’CATS DROP COOGS

NEW MEDIA The School of Journalism and Mass Communication

First win comes in dominating 4-0 shutout for women’s soccer

responds to changes in the industry

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

SEE TRENDS PAGE 6

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007

TUESDAY

VOLUME 97, ISSUE 11

New financial aid bill spans across state, federal lines By Bill Lancaster News Reporter The U.S. Congress presented the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 to the President Wednesday. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said the bill is the largest investment in college financial aid in more than 60 years. “The bill reduces the cost of federal student loans by halving interest rates and increases the value of the Pell scholarships,” Doggett said. “More students receive help and more help goes to those most in need. In all, this bill provides over $2 billion in additional assistance to Texas students and families.” The bill will increase Pell Grants to a maximum of $5,400 during the next five years, decrease the interest on new student loans to 3.4 percent during the next four and loan payments will be based on income levels. Texas State students receive more than $15 million in Pell grants and more than $100 million in federal loans, according to the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Association. Matthew Tejada, of the Texas Public Interest Research Group, said the bill is significant because it addresses the two most important problems when pursuing higher education: access and affordability. “It’s a fairly significant increase and the first one that’s been affected in many years,” Tejada said. “It does not force students to take repaying their student loans as a chief consideration for what sort of

jobs they pursue after they receive an education.” Michael Heintze, associate vice president of enrollment management and marketing, said the requirement in the bill for the university to have policies relating to lenders would not have much effect on Texas State because they are moving away from relationships with the lending institutions. “Already, over the years, the incoming freshmen are taking advantage of the direct lending system through the federal government and now we will be moving the transfer students over,” Heintze said. The majority of transfer students at Texas State are usually the ones who use private lenders, while freshman go through the direct lending system. The policies regarding private lenders in the act arose from the recent New York attorney general’s investigation into private lending companies. The investigation exposed relationships between private lenders and universities that presented a conflict of interest. At the same time the federal government was considering increasing funds for students, Gov. Rick Perry vetoed in June a $154 million line in the state budget designated to cover health care for students and employees in the state’s community colleges. State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education said in a news release, “This unwarranted and unexpected action See COST, page 4

By Scott Thomas News Reporter

Spencer Millsap/Photo Illustration TUITION SAVINGS: The College Cost Reduction Act, passed by the U.S. Congress and sent to the President Wednesday, will reduce the cost of federal student loans and increase the value of Pell Grants.

Forces unite at League of Women Voters to improve San Marcos By Andy Sevilla Special to The University Star The San Marcos Area League of Women Voters hosted a public forum Monday night to bring together four entities — the city, the county, the university and the school district — to openly communicate issues affecting San Marcos. This year, the university grew 2.5 percent to a total of 28,132 students, which adds to the heavy traffic congestion San Marcos is experiencing. The university is still expected to grow in population, as it now offers seven doctoral programs with the recently approved doctorate in physical therapy. Two more doctoral programs in mathematics and mathematic education may be approved by next month, said University Jenny Polson/Star photo President Denise Trauth. COMMUNITY CONNECTION: University President Denise Trauth speaks at the San Marcos Area Several ideas are being disLeague of Women Voters meeting at the San Marcos Activity Center Monday night. The discussion cussed in order to better deal brought forward issues from different areas of the community. with traffic in San Marcos, including mass transit.

“The only way that we can help the university grow and get our student population around is mass transit — that’s probably the biggest priority between (the university and Hays County),” said Liz Sumter, Hays County judge. Trauth said Texas State is the biggest university in the smallest town in Texas and that is why there needs to be a strong partnership between the city and the school. She said programs such as Bobcat Build do exactly that because San Marcos citizens benefit from the service of students, while in turn giving the students a sense of gratification. “I feel really good helping with Bobcat Build and all I do is walk around,” Trauth said. “The students do respect where they live and want to give back to the community.” Patty Shafer, superintendent of San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, said See VOTE, page 4

Voter education vital for students By Leslie Cortez Special to The University Star

Monty Marion/Star photo GETTING THE WORD OUT: Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson encourages voter particapation as he talks to San Marcos locals Friday in the rotunda of the Hays County Courthouse.

Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson made an appearance Friday morning at the Hays County Courthouse to encourage voter participation in the upcoming Constitutional Amendment election Nov. 6. “Since it was enacted in 1876, our constitution has set the framework for how our state and its legislature operate,” Wilson said. “Once again, Texans will have the opportunity to let the leadership know what they want the future of Texas to look like.” Sixteen amendments will be on the ballot, including Proposition 2 and Proposition 15. Proposition 2 provides for the issuance of $500 million in bonds to finance education loans to students. Proposition 15 would create the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and authorize the issuance of $3 billion in bonds payable for cancer research in the state. In total, the amendments contain $9 billion worth of bonds. During his speech, Wilson stressed the importance of exercising the right to vote. “It is a great right that many sacrificed and died for,” Wilson said. “We are all obli-

Today’s Weather

Sunny 92˚

Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 58% UV: 9 Very High Wind: S 8 mph

Two-day Forecast Wednesday Partly Cloudy Temp: 92°/ 69° Precip: 20%

Thursday Partly CloudyTemp: 92°/ 68° Precip: 20%

ASG working toward improving alumni relations

gated to participate, to vote.” Among those who met Wilson Friday was Joyce Cowan, Hays County election administrator. “I think that it’s important for all ages, from 18 on up, to get out and vote,” Cowan said. “I think that it’s one of the places that we can cast our opinions — whether it’s candidates or whether it’s on issues. I’m going to encourage everybody within the voting age to register and then get out and vote and try to educate themselves on the issues.” Wilson said voter turnout last May was an abysmal 7 percent statewide. The high was set in November 2005 when voter turnout averaged 18 percent. “We can do better,” Wilson said. Kim Porterfield, director of the Office of Community Relations and candidate for City Council Place 1, was in attendance Friday morning as well. She said research shows students engaged in their community tend to perform better in school. “I think that it’s important that college students become civically engaged and become a part of their community and contribute in many ways,” Porterfield said. “I believe that voting is one component of civic engagement that university students

should become involved in.” She said it is important for students to be educated voters as well and participate in the election process. She said students should research the issues and candidates by participating in forums and listening to debates. She said one helpful tool is the League of Women Voters’ guide to the election. “If the students would get involved with the campaigns for the people who they support and who they align themselves with, it’s a real good educational tool for them to learn more about the processes,” said Linda Kinney of the Texas Republican County Chairman’s Association. Cowan expanded on this idea. “We would love to see voter participation in our elections,” Cowan said. “We’re looking for workers in our elections and when we have primaries, and that participation helps educate them.” The last day to register to vote is Oct. 9. One way to register is by downloading an application at www.sos.state.tx.us and sending the completed form to the county voter registrar’s office. For Hays County, this should be sent to Cowan, whose address is available at the Web site.

The Associated Student Government passed legislation in a unanimous voice vote Monday allowing graduates to keep their Texas State e-mail accounts. Texas State graduates e-mail account would end with txstate. grad.edu. The legislation, authored by ASG Sen. Amanda Oskey, College of Fine Arts and Communications, cites an increase in communication with alumni within a campus with a growing number of graduates as the primary reason for the change. “I’m glad the legislation passed this evening,” said ASG President Reagan Pugh. “This is one of many steps we’ll take this year to increase relations with alumni.” Oskey said it is possible the Alumni Association might pay for the charges that may arise because of the change. “It could take a while to find funding,” Oskey said. “I’m graduating in December so hopefully it will be done before then.” Pugh said it is necessary to modify the alumni e-mails with the .grad because the university recycles the e-mail initials and numbers. During the meeting, a piece of legislation written by ASG Sen. Melanie Gutermuth recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month was declared emergency legislation, enabling it to be passed by a unanimous voice vote the same night it was read. “We’re trying to raise the consciousness and awareness on the subject,” Gutermuth said. “We are in college and these types of things happen in college.” Howard Williams, San Marcos Police Department chief, Sherri Tibbe, Hays County district attorney and Carrie Freeman, director of the Hays County Women’s Center, attended the meeting to show support for the legislation. “We don’t have any specific plans right now, but the student who wrote the bill is a student in my class,” Williams said. “Before the month is over we’ll have something worked out.” Sagewood Circle was discussed at the meeting during the External Affairs Committee report. “We’re trying to let the students know their rights,” said ASG Sen. Ryan Clay, at-large, External Affairs Committee chair. “We’re just looking out for the best interest of these guys.” Pugh, Mayor Susan Narvaiz and University President Denise Trauth will be taking a walk through Sagewood Circle Wednesday night to talk to residents living on the street. “We’ll be meeting with community members, figuring out how to deal with the situation with the correct approach,” Pugh said. “It’s ASG’s job to make sure the students are being well-represented and the students are being heard.” Clay said both sides of the story will be heard, and the primary focus of ASG will be communication. “We’re trying to give an opportunity to communicate,” said ASG Sen. Bogan Durr, off-campus. “ASG is not taking a stand.” Pugh encouraged the senators to write and pass legislation to help a bobcat statue to be placed on campus. To bring the statue to Texas State would cost approximately $75,000, Pugh said. “We are the Bobcats, and if someone were to be dropped in the middle of campus they would have no idea,” Pugh said. “We, as a senate, would like to leave this as a gift to future Bobcats.”

