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NBA
MAGIC MOMENT: Earvin “Magic” Johnson was nominated for the Basketball Hall of Fame Wednesday. Former teammate James Worthy, Portland Trailblazers’ head coach Maurice Cheeks, Adrian Dantley, Bobby Jones, and Chet Walker were also nominated for enshrinement. Johnson, now the vice president for the Los Angeles Lakers, led the team to five NBA championships. At the age of 20, Magic became the first rookie named MVP of the finals for his efforts against the Philiadelphia 76ers in 1980. In game six, Magic took over at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and played all five positions, scoring 42 points and grabbing 15 boards.
PGA
THE SPANIARD AND THE GOOSE: South African Retief Goosen (pictured above) and Spaniard Sergio Garcia will battle this weekend for the Spanish Open title at the Canary Islands. Both players come in evenly matched, with U.S. Open champion Goosen ranked fourth in the world and Garcia one rank behind. Garcia hopes to top both the U.S. and European Tour money lists.
S PORTS O Canada
■ Sports Clipboard. . . . . . 15 ■ Stats box . . . . . . . . . . . 15
The Pan American
The University of Texas-Pan American athletic program frequently draws talented athletes from all over the world to deep South Texas, and the tennis program is no exception. The program is currently developing two freshman from north of the border in Filip Koziell and Jeremy Salvo. Koziell is a standout from Calgary, Alberta and was ranked No. 1 in the under-18 division in province. Salvo was named MVP of Centennial Secondary School and was ranked No. 7 in Canada. He grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver. Head coach Todd Chapman is pleased with how Koziell and Salvo have come in and performed well as freshman. “For two freshman, I could not expect any more out of them,” Chapman said. “I’ve been pleased at the progress they’ve
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The Pan American
As a sports writer for The Pan American these past three and a half years, I witnessed plenty of memorable Bronc moments. There was the night of Bob Hoffman’s first regular season game as a head coach for the Broncs. It was a 105-104 heartbreaking tripleovertime loss to Oral Roberts University. Revenge was sweet just two months later when the Broncs won their first road game in 63 tries against ORU, 79-62.
An Inside Look: News ............................................2 A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■
Migrants assisted
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climate was quite a change for the two “Canucks” after playing their entire lives See CANUCKS page 14 in Canada.
There are so many more memories worth mentioning, but not enough paper. I’d like to extend my thanks to all the coaches and personnel of the UTPA athletic department for granting my reporters and I interviews when we requested. To the sports information crew, Dave Gerringer and Luis Nunez, thanks for all your help. Then there was Jim McKone, the king of sports information directors. I worked with him for one semester, and it was more than a pleasure, it was an honor to work with someone as respected as McKone.
I remember the night of Jan. 25, 1999. It was the night before my first published article in The Pan American appeared. I stayed up pretty late, scared at the idea the entire university would read my article. The story was about the resurgence in attendance at Bronc basketball games and just a few weeks ago I ran into the article going through some of the boxes in one of my closets. Unsure if, then sports editor Joe Leal would ask me to write another See FAREWELL page 15
Effective Spring 2002, student grade reports will no longer be mailed automatically for students in good academic standing. Students may obtain their grades using ASSIST phone (956/381-3040) by following the automated instructions; via web (assist.panam.edu) by entering their student identification number and PIN number; and via KIOSK services by entering their Student Identification Number and PIN number. Students requiring a paper copy of their grades may request a transcript via the web (assist.panam.edu) to be mailed to either their local or permanent address on file with the Office of Admissions and Records.
NOTICE ■ This is the final issue of
The Pan American for the spring semester. The paper will resume publication during the first summer school session, with issues June 13 and June 27, and then will resume publication in the fall starting August 29. The Pan American staff would like to thank students, staff, faculty, and other Valley readers for their patronage during the spring semester, and their contributions toward news gathering as well. During the summer, the staff will be doing a content analysis and survey in order to start making positive changes for next semester.
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T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n
CAMPUS NEWS
made and they have been a big part of the success we’ve had. They’re definitely going to be a factor going into next year in building what we want to build.” While Koziell and Salvo, nicknamed “the Canucks” by teammates, have showcased their talents throughout the season. Adjusting to the Texas heat has proved to be a formidable opponent for both athletes. “It was harder than I thought,” Salvo said. “I thought it was going to be like any other trip, then you realize that you’re actually here for a while. It takes a while to adjust.” The transition for Koziell wasn’t as difficult, thanks to the help and encouragement of Salvo. “It was a lot easier to have Jeremy [here] because we’re both from Canada,” Koziell said. “We got along real well right off the Matt Lynch/The Pan American bat. It wasn’t that hard for me because I always wanted to play CANADIANS BAKIN’: Doubles partners Jeremy Salvo, of Vancouver, and Filip college tennis and I was looking Koziell, of Calgary, endured the hot and humid Valley weather earlier this week to practice for tomorrow’s match against Lamar. The sunny South Texas forward to it.”
There was the night Lalo Rios played his last game as a Bronc, or the day the San Diego Padres drafted Omar Ortiz in the first round of the 1999 draft. Then there was the day Caleb Schmidt, Dustin Haas, Darren Heinrichs and Gabe De La Garza hit consecutive home runs against Western Illinois March 7, 2000. Or the night UTPA honored the 1962-63 basketball NAIA championship team in February 2000, and the entire team reunited for the first time since the championship season.
April 25, 2002
Page 6
Editor reflects upon past four years, says adios By Eladio Jaimez
VOICE
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The freshmen Canadian tennis tandem of Filip Koziell and Jeremy Salvo is a big reason head coach Todd Chapman is excited about the future of Bronc tennis By Mike Gonzalez
THURSDAY
Campus
By Melissa Ciomperlik The Pan American
Anna Stwora/The Pan American
TAKING IT TO THE TOP- Fabierae Lovato, a freshman history major, attempts the rock climbing wall challenge Monday afternoon at the Road’s Scholar College Tour, which stopped at UTPA Monday and Tuesday to feature select Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. Hosted by Student Life and Transition Services, activities included an extreme road course, NHL slapshot game, and live BMX demonstrations among other booths.
To help migrant students transition from high school into college, the University of Texas-Pan American’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides tutoring, counseling, academic advisement, career advisement and social support. “We assist them with that whole transition from high school to college,” said Luis Romero, academic coordinator of CAMP. “Some of the students need that kind of social support to make sure that they feel connected with the university, to ensure that they succeed their remaining three years in college.” CAMP provides services during the students’ first year in college, and after they complete the program, CAMP staff are available to assist students during their careers at the university. To qualify for CAMP, students or their parents must be a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker who has worked a minimum of 75 days in farmwork within the last 24 months. Students must also be freshmen with fewer than 15 hours of college credit. According to Marilyn Hagerty, associate director of CAMP, approximately 10 percent of entering freshmen at UTPA are migrants. The
See CAMP page 12
Survey aids in service improvements By Melissa Ciomperlik The Pan American
In response to a survey conducted in Fall 2001 by the Computer Center, the Advanced Services for Student information Supported by Technology (ASSIST) Web site has recently implemented several changes. The ASSIST Web site allows students to register for classes, access schedules, check grades and view financial aid information online at the URL www.assist.panam.edu. The survey was constructed by three graduate students in the computer information systems department and project leader Reynaldo Robles, in order to gather information about students experiences with ASSIST. “One of the suggestions was to market the
services of ASSIST,” Robles said. “They [graduate students] found that some students didn’t know what services they could find at the kiosks or that they could register on the Web.” Posters in the hallway advertised the new ASSIST services and pocket brochures about the service were available to students. Links to the academic calendar, payment deadlines, final exam dates and financial aid deadlines can now be accessed through ASSIST. Students can even apply for emergency loans and pay tuition by check through the ASSIST Web site. “If you want to pay by check, you don’t need to walk to payments and collections,” Robles said. “Students just input their information and they are done.”
Robles said paying by check will not only help students, but will help campus offices because they will have less paperwork to do. “This is a win-win situation for all,” he said. Students have had mixed reactions to the new on-line check payments through the ASSIST Web site. “It was kind of confusing when I tried to use it,” said Roberto Castro, a sophomore fine arts major. “I haven’t used it yet, but it sounds like it would be convenient,” said Marissa Villarreal, a senior psychology major. “It beats having to walk all the way over to Payments and Collections.” UTouch Kiosks, the self-contained computSee ASSIST page 2
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April 25 2002
Celebrating 50 years 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 50th Year – No. 26
Editor Matt Lynch mlynch@panam.edu
News Editor Cristina Reyna creyna826@aol.com
Copy Editor Melissa Ciomperlik ciomperlik@yahoo.com
Graphics Editor Gabriel O. Hernandez gabo296@hotmail.com
A & E Editor Ashley Brooks Magrew2@hotmail.com
Sports Editor Eladio Jaimez ejaimez@panam.edu
Layout Designers Gabriel Hernandez Celeste Y. Tello Reporters Blake Daniels Jaime Garcia Jr. Mike Gonzalez Elizabeth Martinez
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 university.
Letters policy The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.
Nikki Ramirez Belinda Reyes Cesar Trevino Photographers Anna Stwora Mary Zuviri Advertising Dagoberto Perez Circulation Jesus M. Gonzalez Advertising Coordinator Juanita Sanchez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber
Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office. For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.
OPINION
April 25, 2002
letters
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editorials
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cartoons
Institutional communication breakdown In a large institution such as a university, huge amounts of revenue are collected and in turn equally huge expenditures are paid. Such is the nature of the large-scale institution. The successful modern bureaucracy is an amazing study in synchronicity, organization, and order, regulating and facilitating a wide variety of services that would be otherwise impossible for localized, informal processes There are always complications, as business is not a perfect science, despite its benefits. There are inevitable mistakes-usually userbased-and miscalculations, and sometimes dishonesty. But most often there are divergent opinions about the nature of operation within an institution. This brings the reader to the controversy at the University of Texas-Pan American, at the heart of which is resource allocation. SITUATION ANALYSIS The Student Affairs Advisory Committee is a largely student-run, independent body charged with making recommendations to John Edwards, vice president of the division of enrollment and student services, about the use of collected student fees. These recommendations are then passed to the president’s office, which considers them in making final budget decisions. SAAC says it is in the middle of a budget disagreement with the vice president’s office about fee allocation, and the use of reserves, problems that have been ongoing for nearly a decade. A spokesman for the vice president for Business Affairs says there has been a lack of communication leading to misunderstanding, and further, no hard-and-fast budget decisions have been made. There is a meeting scheduled for this morning at which the president, vice presidents and budget director will make headway toward a resolution of the budget for the upcoming year. The basic disagreement has to do with where money comes from to get things done. BACKGROUND AND EXPLANATION SAAC reconvened March 27 to clarify its earlier recommendations to Edwards’ office, of which two points are most important. The committee recommended that fee allocations each year be made based on actual dollars collected during the previous 12 months, and that a portion of student fee reserves be used to finance a series of one-time services, including most prominently salary merit bene-
ASSIST
fits for university staff. The vice president’s office, hereafter referred to as the administration, believes that while certain one - time services can be funded by using reserves - an example of this came with the construction of the recently completed Student Union - annual, “ongoing” expenditures, which are annual or monthly, must be met with funds from Student Services, per institutional policy. Included in the ongoing category are monies for merit awards. A recent SAAC memo to the vice president’s office noted that Business Affairs estimates of revenues are consistently lower than actual collection figures. The memo also noted that reserves are expected to climb to over $1 million by the end of the most recent fiscal year. The memo notes that from SAAC’s standpoint, a healthy minimum of reserves is $400,000, and that the $245,832 set to be added to extant reserves of $845,888 will put the balance over $1 million. SAAC’s line of reasoning is that rather than taking money from Student Services to meet the one-time services, the money should come from abundant reserves. While SAAC recognizes the need to have funds in place to cover unforeseen deficits, it believes that the reserve balance in place is adequate for this purpose. The committee thus believes that the student fee reserves are a good source from which to fund the one-time services, which besides the merit pay (nearly $35,000, as opposed to the $25,000 from fee collections themselves recommended by the administration) would go for costumes for mariachi performers ($5,000) and improvement of CampusNet computer equipment ($30,000). For its part, the vice president’s office is thinking like an administration, which is what it is. Its estimates are always more conservative than those of entities such as SAAC, says one spokesman, because the administration is responsible for the long-term ramifications of making such decisions. Vice President for Business Affairs James Langabeer says that all parties can benefit from a little more communication, and that most seeming disagreements like this one are easily defused when both sides understand the inner workings of the situation clearly. There appears to be a difference in understanding working definitions of ongoing versus one-time expenditures. VP Edwards has reiterated the administra-
tion opinion that the money for some of the purchases in question, prominently the merit pay, should be allocated from Student Services. At least, that is, according to SAAC, which wants the money to come from the reserves and has submitted a series of questions for the president’s office to answer. 1. What should reserves be used for? 2. What is the rationale for not using reserves to augment merit? 3. What is a reasonable reserves balance and how is that determined? 4. How should the interest be used? In the next year, the committee plans a more thorough study of reserves, plus progress toward a clearer understanding of accounting procedures and transactions making use of student fees. As noted, the administration meets today to discuss the issue and the budget. Langabeer explained that the accumulated reserves balance is higher than it normally has been due to a surge in enrollment 6-8 years ago. He notes that the administration is hesitant to make budget decisions on the basis of that high figure, as it is abnormal. This is an ongoing conversation; no decisions have been made, he continued, adding that there doesn’t necessarily have to be a controversy.
students to accept financial aid awards on-line and request their PIN or RAC number be e-mailed to them if forgotten. There will also be an e-mail account, which is expected to be active within the next two months, on the ASSIST Web site that will allow students to post their feedback about the site. “Students come here to study,” Robles said. “They don’t want to spend their time going to offices to get their PIN or to get information. We want to save the students time, so they can have
more time to study.” Robles said that his department is researching a new system that will allow 24-hour access to the ASSIST site when the next system upgrade takes place. “We are already looking into the next generation of database software that does allow 24- hour access,” Robles said. “But we are looking at a multi-year and multimillion dollar project, that will have a great impact on the university.”
