January 17, 2012 by UTRGV Student Media

Face Lift

UTPA gets springtime improvements

the

page 5

January 17, 2012

Volume 68, No. 14

Feeling the Pressure UTPA moves to reduce unnecessary credits Drumming Up

Spirit The Bronc Pep Band

amuses fans, motivates team page 9

How it works: the SGA edition a simple breakdown of how a bill gets passed page 7

ONLINE

panamericanonline.com

Undying Dream

“Walk and Live the Dream” remembers MLK Day.

By Karen Antonacci The Pan American

In two years students who exceed 150 hours before graduating will see their bill increase more dramatically. The University administration along with the Student Government Association voted to increase extra credit-hour tuition, the fee applied after a student has hit their hour limit, from $90 a credit hour to $363. After the 2005 Texas Legislature prohibited universities from requiring more that 120 hours for a degree, UTPA departments reduced all degree plans to comply with the rule. On top of the 120 hours, students are given an additional 30- to 45-hour cushion, depending on when they enrolled, until they must pay the excessive credit-hour tuition. UTPA President Robert Nelsen said that the University was increasing excessive credithour tuition to enforce the existing legislation and help students graduate on time. “This is a law that came into effect a while ago, it was just never enforced at Pan Am. We just let it go on and on and on, and it’s been to the detriment of our students,” he said. “If I had it my way and I could just have a magic wand, I would want everybody to be able to graduate in four years so they can move on with their lives, but a lot of our students can’t. They’re working, they’ve got children. But I don’t want them taking a course, especially if they’re working, and take the extra burden of that course and that course doesn’t count towards their degree. That’s wrong.” The reason for the increase is two-fold. First, the state of Texas does not

reimburse UTPA for credit hours after 150, so UTPA must foot the entire bill. Rather than shoulder this cost, the University decided to follow other Texas institutions and charge the out-of-state rate for excessive credit hours. “We compared ourselves to the rest of the state and the rest of the UT System, and we’re doing what everybody else is doing. Some people don’t like that,” Nelsen said. “One student in particular said, ‘Let’s be different than everybody else.’ A lot of times we need to be different, but what we’re trying to do is change a behavior, and we know it works in other places.” Second, students are taking more hours than are needed to

graduate. According to Nelsen, students at UTPA on average attempt 165 hours when the average degree is 120, which roughly translates to three extra semesters. Further compounding the problem for students, financial aid typically only pays up to 150 hours. “(Taking 45 extra hours) puts the student in debt. We are trying to stop the student from going in debt,” the president said. Larissa Almanza, a sophomore studio art major, said that while the new rate is a large jump from the old one, it is understandable in some cases. “If you’re beating around

the bush and don’t know what you want to do, it affects you,” she said. “But if you already know what you’re going to do and are not wasting your time taking extra credit hours, then it shouldn’t affect you at all.” The increase would primarily affect transfer students and students who change their major late in their academic career, according to Marilyn Hagerty, director of the Office of Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Studies. Transfer students from community or junior college sometimes come to UTPA with upward of 100 hours already under their belt, leaving little room to complete their four-year degree, Hagerty said. Students who change majors in their third or fourth year,

See advisement || Page 4

editorial 3

January 17, 2012

November 10, 2011

opinion

Smoke ’em if you got ’em, just not at UTPA. Reynaldo Leal Co-Editor-in-Chief

Seventy percent of students polled on the myUTPA website have agreed that our campus should be a “smokefree environment.” The number of students who took the poll hovered above 6,500 before it ended on Jan. 5. Interestingly enough, the numbers collected by the online poll mirrored those cited by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on how many Americans consider themselves smokers and non-smokers. What does that mean? The majority of students and faculty at our university

(like most Americans) are nonsmokers, silently tolerating the cigarette smoke of others as they walk through the sliding doors of campus buildings. It seems that the other 20 to 30 percent never got the memo on what cigarettes do to their health and ours. It’s like they refuse to let the days of the 1960s smoke-filled airplane cabins go the way of - well, 1960s smoke-filled airplane cabins. Extinct. That same minority may feel that smoking here on campus equates to some kind of unalienable right or freedom of expression. At the least it must be chalked up to adults making their own decision on how to harm themselves, right? No. I will agree that every adult has the right to do with their body as they see fit; however, a completely smoke-free campus would never mean

that smokers could no longer purchase or use their cigarettes. They would just need to wait and smoke somewhere else. Perhaps the simple solution is actual enforcement of the rules on not smoking within 25 feet of building entrances. Maybe having designated smoking areas where all the “cool” people can hang out would be better. I for one cannot stand the sight of cigarette butts littered in front of the Communications Arts and Sciences building, and would more than welcome a campuswide cigarette ban.

