March 28 2016

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MONDAY MARCH 28, 2016

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 51 www.UniversityStar.com

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UNIVERSITY

An adviser’s take on how to choose a minor By Bri Watkins NEWS REPORTER @briwatkins17

Students often face confusion and uncertainty when choosing their minor and often end up unsure whether to choose one for the fun of learning something new or if it should correlate with their career path. Lauren Fairley, PACE academic adviser, said she helps students choose a minor that will complement their major based on personal interests. When choosing a path, advisers ask students to decide what their interests are and what they would like to do with their minor. Fairley said when students come to her office, she shows them a list of classes required for their specific minor. If those classes will teach skills they desire, she recommends that to be the student’s minor. She said it is okay for students to choose a minor in a field they simply find interesting, just like it is acceptable to choose one that prepares them for their career. If a student were to come in with an interest of being a lawyer and was majoring in philosophy, the student could take two approaches upon choosing a minor. “When you’re a lawyer, you want to choose classes that are difficult, classes that can help you think critically, form arguments well,” Fairley said. “So, students choose a minor that will help facilitate that to prepare for law school later. Minors can be approached that

See MINOR, Page 2

Removal of Cape’s Dam faces controversy By Kelly Dunn NEWS REPORTER

After city officials decided to remove Cape’s Dam last week, residents have started a petition opposing the action. City residents have expressed concerns that the removal of the dam would negatively affect Stokes Park, which features green space centered around the San Marcos River. Additionally, the park serves as an opportunity to tube and

kayak on the popular portion of the water. Residents need 4,000 signatures before June 10 for the issue to be put on the ballot in November. It would cost about $35,000 for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to remove the dam. City officials would not have to pay, but must agree not to rebuild the dam. Replacing the dam would cost the city more than $1 million. Research conducted by the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment has

kayaking school near Stokes Park, said he is a strong advocate for keeping the river open. Kvanli said city officials aren’t in favor of having any college apartments by the river and it seems they are trying to close the part behind the Woods out of spite. “The folks that complain about everything complained about the Woods and they now want to fence the apartment complex off and divert all of the water to the other side of the island, away from the Woods,”

Kvanli said. Volunteers have even been working with “Keep San Marcos Beautiful” and other organizations by picking up the waste and making the area safe again. “It is very frustrating that I have now volunteered two of my weekends towards picking up trash and helping restore the river but it still remains closed,” said Amy Diaz, psychology junior and volunteer. “I don’t want them to make any more changes. I simply just want my river back.”

Texas State students to strut their stuff for PAWS By Richard Dray NEWS REPORTER

The Texas State Strutters are hosting the Strut & Pup 5K Fun Run to raise money for the PAWS Shelter and Humane Society of Central Texas, along with as many as 10 furry friends from the shelter April 3 at 5 Mile Dam. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and all students are

welcome to participate. Runners are invited to bring their own dogs so they can complete the race by their companion’s side. For the Strutters, the 5K is more than just a fund raising opportunity for the team because of the personal connection they share with the shelter, said Meghan Hopper, Strutters social officer. “A few of the girls on the

Networking event for underrepresented STEM majors slated for April Underrepresented populations within science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors will have the opportunity to network on campus next month. The LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research is hosting a social event April 5 in the LBJ ballroom with intentions of attracting and creating a network of students—especially underrepresented populations in STEM majors. For the past 10 years, the LBJ institute for STEM Education and Research has supported Texas students—kindergarten through undergraduate studies—with innovative approaches to improve skills for STEM, both in the classroom and in the workforce. “There is a misconception that all we do is facilitate all this programming across the university, but that is just a means to an end,” said Laura Rodriguez Amaya, research faculty. “Behind every program we have, there is a research component.” The institute provides extracurricular education

found upstream water levels would not be affected by the dam’s removal, and downstream water levels would reach about 3-4 feet. However, San Marcos citizens and residents of the Woods, an apartment complex marketed around allowing tenants to live on the river, have expressed concerns. Stokes Park is an attraction for the complex’s residents, who are worried removing the dam would negatively impact the area. Ben Kvanli, owner of Olympic Outdoor Center

