February 21, 2002

PAGE 16

NATIONAL

RAGING BULLS: Two days before the NBA trading deadline, the Pacers dealt Jalen Rose to the Chicago Bulls for Ron Mercer. Along with Rose, the Pacers sent Travis Best and rookie Norm Richardson.

In return, the Pacers acquired, in addition to Mercer, Brad Miller, Kevin Ollie and Ron Artest. The Pacers seemed to have got the better end of this deal. Rose currently averages 18.5 points per game and Best 6.9. Mercer gets 16.8 a contest, and Artest 15.6.

OLYMPICS

BAD TO THE BONES: Third-generation Olympian Jim Shea won the gold medal in Skeleton yesterday. He finished both runs in 1:412.96. Jim’s grandfather, Jack, who died last month, was the first double gold medalist in the winter games. He won two speedskating events at the 1932 Lake Placid games. Up until his death last month, Jack was the oldest living Olympian at 91.

Jim’s father, Jim Sr., competed in three crosscountry events at the 1964 Innsbruck games.

S PORTS

■ Sports Clipboard. . . . . . .15 ■ Women’s Basketball. . . .14

■ Bronc Baseball. . . . . . . 14

Broncs go for win 21 in final game of season With a win over Centenary Monday night, the Broncs can record the most victories in a season since 89-90

By Mike Gonzalez The Pan American

For many schools, 20 wins equals a spectacular season.

The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball squad broke the 20-win barrier and hopes to get win number 21 on Monday when it hosts the Centenary Gentlemen.

The Gentlemen squeaked by the Broncs 61-58 Feb. 2 when Andrew Wisniewski hit a three pointer with seconds remaining in the contest.

Head Coach Bob Hoffman hopes that this time around, home court advantage could make the difference for the Broncs.

“Home court has been great for us,” Hoffman said. “The crowd from the New Mexico State game was loud, and I hope in this game they’ll be even louder.”

Assistant coach Robert Davenport insists the Broncs must be ready to play in order to get their 21st win of the season.

“It won’t be an easy game,” Davenport said. “They beat us at their place on a last-second shot.

We need to come out play hard and shoot the ball well.”

The Gents’ attack is led by the 6-foot-3 Wisenieski, a sophomore who leads his team in scoring with 18.6 point per game. Wisniewski also averages 5.8 assists a contest and shoots 39.8 percent from three-point range.

Another key player for Centenary is 6-4 Demano Hooper, a sophomore guard who averages 5.3 rebounds a game this season, in addition to scoring 10.7 points a

contest. Senior UTPA guard Mire Chatman said the Gent’s will come out with their weapons and shoot.

“They have a nice team,” said Chatman.

“Their basically all roll players, and have a pretty good point guard, and we have to contain him.”

This is the last home game for UTPA seniors Chatman, Matt Lynch / The Pan American Terrell Hill, Joey Tate, Quinn Canada, Marcus Heads up! - UTPA senior forward Marcus Quinn elevates for a dunk against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earlier this season.

Quinn and DeFance Gurley, and their last 14, UTPA hit a roadblock against the Bison, accomplishing that feat chance to wear Bronc uniforms. for the first time since 1989-90.

Gardner-Webb, falling to the Chatman realizes he has just one Bulldogs 86-79.

Once again, Chatman sparked more game in front of the Bronc Against Gardner-Webb, UTPA with 26 points. Andrius faithful, and wants to give them Chatman led UTPA with 31 points Sakalys, who has given the Broncs something to remember him by. and four steals, but the Broncs a lift off the bench this season, “‘We just hope to get a win.” couldn’t reel in the Bulldogs, com- scored 15 points, while Jon Chatman said. “I’ve been playing ing no closer than four points with Nubine scored 11. Hill added a hurt, and I just want to come out 5:19 remaining in the contest. The team-high of 14 rebounds. play hard and hope to get a win.”

Bulldogs outscored UTPA 12-7 to The Broncs held the Bison to Quinn also said a victory would finish the game, and extended just 20.7 percent shooting in the be a nice way to conclude this their home winning streak to 29 first half. In the second half, great season and his basketball games.

UTPA had command of the game career at UTPA. “We were disappointed to not and at one time led by 22 points.

“I hope to get another win, and get it done, but they have 29 wins It’s uncertain if this will be the last finish the year playing strong.” in a row at home,” Hoffman said. game of the year, but Davenport Quinn said. “My personal goal feels his team deserves an NIT Quinn had a solid game, scoring was to win 20 games and I’m glad bid.“That was one of our goals, to it came out, and we’re looking for- 15 points and grabbing 12 boards, be playing past next Monday,” while Kevin Mitchell added 11 ward for another win.”

Davenport said. “We still feel In earlier action, the Broncs split points and six assists. that’s realistic and nothing’s guartheir two preceding games. After The Broncs notched their 20th anteed, but we feel we earned it.” manhandling Lipscomb 79-62 Feb. victory of the year by defeating

THURSDAY

Campus VOICE On which issues should local candidates focus?

Page 4

SATE NEWS

COLORS

February 21, 2002

An Inside Look: Opinion ........................................2 News ............................................3 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■ ■

in

MOTION Page 8

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Explosion leads to traffic jam

DALLAS— Reversing a previous decision, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Tony Sanchez and Dan Morales have agreed to participate in televised bilingual debates. Two one-hour debates featuring Morales and Sanchez will be held in Dallas the evening of March 1. The first debate will be in English, followed by another in Spanish.

Earlier last weekend, Sanchez and his staff declined to enter a debate with Morales, accusing him of launching personal attacks. Public television station KERA, in addition to other news media, are working to organize the debates. The Democratic primary is March 12.

■

By Celeste Y. Tello The Pan American

– Matt Lynch / The Pan American

SCORCHED — An 18-wheeler smolders in the distance following an accident on

VALLEY NEWS WESLACO — According to one Mexican official, help could soon be on the way for South Texas farmers in desperate need of water. Mexican Consul Luis M. Lopez Moreno recently announced the possible release of 91,200 acre-feet of water some time this week at a water symposium hosted by the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Center in Weslaco. While the release of 91,200 acre-feet of water will help local farmers, it will not be enough to completely rescue them from the worst drought conditions in over 50 years, according to local water officials also in attendance at the symposium.

the frontage road of Expressway 83 near Bicentennial. The driver of the truck was found to be intoxicated and later taken into custody, according to police officials.

At least eight families were evacuated from their nearby homes Wednesday morning when an out-of-control 18wheeler burst into flames after hitting a concrete barrier on the Expressway 83 frontage ramp.

“The driver has been arrested for driving while intoxicated and is being held in the McAllen City Jail,” said Mitch Reinitz, McAllen Police spokesman.

The accident occurred just after 8 a.m.

The first units from the fire department responded to the call at approximately 8:18 a.m. after the truck’s fuel tanks exploded, and at least 10 police units were dispatched.

Almost immediately, the call was upgraded to a second alarm, which called for another ladder truck and two extra engine companies to be sent to the scene.

According to Lt. Rene Alaniz of the McAllen Fire Department, the arson task force was also called to the scene due to the intense nature of the accident.

See ACCIDENT page 6

■

Border office directs health services The Pan American

Diabetes a major local concern

The health of border residents greatly concerns the University of Texas-Pan American Border Health Office.

“We coordinate the health, education and research projects that UT components have on the board,” said Dr. Paul Villas, executive director.

The office is responsible for coordinating services from the various health-related projects administered in the Texas-Mexico border area by UT-System institutions. It fosters collaborative health education, health services, and health research for the citizens of Texas living along the border.

The office started as a UT-System Border Health Office and then over the summer the system allowed UTPA to take over.

Its work is primarily state-funded, with roughly 80 percent coming from the state, 15 percent from the federal government and five percent from private organizations.

The staff of 12 at the office is assisted by two full-time health educators stationed in San Antonio and El Paso, who are responsible for conducting research.

At various times, students from the UTPA dietetics department, nursing, and biology departments have worked at the office to gain field experience.

The office also collaborates with university faculty and allows them to present research papers at conferences it sponsors.

This year, the office employed Daniel Richardson, as a Health Education Coordinator with the Diabetes Registry and Nicole Rogers as a health education coordinator.

According to Richardson, his current duties are “...to reduce the diabetes hardship through prevention and control of the disease and its complications along the Texas-Mexico border.”

The Diabetes Registry maintains a list of people

By Melissa Ciomperlik

with diabetes.

“Together with the information gathered, data researched from other sources on the disease is collected and presented to the population we serve via public speaking engagements, printed materials and special events organized around awareness themes,” Richardson said.

The office is currently working on several special projects, including a day camp for children at risk of developing diabetes.

“We hope that the children will benefit from this presentation and thereafter magnify its effect by taking the healthful message home to their families,” Richardson said.

The office is also involved in screening for Acanthosis Nigricans, a disease which signals high insulin levels in the body and is recognizable by a black-brown marking on the back of the neck.

See HEALTH page 6

PAGE 2

February 21 2002

Celebrating 50 years 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 50th Year – No. 19

Editor Matt Lynch

OPINION

letters

■

editorials

■

cartoons

Gender balance missing in story To the Editor, I am a Pan American student/staff who is deeply disappointed in the “Campus Voice” section of yesterday’s [February 14] paper.

Considering that we are living in a society where BOTH MALES and FEMALES are supposed to be treated EQUALLY, why is it that all the opinions published came from women?

Please do not get me wrong, I am a feminist and for the advancement of

women; but the Pan American is supposed to be for all students and should not be discriminatory. It seemed to me that the male population was not even consulted.

I am sure there are some male students out there with some opinion in this matter (whether positive or negative), especially since an article in the same issue discussed (although briefly) that one of the hopes of the Women’s Studies Program is to benefit both men

and women.

My husband also believes that the male population of UTPA should have at least been represented in this section (he believes it[Women’s Studies] would be a good addition to UTPA). I’m sure there are other readers out there who would also like to see the opinions of the “other half.”

Sincerely, Ethelyn Arriola

mlynch@panam.edu

NEWS

the PAN AMERICAN is the News Editor Cristina Reyna creyna826@aol.com

Copy Editor Melissa Ciomperlik ciomperlik@yahoo.com

A & E Editor Ashley Brooks Magrew2@hotmail.com

Sports Editor Eladio Jaimez ejaimez@panam.edu

Layout Designers Gabriel Hernandez Cristina Reyna Celeste Y. Tello Reporters Blake Daniels Jaime Garcia, Jr. Mike Gonzalez Elizabeth Martinez Linda Martinez Dagoberto Perez Nikki Ramirez Belinda Reyes Cristina Reyna Cesar Trevino Photographers Anna Stwora Mary Zuviri Advertising Dagoberto Perez Circulation Jesus M. Gonzalez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber Advertising Coordinator Juanita Sanchez

official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the university.

New system to assist deaf callers The Pan American

Relay makes communication easier

In an effort to aid both deaf students and hearing impaired visitors of the University of Texas-Pan American, UTPA officials unveiled the latest telephone communication device for the deaf Wednesday.

“It’s a vast improvement over the old system,” said Esmeralda Guerra, UTPA Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.

The system, which Guerra hopes will be operational by the summer of 2002, replaces an older system in which a hearing impaired individual used a special instrument known as a TTY machine, or teletypewriter, to communicate with others via telephone.

Under the old TTY system, a deaf caller could communicate one-on-one with another person only if that person had their own teletypewriter. According to Guerra, if one person lacked a TTY machine, an operator was required as an

intermediary to read the teletype message from the deaf person and relay it to the other person on the line.

“The relay system was so cumbersome,” said Guerra. “But our new system is modernized and it’s instantaneous.”

The new communication system utilizes a laptop computer and a computer video camera. By using the computer, a hearing impaired individual can select the number they wish to call and connect to an operator.

According to Guerra, an operator who knows sign language places the call.

During conversation, the hearing impaired individual uses sign language to communicate with the operator via the video camera, who then immediately relays the message to the third party.

By using this method, hearing impaired callers eliminate the time-consuming process of typing their message

By Matt Lynch

Letters policy Letters to the editor must include your name, address, and phone number. They will be printed at the discretion of the editor.

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office. For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

sports

February 21, 2002

and waiting for it to be relayed by the operator to the third party.

According to Guerra, there will be three of these stations for hearing impaired callers campus wide, including one in the library and another in the UTPA visitor’s center, which is currently under construction.

According to information supplied by Guerra, an entire station, including the necessary computer and computer video camera, should cost well under $800, and can be purchased a number of different ways, including grants.

Guerra believes the new communication system for the hearing impaired will benefit many people, not only UTPA students and staff.

“There are at least three people at UTPA that I know will benefit from the system, but in reality, it could possibly help anyone [who is hearing impaired] who visits UTPA.”

Have some information that’s worthy of publication in The Pan American? Call the news room at 381-2543 or 381-2542, to report breaking news or to suggest story ideas to the editors. Information on news, features, sports, or general interest is welcomed. This is a good way for the public to have another avenue for feedback, and input on future content in The Pan American.

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

Page 15

By the numbers BASKETBALL Men's Division I Independents

Broncs finish tenth at SWSTU VICTORIA, TX –The University of Texas-Pan American’s men’s golf team finished 10th at the Udamon Southwest Classic, which was hosted by Southwest Texas State University. The competition concluded Tuesday at the Victoria Country Club.

The Broncs’ 54-hole total of 925 placed them three strokes behind Stephen F. Austin and three shots ahead of Iowa State. UTPA shot an 18-hole score of 312 on the final day of play.

Baylor won the tournament with a score of 885, followed by the University of Texas-San Antonio at 896, Wichita State at 898, New Mexico State at 899, Oral Roberts at 903, Louisiana Tech at 913, Southwest Texas State at 914 and Rice at 916.

Freshman John Huerta led the Broncs, shooting a 78 Tuesday for a 54-hole total of 231. He tied for 32nd place. Senior Santiago DeLarrea shot an 80 Tuesday and 232 for the tournament.

The Brazilian tied for 37th.

Sophomore Rudy Celedon, Edinburg native, and senior Ricky Benavides of Brownsville tied for 42nd at 234. Celedon shot an 83 on the final day of play and Benavides shot a 77.

Sophomore Ben Piper tied for 52nd after shooting a 77, and a 238 for three rounds.

The Broncs will return to action March 3 at McNeese State.

Lady Broncs end last CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The University of Texas-Pan American’s women’s golf team finished 13th at the Islander Spring Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Kings Crossing Country Club.

The Lady Broncs shot a final round score of 342 with total of 1045. The final score left them 37 strokes behind Xavier.

The University of Texas-El Paso won the tournament with a score of 952. They were followed by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 956, Kansas at 963, Kansas State at 964, McLennan Community College at 969, Oral Roberts at 971, Notre Dame at 979, Lamar at 984, McNeese State at 996, and Northeastern State and Southwest Texas State at 1006.

Sophomore Crystal Frazier shot a finalround 84. She was the top Bronc finisher for the Lady Broncs, tying for 55th with a 54-hole total of 259. Sophomore Itziar Unanue tied for 57th, shooting an 87 Tuesday for 260. Freshman Christine Treanor shot 86 Tuesday and 262 overall to finish 61st. Senior Adriana Espinoza tied for 62nd after shooting 85 and 264 for the tourney.

Lyford product and sophomore Christina Infante finished 71st with 100 Tuesday and 302 overall.

The Lady Broncs will return to action March 10 at Sam Houston State.

Tip sheet:

Matt Lynch / The Pan American

And 1: Senior Guard Mire Chatman throws up a prayer shot against the Texas A&MCorpus Christi Islanders ealrier this season. The shot fell for Chatman and he was fouled. He converted the free-throw.

Chatman currently ranks fourth in the nation with 25.2 points a contest. His 3.6 steals a game also placed him fourth on the national list.

