09 25 2012

VOLUME 102, ISSUE 14

www.UniversityStar.com

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TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

Pink Heals 5K

GO NE ONLI NOW

Pink Heals 5K is a fundraiser that promotes awareness and supports victims of breast cancer. Watch the video at UniversityStar.com.

HOME GROWN

Students, volunteers practice sustainability

By Adrian Omar Ramirez News Reporter On a Saturday morning, people busy themselves with planting seeds, hoeing, plowing and harvesting crops on a plot of land on the outskirts of San Marcos.

The group is made up of students and volunteers working at the Student Sustainable Farm, a project under the guidance of Ken Mix, assistant professor in the department of agriculture. Operation at the farm, located on Highway 21 next to the San Marcos Municipal Airport, began March 2012 with the help of a $40,000 grant from the Environmental Service Committee.

Mix has a group of 100 students, most of whom are assigned homework hours for their work, as well as volunteers who

help at the farm. Artichoke, broccoli, cabbage, kale, carrots and sweet potatoes are some of the crops grown there, which are then sold at farmers markets in The Quad.

Mix said the Student Sustainable Farm arose because the agriculture department needed an opportunity to develop a teaching and research site to explore the concept of sustainability.

Adam Salcedo, a volunteer at the farm, is a Texas State alumnus who plans to return as a graduate student.

“We—and by we I mean all Americans and members of industrialized society— need to learn how to produce food locally,” Salcedo said. “The industrial system has destroyed our competence, and we don’t know how to grow food anymore.”

Salcedo said there are benefits to locally grown food. Most food travels about

Career Services director heads to Qatar

1,600 miles if it is bought from a store like H-E-B. Food bought from a farmers market only travels a few miles and was most likely harvested a few hours before it was sold. Locally grown food is also nutritious.

Dag Osorio, agriculture education graduate student, helped start the farm as a senior and said the project was a major deciding factor in continuing his education at Texas State.

“I’m here to supervise some of the (agriculture) students who are doing parts of their assignments out here,” Osorio said. “(This) includes anything from seeding to working the plots to harvesting or just learning a little bit about agriculture.”

Osorio said one of the project goals is

READ FARM, PAGE 2

Katrina Barber, Staff Photographer

Dagoberto Osorio, agriculture education graduate student, harvests sweet potatoes Sept. 22 at the student sustainable farm. Osorio is the manager of the farm, teaching students about crops and farming.

Photo courtesy of Chandler Prude

Curtis Schafer, director of Career Services, is moving to Qatar to establish a career services program at the country’s only public university.

By Nicole Barrios News Reporter

to apply.

The program is sponsored by the Mind Science Foundation, the Honors Thesis Fund, Freeman Ranch Research Fund, TriM Foundation and AVP General Research Fund. Additional funds come from the College of Science, College of Health Professions and College of Education.

“It’s a bunch of different small sources that we’ve put together,” Galloway said. “But students can just make one application.”

Texas State’s director of Career Services will be keeping his title, but in a new setting: Qatar.

Curtis Schafer, director of Career Services, is leaving San Marcos after the month’s end to move to Qatar. There he will help establish a career services department at Qatar University, the only public university in the country.

Schafer said he will be a resident consultant to the university’s career services department, which is still fairly new. He will be there for two to three years mentoring the training staff and the native Qatari director, who is new to the field.

“I wasn’t looking to leave Texas State.

I like it here,” Schafer said. “This job (in Qatar) just really intrigued me because of the cultural immersion and because of the opportunity to see a totally different higher education system.”

Schafer said he enjoyed working with Middle Eastern students when he was a counselor at Louisiana State University in the ‘70s. It pained him to see Americans negatively stereotype Middle Eastern people when 9/11 occurred.

After working at LSU for 20 years, Schafer moved to Texas State. He was a high school teacher and counselor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before working at LSU. Schafer began his career at Texas State in 1997. Gregory Snodgrass, his supervisor and assistant vice president for student affairs, said Schafer has always been “on the cutting edge.”

“He was a steal. We didn’t know what we were getting when we got him,” Snodgrass said.

Schafer said the thing he will miss most about the university is the people.

“When I first interviewed (at Texas

READ FUNDING, PAGE 2

READ QATAR, PAGE 2

Undergraduates get research funding

By Nicole Barrios News Reporter The Honors College and the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research recently announced the 2012-2013 campuswide undergraduate research program.

The Student Undergraduate Research Fund program is in its second year of providing money through grants to undergraduate research. The program provides funds for student research projects in various fields of study and creates a means through which

students can gain experience in writing research proposals.

