11 15 2007

JESUS TALKS Controversial action figure hits shelves at local stores

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College admissions boards revisit SAT scores

FINAL PROWL

Football prepares for the season’s last game

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NOVEMBER 15, 2007

THURSDAY

VOLUME 97, ISSUE 37

Faculty Senate contemplates international student recruitment

By Scott Thomas Assistant News Editor Debbie Thorne, associate vice president for academic affairs, is attempting to bring multiple programs dealing with international students beneath the same roof.

Thorne said at the Faculty Senate meeting Monday she wants to streamline study abroad, the International Office, Texas State Intensive English and other programs into the same building.

“Those organizations are not in the same office, they’re not even in the same building,” Thorne said. “We need face to face synergetic conversation.”

Thorne discussed problems the programs cur-

rently have, which included lack of proper organization and monetary waste. “(International recruitment) would go on long three to four weeks trips and it would cost $10,000 to $12,000, and that’s the minimal way of traveling,” Thorne said. “(They would recruit) three or four students on these trips.”

She said they pulled back on recruiting international students abroad in 2006. Shorter, less costly trips are planned this year, particularly in Latin America. She said an ongoing effort to reach foreigners through e-mails and brochuresending programs would continue to increase international numbers.

Thorne said international students were not coming to Texas State because the university does not offer doctorate programs desired areas

recruitment focuses on, such as engineering or computer science degrees.

“It doesn’t work for Texas State, but it works very well for Michigan State,” she said.

Faculty Sen. Shirley Ogletree, psychology professor, questioned if the university should be focused on higher international recruitment.

“Last week, (University President Denise Trauth) was saying one of the reasons for turning down the math doctoral program is (the university has) an interest in educating students who would stay in Texas,” Ogletree said.

Thorne said international recruitment is not one of Texas State’s top priorities, but it does bolster diversity, which is one of the university’s main initiatives.

The International Office is responsible for hir-

ing faculty and staff from foreign countries as well. Thorne said they recruited approximately 35 last year.

Faculty Sen. Nathan Bond, curriculum and instruction associate professor, asked if other universities in Texas were seeing similar results.

“If we move up to the next level, we’ll be competing with schools like Texas Tech, UT-Arlington and North Texas,” Thorne said. “We want to be more like these schools.”

Thorne said another problem international students face trying to attend Texas State since Sept. 11 is obtaining clearance into the country, which has become significantly more difficult.

“If people can’t get the paper work, they can’t See SENATE, page 5

STUDY: RURAL TEEN DRIVERS GREATER ACCIDENT RISK

By Katie Carmichael News Reporter

Monty Marion and Spencer Millsap/Star photo illustration DANGEROUS DRIVING: Studies show teens in rural areas at more risk than urban teens for driving accidents, with only .76 percent acknowledging nighttime driving is dangerous.

500 a year in Texas. The institute reports 65 percent of fatal accidents involving teen drivers occurred on a rural road.

Lizanne Cornelius, pre-mass communication sophomore, can relate to the findings.

A former resident of Cresson, a small community outside Fort Worth, Cornelius frequently drove on rural roads and highways.

“Driving on country roads is so different from driving in the city,” Cornelius said.

“Out there, there’s no traffic, not a lot of cops and the speed limits are a lot higher.

My parents let me drive around way before I was 16, but to this day I get nervous driving in the city.”

The transportation institute lists, in order of frequency, the top five risk factors for teens: driving at night, distractions such as cell phones or other teen passengers, speeding, infrequent seat belt use and alcohol. Approximately 1 percent of urban teens listed nighttime driving as a factor, while only 0.76 percent of rural teens thought it was dangerous. About 93 percent of urban teens credited alcohol and drug use to accidents, but only 43 percent of rural drivers

The Texas Transportation Institute recently surveyed more than 4,400 teens at high schools statewide on their knowledge of risk factors associated with driving and the frequency in which they engage in such behavior “The teen driver safety problem has reached epidemic proportion here in Texas and around the world,” said Institute Director Dennis Christiansen at an Oct. 30 news conference. “It’s an urgent public health crisis, and TTI has been working for years to better understand it. Now, we not only know more about what causes the problem, we also know more about how to address it.”

The study compared awareness of urban and rural teen drivers and shows a gaping variation between the two groups. Rural teen drivers are at greater risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents and more likely to engage in dangerous driving behavior.

According to the transportation institute, car accidents account for 43 percent of teen deaths in the U.S. and more than

See DRIVERS, page 5

University seeks to fill tenure positions University works with Homeland

By Carline Schwartz News Reporter According to a document from the Texas State Institutional Research Office, rapid enrollment growth between the 1990s and 2004 created a demand for more classes, which caused a need for more faculty members.

However, the demand was not met by increased funding from the Texas Legislature or tuition increases. In order to obtain more instructors, the university hired parttime and non-tenured track faculty at lower salaries. This caused the percentage of regular non-tenured faculty to quickly rise between 1997 and 2004.

“Without new funds dedicated to significant numbers of new tenured-track or tenured instructors, the university and departments had to respond by using available resources,” said Eugene Bourgeois, associate provost. “They had to hire parttime instructors.”

According to a news release from the American Association of University Professors, “Almost half of U.S. professors now work in part-time positions for low wages and with almost no benefits or job security.

Another 20 percent are in full-time nontenure-track positions that do not offer full protection of academic freedom.”

The document from the Institutional Research Office showed 58 percent of fulltime equivalency faculty was tenured in 1997. That percentage steadily decreased over the next 10 years — reaching 43.2 percent. During the same time period, the non-tenured faculty percentage rose from 24.8 to 36.5 percent.

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Partly Cloudy 71˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 21% UV: 5 Moderate Wind: NNE 18 mph

Bourgeois said the university currently has 80 available tenured or tenured-track positions. Less than half of those positions were created within the last year. The other portion represents replacement positions for faculty who left the university.

Bourgeois said having the empty positions as the university searches for qualified candidates to fill them affects the percentages of tenured and non-tenured track faculty.

“If you have more than 80 tenured or tenure-track positions that are not filled right now, (those) 80 positions are not being counted in the tenured/tenure-track area. It is reducing those percents and temporarily increasing the 36.5 percent of non-tenured faculty,” Bourgeois said.

“When they are all hired, the number of non-tenured in that percent will go down (and) the number of tenured and tenuretrack faculty will increase.”

The document from the Institutional Research Office stated there is a large number of approved but unfilled tenure-track faculty positions that will add to the tenure-track numbers.

The university wants to hire more tenured/tenure-track faculty to reduce the student to faculty ratio, which was approximately 29:1 in fall 2006, according to the Higher Education Accountability System.

“We have one of the highest student to faculty ratios in the state, obviously lower is better,” said William Nance, vice president for finance and support services, during the Nov. 6 hearing on proposed tuition and fee increases. “For the last four or five years, we have had a plan to decrease that See TENURE, page 5

Security on content tracking

By Bill Lancaster News Reporter Data analysis research done at Texas State for the Department of Homeland Security could be used to search buying habits, e-mails and social networking sites like Facebook or Myspace.

Nathaniel Dean, mathematics professor, said the project will evaluate information on the web.

“The project is called DyDAn for dynamic data analysis and it’s basically to develop tools for analyzing data,” Dean said. “This could apply to anything, but we’re being funded by the Department of Homeland Security, so they’re interested in things to do with threats to the United States.”

The contract indicates nothing about data mining or any of the social networking sites, said Billy Covington, associate vice president for research and federal relations.

“It’s looking at very large data sets that could have any applications, not only homeland security but medical (applications) and how you would, from a mathematical computer standpoint, extract data,” Covington said.

Molly Fly, communication studies senior, said the university should not be involved with the government’s project even though it might be helpful.

“I don’t like the government having information on our personal stuff,” Fly said. “I don’t know much about (data mining), but I know I don’t like people getting into my business.”

Dean said the tools being developed are similar to what is done on the television show “Numb3rs,” except the show solves problems much faster than See TRACKING, page 5

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Today in Brief

Page 2 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Bobby Hall, Kevin Shimek, John Bryant, Christa Hamilton and Katy Brantley all placed at the 29th Collegiate Water Ski National Championships Oct. 25 to 27 in Zackary, La., where they took home the national championship.

