Volume 25 Issue 17 by Island Waves

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Requiem for an Islander Island Waves remembers former SGA Senator by CONNER TICHOTA editor in chief

n May 28, a member of the Islander community at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi died. Dionne Lucille Oliva, 29, was completing a graduate degree at the Island University as well as serving as a Graduate Senator in the Student Government Association. “Out of all of the graduate senator’s we’ve had she, I think, had the most impact,” said Angela Walker, Associate Dean of Students. “I think it caught us all off guard.” Even during her time as an undergraduate student, Oliva was heavily involved with various organizations on campus. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Science as a Criminal Justice major, and an accompanying minor in Psychology, she was also a member of the Dean’s List, several honor societies, and an SGA senator for the College of Liberal Arts. Samantha Hernandez, A&M-Corpus Christi alumni and SGA president from 2009 to 2011, spoke fondly of the former senator and friend. “Dionne was really just very concerned about students,” said Hernandez. “She didn’t want people to have a mediocre experience. She wanted everybody to have the best experience possible and she cared. She truly cared… Dionne understood that it was about every student there and future students as well…She wanted everyone to feel like they belonged. She wanted to make sure everybody had a fair chance.” During this time, Oliva was not only a member of SGA she was an involved participant. According to Hernandez, Oliva was heavily involved in organizing events such as SGA Gives Back, an annual event that is designed to con-

nect the University to the city of Corpus Christi. Hernandez said that Oliva played a vital part in organizing the blood drives, food drives and even a book drive with local elementary kids. “My best memory of her was when we were in the senate, I was a senator too,” recalled Hernandez, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to run for president or run for senator again. When I finally told her ‘I think I’m going to run’, I was a sophomore and typically you were a senior when you ran, and she told me that if I ran she would back me up 100 percent. [Dionne] helped with signs, with campaigning and…she showed photo courtesy of SGA Dionne Lucille Oliva’s University portrait me that other people believed in me.” Zamora, and president, Evan Paret, she was just After graduating, Oliva’s commitment to as involved as a Graduate Senator. the University did not dwindle. According to the former 2013-2014 SGA vice president, Rene see REQUIEM on page 4

The Price of Plastic PAGE 2

Tarnished Sterling PAGE 7

Art by the Bay

An inside look at the South Texas Art Museum by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

’ve always been a firm believer in the ideology behind the phrase stop and smell the roses. The modern world is a very hectic place: being a college student with a career, or two, can drive a person mad. My secret to keeping my head screwed to my shoulders is taking a moment of each day to listen to classical music and observe the beauty of the natural world. If I have the free time though, there’s nothing more relaxing than observing the exquisite works of the South Texas Art Museum. The museum opened in October 1972 as

5445 S. Alameda St. Corpus Christi, TX 78412

a replacement for the Corpus Christi Centennial museum which had outgrown its space by the 1960s. A group of local civic leaders and philanthropists pulled funds together to commission the large abstract building which is composed entirely of shellcrete, a brick-like building material composed of lime water, sand, and crushed oyster shells. Over the 42 years since its opening, the museum has hosted many touring exhibits in addition to many South Texas artists’ exhibits from all different age groups and backgrounds. The museum is seen as a department of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s art program. This allows any student the privilege of visiting the museum for free in addition to internship

Mon-Fri: 9 AM - 6 PM Sat: 10 AM - 5 PM

sunchase@aricommunities.com - aricommunities.com

opportunities and job opportunities as a summer camp counselor. In order to learn more about the museum, I interviewed the museum’s Coordinator of Community Services, Karol Stewart. Stewart has worked for the museum since January of this year and has organized a multitude of large events throughout the year including an upcoming July 4th Independence Day event. “We rotate exhibits about four times a year,” said Stewart, “which are previewed to our members beforehand through a preview show.” see ART BY THE BAY on page 5

Topping Out PAGE 8

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VOLUME 25, ISSUE 17

editorial ISLAND WAVES

a student publication of

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

island waves staﬀ

06.19.2014

The Reading Corner The sixth installment of college reading secrets

CONNER TICHOTA editor-in-chief

MARIAM AMAYA

advertising manager

AUBREY DANCER layout editor

JUSTIN VU NGUYEN

advertising assistant

TREY SEAL

staﬀ reporter

NICK THOMPSON

distribution manager

RUTH AIPPERSPACH 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.

