VOLUME 102, ISSUE 24
www.UniversityStar.com
Defending the First Amendment since 1911
WEDNESDAY GO NE ONLI NOW
OCTOBER 17, 2012
Homecoming Soap Box Derby
Campus organizations competed in the annual Homecoming Soap Box Derby last weekend. For more details, visit UniversityStar.com.
Local airport awaits upgrades
University president opens doors to students
By Karen Zamora News Reporter
Students had the opportunity to meet with Texas State’s highest administrator Tuesday to address any questions or concerns they have with the university. University President Denise Trauth had 15-minute discussions with six students during her Open Door Session, which is held once per semester. Joanne Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, was also in attendance. Students could only enter Trauth’s office individually, either on behalf of an organization or for personal concerns. Trauth said a few students who attended the session asked her questions regarding how she manages and leads the university, which is unusual. She said students’ interest in leadership shows they are planning for life
The City of San Marcos is gearing up for the one thousand spectators who are expected to fly into Central Texas for a nearby international racing event. The San Marcos Regional Airport will make multi-million dollar renovations in preparation for the November Formula One race in Austin. Stephen Alexander, airport manager from Texas Aviation Partners, said flying into the San Marcos airport will be an easy option for race attendees because it will not be as congested as the Austin airport. Laurie Moyer, managing director of community services, said the City of San Marcos is expected to invest $1.5 million in five capital improvement projects that will renovate some of the original infrastructure of the airport. The bulk of the budget includes a projected $950,000 replacement of a 60-year-old water line that has been in place since 1947, when the municipal airport was developed. Moyer said she was able to leverage an extra $5 million from the Texas Department of Transportation, raising the grand total of airport updates to $6 million. Approximately $4 million of the funding from the department will go toward the renovation of Runway 13/31. The city will spend approximately $394,000 on the same project, Moyer said. Moyer said the acquisition of a 42-acre, Texas State-owned track adjacent to Highway 21 is a key venture. She said after discussing and finalizing a price of $95,000 for the track, Texas State is ready to transfer the area to the airport. Moyer said the Texas Department of Transportation would fund a 90 percent grant match that will go toward the purchasing of the track. Councilmember John Thomaides, Place 3, said the airport should be developed and large enough for commercial uses like FedEx or UPS aircraft deliveries. Alexander said although the airport is capable of the expansions, he does not see commercial uses in the future because of the proximity of the San Antonio and Austin runways.
By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor
READ OPEN DOOR SESSION, PAGE 3
Daniela Lawson, Staff Photographer
Warren McAdams, psychology sophomore, speaks with President Denise Trauth Oct. 16 at an open door session in her office at J.C. Kellam.
A DIFFERENT CLASS Students, faculty research cancer treatment
Commissioners vote to continue prayer in meetings By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor Hays County commissioners voted unanimously to continue invocation before their meetings Tuesday. Commissioners passed the initiative under a new county policy that states invocation prayers can be given as long as one belief or faith is not advanced or disparaged, according to an Oct. 16 Austin-American Statesman article. The new policy also dictates how and when religious leaders can say the prayer. The new policy was brought about after discussion was open to the public on the issue last month, according to a Sept. 26 University Star article. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State sent an initial letter to the court in April after a resident complained about the strictly Christian prayers said during the meetings. The court received a second letter in June threatening legal action if no response was received.
Kristen Lefebvre, Staff Photographer
Tania Betancourt, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, observes Laison Nguyen, biology senior, Oct 12 in the Betancourt chemistry lab. Betancourt and her team are reasearching ways to help chemotherapy target specific diseases more efficiently. By Nicole Barrios News Reporter Texas State researchers are developing a new way to treat cancer, and students have joined in on the fight. Two undergraduate students and a postdoctoral researcher are working alongside Tania Betancourt, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, to research ways to use genetic material to target and release potentially healing medicine to specific parts of the body.
Betancourt said the idea behind the research is to use a piece of DNA called an aptamer as a building block for delivering drugs to specific molecules. She hopes to develop a drug delivery system that would only target molecules associated with a patient’s disease. Michael Marks, postdoctoral researcher, said he and Betancourt did much of the “groundbreaking” work and are now overseeing the research done by the undergraduates. The research’s ultimate goal is targeted toward the creation of particles
to help chemotherapy drugs become more selective, which initially attracted Dylan Hall, biochemistry senior, to the project. Hall said he is interested in the mechanics of cancer, and wanted to collaborate with researchers trying to figure out better ways to treat patients. Hall began working on the project in early June. He said this research has been a different experience from the usual work done in classes, where the outcome of the lab is already known.
READ RESEARCH, PAGE 3
Construction around campus complicates bus routes By Nancy Young News Reporter
Carlos Valdez, Assistant Photo Editor
Bobcat trams have been re-routed through State Street due to construction.
Bobcat Tram riders may be experiencing delays after construction near campus has forced buses to reroute. Some campus buses have been rerouted to go from the bus loop up State Street past the Hines Academic Center to avoid traffic caused by construction on Sessom Drive. The eastbound lane near the intersection of Sessom and North LBJ Drive will be closed until Nov. 3 for gas line installation, according to the City of San Marcos website. City Engineer Jennifer Shell said the Engineering and Capital Improvements Department plans to begin more road construction in December, and will also make
wastewater line repairs on Sessom once the gas lines are installed. Grimes Irrigation and Construction is working on the road repairs. Joe Richmond, director of Transportation Services, said the buses would have to make a hard right turn due to the lane closures on Sessom. It was logical to reroute a number of the buses to relieve traffic, he said. ”Unfortunately, that did not work out,” Richmond said. “Any delays are probably from the recent detours.” Cesar Deleon, music studies senior, said he thinks the detours are lacking framework. “It just doesn’t make any sense,” Deleon
READ BUSES, PAGE 3