February 19,2004

S PORTS

PAGE 16

Killer Bees Tonight vs.

Feb. 20 Austin at Dodge Arena, 7:30 Feb. 21 Corpus Christi at Dodge Arena, 7:30

NBA Schedule Friday, Feb. 20 at 35-18 6:30 20-33 San Antonio Spurs vs.

Feb. 22 at Minnesota, 2:30 Feb. 24 Houston, 7:30

Saturday, Feb. 21 vs.

33-20 7:30 31-22 Dallas Mavericks vs.

Feb. 24 L.A. Clippers, 7:30

at 31-22 7:30 33-20 Houston Rockets vs.

Feb. 22 Atlanta, 7:30 Feb. 24 at San Antonio, Feb. 25 Cleveland, 8

Tuesday, he cooled down in a caged-off section of the Edinburg Parks and Recreation Center, serving as a boxing facility that Noé Peña Jr. calls home. Here he was finishing up a last training session in preparation for tonight’s Fight Night at the Dodge Arena.

Peña’s welterweight fight tonight will be his seventh professional outing, and it will come against Valley rival J.P. De la Rosa (60-1) of Harlingen, who he was supposed to fight in December. Peña (3-2-1, 2 KOs) came down with the flu and had to pull out.

“He had the flu and he still wanted fight, he was getting better, but he was too weak,” said Peña’s father and trainer, Noé Peña Sr. “I’m not going to let him go in there after being sick four or five days. You’re too weak, his pride was getting in the way, but I didn’t let him go fight because he wasn’t going to do anything…he wasn’t ready. This time he’s ready. He’s 100 percent ready.”

As a result of the first fight’s cancellation, De la Rosa’s camp assumed Peña was afraid and began a trash-talk campaign to lure Peña into a fight, something the 21-year-old second-year pro from Edinburg was more than happy to oblige.

“He hasn’t fought anybody to my caliber yet,” said Peña of De la Rosa. “So, it’s going to be a surprise for him.”

Still, the recent illness and inactivity will mean that Peña is going to have to shake off

HEADLINES

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

Preacher Moss

some rust against the Harlingen opponent.

Peña’s last fight was on Oct. 22 of last year when he lost a decision to Anthony Wilson at the Pharr Convention Center.

Peña, described as a conventional fighter, says that he learned a lot from the last fight and explained that De la Rosa fights similarly to Wilson. He has a game plan to counter both the speed and body-punching power of his opponent.

“He has a lot more speed than power than anything” Peña said of De la Rosa. “So, I’m just going to have to match up with his speed and throw more power shots. But once I take it to him in the first round, he’s not going to know what to do so, I have a totally different game plan and it is going to be very good.”

Peña Sr. is a fighter himself who expects to make his next ring appearance in May. For now, he is his son’s trainer, and he believes that De la Rosa and his trainers are selling his son short.

“They’re underestimating my boy Noé a little bit because he’s real calm,” Peña Sr. said. “But he’s smart. So, they think they’re going to get the best of him, but my boy’s focused. They’ve said a lot of stuff already and pretty much called my boy out so, my boy’s giving them a chance to prove himself now.”

Photo by Ed Chrnko/The Pan American With Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” blaring in the background at Peña Sr.’s auto Edinburg’s Noé Peña Jr. trains at Edinburg Parks and repair shop just down the street from the Recreation Monday for his bout with J.P. de la Rosa, tonight at

See BOXING page 15 the Dodge Arena at 7.

Broncs looking for eighth win in a row

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

7:30

All games p.m.

Tonight vs.

What: UTPA Broncs vs.

Central Baptist Mustangs When: Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Where: UTPA Field House Radio: KSOX 1240 AM Records: Broncs (12-13); CBC (11-17) Last meeting: Broncs won 105-43 on Feb. 8, 2003 at Field House.

All-time series: Broncs lead 1-0.

Notable: The Broncs have won 7 games in a row.

■ Boxing. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Local fighters ready to rumble

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American

Killer Bees at Corpus Christi, 7:05

■ Carlow. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Photo by D. Guadarrama/The Pan American

The Broncs defeated AirForce 37-35 Tuesday night in their lowest scoring game since Jan. 5, 1970, when they defeated Northern Michigan 30-29.