UTPA GARDNER WEBB CENTENARY BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN TEXAS A&M-CC LIPSCOMB IPFW MORRIS BROWN

W L 20 9 18 8 13 11 12 14 10 15 6 20 3 19 4 22

Assists 02 Kelli Kreuser 25 Anette Johansen 11 Jennifer Piwonka

5.1 2.4 1.6

Blocks 34 Jennifer Arriola 32 Naima Williams 40 Julie Porter

15 12 10

Steals 02 Kelli Kreuser 32 Naima Williams 25 Anette Johansen

67/2.5 57/2.1 52/1.9

BRONC LEADERS

Golf

Points 32 Mire Chatman 40 Marcus Quinn 10 Andrius Sakalys 01 Kevin Mitchell 21 Jon Nubine 30 Nick Traylor 22 Terrell Hill

25.2* 12.6 11.2 8.7 6.7 4.5 4.3

Rebounds 40 Marcus Quinn 32 Mire Chatman 22 Terrell Hill

7.3 5.3 4.6

LADY BRONC LEADERS

Assists 01 Kevin Mitchell 32 Mire Chatman 30 Nick Traylor

5.1 3.8 1.7

Crystal Frazier Itziar Unanue Christine Treanor Adriana Espinoza Christina Infante

Steals 32 Mire Chatman 01 Kevin Mitchell 04 Joey Tate

102/3.6* 50/1.7 26/1.1

Baseball

Blocks 40 Marcus Quinn 22 Terrell Hill 32 Mire Chatman 10 Andrius Sakalys

34 30 13 10

Batting average

W L 14 12 15 12 16 11 7 20 9 19 3 23

Homeruns

*Ranked fourth in NCAA Division I

Women's Division I Independents

Lipscomb Texas A&M-CC Birmingham Southern UTPA Centenary Gardner Webb

BRONC LEADERS Udamon Southwest Texas Classic John Huerta Santiago DeLarrea Rudy Celedon Ricky Benavides Ben Piper

Islander Spring Invitational 92-83-84-259, tied for 55th 88-85-87-260, tied for 57th 84-92-86-262, 61st 92-87-85-264, tied for 62nd 102-100-100-302, 71st

BRONC LEADERS

Juan Saenz Omar Pena Tony Ortiz Jarrad Maddox Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy Matt Eichel Adam Farek

Jarrad Maddox Matt Sisk Sean Flynn

.667 .500 .417 .375 .345 .333 .333 .333

1 1 1

RBI Jarrad Maddox Tony Ortiz Matt Sisk Skip Weast

LADY BRONC LEADERS

77-76-78-231, tied for 32nd 76-76-80-232, tied for 37th 73-78-83-234, tied for 42nd 79-78-77-234, tied for 42nd 81-80-77-238, tied for 52nd

Points 02 Kelli Kreuser 32 Naima Williams 21 Nikki Hitchens 25 Anette Johansen 20 Michelle Smith 11 Jennifer Piwonka

16.2 12.0 9.4 7.6 6.3 4.4

Hits

Rebounds 32 Naima Williams 02 Kelli Kreuser 25 Anette Johansen

6.2 4.9 4.7

Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy John Lopez Jonathan Mason

Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy Jarrad Maddox

5 4 4 4

10 8 6

Runs 6 6 5 5

sports

February 21, 2002

Page 14

Broncs hope to remedy recent hitting woes

By Blake Daniels The Pan American

Mary Zuviri / The Pan American

Reggie Tredaway watches his team practice for their upcoming series against Illinois

The University of Texas-Pan American Bronc baseball team has been struggling at the plate all season.

“We don’t hit the ball too far,” said Tredaway. The Broncs only have three home runs this season, proving the long ball drought.

The Broncs have a five-game home stretch, which includes three games against The University of Illinois starting Friday.

“Some of the target areas for the series against the Fighting Illini will be lowering our earned run average and better consistency batting with two strikes,” said head baseball coach Reggie Tredaway.

Travis Parker will be the starting pitcher Friday night, Frank James will go on Saturday, and Justin Dowd will start the Sunday finale. The Broncs play their first night game of the season on Friday at 7p.m.

“All three starting pitchers bring unique qualities to the mound. Parker keeps the ball down which results in less home runs. James has three good pitches with velocity and Dowd is our most intelligent pitcher,” said assistant coach John Johnson.

“We have seen great things from placing James in the middle of the rotation as our lone left- handed pitcher,” Tredaway said. The Broncs will rely on

Remaining home games 2/26 3/19 3/20 3/29 3/30 3/31 4/9 4/12 4/13 4/27 4/30

University of Texas-San Antonio - doubleheader Kansas University Kansas University Houston Baptist - doubleheader Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Texas A&M-Kingsville - doubleheader Houston Baptist Houston Baptist - doubleheader St. Mary’s University - doubleheader Incarnate Word - doubleheader

their senior pitchers because the runs have been scarce. The Broncs have a .265 batting average and have been outscored 76 to 35 by their opponents.

The Broncs will focus on pitching and advancing runners in scoring position. The Broncs have a team ERA of 7.79. “We have to cut down ‘the big inning,’ three or four runs scored in one inning,” Tredaway said. The Broncs attribute their seven losses to ‘the big inning’ hurting them.

“

Illinois will be big, strong, athletic and fundamentally sound, so we must be at our best d

”

a

-Reggie Tredaway Bronc baseball head coach

“Illinois will be big, strong, athletic and fundamentally sound, so we must be at our best,” said Tredaway. This will be the first game for the Fighting Illini this season.

In their last game against McNeese State the Broncs allowed a seven-run inning, but came back to take the lead before an error in the 10th inning caused to the loss. The Bronc plate per-

formance was silent for the first six innings before they struck fire for two runs in the seventh and six in the eighth inning.

“The team really showed heart and kept their composure after getting down seven runs. This team is really young so the ability for us to be able to come back shows progress in the freshmen getting comfortable playing Division I baseball,” Tredaway said.

The Broncs go into this series with a 1-7 record. A win would be great for the struggling Broncs. “I’m not concerned about the losses. What frustrates me are the mental mistakes and lack of quality at bats,” Tredaway said.

Richard ‘Itch’ Jones, the incoming Illinois coach, was an inductee to the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Jones is one of the top elite premier coaches in Division I baseball. He is an outstanding individual and we are lucky to have his team come to the Valley,” Tredaway said.

Jones is one of the winningest coaches in college baseball history. In a career that spans over thirty years, he has a record of 1,126-651-5 (.623 wining percentage).

UTPA’s Tredaway is familiar with Illinois’ Jones. In the 1971 College World Series, Tredaway played against the Southern Illinois team coached by Jones that defeated the Broncs in Omaha, NE.

Lady hoopsters look to end frustrating season with win

By Mike Gonzalez The Pan American

It has been a frustrating season for the University of Texas-Pan American Lady Broncs basketball team this season, as they have struggled to a 7-20 record. Saturday they hope to conclude the season with a victory on Senior Night against Texas A&MCorpus Christi at the Fieldhouse.

The Lady Broncs have never beaten the Lady Islanders, and they would love nothing more than a win Saturday. TAMUCC came away with an 83-69 win Feb. 9. Although the game was a loss, the Lady Broncs outplayed the Lady Islanders in the second half by outscoring them 48-35.

Head coach Karin Nicholls said not many changes have to be made regarding the team, and payback is

on her mind.

“We just played a terrible first half,” Nicholls said. “The only adjustment is to play a 40-minute game and to understand that it’s somewhat a payback time. But at the same time, we know based on the second half that we were just as good a team if not better in situations, but we just didn’t do it in the first half.”

Not only is it payback time according to Nicholls, but senior guard Kelli Kreuser feels the same way. She almost had a triple-double in the loss Feb. 9, but a win means more to her than stats.

“Our main goal for this game is get the win and get a little revenge on them,” Kreuser said.

Despite struggling this season and having key injuries, the team has had

some players step up and play well. Kreuser leads the team in scoring with a 16.2 point-per-game average, second in rebounding with 4.9, and first in steals with 5.1. Junior forward Naima Williams has also had a solid season by grabbing 6.2 rebounds a game to lead the team, and is averaging 12 points per game, which ranks her second. Junior guard Michelle Smith is shooting 39.3 percent from the three-point range, and freshman guard Nikki Hitchens is shooting 46.1 percent from the field.

Saturday’s game adds more emotion for seniors Kreuser, Ridiajah Sinnette and Ashere’ Thigpen, since it will be the last time they wear a Bronc uniform.

Sinnette admitted it’s going to feel awkward not putting that jersey on anymore.

See LADY BRONCS page13

PAGE 3

NEWS

■ Campus Voice . . . . . 4 ■ Election 2002 . . . . . 4 ■ Campus Life . . . . . 12

Student ideologies plumbed

By Cristina Reyna The Pan American

College students at the University of Texas-Pan American are politically “middle-of-the-road,” according to a survey taken last week by The Pan American newspaper staff.

The survey suggests that 50.7 percent of students at UTPA assumed the intermediate ideology, while 21.5 percent said they were “liberal” and 16.1 percent marked“conservative.” Another 11.5 percent chose “other.”

Dr. Jerry Polinard, chair of the political science department, said these results are nothing unusual. “ Most Americans consider themselves moderate rather than liberal or conservative and one of the rules of running for office is to try and capture the center and isolate your opponent as either too liberal or conservative,” Polinard said.

He added that South Texas ideological stances may be explained by the fact this is traditionally one of the strongest Democratic regions in the nation, and that young people have come of age in an eight-year period (1992-2000) with a Democratic president in office.

Some differ on whether the recent and highly contested presidential election could have sparked new interest in poli-

tics.

“The controversy over the Bush and Gore issue probably created more of an interest for people,” said Anna Gonzalez, freshman political science major.

“To my knowledge, there is no indication that the 2000 election increased either interest or participation in the political process,” Polinard said.

“This would likely affect the collegeage cohort the least in that this group (18-28 years old), is virtually always the least likely to be politicized and least likely to vote, of all age groups.”

Adding to the tendency toward voter apathy in young people is a series of incidents receiving heavy media publicity that left a sour taste in many mouths.

The 1998 Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, 2000 election controversy, campaign finance reform debate, and recent eruption of the Enron debacle are such examples.

When they do vote, young people have shown a recent propensity for categorizing themselves as left-of-center.

This slant is clear in a survey put out by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

The 2001-02 results from the annual poll show that more college freshmen are politically liberal, or far left, than at

any time since 1975.

The survey done at UTPA was a narrow replication of the larger-scale UCLA poll, using all classifications of students in a random sample (as opposed to only freshmen) to get a better representation of student ideologies.

One 22-year-old white male surveyed noted that he was “conservative” and said, “college can often be a person’s first look into the variety of lifestyles, cultures and political viewpoints that different people follow, mostly as a representation of their upbringing.”

College students’ views are molded by several crucial elements, said political science lecturer Terence Garrett.

“Many factors include family, peers, education level, news events (media), religious activities and income,” Garrett said.

Students in the UTPA survey were also questioned about several common social issues and behavior: Gay marriages - 40.7 percent think gay couples should have the right to legal marital status A Hispanic female, 20, said that if polygamy still exists, then gay marriages should be allowed. A 31-year-old Hispanic male disagrees answering,

“Hell no!” to this suggestion.

Legalization of marijuana - 40 percent want marijuana legalized One Hispanic male, 18, said marijuana should be legalized but only if regulated and taxed.

Demonstrations - 10.7 percent say they have participated in organized political demonstrations during the past year A 20-year-old Hispanic female said she has signed many petitions and take part in letter-writing campaigns.

Another student, an Hispanic female, 25, believes organized demonstrations are a legitimate form of political expression, but only if they are constructive and without violence.

Socializing - 83 percent socialize with members of other racial or ethnic groups.

One Hispanic female, 23, said that although she socialized with members of other ethnic groups, she only dates Asian men.

A white male student, 22, explained that “it is important that we as college students and the future of America recognize that each person has to understand each of their own.”

Technologies augment education

By Nikki Ramirez The Pan American

Due to some striking technological developments in the past five years, students can now take university classes without entering a classroom.

WebCT (Web Course Tools) gives students the option to take courses that are offered on-line. WebCT was introduced in Canada in 1997 as one of the first programs of its kind, and is starting to build popularity as a tool in higher education.

It’s available to students through the Center for Distance Learning, which provides the services that enhance webbased education at the University of Texas-Pan American.

In order for students to enroll in these courses they must have a user name and password which can be the same ones they use for e-mail accounts.

The WebCT system is offered to stu-

dents all over the United States and gives those students who cannot physically attend class, or those in the military or living overseas, a chance to take certain classes offered by stateside schools.

“I have several students who are taking my class from other places in the United States,” said Dr. Ruben Mazariegos, professor in the physical science department. “ I have some people in California and some in the Army, which is very convenient for them.”

Dr. Mohammed Bhatti of the physics department utilized WebCT for one year, liked the educational effects of technology, and eventually constructed his own personal web page.

“WebCT and personal web pages have become a very nice tool for professors to explain to students at their own convenience so they can log on any time they want and can learn about the subjects,” Bhatti said.

Courses on the Web allow students to

do assignments, take quizzes and exams any time of day or night.

Most of the schools in the University of Texas System have adopted WebCT as a tool for offering on-line courses to graduate and undergraduate students.

Although WebCT provides on-line courses, some professors still give regular class lectures and use WebCT as a supplemental device to post notes, assignments, and quizzes online.

Mazariegos made the transition from lectures in the classroom to the WebCt system two years ago and said it is a great advantage to students.

Although, on-line courses do not provide direct interaction between students and professors, there are still ways to communicate.

“You have to keep up with the communication, otherwise students will probably drop the class,” Mazariegos said.

The on-line system not only allows students to communicate with the pro-

fessor, but with other classmates as well.

“When I first took a WebCT course, I was scared because I didn’t know what to expect since it was all new,” said Adriana Perez, a senior majoring in Education. “ After I got the hang of it, it was very convenient in the sense that if you needed to ask a question you could post your questions on the bulletin board and someone would always respond whether it was another student or the professor.”

Other colleges with in UTPA are currently using WebCT for on-line courses as well as an extra tool for the class lectures. Some of these include the College of Science and Engineering and the College of Business Administration.

According to Wig De Moville, chair of the accounting and business law department, other courses in the College Of Business Administration are in the process of developing future usage of the service.

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 21, 2002

Campus VO I C E

On which issues should local candidates focus?

– Anna Stwora

ELECTION

2002

Jeni Vela Pre-Med Freshman I think the politicians should focus more on education because it is the key to success.

Gloria Saenz Pre-Med Freshman

Senate candidates discuss education, other election issues

By Eladio Jaimez

The primary focus of the candidates should be to provide health insurance at a lower cost.

Adrian Barajas Marketing Senior I think they should focus on health issues for students, since it is more expensive for us.

Sally Ibrahim Pre-Med / Chemistry Freshman They should focus on education and make it more successful. For example, help to increase the graduation rates so that they are equal to the number of students enrolled.

Jose Gonzalez Computer Science Freshman I think they should focus on education and increase financial aid.

Page 4

The Pan American

Not since Joe Namath did, prior to Super Bowl III in 1969, has someone predicted a victory with so much confidence.

State Representative Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa called the race in his favor despite opposition from three other candidates.

“I’m going to win,” Hinojosa said. “I don’t have as much money as some of these other candidates, but I have leadership experience.”

Hinojosa, along with Alice medical doctor Ruben Garcia and Corpus Christi attorneys Diana Martinez and Barbara Canales-Black, are seeking the seat of state senator District 20. The seat will be vacated by long-time South Texas Senator Carlos Truan, who announced he would not seek re-election late last year.

Hinojosa prides himself on his experience. Tuesday night at a candidate forum he boasted about being named one of the top 10 legislators this last session, and about the six years he’s served as in public office as a state representative for Districts 40 and 41.

Hinojosa said experience is key and would make the difference in this race.

“It’s a tremendous advantage,” Hinojosa said. “When I’m elected into the senate, I’ll be a player. I know all of them already.”

Hinojosa’s belief that experience is key isn’t echoed by his opponents.

“I know 14 legislators who started their tenure without any prior legislative experience, including our attorney general,” Canales-Black said.

Garcia, who doesn’t consider himself a politician by trade, said he has as good a chance to serve in the Texas Senate as any of his other opponents.

“I’m self-funded,” Garcia said. “I am independent of special interest groups or corporate donation. People are my special interest group.”

There was one thing in which all four were in agreement. Each tabbed education as an issue of great importance.

Each had their own idea for improving education in District 20 and the entire

state.

“We can always improve education,” Hinojosa said. “Education is key . . . it’s the great equalizer in our society. It will always be the number one issue.”

Garcia said District 20 is one of the most undereducated in the state, and it would benefit everyone to improve education down here.

“The whole world is one economy,” he commented. “We can’t compete around the world without an education.”

Canales-Black agreed education is important, but added that economic development goes hand-in-hand.

“If we strengthen education in Texas we strengthen the economy,” she said.

Canales-Black mentioned that 62 percent rise in Texas’ Hispanic population the last 10 years is a good thing, but added concerns that the majority of new populants aren’t getting educated.

“We’re not graduating this population,” Canales-Black said. “We’re not educating these people and that spells disaster.”

Canales-Black said if elected to the Senate, she would bring innovative ideas to improve education in South Texas. She said a public awareness campaign would help get the word out on the value of education.

