Pg. 2 A Day Without Shoes Pg. 4 Talent Show
Friday, April 8, 2011 asurampage.com Vol. 77 No. 25
Pg. 5 Dry campus vs. wet campus
Romo, Perez elected
Student vote:
Concealed handguns voted down Scott Dykowski Editor-in-Chief Hector Romo and Vincent Perez won the vote for student body president and vice president Wednesday night by 57.5 percent. Eight hundred and eighty-two students voted. Perez said he was pumped about winning and ready to move forward. Romo plans to do that by completing the projects he started as vice president with former Student Body President Austin Osmanski. In this election, 67.4 percent of the students who voted chose to not
allow concealed handguns on campus. The newly elected student senators will write their recommendation to Representative Drew Darby, Romo said. The duo plans to fill the senate seats, a goal Romo set during his tenure as vice president. Romo said they plan to continue to increase SGA’s transparency and promote the True Blue campaign. “Come talk to me whenever,” Romo said. He said he also plans to fill the student spots in the Student Fee Committee and other such committees. “The students in those positions are good students, but they aren’t the type of students we need,” Romo said. “We want outgoing students.” He said he wants stu-
dents to understand why they pay those fees. The student body voted in 12 senators, and the new student senate will meet Monday at 5 p.m. with President of the Senate Vincent Perez. A single senator needed five votes to take office.
Will Boaz and Laura Perez won 34.1 percent of the student vote with 293 votes. Sixty-nine students voted for Jessica Shepard and Will Franke, making up eight percent of the vote.
Amendments
Concealed handguns Yes 32.6 percent No 67.4 percent Secession line Yes 85.4 percent No 14.6 percent GPA requirements Yes 82.1 percent No 17.9 percent
Comparing Elections
. A majority of the students
voted against allowing conceald handguns on campus . This allows SGA to establish a line of secession if the president step down, such as last Fall . Requires the candidates possess a 2.5, instead of a 2.0, GPA to run for president or vice president.
Voting trends
Boaz
Shepard
Romo
Rainy day funds to not benefit the university tuition [costs] place us out of range with any of the to 9.9 percent in other schools,” Reid said. The university will tuition and fees look at every aspect, including class size, approMegan Ellis priate increase of tuition Staff Writer and fees, and decrease in section offerings. Students may see an “How much can you increase of up to 9.9 perpush in each area without cent of their tuition and really impacting the edufees on their Fall 2011 cational experience of our school bill. students,” Reid said. “The According to a news last thing we want to see release, if tuition and fees is the educational experiincrease for the 2011-2012 ence diminish.” school year, the increase The primary goal is to will be no more than 9.9 be more efficient and the percent. last resort will be poASU faces sition cuts and a raise “How much can you push in a possible $5.5 million each area without really impacting in tuition fees. “For the most reduction in the educational experience of our part, we are looking the current students? The last thing we want at what we can do to budget. be more efficient,” M i c h a e l to see is [that] diminish.” Reid said. “It’s just a Reid, vice Michael Reid, little bit of everything president of vice president of Finance and to try to come up Finance and Administration with that difference.” AdministraReid said protion, said ASU posed budgets may is working on budget cuts, but they are trying to mini- ranked in the middle not be decided until late this summer and tuition mize its impact on stu- among other universities. “Our intention is that rates are likely to be dedents and personnel. we don’t want to see our cided in mid-May.
Budget cuts: Up
Photo by Ashley Romo
Sophomore Kacie Easley reads signs for the pitch Friday against Southeastern Oklahoma.
‘Belles search for motivation after shut out, rebound Softball: 3-2 at tournament
Andy Atterbury Sports Co-Editor The No. 2-ranked ‘Belle softball team went 3-2 at the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament in San Angelo April 1 through 3. On the opening day, the ‘Belles (30-5) (6-2) were shut out for the second time all season against No. 3 Midwestern State. The girls rebounded and defeated Southeastern Oklahoma 6-3 in the second Friday game. Sophomore shortstop Chelsey Walters and freshman left fielder Morgan Spearman both had two RBIs in the win.
