December 2, 2010 by UTRGV Student Media

Volume 67, No. 12

THE PAN AMERICAN

December 2, 2010

MAKING LEMONADE Nelsen: ‘concerned but conﬁdent’ as University prepares for extensive budget cuts By Roxann Garcia The Pan American A state budget shortfall as high as $25 billion is projected as lawmakers prepare for the 2011 Legislative session in mid-January, but administration officials at The University of Texas-Pan American have contrived a plan to avoid as much damage as possible. “After discussions with the Legislative Budget Board, the UT System has asked the fifteen universities in the system to prepare for a possible worst-case scenario,” President Robert S. Nelsen said in a memo sent to faculty and staff Tuesday. The university is strategizing a contingency plan in the event the state mandates up to a 15 percent cut on top of the 5 percent already taken and an expected 3 percent slash. The final decision won’t be made until the end of the Legislative session. The administration only has a month before the document is to be sent to the System Board of Regents prior to the session’s beginning. The work done so far is in preparation of an expected reduction of overall university spending at some point in 2011. The president and his cabinet held a meeting Nov. 17 with faculty and staff

senate chairs to discuss the important memo sent from the board. It was decided that the university would plan for a reduction of 15 percent in the Academic Affairs division and 20 percent in other areas. Whatever the final number ends up being in terms of reduction, each area will have a plan in place to comply with the rules. Nelsen stressed that the action so far does not add up to a “budget cut,” it simply does some homework so that the university will be ready to move once the final decisions are made. “We’ve got to have a cross-campus conversation to decide on the right kinds of reductions,” Nelsen said this week in an interview with The Pan American. “All we’ve had is: each one of the divisions has looked at itself and had to reach a target of what they need to do. So far, the cabinet has begun to meet with one another and discuss some ideas. But the conversations officially start in January.” STEP BY STEP In the wake of the global economic downturn, for the current FY 2010-2011 UTPA was asked to give back 5 percent of general revenue, amounting to $5,579,985. But it was only the beginning. “However, employee benefits are paid in proportion to funding between the state and the institutions,” said Juan C. Gonzalez, assistant VP and budget director. “This means that as state money becomes a smaller part of our funding, a greater burden for covering benefit expenses shifts to the institution.” The university estimated the amount at $1,227,597 for a total impact of $6,807,582. Keep in mind, however, Texas writes budgets biennially, or in two-year terms, so the shortfall affects the 2012-2013 state budgets. Dividing the $6,807,582 by two arrives at an annual slice of $3,403,791. The next phase included a reduction of 10 percent for the upcoming (2012-2013) biennium, for a sum of $1,818,835 for the two years. This has not been mandated yet, however, but rather is part of a proposed plan should the reduction be agreed upon during the Legislative session. “This 10 percent exercise can therefore be seen as somewhat perfunctory; reductions, if they occur, will likely happen to the formula and non-formula items, not just the non-formula items,” Gonzalez continued.

SEE LEMONADE || PAGE 7

Photo by Daniel Flores / THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 2 - Big business might Alma Hernandez: have packed their bags, but DREAM, they never left act now

3 - Jobs after UTB Page Nursing programscarce not graduation becoming expected to affect UTPA’s

Page 11 - Holiday gift guide Student author co-directs own play on Jeffers stage

Page 14 - Q&A with volleyball UTPA adopta ángeles en player Rebecca Toddy ésta temporada

Broncs fall to Big 12 foe Colorado

December 2, 2010

Commentary

Alma E. Hernandez Photo Editor Since September I’ve been following the DREAM Act, it’s kinda my job since I work for the school newspaper. I’ve been reading stories in The Monitor and watching the action taken by UTPA students on campus, and action on others around the state. The comment sections on The Monitor’s website have been a hotbed of activity, with

Letter to the Editor Dear Ms. Cabrera, Ms. Hernandez’s Nov 18th commentary on the effects of violence in her Mexican hometown are in keeping with data recently collected in my health psychology research lab. In a study initiated and led by Ms. Valeria Rodriguez, a senior in psychology, we examined the impact of border violence on stress and physical health. Based on a sample of 340 UTPA stu-

DREAM, act now most being very racist and negative in general. As I skim the comments in disbelief, I’m amazed at the bigotry here in our own Rio Grande Valley: these people could be my next-door neighbors. Although no one in my family would be directly affected by the Dream Act, 602 UTPA students stand to benefit from the legislation, which was first introduced in 2001. We’re told as journalists to not have an opinion on issues, but I feel this issue is too important to not weighin, and I fully support the DREAM Act. I think most people who oppose it do not have a clear understanding of the legislation. These will be educated, productive members of society, they will pay taxes, they will contribute to society, they will serve in our military. There are

dents, we found that 70% of students have friends or family who live in or near a Mexican border town. Over three quarters of the students sampled thought about border violence at least once a week and many feared that it would spill into the US during the next year. Thirty-eight percent of subjects reported personally knowing someone who had been a victim of border violence, 54% knew someone who had witnessed drive-by shootings and 55% knew someone whose friend or family member had been kidnapped. Approximately 90% agreed that violence in

very specific requirements that must be met: --if they were brought to the United States before they turned 16 and are below the age of 35 --have lived here continuously for five years --graduated from a U.S. high school or obtained a GED --have good moral character with no criminal record and --attend college or enlist in the military These students were not asked to be brought here, but have been raised here, so the United States is the only home they know. The time to act is now, the Senate plans to begin discussion on the DREAM Act beginning

Mexico has worsened over the past year and over three-quarters of the students had reduced their travel to Mexico as a result of the violence. One of the questions we wanted to examine was the effect that this stress might have on physical health. We asked students to report the stress they felt as a result of thinking about border violence. When this value was taken into account, we could predict physical health complaints more accurately than when we simply used a general measure of psychological stress. The results of this border violence research were an

Dec. 2 and Congress hopes to pass the bill before the new year. I urge the entire UTPA community to rally behind these students. With a student population of nearly 19,000, we can make a statement. The next scheduled event is today. UTPA students will be staging a rally during activity hour on the Chapel Lawn, featuring Blandina “Bambi” Cardenas, former UTPA President and former Chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, as a guest speaker. Supporters are encouraged to bring posters, banners and friends to show their support. For more information visit the Facebook page started by UTPA students titled, “I am a UTPA Student and I support the Dream ACT.”

eye-opener for me personally and I think it’s important for UTPA faculty and administrators to be cognizant of the social and psychological impact of this violence on our student body. Ms. Rodriguez’s research was recently submitted to the SouthWestern Psychological Association’s annual conference, which will be held in San Antonio next April. Sincerely, Dr. Grant Benham

Vol. 67, No. 12

THE PAN AMERICAN 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 The Pan American is the ofﬁcial student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reﬂect those of the paper or university.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kristen Cabrera kmcabrera22@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR: Roxann Garcia roxx.gar11@gmail.com ONLINE/SPANISH EDITOR: Denisse Salinas dns_145@hotmail.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Benny Salinas 9_benny_9@live.com SPORTS EDITOR: Sara Hernandez shernandez261@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Alma E. Hernandez alma.e.hdz@gmail.com SENIOR DESIGNER: Jennifer Tate jen489@gmail.com DESIGNERS: Alexis Carranza alexis091@aol.com ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selber selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: Anita Reyes areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER: Mariel Cantu spubs@utpa.edu WEBMASTER: Jose Villarreal josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com Selvino Padilla selvinop3@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Steven Kennedy srkennedy56@yahoo.com

