Volume 25 Issue 10 by Island Waves

Islanders outraged over mandatory meal plan Students voice major concerns over the new meal plan mandates

Confessions of a third wheel

PAGE 6

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students come to the Q&A to voice their concerns for the required meal plans

by CONNOR TICHOTA news editor

he announcement of mandatory meal plans at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the Fall 2014 semester has many resident students crying foul. On March 19, the Student Government Association hosted a discussion panel in the Camden Recreation Center allowing students to voice their concerns regarding the fall semester. The meeting was lead by the SGA in conjunction with administrators from various branches of the University including: Kathryn Funk-Baxter, Executive Vice Principle of the Finance Office, Steve Days, Financial Assistance,

Reginald Wade, University Services, Richard Whattcott, Director of Housing, and Cory Fisher, a service representative from Chart Wheels, the University’s food provider. The administration began by explaining their decision to implement meal plans. According to Funk-Baxter, the University had expressed interest in creating meal plans over 10 years ago, but was not able to find any reasonable accommodations. The presidential cabinet continued the search approximately two years ago in response to numerous requests from prospective students and parents, and in response to the aggressive expansion of the campus. “The number of campus residents had grown to almost 20 percent of undergraduate

photo by Andrew Liguez

enrollment,” said Funk-Baxter, “More inquiries were being logged for the lack of meal plans, so it was time to explore a dining hall again that would provide meal plans.” According to Wade, A&M-Corpus Christi had been partners with Sodexo until the summer of 2013 when the contract ended early due to an inability to reach an agreement. Around that time, the University began searching for a new partner that could provide adequate funds for a dining hall, and reasonably priced meal plans. Chart Wheels became the chosen partner.

Available apartment amenities

PAGE 10

see Mad Munchies on pg 4

Looking out for unlawful landlords Cheryl drive shootings shock community when linked to local superindendent by CONNOR TICHOTA news editor

he details unraveled in the ongoing investigation of the Cheryl Drive shootings have left local Corpus Christi community

members shocked, confused and even fearful. The shooting took place late on Feb. 16 at a home on Cheryl Drive, where a children’s birthday party was being held. The drive by shooting claimed the lives of 6-year-old Nevaeh Oliva and 2-year-old Lilyanna Valent. Kiii-TV News Corpus Christi reported that

police later arrested Brendon Gaytan and Cruz Salazar in connection to the shootings. Court documents revealed that Gaytan is the stepbrother of Jose Oliva, Nevaeh Oliva’s father.

see Know Your Super on pg 3

Neil Degrasse Tyson visits Island University PAGE 12

HAPPY HOUR

•food•free wifi• HALF OFF FROZEN FRAPS | 3-5 PM EVERY DAY •3 local shops•

“THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING”- SOCRATES

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 10

editorial

04.03.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Letter from the editor

a student publication of

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

island waves staﬀ

Dear Island University, ALEXIS DE LEON editor-in-chief

STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor

MARIAM AMAYA

advertising manager

AUBREY DANCER layout editor

KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor

CONNER TICHOTA news editor

JUSTIN VU NGUYEN

advertising assistant

CHRISTINA BOOTHE ANDREW LIGUEZ TREY SEAL staﬀ reporters

NICK THOMSON

distribution manager

RUTH AIPPERSPACH

elcome to our housing edition of Island Waves. Readers will find, helpful tips on apartments around town, amenities offered, horror stories of living with roommates and other helpful guides to surviving living situations in Corpus Christi. We also added some advice from an experienced renter, as well as various ways to decorate your pad with minimal funds. When moving into a new place, city or just across the hall, it is important to know your neighbors. A simple “hey” in passing might even be sufficient if it happens on the regular. If the person smiles and says hey back, you’re in the clear. If that person hisses at you well I think it’s safe to say you need to run for the hills. I hope you will take caution after reading our “Know your super” story because things like that happen frequently but rarely are people courageous enough (like our source) to speak out about it. Now let’s talk about the most pressing issue at hand, our April Fool’s issue. I heard there were a few haters out there but hey “haters gunna hate and ballers gunna ball.” For those who understand the genius of satire I commend you. We received an awesome letter from AVID mentor Elizabeth Bradshaw. Bradshaw writes, “Dear Editor, I would like to start off by saying your April Fools issue was awesome! It is always great to get a relief from the day to day with a laugh and or chuckle. My favorite article was probably the front page article about the open enrollment of merpeople, but that was quickly followed by the article about Tom’s revenge. Thank you for the humor!” To those who gave verbal, written and silent kudos, we truly appreciate you and look forward to seeing great things from your future endeavors in life. I’d like to especially point out the addition of several color pages to this issue- you’re welcome. Here at Island Waves we may be a newspaper but we understand that life is better in color. One last thing before I go, for those of you not graduating in May keep your ambition alive. The road is a harsh one but hopefully the future is a sexy paved driveway to a house that belongs to someone with a degree. For those graduating in May only 44 days left (for May 17 graduation). Get excited. Sincerely, Alexis De Leon Editor-in-Chief Island Waves

faculty adviser

AMY KOTULSKI staﬀ adviser

write us a letter The Island Waves accepts letters no longer than 250 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to the editor via email at editor@tamucc.edu.

about island waves The Island Waves is a student-produced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions. Since A&M-Corpus Christi has no journalism department, Island Waves is supported by student fees and advertising sales. Any student or University employee may submit material for publication consideration. To become a contributor, email or call the Island Waves editor.

The Reading Corner The second installment of college reading secrets Dr. B. McDowell and Dr. D. Culbertson reading coaches

re you keeping up with your college reading?

At the risk of making Professors mad at us, here is a college secret. It is difficult to read every lecture note, every textbook chapter, every sentence, and every word of every assigned reading, study notes, or other material presented in every college class. However, it is important to understand the information (ideas and facts) that each professor wants a student to learn. And then, each student needs to communicate this information back to the professor through classroom participation, tests, papers, and presentations. How can a college student learn to read the assigned material, learn the important information and pass tests? By learning how to read and study effectively. Here are three ideas. Attend every class. University life and study can often be hectic. Your classes are generally structured in a sequence. The sequence

can be based on time (History), events (History, Political Science), or concepts (Mathematics, Science). When a class is missed, then key foundation material is missed. Almost every class

depends on what was in the preceding classes. If the material in one class is not understood, then a student may be lost in the next class. And if a student cannot catch up with the material,

READING TIP

Read with a pencil in hand. In the margins, write key words, or summarize the text. Summarizing is a good way to keep track of essential information, especially in those long textbook paragraphs. State what the paragraph is about and list key terms. These notes are better than highlighting because the writing action helps understanding. The written notes keep up with the reading and when reading is stopped, there is a reminder of where to begin again. This is a great time saver. This technique will automatically give you study notes.

