S PORTS
PAGE 16
NBA Schedule Friday, Jan. 16 at 23-17
Dallas Mavericks vs. Jan. 17 at Portland, 9 Jan. 20 New Jersey, 7:30
at 26-13 6:00 29-11 San Antonio Spurs vs. Jan. 18 at Boston, 11:30* Jan. 19 at Detroit, 2 Jan. 21 New Jersey, 7:30
Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. 22-16 2:30 26-11 Houston Rockets vs. Jan. 19 at Memphis, 6:30 Jan. 21 NY Knicks, 8
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP Sunday, Jan. 18 at 14-4
2:00
15-2
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP at 13-5
5:45
13-4
Killer Bees Schedule Friday, Jan. 16 at Killer Bees vs. Austin, 7:30 Jan. 17 at Corpus, 7:05 Jan. 18 vs. Odessa at Dodge Arena, 6 All games p.m. *a.m. game
■ Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13
Boxers primed for Oscar Night By ED CHRNKO
22-16 8:00
■ Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Former middleweight champion Oscar De La Hoya did not attend his own press conference Wednesday for his upcoming event, Oscar Night in the Valley, to be held in the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo Friday - however he had a good reason. Recently, Puerto Rican boxer Felix “Tito” Trinidad, the man who handed De La Hoya his first loss in 1999, has decided to come out of retirement, which has aroused speculation of a rematch. That speculation was elevated during the press conference Wednesday when Roy Englebrecht informed the media that De La Hoya was unable to attend because he was still in Puerto Rico, where he resides, negotiating his next fight. Coincidentally, Trinidad also lives on the same Caribbean island. Despite his absence and the revelation of De La Hoya’s negotiations, it did not detract from the event, although it was slightly marred by the additional announcement that Adonis Rivas (194-1, 10 KO) of Nicaragua, the opponent of former bantamweight world champion Fernando Montiel (26-1-1, 20 KO) of Los Mochis, México, in the main event, could not make the fight due to a visa problem.
A last minute opponent had to be found. Montiel will now face Roberto López (22-141) of Tijuana, Baja California, México. “I don’t know anything about him,” Montiel said. “The only thing I know is that his name is Roberto López. I’m going to do my thing, what I know how to do, and inside the ring you see how one reacts against the other in order to see the kind of strategy you’re going to use.” Montiel lost the WBO super flyweight title in 12 rounds last year against Mark Johnson, marking the Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American first loss of his professional career. The Miller Lite girls stand on opposite ends of boxers (from left) Jesús Pérez, Fernando “The last fight was Montiel, and Daniel “Ponce” De León at a press conference Wednesday in McAllen. actually a good experience, I learned a lot going to win.” like it (Valley). From what I’ve seen from it,” Montiel said. “I’m going to For many of the fighters, this was it’s really calm here. I think you could try and see it through (strategy). A lot also their first trip to the Valley. die here whenever you wanted of time you have a strategy and once Montiel was impressed with the because it’s really quiet. It’s small, you get inside the ring, unfortunately, Dodge Arena as well as the Valley. but really nice.” you have to end up changing it to “They’re really nice (facilities). It’s The co-main event will feature adapt to the style of your opponent. very well-ventilated, but it’ll look What I am sure about is that I’m See BOXING page 15 nicer when its full,” Montiel said. “I
Muszynski bids farewell to UTPA volleyball By AMY MEDELLÍN This semester, graduation is the main focus for Jaclyn Muszynski, senior outside hitter for the University of Texas-Pan American volleyball team the past four years. Unlike the rest of the graduating class this spring, Muszynski will leave behind her own mark in UTPA women’s athletic history. After their upsetting loss Nov. 15 at the Independent Championships to IndianaPurdue-Fort Wayne, the Lady Broncs finished the season with a record of 19-15, matching their best win total ever, which came in 1996. Muszynski was one the reasons for the success. She finished the season as the first player ever to be named to first team All-Independent for four consecutive years. She also holds the UTPA career records in kills (1,627) and was the first UTPA player to break the 1,600 barrier in kills and digs. She is also the first Lady Bronc to have 300-plus kills in all four Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American seasons and holds career records in hitting attempts Outside hitter Jaclyn Muszynski in action in a vol(4,555), number of games leyball game at the Field House last season.
played (470), and digs (1,387). “I was not really expecting to accomplish as much as I did these past four years, but it feels really good to be recognized and to have the support of my teammates, coaches and family because I couldn’t have done it with out them,” said Muszynski. “It is really an honor to be considered one of the best athletes at UTPA.” Dave Thorn, who has coached Muszynski for the past four years, feels she has not only been a big part of the volleyball team, but of the entire women’s athletics program. “She has just meant a lot for this program,” said Thorn. “If you look at the history of the athletics program she is definitely one of the best to come through here.” Muszynski joins the ranks of some of UTPA’s most accomplished females in program history. Elizabeth Ortega, a crosscountry runner for UTPA (199295), has been dubbed one of the best ever. During her college career, Ortega was named three times to the All-Sun Belt Conference team. She was a
1995 Sun Belt Champion, a regional qualifier, an NCAA national qualifier, and the only Lady Bronc to qualify in Division I. She was also featured in a national television program produced by the NCAA for individual and team accomplishments. “Out of all the athletes, Ortega was the one who stood out in my mind the most,” said Jim McKone, former UTPA sports information director from 1969-1999. “She is not only just one of the top women athletes, but one of the top UTPA athletes.” Another cross-country runner who has proven to be one of the top athletes at the university is Thelma Morales (1987-89). She was named three times to the All-American South Conference team, the ASC runner-up in 1987 and the ASC champion in 1988. Women’s basketball also has two athletes who are recognized among UTPA’s best. Becky Dube, who played from 1984-86, is currently the third leading scorer with 1,159 points. Dube was also named an Academic All-American in both
See MUSZYNSKI page 15
THURSDAY
HEADLINES
January 15, 2004
Tougher admissions standards from now on
Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day
An Inside Look: News ............................................2 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■
See Page 2 for details
T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n
OVER THERE Valley Reserves join rotation in Iraq to provide relief By AMY MEDELLIN The Pan American For many families around the country whose loved ones are serving in Iraq, the twice yearly troop rotations are times of joy as they welcome their soldiers home. Increasingly, those replacing them will be men and women of the Reserves and National Guard from around the country, including the Valley. The rising number of non-regular soldiers in Iraq has been a recent topic of controversy among those critical of the war. But it gives many soldiers a sigh of relief, including 21year-old Cynthia Sanchez, an army soldier in the 3rd Armored Cavalry and former University of Texas-Pan American student. “I really like the fact that that they are getting the reserves involved in the rotations,” Sanchez said. “By getting them [the reservists] involved with the war in Iraq it allows people like me and my friends to go home and take a break.” However, the recent increase in the percentages of deaths of reservists has caused
some concern. Of the 39 deaths in December 2003 where the Pentagon released victim names, one-quarter were citizen soldiers, according to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle. An Associated Press review of Pentagon reports notes that since last March, 68 deaths were of soldiers from the Army Reserves, nine among the Marine reservists and two from the Navy and one in the Air Force. Many, on the other hand, feel that the increase of deaths among reservists is logical, if unwanted, and that there is no cause for alarm. “The regular Army has bigger numbers over there [Iraq] 68 compared to the actual number that got deployed is pretty low actually,” said Sgt. Israel Galvan, an army reserve recruiter. “We have probably about 80,000 reservists deployed all over the world, so 68 is, in reality a small number.” A good portion of the deaths came from hostile fire, not combat, and many came during vehicle or helicopter accidents. “Two CH-47s took off to Qatar [a place for
soldiers to relax] I was in the second bird,” Sanchez said. “Shortly after the takeoff of the first bird it was shot down; our bird landed and we got off to help those soldiers out of the crashed aircraft. These soldiers did not know it was their day to die.” Since America declared war on Iraq in March 2003 there have been 478 U.S. soldier casualties, and 2,881 injuries, according to the Pentagon. An estimated 14 percent of the total number of deaths were of members from the Reserves and National Guard. Another issue that has brought some uneasiness to some is the reservists’ relative lack of training as compared to active-duty soldiers. However, since the number of reservists being sent overseas has been steadily increasing, drills and training methods are being upgraded and units are required to send their men back through basic training. When soldiers are not in combat they are in training year round, Galvan said. Those who will be scheduled to arrive during the next rotations will more than likely be in
Iraq to keep peace and order until a permanent government can be established and aid in the return of civilization to a war-tattered country. July is the deadline for the establishment of the interim government. This is not the first time where National Guard and Reserves have been called upon to do more than their usual part-time duties. The Guard has fought in every major American war since 1776 and the Army Reserves have served in war since World War I. “If you really were to think about our national defense without the Reserves and apply it to the current situation we would be spread out pretty thin,” Galvan said. “We are a pretty big piece of the national defense pie righ now.” Despite many families around the Valley finding it hard to let go of their loved ones, there has been a lot of support for the war from both the Reserves and their families. “Not too long ago a unit from McAllen was
See ROTC page 12
Doggett seeking area support for upcoming election By ARIANNA VAZQUEZ The Pan American With the Texas 2004 general elections primaries around the corner on March 9, billboards, lawn posters, and bumper stickers are everywhere, with the names and smiling faces of the various candidates. U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, is no exception, and started his campaign in the Valley in November. With, former Judge Leticia Hinojosa of the 139th District Court, running as his challenger in the primaries for Congressional District 25, Doggett tries to get to know and be known by the Valley people.. After the redistricting of the new congressional map was finalized, Doggett, an Austin native and liberal Democrat, had to pack his bags and travel south of Central Texas to visit and learn more about the new patch of land he may now represent in Washington, D.C., if re-elected in November. The new district lines have decreased Democratic power in Texas, as the state went from 17 Democratic and 15 Republican congressmen to 10 districts ultimately Democratic compared to 22 solidly Republican. U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Texas, is also being affected by the redistricting. His district now stretches into Austin, and as a result he has to represent six more counties than in his prior district. Research by the Texas
Legislative Council has concluded that the number of Hispanic voters in Hinojosa’s district will decrease by 10 percent. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, along with Ruben Hinojosa and Doggett are now campaigning, and getting to know their new territory. Despite the lengthy debate and rancor over redistricting many Texans, especially here in the Valley, think Doggett’s experience and service to his previous district might help local communities and its residents. BACKGROUND WORK Doggett’s political background started in the Texas State Senate at the age of 26, and he has written approximately 120 laws, including the establishment of the Texas Commission on Human Rights, which prohibits employment discrimination, and laws such as the Texas Sunset Act, which abolishes ineffective state bureaucracies. He was elected to the Texas Supreme Court where he served from 1988 to 1994, and in that same year he was first elected to the U.S. Congress. Dr. Dora Saavedra, professor at UTPA, and one of many women endorsing Doggett, said that the reason she is one of his public endorsers was that he is an experienced candidate for the position. “He has the knowledge on how things work in Congress, it takes awhile to learn the system,” Saavedra said. “And he is also a supporter of higher education because
education is the only way we can improve the quality of life here in the Valley.” Saavedra also mentioned that she first learned of Doggett when he started his political career up in Austin, and was impressed with his voting record and stance on minority issues. MEETING THE PEOPLE Saavedra was part of a group of over 30 women who gathered on Jan. 6, at La Mexicana Restaurant in Doggett campaign photo McAllen to listen to what Doggett had to Hopeful— Longtime politician Lloyd Doggett appeared at several area say. Doggett stated functions recently to drum up support for the primary on March 9. that he is especially during his informal speech made in front of close to his women voters and interested in “botana” plates. Although food might have their concerns, because a women’s group was distracted some of the attendees, most who the first to endorse him when he began in actively participated in the question and politics. answer section of the discussion, including the Many of the women present at the event were community leaders, and were attentive See DOGGETT page 12
January 15
2004
NEWS
■ Recruitment . . . . . . 3 ■ Depression . . . . . . . . 4 ■ Wagner . . . . . . . . . . . 5
sports
January 15, 2004
Resolutions begin with diet and exercise
Presidential search continues this spring By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American
1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 14
Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com
News Editor Belinda Reyes mstxbellezalatina2003@ yahoo.com
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Sports Editor Ed Chrnko echrnko@yahoo.com
Graphics Editor Daniel Aguilar kerygma_@hotmail.com
Layout Designers Dagoberto Perez Reporters Brian Carr Julian Cavazos Diana Corpus Garza Edwina Garza Dulce Gonzalez Matt Hall Christina Harris
The PAN A M E R I C A N 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 university.
Letters policy The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.
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Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office. For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.
The UTPA Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) continues its work this year to find a new president with integrity and strong leadership skills, with current President Miguel A. Nevarez set to resign as of August 2004. Since the first meeting Dec. 1, PSAC is currently at the stage of gathering applications and nominations. Over 100 persons from all over the nation are been expected to apply. Wanting to find the very best candidate possible, PSAC created nationwide advertisements for various publications such as “Hispanic Outlook” and “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” The advertisement is also available on the Internet. Since then, three candidates have already been nominated. PSAC Member Arturo Ramos, assistant director at the Learning Assistance Center and representative for the UTPA Staff, expressed the important qualities the new president should possess. “I would want somebody who is sensitive to the needs of our staff members. And, since I have been a student, I want someone who is also interested in the needs of our students,” he said. “ I would also want someone who could get some good faculty here, and who is a wellknown figure either in research or administration, to raise more funds,” said Ramos. PSAC consists of 18 members, headed by Theresa Sullivan, executive vice chancellor for the UT System. The members review applications and nominations. Next, a list of the most qualified candidates will be sent to the Board of Regents. The top finalists will then visit the campus. “They will be able to come to UTPA and speak to the students, staff, and community to express their philosophies,” Ramos said.
The number of finalists will range from five to 10. The release of the finalist names won’t be available to the public until 21 days before the final decision, in late spring. From among those finalists, the Board of Regents in Austin will make the final decision. The newly chosen president will begin at UTPA in fall 2004. It has been almost 25 years since the last UTPA presidential search. In his tenure at the university, Nevarez has led UTPA through some extraordinary changes. One of the most important was when this university went from being Pan American University to the University of Texas-Pan American on Sept. 1, 1989. Since the merger, the university has broadened its curriculum, bringing in more bachelor and master degrees to the South Texas area. In 1994, UTPA began to offer its first doctoral degree, a Ph.D. in International Business. There are now 55 Bachelor's, 41 master's, 2 doctorates, and 1 cooperative doctorate available. UTPA is the 10th largest university in the state and among the nation’s leaders in supplying teachers. “Hispanic Outlook” ranked it second in the nation among the top 100 best universities for Hispanics.UTPA was also regarded by “Hispanic Outlook” as second in health sciences and interdisciplinary studies, and ranked in the top 10 for programs in biological sciences, foreign language, English literature, and business marketing. Dr. Jerry Price, dean of students, has been very proud of the contribution Nevarez has made to UTPA. “There is no doubt that his leadership has been a big part from going from an institution that was small, to becoming a large university getting more and more recognition,” Price said. As for the continuation of the search, Sullivan, the leader of the PSAC, will be meeting with her committee again for the second time March 2, as the decision nears. As for the
Search committee stages 1. Form a Presidential Advisory Committee (PSAC) consisting of faculty, administrators, student goverment representative. 2. PSAC starts selecting a firm who will collect all nominations. Candidates can either be nominated by someone and then apply, or just apply for the position themselves. **** The PSAC for UTPA is currently at this stage. 3. PSAC gathers all applications to be searched and screened. The top 5 or 6 are selected. 4. The top 5 or 6 will be able to visit campus and address the students and staff. 5. The top 5 or 6 go to the interview by Board of Regents in Austin, and Board of Regents will select one. new president, the PSAC will ensure that that person will be able to expand UTPA to greater heights, offering more for its students and staff in the coming years. Dr. Ala Qubbaj, chair of the Faculty Senate, already knows what he would tell UTPA’s next leader. “If I could say anything to the newly chosen president, I’d tell him ‘you’ve got a great institution with a clear vision and a tremendous potential. Build on Dr. Nevarez’s legacy, and lead with your honesty.’”
Admission requirements to get tougher year by year By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American It will get tougher to get here, but it might mean more when you do. A new era is beginning at the University of Texas-Pan American, and for the next decade the university will gradually make the transition toward tougher admission standards. The aspiration is eventually to be able to mainstream with other state universities. According to Dennis McMillan, associate vice president for Enrollment and Students, the admission standards will slowly tighten over the next several years and lead the university from being an “open” admission university to becoming “restricted.” One of the first guidelines to prepare UTPA for the transition was to establish consistency in terms of university deadlines. If the question lines in the admissions office were a bit longer than usual the first week of class, it could be because of the new requirements applying to students applying here. For the spring semester which began Jan. 12 those applying for the first time were required to submit their applications for admission no later than Dec. 19, 2003. Every student had to send transcripts,
test scores and other supporting documents by Jan. 2 to be admitted for the spring semester. Any applications received after this date were processed for the following semester. Gone are the days of lenient rules. These admission deadline changes are important so that academic departments can plan ahead and ensure that students are properly advised, registered and “seated” in classes before the semester begins. This will also allow the university time to budget for any additional personnel needed. “This will bring a better organization for academic departments to arrange course seating availability and to be better prepared in general,” McMillan said. Given the new deadlines, the university has attempted to reach as many people as possible to make sure they knew about the changes. A media campaign took place and will take place in the future, so prospective Broncs don’t miss the boat. “We hope to purchase a mailing list from STCC, Costal Bend, Del Mar, and areas such as that and send out notifications so that all students can be aware,” McMillan said in December 2003. “We even plan on purchasing space in different university papers as well as The Monitor and such.”
To lead UTPA into the mainstream, the first course of action will be to raise admission standards by requiring a minimum ACT score of 15 by the spring of 2005. The PEP program will always be eliminated at that time due to its low success rate. Gradually, the required ACT score will rise, beginning in the spring of 2005 with the minimum score of 15. In 2007 it will be raised to 16 and so forth every two years until 2011, when a score of 18 will be cutoff point for admission. Another change that will primarily affect students who enter college right after graduating high school will be the requirement of a stronger high school curriculum. In 2003, UTPA required that all HS graduates receive a diploma under the “Recommended or “Distinguished” graduation plan in order to be considered. “ This is mandate by the state of Texas,” McMillan explained at the time. “All colleges will be required to do this. I think the state has realized that when you look at students who come to use on the ‘Recommended’ plan there is still a high number of students taking remedial classes.” McMillan hinted that this was perhaps a
See ADMISSIONS page 11
Page 15
By BRIAN CARR The Pan American Not everyone is a model or an athlete. The world is not a vast society of muscle-clad quasi-deities capable of physical feats that boggle the mind and delight the senses. Nor is it jammed packed with hauntingly beautiful waifs who painfully exist in chic silhouettes, smoking cigarettes and gracing magazine covers. Most of us are soft procrastinators who opt for convenience rather than results. We lounge, lie, linger, and get large. We gorge, grin, grit, and grow. And here in America, land of the super-sized fry basket, we bargain-hunt ourselves into larger britches, looser Tees, and larger automobiles in attempts to conceal our collective girth rather than deal with it. That is until New Year’s resolutions drive people to the gyms, salad bars, and health food
Muszynski
aisles in attempts to shed unwanted pounds. God bless the collective psyche, which has allowed society to make the biggest of physical promises after making the grossest of physical consumptions. But as it is, our massive holiday feasts, which generally last from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day, are followed by a stern resolve to lose weight. Or at the very least a guilty longing to do so. But what does it take to lose the weight? How long does it take? And are there any easy ways to get results? Dr. Tom Semper, associate professor of health and kinesiology at UTPA, says that there is unfortunately no miracle approach to physical fitness. “We didn’t get out of shape and we didn’t get fat in two weeks,” Semper said. “We’re not going to get skinny and get in shape in two weeks.” Semper is a proponent of a kinesiology approach referred to as the ”long-haul plan” when it comes to achieving goals in personal fitness. “Find a long, slow, easy path to get to your goals,” Semper said. “[Fitness] is a lifetime activity, that needs to be fun and enjoyable.” Semper does, however, warn that everyone has a different starting point when attacking physical fitness, and suggests that people should seek out medical clearance from a general practitioner before adopting an exercise routine. Semper also maintains the definition of a persons starting point is crucial for a successful fitness plan.
continued from page 16
1984 and 1985 and is the first Lady Bronc to score over 600 points in one season. Dube is also the all-time leader in field goals made and in field goal percentage. She scored the most points in a single game, 40 in 1984 against Texas Lutheran. Former guard Alex Gravel (1998-01 and 2003) is the all-time leader in points with 1,227, and is the school’s greatest three-point shooters. The Canadian sharpshooter, who battled through injuries for years to become the leading scorer, was a three-time All-Independent selection. Her long-time teammate, Naima Williams, who graduated last year, is the leading rebounder in school history (673 boards) and ranks second in scoring. Women’s golfer Nancy Verastegui (1995-97) holds the single-round and two-round scoring records and was also a three-time All-Sun Belt selection. In 1996, she was an NCAA regional qualifier, won four tournaments and finished among the top 10 in 20 of the 21 tournaments she played in. Verastegui was Sun Belt Conference champion in 1995 and 1997. Tennis has been one of UTPA’s most successful women’s programs. Some of their successes include a National Championship in 1960 and various individual efforts. Ellen Nielson, a former tennis player from 1991-95, is the alltime leader in single and overall wins. She also holds the single-
season record (1995) for singles wins with 27 and the record for overall victories with 41 wins that same year. Nielson was on the All-Sun Belt team for two years and was a two-time All-Sun Belt Academic selection. Delilah Johnson, track and field (1990-92 and 1994), has one of the longest lists of accomplishments in school annals. In 1991 and 1994 she was an NCAA Outdoor All-American in the discus and a qualifier in the discus and shot put in 1992 and 1994, respectively. Johnson competed 16 times in the Indoor and Outdoor Conference Championships and won 13 of those events and was runner-up in the remaining three. She also holds the school record in the indoor shot put and outdoor javelin, discus and shot put. Amy Moses, who is currently on the track and field team, was a 2003 NCAA indoor qualifier in the 20-pound weight throw and also holds the school record in the indoor 20-pound weight throw.
UTPA Top Female Athletes Athlete
Sport
Jaclyn Muszynski Volleyball
Years 2000-03
Amy Moses
Track/Field 2001-Present
Alex Gravel
Basketball 1998-01, 03
Nancy Verastegui Golf
1995-97
Elizabeth Ortega
X-Country 1992-95
Ellen Neilssen
Tennis
Delilah Johnson
Track/Field 1990-92, 94
Becky Dube
Basketball 1984-86
1991-95
“In every journey the most important thing to discover is where am I now,” Semper said. “You can’t get there if I don’t know where you are.” HOW TO BEGIN Knowing that there is no uniform starting point for those who are out of shape, Semper suggest that fitness wanabees should start with an analysis of their diet, and gives an atypical scenario to strike a point. “First of all, for a week’s time, you have to [look at] what foods you eat, how many calories do you consume on an average day,” Semper said. “Then if you see that every day you’re drinking four beers, three cokes, and having seven deserts, I’m gonna say let’s start with this. Go to light beers, diet cokes, fewer deserts.” Semper does contend that simple reductions can lead to results. “Look at french fries. When you go from a regular fry to a super-size french-fry, you’re probably adding 300 calories to that meal,” Semper said. “And when you up-size your coke, an extra four ounces of coke, you’ve added 50 calories.” Although Semper does not suggest that any diet should consist of french fries and cola, he does see a direct correlation with value meals and the nation’s physique. “Society says take more, take more,” Semper said. “Value size. You get all this extra food for 39 cents. So us being good consumers, we buy it. And then being good Americans, and not wanting to waste, we eat it.”
Semper points out what many members of the health industry have struggled against. “In our search for value we’ve given up our fitness levels,” Semper said. Current obesity levels, especially among youth, and rising health insurance expenditures, reflect this. DIET According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s dietary guidelines, the typical adult diet should consist of 2,000 calories and about 65 grams of fat per day, with 20 or fewer of those grams of fat being saturated fats, or what is commonly referred to as bad fat. Of those 2,000 calories the Surgeon General’s office suggest that you “get most of your calories from plant foods (grains, fruits, vegetables).” Semper, who has seen positive results in people who have used the Atkins, is not convinced that it is entirely beneficial. “I’m pretty much a conservative,” Semper said. “I don’t like the Atkins diet. I know friends who have done well with it, but to me Atkins doesn’t have the right percentage of carbohydrates to support a healthy active lifestyle.” Semper does, however, see the Atkins craze as bringing about some positive changes in our countries dietary views. “I think what the Atkins diet has done that really helps us a lot, has been to bring up the negative values of some kinds of carbohydrates,” Semper said. “I think what Atkins has opened our eyes to, is that the white bread, and
See DIET page 15
Coach Provencio optimistic about 2004 tennis season
Photo by Matthew A. Ceballos/The Pan American
UTPA tennis head coach Eduardo Provencio.
