VOLUME 102, ISSUE 78

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WEDNESDAY GO NE ONLI NOW

APRIL 17, 2013

Cat Cab

Bobcat Bobbies is a transportation service that escorts students, faculty, and staff across campus at night to ensure their security. To learn more about Bobcat Bobbies go to UniversityStar.com.

City council passes new master plan By Karen Zamora News Reporter City councilmembers unanimously approved the final reading of the new Comprehensive Master Plan Tuesday, which will officially be updated for the first time in almost 20 years. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a master plan. Congratulations,” said Mayor Daniel Guerrero at the city council meeting. The councilmembers, city staff and residents completed the 13-month process of updating the city’s 17-year-old master plan, which will now guide the population growth and infrastructure for the next 10 years. Matthew Lewis, director of planning and development services, said the whole process started with Dream San Marcos. Lewis said public input was the driving force of finalizing the master plan. “It captured community voices we typically don’t hear from, and (the public’s) ideas were incorporated in the Comprehensive Master Plan,” Lewis said. According to an April 16 University Star article, the master plan is separated into six sections. The plan strives to improve the city’s economic development, environment and resource protection, land use, neighborhoods and housing, parks, public spaces and facilities and transportation. Lewis said in the University Star article the first and largest section of the master plan focuses on building San Marcos and its workforce. Another section reflects maintaining neighborhoods and creating better housing to attract middle-income residents. Councilmembers voted to reconstruct the plan’s map of the city to include the Lazy Oaks development outside of city limits during the first reading at the April 2 council meeting. Lewis said the final map shows the area where the 1,750 single-family residences would be located, but because residents did not list Lazy Oaks as a center of activity, the area on the map is not labeled. Lewis said the map was rescaled to include the development after the first reading of the plan was approved. Councilwoman Kim Porterfield, Place 1, said she was confused and thought the rescale would include Lazy Oaks’ name, but instead it shows the land area only. Councilman Ryan Thomason, Place 5, motioned to amend the Comprehensive Master Plan to outline and label the Lazy Oaks area to make it more distinguishable on the map. The council approved the amendment. “We have said, ‘Hey, we are welcoming this community in,’” Thomason said. “(The map)

READ CITY COUNCIL, PAGE 3

OFFERING A LIFT There are 10 Bobcat Bobbies They are in operation from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The busiest hours are from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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calls this month as of April 15 Shea Wendlandt, Staff Photographer

Bobcat Bobbie Michael Moreno meets Tempestt Phillips, industrial engineering freshman, outside of Lantana Hall. There have been a total of 373 calls for pickup this month.

Bobcat Bobbies provide evening campus transit By Katharina Guttenberg News Reporter Alesha Waters whizzed down the familiar path toward Lantana Hall on her favorite golf cart to pick up the first call of the night. For Waters, physical therapy sophomore and Bobcat Bobbie, Lantana Hall is where most of her requests for a ride are from. This trip was unique in that one of her coworkers had received an identical request and was on the way to the dorm as well. Two female students walked down the stairs of the dorm as Waters pulled up and sat on the back of the golf cart. Waters told the girls that groups of four will have to split up because only three people will fit. The girls were fine with that—the call Waters’ coworker re-

ceived was from the other half of their group. Waters just shook her head. This occurrence is normal for a Bobcat Bobbie. Bobcat Bobbies is a safety escort service for students walking on campus at night. Bobcat Bobbies are in operation from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Bobbies work either the early shift from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., or the late shift from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. University Police Sgt. Laurence Fuller is in charge of the 10 Bobcat Bobbies and said they receive about 75 to 80 calls per night. Although the number of calls stays fairly consistent year round, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the fall semester are the busiest because of sorority and fraternity events, Fuller said.