Ban unrealistic, unenforceable Nadia Tamez-Robledo Co-Editor-in-Chief I write this as the orange glow of the cigarette in my left hand creeps steadily toward the yellow filter, turning the paper and tobacco inside to a tiny pillar of ash. It has proven difficult to formulate an argument in favor of smoking. I suppose I really shouldn’t be surprised. How does one defend something that’s been so demonized? The answer lies in the very nature of the poll, which holds the socially acceptable answer in itself: “We want to know if you support a smoke-free environment to include all exterior grounds and

parking lots owned or operated by UT Pan American.” There it is. Smoke-free campus, a phrase that harkens back to the afternoons many of us spent at grade school assemblies during Red Ribbon Week. Maybe future polls will ask things like, “Do you think mean people are mean?” The crushed corpse of cigarette one is on the ground now, and as I prepare for cigarette two, I’m wondering: Are we seriously talking about this? I don’t know what the impetus for the poll was, so I can’t argue against the specific reasons behind it. Still, I feel like this issue would be more suited for one opinion page of my high school paper, but I suppose 70 percent of students polled would disagree. I can understand no smoking in restaurants and bars. They’re closed spaces that can make

it hard or impossible for nonsmokers and staff to escape the fumes. But banning it on the entire campus? Where it’s done in the open air? Where passers-by are subject to the smoke for a few seconds at most? Yeah, reasonable. Some might argue that the cigarette butts are a hazard to the environment. Looking at all of the ones stomped into the soil around the shrubs outside the COAS building, that’s hard to deny. The resolution? Smokers walk a few feet and toss them in the trash. They take up a whole lot less space than the empty soda bottles and empty drink cans and probably biodegrade just as easily. I’m not too worried about a smoking ban, though. If the smoking ban is enforced the same way current policies are, I’d say that not much will actually change anyway.

Vol. 68, No. 14

cartoon

The Pan American

tweets

thepanamerican@gmail.com 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

@utpastudentgovt needs to update their twitter ASAP because they’re gaining followers like anything!

Co-Editors in Chief:

Reynaldo Leal Nadia Tamez-Robledo

- @ayeshazahd SGA beat reporter

News Editor:

Karen Antonacci

@UTPA students, professors tell us what you think about the news. Tweet at us with the tag #UTPAnews

Sports Editor:

Michael Saenz

Arts & Life Editor: Norma Gonzalez

Photography Editor: Faith Aguilar

- @ThePanAmerican

Design Editor:

Erick Gonzalez

Multimedia Editor:

Letters to the Editor 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.

Pamela Morales

Adviser:

Dr. Greg Selber

Administrative Associate:

Anita Reyes

Advertising Manager:

Mariel Cantu Francisco Rodriguez/The Pan American

n o i t duc o r P otes N week 1

The New Year is a time of fresh starts and resolutions, and The Pan American newsroom is no exception. Our resolution as a staff is to listen more closely to the concerns and interest of our readers. You’ll spot us handing out new

editions of the paper in the Student Union and around campus every Thursday for the rest of the semester. However, you don’t have to wait for us to come to you. If you have a story idea, tweet at us, post on our Facebook wall, shoot us an email or

give us a call. Even better, knock on our door at COAS 187. Good luck during the new semester.

Remember: If you see news happening, you know where to find us.

Webmasters:

Jose Villarreal Selvino Padilla

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

Delivery:

Thursday at noon

January 17, 2012

Page 3

the pan american

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For special accommodations contact The Office for Student Involvement at 665-2660

news 3

January 17, 2012

newsbriefs Smoking - A poll on the

my.utpa.edu website asked students their opinion on a smoke-free campus, including all exterior grounds and parking lots. The poll closed Jan. 5 with 6,521 votes, approximately a third of the students enrolled. Here’s how students answered.

NE ST AI AB

YES

69% 25% 6% Spirit Day - President Robert Nelsen declared Jan. 2 that every Friday at UTPA will be a Spirit Friday. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear green, white and orange or UTPA-branded clothing. Spirit Fridays are not mandatory, and Nelsen noted that “appropriate is the key word here. The Cabinet and University Council have decided to leave the question of what is professionally appropriate and what is not in any given circumstance to supervisors and employees,” he wrote. State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D), Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) and Rep. Aaron Pena (R-McAllen)

will be at the Student Union Jan. 24 for a conversation on the 82nd and 83rd Legislature presented by The Texas Tribune and moderated by CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith. The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and is free, with parking available in lot A, next to the COAS building. To reserve seats, please go to www. texastribune.org/events or email rsvp@texastribune.org.

Rigo Martinez - HEB

has donated $2,000 to Jovenas Adelante (JA), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping bright but economically disadvantaged youth succeed in college. The grant is the result of graduate student Rigo Miller’s efforts after he took a grant writing course. “I Googled about 20 different local business in Hidalgo County and wrote a letter of inquiry to each,” he said. “The only one that responded was HEB and awarded Jovenes Adelante $2,000 to purchase computers. I was thrilled to find out that the work paid off.”

November 10, 2011

Advising

continued from Page 1 especially with a transition to a different college, are susceptible to excessive credit-hour tuition because they might have to retake certain core specialty classes, such as business calculus for their new major. According to Nelsen, the administration did a study to see specifically how many students would be affected by the increase in excessive credit hour tuition. The study found the number to be approximately 118, less than one percent of the student population. The Cost of Education Committee and the Student Government Association held forums Nov. 28 and 29 to discuss the changes and a poll to get students’ opinion on the issues. A handful of students attended the forums, and less than one percent of the student population took the poll, which was open to all 19,100 students at utpa.edu/coec. There are concerns over the increase, such as a lack of advisement support for students and what Nelsen admitted was a quicker than usual decision. “I think it would be helpful if we had a graduated way to increase it,” Hagerty said. “Not going from $90 to $300 all of a sudden, but allow students

time to make the adjustment.” Excessive credithour tuition is linked with advisement, the meeting with academic counselors prior to a student being able to register for classes, because some feel that students are taking extraneous classes due to bad undergraduate advisement. Artemio Zavala, a sophomore pre-med biology major, said he didn’t find his undergraduate advisement experience helpful. “When I showed up, the only thing I was (told) was as long as I have enough hours between 12 and 18, I’m good. My advisement probably took about 30 seconds,” the 26-year-old said. “I did research on my own and figured out what classes I have to take, and I have planned it out. It took a couple of days to figure it out, (but now I’m) all set for classes I need to take for the next two years.” Nelsen said the University is aware of problems with advisement in the past and the new increase in tuition will go both to a $500 stipend for students who take at least 15 hours a semester, and to make changes to advisement. Namely, the advisers are being consolidated into