Delivery:

Thursday at noon Letters to the Editor

Elias Moran/THE PAN AMERICAN

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com. Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

December 2, 2010

Valley nursing ﬁeld increases New UTB nursing program not expected to affect UTPA’s By Alejandra Martinez The Pan American With changes coming to The University of Texas at Brownsville/ Texas Southmost College, including the addition of a College of Nursing, The University of Texas-Pan American remains confident in and proud of its own nursing department. The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved on Nov. 11 the renaming of UTB/TSC’s School of Health Sciences to the College of Biomedical Science and Health Professions. Also to be added is the College of Nursing. Both colleges will begin functioning Jan. 1. However, UTPA’s nursing department chair Carolina Huerta expressed no immediate concerns at the crowding of the academic field. “We’ve had a nursing department since 1967,” she said. “And we started out with an associate’s degree program and now we have a bachelor’s and masters programs that are producing wonderful nurses for our community.” She said that one way the change could impact this university is that it might not be viewed the same way as some of the big institutions. UTPA is one of the last schools to not have a school or college or nursing. Huerta mentioned that she has been working to create a college of nursing, however, that is not a priority at the moment. “You have to go through the Texas

Higher Education Coordinating Board to make that happen,” she explained. “And you have to put together a proposal that outlines what the impact will be for Pan Am if we become a college or a school of nursing, and frankly we’ve been so busy that I haven’t had the time.” According to Huerta, nursing has done very well as a department and has managed to gain much recognition. The department has 24 faculty members, 13 of whom have a doctoral degree. “I think that from where we were so many years ago to where we are now, we are really in a good position to become a school of nursing and be recognized throughout the nation,” she added. The nursing department currently admits 125 students a year to compete for its Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and will start admitting 130 in the spring. Of those 125, about 80 students graduate every year. The Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) has about 80 students, 15 of which graduate every year. “I think our reputation speaks for itself and I believe that a student who wants to get a quality nursing education will look at both programs,” she said of both UTPA and UTB/TSC. The Lower Valley institution graduated 133 students with an associate degree in nursing in 2009 and 29 with a baccalaureate degree.

Alejandra Moreno/THE PAN AMERICAN

HELLO NURSE - Alexa Trigo and Stephanie Weaver participate in a

presentation in front of their nurse practitioner class peers, a graduate course at UTPA, Wednesday in the HSHE.

UTB/TSC Nursing Department Chair Edna Garza-Escobedo said that the school looks forward to expanding its nursing program and increasing research opportunities for faculty. “We want to be well recognized for excellence in nursing education and as a center of information for establishment of evidence-based nursing practice,” said GarzaEscobedo, who is also the interim dean for the new college. Janice Maville, assistant dean for the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at UTPA, said

that the nursing department’s main focus is for students to learn intellectual and physical skills that will make them competent practitioners, consultants, and leaders. “The department has faculty dedicated to providing the best education available to our students,” said Maville, also the MSN program coordinator. “We have produced hundreds of graduates who have and will continue to make an enormous positive impact on the health care.”

New college working on bylaws, long-term plan to take advantage of opportunities in engineering After his recent placement in the new college of Engineering and Computer Science, newly appointed college Dean David H. Allen has been hard at work trying to reconstruct the overall goals for the college. In order to meet current/future needs, committees/governances have already been appointed to construct draft documents of student and faculty bylaws, as well as, a 20-year strategic plan for the college. Weighing in on the matters is

the Student Government Association, led by Mario Reyes, chair of the Engineering Student Advisory Council. He is working with various faculty governance bodies, the faculty tenure and promotion committee, and the faculty strategic planning committee chaired by Dimitru Caruntu. “The student leaders will create college bylaws for Student Government,” Allen said. “Faculty bylaws are being created by the College Council Chair, Dr. (Mounir) Ben Ghalia. Tenure promotion guidelines are actually being created by the

New library feature will aid student research By Karen Antonacci The Pan American

Planning stage begins

By Belinda Munoz The Pan American

College Executive Council, but those will actually be folded into the college bylaws and all of that will be completed by October 1. The strategic planning committee is creating a strategic plan on a separate document by October 1. “So there are really three sets of documents but we have four committees doing them because it is a burgeoning responsibility to do all of this stuff.” All committees and governance are expected to submit their first drafts for student/faculty bylaws by April 1. Students and faculty will vote separately, within their governances,

on the drafts of established bylaws. Faculty will also vote on the draft of the 20-year strategic plan for the college, which is to be implemented by Oct. 1, 2011. COLLEGE ON THE MOVE Keeping in mind the global necessity of trained technical professionals, Allen hopes to increase the number of graduates in engineering in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and at UTPA. “What I hope to do, is over the course of the next decade, is to have the college both grow and improve

SEE ENGINEERING || PAGE 7

What can UTPA students get out of their library? Many rush in to print something at the last minute or use it as meeting place for group study sessions or projects. But the library offers numerous other services aside from printers and study rooms. For instance, a new program called Book a Librarian aims to help students in gathering information for their research papers. “You can call and make an appointment. Now, we won’t do your paper for you but what we can do is show you how to find your resources,” said head reference and instructional services librarian N. Jane Goodman. “Then once you get your paper done we can look at it, and we’ll probably refer you on to the Writing Center.” Students should call and make an appointment with Book a Librarian as soon as a research topic is assigned in class, Goodman said. That way, the librarian will have time to do some preliminary research to present in the hour-long session with the student. The UTPA library also offers Inter-Library loans, where it can request books or articles that are not available here, from libraries from around the world. Such an arrangement is usually free of charge to students although if the loaner library has to copy an article, some might charge a minimal fee such as 10 cents per page, Goodman said. Another resource available is the GIS media lab on the fourth floor, where students can make posters and edit videos. Ways to contact the Library have changed too. Students can ask librarians questions through an instant messaging chat service at http://lib.utpa.edu/departments/ reference/asklibrariansel or text a question during hours of operation to (956) 203-0LIB (956-203-0542) For students with a Smartphone, the Library’s new mobile site, m.lib. utpa.edu, displays current building operation hours and available computers, among other features. The Library will shift with what the students need, Goodman said, “If students come to us and say. ‘We’d like to get some training on this or that,’ we like to get the student input, because that’s what we’re here for, to serve the students. That’s the bottom line: serve the students.”

