November 3, 2011

Volume 68, No. 9

WWW.PANAMERICANONLINE.COM

Students and professor weigh in on Obama’s “Pay As You Earn” plan For full story see: Debt on page 3.

are we in

debt

Erick Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN

CHECK THE WEB

November 3, 2011

Dia de los Muertos for video and Spanish story visit:

panamericanonline.com

Indy Instrumentalist

UTPA alum releases an independent album.

Check out the interview at:

panamericanonline.com (A&L Section)

2

November 3, 2011

Letter to the Editor

Opinion

UTPA to get football program in 2014

Michael Saenz Sports Editor Just kidding. One thing that really annoys me about UTPA is that there is no football team. It’s at the point that the words “UTPA” and “football” don’t even look right together.

In a state where football rules, and especially in a place like the Rio Grande Valley, I find myself scratching my head more and more on this whole football issue.

First, if UTPA’s goal is to enter a respectable conference, no offense Great West, a football team is the logical thing to have. The ideal conference for Pan Am to join would be the Southland Conference. With the huge conference carousel

that is happening all across the country, this could’ve been the year - except for the fact that we don’t have a football program. It is unlikely that any qualifying conference with an automatic bid to the NCAAs in hoops would take a school that has no football program because, after all, football is king in this country.

Now for the naysayers out there that say the team would have no support, guess again. If you go to one of the many high school football fields across the Rio Grande Valley on Friday nights, you will find packed stadiums.

College football games are on Saturdays, so it would not interfere with high school sports, which attract most of the fans right now in the Valley.

For those that say UTPA wouldn’t be able to afford a team, let’s look at some numbers. According to the Associated Press, the average fair market value of top-tier college football and men’s basketball players is over $100,000 each.

In that same AP article, it was calculated that if college sports shared revenue the way pro sports do, each

Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player would be worth $121,000. Meaning the amount of money that is brought its due to ticket sales, merchandise, etc. If those figures shock you, well, that’s just for the average college programs, basically where UTPA would stand if it had a football program.

The report goes on, saying that players at the powerhouse programs are worth far more. It estimates that Duke’s basketball players are worth around $1 million each, and University of Texas’ football players are around a half million. Take into consideration that each football team carries between 60 and 70 players at least.

I’m not saying it’s easy to field a football team, because it isn’t. But shouldn’t chances be taken in order to succeed?

I don’t know what’s being done or discussed in the inside, but in order to cash in on something you have to put in a lot more at first.

Bottom line is, football equals money, and after all isn’t that what’s it about. I’m going to stop myself before I step on any more toes…but still, I’m scratching my head at why we don’t have a football team.

Extra credit seat takers Dear Pan American, I took note of different perspectives for an issue that hasn’t in recent memory been raised. While waiting in the long, long, long line outside of the Arts auditorium during the Maya Angelou speech, I was forced to line up with the public admission crowd (I’m a UTPA student, wife is not). After probably an hour or more of waiting, we were denied admission because the venue “could not safely” support any more spectators.

Talking with others in line we brought up some good questions for consideration.

These questions might be of use to your newspaper whether through surveying or as an idea for an article: Many of the spectators in the line for students were only there for extra credit in classes for which they are enrolled: Should English professors and other faculty be allowed to promote attendance at these events for extra class credit? (It prevents seriously interested persons from attending by allowing only mildly interested persons to take priority).

If so, should these events stop being made public, if student attendance prevents sufficient space for the public community at large?

Maybe, said faculty should

only be allowed admission provided there is sufficient space (in other words given last priority in gaining admission)? This might prevent undue promotion of the event by faculty.

Should UTPA provide a better (larger sized) venue for public events? Is there an alternative solution, other than redirecting people to a different area to watch the event via CCTV or internet?

If this structure or place does not exist, can it be built or acquired?

Is there an alternative solution, other than redirecting people to a different area to watch the event via CCTV or internet?

Also, another solution might be to have these events in an outdoor venue with appropriate seating( bleachers, etc.). Could this be done?

Some consideration needs to be made on these matters to provide a solution. Students have a right to attend events like this, but as one fellow line-stander brought to my attention, the public (the real financial support of the University) pays taxes and should be given at least a significant percentage of the seats.

Sincerely, Sam Zumwalt

Vol. 68, No. 9

THE PAN AMERICAN 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of TexasPan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF: Alma E. Hernandez alma.e.hdz@gmail.com Roxann Garcia roxx.gar11@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR: Karen Antonacci keantonacci@gmail.com SPORTS EDITOR: Michael Saenz mike_s2208@yahoo.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Nadia Tamez-Robledo ntamezrob@broncs.utpa.edu PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Reynaldo Leal reynaldo_lealjr@yahoo.com DESIGN EDITOR: Erick Gonzalez erick.dgr@gmail.com MULTIMEDIA EDITOR: Pamela Morales pamela.morales13@gmail.com SPANISH EDITOR: Norma Gonzalez nc.gonzalez12@gmail.com ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selber selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: Anita Reyes areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER: Mariel Cantu spubs@utpa.edu WEBMASTERS: Jose Villarreal josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com Selvino Padilla selvinop3@gmail.com

Delivery:

Thursday at noon Letters to the Editor

Leslie Young/THE PAN AMERICAN

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserve the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks.

Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com.

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

November 3, 2011

DEBT

continued from Page 1 On Oct. 26 President Barack Obama announced changes to the “Pay As You Earn” plan that is aimed at easing loan burdens for students. While this plan was intended to be in place for 2014, he moved it up to 2012 due to the financial strife many former and current students are experiencing due to loan payments.

The three basic changes being made to the plan are: students will be able to combine all federal loan payments into one monthly bill rather than having a separate bill for each federal loan, it is decreasing the maximum required payment on student loans from 15 percent of annual income to 10 percent and the remaining debt from student loans will be forgiven after 20 years instead 25 years.

Overall, the plan is making loan payments commensurate with annual income so students will not be forced to pay back more than they can afford.

The debt will also be forgiven sooner.

For people like Francisco Guajardo, an associate professor in the college of education, this plan couldn’t have come soon enough. With two children in college and another one beginning next year, Guajardo has his fair share of student loans to contend with.

“I am still paying for loans that I got when I did my PhD work,” he said. “It’s a bit of a burden, no doubt about that.”

One of his children attends the reasonably affordable South Texas College. But his other child goes to Fordham University in New York.

According to Guajardo, the tuition for

In addition to the points made by Guajardo, it is also important to note that the new plan does not apply to all graduates who have acquired student loan debt. Recent college graduates, for example, will not benefit.

The new income-based repayment plan will be available to new borrowers since 2008 who have at least one loan that originated in 2012 or later.

Borrowers with loans from 2007 and earlier, borrowers who don’t have at least one loan from 2012 or later (like students who graduated in 2011 or earlier) and borrowers who are already in repayment will not be eligible. Also, the plan will have no effect on millions of graduates who have private student loans.

However, some current students, like senior biology major Mark Gonzalez, think the positive points of the plan outweigh the negative.

“The forgiveness policy is pretty incredible,” Gonzalez, a pre-med student, said. “A few people that I know of still pay for those loans longer than 20 years. I think it’s a good thing.”

Gonzalez, who will acquire about $12,000 in debt from UTPA, predicts he will also be paying back about $200,000 in loans for medical school.

“I wish it didn’t have to be like that.

I wish the amount of money that is available to students could be increased to prevent them from going into debt at such a young age,” he said.

One of his brothers, who graduated from UTPA about six years ago, is also still paying for loans. But Gonzalez

What are we voting for? for

The fliers are up and the early voting location is open at the WREC until Nov. 4. General voting starts Nov. 8, but what are UTPA students voting on?

The 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution are explained below, with arguments for and against. Cut this out and take it with you to the WREC.

what is it?

against

Prop 1 Supports surviving spouses of disabled veterans

Allows cities, towns and corporations money at a low rate.

Students need more help and the program is self-supporting, it pays back the bonds with the loan repayments

Currently, homes of totally disabled veterans are exempt from property taxes. This would extend that to cover the homes of the surviving spouse after the totally disabled veteran passed away.

Prop 2 The Texas Water Development Board makes loans to cities, towns and water corporations. This would allow TWDB to issue additional bonds for the loans.

The limit raise from $2 billion to $6 billion is too drastic

Prop 3 The Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program provides low-interest loans to Texan students.

UTPA does not participate in the program, according to Elda Arriaga from financial services. Prop 3 would authorize additional bonds to support the HH program.

Prop 4 Developing these areas could raise property values

Decreases property tax that goes to local governments

Cities and towns can issue bonds to develop an unproductive area and raise property taxes to pay the bonds back. Prop 4 would extend this to counties.

Students might default on their loans in the bad economy and get the state into worse debt

Some could end up paying higher taxes without seeing the benefits

Basic changes to the “Pay As You Earn” plan:

1 10 20

Monthly bill for all federal loan payments Percent of annual income - new maximum required payment on loans

Prop 5 Currently, a contract between local governments lasting longer than a year requires an extra tax.

Prop. 5 would end the contract tax requirement.

Public schools need money now

Transfers funds from a public school savings account to a checkings account. Prop 6 would provide apx. $75 million to public schools for the next two years.

El Paso’s park system needs this first step for funds, since the county has grown

Prop 7 Would add El Paso County to a list of counties where voters can decide to issue bonds for the upkeep of parks.

El Paso taxpayers cannot handle another tax especially one that does not promote the economy

This would provide a tool for owners to see how they are using water

Prop 8 Would appraise land used for farming or wildlife on its use of water, but would not affect property taxes.

