11 08 2007

ALL THE BUZZ

OURNEY BOUND TVolleyball finishes regular season

Subscribe to The University Star on the social networking Web site, Twitter, to get news updates.

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

A WORLD AWAY

Bobcats go global with Habitat for Humanity SEE TRENDS PAGE 6

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

WWW.UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM

NOVEMBER 8, 2007

LBJ statue vandalized, cameras will ‘prevent further’ vandalism

By Scott Thomas Assistant News Editor

tion of seven days following the Faculty Senate’s Oct. 24 meeting with Jeb Thomas, superviThe Lyndon Baines Johnson sor of access services. statue was removed from The “One thing (Thomas) didn’t Quad last month because a stu- understand is the chilling efdent set it on fire, said Univer- fect cameras would have on free sity President Denise Trauth speech,” Stone said. “They’re during Wednesday’s Faculty talking 30 days. If there’s an asSenate meeting. Her statement sault (in The Quad) you’ll know brings new light to the issue af- it in the next three days.” ter the university’s initial claims, Trauth said she would talk to through news releases and state- Joanne Smith, vice president for ments that the statue was re- student affairs, about a reducmoved to install a new platform. tion in the automatic purge peRalph Meyer, riod for cameras University Poin The Quad. lice Department Another camchief, told The pus security University Star issue Trauth the company spoke of was the that installed possibility of a the statue took bird flu outbreak it back to Houson campus. ton because the “After the hur—Denise Trauth current platform ricanes we, as a university president university, were did not fit. While he said the new told to make our platform would be higher to own plans and to not wait for prevent vandalism, he made no the state,” Trauth said. mention of the fire.

She said there was little reaA news release from the Uni- son to worry because no cases versity News Service said the of bird flu have been recorded same thing. within the U.S., and worldwide Trauth cited the act of vandal- the number of cases has gone ism as the primary motivation down. behind installing cameras in The “We can’t sit here and not Quad. prepare for it,” she said.

“The installation of that statTrauth further spoke of the ue came out of the Associated proposed amendment to the Student Government, they ap- non-discrimination clause to propriated the money and they include gender identity and exwere the ones who came to us, pression. She said it is importo the administration, and said tant to know what the school ‘we’d like to do this,’” Trauth will be expected to do after said. “So I don’t think the stu- making such an amendment. dents anticipated the vandal“A group of students talked ism.” to me about this very issue,” ASG Senator Tyler Ferguson, Trauth said. “It produced some said the vandal received a light conversation and helped me punishment: a vandalism fine understand some issues. One and community service. thing they communicated withTrauth said the camera sys- out trying to communicate is tems will prevent further acts how much pain it has caused.” of vandalism and theft.

Ferguson said her tone has “It never was our attempt changed from initial, private to be Big Brother and watch conversations he had with her people participating in free about the issue. speech,” Trauth said.

“I think that as she sees more Faculty Senate Chair William coverage of this issue and she Stone, criminal justice profes- sees it’s not going away,” Fersor, recommended the automat- guson said. “She’s realized how ic purge period for cameras in important this is to so many The Quad be reduced to three people and how serious this isdays, as opposed to 30. This sue is. I think she’s always been recommendation is a reduction in support of making this camof time after a similar sugges- pus as diverse as possible.”

t never was “I our attempt to be Big Brother

THURSDAY

VOLUME 97, ISSUE 34

SWAT: Ready for restart

By Cheryl Jones Features Reporter Staying out late is never as fun as it is when there is a safe way home.

Students With Alternative Transportation, an organization providing free rides, has returned.

Shannon McFadden, pre-mass communication junior, said SWAT was on a hiatus this semester because of internal issues. But she is hopeful the new restart of the program, taking place 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday, will be suc-

cessful. A new group of officers, including McFadden, and executives have been elected to head the program.

“The new group is all about organizing and they are completely dedicated to keeping SWAT operating at the best of its abilities,” she said.

David Lee Martinez, marketing sophomore and SWAT officer, sees the restart of SWAT as promising as well.

“I have faith in all of the officers and execs that we will have nothing but successful nights from now on,” Martinez said.

SWAT was created in 2001 and operates completely by volunteer work. The program aims to prevent the dangers of drunk driving and save lives.

“I heard that everyday, drunk driving claims five lives,” Martinez said. “We’re doing everything we can to keep San Marcos and Texas State students out of that statistic.”

McFadden said driving under the influence has the potential to cause serious injury not only to the vehicle’s operator and See SWAT, page 4

Language lessons University seeks to launch full-scale Arabic program

and watch people parrticipating in free speech.”

Tina Phan/Star photo CROSSING BOUNDARIES: (Below) Faculty member Amjad Abunseir writes some Arabic on the board while teaching his class Monday morning.

Tina Phan/Star photo AQUIRING ARABIC: (Above) Faculty member Amjad Abunseir, in orange, goes over lessons in his Arabic class in Lampasas Hall Monday morning. The course is designed to bridge gaps in Middle Eastern and Western culture.

By Sean Batura News Reporter Universities nationwide are scrambling to offer Arabic courses in response to increased interest in the language. The rapidly growing demand for Arabic speakers by both the public and private sector is often cited as a reason for the surge in enrollment in Arabic courses.

Texas State officials have expressed the desire for a full-fledged Arabic program. But they need more students to enroll in the Arabic courses already offered and enrollment would have to stay high over the course of several semesters.

A May report published by the Modern Language Association

identifies a “current language crisis that has occurred as a result of 9/11.”

“MLA data show that college and university enrollments in Arabic nearly doubled between 1998 and 2002, from 5,505 to 10,584,” the report stated.

The report claims “the nation’s language deficit” grew evident “as language failures of all kinds plagued the United States’ military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq and its efforts to suppress terrorism.” The report takes note of the availability of “new federal funds for language study,” most of which are “tied to defense and security needs.”

See LANGUAGE, page 4

Border fence seeks to prevent illegal immigration

By Stephanie Kusy-Wilson News Reporter Texas State student Josue Acosta has lived in the Valley all his life. He said he would not live in U.S. today if it were not for his grandparents that illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border many years ago.

Arguments over how to deal with illegal immigration have been a prominent topic debated by the Republicans and Democrats in Congress for years. Within the past year, the government has tossed around the idea of building a border fence along the Rio Grande River and U.S.-Mexico border.

The government recently disclosed information about the construction, maintenance and proposed locations for the fence if approved and plans to start erecting it in spring 2008.

According to the Border Fence National Environmental Policy Act Web site, fences will be constructed in 21 segments for approximately 70 miles from Brownsville to Rio Grande City. The fences will stand 15 feet high and extend below

Today’s Weather

Partly Cloudy 78˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 59% UV: 5 Moderate Wind: SSW 12 mph

ground, will be able to withstand a 10,000 pound vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour and will be “aesthetically pleasing.”

Acosta said when he lived in Harlingen, he experienced first-hand working with illegal immigrants.

He said they would often cross the border for the week and return to Mexico on the weekends to be with their families.

“It’s a way of life,” said Acosta, exercise and sports science sophomore. “The way I look at it is that they are doing the jobs that most Americans don’t want to do.”

Republicans have been arguing against views similar to Acosta, claiming illegal immigrants are taking Americans’ jobs and are causing more harm than good.

Traci Adams, Texas State College Republicans president, said she thinks the border fence is the first step in securing the country and stopping illegal immigrants from taking advantage of entitlements and governmental programs.

“Any person can walk into a hospital in need of immediate medical attention and will not be denied, including someone who is illegal,” said

Two-day Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy Temp: 86°/ 61° Precip: 10%

Saturday Isolated T-Storms Temp: 84°/ 61° Precip: 30%

Adams, management junior. “Thus, you the American tax payer, will take the bill on this. Does this bother you, paying for an illegal immigrant’s medical attention? It should. That’s why the border fence will help.”