Dr. B. McDowell and Dr. D. Culbertson reading coaches

re you keeping up with your college reading? Attending Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi during the summer is both a good thing and a bad thing. Classes are generally smaller and more directed to subject’s important information. The bad part of summer school is the fast pace of the course. All assignments, tests, and course readings will be completed in six weeks instead of 16 weeks. When the pace of the course is added to summer life and work, it is a challenge and can be over whelming. What can help? Learn to read effectively. First, look at your reading habits. Many students try to get by without reading the assigned material, maybe skimming the textbook, going to the Internet or just looking through Wikipedia. In summer school, this can lead to disaster and wasted time. Textbooks are important to professors since they may be the quickest way of getting students information needed to cover the content. A textbook is one way of conveying content in a structured and quick way. Often readers look at every word on the page. Many think that this is the only way to study the course material or study for a test. While there are times that this “slow” or

“deep” reading is important, the ability to speed up your reading is also important, after all, students must keep pace with the professors’ lectures and assignments. Professors often assign additional readings to supplement lectures to ensure a larger view of the materials discussed. These readings may are also be used for course projects and test questions. Our best hint is: READ THE TEXTBOOK OR ASSIGNED MATERIALS, BUT DO IT EFFECTIVELY. For your next reading assignment use these ideas to read effectively: -Purpose. Determine the purpose of the reading. Ask these questions: what is the assignment, why am I reading it, what type of information needs to be learned, and how does the assigned reading relate to the course, lectures, and tests. Will this information be on the next test or to complete the next assignment? -Preview. Once the purpose of reading is known, preview the selection to determine what is contained in the selection. How familiar is the information, how many words and terms are known? And are there parts of the reading that connect to the lecture, assignment, or test questions? After previewing the reading selection, start reading with pen or pencil in hand making notes while reading. -Flexible. The purpose and the

READING TIP

Take notes while reading. This will summarize the material in your words and help to identify important ideas or key words. Taking notes, either in the margins or on separate paper will also keep track of where you are in the reading. Highlighting doesn’t imprint the material in your brain as effectively as writing notes in your own words. After a break, a quick review of the notes will refresh the material and allow a new reading session to begin reading with a better background and understanding.

difficulty of the material determines how to read the material. If the reading covers information that is known, the reading will go faster. If the material is new, then a more thorough reading, while looking up unfamiliar words or terms, will be slower going, but necessary. The pace of reading will vary with the purpose of the reading and the reader’s knowledge of the material. It is OK to vary reading speed, even skimming over text that is not new content. -Concentrate. Lack of concentration will cause ineffective reading. Start reading when refreshed and able to concentrate. Take short breaks to rest the mind and eyes. Stay involved

with the material by keeping the purpose in mind and knowing how the reading material fits into the course assignments. Find a place that keeps the brain alert, but not overstimulated (this will keep distractions to a minimum). CASA Reading Specialists can help you with reading skills and understanding the reading of college assignments. During the summer terms, Reading Specialists are available Monday through Thursday and by appointment to help. Talk with Dr. McDowell, Dr. Culbertson, Rachel, or Lia at CASA Room 107 for more information or to make an appointment.

The Price of Plastic

Social, environmental and economical effects of plastic on the Gulf of Mexico and Corpus Christi

by ALEXIS DE LEON contributing writer

he ease of convenience is a strong force especially in easy-going Corpus Christi. It is this convenience that has big names like Stripes and H-E-B refusing to approve any form of plastic bag band. However this apathy to refuse to use plastic bags is also one seen on Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s campus. The bookstore and Subway both use plastic bags for customers. Countless times the trashcans on campus will overflow with garbage and the bags can be seen hanging off the coastal plants. “We should be the greenest campus due to proximity to the bay and have stronger efforts to influence the surrounding community,” Environmental Science Policy and Regulation alumna Kimberly Gorka said. “For on campus plastic bag restrictions Subway should ask if you want a bag. I’ve said, ‘no bag please’ before and the guy was just like, ‘the napkin comes in the bag’ and shoved it in anyways.” Gorka wrote a paper on a proposed ordinance for a fee or a ban on single use plastic bags in Corpus Christi for her Introduction to Public Policy class. The paper examines the various reasons a plastic bag ban or fee would be beneficial to the city. Since the introduction of plastic grocery bags in the 1970’s, the majority of accumulated plastics found in the Gulf of Mexico are from these plastic bags. The city of Corpus Christi has been working on a plastic bag policy

