Volume 27 Issue 24

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

IslandWavesNews.com

ABANDONED CHARACTERS Censored texts spotlight Banned Books Week

by MELISSA RODRIGUEZ • Page 5

Entertainment

University kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month Page 6-7

Also

September 29, 2016 Volume 27, Issue 24

Opinions Page 2 Entertainment Page 6 Sports Page 11

2 Opinion STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYCORPUS CHRISTI

09.29.2016

Dangerous driving becomes problematic

With all the complaints and concerns about parking, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students have been rushing to campus and vehicle safety has become an area of concern.

Students have been taking quite a few chances when it ISLAND WAVES STI | ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM | comes VOLUMEto26parking ISSUE 20 lot | safety 08.27.15 inIslandWavesNews.com cluding running in front of cars and racing to get to parking Editor-in-chief spots. We at Island Waves feel as KACI ALVAREZ if there is failure on two parts: students and the university.

Web Students are not properly MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL, editor preparing for their school day, JEFFREY THOMAS, on-air talent resulting in them acting reckEILEEN HERNANDEZ, reporter lessly when driving on and MITCHELL JACKSON, vid. editor around campus. Students don’t give themselves enough time Copy Editor to get ready, park and walk to KATIE MEZA class. They end up speeding to campus and racing for a parkVisuals ing spot.

IZZY SNEED, editor A popular place for people to MARIAH OLIVE speed is the road between the CHARLIE BLALOCK Seabreeze parking lot and the Tarpon parking lot. There have Layout been multiple occasions where KARA HERRERA, editor pedestrians have almost been SABRINA HUTTON, assistant hit by cars, driven by students who are not paying attention Reporters or rushing to find parking. At GERI LEMMONS, news times the parking lot feels a lot JONATHAN FORNEY, feature like Frogger for those who are MELISSA RODRIGUEZ, news walking to class.

Crosswalks are also becoming Advertising a problem when they shouldn’t JAMIE FINK, manager be. While crosswalks should be the safest place for pedestrians Faculty Adviser to cross, they are becoming WENDY MOORE dangerous. Drivers are often looking at their phones while ABOUT ISLAND WAVES driving, so they aren’t stopping Island Waves is a studentor yielding when they should produced publication at Texas be. The phone creates a distracA&M University-Corpus Christi. tion and the driver is no longer The newspaper is printed weekly, looking for pedestrians. This is except during summer sessions. very dangerous and needs to be stopped.

Any student or University employee may submit material and opinions for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor.

CONTACT US 6300 Ocean Drive Unit 5783 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 825-5862 editor@tamucc.edu ads@tamucc.edu

E

STAFF

EDITORIAL

Rather than trying to find a solution to their woes, many of the students are instead becoming enraged while driving through the lots, even though they were aware beforehand that they would face difficulties. They need to avoid the stressful situation as much as possible in order to keep the parking-lot-rage at a minimum and vehicle safety a priority.

Leave earlier. Pay attention.

Stay calm.

The university and campus police should also be held more accountable for the current vehicle situation on campus. So far this semester, they have not done an adequate job of communicating with faculty and students about the changes to parking lots and traffic routes that have changed since last year. They have also not done a very good job of ticketing students who are illegally parked or making up spots on their own. That’s unacceptable.

If students are not getting in trouble for parking incorrectly,

then they will continue to do so. We feel that the university as a whole has had little to no reaction at all to accommodate the number of students driving and parking on campus this year.

While this will probably not get fixed anytime soon with the current construction happening on c a m pus, we urge students to better prepare in the m o r n ings, stay off their phones and be aware when driving.

A n d though no one wants a parking or driving ticket on campus, Campus PD should spend more time ticketing wreckless driving and illegal parking. Perhaps having to pay money for driving irresponsibly will yield a safer campus.

IZZY SNEED/Island Waves

News 3

09.29.2016

Wind energy growth produces benefits AUSTIN REED Contributing Writer

I

nventors and businesspersons like CEO and inventor at Be-Wind, Michael Berdan, look to bring the advantages of wind energy to homeowners in the form of smaller wind turbines.