The water ski team, a sports club affiliated with

Texas State’s campus recreation department, is the oldest active sports club at the university. Since the 1970s, the water ski team continues to represent Texas State in intercollegiate competitions.

— Courtesy of University News Service

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

Calendar Thursday

WHAT IN THE WORLD! CRIME BL TTER

Monday

Texas State football will play Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.

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

Career Services presents, “From Backpack to Briefcase,” from 4-5:30 p.m. in Flowers Hall, room 230.

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

The topic: “Pressures: Keeping it Together When Everything is Falling Apart, Part 3.”

No experience necessary.

The Catholic Student Organization will meet at 6 p.m. in the library of the CSC. The Rock - Praise & Worship will take place at 7:30 p.m in the St. Jude Chapel of the CSC. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting at 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.

The Texas State Sociology Club holding a food drive for the Hays County Women’s Shelter. The drive will run through the 19th with drop off boxes in Derrick Hall. We are looking for non-perishable canned goods as well as gently used clothing or personal hygiene products.

Friday Alcoholics Anonymous Newcomer’s Meeting, River Group, will be 9:15 p.m. at 1700 Ranch Rd. 12, Suite C. The CSC will have a free Thanksgiving dinner for all students at 6 p.m. in the CSC lobby.

University Police Department Nov. 3, 4:39 p.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Bobcat Stadium East An officer was on patrol and observed a student with a cup. Upon further investigation, the student was issued a citation for MIP. Nov. 3, 4:50 p.m.

Alcohol: Minor in Possession/Bobcat Stadium East An officer was on patrol and observed a student with a cup. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for MIP.

Tuesday Texas State women’s basketball will play Concordia-Austin at 7 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum.

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

Overeaters Anonymous will meet at 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 from noon until 1:30 p.m. For information and screening on groups, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Every Nation Campus Ministries will be holding a weekly campus meeting at 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall, Room G-02.

There will be free food, fellowship and a message exploring the person of Jesus.

Wednesday Thanksgiving Holiday Classes do not meet

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Austin Byrd/Star photo Geography senior Colin Good quizzes public relations senior Ben Stratmann and philosophy freshman Kristin Allgood on their geography knowledge Wednesday afternoon in The Quad as part of Geography Awareness Week.

Library Beat

Legacy continued through personal library

Texas and the nation mourned the loss of one of America’s greatest political commentators this past February, Molly Ivins. “With Molly’s death we have lost someone we hold dear. What she has left behind we will hold dearer still,” her obituary said. This has become particularly true for the Southwestern Writers Collection who received the generous donation of her personal library from her brother, Andy Ivins.

The South Western Writers Collection staff gathered Ivins’ books from her Austin home last May and packed them in 80 boxes. Currently, every piece is being assessed to establish a complete listing of books and any unique features (inscriptions, notations, commentary) contained within them. As titles are inventoried, they are grouped into subject areas, which will make them easier to organize for an initial display.

Catalog Librarian Karen Sigler has so far examined 50 boxes—approximately 2,200 titles.

“As each box is opened,” Sigler said, “glimpses into the impact Molly had on others and their admira-

tion for her are revealed.”

Numerous personal inscriptions and notes show many of the authors she knew—as well as those she didn’t—were quick to acknowledge her unique, estimable qualities as well as the impression she made on their writing or their lives.

As the inventory process continues, the scope of the Ivins library is taking shape in an expansive range of subject matter that illustrates her widely divergent interests. Topics range from poodles to politics, and the genres cross a wide spectrum: from mysteries, humor and romances, to the classics, social commentary, history, biographies and more.

Once the inventory is complete, the Southwestern Writers Collection will host a public event to celebrate the Ivins library, which will initially be displayed intact in a special exhibit. Eventually, the books will be accessible to the public through the Alkek Library’s online catalog, with each volume bearing a special plate marking it as part of the Ivins’ collection.

— Courtesy of the Alkek Library

Municipal innovation receives award The City of San Marcos has won the 2007 Texas Municipal League “Municipal Excellence Award for Management Innovations” for cities over 25,000 for the transformation of the collapsing Rio Vista Dam into a whitewater park in 2006.

Mayor Susan Narvaiz, Council members John Thomaides and Daniel Guerrero, City Manager Dan O’Leary and other city staff were on hand last week at the TML annual conference in Dallas to accept the award.

“This honor belongs to our citizens, city staff, council members, state and federal agencies and contractors who worked so hard on the Rio Vista project,” Narvaiz said. “The creativity and incredible dedication of everyone involved turned a bad situation into a huge success.”

The honor recognizes San Marcos

for transforming a collapsing low water dam in 2005-2006 into a whitewater park with three sets of falls on the San Marcos River.

A unique collaboration of the city, state and federal agencies, contractors and citizens turned a potential disaster—a collapsing dam—into a city triumph, the TML citation said.

The possible demise of the century old Rio Vista Dam made its emergency repair crucial to the economic well being of San Marcos, as well as the quality of the river.

As city leaders considered possible solutions, citizens urged them to “think outside the box.” They decided instead of just repairing the dam to transform it into a beautiful whitewater park.

— Courtesy of the city of San Marcos

Nov. 8, 2:52 p.m.

Medical Emergency/Supple Science Building An officer was dispatched for a medical emergency report. Upon further investigation, a student was reported as feeling ill and refused medical transport to Central Texas Medical Center by EMS. Nov. 8, 3:00 p.m.

Elevator Rescue/Blanco Hall An officer was dispatched for an elevator rescue report.

Upon further investigation, three students were released from an elevator and did not require medical attention.

Nov. 8, 4:42 p.m.

Criminal Mischief under $500/Thorton House An officer was dispatched for a criminal mischief report.

Upon further investigation, a non-student reported a car had been damaged.

Nov. 8, 4:55 p.m.

Information Report: Disturbance/Clear Springs Apartments An officer was dispatched for a report of a verbal disturbance. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a criminal trespass warning.

Nov. 8, 7:59 p.m.

Information Report/Jackson Hall An officer was dispatched for a report of drug paraphernalia. Upon further investigation, paraphernalia was confiscated from a public room.

Nov. 8, 10:16 p.m.

Information Report/UPD Lobby An officer was dispatched to the lobby for a harassment report. A non-student reported another non-student was receiving harassing phone calls from a student.

Nov. 8, 10:20 p.m.

Drug: Possession of Marijuana/Falls Hall An officer was dispatched for a suspicious odor report.

Upon further investigation, a student had paraphernalia and the officer confiscated the items.

Nov. 9, 2:15 a.m.

Drug: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Bexar Garage Officers observed a vehicle in a parking garage. Upon further investigation, a student was issued a citation for PODP. Nov. 9, 8:37 a.m.

Property Damage/LBJ Student Center An officer was dispatched for an information report.

Upon further investigation, a non-student reported damage had been caused to University property.

— Courtesy of University Police Department

NEWS

Thursday, November 15, 2007

The University Star - Page 3

Pakistan government attempting to improve public image

By Kim Barker Chicago Tribune

development starts under Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

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no criticism of Musharraf, who is seen as a key ally in the U.S.led war on terror. Bush did not directly answer a question about whether the political crisis in Pakistan is distracting from the war against Islamic militants and al-Qaida.

“I vowed to the American people to keep the pressure on them. I fully understand we need cooperation to do so,” Bush said.

“One country we need cooperation from is Pakistan.”

Journalists protested the media curbs in Islamabad, shouting slogans against the government.

Bhutto joined the journalists briefly and called for press freedom.

Until Saturday, she had largely avoided talking about the Supreme Court, despite the fact

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Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs are part of Islamabad’s effort to preserve its territorial integrity against its principal rival India.

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“T

he People’s Party believes in the rule of law. We further demand the release of the judges.”

Musharraf has purged the court of all independent justices in the past week. She never demanded the restoration of the judiciary, saying only a reinstatement of the constitution entailed restoring the justices.

The Supreme Court has also been hearing a case challenging an ordinance that drops pending corruption charges against Bhutto.

But on Saturday, her SUV — flanked by police escorts, protecting her since a massive suicide blast at her homecoming procession in Karachi — tried to get past police blockades near the chief justice’s street, where he and other justices are being held under house arrest. “You should clear the way,” she told the police.

Later, she stepped out of her vehicle and shook the hands of a supporter.

“The People’s Party believes in the rule of law,” Bhutto said.

“We further demand the release of the judges.”