The UTPA Broncs will be looking for their eighth consecutive win, and 13th of the year when they host the Central Baptist Mustangs Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the Field House.

The Broncs, who are currently one game under .500, could take one step closer to finishing the 2003-04 season with a winning record if they can take advantage of their recent momentum and edge the Stangs. But a loss at home would mean the Broncs would have to settle for.500 or less on the season.

The Broncs, who extended their winning streak to seven games Monday night when they grounded the Air Force Falcons in a low scoring 37-35 victory, are looking for an easy win to coincide with their Senior Night festivities. But senior Allen Holcomb, who will be playing his final home game with the Broncs on Thursday, knows the team can’t lose its focus.

“We’ve had a tough couple of games recently, and I’ve been happy that

we’ve pulled them off,” Holcomb said.

“But basically in these next couple of games we can take anything too lightly.”

Holcomb, who led the Broncs against Air Force with 12 points, knows every game is serious.

“It’s a game so anybody can be beat on a given day,” Holcomb said. “We want to come in here prepared and try to get on top of these guys from the tip.”

For Holcomb, a dominant force on the Bronc roster since transferring to UTPA from Allen County Community College last season, the final game at home will be bittersweet.

“I’ve got mixed emotions about it,” Holcomb said. “It’s my senior year, and I hate to leave it, but at least I’ll be able to leave it on a good note. And if anything I’d love to leave it on a good note.”

In addition to Holcomb, forwards Andrius Sakalys and Delvis Díaz will also be making their final home appearance.

According to Head Coach Bob Hoffman the work of these three players is a key part of the Broncs’

success as of late.

“I think it was important that those guys took ownership, and they helped other guys take ownership. And all three of those guys have been great leaders for us,” Hoffman said. “The reason we’ve won seven in a row is because of those guys’ great leadership.”

Coming into the 2003-04 season the Broncs had high hopes. Prior to the season many players on the squad were predicting a NIT invitation, and were anticipating more than 20 wins.

After a rocky start, the Broncs shifted their focus to a winning season. Since dropping Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne on Jan. 21 the Broncs have appeared indestructible, and with their win against Air Force earlier this week, which came after back-to-back wins against New Mexico State and Colorado State, the Broncs have solidified themselves as a solid Division I basketball team.

The current RPI poll shows UTPA moving up more than 60 spots from their low point in the season, to 250 of 321 teams.

THURSDAY

SEX FAREWELL SUN. 22

February 19, 2004

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

See Page 4 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

INVESTIGATION ON HOLD Garcia’s resignation changes PAUF grievance case

By ARIANNA VAZQUEZ The Pan American

position as soon as possible due to a serious illness that has caused a change at the top for Henry Cogswell College.

With brown boxes ready to be “The current president of the other college is seriously picked up for storage, Homer Garcia ill and they need a president immediately, and I need a readied his exit from the job,” Garcia said. “On one hand I am very sad to say university stage Wednesday. goodbye to faculty, administration colleagues, and Garcia, the former dean of students, but excited of the the College of Social and presidency that awaits Behavioral Sciences, is me.” leaving the school and the After the word was Valley, after three years as out last spring that dean. He is moving his President Miguel books to Henry Cogswell Nevarez would be College where he will take retiring this year, the seat of president in midGarcia started job March.

His sudden hunting. According to resignation from UTPA was Garcia - who has seen made public Feb. 4 through four president a mass e-mail to faculty and resignations at various staff. Prior to the message universities - after a Garcia had contacted president leaves, the Rodolfo Arevalo, provost, new one is entitled to to inform him of the have an entire new decision, so that the administration if replacement process could he/she wishes. begin.