NEWS
THE UPSHOT This is a complicated issue, one which is not unusual considering the complex nature of modern bureaucratic institutions, plus the inevitable disagreements from human facilitators when it comes to inter-institution policy decisions. The bottom line is the need for an equitable and logical use of revenue, and a farsighted, equally equitable use of reserves. The situation is ongoing, and its resolution depends in large part on an unbiased understanding of all sides of the problem. It should not be ideologically grounded, nor should it be resolved in favor of either misplaced antagonism from a student-based organization or strong-arming by the administration. There needs to be a more universal understanding of what is being attempted by each entity. The Pan American will continue to monitor this important bureaucratic development, because it will eventually impact every branch of the university, from students, faculty, and staff to the long-term fiscal health of the university itself.
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er stations around campus are now being used to display important information to students as well, when the station is idle. “We are using the kiosk screensavers to advertise deadlines for registration, payments and financial aid,” Robles said. “So that information is available to students there.” There is a list of other changes that the computer center is reviewing and planning to implement within the next two months. Robles said there are plans to allow
SPORTS CLIPBOARD Englishman honored PLANO-For the fifth time this season, the University of Texas Pan American’s men’s tennis team received an individual honor from the Southland Conference. Junior Matt Gower was named Southland Conference player of the week. Gower won all six of his matches last week. He defeated Eric Subirats of Southeastern Louisiana (SLU), Jakob Paulsen of Lamar (LU) and Luis Moris of Laredo Community College (LCC) at no. 1 singles, and teamed with senior Kareem Abdullah to win three times at no. 2 doubles. Gower and Abdullah defeated Subirats and Paul Birkett of SLU, Paulsen and J.P. Alatorre of Lamar, and Keith Powell and Eduardo Pazos of LCC. UTPA won all three matches, defeating SLU, 6-1, Lamar, 4-0, and LCC, 7-0. The win against SLU, allowed UTPA to clinch the fourth seed for this weekend’s SLC tourney. The Lamar match was a non-conference match, and the match against LCC was an exhibition match. “Matt really deserved the award,” said UTPA head coach Todd Chapman. “Matt is playing some of the best tennis he’s played all year, which is really important for the team going into the conference tournament. He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now, and probably playing harder than I’ve seen him play all year. He played an important role in our winning all three of our matches last week, two of which were against conference opponents.” The Broncs will open SLC Tournament play against Lamar Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at The University of Texas-San Antonio.
Local runner signs with Broncs EDINBURG-Former Bobcat Deanah Chavez and signed on with the University of Texas Pan American Bronc track team this week. Chavez ran 400 meters in 59 seconds and 800 meters in 2:17 as a middle distance runner during her second year at Edinburg High School. “I’m really excited that we signed Deanah, she’s a very talented young athlete,” said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. “She was hurt during her junior year, but she came back and was second in the district meet this year, and advanced to the regional meet, which will be run this weekend.” Chavez is the first athlete to sign with UTPA during the spring signing period.
FAREWELL
sports
Page 15
By the numbers Thursday’s Game
BASEBALL BRONC LEADERS Batting Average Adam Farek Tony Ortiz John Lopez Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy
.302 .301 .297 .295 .287
Home runs Matt Eichel Matt Sisk Tony Ortiz Jarrad Maddox Sean Flynn Jonathan Mason Marco Garza
2 2 2 1 1 1 1
RBI Matt Sisk Bruce Kennedy Matt Eichel Tony Ortiz Jarrad Maddox
19 15 11 10 8
R H E UTPA 000 001 001-- 2 7 1 Nebraska 310 000 51x-- 10 14 1 WP: Sillman (1-1) LP: James (5-7) Records: UTPA 13-30; Nebraska 28-14. Wednesday’s game: Nebraska 18, UTPA 1 Next game: Saturday 4 p.m. doubleheader vs. St. Mary’s; Tuesday, April 30 3 p.m. doubleheader vs. Incarnate Word. Note:Last two home appearances of the season. Broncs’ season ends May 12 at Texas Tech.
TRACK AND FIELD MEN Upcoming schedule April 25-27 Drake Relays May 3-4 Texas Invitational May 20 Houston Last Chance May 28-June 1 NCAA Championships
WOMEN Hits Jerome McCoy Matt Sisk Bruce Kennedy Skip Weast John Lopez
41 41 34 31 30
Runs Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy Bruce Kennedy John Lopez Marco Garza
22 21 17 14 12
Upcoming schedule April 25-27 Drake Relays May 3-4 Texas Invitational May 20 Houston Last Chance May 28-June 1 NCAA Championships
TENNIS MEN Upcoming schedule April 26-28
TEAM NUMBERS Batting Average .262 Home runs 10 RBI 135 Hits 350 Runs 160 * statistics do not include yesterday’s game against Nebraska.
SLC Tournament
Broncs vs. Laredo Community College 1-Gower, UTPA, defeated Moris, 6-2, 6-3 2-Mangleschots, UTPA, defeated Powell, 6-0, 6-2 3-Koziell, UTPA, defeated Horvat, 7-5, 6-1 4-Salvo, UTPA, defeated Cardenas, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 5-Abdullah, UTPA, defeated Guerra, 6-2, 6-3 6-Barraclough, UTPA, defeated Pazos, 6-0, 6-0
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story, I decided to change my major to print journalism. I enjoyed sports, and after that article I thought I enjoyed writing and reporting, as well. It’s been three and a half years, and I still enjoy all three. Joe asked me back and I’m here today because of his trust in my writing. Thanks Joe. I gave a shot at writing general news and politics, and liked it very much as well. I took a shot at being the editor of this publication, and while my staff never said anything, I knew I better served the newspaper as a reporter. My education at UTPA wasn’t limited to textbooks I never read or to classes I went to half the time. I’ve learned more in the past four years here, and the seven all together since high school, than more people will in a lifetime. When I decided to attend UTPA over four years ago, I was actually playing with the idea of not going to college anymore, period. With a little push from my mother, I decided that going to school was the best thing for me. I’m glad I did, because not only will I soon receive my degree, but in the course of my time here, I’ve met so many great professors which have had a great impact
on my life. The list is too long to mention, but some of these people are too important to let go unmentioned. First of all, every professor I’ve ever had at this university has been special. Even those whose class I dropped like eight times. It wasn’t you, it was me. Of course the professors you spend the most time with are the ones you’ll always remember. One of which, Bob Rollins, is no longer with us. Henry’s father, just kidding. Although, the Rollins Band’s hardcore riffs and tunes are pretty right-on when describing Rollins’ style of teaching. I can credit Rollins for giving me the thick skin needed in journalism. I remember the first thing he told me when I began at the Pan American, “Check your ego at the door, son.” Dr. Salma Ghanem and Jackie Nirenberg are two of the sweetest professors I’ll probably ever know. That’s true because the chances of me getting into graduate school anywhere are slim to none, and slim just left the building. Dr. Ghanem and Jackie, thanks for all the advice you gave me and for listening to me whenever I had questions. I’ll probably see you guys again when the university calls my house saying I did-
n’t really graduate because half my credit hours are freshmen level. Another one of my teachers no longer at UTPA, but someone I still admire and revere, is Arturo Longoria. When Rollins passed away, Arturo was supposed to be here only one semester as an interim adviser. He stayed two years, and I’m glad he stayed. Despite any discord he may have had with other students and professors, Arturo taught me a lot about reporting and writing for newspapers. There are very few people I could say I consider mentors, and he would definitely be one of them. Another, Greg Selber. Homeboy has helped me get my foot in the door so many times and even helped me land my first real job at the Valley Morning Star, which I start in three weeks. Just like Arturo, Greg’s been a mentor and his advice has been priceless. And who could forget Juanita Sanchez. In the last four years, nobody has worked harder for The Pan American than Juanita. This publication could not run if it weren’t for Juanita. Thanks for putting up with all of us in the newsroom these past four years, especially me. And whenever it is that you decide to retire, I wish you all the
best. Everybody on staff, it’s been a real pleasure working and knowing all of you. Working all those late nights and taking trips together brought us closer together as a group. If I could pick any group of people to work with, it would definitely be the staff at Playboy, but you guys would come in at a close second. To every past staff member--whether you graduated, transferred or just quit--you guys made that first year at The Pan American fun. Mike Liscano, I’ll run into you someday in California or Mexico. The mom and the sister. The cornerstones of who you guys know as Eladio Jaimez, and the main reason I even came back to school. Their endless support helped me get through some tough times. I owe them a lot. Thanks mom and Becky. I breathed, ate and slept the Pan American these last four years. I’ll miss it. I leave you with the advice a professor once gave me, “All advice is free, take it whenever it’s given.” It’s hard to say good bye, so I’ll use the words an old Saturday Night Live cast member used to bid his farewell every week. “That’s the news folks, and I’m out of here.”
sports
April 25, 2002
CANUCKS • Free Pregnancy test
• Shelter Assistance
• Abortion education/
• 24-Hour Hotline
informed consent • Referral Services
• Post-Abortion Support Groups
• Baby Clothing Bank
• Supportive Guidance
• Post-Abortion Counseling
• Assistance Counseling • STD Education
Pharr • Weslaco • Harlingen • Brownsville
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Weather could be considered a doubleedged sword for the two South Texas transplants. While the heat of the summer caused Salvo and Koziell distress, both players feel the climate is almost perfect for year-round tennis play. In high school, Salvo would at times have to play in cold weather wearing sweaters. Tournaments were constantly moved indoors due to harsh weather conditions. The same can be said for Koziell, who accepted a four-year scholarship to come and play for the Broncs. “It’s good tennis weather all year long and it’s a good Division I team [Broncs], Koziell said. According to Chapman, Salvo and Koziell bring different styles of play to the court, and he believes both players will bolster next year’s tennis squad. “Jeremy is a very talented player,” Chapman said. “He is a great doubles player, has great hands and is a talented, strong individual.” Chapman feels Salvo has the capability to play against top players once he gets additional collegiate matches under his belt. “I think he has the talent to play at the top end of our team,” Chapman said. “The confidence and experience in playing college tennis is just adjusting. Your freshman year is usually a big adjustment.” While Chapman feels Salvo’s future at UTPA is bright, Salvo admits there’s still work that needs to be done to improve his game. “I want to be better next year,” Salvo
said. “I’m at a seven [on a scale of 1-10], but I think I can get a lot better.” Like Salvo, Koziell has performed at a higher level then Chapman anticipated. “Filip has probably been my most consistent player this year,” Chapman said. “He’s consistently moving up the line.” Both Salvo and Koziell have improved their team ranking since the start of the season. Salvo started at No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles, now he’s playing No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles with Koziell. Koziell started No. 4 at the beginning of this year, and now is going into this weekend’s tournament playing No. 2. Both Koziell and Salvo have winning records going into the Southland Conference tournament that starts tomorrow. Koziell has a 12-4 record this spring at No. 2, 3 and 4 singles, while Salvo has a 10-6 record at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles. As double partners, the duo has a record of 10-5 at the No. 1 and 2 spots. Chapman insists the “Canuck Connection” will become a force in the future of the conference. “To be honest, I’m surprised at how fast they’ve come along as of now,” Chapman said. “That really excites me for the future, because at this point they’re a little farther along than most freshman usually are.” Canada is well represented at UTPA. Bobby Killins of the baseball team, Alex Gravel and Michelle Smith of the Lady Bronc basketball squad, and tennis players Alana Breen and Kathryn Waslen are all from Canada.
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NEWS
■ Minority Services . . . .4 ■ Campus Voice . . . . . 6 ■ Campus Calendar. . .12
ON THE ROAD: Most students commute to UTPA By Cristina Reyna The Pan American
Janie Jaimez drives 45 minutes from Harlingen every Tuesday and Thursday to attend classes at the University of Texas-Pan American. Like scores of other commuter students at UTPA, the English major schedules her classes twice a week to avoid the excessive travel. While the school’s spring enrollment is 12,884 students, only 392 live on campus in residence halls or at Bronc Village, the student apartment complex across the street from the dorms. While UTPA is mainly a commuter school, it is one of two four-year universities in the Valley, the other of which is a complete commuter school. With a spring enrollment of 9,359, the University of Texas-Brownsville has no on-campus housing. Roy Gutierrez, administrative analyst at UTB, said the university is looking into purchasing several surrounding hotels and converting them into dormitories in order to give students the option of living on campus. UTPA’s overwhelming commuter status leaves 12,492 students vying for coveted parking spaces, cringing at increased gas prices, and experiencing a notable void in participation in campus activities and school spirit. Resident life While UTPA is considered a commuter campus, there are plans to continue to build its residential community, according to Pat Zarate, assistant dean for Campus Life. “I think the Office of Residence Life can assist in building Bronc pride by continuing to work with its residential population and by engaging residents in campus life,” Zarate said. Annette Morales, who lives in the Women’s Residence Hall, said she prefers to live in the dorms because the drive from her hometown of Roma is just “too tiring and too long.” The junior biology major said it is easier to live right there on campus and avoid the 90-minute commute because “gas is too expensive.” Freshman resident Gloria Garza enjoys living on campus because she has met many new people. “It is cool because we stay up all night talking with everyone and hanging out in the rec room,” Garza said. Although there are plenty of students who live in campus housing or within a few blocks from campus, they do not leave their dorm or apartment to come on to campus at night or on weekends, said Assistant Dean of Students David Mariscal. Dean of Students Elvie Davis said campus
There is a significant camaraderie among students... as students form new friendships, study groups, join organizations, and socialize at local venues.