The program awards up to $1,000 of research funding to undergraduate students based on competitive applications. Undergraduates may apply for funding by Oct. 23 by submitting their research grant proposals online.

Heather Galloway, dean of the Honors College, said the college has received a wide variety of research applications for funding from science and engineering to fine arts students. Any enrolled undergraduate is eligible

San Marcos neighborhoods unite in friendly competition

By Andrew Osegi News Reporter Neighborhood leaders and local citizens of all ages competed in events Saturday to earn placement, prizes and bragging rights on behalf of their neighborhood.

Citizens of San Marcos came together at the City Park fields to compete in the first San Marcos Neighborhood All-Star Games. The competing neighborhoods were Dunbar, Hills of Hays, El Camino

Real, Heritage and Blanco Gardens.

El Camino Real won the competition, and operations coordinator Amy Kirwin said the games were started to promote camaraderie between San Marcos communities and city leaders in a non-political arena.

The San Marcos Council of Neighborhood Associations and the City of San Marcos Neighborhood Commission brought the games to fruition.

Participants competed in egg and spoon relays, a three-legged race, a bas-

ketball game of Horse, a potato sack race, tug of war and a pie-eating contest.

Event coordinator Elena Duran directed the participants in each event.

A number of city officials and sponsors were in attendance, including Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Place 3 Councilman John Thomaides and Lisa Dvorak, community liaison of Achieving Community Together.

Thomaides participated in the games

READ GAMES, PAGE 2

City officials consider educational center

By Natalie Berko News Reporter The City of San Marcos and Hays County are looking into the implementation of an interpretive and educational center near the San Marcos River.

County Commissioner Will Conley, Precinct 3, said the discussions signal the last phase in a three-part plan at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, formerly the River Systems Institute.

Conley said the first phase was to restore the old hotel, located at what was formerly the Aquarena Springs Amusement

Park, to house an expansion of the center.

The hotel now houses office facilities and a small museum.

The second stage was to remove old amusement park equipment and return the site to its natural state before executing the third phase, he said. The third phase includes planning for the interpretive educational center.

Andy Sansom, executive director of the Meadows Center at Texas State, said the educational center is now operating out of a temporary building. The current situation is inadequate for handling the diving operations, lake maintenance and approxi-

mately 125,000 visitors the center receives a year.

The parties involved include Hays County, the City of San Marcos, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Texas State.

Sansom said if the parties decide to create a new facility, funding would come from sources external to the university, either philanthropies, foundations, individuals or other governmental entities. It is too early to tell how much would need to be raised.

“I think we are a long way away from

READ CENTER, PAGE 2

Police search for stabbing suspect

By Nancy Young News Reporter Authorities are searching for the suspect in an attempted homicide investigation after a man was stabbed at the University Heights II apartment complex parking lot at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

Penny Dunn, San Marcos Police Department commander, said the man was stabbed during a disagreement between two groups of individuals. The attacker fled the scene.

One man was arrested at the scene for not complying with SMPD. Dunn said this is a “tampered investigation” due to the amount of alcohol involved in the incident.

The victim is hospitalized and is in stable condition, Dunn said. The man was able to answer a few questions from SMPD about the incident.

Dunn said there was “a lot of commotion happening at once” because a car accident also occurred during the time of the stabbing.

Dunn said SMPD believes this is an isolated incident and hopes anyone with information about the case will come forward.

2 | Tuesday September 25, 2012 | The University Star

NEWS

QATAR

Check out more at UniversityStar.com

FARM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

State), I just fell in love with the place,” Schafer said. “It was a good fit for me.”

Schafer said the combination of the people he met on campus and the programs Texas State has in place led to a caring atmosphere and environment for him.

He will miss the “pretty campus” and the City of San Marcos—two things he said contribute to Texas State having the “whole package.”

“When I think of the ideal professional, Curt is definitely one of the main ones,” said Tyler Gaudin, mass communication sophomore and student worker at Career Services.

Snodgrass said Schafer is a conceptual

FUNDING

thinker who is dedicated not only to Career Services but to higher education and its processes. Schafer is constantly finding ways to make his organization more effective and truly cares about the staff.

Schafer is actively looking ahead to what will be up-and-coming in fields so students are better prepared for the changing work world, Snodgrass said.

Snodgrass said Schafer knows the field of career services better than anyone and is highly respected nationwide.

