December 9, 2010

Volume 67, No. 13

THE PAN AMERICAN

Nelsen, the man

December 9, 2010

Guiding an institution through uncertain times

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

By Alejandra Martinez The Pan American As he comes close to completing his first year as the eighth president of The University of Texas-Pan American, Robert S. Nelsen reflects and thinks back on the ups and downs of that year, sharing his vision for the future of the university and some insight on what its like to walk in his shoes.

In the midst of an important budget crisis, the president is concerned but remains confident, as he has said before, about the future of UTPA. In an interview with The Pan American Tuesday afternoon he discussed plans for the upcoming year.

“We got to get through the budget crisis,” he stressed. “At the same time we’ve got to continue to improve the quality of the education. We want to focus on sophomore retention. A lot of my year will be dedicated with the Legislature.”

Tuesday the legislative budget board mandated another cut of 2.5 percent, which will mean another $2.5 to $2.7 million hit. The situation still remains uncertain but a worst-case scenario has been prepared in advance.

“We really don’t know what will happen, there will be reductions,” he said.

“Sales taxes are increasing, so they may not be as bad as we thought. But what you can expect is a lot of conversation on campus as we work together to try to find a solution.”

In spite of obstacles along the way, Nelsen describes his first year as president as one of the best of his life, but also one of the hardest.

“It’s been a rollercoaster. We’ve had a lot of great things happen in the university,” he said. “Anything from the merchant technology fund to the mariachi playing before Obama, HESTEC was wonderful. I was the grand marshal for

Page 2 - Bigto business might What look for have packed their bags, but during the break they never left

the Night of Lights here in Edinburg.

There have been some really great times.

I’ve gotten to know a lot of students, a lot of faculty.”

Nelsen spends a lot of time off campus trying to get recognition for the university.

He works closely with the community and representatives from around the Rio Grande Valley such as politicians Ruben Hinojosa and Veronica Gonzalez. He also attends fundraising events, and every other week has donors over to his house, where he asks them for support of UTPA. “My job is to be out in the community and be selling Pan Am,” he reiterated. “My job is to be out there communicating what the needs of the students are, what the needs of the faculty are, making sure that everyone knows our story.”

Part of the task includes going to as many events on campus as possible, although he wouldn’t call it a job, saying that being part of campus activities and interacting with students is the best part of his day, especially sporting events where he is often seen cheering along with the crowd.

“I love the Broncs,” he said “I don’t have time to watch sports at home, so I really take advantage of going to the games here…and it’s really hard for me to not yell at the referees or whoever it is. I have to bite my tongue and look presidential.”

Along these lines, the leader said that one of the hardest parts of his job is watching almost every word he says. As a former English professor he tends to be ironic and play with words, but knows that this doesn’t always sit well with people.

“I can’t be sarcastic, because if I am, someone will really believe that I said that,” he explained. “So the hardest part is trying to remain really authentic and being yourself but having to

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transition

watch what you say.”

On the personal front, Nelsen is looking forward to the arrival of his wife Jody, who currently serves as the executive vice president for finance and administration at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, where Nelsen also worked as associate VP for academic affairs and English professor.

“My wife will be joining me in the next few months, she’s going to retire from Corpus Christi, and we’re going to take a financial hit on retirement,” he noted.

“We’ve been married since 1975 and commuting back and forth every weekend has been miserable for her, so I can’t wait to get her here.”

In his office, Nelsen keeps reminders from his hometown in Montana. The one that stands out the most is an old saddle which once belonged to the Wild West performer Calamity Jane. The metaphor is obvious in terms of staying the difficult course UTPA has in front of it. But is also means something personal to the president.

“It reminds me where I come from and it reminds me that through the kindness of strangers, you get chances,” he concluded.

PageEnd 11 - Holiday guide of the gift world

survival guide

Page 14 - Q&A with volleyball McAllen se viste de gala player Rebecca Toddy para recibir diciembre

Athletic Department says farewell to Dr. Sue Reinders

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December 9, 2010 Vol. 67, No. 13

THE PAN AMERICAN

Editor’s Note

You say goodbye, and I say hello The year is wrapping up. Two thousand and ten came with many twists and turns, especially for this paper: a change in leadership, the resurrection of an old section, new cartoons, and a different front page.

As a team of about 20, the staff of The Pan American works hard to put out this weekly publication and to post video and pictures on the website at panamericanonline.com.

This issue will be the last one of 2010, and its theme is “What to Expect in 2011.” It ranges in mood through the different sections. The News section, for instance, has taken the head-on approach with dealing with what the university should expect in 2011 as well as what the students and faculty should look for. In the Sports section, editor Sara Hernandez bids farewell to one of the most crucial members of the athletic department and takes a look at the impact her

departure will bring. In the Spanish section an expert talks about the violence in Mexico and gives tips to students who plan to travel to the country during the break. In the Arts & Life section we wanted to give the reader a humorous take on the “2012” situation. If the end of the world were to come then, one would have two years to prepare for the Mayan deadline. So, just in case, The Pan American outlines some strategies to use in preparing for different types of Apocalypses, i.e., Zombie, Asteroid, Dolphin revolt, etc.

That is what folks will find in this issue. But that doesn’t mean we get a break! (Well, maybe a small one) The Pan American will be working to bring readers news and the details on upcoming events via panamericanonline. com, meaning as videos and pictures of the UTPA community and college atmosphere practically every day.

The paper has also jumped into the social media bandwagon; we now have Twitter and Facebook accounts! We will be updating often, posting online exclusive stories, photos and video during the break so to get the latest updates follow us on Twitter @ThePanAmerican and on Facebook at facebook. com/thepanamerican. See the electronic version of the paper on your computer, iPad, or iPod Touch by going to issuu.com/ thepanamerican.

You can also expect to see a fresh issue in the stands the first day of the spring semester (as per tradition) on Jan. 18, 2011, so keep your eyes out for that!