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da - David Mariscal sd
”
Assistant Dean of Students
housing has special programs for its residents to encourage them to continue living on campus. Activities within the dorms are put on several times a week to promote friendships and encourage residents to meet new people. “There is a certain amount of camaraderie and networking involved that is effective in getting students to stay on or return to campus,” Davis said. Zarate noted that there is an inherent campus pride in those students who do call UTPA home. School Spirit / Camaraderie School spirit may suffer because of a lack of identification with the campus, according to Mariscal. Zarate said school spirit can be enhanced by reaching out to both commuters and campus residents. “There is a significant camaraderie among students,” Mariscal said. “You see this as students form new friendships, study groups, join organizations, and socialize at local venues.” Davis said the levels of participation and school spirit are, indeed, lower than at resident campuses because of the commuter nature of the student body. “This is very normal for commuter campuses,” Davis said. “It is always an uphill battle trying to get students who commute to change their attitudes about returning to campus for campus events.” Students deal with complications of the commute to UTPA each day, including the ubiquitous search for parking, as well as the periodic increases in gas prices. Parking Woes Although students are encouraged to come on to campus for events, parking problems can be exacerbated by the thousands of students who drive to campus each day. However, parking is a problem even at non-commuter campuses, Mariscal said. A total of 5,400 parking spaces are available at UTPA to accommodate nearly 13,000 students, and 738 of those spaces are in dirt lots, according to Parking Services Manager Eddie Morin. Because congestion occurs primarily in
the morning, the university needs to offer more courses in the afternoon and evening hours, when there are plenty of parking spaces available, Mariscal suggested. “Even apartment dwellers will drive two blocks to get to campus,” he said. Commuter student Angie Galindo, of Donna, drives to UTPA every day for classes and spends up to $40 on gas weekly due to the rising gas prices. The clinical lab science major said that she has had problems with her car due to the frequent commute to and from school. “We’ve had to redo the whole engine because of excess mileage from going back and forth every day,” she said. Senior Arely Rios, of Harlingen, commutes to UTPA four times a week. Rios, a social studies composite major, prefers not to carpool with other students because she likes the freedom of coming and going as she pleases. She added that she spends up to $25 a week on gas. Promoting closeness Mariscal explained that in order to promote camaraderie among students, UTPA needs to offer consistent quality programming and events that will create a culture of students wanting to come back to campus in the evenings and on weekends. “USOC [University Student Organization Committe] hosted Bronc Bash April 12 and we had approximately 750 students attend,” he noted. “Intramural had a volleyball tournament this Saturday and 54 students participated. Both of these were successful events. So if you provide events that students want, they will come back.” Jaimez said she would not participate in campus activities that take place on nights and weekends because of her commute from Harlingen, but added that she would make the drive to Edinburg if UTPA had a football team. “That’s just ‘cause I like football, though,” she said. Davis said that although the addition of a football team at UTPA would definitely promote school spirit, the expense is exorbitant. “We’d also have to build a stadium [more big bucks] or depend on the availability of others in the area high schools–not too feasi-
ble, according to ‘people in the know,’” she added. Sophomore Jesse Cavazos said he would likely show up for the games despite the 30minute drive from his hometown of Mercedes if UTPA had a football team because “football is football.” A resuscitation of the UTPA soccer team might also encourage fans of collegiate athletics to commute to UTPA in the evenings or on weekends. Student athletes played soccer for 28 years before the program was terminated in 1998 in search of equity in gender representation in sports at UTPA. A Bronc football team is a bleak possibility, Davis suggested, but many other activities are in the works to improve student participation. The Student Union is experimenting with different types of programs and evening hours to attract audiences and nurture ‘regulars,’ she said. Many students take advantage of the Student Union game room in the evenings and on weekends where pool tables and video games are available for recreation. Gabriel Ramirez, a work study student at the game room, said usually about 10 students come in on Saturdays to play. Other means of getting students involved include the mentoring program. In each departments’ program, mentors are asked to take their protégés, or entering freshmen, to campus activities to get them into the habit of participation. An expansion of intramural recreational sports is in the works as well, and Student Development has also had success in increasing the number of student organizations, according to Davis. Family ties The close proximity of family as well as the workplace are two major factors which influence UTPA students to continue their commute to and from classes every day. Balvina Ochoa, a sophomore criminal justice major, prefers the commute to living on campus because she works in Mercedes and her family lives there as well. Galindo, a senior, said because her husband works in Harlingen, the couple prefers to live “sort of in the middle [of the Valley].” Rios said because she has a full-time job, she has little time to participate in campus activities. Living on campus wouldn’t be convenient for Cavazos either, he said, because he works in Harlingen. The business management major only comes to UTPA twice a week because he prefers to work more hours. When it comes to campus activities, he admitted that he just doesn’t have time. “Pretty much I work,” he said. “When I’m not at school, I work.”
April 25, 2002
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 4
Friday blastoff, NASA coming to campus By Celeste Y. Tello The Pan American
Eladio Jaimez/The Pan American
CEREMONY Jeanette Broshears (left) accepts the Adviser of the Year award from Christine Carruthers at the third annual Club Awards Reception. Other awards included the Service Project of the Year, awarded to the American Sign Language Club; Organization of the Year, to the PreMedical/Bio-Medical Society; and Student Leader of the Year, to Melisa Castaneda of the American Sign Language Club and the United Council of Student Organizations.
Nearly 1,600 middle and high school students from across the Rio Grande Valley will gather this week at the University of Texas-Pan American Fieldhouse to listen to guest speakers from Johnson Space Center. The NASA Awareness Day will take place on Friday at 9:30 a.m. The engineering department teamed up with the GEAR UP program to coordinate the event. GEAR UP is a program that provides students at the middle school through high school level with support services such as enhanced curricular offerings, information about college options and the application process and financial aid. Edwin LeMaster, interim associate dean and director of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, gave Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, DMercedes, credit as the driving force behind bringing NASA to UTPA. “He is a great friend of the university,” said LeMaster of Hinojosa. He added that Hinojosa forcefully asked NASA, on more than one occasion to come speak to the students in the GEAR UP program. The program currently has 7,000 middle school students overall with 17 feeder programs into high schools across the Valley. Sylvia Migoni, public relations specialist with the UTPA GEAR UP Program, said that most students who participate in the NASA Awareness Day have lowincome, Spanish-speaking backgrounds. She added that the Hispanic speakers from the Johnson Space Center would likely have a positive influence on the students and give them a sense of capability.
“Our goal is to show kids the possibilities that are out there for them,” LeMaster said. Speakers from the Johnson Space Center range in occupations from engineer to astronaut. Robert Trevino, an engineer for advanced extra-vehicular activities at Johnson Space Center, will talk to the students about space suits and equipment that astronauts use for working outside of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Debbie Ramos Trainor, a training specialist at the astronaut office of Johnson Space Center will discuss unconventional methods of training astronauts. Fernando Calderio, an astronaut, will share a day in the life of an astronaut with attending students. Charles Galindo, senior scientist with Hernandez Engineering at Johnson Space Center, will give a historical account of meteorites. Hinojosa, who played a key role in bringing NASA to UTPA, will give a speech stressing the opportunities to serve the nation through higher education. GEAR UP events, like NASA Awareness Day double as promotions for UTPA. “Every time we have an event, we strongly promote secondary education,” Migoni said. “We always promote UTPA to the kids.” Students from the engineering department will be present on Friday to usher the visiting students, prepare materials that will be handed out to visitors, and show their own projects. This is the first time that NASA Awareness Day has been put together at UTPA, but the GEAR UP Program typically puts together other events for program participants.
Various programs serve increasing minority population By Elizabeth Martinez The Pan American
With the growing number of minorities in the country, the population of minorities in college continues to increase. Most universities offer a series of programs designed to help minorities both in school and in business. The University of Texas-Pan American is no exception. The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Grant Program is designed to support students of ethnic minorities to continue an education and seek a professional career in biomedical research. The program helps promote research potential in biomedical sciences at UTPA by assisting in the development of the resources needed for research activities. It also supplies financial assistance for faculty release time, consultant fees and student and faculty travel to scientific conventions. The MBRS Program is a branch of the
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Health. It has been assisting UTPA students since 1972, and the university has received about $8.5 million in grants, which has supported the biomedical research for over 25 faculty and 250 students. Dr. Mohammed Farooqui has been the program director of MBRS for eight years. Assisting him are four to six principle investigators (faculty members) from different departments. These principle investigators hire students to assist them in their research. Benefits of the program have been numerous, according to Farooqui. “The students gain experience in research, primarily in biomedical research, and they get to present papers at scientific meetings and assist professors in publishing papers,” he said. Farooqui said the faculty benefits by gaining grants to promote their own
research and the experience improves their performance in the classroom. He added that the university gains name recognition and money to support the program. When the research is over, the equipment used becomes property of UTPA. This semester there are approximately five professors and 10 students involved. Along with students and faculty, minority services are available for business owners of ethnic minorities. The South Texas Minority Business Opportunity Committee (MBOC) located at the UTPA annex, focuses on government procurement and international trade between minority-owned businesses. “We help these businesses by assisting them in exporting their product or services to other countries and we do that by hosting seminars and workshops about doing business in Mexico and selling to maquiladoras,” said International Trade Specialist Terry Fuentes.
Fuentes added that MBOC also offers assistance in market research, industry analysis, and scheduling appointments among business owners. The committee hosts seminars allowing buyers to meet suppliers and organize trade missions, which are two-to-three day events where U.S. business owners travel to Mexico “We match them up with Mexican businesses to do business,” Fuentes said. “These are Mexican companies that have already shown an interest in the U.S. company, so it’s like a business matchmaking service.” The center is partially funded by the Minority Business Development Agency, which is in charge of all nine MBOCs across the country and of UTPA. “Even though we are geared to minority-owned businesses, we will help anyone who is interested in selling their product to other companies,” Fuentes said.
April 25, 2002
THE PAN AMERICAN
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April 25, 2002
CAMPUS LIFE
■
What students are doing at UTPA
GAINING THE EDGE: Internships equate to experience By Jaime Garcia Jr. The Pan American
The question most graduating college students will ask within the next few weeks is, “What now?” As the unequivocal reality sets in for emancipated graduates, many of them will walk the platform to receive their diplomas knowing they will confront the real world with confidence. There are many reasons for this. One concerns internships. Susie Alvarez, cooperative education coordinator, is the mediator between employers and students. She says students can benefit from partaking in internships because they acquaint themselves with the employer, the field, and work habits and ethics. “Most students who have taken part in an internship graduate and are usually hired by the same employer,” Alvarez said. Internships are semester-long opportunities during which students obtain “hands-on experience” prior to graduating. According to Alvarez, there are two programs the experience-hungry student can choose from: internships and Co-op opportunities.
Alvarez stressed there are differences between the two. Internship opportunities usually last one semester, can be local or out of town, and are not always guaranteed to bring the student compensation. Co-op opportunities, on the other hand, can also last between 3-4 months and be local or out of town. But they are “almost always paid,” according to Alvarez. The strongest benefit in taking part in a Coop event, according to Alvarez, is that, “they [student] will be compensated and most importantly, gain experience and leave a door open for the future.” Alvarez and her colleagues mediate constantly between local and out-of-state employers and the six UTPA colleges on campus. Examples of recruiters that routinely seek UTPA students are Boeing Satellite Systems, Central Intelligence Agency, Dell Computer, IBM, U.S. Border Patrol, the Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Target, and Wal-Mart. Currently, Alvarez said there are new internships being offered, including Rio Grande Valley News and Sports, CBS News, and several offerings out of the state in New
Cultural diversity to be showcased at festival By Clarissa Martinez The Pan American
Although the majority of the population in South Texas is Hispanic, students at UTPA are determined to promote diversity on campus. The International Student Association (ISA) in collaboration with the American Asian Association (AAA) plans to host International Cultural Night Friday, in the Media Theatre at 7 p.m. “We are having international dances as well as performers singing songs from different countries,” said Nadia Gallegos, ISA president. The night’s performers will represent countries including Turkey, Mexico, Philippines, India, France, Cuba and many more. For instance, Mario Arredondo (president of the Sol y Luna Association) will represent Spain by dancing to “Volare,” a Flamenco song. Other students will showcase traditional dancing from India and the Philippines. However, entertainment will not be the only attraction at International Cultural Night. Students will also be modeling traditional costumes to represent customary dress from different countries. Shaila Noor Alam and Rijadh Alam will share the diversity of clothing by wearing traditional wedding outfits from Bangladesh. “We decided to have this cultural festival to show UTPA students, faculty and staff
the beauty of traditional dances and customs from different cultures,” Gallegos said. “This type of event will show that the university supports and welcomes students from everywhere and that we have a large diversity of cultures.” President Claire Rizaldo agreed about the festival’s importance. “Our organization’s purpose is to promote awareness of diversity, and a cultural showcase such as this is the way to do so,” Rizaldo said. Both organizations have recently become active in the last year. According to Philip Clay, international student advisor, the ISA began five years ago, but stepped up its activities in the fall of 2001. “We felt that having the festival is a first step in developing the success of the organization,” Clay said. “Our organization is opened to all students who are interested in learning about different cultures.” The AAA was created at the beginning of the semester and includes students from Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern backgrounds, as well as students interested in learning about the importance of diversity. “When I attend these kinds of festivals I am overcome with excitement,” Gallegos said. “It feels so great to see and remember some of our roots when we are far from our countries.” For more information about tickets contact Philip Clay at (956) 381-2922. Tickets are five dollars and are limited due to the capacity of the Media Theatre.
