January 29, 2009

Trends come and go; See pgs 8 & 9

Volume 65, No. 17

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 29, 2009

ADMINISTRATION

Interim President Sorber chosen

By Brian Silva The Pan American On Tuesday the University of Texas System announced that Charles “Chuck” Sorber will take over the reins of the university as interim president Feb. 23.

The 69-year-old is slated to visit the university the week before he takes office. He’ll visit staff and administration, as well tour the campus.

Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 23 Vice

President of Academic Affairs and Provost Paul Sale will be the university’s acting president. After his brief term asCharles Sorber suming academic duties, Sale will return to his normal duties.

Sorber is the former president of the University of Texas-Permian Basin and former interim president of

the University of Texas at Arlington.

He served at those institutions from 1993 to 2001 and 2003 to 2004, respectively.

He will serve as president while a national search is conducted to replace retiring president Blandina “Bambi” Cardenas, who announced her retirement last week.

According to the System’s Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs David Prior, the search should take about nine months. And

he noted that the fill-in has established credentials to help the university in the interim.

“Dr. Sorber’s expertise and vast background have earned him a rocksolid reputation of service in a variety of administrative positions,” said Prior in a statement. “And we are extremely fortunate to have him help guide UT -Pan American in this important time of transition.”

In the coming weeks the UT System Board of Regents and Prior will

announce the committees that will be responsible for finding a permanent president.

Some in UTPA’s administration have already worked with Sorber, including Vice President for Business Affairs James Langabeer. While Sorber was Permian Basin president, he called on Langabeer, who was at that time UTPA’s VP of business, to audit UT-Permian Basin.

“I found him to be a very open and

See INTERIM || Page 5

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES

Titantic discoverer enchants students

By J.R. Ortega The Pan American

Ben Briones/The Pan American

AMBIGIOUS OUTLOOK - Oceanographer Robert Ballard, one of the Titanic’s discoverers, recalls the silent joy he felt after his discovery to dinner guests prior to his presentation at the Fine Arts Auditorium.

ACADEMICS

It has been nearly a century since the RMS Titanic collided with an iceberg, submerging the ocean liner into the Atlantic’s 30-degree waters. Those 1912 memories re-emerged when Robert Ballard, world-renowned oceanographer who rediscovered Titanic, brought personal stories of the 1985 wreckage recovery and other oceanographic missions to a full Fine Arts Auditorium at The University of Texas-Pan American Tuesday.

Ballard stressed through his stories and exploration photographs, that future generations only have one option: to go forward after Earth’s unfound

discoveries.

“We can use live explorations and inspire the next generation,” he said adamantly. “If I can get a jaw drop, I’ve got a new scientist for our country.”

The Titanic was uncovered Sept.

1, 1985 by Argo, an undersea camera created by Ballard at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Ballard received his Ph.D in marine geology and geophysics at the University of Rhode Island where he is now the director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography.

Though the rediscovery of Titanic is what Ballard is best known for, it was actually his 70th expedition. He

See TITANIC || Page 5

ACADEMICS

COAS gains music, Campus printers to place quotas dance after transition

By J.R. Ortega The Pan American

By Abby Flores The Pan American At the end of spring 2008 President Blandina Cardenas made her decision to bring music and dance into the College of Arts and Humanities and created its own department.

After several years of discussing the change, it finally took effect Sept. 1,

INDEX

2008.

Before the creation of the new situation, dance was a part of the College of Education in the department of health and kinesiology, and music was under the COAH. “I think that it is a positive change and we are benefiting from more opportunities to collaborate with other

See COAS || Page 5

OPINION PG. 2

A student printing quota system will be placed at The University of Texas-Pan American effective Feb. 9.

The decision for the quota comes after the Division of Information Technology reviewed a year-long countermeasure to decrease the amount of excessive and abusive paper printing which found the action to be ineffective in decreasing the number of print jobs.

NEWS PG. 3

In October 2008 Computer Support Services presented the Student Government Association with the results of Phase I, the cost-effective measure implemented in fall 2007 to alleviate the printing jobs across campus. The phase included installing duplexers; a default software allowing students to print double sided for all print jobs. An increase in $2.50 was asked for DIT last year but because of the tuition and fee cap, only $1 was received.

On Oct. 24, SGA members ap-

ARTS & LIFE PG. 11

proved moving forward with Phase II of the paper printing alleviation initiative. Phase II incorporates a cap or quota of 250 credits per student a semester through a software database installed on campus printers that will keep record of a student’s print jobs.

The credits are allotted as follows: black and white single-sided prints cost one credit, black and white double-sided prints cost half a credit, color-single-sided prints cost two credits

See QUOTA || Page 5

SPORTS PG. 14

Page 2

THE PAN AMERICAN

Illustrated Editorial

Letter to the Editor I wished to respond to the article entitled, “Low occupancy to close Troxel Hall dormitory” that appeared in the December 3 edition of The Pan American and provide some additional information. The opening of Unity Hall, a 396 bed facility in Fall 2006 ushered in a number of opportunities to enhance students’ collegiate experience and provide an additional residential option at UTPA. The opening of Unity Hall more than doubled the previous residence hall capacity for Heritage and Troxel Halls which was just over 380 beds combined. The additional space to house residents provided a number of opportunities for the Department of Residence Life to grow in occupancy and explore the expansion of the residential program to better serve the academic mission of the institution.

Over the past two years, a number of options have been researched to create unique living and learning communities in Troxel that would attract students that had not previously taken advantage of the wonderful opportunity to live on campus. This has been a goal as the residential living experience can help support student success, connect students to one another, as well as provide a number of activities to grow and learn outside of the classroom, making residence life appealing for students and families.

Another option that the department has explored has been to increase overnight camps and conferences throughout the year versus the summer. Camps and conferences provide youth and potential undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to experience UTPA and all it has to offer. The added bonus of hav-

ing participants stay on campus during the program enhances their educational experience which has been a successful way to currently utilize Troxel Hall while intermediate and long term plans continue to be developed.

This fall, single room requests and contracts received necessitated that students overflow from Unity and Heritage Halls in to Troxel. Currently, space is available for residents that were placed in Troxel to join the residential communities in Heritage and Unity Halls. By bringing students together, they can better experience all the benefits of residential living. Students from Troxel will have the convenience of a laundry facility, additional students and staff to meet and assist them, greater opportunities to attend formal and informal programming, and hopefully a greater connection to the residential experience.

Our inclusive communities are supported by residential programs designed to promote student success.

We focus on academic success, social and recreational involvement, service, and personal wellness. We will be able to better serve both our residential population through the end of the semester consolidation and will also be able to utilize Troxel Hall to serve current and future Broncs participating in UTPA programs such as LeaderShape, GEAR Up, and student camps and conferences.

Rebecca Gadson, Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Student Involvement

Vol 65, No. 17

Jan. 29, 2009

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 EDITOR IN CHIEF J.R. Ortega / ortega.e.jr@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Brian Silva / brian.silva2@gmail.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ana Villaurrutia / parker687@hotmail.com A&L EDITOR Laura Garcia / laurad500@hotmail.com ASSISTANT A&L EDITOR Isaac Garcia / izek_el@yahoo.com SPORTS EDITORS Ramiro Paez / ramiropaez@aol.com Gregorio Garza / the_nataku@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Ben Briones / ben.briones.jr@gmail.com DESIGN EDITOR Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@yahoo.com ADVISER Dr. Greg Selber / selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE Anita Reyes / areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Samantha Quintana / spubs@utpa.edu

January 29, 2009

**Delivery** Thursday at noon The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@ gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

Illustration by Anthony Salinas

Opinion

Truth amid a farewell Brian Silva Managing Editor

The past several months have been interesting for me as a reporter.

Covering the events around the Office of the President has been a learning experience. With President Cardenas’ most recent decision to leave the campus, my mind was on a 24/7 hamster wheel to churn out the best and most balanced story.

However, some times even though you do the best you can do, you still fall short of providing the best view of the truth.

In part, I missed a piece of the truth by allowing a graphic to run that showed President Cardenas’ plagiarism allegations without mentioning the pieces were footnoted. From the research I’ve gathered about citation use back in the early 1970’s, that sort of citation was acceptable.

This sort of truth could not be printed in a news story, since it is my opinion and no one was willing to go on the record.

As far as this foul up goes, it would be hard to correct it. One of only ways I would be able to is to actually have President Cardenas

go on record about the allegations made against her.

However, her office told the Associated Press and other publications she wouldn’t be speaking to the media. I was included in this.

To me this feels like incomplete journalism. I want her to have her say, and who better to say it than she.

First word of the allegations of plagiarism came about after the San Antonio Express-News wrote a story about the UT System’s investigation into a packet of allegations it received.

However, after the story was printed the journalist who wrote the story blogged about her experience on the Express-News’ website. She felt compelled to do so because the news story left out some details of the behind the scenes, off-the-record events that led to the investigations.