Farmers and ranchers already use their water effectively, this prop is useless

Years after debt is forgiven

this school is about $58,000.

“My purpose as a parent is to try to help her through college and not let her fall into debt,” he said. “So this is why I have to take a second job, that sort of thing, to pay for her college so she won’t have to fall into debt. But when my third one goes into college next year, I’m going to have three kids in college at that point, while I’m paying off my own loans.”

While he is thankful for the efforts being made, he does not believe this is the best overall solution to the increasing amount of student debt in the country.

According to the New York Times, more than 36 million Americans currently hold almost $1 trillion in student loan debt.

“I think it’s a band-aid approach,” he said. “What the president is doing is responding to student loans, but only in a way where students will pay what they can. I think Obama’s plan is essentially deferring, prolonging the actual payment of loans... That’s a good idea and will be good in practice. But that does not really address runaway inflation of higher education.”

doesn’t think his increasing debt is too much of an issue at the moment.

“If I have to pay it back later, I don’t see why I should worry now,” he said.

Junior communications major Ana Salinas also views the situation positively.

“I think they’re helpful. At least if you don’t have the money to go to school, you can use it and then you can pay them back later, she said. “At least you have it to pay for school at the time when you need it.”

But perhaps their views are less of a reflection of the state of the nation’s student loan debt, and more of a reflection of UTPA’s approach to tuitions, financial aid and loans. At least, this is Guajardo’s opinion on the matter.

“I think UTPA is one of the models to look at nationally, where costs have been held under control,” he said. “I wish places like UT Austin and A&M and private schools would look at a place like UT Pan Am as kind of a humane and responsible institution. If you look at the tuition rates of UT Pan AM compared to other institutions, Pan Am is very affordable and kids get a good academic experience here.”

Might cause some governments to delay projects

Would give local governments more flexibility

Prop 6

Prop 9

Money should be left to grow in case public schools need it in the future

Provides an equal opportunity for a pardon for convicts and those on probation

Currently, the governor can grant a pardon, but only after a conviction of a crime. Prop. 9 would allow the governor to pardon defendents that were put on probation but not convicted.

A pardon would clear the criminal history, when the public might want to know about probation

Makes sure the office is covered and doesn’t need a temporary appointment

Prop 10 Allows certain elected officials to serve the remainder of their term while running for other offices.

Candidates should not hold a position and campaign at once.

3

4

NEWS

November 3, 2011

Spring class space dwindles as online registration opens OCT. 31 Grad students NOV. 1 Priority undergrad students

Available classes

NOV. 2 Seniors

JAN. 20 Last day JAN. 17 $90 fee

Post-grad Seniors 23.8%

JAN. 11 $40 fee

NOV. 4 Juniors

Freshmen 25%

DEC. 22 Late registration

16.4% Juniors 17.7%

Sophomores 17.1%

NOV. 8 Sophomores

NOV. 14 Freshmen

Resources for feline intiative there, help is not

The Feral Cat Catch and Release Program that was started last fall has languished, due to the lack of student efforts despite new money that was allocated during the summer.

The program’s goal was to help the Department of Environmental Health and Safety spay and neuter the numerous cats on campus. The DEHS is responsible for the felines, and advocates maintaining and controlling the population, rather than eliminating it, according to Director Richard Costello.

“We haven’t moved a cat off campus that we haven’t brought back. Instead, what we would like to do is maintain a steady population of about 20 or so cats,” he said.

However, as months went by the members that pledged to help lost interest and the program was unable to receive the proper aid that was needed from UTPA students, according to those that were involved in the program’s inception.

“It’s been disappointing that we haven’t gotten the student help that we previously had since our first meeting (last year)… they’ve all kind of fizzled out,” Roya Dinbali, a graduate student in the Physician Assistant Studies Program who helped initialize the Catch and Release effort, said.

The UT System does not allow university resources to be used for feeding the cats, so DEHS uses a private donation of $1000 to establish feeding stations and keep the cats from going hungry.

Costello said the DEHS would like to use part of the donation to spay and neuter the cats, but without student help, catching the cats is difficult.

“The problem is that now the cats that are left are too smart and will not get into the cages...

So (spaying/neutering the cats) did happen but not with the aggressiveness that we would have liked it to,” Costello said.

A cat that is lured into the food-laden cage is taken to the RGV Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic in McAllen, where a national grant allows

Since classification or other factors determine when students can register, some get dibs on the prime class times and professors, while others are left in the dust.

Priority undergrad students include student athletes, veterans, dean’s list and honors program students.

Payment is due on Jan. 10, classes begin Jan. 17 and students will be dropped for non-payment Jan. 25.

Application process for emergency loans begins Nov. 8 and ends Jan. 24. Loans must be paid by April 1.

Last day to drop and not receive a grade in a spring course is April 2.

