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SEPTEMBER 26, 2006
TUESDAY
VOLUME 96, ISSUE 14
Gubernatorial candidate visits Texas State By Jason Buch The University Star Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell laid out his “Retool our Schools” plan for public education during a speech Friday at Texas State. Bell spoke before a mass media and society class taught by Bob Mann, journalism lecturer. Bell criticized the state’s education system, saying it relies too heavily on standardized testing. He also promised to bring an end to what he described as “Sovietstyle censorship of textbooks.” After the speech, Bell, who served as a U.S. representative for Houston from 2003 to 2005, answered questions from students and members of the media. During the question and answer session, Bell said he intends to take measures to halt the rise in tuition costs. “I would like college tuition re-regulated and recapped,” Bell said. “And along those lines, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Obviously,
the state would have to increase its appropriation to state colleges and universities in order to offset the lost revenue as a result of lowering tuition.” Bell said he would like to fund education through the newly expanded business tax, the profits from which he said have been put toward property tax relief. “I think we have to go backward and fine-tune the expansion of the business tax and look at the overall financial situation and find a way for getting new money into the state,” Bell said. “Also, I continue to be open to casino gambling. People have suggested that could be a tremendous source of revenue for the state.” Bell said he would also take steps to make jobs available for those graduating college through economic development. At the end of class, Mann asked Bell if he would promise to visit Texas State as often as he visits the University of Texas. “(UT) is right down the street,”
Dell, Perry announce 500 engineering jobs By Chris Parrish Special to The Star Gov. Rick Perry and Dell Computer Corporation Chairman Michael Dell announced plans Monday to hire 500 engineers to work in Central Texas. “We are really blessed to have, in this part of the world, a global leader in excellence and innovation,” Perry said of Dell and his company. Dell, the world’s largest seller of personal computers, aims to attract a broad range of educated and experienced engineers, including electrical, mechanical and software engineers, as well as those holding doctorates, to expand the company’s commitment to technological design. “Austin and Central Texas is the largest engineering recruiting site by far,” Dell said, adding that Texas college graduates will compose nearly 10 percent of new recruits. Dell unveiled several advertisements his company plans to use on highway billboards on Interstate35 and across the state. One slogan read, “The Other Folks Are All Pocket Protector and No Cattle.” Perry cited the importance of government to advocate the advantages of innovative technology for a growing economy. “Government should create an environment conducive to growing economic needs,” Perry said. “This is one more sign that the Texas economy is pointing in the right direction.” The development team in Texas is the company’s largest. Last year, Dell hired more than 2,000 new employees nationwide. Over the next two years, the company will open or expand upon 14 new manufacturing and development facilities around the world, includ-
ing sites in China, India, Germany and Brazil. “As we grow globally, Texas’ business landscape continues to serve as a model for competitiveness and economic development,” Dell said. “Governor Perry and the state’s policymakers deserve credit for maintaining a climate in which companies such as Dell can grow and prosper.” Perry said the $200 million budget of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, enacted in 2005, is an example of the government’s commitment to economic growth in Texas. The fund is designed to create new jobs and expedite innovative development in technological fields and corporations. “We are allowing the private sector to do what it does best, to innovate and create,” Perry said. Dell’s new crop of engineers will not only work on improving existing products, but will concentrate on developing new products and software tools such as online health checks. “The additional development expertise we’re announcing today for our Austin Design Center reflects our concept of Dell 2.0, an initiative to revitalize every part of our business, with engineering excellence at its core,” Dell said. New jobs are likely to yield an annual income of $60,000 to $100,000. Austin is home of the grassroots computer company. Dell launched his business in his dorm room while studying at the University of Texas in 1986 and has watched it grow to number 25 on the Fortune 500 list. “By announcing 500 new positions, Dell has showed its faith in Texas’ workforce and economy,” Perry said. “Texas is at the forefront of the technology revolution.”