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NEWS

December 2, 2010

NEWS

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LEMONADE

continued from Page 3 Non-Formula items are also called Special Line Items. UTPA has 11 of these including the Co-op pharmacy doctoral program, Starr County Upper Level Center, and the Center for Manufacturing. Examples of formula items are ones funded by the state to provide for instruction, operations, and infrastructure such as utilities and building maintenance. Nelsen recognizes that the university community has been worried about the pending decision on cuts, and he has done his best to allay those fears. “We’re going to make sure to get lots of feedback from people if this does happen,” he said. “We have policies that protect people. Be patient. This is a redistricting session. The legislature is not going to get to higher education until late in the session. We’re not going to know what the budget is. Definitively we won’t know for sure until May or June.” The president noted that he is in there fighting for the university he took over last year. “I want the students to know that we care about them,” Nelsen said. “And that we’re going to get through this. I’m not worried but I am concerned because I want the very best for our students and faculty. Pan Am has proved many times that it’s a survivor or that it’s very successful at surviving. We’ll find ways of getting through this. I’m concerned but confident.” Bottom line is that the administration’s mantra at this point is to sit tight, knowing that each university college has given feedback

for contingency plans that will go into play once the final reduction numbers are known. “We’re developing a plan for budget reductions if the Legislature comes forward and asks for it,” Nelsen said. “So it’s all consideration at this point. Right now the plan is a rough draft. A lot of the things in there, we will probably reject and say, ‘No, we will not cut this.’ Possibilities may include switching direct-wage workers to workstudy. We haven’t discussed any of the swaps or possibilities just yet. We’ve only discussed a ‘what if ’ scenario.” Whatever happens down the road, Nelsen wants to maintain the UTPA mission of providing quality higher education to the Valley. “We don’t want to eliminate academic programs or faculty positions,” he stressed. “We want to make certain we’ve got our advisers helping students in making important decisions including information technology. We to make sure we have a safe campus even though it may not be a pretty campus for the time being…but we want it to be as safe as we can possibly have it. And there’s always an emphasis on building maintenance and making certain the buildings are intact. “We can have the grass grow and be a little bit ugly for awhile and then come back and do a little landscaping later but we can’t let the buildings go. I don’t think the budget reductions will impact our research. There’s an argument to be made that it will only increase the amount of research because people will want to write grants. But I’m hoping they want to write grants

without the budget constraints. It’s part of the normal growth of the university.”

in quality,” Allen said. “We graduate it is important to expose junior/high about 70,000 engineers a year, in the school students to the discipline. For United States, (out) of a population of this reason, he is appreciative of events 300 million. We are graduating about like HESTEC, which is supported 200 students here at UTPA. The reality by Region One and the Headstart is, we could probably graduate about Program, entities that seek to promote engineering and 350 based on the secondary learning population of “ We graduate about in understated areas the Rio Grande like the Valley. Valley.” 70,000 engineers a year, “Two-thirds of According to in the United States, (out) our students here Allen, the RGV’s are first-generation base population is of a population of 300 students, so there an estimated 1.5 is a cultural barrier million. He expects million. We are graduating that we have to that the College about 200 students here surmount,” Allen of Engineering said. “When and Computer at UTPA. The reality is, we youngsters have Science will had no contact continue to grow could probably graduate with engineers and at approximately engineering, they 5 percent annually, about 350 based on the don’t know that allowing the population of the Rio they are destined graduation rate to grow up and for the college to Grande Valley. ” be engineers, and reach its greatest they may miss their potential, within calling.” the next seven The dean has or eight years. David H. Allen made ample use of If interest in Dean academic research in engineering in the the quest to prepare RGV continually Valley students for increases, Allen the new economy. hopes to also “The National Science Foundation implement a Ph.D. program at UTPA. To ensure that there is a growing has done a number of studies and they interest in the field locally, Allen believes have shown that people actually self-

declare that they will be engineers or scientists at about the age of 12,” he noted. “We are attempting to link up with students around the age of 12, get them into direct contact with the institution and get them to recognize that this is their calling, that engineering and science is where their future lies.” To promote success and ease the transition of incoming freshman into the College, Allen is considering implementing a “freshman boot camp” to promote enculturation into a university setting. “(What) I’ve assigned to the Student Advisory Council is a possibility of starting a, I’m not sure what to call it, but we’ll call it a ‘freshman boot camp.’ A couple of days before classes, we would start before the fall. We would have upperclassman work with incoming freshman,” Allen said. “What you want to do is,…that sort of indoctrination process, the week before school starts and sort of get freshman comfortable with the notion that they are now going to college, that in order to be successful in college, they cannot just go to class and go home.” Allen thinks that peer pressure can work as a positive factor. “They have to develop a network of friends and colleagues that they work with to learn together; study groups,” he explained. “So you create this atmosphere, in a couple of day, kind of camp. You give them a kind of

A TELLING LETTER The coming Legislative session will be the most important in the history of the university, with the decisions taken having great bearing on the future course of UTPA. As for now, Nelsen presides over a company in the black. “In spite of the further reductions, we are fully covered for this year, and we have a balanced budget,” the president said. “I am quite certain that we will shortly receive the official word that we have to reduce the budget for this fiscal year. And I can confidently state that UT Pan American is prepared to meet that reduction without having to take any drastic actions because

in preparation for what we feared would be additional reductions beyond the original 5 percent, we had already begun the process of reducing operations in order to “bank” funds so that the next round of cuts would be less painful.” In his memo to the university community, the president attempted to quell the wild rumors that have been flying around this semester. He said UTPA has no plans for a university-wide salary reduction, and that the administration will not allow the budget shortfall situation to affect faculty promotion and tenure decisions if at all possible. The memo noted that the president will keep the university community updated whenever he finds out any pertinent information about the

future, saying that various modes such as meetings with Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and his “Mano a Mano” newsletters will be employed. Nelsen said that the recent exercise in preparing contingency plans has been necessary, given the downturn and the university’s continuing search for efficiency. But he hopes to use the UTPA prep report to show the Legislature that if any school and area cannot afford to be cut much, it’s UTPA and the Valley. “…it will show definitively to the State that the cuts will be devastating not only to our University but also to the region,” he wrote. “For, after all, we are the third largest employer in the region and have an annual economic impact of almost half a billion dollars in the region. The report will also show the damage that the reductions will have on our outreach and community service

Planned Budget Cuts

Fiscal year 2010-2011

Fiscal year 2012-2013

ENGINEERING

continued from Page 3 introduction to the culture of being in a university.” The college also hopes to strengthen the educational icon for engineering by introducing more hands-on classes that combine interactive technology such as design projects that seek interaction with students at other institutions in the United States or international students from areas like China. The new college is also working on ways to increase the number of available internships and study abroad programs. If community members and UTPA students continue to embrace engineering, Allen believes the Valley community will soon adopt an intellectual capital that is sure to increase it’s future financial and educational status. “There is a bigger role that higher education plays, in the economy, in the entity that it serves. I view this college and this university as serving the Rio Grande Valley,” Allen stated. “Studies have shown that engineering is one of the chief contributors to intellectual property in the entity that it serves. We would like to see our students produce the intellectual property, over the next half a century that is needed to drive the economy in the Rio Grande Valley, to increase the gross domestic product of the Valley and to improve the standard of living and the average wage scale within the area.”

70,000

engineers graduate per year in the U.S. out of

300 million

in population. UTPA graduates

200

of these engineers but based on population

350

should be graduating in the RGV.