By MATTHEW A. CEBALLOS The Pan American
In anticipation of the upcoming season, the University of Texas-Pan American’s tennis teams began practicing Monday. Both the Broncs and Lady Broncs will face strong regional competition and will compete against teams from outside the area. UTPA head coach Eduardo Provencio is looking forward to the beginning of the season. “It’ll be good, we had a good fall,” Provencio said. “On the women’s side, we had a smaller squad and we filled out the rest of our squad for this upcoming semester. On the men’s side, we had a real strong fall and we hope to piggyback
off of that and continue the success we had in the fall.” Provencio also expects solid conference competition for the men’s team, which play in the Southland Conference. “I think every team has gotten better,” Provencio said. “We had a good run in the Southland last year. I think our team is better this year than last, but unfortunately for us I think the other teams are better as well. It’ll be real competitive this year, I’m looking forward to it though.” Provencio said his goals for the men’s team are to win the Southland Conference title and become nationally ranked once again. Last season the Broncs were 72nd for two weeks in the Top 75 rankings. According to Provencio, some key players to watch on the men’s team are Jeremy Salvo, Rehman Esmail, and Tom Mangelschots. On the women’s team Provencio expects a big season from freshman Vanessa Hedinger. The Lady Broncs begin the season by playing Texas-El Paso in San Antonio Feb. 6, and then travel to Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State, and Sam Houston State. They then return home to begin a four-game home stand Feb. 21 at the Cox Tennis Center. They will host Texas A&MCorpus Christi, Laredo College, Abilene Christian and Texas Southern. The men begin play Jan. 19 by facing nationally ranked Texas A&M and Division III power Trinity. After a trip to Eastern Kentucky, the Broncs face Saint Louis in San Antonio before embarking on a five-game home stand, also Feb. 21. They will then host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Laredo College, Abilene Christian, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern.
Page 14
Wright State rolls over Broncs 82-60 By BRIAN CARR The Pan American
The Pan American /File Photo
Matt Hall coordinates the Broncs offense during a game played earlier this season at the Field House.
Two-time world champion Fernando Montiel (left) of Los Mochis, México jokes with undefeated junior featherweight Daniel “Ponce” De León (right) of Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, México. Montiel is fighting in the main event and De León is fighting in the comain event Friday night.
The Texas-Pan American Broncs slipped to 5-11 Wednesday when they were dealt a decisive 82-60 loss at the hands of Wright State at the Ervin J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The Raiders opened up the game with a 23-9 run, and maintained the advantage throughout the entire competition. The Broncs had come within eight points of the Raiders after a 12-6 run in the first half ignited by senior forward Allen Holcomb. But Wright State followed up with a 22-8 to finish the first half at 51-29. The Broncs were led by junior forward Chris Fagan who put up a double-double, scoring 14 points and picking up 12 rebounds. Vernan Hollins of the Raiders led the game in scoring with 21 points and picked up a tripledouble on the evening. The basketball season is more than half way over and the Broncs have not had the results that they had anticipated at the beginning. A tough road schedule has limited the program to two road victories. And although stunning outings, a one-point win at Baylor and a double-overtime win at UTSA, the success has not been enough
to bolster the Broncs’ record (5-11). The Broncs, who brought in a ton of new personnel for this year, stumbled early out of the gate, and have not yet been able to recover. Junior transfer Sergio Sánchez (Temple College), who leads the Broncs with 12.6 point per game, is honest about this year’s misfortune. “At the beginning of the year we thought it was going to be a hell of a [season],” Sánchez said. “Then we started losing some tough games and the losses started to build on us. We were looking to get 20 wins, and we’re still looking to do good things, but as long as we can finish better than last year there will be something for us to build on.” Graduate student Matt Hall, who is in his third season with the Broncs, hopes the team can rally and finish the season above .500. “We’re looking to win out,” Hall said. “We feel there isn’t a game that we can’t win.” With the Wednesday’s loss, however, Hall’s hopes were thwarted. Coach Bob Hoffman, who has headed the Broncs since the 1999-00 season, is looking to better his program from last year’s 10-20 finish. With only five in wins in the Broncs’ first 16 games, the Broncs will have to pull together to better the mark. “We always want to continue to improve as a program, and make strides,” Hoffman said. “The main thing I look at the kind of kids we have and what they’re doing. They’re getting better as players, but they’re getting better as people.”
Boxing
THE PAN AMERICAN
Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos
Wednesday, Jan. 14 Box Score 1 UTPA 29 Wright State 51
2 31 31
F 60 82
Bronc scorers: A. Sakalys 5, C. Fagan 12, A. Holcomb 4, E. Montalvo 2, D. East 1, R. Castillo 2, Z. Weir 6, D. Díaz 1, A. Gedminas 8.
Richard Best (4-6-3) of Fort Worth. “He’s a good boxer,” Peña said about Best. “He’ll stand toe-to-toe with me, if I want to stand toeto-toe with him. He fights everybody’s fight. I guess, he’ll be having to fight my fight this fight.” Peña is confident that he will be able to defeat his opponent and he has a strategy for accomplishing his goal. “He’s a little taller than me so, I’ll be working his body a lot more than his head,” Peña said. “I know that if I have him dazed, I have to finish him off.” The 19-year-old Edinburg boxer is thrilled to be fighting in such a big event. “I feel great,” Peña said. “Big audience, big crowd, especially because De La Hoya is down here in our hometown, here in the Valley.” Peña last fought on Oct. 22, a fifth-round knockout victory over Jesús Rodríguez from McKinley. A portion of the event will be televised by Univisión’s sister station, Telefutura. As of Wednesday afternoon, less than 2,000 tickets were left for Friday’s event.
Diet
continued from page 15
the white rice and those kind of things, probably aren’t good for you.” Although it seems like common sense, Semper maintains that the only real way to lose weight is by achieving negative caloric balance. “Bottom line is, you have to eat less than you burn, and you’ll lose the weight,” he said. To Semper, the easiest route to weight loss is cutting out junk food. EXERCISE Once proper dietary adjustments have been made, it is time to look for an exercise routine. Semper suggests that it is crucial to find a vehicle, or mode of exercise that is enjoyable. According to Semper, many people become discouraged when they choose the wrong routine with which to reach their long-term goals. “If I say I want you to go outside, and for three days a week I want you to run three miles a day. If you don’t like running you’re not going to do well,” Semper explained “But maybe you like racquetball. I’d say, hey, play racquetball three times a week. That’s just as good as running.” For Semper, choosing an exercise routine that excites you is a no-brainer. “Whatever you pick up hopefully you’ll do it and enjoy it,” Semper said. “And if you enjoy it you’ll do it the rest of your life.”
Gilchrist said. The department recruits both prospective freshmen and transfer One plays Ernie, the best friend on students to attend UTPA. The George Lopez Show, one is a So far, the university has lined up former two-time Ms. Olympia, and the Edcouch native Valente Rodriguez, who third an advocate for higher education plays Ernie on the ABC primetime hit funding in South Texas. What do they comedy The George Lopez Show, all have in common? Rachel McLish the first Ms. Olympia They are all graduates of The bodybuilding champion, a Harlingen University of Texas-Pan American who native who is now a successful business have achieved extraordinary success in owner and actress in Los Angeles, and their respective careers. Along with Texas State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa several other from McAllen. people, they will “We have soon become received spokespeople for commitments from This campaign will UTPA in a new each of them to help us reinforce the television campaign appear in 30-second designed to promote spots to air on local message that the university. channels,” education is important “Instead of doing Quintanilla said. and that UTPA is a generic 30-second “In these commercials which commercials, we quality institution that have been done in will ask them to produces successful the past, we thought give personal graduates. it would be a much testimony about Deborah Gilchrist, better idea to profile their experience New Student and Visitor Services former UTPA while attending graduates who have UTPA and how this gone on to become experience helped them become who very successful,” said Sandra they are today.” Quintanilla, UTPA University Relations Quintanilla added that the University director. is still looking for additional individuals Deborah Gilchrist, interim director of who have received an undergraduate, the New Student and Visitor Services master’s or doctoral degree from UTPA department, hopes this campaign will who represent different professions, get the attention of high school students including the medical, engineering and who are thinking of attending UTPA. education fields. “This campaign will help us reinforce Anyone with recommendations is the message that education is important asked to contact the University and that UTPA is a quality institution Relations Department at 381-2741 or ethat produces successful graduates,” mail Quintanilla at sandraq@panam.edu. By ELOY M. SAENZ The Pan American
UTPA Broncs
When: Monday, Jan. 19 Where: Field House Time: 7:30 p.m. All-time series: It will be the first meeting between both teams.
Page 3
UTPA grads will serve as Battle lines materializing in local District Court race talent for recruiting push
Next Game:
continued from page 16
Daniel "Ponce” De León (15-0, 15 KO) from Cuauhtémoc, México and Jesús Pérez (22-3-3, 11 KO) of Córdoba, Colombia. De León defeated Carlos Durán of Querétaro, México, by way of a knockout in the third round of their Nov. 20 fight. “I’m really motivated. I was getting really bored with so much training,” De León said. “What I wanted was action, to fight, and Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American now the time is here. Now, I have to show in the ring what I practiced in the gym.” Pérez feels that he is just as ready as De León. “I come well prepared,” Pérez affirmed. “The fight’s going to be a good one and anyone who doesn’t go is going to miss a good fight.” De León, a former Mexican Olympian, was equally impressed with the facilities and the Valley. “It’s a big venue,” De León said. “I think it’s going to be packed. It’s my second time here and I like it. It’s my kind of weather, it’s like where I live.” The Valley will also be represented in the event. Pablo Peña (5-1) of Edinburg will fight
January 15, 2004
AIDA SALINAS FLORES
HECTOR VILLARREAL
According to Villarreal, “Crime has By VANESSA LUCIO gotten to the point in the Valley where the The Pan American criminals are not afraid, and these people need to be removed from society”. It’s election time again and the 398th Incumbent state District Court bench is up for grabs. Flores was the first elected judge to Edinburg criminal defense attorney serve in the 398th Court and says she has Hector J. Villarreal is challenging remained on the bench because of incumbent Aida Salinas Flores, who was fairness, consistency, and an unwavering elected in 2000. willingness to hear everyone’s case. While this and other races, including Flores is also a Valley native, having the one between Aaron Pena and Eddie graduated from La Joya High School at Saenz for state representative, are the top of her class. She received her drawing much attention, it seems that one bachelors degree from Pan American interested group may not make its feeling College. At 19 she heard. became an English According to teacher, which led to CNN.com the her becoming an adult average college Both candidates probation officer and student has strong a rehabilitation opinions about seem qualified to counselor. election candidates In 1975 she but doesn’t seem to do the job, but received her law get around to the that decision is up degree from the voting booths. University of Texas Experts say that to the people of School of Law in students need to get Edinburg. Austin and returned to involved in the Hidalgo County as the elections and vote first lawyer to because one day they graduate from La will be leaders of the Joya High School. community. So in the Later she became the race for the 398th, first female assistant district attorney in just who exactly are we voting for and Hidalgo County. what will they bring to the bench? Flores has tried various types of civil cases ranging from personal injury, Challenger divorce, child custody, contract, and also Villarreal is an Edinburg native who has done federal criminal cases. graduated from UTPA, and the Baylor When asked what she has learned School of Law. He was a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam before becoming a Flores explained, “Education is the key into the world of success: when criminal prosecutor. everything else leaves education is always Villarreal has civil trial experience and there. My grandmother used to say: ‘Hace served from 1987-1988 as the 275th mas el que quiere que el que puede, District Court Judge. Today Villarreal is meaning those who have the desire to hoping to be the next 398th state District succeed will do more than those who have Court Judge, and he says he knows the ability to do well but don’t achieve exactly what the people of the Valley potential.” need. Both candidates seem qualified to do “I want to give something back to the the job, but that decision is up to the community and serve the people because people of Edinburg. we need a change,” he said. “And a UTPA students who are interested in judge’s philosophy will dictate how voting for this race should meet the he/she runs the courtroom.” following voting deadlines. The primary When asked to describe his work elections are March 9, with early voting Villarreal stated, “Trial work is dates set for Feb. 23 through Match 5. honorable, like theater one has to The Edinburg Elections Office is at 101 perform.” South 10th Street, and voting for students Villarreal views the judge’s bench as takes place in The Pan American one requiring an impartial person who University Library Lobby, among other makes fair decisions following the rules places. of procedure.
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sports
January 15, 2004
Franco Caballero/The Pan American
CONCENTRATION— Dinah Lovett stresses keeping focus in a speech at the corporate business seminar Wednesday at McAllen’s Chase Bank.
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
Page 4
UTPA tuition higher but still among lowest By VANESSA L. LUCIO The Pan American
By now, the rising college tuition has become a consistent new item, and the 14-school University of Texas System is no exception. On Nov. 18, 2003 the System’s Board of Regents approved proposals from various campuses, including UTPA, for tuition rates for the spring semester 2004. According to the UT website, at www.utsystem.edu/news, the Board of Regents views the tuition increase as a way to provide students with stronger academic programs and more financial aid, not just more money burdens. UTPA students will see a slight increase in numbers effective in the fall of 2004. UTPA will climb aboard the money train as it increases its rate by a flat fee of six dollars per semester credit hour, up to 14 semester hours. The university’s rate is still one of the lowest in the System. Sophomore political science major Frank Garza has heard of the six-dollar increase in tuition and feels it would be a benefit to UTPA. “Six dollars is not that much more, compared to other UT schools that are bigger and paying a lot more,” Garza said. “I am sure it would not affect the people of the Valley by that much.” Contrary to popular belief this decision did not happen overnight. From 19972004 tuition has increased in baby steps
every two to three years. According to James Langabeer, vice president for the office of Business Affairs at UTPA, the tuition increase is “just a matter of compensation for the university’s rapid growth of students each year.” Based on the UT System Tuition Commission Report (STCR) the decision was made by the Texas Legislature and like any other change in life, has pros and cons. UTPA President Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez reviewed the benefits to a tuition hike for students now and in the future. “The tuition increase has already been implemented into the spring semester of 2004 on campuses like UT-Austin, but at UTPA the decision was made with the students in mind, to hold off until fall 2004 for a smooth transition,” he said. Each institution serves different types of students and basically a school like UT-Austin can afford to lose some students with the tuition increase, because it attracts way more students than it can admit. According to the UTPA Office of the President, the university will benefit in the long run when it implements a new faculty hiring plan and offers more graduate programs to add to the 46 master’s programs already in place. Nevarez said “Students are getting a balance at UTPA between not being too costly and at the same time getting a quality education. Sometimes the most
expensive aspect of a higher education is the room and board, not the tuition.” FISCAL Among the YEAR supposed pros of the increase: 1. Smooth 1997 transition due to a flat-based tuition fee 1998 for hours after the 1999 14-hour limit; 2. 2000 Extra money coming into UTPA means 2001 new buildings and 2002 approximately 55 2003 new additions to the faculty to counteract 2004 the increase in 2005 population. As of Jan. 13 UTPA has approximately 15,900 students. According to the Office of Business Affairs, 86.7 percent are on some sort of financial aid help to pay for tuition. Those students do not have to worry about finding the money to attend school, it is already available to them. But what about the student who does not receive financial aid? Sociology graduate student Adele Clinton is one of the students who is not receiving financial aid but who views the tuition increase as an advantage for UTPA. “It is going to greatly affect a school like UT Austin more than it will UTPA,” she said. “The Austin branch is so much
TUITION HIKE DESIGNATED TUITION $18 $18 $18 $22 $22 $26 $26 $32 $38
STATUTORY TUITION $32 $34 $36 $38 $40 $42 $44 $46 $48
bigger in faculty, size and definitely students.” There is always going to be opposition to rising costs. But can students fight this increase in tuition? The Regents’ decision on the fall rates mandates a 60day comment period, ending Jan. 23, 2004. This comment period will give students a chance to be heard and to voice their comments on the plans. Despite the pros and cons there will always be an opportunity for students to be able to voice their opinions. The general vibe around campus seems to be that UTPA’s slight increase is a small amount to pay for a bigger and better school of tomorrow.
Depression striking college students more frequently On the other side of a glass door sits a green couch with large pillows lying on it. All over the walls tranquil pastel paintings creates an environment where even the most private person could open up and share their feelings. It’s the Learning Assistance Counseling Center, and it is opening its doors to UTPA students who are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed. The center was designed to assist students who have problems with personal, social, emotional or interpersonal relationships that may be affecting their adjustment to the university environment or interfering with academic achievement. Counselors are available to help students clarify their goals and encourage them to assume responsibility for their actions. Mirta Rodriguez is one of the counselors who assists students who feel they are having a difficult time adjusting to the university environment. “We get a lot of students who are having family issues, personal or relationship problems or even those who are feeling anxious about graduating and having to move on into the real world,” Rodriguez said. Because of the changes entering college entails, Rodriguez said that many students suffer from depression. “There are many different types of pressures that young people are feeling,” Rodriguez said. “Some feel like they don’t belong, some feel a high level of expectations from them and some
“The sadness and helplessness students students may even be feeling the culture may feel does affect their academic shock of being in a new environment.” mindset,” Rodriguez explained. “Many According to the National Mental Health Association, many individuals find simply want to function in college and their years at a university are undermined lead successful lives.” According to a recent national college by depression, anxiety, substance abuse health survey, 10 percent of college and eating disorders, sometimes leading students have been diagnosed with to suicide. Researchers are finding that depression, and for women the number is many mental illnesses may be traced to trauma experienced during college years. slightly higher at 13 percent. Students of all ages have sought Though frequency assistance, some for of student use of the problems such as counseling center coping with moving varies, there are The most fulfilling away from home, periods when students part of this job is others for stress of feel most anxious. seeing students I work returning so school “We do talk to many after a layoff., students around the with actually improve. “Some holiday seasons, and To know that you had a international particularly around part in helping them get students may feel the Spring Break,” over their depression is cultural shock of Rodriguez said. “Some what makes everything leaving their students need to talk worthwhile. country, while to someone, but we try - Mirta Rodriguez, students moving to to offer as many UTPA Counselor Edinburg from a services as possible.” different town in the Depression affects Valley may feel over 19 million similar anxiety,” Rodriguez said. “Some American adults annually, and many are don’t give themselves enough time to go college students. At colleges nationwide, through the changes of adjusting and just certain percentages of college students leave the university.” intermittently feel overwhelmed, sad, Reasons may vary, but symptoms and hopeless and so depressed that they are side effects are fairly consistent. They unable to function. Of course, some include headaches, insomnia, persistent amount of stress and emotional duress is sadness, irritability, physical discomfort perfectly natural. But it can get out of and even difficulty thinking. control for someone not able to handle it. “Students need to balance their lives a Rodriguez explained that depression little bit more,” Rodriguez said, offering not only affects a persons mind, but their what he calls the best advice he could body, sleeping patterns, and creates give to students who are feeling over personal frustration.
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By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American
pressured. “Having the right amount of sleep, having a proper diet, and exercising can really affect a person’s mood and body.” While depression can be helped by sessions with a counselor, receiving medication or simply having better organization of your life, there are some people whose condition becomes worse than most. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, the third leading cause of death for those ages 15-24, and the second leading killer in the college population (1998 figures). Students at UTPA are not immune to this situation. “We do talk with some students who show suicidal tendencies,” Rodriguez said. “If we talk with a student who has a serious mental health problem, we refer them for a psychiatric evaluation.” Besides having a discussion with a counselor, students can receive advice on how to maintain their stress level, learn about where their anxiety comes from, and even learn skills that might lessen the stress that comes with job hunting. Other activities conducted include in-group counseling sessions, topical seminars or workshops. “The most fulfilling part of this job is seeing students I work with actually improve,” Rodriguez said. “To know that you had a part in helping them get over their depression is what makes everything worthwhile.” Anyone seeking professional assistance for personal issues, contact the Counseling Center at the University Center room 109. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sports
January 15, 2004
2003-2004 UTPA Men’s Basketball Schedule Date
Opponent/Time
Nov. 4
Monterrey Tech (Exh.)
Nov. 8
Houston Quest (Exh.)
Nov. 22
Southern Methodist, 7
Nov. 25
Texas A&M-Int’l, 7:30
Nov. 29
Texas-Arlington, 7:30
Dec. 1
SWA of God, 7:30
Dec. 4
Missouri-Kansas City, 7
Dec. 6
Texas-San Antonio, 7
Dec. 12
Mississippi Valley St., 7
Dec. 14
Sam Houston State, 2
Dec. 17
North Texas, 7:30
Dec. 20
Rice, 7:05
Dec. 22
Oklahoma State, 7
Dec. 29
Oklahoma, 7
Dec. 31
McMurry, 7:30
Jan. 6
Baylor, 7
Jan. 8
North Texas, 7
Jan. 14
Wright State, 6:05
Jan. 19
Missouri-K.C., 7:30
Jan. 21
Texas-Arlington, 7
Jan. 28
IPFW, 7:30
Feb. 2
Alcorn State, 7:30
Feb. 4
Lamar, 7:30
Feb. 7
IPFW, Noon
Feb. 11
Arkansas State, 7:30
Feb. 14
TAMUCC, 7:30
Feb. 16
Air Force, 7:30
Feb. 19
Central Baptist, 7:30
Feb. 28
TAMUCC, 7
March 1
Arkansas State, 7:05
2003-2004 UTPA Men’s Spring Tennis Schedule Date
Opponent/Time
Jan. 19
Trinity, 10 a.m.
Jan. 19
Texas A&M, 1:30
SPORTS CLIPBOARD Stars drop prices
Knicks hire Wilkens Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks fired Don Chaney and his top two assistants Wednesday and hired Lenny Wilkens to take over the coaching duties. Wilkens, 66, is the NBA leader in career coaching wins and losses. Chaney went 72-112 in two-plus seasons with New York. Overall, Chaney is 337-494 in 12 NBA seasons. Meanwhile, Wilkens has 1,292 wins and 1,114 losses.
Pistons win 10th straight The Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 95-91 to win their 10th straight game. Mehmet Okur had a career-high 27 points and 14 rebounds. Detroit’s win streak is their longest since winning 11 straight during 1990-91.
2003 CHL Standings Feb. 6 Feb. 7
Eastern Kentucky, TBA Dayton, TBA
Northwest
W L OTL PTS
Feb. 7
Xavier, TBA
Colorado
25 10 2
52
Feb. 14
Saint Louis, 2
OKC
19 14 5
43
New Mexico
18 16 3
39
Wichita
17 16 4
38
Tulsa
12 16 8
32
Northeast
W L OTL PTS
Feb. 21 Feb. 26
TAMUCC, 2 Laredo College (Exh.), 1
March 11
Abilene Christian, 5:30
March 12
Prairie View, TBA
March 13
Texas Southern, 10 a.m.
March 24
UTSA, 2
Bossier-Shreveport 23 8 Memphis
April 3 April 4
DePaul, 1 Texas-Arlington, 10 a.m.
Indianapolis Fort Worth
3
49
24 15 1
49
21 14 1 11 20 6
43 28
Texas Southern, 2
April 8
Lamar, 3
Southwest
W L OTL PTS
April 9
Southeastern
Amarillo
25 11 2
52
SanAngelo
22 13 4
48
April 17
TAMUCC, 2
April 30
SLC Championships
May 1 May 2
Agassi reaches final
The Dallas Stars cut the cost of more than 2,000 season tickets and are lowering the price of several other seats for next season. The price cuts are due, partly, to the changes in the NHL’s economic structure. The Stars are dropping the cost of 1,283 lower bowl seats at American Airlines Center from $90 to $60. A group of more than 800 second-level seats are being dropped from $60 to $34, while another 1,071 lower bowl seats are being slashed from $70 to $65. In addition, Dallas will be offering its season ticket holders an early renewal option that includes a five percent discount on next season. The Stars sold 11,000 season tickets for the 200304 season. Dallas has an average game attendance of 18,537, just shy of the center’s capacity of 18,532. The Stars had 238-game sellout streak halted in October.