University name change passes Senate, still needs House approval By Karen Zamora News Reporter Texas State is one step closer to its sixth name change since 1903. State senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 974 April 10, which would eliminate “–San Marcos” from the end of the university’s name. The change is currently pending in the House, from which university administrators hope to hear a final decision later this week. The institution’s name was modified 10 years ago from Southwest Texas State

University to its current title. Provost Eugene Bourgeois said this should be the last name change for the university. University President Denise Trauth said in a statement the school is already referred to as “Texas State” or “Texas State University” in instances other than legal documents. Bourgeois said the name change reflects the “need and desire” to eliminate confusion surrounding the Round Rock campus. If Gov. Rick Perry signs the bill into law, the Round Rock campus would be re-

Star File Photo

University administrators are awaiting final approval from the Texas House of Representatives to drop “— San Marcos” from Texas State’s official name.

ferred to as the “Texas State University Round Rock Campus.” Robert Gratz, special assistant to the president, said the university will make slow strides in changing the name on letterheads and other legal documents if and when the bill is approved. He said the school would use existing supplies until it is time to order materials with the new name. Bourgeois said the “– San Marcos” is already dropped from all other university products such as T-shirts and internal publications. He said faculty don’t refer to the university as “Texas State University — San Marcos,” but instead as Texas State. “(We have) bumper stickers, and I see T-shirts worn by a lot of students and it just says ‘Texas State,’” Bourgeois said. “I think it reflects what really is the name that’s being used by faculty, students and staff and, really, the public.” Gratz said the companion bill passed unanimously in committees, and the university is expecting the same on the House floor. Bourgeois said the passage of both bills will be “done deals.” This bill was the first passed for freshman Sen. Donna Campbell, RNew Braunfels. Bourgeois said some administrators were concerned because it was Campbell’s first bill. He said while on the senate floor, Campbell received a “good-natured ribbing” from her fellow senators.

READ NAME CHANGE, PAGE 3

READ BOBBIES, PAGE 3

Q&A Laurie Moyer Director of Engineering and Capital Improvements By Natalie Berko News Reporter Laurie Moyer was appointed the city’s new director of Engineering and Capital Improvements April 1. Moyer has held several positions with the city, and was most recently the managing director of Community Services. She will now oversee the engineering behind the city’s development, utilities and infrastructure. NB: How long have you been a San Marcos resident? LM: I started with the city in 1988, and I moved away for a short period of time and lived in between outside of the city limits. I would say total, I have lived in the city for 17 years. NB: What prompted your appointment to this position? LM: The position was held by Linda Grubbs-Huff. She left the city to go to work for a consulting firm, so the position became open. I held this position many years ago from 1998 to 2007. (The city) asked if I was interested in coming back and I said “Yes, I would love to do that.” NB: What do you hope to do to alleviate construction woes in the city? LM: One of the things I would like to do is review construction projects scheduled to begin, and make sure we are not overly impacting particular areas of town or major arteries. Right now, we have a lot of projects under construction and a lot of stuff right in the downtown (area) and the edge of campus, and we have a lot more projects coming on. What I would like to do is look at where projects would be located as we prepare them, what their time frame would be and if there are better ways that can phase them to minimize the disruption to the citizens as they drive or walk to their businesses. Just keep that in mind.

READ MOYER, PAGE 3

2 | Wednesday April 17, 2013 | The University Star

OPINIONS

For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu

Promising coach arrives in wake of Davalos

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exas State athletics officials recently hired Danny Kaspar, the state’s winningest men’s basketball coach over the last six years, and the expectations for a successful program could not be higher. Former coach Doug Davalos’ contract was not renewed after seven seasons, according to a March 18 statement released by Texas State athletics officials. It was time for a change in the Texas State men’s basketball program after seven straight seasons with more losses than wins, zero tournament appearances and only three conference tournament victories. The men’s basketball program has been subpar for more than a decade. After all, the Bobcats were a measly 4-24 before Davalos was hired in 2005 as coach. University and student expectations for Kaspar’s tenure are likely relatively small but solid. Winning seasons could happen sooner rather than later, and should become a usual expectation for the program. If the team gets some wins under its belt, historically wishy-washy support from the student body could finally be strengthened. Winning can provide much-needed energy to the team and fans. As a whole, Texas State has not had a winning season in a major sport since jumping into the Western Athletic Conference last year. Bobcat fans should not expect

the team to win a national championship, make a Final Four appearance or become conference victors right off the bat with Kaspar at the helm. However, spectators should expect to go to a game in Strahan Coliseum and see some defensive toughness from a winning program. This is something Kaspar’s teams have provided at Stephen F. Austin for the last 13 seasons. Texas State was last in the WAC in scoring defense with 75.2 points per game allowed. The figure was approximately six points worse than UTSA, the team ahead of the Bobcats defensively. The Bobcats were ninth in field goals and eighth in 3-point percentage defense. They were last in rebound defense this past season. Stephen F. Austin was first in all three categories in the Southland Conference. It is no secret wins are harder to come by now that Texas State is facing tougher competition in the WAC. Despite this, the team can have winning seasons with successful leaders and an establishment of honor, commitment and perseverance among players. An increase in wins and defensive improvements are aspects the Bobcat fan base should expect out of Kaspar in what could be his final coaching stop. Those are two things Texas State desperately needs to turn the Bobcats’ weakest athletics program into one of its strongest.

