VOLUME 102, ISSUE 75
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WEDNESDAY GO NE ONLI NOW
APRIL 10, 2013
Ring Ritual The Texas State biannual ring ceremony is a celebration at which seniors receive their class rings and dip them in a fountain of San Marcos River water. To see footage of the ceremony as well as interviews with attendees, visit to UniversityStar.com.
Counseling Center attempts to add space, employees ASG proposes cite and release program for nonviolent crimes
By Amanda Ross News Reporter
A lack of space contributes to a strain of resources at the Counseling Center, resulting in students being turned away, according to administration. Gregory Snodgrass, Counseling Center director, said the department’s two biggest problems—space and manpower—are directly linked. The center needs more counselors to meet the needs of students, but no other therapists can be hired on until more office space is built for them to occupy. The Counseling Center should ideally
have approximately three more employees to be proportionate with the number of enrolled students, according to Snodgrass. The number of needed counselors will increase as the university expands each year. “There’s nowhere to put the needed counselors,” Snodgrass said. “We currently have one office for every staff member and one group therapy room. Ideally, we would add more offices to accommodate more staff and add an additional room for group (therapy).” Some students say the strain on the Counseling Center’s resources is adversely
affecting them, and they are sometimes turned away as a result. Carla Jara, psychology junior, said she tried three times to schedule an appointment with one of the center’s counselors and was faced with a completely booked calendar on each attempt. Jara said she tried to call for an appointment at about 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. each day, but the center’s time slots were always filled. Eventually, Jara managed to schedule an appointment about four weeks after her first attempt.
READ counseling, PAGE 3
FULL CIRCLE
Carlos Valdez, Assistant Photo Editor
At the Texas State Ring Ceremony, students dip their rings in a fountain with water from the San Marcos River in accordance with tradition April 9 at Strahan Coliseum.
Getting a ring and having that on us for years to come will always remind us of where we started, where we came from and just the great years we had at this university.” -Matthew Dieden, mass communication junior
See ring ceremony on PAGE 4
Brittany Reilly, dance senior, takes part in Texas State’s Ring Ceremony April 9 at Strahan Coliseum.
By Karen Zamora News Reporter Students busted by university police for small amounts of marijuana could avoid jail time under a “cite and release” resolution the Associated Student Government hopes to push through the administration. ASG senator Kevin Kutras authored a resolution that would allow the University Police Department to participate in a cite and release program, which is an option under Texas House Bill 2391. Law enforcement officers can issue citations for nonviolent crimes without taking the individual to city or county jail under HB 2391. ASG passed its resolution in February. Students would be protected from any adverse academic consequences resulting from spending time in jail, such as missed classes and tests. The resolution said it would allow for UPD officers to focus on violent crimes. “The community is much safer when cops just issue a ticket and stay on the streets patrolling, monitoring for violent crimes,” Kutras said. “It doesn’t benefit the community when the cop has to go back to the station for an hour or so and they are not on the street (because they are) going through the booking process.” Kutras, along with Young Americans for Liberty and the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, collected about 1,000 student signatures during the fall as part of ASG’s resolution. James Kemp, political science senior, helped gather the signatures. He said many people think cite and release programs are aimed toward “pot heads” and legalizing marijuana. Kemp also said people don’t understand cite and release is not only about drugs but small amounts of theft, loitering and graffiti. UPD Captain Daniel Benitez said the department is currently speaking with administration about the resolution. Benitez said he could not comment on how the program would impact UPD officers. Kutras said UPD is the only law enforcement agency in Hays County to not use a cite and release program for possession and other nonviolent Class A or B misdemeanors. “There doesn’t seem to be a reasonable explanation for why they don’t implement it, considering all other police agencies in Hays County do,” Kutras said. Chase Stapp, assistant chief at the San Marcos Police Department, said if UPD implements a cite and release program, some students would not be eligible. Students need to have a Hays County address in order to be eligible for cite and release across the county, Stapp said. “Students (should) not get convinced this is something UPD could even use very often because most students continue to list their permanent address during
READ ASG, PAGE 3
Adoptions on the rise New H-E-B construction being planned at animal shelter By Nancy Young News Reporter
By Howard Slacum Special to the Star
Hank passed through the door and away from the small confines that had housed him. Dozens more like him remained locked up, making a cacophony of noise as he was led away for the last time. Hank stepped quickly, jostling his brown and white fur. His head bounced like a bobblehead doll as he looked from one thing to another. Hank then fixed eyes on someone and wagged his tail. Hank had found a home, but the other dogs would have to keep waiting. However, the others will not have to wait for long if January is an indication of things to come. The PAWS Shelter and Humane Society in Kyle has maintained its level of services, despite a weak economy and a decrease in public financial support. The shelter’s federal tax returns show its public financial support dropped by 57.8 percent from 2008 to 2010. The shelter completed 84 adoptions this January, compared to 45 the year before, which is an 87 percent increase. “We’re definitely doing a lot better. We’ve been taking in a lot more animals than we used to be able to,” said Darcy
READ ADOPTIONS, PAGE 3
Map courtesy of Google
H-E-B Construction Site Corner of McCarty Ln & I-35
Austin Humphreys, Photo Editor
San Marcos may soon be getting a third H-E-B grocery store. The store is in early stages of development. Planning and Zoning commissioners heard public comment regarding the topic during their March 26 and April 9 meetings. H-E-B and the owners of the McCarty Commons Planned Development District are in talks to build a store at the corner of McCarty Lane and Interstate 35 with the hopes of bringing more activity to the area. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing about the development during Tuesday’s regular meeting. Matthew Lewis, director of Planning and Development services for San Marcos, said the city has been working on the project for approximately eight
months. The McCarty Commons Planned Development District consists of approximately 259 acres between the Outlet Malls and the Embassy Suites/Convention Center. Cynthia Pharr Lee of C. Pharr & Company for Stratford Land said the planned development district will provide retail and office spaces as well as residential use. She said the property is a great location because of the proximity to San Marcos’ outlet mall. Pharr Lee said Stratford Land acquired the McCarty Commons project in 2007 and is doing “minor modifications” to accommodate H-E-B. A few adjustments were made to the proposal to allow H-E-B to build a “typical store,” according to the plan. Planning and zoning commissioners said they realize there would be a benefit of hav-
READ H-E-B, PAGE 3