that material may be lost for upcoming classes, tests, or assignments. Read and study more! Most students do not spend enough time on class reading and assignments. For a threecredit course, an average of 6-9 study hours a week, outside of class, is expected. HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND? For summer courses, students should expect to spend much more time. Think about studying 2-3 hours outside of class for every 50 minutes of class time. It is easy to think there is plenty of time to take 15 to 18 hours until the necessary class and study hours are added to the schedule. How many hours are needed for a 12-hour schedule? At 12 hours class time, the actual time a student should spend on seat and study time is 72 hours - that is twice the time spent working a full time job. Plan wisely when signing up for classes and use a schedule planner to fit your college and play time into your waking hours, and remember, we all must sleep. Read and study better! Many students try to cram homework for one subject in one study/homework session. That is a natural

way to complete projects. However, better results can be achieved if study time is spread over several study hours or sessions per week. Try spending one to two hours on each subject three to four times a week. The material will be fresher and burn out is less likely. CASA Reading Tutors help you with reading skills and understanding your reading of college assignments. Reading Tutors are available Monday through Friday and by appointment to help you be a successful student. Talk with a Reading Tutor at CASA Room 107 for more information or to make an appointment.

special

04.03.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Advice from a lifetime renter by STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor

may be managing editor, but I have also been renting my apartment for six years. Why six years, you may ask? The question is that, for me, although I am a broke college student, I am in fact a broke college student. I do not know where I want to settle down yet, nor do I have money laying around for major repairs that might pop up if I owned a house. I am going on 25, a time when people are settling down, getting married and buying their first house after college. Me, I am plenty ok renting for a little while longer until I find the one house I intend to stay in for the long haul. I have a philosophy that most people hold out on for their marriage motto, instead I use it for my defense when my mother questions my reasoning for still renting. It is as simple as when I buy a house, I want it to be my only house. I want it to also be in my dream area, where I would like to settle down with a career, which just so happens to be back home in Washington or Oregon, and quite unaffordable at the moment (but that is another story). Anyway, as my favorite English teacher from high school would say, I digress. I have spent a little time working in apartment leasing offices on top of my long term residency in apartments, and have come up with a little advice to those renting off, and on, campus. First is yes, there will be sticker shock. Corpus Christi has a high priced market, and if you want a place that is safe and somewhat nice, expect to pay for it. Do your research. Look on apartmentratings. com or ask around the UC and find out reviews for and staff. Trust me, if you have a maintenance request or emergency and the staff sucks, expect to wait a really long time,

regardless of what you pay. Also, know your lease. If your parents got the apartment for you, or co-signed, or your sister, there is no excuse. Know your rights and the policies of the community in which you live. A lot of leases have maintenance request clauses where they can only enter your apartment in the case of an emergency, or they must give warning, or they have a certain amount of time they have to respond. Not all apartment and renting is bad, but I have heard really bad stories before, so the best thing to do is just to be knowledgeable. Find out about the neighborhood. The Corpus Christi Police Department also has a database that lists the crime in every neighborhood, so if you are not from the area, check it out as it can be an invaluable resource. Lastly, do not be afraid to speak up for yourself. Some properties go by a variable database that is always changing. Others go by what the manager quotes at that time. Work with them, most of the time they want a high occupancy and would love to get you as a resident, especially for the long term. I have stayed where I currently live for so long because I have a relationship established with the manager of my complex and the staff, and they take care of any needs very fairly. Get to know the staff and maintenance engineers. Even a simple hello and smile will make all the difference when it comes to having a good renting experience.

Know your super Investigators believe that stolen money or an unpaid debt may have been the motivation behind the shooting. Both suspects are being charged with two counts of capital murder, and the bail is set at two million dollars each. The harrowing details of this investigation have left some Corpus Christi residents concerned. “ It was terrifying,” an anonymous source who knew the accused said to Island Waves. “Just thinking that we’ve been around him, after he did what he did, is very unsettling to say the least.” In addition to this incident being a criminal offense, it has also been discovered to be a gang related offense. News reports from the bond hearing have confirmed that the suspects may have been involved with the Tango Blast gang active throughout Corpus Christi.

continued from page 1 Alongside testimony provided in the bod hearings, reports have listed evidence found by investigators that could link the suspects’ activities to the gang. Having searched Gaytan’s home, police recovered paraphernalia such as ammunition, body armor, and high powered rifles including the 7.62 caliber rifle used during the Cheryl Drive shooting. “I’m not a big fan of violence,” said Island Waves’ source. “At the same time, I’m not in the mind set of a gang. I know what he did is wrong. I don’t think a little girl’s birthday party is the best place to take out vengeance.” The Corpus Christi Police Department Gang Unit was contacted, and unable to provide any information regarding Tango Blast due to protocol. It is with reasonable caution that they do so. According to the Texas Department of Public

Safety’s annual Texas Gang Threat Assessment, over 2,500 various gangs have been identified in the state of Texas alone and of these, Tango Blast, one of the largest, with an estimated 10,000 members. It is ranked at a “Tier 1” threat level along with others such as the Texas Syndicate and the Texas Mexican Mafia . These particular gangs are considered dangerous due to their high volume of members, effective organization, transnational criminal activity, and connections to the various Mexican cartels. At this time the CCPD has not released any more information regarding the possible connection between Tango Blast and the two suspects. However, what information is known is enough to make fearful of the consequences to the incident. “ I didn’t know much about anything before

this happened,” admitted the source.“ The gang activity is very unsettling as well. You never know what people are going to do to retaliate against him, or how many people [are involved] with the gang. It’s scary.” Island Waves’ source also admitted that they are fearful that having spoken out about this situation as it may be grounds enough for gang members to retaliate against them. Hence, they will remain anonymous for their safety.

left: Brendon Gaytan and Cruz Salazar arrested for the shooting of Naveah Oliva and Lillyanna Valent, ages 6 and 2 years old

image courtesy of KRISTV

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04.03.2014

ISLAND WAVES

d a M

s e i h c n u M

“We got out of the contract with Sodexo over the summer,” said Wade, “I was, literally, on my back, negotiating these contracts with Chart Wheels to get a provider here for the fall. It was all very quick.” The new dining hall, which currently remains under construction, cost approximately 8.5 million dollars to complete. The cost of the meal plans have been adjusted to pay off the debit of the project. The panel then explained the various dining plans and options to the students present. For students residing in the on-campus apartments, they will be required to purchase the Silver plan, which includes $1,350 worth of meals per semester and $250 dining dollars: a total 10 meals a week. Students living in residence halls will be required to pay for a Gold plan which includes $1,470 worth of meals per semester and $100 dining dollars: a total fourteen meals a week. Meals do not role over from week to week. Dining dollars are to be used for food in on-campus locations, excluding the dining hall. This would include areas such as Starbucks and Subway. The dining hall will be open Monday through Friday for set breakfast, lunch and dinner hours only. Saturdays and Sundays, it will be open for ‘brunch’ and dinner hours. There will also be a ‘grab-and-go’ location where students can access food between the set meal times. The dining hall will only be open during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. “There are going to be six food stations,” said Fisher, “There’s hearthstone pizzas… there’s a traditional grill… there’s ethnic type cuisine… there’s a breakfast pantry with cereal… there’s a ‘build-youown –deli”. This is an all you care to eat facility. I don’t want anybody to think of this as the cafeteria.” Only 50 students were in attendance at this discussion panel. Yet, tensions were high as the floor opened for students to express their views and opinions. The greatest complaint from students was the lack of choice and flexibility in their meal plans, especially for those students who lived in the apartments. “To get out of my dorm, I have to walk by my kitchen every day,” said Sean Feldmenn, a freshman student at the Island University, “I cook in my kitchen, probably more than I eat in the UC. I would like to see different options. I’m not going to eat fourteen meals a week. It’s a money winner for you [the university]… it’s money, money, money. You are running it like a business, not an education system.” Students were primarily upset with the rigidness of the plans. Many requested different, cheaper plans that allow them more flexibility in whether they chose to eat on campus or not. Others questioned whether or not they could have a grandfather clause, only requiring that incoming freshmen and transfer students be required to purchase meal plans. “Is there any way we can have a grandfather clause,” commented another student, “There is no problem with change, but do it for the people who are coming in. That way they know what they are getting into.” These select 50 students were not the only students on campus with concerns regarding the meal plans. Island Waves conducted a survey of 100 students around campus asking them about their satisfaction with the Island University. The survey consisted of four simple questions. The first three dealt with student satisfaction in day-to-day operations, on campus services such as food and wireless internet, and whether or not the students felt their input was valued in decisions made about the campus. The final