Canales-Black explained a partnership between private businesses and the state would help emphasize the importance of an education to the younger generation in South Texas.

“Education has to be the key to Texas’ economic survivability,” Canales-Black said. “You can go down the same path or forge a new one. I want to lead the charge.”

Martinez also made education her top priority, but said change needs to come in teacher’ s pay.

“Health insurance premiums are incredibly high,” Martinez said. “They [teachers] need help. They got a pay raise, but it was not enough.”

Aside from wanting to help teachers, Martinez would like to see assistance given to single working mothers.

“The state should be able to give businesses tax breaks for childcare facilities,” Martinez said.

Sports

February 21, 2002

LADY BRONCS “It’s kind of sad ‘cause you’re not able to put on a uniform anymore,” Sinnette said.

Nicholls thinks her three seniors will come out and play with a lot of energy one last time.

“I’m sure the seniors are in a little bit of a strange mood because they

Our main goal for this game is to get the win and get a little revenge on them d a -Kelli Kreuser

“

”

Senior Guard, Lady Broncs know their season’s ending,’” Nicholls said. “They know they won’t be coming back, but at the same time, they know how they want to go out.”

The Lady Broncs started their two-game road trip with a loss to Lipscomb 81-66 on Feb. 14. The contest came down to the last five minutes, when UTPA was outscored 19-5. Despite the loss, three Lady Broncs were in double figures led by Kreuser with 21 points. Freshman

continued from page 14

guard Jennifer Piwonka and Naima Williams each contributed 13 points.

Then the Lady Broncs ended a three-game losing streak by jumping by the Lady Bulldogs 69-61 on Feb. 16, to sweet the season series. Kreuser believes the victory will carry the team and play with a sense of urgency on Saturday.

“It was a moral and confidence boost being stuck on six (wins) before that five,” Kreuser said.

Nicholls was just happy to get a win on the road.

“Any time you’re in any kind of losing streak, you need to do something to try and change the ways things are going,” Nicholls said.

“We had such an inconsistent year, to win a game on the road...we’re all very happy and we all worked hard to earn that victory.”

Although the Lady Broncs will not finish with a winning record, it’s teamwork and character that has put a smile on Nicholls’ face.

“The team’s character is the type of team that doesn’t give up and they continue to work hard through the adversity,” Nicholls said. “That shows the kind of character that you want to continue to have around on your teams. You don’t want people who are going to quit.”

Page 13

A journalist's perspective

Cuban’s comments on Late Late Show fail to get him fined; show’s host disappointed

By Eladio Jaimez The Pan American

If I could be owned by anyone in the world, it would have to be Mark Cuban.

Last week Cuban appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn who challenged him to say something which would get him fined by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Kilborn gave Cuban a few suggestions of what he could say to encourage Stern to fine him, but Cuban refused the suggestions.

Instead, Cuban referred to a joke from earlier in the show and said Stern “couldn’t manage the Penis Patrol.”

The comment received many laughs, but Kilborn hoped it would create waves among the NBA. Kilborn’s goal was to get Cuban fined on the show, but apparently it didn’t work.

Kilborn called various media outlets asking to carry the story. The Dallas Morning News refused to run with the story because of the word “penis,” according to Kilborn.

On Tuesday night’s show, Kilborn called Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly asking him to write about Cuban’s comment.

Kilborn wanted to “disseminate, germinate and marinate” the information. He wanted to give his

show significance by having Cuban fined for what he said on the show.

We’re not The Dallas Morning News or Sports Illustrated, but we are media, so we’ve decided to “disseminate, germinate and marinate” the information.

Cuban will probably not get fined. Stern will likely see this as some kind of joke and just ignore the whole hoopla.

One thing is for sure, Cuban will be closely watched by the NBA and all the association’s bureaucrats.

Cuban has been fined nearly $1 million since he bought the Dallas Mavericks in March 2000. He can afford it, being one of the wealthiest persons in the country, even richer then hotel tycoon Donald Trump.

Cuban calls himself “a beer and pretzels guy.”

He also loves basketball.

The self-proclaimed basketball junkie loves the Indiana Hoosiers. His love of the Indiana school and nostalgia for the games led to his self-made fortune.

In 1995, Cuban and his roommate came up with Broadcast.com in an effort to broadcast Hoosier games over the Internet.

Soon nearly half a million people were listening to broadcasts through Cuban’s Web site, and after that, pardon the cliche, everything was history.

PAGE 12

February 21, 2002

CAMPUS LIFE

Web regulation of computer lab

By Belinda Reyes The Pan American

There is a new web page at the University of TexasPan American academic services called “Project Evolution.”

It was created by computer lab proctor Christopher Tagle and Damaso Navarro II, a UTPA senior Web programmer majoring in computer science. The program was conducted under the supervision of Anne Toal, director of academic computing.

The main purpose of the new web design is to aid faculty when reserving computer labs, in addition to surveying students who use the labs.

“It will be easier for faculty when they request to sign up for labs because paper forms will be eliminated and the use of Web based laboratory forms [online] will be in effect,” Toal said.

The Web design will also allow supervisors in the labs to check paper and toner supplies, which was always a concern with faculty using the labs, according to Toal.

“It [Web page] controls to see if there will be a shortage of paper and toner and this gives us the ability to see before hand and stock up,” Toal said.

Faculty and administrators will also be able to see if labs are already reserved when requesting the use of computer labs online. The same online form would be used to fill out requests for special software as well, Toal added. She hopes that the online form will be functional by the start of the first summer session in 2002.

Another part to Project Evolution is the weekly survey question offered to students who use the labs. The purpose of the poll is to open lines of communication between students and the lab staff.

“We came up with the idea of polls (survey questions) two months ago,” said Toal.

“It [helps us know] how we are doing, so every week a new question is asked.”

Questions are based on ways to improve services offered in the academic services building. The first valid question asked students about the number of hours they would like the Academic Computing Labs to be open during weekends.

Currently the labs are open 24 hours Monday to Thursday, Friday until 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday after noon.

About 65 percent of students surveyed would like labs to be open more hours, while 24 percent felt the current computer lab hours were sufficient. Approximately 11 percent of students surveyed felt the computer labs are open too many hours. There were a total of 6,093 votes cast, according to ACL reports.

“We wanted to get an idea if people were satisfied [with hours offered] and we got a runaway answer here, 65 percent of users want more hours,” said Toal.

“Obviously that is most of the people that come here.”

Toal added that the survey allows faculty and staff of the ACL to plan funding for the future of the lab, and that the polls have made a real impression on the ACL staff, which is actively seeking new ways to successfully address student concerns [regarding lab hours].

Survey questions last for one week and appear when a student first logs into an ACL computer. Tagle and Navarro worked on a solution that would eliminate a way for a student to vote twice. Once a student has logged in, the question is displayed and must be answered once.

When the student logs in again [in the same week] the system asks if the student has voted or not, allowing the question to be bypassed, according to Tagle.

■

What students are doing at UTPA

UTPA contributes time to local Valley museum

By Melissa Ciomperlik The Pan American

Students, faculty and staff will participate in “UTPA Day” at the McAllen International Museum on Feb. 23.

University of Texas-Pan American President Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez signed a proclamation declaring Saturday, Feb. 23 “UTPA Day” at MIM. The purpose of UTPA’s involvement extends well beyond community service.

“University attendance really begins in childhood,” said Nevarez, in a university press release Feb. 6. “And the museum is doing great work in fostering creative and critical thinking skills that will help children succeed in higher education.”

Felipe Salinas, UTPA’s director of special programs, agreed with Nevarez and feels that “a university education begins well before students set foot on a university campus,”.

UTPA decided to get involved because the opportunity will allow employees to give their personal time and improve an educational museum such as MIM, Salinas said.

The Office of Enrollment Student Services at the UTPA plans to help MIM with the latest phase of expansion, the designing of a Discovery Pavilion.

The Discovery Pavilion will be an indoor area acting as an educational exhibit for children.

“There will be a lot of interactive type of activities for kids, primarily in the sciences, communication and some explaining of the history of the Lower Rio Grande Valley region also,” Salinas said.

“We thought that it would be a great thing to get the ball rolling again this year,” Salinas said.

The Office of Enrollment Student Services participated in the museum’s RioScape Discovery Park project four years

ago.

“Some student organizations have already gone out there to help out,” Salinas said. “I believe there will be some others going out.”

The Criminal Justice Student Association plans to attend “UTPA Day” because “they understand the relationship between the availability of educational, cultural and social opportunities for persons(particularly the youth) and possible future criminality,” said Dr. Daniel Dearth, adviser of the association.

“To the extent that we can support the development of positive activities for persons, such as the activities at the museum, we lessen the number of persons who may come to the attention of the criminal justice system,” Dearth said.

Some of the volunteer activities include carpentrywork, sewing and painting.

Thirty-three skilled craftspeople and office personnel from UTPA’s Physical Plant will also volunteer and help with plumbing, electrical and masonry work.

“There’s plenty for everyone to do,” Salinas said. “We can use anyone, skilled or unskilled.”

“If there are any folks out there who are artists, or who have special skills, they [MIM] can use them,” Salinas said.

“We can help improve the facility and provide a more meaningful and better educational experience for children here in the area,” Salinas said. “It will prepare them for the university experience, when they eventually wind up here or anywhere else.”

There are three shifts that students and staff can choose from if they wish to volunteer their time and services. The shifts are from 8 a.m. until noon, 12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

THE PAN AMERICAN

UTPA lacks environmental organizations School has recycling plan, other student groups participate in clean-up programs

By Jennifer Tapia Special the Pan American

There are no student organizations at the University of Texas-Pan American which concentrate on environmental problems such as recycling.

“It’s not promoted enough at UTPA,” said Belem Frias, a freshman pre-med major. “There need to be programs to encourage students to recycle so we can protect the environment.”

According to Richard Costello, director of the department of environmental health and safety, there are no environmental or occupational safety programs for undergraduate students.

“Some courses are offered for graduate students,” Costello said. “But we definitely need an undergraduate program in the Valley.”

The Student Government Association (SGA) at UTPA has not concentrated much on projects to encourage recycling, but SGA feels it is a good idea for student organizations to participate in events which help the environment.

“There are no places or facilities to do [recycling] or to promote it,” said Zeke Moya, president of SGA. “But if students are interested, we’ll (SGA) look into it.”

Moya states that student concerns are always welcome and hopes students will

contact SGA so they can address the issue.

According to Christine Carruthers, coordinator of student development, there are several steps students must take to start a student organization.

First, students must pick up an application with the dean of students.

Second, the students have one month to come up with a constitution, plus ten members to represent an organization.

Finally, once students have turned in the constitution, the Office of Student Development will help them fix it to meet university guidelines.

“Students can start their own organization to encourage UTPA students to recycle,” Carruthers said. “In the past, some student organizations have volunteered to help other valley organizations with environmental projects.”

If students are interested in starting such an organization, they can contact Carruthers at, carruthers@panam.edu.

Current student organizations such as Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society and Bacchus/Gamma participate in projects such as the Texas Beach Clean Up because they feel it is a way to give back to the community.

“We enjoy going to the beach whenever we can and we would certainly hate to get there to see a lot of trash,” said Sarah

Itinerant doctorate begins

By Belinda Reyes The Pan American

Back and forth and back again.

That’s one way to characterize the latest graduate degree offered at the University of Texas-Pan American.

The six-year pharmacy doctorate program started last Fall in conjunction with the University of Texas-Austin’s College of Pharmacy.

There are only two other doctorate programs on campus.

They are housed under the colleges of business and education, according to the office of admissions and records.

The pharmacy program requires completion of pre-pharmacy courses at UTPA for two years.

Then students attend UT-Austin for two more years, where they concentrate on pharmaceutical sciences.

Students return to UTPA for the final two years, according to Dr. William J. McIntyre, assistant dean of health sciences and the director of the program.

“The program started last November, and we admitted our first class in the spring,” McIntyre said.

The groundwork for the doctorate program was laid in 1998, and funding came in for the program in 2000. There are 16 students enrolled, 12 of whom entered as freshman last fall.

Three students were sent to Austin this semester.

Next week the program will hold its second admission process, looking to recruit 12 more entering freshmen, McIntyre said. The admissions are also open to students already on campus.

“Our primary focus [is to recruit] freshmen students, but

we do encourage students that are interested in pharmacy to apply to the program,” McIntyre explained.

To qualify for the program, entering freshmen are required to have at least a 3.4 GPA, a 20 on the ACT or 1,000 on the SAT. They must also have three letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

If a student gets selected to participate in the program, they must maintain a 3.2 GPA in the health sciences department and a 3.0 GPA overall.

The same applies to students already on campus, McIntyre said.

One applicant, Jaime Balli, a junior, prepharmacy/chemistry major, hopes to be admitted to the second stage of the program. Balli, 20, works as a pharmacy technician for Walgreens Drug Store.

“I’ll find out next week if I’ll get accepted [into the program],” he said. “I think the program will help alleviate the shortage of pharmacists here in the Rio Grande Valley.”

Balli said that he sees the struggle that pharmacists go through because of the shortage and that the profession helps people in SouthTexas.

“The good thing about this program is that it brings you back to the Valley,” Balli said.

McIntyre explained that when the students return for their final two years at UTPA, they will complete internships of seven rotations, each lasting six weeks.

Prior to the internships, students will participate in practical labs through interactive television along with other students from UT-Austin, UT-San Antonio and UT-El Paso. UTPA was the fourth university to join the doctorate program.

Page 5

Anna Stwora/The Pan American

MANHOLE Francisco Gonzalez, of the Physical Plant, repairs the chilled water line that ruptured outside the University Library Friday. The old water line, which supplies cold water to the air-conditioning unit at the library, was worked on during the weekend and is now functioning properly.

Owens, president of Gamma Beta Phi. “We like to clean it and make it better for everybody else who’s going to go there."

Other student organizations, such as Sigma Lambda Beta, adopted a stretch of road that starts at the intersection of Closner Boulevard and Schunior Road and ends at Alamo Road, to clean trash left by people.

“We’ve had the highway for two years and plan to keep it as long as possible,” said Jacob Rodriguez, president of Sigma Lambda Beta.

“The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) requires us to clean it up four times a year, but we like to clean it up four times a semester.”

The papers and cans collected at UTPA play a small role in recycling on campus.

However, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety has applied for a $15,000 federal grant to put recycling containers in UTPA building offices so staff can recycle paper they would usually throw away.

The department is expected to get an answer from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the federal grant on April 30, 2002 to see whether or not their application is considered.

“Right now we concentrate at our data

processing in which we recycle all that paper,” Costello said.

“In order to achieve a successful recycling program, we need to provide segregated containers so people can recycle.”

According to Costello, most of the recycling efforts at UTPA come from renovated buildings.

Products include light fixtures, grates, doors or anything that is usable for another building.

“Other institutions throw recyclable products in the trash,” Costello said.

“However, UTPA uses manual labor to remove products so they can be recycled.”

Costello states the environment is affected two ways when people don’t recycle.

First, there is a direct effect, in which people can get sick if others don’t dispose of hazardous products properly.

“When people put mercury in the air we inhale it,” Costello said. “Consequently, there is a potential health risk.”

Second, most companies would have to take raw materials from the environment to produce new products, such as cutting down a tree to produce more paper.

“It takes a fifty two gallon barrel of oil to generate one gallon of gas,” Costello said.

“So for every solvent that we recycle, we don’t have to produce a barrel of oil.”

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 21, 2002

HEALTH

continued from page 1

Acanthosis Nigricans is important because these markings can help identify individuals who run the risk of developing diabetes in the future.

It is these high levels of insulin that cause obesity, cardiovascular problems, high cholesterol and trigylcerides.

Until recently it was believed that children could not develop Type 2 diabetes, but this has been proven false.

The office is currently screening children at 550 school districts in the state. The project started with Valley school nurses and now has expanded from just south of Houston to Austin, San Angelo, Midland/Odessa, among other southern state areas.

Along with researching and counteracting diabetes, the office coordinates research on tuberculosis and gerontology, the study of the process of aging.

“Right now we are teaching some seniors how to use the Internet, so that they can communicate with grandchildren,” said Villas, who was appointed in 2000 by former President Bill Clinton to serve as a member of the federal United StatesMexico Border Health Commission.

“A lot of the things that I do here are things that the commission wants to do here,” said Villas. “The difference is that the commission wants to do those things on a bi-national man-

ner.”

Villas thinks the lack of education is the biggest problem facing the Valley.

“Because we know the parallel is money and health. The more money you have, the better your health,” said Villas. “It has nothing to do with ethnicity. The problem is poverty.”