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. Grace Perkins, Star Illustrator

Campus dining hall plans squeeze too much out of students’ wallets

By Savannah Wingo Assistant Opinions Editor

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hartwells officials need to revamp services by providing more options for students on restricted diets, allowing students to utilize all of their meal swipes and offering discounts for students without a plan. There are many problems with the dining services on campus, and students with restricted diets have very limited food options. Few places on campus serve vegan and vegetarian foods, and students with other restrictions such as allergies have to jump through hoops to get food they are able to actually eat. Many students may be worried they are not getting enough for their prepaid meal plans as well. Takeout containers are disappearing from dining halls, and students are limited to only three meal trades per purchase. In addition, meal plans are required for all freshmen students who live on campus, and the added costs can easily strain college budgets. Meal plans are relatively expensive for the average college student at costs ranging from $260 for a 40-block commuter plan to $1,244 for a 250-block resident plan. Students deserve to take full advantage of the meal trades they paid for, so Chartwells officials should consider allowing leftover swipes to roll over from spring to fall. Students are not required to buy meal plans to eat on campus after their freshman year, but dining services continue to pose difficulties for several Bobcats. Many students may make pit stops at campus eateries in between classes out of pure convenience. Grabbing a quick snack in between classes is a great opportunity for students to relax and recharge before getting back

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to their studies and classwork. Students’ time for relaxation may be interrupted once they truly take notice and pay attention to the price tags of their favorite quick snacks at Texas State. Students with plans can pay for meals with a single prepaid swipe, The same meals, at Jones Dining Hall for example, can be unreasonably expensive for students who pay out of pocket without a plan. A milkshake at El Palacio in Jones will run students $3.99. At Tuscano’s Pizzeria, a meal consisting of pasta, a small side salad and a roll costs students $7.59. Pasta sold by the box is historically cheap at grocery stores, and the sauce at Tuscano’s is watery and flavorless—not worth almost eight dollars. Some of the separate items at Jones are even more ridiculously priced. A small garden salad is $2.99, but only consists of a palm-sized cup of lettuce and tomato. An entire head of lettuce could be bought for the same price at a regular grocery store. Both a tray containing crackers and tuna salad and a gluten-free sandwich will run students $4.99 each. A small cup of candies from uncommon brands is $1.99. Chartwells obviously needs to earn enough revenue to fund their operations. Most of their profits are made off of students who purchase meal plans, and the extra trades they leave over at the end of the spring semesters. Students who purchase food out of pocket without a meal plan only bring in a small margin of profit for Chartwells, and heavy-handed price gouging of basic food items is unnecessary. Perhaps Chartwells officials could implement a policy where students could flash their Bobcat IDs for a small meal discount. This would help relieve some of the financial pressures placed on students without meal plans while also raising sales and preserving the high prices for nonstudent customers. --Savannah Wingo is a mass communication sophomore.

Editor In Chief................................................Beth Brown, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor............................Lee Moran, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................................Caitlin Clark, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor............................Hollie O’Connor, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Liza Winkler, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..........................................Cameron Irvine, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief......................Thomas Glasebrook, starcopychief@txstate.edu Web Editor.............................................Cayla Green, starwebeditor@txstate.edu