THE PAN AMERICAN

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THE PAN AMERICAN

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7 anos tocando con sabor latino

La banda de ritmos latinos de UTPA, One O’clock, sigue sorprendiendo a la audiencia

iendo amante de los ritmos alegres del caribe, y trombonista de profesión, es hace siete años cuando Pedro Martínez, presidente del Departamento de Música, decide comenzar un grupo de sonidos latinos. En conjunto con estudiantes de la Universidad de TexasPan Americana forma One O’clock, nombre que le fue atribuido por el horario en el que realizaban los ensayos. Deacuerdo a Martínez, a pesar de que la diversidad cultural es promovida en muchas universidades, no todas cuentan con diversidad musical. “Es una oportunidad que muchas universidades no tienen; un grupo así no se ve donde quiera, aquí tengo la oportunidad de darle a los estudiantes algo diferente”, comentó Martinez. One o’clock es una banda abierta para aquellos estudiantes de UTPA que estén verdaderamente preparados y sean capaces de ejecutar cualquier tipo de pieza musical. Sin embargo, el ser estudiantes de música no es un requisito siempre y cuando cubran los demás requerimientos. Los integrantes cambian continuamente precisamente porque se trata de una banda universitaria. Sin embargo, eso no es un determinante en la calidad de las

presentaciones. “Cada año cambia de tamaño [la banda], cada año algunos integrantes son diferentes, pero de cualquier manera tenemos que seguir para adelante”, dijo Martínez. La mayoría de los músicos se unieron a la banda porque buscaban alejarse de los sonidos clásicos y poder tocar algo con más sabor. “Cuando yo entre a la universidad yo buscaba algo relacionado con la música latina, ritmos diferentes, algo diferente que aprender”, dijo René Gallegos, vocalista. Gallegos es baladista y está muy interesado en el pop, sin embargo quiso salir de lo que era convencional para él. “Ésto fue un reto para hacer algo diferente, y más porque a mi me gusta mucho bailar muchos ritmos alegres”. One o’clock realiza presentaciones en diversos eventos de la comunidad sin intencion de lucro como en el Festival de Jazz de Brownsville, además de dos conciertos en el campus de la universidad. Con ritmos del caribe como la salsa y el merengue, con algo de pop latino y bachata, One O´clock, encendió y contagió de gran energía al público presente en su concierto el pasado 30 de noviembre en las instalaciones del auditorio de bellas artes de UTPA. Alrededor de las 19:30 horas comenzaron su repertorio con “El día de mi suerte”, un tema de Héctor Lavoe, demostrando que podían

tocar salsa sin el uso de trompetas ni saxofones, añadiendo un rasgo propio al usar únicamente trombones. “Decidimos intentar algo nuevo y pues nos termino gustando como sonaba con trombones, así que decidimos hacerlo”, dijo Martínez, director de la banda. Prosiguieron con el repertorio interpretando canciones de la famosa Olga Ta;on, Marc Anthony, Aventura y Enrique Iglesias. Los especatdores se mostraron muy satisfechos y no dejaron de aplaudir y ovacionar a los músicos durante la velada. Después de aproximadamente hora y media de espectáculo, Martínez despidió a la banda y agradeció al público por su presencia antes de interpretar “Todo tiene su final”, tema de Willie Colon y Lavoe. Tan fascinados habían quedado los presentes con el show que con gritos y aplausos pidieron al grupo que los complaciera con una canción más. Martínez sonriente consultó a su banda con sólo un mirada y prosiguieron a tocar un tema más con la condición de que el público subiera al escenario a bailar al ritmo de la cumbia “Llorar y llorar”. Todos sonreían y se veían algo intimidados ante la propuesta, pero despues de unos segundos de duda, una pareja decidió acompanar a la banda y encender el suelo del escenario convirtiéndolo en una pista de baile.

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Diseno por Jennifer Tate Fotos por Freddie Martinez

Historia por Karen Velazquez

One o’clock brindó a su público unos momentos alejados de sus problemas, en un ambiente lleno de alegria y diversion. Fue un tiempo para desestresarse y disfrutar de las cosas simples de la vida y solamente ser feliz. A pesar de que los conciertos de One o’clock son siempre un éxito, Martínez considera que el grupo lograría una mejor conexión con el público si pudieran contar con un lugar en donde todos pudieran bailar al ritmo de la música. “Sería mejor si pudiéramos tener una noche de salsa dedicada a los estudiantes”, comentó Martínez. Mientras tanto, One o’clock sigue preparandose para ofrecer shows de calidad teniendo como próxima fecha el 26 de abril del 2011 con el mismo horario y el mismo lugar. Para mayor información contactar a la Oficina de Musica al (956) 381-3471.

Para ver el video visita panamericanonline.com

THE PAN AMERICAN

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THE PAN AMERICAN

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7 anos tocando con sabor latino

La banda de ritmos latinos de UTPA, One O’clock, sigue sorprendiendo a la audiencia

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Diseno por Jennifer Tate Fotos por Freddie Martinez

Historia por Karen Velazquez

Para ver el video visita panamericanonline.com

December 2, 2010

“Mythbusters” have reached a whole new level of legitimacy. Next week’s episode will feature President Barack Obama challenging Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman to retest the Archimedes Ray Gun myth.

Photos by Alejandra Moreno/THE PAN AMERICAN LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX, BABY - At left, Eddie Quintanilla, a health educator, speaks with a student about AIDS and sex in the health center Wednesday afternoon. In honor of Worlds AIDS Day, the health center gave free AIDS and STD tests.

Natalie Portman explores her dark side in “Black Swan,” opening this Friday. The ﬁlm revolves around a production of “Swan Lake,” ﬁnding its two main character developing a twisted friendship. Mila Kunis plays the role of the black swan.

Daft Punk’s new album, or in this case, the soundtrack for Disney’s “Tron Legacy” will be released Dec. 7. The French duo took the project to dizzyingly high grounds, employing a symphony of one hundred world-class musicians to record the album.

Shoplifting has never raised so many eyebrows. Two women in Oklahoma were arrested after attempting to steal $2,600 worth of goods by hiding them under rolls of excess fat. Among the stolen items: three pair of jeans, a wallet and gloves.

WORLD AIDS DAY >> UTPA students and faculty participate in a global event to raise awareness among youths.

By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American

debunk myths about both. “There’s a misconception that only a certain group can get it, but more and more we’re seeing that anyYou can get AIDS by swimming in a one can get it,” said Eddie Quintanilpool with an infected person, right? And la, health education coordinator for it doesn’t matter if you wear a condom SHS. ”We brought this event because because HIV can eat through it, can’t it? we want all students to be educated Either way, isn’t about safe sex. AIDS something It’s very importhat only affects tant that they gay people? get checked, and “ When youʼre young, a The answer to that’s why we have all of these quesit for free.” lot of people donʼt think tions is no, and According to Student Health data from the Centhat something like this Services teamed ter for Disease can happen to them. up with student Control, while 55 and local organipercent of new AIDS doesnʼt discriminate zations this week HIV cases among to make sure that against age, race, social Hispanics in 2006 the campus comresulted from unstatus. If youʼre out there munity knows it. protected male-toSHS and the male sexual contact, partying, living the single Valley AIDS one in five patients life, sometimes itʼs easier Council conwere heterosexual ducted free HIV women and one in to take that risk. ” and STD screen10 were heterosexuings for students al men. Wednesday as “When you’re part of World young, a lot of Eleanor Colbath AIDS Day, an people don’t think Risk reduction specialist for the annual global that something like Valley AIDS Council health day aimed this can happen to at raising awarethem,” said Eleaness about the nor Colbath, a risk disease. Memreduction specialist bers of VOX: Voices for Planned Par- for the Valley AIDS Council. “AIDS enthood along with Sexual Health & doesn’t discriminate against age, race, Alcohol Awareness Group (SHAAG) social status. If you’re out there partywere on hand to pass out information ing, living the single life, sometimes it’s about safe sex and alcohol abuse, and easier to take that risk.”