I change my major? How many hours will it take or how much more will it cost me?’” Nelsen explained. “Plus, on top of that, the adviser will be able to post a note to the student saying you shouldn’t be taking this course, or you need to see me. There’s communication, almost like Facebook -back and forth where you’re communicating. That will

a more cohesive unit and are being cross-trained to work with different grade levels and majors. The University is also planning on implementing a new online program called DegreeWorks that will allow students to take a more hands-on role in advisement. “The student will be able to run a what-if scenario. ‘What if I take this course? Or what if

What students are saying:

a big improvement.” In regard to excessive credit hours, Nelsen said that the University wants to make sure that students are getting everything they can from their classes, and Hagerty agreed. “(I would tell students) make any course you take count,” she said. “That’s where (advisers) can help you so you don’t have to retake classes, and so it’s going towards what you want as your career goal.”

How would you rate your undergrad advisement experience?

Horrible: “Adviser wasn't interested in helping. I asked about a minor, and he began filling out the paper work, and when I said I was still undecided he said, ‘I'll just file this here’ and placed it in a trashcan.”

14.1% Poor: “Lacking, rude, unwilling to cooperate, uninformed and hasty.”

Excellent: “My adviser has been excellent. She has shown me that she cares about me as a student and as a person.”

27.3%

22.2% 21.2%

Average: “The advisers need to interact more with the students and keep in touch, like update the students on new rules and new degree plans.”

20.2% Acceptable: “I'm a sophmore and think at this grade level we need more direction about the courses we need to take, as well as knowledge about minors that we can take apart from our major. Thank you.”

Running against Ruben

Former UTPA prof gearing up for Congressional Dem Primary By Cindy Jaimez The Pan American UTPA graduate and former lecturer Jane Cross is running against incumbent Rep. Ruben Hinojosa and opponents Ruben Ramon Ramirez and David Cantu in the April 3 Democratic primary for U.S. Congressional District 15. She confirmed her candidacy for Congress Nov. 28 at a McAllen Democratic event. She said her political interest sprouted in the ‘80s and a few years back joined Get Out of Our House (GOOOH), a movement to oust career politicians from the U.S. House of Representatives; she was then selected to be a candidate by GOOOH. “People go in there and get comfortable and that’s when they think they’re entitled,” Cross said. “It’s just like when you’re with a really good teacher that knows you really well. You don’t have to be quite as bright or you don’t have to be as good as in the beginning.” Cross started at the Pan American University in the spring of 1974 and later served as communication lecturer during

the early 1990s. “If anything, UTPA has helped me with communicating because you have to communicate with people,” Cross said. “And if you’re a good communicator, you have to be a good listener.” Cross plans to focus on intensifying border security,

third-generation people that don’t even get up to mow the lawn,” she said. “They’re not going to do it, won’t do it. People don’t want to work.” In regard to education, she suggested increasing the amount of trade schools for those who are not as “prepared” for college since

“Something’s wrong

with the system. People are

angry. There needs to be more checks and balances.”

-Jane Cross

Congressional candidate expanding the oil and gas industry to boost the economy, and regulating the welfare system, as well as reforming immigration and supplementing existing education. She wants to use troops who come back from the Middle East for border security. “Soldiers are already trained in security,” she said. “You can make them part of national security.” Cross’ stance on immigration is that it should be easier for people to get work visas. “I know a lot of second- or

the United States is decreasing in trade production, according to Cross. “There are some people who aren’t cut out for college,” she said. “We’re losing our trade. We’re losing our carpenters, yielders, and air-conditioning and plumbing people.” Cross advocates promoting the oil and gas industry to provide jobs and mentioned taxing everyone, even if it is one percent or the poor. “If you don’t pay for something sometimes, you don’t

appreciate it,” she said. “The economy and everybody can cut five percent off any budget. Any budget.” Cross also said the welfare system needs more regulation. “Something’s wrong with the system,” she said. “People are angry. There needs to be more checks and balances. Just go to H-E-B and see people in Cadillacs that receive $2,500 in welfare while others with $1,200 don’t.” She gives credit to her communication background for the candidacy process and relies on word-ofmouth to promote herself. Cross said she does not fundraise much for the campaign, relying on small donations from friends and family. She’s been using some of her savings as well. “If anybody gives big donations, chances are they’re going to want something in return,” Cross said. “I don’t want to go up there owing something.” Cross also shared her campaign goal. “Our strategy is to beat the incumbent and their party,” she

said. “My goal when elected is to be heard and to stand up for my constituents.” Cross said that she’s been receiving positive feedback from the public in response to her candidacy. As the only woman running, she considers her gender as an advantage. “I feel like I have a really good chance of winning voters because women like to vote,” she said. “I’m just humbled by people being so supportive.” Bronc Radio and TV adviser Frederick Mann said he has known her for several years as a faculty colleague and station supporter. “As far as I know, no special interest groups have her in their grasp,” he said. “She has her own money and is very outspoken. She is not afraid of anybody or anything. I look forward to the campaign this fall...it should be very interesting with her race against Hinojosa.” In the end, though, Cross said she loves teaching and doesn’t plan on not staying in Congress too long. “Believe me, I’m going to be back,” she said. “I’m not going to die in office. I want to go serve my term, three, five, six years, pick something and then go home.”