question directly asked students if they approved of the mandatory meal plans. The full results can be located in the graphs provided. While students were diverse in their responses to the first three questions, there was an overwhelmingly negative response toward the mandated meal plans. A few students who took the survey provided feedback as to why they were opposed to the meal plans. The responses were surprisingly similar. Students were upset with the cost and inconvenience of the new financial burden. “I am now being forced to eat here,” said one participant. Another concern expressed was the lack of communication between the administration and the students and parents. “I didn’t even know this was happening,” commented another survey participant, “I wouldn’t use it.” When asked at the discussion panel whether students or even the Parents Council had been involved in the decision making process, administration confirmed they had not included either party. The administration admitted that they would take the students’ opinions into consideration. However, according to Wade, the upcoming semester’s plan is set: no changes are set to be made. At the conclusion of the meeting, the SGA passed out a survey for students to fill out and express their concerns. According to Jeanelle Gage, the on-campus housing representative of SGA, if only ten percent of resident students respond to the survey asking to amend the meal plan mandate, then SGA will submit a petition on behalf of the students to get a new bill drafted. If they do not receive enough responses either supporting or opposing the current plan, then the current meal plan will continue as planned. The results of the survey will be compiled during the next SGA meeting. Surveys are available outside the SGA office located in the University Center. For more information regarding meal plans, please contact SGA or University Services.

top right: 52 students voted for very satisﬁed with daily operations in the UC while 48 voted somewhat and 0 voted not at all second from the top: 38 students voted yes when asked if the University asks for students’ input while 49 voted no and 14 voted not sure third center: 60 students voted yes when asked if the University provided adequate services while 16 voted no and 24 voted maybe bottom right: 9 students voted yes when asked if it was reasonable to mandate a meal plan while 88 voted no and 3 voted not sure

continued from page 1

Sa#sfac#on with Day-‐to-‐Day Opera#on

Very Somewhat Not at all

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ISLAND WAVES

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special 6

04.03.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Confessions of a third wheel SAM CLEMENS contributing writer

iving with roommates is never easy. Whether you’re living with your parents, siblings, significant others, best friends or a complete stranger, I can tell you an even worse reality that rivals the horrors of sibling rivalry and bickering parents. It is living with a couple. I never planned for the mess that became my home life. It sort of hit me like an infection. It started off small and innocent and then expanded into this monstrosity. It all began when I moved in with one of my best friends from high school. We were 21years-old, and had known each other for six years. My friend, who I will refer to as Derek, was living with two freeloading roommates at the time and my parents had just recently had a divorce. My dad had decided that he wanted to abandon our home of 21 years which left me with the option of moving in with him or going on my own. Obviously I chose the latter but I didn’t have the heart to let him sell our beloved home, so I made the appeal that I would pay rent and utilities in order to keep it afloat throughout the rest of my college career. Due to its size, there was no possible way that I was going to keep it on my minimum wage salary and financial aid alone. So I began my search for a roommate. I posted to Facebook, tried Craigslist, and various other approaches. There just weren’t that many reliable, responsible college students looking to share a home. I was about to give

up on my search when I got a call from Derek to come hang out at his place. I told him about my situation. “Dude, I’d love to get out of here”, Derek told me unexpectedly, “I can move in next month.” This was a great relief to me as my deadline was fast approaching, and my search seemed to have been coming to a dead end. I told him it was a deal, and the arrangements were set. At first things went smoothly, we lived the traditional college bachelor’s life. It seemed like things couldn’t get any better. Of course with every peak lies the potential of an even greater fall, and that fall was named Valerie. Valerie, my roommate’s girlfriend, who I despised at the time, was forced to move from her home after her mom moved in with her new fiancé. Needing a place to stay, she immediately moved into Derek’s room. Valerie had looks that gave Kate Upton a run for her money. She had the looks that men fantasize about. The only problem was she knew this, and just like the way Apple knows you’ll buy anything with their logo on it, Valerie used her beauty as an excuse to do what she wanted. In addition to Valerie’s nightmarish demands of being catered to at all times, Derek began to show his true colors. Not only was he a womanizer, he was a narcissist as well. I’ll never forget our first fight. We fought over what we should do with my cat, which had a bad habit of urinating in our bedrooms when left unattended. Derek told me that the cat had to go. I told him that it wouldn’t be the right thing to do since the poor animal was old, and she should

live her life out in the home she’s been in for several years now. He told me that either she would leave or become an outside cat. We yelled at each other for a good thirty minutes. The result was a week of no communication whatsoever. The cat was thankfully able to move in with a relative, even though his dogs stayed behind. They continued to be praised even though the constantly made a mess. The worst was yet to come though. After about six months of living with each other, Derek and I went on a short road trip to North Texas for a business meeting. It was there that he decided to go have a night on the town which included betraying Valerie’s trust, leaving me with the knowledge of what went on that night. Not wanting to get involved, I decided to ignore the entire fair. Two months later, Valerie discovered what had gone on, and Derek being the narcissist that he was, decided to throw me under the bus. He told Valerie that I had seen what happened prompting her to hold a vendetta against me. She stopped talking to me for six months, while Derek ironically was being praised like a god. For those six months, Valerie was the pure face of evil to me. She managed to isolate me from every single friend that Derek and I had. Valerie had pieced together her own story which consisted of me encouraging the act even though I was a complete outsider. Those six months were hell in the truest sense. I suddenly felt like I understood the plight of solitary confinement. Imagine being a ghost in your own home transparent and invisible to everyone that enters your home.

Valerie eventually got over the matter. This opened a far clearer channel of communication between us all. This eventually helped us to all become friends rather than passive aggressive enemies.

