What to watch for: - Reactions to debate - MLB playoffs begin - Mumford and Sons No.1
RAM PAGE Volume 79 Issue 6 Oct. 5, 2012
- Earthquake in Dallas? - Homecoming is nearing
ASU meets the challenge from Austin
New degree cost effective Rachel Riggs Contributor
ASU announced Wednesday a $10,000 Bachelor degree in Interdisciplinary Studies for qualifying students starting in the fall semester of 2013. Gov. Rick Perry attended the press conference in the Porter Henderson Library to congratulate ASU for accepting his challenge to make college education more accessible. Also present was Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance, ASU president Dr. Joseph C. Rallo, and state Rep. Drew Darby. This degree program is the result of Perry’s challenge for Texas colleges to find efficient ways in the way they teach students. “We have more young people that have decided to go to college than ever before,” Perry said. “Young people are saying ‘Yes, I can do this, and yes, I can afford it.’” Sophomore Ray Chhith said he felt Perry’s speech was “informative” and liked that the governor “emphasized the importance of education and how well the Texas education system has actually held up.” There have been a 65 percent increase in Hispanics taking the SAT or ACT college placement tests and a 42 percent increase in African Americans, Perry said. “If there is a statistic for hope, this is it,” Perry said, in reference to the increase in minorities seeking a college education. Perry said he recognized his role in helping to remove obstacles that could prevent students from getting a higher education. “As state officials, we have to do everything that we can to remove the roadblocks whether they are conceptual hurdles or real hurdles,” Perry said. This program addresses these hurdles by providing a low cost, high-quality education to students, Perry said. Students interested in this program must have a score of 27 or greater in the ACT or a
Ram TV’s Felicia Villarreal and Gov. Rick Perry discuss the events of the press confrence.
combined SAT critical reading and math score of 1,220 or better, maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or better and take a total of 15 hours per semester, a press release said. Students who meet these qualifications qualify for an annual $5,000 renewable scholarship through ASU. “A whole bunch of people said we can’t do this, and a whole bunch of people like you said, yeah, we can,” Perry said. “I don’t think there has been any other topic that has gotten as much attention.” Nine other Texas universities have announced or implemented a version of the $10,000 degree plan. The following colleges include: University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Permian Basin, University of Texas at Brownsville, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University – Commerce, Texas A&M In-
Job fair brings new opportunities Chance to rub elbows with potential employees Allison Price Staff writer The Career Development Center is holding Wednesday, Oct. 10 its annual Professional Internship and Job Fair in the University Center. “This is a chance for employer’s to come on campus and recruit students for internships or full- time degree required jobs,” Career Development Director Julie Ruthenbeck said. This year, 42 companies will attend the job fair, and over half of them will be returning companies who have attended previous job fairs, said Adra Enos, Career Development assistant. “Having the job fair is a good idea because there are people at the booths that [work] in certain fields [who] can give you details about [the jobs],” sophomore Will Weirich said. The Career Development Center reaches out to businesses about the job fair, but businesses also contact them, Ruthenbeck said. “Sometimes we will contact businesses for different reasons and throughout our conversation they [express] they are interested in the fair,” Enos said. “We put their name on a list and they get notified when the job fair [takes place].” Although it is not marketed
to the San Angelo community, the community is still welcome to attend, Enos said. “We don’t market [the job fair] extensively to the community only because sometimes the community doesn’t understand these are degree-required jobs,” Ruthenbeck said. “Those community members who are looking for a degreerequired position [may want to consider attending the job fair].” According to Internship and Job Fair 2012 Company list, all of the positions the attending businesses have listed are full-time. “This job fair is more of a process,” Enos said. “Different companies might do interviews that day but [students] still have to [go through a process] and fill out paperwork along with other items. If businesses are interested in students, then they will encourage them to set up an interview.” Ruthenbeck said that students shouldn’t be discouraged if employers aren’t collecting resumes. It is still an opportunity to take a business card and all questions, she said. “Having the job fair allows students to learn about the different types of jobs that are out in the [career world] that might have been difficult finding,” freshman Brittni Villarreal said. The job fair has been held
for several years in the fall, Ruthenbeck said. There was a four-year period when the job fair was held both in the fall and spring. “We thought we would have more students graduating in spring so it would make sense to have [a job fair] in the spring,” Ruthenbeck said. “There were [fewer] students that attended the spring job fair than the fall job fair. We stopped having the spring one and just went back to having it in the fall. The Career Development Center is a member of the WCTCC (West Central Texas Career Consortium) and their membership benefits the students, Ruthenbeck said. “As a consortium member, our students are always allowed to attend their job fair in the spring,” Ruthenbeck said. “[The fair] is in Abilene, but some students will make the [journey] and find it is worth their time.” Villarreal said that the job fair is beneficial because students are receiving more insight into the jobs offered. “The job fair is going to provide [students] a lot of useful information, which will help in the future endeavors of several people,” Weirich said.