CAMPUS CATS

By Daniella Diaz The Pan American

With over 19,000 students vying for space in about 3,000 different courses, a seat in a classroom at UTPA becomes valuable real estate.

the clinic to discount the cost of the procedures by as much as 85 percent, making the total for each cat about $15 or $25.

After the thirty minute surgery, one of the cat’s ears is snipped at the end to distinguish it from untreated cats. After a few hours away from UTPA, the cat is released back on campus.

The number of cats on campus is debatable. Costello estimates that there are 18 to 20 cats living currently on campus, while Dinbali puts the number anywhere from 30 to 50 with about 10 spayed and neutered.

Dinbali said she just wants the best for UTPA’s feline population. She hopes that new students will be willing to aid in the efforts started over a year ago that were not implemented.

The DEHS welcomes any interested students to call their office at 665-3690.

“I hope (people) could pick the cats up. That way they could have better homes and have better lives,” said Dinbali.

“Until then, spaying and neutering (the cats) is the best thing we can do.”

After the 30-minute spaying or neutering surgery, one of the cat’s ears is snipped at the end to distinguish it from untreated cats.

This is called a “tipped” ear. The cats are then released back to campus.

November 3, 2011

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Page 5

THE PAN AMERICAN

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November 3, 2011

November 3, 2011

THE PAN AMERICAN

El Valle, Mezcla Mexicana en Cultura Estadounidense El Valle a crecido en cantidad los últimos 20 años gracias a la increíble llegada de Mexicanos Mexicanos

Para muchos el Valle es una mezcla de culturas, en la cual predomina la Mexicana. Es por esto que se a convertido en el hogar de miles de Mexicanos que emigran en busca de un lugar que les recuerden a su “México lindo.”

De acuerdo a un reciente estudio realizado por la companía BBVA (Banco Bilboa Vizcaya), la población Mexicana en los Estados

Unidos a sobrepasado 32 millones este año, constituyendo el 72 porciento de la población total del Valle.

Esto es un derivado de la escases de trabajos en Mexico y, al mismo tiempo, de problemas políticos y sociocultural. Ante tantos cambios surge la pregunta que muchos llevan en su mente día a día: “¿Es el Valle un lugar representativo de la cultura Mexicana, o sigue siendo el antiguo Valle de Texas?” Cada día la aculturización del Valle lo vuelve mas parecido a Mexico y menos parecido a Estados Unidos.

Con la migración en su apogeo, el Valle a llegado a convertirse para muchos en un “México Pequeño.”

“En cierta forma son muy parecidos, no todo Estados Unidos, pero sí la mayor parte de Texas se parece a México,” Mariely Morales, estudiante de UTPA, nativa de Reynosa, Tamaulipas dijo. “Más que nada porque poco a poco los mexicanos hemos ido [recuperando] nuestro territorio y de cierto modo amoldando el valle a nuestras costumbres,” Ya sea por el hecho de que abundan

los Mexicanos o que el Valle solia ser parte de México, cada vez son más quienes encuentran la comparación de ambos mínima en diferencias sociales y culturales.

“La diferencia es que aquí no hay violencia y es un lugar mucho mas seguro para vivir,” Jorge Longoria, estudiante de UTPA y nativo de Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas dijo.

Ciertamente la inseguridad en Mexico se a vuelto un detonante para los inmigrantes, quienes cada vez buscan con más ganas el famoso “Sueño Americano,” lo cual a provocado esta revolución cultural en las tierras del Valle.

Aún así existen quienes creen que México es muy diferente al Valle, miles de Mexicanos coinciden en que México es un lugar rico en cultura y tradiciones a diferencia del Valle- el cual solo es una mezcla de los dós y por ende, jamás podrían llamarlo “hogar.”

Para conocer por completo el resultado de años de cambio cultural hay que analizar ambas partes involucradas en el. A continuación veremos como los Estadounidenses ven el Valle y como muchos Mexicanos tambien sienten que el Valle es mas “gringo” que “mexa.”

Estadounidenses

Estados Unidos es un país de gran riqueza cultural y mezcla de tradiciones, gracias a su abundante cantidad de extranjeros que reciden en el. Aún así, el país a logrado crear su propio color y su propio sabor en cuanto el estilo de vida de sus habitantes.

“A pesar de que el Valle se parece un poco a México, su resemblanza con las ciudades grandes de Estados Unidos aun es mayor que a la de las ciudades de México,” Kimberly McIntyre, estudiante de UTPA, quién se mudó al Valle a los 15 años de Mich., dijo.

El ritmo de la vida acelerada y lo cerrado de la mentalidad de las personas hacia los extranjeros, a hecho que el Valle tome un aire Estadounidense mas denso cada vez. Es cierto que el incremento de Mexicanos en tierras americanas presenta una batalla constante para los residentes del país en el ambito laboral, como en el terreno social.

“En mi opinión, la gente es bastante diferente,” Jackelyn Leyva, estudiante de UTPA y nativa de Tampico, Tamaulipas dijo.