Garcia’s goal since Arevalo mentioned that he started working Arianna Vazquez /The Pan American as an administrator the process to find the interim and/or next dean LIMBO- Homer Garcia, former dean of the College of Social and was to stay in the would take in the most Behavioral Sciences, is leaving the Valley for a job as president of a administration, and two weeks. Garcia will small college in Washington state. to develop have to assume his new aspirations of some

day becoming the president of a university. With Nevarez leaving, he had the chance to job hunt for the position he was waiting for, and figured that when Nevarez leaves, things may change at UTPA. “The new president has the right to remove all administrators,” Garcia said. “I am part of the Nevarez team, and I know there was a good possibility to be asked for a letter of resignation because of change in presidency. I have seen presidents make replacements, and I don’t want to be told to pack up and leave.”

LOOSE ENDS

With Garcia leaving, the Pan American United Faculty (PAUF), a local association affiliated with the Texas Faculty Association (TFA), will find that one of its ongoing investigations, involving Garcia and his former College, has changed.

TFA was created to provide faculty and staff in higher education with peer support of their duties and experiences on the field. Faculty members from various state colleges run the organization.

One of the many goals of the organization is to help faculty members who feel they are having problems with their administrators, and the purpose of TFA as a whole is to calm the sea and try to find a democratic solution to problems.

This time, the local chapter got a complaint from a UTPA faculty member involving what he called discriminatory action by the administration. James Aldridge, TFA president and a psychology and anthropology professor, got the report and started an

See GARCIA page 12

Saenz vs. Peña becoming heavyweight political bout

By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American Months have turned to weeks, and weeks have turned to just only a few days remaining before the District 40-state representative showdown between Eddie Saenz and incumbent Aaron Pena begins.

Clothing advertisements, posters and signs of Pena and Saenz continue to color the Valley landscape with their pearly white smiles and spiffy suits set in a background full of reds, whites and blues around town. Both candidates have one goal in common: to become state representative for District 40.

Eddie Saenz There are currently 150 state representatives in Texas. District 40 that covers Edinburg, La Joya, Sullivan City, Edcouch-Elsa, Monte Alto, and a small part

of McAllen. In total, this nears to about 140,000 residents. Early voting begins Feb. 23 and ends March 5, with election day set for March 9. There will be a mobile voting booth available in the library lobby.

The race has been perhaps the most interesting and contentious of the season. Both men have extensive resumes and experience, and have not hesitated to come out swinging, both on the issues and on personal situations.

Saenz is the owner and engineer for J.E. Saenz and Associates Inc, and says the core of his platform is creating more jobs and to improve the infrastructure.

“It’s about creating jobs. Needed infrastructure and funding is one that helps in creating jobs, whether its Aaron highways, water lines, and even quality of life projects like (Edinburg’s) World Birding Center,” said Saenz. “People look at what’s available here before they want to open business here.

Small businesses will be created here to create jobs for the community.”

A third branch of Saenz’ platform consists of providing better education for students, and at the same time make sure teachers are qualified to teach them.

“It is important that we take care of these issues for our future, such as our kids,” said Saenz, who is the challenger in the race. “We also need to address issue with our teachers as well. Teachers who are not the highest paid profession in country. We rank in the bottom half. We need to make sure we have teachers that are certified to teach our children, so to do that, we need to make sure we pay them adequately.”

Saenz also wants to get the teachers’ health insurance paid for. Teachers, he says, participate in teacher retirement system but aren’t treated as state employee. Saenz says that if a plan could be contrived for some fairness and equality in Peña teachers at the state level, more will want to stay and remain teaching because of higher pay.

During the past 15 years as a community servant, Saenz has

See RACE page 12

PAGE 2

February 19

2004

OPINION

Sports

February 19, 2004

letters

■

editorials

■

cartoons

Carlow, Lady Broncs seek record

By AMY MEDELLÍN 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. 19

Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com

News Editor Belinda Reyes mstxbellezalatina2003@ yahoo.com

A & E Editor Omaira Galarza omairang@yahoo.com

Sports Editor Ed Chrnko echrnko@yahoo.com

Graphics Editor Daniel Aguilar kerygma_@hotmail.com

Layout Designers Dagoberto Perez Ginmarie Mabry Reporters Brian Carr Vanessa Castillo Julian Cavazos Edwina Garza Dulce Gonzalez Matt Hall Christina Harris Aaron Lozano Vanessa Lucio Clarissa Martinez Amy Medellin Photographer Franco Caballero Copy Editor Joe Anna Moreno Student Pub. Secretary Jo Anne Murphy Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

The PA N AMERICAN is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American.

Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the 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.

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.

Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

NEWS

■ Teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ■ Preacher Moss . . . . 4 ■ UTPA Police . . . . . . . 5

Latest election challenges youth excuses for apathy

By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American November is quickly approaching and the primaries are slowly making their way to Texas. As political science classes discuss electoral votes and campus groups try to sway students to vote by providing registration resources, some young adults are still holding on to the “One vote doesn’t make a difference,” excuse.

According to the 2000 Current Population Survey, 166.8 million American citizens are registered to vote, and 23.9 million are in the 18-25-year-old group. Several campaigns have been in operation for years, such as the Choose or Lose campaign run by MTV, and their previous effort, Rock the Vote. Despite these efforts, in the 2000 election, the survey estimates that 59.9 percent of 1825-year-olds say they registered to vote in comparison to the 80.8 percent in the over-25 group.

Monica Villanueva, 24, of McAllen said young people feel they aren’t heard and that their concerns aren’t the same as those in charge in Washington, D.C.“People our age feel that their voice doesn’t count so they don’t care,” Villanueva, an English major, said.

With this in mind, Villanueva said she still couldn’t figure out why young adults don’t care to vote and make their voice heard.

“I don’t know why students don’t want to vote - I mean it’s important to me!” she said.

A possible reason for apathy with young voters is maturity, Villanueva said, as some people don’t realize that they’re affected by what happens in the world.

Many students live in the present and don’t realize that someone in charge at the national or state level could actually affect their life.

“People are also turned off by the system in general,” she said. “After the whole Gore and Bush thing, if the Electoral College doesn’t pay attention to what the state says, what’s the point? So then, oh well, what’s one vote?”

“Plus,” she continued, “young people are generally not into politics.”

Villanueva mentioned that once a student graduates from college and starts to pay their own bills they might stop to realize that they should vote if they want to at least do the minimum to attempt at creating change.

Education, according to the Current Population Survey, may play a large role in a person’s decision to vote. Of American citizens who voted in 2000, 28.8 percent were voters who never attended college. College graduates made up the other 71.2 percent.

Stee Ramirez, 21, a general studies major, believes that education does play a major factor in a person’s decision to vote.

“People who work all the time don’t have time to sit down and analyze all the information to make the best decision,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just best to forget about it.”

Ramirez says that the abundance of knowledge from 24-hour news networks, as well as a diversity of media outlets, are making information more available. But cable is a luxury that people without an education may not have.

“It just depends on your education,” Ramirez said.

This November will mark Steve Quintinilla’s first chance as a registered voter. Yet the 18-year-old McAllen native said he is choosing not to participate in this election.

“I have other things on my mind,” Quintinilla said. “I don’t know what’s going on with the politics, and right now, I have more important things to worry about than voting.”

Teresa R. Navarro, the elections administrator for Hidalgo County, said perhaps time management is a factor in a student’s ability to vote.

“Many of them don't gather the proper information, they don't make themselves aware of the importance of voting,” Navarro said. “They don't educate themselves on the issues or the candidates.”

Navarro believes that overall, students and young voters don't see the importance of voting, and they don't make the time to discover how important it is to participate.

In Hidalgo County, the registration of young voters has increased by 10 percent.

The Elections Department hopes that UTPA students will participate in early voting at a substation that will be located in the library.

“That's a very active area, all students have to go into the library at one point,” Navarro said.

In the 2000 election, the Elections Department and UTPA worked together and held a substation on the second floor in the cafeteria for one day. This year, the substation will be in operation for two weeks, giving ample time for students to vote.

“We're giving the students two full

See VOTING page 11

Page 15

Amanda Carlow dribbles around an Incarnate Word defender during the Lady Broncs’ 63-46 victory Jan. 27 at the Field House. The win was the first in their latest string of four victories in the past five games.

