “The role of the Supreme Court is simply to make sure anything that is passed complies with everything.”

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 7A

Organizations encourage students get politically involved

By Travis Hord News Reporter College Democrats and Republicans are planning on debating more than just health care and bailouts.

“This semester we are really focusing on grassroots efforts — getting out in the community and promoting conservative values and introducing the conservative message to a whole new generation of voters,” said Geoffrey Geiger, vice chair of the Texas College Republicans.

According to the official Web site of the College Republicans, the organization is taking an energetic approach to spreading its message across college campuses this year

— areas with a traditionally liberal demographic. After an unprecedented amount of youth votes in the last presidential election, Republicans hope to gain some younger constituents.

“One of our most important goals is affecting politics on a national scale,” said Ashley Barbera, national communications director of the College Republicans. “The College Republicans deploys representatives to national, state, local and even campus election campaigns to share and support the conservative message.”

Geiger emphasized the importance of the grassroots movement in particular to College Republicans.

“We hold on-campus forums where students can come and converse with their peers about important political issues. We’ll also be hosting fundraisers with exciting guest speakers — all kinds of stuff going on this semester,” Geiger said. “We also have our annual state conventions in March or early April where we nominate and elect our new officers and consider important decisions about the future of the organization.”

Ryan Payne, vice president of the Texas State College Democrats said he is equally excited about the future of the College Democrats and its outlook for this semester. Payne, who has been a College Democrat for two years, was elected

vice president last Fall.

“Membership is up this semester, definitely,” Payne said.

“We’re coming off a strong and active summer, and a strong and active Spring before that.

I’ve been around campus a lot and there are so many students, even new students, who are fired up and ready to go.

We have a real opportunity to make a difference on campus and throughout San Marcos this year.”

Payne and the College Democrats are also focusing on a grass-roots effort this semester.

“We’re trying to do a lot more in the community this year,” Payne said. “Our Adopta-Family experience with the Alvarez family was amazing —

entirely proper,” said Melissa Salmanowitz, a spokeswoman for the Education and Labor Committee. “Doubling a person’s punishment — outside of our criminal justice system — by not allowing them needed financial aid to obtain a college degree is not only wrong, it’s double jeopardy.”

The provision, estimated to cost $24 million from 2011 to 2019, would overturn a 1998 law authored by Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. “I believe students who are dealing or abusing drugs probably aren’t making the most of their educations,” Souder has said. “It’s one thing if they are going to do it with their own money” — or if their parents pay — “but it’s something else to ask the American taxpayer to fund this kind of behavior.”

Supporters of the change

have another argument: They say the current law unfairly targets minorities and hurts a person’s chances of rehabilitation.

“There’s an overwhelming disparity towards convicting people of color,” said Kris Krane, the former executive director of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, an advocacy group. “Plus, students of color tend to rely on financial aid more than white students.” The law doesn’t do anything to prevent drug abuse, he added.

However, to Souder the law is a deterrent.

“A student who knows his financial aid could be suspended if he’s convicted of a drug crime will be less likely to use or deal drugs in the first place,” Souder said.

The new provision is part of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed

the House Education and Labor Committee on July 21. It would increase the maximum Pell Grant, the primary federal need-based scholarship, and end the private sector’s role in student loans. Instead, the government would be the sole provider of student loans.

As of 2006, nearly 200,000 stuadents who had been convicted of drug charges — about 1 percent of students across the country — had been denied student aid under the law.

It is unclear how many students the change could affect.

The Department of Education does not have a foolproof way of checking to see whether someone lied about a drug conviction on a financial aid application, and many students with drug convictions do not apply for federal aid.

Congress may ease law on college aid for drug offenders

By Carrie Wells McClatchy Newspapers College students convicted of illegal drug possession could get federal financial aid for the first time in more than a decade under legislation aimed at overhauling the student loan system.

The bill, which a House of Representatives committee approved recently and the full House probably will consider after its August recess, entails that those convicted of selling illegal drugs still would be barred from receiving federal financial aid.

However, students convicted of possession would be able to get loans, grants and work-study assistance.

“People who have been convicted of a drug crime are punished through our criminal justice system, which is

we painted their house, went to baseball games with the kids — we’d like to see more College Democrats out in the community making a positive impact. I’d love to see more San Marcos families and more students getting involved with this program.”

Payne mentioned an interest in the upcoming Census Bureau survey and the redistricting process to follow.

“While health care will obviously be a big issue for us this year, but we’re also looking at the redistricting schedule for 2010,” Payne said. “A census will be done in 2010 and the information returned by the census will be used to redistrict the state of Texas, which, of course, will have an effect

on who is elected where; the College Republicans want to be a factor in those elections, as do we. Texas has a checkered past when it comes to redistricting, so it‘s definitely an issue we’ll be keeping an eye on.”

Payne said, rhetorical issues aside, more concrete decisions about upcoming activities and events will be discussed at the first officer’s meeting on Aug. 17, and again at the first public meeting of the Texas State College Democrats on Aug. 19.

The College Republicans and the College Democrats are both available on Facebook, and encourage students interested in joining or learning more to visit their sites.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Continued from page 1a maybe photo contests.”

Though both pages’ content slightly overlaps, King said, the majority of announcements are currently being made on the Texas State Twitter page, where the theme of interactivity is being carried into the 140-character announcements to which the site limits its users. With just shy of 200 followers, as of Aug. 18, King’s tweets feature people and events affiliated with the university.

The Texas State Facebook page has more than 3,600, to date, some of which are beginning to engage in the type of discussion Taylor said she hopes to foster. Questions posed to students, such as, “Do you think (the Student Recreation Center) is still missing something to make it even better than what it used to be?” are prompting comments in the double digits.

“We want it to be interac-

Majors

Continued from page 1a Susan Thompson, senior research analyst for institutional research, said undecided majors and undecided-professional closely follow interdisciplinary studies in top enrollment numbers.

“Undeclared majors and students who are waiting to get accepted into the business major are housed in the University College, which is why it is so large,” Thompson said in an e-mail.

Limited-Access programs, such as McCoy College of Business Administration and Communication Design, place students in University College who do not meet automatic acceptance into the program, which is based on class rank and SAT or ACT scores.

Laird sids students who do not meet Business College requirements are grouped under the major of undecided-professional, which states their future intentions.

Pre-mass communication ranks fourth for highest student enrollment with almost 1,100 students.

“I think students are looking into a mass communication major because is has a broad based appeal,” said Harry Bowers, School of Journalism and Mass Communication academic adviser.

“It’s interesting. What makes mass communication so large is that it is an encompassing

The University Star - 9A

Study finds scare tactics don’t help to reduce alcohol consumption tive,” Taylor said. “We have things we will post, and we want feedback. We’ve asked students to talk about their favorite landmarks to maybe start a dialogue, we’re also encouraging students to upload their own videos.”

Texas State is now gearing up to host a campus-wide video contest, offering prizes and incentives. Videos featured, however, will not solely by user submitted. King said the university is working on in-house and outsidecontracted videos, which will be showcased on the Texas State YouTube page.

“We are going to have an overall comprehensive video that is an introduction to the university and a video component to the ‘Be a Bobcat’ and ‘Rising Stars’ features, about outstanding students, faculty and staff,” King said.

The page, once launched, will feature two videos monthly, he said. The Office of University Marketing is paying for the video production.

According to Cindy Royal, social-media expert, Texas State is off to a good start, but advises they focus on the conversation rather than promotion.

“It is necessary for any organization to use modern communication techniques,” Royal said. “They just have to consider how to use them most effectively. A benefit to the university is that they can see in real time what students are saying about them, address concerns, promote successes.”

Royal, assistant professor in the School of Journalism, said a challenge for the university will be differentiating themselves from accounts with similar screen names. Twitter has discussed possible future business services that would allow organizations to verify official accounts, she said, but until then Texas State will have to build up their own community.

major that explores new media and technology.”

The marketing program also ranks within the top 10 for high enrollment at Texas State.

“Marketing has a unique role that focuses on a center — the customers,” said Robert Fisk, chair of the department of marketing. “Every organization needs customers, so marketing is a relatively important tool. Most top majors, like marketing, are chosen because of market and demand.”

Studio art, pre-chemistry and French bring up the rear for majors with the lowest student growth.

“Texas State implements a process for examining programs that have relatively low number of majors,” said Debbie Thorne, associate vice-president of Academic Affairs. “In some cases, the program is brand-new and is building toward greater numbers. In other cases, we choose to redesign the major or combine it with other programs so it is more attractive to students. In rare instances, the university may decide to discontinue the major.”

Laird said Business Administration caps its program at a certain number of students as recommended by its accreditation board.

“In the health profession field, the new nursing program, by design, is kept small because that’s what was intended,” Laird said. “No one wants a nurse who sat in the back of the classroom and

might not have heard everything versus a nurse in the front of the class who was very involved in learning.”

Thornesaid some programs must meet national standards requiring the ratio of faculty to students. Majors falling under these programs are limited to a set amount of students per semester.

Texas State mirrors Princeton’s top 10 Ten Majors released in July 2009.

According to the Princeton Review, business administration, psychology, nursing, biology, education, English and literature, economics, communication studies, political science and computer sciences are the nation’s top 10 majors.

“Texas State has excellent programs associated with nine of Princeton’s Top 10 Majors,” Thorne said. “We are adding a degree in nursing in Fall 2010 and know there will be strong demand for this new program.”

Gregory Hill, Career Services assistant director, said the students they see “show no greater or lesser tendency to change to or from a particular major.”

“The reality is our economy and society values all of our disciplines, and Texas State is a leader in attracting, retaining and graduating students who later fulfill key roles in schools, businesses, hospitals, government, agencies, non-profit groups and other specters,” Thorne said.

By Baldur Hedinsson Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Give college students a clue on how much their friends are really drinking, and those students will tend to drink less alcohol, according to a recent paper.

Scientist agree that scare tactics that highlight the harms of heavy drinking don’t reduce alcohol consumption among youth.

Almost 30 years ago, health officials began using a novel method to combat alcohol abuse on campuses by informing instead of scaring.

Students were made aware of how their drinking compares with others on campus in various ways.

A study that reviews research on different communication strategies found that individual feedback either via a computer or in person effectively reduced drinking among students.

Group counseling and mailed feedback did not have a significant impact on student drinking, and the jury is still out on mass media campaigns.

The study was published recently in the third issue of the Cochrane Library 2009.

The majority of young people overestimate how much and how often their peers drink. And that can foster an environment that encourages heavy drinking.

“This creates a type of peer pressure, which drives levels of drinking upwards,” said David Foxcroft, professor of health care practice at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom and the review’s co-author.

Foxcroft and his fellow researchers analyzed data from 22 previously published studies that included 7,275 mostly U.S. college students. All the studies had the same goal - to reduce drinking by educating students on how their drinking behavior compared with others on campus. The review sought to determine which methods are effective and which are not.

Students who received personal feedback either through the Internet or individual face-to-face sessions reduced their overall alcohol consumption compared with those who did not get personal feedback. The review also found evidence that Web-based feedback reduced binge drinking - defined as five or more drinks in one sitting for a man and four or more for a woman - and alcohol-related problems.

The researchers did not find group counseling and mailed feedback to be effective methods to reduce drinking.

The review tried to determine the effectiveness of media campaigns to correct student misperception, but because of rigorous inclusion constraints, only two studies by the same researcher, William DeJong, a professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health, were included in the review. One of the two showed success in reducing student drinking, and the other did not.

“Re-analyzing data from both studies shows that the mixed results are due to differences in the number of campus communities with alcohol outlet density,” DeJong said. “Powerful social marketing media campaigns are needed to work where there is easy access to alcohol, but they do work.”

Many studies that focus on the effect of social media campaigns on a single campus - such as billboards and newspaper advertising - were excluded from the review.

“It is very difficult to do randomized assignment of subjects in social norms marketing campaigns within a campus community,” said Wes Perkins, professor of sociology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y. “There are many longitudinal studies, however, where media campaigns were used that were not included in the review but show such campaigns to be effective over time in correcting student misperceptions and reducing drinking.”

ALCOHOL DEATHS Alcohol abuse at U.S. college campuses is a daunting problem. A study published in this month’s Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

estimates 1,825 college students ages 18 to 24 die annually because of alcoholrelated unintentional injuries.

“Every college student has roughly two age-mates not in college, which means that over 5,000 18- to 24-year-old Americans die each year due to alcohol-related causes,” said Ralph Hingson, director of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and one of the report’s co-authors. “That is more than the number of U.S. soldiers that have died during the entire Iraq war.”

The report found an increase in unintentional deaths and injuries related to alcohol consumption from previous years as well as an increase in drunken driving among college students.

The results of the review published by the English researchers are one part in combating the growing damage alcohol consumption among young people has on society.

“There is no silver bullet,” Hingson said. “I believe interventions on multiple levels to be the solution, a collaboration where colleges work with the communities” in which they are based.

We can’t cover it if we don’t know about it.

Send your news tips or story ideas to starnews@txstate.edu

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Most Americans don’t think they have a big weight problem

By William Douglas McClatchy Newspapers Despite government data that show a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States over the past 20 years, most Americans don’t think they have much of a weight problem, according to a new McClatchy-Ipsos poll.

The survey found that only 17 percent of those surveyed thought that obesity was a major problem for their families and themselves, while 33 percent said it was a minor problem and 49 percent said it was no problem at all.