In order to break the poverty cycle, Villas feels that it is important to get people into a university.

“It isn’t clinics, it isn’t medication, it isn’t doctors. None of those things are going to help improve the health care of people here, but getting out of the poverty cycle will,” he said.

Richardson feels the biggest challenge to health in the border environment is the “sedentary lifestyle and dietary excesses so many residents have adopted.”

“Happily, this serious challenge is one that most people can do something about provided they understand what needs to happen,” Richardson said.

The office is currently applying to be a collaborating center for World Health Organization (WHO), which will widen the reach of the organization.

“We will be able to facilitate, assist and help any international population that is on the border,” Villas said.

ACCIDENT

Page 6

continued from page 1

Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission workers arrived on the scene and covered the spill with sand to prevent further contamination of the area by the fuel. They also used a foam known as “light water” to prevent further ignition of the fire by spreading it over the fuel.

Alaniz said that the foam was effective in preventing ignition because it broke the chemical chain by removing oxygen from the fuel. Also, it is lighter Matt Lynch / The Pan American than water so it remains CLEAN-UP — Workers shovel sand on the above the fuel unlike regupavement in an effort to absorb spilled diesel fuel. lar water which would allow the fuel to remain Possible damage to nearby high-tension exposed and potentially hazardous. electrical wires required that representatives The driver has been identified as Salvador from Central Power and Light also be called to Ramirez Castillo of McAllen. Santiago witthe scene. nessed the driver jumping from the truck to “We heard a loud explosion, then we saw escape injury. the fire,” said Angel Santiago, who witnessed Castillo was scheduled to appear before the accident.

Judge Kathleen Henley at 5 p.m. at the Alaniz added that firefighters took roughly McAllen Municipal Court. No further details 45 minutes to subdue flames fueled by both were released. diesel and cardboard boxes that were being The truck was burned beyond recognition, transported. forcing officials to use the license plates to One of the truck’s fuel tanks became sepaidentify the truck and notify its owner. rated from the truck, spilling fuel along the Reinitz added that Castillo was transporting walls of the expressway and over the pavethe cardboard boxes for an Edinburg company ment. known as Shippers.

Arts & Entertainment

February 21, 2002

GISELLE

continued from page 7

Silva, sophomore education major, are both corps dancers in the ballet. Silva describes corps dancers as the body of the ballet.

“The corps is especially important in the second act because it shapes the ballet,” said Silva.

These two have also learned to balance their time between school and dancing, growing accustomed to arranging classes in the morning and leaving their evenings available for rehearsals. The weeks prior to the opening night have been the most demanding for them, with rehearsals scheduled every evening including and Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

In addition to this schedule, Medina, who has been dancing for 10 years, is a dance instructor at the Lark Center for the City of McAllen.

“It’s hard, but its possible,” said Medina. “It takes a lot of discipline.”

After working together for a long period of time, those involved with the company did develop a family unity, according to Silva and Medina.

“Everyone is very involved and does a bit of everything,” said Silva. “Mothers are working on the backdrop while the fathers are working on the scenery.”

“We've formed a union here because everyone has to work together,” said Medina.

“It’s very family-oriented.”

THE PRODUCTION “Giselle” is a romantic ballet performed in two acts. It was first performed in Paris on June 28, 1841. This is the second production of it by the South Texas Dance Theatre.

The first was in 1988 but lacked the high quality of costumes and scenery expected in the second performance.

“Giselle” contains the elements of love, betrayal, death vengeance and forgiveness in life and after death.

“Giselle” is the Hamlet of ballets because of the serious theme and the technical difficulty of the dancing,” said Mounce. “The theme sounds so heavy but the music and the beautiful dancing soften it up.”

The professors have invited their students to see “Giselle” and encourage their attendance.

Mounce, who enjoys getting students involved, believes that this will expand their horizons and help them appreciate high culture in the arts.

“It will help them become a citizen of the world,” Mounce said.

“Giselle” will be performed at the McAllen Civic Center Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $8 and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the door prior to the performance or call (956) 630-3287.

Anna Stwora / The Pan American

Many costumes are required for the South Texas Dance Theatre show “Giselle.”

Page 11

GALLERY staff planning 2002 literary magazine GALLERY, the University of Texas-Pan American literary magazine, produced as a class project, will accept submissions of original art work until March 8

By JoAnn Balderrama Special to The Pan American

For over two decades, GALLERY, the University of Texas-Pan American’s awardwinning literary arts magazine, has been produced through the English department.

GALLERY is produced as a class project for students

enrolled in the advanced literary topics class. The class, which acts as the staff for GALLERY, looks forward to producing this year’s issue.

“It represents the heart and soul of UTPA students,” said Rose Ysaguirre, an English major enrolled in the class.

Since 1983, GALLERY has won 81 awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association for literary excellence. In 1996 and 1997 it placed first in the Literary Magazine SweepstakesDivision I (overall) category.

UTPA students submit their original works and the GALLERY staff confidentially evaluates/referees them. The best works are selected

and published, and prizes will be awarded for best submissions during the GALLERY reception, scheduled for April 30.

“I hope that we have an award-winning magazine like we’ve had before,” said Sandra Cararas, GALLERY instructor and faculty adviser.

“I think we have an excellent staff,” she added.

“There’s a lot of creative minds in the class.”

Works in Spanish are also accepted.

“We’ve always allowed Spanish works because it showcases the uniqueness of the border area,” Cararas said.

GALLERY is funded by Student Services Fees and by donations from patrons, faculty and community members.

The current price of the magazine is $5. The 100-page magazine is produced annually in the spring.

“It [GALLERY] publicizes the talents of the students and puts the Valley on the map,” said Edwardo Davila, an English major also in the class.

The staff hopes to gain recognition for the students as well as UTPA. The project usually pays off in providing experience for the latter group.

“It’s been very interesting to learn the fundamentals of developing a magazine,” Ysaguirre said.

“I’m excited about the art, drawings and paintings.

I like seeing that stuff,” Davila said.

More and more companies are producing their own publica-

“

I hope that we have an award-winning magazine like we’ve had before. I think we have an excellent staff.

There’s a lot of creative minds in the class.

”

- Sandra Cararas GALLERY adviser

tions and in whatever field I choose, the experience that I will gain [working with GALLERY] will become an asset in my career,” Ysaguirre said.

GALLERY is now accepting original works of art, photos, poetry, prose (short stories and essays) and students are encouraged to submit.

“It’s free publicity and a good way for artists to get their work and name out there,” Davila said.

Students can take their submissions to COAS 266 during regular office hours. The deadline for submissions is March 8.

February 21, 2002

Arts & Entertainment

Intense Emotion The UTPA Theatre Department will present “Betrayal,” it’s first production of the year Feb. 27 through March 2

Page 10

The

CULTURE CLUB What students like to read, listen to and surf.

Around Town

By Cesar Trevino The Pan American

The University of Texas-Pan American Theatre Department presents "Betrayal," the first play of the Spring 2002 semester, starting Wednesday.

Written by Harold Pinter, and directed by Dr. Eric Wiley, a faculty member in his fourth year at UTPA, “Betrayal” is a play about relationships between people.

Originally set in the years 1968-77, the current production is set in present day.

"The play is made up of nine scenes, each having its own feel," Wiley said.

"There's not really one set mood, and it changes throughout [the play]. Most scenes have some kind of reversal or revelation at the end...a turn of events that changes the mood," Wiley said.

Centered around the relationship between three people, and the events surrounding betrayal within the group, the play's story is not told in standard time.

Instead of going forward, the play travels in reverse.

"It is told backwards in time," Wiley said.

The story of the characters is set on what the audience sees of them as they digress from who they are at the beginning of the play.

"The story has an unhappy ending, which would be considered a tragedy, but since it is told in reverse, it has a happy ending," Wiley said.

For Wiley, the play is a combination of both tragedy and comedy, and is a complex emotional response to human reaction.

The play consists of four characters; Emma (Melissa Osio), Robert (Alberto Garza Jr.), Jerry (J. Hernandez) and the waiter/bartender (Donaciano Garcia).

"I think it's a very intense play. There's a lot of tension in most of the scenes. I'm sure the audience will sense that," said sophomore Garcia.

"I like that it's more about what is NOT said, than what IS said. The circular and indirect language makes each confrontation more brutal," said Osio, a graduate

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

Karla Saavedra Sophomore Accounting CD: “No Angel” by Dido Book: “Don Quixote” by Miguel De Cervantes Website: yahoo.com

24th Annual Fiesta Edinburg Feb. 21-24 all day Events: Carnival, parade, three-mile run, car show, health fair, petting zoo, food booths, Army jazz ensemble.

Place: Edinburg Municipal Park, E. Hwy 107, and south on Doolittle Road Call: (956) 383-4974 13th Annual South Texas Music Festival Feb. 21-24 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Place: Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds

Cesar Trevino / The Pan American

Melissa Osio (left) and Alberto Garza Jr. prepare for their roles in the theatre department’s “Betrayal” on Feb. 27 through March 2.

student at UTPA. "The play is a very serious play that has a lot of humor. Pinter is famous for achieving a sharp combination of both comedy and tragedy," Wiley said.

"The play is very wordy, but that only makes it more interesting. It also has very strong emotions that you can feel yourself," said John Hudsonpillar, “Betrayal”'s stage manager.

"I think it [“Betrayal”] demands a lot of upper level thinking for the fact that you have to read between the lines to hear what is actually being said," said Hernandez, theatre director at La Joya Middle School.

Much of the play’s emphasis is put on the actions and comments of the characters.

According to Wiley, he has worked hard with his actors to achieve this, but feels the actors did much of the work.

"The actors asked plenty of questions and think about their characters on their own, which really made it easier on me," Wiley said.

Betrayal opens to audiences on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in the university’s Albert Jeffers Theatre. Additional performances are Feb. 28-March 2 at 8 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Cesar Trevino / The Pan American the University Theatre at (956) 381Alberto Garza Jr. (left) and J. Hernandez rehearse a scene for the upcoming production.

3581.

Jorge Salinas Senior Management Book: “MacBeth” by Shakespeare Website: audiogalaxy.com Movie: “American Pie II”

Charlotte Andriotis Freshman Physician Asst.

Book: “Flight of Eagles” by Jack Higgins Movie: “Thomas Crown Affair” Website: youthink.com

‘South Pacific’ Feb. 22-24, showtimes vary with each performance Tickets: Call for ticket prices Place: Camille Lightner Playhouse Call: (956) 542-8900 Pharr Spring Classic 20th Annual Fine Arts Show and Sale Feb. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets: Free Place: Pharr International Convention Center, 3000 N. Cage Blvd.

■ Feature . . . . . . . . 8 - 9 ■ “Betrayal” . . . . . . . . 10 ■ GALLERY . . . . . . . . 11

Performing professors “Giselle,” starring several UTPA professors and students, is a production of the South Texas Dance Theatre

By Cesar Trevino The Pan American

A handful of professors and students from the University of Texas-Pan American are involved in the production of “Giselle,” a ballet presented by the South Texas Dance Theatre starting Feb. 23. They have turned the production into a close-knit family affair.

Dr. Gary Mounce, a UTPA professor of political science, will be playing the role of the Prince of Courland, gracing the stage with his son, Joey,

15 and daughter, Nena, 13.

His children are the main reason for his dedication to the company, he said. During the six years he has been working with South Texas Dance Theatre, Mounce has appeared in each of the company’s annual “Nutcracker” productions.

“I believe in community involvement and the arts,” said Mounce. “To me, this is a way of bringing peace, love and universal understanding.”

While the children are rehearsing, parents are at work building the scenery, sewing costumes, fundraising and making final preparations for the performance.

Since South Texas Dance Theatre is a nonprofit organiza-

tion, all of the work that the dancers and their parents contribute is strictly voluntary.

They have been preparing since the summer and have

“

It’s important to promote the performance arts in the Valley. It also enriches the community as a whole.

”

- Dr. Mark Winkle

Director of psychology graduate program

dedicated every weekend since January to their preparations.

Hudson Dayoe, a biology professor, began his involvement with the South Texas Dance Theatre in 1996 with the encouragement of his daughter, Marina, who is a dancer in “Giselle.”

“I think it’s important to be involved because my daughter thinks it’s important,” said

Dayoe, who puts in 15-20 hours a week working on the construction of props and curtains.

Another UTPA faculty member involved is Dr. Mark Winkle, director of the psychology graduate program.

He too began his involvement due to his daughter’s ambition to dance.

“It’s important to promote the performance arts in the Valley,” Winkle said. “It also enriches the community as a whole.”

Winkle, who does a bit of everything behind the scenes, has managed to balance his responsibilities at the university and the dance company.

“It requires a lot of my spare time,” said Winkle. “It’s fairly demanding before a performance and we sacrifice a lot of our spare time to be here, but its worth it.”

“There is a sense of extended family here which is a valued aspect,” he added.

Carmen Medina, sophomore biology major, and Melissa

See GISELLE page 11

Mission Local Flavors Tour Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Tickets: Free Place: Mission-area restaurants Call: (956) 585-2727 Taste of the Valley 2002 April 4 Tickets: $10 Place: Pharr International Convention Center Call: (956) 787-1481

Special to The Pan American

(Above) - ‘Giselle’ actors (from left to right) Jennifer Marquez, Dr. Gary Mounce and Babil R. Gandara pose in full costume for the upcoming performances.

(Right) - Gill Gandera (center), director of the company, helps (from left to right) Nyssa Guzman, Samantha Finley, Crystal Oralle and Giana Iannelli with their costumes.

Anna Stwora / The Pan American

February 21, 2002

Arts & Entertainment

Page 8

COLORS The University of Texas-Pan American Folkloric Dance Company, prepares for its upcoming performance ALEGRIA 2001-2002 in the Fine Arts Auditorium on Feb. 22-24

in

Arts & Entertainment

February 21, 2002

Page 9

Story and photos

by Cesar Trevino

M OTION

The University of Texas-Pan American Folkloric Dance Company presents ALEGRIA 2001-2002, a celebration of Mexican and Spanish music and dance starting Feb. 22.

The company, which brings cultural dance to the general public, has existed at UTPA for over 30 years after its founding in 1970 by Dr. Amilda Thomas.

Under the current supervision of Francisco Munoz, director of the UTPA Folkloric Dance Company, and his wife, Mary Munoz, the administrative director and part-time faculty member, the company covers varied genres, from basic folkloric to modern dance movements.

Along with the Munozes there is

guest artist Fred Darsow, whose focus is Flamenco and modern dance.

Darsow, who has taught across the United States as a regular guest artist at schools and dance studios, has just completed his first year at UTPA. His training stems from modern dance, which he studied in New York, where he also has his own dance company.

Aside from modern dance, Darsow is trained in the art of Flamenco dancing. He said that he studied Flamenco in Jarez De La Frontera in Madrid, and has cultivated a love for fusing it with modern dance into a single art form.

"For some of the students, this is the first semester that they learned the routines, and they've done a wonderful job," Darsow said.

In order to become a member of the Folkloric Dance Company, students must enroll in a dance class under

kinesiology, in order to try out and train for one of the shows. Many current members have expressed their love for culture, music and dance, and have been involved in folkloric dance since junior high.

"Rehearsals are time-consuming but are needed to help us prepare and make the shows perfect," said Dalila Anzandua, a senior majoring in mathematics who is in her second year with the company.

Political science major Alejandro Magana, also in his second year with the company, said "The hardest part is getting it together and making sure all moments are right."

Accompanying the Folkloric Dance Company is El Mariachi Los Arrieros.

"It's amazing because our group is one of the first to actually have live music with the dancers. It's a big stepping stone," Mary Munoz said.

El Mariachi Los Arrieros, Pan Am Mariachi, is a group that performs at venues all across Texas.

"The most difficult part of being in the mariachi is the commitment it takes. You have to give up your weekends, and there's no time for a social life," said Rufino Menjares, guitarist.

"Everyone plays their part, practice aside, and then brings it all together," Magana said.

"Through the years the shows have grown," Francisco Munoz said, "and they've become more and more complex every year."

The Folkloric Dance Company will hold its next performances Feb. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., each in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For more information, call (956) 381-2230.

(Above) - For over 30 years, the UTPA Folkloric Dance Company has brought cultural dance to Valley audiences.

(Left) - El Mariachi Los Arrieros will accompany the UTPA Folkloric Dance Company. “It’s amazing because our group is one of the first to actually have live music with the dancers,� said Mary Munoz, administrative director for the dance company.