“We are going to miss him greatly,” Snodgrass said. “We have one of the top career services people in the nation here.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Galloway said it is common in the academic world to have to write grant proposals, as well as in the non-profit sector, government jobs and fine arts careers. It is a good learning experience for students to attempt to write a grant proposal, present ideas clearly and follow specific guidelines.

Program adviser John Hood and grant writer Zachary Christman gave a presentation entitled “Write to Win: Introduction to Grant Writing” Sept. 21 at a workshop held for interested students.

Christman explained the general process of grant writing and Hood explained specific requirements during the presentation.

Christman talked to applicants in detail about the different sections of grant proposals and imparted knowledge referring back to his personal experience in grant writing.

Christman, a Texas State alumnus, said after graduation he worked with a grant writer and is now a development specialist creating online training modules. He was on the program reviewing panel last year, and said the spectrum of interests and skills of student applicants was “fascinating.” Hood was his thesis mentor and asked him to do a presentation on grant writing this year.

Application review panels are comprised

of two students and two faculty members, with an additional faculty member usually acting as the chair of the panel. Each panel is anticipated to review between 12 and 16 grant applications using a standardized rubric, according to the handout provided at the presentation.

“This is how the university grows, with both alumni and students working together,” Christman said. “If anything, strengthening those connections is the way to make sure Texas State continues to be the rising star of Texas.”

Megan Edge, communication disorders senior, said a friend applied for and was granted funding last year, which made her want to apply. Edge’s research will observe the level of knowledge pediatricians have in diagnosing developmental disabilities.

Hood said the most important thing to realize is a successful research project is one of the most important aspects of getting into graduate schools or a research-oriented job.

“We want every kind of research possible so that our students are not, as they are now, attending an emerging research institution,” Hood said. “Our goal is to become a bona fide research intuition, which is a designation that the university, the president and the provost are taking very seriously.”

PAGE TWO

wild art

John Casares, Staff Photographer

Russ Garcia, Texas State alumnus, explains the importance of pursuing one’s dreams to observing students Sept. 24 in The Quad.

Clarification Students with commuter parking permits will still be charged $10 to park at the Mill St. lot on game days, but Bobcat Village residents are now able to enter and exit the apartment complex during football games without penalty. This clarifies information in a Sept. 19 editorial, “Extra game day parking fees unfair to students with permits.”

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to develop a “cycle” so the farm can sell its goods on campus and continue to fund itself. This is being done through student experience, research and community service.

Katie Tritsch, resource and environmental studies senior, started volunteering at the Student Sustainable Farm as a part of her undergraduate thesis.

“I think that a sustainable farm is a really important goal to reach for most uni-

GAMES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

with his neighborhood, Dunbar. He said he was happy to be there and represent both the City of San Marcos and the community.

Achieving Community Together is part of an initiative to form a positive relationship between the City of San Marcos and Texas State. Dvorak said the program promotes conflict reduction between neighborhoods with both student and family residents.

“Students and city residents are sometimes disagreeable when living in close proximity to each other,” Dvorak said.

“Supporting these games was a great opportunity to help enact our mission and mend the gaps between student and San Marcos communities. We are here to boost positive relationships.”

Another sponsor present at the games was Sustainable San Marcos, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the city with an environmentally sustainable future.

Betsy Robertson, Sustainable San

CENTER

versities to try to be progressive and give a different perspective on where food comes from,” Tritsch said. “I think this is barely getting started and it has a lot of potential.”

As a geography student, Tritsch said projects like this tie together students from several different majors.

“In general, caring for the Earth and caring for the environment and how you’re treating it is the thread that pulls all of us together,” Tritsch said.

Marcos representative, said events like this bring the community closer together and provide a chance to address the organization’s sustainability goals to various community leaders.

Texas State’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed service fraternity, was at the games volunteering and enjoying the friendly competition. Jeane Thorson, chapter president and curriculum and instruction senior, said the fraternity is always eager to lend a helping hand to the City of San Marcos.

“We stand for leadership, friendship and service,” Thorson said. “So when we heard that the city was hosting these games, Alpha Phi Omega offered to help in the pursuit of making the communities of San Marcos a more cohesive entity.”

Toward the end of the games, Kirwin said the event had a good turnout.

“People enjoyed themselves today and we hope to have an even bigger attendance next year,” Kirwin said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

figuring out how we would fund the third phase,” Conley said.

Bill Nance, vice president of finance and support services, said the project was put on the Board of Regents Capital Improvement Plan about a year and a half ago. The project was titled “Education, Research and Visitors Center.” “(The center) is envisioned as having some working labs in it, but labs that a visitor can go through and see kind of an interpretive lesson in water research and see what the issues are surrounding the aquifer, the springs and the river,” Nance said.