Andre Agassi raced to a quick 6-2, 6-4 victory over Wimbeldon champion Roger Federer and advances to the final of the Commonwealth Bank International exhibition tournament at Kooyong in Australia. Agassi will face the winner between top-ranked Andy Roddick and David Nalbandian.
European football roundup AC Milan defeated AS Roma 2-1 in the Italian Cup quarter-final first leg match played in Rome. Massimo Ambrosini scored the game-winning goal in injury time. In England, Premier League side Manchester City put an end to their 14game winless streak after beating Leicester City, 3-1, in the third round of the Football Association Cup.
HOME GAMES IN BOLD All games p.m. unless noted.
Date Nov. 7
Opponent/Time Houston Elite (Exh.)
Nov. 21
Air Force. 6
Nov. 22
Boise State/Dayton, 4/6:30
Nov. 25
TAMUI, 5
Nov. 29
St. Edward’s, 5
Dec. 5
St. Louis, TBA
Dec. 6
Kansas State/Sac., TBA
Dec. 14
Oral Roberts, 7
Dec. 17
Texas, 7
Dec. 19
Marshall, 7
Dec. 21
Central Michigan, 2
Dec. 28
Tulsa, 2
Dec. 31
Prairie View A&M, 5
Jan. 2
UT-Arlington, 7
Jan. 7 Jan. 9
Sacramento State, 9:05 San Diego State, 9
Jan. 11
Louisiana-Lafayette, 4
Jan. 13
SE Louisiana, 7
Jan. 22
SW Missouri State, 7:05
Jan. 24
TAMUCC , 7
Jan. 27
Incarnate Word, 7
Jan. 31
IPFW, Noon
Feb. 3
Northern Colorado, 7
Feb. 9
Prairie View A&M, 7
Feb. 16
Louisiana-Lafayette, 5
Feb. 19
IPFW, 5
Feb. 24
TAMUCC, 7
Feb. 28
SE Louisiana, 7
March 3
Northern Arizona, 8
2003-2004 UTPA Women’s Spring Tennis Schedule
InterLiga Prelibertadores 2004 Date Group A x-Santos x-Morelia Toluca U.A.G.
W-D-L 2-0-1 2-0-1 2-0-1 0-0-3
GF:GA 6:5 5:4 4:3 3:6
Group A W - D - L GF:GA x-Atlas 2-1-0 8:3 x-América 1-2-0 6:5 Tigres 1-1-1 4:5 Atlante 0-0-3 5:10 x - qualified to second round
PTS 6 6 6 0 PTS 7 5 4 4
Scorer / Team G M. Pérez, ATS 4 R. Navia, MOR 3 J. Borgetti, SAN 3 S. González, ATE 3 D. Alvarez, MOR 2 C. Pavón, MOR 2 O. Bravo, GUA 2 20 tied with one goal
Second Round Wednesday, Jan. 14 Santos 2, Atlas 2 (4-3 pks), Santos qualifies to Copa Libertadores América 3, Morelia 1, América will play against Atlas in playoff game
Odessa
13 23 2
28
Lubbock
9 20 6
24
Southeast
W L OTL PTS
Laredo
30 5
2
62
Austin
16 15 5
37
Note: The newly named InterLiga, also known as Prelibertadores, is the Mexican Soccer League’s qualifying tournament for South America’s Copa Libertadores tournament. This year is the first time México gets an automatic entrance into the tournament. Previously, the Prelibertadores was played against Venezuelan clubs once the Mexican clubs went through a Pre-Prelibertadores qualifying tournament.
Mexican Soccer Clausura 2004
SLC Championships SLC Championships
2003-2004 UTPA Women’s Basketball Schedule
Opponent/Time
Feb. 6
UTEP, 3
Feb. 13
Sam Houston State, 3
Feb. 14
Northwestern State, 1:30
Feb. 15
Stephen F. Austin, 9 a.m.
Feb. 21
TAMUCC, 2
Feb. 26
Laredo College (Exh.), 1
March 11 Abilene Christian, 5:30 March 13 Texas Southern, 10 a.m. March 17
Wyoming, TBA
March 18
Jacksonville, Noon
March 19
Long Island, TBA
March 20
Bethune-Cookman, TBA
March 27 Air Force, 8:30 a.m.
April 7
Louisiana, Noon
Page 13
Rio Grande Valley 15 15 6
36
Corpus Christi
29
13 19 3
April 7
Texas Southern, 2
April 8
Lamar, 3
April 9
McNeese State, 9 a.m.
April 16
IPFW, TBA
April 16
Northern Colorado, TBA
April 17
TAMUCC, 2
Week 1 schedule: Saturday, Jan. 17 Tigres at Chiapas, 3 p.m. Cruz Azul at Monterrey, 5 p.m. Irapuato at Morelia, 5 p.m. Necaxa at San Luis, 7 p.m. Puebla at Atlas, 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18 U.N.A.M. at América, Noon Querétaro at Pachuca, Noon Toluca at Atlante, 2 p.m. Veracruz at U.A.G., 4 p.m. Guadalajara at Santos, 4 p.m.
Note: Pachuca defeated Tigres in the Aperura 2003 championship 3-2 (aggregate) played Dec. 17 and 20.
HOME GAMES IN BOLD
Page 12
Three stores managing book-buying frenzy By REBECCA BAUTISTA The Pan American It is well known that for the first couple of weeks in the semester, demands are great on faculty, staff, and students. Parking spots are at a premium and textbooks are en route from stores to learners. Luckily, there are three bookstores serving the students for UTPA, and each has hired more temporary employees to make the transition smooth. The manager of the University bookstore, Robert Cantu, gives some credit to temporaries, mainly students, for a successful start to 2004. “The students are the ones who keep everything running as smoothly as they do,” Cantu said. The majority of his floor workers are students, some of them hired recently to manage the rush at the start of the semester. Monica Davis is one of the supervisors at the University bookstore and heads the push for new employees. “We hire between 12 to 15 extra students to help with the rush,” Davis said. “We hire them to work small shifts or big shifts, and we work around their
ROTC
schedule. Every little bit helps.” On the floor with the students, Cantu sees the immediate results of student workers. “They can relate to the frustration and pressure of looking for books and getting their classes in order, so in turn our customer service has improved because of the student workers,” Cantu said. “Every student worker is a huge help and a valuable asset to us.” Across the street at the Texas Star Bookstore, business runs just as smoothly. Owner Astolfo Benitez Jr. orders as many books as he possibly can from the list he acquires from the professors at UTPA and the University Bookstore. He also hires student workers during the rush, but not as many. “I’m still getting established here,” Benitez said as he looked around at the smaller, but busy bookstore. “I’ve had plenty of business since I’ve opened. I owe thanks to the students for that. They’re my bosses! Without them, I wouldn’t have a business.” Over at South Texas Used Bookstore, the workers also consist mainly of students. Manager Sergio Lopez hires local people and keeps his store open extended hours for the rush.
deployed. Since reservists are not deployed that often, families do not really get to see a lot of deployment and it is hard,” Galvan said. “They knew when they signed up that when the time came to be called to war that they would have to serve and they willing to do their duty and are fully supported.” UTPA has also had some students enlisted in the Reserves called to Iraq, and also graduates, according to the university’s ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps, which gives full support for the war efforts and students who are in Iraq. “We are proud of what the Army and all
Franco Caballero/The Pan American
LINE UP!— Daniel Mejia (center) waits to pay for textbooks Wednesday at the University Bookstore as cashier Maria Paredes (right) rings up Monica Cano.
services have done in Iraq,” said LTC Mel Fechner, professor of military science at UTPA. “Iraqis now experience freedoms they haven't had in a long time or have never had.” Encouragement for the efforts in Iraq also extends to those already overseas. Many reservists as well as active-duty soldiers feel that what they are doing is worth it. “We are trying to give them [the Iraqis] a better place, but our mission is not done yet,” Sanchez said. “It is a lot of sacrifice for a U.S. soldier to come here for a whole year away from their loved ones, but someone has got to do it because in the long run it will all pay off.”
UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE WAR TIMELINE 1914-1918
WW1 89,500 officers participate
1940-1944
WWII reserve officers provide 29%of the Army’s officers
1950
Korean conflict 240,500 members are called to active duty
1961
Berlin crisis, more than 60,000 Army Reserves are called to active duty
1968
Vietnam conflict 5,900 Army Reserve soldiers mobilized
1989
Panama, Army Reserves help restore order
1990-1991
Persian Gulf War, over 84,000 Army Reserve provide combat service
1995-2001 Bosnia, 68% Reserve Soldiers are mobilized, including more than 11,150 soldiers from more than 330 units 2000-2001
Kosovo, Army Reserves sent to support NATO
2003-2004
Present operation Iraqi Freedom Source: US Army Reserve
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mayor and city officials of the City of Alton, expressed their views and concerns on various topics. Topics discussed were health care, education, the wellness of soldiers overseas, and property taxes. Those same topics along with others were also discussed at a Jan. 13 breakfast at La Casa Del Taco Restaurant in McAllen, where Doggett along Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who supports his re-election campaign, met with community leaders and active citizens to discuss the well-being of their community. Martha Medina, an STCC student and active citizen of McAllen and its school district, attended both luncheons in order to express her support for the candidate. Medina stated that she supports him because of what he has been doing recently, and what he promotes, such as an increase in good-paying jobs, educational opportunities, affordable healthcare, and his stance on defending Social Security and Medicare. “I think what he is saying is important to all of us,” Medina said. “And that is why I feel very strong about my support for him. I have heard what he says and what other candidates say, and he is true to his word, and his record is what shows me that he is true to his word.” Maria Elena Davis, a nurse at the Mission Nursing Home, is particularly interested in what Doggett thinks in regard to health insurance, because of her personal experiences. As a nurse, Davis herself does not have health insurance because of its excessive price. She said that for her and her family she would have to pay more than $600 a month, which is too much for her. “I don’t qualify for CHIPS for my daughter because we earn too much, but then not enough to pay for insurance,” Davis said. “That is my main concern. I also have my elderly parents in Medicare, and we have had a lot of cut backs in Medicare also, and that concerns me.” Some opponents to Doggett’s platform in the Valley are generally those who see an
Anglo running for office, as a setback for Hispanic and minority representation in the Valley. Although some supporters such as Roel Garza, who along with his wife represent the ordinary citizen from San Juan, feel that Doggett believes in serving the community as a whole, including everybody from Anglos to Mexican Americans. However, Garza does feel redistricting will separate the area. South Texas Campaign Coordinator, Melissa Carranza is one of Doggett’s examples when he speaks about how he plans to help the Valley and its students. Carranza, a UTPA senior majoring in political science, got the position of campaign coordinator after a series of interviews with Doggett’s staff. A week and a half later she was informed of her new job and duties, part of which include managing his calendar and schedule, and dealing with personnel and money issues in South Texas. Doggett stated that he thinks his commitment to young leadership can be demonstrated by his designation of Carranza as campaign coordinator. “I have great confidence in her and great confidence in the students of the area,” he said. Carranza views her work as a wonderful experience, especially because she wants to go into politics in the future. “It teaches [me] a strong sense of responsibility, and motivates me to do the best I can,” Carranza said. “The fact that I am a student right now, opens a lot of doors for me in the future. I am learning the ropes inside out, and it is going to be very beneficial to me.” During his tour of the Valley Doggett said he has learned more of what the area has to offer and what it needs to do to improve as a community. Many have turned to him for guidance during his campaign. “The Valley is a wonderful place to live in and to represent,” Doggett said. “And we need to remove some of the obstacles that federal policy and lack of federal resources have presented to the Valley.”
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New HR director arrives with experience By DIANA CORPUS GARZA The Pan American
DOGGETT
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THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
The University of Texas-Pan American named Frank Wagner Jr. new human resource director after a lengthy search. Wagner, who began his new position Dec. 3, was the former director of human resource operations for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in Austin. He replaces Mark Saenz, now the assistant to the vice president of Business Affairs at UTPA, who took over as interim HR director seven months ago when the former chief Antonio Villalobos, retired. A search committee chaired by Zeke Granado, associate vice president of Business Affairs/Comptroller, which included representation from each division in Business Affairs, made its recommendation after reviewing 30 applicants. “A national search for applicants from all over the United States were screened and narrowed down to about 6 or 7,” Granado said. “We conducted telephone interviews with the remaining few and narrowed it down to three. After one of the applicants withdrew, a committee recommendation was made from the remaining two.” “The search committee was
Frank Wagner instrumental to bringing Wagner to my desk,” said James Langabeer, the vice president of Business Affairs. “He is very professional, very competent, and makes people feel willing to work with him, but yet he knows all the rules. The HR director deals with all the assistants to the department regarding employee matters, whether it’s a grievance, reclassification; whatever it is, it goes through him.” Wagner, with 18 years experience in
human resource management, is a graduate of the University of TexasAustin with a degree in education. He has two master’s degrees—one in human resource management from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and another in library information systems from UT Austin Library School. He also has a third degree equal to a master’s from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kan. So far, Wagner finds his staff receptive and willing. “While interviewing staff members, some of the comments said were that they [staff] were looking forward to changes that were going to be made,” he said. “Their comments were both unusual and refreshing. Most people react to change with resistance and here this staff was looking forward to change.” One of the changes will be the implementation of the new financial resource and management system, via the information system, Oracle, championed by Langabeer and William Morris, executive director of information technology. “This new information system will change the way the university operates from the business side, the student side and the financial side, including loans, everything,” Langabeer said. “We hope it [Oracle] will offer relief
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He [Wagner] comes to us with a lot of experience in the HR arena. I think we made a real good choice. We are looking forward to working with Mr. Wagner.
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THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
- Zeke Granado, Business Affairs/Comptroller
from the routine that paper pushing does to human resource management,” Wagner said. “It will also help us recruit and retain qualified and good-performing staff over the next few years.” Training for the new system has been under way for the HR staff of 14, plus 10 work-study students. “He [Wagner] comes to us with a lot of experience in the HR arena,” Granado said. “I think we made a real good choice. We are looking forward to working with Mr. Wagner.” Wagner and his wife, Kathy, reside in McAllen. His son, Frank III and daughter-in-law, Jennifer, are both working on doctorates at The University of Arizona.
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
Page 6
New building, amnesty mark library news By MARIA ALEJANDRA MAZARIEGOS The Pan American
library sites around the area. Although there is still no site written in stone, Sturgis noted that city officials are With a new year and ever-growing city looking at city-owned property and population, Edinburg browsing through has exciting news for areas that are fairly book lovers accessible and Valleywide. Plans for centrally located. We need to a new city library are "This to me is in store for the city telling me that they expand our library in 2004. are going to go so we can have "We are very through with it," happy that the city more materials for Leija said. administration have The current library, our patrons, and taken this into which is 20 years more computers, consideration," said old, stands at 401 E. Library Director Cano St. The18,600and everything. Letty Leija. "We square feet facility is - Letty Leija, have been talking home to Library Director about a new library approximately for years. It looks 100,000 resources like now it's really along with one going to happen.” conference room and several InternetTalk about a new library has been ready computer stations. Lately, going on for some time but if all goes as overcrowding of the facility has made it planned, the $3 million, two-year project difficult to meet the needs of local will take shape this year. Edinburg residents. Limited materials "It's just a matter of timing because due to lack of space means that users this year we'll focus on finding a often find themselves waiting for a location, and then the architectural and computer or library resource. engineering portion, and then after that On this issue Leija stated, "we need to we can focus on our construction plans," expand our library so we can have more explained Edinburg City Manager Wendy materials for our patrons, and more Smith Sturgis. computers, and everything. Because our The city has been setting aside funds service population is growing we should for this purpose and visiting potential have more materials and services for the
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EDINBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING COMPARISON OLD LIBRARY:
NEW LIBRARY:
*18,600 square feet *100,000 materials *1 conference room
*45,000 square feet *Performance stage *2 conference rooms
New building expected to open by 2006
public." The prospective 2006 opening of the newfangled 45,000-square foot library will feature an improved children's section with a stage for activities and performances; this in addition to a much larger computer section, two conference rooms, and study rooms to be used for tutoring or small meetings. Evelyn Castillo, an Edinburg resident, stated, "I was so glad to hear of the new library. I can't wait to see how it will turn out. It will be a nice spot to spend some quality family time reading with my children."
"This is a project that all our council members feel strongly about," Sturgis mentioned. Along with cooperative council members and excited residents the new Edinburg library is something to content all local literature enthusiasts. Along with the new building, the Edinburg Public Library also has a special feature this month, a grace period for rule violators. During the January amnesty, all overdue fees acquired Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2004 will not need to be paid. Any late fees accumulated prior to Jan. 1 or after Jan. 31 will still be due.
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Edinburg native plies writing trade for Washington Post Whether your dreams are to design skyscrapers that reach the clouds above New York City, dance for the American Ballet Company, nurse the sick back to health, or be an expert in the culinary arts, reaching the goal takes more than just the will. Heart and hard work are what former Edinburg North High School graduate Jaime Stockwell said it took to make her dream of becoming a reporter come true. She is living that vision on Capitol Hill as a reporter for the Washington Post. The Post has been one of the most prestigious papers in America since the 19th century, and of course was the publication that broke the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s. It is the home of awardwinning journalism, where only the best of the best in the journalism field are employed. ROAD TO SUCCESS Growing up, Stockwell developed a love for reading and writing. She remembers going to the McAllen Public Library on the weekends with her mother. “My mom encouraged me to read and to write. She once had a dream of becoming a reporter herself,” she said. “There was a seven-book checkout limit, I'd always leave with seven books.” In high school, she participated in UIL Journalism and dedicated her time to perfecting her writing skills. “I competed every weekend from April to September, from my freshman year through my senior year,” she recalled. The summer before her senior year of high school, Stockwell attended a
summer classes at UTPA. She said that if it weeklong journalism workshop for minorities at the University of Texas-Austin had not been for the experience at the Monitor, she would not have been able to called Camaraderies. She remembers it as move on to bigger ponds. an experience that helped her decide where “I credit The Monitor for giving me my to attend college. start,” she said. “I left with about 50 “At first I wanted to attend Notre Dame, clippings to add to my resume.” but after the workshop, I knew that's where Stockwell has always exhibited the will I wanted to go,” she said of UT-Austin. to work, usually getting involved in more “The journalism program is one of the best than one project at one in the country.” time. After covering Before going to several stories per day school, she was editor for the Monitor that of Edinburg North's It was a like a summer, she went back school paper as a dream, and even to school in Austin and senior year and worked at the Austin graduated 13th in her though I missed the American-Statesman, class in May 1995. Valley, I was not also getting involved Then she began at UT in Internet and in the fall. going to pass up the freelance writing. Moving away from opportunity to work “The more practice everything one has you have the better you known, into the at the Post. will get, and if your unfamiliar, is scary, - Jaime Stockwell, heart is in it, it will she said. New faces, Journalist show in your work,” huge highways and she commented. plenty of danger She got plenty of practice after leaving awaited her in Austin. Edinburg. Following the experiences with But Stockwell feels that leaving the the Monitor, The Statesman and freelance Valley and being exposed to a different work, she also interned at the Houston environment helped lead to her job at the Chronicle, covering the start of George W. Post. Bush's presidential campaign. “I'm very close to my mom and dad, I talk to them every day, but they felt that it REALIZING FRUITS OF LABOR was better for me to leave and supported She finished her degree in my decision to attend school in Austin,” communication at UT in May 1999, and in said Stockwell, who covers crime for the Post. “If what you want to do takes you to a June at the age of 22 was hired as an intern at the Washington Post, to cover crime. different part of the state or country, you Suddenly the practice was over and things will never know that you can succeed seemed positive for her. unless you try.” “It was a like a dream, and even though I After her first year at UT, she returned to missed the Valley, I was not going to pass the Valley for an internship at the Monitor up the opportunity to work at the Post.” in McAllen, during which she also attended
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By VANESSA R. CASTILLO The Pan American
Stockwell's internship was initially supposed to last only in the summer, but was extended to a two-year gig. Ten months into the extension, she was hired as a permanent reporter. “I love my job,” she said. “I am where I want to be at this point in my life, all the hard work paid off.” Stockwell covered the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon, plus the case of the “D.C. sniper”in Rockville Maryland, including the subsequent trial in 2003. “The sniper shootings is something I am very proud of covering for the public,” she said. “I think it is one of the most, if not the most important and exciting stories I will ever be a part of.” A wise person once said that journalism is the rough draft of history. With this in mind, documenting history is part of what Jamie Stockwell does. Her words on political forums, city meetings, medicine, homicides, fatalities, snipers and terrorists are recorded in the pages of the Monitor, Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle and Washington Post, which is all at the disposal of anyone who wants to look them up. The Edinburg native has left the Valley but she has not stopped caring about people. She is currently working on a story about a police precinct in D.C. that is under investigation for civil rights violations and police brutality. She said that she strives at the chance to try and expose possible corruption and protect innocent people with her reporting. That is why she got into the business in the first place. “Being a reporter has helped me not take things for granted. I get to write about the things that make life what it is,” she concluded.
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
UTPA Republicans want more patronage By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American With local, state, and national primaries on their way March 9, the University Republicans at UTPA are rolling up their sleeves in hopes of gaining support for their party. From the ashes of the University Federalists rose the University Republicans, a group whose size dwindled dramatically after students graduated this past June, according to sponsor Dr. William Turk. “We’ve spent the fall semester getting a new constitution,” Turk said about picking up the pieces the former group left behind. Currently, the group has 12 students consistently involved with group activities. T.D. Smith, a sophomore political science major, is the active president involved in the organizational stages of the group. He said that the group has many plans leading up to March 9. “We’re going to try to get a debate between us and the Young Democrats and then get speakers,” Smith said. “Also, we want to have it so that students themselves can debate with each other to make it more interesting for people.” Turk says that historically, similar groups have invited candidates and speakers to inform the students about the Republican Party. “What they most commonly do is they invite the candidates to come for debate, and they’ll invite both sides while cooperating with the Young Democrats,” Turk said. “They’ll get Democrat and Republican candidates to come to the campus to talk about their points of view and their philosophies for the offices they’re speaking for.” The University Republicans want to encourage students to get acquainted with their party. Turk said the group also plans to work off campus and get involved with Republican Party activities around Hidalgo County. The Valley has been predominantly Democrat supporters for
decades. While they have no specific candidates or speakers in mind as of now, the University Republicans will hold a meeting to discuss who they would like invite to their debates. Now in the early stages of their development Turk said his main job is to encourage the students. “These are students who are just trying to learn about the political process,” Turk said. In order to get students actively involved in the political process this election year, the University Republicans plan to set up booths around campus offering information about the Republican Party. They also plan on trying to explain the importance of voting. “No matter which way they vote, we want to encourage them to do so,” Smith said. While promoting the significance of voting, Smith said the group does not plan on pushing the vote of Hispanic students. With the new redistricting plan, Republicans will gain several statewide offices, and many traditionally Democratic Hispanics are not happy about that turn of events. These developments make the job of the University Republicans more difficult, according to Smith. “It doesn’t make it any easier because it’s pretty much Democratic around here,” Smith said. “Maybe if we were up in San Antonio, or somewhere up north, but not here.” The predominantly Latino-based organization will hold its first meeting of the semester Jan. 22 in COAS room 176. Students wanting to become members of the group are encouraged the attend meetings and help with activities. In order to counter what they call the “one-way track” of thinking in the Valley, Smith said the University Republicans want to promote conservative ideals. ‘This means rely on yourself and not the government, you get the freedom of choice and mind, thinking of what’s best for you and what’s right or wrong instead of someone else,” Smith concluded.