news 3

January 17, 2012

1102 ,01 rebmevoN

The Pan American

Sidewalks redone, food options added By Daniella Diaz The Pan American

Students may notice that the campus they left in December isn’t quite the one they’re returning to after the break. Construction started on the addition of two new food shops, minor upgrades to some buildings, and reconstruction of many sidewalks on campus. Following the renewal of the University’s contract with Sodexo, the company that provides all on-campus dining, construction began on two new food shop locations Dec. 27. Sandella’s Sandwich Shop will be built in the first floor of the student lounge in the Science Building and is scheduled to be completed after Spring Break. Jazzman’s Café and Bakery will be a large food shop that will take up the Interlibrary Loans office and student lounge area of the library, along with a new outdoor patio area. Jazzman’s is set to open in early April, according to Marta SalinasHovar, project manager at the Physical Plant.

“I think the students will be really happy to see, come springtime, more choices in the food selection,” she said. “Since (students) spend a lot of time here on campus, I think the food options are going to be a big improvement.” These two new food shops will cost the University and Sodexo approximately $550,000 to build. The University is receiving part of its funds from the regenerating revenue at the Auxiliary Services department, which includes the University bookstore, food services, vending services, and mail services. Part of the cost is being footed by Sodexo, according to Salinas-Hovar. “The construction project is part of a food service bid that we had earlier in the year... Included in that contract is the capital investment that Sodexo will be providing the University that’s going to help fund the shops. It’s a collaborative source of funds from different groups,” said Leticia Benavides, director of Auxiliary Services, which was part of the committee that renewed

Police Beat Monday, Jan. 2

Faith Aguilar/The Pan American

new eats - Construction workers rush to complete Jazzman’s Cafe and Bakery, one of UTPA library’s new renovations. Sodexo’s contract. Along with the addition of Sandella’s to the Science Building and Jazzman’s to the library, the University also plans to begin construction on

$550,000 UTPA and Sodexo will spend half a million on new eateries for students and campus improvements

new food shops in the Student Union. “We’re going to be adding a Poncho’s where the existing C-Store is, and we’re going to be getting a new food court renovation which will include Chick-Fil-A, Slice of Life Pizza, and Main Bowl (a sushi restaurant),” Benavides said. The last renovation to be completed will be a redesign of the cafeteria. “We don’t know how much the overall project is going to cost yet but we will know soon,” Benavides said. Additionally, the health science auditoriums received new lighting, while they and

the Physical Plant building are getting new air-conditioning units. “The air-conditioning units at the Physical Plant had agerelated issues… it was time to replace them,” said Albert Luis, assistant director of Facilities Operation Support. “The ones at the health science auditoriums were also agerelated issues, but we were also having some indoor air quality issues, so (the upgrades) were done as a solution to the problems we were having.” Representatives of the Physical Plant department, which oversees the construction, said sidewalk renovations that began earlier in the holiday break should be

completed by Tuesday, the first day of class. “The sidewalks were mainly an improvement for maintenance purposes because the sidewalks we had were old and cracked, and a couple of existing sidewalks were too narrow,” Luis said. The Physical Plant department is aware that the construction may be a sore sight for students. “It’s been really busy, so bear with us. We know we are Physical Plant, and we’re constantly trying to keep the campus operating,” Luis said. “It is usually going to look worse before it looks better. The improvements will come and better the campus.”

New Food Locations

Name

Type of Food Location

Sandella’s

Sandwich Coffee & Pastery

Science Bldg. Library

Chicken

Stu. Union Stu. Union Stu. Union Stu. Union

Jazzman’s Chick-Fil-A Poncho’s Slice of Life Main Bowl

Tacos Pizza Sushi

UT Police cited several students at a Bronc Village apartment for providing alcohol to a minor and consumption of alcohol by a minor. The case has been referred to the Dean of Students office as well as the Student Judicial Affairs office.

Wednesday, Jan. 4

A subject was arrested for driving while intoxicated at an off-campus location. The suspect was also charged with possession of cocaine.

Monday, Jan. 9

UT Police made contact with three female students in reference to an investigation of a suspicious person at Bronc Village. The unidentified male lingered outside of the apartment door on two occasions, saying that he was waiting for a female student who was not home at the time. UT Police searched the area, but could not locate anyone matching the description of the suspicious person.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

UT Police responded to the Lamar building in reference to a threat made by one male staff member to another male staff member. The reporting party did not want to file charges at that time. Contact was made with the second party, who was informed of possible criminal penalties and asked to remain civil towards coworkers.

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 17, 2012

Page 7

Design by Mario Lopez Research by Ayesha Zahid

The Executive

Branch is made up of the president, vice president,

and their aides. The president and vice president represent the Student Government Association at all meetings, functions and events directly affecting the SGA. They sign and execute legislation passed by the Senate, or veto, as necessary.