Nance said the Meadows Center already has many public school visitors, and the center puts together a curriculum distributed across the state to middle school

science teachers.

“After they study this curriculum about the aquifers, I think it pretty much culminates when they take a field trip over there,” Nance said. “Anything that we can add to enhance that experience would be positive.”

As the project moves forward, it is the principle responsibility to protect and care for this site, Sansom said. It is one of the most significant and natural spaces on the continent.

Sansom said construction could only be done on the site of the old Aquarena Springs resort swimming pool because the area has already been severely disturbed. The pool area is outside of the Spring Lake Preserve boundaries, allowing for construction possibilities.

The University Star | Tuesday September 25, 2012 | 3

OPINIONS

For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu

Reduced tailgate negatively affects attendance

Grace Perkins, Star Illustrator

P

ushing tailgate into a smaller space may relieve congestion and keep the fields clean, but it is not a sustainable solution if the university intends to keep students coming to games.

Previous tailgates have devolved into sprawling messes, both logistically and literally. Attendees could become lost in the crowd and encounter difficulty locating particular tents, a process not helped by the stadium parking lot’s irregular shape, pedestrian traffic crossing Aquarena Springs Drive and narrow spaces between trailers. The smaller space last weekend, however, forced tents into orderly rows that allowed traffic to flow more efficiently.

However, traffic flowed more freely because there was a lot less of it. The smaller area and increased demand for spaces discouraged many organizations from even attempting to secure a spot. These organizations’ members took their partying elsewhere or abstained altogether, giving them even less inclination to attend the game

than Texas State students notoriously tend to have.

Tailgate may be a logistical headache for the university, but its positive correlation to game attendance cannot be overlooked.

The SFA game drew 17,188 spectators, only slightly more than half the stadium’s new capacity. Considering the evening kickoff, Nacogdoches’ relatively close proximity to San Marcos and Texas State’s strong record against SFA, this number is surprisingly low. The only factor not pointing to strong attendance was the reduced tailgate, an issue that will apparently affect home games for the rest of the season. If the university intends to fill the renovated stadium, it must embrace tailgate in all its messy, but spirited glory.

Possible explanations for the tailgate move and subsequent shrinking into the Strahan parking lot are as numerous as the bits of garbage strewn about the Jowers practice field after the Texas Tech game. The decision, pushed by the Associated Student Government and announced in an email from the vice president of student affairs, could have been a hasty reaction to the extreme litter following that game. Otherwise, it may have been a subtle admission that the university and city’s infrastruc-

ture is not yet adequately equipped for a 30,000-person crowd to match the amount of stadium seating. This tailgate may have been more organized, but it cost many student organizations the opportunity to fully embrace the event, cutting down attendance.

Even if ASG continues to book the same number of spaces, droves of wandering fans will keep growing, resulting in packed conditions in the small Strahan lot as the season goes on. The new setup has bought the city and university time to plan for future crowds, but the current ones are already growing. A long-term plan for a full-size tailgate must be reached by the time Texas State reaches the Sun Belt Conference next year.

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

Students should make their own decisions regarding class attendance

By Savannah Wingo Assistant Opinions Editor

S

tudents should be graded only on their overall academic performances, not on their attendance in the classroom.

It has been about a month since school started, and many students are now beginning to feel the pain of class attendance policies. However, much of this pain is unnecessary and, frankly, unfair.

According to the Texas State Financial Aid website, the average yearly student tuition and fee costs for 15 hours each semester total $8,770 for a Texas resident without financial aid. For students, a

couple thousand dollars may be enough to buy seats in their classes, but the funds are apparently not enough to afford a few absences without academic penalty.

When students drop that kind of cash for tuition and fees, they should be entitled to a few rights with the purchase. When buying a house, a person is not penalized for how he or she chooses to live inside that house. Similarly, students who buy a college education should not be told how to use it.

For some students, it is necessary to attend class more frequently to make a passing grade. But if other students can pass a class while only showing up for the tests, then more power to them. Conversely, if a student fails a class because of a lack of attendance, he or she still should not be penalized for their absences.

It is not the responsibility of instructors or the university to make sure every student spends their tuition and fee money

well. Faculty need only instruct and collect their salaries. Of course, instructors should still have freedom to teach a class in their own way. Many instructors who choose not to have attendance policies instead decide to implement daily quizzes. This is a good way to encourage attendance without forcing it.

