11 01 2007

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REMEMBERED

Billy Mac Jones, former president of then Southwest Texas State University, died Saturday. He was the universities fifth president and served three years, from 1969 to 1971.

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

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NOVEMBER 1, 2007

THURSDAY

VOLUME 97, ISSUE 31

Bill proposes parent involvement before situations escalate

By Amanda Venable News Reporter Federal legislation designed to keep college and university campuses safer might give schools the right to contact students’ parents in a non-emergency situation. The MH-SAFE Act is intended to prevent situations like the Virginia Tech massacre by allowing institutions to consult the family of a student deemed as a threat to themselves or others around them.

The proposed legislation would amend the current Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which allows colleges to contact parents only in an emergency situation. The law aims to protect the privacy of a student’s records after turning 18 years

old or entering into an educational institution beyond high school.

FERPA causes many institutions to be confused as to what factors define an emergency. As a result, schools are hesitant to contact parents for fear they will receive a lawsuit instead of information about the student’s mental health.

But the MH-SAFE act tries to ease the current secrecy of information about a person’s mental health while still protecting the school from legal trouble.

“Schools are afraid of being sued,” said bill sponsor and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-NE, in a phone interview to the Daily Nebraskan. “My point is to make a mechanism so schools don’t have to be afraid of lawsuits.”

While the legislation is designed to help schools, many colleges are saying the legislation is unnecessary as FERPA provides them with the opportunity to reach out to parents if the circumstance is considered to be an emergency.

Currently, FERPA does not affect Texas State’s counseling or health centers as they, along with others at public schools in the state, operate under the Texas Health and Safety Code, which specifies what can and cannot be done with a student’s health record. If the MH-SAFE Act were to amend FERPA, additional work would be placed on Texas to resolve any discrepancies it might produce in the two laws.

“A legislator would have to file legislation to make amendments to change

anything with the Texas Safety and Health Code,” said Araminta Everton, executive assistant to the director’s office of the Texas Legislative Council.

Gregory Snodgrass, director of the Counseling Center and assistant vice president for student affairs, agrees that at times it would be beneficial to seek clarification on a student’s mental state from parents. Conversely, he argues that not only would the state have to reconcile problems the new bill would create, but it might discourage students from seeking help. Under the new legislation, Snodgrass said parents could get brought into the situation whether the student wants them to or not.

“We want to get parents involved and a lot of times students will let us,”

Social sounds

Jenny Polson/Star photo

By Carline Schwartz News Reporter Four Texas State social work majors recently started a volunteer project for a class that aims to help at risk children within the San Marcos Public Housing Authority.

The project, called MusiKids, entails working with children at the Kids Against Drugs centers, which is an after school program located within the San Marcos Public Housing Authority.

By creating MusiKids, the four founders — Sarah Wardlow, Lana Jones, Rebecca Rice and Megan Smith — want to establish relationships between the Kids Against Drugs program and other departments of the university to help the

children become interested in school. They are specifically targeting the music department.

“These children…will most likely not be able to afford instruments for themselves, so by having instruments for them at KAD, it (allows) them to be exposed to music and whenever they get to junior high or high school…they can play and foster that love of music,” Wardlow said.

Among the different functions planned by MusiKids is an ongoing instrument drive.

They are looking for people to donate musical instruments throughout the school year so the children in the program can learn how to play them. They hope it will keep the children out of trouble. “(When) people (were) in high school,

they played band or orchestra and their instrument is sitting in the closet because they are never going to play again,” Rice said. “We are hoping that people will dig (instruments) up and say, ‘here I don’t need this collecting dust.’”

On Nov. 15 and 16, MusiKids will be hosting a music workshop at the two Kids Against Drug centers from 3 to 6 p.m. MusiKids is looking for student or faculty musicians to perform for the children at the event or who can spend some time at a center to show them how to play an instrument.

“Kids in general these days, they have a lot of negative role models, especially in music,

See BILL, page 5

Campus surveillance Faculty Senate concern

MusiKids enriches lives of at-risk children with music

MAKING MUSIC: Gabriela Alonzo, pre-social work junior, volunteers at the Poder Center and helps children on their piano skills Tuesday afternoon.

Snodgrass said. “However, there are times where the parents are the source of the problem. It is a double-edged sword as some days I would say (the proposed legislation) would be helpful, but at the same time a lot of students wouldn’t come to us for help.”

The Counseling Center defines an emergency as when an individual is a danger to themselves or to others.

From there the Counseling Center has the authority to call the police who operate under FERPA. If the police believe the situation is an emergency, the law gives them the right to get the family involved.

With FERPA in place, many students, faculty members and policy

By Scott Thomas Assistant News Editor The Faculty Senate decided Wednesday they would keep tabs on the development of the surveillance camera system and wait for an official policy statement to be drafted.

Faculty Senate Chair William Stone, criminal justice professor, said the Senate could send hints and suggestions to those drafting the statement.

“I don’t know who would have access (to the camera system),” said Faculty Sen. Jaymeen Shah, computer information systems and quantitative methods professor. “We don’t want anything floating around on YouTube.”

Tyler Ferguson, Associated Student Government senator, who was in attendance, said he met with Jeb Thomas, supervisor of Access Services at the University Police Department, earlier in the day.

Ferguson said students were concerned some cameras would be located to peer into dorm rooms. “(Thomas) said some cameras would be in place to do that,” Ferguson said. “He said it wasn’t planned, but a situation could arise where they would need to do that.”

Ferguson said other universities with surveillance systems had strategically located the cameras to not view inside dorm rooms.

“I told him you would have to get a warrant to look inside a dorm room,” Ferguson said.

At the previous meeting, Thomas said the tapes would be automatically purged within 30 days. Stone said Wednesday the camera in the free speech area of The Quad could have a shorter automatic purge period to avoid free speech issues.

“If (criminal activity) happens down there, you’re going to know within seven days,” Stone said.

Thomas said the automatic purge period could change, but did not specify how.

“We’ve got to have conditions to change, not just someone deciding it must change,” Shaw said.

Stone said he estimated the first policy draft would come out in two to three months, and be written by multiple faculty and staff members, including Thomas.

“At this point it seems anything is possible,” said Faculty Sen. Steven Wilson, English professor.

The Faculty Senate further voted to support an See SURVEILLANCE, page 5

See MUSIC, page 5

Writing Center opens new office, expands accessibility

By Ryan Seater News Reporter Poor writing skills can be hinder the career for any applicant seeking a professional job, but the Writing Center recently opened a satellite office to address these concerns.

The addition will allow more students to utilize the Writing Center and will focus on business and technical writing, though any student can receive help from the office.

“There is a lot of talk in the business community that graduates just don’t know how to write effec-

tively — they can’t communicate in a written medium,” said Courtney Steen, English senior and Writing Center public relations manager and tutor. “There are specific things about business writing that professors want for sure and employers will want later.”

The National Commission on Writing conducted a number of studies in American businesses and found concern with writing proficiency. According to one commission report, “Writing: A Ticket to Work…Or a Ticket Out”, writing is considered a “threshold skill,” and billions of dollars are spent annually to correct deficien-

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cies.

Limitations on staff and space had controlled how many students the Writing Center could handle, but the new office will increase the number served during hours of operation.

“Very often we are turning people away,” said Nancy Wilson, Writing Center director and English senior lecturer. “Having another place for students to come on the opposite side of campus, we can meet those students’ needs and alleviate some of the crowding here.”

The Texas Legislature recently enacted a law limiting the mini-

mum number of credit hours to 120 for some degree programs in state universities. Although the core curriculum will remain the same, for some majors the amount of writing performed in college may suffer.

“We think that probably what is going to happen is that our business and professional writing courses are going to have less enrollment in coming years,” said Susan Beebe, English senior lecKaren Wang/Star photo turer and department director of WRITING ASSITANCE: Tutor Jared Walls assists Brittney lower-division studies. “They are probably among courses that are Williams, exercise and sports science freshman, on her paSee WRITING, page 5

Two-day Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy Temp: 77°/ 50° Precip: 0%

Saturday Scattered Storms Temp: 80°/ 53° Precip: 0%

per Wednesday at Flower Hall’s Writing Center. The Writing Center has expanded to McCoy located in Room 226 on Tuesdays from 2 to 5 p.m.

Inside

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Today in Brief

Page 2 - Thursday, November 1, 2007

Michael Richards led his team in points at the Cross Country Southland Conference Championships in Corpus Christi Saturday.

Richards, an undecided-professional freshman, placed 30th individually, with the Bobcats getting fourth place overall.

“We as a team are not happy,” teammate Roel Elizalde said. “The only person who is probably happy is Michael. He did well on Saturday when it mattered.”

— From news reports

News Contact — Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Calendar Thursday, Nov. 1 Body Talk: Using “Heart Messages” to Reduce Stress will be held 1 to 2 p.m. in LBJSC 3-11.1.

Women’s Personal Growth Group will meet noon to 1:30 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

There will be an All Saints Day Mass in St. Jude CSC chapel 5:15 p.m.

The Catholic Student Organization will meet 6 p.m. in the library of the CSC. The Rock — Praise and Worship will take place 7:30 p.m. in the St. Jude Chapel of the CSC. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320.

There will be contemporary worship, relevant teaching, prayer and plenty of fun. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Friday, Nov. 2 Texas State women’s soccer will play McNeese State 7 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

Alcoholics Anonymous Newcomer’s Meeting, River Group, will be 9:15 p.m. at 1700 Ranch Rd. 12, Suite C. Saturday, Nov. 3 Texas State football will play Southeastern Louisiana 6 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.