She wrote that the people who wrote the packet of ANONYMOUS allegations had contacted her and asked her to write the story. They gave the packet of allegations to her before anyone else. She wrote that those people pushed her into writing a negative story about the president.

In a move of ethical journalism, the

reporter chose to not do a story on the allegations. She said she would only act if there was some sort of official action by the UT System.

My lesson in journalism for this experience was that a tiny bit of information can make a world of a difference.

However, as journalists we are bound by only using comments that are made on the record or that are obtained via the Freedom of Information Act. As a student, I feel personally that with how much I’ve learned about everything President Cardenas has done while she was here and in the past…there was no more perfect of a president for our university than Bambi.

As a Mexican-American I appreciate so much the barriers she’s broken, in addition to all the barriers she’s helped us students break.

As a journalist, seeing her leave this university under a cloud of false and forced negativity chips away at faith in American justice. As a student, seeing her leave because the toll on her heart from those wishing to take her down was so harsh is simply heart wrenching.

A woman so giving didn’t deserve this.

Blandina Cardenas’ 1974 dissertation.

We failed to include the complete information regarding the allegations cited. The information left out was the fact the citations shown were foot-

noted in her dissertation. We deeply apologize for this accidental omission.

Providing the information is critical to understanding the full truth of the matter.

Correction In last weeks edition of The Pan American, Vol. 65 No. 16, we published a graphic which referenced three of the actual citation allegations that were made against President

Dates to Know: Last day to drop classes Tuesday Registrar Office January 29, 2009

THE PAN AMERICAN

Homecoming Week Feb. 13 to Feb. 18 Campus Page 3

ADMINISTRATION

Disability service director chosen by governor

By Kristen Cabrera The Pan American At 24, Maureen McClain began to lose hearing in both ears. In order to communicate with others she taught herself how to read lips and pay attention to body language, and started to use a hearing aide. And now, as the associate director of disability services at The University of Texas-Pan American, she helps students with troubles not unlike her own.

Those experiences make it no wonder she’s recently been added to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.

“I applied to the Governer’s Com-

mittee about a year ago,” McClain said. “ And I had no idea how long it would take and I researched it before I applied and learned that they work on legislation for people with disabilities and they try to help effect some change and I like that, because I have multiple disabilities myself. I like the idea of having some impact on pending law and legislation.”

McClain has Meniere’s disease, which effects hearing and causes vomiting and severe dizziness. For the most part she has it under control but still suffers from a lot of ringing in her ears.

On top of being completely deaf in her right ear and having only 15 per-

cent hearing in the other left, McClain also has both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and deals with pain and movement issues every day.

As a single mother of two children, McClain had attended college off and on and held various jobs in sales and working with people.

“It was very hard working, with kids to support and I was single so I would be working jobs and didn’t have a hearing aide so it was very difficult to work in. I was on the telephone trying to hear. When you have a hearing loss you spend so much energy focusing on another person, you just strain and strain and stress to recall hear what people are saying.”

Learning to work through her disabilities inspired McClain to graduate with a master’s in rehabilitation counseling in 2005 at UTPA. In 1998 she decided to go beck to college full time and graduated in 2002 with a bachelors in Rehabilitative Services, and then went straight through to get her masters.

Once McLain graduated, she joined the UTPA staff and has been working with the university for about four years, including an early internship, at the disabilities service office. An average of 225 students with various physical problems go through the office each semester according to McClain.

The DSO helps students with physi-

cal movement-inhibiting disabilities, and ones of a physiological or learning nature; even students on dialysis or with cancer are eligible for assistance, as the office works to make sure these obstacles will not hinder their education.

“I want these kids to get an education, because the statistics say that people with disabilities have a lower education rate and higher unemployment,” McLain said. “I’m more of the exception, fortunately. There are a lot of students that (are) in the rehabilitation field that do have disabilities, because they have disabilities and know what they are going though.”

See DIRECTOR || Page 6

HEALTH

Students may still be in health, fitness funk

By Abigail Muniz The Pan American

Isaac Barrientes/ The Pan American

HEALTHY HABIT - Mechanical engineering major Martin Lopez runs to keep his body and mind fit at the Wellness and Recrational Sports Complex, along-side fellow UTPA students.

COMMUNITY

Last spring Jennifer Garcia felt overwhelmed after her first semester as a nursing student at The University of Texas-Pan American. With rigorous courses and a 3-year-old daughter to care for, the stress and anxiety she felt led her to believe she might have to take medication.

But Garcia started looking for an alternative.

“I was leading a sedentary lifestyle,” said Garcia, a 26-year-old McAllen resident. “I said to myself, ‘I really need to change something.’”

And she did. Garcia, who is now 54 pounds lighter, changed her eating habits and started to exercise in May. “Before, I would sleep and I would feel tired after ten hours of sleep. (Exercising) helps me to focus,” she explained.

“Once you see results and you feel better, that keeps you going.”

In a time when students may be trying to tackle a New Year’s resolution—that usually fades after a few months—which entails losing weight on a fad diet, Patti Koo, a physician assistant at Student Health Services, recommends students take time from their busy schedules to exercise.

“If walking is all you can do, it’s still healthy for your heart,” Koo said. “In order to lose weight you have to get your heart rate going, though.”

Layne Jorgensen, a health and kinesiology professor says that buying a pedometer to help keep track of steps in one day could help too.

“Walk thirty minutes a day…” Jorgensen advised. “Get a pedometer and walk 16,000 steps and you’ve already done three miles.”

According to the latest joint American Heart Association/American College

See FITNESS || Page 6

ADMINISTRATION

Ceremony to honor Cardenas to be held Science Bowl tests students, promotes STEM, offers future

By Brian Silva The Pan American

By Ana Villaurrutia The Pan American Students across the Rio Grande Valley are zeroing in on their last month of studying for the annual Regional Science Bowl, which is set for Feb. 21 on campus.

The event is part of a national

competition created by the U.S. Department of Energy that tests the knowledge of high school and middle school students on math and science.

The University of Texas-Pan American, HESTEC and the Society

See BOWL || Page 6

The Office of the President announced earlier this week the university will be holding “A Celebration of Success and Service” to honor the university’s retiring president, Blandina “Bambi” Cardenas.

The event, which is open to the university community, will be held

at the UTPA Ballroom. The event will take place tomorrow between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

President Cardenas announced her retirement last week, and her last day is tomorrow.

She was the university’s first woman president, and served for four and a half years.

Cardenas will join students, faculty and staff at the farewell celebration to talk and reflect with

them.

In addition to the celebration, University Relations has set up a page on the university Web site where individuals can find Cardenas’ farewell message. A “comments” section is available to students and staff where they can leave messages of reflection to the university’s retiring president.

The site also offers a series of photos from Cardenas’ tenure.

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ADVERTISEMENTS

January 29, 2009

January 29, 2009

NEWS

TITANIC continued from Page 1 began such work nearly 50 years ago at the age of 17 and has since delved more deeply into his passion.

“Being a scientist, you always answer a question and get a new question,” he said about the science field.

“True discovery is unpredicted.”

The average depth of the world’s oceans is 12,000 feet, with the Marianas Trench near Guam exceeding 35,000 feet deep.

Ballard explained to the UTPA community at that depth, the ocean is virtually pitch black. In the case of Titanic, it takes two and a half hours to visit the wreckage in the north Atlantic.

He said finding the ship was exciting as a professional but saddening as a human because Ballard and his team felt as though they were “dancing on their graves.”

“It was like scoring the winning goal at a super bowl game,” he said.

“I never thought I would let emotion get to me as a scientist.”

Though Ballard’s most well known exploit is the Titanic, he said he has been more proud of findings that have changed oceanographic textbooks, like his 1975 discovery

of hydrothermal vents, which established that volcanic activity happened over the Mid-Atlantic ridge.

The ridge is located in the Atlantic Ocean and separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The ridge at points is higher than Mount Everest, according to Ballard.

Within these ridges are the vents, which mimic the land geysers of Yellowstone National park except underwater.

“I’m happy,” he said. “I’m not driven by a quest to get gold; I’m driven for the treasure of who we are.”

Ballard said that while space exploration is not a bad thing, focus needs to be turned to the depths of the Earth, where things remain undiscovered.

He added that the oceans are filled with renewable resources like metals and oils needed to fuel the planet, and that they can be found if we look “deeper rather than further.”

Currently Ballard is exploring the Black Sea near Turkey and Russia because the lack of oxygen in its depths allow for many sunken archaeological objects to remain unscathed.

INTERIM continued from Page 1 Ballard said he enjoys the human element of history, which is why he is continuing exploration in the Black Sea, an area where he has already discovered wrecks that date back to before the birth of Christ.

Xavier Balderas, a 22-year-old history major from Mission, received an autograph from Ballard in one of his oceanographic books. Balderas said he has watched and studied Ballard’s oceanography documentaries since he was young.

“I’ve been following his explorations for quite a while,” he said excitedly. “It was breathtaking to see him and monumental. I never thought I’d meet him in a million years.”