There is nothing wrong with rewarding those who have perfect attendance. The line is only crossed when skipping class begins to be penalized, making it impossible to pass with more than four absences.

Furthermore, who is to say what excuses are legitimate or not? Sometimes, students are too tired or hung-over to get out of bed.

Documentation cannot be provided for either of these excuses.

A student cannot get a doctor’s note for “being too tired,” but that does not make it a less valid reason for missing class.

Also, there is not much reason for forcing a hung-over student to attend class aside

from pure sadism. Likewise, overly sleepy students have little to gain in attempting to sleep through lectures on undersized desks.

Even students who skip class in favor of surfing Facebook all day should not be penalized for their absences. Forcing uninterested students to come to class penalizes students who are interested in spending their tuition well. There is nothing worse than straining to hear a lecture over a row of girls giggling at a Facebook status.

Although many instructors have noble intentions by practically forcing students to show up for class, it is ultimately not the responsibility of anyone but the student for how his or her time and money is spent.

Faculty and departments should reconsider treating students like the adults they are and revoke unnecessary attendance policies.

—Savannah Wingo is a mass communications sophomore.

San Marcos needs more low-price options for residents, students

By Christian Penichet-Paul Opinions Columnist

S

an Marcos might be one of the least expensive cities in the United States, but it is still not affordable enough.

According to a Sept. 13 University Star article, the second quarter 2012 Cost of Living Index found that San Marcos is the 10th least expensive urban area in the United States. The index measured the regional cost differences of consumer goods and services for households, It is clear that San Marcos needs to be even less expensive because of the significant number of college students living in the city and the high levels of poverty.

It is good news that San Marcos is an

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affordable city, but that does not mean it is an inexpensive haven. The cost of living in San Marcos might be lower than in surrounding areas such as Buda, but there are still many residents and students who could benefit from lower prices all around.

First of all, San Marcos is home to a large college student population. Several of those students are dependent on loans and scholarships to pay for their expenses during the semester. Some students also work to supplement their income. In addition, students have to deal with relatively high tuition prices and costly boarding options, whether they live on campus or in a private apartment complex. It would benefit Texas State students if tuition, fee and rent prices in San Marcos were better tailored for their tight budgets.

Not only are student costs expensive, but so are the entertainment options in the city. For example, the movie theater on Wonder World Drive charges $8 and up after the matinee showing. It would be favorable if Starplex and other businesses in San Marcos lowered their prices or gave

Editor In Chief................................................Beth Brown, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor............................Lee Moran, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................................Caitlin Clark, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor............................Hollie O’Connor, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Liza Winkler, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..........................................Cameron Irvine, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief......................Thomas Glasebrook, starcopychief@txstate.edu Web Editor............................................Karyn Kittlitz, starwebeditor@txstate.edu

occasional discounts to better accommodate the financial needs of students and residents.

It is also important to remember that San Marcos experiences a high poverty level. According to an April 3 University Star article, San Marcos has a higher poverty level than its closest neighbors, Buda and Kyle. The percent of San Marcos’ population below the poverty line is 38.3, which is well over the State of Texas’ level of 16.8 percent.

Local businesses should take into account that a major portion of the city is well below the poverty line. It is easy to say that San Marcos is an inexpensive place. However, for a city that has a $26,734 average household income, being one of the cheapest cities in the country is not enough for many residents and students.

Some college students and residents living below the poverty line are unable to afford the current prices at small businesses in the city. The proper solution would be for these businesses to consider decreas-

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ing their prices altogether or increasing the number and frequency of discounts offered.

San Marcos might be considered a cheap location to live relative to other regions, but the fact is there is a substantial population in the city who cannot afford much of what is currently available. San Marcos could benefit greatly from being more economical.

San Marcos is an attractive location to live in. The city is home to its own culture and a number of small businesses.

However, it is also home to many people who could benefit from lower prices in a variety of aspects including tuition, fees, rent and entertainment.

It is not good enough for the city to pat itself on the back for being one of the least expensive areas in the country. There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure economically-vulnerable populations in the city are able to afford a lifestyle that will not break the bank.

— Christian Penichet-Paul is a history junior.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000.

Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright Tuesday, September 25, 2012. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy.

Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.

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4 | Tuesday September 25, 2012 | The University Star

TRENDS

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Firefighters raise breast cancer awareness, funds with Pink Heals

Fire fighters and community members clad in pink tshirts gathered Saturday to raise awareness for breast cancer with their annual 5,000-meter race.

Participants run a 5k race in exchange for support and donations toward cancer patients’ costs at the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association’s Pink Heals event.