Wind power, a competitive form of renewable energy, continues to surge through the Coastal Bend and the Port of Corpus Christi. Since taking the challenge to develop a smaller wind turbine, Be-Wind has become a niche in the industry, competing mostly with solar power.

“The challenge we were actually focused on was to bring this urban technology so that it would meet the requirements of home owners,” Berdan said.

“That was a major goal of ours.”

Aspiring to be the unity port of the Americas, the Port of Corpus Christi imports and exports vast amounts of energy cargo, conventional and renewable.

The vital location of Texas between the Great Plains and the Gulf of Mexico allows the Port of Corpus Christi to connect states rich with wind resource, stringing together the necessary infrastructure for the growing wind energy industry.

Recently renewed produc-

tion tax credits reduce the risk developers undertake in pursuing wind-farming projects.

This will increase wind cargo from three percent of port revenues last year to a hopeful five percent next year. While these breaks and increasing beneficial infrastructure of the port assist larger wind turbine projects, wind energy at home is boosted by the ingenuity of inventors. Berdan has created a much smaller wind turbine intended for homeowners.

Be-Wind operates internationally, providing units to locations in Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and is aspiring to provide the same service to locations in Asia and Canada. Be-Wind also plans to bring their affordable power systems to small towns and villages in remote locations.

“Our goal is to keep a very good product available not only here in the United States but obviously in countries that are struggling with extreme or remote power conditions,” Berdan said.

Be-Wind also has plans to introduce their product to the greater Corpus Christi area.

“We would like to definitely set up some pilot systems in the Corpus Christi area,” Berdan said. “And hopefully from

@jb4nay

T

he Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) located on the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus has been awarded a $3 million research grant to encourage students in poorly represented groups pursue scientific careers.

The grant was awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through Florida A&M University. The Director of the Office of Sponsored Research Administration Dr. Mayra Hough said the purpose of the grant is to educate a new generation of environmental scientists in NO-

AA-related sciences.

“The aim [of the grant] is more specifically towards underrepresented minorities,” Hough said. “These students will conduct ecological and socioeconomic research as well as helping develop tools for policy making in support of NOAA’s coastal community goals.”

HRI executive director Dr. Larry McKinney recognizes the need for more diverse representation in the scientific fields.

“NOAA recognizes that we must do more to attract underrepresented minority groups to the ocean sciences,” McKinney said.

The Corpus Christi CallerTimes reports the grant will fund research done by students

Island Waves News .com

Group fitness offers students fun workouts

Photo courtesy of GOOGLE.COM

Air flows through wind turbines to mechanically create power for electricity.

Wind power is an alternative to burning fossil fuels and uses little land.

there, set up a permanent sales and service office in the Corpus Christi area because it is such a great area for small wind.”

While Be-Wind addresses the issue of small scale wind energy, the Port of Corpus Christi continues to develop infrastructure to assist in the transportation of large wind turbines.

“We certainly have big investment plans,” said Jarl Pederson, Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Corpus Christi. “Deepening the ship channel and building other infrastructure projects, we think that’s where we should focus our efforts.”

The Port of Corpus Christi also implements the benefits of wind energy on their grid.

“The last contract we signed for electricity supply, we are being supplied 100% by renewable energy in the Port,” Pederson said. “When we use electricity here, it is all 100% renewable.”

For more information on the Port of Corpus Christi’s wind energy programs, contact Maggie Iglesias-Turner, wind energy & project cargo manager at the Port of Corpus Christi.

For more information on BeWind and Be-Wind turbines, visit be-wind.com.

both through the research institute and the College of Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Additionally, travel for both field research and scientific conferences will be covered by the grant for both graduate and undergraduate students.

The Harte Research Institute was originally created in 2000 by a $46 million endowment by the late Ed Harte for the purpose of ensuring the Gulf of Mexico is ecologically and economically sustainable. The HRI is a national leader in the protection it provides to the gulf, the ninth-largest body of water in the world.

The goals of the HRI are conservation, research and inno-

vation through public policy.

According to their official website, their mission is to provide “science driven solutions to Gulf of Mexico problems”.