“We aren’t playing real well right now, but we certainly don’t need to hit the panic button yet,” Head Coach Travis Scott said. Central Oklahoma dropped the ‘Belles 9-1 in their only Saturday matchup. “It was a long weekend,” junior pitcher Claire Molina said. “It sucks that we lost twice but it’s a humbling experience.” The ‘Belles came back Sunday and beat Cameron University 12-11 with help from senior centerfielder Brittany Astle’s two home runs and five RBIs. Molina pitched her second complete game of the tournament and struck out nine in the ‘Belles’ 6-3 win over East
Central University in the final game. “[Sunday] was a big day for us,” Scott said. “We were able to bounce back after playing [poorly] the first few days to get some wins. We hit the ball hard today, which will hopefully get our confidence up going into next week.” Eastern New Mexico rolls into San Angelo Friday for a three-game LSC series against the ‘Belles. The Friday night game is slated for 7 p.m. and Saturday’s double header starts at 1 p.m. “We work hard every day,” Molina said. “We’re a little exhausted right now. We just need to find that extra motivation to keep us going even harder.”
“We’ve been very restrictive on hiring over the last six months,” Reid said. “We have a lot of vacant positions out there that we just haven’t been filling.” The Legislatures decision to dip into the Economic Stabilization fund does not benefit higher education, Reid said. “The money from the fund will benefit public education and healthcare,” said Trent Thomas, Representative Drew Darby’s chief of staff. ASU is currently
Graphic by Tim Lester
Photo Contest
Deadline: April 18, 5 p.m.
The Ram Page welcomes submissions for the Life: In Focus Photo Contest from ASU students, faculty and staff. The staff judges will choose the top two photographs in each category. The Ram Page will publish the winners April 22.
Categories: Study Abroad:
N ature /A rchitecture :
Capture an image of animals, plant life, scenery or architecture.
Submit an image you have Artistic Illustration: taken from an ASU study Create a graphic using digital edabroad program. Include iting software, or create an image the place and semester. of original work by hand.
1
Submit:
E-mail to rampage@ angelo.edu 2 Hand-deliver to the Ram Page office, B324 on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library.
Page 2
Friday, April 8, 2011
Campus News Marissa Williams, President, BSA
BSA
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies-Higher Education for Student Development/Sport and Recreation Administration Classification: Graduate Student Frequented website: Facebook and The Chronicles of Higher Education (looking for jobs) Music: Hip Hop & R&B Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Cooking Restaurant: Papasito’s Cantina and Cork and Pig
with
Black Student Alliance Photo by Ashley Romo
and
Marissa Williams
Purpose: To increasing the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the black culture on campus and in the community. Events: Recruitment of new student leaders Eligibility: Membership is open to all who are willing to be active members Advice: “Get involved, voice your opinions, and stand up to make a positive change on campus,” Williams said.
Barefoot walks raise awareness
One Day Without Shoes in the University Center, an event sponsored TOMS Shoes to raise AMAS collaborate by awareness of the need Mark McDaniel for shoes in Third World Staff Writer countries. “The purpose of this Students, faculty event was to encourage and community mem- students to learn that bers gathered Tuesday to we are lucky enough to walk a mile in the shoes live in a society where of those who are less for- we have money to buy tunate, or rather, a mile shoes,” Multicultural Prowithout shoes. grams Specialist Adriana Many students recog- Balcorta said. “But not evnized the annual TOMS erybody is as lucky as us.” T h e event began in the University Center with the showing of a TOMS documentary and some shoeless activities, and once it finished, over 45 students wa l k e d from the UC to the cafeteria Photo by Ashley Romo and back Students go barefoot in support of TOMS ‘A barefoot, Day Without Shoes.’
