Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio
03.08.2011 Vol. 45 Issue 9
The
Paisano
Laissez les bons temps rouler UTSA, have a safe Mardi Gras and Spring Break!
Guns on campus debate continues Dan Rossiter
P8: ‘First Friday’ recap
Transition-toteaching students find few jobs Associated Press Indiana residents who opted to switch careers and become teachers in hopes of warding off job cuts from the recession are finding employment hard to come by in some school districts across the state. An Indiana Department of Education report shows less than 40 percent of those who completed the transition-toteaching programs in 20082009 were working in Indiana schools last year. Rates for those hoping to teach in elementary schools were even lower, with just 25 percent finding teaching jobs in 2009-2010, the report said. Bruce Spitzer, secondary program director at Indiana University South Bend, said those in the teacher transition program got caught in a “perfect storm’’ of budget and personnel cuts in school districts across the state. “Every school corporation is reporting either hiring freezes, cuts or hiring limited only to necessary staff members,’’ he told the South Bend Tribune. “It is just not a good time to enter the job of teaching in northern Indiana.’’ The teacher transition programs, which are geared toward those who already have a bachelor’s degree, have been popular with workers been laid off from other careers and college graduates facing a daunting job market. The programs typically last a year, and students have to meet a grade-point average and pass a state test to get a teaching license. See TEACHING, Page 4
The possibility of concealed handguns on campus concerns university officials. would-be victim.” In contrast, UTSAPD’s Police Chief Steve Barrera echoed the concerns of the chancellor, saying that his biggest fear if the bill passes is that “it will be very difficult for UTSAPD to tell the ‘good guys’ from the ‘bad.’” Barrera insisted that with the department’s impressive response times of often under one minute, students are much safer with the trained police staff protecting campus members against armed assailants. Wentworth dismissed Barrera’s position, saying, “He works for the chancellor, doesn’t he? I wouldn’t expect an employee to publicly disagree with his boss.” See GUNS Page 4
Student government unable to decide on handgun issue Dan Rossiter
paisanonews@sbcglobal.net In last week’s Student Government Association meeting, the organization failed to pass a resolution stating campus opinion on legislation that would allow those with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) to carry their weapon on state college campuses. Though discussion of the proposed bill was on the meeting agenda, the meeting ended with the only discussion of the bill be-
ing a number of failed attempts at making the proper motions to bring the issue to the floor, according to Robert’s Rules of Order – the universal standard of governmental procedures. Of the four other UT System campuses The Paisano contacted, three (Arlington, Austin and Pan American) have made formal resolutions opposing the legislation. One, Permian Basin, has begun to unofficially poll students, but has not reached a resolution yet.
President Romo receives award for leading UTSA to Tier 1 Angela Marin
paisanonews@sbcglobal.net CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) awarded UTSA President Ricardo Romo the District IV distinguished E. Joseph Savoie Chief Executive Leadership Award at the 2011 FUSION Conference, Feb. 21. This award recognizes university leaders for outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting education and institutional advancement. Romo has served as UTSA’s president since May of 1999. During his tenure he has stra-
tegically improved the university’s stature in the community and has transformed UTSA into a promising prospect for becoming the next Tier 1 research university in Texas. “I was very honored and flattered to be given this recognition,” Romo said. “I know that it’s a big region with a lot of really talented people.” “This award really belongs to the many people at UTSA, staff and faculty who work so hard to make our campus one of the best campuses in the region and soon one of the best campuses in the state,” Romo said. See ROMO Page 2
File Photo
P10: SLC Tournament preview
President Romo is recognized for advancing education.
Texas ‘brewpubs’ fight for freedom Melanie Canales
paisanonews@sbcglobal.net Under the current law in Texas, brewpubs cannot sell beer to wholesalers and distributors, can sell only to stores but not on site. For this reason, Texas Beer Freedom, a grassroots effort to support the beer industry in Texas, recently hosted the Texas Beer Freedom Rally to push for the passage of House Bill 660 (HB 660). HB 660, filed by State Representative Mike Villarreal, would allow Texas brewpubs to sell their beer on site as well as package it for sale in stores.
Melanie Canales/ The Paisano
P6: Cheating at school
UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa has added his voice to the growing dissent of Senate Bill 354 (SB 354), which would allow Concealed Handgun License (CHL) holders to carry their firearm on campus. Cigarroa made his concerns known in a one-page letter to Gov. Rick Perry, as well as to legislators involved in the bill’s creation. In the letter, Cigarroa cited “the pressures of academic life, separation from family and relationships” as factors that, when combined with easier access to firearms, could compound the already prevalent issue of suicide as the second leading cause of death among college students. In an interview with The Paisano, Senator Jeff Wentworth, the sponsor of SB 354, defended the proposed legislation, stating that “those opposed to the bill are misguided.” Wentworth contended that “most of the dissenters don’t appreciate that we’re talking about people 21 and older. This won’t affect the traditional freshman, sophomore or junior, who are under this age limit.” He added that “over 98 percent of Texans do not get a CHL. It’s a real hassle.” Wentworth argued that “if the bad guys aren’t sure if the good guys are armed, then they are less likely to take the chance of facing an armed
Photo Illustration: Burk Frey
paisanonews@sbcglobal.net
Texans come out to support House Bill 660. This means you would be able to get beer at a local H-E-B or
neighborhood bar from beermakers in San Antonio such as
paisano-online.com
Freetail Brewing Co., Blue Star Brewing Co., and from brewpubs in Austin such as Uncle Billy’s, NXNW Restaurant and Brewery and Draught House Pub & Brewery. According to supporters of HB 660, the passage of this bill will provide many benefits for the state. It will provide more jobs for Texans, help small businesses grow, increase tax revenue and consumer choice and open the doors for new pubs and breweries to develop in San Antonio.
See BEER Page 4