Inside News ........ 1,2,3,4 Opinions ............ 5 Trends ............. 6,7

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

Diversions .......... 8 Classifieds ......... 9 Sports ........... 9,10

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

PAGETWO

Today in Brief

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - Page 2

starsof texas state Leticia Grimaldo

The University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) recently honored Leticia Grimaldo, a doctoral student in the education and school improvement program at Texas State with the prestigious Jackson Scholar award. The Jackson Scholar program encourages outstanding minority graduate students studying in

UCEA educational leadership doctoral programs to be mentored and eventually mentor others interested in the profession. The purpose of the program is to promote the diversity of society in school curriculums and encourage equal representation in educational administration.

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

Calendar TUESDAY Texas State volleyball will play Texas Christian University at 1 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum. The Catholic Student Center will have a free lunch for all students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSC lobby. The CSC will have a guest speaker for a free presentation entitled “Clare - Seeing God Clearly” at 7 p.m. Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society will have a $1 book sale in The Quad between Flowers and the Psychology Building. Career Services presents, ““Interviewing Skills Workshop” from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the LBJSC, 4th Floor Teaching Theater. Every Nation Campus Ministries will be holding a weekly campus meeting 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G-02. There will be free food, fellowship and a message exploring the person of Jesus. Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland. For more information call Lynn, (512) 357-2049. GLBQ Pride Group meeting will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208. Facing the Fear — An Anxiety/Panic Group will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 2452208. Anger Management: Your Plan for Real-Life Coping will be from 5:10 to 6:25 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 2452208. Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center will host Advocate Training and Volunteers Helping Victims of Abuse. For more information call Emily Douglas at (512) 396-3404. WEDNESDAY The rosary will be prayed in the St. Jude Chapel of the CSC at 6 p.m. Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society will have a $1 book sale in the Quad between Flowers and the Psychology Building. The American Marketing Association presents Gregg Miller, Director of Marketing Development for Round Rock Express, at 5:30 PM in McCoy 127. Free food & drinks available starting at 5:15 p.m. Bring a friend- all majors welcome! Dress business casual. Career Services presents “International Internships-What a Way to Go!” in the LBJ Student Center from 5-7 p.m. Attend a one-hour orientation and training session and learn to use the EmWave PC® biofeedback program to reduce the

negative effects of stress on your life. Open to university community! Sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in LBJSC 3-11.1. The Network Meeting will be 5 to 7 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 3.6.

MISHANDLED

Adult children of alcoholics dealing with dysfunctional families group will meet from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

THURSDAY The Catholic Student Organization will meet at 6 p.m. in the library of the CSC.

The CSC will have “Coffee and a Concert” (a contemporary Christian concert in a coffeehouse setting) at 8 p.m. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. There will be contemporary worship, relevant teaching, prayer and plenty of fun. Everyone is welcome to attend. A Study Abroad Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the ASB Breezeway. Representatives of different programs will be providing information to those interested in studying, working and traveling abroad. For more information contact the Office of Study Abroad Programs at (512) 245-1967. Women’s Personal Growth Group will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 2452208. FRIDAY Alcoholics Anonymous meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the LBJSC, Room 3.4. Alcoholics Anonymous Newcomer’s Meeting, River Group, will be 9:15 p.m. at 1700 Ranch Rd. 12, Suite C. SATURDAY Texas State volleyball will play Texas-Arlington at 2 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum. MONDAY Sexual Assault and Abuse Survivors Group, a program of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center for Texas State Students will meet from 5 to 6:15 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

University Police Department Sept. 18, 12:32 p.m. Failure to Comply/Striking Unattended Vehicle/San Jacinto Garage An officer was dispatched for a hit and run report. A non-student reported her vehicle was damaged while it was parked. This case is under investigation.

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center will host Advocate Training and Volunteers Helping Victims of Abuse. For more information call Emily Douglas at (512) 3963404.

The Rock — Praise and Worship will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Jude Chapel of the CSC.

CRIME BL TTER

Spencer Millsap/Star Photo San Marcos Police and Fire Department crews were called to the Chemistry building Monday afternoon after a student had a reaction to medication. While treating the student, another student in the chemistry building injured their hand after falling on a beaker used to hold chemicals.

Health Beat

Tips for exercisers to combat Texas heat, stay healthy Fall is approaching, but the heat of Texas summer still lingers. As students return the routine of fall classes, Student Recreation Center employees hope to see many utilizing programs in the facility as part of their ongoing health routine. When enjoying an outdoors health regimen, remember the power of the heat in the region. Not only the temperature, but the humidity can cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke. As explained on www.familydoctor.org, heat-related illnesses occur when a person’s body cannot keep itself cool. As the air temperature rises, the body stays cool when sweat evaporates. On hot, humid days, the evaporation of sweat is slowed by the increased moisture in the air. When sweating is not enough to cool

the body, temperatures rise and you may become ill. Some common symptoms of a person experiencing heat exhaustion are: -Pale with cool, moist skin -Sweating profusely -Muscle cramps or pains -Feels fain or dizzy -May complain of headache, weakness, thirst or nausea -Core temperature elevated and pulse rate increased When a person shows any of the signs of heat illness, the www. mayoclinic.com Web site suggests the person be moved to a shady or air-conditioned place. Cool the person by covering them with damp sheet or spraying water and direct air on the person with a fan or by waiving a newspaper. The Family Doctor Web site advises plenty of water or other fluids,

but not alcohol as it makes heat exhaustion worse. If a person does not recover within 30 minutes, someone should call a doctor or take the victim to an emergency hospital. In order to avoid heat related illness, a person should avoid exercising outdoors at the hotter times of day. Always have plenty of water before, during and after exercise. If a person begins to feel any of the signs listed above, stop and rest in a cool place. We hope students take advantage of many of the outdoor and indoors activities offered throughout the year with Campus Recreation and use all caution necessary to avoid heat related illness. — Courtesy of the department of recreation

Car, train collision claims life of university custodian San Marcos Police are investigating an early morning auto-train collision on Wonder World Drive under the railroad overpass that claimed the life of a 41year old San Marcos woman. Kimberley Lynn Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Joanne Prado at 6:15 a.m. Monday approximately two hours after the collision. Judge Prado ordered an autopsy in the death. Police said the 1997 Honda Accord driven by Smith was parked on the eastbound service road on the railroad tracks when her vehicle was struck by a

single engine southbound train at 4:31 a.m. The signals and crossing arms were working at the intersection. The train engineer activated the brakes before the collision, but the car was struck and traveled approximately 100 feet before coming to rest off the tracks. The road and tracks were closed until 8 a.m. Monday. Smith was employed by custodial services at Texas State. Her next of kin have been notified. — Courtesy of the city of San Marcos

Sept. 19, 1:39 p.m. Information Report/Wood Street Garage An officer was on patrol and received information regarding a hit and run. Upon further investigation, a student was referred to an outside agency for questioning. A report was generated for this case. Sept. 20, 1:47 a.m. Drug: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection/ No Front License Plate (Warning)/Open Container in Motor Vehicle (Warning)/ Chipotle Mexican Grill at 200 University Drive An officer initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for PODP, MIP and expired MVI. Sept. 20, 10:33 a.m. Medical Emergency/Evans Liberal Arts An officer was dispatched for a report that a student was disoriented and dizzy. The student was transported by EMS to Central Texas Medical Center for further evaluation. Sept. 20, 11:39 a.m. Medical Emergency/Student Health Center An officer was dispatched for a report that a student was having abdominal pains and vomiting. The student was transported by EMS to CTMC for further evaluation. Sept. 20, 5:51 p.m. Driving While License Invalid/Expired Registration/ Expired MVI/No Liability Insurance/200 Guadalupe An officer initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a non-student was issued a traffic citation, arrested for DWLI and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. Sept. 20, 4:03 p.m. Failure to Comply/Striking Unattended Vehicle/UPD Lobby An officer was dispatched to the lobby for a hit and run report. A student reported her vehicle was damaged while it was parked at Butler Hall. This case is under investigation.

SMFD receives better score on fire safety, response test Mike Baker, San Marcos fire chief, has great news for San Marcos property owners: most will be able to save an estimated 10 percent on their property insurance rates next year because of improved fire protection ratings in the city. Baker announced the results of a study and reclassification of San Marcos’s level of fire protection at the Sept. 18 City Council meeting. The San Marcos “property

protection classification” has improved from a 4 to a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, with the best rating a “1.” The new rating will be a 2 out of ten, with the class ten applying to areas in the city limits that are more than five all-weather road miles from a fire station. The grading only applies to properties inside the city limits of San Marcos and does not apply to the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of

the city. Residential and commercial property owners are asked to contact their property insurers to let them know that the new grading will take effect Feb. 1. Examples are owners of a $160,000 home will save an estimated $89 a year and on a $313,000 home, $165 a year. Commercial property owners will save an average of 11 percent annually.