According to the National Public Radio Web site, approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., which puts a strain on health and education services, yet helps to fill numerous low-paying jobs in the economy.

Brian Henretta, Texas State College Democrats president, said Americans need to realize immigrants are leaving their families and friends behind to seek a better life because conditions in their country do not allow for economic growth.

“Building a wall on our southern border is the exact opposite of how to solve the problem,” said Henretta, European studies junior. “The current plan to build this wall will only cause people who walked a few hundred miles to our border to be inconvenienced enough to have to walk five or so extra to simply bypass it.”

Adams said many people die while attempting to cross the border or are sold into slavery.

Many Mexican women hire “coyotes,” or guides to help them secretly cross the border. The men will often rape them and leave their panties in a tree known as a “rape tree,” which serves as a painful reminder to what other women will have to endure.

Adams said these are issues Americans feel sympathy for, and the border fence will help eliminate these problems from reoccurring.

Still, many residents of south Texas have been in an uproar since they learned of the proposed border fence. Acosta said he thinks many people are against it because they are products of illegal immigration.

Patricio M. Ahumada, mayor of Brownsville, has threatened to seek an injunction to stop the border fence. He said in a Cybercast News Service interview the Department of Homeland Security has not worked with him or the city on this issue.

“I was elected to represent the interests of my constituents,” Ahumada told Cybercast News Service. “My constituents have been very open about See BORDER, page 4

Inside News ........ 1,2,3,4 Opinions ............ 5 Trends ............. 6,7

Texas State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

Diversions .......... 8 Classifieds ......... 9 Sports .............. 10

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2007 The University Star

PAGETWO

starsof texas state

Today in Brief

Page 2 - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Junior Brandon Bush was the lead scorer when the Bobcats basketball team beat Concordia 131-96. Bush scored 24 points to lead six Bobcat players in double figures. He was 9-of-17 from the field, had five assists and four rebounds in 21 minutes of play.

The men will open the season Friday 7:30 p.m. against Houston-Tillotson at Strahan Coliseum, while the women will tip off 5:30 p.m. versus Texas A&M International.

-- Courtesy of Athletic Media Relations

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

Calendar Thursday Career Services presents, “Walt Disney World College Internship Program Presentation” 5:30 p.m in Flowers Hall, 230.

The Catholic Student Organization will meet 6 p.m. in the library of the CSC. The Christian rock band, Soundwave, will be the guest performers at The Rock— Praise & Worship 7:30 p.m in the St. Jude Chapel in the CSC chapel.

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 Texas State’s women’s basketball will play Texas A&M International 5:30 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

Texas State’s men’s basketball will play Huston-Tillotson 7 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

Alcoholics Anonymous Newcomer’s Meeting, River Group, will be 9:15 p.m. at 1700 Ranch Rd. 12, Suite C. Saturday The Brain Injury Association of Texas (BIATX) will host the third-annual “Walk for Thought,” a three-mile walk, which aims to celebrate survivors of brain injuries, raise funds and build awareness to benefit Texans living with dis-

SAVE A LIFE:

abilities caused by traumatic brain injury. On-site registration begins 2 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. For more information regarding the numerous sponsorship opportunities, event registration or additional information concerning the Brain Injury Association of Texas, call 800-392-0040, e-mail info@biatx.org or visit www.biatx.org.

Delta Zeta sorority will be holding their second annual Turtle Tug of war competition noon to 3 p.m. at Sewell Park.

Applications for teams can be picked up in the quad Nov. 6, 7 and 8 10 a.m. to 4 p..m. There will be separate brackets for men, women and co-ed teams.

Great prizes for first and second place in each bracket.

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

Melissa Millecam, communications manager for the city of San Marcos and founding member of HCWC, will be the guest speaker at the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center Annual Meeting. The meeting begins 6:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Price Senior Center and refreshments will be served. The public is encouraged to attend.

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

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department

Jenny Polson/ Star Photo Brenna Greenberg, psychology senior, gathers information about becoming a bone marrow donor at The Quad Wednesday.

Library Beat: Trying to keep up with current news? No more waiting for newspapers to arrive. Library Press Display provides a convenient way to access the complete content of over 400 U.S. and international titles in full-color, full-page format online. Just like reading the familiar print edition, viewers can browse articles and other key content, such as pictures, advertisements, classifieds and notices. The database can be accessed via the Alkek Library homepage and clicking on the link for Databases: http://www.library.txstate.edu.

Getting started is easy. Upon entering the database, “Search” (next to the icon of a house) is available at the very top of the page. Rolling the cursor over the blue search button will offer an option to limit a search to a specific time period or to continue with the default 60-day archive. In order to choose a number of newspapers at once, run the search first with no limits on “Select Title”. The next screen will shows it ran the search in “All Newspapers.” Clicking on “Select” will open a window allowing the user to check a number of titles at once.

The main page lists clickable countries in a grey column, which will then display newspapers from that country. When printing, the printer icon allows for printing an entire page or “Print Custom Area.” The user may also print a particular article by clicking on the article’s headline, which will open a text window. Then click on the ‘printer’ in the toolbar at the top in order to print the article. Here the user can also copy and paste the text into a Word document.

One problem some encounter is parts of a page cutting off. Ensure the page margins are set to zero by doing the following in the Internet browser: Click FILE, select PAGE SETUP, set all four margins to zero (the browser my change this setting to a small number instead of zero), click OK. For assistance with these or any library resources, call 512-245-3844 or visit http://askalibrarian.library.txstate.edu.

— Courtesy of Alkek Library

Oct. 28, 2:35 a.m.

Public Intoxication/Alcohol: Minor in Possession/ Blanco Hall An officer was on patrol and observed an individual standing by a parked car. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for MIP and a student was issued a citation for PI, arrested and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration.

Oct. 28, 4:28 a.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Wood Street Garage An officer was on patrol and observed several individuals in the garage. Upon further investigation, five students were issued citations for MIP. Oct. 28, 11:09 p.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Blanco Hall An officer was dispatched for a disorderly conduct report. Upon further investigation, three students were issued citations for MIP. Oct. 29, 12:39 a.m.

Criminal Trespass of a Habitation/Clear Springs An officer was dispatched for a criminal trespass report. A student reported an acquaintance had entered the residence without his consent. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 29, 8:55 a.m.

Information Report/UPD An officer received an information report. A non-student reported property was lost on campus. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 29, 11:10 a.m.

Theft – under $500/Mitte Building An officer was dispatched for a theft report. A nonstudent reported property was taken from the building without consent. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 29, 7:58 p.m.

Evading Arrest/Detention/Bexar Garage Two officers were on patrol and observed two individuals walking. Two students attempted to flee the scene and were released. A report was generated for this case.

Oct. 30, 10:07 a.m.

Warrant Service/Arnold Hall Two officers were dispatched to assist with a search warrant. Upon further investigation, drug paraphernalia was confiscated from the residence. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 30, 5:41 p.m.

Information Report/San Jacinto Hall An officer was dispatched for a suspicious activity report. A non-student reported a student was being harassed. This case is under investigation.

Oct. 30, 6:45 p.m.

Elevator Rescue/LBJ Student Center An officer was dispatched for an elevator rescue. A student was released from an elevator without incident.

A report was generated for this case.

—Courtesy of University Police Department

NEWS

Thursday, November 8, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Drug use continues to increase in the U.S.