Two-thirds judged themselves at healthy weights, and while 30 percent acknowledged that they were overweight, only 4 percent said they were very overweight.

That’s not how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sees the problem. Last year, the CDC reports, only one state - Colorado - had a prevalence of obesity of less than 20 percent. Thirty-two states had prevalences of 25 percent or greater, and six of those states - Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia - had

prevalences of obesity of 30 percent or more.

The latest Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data show that obesity in the U.S. is getting worse, said Liping Pan, a CDC epidemiologist and the lead author of the CDC’s obesity report. “If this trend continues we will likely see increases in health care costs for obesity-related diseases.”

Dr. William Dietz, the director of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, said obesity was a major risk factor for several chronic ailments such as heart disease and diabetes.

“As obesity increases among all age groups, we are seeing chronic diseases in much younger adults compared to a few decades ago,” Dietz said.

“For example, we now see young adults who suffer from heart-disease risk factors and other conditions such as Type 2 diabetes that were unheard of in the past.”

The McClatchy-Ipsos survey found that 75 percent of Americans think the most effective way to combat obesity is through education about the importance of exercise and a

healthy diet, but so far, apparently, the CDC’s education efforts are falling short.

Lawsuit alleges teen died from hazing injuries

By Eric Ferreri McClatchty Newspapers A 19-year-old sophomore at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C., died of head injuries after he was tackled repeatedly during a fraternity initiation ceremony last fall, a lawsuit claims.

Harrison Kowiak, of Tampa, Fla., was blindfolded, released into a dark field last Nov. 17, and told to run to the other side and find a rock with his name on it, according to the suit, filed by Kowiak’s parents Friday in Durham County Superior Court.

As he ran, he was repeatedly pushed and tackled by the fraternity members he hoped to soon claim as brothers, the lawsuit claims.

Instead, he suffered a severe

brain hemorrhage and died hours later.

The 27-page complaint accuses the fraternity of a long history of hazing and contends the university didn’t do enough to enforce antihazing policies. University officials declined to comment today.

Kowiak’s parents are seeking more than $10,000 in damages and have named the Theta Chi fraternity, the university, two Lenoir-Rhyne administrators and 21 fraternity members in the lawsuit.

The suit was filed in Durham partly because a Durham resident, Guy Crabtree, is the administrator of Kowiak’s estate.

“Once you ran the gauntlet ... once you picked up your rock, you were a member of the fraternity,” said David

Kirby, a Raleigh attorney representing Kowiak’s family. “This was supposed to be a fun evening and an evening of accomplishment. But it turned into an evening of complete tragedy.”

The student was one of two pledges involved in the event, which capped off “Hell Week” initiation, according to the lawsuit. Dale Thomas, executive director of the national Theta Chi organization, said Friday he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it.

Kowiak was a golf team member who weighed 160 pounds; some of the fraternity members who engaged in the event, known as “bulldogging,” were football players weighing more than 250 pounds, according to the lawsuit.

Monday, August 24, 2009

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Monday, August 24, 2009

College student who was homeless isn’t alone, but he has a brighter future

By Mara Rose Williams McClatchy Newspapers KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As daylight faded, Ed Charles would begin packing his books in the Penn Valley community college library and worrying about a test most classmates need not worry about.

It was a part of his daily ritual last summer: Spend the mornings struggling to stay alert in class, the afternoons fighting sleep on the job and early evenings studying until the library closed at 9 p.m.

Then roam the streets trying to figure out a place to sleep.

Every college has its own Ed Charles. The number of homeless students out there is unknown, but this year, for the first time, the application for federal financial aid for college includes three questions that will help identify them.

“Every year we have a few,” said Jan Brandow, director of financial aid and scholarships at the University of MissouriKansas City. “Each of them has a different story.”

It might be a low-wage job lost and moving into a car, or estrangement from family and hitting the books in a shelter.

Calls this summer from aid officers processing the forms have flooded the office of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, said Barbara Duffield, the group’s policy director.

“We don’t have numbers because the federal government stops following these kids past 12th grade,” she said.

“But I think the numbers are much larger even than anyone suspects. Despite all the challenges, though, many see education as their ticket out.”

Charles has that vision. His condition keeps him focused on goals — a bachelor’s degree, a good job and eventually making a permanent home with his girlfriend.

The 25-year-old already has come a long way. He got an associate’s degree in crimi-

nal justice from Metropolitan couldn’t get through to him.” too. But hustling marijuana months old, asleep in the back Charles describes as like a faCommunity College-Penn ValCharles also felt he had not by phone from Kansas City’s seat.” ther figure, took a liking to the ley this spring and enrolled in been treated as well as other streets meant most of the Charles paused and dropped young man, gave him a worka pre-law program at West- children in the household. The time he had a wad of cash in his chin to his chest. study job in the counseling minster College in Fulton, Mo., whole mess sent him spiraling his pocket and could afford “It made me think; the life office and helped him find a for the fall. down a delinquent course. a cheap hotel room or had a I’m living ain’t nothing good. I place to stay for a while.

Federal aid, plus money “I started doing things I woman with whom he could don’t want him to live like this.

“I knew he moved around saved working as a janitor at shouldn’t have been doing,” cozy up at her place. He was I want something better for a lot, but I also knew he had Penn Valley, will pay tuition Charles said. “I guess I thought arrested a few times for minor him, for myself.” what it takes to finish,” Mcwith some left over. Enough I was grown and could make it drug possessions.

His son, now 3 years old, Murry said. “He’s a good stuto graduate to a rented apart- on my own. But I could’t find Charles also had a son. lives with the baby’s mother. dent and he is committed. He ment or small house. a job and I just fell into the “One night I was sleeping in A daughter from his current made a promise to himself The U.S. Department of Edu- street life.” my car in the driveway in front relationship died in March of that he would finish school. cation describes the homeHe said he once got shot in of my baby’s mama’s house,” trisomy 18, a chromosomal “When you see a student less as “lacking fixed, regular, the back. He suspects it was Charles recalled. “I couldn’t defect. like this make it, it’s just heartadequate housing,” including for wearing the wrong color in go in. Her family didn’t like When McMurry met Charles, warming. There is no pay that’s living in shelters, hotels, cars, the wrong neighborhood. me. I woke in the middle of he already had enrolled in better. I’m sure this young man tents or “couch surfing” at He was homeless back then the night and saw my son, 18 classes. McMurry, whom is one that is going to make it.” friends’ houses.

National advocates say the number of students directed to university counseling offices — a bridge to local social service agencies — is large.

The mantra of Ed Charles: “I know that there is nothing I can’t do except the thing I don’t try to do.”

Nights after leaving the library, if Charles was lucky, he hung out with any friend long enough to be invited to stay over. Or he would go to a relative’s house, get a bite to eat and be offered a blanket and an old mattress. At times, he had a car to bed down in.

On unlucky nights, Charles rationed out a few bucks for food then walked the streets until daybreak.

He wants his story to inspire “young dudes out there,” to give up the streets for an education. Charles admits to being a misguided teen who lost permanent living arrangements he once had with relatives.

He was in Winnetonka High School north of the river when he learned the woman he had thought was his mother was actually an aunt. His mother was stabbed to death by his father when he was a toddler, he said.

Learning the truth after so many years, he said, made him angry.

Photo courtesy of Fred Blocher/Kanas City Star/MCT “So angry that no one could COMPLETE 180: Ed Charles was once homeless and dealing drugs. He is now turning his life around and has been taking classes at a talk to him,” said Delores Daniel, another aunt. “I tried, but I community college in Kansas City, Missouri, and is heading to Westminster College for his bachelor's degree.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 13A

College students struggle to gain experience and pay their bills

By Jessica Carballo Sun Sentinel When college senior Kristina Webb, 23, decided to take an unpaid internship at a newspaper this summer, she thought she could make it work. She would live at home, get a part-time job, and cut back her spending. Her parents offered to help her pay for food and gas.

But then Webb’s father got laid off from his construction job, the family budget tightened, and Webb, who attends Palm Beach Atlantic University, did not hear back from any of 35 part-time jobs she applied to. Blame it on the economy.

“Everybody’s hurting, employers and students,” said Dawn Howard, associate director of the Career Development Center at Florida Atlantic University.

As companies cut costs, the

number of internship opportunities offered nationwide has dropped 21 percent from last year, according to the Pennsylvania-based National Association of Colleges and Employers. Many that remain are unpaid.

“We used to pay, but we’re not doing that anymore,” said Tom Triozzi, senior vice president of BankAtlantic, which stopped paying interns in 2008 when the economy took a downturn.

“We ask them to work for free for a great work experience,” Triozzi said.

It is the desire for experience that pushes students like Webb to intern.

“I know if I don’t, it’s going to be harder for me to get a job in the future,” Webb said.

So she got a job pet-sitting and interns several times a week at the Palm Beach’s Town-Crier newspaper, without pay.

“It’s really frustrating, especially since I actually produce content for the Town-Crier,” Webb said. “But it’s definitely worth it.”

More than ever, internships are viewed as the surest route to a job after graduation. “Having an internship is absolutely essential,” said Christine Childers, director of Career Development at Lynn University. “Whatever it takes, it’s important that students do it.”

But as the recession drags on, it is taking a lot more than it used to, leaving students in a bind. They are told internships are essential, no matter the cost, but as opportunities shrink and costs rise, they’re forced to ask: is this worth it?

“If a student is in a hardship situation, payment can make a difference between whether they can intern or not,” Childers said.

For some, working for free

Fries said his office is still double-checking employment laws to make sure Haros was in fact eligible for a promotion while he was in Iraq. However, Perea said that has already been determined to be true, and now it is up to Sheriff Margaret Mims to decide whether Haros will get the promotion.

A Sheriff ’s Office spokesman did not return calls late Friday.

The Sheriff ’s Office included Haros among jail staff members receiving layoff notices this week because of budget shortfalls.

Haros, a corporal in the California Guard, returned to Fresno last week after a year in Iraq and some controversy at home involving a faded and torn American flag that caught national news media attention.

Haros’ homecoming meant his father, Louis Haros, could finally lower the flag Paul raised over his parents’ eastcentral Fresno home just before he left for Iraq. Louis

Haros vowed to leave the flag up until his son returned.

Paul Haros replaced the flag last week.

Haros said he was looking forward to returning to work but then received a call from his supervisor and found he had received a pink slip.

“I was angry, but I knew she didn’t make the decision,” he said.

Haros had worked about 1 year as a correctional officer at the jail and then 6 years as a deputy sheriff before deciding to work again at the jail. He was sure he had a good amount of seniority when he discussed the layoff with an official.

“I thought I had eight years,” he said. “(The analyst) said, ‘no, you’re brand new.

If we do a re-hire, you’ll be one of the first to come back.’

I thought that was pretty cold.”

Haros could not be reached for further comment late Friday after county officials said they believed he is eligible for a promotion and may avoid a layoff.

Guardsman returns from Iraq to job loss

By Jim Guy and Chris Collins McClatchy Newspapers

Fresno County, Calif., officials said Friday that Paul Haros, an Army National Guardsman who is just back from Iraq, may not be laid off from his correctional officer job after all.

Kevin Fries, the personnel services business manager in the county’s Human Resources Department, said he’s “pretty sure” Haros was eligible for a promotion months ago while he was overseas. If the Sheriff ’s Department decides to promote Haros from Correctional Officer II to Correctional Officer III, he won’t be laid off.

Haros did not have enough seniority among the department’s Correctional Officer II staff to avoid being caught up in a round of recent layoffs. But if he is promoted to Correctional Officer III, he would be in the clear, Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea said.

is simply not possible.

“It denies low income kids an opportunity,” said Barbara Pippin, special assistant to the president for governmental relations at Broward College.

“Internships are similar to what study abroad programs used to be: if you had money, you could go.”

For these students, internships become part of a daily balancing act. “They have to juggle work and school and internships, along with their other responsibilities, just to put in two or three hours, just so they can say ‘I did this,’” Pippin said.

It is a familiar situation for Amir Arab, 23. He had an unpaid internship last summer before being hired at a Miami financial company. Despite the positive experience, he said, one summer of unpaid work was enough. “I have a mortgage, and I have a daugh-

ter,” he said.

“No one is going to pay my bills.”

There is some good news, however. Companies like Target have kept their internship programs running — and paying — despite the sluggish economy, realizing the value of internships as recruiting tools.

“We get a lot of great talent,” said Victor Rota, group campus recruiter for Target.

“Seventy to 80 percent of them come back to work for us, so the return on the investment is there.”

Moreover, companies that offer paid internships are increasing the hourly wage by 5 percent, moving the national average to $17.13 per hour, according to NACE. “That reflects an understanding that interns may need more money than they did before,” said Carolyn

Wise, senior education editor for Vault Inc, career information provider and publisher of The Vault Guide to Top Internships.

Students taking unpaid internships are encouraged to ask for help, Wise said.

“Sometimes companies will work with you to ease the financial burden. There are also a number of colleges that offer summer fellowships to cover internship expenses,” she said.

Internships remain important even in a time of financial hardship and job scarcity, students are asked to balance humility with a sense of selfworth.

“Students have to show a willingness to work hard,” Childers said. “But at the same time, they need to be valued, and if employers can pay them, then they should.”