Balderas added that though he knew what Ballard was talking about, it was interesting to get a first-hand account of those explorations and listen to what Ballard had to say about those experiences.

Ballard was the third speaker of the most recent Distinguished Speaker Series. The series, funded by student service fees, is in its fifth year and speakers are chosen by students and faculty under the Distinguished Speakers Series Committee.

COAS continued from Page 1 arts, faculty and students,” said Melinda Blomquist, lecturer and Dance Ensemble co-artistic director.

With an estimated 40 dance majors, an additional 40 dance minors, and 242 music majors, no one was affected by this change.

The only change that will be made is that students will now graduate from COAH instead of education.

“Dance is an art form, as well as physical,” Blomquist said.

Cardenas, along with other directors in music and dance felt these two departments should be merged into the arts department.

“It is not uncommon to start a dance program in the health and kinesiology area and then later join it with another area in the performing arts,” said chairman of music and dance, Pedro Martinez.

With drama and theatre also being a part of the COAH, opportunity for productions along with music and dance is something for students and faculty to look forward to in the fu-

Page 5

ture. education of our students,” Martinez “Currently the Dance Ensemble said. and the Chamber Orchestra are work“As this program developed, I being on collablieve it was orating for the I think that it is a positive change essential that spring 2009 it be given Dance Ensem- and we are benefiting from more op- the support ble Concert,” portunities to collaborate with other and an opshe said. portunity to This year’s arts, faculty and students. expand in a concert will manner that take place it may otherApril 16 to 18 Melinda Blomquist wise not have and is offered been able to each year to Dance ensemble co-artistic director in a non-perstudents and forming arts the public during spring and fall. The setting,” Martinez said. ensemble was started in 1984 under No students have graduated from the direction of Laura M. Grabowski. the newly developed program. About Along with Blomquist, Martinez six dance majors will be the first to also believes the merger was a good graduate this spring.

“The amount of work that it idea.

“The joining of the two programs takes to put on a musical perforsignifies an opportunity for these two mance is something that can only performing arts areas to explore col- be understood by those working dilaborative opportunities that will en- rectly in performing arts,” Martinez hance the overall development and said.

“

”

friendly person,” Langabeer said. from 1961 to 1984.

Langabeer describes Sorber as “The campus community is very forthe type of person who asks what he tunate to have Dr. Sorber.”

Sorber, who has served at six dif- needs to do to help.

“I think it’s going to be a very ferent universities, is currently retired from academic administration smooth transition… he’s not going to do anything and serves as professor He’s not going to be Dr. Cardenas, r a d i c a l , ” Langabeer emeritus in E n g i n e e r i n g but he’s going to be very supportive s u g g e s t e d .

“If anything, at the Unithere’s more versity of of this institution. anxiety than Texas at Austhere is need tin.

Sorber for it.” received his James Langabeer He also b a c h e l o r ’s said Sorber and master’s Vice president for business affairs will be very degrees from The Pennsylvania State University, supportive of the university’s misand his doctoral degree from UT sion and continue various projects that have already begun.

Austin in 1971.

“He’s not going to be Dr. CardeSorber, a native of Pennsylvania, also has a military background. He nas,” Langabeer said. “But, he’s goserved in the US Army active duty ing to be very supportive of this inand reserve as a lieutenant colonel stitution.”

“

”

QUOTA continued from Page 1 and color double-sided prints costs three credits.

“We are trying to stay within our budgetary guidelines so we won’t have to dip into this budget for technological upgrades” said Steve Copold, vice president of IT services.

According to Copold, the fall semester print count was at 4,587,637; nearly a million per month and an average of 264 pages per student with only a quarter million budget.

After the Phase I evaluation, Copold and Richard Rodriguez, assistant director of computer support services, found UTPA was the only large UT System campus without some form of printing quota. Other universities with quotas include UT Arlington, UT San Antonio, UT Austin, UT Brownsville, UT El Paso, UT Tyler and UT Dallas.

“We buy enough to fill an 18-wheeler with paper each semester plus all the toner for the printers,” said Rodriguez.

The UT-Permian Basin is the only other UT school without a quota infused in its printing process, however UTPB only has a student population of 2,150 while UTPA caters to nearly 17500 students.

According to Rodriguez, quotas will be lifted the last two weeks of class for final projects. He added more credits could be requested at the Computing Labs Scheduling Office in ASB 2.162. Students will be informed of the printing policies and given a policies form to sign when requesting additional credits.

The printing policies also states that credits can be refunded if a print job is eligible.

Copold said several students have complained at the Academic Services building, where many of the public printing services are available, that other students are printing e-books or large print jobs and then throwing them in the trash.

“Most kids understand,” said Copold. “Some are really tired of seeing trash cans filled with thrown copies.”

SGA president Marcos Silva said that SGA representatives voted unanimously for the Phase II quota.

“I truly believe this new phase will reduce the excessive amount of printing taking place in our computer labs,” he explained. “Our main concern was that there would be no fees if students would need more printing.”

Silva said he and the SGA also understand that some courses would require more printing than others, which is why they did not want to add a fee quota like other schools.

Both Copold and Rodriguez said Phase II is not a punishment but a means to try better budget monies so other technological upgrades could be considered rather than spending most of the monies on printing paper and toner.

Copold added it is uncertain what the year’s economic shape and Phase II progress will bring.

“We are aware of the economic situation and we are not charging now,” Copold said. “It may happen but we have to hold off as long as we can.”

COST TO PRINT *The paper cost is 26 to 30 dollars for 5000 pages (box). **UTPA purchases 840 boxes in bulk.

Page 6

January 29, 2009

NEWS

DIRECTOR continued from Page 6 According to a research report done by Cornell University in 2007, only 37.7 percent of all working-age (21 to 64 years old), people with disabilities are employed, compared with 79.7 percent of people without disabilities.

Committee members have responsibilities to advise the governor and state agencies on problems faced by people with disabilities as well as making sure the disabled can live with integrity, freedom and success in their lives.

“It also works at a local level,” McClain said. “A grass roots level on helping to change things locally. Not just filtering down from the government or state level but to work your way up and let the government and the people see what you think is important.”

The DSO offers strict confidentiality for students and professors as well as extended testing time, and a quiet place to

take tests. The office also has a Braille machine that can scan textbooks and print out in Braille for blind students to read.

There is also a full-time sign language interpreter for deaf students on campus with a small staff of part-time interpreters and the office has scholarship opportunities available.

“I’m a strong component in fighting for the rights of people with disabilities so that we have the same rights as other people to do the same things. People with disabilities are a minority, we do form a minority.”

Later this week McClain will attend a swearing in ceremony conducted by Judge Ricardo Hinojosa at the federal courthouse located in the Bentsen Tower in McAllen.

“I’m excited about that too because I’ve never done anything like that before.”

BOWL continued from Page 6 of Hispanic Professional Engineers will host the competition for the South Texas region at UTPA’s Science and Engineering Building.

HESTEC robotics coordinator Rudy Velasquez has been organizing the bowl and said its purpose is to get students involved in science and math fields.

“It promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers to young students in the Valley,” Velasquez said. “That’s what HESTEC is all about…that’s why we host it.”

Velasquez said past bowls have boasted events lasting over several days, but the latest one is being condensed to a day with SHPE holding events for idle students who are not competing.

“We want to have a big event going on simultaneously,” Vasquez

said.

UTPA SHPE President Pedro Gonzalez and mechanical engineering majot said members are collaborating with the bowl via the group’s STEM outreach event called Viva, as a way to continue bringing Hispanics into math and science.

“We believe if we can expose them (to science and math) at a younger and younger age we can get more Hispanics in these fields,” Gonzalez said, adding that compared to all science and math graduates on 7 percent are Hispanic graduates.

Vasquez said that only 10 high schools and 10 middle schools can sign up for the competition.

The deadline is Feb. 20. Each school is allowed two teams of four or five students that answer random questions on math and science, developed by the DOE.

There is an entry fee of $149 per team and first prizewinners will receive iPods and second and third place will receive TI Calculators.

The high school and middle school that wins the regional bowl will advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. April 30 through May 5.

The trip is all expenses paid and students will sightsee, listen to lectures and compete in a hydrogenfuel-cell car race.

Since it started competing in 1991, South Texas has gone to nationals but has not won the not won a National Science Bowl, but Vasquez said going to nationals is always a chance to bring recognition to the Valley. “(The bowl is) just to represent the Valley at nationals to see the level of education in South Texas.”

to eat. Experts are promoting four to five meals a day.”

Koo suggests eating foods with good carbs such as multi-grains and whole wheat, and eliminating those high in fat.

Another thing she recommends is to cut out a common culprit found in most college student diets, the soda.

In July 2007, American researchers found that sodas, including diet ones, could be linked to increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 190,000 of 1 million Rio Grande Valley residents have

diabetes. And at least one-third of the residents don’t know they have it.