AMAS member sophomore Isaias Martinez said. “While we walked, we carried two buckets of water and passed them around so everyone could experience what a child has to go through in less fortunate countries,” Martinez said. “We’re glad that everybody who participated was able to go through what a child has to in another country.” Many students discovered that the walk was a little harder than they thought it would be. “We just walked for 20 minutes, and I had my socks on, but you could still feel the rocks on your feet and it hurt a little bit,” sophomore Faviola Dimas said. “The buckets of water were really heavy too.” Balcorta said although this was an AMAS-supported event, the new TOMS club planned and organized it. The TOMS organization was approved by the SGA, but is still waiting for approval from the Center for Student Involvement, so in order for the event to go forward as planned, it
Mile in their shoes: TOMS and
Japan faces earthquake Thursday, group to raise money to fight hunger Study Abroad: International issues relevant
Scott Dykowski Editor-in-Chief A group on campus will take donations next week to help with food shortage issues to support the victims of the earthquake that hit Japan Thursday, and the earthquake and tsunami that hit last month. “Oh my word, we have to help,” junior Aubrey Sloan said. “There’s no question. The people there are already in dire need and so many people are displaced – there are people who are going to starve to death.” The students traveling to Europe to study biology July 6 through August 6 plan to take donations in the Houston Harte University Center, the cafeteria and alongside the Tri-Beta blood drive from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Center for International Studies requires each group to commit to community service that helps with hunger – most groups help locally, volunteering at Meals on Wheels, Meals for the Elderly and the Soup Kitchen. “I think the effects
from the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan are tragic,” said Dr. Robert Dowler, trip faculty sponsor. “The death toll is now over 12,000, with an estimated 15,000 still missing.” Sloan said she takes for granted how easy it is to stop and buy Starbucks or McDonald’s while Japan has very little. “We do have it good here, and when we have tragedies in our country, we help,” she said. “People are still volunteering in New Orleans – so why not in Japan? Nobody on campus has made an effort to do anything for relief for that. I’m glad we’re able to forerun it.” Senior Austin Osmanski said they chose to help Japan because, as a Study Abroad group, international issues are as relevant as local issues to them. “The radioactivity has affected the crops, and they can’t eat simple things like milk or lettuce,” Osmanksi said. The group is sending the funds to Japan via the American Red Cross, Dowler said. “It's important for students to understand what is happening on the other side of the world and do what they can to help,” he said.
had to be sponsored by AMAS. “There was a student interested in starting a TOMS club, but she didn’t get all the paperwork in on time and AMAS decided to join in support,” Balcorta said, “because that’s what AMAS is all about, supporting diversity and supporting things that we are not used to.” According to the TOMS website, Black Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes in 2006 when he saw the extreme poverty and poor health conditions during a trip to Argentina, as well as children walking without shoes. One Day Without Shoes is the day in April TOMS asks people to go without shoes to raise awareness of children growing up barefoot and the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. In its third year, people of all ages got involved, according to the TOMS website. In 2010, over a quarter of a million people went barefoot at over 1,600 global barefoot events.
New editor to maintain accuracy Goals: Fill staff, increase readers
Megan Ellis Staff Writer Sophomore Dana Choi will take over as the Ram Page’s editor-inchief this Fall. “My main concern is just maintaining the Ram Page’s standard of accuracy,” Choi said. Choi said there will be inevitable changes with the paper, but no plans are in the works yet. “I don’t necessarily see changes [now] but with new staff, a new year, and new ideas there are definitely going to be changes,” Choi said. Although there are no detailed Photo by Pam Belcher 2011-2012 Ram Page Editor-in-Chief plans of change, Choi said, a new staff will hopefully provide imDana Choi will start work in May.
provement with new ideas. “The biggest thing I’m focusing on now is finding new staff members,” Choi said. Choi is currently the copy editor at the Ram Page. She began working for the paper in Fall 2010 as a staff writer. She had previous experience working with her high school newspaper and yearbook. “I was really excited when I heard I got the position,” Choi said. “I put a lot of time and effort into the Ram Page and I’m excited to have the opportunity to become more involved in it.” Choi said she wishes that more people would read the Ram Page. “I would like for the Ram Page to be what it should be: one of the primary sources for news and information on campus,” she said.