Thanks, Kristen Cabrera Editor in Cheif 2010-2011

FOLLOW US:

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

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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

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Thursday at noon Letters to the Editor

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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 9, 2010

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Brave new world

Pending graduates approach life after college armed with experience

By Belinda Munoz The Pan American

Unknown territory

Beginning Broncs have resources to access in quest to make transition

By Pamela Morales The Pan American It’s the end of the semester. You’ve made it. Maybe it ended horribly. Or maybe it was a smooth ride for the first shot at UTPA. You learned new things about being a responsible student and juggling personal life. You figure everything will be alright once you finish taking finals. Then off to a new semester.

Although some have experienced most of the resources offered on campus, some students still feel lost. Marta Lopez, director of the university retention program, URAP, says freshmen in their second semester should start looking into applying to become a SAM protégé.

“Many students start having doubts,” said Lopez, who’s been at UTPA for 25 years. “They realize the process of applying to programs is complicated and when they don’t get in, they wonder what to do next.”

Sophomore Academic Mentoring program, or SAM, assigns sophomores to a junior or senior mentor, who help students with resources and information helpful in their major.

Lopez adds that many juniors and seniors were once sophomores, so their knowledge of “surviving the second year” is far easier to connect with.

“Juniors and seniors are the voice of experience,” Lopez said. “They’re the ones who already survived their second year at the university. So, they know where sophomores can go when they run into problems.”

One point Lopez did want to stress about SAM is that it is not a program for students “in trouble” with grades, but rather for any sophomore who wants help in finding resources.

Among the many resources is the Office of Dean of Students, where Patricia Martin, assistant to the dean, says freshmen should, at this point,

already know what they want to study. If not, it’s all a matter of finding the right resources.

“Freshmen need to be proactive in researching and asking questions on what they need,” she said. “They especially need to look into the department websites and ask advisers what they need to start taking courses in for their preferred major.”

Martin adds that waiting until the last minute to look at a degree plan can sometimes cause students to graduate later than anticipated.

Another resource many freshmen look over is applying for scholarships, points out Martina Thomas, a scholarship liaison from the Office of Student Financial Services.

“Many incoming freshmen,” Thomas explained, “don’t think they are eligible for the Excellence Scholarship but they are.

Many think it’s just for high school seniors attending UTPA the following year. ” The upcoming deadline for the Excellence Scholarship is Jan. 15. Lists of scholarships are also available on the Student Financial Services website at www.utpa.edu/finaid.

Martin also adds that students can also go to the Student Assistance Center located in the Student Union.

“It’s fairly new,” said Martin, who’s been at UTPA for a year, “We have people to assist students with questions such as financial aid or help to start looking at other resources. We have an ‘answer man’ for students.”

Lopez also points out that the university is geared to helping students succeed.

“It’s the university priority to provide students with information,” she said.

“And with the SAM program, students have noticeably become more effective at succeeding in classes.”

Graduation is only one of the many milestones that Americans wish to achieve.

However the day does not come without its fair share of struggle. This semester 18,744 students have enrolled at The University of Texas-Pan American, with 4,803 seniors expected to take the coveted walk down the stage, where they will forever be a part of a lucky group of achievers.

Associate professor Andras Balogh, assistant chair and departmental adviser for the Mathematics Department, believes that earning a diploma does not come without proper planning. He warns that the most important thing seniors can do is keep up to date with the requirements of their degree plans by visiting college advisers regularly.

To keep math students up to date on any changes in administration, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee within the Mathematics department meets to discuss changes in their degree plans, in order to better inform students when they attend advisement. “(Students) have to follow the degree plan.

There are course sections there, and this is the main thing, actually, that advisors check; whether they have all the courses for graduation,” Balogh said. “Most students come ask questions, which is very good. Some students think they know what they want to do, and they know wrong, they should double check everything. Things are changing all the time.”

To experience a smooth final semester, Balogh suggests finding a balance between taking advanced and elective classes.

“Basic classes, they should be followed one after the other,” Balogh said. “Students can take some electives. They shouldn’t take a lot of advanced hours at the same time, even if they are required. It might be hard. It’s very important their for students to talk to advisers because the advisers know exactly what courses are hard, or are very hard together, or are very easy together.”

Having a flexible schedule can come in handy for seniors pursuing majors that entail a lot of outside responsibilities. Tom Grabowski, associate professor for the Department of Communication, explains the importance of prioritizing responsibilities and using solid time management.

“In the theater we do more than just teach the classes, you know, students also work on our shows. What we try to do is give the senior, they are the ones who take on more, we give them more responsibility as far as production,” Grabowski said. “The thing most have trouble with usually is time management, trying to be organized and especially in our field, students really need to be.

Waiting till the last minute sometimes gets to be a problem.”

Also a concern is the role that some students’ prioritizing can affect in the quality of their work.

For some, procrastination often leads to an ill prepared or rushed project, which can ultimately affect a vital grade.

Even with the quick pace of his department, Grabowski feels that seniors/students have an advantage in preparing for the real world.

“In school, you miss a deadline and you screw up on your grade. In the real world, you miss a deadline and you get fired,” Grabowski said.

“Again, it’s being organized and staying on top of deadlines.”

Clarissa Guerra, a 22-year-old history major at UTPA, knows all too well about the struggle to balance priorities while in her senior year.

“The balance between academic and personal responsibilities is actually pretty difficult especially in this last semester. With work, school, and my personal life, this semester has to be the most difficult of all,” Guerra said. “Honestly as difficult as it is to find a balance I don’t really know how I’ve managed. In some respects I feel like I’m failing and yet paradoxically succeeding.”

Looking back at her academic career at UTPA, Guerra can’t help but maintain some regrets about her decisions. However, she maintains that her mistakes have only helped build character and allow her to continue pressing toward her goals.

“Looking back I would definitely change a few things if I could, especially in my freshman year,” she admitted. “As cliché as it is, if I knew then what I know now, I would do things over. I switched majors several times in what felt like eternal confusion. It was not until about a year and a half ago that I felt I truly understood what it was I wanted.