The property protection classification survey was conducted by the Insurance Service Offices, the leading supplier of statistical, actuarial, underwriting and claims data for the insurance industry. The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office has approved the final grading and has published it. The Insurance Service Offices will notify client companies of the new rating. The grading rated the San

Marcos Fire Department on how fire alarms are received and handled, department operations (equipment, training, facilities, fire hydrant testing and staffing) and water distribution. SMFD received credit for adding fire personnel, upgrading the fire hydrant testing program, improved equipment, a pre-fire planning program and adding new fire apparatus. “This is a great accomplishment for all of the property

owners in San Marcos and took a total team effort,” Baker said. “Parts of the grading came from the water distribution system, the 911 dispatch center, as well as the fire department. We want to thank the city council, City Manager Dan O’Leary and the other city department directors for their support during this twoand-a-half year project.” — Courtesy city of San Marcos

NEWS

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

MAKING A SCENE Big ideas for San Marcos By Jason Hagerup Special to The University Star

Jon Clark/Star photo Dwight Markus, scene shot supervisor, welds Monday in the Theatre Building on the scenery for Oscar Wilde’s “Importance of Being Earnest” showing Oct. 2 to 6.

Police officer struck by suspect in reported stolen truck By Alex Hering News Reporter A University Police Department officer was injured Sunday after a suspect struck him with his vehicle while attempting to flee identification. Officer George Bosquez was dispatched to Sewell Park at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday on a violation of park rules. Bosquez identified 18-yearold Armando Espinoza Jr. and escorted him to his 2006 Dodge pick-up truck for further identification when Espinoza “jumped into the vehicle and threw it in reverse” as he attempted to flee the scene. UPD Captain Paul Chapa said as Espinoza backed out of the space, he “hit the car next to him at the same time struck the officer in the knee

causing the officer to be immobilized.” “(Bosquez) called for help on his radio and immediately the officers responded and gave chase to the vehicle,” Chapa said. “Hays county Sheriffs were able to apprehend the vehicle.” Upon investigation, the vehicle was reported stolen out of Bastrop County. Espinoza, a Kennedale native, does not have a known criminal history of convictions although Chapa said more than likely “this is not his first rodeo.” Bosquez, a UPD veteran of five years, was transported to Central Texas Medical Center after the incident and was released Sunday night with internal injuries. Chapa said he could have received much more severe injuries and that he will report to duty in one week.

Texas State students and San Marcos community members gathered Thursday to discuss the downtown master plan and how the city officials could attract and retain businesses. The need to utilize ground space in the most efficient way was addressed at the workshop, including maximizing ground level, retail space and strategically planning the location of parking facilities. More meetings are planned so further progress and details can be presented. Reagan Pugh, Associated Student Government president, said at the workshop students want a vibrant and safe downtown offering jobs and restaurants. He said Texas State students are an important part in shaping the future of the city and the student government should continue to pursue a relationship with the town. “I think that we are such a vital part of this community, and the relationship (with the city), which I think is what’s most important. What this big idea is doing is blending us together,” Pugh said. “I think that transcends the time gap.” Members of the planning firm Broaddus & Associates, which designed the university’s current 10 year master plan, presented the audience with a list of trends in successful downtown planning. The trends included an improved street grid, an urban village at the heart of town, a range of transportation, pedestrian-friendly streets and public realm, outdoor recreation areas and preservation of vintage landmarks. Included as well were distinct neighborhoods or sectors of the city and the encouragement of “third places,” places other than a person’s home or work. The presenters said the current stage of development is one in which big ideas are formed. The time is coming, they said,

when the details will be discussed regarding how the larger ideas will be implemented. “I think that, hopefully, with ASG leadership in the future, they will continue to be focused on the fact that our university master plan and these big ideas here will essentially make Texas State and San Marcos the same community, which many will say right now, it’s not,” Pugh said. San Marcos displays many of the trends, or the potential for them, the presenters said, but they need to be expanded and utilized to a greater extent. They said forming a plan to build and unify downtown around those trends would increase the city’s ability to gain and retain residents and businesses. Formally represented at the meeting were the city of San Marcos, the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, Hays County and Texas State. A crowd of San Marcos residents, including about a half-dozen Texas State students, attended the meeting. During a question-and-answer section of the meeting, community members discussed safety, pedestrian friendliness, parking, traffic and the overall appeal of downtown with the presenters. After the meeting, University President Denise Trauth said the city’s master plan needs to, in part, focus on practical walking paths in much the same way Texas State’s current plan does. “What we’re hoping is that the principles and the standards and the values that we articulated, like walkability, will be picked up in this master plan and carried forward into the city,” Trauth said. “One of the important parts of our campus master plan was to make it possible for people to walk from one part of campus to another.” Students at the meeting had mixed feelings about the current job and entertainment climate of San Marcos, which is something the evolving master

plan is supposed to address. Will Parrish, geographicalurban and regional planning senior, who came to the meeting with several friends because it pertains to their major, said he would be interested in staying in San Marcos after graduation if he could find a job. He said part of the solution to creating more jobs is to create an entertainment atmosphere that is more appealing to young college and post-college aged people. “I think (the city) is not looking enough into entertainment because, really, there’s not a whole lot to do at night besides the bars,” Parrish said. “The bars close early and the movie theater—their last showing is always at 10 o’clock. So, there’s not a whole lot for 20-somethings and early-30s people to do at night that don’t necessarily want to go to bed at 11:30 on a Friday night.” The planning firm is encouraging the city to do more than simply add to the night life. Stephen Coulston, one of the presenters from Broaddus & Associates, said a city cannot replicate the geography of a particular region or city, but it can capitalize on the trends found in many successful downtowns. “Our team has sat around the table many times at our offices and workshops, talking about how incredible San Marcos is and how all the elements are really in place,” Coulston said. “It’s just a matter of pulling them together and improving in a couple of key areas.” Some students agreed the ideas presented would be a good step in keeping Texas State graduates in San Marcos. “San Marcos needs to be the best place to live and work, in that order,” said Mathew Golding, political science senior. “Because if it’s the best place to live, then you’re going to attract that creative class—that professional class. Once you do that, you will then attract business.”

New funds allocated for faculty wage increase Student, non-student victims of alleged attempted armed robbery By Nick Georgiou News Editor

Some faculty and staff will be receiving a larger paycheck beginning Oct. 1 thanks to a 3 percent raise in their wages. The raise will be funded by $13.5 million in new funds made available to the university. Denise Trauth, university president, discussed the new funds at the University Council meeting Thursday during what she called a “where does all the money go” presentation. “We got some increase in our subsidy although we also increased our student body and that enrollment increase was not really funded, but in the scheme of things, we have more dollars than we had the previous biennials so that is good,” Trauth said. About one-third, or $5.6 million, of the new funds will go toward faculty and staff salaries and benefits. The bulk of that money, $4.2 million, is reserved for faculty merit raises. Trauth said it has been a goal of hers since she became university president in 2002 to increase staff wages and improve the faculty to student ratio. Texas State has had one of the worst ratios in the state. Twenty-eight faculty positions will be created as a result of the new funds. “We are committed to increasing the size of the faculty and to bettering the student faculty ratio,” Trauth said. “Because we

grew so quickly in the fall 2002 and fall 2003, our student faculty ratio really got out of whack; and what we are doing here is bringing it to a point where we can be very proud of our student faculty ratio.” Trauth said she wanted to reiterate in the last six years she has been at the university, the state government has never funded a faculty raise. “If we want to give raises to the faculty and staff, it has to come out of the dollars that we’ve got available to us,” Trauth said. One reason for the 10 percent increase in designated tuition, effective this past fall, was to fund the merit raise. Trauth said she would like to increase faculty wages every year. William Nance, vice president of finance and support services, said in a previous article in the University Star that another increase in tuition is expected next fall. With the recent raise, Trauth said the current faculty wages may not be perfect, but they are at the point of being competitive. She said a concentration on staff market adjustment salaries is now needed in order to support new start-up programs at Texas State. Of the $13.5 million, $1.1 million will go to staff market adjustments. Trauth said it is not a lot of money when compared to the size of the Texas State staff, but she called it a beginning. “(Administrative assistants) work extremely hard to start

with, and if you add new programs you can’t just continue to pile more on their backs,” Trauth said. Provost Perry Moore described it as a balancing act. “It’s a balancing act between great growth and program development,” he said. About $1.5 million of the new funds go toward new program start-up. This includes a doctoral in material sciences and developmental education. Almost $2 million of the new funds will go toward other sources including merit scholarships, marketing media buys, athletics initiatives, Texas State University System subsidy increases and reserves. Reagan Pugh, Associated Student Government president, is one of six ASG members on the University Council. He was one of three members that attended the meeting. Pugh said, overall, he agrees with the allocation of the new funds; however, he said more money should be put into scholarships and marketing for the university. “I agree with Trauth and the administration that it’s important to continually have a highly motivated faculty and make sure that they are provided with incentives to continue doing well, but at the same time I want to make sure that dollars are continually allocated towards scholarships and financial aid,” he said.

By Alex Hering News Reporter A student and a non-student were allegedly accosted by a suspect with a rifle approximately 1 a.m. Saturday as they were walking to a residence hall entrance. Captain Paul Chapa of the University Police Department said the female student and her boyfriend, a non-student, were walking to Falls Hall when they were approached by a suspect who apparently got out of a car with a rifle of some sort. The suspect, brandishing the rifle, purportedly asked them to give him their wallets and money. “They refused and he was holding the rifle, supposedly,” Chapa said. “After they refused, apparently the gentleman got back into the vehicle and took off.” Chapa said according to the statements of the victims of the attempted robbery, there was a female and a male sitting in the suspect’s car.