“If we could stop the intake of sodas, it could change the diabetes outcome (in the area),” Koo said. “If we can detect it early, you can stop the complications, which can include eye disease, kidney disease and heart problems.”

Besides those mentioned above, Koo stresses that another long term-effect of the disease is how it affects circulation which can later even contribute to amputations.

Other suggestions Koo had: no latenight eating; choosing healthy options

at a fast food restaurant including eating salads; trying grilled chicken over fried; and skipping on the fries.

And as far as students being concerned about their weight, both Koo and Jorgensen agree they should pay closer attention to their body mass index, or BMI, which takes into account a person’s weight and height to calculate total body fat.

“We’ve got to get people moving again,” Jorgensen stressed. “People are trying to find a sure fix for their overweight and cholesterol. It boils down to exercise and healthy eating.”

FITNESS continued from Page 6 of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity, healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 65 should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to intensity activity five days a week.

Losing weight, according to Koo, takes time and more exercise.

“You have to exercise five to six times a week for at least forty to fortyfive minutes to see results,” she noted.

“It can be very difficult, but it can be done.”

For Garcia, the routine of lacing up her tennis shoes most mornings and making it out to the Wellness and Rec-

reational Sports Complex has become a habit that, after seven months, is getting hard to break.

“Now I love to exercise,” Garcia said. “I want to do it. It’s part of my everyday life.”

HEALTHY EATING Koo says there are a few things students can do to revamp their everyday diets in order to lose weight. One of them: make sure to eat.

“Skipping meals is a bad thing,” Koo explained. “Your body stores fat and it’s the opposite effect you want. You have

Schunior Rd

Behind lot C to main campus -322 steps East side of campus to library -434 steps

Sugar Rd

Wellness Center

East side of campus to west side of campus -624 steps RAHC

All around covered walk way 1,788 steps Parking lot C

Bronc Village

Math Building SBS Building

Health Science Building

Business Building

Unity Hall

COAS Building

Don’t have a pedometer?

No problem.

This map is a measurement of the campus using a 31-inch stride based on everyday pathways UTPA students can fit in their schedules.

Library

Designed by Roy Bazan

About 3,000 steps can build your aerobic fitness. That is about two walks around campus.

January 29, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

Page 7

Page 8

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 29, 2009

January 29, 2009

H

(From left to right) David Saldaña, Gloria Torres, George Gonzalez

Story by: Marco Carbajal Design by: Roy Bazan The Pan American

ere in the eternally sun-kissed valley of the Rio Grande, residents are able to begin displaying spring fashion style early, while most across the nation are still donning wool and digging themselves out of snow.

This season, some of the priciest “new” trends leave one with a slight feeling of déjà vu, which begs one to wonder: Is fashion fresh, innovative style or junk that just comes back after a while?

As the weather grows warmer, and the econmy hopefully follows suit, here is an affordable spring style guide perfect for the collegiate fashionista.

The key to keeping on trend is to shop for basics that will never really go out of style and then accessorize accordingly. Magazines like Lucky, Harper’s Bazaar and Men’s Vogue suggest things like classic separates or simple dresses for girls, paired with current chunky jewelry and extra-wide belts, or jeans and dress shirts for guys, matched with the latest scarves and the driver or cadet hats. These are some key pieces to look for wherever one may shop.

For the ladies, plum hues took center stage for fall/winter ‘08 and as warmer weather nears.

Look for hot color trends in spring ‘09 to deepen into rich jewel tones, metallic jackets, skirts shoes and purses, animal textures like python and crocodile, and bold graphic print dresses reminiscent of Diane von Furstenberg looks of the ‘70s have been gracing the pages of Vogue for months.

Regardless of age or income, it seems that highly versatile garments such as a basic cocktail dress are favorites for women because they give the most bang for a buck.

“I really like cocktail dresses,” said Claudia Ballin, a University of Texas-Pan American art education major from Weslaco. “Depending on the accessories, they can either look casual or dressy depending on what you do. And they always look good.”

Denise Lozano, a former UTPA student, earned a degree in fashion design in 2008 from The Art Institute of California in San Francisco and counts ripped jeans and the classic little black dress as trends that will never go out of style. Lozano also says that truly fashionable folks haunt vintage and thrift stores and should take pieces and make them their own.

“I think fashion is important because it helps a person be who they want to be at the moment.

It shows the world who you are in life,” Lozano said. “Trends never go out of style they just don’t get worn as often and have a way of coming back around.”

THE PAN AMERICAN

Many style websites also agree declaring that a piece never goes out of style when it is paired with modern pieces of the current season. For example, a pair of white jeans can easily be perked up with a modern extra wide belt, a bright graphic blouse and hot new platform heels.

Like the cocktail dress, jeans are a perennial fashion choice and will remain as popular as ever thanks to their ability to be dressed up for either sex. Women can pair jeans with heels, brooches and necklaces for a dressy look, or a casual jacket and loafers for a dressed-down one. Men can pair their jeans with graphic tees or Polos for a relaxed look, or match blazers, sweaters or ties for a dressier feel.

And spring is a spectacular time of style for men as well. Men will boldly sport patterns and prints on everything from sneakers to ties to even trousers. In fact, one of the hottest looks for them, from the runways of Paris, is slightly mismatched suit patterns or textures. This season also offers men a wide array of everything from dress vests, tailored suits, tapered buttonup shirts, cargo shorts, graphic T-shirts and the brand new look: distressed slip on moccasin loafers are the male footwear of the moment.

Ironically, the Ugg boot style ship has sailed for women, but Ugg boots are now the hottest commodity among male celebrities such as Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake and Pete Wentz.

One doesn’t need the unlimited financial resources of a Pan American staff writer to afford the luxury of staying on trend, however. What was featured in Vogue last month will certainly be hitting one’s local retailer of choice very soon for an incredibly reasonable price. For example, a highly coveted python bag in October‘s Vogue may run anywhere from $800 to $1,200, but the savvy college consumer knows the same bag styles can be had at Target for from $25 to $60.

In fact, Target and Wal-Mart have even begun courting top designers to create lines that are easily available and affordable to the average American. Designers such as Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen , and Luella Bartley have all made lines specifically for the cost-conscious catwalk queen.

Page 9

(From left to right) Lekeisha Gray, Michelle de la Torre “Style is about confidence,” says Benny Diaz, a 2004 graduate of UTPA who is now a lawyer in San Antonio. “The way you dress sets your mood and attitude for the day. If you’re sloppy in how you present yourself, you may be sloppy in a lot of other areas besides dress.”

Diaz also adds that fashion is less about price and more about a state of mind. One cannot help but recall last fall when Sarah Palin came under fire for her $150,000 wardrobe expense account, while Michelle Obama drew praise for looking dapper in a yellow J. Crew ensemble for The Tonight Show she bought online. Even Jill Biden herself won over critics last year by looking exceptionally chíc in a simple T-shirt from The Gap paired with a black blazer.

So whether one has the change of a Trump or a chump, remember that fashion is not exclusively for the elite. Fashion means putting one’s best foot forward daily with confidence and flair. With a good eye and some planning, it is possible to be swank without breaking the bank. Let the immortal words of Edna Woolman Chase ring clear: “Fashion can be bought. Style, one must possess.”

Page 8

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 29, 2009

January 29, 2009

H

(From left to right) David Saldaña, Gloria Torres, George Gonzalez

Story by: Marco Carbajal Design by: Roy Bazan The Pan American

ere in the eternally sun-kissed valley of the Rio Grande, residents are able to begin displaying spring fashion style early, while most across the nation are still donning wool and digging themselves out of snow.

This season, some of the priciest “new” trends leave one with a slight feeling of déjà vu, which begs one to wonder: Is fashion fresh, innovative style or junk that just comes back after a while?

As the weather grows warmer, and the econmy hopefully follows suit, here is an affordable spring style guide perfect for the collegiate fashionista.

The key to keeping on trend is to shop for basics that will never really go out of style and then accessorize accordingly. Magazines like Lucky, Harper’s Bazaar and Men’s Vogue suggest things like classic separates or simple dresses for girls, paired with current chunky jewelry and extra-wide belts, or jeans and dress shirts for guys, matched with the latest scarves and the driver or cadet hats. These are some key pieces to look for wherever one may shop.

For the ladies, plum hues took center stage for fall/winter ‘08 and as warmer weather nears.

Look for hot color trends in spring ‘09 to deepen into rich jewel tones, metallic jackets, skirts shoes and purses, animal textures like python and crocodile, and bold graphic print dresses reminiscent of Diane von Furstenberg looks of the ‘70s have been gracing the pages of Vogue for months.

Regardless of age or income, it seems that highly versatile garments such as a basic cocktail dress are favorites for women because they give the most bang for a buck.

“I really like cocktail dresses,” said Claudia Ballin, a University of Texas-Pan American art education major from Weslaco. “Depending on the accessories, they can either look casual or dressy depending on what you do. And they always look good.”