Stephanie Corte Delivers reports during meetings; represents UTPA’s students in front of administration.

SGA represents the student body to the University administration. Its goal is to reach out to the student population, gather any and all concerns, and resolve those issues by working closely with the faculty, staff and administration.

George Galindo Conducts meetings, cannot vote on the Senate floor except to break ties.

If necessary a committee will work, edit, and do more research on the bill. Idea for a bill or resolution is introduced.

The Judicial

Branch is composed of justices, who are

responsible for dealing with conflicts and swearing in officers into the senate. Vice president introduces the bill to the senate. Responsible for swearing officers into the Senate.

Senators debate the bill (one-minute speech each).

Deals with “legal” conflicts within the SGA.

Voting begins

The Legislative Branch includes the senators at large, the college senators, senator representatives, and organization representatives in the Senate. They are largely responsible for conducting research on any bills/resolutions they want to pass. This research involves talking to constituents (students, faculty and staff at UTPA) and gathering facts which will help validate the piece of legislation.

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The bill goes to the president for approval.

The senate approves bills last resolution.

Rafael Alvarez

A senator sponsors the bill.

January 17, 2012

v ic

THE PAN AMERICAN

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THE PAN AMERICAN

January 17, 2012

Page 7

Design by Mario Lopez Research by Ayesha Zahid

The Executive

Branch is made up of the president, vice president,

Stephanie Corte Delivers reports during meetings; represents UTPA’s students in front of administration.

George Galindo Conducts meetings, cannot vote on the Senate floor except to break ties.

If necessary a committee will work, edit, and do more research on the bill. Idea for a bill or resolution is introduced.

The Judicial

Branch is composed of justices, who are

responsible for dealing with conflicts and swearing in officers into the senate. Vice president introduces the bill to the senate. Responsible for swearing officers into the Senate.

Senators debate the bill (one-minute speech each).

Deals with “legal” conflicts within the SGA.

Voting begins

to ena

E n g in e e ri Computer Sncg and ien ce

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E d u c at

Senators At Large Represent all the colleges; are responsible for reaching out to the entire student population.

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The bill goes to the president for approval.

The senate approves bills last resolution.

Rafael Alvarez

A senator sponsors the bill.

January 17, 2012

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THE PAN AMERICAN

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arts & life 3

January 17, 2012

The Rhythm of the Rio Grande

November 10, 2011

a history of struggle Students restore segregated cemetery

By Justin O’Donnell The Pan American

For more information go to:

panamericanonline.com

Adrian Castillo/The Pan American

Gone but not forgotten - (L-R) Senior SGA member Evan Brough honors MLK day by doing maintenance on a once-segregated graveyard in Edinburg.Junior nursing major Daisy Amaro paints one of the many unnamed crosses at the Restlawn Cementery. By Saira Treviño The Pan American More than 30 UTPA volunteers spent Martin Luther King, Jr. Day restoring Restlawn Cemetery, a once-segregated graveyard in Edinburg. According to historic archives from the Museum of South Texas History, a small black community served wealthy white land-owners in the area during the 1920s. The rights of these workers, including a proper burial place, were limited. “The black community was the underdogs. They were marginalized, they were denied education, and they had no place. They didn’t have a place

at the table where discussions were held and decisions were made, they didn’t count,” said Valerie Ramirez, a retired elementary teacher from Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary who has helped the cemetery gain recognition from the city, other individuals and the media. The cemetery, along with the history of Jim Crow laws in the area, had been forgotten by the community until recent years. Restlawn became another ugly chapter in South Texas’ racist past. It was not until 1993 that Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church gave the “colored cemetery” the name is has

today, according to Barbara Strokes, the senior curator of archives, collections and programs from Museum of South Texas History. The “Black” Cemetery, which houses about 28 graves, used to be a nameless cabbage patch. Located on 1120 Jasman Rd., the cemetery is the final resting place of former UTPA student Joseph Daniel Callis, better known as “Danny,” who was buried in 1968 at age 19. It received a Texas Historic Cemetery designation in 2004 and a Texas Historic Marker in 2008. “It means so much to me. For the longest time no one seemed to have an interest

in the cemetery, it makes me feel good that things are starting to shape up,” said Helen Callis, the former wife of World War II veteran Lewis C. Callis, whose body is buried alongside his son Danny at Cemetery Restlawn. For the past two years, the Office of Student Development from the UTPA has been committed to serve Cemetery Restlawn by cleaning it up and adding new plants to beautify it. UTPA fraternities and sororities hope to continue the tradition of participating in the beautification of the segregated graveyard by cleaning up overgrown plant life and

painting fences and crosses. “We’re trying to do our best to maintain this cemetery clean,” said Daniel Alejandra Gonzalez, a senior and UTPA homecoming queen. “We want to adopt this cemetery as a tradition for our school so that way we can come once a month and not once a year to help keep it clean.” The group of UTPA student volunteers helped spent four hours restoring the forgotten burial ground. “It really is wonderful to look out here and see all these people that care, and that the cemetery is making progress,” Ramirez said. “It is going to be a beautiful place.”