Texas Republican Party Historical Notes * In 1967, Republicans held only four county offices. * Gov. George W. Bush won 240 of 254 of votes in El Paso, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties. * In Nov. 2002, Republicans held 19 seats in the State Senate. * Today, 2,000 Republicans serving in statewide offices * Valley dominated by Democratic Party for decades. Source: texasgop.org
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Anthro course satisfies humanities requirement By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American With Spring 2004 registration still under way, there are some changes afoot in terms of the classes classified as “basics”. Undergraduate students at UTPA will be given an additional choice to select from the “humanities” section for the 48-hour general core requirements. Instead of taking the required philosophy course, students may now take Anthropology 1354 to get their humanities credit. After six months of creating the course, it was approved by the Department of Psychology and Anthropology and the University Curriculum Committee. It was Dr. Mark Glazer, a professor of anthropology, who came up with the idea for the class. “I developed it with the help of my colleagues in anthropology, who will also teach it in the future,” Glazer said of the new addition, 1354 Anthropology of Expressive Culture. The class will be offered MWF from 9:45 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. The class offers an examination of the language of human expressive culture in a multicultural perspective. It reviews subjects such as folk literature, poetry, folk drama, indigenous literature and religious expressions. Diana Salinas, a freshman business major said, “This sounds like a very
ADMISSIONS
interesting class which I am taking into consideration for this spring semester. It sounds very interesting and it should help me to better understand different cultures, which will be great for my business career.” Glazer explained that Anthropology 1354 is designed to show students how people communicate and express themselves in their variety of manners. “The objective of this course is to expand students’ knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas and values articulated in the language of expressive behavior,” Glazer said. In addition, he stressed that students taking Anthropology 1354 will be able to gain a multicultural view of the humanities. Junior CIS major Eric Dominguez said he hopes this class will help him learn about other cultures besides the Mexican and American cultures. “I want to broaden my wisdom of cultures and their customs,” Dominguez said. With over 20 published articles and book chapters combined, Glazer is not a newcomer to the subject. Among his published books are, “High Points in Anthropology,” and “A Dictionary of Mexican-American Proverbs.” He is delighted to be able to share his understanding of the subject with pupils and encourages students to take this new class, a different approach to the humanities.
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way Texas is taking responsibility for better preparing high school students for higher education. “About 87 percent of our students are on the ‘Recommended’ plan, and almost a third of those students are taking at least one remedial course,” he said. “Most students have some preparation needed to enter college but with this new requirement it might just encourage them further to do well in high school. “ With all the new changes occurring with the standards, McMillan says that nontraditional students should not be affected any more than any other student. “We have an awful lot of nontraditional students who take classes only at night, “ he said. “We’re hoping to expand our evening class and I don’t think the admission standards are going to preclude to those individuals. “ Though nontraditional students are common at UTPA, they will have to satisfy the new standards. To enter any university, the proper ACT scores will be required, unless students have already earned some college hours. With the standards being raised the fact that some students may not be able to make the standards is on administrators’ mind. McMillan believes students will not be shut out of higher education entirely. “If students can’t reach the ACT minimum they can attend a local community college until they are
ready to come to UTPA,” he said. “If they can prove themselves academically at a community college they are certainly welcomed to enroll once they are fully prepared for the university. “ Still, tougher admission standards could potentially affect the rising enrollment numbers the university has enjoyed recently. McMillan said that if UTPA administrators do not accomplish the goal of communicating what the new standards are going to be in the future, then enrollment might decline. However, if any inconvenience arises with students concerning meeting deadlines, the university will work with them to ensure they can still enroll. “If a student, who through no fault of his own couldn’t meet our deadline we need to work with them,” McMillan said. “We do not want to shut out students who couldn’t help missing the deadline if the STCC campus was closed and they couldn’t send us their information.” However, despite some complaints from students, McMillan fully believes that because UTPA has decided to raise its standards to compete with other colleges, students will learn to meet deadlines. “Students have to learn that April 15 is a deadline for taxes,” McMillan said. “If they learn what a deadline is by attending a university, that might help them when they are adults and April 15 rolls around.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 15, 2004
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STCC continued from page 7
SAVOIE
complete one-act play or a one-hour screenplay. He said the purpose is to develop the skill of creating weekly story ideas, developing conflict, creating believable characters, building individual scenes with visual action and dialogue, and plotting a story with a beginning, middle, and end which connect with a uniform theme. Amanda Vasquez, a UTPA senior majoring in theatre/TV/film, says that taking the class made her realize a lot about the business of scriptwriting. “I learned that although we tend to criticize that movies lately aren’t good, it is in no way easy to come up with a script,” said Vasquez. “You only hope that it is at least decent.” When Stanley finishes a script, the satisfaction of seeing it actually performed is rewarding. However, what is surprising to him is the learning experience as well. “Seeing your words from the page come to life is a wonderful feeling,” said Stanley. “But you always discover that good actors find aspects of your characters you didn't imagine. So, when it comes to life either on stage or on film, it's an exciting, wondrous surprise.”
attempt to help raise test scores of Valley children by utilizing the museum’s science lab. In the long run the museum would like to have an ongoing planetarium facility. IMAS would like to make itself a tourist magnet. Savoie commented their objective is to get people to want to travel to McAllen. In the end IMAS could help enhance the economic development of McAllen. “Our goal is to continue to build an outstanding facility that our members, board members, and community could be proud of,” said Savoie. Currently IMAS is busy getting ready to open their brand new exhibit, which opens Jan. 18. The King Tut (Tutankhamun) exhibit will showcase some of the treasures of Egypt’s famous boy pharaoh. The exhibit is over 7,000 square feet of space and it is the first time IMAS has hosted an exhibit this large and valuable. In nine months the museum expects to have over 80,000 people visit the exhibit. The wonders found within King Tut’s tomb, including burial chambers and
continued from page 7 replicas of treasures, will be on display. Along with the exhibit, the museum will hold educational workshops for the general public and school groups as well as guest lectures from UTPA and STCC professors. Finally the exhibit will feature a 1,200 square foot Egyptian gift shop. “[King Tut] has a significance in history because it is one of the few tombs that was not destroyed,” said Savoie. “We are able to tell a complete story by the treasures found within the tomb.” According to Edwards it is very important for institutions like museums to continue to grow and operate. Museums help educate both young and old. The board member stated that museums provide the youth with learning experiences that are not available without hands on experience, which is the best way of learning. “As you get a more educated population there tends to be a better support for institutions like the museums and other cultural entities,” said Edwards.
Children’s home hosts annual music fest "I love doing the music fest, there will be a lot of good entertainers there," Sneed said "I did the music fest last year and I’ve entertained my whole life." When the show The Rio Grande Children’s Home in promoter, Rich Ballert, asked Sneed to Mission will sponsor Music Fest 2004, a headline the show this year, he didn’t concert that will generate about $25,000 for hesitate. a home that spends $ 1 million a year. "I do a lot of charity work because I have The proceeds from the 7th annual music a ministry," he said, "I usually do about 25 variety show benefits the general needs of to 30 minutes and I’ll be doing everything the children who are in the care of the from country to Frank children’s home. The Sinatra and a little two-hour concert comedy. People need features several to laugh." performers from across Sneed, who has We have top-notch the country who been in the business voluntarily contribute performers, all rated for 50 years, since he their time and talent was 10, will share the for the children’s the best that come stage with other home. performers. They down here and we’re "We have top-notch include a range of performers, all rated very fortunate that different musical the best that come talents from bluegrass, down here and we’re they have a giving gospel, and country very fortunate that and western. Wally heart. they have a giving Barbee, Wee Willie, - Tom Speed, heart," said Tom The Pack Family Speed, administrator Rio Grande Children Home Admin. Bluegrass Six, Bo for the Rio Grande Rivers, Wes Children’s Home. Thibodeaux, The Cajun Travelers Al and According to Speed, all the performers Essie Morris are all scheduled to appear in donate their performance to benefit the the two-hour fest that includes, for the first home. time ever, a pre-show. This year’s headlining performer is "We have some really good talent lined Donnie Sneed, a country music artist who up for the concert," said Rich Ballert, who was inducted into the Arizona Country volunteers his time as the show’s promoter. Music Hall of Fame in 1995. By AARON LOZANO The Pan American
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"We try to feature as many entertainers as we can in a two hour time period," he said. The 7th Annual Music Fest marks Ballert’s second time coordinating the event. "I did it last year for the first time and it was a very educational experience," Ballert said. He describes himself as a Winter Texan who got himself in a little deep with the production of the Music Fest. His background is what helped him plan this event for the past two years. Ballert and his wife Betty were acquainted with the process of producing a show like this from putting together Saturday Night Entertainment Shows at Winter Texan trailer parks. His experience with these shows allowed him to use his connections with performers like Bo Rivers who, according to Ballert, sings and sounds like Willie Nelson. For the past two years, the Music Fest has been a sold out show benefiting the children of the Rio Grande Valley Children’s Home. Expansion plans for the home include a third house, which will expand its 24-bed campus to a 36-bed campus. The home includes activity centers, playgrounds and a sports court for the children. Advance tickets for Music Fest 2004 are $12 and $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at the Rio Grande Children’s Home located in Mission, The Rio Grande Children’s Thrift Store in McAllen, all Rio Grande Valley Boot Jack stores and Alamo Banks.
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The tradition of Latin American and Mexican folk art goes back centuries, maintained by each passing generation. Since Mexico is right next door, South Texas is surrounded by an array of folk art and crafts. The International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in McAllen has a large collection of folk art that is donated from various collectors or from the artists themselves. Folk art is found in many parts of the world, but the museum features art mainly from Mexico and Latin America. According to the San Antonio Museum of Art website, most folk art is handmade and is intended to be both useful and decorative. The crafts from Mexico are retrieved directly from the collector or artist. The curator of the exhibits at IMAS, Vernon Weckbacher, goes deep into Mexico and retrieves the folk art from different villages himself. “Usually we interview the artist,” said Weckbacher.
“We find out how they learned their craft so one day it would make it easier for researchers to study a certain item. In lots of cases, it’s easy to identify where something came from because it varies from one village to another.” Museums like the South Texas Museum of History in Edinburg showcase artifacts from Indian tribes usually collected from archeological digs. According to Tom Fort, assistant director of the museum, archeologists from the Sheldon Ranch archeological dig recovered pieces of an old campfire dating back centuries. “We know that pieces of campfire wood recovered from the Sheldon Site were carbon-14 dated by SMU, yielding a date of around 1079 A. D.,” said Fort. Although most of the art at IMAS is not extremely old, the craft itself is one that has been handed down from countless generations. Since the museum is an art and science museum, it does not carry historical artifacts recovered from Indian tribes; however, bringing folk art to the museums helps to document the tradition of the art itself.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Around Town Art Commentary and Discussion Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Place: International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana Event: Dr. Richard E. Phillips, an assistant professor at the University of Texas-Pan American will take part in an art commentary and discussion on Leonardo Da Vinci. Price: General admission tickets are free for members of IMAS and children under 3 years of age, $3 for adults, $2 for children and seniors. Phone: (956) 682-1564 ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. Place: Jacob Brown Auditorium, 600 International Blvd. Event: The Broadway musical “Singin’ in the Rain,” based on the award winning motion picture, will be performed on stage as part of UTB/TSC’s Arts and Entertainment series. Phone: (956) 544-8231
Courtesy of www.google.com Donnie Sneed has performed for over 50 years, and will headline the Rio Grande Children’s Home Music Fest 2004. In 1995 he was inducted into the Arizona Country Music Hall of Fame. He has his own ministry, DSMM Inc., which airs around the world including in Iraq and the Philippines. For more information on Sneed check out www.Donnie Sneeds.com.
Latin folk art makes its home in RGV Museum By CHRISTINA HARRIS The Pan American
PAGE 7
“Folk art, traditionally, is something that is passed down from one generation to the next,” said Weckbacher. “You don’t necessarily have to go to school to learn how to do it.” Most of the Mexican folk art is religious in nature. It is not unusual to see a depiction of the devil because a lot of the art tries to illustrate the conflicts between good and evil. Along with statues and figures, the museum carries pottery, ceramics and masks from a variety of different materials, such as wood, metal, textiles, and clay. According to Weckbacher, the museum serves two purposes. The first purpose is to preserve the folk art, and the second purpose is to showcase the exhibits to the public. Folk arts have roots that go back thousands of years. Collecting the art documents the changes over time. He also says that since folk art is mainly a family tradition, it is important to save and document each artifact. “There are individual collectors, but only family and friends get to see it,” said Weckbacher. “We make it available to the public to make it last forever.”
Book Signing Jan. 18 from 2-4 p.m. Place: Museum of South Texas History, 121 E. McIntyre Event: W. J. Tiller, author of “The Adventures of a Helicopter Cowboy”, will be present for an autographed book signing Price: Admission to the book signing is included with admission to the museum. Phone: (956) 383-6911 Marketing Workshop Jan. 17 and 18 from 2-5 p.m., Jan. 19 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Place: McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Street Event: “Marketing and the Arts, Production of Products,” is a workshop presented by Juan Jose Diaz Infante, a photographer, curator, and artist from Mexico. Price: Tickets for workshop are $25 for individuals or a group rate of $20 for five people. Phone: (956) 624-8686
■ December Drive . . 8-9 ■ Music Fest . . . . . . . 10 ■ Folk Art . . . . . . . . . .10
SAVOIE’S VISION: A MUSEUM REBORN
projects to IMAS in order to offer ways for the community to gain knowledge through visits to the museum. Is it possible to find almost all the Dr. John Edwards, vice president wonders of the world together under for Enrollment and Student Services one roof? The International Museum at The University of Texas-Pan of Art and Science (IMAS) gives American, has served as an IMAS both young and old an opportunity to board member since 2001. Edwards experience the many wonders the commented that the arrival of Savoie world has to offer. has brought positive changes to the The museum was founded in 1969 administration of IMAS. and was formerly known as the “[The arrival of Savoie] is like the McAllen International Museum. difference between night and day,” Throughout its years of service to the said Edwards. “He has provided community IMAS has undergone strong leadership.” Edwards stated that as board members they have responsibilities to must fulfill such as helping to raise money for the museum. Board members primarily provide oversight of the museum. IMAS board members are responsible for making decisions. “We as board members are doing now what we need to be doing,” said Edwards. “We are doing things in terms of long range planning.” According to Savoie the IMAS staff has grown in order to fulfill the needs of the Stephen Cherry/McAllen Magazine community. Museum hours have been Lewis P. Savoie, new executive director of the International Museum of Art and Science, has big extended, it is now open plans for the future of the museum.
By DULCE GONZALEZ The Pan American
some significant changes. One of the most recent changes made to the museum was the arrival of the new executive director Lewis P. Savoie. According to Savoie he does not feel he has been at the museum for a year already. “It’s been a fun and exciting year,” said Savoie. “It doesn’t even seem like a year.” Ever since Savoie entered through the museum doors changes in the administration of IMAS have been evident. Savoie is continually looking for ways to bring new and exciting
three nights a week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) until 8 p.m. The exhibit schedule has been changed and now the exhibits are rotated every 30 to 60 days. The staff is constantly looking for ways to involve the community with its projects. “We place phone calls to get people involved,” said Savoie. “We no longer wait for the phone to ring.” IMAS not only has changed its method of operation, but has also developed a working relationship with the university and South Texas Community College. Previously the museum would seek ways in which UTPA could help them. Currently IMAS and UTPA have developed a partnership in which the two cooperatively seek a way to help the community. Savoie commented that both entities are deeply concerned with the quality of life and the level of education they can provide for the community. “How can we, as a team, make a better lifestyle for the students and the community?” said Savoie. “How can we make this area better for the people who live here?” Savoie stated that the museum will continue to undergo changes in respect of short-term and long-range goals. One of the museum’s shortterm goals is to create a public program with the objective of promoting awareness for the new planetarium. The museum wants to implement a learning facility for the educators of the valley to use in an
See SAVOIE page 10
STCC offers new screenwriting course By CHRISTINA HARRIS The Pan American
Stanley teaches a class under the course name COMM 4303-Scriptwriting for stage and screen. Stanley agrees that STCC will benefit from the new screenwriting course, especially under the supervision of Henkel. “Kim Henkel has ‘been there and done that’ as far as having written commercially successful screenplays,” said Stanley. “He also has a totally different perspective on how the process of writing a script really works.” As a scriptwriter himself, Stanley believes that no one can really teach a person to write a screenplay but can show them ways of doing so, since every writer has their own methods and tactics of writing. “Storytelling is an individual art and must be discovered by each storyteller,” said Stanley. ENG 2307/P31: “So, the more writers a Creative Writing student is exposed to, the more methods, the more A 16-week writing workshop that ‘ways’ of doing it, the better for the writer.” focuses on the art of screenplay writIn Stanley’s scriptwriting ing, formatting and structure. class, the students write a
department’s website, the course is for students who want to “explore, discover, and develop their writing talents.” While STCC has offered creative writing classes in the past, poetry and short fiction has been the main subject. As the first screenwriting class, Henkel feels that it is time that the college offers a course of that kind. “Film has become the dominate art form,” said Henkel, “it seems appropriate that STCC (and other institutions) address that in their course offerings.” The UTPA offers a scriptwriting course under the theatre/TV/film track of the communication department. Dr. Jack R.
Imagine getting the opportunity to sit down with the man who 30 years ago brought the gruesome murder of five Texas teenagers to theaters. Well, that is exactly what students from South Texas Community College (STCC) can do this spring semester with the new screenwriting course taught by Professor Kim Henkel. Henkel, best known for penning the 1974 epic horror film “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” proposed the class because of his film background. The screenwriting class, under the course name Creative Writing I/English 2307P31, will function as a 16-week writing workshop. COMM 4303: “Students get a great deal of feedback on their work,” Scriptwriting for Stage & Screen said Henkel. “And, because discussions examine Focuses on creating weekly story screenplay form, structure, ideas, developing conflict, creating and format, it works for characters and dialogue, visual beginners or advanced writers.” action, and creating plots. According to the English
UTPA
STCC
See SNEED page 10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 15, 2004
Do you watch reality TV shows? Why? Which ones? “‘Average Joe.’ It’s interesting to see how the pretty girls react to the guy.” Kristen Longoria Kinesiology “Only if I’m bored, I don’t have a favorite.” Junior Garcia Business “Fear Factor, because of the emotion. It has you attracted to the TV. You want to see what happens to the guys.” Iveth Contreras Bilingual Education
A DECEMBER RIDE>>>>> By OMAIRA GALARZA The Pan American
The four-member band The December Drive formed in 2001, released two extended play albums (EPs), and went on their first tour. Since then the band has metamorphosed: they are on an independent label, released a full-length album, toured on a larger scale, and include five band mates, three of whom are not original members. Even their sound has been altered over time.
I
NEW LABEL
“‘Average Joe,’ because it’s my day off from work.” Melissa Espinoza Biology “No, because I’m never home. I don’t have time to watch TV.” Adriana Jaramillo Communication “No, I don’t find them entertaining.” Alyssa Chapa Psychology
“It’s rock,” said David Cortez, an original member of The December Drive, “but not the rock you hear on 94.5. It’s Indie rock.” About one year ago, the Rio Grande Valley based Indie rock band, signed on with American Jealousy Records, an independent label out of Simi Valley, California who heard about the group not on Q94.5 but on the array of music provided by mp3.com. In addition to The December Drive, the label currently manages bands such as, Fear Before the March of Flames and Gatsby’s American Dream. With the help of Mike Kaminsky, head of the label, the group released their debut album, “Hands like guns and crashing sounds.” “Hearing the songs on CD is great,” said Michael Villarreal, a senior at Edinburg High School, “but hearing them live is astonishing and the show put on is just as great. I have seen them play several times at local scenes such as Trenton Point and Athena's Coffee House where they put on awesome live shows.” In June 2001, after playing local venues for less than one year, David Cortez, vocals and guitar; Charlie Vela, drums; Anthony Perez, guitar; and Jason Stoll, bass set out to let first Texas then, in June and July 2003, the west coast see them live. When the group returned their lineup was altered and their sound was modified in preparation for the second album.
C real opinions “No, I don’t watch much.” Art Villarreal Political Science
TV
Page 8
NEW LINEUP
“Charlie and I are the only original members,” said Cortez, 20, “we lost a guitar player and a bass player.” In around Nov. 2003, Anthony Perez, guitar, and Jason Stoll, bass, left the band by choice, and were replaced weeks later by Simon Alexander on guitar and Robert Godinez on bass. Alexander is the lead vocalist and plays guitar for Trent Steel. In comparison to the tone of The December Drive, Alexander describes Trent Steel as harder rock. At the same time as Alexander and Godinez were added to the lineup, Nick Anzaldua, who went on the road with The December Drive as a roadie during their June and July 2003 tour, was recruited to add a new element to the band’s music with his keyboard playing. Anzaldua, 18, carries more on his plate than playing keyboard; he is working on a solo project with Godinez and Vela. The ensemble is called Bread slices, and for the time being they will be recording their work rather than performing live. Side projects and multiple bands only affect The December Drive as far as the scheduling of rehearsals. “We just have to pay attention to our schedules a lot,” said Cortez, “and arrange our practice schedules to cater to everyone.”
N NEW SOUND
“Nick went on the road with them before he was even in the band,” said Alexander, who is a sophomore at UTPA majoring in business marketing. Anzaldua said that touring with the group was an enjoyable experience because it gave him a reason to travel and he had the opportunity to open a couple of the shows on his acoustic guitar. Now he’s performing with the band at all the shows. “Our sound has definitely changed,” said Cortez. “We never used keyboards before and now it seems like they’re in every song.” According to Cortez the lineup changes have put them in a position where every member of the band is as serious as the other, and the music has become more melodic rather than “in your face” and loud. “As long as their music has depth and they put on a good show, I’ll support them,” said Villarreal, 17, a fan of two years. “It doesn’t matter how many times they make changes in their lineup because stuff like that happens with bands all the time. In the end the most important thing is the love for the music and the drive to keep putting it out there.” According to Vela, who is a sophomore at UTPA, being on tour and seeing the reactions of fans from different areas really makes them more appreciative of the support from their Rio Grande Valley fan base.
>>If you’re doing what you love and you’re getting rewarded for it, that’s great.<<
I
NEW PROJECTS
-David Cortez, Vocals and Guitar
The band members kept this local support in mind when UTPA student and director of Pseudo Cinema Productions, Angel Cerda, Jr. approached them with the idea of recording a music video of a song from “Hands like guns and crashing sounds.” The song chosen was 1422, and they put out an open casting call to fans on their website and message board. The video was shot on Jan. 6 at Nikke Rowe High School in McAllen and around the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. The video will be included on their website www.thedecemberdrive.net, as well as www.americanjealousy.com.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 15, 2004
According to Cortez, as a thank you for their fans continuous support and willingness to sit in the cold listening to the same song over and over again during the filming process they played a set of three songs: Enough, Portland, &Regret. The latter two songs have not been released. This was the first time in months that they have performed in the valley. “The experience was awesome,” said Villarreal, “it was great to be able to help out a talented band such as The December Drive.” The talent this group has is apparently partnered with hard work. They practice every day or every other day for 4-5 hours. Some rehearsals are dedicated to finding the right sound for one particular song, whereas if a show is approaching they run through the whole set. Each set is typically composed of six songs. Last week they dedicated themselves to working their entire performance set because they were preparing for a show at Emo’s in Austin. They preformed on Tuesday to an audience of about 80-100. “The show was a great experience,” said Cortez, “especially since to us it is the best venue in Texas. It gives us a lot of drive to keep going.” “People were very receptive to the new material,” he said, “so it is really encouraging.” Currently the group does not have any shows scheduled, but Vela said that they plan to start playing locally again and get a demo out. They plan to release the second full-length album before the summer. According to Vela, they intend to reach the next tier of independent music as well as, tour again and play more venues along with larger crowds. The length of the tour and the scope of the nation it will cover depend partially on whether or not they get picked up by a larger label that would be willing to cover a portion of the touring costs. Otherwise, Cortez said that they might limit themselves to a smaller Texas tour. In response to the opinion that indie bands on big labels who go the MTV route Cortez said, “If you’re doing what you love and you’re getting rewarded for it, that’s great.”
Page 9
1422 someday i’d like to forget my way home. i'd turn around and turn red. throw out the lights. unlock the doors or else, because there they come. it's just right. i can’t calm down. can't find my keys. they drag me out. just go. just leave without me. remember this. remember that. i want them to write me out.
>>>>>
Angel Cerda Jr. filmed a video for “1422” on Tuesday. The music video was shot at Nikke Rowe High School and around the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Fans of the band were used as extras and actors.
>>
(Right): The December Drive bassist, Simon Alexander, rocks the stage during filming of the music video for “1422.” The song is from the band’s full length album, “Hands like guns and crashing sounds.” Aside from this group, Alexander is the lead singer and guitarist of another valley band, Trent Steel.
December Drive
>>>>
[T HE GROUP] David Cortez: Guitar/Vocals Charlie Vela: Drums Simon Alexander: Guitar Nick Anzaldua: Keyboards Robert Godinez: Bass
(Above): David Cortez belts out original lyrics for a group of fans who participated in the production of their music video on Jan. 6.
(Right): Charlie Vela flexes his drumming muscles with his band mates in a special three-song performance after filming their music video. The group played two unreleased songs and one song from their album for fans.