14A - The University Star

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The University Star - 15A

Courtesy photo Susan Narvaiz won reelection last November, marking her third term as San Marcos Mayor. The San Marcos City Council meets at 7 p.m. biweekly at City Hall.

RIGHT: San Marcos Parks and Recreation alongside Texas State Outdoor Recreation put on a river clean up each semester. The next river clean up will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 19 at City Park. Everyone is invited to participate

Star File Photo

Opinions 16A - The University Star

The Main Point

F

riends don’t let friends text and drive.

The slogan may sound awkward now, but recent studies are shedding light on the high risks associated with text messaging while driving.

It may seem obvious, most people know the practice is unsafe. Yet, despite knowing that steering an automobile while navigating a two-inch keyboard is dangerous, Americans do so everyday.

According to a study published by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, someone texting while driving is 23 times more likely to be in a car wreck.

The University of Utah did a similar study that found the risk amplified the chances by eight times.

The Virginia Tech study took place over the span of 18 months, following 200 drivers. It found that someone who was driving and sending messages displays more “eyes-offthe-road time” than when talking on the phone or dialing a number.

“This equates to a driver traveling the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour, without looking at the roadway,” the study reads.

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, half of drivers ages 16 to 24 reported they had texted while driving.

If texting while driving is not dangerous enough, couple it with the winding San Marcos roads and therein lies a dangerous combination.

Furthermore, no student should forget about the dangers associated with Interstate-35, the mother of all potential car accidents.

Fourteen states have banned the practice of text messaging while driving, including Alaska, California, New Jersey, Virginia and the District of Colombia. Texas is not among them. However, if four U.S. senators have their way, a no-textingwhile-driving ban could be implemented nationwide.

A bill introduced July 29 would require states ban the act or lose federal highway funds to the tune of millions of dollars.

Though a difficult law to enforce, banning text message while driving is a safe measure that should be taken. Too many Bobcats and San Marcos residents have been involved in car accidents, and if the recent studies ring true, too many could be at risk of being in another.

It is time to put the phone down, so no one gets hurt.

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.

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Have something to say? Send your letters to the editor to starletters@txstate.edu

Contact — staropinion@txstate.edu

Dangerous

Dependency

Monday, August 24, 2009

Advice for freshmen

By Kaycee Toller Star Columnist

The beginning of a new semester always has its ups and downs, but for a first-time student at Texas State, the challenges can seem overwhelming.

A new city with different people can cause difficulties to a full schedule of new classes. Preparation is crucial to experiencing a less bumpy first semester.

Knowing what is going on the first week of class can alleviate some stress. Students should explore the campus a day or two before classes begin to get an idea of where to go. A good way to avoid being totally lost during the first day of class is to look over required texts. Some professors make the class syllabus available on TRACs before classes begin so students can gain a better understanding of course expectations.

Solving problems that have no relevance to classes can make the semester easier.

Students can save a trip to the Parking Services Office and a lot of money by knowing which areas to park around campus. Becoming familiar with the Texas State Tram schedule can save time and frustration spent waiting at the wrong bus stop.

Students often forget small things that can become big problems for them, especially if this is their first time living away from home. For some students, this semester will be the first opportunity to do laundry and other chores.

Fortunately, the Internet has plenty of sites dedicated to helping everyday folks learn to clean like Martha Stewart.

Taking time to explore the city can be helpful. The only thing more stressful than going the wrong way on a oneway street downtown is not knowing where the grocery store is when there is nothing but condiments in the cabinet.

New San Marcos residents should note: leave early to every destination in case a train or two comes through.

The new semester can be full of challenges, but preparation can make for smooth sailing. Taking time to prepare for classes and student life can help make a semester as probRussell Weiss/Star Illustration lem-free as possible.

End of summer means exciting fall semester

By Garrett McSpadden Star Columnist Thank your lucky stars that summer is over.

Copious amounts of flavorful beers, liquors and the jovial dance of summer-time love tires the soul’s reservoir and leaves a void that can only be filled behind a desk. For most of us, it is time to cinch our belts and move forward into the prominent parts of our lives. For others, this summer has merely been a warm-up for the endless frat parties and keg stands yet to come.

For you, I say enjoy the rest of your summer.

No doubt college has opportunities for each of our tastes and desires.

Texas State used to have an embossed party school image that was confirmed by massive parties and crowded streets at The Square, but things have changed for our rising star.

Professors with geographically nomadic teaching careers have told me the students here far surpass those at stereotypically “sophisticated” schools both in our open character and eagerness to learn. These qualities will be an ace-in-thehole when we begin to work for the real world.

With old money businesses in precipitous decent and magazines, like Time, proclaiming start up Internet businesses to be the cash cow of the

future, the spark shared by our student body will give us a leg up on the competition. And it will be competitive.

According to Robert Bernstein of the U.S. Census Bureau, “Florida, California and Texas (will) account for nearly one-half (46 percent) of the total U.S. population growth between 2000 and 2030.” There will be more educated people with similar sights set on the jobs we intend to occupy.

This competition means one thing. We must stoke the fire Bobcats. This education cannot be carried silently into the future by incessant partying and trivial classes. The years to come are clearly laid out in front of us and we must grab the

reins and acknowledge the responsibility we soon will shoulder.

The environment and the economy are both in recession and the signs of recovery are still veiled by politics and apathy. We are potentially learning the tools that could be a catalyst for change. I say we learn those tools well and head into the lion pit with a full arsenal.

We have the finest environment to sharpen our wits and cheer on our achievements.

We cheer for our football team as we rise in the ranks of division.

Our Loud Crowd will be heard from the highest points of the football stadium’s new additions, the bleachers of the baseball and softball

complex and will paint the spirit of maroon and gold on every wall of the campus buildings planned yet to come.

It is clear the future of Texas State is shining bright as the star on Jackson Hall. As you take your first steps into The Quad Wednesday, feel the energy that is academia. Imagine 10 years down the road and fulfilling your dreams and impacting the world, then resettle your thoughts on the task at hand. We are the future of the this great state and we shall charge headstrong, pushed forward by all students screaming, “Get ‘Em Cats!”

Contact – Ashley Dickinson, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Monday, August 24, 2009 – B1

10 Things Every Bobcat Should Know • School Drools, Sewell Rules — Sewell Park, at the intersection of Sessom and University drives, offers students an outdoor alternative to dorm rooms and apartments.

• Bargain Bowling for Bobcats — $1 games and $0.50 shoes with Texas State ID at Sunset Lanes from 9 p.m. to midnight every Monday.

• The Road Goes On Forever and the Party Ends at 2 a.m. — In May, City Council extended bar hours to 2 a.m. The following bars were included: Cheatham Street Warehouse, Green Parrot, Harper’s Hall, J’s Bistro, Nephews, Rockie La Rue’s, Sean Patrick’s, Showdown, The Tap Room, Triple Crown, The Tavern and The Restless Wind.

• Hot Dam — Five-Mile Dam is on Old Stagecoach Road and has picnic tables and a swimming hole in the Blanco River. Five-Mile Dam is also dog friendly as opposed to Sewell, which has a no-dog policy.

• Smoke in — Stratosphere Lounge, located off LBJ Street, offers a place for hookah enthusiasts to enjoy a smoke in a relaxing atmosphere. The lounge also occasionally hosts concerts. Happy Hour is 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. everyday and customers can enjoy half-price bowls.

• Songwriter’s Circle- George Strait, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Sexton Brothers all began their careers in San Marcos at Cheatham Street Warehouse. Cheatham Street owner Kent Finlay has been hosting a workshop for aspiring musicians and songwriters for more than 30 years.

• Bar one-41 Fun — On Wednesdays the bar hosts an 18 and up College Night featuring Electric Mayhem bumping the beats and pumping the party until 2 a.m.

Sara Strick/Star Photo SAN MARCOS STAPLE: Texas State’s Sewell Park is the place to be on a sunny day – unless it’s during class...

• Frisbee Dan — This short shorts-wearing Frisbee player has become a recognizable figure around San Marcos. He can usually be found in Sewell Park and is often up for tossing the Frisbee with willing students.

• Rock the Taco — San Marcos is full of taco stands that offer an alternative to national chains.

M&M Taco Hut, Lolita’s, Herbert’s Tacos and El Primo’s are all locally owned.

• Skate City —The San Marcos Skate Park is located at 625 E. Hopkins next to the San Marcos Public Library and admission is free. The park is open daily.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

City program benefits art-based projects, brings together community

By Ashley Dickinson Trends Editor Arlis Hiebert, coordinator for San Marcos’ Summer in the Park Concert Series, enjoys a program that builds community by providing something for residents and their families to visit and enjoy locally.

The city’s art commission is a city-appointed program that is responsible for distributing hotel occupancy tax funds to projects that are artistic in nature and promote the hotel and convention industry. Without this art commission, programs like Summer in the Park would have a 15 to 20 percent budget reduction, Hiebert said.

The commission was created approximately 10 years ago and holds an application process for organizations sponsoring artistic events or Star File Photo projects. Lisa Morris, recreSAN MARCOS STAPLE: El Primo’s Tacos is a great fix for local ation manager for Parks and Mexican food. See 10 Things a Bobcat should know, page B1.

Recreation of San Marcos, said

there are certain types of projects the commission would like to help.

“Projects that are likely to bring tourists into the community to stay in the hotels, those are the types of projects,” Morris said. “Anyone can apply that meets the guidelines, which are available at our Web site. They have to pass a two-part test, and they have to be artistic and promote the hotel and convention industry.”

The commission is currently asking for application submissions for projects or events that would take place between Oct. 1, 2009 and Sept.

30, 2010. The deadline is Sept.

15 and Morris said student organizations are welcome to apply, as long as requirements are met.

Morris said the commission has not yet decided on the current year’s allocation for the arts commission, but in

2008 they gave approximately $30,000 to help organizations with their needs.

“The commission does try to spread it out so they can help as many organizations as possible,” Morris said. “There is one funding cycle per year.

Last year, for example, the commission helped the Native American Concert, The Eddie Durham Jazz Festival, Fiesta del Mariachi, Cinco de Mayo, art exhibits and more.”

The Summer in the Park has been occurring in San Marcos for 23 years and, with the help of the arts commission, is an admission-free music series.

Hiebert said it is an 11-concert series that runs on Thursday nights, from the first Thursday in June to the second Thursday in August.

“It runs from classical nights to The Derailers,” Hiebert said.

“We had a barbershop group come out last Thursday from San Antonio.”

The commission helps programs like Summer in the Park bring local residents and tourists together, who in turn give back to the community.

“Probably on average, concerts run from about 500 people who come out to excess of 1,000,” Hiebert said.

“Any bit of money helps. Our funding comes from various levels of sponsorship and the commission.”

The Mariachi Festival is hosted by the Texas State School of Music, and according to Morris, it brings in high school students from all over Texas to compete and attend workshops on the style of music.

“The Mariachi Festival has received funding for years,” Morris said. “And we try to get as many applicants as possible so we can help as many people as possible who will bring participants into our community.”

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Costumes, dancing come together in Houston rave

Fun Plex, a game-attraction venue, has its usual bumper cars, Ferris wheel, roller skating, bowling and other games and rides by day. However, on Aug. 8, the family-oriented venue was opened as a rave for ages 16 and up in Houston.

Funtastic Voyage 2 was presented by Our House, a production company who arranges concerts. Our House Productions holds raves across Texas.

The 8-hour adventure began at 10 p.m. and through music, dancing and visual stimulation kicked off with a total of 23 DJs in four different rooms.

The Carnival of Funk, the

�irst room, was lit with lasers, a stage and the Ferris wheel.

In this section Wes Walz began and then Randall Jones, Uberzone (The Digital Mix), Bad Boy Bill, DJ Craze and TagerN-Funk followed.

They began with 0045 in the Roller City USA section, followed by Donald Glaude, Junior Sanchez, Simply Jeff and DJ Bizz. Dancers with glow sticks and �lashing lights created the atmosphere of this rave room.

Things were shaken up with Suraj K in the Jungle Zone section. AK1200, BMC, Freaky Flow, Dara and TDBZ helped keep the excitement flowing.

The �inal and last room, besides the mystery DJs who entertained the VIP sections, was the Texas All-Stars section, which included Simply Butta, Sno White, Boogie Monster, Kung Fu Pimp VS. Brotha Jibril (36 Chambers of Funk), Josh Stone and Fixture.

Girls were dressed in glowing costumes of fairies and creatures with furry boots up to the knee and, of course, everyone had glow stick or blinking lights. Some people were dressed in Halloween attire and others in typical club wear.

Rave is technically de�ined as a dance party and was started in the 1980s and ’90s. Dancing seems to be the center that holds the entire �iasco together. The rhythm and beats connect the dancers to the music giving a sense of freedom and ecstasy.

The creativity lying behind the art of the DJ incorporates different beats and remixes of songs based on the bass.

To understand the lifestyle and atmosphere is to experience the journey of the rave universe and the let all inhibitions loose. The genre is a progression still on the music scene in major cities in Texas including Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

Star File Photo SAN MARCOS STAPLE: Cheatham Street Warehouse is home to talented and famous artists with a fun environment to experience it in. See 10 Things a Bobcat Should Know, page B1.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Concertgoers celebrate bats at festival under bridge

By Brett Thorne Features Reporter The Congress Avenue Bridge every year looks like a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie, as more than a million bats will swarm 15,000 spectators.