“As strange as that is and why the student and her boyfriend didn’t give up their wallets and that no harm was done to them, is surprising,” Chapa said. No further contact was made with the vehicle, which was described as a dark colored Honda Civic or Accord. The suspect with the rifle was described as a Hispanic male. Chapa said the department is still in the preliminary stages of investigating the incident and no other witnesses have come forward. The last known time armed robbery occurred on the Texas State campus was last December when three armed men broke into an apartment and held the residents at gunpoint as they searched the dwelling for narcotics. Chapa said armed robbery occurs all the time around campus at different levels. “Students need to be aware that these incidences happen on campus as they do in all communities,” he said.

Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Iranian president confronted by criticism By Bay Fang Chicago Tribune NEW YORK — Confronted by withering criticism from his host and protests on the streets, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed back in a speech at Columbia University Monday, defending his country’s humanrights record and denouncing the Bush administration for limiting his country’s nuclear ambitions. In his introduction, Columbia President Lee Bollinger explained his controversial decision to give Ahmadinejad a platform, saying this was a chance to “confront the mind of evil.” He then turned to Ahmadinejad, saying, “Let’s then be clear at the beginning, Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator.” He confronted the leader about what he called his nation’s persecution of women, the Bahai faith, homosexuals and academics in Iran. Bollinger said Ahmadinejad’s denial of the Holocaust might fool “the illiterate and ignorant,” but “when you come to a place like this, it makes you quite simply ridiculous.” Bollinger charged he was either “brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated.” Ahmadinejad, who is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly this week, took aim at Bollinger’s remarks, calling them “insults.” “I think that he was affected by the press, the media and the political sort of mainstream line that you read here, that goes against the very grain of the need for peace and stability in the world around us,” Ahmadinejad said. Bollinger criticized Iran’s refusal to accede to U.N. demands regarding enrichment of uranium. “You continue to defy this world body by claiming a right to develop peaceful nuclear power,” Bollinger said. “But this hardly withstands scrutiny when you continue to issue military threats

Charles Eckert/Newsday/MCT UNPRECEDENTED PROTEST: Demonstrations took place at Columbia University hours before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech at the university Monday in Manhattan.

to neighbors.” In his speech, Ahmadinejad criticized “some big powers” that “prevent other nations in achieving scientific development as well.” As NYPD helicopters circled overhead, a few thousand Columbia students crowded onto The Central Quad in the hot sun to listen to the Iranian leader. They listened, mostly in silence, to his remarks over loudspeakers. Outside the hall where Ahmadinejad spoke, students handed out fliers listing the reasons for challenging Ahmadinejad’s presence on campus, calling him a Holocaust denier and a promoter of mass murder. Outside the campus gates, protesters on the street, including alumni, chanted “Bollinger must go!” The roughly 700 people in the audience, mostly students, were able to submit questions on index cards read by Bollinger that challenged Ahmadinejad on everything from his scathing remarks about Israel to Iran’s persecution of homosexuality. “In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals like in your country,” he said. “We don’t have that in our country. In Iran, we do not have this phenomenon.” When asked whether he or his government seeks the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state,

Ahmadinejad did not answer directly, instead saying he would call for a “free referendum” for the Palestinian people. Pressed about his previous denials of the Holocaust, he said, “I’m not saying that it didn’t happen at all.” However, he said there was not enough research on it. “A number of European academics are in prison because they want to approach the subject from a different perspective,” he said. Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said at a briefing in Washington Ahmadinejad is fortunate to enjoy free speech when he visits the U.S. while denying the same rights to his people back home. “I would hope that the world, in listening to anything President Ahmadinejad has to say ... would remember that this is an individual who is actively trying to build a nuclear weapon,” Casey said. “This is an individual who actively supports terrorist groups, like Hezbollah, that actively supports Palestinian rejectionist groups like Hamas, that actively promotes the transition or at least permits the transfer of weapons that are attacking our troops and Iraqi troops and destabilizing the situation in Iraq.”

COST: Focus will reduce student debt CONTINUED from page 1

will not only negatively affect our community colleges’ efforts to achieve the goals of ‘Closing the Gaps,’ but also severely strain their resources.” The community college line veto is unrelated to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, Tejada said. The line Perry vetoed would have given money directly to the colleges while the federal bill will benefit the students.

“One big point that has to be remembered is that paying for the increased Pell grants is not going to take money out of anything else, not going to mean an increase in taxes, and it’s not going to take money out of another crucial government service,” Tejada said. “All of those additional funds are simply going to be taken out of the pockets of the banks that are making these student loans.” The College Cost Reduction and Access Act is important because it helps students start

their careers without being so far in debt and does so without increasing the national debt, Doggett said, who is a member of the House Committee on the Budget. “This bill is a bridge that helps many students meet the escalating cost of tuition, textbooks and gas to get to and from school,” Doggett said. “We cannot afford not to provide this help, and it should not be the end of our efforts to make education affordable to all willing to work hard.”

VOTE: Entertainment center proposes CONTINUED from page 1

students dedicate time in programs such as Camino that help local students in SMCISD. “Whether it’s community or education, we cannot be territorial,” Shafer said. “We have to work together.” She said the university should continue along the same path and perhaps strengthen the communication about goals and how to go about achieving them. She said programs designed to get SMCISD students to go to college are in abundance. Shafer said the university is an excellent resource for SMCISD and they appreciate the help they get from professors and

students. “Education is every person’s business,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. She said Texas State students should join the 26 boards and commissions in San Marcos to get involved in the community. “We are one community — this is their home while they’re here and we want their input,” Narvaiz said. She said the City Council has added the student liaison position to ensure students’ needs are being considered in city meetings. The university contributes greatly to the San Marcos community, Trauth said. Texas State’s annual direct spending in Hays County is $385 million,

and the overall economic impact is $544.9 million, she said. The university is currently raising money to build a performing arts center that would allow music, theatre and dance students to showcase their talent, she said. “It will also be our handshake to the city of San Marcos — our invitation to the city of San Marcos to come and join us for wonderful performances,” Trauth said. The university and the city are in search of programs and legislation that accommodates both the citizens and the students. “We have an excellent working relationship,” Narvaiz said. “The students live in a community that wants them to succeed.”

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection For news updates throughout this semester, check out www.UniversityStar.com.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - Page 5

CUMBERSOME Opinions Contact — Bill Rix, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

A

single mistake was all it took. In an incident worthy of an episode on “When Animals Attack,” a swarm of bees took out a technological lifeline, shorting out vital services to Hays County residents.

According to an Associated Press report, 130,000 people were left without 911, landline and cellular services for seven hours. Sept. 18 is a day that will live in infamy for many Hays and Travis County residents. The day of the large-scale cell phone blackout was much more than just a nuisance for a society demanding instant communication. According to an article in The University Star Sept. 19, the sudden outage of phone service took place after a worker drilling holes was attacked by bees and accidentally hit a lever guiding a drill bit into a fiber optic line. The irony of such a complicated system of communications, interwoven across mobile devices, credit card machines and even 911 services being taken out by such a simple mistake is readily apparent. One can’t help but recall the awesome power of the Death Star being destroyed at its one weak point, an open shaft leading directly to the heart of the mechanized behemoth. Texas State made the most of the situation by sending an e-mail via the University News Service at 3:07 p.m., instructing those with emergencies to contact each agency at its nonemergency number. Without details about specific emergencies occurring in this sevenhour time frame, one can only imagine the panic of typing 911 over and over again into a nonfunctional phone. For all of the technological progress humanity has made, not a single incident could better highlight our overdependence on gadgetry. The Star offices came to an outbound communication doldrums, relying solely on word-of-mouth communication. What did vital agencies do during this time warp? What about businesses? It wouldn’t take a master criminal to realize the golden opportunity a virtual meltdown of the telecommunications grid would present. What would stop a sinister individual from strolling into Best Buy while brandishing a handgun, and walking out of the store with several 52-inch plasma HDTVs? Gut reactions to call 911 would go unanswered. How would the store even contact authorities? Send a manager to the radio department and call for help the old fashioned way? The Star wants readers to take the time to consider their reliance on technology. Get out of the dorm room, office or café and talk to someone face-to-face. The growing trend of instant communication is inextricably linked to instant gratification, which we, as a society demand. It is OK to be unaware of what Britney Spears is wearing right now. Take a step back, unplug and buy a two-way radio. After all, who knows when the next bee attack will happen. The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State UniversitySan Marcos.

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

COMMUNICATION Independence hindered by technological addictions

Letters to the editor ‘UnPowerful’ makes a point

Loved your article in Thursday’s The University Star, “UnPowerfulPoint presentations.” We refer to it as “PowerPointless” here — exactly the kind of presentations and technical fumbling we hate. I have never, and will never, advocate using technology for its own sake. I don’t even own an iPod or cell phone. Personal computers and the Internet didn’t even exist when I went to college. I don’t like my tax dollars and yours being wasted, trust me, but I don’t blame the technology itself. It only does what it’s instructed to do and what it’s capable of doing. Time has proven that a bore will be a bore with or without technology. A teacher can also inspire with or without technology. The potential is exciting, but the gap, largely egocentric I think, is also large. Unfortunately those of us in Instructional Technologies Support can only provide the tools, offer training and ideas for good ways to use the stuff and how to become technically and visually literate. We can’t tell faculty and presenters what to do or make them learn how to use what’s provided. We can lead a few of the horses to water, but can’t make them drink. A classroom experience shouldn’t be a sleeper or one-way communication. More students have to speak up in class and in public. Thank you for doing so.

