CHECK OUT THESE JUGS
SETTING THE PRECEDENT
SEE TRENDS PAGE 6
SEE SPORTS PAGE 12
South Austin Jug Band ready to blow away fans at the Glade Amphitheater
Bobcat volleyball seeks winning ways on the road against UTA
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS
www.UNIVERSITYSTAR.com
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 20, 2005
VOLUME 95, ISSUE 24
Rhythm of theAztec
Blackboard security questioned By Eloise Martin News Reporter
Monty Marion/Star photos LEFT: Enrique Maestas of Houston’s Danza Azteca Tlaloc performs a traditional Aztec dance Wednesday afternoon at the LBJ Student Center Amphitheater. The Association of Mexican American Students hosted the group as part of the opening ceremonies of the Cine Cuahatemoc Pan Americano Film-Video Festival, a Hispanic Heritage Month event. The event continues from noon to 8 p.m. today in Boko’s Living Room Movie Theater in the LBJ Student Center and will conclude at 4 p.m. Friday. ABOVE: Javier Herrera beats out a rhythm for the dancers.
A potential flaw in Texas State University’s login security has at least two Texas State students concerned. The students, who requested anonymity, claim that although the logins to use CatsWeb and Webmail are secure, the login to use Blackboard, which requires the same password, is not. They say lack of security makes it possible for the password to be stolen and then applied to students’ personal accounts, allowing access to class schedules and grades, among other things. The first student, “John,” has worked for another university in Texas as a technical writer. He wrote manuals on computer security that dealt with generally agreed-upon practices. John said computer security is serious, and the information he wants to share with students could potentially have negative effects on the university. “I do not want to be looked at as the initiator,” he said. The second student, “Dan,” is a former Internet service provider employee. He has taken numerous classes about information technology, including a networking class. Dan said he realizes the severity of their findings and requested anonymity because of fear for his academic standing. Both students say there is a lack of security, which opens the threat of “sniffing.” John described sniffing as watching for inscriptions, or access codes, as a person is logging into a Web site. The sniffer reads the password and can then use it for his or her own goals. The login process can be protected by a secure socket layer, or SSL. This can be seen at the bottom right-hand corner during login in the form of a padlock symbol. Both students say they have found that while the login to CatsWeb and Webmail are encrypted, the Blackboard, which uses See BLACKBOARD, page 4
Faculty Senate discusses publication of dean, chair evaluations on Web site By Clayton Medford News Reporter The Faculty Senate reviewed their policy about making public the written comments made during faculty evaluations of department chairs and deans. The discussion primarily concerned the publication of those written comments on the Faculty Senate’s Web site. “Right now, everything on the senate Web page is open to anyone who
can find the senate Web page,” said Bill Stone, criminal justice professor and senate chair. “The question is whether or not we want to put some things behind passwords.” Computer information systems professor and Sen. Vivek Shah told senators he had heard two requests from faculty: to protect the comments by password and allow only faculty and staff to see those comments. Shah added that password protection “doesn’t mean someone can’t download it and
put it on their Web site, but right now (faculty) would like to see password protection.” Anthropology professor and Sen. Richard Warms offered the opposite argument, stating that not publishing the comments may adversely affect the power of the comments. “On the one hand, I understand their concern. On the other hand, the only leverage these surveys have is public knowledge of them,” Warms said. “Maybe (the comments) bring
the pressure for change.” Stone commented, “What we publish are perceptions.” Shah agreed and offered his opinion. “It’s double-sided; if you read the comments over a period of time, you’ll get the right perceptions. But, if you read pieces here and there, then you’ve got a problem,” Shah said. Senators also debated about possible password protection for other faculty information such as salary, merit and equity. There was a practically unani-
mous agreement among them that the hard data is public information. The senators agreed to issue a survey to faculty to assess their opinion as a whole as to whether the publication of dean and chair evaluation comments should remain public, or if they should be limited to faculty and staff. The senators also voted on and approved the new Texas State faculty handbook. The long and arduous See SENATE, page 3
City Council members Business dreams become reality for savvy students hear out advocates of feral, stray cat program By Jacqueline Davis News Reporter
By Danea Johnson News Reporter Animals were the subject of much discussion at the San Marcos City Council meeting Tuesday evening. Citizens addressed the council concerning feral and stray domestic animals and animals’ lack of safety riding in flatbed trucks. In conjunction with Animal Services, the citizens proposed the Trap, Neuter and Release as well as an ordinance compelling owners to harness their animals in truck beds. The council viewed a PowerPoint presentation provided by Animal Services titled “Animal Safety in Moving Vehicles and Trap, Neuter and Release.” Council members were hesitant to adopt an ordinance
right away on the TNR program and asked the staff for more research on the subject. There was also consensus among the council to adopt an ordinance on the harnessing of animals in truck beds with enforcement authority given exclusively to San Marcos Police Department. TNR is a management program used in controlling feral cat population growth. This program traps feral cats in a colony, neuters, vaccinates and then releases them into the area from where they were taken. According to the Texas Health and Safety Code, a releasing agency such as the San Marcos City Animal Shelter may not release a dog or cat for adoption unless the animal has See CITY, page 3
Today’s Weather
Mostly Sunny 90˚/ 62˚
Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 61% UV: 7 High Wind: SW 7 mph
Will Staney literally jumped for joy when he found out Tuesday that he was at last signing the contract that would name him sole owner of the local novelty clothing store, Vintage Connection. Staney said he had always wanted to own his own business but did not expect to do so until after he graduated. Staney, advertising senior, was at the Coffee Pot down on The Square when he overheard the owners of Vintage Collection talking about wanting to sell the store, located right next to the coffee shop. Staney said he saw an opportunity presenting itself and seized the chance to talk to them about buying it. “I had shopped there before and thought that a lot could be done to improve it. I wanted to gear it for a younger crowd. I wanted to focus on what the student population is wanting,” Staney said. “So I took out a small business loan, and I’ve
had the place since last Saturday.” Staney said he asks his customers what kinds of clothing they would like to see in the store. He said he plans to change some of the inventory and will hand-pick everything from his suppliers to ensure that it is unique and of good quality. Vintage Connection differs from other stores similar to it by not being a resale shop. There were, however, a few challenges involved in gaining ownership of the vintage store. “It’s extremely hard for a 22year-old to get a loan,” Staney said, elaborating that it was even more difficult if a person has bad credit. Staney has had numerous experiences that have boosted him in achieving the ownership status he has today. During his senior year of high school, he was already involved in the vehicle industry as car salesman. He has also managed a restaurant near College Station and helped manage a friend’s bar in Hous-
Two-day Forecast Friday Sunny Temp: 86°/ 55° Precipitation: 0%
Saturday Sunny Temp: 82°/ 54° Precipitation: 20%
Monty Marion/Star photo William Staney, advertising senior, stands among racks of shirts at the Vintage Collection on The Square where he recently became the new owner. ton. Staney said it was his experience with management that helped him finally own a business, but he suggested the Small Business Development Center for those interested in owning a business but have no idea how to go about doing so.
Inside
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS
Classifieds Comics Crossword News
10 9 9 1-4
Opinions Sports Trends
Other challenges of running a business as a student have to do with time management. Staney said it was difficult to finalize the details involving Vintage Connection while he was also See BUSINESS, page 3
To Contact The Star: 5 11,12 6-9
Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2005 The University Star