“Siento que aquí la gente es muy cerrada y rara vez hago

Page 7

Artículo: Carlos Arteaga Diseño: Francisco Rodriguez algún amigo en clases. Las costumbres y la cultura son muy diferentes, incluyendo: las bases y valores de la familia, la manera en la que la gente se diverte y el ambiente, como se visten, como hablan, sus modismos, etc.”

Sí, es cierto que en el Valle el idioma predominante es el Español y que se a vuelto una comodidad para los Mexicanos el no aprender ingles y utilizar aqui su lengua natal. Es importante resaltár que el Valle sigue siendo territorio Estadounidense y, aunque sigan emigrando miles de mexicanos al año, estas tierras son de ellos y debemos de respetarlas y aceptar su cultura y sus tradiciones.

“Es una realidad que Estados Unidos cada vez se vuelve más como la cultura Mexicana, pero todos los extranjeros debemos de recordar que el ir a otro país es acceder a respetar sus leyes y sus costumbres, envez de tratar de cambiarlas,” Fernando Johnson, graduado de UTPA, quién reside en Washington dijo. “Los Mexicanos deberíamos esforzarnos más por conocer la cultura Estadounidense y así poder vivir tranquilos y sin problemas.”

Piensamiento General: Ya sea que el Valle se volvió un “Mexico Pequeño” o que la cultura “Gringa” sigue predominando, una cosa es cierta, en los últimos años se a vuelto el hogar de muchas otras culturas que an aprendido a convivir unas con otras. El respetar el estilo de vida de los demas y acoplarse a la diferente forma de pensar de quienes nos rodean es la clave del éxito para coexistir en una sociedad marcada por las diferencias sociales.

Algo es cierto, seas Mexicano o Estadounidense, el Valle no te cerrará puertas a sus sorpresas, su rica diversidad y, siempre debemos de recordar, que el Valle siempre será nuestro hogar.

For English translation visit

Panamericanonline.com

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

November 3, 2011

November 3, 2011

THE PAN AMERICAN

El Valle, Mezcla Mexicana en Cultura Estadounidense El Valle a crecido en cantidad los últimos 20 años gracias a la increíble llegada de Mexicanos Mexicanos

Para muchos el Valle es una mezcla de culturas, en la cual predomina la Mexicana. Es por esto que se a convertido en el hogar de miles de Mexicanos que emigran en busca de un lugar que les recuerden a su “México lindo.”

De acuerdo a un reciente estudio realizado por la companía BBVA (Banco Bilboa Vizcaya), la población Mexicana en los Estados

Unidos a sobrepasado 32 millones este año, constituyendo el 72 porciento de la población total del Valle.

Esto es un derivado de la escases de trabajos en Mexico y, al mismo tiempo, de problemas políticos y sociocultural. Ante tantos cambios surge la pregunta que muchos llevan en su mente día a día: “¿Es el Valle un lugar representativo de la cultura Mexicana, o sigue siendo el antiguo Valle de Texas?” Cada día la aculturización del Valle lo vuelve mas parecido a Mexico y menos parecido a Estados Unidos.

Con la migración en su apogeo, el Valle a llegado a convertirse para muchos en un “México Pequeño.”

“En cierta forma son muy parecidos, no todo Estados Unidos, pero sí la mayor parte de Texas se parece a México,” Mariely Morales, estudiante de UTPA, nativa de Reynosa, Tamaulipas dijo. “Más que nada porque poco a poco los mexicanos hemos ido [recuperando] nuestro territorio y de cierto modo amoldando el valle a nuestras costumbres,” Ya sea por el hecho de que abundan

los Mexicanos o que el Valle solia ser parte de México, cada vez son más quienes encuentran la comparación de ambos mínima en diferencias sociales y culturales.

“La diferencia es que aquí no hay violencia y es un lugar mucho mas seguro para vivir,” Jorge Longoria, estudiante de UTPA y nativo de Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas dijo.

Ciertamente la inseguridad en Mexico se a vuelto un detonante para los inmigrantes, quienes cada vez buscan con más ganas el famoso “Sueño Americano,” lo cual a provocado esta revolución cultural en las tierras del Valle.

Aún así existen quienes creen que México es muy diferente al Valle, miles de Mexicanos coinciden en que México es un lugar rico en cultura y tradiciones a diferencia del Valle- el cual solo es una mezcla de los dós y por ende, jamás podrían llamarlo “hogar.”

Para conocer por completo el resultado de años de cambio cultural hay que analizar ambas partes involucradas en el. A continuación veremos como los Estadounidenses ven el Valle y como muchos Mexicanos tambien sienten que el Valle es mas “gringo” que “mexa.”

Estadounidenses

Estados Unidos es un país de gran riqueza cultural y mezcla de tradiciones, gracias a su abundante cantidad de extranjeros que reciden en el. Aún así, el país a logrado crear su propio color y su propio sabor en cuanto el estilo de vida de sus habitantes.