Among Saturday’s participants was cancer survivor Lisa Tobias, who walked in honor of her battle and in memory of the estimated 39,510 women who die each year in the United States from a form of the disease.

Tobias, Texas State School of Social Work administrative assistant, was diagnosed in 2007 with breast cancer. She said by participating in the race she has been able to speak with other participants about the importance of yearly mammograms.

“I get to talk to a lot of women here about having mammograms done,” she said. “A lot of women don’t get it done.

I just try to spread the word and make sure they go get them

done.”

Tobias’ decision to be an advocate is reflected in the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association’s choice to fight back against the devastating disease.

“The movement was brought to San Marcos in 2009,” said Kathleen Chomel, chairperson for the San Marcos Pink Heals event,. “We’ve had it every year since and donate all of our proceeds to the emergency cancer fund through the Central Texas Medical Center’s Foundation.”

Dave Graybill, former major league and Olympic baseball player, founded the organization in Arizona.

Graybill ended his professional baseball career in 1990 after playing for the Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Angels to instead work as a firefighter in Glendale, California. He then went on to start the Pink Heals organization in 2007 and has since toured across the country, encouraging others to participate in his cause.

“The fact that firefighters in Arizona created this movement is what encouraged and inspired the Professional Fire Fighter’s association in San Marcos to take part,” Chomel said. “They also saw it as a great way to help those in need.”

Bryant Conaway, University Star

The Pink Heals 5K run, sponsored by the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Associaton, has raised money for breast cancer awareness since it first began in 2009.

Campus magazine gets improved PR

By Sarah Stephens Trends Reporter Persona Literary Magazine has become relatively unknown around Texas State over its 48 years of existence, but its newest staff members are determined to revitalize and increase its visibility on campus.

The staff members’ first step toward accomplishing that task was holding a launch party Sunday at Tantra Coffee House. There they handed the first issues of their magazine out to those in attendance.

“We decided to hold our first big event at Tantra because we knew it would be able to gain more exposure there,” said Christina Marroquin, the co-art and design editor for Persona.

“One of our biggest goals is to have the magazine reach as many people as it possibly can, and for it to inspire others to create literary works of their own.”

The literary magazine is accepting all forms of artwork, whether they are short stories, drawings or screenplays.

Students send in their creations, and staff members review submissions to determine what they will feature in the magazine.

“We don’t really have rigorous requirements for those who plan to submit their work to us,”Marroquin said.

“Each student can submit up to five pieces of artwork, and we mainly just check the length of the pieces, make sure the content is appropriate and figure out what would work best for each issue.”

Some who attended the launch party showed off their artistic talents when they were given the opportunity to present personal works of poetry on stage.

“I’m really glad that we encouraged others to showcase their creative abilities,” Alix Scarborough, managing editor for Persona, said. “We really want this magazine to help influence others to be proud of their artwork and for them to see how talented they really are.”

While growing up, Scarborough was surrounded by a family that taught her to take advantage of an artistic predisposition. This teaching eventually inspired her to start writing her own poetry, which she still continues to do.

“I view poetry as something more than just a way to describe our feelings and emotions,” Scarborough said. “I really think that our work has the power to bring light on issues we all face. In the end, our writings can be something that can unite and bring us all together on common ground.”

Those who came to the event said they left with a better understanding for poetry and the magazine that so few had known about for the past four decades.

“All of the poems that were read tonight were brilliant in their own unique way,” said Alexandra Walker, mass communication freshman. “After looking through the magazine and meeting different members from the staff, I can tell that Persona will accomplish great things in the future.

I’ll be looking out for their next issue.”

UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

By Sarah Stephens and Jordan Gass-Poore’ Trends Reporters

All of the proceeds go to women and families in Hays County to help assist with different medical costs and treatments.

“One of the main goals this organization has is to change as many lives we can with all of the money we’ve raised,” Graybill said. “Women are the most selfless individuals in the world, and I want Pink Heals to help eliminate all of the problems they don’t deserve to face.”

Graybill prides himself on the fact all of Pink Heals’ proceeds go directly to the families in need.

“I’m so tired of hearing about different organizations that make so much money from donors but only spend a small portion on those who are sick and need the resources,” Graybill said. “Pink Heals is based solely off of love and we make sure to give all we have to those we can help.”

The University Star | Tuesday September 25, 2012 | 5

SPORTS

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SOCCER

Bobcats break losing and goalless streaks in game against Tigers

By Odus Evbagharu Sports Reporter The Bobcat soccer team emphatically ended their offensive drought with a 6-0 rout Friday against the Texas Southern Tigers.