Sunday, Nov. 4 Texas State women’s soccer will play Lamar 1 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

Monday, Nov. 5 Texas State men’s basketball will play Concordia-Austin 7 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

Career Services and the Department of Mass Communications presents the “Mass Communications Career Fair,” in the LBJSC Ballroom 2 to 5 p.m.

TRICKS AND TREATS

Department

Oct. 21, 5:03 a.m.

Information Report/Riverside Apts.

An officer was dispatched for a verbal disturbance report. Upon further investigation, a student and non-student had a verbal argument. A report was generated for this case.

Men Against Violence meeting will be held 5 to 6 p.m. in LBJSC 3.10.

Higher Ground Campus Ministry Bible Study will be held in the basement lounge of St. Mark’s Episcopal (510 N. Guadalupe, directly across from the Tower dorm), 6 to 7 p.m. The topic: “What Really Counts?”

Sexual Assault and Abuse Survivors Group, a program of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center for Texas State Students will meet 5 to 6:15 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Tuesday, Nov 6 Texas State volleyball will play Texas-Pan American 7 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

The CSC will have a free lunch for all students 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSC lobby.

Overeaters Anonymous will meet 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland.

For more information call Lynn, (512) 357-2049.

GLBQ Pride Group meeting will be held noon to 1:30 p.m.

For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

“Assertiveness: Say ‘NO’ Like it’s a Good Thing,” part of the College Stress: Taking Back Your Life program, will be held 2 p.m. in LBJSC 3-5.1.

Facing the Fear — An Anxiety/ Panic Group will meet 3:30 to 5 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

CRIME BL TTER University Police

Oct. 21, 9:12 a.m.

Sexual Assault/Central Texas Medical Center An officer was dispatched for a sexual assault report. A student reported being sexually assaulted by an acquaintance. This case is under investigation.

Bridgette Cyr/Star photo Doug Pollard, studio art sophomore, buys treats from Gabriela Santiago, studio art senior, at Wednesday’s bake sale by the Association of Fibers.

Library Beat This November, the Southwestern Writers Collection at the Alkek Library celebrates the 14th title in its book series with Lone Star Sleuths: An Anthology of Texas Crime Fiction, published by the University of Texas Press.

The first-ever anthology of Texas crime fiction, Lone Star Sleuths lays out a roadmap of stories from around the state, beginning in El Paso and West Texas and traveling throughout the state to Houston, the Gulf Coast, Dallas, the panhandle, San Antonio, South Texas and small towns in between.

Thirty excerpts from as many authors capture the strong sense of place that distinguishes this Texas literary genre. Here the Lone Star State becomes more than a backdrop for the mysteries and often emerges as an important character in its own right.

This must-read for mystery lovers’ features selections from the hundreds of crime novels set within the state and offers readers a chance to sample the work of such noteworthy authors as Rick Riordan, Kinky Friedman and Susan Wittig Albert, as well as lesser-known writers from around the state and beyond. One-third of the authors anthologized have donated archives to the SWWC, including Riordan and

Albert.

Riordan’s selection from The Last King of Texas portrays San Antonio’s west side and tours readers through off-the-beaten-path spots in the city. In an excerpt from Armadillos and Old Lace, Friedman depicts himself as a mystery solver from New York City who returns to his parents’ Texas ranch. Albert’s selection is from Rosemary Remembered, fourth in her series featuring China Bayles, an herbalist and part-time sleuth who solves mysteries in a recognizable Texas hill country setting.

Lone Star Sleuths was co-edited by Steven L. Davis, Assistant Curator of the Southwestern Writers Collection, Bill Cunningham, a San Marcos public relations consultant and former chairman of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and Rollo K. Newsom, a Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Folklore at Texas State.

A spring event, including a book signing with featured authors, is being planned. An extensive annotated bibliography of Texas-based mysteries compiled by Davis and Newsom is available on the SWWC website: www.swwc. txstate.edu.

— Courtesy of Alkek Library

Oct. 21, 9:38 p.m.

Assist Outside Agency/Saltgrass Steakhouse An officer was on patrol and initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a non-student was detained until San Marcos Police Department arrived on the scene and took custody of the non-student.

Oct. 21, 9:31 a.m.

Elevator Rescue/Blanco Hall An officer was dispatched for an elevator rescue. Elevator maintenance was dispatched, arrived on the scene and a non-student was released without incident.

Oct. 22, 10:04 a.m.

Property Damage/LBJ Guard Booth An officer was dispatched for a damaged property report. A student reported an unknown individual damaged a control arm. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 22, 10:10 a.m.

Information Report/Mitte Building An officer was dispatched for a suspicious activity report. Two non-students reported an unknown individual had entered the building without their consent. A report was generated for this case.

Oct. 22, 11:48 a.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Tobacco: Minor in Possession/Sterry Hall An officer was dispatched for a suspicious odor report. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for MIP Alcohol and MIP Tobacco.

Oct. 22, 12:03 p.m.

Theft – under $1500/Bexar Hall An officer was dispatched for a theft report. A student reported property was taken without consent. This case is under investigation.

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now accepting applications.

Oct. 22, 1:37 p.m.

Property Damage/UPD Lobby An officer was dispatched for a damaged property report. A non-student reported damage to an entrance gate.

This case is under investigation.

Oct. 22, 5:10 p.m.

Criminal Mischief – under $1500/ Lantana Hall An officer was dispatched for a criminal mischief report. A student reported a motor vehicle was damaged while it was parked at Tower Garage.

This case is under investigation.

Oct. 22, 7:38 p.m.

Arson/Blanco Hall An officer was dispatched for a fire report. A student reported damage to an elevator. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 23, 1:20 a.m.

Fire Call/Elliot Hall An officer was dispatched for a fire report. Upon further investigation, six students were standing around a fire, fled the scene and the case was provided to the hall director for further evaluation. A report was generated for this case.

— Courtesy of University Police Department

NEWS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Animal shelter expansion to be completed soon

By Lorna Stevens News Reporter Bulldozers, mounds of dirt and cement surround the outside of the San Marcos Animal Shelter. Inside, animals await to be adopted into a home.

The shelter is undergoing an extensive expansion project aimed at providing additional comfort to the animals.

“It’s a great thing for the community and the shelter,” said Bert Stratemann, animal services manager.

A proposed budget plan was presented to City Council in October 2006 and the city of San Marcos and Kyle decided to form a joint partnership to fund the project. Various construction companies placed bids to bring action to the proposal, expanding hopes to alleviate the main issue of overcrowding in the shelter.

“The project is necessary to handle extra animals brought in from Hays County,” said Mark Brinkley, San Marcos environmental health director.

Completion of the expansion is set to be finished in four to six weeks. The

project creates a 3,000 square-foot addition to the shelter. The enlargement will create room for 52 more dogs and 45 more cats. A new receiving office where animals can be examined is another feature.

“I’m really excited,” said Janine Harlow, shelter volunteer and psychology junior.

“People always say we have a nice facility and now it’s going to be even better.”

The shelter receives and medically treats abused animals in San Marcos and Kyle. Animal service officers investigate reports of abuse and rescue animals that are subjected to cruelty and abandonment. Owners who no longer want their pets or cannot provide care can surrender them to the shelter.

The shelter, located at 750 River Road, allows walk-ins and drop-offs and provides vaccinations during its regular hours Monday through Saturday. To adopt an animal requires proof of home ownership and permission granted from a landlord. This is to prevent animals from being returned to the shelter.

A volunteer’s job is to ensure ani-

mals housed at the shelter receive any necessary healthcare, are not distressed by overcrowding and perform any task to make certain the animals are content. Volunteering often consists of playing, bathing, walking and even training the animals.

Harlow said it is enjoyable assisting in the adoption process by fitting and referring an animal to a prospective customer.

“What better way to volunteer,” Harlow said. “It’s fun and you are making a difference.”

Those interested in volunteering can attend the orientation classes held on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at the animal shelter.

The shelter is always looking for donations of all kinds. It accepts animal food and supplies, as well as monetary gifts.

Donations should be dropped off at the shelter during regular office hours. For Greg Richards/Star photo further information, contact the shelter at 512-393-8340 or visit their Web site ESSENTIAL EXPANSION: The San Marcos Animal Shelter has recently begun http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ construction that will provide an additional 3,000 square-feet to the shelter. The construction is scheduled to be completed within four to six weeks.

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Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Randall Hill/Myrtle Beach Sun-News HOUSE FIRE: Onlookers check out the home where seven college students died in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Monday. An official said the fire may have started on the deck.

Seven students die in North Carolina fire Building code in question after beach house goes up in flames

By Martha Quillin and Jerry Allegood McClatchy Newspapers OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C.— Bigger beach houses all along the North Carolina coast are packing people into places where sprinklers and other fire safety measures are not required, state fire marshals say.

“We have hundreds of these homes identical to the one that burned up in Ocean Isle,” said Doug Remaley, fire marshal for Dare County on the Outer Banks.

“Is there something we can do about it? No,” he said. “Because the building code council classifies them as single-family homes.

The fire code does not apply.”

On Sunday, seven South Carolina college students staying in an Ocean Isle Beach house died when the structure caught fire before 7 a.m. A total of 13 students were staying in the house.

The state’s Building Code Council writes the rules govern-

ing building construction in the state, using international and national standards and making amendments as it sees fit. It is often criticized as being stacked in favor of the building industry and unwilling to impose rules that would increase building safety when the costs are deemed too high.