By Jackie Baylon News Reporter

The number of illicit drug users in the U.S. continues to skyrocket despite the billions of dollars spent fighting the War on Drugs.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the number of drug users in the country has increased 7.4 million in the past decade, from 13 million in 1996 to 20.4 million in 2006.

“When there is a demand, there will always be a supply for illicit drugs,” said Ryan Thorpe, director of admissions at Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’s leading drug education and rehabilitation centers.

“There are not enough resources to

keep all the drugs out of the country.

The law may deter some people from using drugs, but over all, the laws are not effective to keep people from using them.”

Illegal drugs continue to be readily available almost anywhere in the U.S. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, if measured solely in terms of price and purity, cocaine, heroin and marijuana prove to be more available than they were a decade ago when the number of cocaine and marijuana users was much higher.

Thorpe said people are still going to find a way to use illicit substances despite any stringent laws on drugs.

Studies conducted by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service show drug-related illness, death

and crime cost the nation approximately $66.9 billion. U.S. residents pay nearly $1,000 annually to cover the expense of unnecessary health care, extra law enforcement, auto accidents, crime and lost productivity resulting from substance abuse.

John Walters, the Office of National Drug Control Policy director, said in a news release drug use is a terrible drag on society and the economy. He said the problem could be made smaller by having fewer teens using drugs.

Thorpe said this can be accomplished through education.

“The very most important thing that can be done is educating on prevention steps,” Thorpe said. “You want to prevent the problem from ever occurring and that starts with young children.”

He said having seminars and lectures on narcotic use could help educate people on the dangers of drug abuse.

Carson Greene, philosophy sophomore and president of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Texas State chapter, agreed.

“I feel education is a very good thing, but I believe that the correct information should be delivered in any educational campaign,” Greene said.

He said people are misinformed when propaganda says marijuana makes people violent and commit crimes and assaults.

The NORML program supports the decriminalization of marijuana. Greene said it was safer to use marijuana in a controlled environment than to drink alcohol.

“Jimmy Carter was quite right when he stated that penalties against the possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than

Katie Allinson/Star photo illustration ILLICIT INCREASE: With more than 4,000 drug related arrests everyday, the number of drug users has increased from 13 million in 1996 to 20.4 million in 2006.

the use of the drug itself,” Greene said.

“In the case of marijuana, if you are busted with possession, it somewhat determines your future on school, job and financial opportunities.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. has the highest jail and prison population in the world — totaling more than 2 million people.

Approximately 80 percent of that population is incarcerated either directly or indirectly for issues involving substance abuse.

Thorpe said illicit drug use can hurt families, businesses and neighborhoods. He said they can impede education and choke criminal justice, health

and social service systems.

Everyday, more than 4,000 drug arrests are made across the U.S. The targets are ticketed, fined and incarcerated. Arrestees can lose their cars, homes, livelihoods and families, but the drugs continue to flow.

Julio Bucio, pre-radiation therapy freshman, said after drug use came close to his family, nothing was the same.

“I lost my brother because of a drug overdose,” Bucio said. “After losing my brother, there were always problems within the family on who to blame for his death. Drug use can really destroy a once happy and loving group of people.”

Charity pounds pavement for thought SUITE CELEBRATION

By Katie Carmichael Special to The University Star The third annual Walk for Thought benefiting the Brain Injury Association of Texas will be held Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.

The Alpha Phi Omega — Nu Gamma chapter at Texas State, a non-profit coed service fraternity, will host the event. All proceeds go toward aiding the 450,000 Texans who are disabled because of brain injury.

“Last year we raised $18,000,” said Christen Motz, member of Alpha Phi Omega and mathematics junior. “Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger.”

This year’s walk will include live music, concessions, games and door prizes donated by local sponsors such as Chipotle, the Root Cellar and Chuck Nash Chevrolet. The Texas Medical Association will be there to hand out bicycle helmets as part of their Hard Hats for Little Heads program.

Melissa Finney, political science senior and head of the Walk for Thought committee, strived to enlarge the scale of this year’s

fundraiser. Her goal is to double the money raised last year and substantially increase community involvement.

“This will be something memorable for the campus community and for San Marcos as a whole,” Finney said. “We have four times the performers this year and as far as getting people involved on a campus-wide basis, more people are talking about it.”

Brain injury is a serious affliction that impacts thousands of people a year, yet many people are unaware of the severity of the problem. It is the leading cause of death and disability among children, according to the Brain Injury Association of Texas. Approximately 2 percent of the public nationwide is living with disabilities caused by a brain injury.

“One of our members is actually affected by a brain injury,” Finney said. “The president of our organization’s father was afflicted due to an on-site work accident, and one of our adviser’s daughters is also affected by a brain injury. Just from the really small group we have in Alpha Phi Omega, there is a wealth of peo-

ple who are influenced by this.”

The Brain Injury Association of Texas is a non-profit public service organization offering a range of services to victims and their families including information and referral sources, connections to local support groups, education and awareness programs and promotion of prevention strategies.

They are also active in public policy issues. They successfully campaigned for legislation in 2007 requiring health carriers in Texas to include cognitive therapy and sought addition funding for rehabilitation programs.

The organization is dependant upon the fundraiser to continue its efforts and expand its influence. To learn more, visit their Web site at www.biatx.org.

✯FYI Registration and team check-in will begin at 2 p.m. and the walk will start at 3 p.m. Teams should complete the course by 9 p.m.

Katie Allinson/Star photo John Martin (left) and Bob Fugazi of Flintco sign a commerative beam alongside Mayor Susan Narvaiz during the topping out ceremony for the new Embassy Suites and Conference Center off of I-35 and McCarty Lane Friday.

NEWS

Page 4 - The University Star

LANGUAGE

BORDER

CROSSING BOUNDARIES: National Guardsman Howard Cook deciphers some Arabic writing while in class Monday Morning.

CONTINUED from page 1

Tina Phan/Star photo

their opposition to a physical wall that is being rammed down our throats....”

Ahumada, along with numerous other conservation groups, have expressed a concern over how the fence will impact the environment. According to the Border Fence National Environmental Policy Act Web site, construction will affect more than 500 acres of land.

The Nature Conservancy organization said the Valley and the Rio Grande River provide Tom Pennington/Fort Worth Star-Telegram vegetation and water for sever- LA LINEA: Mexican citizen Jose Antonio Breton peers through the al animals, including migratory massive fence at the border of Mexico and the United States near birds.

“While we share public con- Tijuana on May 10, 2006. cerns about border security and illegal immigration, the agrees the border wall brings said homes and businesses will construction of such a structure up many complex issues. The be torn down in Brownsville, and clearing of vegetation along Nature Valley Center Web site Roma and Granjeno. He said the river would destroy critical openly opposes the border it will further affect the endanhabitat for wildlife,” the Nature fence and adds a link to the No gered species and migratory Conservancy said in a released Texas Border Wall Web site. birds’ habitats living in that restatement.

According to the Border gion.

The group expressed concern Fence National Environmental Nicol said he thinks the U.S. over the starting point of the Policy Act Web site, vegetation should address the border fence fence, which may be developed would be cleared and grading issue more rationally instead of in the national wildlife refuges may occur to make room for the creating xenophobic hysteria in the Rio Grande Valley. fence, access roads and patrol for political gain.

Martin Hagne, executive di- roads.

“The wall only provides a rector of the Nature Valley CenScott Nicol, member of the false sense of security (for ter located in Weslaco, said he No Texas Border Wall group, Americans),” Nicol said.

SWAT CONTINUED from page 1

passengers, but also to others on the road.

Since SWAT functions strictly by volunteer work, the officers of the organization stressed the need for help.

“Volunteering for SWAT is just like volunteering for anything else. It gives you a good feeling, a feeling that you are actually accomplishing something,” McFadden said. “SWAT is also a very close-knit organization and it’s a great way to meet people.”