“This is a very good gesture she’s making,” said Fakhar Imam, the former speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. “My assessment is, the way the streets are moving and the people are coming out, there’s a good chance of the judiciary being restored.”

Some people still insist Bhutto is playing a double game, courting both the opposition and Musharraf, but supporters deny it.

“People have high hopes,” said Raja Muhammad Shafqat Khan Abbasi, a lawyer and party stalwart who had lunch with Bhutto on Saturday after being detained by police Friday night. “Everybody’s looking to her. She’s a lady who can make a difference.”

00

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A day after being placed under house arrest, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto drove through the streets of Pakistan’s capital Saturday, stopping several times to get out of her bullet-proof SUV and shake hands. But police stopped her from meeting the country’s suspended chief justice.

Bhutto’s short road trip Saturday could mean the government is trying to improve its poor public image since embattled President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency Nov. 3. The country’s attorney general said the emergency would last only a month, although other government officials said the timeline is not yet certain.

But the government, facing international pressure and Pakistani backlash, also showed Saturday it is still not willing to tolerate much dissent.

It expelled three British journalists — two from the Daily Telegraph and one from the Sunday Telegraph — after the Daily Telegraph ran an editorial Friday using an expletive to describe Musharraf and saying Pakistan “has a strong claim to be the most dangerous country in the world.” The government accused the newspaper of using “foul and abusive” language and gave the reporters 72 hours to leave.

The move raised worries restrictions on the Pakistani media may be extended to the international press. The government has banned any coverage determined to be humiliating to Musharraf or

his government, and private television news stations have been knocked off the air since Nov. 3.

In Texas, President Bush said Saturday Musharraf had taken positive steps by promising to lift the state of emergency, step down as army chief and hold parliamentary elections. He offered

Khushab Nuclear research reactor, Joharabad

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© 2007 MCT Source: World Nuclear Association, U.S. Institute for Science and International Security, U.S. Department of Defense, Federation of American Scientists Graphic: Jutta Scheibe, Majbrit Hoyrup

Page 4 - The University Star

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NEWS

The University Star - Page 5

TENURE CONTINUED from page 1

student to faculty ratio by hiring additional tenure-track faculty.”

After a tenured faculty member leaves the institution, a process to fill his or her position takes place. However, hiring tenured and tenure-track faculty takes time and can be costly.

“In the process of filling fulltime positions, especially after someone leaves the university, typically a department may hire one, two or three people on a part-time basis to teach what the full-time tenured person taught…there is typically a year’s lag in filling that position with a tenured/tenured-track faculty member,” Bourgeois said.

Gaye Korenek, faculty records director, said tenure-track faculty are hired at the assistant professor level on a probationary period. During that time, the individual has to meet the requirement for scholarly teaching service established in their Stacie Andrews/Star photo department and college. They are reviewed at the end of the Richard Parrish, county extension agent, talks to students from San Antonio’s LBJ Elementary probationary period, and they during the Smart Kids program at the Aquarena Center Wednesday morning. become tenured if they meet those requirements. “(University President Denise Trauth) continues to add more money to the pot to hire new faculty, but when we can’t always fill those positions, which hapsomething like that happens. It definitely is some- pens sometimes, we have to put CONTINUED from page 1 thing that needs to be addressed more, in terms people in to those positions to of just awareness.” did. Less than 1 percent of all students surveyed The primary cause for collisions involving teens were able to identify all five factors. is inexperience along with one or more of the five The institute created a new program in re- factors. Thomas Perez, owner of San Marcos Drivsponse to problems highlighted by the study. ing School, attributes a portion of the problem to Teens in the Driver Seat is the first peer-to-peer the hills unique to this region of Texas. driver safety program, which focuses on increas“The environment, centrifugal force, the hills ing awareness through safety messages created and curves, things like that where an inexperiCONTINUED from page 1 by teens. It is available free to Texas high schools. enced driver may make a critical error, and beSince its implementation, cell phone usage by cause of the speeds, it’s multiplied,” Perez said. teen drivers has decreased by 30 percent and “A lot of people don’t understand one or two real researchers can. He said seat belt use has increased 10 percent in partici- miles more than you were going previously, may researchers will use mathematpating schools, the institute reported. make you lose control of the vehicle because of ics and data to find patterns in Currently no programs in San Marcos high centrifugal force. You can break to the laws of what criminals are doing. schools specifically alert teens of the risks of man and as long as the cops aren’t around, you Social networking sites are dangerous behavior behind the wheel. There can get away with it. But with the laws of nature, not the focus of his research, are student organizations and school presenta- if you break them, you suffer the consequences but there is no way to determine tions related to underage drinking and drug use, immediately.” how the tools will be used once said Janice Niemiec, counselor at San Marcos Perez points to a previous study by the trans- they are developed, he said.

High School. The Department of Public Safety, portation institute released in April stating teen “We would be looking at all through the Attorney General’s office, makes drivers who participated in a parent-led driver ed- kinds of data — it could be phothree presentations a year at the high school, ucation program were three times more likely to tographs, textual information usually before major events such as Spring Break be involved in a fatal crash than those who were or numbers,” Dean said. “All and graduation. Niemiec said more could be done taught by a commercial or public school driving of these things we think of as to support the cause and prevent a tragedy. instructor. He estimates about half of teenagers individual data items, and we “I had a student killed, probably about five in San Marcos opt for the parent-taught course combine it and summarize it. or six years ago, and she was driving on a rural and the institute study shows about half of rural We could be doing it for good road,” Niemiec said. “It impacts the whole com- drivers did not receive a formal driver education or for evil.” munity; it impacts the kids and everyone when course.

The data could come from banks, supermarkets, schools, airlines or other places, Dean said. So far the focus has been on what kinds of data are out there and what tools already exist. every 10 years,” said Debra Feakes, Faculty “Some data I can’t get my CONTINUED from page1 Senate interim chair and chemistry associate hands on to experiment with,” professor. “(Thorne’s) the person in charge Dean said. “Basically it’s pubcome (to Texas State),” she said. of that.” licly available information.”

Thorne came to the meeting initially to talk Thorne said the purpose of the certification The researchers are not inabout an internal review in Bobcat athletics. process is to open up athletic operations to the terested in individuals and will “Faculty Senate wanted an update on the university community, set standards for programs test their research using pubNCAA certification process, which occurs and establish tough sanctions. licly available information or

DRIVERS

teach classes for our students,” Korenek said. “We fill them with people who can teach while we continue searching for tenuretrack people.”

Texas State has been increasing tenured/tenure-track faculty and will continue to do so through allocating new dollars toward the positions. Part of the money from the purposed tuition increase would be used for hiring tenured/tenure-track faculty.

“Approximately $1.1 million requested in new funds through the designated tuition increase would be dedicated specifically to hiring new tenured or tenure track faculty,” Bourgeois said.

“Last year, when we had approximately $1.75 million that we allocated for new tenure/tenure-track faculty positions, we created approximately 30 new tenure/tenure-track positions out of those funds. So I would expect that about 15 to 20 positions could be created out of that $1.1 million that is being requested right now.”

According to the Higher Education Accountability System, Texas State had the second lowest percent of tenured/tenured-track instructors among the university’s five competing institutions in the fall 2006: University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas and University of Texas — San Antonio.

TRACKING

SENATE

using data they have created for this purpose, Dean said.

They want to identify patterns of behavior. “(Behavior patterns are) what we would be looking for in these other collections of massive data sets,” Dean said.

“What kinds of buying patterns at supermarkets or grocery stores (and) what kinds of buying patterns (are) associated with hijacking airplanes? (Is it) groups of people meeting together in the same building at the same time? The question is though, when will it be indicative of something that is a threat to the United States?”

A lot of information is available on census reports and social networking Web sites, and government bodies have access to more such as utility bills, Dean said.

“There is a lot of information out there that’s public, and I think a lot of this information should not be public,” Dean said. “Somebody could use that information for something I might not like. I would be careful, very careful, about what I put on Facebook or whatever about myself.”

Page 6 - The University Star

NEWS

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Universities reevaluate effectiveness of SAT scores in admission process

By Lorna Stevens News Reporter The SAT has long been a ticket to entering college.

The three hour and 45 minute test was developed by the Educational Testing Service and is administered by the College Board. The standardized test is a long-standing tradition, but individuals and colleges nationwide have begun to reevaluate the validity and effect of this custom on students.