That has been the case with fire safety regulations, Remaley said.

Fire safety is addressed in two ways: in the state building code, which dates to the 1930s, and the fire code, established in response to the Imperial Foods chicken plant fire in Hamlet that killed 25 people in 1991.

The building code, which applies to residential as well as commercial construction, dictates such things as building materials, the number of ways into and out of a dwelling and the number and placement of smoke detectors.

The fire code applies only to commercial buildings and to multi-family housing of three

units or more, where it prohibits hazards such as grills on wooden decks and obstructions to common hallways. It does not apply to single-family homes, even those such as a current offering in Corolla, which is on the Outer Banks, has nine bedrooms, sleeps 28 and rents for almost $13,000 a week in season.

The house that caught fire Sunday morning had six bedrooms. Authorities have not determined the cause of the blaze, which raced through the twostory house in minutes.

Ocean Isle Beach officials say the deadly blaze was an anomaly. It was the first major structure fire in seven years, said Fire Chief Robert Yoho, a firefighter in the town for 23 years. He said the house was a private dwelling and not a rental property.

Yoho said the house had smoke alarms, which are required by the state, but did not have a sprinkler system, which is not required.

NEWS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 5

‘Too early’ to comment on casualty count in Baghdad

By Nancy A. Youssef McClatchy Newspapers Violence hit a yearly low in Baghdad during October, according to end-of-the-month statistics compiled Wednesday, even as killings elsewhere raised worrisome questions about whether security improvements will hold if the United States begins drawing down its forces next spring.

American troop deaths in October declined for the fifth straight month, to 36, the lowest monthly total this year and the seventh lowest in 56 months of war, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, which tracks deaths and injuries among troops in Iraq.

Of October’s deaths, 27 were caused by enemy action, Iraq Coalition Casualty Count reported on its Web site. That total continued a steep drop-off in U.S. combat deaths that began in June, when the U.S. military completed its so-called surge of troops into Iraq. U.S. deaths by hostile action peaked in May at 120 and have declined every month since.

Civilian deaths in Baghdad also reached a low point for the year during October, statistics compiled by McClatchy Newspapers show. In all, 114 people died in explosions in the Iraqi capital during the month, according to the statistics, while the number of unidentified bodies found on Baghdad’s streets totaled 168.

Both figures are well below the peak months this year of 520 in February and 736 in May. Even so, the capital remained a dangerous place. While car bombs declined to 15 from September’s 19, the number of blasts caused by improvised explosive devices increased by more than 60 percent, from 30 to 48. The number of people injured in explosions in the capital rose 19 percent, from 378 in September to 450 in October, according to the McClatchy statistics, which are gathered daily from police and other official sources, but which probably undercount violence in the capital.

Of the 27 U.S. combat deaths, at least 19 occurred in Baghdad, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. Of the six months

with fewer combat casualties, five occurred in the first 12 months of the war.

A U.S. spokesman said the military wasn’t prepared to declare victory in the capital. He said the decline in violence is the result of several interconnected factors, any of which could unravel.

For one, anti-American Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr could call off the cease-fire he declared, which could lead to renewed attacks on American forces. A major bombing by al-Qaida in Iraq, a Sunni-dominated group, could spur retaliation attacks by Shiite militias. Or one of the new local leaders working with U.S. troops to root out al-Qaida in Iraq insurgents could be assassinated, destroying the fragile peace in his neighborhood.

“We are not declaring victory,” said Col. Steve Boylan, spokesman for Gen. David Petraeus, the top military commander in Iraq who in September told Congress that U.S. troops could begin coming home by March. “It’s too early.”

Two other factors could indicate trouble ahead.

Violence remains high in provinces outside Baghdad. In Baqouba, the capital of Diyala province, police said at least 17 decapitated bodies were found this week, and a suicide bomber on a bicycle detonated himself in front of a police center, killing at least 27.

Police blame the violence on al-Qaida in Iraq, many of whose members are believed to have escaped a U.S. offensive over the summer and remain active in the province.

In the southern Shiite-dominated cities of Karbala and Basra, residents describe their communities as open battlefields between rival Shiite factions fighting for control.

U.S. officials also are concerned that the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki has done little to capitalize on the relative calming of the capital. Virtually no action has been taken on benchmarks that once were the U.S. standard for progress in Iraq.

BILL: Parental notification tough call CONTINUED from page 1

SURVEILLANCE CONTINUED from page 1

makers are questioning what went wrong at Virginia Tech last spring. Several faculty members noticed strange behavior from Seung-Hui Cho, the student who killed 32 people. Yet, prior to the shootings, he was never deemed an emergency and therefore his parents were not consulted. Under the MH-SAFE Act, the parents could have been contacted whether Cho was considered to be a danger or not.

Since the massacre’s wake-up call to institutions nationwide, Snodgrass said a lot has been done at Texas State to ensure campus safety. Projects have been implemented to act in response to crisis situations such as the installation of a campus mobile system, which operates as an alert procedure to students and faculty in cases of emergencies.

“We at the Counseling Center serve three things,” Snodgrass said. “We serve the individual student, we serve to help other students that could be affected by the individual and we serve the institution itself so that it

can be successful in helping students.”

Stan Friedman, psychology senior lecturer, questions whether or not contacting a student’s parents would be beneficial.

“It is complex because here we get into in what ways students are adults or not,” Freidman said. “Why should we call the parents and not just go straight to the police? We have to think about is it necessary to call the parents and will it work and will there be any more consequences that come from it?

It’s a tough call.”

Snodgrass said it is important to maintain an environment where the student can feel safe to seek help. He said to jeopardize the school’s ability to reach out to students in need creates as many problems as would be resolved.

While intended to increase safety in schools, some are questioning if the MH-SAFE Act has the potential to bring unintended results.

The Education and Labor Committee in the House of Representatives are currently considering the legislation.

amendment to the non-discrimination clause allowing for gender identity and expression. This follows a similar resolution written

by Ferguson and passed by ASG. “It’s one more voice needed on board,” Ferguson said. “This

shows it’s not just a student issue, and it’s not a generational issue. This crosses borders and generations.”

Ferguson said this movement has received support from student organizations as well as both houses in ASG.

MUSIC

WRITING: New center helps students

CONTINUED from page 1

so the Hip Hop Congress is going to help us out,” Jones said. “The last time we were at KAD, I asked one of the little boys, ‘what is your favorite kind of music?’ And he looked at me with this big smile and said, ‘rap.’ I (thought), ‘oh shoot, what are we going to do about that because we were just thinking about instruments.’”

The four founders of MusiKids are looking to leave a mark on Texas State by getting different departments involved with Kids Against Drugs.

“We are just using the resources that we have to meet needs in the community,” Jones said.

CONTINUED from page1

going to be cut.”

Beebe said another problem is only 46 percent of students are taking at least one of their first year English classes at Texas State. She said this causes frustration among faculty and the university cannot confidently claim students have met the objectives of these courses if they did not take classes here.

However, she said students entering first year English classes today are more prepared than those 10 years ago because of state mandated testing and higher entrance requirements at Texas State.

“State mandated testing forced middle school and high school teachers again to teach writing and focus on writing,” Beebe said.

But the mandated tests have also produced new obstacles. Sources said students are very formulaic in their writing and that presents a problem.

“It is like assembly line writing,” Wilson said.

“From the teachers’ end, they just want their students to write in a way that their grader will pass it. The way you do that is just to make them all kind of cookie cutter.”

Beebe said it is hard for students to try other skills and applications without the standard five-

paragraph essay. She said this creates problems as students get into more sophisticated writing.

“It has been more important that (students) reach word counts, that they find some kind of filler rather than what the filler is,” Beebe said. “The biggest problem they have is concrete development of ideas.”

The Writing Center does not copy edit papers, but they can help with development and structure.

They offer a variety of services including one-onone tutoring, online tutoring, writing workshops, handouts and work with area high schools to prepare students for college.

In addition to the new office opening, the Writing Center hosted its first open mic night Thursday, an opportunity for students to come and perform music, recite poetry or dance.

“It is really important to me that a writing center be that; a center of writing, the place on campus where writing happens and we help writers,” Wilson said. “I think this is a great addition to that because people will just come and celebrate writing.”

Students can schedule appointments with the Writing Center by phone, in person or on-line through Bobcat Chat. The McCoy office operates Tuesday in Room 226 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

onlineconnection Check out www.UniversityStar.com for continued News, Sports, Trends and Opinions coverage.

Page 6 - Thursday, November 1, 2007

Opinions Contact — staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

R

estricting the rights of lawful citizens does not protect anyone.

Guns have never been allowed on government property or at schools. In fact, a person is only allowed to carry a two-inch blade on a knife if they want to remain within restrictions of the Texas Civil and Criminal Code, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Gun control, and the continued tightening of security codes and laws, is the improper reaction to tragedy.

This is a hasty and poorly thought-out response.

The citizens of this country and residents of this state who are willing to complete and maintain the requirements of a concealed carry license should be allowed to handle firearms, as our Second Amendment guarantees them this right.

Guns don’t kill people — people kill people.

Those who maintain that concealed handgun licensees must be 21 years old, have a clean criminal history, including military service and recent juvenile records, not be under a protective order, not be chemically dependent, be of sound mind, not delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans or other debts, be eligible to purchase a handgun by completing the NICS check and complete required training.

Those who carry concealed weapons are not the ones we as a community need to be concerned about. These are the people who uphold, respect and, in many cases, protect our laws.