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New editor welcome.
ASU then and now.
Rams prepapre to continue hot streak.
What you did in the rain?
Visit www.asurampage.com
Photo by: Rio Velasquez
ternational University, Texas A&M University – San Antonio, Texas A&M University – Texarkana, and Sul Ross University. The interdisciplinary degree is appealing to adult learners who want to return to college to complete a degree, because it provides students an opportunity to apply coursework in multiple fields to a degree, Rallo said. “To compete in this global marketplace, young people are realizing that they need more than a high school diploma,” Perry said. “By investing in our youth, we are really investing in Texas.” Perry said everyday is a good day to be a Ram, “but today is an exceptionally great day to be a Ram.”
Graduate enrollment at all time high Undergrad enrollment dips Dillon Brollier Editor-in-Chief Graduate enrollment numbers are reaching all time highs for ASU after a record number of graduate students enrolled in the university. Nearly 900 graduate students enrolled for the fall semester, which is 83 more than last year’s total of 817 students. This is the sixth long semester (fall or spring) that the College of Graduate Studies recorded record highs for enrollment, an ASU press release said. While graduate enrollment is on the rise, undergraduate enrollment was down for the first time in two years. Regardless of this year, since 2007, “enrollment has increased 10.4 percent from 6,239 in 2007 to 6,888 this fall,” the press release said. ASU is continuing its goal of increasing enrollment to benefit from the perks that come with higher enrollment. “The Texas legislature funds public universities on the number of student credit hours they are able to generate,” ASU President Dr. Joseph C. Rallo said. “Enrollment is vitally important to our future funding.” According to the press release, ASU’s semester credit hours by both graduate and undergraduate students were, “down 2.3 percent, totaling 85,482 for this fall, compared to 87,555 last fall.” Even though enrollment is up overall for the university, Rallo said he knows that the school needs to continue to bring in more undergraduate students. “In spite of a lot of good marketing and significant financial resources, we have been unable to increase,” Rallo said. “That is a call for us to go back and revisit and figure out what is going on.”
OPINION
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Friday, Oct. 5, 2012
Leadership material? Who would have figured? Seriously how did this happen; I really would like to know Dillon Brollier Editor-in-Chief Well, I’m the new editor of your Ram Page newspaper. Strange, I know. “But Dillon, didn’t we have an editor already?” This is true. My predecessor, Sawyer Ricard, decided it was in her best interest to step down from the position. Sawyer is an outrageously talented writer and an even better person and I wish her nothing but the best in whatever she decides to do next. When I realized I was going to be taking over as the top guy at this paper I honestly did not react very well. I was nervous, and a whole flood of worries filled my mind. Then, I woke up the next day and just went to work. It is amazing just how much a full night of sleep helps. I went to bed worrying, scared and battling negative feelings. The next day nothing had changed, but I just somehow felt ready. There have been so many great editors here over the years that I still find it somewhat
How did the rain effect your weekend?