Denise Lozano, a former UTPA student, earned a degree in fashion design in 2008 from The Art Institute of California in San Francisco and counts ripped jeans and the classic little black dress as trends that will never go out of style. Lozano also says that truly fashionable folks haunt vintage and thrift stores and should take pieces and make them their own.

“I think fashion is important because it helps a person be who they want to be at the moment.

It shows the world who you are in life,” Lozano said. “Trends never go out of style they just don’t get worn as often and have a way of coming back around.”

THE PAN AMERICAN

Many style websites also agree declaring that a piece never goes out of style when it is paired with modern pieces of the current season. For example, a pair of white jeans can easily be perked up with a modern extra wide belt, a bright graphic blouse and hot new platform heels.

Like the cocktail dress, jeans are a perennial fashion choice and will remain as popular as ever thanks to their ability to be dressed up for either sex. Women can pair jeans with heels, brooches and necklaces for a dressy look, or a casual jacket and loafers for a dressed-down one. Men can pair their jeans with graphic tees or Polos for a relaxed look, or match blazers, sweaters or ties for a dressier feel.

And spring is a spectacular time of style for men as well. Men will boldly sport patterns and prints on everything from sneakers to ties to even trousers. In fact, one of the hottest looks for them, from the runways of Paris, is slightly mismatched suit patterns or textures. This season also offers men a wide array of everything from dress vests, tailored suits, tapered buttonup shirts, cargo shorts, graphic T-shirts and the brand new look: distressed slip on moccasin loafers are the male footwear of the moment.

Ironically, the Ugg boot style ship has sailed for women, but Ugg boots are now the hottest commodity among male celebrities such as Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake and Pete Wentz.

One doesn’t need the unlimited financial resources of a Pan American staff writer to afford the luxury of staying on trend, however. What was featured in Vogue last month will certainly be hitting one’s local retailer of choice very soon for an incredibly reasonable price. For example, a highly coveted python bag in October‘s Vogue may run anywhere from $800 to $1,200, but the savvy college consumer knows the same bag styles can be had at Target for from $25 to $60.

In fact, Target and Wal-Mart have even begun courting top designers to create lines that are easily available and affordable to the average American. Designers such as Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen , and Luella Bartley have all made lines specifically for the cost-conscious catwalk queen.

Page 9

(From left to right) Lekeisha Gray, Michelle de la Torre “Style is about confidence,” says Benny Diaz, a 2004 graduate of UTPA who is now a lawyer in San Antonio. “The way you dress sets your mood and attitude for the day. If you’re sloppy in how you present yourself, you may be sloppy in a lot of other areas besides dress.”

Diaz also adds that fashion is less about price and more about a state of mind. One cannot help but recall last fall when Sarah Palin came under fire for her $150,000 wardrobe expense account, while Michelle Obama drew praise for looking dapper in a yellow J. Crew ensemble for The Tonight Show she bought online. Even Jill Biden herself won over critics last year by looking exceptionally chíc in a simple T-shirt from The Gap paired with a black blazer.

So whether one has the change of a Trump or a chump, remember that fashion is not exclusively for the elite. Fashion means putting one’s best foot forward daily with confidence and flair. With a good eye and some planning, it is possible to be swank without breaking the bank. Let the immortal words of Edna Woolman Chase ring clear: “Fashion can be bought. Style, one must possess.”

Page 10

ADVERTISEMENTS

January 29, 2009

Dates to Know: Wii Bowling Tournament Today, 2:30 p.m.

Student Union January 29, 2009

Music: Eyes Set to Kill Monday, 6 p.m.

Cine El Rey

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 11

Feature

Cycling duo turns hobby into lifestyle Isaac Garcia The PanAmerican Imagine going to school in the morning blazing through lines of cars, avoiding all traffic signals and finding parking in just a matter of seconds. No, this isn’t your lucky day, but for avid bike riders John Sargent and Linda Matthews, it’s just part of their 3.1-mile daily routine.

Sargent, originally from Brigham City, Utah, and Matthews, originally from Long Island, N.Y., are in their forties and have been married since 1995. Both teach business at The University of Texas- Pan American and have become known in the department as quite the fitness gurus.

“We met in our doctoral program at the University of Washington back in the early ‘90s and we came to UTPA in 1997,” Sargent said. “One of the fitness things we do is that we bicycle to school; we started about two years ago.

And since then we have earned our ‘fanatic’ labels.”

The cycling couple bike just about everywhere they go.

Originally, they just wanted to ride to school but eventually it became like an addiction and began to cycle just about everywhere.

Matthews

uses her biking route to run errands and Sargent enjoys his Sunday trips to Mac News Stand located on 805 N. 10th St. Sargent isn’t sure of the exact distance, but living on Sugar Road in Edinburg, the journey from home takes about an hour.

Matthews explained that people always assume they bicycle for other reasons.

“People look at me and say, ‘Oh you’re doing this for the environment, right?’ And I say ‘No, but that’s a nice thing,’” She explained. “And when gas prices were really high, they would say, ‘Well you must save a lot on gas.’ But we do it because we think it’s was a fun thing to do.”

The cycling duo is most at ease about traffic around campus and parking problems.

“There

have been a few times when our administrative associates have been driving back from lunch and I see them while I’m crossing on my bike,” Matthews said.

“And I wind up in my office before them.

Then when they get there they ask me, ‘How did you do that?’”

Safety is crucial when commuting on a bicycle, and Sargent and Matthews are keen to always having an eye on the road.

“Although I don’t always follow traffic signals, Linda tries a bit harder. We wear helmets and lights that keep us safe on the road,” Sargent said.

Matthews believes that for the most part McAllen and Edinburg are quite bike-friendly, but things here are still a bit different than the way drivers view bikers back in Seattle.

“In Seattle biking is a normal thing and you are just one of the vehicles.

But in the Valley people don’t consider you a legal vehicle,” she said. “So if anything, I have become hyper-aware of what a car could possibly do…even if they are in the wrong, I’m dead.”

By all outward appearances the cycling duo seems healthy and fit, but both insist that is just an added benefit of their cycling routine, which

includes Sargent’s weightlifting and do as much if not more than I did beMatthews’ workouts on the Stairmaster fore,” Matthews said. “I can just figure at Cornerstone Gym located on Trenton out when it’s my time. But I can’t look to people and say to them why aren’t Road in McAllen.

Sargent cited the overweight state of you exercising or why don’t you ride a the Valley and the rest of the United States: bike. That’s their life and their choice. according to the Centers for Disease Con- It’s just a matter of priorities.”

Working together, having their offictrol (CDC), an estimated two-thirds of es right next to each other in the College Americans are overweight or obese.

“I think the health aspect is very im- of Business Administration along with portant,” Sargent said. “You see things their cycling routines keep Sargent and like president Cardenas stepping down Matthews pretty simpatico.

“We don’t usudue to health reaally cycle or exersons. Working out I hope that even if it’s not on cise together, John and bicycling is more than fun; it’s my current bicycle then maybe prefers to ride fast and I like to take lifestyle.”

Both are aware it will be a big tricycle that I my time and enjoy the scenery and the that not everyone can still ride around. breeze,” Matthews understands the joy explained, “But I bike riding gives remember when them and the time it Linda Matthews we were falling in takes to actually go riding.

Professor of marketing and love back in Ph.D. land and seeing Sargent exJohn walking by plained that when international business while exercising they were UW doctoral students, he managed to find it would make me feel good inside. Now time to exercise by his second year but when we do these things together I still he noticed that Matthews had done so in get the same feeling that I used to get her first year, while others students were when we were not even a real couple.”

Realizing that a lot can happen over struggling to balance their priorities.

Matthews figured how to exercise on time, the couple hopes to be cycling and the Stairmaster and go over her notes staying fit for as long as their bodies can for class at the same time. However, the take them.

“I think am I going to be doing this downside was that she would show up to class with her papers all wrinkled and in 10 years,” Matthews predicted. “And I can’t see anything that’s stopping me, warped due to sweat.

However, Matthews recalls a time when but obviously things happen to your body over the course of time. I hope that she just stopped exercising and cycling.

“I took time off, I don’t know why. even if it’s not on my current bicycle But I told myself that I didn’t have the then maybe it will be a big tricycle that I time. Once I started back I found that I can still ride around.”

“

”

Isaac Barrientes/THE PAN AMERICAN RIDE ON - Biking sweethearts John Sargent and Linda Matthews prepare for one of their many daily road trips.

Page 12

ARTS AND LIFE

January 29, 2009

T Campus

ALEGRIA brings fancy footwork and live music

By Victor Ituarte The Pan American Pretend you are a 6-year-old with a desire to express yourself through fancy footwork. Now imagine being the only boy in a dance camp full of girls. Desi Villarreal can do that, from experience.

“They made a special little solo for me to be like a macho man,” said chemistry major Villarreal.

Travel to 16 years later and he is now a member of the UTPA Ballet Folklórico.