In Austin, this occurrence is known as Bat Fest.

Saturday marks the fifth year Bat Fest takes over the space on Congress Avenue Bridge between Cesar Chavez and Riverside Drive.

Quad Smith, the festival director, said the idea to organize a bat festival came to him while watching a concert downtown.

“A year before (the first Bat Fest), I saw someone hold a concert on the 1st Street Bridge with Cross Canadian Ragweed,” Smith said. “They weren’t a huge band at the time, so the crowd wasn’t huge. I looked across and saw a bunch of people watching the bats on the Congress Bridge, and I thought this was pretty cool having a festival on a bridge.

They were just doing it on

the wrong bridge. I thought ‘there we go, we need to have a Bat Festival.’”

The Mexican freetail bats are a huge part of the draw for the festival, but attendees also enjoy arts and crafts from local vendors, food, a carnival, a petting zoo, beer and wine and this year, live music from more than 15 bands, including The Wailers, Vallejo and Bob Schneider.

The festival celebrates the winged residents living under the bridge, but also reminds people of the bats’ importance to the cities ecosystem.

“Part of the profits are going to Bat Conservation International,” Smith said.

“They put out a lot of different messages. They do a lot of concentration on cross borders communication.”

Smith said bats in Mexico have to struggle to survive because locals have been igniting entire caves full of bats. This is especially alarming for Smith and other Austin bat enthusiasts, because in the winter, Austin’s bats migrate to Mexico.

“Really, they’re helpful creatures who don’t hurt anyone,” Smith said.

Susan Kwasniak, marketing director for the conservation organization, hopes people who attend the festival will learn not to be afraid of the bats.

“We’re trying to accomplish education and new membership for ourselves,” Kwasniak said. “We like to explain how they eat pests and bring a lot of tourism money to Austin.”

Kwasniak said when the bats first appeared in the early 1980s, Austin residents were petitioning to have them exterminated.

Residents were fearful of the creatures, but Kwasniak said those fears were based on myths and inaccuracies.

“People were afraid of them because they thought every bat was a vampire,” Kwasniak said. “To this day, we have never had a case of rabies or anything similar.”

The drought that has dried Texas streams and rivers has also affected the bat emergence in Austin. Smith said the effect has been positive.

spite the price tag or, perhaps, because of it, the jeans sold very quickly.

We grimace at the thought of such waste and excess, but who’s to say it’s wrong.

Distressed denim became popular in the mid-1980s when designers grew tired of seeing stylish people seeking old, I mean “vintage,” jeans to bum around in. The designers found a way to bring those customers back to department stores by making distressing intentional and artistic, not just some haphazard convention of wear and tear or a goth girl’s scissors. The acid-washed, bleached and torn results looked whimsically tortured.

Parents objected, teenagers rebelled and the design world did a happy dance.

What better seal of approval than disapproval?

So now as retailers continue attempts to shake us out of our shopping malaise, they are seeking to create must-haves that people won’t ignore. There have to be extremes because they bring more people into the middle where it’s comfortable. So I’m not surprised that the new jeans are not just distressed but “destroyed.”

John Eshaya, designer of JET jeans, said that the appeal lies in the fact that destroyed denim doesn’t mean sloppy. Yet true to their name, some pairs

David Schmidt/Star Photo BAT BONANZA: The winged creatures flood the Austin skyline while viewers enjoy festival events.

“Anywhere from 7:30 to 9 p.m., the bat flights are spectacular,” Smith said.

“Because of the drought, the bats have to leave earlier to go search for food. They need

more time to search, so you get to seem them emerge in the day light.”

do look as if someone dug a deep hole in the ground and filled it with denim, dirt and an explosive device.

This summer and into fall, the tattered, baggy and torn boyfriend jean will continue to make fashionable appearances, but there’s a sentence from the Go Fug Yourself blog that sums up the trend quite nicely with a coin toss analogy: “When you flip it, instead of ‘heads or tails,’ your options are ‘hot or homeless.’” And therein lies the conundrum.

“I like very distressed denim with a nice fitted top and simple heels,” said Natalie Woods of Daisy Clover in Webster Groves, Mo., known for her huge collection of jeans. “But with a mon-

ster truck T-shirt and a baseball cap ... not so cute.”

Woods said that people shouldn’t assume that tortured denim is an all-or-nothing proposition. You can have your exploded jeans and your cleancut, crisp and pressed dark blue denim trouser, too. There’s a time and place for everything.

And this applies to guys, too.

If you did not hear the ruckus over President Barack Obama’s “mom jeans” appearance at the All-Star game, well, you might want to Google it.

It just goes to show that no one is above reproach. And there’s always a fall-back plan.

Francine Rabinovich, founder of the Brooklyn-based Denim Therapy company, will repair

holes in jeans making the correction nearly undetectable.

If you stick your foot through the wrong hole of your $300 jeans and want them fixed, she can do that, or if you want your college pair resuscitated, Denim Therapy has got you covered — for $7 an inch plus shipping.

“Everyone has a different relationship with their jeans,” Rabinovich said. “Most of us have a collection of jeans that we use to garden or for going out or for play or for work, some graduate to different purposes as they age.”

A new rip for some might either make their denim suitable for cocktails or housework.

Let’s not judge.

Jeans morph from distressed to destroyed

By Debra D. Bass St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Distressed, frayed, unraveled, scarred, battered, ripped, thrashed and slashed were once descriptions that made clothing unwearable. Now, it not only makes it more desirable, but often more expensive.

The prevailing trend in the most universally adored uniform of casual America is abused denim. In January, Christophe Decarnin of Balmain got a considerable amount of tongues wagging over a pair of jeans that had been ripped, bleached and possibly subjected to a lawn mower. The retail price was more than $2,000, but de-

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 5B

Seniors give freshmen advice for balancing school, life

By Brittany Wilson Features Reporter Some new students had the thrill and enticement of living in San Marcos leading them to attend Texas State: the Guadalupe River, Sewell Park and The Square, for example.

The classroom, however, is not as luring.

The beginning of freshman year may be rocky with finding classrooms, making new friends, dealing with roommates and finding the

balance between studying and partying, but with a little advice from knowledgeable seniors, the transition could go smoothly.

“Attend class,” said Aaron Ryder, computer science graduate student. “That is the most important thing. Try to balance social life and school equally.” Some students lose momentum as the semester progresses and begin slacking on class attendance and studying, replacing good habits with partying, as if Winter

break is already in full force.

However, college is a marathon, not a sprint.

Students who are trying to discover ways to balance school and a social life may find relaxation and stress relief to be a top priority. One student advises tubing as a helpful technique.

“Float the river whenever you get a chance,” Ryder said. “If not the Guadalupe in San Marcos, float the Comal in New Braunfels. Also, try not to get in a wreck when

you’re passing Sewell Park in the summer because you’re watching the sunbathers.”

Kristy Hilbig, mass communication junior, has advice for freshmen on where to find delicious food and drinks in San Marcos.

“Go to Grins,” Hilbig said. “It has become one my favorite restaurants here. I love their burgers, and they also have great student — and happy — hour specials.”

Other recommendations from Hilbig were Herbert’s

Grocery & Taco Hut and River Pub & Grill.

“The River Pub is a restaurant right on the water,” Ryder said.

“It’s a good place to get your parents to pay for dinner.”

Freshman year will be the first time for many students to live without guardianship. One senior said it is always a good idea to take care of your health when living in close quarters.

“Take a multivitamin and work out,” said Tuan Nguyen, computer information systems senior.

There is the Student Health Center on campus for those who are overstressed or not feeling well.

According to the MayoClinic. com, “Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it.”

Each new student adapts differently, and making the college experience successful is something that older and more experienced students may be able to help guide freshmen toward achieving.

“Bruno” leaves some audience members bored

BRENT VICKERS Trends Columnist

Tina Phan/Star Photo SAN MARCOS STAPLE: Later bar hours leave more time to beat your friends at pool. See “10 Things Every Bobcat Should Know,” page 18.

“Bruno,” the follow-up to Larry Charles’ 2006 comedy “Borat,” made world-wide audience members laugh in hysterics. However, will it be as memorable as “Borat?”

The shock factor was upped dramatically, but the comedy did not seem to follow. That is not to say the movie was not co-

medic — no, just the opposite.

The movie was full of laugh-outloud moments and most of the comedy was clever. However, the restlessness I saw in everyone surrounding me before the film was three-fourths finished was proof enough “Bruno” was trying too hard.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s acting was, as usual, superb and hilarious. The plot of “Bruno” was amusing to begin with, but became old quickly. The basic story is Bruno, Austria’s leading gay man on fashion, has been fired and shunned from the fashion community for ruining the

Milan Fashion Expose. He moves to the United States to become famous and eventually goes on an odyssey to become straight. The misadventures include interviewing Paula Abdul in an empty mansion with nothing to sit on except Mexican landscapers, attempting to make a sex tape with Ron Paul, attempting “carbicide” (suicide a la carbohydrates) and “adopting” an African infant.

The humor became tiring, but the social-experiment aspect of the film is what I felt really held the attention of the majority of the crowd.

The reactions of everyday Americans to the seemingly ridiculous questions prompted by “Bruno” were hilarious, but at times completely horrifying.

One of the differences between “Borat” and “Bruno” was the majority of “Bruno” seemed somewhat scripted and definitely rehearsed.

No matter how fake the interviews may seem and how tiring the humor may get, any fan of Sacha Baron Cohen or “Borat” will enjoy “Bruno,” but do not be surprised if you become bored about halfway through the film.

Digital Life: Airlines offer cheap Twitter fares, $9 to Vegas, anyone?

By Walin Wong Chicago Tribune Tech-savvy fliers who are members of the microblogging site Twitter have a new way to find last-minute fare deals.

United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have introduced Twitter-exclusive promotions:

“twares” in the case of United and “cheeps” for JetBlue.

These deals reward the companies’ Twitter followers, or those who sign up to receive the airlines’ updates via the site. The deals are announced on Twitter and can disappear within hours — which means consumers either need to be

glued to their screens or have great timing. The gimmick also helps the airlines fill flights that might otherwise fly with empty seats. JetBlue set up a new account, “JetBlueCheeps,” that posts fresh deals each Monday morning.

The airline recently offered a $9 one-way fare from Burbank,

Calif., to Las Vegas on Aug. 8, for example. Customers must book by 6 p.m. eastern time the day of the offer to get the deal.

“It’s for customers who have flexibility or want a lastminute getaway,” said JetBlue Spokesman Bryan Baldwin.

United Airlines, meanwhile,

offers “twares” through its main Twitter account, “UnitedAirlines.”

The deals can come at any time and usually expire within one or two hours.

“We try to surprise our customers once or twice a week by offering them special, Twitter-only fares,”

said United Spokeswoman Robin Urbanski.

United offers these deals not only to domestic spots but also international destinations — which might give you just two hours to decide whether to visit Tokyo next month.

That’s some serious impulse shopping.

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6B - The University Star

Monday, August 24, 2009

Volunteering offers opportunity for community involvement

By Elizabeth Barbee Special to the Star Acting heroically does not require a red cape or spiderbite induced super powers.

There are opportunities in central Texas for mere mortals to assist the community.

Organizations offer flexible scheduling to encourage volunteering if time is a concern.

The Wright House Wellness Center, located in downtown Austin, works to make life as comfortable as possible for people coping with a chronic illness. The organization offers treatments such as acupuncture, therapy and massage at discounted to non-existent prices.

Human resources coordinator Mark Johansen welcomes volunteers of every

personality type.

“We have such a great diversity of opportunities here,” Johansen said. “We just want people who are dedicated and believe in the cause.”

Johansen said the center needs volunteers to write newsletters, act as peer educators and complete general office duties.

Johansen said volunteers will feel a sense of family and, as part of a mandatory orientation, learn about caring for patients.

There are also opportunities closer to Texas State, too.

The San Marcos Aquarena Center program specialist Sonja Melnar is looking for certified scuba divers and self-proclaimed river fanatics who can devote at least three hours per week to help

with research, maintenance and school field trips.

Boasting nearly 5,000 volunteers, the Aquarena Center is a place for students to acquire experience in the field of environmental preservation.

“Students will gain a better understanding and appreciation for the unique habitat and species of the San Marcos River,” Melnar said.

Field trips to Spring Lake primarily focus on water conservation, endangered species and local history, but Melnar said the tours are by no means void of creativity.

“Each tour guide interprets Spring Lake in his or her own way,” Melnar said.

“Guides get the chance to interact with hundreds of school children and to gain public speaking skills.”

Students who prefer behind-the-scenes work could consider becoming an aquarium technician. Melnar said technicians help maintain tanks, check traps and feed fish.

Melnar said the largest number of volunteers at the Aquarena Center participate in the Diving for Science program, which consists of underwater photography and habitat preservation.

To learn about more nonprofit organizations in need of assistance, visit the “Get Involved” section of www. kut.org.

People interested in the previously mentioned organizations can visit www.thewrighthouse.org or contact Melnar at 512-245-7540 to register for the center’s diving authorization class.

Sara Strick/Star Photo SAN MARCOS STAPLE: Triple Crown hosts local bands and open mic night Sundays. See 10 Things a Bobcat should know, page 1B.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

By Kristyn Soltis Daily Kent Stater A recent survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found the engineering discipline claimed four out of the top five positions for highest starting salaries of recent graduates.