ironic that I am now in charge. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be in this position, and now that I am, it’s funny to me because when I look back, if I had my way I probably would not even be on the staff today. This time last year, I had never heard of AP style. People had told me that I had writing talent, but writing for English classes and fictional writing is different from writing for a newspaper. There is only so many times you can hear your mom tell you how great you are before you stop and think just how much of it is just a mother’s pride. Everything this year just kind of happened, much like my entire newswriting career. I never even thought I would be on the Ram Page staff until our adviser pushed me toward it. Then, I was asked to take the managing editor position, and I never really thought that would happen. It did. From there, I was recommended to go after an internship opportunity with the San Angelo Standard Times. Again, I never thought I would get that internship. I thought that there had to be a better writer than me for the position. Turns out, I was good enough. Now, I am the editor and the punch line to this joke is that I never thought I was good
“I was at a retreat and was stuck because it rained so much.”
“I was unable to have study groups for my two exams.”
Junior
Freshman
enough for any of those positions. My confidence lacked, but after the internship my confidence and my writing ability had skyrocketed. I am here as the editor, and it is my job to put out the best paper that I can. To some of you that’s a good thing, and others are rolling on the ground laughing. To those who are hopeful for me, thank you. For those of you laughing, I don’t blame you, but you will not be laughing when I am done. I have the best staff I could ask for and with them we are going to do great things. Of this, I have no doubt. I want to make this paper the absolute best I can. Do I want to revolutionize the way news is done on campus? No, the way we have works. I want to get to the end of this semester with the ability to look back and say, “Wow, these last few issues were really something.” Then, I will graduate in December and Run to the Hills, or the next stop in my career. I I hear Dallas is nice around Christmas time.
“It shut down intramurals so I studied more.”
Desirae Delatorre Fernando Izaguirre Dylan Khantharasy Junior
“The rain cancelled the cops & robbers game.”
Clayton Banister Senior
“I had to drive three hours in it because the roads were so bad.”
Sydni Barr Senior
Ram Page Staff
2012-2013 Angelo State University Editor: Dillon Brollier Copy Editor: Lisa Dees Staff Writer: Allison Price Staff Writer: Stephen Cogan Photographer: Tim Peevy Photographer: Rio Velasquez Circulation Manager: Mariah Powell Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson
Share your thoughts on issues and let us know what’s happening on campus.
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.
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FEATURES
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Friday, Oct. 5, 2012
ASU transformed over 84 years
Photo courtsey of West Texas Collection In 1949, 29 oak trees were planted at the northeast corner of the administration building. San Angelo College students, at the time, wanted to honor former students who were lost in World War II. The 29 trees represent classmates and successors that passed away.
Photo courtsey of West Texas Collection Photo by: Rio Velasquez Constuction on the administration building began in 1947. The rounded The ASU marker stands toward Avenue N with the Texas and American flags flying above. section of the building (left) was the library.
Photo courtsey of West Texas Collection A blue neon sign read San Angelo College on top of the administration building.
The administration building still stands facing Avenue N.
Photo by: Rio Velasquez
Photo courtsey of West Texas Collection An aerial view taken in 1961 of what was San Angelo College shows each of the building’s names. Now, 80 plus years later, there are only a few original buildings that still stand.