Those who are involved in attacks, massacres and tragedies rarely acquire their weapons lawfully and their despicable actions show these people have no respect for the law.

More than 450 students from 105 universities have decided to wear an empty holster to protest the policies, according to Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, and that was just the first week of the nationwide protest.

You don’t have to wear an empty holster if you love freedom and you value your civil liberties. But you should be participating in politics, voicing your opinion on your campus about your rights and freedoms being stripped away.

At The University Star, we are not so naïve as to believe concealed carry is any guarantee of safety.

However, we are a generation who has lived through Columbine, 9/11 and Virginia Tech. Those who would senselessly cause harm to others will do so with or without increased gun control. The best thing we can do for America is to lawfully protect ourselves.

Ultimately, restricting concealed carry and allowing it are philosophies grounded in keeping students safe.

In order to be safe, we must be allowed to defend and protect ourselves.

FIREARM

The content and opinions contained herein are in no way meant as legal advice. All information is general in nature.

Do not rely on information within this article when trying to resolve a specific legal issue. All situations are unique and require specific legal advice from competent counsel.

Account Executive...............................Scott Lynch, sl1148@txstate.edu Account Executive..................Samantha Manley, sm1299@txstate.edu Account Executive...........................Krystal Slater, ks1429@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every other Wednesday of Summer I and II with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright November 1, 2007. 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.

FREEDOM Students should be allowed to carry guns on campus

Justin Jackley/Star illustration

LEGAL GUY: Proposition 15 gets legislative support, voters have final say

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

a loved one?” said Keffer in a March 25 article by the Houston Chronicle. “What a wonderful thing it would be to say we actually cured cancer and that Texas was in CARSON GUY the middle of it.”

Star Columnist Support in the Texas House of Representatives was very strong—only 26 legislators voted against the legislation—but some people have come out against the proposition. The most frequent rebuke regards how the bill will force the Texas government and citizens to pay general obligation bonds for the new research institute. By using bonds to finance the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Texas will incur a substantial amount of debt that cannot exceed $3 billion.

The most viable alternative would require all monies for the institute to be taken from Texas’ general revenue fund now. So instead of selling more bonds and funding the center with debt, we would pay as we go.

Editor In Chief.................................Maira Garcia, stareditor@txstate.edu Letters.....................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................Nick Georgiou, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor.......................Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.................................................... staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor...............................Spencer Millsap, starphoto@txstate.edu

Texas Comptroller Susan Comb’s office has already released figures predicting $14.3 billion will be added to Texas’ general revenue fund this year. However there are already obligations, such as paying for the property tax cuts and increasing funding in accordance with the rise of enrollment in schools throughout the state requiring lawmakers’ attention.

The bill itself only contains two sections, half of which spell out what Texas’ obligations will be in order to disperse grants, and to fund equipment, facilities and the institute itself.

The vague wording in the bill’s section dealing with the requirements for receiving grants, allows the cancer institute to have considerable discretion in the disbursement of grants and other funds supporting cancer research.

The bill’s obligations include, but are not limited to, establishing “the appropriate standards and oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under this provision for cancer research and facilities development,” as well as limiting members of the institute’s governing body to four-year terms.

Sports Editor..........................................................starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief..............................................starcopychief@txstate.edu Design Editor....................................Clara Cobb, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator...................................starsysadmin@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Advertising Sales Manager...........Jackie Pardue, starad2@txstate.edu

By Kristopher Floyd Star Columnist Genocide is a nasty word.

And in the Middle East, a land where ancient grudges frequently prove to be the sources of new conflicts, that nasty word has revived tensions centuries in the making.

A nonbinding resolution passed, but then dropped at the last minute by the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee, deeming the Ottoman Empire responsible for the killing of 1.5 million Armenians has inflamed Turkish resentment towards the U.S. Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, is a functional democratic republic headed by a government that believes in the separation of church and state, thereby making it the “city on a hill” to Westerners who desire a Middle East run by moderate Islamic regimes.

But this “city on a hill” is now throwing its weight around. A revived conflict between Turkey and the PKK, a northern Iraqi-based militant group consisting of separatist Kurds fighting for the establishment of a Kurdish home state, has brought the Turkish war machine right up to the Turkey-Iraq border.

Shelling from both sides is now happening on a day-to-day basis and border incursions are imminent if not already taking place.

The Kurdish region of northern Iraq is home to the pro-U.S. autonomous Kurdish region, which has been hosting American military since the Gulf War in ’91.

Iraq’s president, whose government was built largely with U.S. assistance, is Kurdish.

About 70 percent of U.S. air cargo, one third of U.S. military fuel and 95 percent of new vehicles headed to Iraq pass through Turkey and the Kurdish autonomous region.

A high-ranking Turkish general said before the bill passed that if it did indeed pass, “Our military relations with the U.S. will never be the same again.”

The bill was barely scrapped in time, but you can see how this situation has the potential to become very, very explosive.

Why on earth would anyone in the U.S. government pick right now to revive that bill when it’s been floating around Congress for the better part of a decade?

Of course genocide is horrific and deserves all seriousness, but there are genocides that can be stopped today, so why consider sacrificing so much for one that no one can do anything about, especially when only 4 percent of Armenians today list the recognition of the genocide as a priority?

Now the Kurdish question, which was supposedly solved in 1999 with the capture of the PKK’s leader Abdullah Ocalan, has exploded back into the headlines.

Turkey has the second largest army in NATO and is now threatening to invade a territory that is occupied by the U.S. military and administered by the Iraqi government.

The Turks also have historic claims on oil rich areas of northern Iraq, which means if they maintain a large military presence in northern Iraq for any length of time they may get cozy.

Once again, genocide is terrible and those guilty of it should be held accountable, but the Ottoman Empire is dead and buried and this new bill won’t bring back a single Armenian.

But it sure might spark a military catastrophe in a region that has seen way too much death already.

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.

An important legal issue concerning not just the people of Texas State, but the entire Texas population, has been decided at the state capitol and will now be left up to Texas citizens to vote “yes” or “no.” If a majority of the voting population vote “yes” to Proposition 15, the controversial bill, House Joint Resolution No. 90, will establish a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The stated goal of the legislation is to “support institutions of learning and advanced medical research facilities and collaborations in this state in all stages in the process of finding the causes of all types of cancer in humans and developing cures...”

Significant press coverage has highlighted both sides of the debate about the $3 billion research initiative.

According to Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, who authored the proposal, a motive for creating this piece of legislation was to give Texas a prominent role in helping to find cures for a disease that affects countless people all over the world.

“Who hasn’t been affected by this terrible disease, either personally or with

New conflicts in genocide

Administrative rights are also granted, allowing the institute to use bond money to pay for the cost of “issuing the bonds and any administrative expense related to the bonds.”

Although parts of the bill have spurred controversy, Proposition 15 has strong support from the Texas legislature. Now only time will tell whether the dream of establishing a premiere research institute, dedicated to curing cancer in Texas, will be realized or passed over in accordance with the wishes of Texas voters.

Carson Guy is a political science senior. His column tackles legal quandaries. E-mail questions to Guy at staropinion@txstate.edu.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

hallowedday The Catholic Student Center will be holding All Saints Day mass 5:15 p.m. Thursday.

Page 7 - Thursday, November 1, 2007

Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Rememberance, respect Saints and souls observed after Halloween

By Jaime Kilpatrick Senior Features Reporter Halloween is a day of partying and mischief, but the two days following are intended to be days of remembrance and respect.

After the scandalous costumes are retired for another year, many Catholics will be paying homage to departed family, friends and saints.

Nov. 1 and 2 are known as All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic Church.

Father Jonathan Niehaus, director of the Catholic Student Center at Texas State, said Catholics originally only observed the days on which saints had died throughout the year.

But the number of saints grew to more than 6,000 known and recognized by the church, Niehaus said. The church resolved this problem by creating one day on which to honor the saints in Heaven.

According to the BBC’s Religion and Ethics Web site, in 837 A.D., Pope Gregory IV proclaimed Nov. 1 to be the day of reverence for all saints and martyrs.

Niehaus said the word Halloween is a corruption of All Hallows Evening — hallow meaning saints.

“This was supposed to be the evening before the Feast of All Saints,” he said.

He said some elementary schools have an All Saints Day celebration where the students can dress up as their favorite saint.

All Saints Day is known as a Holy Day of Obligation where Catholics are “obliged to go to mass,” he said.

According to the BBC, to observe All Saints Day, followers are required to attend church and try not to do any servile work.

Niehaus used the Patron Saints Index at www.catholic-forum.com to find several saints relevant to students.

He said Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of universities because he was known as a great scholar. Niehau mentioned Joseph of Cupertino as well, who is the patron saint of test-taking. Niehaus said the Catholic Student Center’s patron saint, St. Jude, the saint of hopelessness, would also be relevant for students.

“Not because students are hopeless causes, but because they may feel pushed to the wall with tests and deadlines,” Niehaus said.

According to www.catholic.org, saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life.

The site explains saints are assigned to certain aspects of modern life based on an interest, talent or event that took place in their own life. Niehaus said saints are used as examples of how to live a good life.

All Souls Day on Nov. 2 is also known as Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.

According to the BBC, to celebrate this day people take picnics to their family graves and leave food out for their dead relatives. Many people may remember food and candy skulls when they think of Dia de los Muertos.

The day is intended as a joyful way to remember family and friends who have died.