Tom Swinney classroom technology coordinator

PowerPoint, powerful distraction

I believe you just summed-up our present situation in Instructional Technologies perfectly (“UnPowerfulPoint presentations”). I can’t agree with you enough and share your perspective on the over reliance on computers in the classrooms. I know they are powerful tools, and with the right subject, can certainly augment the delivery of information in a way that has the potential to enhance the subject matter. Yet, in most cases they simply habilitate the dependency of the faculty on filler-type antics and allow them to skirt the real Justin Jackley/Star illustration work of… professing. It’s funny, when I get a trouble call in a classroom and arrive to find a PowerPoint stuck midslide, and the following slide has about three bullet-point statements in a nearly illegible, yellow, cursive cartoon font rest of our lives in some way, slapped desperately onto a vivid shape, or form, so be wise. We purple background… well, I wonall know that sometimes little der what class I have entered. decisions have big, long, drawnAre they studying the onset of out effects. Take a few minutes seizures? I know faculty want to to think and make a decision sooner — we know we’ll be faced stay in touch with technology, and with every kid on campus with tough choices later. There plugged into an iPod, sporting a are some important situations which we are all likely to be in if Bluetooth headset metastasized to their ear, or hit The Quad we haven’t already. Sex, alcohol after class and immediately flip and drinking and driving are open their phone to talk to their just a few of them. friends walking the opposite Everybody gets caught up in these moments, but all you have direction, it’s no wonder adults consider they must communicate to do is make decisions before in a way that incorporates techyou are in the middle of the nology. moment. It is when we aren’t I would support a national prepared for issues that we do no-computers day. Try to get by things we would have never without the use of a computer. done — in other words, things Excellent article, thanks so we did which we are ashamed much. of. We won’t ever have to deal with all the “shoulda, woulda, Kevin Huffaker couldas” if we all just take a media technician II, minute to think, “Shall I? Will Instructional Technologies I? Can I? Support So get to it.

Setting rules before going out decreases hazy nights Kayleen Calame Star Columnist

We all know rules in general can be a pain, but not all are made to be broken. Coming up with a few limits for ourselves and adhering to them, proves to be a “rule-ly” good idea. We don’t know when peer pressure will make an appearance, but we need to be ready for it. Because ready or not, there will be consequences to pay when we mess up. Sometimes life comes at us at the worst times. It would be a smart idea to decide just where to stand on issues we personally consider important, what lines we’re willing to cross and how far we want to go — before

we get wasted, caught up in the moment and so on. To do this, we need to set specific guidelines for ourselves — very specific. This way when our judgment is a little impaired, to say the least, we will be less likely to bend rules we’ve set for ourselves. We can call it “drunkproofing” our morals. This will allow us to go out and have a good time without quite so many regrets the next morning. Here are a few good “you” rules: Rule one: I will go no further than kissing with a perfect stranger, no matter how cute the person may be. According to the Center for Disease Control, in the U.S., there are an estimated 12 million cases of STIs every year. So wake up by yourself, preferably. Rule two: I will not go out and drink more than two nights per week. This is so you can stay awake

Editor In Chief.................................Maira Garcia, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.......................Sydney Granger, starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor.......................Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.......................................Bill Rix, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor...............................Spencer Millsap, starphoto@txstate.edu

in class and maintain health. Work on that six-pack of abs you’ve been craving instead. Rule three: When in a dilemma, call the best friend and ask for an opinion. Because our best friends love us and they’d be happy to help out if we are in trouble, even if it is in the middle of the night. This is the one instance “drunk dialing” is permitted, when having responsible friends pays off. Rule four: Designate the number of beers or shots to take in one night. Everyone has limits. There’s absolutely no doubt about it, so don’t forget to set limitations. Otherwise, we just end up making of a fool of ourselves and who wants that? Readers can go to www.alcoholscreening.org and get a free, personal estimation on how much alcohol is too much. The decisions we make tonight will affect us for the

Sports Editor............................Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief.......................Colm Keane, starcopychief@txstate.edu Design Editor................................Daniel Currey, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator............Les Stewart, starsysadmin@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Advertising Sales Manager...........Jackie Pardue, starad2@txstate.edu

Account Executive...............................Scott Lynch, sl1148@txstate.edu Account Executive..................Samantha Manley, sm1299@txstate.edu Account Executive...........................Krystal Slater, ks1429@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright September 25, 2007. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

newreleases music

movies

Still Feels Good — Rascal Flatts The Shepherd’s Dog — Iron & Wine Trav’lin’ Light — Queen Latifah

Next (PG-13) — Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore Knocked Up (R) — Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl Evening (PG-13) — Claire Danes, Toni Collette

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - Page 6

Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Student group aids, organizes Darfur humanitarian effort By Erica Rodriguez Features Reporter As many as 10,000 people have been killed monthly because of disease, hunger and violence in a senseless genocide taking place halfway around the world, according to World Vision, a non-profit organization. However, if you were to ask most people about this crisis, they would know nothing about it, Annette Walker said. A new student group on campus aims to fix this problem. Students Taking Action Now for Darfur, a national advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness, fundraising and promoting government action for the people of Darfur, Sudan, is taking its first steps towards action on campus. “My goal by the end of the semester is for me to go around and when I ask someone about Darfur, for them to say ‘yes,’ because right now, more than 75 percent of people don’t,” said Walker, nutrition senior and founder of the national advocacy group. “They have no idea, and then they

just look at me like, ‘You’re crazy, that’s real?’ Because it’s not something that you want to believe.” Darfur is located in western Sudan, a country in east Africa. It is about half the size of Texas. According to www.standnow.org, the country is made up of racially mixed tribes of indigenous Africans and nomadic Arabs. In 2003, frustrated by poverty and neglect, two Darfurian liberation groups revolted against the government. Claiming to put down insurrection, the Sudanese government sponsored the Janjaweed, a militia made up of Arab tribesmen to carryout an ethnic cleaning of all non-Arab Darfurians. Since 2003, the government-sponsored Janjaweed has perpetuated genocide using mass murders, organized starvation, rape, threats and displacement. “It’s a critical situation that needs to be dealt with soon, we can’t just ignore it,” Walker said. Walker founded the group after attending a protest for Darfur with a friend in Washington, D.C. Afterward, she said she felt compelled to act. Last semester,

before the group was established, the two raised about $500 through on-campus donations. “Most people in general want to help, want to jump on and be a part of it, it’s just an issue of how,” said Alora Leath, political science junior, who joined the group this semester. “Any sort of advocacy work offers people an easy method to help.” According to www.networkforgood. org, humanitarian efforts continue to deteriorate in Darfur. Since the start of the war, 400,000 have died and 4 million have been forced to flee their homes, leaving Sudan with the highest internally displaced population in the world. “In the international community we’ve said that genocide is not acceptable — like the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda — and we’ve said that it’s not going to happen again,” Walker said. “This is happening right now, and this is a genocide where about a half a million people have been killed. If you don’t put a stop to genocide then it will continue and it’s going to be something that happened like

the holocaust.” Leath said the advocacy group offers a variety of ways to put a stop to the genocide in Darfur. “I don’t want people to be afraid of the word ‘advocacy,’” she said. “All we are here to do is to bring people together to show that they care on whatever level they feel comfortable with.” The group plans on being involved in a number of initiatives such as fasting, information sessions and fundraising. The organization members will also be writing letters to Congress in support of divestment, an international initiative to stop investment is Sudanese oil companies. “There are so many options of what people can do and all that really matters,” Leath said. “That’s the great thing about caring about humanity.”

✯FYI For more information, visit www.standnow.org.

Key Facts In response to conflict with Darfurian rebel groups in February 2003, the Sudanese government, working with Arab militias called Janjaweed, began sponsoring the ethnic cleansing of non-Arab Darfurians, almost all of whom had no direct affiliation with the rebel groups. Nearly 4 million Darfuians are now reliant on humanitarian aid, and 90 percent of Darfur’s villages have been looted or destroyed. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, declared the atrocities in Darfur a genocide on Sept. 9, 2004. The Sudanese government relies heavily on foreign investment to fund the brutal militias seeking to eliminate the nonArab population of Darfur. It is estimated 70 to 80 percent of oil revenue in Sudan, fueled by foreign investments, goes directly to the country’s military. —Courtesy www.sudandivestment.org

Estimates for Displaced Darfurians The United Nations calls Darfur the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today Here’s why: 49 percent lack food 88 percent lack shelter 67 percent lack water 93 percent lack adequate sanitation — Courtesy of Network for Good Institute for War & Peace Reporting/MCT DARFUR DRAWING: This art by a child in the Darfur region of Sudan reflects the violence gripping the area.