UNIVERSITY

EDUCATION

By Jacob Lock NEWS REPORTER @jacobboydlock

DARYL ONTIVEROS MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

John J. Stokes San Marcos River City Park March 23.

via an array of programs such as NSF-TX State STEM Rising Stars, which connects new students to existing mentoring activities and student organizations. Another opportunity is the Viz Star Program, which is a second semester program designed to improve the spatial visualization skills of STEM students, said associate professor Clara Novoa. “We look at things such as persistence of female STEM students in higher education, issues of access and equity in STEM education K-12,” Novoa said. “We also look at what are the best practices for STEM learning. This is the venue we have to engage in this research and advance STEM education.” Adrian Medrano, graduate research assistant, said research has indicated that there is a large gap in STEM-related majors, both in gender and ethnic populations. After their second year, most students will give up finishing their STEM degree. In a study done by the STEM Rising Stars, it was found that only 5.3 percent of students in STEM majors were considered freshmen, and 74 percent

were sophomores and seniors. “This social event aims to target first- and secondyear STEM-related students, specifically minority students, women and people of color,” Medrano said. The social event set to be held next month is titled Innovating Minds STEM Networking Night. All students are invited to join, no RSVP is needed. “There is underrepresentation of ethnic minorities and women,” Amaya said. “Nationally, we know there is a push to diversify our STEM workforce, and with this social event we aim to close this gap.” The Viz Star program, for example, reflects this. “We have had a high percentage of female participation, but it was only something around 40 percent,” Novoa said. The networking event will feature guest speaker Olivia Holzhaus, a Texas State STEM alumna who currently serves on the Alumni Association Board as Director-at-Large. Along with free food, a mini-grant presentation will be made at the event and representatives from STEM related industries,

See STEM, Page 2

team have actually rescued dogs from PAWS,” Hopper said. “We’re all really passionate about what (PAWS does) and we’re all really excited to work with them.” Representatives of the shelter said they are excited a team from the Texas State community cares about their work. “A lot of our volunteers are actually Texas State students,” said volunteer coor-

dinator Katheryn White. The event will serve as an opportunity for PAWS to reach out to the community and build their volunteer base, she said. “They really seem to care about the animals,” White said. “They’re super sweet and they really want to help make a difference.” White said the people at PAWS hope the Strut & Pup 5K Fun Run will

increase not only the number of volunteers, but also the amount of adoptions. A portion of the proceeds from the run will be donated to the shelter, which will help fund everything from food and basic necessities to medicine and medical procedures, as well as aiding in the adoption process.

COMMUNITY

Fourteenth annual Bobcat Build set to have record breaking participation By Bri Watkins NEWS REPORTER @briwatkins17

Texas State students will have an opportunity to express their gratitude to the San Marcos community April 2 by participating in the 14th annual Bobcat Build, the second-largest service event in the state. Bobcat Build is a student-led organization that

co-chair, is serving as an officer of Bobcat Build this year after starting as a volunteer and consequently moving up to a member of the planning committee. “I know that when it was first starting, it was a lot smaller, and now it has grown probably five or six times as much,” Faltin said. “As the university is growing, the event is growing and it’s been really

co-chair, has been a part of Bobcat Build for three years. She started as a member of the committee freshman year, and is now in her second year of serving as an officer. “Usually it’s elderly people that we are helping, so its gardening, moving rocks and updating gravel pathways,” Lund said. “It’s in the spring, so a lot of people need leaves raked

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOBCAT BUILD

formulates a structure for students to come and serve the community by volunteering. This year, the event will consist of 4,300 students at approximately 300 different job sites, which exceeds last year’s turnout. Naomi Faltin, programs

positive.” To get involved in Bobcat Build, people can sign up online as an individual or with a group of friends. After signing up participants will work from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at their assigned job site. Emily Lund, programs

and gardens replanted with fresh flowers.” Faltin said Bobcat Build is a great bonding event because it unites students and faculty as well as the university community with native residents of San

See BOBCAT BUILD, Page 2


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