Martinez even came up with an alternative way to view volunteering for the organization.

“I’ll be honest, I have called SWAT more than once to pick me up from parties. I think of it more as a ‘pay it forward’ deal,” he said. “I say for every night someone calls SWAT, they should volunteer for one night.”

Thursday, November 8, 2007

The SWAT program guarantees confidentially to users and volunteers.

“SWAT is a completely non-judgmental organization, we’re here for the students and the community. We are all about making San Marcos a safer place to live. So if you need a ride, please call us, after all, that’s why we’re here,” McFadden said.

For students preparing to go out for the night, prepare by knowing how to get home, Martinez said. With SWAT as a possibility there’s no reason to be unsafe.

“There are no excuses not to use SWAT,” he said.

✯ FYI

SWAT’s number is 245-SWAT Interested in volunteering? Contact: Judy Row at mailto: Jr09@txstate.edu or Shannon McFadden at sm1475@txstate.edu

In a 2006 State Department briefing, officials announced the creation of the National Security Language Initiative. Its purpose is to “dramatically increase” the number of Americans proficient in “critical need foreign languages.” Arabic is at the top of a list that includes Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Farsi.

“An essential component of U.S. national security in the post-9/11 world is the ability to engage foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical regions, to encourage reform, promote understanding, convey respect for other cultures and provide an opportunity to learn more about our country and its citizens,” the State Department said. “To do this, we must be able to communicate in other languages, a challenge for which we are unprepared.”

A National Security Language Initiative online fact sheet describes the expansion of the National Flagship Language program.

“National Flagship Programs, administered by the National Security Education Program in the Department of Defense, are designed as strategic partnerships between the federal government and U.S. Institutions of Higher Education focusing on the implementation of advanced instruction in critical languages,” according to the fact sheet.

The fact sheet lists the University of Texas Arabic program as one of four operational programs receiving funds by the federal government under the Department of Defense-administered initiative.

Program faculty member Amjad Abunseir is spearheading an effort to increase enrollment in Arabic courses at Texas State.

Abunseir brings his experience from the University of Texas Arabic program to Texas State, where he hopes an even better program could be established.

But he said it may be a while before that can happen.

“At this point we don’t really have the numbers, that’s why we need to get the word out,”

Abunseir said. “Hopefully then the numbers will increase over time. It will take us about a year from now to see how things are going to work. Definitely we are looking forward to opening a full Arabic language program at Texas State. Some of the (current) students are interested in minoring in Arabic, but we’re not there yet.”

He said Americans proficient in the language have an advantage over non-citizens.

“The government is looking for anybody who speaks…Arabic,” Abunseir said. “It pays a lot of money. (The government) is not willing to hire people who are not citizens; therefore those students (who are citizens) will have the opportunity to get those jobs.”

Abunseir said job opportunities for Arabic speakers abound in both the public and private sectors.

“The opportunity is wide open,” Abunseir said. “You could be a translator heading to Iraq helping the troops, you could be working with the government here (and) you could be teaching Arabic. You could actually head to the Middle East and do business. There are a lot of places like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates that are very rich. A lot of Americans head there, and it’s very useful to have basic Arabic skills — and cultural skills, too.”

Robert Fischer, modern languages department chair, explained his approach to determining what courses are offered.

“I don’t know that we would offer languages just because they are immediately or temporarily important,” Fisher said. “My goal for the department is that we offer a variety of languages for students to take. Arabic being important, we want to offer it.”

Abunseir described the experience students can expect to have in the Arabic courses he teaches.

“One of the functions of the class is to introduce the Arabic culture to the students, as part of the language skill,” Abunseir said. “A lot of times we will be talking about different cultural

aspects: weddings, music, bands (and) food. Also we touch on religion because there is a connection between Islam and the language.”

Shaun Payne, pre-international studies freshman, said he is taking an Arabic course because his study emphasis is in the Middle East, and he would like to eventually work in the region with an organization involved in peace work. He said learning the language has been enjoyable.

“The language is a lot more fun than I thought is was going to be,” Payne said. “Just the whole writing it and speaking it — everything about it is a lot of fun. Their culture is very interesting. I like it a lot.”

Payne contrasted what he had learned so far about Arabic culture with mainstream American values.

“In America, we are a lot about helping ourselves — making ourselves better,” Payne said. “But in Arab culture, they’re all about sharing — they’re very communal. It’s pretty cool.”

Jennifer Bland, pre-international studies freshman, said learning Arabic is easier than she expected.

“It’s actually easier,” Bland said. “I find it easier than Spanish. I can write better in Arabic than I can in Spanish.”

Bland described her experience studying in the Middle Eastern country of Yemen.

“I signed up for a school over there,” Bland said. “I went there by myself, I didn’t know anyone and when I got there I just met people from all over the world.

It was awesome. I met people from Spain, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Russia (and) Mexico.”

Bland said she will probably work for the U.S. government after graduate school, though working for the United Nations is her main goal.

“I know I’ll probably end up working for the government at some point,” Bland said. “Probably the State Department. I’ve always wanted to work for the U.N.”

Find Veteran’s Day events online at www.UniversityStar.com.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

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

Page 5 - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Opinions Contact — Meagan Singletary, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

T

he most important message we came away with after days of naps and playtime in kindergarten was the importance of sharing.

It turns out sharing, or more specifically sharing what is considered someone else’s intellectual property, can be costly to the tune of $222,000.

On Oct. 4, the Recording Industry Association of America won the first of some 20,000 file-sharing cases to be brought to court. A federal jury found Jammie Thomas, a single mother of two, guilty of willful copyright infringement after copying 26 songs and distributing 1,702 others in February of 2005 on the peer-to-peer file sharing network Kazaa.

The RIAA has received harsh public scrutiny for the hard line stance it has taken with online file sharers.

The argument is not whether its actions are legal. It is obvious the record companies do hold the rights to the songs they are trying to protect.

The issue is the extremely unfriendly attitude the association has taken with what are potential customers.

The RIAA has said the decline in music sales since 2001 shows a direct correlation to the proliferation of peer-to-peer online file-sharing networks over that time. The University Star would like to reiterate the old adage that correlation does not imply causation. The fact is there are other factors, many of which the RIAA members are in direct control of, which diminish record sales as well.

The relatively high price of albums drives most consumers away from making exploratory purchases on artists they know little about.

The Internet, whether the industry likes it or not, is the way of the future. To avoid being stuck with an overpriced album of mostly bad music, consumers will seek out ways of testing albums before they pony-up their hard-earned cash. Record labels need to embrace this fact rather than fighting it with all its might.

Recent studies by University of North Carolina, the Canadian government and Jupiter Research have all stated peer-to-peer file sharing does not have a detrimental effect on music sales. The UNC study stated, “Using detailed records of transfers of digital music files, we find that file sharing has had no statistically significant effect on purchases of the average album in our sample.” The other two studies showed prolific sharers had actually started to buy more music than they had before once they began using peer-to-peer networks.

File sharing does nothing overall to hurt industry sales. Until the RIAA embraces unauthorized file sharing as a reality of this brave new world, they will never fully regain the respect of the world’s music lovers.

SHARING DOWN

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.

Pat Stark/Star Illustration

Affordable health care issue for low-wage workers

By Sabrina Jennings Star Columnist Recently, I watched the documentary, Where There is a Will ... There Will be a Living Wage, presented by the living wage initiative activists from Texas A&M University (a link to the film can be found at www.geocities.com/livingwageinitiative/ index.html). In the film, several custodial workers are profiled and a small perspective of their daily struggles is gained. It was sickening to see how poorly these hardworking individuals were treated by such a large and wealthy public university.

