CABfest rocks campus
WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES page 6
Campus Activities Board hosts the Islander Music Festival
Big Event makes big impact by AMBER QUAID managing editor
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photo by STERLEN KEMP
Jake Ward and the Coastriders preformed a set at the 2015 Islander Music Festival.
by STERLEN KEMP news reporter
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he Campus Activities Board, also known as CAB, hosted its Islander Musical Festival on Feb. 31 in the newly opened University Center Anchor Ballroom. The night was filled with fun, food, social activities and live-music from bands from near and far. The Islander Music Festival or CABfest is a free event that brings in performers from the Corpus Christi area, as well as national musical artists. The CABfest has remained one of the Campus Activities Board’s biggest events of the semester. “The Islander Music Festival is one
of CAB’s traditional events hosted each year along with other events like Diversability, Fall Carnival, Battle of the Bands and Islanderino,” said Jamie Bluntzer, the personnel coordinator for Campus Activities Board and a senior political science major. “This year’s event turned out several hundred students, despite having to be moved indoors.” This year’s performances included Jake Ward, a Texas country musician, and The Coast Riders, who are from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and who recently won the People’s Choice award from last year’s Battle of the Bands which was hosted by CAB. The CABfest also brought in artists
from across the country and from international areas. The Icarus Account, an up-and-coming acoustic band from Florida, also performed with its Indie and Pop vibe consisting of twin brother Ty and Trey Turner. Another national and international act of the night included Two Worlds, a pop duo who covers acoustic versions of popular songs of the day on their YouTube channel named Two Worlds Music. Cover Drive is a band from Barbados who gained great success in the United States and became an opener for Rihanna’s Loud Tour, were also in attendance. see CABfest on page 6
Debate over campus carry laws continues
Islanders discuss possible implications of Bill 11
by LUIS ENRIQUE GOMEZ advertising assistant
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exas A&M University-Corpus Christi Police Chief Alan Gutierrez says his department can address any threat on campus, but some faculty have concerns about students bringing guns to school if Senate Bill 11 becomes law. If Senate Bill 11 becomes a law, it will allow concealed handgun license holders that are 21 and over, in the military, or a veteran, to bring their guns to all land and buildings owned or leased by a private or independent
institution of higher education. “It makes me very nervous. I don’t understand why the academic environment would need to be a place where people would need to carry. I often think of this as a very safe environment” said Dr. Stephanie Rollie Rodriguez, assistant professor department of communication and media. Gutierrez said his department can handle any shooting crisis within the A&M University system. Some students have formed organizations that advocate for campus carry and some at the University are
he Texas A&M System has been part of a tradition, The Big Event, which provides volunteers to help non-profits and residents of their community. Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi has been part of this tradition since 2009, marking its seventh anniversary this year. This event was hosted by the Student Volunteer Connection (SVC) on Mar. 28 and reached one of their highest volunteer numbers. “Through service-oriented activities, The BIG Event promotes campus and community unity,” according to the current Big Event mission statement, “as the campus community come together for one day to express their gratitude for the support of the surrounding community.” The event is not based on numbers, but on the impact between volunteers and the community. The event had 830 volunteers sign up and about 400 show up to the event, which is twice as many as last year. The volunteers were made up of faculty, students and staff, including Dr. Jeff Dillard, assistant professor for the political science department. “It doesn’t matter your income,” said Liliana Perez-Basilio, Big Event Coordinator and SVC Officer. “We help out everybody.” see BIG EVENT on page 4
planning to bring their guns to campus once it becomes a law. Senate Bill 11 has some at the Island University worried. Students have been responsible for the majority of deadly campus shootings. According to the Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 11 gives “private” institutions of higher education the option to ban guns and does not include carrying at preschools, elementary or secondary schools. It also includes clauses that will protect institutions and specific people from liability.
INDEX OPINION 2 | NEWS 3-4 CAMPUS 5-6 ENTERTAINMENT 7-9 | SPORTS 10-11 | ADS 12
see GUNS on page 4
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 11
2
opinion
ISLAND WAVES
a student publication of
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
island waves staff CONNER TICHOTA editor-in-chief
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AMBER QUAID
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LUIS GOMEZ
advertising assistant
THI NGUYEN
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features reporter
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entertainment reporter
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04.09.2015
A&M-CC’s dollars too precious for this by THOMAS H. KRENECK
previously published in Corpus Christi Caller Times
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o one wants Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to succeed more than I do. During my twenty-two years as a professional in its library I gave personal time, materials, and, when I could, money to help it progress. My supervisors always claimed that funds were scarce. After retiring in 2012, I considered how to remain a donor once I settled in my new home. However, I became aware of a glaring example of excessive spending which made me question whether the school needs or merits any money or items that I could contribute. In fiscal year 2014, the current A&M-CC administration committed a whopping $83,000 to hire an out-of-state firm to conduct a search for the new library director, an activity which during my two decades there we had done ourselves. Traditionally, A&M-CC hired search firms to locate only upper level administrators such as the president or a senior vice president. Like similar universities, to hire a library director our school appointed a committee of its own employees to find suitable candidates. We sent advertisements to professional journals such as the Chronicle of Higher Education. Our committee reviewed the applications which came in from across the nation. The best hopefuls were brought for
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interviews and an offer was made to the top choice. I either participated in or closely observed four library director searches. Our process produced capable candidates at a fraction of $83,000. One of our recruits is now the library director at Texas A&M University in College Station. With the position again vacant at A&M-CC in 2013, word reached me that the university administration had decided to hire a search firm. I knew that somehow in this buyer’s market, the administration had already conducted a failed search. Granted, the current administration had downgraded the status of the library director on the university organization chart. But the new director would
supervise approximately six professional librarians, about the same number as when I first came there in 1990. How difficult could it be to fill the position? Other colleagues told me that involving a search firm would cost about $40,000, which I thought extravagant. Out of concern, I used the Texas Public Information Act to check for myself. The documents the university sent revealed a total of $83,000 - - more than twice what I had thought. This expenditure was approved by the top university administrators, including the president, the provost, the vice president for finance, and an associate vice president. I wrote the administration and asked them to let me know if this amount was in error. They did not respond.