“I’ve had too many obstacles in my senior year, and my last semester.…they were really the consequences of my own actions and stupidity. In the end, now I just hope it will get easier, but it’s the hardships that truly build our character and our abilities.”

Guerra is anxious to spread her wings after graduation, and has faith that the journey will be exciting.

“I plan to get certified to teach high school English,” she explained. “But my true passion is to be a writer. Graduation marks us as truly entering the real world. What comes after is hazy, unsure, and unknown. But it’s that fear...that fog of our future that is the adventure. Life would be pretty boring if it wasn’t an adventure.”

Illustration by Elias Moran/THE PAN AMERICAN

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The pan american

December 9, 2010

December 9, 2010

The pan american

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NEWS

Poly sci prof predicts bumpy year ahead “I also find that many students are more overloaded and overburdened than in the past,” she said. “Some of Associate professor of political this is out of necessity (hard economic science Jessica Lavariega-Monforti times), but some of it is the result of thinks 2011 is going to be a difficult choices students make. I hope this but important year for the students, the trend does not continue, but it may for state, the nation, and the university. the foreseeable future if the economic Laveriagarecovery lags.”

Monforti has been As the precursor teaching for ten to a presidential “ My hope is that students, election years and currently year, teaches and intro Lavariega-Monforti faculty and staff would level of political predicts that 2011 continue to become science, statistics will be incredibly for political tumultuous, educated about politics, science, and politically. courses on race, “I cannot think as it is likely to be relevant gender, ethnicity of a time in the and immigration. post-Civil Rights for the future. ” She works with the era, where more is Center for Survey at stake politically Jessica LavariegaResearch, where speaking,” she said. she consults on a Monforti “My hope is that variety of projects. students, faculty, Professor According to and staff would the U.S. Census continue to become Bureau, both the poverty rate and the educated about politics, as it is likely to number of people in poverty increased be relevant for the future.” from 2008 to 2009, and LavariegaA myriad of issues will keep Monforti worries that the lingering politics relevant in 2011, she says. recession will prompt students to For Texas, Lavariega-Monforti continue to take on more than they cites redistricting issues and state can handle. budgeting, and for the nation,

By Karen The Pan American

December 9, 2010

A look behind the President’s doors

>> An intimate look into President Nelsen’s office, effects

frustrated voters over various problems.

“Given the important nature of these state and national level issues, and the high level of partisan gridlock and low level of confidence voters have in political parties/elected officials, generally speaking, I think 2011 will be a very difficult year,” she said.

“Efforts may be further frustrated because major issues from the last round of elections still need attention: the economy, unemployment, immigration reform, and the like.”

Like the coming political year, Lavariega-Monforti predicts key and difficult decisions ahead for UTPA. “In 2011, I think the University will have to adapt because of budget constraints at the state level and local student enrollment growth,” she predicted. “This likely means simultaneous growth and cuts in different areas. We will welcome a new provost, and other high-ranking administrators who will face extremely complex problems and questions.”

The answers to those questions will be indispensible for UTPA, LavariegaMonforti stressed.

“I think the decisions we make in 2011 will have a long-term impact on the future success of the University,” she concluded.

Computer replacement is ongoing university goal

By Lilli Lopez The Pan American

The combination of budget cuts and new computers sounds almost oxymoronic. However, the fall 2010 semester introduced both of them throughout campus at the beginning of the fiscal year.

In June, Computer Support Services (CSS), under the Division of Information Technology (IT), began a six-week computer replacement program where 250 computers campus-wide were replaced.

Funds for the new machines came from an account assigned by UTPA President Robert Nelsen to IT for replacement. The account is funded by the state’s Higher Education Assistance Fund (HEAF) program.

The university’s Departmental HEAF Expenditure Guidelines include a list of items on which HEAF funds may be spent.

Computers and software are included as well as assets for equipping buildings that will ensure intended use, such as laboratory equipment for Science purposes.

With the support of Bob Lim, vice president of IT, IT and CSS have completed this program twice in the last two years, creating a smoother exchange between IT and the departments replacing computers. Roughly 300 computers have been purchased.

The replacement program is designed to remove as many old computer systems out of circulation as possible.

Joe Mendoza, assistant director of Computer Support Services, said that in order for computers to qualify for replacement, they must be at least six years old and have been under the UTPA domain during that time.

Computers for replacement are chosen by departments and a liaison for each division and Computer Support Services. After a list was e-mailed to each divisional liaison, the computers submitted are looked over and either accepted for replacement or not by the divisional VP. The departments are required to hand over old computers to CSS in order to receive a new one. Once the old one has been picked up, the computer administrator is given the option to migrate personal data from

hard drives onto the new computer and have it delivered thereafter.

Once the old computers are received, the hard drives are removed for disposal while additional computer parts are stockpiled for later equipment repair.

The program was designed to shorten the process of replacing computers. Janie Palacios expressed it has resulted in gratitude from recipients.

“All the customers whose computers were replaced were very grateful for their new computers as many of them were experiencing issues with their equipment,” Palacios said. “We tried to minimize any inconvenience to our customers.”

Palacios also expressed that although the program was a success, the distribution of new computers was limited.

“Unfortunately, there are still a lot of computers that are old and need to be replaced, but due to limited funding, we replaced as many as we could,” Palacios said.

Program administrators are interested in making the program a biennual event.

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS - President Nelsen shares a personal side with The Pan American.

For a complete look at the President’s office visit the PANAMERICANONLINE.COM

December 9, 2010

NEWS

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A look to the stars

By Roxann Garcia The Pan American Skywatchers will be happy to hear the Astronomy Club at The University of Texas-Pan American will host an event scheduled during the winter break to view the last lunar eclipse of the year.

Club members hope to kickoff the Dec. 20 event at 11 p.m.

Jonathan Rodriguez, newly elected president for the young club has been preparing along with members and officers for almost two months now.