for the past four years or so. The idea for an ordinance was spurred when Brownsville passed a bag ordinance in 2011 and in 2012 when the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation staged a rally at city hall when it was evident the policy was no longer moving forward. According to Gorka, a ban is on the agenda because plastic bags cause numerous problems for the city including: high cleanup costs, inability to recycle soiled bags, the inability to make a profit off recycled bags, and unsightly, dangerous pollution in the waterways surrounding the breezy coastal city. While the community appears to support the ordinance, retailers and representatives against the ban have been making it difficult for an agreement to be reached on what the policy should include. Should the people of Corpus Christi choose to move forward government intervention is the next step regardless of what the retailers want. Current environmental graduate student Jennifer Lawrence shares in Gorka’s passion for preventing plastics from pilling up in the Gulf. “I first became involved with marine debris when I read an article about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on the Internet in 2007,” Lawrence said. “It amazed me how much trash was estimated to be out there, and how permanent plastics in the water are. I was working on my marine biology bachelor’s degree at the time, and decided I wanted to learn more about it. I applied for a TIO fellowship in 2008 to further study this, where I assessed the Adopt-A-Beach program

by quantifying the trash on Galveston beaches. I later worked on microscopic samples in 2012 from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and then decided to keep studying it in grad school.” Mayor Nelda Martinez has shown strong support for an ordinance. By working with organizations and schools to raise educational awareness about what the plastic bags do to the environment Martinez hopes to raise the support of the community. While the garbage can be unsightly Lawrence has researched some of the negative health effects the plastics can cause. “Besides threatening animals through entanglement and ingestion, marine debris is also a threat to the aesthetic value of our city. Tourism boosts our economy, and the last thing most tourists want to see is a dirty beach,” Lawrence said. “Also, one thing that people don’t realize is that these plastics contain chemicals that can leach into the surrounding environment and into the tissue of an animal that consumes it. So basically, the chemicals that are leached from marine plastics are being eaten by the seafood consumers of our city. Marine plastics are a risk to public health.” The chemicals are first ingested in small amounts by the smaller sea life. Then as each of these contaminated smaller animals is eaten by larger organisms and the quantity of contamination slowly builds within that animal. This process is known as bioaccumulation. According to Surfrider.org, after Mayor C.J. Wax declared May 24th26th to be “Skip the Plastic Weekend”

in Rockport, Fulton’s City Council and the Aransas County Navigation District passed similar resolutions also recognizing “Skip the Plastic Weekend.” The weekend was filled with informative exhibits on plastic pollution in the ocean and a viewing of the award-winning movie “Bag it.” H-E-B showed their support for the cause by giving away free reusable bags and key fobs, which contained foldable reusable bags. “I think the first, and easiest step to help with the plastic problem is to encourage sustainable use. It is very easy to use 40 plastic bags when you go to the grocery stores, seven disposable coffee cups in a week, and multiple bottles of water whenever you’re thirsty. If we switch to using reusable bags, reusable coffee thermoses, and reusable water bottles, then we cut our waste dramatically. I just want to point out that the marine debris type that had the highest numbers in my jetty study is plastic bottles,” Lawrence said. “Buying a Brita filter is a good investment- it saves money and our waterways. Recycling is also encouraged, but if you use these reusable items, you won’t have to make the decision to recycle or not.” Another significant change Lawrence and Gorka both stress is switching from Styrofoam to plantbased take out containers and cups. Those looking to support a plastic bag ban should begin by using reusable bags whenever shopping. When shopping retail request a paper bag or take your own. Those seeking more information or support can visit surfrider.org.