All photos courtesy of Tiffany Saenz
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 15, 2004
Do you watch reality TV shows? Why? Which ones? “‘Average Joe.’ It’s interesting to see how the pretty girls react to the guy.” Kristen Longoria Kinesiology “Only if I’m bored, I don’t have a favorite.” Junior Garcia Business “Fear Factor, because of the emotion. It has you attracted to the TV. You want to see what happens to the guys.” Iveth Contreras Bilingual Education
A DECEMBER RIDE>>>>> By OMAIRA GALARZA The Pan American
The four-member band The December Drive formed in 2001, released two extended play albums (EPs), and went on their first tour. Since then the band has metamorphosed: they are on an independent label, released a full-length album, toured on a larger scale, and include five band mates, three of whom are not original members. Even their sound has been altered over time.
I
NEW LABEL
“‘Average Joe,’ because it’s my day off from work.” Melissa Espinoza Biology “No, because I’m never home. I don’t have time to watch TV.” Adriana Jaramillo Communication “No, I don’t find them entertaining.” Alyssa Chapa Psychology
“It’s rock,” said David Cortez, an original member of The December Drive, “but not the rock you hear on 94.5. It’s Indie rock.” About one year ago, the Rio Grande Valley based Indie rock band, signed on with American Jealousy Records, an independent label out of Simi Valley, California who heard about the group not on Q94.5 but on the array of music provided by mp3.com. In addition to The December Drive, the label currently manages bands such as, Fear Before the March of Flames and Gatsby’s American Dream. With the help of Mike Kaminsky, head of the label, the group released their debut album, “Hands like guns and crashing sounds.” “Hearing the songs on CD is great,” said Michael Villarreal, a senior at Edinburg High School, “but hearing them live is astonishing and the show put on is just as great. I have seen them play several times at local scenes such as Trenton Point and Athena's Coffee House where they put on awesome live shows.” In June 2001, after playing local venues for less than one year, David Cortez, vocals and guitar; Charlie Vela, drums; Anthony Perez, guitar; and Jason Stoll, bass set out to let first Texas then, in June and July 2003, the west coast see them live. When the group returned their lineup was altered and their sound was modified in preparation for the second album.
C real opinions “No, I don’t watch much.” Art Villarreal Political Science
TV
Page 8
NEW LINEUP
“Charlie and I are the only original members,” said Cortez, 20, “we lost a guitar player and a bass player.” In around Nov. 2003, Anthony Perez, guitar, and Jason Stoll, bass, left the band by choice, and were replaced weeks later by Simon Alexander on guitar and Robert Godinez on bass. Alexander is the lead vocalist and plays guitar for Trent Steel. In comparison to the tone of The December Drive, Alexander describes Trent Steel as harder rock. At the same time as Alexander and Godinez were added to the lineup, Nick Anzaldua, who went on the road with The December Drive as a roadie during their June and July 2003 tour, was recruited to add a new element to the band’s music with his keyboard playing. Anzaldua, 18, carries more on his plate than playing keyboard; he is working on a solo project with Godinez and Vela. The ensemble is called Bread slices, and for the time being they will be recording their work rather than performing live. Side projects and multiple bands only affect The December Drive as far as the scheduling of rehearsals. “We just have to pay attention to our schedules a lot,” said Cortez, “and arrange our practice schedules to cater to everyone.”
N NEW SOUND
“Nick went on the road with them before he was even in the band,” said Alexander, who is a sophomore at UTPA majoring in business marketing. Anzaldua said that touring with the group was an enjoyable experience because it gave him a reason to travel and he had the opportunity to open a couple of the shows on his acoustic guitar. Now he’s performing with the band at all the shows. “Our sound has definitely changed,” said Cortez. “We never used keyboards before and now it seems like they’re in every song.” According to Cortez the lineup changes have put them in a position where every member of the band is as serious as the other, and the music has become more melodic rather than “in your face” and loud. “As long as their music has depth and they put on a good show, I’ll support them,” said Villarreal, 17, a fan of two years. “It doesn’t matter how many times they make changes in their lineup because stuff like that happens with bands all the time. In the end the most important thing is the love for the music and the drive to keep putting it out there.” According to Vela, who is a sophomore at UTPA, being on tour and seeing the reactions of fans from different areas really makes them more appreciative of the support from their Rio Grande Valley fan base.
>>If you’re doing what you love and you’re getting rewarded for it, that’s great.<<
I
NEW PROJECTS
-David Cortez, Vocals and Guitar
The band members kept this local support in mind when UTPA student and director of Pseudo Cinema Productions, Angel Cerda, Jr. approached them with the idea of recording a music video of a song from “Hands like guns and crashing sounds.” The song chosen was 1422, and they put out an open casting call to fans on their website and message board. The video was shot on Jan. 6 at Nikke Rowe High School in McAllen and around the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. The video will be included on their website www.thedecemberdrive.net, as well as www.americanjealousy.com.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 15, 2004
According to Cortez, as a thank you for their fans continuous support and willingness to sit in the cold listening to the same song over and over again during the filming process they played a set of three songs: Enough, Portland, &Regret. The latter two songs have not been released. This was the first time in months that they have performed in the valley. “The experience was awesome,” said Villarreal, “it was great to be able to help out a talented band such as The December Drive.” The talent this group has is apparently partnered with hard work. They practice every day or every other day for 4-5 hours. Some rehearsals are dedicated to finding the right sound for one particular song, whereas if a show is approaching they run through the whole set. Each set is typically composed of six songs. Last week they dedicated themselves to working their entire performance set because they were preparing for a show at Emo’s in Austin. They preformed on Tuesday to an audience of about 80-100. “The show was a great experience,” said Cortez, “especially since to us it is the best venue in Texas. It gives us a lot of drive to keep going.” “People were very receptive to the new material,” he said, “so it is really encouraging.” Currently the group does not have any shows scheduled, but Vela said that they plan to start playing locally again and get a demo out. They plan to release the second full-length album before the summer. According to Vela, they intend to reach the next tier of independent music as well as, tour again and play more venues along with larger crowds. The length of the tour and the scope of the nation it will cover depend partially on whether or not they get picked up by a larger label that would be willing to cover a portion of the touring costs. Otherwise, Cortez said that they might limit themselves to a smaller Texas tour. In response to the opinion that indie bands on big labels who go the MTV route Cortez said, “If you’re doing what you love and you’re getting rewarded for it, that’s great.”
Page 9
1422 someday i’d like to forget my way home. i'd turn around and turn red. throw out the lights. unlock the doors or else, because there they come. it's just right. i can’t calm down. can't find my keys. they drag me out. just go. just leave without me. remember this. remember that. i want them to write me out.
>>>>>
Angel Cerda Jr. filmed a video for “1422” on Tuesday. The music video was shot at Nikke Rowe High School and around the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Fans of the band were used as extras and actors.
>>
(Right): The December Drive bassist, Simon Alexander, rocks the stage during filming of the music video for “1422.” The song is from the band’s full length album, “Hands like guns and crashing sounds.” Aside from this group, Alexander is the lead singer and guitarist of another valley band, Trent Steel.
December Drive
>>>>
[T HE GROUP] David Cortez: Guitar/Vocals Charlie Vela: Drums Simon Alexander: Guitar Nick Anzaldua: Keyboards Robert Godinez: Bass
(Above): David Cortez belts out original lyrics for a group of fans who participated in the production of their music video on Jan. 6.
(Right): Charlie Vela flexes his drumming muscles with his band mates in a special three-song performance after filming their music video. The group played two unreleased songs and one song from their album for fans.
All photos courtesy of Tiffany Saenz
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 15, 2004
Page 10
STCC continued from page 7
SAVOIE
complete one-act play or a one-hour screenplay. He said the purpose is to develop the skill of creating weekly story ideas, developing conflict, creating believable characters, building individual scenes with visual action and dialogue, and plotting a story with a beginning, middle, and end which connect with a uniform theme. Amanda Vasquez, a UTPA senior majoring in theatre/TV/film, says that taking the class made her realize a lot about the business of scriptwriting. “I learned that although we tend to criticize that movies lately aren’t good, it is in no way easy to come up with a script,” said Vasquez. “You only hope that it is at least decent.” When Stanley finishes a script, the satisfaction of seeing it actually performed is rewarding. However, what is surprising to him is the learning experience as well. “Seeing your words from the page come to life is a wonderful feeling,” said Stanley. “But you always discover that good actors find aspects of your characters you didn't imagine. So, when it comes to life either on stage or on film, it's an exciting, wondrous surprise.”
attempt to help raise test scores of Valley children by utilizing the museum’s science lab. In the long run the museum would like to have an ongoing planetarium facility. IMAS would like to make itself a tourist magnet. Savoie commented their objective is to get people to want to travel to McAllen. In the end IMAS could help enhance the economic development of McAllen. “Our goal is to continue to build an outstanding facility that our members, board members, and community could be proud of,” said Savoie. Currently IMAS is busy getting ready to open their brand new exhibit, which opens Jan. 18. The King Tut (Tutankhamun) exhibit will showcase some of the treasures of Egypt’s famous boy pharaoh. The exhibit is over 7,000 square feet of space and it is the first time IMAS has hosted an exhibit this large and valuable. In nine months the museum expects to have over 80,000 people visit the exhibit. The wonders found within King Tut’s tomb, including burial chambers and
continued from page 7 replicas of treasures, will be on display. Along with the exhibit, the museum will hold educational workshops for the general public and school groups as well as guest lectures from UTPA and STCC professors. Finally the exhibit will feature a 1,200 square foot Egyptian gift shop. “[King Tut] has a significance in history because it is one of the few tombs that was not destroyed,” said Savoie. “We are able to tell a complete story by the treasures found within the tomb.” According to Edwards it is very important for institutions like museums to continue to grow and operate. Museums help educate both young and old. The board member stated that museums provide the youth with learning experiences that are not available without hands on experience, which is the best way of learning. “As you get a more educated population there tends to be a better support for institutions like the museums and other cultural entities,” said Edwards.
Children’s home hosts annual music fest "I love doing the music fest, there will be a lot of good entertainers there," Sneed said "I did the music fest last year and I’ve entertained my whole life." When the show The Rio Grande Children’s Home in promoter, Rich Ballert, asked Sneed to Mission will sponsor Music Fest 2004, a headline the show this year, he didn’t concert that will generate about $25,000 for hesitate. a home that spends $ 1 million a year. "I do a lot of charity work because I have The proceeds from the 7th annual music a ministry," he said, "I usually do about 25 variety show benefits the general needs of to 30 minutes and I’ll be doing everything the children who are in the care of the from country to Frank children’s home. The Sinatra and a little two-hour concert comedy. People need features several to laugh." performers from across Sneed, who has We have top-notch the country who been in the business voluntarily contribute performers, all rated for 50 years, since he their time and talent was 10, will share the for the children’s the best that come stage with other home. performers. They down here and we’re "We have top-notch include a range of performers, all rated very fortunate that different musical the best that come talents from bluegrass, down here and we’re they have a giving gospel, and country very fortunate that and western. Wally heart. they have a giving Barbee, Wee Willie, - Tom Speed, heart," said Tom The Pack Family Speed, administrator Rio Grande Children Home Admin. Bluegrass Six, Bo for the Rio Grande Rivers, Wes Children’s Home. Thibodeaux, The Cajun Travelers Al and According to Speed, all the performers Essie Morris are all scheduled to appear in donate their performance to benefit the the two-hour fest that includes, for the first home. time ever, a pre-show. This year’s headlining performer is "We have some really good talent lined Donnie Sneed, a country music artist who up for the concert," said Rich Ballert, who was inducted into the Arizona Country volunteers his time as the show’s promoter. Music Hall of Fame in 1995. By AARON LOZANO The Pan American
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"We try to feature as many entertainers as we can in a two hour time period," he said. The 7th Annual Music Fest marks Ballert’s second time coordinating the event. "I did it last year for the first time and it was a very educational experience," Ballert said. He describes himself as a Winter Texan who got himself in a little deep with the production of the Music Fest. His background is what helped him plan this event for the past two years. Ballert and his wife Betty were acquainted with the process of producing a show like this from putting together Saturday Night Entertainment Shows at Winter Texan trailer parks. His experience with these shows allowed him to use his connections with performers like Bo Rivers who, according to Ballert, sings and sounds like Willie Nelson. For the past two years, the Music Fest has been a sold out show benefiting the children of the Rio Grande Valley Children’s Home. Expansion plans for the home include a third house, which will expand its 24-bed campus to a 36-bed campus. The home includes activity centers, playgrounds and a sports court for the children. Advance tickets for Music Fest 2004 are $12 and $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at the Rio Grande Children’s Home located in Mission, The Rio Grande Children’s Thrift Store in McAllen, all Rio Grande Valley Boot Jack stores and Alamo Banks.
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The tradition of Latin American and Mexican folk art goes back centuries, maintained by each passing generation. Since Mexico is right next door, South Texas is surrounded by an array of folk art and crafts. The International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in McAllen has a large collection of folk art that is donated from various collectors or from the artists themselves. Folk art is found in many parts of the world, but the museum features art mainly from Mexico and Latin America. According to the San Antonio Museum of Art website, most folk art is handmade and is intended to be both useful and decorative. The crafts from Mexico are retrieved directly from the collector or artist. The curator of the exhibits at IMAS, Vernon Weckbacher, goes deep into Mexico and retrieves the folk art from different villages himself. “Usually we interview the artist,” said Weckbacher.
“We find out how they learned their craft so one day it would make it easier for researchers to study a certain item. In lots of cases, it’s easy to identify where something came from because it varies from one village to another.” Museums like the South Texas Museum of History in Edinburg showcase artifacts from Indian tribes usually collected from archeological digs. According to Tom Fort, assistant director of the museum, archeologists from the Sheldon Ranch archeological dig recovered pieces of an old campfire dating back centuries. “We know that pieces of campfire wood recovered from the Sheldon Site were carbon-14 dated by SMU, yielding a date of around 1079 A. D.,” said Fort. Although most of the art at IMAS is not extremely old, the craft itself is one that has been handed down from countless generations. Since the museum is an art and science museum, it does not carry historical artifacts recovered from Indian tribes; however, bringing folk art to the museums helps to document the tradition of the art itself.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Around Town Art Commentary and Discussion Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Place: International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 Nolana Event: Dr. Richard E. Phillips, an assistant professor at the University of Texas-Pan American will take part in an art commentary and discussion on Leonardo Da Vinci. Price: General admission tickets are free for members of IMAS and children under 3 years of age, $3 for adults, $2 for children and seniors. Phone: (956) 682-1564 ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. Place: Jacob Brown Auditorium, 600 International Blvd. Event: The Broadway musical “Singin’ in the Rain,” based on the award winning motion picture, will be performed on stage as part of UTB/TSC’s Arts and Entertainment series. Phone: (956) 544-8231
Courtesy of www.google.com Donnie Sneed has performed for over 50 years, and will headline the Rio Grande Children’s Home Music Fest 2004. In 1995 he was inducted into the Arizona Country Music Hall of Fame. He has his own ministry, DSMM Inc., which airs around the world including in Iraq and the Philippines. For more information on Sneed check out www.Donnie Sneeds.com.
Latin folk art makes its home in RGV Museum By CHRISTINA HARRIS The Pan American
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“Folk art, traditionally, is something that is passed down from one generation to the next,” said Weckbacher. “You don’t necessarily have to go to school to learn how to do it.” Most of the Mexican folk art is religious in nature. It is not unusual to see a depiction of the devil because a lot of the art tries to illustrate the conflicts between good and evil. Along with statues and figures, the museum carries pottery, ceramics and masks from a variety of different materials, such as wood, metal, textiles, and clay. According to Weckbacher, the museum serves two purposes. The first purpose is to preserve the folk art, and the second purpose is to showcase the exhibits to the public. Folk arts have roots that go back thousands of years. Collecting the art documents the changes over time. He also says that since folk art is mainly a family tradition, it is important to save and document each artifact. “There are individual collectors, but only family and friends get to see it,” said Weckbacher. “We make it available to the public to make it last forever.”
Book Signing Jan. 18 from 2-4 p.m. Place: Museum of South Texas History, 121 E. McIntyre Event: W. J. Tiller, author of “The Adventures of a Helicopter Cowboy”, will be present for an autographed book signing Price: Admission to the book signing is included with admission to the museum. Phone: (956) 383-6911 Marketing Workshop Jan. 17 and 18 from 2-5 p.m., Jan. 19 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Place: McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Street Event: “Marketing and the Arts, Production of Products,” is a workshop presented by Juan Jose Diaz Infante, a photographer, curator, and artist from Mexico. Price: Tickets for workshop are $25 for individuals or a group rate of $20 for five people. Phone: (956) 624-8686
■ December Drive . . 8-9 ■ Music Fest . . . . . . . 10 ■ Folk Art . . . . . . . . . .10
SAVOIE’S VISION: A MUSEUM REBORN
projects to IMAS in order to offer ways for the community to gain knowledge through visits to the museum. Is it possible to find almost all the Dr. John Edwards, vice president wonders of the world together under for Enrollment and Student Services one roof? The International Museum at The University of Texas-Pan of Art and Science (IMAS) gives American, has served as an IMAS both young and old an opportunity to board member since 2001. Edwards experience the many wonders the commented that the arrival of Savoie world has to offer. has brought positive changes to the The museum was founded in 1969 administration of IMAS. and was formerly known as the “[The arrival of Savoie] is like the McAllen International Museum. difference between night and day,” Throughout its years of service to the said Edwards. “He has provided community IMAS has undergone strong leadership.” Edwards stated that as board members they have responsibilities to must fulfill such as helping to raise money for the museum. Board members primarily provide oversight of the museum. IMAS board members are responsible for making decisions. “We as board members are doing now what we need to be doing,” said Edwards. “We are doing things in terms of long range planning.” According to Savoie the IMAS staff has grown in order to fulfill the needs of the Stephen Cherry/McAllen Magazine community. Museum hours have been Lewis P. Savoie, new executive director of the International Museum of Art and Science, has big extended, it is now open plans for the future of the museum.
By DULCE GONZALEZ The Pan American
some significant changes. One of the most recent changes made to the museum was the arrival of the new executive director Lewis P. Savoie. According to Savoie he does not feel he has been at the museum for a year already. “It’s been a fun and exciting year,” said Savoie. “It doesn’t even seem like a year.” Ever since Savoie entered through the museum doors changes in the administration of IMAS have been evident. Savoie is continually looking for ways to bring new and exciting
three nights a week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) until 8 p.m. The exhibit schedule has been changed and now the exhibits are rotated every 30 to 60 days. The staff is constantly looking for ways to involve the community with its projects. “We place phone calls to get people involved,” said Savoie. “We no longer wait for the phone to ring.” IMAS not only has changed its method of operation, but has also developed a working relationship with the university and South Texas Community College. Previously the museum would seek ways in which UTPA could help them. Currently IMAS and UTPA have developed a partnership in which the two cooperatively seek a way to help the community. Savoie commented that both entities are deeply concerned with the quality of life and the level of education they can provide for the community. “How can we, as a team, make a better lifestyle for the students and the community?” said Savoie. “How can we make this area better for the people who live here?” Savoie stated that the museum will continue to undergo changes in respect of short-term and long-range goals. One of the museum’s shortterm goals is to create a public program with the objective of promoting awareness for the new planetarium. The museum wants to implement a learning facility for the educators of the valley to use in an
See SAVOIE page 10
STCC offers new screenwriting course By CHRISTINA HARRIS The Pan American
Stanley teaches a class under the course name COMM 4303-Scriptwriting for stage and screen. Stanley agrees that STCC will benefit from the new screenwriting course, especially under the supervision of Henkel. “Kim Henkel has ‘been there and done that’ as far as having written commercially successful screenplays,” said Stanley. “He also has a totally different perspective on how the process of writing a script really works.” As a scriptwriter himself, Stanley believes that no one can really teach a person to write a screenplay but can show them ways of doing so, since every writer has their own methods and tactics of writing. “Storytelling is an individual art and must be discovered by each storyteller,” said Stanley. ENG 2307/P31: “So, the more writers a Creative Writing student is exposed to, the more methods, the more A 16-week writing workshop that ‘ways’ of doing it, the better for the writer.” focuses on the art of screenplay writIn Stanley’s scriptwriting ing, formatting and structure. class, the students write a
department’s website, the course is for students who want to “explore, discover, and develop their writing talents.” While STCC has offered creative writing classes in the past, poetry and short fiction has been the main subject. As the first screenwriting class, Henkel feels that it is time that the college offers a course of that kind. “Film has become the dominate art form,” said Henkel, “it seems appropriate that STCC (and other institutions) address that in their course offerings.” The UTPA offers a scriptwriting course under the theatre/TV/film track of the communication department. Dr. Jack R.
Imagine getting the opportunity to sit down with the man who 30 years ago brought the gruesome murder of five Texas teenagers to theaters. Well, that is exactly what students from South Texas Community College (STCC) can do this spring semester with the new screenwriting course taught by Professor Kim Henkel. Henkel, best known for penning the 1974 epic horror film “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” proposed the class because of his film background. The screenwriting class, under the course name Creative Writing I/English 2307P31, will function as a 16-week writing workshop. COMM 4303: “Students get a great deal of feedback on their work,” Scriptwriting for Stage & Screen said Henkel. “And, because discussions examine Focuses on creating weekly story screenplay form, structure, ideas, developing conflict, creating and format, it works for characters and dialogue, visual beginners or advanced writers.” action, and creating plots. According to the English
UTPA
STCC
See SNEED page 10
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
Page 6
New building, amnesty mark library news By MARIA ALEJANDRA MAZARIEGOS The Pan American
library sites around the area. Although there is still no site written in stone, Sturgis noted that city officials are With a new year and ever-growing city looking at city-owned property and population, Edinburg browsing through has exciting news for areas that are fairly book lovers accessible and Valleywide. Plans for centrally located. We need to a new city library are "This to me is in store for the city telling me that they expand our library in 2004. are going to go so we can have "We are very through with it," happy that the city more materials for Leija said. administration have The current library, our patrons, and taken this into which is 20 years more computers, consideration," said old, stands at 401 E. Library Director Cano St. The18,600and everything. Letty Leija. "We square feet facility is - Letty Leija, have been talking home to Library Director about a new library approximately for years. It looks 100,000 resources like now it's really along with one going to happen.” conference room and several InternetTalk about a new library has been ready computer stations. Lately, going on for some time but if all goes as overcrowding of the facility has made it planned, the $3 million, two-year project difficult to meet the needs of local will take shape this year. Edinburg residents. Limited materials "It's just a matter of timing because due to lack of space means that users this year we'll focus on finding a often find themselves waiting for a location, and then the architectural and computer or library resource. engineering portion, and then after that On this issue Leija stated, "we need to we can focus on our construction plans," expand our library so we can have more explained Edinburg City Manager Wendy materials for our patrons, and more Smith Sturgis. computers, and everything. Because our The city has been setting aside funds service population is growing we should for this purpose and visiting potential have more materials and services for the
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EDINBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING COMPARISON OLD LIBRARY:
NEW LIBRARY:
*18,600 square feet *100,000 materials *1 conference room
*45,000 square feet *Performance stage *2 conference rooms
New building expected to open by 2006
public." The prospective 2006 opening of the newfangled 45,000-square foot library will feature an improved children's section with a stage for activities and performances; this in addition to a much larger computer section, two conference rooms, and study rooms to be used for tutoring or small meetings. Evelyn Castillo, an Edinburg resident, stated, "I was so glad to hear of the new library. I can't wait to see how it will turn out. It will be a nice spot to spend some quality family time reading with my children."
"This is a project that all our council members feel strongly about," Sturgis mentioned. Along with cooperative council members and excited residents the new Edinburg library is something to content all local literature enthusiasts. Along with the new building, the Edinburg Public Library also has a special feature this month, a grace period for rule violators. During the January amnesty, all overdue fees acquired Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2004 will not need to be paid. Any late fees accumulated prior to Jan. 1 or after Jan. 31 will still be due.