Cohabitation

Living together before marriage examined through traditional and new-age views

by STEPHANIE WALLACE managing editor

n this day and age, marriage is not the go to choice for couples in a relationship. In fact, cohabitation, living with your partner before marriage, is growing increasingly popular, accounting for up to 60% of relationships where the couple lives together. For a time, proponents of cohabitation went up against pro-marriage groups fighting against the notion that cohabitation is more likely to end in divorce, or rather, is bad for children and all involved. According to the Council on Contemporary Families, there is no connection between divorce rates and cohabitation before marriage. Island Waves was curious as to how this new trend affects our University and its students. Do our students favor cohabitation and, if so, how many currently cohabitate? Rules within on campus communities stand to show that the majority of students are most likely living off campus and with their significant other. The prices of living around Corpus Christi have skyrocketed, so the appeal

of living with your partner is greater than ever. On top of that, you can avoid the roommate horror stories, like in this issue’s “Roommate’s from Hell.” Most of the stigma around cohabitation stems from the traditional ideal that marriage should occur first before one lives with their

partner. The other stems from the notion that couples who get married young, of course, get divorced, according to one source from a New York Times article. So, how does the traditionalist view affect todays college campus society? In retrospect, it is split. There are still those among our Island

University that believe in the traditionalistic view, and there are those who believe that they would rather “test the goods” so to speak before buying the marriage commitment. Then there are those that just would rather not put a label on it, and do what their heart desires. But, the greatest con comes from the fact that there is no marriage contract, and if a break up occurs, bills are usually intertwined and hard to separate. In the event of a breakup, things can become complicated quickly in more ways than just finances. With items like the “Cohabitation Agreement” and personal legal documents the individuals can draw up, it is becoming easier to create a less hostile environment in the event of a breakup. This editor likes to believe that it is up to the individual couple as to what they decide to do. All the power to you if you want to save money, see your loved one everyday, but are not ready for marriage. On that account, the same power to you if you believe in getting married first. Bottom line, statistics are just numbers and you cannot put a number to the individual relationship that is your very own.

special

04.03.2014

ISLAND WAVES

by KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor

he title of resident adviser is given to students who act as both a mentor and chaperone to the students who live on campus. Employed by Camden Miramar, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s on-campus housing provider, RAs serve as the leader of residents, and work to provide them with a safe and fun on-campus housing experience.

Alexandra Robinson

Graduate student Alexandra Robinson has been an RA since spring 2013. She is the current RA of Building 7, and is responsible for 48 residents. Here is what she had to say about being an RA:

Why did you choose to become an RA?

“I’d actually applied to be an RA when I was an undergrad, but several different circumstances like training conflicts and personal complications prevented me from actually participating in the job. So when I decided to come back to TAMUCC for my masters, I already knew that I wanted to try and become an RA. After I found out I had claimed one of the two open positions that was open that semester I was ecstatic, and I’ve been on top of the world since.”

it?

What’s the most rewarding part about

“I really enjoy getting to know my residents, and my chance to become a leader in the campus community. I’ve also noticed that I’ve become more outgoing, and it’s easier for me to participate in deep and meaningful conversations with people. I love the fact that while I am trying to be there for my residents, they are also helping me discover parts of myself I didn’t know existed.”

What are some of the programs and events you do for your residents?

“Programs really give RAs a chance to showcase our passions as well as highlight events that our residents might be interested in. I myself have planned several programs around exposing students to diverse cultures. I hail from London, Ontario, Canada, and I’ve also lived in several places overseas including Taipei, Taiwan and Seoul, Korea. Most of my residents will force themselves out of the comfort of their rooms for a meal, so I like to mix food and cultural diversity into my programs.”

What’s the best part about being an RA?

“Meeting new people. I get many more chances to spark conversations with people. Although I know many other won’t believe me, I’m actually pretty shy, especially when meeting new people or making the first move to get to know someone. Being an RA has really given me the chance to come out of my shell, and gives me an opportunity to practice for my future career as a teacher.” “While I may want to be sweet and laidback with my residents most of the time, if rules are being broken, I have a responsibility to put on my game face and handle it. Being authoritative while still letting residents know you care is paramount. It’s all about mastering the “I am so disappointed in you” face. It’s a killer, just like mom used to make.”

What would you say is the most challenging part about being an RA?

“I personally have a really hard time handling overly emotional or tense situations. Trying to find the right way to comfort a resident who might be grieving or is in a delicate emotional state has been something I constantly have to work on. What’s great is that I have 23 other co-workers who each have different strengths, and I know I can rely on them for help and/or guidance when I need it. We are all there to support each other and our

residents.” “There’s also the fact that we too are students, we are battling with encroaching deadlines and mounting assignments, all on top of our RA duties. It’s a struggle sometimes, but I always seem to be able to come through the other side with an appreciation for the people I’ve surrounded myself with and an understanding of what it’s really going to be like in the real world.”

Anything else you’d like to mention?

“The RAs tend to take a lot of heat for either being big party busters, total hard-asses or completely disinterested in residents. I’d just like to take a moment to help readers get an inside look from an RA’s perspective. RA’s are students just like you. We understand that you’re stressing and that you can’t be on top of everything all at once. We understand that college is many students first chance to cash in on their independence, and that independence sometimes lands you in sketchy situations. We have a job to do, just like many other students. We’re here for you, not to get you in trouble, but to keep you safe. We work hard everyday to try and make our residents’ lives on-campus successful, safe and significant.”

Nicole Taiwo

Senior Nicole Taiwo has been an RA for the past two years, and is currently in charge of the 72 residents living in Building 0. Here is what she had to say about her role as an RA:

Why did you choose to become an RA?

“It’s a great opportunity to grow as a person and develop lifelong skills in leadership. I enjoy providing support and encouragement for others, and with this job I can offer that. Not only are you helping residents in hoping to make their lives on campus less stressful, but this job provides you with the opportunity to grow and stand out as an individual.”

it?

What’s the most rewarding part about

“My job is meaningful and it is a wonderful thing knowing your work matters. Another big rewarding part about this job is I have met so many magnificent people from being an RA, from residents to co-workers to resident-life directors. These are people with different personalities, coming from different backgrounds other than your own. It gives you an opportunity to become more culturally diverse and more aware of the different culture groups we have here on campus.”

What are the some of responsibilities and duties you do?

the

“Some of what we do includes creating programs and activities designed to meet the needs of residents on campus. There is usually a program going on every week. RAs connect residents to other campus opportunities to promote a positive on-campus living experience. We also serve as a referral agent to other campus resources such as the counseling center, career services, CASA, etc.…”

What’s the best part about being an RA?

“Best part is you are part of your own little RA family, and you have people that understand you and love you for contributing to such a team. It is an experience you cannot get outside of college, so it’s something to take advantage of.”

Do you have a memorable memory while being an RA?

“Resolving roommate conflict are things that stick with me the most because there is such a great feeling of success when you are able to resolve an issue. Also, there is nothing more respectable than creating peace between two people.”