Little wonder that local people join taxpayer associations. As a multigeneration Texas taxpayer I was further chagrined that our public money went to an outof-state firm. Perhaps $83,000 is a small amount to the A&M-CC administration. Maybe they are flush with cash. But these are times of dire economic need in education. Such highfive-figure sums mount up. We have a parsimonious state legislature. Average A&M-CC students rightly complain about their rising tuition and fees. The administration constantly solicits money, yet is ready to shovel big bucks to an outsider search firm for something it should be doing itself. Truly, I am glad the university finally hired a new library director in 2014. But if A&MCC allocated $83,000 to fill this position, which is a fourthtier administrator, how is it spending our money in areas about which we are not aware? One can hope that the A&M-CC administration shows better judgment than in this case for the future of our university and the South Texas community it serves. ----------------------------------Thomas H. Kreneck served as head of Special Collections & Archives at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi from 1990 until 2012, and was the university’s Joe B. Frantz Lecturer in Public History. He now is a resident of his native Karnes County.
Racial vandalism impacting campus housing by J’ORDON DUNCAN letter to the editor
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hen an apartment is rented it is assumed that the place will be safe to live. There are many apartments around the Corpus Christ area in which students live. Among those is Island Village where an African American student fell victim to her room being broken into, with racial slurs and threats written on her wall, and having her furniture over turned upon returning from spring break. This comes at no surprise because this is not the first time that there has been a break in at Islander Village. This is just the first one that caught the eye of the public. After this unfortunate event occurred, Islander Village assistant manager Aurora Stegall sent a notice out to all the residents addressing the matter stating that, “we do not tolerate any behavior that
negatively impacts our resides and affects our community.” The management team believes that “because this incident was not a random act (it was specifically focused on one individual), the police do not believe there is any danger being posed to others in the community” Stegall states in the notice. Students should not take lightly to this matter. In fact, it would not be out of the ordinary if students did not renew their lease in the aftermath of this catastrophe. But not every resident feels this way. Current resident Jorge Fonseca says “I don’t really feel affected by it, since the break-in seems targeted to the victim. I do feel less safe, and doubt the security of the apartment complex as a whole. This could be a breaking point of student housing. Students need to know that they are safe and that the management team of the
apartment complex has their back. Fonseca also states that, “the management seems to only be sending preemptive solutions” to the residents while providing examples of locking their doors. As if that is the only way a break-in could occur. This is not to say that breakins are a usual occurrence at Islander Village, because that is far from the case, but it does not go without saying that there is definitely something shady going on. It would not be unheard of to doubt the unique matching system and background check that every tenant is subjected to. Considering this event was the result of a students doing. Which at this time is still unknown. Events such as these can be avoided with the help of a better security and surveillance on the property. Students need to know the leasing team has their back.
As for most of the students, this is the first time living on their own and safety is a key. If students do not feel safe, there is no point in providing a student living environment. This event has not only damaged the reputation of Islander Village, but has bruised the ego of Texas A&M University- Corpus Christ as well as the City of Corpus Christi. This is an event that the students and the A&M Corpus Christi are taking seriously, and it will not be overlooked. Hearts are breaking for the trouble this young student experienced. Hope that whoever caused the pain she has experienced comes forth and owns up to the event they are responsible. As well as hoping that Islander Village has learned from this event. Those who experienced this earth-shattering event will be forever changed by the course of action that was inflicted this unfortunate day.