Home Grown Fresh food available at local Farmer’s Market

By Vanessa Garza The Pan American Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown McAllen gets a break from its usual hustle and bustle of nightlife and is

transformed into a place for the whole family. The farmer’s market of Alhambra Mediterranean restaurant showcases fresh food and promotes local production, but also, lends a hand to the community through it’s food.

for story and photos visit:

panamericanonline.com ONLINE

Jan Seale, a poet and Rio Grande Valley resident, has been appointed Texas 2012 poet laureate. The g overnment-a ppo inted position, intended to honor a poet as well as employ her in composing poetry for state occasions, will bring the Rio Grande Valley region and its poetry an unprecedented amount of attention. Born in Pilot Point, Texas, Seale has lived in the state all her life and in McAllen for four decades. Formally an English professor at UTPA, Seale teaches memoir and creative writing workshops locally and nationally. Seale has had seven volumes of poetry published nationally as well as a number of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. Seale is the first poet laureate from the Valley appointed by the Texas Legislature, and she believes that her poetry will help people place the region on a map. “I won’t be reading [exclusively] local poems in subject matter upstate,” said Seale during a reading at the Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen Thursday, “but I will read some. It probably means more people will know something about the Valley. I hope to bring honor to the area.” Seale commented that the poetry scene in the Valley had become vibrant and active in recent years. “It was pretty quiet for a long time,” Seale explained, “and now it’s very lively with lots of poetry readings going on in different places -coffee houses, a group at Pan Am and the master’s program of creative writing we have here.” Seale further explained that now is a very exciting time for poets in the Valley, as well as a time of opportunity. “I’m very thrilled that we have so many poets here,” she concluded, “and that the area is kind of up and coming of age.”

Faith Aguilar/The Pan American

Green thumb - Juan Raygoza hands a box of fresh produce to a customer Saturday at the farmer’s market of Alhambra in McAllen.

arts & life

January 17, 2012

THIS ONE TIME, AT PEP BAND

By Lea Victoria Juarez The Pan American

They toot their horns, bang drums and make the opposing teams wish they had never crossed over into Bronc Territory. The UTPA Pep Band is armed with instruments and ready for game time. The Pep Band ensemble has been a part of the UTPA music program for six years. It is one of 19 ensembles offered to all the university students regardless of major. With a current membership of about 25, the Pep Band uses instruments and comical antics to liven up Bronc basketball games. “To be in the band you need to play your instrument, have a good personality, know how to heckle and have a lot of fun,” senior music education major Peter Garza said. Their vivacious spirit combined with a variety of upbeat music selections like Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” plus rhythmic drum cadences and cheers, are the recipe for both fan and team inspiration. “We play stand tunes to get the crowd involved, get the players pumped up, keep a good mood throughout the game,” senior

“We’re all there to support the team. It brings out the school spirit in all

of us and it helps us understand what it is to be a Bronc.”

Peter Garza

Music education major

drumline member Trinidad Lopez Jr. said. “As a whole, our job is to motivate and pump up our crowd and home team.” Part of being in the band means dishing out witty taunts to the opposing team. Senior member Norma Gonzalez/The Pan American Federrico Solis explains that Getting pumped - The Pep Band drumline celebrates as the UTPA men’s basketball they have a number of ways of team scores against Oswego State University. egging foes on and distracting “They bring the energy,” and the crowd alone to stay to branch out into other sports, them from the game. “We say small things to mess senior guard Jared Maree said. pumped up and invigorated. but because of the lack of funds with their heads,” Solis said. “We “When we come out, they’re the “The away games differ a lot,” it is likely to be a difficult task. take to their errors and throw it in first thing we hear and see. They junior guard Brandon Provost “They [the band members] bring the support and do a great said. “Even if we do have a good play X amount of games and their faces to mess with them.” From the moment of arrival job of getting opponents and crowd turnout, the band is always get X amount of money,” the loudest and most energetic Torres explained. “The money until they’ve exited the building, giving them a hard time.” that is allotted is scholarships Because of financial issues people in the stands.” members take their position From November through for the students. Technically high in the bleachers behind and conflicts in schedules, the the opposing team, making Pep Band is only able to perform March, the Pep Band can be heard they are going to each game noise to rally the players and at home basketball games. at every home basketball game for and getting paid to be there.” the crowd. And their actions When the teams are on the road, both men and women. Director While it is essentially a job, players must rely on themselves of Bands Saul Torres is looking money is no matter. The band are appreciated.

members are merely spectators with a little extra oomph. They’re there to support the team through both its challenges and triumphs. “It’s a lot of fun and we all enjoy it,” Garza said. “We’re all there to support the team. It brings out the school spirit in all of us and it helps us understand what it is to be a Bronc.” The opposing teams may be on the receiving end of light-hearted jabs from the Pep Band, but even they can’t deny the liveliness they put into the basketball games. “Our band is awesome,” men’s coach Ryan Marks said. “They’re as good as anyone else’s band from any other team we’ve played. I’ve had a couple of coaches from the other teams say things like, ‘You know, your band is really good.” Like a heartbeat, their spirit resonates through the UTPA basketball teams and fans. As they cheer on the Broncs and heckle to other teams in good sport of the game, they present a passion that can be felt through the players. “Just hearing them yell out our name is motivating,” Maree explained. “They really have our backs whether we’re up or down or if the game is close. They’re always into the game and they bring it every night.”