(Left and Right) - The UTPA Folkloric Dance Company presents ALEGRIA 2001-2002 in the Fine Arts Auditorium Feb. 22-24. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

February 21, 2002

Arts & Entertainment

Page 8

COLORS The University of Texas-Pan American Folkloric Dance Company, prepares for its upcoming performance ALEGRIA 2001-2002 in the Fine Arts Auditorium on Feb. 22-24

in

Arts & Entertainment

February 21, 2002

Page 9

Story and photos

by Cesar Trevino

M OTION

The University of Texas-Pan American Folkloric Dance Company presents ALEGRIA 2001-2002, a celebration of Mexican and Spanish music and dance starting Feb. 22.

The company, which brings cultural dance to the general public, has existed at UTPA for over 30 years after its founding in 1970 by Dr. Amilda Thomas.

Under the current supervision of Francisco Munoz, director of the UTPA Folkloric Dance Company, and his wife, Mary Munoz, the administrative director and part-time faculty member, the company covers varied genres, from basic folkloric to modern dance movements.

Along with the Munozes there is

guest artist Fred Darsow, whose focus is Flamenco and modern dance.

Darsow, who has taught across the United States as a regular guest artist at schools and dance studios, has just completed his first year at UTPA. His training stems from modern dance, which he studied in New York, where he also has his own dance company.

Aside from modern dance, Darsow is trained in the art of Flamenco dancing. He said that he studied Flamenco in Jarez De La Frontera in Madrid, and has cultivated a love for fusing it with modern dance into a single art form.

"For some of the students, this is the first semester that they learned the routines, and they've done a wonderful job," Darsow said.

In order to become a member of the Folkloric Dance Company, students must enroll in a dance class under

kinesiology, in order to try out and train for one of the shows. Many current members have expressed their love for culture, music and dance, and have been involved in folkloric dance since junior high.

"Rehearsals are time-consuming but are needed to help us prepare and make the shows perfect," said Dalila Anzandua, a senior majoring in mathematics who is in her second year with the company.

Political science major Alejandro Magana, also in his second year with the company, said "The hardest part is getting it together and making sure all moments are right."

Accompanying the Folkloric Dance Company is El Mariachi Los Arrieros.

"It's amazing because our group is one of the first to actually have live music with the dancers. It's a big stepping stone," Mary Munoz said.

El Mariachi Los Arrieros, Pan Am Mariachi, is a group that performs at venues all across Texas.

"The most difficult part of being in the mariachi is the commitment it takes. You have to give up your weekends, and there's no time for a social life," said Rufino Menjares, guitarist.

"Everyone plays their part, practice aside, and then brings it all together," Magana said.

"Through the years the shows have grown," Francisco Munoz said, "and they've become more and more complex every year."

The Folkloric Dance Company will hold its next performances Feb. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., each in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For more information, call (956) 381-2230.

(Above) - For over 30 years, the UTPA Folkloric Dance Company has brought cultural dance to Valley audiences.

(Left) - El Mariachi Los Arrieros will accompany the UTPA Folkloric Dance Company. “It’s amazing because our group is one of the first to actually have live music with the dancers,� said Mary Munoz, administrative director for the dance company.

(Left and Right) - The UTPA Folkloric Dance Company presents ALEGRIA 2001-2002 in the Fine Arts Auditorium Feb. 22-24. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

February 21, 2002

Arts & Entertainment

Intense Emotion The UTPA Theatre Department will present “Betrayal,” it’s first production of the year Feb. 27 through March 2

Page 10

The

CULTURE CLUB What students like to read, listen to and surf.

Around Town

By Cesar Trevino The Pan American

The University of Texas-Pan American Theatre Department presents "Betrayal," the first play of the Spring 2002 semester, starting Wednesday.

Written by Harold Pinter, and directed by Dr. Eric Wiley, a faculty member in his fourth year at UTPA, “Betrayal” is a play about relationships between people.

Originally set in the years 1968-77, the current production is set in present day.

"The play is made up of nine scenes, each having its own feel," Wiley said.

"There's not really one set mood, and it changes throughout [the play]. Most scenes have some kind of reversal or revelation at the end...a turn of events that changes the mood," Wiley said.

Centered around the relationship between three people, and the events surrounding betrayal within the group, the play's story is not told in standard time.

Instead of going forward, the play travels in reverse.

"It is told backwards in time," Wiley said.

The story of the characters is set on what the audience sees of them as they digress from who they are at the beginning of the play.

"The story has an unhappy ending, which would be considered a tragedy, but since it is told in reverse, it has a happy ending," Wiley said.

For Wiley, the play is a combination of both tragedy and comedy, and is a complex emotional response to human reaction.

The play consists of four characters; Emma (Melissa Osio), Robert (Alberto Garza Jr.), Jerry (J. Hernandez) and the waiter/bartender (Donaciano Garcia).

"I think it's a very intense play. There's a lot of tension in most of the scenes. I'm sure the audience will sense that," said sophomore Garcia.

"I like that it's more about what is NOT said, than what IS said. The circular and indirect language makes each confrontation more brutal," said Osio, a graduate

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

Karla Saavedra Sophomore Accounting CD: “No Angel” by Dido Book: “Don Quixote” by Miguel De Cervantes Website: yahoo.com

24th Annual Fiesta Edinburg Feb. 21-24 all day Events: Carnival, parade, three-mile run, car show, health fair, petting zoo, food booths, Army jazz ensemble.

Place: Edinburg Municipal Park, E. Hwy 107, and south on Doolittle Road Call: (956) 383-4974 13th Annual South Texas Music Festival Feb. 21-24 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Place: Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds

Cesar Trevino / The Pan American

Melissa Osio (left) and Alberto Garza Jr. prepare for their roles in the theatre department’s “Betrayal” on Feb. 27 through March 2.

student at UTPA. "The play is a very serious play that has a lot of humor. Pinter is famous for achieving a sharp combination of both comedy and tragedy," Wiley said.

"The play is very wordy, but that only makes it more interesting. It also has very strong emotions that you can feel yourself," said John Hudsonpillar, “Betrayal”'s stage manager.

"I think it [“Betrayal”] demands a lot of upper level thinking for the fact that you have to read between the lines to hear what is actually being said," said Hernandez, theatre director at La Joya Middle School.

Much of the play’s emphasis is put on the actions and comments of the characters.

According to Wiley, he has worked hard with his actors to achieve this, but feels the actors did much of the work.

"The actors asked plenty of questions and think about their characters on their own, which really made it easier on me," Wiley said.

Betrayal opens to audiences on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in the university’s Albert Jeffers Theatre. Additional performances are Feb. 28-March 2 at 8 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Cesar Trevino / The Pan American the University Theatre at (956) 381Alberto Garza Jr. (left) and J. Hernandez rehearse a scene for the upcoming production.

3581.

Jorge Salinas Senior Management Book: “MacBeth” by Shakespeare Website: audiogalaxy.com Movie: “American Pie II”

Charlotte Andriotis Freshman Physician Asst.

Book: “Flight of Eagles” by Jack Higgins Movie: “Thomas Crown Affair” Website: youthink.com

‘South Pacific’ Feb. 22-24, showtimes vary with each performance Tickets: Call for ticket prices Place: Camille Lightner Playhouse Call: (956) 542-8900 Pharr Spring Classic 20th Annual Fine Arts Show and Sale Feb. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets: Free Place: Pharr International Convention Center, 3000 N. Cage Blvd.

■ Feature . . . . . . . . 8 - 9 ■ “Betrayal” . . . . . . . . 10 ■ GALLERY . . . . . . . . 11

Performing professors “Giselle,” starring several UTPA professors and students, is a production of the South Texas Dance Theatre

By Cesar Trevino The Pan American

A handful of professors and students from the University of Texas-Pan American are involved in the production of “Giselle,” a ballet presented by the South Texas Dance Theatre starting Feb. 23. They have turned the production into a close-knit family affair.

Dr. Gary Mounce, a UTPA professor of political science, will be playing the role of the Prince of Courland, gracing the stage with his son, Joey,

15 and daughter, Nena, 13.

His children are the main reason for his dedication to the company, he said. During the six years he has been working with South Texas Dance Theatre, Mounce has appeared in each of the company’s annual “Nutcracker” productions.

“I believe in community involvement and the arts,” said Mounce. “To me, this is a way of bringing peace, love and universal understanding.”

While the children are rehearsing, parents are at work building the scenery, sewing costumes, fundraising and making final preparations for the performance.

Since South Texas Dance Theatre is a nonprofit organiza-

tion, all of the work that the dancers and their parents contribute is strictly voluntary.

They have been preparing since the summer and have

“

It’s important to promote the performance arts in the Valley. It also enriches the community as a whole.

”

- Dr. Mark Winkle

Director of psychology graduate program

dedicated every weekend since January to their preparations.

Hudson Dayoe, a biology professor, began his involvement with the South Texas Dance Theatre in 1996 with the encouragement of his daughter, Marina, who is a dancer in “Giselle.”

“I think it’s important to be involved because my daughter thinks it’s important,” said

Dayoe, who puts in 15-20 hours a week working on the construction of props and curtains.

Another UTPA faculty member involved is Dr. Mark Winkle, director of the psychology graduate program.

He too began his involvement due to his daughter’s ambition to dance.

“It’s important to promote the performance arts in the Valley,” Winkle said. “It also enriches the community as a whole.”

Winkle, who does a bit of everything behind the scenes, has managed to balance his responsibilities at the university and the dance company.

“It requires a lot of my spare time,” said Winkle. “It’s fairly demanding before a performance and we sacrifice a lot of our spare time to be here, but its worth it.”

“There is a sense of extended family here which is a valued aspect,” he added.

Carmen Medina, sophomore biology major, and Melissa

See GISELLE page 11

Mission Local Flavors Tour Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Tickets: Free Place: Mission-area restaurants Call: (956) 585-2727 Taste of the Valley 2002 April 4 Tickets: $10 Place: Pharr International Convention Center Call: (956) 787-1481

Special to The Pan American

(Above) - ‘Giselle’ actors (from left to right) Jennifer Marquez, Dr. Gary Mounce and Babil R. Gandara pose in full costume for the upcoming performances.

(Right) - Gill Gandera (center), director of the company, helps (from left to right) Nyssa Guzman, Samantha Finley, Crystal Oralle and Giana Iannelli with their costumes.

Anna Stwora / The Pan American

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 21, 2002

HEALTH

continued from page 1

Acanthosis Nigricans is important because these markings can help identify individuals who run the risk of developing diabetes in the future.

It is these high levels of insulin that cause obesity, cardiovascular problems, high cholesterol and trigylcerides.

Until recently it was believed that children could not develop Type 2 diabetes, but this has been proven false.

The office is currently screening children at 550 school districts in the state. The project started with Valley school nurses and now has expanded from just south of Houston to Austin, San Angelo, Midland/Odessa, among other southern state areas.

Along with researching and counteracting diabetes, the office coordinates research on tuberculosis and gerontology, the study of the process of aging.

“Right now we are teaching some seniors how to use the Internet, so that they can communicate with grandchildren,” said Villas, who was appointed in 2000 by former President Bill Clinton to serve as a member of the federal United StatesMexico Border Health Commission.

“A lot of the things that I do here are things that the commission wants to do here,” said Villas. “The difference is that the commission wants to do those things on a bi-national man-

ner.”

Villas thinks the lack of education is the biggest problem facing the Valley.

“Because we know the parallel is money and health. The more money you have, the better your health,” said Villas. “It has nothing to do with ethnicity. The problem is poverty.”

In order to break the poverty cycle, Villas feels that it is important to get people into a university.

“It isn’t clinics, it isn’t medication, it isn’t doctors. None of those things are going to help improve the health care of people here, but getting out of the poverty cycle will,” he said.

Richardson feels the biggest challenge to health in the border environment is the “sedentary lifestyle and dietary excesses so many residents have adopted.”

“Happily, this serious challenge is one that most people can do something about provided they understand what needs to happen,” Richardson said.

The office is currently applying to be a collaborating center for World Health Organization (WHO), which will widen the reach of the organization.

“We will be able to facilitate, assist and help any international population that is on the border,” Villas said.

ACCIDENT

Page 6

continued from page 1

Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission workers arrived on the scene and covered the spill with sand to prevent further contamination of the area by the fuel. They also used a foam known as “light water” to prevent further ignition of the fire by spreading it over the fuel.

Alaniz said that the foam was effective in preventing ignition because it broke the chemical chain by removing oxygen from the fuel. Also, it is lighter Matt Lynch / The Pan American than water so it remains CLEAN-UP — Workers shovel sand on the above the fuel unlike regupavement in an effort to absorb spilled diesel fuel. lar water which would allow the fuel to remain Possible damage to nearby high-tension exposed and potentially hazardous. electrical wires required that representatives The driver has been identified as Salvador from Central Power and Light also be called to Ramirez Castillo of McAllen. Santiago witthe scene. nessed the driver jumping from the truck to “We heard a loud explosion, then we saw escape injury. the fire,” said Angel Santiago, who witnessed Castillo was scheduled to appear before the accident.

Judge Kathleen Henley at 5 p.m. at the Alaniz added that firefighters took roughly McAllen Municipal Court. No further details 45 minutes to subdue flames fueled by both were released. diesel and cardboard boxes that were being The truck was burned beyond recognition, transported. forcing officials to use the license plates to One of the truck’s fuel tanks became sepaidentify the truck and notify its owner. rated from the truck, spilling fuel along the Reinitz added that Castillo was transporting walls of the expressway and over the pavethe cardboard boxes for an Edinburg company ment. known as Shippers.

Arts & Entertainment

February 21, 2002

GISELLE

continued from page 7

Silva, sophomore education major, are both corps dancers in the ballet. Silva describes corps dancers as the body of the ballet.

“The corps is especially important in the second act because it shapes the ballet,” said Silva.

These two have also learned to balance their time between school and dancing, growing accustomed to arranging classes in the morning and leaving their evenings available for rehearsals. The weeks prior to the opening night have been the most demanding for them, with rehearsals scheduled every evening including and Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

In addition to this schedule, Medina, who has been dancing for 10 years, is a dance instructor at the Lark Center for the City of McAllen.

“It’s hard, but its possible,” said Medina. “It takes a lot of discipline.”

After working together for a long period of time, those involved with the company did develop a family unity, according to Silva and Medina.

“Everyone is very involved and does a bit of everything,” said Silva. “Mothers are working on the backdrop while the fathers are working on the scenery.”

“We've formed a union here because everyone has to work together,” said Medina.

“It’s very family-oriented.”

THE PRODUCTION “Giselle” is a romantic ballet performed in two acts. It was first performed in Paris on June 28, 1841. This is the second production of it by the South Texas Dance Theatre.

The first was in 1988 but lacked the high quality of costumes and scenery expected in the second performance.

“Giselle” contains the elements of love, betrayal, death vengeance and forgiveness in life and after death.

“Giselle” is the Hamlet of ballets because of the serious theme and the technical difficulty of the dancing,” said Mounce. “The theme sounds so heavy but the music and the beautiful dancing soften it up.”

The professors have invited their students to see “Giselle” and encourage their attendance.

Mounce, who enjoys getting students involved, believes that this will expand their horizons and help them appreciate high culture in the arts.

“It will help them become a citizen of the world,” Mounce said.

“Giselle” will be performed at the McAllen Civic Center Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $8 and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the door prior to the performance or call (956) 630-3287.

Anna Stwora / The Pan American

Many costumes are required for the South Texas Dance Theatre show “Giselle.”

Page 11

GALLERY staff planning 2002 literary magazine GALLERY, the University of Texas-Pan American literary magazine, produced as a class project, will accept submissions of original art work until March 8

By JoAnn Balderrama Special to The Pan American

For over two decades, GALLERY, the University of Texas-Pan American’s awardwinning literary arts magazine, has been produced through the English department.

GALLERY is produced as a class project for students

enrolled in the advanced literary topics class. The class, which acts as the staff for GALLERY, looks forward to producing this year’s issue.

“It represents the heart and soul of UTPA students,” said Rose Ysaguirre, an English major enrolled in the class.

Since 1983, GALLERY has won 81 awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association for literary excellence. In 1996 and 1997 it placed first in the Literary Magazine SweepstakesDivision I (overall) category.

UTPA students submit their original works and the GALLERY staff confidentially evaluates/referees them. The best works are selected

and published, and prizes will be awarded for best submissions during the GALLERY reception, scheduled for April 30.

“I hope that we have an award-winning magazine like we’ve had before,” said Sandra Cararas, GALLERY instructor and faculty adviser.

“I think we have an excellent staff,” she added.

“There’s a lot of creative minds in the class.”

Works in Spanish are also accepted.

“We’ve always allowed Spanish works because it showcases the uniqueness of the border area,” Cararas said.