Latinos account for 17 percent of new HIV infections in the United States each year. Of those living with AIDS in 2007, Hispanics represented 19 percent of patients ages 13-19 and 24 percent of patients ages 20-24. “Texas does not require any sex education in middle school and high school, so many freshmen come in without any prior knowledge of how to protect themselves,” said VOX President Brittney Brockway, a senior English major. “By the time you become sexually active, it may be too late for you to get the information. You may have contracted an STD.” Material given out by SHAAG helped students self-evaluate their drinking habits, learn the long-term effects of various drugs, and understand the connection to the spread of HIV. “A lot of students don’t realize how much they drink or what drugs actually do to their system,” said rehab major and SHAAG member Tania Ramirez. “It becomes real when you can see it rather than saying, ‘Well, it’s normal. Everyone does it.’” In October, Ramirez helped conduct a survey of over 600 students at The University of Texas-Pan American that examined drinking habits, drug use, and sexual activity. About 49 percent of participants were identified as binge drinkers, defined by the CDC as men who have five or more alcoholic drinks within two hours or women who have four or more alcoholic drinks within two hours. “Alcohol is always a part of it,” Ramirez said of students who reported having unprotected sex, which puts them at risk of contracting HIV and other STDs. “Because of alcohol and drugs, you really don’t know the severity of the decisions you’re making until the morning after.”

33.2 MILLION

people are infected with AIDS worldwide Orphans (0-17) due to AIDS in 2009:

16.6 MILLION People newly infected with HIV in 2009:

2.6 MILLION AIDS-related deaths in adults & children in North America :

26,000

__________________ STATS FROM AVERT.ORG

December 2, 2010

Page 11

Arts AND LIFE

Local shoppers go wild once more for Black Friday By Greslim Vela The Pan American

Black Friday, called a “carnival of capitalism” by The New York Times recently, is the day after Thanksgiving during which nationwide businesses open up their doors at midnight or dawn to let crazed customers literally run in to find great deals. From overnight babysitters, to camping outside of malls and electronic sales, everybody wants to be part of Black Friday. The average shopper spent $365.34, up from last years average of $341.31. Samuel Nieto, computer sciences freshman at UTPA, has quite a unique view on the subject. “I usually go with my aunt to buy clothes for my cousins,” he said. “We just take everything we find of their size, and what my cousins don’t like we just drop on the floor…we don’t care who has to clean them afterwards, that’s the only way to shop during Black Friday.” Although the annual event can be a good way to score deals, it is also quite a hassle for store owners, employees, and latecomers who think there will be anything left by one in the afternoon. Miriam Garcia, a rehab sophomore, was surprised to find Best Buy in disarray when she arrived from visiting family in Mexico for Thanksgiving. “I honestly thought I would get back in time to buy a new laptop for homework, I spend hours at the UTPA library when I could be doing my assignments from home,” Garcia explained. “Eventually a Best Buy employee helped me order one, although I did not get the price I would have wanted on it. I just could not arrive earlier because the Pharr Bridge from Mexico was jammed.” Unlike Garcia, 39-year-old Rosa Moya, a resident of Edinburg, woke up at three in the morning the day after Turkey Day in order to stand in line outside of Best Buy waiting for the doors to open. “I did not think I would be shopping during Black Friday because we do not need a TV, but my thirteen-year-old boy has been bugging me to buy him one for about a year,” Moya said. “I figured if I buy my two older girls books all the time, why won’t I buy my son a television? Or at the very least give him the one in the living room and buy a bigger television set for family TV time.” The mother of four children, Moya asked a niece to sleep over in order to watch over her 2-year-old while she went out to buy a television. Surprisingly she was back by seven in the morning just in time to see her toddler waking up and asking her babysitting cousin where her mommy was. But not only were parents looking for deals on electronics for children, newlyweds Laura and Rolando Garcia, waited anxiously for the shopping day of days in order to stock up on items for

their new home. They walked the aisles of Wal-Mart at midnight after having left a Thanksgiving dinner at their family’s home. “We like to shop a lot, and when better than Black Friday?” commented Laura Garcia, a UTPA former student, on her experience. “You get to shop, and you do it for low prices.” “When we met up with some friends,” Rolando noted, “they told us some crazy stories about Black Friday. The weirdest one was about a mom dragging a four-year-old on those backpack leashes because the kid was falling asleep. Sounds like great parenting. We did not see anything that strange, but we could not even get to the counter of the electronics department at WalMart.” On the other hand, Jose Moncayo, freshman engineering major at South Texas College, found out that there was no “cruise night, a usual event where young UTPA and STC students roam the streets of McAllen in their customized trucks and altered cars. Moncayo said in surprise: “For reals man, we were like, astounded, there were people camping outside of Best Buy. I couldn’t believe it; I had never seen anything like it! I couldn’t believe teenagers were not out cruising, Thursday night is usually packed with traffic, and blue headlights.” Although not a good night for Moncayo, it was a great morning for the Best Buy campers. Yet another “carnival of capitalism” has gone by and already some are planning for the next one, to buy a new cell phone, or perhaps a computer to replace the old one. Many college students who arrived late will wait until next year in order to buy new and necessary items like laptops and sometimes clothing.

black friday

sales

>> The average person spent $365.34 Up from last year’s average of $343.31 >>Total Spending: $45 billion Up from last year’s total of $41.2 billion >> Paypal reported a 27% increase in Black Friday online spending from last year >>Mobile shopping reported a 310% increase over last year >> Biggest Profits: The Gap, Abercombie & Fitch, Urban Outfitters

Photos by Tammy Ayala/ The Pan American

acting out — “From My Imagination to Yours,” written by UTPA student Xavier Aguilar in Brian Warren’s Children’s Literature class, explores the imaginary worlds of children and adults. The play runs until Sunday at 2 p.m.