— Courtesy of MCT

Physical comedy stars alongside dark humor in Featuring Loretta By Sam Ladach-Bark Features Reporter Loretta is a young adult running from her past. Loretta, the lead character, is holed up in a dingy motel room, fraught with hopeless complication. Her present situation becomes more bizarre by the moment. Inside the motel room, sex tapes are deliberated, childish men fight for her affection and a Russian maid becomes her solo confidant. Now showing at Hyde Park Theatre in Austin is Featuring Loretta, a dark comedy about love, loss and its abnormal nuances. The play was originally written in the mid 1970s by George F. Walker as a study of the weird and woeful. It was part of a six-piece cycle called Suburban Motel, all of which take place in the same motel room. Ken Webster singled out this play from the six and directs this version of the production. “It was the best written and funniest,” he said. “Originally we were going to do it in two parts with my other favorite from the Suburban Motel cycle,

Criminal Genius; but for Jenny Tinkham, a secthe sake of the audience, ond-time patron of Hyde he play is Park Theatre, said she we reduced it to one play a bit on returned for Featuring as two would run too long.” after being blown the lighter side Loretta Featuring Loretta keeps away by last month’s proin theme with Hyde Park for this theatre duction, The Pillowmen. Theatre’s reputation of “The chemistry becompany as showing dark comedies tween the three of them far as dark and perverse, obscure was very apparent and comedies go.” very entertaining to works. “(The play) is a bit on —Ken Webster watch,” she said. the lighter side for this Michael and Dave’s slapdirector theatre company as far as stick-like interaction culFeaturing Loretta minate in more than a few dark comedies go,” Webster said. verbal and physical brawls. As the plot unfolds, Loretta becomes “Directing physical humor was a new Samuel Ladach-Bark/Star photo the object of desire for Dave and Mithing for me,” Webster said. “I had a lot CLOSE-KNIT CAST: The cast of Featuring Loretta, Liz Fisher (left), Noah Neal, chael. Their conflicting personalities of fun with it.” — Dave, a conservative and insecure The four-person cast is composed of Michelle Keffer and Ben Wolfe, gathers on set with director Ken Webster (center) after their performance Friday. businessman and Michael, the extrava- Michelle Keffer (Loretta), Liz Fisher gant strip club booking agent — give (Sophie), Noah Neal (Dave) and Ben rise to some energetic scenes in the Wolfe (Michael). The players are all This weekend marks the final run for production. Meanwhile, Loretta is active in various Austin theatre compathis play at the theater. The show is calmly stringing them both along for nies. Fisher and Neal are core company playing at 8 p.m. Thursday through her own purposes. Sophie, the strongmembers of Hyde Park Theatre, and Saturday. For reservations visit www. accented Russian housekeeper, rounds one can expect to see them in future “Every Thursday is pay-what-you-can out the cast and serves as Loretta’s productions there. night for students and starving artists,” hydeparktheatre.com or call (512) 479-PLAY(7529). moral bodyguard. Featuring Loretta opened Sept. 6. Webster said.

“T

✯FYI

www.universitystar.com

TRENDS

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The University Star - Page 7

Two new fields added to School of Journalism and Mass Communication By Jaime Kilpatrick Senior Features Reporter Texas State students have a new opportunity to increase their marketability in the field of mass communication starting fall 2007. Students joining the graduate program in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication this semester may choose from two new concentrations: new media and strategic communication. Sandy Rao, journalism and mass communications professor and graduate program adviser said the department decided to create these new concentrations in response to the demand (from both students and employers) for people who are trained in new media. The goal of the program is to bring about a focus and meet student and market demands in the area where there is a need, Rao said. It is not mandatory for students to declare a concentration to join the mass communication program. Graduate students may declare one concentration, but not both. Graduate students may enroll in any of the new courses without declaring one of the new concentrations. Courses available this semester

include Seminar in Advertising and Public Relations Issues and Internet and Mass Media. In the spring semester, a Latino Media course will be offered at Texas State and a documentary course will be available at the Round Rock Higher Education Center. Ray Niekamp, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, teaches the Internet and Mass Communication course. This course covers how the Internet has affected the industry. “New media is opening up possibilities for careers that didn’t exist before,” Niekamp said in an e-mail. “Even in traditional or ‘old’ media, workers are now expected to work in more than one platform.” Mass communication professionals are using skills such as video shooting and editing, Web programming and writing for Web sites, instead of just writing for newspapers or television, Niekamp said. New media is different from traditional media because the users play an interactive role, Rao said. Users have the opportunity to respond to media posted on the Internet by commenting on Web logs or downloading podcasts. Several students have already

shown an interest in the new concentrations. Deepina Kapila, mass communication graduate student, said in an e-mail she chose new media because it is a fast-paced, interesting and hot field right now. She said new media is very necessary for the career success of Texas State students. “All forms of communication are utilizing new media avenues to reach their target markets, and not being up to date with new media theories and skills will leave any communication student behind when it comes to securing jobs,” Kapila said. Kapila’s career goal is to work at either an interactive advertising agency or get into computer programming. This semester marks the 10th anniversary of the Master of Arts in Mass Communication degree at Texas State. This program has made phenomenal progress in the last 10 years, Rao said. According to the Institutional Research department at Texas State, the master’s in mass communication program has increased 875 percent from fall 1997 to fall 2006.

Spencer Millsap/Star photo NEW OPTIONS: Jamie Johnson, art junior, works in Old Main Monday evening. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication will be adding new media and strategic communication as concentrations for graduate students starting in the fall of 2007.

Disney’s Epcot home for scientific experiments By Scott Powers The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO — Deep inside the laboratories of Epcot’s The Land pavilion — beyond the worldrecord tomato tree or the Mickey Mouse-shaped pumpkins — a tiny part of one of Walt Disney’s dreams is being kept alive in petri dishes. Visitors’ only brush with science might involve Epcot’s programs to grow lettuce in water or to shape vegetables like Mickey Mouse. Yet more complex, far-less-known, potentially more practical and possibly controversial work has been going on side by side with those show projects for years. In some of those tiny dishes, within microbiology laboratories walled off from the public, one Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/MCT of Epcot’s primary missions is being cultivated specimen-by-specimen, cell-by-cell, gene-byNO MOUSEY BUSINESS: Mickey Mouse-shaped hydroponicgene. grown pumpkins are displayed at the Living With The Land atReal, high-tech science. traction in one of the greenhouses of Epcot’s Land pavilion. The Scientists working in The Land labs for DisLand also houses a biotechnology lab where genetic-engineerney and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ing experiments are being conducted.

Fine Arts Calendar Music Lecture Series “Transformations of Scholar Pitch Collections; Relationships between Modes and Interval Cycles” by Dr. Paolo Susani 8 p.m., Thursday, Recital Hall Just a Little Jazz and Percussion Junior Recital by Chris Lippke 6 p.m., Friday, Recital Hall SAI Event/Recital 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Recital Hall Phi Mu Alpha Recital 7 p.m., Oct. 1, Recital Hall Erin Brockovich-Ellis 8 p.m., Oct. 2, LBJ Student Center Mall Guest Artist Greg Partian, piano 8 p.m., Oct. 2, Recital Hall Senior Recital by Joseph DeSantis 8 p.m., Oct. 3, Recital Hall Symphonic Band 8 p.m., Oct. 3, Hays CISD Performing Arts Center The Importance of Being Earnest 7:30 p.m., Oct. 2 through 6, Theatre Center Main Stage 2 p.m., Oct. 7, Theatre Center Main Stage

Agriculture Research Service are trying to alter nature’s design for the pear tree on a molecular level. Funded by and operating as a branch laboratory for a research project underway at a federal agriculture laboratory in Kearneysville, W.Va., the Epcot scientists want to create a new rootstock for pear trees that would stunt the growth of the trees, making them shorter and easier to grow and harvest, and therefore more productive and more commercially attractive. They are doing so by genetically altering the cells of pear-tree root stock specimens. “It’s more than just a show,” said Frederick L. Petitt, Walt Disney World’s director of Epcot science. “This is pretty long-term research.” But unlike most Epcot research — such as projects involving pest management or dolphin communication — it risks powerful controversy. Genetic engineering of crops draws a high level of public suspicion and has harsh critics who deride the products as “Frankenfoods.” While the pear-tree work should not affect the

genetic makeup of the pears, earlier projects at Epcot have had the goal of designing better food. “I wouldn’t think Disney would touch this project with a 10-foot Cinderella wand, but Disney isn’t your grandfather’s cartoon company anymore,” said Nancy Allen, an activist with the Green Party. Her group is part of an environmental coalition campaigning against the creation of genetically engineered trees, though not specifically the Epcot work, arguing the process must be slowed so the consequences can be studied more carefully. “There just is no way to know what is going to happen in the long term, even for the growers,” said Anne Petermann, co-director of the Global Justice Ecology Project. Research-project director Ralph Scorza of the U.S. Agriculture Research Service said he thinks such critics overlook the extreme care taken in the research, and its potential benefits.

Volunteering: Chances to change lives of those less fortunate By Cristal Martinez Features Reporter The weather is changing and the days of lying out, playing volleyball and swimming are getting shorter. Students may use the extra time to help out in the community. The Greater San Marcos Youth Council is a non-profit organization that offers help to families and children. Lori Sims, operations manager, said the organization offers volunteers different levels of involvement. “Volunteers can do anything from coming in and helping with simple repairs to becoming a mentor,” Sims said. “It’s a vast array of volunteer opportunities.” Students may volunteer as a group or as an individual. The most vested volunteer opportunity is the mentoring program, “One for Me.” The volunteer is paired up with a child and spends time with him or her three hours a week for a commitment period of six months. Mentors, like Orlando Castaneda, psychology senior, helps children with homework, or takes them on a fun activity, such as going to the movies. These volunteers may offer support just by hanging out and talking with the child. “He likes playing basketball, so I’ll take him out and play some basketball,” Castaneda said. “It’s pretty much whatever he wants to do.” Castaneda has been with the program for seven months and plans to continue volunteering.