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Edinburg native plies writing trade for Washington Post Whether your dreams are to design skyscrapers that reach the clouds above New York City, dance for the American Ballet Company, nurse the sick back to health, or be an expert in the culinary arts, reaching the goal takes more than just the will. Heart and hard work are what former Edinburg North High School graduate Jaime Stockwell said it took to make her dream of becoming a reporter come true. She is living that vision on Capitol Hill as a reporter for the Washington Post. The Post has been one of the most prestigious papers in America since the 19th century, and of course was the publication that broke the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s. It is the home of awardwinning journalism, where only the best of the best in the journalism field are employed. ROAD TO SUCCESS Growing up, Stockwell developed a love for reading and writing. She remembers going to the McAllen Public Library on the weekends with her mother. “My mom encouraged me to read and to write. She once had a dream of becoming a reporter herself,” she said. “There was a seven-book checkout limit, I'd always leave with seven books.” In high school, she participated in UIL Journalism and dedicated her time to perfecting her writing skills. “I competed every weekend from April to September, from my freshman year through my senior year,” she recalled. The summer before her senior year of high school, Stockwell attended a
summer classes at UTPA. She said that if it weeklong journalism workshop for minorities at the University of Texas-Austin had not been for the experience at the Monitor, she would not have been able to called Camaraderies. She remembers it as move on to bigger ponds. an experience that helped her decide where “I credit The Monitor for giving me my to attend college. start,” she said. “I left with about 50 “At first I wanted to attend Notre Dame, clippings to add to my resume.” but after the workshop, I knew that's where Stockwell has always exhibited the will I wanted to go,” she said of UT-Austin. to work, usually getting involved in more “The journalism program is one of the best than one project at one in the country.” time. After covering Before going to several stories per day school, she was editor for the Monitor that of Edinburg North's It was a like a summer, she went back school paper as a dream, and even to school in Austin and senior year and worked at the Austin graduated 13th in her though I missed the American-Statesman, class in May 1995. Valley, I was not also getting involved Then she began at UT in Internet and in the fall. going to pass up the freelance writing. Moving away from opportunity to work “The more practice everything one has you have the better you known, into the at the Post. will get, and if your unfamiliar, is scary, - Jaime Stockwell, heart is in it, it will she said. New faces, Journalist show in your work,” huge highways and she commented. plenty of danger She got plenty of practice after leaving awaited her in Austin. Edinburg. Following the experiences with But Stockwell feels that leaving the the Monitor, The Statesman and freelance Valley and being exposed to a different work, she also interned at the Houston environment helped lead to her job at the Chronicle, covering the start of George W. Post. Bush's presidential campaign. “I'm very close to my mom and dad, I talk to them every day, but they felt that it REALIZING FRUITS OF LABOR was better for me to leave and supported She finished her degree in my decision to attend school in Austin,” communication at UT in May 1999, and in said Stockwell, who covers crime for the Post. “If what you want to do takes you to a June at the age of 22 was hired as an intern at the Washington Post, to cover crime. different part of the state or country, you Suddenly the practice was over and things will never know that you can succeed seemed positive for her. unless you try.” “It was a like a dream, and even though I After her first year at UT, she returned to missed the Valley, I was not going to pass the Valley for an internship at the Monitor up the opportunity to work at the Post.” in McAllen, during which she also attended
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By VANESSA R. CASTILLO The Pan American
Stockwell's internship was initially supposed to last only in the summer, but was extended to a two-year gig. Ten months into the extension, she was hired as a permanent reporter. “I love my job,” she said. “I am where I want to be at this point in my life, all the hard work paid off.” Stockwell covered the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon, plus the case of the “D.C. sniper”in Rockville Maryland, including the subsequent trial in 2003. “The sniper shootings is something I am very proud of covering for the public,” she said. “I think it is one of the most, if not the most important and exciting stories I will ever be a part of.” A wise person once said that journalism is the rough draft of history. With this in mind, documenting history is part of what Jamie Stockwell does. Her words on political forums, city meetings, medicine, homicides, fatalities, snipers and terrorists are recorded in the pages of the Monitor, Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle and Washington Post, which is all at the disposal of anyone who wants to look them up. The Edinburg native has left the Valley but she has not stopped caring about people. She is currently working on a story about a police precinct in D.C. that is under investigation for civil rights violations and police brutality. She said that she strives at the chance to try and expose possible corruption and protect innocent people with her reporting. That is why she got into the business in the first place. “Being a reporter has helped me not take things for granted. I get to write about the things that make life what it is,” she concluded.
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
UTPA Republicans want more patronage By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American With local, state, and national primaries on their way March 9, the University Republicans at UTPA are rolling up their sleeves in hopes of gaining support for their party. From the ashes of the University Federalists rose the University Republicans, a group whose size dwindled dramatically after students graduated this past June, according to sponsor Dr. William Turk. “We’ve spent the fall semester getting a new constitution,” Turk said about picking up the pieces the former group left behind. Currently, the group has 12 students consistently involved with group activities. T.D. Smith, a sophomore political science major, is the active president involved in the organizational stages of the group. He said that the group has many plans leading up to March 9. “We’re going to try to get a debate between us and the Young Democrats and then get speakers,” Smith said. “Also, we want to have it so that students themselves can debate with each other to make it more interesting for people.” Turk says that historically, similar groups have invited candidates and speakers to inform the students about the Republican Party. “What they most commonly do is they invite the candidates to come for debate, and they’ll invite both sides while cooperating with the Young Democrats,” Turk said. “They’ll get Democrat and Republican candidates to come to the campus to talk about their points of view and their philosophies for the offices they’re speaking for.” The University Republicans want to encourage students to get acquainted with their party. Turk said the group also plans to work off campus and get involved with Republican Party activities around Hidalgo County. The Valley has been predominantly Democrat supporters for
decades. While they have no specific candidates or speakers in mind as of now, the University Republicans will hold a meeting to discuss who they would like invite to their debates. Now in the early stages of their development Turk said his main job is to encourage the students. “These are students who are just trying to learn about the political process,” Turk said. In order to get students actively involved in the political process this election year, the University Republicans plan to set up booths around campus offering information about the Republican Party. They also plan on trying to explain the importance of voting. “No matter which way they vote, we want to encourage them to do so,” Smith said. While promoting the significance of voting, Smith said the group does not plan on pushing the vote of Hispanic students. With the new redistricting plan, Republicans will gain several statewide offices, and many traditionally Democratic Hispanics are not happy about that turn of events. These developments make the job of the University Republicans more difficult, according to Smith. “It doesn’t make it any easier because it’s pretty much Democratic around here,” Smith said. “Maybe if we were up in San Antonio, or somewhere up north, but not here.” The predominantly Latino-based organization will hold its first meeting of the semester Jan. 22 in COAS room 176. Students wanting to become members of the group are encouraged the attend meetings and help with activities. In order to counter what they call the “one-way track” of thinking in the Valley, Smith said the University Republicans want to promote conservative ideals. ‘This means rely on yourself and not the government, you get the freedom of choice and mind, thinking of what’s best for you and what’s right or wrong instead of someone else,” Smith concluded.
Texas Republican Party Historical Notes * In 1967, Republicans held only four county offices. * Gov. George W. Bush won 240 of 254 of votes in El Paso, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties. * In Nov. 2002, Republicans held 19 seats in the State Senate. * Today, 2,000 Republicans serving in statewide offices * Valley dominated by Democratic Party for decades. Source: texasgop.org
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Anthro course satisfies humanities requirement By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American With Spring 2004 registration still under way, there are some changes afoot in terms of the classes classified as “basics”. Undergraduate students at UTPA will be given an additional choice to select from the “humanities” section for the 48-hour general core requirements. Instead of taking the required philosophy course, students may now take Anthropology 1354 to get their humanities credit. After six months of creating the course, it was approved by the Department of Psychology and Anthropology and the University Curriculum Committee. It was Dr. Mark Glazer, a professor of anthropology, who came up with the idea for the class. “I developed it with the help of my colleagues in anthropology, who will also teach it in the future,” Glazer said of the new addition, 1354 Anthropology of Expressive Culture. The class will be offered MWF from 9:45 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. The class offers an examination of the language of human expressive culture in a multicultural perspective. It reviews subjects such as folk literature, poetry, folk drama, indigenous literature and religious expressions. Diana Salinas, a freshman business major said, “This sounds like a very
ADMISSIONS
interesting class which I am taking into consideration for this spring semester. It sounds very interesting and it should help me to better understand different cultures, which will be great for my business career.” Glazer explained that Anthropology 1354 is designed to show students how people communicate and express themselves in their variety of manners. “The objective of this course is to expand students’ knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas and values articulated in the language of expressive behavior,” Glazer said. In addition, he stressed that students taking Anthropology 1354 will be able to gain a multicultural view of the humanities. Junior CIS major Eric Dominguez said he hopes this class will help him learn about other cultures besides the Mexican and American cultures. “I want to broaden my wisdom of cultures and their customs,” Dominguez said. With over 20 published articles and book chapters combined, Glazer is not a newcomer to the subject. Among his published books are, “High Points in Anthropology,” and “A Dictionary of Mexican-American Proverbs.” He is delighted to be able to share his understanding of the subject with pupils and encourages students to take this new class, a different approach to the humanities.
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way Texas is taking responsibility for better preparing high school students for higher education. “About 87 percent of our students are on the ‘Recommended’ plan, and almost a third of those students are taking at least one remedial course,” he said. “Most students have some preparation needed to enter college but with this new requirement it might just encourage them further to do well in high school. “ With all the new changes occurring with the standards, McMillan says that nontraditional students should not be affected any more than any other student. “We have an awful lot of nontraditional students who take classes only at night, “ he said. “We’re hoping to expand our evening class and I don’t think the admission standards are going to preclude to those individuals. “ Though nontraditional students are common at UTPA, they will have to satisfy the new standards. To enter any university, the proper ACT scores will be required, unless students have already earned some college hours. With the standards being raised the fact that some students may not be able to make the standards is on administrators’ mind. McMillan believes students will not be shut out of higher education entirely. “If students can’t reach the ACT minimum they can attend a local community college until they are
ready to come to UTPA,” he said. “If they can prove themselves academically at a community college they are certainly welcomed to enroll once they are fully prepared for the university. “ Still, tougher admission standards could potentially affect the rising enrollment numbers the university has enjoyed recently. McMillan said that if UTPA administrators do not accomplish the goal of communicating what the new standards are going to be in the future, then enrollment might decline. However, if any inconvenience arises with students concerning meeting deadlines, the university will work with them to ensure they can still enroll. “If a student, who through no fault of his own couldn’t meet our deadline we need to work with them,” McMillan said. “We do not want to shut out students who couldn’t help missing the deadline if the STCC campus was closed and they couldn’t send us their information.” However, despite some complaints from students, McMillan fully believes that because UTPA has decided to raise its standards to compete with other colleges, students will learn to meet deadlines. “Students have to learn that April 15 is a deadline for taxes,” McMillan said. “If they learn what a deadline is by attending a university, that might help them when they are adults and April 15 rolls around.”
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Three stores managing book-buying frenzy By REBECCA BAUTISTA The Pan American It is well known that for the first couple of weeks in the semester, demands are great on faculty, staff, and students. Parking spots are at a premium and textbooks are en route from stores to learners. Luckily, there are three bookstores serving the students for UTPA, and each has hired more temporary employees to make the transition smooth. The manager of the University bookstore, Robert Cantu, gives some credit to temporaries, mainly students, for a successful start to 2004. “The students are the ones who keep everything running as smoothly as they do,” Cantu said. The majority of his floor workers are students, some of them hired recently to manage the rush at the start of the semester. Monica Davis is one of the supervisors at the University bookstore and heads the push for new employees. “We hire between 12 to 15 extra students to help with the rush,” Davis said. “We hire them to work small shifts or big shifts, and we work around their
ROTC
schedule. Every little bit helps.” On the floor with the students, Cantu sees the immediate results of student workers. “They can relate to the frustration and pressure of looking for books and getting their classes in order, so in turn our customer service has improved because of the student workers,” Cantu said. “Every student worker is a huge help and a valuable asset to us.” Across the street at the Texas Star Bookstore, business runs just as smoothly. Owner Astolfo Benitez Jr. orders as many books as he possibly can from the list he acquires from the professors at UTPA and the University Bookstore. He also hires student workers during the rush, but not as many. “I’m still getting established here,” Benitez said as he looked around at the smaller, but busy bookstore. “I’ve had plenty of business since I’ve opened. I owe thanks to the students for that. They’re my bosses! Without them, I wouldn’t have a business.” Over at South Texas Used Bookstore, the workers also consist mainly of students. Manager Sergio Lopez hires local people and keeps his store open extended hours for the rush.
deployed. Since reservists are not deployed that often, families do not really get to see a lot of deployment and it is hard,” Galvan said. “They knew when they signed up that when the time came to be called to war that they would have to serve and they willing to do their duty and are fully supported.” UTPA has also had some students enlisted in the Reserves called to Iraq, and also graduates, according to the university’s ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps, which gives full support for the war efforts and students who are in Iraq. “We are proud of what the Army and all
Franco Caballero/The Pan American
LINE UP!— Daniel Mejia (center) waits to pay for textbooks Wednesday at the University Bookstore as cashier Maria Paredes (right) rings up Monica Cano.
services have done in Iraq,” said LTC Mel Fechner, professor of military science at UTPA. “Iraqis now experience freedoms they haven't had in a long time or have never had.” Encouragement for the efforts in Iraq also extends to those already overseas. Many reservists as well as active-duty soldiers feel that what they are doing is worth it. “We are trying to give them [the Iraqis] a better place, but our mission is not done yet,” Sanchez said. “It is a lot of sacrifice for a U.S. soldier to come here for a whole year away from their loved ones, but someone has got to do it because in the long run it will all pay off.”
UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE WAR TIMELINE 1914-1918
WW1 89,500 officers participate
1940-1944
WWII reserve officers provide 29%of the Army’s officers
1950
Korean conflict 240,500 members are called to active duty
1961
Berlin crisis, more than 60,000 Army Reserves are called to active duty
1968
Vietnam conflict 5,900 Army Reserve soldiers mobilized
1989
Panama, Army Reserves help restore order
1990-1991
Persian Gulf War, over 84,000 Army Reserve provide combat service
1995-2001 Bosnia, 68% Reserve Soldiers are mobilized, including more than 11,150 soldiers from more than 330 units 2000-2001
Kosovo, Army Reserves sent to support NATO
2003-2004
Present operation Iraqi Freedom Source: US Army Reserve
continued from page 1
mayor and city officials of the City of Alton, expressed their views and concerns on various topics. Topics discussed were health care, education, the wellness of soldiers overseas, and property taxes. Those same topics along with others were also discussed at a Jan. 13 breakfast at La Casa Del Taco Restaurant in McAllen, where Doggett along Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who supports his re-election campaign, met with community leaders and active citizens to discuss the well-being of their community. Martha Medina, an STCC student and active citizen of McAllen and its school district, attended both luncheons in order to express her support for the candidate. Medina stated that she supports him because of what he has been doing recently, and what he promotes, such as an increase in good-paying jobs, educational opportunities, affordable healthcare, and his stance on defending Social Security and Medicare. “I think what he is saying is important to all of us,” Medina said. “And that is why I feel very strong about my support for him. I have heard what he says and what other candidates say, and he is true to his word, and his record is what shows me that he is true to his word.” Maria Elena Davis, a nurse at the Mission Nursing Home, is particularly interested in what Doggett thinks in regard to health insurance, because of her personal experiences. As a nurse, Davis herself does not have health insurance because of its excessive price. She said that for her and her family she would have to pay more than $600 a month, which is too much for her. “I don’t qualify for CHIPS for my daughter because we earn too much, but then not enough to pay for insurance,” Davis said. “That is my main concern. I also have my elderly parents in Medicare, and we have had a lot of cut backs in Medicare also, and that concerns me.” Some opponents to Doggett’s platform in the Valley are generally those who see an
Anglo running for office, as a setback for Hispanic and minority representation in the Valley. Although some supporters such as Roel Garza, who along with his wife represent the ordinary citizen from San Juan, feel that Doggett believes in serving the community as a whole, including everybody from Anglos to Mexican Americans. However, Garza does feel redistricting will separate the area. South Texas Campaign Coordinator, Melissa Carranza is one of Doggett’s examples when he speaks about how he plans to help the Valley and its students. Carranza, a UTPA senior majoring in political science, got the position of campaign coordinator after a series of interviews with Doggett’s staff. A week and a half later she was informed of her new job and duties, part of which include managing his calendar and schedule, and dealing with personnel and money issues in South Texas. Doggett stated that he thinks his commitment to young leadership can be demonstrated by his designation of Carranza as campaign coordinator. “I have great confidence in her and great confidence in the students of the area,” he said. Carranza views her work as a wonderful experience, especially because she wants to go into politics in the future. “It teaches [me] a strong sense of responsibility, and motivates me to do the best I can,” Carranza said. “The fact that I am a student right now, opens a lot of doors for me in the future. I am learning the ropes inside out, and it is going to be very beneficial to me.” During his tour of the Valley Doggett said he has learned more of what the area has to offer and what it needs to do to improve as a community. Many have turned to him for guidance during his campaign. “The Valley is a wonderful place to live in and to represent,” Doggett said. “And we need to remove some of the obstacles that federal policy and lack of federal resources have presented to the Valley.”
Page 5
New HR director arrives with experience By DIANA CORPUS GARZA The Pan American
DOGGETT
continued from page 1
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
The University of Texas-Pan American named Frank Wagner Jr. new human resource director after a lengthy search. Wagner, who began his new position Dec. 3, was the former director of human resource operations for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in Austin. He replaces Mark Saenz, now the assistant to the vice president of Business Affairs at UTPA, who took over as interim HR director seven months ago when the former chief Antonio Villalobos, retired. A search committee chaired by Zeke Granado, associate vice president of Business Affairs/Comptroller, which included representation from each division in Business Affairs, made its recommendation after reviewing 30 applicants. “A national search for applicants from all over the United States were screened and narrowed down to about 6 or 7,” Granado said. “We conducted telephone interviews with the remaining few and narrowed it down to three. After one of the applicants withdrew, a committee recommendation was made from the remaining two.” “The search committee was
Frank Wagner instrumental to bringing Wagner to my desk,” said James Langabeer, the vice president of Business Affairs. “He is very professional, very competent, and makes people feel willing to work with him, but yet he knows all the rules. The HR director deals with all the assistants to the department regarding employee matters, whether it’s a grievance, reclassification; whatever it is, it goes through him.” Wagner, with 18 years experience in
human resource management, is a graduate of the University of TexasAustin with a degree in education. He has two master’s degrees—one in human resource management from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and another in library information systems from UT Austin Library School. He also has a third degree equal to a master’s from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kan. So far, Wagner finds his staff receptive and willing. “While interviewing staff members, some of the comments said were that they [staff] were looking forward to changes that were going to be made,” he said. “Their comments were both unusual and refreshing. Most people react to change with resistance and here this staff was looking forward to change.” One of the changes will be the implementation of the new financial resource and management system, via the information system, Oracle, championed by Langabeer and William Morris, executive director of information technology. “This new information system will change the way the university operates from the business side, the student side and the financial side, including loans, everything,” Langabeer said. “We hope it [Oracle] will offer relief
“
He [Wagner] comes to us with a lot of experience in the HR arena. I think we made a real good choice. We are looking forward to working with Mr. Wagner.
“
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
- Zeke Granado, Business Affairs/Comptroller
from the routine that paper pushing does to human resource management,” Wagner said. “It will also help us recruit and retain qualified and good-performing staff over the next few years.” Training for the new system has been under way for the HR staff of 14, plus 10 work-study students. “He [Wagner] comes to us with a lot of experience in the HR arena,” Granado said. “I think we made a real good choice. We are looking forward to working with Mr. Wagner.” Wagner and his wife, Kathy, reside in McAllen. His son, Frank III and daughter-in-law, Jennifer, are both working on doctorates at The University of Arizona.
THE PAN AMERICAN
January 15, 2004
Page 4
UTPA tuition higher but still among lowest By VANESSA L. LUCIO The Pan American
By now, the rising college tuition has become a consistent new item, and the 14-school University of Texas System is no exception. On Nov. 18, 2003 the System’s Board of Regents approved proposals from various campuses, including UTPA, for tuition rates for the spring semester 2004. According to the UT website, at www.utsystem.edu/news, the Board of Regents views the tuition increase as a way to provide students with stronger academic programs and more financial aid, not just more money burdens. UTPA students will see a slight increase in numbers effective in the fall of 2004. UTPA will climb aboard the money train as it increases its rate by a flat fee of six dollars per semester credit hour, up to 14 semester hours. The university’s rate is still one of the lowest in the System. Sophomore political science major Frank Garza has heard of the six-dollar increase in tuition and feels it would be a benefit to UTPA. “Six dollars is not that much more, compared to other UT schools that are bigger and paying a lot more,” Garza said. “I am sure it would not affect the people of the Valley by that much.” Contrary to popular belief this decision did not happen overnight. From 19972004 tuition has increased in baby steps
every two to three years. According to James Langabeer, vice president for the office of Business Affairs at UTPA, the tuition increase is “just a matter of compensation for the university’s rapid growth of students each year.” Based on the UT System Tuition Commission Report (STCR) the decision was made by the Texas Legislature and like any other change in life, has pros and cons. UTPA President Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez reviewed the benefits to a tuition hike for students now and in the future. “The tuition increase has already been implemented into the spring semester of 2004 on campuses like UT-Austin, but at UTPA the decision was made with the students in mind, to hold off until fall 2004 for a smooth transition,” he said. Each institution serves different types of students and basically a school like UT-Austin can afford to lose some students with the tuition increase, because it attracts way more students than it can admit. According to the UTPA Office of the President, the university will benefit in the long run when it implements a new faculty hiring plan and offers more graduate programs to add to the 46 master’s programs already in place. Nevarez said “Students are getting a balance at UTPA between not being too costly and at the same time getting a quality education. Sometimes the most
expensive aspect of a higher education is the room and board, not the tuition.” FISCAL Among the YEAR supposed pros of the increase: 1. Smooth 1997 transition due to a flat-based tuition fee 1998 for hours after the 1999 14-hour limit; 2. 2000 Extra money coming into UTPA means 2001 new buildings and 2002 approximately 55 2003 new additions to the faculty to counteract 2004 the increase in 2005 population. As of Jan. 13 UTPA has approximately 15,900 students. According to the Office of Business Affairs, 86.7 percent are on some sort of financial aid help to pay for tuition. Those students do not have to worry about finding the money to attend school, it is already available to them. But what about the student who does not receive financial aid? Sociology graduate student Adele Clinton is one of the students who is not receiving financial aid but who views the tuition increase as an advantage for UTPA. “It is going to greatly affect a school like UT Austin more than it will UTPA,” she said. “The Austin branch is so much
TUITION HIKE DESIGNATED TUITION $18 $18 $18 $22 $22 $26 $26 $32 $38
STATUTORY TUITION $32 $34 $36 $38 $40 $42 $44 $46 $48
bigger in faculty, size and definitely students.” There is always going to be opposition to rising costs. But can students fight this increase in tuition? The Regents’ decision on the fall rates mandates a 60day comment period, ending Jan. 23, 2004. This comment period will give students a chance to be heard and to voice their comments on the plans. Despite the pros and cons there will always be an opportunity for students to be able to voice their opinions. The general vibe around campus seems to be that UTPA’s slight increase is a small amount to pay for a bigger and better school of tomorrow.
Depression striking college students more frequently On the other side of a glass door sits a green couch with large pillows lying on it. All over the walls tranquil pastel paintings creates an environment where even the most private person could open up and share their feelings. It’s the Learning Assistance Counseling Center, and it is opening its doors to UTPA students who are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed. The center was designed to assist students who have problems with personal, social, emotional or interpersonal relationships that may be affecting their adjustment to the university environment or interfering with academic achievement. Counselors are available to help students clarify their goals and encourage them to assume responsibility for their actions. Mirta Rodriguez is one of the counselors who assists students who feel they are having a difficult time adjusting to the university environment. “We get a lot of students who are having family issues, personal or relationship problems or even those who are feeling anxious about graduating and having to move on into the real world,” Rodriguez said. Because of the changes entering college entails, Rodriguez said that many students suffer from depression. “There are many different types of pressures that young people are feeling,” Rodriguez said. “Some feel like they don’t belong, some feel a high level of expectations from them and some
“The sadness and helplessness students students may even be feeling the culture may feel does affect their academic shock of being in a new environment.” mindset,” Rodriguez explained. “Many According to the National Mental Health Association, many individuals find simply want to function in college and their years at a university are undermined lead successful lives.” According to a recent national college by depression, anxiety, substance abuse health survey, 10 percent of college and eating disorders, sometimes leading students have been diagnosed with to suicide. Researchers are finding that depression, and for women the number is many mental illnesses may be traced to trauma experienced during college years. slightly higher at 13 percent. Students of all ages have sought Though frequency assistance, some for of student use of the problems such as counseling center coping with moving varies, there are The most fulfilling away from home, periods when students part of this job is others for stress of feel most anxious. seeing students I work returning so school “We do talk to many after a layoff., students around the with actually improve. “Some holiday seasons, and To know that you had a international particularly around part in helping them get students may feel the Spring Break,” over their depression is cultural shock of Rodriguez said. “Some what makes everything leaving their students need to talk worthwhile. country, while to someone, but we try - Mirta Rodriguez, students moving to to offer as many UTPA Counselor Edinburg from a services as possible.” different town in the Depression affects Valley may feel over 19 million similar anxiety,” Rodriguez said. “Some American adults annually, and many are don’t give themselves enough time to go college students. At colleges nationwide, through the changes of adjusting and just certain percentages of college students leave the university.” intermittently feel overwhelmed, sad, Reasons may vary, but symptoms and hopeless and so depressed that they are side effects are fairly consistent. They unable to function. Of course, some include headaches, insomnia, persistent amount of stress and emotional duress is sadness, irritability, physical discomfort perfectly natural. But it can get out of and even difficulty thinking. control for someone not able to handle it. “Students need to balance their lives a Rodriguez explained that depression little bit more,” Rodriguez said, offering not only affects a persons mind, but their what he calls the best advice he could body, sleeping patterns, and creates give to students who are feeling over personal frustration.