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opinion
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Loss of privacy: the good, the bad and the ugly GERI LEMMONS
features reporter
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n today’s day and age people take for granted privacy and how it can really help them and keep them safe. People use social media and other instruments to update the world about what they are doing and who they are doing it with so much that someone could figure out what they are doing every hour of the day if they wanted to. Some would wonder if this is either a good thing or something that needs to change in the amount we choose to share. With shows like catfish and other stories where people have trusted others with their most personal information and some of them find out that who they were talking to was either a completely different person or someone who wanted to hurt them in the end. Social media is supposed to bring people closer but it can also put unwanted information into the wrong person’s hand. With social media websites like Facebook and twitter people are allowed to update and talk about whatever they want to at any given time. Good or bad they tell so much information about how they feel; either about their unhappy time
at the grocery store or to how upset they are about how the president is running the country and everything in between. All of what they type is read by family and friends who they think have their best interest at heart, or by future employers, or even by people who get to know you for all the wrong reasons. People think that what they put on there cannot hurt them no matter how vulgar it is, but in reality, even if they set their settings to private, someone can still access the material and make it public without their knowledge. Social media is not a bad thing but it can be a destructive thing if people do not know when enough information is enough. Just by looking at someone’s Instagram or following them on snap chat someone can figure out what someone likes to do on their free time. They can figure out who they hang out with the most and maybe where they hang out the most based on the content. This is an issue that seems to only really be a problem with younger people some say. They say that people who are older, like parents, know about how important privacy is and know what it is like for it to be taken away; so they choose
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not to share as much as people in our generation do. Either people of our generation tend to be too trusting with personal information or they do not know what it feels like to not have any privacy, either way they share too much personal information. In the near future it is said that we will lose our privacy due to over sharing and people not knowing what they need to share and what they need to just keep private. But
this, in a way, can be a good thing because people can now figure out who a person really is and who they are as a person. It will help filter out people who are fake and are not telling the truth about who they are. It is also sad because it can give the opportunity for people to hurt others with information that got leaked out because of privacy settings that were not set or put into place.
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news
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
BIG EVENT continued from page 1
Volunteers from clubs and organizations such as: ROTC, Psi Chi, Omega Delta Phi, Team LBJ, Political science, Baptist Student Ministry, Student Veterans Organization, the Geology Club, the National Society for Leadership and Success and many more helped make an impact on the community this year. The event included lawn work, fixing of minor residential issues and helping out at local non-profits. Part of being a volunteer means that the captains had to go through a presentation on how to use the tools available before the group was allowed to participate in the event. “We’re limited on tools so we had to get the right tools to the right groups” Perez-Basilio said. “We had to make sure everything ran smoothly.” The event included 38 job sites and 12 residential sites this year. Students were connected with local non- profits such as: Corpus Christi Police Athletic League-Winnebago and Buford, Dress for Success Corpus Christi, Habitat for Humanity - Corpus Christi, Padre Soccer Club, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, North Beach Cleanup, Charlie’s Place Recovery Center and many more. There were 24 non-profits in total that participated this year. Each job site or non-profit had to fill out a request form and meet certain requirements before they were approved for the Big Event. The job sites were limited due to the number of volunteers. “The Big Event is mutually beneficial for anyone who lives in the City of Corpus Christi,” said Jennifer Hoang, graduate assistant of SVC. “I see it as a circular effect, where campus volunteers help the community, which they later help the university, and back around again.” The SVC reached out to the community via flyers and direct GUNS continued from page 1 Institutions can adopt rules regarding storage and prohibit guns in areas such as medical facilities, etc., but they cannot prohibit a person with a concealed handgun license to carry on campus. Anyone with a concealed handgun license will be allowed to carry a gun on their person in areas such as classrooms, parking lots, dorms, cafeterias and off campus properties. An article by Ryan McCrimmon of the Texas Tribune, quotes Texas A&M University System chancellor John Sharp saying he is not concerned about campus carry, because he trusts staff and students. There are several organizations that have formed to advocate and lobby for campus carry laws. Texas A&M-College Station Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is a branch of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC). According to the A&M SCCC website, the group describes itself as an organization that has two objectives, “to dispel the myths and misconceptions about carry on campus... and to push state legislators and school administrators to grant concealed handgun license holders the same rights on campus.” Gutierrez said his department has jurisdiction over the Island university
Volunteers plant gardens for non-profits as part of the Big Event. 2015.
photo courtesy of SVC
to communication to find people and groups that need help. The SVC is a student organization that aims to get the university students actively involved and committed to community service.
Any student who is registered for 3 hours or more on campus can join the SVC. For more information about SVC go online to svc.tamucc.edu or contact them by phone at 825-2106. For more
information about the Big Event you can go to the main web page at bigevent.tamu.edu. “We invite you to upload your pictures on the TAMUCC SVC page,” Perez-Basilio said.