“Some people get credit for volunteering, but my classes don’t require that,” Castaneda said. “I had a friend who was a counselor and he told me about the program. I figured I would use my free time to benefit someone.” Students who do not have spare time to mentor can volunteer to help with special events. there will be a benefit for Arianna Torres, a child diagnosed with cancer on Oct. 6 and 7. “We’re having a barbecue to raise money for the family and we need volunteers,” Sims said. Volunteer Coordinator Belen Hernandez said the organization needs help with the fifth annual Halloween carnival. The event is 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and is for shelter residents, children and their family members. “We have carnival games such as fishing and pumpkin toss, and even do trick-or-treating,” Hernandez said. “We could use some volunteers to run some of the games, serve as a costume contest judge or even help decorate the day before the carnival.” Students who cannot volunteer may donate candy or other items to the organization. Another youth organization, Court-Appointed Special Advocates offers legal support for children who have been abused or neglected. Heather Frye-Kelley, volunteer coordinator, said to work with the organization, one must be 21years old, have no criminal record and must go through 30 hours of training. A one-year commitment is required and after the train-

ing is completed the volunteer is sworn in by the court and assigned a case. “As an advocate, the volunteer contacts everyone that is involved with the child and tries to find out why they came in to foster care,” Frye-Kelley said. “Then

the volunteer, with a CASA staff member, will go to the court with the information and make recommendations on what is best for the child.” CASA is a network of lawyers, counselors, volunteers and other members to help children that

have been abused. Volunteering with the organization offers exposure to the legal system. “They are going to have the experience of being in the courtroom of working with professionals, and also making a difference in a child’s life,” Frye-Kelley said.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS Rewarding project reinforces mother-daughter bond

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The University Star - Page 8

This weekend, I had the ultimate expeers or students who have to present rience for an undergraduate English maa paper: please, please speak slowly. jor. I wrote and presented a paper at a My attention was lost after 15 minconference at the University of Virginia’s utes of listening to speed-reading of College at Wise. The coolest thing for some of the other presentations. me was the fact it was a medieval studies Overall, the conference was a great conference. The topics of discussion were experience and some interesting topfascinating. I did not know how my peers ics, such as medieval birthing stools or even professors would feel about my SUSAN RAUCH and medical diseases metaphorically paper, which was shorter than the other Features Columnist referenced in texts kept our attention, students’. Happily, I actually received especially when there were handouts or great compliments and feedback. Of course, I visual slides. did deal with the misconception I was either a As beautiful as the drive from and to Nashville professor or a graduate student because of my was, I would never suggest traveling home on a age. Most everyone who found out I am an un- late flight the night before attending an 8 a.m. dergraduate gave me accolades for coming back class. My flight was delayed by two hours. I did to school. not get in until close to midnight, before driving The drive from Nashville into the valley of Wise, another 45 minutes home. I believe I have the Va., was well worth the scenic drive. My mother met lecture bug in me. I am excited I was asked to me and we had a mother-daughter weekend. She present at an English literature conference in was totally lost when it came to lecture discussions, March in Illinois. I think I will have to wait to except when one professor talked about Arthurian see how my course schedule looks before I comlegends and Lancelot. Evidently watching the movie mit, but I would love to present again. Hopefully, Camelot gave her a slight edge, until she found out I’ll have the opportunity one more time before Galahad was Lancelot’s son — now she wants to read I graduate. the actual book. I’m not sure how I will be able to top last weekThe most important thing was all attendees end — but I guess I will now have to come down understood what my paper was about. One good back to Earth and find some motivation to get piece of advice I would give to aspiring lectur- back into the daily grind.

✯

Joy, Strife, and College Life

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively. 9/20 Solutions:

y

by Cecilia M. De Jesus

SPORTS

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The University Star - Page 9

Bobcat offense freezes in South Dakota By Scott Strickman Sports Editor Texas State enjoyed the appetizer at the 41st annual Beef Bowl, scoring first, but South Dakota State treated itself to a meal fit for a king. The Bobcats kicked a field goal on their first possession then allowed SDSU to score five touchdowns, and 38 unanswered points, in the Jackrabbits’ 38-3 victory Saturday night at CoughlinAlumni Stadium. The Texas State offense was unable to score any touchdowns. The Bobcats, who entered the game 9-12 on scoring chances inside their opponents’ 20-yard line, were 0-3 in the red zone. “Offensively, we moved the ball between the 20s,” said Coach Brad Wright. “Previous to this game we’ve been real good in the red zone; this week we weren’t. The offense didn’t put any points on the board, that’s basically the bottom line.” The Bobcats had plenty of chances but only converted two of 17 third downs and turned the ball over four times, all of which occurred in the second half. “Obviously, the most important thing that bothers us is the lack of execution,” Wright said. “Not converting those third downs, not converting in the red zone; its just things you can’t do to be successful.” The lack of execution was not restricted to one aspect of the team, Wright said. “I’m very disappointed in the outcome of the game,” he said. “Defense, offense and special teams, none of us did what we needed to do.” The Bobcats used a 14-play opening drive to move steadfastly down the field, but had to settle for a 48-yard field goal from junior place kicker Andrew Ireland. “Anytime you miss a chance to have points, it hurts,” Wright said.

Chris Vidrine/Star photo JACKS OF ALL TRADES: Junior wide receiver Morris Crosby runs the ball downfield against Baylor Sept. 15. The Bobcats lost to the South Dakota State Jacks 38-3 and will play McNeese State Oct. 6 at Bobcat Stadium.

The Jackrabbits responded with a 49yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Berry to wide receiver JaRon Harris one minute and 30 seconds later to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. SDSU blocked a Texas State punt and began their drive at the Bobcat 29, but the Bobcat defense was able to hold the Jacks to a 30-yard field goal from place kicker Parker Douglass. On the ensuing drive, the ’Cats faced a fourth-and-one at the Jackrabbit 9-yard line. They opted to go with a quarterback sneak by sophomore Bradley George,

which went for two yards, setting up first and goal at the seven. Texas State moved backward following the first down, and Ireland pushed his field goal attempt wide left from 32 yards out. SDSU running back Cory Koenig reached for the pylon on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, stretching the Jackrabbits’ lead to 17-3. The touchdown marked the third straight drive in which SDSU scored. The Jackrabbits took a commanding 24-3 lead on a Kyle Minett 40-yard touchdown reception from Berry, his second

scoring pass of the night, just before the half. The second half was worse for the Bobcats. They turned the ball over four times, punted on their other three possessions and lost sophomore starting quarterback Bradley George in the process. George left the game in the third quarter. He was injured on an option play in which he took a hard hit then a defender landed on his neck. He threw for 119 yards on 14-24 passing before leaving the game.

“It just felt like my neck went way too far forward for what is humanly supposed to happen,” George said. “It wasn’t feeling too good directly after that, obviously, because I laid there trying to get up. I couldn’t get up too quick, but it’s good to go. I’ve got my range of motion back, it’s kind of stiff and sore, but it will be good.” George is expected to be fine and start the next game Oct. 6, when the Bobcats host McNeese State in the Southland Conference opener. Junior quarterback Clint Toon replaced George, going 10-17 for 54 yards in his Texas State debut, the first appearance he’s made since 2004 at Kilgore College. “I was a little nervous; I haven’t played in two years,” Toon said. “Coach tells me each week ‘you’ve got to be prepared to start,’ so that’s the way I go in with it.” “Very admirable,” Wright said of Toon’s debut. “If there’s a bright spot, that would definitely be one of them. He did a great job and he can play the position for us, there’s no doubt about it.” The Jacks scored two more touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter. Koenig ran for his second 1-yard touchdown of the game, and Minett scored on a 29yard run to cap off the night. Minett, who had only 45 rushing yards before this game, ran for 134 yards and had another 36 yards receiving. “They did what they needed to be successful,” Wright said of the Jackrabbits. “Obviously, (Minett) is a talented young man and took advantage.” Freshman running back Karrington Bush had another good game for the ’Cats. He rushed for 105 yards on 13 carries, the second time he has topped the 100-yard mark in only four career games. “Karrington’s a talented young man, and he’s going to get his yards as the year goes by,” Wright said. The ’Cats will look to regroup this week before the Oct. 6 matchup with the Cowboys of McNeese, voted preseason SLC favorite.