Boxing

continued from page 16

gym, the elder boxer explained that his son is focused for the fight after having trained so well.

“He’s got that look right now, he’s been training hard for it,” Peña Sr. said. “My boy doesn’t talk about anybody. He’s a real good guy. It’s like a dog, if you corner him, what’s he gonna do?

He’s gonna stop barking, he’s gonna be biting.”

The trainer also says that all the talk from De la Rosa’s camp may backfire.

“So, my boy said they’ve said enough and he’s the one who decided he wanted to take him on,” he commented. “Now J.P.’s got a chance to prove himself. So, this is his chance. Like I said, my boy doesn’t talk much, but he’s going to do his talking in the ring come Thursday.”

The fight between the two Valley rivals will split the audience. Peña Jr. explained that aside from a victory, the winner of the fight would also gain bragging rights.

“It’s going to be a good crowd, supporting, and booing,” he said.

“But I guess for this fight it’s pretty much bragging rights because since we’re both Valley fighters, fighting at the same weight, trying to get up, and get going. It’s going to be a good fight.”

The second-year pro will be fighting for the first time at the newest venue in the Valley, the Dodge Arena, holding its second boxing event of the year. He sees

it as a golden opportunity to display his boxing skills.

“I feel very good,” Peña said.

“I have to go out there and show everybody what I got, especially if they seen me in the last fight.

They’re going to see a totally different new fighter and it’s a step up. I hope there’s a lot of promoters and other managers out there so they can see what I got and get me on to moving up.”

In the other corner is 17-yearold J.P. De la Rosa, who signed his first professional contract at age 15 and will be making his debut in the United States against Peña. He fought his first seven professional fights in México because of the lower age limits.

“I had good competition,” De la Rosa said. “I got a draw with one of the guys, but it was more my training than anything. I was younger so I thought they [Mexican boxers] were pushovers and went over there with the wrong mind. Now, I’m matured and ready to go now.”

De la Rosa is ready fight Peña, but says that he was the one that was called out to fight.

“It was the other way around,” De la Rosa said. “I heard talk about me so, I decided to take the fight. I’m not sure, but they called me and told me that he wanted to fight me and that he was calling me out. So, I took the fight.”

Whatever the case may be, the two fighters will meet tonight to decide who is the better fighter and who is right.

In the past few games Amanda Carlow, senior UTPA guard, has stepped up to lead her team as it tries for school history. With four games to go, the Lady Broncs are closing in on the single season record for wins, set with a 12-12 mark in 1984-85 season. What better way to end a career than to make team history?

The Lady Broncs next game will be against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne today at 5 p.m. UTPA defeated the Lady Mastodons Jan. 31 by three points. They have four shots to set the record and Carlow will be right in the middle of that effort.

It didn’t start so well for Carlow, as she was injured and forced to redshirt in 2001-2002.

But she came back from that and has gradually established herself as a steady player since. This season has been the culmination of that progress as she averages 19 points per game, with a season best of 26 against Incarnate Word.

Her coach has seen the improvement and is glad to have Carlow running the show down the stretch in 2004.

“She’s one of our best point guards, she has good range and has the pulse of the basketball team,” said Coach DeAnn Craft.

Although Carlow loves basketball and will be sad to see her career come to an end March 3 when the Lady Broncs play Northern Arizona, she can’t wait to return home, to South Dakota.

Keeping in touch with past Carlow grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where many Oglala Sioux Native Americans, like Carlow reside.

The Pine Ridge Reservation has been the center of much controversy between the government and Native Americans in the past. Located on the reservation is Wounded Knee Creek, where the 1891 Massacre of Wounded Knee, as the Sioux call it, or the Battle of Wounded Knee, as American history recalls it occurred. There, 350 Native American men, women and children were killed by the 7th Cavalry of the United States.

Although Carlow is very active in her culture, which has been passed down by her grandparents, she finds it hard to keep her focus on her ancestry being so far away, living in the Valley.

“Being here it is really hard to embrace my culture because there really is not anyone to relate to it

but when I am at home I do Sun Dances, I participate in ceremonies, and the whole cultural aspect of the Native Americans,” Carlow said.