Critics of standardized testing claim bias exists against particular socioeconomic groups.

A recent study reported by the College Board said family income not only affects standardized testing, but cumulative grade-point average, completion of various courses and college enrollment. One common explanation for the effect is upper-class students can afford tutors and expensive test preparation classes.

“You have the lower socioeconomic groups that are marginal students anyway,” said Patricia Duhon, San Marcos High School counselor.

“They’re not as likely going to be in school as frequently as those in upper socioeconomic groups.”

Critics say the SAT not only discriminates against students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but conclude testing does not show an applicant’s full capability.

“There are some students that just plain do not test well,” Duhon said. “They can have all kinds of abilities, but when they get in a testing situation, they clam up.”

Because many colleges believe standardized testing hinders a student’s ability, more than 700 schools nationwide have chosen the alternative ‘test-optional’ route, according to a report by Fair Test, which is a nonprofit advocacy organization that aims to prevent the misuse of standardized tests. The test-optional possibility allows SAT scores to be disregarded and diverted in the admissions process.

Christie Kangas, undergraduate admissions director, said Texas State does not completely follow the test-optional alternative. Only students from the top 10 percent of their graduating class are exempt from the SAT. At Texas State, the first review of the applicant is based on a combination of the SAT test score and his or her high school GPA. The essay portion of the test, added in 2005, is regarded as an extraneous part of the test.

“The essay is supplemental information to tell us a little more about the students,” Kangas said.

The admissions office can reach a better understanding of the applicant, but colleges have begun to stray away or pay little attention to the essay portion, claiming a student’s full writing potential cannot be captured in 25 minutes.

“I hated the essay portion of the test,” said Macy Wilder, undecided freshman. “I don’t think you should put a time on good writing.”

Kangas said Texas State plans on reviewing the essay portion for another year before pursuing

research regarding its effect on applicants. She said it is too early to see lasting ramifications on students.

Alongside the loss of faith in the SAT, increasing competition from the ACT creates reevaluation of testing.

“We are now guiding students toward the ACT, not the SAT,” Duhon said. “Last year, we gave all 11th grade students the ACT. It was the first time done in the state of Texas.”

SAT scores down The 1.5 million students who took the SAT in 2007 were the most diverse group on record but had slightly lower scores than test takers in previous years had.

Mean SAT scores Mathematics Critical reading

Writing (added 2006)

525 515 515 502

505 495

494 485

’97

’02

’07

Who took the test?

White African-American Asian Hispanic Mexican Other Puerto Rican American Indian

55% 11% 9% 6% 4% 4% 1% 1%

NOTE: 9% of test takers did not respond Source: The College Board Graphic: Melina Yingling © 2007 MCT

OPINIONS L2E I TELEVISION onlineconnection

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

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

Page 7 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Opinions Contact — Meagan Singletary, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

f you believe reality TV is the only thing on these days,

You might just be getting a glimpse of what the future holds for our beloved boob tube.

With a proposal for a pay increase in question, the Writers Guild of America is now entering its second week of strikes nationwide.

It is hard to believe it has come to this, as networks are already beginning to air reruns of scheduled programs.

Both sides are standing firm in their positions, as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has apparently no new talks scheduled to discuss possible solutions. Yet, as we sit watching our favorite TV shows, we fail to realize the importance of these scribes frantically working to keep programs running.

Since the failure of negotiation talks between the association and the alliance to reform a contract earlier this month, picket lines of strikers have yet to cease its push for an increased percentage of residual sales from DVDs and Internet content. Looking at the numbers, the current estimated percentage given to the writers per DVD sale is around 4 cents, while the WGA is pushing for a raise — around 8 cents per DVD sale. According to reports by the WGA and BBC, the people behind the scenes writing all of those classic lines receive only 0.3 percent of the total DVD sale.

Despite having no solution ahead, it is safe to say there is no possibility the Alliance can hold out forever even though it has a firm stance on the issue and recent accusations have surfaced about the WGA using blacklisting tactics to control members. However, we all know the alliance can’t survive on a writer-less system, which produces no new programming or profit. In the shadow of the WGA’s 1988 strike over the same matter of residual sales, which cost networks some $500 million after a 22 week stand off, we can assume this process of a push-and-shove attitude from both sides might just be the start of a grueling and long stalemate.

In light of today’s changing media where Internet video, which is littered with advertisements and commercials, one cannot deny writers are worthy of compensation from the association. We can only hope this can be resolved before networks are forced to push for unscripted reality TV across the board.

Letters to the editor

Athletic ranting

TURMOIL

Wednesday’s Main Point was not only full of inaccuracies, it also absurdly and unfairly categorized a university with a clearly growing level of pride as an also-ran to the mighty Big 12.

The first attempt to move was formally announced in 2000 by former athletic director and Texas State coaching legend, Jim Wacker, along with former university President Jerome Supple. This happened hardly before “most college freshmen were born.” Unfortunately, this attempt finally failed due to two things: both Wacker and Supple succumbed to cancer before realizing their vision of a successful Division I-A football program. The subsequent leadership of former athletic director Greg LaFleur and President Denise Trauth tabled the plan due to changing NCAA regulations.

While we clearly do not currently average 15,000 fans at a game, it is quite conceivable that if Texas State were facing opponents such as UTEP and Houston as a member of Conference USA, it could bring crowds of closer to 30,000 or more.

What could keep Texas State from succeeding is the current athletic department administration. Dr. Larry Teis has not, in my opinion, fostered an attitude of success in the athletic department. There has been absolutely no progress in building a new baseball and softball complex. The turnover of competent personnel has been astounding. Head football coach David Bailiff is chief among them.

There have been no budgetary adjustments. The marketing budget makes up just 1 percent of the total athletic department budget. Men’s basketball coach Dennis Nutt was allowed to finish a 3-24 season.

Texas State’s move to FBS may be an expensive endeavor, but I believe that it is a worthwhile one for both the athletic department and the university as a whole. After all, athletics, especially football, are the “front porch” of any university.

We cannot simply rely on getting into the FCS playoffs every few years to provide national attention. However, if the administration and the alumni do not offer extremely strong support to the effort, it will most certainly fail.

Casey O’Brien Texas State alumna

Clarifying an opinion

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 UniversitySan Marcos.

I want to point out that statements attributed to me in the Nov. 14 University Star story, “University community division,” were incorrect. Stephanie Kusy-Wilson reported that I said the presence of armed guards and a barbed wire fence around the campus in Malaysia where I taught created a better environment for students to discuss controversial issues in class. In fact, my opinion was that such security measures had a chilling effect on the academic environment. Moreover, Kusy-Wilson reported that I said I would avoid “disputable —Justin Jackley/Star Illustration subjects” in my classes here at Texas State should it become permissible for students to carry concealed weapons. What I actually explained to her was that the presence of weapons in the green cards for migrating a class would surely affect the animals frequently crossing nature of discussions that can the imaginary line we call a at times become heated. Howborder once it’s constructed? ever, I most certainly would not Did our highly paid and high- change the content of my coursly educated politicians think es, or shy away from issues that of this whole ridiculous idea are important to a subject or while playing in the sandbox our society. with a dump truck? This In exploring such a change to fence is unnatural, un-Ameri- gun laws, faculty and students can, unethical, unintelligent, need to be aware of the ways un-Christian and a whole lot “security” can affect the free more “uns” on top. If this exchange of ideas. I’m afraid thing goes through we will fix Kusy-Wilson suggested in her nothing and lose all credibilarticle that I was partly in supity as an enlightened nation port of such changes, when in of leaders. fact I find the whole idea of allowing concealed weapons on a college campus foolish and the product of fear.

Border fence won’t help America’s security issues Picking up a copy of Thursday’s University Star, I was immediately struck by the picture running horizontally along the bottom of the front page. I had heard much about the proposed fence, which may one day run along our southern border, but I had no idea parts of it were already standing. I also had no idea how it would look.

I was shocked and appalled by the sight of those huge, black bars and dumbfounded when I read the quote from the Border Fence National Environmental Policy Act Web site calling the fence “aesthetically pleasing.” As if there were anything aesthetically pleasing about a 15-foot

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high black, steel wall running through the open and beautiful Rio Grande Valley.

As if there could be anything pleasing whatsoever about such a blemish on free territory. Is this the message America wishes to project to the rest of the planet? Have we forgotten where we came from? Are we not all descendants of those who sought a better life in a foreign land?