“I used to teach gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance,” said the 22-yearold from McAllen. He is involved with dancing right now just for fun, he added.

The dance company is gearing up for its annual ALEGRIA concert series, which will take place at the Fine Arts Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Feb.78, at 2 p.m. Mariachi México Lindo will perform live music accompaniment.

“I like it because it’s a part of my culture,” Villarreal said. “It’s my hobby and it keeps me in shape.”

Each year, the company interprets different styles of dance from selected areas of the Republic of Mexico. Francisco Muñoz, artistic director for the 24-member dance group, said that each state and region has different costumes and dances and interpretations of their dances. There are two major areas that are different from last year.

“The more you work with your students you expect much more in respect to their technical abilities,” he explained. “Some other dances are choreographed with scenic designs that people

can probably appreciate.”

This year’s series is the first to be accompanied by live music, which is an accomplishment according to Muñoz.

“There are many professional dance companies that don’t perform with live music because it’s too expensive to pay musicians,” he said.

This, according to Cati Gomez, production manager for the company, has garnered attention from our southern neighbors.

“We got invited to Guerrero, Mexico,” Gomez said. Guerrero is a state in the south central region of Mexico.

“There is also another possibility to go to Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.”

She noted that the quality of the productions improves every year, as does the amount of work that comes with it.

“It’s more demanding in all aspects,” Gomez insisted. “In costumes, the way they’re dancing, what we present backstage, and the props. It grows in every area.”

Although the musical support is a mariachi group, Muñoz noted they know several genres of music and can play whatever is needed.

“They each play different instruments,” the director said. “From an accordion to flutes to clarinets to a harp; whatever is needed.”

Muñoz, a lecturer in the health & kinesiology department, suggested the campus community and the general public should attend to learn a little cultural history and background that may belong to them.

“This year it’s more about a presentation of different styles,” he explained.

An excited Gomez wants audiences

Isaac Barrientes/THE PAN AMERICAN PUSHING FOR PERFECTION - Maria Leal guides her team during one of many rigorous practices. The UTPA Folklórico is preparing for next week’s performance. to be ready for the company’s 40th anniversary next year.

“We want to celebrate it big because you never know if we’ll be able to celebrate the 50th,” she said.

Adult tickets will be available at the door for $10. $5 tickets for children, students and UTPA faculty/staff will be available at the door. Adult tickets for $8 can be purchased in advance at the

IBC Bank Wal-Mart in store branches valley wide and at the UTPA Payments and Collections office. For additional information, contact the Dance Program Office at 381-2230.

T Digital Age

Campus developers create virtual world for students

By Anna Villaurrutia The Pan American Just by clicking “page up” you can soar way above the University of Texas-Pan American. Head straight for the sun and you’re transported to a replica of the solar system where an astronomy class could be held. Though this may not happen in real life it is now possible in Second Life.

In Second Life, UTPA is a virtual world that is free and can be accessed through the Internet by any student.

UTPA Information Technology instructional developer Jessica Sanchez and work-studies Lisa Briones and Ben Briones have recreated the campus through designing tools available in Second Life over the last year.

In 2003, technology company Linden Lab created a virtual world for interaction and networking called Second Life.

Worldwide, Second Life now has about 15 million residents, made up of many communities called islands.

“We have the support of the provost and met with the Council of Deans, we have also met with the College of Health Sciences but not with other colleges,” said Sanchez, who is get-

ting her master’s in educational tech- guest speakers, and can interact by nology through UT Telecampus. “The chatting or speaking through a mike colleges are done, they just need to be and headset.

Sanchez said organizers have already improved upon.”

About 100 UTPA students have worked with the COHHS to build a hoscharacter called avatars that have pital above the college to give students visited the UTPA island, but Sanchez the opportunity to learn different medical simulations, said they are still like diagnosing working on inI don’t like online cours- patients, reading forming faculty about the program es, I don’t think they’re in- X-rays, and listening to heart beats. and will start promoting it within teractive. It’s (Second Life) And the “imagieducational the next month. is a better way to teach, nary” experience is more “They can show video or through it you can have a than that.

“You’re able PowerPoint to lay down on through Second good discussion. the patient table Life,” Sanchez or learn how to said. “A lot of facread an MRI,” ulty don’t know Michael Minor said Lisa Briones, about it but we are a mathematics going to promote Int’l bus. professor junior from Harit in February.”

The six university colleges have lingen who helped build the hospital. been replicated in Second Life. “Students can only imagine (what they Though the buildings are not fully are learning), but to actually see it and furnished yet, they each have an infor- be involved is completely different.”

Sanchez hopes to accommodate all mation desk and four classrooms that can be used to teach courses. At these of the colleges soon in order to have classes students can view lectures, the virtual campus finished by Fall

“

”

2009.

Building the campus has also proved to be significantly cheaper than the real version. Sanchez said purchasing an island from Linden Lab is about $800 and designing the campus has cost the IT team $21. Since Second Life is free, access to the island will not be charged as a fee but classes will be restricted to students who have paid for the course.

AROUND THE ISLAND The island also has other buildings, one representing the Coastal Studies Lab in South Padre Island; it currently features an invisible floor that reveals a small ocean of fish. A coffee house for socializing was also created, where Sanchez said various activities like a movie night will take place. UTPA’s Visitors Center is also been replicated in Second Life and will serve as an information center.

A two-story gallery has also been built for art and literary works, and Sanchez is working with art professors Leila Hernandez and Anthony Chrisafulli to showcase student art on Second Life.

A river also runs across the campus as a symbol of the Rio Grande.

A few classes have used Second Life, such as Global Strategic Management, International Business, Problems in English as a Second Language (ESL), and Consumer Behavior.

Michael Minor, international business professor, is using the computer game for his Consumer Behavior class, and said the program’s ability to interact with lots of people make online courses more effective.

“I don’t like online courses, I don’t think they’re interactive,” Minor said.

“It’s (Second Life) is a better way to teach, through it you can have a good discussion.”

Minor has also been invited to give a lecture at Michigan State’s Second Life island by an old student of his.

Minor said because of this, he could save the cost of travel.

“I don’t have to go to Michigan,” Minor said.

Not everything can be done on Second Life. Sanchez said taking exams and quizzes would still take place in class or on Blackboard.

Students can download at secondlife.com. Once on board they can access the university’s island by searching UT-Pan American.

Dates to Know:

January 29, 2009

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Basketball

vs. Chicago State Saturday, 7 p.m.

UTPA Field House

vs. Savannah State Monday, 7 p.m.

UTPA Field House

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 13

Athletic Department

Vaughn speaks on state of athletic department

By Ramiro Paez The Pan American He might still have the title of interim athletic director, but Ricky Vaughn is certain of where he wants to take The University of Texas-Pan American’s athletic department, which has labored at times under a tarnished reputation for past inconsistency.

It’s been an up-and-down ride since the days of men’s basketball coach Delray Brooks and the embezzlement scandal of the late 1990s, plus the program exile from conference membership that has extended to now. The latest controversy began in the summer when former athletic director Scott Street resigned from his position for personal reasons and baseball coach Willie Gawlik’s contract was not renewed. In addition, two more coaches left the program in December and the men’s basketball team is currently under investigation by the NCAA for possibly violating rules and regulations.

Vaughn, who has served as interim AD since last June, said despite recent setbacks in the department, Broncs athletics is still heading in a positive direction.

“With anything, you always have transition going on,” said Vaughn, who has been at UTPA for seven years and served as the men’s and women’s

track and field coach. “As long as the administration is running things efficiently and effectively then I think everything is running pretty smooth.

I don’t think things are rocky as what some people may think.”

Last month, former men’s and women’s tennis coach Rob Hubbard and track and field coach Dennis Darling resigned after finding better opportunities. Hubbard returned to his hometown of Baltimore to take the head coaching position at The University of Baltimore Maryland County.

Darling left to become a sprinters assistant at The University of TexasArlington.

In Hubbard’s final interview, the UTPA alumnus kept reiterating that UMBC’s athletic department had “well-defined goals.” In an article that appeared in The Monitor last summer, former UTPA lecturer Steve Schnall commented that the Bronc athletic department has “no mission in athletics,” and that “they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Schnall, a longtime coach and athletics promoter, is not the only one who has raised questions about the operation. But Vaughn vows that the program, which was strong in tennis, baseball and basketball from the 1950s through the 1980s, has its mission on track.

“I respect Steve a lot. Coach

Schnall is a great man. He is someone that I did business with many times when he was a professor here but it was someone that wasn’t in our department making comments and making comments about our former administration,” Vaughn said. “As far as coach Hubbard, he had a good program here and he elected to leave. It’s kind of the old adage of the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but sometimes when you get over there it may not be as good as what you think.”

Hubbard’s departure came after the administration reached an agreement on a one-year, no-raise deal, which Hubbard decided to decline. Vaughn denied comment on the administration’s decision to tender such an offer.