From ‘Wild Things’ to ‘Imagination’ By Joshua Garza The Pan American A world of imagination will open up to the general public today, as writer and co-directors Xavier Aguilar and Brian Warren present “From My Imagination to Yours,” a children’s theater play whose aim is to be more than just that. “We wanted to make this a magical world that Kyle lives in. We wanted to make it visually interesting,” said UTPA assistant professor Warren about the decisions made to incorporate imaginative characters played by children ranging from ages 8 to 12, along with projected images behind the actors on stage. The play was co-directed and overall became a rewarding experience for both Warren and Aguilar. “He didn’t try to fight me when I said, do this, try this,” said Warren about working with Aguilar. Warren has directed 12 children’s productions at UTPA and will be presenting another in the spring, “Humpty Dumpty’s Dish.” “I directed it for the first couple of weeks and blocked everything out and

told the kids what to do,” said Aguilar as he explained his experience working at the university level. Aguilar directed in high school and has found it beneficial to his current major, TV/film. “It’s a children’s theater play, but it’s so much more than a children’s theater play,” said Aguilar, explaining that the usual shackles of restrictions in such a genre were lifted to allow the audience to size up their attitudes as an adult, criticizing the loss of imagination that occurs when one grows up. “This play has a very deep message that could apply to adults as well,” Aguilar said. The play was written in Warren’s children’s literature class in the Spring of 2010 where a number of works were turned in as assignments. This one caught his attention for it’s technical simplicity, length, and message. “I would like to see one of the better plays mounted down here,” said Warren of the scripts written for his course. Originally titled, “Where the Wild Things Went,” it was chosen after being written by Aguilar. “It was just very imaginative, and

I could see how the children we cast would be involved with adults,” said Warren about the nature of the play. He continued, “I like that mutual learning experience.” “From My Imagination to Yours” revolves around the main character, Kyle, who embarks into a world of his own rendering. The father condemns Kyle’s imaginative behavior until the child finds out about his ailing grandfather’s own imaginary world. The story takes viewers into Kyle’s world and Aguilar hopes the audience examines whether the restrictions of this world have stifled their imagination. “Let yourself be free as possible,” said Aguilar explaining the message of the play. Warren complimented Aguilar for his skill in writing and invites viewers to go see the product with an open imagination and leave with a message. “I hope he continues to write children’s plays, because he’s got a knack for it,” said Warren of his co-director. “From My Imagination to Yours” opens tonight at 7 p.m. at the Jeffers Theatre and continues Dec. 3 with two shows and a final showing on Sunday at 2 p.m.

2 de diciembre del 2010

Café Ambrosia, un concepto alternativo Una casa se convierte en el nuevo punto de convergencia para estudiantes que buscan inspiración.

Por Marcelo García y Sergio Giron The Pan American

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

LO FAVORITO DE LA GENTE — Nick Anzaldua, dueño de Ambrosia, prepara un café para uno de sus clientes el miércoles pasado.

Por motivo de los exámenes ﬁnales, muchos estudiantes de la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana se han encontrado en la necesidad de no solamente explorar nuevos rincones del campus en busca de soledad y calma, sino también fuera de él. Varios son los lugares y las opciones a visitar en la búsqueda de estas condiciones y algunos de los estudiantes han empezado ya una tendencia, que consiste en acudir a los popularmente conocidos como: cafés independientes. Coffee Zone y Moonbeans llevan varios años ayudando a la comunidad estudiantil, brindándoles la cafeína y el acomodamiento necesarios para atravesar las sesiones de estudio y extenuante trabajo mental, pero un pequeño establecimiento que asemeja una casita localizada sobre la calle 10 se esta volviendo el punto de encuentro para aquellos que buscan mezclar las sesiones de estudio con las juntas casuales de amigos. Ambrosia Café además de exhibir una amplia gama de cafés y tés, también ofrece una atmósfera acompañada de música alternativa, contando también con una variedad de snacks y aperitivos gourmet preparados a la orden. No solamente la atmósfera estudiantil es parte de esta experiencia sino también las diversas presentaciones de ﬁlmes, ensambles

de música y hasta comediantes que y Anzaldua fue uno de los nominados. suceden de miércoles a domingo y “Estoy sorprendido y muy agradecido, que se van alternando y cambiando espero que la gente siga disfrutando al igual semana tras semana. que yo te este lugar que es para muchos ya En los últimos meses, este negocio como un segundo hogar”, comentó. Los operado por Nick Anzaldua, un jóven de resultados se darán a conocer antes del la comunidad de Granjeno, Texas, ha sido ﬁnal del actual semestre. una opción mas sumada a la lista de atracLa mayoría de las personas que tivos sitios en boga entre estudiantes que acuden regularmente al café, lo hacen están en la búsqueda debido a comodidad de alternativas diferende las instalaciones. tes fuera del rutinario “Estoy sorprendido y muy “Me gusta sistema de cadenas de agradecido, espero que mucho venir aquí café que ofrecen opporque es un punto de ciones muy similares la gente siga disfrutando reunión donde nos enen sus diferentes lo- al igual que yo de éste contramos mis amigos calidades alrededor de y yo además todos los lugar que es para muchos rincones y sillones del todo el Valle. “Este lugar esta lugar están comodísiya como un segundo decorado con muchas mos”, dijo Emilia de las cosas que traje hogar”. García, estudiante de conmigo de mi casa, psicología. mis videojuegos, mis Alejandra Elidiscos de vinil y alzondo, estudiante de gunos cuadros; mis Nick Anzaldua diseño, preﬁere el lugar amigos y algunos Dueño de Ambrosia por su ubicación céntriconocidos también han ca y su excelente menú aportado ciertas code refrigerios gourmet sas trayéndolas de sus casas”, comentó. además de la gran variedad de cervezas “Tengo 26 años, me gusta el arte y el que tienen, “Me gusta su ambiente bohecho de tener este Café me ha dado mu- hemio y a la vez clásico, así como su adecchas satisfacciones”, agregó Anzaldua al uado servicio”, añadió Elizondo. respecto de la temática del café. Es así, como Ambrosia Café abre Hace pocos días se dieron a conocer sus puertas y deja abierta la invitación no a los nominados a la categoría del solo estudiantes sino también a todo aquel “Mejor Joven Emprendedor” de UTPA, que busque rincones fuera de lo habitual.

UTPA adopta ángeles necesitados por décimo sexta vez Por Yngrid Fuentes The Pan American Un árbol cargado de sueños espera en la oficina de Vida Estudiantil y Servicios de Transición la adopción de cada uno de los deseos y peticiones que cuelgan de sus ramas. Una invitación a la comunidad de la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana a formar parte del programa Adopta un Ángel. Con el propósito de ayudar a los alumnos de UTPA que reciben ayuda financiera y que tienen hijos, la oficina de vida estudiantil y servicios de transición ubicada en el tercer piso del University Center patrocina por décimo sexta vez el programa Adopta un Ángel, que consiste en adoptar los deseos navideños o peticiones de los hijos de alumnos que forman parte del programa de ayuda financiera. “Todo inició por que queríamos que los estudiantes supieran que estamos aquí para apoyarlos, que

entendemos que son estudiantes y atraviesan otras dificultades, especialmente cuando son padres”, explicó Dolores Villareal, asistente director de la oficina antes mencionada. “Estamos aquí para dar apoyo y ofrecer nuestra ayuda en cualquier forma posible”. Gracias a la cooperación de organizaciones estudiantiles, el gobierno estudiantil (SGA por sus siglas en inglés), el departamento de policía y el Student Union que llevó a cabo su boliche de pavo el 9 de noviembre para ayudar con la colecta de fondos para Adopta un Ángel, el programa espera obsequiar regalos a los 210 niños que van a participar este año en el programa; una cifra mayor a la del año pasado. “Tenemos al departamento de policía recolectando juguetes y siempre [cada año] hacemos la celebración de festividades navideñas por parte de la oﬁcina del presidente, ellos también le dicen al staff que si asisten y quieren ayudar a esta que traigan un regalo sin envolver”,