Photos courtsy of KATHLEEN RAMIREZ

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waved deposit and app. fee with this flyer

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photo courtesy of WALKSCORE.COM

by CHRISTINA BOOTHE sports reporter

slander Village is a popular off-campus housing option for lots of students. Its proximity to the school and its spacious apartments prove to be excellent buyingpoints for many. Not to mention, tons of the university’s hottest parties go down in that infamous apartment complex. But is there nothing but good things about Islander Village? Or does even this popular housing site hold its skeletons in the closet (hopefully not in a literal sense). Check out these reviews from current residents to make your decision: staying on-campus or making a home on that Alameda road? How long have you been living in Islander Village? Grace Harmon: It will be two years in August! Jasmine Archangel: I have been living in Islander Village for about eight months. Jordan Lang: Almost a year. How many roommates do you have? Grace Harmon: Two.

Jasmine Archangel: Two. Jordan Lang: Three. Describe your experience there. What have you enjoyed about living there? Grace Harmon: I enjoy the layout – we all have our own rooms and bathrooms and there is plenty of space in the fridge. They also always have events going on, like spaghetti dinners and movie nights. In the mornings, the office makes these delicious cookies that I may or may not take multiples of. Jasmine Archangel: I enjoy the free printing. I like that there is a washer and dryer in each apartment, and I love how it’s gated. They also have great cookies in the front office! Jordan Lang: I really like living here. Sometimes it get a little loud, but other than that, it’s a great place to live. The rooms are big and you get your own bathroom. It’s fully furnished, which is nice. Will you be returning? Why or why not? Grace Harmon: No, because I am transferring. Jasmine Archangel: No, I will not, because I found a more affordable apartment. Jordan Lang: No. My classes next year are

AMENITIES

going to be really tough, so I need to find an apartment complex that isn’t student-based because it gets loud when I need to sleep and study. What is your single favorite thing about Islander Village? Grace Harmon: The location! It is so close to campus, my job, the grocery store, and most importantly, Thai Cottage. Jasmine Archangel: The location is really close to campus, and I like that there is a TV in the living area and the apartment is prefurnished, so you don’t have to buy much. Also, cookies! Jordan Lang: I really like how it’s studentbased because it has a lot of really cool events for the people who live there, like pool parties and such. Also, it’s conveniently close to campus. Do you have any horror stories from living there? Grace Harmon: Some random people jumped onto our balcony to steal some chairs, and then got mad when we caught them and barged through our apartment. Another time a drunken guy busted in and yelled, “Where’s

the party at?” But none of us knew him… and he eventually left after we gave him blank stares. Jasmine Archangel: There’s a herd of elephants living above us that continually sing musical songs at weird hours of the day. There are always creepy people staring at us from their balcony as we walk up the stairs, and I can’t tell you how many mornings I’ve seen girls doing the walk of shame. Jordan Lang: Nope! So now you’ve heard it directly from the residents. The choice is yours: to stay where you are, or head over to Islander Village and experience it all yourself. If you’re looking for a student-centered, party-central place to live, Islander Village may be the place for you. But, if you’re looking for a calmer, quicker location to call your home, it may be the time to start searching for another place. But regardless of where you call your home, you’ll always be a part of the Island Family. Go ‘Ders!

AMENITIES

AMENITIES by KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor

s apartment leases begin to expire, many students may find themselves looking for a new place to live. In the search for their new home, students might be asking what sets one apartment apart from the other.

One good thing to look at is the various amenities that each complex has to offer. From on-campus to off-campus, each living arrangement offers a wide variety of amenity options. To aid students in their apartment hunting, here are a few local apartment complexes and the amenities they have to offer.

Camden Miramar

What could be better than making it to class in under five minutes? The answer: getting to sleep in 15 minutes until said class. In addition to how close it is to the University, Camden Miramar, Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi’s on-campus housing provider, offers residents additional amenities. Among them include: 1. Fully furnished residence halls and apartments 2. Independent leases 3. All-bills-included 4. Built-in computer/study desks (residence halls) 5. Expanded basic cable 6. High-speed Internet 7. Private balconies 8. Fully equipped kitchens 9. Unlimited community laundry rooms 10. Recreation room 11. Swimming pool 12. Scenic water views (see select floor plans) 13. Close proximity to Hike and Bike Trail, Dugan Wellness Center and University Center 14. Roommate matching 15. On-site management 16. Live-in Resident Advisers 17. On-call maintenance 18. Substance-free housing options 19. Regional Transportation Authority bus line

photos courtesy of KATHLEEN RAMIREZ

Sugar Tree Apartments

The Palm on South Padre Island Drive

Harbour Landing

La Joya Bay Resort

Located next to the water, Sugar Tree residents get to enjoy a scenic waterfront view and lush green landscaping. Within minutes from A&M-Corpus Christi, Sugar Tree is also home to a large student population. Additional features include: 1. Pet friendly 2. Washer and dryer connections (in select floor plans) 3. Balcony 4. Fireplace 5. Alarm 6. Dishwasher 7. Hardwood floors 8. Vaulted ceilings 9. Swimming Pool 10. Hot tub 11. Community laundry room 12. Military specials 13. Regional Transportation Authority bus line With its long driveway and a field located directly to the right of it, Harbour Landing offers its residents a little bit of peace and privacy. Available in only one and twobedroom floor plans, many students chose Harbour Landing as their home. Other amenities include: 1. Pet friendly 2. Long and short-term leases 3. Dishwasher 4. Balcony 5. Washer and dryer connections (in select floor plans) 6. Basketball courts 7. Tennis courts 8. Clubhouse 9. Fitness Center 10. Swimming Pool 11. Hot tub 12. Community laundry room 13. Emergency maintenance 14. Regional Transportation Authority bus line

Located on the intersection of Roddfield and McArdle, The Palm is one of the more family-orientated apartment complexes located in Corpus Christi. In addition to the peaceful atmosphere, the Palm is also conveniently located across the street from El Potro Taqueria, for all your Mexican food cravings. Additional amenities include: 1. Pet friendly 2. Emergency maintenance 3. Swimming pool 4. Dishwasher 5. Balcony 6. Washer and Dryer Connections (in select floor plans) 7. Community laundry room 8. Community pet park 9. Discounted extended basic cable 10. Student specials 11. Regional Transportation Authority bus line

La Joya Bay Resort is one of Corpus’ newest apartment complexes. First opened earlier this year, La Joya Bay Resort is located on Ennis Joslin, across from The Shores. Some amenities include: 1. Pet friendly 2. Washer and dryer connections (in select floor plans) 3. Balcony 4. Dishwasher 5. Hardwood flooring 6. Microwave included 7. Stainless steel appliances 8. Housekeeping available 9. Basketball courts 10. Clubhouse 11. Fitness Center 12. Pet Park 13. Exercise trail 14. Swimming Pool 15. Hot tub 16. Regional Transportation Authority bus line

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by CHRISTINA BOOTHE sports reporter