York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta, Georgia. There are also a host of local companies and organizations seeking interns. For example, from the College of Communication, students have worked in the past with print media outlets such as The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, and The Brownsville Herald, along with papers in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. They receive six hours of college credit along with work experience and connections which often lead to future employment after graduation. Departmental faculty help students arrange internships, but the Co-op group is also on board to assist. “I call or look around for employers who are looking for students to work for them, Alvarez said. “When the interested employers return their responses, I then fax them a form in which they can indicate or specify the desired qualifications for the potential students.” Upon receiving confirmation of the requirements, Alvarez then sends out advisement to
CAMP
the appropriate colleges on campus in the forms of e-mail memorandums to deans, fliers, and personal class presentations. Interested students then contact Alvarez, or her department, and are advised of details on an interview with the potential employer. “The student looking for an internship or a Co-op opportunity will have to realize that just because this is an internship and not a job after college, they still need to realize the seriousness of the interview,” Alvarez said. She went on to say if any student needs advice on interview procedures, ethics, or assistance composing a resume, the Career Placement Services department, as well as the Co-op people, can assist. “We had a student who came in and asked us if we could help her with the details during the interviewing process. She asked how she should dress, sit, and where she should place her hands during the interview,” she said. Students interested in an internship that would suit their field can go to the Career Placement Services and ask to view the “Office of Cooperative Education- Local and National Internship Opportunities.”
continued from page 1
not the stipend [after that],” Romero average migrant student faces many said. problems the traditional student does In addition to a stipend, participants not. Hagerty feels some migrant stuwho live outside of the Edinburg area dents do not completely understand are also given financial assistance for their course material because of their housing. intermittent travels to northern states to CAMP accepts a maximum of 70 stuwork. dents a year who are screened accord“Some students also have trouble ing to their grade point average, because their parents only speak extracurricular activiSpanish at home,” ties, performance on she said. an administered Hagerty said CAMP provides a essay, letters of recmany migrant students lack the tranetwork of students ommendation, and ACT and TASP ditional educationscores. al background that to help them [partici“They teach us may help other stupants] fit in. They have how to survive coldents. life,” said “Many of their a group of other people lege Samuel Bernabe, a parents didn’t get freshmen pre-med past elementary to share experiences major and participant school,” Hagerty with and this really in the program. “We said. “So, they meet new people and can’t ask their parhelps them. d it [CAMP] has ents for advice, helped me to make a because they don’t a -Marilyn Hagerty better transition into have an underAssociate Director of CAMP college.” standing of what is “The staff are realneeded to be sucly good people,” said cessful.” Juan Gauna, a freshman and CAMP par“CAMP provides a network of students to help them [participants] fit in,” ticipant. “They are really helpful and friendly.” she said. “They have a group of other CAMP is hosting their end of the year people to share experiences with and banquet Friday evening, and this really helps them.” Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, DIn addition to social help, CAMP stuMercedes, will speak at the event. dents are paid a monthly stipend of “We will be giving the students their $100 if they participate in tutoring, certificate of completion,” Romero said. counseling and two leadership semi“We will also honor those students who nars. received the Dean’s List recognition. “The students become alumni at the This is just to recognize the students end of the year and they only qualify and their parents.” for the services [that CAMP provides,]
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THE PAN AMERICAN
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THE PAN AMERICAN
April 25, 2002
Campus VO I C E
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April 25, 2002
THE PAN AMERICAN
Are you a commuter student ?
Deanna Chapa Biology Senior Yes, since I’m married and I live far away. I live close to McCook and I don’t receive financial aid anyway.
Rosalinda Dominguez Math Freshman Yes, I live with my mom. You don’t want to be stuck here [at school] all day. It’s easier to live at home.
Ivan Buenrostro T.V/Film Sophomore It’s [home] just 20 minutes away. You get used to the drive after awhile and it doesn’t become a factor.
Blanca B. Garza Undeclared Freshman
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Yes, I have family in Mexico so it is better for me to live over there. Plus, we don’t have a residence here.
David Simental Psychology Sophomore Yes, because it would be really impractical since I only live 10 minutes away from campus.
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April 25, 2002
Arts & Entertainment
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Around Town International Cultural Night April 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. Info: Variety of presentations and entertainment that will represent cultures from around the world. A selection of international foods will be available. The event is co-sponsored by the International Student Association and the Asian American Association. Place: University Media Theater Price: Tickets are $5 Special Olympics 2002 Spring Games April 27 at 9 a.m. (opening ceremonies) Info: Events include a parade of athletes and Flame of Hope delivered by local law enforcement. Place: Edcouch-Elsa Stadium VAMOS Golf Tournament April 27 Info: Former President Bill Clinton will be the guest of honor at the golf tournament which will include hole-in-one, longest drive and closest-to-pin contests. Place and Times: Tierra Santa Golf Club in Weslaco Call: (956) 631-1273 Valley Symphony Orchestra May 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets: Available at (956) 393-2293 or at southtexassymphony.com Place: UTPA Fine Arts Theater
■ World Travel . . . . 8 - 9 ■ Culture Club . . . . . . . 9
Musicians give finale performances After a year of work, the music department capped off the year with several performances last week, including the men’s and women’s chorale concert and chamber orchestra By Cesar Trevino The Pan American
A single musical performance can take hours of practice and preparation. In a display of its talent, the University of Texas-Pan American music department presented several music concerts last week. The shows varied, highlighting the abilities of students and their work. While some of the students will graduate and others are new to the UTPA music environment, last week the Fine Arts Auditorium belonged to musicians who strived for the moment. The auditorium housed two concerts which gave audiences a taste of both chamber and chorale music. The songs played ranged from slow melodies to fast-paced pieces. With nearly 40 musicians in its mix, the chamber orchestra, which consists of all four instrument types, held its concert on April 21. In the past, the group was called the String Ensemble, but as of this year, it has been changed to the Chamber Orchestra. According to Dr. Marcus Smolensky, orchestra director, the new name has not changed the group’s goal of bringing a variety of music to the masses and giveing listeners a taste of
classical music. According to Munn, the two songs. Smolensky felt that the chorus groups hold one On April 30, the music orchestra would "give [all] stu- “major” concert a semester, department will feature pianist dents a musical outlet." giving a "lighter" sound in the Jose Luis Aldaz in a concert "What I'd like to see is more fall, and a "unique" concert in at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts participation across the univer- the spring semester. Auditorium. sity with non-music majors. This semester, the theme for Aldaz, a native of There is a lot of talent within the concert was based on Matamoros, studied at both the the school, and I would like to hymns, spirituals and folk Peabody Conservatory in see them keep up with music songs from around the world, Baltimore and the Julliard in their lives," Smolensky said. which included the men's choSchool of Music in New York. The second of the two conrus featuring a fiddle and For more information, call certs was that of the men's and upright bass for a series of (956) 381-3471. women's chorale. "Each year a group has to start over with a new group of students," said Dr. Vivian Munn, the director of the men's and women's chorale concert. The group meets once a week, and practices about 90 minutes for a rehearsal. The group consists of students who can read music and have previous experience from high school choir classes. "About half the students are music majors, while the other half are from different majors," Munn said. Their concert, which was held on Tuesday, included performances from the men's chorus and Cesar Trevino/The Pan American the women's chorus who (Above and Below) - The men’s and women’s chorales performed Tuesday in the combined later in the con- Fine Arts Auditorium under the direction of Dr. Vivian Munn while her husband, and cert to sing two songs. fellow professor, Dr. Albert Munn accompanied the group on the piano.
April 25, 2002
W
Arts & Entertainment
RLD
CHINA BEIJING
✮
YANGTZE RIVER
Comparative Area - Slightly smaller than the United States. Population - 1,273,111,290 (2001). Life Expectancy at Birth - Total: 71.62 years, male: 69.81 years, female: 73.59 years. Government Type - Communist State Capital - Beijing Full Name - People’s Republic of China. Internet Users - 22 million (January 2001) Television Stations - 3,240; 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 provincial TV stations with another 3,000 local city stations. Airports - 489; 324 have paved runways. Transportation - Railways: 67,524 km, highways: 1.4 million km, 271,300 km of which are paved.
~ World Fact Book
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A trip to another country can act as an open door to other cultures, but is often unreachable for most college students. What they need is an intermediary. A trip to China is an upcoming adventure for Dr. David K. Carter, professor of philosophy, and his group of students. For the last few years, Carter has set up educational travels for student groups to explore the atmospheres of Egypt, Israel, and Russia. Carter has been teaching at the University of Texas-Pan American since 1978. He decided to start these trips after he was invited to travel to Italy, France, and England with another student group of six organized by Bill Carter, a history teacher in South Texas. Carter said the good thing about the trip was that tour guides were replaced with university faculty from the specific region, thanks to the help of EF Educational Tours. Instead of hiring guides, the organization has academic faculty to show the students around the destination. “Bill did this through EF
UTPA philosophy professor Dr. David Carter and groups of students take trips each year to various spots of interest around the world. May 16 through May 29, Carter and 14 students will venture to China, which will include a visit to the Yangtze River, where the world’s largest dam is being constructed
Story by Belinda Reyes
HANDS
educational tours, the largest educational travel [organization] in the world. It operates out of Cambridge,” Carter said. “It works mainly with high school and university students. They have a lot of these trips set up in Latin America, Europe and a few in Asia.” “It was my first exposure to it and I was impressed as hell. This organization manages to put up an itinerary mainly focused on learning about the place and learning about it seriously.” The trip to Rome was a valuable experience for Carter because the guide was a faculty member from the University of Rome. He said she knew the location well, and used her experience in archaeology and Roman history to teach students important facts regarding the area. Later trips to France and England were modeled after the trip to Rome. Because Carter was so impressed with the whole idea of taking university students to different countries around the world, he decided to do the same for his students.
Arts & Entertainment
April 25, 2002
“People have related well with the [EF travel] industry by having an extraordinary trip,” he said. “It dawned on me that if Bill Carter could do this, I could do it as well.” In 2000 he planned the first UTPA student trip to Egypt and 14 students accompanied him. The group spent two weeks in the area and it had occurred to him before the trip that the group could visit other countries in close proximity to Egypt. He made plans for the group to stay an extra week and offered it to the students, half of whom accepted his proposal. “Eight of us took a bus
from Cairo to Jerusalem and then [we] went on to the southern part of Israel and then on to Jordan. We went to Petra, where the Indiana Jones movie, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was filmed. That was a wonderful part of the trip,” Carter said. “It was very hot and strenuous, we had to hike down canyons and it was hot and dry. It was a workout, but an exhilarating experience.” Carter said the group went back to Israel, crossed the Sinai desert monastery, where Moses came down from Mount Sinai and gave the Ten Commandments.
“
Eight of us took a bus from Cairo to Jerusalem and then [we] went on to the southern part of Israel and then on to Jordan. We went to Petra, where the Indiana Jones movie, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was filmed.
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-Dr. David Carter philosophy professor
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It’s actually possible for students to get academic credit for this. I don’t think too many of them have, but the value, [aside from school credit] is just enormous.
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The
CULTURE CLUB What faculty like to read, listen to and surf.
Dr. Juanita E. Garza U.S. and Texas history Book: “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Song: “Something” by the Beatles Movie: “We Were Soldiers”
- Dr. David Carter philosophy professor
“The guide in Egypt was an archaeology scholar from the University of Alexandria and was first rate. [He] was there with us the whole time,” Carter said. “We cruised up the Nile [river] to Aswan. We had just a splendid trip.” Last year, Carter chose Russia for his group’s destination. He said it was a good trip and the guide in Moscow had a Ph.D. from Moscow University. Carter will lead his latest group of travelers to China May 16 to 29. He said plans are coming together, and at first EF Tours was going to leave the Yangtze river out of the tour. “The Yangtze river is the third largest river in the world, and they are building the largest dam in the world. It will flood and create a lake 450 miles behind the dam,” Carter said. “It will wipe out some of the most scenic stretches of the Yangtze. It is going to knock out the Three Gorges, and it is quite a spectacular part of the river.” Carter also added the flooding will destroy some of the cities and archaeological sites
along the river. The water is expected to start rising by the year’s end. “This is the last year to get over there, to be able to see that river before it is all gone. I got EF to work out a customized trip designed just for our group,” Carter said. “It is going to involve a three-day cruise up the Yangtze and all of the major cities, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing. It looks like a fabulous trip.” Carter said the main reason for setting up these trips is for the students to gain different cultural learning experiences. “It’s actually possible for students to get academic credit for this. I don’t think too many of them have, but the value, [aside from school credit] is just enormous.” This year, 14 students will venture to China, and Carter advertised the trip to students and faculty campuswide early in the year by printing flyers and posters. In the future, Carter has pondered trips to Argentina, Chile, and Peru. “All of these trips are wonderful, well-planned and well done,” he said.