Students should foster working relationships with staff, professors

By Austin Tomlinson Opinions Columnist

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obcats gearing up to apply for internships and jobs in the working world should make efforts to develop contacts and professional relationships with university officials and instructors. The university is staffed by professionals devoted to helping students. Each class a student takes provides not only the opportunity to learn, but a chance to build a relationship with a professional. Students have ample time to get to know their teachers and leave an impression because most classes meet multiple days a week. Class meetings offer students the opportunity to gain insight into a teacher’s experience. Students should invest in building professional relationships with their teachers, instead of simply going to class every day to get grades. University staff members want to help students succeed, and teachers are often more than happy to give opportunities to worthwhile pupils. Students should attempt to stand out in a crowd of their peers to get noticed by teachers. It is important students make connections now to have lists of professional contacts and references ready by graduation. Some teachers conducting outside field work and projects during their downtime may need extra help, and proactive students can sometimes snatch up aide positions and gain early work experience. Students should talk with teachers working in their desired fields of study and make an effort to get involved in research and professional projects. Early work experience is invaluable to college students and can lead to further opportunities in the future. Even freshmen can be eligible to work on some of

Multimedia Editor.........................Alex Peña, starmultimediaeditor@txstate.edu Design Editor.............................................Sarah Ansell, stardesign@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist................................... Chris Salazar, chris.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

these projects, and there is value in mentoring a new student who will be around for at least a few more years. The easiest way to get to know a teacher in a large class is to visit during office hours. Dropping by a teacher’s office and asking questions about a class is simple and will allow them to recognize a student as an individual. Teachers are able to make it to their offices multiple hours each week. So, students have no real reason to neglect visiting them at least a few times a semester. A small class is an ideal environment to develop lasting relationships because students can dialogue with their teachers and learn in a more intimate environment. Not only is there more time for each student to speak and be heard in a small class, but teachers are able to work with pupils more directly. Smaller classes allow for a more conversational style of learning as opposed to large lecture classes. Students should consider joining the Honors College, which offers smaller, seminar-style classes to members. These classes promote professional growth and networking in addition to allowing students to express themselves more freely. Professors who elect to teach honors courses are often further motivated to provide students with opportunities to apply what they learn in class to real-life situations. Texas State students with GPAs of 3.25 or higher can apply to join the Honors College at any time through an application on the program’s website. Many students will likely never again have the same level of access to professional resources and networking they currently have at Texas State. Students will have to master creating and handling professional relationships as they make the transition to post-college life. Students should take time to practice networking and maintaining lists of professional contacts now, before they have to hunt for their first jobs out of college. --Austin Tomlinson is an exploratory international freshman.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, April 17, 2013. 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. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.

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The University Star | Wednesday April 17, 2013 | 3

NEWS

BOBBIES

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The busiest hours for the Bobbies are from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. There have been a total of 373 calls for pickup this month as of April 15, Waters said. Waters picks people up from places like Lantana, Blanco, Butler and San Saba Halls frequently. Waters said she often gets calls from Jones Dining Hall because it is one of the only eating locations open late at night. “I guess Jones is where (students) want to go to eat, and either they don’t want to walk back by themselves or they want a ride, so they call us,” Waters said. “If you don’t want to walk on campus alone, (we are) there to help you feel safe and give you an easier peace of mind.”

The Bobcat Bobbie system is available for all students, but it is only available on campus. Desirae Smith, political science freshman, said she has driven a student to J.C. Kellam before, but the administration building is the boundary of their services. Smith said people sometimes inappropriately use the Bobcat Bobbies to get a quick ride instead of walking. “We’re used for safety,” Smith said. “Sometimes (students) use the system to their advantage when they seem lazy and don’t want to walk.” Danica Mathis, criminal justice sophomore, said she drives people to the Student Recreation Center, dining halls and dorms frequently

every work night. She said about a quarter of calls during her shift occur at approximately 8 p.m. Michael Moreno, criminal justice sophomore, said when driving around without any customers, he asks students if they want a ride to the top of a hill or somewhere close. Sometimes people come up and ask him directly, Moreno said. The Bobbies regularly go to the same places each night and sometimes get a call from a person they have driven before. “(I like) making (myself) known by the people mostly because we get a lot of repeat customers, and I attempt to make conversation to create a connection with the people I drive,”