What struck me even deeper

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

was how similar their stories were to those I have personally heard from custodians at Texas State.

Many of the workers featured in the film discussed how difficult it is to afford necessary health care. They have health insurance through the university, but it does not come for free. Some had very little left in a month’s pay after deductions for insurance were taken out to cover themselves and perhaps children or a spouse.

Having insurance does not mean free visits to a physician either. They still had to make a co-payment, and many times this was more than they could

afford. I know this to be the case for some custodians who work here. Having insurance is a wonderful benefit that attracts many people to work for less than they could elsewhere. But the co-pay for basic and emergency medical care is often more than what these workers can afford on the pay they make.

One woman who worked at A&M was taped in her house, which was in terrible condition.

During the winter she had to use the oven as a heater. She could manage to pay a higher gas bill, but she could not afford to make a larger payment to obtain another source of

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..................Meagan Singletary, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor...............................Spencer Millsap, starphoto@txstate.edu

heating. Many things are taken for granted by most middle-and upper-class folks, which are luxuries unavailable to workers such as this woman.

Some ask, “why don’t they just go get a job somewhere else instead of complaining about it?” First of all, most of these individuals are extremely dedicated workers who enjoy their work and don’t complain about it. Custodians in the film said they feel connected to the school community and enjoy their job. They are not looking for an easy job where they can make lots of money. They simply want to do their work and be able to

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

afford the basic necessities for their families.

Some custodians at this university are working hard to find positive ways to get their voices heard by administration and discuss the ways in which they feel mistreated. They can leave and go work somewhere else, but it does not solve the problem. The workers who are speaking up against these injustices are not trouble making or lazy, they are acting heroically for themselves, other workers and the betterment of this university.

Pakistan relations not over

By Kristopher Floyd Star Columnist

Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of martial law Saturday and the arrest of thousands of lawyers in large cities throughout Pakistan on Monday has left Washington in an akward spot.

Musharraf is the president of Pakistan and chief of army staff of the Pakistan army, a duality Pakistan’s Supreme Court was examining, which could have declared Musharraf’s presidency illegal. Following the state of emergency declaration, the supreme court was dismissed and many of its judges were arrested.

Musharraf has been promising to take off his uniform, but the startling events that have been unraveling over the past few days suggest otherwise.

The United States has been donating billions annually to Pakistan since Sept. 11 to support Musharraf’s campaign against religious extremism and terrorism. But the United States is also a staunch proponent of democracy. Seeing how Musharraf is using martial law to remove his political opponents and potentially delay January’s elections, Pakistan’s military dictatorship seems to be sliding further away from any kind of democracy.

However, despite the U.S. role as the leader of the free world, it is highly doubtful Washington will follow in the Dutch example and freeze aid to the Muslim nation. Does it mean Washington values the global War on terror above democracy? Realistically, the answer is Washington values all kinds of things above democracy. The United States has a history of supporting authoritarian regimes playing into American strategic interests. Musharraf’s dedication to “enlightened moderation” in Pakistan, the desire to strengthen ties with the West, the region’s strategic location and dedication to eliminating radical Islamic elements inside Pakistan make him a sure pick in Washington any day. Indeed, he was the darling of the 9/11 Commission Report, which stated “Musharraf’s government represents the best hope for stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

A delay in January’s elections only means the pro-western president will be able to serve American interests longer. The truth is Pakistan might even need Musharraf more than he needs the country. Historically, Musharraf is not really a power hungry man. The coup d’état that put him in power was not his doing, and he only rose high enough in the ranks to become the army chief because those above him knew he would not seize power. Although he has suspended the constitution twice now, he believes his regime is charged with stabilizing Pakistan before turning it over to the people. Hopefully, this new conflict will end soon and the stabilization and democratization of Pakistan can continue without any more constitutional crises and police crackdowns.

One thing is for sure: as long as Musharraf serves the interests of Washington, American dollars will keep pouring in, democracy or not.

Kristopher Floyd is an English sophomore

Sabrina Jennings is an applied sociology senior

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 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright November 8, 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.

TRENDS

s e i l l A THE UNIVERSITY STAR

fineprint

Texas State’s creative writing graduate students will read from their poetry and fiction as part of this semester’s MFA Reading Series 5 p.m. Thursday in the Southwestern Writers Collection on the seventh floor of Alkek Library.

Page 6 - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Program offers understanding for students and staff

By Jaime Kilpatrick Senior Features Reporter

✯FYI

Spring training sessions will be held Jan. 28 12:30 p.m. to 4:0 p.m. and April 3 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Part of college life is finding out who you are as a person in multiple dimensions.

For some students, this whirlwind of possibilities and lifestyles includes gender identity and/or sexual preference.

Programs such as Allies of Texas State help promote understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.

Heather Aidala, psychologist at the counseling center and interim Allies coordinator, said the program creates a visible network of people who promote a safe environment for students, faculty and staff.

“They can feel comfortable being all of them-

selves without hiding aspects of their lives,” Aidala said.

According to the Texas State Allies Web site, the program “aims to create and sustain ‘safe places’ where GLBTQ persons can speak with an Ally in confidence (and) include GLBTQ individuals in all aspects of campus life.”

Students, faculty and staff who attend the fourhour training session will be part of a nationwide program whose requirements vary for each campus.

Aidala said Campus Activities and Student Organizations (CASO) initiated the program at Texas State seven years ago.

Several universities throughout Texas are a part of the Allies program, including University of Texas, Texas A&M and University of Texas-San Antonio.

Representatives from Residence Life and CASO

will be helping Aidala facilitate the training session.

Edna Suarez, public relations senior, said she is working with Aidala to promote awareness of the Allies program at Texas State.

She said her group in her public relations campaigns course is helping set up a timetable for next year’s program.

Suarez said she supports Allies because the program fosters a sense of belonging at a university and offers people a safe place to go.

Allies training sessions are offered twice a semester. The last Allies training session of the fall semester is 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-13.1.

Aidala said she expects about 20 people to attend this training session.

Faculty and staff within the student affairs

division of the university will receive continuing education credit for attending, she said.

Matthew Hardin, advertising senior, said though he cannot attend the training, he supports promoting awareness of the GLBTQ community.

“Even though this is a university setting, I think there’s a lot of ignorance and this is a great thing for Texas State to have,” Hardin said. “I would think the GLBTQ community isn’t at large in Texas and they need a place to be welcomed.”

In addition to the Allies training, biannual meetings are held for current Allies and anyone interested in the program.

According to the Allies Web site, these meetings offer a chance to network, continue learning about issues in the GLBTQ community and provide suggestions for future events.

A new home in a new world Six Texas State students spend two weeks in New Zealand with Global Habitat for Humanity

By Erica Rodriguez Features Reporter Editor’s Note: Erica Rodriguez was a participant in the New Zealand events she reports on and was a member of the building team for Habitat for Humanity Global Village.

Newly calloused hands were now being used to blot out teardrops from misty eyes.

“We left our own blood and sweat and tears in that house,” said David Kennedy before a group of Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

Kennedy was among the volunteers involved in the weeklong build in Poriua, New Zealand.

“A part of us is there.

It always will be,” Kennedy said.

A select group of six Texas State Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation scholars and honors students were chosen to particih Photo courtesy of Hilda McHug pate in the Habitat for y Dornbusch, mu- Humanity International MITTE MISSION: Audre ss communication Global Village outreach sic junior; Amy Lane, ma program. The students lberg, English ide sophomore; Melissa He joined a team of 22 y istr em ch bio , tes senior; Stephen Ga Mitte scholars, coorss comma ez, gu dri Ro ca Eri sophomore; dinators and affiliates , yd Bo ie an Steph munication junior and from across the nation six the re we ior, jun for the trip, which took communication design t en chosen to repres place Oct. 23 to Nov. Mitte honors students for at the Habit 3.