system. He said he cannot recall any incidents that have involved guns or weapons. “As a chief of police I feel comfortable with the staffing levels that we have to provide the service that our campus community deserves,” Gutierrez said. Gutierrez also said campus shootings across the country have influenced changes on how law enforcement handles active shooters on campuses. University police officers are now trained to engage the threat immediately, no longer relying on SWAT. Gutierrez said his department has the equipment and the support of other entities to address any threat or event that might occur. He did not confirm if officers wear body armor or specify what type of weaponry they have. The Safety Officers conduct table topic exercises for the campus community such as, hurricane preparedness drills and emergency scenarios, Gutierrez said. UPD has a system for crisis management known as Combined Operation and Planning System (COPS). It was created by Islander students at the Innovation in Computing Research Lab (ICORE) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Gutierrez did not comment on the topic of campus carry. He said the topic would be addressed once it becomes law. Some people at the Island University are leery about Senate Bill 11 and some plan to pack a piece to campus once it becomes law. Rodriguez said that as soon as some people have guns and some do not, it creates a system of inequality. She said that when everyone has equal opportunity to tools at their disposal, it creates an environment where no one has to worry about what another person might or might not do. “I just want to come to school and teach and learn,” she said. She has never thought of owning a gun, but the possibility that Senate Bill 11 will become a law has forced her to consider the thought. “These are young people without a lot of life experience and it is scary,” Ron Carlson who teaches mechanical engineering classes in the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Engineering department said. “That is my opinion on it. They don’t always make the best decisions... university life can be fun and it can also be stressful.” Alexandria Simmons, a theater major who is also certifying to write for non-profits expressed her opinion
on the topic. “You can never really gage the mental stage of an individual,” Simmons said. “A professor should have the opportunity to say, ‘In my classroom, I do not want that.’” She said that a gun in the classroom is not going to make her feel safe. Christina Brooks, a senior psychology major with a technical writing minor, served four years in active duty in the Army as an interrogator and three and a half years in the reserve. She is now in inactive reserve with the military. She thinks Senate Bill 11 is a great idea. Brooks is the vice-president of the Student Veterans Organization and said that with their military training they are better prepared to carry on campus. She said her only concerns are that stricter laws for obtaining a concealed handgun license should be implemented and that those who obtain a concealed handgun license should get proper training. Miranda Nason a kinesiology major also supported the bill. “It has been proven that places that are the safest are the ones that have concealed handgun carry licenses, like Arizona,” Nason said. Senate Bill 11 is headed to the house and could become a law Fall 2015.
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campus
04.09.2015
Gain better communication skills at
ISLAND WAVES
Crawfish was served at the Young life event.
by STERLEN KEMP news reporter
T
he Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi Department of Communication and Media will host the Spring 2015 COMM Week on April 7-9. The COMM Week events will be filled with a variety of discussions, workshops and panel talks, all as a way for students to gain insight into careers in the field of Communication and Media. These events will also help students with communication in their everyday lives. “COMM Week is an annual event hosted by the TAMU-CC Department of Communication and Media,” said Kellie Smith, assistant professor in the department of communication and media and also the chair of the COMM Week committee. “During this week, we will highlight how effective communication skills contribute to success in our personal and professional lives.” The week will kickoff on Tuesday, April 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. with Career Night, which will be located in Bay Hall 103. The event will start with feature discussions on topics hosted by faculty from the department of Communication and Media at the Island University. The discussion topics will include Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace given by Dr. Diana Ivy, Workplace Assimilation by Dr. Michael Sollitto and Interviewing Techniques by Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez. Alumni from the department of Communication and Media will also host a panel discussion that day to cover their personal experiences, tips and tools to help attendees on how to have effective communication in the workplace. On Wednesday, April 8, the department of Communication and Media is inviting special guest speaker, John-Thomas Kobos, who is one of the local morning news anchors in Corpus Christi and can be seen on KIII-TV. His speech will begin at 11 a.m. in Warren Theater. The event is free and open to all Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College students. Keynote speaker, Dr. Charles Conrad, from Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station will conclude COMM Week on April 9 at 7 p.m. in Bay Hall 104. Conrad specializes in organizational communication and the connection of communication within organizations regarding power, discourse and politics. His speech will focus on the topic of “Communication and Decision-
Making in Global Engineering Organizations.” The event is free and open to the public. COMM Week is not solely for students of the department of Communication and Media, but it can also be useful for students from all majors. The effective communication tools and skills learned can help those in any career setting. “I think COMM Week is important to really give students an opportunity to get a better look into the field of communication,” said Celest Encinia, a sophomore communication studies major. “It’s a great way for students to be surrounded by peers who are also hoping to learn.” According to Forbes magazine, one of the top ten skills employers are seeking from 2015 graduates and beyond is the ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside of an organization. Communication is a major part of any business or organization. Those in positions of leadership will spend generally six hours of their eighthour workday communicating to their employees via face-to-face or through technologically mediated communication. COMM Week is a great opportunity for those in the major of communication and media, as well as those in other majors like business, engineering and the sciences to gain relevant and useful information on how to make their communication skills more effective. The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Career Services will be available for students on April 7 in Bay Hall at 6 p.m. for students who would like advice and consultation on their individual resumes.
Morning New Anchor from KIII-TV, John-Thomas Kobos will be one of the guest speakers on April 8 at 11 A.M. in the Warren Theater. photo courtesy of facebook.com/tamucc.commweek
Students attended at the crawfish boil event.