Niehaus said All Souls Day is the day to honor everyone who’s with God in Heaven.

Spencer Millsap and Monty Marion/Star photo illustration

THURSDAY Lonesome Heroes, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Bret Graham, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Kyle Park, 9 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Mochate, 9 p.m., Triple Crown Alligator Dave, 10:30 p.m., Lucy’s San Marcos FRIDAY Los Gallos, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Cory Morrow, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall Disfigured Metal Showcase, 8 p.m., Lucy’s Lucas Hudgins and The First Cousins, 9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Jeremy Miller Band, 9 p.m., San Marcos VFW Walt Wilkins and The Mystiqueros, 9 p.m., Cheatham Street Scott Biram, 9 p.m., Triple Crown

SATURDAY Brian Keane, 1 p.m., Gruene Hall Keith Davis Band, 9 p.m., Cheatham Street Cory Morrow, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall Ponty Bone and The Squeezetones, 9 p.m., Riley’s Mr. Brown, Eleven Fingered Charlie, 10 p.m., Lucy’s * Word Association, Supaphat, 10 p.m., Triple Crown SUNDAY The Hudsons, 12 p.m., Gruene Hall Adam Hood, 4 p.m., Gruene Hall MONDAY Angry Johnny and The Killbillies, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Benefit, 9 p.m., Cheatham Street Doomsday Device, 10 p.m., Triple Crown

TUESDAY Jeff Plankenhorn, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Indisgust Metal Showcase, 8 p.m., Lucy’s Cameron Joyner, 9 p.m., Riley’s Nathan Daniel Band, 9 p.m., Cheatham Street WEDNESDAY Zack Walther and the Cronkites, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Kent Finlay’s Songwriters Circle, 9 p.m., Cheatham Street Tom Teboe, 9 p.m., Riley’s * Indicates a CD release party If your live music event is missing, e-mail starentertainmetn@txs tate.edu. Events must be within 20 miles of the San Marcos campus. Venues are ultimately responsible for information listed.

Page 8 - The University Star

TRENDS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

‘Toilet book’ on Austin’s best seller list

By Todd Schaaf Senior Features Reporter and

By Chris Boehm Special to the Star If you ever receive an e-mail from one Mr. William Wyndell, blow up your computer. Most people have never heard of William Wyndell. This is particularly good news for one Southwest Texas State alumnus.

Wyndell is the clueless, conceited and sometimes crass alter ego of author David Earthman.

As Wyndell, Earthman scours the World Wide Web, looking for online advertisements, job offers and want ads. He responds to said ads in the most ridiculous manner imaginable and has compiled his numerous e-mail transcripts into a book titled E-mails From Hell: The Wrath of William Wyndell.

“I bait and switch these people to death, I put words in their mouth,” Earthman said. “I apply for jobs, well I don’t apply, I tell them when I’m starting. I tell them what I’m doing there, and they’re like, ‘What? You don’t even work here.’”

Earthman said the book was a long time coming.

“I was always kind of the funny guy growing up, even when I was going to school here,” Earthman said. “I wanted to make a book that was unique, there was nothing else like it, and there isn’t, there is nothing else like it at all.”

He succeeded.

“I’ve only told one person afterwards that it wasn’t a real name,” Earthman said. “If I did it’d just be a matter of time before someone tried to sue me or kick my ass.”

He decided to write the book after trying his hand in several positions, in-

cluding radio work in Houston and teaching English in Echigo-Yuzawa, Japan.

“It was great,” Earthman said. “I got to ski and snowboard 80 days out of the year. But I moved back to Houston after three years. I was ready to be a pig again, eat Mexican food and have a car.”

Earthman’s initially self-published the book in 1995, but in July it was repackaged and released

by Synergy Books. Since then he said it was on the Austin best-seller’s list at one point, and he did interviews in Detroit, Colorado and Dallas.

Earthman said he was undeterred in going out and writing the book, which almost everyone he has come across has given positive feedback — all but one close relation.

“The only person to tell me they didn’t like it was my mom,” Earthman said. “She said that it was just 12 years of Catholic school down the drain.”

Earthman said he has all the original e-mails and another 80 good enough for a second volume. He said he would be using a different name since the publicity has made the Wyndell name unusable.

John Stark, political science senior, said he loved Earthman’s book.

“I thought it was absolutely hilarious. I really liked how ridiculously he lied and made up everything. It really reminds me of Jackass because he is screwing with people in real-life situations,” he said. “The nice thing about it is that it is all email, so there is no real harm done and that’s what makes it humorous as opposed to being a jerk.”

“One of my favorites is his story entitled, ‘House for Rent’, where he wants to rent a house with a backyard big enough for his horse. Read the story if you haven’t and you’ll find that the saga of e-mails is with multiple people as they seem to pawn off the e-mail line from one colleague to another.”

Earthman said the Internet is the perfect medium for Wyndell’s hi-jinks.

“In this day and age, everybody uses the Web, everybody has an e-mail address, and you never know who you’re talking to on the other line,” Earthman said. “I just thought it would be funny to have a book of back and forth, back and forth if I could get it.”

This may be why freelance journalism has an adventurous sound to it. This is only further emphasized when learning of the term’s background.

Speaking to students about freelance editing last week in Old Main, Elaine Tankard said the term freelance comes from Sir Walter Scott’s epic “Ivanhoe,” used by the author to describe mercenary medieval warriors for hire during the Crusades.

“They weren’t free in terms of price to work, but were free of loyalties,” Tankard said. “They had the freedom to fight for whoever paid the highest price.”

But as glamorous as it sounds, freelance journalism is something Tankard said comes with time and experience. She worked a multitude of jobs before solidifying contacts and clientele necessary to keep herself afloat in a position where work comes and goes.

“It really depends on establishing a reputation,” Tankard said. “You never know what is going to come through the door.”

Tankard, a Texas State alumna, said the duties of a freelance editor include treating clients cautiously and with respect when making suggestions and being well versed in many writing styles, such as AP, MLA or the Chicago Manual of Style.

As an editor she has focused mainly on scholarly works, in areas ranging from text-

books, book reviews, psychology, business and marketing.

Recently, she picked up her latest project, a 500page work for the Institution for Latin American Studies. The book is written by a professor from Minnesota and is being published by the institution through UT Press.

Tankard is being paid $4.50 per page for editing this book, and she said the money always varies. She said the company that published E-mails from Hell: The Wrath of William Wyndell paid $2.50 per page.

The book’s author, Earthman, said he found his calling in what he called a “toilet bowl book.”

“It’s the no-brainer of no-brainers,” he said.

The ’89 Southwest Texas State alumnus cautioned students in taking a leap of faith as so-called writers, a point stressed

by Tankard as well.

“It does take a while. You can’t just get out of school and say ‘I’m a writer.’ You need something to pay the bills before you take off,” Earthman said.

TRENDS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

e b u T u o Y

contest by

S t at e Ba r aims to educate on

e c i t s ju

sys tem

By Tug Ledermann Features Reporter It’s time for Texans to break out the camcorders and vent their opinions on the justice system for the first State Bar of Texas social media Web site YouTube video contest.

Kim Davey, State Bar spokeswoman, said the theme of the video entries is, “Texans capturing the promise of justice for all.”

“The idea is to reach as many Texans as possible to help understand the importance of the justice system,” she said.

The YouTube contest is a new approach for the State Bar, Davey said. It is different from other programs created to educate people on the justice system.

“We have had a lot of public education, but this is the first time a state bar has launched a YouTube contest involving the justice system,” she said.

Chris Holcomb, political science junior, said there couldn’t have been a better way to get adolescents involved in politics than using YouTube and having a cash prize.

“I think the contest is a good idea because it will allow people becoming of age to vote to get involved in politics and prove that they have a voice that can make a difference,” Holcomb said.

Lynn Crossett, political science assistant professor, is director of the legal studies program. She said the State Bar contest is a great idea to get people involved with the justice system.

“I would think that first and foremost the goal of the contest is to invite participation in the public process and encourage more interest in the law and political process,” Crossett said.

Davey said a lot of people don’t have a solid understanding of how the court system works.

“The contest seems like a way to involve a younger crowd and give them the opportunity to

✯ FYI Students can obtain information about the contest on the State Bar Web site, www.texasbar.com.

The University Star - Page 9 speak out on their concerns and ideas about the Texas justice system,” she said.

Crossett said the popularity of YouTube videos could easily raise awareness and possibly bring about a positive change for the state of Texas.

“Typically the best thing that can occur to spur action is getting attention drawn to an issue, so if the contest gets a certain amount of publicity and the issue associated with the winning video gets a certain amount of attention that would clearly be the starting point,” she said.

Though capturing the promise of justice for all is the theme, Davey said the contest creates an opportunity to speak out on any topic concerning the justice system.

“Of course the contest is about understanding the justice system, but we intentionally made it where people can express their ideas and concerns about the justice system,” she said.

With the 2008 elections approaching, many people will hopefully focus on concepts soon to be voted on, Holcomb said.

“There will probably be a lot of videos about important topics for the upcoming elections like the toll road controversy in Texas that could increase taxes,” he said.

Crossett agrees.

“An issue that comes to mind for me is the environmental issue, because it is probably the most important issue and it is more conducive to film making,” she said.

Holcomb said there are many changes that could easily be made that would have a big impact on the justice system.

“The Texas Constitution could definitely be simplified somehow, it takes a lot of effort to research each amendment you are voting on and I think that keeps people from taking the time to vote,” he said.