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MOYER

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NB: Are there any accomplishments not related to constr uction you hope to achieve? How will you use your previous positions held to make the most of this appointment? LM: I have a much broader view of how the city works, since I was originally in the position and have worked in other areas. As we develop engineering standards, review development and move forward with construction projects, we should be able to make sure we have had good coordination with other city departments and include the direction from the comprehensive plan that has just wrapped

needs something that it is not in theory, and this does exist.” Porterfield pointed out Texas State’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research building (S.T.A.R. Park) was misspelled on the map. City Attorney Michael Cosentino advised councilmembers typos could be corrected without returning the master plan back to the city’s agenda as long as sentences are not changed. Resident Lisa Prewitt thanked the city and staff for their work in finalizing the master plan during the public hearing. Prewitt said the success of the master plan would be proven in the months and years to come. “This is something we really need,” Prewitt said. “(This will) strengthen the community in the long run.” The city will have a Comprehensive Master Plan release party April 24 at Texas Music Theater to celebrate its final approval.

NAME CHANGE

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Shea Wendlandt, Staff Photographer

up. We think about sustainability and environmental impacts, beautification, which we have started to do a lot more. I have had a long relationship with Texas State and I want to continue that. We have good coordination, and I think that is important. As we move forward with design, I want to keep transit in mind.

Student wins international IBM competition By Katharina Guttenberg News Reporter A Texas State computer science senior beat more than 4,600 students to win an award that will give him an edge in job pursuits. Miles Nosler was sent on a two-day trip from March 27 to 29 to New York to accept his first place award from the IBM Master the Mainframe Contest. According to the IBM website, the contest was a set of computer application challenges broken into three parts. The challenges allowed students to become comfortable with navigating mainframes and their basic concepts and use the skills learned to solve real life situations, according to the website. Students participated in the contest from Oct. 1 to Dec. 28. Mike Todd, IBM Academic Initiative System adviser, said Nosler was the overall winner of the contest because he finished the most challenges correctly. Nosler said the contest started out easy in the beginners’ level and progressively got harder throughout the intermediate and advanced parts. While in New York, Nosler toured the IBM mainframe lab and spent time with its engineers. The company held an awards ceremony March 28 where the top three contestants from the U.S. and Canada were honored. Nosler participated in the contest in 2012 as well. Nosler said the previous experience gave a “little bit of an advantage” because he felt more familiar with the system. He mostly worked on the challenges from home since the contest is easy to participate in from any computer with an Internet connection that can access the company’s server. “I really put a lot of effort into it this year,” Nosler said. “(Winning) was really exciting and kind of shocking at first. It took a couple of weeks for it to sink in.” Todd said large companies such as banks, airlines and insurance agencies have high demands for people with the skills Nosler demonstrated by winning the competition. Nosler has opportunities to work as a database adminis-

John Casares, Staff Photographer

trator, system programmer and various other positions or a variety of companies. “The reason that we run this contest is to get students hands-on experience with programming systems to help build skills for IBM customers,” Todd said. Jason Cade, Texas State alumnus, won the contest in 2007 and is currently working for enterprise systems and technology development as a verification engineer. Cade said winning the contest set him apart from peers when he was looking for a job. “It was pretty challenging specifically in a mainframe administrators domain, which is not necessarily stuff that you learn in a computer science class,” Cade said. Nosler said he does not have a particular dream job or commitment to one company right now but has had at least three job interviews and gained many connections while in New York.

Jon Oliver, Campbell’s communications director, said there was no reason for debate because of the nature of the bill. However, there was some “friendly rite of passage hazing” because it was Campbell’s first bill. Oliver said 21 senators agreed to hear the bill on the floor, so chances of passing were optimistic. He said the senators could have sent it back to committee as another rite of passage. “(Senators) kind of want to give (Campbell) a hard time, not because there is a problem with the bill,” Oliver said. “The (senators) wanted her to sing the (Texas State) fight song in committee, and she declined at the time.” Campbell rehearsed the fight song with a group of Texas State students, which included Vanessa Cortez, Associated Student Government president-elect. Oliver said Campbell studied information about Texas State, such as the university’s mascot and motto. Gratz said if the bill passes in the House, it would either become effective immediately upon Gov. Perry’s signature or at the start of the new fiscal year Sept. 1.