Although Carlow enjoyed her home, she found comfort in her second home on the basketball court at Rapid City Central High School, where she started an impressive career. There she was named Second Team All-State, All-Conference during all four seasons, was the Cobbler Classic Most Valuable Player, and team most valuable player. She also served as team captain, led her team to two league championships and two state playoff appearances, and was recognized as her school’s top female athlete. Carlow showed her versatility by being named a member of the National Honor Society and graduating Summa Cum Laude.

After high school Carlow attended Northeast Community College, where she was named All-Conference and All-Region twice, led her team to the conference title both seasons, and twice earned Academic All-Region honors.

A Whole New World The addition of Carlow to the Lady Bronc roster was a step in the reconstruction of the team. The Dakota native wanted instantly to be a part of the rebuilding soon after her first visit to UTPA, after meeting the coaches and team.

“Whenever I got recruited I really believed in the coaching staff, their philosophies and I connected with them and the team so I figured I would give it a shot,” Carlow said.

Besides the obvious cultural differences between her home at Pine Ridge Reservation and the Valley, Carlow has adjusted and has actually found similarities between the two, including one in the area of demographics.

“Coming to the Valley was a whole different experience, they have a whole different set of rules here,” said Carlow. “Although in some ways it is similar to life on the Rez [reservation]. Here the Valley’s majority is in reality a minority and back home the majority is also a minority.”

Off the Court Besides her basketball record, Carlow has made other high marks at UTPA, as a major in criminal justice with a concentration on corrections. She received the Arthur Ashe Junior Sport Scholar Award, and is member of the

Criminal Justice National Honor Society.

Beyond her studies and basketball Carlow still has time for the most important person in her life, her son Riyen. The support of both her family at home and her family at UTPA helps the situation.

“The team has been really supportive and helpful, they let him come to the gym during practices and also help watch him if I have a major test,” said Carlow.

“Although this semester he is with my mom and brother because I had to be on the road for 10 days straight. But he is coming back next week and I can’t wait.”

She is set to graduate in May and then is looking forward to moving home again.

The Rest of the Season Since taking over after guard Ashley Roberts’ injury, Carlow has stepped up as a team leader and a commander on the court as point guard.

“When our back is against the wall, we always have someone come out and surprise us with their play,” said Craft in a recent interview with Mike Bond, UTPA sports information director interim. “Amanda has just really taken over this team the past few weeks, she has taken charge as a senior should, she has always been a tremendous distributor but she has now become more of a scoring point guard.”

As the Lady Broncs work toward breaking their win record Carlow hopes to make the most of her last four games as a player at UTPA and her last four games of basketball altogether.

“I am really going to miss basketball when the season ends,” she said. “Basketball has always been an important part of my life; I always scheduled everything around it.

“It’s going to be hard.”

Lady Broncs’ next game:

at What: Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne Lady Mastodons at UTPA Lady Broncs When: Tonight at 5 p.m.

Where: UTPA Field House Records: Broncs (11-13); IPFW (7-17).

Last meeting: Lady Broncs won Jan. 31, 2004 at 75-72 Gates Sports Center.

All-time series: Lady Broncs lead 2-1.

Notable: The Lady Broncs have won 4 of their last 5 games.

February 19, 2004

Sports

Page 14

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 3

Proper teeth care could prevent other medical complications

By AMY MEDELLIN The Pan American What if a person was able to add approximately 10 years to their life just by doing something that should be done at least twice a day for two minutes? According to Michael P. Bonner, D.D.S. and Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., authors of “The Oral Health Bible,” one could easily extend life by practicing good oral hygiene.

In their book, Bonner and Mindell explain the connection between the mouth and the rest of the body.

The mouth, they say, is the doorway to achieving maximum health and wellness in the body’s systems.

Bonner emphasizes the importance of finding and treating periodontal (gum) disease, because if untreated, it can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Bonner and Mindell’s claim is not a theory they have come up with on their own. It is backed up by The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, which states that good oral health is essential to good general health, specifically for women. A growing body of research has linked gum disease to a variety of health problems.