’ve had few problems with my lovely dorm in Tarpon. As the sports reporter, it’s a lovely place to live, just across from the softball and baseball fields and a short walk from the Dugan. And my view of the parking lot is spectacular, really. But there’s one experience, an experience that I’ll never forget, that sends shivers down my spine to this day. I shall recount it for you, in hopes of inspiring you to call the exterminator. It had been a long day. All I wanted was a nice hot shower before bed. So I turned the nozzle on in my bathroom, letting the steam and water gather to deliver me into a warm ecstasy by which I would be squeaky clean and adequately prepared for slumber. As I emerged into the shower, all was well. That is, until I reached for the shaving razor to deliver my

legs to silkiness before colliding with my bed sheets. For, when I lifted the razor from its resting place on the shower ledge, I discovered the bane of my experience: two spiders, touching each other’s no-no squares. Now, it would be one thing if I just saw a spider or two, wandering about in my shower. But no, they chose to become a very R-rated spidey couple inside MY shower. How dare they. Their actions were nothing short of rude and inappropriate. So, naturally, after shielding my eyes and screaming in horror, I chose to dispose of the lovemaking couple. Normally, I condone love. I do. Love is a beautiful thing. But, like many beautiful things, lovemaking is something that can only be fully enjoyed by the experiencers. As a result, it is also something that should be done in privacy. I could have respected Mr. and Mrs. Spider if they were touching each other’s nono squares off in a cobweb somewhere. But they chose to be hot and steamy in a place that

is hot and steamy for different reasons. And I chose to not put up with it. So what better way to dispose of something hot and steamy by using something . . . hot and steamy? That’s right. I dumped shower water on them. Mr. Spider didn’t last long. He seemed frail, like a twelve-year old Batman cosplayer at Comic Con. But Mrs. Spider? Mrs. Spider was another matter altogether. She was strong and sturdy, like an Amazon woman, and cunning as Johanna Mason in the 71st Hunger Games. Halfway down the morbid water slide, Mrs. Spider simply . . . disappeared. As in, vanished, out of thin air. One moment, she was succumbing to the clearly superior powers of a human being with her lover, and the next she was silently meditating over the ways to exact revenge. One could say she went out like a wrecking ball. “One day she’s here, one day she’s there;” so many pop songs could be dedicated to this very moment when Mrs. Spider felt the need to empower herself

beyond the restraints of an ordinary dorm room shower. So there she goes, gliding away like Spider-man over New York City, as the love of her life washes down the drain. The problem is, spiders are quick. They’re here, and then they’re gone. Mrs. Spider made herself an enigma. And I had no idea where she went. Sometimes, I swear I wake up to the sound of eight tiny legs etching their way across my walls, towards me, to exact retribution upon me. I fall asleep only when my body can no longer remain away to watch out for the angry, vengeful Mrs. Spider. My warning to you is fair: call the exterminator at the first sight of a pest. Don’t do what I did, and take matters into your own hands. For if you do, you will forever be haunted by the figure of a small black spider, creeping its way across your body at night, searching for the exact moment and spot at which to bite that venomous, rancorous bite.

real life tales from real life roommates AUBREY DANCER layout editor

by ANDREW LIGUEZ entertainment reporter

t a certain time in our lives, we each have to leave the nest to enter the real world. With leaving home comes a sense of freedom, we are finally able to spread our wings and fly. Leaving the nest does have its drawbacks though, as most of us will have to get a roommate to help pay the rent. This roommate relationship can either lead to a strong friendship or, for some, a living hell. Some of these brave souls have come out to tell their stories about why their roommate made their homes a living hell. The first person that wants to share their story is a freshman biology major that wanted to remain anonymous. He had this to say about his roommate from hell: “Ok, so to start off the story, I am gonna say

that I did not have that bad of a relationship with my roommate. We were pretty good friends for the beginning of the year. He didn’t start to get bad until halfway through the first semester. Well, anyway, we were very different from each other. We were different in interest to all the way on how we looked. We tried to be friends, but it never really worked out. Anyway, the story starts off with me going out one night with friends. My roommate never liked to leave, he would always be stashed in his room. Sometime he would have another person there that would be satisfying him. Anyway, I was out that day with some of my buds. We were having fun and doing things, you know, usual college people things. So I get back at like 2 in the morning, and I’m trying to be quiet going back to my dorm since I’m pretty sure other people were sleeping. I go into my room and as I walk in, I hear both my roommate and his

female friend both moaning pretty loudly. At first I didn’t know what to think of the noise, so I go to investigate it, and I catch both my roommate and not just one, but two female friends doing the dirty deed. Then I finally get what is happening and I run as fast as I can out of the room. I couldn’t make eye contact with my roommate for like a week after that.” The second story comes from a junior girl who has experience with dealing with a rowdy roommate: “Well I am a very alpha person. I don’t take drama from nobody, I will stake my territory. My story happened about a year ago. I was living on an off-campus apartment. My last roommate dropped out of school due to stress, but she also might have been pregnant. I really don’t know, but yeah, she left and I had to find new roommate. I put out an ad out on craigslist because I was in dire need of a roommate, I

couldn’t pay rent just by myself. I ended up getting this random chick to fill the place until I could find a real replacement. Well I had this girl for a few weeks and I could tell from the moment that she walked in that she was trouble. For two weeks, she went through my stuff, ate all my food, stole my clothes and stole my man. After two weeks I had it, I threated her that I would kick her ass out if she didn’t leave. Of course this chick wouldn’t leave. She finally left after I threated to go all Sharkeisha on her. I was about ready to shank this girl, she finally left in a sassy way, saying how I couldn’t appreciate what a good roommate she was. To this day, I have never regretted kicking that girl out.” No matter how much your roommate makes you mad, just know that at least you don’t room with these people.

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photo courtesy of TAMUCC.EDU

VERSANTIUM Neil Degrasse Tyson

by CONNER TICHOTA news reporter

n March 27, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was honored to host renowned astrophysicist Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson at the Performing Arts Center as part of the Distinguished Speakers Series. Island Waves was honored to have the privilege of attending the open student forum, as well as conducting an exclusive interview. The student forum opened with a few words from Tyson regarding his views on life on earth in the context of the universe. “All of life on earth has common DNA,” said Tyson, “In the tree of life, the first branch that splits and develops into humans and fungi, that branch came from plants. We are closer to mushrooms. I’ve always felt we had a kinship.” According to Tyson, the Kepler satellite recently discovered 715 new planets that could have the capacity for life. Tyson continued on to describe how every life form on earth is carbon based, and there is a good chance that if there is extraterrestrial life, it too would be carbon based. These life forms, he asserts, could look like anything, even rocks. Hence, Tyson expressed displeasure with the lack of imagination in Hollywood’s monsters. “ If a jellyfish saw little Elliot and ET walking along, the jellyfish would think you and ET are the same,” said Tyson, “ The best alien movie was back in 1958. It was called ‘The Blob’. It was just a clear blob of ectoplasm.” Tyson concluded his remarks by introducing the idea that humanity may not be as superior as it believes itself to be. “Imagine there is a world run by turtles,” said Tyson, “In this world there are also sloths and snails. Turtles would define themselves as fast, because they have never seen anything faster than themselves. We are smarter, because we have nothing to compare ourselves to.” The following are a few questions asked following Tyson’s speech. Questions were asked by the high school and college student in attendance. Q: Will science ever recognize Pluto as a planet again? A: My honest answer; I’d say get over it. I’m going to answer this in a way you won’t get anywhere else, and won’t forget. In the early 1800’s scientists discovered a planet orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. They called the planet Sirius. It was in textbooks, and people studied it…What they discovered was real a new stretch of real estate in the Asteroid Belt. Fast-forward to the 1930’s. They discovered a small icy planet, and named it Pluto…We realized that it was smaller than we originally thought. The earth’s moon has five times the mass of Pluto… It is actually part of the Kuiper