comentó Villarreal. “Los juguetes que son cooperar es donando dinero para que donados de este programa son usados para los encargados del programa compren los niños en el árbol, los juguetes. también enviamos Los regalos y mails invitando “Todo donaciones deben inició por que estudiantes a entregarse para queríamos que los donar”. el 6 de diciembre Dependemos en la oficina de estudiantes supieran de estudiantes, Vida Estudiantil facultad y staff para que estamos aquí para y Servicios de

adoptar los deseos apoyarlos, que entendemos Transición. en el árbol”. “El siguiente atraviesan otras El proceso que paso es envolver para adoptar un dificultades, especialmente los regalos”, deseo consiste en continuó Villareal. tomar una tarjeta cuando son padres.” “El 19 de del árbol navideño diciembre vamos ubicado en la a llevar a cabo una oficina a cargo fiesta para los 210 del programa, que niños. Cada uno lleva una foto del Dolores Villarreal de los niños puede niño cuyo deseo traer a dos adultos Oficina de Vida Estudiantil y va a ser adoptado, consigo. Vamos a Servicios de Trancisión edad, el juguete tener a un Santa que el niño/niña Claus dando los desea, y talla de ropa, en caso de que presentes, fotos, comida, juegos y no quieran juguetes. Otra forma de otras actividades para los niños”.

Villarreal explico que la intención es dar dos regalos a cada niño, ya sea que las personas que adoptan traigan uno dos regalos que sumen alrededor o menos de 25 dólares o un regalo que ronde los 25 dólares. “La mayoría de las veces la gente es muy buena y traen dos o a veces mas regalos, pero nos aseguramos de que cada niño tenga al menos dos”, explicó Villarreal. “Gracias a los juguetes que obtenemos de las colectas tenemos mas que suficiente para darle a cada niño dos juguetes”. Villarreal continuó explicando que el programa adopta un ángel únicamente incluye a hijos de alumnos de UTPA que reciben ayuda financiera. “Lo que hago es que solicito una lista a la oficina de ayuda financiera, les digo que estoy buscando alumnos que reciban ayuda y tengan hijos o dependientes”, continuó Villarreal. “Los que quieran participar con sus hijos tienen que llenar una aplicación”.

December 2, 2010

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Page 13

December 2, 2010

Going the extra mile for wellness By Sara Hernandez The Pan American On Aug. 27, 2007 the Wellness and Recreational Sports Center opened its doors to the UTPA community. Today, more than three years later, the Rec Center, as it has become known, has established itself as one of the most popular and fastest-growing spots in campus. “We’ve evolved quite a bit, when we opened our doors we were ready to go but we still had improvements to make in terms of adding up more staff and increasing the number of programs that we offer,” said Colleen M. Price, assistant director of the WRSC who started working there the day it opened. The WRSC is a $26 million, 156,000-square-foot complex located on the corner of Sugar Road and Schunior Street; it provides students and member staff with numerous machines in its gymnasium, racquetball courts, a climbing wall, indoor jogging track, outdoor swimming pools, and dance studios among many other amenities. But according to Price, the Rec Center is more than a place to get fit and work out. The purpose of the building is to create well-rounded individuals who learn how to incorporate wellness into their everyday lives. “We promote wellness through fitness, but … we try and tackle a couple of different fronts,” she said. “We really focus on all the components of wellness WELLNESS WORKS - Senior Dionicio Rodriguez (left) and junior Abraham Salinas exercise Monday -- the physical, the mental, the spiritual percent of UTPA students use the Center’s services every day. the emotional, so we try and hit them with all the programming that we do.” embrace wellness as a lifestyle because that they have, and that even when there not only programming, but space. Besides providing the facilities young people very seldom realize all are a lot of people it doesn’t seem packed “Looking down the road two or that allow users to maintain physically the changes their body will go through and there is always a machine open for three years and considering expanfitness, the WRSC provides the op- during adult/college years. Having a me,” she said. “I also like the environ- sion… because we realize that shortly portunity to participate in intramurals healthy lifestyle today will carry on to ment at the Rec, they are always play- down the road if enrollment continues sports and group exercise programs. It the future. ing music for everyone to hear and they to increase we’ll have more students also hosts events and lectures that teach “A lot of times people look at where have TVs all over the place” coming through our doors,” Price said. members how to they’re at right Every day, the number of students “And we need to be able to handle it and embrace wellness as now and they that visit the WRSC to use its facilities provide them with the experience that a way of life. think about ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 depend- we’re trying to give.” “ If you maintain your body don’t Some programs that part of the ing on the time of the school year. The In the meantime, the WRSC looks include workshops now that youʼre young, the future, they don’t center hires about 150 UTPA students. to keep attracting the underserved part on healthy eating, chances are youʼll continue think about heart From member-service staff to personal of the population such as the handifitness assessments, disease, they don’t trainers, the majority of staff members capped, children, the overweight, and personal training, to do that later in life.” think about dia- are students, with only 12 full-time, the elderly. stress reduction, and betes, they don’t non-students. self-defense classes. think of the differThis number has increased from PAYING FOR IT In addition, the ent things that can eight full-time staff members when the Every semester, each UTPA stuWRSC is planning happen to them if center opened in 2007, due to the in- dent is assessed a $75 fee as part of to launch the WellColleen M. Price they’re not taking creasing number of members that are their tuition, which helps finance the ness Wheel ChalWRSC assistant director care of their bod- frequent users of the WRSC. Today’s Rec Center. lenge next semester, ies when they’re low-point attendance was the average “Since we’re already paying for it, in which contestants young,” she said. number of people that visited the center we should use it,” said Passons. “If we participate in events “If you maintain your body now that every day in 2008. don’t use it then we’re putting money related to all different parts of the well- you’re young, the chances are you’ll con“In terms of growth, our program- down for nothing.” ness wheel such as physical, social, emo- tinue to do that later in life. And when ming is growing and participation is But some UTPA students don’t tional and intellectual factors. Each time you’re older, maybe you won’t have to go there; people are coming and they’re agree. Gabriel Urbano, 22, believes that the member attends an event related to through some of those problems, that utilizing our programs and services,” the fee is unfair because he does not use one of this areas, he or she will be given people who haven’t been doing it do.” Price said. “We’re starting to reach that the facilities simply because he doesn’t a point of participation that add up to plane in which we’re outgrowing our feel motivated to. prizes down the road. A GROWING ENTITY building, we have so many people here “Why would you pay for something The Rec will also work hand in Marissa Passons, a biology major that now we’re looking for more spaces, that we’re not using?” said the criminal hand with the Health Center, locat- from Harlingen, visits the WRSC three we’re running out of spaces. We’re hit- justice senior. “I have thought of going, ed right next door, to identify mem- times a day to use the weight room. She ting that limit in which we can’t grow but never do. For me it just feels that it’s bers with weight issues, so that they said that the Center is a good place to very much more because then we don’t not enough for what I’m paying.” can get advice on eating habits and work out because it provides spacious have anywhere to put people.” Passons mentioned that in her expetraining programs. areas and the environment as a whole is As the staff is excited about the rience, although not all students might Price added that it is important enjoyable. growing participation, this growth has be attracted to exercise, there are other for members, specifically students, to “I really enjoy all of the machines also led to a consideration to expanding activities to take advantage of.