HRI has done research in the field of biodiversity conservation, ecosystems, fisheries, ocean health, geospatial sciences, socioeconomics and many other fields. They offer educational workshops, conferences, panels, seminars, and more for those interested in doing their part to help out their local marine ecosystem.

More information on what the Harte Research Institute stands for and their goals can be found on their website, http://harteresearchinstitute. org/.

Research grant aims to improve scientific diversity

JONATHAN FORNEY

O N L I N E

The Fitness and Wellness Program, an organization within Recreational Sports, offers a diverse range of group exercise classes providing Islanders with different ways and aspects to conduct workouts.

Someone can tighten up the glutes with pilates, mellow down with yoga, challenge endurance with cycling, athletic conditioning or core. Students can even salsa it up with Zumba, plus plenty more. The Group Fitness organization has got you covered. Along with the classes comes certified, dedicated mentors who all possess a strong motive to impact and influence Islanders regardless of the level an individual may be with health and fitness. Read more on islandwavesnews.com.

Island Waves’ ‘The RipTide’ Kicks off with video recaps Formally known as ‘Trending News Waves’, Island Waves’ video recap series received a make over, transforming it into ‘The RipTide’.

The RipTide has produced video recaps. A new one which covers stories that will launch the day the issue hits stands. this issue. Join in on YouTube with our on-air talent, Jeffrey Thomas.

ON THE COVER:

Photo from ISLAND WAVES ARCHIVE

4 News

09.29.2016

Library shapes better learning environment GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons

T

he Mary and Jeff Bell Library located at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has made some changes this year that are supposed to better help students in the library.

“I like how the library is for a big group

setting,” said Megan Hanes, sophomore education major. “You can study with all of your friends.”

Hanes said the tables are one of her favorite part about the new changes that they have made to the library.

“I really like the new tables,” she said.

“I like all of the different shapes and how you can put them together differently.”

Students study in a group setting at the Mary Jeff Bell Library.

The library also changed some of its study rooms as well. In the past students were required to have a certain number of people in order to use a study room.

Now students are able to use a study room and it does not matter if they are alone or if they are with a large group of people.

Ariana Garcia, junior education major, who works at the library said most of the students who come to the library have been enjoying some of the new changes the library has implemented. She said the feedback has been going good so far.

“Some of the changes we have now are we have a lot of new furniture and it is

CAREER CORNER GERI LEMMONS/ Island Waves

a lot more modern and a lot of students like it,” Garcia said.

Garcia also said, one of her favorite parts, as someone who works there, is the study rooms. She said the before only four people could use it and now they can go from one to 11 people with the way they have changed up some of the rooms.

“In general I think it helps the students out because it accommodates to whatever they need,” Garcia said.

The library has made these changes in order to make the place not only look more modern but also to make studying experiences for students much easier.

Wearing funny hat matters in college

Your working hours may be spent stocking shelves, answering phones or wearing a funny hat while reminding parents not to let their children climb on the top railing of the piranha tank.

You may put in long hours, long days and long weeks wondering if what you are doing is getting you any closer to your future career. Here’s a little known secret, just between us: It is.

The staff at Career Services work daily with students to develop and fine-tune their professional marketing documents like resumes and cover letters. Students often undersell themselves when they put pen to paper in resume and cover letter writing.

Sometimes when a work-related experience or responsibility doesn’t seem significant, it’s easy to assume that it isn’t. This thinking leads to skipping over details on your resume or excluding it altogether. But whether a job entails handing out flyers for your cousin’s new venture, or designing a rocket for NASA, it matters to employers.

While employers are concerned with the specific types of experiences an applicant has, the transferable skills represented on a resume are oftentimes of equal importance.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Job Outlook 2016, employers seek candidates with experiences that exemplify attributes of leadership, ability

to work in a team, verbal and written communication skills, problem-solving—the list goes on. These skills are versatile, and often make up the building blocks of a great employee. What all of these skills have in common is that none of them are specific to an industry or field, and can be developed in virtually any job.