National Association of Colleges and Employers, which tracks college graduates’ job offers, found petroleum engineering earned the title of highest-paying degree with $83,121 for the average starting offer. Petroleum engineers typically locate gas and oil reservoirs and develop ways to bring the resource to the Earth’s surface.

Chemical engineering, mining engineering and computer engineering also claimed top four spots. The computer science discipline placed fifth.

In 2008, Kent State University awarded 3,790 bachelor’s degrees according to a Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness report.

Thirty-one bachelor’s degrees were awarded for computer science and zero were engineering degrees.

While Kent State does not offer any engineering programs, Kent’s College of Technology offers a program called Aeronautical Systems Engineering Technology.

“Our graduates have been hired by Boeing and Lockheed Martin and carry the title of engineer,” said Maureen McFarland, academic program director of aeronautics.

Aeronautical engineering, earning $56,311 on average, claimed the 12th spot for highest starting salaries.

Although the engineering discipline provides the most lucrative starting salary, the number of engineering graduates is decreasing about two percent each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“I believe that the shortage of graduates who are majoring in engineering is the reason that their average salary offers are higher than other majors,”

said Andrea Koncz, employment information manager for NACE. “Also, the technical skills that they posses helps to increase their ‘price tags.’”

Koncz also said a student’s decision when choosing a major doesn’t always depend on the earning potential after graduation.

“Typically, we learn from our NACE Student Survey that students choose their major based upon what they like to do most,” Koncz said. “Even though engineering degrees are more lucrative, it seems that most students don’t allow that to override their decision as to how they choose their majors.”

Daniel White, senior computer science major, will receive his degree in December; yet, he doesn’t expect to earn the average offer in his field, $61,407, right away.

“I know it will be a challenge finding computer science jobs that require no experience,” White said. “I will really have to fight for a job to show that I

am qualified.”

Surrounding universities, such as the University of Akron and Youngstown State University, do provide engineering programs, however, the number of engineering graduates is still slim compared to other college degrees.

Benjamin Mabbott, senior mechanical engineering major from Youngstown State University, said his engineering classes have decreased in size since his freshman year.

“With engineering, it’s definitely fairly small,” Mabbott said. “Once you get past your freshman course, it’s usually no more than probably 15 or 16 people (per class) at best.”

Mabbott not only chose engineering because of an offer for a full scholarship to Youngstown State, but because he tends to excel with mathematics and physics.

“I don’t know if it gives me an edge over other degrees, but it’s applicable over a broad range,” Mabbott said. “You can do a lot with an engineering degree.”

The University Star - 7B

8B - The University Star

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Classics rock on: Why golden-age oldies dominate concert scene

By Jordan Levin McClatchy Newspapers They say rock ‘n’ roll will never die. Neither, apparently, will the careers of many rockers, at least to judge by the concert scene.

“I never thought I’d be around this long, much less playing these kind of shows,” says Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, 58, amazed that he’s still rocking stadiums more than 30 years after hits like “Dream On” and “Walk This Way.” Acts like Fleetwood Mac and AC/DC filled local arenas last winter, while Bruce Springsteen begins tour on Sept. 13 and Leonard Cohen kicks off the next leg of his U.S. tour in Miami on Oct. 17. Billy Joel sold out six nights at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., a haven for musical nostalgia where upcoming shows include Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Allman Brothers Band.

Across the country, acts like Elton John, Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt continue to thrill audiences decades after they first made their mark. How long can they rock on and on?

“For as long as people want to come and hear me play,” says Perry, whose legendary hard-rock band has been touring this summer with blues-rockers ZZ Top. In an era in which pop music seems geared toward tech-savvy, Internet-

splintered young audiences, older acts remain a powerful onstage presence. According to Pollstar, which tracks the concert business, seven of the 10 best-selling U.S. tours last year were by acts that first hit in the ‘80s or earlier: Madonna, the Eagles, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, The Police and Tina Turner.

So were all the top-grossing tours of the past 15 years.

Acts such as the Stones, Turner and Elton John may no longer get airplay except on oldies stations, but they came up in a less-crowded musical landscape that made universal hits easier to achieve and gave artists more opportunities to hone their musicianship and stage skills before hitting stardom.

“It’s hard for good bands to become great bands when they can’t really play for an audience,” Perry says. “We grew up in an era when ‘live’ was what it was all about.

And we’re still there. We’re transformed when we hit the stage. We’re back in 1976.

How do we keep it fresh? It’s never gotten stale.”

Younger groups such as Coldplay, No Doubt and Green Day still fill major venues, but they emerge less frequently and disappear more quickly.

Coldplay, Radiohead and the Dave Matthews Band are among the few contemporary bands music-industry professionals

describe as having onstage staying power.

“Younger kids still love live music,” says Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni. “It’s just the acts they’re going to see don’t seem to last anywhere near as long ... These older acts have honed their live performance skills. If you go see Springsteen, you’re seeing a real professional.

Today it’s possible for a young live act to explode to almost world status, but they haven’t had the experience to reproduce that live.”

The earning power that comes with age plays a role in the popularity of older acts. People who were teens in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are more likely to have the income to spend on tickets, which have doubled in price in the past decade and can cost several hundred dollars for acts like Madonna or the Stones.

But it’s not just a matter of money. Today’s groups struggle to connect with kids who sift through thousands of songs on their iPods, while artists from previous generations built relationships with fans undistracted by texting and the infinite allure of the Internet.

“Music is still very important, but I don’t think the attention span is what it was,” says Neil Jacobsen, 53, president of Live Nation Florida. “When I was a kid, it was going home, playing that

record. Today, kids shuffle songs on their iPod. They don’t have the same relationship with the artist. It’s about listening to the song.”

Classic rock and pop acts also get a boost from mature fans who introduce their kids to the music they love.

Jacobsen says his teenage children are as enthused about AC/DC’s “Back in Black” as he is, while his daughter loves Joni Mitchell.

Young audiences also have discovered the likes of Van Halen and Lynyrd Skynyrd via Guitar Hero, the popular video game which, in various versions, has sold 35 million units since 2005, as well as its rival, Rock Star.

Thirty-three of the 86 songs on Guitar Hero World Tour date from 1988 or earlier.

Featured artists like Pat Benatar and Blue Oyster Cult have seen their sales grow, says Tim Riley, vice president of music affairs for Guitar Hero publisher Activision.

“We’ve seen bands that were pretty docile on Soundscan or iTunes until the game came out, and then we watched this tremendous spike in sales,” Riley says.

“We hear stories all the time about how someone comes home, and their son or daughter is listening to Van Halen or Aerosmith — music they grew up listening to — and they don’t know how else their kids would have heard about it.”

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10B - The University Star

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 11B

Chain sandwich shop becomes fixture on The Square

By Brett Thorne Features Reporter Bicyclists, bar-goers and Bobcats are abuzz about the latest addition to The Square.

Jimmy John’s moved into the space next to the Hub on July 16 and has been open for business ever since.

Andy Howard, owner of The Hub, helped the shop get off the ground.

“We were just kind of a place where people could come and get applications,” Howard said. “They’re our neighbors, so we want them to do well.”

Alejandro Martinez, English senior, frequents Howard’s shop and decided to pick up an application. Martinez said he has enjoyed his first few weeks making and delivering sandwiches.

“I had never had a Jimmy John’s sandwich until I started working here,” Martinez said. “It’s pretty good.”

The shop’s location and late hours afford bar-goers the opportunity to pick up a snack before heading home for the night. Martinez said masses of hungry customers hit the restaurant after the bars close.

“At about 2:15 we see a huge rush,” Martinez said.

“That’s probably the most fun part of the night.”

The combination of alcohol and hunger created an interesting situation for Martinez and the other Jimmy John’s employees a couple of weeks

after the store opened.

“We had a fight in the shop last week,” Martinez said.

“They came in here and had been fighting at another bar before and they were both in line, and I guess they recognized each other and started to go at it again.”

The chain was started in 1983 by Jimmy John Liautaud, and currently has 700 stores in operation. According to the company’s Web site, Liautaud worked tirelessly to perfect the bread, which would eventually become the company’s signature.

After opening his first store, Liautaud hit the streets to offer free sandwiches to all who were interested. College students were especially fond of Liautaud’s youth (he was 19 when he started the company) and his cheap prices. The company’s Web site brags the sandwich giant’s “bread is baked in-house everyday and served fresh. Meat and veggies are sliced fresh inhouse everyday.”

Jimmy John’s is the first chain restaurant to move to The Square and finds itself competing against local favorites like Alvin Ord’s, ValDavid Schmidt/Star photo entino’s, Café on The Square and the Wine Cellar. This fact NEW ADDITIONS: The chain sandwich shop Jimmy Johns has opened on the square right next to the Hub bike shop on Hopkins. Jimmy has been met with mixed Johns late hours provide bar-goers a snack, with their doors staying open until 3 am, Monday through Sunday. emotions.

Steve Martinez, political science senior, works at Al- seen a difference in the num- frequents The Square. Her “It’s OK if there’s not that trend, it could be a problem.” vin Ord’s Sandwich Shop. ber of customers.” favorite spots include Val- many (chains),” Heather said.

Jimmy John’s is open from “I don’t really care,” Steve Meredith Heather, wild- entino’s, Café on the Square “As long as they don’t start 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday Martinez said. “We haven’t life biology senior, said she and the Coffee Pot. to take over. If it becomes a through Sunday.

Couple opens trading spot for pop-culture memorabilia, memories

By Jovonna Owen Features Reporter

The Square is now home to a new vintage and pop-culture trading spot.

Way Back Attic, located under Bar One-41, sells books, DVDs, comic books, video games, art, posters, toys and vintage memorabilia. Those not looking for toys can sip on cold beverages and lounge with cable, video games and free Wi-Fi. “I’m glad to give people a place to hang out and talk about books, comics or movies,” coowner Valerie Fix said. “Way Back Attic specializes in used and rare books and pop culture.

DVDs have been very popular based on our first week of sales.”

Prices range from a $3 toy bin featuring used figurines of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, “Star Wars,” Captain Planet and World of Warcraft to a $700 “Indiana Jones” figure.

“It’s completely accurate, his jacket has an interior pocket and there are separate hands

that you can put on — one for holding the skull and one for the whip,” Fix said.

The entrepreneur is knowledgeable about her wares, referring to action figures not by category or movie, but by specific character names.

“The most expensive item we have is probably Marion Ravenwood,” she said in reference to an action figure of the female lead in “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc.” Way Back Attic is like an average attic.

“It doesn’t matter what city you’re in — Houston, New York or Los Angeles — you won’t find a lot of these (toys). They’re very hard to get,” said Mike Fix, coowner and husband to Valerie.

“It feels like being in a museum, like being back in 1982.”

The majority of the collectibles for sale are from the owners’ personal collection, such as an original Iron Maiden poster from the 1980s. Some come from the Internet and trade-ins. Mike and Valerie Fix will special

order the “quirky items” not already in stock.

The couple does not have a hard time parting with the things they have collected.

“I’m surrounded by it all day,” Valerie Fix said. “Chances are at some point in time, it will come back to you. It’s recycling. I try to keep things reusable and local.”

There are things the owners won’t sell, like a copy of The Princess Bride that the couple both read while growing up.

“We have other copies, but that one is sentimental,” Valerie Fix said.

The couple spent years working in retail before owning their own business.

“At some point, I decided I’m tired of figuring out retail formulas for someone else,” Mike Fix said. “We have been e-tailing it for well over a decade with online stores on Amazon, Half.com, and eBay.” Customers with their own treasures can bring in used DVDs and toys to receive cash, store credit or a trade.

Valerie said business has

Tina Phan/Star Photo PAST TREASURES: The new vintage memorabilia store Way Back Attic, located under Bar 141 on Hopkins, is home to DVDs, comics, art, posters, and more, as well as lounge area for customers to relax and enjoy the vintage mementos.

been good so far, and she expects it to increase once the school year starts.

“We are getting people

wandering The Square looking for something to do during the day,” she said.

The owners are planning

a Way Back Attic grand opening in the Fall and hope to coordinate with other businesses on The Square.

12B - The University Star

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Guitar legend Les Paul dies at 94

By Don Walker Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Les Paul, the Waukesha, Wis.-born genius who rose to become one of the most influential musicians in the 20th century, has died at the age of 94.

The Gibson Guitar Co., said on its Web site that Paul died of complications of pneumonia at a White Plains (N.Y.) hospital.

Paul was best known as a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar and the originator of multitrack recording.

Paul, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was also a major recording artist in the 1940s and 1950s, and performed in Manhattan late in life.

With his wife Mary Ford, Paul enjoyed a series of over 25 top 40 hits in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s including “Vaya Con Dios,” “Hummingbird,” and “How High the Moon.”

The couple later divorced and Mary Ford died in 1977.

Paul influenced scores of musicians in the worlds of rock and jazz. One of them was Steve Miller. Back in 1948, Miller’s father struck up a friendship with Paul when the guitarist was visiting Milwaukee for a date at a local club.

“Les and Mary showed me my first chords,” Miller told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “He’s such a great player, everytime I go to New York I go to the club and jam with Les. There’s just this vibe around him.”

Aside from making rock-androll possible with his creation of the electric guitar, Paul also contributed immensely to the advance of studio recording over the years with inventions

like multitrack recording, reverb and more than a dozen others.