news

06.19.2014

The Think Tank

ISLAND WAVES

A look into a unique method of learning D

r. Jennifer Epley, assistant professor in the Political Science department, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is a firm believer in learning by doing. Her new and unique teaching method consists of a Think Tank simulation, in which her students have opportunities to work and be evaluated as individuals and in small groups. Epley implemented her innovative teaching method in the fall semester of 2012. Think tanks allow the students to consider issues and then challenge whose relevance reaches beyond the individual person or program and immediate time frame. “In my upper-level Political Science major courses, I have instituted the use of a think tank structure and process to improve students’ critical skills,” said Epley. This allows the student to get hands-on research experience with both qualitative and quantitative data, primary and secondary sources, current events, and other various forms of technology appropriate to the task or project that the student is assigned. “It releases and identifies underlying assumptions and even challenges their essential validity,” said Epley. She takes elements from think tanks, as institutes, and as a collaborative analytical approach to teach her students how to be political scientists as well as advance their own critical thinking skills. Epley astutely manages to include peer reviews, instructor feedback,

professional development training, class debriefings, and presentations into each class. This allows the student to fully understand the material and to demonstrate their level of proficiency. This new method has had monumental effects on Epley’s students in her upper-level courses. “Students regularly reported during class, in office hours, by email, and in evaluations that they were challenged by the rigor and type of work required, but [it] significantly improved their critical thinking skills,” said Epley. Students have always expressed dismay at doing group work at the beginning of the semester. However, when they reach the end of the semester, they see the value of having working together in groups. Students learn that talking through their ideas and questions benefit them both in the short-term as well as the long-term assessments. Regular active participation in the classroom and peer reviews allows the students to have opportunities to revise and resubmit their work as professionals in the field would do. “As a professor, I was particularly pleased to hear them say that their acquired skills were transferable to other courses outside of my own and applicable to the ‘real world’ offcampus,” said Epley. While still maintaining her think tank process, she uses the online simulations game Starcraft for her International Relations class. This game still utilized the think tank process, but took it one step further in which students competed in small groups. “For those familiar with the board game

Risk, Statecraft is like an advanced interactive version that [in which it] uses computers,” said Epley. Students wrote policy memos based on their specific roles and strategies for each of their main turns in the Statecraft game. Now these memos managed to incorporate concepts, theories, evidence methods, and vocabulary from the assigned textbook chapters, lectures, as well as outside resources. The students became more psychologically and emotionally involved with the course due to their jobs in the game and the subsequent competitive action with their peers. Regina Salinas, an Islander enrolled in Epley’s Religion & Jennifer Epley, Assistant Professor, Political Science Politics class this past spring semester, echoes the possible because she presented the material sentiment of how much this revolutionary [through ]multiple perspectives.” said Salinas. teaching method has made an impact on her. “Dr. Epley’s teaching philosophy focuses on “Dr. Epley’s teaching method left me with cultivating our critical thinking skills rather a much deeper understanding of politics than giving the class a clear cut answer.” and the world around me which was only photo courtesy of TAMUCC

by MICHAEL FITCH contributing writer

Deducing Dolphins

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi’s Dolphin conservation, and husbandry program in Mexico by MICHAEL FITCH