GALLERY is funded by Student Services Fees and by donations from patrons, faculty and community members.

The current price of the magazine is $5. The 100-page magazine is produced annually in the spring.

“It [GALLERY] publicizes the talents of the students and puts the Valley on the map,” said Edwardo Davila, an English major also in the class.

The staff hopes to gain recognition for the students as well as UTPA. The project usually pays off in providing experience for the latter group.

“It’s been very interesting to learn the fundamentals of developing a magazine,” Ysaguirre said.

“I’m excited about the art, drawings and paintings.

I like seeing that stuff,” Davila said.

More and more companies are producing their own publica-

“

I hope that we have an award-winning magazine like we’ve had before. I think we have an excellent staff.

There’s a lot of creative minds in the class.

”

- Sandra Cararas GALLERY adviser

tions and in whatever field I choose, the experience that I will gain [working with GALLERY] will become an asset in my career,” Ysaguirre said.

GALLERY is now accepting original works of art, photos, poetry, prose (short stories and essays) and students are encouraged to submit.

“It’s free publicity and a good way for artists to get their work and name out there,” Davila said.

Students can take their submissions to COAS 266 during regular office hours. The deadline for submissions is March 8.

PAGE 12

February 21, 2002

CAMPUS LIFE

Web regulation of computer lab

By Belinda Reyes The Pan American

There is a new web page at the University of TexasPan American academic services called “Project Evolution.”

It was created by computer lab proctor Christopher Tagle and Damaso Navarro II, a UTPA senior Web programmer majoring in computer science. The program was conducted under the supervision of Anne Toal, director of academic computing.

The main purpose of the new web design is to aid faculty when reserving computer labs, in addition to surveying students who use the labs.

“It will be easier for faculty when they request to sign up for labs because paper forms will be eliminated and the use of Web based laboratory forms [online] will be in effect,” Toal said.

The Web design will also allow supervisors in the labs to check paper and toner supplies, which was always a concern with faculty using the labs, according to Toal.

“It [Web page] controls to see if there will be a shortage of paper and toner and this gives us the ability to see before hand and stock up,” Toal said.

Faculty and administrators will also be able to see if labs are already reserved when requesting the use of computer labs online. The same online form would be used to fill out requests for special software as well, Toal added. She hopes that the online form will be functional by the start of the first summer session in 2002.

Another part to Project Evolution is the weekly survey question offered to students who use the labs. The purpose of the poll is to open lines of communication between students and the lab staff.

“We came up with the idea of polls (survey questions) two months ago,” said Toal.

“It [helps us know] how we are doing, so every week a new question is asked.”

Questions are based on ways to improve services offered in the academic services building. The first valid question asked students about the number of hours they would like the Academic Computing Labs to be open during weekends.

Currently the labs are open 24 hours Monday to Thursday, Friday until 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday after noon.

About 65 percent of students surveyed would like labs to be open more hours, while 24 percent felt the current computer lab hours were sufficient. Approximately 11 percent of students surveyed felt the computer labs are open too many hours. There were a total of 6,093 votes cast, according to ACL reports.

“We wanted to get an idea if people were satisfied [with hours offered] and we got a runaway answer here, 65 percent of users want more hours,” said Toal.

“Obviously that is most of the people that come here.”

Toal added that the survey allows faculty and staff of the ACL to plan funding for the future of the lab, and that the polls have made a real impression on the ACL staff, which is actively seeking new ways to successfully address student concerns [regarding lab hours].

Survey questions last for one week and appear when a student first logs into an ACL computer. Tagle and Navarro worked on a solution that would eliminate a way for a student to vote twice. Once a student has logged in, the question is displayed and must be answered once.

When the student logs in again [in the same week] the system asks if the student has voted or not, allowing the question to be bypassed, according to Tagle.

■

What students are doing at UTPA

UTPA contributes time to local Valley museum

By Melissa Ciomperlik The Pan American

Students, faculty and staff will participate in “UTPA Day” at the McAllen International Museum on Feb. 23.

University of Texas-Pan American President Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez signed a proclamation declaring Saturday, Feb. 23 “UTPA Day” at MIM. The purpose of UTPA’s involvement extends well beyond community service.

“University attendance really begins in childhood,” said Nevarez, in a university press release Feb. 6. “And the museum is doing great work in fostering creative and critical thinking skills that will help children succeed in higher education.”

Felipe Salinas, UTPA’s director of special programs, agreed with Nevarez and feels that “a university education begins well before students set foot on a university campus,”.

UTPA decided to get involved because the opportunity will allow employees to give their personal time and improve an educational museum such as MIM, Salinas said.

The Office of Enrollment Student Services at the UTPA plans to help MIM with the latest phase of expansion, the designing of a Discovery Pavilion.

The Discovery Pavilion will be an indoor area acting as an educational exhibit for children.

“There will be a lot of interactive type of activities for kids, primarily in the sciences, communication and some explaining of the history of the Lower Rio Grande Valley region also,” Salinas said.

“We thought that it would be a great thing to get the ball rolling again this year,” Salinas said.

The Office of Enrollment Student Services participated in the museum’s RioScape Discovery Park project four years

ago.

“Some student organizations have already gone out there to help out,” Salinas said. “I believe there will be some others going out.”

The Criminal Justice Student Association plans to attend “UTPA Day” because “they understand the relationship between the availability of educational, cultural and social opportunities for persons(particularly the youth) and possible future criminality,” said Dr. Daniel Dearth, adviser of the association.

“To the extent that we can support the development of positive activities for persons, such as the activities at the museum, we lessen the number of persons who may come to the attention of the criminal justice system,” Dearth said.

Some of the volunteer activities include carpentrywork, sewing and painting.

Thirty-three skilled craftspeople and office personnel from UTPA’s Physical Plant will also volunteer and help with plumbing, electrical and masonry work.

“There’s plenty for everyone to do,” Salinas said. “We can use anyone, skilled or unskilled.”

“If there are any folks out there who are artists, or who have special skills, they [MIM] can use them,” Salinas said.

“We can help improve the facility and provide a more meaningful and better educational experience for children here in the area,” Salinas said. “It will prepare them for the university experience, when they eventually wind up here or anywhere else.”

There are three shifts that students and staff can choose from if they wish to volunteer their time and services. The shifts are from 8 a.m. until noon, 12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

THE PAN AMERICAN

UTPA lacks environmental organizations School has recycling plan, other student groups participate in clean-up programs

By Jennifer Tapia Special the Pan American

There are no student organizations at the University of Texas-Pan American which concentrate on environmental problems such as recycling.

“It’s not promoted enough at UTPA,” said Belem Frias, a freshman pre-med major. “There need to be programs to encourage students to recycle so we can protect the environment.”

According to Richard Costello, director of the department of environmental health and safety, there are no environmental or occupational safety programs for undergraduate students.

“Some courses are offered for graduate students,” Costello said. “But we definitely need an undergraduate program in the Valley.”

The Student Government Association (SGA) at UTPA has not concentrated much on projects to encourage recycling, but SGA feels it is a good idea for student organizations to participate in events which help the environment.

“There are no places or facilities to do [recycling] or to promote it,” said Zeke Moya, president of SGA. “But if students are interested, we’ll (SGA) look into it.”

Moya states that student concerns are always welcome and hopes students will

contact SGA so they can address the issue.

According to Christine Carruthers, coordinator of student development, there are several steps students must take to start a student organization.

First, students must pick up an application with the dean of students.

Second, the students have one month to come up with a constitution, plus ten members to represent an organization.

Finally, once students have turned in the constitution, the Office of Student Development will help them fix it to meet university guidelines.

“Students can start their own organization to encourage UTPA students to recycle,” Carruthers said. “In the past, some student organizations have volunteered to help other valley organizations with environmental projects.”

If students are interested in starting such an organization, they can contact Carruthers at, carruthers@panam.edu.

Current student organizations such as Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society and Bacchus/Gamma participate in projects such as the Texas Beach Clean Up because they feel it is a way to give back to the community.

“We enjoy going to the beach whenever we can and we would certainly hate to get there to see a lot of trash,” said Sarah

Itinerant doctorate begins

By Belinda Reyes The Pan American

Back and forth and back again.

That’s one way to characterize the latest graduate degree offered at the University of Texas-Pan American.

The six-year pharmacy doctorate program started last Fall in conjunction with the University of Texas-Austin’s College of Pharmacy.

There are only two other doctorate programs on campus.

They are housed under the colleges of business and education, according to the office of admissions and records.

The pharmacy program requires completion of pre-pharmacy courses at UTPA for two years.

Then students attend UT-Austin for two more years, where they concentrate on pharmaceutical sciences.

Students return to UTPA for the final two years, according to Dr. William J. McIntyre, assistant dean of health sciences and the director of the program.

“The program started last November, and we admitted our first class in the spring,” McIntyre said.

The groundwork for the doctorate program was laid in 1998, and funding came in for the program in 2000. There are 16 students enrolled, 12 of whom entered as freshman last fall.

Three students were sent to Austin this semester.

Next week the program will hold its second admission process, looking to recruit 12 more entering freshmen, McIntyre said. The admissions are also open to students already on campus.

“Our primary focus [is to recruit] freshmen students, but

we do encourage students that are interested in pharmacy to apply to the program,” McIntyre explained.

To qualify for the program, entering freshmen are required to have at least a 3.4 GPA, a 20 on the ACT or 1,000 on the SAT. They must also have three letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

If a student gets selected to participate in the program, they must maintain a 3.2 GPA in the health sciences department and a 3.0 GPA overall.

The same applies to students already on campus, McIntyre said.

One applicant, Jaime Balli, a junior, prepharmacy/chemistry major, hopes to be admitted to the second stage of the program. Balli, 20, works as a pharmacy technician for Walgreens Drug Store.

“I’ll find out next week if I’ll get accepted [into the program],” he said. “I think the program will help alleviate the shortage of pharmacists here in the Rio Grande Valley.”

Balli said that he sees the struggle that pharmacists go through because of the shortage and that the profession helps people in SouthTexas.

“The good thing about this program is that it brings you back to the Valley,” Balli said.

McIntyre explained that when the students return for their final two years at UTPA, they will complete internships of seven rotations, each lasting six weeks.

Prior to the internships, students will participate in practical labs through interactive television along with other students from UT-Austin, UT-San Antonio and UT-El Paso. UTPA was the fourth university to join the doctorate program.

Page 5

Anna Stwora/The Pan American

MANHOLE Francisco Gonzalez, of the Physical Plant, repairs the chilled water line that ruptured outside the University Library Friday. The old water line, which supplies cold water to the air-conditioning unit at the library, was worked on during the weekend and is now functioning properly.

Owens, president of Gamma Beta Phi. “We like to clean it and make it better for everybody else who’s going to go there."

Other student organizations, such as Sigma Lambda Beta, adopted a stretch of road that starts at the intersection of Closner Boulevard and Schunior Road and ends at Alamo Road, to clean trash left by people.

“We’ve had the highway for two years and plan to keep it as long as possible,” said Jacob Rodriguez, president of Sigma Lambda Beta.

“The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) requires us to clean it up four times a year, but we like to clean it up four times a semester.”

The papers and cans collected at UTPA play a small role in recycling on campus.

However, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety has applied for a $15,000 federal grant to put recycling containers in UTPA building offices so staff can recycle paper they would usually throw away.

The department is expected to get an answer from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the federal grant on April 30, 2002 to see whether or not their application is considered.

“Right now we concentrate at our data

processing in which we recycle all that paper,” Costello said.

“In order to achieve a successful recycling program, we need to provide segregated containers so people can recycle.”

According to Costello, most of the recycling efforts at UTPA come from renovated buildings.

Products include light fixtures, grates, doors or anything that is usable for another building.

“Other institutions throw recyclable products in the trash,” Costello said.

“However, UTPA uses manual labor to remove products so they can be recycled.”

Costello states the environment is affected two ways when people don’t recycle.

First, there is a direct effect, in which people can get sick if others don’t dispose of hazardous products properly.

“When people put mercury in the air we inhale it,” Costello said. “Consequently, there is a potential health risk.”

Second, most companies would have to take raw materials from the environment to produce new products, such as cutting down a tree to produce more paper.

“It takes a fifty two gallon barrel of oil to generate one gallon of gas,” Costello said.

“So for every solvent that we recycle, we don’t have to produce a barrel of oil.”

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 21, 2002

Campus VO I C E

On which issues should local candidates focus?

– Anna Stwora

ELECTION

2002

Jeni Vela Pre-Med Freshman I think the politicians should focus more on education because it is the key to success.

Gloria Saenz Pre-Med Freshman

Senate candidates discuss education, other election issues

By Eladio Jaimez

The primary focus of the candidates should be to provide health insurance at a lower cost.

Adrian Barajas Marketing Senior I think they should focus on health issues for students, since it is more expensive for us.

Sally Ibrahim Pre-Med / Chemistry Freshman They should focus on education and make it more successful. For example, help to increase the graduation rates so that they are equal to the number of students enrolled.

Jose Gonzalez Computer Science Freshman I think they should focus on education and increase financial aid.

Page 4

The Pan American

Not since Joe Namath did, prior to Super Bowl III in 1969, has someone predicted a victory with so much confidence.

State Representative Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa called the race in his favor despite opposition from three other candidates.

“I’m going to win,” Hinojosa said. “I don’t have as much money as some of these other candidates, but I have leadership experience.”

Hinojosa, along with Alice medical doctor Ruben Garcia and Corpus Christi attorneys Diana Martinez and Barbara Canales-Black, are seeking the seat of state senator District 20. The seat will be vacated by long-time South Texas Senator Carlos Truan, who announced he would not seek re-election late last year.

Hinojosa prides himself on his experience. Tuesday night at a candidate forum he boasted about being named one of the top 10 legislators this last session, and about the six years he’s served as in public office as a state representative for Districts 40 and 41.

Hinojosa said experience is key and would make the difference in this race.

“It’s a tremendous advantage,” Hinojosa said. “When I’m elected into the senate, I’ll be a player. I know all of them already.”

Hinojosa’s belief that experience is key isn’t echoed by his opponents.

“I know 14 legislators who started their tenure without any prior legislative experience, including our attorney general,” Canales-Black said.

Garcia, who doesn’t consider himself a politician by trade, said he has as good a chance to serve in the Texas Senate as any of his other opponents.

“I’m self-funded,” Garcia said. “I am independent of special interest groups or corporate donation. People are my special interest group.”

There was one thing in which all four were in agreement. Each tabbed education as an issue of great importance.

Each had their own idea for improving education in District 20 and the entire

state.

“We can always improve education,” Hinojosa said. “Education is key . . . it’s the great equalizer in our society. It will always be the number one issue.”

Garcia said District 20 is one of the most undereducated in the state, and it would benefit everyone to improve education down here.

“The whole world is one economy,” he commented. “We can’t compete around the world without an education.”

Canales-Black agreed education is important, but added that economic development goes hand-in-hand.

“If we strengthen education in Texas we strengthen the economy,” she said.

Canales-Black mentioned that 62 percent rise in Texas’ Hispanic population the last 10 years is a good thing, but added concerns that the majority of new populants aren’t getting educated.

“We’re not graduating this population,” Canales-Black said. “We’re not educating these people and that spells disaster.”

Canales-Black said if elected to the Senate, she would bring innovative ideas to improve education in South Texas. She said a public awareness campaign would help get the word out on the value of education.

Canales-Black explained a partnership between private businesses and the state would help emphasize the importance of an education to the younger generation in South Texas.

“Education has to be the key to Texas’ economic survivability,” Canales-Black said. “You can go down the same path or forge a new one. I want to lead the charge.”

Martinez also made education her top priority, but said change needs to come in teacher’ s pay.

“Health insurance premiums are incredibly high,” Martinez said. “They [teachers] need help. They got a pay raise, but it was not enough.”

Aside from wanting to help teachers, Martinez would like to see assistance given to single working mothers.

“The state should be able to give businesses tax breaks for childcare facilities,” Martinez said.

Sports

February 21, 2002

LADY BRONCS “It’s kind of sad ‘cause you’re not able to put on a uniform anymore,” Sinnette said.

Nicholls thinks her three seniors will come out and play with a lot of energy one last time.

“I’m sure the seniors are in a little bit of a strange mood because they

Our main goal for this game is to get the win and get a little revenge on them d a -Kelli Kreuser

“

”

Senior Guard, Lady Broncs know their season’s ending,’” Nicholls said. “They know they won’t be coming back, but at the same time, they know how they want to go out.”