The first step of initiation was asking for permission from the university

Astronomy Club members hoping to garner interest in final lunar eclipse of the year and filing necessary paperwork. The second step included planning the actual event.

“We all came up with the idea,” said Rodriguez, a biology major from Puerto Rico. “Many people don’t know about the eclipse, why it happens or that it was a sign of the gods in ancient times. Many have never even seen one.”

The rare event will be held at the center of the athletic track on campus where refreshments will be served.

Members plan to bring blankets, donuts and hot chocolate. Even

glow sticks will become a part of the stargazing, Rodriguez said.

There will be two telescopes provided for the public by the university; people are encouraged to bring their own devices.

“We’re going to show people different stars and the planet Jupiter before the moon turns red,” said Kevin Cruz, senior TV/film major and club treasurer.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth so that the earth blocks the sun’s rays from striking the moon, thus aligning the

earth in the center. A pretty, red tint can be seen in the process, Rodriguez said. The actual move will occur at 12:30 p.m. and last for 72 minutes.

The club, born in the spring semester, is in the process of getting its presence known throughout campus.

This is only the beginning of the things they hope to plan for the upcoming semester.

“Another idea we have is traveling to Houston to tour NASA’s shuttles,” Rodriguez continued. “It all depends on how well we do with member fees, events and donations.”

Food for thought

Culinary Arts Club drums up support for possible degree plan down road

By Abel Prado The Pan American After the success of its inaugural Distinguished Chef Series guest, the Culinary Arts Club has its sights set on a loftier goal: a degree plan.

Currently The University of TexasPan American does not have a degree in culinary arts, but does offer a few courses in the field.

“We know that there is a lot of interest to try to establish at least a minor in culinary arts,” said club president Daniela Gonzalez, a senior from Reynosa. “The amount of participation we’ve had in the club and other factors lead us to think that this university is ready for a minor in culinary arts.”

Under its Dietetics program, UTPA offers five courses related to the subject, but most of those classes focus mostly on the practicum of food management; only Food Preparation (2353), offers the type of instruction a budding chef may find practical.

The CAC faces more than a fair amount of roadblocks for its goal. In order for a subject to be designated a recognized field of study, the university must have student interest, facilities, curriculum and the necessary faculty to teach classes. A proposal must be submitted to the dean of the corresponding college which details when the program would be set to start.

An ad hoc committee then reviews the proposal and evaluates its educational merits against the cost of instituting the new program. Then that group hands a decision as to whether the university will offer the new field of study.

Under the current structure, a culinary arts degree would most likely fall under the Coordinated Program in Dietetics in the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.

Bahram Faraji, director of UTPA’s

Dietetics program, says that while the designation of such a degree is unlikely, it would certainly fill a void in the program’s curriculum.

The HSHS building does have a classroom with the necessary facilities to house a limited number of aspiring cooks. The kitchen room can hold about 25 students all told but that might not be enough space.

Finding instructors for the new courses would be another problem.

Currently, UTPA only has one professor, Alexander Edionwe, who teaches the aforementioned culinary courses and Faraji fears that adding more courses to his work load would be spreading him thin.

“I can understand that concern,” said Edionwe, who is also adviser to the club. “I would be more than willing to take part in a program like this, but time constraints and other commitments may get in the way. If the program is to be approved they would most likely have to have bring in someone else.”

Finally, establishing a new degree plan is very long process, the Dietetics program is about to launch a threetrack health and science masters program that will offer some food and beverage management classes, but that effort took eight years to push through after it was initially proposed, Faraji said, noting that a certification program, which is not a full-fledged major but offers sort of a partial one, is a possibility.

“I would be in complete favor of some sort of culinary arts certification program,” he said. “We offer some courses in food management and service but that’s more about procurement, inventory and fiscal control, We don’t have anything that would get you to the Top Chef finals. I think there are just too many moving parts to make it happen.”

DELICIOSO - (Right to left) Daniela A. Gonzalez, president of the Culinary Arts Club, along with VP Richard Garza and Treasurer Erik Martinez discuss upcoming events with members at an November meeting in the Health Sciences and Human Services building.

SOUL FOOD - Evelyn Salazar and other members engage in a discussion about future plans for the club. Officers and members have set their sights on a possible future culinary arts degree.

Roxann Garcia/THE PAN AMERICAN

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ARTS AND LIFE

SATIRE

Dec. 21, 2012, is now just a little over two years away. If the Mayans were right, there are two years to prepare yourself for the end of the world. Asteroids, zombie apocalypse, nuclear war, and even dolphins could put an end to our little blue planet.

Illustration by Chris Ponce/THE PAN AMERICAN

December 9, 2010

>> Here’s what two years leaves you time to prepare for:

Preparing to survive in case of deadly solar flares: -Aluminum is your best friend; it works as a magnetic shield to avoid solar radiation. Make yourself some aluminum clothes with as many layers as necessary.

-Make a safe home, covering it with aluminum also, 50 layers should be enough to keep radiation away. It might make your home about 5 degrees hotter, but suck it up, the sweat is also good to eliminate any trace of radiation in your system, avoid cancer, and lose some pounds at the same time.

-Finally, make sure your house

By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American The earth’s temperature is increasing, the polar ice caps are melting, and weather patterns are changing. Mother Nature is clearly pissed. Maybe it has something to do with all the bigass SUVs crowding the highways or the 1,500 IHOPs and their late-night electricity hogging.

In any case, there are a few things everyone can do to stave off the building of beach-front property in Mercedes a little while longer.One option: recycle. The Environmental Awareness Club is practically begging for an excuse to visit the Edinburg Recycling Center with all its strategically placed recyclables boxes. The alternative is to balance out the effects of that atro-

By Greslim Vela The Pan American

By Yngrid Fuentes The Pan American

is located in a place where all major needs are between one and two miles away, once the killer flare starts, you´ll have to run zigzagging to dodge as much radiation as possible. Cars are no good. If your home is not in a strategic place, sell it.

cious Ford F-150 and drop off your own shiny aluminums and assorted recyclables during regular business hours. If the thought of having to separate paper from plastic yourself is just too much to bear, maybe switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is more your thing. They also save money and look cool.