Favre ties touchdown record By Tom Silverstein Milwaukee Journal Sentinel GREEN BAY, Wis. — There was something about Brett Favre’s NFL record-tying touchdown pass that Dan Marino didn’t have the pleasure of enjoying when he completed his 420th and last on Dec. 27, 1999. Mainly, that it won a football game. There are some things you can’t control and Favre could just as easily have been in the same position Marino was eight years ago when he completed a 32-yard strike to wide receiver Tony Martin in a 38-31 loss, the fifth in seven games for a John Klein/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MCT Miami team whose playoff hopes died that day. Marino didn’t throw FIRE-ARMED: Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre fires his record-tying another touchdown pass that season touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers.

and retired in the offseason. In his 241st start Sunday at Lambeau Field, Favre did not look close to his 38 years of age in an inspired 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers. He completed 28 of 45 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns, the last a 57-yard strike to Greg Jennings with two minutes and three seconds left. It was by far the most important of the six touchdowns he has thrown this season and turned what normally would have been a celebration of his great achievement into a coronation of the young 3-0 team with which he currently plays. It wasn’t just another touchdown pass, for sure, but perhaps it took on more meaning because of its relevancy this season. “You want to win; that’s the name of the game,” said cornerback Charles Woodson. “When you break a record and then go on and win, that record means

C �LASSIFIEDS ���������� THE STAR ����UNIVERSITY ���������������

something right at that time. You usually don’t look at records until later on down the line sometime after you’re done playing. If we were to go on and win a Super Bowl, that would make it that much sweeter.” It is, of course, way too early to think about Super Bowls, but the Packers’ 3-0 start has made Favre’s climb to perhaps the most cherished record in the National Football League anything but singular in the Packers’ locker room. In his post-game news conference, Favre took far more questions about his team’s undefeated record than he did about being one touchdown pass away from beating Marino’s record. Favre is hardly fading from the NFL landscape 16 days before his 38th birthday. “I’m going to be totally honest with you: I’m so glad we won I could care less about that record today,” Favre said.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu. Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication. The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

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SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

turningthe corner The Texas State men and women’s cross country teams both finished in second place Saturday at the UTSA Invitational. Senior Roel Elizalde finished in third place to pace the men’s squad, while the women were lead by sophomore Kelly Butler’s eighth-place showing. The Roadrunners won both the men and women’s competitions. The Bobcat cross country teams will head to Stillwater, Okla. this weekend for the Cowboy Jamboree hosted by Oklahoma State.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - Page 10

Sports Contact — Scott Strickman, starsports@txstate.edu

Women’s soccer earns first victory of season By Carl Harper Senior Sports Reporter After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Rice Friday night, the Bobcat soccer team tallied four goals on Sunday against Houston to collect their first win and shutout of the season, 4-0. “We played really well against Rice and had good chances but didn’t put them away,” said Coach Kat Conner. “Today against Houston I told the team that they can’t let those things slip away, and I think they came out with the mentality that they were going to put their goal in the net instead of just shooting towards the net. The team came out with a great pace in both games but didn’t let the Houston game slip away.” Freshman forward Britney Curry put her team on the board early against Houston with her first collegiate goal. After receiving a pass inside the box from senior forward Angela Crissy, Curry whipped around the right side of Cougars’ goalkeeper Shelby Scott and found the left corner of the net. “She (Scott) was coming out really hard from the goal, so I just cut around her and put it in,” Curry said. “It was awesome, and I was really excited because it was my first-ever goal.” Curry led the ’Cats with five shots, three of them on goal. Texas State had a step up on Houston’s defense all game and consistently moved the ball well on offense. Sliding defensive plays from junior defender Marty Wright, and sophomore defender Christina Racanelli slowed the Cougar attack. “Racanelli really came through and owned it today, and Marty is stepping up to the play and getting into the attack,” Conner said. “That’s one thing (Marty) has been fearful of this year, and I’m proud of her — to let go of that fear. The plays that we got from them today are exactly what we need.”

Sophomore midfielder Andrea Seledee scored her second goal of the year by capitalizing on sophomore forward Nikki Kinard’s deflected shot. Seledee grabbed the rebound in the box and punched in the goal over Scott’s head to extend the Bobcats lead to 2-0 before the break. The Bobcats defense didn’t let up in the last 45 minutes of the game, keeping the ball on the Cougars’ side of the field for the majority of the second half. Kinard shot in her first goal of the season after Racanelli made

t was great “I to finally get a win, and

it gives us an upside going into conference.”

—Jerelyn Lemmie senior forward

a tough block in the final third to keep possession of the ball. Kinard hooked in her shot on the assist from Racanelli to put the ’Cats up by three. “It was pretty nice and about time (to get a goal),” Kinard said. “I knew I had to get up and get in the box in case Racanelli were to get across. (That way), I could be there to finish it.” Kinard took three shots during the Houston game while freshman midfielder Audra Randell took four and Seledee posted two. The Bobcats outshot the Cougars 20-14, the first team they have outshot this season. Senior forward Jerelyn Lemmie, who scored her first goal of the season Friday night against Rice, put the final dagger in for Texas State late in the second half against Houston. She found herself nearly 40 yards out from the goal with only the goalkeeper to beat

and launched a moonshot over Scott’s head. “It was pretty much giftwrapped,” Lemmie said of her goal. “The keeper passed it out to her defender who wasn’t paying attention and let it run. I noticed that she (Scott) wasn’t in the goal so I just ran up to it and put it over her head. It was great to finally get a win, and it gives us an upside going into conference.” Conner’s club fought hard the entire game Friday night at Rice, but came up short as Owls midfielder Kate Edwards scored on a corner kick in the 89th minute. Edwards was involved in the first score of the game as well, when she assisted Erin Scott to her first goal of the season early in the game. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that Lemmie tied it up on a long cross pass from Curry. “It was great teamwork and everyone was hustling to the ball,” Lemmie said. “We were looking for open players downfield, and I was one of those players who happened to be in front of the goal, and I finished it.” Conner gave equal time to her goalkeepers this weekend, allotting 90 minutes to sophomore Mandi Mawyer against Rice and 90 minutes to freshman Amanda Byrd against Houston. Each keeper collected six saves during the weekend and the shutout against Houston was Byrd’s first win as a collegian. “There were some good crucial saves that (Byrd) had to make, and she did a great job,” Conner said. “That’s what we (coaches) have been telling them: ‘do the things you need to do, and the defense will do the things they need to do’. If everyone does their role, then they will be ok. Today, I think they started to see the discipline and the accountability of their role.” Texas State will have about a two-week layoff before entering conference play Oct. 5 at Southeastern Louisiana.

John Clark/Star photo CAT FIGHT: Forward Britney Curry goes down after being tripped up during the Bobcats’ 4-0 victory over the Houston Cougars Sunday.

Volleyball continues winning streak, earns points in I-35 Rivalry By Alan Wiederhold Sports Reporter The Texas State volleyball team began Southland Conference play this weekend with victories over Texas-San Antonio and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats (8-5, 2-0) have won five consecutive matches over the last two weeks, and will now prepare for a non-conference match against Texas Christian 7 p.m. Wednesday at home. “TCU is a very quality volleyball team. They are much improved from last year,” said Coach Karen Chisum. TCU, a member of the Mountain West Conference, swept a three-game match against the Bobcats last season in Fort Worth. “They beat us pretty soundly last spring, but the Bobcats are certainly a different team now,” Chisum said. “We will focus on our side of the court and continue to try to get better.” Texas State 3, UTSA 1 The Bobcats claimed their first SLC victory of the season by defeating rival UTSA by scores of 30-18, 30-25, 25-30, 30-20 Thursday in front of 631 fans. “This is fun to come home and have the crowd we have,” Chisum said. “The students have really gotten behind this team and that’s fun.” The Roadrunners were unable to find an answer to the

Bobcats’ outside hitting attack. Junior outside hitter Lawrencia Brown and sophomore outside hitter Jessica Weynand each recorded double-doubles. Brown’s 11 kills and 12 digs was her third double-double in three games. “It was a very good (game),” Brown said. “We came out with a fire and it was so fun having (the Loud Crowd) out in their camouflage…it was really fun.” Weynand led the ’Cats in kills with 12 and dug out 10 Roadrunner attacks, while junior middle blocker Emily Jones added 11 kills. Freshmen right-side hitter A.J. Watlington and freshman middle blocker Melinda Cave registered six kills apiece. Defensively, sophomore libero Kacey Wimpy paced the Bobcats with 15 digs, while freshman setter Shelbi Irvin recorded 13 digs. Irvin and fellow setter sophomore Brittany Collins saw equal court time in Chisum’s 6-2 offense, which features two setters on the court. Collins led the Bobcats with 20 assists, while Irvin followed with 17. Chisum said the Roadrunners did not show up the first two games, but the Bobcats lackadaisical play in game three allowed UTSA to get back into the match. “We got lazy. They got fired up, and we needed to lose that game, honestly,” Chisum said. “I was glad to see us wake back up and be challenged, and (have them) make us play our game.”

In defeating the Roadrunners, Texas State claimed the first two points of the inaugural IBC Bank I-35 Maroon vs. Orange Rivalry Series. The all-sport competition will award a trophy to the university with the most points based on matches between Texas State and UTSA. Texas State 3, A&M-Corpus Christi 1 Junior middle blocker Amy Weigle turned in a .654 hitting percentage (17 kills with no errors in 26 attempts) and Irvin recorded a team season-high of 25 digs as the Bobcats claimed their second win of the conference season by scores of 30-24, 29-31, 30-22 and 30-17. Irvin led the ’Cats with 28 assists, and became the first Texas State player to register a 20-20 game this year. Weynand recorded her second double-double in as many games, knocking down 11 kills and digging out 18 attacks against the Islanders. Wimpy added 17 digs and Collins doled out 19 assists. The Bobcats did not leave the weekend unscathed, as Brown hurt her knee during the UTSA match. She was held out of Saturday’s contest with A&M-Corpus Christi. It is questionable if Brown will play against TCU Tuesday, but Chisum is hoping to have her back when the team hosts UT-Arlington this weekend. “It’s imperative that she is available for UTA Saturday,” Chisum said.

Monty Marion/Star photo KEEP IT ALIVE: Freshman Ally Buitron digs a spike from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi during the Bobcats’ Saturday 3-1 win over the Islanders.