Paul McCartney once said this of Paul: “Les was one of the greatest innovators in recording techniques.”

Born Lester William Polsfuss, Les Paul started performing at home when he was 10 years old, organizing his own little orchestra. He also became fascinated with electronics, building his own broadcasting set in his basement.

A Waukesha music teacher had told Paul’s mother not to waste her money on lessons for the boy because he wasn’t “musically inclined.”

By 1928, however, Paul had a hot new stage act. At age 13, he was a local sensation: Red Hot Red, the Wizard of Waukesha. He played at Lions Club functions, speakeasies and nightclubs. There were pictures of young “Red” at the Mahwah studio.

Paul played at a barbecue stand near Milwaukee, he said, but remembered people in their cars complaining that they couldn’t hear him.

He solved the problem by creating an electric guitar out of his acoustic guitar. He simply jabbed a phonograph needle into the 1912-model instrument and wired it to his mother’s radio.

To make it easier for people to hear his singing, Paul said, he built a microphone, by wiring the mouthpiece part of his mother’s telephone (now attached to a broomstick) to his father’s radio.

He then designed a recording machine using the flywheel from a Cadillac (his father owned a garage) and a belt from a dentist’s drill. “Here she is,” Paul said, pointing to the crude-looking

but functional device in his studio.

About the same time he saved money from his newspaper route and bought a Silvertone guitar, for $2.49.

“I took off the sixth string because my fingers couldn’t reach it,” he recalled.

As he practiced his new instrument and listened to jazz bands from Chicago over the radio, Paul noticed that an acoustic guitar, which got its amplification from the string ringing off the hollow body, could not compete for volume in a big band. It needed a boost, he thought.

Only 13 years old at the time, he reasoned that a phonograph pickup — the little device that takes the sound from a record and makes it loud enough to hear — could provide the extra volume if placed under the strings and sent to a radio speaker.

Thus was born a rudimentary electric guitar, using the cartridge and stylus from a phonograph, in 1927.

By 1941, with his career as a country and jazz guitarist taking off, Paul came up with the idea that an electric guitar need not have a hollow body at all. The pickup did all the work, so theoretically a guitar could be fashioned from a solid piece of wood. And that is exactly what he did, using a four-by-four as the body and a more sophisticated pickup.

Colleagues called it “the log.”

At Bing Crosby’s suggestion Paul built his own recording studio and came up with more inventions like reverb.

In 1953 he perfected the first multi-track recording machine, a revolutionary device that allowed musicians to lay down separate lines of music and vocals and blend them together.

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crossword

1 Not loaded 6 Guy 10 Nuts’ opposite?

14 Slide subject 15 Tuna order 16 Ballpark phrase 17 Corporate icons 18 Communist watering hole?

20 Prius automaker 22 Fishing for marlin, e.g.

23 Long-tongued Congo critter 25 Pet name 26 MV ÷ V 29 French vineyard 31 “Turn Me Loose” singer, 1959 33 Use up 34 Costs of getting high?

36 Some National Music Museum treasures 38 Deep sleep 39 Gen-__ 41 “__ we all?”

42 Stressed type 44 Blowup in a jam 46 Teen movie stereotype 47 Ensign’s affirmative 49 Virgo’s mo., maybe 50 Roulette bet 51 Bile 52 Twin Cities suburb 54 D-Day beach 56 Defendants’ spouses, sometimes 59 Place for a paw?

63 Show jubilation 64 All-inclusive 65 Actress Falco 66 “On the contrary” 67 Ford, for example 68 Lo-cal 69 Readily accessible

a

DOWN

1 It can be helpful in a pinch 2 Melville South Seas novel 3 Plead with one’s frontier buddy?

4 Project Gutenberg offering 5 Haile Selassie worshipers’ movement 6 Monitor, for short 7 “I get it, but ...”

8 First name in soul 9 Image 10 Shake alternative 11 Sphere 12 Permanent U.N. Security Council member 13 Neighbor of ESP, in the Olympics 19 Dark’ning time 21 On __ with 24 Goat with recurved horns 26 Adorable, bottomwise?

27 Cower 28 Marching well 29 Strip tease?

30 Took to the streets 32 Department bordering Savoie 33 “Roseanne” star 35 Choose not to call 37 Native of central Spain 40 Increased 43 Confection created by heating sugar 45 Operatic princess 48 Violinist Menuhin 51 Global currency org.

53 Follower of Johnson, and a two-word hint to this crossword’s theme 54 Exhibit aplenty, as confidence 55 Working hard 57 The “she” in “Of all the gin joints ... she walks into mine” 58 Discontinue 59 Mason’s field 60 Letter from Athens 61 Mars, for one 62 Golf bag item

b

a

solution

solutions

ACROSS

The University Star - 13B

sudoku

Monday, August 24, 2009

b

Classifieds

14B - The University Star

For Rent

3BD/2BA, 4 ACRES, $800/plus deposit. water paid. no smoking/pets.

(512) 805-0339.

rates & policies

Cost - 25¢ per word (1–6 days); Cost - 20¢ per word (7+ days); Deadline - 2 business days prior by noon All classified ads must be paid in advance, unless credit is established. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. We do our best, but please check your classified ad for accuracy. Any corrections to your ad must be made by the second day of publication. As a free service to you, all classified ads will be published on-line on our web site at www.universitystar.com. However, 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.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Contact — starclassifieds@txstate.edu

For Rent–Apts

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For Rent–Condos/ Townhomes

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

Help Wanted

!BARTENDING! UP TO $300/DAY. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800)965-6520 ext. 157.

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Help Wanted AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SUPERVISOR–Create curriculum, communicate w/ parents, manage website, plan field trips, supervise an schedule staff. Benefits-paid leave, holidays and insurance. Must work 11-6:30 p.m. M-F. Quality Child Development Center in Kyle.

(512) 405-3700 or fax (512) 405-3701. www.rockinghorseacademy.com DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Trucking Companies hiring NOW--No CDL, No Problem! Training available with Roadmaster! Call now!

(866) 659-0565 ENJOY WORKING WITH CHILDREN? J&R Gymnastics is looking for energetic gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading instructors.

Locations in San Marcos, New Braunfels and Seguin. Schedule: 4-30 hrs.per week. Pay: commensurate with experience. Experience preferred. Call (830) 606-0375.

FINE DINING RESTAURANT in Kyle has openings for experienced servers, also lunch time kitchen and dishwasher positions. Servers must have some wine knowledge and professional appearance.

Apply in person Tues and Thurs, 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Bordeaux’s, 108 Center St, Kyle, (512) 268-3463.

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STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.

Help Wanted FRONT DESK CLERK WANTED. Perfect job for students. Duties include: answering phones, reservations, handle cash & credit card transactions & guest services. Will train. Math and sales skills necessary. Need smart, hard working, computer literate, enthusiastic person with common sense. Apply in person at Americas Best Value Inn, I-35, Exit 221, Buda.

GET PAID TO PLAY: TEACHERS NEEDED! Now hiring part-time, afternoon teachers. Experience and bilingual preferred but not required.

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(512) 405-3700 or fax (512) 405 3701. www.rockinghorseacademy.com

Lost & Found Lost Your Pet? If your pet is lost anywhere in Hays County, please check the San Marcos Animal Shelter (512)393-8340 which is located at 750 River Road off of east Hwy 80.

All strays from the Kyle, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Uhland and some of Buda (non-city) areas are taken to San Marcos. Hours: Mon. and Fri. 11:30 to 5:30; Tues., Wed., Thurs.

11:30 to 4:30; Sat. 11:30 to 4:30. Please go in person rather than call, you are the only one who can identify and reclaim your beloved pet! Remember, an ID tag is a ticket home!

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Wanted NURSE AIDE TRAINING. Registering for summer classes. Contact Comfort Connection Nurse Aide Training (512) 392-4663.

Monday, August 24, 2009 – 1C

Contact – Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu

Preseason polls predict Bobcats win conference

By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo SUMMER SESSIONS: Darryl Morris, freshman cornerback, tackles a teammate during the football team’s Aug. 12 practices. The Bobcats added 22 freshmen and transfer students to their roster this season.

With an improved stadium and a Southland Conference championship, the Texas State football team has been preparing to embark on a new season with high expectations.

The Bobcats have been picked to win the 2009 Southland Conference championship by both the head coaches and sports information directors in their annual preseason polls announced at the SLC Football Media Day July 30.

“Last year, we were picked to finish sixth and we finished first,” said Coach Brad Wright. “That should tell you something about those polls. Obviously that is onehalf of the goal each year.

You want to win championships and be picked to win.

Half of the goal has been achieved, but that is not the most important half of the goal. When you look at the polls, we received two votes, and everyone else received two votes or one vote. We just happened to be listed at the top. It is a fun thing for the media and fans to talk about when heading into a

season, but it doesn’t matter until December. We have to show up each week and earn those.”

The Bobcats are ranked 18th in the Football Championship Subdivision Top 25 preseason poll, one in which the team was not ranked last season. Texas State finished 22nd last season.

The Bobcats had seven players named to the 2009 preseason All-Southland First and Second-Teams.

One of the two all-SLC first team selections for the Bobcats is Karrington Bush, junior running back. Bush rushed for 1,065 yards and 11 touchdowns on 136 carries and returned 42 kickoffs for 1,055 yards and one touchdown in 2008.

D.J. Hall, sophomore guard, was named to the team after a season in which he made 13 starts on offensive line. Fellow offensive linemen Calvin Gore and Alex Luna, senior tackles, were named to the all-SLC second team.

Joining Gore and Luna on the all-SLC second team offense is Bradley George, senior quarterback.

“We are going to be dan-

gerous on offense,” George said. “We lost some talented players in Cameron Luke, Stan Zwinggi, John Gilley and Blake Burton, but we have some talented ones returning. Our wide receiver corps is young but they may be the fastest unit since I have been here. Karrington Bush returns at running back and I look for him to put up the same type of production.”

George became the first Texas State quarterback to throw for more than 2,000 yards in two consecutive seasons. He completed 181 of his 301 passes for 26 touchdowns and 2,660 yards in 2008.

Of the 11 scheduled SLC televised games this season, three will feature the Bobcats. Texas State’s first televised game will be Sept. 26 when the Bobcats host Texas Southern. The Bobcats will be featured Nov. 7 against the Central Arkansas Bears and again Nov. 14 against the McNeese State Cowboys.

The Bobcats will debut their newly refurbished stadium on the first game of the season against Angelo State. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. Sept. 5.

New Bobcat athletes prepare for college careers

By Billy Crawford Special to the Star Texas State athletes are returning to campus and gearing up for the Fall sports season.

Incoming freshmen players will experience their first taste as a Bobcat athlete.

Matti Schumacher of Lubbock and Caleigh McCorquodale of Cypress, headline the newcomers to the volleyball team. Schumacher, 6-foot-1 outside hitter, was selected to AllTournament teams in high school for her scoring ability.

McCorquodale, 5-foot-7 setter, finished her high school career with more than 2,000 assists and received prominent Houston-area awards.

“I am really looking forward to the first time I wear that Texas State jersey in front of all the fans in Strahan,” Schumacher said. “It’s going to be awesome.”

A trio of defenders and a

pair of scorers join the women’s soccer team this season.

Taylor Person of Georgetown, Alissa Scott of Cedar Park and Emma Staley of McNeil will add to the defensive front. Serena Hines of Plano and Taylor Kelley of Frisco join the offensive squad.

“Alissa (Scott) is going to be a solid addition to the team with her work ethic,” said Jennifer Womack, head coach at Cedar Park High School.

“She’s a really hard worker.”

The football team looks to repeat as Southland Conference champions and achieve consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 1990s. Nineteen freshmen and transfers have signed with the program. The roster includes players from Texas high schools and some from as far as California.

Highlighting the group are defensive players Jamie Clavell-Head, Ron Jackson, Preston Brown and Phillip Benning. Offensive players

include Frank Reddic, Eric Soza, Devin Baker and Dexter Imade.

The skills players garner the most attention, but one place the Bobcats looked to improve was in the trenches, as they added 13 offensive or defensive linemen. Coach Brad Wright noted earlier in the Spring the offensive line was one of the areas where the team heavily focused on, adding depth and versatility.

However, freshmen may not see starting opportunities with a multitude of returning players on the team.

Cody Matthews, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver, could potentially fill the role of former wide receiver Cameron Luke.

Another point of interest might be on the tight end position, where Devin Baker and two-time All-American junior college transfer Woody McClendon will challenge veterans Kyle Anderson and Andrew Brooks to fill the void left by John Gilley.

INCOMING FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Devin Baker, tight end, Smithson Valley High School Phillip Benning, cornerback/kick returner, The Colony High School Prestin Brown, defensive lineman, Grand Prairie High School Michael Chambers, offensive lineman, Merced Junior College Derrick Clark, offensive lineman, Deer Park High School Jamie Clavell-Head, linebacker, Bishop Manogue Jeff Clermond, defensive lineman, DeSoto High School Lee Conoly, offensive lineman, Frenship High School Xavier Daniels, defensive back, Giddings High School Justin Garelick, punt kicker, Pflugerville High School Chase Howland, offensive lineman, Plano East High School Dexter Imade, running back, Rowlett High School

Ron Jackson, defensive lineman, Creekview High School (Ariz.)