If you’ve successfully implemented a new filing system, you’ve utilized skills in organization and attention to detail. If you’ve refolded the same shirt over and over after customers carelessly toss it aside, you’ve built skills in perseverance, working under pressure and maintaining an orderly work environment. A task that seems trivial to you may be a sought-after skill to an employer.

The next time you’re perusing profiles on LinkedIn, and you lay eyes on that dream job at that dream company, filled by someone in a pressed suit with not a hair out of place, it’s important to remember that their career started somewhere. They probably wore one funny hat, and asked 1,000 sticky-fingered children to “please get down railing of the piranha tank” before getting where they are. Each job you have lays the foundation that you’ll build upon as a professional. Brick by brick, job by job, you construct the skills that make your career.

News 5

09.29.2016

TAMUCC presents Banned Books Week MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @__melisssaaaa

T

exas A&M University-Corpus Christi will be hosting banned books week from Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 in order to raise awareness about censorship and the effect it has on banned literature.

This week-long event will be held at the Mary and Jeff Bell Library, and will be open to everyone during all library hours. They will be hosting an open house for this event on Thursday Sept.

29 from 1-4 p.m. where there will be displays set up and contests going on to win several different prizes.

“Banned books week is an ALA function, [it’s] nationwide,” said Patricia Hernandez, TAMUCC library associate II and marketing committee chair. “So libraries everywhere are encouraged to celebrate during this week.”

The Island library will be directed at bringing attention to the concept of censorship and the banning of many different books. There will be different displays set up throughout the library in part of this week-long celebration, and displays such as “Book in a Jar”,

where shredded pages of banned books can be drawn and the person who draws it can guess what book it is in order for a chance to win a prize. “[We’re] exposing students to the fact that this is not something that happened ages ago, it is still going on,” Hernandez said.

There will be discussion boards set up with questions, such as “what are your thoughts on censorship,” in order to further understand how students themselves feel about the fact that books are still being banned.

“The overall theme of this week will be diversity, in particular diversity in comic book and graphic novels,” Hernandez said.

In addition to the long list of banned books, the library will also have a focus on comics and graphic novels, which they will do so through contests such as cosplay where people can dress in costumes and get a picture taken which will later be voted on for a winner who will get the chance at winning a prize.

Students at the Island have already begun talking about this event and the idea of banning books.

Banned book character Indiana Jones browses the library’s shelves for a book to read.

“I don’t find it to be too right [banning books],” freshman English major Carly Deisseroth said. “Books are only a form of knowledge, the more you read is the more knowledge you can gain.”

Hernandez also said the goal for this event is to start discussion on censorship and what people should be al-

lowed to censor, if at all. Therefore, students, such as Deisseroth, will be in for an informative week during this celebration of banned books.

For more information about the event, contact the library on their website at http://tamucc.libguides.com/ OpenHouse2016.

Photos from ISLAND WAVES ARCHIVES

“Harry Potter” characters add a little more magic to the Banned Books Week celebration.

Stephen King’s “Carrie” was banned due to references to violence and underage sex, swearing, and its controversial treatment of religion.

“Gone with the Wind’s” protagonist Scarlett O’Hara poses for a quick picture as she visits the library to check out Banned Books Week.

6 Entertainment

09.29.2016

University Center, Student Activities hosts party

Local band N’Rumba performs live music for students at the Hispanic Heritage kick-off party.

Students grab free food offered by Dining Services, which include chips and salsa, tacos, beans and churros.

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Photos by MARIAH OLIVE/Island Waves

Students grab some of the free food the ICA was able to provide through the dining services.

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09.29.2016

Entertainment 7

to kick off Hispanic Hertiage Month

All of Hispanic descent (from left to right) Amanda Alvarez, Angelica Santillan, and Samuel Ramos enjoy the food. They are excited for the events to come this month.

Flour Bluff Hornets join TAMUCC Islanders to bring in Hispanic Heritage Month. The students were bussed to the campus to experience the culture for their classes.

8 Entertainment

09.29.2016

Scoggins interprets Americanism though art GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons

O

n Sept. 16, Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi’s Weil Gallery hosted Americanism, an opportunity for students to see the work of artist Michael Scoggins and listen to his lecture.