Students douse fire Flames: Two fires
ignited on campus Scott Dykowski Editor in-Chief Students put out a fire on campus Wednesday, and police put a different fire Tuesday. Students Jerica Horn, Jennifer Valdivia and Amy Fogleman put out a fire Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. at Centennial Village under a tree by Parking Lot 2 – the University Police Department believes a discarded cigarette started the fire. UPD believes a weedeater struck a rock and
caused a fire at the LeGrand Multi-Sports Complex Tuesday, which UPD extinguished at about 2 p.m. Sandra Graves, athletics secretary, reported the fire when she saw smoke, Chief of University Police James Adams said. Both fires were quickly extinguished and no one received injuries, Adams said. “However, given the fire danger and wind, it could have quickly spread,” he said. Damages remain under $100. See photos and extended coverage online at asurampage.com
Friday, April 8, 2011
Jobs not as limited as expected Nursing, teaching jobs: Less, but available
Dana Choi Copy Editor ASU’s graduating class might anticipate some difficulty in finding jobs in San Angelo, but nursing and teaching jobs are not as limited as expected.
Nursing
A lot of skilled nursing facilities rely on Medicaid and Medicare, said Susan Wilkinson, associate professor and Department of Nursing head. Cuts in those programs’ budgets will result in layoffs and fewer available positions. “We’ll have to wait and see what the Congress does and what the state legislature does in terms of a budget,” she said. It will not be too difficult for graduates from the nursing program to find jobs because of the wide variety of available nursing jobs, Wilkinson said. However, some of them will not find their ideal jobs immediately. “Two years ago, they would get the job of their dreams,” Wilkinson said. Though graduates still get jobs, the jobs they find may not fit the type of nursing they want to do, she said. There seem to be many jobs, but also a lot of com-
petition, said senior Morgan Vickery, a secondyear nursing student. “Most of the students here seem to have a job at Shannon or Community,” Vickery said, “but we haven’t heard back [from Austin] yet. There’s just so much competition going on.” Last spring, all students in the graduating class had a job by the time they graduated, Wilkinson said. Shannon Medical Center, one of the major medical institutions that hires ASU graduates, hired 48 nurses this year, said Nurse Recruiter Gillian Hughston. It hired 41 graduate nurses, most of whom were ASU graduates, and 7 licensed vocational nurses. Last year, it hired 56 nurses. The number is slightly lower than last year’s, but not by much, Hughston said. The medical center initially expected to hire 20 to 25, but in the end it needed 48 nurses to complete the staff. “We’re still very careful about staying lean and not hiring too many nurses we might not need,” she said. About 100 nurses will graduate from ASU this year, Wilkinson said. “I’m sure not everybody will get a job in San Angelo, but not everybody in our class comes from San Angelo,” she said.
There is not much competition for ASU’s nursing program in this region, Wilkinson said. “We’re the only RN program between here and Abilene...and south, from here to San Antonio,” she said. “[ASU graduates] don’t have to compete with other graduates right around the same area, so they have less competition for jobs.” If less jobs become available, employers will probably look for competitive grades and experience as aides, assistants or techs, she said. Vickery said she hopes to intern to learn about how certain facilities operate before looking for a job at an intensive care unit. “I feel like they want you to get experience first and then move to the more intense units in hospitals with more critical patients,” she said.
Education
While there is a variety of nursing jobs, future educators may not find a job immediately because of state budget cuts. “Right now, we’re in a very interesting and different time in the school districts,” said Jamie Highsmith, public information officer for San Angelo Independent School District. “That is because of the state budget crisis
Photo Illustration by Ashley Romo
here in Texas.” Highsmith said these are the most severe budget cuts she has seen in her 29 years of business. “We don’t know how much less money we’ll get from the state,” she said.
However, Highsmith said SAISD expects to lose about 10 percent of its operating budget. SAISD typically hires about 100 people every year, she said. “That might be a
little bit less this year,” Highsmith said, “but we don’t know because our budget gets approved [by the school board] in August and we’ll still be doing a little bit of hiring even then.” SAISD will not renew 29 contracts this year because of budget cuts, Highsmith said. “It makes sense that we would be hiring that many less than 100,” she said. However, 25 current teachers might retire or choose to not return to the school district this year, Highsmith said. Those teachers will have to the end of June to decide whether or not to stay. SAISD will still definitely hire many new teachers this year, though not as much as usual, she said. “I think any ASU graduates who are interested in working for us should definitely send in their applications,” she said. “We certainly will be hiring new teachers.” Highsmith said there is no specific field SAISD wants to fill the most. “There’s not a certain area that’s going to be more prominent than another one in hiring,” she said. “It will be just ‘teachers as needed.’” SAISD has 17 elementary schools, three middle schools, one ninth-grade campus and two high schools, Highsmith said.