Texas State as a part of e project in Porirua, The student parHumanity Global Villag ticipants left behind . nd ala Ze w Ne family, relationships and school work to represent Texas A&M University, Indiana State University, Ohio State University and Pennsylvania State University.

“It’s an incredibly worthwhile activ-

ity once you factor everything in,” said Austin Carlson, president of the Mitte Honor Society at Texas A&M. “I’m looking forward to the build itself,” he said during the twelve-hour flight to New Zealand. “I think it’s a cool way to give back.”

With the help of prescription drugs, dimmed cabin lighting and dark eye masks, the team arrived in Auckland 5:45 a.m. New Zealand time. For the most part, participants were still unsure of the trip ahead.

“I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that we’re on the other side of the world,” said Ryan Kunkel, entrepreneurship senior from Indiana University. “It’s different from anything I’ve ever seen, but not drastically.”

The team stayed the majority of the weekend in Rotorua, a popular tourist destination on New Zealand’s northern island. During that time, the group toured the Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) Thermal Wonderland, followed by the lush Waimangu volcanic valley, which are both outside the city limits.

There is a lingering rotten-egg smell seeping from the ground in most of Rotorua because of its ongoing geothermal activity. Nowhere else was this more apparent than at Wai-O-Tapu. The area was filled with boiling mud pools, active geysers, champagne pools and sulphurspewing geothermal streams that could easily have been a scene from Lord of the Ring’s Mordor.

Afterwards, Waimangu offered a refreshing contrast of boat tours, waterfalls, craters and the world largest hot spring. Weekend activities ranged from bungee jumping to white-water rafting to spa therapies, followed by a full immersion into the indigenous New Zealand Maori culture at the Te Puia cultural center.

“At this point I’m not really excited about switching from what we’re doing

to the build,” said Stephanie Willhide, marketing senior from Ohio State.

The welcome dinner on Sunday night allowed the team to finally meet the Munro family and brought them one step closer to the build. The Munro’s are a family of eight, with six children ranging in ages from 3 to 12-years old.

“Seeing the faces of those children made me realize that’s why we were in New Zealand,” Kennedy said.

Donna and Joe Munro have dreamed of owning their own home for the past four years, but have never had the financial means to make the dream materialize.

Donna Munro sat clad in a navy blue painter’s suit smudged with fresh paint.

The couple worked every day at the site alongside more than 25 Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

“If we went to the banks today they wouldn’t even give us $200,000,” she said.

Joe Munro agreed.

“The banks were really tough,” he said. “It feels really good, but it feels even better when guys like you are here helping.”

The two have been living in government housing since before being married. With a family of eight crammed into a home with only three bedrooms and one bath, conditions have not been ideal.

“We’ve got the four girls in one room,” she explained.

“We’ve got one bed that we can’t even put down because there’s no room,” Joe Munro added.

Donna Munro has lived in government housing her entire life. After losing both her parents to cancer, she realized the government could easily recoup the house she’d grown up in.

“It wasn’t until I lost my parents that I realized you aren’t really safe on that rented property,” she said.

The government only recognizes the leaseholder of the rented property, as opposed to the occupants. Her sister, who lived at home to care for her parents, faced eviction after their deaths.

“You think if you pay the rent you’re safe,” Donna Munro said.

“You don’t think of yourself dying.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Gates For me it’s security for our own ORK: By day three, the EW children. I really want to do this FRAM because it’s a place where they pallets of frames and lumber were can call home. It’s a place for them beginning to resemble a house. to go back to.”

In order to qualify for a home from Habitat for Humanity a family must meet a variety of needs, said Dave Monger, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Lower North Island region.

“We work with people who can’t or are unable to help themselves,” he said.

The family is required to put in 500 sweat-equity hours into the construction of the home and rent the home at an affordable rate for a three-year trial period. The money accumulated from the rent period is credited back toward paying off the home in addition to house payments.

The application process took about two years from the first inquiry phone call to Habitat, Erica Rodrigue to the time BUILDIN z/Star photo G construction New Zea BUDDIES: The Munro family and land Habita actually began. teers t for Human ity volunjoin in singin At one point Glo g a farewell song to the bal Village te Donna Munro am on the la build. st day of the remembers giving up on the idea of

See HABITAT, page 7

TRENDS

Thursday, November 8, 2007

BATTLE OFFinals THE BANDS 7 p.m. Thursday at George’s Sponsored by SACA

EXHIBIT RECEPTION 7 P.M. SATURDAY ALKEK LIBRARY SEVENTH FLOOR SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHWESTERN WRITERS COLLECTION

Alumna receives hall of HABITAT fame induction nomination

CONTINUED from page 6

By Susan Rauch Features Reporter One of Texas State’s own, Dorothy Evans, has been named to the San Marcos Women’s Hall Fame.

She will be honored 6 pm. Thursday at the 23rd Annual Women’s Hall of Fame Reception.

Evans, ’66 and ’70 alumna of Southwest Texas State and current executive director of alumni relations, is among three nominees selected for the 2007 induction into the Hall of Fame.

Friend Lynn Aherns nominated Evans for this year’s award.

“Her heart and soul is clearly centered in making her community, San Marcos, a better place for all of us,” Aherns said. “She pitches right in and will go the extra mile with her personal time to make sure a project happens.”

Sandra Myers, San Marcos Parks and Recreation departmental sec-

retary, said the nominee selection process is based on choosing women who have made meaningful contributions to the San Marcos community through personal achievement and community service.

She said Evans has been recognized over the years with various personal achievements, awards and honors within the San Marcos and Texas State communities for her volunteerism and community involvement.

“I love serving the community because it is so special to me and I want to give back to the community that has been so wonderful to me,” Evans said.

Evans was not expecting recognition for her service to the community.

“I was really surprised,” she said.

“There are a lot of people that have done more things in the community. I am really honored to receive it.

The nominees will be inducted and honored at a reception held at the San Marcos Activity Center.

The event is free and open to the public. Each inductee will receive a glass plaque recognizing their place of achievement in the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame.

The other two nominees are Marianne Moore, wife of provost and Academic Affairs Vice President Perry Moore, and Martha Jackson.

The selection committee consists of previous honorees, including Kathy Fite, professor and previous recipient.

ever owning a Habitat home, until the day she received a phone call from the foundation saying her family had been selected to receive a home.

“I was like ‘you’re kidding me!’” she cried. “I had tears in my eyes. Happy, happy tears.”

Before her father passed away, Munro said he’d always promised to buy her a new home, but being poor, he could only do so if he won the lottery. After his death, Habitat has helped to make his promise come true.

“It almost felt like you won the lotto because you’re going to own your own home,” she said.

Everyday the team worked from 8 a.m. until after 5 p.m. beneath the New Zealand spring sun. The five days spent building the Munro home were exhausting, but brought a sense of fulfillment and peace.

“I’m a little sore, but it’s a good sore,” said Stephen Gates, biochemistry sophomore. “I’m sore for a good reason.”

The group arrived on Monday to the build site, which was nothing more than a wooden foundation surrounded by pallets of lumber, siding and orange construction netting. The team worked quickly and after just the first day, had erected the framework of the house.

“At the beginning of the day it looked like there was nothing there and by the end of the day we had the structure of a house,” Gates said.

By the end of the third day, the cries of steel hammers and whir of electric

This Sunday, the Indian Student Association will host a cultural celebration of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.