“
“
By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American
pressured. “Having the right amount of sleep, having a proper diet, and exercising can really affect a person’s mood and body.” While depression can be helped by sessions with a counselor, receiving medication or simply having better organization of your life, there are some people whose condition becomes worse than most. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, the third leading cause of death for those ages 15-24, and the second leading killer in the college population (1998 figures). Students at UTPA are not immune to this situation. “We do talk with some students who show suicidal tendencies,” Rodriguez said. “If we talk with a student who has a serious mental health problem, we refer them for a psychiatric evaluation.” Besides having a discussion with a counselor, students can receive advice on how to maintain their stress level, learn about where their anxiety comes from, and even learn skills that might lessen the stress that comes with job hunting. Other activities conducted include in-group counseling sessions, topical seminars or workshops. “The most fulfilling part of this job is seeing students I work with actually improve,” Rodriguez said. “To know that you had a part in helping them get over their depression is what makes everything worthwhile.” Anyone seeking professional assistance for personal issues, contact the Counseling Center at the University Center room 109. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sports
January 15, 2004
2003-2004 UTPA Men’s Basketball Schedule Date
Opponent/Time
Nov. 4
Monterrey Tech (Exh.)
Nov. 8
Houston Quest (Exh.)
Nov. 22
Southern Methodist, 7
Nov. 25
Texas A&M-Int’l, 7:30
Nov. 29
Texas-Arlington, 7:30
Dec. 1
SWA of God, 7:30
Dec. 4
Missouri-Kansas City, 7
Dec. 6
Texas-San Antonio, 7
Dec. 12
Mississippi Valley St., 7
Dec. 14
Sam Houston State, 2
Dec. 17
North Texas, 7:30
Dec. 20
Rice, 7:05
Dec. 22
Oklahoma State, 7
Dec. 29
Oklahoma, 7
Dec. 31
McMurry, 7:30
Jan. 6
Baylor, 7
Jan. 8
North Texas, 7
Jan. 14
Wright State, 6:05
Jan. 19
Missouri-K.C., 7:30
Jan. 21
Texas-Arlington, 7
Jan. 28
IPFW, 7:30
Feb. 2
Alcorn State, 7:30
Feb. 4
Lamar, 7:30
Feb. 7
IPFW, Noon
Feb. 11
Arkansas State, 7:30
Feb. 14
TAMUCC, 7:30
Feb. 16
Air Force, 7:30
Feb. 19
Central Baptist, 7:30
Feb. 28
TAMUCC, 7
March 1
Arkansas State, 7:05
2003-2004 UTPA Men’s Spring Tennis Schedule Date
Opponent/Time
Jan. 19
Trinity, 10 a.m.
Jan. 19
Texas A&M, 1:30
SPORTS CLIPBOARD Stars drop prices
Knicks hire Wilkens Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks fired Don Chaney and his top two assistants Wednesday and hired Lenny Wilkens to take over the coaching duties. Wilkens, 66, is the NBA leader in career coaching wins and losses. Chaney went 72-112 in two-plus seasons with New York. Overall, Chaney is 337-494 in 12 NBA seasons. Meanwhile, Wilkens has 1,292 wins and 1,114 losses.
Pistons win 10th straight The Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 95-91 to win their 10th straight game. Mehmet Okur had a career-high 27 points and 14 rebounds. Detroit’s win streak is their longest since winning 11 straight during 1990-91.
2003 CHL Standings Feb. 6 Feb. 7
Eastern Kentucky, TBA Dayton, TBA
Northwest
W L OTL PTS
Feb. 7
Xavier, TBA
Colorado
25 10 2
52
Feb. 14
Saint Louis, 2
OKC
19 14 5
43
New Mexico
18 16 3
39
Wichita
17 16 4
38
Tulsa
12 16 8
32
Northeast
W L OTL PTS
Feb. 21 Feb. 26
TAMUCC, 2 Laredo College (Exh.), 1
March 11
Abilene Christian, 5:30
March 12
Prairie View, TBA
March 13
Texas Southern, 10 a.m.
March 24
UTSA, 2
Bossier-Shreveport 23 8 Memphis
April 3 April 4
DePaul, 1 Texas-Arlington, 10 a.m.
Indianapolis Fort Worth
3
49
24 15 1
49
21 14 1 11 20 6
43 28
Texas Southern, 2
April 8
Lamar, 3
Southwest
W L OTL PTS
April 9
Southeastern
Amarillo
25 11 2
52
SanAngelo
22 13 4
48
April 17
TAMUCC, 2
April 30
SLC Championships
May 1 May 2
Agassi reaches final
The Dallas Stars cut the cost of more than 2,000 season tickets and are lowering the price of several other seats for next season. The price cuts are due, partly, to the changes in the NHL’s economic structure. The Stars are dropping the cost of 1,283 lower bowl seats at American Airlines Center from $90 to $60. A group of more than 800 second-level seats are being dropped from $60 to $34, while another 1,071 lower bowl seats are being slashed from $70 to $65. In addition, Dallas will be offering its season ticket holders an early renewal option that includes a five percent discount on next season. The Stars sold 11,000 season tickets for the 200304 season. Dallas has an average game attendance of 18,537, just shy of the center’s capacity of 18,532. The Stars had 238-game sellout streak halted in October.
Andre Agassi raced to a quick 6-2, 6-4 victory over Wimbeldon champion Roger Federer and advances to the final of the Commonwealth Bank International exhibition tournament at Kooyong in Australia. Agassi will face the winner between top-ranked Andy Roddick and David Nalbandian.
European football roundup AC Milan defeated AS Roma 2-1 in the Italian Cup quarter-final first leg match played in Rome. Massimo Ambrosini scored the game-winning goal in injury time. In England, Premier League side Manchester City put an end to their 14game winless streak after beating Leicester City, 3-1, in the third round of the Football Association Cup.
HOME GAMES IN BOLD All games p.m. unless noted.
Date Nov. 7
Opponent/Time Houston Elite (Exh.)
Nov. 21
Air Force. 6
Nov. 22
Boise State/Dayton, 4/6:30
Nov. 25
TAMUI, 5
Nov. 29
St. Edward’s, 5
Dec. 5
St. Louis, TBA
Dec. 6
Kansas State/Sac., TBA
Dec. 14
Oral Roberts, 7
Dec. 17
Texas, 7
Dec. 19
Marshall, 7
Dec. 21
Central Michigan, 2
Dec. 28
Tulsa, 2
Dec. 31
Prairie View A&M, 5
Jan. 2
UT-Arlington, 7
Jan. 7 Jan. 9
Sacramento State, 9:05 San Diego State, 9
Jan. 11
Louisiana-Lafayette, 4
Jan. 13
SE Louisiana, 7
Jan. 22
SW Missouri State, 7:05
Jan. 24
TAMUCC , 7
Jan. 27
Incarnate Word, 7
Jan. 31
IPFW, Noon
Feb. 3
Northern Colorado, 7
Feb. 9
Prairie View A&M, 7
Feb. 16
Louisiana-Lafayette, 5
Feb. 19
IPFW, 5
Feb. 24
TAMUCC, 7
Feb. 28
SE Louisiana, 7
March 3
Northern Arizona, 8
2003-2004 UTPA Women’s Spring Tennis Schedule
InterLiga Prelibertadores 2004 Date Group A x-Santos x-Morelia Toluca U.A.G.
W-D-L 2-0-1 2-0-1 2-0-1 0-0-3
GF:GA 6:5 5:4 4:3 3:6
Group A W - D - L GF:GA x-Atlas 2-1-0 8:3 x-América 1-2-0 6:5 Tigres 1-1-1 4:5 Atlante 0-0-3 5:10 x - qualified to second round
PTS 6 6 6 0 PTS 7 5 4 4
Scorer / Team G M. Pérez, ATS 4 R. Navia, MOR 3 J. Borgetti, SAN 3 S. González, ATE 3 D. Alvarez, MOR 2 C. Pavón, MOR 2 O. Bravo, GUA 2 20 tied with one goal
Second Round Wednesday, Jan. 14 Santos 2, Atlas 2 (4-3 pks), Santos qualifies to Copa Libertadores América 3, Morelia 1, América will play against Atlas in playoff game
Odessa
13 23 2
28
Lubbock
9 20 6
24
Southeast
W L OTL PTS
Laredo
30 5
2
62
Austin
16 15 5
37
Note: The newly named InterLiga, also known as Prelibertadores, is the Mexican Soccer League’s qualifying tournament for South America’s Copa Libertadores tournament. This year is the first time México gets an automatic entrance into the tournament. Previously, the Prelibertadores was played against Venezuelan clubs once the Mexican clubs went through a Pre-Prelibertadores qualifying tournament.
Mexican Soccer Clausura 2004
SLC Championships SLC Championships
2003-2004 UTPA Women’s Basketball Schedule
Opponent/Time
Feb. 6
UTEP, 3
Feb. 13
Sam Houston State, 3
Feb. 14
Northwestern State, 1:30
Feb. 15
Stephen F. Austin, 9 a.m.
Feb. 21
TAMUCC, 2
Feb. 26
Laredo College (Exh.), 1
March 11 Abilene Christian, 5:30 March 13 Texas Southern, 10 a.m. March 17
Wyoming, TBA
March 18
Jacksonville, Noon
March 19
Long Island, TBA
March 20
Bethune-Cookman, TBA
March 27 Air Force, 8:30 a.m.
April 7
Louisiana, Noon
Page 13
Rio Grande Valley 15 15 6
36
Corpus Christi
29
13 19 3
April 7
Texas Southern, 2
April 8
Lamar, 3
April 9
McNeese State, 9 a.m.
April 16
IPFW, TBA
April 16
Northern Colorado, TBA
April 17
TAMUCC, 2
Week 1 schedule: Saturday, Jan. 17 Tigres at Chiapas, 3 p.m. Cruz Azul at Monterrey, 5 p.m. Irapuato at Morelia, 5 p.m. Necaxa at San Luis, 7 p.m. Puebla at Atlas, 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18 U.N.A.M. at América, Noon Querétaro at Pachuca, Noon Toluca at Atlante, 2 p.m. Veracruz at U.A.G., 4 p.m. Guadalajara at Santos, 4 p.m.
Note: Pachuca defeated Tigres in the Aperura 2003 championship 3-2 (aggregate) played Dec. 17 and 20.
HOME GAMES IN BOLD
Page 14
Wright State rolls over Broncs 82-60 By BRIAN CARR The Pan American
The Pan American /File Photo
Matt Hall coordinates the Broncs offense during a game played earlier this season at the Field House.
Two-time world champion Fernando Montiel (left) of Los Mochis, México jokes with undefeated junior featherweight Daniel “Ponce” De León (right) of Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, México. Montiel is fighting in the main event and De León is fighting in the comain event Friday night.
The Texas-Pan American Broncs slipped to 5-11 Wednesday when they were dealt a decisive 82-60 loss at the hands of Wright State at the Ervin J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The Raiders opened up the game with a 23-9 run, and maintained the advantage throughout the entire competition. The Broncs had come within eight points of the Raiders after a 12-6 run in the first half ignited by senior forward Allen Holcomb. But Wright State followed up with a 22-8 to finish the first half at 51-29. The Broncs were led by junior forward Chris Fagan who put up a double-double, scoring 14 points and picking up 12 rebounds. Vernan Hollins of the Raiders led the game in scoring with 21 points and picked up a tripledouble on the evening. The basketball season is more than half way over and the Broncs have not had the results that they had anticipated at the beginning. A tough road schedule has limited the program to two road victories. And although stunning outings, a one-point win at Baylor and a double-overtime win at UTSA, the success has not been enough
to bolster the Broncs’ record (5-11). The Broncs, who brought in a ton of new personnel for this year, stumbled early out of the gate, and have not yet been able to recover. Junior transfer Sergio Sánchez (Temple College), who leads the Broncs with 12.6 point per game, is honest about this year’s misfortune. “At the beginning of the year we thought it was going to be a hell of a [season],” Sánchez said. “Then we started losing some tough games and the losses started to build on us. We were looking to get 20 wins, and we’re still looking to do good things, but as long as we can finish better than last year there will be something for us to build on.” Graduate student Matt Hall, who is in his third season with the Broncs, hopes the team can rally and finish the season above .500. “We’re looking to win out,” Hall said. “We feel there isn’t a game that we can’t win.” With the Wednesday’s loss, however, Hall’s hopes were thwarted. Coach Bob Hoffman, who has headed the Broncs since the 1999-00 season, is looking to better his program from last year’s 10-20 finish. With only five in wins in the Broncs’ first 16 games, the Broncs will have to pull together to better the mark. “We always want to continue to improve as a program, and make strides,” Hoffman said. “The main thing I look at the kind of kids we have and what they’re doing. They’re getting better as players, but they’re getting better as people.”
Boxing
THE PAN AMERICAN
Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos
Wednesday, Jan. 14 Box Score 1 UTPA 29 Wright State 51
2 31 31
F 60 82
Bronc scorers: A. Sakalys 5, C. Fagan 12, A. Holcomb 4, E. Montalvo 2, D. East 1, R. Castillo 2, Z. Weir 6, D. Díaz 1, A. Gedminas 8.
Richard Best (4-6-3) of Fort Worth. “He’s a good boxer,” Peña said about Best. “He’ll stand toe-to-toe with me, if I want to stand toeto-toe with him. He fights everybody’s fight. I guess, he’ll be having to fight my fight this fight.” Peña is confident that he will be able to defeat his opponent and he has a strategy for accomplishing his goal. “He’s a little taller than me so, I’ll be working his body a lot more than his head,” Peña said. “I know that if I have him dazed, I have to finish him off.” The 19-year-old Edinburg boxer is thrilled to be fighting in such a big event. “I feel great,” Peña said. “Big audience, big crowd, especially because De La Hoya is down here in our hometown, here in the Valley.” Peña last fought on Oct. 22, a fifth-round knockout victory over Jesús Rodríguez from McKinley. A portion of the event will be televised by Univisión’s sister station, Telefutura. As of Wednesday afternoon, less than 2,000 tickets were left for Friday’s event.
Diet
continued from page 15
the white rice and those kind of things, probably aren’t good for you.” Although it seems like common sense, Semper maintains that the only real way to lose weight is by achieving negative caloric balance. “Bottom line is, you have to eat less than you burn, and you’ll lose the weight,” he said. To Semper, the easiest route to weight loss is cutting out junk food. EXERCISE Once proper dietary adjustments have been made, it is time to look for an exercise routine. Semper suggests that it is crucial to find a vehicle, or mode of exercise that is enjoyable. According to Semper, many people become discouraged when they choose the wrong routine with which to reach their long-term goals. “If I say I want you to go outside, and for three days a week I want you to run three miles a day. If you don’t like running you’re not going to do well,” Semper explained “But maybe you like racquetball. I’d say, hey, play racquetball three times a week. That’s just as good as running.” For Semper, choosing an exercise routine that excites you is a no-brainer. “Whatever you pick up hopefully you’ll do it and enjoy it,” Semper said. “And if you enjoy it you’ll do it the rest of your life.”
Gilchrist said. The department recruits both prospective freshmen and transfer One plays Ernie, the best friend on students to attend UTPA. The George Lopez Show, one is a So far, the university has lined up former two-time Ms. Olympia, and the Edcouch native Valente Rodriguez, who third an advocate for higher education plays Ernie on the ABC primetime hit funding in South Texas. What do they comedy The George Lopez Show, all have in common? Rachel McLish the first Ms. Olympia They are all graduates of The bodybuilding champion, a Harlingen University of Texas-Pan American who native who is now a successful business have achieved extraordinary success in owner and actress in Los Angeles, and their respective careers. Along with Texas State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa several other from McAllen. people, they will “We have soon become received spokespeople for commitments from This campaign will UTPA in a new each of them to help us reinforce the television campaign appear in 30-second designed to promote spots to air on local message that the university. channels,” education is important “Instead of doing Quintanilla said. and that UTPA is a generic 30-second “In these commercials which commercials, we quality institution that have been done in will ask them to produces successful the past, we thought give personal graduates. it would be a much testimony about Deborah Gilchrist, better idea to profile their experience New Student and Visitor Services former UTPA while attending graduates who have UTPA and how this gone on to become experience helped them become who very successful,” said Sandra they are today.” Quintanilla, UTPA University Relations Quintanilla added that the University director. is still looking for additional individuals Deborah Gilchrist, interim director of who have received an undergraduate, the New Student and Visitor Services master’s or doctoral degree from UTPA department, hopes this campaign will who represent different professions, get the attention of high school students including the medical, engineering and who are thinking of attending UTPA. education fields. “This campaign will help us reinforce Anyone with recommendations is the message that education is important asked to contact the University and that UTPA is a quality institution Relations Department at 381-2741 or ethat produces successful graduates,” mail Quintanilla at sandraq@panam.edu. By ELOY M. SAENZ The Pan American
UTPA Broncs
When: Monday, Jan. 19 Where: Field House Time: 7:30 p.m. All-time series: It will be the first meeting between both teams.
Page 3
UTPA grads will serve as Battle lines materializing in local District Court race talent for recruiting push
Next Game:
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Daniel "Ponce” De León (15-0, 15 KO) from Cuauhtémoc, México and Jesús Pérez (22-3-3, 11 KO) of Córdoba, Colombia. De León defeated Carlos Durán of Querétaro, México, by way of a knockout in the third round of their Nov. 20 fight. “I’m really motivated. I was getting really bored with so much training,” De León said. “What I wanted was action, to fight, and Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American now the time is here. Now, I have to show in the ring what I practiced in the gym.” Pérez feels that he is just as ready as De León. “I come well prepared,” Pérez affirmed. “The fight’s going to be a good one and anyone who doesn’t go is going to miss a good fight.” De León, a former Mexican Olympian, was equally impressed with the facilities and the Valley. “It’s a big venue,” De León said. “I think it’s going to be packed. It’s my second time here and I like it. It’s my kind of weather, it’s like where I live.” The Valley will also be represented in the event. Pablo Peña (5-1) of Edinburg will fight
January 15, 2004
AIDA SALINAS FLORES
HECTOR VILLARREAL
According to Villarreal, “Crime has By VANESSA LUCIO gotten to the point in the Valley where the The Pan American criminals are not afraid, and these people need to be removed from society”. It’s election time again and the 398th Incumbent state District Court bench is up for grabs. Flores was the first elected judge to Edinburg criminal defense attorney serve in the 398th Court and says she has Hector J. Villarreal is challenging remained on the bench because of incumbent Aida Salinas Flores, who was fairness, consistency, and an unwavering elected in 2000. willingness to hear everyone’s case. While this and other races, including Flores is also a Valley native, having the one between Aaron Pena and Eddie graduated from La Joya High School at Saenz for state representative, are the top of her class. She received her drawing much attention, it seems that one bachelors degree from Pan American interested group may not make its feeling College. At 19 she heard. became an English According to teacher, which led to CNN.com the her becoming an adult average college Both candidates probation officer and student has strong a rehabilitation opinions about seem qualified to counselor. election candidates In 1975 she but doesn’t seem to do the job, but received her law get around to the that decision is up degree from the voting booths. University of Texas Experts say that to the people of School of Law in students need to get Edinburg. Austin and returned to involved in the Hidalgo County as the elections and vote first lawyer to because one day they graduate from La will be leaders of the Joya High School. community. So in the Later she became the race for the 398th, first female assistant district attorney in just who exactly are we voting for and Hidalgo County. what will they bring to the bench? Flores has tried various types of civil cases ranging from personal injury, Challenger divorce, child custody, contract, and also Villarreal is an Edinburg native who has done federal criminal cases. graduated from UTPA, and the Baylor When asked what she has learned School of Law. He was a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam before becoming a Flores explained, “Education is the key into the world of success: when criminal prosecutor. everything else leaves education is always Villarreal has civil trial experience and there. My grandmother used to say: ‘Hace served from 1987-1988 as the 275th mas el que quiere que el que puede, District Court Judge. Today Villarreal is meaning those who have the desire to hoping to be the next 398th state District succeed will do more than those who have Court Judge, and he says he knows the ability to do well but don’t achieve exactly what the people of the Valley potential.” need. Both candidates seem qualified to do “I want to give something back to the the job, but that decision is up to the community and serve the people because people of Edinburg. we need a change,” he said. “And a UTPA students who are interested in judge’s philosophy will dictate how voting for this race should meet the he/she runs the courtroom.” following voting deadlines. The primary When asked to describe his work elections are March 9, with early voting Villarreal stated, “Trial work is dates set for Feb. 23 through Match 5. honorable, like theater one has to The Edinburg Elections Office is at 101 perform.” South 10th Street, and voting for students Villarreal views the judge’s bench as takes place in The Pan American one requiring an impartial person who University Library Lobby, among other makes fair decisions following the rules places. of procedure.
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sports
January 15, 2004
Franco Caballero/The Pan American
CONCENTRATION— Dinah Lovett stresses keeping focus in a speech at the corporate business seminar Wednesday at McAllen’s Chase Bank.
January 15
2004
NEWS
■ Recruitment . . . . . . 3 ■ Depression . . . . . . . . 4 ■ Wagner . . . . . . . . . . . 5
sports
January 15, 2004
Resolutions begin with diet and exercise
Presidential search continues this spring By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American
1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 14
Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com
News Editor Belinda Reyes mstxbellezalatina2003@ yahoo.com
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Sports Editor Ed Chrnko echrnko@yahoo.com
Graphics Editor Daniel Aguilar kerygma_@hotmail.com
Layout Designers Dagoberto Perez Reporters Brian Carr Julian Cavazos Diana Corpus Garza Edwina Garza Dulce Gonzalez Matt Hall Christina Harris
The PAN A M E R I C A N 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 university.
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The UTPA Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) continues its work this year to find a new president with integrity and strong leadership skills, with current President Miguel A. Nevarez set to resign as of August 2004. Since the first meeting Dec. 1, PSAC is currently at the stage of gathering applications and nominations. Over 100 persons from all over the nation are been expected to apply. Wanting to find the very best candidate possible, PSAC created nationwide advertisements for various publications such as “Hispanic Outlook” and “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” The advertisement is also available on the Internet. Since then, three candidates have already been nominated. PSAC Member Arturo Ramos, assistant director at the Learning Assistance Center and representative for the UTPA Staff, expressed the important qualities the new president should possess. “I would want somebody who is sensitive to the needs of our staff members. And, since I have been a student, I want someone who is also interested in the needs of our students,” he said. “ I would also want someone who could get some good faculty here, and who is a wellknown figure either in research or administration, to raise more funds,” said Ramos. PSAC consists of 18 members, headed by Theresa Sullivan, executive vice chancellor for the UT System. The members review applications and nominations. Next, a list of the most qualified candidates will be sent to the Board of Regents. The top finalists will then visit the campus. “They will be able to come to UTPA and speak to the students, staff, and community to express their philosophies,” Ramos said.