Belt of asteroids. I think it’s happier there. Q: Where is the best surfing in the universe? A: Four million years ago…the moon was created. And at that point in time, the moon was ten cubed [100,000] times closer to the earth than today…the tides are affected by the moon…that would have been an awesome time to surf. Island Waves was also granted the opportunity to ask a few questions to the famed astrophysicist. The following is a glimpse of the green room interview. Q: For anyone to have such a successful career, as you have had, there must have been some great failures. What advice would you give to students who are discouraged by this fact? A: Well, I think anyone who sits down and interviews someone famous, as you’re doing now, would realize that everyone [has failed at some point]… I always kept a fuel tank. I had a fuel tank of ambition. So whenever I would feel discouraged, I’d get a bad grade [etc.], I would reach down into that tank and pull out some of that ambition. Q: You’ve made so many appearances in media, why? What is their purpose? A: I’d rather stay at home, but I lived in New York City…Typically they call me when they think the sun is going to explode or the world is going to end. I have to go, calm them down and explain it’s not really as bad as they are making it out to be. Q: Okay, so following that same idea, there has been a growing distrust among the public of a lot of organization including the scientific community. How would you combat this disinterest in science? A: Well, a lot of the people who [argue against] science don’t think about it when they’re on their cell phone, with satellite GPS … Our society is built on science and technology… We live in a democracy. If people don’t want science…they can vote themselves back into the cave. Tyson was born and raised in New York City. He received a bachelor’s in physics from Harvard University and a doctorate in astrophysics at Columbia University. Many of Tyson’s accomplishments include: serving on two presidential commissions in 2001 and 2004, acting as a member of NASA’s Advisory Council, and publishing numerous books. Tyson has received numerous awards for his work including 18 honorary doctorates and the Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor given by NASA to a non-government citizen. Tyson is currently the Fredrick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. He is also the host of Cosmos, a reboot of Carl Sagen’s original program.

by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

didn’t know what to expect upon entering K-street Contemporary downtown. Upon entering the room, I was greeted by a large array of artwork that varied in style and medium. There were pots, paintings, and photographs adorning the wall. The art was that of ten Texas A&M-Corpus Christi upcoming graduates, each with a bachelor’s in fine arts. All of these students were female, a first for the program since its initial inception. I was given the chance to interview each of these imaginative students about their inspirations and thoughts on the artwork they were presenting on this fair night. Islander Ashley Sims had an exhibit where she displayed her various Vessels, or vases. The vessels were made using pit fire, horsehair, and a process called Naked Raku. “There’s something pure and meditative about the process of crafting ceramic,” said Sims, “I love vessels. The idea of taking clay and making something that will carry something [else]. It’s very fascinating to me.” Elisa Zapata had a fantastic display that was composed of various mediums. “Some of my pieces are hand-shaped paper, castings of faces, and some of it is inwood and plaster,” commented Zapata, “My favorite piece would be my wireframe composition. My body of work encompasses the stories of sex trafficking workers, and I make my work look distressed in order to portray that feeling of distress.” Kari Blalack did an exhibit named Acceptance. The exhibit was made by taking photographs and painting over them using oil colors to give them a fantastical effect. “I feel that society right now is forced to be perfect in every aspect, or risk facing severe criticism,” said Blacklack, “We’re no longer allowed to make mistakes, and I want to show people that it’s human nature to make errors. I want people to see that it’s ok to meet that ultimate end.” Kelli Spencer used a beautiful watercolor style in order to explore her childhood memories of growing up in rural South Texas. “I explore my memories using my friends’ two sons as the subjects of my pieces,” said Spencer, “I painted them in Gouache, which is a water based medium. You can use watercolor or acrylic [paint] with the area around the primary painting in order to capture the crisp white paper underneath.” Sabrina Martinez had a very colorful and

photo courtesy of TREY SEAL

ISLAND WAVES

elaborate display consisting of self-portraits and demented images which fascinated me. “My paintings are prints from etchings and wood cuts,” said Martinez, “I never have a preconceived idea of what I want to design. I just go project what’s on my mind at the moment.” Cheryl Votzmeyer, the organizer of the event, painted various forms of complex architecture in order to show off the beauty of their magnificent classic design. “I like to travel,” said Votzmeyer, “Throughout my travels, I’ve grown an appreciation for architectural design. When I explored Europe, the buildings were fascinating. You would walk around these cities composed of small buildings, and then a large structure would jut up and be towering above you.” Julie Ridenour’s minimalist design uses a combination of black and white, creating a beautiful juxtaposition. Her mesmerizing designs act as a visual spectacle to the eye, as you can’t help but the look at the tiny crevices present in each piece. “I made these etchings on a copper plate,” said Ridenour, “In order to get them to print like this, I had to etch them in reverse of the final product.” Heather A. Trierweiler used hand-made canvases in order to design graphite drawings and ink washes for her exhibit, Paramesia. “I like to use a lot of varying depths of field so you get a bold white and black face,” said Trierweiler, “It’s supposed to portray an alternate state of consciousness. Paramesia is a psychological condition where you confuse fact and fantasy.” L. Elizabeth Hood used cyanotype as her medium. The print method produces large sheets with a hazy blue design reminiscent of a building blue print. “All of the old buildings and architecture in Corpus Christi that is falling into disrepair I wanted to show it in a different light,” said Hood, “They aren’t really appreciated by people, because they’ve fallen into such disrepair. My cyanotypes were designed by taking a digital picture and having it transferred into a film negative, which was then placed on a piece of photosynthesized paper. The whole process is like developing film in a black room.” The entire exhibit was a fascinating experience, and further proved how talented some of our fellow classmates are. I would like to thank each one of these talented students for their time and I wish them look as they move forward through their very promising careers.

Islanders Provide Input On Recent UC Changes by ANDREW LIGUEZ entertainment reporter

s many of us have noticed since coming back from spring break, the University Center has drastically changed. From having sealing up of the bookstore to having random video game areas on the third floor at the new Breakers, a lot of changes have been made for the sake of improving the UC for the upcoming student population. Recently, I went up to random students and got their input on whether or not they are liking the UC so far. The first question on my survey was a yesno question asking if they approve of the UC changes so far.

“I choose no, that I do not approve the changes so far. I choose this because they shouldn’t be doing these changes on the student’s time. I feel that they could have chosen a better time to do this, because as it is now, I have to make an extra effort to get things I need from the bookstore and other places like the post office. I mean, I think what they are doing is nice, but it’s causing unnecessary issues for me,” said Maria Alanis. The second question on the survey asked students if they were okay with the construction. “I am okay with the construction. I mean, they have to do what they have to do, and it takes time and effort to get the project done. As long as the UC is new and approved afterwards

I am okay with whatever they do,” said Mario Garza. The final question asked students what food place they will miss the most during the construction. The most chosen option was, as some you might have guessed, Chic Fil A. The last student had this to say about their answer. “I will really miss Chic Fil A, it was a staple in my daily diet and it will be surely missed,” said Caleb Ferris.