be used for early detection of disease in both captive and free contributing writer ranging animals.” Recently, researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic olphins have always Institution used the dolphin been revered for their pneumotachomter in design high level of intelligence testing as they sought to and for their human like improve the overall design characteristics, which has and setup of satellite tags. Any led Dr. Andreas Fahlman, device attached to a dolphin assistant professor of Life can increase drag through Sciences at Texas A&M the water, which causes the University-Corpus Christi, dolphins to expend more to conduct research on energy while swimming. The dolphins respiration this pneumotachometer can be summer in Riviera Maya, used to determine which tag Mexico. design minimizes impact to He is spending his the animal, thus reducing any summer teaching and unwanted effects from the tag. conducting research at a Dolphinaris opened in 1997, company called Dolphinaris. when Wet N’ Wild Water Park Fahlman and his team, began its operations in Cancun. consisting of graduate and The original park was one of undergraduate students the largest dolphin facilities from A&M-Corpus Christi, in Mexico at that time. With are part of a new 10-week the success of the Cancun dolphin conservation and operation, another facility education program, in was opened in Cozumel. Both which the students will facilities were destroyed learn how to care for and by hurricanes in 2005. The train bottlenose dolphins. company decided to rebuild They will also be conducting photo courtesy of CARLOS CAMARENA and opened Dolphinaris research to better Trainer holding the pneumotachometer (flow-meter) over the blow-hole of a dolphin Cancun in 2007, followed by understand the dolphin’s Dolphinaris Cozumel in 2008 and in 2010 and Dr. Micah Brodsky, a wildlife veterinarian Quest in Oahu, Hawaii in April 2013. respiratory function. There Dolphinaris Riviera Maya was opened to the with extensive experience working with free The data provided would allow Fahlman are 13 dolphins at the Dolphinaris facility in and his team to better understand how public. It is the goal of Dolphinaris to provide Riviera Maya. Dr. Fahlman and the students ranging, captive and stranded dolphins from guests with an unforgettable experience, the dolphin respiratory system works. This will measure the dolphins respiratory flow VMD Consulting. provide the pinnacle of care for the animals “Lung function testing is a standard information can be used to measure lung rates, as well as the oxygen and carbon they work with, and provide opportunities diagnostic tool in human respiratory mechanics, evaluate the respiratory health of dioxide expended by the dolphins, using a for scientists to conduct research that has medicine,” said Brodsky. dolphins, diagnose and localize disease, and to very specialized piece of equipment called a This test helps to measure aspects of the increase the quality of care provided to marine impacts on dolphin health and conservation. pneumotachometer, a device used to measure With the presence of researchers testing on flow-rate of air in and out of the lungs. This dolphins’ respiratory systems while they mammals. “Dolphins are prone to lung problems,” the dolphins, Dolphinaris has high hopes to device is commonly used to study breathing in breath. This custom-made device also allows them to measure the oxygen and carbon said Fahlman. “The data we collected will also promote different aspects of research and land mammals, but has seldom been used in educate the public about conservation of provide baseline values for healthy dolphins, dolphins or whales. Therefore, a custom-made dioxide levels in the dolphin’s breath. The or what is normal. This information can then marine life. unit was developed collaboratively by Fahlman, device was successfully tested at Dolphin

features 4

06.19.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Requiem

continued from page 1

“She was a great senator. She did her job,” said Paret, “She met with her fellow senator every month to set up meetings… she actually organized the Graduate Night and helped out with the planning of the Graduate Week where we got SGA more involved. So, she had a pretty essential role.” According to Zamora, the office of Graduate Senator had long been vacant until Oliva filled it. Oliva was also responsible for kick starting the Graduate Night, a program designed to allow graduate students to submit feedback to SGA about their experience in the graduate program. Both Zamora and Paret said that Oliva was a great asset to the SGA. Paret said, she was a lively, positive person who was always helpful. “She always asked questions to all our guest speakers,” said Zamora. “[She] tried to go into more detail about what they were telling us, that way we would have a better understanding.” Oliva’s dedication to the University not only left a lasting legacy of a model Islander, but touched the lives of everyone she associated with. “At the beginning of my term, when elections [where starting] she came into the office wanting us to print some campaign flyers,” said Paret, “ And she left her thumb drive in the office. I kept promising and promising to get it back to her through the entire year, but it never happened. Eventually at the end of the semester when I said, ‘I got it now, here you can have it’, she said, ‘No, no, no. Just hold onto to it. It will be a great way to remember me by.’ So…whenever I found out she passed, I actually had that thumb drive [plugged] in. “ Oliva is a native to Corpus Christi. She graduated from W.B.Ray Highschool in 2003, continued on to get an associate’s degree from Del Mar College, and later received Mang Cum Laude for her bachelor’s at A&M-Corpus Christi. Along with her scholastic achievements, Oliva was also involved with her local Church, and acted as a substitute teacher for the Corpus Christi Independent School District. Oliva’s funeral was held on June 2. She will be honored during the annual Islander Tribute taking place in spring 2015.

photos courtesy of SGA

Dionne Oliva recieves award for service at the 2013- 2014 State of the Senate SGA Banquet.