Page 4
Features
Friday, April 8, 2011
Students draw entertainment-thirsty crowd ow h S t n e l a T nt e d u t S l a u 28th Ann
Photos by Pam Belcher (Top) Zachary Mosley shows off his piano skills and takes second place.
(Right) Jamie Westfall recieves her check for $150 for winning the 28th Annual Talent Show. (Below) Luke Perkins performs a song.
Mariah Powell Features Editor Filled with stepping, singing, strumming and laughing, the 28th Annual Student Talent Show took place Tuesday in the C.J. Davidson Center. “The hardest part of putting the talent show together was picking the contestants,” said sophomore Karina Maldonado, entertainment chairperson of UCPC. “We had a lot of auditions which made choosing difficult.” Ten acts made it past auditions and into the talent show. Senior Jamie Westfall was the last of the performers, and she won the crowd singing “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls. She said she knew it would be fun and something different for her. “It’s a song I’ve always wanted to sing, but I have always been scared to because I normally stick to country,” Westfall said. “I grew up with my parents playing it, so I decided to go through with it.” Westfall said she has been singing since s h e was able
to talk. “It was fun to win,” Westfall said. “This is only the second talent show I have done since I’ve been here and the second talent show I have won in my life.” Before, she could not participate in the talent shows because she was in UCPC or too involved with theatre. Westfall won $150 in prize money, which she said would go toward her rent. Freshman Zachary Mosley came in second place with his piano skills and rendition of “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men, and Jazmin Williams in third with “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys. “All the performers were good,” International Student Service Counsel Meghan Pace said. “I was impressed and actually had a hard time trying to decide which was better.” This is her second year judging the talent show. “This year’s show was better than last year’s,” Pace said. “These performers were better than the overall performance we had last year.” She said all the students did an excellent job this year. “It takes a lot of courage to got up there and perform, and I wish I was as brave as they are,” Pace said. Comedian Ronnie Jordan was the special emcee of the night. He said the best part of coming to ASU was seeing new talent on the rise. “I like to see new dreams flourishing,” Jordan said. “I did not do any talent shows in college, but I ended up doing what I loved to do.” Jordan said he has been a comedian for ten years. “I would definitely keep Rio Valesquez [doing stand-up comedy] on the radar because he was pretty funny,” Jordan said. “He knew his crowd. Outside comedians do not know the local stuff, but Rio used all of his tools to be funny to his audience. There’s nothing like watching a comedian around his own people.”
Jordan said he loves how ASU runs a tight ship. “I go to a lot of schools and they have cluster bombs,” Jordan said. “Everyone here is one unit and things are organized. It’s a Grade-A operation.” Maldonado said they saw Ronnie Jordan perform last semester at a National Association of Campus Activities Conference. “He was hilarious, so we thought he would be someone great to have on campus,” she said. Junior Samantha Quiroz said she liked Ronnie Jordan’s and Rio Valesquez’s comedy. “It was fresh and original jokes,” Quiroz said. “[Ronnie Jordan] talked about college students and Rio talked about Mexicans so I can relate.” Maldonado said putting the show together was a lot of work, but it was fun.
Photos by Pam Belcher Rio Valesquez makes people laugh during his standup comedy act in the talent show.
ASU Events midnightrodeosanangelo.com
Friday
Wed.
April 13
April 8th FREE B4 10PM!
James Lann
contest
of HEB, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Interior wash is $5 and interior and exterior is $7. They will also be selling fresh fruit and water.
“Be A Big for A Day,”
presented by the Residential and Big Brother Big Sister Progam, come out
and be a BIG to children for a day at Centennial Village from 12 - 3 p.m. There will be lots of games and food.
April 11: Spring Cleaning Ends. Donate your old clothes to Good Will Boxes are in the library (by the elavator), in the UC and in Centennial and Texan halls.
brantley gilbert
WEDNESDAYS MISS
th
April 9: AMAS Spring Car Wash will be at Autozone in front
3 X $150
CASH WEEKLY!
