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Volume 99, Issue 3
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SOCCER STORAGE F8tl attraction
The women’s soccer team gets brand Read the story about a new photo gallery on new locker rooms Trends page 6, then see a slideshow from page 10 the exhibit at universitystar.com
Plant endangers San Marcos River’s native ecosystem By Clay Thorp News Reporter
Jenny Polson/ Star Photo SMOKELESS CAMPUS: Amy McKee, exercise and sports science junior, takes a smoke break Tuesday. University officials are considering expanding Texas State’s smoke-free campus policy.
‘No smoking’
Campus-wide smoking ban could in the works By Bianca Davis Special to The Star University officials are considering implementing a campus-wide smoking ban, according to Terry Dowdy, director of Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management. “There has not been any specific action initiated,” Dowdy said in an e-mail. “This issue is of interest to University President Denise Trauth and the discussions started from her office a year or so ago. It is something our office would support, however.”
Ashley Dozier, health education coordinator at the Student Health Center, echoed similar sentiments, saying the administration is in “talks of expanding the (smoke-free) policy,” though no plans have yet to be made. Current university policy states there should be no smoking within 20 feet of a building entrance, open window or air intake. The Quad, Alkek Library and Academic Services Building breezeways are designated smoke-free areas as well. However, students can be
seen lighting cigarettes, even in areas labeled “smoke-free.” According to current policy, “Employees or students who observe smoking policy violations should make the person aware of the smoking restrictions,” and “individuals and management officials who fail to follow or enforce the Texas State smoking policy are subject to disciplinary action.”
Discovery of an environment-threatening plant species in the San Marcos River has community members concerned. The San Marcos River Foundation in correlation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and student and community volunteers have begun the task of removing the invasive plant species which has been found at Aquarena and other places along the San Marcos River, including Spring Lake and Scull Crossing. The plant, Alternanthera philoxeroides, commonly known as Alligator Weed, has a long, slim trunk with thin green leaves and a white flower at the very top. “Texas Wild Rice and pretty much every other native plant in the San Marcos River grows on the bottom,” said Jackie Poole, a botanist for the Wildlife Diversity Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Alligator Weed grows on top and blocks the light, so any plants that are submerged will be choked out.” Dianne Wassenich, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation, has organized the campaign to remove the Alligator Weed. “We have workdays year round, on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, and again on the fourth Saturday of each month,” Wassenich said. San Marcos River Foundation volunteers have worked closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which protects endangered species in the San Marcos River. “One of our native plants, Texas Wild Rice, is endangered,” Wassenich said. Wassenich said endangered species keep the San Marcos River flowing. “If we did not have endangered species like the Wild
Rice in our river, then the federal Endangered Species Act could not have forced Texas to regulate groundwater pumping from the Edwards Aquifer in the early 90s,” Wassenich said. “Without some regulation of this aquifer pumping, we very likely would lose our river forever.” Wassenich said the potential costs of removing the Alligator Weed and other invasive plants in the San Marcos River are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars if left unchecked. “Another exotic, water trumpet from Sri Lanca was found below town, and it grew so quickly that we were in real danger of it choking out everything else,” Wassenich said. “It costs over a half a million dollars to remove it with huge dredging operations … that sucked up the plant, roots, gravel and dirt. It grew within a few years to be a massive problem, so this time with Alligator Weed we are trying to get it while it is small.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alligator Weed was first discovered in Alabama in 1897 and is native to South America. It is considered invasive because the plant “forms dense mats that crowd out native species and impede recreational activities such as boating, swimming and fishing.” According to the Department of Agriculture, ballast water, found in the bottom of a boat, was likely the plants’ means of introduction to the United States. Poole said river-goers must be careful when moving from one river to another. “If you are going between river systems, make sure to wash your kayaks, tubes and other items before transporting them into another part of the river,” Poole said. “The smallest piece of vegetation could start an outbreak.”
Ongoing and new construction projects may force students to find an alternative rout to class. Michael Petty, assistant director in facilities and planning, said some projects have been completed recently, but more will begin in the coming months. One major project that will draw student’s attention is the Bobcat Stadium West expansion, he said. The project was approved in the Fall 2008. Construction began in January and
Sunny Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 48% UV: 10+ Extreme Wind: SSW 5 mph
Wednesday Mostly Sunny Temp: 100°/72° Precip: 20%
Thursday Isolated T-Storms Temp: 95°/72° Precip: 30%
INSIDE THIS ISSUE News…..Pages 1-4 Graduate studies celebrates 75 years of progress in degree variety, success Freshmen learn Bobcat traditions during summer camp Opinions…..Page 5 Main Point: Decisive Decision University permits more freedom Students should take heed of drought Trends….Pages 6-7 Students, alumni open studio, workplace local artists
Summer gives discomfort, humor for ‘realistic portrayal’
Photo courtesy of the National Plant Data Center
See “BAN” on page 4
is now 86 percent complete, ac- on campus.” cording to the 2009 Project StaFor the duration of the contus Report. struction, students taking class“The ribbon cutting is Sept. 5, es within the department have and it will be ready for the first been provided with temporary game,” Petty said. classroom buildings on site as The Family and Consumer of December 2008. The project Science Building is undergo- is set for completion by August ing construction in San Marcos, 2010. adding two new levels to the The expansion of buildings current site, according to the on campus is expected to pres2009 Status Report. ent problems to students seek“The family consumer science ing parking. Charles Teichner, addition is coming along fast,” construction manager, said Petty said. “They are framing the Mathews Street and Speck the second floor right now and Street garages projects will reprobably the roof will go up lieve some stress. next week. You can just imagine the chaos the students are expe- See “PROJECTS” on page 4 riencing particularly that close
98°/70°
Intoxicated cyclists get warning from city police
Shop offers social gaming Diversions…Page 9 Classifieds….Page 9 Sports….Page 10 Women’s soccer team finds home for equipment
Construction projects on schedule for completion By Lora Collins News reporter
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Lindsey Goldstein/Star Photo INVASION: The plant Alligator Weed has unwelcomingly found its way to the San Marcos River. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the San Marcos River Foundation are working to remove the plant from the river.