Dionne Oliva (far left) seen attending the annual State of the Senate SGA Banquet.

entertainment

06.19.2014

ISLAND WAVES

Art by the Bay

Students are welcome to attend events as well which give attendees the opportunity to meet the people involved with the exhibit such as the curator, collector, or the artist. The museum contains notable works from famous Texas artists’ such as Dorothy Hood whose works consist of large abstract paintings that utilize mute shades of primary colors to great effect. The most exquisite piece, however, would have to be the museum’s large glass chandelier, which was presented to the museum as a gift by prominent glass artist Dale Chihuly. The piece is a massive sphere with wildly flowing tendrils that

will leave any observer awe-stricken by its ingenuity. As somebody who hasn’t been able to visit many art museums in my lifetime, I asked Karol what she felt separated the South Texas Art Museum from all of the rest. “It’s not as large as museums in major metropolitans such as the Art Institute of Chicago or The Metropolitan Museum of Art,” said Stewart, “but its still substantially sized at 60,000 square feet. My favorite part of this museum though is that we display new, emerging artists alongside notable works. That sort of exposure is invaluable to an artist who is looking to

LITTLE - Cathy Cunningham

CHANDELIER - Dale Chichuly

continued from page 1

gain exposure in the art world.” The artists displayed range in age from kindergartners to the elderly and have included works from both the Island University and Del Mar College students. “Most museums don’t showcase work from local artists and if they do, very rarely do they display alongside notable works,” said Stewart. If you haven’t been to the South Texas Art Museum yet, I highly recommend going. It’s an array of exhibits catering to a wide variety of personalities and stylistic preferences that ensure every patron has a favorite.

V’s GARDEN- Bill Meek

photos by TREY SEAL

entertainment 6

06.19.2014

ISLAND WAVES

A Digital Mind

Photo courtesy of IEEE SPECTRUM

Exploring computers of the new age

A diagram of the four circuits interactions within the Memristive system

by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

omputers have always served the purpose of being an extension of the human mind. In other words, a computer is about as smart as the person operating it. For many years, popular media has predicted a future of self-thinking computers, devices that have an artificial mind

that thinks and acts much like that of a person. In the modern day, the closest we have to that are digital personal assistants such as Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana. Even though they can access internal functions using only the users voice, the only thing that they learn over time is tone of voice and wording of commands. They never learn anything about the user or their daily routines. In 2018, an invention by Hewlett-Packard, HP, plans to change all of that. That invention is known as the Memristor, a special type of circuit that can be considered the fourth and final type of circuit, in addition to resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Unlike the other circuits, memristors remember the electrical currents that have run through it meaning that it learns how to function more efficiently over time. In 1971, the Memristor was theorized in a paper by Leon Chua, a Berkeley professor who is seen by many experts as the Albert Einstein of circuitry. Chua observed the existing three circuits, which like the periodic table, are grouped by power. Upon observing the existing three circuits, Chua saw the fourth empty space as a hole that was waiting to be filled. In order to remedy this, he theorized the Memristor

as a device that uses a combination of computer memory and electrical currents in order to help a device learn as its used. The Memristor will replace the function of each of three main components of the modern computer. The CPU is like our brains processing center takes commands and produces a result, like our brain telling our fingers to move in the direction we want them to. In modern computers, it takes a clicked or typed response and produces a result. RAM is the equivalent of our brain’s short-term memory, it executes temporary tasks for the computer such as loading levels in a video game or displaying effects on video/photo editing programs. The Hard Drive is the computer equivalent of long-term memory and retains longterm functions such as the computers operating system and the various files that a user wants to keep over time. It takes those three components in order to produce a primitive replication of a human mind. A memristor can therefore be seen as a replication of a human brain in function. Much like our own minds, the electrical currents passed through its circuitry, like the synapses in our brains, help strengthen the efficiency of the device in regards to executing tasks. This means that any device containing a memristor will have the ability to learn how to be a better, more efficient device through trial and error. The impact on digital assistant tools will be huge. Instead of just taking commands, your digital assistant could be something akin to Iron Man’s Jarvis. Imagine having Siri inquire about your day in order to give you advice on how to manage your current schedule more efficiently or motivating you to get up and go to the gym. The possibilities of this technology are endless, but I can’t help but wonder if something so efficient could hinder us in the way that smartphones and tablets have further shortened attention spans. Whatever happens, the Memristor is just further proof that the future has only begun.