Hubbard, Darling and Gawlik are three of the many coaches who gave gotten on and off the school’s coaching carousel in recent years. Women’s basketball coach DeAnn Craft is currently the dean in Bronc leaders, as she is in her sixth year at the helm.

One of Vaughn’s goals is to install coaches that are going to serve longterm and be team players, which he says is the only way to garner success for the overall athletic program. He notes that it is his duty to make sure coaches buy into the mission of the university and adds that the department cannot fault a coach if they choose to pursue a greater

opportunity elsewhere.

“Yes we want coaches long term, but in any business, you’re going to have turnover,” Vaughn said.

But staying around for an extended engagement may not be in the cards for men’s basketball coach Tom Schuberth. Speculation on Schuberth’s status as head coach for the future has surfaced, with his three-year contract is set to expire at the end of this season.

Although the Broncs are in a rebuilding phase this season, the Mississippi native turned the program around last year by posting an 18-13 record, the program’s best in almost a decade.

The Broncs went 7-1 against Independent teams and captured 10 of 21 road wins. The notable turnaround led Schuberth to the Independent Coach of the Year award, but now with the

See ATHLETICS || Page 15

UTPA Coaching Carousel

I

n the past decade, many personnel changes have occured in the athletic department with head coaches. Some sports have replaced head coaches every few years while others have had a stable roster.

Baseball Manny Mantrana - 2008-Present Willie Gawlik - 2003-2008 Reggie Tredaway - 1998-2003 Men’s Basketball Tom Schuberth - 2006-Present Robert Davenport - 2004-2006 Bob Hoffman - 1999-2004 Women’s Basketball DeAnn Craft - 2003-Present Tracy Anderson - 2002-2003 Karen Nicholls - 2000-2002 Golf Ofelia Lopez - 2007-Present Andrew Tredway - 2005-2007 Drew Scott - 2003-2005 Mark Gaynor - 2000-2003

Tennis Chris Gil (Interim) - Present Rob Hubbard - 2005-2008 Paul Soliz - 2004-2005 Eduardo Provencio - 2003-2004 Todd Chapman - 2001-2003 Track and Field/Cross Country Hugo Cervantes (Asst.) - 2008-Present Dennis Darling - 2007-2008 Rick Vaughn - 2002-2006 Dan Laufer - 2000-2002 Volleyball Angela Hubbard - 2006-Present Dave Thorn - 1998-2006

Feature

Aswin ranks in Top 10 regionally, receives national recognition

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American

“Whatever I’ve done has worked

A smile of satisfaction beams on University of Texas-Pan American men’s tennis player Aswin Vijayaragavan’s face when he’s congratulated for his most recent achievement.

“I’ve worked hard,” the 19-year-old said modestly. “Whatever I’ve done has worked pretty well and I hope to maintain the rank and try to go up higher and higher.”

In fact, “higher and higher” seems to be the motto of the man who found tennis as his passion 10 years ago. At the age of 12, he became No. 1 in India for juniors and migrated to the United States to be part of the UTPA tennis team in January 2008.

A year after his arrival, the India native was announced at No. 10 in the South Central Region and No. 60 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association last week; he becomes the first nationally ranked Bronc, since Michael Fabry in 1993, and the third India native to gain the NCAA honor.

pretty well and I hope to maintain the rank and try to go up higher and higher.”

Aswin Vijayaragavan Sophomore tennis player However, he assures that this is only one of the steps toward becoming a professional tennis player, and that in order to achieve this dream he will have to become one of the top 15.

“I feel like one of my short term goals has been achieved,” he admitted.

“I need to stay focused and keep performing; I need to become physically fitter and mentally stronger.”

Along with the personal success, the sophomore holds great expectations for his team and looks to lead it to a national ranking and a return to the

glorious UTPA tennis years, when the team was nationally ranked three years in a row from 1976-1978. The squad was also ranked highly in the period from 1957 to 1964.

The ‘70s bunch was in the top ten under the leadership of former UTPA tennis coach Rob Hubbard, who was once ranked 17th in the nation, earning No. 1 status in 1978.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Hubbard, who recently resigned. “The next step would be for him to be able to reach the All-American status.”

The UTPA alumnus stressed that Vijayaragavan’s ranking is “a great accomplishment for the university.

Aswin should be pleased, but I’m sure he’s already hoping for greater things.”

After graduating in 1978, Hubbard played on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour for three seasons and in 1979 and 1980, the U.S. Open.

GREATS FROM THE PAST Aswin’s quality can be compared to that of great former Broncs like Don Russell and John Sharpe, who obtained five and four National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championships, respectively, and together won the NAIA doubles championship three times.

Russell was inducted into the UTPA athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 for his achievements on the court and his stint as coach from 1964-1967. He led the Broncs to a NAIA championship during the 1964-65 season.

Last year, Sharpe also became part of the UTPA Hall of Fame.

Former tennis players like George Kan-1965 NAIA singles national champion and leader of the national championship team that same year and Ken Long will join Russell and Sharpe in the UTPA Hall of Fame this year. Long was the captain of the 1963 team, attained a NAIA singles national championship, and was the first AllAmerican in both singles and doubles.

Eight former Broncs and the 1971 College World Series Baseball Team will be honored in the third annual UTPA Hall of Fame induction Feb. 21 at the Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex.

The UTPA Hall of Fame is still far away for Vijayaragavan but as he remains focused on his nearest goal, he reiterated the commitment to help the team accomplish a national ranking this season.

“We have to get ranked this semester because we have a pretty solid team,” he promised. “I hope doing more and more and perform better. I won’t let UTPA down.”

Page 14

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January 29, 2009

January 29, 2009

SPORTS

Page 15

Tennis

New goals, new attitude instilled in tennis program Tennis Center in Tulsa, they showed a spark as Vijayaragavan and Nirvick Mohinta picked up a pair of victories This time last year the University in singles action. of Texas-Pan American tennis pro“Personally I played very well,” gram was on its way to having a re- said Mohinta. “The guys (Broncs tencord book camnis team) they paign. The 2009 Tennis Home Schedule did well also, campaign brings we played three some changes, matches and MEN but though some overall it was a might think the good effort with Jan. 31 Prairie View A&M Broncs are headTBA all the traveling ed for setbacks, Feb. 7 Southern University involved.” the teams are TBA The transiMonterrey Tech ready to prove Feb. 8 tion from Rob TBA the skeptics Hubbard (who Feb. 24 Nicholls State wrong and keep for 1 p.m. coached the wins coming. six seasons) to March 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff The early reTBA Gill, who took turns were not so March 14 UTSA the reins right good, however, TBA before the first as both programs March 18 Southeastern Louisiana tournament of 1 p.m. suffered a setthe fall, has been back in Oklahoa smooth one for ma over the, fallthe Broncs.

WOMEN ing to Oklahoma.

“Well no “Well my matter who the Jan. 31 Prairie View A&M University overall thought TBA coach is, you’re is that I’m very Feb. 7 Southern University playing alone pleased with TBA on the court and the men’s side,” Feb. 8 Monterrey Tech it depends how TBA said interim strong you are head coach Chris Feb. 24 Nicholls State mentally,” Mo4 p.m.

Gill.

“Aswin hinta said. “And March 6 Central Arkansas ( Vi j a y a r a g a 3 p.m. if you’re willing van) performed March 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff to put everything beautifully all TBA on the line and weekend long April 2 Stephen F. Austin give your best.”

TBA even though the Mohinta results didn’t go April 4 Texas A&M - Corpus Christi knows that ulTBA his way.” timately they April 17 National Independent But when the Tournament TBA need a coach for Broncs took on guidance and 13th ranked Tulfeels that Gill sa on Jan. 23 at the Michael D. Case performed great for his first time as

Bronc leader. He also said the team has been very receptive toward the newcomer.

“Of course we need a coach for support and showing us the way,” said Mohinta. “Coach Chris was able to do that this weekend.”

Gill, who had been the director of tennis for the McAllen Country Club since October 2007, was an assistant for Hubbard in spring 2007. He is a graduate of Tyler Junior College where he completed the Tennis Tech Program, a program that specializes in certifying students to become tennis coaches.

The transition for Gill has been a smooth one thanks to the administration, he said, but he also knows that as far as the players goes, he needs to meet them halfway.

“For the last few years they’ve (players) had it a certain way and I feel like my way isn’t necessary better or worse, it’s just different,” Gill explained. “I’m trying to meet the players halfway and trying to understand what they expect, what they’ve been doing. and yet implement some things I would like to see the players do.”

For Gill, the main thing he wants to work on is attitude. He wants to make sure players understand that their attitude on and off the court is important. He said that tennis is a game of errors and that players are going to make mistakes. They just need to take the time to correct them, move on, and forget about them.

“For me what I want to see is the attitude to get better, to perform well and the attitude to just be willing to do what it takes to win,” Gill concluded.

“Every single time we walk on the court is important to me to set the tone for the rest of the year.”