Santosh Kaloji, president of the Indian Student Association, said Diwali honors the victory of good over evil, signified by lights guiding the way through darkness.

“It began as a religious holiday in India and was celebrated for many centuries,” Kaloji said. “Now people from different communities, be it Hindu,

Muslim, Christian, everybody comes together on that day to celebrate. The victory of good over evil is the same in every religion.”

He said this year Diwali falls on Friday and is traditionally celebrated for five days. The holiday is marked prayer for the health and safety of loved ones, lavish meals and fireworks.

Kaloji grew up in India and came to Texas to get his masters degree in computer science.

“America is the land of opportunities and also is very good when it comes to academics,” he said.

“A sense of the festival is to bring

oneness among the people. So we want people of different cultures and different traditions irrespective of who they are to come and celebrate with us,” Kaloji said. “We just want everyone at Texas State to come and have a feel of Indian traditions, culture and our food.”

Kaloji said last year’s Diwali festivities were a big hit with the community and about 700 people filled the LBJ ballroom.

“You will feel like you’re one of us.

It’s going to be fun,” he said.

The association will provide free traditional Indian food, music, dancing

BATTLE OF THE BANDS Six-Shooter Shooter Show Down 7 p.m. Friday at Gordo’s Sponsored by Wavebreak Production

Read this week’s music calendar online at saws and drills echoed in participants’ dreams. Hands slowly developed soft calluses, arms were bruised and occasional thumbs mashed by deviant hammers.

“When you say you want to do community service, this is exactly what I have in mind,” said Audrey Dornbusch, music junior.

Her wrists were sore from scrubbing a metal fence badly in need of paint and her thumb received a hefty smash from a hammer.

“I didn’t know I had the stamina I had,” she said. “It’s all will power though, it’s not strength.”

Though the building of a home could have occurred anywhere in the U.S., the New Zealand backdrop, the Munro family and giving Kiwi volunteers were something no one wanted to leave behind.

“I didn’t expect to become so attached to the people we worked with,” said Amy Lane, mass communication sophomore. “When we drove away it was a mixed sense of accomplishment and sadness.”

The trip proved to be more than a volunteer experience for most. New relationships were formed, cultural experiences shared and lives were touched by a group of college students and coordinators who devoted a week and a half of their lives to a family in need a half a world away.

“When it’s all over all I can remember was all the people we worked with and the children and everybody’s faces,” said Kennedy retrospectively.

“That’s what I keep remembering, that’s the beautiful thing.”

Diwali celebration triumphs evil

By Hayley Kappes Assistant Trends Editor

The University Star - Page 7

and informational booths on Indian culture.

Abhilash Shamsunder, vice president of the Indian Student Association, said Diwali is one of the most important cultural holidays in India.

“Diwali is one of the biggest events celebrated back in India. We being a part of Texas State University would like to promote diversity,” he said.

“Above all most of the people here on campus have held hands together to make this event a grand occasion from the past couple of years.”

Diwali is also one of the oldest holidays observed in India.

www.UniversityStar.com

Page 8 - The University Star

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Thursday, November 8, 2007

✯ Facebook pairs up with unlikely mate

ocial networking sites MySpace S and Facebook recently received million-dollar shots in the arm courtesy

be one of the worst examples of Neolithic Web design. It would be in Google’s best interest to at least try to revamp the soof Google and Microsoft. cial networking giant instead of just postMicrosoft paid $240 million for 1.6 pering a “powered by Google” image near cent of Facebook, which has an estimated all search boxes. But spending too much worth of $15 billion. This may seem a time behind the scenes could comprotrifle, yet such a stake is a major blow to mise Google’s historic stance of not intercompeting giant Google. vening in affiliated or owned companies.

BILL RIX So much so in fact, Google spent While image is nothing to Microsoft, Trends Columnist nearly a billion dollars — $900 million to Google relies on being the coolest searchbe precise — to buy out search and text-based ads maps-news-images site on the Internet. MySpace has on MySpace. a reputation of being a group home of sorts, or as I’ll never know why Google didn’t hop on FaceUrban Dictionary puts it a “Web site that encourages book first. It seems counterintuitive for Microsoft the scene, the emo and even the ghetto to phototo snatch Facebook when MySpace is such a better graph themselves in their bathrooms and proceed to match for the shambling giant. It’s almost universpend hours upon hours whoring themselves out.” sally agreed upon MySpace is a hodge-podge of Compare it to Facebook’s entry: “an online network poor coding and backwards design, which seems open to college students at certain universities.” more in line with Microsoft’s practices. Yet the With this in mind, Microsoft’s image of a hulking chic, clean Palo Alto, Calif. outfit chose to back automaton clashes with the posh, clean Facebook.

MySpace. It’s unnerving the search giant dropped Strange bedmates indeed, but do the pseudo$900 million on MySpace rather than put the mon- buyouts even matter? If Google or Microsoft failed ey toward its own networking application, Orkut. to negotiate a deal with their respective networkHowever, this purchase fits well with Google’s hising sites, it could have provided a step up for the tory of buying competitors out. Instead of plunging search empires, but as it stands, owning such money and advertising toward Google Video, the small stakes in the social companies provides the company outright acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion. impetus for a long, boring war of attrition. And for YouTube experienced virtually no changes after what? The two companies are basically non-comcoming under the aegis of Google, a move lauded by petitors in the large scheme of things. Google and those relying on YouTube to get their name out.

Microsoft are akin to Coke and Pepsi — you either MySpace is a different story from YouTube, like one or the other. No matter how many compathough. Whereas YouTube was programmed cornies you hold stake in, users will still be polarized rectly from the start, MySpace was and continues to one way or the other.

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

11/7 Solutions:

CLASSIFIEDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Page 9 - Thursday, November 8, 2007

RATES AND POLICIES Cost - 25¢ per word (1–6 days); Cost - 20¢ per word (7+ days) Deadline - 2 business days prior by noon All classified ads must be paid in advance, unless credit is established.

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.

E-mail Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

FOR RENT

FOR SALE

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

APLUSAPTS.NET. Pictures, prices, floorplans, deposit info. It’s free!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------FREE RENT! Fresh paint 3BD/2BA/2 Car Garage Duplex, $950/$950.

133/135 Cedar Grove-San Marcos.

RESource One, (830) 237-2698.

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------CONDO FOR SALE....Close to campus...$56,900. 1BD/1BA call Judy, Realtor-Century 21 The Excell Team.

(512) 757-1897.

FOR RENT-APTS

HELP WANTED

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.

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

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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------PART-TIME SERVICE LEARNING YOUTH ADVISOR IN LULING. Conducts skills training and service learning projects with disciplinary and other students. Perfect for graduate students with youth service experience.

Email resume and cover to amoore@councilonatriskyouth.org.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------!BARTENDING! Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800) 965-6520 ext. 157.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------WAREHOUSE/INK APPRENTICE NEEDED FOR AUSTIN/CENTRAL TEXAS area distributor of graphic arts supplies. Highly motivated person with desire to learn, will train. Established company with good benefits. Monday thru Friday, 8-5. Call Oscar at (512) 458-9237.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------GAMESTAKES.COM a leading entertainment website is seeking 1 agent per university. No selling– Huge income potential! Email now: playersU@gamestakes.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------PART-TIME RECEPTIONIST NEEDED. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE, GREAT PAY. ASK FOR ED OR WILL (512) 392-1064.