The Americanism lecture allowed students to hear Scoggins talk about some of the different art he has created, including what some of the pieces actually mean to some of the underlining tones that he puts into what he creates. The exhibit is showcased in the Weil Gallery until Oct. 18 and is open to all students.

“It was interesting putting it into the context of how the imagery comes together,” said Javie Flores, third-year graduate student. “And why he chooses the pieces he does.”

Flores said he learned quite a bit from the lecture, and that it was very insightful to listen to.

“It’s always insightful to get other artist perspective,” Flores said. “And see how they attack the form elements of art as well as the theoretical aspects.”

After the lecture was over students went to see Scoggins’ work displayed in the gallery. People walked around and discussed the art with others. It was also an opportunity for students to talk to the artist himself. Refreshments were provided outside the gallery room as well.

Some of the pieces displayed resembled big note book paper. That note book paper look was actually hand drawn by Scoggins himself. He makes them and uses them to make different art pieces.

Something over and over, like a student that is in trouble in class to crumbling up many different pieces of paper and making a pile on the floor, which looks like a giant version of something that could be sitting in a class room.

Scoggins said he thought the lecture went really well and he likes to have a lot of fun and energy with lectures. He likes some discussion involved and he wants to make sure they don’t get dry.

“I have enjoyed the studio visits with the graduate painters and the graduate students,” Scoggins said. “I like this interaction and the energy that they are

giving me and I like this conversation that happens and it is a really nice vibe.

Hopefully it will spark new ideas and thoughts.”

When it came to giving advice to students who would wanted to follow in his footsteps, he wanted them to know creating art is hard work.

“As far as art and creating art, I think that perseverance is really important, you have to show up, you have to show up every day,” Scoggins said. “You have to work really hard, and really maintain a steady focus. I think the saying is, ‘Showing up is 90 percent of it,’ and that is so true.”

Viewers of the show admire Scoggins’ works of art.

MARIAH OLIVE/Island Waves

10 Entertainment

09.22.2016

Bailando festival set for Sept. 29 MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @_melisssaaaa

T

he annual Bailando Dance Festival is back celebrating its 17th year here at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.

The Bailando Dance Festival is a three-day event that has been carried out every year since 2000. This Corpus Christi tradition began as a two-day festival hosted at the Cole Park Amphitheatre. Since then it has relocated to the Performing Arts Center and Dugan Wellness Center, and the founders Jilissa Cotton and Nancy Sulik are now currently working and hosting this event with the School of Arts, Media and Communications at the Island.

“We’re in our 17th year and it is a three-day event where choreographers can showcase their work and have it critiqued by a panel of experts in our field of dance,” said Cotten, assistant professor of dance at the Island.

The event will consist of two days of master classes in which professional choreographers and dancers will help teach those who attend how to execute many different styles of dance.

“We offer classes in everything from classical ballet, jazz, modern hip hop, fierce femme hip hop and classes in ethnic dance (salsa, belly dance, swing, etc.),” Cotten said.

These master classes will be free to all, and there is no need to be enrolled in a dance class on campus. There will be, however, a fee for the concert. It will be $12 general admission, $7 students, and $5 Islander students who present their Sand Dollar ID. Tickets can be bought online or at the

box office one hour before the event starting at 6:30 p.m. The location for the professional performances of the festival will take place at the Performing Arts Center and the master classes will be taught inside the Dugan Wellness Center and Island Hall.

“I think it would be exciting to do,” said Hannah Nguyen-Cao, freshman allied health major. “I mean I would do it even though I’m [not the best] dancer.”

Many Islanders are already talking about it.

“I’m excited to see what these [professionals] will teach me,” Nguyen-Cao said.

Cotton said this year’s festival will feature something different than years past.

“One of the new things that we’re doing this year is, because we have this company from Costa Rica, we are doing a kind of exchange program,” Cotten said.

Two-week residency program with the Danza Universitaria-Costa Rica, the Costa Rican dance group will spend a week in Corpus Christi teaching and doing some outreach with some of the costal bend community schools, some classes at TAMUCC. There will also be other professional performers coming to the festival include Deum Dance Co.-Houston, NobleMotion-Houston, Florida free-lance ballerina and Katia Garza.