Arthur
Starring: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, Greta Gerwig
Genre: Comedy
Hanna
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams
Genre: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller
Soul Surfer
Starring: Dennis Quaid, AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Jeremy Sumpter, Craig T. Nelson
Genre: Action/Adventure
Your Highness
Starring: Dennis Quaid, AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Jeremy Sumpter, Craig T. Nelson
Genre: Comedy
Friday, April 8, 2011
Page 5
Staff Editorial
Words from the Web
University should stay alcohol-free
Do we have enough computers on campus?
Staff Vote: 8-2 We think the campus should stay relatively alcohol-free for safety and professionalism. A university is not an appropriate place for alcohol. The purpose of higher-level of education is, well, education. Allowing alcohol, which impairs judgment and does not positively contribute to people’s health or capacity of learning would be counterproductive. It would be much easier for minors to access alcohol if it
Hiring
were allowed on campus. Yes, minors get alcohol regardless of whatever rules are set forth – but that is not a good enough reason to allow the presence of alcohol. We can think of a few reasons to allow alcohol on campus. The sale of alcohol at sporting events may attract older students to support ASU athletics. Also, whether or not it is allowed, people have and will continue to drink on cam-
pus anyway. However, we see more cons than pros. Alcohol often leads to problems. A change in policy would only justify drinking on campus and might delude some students into thinking they do not need to exercise as much responsibility as normal. More students than normal bringing alcohol on campus and not exercising as much caution could strain the university police--not a good idea.
Should the university allow drinking on campus? It doesn’t matter, people drink on campus anyway
Sports Editor Features Editor Staff Writers Photo Editor Photographer Circulation Manager Copy Editor
7%
No, the campus should stay dry
Yes 33%
60%
(325) 942-2323 rampage@angelo.edu LIB B324
Non-scientific poll from www.asurampage.com
If moving the tutoring center to this location is a bad idea, where would be a better one? Since the tutoring center opened, it has been moved every year. The location at the dorms was terrible as there was no space and commuter students remained unaware of its existence. The current location at MCS is not much better. The desks are incredibly small and the one room makes it hard to have multiple tutoring sessions going on without yelling over each other. While the closing of the lab may be inconvenient for students at first, the centralized location of all tutoring services is much needed. Now instead of run-
ning all over campus for help with various courses, students will be able to come to one place. The computers will be a huge asset to the tutors and students because tutors will be able to use the internet to help students. As of now, tutors do not have this option and sometimes struggle to recall something they learned 3+ years ago. While this may not be your choice of locations, the administration cannot seem to find any other place for the center. I hope that wherever the center is moved to, it stays there. Having the center is a huge asset to students. Anonymous
To the above comment, wouldn't students have looked for it if they really needed tutoring? Does the computer lab offer more desk space than regular desks? Will no one try to talk over each other in the computer lab? "Having the
center is a huge asset to students." Having the computer lab is probably a bigger asset to students. I don't think more students use tutor labs more than they use all the computer labs. Anonymous
Sidewalk
Survey Do you think it will be hard to find a job in your field when you graduate?
“No, because there is always a need for legal assistance.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“No, because my field is growing.”
“I’m hoping being a Physics major will help me out.”
“No, because there is always going to be a need for nurses.”