Freddie Martinez/THE PAN AMERICAN

at the WRSC. Up to 17

“If they don’t like to work out, they don’t necessarily have to, they have the upstairs lounge area that is a good area to study, be on your laptop, or hang out with friends,” she said. “I would just tell them to give it a try, what will it hurt?” According to Collette Cobot, a fitness coordinator who arrived to the Rio Grande Valley four months ago to work at the WRSC, this is what the center is trying to accomplish: attracting members whose first instinct is not to exercise or adopt a wellness lifestyle. “We encourage everyone to come, even people that have never worked out, because it’s important for a healthy life in the long run,” said the Michigan native. “It’s a place to meet people, to meet friends, to engage with others, to learn, to work out to have a good time.” Price mentioned that compared to the total student body of more than 18,000 students, the percentage of people who visit the Rec Center regularly is very small. Their goal is reach those people who have not made the WRSC, or fitness in general, a part of their daily routine, so they can try it out and make the decision to adopt this kind of lifestyle. “If you think that the participation number is great, when you look at that all students here, there’s quite a few that are not using this facility,” she said. “It’s included in their fees, so our goal is always to increase that number and hopefully half of them are doing it on their own.”

• SPORTS COMMENTARY

Volleyball, life and a ‘thank you’ note

Broncs fall to Big 12 foe Colorado By Sara Hernandez The Pan American

By Dionicio “Nune” Rodriguez The Pan American The 2010 volleybal season swept through UTPA leaving a blazing trail of candid moments for both the fans and players alike. I had the pleasure of covering the team this season and ended up considering myself a part of the team (with or without consent). From walking into practice to interview the women for the first time, e-mailing weekly for their input on games, to becoming friends with the whole team; I experienced highs and lows right along with them. Every game, I went through the transformation from attractive young ladies to fierce volleyball machines ready to do battle on the hard floor. Seven seniors on the team will never lace up for their alma mater again, and six underclassmen will begin preparing for the promise of next year with the all too real idea of not playing alongside their older comrades. I’d like to take this time to thank everyone in the volleyball program for making my job as a reporter easy and enjoyable through the whole season. No one was safe from my post-game questions, and I appreciate their time in helping me help cover the beat. From late night text messages or e-mails with questions, they always treated me with respect and embraced me as part of the team, so naturally it saddens me as well to see the end of the season after all that has gone on. Just a few days ago I saw two senior players walking on campus wearing their team sweats and carrying some belongings from the locker room back to the dorm. A feeling of “this is it” was on their faces as I said hi and gave them both a hug and a smile. It had been over a week since I had seen or spoke with them during Senior Night at the Field House. This had not occurred since I started covering them late August, so the encounter had an almost nostalgic feel to it. Volleyball season ending signifies much more than just the beginning of basketball. It is the end of a journey of those who were once little girls dreaming of playing the sport, who advanced to the reality of accomplishment as Division I players. As I prepare to graduate, I get the feeling life will be the same with the people I have befriended on campus and even earlier in my life. I still talk to most of my high school friends and see them regularly since I am a Valley native, but this might not be the case. Once graduating from UTPA and we all embark on making our life outside the comfort zone.

Page 15

SPORTS

December 2, 2010

Freddie Martinez/THE PAN AMERICAN

IT’S CRUNCH TIME - Senior Perry Petty, who was the leading scorer Tuesday night with 23 points, said that the Broncs are helping each other as school gets harder.

The Broncs suffered the 15-point deficit after the first half against Colorado Tuesday night and although they made up some ground, eventually lost it again in an 83-64 setback on the road. Their record is now 2-6 as they soon continue a rough 5-game stretch against big-time Division I opponents. “Colorado did a good job defensively in the first half and they did a good job getting us out of rhythm and dipping our confidence level,” head coach Ryan Marks said. The Big 12 opponent offended UTPA from the start with a stiff defense and grabbed 19 defensive rebounds out of 34 total in the game. The Broncs finished the night with 24 rebounds and shot just 28 percent from the field. However, Marks mentioned that playing a team of the quality of Colorado is a positive experience for the Broncs, who will look to come back with a stronger defense Sunday at 7 p.m. against Victory University at the UTPA Field House. “When you play against a team that plays in the Big 12 you can’t help but get better,” he said. “We played significantly better in the second half.” The Broncs doubled their effectiveness from the first to the second half, scoring 56 percent of all shots, 58 percent on three-pointers and 90 percent of free throws attempted. “Second half defense was probably the most disappointing thing about tonight’s game,” said Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. For players like Aaron Urbanus the team is moving in the right direction. The sophomore, who scored 14 points, admitted that the team has things to improve on, but thinks that the Broncs will find a formula to make their game work in a more effective manner. “We sure took some steps forward,

we improved. We could’ve played a little better but we’re getting better at some stuff and we have to work on some other stuff,” said the Great West Conference Player of the Week for Nov. 22-28. “We have to improve at getting back on our defense.” Marks mentioned that the Broncs will be given a couple of days to catch up on school work as the end of the semester approaches and as their schedule starts getting more hectic. They will play two away games next week after the home game against Victoria University and return to the court the Sunday after finals week. Over the break they will play Boise State University Dec. 9 and host Loyola University Chicago and Army Dec. 22 and 24. Then, they will start the new year in New Orleans Jan. 2 to face Tulane University before going to San Marcos two days later to take on Texas State. The men have managed to stay on top of their classes by taking time to study and do homework during trips and while they’re not playing or practicing. “We get a lot of work done, we take our school material for our classes and study in our rooms when we get a chance,” said Perry Petty, who scored a game-high 23 points Tuesday. “If we have a few guys in the same classes, we study together.” In the meanwhile, the team looks forward to Sunday’s game to work on the mistakes they made in the first half against Colorado and hope to get their third win of the season at home. “The guys need to stay positive,” Marks said. “Our long-term goal is to continue to build up for when we get to Great West Conference play.” Conference play starts Jan. 12 when they will face NJIT in Newark to prepare for the GWC Tournament that kicks off March 10 in Orem, Utah.

In case you missed it... WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RESULTS

- BTI Invitational-

Hosted by Oklahoma University Nov 26-28

Oklahoma

Prairie View A&M

L 116-66

Gardner Webb

L 84-63

L 54-82

•••••••••• Stephen F. Austin L 96-67

NEXT HOME EVENT UTPA Men’s Basketball vs. Victoria University Sunday, Dec. 5 @ 7 p.m.

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

SETTING THE EXAMPLE - About 30 children from Harwell Middle School and De La Vina Elementary attended the game through the UTPA Life House Campus Club Nov. 22. The Lady Broncs defeated TAMUK 90-68. For the full story on this game go to panamericanonline.com.

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THE PAN AMERICAN

December 2, 2010