4 | Wednesday April 17, 2013 | The University Star

TRENDS

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Archaeology club cooks prehistoric feast

Compliments Booth promotes positivity By Zach Mayer Trends Reporter

Photo courtesy of Andreina Alexaots

The Experimental Archaeology Club is comprised of students aiming to put the technology of prehistoric cultures to the test. By Zach Mayer Trends Reporter Students feeling the urge to explore the cultural habits of prehistoric civilizations are given the opportunity through the Experimental Archaeology Club. Texas State students are given the opportunity to explore the cultural habits of prehistoric civilizations through the Experimental Archaeology Club. The Experimental Archaeology Club is a group of primarily anthropology students seeking to test the survival habits of 11,000-year-old Texas inhabitants. Club activities include networking, testing prehistoric tools and weapons, and practicing Paleo-American (the ancestors of Native Americans) cooking habits. Members do not have to be licensed archaeologists experienced with excavating prehistoric remains. Current members are simply students testing existing archaeological theories. “We’re trying to better understand human behavior,” said Stephen Black, assistant professor of anthropology and club facility sponsor . Black studies Paleo-American people who lived in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands in Texas along the Rio Grande. They

were hunter-gatherers who lived in a harsh environment, creating new practices and technologies to adapt and survive. Some of these same practices were used by PaleoAmericans who lived in the San Marcos area. “We try to develop experiments that link the past to the present,” said Jerod Roberts, anthropology senior. Club members explore specific factors and concepts not easily understood at archaeological sites. One purpose, according to the club, is to figure out how prehistoric ovens functioned and understand hardships prehistoric people endured to survive. Members dug a meter-wide, foot-and-ahalf-deep hole in ground. They then heated up rocks by burning logs and pieces of wood below the surface. They removed the logs and placed prickly pear cactus pads over the rocks when the stones were heated to 800 to 600 degrees Celsius. The food was placed on top of the prickly pears with additional cactus pads set over the food and then coated with a mound of dirt. However, the club members pointed out these earth-oven reenactments are not completely accurate. Prehistoric civilizations that used them wound up having dirt in their food from lacking shovels and other modern tools or aluminum foil to keep

the meals clean. “We are very pampered,” Roberts said. Vicki Munoz, club president and anthropology senior, said meat was a rarity and required a lot of effort to obtain and cook. She said the Paleo-Americans’ diets were mostly vegetarian. What the club cooked in the recreated ovens would be considered a feast. It takes about two to three hours to cook the food using an earth oven. In this time, the club socializes and experiments with other recreated prehistoric tools like the atlatl, an 18-inch stick used to launch spears. The club schedules the earth-oven experiment each semester, the most recent of which was held on Saturday. “We try to do it a couple times a semester,” Munoz said. The club holds experiments on the 140acre property of Grady Early, former faculty member, approximately five miles from west campus. Early’s property is additionally used for other anthropology projects, including forensics. University President Denise Trauth and other administrators will visit the project sites April 22 and participate in club events, including taste testing for the Experimental Archaeology Club’s earth-ovencooked food.

Students walking through the LBJ Mall Tuesday morning witnessed their peers standing with signs and yelling compliments at them as they passed by. The Student Leadership Team’s new Compliments Booth started last semester to cheer up the student body as an expression of social excellence and enthusiasm. Ashley Jones, team president and international studies junior, said students are surprised at an organization giving away praises while only expecting a cheerful mood, smile and additional compliment in return. “It makes us really happy when people come up to us and (ask), ‘Why are you doing this?’ and we’re just like, ‘It’s just to give compliments,’” Jones said. The team’s signs display compliments and encouraging statements including “smile,” “you’re beautiful” and a Texas State Bobcat original, “have a pawfic day.” Initially, the group was unsure as to how students would respond to such gestures. “(It was) nerve racking at first,” Jones said. “Putting yourself out there is really intimidating, (but) we have such a positive and friendly aura. So, it’s really easy.” Fortunately, student response turned out better than expected, with some even lending a helping hand. “There was another girl who was like, ‘Can I help?’” said Laramie McWilliams, student development specialist. “She stayed for the next five to eight minutes shouting out compliments too.” Others openly expressed their appreciation for the team members leading by example. “The first time we were out there, a couple literally stopped and thanked us for being out there,” said Drake Allen, the team’s program director and recreational administration sophomore. The Compliments Booth, while simple, serves as a method of positive public display to counteract negative thoughts and moods students routinely experience. The Compliments Booth gathers in the LBJ Mall on some Tuesdays. Allen hopes the booth will be operational every Tuesday soon and multiple weekdays for future semesters. Next to providing compliments, Allen said the team plans to integrate other ideas, such as compliment cookies during finals week and a ball pit by next semester for strangers to become friendly acquaintances. He also voiced plans to include cuddly animals, such as puppies and kittens, to pet for stress relief.