From the data, most students will miss the UC as it is now, but some students also look forward to the new UC and how it will be improved in the future. At the end of the survey, the majority of students are in favor of the changes, and actually like them. Students responded in between not being okay with the construction and being okay.

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PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECT and IMPROVE HEALTH by ANDREW LIGUEZ entertainment reporter

hen evil arises, there must be good to combat it. Here at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, we have a superhero of our very own. His real name is kept secret from the public, but under his mask he goes under the alias, Syngnathiman, fighter of good for the incent seahorses. He nemesis is Jolly the Jumbo Hammerhead, a sea evil doer that wants to take over campus for the purpose of evil. I was able to get an interview of with the superhero of the campus. I was interested in what exactly he doing here instead of out saving the world. Q: Why are you a student at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi? A: “I am a student here because I want to get an education. I want to be able to get a good job so I can pay the bills. My estate does take a lot to keep it going. Sadly, being a superhero does not pay the bills as much as I would hope.” Q: What is your major and what do you want to do with it? A: “I am a pre-law major, I want to be able to go to law school after this. My goal is to be a lawyer that would be fighting to get criminals into the abyss that is jail.” Q: What do you think of your arch-nemesis Jolly the Jumbo Hammerhead? A: “Honestly, I think he is a jerk. He is evil just for the sake of being evil. His main goal in

life is just to make me have a bad day with his hammerhead attacks. Which he pays for so he actually has no powers. I remember this one time I found him trying to take every computer and vending machine hostage in the UC. I had to chase him down the breeze way while he was shouting, ‘You will never take me alive.’ I ended up tackling him outside the O’Conner building and dragging him back into the ocean. Worst day ever.” Q: What is your best superhero moment? A: My best moment would be when I gained a fan club. I was so happy that I was finally being recognized as a hero. I still have the fan club t-shirt hanging in my closet.” Q: How did you get into the superhero business? A: “I got into being a superhero after I graduated sea school. On the way home one day I saw a defenseless seahorse being hit by an evil doer. Me, being the brave person that I am, jumped to his aid. I ended up losing that day but I was able to allow the seahorse to escape and go to safety. After that, I vowed to be the hero that everybody could depend on and look up to.” Syngnathiman is currently living in the ocean at his estate. The fan club meets at a secret location every Friday at 5 p.m. Anybody that can find the location is welcome to join the club.

MPH

BS PH

2016

Syngnathiman Tells All

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH in Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Public Health (fall 2016)

srph.tamhsc.edu

Questions? Cyndi Torres Beltran (956) 668-6308 Torres-Beltran@tamhsc.edu

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ISLAND WAVES

by KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor

ecorating for a new apartment or remodeling your current space can be a daunting task for many students. Aside from the stress of deciding what looks good and where to hang it, the cost of sprucing up the place can also create an unwanted burden. Here are a few DIY ideas to help students personalize their space while keeping the costs low.

Personalized Photo Map

This one is for the globetrotting students who’ve been around the world a few times. Depending on just how far your travels lead you, grab a map of the US or the world, a couple of push pins or tape, and some pictures taken from the places you visited. The idea is to match the pictures to the states they were taken in, cut them out into the shape of the state and pin them up. You now have your very own personalized picture map.

DIY Photo Frames

Here’s one idea to help you display those pictures you’ve been meaning to hang but never got around to actually doing. Grab your shoebox full of pictures or print them from your computer, grab some washi tape (which can be found at local craft stores) or duct tape, and customize. Use the washi or duct tape to create homemade frames by taping around the pictures, creating your own designs and themes. You can also tape around those old posters you’ve had hanging up since August to help spruce them up a bit.

by KATHLEEN RAMIREZ features editor

icture this: It’s a normal Tuesday evening; I’m watching a movie on Netflix and eating cookies. I place the package of cookies on a bench in my living room and get up to go to my bedroom. I haven’t even made it out of the living room before Jojo, who was previously lounging about by his doghouse, gets up and goes hopping over to the cookies. As I’m about to shoo his little butt away, I see him stand up on his tiptoes, place his face in the package of cookies and see his little tongue dart out and lick a cookie. It’s only when I’m taking away the package do I notice the tiniest bite mark, and see that part of the cookie is now missing. In short, Jojo not only licked a cookie, but he took a bite out

Toilet Paper Roll Art

The average person uses approximately 20 rolls of toilet paper per year. Instead of throwing out all those paper rolls, why not recycle them into some creative art. All you need is some toilet paper rolls, glue or a stapler and a pair of scissors. Start by cutting up the rolls into five separate pieces. Arrange the pieces into whatever sort of pattern or design you want. Glue or staple the pieces together, and viola, toilet paper roll art. Try adding some paint or glitter to add a little more pop to your art.

DIY Spray Paint Plant Pictures

Embrace your nature side by bringing the outdoors inside with this craft idea. Create your very own plant décor using only canvas, some plants, paint and a can of spray paint. Start by painting the entire canvas the colored you want the plant to come out. After the paint has dried, take your plant and position it where you want on the canvas. Take your can of spray paint and cover the entire canvas. Lift up the plant and wait for it to dry before hanging it up.

Display Shoe Boxes

Are you a fan of shadow boxes, but don’t want to overpay for one? Then follow this simple design to create your own personalized shadow box for almost nothing. All it takes is an old shoebox, some paint or spray paint and whatever items you want to put inside (just make sure the items aren’t too heavy). Simply paint or spray paint the shoebox and put aside to dry. Once dried, hang up the box wherever you want before placing items inside. Use pretty paper or wallpaper to line the inside of the box if you want more of a design.

of it as well. If you didn’t know, bunnies are notorious for having a sweet tooth. If it were up to them, they would eat nothing but fruits and treats. Jojo is no exception to this; in fact, he could be the poster bunny for rabbits with sweet teeth. Raisins, bananas, oranges, apples, mango, papaya, the list could go on. It doesn’t matter what kind of fruit it is, Jojo will inhale his serving and still demand more. Because of this, I have to be careful whenever I’m eating fruit around him. One sniff of a banana and he’s standing by my feet, nudging and demanding I give him some. Being the impressionable bunnies that they are, Rigby and Pilot have modeled after their big brother, and have also recently taken to demanding treats from me. While their method of begging is a little different, they’ll just stick their noses out and stand up, they won’t stop until they have been given something sweet as well. Moral of the story: don’t eat fruit unless you’re prepared to share, and make sure everything is located three feet or higher from the floor.

images courtesy of PINTEREST.COM

04.03.2014

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04.03.2014

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Islander Tribute

Tuesday, April 8 • 6:00 p.m. O’Connor Building Conference Room 135 Please join the campus community in honoring our fellow Islanders who will never be forgotten.

iversity–Cor pus M Un

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Ch ri

nt Governme

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DIVISION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & SUCCESS

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