Young life hosts photo by GERI LEMMONS
Crawfish boil by GERI LEMMONS features reporter
O
n March 28 Young Life boiled up some crawfish boil to entice students to find out what Young Life is all about. Young life is a Christian ministry on campus. At this event there was lots of food and tons of people to talk to. This event was held to raise awareness of the organization and to possibly get some new people to attend fellowship with them on Wednesday nights. “The purpose of Young Life is it is a Christian ministry and it is outreach, and so we just want to show and concentrate on who Jesus is and how good he can be through the way that we live and this community,” said Julia Mason, a Young Life leader. “It is really fun.” Joel Mason, another Young Life leader, said he likes that Young Life’s goal is to create a welcoming environment where regardless of what students believe, they can still feel comfortable around the Young Life crowd. “Yes we are a Christian organization, but you are still going to be comfortable,” he said. “We have a weekly event Wednesday nights and Young life calls that club and it is kind of a party with a purpose. It is a lot of fun and at the end we have a 1015 minute talk about the gospel and who Jesus is. Mason said Young Life members thought it would be a good idea to have events like this once a month that are nothing but fun so people are
more attracted to coming and would then be more inclined to come on Wednesday nights.” At this event there was no shortage of food and fun activities. The crowd played football, volleyball and Frisbee. Other people walked around and talked to some of the students and leaders involved with the organization. The environment was friendly and welcoming. Before they started eating they even prayed together. Every one of the students who was associated with the organization talked about how great Young Life was, what Wednesday night meetings are like and how everyone is welcome. Every month Young Life hosts an event to help get the word out about this organization and to get more and more people out to see what they are all about. From events like a roller-skating party, volleyball and karaoke, this is one of the many open gatherings Young Life does each month. These events are open to everyone, whether they want to get involved with Young Life, just find out what they are about, or just to socialize with other students while doing something entertaining. There was plenty of great crawfish to enjoy and it seemed like after one batch was gone, another very good batch was coming or it was on the next table. It felt like there were so many friendly people there to help welcome others to the organization and how they like to have fun. Getting to know people was the goal of the whole event, it was also a time to eat some crawfish and have some fun.
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campus
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Surprising steps toward ending sexual and domestic violence by JESSE DELEON graduate adviser
The serious nature of domestic violence and sexual assault is unwavering, but the fact that Walk a Mile in Her Shoes literally places men
in women’s red high heel shoes with the challenge of walking an entire mile. The spectacle offers participants and spectators a highly symbolic and visual image of what the entire event is all about. Seeing men struggling to keep their balance dramatically reverses the change in perspectives, as the walk is typically filled with stumbles and trips that eventually lead to a collection of cuts and scrapes. Yet these minor injuries only hint at the hurt that runs much deeper. “Our goal is to not only educate our campus community but to also educate the community at large,” said Walker. “Significantly, these problems are not only faced by Corpus Christi, but also by the entire nation, and we hope that this event is able to widen that perspective in a very thought provoking way.” The number of individuals and families that are affected by sexual assault and domestic violence on a daily basis remains a staggering one, a fact underscored by the fact that Walk a Mile In Her Shoes is Held in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. That is why the organizers of this event hope that open communication, effective use of counseling services and other resources can lead to happier, more fulfilling lives free from the darkness and fear of this kind of abuse. Walk a Mile In Her Shoes does open a difficult dialog and offers various groups and organizations a way to get involved to affect change, but the event’s most overreaching and significant purpose is very obvious to Walker. “We want individuals to know that they do not have to be a bystander,” she said. “If they are a victim or know of a person that is a victim of rape, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence or stalking, there are many options that lead to getting the help that is needed.”
CABfest continued from page 1 “I did enjoy the music festival,” Omar Alaniz, sophomore kinesiology major, said. “More events like this would be great on campus. My favorite band was the very first one that preformed [The Icarus Account].” CABfest was also an opportunity for various organizations to get involved and gain exposure to the students of the Island University. The African Student Organization hosted a booth that made decorative bowties for attendees. The Chemistry Club fascinated students by hosting a ping-pong cup game with solidified carbon dioxide turning straight into gas. The Campus Activities Board or CAB, is one of the biggest and most active organizations on campus. They lead programs every year around the university dedicated to making the A&M-Corpus Christi college experience a fun and safe place to
enjoy entertainment, games, and other campus activities. “The CAB team has many activities planned for the rest of the semester,” stated Bluntzer. “Life Size Board Games, Movie Night and Final Frenzy are some of the events for students to be on the look out for.” The Campus Activities Board is a great way for students, both new and old, to learn and develop leadership skills that can be used in the future. The organization is led by the Island university students who are dedicated to making the Island University a place of fun, community, acceptance and friendly. If anyone is interested in joining in on the fun and want to know more about what the Campus Activities Board has to offer, look them up on Facebook at Campus Activities Board TAMUCC or visit their website at cab. tamucc.edu.