sports

06.19.2014

Tarnished Sterling

ISLAND WAVES

Thoughts on freedom, racism and the NBA by ALEXIS DE LEON contributing writer

ountless times the phrase “there is no racism in America” has appeared in the media. However for some it is blatantly obvious that statement is not true. On April 25, 2014, Clippers owner Donald Sterling gave America, the NBA and Clippers fans a rude awakening. An audio recording of Sterling, 80, was released by TMZ. In these recordings Sterling says some less than flattering things about Lakers legend Magic Johnson and others to a female companion, V. Stiviano. Since the recording’s release NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has issued a 2.5 million dollar fine and the permanent banning of Sterling from attending NBA games or practices, being present at any Clippers office or facility, or participating in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He also cannot participate in any league business from here on out. Mixed emotions are pouring in from all angles on this lawsuit. Even Islanders at Texas A&M University-Corpus Chirsti are having a difficult time deciding whether the NBA’s decisions have been in the right completely, somewhat or not at all. “Well I have questions about a lot of the legalities. Some of the discussions I’ve heard talk about the harsh constrictions the NBA has, obviously as they should,” Kinesiology alumna Christina Martinez said. “The things Sterling said are awful and should not be excused in any way, but the man was also taped without consent. Aren’t there legalities in that too? The NBA fine print has some serious power- that’s crazy.” According to the L.A. Times, Sterling knew he was being recorded and that Stiviano was

not the one to release the recordings. Be assured whom ever did release the recordings received a hefty undisclosed sum of money. Would someone who knew they were being recorded really say things that could single handedly ruin decades of NBA franchise ownership? Then again Sterling is a married man with a female companion almost four times younger than himself. However if Sterling was unaware of being recorded was his privacy invaded and is that even something that matters given the fact that he appears to say ignorant things when given the opportunity. “People say stupid things all the time, but because it’s in the heat of the moment and people usually aren’t recording. I feel for the guy. He’s still a scumbag. This was probably NBA commissioner Silver’s first pressing controversial situation to handle. Clearly he’s going to lay the hammer down. Was it a harsh punishment? Yes. But I mean you can’t be a racist and own a NBA team. And if you have power like an NBA owner you should be held accountable for what you do and say. Setting a better example is the message I think Silver was sending,” Martinez said. According to ESPN Sterling’s $2.5 million fine will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the players’ association. “This has all happened in three days, and so I am hopeful there will be no long-term damage to the league and to the Clippers organization,” Silver said in an announcement to the press. “But as I said earlier, I’m outraged, so I certainly understand other people’s outrage. This will take some time, and appropriate healing will be necessary.” Criminal justice alumna Monica Peña feels conflicted on the matter of whether the NBA has legal grounds to punish Sterling. Stephanie

Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers Castillo, Kinesiology alumna feels similar to Peña in that Stiviano may have only been looking to advance her career and released the recordings for profit and a chance in the spotlight. “I don’t think Sterling should own an organization when he feels that way. He shouldn’t be making money off people he is racist against,” the former Islander women’s basketball player, Peña said. According to the Los Angeles Times, the NBA commissioned an online survey of 530 Clippers supporters earlier this month that

Photo courtsey of TRUSTADVISOR.COM

revealed that 45% of respondents were less likely to support the team if Donald Sterling remained as owner. However this means more than half either did not care or would not be offended if Sterling maintained ownership of the team. There are three main points to think about with this situation: were rights violated, are racially charged comments still very much an issue in the United States and was justice served. Let Island Waves know on Twitter @ IslandWavesToGo or on Facebook- Island Waves Student Newspaper.

visuals 8

ISLAND WAVES

06.19.2014

Topping It Off Campus celebrates Unversity Center expansion with Topping Off ceremony by CONNER TICHOTA editor in chief

n June 13, members of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi community gathered to participate in the offical ‘Topping Out’ ceremony at the University Center. A ‘Topping Out’ ceremony is symbolic of finishing a major construction project. This ceremony was a capstone for the end framework of the new UC. The ceremony opened with speeches by the University President, Dr. Flavius Killebrew, Vice

President, Don Albrecht and the newly inducted Student Government Association president, Angel Monjarraz. During the ceremony, students and staff were welcomed to sign their names on the steel beam before it was hoisted atop the UC as the last piece of framing to be put in place. Check out some the the photos taken from the ceremony. To see more, visit Island Waves’ Facebook page (Island Waves Student Newspaper) or the Twitter feed at @IslandWavesToGo.

photos by CONNER TICHOTA