onlineconnection For an audio feature on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell, go to www.UniversityStar.com. Bell said. “No, but I certainly will come back. I really enjoy it.” George Hatt, English senior, offered his take on Bell’s address. “He had a few concrete suggestions. He was specific enough to show he had some ideas, but he also deferred enough to the experts to not look like a know-it-all,” Hatt said. Hatt said this was the first time he has had the chance to hear a current gubernatorial candidate’s platform. “I just know the rest by their reputations and infamy,” he said. The Bell campaign has struggled to gain media attention during the race, often overshadowed by colorful independent candidates Kinky Fried-
man and Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Bell and Friedman are currently tied for second place with 23 percent of voters supporting them, according to a recent SurveyUSA.com poll. Gov. Rick Perry led with 35 percent. Strayhorn was polled at 15 percent. Bell said he expects Democrats to begin consolidating toward his camp as November approaches. BELL ON CAMPUS: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell speaks Friday to lecturer Robert Mann’s mass media and society class. Bell detailed his plan to reform the Texas education system.
Cotton Miller/Star photo
Solicitation ban against ExpressNews rescinded
Rap Theater
By A.N. Hernández The University Star
David Racino/Star photo Steve Harmon, theatre junior, performs Gus Edwards’ Yo Frederick! at the Black and Latino Playwrights Conference Sunday afternoon in the Theatre Building. For the full story, see page 4.
Members of Associated Student Government rescinded legislation Monday night that would have called for a ban on the solicitation of the San Antonio Express-News on campus. At last week’s ASG meeting, senators introduced the proposed legislation that originated from the recent distribution of University of Texas gear on campus by solicitors hired by the ExpressNews. Representatives of the ExpressNews and Barden Circulation Inc., the company contracted by the paper to conduct the subscription drives, were present. “On behalf of the Express-News, we apologize. We didn’t want to do anything to dampen this school’s spirit,” said Paul Kutzik, director of circulation and sales at the newspaper. Jim Nelson, Barden Circulation Inc. assistant account director, apologized “from the center of his being” for the distribution of University of Texas gear. He said when his company returns to Texas State subscription drives they will bring Texas State hats, flags and T-shirts. “It never crossed my mind when I came to this university and when I met the student body that we were going to do anything offensive,” Nelson said. For three years, Nelson has worked on the Texas State campus to boost subscriptions for the San Antonio-Express News. During the 10-day subscription drive, See ASG, page 3
Department offers reward for missing handmade quilt By Ashlee McConnell Special to The Star The department of engineering and technology is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the recovery of the History of Technology Quilt that hung in the foyer of Roy F. Mitte complex. The quilt, handmade by Cassandrea Tiner Hager, engineering and technology lecturer,
was stolen last weekend from the building’s foyer. Hager presented the quilt to the department in April as part of an annual awards-day ceremony. Hager was inspired to make the quilt after visiting the Mitte complex in 2004 while the building was under construction. “I really wanted to represent the history of the department
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and say thank-you to the faculty who taught me while I was a student here,” Hager said. A fellow faculty member informed Hager of the theft last Monday. “My first thought was that someone was playing a prank on the department and that it would turn up unharmed,” Hager said. Hager remains hopeful that the thieves will return the quilt.
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“It would really hurt my feelings if it was just tossed somewhere,” she said. The quilt consists of 12 squares, each with a picture of students performing different hands-on lab activities in the department. Bordering the squares is a maroon and gold fabric which Hager picked specifically to represent the university. Sarah Rivas, department of
engineering and technology administrative assistant, posted flyers around the complex to inform students of the theft. “The fact that someone would do this is baffling,” Rivas said. Hager said her students have helped her cope with the situation. “The students have been so supportive,” she said. “It really shows that they care about me the way I care about them.”
Assembly of the quilt began early this year and took Hager a month and a half to complete. She dedicated nine to 11 hours of work to it each day. “It truly was a labor of love for me,” Hager said. University police are investigating the theft. Hager said she does not wish to prosecute anyone involved. “I would just like it returned unharmed,” she said.
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