The videos have a three-minute maximum time limit and the State Bar is looking both to the film and justice community for entries, Davey said.

“Reaching students in film programs is something we are looking forward to; hopefully we will get some creative entries,” Davey said.

Crossett said the contest is directed towards encouraging more interest in participation with the justice system.

“The contest seems like a way to involve a younger crowd and give them the opportunity to speak out on their concerns and ideas about the Texas justice system,” Davey said.

Page 10 - The University Star

TRENDS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Fort Worth Zoo adds pumpkin patch with help from TCU students

By Alyssa Dizon Daily Skiff (Texas Christian U.) FORT WORTH—There is a new addition to the Fort Worth Zoo for Halloween that isn’t animal or human.

Several art and design students showed their tricks of the trade last week in a colorful pumpkin patch lighting display for the zoo’s annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo. Cameron Schoepp, art associate professor at Texas Christian University, said the zoo contacted him with the idea of having students carve pumpkins for the display.

He said it was the first time the College of Fine Arts had partnered with the zoo for the event.

Art instructors Matt Clark and Chris Powell had their classes team up to carve 40 pumpkins for the display, Schoepp said.

Fred Oberkircher, merchandising and textiles associate professor, gave his Lighting for Special Purposes class the task of creating the display.

Alumna Allison Speer, the zoo’s assistant marketing director, said she knew about the lighting department and asked if students could take on the project.

Speer said the display, “Grinning Grove,” covers only a small area by the duck pond, but everyone walking on the main path can see it.

“We’re definitely going to ask them to come back and do it next year,” she said. “They went above and beyond. They did a great job.”

Speer said this was the first time people outside the zoo did the lighting display, but students frequently volunteer for the event.

Emily Grierson, interior design senior, said she enjoyed volunteering in the past but was excited to be a part of it this year.

Grierson said her class of seven students spent a week going to the zoo to survey the area and spent another two weeks creating the display. Their main goal was to light the pumpkins with various colors using Christmas lights, flood lights, pumpkin

Tom Benitez/Orlando Sentinal NOT JUST GIRAFFES: Texas Christian University art students created a pumpkin patch lighting display for the Fort Worth Zoo Halloween event.

lights and colored tubular lights to entertain families in the community, she said.

Grierson said it was a long process with little time and resources, but fun and worth the effort.

“It’s really colorful,” she said.

“There are different areas and layers of light everywhere. Your eyes will be constantly moving around.”

The lighting students take turns going to Boo at the Zoo each night to watch over the lights to make sure there are no mishaps or technical difficulties, Grierson said.

Grierson said the display will

be graded, but Schoepp said the art students could just have fun and carve the pumpkins however they liked.

Once the zoo delivered the pumpkins, students spent half a class period carving pumpkins and enjoying the weather outside, Clark said.

“I think it’s a great activity for students to take a break from the coursework we have and help the community,” Clark said. “It’s always exciting to see how they take experiences from TCU and go out into the community and share their knowledge and excitement for life.”

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

The University Star - Page 11

Anticipation for new Nintendo game escalates The drought may soon be over.

Most of the Smash Brothers levels, Nintendo’s forthcoming magnum while not renowned for their canon in opus for the Wii, Super Smash Brothreference to the characters they repers Brawl, seemingly gets better every resent, look stunning, as they did on week. Recently announced was the GameCube, where the Great Fox could ability for users to create their own be seen taking flight overhead in Fox stages — cool enough — but they can McCloud’s level. Less stunning, but also share them. Nintendo has gone as just as amazing, is the PictoChat level, BILL RIX far to say it will feature a homegrown wherein Nintendo DS-style PictoChat Trends Columnist level every day, possibly over the Wii drawings will serve as the battlefield.

Shop channel.

It’s unfortunate Nintendo has no plans now to let Featuring levels over an online connection players make their own levels with the DS then could keep this game on the top of the charts for send them to the Wii via Wi-Fi, but as is, it’s apmonths to come. That is to say, when it finally preciated Nintendo is cramming all they can into reaches stores, which at the moment is slated a game the Wii sorely needs. for February 2008. Nintendo better have an ace All the game needs now is the ability to creup its sleeve for the holidays, lest Microsoft and ate a personal character, a la Mortal Kombat Sony pull the rug out from under the Wii’s reign. Annihilation’s Kreate a Fighter. The functionality Odds of this are low, however. I expect the to glean basic character information is already PlayStation 3 to sit on shelves just as it did last there, with the Miis players can create, so why year. X-Box 360 sales should stay healthy, as not go all the way? the console will likely glide into 2008 on Halo 3 Going all the way, ironically, keeps many of without problem. Just don’t expect to see Master the would-be blockbusters in stores. Early games Chief show up in the roster of the next Smash relied so heavily on motion control, a feature still Brothers title. being worked out by most game designers, the Not to say this is impossibility, though, Halo’s games missed the point and ventured into sloppy protagonist may appear somewhere down the control territory, a death-knell for games relying line. With the impressive roster Nintendo put toon sensitive control schemes. Thankfully Brawl gether in Brawl, and the stellar PR job Nintendo is an in-house game, so control shouldn’t be an is doing recruiting characters from competing issue – Nintendo’s QC is legendary. companies and systems (Sonic, Solid Snake), it Information on the game trickles down the wouldn’t be surprising to see half the characters Nintendo wire ever so often, and the best bet for in the next Smash Brothers outing representing up-to-the-minute information is the official Web rival companies and interests. site, www.smashbros.com.

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

10/31 Solutions:

10/31/07

Where the good meat is

CLASSIFIEDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Page 12 - Thursday, November 1, 2007

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Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. We do our best, but please check your classified ad for accuracy. Any corrections to your ad must be made by the second day of publication. As a free service to you, all classified ads will be published on-line on our web site at www.universitystar.com. However, since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

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NEW 1BD DUPLEX IN COUNTRY SETTING 15 minutes from TxState, includes parking next to campus. Prelease for January. $575/mo. includes internet, cable, and water.

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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------$1,100 MOVE-IN TODAY! 3/21/2/2 duplex, 1,600 sq. ft., nice tiled floors downstairs, huge master upstairs. www.sagewoodduplexes.com, Plan-C. Mike, (512) 665-2772.

NANNY NEEDED IN WIMBERLEY: 10+/- HRS./WK. Nanny to watch 2 kids (ages 2 & 4), Mon.-Fri. from 3pm5:30pm, in an office environment with parents on-site. Must be reliable, and actively interactive with the children.

Persons or students interested in Child Development (a possible internship), or nanny/babysitting experience please send resume/qualifications to mgt@attendeenet.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------WAIT STAFF: The Heritage at Gaines Ranch, an established provider of upscale Retirement Living in South Austin, is looking for part-time wait staff for our 5- Star Dining Room. The ideal candidate for this job will have strong communication skills, be able to multitask, be empathetic and energetic and have an affinity for working with a senior population. Come join the Heritage at Gaines Ranch family where we enrich the lives of those we serve with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity. We offer competitive compensation. Apply in person or contact Nic Snyder at (512) 721-3110.

EOE. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------CRI IS SEEKING INDIVIDUALS TO WORK AS TELEPHONE INTERVIEWERS. Flexible Schedule, Paid Training, No Experience Necessary. Within walking distance of TxState. $7-$12/hr. Call (512) 353- 3627x209 today!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------PROFESSIONAL COOK WIMBERLEY - Hotel/banquet/catering experience. david.mock@rightstep.com or call (817) 932-2602.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------MOVIE EXTRAS. New opportunities for upcoming productions. All looks needed no experience required for cast calls. Call 877-218-6224.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------GREAT JOB! Dependable, responsible, attentive female to care for handicapped boy near campus. Lots of study time. Every other weekend from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Fall and Spring semester, $8.50/hr. with bonuses. Call Jenny, (512) 392-9737.

Leave message.

TUTOR/NANNY POSITION AVAILABLE IN SAN MARCOS BEGINNING JANUARY 2008 THROUGH MAY 23, 2008. Position also available 2008-09 academic year.

Prefer Interdisciplinary Studies/ Education Generalist 4-8 major with GPA of 3.50 or greater. Hours are 2:30pm to approx. 6pm weekdays.

Non- smokers only. Pays $8+/hour plus bonuses. Call (512) 787-7609 for an application. More info on Jobs4Cats #9914. Interviewing now!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------CERTIFIED MEDICATION AIDE (CMA) The Heritage at Gaines Ranch, an established provider of upscale Retirement Living in South Austin, is looking for part-time Medication Aides for our Assisted Living. The ideal candidate for this job will have a current license or certification in Medication Administration. This candidate will have strong communication skills, be able to multi- task, be empathetic and energetic and have an affinity for working with a senior population.

Come join the Heritage at Gaines Ranch family where we enrich the lives of those we serve with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity. We offer competitive compensation. Apply in person or contact Shella Bycura at (512) 721- 3125. EOE. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------NANNY NEEDED FOR 3 SMALL CHILDREN. Must have references and own transportation. Please call Katie, (512) 722-3222.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) The Heritage at Gaines Ranch, an established provider of upscale Retirement Living in South Austin, is looking for part-time CNAs for our Assisted Living. The ideal candidate for this job will have a current CNA license. This candidate will have strong communication skills, be able to multi-task, be empathetic and energetic and have an affinity for working with a senior population. Come join the Heritage at Gaines Ranch family where we enrich the lives of those we serve with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity. We offer competitive compensation. Apply in person or contact Shella Bycura at (512) 721-3125. EOE. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------PART-TIME SERVICE LEARNING YOUTH ADVISOR WITH PROGRESSIVE NON-PROFIT IN LULING. Conducts skills training and service learning projects with disciplinary and other students. Four half days weekly. Perfect match for graduate students with youth service experience. Email resume and cover to amoore@councilonatriskyouth.org.