Is our Statue of Liberty not the “mother of exiles?”

Americans should be ashamed, but we’re not.

We’re scared terrorists might sneak in and our precious liberties might be swallowed up by mooching Hispanics flooding into our country. Aren’t

those our fears? Let’s not be coy and call them anything else beside Hispanic, because that is what they are. They’re not Canadians, our neighbors to the north who enjoy over 3,000 miles of undefended border with the United States. They’re not Americans, and because of this, we couldn’t care less about their rights or livelihood. Let’s get something else straight: it is absurd to imagine their presence will break our economy.

The truth is quite the opposite. Alan Greenspan is a man who makes the stock market hold its breath every time he burps or sneezes. He knows a lot more about the American economy than you, me or

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

probably anyone else on the planet. Greenspan said, “Undocumented foreigners are keeping our strong economy afloat.” A sentence like that, coming from him, should be enough effectively to end the entire debate.

We are the people who sent a man to the moon. Why have all of our progressive minds come to such a ridiculous, lazy, childish and naïve solution for a problem, which isn’t even really a problem?

Does anyone honestly think a 15-foot wall will shut out terrorists, like the ones who orchestrated a massive, coordinated attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Who is going to check

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Kristopher Floyd is an English sophomore

Steve Wilson English professor

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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 15, 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.

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femalefirefighters

Move over male firefighters — the Austin Women’s calendar is here. The first annual calendar will be released Friday at Graham Central Station in Austin. All firefighters featured in the calendar will be at the event for autographs. Calendars are $15 and proceeds benefit the Austin Firefighters Fund.

Page 8 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Trends Contact — Clara Cobb, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Doll hits Wal-Mart shelves this week Talking Jesus toy sparks national controversy

By Ashley Gwilliam Senior Features Reporter

$14.97 at Wal-mart

$19.99

at Target

— Photo courtesy of www.target.com DIVINE DOLL: One2believe’s Jesus doll has sparked controversy nationwide.

Move over Spiderman.

There are about to be some new heroes in town. They’re 1-foot tall, battery powered and are able to recite Bible verses at the push of a button. Their ringleader is none other than Jesus.

The San Marcos Wal-Mart expects to receive its first shipment of Messengers of Faith dolls, which includes Jesus, among other prominent biblical figures, sometime this week.

The store is currently offering Spirit Warriors action figures, which include Sampson and Goliath.

One2believe, a new faith-based toy unit of the Valencia, Calif.-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., is marketing the toys as a way to biblically educate children.

Mandy Denson, undecided sophomore, said she believes teaching children about Jesus through dolls is akin to letting the television teach them values.

“Personally, I don’t see it as a right or wrong, but I think in (the parents) best interest it wouldn’t be a good idea

because it does cheapen the value of the image and the teachings.”

Mike Miller, reverend of the Campus Christian Community, agrees dolls can’t sufficiently teach children about Jesus because there is a certain kind of intimacy Christians have with him that can’t be taught.

Controversy has surrounded the talking biblical figures since Wal-Mart’s July announcement of its intention to test launch the product at more than 400 of its stores nationwide. This is the first religious line of toys to be carried by the world’s largest corporation.

Among other things, many Christians are concerned with the treatment of Jesus as a product.

“I have to admit that figures of Bible characters in general don’t appeal to me, primarily because they turn matters of faith into just another commodity,” said Susan Hanson, lay chaplain of Higher Grounds campus ministry. “I have no problem with a child acting out a Bible story in which Jesus is the ‘hero,’ but I would hate for Jesus to become just another militaristic character who goes about bashing bad guys and setting things straight through violence. I can’t

imagine kids using the Jesus figure to act out the Sermon on the Mount or the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well — not much action there.”

Miller said the selling of the Jesus doll is only a small part of a significantly greater problem.

“The larger issue is our children are often the victims of inappropriate advertising; commercial exploitation and the children are manipulated into manipulating their parents,” he said. “As far as I think, it’s a natural thing for children to want to play with objects; almost all objects are sacred to children. I just think it is inappropriate.”

Wal-Mart is selling for the doll for $14.97. For those too curious to wait for the arrival, the dolls are also available for purchase at www.target.com for $19.99.

Despite the controversy, some individuals have posted high approval ratings on Target’s online review board.

Counseling could help students cope with stress

By Micaela Hood McClatchy Newspapers The dual responsibilities of classwork and jobs are the primary reason college counselors say they are seeing an increasing number of students seeking counseling.

About 34 percent of college students said their No. 1 impediment to academic performance is stress, according to a 2006 National College Health Assessment report.

The average student isn’t so troubled that he or she resorts to violence, as happened last school year at Virginia Tech, where a

student killed 33 people, including himself.

But counselors believe their goal is to offer assistance before anyone gets to that point.

“I definitely think (the Virginia Tech shootings) raised awareness,” said Anita Sahgal, a counselor at Florida International University in Miami.

Douglas Flemons, director of student counseling at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said the school has implemented a 24-hour crisis hotline. Nova has five counselors and one psychiatrist on staff at its counseling center. There’s also a counselor-in-residence

who lives on campus and carries a crisis cell phone.

Lourdes Delgado, advisement director at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson campus, said the school has a student life skills class, which covers topics such as dealing with successes and failures, personal relationships, handling emotions and time management.

At FIU, one of the most popular services is group counseling.

The working, non-traditional student who is older often has a harder time, school counselors said.

Showcase opening The Choreographers’ Showcase is this weekend at Texas State.

The showcase features dances by students enrolled in the advanced choreography course.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. All performances will be held in Jowers Hall, studio 178. Admission is $5.

The event is sponsored by the department of theatre and dance. For more information, contact the dance office at (512) 245-2949.

— Photo courtesy of www.target.com

Documentary Film screening An award-winning local documentary will be screened Monday.

Forgotten Lives was produced by alumnus Jeff Garrison and directed by University of Texas student Josh Tate. The film will be screened 2 p.m. in Education Building, Room 1007.

The film is a call to action to end abuse and neglect at Texas state schools. A panel presentation will follow the film.

For more information visit www.forgottenlivesmovie.com.

TRENDS

Thursday, November 15, 2007

The University Star - Page 9

College students rely on comfort for class THURSDAY RC Banks, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Adam Carroll and Gordy Quist, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Paul Eason Band, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Blue Diamond Shine, 9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Subrosa Union, Boombox, 9 p.m., Lucy’s Kallisti Gold, 10 p.m., Triple Crown FRIDAY Callous Taoboys, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Rich O’Toole, Roger Creager, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall Forest Wayne Band, 8 p.m., San Marcos VFW Spank, Dimitri’s Ascent, Toast Jam Sandwich, 8 p.m., Gordo’s Mickey and The Motorcars, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Brown, Whornet, Attic Ted, Invincible Czars, 9 p.m., Triple Crown Mitch Webb and The Swindles, 9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Sixes and Eights, Bernie Calcote Band, 9 p.m., Lucy’s SATURDAY Roger Martin, 1 p.m., Gruene Hall Sea Dogs, Consider the Source, Newlywed, Royals, The Jonbenet, 8:30 p.m., Lucy’s Sunny Sweeney, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Beau Hinze and Tres Womack, 9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Drew Kennedy, Roger Creager, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall Bloodshot Pyramid, Opposite Day, Mind Divided, 10 p.m., Triple Crown SUNDAY Gordie Tentrees, 12 p.m., Gruene Hall Jesse Dayton, 4 p.m., Gruene Hall MONDAY In & Outlaws, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Big John Mills, 8:30 p.m.,

Cheatham Street Warehouse Triple Tronica with Jon Dishon, 10 p.m., Triple Crown TUESDAY Dan Walsh, Bock Zeeman, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros, Adam Hood, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Nathan Daniel Band, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Brock Zeman, Dan Walsh, 9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Scott Wiggins Band, 9 p.m., Lucy’s Silver Pines, Headress, Boonesboro, 9 p.m., Triple Crown WEDNESDAY Bruce Curtis Band, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Ryan James, Wade Bowen, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall Kent Finlays Songwriters Circle, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Eric Hisaw, 9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern NOV. 22 Molly Hayes, 6 p.m., Triple Crown NOV. 23 Zack Walther and the Cronkites, 1 p.m., Gruene Hall Rabb Rodriguez y los Killa’ Hogs, 6 p.m., Triple Crown Charlie Robison, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall Jason Marbach, 8 p.m., San Marcos VFW Big John Mills, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Mark Jungers, 9 p.m., Triple Crown NOV. 24 Gary Claxton, Erik Hokkanen and Friends, 1 p.m., Gruene Hall Doctor G and the Mudcats, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse Aaron Watson, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall Lil’ Bit and The Customatics,

By Sarah Reinecke Volante (U. South Dakota)

9 p.m., Riley’s Tavern Maho, Flawless Escape, 9 VERMILLION, S.D. — When p.m., Lucy’s University of South Dakota LUG, Distempered, Soul sophomore Brad Jankord is getting ready for classes everyday, Strung, 10 p.m., Triple Crown his main concern is comfort. He describes himself as a jeans and NOV.25 Brock Zeman, Dan Walsh, 12 T-shirt kind of guy and says he wears whatever he can find to p.m., Gruene Hall Ponty Bone and the Squeez- make him feel comfortable.