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Golf eyes NCAA title

2012 Conference ranking predictions By Michael Saenz The Pan American

By Jonathan Salinas The Pan American The UTPA men’s golf team will have more to play for than just pride now that the American Sky Conference received an automatic qualifying bid for the 2012 season. If the Broncs can come out on top of their conference, they would advance to regionals and compete for the NCAA Championship at the end of the season. “For us to be in an automatic qualifying conference, this is a big honor,” said fifth-year Director of Golf Operations Ofelia Lopez. “Now these guys understand what they’re playing for.” The Broncs played in four tournaments during the 2011 fall season and improved in each one. The young team has high expectations for themselves especially with the new incentive of having at least a shot at a national title. In the four tournaments that the Broncs competed during the 2011 fall term, they finished in the Top 10 twice. In the first tournament of the season, the Broncs finished last but senior Santiago Bueno, who tallied a score of 148 after two rounds, finished 24th out of 100 golfers. They later finished 8th out of 12 schools at the Harold Funston Invitational and 6th out of eight schools at the Houston Baptist University Husky Invitational. This recent shift towards success may seem new to those that don’t keep up with the program, but winning is nothing new to UTPA golf. “We won our conference two years ago, and it was a big honor. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen before,” Lopez said about the added pressure to win this year. Even with a history of winning, the overall youth of the squad could be seen as liability the further in the season they go. However, Lopez believes that the opportunity to prove themselves will propel the men’s team to the next level. “Right now I have a young team and I think that might be a bit of an advantage,” she said. “They’re eager and they want that chance to be able to go to regionals.” The Broncs open the season on Feb. 19 at Jackson State University. “If we go out and have our best day,” Lopez added, “there’s no way some other team can beat us.”

1 2

South Dakota won the inaugural Great West Conference Basketball championship in 2009-10, and Utah Valley won the regular season championship last year. The South Dakota football team is the only program that competes in the GWC, but in the past two seasons Utah Valley’s conference record is 16-8. UTPA’s record in the past two seasons is 6-18. The Broncs' best finish in the conference regular season was tied for 5th during the 2009-10 campaign. Utah Valley (9-10) The Wolverines finished last season with only one loss in Great West Conference play at 11-1. Senior guard Isiah Williams, who became the first UVU basketball player to earn honorable All-American honors from the Associated Press a year ago, looks to build off averaging 18.8 points per game during conference play last year. Prediction 8-2

NJIT (7-9) The Highlanders return last year's GWC Player of the Year award winner Isaiah Wilkerson to lead a young talented squad in hopes of catching Utah State in the conference. Wilkerson is averaging 15.5 points per game and is shooting nearly 46 percent from behind the arc. The ultimate obstacle for this team will be winning on the road, so far (1-8) not so good. Prediction 7-3

Streak W2 RPI 250

Returning players

Streak W1 RPI 252

Returning players

Broncs struggle as GWC looms

Norma Gonzalez/The Pan American

Down but not out - Sophomore Josh Cleveland takes a moment to recover after missing a layup against TCU. He is one of three starting centers that have cycled through the position during the first half of the season. The men's team is hoping to put non-conference losses behind it in time to square off against Chicago State Jan. 19.

By Michael Saenz The Pan American Between the musical chairs of the center position for the Broncs and the near victories over top tier teams, the men’s basketball team and Coach Ryan Marks are still searching for a few things before they shift their focus towards Great West Conference play. First things first. Each of the three centers on the roster for the Broncs (Josh Cleveland, Ruben Cabrera and Enrique Mason) have had their shot in the starting lineup. But none of them have been consistent enough to maintain it, and that’s not all bad according to Marks. “All three know they need to make progress, but it really comes down to who is practicing well at the time,” Marks said. “We really don’t need any one of them to be the best center in the Great West, but we believe that collectively they can create a great force.” This is all true. If all together they can average between 1015 points and 12-15 rebounds per game, then that would be equivalent to one really good center. Right now they are

close but not exactly there. Combined, they are averaging 14.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Now about those close losses. On Dec. 18 the Broncs fell to Army by two points, then to St. Johns by five on Dec. 21 -- two gut-wrenching losses that killed any and all momentum, if in fact there was any at all. The Broncs stand at 5-15 andthe way the season has gone, it is a testament to the mental toughness that this team hasn’t completely given up.

game losing streak

“The nature of our schedule is very challenging to keep our spirit,” Marks said. “Lots of road games and quality of opponents. In general we have made good strides defensively, but on the offensive end we’ve been erratic.” By erratic he means that the Broncs are only averaging 59 points and shooting 40 percent per game. They’ve had games

where they shoot it really well, then come out flat the next time out. For example, the Broncs shot 48 percent from the field against California State University Bakersfield in a Jan. 7 loss and then shot just above 40 percent during the next game against Air Force Academy on Jan. 9, which resulted in a loss as well. It may not seem like that much, but every percentage point is huge when it comes to winning and losing basketball games. Determining whether a season is a success or not is always tough, but at the beginning of the year Marks said that he believed that this team had the talent to compete in the GWC. Through all the struggles they’ve faced this season it would be dubious to just give up now. “We felt like this year we could make a competitive move in the conference,” Marks said. “Realistically we want to finish anywhere near or above .500.” It's not clear where this Broncs team will finish in the GWC, but the team's mental toughness will definitely be tested, and just maybe they can finally come together.

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4 5 6

North Dakota (7-9) UND has four players that are averaging in double-

figures and four players that are averaging above 35 percent shooting from behind the arc. Perhaps one concern that may hinder the 2011 GWC tournament champions is that three out of their four top players are only sophomores. Expect a few letdowns on the road this season.