PART-TIME WORK IN VETERINARY CLINIC. Must have horse experience and clerical skills. Please call (512) 757-4199.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------EARN $800-$3,200 A MONTH to drive brand new cars with ads placed on them. www.AdCarClub.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------PET CARE TECHNICIANS NEEDED IN BUDA. Full and Part Time positions available. Email resume at onioncreek@mindspring.com, fax to (512) 295-8065, or call (512) 312-0595.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------UNDERCOVER SHOPPERS. Earn up to $150 per day. Under cover Shoppers needed to judge retail and dining establishments. Exp. Not RE. Call 800- 722-4791.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------JOHNNY ROCKETS “THE ORIGINAL HAMBURGER” LOCATED AT PRIME OUTLET MALL IS NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS! Have fun at work and be part of the team that serves fun food with a 50’s flare. Please apply in person. Call (512) 392-7499.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------WIMBERLEY ATHLETIC CLUB FRONT DESK POSITION. To work set schedule, 20+ hrs. weekly, working Saturday or Sunday is required. $6 hr. to start, in exchange for professional OJT with clients who have health, fitness, and sports conditioning needs. Ideally suited for kiniesology, physiology major looking to develop into a professional fitness trainer upon graduation. E-mail resume to Ironsarah@AOL.com and call (512) 560- 6761.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAKE UP TO $75 EACH TAKING ONLINE SURVEYS. www.CashToSpend.com

LOST YOUR PET? If your pet is lost anywhere in Hays County, please check the San Marcos Animal Shelter (512) 393-8340 which is located at 750 River Road off of east Hwy 80. All strays from the Kyle, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Uhland and some of Buda (non-city) areas are taken to San Marcos. Hours: Mon. and Fri. 11:30 to 5:30; Tues., Wed., Thurs. 11:30 to 4:30; Sat. 11:30 to 4:30. Please go in person rather than call, you are the only one who can identify and reclaim your beloved pet! Remember, an ID tag is a ticket home!

FOR RENT-APTS NEXT TO CAMPUS-BALCONES APARTMENTS. 1BD, 2BD, 3BD, roommate matching. Pre-lease for January. Now updated with wooden floors and ceramic tile. Economical with bills included. Most rooms $300-$375 (for roommate matching). (512) 392-2700.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2BD/1BA, INTERNET, ON BUS ROUTE, $650. (512) 396-TXST. TexasStateLeasing.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1BD APT. NEXT TO CAMPUSMOVE-IN FOR JANUARY. $625/mo.

Includes internet, cable, electric, gas, water, garbage, beautiful wooden floors.

(512) 392-2700.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2BD/1BA, WALK TO CLASS, $590.

(512) 396-TXST. TexasStateLeasing.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1BD/1BA, NICE PLACE, ON BUS ROUTE, $550. (512) 396-TXST. TexasStateLeasing.com.

FOR RENT-CONDOS/ TOWNHOMES $790 MOVE-IN TODAY! 2BD/2.5BA townhouse, 3 blks from TXState. Free HBO, W/D, windmilltownhomes.com for floor plans or (512) 396-4181.

FOR RENT-HOUSES NEAR CAMPUS! 3BD/2BA. Carport, tile floors, very spacious, pets okay. $1,100/month. Call (512) 392- 2443.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3BD/2BA NEW HOME FOR RENT. $400 a bedroom or $1,200 for full house. No smoker/pets. Cody (512) 878-0409.

FOR SALE 1-YEAR OLD WHITE, WHIRLPOOL REFRIGERATOR WITH ICE MAKER, $350. Call (432) 528-6436.

HELP WANTED FALL SEMESTER WORK •$13 base/appointment •Flexible schedules around classes •Customer Sales/Service •No experience necessary •Scholarships possible •Conditions apply •Call to apply (512) 392-7377 www.workforstudents.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------!BARTENDING! Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800) 965-6520 ext. 157.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------ENTRY LEVEL WEB APPLICATION DEVELOPER IN AUSTIN. Looking for recent and upcoming CS/MIS grads.

Go to www.teressolutions.com for a full job description and resume submittal.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN FOR CALENDARS, GREETING CARDS, ETC. $75-200/hr. No exp. needed, (512)684-8296.

LOST & FOUND REWARD–EARRING WITH GREAT SENTIMENTAL VALUE LOST FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26. Daisy earring set in 14 carat gold with navy blue sapphire petals and diamond center. Please contact (512) 757-4595.

MISCELLANEOUS BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in San Marcos.

100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.

PERSONALS $5,000 PAID. EGG DONORS. +Exps. N/Smokers, ages 19-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.0 Reply to: info@eggdonorcenter.com

ROOMMATES FEMALE NEEDED TO SHARE 3BD/2BA MOBILE HOME. $300/mo. + 1/2 electric. Call (512) 665-4695.

SERVICES WWW.STUDENTATTORNEY.COM ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------YOGA CLASSES STARTING SOON AT SAN MARCOS SCHOOL OF YOGA. www.sanmarcosyoga.com or Call Kelly (512) 665-3713.

WANTED USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition, running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell, (512) 353-4511.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------THE UNIVERSITY STAR IS NOW HIRING! We are looking for individuals to fill openings in various areas, but especially the following.

NEWS REPORTERS: Must be able to report on university and local news, gather information, conduct interviews and come into the newsroom to have stories edited.

TRENDS REPORTERS/COLUMNISTS: Reporters must be able to report on university and local arts, entertainment, social and cultural events, gather information, conduct interviews and come into the newsroom to have stories edited.

Columnists must write original columns on specific subjects for weekly publication and come into the newsroom for editing.

SPORTS REPORTERS/COLUMNISTS: Reporters must be able to report on university and local sports, gather information, conduct interviews and come into the newsroom to have stories edited.

Columnists must write original columns on specific subjects for weekly publication and come into the newsroom for editing.

OPINIONS COLUMNISTS: Must be able to write thought provoking columns on university, local and state events and come into the newsroom for editing.

COPY EDITORS: Will assist in the editing of stories through fact checking, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Must have working knowledge of Associated Press style and available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings/nights.

For more information, email Maira Garcia at stareditor@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-3487. Applications are available at the Trinity Building.

SPORTS

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Dallas Maverick concerns shadow talent

By Eddie Sefko The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS—Here are some areas of concern for the Dallas Mavericks for the 2007-08 season.

Can Dirk Nowitzki lead this team to a title?

We know he can lead it to the NBA Finals. For those with short memories, it was Nowitzki who made the three-point play driving to the bucket (with an admittedly bone-headed foul by Manu Ginobili) that got the Mavericks past San Antonio two years ago.

And there have been mitigating circumstances for any failures since. On the court, he’s been great most of the time, and when he hasn’t, it’s because the defense drapes all over him and his teammates can’t find open spots and creases to the basket.

But it’s in the locker room and in the brains of the Mavericks that Nowitzki must take the next step. Avery Johnson has mandated this.

Nowitzki has done his best by trying to lead his own way. He’s not a rah-rah guy, although he does get into the faces of teammates when he feels the need. Mostly, he wants to lead by example.

Sometimes that’s not enough for an MVP. BeKhampha Bouaphanh ing expected to lead comes with the territory.

DUNKIN’ DIRK: The Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk “As his career unfolds, guys are looking to him for more leadership, not just to make the Nowitzki dunks against the Detroit Pistons in big shot at the end of the game, but also to be the first quarter of a preseason game. a little more vocal,” said Donnie Nelson, president of basketball operaBut that softens Johntions. “Since it’s something son’s bench, which has that doesn’t come natural, been a weak spot for two it’s a process. It’s just getseasons. ting him to speak at the apBank on Jones as the propriate times. starter, assuming he’s “But it’s got to be right. It healthy and in condition. can’t be faked or otherwise But don’t be surprised if it’s a turn-off. He’s smart. He Devean George steps in at wants to do it the right way.” some point when his foot is And he’ll get every opporhealthy. tunity to do that.

Is the center position a —Donnie Nelson Who should start at shootdisaster area? Only if you president of basketball operations ing guard? compare it with Houston’s Only Avery Johnson knows center position. the answer to this one, but it won’t keep us from DeSagana Diop is going to have his best seagiving our opinion. son as a pro. It’s a given. What he does this seaJerry Stackhouse has proved himself as a great son will determine what kind of contract he gets sixth man. There is no need to move him from for the next five seasons. Rest assured he’s gothat spot, even if Jason Terry is moving in to give ing all out to get every rebound and block every him competition for those key possessions sec- shot he can. ond-unit players get.

Erick Dampier seems far more relaxed this What the Mavericks want out of their starter at season, which should help him. When his shoulshooting guard is a player who can defend solidly, der is well enough, it would surprise nobody if hit a shot to spread the opposing defense and set he averages eight to 10 rebounds per game. a solid tone for the early portion of the game.

Yes, Dampier is overpaid. That’s not news.

That person is Eddie Jones.

But when he’s on the court, the Mavericks have Johnson may see it differently. He likes the way a better center than most teams in the league.

Stackhouse and starting point guard Devin Harris The bottom line is that they have to live with work together. And Stackhouse will work defensively. what they have at center. Learn to love it.

s [Nowitzki’s] “A career unfolds, guys are looking to him for more leadership, not just to make the big shot at the end of the game...”