“Sweatpants and jeans are etones, 4 p.m., Gruene Hall Luckenbach Cultural Ex- probably what I wear the most, change, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham because it all comes back to being comfortable,” Jankord said.

Street Warehouse Melting Social Project, 9 p.m., “I’ll wear khakis if that’s all I have left.”

Lucy’s Jankord dresses like many other college students, who are not NOV. 26 Gerry’s Kids, 6 p.m., Triple always concerned with getting dressed up to attend class.

Crown Junior Erika Lyle said she nevBig John Mills, 8:30 p.m., er wears sweatpants to class, but Cheatham Street Warehouse said she sees a lot of people who do and thinks it is OK. NOV. 27 “I don’t really base people’s Highly Likely, 6 p.m., Triple personalities on what they are Crown Jeff Plankenhorn, 7 p.m., Gru- wearing even though I do think what you wear kind of says who ene Hall Beverly Hensley, 9 p.m., Ri- you are,” Lyle said.

A typical outfit for Lyle consists ley’s Tavern Thousand Foot, Whale Claw, of pants or jeans and a shirt. She Falcon Buddies, The Typist and refuses to wear sweatpants.

“I just kind of work with what I The Tiger, 9 p.m., Triple Crown Josh Grider, Tongue Tied have,” she said. “If I have a plain T-shirt and a pair of jeans, I’ll kind Lightning, 10 p.m., Lucy’s of dress it up with accessories and that could change the whole NOV. 28 Erickson, 6 p.m., Triple style. I really don’t describe myself as having one style.”

Crown Lyle said professors with smallZack Walther and the er classes on campus might have Cronkites, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall Kent Finlays Songwriters Cir- an impression of students by the cle, 8:30 p.m., Cheatham Street way they dress. If students come to class wearing scrubs and lookWarehouse King Slim Blues, 9 p.m., Tri- ing like they just rolled out of bed, Lyle said a professor might ple Crown Mark Jungers, 9 p.m., Riley’s think it reflects how they do their work.

Tavern But there are times when everybody wakes up late, throws If your live music event is miss- on clothes and runs out the door, ing, e-mail starentertainment@ Lyle said.

“Students have the right to txstate.edu. All live music events must be within a 20-mile radius dress the way they want and as of of the San Marcos campus. The right now, not having a career and deadline for the last calendar of the just going to school and learning, semester is Nov. 23. Calendar publi- students shouldn’t feel obligated cation will resume in January. Ven- to dress nicely,” Lyle said.

David Carr, economics asues are responsible for maintaining the correct calendar information. sistant professor, said students

usually dress appropriately for class. He said there are times when students come to class not dressed as nicely as they should be, but it doesn’t bother him.

“I don’t teach class based on what other people are wearing,” Carr said. “Students quite often come to class in pajamas, but I’m not going to hassle anybody about that. It’s not going to change how I approach teaching the students or how I interact with them.”

Jankord said individual styles go along with the atmosphere they are in on campus.

“You’ll see students dressed up in the business school because normally everyday some teacher has some presentation that requires business wear, so it’s not uncommon to see students in a suit and tie,” he said.

In Jankord’s opinion, the way people dress only effects how they carry themselves.

“I think it’s important (to dress up) sometimes,” Jankord said. “It just makes you more confident.

When you are walking around in a suit and tie, you kind of set your own standard a little higher.”

Sophomore Roza Abukina has worn sweatpants to class once.

She moved to the United States from Russia five years ago and said dressing up is an important part of her background.

“I think it’s just in my culture (to dress nicely). Wearing scrubs, yes it’s comfortable, but it’s not in my culture.”

Abukina likes to have a style that stands out from other people. She usually wears jeans and a sweater with high heels or boots and dresses her outfits up even

more on weekends.

“I just wear whatever feels comfortable and looks cute,” she said. “I feel comfortable wearing high heels and I can be comfortable in anything.”

When students attend professor Doug Peterson’s psychology classes, he said they tend to dress very casual. Peterson said he often doesn’t notice what students are wearing.

Peterson does notice how freshmen students in his Psychology 101 class tend to dress nicer at the beginning of first semester.

“As the year goes on, it’s sort of like they fall back into sweats,” he said.

Freshman Lynsey Vonholtum wears sweatpants more often than she did in high school. She wore them once a week and now she wears them the majority of the time.

“It’s easier and it’s a lot more comfortable,” Vonholtum said.

Peterson tries not to make first impressions about the way students are dressed.

“You are going to notice anybody who looks very different, but I don’t know that style makes a difference in terms of, ‘Oh I expect more of this student, or I expect less of this student.’”

Even though Abukina likes to dress up for class most of the time, she doesn’t think it matters what students wear to class.

“Students came here to study, not to impress anybody. They can dress up when they go out and have fun, but not to classes. As long as you feel comfortable what you wear and it makes you feel good about yourself.”

Page 10 - The University Star

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Waxing, growing in popularity

By Liz Gebhart Volante (U. South Dakota) VERMILLION, S.D. — No pain, no gain, right?

A new craze sweeping the country is one rarely spoken of, though it always seems to spark curiosity — most importantly, the question of how much it hurts.

“They don’t know what to expect pain wise and they don’t know what to expect from positions and how they’re supposed to lay there,” cosmetologist Jen Plueger said. “Mostly it’s just the pain. Because of that area, they’re not sure if they want to get it done. It hurts the first time, but after that it’s not as bad.”

Brazilian waxing is often associated with bikini waxing. The main difference is how much they take off.

Plueger, a specialist in fullbody waxing at Southeastern Hair Design in Sioux Falls, S.D. said with a bikini wax they only target the side by a client’s thighs and the top.

With Brazilian waxing, they can take it all off. It depends on what the client wants — removal of all the hair, just partial or all but a strip of hair.

Whether it’s the pain or awkwardness causing the apprehension, Brazilian waxing can be beneficial to anyone, Plueger said.

People who opt for Brazilian waxing only have to do so about once a month, and Plueger said only half the amount of hair comes back after the first time for about 90 percent of the people.

Because of the benefits, Plueger sees Brazilian waxing growing in popularity. On any given day, she typically does up to six Brazilian waxes.

“In a given week I do probably 30 to 40, and it ranges from all ages. Some are in their 20s, some women are in their 50s,” she said.

While it is growing in popularity, University of South Dakota senior Elly Kranz said it would probably remain pretty hushhush. She believes it’s commonly perceived in a negative light and people are often quick to associate this type of waxing with porn stars.

“It’s something that a lot of people do actually,” Kranz said.

“When I went to get mine, the

lady taking care of me said that earlier that morning she had done a Brazilian on a pastor’s wife, so obviously that shows the depth of people who seek this service.”

And yes, even males opt for the Brazilian wax.

Plueger said two other cosmetologists in the salon are taking a class to learn the correct procedures for Brazilian waxing males.

“We actually call them ‘guyzilians,’“ Plueger said with a laugh. “Men do get their Brazilian area too, but we haven’t had too many so far. It’s still fairly new here.”

But senior Brett Peterson won’t be one of those men.

“I’ve never really considered that for myself,” Peterson said.

“No one that I really know has had a Brazilian wax or even wants to try one. For guys it seems like more of a trim type of deal as opposed to wax.”

Even for girls, the idea of a Brazilian wax is slightly unnerving.