On that Saturday evening, individuals will presen their celebration gala performance, where the best pieces will be performed again.

For more information about the Bailando Dance Festival or to buy tickets, check out ccbailando.com.

Dancers from the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet perform a piece entitled “Evocations.”

Dancers perform an intense piece called the “Passing Storm.”

ARCHIVES /Island Waves

ARCHIVES /Island Waves

Sports 11

09.29.2016

Lone senior leads golf team into her final season JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay

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na Paredes, marketing major, has never missed a tournament going into her fourth and final season for the Islanders’ golf team.

Paredes is the only senior on the 20162017 roster, but this is nothing new for the San Antonio native.

“I’ve been the only person in my year since I was a freshman, so it doesn’t feel any different,” Paredes said.

New territory or not, Paredes still wants to leave her mark on and off the course. She already put her name into the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi record books when she put in the second hole-in-one in school history during her junior season.

“I still want to play well in my senior season and get good grades,” Paredes said. “I’m having a lot more for this season. My approach to golf is different now and I’m having a lot more fun with it.”

The individual nature of golf plays a significant role in why Paredes feels no added pressure going into her senior season.

“We’re for sure a team, but we only really see each other, maybe, once on the golf course,” Paredes said. “At the end of it all, we come back together and regroup.”

Paredes’ coach, Carol Blackmar, echoed the sentiment.

“Coming out of the off-season, I’m ready to see what the team brought to the table.” Blackmar said.

When preparing for upcoming tournaments, Paredes doesn’t try to reinvent

the wheel.

“The night before tournaments, I try to replay the course in my head,” Parades said. “A lot of visualization, mostly. Golf is really superstitious, but I’m not superstitious.”

Paredes and company recently returned from the Hobble Creek Fall Classic in Utah and the opportunity gave the senior a good gauge of her team for the year.

“I feel pretty confident about the season,” Blackmar said. “I think we have a really consistent team this year. I think

Senior Ana Paredes

Paredes looks on after taking her shot during the Hobble Creek Fall Classic tournament.

it’s going to be a really good year.”

Golf has been a constant part of Paredes’ life and upbringing. She has been playing for more than 10 years and can’t imagine her life without the sport.

“My dad plays golf, so there wasn’t really a choice,” Paredes said. “I’ve always been around golf, but I really like it.”

Once she hangs up her polo for good, Paredes wants to get a job, but also sees graduate school in her future. She plans to work for a few years and then continue her education. Paredes made the academic honor roll for the Spring 2016

Photos courtesy of GOISLANDERS.COM

12 Sports

09.29.2016

Islanders defend home court against Bobcats JAMIE FINK @JK_Fink

T

he Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islanders’ volleyball team picked up their first ever win against Texas State Thursday night. A&M-CC dug their way out of a one set to none deficit to defeat the Bobcats in a five set thriller in front of a roaring home crowd

in the Dugan Wellness Center.

“It was a really good mental effort,” head coach Steve Greene said. “Physically both teams were battling, a lot of substitutions back and forth and they are a well-coached team. It’s a mental battle to play against a team that is well coached.”

The Islanders defense carried the teams through the five sets as Morgan

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Williams and Madison Fitzsimmons combined for 14 blocks out of the teams total 16 blocks that rejected the Bobcats attack.

Two Islanders continued their offensive dominance for the Islanders as Brittany Gilpin and Mallory Moran combined for 28 kills Thursday night.

Gilpin’s 15 kills gave her an eighth consecutive match with 10-plus kills.

“16 blocks is a huge number and seven is a great number for me,” said Madison Fitzsimmons. “A block is always a huge point.”

The home-crowd, which is continuing to top the rankings for Southland universities, was back at it at the Dugan as they help the Islanders keep pressure on the Bobcats, even when momentum was shifting back toward Texas State.

The Islanders will close out their non-conference schedule on the road in Houston, taking part in the Rice Adidas Invitational Friday at 11 a.m. The Islanders will compete against Houston, Rice and Yale, who they are a combined 1-5 against all time.

ISLAND WAVES ARCHIVES