“A pesar de que el Valle se parece un poco a México, su resemblanza con las ciudades grandes de Estados Unidos aun es mayor que a la de las ciudades de México,” Kimberly McIntyre, estudiante de UTPA, quién se mudó al Valle a los 15 años de Mich., dijo.

El ritmo de la vida acelerada y lo cerrado de la mentalidad de las personas hacia los extranjeros, a hecho que el Valle tome un aire Estadounidense mas denso cada vez. Es cierto que el incremento de Mexicanos en tierras americanas presenta una batalla constante para los residentes del país en el ambito laboral, como en el terreno social.

“En mi opinión, la gente es bastante diferente,” Jackelyn Leyva, estudiante de UTPA y nativa de Tampico, Tamaulipas dijo.

“Siento que aquí la gente es muy cerrada y rara vez hago

Page 7

Artículo: Carlos Arteaga Diseño: Francisco Rodriguez algún amigo en clases. Las costumbres y la cultura son muy diferentes, incluyendo: las bases y valores de la familia, la manera en la que la gente se diverte y el ambiente, como se visten, como hablan, sus modismos, etc.”

Sí, es cierto que en el Valle el idioma predominante es el Español y que se a vuelto una comodidad para los Mexicanos el no aprender ingles y utilizar aqui su lengua natal. Es importante resaltár que el Valle sigue siendo territorio Estadounidense y, aunque sigan emigrando miles de mexicanos al año, estas tierras son de ellos y debemos de respetarlas y aceptar su cultura y sus tradiciones.

“Es una realidad que Estados Unidos cada vez se vuelve más como la cultura Mexicana, pero todos los extranjeros debemos de recordar que el ir a otro país es acceder a respetar sus leyes y sus costumbres, envez de tratar de cambiarlas,” Fernando Johnson, graduado de UTPA, quién reside en Washington dijo. “Los Mexicanos deberíamos esforzarnos más por conocer la cultura Estadounidense y así poder vivir tranquilos y sin problemas.”

Piensamiento General: Ya sea que el Valle se volvió un “Mexico Pequeño” o que la cultura “Gringa” sigue predominando, una cosa es cierta, en los últimos años se a vuelto el hogar de muchas otras culturas que an aprendido a convivir unas con otras. El respetar el estilo de vida de los demas y acoplarse a la diferente forma de pensar de quienes nos rodean es la clave del éxito para coexistir en una sociedad marcada por las diferencias sociales.

Algo es cierto, seas Mexicano o Estadounidense, el Valle no te cerrará puertas a sus sorpresas, su rica diversidad y, siempre debemos de recordar, que el Valle siempre será nuestro hogar.

For English translation visit

Panamericanonline.com

8

November 3, 2011

PICKS ICKS OF THE WEEK Art

Stories You Haven’t Heard series The Art Department will host a closing reception for the work of graduate students Victoria Hidalgo and Eduardo Quitero Nov. 3 in the Fine Arts Gallery from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Performance

Faith Aguilar/THE PAN AMERICAN

By Elihu Garcia The Pan American

The Choir Ensemble will perform on Tuesday in the Fine Arts Auditorium under the direction of, Christopher Munn, a music professor and director of choral studies. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Music

Crowds of UTPA students walk from hall to hall, from room to room, unaware of who they are walking next to. People like 29-year-old Robert Guerrero, a maintenance worker who cleans late at night. One would never imagine he is a collector of football cards estimated at about a half million dollars, including some rare classic San Francisco 49ers cards.

His interest in collecting started when he was a student at McAllen High School, and Guerrero recalls watching other classmates’ trading cards, not knowing that collecting would later become a lifelong pastime that incorporated one of his favorite sports.

“It became a really addictive hobby,”

he said, “I would be looking forward to (watching football) every Sunday and being with the family.”

However, as a high school student, he didn’t have much money to pay for the packages that contained cards.

“I used to help out my dad, a self-employed floor technician.

I would get my money from there since he would pay me,” Guerrero, who has been at working at UTPA for nearly three years, said.

Purchasing a package of cards is a risk because the outcome of the cards’ value is impossible to gauge, he said. Collectors seeking a rare card must invest in packages sold only at collectible shops at high prices because of the possibility they might contain a valuable card.

“I don’t buy packages anymore. Now I buy sets or boxes,” Guerrero said.

“Not every month but, I try to when I can and waste between $100 to $200.”

Cards are valued depending on various things like the rarity, the

.

- Robert Guerrero condition, as well as the quality of the player pictured on it, Guerrero said. If there is a slight bend or a small tear, the card drops in value.

Guerrero’s interest in collecting cards

was spurred when he began seeking cards of Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino at small collectibles shops.

“What keeps me doing this is that I like the hobby, I like the sport,” he said.

“It’s tough, but, it’s a fun challenge.”