The Lady Broncs started their two-game road trip with a loss to Lipscomb 81-66 on Feb. 14. The contest came down to the last five minutes, when UTPA was outscored 19-5. Despite the loss, three Lady Broncs were in double figures led by Kreuser with 21 points. Freshman

continued from page 14

guard Jennifer Piwonka and Naima Williams each contributed 13 points.

Then the Lady Broncs ended a three-game losing streak by jumping by the Lady Bulldogs 69-61 on Feb. 16, to sweet the season series. Kreuser believes the victory will carry the team and play with a sense of urgency on Saturday.

“It was a moral and confidence boost being stuck on six (wins) before that five,” Kreuser said.

Nicholls was just happy to get a win on the road.

“Any time you’re in any kind of losing streak, you need to do something to try and change the ways things are going,” Nicholls said.

“We had such an inconsistent year, to win a game on the road...we’re all very happy and we all worked hard to earn that victory.”

Although the Lady Broncs will not finish with a winning record, it’s teamwork and character that has put a smile on Nicholls’ face.

“The team’s character is the type of team that doesn’t give up and they continue to work hard through the adversity,” Nicholls said. “That shows the kind of character that you want to continue to have around on your teams. You don’t want people who are going to quit.”

Page 13

A journalist's perspective

Cuban’s comments on Late Late Show fail to get him fined; show’s host disappointed

By Eladio Jaimez The Pan American

If I could be owned by anyone in the world, it would have to be Mark Cuban.

Last week Cuban appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn who challenged him to say something which would get him fined by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Kilborn gave Cuban a few suggestions of what he could say to encourage Stern to fine him, but Cuban refused the suggestions.

Instead, Cuban referred to a joke from earlier in the show and said Stern “couldn’t manage the Penis Patrol.”

The comment received many laughs, but Kilborn hoped it would create waves among the NBA. Kilborn’s goal was to get Cuban fined on the show, but apparently it didn’t work.

Kilborn called various media outlets asking to carry the story. The Dallas Morning News refused to run with the story because of the word “penis,” according to Kilborn.

On Tuesday night’s show, Kilborn called Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly asking him to write about Cuban’s comment.

Kilborn wanted to “disseminate, germinate and marinate” the information. He wanted to give his

show significance by having Cuban fined for what he said on the show.

We’re not The Dallas Morning News or Sports Illustrated, but we are media, so we’ve decided to “disseminate, germinate and marinate” the information.

Cuban will probably not get fined. Stern will likely see this as some kind of joke and just ignore the whole hoopla.

One thing is for sure, Cuban will be closely watched by the NBA and all the association’s bureaucrats.

Cuban has been fined nearly $1 million since he bought the Dallas Mavericks in March 2000. He can afford it, being one of the wealthiest persons in the country, even richer then hotel tycoon Donald Trump.

Cuban calls himself “a beer and pretzels guy.”

He also loves basketball.

The self-proclaimed basketball junkie loves the Indiana Hoosiers. His love of the Indiana school and nostalgia for the games led to his self-made fortune.

In 1995, Cuban and his roommate came up with Broadcast.com in an effort to broadcast Hoosier games over the Internet.

Soon nearly half a million people were listening to broadcasts through Cuban’s Web site, and after that, pardon the cliche, everything was history.

sports

February 21, 2002

Page 14

Broncs hope to remedy recent hitting woes

By Blake Daniels The Pan American

Mary Zuviri / The Pan American

Reggie Tredaway watches his team practice for their upcoming series against Illinois

The University of Texas-Pan American Bronc baseball team has been struggling at the plate all season.

“We don’t hit the ball too far,” said Tredaway. The Broncs only have three home runs this season, proving the long ball drought.

The Broncs have a five-game home stretch, which includes three games against The University of Illinois starting Friday.

“Some of the target areas for the series against the Fighting Illini will be lowering our earned run average and better consistency batting with two strikes,” said head baseball coach Reggie Tredaway.

Travis Parker will be the starting pitcher Friday night, Frank James will go on Saturday, and Justin Dowd will start the Sunday finale. The Broncs play their first night game of the season on Friday at 7p.m.

“All three starting pitchers bring unique qualities to the mound. Parker keeps the ball down which results in less home runs. James has three good pitches with velocity and Dowd is our most intelligent pitcher,” said assistant coach John Johnson.

“We have seen great things from placing James in the middle of the rotation as our lone left- handed pitcher,” Tredaway said. The Broncs will rely on

Remaining home games 2/26 3/19 3/20 3/29 3/30 3/31 4/9 4/12 4/13 4/27 4/30

University of Texas-San Antonio - doubleheader Kansas University Kansas University Houston Baptist - doubleheader Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Texas A&M-Kingsville - doubleheader Houston Baptist Houston Baptist - doubleheader St. Mary’s University - doubleheader Incarnate Word - doubleheader

their senior pitchers because the runs have been scarce. The Broncs have a .265 batting average and have been outscored 76 to 35 by their opponents.

The Broncs will focus on pitching and advancing runners in scoring position. The Broncs have a team ERA of 7.79. “We have to cut down ‘the big inning,’ three or four runs scored in one inning,” Tredaway said. The Broncs attribute their seven losses to ‘the big inning’ hurting them.

“

Illinois will be big, strong, athletic and fundamentally sound, so we must be at our best d

”

a

-Reggie Tredaway Bronc baseball head coach

“Illinois will be big, strong, athletic and fundamentally sound, so we must be at our best,” said Tredaway. This will be the first game for the Fighting Illini this season.

In their last game against McNeese State the Broncs allowed a seven-run inning, but came back to take the lead before an error in the 10th inning caused to the loss. The Bronc plate per-

formance was silent for the first six innings before they struck fire for two runs in the seventh and six in the eighth inning.

“The team really showed heart and kept their composure after getting down seven runs. This team is really young so the ability for us to be able to come back shows progress in the freshmen getting comfortable playing Division I baseball,” Tredaway said.

The Broncs go into this series with a 1-7 record. A win would be great for the struggling Broncs. “I’m not concerned about the losses. What frustrates me are the mental mistakes and lack of quality at bats,” Tredaway said.

Richard ‘Itch’ Jones, the incoming Illinois coach, was an inductee to the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Jones is one of the top elite premier coaches in Division I baseball. He is an outstanding individual and we are lucky to have his team come to the Valley,” Tredaway said.

Jones is one of the winningest coaches in college baseball history. In a career that spans over thirty years, he has a record of 1,126-651-5 (.623 wining percentage).

UTPA’s Tredaway is familiar with Illinois’ Jones. In the 1971 College World Series, Tredaway played against the Southern Illinois team coached by Jones that defeated the Broncs in Omaha, NE.

Lady hoopsters look to end frustrating season with win

By Mike Gonzalez The Pan American

It has been a frustrating season for the University of Texas-Pan American Lady Broncs basketball team this season, as they have struggled to a 7-20 record. Saturday they hope to conclude the season with a victory on Senior Night against Texas A&MCorpus Christi at the Fieldhouse.

The Lady Broncs have never beaten the Lady Islanders, and they would love nothing more than a win Saturday. TAMUCC came away with an 83-69 win Feb. 9. Although the game was a loss, the Lady Broncs outplayed the Lady Islanders in the second half by outscoring them 48-35.

Head coach Karin Nicholls said not many changes have to be made regarding the team, and payback is

on her mind.

“We just played a terrible first half,” Nicholls said. “The only adjustment is to play a 40-minute game and to understand that it’s somewhat a payback time. But at the same time, we know based on the second half that we were just as good a team if not better in situations, but we just didn’t do it in the first half.”

Not only is it payback time according to Nicholls, but senior guard Kelli Kreuser feels the same way. She almost had a triple-double in the loss Feb. 9, but a win means more to her than stats.

“Our main goal for this game is get the win and get a little revenge on them,” Kreuser said.

Despite struggling this season and having key injuries, the team has had

some players step up and play well. Kreuser leads the team in scoring with a 16.2 point-per-game average, second in rebounding with 4.9, and first in steals with 5.1. Junior forward Naima Williams has also had a solid season by grabbing 6.2 rebounds a game to lead the team, and is averaging 12 points per game, which ranks her second. Junior guard Michelle Smith is shooting 39.3 percent from the three-point range, and freshman guard Nikki Hitchens is shooting 46.1 percent from the field.

Saturday’s game adds more emotion for seniors Kreuser, Ridiajah Sinnette and Ashere’ Thigpen, since it will be the last time they wear a Bronc uniform.

Sinnette admitted it’s going to feel awkward not putting that jersey on anymore.

See LADY BRONCS page13

PAGE 3

NEWS

■ Campus Voice . . . . . 4 ■ Election 2002 . . . . . 4 ■ Campus Life . . . . . 12

Student ideologies plumbed

By Cristina Reyna The Pan American

College students at the University of Texas-Pan American are politically “middle-of-the-road,” according to a survey taken last week by The Pan American newspaper staff.

The survey suggests that 50.7 percent of students at UTPA assumed the intermediate ideology, while 21.5 percent said they were “liberal” and 16.1 percent marked“conservative.” Another 11.5 percent chose “other.”

Dr. Jerry Polinard, chair of the political science department, said these results are nothing unusual. “ Most Americans consider themselves moderate rather than liberal or conservative and one of the rules of running for office is to try and capture the center and isolate your opponent as either too liberal or conservative,” Polinard said.

He added that South Texas ideological stances may be explained by the fact this is traditionally one of the strongest Democratic regions in the nation, and that young people have come of age in an eight-year period (1992-2000) with a Democratic president in office.

Some differ on whether the recent and highly contested presidential election could have sparked new interest in poli-

tics.

“The controversy over the Bush and Gore issue probably created more of an interest for people,” said Anna Gonzalez, freshman political science major.

“To my knowledge, there is no indication that the 2000 election increased either interest or participation in the political process,” Polinard said.

“This would likely affect the collegeage cohort the least in that this group (18-28 years old), is virtually always the least likely to be politicized and least likely to vote, of all age groups.”

Adding to the tendency toward voter apathy in young people is a series of incidents receiving heavy media publicity that left a sour taste in many mouths.

The 1998 Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, 2000 election controversy, campaign finance reform debate, and recent eruption of the Enron debacle are such examples.

When they do vote, young people have shown a recent propensity for categorizing themselves as left-of-center.

This slant is clear in a survey put out by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

The 2001-02 results from the annual poll show that more college freshmen are politically liberal, or far left, than at

any time since 1975.

The survey done at UTPA was a narrow replication of the larger-scale UCLA poll, using all classifications of students in a random sample (as opposed to only freshmen) to get a better representation of student ideologies.

One 22-year-old white male surveyed noted that he was “conservative” and said, “college can often be a person’s first look into the variety of lifestyles, cultures and political viewpoints that different people follow, mostly as a representation of their upbringing.”

College students’ views are molded by several crucial elements, said political science lecturer Terence Garrett.

“Many factors include family, peers, education level, news events (media), religious activities and income,” Garrett said.

Students in the UTPA survey were also questioned about several common social issues and behavior: Gay marriages - 40.7 percent think gay couples should have the right to legal marital status A Hispanic female, 20, said that if polygamy still exists, then gay marriages should be allowed. A 31-year-old Hispanic male disagrees answering,

“Hell no!” to this suggestion.

Legalization of marijuana - 40 percent want marijuana legalized One Hispanic male, 18, said marijuana should be legalized but only if regulated and taxed.

Demonstrations - 10.7 percent say they have participated in organized political demonstrations during the past year A 20-year-old Hispanic female said she has signed many petitions and take part in letter-writing campaigns.

Another student, an Hispanic female, 25, believes organized demonstrations are a legitimate form of political expression, but only if they are constructive and without violence.

Socializing - 83 percent socialize with members of other racial or ethnic groups.

One Hispanic female, 23, said that although she socialized with members of other ethnic groups, she only dates Asian men.

A white male student, 22, explained that “it is important that we as college students and the future of America recognize that each person has to understand each of their own.”

Technologies augment education

By Nikki Ramirez The Pan American

Due to some striking technological developments in the past five years, students can now take university classes without entering a classroom.

WebCT (Web Course Tools) gives students the option to take courses that are offered on-line. WebCT was introduced in Canada in 1997 as one of the first programs of its kind, and is starting to build popularity as a tool in higher education.

It’s available to students through the Center for Distance Learning, which provides the services that enhance webbased education at the University of Texas-Pan American.

In order for students to enroll in these courses they must have a user name and password which can be the same ones they use for e-mail accounts.

The WebCT system is offered to stu-

dents all over the United States and gives those students who cannot physically attend class, or those in the military or living overseas, a chance to take certain classes offered by stateside schools.

“I have several students who are taking my class from other places in the United States,” said Dr. Ruben Mazariegos, professor in the physical science department. “ I have some people in California and some in the Army, which is very convenient for them.”

Dr. Mohammed Bhatti of the physics department utilized WebCT for one year, liked the educational effects of technology, and eventually constructed his own personal web page.

“WebCT and personal web pages have become a very nice tool for professors to explain to students at their own convenience so they can log on any time they want and can learn about the subjects,” Bhatti said.

Courses on the Web allow students to

do assignments, take quizzes and exams any time of day or night.

Most of the schools in the University of Texas System have adopted WebCT as a tool for offering on-line courses to graduate and undergraduate students.

Although WebCT provides on-line courses, some professors still give regular class lectures and use WebCT as a supplemental device to post notes, assignments, and quizzes online.

Mazariegos made the transition from lectures in the classroom to the WebCt system two years ago and said it is a great advantage to students.

Although, on-line courses do not provide direct interaction between students and professors, there are still ways to communicate.

“You have to keep up with the communication, otherwise students will probably drop the class,” Mazariegos said.

The on-line system not only allows students to communicate with the pro-

fessor, but with other classmates as well.

“When I first took a WebCT course, I was scared because I didn’t know what to expect since it was all new,” said Adriana Perez, a senior majoring in Education. “ After I got the hang of it, it was very convenient in the sense that if you needed to ask a question you could post your questions on the bulletin board and someone would always respond whether it was another student or the professor.”

Other colleges with in UTPA are currently using WebCT for on-line courses as well as an extra tool for the class lectures. Some of these include the College of Science and Engineering and the College of Business Administration.

According to Wig De Moville, chair of the accounting and business law department, other courses in the College Of Business Administration are in the process of developing future usage of the service.

PAGE 2

February 21 2002

Celebrating 50 years 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 50th Year – No. 19

Editor Matt Lynch

OPINION

letters

■

editorials

■

cartoons

Gender balance missing in story To the Editor, I am a Pan American student/staff who is deeply disappointed in the “Campus Voice” section of yesterday’s [February 14] paper.

Considering that we are living in a society where BOTH MALES and FEMALES are supposed to be treated EQUALLY, why is it that all the opinions published came from women?

Please do not get me wrong, I am a feminist and for the advancement of

women; but the Pan American is supposed to be for all students and should not be discriminatory. It seemed to me that the male population was not even consulted.

I am sure there are some male students out there with some opinion in this matter (whether positive or negative), especially since an article in the same issue discussed (although briefly) that one of the hopes of the Women’s Studies Program is to benefit both men

and women.

My husband also believes that the male population of UTPA should have at least been represented in this section (he believes it[Women’s Studies] would be a good addition to UTPA). I’m sure there are other readers out there who would also like to see the opinions of the “other half.”

Sincerely, Ethelyn Arriola

mlynch@panam.edu

NEWS

the PAN AMERICAN is the News Editor Cristina Reyna creyna826@aol.com

Copy Editor Melissa Ciomperlik ciomperlik@yahoo.com

A & E Editor Ashley Brooks Magrew2@hotmail.com

Sports Editor Eladio Jaimez ejaimez@panam.edu

Layout Designers Gabriel Hernandez Cristina Reyna Celeste Y. Tello Reporters Blake Daniels Jaime Garcia, Jr. Mike Gonzalez Elizabeth Martinez Linda Martinez Dagoberto Perez Nikki Ramirez Belinda Reyes Cristina Reyna Cesar Trevino Photographers Anna Stwora Mary Zuviri Advertising Dagoberto Perez Circulation Jesus M. Gonzalez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber Advertising Coordinator Juanita Sanchez

official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the university.

New system to assist deaf callers The Pan American

Relay makes communication easier

In an effort to aid both deaf students and hearing impaired visitors of the University of Texas-Pan American, UTPA officials unveiled the latest telephone communication device for the deaf Wednesday.

“It’s a vast improvement over the old system,” said Esmeralda Guerra, UTPA Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.

The system, which Guerra hopes will be operational by the summer of 2002, replaces an older system in which a hearing impaired individual used a special instrument known as a TTY machine, or teletypewriter, to communicate with others via telephone.