Coaching key for golf team

By Javier González Sports Reporter They have earned at least three top 10 finishes as a team, and in the eyes of the Texas State men’s golf team, that is only part of the story behind their latest tournament results.

Despite not winning the UTSA Roadrunner Intercollegiate Invitational, the men’s golf team is looking to rebuild and remain positive. The team tied for fifth alongside I-35 rival UTSA with a final team score of 876 at the tournament, held Oct. 29 and 30

hey’re “T making better course

management decisions and learning from their mistakes. We have room to grow and I feel like we’re doing a good job of that right now.”

— Shane Howell Coach

at Comanche Trace Golf Club.

Coach Shane Howell felt even though they came up short, his players were steady both in preparation and on the actual course.

“The guys played well the first day,” Howell said. “We finished strong in the afternoon round, which is something we’ve been working hard on, finishing good golf rounds. Junior Corey Roberson, sophomore Michael Carnes and senior Tyler Barnes-Wolf played steady all week. We just needed a good score-counter each round and unfortunately we came up a little short.”

Coach Howell said since the start of the season, his team has been improving and building upon previous tournaments.

“We have competed very well in three of the four tournaments,” Howell said. “The guys are getting better each week out. They’re making better course management decisions and learning from their mistakes. We have room to grow and I feel like we’re doing a good job of that right now.”

Individually, Carnes, BarnesWolf and Roberson all finished within the top 20, with ties for 12th, 15th and 15th, respectively. Carnes lead the team with a second-round score of 69 and finished with 216 total. BarnesWolf and Roberson tied for 15th

as they came in just behind Carnes with total scores of 217 each.

Carnes said this tournament would benefit the team because of the opponents they faced and the course as well, despite his individual results.

“We probably had one of the stronger fields we’ve played thus far this year,” Carnes said.

“There were solid teams here and it was definitely a deep field.

In the long run, this tournament will help us with the schools we played against. With golf, one day you’re on, the other you’re off.

We’re looking for a strong finish to the semester and 12th place is not that bad.”

Carnes said having Coach Howell on board is one of the key and best parts of the team, and something that has helped him and the team.

“It’s his leadership,” Carnes said. “Coach Howell is more interactive and gives everything he can to help us out. He puts in the time to be the head coach and is someone who cares how we do versus not. I’ve always been told you get out of it what you put into it and we are better players now.”

Next up for the men’s golf team is the Battle on the Bend, which takes place at the Cypress Bend Resort in Many, La. on Nov. 4 and 5.

The University Star - Page 13

SPORTS

homegame

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Texas State (3-5, 2-2) will battle it out against Southland Conference rival Southeastern Louisiana (2-6, 1-3) at Bobcat Stadium Saturday. Texas State is 10-0 in the series and on a twogame win streak.

Page 14 - Thursday, November 1, 2007

Sports Contact — starsports@txstate.edu

Family ties: Clark brothers build legacy on field, in classroom

By Charlotte Almazan Sports Reporter Over the last four years, Nick Clark has built a legacy at the defensive end position, and his younger brother Marcus Clark is ready for a legacy of his own.

Growing up, the Clark brothers never had a chance to play a game together, and now they are thankful for the opportunity to share the field each week.

“I know it’s a blessing to be able to play with him,” Nick Clark said.

“Even though I didn’t get to see him play in high school, I just know he’s a great player.”

As a nationally recognized scholarathlete, Nick Clark said he always taught his brother to treat studies with the same passion he brings to the game.

As a physics graduate student, Clark’s accomplishments were recently recognized when he was named 2007 Draddy Trophy finalist.

“People have high expectations because of what he does,” said Marcus

Clark, freshman lineback. “I have high expectations for myself. I know he works hard, and I’m trying to get his work ethic for grades.”

When colleges like Northwestern University started recruiting his younger brother, Nick Clark convinced coaches at Texas State the football team could only benefit from having another Clark on defense.

“To be honest, a big reason Marcus is here is because his brother is really good,” said Linebackers Coach Terrol Dillon. “Marcus turned out to be more of a surprise that we weren’t planning for.”

Marcus Clark joined the team as a freshman walk-on and impressed his training camp coaches.

He earned his starting position playing defensive letterman like his brother and fellow teammate Nathan Langford.

“Nick did a good job of getting him down here.

I knew he was pretty good, but I didn’t think he would be that good,” said Langford, defensive end.

Because they now share a playing field, both brothers had the opportunity to share their first sack together during the Baylor game.

“As brothers, everything has always been a competition,” Nick Clark said. “It’s just fun to watch him play. He got a sack before me this season. It was actually my sack and he came in on the tail end of it.”

Whether they are competing over sacks or video games, Marcus Clark said they have always looked to each other for motivation and drive because they refuse to rely on talent alone.

“It wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t here,” to keep up with him. I don’t want to be exactly Clark said. “We have never talked about it, but we like him, but I want to show that he’s taught me both know that. I’ve never had a chance to play well.” with my brother until now.”

Similar to his role as older brother, Nick Clark’s position as a leader and a role model on the team helps Marcus Clark remain confident in his play, Dillon said “I definitely think it helps Marcus with his confidence,” Dillon said. “Beyond that fact, they are both very good athletes and well-mannered gentleman. If I had sons of my own, I would want them to be like the Clark brothers.”

Defensive Line Coach Kyle Tietz said the coaches often use Nick Clark’s achievements as an example for how to set high standards on and off the playing field.

“Nick has been a fantastic voice and extension of the coaching staff,” Tietz said.

“When you see what a truly dedicated young man can accomplish, it raises your standards as a coach.”

On the field, Marcus Clark said he welcomes comparisons to his brother because he feels that his brother’s influence will make him a Austin Byrd/Star file photos stronger player and a stronger person.

BASH BROTHERS: Senior defensive end Nick Clark (left) hopes for the “He set the bar pretty same success on the football team for his brother, freshman linebacker high,” Marcus Clark said. Marcus Clark. Watch them against Southeastern Louisiana Saturday “The hardest thing is trying

Discipline, endurance key to mixed-martial arts fighting

By César G. Rodriguez Star Sports On a late night when Ryan Carranza was nine years old, he flipped through TV channels to find something entertaining to watch.

Two fighters in a cage match caught Carranza’s attention for a few seconds, but he kept on changing channels.

Although Carranza said it happened a long time ago, a seed—one that would later fructify in reality—was planted in him.

Carranza, exercise sports science senior, will step in the ring Nov. 3 in one of the preliminary fights of the King of Kombat World Class Mixed Martial Arts.

Ron Hernandez, King of Kombat CEO, said he expects a great turnout from mixed-martial arts fans because of the elite fighters attending, which includes an Ultimate Fight Championship fighter and Muay Thai and jujitsu champions.

Carranza said the discipline isn’t all about brutality and violence.

“It’s not just beat the hell out of somebody and get him bloody,” Carranza said.

Hernandez said people enjoy watching the sport to see which fighter and fighting style will win. For instance, a boxer will spar against a wrestler or a

jujitsu fighter will battle a judo combatant.

Boxing has a 10-second count, where the fallen “It’s all about the mystery of who will win,” said fighter has less time to recuperate.

Hernandez, noting the ultimate outcome is the Hernandez said some boxers get on their twofighter becomes a better person by practicing the feet on instinct, but once the referee OKs them, discipline. the beating comes while the pounded fighter looks “Once they are dizzy or cannot protect him or herself. inside the ring, In mixedthey go out at it, martial arts, but once they’re if a referee outside the sees a fightring, they’re all er dizzy or friends,” Hernanperceives dez said. they canCarranza said not respond, fighters might be the fight is punching one anstopped imother inside the m e d i a t e l y. ring, but when Fighters the bout is over, when — Courtesy of kingofkombat.com know they go out and FIGHTING BOBCAT: Ryan Carranza, exercise sports science senior, the bout ends have a beer to- will take to the ring in one of the preliminary fights of the King of and stops. gether.

Carranza H e r n a n d e z Kombat World Class Mixed Martial Arts at the Crockett Center in said he enjoys said people mis- Austin Nov. 3. the discipline, conceive mixedand it is one he martial arts as more brutal than boxing. He said has practiced for a year. there are 10 times fewer injuries in mixed-martial Most beginner fighters usually hit the gym to start arts than boxing. training, but Carranza said his journey started by

downloading instructional videos off the Internet. He joined a gym later.

Conditioning played a key factor in his first fight in May. “I did not win that one; I got worn out big time,” Carranza said.

He said the next day he saw himself in the mirror all bruised and never thought the beating was that bad.

Carranza now focuses on conditioning.

He runs 15 miles a week and does sparring sessions of six to eight minutes. He added 30 stations of conditioning drills that include sprints and cross training.

“There’s some form of conditioning every day,” said Carranza, but gives himself Sunday off. “If you get tired, your opponent, he won’t fight back.”

But that’s not all Carranza does for training.

He also lifts weights about 45 minutes to 60 minutes twice a week to strengthen his upper body, plus weekly sessions of jujitsu, western boxing and judo.

Carranza said the advantage of practicing mixedmartial arts is to be competitive at different disciplines and not just focus on one. If the opponent knows a fighter uses one discipline, it would be weakness, and his opponent will use it as an advantage.

One obstacle Carranza said is a greater challenge rather than the extreme workout is diet.

“I eat everything that’s green and grows from the earth,” Carranza said.