Class of 2012
Class of 2013
Class of 2011
Class of 2013
Class of 2013
James Morris, sophomore
Arianna Miller, sophomore
Lauren Heare, senior
Keifer Perkins, junior
Destiny Rudd, sophomore
see “Jobs not as limited as expected” on pg. 3 for more coverage
Ram Page Staff
2010-2011 Angelo State University
Editor: Scott Dykowski Managing Editor: Tim Lester Copy Editor: Dana Choi Photo Editor: Ashley Romo Sports Co-Editor: Andy Atterbury Sports Co-Editor: Lauren Wilde Features Editor: Mariah Powell Online Editor: Jason Helms Staff Writer: Mark McDaniel Staff Writer: Megan Ellis Photographer: Pam Belcher Cartoonist: Dana Choi Circulation Manager: Jamin Goecker Advertising Manager: Sara Beth Criner Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas76909-0895 Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Managing Editor: rampagenews@angelo.edu Features Editor: rampagefeatures@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Editor: (325) 942-2323 Newsroom: (325) 942-2134 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551 Member of The Texas Tech University System Associated Collegiate Press Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
PUBLISHING POLICY
Published every Friday and available to students, one copy per student, the student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Ram Page welcomes all letters. Please include your name, classification/position and a phone number and/or e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters must be signed and be no more than 350 words. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m., Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed or submitted at the newspaper’s office, Room 324 on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
Letter to the editor I am an exchange student from South Korea, and I have a special concern about Japan’s earthquake, and the related tragedy as a resident in its neighbor country. All the nations on our globe are aware of Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear radiation contamination from the heavy damage to the Fukushima power plant. Now Japan encountered a serious national disaster, and the country can hardly be restored in a short time. The earthquake and the deadly tsunami spawned 18,000 deaths and left almost half a million people homeless in Japan. The nuclear radiation from the damage to the nuclear power plant leaves a serious concern to human health. Still, recurring earthquakes threaten people and put people in danger of becoming refugees. The disaster does not finish here. It continues to leave people in pain as a result of the rebound effects in the economy. Now Japan’s economy is left
“frozen” with closed factories such as Toyota, Nissan, Sony, Toshiba, and so on. None of these companies anticipate when to resume their production. Economists analyze that Japan’s damage to the economy is estimated at about $100 billion. As Japan was a big contributor to Katrina victims in the United States, as well as to the entire world’s disasters, it is time for Japan to benefit from countries in the world. Although San Angelo, Texas is not concerned with frequent earthquakes, it is an important thing to understand their tragedy and help these victims. I strongly encourage our university students to take action to donate even though we cannot participate in relief projects directly. I request your newspaper to spread more recognition of Japan’s devastation and ultimately to provide the actual help that Japan needs to restore. The Japanese government is trying to restore
What’s
on
the nation from this tragedy. However, the most historic earthquakes left the whole nation in horrible devastation, without any clear expectation of complete restoration. It is
never too late to help people. It is our turn to take action as an educated person on this globe.
Instant Noodles
Dana Choi
MiRae Kim senior
?
Comment with your thoughts on allowing alcohol on campus & other issues at
www.asurampage.com
mind
Page 6
Sports
Friday, April 8, 2011
Rams end series with a win Baseball: Men drop two to RiverHawks
Andy Atterbury Sports Co-Editor Ram baseball lost the first two games of a Lone Star Conference series against Northeastern State April 1 and 2, but took the third game to end their 10-game losing streak. “It was a tough series, but it felt good to end the losing streak,” junior third baseman Marcellous Biggins said. The RiverHawks took an early 5-0 lead in the Friday game, but the Rams (18-17) (12-12) fought back to take the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Northeastern State (5-24) (421) scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth and won the game 13-8.
“If we catch two fly balls then we sweep,” Head Coach Kevin Brooks said. “We didn’t make plays we needed to make at times we needed to make them.” Game One of Saturday’s double-header needed an extra inning after the teams traded the lead back and forth. The RiverHawks won the game 6-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning. “We just have to get tougher,” Brooks said. “We were doing that early in the season. We were doing a great job of pushing through and getting it done. We just have to get back to that. And we need to do it quickly.” The Rams’ bats came alive in Game Two. Junior center fielder Joe Leftridge went 3-4 with four RBIs in the Rams 14-11 win. Junior left fielder Garrett Harris was 3-3 at the plate with four RBIs.
“The big thing is we have to play well,” Brooks said. “I really don’t feel like we have played well in the last couple weeks and we need to turn it around.” Next up to bat for the Rams is a LSC series against Central Oklahoma in San Angelo on April 8 and 9. “Their record is not good, but they have been in every game,” Brooks said. “They are a team that we have always struggled with. How we do, win or lose, has a lot less to do with them than us.” The first pitch of the series is Friday night at 7 p.m. The double dosage of baseball starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday. “This is a big series for us,” Biggins said. “If we can take care of business we can turn it around.”