The scariest part, at least for Kranz, was exposing her body to someone she didn’t know. She said it was like getting a pap, but was worse because you’re not working with a doctor.

Plueger said this is a common fear. But when waxing, the focus is strictly on the job for the cosmetologist. Plueger said over time, waxing becomes less awkward.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” she said. “The first time it’s awkward to lay there with your legs spread open, but then it’s done.”

Then there’s the issue of pain.

Kranz said she felt “bruised” for a few days after her Brazilian wax, but the cosmetologist was able to minimize pain during the actual waxing.

“She applied a cold damp towel to the area right afterwards, which soothes it,” Kranz said.

She estimates for the actual waxing, it was only painful for 10 seconds or so after the wax was ripped off. She’s been told a person is supposed to take ibuprofen before getting waxed in that area, but she didn’t.

Plueger attributes that to a myth, though.

“Some have taken Advil or aspirin an hour before, but the main thing is to not drink alcohol before you get wax. That

makes your pores tighter and the hair doesn’t want to come out,” Plueger said. “There’s no pill or cream you can put on. It’s just to drink a lot of water to hydrate your body for the pores.”

Many wonder what the appeal of Brazilian waxing is. For Kranz, it was a welcome home gift for her husband, who was returning home from Iraq.

While she doesn’t necessarily understand the appeal for men of Brazilian waxing, she wanted to surprise him.

Peterson on some level understands the appeal, saying girls may feel the appearance is cleaner and nice. But for him, it’s not a deal breaker or something he really considers.

“Maybe there’s an innocence thing with having no hair there,” Peterson said. “If they want to do it, more power to them. Going through the pain of doing that, the wax versus shaving, I don’t really have a personal preference, but I would prefer less to more.”

If you’re able to work up the courage to get a Brazilian wax, Plueger stresses one thing: Don’t opt for the at-home Brazilian wax.

“Just get it professionally done,” Plueger said. “I tried myself just a regular bikini wax, but you can’t bend the way you need to and you’d need about four arms. You’re going to hurt yourself a lot more. If you don’t know how to put on wax the right way, you’ll have a lot of ingrown and you’ll irritate the skin there. It’s not worth it to do it at home. Take the chance and go to the salon.”

Wax Types · The Hollywood Wax — The removal of all the hair in the lower region of the women’s private area — front and back, buttocks included. · The Sphinx Wax — A thin line of hair is left from the front side all the way to the buttocks. · The Playboy Wax — This type removes it all, including the hair on the inner lips.

—

Courtesy of www. browstobrazilians.com

The University Star - Page 11

Page 12 - The University Star

TRENDS

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Texas State represented in Austin Lady Wranglers

By Erica Rodriguez Features Reporter At first glance, when not in uniform, the Austin Lady Wranglers might pass for a dance team from Texas State.

That’s because 11 of the 12 women will be supplementing their Bobcat pride with a dose of Wrangler football spirit.

“You have to be poised and have a good technique,” said Michelle Guidry, team captain and psychology senior. “It just ended up that the best girls were from Texas State.”

The 12-member dance group cheering on the Austin Wranglers football team this season was selected last week. The numbers mark a dramatic shift from last year, when four of 17 dancers represented Texas State.

Each of the women who made the team was selected as the top dancers from a group of 20 who auditioned to be on the team. The four-day audition period was described as a rigorous series of hip-hop and jazz dance routines learned and performed in the same day.

Lori Ogle, management freshman, is among the new team members.

“It was nerve-wrecking just because I’ve never done anything like this,” Ogle said.

Though she was involved with her drill team in high school, she decided to take this past summer off from dancing.

Ogle said she was convinced to tryout for the team by a friend and anticipates an enjoyable season.

“We’re a really small group, so I think we’re going to have a lot of fun together,” she said.

— Photo courtesy of Sara Simon WRANGLING BOBCATS: After tryouts were held last week, 11 of the 12 Austin Lady Wrangler dance team members are Texas State students. The dance team performs Sunday.

A football-lover at heart, Ogle is excited to do more than just cheer for the Austin Wranglers.

“I love football, so I really can’t wait for the games,” she said.

Former Strutter Meredith Wahl, exercise and sports science senior, took a summer off from dancing as well, but she felt dancing for the Lady Wranglers was an experience she had to pursue.

“I wanted to challenge myself and try something new,” she said. “And I love football.”

Wahl believes this experience will help her pursue a future working in the dance industry and hopes to one day open her own studio. For now, cheering on the field at the Frank Erwin Center is what she looks forward to the most.

In addition to cheering on the Austin Wranglers football

team, the Lady Wranglers will be keeping a busy schedule with community outreaches.

“We do a lot of appearances throughout the year,” Guidry said.

She hopes this year the team will help bring more attention to the football team through local events.

The team’s first community event will be the Evening of Giving, a charity event taking place Sunday at Barton Creek Square Mall in Austin. The event starts 6:30 p.m. and consists of after-hours shopping and holiday entertainment.

All proceeds will benefit local non-profit organizations. The Lady Wranglers are scheduled to perform 6:50 p.m. and again at 7:50 p.m. For ticket information contact Barton Creek Square Director of Mall Marketing, Monica Garcia at mogarcia@simon.com.

Texas State women who made the 2007 – 2008 Lady Wranglers dance team: Alisha Collins

Kaitlyn Carmichael

Michelle Guidry

Brianne Gess

Kara Marshall

Samantha Velasco

Deborah Rivera

Lori Ogle

Sarah Simon

Jenny Pullen

Meredith Wahl

CLASSIFIEDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Page 14 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

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SPORTS

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Texas Tech coach fined

record amount the university star

Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram FAMOUS WORDS: Texas Tech quarterback Cody Hodges listens to head coach Mike Leach. Leach was given a record fine for criticizing officials’ calls.

Byy Brandon George B The Dallas Morning News

now accepting applications.

Pick up your application at the Trinity Building or email stareditor@txstate. edu for more infor

Outspoken Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach was fined $10,000 on Tuesday for his criticism of officials Saturday following his team’s 59-43 loss at Texas.

Leach didn’t amuse Big 12 administrators with his lambasting of officials. Along with the largest fine in conference history, the Big 12 issued him a public reprimand for his comments. The Big 12 prohibits coaches from commenting on officiating.

According to a statement from the Big 12, Leach was notified the penalties would increase for such future behavior and could result in his suspension.

“Coach Leach’s public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the conference’s officiating program,” Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said in a statement. “Accordingly, the seriousness of this violation warrants a public reprimand and the largest fine issued to date by the conference.”

Leach’s penalty was the first significant disciplinary decision for Beebe since he became commissioner in September.

Beebe couldn’t be reached for further comment Tuesday.

Gerald Myers, Texas Tech athletic director, and Leach declined to comment through a school spokesman about the Big 12’s decision.

Big 12 assistant commissioner Bob Burda said Tuesday the con conference has a conflict-of-interest policy in place, but it doesn’t prohibit officials from working a game in their hometown or involving a school they attended.

Burda did say, however, in background checks of Big 12 officials, they are asked

for their home towns and the schools from which they graduated, “just so we’re aware.” Burda said the policy precludes officials from working games of schools they once played for, have a family member playing there or have a business affiliation.

In a Big 12 statement, Beebe noted coaches are an integral part of the game officials’ evaluation process, which enables them to express concerns and address specific issues privately. Coaches are able to submit video to the conference for feedback on officials’ calls as well.

Kansas coach Mark Mangino was fined $5,000 for criticizing officials after a 2004 loss to Texas. Mangino later apologized for his comments.

Leach, however, didn’t back down. He was given a chance to do so Monday during the Big 12 football coaches teleconference but chose not to.

“I wouldn’t change anything about what I said,” Leach said.

After Saturday’s loss at Texas, Leach ripped officials for a series of calls made in the third quarter, including two booth reviews that went against the Red Raiders. He called the Big 12’s review system “a sham.” Leach also suggested officials may be biased in favor of Texas.

Leach expressed unhappiness about referee Randy Christal, an Austin resident, working the game, though he didn’t refer to Christal by name.

“This is the second year in a row that an Austin resident has negatively affected the integrity of the officiating,” Leach said. “I think it’s disturbing that Austin residents are involved in this.”

Leach suggested the Big 12 should consider having out-of-conference officials work future Texas-Texas Tech games.