Dr. Kenneth Buckman Philosophy Book: “Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy Song: “In My Life” by the Beatles Movie: “Rashomon”
Dr. Jeffrey McQuillen Communication Book: “Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole Movie: “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane” Song: “It’s All For You” by Sister Hazel
April 25, 2002
W
Arts & Entertainment
RLD
CHINA BEIJING
✮
YANGTZE RIVER
Comparative Area - Slightly smaller than the United States. Population - 1,273,111,290 (2001). Life Expectancy at Birth - Total: 71.62 years, male: 69.81 years, female: 73.59 years. Government Type - Communist State Capital - Beijing Full Name - People’s Republic of China. Internet Users - 22 million (January 2001) Television Stations - 3,240; 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 provincial TV stations with another 3,000 local city stations. Airports - 489; 324 have paved runways. Transportation - Railways: 67,524 km, highways: 1.4 million km, 271,300 km of which are paved.
~ World Fact Book
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A trip to another country can act as an open door to other cultures, but is often unreachable for most college students. What they need is an intermediary. A trip to China is an upcoming adventure for Dr. David K. Carter, professor of philosophy, and his group of students. For the last few years, Carter has set up educational travels for student groups to explore the atmospheres of Egypt, Israel, and Russia. Carter has been teaching at the University of Texas-Pan American since 1978. He decided to start these trips after he was invited to travel to Italy, France, and England with another student group of six organized by Bill Carter, a history teacher in South Texas. Carter said the good thing about the trip was that tour guides were replaced with university faculty from the specific region, thanks to the help of EF Educational Tours. Instead of hiring guides, the organization has academic faculty to show the students around the destination. “Bill did this through EF
UTPA philosophy professor Dr. David Carter and groups of students take trips each year to various spots of interest around the world. May 16 through May 29, Carter and 14 students will venture to China, which will include a visit to the Yangtze River, where the world’s largest dam is being constructed
Story by Belinda Reyes
HANDS
educational tours, the largest educational travel [organization] in the world. It operates out of Cambridge,” Carter said. “It works mainly with high school and university students. They have a lot of these trips set up in Latin America, Europe and a few in Asia.” “It was my first exposure to it and I was impressed as hell. This organization manages to put up an itinerary mainly focused on learning about the place and learning about it seriously.” The trip to Rome was a valuable experience for Carter because the guide was a faculty member from the University of Rome. He said she knew the location well, and used her experience in archaeology and Roman history to teach students important facts regarding the area. Later trips to France and England were modeled after the trip to Rome. Because Carter was so impressed with the whole idea of taking university students to different countries around the world, he decided to do the same for his students.
Arts & Entertainment
April 25, 2002
“People have related well with the [EF travel] industry by having an extraordinary trip,” he said. “It dawned on me that if Bill Carter could do this, I could do it as well.” In 2000 he planned the first UTPA student trip to Egypt and 14 students accompanied him. The group spent two weeks in the area and it had occurred to him before the trip that the group could visit other countries in close proximity to Egypt. He made plans for the group to stay an extra week and offered it to the students, half of whom accepted his proposal. “Eight of us took a bus
from Cairo to Jerusalem and then [we] went on to the southern part of Israel and then on to Jordan. We went to Petra, where the Indiana Jones movie, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was filmed. That was a wonderful part of the trip,” Carter said. “It was very hot and strenuous, we had to hike down canyons and it was hot and dry. It was a workout, but an exhilarating experience.” Carter said the group went back to Israel, crossed the Sinai desert monastery, where Moses came down from Mount Sinai and gave the Ten Commandments.
“
Eight of us took a bus from Cairo to Jerusalem and then [we] went on to the southern part of Israel and then on to Jordan. We went to Petra, where the Indiana Jones movie, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was filmed.
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-Dr. David Carter philosophy professor
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It’s actually possible for students to get academic credit for this. I don’t think too many of them have, but the value, [aside from school credit] is just enormous.
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The
CULTURE CLUB What faculty like to read, listen to and surf.
Dr. Juanita E. Garza U.S. and Texas history Book: “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Song: “Something” by the Beatles Movie: “We Were Soldiers”
- Dr. David Carter philosophy professor
“The guide in Egypt was an archaeology scholar from the University of Alexandria and was first rate. [He] was there with us the whole time,” Carter said. “We cruised up the Nile [river] to Aswan. We had just a splendid trip.” Last year, Carter chose Russia for his group’s destination. He said it was a good trip and the guide in Moscow had a Ph.D. from Moscow University. Carter will lead his latest group of travelers to China May 16 to 29. He said plans are coming together, and at first EF Tours was going to leave the Yangtze river out of the tour. “The Yangtze river is the third largest river in the world, and they are building the largest dam in the world. It will flood and create a lake 450 miles behind the dam,” Carter said. “It will wipe out some of the most scenic stretches of the Yangtze. It is going to knock out the Three Gorges, and it is quite a spectacular part of the river.” Carter also added the flooding will destroy some of the cities and archaeological sites
along the river. The water is expected to start rising by the year’s end. “This is the last year to get over there, to be able to see that river before it is all gone. I got EF to work out a customized trip designed just for our group,” Carter said. “It is going to involve a three-day cruise up the Yangtze and all of the major cities, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing. It looks like a fabulous trip.” Carter said the main reason for setting up these trips is for the students to gain different cultural learning experiences. “It’s actually possible for students to get academic credit for this. I don’t think too many of them have, but the value, [aside from school credit] is just enormous.” This year, 14 students will venture to China, and Carter advertised the trip to students and faculty campuswide early in the year by printing flyers and posters. In the future, Carter has pondered trips to Argentina, Chile, and Peru. “All of these trips are wonderful, well-planned and well done,” he said.
Dr. Kenneth Buckman Philosophy Book: “Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy Song: “In My Life” by the Beatles Movie: “Rashomon”
Dr. Jeffrey McQuillen Communication Book: “Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole Movie: “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane” Song: “It’s All For You” by Sister Hazel
April 25, 2002
Arts & Entertainment
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Around Town International Cultural Night April 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. Info: Variety of presentations and entertainment that will represent cultures from around the world. A selection of international foods will be available. The event is co-sponsored by the International Student Association and the Asian American Association. Place: University Media Theater Price: Tickets are $5 Special Olympics 2002 Spring Games April 27 at 9 a.m. (opening ceremonies) Info: Events include a parade of athletes and Flame of Hope delivered by local law enforcement. Place: Edcouch-Elsa Stadium VAMOS Golf Tournament April 27 Info: Former President Bill Clinton will be the guest of honor at the golf tournament which will include hole-in-one, longest drive and closest-to-pin contests. Place and Times: Tierra Santa Golf Club in Weslaco Call: (956) 631-1273 Valley Symphony Orchestra May 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets: Available at (956) 393-2293 or at southtexassymphony.com Place: UTPA Fine Arts Theater
■ World Travel . . . . 8 - 9 ■ Culture Club . . . . . . . 9
Musicians give finale performances After a year of work, the music department capped off the year with several performances last week, including the men’s and women’s chorale concert and chamber orchestra By Cesar Trevino The Pan American
A single musical performance can take hours of practice and preparation. In a display of its talent, the University of Texas-Pan American music department presented several music concerts last week. The shows varied, highlighting the abilities of students and their work. While some of the students will graduate and others are new to the UTPA music environment, last week the Fine Arts Auditorium belonged to musicians who strived for the moment. The auditorium housed two concerts which gave audiences a taste of both chamber and chorale music. The songs played ranged from slow melodies to fast-paced pieces. With nearly 40 musicians in its mix, the chamber orchestra, which consists of all four instrument types, held its concert on April 21. In the past, the group was called the String Ensemble, but as of this year, it has been changed to the Chamber Orchestra. According to Dr. Marcus Smolensky, orchestra director, the new name has not changed the group’s goal of bringing a variety of music to the masses and giveing listeners a taste of
classical music. According to Munn, the two songs. Smolensky felt that the chorus groups hold one On April 30, the music orchestra would "give [all] stu- “major” concert a semester, department will feature pianist dents a musical outlet." giving a "lighter" sound in the Jose Luis Aldaz in a concert "What I'd like to see is more fall, and a "unique" concert in at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts participation across the univer- the spring semester. Auditorium. sity with non-music majors. This semester, the theme for Aldaz, a native of There is a lot of talent within the concert was based on Matamoros, studied at both the the school, and I would like to hymns, spirituals and folk Peabody Conservatory in see them keep up with music songs from around the world, Baltimore and the Julliard in their lives," Smolensky said. which included the men's choSchool of Music in New York. The second of the two conrus featuring a fiddle and For more information, call certs was that of the men's and upright bass for a series of (956) 381-3471. women's chorale. "Each year a group has to start over with a new group of students," said Dr. Vivian Munn, the director of the men's and women's chorale concert. The group meets once a week, and practices about 90 minutes for a rehearsal. The group consists of students who can read music and have previous experience from high school choir classes. "About half the students are music majors, while the other half are from different majors," Munn said. Their concert, which was held on Tuesday, included performances from the men's chorus and Cesar Trevino/The Pan American the women's chorus who (Above and Below) - The men’s and women’s chorales performed Tuesday in the combined later in the con- Fine Arts Auditorium under the direction of Dr. Vivian Munn while her husband, and cert to sing two songs. fellow professor, Dr. Albert Munn accompanied the group on the piano.
THE PAN AMERICAN
April 25, 2002
Campus VO I C E
Page 6
April 25, 2002
THE PAN AMERICAN
Are you a commuter student ?
Deanna Chapa Biology Senior Yes, since I’m married and I live far away. I live close to McCook and I don’t receive financial aid anyway.
Rosalinda Dominguez Math Freshman Yes, I live with my mom. You don’t want to be stuck here [at school] all day. It’s easier to live at home.
Ivan Buenrostro T.V/Film Sophomore It’s [home] just 20 minutes away. You get used to the drive after awhile and it doesn’t become a factor.
Blanca B. Garza Undeclared Freshman
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Yes, I have family in Mexico so it is better for me to live over there. Plus, we don’t have a residence here.
David Simental Psychology Sophomore Yes, because it would be really impractical since I only live 10 minutes away from campus.
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April 25, 2002
CAMPUS LIFE
■
What students are doing at UTPA
GAINING THE EDGE: Internships equate to experience By Jaime Garcia Jr. The Pan American
The question most graduating college students will ask within the next few weeks is, “What now?” As the unequivocal reality sets in for emancipated graduates, many of them will walk the platform to receive their diplomas knowing they will confront the real world with confidence. There are many reasons for this. One concerns internships. Susie Alvarez, cooperative education coordinator, is the mediator between employers and students. She says students can benefit from partaking in internships because they acquaint themselves with the employer, the field, and work habits and ethics. “Most students who have taken part in an internship graduate and are usually hired by the same employer,” Alvarez said. Internships are semester-long opportunities during which students obtain “hands-on experience” prior to graduating. According to Alvarez, there are two programs the experience-hungry student can choose from: internships and Co-op opportunities.
Alvarez stressed there are differences between the two. Internship opportunities usually last one semester, can be local or out of town, and are not always guaranteed to bring the student compensation. Co-op opportunities, on the other hand, can also last between 3-4 months and be local or out of town. But they are “almost always paid,” according to Alvarez. The strongest benefit in taking part in a Coop event, according to Alvarez, is that, “they [student] will be compensated and most importantly, gain experience and leave a door open for the future.” Alvarez and her colleagues mediate constantly between local and out-of-state employers and the six UTPA colleges on campus. Examples of recruiters that routinely seek UTPA students are Boeing Satellite Systems, Central Intelligence Agency, Dell Computer, IBM, U.S. Border Patrol, the Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Target, and Wal-Mart. Currently, Alvarez said there are new internships being offered, including Rio Grande Valley News and Sports, CBS News, and several offerings out of the state in New
Cultural diversity to be showcased at festival By Clarissa Martinez The Pan American
Although the majority of the population in South Texas is Hispanic, students at UTPA are determined to promote diversity on campus. The International Student Association (ISA) in collaboration with the American Asian Association (AAA) plans to host International Cultural Night Friday, in the Media Theatre at 7 p.m. “We are having international dances as well as performers singing songs from different countries,” said Nadia Gallegos, ISA president. The night’s performers will represent countries including Turkey, Mexico, Philippines, India, France, Cuba and many more. For instance, Mario Arredondo (president of the Sol y Luna Association) will represent Spain by dancing to “Volare,” a Flamenco song. Other students will showcase traditional dancing from India and the Philippines. However, entertainment will not be the only attraction at International Cultural Night. Students will also be modeling traditional costumes to represent customary dress from different countries. Shaila Noor Alam and Rijadh Alam will share the diversity of clothing by wearing traditional wedding outfits from Bangladesh. “We decided to have this cultural festival to show UTPA students, faculty and staff
the beauty of traditional dances and customs from different cultures,” Gallegos said. “This type of event will show that the university supports and welcomes students from everywhere and that we have a large diversity of cultures.” President Claire Rizaldo agreed about the festival’s importance. “Our organization’s purpose is to promote awareness of diversity, and a cultural showcase such as this is the way to do so,” Rizaldo said. Both organizations have recently become active in the last year. According to Philip Clay, international student advisor, the ISA began five years ago, but stepped up its activities in the fall of 2001. “We felt that having the festival is a first step in developing the success of the organization,” Clay said. “Our organization is opened to all students who are interested in learning about different cultures.” The AAA was created at the beginning of the semester and includes students from Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern backgrounds, as well as students interested in learning about the importance of diversity. “When I attend these kinds of festivals I am overcome with excitement,” Gallegos said. “It feels so great to see and remember some of our roots when we are far from our countries.” For more information about tickets contact Philip Clay at (956) 381-2922. Tickets are five dollars and are limited due to the capacity of the Media Theatre.