The number of finalists will range from five to 10. The release of the finalist names won’t be available to the public until 21 days before the final decision, in late spring. From among those finalists, the Board of Regents in Austin will make the final decision. The newly chosen president will begin at UTPA in fall 2004. It has been almost 25 years since the last UTPA presidential search. In his tenure at the university, Nevarez has led UTPA through some extraordinary changes. One of the most important was when this university went from being Pan American University to the University of Texas-Pan American on Sept. 1, 1989. Since the merger, the university has broadened its curriculum, bringing in more bachelor and master degrees to the South Texas area. In 1994, UTPA began to offer its first doctoral degree, a Ph.D. in International Business. There are now 55 Bachelor's, 41 master's, 2 doctorates, and 1 cooperative doctorate available. UTPA is the 10th largest university in the state and among the nation’s leaders in supplying teachers. “Hispanic Outlook” ranked it second in the nation among the top 100 best universities for Hispanics.UTPA was also regarded by “Hispanic Outlook” as second in health sciences and interdisciplinary studies, and ranked in the top 10 for programs in biological sciences, foreign language, English literature, and business marketing. Dr. Jerry Price, dean of students, has been very proud of the contribution Nevarez has made to UTPA. “There is no doubt that his leadership has been a big part from going from an institution that was small, to becoming a large university getting more and more recognition,” Price said. As for the continuation of the search, Sullivan, the leader of the PSAC, will be meeting with her committee again for the second time March 2, as the decision nears. As for the
Search committee stages 1. Form a Presidential Advisory Committee (PSAC) consisting of faculty, administrators, student goverment representative. 2. PSAC starts selecting a firm who will collect all nominations. Candidates can either be nominated by someone and then apply, or just apply for the position themselves. **** The PSAC for UTPA is currently at this stage. 3. PSAC gathers all applications to be searched and screened. The top 5 or 6 are selected. 4. The top 5 or 6 will be able to visit campus and address the students and staff. 5. The top 5 or 6 go to the interview by Board of Regents in Austin, and Board of Regents will select one. new president, the PSAC will ensure that that person will be able to expand UTPA to greater heights, offering more for its students and staff in the coming years. Dr. Ala Qubbaj, chair of the Faculty Senate, already knows what he would tell UTPA’s next leader. “If I could say anything to the newly chosen president, I’d tell him ‘you’ve got a great institution with a clear vision and a tremendous potential. Build on Dr. Nevarez’s legacy, and lead with your honesty.’”
Admission requirements to get tougher year by year By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American It will get tougher to get here, but it might mean more when you do. A new era is beginning at the University of Texas-Pan American, and for the next decade the university will gradually make the transition toward tougher admission standards. The aspiration is eventually to be able to mainstream with other state universities. According to Dennis McMillan, associate vice president for Enrollment and Students, the admission standards will slowly tighten over the next several years and lead the university from being an “open” admission university to becoming “restricted.” One of the first guidelines to prepare UTPA for the transition was to establish consistency in terms of university deadlines. If the question lines in the admissions office were a bit longer than usual the first week of class, it could be because of the new requirements applying to students applying here. For the spring semester which began Jan. 12 those applying for the first time were required to submit their applications for admission no later than Dec. 19, 2003. Every student had to send transcripts,
test scores and other supporting documents by Jan. 2 to be admitted for the spring semester. Any applications received after this date were processed for the following semester. Gone are the days of lenient rules. These admission deadline changes are important so that academic departments can plan ahead and ensure that students are properly advised, registered and “seated” in classes before the semester begins. This will also allow the university time to budget for any additional personnel needed. “This will bring a better organization for academic departments to arrange course seating availability and to be better prepared in general,” McMillan said. Given the new deadlines, the university has attempted to reach as many people as possible to make sure they knew about the changes. A media campaign took place and will take place in the future, so prospective Broncs don’t miss the boat. “We hope to purchase a mailing list from STCC, Costal Bend, Del Mar, and areas such as that and send out notifications so that all students can be aware,” McMillan said in December 2003. “We even plan on purchasing space in different university papers as well as The Monitor and such.”
To lead UTPA into the mainstream, the first course of action will be to raise admission standards by requiring a minimum ACT score of 15 by the spring of 2005. The PEP program will always be eliminated at that time due to its low success rate. Gradually, the required ACT score will rise, beginning in the spring of 2005 with the minimum score of 15. In 2007 it will be raised to 16 and so forth every two years until 2011, when a score of 18 will be cutoff point for admission. Another change that will primarily affect students who enter college right after graduating high school will be the requirement of a stronger high school curriculum. In 2003, UTPA required that all HS graduates receive a diploma under the “Recommended or “Distinguished” graduation plan in order to be considered. “ This is mandate by the state of Texas,” McMillan explained at the time. “All colleges will be required to do this. I think the state has realized that when you look at students who come to use on the ‘Recommended’ plan there is still a high number of students taking remedial classes.” McMillan hinted that this was perhaps a
See ADMISSIONS page 11
Page 15
By BRIAN CARR The Pan American Not everyone is a model or an athlete. The world is not a vast society of muscle-clad quasi-deities capable of physical feats that boggle the mind and delight the senses. Nor is it jammed packed with hauntingly beautiful waifs who painfully exist in chic silhouettes, smoking cigarettes and gracing magazine covers. Most of us are soft procrastinators who opt for convenience rather than results. We lounge, lie, linger, and get large. We gorge, grin, grit, and grow. And here in America, land of the super-sized fry basket, we bargain-hunt ourselves into larger britches, looser Tees, and larger automobiles in attempts to conceal our collective girth rather than deal with it. That is until New Year’s resolutions drive people to the gyms, salad bars, and health food
Muszynski
aisles in attempts to shed unwanted pounds. God bless the collective psyche, which has allowed society to make the biggest of physical promises after making the grossest of physical consumptions. But as it is, our massive holiday feasts, which generally last from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day, are followed by a stern resolve to lose weight. Or at the very least a guilty longing to do so. But what does it take to lose the weight? How long does it take? And are there any easy ways to get results? Dr. Tom Semper, associate professor of health and kinesiology at UTPA, says that there is unfortunately no miracle approach to physical fitness. “We didn’t get out of shape and we didn’t get fat in two weeks,” Semper said. “We’re not going to get skinny and get in shape in two weeks.” Semper is a proponent of a kinesiology approach referred to as the ”long-haul plan” when it comes to achieving goals in personal fitness. “Find a long, slow, easy path to get to your goals,” Semper said. “[Fitness] is a lifetime activity, that needs to be fun and enjoyable.” Semper does, however, warn that everyone has a different starting point when attacking physical fitness, and suggests that people should seek out medical clearance from a general practitioner before adopting an exercise routine. Semper also maintains the definition of a persons starting point is crucial for a successful fitness plan.
continued from page 16
1984 and 1985 and is the first Lady Bronc to score over 600 points in one season. Dube is also the all-time leader in field goals made and in field goal percentage. She scored the most points in a single game, 40 in 1984 against Texas Lutheran. Former guard Alex Gravel (1998-01 and 2003) is the all-time leader in points with 1,227, and is the school’s greatest three-point shooters. The Canadian sharpshooter, who battled through injuries for years to become the leading scorer, was a three-time All-Independent selection. Her long-time teammate, Naima Williams, who graduated last year, is the leading rebounder in school history (673 boards) and ranks second in scoring. Women’s golfer Nancy Verastegui (1995-97) holds the single-round and two-round scoring records and was also a three-time All-Sun Belt selection. In 1996, she was an NCAA regional qualifier, won four tournaments and finished among the top 10 in 20 of the 21 tournaments she played in. Verastegui was Sun Belt Conference champion in 1995 and 1997. Tennis has been one of UTPA’s most successful women’s programs. Some of their successes include a National Championship in 1960 and various individual efforts. Ellen Nielson, a former tennis player from 1991-95, is the alltime leader in single and overall wins. She also holds the single-
season record (1995) for singles wins with 27 and the record for overall victories with 41 wins that same year. Nielson was on the All-Sun Belt team for two years and was a two-time All-Sun Belt Academic selection. Delilah Johnson, track and field (1990-92 and 1994), has one of the longest lists of accomplishments in school annals. In 1991 and 1994 she was an NCAA Outdoor All-American in the discus and a qualifier in the discus and shot put in 1992 and 1994, respectively. Johnson competed 16 times in the Indoor and Outdoor Conference Championships and won 13 of those events and was runner-up in the remaining three. She also holds the school record in the indoor shot put and outdoor javelin, discus and shot put. Amy Moses, who is currently on the track and field team, was a 2003 NCAA indoor qualifier in the 20-pound weight throw and also holds the school record in the indoor 20-pound weight throw.
UTPA Top Female Athletes Athlete
Sport
Jaclyn Muszynski Volleyball
Years 2000-03
Amy Moses
Track/Field 2001-Present
Alex Gravel
Basketball 1998-01, 03
Nancy Verastegui Golf
1995-97
Elizabeth Ortega
X-Country 1992-95
Ellen Neilssen
Tennis
Delilah Johnson
Track/Field 1990-92, 94
Becky Dube
Basketball 1984-86
1991-95
“In every journey the most important thing to discover is where am I now,” Semper said. “You can’t get there if I don’t know where you are.” HOW TO BEGIN Knowing that there is no uniform starting point for those who are out of shape, Semper suggest that fitness wanabees should start with an analysis of their diet, and gives an atypical scenario to strike a point. “First of all, for a week’s time, you have to [look at] what foods you eat, how many calories do you consume on an average day,” Semper said. “Then if you see that every day you’re drinking four beers, three cokes, and having seven deserts, I’m gonna say let’s start with this. Go to light beers, diet cokes, fewer deserts.” Semper does contend that simple reductions can lead to results. “Look at french fries. When you go from a regular fry to a super-size french-fry, you’re probably adding 300 calories to that meal,” Semper said. “And when you up-size your coke, an extra four ounces of coke, you’ve added 50 calories.” Although Semper does not suggest that any diet should consist of french fries and cola, he does see a direct correlation with value meals and the nation’s physique. “Society says take more, take more,” Semper said. “Value size. You get all this extra food for 39 cents. So us being good consumers, we buy it. And then being good Americans, and not wanting to waste, we eat it.”
Semper points out what many members of the health industry have struggled against. “In our search for value we’ve given up our fitness levels,” Semper said. Current obesity levels, especially among youth, and rising health insurance expenditures, reflect this. DIET According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s dietary guidelines, the typical adult diet should consist of 2,000 calories and about 65 grams of fat per day, with 20 or fewer of those grams of fat being saturated fats, or what is commonly referred to as bad fat. Of those 2,000 calories the Surgeon General’s office suggest that you “get most of your calories from plant foods (grains, fruits, vegetables).” Semper, who has seen positive results in people who have used the Atkins, is not convinced that it is entirely beneficial. “I’m pretty much a conservative,” Semper said. “I don’t like the Atkins diet. I know friends who have done well with it, but to me Atkins doesn’t have the right percentage of carbohydrates to support a healthy active lifestyle.” Semper does, however, see the Atkins craze as bringing about some positive changes in our countries dietary views. “I think what the Atkins diet has done that really helps us a lot, has been to bring up the negative values of some kinds of carbohydrates,” Semper said. “I think what Atkins has opened our eyes to, is that the white bread, and
See DIET page 15
Coach Provencio optimistic about 2004 tennis season
Photo by Matthew A. Ceballos/The Pan American
UTPA tennis head coach Eduardo Provencio.
By MATTHEW A. CEBALLOS The Pan American
In anticipation of the upcoming season, the University of Texas-Pan American’s tennis teams began practicing Monday. Both the Broncs and Lady Broncs will face strong regional competition and will compete against teams from outside the area. UTPA head coach Eduardo Provencio is looking forward to the beginning of the season. “It’ll be good, we had a good fall,” Provencio said. “On the women’s side, we had a smaller squad and we filled out the rest of our squad for this upcoming semester. On the men’s side, we had a real strong fall and we hope to piggyback
off of that and continue the success we had in the fall.” Provencio also expects solid conference competition for the men’s team, which play in the Southland Conference. “I think every team has gotten better,” Provencio said. “We had a good run in the Southland last year. I think our team is better this year than last, but unfortunately for us I think the other teams are better as well. It’ll be real competitive this year, I’m looking forward to it though.” Provencio said his goals for the men’s team are to win the Southland Conference title and become nationally ranked once again. Last season the Broncs were 72nd for two weeks in the Top 75 rankings. According to Provencio, some key players to watch on the men’s team are Jeremy Salvo, Rehman Esmail, and Tom Mangelschots. On the women’s team Provencio expects a big season from freshman Vanessa Hedinger. The Lady Broncs begin the season by playing Texas-El Paso in San Antonio Feb. 6, and then travel to Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State, and Sam Houston State. They then return home to begin a four-game home stand Feb. 21 at the Cox Tennis Center. They will host Texas A&MCorpus Christi, Laredo College, Abilene Christian and Texas Southern. The men begin play Jan. 19 by facing nationally ranked Texas A&M and Division III power Trinity. After a trip to Eastern Kentucky, the Broncs face Saint Louis in San Antonio before embarking on a five-game home stand, also Feb. 21. They will then host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Laredo College, Abilene Christian, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern.
S PORTS
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NBA Schedule Friday, Jan. 16 at 23-17
Dallas Mavericks vs. Jan. 17 at Portland, 9 Jan. 20 New Jersey, 7:30
at 26-13 6:00 29-11 San Antonio Spurs vs. Jan. 18 at Boston, 11:30* Jan. 19 at Detroit, 2 Jan. 21 New Jersey, 7:30
Saturday, Jan. 17 vs. 22-16 2:30 26-11 Houston Rockets vs. Jan. 19 at Memphis, 6:30 Jan. 21 NY Knicks, 8
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP Sunday, Jan. 18 at 14-4
2:00
15-2
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP at 13-5
5:45
13-4
Killer Bees Schedule Friday, Jan. 16 at Killer Bees vs. Austin, 7:30 Jan. 17 at Corpus, 7:05 Jan. 18 vs. Odessa at Dodge Arena, 6 All games p.m. *a.m. game
■ Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13
Boxers primed for Oscar Night By ED CHRNKO
22-16 8:00
■ Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Former middleweight champion Oscar De La Hoya did not attend his own press conference Wednesday for his upcoming event, Oscar Night in the Valley, to be held in the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo Friday - however he had a good reason. Recently, Puerto Rican boxer Felix “Tito” Trinidad, the man who handed De La Hoya his first loss in 1999, has decided to come out of retirement, which has aroused speculation of a rematch. That speculation was elevated during the press conference Wednesday when Roy Englebrecht informed the media that De La Hoya was unable to attend because he was still in Puerto Rico, where he resides, negotiating his next fight. Coincidentally, Trinidad also lives on the same Caribbean island. Despite his absence and the revelation of De La Hoya’s negotiations, it did not detract from the event, although it was slightly marred by the additional announcement that Adonis Rivas (194-1, 10 KO) of Nicaragua, the opponent of former bantamweight world champion Fernando Montiel (26-1-1, 20 KO) of Los Mochis, México, in the main event, could not make the fight due to a visa problem.
A last minute opponent had to be found. Montiel will now face Roberto López (22-141) of Tijuana, Baja California, México. “I don’t know anything about him,” Montiel said. “The only thing I know is that his name is Roberto López. I’m going to do my thing, what I know how to do, and inside the ring you see how one reacts against the other in order to see the kind of strategy you’re going to use.” Montiel lost the WBO super flyweight title in 12 rounds last year against Mark Johnson, marking the Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American first loss of his professional career. The Miller Lite girls stand on opposite ends of boxers (from left) Jesús Pérez, Fernando “The last fight was Montiel, and Daniel “Ponce” De León at a press conference Wednesday in McAllen. actually a good experience, I learned a lot going to win.” like it (Valley). From what I’ve seen from it,” Montiel said. “I’m going to For many of the fighters, this was it’s really calm here. I think you could try and see it through (strategy). A lot also their first trip to the Valley. die here whenever you wanted of time you have a strategy and once Montiel was impressed with the because it’s really quiet. It’s small, you get inside the ring, unfortunately, Dodge Arena as well as the Valley. but really nice.” you have to end up changing it to “They’re really nice (facilities). It’s The co-main event will feature adapt to the style of your opponent. very well-ventilated, but it’ll look What I am sure about is that I’m See BOXING page 15 nicer when its full,” Montiel said. “I
Muszynski bids farewell to UTPA volleyball By AMY MEDELLÍN This semester, graduation is the main focus for Jaclyn Muszynski, senior outside hitter for the University of Texas-Pan American volleyball team the past four years. Unlike the rest of the graduating class this spring, Muszynski will leave behind her own mark in UTPA women’s athletic history. After their upsetting loss Nov. 15 at the Independent Championships to IndianaPurdue-Fort Wayne, the Lady Broncs finished the season with a record of 19-15, matching their best win total ever, which came in 1996. Muszynski was one the reasons for the success. She finished the season as the first player ever to be named to first team All-Independent for four consecutive years. She also holds the UTPA career records in kills (1,627) and was the first UTPA player to break the 1,600 barrier in kills and digs. She is also the first Lady Bronc to have 300-plus kills in all four Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American seasons and holds career records in hitting attempts Outside hitter Jaclyn Muszynski in action in a vol(4,555), number of games leyball game at the Field House last season.
played (470), and digs (1,387). “I was not really expecting to accomplish as much as I did these past four years, but it feels really good to be recognized and to have the support of my teammates, coaches and family because I couldn’t have done it with out them,” said Muszynski. “It is really an honor to be considered one of the best athletes at UTPA.” Dave Thorn, who has coached Muszynski for the past four years, feels she has not only been a big part of the volleyball team, but of the entire women’s athletics program. “She has just meant a lot for this program,” said Thorn. “If you look at the history of the athletics program she is definitely one of the best to come through here.” Muszynski joins the ranks of some of UTPA’s most accomplished females in program history. Elizabeth Ortega, a crosscountry runner for UTPA (199295), has been dubbed one of the best ever. During her college career, Ortega was named three times to the All-Sun Belt Conference team. She was a
1995 Sun Belt Champion, a regional qualifier, an NCAA national qualifier, and the only Lady Bronc to qualify in Division I. She was also featured in a national television program produced by the NCAA for individual and team accomplishments. “Out of all the athletes, Ortega was the one who stood out in my mind the most,” said Jim McKone, former UTPA sports information director from 1969-1999. “She is not only just one of the top women athletes, but one of the top UTPA athletes.” Another cross-country runner who has proven to be one of the top athletes at the university is Thelma Morales (1987-89). She was named three times to the All-American South Conference team, the ASC runner-up in 1987 and the ASC champion in 1988. Women’s basketball also has two athletes who are recognized among UTPA’s best. Becky Dube, who played from 1984-86, is currently the third leading scorer with 1,159 points. Dube was also named an Academic All-American in both
See MUSZYNSKI page 15
THURSDAY
HEADLINES
January 15, 2004
Tougher admissions standards from now on
Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day
An Inside Look: News ............................................2 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■
See Page 2 for details
T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n
OVER THERE Valley Reserves join rotation in Iraq to provide relief By AMY MEDELLIN The Pan American For many families around the country whose loved ones are serving in Iraq, the twice yearly troop rotations are times of joy as they welcome their soldiers home. Increasingly, those replacing them will be men and women of the Reserves and National Guard from around the country, including the Valley. The rising number of non-regular soldiers in Iraq has been a recent topic of controversy among those critical of the war. But it gives many soldiers a sigh of relief, including 21year-old Cynthia Sanchez, an army soldier in the 3rd Armored Cavalry and former University of Texas-Pan American student. “I really like the fact that that they are getting the reserves involved in the rotations,” Sanchez said. “By getting them [the reservists] involved with the war in Iraq it allows people like me and my friends to go home and take a break.” However, the recent increase in the percentages of deaths of reservists has caused
some concern. Of the 39 deaths in December 2003 where the Pentagon released victim names, one-quarter were citizen soldiers, according to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle. An Associated Press review of Pentagon reports notes that since last March, 68 deaths were of soldiers from the Army Reserves, nine among the Marine reservists and two from the Navy and one in the Air Force. Many, on the other hand, feel that the increase of deaths among reservists is logical, if unwanted, and that there is no cause for alarm. “The regular Army has bigger numbers over there [Iraq] 68 compared to the actual number that got deployed is pretty low actually,” said Sgt. Israel Galvan, an army reserve recruiter. “We have probably about 80,000 reservists deployed all over the world, so 68 is, in reality a small number.” A good portion of the deaths came from hostile fire, not combat, and many came during vehicle or helicopter accidents. “Two CH-47s took off to Qatar [a place for
soldiers to relax] I was in the second bird,” Sanchez said. “Shortly after the takeoff of the first bird it was shot down; our bird landed and we got off to help those soldiers out of the crashed aircraft. These soldiers did not know it was their day to die.” Since America declared war on Iraq in March 2003 there have been 478 U.S. soldier casualties, and 2,881 injuries, according to the Pentagon. An estimated 14 percent of the total number of deaths were of members from the Reserves and National Guard. Another issue that has brought some uneasiness to some is the reservists’ relative lack of training as compared to active-duty soldiers. However, since the number of reservists being sent overseas has been steadily increasing, drills and training methods are being upgraded and units are required to send their men back through basic training. When soldiers are not in combat they are in training year round, Galvan said. Those who will be scheduled to arrive during the next rotations will more than likely be in
Iraq to keep peace and order until a permanent government can be established and aid in the return of civilization to a war-tattered country. July is the deadline for the establishment of the interim government. This is not the first time where National Guard and Reserves have been called upon to do more than their usual part-time duties. The Guard has fought in every major American war since 1776 and the Army Reserves have served in war since World War I. “If you really were to think about our national defense without the Reserves and apply it to the current situation we would be spread out pretty thin,” Galvan said. “We are a pretty big piece of the national defense pie righ now.” Despite many families around the Valley finding it hard to let go of their loved ones, there has been a lot of support for the war from both the Reserves and their families. “Not too long ago a unit from McAllen was
See ROTC page 12
Doggett seeking area support for upcoming election By ARIANNA VAZQUEZ The Pan American With the Texas 2004 general elections primaries around the corner on March 9, billboards, lawn posters, and bumper stickers are everywhere, with the names and smiling faces of the various candidates. U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, is no exception, and started his campaign in the Valley in November. With, former Judge Leticia Hinojosa of the 139th District Court, running as his challenger in the primaries for Congressional District 25, Doggett tries to get to know and be known by the Valley people.. After the redistricting of the new congressional map was finalized, Doggett, an Austin native and liberal Democrat, had to pack his bags and travel south of Central Texas to visit and learn more about the new patch of land he may now represent in Washington, D.C., if re-elected in November. The new district lines have decreased Democratic power in Texas, as the state went from 17 Democratic and 15 Republican congressmen to 10 districts ultimately Democratic compared to 22 solidly Republican. U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Texas, is also being affected by the redistricting. His district now stretches into Austin, and as a result he has to represent six more counties than in his prior district. Research by the Texas
Legislative Council has concluded that the number of Hispanic voters in Hinojosa’s district will decrease by 10 percent. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, along with Ruben Hinojosa and Doggett are now campaigning, and getting to know their new territory. Despite the lengthy debate and rancor over redistricting many Texans, especially here in the Valley, think Doggett’s experience and service to his previous district might help local communities and its residents. BACKGROUND WORK Doggett’s political background started in the Texas State Senate at the age of 26, and he has written approximately 120 laws, including the establishment of the Texas Commission on Human Rights, which prohibits employment discrimination, and laws such as the Texas Sunset Act, which abolishes ineffective state bureaucracies. He was elected to the Texas Supreme Court where he served from 1988 to 1994, and in that same year he was first elected to the U.S. Congress. Dr. Dora Saavedra, professor at UTPA, and one of many women endorsing Doggett, said that the reason she is one of his public endorsers was that he is an experienced candidate for the position. “He has the knowledge on how things work in Congress, it takes awhile to learn the system,” Saavedra said. “And he is also a supporter of higher education because
education is the only way we can improve the quality of life here in the Valley.” Saavedra also mentioned that she first learned of Doggett when he started his political career up in Austin, and was impressed with his voting record and stance on minority issues. MEETING THE PEOPLE Saavedra was part of a group of over 30 women who gathered on Jan. 6, at La Mexicana Restaurant in Doggett campaign photo McAllen to listen to what Doggett had to Hopeful— Longtime politician Lloyd Doggett appeared at several area say. Doggett stated functions recently to drum up support for the primary on March 9. that he is especially during his informal speech made in front of close to his women voters and interested in “botana” plates. Although food might have their concerns, because a women’s group was distracted some of the attendees, most who the first to endorse him when he began in actively participated in the question and politics. answer section of the discussion, including the Many of the women present at the event were community leaders, and were attentive See DOGGETT page 12