However, if neither of these options work for you, it would be best to start figuring out a way to rig a raft to that precious SUV.

By Benny Salinas The Pan American The 1997 blockbuster “Armageddon” packed a load of fear and anxiety into the hearts of movie-goers worldwide. Asteroid-busting nuclear bombs aside (which as it turns out only make the problem worse, sending thousands of mini-asteroids in our direction,) our options are pretty limited when it comes to stopping this apocalypse.

Thus, preparation is key here. If your home was built in the ‘50s, go ahead

By Joshua J. Garza The Pan American Dolphins fly, it’s a fact of science and nature. Dolphins are the only creatures that defy gravity and know how to control the weather. Don’t let the constant smirk fool you, they want blood.

What to do to prepare for total dolphin takeover? Well, it isn’t an easy question to answer because fighting back is impossible. Seriously, could anyone take an ax to a dolphin’s precious bottle nose? Hell no. Forget the weapon’s cache you’ve been building up and try, instead, to collect balls. Like the old joke goes, how do you stop six dolphins from raping a woman? Throw them a beach ball. The only defense is that dolphins love play more than murder, but don’t count on a pair of balls to save you.

Researchers at the Marinara Marine Institute in Tennessee have been studying dolphins from a distance for nearly 20 years now.

“We’ve noticed a pattern in their response to balls,” said Dr. Francis Phlippr, head researcher at the institute, taking notice of the growing cases of violence occurring when beach balls pop.

“When they begin their take over, we should by then have technology to have created a beach ball that never pops, because once a hint of deflation happens the dolphins become violent,” he added.

It is wise to keep some balls handy for distraction and learning to toss them is key to survival, even outside the subject of a dolphin apocalypse.

Play with your balls and train constantly, that’s how to prepare for this kind of apocalypse.

and search your backyard.

Chances are you’ll trip on a grassy entrance to the home’ bomb shelter. Clear out the cobwebs and stock your bunker with a year’s worth of canned peaches and Chef Boyardee. Make sure you like the family and friends you’ll be bunking with, it’s going to be a while.

In the unlikely event that your house wasn’t built in the ‘50s, picking up religion also helps. Prayer works, as does donating substantial portions of your paycheck to a local church. God digs that sort of stuff, apparently.

By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American In the early 1950s, the Office of Civil Defense urged school children to “duck and cover” in the event of an attack by atomic bomb, an obviously stupid technique of shielding oneself from the debris of a nuclear blast by hiding under something else also likely to get blown away by a giant fireball.

The best way to survive is to take cover in a fallout shelter, a reinforced underground room with a two-week supply of all necessary goods. The

From George A. Romero’s classic “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) to the “Resident Evil” video game craze that began in early 2000s, zombies have been around for quite a while.

Whether they are classics, like the resurrected Inferius from “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Romero’s brain-craving zombies, or the glamorized viral version launched onto the big screen, Zombies are a ruthless epidemic.

In “Red vs. Blue,” a “Halo”animated series broadcasted on YouTube, “Halo” soldiers discuss zombie plans that include: using each other for bait, traveling to Alaska, and hiding in an attic with two weeks’ worth of food. The episode ends with the opposite army pretending to be zombies, to scare away the other force.

Pan Am students, who like to chill at the Student Union also discuss their zombie plans, which range from jumping from building roofs to pathway roofs, to setting up camp in the building with fewer windows and more commodities.

“The Student Union has too many windows,” says Edward Corona from Pharr, a freshman at UTPA. “I think the Engineering Building would be most suited. It seems sturdier.”

Unless they are the “Resident Evil” Zombies says Luis Fernandez, junior mathematics major.

“Then we’re pretty much screwed with the zombie dogs, and the lickers, we wouldn’t be able to jump on the roofs.”

typical staples of college student diet already include many food items that would probably keep well after a nuclear detonation: Muaruchan soups, cereal, and canned meat.

Nuclear devastation also means no electricity, and the best treatment for gadget withdrawal is a healthy supply of batteries and that Game Boy Color from seventh grade. No Valley gathering of three or more people is ever complete without some form of adult beverage, so once those are packed up with the cot, your fallout shelter is ready for what could be thought of as the best two-week staycation ever.

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9 de diciembre del 2010

Rayados, el nuevo campeón

Monterrey gana ante Santos y festeja la victoria ganando su cuarto campeonato por primera vez en casa y frente a su público en un estadio con 30 mil aficionados.

Por Daniel Cuevas The Pan American

Ahora la vida le volvía a jugar la misma carta, ya que el torneo anterior Romano (ahora dirigiendo Tremendo choque de dos al Santos) perdió la final del torneo instituciones en busca del título Bicentenario Clausura 2010 ante el de campeón del futbol mexicano, Deportivo Toluca, y nuevamente se los Santos de la laguna de Torreón, enfrenta al Club Monterrey por la visitaron a los Rayados del Monterrey. disputa del título de campeón del Ambos equipos ofrecieron un futbol mexicano.

Se sabía que al terminar el encuentro duelo épico en el juego de ida, que al parecer terminaría en empate a 2, una de tantas rachas terminaría, no cuando Duilio Davino, en su afán por solamente la contundencia de Vucetich o despejar un balón, tras peligroso centro a la mala suerte de Romano, sino que una que mandaron, el defensa metió el de las dos instituciones también habría balón en su propia meta, para dejar el de terminar con su mala racha, ya que si los Rayados del Monterrey alzaban la marcador en 3-2 favor Santos.

El domingo 5 de diciembre, se copa, sería la primera ocasión en hacerlo llevaría a cabo el segundo juego y en casa, ante su gente y viceversa para los boletos para ingresar al estadio los Santos, ya que nunca lo han hecho como visitantes. de la final se Otro dato curioso vendieron desde es que ambos 5 días antes en estaban en busca aproximádamente “ Sin duda alguna valió de su cuarto 3 horas. El Estadio la pena las horas de título.

