10 19 2005

Page 1

HAVEN’T THE FOGGIEST

GROWING PAINS

The Fog’s creators didn’t have a clue when making this film

Coach Kat Conner’s journey has been full of kicks and goals

SEE TRENDS PAGE 5

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UNIVERSITYSTAR.com

OCTOBER 19, 2005

Panel speaks out against Proposition 2

WEDNESDAY

Keepin’

101

it clean

By Joe Ruiz Managing Editor Nearly 100 people listened to a panel discussion about Texas’ Proposition 2 and the effects it would have on society if voters pass the constitutional amendment on Nov. 8. A four-person panel assembled by the campus group Activists for Sexual Minorities spoke for more than an hour-and-a-half about the civil and legal issues involved with the bill dubbed “the gay marriage” amendment. “It’s not necessary… there are so many other problems in the state and I think they do this to not have to deal with other problems,” said family law attorney Jim Arth. The discussion — after it was moved from a significantly cramped meeting room to the LBJ Student Center Teaching Theatre — started with the viewing of two commercials on DVD produced by No Nonsense In November, a group created to help defeat the passage of the amendment. After the showing, the panel, led by philosophy professor Jeffery Gordon, led with opening statements about why they felt voters should defeat Proposition 2. “Most of the people I’m talking to are people of faith. Whatever religion you are… the important thing is to read the language and think about what it means,” said Kevin Downer. Downer, a member of the Austin Alliance for Social Justice and candidate for the clergy at the Austin-based Metropolitan Community Church, referred to the specific choice of words in the amendment and their placement. “Everybody reads the first 20, it’s the last 23 that mean something,” Downer said. The proposed amendment reads: “The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 23

Columnist Heloise offers helpful hints to students Brynn Leggett/Star photos World-renowned alumna Poncé “Heloise” Cruse spoke on Tuesday for Mass Communication Week in Old Main. She discussed how to rid one’s home of various “stinks and stains” with the help of advertising junior Allen Hundley. The nationally syndicated column, “Hints from Heloise,” runs seven days a week in more than 500 newspapers in the United States and worldwide.

See PANEL, page 3

By Eloise Martin News Reporter How do you remove the smell from your boyfriend’s flip-flops? How do you get candle wax out of the carpet? Is it true that the pit from the avocado will prevent guacamole from turning brown? Students were able to ask the ex-

pert “hintologist” Heloise these questions and more at her Life Skills 101 presentation on Tuesday. The author of the nationally syndicated column “Hints from Heloise” and Southwest Texas State University alumna began her national college tour by starting Mass Communication Week. Students piled in to hear her advice and were left standing as the chairs were quickly filled. Texas State President Denise See CLEAN, page 3

Regents’ drug policy changed to individual review House of Graduate By Ashley Richards Assistant News Editor

A decision made by the Texas State University System Board of Regents in May ended the mandated enforcement of a 23-year-old drug sanctioning policy. Prior to May, the university’s Student Justice Department enforced a strict tolerance policy laid out by the board of regents in which any student caught

with illegal drugs was automatically suspended for two long semesters. Students now do not face immediate suspension; rather, they will meet with Rod Fluker, assistant dean of students for judicial services, who will make a decision as to what punishment measures will be taken. “The only thing that’s different is I am allowed to make a professional judgment,” Fluker said.

Before the change, Fluker enforced the mandatory suspension despite any special circumstances a student may have had. According to University Police Department records, oncampus drug offenses, including arrests, citations and general offenses, totaled 50 from May 2005, when the new policy began, through September 2005. During the same months of 2004, under the old drug policy,

the on-campus drug offenses recorded came to the same total. UPD Captain Paul J. Chapa said the new policy does not alter how the department will enforce the law on campus. “We will still enforce the laws and polices that the university decides on,” Chapa said. “We’re definitely in support of their initiative in working with the

Representatives holds first official meeting By Silver Hogue News Reporter

Using examples from the Associated Student Government Senate Code of Laws, The House of Graduate Rep- the house needed to establish resentatives held its first official some internal committees by meeting Friday, after receiving throwing out ideas for general news that President Denise categories. Trauth had approved the AsASG President Jordan Ansociated Student Government derson had come up with Constituthree areas he tion. thought would With this be of interest formal recto graduate stuognition, dents including the House academic afof Graduate fairs, graduate Representastudent life and tives began finance and moving forfees. ward with “I went toits official wards academic business. affairs and grad Held in —Michael Willoughby life because they the LBJ Stuhouse adviser are both really dent Center, broad areas for Room 3-6.1, graduates,” Anthe representatives’ seats were derson said. arranged in a roundtable fashThere was some concern in a ion. graduate committee for finance There were several new faces and fees potentially overlappresent, including recently ap- ping with the decisions of the pointed House Adviser Mi- Faculty Senate representing the chael Willoughby, dean of the topic. Graduate College and four “You’re going to have to keep representatives, absent from finance broad because there the introductory meeting on are some financial issues that Oct. 1. I would really like to see this The primary issue at Friday’s group can tend to, like eligibilmeeting dealt with the need for ity of student loans,” Willoughthe house to develop a Code of by said. “I do think some things Laws after a thorough review See REPS, page 3 of the constitution.

See POLICY, page 3

Chlorine leak creates unexpected delays No danger posed to residents in area By Joe Ruiz Managing Editor A small chlorine spill near the city water tower was the cause of some midmorning inconveniences at the intersection of Sessom Drive and Comanche Street, said University Police Department Captain Ricky Lattie. The chlorine leak occurred on city property near the water tower, and both UPD and city personnel responded to the incident to help secure the scene. Director of Wastewater Tom Taggert said two city employees noticed one of the 150-pound tanks of liquid chlorine was nearly empty and called 911. Courtney Addison/Star photo When exposed to room temAuthorities respond to a small chlorine spill at the city water perature, chlorine converts to gas and can be hazardous to a tower Tuesday morning near the intersection of Sessom Drive and Comanche Street. The spill was cleaned promptly person’s health. Lattie said there was no danger to nearby resiand there was no danger to the public.

Today’s Weather

Sunny 91˚/ 63˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 54% UV: 7 High Wind: SSW 10 mph

Two-day Forecast Thursday Mostly Sunny Temp: 90°/ 62° Precipitation: 0%

Friday Sunny Temp: 86°/ 59° Precipitation: 20%

“T

here are some financial issues I would really like to see if this group can tend to, like eligibility of student loans.”

dents, during or after the leak. “It depends on your exposure, but this was a small leak,” Lattie said. “But yes, in a contained space, chlorine gas can be dangerous.” Officials on the scene said there was no danger to the public based on a number of determining factors. “There was no danger and no evacuation based on the location, the wind conditions and the product,” said Len Nored. Nored, an assistant fire chief with San Marcos Fire Rescue, said the response to the leak, which included two fire engines, a special operations unit and hazardous materials workers is normal in any situation involving chemicals. Taggert said the leak, caused by a valve sticking open on the tank, was contained quickly and disinfected with water. “Anytime we have a leak, this is how we respond,” Taggert said. Lattie said the scene had been cleared by 11:40 a.m.

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