ATHLETICS continued from Page 13

Basketball

By Pedro Perez IV The Pan American

expiration of his contract approaching while under investigation.

Vaughn will admit that the biggest and an investigation by the NCAA ongoing, Schuberth’s standing is uncertain. problem he’s tried to tackle since be“At this time, we have not talked coming interim AD is turning the moabout what direction we want to go rale of the department around. With with that yet,” Vaughn said. “Right negativity surrounding the program the last couple of now, all we can say is that we Right now, all we can say years, he says it’s important to have support Coach Schuberth. They is that we support Coach everyone working together toward a have a very young Schuberth. They have a very common goal. team, very talent“We can’t be ed team to get on a young team, very talented 14 separate teams, run and hopefully end up having a team to get on a run and we need to be one working all winning season. hopefully end up having a team toward a common Right now, that’s our main focus.” winning season. Right now, goal,” he insisted.

“I think that’s Vaughn said probably been the a discussion on that’s our main focus. biggest obstacle.

Schuberth’s fuAs the coaches ture will be made see that, “Hey, after the season Ricky Vaughn things are getand declined to ting better,’ that’s comment on pos- Interim athletic director when they’re realsible NCAA violations; NCAA rules prohibits any ad- ly going to buy into things and believe ministrator from making a statement in the system.”

“

”

Roxy Solis/The Pan American

SPRINGING BACK - Freshman Abdelhamid Riani, from Sousse, Tunisia, practices his backhand at the Orville Cox Center at UTPA. Riani is the newest recruit to join the men’s tennis program.

SEC’s Auburn nips Broncs 66-63, women drop two straight on road

By Kevin Stich The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American men’s and women’s basketball teams hit the road last week looking to pick up wins after both suffered setbacks in the most recent action.

Tuesday night, the men dueled it out with Auburn University in a classic bout but lost for the fifth time in six games, 66-63, to fall to 5-13 overall. The Broncs found themselves down 14 to start the game against an SEC opponent, and were behind 11 at the end of the first half with the score 39-28.

The boys dug themselves out of a hole as they cut the lead to two with 9:51 left to play in the second half, and with a three-pointer from sophomore guard Nick Weiermiller,

took the lead. From there it was a nail-biter as both teams struggled to shake the other.

The game ended when the Broncs, down by three, could not produce enough magic to hit a three pointer and overcome the Tigers as time expired. They played without leading scorer Emmanuel Jones, and only connected on 7 of 15 from the free-throw line. P.J. Turner (16 points) and Nathan Hawkins (13) led the Green and White.

LADY BRONCS The Lady Broncs (11-11), who’d suffered a 69-54 loss to the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders Saturday, faced off against the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders Wednesday night.

In the women’s loss versus NJIT, freshman standout Epiphany Smith

finished the game with 11 points and senior forward Aleeya Grigsby and senior guard Teshay Winfrey combined for 19.

The Lady Broncs didn’t fare much better against the Islanders as they dropped a second consecutive game, 54-35. Poor execution and a big dose of Islander center Myeisha Myles, who scored 17 on the night, were enough to put UTPA away.

Junior guard Rachel Hester (10 points) was the standout for the Lady Broncs, while Smith managed a mere two-point performance in the loss.

Both squads will head home to the UTPA Field House for their next games. The men will look to gain a win against Savannah State University Monday while the women try to look to rebound versus Chicago State University Saturday.

Page 16

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 29, 2009

Super Bowl

Sports Commentary

Will the real fútbol please stand up?

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American Mexicans like soccer. Everybody knows that.

But very few outsiders understand what soccer means to them.

Most of them identify with the colors of their favorite Mexican soccer club, which raises rivalries that divide friends, families, cities and at times, the entire nation.

However, all Mexicans share the passion for the green shirt that has so many times given them a taste of heaven, or drowned them in their own dreams.

“El Tri,” as they colloquially call the Mexican

By Ramiro Paez/Pedro Perez IV The Pan American

soccer team, generates an almost religious fervor breaking down geographical and social barriers in

ANTAGONIST There’s no doubt that some people simply just don’t like football. But if there are a group of people who you could rely on to defend players’ integrity, it would be fellow athletes.

Right?

Not for University of TexasPan American volleyball players Marci Logan and Cassandra Trevino.

“It depends on your definition of athletic but I think you have to be an athlete,” Logan said on her opinion of why football isn’t sport. “A sport requires you to be an athlete and you don’t have to be athletic to play football.”

So while some crazed football fanatics prepare for Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIII showdown between the upstart Arizona Cardinals and perennial power Pittsburgh Steelers, others will either watch for the game’s enticing commercials and entertaining halftime show, or just refuse to turn on their television set at all.

Logan says a typical Super Bowl Sunday for her entails eating whatever food items are at her gathering that night. Being a Colorado native, the only

Super Bowls Logan has actually tuned in for was when the Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

Trevino of Edinburg shares her teammate’s attitude. She believes that in some instances football is a sport, but for positions such as offensive and defensive lineman, she doesn’t agree with the fact that being overweight garners millions of dollars.

Other non-football fans are out there, believe it or not.

Jessica Munoz, a sophomore from Edinburg, refuses to watch because of the violence.

“I don’t really like it,” she said. “It’s not my interest. I don’t like the fact that people are out there to get hurt. I think it’s too much and people make a big deal out of it.”

Many hardcore fans live inside a bubble, ignorant to the fact that some people loathe the sport. It’s true that sport will never satisfy everyone’s taste but that’s why what the protagonists say is right, “You just got to love the sport.”

PROTAGONIST Loving the sport for some people is just a way of life and for others it’s a way to get together with their friends and family, have a huge party, perhaps gamble, or just enjoy competition.

Junior psychology major Seth Watkins enjoys friendly banter and rivalry about the sport. He will host a party this weekend where he plans to turn trash-talking among into a contest to see who picks the game’s winner.

“It’s all fun and games with my friends and I,” Watkins said. “The party my girlfriend and I are hosting should be interesting because we have this one friend who thinks he knows it all, and hopefully he’ll choose the wrong team.”

For senior education major Rigo Sanchez, Sunday can’t come soon enough. He loves

football and although his beloved Dallas Cowboys are not in the Super Bowl, he’s excited to be watching a high-powered defense (Pittsburgh) go up against a great passing offense led by All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Arizona has never been to the Super Bowl so I would love to see them win,” Sanchez admitted. “It will be interesting to see how the (Pittsburgh) Steelers’ secondary will maintain (Larry) Fitzgerald.”

The Super Bowl is a day when most people break out the party favors and just have fun.

The technical fans will watch a great defense go up against a hot pass offense, the commercial buffs will be glued to the television as NBC goes to break after a turnover, and football fans in general will enjoy the season’s biggest game.

SPORTS SECTION STAFF PICKS Ramiro Paez Gregorio Garza Pedro Perez IV Sara Hernandez Kevin Stich -

Steelers Cardinals Steelers Steelers Cardinals

27-17 26-24 28-24 17-14 27-24

the country to bring together an otherwise divided nation.

Mexicans grow up believing that for 90 minutes they are the 12th player on the field, and their presence in the stadium, or in front of the TV, is almost as important as the performance of the 11 chosen citizen-athletes whom they know as if they were part of their family.

And they are. Fans know them by full name, nickname, team, position, city of origin and even personality traits. They also appreciate them as one would appreciate relatives and thus can switch from love of them to to hatred in a moment without giving up faith.

Wherever he is, the Mexican knows millions of co-nationals share his emotions when intonating the Mexican anthem, cheering every time the team approaches the goal, lamenting its mistakes, celebrating when the tri-color squad scores, and rejoicing with victory. It’s almost a ritual.

Despite being culturally rich, Mexico is not a wealthy country. In fact, its economy has struggled for the last several years and its national currency has lost value dramatically in the last six months.

The insecurity and violence experienced in the country are unconceivable, as the drug war has taken away thousands of lives. Mexican society has always suffered an absence of a middle class, a wealth gap further dividing the country into two groups - the powerful and the nobodies.

So it seems that soccer is the one factor that brings the country together, making everyone equal, sharing the opportunity to hope, dream and strive for the same goal.

Win or lose. It doesn’t matter. The people have faith that there will always be one more chance to make their dreams come true, and that they’ll be there to see it happen.

If I didn’t have to work, I would not watch it at all.

Geronimo Ruedas Junior comm. major

Cards are going to take it. They’re hot, I feel the magic coming out of (Kurt) Warner.

Robert Tellez Junior political sci.

I think the Steelers are going to win. But I rather would go for the Cardinals because I would rather wear a red shirt and go for the team.

Nothing compares to seeing the Mexican soccer team fight for the pride of the entire countr, to qualify to the World Cup, and hopefully win it. It has never happened, and who knows if it will, but it will never be too late to try again, at least for the faithful.

The first official game of the year toward qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is Feb. 11

Alexia Trigo Junior nursing

against the United States.

So, here we go again…