Christal was the referee in the 2005 Texas Tech-OU game, won by Tech, 23-21, for a disputed touchdown as time expired.

Oklahoma returns to Lubbock Saturday for the first time since the game.

On Tuesday, OU coach Bob Stoops said a Big 12 policy preventing officials from working games in their hometown would be “worth considering.”

“I think that’s something probably everybody is sensitive to, and I bet even the officials are, as well,” Stoops said. “It’s something that may be addressed.”

The University Star - Page 15

Sonics still winless, Durant ‘still learning’

By Tim Povtak The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. — Kevin Durant will be a star one day — hardly anyone quibbles with that — but he looked like just another lost rookie Tuesday night.

Durant, who just turned 19, has become the face of a franchise with the look of uncertainty both on the court and off.

The Seattle SuperSonics are a once-proud team embarking on an unsettling rebuilding project, pushing their best veteran players aside this summer to begin a new adventure with Durant, the most highly-touted rookie in the league.

“Every day is going to be a learning day,” Durant said. “Every time I step on the floor, I see someone I have admired. I’m going to learn from them.”

Durant, a 6-9 guard from Texas, came into Tuesday’s game averaging an impressive 21.7 points, but he left with the Sonics winless (0-8) and with little prospect of finding a victory anytime soon.

They lost 103-76 to the Magic, which played one of its worst games of the season and still coasted to an easy victory.

Durant hit just four of 13 shots, missed all three of his three-point attempts and scored

10 points. He had one rebound, no assists and four turnovers in 25 minutes, proving just how much he has to learn.

“I think we took a couple steps backward tonight,” Durant said.

“This is the game of basketball.

You are going to miss shots. I just want to play and get better.”

Durant had previously scored 27 points in a loss to Sacramento. He scored 24 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. He is the only Sonics player to score at least 10 points in all eight games, but there was nothing to celebrate after this one.

Instead of driving the ball toward the basket, he settled mostly for jumpers, almost shying away from contact. He struggled against Magic veterans Keith Bogans and Hedo Turkoglu. He struggled on defense, too.

By purging their roster — trading Ray Allen to Boston, allowing Rashard Lewis to leave in free agency — the Sonics are making sure Durant will get all the playing time he can handle. His 25 minutes Tuesday were a seasonlow.

“There’s really not too much he can’t do,” Sonics Coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “And he’s getting a chance to learn in a way that most rookies don’t always get a chance to do. But it’s going to be an incredible learning process.”

GROWING PAINS: Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu guards Sonics rookie Kevin Durant. The Sonics continue its winless streak.

Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel

SPORTS

lettersof intent

THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Head Volleyball Coach Karen Chisum announced the signing of three players to national letters of intent for the 2008 season. Becky Belt, Amber Calhoun and Whitney Rhoden will put on the maroon and gold for the 2008 Texas State volleyball season.

—Courtesy of Athletic Media Relations

Page 16 - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Sports Contact — starsports@txstate.edu

‘Lights out’

for Bearkats tonight

By Carl Harper Senior Sports Reporter

Cotton Miller/Star file photo FINAL LEAP: Freshman running back Karrington Bush jumps over a Southeast Lousiana defender. The Bobcat’s final match of the season is against Sam Houston State 7 p.m. Thursday at Strahan Coliseum.

Texas State is preparing for their last catfight of the season. The Bobcats will battle the Bearkats 7 p.m tonight at Bobcat Stadium.

Even though it is a short week, Coach Brad Wright believes his team is well rested and prepared. The Bobcats, who are coming off of a 52-28 loss to Nicholls State Saturday, know their work will be cut out for them in this rivalry.

“The thing is you have to prepare the same way, even if it was a long week,” Wright said. “While the players’ hours are limited, we (coaches) have to put in a lot of time getting ready. But the team will be ready. We are trying to save their legs in practice this week by having some practice without pads.”

As the Bobcats are looking to get back into the winning column, the Bearkats are currently on a four-game win streak. They haven’t lost a game since Oct. 13 at home against nationally ranked McNeese State 31-21. On Saturday, Sam Houston came away with a 20-16 edge over Southeastern Louisiana.

Todd Whitten, Bearkats coach, has watched his junior quarterback Rhett

Bomar lead his team with efficient passing. However, Bomar went down with a knee injury two weeks ago and has left the passing duties to Brett Hicks, senior backup quarterback, who has passed for 414 yards and two touchdowns. Bomar has completed 172 passes for 2,209 yards and 10 touchdowns for the season, while sophomore running back Chris Poullard has carried the ball 186 times for 924 yards and 10 end zone appearances of his own.

Senior tight end Blake Martin has made the difference in the receiving game for the Bearkats with 46 receptions, 561 yards and two touchdowns.

Not only will this game represent a great rivalry, but it will be a special day for the seniors as well. Texas State will honor 11 seniors before the game, as they look to extend their senior night win streak to five games. The Bobcats can secure a share of third place in the Southland Conference standings with a victory over the Bearkats.

Sophomore quarterback Bradley George has revealed a strong performance on the field this season with 1,869 yards on 171 completions and 14 touchdowns. He has also rushed in two touchdowns. After junior running back Stan Zwinggi experienced a foot injury early in the season,

freshman running back Karrington Bush has stepped up and secured the Bobcats a good running game. Bush has carried the ball 113 times for 922 yards and three touchdowns, while Zwinggi has rushed 64 times for 447 yards and eight touchdowns.

Junior receiver Cameron Luke leads the way for the ‘Cats with 50 receptions, 885 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, while sophomore running back Alvin Canady has 249 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Morris Crosby has 206 yards and three goal line crossings.

The two teams have been playing against one another since the first battle in 1919, when the Bobcats shut out the Bearkats.

However, the teams have played each other every season since 1946 and Texas State currently leads the series 47-32-4.

This rivalry is tied for the 15th longest uninterrupted series in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Bobcats have won the last two meetings.

Wright said he and the team are ready for this rivalry to continue.

“I know this series goes a long ways back because I played them when I was playing here,” Wright said. “With this game against Sam at home and televised on FSN, we’re hoping it will be the perfect storm for our guys to play the Bearkats lights out.”

Volleyball sets up for

Southland Tournament

By Lora Collins Sports Reporter The Bobcat volleyball team will compete in the Southland Conference tournament Nov. 16-18 at UTSA. Texas State is scheduled to play McNeese State 11 a.m.

Friday. McNeese State is currently 8-4 in Southland Conference standings and remains undefeated at home. Coach Karen Chisum said there is a lot of tension between the teams because McNeese defeated the Bobcats 3-2 Oct. 20.

“It was a very close ballgame at their house,” Chisum said.

“We have a lot of revenge, and they are not going to beat us again.”

The team returns this week from games against Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, held Nov. 9 and 10. The women dominated Sam Houston with an overall win of 3-1 (28-30, 30-16, 30-26, and 30-13).

“The first game we were running a six to two offense. We didn’t win (the game), so we made a change with (sophomore setter) Brittany Collins running a 5-1, which we haven’t done in a long time,” Chisum

said. “She played very, very (well) that night.”

Chisum said Collins’ performance is the type she expects from her every night.

“It gave us a new lease on life and a lot of confidence if we needed to jump ship and change something offensively,” Chisum said. “Now, we have a couple of options that we feel good about.”

The Bobcats lost to SFA 3-0, falling behind in the second match. Lawrencia Brown, sophomore outside hitter, said the loss was because of to the teams’ decreased urge to fight.

“I believe we were mentally ready, mentally pumped (against SFA), but I don’t know (if we were ready) physically,” Brown said. “We don’t know what happened to us in that game. We were fighting, and then in the second game we didn’t come out and fight. I don’t know why. We just didn’t have that mentality like we did (in) the first game.”

Chisum said the important thing is to be positive about the conference games.

“I think a mentality of being confident (is important),” Chisum said. “Believing in yourself and each other, knowing it can be

Cotton Miller/Star file photo HEADS UP: Junior middle blocker Emily Jones spikes the ball against a Texas A&M defender Nov. 4. The Bobcats will head to UTSA for tournament play.

done, because this (comes) down to three ball games. You win one, you play again. You win (that game), you go to conference championships. You win (the following game), you go to the NCAA. If you lose

one, you go home.”

If the Bobcats win against McNeese State on Friday, they will play 5 p.m. Saturday. The Southland Conference Championship games will be held 2 p.m. Sunday.

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