The University Star | Wednesday April 17, 2013 | 5

SPORTS

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BASEBALL

Bobcats continue win streak with defeat of Bears By Jordan Brewer Assistant Sports Editor Bobcat baseball used timely hitting and solid pitching to snap a four game losing streak against Big 12 opponent Baylor University by a score of 3–0 in front of a seasonbest 1,775 attendees. Baylor (19–18) came into the contest with a recent series win

over Oklahoma University and has won five of its last six games. Texas State had not won a midweek game since March 5 against the University of Texas-San Antonio, where it was victorious 6–0 in a nonconference matchup. The Bobcats (16–20) got started when senior Andrew Stumph hit a hard ground ball between third base and the short stop, scoring

Austin Humphreys, Photo Editor

Senior pitcher Michael Pitts took the mound during the first three innings April 16 against Baylor. The Bobcats defeated the Bears 3-0.

senior left fielder Kevin Sah in the process. Stumph continues to be the missing ingredient to his team’s offense, getting two hits in four at-bats while driving in one run. “(Harrington) challenges us every year to play the hardest out of conference schedule,” Stumph said. “It really does benefit us to play tougher teams. I’m feeling really comfortable at the plate right now. The coaches have harped on us to ‘Keep the same approach. Keep the same approach. It’s going to work. It’s going to work.’” Cody Lovejoy, sophomore right fielder, hit a line drive two-run homer off the netting above the left field fence, which knocked in Sah. It gave the Bobcats a 3–0 lead which they never relinquished. Lovejoy had two hits in four at-bats with two RBI’s and one run. Sah had two runs scored for the Bobcats. “I just got down to two strikes and took a pitch so (Sah) could steal a base,” Lovejoy said. “I was just battling up there and trying to stay inside the ball. (Home runs) just happen sometimes. It’s an awesome feeling—the first home run of my college career. I enjoyed it.” The pitching for Texas State

held Baylor to three hits. Senior Mitchell Pitts got the start for the Bobcats, his third of the season. Pitts pitched three innings and gave up no runs on one hit. He struck out three and did not walk a Baylor batter. “The night started out the right way with probably the most competitive kids I’ve ever had in the program,” said Coach Ty Harrington. “(Pitts is) less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery. What you see is experience, and what you see is guts.” Sophomore reliever Austen Williams came in to replace Pitts and went two and one third innings, not giving up a run and surrendering one hit. He added two strikeouts to his resume and walked one. Senior Covey Morrow was solid in his two-thirds of an inning, retiring both batters. The bullpen maintained steadily even after more change on the mound. Freshman Lucas Humpal pitched one and a third innings, striking out three batters while not giving up a hit or a walk. Junior Donnie Hart and junior Hunter Lemke faced six batters total, giving up one hit and zero runs. The Bears started junior Bobby McCormack, who lasted two in-

nings and gave up one run on two hits while walking two Bobcat batters. Senior Miles Landry was responsible for giving up the Lovejoy home run in the third inning. He didn’t record an out and gave up the two runs on that one hit. Baylor had only been shut out twice all season coming into this contest, including its most recent 5–0 loss to Oklahoma State University on March 22. The team posted a goose egg in its second game of the year against the University of California-Irvine. “I do think we’ve improved. I do think we are getting better,” Harrington said. “To come out and pitch well tonight was big for us.” Texas State has shut out four teams this season, including its most recent 1–0 win against Louisiana Tech University in a sweep last weekend. The Bobcats responded to a five-game losing streak with a four-game winning streak after the Baylor victory and the three-game series sweep of Louisiana Tech last weekend. They will try to extend their streak on the road this weekend against San Jose State University. Twitter: @jbrewer32