UCPC celebrates its 40th birthday Dillon Brollier Editor-in-Chief
For 40 years, the University Center Program Council (UCPC) has been a driving force behind bringing together some of ASU’s most memorable events. From concerts to lectures, there has not been a shortage of social, entertainment and educational events to help students throughout the year. UCPC’s motto is “Programming for students by students,” and with the student-led council continuing to put on events every year, there are few who could argue with that motto. “The council meets weekly, and they come up with different ideas for what ASU students want to see happening on campus,” UCPC
Adviser Lindsay Boynton said. “Then, they go out and execute those programs.” This year brings a bit of change to UCPC. “This year is the first year we have operated under a new system,” Boynton said. “We are one student organization all together.” In the past, UCPC had seven separate committees that would put on programs throughout the year, Boynton said. Recreation and entertainment were just two of the committees under the old format. Some of ASU’s largest events have been brought to life through UCPC. Big names such as Maroon 5, Rob Schneider, Cheap Trick and many others have performed in front of students through the efforts of UCPC. Former UCPC Head Rick Greig
Events Calendar Here’s what’s going on this week. Friday, Oct. 5 -Soccer: Rambelles vs. Texas Women’s University 4 to 7:00 p.m. -Volleyball: Rambelles vs. Texas Women’s University 7 to 10:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8 -UCPC: Free Henna Artist, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. @ University Center Tuesday, Oct. 9 -College of Arts and Sciences: Fall Science Days 9:20 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Cavness Science Building Wendsday, Oct. 10 - Music: Student Recital, 4:00 p.m. Carr Residence Hall - Eldon Black Recital Hall Thursday, Oct. 11 -Engage 24 with Baptist Student Ministries Submit event requests by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday publication to rampage@angelo.edu
spent 28 years with UCPC and has been instrumental to building the program that ASU knows today. Part of the job then was to help the council understand how to spend the money they had to bring in the programs they wanted, Greig said. Many ASU landmarks were shaped during Greig’s tenure with UCPC, one of them being the Super Slab. There is a big slab of concrete over where a power generator is and no one knew what to do with it, Greig said. “The first couple of years we tried to bring programs down to that side of campus intentionally to focus on that space as a student gathering area,” Greig said. To some UCPC council members, the organization is more than the
big events that are put on every year. “It is an organization where we come together and learn from each other,” UCPC president Karina Maldonado said. “The reason I first joined was to be more involved and to make friends, but it has become a learning experience with a good working environment with a professional staff.” As ASU continues to expand, Boynton said UCPC will do what they can to grow with it. “We are definitely trying to expand,” Boynton said. “We felt like increasing the quality of our programs and the level of expectation of what we do would interest more students into getting into what we do and get behind our mission.”
SPORTS
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Friday, Oct. 5, 2012
Rams prepare to continue winning streak ASU to play against No. 21 ranked West Texas A&M Stephen Cogan Staff Writer ASU’s upcoming game is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at home against the No. 21 West Texas A&M Buffaloes. The Rams will have to embrace the underdog role again as West Texas A&M has scored no less than 24 points in a single game and will look to continue that streak against the Rams. However, the Rams are the Lone Star Conference’s No. 1 ranked defense and have given up just 301.2 yards per game this season and plan on using their same basic strategy. “We plan on doing the same thing that we’ve been doing,” sophomore linebacker Rush Seaver said. “Just play to the ball in our gap sound defense.” Seaver has been a playmaker
for the defense with his 2.5 sacks against Abilene Christian University two weeks ago and a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against Eastern New Mexico State this past weekend. Seaver’s efforts against ACU earned him the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week award after he helped the defense hold ACU to nine yards rushing while the Rams offense rushed for 132 yards on the ground. “It’s definitely an honor,” Seaver said. “But I couldn’t have done it without my defense behind me and the front four in front of me doing their assignments, and the front four allowed me to get the sacks that I got.” Seaver’s front four includes senior defensive end Austin Benson, who has 22 tackles and one sack. The Rams will look to pressure West Texas A&M’s junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan to slow down the passing attack. “We’ve got to get to the quarterback,” Benson said. “Make him get out of the pocket and we’ll have a
successful game. If he’s in the pocket, he’s a great quarterback, but he doesn’t like to run, so if we get to him and fluster him a bit, we’ll have success.” The Rams started the season 1-2 and have since upset ACU and steamrolled ENMSU to make their record 3-2 and a perfect 2-0 in conference play. “We started practicing a lot harder,” Seaver said about the team’s turnaround. ”Practicing a lot faster and everyone’s a lot more motivated.” Benson said that the team treats each practice now like a game day.
From great practice comes great play, but Benson and Seaver said it could not have been done without the coaching staff. “Our coaching staff is second to none,” Benson said. “Coach Wagner has a plan that no one else has in this conference. Whatever he says, we’ve got to buy into as a team, and I think, finally, after that loss to Valdosta [State], the team bought into it and now we’re rolling.”
Photo by: Tim Peevy The Rams go through full contact practice in preparation for their game against West Texas A&M.
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