York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta, Georgia. There are also a host of local companies and organizations seeking interns. For example, from the College of Communication, students have worked in the past with print media outlets such as The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, and The Brownsville Herald, along with papers in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. They receive six hours of college credit along with work experience and connections which often lead to future employment after graduation. Departmental faculty help students arrange internships, but the Co-op group is also on board to assist. “I call or look around for employers who are looking for students to work for them, Alvarez said. “When the interested employers return their responses, I then fax them a form in which they can indicate or specify the desired qualifications for the potential students.” Upon receiving confirmation of the requirements, Alvarez then sends out advisement to
CAMP
the appropriate colleges on campus in the forms of e-mail memorandums to deans, fliers, and personal class presentations. Interested students then contact Alvarez, or her department, and are advised of details on an interview with the potential employer. “The student looking for an internship or a Co-op opportunity will have to realize that just because this is an internship and not a job after college, they still need to realize the seriousness of the interview,” Alvarez said. She went on to say if any student needs advice on interview procedures, ethics, or assistance composing a resume, the Career Placement Services department, as well as the Co-op people, can assist. “We had a student who came in and asked us if we could help her with the details during the interviewing process. She asked how she should dress, sit, and where she should place her hands during the interview,” she said. Students interested in an internship that would suit their field can go to the Career Placement Services and ask to view the “Office of Cooperative Education- Local and National Internship Opportunities.”
continued from page 1
not the stipend [after that],” Romero average migrant student faces many said. problems the traditional student does In addition to a stipend, participants not. Hagerty feels some migrant stuwho live outside of the Edinburg area dents do not completely understand are also given financial assistance for their course material because of their housing. intermittent travels to northern states to CAMP accepts a maximum of 70 stuwork. dents a year who are screened accord“Some students also have trouble ing to their grade point average, because their parents only speak extracurricular activiSpanish at home,” ties, performance on she said. an administered Hagerty said CAMP provides a essay, letters of recmany migrant students lack the tranetwork of students ommendation, and ACT and TASP ditional educationscores. al background that to help them [partici“They teach us may help other stupants] fit in. They have how to survive coldents. life,” said “Many of their a group of other people lege Samuel Bernabe, a parents didn’t get freshmen pre-med past elementary to share experiences major and participant school,” Hagerty with and this really in the program. “We said. “So, they meet new people and can’t ask their parhelps them. d it [CAMP] has ents for advice, helped me to make a because they don’t a -Marilyn Hagerty better transition into have an underAssociate Director of CAMP college.” standing of what is “The staff are realneeded to be sucly good people,” said cessful.” Juan Gauna, a freshman and CAMP par“CAMP provides a network of students to help them [participants] fit in,” ticipant. “They are really helpful and friendly.” she said. “They have a group of other CAMP is hosting their end of the year people to share experiences with and banquet Friday evening, and this really helps them.” Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, DIn addition to social help, CAMP stuMercedes, will speak at the event. dents are paid a monthly stipend of “We will be giving the students their $100 if they participate in tutoring, certificate of completion,” Romero said. counseling and two leadership semi“We will also honor those students who nars. received the Dean’s List recognition. “The students become alumni at the This is just to recognize the students end of the year and they only qualify and their parents.” for the services [that CAMP provides,]
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THE PAN AMERICAN
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April 25, 2002
THE PAN AMERICAN
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Friday blastoff, NASA coming to campus By Celeste Y. Tello The Pan American
Eladio Jaimez/The Pan American
CEREMONY Jeanette Broshears (left) accepts the Adviser of the Year award from Christine Carruthers at the third annual Club Awards Reception. Other awards included the Service Project of the Year, awarded to the American Sign Language Club; Organization of the Year, to the PreMedical/Bio-Medical Society; and Student Leader of the Year, to Melisa Castaneda of the American Sign Language Club and the United Council of Student Organizations.
Nearly 1,600 middle and high school students from across the Rio Grande Valley will gather this week at the University of Texas-Pan American Fieldhouse to listen to guest speakers from Johnson Space Center. The NASA Awareness Day will take place on Friday at 9:30 a.m. The engineering department teamed up with the GEAR UP program to coordinate the event. GEAR UP is a program that provides students at the middle school through high school level with support services such as enhanced curricular offerings, information about college options and the application process and financial aid. Edwin LeMaster, interim associate dean and director of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, gave Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, DMercedes, credit as the driving force behind bringing NASA to UTPA. “He is a great friend of the university,” said LeMaster of Hinojosa. He added that Hinojosa forcefully asked NASA, on more than one occasion to come speak to the students in the GEAR UP program. The program currently has 7,000 middle school students overall with 17 feeder programs into high schools across the Valley. Sylvia Migoni, public relations specialist with the UTPA GEAR UP Program, said that most students who participate in the NASA Awareness Day have lowincome, Spanish-speaking backgrounds. She added that the Hispanic speakers from the Johnson Space Center would likely have a positive influence on the students and give them a sense of capability.
“Our goal is to show kids the possibilities that are out there for them,” LeMaster said. Speakers from the Johnson Space Center range in occupations from engineer to astronaut. Robert Trevino, an engineer for advanced extra-vehicular activities at Johnson Space Center, will talk to the students about space suits and equipment that astronauts use for working outside of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Debbie Ramos Trainor, a training specialist at the astronaut office of Johnson Space Center will discuss unconventional methods of training astronauts. Fernando Calderio, an astronaut, will share a day in the life of an astronaut with attending students. Charles Galindo, senior scientist with Hernandez Engineering at Johnson Space Center, will give a historical account of meteorites. Hinojosa, who played a key role in bringing NASA to UTPA, will give a speech stressing the opportunities to serve the nation through higher education. GEAR UP events, like NASA Awareness Day double as promotions for UTPA. “Every time we have an event, we strongly promote secondary education,” Migoni said. “We always promote UTPA to the kids.” Students from the engineering department will be present on Friday to usher the visiting students, prepare materials that will be handed out to visitors, and show their own projects. This is the first time that NASA Awareness Day has been put together at UTPA, but the GEAR UP Program typically puts together other events for program participants.
Various programs serve increasing minority population By Elizabeth Martinez The Pan American
With the growing number of minorities in the country, the population of minorities in college continues to increase. Most universities offer a series of programs designed to help minorities both in school and in business. The University of Texas-Pan American is no exception. The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Grant Program is designed to support students of ethnic minorities to continue an education and seek a professional career in biomedical research. The program helps promote research potential in biomedical sciences at UTPA by assisting in the development of the resources needed for research activities. It also supplies financial assistance for faculty release time, consultant fees and student and faculty travel to scientific conventions. The MBRS Program is a branch of the
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a subsidiary of the National Institutes of Health. It has been assisting UTPA students since 1972, and the university has received about $8.5 million in grants, which has supported the biomedical research for over 25 faculty and 250 students. Dr. Mohammed Farooqui has been the program director of MBRS for eight years. Assisting him are four to six principle investigators (faculty members) from different departments. These principle investigators hire students to assist them in their research. Benefits of the program have been numerous, according to Farooqui. “The students gain experience in research, primarily in biomedical research, and they get to present papers at scientific meetings and assist professors in publishing papers,” he said. Farooqui said the faculty benefits by gaining grants to promote their own
research and the experience improves their performance in the classroom. He added that the university gains name recognition and money to support the program. When the research is over, the equipment used becomes property of UTPA. This semester there are approximately five professors and 10 students involved. Along with students and faculty, minority services are available for business owners of ethnic minorities. The South Texas Minority Business Opportunity Committee (MBOC) located at the UTPA annex, focuses on government procurement and international trade between minority-owned businesses. “We help these businesses by assisting them in exporting their product or services to other countries and we do that by hosting seminars and workshops about doing business in Mexico and selling to maquiladoras,” said International Trade Specialist Terry Fuentes.
Fuentes added that MBOC also offers assistance in market research, industry analysis, and scheduling appointments among business owners. The committee hosts seminars allowing buyers to meet suppliers and organize trade missions, which are two-to-three day events where U.S. business owners travel to Mexico “We match them up with Mexican businesses to do business,” Fuentes said. “These are Mexican companies that have already shown an interest in the U.S. company, so it’s like a business matchmaking service.” The center is partially funded by the Minority Business Development Agency, which is in charge of all nine MBOCs across the country and of UTPA. “Even though we are geared to minority-owned businesses, we will help anyone who is interested in selling their product to other companies,” Fuentes said.
April 25, 2002
THE PAN AMERICAN
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sports
April 25, 2002
CANUCKS • Free Pregnancy test
• Shelter Assistance
• Abortion education/
• 24-Hour Hotline
informed consent • Referral Services
• Post-Abortion Support Groups
• Baby Clothing Bank
• Supportive Guidance
• Post-Abortion Counseling
• Assistance Counseling • STD Education
Pharr • Weslaco • Harlingen • Brownsville
Page 14 continued from page 16
Weather could be considered a doubleedged sword for the two South Texas transplants. While the heat of the summer caused Salvo and Koziell distress, both players feel the climate is almost perfect for year-round tennis play. In high school, Salvo would at times have to play in cold weather wearing sweaters. Tournaments were constantly moved indoors due to harsh weather conditions. The same can be said for Koziell, who accepted a four-year scholarship to come and play for the Broncs. “It’s good tennis weather all year long and it’s a good Division I team [Broncs], Koziell said. According to Chapman, Salvo and Koziell bring different styles of play to the court, and he believes both players will bolster next year’s tennis squad. “Jeremy is a very talented player,” Chapman said. “He is a great doubles player, has great hands and is a talented, strong individual.” Chapman feels Salvo has the capability to play against top players once he gets additional collegiate matches under his belt. “I think he has the talent to play at the top end of our team,” Chapman said. “The confidence and experience in playing college tennis is just adjusting. Your freshman year is usually a big adjustment.” While Chapman feels Salvo’s future at UTPA is bright, Salvo admits there’s still work that needs to be done to improve his game. “I want to be better next year,” Salvo
said. “I’m at a seven [on a scale of 1-10], but I think I can get a lot better.” Like Salvo, Koziell has performed at a higher level then Chapman anticipated. “Filip has probably been my most consistent player this year,” Chapman said. “He’s consistently moving up the line.” Both Salvo and Koziell have improved their team ranking since the start of the season. Salvo started at No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles, now he’s playing No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles with Koziell. Koziell started No. 4 at the beginning of this year, and now is going into this weekend’s tournament playing No. 2. Both Koziell and Salvo have winning records going into the Southland Conference tournament that starts tomorrow. Koziell has a 12-4 record this spring at No. 2, 3 and 4 singles, while Salvo has a 10-6 record at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles. As double partners, the duo has a record of 10-5 at the No. 1 and 2 spots. Chapman insists the “Canuck Connection” will become a force in the future of the conference. “To be honest, I’m surprised at how fast they’ve come along as of now,” Chapman said. “That really excites me for the future, because at this point they’re a little farther along than most freshman usually are.” Canada is well represented at UTPA. Bobby Killins of the baseball team, Alex Gravel and Michelle Smith of the Lady Bronc basketball squad, and tennis players Alana Breen and Kathryn Waslen are all from Canada.
PAGE 3
NEWS
■ Minority Services . . . .4 ■ Campus Voice . . . . . 6 ■ Campus Calendar. . .12
ON THE ROAD: Most students commute to UTPA By Cristina Reyna The Pan American
Janie Jaimez drives 45 minutes from Harlingen every Tuesday and Thursday to attend classes at the University of Texas-Pan American. Like scores of other commuter students at UTPA, the English major schedules her classes twice a week to avoid the excessive travel. While the school’s spring enrollment is 12,884 students, only 392 live on campus in residence halls or at Bronc Village, the student apartment complex across the street from the dorms. While UTPA is mainly a commuter school, it is one of two four-year universities in the Valley, the other of which is a complete commuter school. With a spring enrollment of 9,359, the University of Texas-Brownsville has no on-campus housing. Roy Gutierrez, administrative analyst at UTB, said the university is looking into purchasing several surrounding hotels and converting them into dormitories in order to give students the option of living on campus. UTPA’s overwhelming commuter status leaves 12,492 students vying for coveted parking spaces, cringing at increased gas prices, and experiencing a notable void in participation in campus activities and school spirit. Resident life While UTPA is considered a commuter campus, there are plans to continue to build its residential community, according to Pat Zarate, assistant dean for Campus Life. “I think the Office of Residence Life can assist in building Bronc pride by continuing to work with its residential population and by engaging residents in campus life,” Zarate said. Annette Morales, who lives in the Women’s Residence Hall, said she prefers to live in the dorms because the drive from her hometown of Roma is just “too tiring and too long.” The junior biology major said it is easier to live right there on campus and avoid the 90-minute commute because “gas is too expensive.” Freshman resident Gloria Garza enjoys living on campus because she has met many new people. “It is cool because we stay up all night talking with everyone and hanging out in the rec room,” Garza said. Although there are plenty of students who live in campus housing or within a few blocks from campus, they do not leave their dorm or apartment to come on to campus at night or on weekends, said Assistant Dean of Students David Mariscal. Dean of Students Elvie Davis said campus
There is a significant camaraderie among students... as students form new friendships, study groups, join organizations, and socialize at local venues.