Te c n o l ó g i c o Empezaba estaría repleto viaje en autobús desde el juego que en lo que seria el McAllen hasta Monterrey nadie se quería último encuentro perder, muchos de la temporada. ida y vuelta para ver salir alumnos de la Si Rayados quería campeón a tu equipo en Universidad levantar el trofeo de Texas-Pan de campeonato el Tec ”.

Americana tenía que ganar estuvieron al por una diferencia pendiente, tanto de dos goles. del juego de Por un lado ida, como el de se encontraba vuelta. el llamado “Rey “ P o r Midas” del futbol s u p u e s t o Mexicano, el que vimos el profesor Víctor Victor Ramírez partido, pese Manuel Vucetich Estudiante de Ingeniería a que nuestros quien antes del equipos no juego final de llegaron a la Santos contra final”, dijo Rayados contaba Alejandra con un palmares de dos finales de liga de ascenso; y Ramírez, estudiante de Mercadotecnia.

El Tecnológico estaba lleno hasta un Interliga con los Rayados en este 2010. Todo esto con un 100% de la última fila, más de 30 mil almas efectividad. Vucetich hasta ahora no alrededor del campo vibraron al sabe lo que significa perder una final. escuchar el silbatazo inicial y millones Por el otro lado se encontraba que lo sintonizaron por televisión.

El encuentro comenzó caliente Rubén Omar Romano, director técnico del Santos Laguna. ya que no habían pasado ni cuatro El nacido en Buenos Aires, minutos y Monterrey ya había Argentina, todavía no sabe lo que cimbrado el poste de la cabaña es salir campeón como técnico, defendida por Oswaldo Sánchez, ya que ha disputado tres finales, capitán de Santos. La Pandilla del las primeras dos cuando dirigió Monterrey estaba encima del marco a Monarcas Morelia, contra el rival, y en una jugada muy dudosa Deportivo Toluca en el Apertura se produjo el primer tanto que a la 2002, y contra el Monterrey postre seria anulado. Oswaldo había precisamente un torneo después hecho una atajada sin mayor peligro, en el Clausura 2003, logrando un dejó el balón botando y esperó a que Humberto Suazo se aproximara sub-bicampeonato.

y en el último instante Sánchez lo levanto del césped, pero no contaba con la velocidad de Suazo al moverle el balón un segundo antes, Oswaldo se quedó reclamando, mientras el Chupete aprovechaba el rebote y marcaba el gol frente al arco completamente descubierto.

Solo se podía escuchar el grito de gol de la boca de los aficionados, que fue apagado por el silbatazo de Archundia, que anulaba el gol.

Seguía el marcador 0-0 hasta que abrió la cuenta Suazo, que en jugada colectiva en asociación con De Nigris, culminó con tremendo zapatazo.

Para la segunda parte, se produjeron cambios al cuadro titular, entraron los volantes creativos del club Santos, José María Cárdenas y Daniel Ludueña, para darle otra cara al equipo y proyectar un mejor futbol, ya que Rayados estaba jugando mucho mejor hasta ahora y manejaba muy bien los tiempos, tenía todo bajo control, ya que el arquero de Monterrey, Jonathan Orozco había tenido muy pocas intervenciones en el encuentro.

Así fueron corriendo los minutos hasta que al 26’ se produjo un tiro de esquina a favor de los dirigidos por Vucetich y tras la penosa marca del ex defensa de Monterrey, Felipe Baloy, cayó el 2-0 a favor de la pandilla, con un contundente cabezazo del Capitán, José María Basanta, quien festejó a lo grande con todos sus compañeros.

Con este resultado, el Monterrey tenía en sus manos el título, su afición ya empezaba a celebrar, Vucetich seguiría con su buena racha y se rompería la mala suerte de Rayados de no poder levantar la copa frente a su

gente, pero aún faltaba más.

Al minuto 40’ a poco más de cinco minutos para que finalizara el encuentro Suazo tomó un balón en el medio campo, lo condujo, fue driblando, se quitó marcas y hombres de encima, nadie pudo detener al Chileno, que condujo el esférico por mas de 40 metros hasta que entro al área y definió con un soberbio remate con la zurda, Oswaldo solo la vio pasar.

Con este marcador de 3-0 y el global de 5-3 favor Monterrey, terminó el encuentro.

Algunos estudiantes de UTPA viajaron a la ciudad de las montañas para ver el juego y sentir la emoción de estar ahí. “Sin duda alguna valió la pena las horas de viaje en autobús desde McAllen hasta Monterrey ida y vuelta para ver salir campeón a tu equipo en el Tec”, dijo un Rayado de corazón, Víctor Ramírez Leal, estudiante de Ingeniería.

Al final, se produjo la voltereta, una hazaña que se veía muy complicada, pero los Rayados dominaron en todo, desde la estrategia, el parado, la

contundencia frente al marco, esto y más se refleja en la consagración de un título.

Un muy merecido título ya que Monterrey hizo los meritos necesarios el torneo anterior al terminar como primer lugar de la tabla general, con 36 puntos conseguidos, y un record de 10 juegos ganados, 6 empates y solo 1 descalabro, y que decir de este torneo; segundo de la general, 32 puntos, 9 victorias, 6 igualadas y 3 derrotas.

Ahora viene un breve descanso para los Rayados, y la mayoría de los planteles ya se encuentran haciendo su pretemporada para el Clausura 2011. Ya se oyen rumores de traspasos a los equipos grandes, y como siempre aquellos que se refuerzan hasta los dientes.

Por parte del Monterrey, querrá repetir el titulo y en cuanto a los llamados grandes del futbol Mexicano, buscarán regresar a lo mas alto, tal es el caso de Guadalajara, America, Cruz Azul y Pumas. Por parte de Pachuca, Toluca y Tigres reforzar mejor sus líneas y buscar competir y por ultimo para Santos, pese a que hicieron un gran año, llegando a dos finales, tiene un buen plantel y un gran técnico, solo les queda seguir trabajando.