Today his collection resides in seven three-inch binders, and it is still growing. Each binder contains about 3,000 cards.

Many still question why collectors become so attached to these unique possessions but, only those who treasure them really understand.

“I don’t think I would ever sell them. I think I would only do it if I were in a emergency and if I really needed the money,” Guerrero said. “I love my cards. It’s been so many years, and I’m not planning on getting rid of them.”

UTPA student association brings diversity to campus Valley rockers Dignan will take the stage along with The Young Maths and four other bands at Sofie’s SS Salon in McAllen Nov. 3. The all-ages show starts at 7 p.m. 6801 S. 10th St. Cover: $7

ay What?

Say

Writers in Literary Discussion will host its Humorous Poetry Reading Nov. 3 at the STC Student Lounge in Building H. The mic will be open to all starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

By Alma E. Hernandez The Pan American UTPA’s Indian Cultural Association kicked off the year by painting henna tattoos at this year’s Carnival of the Great Pumpkin Oct. 29, the first of several events the organization has planned. Students aim to bring Indian culture to the University community with bake sales, movie nights, and celebration of Indian events like Diwali.

According to Sherley J. Edinbarough, a pre-med senior and president of ICA, Diwali will be celebrated Nov. 13 with the Indian Association of the Rio Grande Valley. The holiday is one of the major Hindu festivals often referred to as the “the festival of lights” because people decorate their homes with colorful lights to symbolize hope and positive energy. The festival will showcase cultural richness by displaying a variety of artifacts,

including ornaments, clothing, cuisine and Bollywood entertainment.

“When you get a chance to learn about a new culture, that’s something you shouldn’t pass up,” she said.

Edinbarough was born in India and moved to New York when she was 5. Five years later, her father brought the family to the Valley because of his work.

“We seem to blend in with the Valley actually,” she said. “We enjoy the Mexican or the Hispanic culture, and we pretty much have the same taste buds, so we just blend in.”

Edinbarough believes the ICA is

important to UTPA because it exposes students to a different culture.

“For me especially, I love being part of the Valley,” she said. “I love constantly interacting with Hispanic people and eating the food, learning the language, and when you have the opportunity to meet people of different cultures, I think that’s the next best thing short of traveling to India itself. Especially with the Indians here. They’re very generous, and we’re always willing to take you home and give you a taste of India.”

Narayan Bhat, who is originally from India, has been the advisor to

ICA since its start in 2006. A chemistry professor at UTPA for 15 years, Bhat agrees that the organization benefits the student body.

“It helps them (students) to understand our culture, it helps them to interact with other each other on the campus and once in a while we can enjoy what we have in our culture on campus,” Bhat said. “It creates a very positive feeling among the community. Also, once in a while we get to enjoy the Indian food.”

Edinbarough urges anyone interested in participating in the ICA to visit the Facebook page to learn about future events.

“We’re not an exclusive club,” she said.

“We invite everyone.”

ICA future events NOV. 3 bake sale

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the

Science Building lobby

NOV. 3 movie night 7 p.m. Room 2.106 Nov. 13 Diwali 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at La Antigua Revilla, 4101 W. University Drive.

Tickets are $10 for International students and $15 for non IARGV (Indian Association of Rio Grande Valley) members.

C

November 3, 2011

heap hic

THE GUIDE TO Thrift Shopping

Thrift store brings affordable fashion to Valley

By Lea Juarez The Pan American Big city style has made its way to Edinburg. RockStar Vintage has set up shop on University Drive and has no intention of leaving anytime soon.

They’ve got round-the-clock music and caches of clothes and trinkets from eras of all kinds.

Owners Rolando Martinez and Francisco Vega call it “the Austin style,” and their target customer is the college scholar. They’ve been across from the UTPA campus for about three months, promoting their business through Facebook and word of mouth.

“Austin is the vintage mecca, and everyone goes there. It’s like we brought over a little piece of Austin to Edinburg,”

Martinez said. “Vintage fashion has always existed on college campuses. It defines you in a special way.”

Martinez, originally from Houston, is a former owner of Flipside, a vintage clothing store in McAllen that closed down in 2009. When the store began selling garments that were not vintage, he chose to start up his own store. The vision the owners had for RockStar Vintage was to stay true to its name and still bring tasteful affordable fashion to the people.

“We kind of felt like it was needed here,” Martinez said. “All walks of life are on a college campus, and you have to adapt to the people around you. We’re nice on your pocket, but we’re not ‘cheap’ and it relates well to college students.”

Nearly every item inside RockStar

Flushed

By Susan Gonzalez The Pan American

When Monique Gutierrez, a graduate student pursuing her master’s in psychology, went into the restroom in the Education Complex her second week of school she didn’t expect to get injured in the process.

While using one of the bathrooms in the education complex, Gutierrez swung her hand to retrieve some toilet paper and hit it against the latch on the toilet paper holder.