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da - David Mariscal sd
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Assistant Dean of Students
housing has special programs for its residents to encourage them to continue living on campus. Activities within the dorms are put on several times a week to promote friendships and encourage residents to meet new people. “There is a certain amount of camaraderie and networking involved that is effective in getting students to stay on or return to campus,” Davis said. Zarate noted that there is an inherent campus pride in those students who do call UTPA home. School Spirit / Camaraderie School spirit may suffer because of a lack of identification with the campus, according to Mariscal. Zarate said school spirit can be enhanced by reaching out to both commuters and campus residents. “There is a significant camaraderie among students,” Mariscal said. “You see this as students form new friendships, study groups, join organizations, and socialize at local venues.” Davis said the levels of participation and school spirit are, indeed, lower than at resident campuses because of the commuter nature of the student body. “This is very normal for commuter campuses,” Davis said. “It is always an uphill battle trying to get students who commute to change their attitudes about returning to campus for campus events.” Students deal with complications of the commute to UTPA each day, including the ubiquitous search for parking, as well as the periodic increases in gas prices. Parking Woes Although students are encouraged to come on to campus for events, parking problems can be exacerbated by the thousands of students who drive to campus each day. However, parking is a problem even at non-commuter campuses, Mariscal said. A total of 5,400 parking spaces are available at UTPA to accommodate nearly 13,000 students, and 738 of those spaces are in dirt lots, according to Parking Services Manager Eddie Morin. Because congestion occurs primarily in
the morning, the university needs to offer more courses in the afternoon and evening hours, when there are plenty of parking spaces available, Mariscal suggested. “Even apartment dwellers will drive two blocks to get to campus,” he said. Commuter student Angie Galindo, of Donna, drives to UTPA every day for classes and spends up to $40 on gas weekly due to the rising gas prices. The clinical lab science major said that she has had problems with her car due to the frequent commute to and from school. “We’ve had to redo the whole engine because of excess mileage from going back and forth every day,” she said. Senior Arely Rios, of Harlingen, commutes to UTPA four times a week. Rios, a social studies composite major, prefers not to carpool with other students because she likes the freedom of coming and going as she pleases. She added that she spends up to $25 a week on gas. Promoting closeness Mariscal explained that in order to promote camaraderie among students, UTPA needs to offer consistent quality programming and events that will create a culture of students wanting to come back to campus in the evenings and on weekends. “USOC [University Student Organization Committe] hosted Bronc Bash April 12 and we had approximately 750 students attend,” he noted. “Intramural had a volleyball tournament this Saturday and 54 students participated. Both of these were successful events. So if you provide events that students want, they will come back.” Jaimez said she would not participate in campus activities that take place on nights and weekends because of her commute from Harlingen, but added that she would make the drive to Edinburg if UTPA had a football team. “That’s just ‘cause I like football, though,” she said. Davis said that although the addition of a football team at UTPA would definitely promote school spirit, the expense is exorbitant. “We’d also have to build a stadium [more big bucks] or depend on the availability of others in the area high schools–not too feasi-
ble, according to ‘people in the know,’” she added. Sophomore Jesse Cavazos said he would likely show up for the games despite the 30minute drive from his hometown of Mercedes if UTPA had a football team because “football is football.” A resuscitation of the UTPA soccer team might also encourage fans of collegiate athletics to commute to UTPA in the evenings or on weekends. Student athletes played soccer for 28 years before the program was terminated in 1998 in search of equity in gender representation in sports at UTPA. A Bronc football team is a bleak possibility, Davis suggested, but many other activities are in the works to improve student participation. The Student Union is experimenting with different types of programs and evening hours to attract audiences and nurture ‘regulars,’ she said. Many students take advantage of the Student Union game room in the evenings and on weekends where pool tables and video games are available for recreation. Gabriel Ramirez, a work study student at the game room, said usually about 10 students come in on Saturdays to play. Other means of getting students involved include the mentoring program. In each departments’ program, mentors are asked to take their protégés, or entering freshmen, to campus activities to get them into the habit of participation. An expansion of intramural recreational sports is in the works as well, and Student Development has also had success in increasing the number of student organizations, according to Davis. Family ties The close proximity of family as well as the workplace are two major factors which influence UTPA students to continue their commute to and from classes every day. Balvina Ochoa, a sophomore criminal justice major, prefers the commute to living on campus because she works in Mercedes and her family lives there as well. Galindo, a senior, said because her husband works in Harlingen, the couple prefers to live “sort of in the middle [of the Valley].” Rios said because she has a full-time job, she has little time to participate in campus activities. Living on campus wouldn’t be convenient for Cavazos either, he said, because he works in Harlingen. The business management major only comes to UTPA twice a week because he prefers to work more hours. When it comes to campus activities, he admitted that he just doesn’t have time. “Pretty much I work,” he said. “When I’m not at school, I work.”
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April 25 2002
Celebrating 50 years 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 50th Year – No. 26
Editor Matt Lynch mlynch@panam.edu
News Editor Cristina Reyna creyna826@aol.com
Copy Editor Melissa Ciomperlik ciomperlik@yahoo.com
Graphics Editor Gabriel O. Hernandez gabo296@hotmail.com
A & E Editor Ashley Brooks Magrew2@hotmail.com
Sports Editor Eladio Jaimez ejaimez@panam.edu
Layout Designers Gabriel Hernandez Celeste Y. Tello Reporters Blake Daniels Jaime Garcia Jr. Mike Gonzalez Elizabeth Martinez
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 university.
Letters policy The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.
Nikki Ramirez Belinda Reyes Cesar Trevino Photographers Anna Stwora Mary Zuviri Advertising Dagoberto Perez Circulation Jesus M. Gonzalez Advertising Coordinator Juanita Sanchez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber
Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office. For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.
OPINION
April 25, 2002
letters
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editorials
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cartoons
Institutional communication breakdown In a large institution such as a university, huge amounts of revenue are collected and in turn equally huge expenditures are paid. Such is the nature of the large-scale institution. The successful modern bureaucracy is an amazing study in synchronicity, organization, and order, regulating and facilitating a wide variety of services that would be otherwise impossible for localized, informal processes There are always complications, as business is not a perfect science, despite its benefits. There are inevitable mistakes-usually userbased-and miscalculations, and sometimes dishonesty. But most often there are divergent opinions about the nature of operation within an institution. This brings the reader to the controversy at the University of Texas-Pan American, at the heart of which is resource allocation. SITUATION ANALYSIS The Student Affairs Advisory Committee is a largely student-run, independent body charged with making recommendations to John Edwards, vice president of the division of enrollment and student services, about the use of collected student fees. These recommendations are then passed to the president’s office, which considers them in making final budget decisions. SAAC says it is in the middle of a budget disagreement with the vice president’s office about fee allocation, and the use of reserves, problems that have been ongoing for nearly a decade. A spokesman for the vice president for Business Affairs says there has been a lack of communication leading to misunderstanding, and further, no hard-and-fast budget decisions have been made. There is a meeting scheduled for this morning at which the president, vice presidents and budget director will make headway toward a resolution of the budget for the upcoming year. The basic disagreement has to do with where money comes from to get things done. BACKGROUND AND EXPLANATION SAAC reconvened March 27 to clarify its earlier recommendations to Edwards’ office, of which two points are most important. The committee recommended that fee allocations each year be made based on actual dollars collected during the previous 12 months, and that a portion of student fee reserves be used to finance a series of one-time services, including most prominently salary merit bene-
ASSIST
fits for university staff. The vice president’s office, hereafter referred to as the administration, believes that while certain one - time services can be funded by using reserves - an example of this came with the construction of the recently completed Student Union - annual, “ongoing” expenditures, which are annual or monthly, must be met with funds from Student Services, per institutional policy. Included in the ongoing category are monies for merit awards. A recent SAAC memo to the vice president’s office noted that Business Affairs estimates of revenues are consistently lower than actual collection figures. The memo also noted that reserves are expected to climb to over $1 million by the end of the most recent fiscal year. The memo notes that from SAAC’s standpoint, a healthy minimum of reserves is $400,000, and that the $245,832 set to be added to extant reserves of $845,888 will put the balance over $1 million. SAAC’s line of reasoning is that rather than taking money from Student Services to meet the one-time services, the money should come from abundant reserves. While SAAC recognizes the need to have funds in place to cover unforeseen deficits, it believes that the reserve balance in place is adequate for this purpose. The committee thus believes that the student fee reserves are a good source from which to fund the one-time services, which besides the merit pay (nearly $35,000, as opposed to the $25,000 from fee collections themselves recommended by the administration) would go for costumes for mariachi performers ($5,000) and improvement of CampusNet computer equipment ($30,000). For its part, the vice president’s office is thinking like an administration, which is what it is. Its estimates are always more conservative than those of entities such as SAAC, says one spokesman, because the administration is responsible for the long-term ramifications of making such decisions. Vice President for Business Affairs James Langabeer says that all parties can benefit from a little more communication, and that most seeming disagreements like this one are easily defused when both sides understand the inner workings of the situation clearly. There appears to be a difference in understanding working definitions of ongoing versus one-time expenditures. VP Edwards has reiterated the administra-
tion opinion that the money for some of the purchases in question, prominently the merit pay, should be allocated from Student Services. At least, that is, according to SAAC, which wants the money to come from the reserves and has submitted a series of questions for the president’s office to answer. 1. What should reserves be used for? 2. What is the rationale for not using reserves to augment merit? 3. What is a reasonable reserves balance and how is that determined? 4. How should the interest be used? In the next year, the committee plans a more thorough study of reserves, plus progress toward a clearer understanding of accounting procedures and transactions making use of student fees. As noted, the administration meets today to discuss the issue and the budget. Langabeer explained that the accumulated reserves balance is higher than it normally has been due to a surge in enrollment 6-8 years ago. He notes that the administration is hesitant to make budget decisions on the basis of that high figure, as it is abnormal. This is an ongoing conversation; no decisions have been made, he continued, adding that there doesn’t necessarily have to be a controversy.
students to accept financial aid awards on-line and request their PIN or RAC number be e-mailed to them if forgotten. There will also be an e-mail account, which is expected to be active within the next two months, on the ASSIST Web site that will allow students to post their feedback about the site. “Students come here to study,” Robles said. “They don’t want to spend their time going to offices to get their PIN or to get information. We want to save the students time, so they can have
more time to study.” Robles said that his department is researching a new system that will allow 24-hour access to the ASSIST site when the next system upgrade takes place. “We are already looking into the next generation of database software that does allow 24- hour access,” Robles said. “But we are looking at a multi-year and multimillion dollar project, that will have a great impact on the university.”
NEWS
THE UPSHOT This is a complicated issue, one which is not unusual considering the complex nature of modern bureaucratic institutions, plus the inevitable disagreements from human facilitators when it comes to inter-institution policy decisions. The bottom line is the need for an equitable and logical use of revenue, and a farsighted, equally equitable use of reserves. The situation is ongoing, and its resolution depends in large part on an unbiased understanding of all sides of the problem. It should not be ideologically grounded, nor should it be resolved in favor of either misplaced antagonism from a student-based organization or strong-arming by the administration. There needs to be a more universal understanding of what is being attempted by each entity. The Pan American will continue to monitor this important bureaucratic development, because it will eventually impact every branch of the university, from students, faculty, and staff to the long-term fiscal health of the university itself.
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er stations around campus are now being used to display important information to students as well, when the station is idle. “We are using the kiosk screensavers to advertise deadlines for registration, payments and financial aid,” Robles said. “So that information is available to students there.” There is a list of other changes that the computer center is reviewing and planning to implement within the next two months. Robles said there are plans to allow
SPORTS CLIPBOARD Englishman honored PLANO-For the fifth time this season, the University of Texas Pan American’s men’s tennis team received an individual honor from the Southland Conference. Junior Matt Gower was named Southland Conference player of the week. Gower won all six of his matches last week. He defeated Eric Subirats of Southeastern Louisiana (SLU), Jakob Paulsen of Lamar (LU) and Luis Moris of Laredo Community College (LCC) at no. 1 singles, and teamed with senior Kareem Abdullah to win three times at no. 2 doubles. Gower and Abdullah defeated Subirats and Paul Birkett of SLU, Paulsen and J.P. Alatorre of Lamar, and Keith Powell and Eduardo Pazos of LCC. UTPA won all three matches, defeating SLU, 6-1, Lamar, 4-0, and LCC, 7-0. The win against SLU, allowed UTPA to clinch the fourth seed for this weekend’s SLC tourney. The Lamar match was a non-conference match, and the match against LCC was an exhibition match. “Matt really deserved the award,” said UTPA head coach Todd Chapman. “Matt is playing some of the best tennis he’s played all year, which is really important for the team going into the conference tournament. He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now, and probably playing harder than I’ve seen him play all year. He played an important role in our winning all three of our matches last week, two of which were against conference opponents.” The Broncs will open SLC Tournament play against Lamar Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at The University of Texas-San Antonio.
Local runner signs with Broncs EDINBURG-Former Bobcat Deanah Chavez and signed on with the University of Texas Pan American Bronc track team this week. Chavez ran 400 meters in 59 seconds and 800 meters in 2:17 as a middle distance runner during her second year at Edinburg High School. “I’m really excited that we signed Deanah, she’s a very talented young athlete,” said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. “She was hurt during her junior year, but she came back and was second in the district meet this year, and advanced to the regional meet, which will be run this weekend.” Chavez is the first athlete to sign with UTPA during the spring signing period.
FAREWELL
sports
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By the numbers Thursday’s Game
BASEBALL BRONC LEADERS Batting Average Adam Farek Tony Ortiz John Lopez Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy
.302 .301 .297 .295 .287
Home runs Matt Eichel Matt Sisk Tony Ortiz Jarrad Maddox Sean Flynn Jonathan Mason Marco Garza
2 2 2 1 1 1 1
RBI Matt Sisk Bruce Kennedy Matt Eichel Tony Ortiz Jarrad Maddox
19 15 11 10 8
R H E UTPA 000 001 001-- 2 7 1 Nebraska 310 000 51x-- 10 14 1 WP: Sillman (1-1) LP: James (5-7) Records: UTPA 13-30; Nebraska 28-14. Wednesday’s game: Nebraska 18, UTPA 1 Next game: Saturday 4 p.m. doubleheader vs. St. Mary’s; Tuesday, April 30 3 p.m. doubleheader vs. Incarnate Word. Note:Last two home appearances of the season. Broncs’ season ends May 12 at Texas Tech.