Under the old TTY system, a deaf caller could communicate one-on-one with another person only if that person had their own teletypewriter. According to Guerra, if one person lacked a TTY machine, an operator was required as an

intermediary to read the teletype message from the deaf person and relay it to the other person on the line.

“The relay system was so cumbersome,” said Guerra. “But our new system is modernized and it’s instantaneous.”

The new communication system utilizes a laptop computer and a computer video camera. By using the computer, a hearing impaired individual can select the number they wish to call and connect to an operator.

According to Guerra, an operator who knows sign language places the call.

During conversation, the hearing impaired individual uses sign language to communicate with the operator via the video camera, who then immediately relays the message to the third party.

By using this method, hearing impaired callers eliminate the time-consuming process of typing their message

By Matt Lynch

Letters policy Letters to the editor must include your name, address, and phone number. They will be printed at the discretion of the editor.

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office. For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

sports

February 21, 2002

and waiting for it to be relayed by the operator to the third party.

According to Guerra, there will be three of these stations for hearing impaired callers campus wide, including one in the library and another in the UTPA visitor’s center, which is currently under construction.

According to information supplied by Guerra, an entire station, including the necessary computer and computer video camera, should cost well under $800, and can be purchased a number of different ways, including grants.

Guerra believes the new communication system for the hearing impaired will benefit many people, not only UTPA students and staff.

“There are at least three people at UTPA that I know will benefit from the system, but in reality, it could possibly help anyone [who is hearing impaired] who visits UTPA.”

Have some information that’s worthy of publication in The Pan American? Call the news room at 381-2543 or 381-2542, to report breaking news or to suggest story ideas to the editors. Information on news, features, sports, or general interest is welcomed. This is a good way for the public to have another avenue for feedback, and input on future content in The Pan American.

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

Page 15

By the numbers BASKETBALL Men's Division I Independents

Broncs finish tenth at SWSTU VICTORIA, TX –The University of Texas-Pan American’s men’s golf team finished 10th at the Udamon Southwest Classic, which was hosted by Southwest Texas State University. The competition concluded Tuesday at the Victoria Country Club.

The Broncs’ 54-hole total of 925 placed them three strokes behind Stephen F. Austin and three shots ahead of Iowa State. UTPA shot an 18-hole score of 312 on the final day of play.

Baylor won the tournament with a score of 885, followed by the University of Texas-San Antonio at 896, Wichita State at 898, New Mexico State at 899, Oral Roberts at 903, Louisiana Tech at 913, Southwest Texas State at 914 and Rice at 916.

Freshman John Huerta led the Broncs, shooting a 78 Tuesday for a 54-hole total of 231. He tied for 32nd place. Senior Santiago DeLarrea shot an 80 Tuesday and 232 for the tournament.

The Brazilian tied for 37th.

Sophomore Rudy Celedon, Edinburg native, and senior Ricky Benavides of Brownsville tied for 42nd at 234. Celedon shot an 83 on the final day of play and Benavides shot a 77.

Sophomore Ben Piper tied for 52nd after shooting a 77, and a 238 for three rounds.

The Broncs will return to action March 3 at McNeese State.

Lady Broncs end last CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The University of Texas-Pan American’s women’s golf team finished 13th at the Islander Spring Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Kings Crossing Country Club.

The Lady Broncs shot a final round score of 342 with total of 1045. The final score left them 37 strokes behind Xavier.

The University of Texas-El Paso won the tournament with a score of 952. They were followed by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 956, Kansas at 963, Kansas State at 964, McLennan Community College at 969, Oral Roberts at 971, Notre Dame at 979, Lamar at 984, McNeese State at 996, and Northeastern State and Southwest Texas State at 1006.

Sophomore Crystal Frazier shot a finalround 84. She was the top Bronc finisher for the Lady Broncs, tying for 55th with a 54-hole total of 259. Sophomore Itziar Unanue tied for 57th, shooting an 87 Tuesday for 260. Freshman Christine Treanor shot 86 Tuesday and 262 overall to finish 61st. Senior Adriana Espinoza tied for 62nd after shooting 85 and 264 for the tourney.

Lyford product and sophomore Christina Infante finished 71st with 100 Tuesday and 302 overall.

The Lady Broncs will return to action March 10 at Sam Houston State.

Tip sheet:

Matt Lynch / The Pan American

And 1: Senior Guard Mire Chatman throws up a prayer shot against the Texas A&MCorpus Christi Islanders ealrier this season. The shot fell for Chatman and he was fouled. He converted the free-throw.

Chatman currently ranks fourth in the nation with 25.2 points a contest. His 3.6 steals a game also placed him fourth on the national list.

UTPA GARDNER WEBB CENTENARY BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN TEXAS A&M-CC LIPSCOMB IPFW MORRIS BROWN

W L 20 9 18 8 13 11 12 14 10 15 6 20 3 19 4 22

Assists 02 Kelli Kreuser 25 Anette Johansen 11 Jennifer Piwonka

5.1 2.4 1.6

Blocks 34 Jennifer Arriola 32 Naima Williams 40 Julie Porter

15 12 10

Steals 02 Kelli Kreuser 32 Naima Williams 25 Anette Johansen

67/2.5 57/2.1 52/1.9

BRONC LEADERS

Golf

Points 32 Mire Chatman 40 Marcus Quinn 10 Andrius Sakalys 01 Kevin Mitchell 21 Jon Nubine 30 Nick Traylor 22 Terrell Hill

25.2* 12.6 11.2 8.7 6.7 4.5 4.3

Rebounds 40 Marcus Quinn 32 Mire Chatman 22 Terrell Hill

7.3 5.3 4.6

LADY BRONC LEADERS

Assists 01 Kevin Mitchell 32 Mire Chatman 30 Nick Traylor

5.1 3.8 1.7

Crystal Frazier Itziar Unanue Christine Treanor Adriana Espinoza Christina Infante

Steals 32 Mire Chatman 01 Kevin Mitchell 04 Joey Tate

102/3.6* 50/1.7 26/1.1

Baseball

Blocks 40 Marcus Quinn 22 Terrell Hill 32 Mire Chatman 10 Andrius Sakalys

34 30 13 10

Batting average

W L 14 12 15 12 16 11 7 20 9 19 3 23

Homeruns

*Ranked fourth in NCAA Division I

Women's Division I Independents

Lipscomb Texas A&M-CC Birmingham Southern UTPA Centenary Gardner Webb

BRONC LEADERS Udamon Southwest Texas Classic John Huerta Santiago DeLarrea Rudy Celedon Ricky Benavides Ben Piper

Islander Spring Invitational 92-83-84-259, tied for 55th 88-85-87-260, tied for 57th 84-92-86-262, 61st 92-87-85-264, tied for 62nd 102-100-100-302, 71st

BRONC LEADERS

Juan Saenz Omar Pena Tony Ortiz Jarrad Maddox Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy Matt Eichel Adam Farek

Jarrad Maddox Matt Sisk Sean Flynn

.667 .500 .417 .375 .345 .333 .333 .333

1 1 1

RBI Jarrad Maddox Tony Ortiz Matt Sisk Skip Weast

LADY BRONC LEADERS

77-76-78-231, tied for 32nd 76-76-80-232, tied for 37th 73-78-83-234, tied for 42nd 79-78-77-234, tied for 42nd 81-80-77-238, tied for 52nd

Points 02 Kelli Kreuser 32 Naima Williams 21 Nikki Hitchens 25 Anette Johansen 20 Michelle Smith 11 Jennifer Piwonka

16.2 12.0 9.4 7.6 6.3 4.4

Hits

Rebounds 32 Naima Williams 02 Kelli Kreuser 25 Anette Johansen

6.2 4.9 4.7

Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy John Lopez Jonathan Mason

Matt Sisk Jerome McCoy Jarrad Maddox

5 4 4 4

10 8 6

Runs 6 6 5 5

PAGE 16

NATIONAL

RAGING BULLS: Two days before the NBA trading deadline, the Pacers dealt Jalen Rose to the Chicago Bulls for Ron Mercer. Along with Rose, the Pacers sent Travis Best and rookie Norm Richardson.

In return, the Pacers acquired, in addition to Mercer, Brad Miller, Kevin Ollie and Ron Artest. The Pacers seemed to have got the better end of this deal. Rose currently averages 18.5 points per game and Best 6.9. Mercer gets 16.8 a contest, and Artest 15.6.

OLYMPICS

BAD TO THE BONES: Third-generation Olympian Jim Shea won the gold medal in Skeleton yesterday. He finished both runs in 1:412.96. Jim’s grandfather, Jack, who died last month, was the first double gold medalist in the winter games. He won two speedskating events at the 1932 Lake Placid games. Up until his death last month, Jack was the oldest living Olympian at 91.

Jim’s father, Jim Sr., competed in three crosscountry events at the 1964 Innsbruck games.

S PORTS

■ Sports Clipboard. . . . . . .15 ■ Women’s Basketball. . . .14

■ Bronc Baseball. . . . . . . 14

Broncs go for win 21 in final game of season With a win over Centenary Monday night, the Broncs can record the most victories in a season since 89-90

By Mike Gonzalez The Pan American

For many schools, 20 wins equals a spectacular season.

The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball squad broke the 20-win barrier and hopes to get win number 21 on Monday when it hosts the Centenary Gentlemen.

The Gentlemen squeaked by the Broncs 61-58 Feb. 2 when Andrew Wisniewski hit a three pointer with seconds remaining in the contest.

Head Coach Bob Hoffman hopes that this time around, home court advantage could make the difference for the Broncs.

“Home court has been great for us,” Hoffman said. “The crowd from the New Mexico State game was loud, and I hope in this game they’ll be even louder.”

Assistant coach Robert Davenport insists the Broncs must be ready to play in order to get their 21st win of the season.

“It won’t be an easy game,” Davenport said. “They beat us at their place on a last-second shot.

We need to come out play hard and shoot the ball well.”

The Gents’ attack is led by the 6-foot-3 Wisenieski, a sophomore who leads his team in scoring with 18.6 point per game. Wisniewski also averages 5.8 assists a contest and shoots 39.8 percent from three-point range.

Another key player for Centenary is 6-4 Demano Hooper, a sophomore guard who averages 5.3 rebounds a game this season, in addition to scoring 10.7 points a

contest. Senior UTPA guard Mire Chatman said the Gent’s will come out with their weapons and shoot.

“They have a nice team,” said Chatman.

“Their basically all roll players, and have a pretty good point guard, and we have to contain him.”

This is the last home game for UTPA seniors Chatman, Matt Lynch / The Pan American Terrell Hill, Joey Tate, Quinn Canada, Marcus Heads up! - UTPA senior forward Marcus Quinn elevates for a dunk against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earlier this season.

Quinn and DeFance Gurley, and their last 14, UTPA hit a roadblock against the Bison, accomplishing that feat chance to wear Bronc uniforms. for the first time since 1989-90.

Gardner-Webb, falling to the Chatman realizes he has just one Bulldogs 86-79.

Once again, Chatman sparked more game in front of the Bronc Against Gardner-Webb, UTPA with 26 points. Andrius faithful, and wants to give them Chatman led UTPA with 31 points Sakalys, who has given the Broncs something to remember him by. and four steals, but the Broncs a lift off the bench this season, “‘We just hope to get a win.” couldn’t reel in the Bulldogs, com- scored 15 points, while Jon Chatman said. “I’ve been playing ing no closer than four points with Nubine scored 11. Hill added a hurt, and I just want to come out 5:19 remaining in the contest. The team-high of 14 rebounds. play hard and hope to get a win.”

Bulldogs outscored UTPA 12-7 to The Broncs held the Bison to Quinn also said a victory would finish the game, and extended just 20.7 percent shooting in the be a nice way to conclude this their home winning streak to 29 first half. In the second half, great season and his basketball games.

UTPA had command of the game career at UTPA. “We were disappointed to not and at one time led by 22 points.

“I hope to get another win, and get it done, but they have 29 wins It’s uncertain if this will be the last finish the year playing strong.” in a row at home,” Hoffman said. game of the year, but Davenport Quinn said. “My personal goal feels his team deserves an NIT Quinn had a solid game, scoring was to win 20 games and I’m glad bid.“That was one of our goals, to it came out, and we’re looking for- 15 points and grabbing 12 boards, be playing past next Monday,” while Kevin Mitchell added 11 ward for another win.”

Davenport said. “We still feel In earlier action, the Broncs split points and six assists. that’s realistic and nothing’s guartheir two preceding games. After The Broncs notched their 20th anteed, but we feel we earned it.” manhandling Lipscomb 79-62 Feb. victory of the year by defeating

THURSDAY

Campus VOICE On which issues should local candidates focus?

Page 4

SATE NEWS

COLORS

February 21, 2002

An Inside Look: Opinion ........................................2 News ............................................3 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■ ■

in

MOTION Page 8

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Explosion leads to traffic jam

DALLAS— Reversing a previous decision, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Tony Sanchez and Dan Morales have agreed to participate in televised bilingual debates. Two one-hour debates featuring Morales and Sanchez will be held in Dallas the evening of March 1. The first debate will be in English, followed by another in Spanish.

Earlier last weekend, Sanchez and his staff declined to enter a debate with Morales, accusing him of launching personal attacks. Public television station KERA, in addition to other news media, are working to organize the debates. The Democratic primary is March 12.

■

By Celeste Y. Tello The Pan American

– Matt Lynch / The Pan American

SCORCHED — An 18-wheeler smolders in the distance following an accident on

VALLEY NEWS WESLACO — According to one Mexican official, help could soon be on the way for South Texas farmers in desperate need of water. Mexican Consul Luis M. Lopez Moreno recently announced the possible release of 91,200 acre-feet of water some time this week at a water symposium hosted by the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Center in Weslaco. While the release of 91,200 acre-feet of water will help local farmers, it will not be enough to completely rescue them from the worst drought conditions in over 50 years, according to local water officials also in attendance at the symposium.

the frontage road of Expressway 83 near Bicentennial. The driver of the truck was found to be intoxicated and later taken into custody, according to police officials.

At least eight families were evacuated from their nearby homes Wednesday morning when an out-of-control 18wheeler burst into flames after hitting a concrete barrier on the Expressway 83 frontage ramp.

“The driver has been arrested for driving while intoxicated and is being held in the McAllen City Jail,” said Mitch Reinitz, McAllen Police spokesman.

The accident occurred just after 8 a.m.

The first units from the fire department responded to the call at approximately 8:18 a.m. after the truck’s fuel tanks exploded, and at least 10 police units were dispatched.

Almost immediately, the call was upgraded to a second alarm, which called for another ladder truck and two extra engine companies to be sent to the scene.

According to Lt. Rene Alaniz of the McAllen Fire Department, the arson task force was also called to the scene due to the intense nature of the accident.

See ACCIDENT page 6

■

Border office directs health services The Pan American

Diabetes a major local concern

The health of border residents greatly concerns the University of Texas-Pan American Border Health Office.

“We coordinate the health, education and research projects that UT components have on the board,” said Dr. Paul Villas, executive director.

The office is responsible for coordinating services from the various health-related projects administered in the Texas-Mexico border area by UT-System institutions. It fosters collaborative health education, health services, and health research for the citizens of Texas living along the border.

The office started as a UT-System Border Health Office and then over the summer the system allowed UTPA to take over.

Its work is primarily state-funded, with roughly 80 percent coming from the state, 15 percent from the federal government and five percent from private organizations.

The staff of 12 at the office is assisted by two full-time health educators stationed in San Antonio and El Paso, who are responsible for conducting research.

At various times, students from the UTPA dietetics department, nursing, and biology departments have worked at the office to gain field experience.

The office also collaborates with university faculty and allows them to present research papers at conferences it sponsors.

This year, the office employed Daniel Richardson, as a Health Education Coordinator with the Diabetes Registry and Nicole Rogers as a health education coordinator.

According to Richardson, his current duties are “...to reduce the diabetes hardship through prevention and control of the disease and its complications along the Texas-Mexico border.”

The Diabetes Registry maintains a list of people

By Melissa Ciomperlik

with diabetes.

“Together with the information gathered, data researched from other sources on the disease is collected and presented to the population we serve via public speaking engagements, printed materials and special events organized around awareness themes,” Richardson said.

The office is currently working on several special projects, including a day camp for children at risk of developing diabetes.

“We hope that the children will benefit from this presentation and thereafter magnify its effect by taking the healthful message home to their families,” Richardson said.

The office is also involved in screening for Acanthosis Nigricans, a disease which signals high insulin levels in the body and is recognizable by a black-brown marking on the back of the neck.

See HEALTH page 6