The door that is supposed to be shut on the receptacle was wide open and couldn’t be closed. “…I swung my hand and got a bruise on one of my fingers,” she said.

U.S. hospitals treat 200,000 bathroomrelated injuries every year, according to The Los Angeles Times. While Gutierrez’s injury didn’t send her to the hospital, it still gave her a bad impression of the University.

She’d completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at University of Texas at Brownsville and expected the facilities at UTPA to be equally clean, if not more so, due to the fact that both colleges are part of the University of Texas system.

“I do think it’s a poor reflection of the

9

Reynaldo Leal/ THE PAN AMERICAN

A white pair of retro-styled sunglasses decorated with multi-colored hearts that resemble a flashback to the 80s.

Cost: $5

GREAT FIND! - Rockstar Vintage shop specializes in thrift store chic and high-fashion for cheap. It is located at 808 W. University Dr. across from UTPA. Vintage is hand-picked by the owners themselves. They understand their customer and attempt to do their best to collect a variety of items that suit every type of shopper since their products are one-of-a-kind and have rarity.

“People do bring in items, but we get our clothes from the northeast region like New York, New Jersey, Boston.

It’s all raw materials,” Martinez said.

“For us it’s like Christmas morning when you see all those boxes, but you have no idea what’s in them and you just start digging through

to find all these great things. What can get stressful, though, is when we don’t have what a person wants since nothing is manufactured.”

RockStar Vintage is in the process of expanding their business. Martinez said they would like to add a café area with room to host acoustic shows.

“We want to be here forever and take this concept to other university towns to share the experience,” Martinez said.

“Fashion sets everybody apart and we all want to add something different. It’s the clothes that make the man.”

Yellow button-up collared shirt made by Liz Claiborne when most of today’s youth was still in diapers, gives it a vintage feel.

Decorated with flowers. Cost: $7

State of campus restrooms draws much controversy

school,” she said.

In addition to being a safety hazard and a poor reflection of the University, Gutierrez also thinks it’s just plain unclean.

“There’s no receptacle to put the paper in,” she said. “The toilet paper is not where it’s supposed to be, and it’s unsanitary. If someone has dirty hands and they grab the toilet paper and put it back and someone else comes and they do the same thing, it’s horrible.”

However, the bathroom issues are not limited to matters of cleanliness. She has also noticed problems that are direct results of students’ actions. Her boyfriend, Emmanuel Rocha, a graduate student in global security studies, shed some light on pranks that occur in the men’s restrooms.

“My boyfriend used one of the men’s restrooms on campus and on all the urinals there was a sign that said ‘out of order,’” she said. “So he tried one to see if it flushed and it worked. So some guys were just messing with it. It’s the immaturity of the students.”

While some of these issues can be remedied by better student conduct, others are a matter for the Department of Facilities Maintenance and Operations.

As a former student and current assistant director for facilities programs and services,

Sayeed Wadud has a unique perspective on the situation.

“I’ve been here at UTPA for 10 years, so I see from both sides, as a student and a staff member,” Wadud said.

As a student, he remembers seeing peers often ignore issues of cleanliness in the restroom, such as not picking up paper towels they dropped or not cleaning up spills they caused. But as a staff member, he now realizes the resources he has at his disposal are not enough to ensure aroundthe-clock service for each bathroom facility on campus.

“We have few areas, for example the Wellness (and Recreational Sports Complex), Bronc Village, Unity Hall, men’s and women’s dorms, both health and physical education buildings, including the Field House, the Student Union and the University Center – these are the only places where we have standby people (to clean),” he said. “Those are the buildings where you have students throughout the day. The rest of the buildings don’t have standby people.”

This means that there are about 40 buildings on campus that don’t have a constant cleaning crew, and only seven people to cover each during day and night

shifts. Simply put, there is too much square footage for custodial services to cover constantly with the amount of people they have.

But Wadud does appreciate student input. It gives his department direction in terms of which buildings need more frequent monitoring. Ideally, he likes to have someone check on each bathroom at least twice per shift, but for bigger buildings, such as the Education Complex and the Communication Arts and Sciences building, they may need more constant care.

The department tries to do what it can to solve these problems. But part of the responsibility falls on the same people who are reporting problems – the users of the facilities, Wadud said.

“We’re not telling the students to clean,” he said. “If I’m dispensing a paper towel, I should throw it away. There is evidence of people putting the brown paper towels in the toilets or urinals, and they are never supposed to put that kind of paper in the toilet. But it’s not just the students using the facilities. It is staff, faculty and visitors coming in. The only thing we expect is for people to help us a little by dispensing of things in a proper manner.”

Hippie-inspired bag decorated with a tribal pattern and a red zipper. Dangerous. Cost: $6

Brown suede lace-up shoes with a glossy black finish. 50s classic feel. Cost: $8

found at Rockstar Vintage

Page 10

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November 3, 2011

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November 3, 2011

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