The win improved the Bobcats’ record to 3-7-1 and ended their five-game losing streak, as Texas State scored its first goal since Sept.

2 in a 2-1 loss to Rice.

“We still have the same ideas,” senior defender Taylor Person said. “It’s just a mentality that we’re not going to give up. Wanting to score and not hesitating, it’s all in our heads, basically.”

Person did not hesitate in the 60th minute of Friday night’s game as she scored off a rebound. A teammate took a shot and it deflected off the keeper’s hands. Person’s teammates heard her loud and clear as the Bobcat offense got on the right track. Sophomore midfielder Tori Hale would set the pace by

scoring two goals, both in the first half. Hale also had two assists.

Freshman forward Lynsey Curry’s first collegiate goal as a Bobcat followed one of Hale’s assists in the second minute, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 advantage. Hale connected with a lead pass to Curry, and the freshman forward put it in the back of the net.

Junior midfielder Sydney Curry, big sister, assisted senior forward Serena Hines to her second goal of 2012 in the 71st minute.

Junior forward Gabbi Cottee scored Texas State’s final goal eight minutes later. Cottee scored it off a breakaway where she faked the keeper and converted her second goal of the season.

Texas State’s offense did its job by taking 27 shots Friday night, 14 of those on target.

Four of the six goals the Bobcats scored were assisted. Spreading the field and moving the ball seemed more effective than in other recent matches.

VOLLEYBALL

“Off night” results in sweep by UTSA

By Jordan Cole Sports Reporter The Texas State Volleyball team could not outdo the UTSA Roadrunners last Friday at San Antonio, losing in three sets to bring their record to 6-8 overall and 1-2 in the WAC. The Bobcats lost the first set 25-13, the second set 25-15, and the third set 25-18. UTSA improved to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the WAC. The team’s team chemistry was not there, according to Associate Coach Tracy Smith.

“It’s very rare that you’re going to have an entire team be off all at the same time,” Smith said. “Truly, this was one of those matches where everyone was off at the same time and didn’t seem to fight their way back to recover.”

Texas State shot itself in the foot repeatedly, ending with 25 errors on the match and a .045 hitting percentage. UTSA had 10 errors with a .281 hitting percentage.

“We’ve just got to get better,” Coach Karen Chisum said. “There were too many errors and mistakes on our side of the net.”

The Bobcats are tied for seventh in the WAC. Smith said they now have to make a decision on where they want to see this season go.

“The players have a choice,” Smith said.

“It can either hurt you long-term, or it can sting for the weekend and set the pace to charge the rest of the season. We have 15 matches left in conference play, and they’ve got to decide as a unit if they want to be put in that situation again. If they don’t, then

they will need to do something about it.”

Lack of identity was a problem for the team, according to Smith.

“This team just hasn’t found itself yet,” Smith said. “We’re used to being successful and winning championships, but this team is different in the fact that we’re missing those big go-to players, and we need some young ones to step into it. They seem to be confused as to how.”

One of the leaders of the team who has definitely produced this season is senior setter Caleigh McCorquodale, who has had many run-ins with UTSA in the past.

“For me it’s hard because UTSA has always been such a huge rivalry for us. And so we really tried to emphasize that to the new girls and go after it, but everyone just has those off days.” McCorquodale said. “It’s usually okay when one or two of us is off but when the whole team is off it definitely does not work out in our favor.”

McCorquodale put up 15 assists, leading the team, to go along with her nine digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Simms led the squad offensively with nine kills. Junior right hitter Amari Deardorff added seven and junior middle blocker Ashlee Hilbun had five.

Sophomore Laura Whalen led the defense, collecting 10 digs.

Next on the team’s agenda is a conference road trip in which it will travel to Idaho Thursday and see Seattle Saturday in an effort to get back to a .500 record.

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“I think since we’ve gotten more competitive at practice, it’s helped us build relationships and trust around the entire field,” Sydney Curry said. “Finally something clicked and it’s just in time for WAC play, and I think it’s good.”

Junior goalkeeper Natalie Gardini pitched her second shutout of the season and finished the game with three saves. The defense only allowed six shots the entire night and did

not permit the Tigers to have a corner kick throughout the contest.

Texas State ended its non-conference schedule Friday night. It will continue the home-stand Friday night as it opens WAC play against Idaho. This will mark the opening of the first WAC season for the soccer program.