Guy Henry, junior Trevor Rogers, senior Brian Holik and junior Nick Smith provisionally qualified in the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 41.08. Smith also qualified with his 10.26 second 100-meter dash. Sophomore Robbie Thayer, senior Terence Holland, sophomore Isidro Garcia and Holik qualified with a 3:12.09 4x400-meter relay. “It was a very exciting meet,” Head Coach James Reid said. “Any time we get anyone on the [qualifying] list it makes us feel good. From a coaching stand point, we’re moving in the right direction.” Junior jumpers Jacob McDonald and Andrew Allison both qualified with their 4.95-meter pole vaults. “For the athletes it’s a good confidence booster for them,” Reid said. “They’re out here busting their tails every day, all week long.”
Junior Kelsey Wilson also vaulted her way to a qualifying mark with her 3.75-meter vault for the No.20-ranked ‘Belles. Freshman Tiffany Wilcox, sophomore Theresa Sue, sophomore Bree Bennett and senior Makayla Myers qualified in the 4x100-meter relay with their 46.76 time. Wilcox also ran an 11.99-second 100-meter dash to provisionally qualify. “We’re on the path we need to be on right now,” Reid said. “The kids who are older and have the experience are doing really well right now. The younger ones are beginning to come around; we saw that this past weekend.” The team heads to the Texas Relays in Austin from March 6 through 9. “We’ve got a good crew going and we expect good things to happen down there,” Reid said.
11 qualify at Texas Tech Open Track: Athletes headed ‘in the right direction’
Andy Atterbury Sports Co-Editor Angelo State track and field raked in 11 NCAA Division II provisional qualifying marks and one automatic qualifying mark at the Texas Tech Open Saturday in Lubbock. Senior thrower Wade Goode’s 54.39-meter discus throw gives the No. 6-ranked Rams their first automatic qualifier this year. “It’s very exciting to see that our work in practice is starting to come out in meets,” Goode said. “I’m working at staying consistent with my throws and have hit two big throws, two weeks in a row. That’s something I’m very happy with.” The team of sophomore
Photo by Ashley Romo Junior Claire Molina pitches Friday against Southeastern Oklahoma
‘Molina Mode’ on mound
Softball: Molina gives all credit to her teammates
Andy Atterbury Sports Co-Editor A Claire Molina curveball once knocked the teeth out of an opposing batter. She saw the ball coming, there was just nothing she could do. “She was up to bat and the curveball came,” Molina said. “Instead of turning away from it, she turned in to [the pitch] and the ball went straight in to her mouth. I apologized to her 10 different times. She was cool with it, but her team hated me.” They even skipped her in the
high-five line at the end of the game. A lot of teams hate it when a southpaw, ace pitcher with a 1.64 ERA and a 15-2 record with nine complete games, two shut-outs and 85 strikeouts steps on the mound against them. “I’m 5’4”,”Molina said. “I’m not intimidating. I think I’m just a nice person.” Not everyone agrees. “She goes out to the mound with this crazy look and it’s just scary,” teammate Carly Peters said. “Except she is the quietest, sweetest person on our team.” The San Bernardino, Calif. native has a curveball, screwball, drop curveball, rise-ball and drop-ball in her arsenal of pitches. “My best pitch is the rise-ball,” Molina said. “That’s my strikeout pitch.” Peters said Claire sometimes goes in to “Molina Mode” during games. “Molina Mode is when people are hitting off her and she gets mad… I can’t even describe it.” Peters said. “It’s a competitive anger, it’s not unhealthy.” The two-time Lone Star Conference South pitcher of the week said she is a very competitive athlete. “I love coming into a game with the bases loaded and no outs,” Molina said. “I love the challenge.” Molina said one of the reasons she is pitching well this season is because of the stellar ‘Belles defense. “Anytime someone hits a ball off of me, I feel like my defense is right there to pick it up,” Molina said. Claire, Carly and the No.2ranked ‘Belles are on top of the LSC South with their 30-5 overall record. “We have a great team,” Molina said. “We have a lot of big hitters. I feel like it’s a real team effort this year.”
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