TRACK AND FIELD MEN Upcoming schedule April 25-27 Drake Relays May 3-4 Texas Invitational May 20 Houston Last Chance May 28-June 1 NCAA Championships
WOMEN Hits Jerome McCoy Matt Sisk Bruce Kennedy Skip Weast John Lopez
41 41 34 31 30
Runs Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy Bruce Kennedy John Lopez Marco Garza
22 21 17 14 12
Upcoming schedule April 25-27 Drake Relays May 3-4 Texas Invitational May 20 Houston Last Chance May 28-June 1 NCAA Championships
TENNIS MEN Upcoming schedule April 26-28
TEAM NUMBERS Batting Average .262 Home runs 10 RBI 135 Hits 350 Runs 160 * statistics do not include yesterday’s game against Nebraska.
SLC Tournament
Broncs vs. Laredo Community College 1-Gower, UTPA, defeated Moris, 6-2, 6-3 2-Mangleschots, UTPA, defeated Powell, 6-0, 6-2 3-Koziell, UTPA, defeated Horvat, 7-5, 6-1 4-Salvo, UTPA, defeated Cardenas, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 5-Abdullah, UTPA, defeated Guerra, 6-2, 6-3 6-Barraclough, UTPA, defeated Pazos, 6-0, 6-0
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story, I decided to change my major to print journalism. I enjoyed sports, and after that article I thought I enjoyed writing and reporting, as well. It’s been three and a half years, and I still enjoy all three. Joe asked me back and I’m here today because of his trust in my writing. Thanks Joe. I gave a shot at writing general news and politics, and liked it very much as well. I took a shot at being the editor of this publication, and while my staff never said anything, I knew I better served the newspaper as a reporter. My education at UTPA wasn’t limited to textbooks I never read or to classes I went to half the time. I’ve learned more in the past four years here, and the seven all together since high school, than more people will in a lifetime. When I decided to attend UTPA over four years ago, I was actually playing with the idea of not going to college anymore, period. With a little push from my mother, I decided that going to school was the best thing for me. I’m glad I did, because not only will I soon receive my degree, but in the course of my time here, I’ve met so many great professors which have had a great impact
on my life. The list is too long to mention, but some of these people are too important to let go unmentioned. First of all, every professor I’ve ever had at this university has been special. Even those whose class I dropped like eight times. It wasn’t you, it was me. Of course the professors you spend the most time with are the ones you’ll always remember. One of which, Bob Rollins, is no longer with us. Henry’s father, just kidding. Although, the Rollins Band’s hardcore riffs and tunes are pretty right-on when describing Rollins’ style of teaching. I can credit Rollins for giving me the thick skin needed in journalism. I remember the first thing he told me when I began at the Pan American, “Check your ego at the door, son.” Dr. Salma Ghanem and Jackie Nirenberg are two of the sweetest professors I’ll probably ever know. That’s true because the chances of me getting into graduate school anywhere are slim to none, and slim just left the building. Dr. Ghanem and Jackie, thanks for all the advice you gave me and for listening to me whenever I had questions. I’ll probably see you guys again when the university calls my house saying I did-
n’t really graduate because half my credit hours are freshmen level. Another one of my teachers no longer at UTPA, but someone I still admire and revere, is Arturo Longoria. When Rollins passed away, Arturo was supposed to be here only one semester as an interim adviser. He stayed two years, and I’m glad he stayed. Despite any discord he may have had with other students and professors, Arturo taught me a lot about reporting and writing for newspapers. There are very few people I could say I consider mentors, and he would definitely be one of them. Another, Greg Selber. Homeboy has helped me get my foot in the door so many times and even helped me land my first real job at the Valley Morning Star, which I start in three weeks. Just like Arturo, Greg’s been a mentor and his advice has been priceless. And who could forget Juanita Sanchez. In the last four years, nobody has worked harder for The Pan American than Juanita. This publication could not run if it weren’t for Juanita. Thanks for putting up with all of us in the newsroom these past four years, especially me. And whenever it is that you decide to retire, I wish you all the
best. Everybody on staff, it’s been a real pleasure working and knowing all of you. Working all those late nights and taking trips together brought us closer together as a group. If I could pick any group of people to work with, it would definitely be the staff at Playboy, but you guys would come in at a close second. To every past staff member--whether you graduated, transferred or just quit--you guys made that first year at The Pan American fun. Mike Liscano, I’ll run into you someday in California or Mexico. The mom and the sister. The cornerstones of who you guys know as Eladio Jaimez, and the main reason I even came back to school. Their endless support helped me get through some tough times. I owe them a lot. Thanks mom and Becky. I breathed, ate and slept the Pan American these last four years. I’ll miss it. I leave you with the advice a professor once gave me, “All advice is free, take it whenever it’s given.” It’s hard to say good bye, so I’ll use the words an old Saturday Night Live cast member used to bid his farewell every week. “That’s the news folks, and I’m out of here.”
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NBA
MAGIC MOMENT: Earvin “Magic” Johnson was nominated for the Basketball Hall of Fame Wednesday. Former teammate James Worthy, Portland Trailblazers’ head coach Maurice Cheeks, Adrian Dantley, Bobby Jones, and Chet Walker were also nominated for enshrinement. Johnson, now the vice president for the Los Angeles Lakers, led the team to five NBA championships. At the age of 20, Magic became the first rookie named MVP of the finals for his efforts against the Philiadelphia 76ers in 1980. In game six, Magic took over at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and played all five positions, scoring 42 points and grabbing 15 boards.
PGA
THE SPANIARD AND THE GOOSE: South African Retief Goosen (pictured above) and Spaniard Sergio Garcia will battle this weekend for the Spanish Open title at the Canary Islands. Both players come in evenly matched, with U.S. Open champion Goosen ranked fourth in the world and Garcia one rank behind. Garcia hopes to top both the U.S. and European Tour money lists.
S PORTS O Canada
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The Pan American
The University of Texas-Pan American athletic program frequently draws talented athletes from all over the world to deep South Texas, and the tennis program is no exception. The program is currently developing two freshman from north of the border in Filip Koziell and Jeremy Salvo. Koziell is a standout from Calgary, Alberta and was ranked No. 1 in the under-18 division in province. Salvo was named MVP of Centennial Secondary School and was ranked No. 7 in Canada. He grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver. Head coach Todd Chapman is pleased with how Koziell and Salvo have come in and performed well as freshman. “For two freshman, I could not expect any more out of them,” Chapman said. “I’ve been pleased at the progress they’ve
Are you a commuter student?
The Pan American
As a sports writer for The Pan American these past three and a half years, I witnessed plenty of memorable Bronc moments. There was the night of Bob Hoffman’s first regular season game as a head coach for the Broncs. It was a 105-104 heartbreaking tripleovertime loss to Oral Roberts University. Revenge was sweet just two months later when the Broncs won their first road game in 63 tries against ORU, 79-62.
An Inside Look: News ............................................2 A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■
Migrants assisted
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climate was quite a change for the two “Canucks” after playing their entire lives See CANUCKS page 14 in Canada.
There are so many more memories worth mentioning, but not enough paper. I’d like to extend my thanks to all the coaches and personnel of the UTPA athletic department for granting my reporters and I interviews when we requested. To the sports information crew, Dave Gerringer and Luis Nunez, thanks for all your help. Then there was Jim McKone, the king of sports information directors. I worked with him for one semester, and it was more than a pleasure, it was an honor to work with someone as respected as McKone.
I remember the night of Jan. 25, 1999. It was the night before my first published article in The Pan American appeared. I stayed up pretty late, scared at the idea the entire university would read my article. The story was about the resurgence in attendance at Bronc basketball games and just a few weeks ago I ran into the article going through some of the boxes in one of my closets. Unsure if, then sports editor Joe Leal would ask me to write another See FAREWELL page 15
Effective Spring 2002, student grade reports will no longer be mailed automatically for students in good academic standing. Students may obtain their grades using ASSIST phone (956/381-3040) by following the automated instructions; via web (assist.panam.edu) by entering their student identification number and PIN number; and via KIOSK services by entering their Student Identification Number and PIN number. Students requiring a paper copy of their grades may request a transcript via the web (assist.panam.edu) to be mailed to either their local or permanent address on file with the Office of Admissions and Records.
NOTICE ■ This is the final issue of
The Pan American for the spring semester. The paper will resume publication during the first summer school session, with issues June 13 and June 27, and then will resume publication in the fall starting August 29. The Pan American staff would like to thank students, staff, faculty, and other Valley readers for their patronage during the spring semester, and their contributions toward news gathering as well. During the summer, the staff will be doing a content analysis and survey in order to start making positive changes for next semester.
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T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n
CAMPUS NEWS
made and they have been a big part of the success we’ve had. They’re definitely going to be a factor going into next year in building what we want to build.” While Koziell and Salvo, nicknamed “the Canucks” by teammates, have showcased their talents throughout the season. Adjusting to the Texas heat has proved to be a formidable opponent for both athletes. “It was harder than I thought,” Salvo said. “I thought it was going to be like any other trip, then you realize that you’re actually here for a while. It takes a while to adjust.” The transition for Koziell wasn’t as difficult, thanks to the help and encouragement of Salvo. “It was a lot easier to have Jeremy [here] because we’re both from Canada,” Koziell said. “We got along real well right off the Matt Lynch/The Pan American bat. It wasn’t that hard for me because I always wanted to play CANADIANS BAKIN’: Doubles partners Jeremy Salvo, of Vancouver, and Filip college tennis and I was looking Koziell, of Calgary, endured the hot and humid Valley weather earlier this week to practice for tomorrow’s match against Lamar. The sunny South Texas forward to it.”
There was the night Lalo Rios played his last game as a Bronc, or the day the San Diego Padres drafted Omar Ortiz in the first round of the 1999 draft. Then there was the day Caleb Schmidt, Dustin Haas, Darren Heinrichs and Gabe De La Garza hit consecutive home runs against Western Illinois March 7, 2000. Or the night UTPA honored the 1962-63 basketball NAIA championship team in February 2000, and the entire team reunited for the first time since the championship season.
April 25, 2002
Page 6
Editor reflects upon past four years, says adios By Eladio Jaimez
VOICE
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The freshmen Canadian tennis tandem of Filip Koziell and Jeremy Salvo is a big reason head coach Todd Chapman is excited about the future of Bronc tennis By Mike Gonzalez
THURSDAY
Campus
By Melissa Ciomperlik The Pan American
Anna Stwora/The Pan American
TAKING IT TO THE TOP- Fabierae Lovato, a freshman history major, attempts the rock climbing wall challenge Monday afternoon at the Road’s Scholar College Tour, which stopped at UTPA Monday and Tuesday to feature select Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. Hosted by Student Life and Transition Services, activities included an extreme road course, NHL slapshot game, and live BMX demonstrations among other booths.
To help migrant students transition from high school into college, the University of Texas-Pan American’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides tutoring, counseling, academic advisement, career advisement and social support. “We assist them with that whole transition from high school to college,” said Luis Romero, academic coordinator of CAMP. “Some of the students need that kind of social support to make sure that they feel connected with the university, to ensure that they succeed their remaining three years in college.” CAMP provides services during the students’ first year in college, and after they complete the program, CAMP staff are available to assist students during their careers at the university. To qualify for CAMP, students or their parents must be a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker who has worked a minimum of 75 days in farmwork within the last 24 months. Students must also be freshmen with fewer than 15 hours of college credit. According to Marilyn Hagerty, associate director of CAMP, approximately 10 percent of entering freshmen at UTPA are migrants. The
See CAMP page 12
Survey aids in service improvements By Melissa Ciomperlik The Pan American
In response to a survey conducted in Fall 2001 by the Computer Center, the Advanced Services for Student information Supported by Technology (ASSIST) Web site has recently implemented several changes. The ASSIST Web site allows students to register for classes, access schedules, check grades and view financial aid information online at the URL www.assist.panam.edu. The survey was constructed by three graduate students in the computer information systems department and project leader Reynaldo Robles, in order to gather information about students experiences with ASSIST. “One of the suggestions was to market the
services of ASSIST,” Robles said. “They [graduate students] found that some students didn’t know what services they could find at the kiosks or that they could register on the Web.” Posters in the hallway advertised the new ASSIST services and pocket brochures about the service were available to students. Links to the academic calendar, payment deadlines, final exam dates and financial aid deadlines can now be accessed through ASSIST. Students can even apply for emergency loans and pay tuition by check through the ASSIST Web site. “If you want to pay by check, you don’t need to walk to payments and collections,” Robles said. “Students just input their information and they are done.”
Robles said paying by check will not only help students, but will help campus offices because they will have less paperwork to do. “This is a win-win situation for all,” he said. Students have had mixed reactions to the new on-line check payments through the ASSIST Web site. “It was kind of confusing when I tried to use it,” said Roberto Castro, a sophomore fine arts major. “I haven’t used it yet, but it sounds like it would be convenient,” said Marissa Villarreal, a senior psychology major. “It beats having to walk all the way over to Payments and Collections.” UTouch Kiosks, the self-contained computSee ASSIST page 2