I
t is something that happens all around, but few can actually tell who is affected by it. The number of times it happens in a typical month in Corpus Christi is alarming. And all too often, the victims and those directly affected by it try their hardest to make it go away by not acknowledging it at all. But unfortunately, this is something that cannot be politely ignored in the hopes that the number of occurrences will magically decrease and it will just all go away. Facing domestic violence and sexual assault is not easy, but when the community responds in a way that is both highly visible and intensely affecting, much can be learned by all involved. And that is what Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on April 14 in Garcia Plaza aims to accomplish. “We respond to between 300 and 400 domestic violence calls a month,” said Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson. “The number of calls is shocking, but so is the fact that it remains relatively consistent over time.” Those sobering numbers have moved Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi and the Women’s Shelter into action to not only bring much needed awareness to the problem, but to also offer a assistance to anyone affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. The sense of community that is fostered by an event like this is truly a salve on an often continuously painful wound, but connecting with people and organizations that can offer help is what really makes Walk a Mile in Her Shoes a step in the right direction. “Our hope is to generate awareness and encourage individuals to take a stand against violence against women, men of all ages,” said Angela Walker,
A poster for the Walk-a-Mile in her shoes event on April 14.
Associate Dean of Students. “I am proud to have this event on campus and to involve as many of our community constituents as possible.”
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ACHIEVE PARTNER
To learn more or become an Achieve Partner please visit achievepartnership.tamucc.edu
photo courtesy of coldwellbankerlite.com
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entertainment
04.09.2015
Buc Days festival rounds up a tradition
ISLAND WAVES
by JESSE DE LEON graduate adviser
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ageantry, competition and academic excellence are all a part of the Buc Days experience, which gets underway on April 23. The glamour of the search for this year’s Buc Days Queen, the fast-paced action of the annual rodeo and the several scholarships that are awarded to area students are just a few reasons why Buc Days is one of Corpus Christi’s most popular annual events. Buc Days was first presented by the inaugural Buc Days Commission in 1938. Originally, it was a three-day festival that celebrated the beginning of the summer season. Ever since then, it has added such popular attractions as a rodeo, a music festival, a barbeque competition, a carnival and an illuminated night parade. In addition to all of the fun and frivolity, Buc Days’ primary mission is to give back to the community by awarding deserving area students various scholarships. In addition to that element of academic excellence, the competition to find a new Buc Days queen affords several young
ladies the chance to not only vie for the crown, but to also win additional scholarship money. Obviously, education has always been a top priority to the organizers and leaders of this highly regarded local event. “We formed a partnership with Texas A&M University Corpus Christi in 1996,” said Barry Box, Executive Director of the Buccaneer Commission. “And the very first scholarships that we ever gave out were to the Island University.” But the classroom is not the only place where the competition gets heated. Buc Days is also known for its impressive rodeo which attracts riders, ropers and mutton-busters from all over the country. In fact, the PRCA Rodeo has the reputation for being “the Richest Little Rodeo in Texas” as it offers competitors a chance to walk away with some of the most lucrative winnings in the country. The big stakes are not the only reason why the rodeo gets so much rightful attention at Buc Days. It is also due to the fact that the heated competition is actually held within the relatively cool confines of the
American Bank Center arena. “Our exceptional team of employees comes together to transform the arena that usually features concerts into an authentic rodeo ground,” reveals Kristin Bily, marketing and media relations manager for the American Bank Center. “Everyone works quickly and efficiently to make it all happen.” Rodeo fans are kept on the edge of their seats as competitors of all ages participate in such popular events as mutton bustin’ and calf scrambles. But this year, there will be some very special cowboys ready to take on the action. “We’re doing a military night salute, as we always do, but this year opening night is going to be even more special,” Box said. “For military night, we will have competing teams from each of the five military branches.” The rodeo delivers more than its share of thrills and drama for spectators, but the action hardly stops at the American Bank Center’s arena. There is also an equally popular barbeque competition. More specifically, the Buc Days BBQ Challenge is one of the few
International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA)-sanctioned competitions in the state, offering guests a chance to sample some of the most mouth watering meat, sausage and brisket recipes ever to sit on a grill. Of course, it would not be a party without some great music and Buc Days offers no shortage of excellent tunes. Some of the most notable acts slated to appear over the course of the nearly month-long festival include David Trevino y Los Tremendos, Another Level and Latin Talk who are sure to keep revelers dancing across the dancefloor. And while the Buc Days pageant, the rodeo, barbeque and musical performances are all vital parts of the experience, staking ones place along the parade route for the Illuminated Night Parade is perhaps the festival’s most bittersweet moment. It is a dizzyingly ecstatic experience because it draws nearly everyone involved in the event together to be a part of the long and winding parade that careens through Buc Stadium and through downtown. But it also draws the entire celebration to a dramatic and highly memorable end.
8
entertainment
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Islander Dance Company performs at festival of the arts
Photo by GERI LEMMONS
Dance routine at the Festival of the Arts with a colonial theme.
by GERI LEMMONS features reporter
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One of the dancers during the Festival.