SOFTBALL

14-0 ‘embarrassment’ ends with run-rule after four innings By Odus Evbagharu Sports Reporter Illegal pitches and home runs burned Bobcat softball multiple times in front of 824 spectators against the Texas A&M Aggies in a 14–0, run-ruled shutout through four innings at Bobcat Softball Stadium Tuesday night. “Today was an embarrassment for us,” said Coach Ricci Woodard. “To have this kind of crowd show up and watch a ball game and us not competing is not a good spot for this program to be in right now.” Freshman pitcher Ashley Wright gave up five runs in the first inning. Wright had three runs come off five illegal pitches and the other two runs came off of a triple by Cali Lanphear, A&M freshman utility player. Wright pitched two innings and gave up eight earned runs on six hits. “Anytime you’re getting illegal pitches called, it’s going to affect the pitcher,” Woodard said. “It hasn’t been called all year, and that was my argument. We’ve had these same umpires, and all of a sudden they started calling it. So yes, I do think it affected her some. (Wright) also wasn’t hitting her zone. That, combined with the illegal pitches, is

going to affect things against a good hitting ball club like A&M.” Lanphear hit a three-run homer, her teamleading 15th of the season. She finished the game 3–3 and was a double away from hitting for the cycle. The Aggies scored a season-high 14 runs on 12 hits and move their record to 35–9 for the 2013 campaign. The Aggies hit four home runs for the game, including junior third baseman Amber Garza’s seventh homer of the season. Garza continued her power surge against Texas State, hitting her third homer against the Bobcats this season. Junior shortstop Taran Tyler and junior utility player Jenna Stark provided home runs for the Aggies in the fourth and fifth inning. The home run was Tyler’s first of the season and Stark’s seventh of the year. Junior pitcher Delia Saucedo came in relief and pitched the rest of the way. Saucedo pitched three innings and allowed six runs on six hits, striking out one batter. The Bobcats collected two hits for the evening. Anna Hernandez, senior second baseman, hit a single in the second. Timishia North, junior utility player, had a pinch-hit triple in the bottom of the fifth to give Texas State its second hit of the contest. “I told them they have three weeks left,” Woodard said. “I told them they need to compete or they are not going to play in the conference tournament. They just need to compete and play, and we did not compete tonight.” The ball club moves its overall record to

John Casares, Staff Photographer

Anna Hernandez, senior second baseman, turns her back to A&M’s Taran Tyler as she rounds the bases at the Bobcat Softball Stadium after a home run. Texas State was defeated 14–0.

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11–31, and the team is 5–25 against nonconference opponents this year. The Bobcats are 1–19 against other Texas teams this year with their only win coming against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Texas State will be back in action this

weekend when it takes on New Mexico State University (30–14) in San Marcos. The Aggies are currently sitting atop the WAC with an 11–1 record in conference play.

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6 | Wednesday April 17, 2013 | The University Star | Sports

Bobcat News and Notes Athletes honored

Student athletes with a 3.5 GPA during the spring or fall 2012 semesters were honored at Bobcat Stadium in the End Zone Complex during the Oak Farms Dairy Award Banquet last week. Out of 336 student athletes on the online rosters, 80 players posted these grades in 2012.

Baseball sweeps awards

Texas State junior infielder Austin O’Neal and sophomore pitcher Taylor Black swept votes for WAC Baseball Player of the Week awards for their performances over the weekend. Black posted 7.2 scoreless innings on Friday, game one of a three-game sweep of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. O’Neal hit 6-9 in the series, had two home runs and seven RBI. Black has a 3.00 ERA, and this week’s award was his second of the season.

Cunningham back on top

Senior pole-vaulter Logan Cunningham won the pole vault event at the Texas Invitational in Austin over the week-

end with his highest jump of the year, 5.37 meters. The jump slots Cunningham in 15th place in the nation. Other winners at the Invitational included senior hurdler Chante’sean White and senior distance runner Sandra Venegas.

Smallwood comes up big

Junior Stuart Smallwood was named WAC Golfer of the Week after finishing tied for third place at the Jim West Intercollegiate last week. It was the first award for Smallwood of the season, and his three round total over the weekend was his lowest 54-hole total of 20122013.

Important loss

Texas State tennis lost to Idaho over the weekend 4-3, dropping the Bobcats into sixth place as the Vandals surged ahead into fifth. The top eight WAC schools will be participating in the WAC Tennis Tournament April 25-28. Report compiled by Cameron Irvine, Sports Editor Twitter: @txstcamirvine