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

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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------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!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------HIRING PART-TIME AT GAP OUTLET AND BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY STORE–Sales and Stock positions (overnight). Apply in person at the San Marcos outlet locations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------WATERLOO ICE HOUSE ON 360/2222 AND WATERLOO ICE HOUSE AT ESCARPMENT AND SLAUGHTER ARE HIRING WAITSTAFF. Join a fun team and make great money! Flexible shifts are available. Apply within: Waterloo Ice House, 9600 Escarpment Blvd.; (512) 301-1007 or visit us on-line at www.waterlooicehouse.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAKE UP TO $75 EACH TAKING ONLINE SURVEYS. www.CashToSpend.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------MOVIE EXTRAS. New opportunities for upcoming productions. All looks needed no experience required for cast calls. Call 877-218-6224.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------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!

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.

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-DUPLEX 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.

(512) 757-1943.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------$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.

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 NEW HOME FOR SALE IN SECLUDED AREA! 3BD/2BA/2 car garage; high ceilings, fans, covered porches. 1,340 sq. ft. Ready 12/1/07.

Corridor RE Brokers. Jerry, (512) 753- 6938.

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 757-4595.

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

100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.

PERSONALS LOST YOUR PET? If your pet is lost anywhere in Hays County, please check the San Marcos Animal Shelt (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!

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

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

SUBLEASE JANUARY-MAY FEMALE SUBLEASE. 2BD/2BA fully furnished individual lease, The Ridge (will pay 1/2 of January rent) jn1098@txstate.edu.

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.

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.

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

rolereversal

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Five-time NBA champ Dennis Rodman has told the Associated Press he wants to return to basketball—the WNBA to be exact. Rodman won’t be donning a women’s uniform, but wants to try his handing at coaching a team.

Page 10 - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Sports Contact — starsports@txstate.edu

Cross Country strive

or the team I “F think we should shoot to still come in

as a pack and just move the whole pack up in rank.”

—Whitney Perkins cross country runner

T

GOING THE DISTANCE: Junior Samantha Evola and senior Katya Kostetskaya run during the SLC Championships Oct. 27 in Corpus Christi. The team will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for the Nov. 10 NCAA Regional Championships.

By Lisa Carter Sports Reporter

he women’s cross country team will compete in their final meet this Saturday at the NCAA Regional Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. After coming off of a successful run in the Southland Conference Championships last weekend, the women are prepared to finish the season strong in the regional meet, sophomore Heather Bullin said.

“The final standings won’t really affect the team, unless we do better than we expect,” Bullin said. “Then it will be a really nice surprise. But overall, as a team, we are trying to better our performances compared to the teams in our conference.”

Last weekend the top four runners, senior Katya Kostestskaya, Bullin, junior Samantha Evola, and junior Whitney Perkins, finished within close proximity of each other. Perkins hopes to finish the race in the same manner for Saturday.

“For the team I think we should shoot to still come in as a pack and just move the whole pack up in rank,” Perkins said. “If we happen to rank better, it will only boost our confidence and show the other (teams) that we are still a threat.”

Bullin said one advantage of the regional championship is the pressure the women have faced in previous races is off for the regional meet.

“We know what we need to do, and we know we can do it,” Bullin said. “We’ve run hard all season to get to this race, and now that we’ve made it, we can all relax and just run our best.”

Senior Brittany Rosen said the regional meet poses one obstacle for the team. The majority of the courses the women ran this year were 5K distances. The regional championship course is a 6K distance, which is unfamiliar to some of the women.

“I have never run in Arkansas before, so I am very excited to see what it’s going to be like,” Rosen said.

Rosen, who has wanted to compete in the regional meet since her freshman year, is hoping to finish the race with an excellent standing in regional rankings.

“Since it is my last cross country race I’m just going to try to have fun with it,” Rosen said. “My goal for the team is to improve our ranking in the Southland Conference and in the region.”

The women are currently ranked 11th in the region and placed fourth in the Southland Conference Championships.

Chris Vidrine/Star photo

for strong season finish

Volleyball wins last game at home

Cotton Miller/Star file photo READY TO REACT: Middle blockers Brandy St. Francis and Emily Jones watch as UT Pan-American’s Rebecca Toddy digs a spike.

By Lora Collins Sports Reporter The Bobcat volleyball team dominated its last home game Tuesday against the Texas-Pan American Broncs, defeating them 3-0 (30-22, 30-22, and 30-13).

“We played some great defense tonight and you know that’s what we focused on in practice,” said Coach Karen Chisum. “We were extremely

proud with our determination, our hustle and keeping the ball off the court. We did a very good job. Lawrencia Brown, offensively she’s good but I’m telling you she was good tonight (defensively).”

Brown ended the game with a .240 attack percentage, two assists and 13 digs. Averaging 12.5 points in the game, Chisum said Brown stood out.

Brown said the team’s accomplishments result from focus in practice.

“They were a real scrappy team,” Brown said.

“So as far as playing, we had a really good defense.

We practice those scenarios, those bad moments and those crazy moments where you don’t know what to do. So that’s how we stay organized and know what to do.”

The match celebrated graduating seniors Brandy St. Francis and Ashley Stark. St. Francis started two of the 12 matches this season and averages a .321 attack percentage. Due to severe injuries, Stark was student assistant to the team this season.

Chisum said she is proud of the team’s accomplishments and believes the team has improved since mid-season.

“Tomorrow we want to be better than we were tonight,” she said. “We are getting back in the flow that we were in earlier in the season. We are getting better; there is no doubt about it. It was fun to watch them tonight. I was glad that Brandy St. Francis got to play the whole night of her last home game here at Texas State.”

The Bobcats will travel to Sam Houston State Nov. 9 and face Stephen F. Austin Nov. 10. Junior middle blocker Emily Jones said SFA will be a challenge, but is looking forward to the games. SFA has ranked first in conference for the last two years

and currently has an overall record of 23-7.

“It’s going to be a really good game and it will give us momentum going into that and (in turn) will give us confidence going into the conference tournament,” Jones said.

Chisum agrees the confidence level has risen in the last few weeks.

“Hopefully we are peaking at the right time,” she said. “I mean we struggled a little bit two to three weeks ago, but we have gotten back on track. We are on a four-match winning streak so the confidence is building again and we are gearing towards the conference tournament.”

The conference tournament will take place Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at Texas-San Antonio. Though she is excited about attending the conference tournament, Chisum said she believes perfection remains important.

“To me you are never in a good place unless you are number one,” she said. “But no matter what we did all season long, we still have to play the best at conference tournament. We have been a high error team this year. We need to keep the ball in play and let the opponents make the mistakes.

The other thing is just trusting and relying on each other. You’ve got to trust each other that they are going to be there to back you up whether it’s with a block or a dig or a serve, but is mostly just reducing our errors and trusting each other.”

Jones pointed out the team’s main focus the past weeks has been the conference tournament.

“The conference tournament (is most important),” she said. “Definitely getting to the very end is a big thing. Hopefully we will win that and getting to the next round. We haven’t had that great of a season and it would be nice to put all our eggs in that basket finally.”

FOPaddleTBALL Battle Saturday The Bobcats will play their last road game of the season against Nicholls State in Louisiana Saturday.

Texas State has won its last three games, while the Colonels are on a three-game losing streak.

Last year, Nicholls State scored all 21 of its points in the third quarter and later kept the Bobcats out of the end zone on a two-point try in the game’s final play to beat Texas State 21-19.

The two schools share a rivalry called “The Battle for the Paddle.”

A rowing oar serves as the traveling trophy, which the winning school will possess until the next game in the series. The game is played in recognition of the 1998 floods in Central Texas, which forced the postponement of the game from October until late November. The oar is painted maroon and gold on one side with Texas State victories listed. The opposite side is painted red and gray with Nicholls State victories listed. The edge of the oar is painted black in remembrance of the destructive floods.

Texas State could experience its second winning season in three years if the Bobcats were to win their remaining two games.

—Courtesy of Athletic Media Relations