Felicidades campeones y felicidades Monterrey por la cuarta estrella.

9 de diciembre del 2010

Español

Riesgosas vacaciones decembrinas en México Estudiantes regresan a sus hogares a pesar de la violencia e inseguridad derivada de la lucha contra el narco.

Por Karen Velázquez y Sergio Giron The Pan American El semestre de otoño está a tan solo días de terminar y con el grandes recuerdos: amistades, amores, esfuerzos, preocupaciones y hasta una nueva sección en tu idioma en el periódico de la escuela.

Las presiones de tareas y exámenes están por llegar a su fin, y la oportunidad de descansar y compartir con familiares y amigos se encuentra a la vuelta de la esquina. Las fiestas decembrinas son para muchos la oportunidad perfecta para viajar y disfrutar ya sea como turistas, o para regresar a su ciudad natal. Tal es el caso de los estudiantes internacionales de la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana, que en su mayoría son de origen mexicano.

Desafortunadamente, para los estudiantes nativos del país vecino, el visitar sus hogares se ha convertido en una actividad de alto riesgo debido a la violencia derivada de las diversas guerras internas de los carteles de la droga y del gobierno intentando combatir el narcotráfico.

En los últimos cuatro años, más de 28.000 vidas han sido tomadas en las carreteras mexicanas.

Miembros del crimen organizado se han hecho pasar por policías estatales y federales y han robado automóviles con placas estadounidenses.

A pesar de que el gobierno de Felipe Calderón ha capturado a grandes capos, la realidad es que la recuperación de la seguridad nacional es un tema que aún no se ve remotamente posible de lograr. Sin embargo, la vida de los mexicanos, incluyendo aquellos que estudian en los Estados Unidos, no puede detenerse.

Así, a aproximadamente una semana de comenzar las vacaciones decembrinas, cientos de estudiantes mexicanos abandonan el Valle de Texas tratando de ser precavidos al partir hacia un territorio en donde la inseguridad reina en las calles y la sangre de miles de víctimas sigue siendo derramada.

“Iré a Torreón a pasar Navidad con mi familia y después a Houston de vacaciones a pasar Año Nuevo, después me regresaré a Torreón a aprovecharlo para ver a familiares y amigos”, dijo Francisco Garrido, estudiante de historia y ciencias políticas.

“Regresaré al Valle pocos días antes de que comience el próximo semestre. Me recomendaron no salir durante la noche y tomar precauciones a donde salga. Lo más seguro es quedarme en mi casa o en caso de salir con amigos, lo mejor sería juntarse en alguna casa y pasar la noche”, finalizó el oriundo de la Comarca Lagunera, la cual ha sido fuertemente golpeada por el narcotráfico.

Por su parte, el gobierno de México aconseja a todos los migrantes que viajan desde Estados Unidos que crucen los puentes internacionales en convoys, mientras que el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos alerta a sus residentes y sugiere evitar ciertas carreteras de Tamaulipas, Sonora y Sinaloa.

Otros estudiantes han adoptado técnicas distintas para exponerse al mínimo ante la situación actual. Tal es el caso de la estudiante de diseño gráfico Andrea Villaseñor, quien comentó: “Voy a Reynosa a pasarla bien con mis papas pero no se cuanto tiempo vaya a estar allá. No se si pasaré Año Nuevo en Mission mejor, pues voy a estar yendo y viniendo a cada rato”. Y es que ésta metodología es ya conocida por la

Página 13

Carros alegóricos adornan McAllen

>> El Artwalk Navideño se llevó a cabo el viernes 3 de diciembre.

comunidad de mexicanos residentes del Valle, la cual implica ir a México a atender las situaciones necesarias y volver lo más pronto posible para minimizar la exposición.

Actualmente la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública mexicana está activamente repartiendo información en el país y proveyendo consejos para ampliar la seguridad de los mexicanos.

Siguiendo las instrucciones dictadas por la SSP, los estudiantes podrán regresar a la universidad el 18 de enero esperando que el nuevo año tenga un mayor progreso en la lucha contra las mafias de la droga.

De acuerdo al sitio de Internet Encuentro29, Barry McCaffrey, ex zar de la droga estadounidense, asegura que la violencia del crimen organizado tardará unos cinco años en disminuir y en algunos sitios del país podría durar hasta 20 años.

“Hay una lucha por establecer el Estado de Derecho en nuestro sur y su resolución no está clara. Y se va a poner peor en el próximo año o dos antes de que mejore”, dijo McCaffrey el martes pasado en una exposición sobre transporte fronterizo.

“Inevitablemente vamos a ganar. Habrá una lucha y parte de ella podrá durar por 20 años, pero no hay ningún posibilidad de que nosotros, Estados Unidos y México, no ganemos esto”, dijo el experto en seguridad.

Según McCaffrey, una de las soluciones para que México disminuya su violencia es recibir más recursos de Estados Unidos. “Le debemos a México 250 helicópteros. Ese es un bonito número”, afirmó el ahora consultor para el gobierno federal de Estados Unidos, quien también propuso mover los puntos fronterizos para que el comercio entre ambas naciones sea más fluido.

Tips útiles para cuando manejes en carretera en México 1. si tienes un automóvil de modelo reciente o de lujo, no hagas alarde de éste.

2. no des aventones

ya que pueden estar asociados con secuestro, inclusive se llevan a cabo por mujeres muy guapas.

3. No uses audífonos ni celulares mientras manejas, debes poner

los cinco sentidos en la forma en la que conduces y lo que sucede a tu alrededor.

4. No dejes a la vista paquetes, guárdalos en la cajuela.

5. Evita exponerte trata de no viajar en la noche, de ser así, viaja

por la autopista en lugar de la libre.

Fotos por Alma E. Hernandez/The Pan American

desfilando - Carros alegóricos desfilaron por la calle Main como parte de la vigésimo octava Posada Anual de las Velas el pasado viernes 3 de diciembre en el centro de McAllen.