Prediction 6-4

UTPA (5-15)

Texas-Pan American looks to improve from last season's 2-10 conference finish. The Broncs have yet to win a game on the road and are struggling offensively, only averaging 59 points per game and shooting 40 percent from the field. They have had flashes of improvement, but the team hasn't come together as quickly as many predicted.

Prediction 4-6

Houston Baptist (6-10)

The Huskies have three players who are averaging in double-digits, but they are giving up 85 points per game defensively. On top of that, they are allowing opponents to shoot 50 percent from the field. They do have a player to watch in Tyler Russell, who should win Newcomer of the Year in the GWC. The freshman is averaging 11.5 points per game and has dished out a 25 assists throughout the year, which is good enough for second on the team.

Indoor Streak W1 Track & Field RPI season 295 Returning kicks off

players

Streak RPI

L3 310

Streak RPI

W1 273

Streak RPI

W1 296

7 5

Returning players

Prediction 3-7

Chicago State (1-16) The Cougars only won one game and have really struggled offensively throughout the season. They have only averaged 37 percent from the field and are only putting up 59 points per contest. They have had a tough early schedule but have also failed to show any upside going forward. Prediction 2-8

Returning players

After historic win, Broncs GWC-ready By Michael Saenz The Pan American Some will call it a fluke. Others will say it was luck. But head women's basketball coach Denny Downing hopes to look back at what happened on Jan. 5 as the point when his team went from underdog to serious conference contender. “We needed to change our mindset. We needed to go in there and expect to win,” Downing said of the victory over TCU. “Our kids really were focused to win, we always have a chance because we defend well.” Not only was the Broncs 5654 victory over TCU on Jan. 5 huge for the program, but also a much needed momentum supplier for the women’s team which will now carry a threegame winning-streak into Great West Conference play. A year ago the Broncs finish was “a little disappointing” as Downing says,whose team now stands at 7-11 heading into conference play against Chicago State on Thursday. “There’s a point in a season where a team either takes off or tanks. Last year heading into conference play we hit a wall and kind of tanked. We finished

a little disappointing,” he said. “Hopefully the two-week layoff doesn’t affect us that much, but I really never look at anything negatively. The layoff will just give us more individual practice time.” A year ago the Broncs carried seven wins into conference play

game winning streak

and went 4-8 during GWC play. This year, similarly, UTPA also takes a seven win total in GWC play but hopes to have a different finish in comparison to last year. “I believe that we are refocused and settled back down,” Downing said. The Broncs finished the first half of the season with a Rating Percentage Index (RPI) ranking of 205 out of 342 division I programs. To put this in perspective, UTPA finished last season ranked 319 and 301 the year before. They have also played the 59th toughest schedule in the nation and have faced six games against opponents in the RPI

Top 100 - Miami (23), Nebraska (31), Oklahoma State (43), UTEP (81), Colorado (91) and McNeese State (93). The Broncs also have the highest RPI mark North Dakota second at 241. But if only it were that easy as to the highest ranked team goes the conference title. It’s not. Everyone still puts on the jersey one arm at a time, and the shorts one foot at a time. And Downing is keeping that in perspective with his players as well. “The RPI is really used in postseason selection. We just have to continue to give effort and play hard,” the third-year coach said. “We have a saying and it goes ‘no one plays harder than us’. Our defense has gotten significantly better, now we just need to focus on making shots." Yes, defense wins championships, but one can’t get to the championship without an offense. The Broncs have done well on defense allowing a conference-best 62.8 points per game and against good competition. So do the Broncs have an edge heading into GWC play? That has yet to be seen, but they definitely have a great start.

Ruben Gutierrez/The Pan American

Momentum shift - Senior forward Donna Jackson goes for a layup against non-conference opponent Texas A&M-CC earlier in the season. She averages 10 points and six rebounds per game. The Broncs look to use their current winning streak to go into conference play on a high note.

By Alex E. Peña The Pan American

The men’s and women’s track and field teams commence the indoor portion of the season Jan. 20 at the Texas Tech invitational. It will be the first of three meets before the Great West Conference Indoor Championship at Chicago State Feb. 24-26. Outdoor season begins March 3 at the Border Olympics in Laredo, the first of 10 meets before the Broncs make the sixhour drive to Houston for the conference championship. The Great West Conference outdoor championships will be hosted this year by Houston Baptist May 10-12. In all, there will be eight meets in the state of Texas for the Broncs. “We love it that we have a lot of meets here,” UTPA track and field coach Dave Hartman said. “It’s great for our athletes. We can get friends and relatives to come watch our guys and girls compete here locally. I think it’ll be beneficial (during outdoor season) to be in the weather that we are accustomed to all year long in the Valley. It’s a big plus for them to compete in our climate and for our conditioning.” Since the conclusion of cross country season, the Broncs have had Jan. 20 circled on their calendar. After the Texas Tech invitational in Lubbock, the Broncs will compete at McNeese State in the Jess Davis Bank Cowboy Indoor Invitational and the Tyson Invitational, hosted by the University of Arkansas, during the month of February. The Broncs’ first five outdoor meets are in-state competitions before a trip to California for three meets in three days starting April 19. “Going to California, and competing in a condensed schedule, that will really test us,” Hartman said. “We’ll get to see our athletes compete in various events and get them ready for the (GWC) championship.”

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the pan american

January 17, 2012