Photo by GERI LEMMONS
exas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Island Dance Company showed off their moves at this year’s annual Festival of the Arts. The festival was held to help promote the arts in everything from music, dance, art and even food. At this event lots of people came out to see what types of art Corpus Christi had to offer. Many dancers and singers came out to perform on the music stage. The Island Dance Company performed for a crowd of a bout 50 people during the festival. Rebekah Harris, freshman biomedical major, said the dancers never know how a crowd is going to react to a performance. “Thank God this crowd was very encouraging and it was small and this was our first performance as a group, so it went well,” she said. “But I think you think more about the crowd and their reaction to what you are doing because that is your feedback.” The company performed five different dances, all having their own special theme. The dancers in the company all seemed to work well together and really became a part of the whole story that unfolded on the stage. Brittany Salinas, senior health science major said the mental preparation is the hardest part of a performance.
“Just getting your mind ready and kind of set to get on stage and do the best I can and just getting ready to do it,” she said. “It’s really hard to emotionally and mentally figure it out and deal with the fear.” This performance involved a lot of emotion and very technical moves. The dancers in the show seemed to be very focused on what they were doing the entire time and they seemed very emotionally invested. Each dance required special costumes and had its own theme. Each dance required each dancer to get not only into the dance, but into the music that was used also. As each group performed there dance they others apart of the company would stay and watch as their fellow Islanders went on stage to do their own dances. Island Dance Company performed mid-day to lots of wind. They went on after one group of dancers and a singer. This performance was their first one so far as a group. One would not have known that they have not done this as a group in public before. Members of the group said they hoped this performance would be one of many they will do together. The Island Dance Company is a group of dancers who might not be a dance major or might not even be in the arts program. It is made up of individuals who wanted to do dance and be a part of a dance group that performs. The company is set to perform again at an event coming up soon.
9
entertainment
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
‘Final Causes’ marks finale of Contemporary Art Month
“Untitled,” a piece in the Vanitas series by Joe Meiser, was on display at KSpace in honor of Contemporary Art Month.
by AMBER QUAID managing editor
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ontemporary Art Month consumed the month of March and with that KSpace showcased many works of art not only in studio but also at businesses around Corpus Christi. Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi was included on this venture with the Weil Gallery and the Islander Art Gallery providing non-profit spaces for artwork display. The culmination of contemporary art month ended with KSpace having 3 art shows at once at their studio during the art walk. The final main show was Joe Meiser’s “Final Causes.” Contemporary Art Month was established in San Antonio and started in 1986 by the director of Southwest School of Art and Craft in what is now the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum. Then in 2003 Contemporary art month became an independent project. In 2013, Corpus Christi joined the project and is now in its third year. Contemporary Art Month seeks to promote and raise the national profile of contemporary art and artists by organizing and facilitating a monthlong celebration of contemporary art, providing marketing support and by organizing and facilitating public education programs. KSpace showcased many artists throughout the month of March and ended on Joe Meiser’s work. Meiser’s works contain many images with Johnny 5, from the movie “Short Circuit,” within them. Though much of the younger crowd did not know who the robot was, the artwork still called to them. “I think it’s an interesting way to convey robots into artwork,”
said Hannah Grunwald, Texas A&M College Station art student. Others still saw Meiser’s artwork in a completely different way. “Reminds me of video games,” said Rudy Elizondo, Corpus Christi resident. “It’s something different.” “I think it’s about mortality,” said Amanda Sheppard, who is in charge of graphic design for KSpace. Most artwork has a message to the viewer, but it is up to the viewer to interpret what they see. Sometimes the art says the same thing to different people and sometimes it gets opposite views. “I use my artwork to examine philosophies of life and ideas about mortality that come from science, philosophy, and religion,” Meiser said in an artist statement, “often attempting to make sense of narratives that are in conflict.” Joe Meiser earned his BFA from Northern Kentucky University and his MFA at Ohio University. His main art preference is sculpture and installation art but over the last few years he has moved into doing virtual 3-D. He uses photorealistic images and videos, as well as physical sculptures to create his virtual 3-D forms. Meiser lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and teaches courses on sculpture, digital sculpture and drawing at Bucknell University. “While my work addresses serious topics, it is also meant to be humorous,” Meiser said. “Humor helps overcome rigid ways of seeing and facilitates insight.” For more information about KSpace go online at kspacecontemporary.org, call them at 887-6834 or email them at info@kspacecontemporary.org. They are located at 415D Starr Street in downtown Corpus Christi and are
open from Wednesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. For more information about Joe Meiser visit at cargocollective.com/
photo by AMBER QUAID
joemeiser or email him at joemeiser@ gmail.com.