Rodrigo Martinez, defensive end, Lehman High School Cody Matthews, wide receiver, Smithson Valley High School Woody McClendon, tight end, Kilgore College Blake McColloch, defensive end/tight end, Midland Greenwood High School Jordan Northfleet, defensive end, Clear Brook High School Frank Reddic, tailback, Kilgore High School Eric Soza, quarterback/defensive back, Beeville High School Shalamar Traylor, safety, Denison High School Josh Wray, fullback, Samuel V. Champion High School

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: The Texas State football team practices Aug. 12 at Bobcat Stadium in preparation for the upcoming season. The Bobcats are picked to repeat their Southland Conference title this season.

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2C - The University Star

Monday, August 24, 2009

Cross country teams train, hope to maintain conference rank

By Blake Barington Sports Reporter The 2009 Texas State cross country team is off and running, literally.

The runners trained during the summer months in order for the teams to do well at the Southland Conference Championship in October.

The Bobcats return to the trails after the women’s third-place finish in the conference and 11th at the regional meet. The men finished seventh in conference.

The teams kick off the season Sept. 5 when they host the Texas State Invitational.

The Bobcats will travel to College Station, San Antonio and Stillwater, Okla., before the SLC Championship.

Returning members of the men’s team include Jonathan Hernandez, education senior, Hugo Corral, international studies sophomore, Michael Richards, political science junior, Michael Morris, biology sophomore, and Matt Novak, exercise and sports science junior. The five Bobcats participated in the SLC Championship last year.

“For our men’s team we are planning to get back on top of (the) SLC cross country teams list,” said Coach Grigori Viniar. “Our challenge (and) goal is to make a top four team finish with such a young team.”

The men’s team features four newcomers.

Jesus Ordaz, geography freshman, is from Del Rio. Ordaz was a state qualifier in cross country, running 3.2 miles in 15:35. His personal bests include 4:32 in the mile and 9:42 in the two-mile.

Chase Teinert, undecided freshman, is from College Station. Teinert was a regional qualifier in both cross country and track. His personal best for the mile run is 4:25.

Andres Herrera, exercise and sports science freshman, is from Fort Worth. Herrera was a state qualifier in cross country and track running a 15:46 in the 3.2-mile course at the state cross country meet. Herrera’s personal best in the mile is 4:24.

Jack Peterson, sophomore, is a transfer student from Alabama. His personal bests are 48.8 seconds for the 400-meter run and 1:55 for the 800-meter run.

The women’s team includes returning members Heather Bullin, exercise and sports science senior, Amanda McKinney, nutrition and foods junior, Sandra Venegas, exercise and sports science sophomore, Kelly Butler, exercise and sports science senior, and Steffanie Armstrong, nutrition and foods sophomore.

These five women ran in the SLC Championship in 2008.

The women’s team features three newcomers.

Esperanza Lopez, freshman, from White Settlement.

Lopez was a state qualifier in cross country and track. Her personal bests include 5:10 for the mile and 11:32 for the two-mile run.

April Howell, biology freshman, is from Caldwell, where she was a regional qualifier in cross country and track. Her personal best in the 800-meter run is 2:20.

Susan Marsh, finance freshman, is from New Braunfels and was a regional qualifier in cross country and a state qualifier in track. Her personal best in the 800-meter run is 2:21.

Viniar said having women runners graduate this year was somewhat of a disadvantage.

“We were hit hard by graduation this year on the women’s side, and it’s going to be a fight to stay as a top three team in conference,” Viniar said.

Whitney Perkins and Tenley Determan are two alumni who completed their final seasons last year. Determan was the top runner for the team and fourth overall at the SLC Championship.

Viniar said runners on the women’s team must step up to the challenge of replacing the alumni.

“Our main challenge on the women’s side is asking all our returners to step in there and fill their spots,” Viniar Star File Photo said. “With only one pure distance newcomer coming in TRAINING FOR SUCCESS: Matt Novak, exercise and sports science junior, is one of the returnthis year, our returners have ing members to the Texas State cross country team. Both the men’s and women’s teams have high to accept this challenge.” expectations for the new season.

Texas State 2009 Cross Country Schedule Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Oct. 3 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 31 Nov. 14

Texas State Invitational Texas A&M Invite Cowboy Jamboree Texas State Classic Incarnate Word Invite SLC Championship NCAA Regional

San Marcos College Station Stillwater, Okla.

San Marcos San Antonio Corpus Christi Waco

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 3C

Bobcat sports continues North Carolina woman success in titles, awards

By Lisa Carter Sports Editor Any Texas State sports fan knows about the success the athletic program experienced last season. From improved facilities to numerous conference titles and individual awards, the Bobcats have begun to prove they have what it takes to move to the Football Bowl Subdivision and it only gets better from here.

Despite having players graduate this year, the Bobcat football team has acquired a strong incoming freshman and transfer class to the team.

With standouts such as Prestin Brown, USA Football Junior World Championships player, and Woody McClendon, twotime All-American, as well as the advantage of 12 returning starters, the Bobcats have the potential to repeat their conference championship title.

The football team also has the potential to improve its record from last year (8-5). They will face Texas Christian (112 and Poinsettia Bowl winner in 2008) and seven other Southland Conference rivals,

but the Bobcats have the talent, the mindset and their first outright SLC title since 1982 to bring them to victory this season.

The football squad isn’t the only one destined for greatness this semester. The volleyball, soccer and cross country teams are all riding on successful seasons.

The Texas State volleyball team took the Southland Conference title with a 21-13 (14-2 SLC) record in 2008. The team lost key players such as Emily Jones Wilkes, Amy Weigle and Lawrencia Brown to graduation, but they have signed five incoming freshmen. One of these newcomers, Caleigh McCorquodale, was named MVP at the Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championships in which her club team took the national title. Young talent like McCorquodale’s is what the team needs to continue its achievements and have these rookies fill the shoes of women who have graduated.

The women’s soccer team may have had the best season of any Texas State athletic program in 2008. The

Bobcats had an undefeated league record which led them not only to an SLC title, but an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and an SLC Coach of the Year award given to Kat Conner. The team has 18 returning starters and five freshmen, three of whom have played together on the same club team. This mix of the multitude of returning players and rookies who are familiar with one another’s playing styles could lead to a repeat SLC Championship and another appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

These three teams possess different characteristics that will lead to the ultimate goal of repeating the SLC Championship titles in their respective sports and advancing beyond being atop the conference. Each team knows what it has to do to accomplish these goals and what they must continue to do, or improve, in order to meet these goals. Each team is capable of continuing its success and will help Texas State go forward in its move to the FBS.

2009 Texas State Soccer Games

Aug. 22 St. Mary’s (Texas) Aug. 28 California-Irvine Aug. 30 California-Riverside Samford Bulldog Invitational Sept. 4 Samford Sept. 6 Tennessee Tech Sept. 11 Houston Sept. 13 Centenary College Sept. 18 Grambling State Sept. 20 Texas-El Paso Sept. 22 Houston Baptists Sept. 25 Prairie View A&M Oct. 2 Central Arkansas Oct. 4 Northwestern State Oct. 9 Lamar Oct. 11 McNeese State Oct. 16 Nicholls State Oct. 18 Southeastern Louisiana Oct. 23 Stephen F. Austin Oct. 25 Sam Houston State Oct. 30 Texas-San Antonio

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sues city for alleged sexual discrimination

By Leah Friedman McClatchy Newspapers Nancy Griffin prefers to play tennis against men. And she often beats them in a men’s league sponsored by the city of Raleigh.

Some men don’t like playing Griffin.

Three years ago, league members voted to rescind a rule that penalized them for refusing to compete against her or anyone else. The change has kept her from taking on some of the league’s top players. Men have invoked both their wives and God to avoid matches against her.

Now, Griffin has made her problems on the court a matter for a court. She is suing the city, alleging discrimination. She wants the penalty rule reinstated and the city to pay her $10,000 or more for emotional distress.

Griffin has been playing since she was 10 and was recruited to play at Barton College in Wilson. In 1993 and 1994, the U.S. Tennis Association ranked her among North Carolina’s top female singles players.

Today, the 41-year-old substitute teacher says her fitness and unorthodox, selftaught technique make her a formidable opponent. She rates a 5.0 on the National Tennis Rating Program’s 7.0 scale. Raleigh’s highest level of competition for either sex is a 4.5 challenge ladder, in which participants challenge each other to move up in ranking.

Griffin joined the men’s ladder in 1999, hoping for keener competition. “I just signed up and played,” she said. “Nobody tried to stop me.”

She made it to the final eight in tournaments all nine times she played. Then, in 2003, she tried to sign up for

the summer season. But city officials said women could no longer play on the men’s ladder because a co-ed ladder had been created.

Griffin petitioned the city to let her back onto the men’s ladder, gathering 300 signatures, including 20 from men on the ladder.

Raleigh tennis officials relented and let her play.

That winter, though, the excuses began.

“One said he had a jealous wife, and he couldn’t play females,” Griffin said. “Another said he heard I made people run too much.”

Griffin complained. Ken Glanville, the city’s assistant tennis director, responded with a new rule: A challenger would get 24 points any time an opponent ignored a challenge or refused to play, Griffin said. It was called the “avoidance rule.”

In spring 2006, Griffin won the men’s 4.5 ladder tournament. The next season, she invoked the rule for the first time when a would-be opponent ignored her challenge but went on to play men. Glanville awarded her 24 points and said he would review the rule, according to an e-mail provided by Griffin’s attorney.

Soon after, the city sent an e-mail to members of the ladder, asking whether the avoidance rule should be scuttled.

In an e-mail to Griffin provided by her lawyer, Glanville said the move was best for everyone. “The best compromise is that now you are able to play anyone on the ladder regardless of rank and if you can’t coordinate with a player you just move on and play someone else,” he added.

Efforts to reach him failed.

“To me, the way they went about removing the rule wasn’t right,” Griffin said.

“A lot of the men probably

didn’t realize why the rule was there.”

She continued to complain to city tennis officials.

In an e-mail Sept. 6, 2007, David Bell, the city’s tennis director, told Griffin he didn’t think men were avoiding playing her because of her sex.

“The city is not in the position of requiring each player on the ladder to play each other,” Bell wrote. “From the information I’ve received so far, there seems to be no indication that players are avoiding you based on your sex.”

Bell declined to comment.

Without the avoidance penalty, the excuses resumed.

“If they say I have to play you then I will quit the ladder to keep peace because I don’t feel comfortable playing a singles match with another woman other than my wife as I do not think it would honor my wife,” Adam Schainblatt wrote in an e-mail to Griffin earlier this year.

Schainblatt said Monday that he wants to play only men. He’s never asked his wife if she would mind his playing women.

“It’s me, not her,” he said.

Randy Browning asked Griffin not to challenge him.

“As a husband, father and deacon in my church, I don’t believe it’s a good thing for me to be seen out playing a female other than my wife in casual matches without her around,” Browning wrote in a Sept. 4 e-mail provided by Griffin’s attorney. “As a believer I hope you can understand this.”

He declined to comment.

Without the avoidance rule, Griffin has been unable to gain enough points to move up the ladder, according to her suit.

Raleigh officials, including City Manager Russell Allen and Mayor Charles Meeker, would not comment.

4C - The University Star

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Monday, August 24, 2009

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Monday, August 24, 2009

The University Star - 5C

NFL players’ crimes do not fit punishment Joseph O. Garcia Sports Columnist Is Michael Vick worthy of a second chance at an NFL career? Yes. NFL teams are constantly signing players with criminal backgrounds and continue to do so.

Vick, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, was indicted in 2007 on a federal conspiracy charge for his role in a dog-fighting ring.

He was recently released after serving 23 months of jail time and is currently looking for employment.

The NFL, as well as other professional leagues, have a history of employing players who have had legal issues, including wife and girlfriend beaters, unlicensed gun-toters and chronic drunk drivers.

Leonard Little, St. Louis Rams defensive end, killed a woman in 1998 while driving drunk. Sixteen months later, he was playing in a Super

Bowl. It would not be his last DUI charge, either. Six years later, in 2004, Little was arrested again for drunk driving and speeding. Little is still in the league.

Recent examples of NFL players in legal trouble involve former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress and Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth.

The New York Giants continued to keep Burress employed after a 2008 domestic violence disturbance involving his wife. Records show Tiffany Burress called police on June 2, 2008 following what she said was an argument with her husband. When officers arrived, she claimed he had grabbed her.

No charges were filed, but the judge granted Tiffany Burress a temporary restraining order against her husband.

The Giants and Burress finally parted ways after he was charged with two

counts of felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself in the leg in a club last November.

Three months after the Burress debacle, the Giants signed free agents Rocky Bernard and Michael Boley to deals totaling $41 million. Just a few weeks apart in the Spring of 2008, both players were arrested for domestic violence. Bernard was accused of punching his ex-girlfriend. The NFL suspended him for the first game of last season.

Boley was arrested for domestic battery outside Atlanta after he was accused of assaulting his wife. He was suspended for the first game of this coming season.

Then there is the case of currently employed Browns receiver Donte Stallworth.

Stallworth struck 59-yearold Mario Reyes on March 14 while driving his 2005 Bentley in Miami. His blood alco-

hol level was 0.126 percent, which is more than the Florida legal limit.

DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony in the state of Florida and carries a sentence of five to 15 years in jail, with the average for a single death being in the 10-year minimum range.

Stallworth was only sentenced to 30 days in jail. He must also undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver’s license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service.

In comparison to the Stallworth sentence, Vick received 23 months in jail for dog-fighting charges levied against him. The sentence exceeded the prosecutor’s recommendation of 12 to 18 months. There was nothing “easy” about the jail time Vick served. However, the case seems to be the opposite in Stallworth’s situation.

Simply stated, Stallworth killed a human and Vick allegedly killed dogs. Does the crime fit the punishment? I don’t think so.

Stallworth continues to get paid millions of dollars and will likely suit up for the Browns at some point during the season. Vick lost his fortune, his career and his reputation.

There seems to be no national outcry against Stallworth like there was for Vick.

I like dogs as much as the next person does, but where do we draw the line? Is the taking of a human life by an NFL player not worth the amount of media coverage as it was and is for Vick and dog fighting?

I think there needs to be some perspective on exactly what transpired.

From a legal standpoint, Vick deserves a clean slate once he has done his time and is released into society. I think this idea holds true from a

moral and ethical standpoint as well.

It was morally wrong to harness a dog-fighting ring, but it is morally right to give a man who has served his debt to society a second chance.

It is not ethical to keep him from pursuing work because of a crime.

Recently, Vick was conditionally reinstated by the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Vick is allowed to participate in practices and preseason games, but not play in the regular season. Goodell said he will re-evaluate Vick’s situation and may give him full reinstatement by Oct. 19.

Vick will work with the Humane Society of the United States on anti-dog-fighting campaigns in the months to come.

Vick has shown “genuine remorse” for what he did. I think he deserves a second chance from the NFL, its fans and animal lovers alike.

Hall of Famer’s son celebrates father’s induction, legacy

By Randy Covitz McClatchy Newspapers The day Derrick Thomas died, Tony and Dawn Harper made a promise.

Whenever Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they vowed to make the 14-hour drive from their home in Lincoln, Neb., and attend the ceremony.

Their wait -- as well as the wait of Thomas’ family and all of Chiefs Nation -- ended on a mild Saturday night when Thomas, the Chiefs’ playmaking linebacker and sack artist of the 1990s, was enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The induction came nine years after Thomas’ death in 2000 at 33 years old of complications from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

“We always thought he belonged here,” Dawn Harper said. “We wanted to honor his memory. It’s been validated.”

The Harpers were among about 1,500 red-clad fans at

Fawcett Stadium on hand to witness the enshrinement of Thomas as well as the rest of the Class of 2009 -- Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith, Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr., Pittsburgh cornerback Rod Woodson, Minnesota offensive guard Randall McDaniel and Dallas wide receiver Bob Hayes.

“When Derrick Thomas passed from us in February 2000, I commented the light had gone out in Kansas City,” said former Chiefs president Carl Peterson, who presented Thomas.

“Today, Derrick Thomas joins the company of the finest who have ever played the game of professional football.

It’s appropriate he takes his place besides the two great Kansas City linebackers, who are here, Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier. I know the other Chiefs Hall of Famers here, and some have passed, welcome Derrick also.”

Peterson, who drafted Thomas with the fourth overall

pick in the 1989 draft, called Thomas “the cornerstone of the success of the Chiefs franchise” of the 1990s.

“Derrick Thomas’ career was meteoric,” Peterson said.

“He became a symbol of our team’s success. We had other outstanding players at that time ... but Derrick was there the entire decade. The definition of a Pro Football Hall of Famer is he must be a game changer, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. In my opinion, there are only a handful of such defensive players in the modern era ...

Lawrence Taylor, the late Reggie White, Bruce Smith, who is being honored tonight, and yes, the late, great Derrick Thomas.”

Before Peterson presented Thomas, the crowd was treated to a video of highlights from Thomas’ career, punctuated by the enthusiastic calls of Chiefs’ radio play-by-men Kevin Harlan and Mitch Holthus.

The video included what

served as an acceptance by Thomas’ mother, Edith Morgan, and son, Derrion Thomas.

“Derrick as a football player was always the type of person who was always like a trendsetter,” Morgan said of her son, who recorded 126 career sacks. “He always was going to be the one who really, really got things going. The characteristics that set Derrick apart on the field were his endurance, his perseverance, his sportsmanship.”

Derrion Thomas said what he remembered most about his father were “the practices I went to with him, and all the time he put in.

“My father’s signature move was the Kansas City strip. He always talked about how it wasn’t important to kill quarterbacks, he mostly wanted to get the ball loose.”

Both Morgan and Derrion Thomas reflected on how Thomas’ heroics on the field turned Arrowhead Stadium into a noisy sea of red.

“His relationship with the fans of Kansas City was just tremendous,” Morgan said as the video showed zany Chiefs fans and signage reflecting passion for the Chiefs.

“Just about everybody had a 58 jersey. ... It was an atmosphere there you can’t see at any other field. Derrick made that kind of an impact.”

Derrion added, “Arrowhead Stadium was crazy when the Chiefs were on defense.

You feel your chest rumbling as soon as they stepped on the field. It gave you goose bumps.”

Thomas’ impact went beyond the playing field, and his involvement in the community, including his visits with military personnel and his Third and Long Foundation were recognized on the video and by his family.

“One of his greatest contributions would be the relationship between the community and the sport of football and how players can help out and

give back to their communities,” Derrion Thomas said.

“Going into the NFL,” said his mother, “he went with his goal of setting up a program, a foundation that he could help and give back. He started this reading program, the Third and Long Foundation.

He would take the children on Saturdays and they would get a book and were responsible for being able to read that book and come back and read to one another.

“Derrick has impacted so many lives not only on the field, but off the field. I know Derrick is smiling down now, and the fact he is going into the Hall of Fame with some of the greatest players who ever played the game and is so happy this moment has come.”

The video concluded with Derrion saying: “Representing the Thomas family, I’m proud to accept on behalf of my father, Derrick Thomas, his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

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6C - The University Star

Returning quarterback fills role of leader for new season

By Eric Harper Sports Reporter This year’s Bobcat football team will try defending the Southland Conference title without players who accounted for half of their receiving touchdowns and one-fourth of their carries. However, the offensive line has returning starter Bradley George, senior quarterback.

George was ranked among the nation’s top six quarterbacks in passing efficiency with 26 touchdowns to only six interceptions and more than 2,500 yards last season.

Head Coach Brad Wright said George’s experience is crucial to the offense.

“What we really want him to do is lead the offense because if we are going to be good and productive on offense, we need him to get them going in the right direction,” Wright said. “It is important for him to be a team leader.”

Wright believes his offensive line is well-balanced with several go-to options. He said George’s job is to manage all the talent and not to overwork himself.

“The main thing for Bradley to do is work our offense and stay within it,” Wright said.

“We have a lot of playmakers around him so we aren’t asking him to make a lot of plays.

There are 11 guys on the offensive side of the ball and we want each one of them to take care of the ball and do what they are asked to do.”

George understands the role Wright envisions for him.

George said if he fulfills the role, the offense should be able to generate enough points during games.

“We have the weapons on offense,” George said. “It is my job just to get the ball in their hands. If the defense can create some turnovers for us, it will give us that many more opportunities to put points on the board. We averaged more than 35 points per game, and I look for us to do the same this year.”

George knows the expectations are high with the Bobcats picked to win the SLC title, but remembers his struggles last year against Angelo State, which will be the first team the Bobcats play this season.

“The first game on my calendar is Angelo State,” George said. “Not only is it our first game, but I didn’t play well (last year). We really didn’t know what to expect from them because they had a new defensive coordinator. I have already watched a lot of film on them and they have a game before we play them this season. That will help us be more prepared for them.”

Wright believes George has established himself as a classical pocket passer in a conference void of that particular quarterback style.

“Bradley is your typical drop-back quarterback and the only one in the Southland Conference,” Wright said. “The other quarterbacks are dual threat guys. He can run the option, but doesn’t like to do it. He is 27 years old and has life’s experience and maturity.

If he is smart, he will do that to his advantage.”

Wright sees George as a quarterback who has all the tools to succeed in football beyond college, but said there could be some roadblocks to him making it to the NFL. “You never know,” Wright said. “I would have liked to think that Stan Zwinggi or Cameron Luke would have had a chance because Stan was so fast and Cam had so many numbers. I don’t know what effect being 27 years old will have on NFL teams. He is 6’6”, 230 pounds and can throw the ball through a wall.

He has everything you need to be successful in the NFL.” George is confident he will finish his college career strong this season.

“It’s a culmination of four and a half years of hard work,” George said. “There are no regrets and looking back. I thought everyone worked hard this past summer with our 7-on-7 workouts and running. I thought our whole team did. I am expecting nothing but success and winning another conference championship.”

George said he sees progress in moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision and hopes he can play a role in helping the program reach this level.

“We did pretty well athletically last year when we won the SLC Commissioner’s Cup, but I think that we can do even more things at the FBS level,” George said. “In 10 years, I hope we can look back and say I was one of the players who helped get us there.”

Football readies for keeping last season’s offensive momentum

By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter The departure of familiar faces, such as alumni Cameron Luke and Stan Zwinggi, has forced the Bobcat football team into new strategies in order to retain the offensive 2008 fire power.

“I’m pretty sure Luke owns every record you can at wide receiver,” Coach Brad Wright said. “You’re not going to replace a guy like that. We still have some terrific talent at the wideout position.

Guys like Daren Dillard, who came up big for us last year, Mishak Rivas, Joe Chaisson and Da’Marcus Griggs to just name a few. I guess you could say we’re replacing (Luke) by committee. That’s the only way we can replace him.”

Cody Matthews, freshman, is another newcomer who is on the roster for the wide receiver position. Matthews recorded 60 receptions for 1,101 yards and 11 touch-

downs in his senior season at Smithson Valley High School and was a unanimous first team all-area choice in San Antonio. Matthews ranks among Smithson Valley’s top five single season leaders in receptions, total yards receiving and average yards per catch. He is among the top 10 players in career receptions, career total yards receiving and season scoring for Smithson Valley.

The Bobcats faced their competition with their running back duo of Zwinggi and sophomore Karrington Bush.

The departure of Zwinggi does not appear to affect Wright’s dual running back game plan for 2009.

“Bush will see more carries but we still have two very capable backs with Alvin Canady,” Wright said. “They’ll both receive an ample amount of carries. Alvin showed us some things last season that proved we can’t just let him stand on the side line.”

Canady, junior and San Marcos native, rushed for 322 yards off 73 carries in 2008, a 4.4-yards-per-carry average.

More than half of the Bobcats’ 2009 recruiting class will play on the line, including Prestin Brown, freshman defensive end of Grand Prairie, who played on the USA Junior National Team. The Bobcats appear to have a surplus on the line with the return of six starters from each side of the ball. According to Bradley George, senior quarterback, this surplus gives the Bobcats time to develop their young linemen before calling on them to take the field.

“An offensive line that has four returning starters is nice for any quarterback,” George said. “Alex Luna and Calvin Gore have a lot of experience at the tackles so that will help as well. Everything starts up front, so I am looking for them to lead the way. We just have to produce once the season starts.”

Monday, August 24, 2009

2009 Texas State

Football Schedule Sept. 5 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21

Angelo State Texas Christian Texas Southern Southern Utah Southeastern Louisiana Nicholls State Northwestern State Stephen F. Austin Central Arkansas McNeese State Sam Houston State

San Marcos Fort Worth San Marcos Cedar City, Utah San Marcos Thibodaux, La. Natchitoches, La. San Marcos Conway, Ark. San Marcos San Marcos

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6 p.m.

2 p.m.

2009 Texas State Volleyball Games University of Missouri Classic Aug. 28 Mississippi Aug. 28 Missouri Aug. 29 Brigham Young Sept. 2 Texas Tech Marquette University Invitational Sept. 4 Marquette Sept. 5 Austin Peay Sept. 5 Butler Sept. 8 Baylor CenturyTel Premier Tournament Sept. 11 Texas Southern Sept. 11 Hofstra Sept. 12 Texas A&M Sept. 15 Houston SMU Tournament Sept. 18 Southern Methodist Sept. 18 William & Mary Sept. 19 Syracuse Sept. 24 Texas A&M Corpus Christi Sept. 26 Texas-San Antonio Oct. 1 Sam Houston State Oct. 3 Lamar Oct. 9 Texas-Arlington Oct. 14 Central Arkansas Oct. 17 Northwestern State Oct. 22 Nicholls State Oct. 24 Southeastern Louisiana Oct. 29 Stephen F. Austin Oct. 31 McNeese State Nov. 3 Texas-Arlington Nov. 5 Lamar Nov. 7 Sam Houston State Nov. 12 Texas-San Antonio Nov. 14 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Columbia, Mo. Columbia, Mo. Columbia, Mo. San Marcos

11 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

10 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

Marquette, Wis. Marquette, Wis. Marquette, Wis. Waco

2 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

San Marcos San Marcos San Marcos San Marcos

12 p.m.

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Dallas Dallas Dallas San Marcos San Marcos Huntsville Beaumont San Marcos San Marcos Natchitoches, La. San Marcos San Marcos Nacogdoches Lake Charles, La. Arlington San Marcos San Marcos San Antonio Corpus Christi

1:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

3 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

3 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4 p.m.