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6 | Tuesday September 25, 2012 | The University Star | Sports

FOOTBALL

Early lead almost squandered in 41-37 Bobcat victory

By Cameron Irvine Sports Editor Texas State barely fought off Stephen F. Austin’s 20-point comeback, managing to hold on for a win against the Lumberjacks Saturday even¬ing.

The Bobcats won 41-37 in front of 17,188 spectators at home Saturday night to improve to 2-1 on the season.

“I told my players all week that this would be a game where somebody is going to have to make a stop, or make a drive at the end of the game,” coach Dennis Franchione said. “One side of the ball or the other would have to pick up the slack.”

Quarterback Shaun Rutherford picked up the offensive slack, passing for 301 yards and three touchdowns on 21 out of 26 completions, was not sacked and did not throw an interception.

“I thought Shaun (Rutherford) had a darn good night tonight,” Franchione said. “Running the offense and making the reads that he made. I’m glad we won. It was a typical (SFA vs.)

Texas State game, unfortunately.”

Wide receiver Isaiah Battle accounted for almost half of the Bobcats’ offensive production with 199 all-purpose yards, including a 98-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Wide receiver Jafus Gaines helped Texas State on the returning side of play, averaging 39.5 return yards on his six returns.

“The game was definitely a mustwin,” Battle said. “We had to show our

fans and our community that the Tech game wasn’t what Texas State had to offer.”

Texas State jumped out to a 41-17 lead thanks in part to Rutherford’s 12 straight completions to start the night.

Tight end Chase Harper provided arguably the biggest highlight of the game, snagging a high, one-handed pass on his way to the end zone. Harper finished with 48 receiving yards and two touchdowns on five receptions.

SFA was expected to bring their passing attack to San Marcos and the Lumberjacks did not disappoint.

Quarterback Brady Attaway threw 68 times, completing 44, finishing with 385 yards passing and three touchdowns in the loss. Attaway was intercepted twice, one by Texas State’s Craig Mager, his second of the season.

The Lumberjacks racked up 505 offensive yards.

“As a defensive back you like to play against a spread. It gives us more chances to make plays,” cornerback Darryl Morris said. “But, to play a traditional offense who runs the ball and pounds it is a little better on our legs.

We like the challenge. Whatever the offense wants to throw at us, we will be ready for the challenge next week.”

The Lumberjacks had a chance to win the game and pull a big upset in the final stages. With roughly five minutes to go, SFA could have gone for it on fourth down to try to keep their drive going, but elected to punt. After the Bobcats went three-and-out, SFA

again had a chance and took it to get into Bobcat territory with six seconds left. The Lumberjacks’ fourth down pass attempt to keep their hopes alive was broken up, handing Texas State the slim win. SFA never took the deep shot down the field, which some might have questioned in retrospect.

“We wanted to give ourselves a chance to get down there and score,” Coach J.C. Harper said. “And (the players) were just trying to do what we asked them to do.”

The Bobcats scored all 41 points in the first two and a half quarters but failed to put points on the board the rest of the game. Texas State gave up more than 500 yards of total offense for the second straight week and has allowed 89 points in the last two games.

“I’m an old school coach, and giving up 500 yards is always concerning,” Franchione said. “I watch these games on Saturdays and see the scores and yardage totals, and I ask, ‘are these video games or real games?’ Football has changed. Do we wish we want to give up 500 yards? No, but one more point is all that matters.”

Texas State will take on Nevada this Saturday and the Wolf Pack’s nationleading rusher Stefphon Jefferson.

BY THE NUMBERS

0

Number of sacks the Bobcats had this past weekend. Texas State remains last in the FBS in sacks with just two this season (both against Houston), tied with only the United States Air Force Academy.

13:27 41 25

Time left in the third quarter Saturday when the Bobcats got their first score in the third this season. The touchdown came on a school-record 98-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Rutherford to Isaiah Battle to put Texas State up 34-17.

Yards for Marcus Curry since the first half of the Houston game. Curry had 128 yards in the first half against the Cougars but averaged just 1.8 yards per carry (29 yards, 16 attempts) against SFA and did not play against Texas Tech due to injury.

Longest pass that Texas State had thrown this year before the 98-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. The 25-yard pass was to Terrence Franks from Tyler Arndt against Texas Tech, the Bobcats’ only touchdown of the game.

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Kathryn Parker, Staff Photographer

Shaun Rutherford, senior quarterback, scores his first rushing touchdown of the season Sept. 22 at Bobcat Stadium. Rutherford threw his first 300-yard game of the season including three touchdowns.