10
sports
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
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he tennis program at Texas A&MCorpus Christi has seen their practice time pay off this season. Currently, the Islanders’ men’s team is ranked 40th in the nation, their highest ranking in six years. Peter Nagy, a senior men’s tennis team member, has had many accolades during his time at the Island University, including twice being named as the Southland Conference’s player of the year. Even with those individual honors, the team’s success this season has made Nagy proud. “[The team’s success] has been a really positive thing,” Nagy said. “I’m just excited for what the rest of the season brings us.” Head coach Steve Moore is always confident in his team, especially this season. “Beating a Pac-12 team and reaching number 40 in the NCAA Division I rankings is something that we are very proud of for our city and university,” Moore said. Several members of the program have transcended youth or injury to exceed the coach’s expectations. “There are some individuals that have risen up and taken their game to a breakthrough level, such as [junior] Guillaume Rauseo,” Moore said. “[Senior] Chelsea Horan, for the women’s team, is playing so well after major hand surgery.” The Islanders have only three matches to go before the Southland Conference tournament. Moore is hoping the seniors in the program are making the most of their last few events as Islanders. “I’m looking forward to the final home matches for our special seniors, [Nagy], Horan and Venesa Figueroa, and the chance to honor them,” Moore said. Moore also recognizes that the team will be facing tough competition in its conference matches. “Lamar [University] has a very strong team. I think we can expect that to be a dogfight,” Moore said. Nagy said he is working to keep his body in shape down the stretch. “I’m [working to] just be able to maintain a good physical ability, stay strong and gain some weight, because we play so much that we lose some,” Nagy said. “I’m just trying to keep my body healthy, which is the most important thing.” Moore also stressed the importance
ISLANDERS TENNIS CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter
Photo courtesy of ISLANDER ATHLETICS
Peter Naggy will compete against Texas-Pan American at 2:00 p.m. at the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center on April 14th.
of keeping a good physical condition at this point in the season. “Fitness becomes paramount from this point forward, because the conference tournament and NCAA tournament will be in 95-degree weather,” Moore said. “It will be as much about fitness as it is about tennis.” Moore also said that the lifestyle an athlete leads will make a difference
in the late part of the season. “The disciplined athletic lifestyle of resting, hydrating and eating right will be paramount from this point forward,” Moore said. “Muscle memory is only gained through doing the right thing the right way.” The team philosophy set by Moore possibly played a role in the team’s success. “The Islanders always give maximum effort,” Moore said. “Effort is something we can control, so we are very demanding about the high standard of effort.” Nagy said he thinks the team’s effort has been really good this season. “Obviously, there are ups and downs in every season, but overall, I am really happy to see the team fighting for each other every match,” Nagy said. That same unity is another reason Nagy feels the team has been successful this season. “I believe the years of commitment that have come from our coaches and the attitude of our team [has helped the team succeed],” Nagy said. “We’re hungry to be great teammates and competitors, and we fight to win.”
11
sports
04.09.2015
ADVENTURE
offers outdoor
Island University
ISLAND WAVES
by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter
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he outdoor recreational activity programs and the Outdoor Adventures program at Texas A&MCorpus Christi are in full swing. “The goal [of the recreational activity program] is to give all students an opportunity to participate in recreation in whatever way they want to,” said Josh Bowman, Outdoor and Aquatics coordinator at the Island University. Bowman said there are some key differences between the outdoor recreational activity programs and their indoor counterparts. “Some of the indoor things would be intramural sports, where outdoor recreation is going to possibly hit to students who might not be as inclined to work out in the gym, or might not be as interested in playing team sports,” Bowman said. No matter which type of recreational activity student might choose, there are several benefits Bowman said were important to remember. “It is an opportunity for students to develop lifelong passions and keep their health and wellness up,” Bowman said. There are many different types of outdoor activities involved in the Outdoor Adventure program. The upcoming events include rock climbing, a water rescue lesson, a kayak clinic and a surf clinic. The variety of activities offered in the Outdoor Adventure program also allows students who may have only participated in more mainstream activities in high school to learn a new skill. “Someone may only have played football in junior high and
high school,” Bowman said. “The opportunity for that diminishes a little bit, where in outdoor recreation, a person might get interested in fishing, or kayaking or surfing. There are opportunities for you to do that, and continue really for the rest of your life.” Bowman said becoming more in tune with the outdoors is another benefit of the program. “You have an opportunity to connect with nature in a way that you might not get to otherwise,” Bowman said. Students participating in the Outdoor Adventure program may also be able to go on trips to various nature settings in other states. “This last spring break, we took students to the Grand Canyon, to Carlsbad Caverns, to Antelope Canyon, and Zion National Park,” Bowman said. “These are opportunities that are really rare for students to get on their own, and we are able to bring them to these locations with a guide that knows the area and has organized everything for a very affordable price.” Students who do not have a lot of experience outdoors do not have to worry, as anyone who wants to participate in the program is welcomed. “Any trip that we do, and any trip that we offer, we try to be very
inclusive,” Bowman said. “I can think of very few circumstances where we would advise someone not to participate.” With the campus population increasing every semester, the rec sports and outdoor programs have also been expanding. “Rec sports is expanding and trying to meet the needs of the students,” Bowman said. “There was a referendum, which has passed, to expand some of the programs offered in recreational sports, including things like nutritionists, getting turf
for the intramural fields and a new aquatics complex. Since the campus is located on the beach, the outdoor program at the university is able to do some things they might not otherwise be able to do. “It’s nice that we are able to have surf clinics and kayak clinics close,” Bowman said. “When we’re talking about outdoor gear rental, we rent out a whole lot of surfboards and kayaks. We’re very affordable, and try to let students get it for as cheap as possible.”
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ads
04.09.2015
ISLAND WAVES
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