Para la historia completa visita panamericanonline.com

Page 14

THE PAN AMERICAN

December 9, 2010

December 9, 2010

15

Leaving more than just a job Dr. Sue Reinders exits UTPA after more than two years of working, leading and caring.

BUILDING BLOCKS It’s no wonder the athletes have listened to Reinders, because “Dr. Sue,” as As the days in the Edinburg area at- most athletes know her, has been there tempt to get colder and students prepare and done that.

Reinders’ career started at Carnfor one more end of semester, Susan Reinders prepares to leave UTPA after egie State College, where she played being part of this university for more softball and basketball for two years before transferring to the University of than two years.

At the end of the month she will Nebraska in Omaha, her hometown. resign her position as associate athletic There she obtained her bachelor’s dedirector and senior women’s administra- gree in 1980.

As part of the softball team of that tor after almost 20 years in the college sports industry and a successful career as institution, Reinders attended the College World Series and finished as a top a student athlete in the late ‘70s.

“It’s just a time in my career that batter in the ’79 edition.

Then, she became part of the busiI want to look for something outside of athletics; I want to do something ness world and had several jobs with that’s not 24/7,” said Reinders, who will diverse organizations such as the Hastspend some time in Nevada with one of ings YMCA and K-Mart Corporation. her close friends before making her next She later decided to go back to school career decision. “I want to be able to go and pursue a master’s degree with the to a game and actually watch the game.” purpose of coaching at the college level, Reinders arrived in Edinburg to be- earning that degree from Emporia State come part of the UTPA athletic depart- University, where she was a volleyball ment in August 2008. Taking over care and softball assistant coach. Reinders of NCAA compliance matters, she has completed her doctoral degree at the been in charge of making sure coaches, University of Iowa in 1995.

Right after obtaining the termiathletes and administrators followed NCAA rules, and addressing violations nal diploma, she became the athletic director of St. Mary’s College, where when necessary.

“My job is a difficult one because she spent three years, two as a softball I’m usually the bad guy, I’m the one coach. For the following years, Reinders that’s telling the coach no, or I’m telling served as athletic director of Minnesota the coach they had a violation,” she said. State-Mankato.

Her next job was as assistant athHowever, in the two and a half years she has been part of UTPA, Reinders letic director of Northwestern Missouri has made an effort to go above and be- State before she decided to come down yond the job description, also working south to experience the new culture and to develop a friendly relationship with weather that UTPA, a Division I school, offered her. the student-athletes.

“I was tired of freezing,” she said.

“My job is the student-athletes,” she said. “I think athletes know that if they “The opportunity of working at a Dido have a problem... they can come in vision I institution in a warm weather, and they can talk to me and I can try to in a whole different cultural environment, sounded like a very good idea, so help them.”

Reinders mentioned occasions in I took a chance and signed my contract which athletes have come to her after a moved down here in August of 2008.”

But her job here is not over yet, a good or bad perReinders takes adformance in their vantage of her last sport, looking for weeks at the inrecognition, advice, “ She has been the one that stitution to guide or sometimes just a actually pushed me through Angela Hubbard, shoulder to lean on. volleyball head And the people she everything... I will always coach for four has worked with had remember the things she years until the their own anecdotes. end of last week, “She put up with told me.” when the departeverything I’ve been ment announced through,” said Jamespromotion on Strachan, track Jameson Strachan her to the position and field athlete from Athlete that Reinders will the Bahamas. “She leave at the end of has been the one December. that actually pushed “It’s going to be tough to lose me through everything, she would say, ‘Jameson, even though things are going Reinders,” UTPA Athletic Director wrong at this point of time, still hold Chris King said. “Any time someone your head up because you’re going to leaves it’s hard to replace them, but we’re make it far.’ I will always remember the fortunate to have somebody already here that knows UTPA that knows the things she told me.” athletic department, that is familiar

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

ALL HEART - Dr. Sue Reinders has been a vital part of the UTPA Athletic Department for the past two and a half years, making sure coaching staff and athletes comply with NCAA rules. with the student athletes, so it’s going to make the transition a lot easier.”

King mentioned that when he came to the university in October 2009, Reinders was one of his biggest supporters as he went through the transition of becoming the new athletic director.

RELATIONSHIPS ALL AROUND As Reinders mentioned, serving as compliance director is a hard job to have because she needs to separate caring for the athletes and staff from demanding the right actions from them.

All athletes meet the director of student services at the beginning of each school year; each team has a compliance meeting at which student-athletes agree to follow UTPA rules.

Although Dr. Sue might come across as a strict individual at first, student-athletes soon learn that her job is to protect and not to affect them.

“My first impression of her will always be a lasting impression, she was a standout from the rest, about everyone I’ve met in this institution so far,” Strachan said. “Our relationship was bittersweet, we had a lot of stuff we had been through and we resolved it.”

As the moment to move on approaches Reinders said that it will be hard to leave behind an institution where she has made friends, learned about the culture, and had the opportunity to make a difference.

“It’s very difficult because I’ve made good friends here and good colleagues” she said. “The people that I’ve come across work so well together and it’s a give and take, they help me as much as I help them and it ultimately helps the student athlete, so I feel good about that.”

She added that what she’d miss the most about UTPA will be running into

student-athletes every day and keeping up with their performance. Also, she enjoyed getting the opportunity to see the other side of them and letting them see another side of her during trips with the teams.

“I’m very proud of our student athletes,” she said. “I will miss the student athletes… that’s why you get into this business -- it’s the student athletes -- so I will miss them, hopefully they know that I care about them.”

And they do. Strachan mentioned that Dr. Sue proved she truly cares about their well being, making sure they were on the right path not only athletically and academically, but also ensuring that they knew they had somebody to support them.

“We had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day I always knew she had my back,” he said. “I’m going to miss her.”

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THE PAN AMERICAN

December 9, 2010