Moroccan Bites brings a taste of North African cuisine to San Antonio see page 6
I-35 Rivalry comes back to San Antonio see page 8
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio
February 21, 2012
Volume 47
Issue 6
Main Building evacuated because of gas leak Carly Cirilli Intern
Photo Illustration: Burk
news@emailaddress.com UTSA’s Main Building was temporarily closed Feb. 20 due to an abnormally high amount of CO2 present. The gas, which is normally colorless, was added to a solution to make it visible and was released in the building’s sewage pipes to check for leaks, according to Director of Emergency Handling, Lorenzo Sanchez. The gas, which looked like smoke, was primarily seen in a third floor restroom and
prompted someone to pull a fire alarm. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s website (OSHA), “carbon dioxide is an asphyxiant in humans.” In other words a person’s blood would unable to carry sufficient amounts of oxygen if too much CO2 is inhaled. Sanchez said the gas was removed from the building by turning the air handling system in reverse to push the air out of the Main Building. It was closed for approximately three hours, and classes resumed as scheduled by 3:30 p.m.
The Board of Regents approve a proposal to raise the standards of admission for applicants starting in 2013.
UTSA tightens admissions standards Daniel Crotty Staff writer
news@emailaddress.com “It will help improve the quality of our student body,” UTSA President Ricardo Romo said about the recently approved proposal to increase the admissions standards for UTSA. No changes will be made to first quartile applicants; they will still be offered admission without consideration to these scores. However, students in the second, third, and fourth quartile; transfer students; homeschooled students and students from non-ranking or non-accredited programs will be affected, starting in the fall of 2013. According to Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs George Norton, “Standards are changing because UTSA needs to increase its graduation rates.” Norton explained that these rates are important because, “they ensure UTSA students are well served, and they reflect that UTSA is a good steward of state and student monies supporting the institution.” Norton also mentioned that gradu-
ation rates are also a characteristic examined in the Tier One funding process. In regard to planned future admission standard increases, Norton foretold, “We can expect a review of the requirements in 2015 to 2016 and will at that time determine if any additional changes should be proposed.” Specifically, second quartile students will be required to have an SAT score of 1100 out of 1600, up from 960, which is a 14.6 percent increase. The ACT score requirement will increase from 20 to 24, a 20 percent increase. Applicants who do not meet these scores will still be considered for individual review. Third and fourth quartile students were previously considered on an individual review basis, with no minimum score requirement; however, the new changes require third quartile students to have an SAT score of 1000 or an ACT score of 21 or greater just to be considered for individual review. Fourth quartile students must have minimum SAT score of 1100 and an ACT score of 24 plus just to be considered for admission.
“Students below the levels required for individual review can know in advance that we will probably deny their applications,” Norton said. Transfer student GPA requirements for admission will increase from 2.0 to 2.25 out of a maximum of 4.0, or a 6.25 percent increase. Students from accredited high schools that do not rank will be evaluated exactly like second quartile students: if they achieve the standardized testing requirements, they will be admitted. If they do not, they will be considered under individual review. Homeschooled, GED, and non-accredited high school programs (ranking or not), will be treated like fourth quartile students. Junior communication major Amy Medrano responded positively to the change. “It’s definitely a challenge to the people who want to come here, but it is also a motivation to work harder (in high school). UTSA is trying to become more well known, so when it comes to that, more challenge is better. To get what we want, we’ve got to work hard,” Medrano said.
SGA to hold special election Feb. 21
Former speaker visits San Antonio to endorse Congressional candidate Sarah Gibbens news@paisano-online.com
Staff writer
File photo
news@emailaddress.com
UTSA’s Student Government Association hold a fund raising event on campus in the Sombrilla Plaza.
resigned was in the 2009 to 2010 administration when the treasurer, Chris Kuta, resigned for personal reasons.” The consensus on former SGA Vice President Victor Hinojosa’s resignation aligned with Kuta’s reasoning for stepping down. It was for personal reasons, but the specifics surrounding this reason are unknown. Though this resignation comes as a surprise
Nancy Pelosi presents a diploma to a recent graduate.
Staff writer
Katy Glass
UTSA’s Student Government Association (SGA) must re-align their forces in continuing service to the student body by holding a special election for vice president. Recently, the vice president of SGA resigned, leaving the position unmanned. Despite the abrupt resignation, SGA is well versed in dealing with the unexpected and is changing ranks to continue moving forward. John Montoya, assistant director of student leadership and the SGA, pointed out that SGA senators resign every semester explaining that the positions can be very demanding. SGA President Xavier Johnson gave a similar response concerning the frequency and reasoning for SGA senators resigning. He then explained officer resignations. “Members typically do not resign from officer positions, but they do occasionally resign from other positions such as senator positions, either to focus on classes, other organizations or other areas of campus involvement,” Johnson said. “The last time an officer
Courtesy of Nancy Pelosi campaign website
Thanks but no thanks:
to SGA members, it has not been met with criticism, as SGA members defend his need to resign. A special vote will be held to fill the vacated position. The nominees include Kort Jackson, Boyd Garriott and Anthony Herrera.
See SGA, Page 3
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) travelled to San Antonio for an early morning reception held just west of downtown to publicly endorse Texas State Representative Joaquin Castro to represent the 20th U.S. Congressional District. Joaquin Castro is the identical twin brother of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, who also attended the event. Joaquin Castro has been called a “rising star in his party” by the Texas Tribune and “one of the top 50 leaders to watch” by Politico.com. At 28-years-old, Joaquin Castro was elected into the Texas Legislature and is currently serving his fifth term. Running his campaign under what he calls the “Infrastructure of Opportunity,” the Texas Representative places issues, such as education and healthcare, at the forefront of his fight for equality. The 20th U.S. Congressional District is entirely within Bexar County, although Texas’ ongoing redistricting battle may slightly alter its borders. Pelosi, who champions many of the same values as Joaquin Castro, encouraged the crowd to elect a Democrat who would fight for their rights. The minority leader—who is the highest-ranking woman in the Federal government and was the first female Speaker of the House—spoke at Saturday’s reception, criticizing the recent congressional debate over birth control by standing up for women and their right to contraceptives. The speaker also praised San Antonio for having facilitated the Dream Act— which would have granted citizenship to illegal immigrants who attended college or served in the military—saying that Hispanic communities “make America more American.” As Pelosi opened her speech, she noted that one name is reverently spoken of when mentioning Texas politics, “and that name is Gonzalez.” Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, son of the famed Henry B. Gonzalez (the first Hispanic representative from Texas), told the crowd, “A vote for Joaquin is a vote to reinstate Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.” The crowd responded with a standing ovation. Charlie Gonzalez is serving his last term in the House and is endorsing Joaquin Castro as the candidate to fill his soon-to-be vacant seat. See PELOSI, Page 3