Because gum disease is a bacterial infection, it can enter the bloodstream and may be a factor in causing other health complications such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems such as pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis. Pregnant women may be more likely to have a baby born too early or too small and can also trigger increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor.

Gum disease is usually painless and many people may not even know that they have it, until it reaches an advanced stage.

“We see more gum disease now than we did 25 years ago, largely because of the increasing availability of harmful and unnecessary oral hygiene products on the market,” Bonner and Mindell said in their book.

He is not the only dentist who agrees that some of the new products on the market today are not doing the job.

Beverly Franks, a representative from Larry Franks

D.D.S. Dentistry Offices, feels that mouthwashes sold in fights volatile sulfur compounds that can cause bad supermarket shelves, especially, do anything but prevent breath, and are 100 percent alcohol-free. bad breath.

However, Franks does not totally “Many of the agree that all these new products m o u t h w a s h e s DISEASES WHICH CAN BE CAUSED BY are pointless. sold at your “Many of the whiteners, such as GUM DISEASE local drug the white strips and gel, are a great stores contain HEART DISEASE and inexpensive way to get your alcohol and teeth whiter, although they may People with gum disease may be more at risk of take sugars, both longer,” said Franks. which promote heart disease and have nearly twice the risk of having a “Although, we do recommend that dry mouth, fatal heart attack. Heart disease is also the number one people do see a dentist and fix any which leads to killer of American women. problem that they may have, such bad breath,” as the removal of plaque and DIABETES said Franks. calculus, because they may not get People with diabetes are more likely to have gum the best or desired results from Almost all of the popular disease and may make it more difficult for diabetics to those products,” Franks continued. m o u t h w a s h e s control their blood sugar. Gum disease may also be a risk “To walk around with a pretty smile do in fact factor for diabetes, even in otherwise healthy individuals. is good, but to walk around with a contain alcohol healthy mouth is great.” and sugar, RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS So why the sudden phenomena in Bacteria that grow in the oral cavity can travel to having clean mouths and fresh including Listerine, the the lungs causing respiratory disease such as pneumonia breath? Has this society become most popular - especially in people with gum disease. obsessed with healthy teeth? Or are m o u t h PREGNANCY OUTCOMES these new products on the market antiseptic quick, cheap fixes to cover a Pregnant women who have gum disease may be statistically obvious poor dental among students at UTPA. This more likely to have a baby born too early or too small. hygienic culture, as suggested by A m e r i c a n Gum disease may also trigger increased levels of biologi- Bonner and Mindell?

D e n t a l cal fluids that induce labor.

Bonner, Mindell and Franks all A c c e p t e d point out that the best way to a antiseptic, better smile and healthier mouth, contains 21.6 Source: Surgeon’s General’s Oral Report on Health and body, is through daily good oral percent alcohol health. This includes brushing and sodium twice a day for at least two minutes saccharin, which is used as a sweetener in low calorie with a soft bristle brush, never hard bristles, flossing, foods, such as Sweet n’ Low and in toothpastes. Saccharin tongue scraping, rinsing with a mouthwash, and most has been used as a sweetener since the 1800s and is 500 importantly, frequent dental visits. times sweeter than sugar.

For more information about oral hygiene visit Bonner Some mouthwashes, which can be purchased at a and Mindell’s website www.oralhealthbible.com, or call dentist’s office, such as BreathRx, contain ZYTEX, which the Larry Franks D.D.S. office at (956) 428-4431.

Mercedes school home for Mexican art collection hoping to create a museum environment at the library to help students increase their knowledge of art and culture.”

Tate said that even though some students at the school MERCEDES - Lucian Freud once said, “The object of a r e art is not to reproduce p r e p a r i n g reality, but to create a themselves reality of the same for academic intensity.” fields of Mexican artist science and Alberto Padilla is math, the allowing students and school could civilians to catch a a l s o glance of his reality by strengthen bring one of his exhibits skills that to Biblioteca Las will help Americas Library at the them when South Texas speaking to Independent School o t h e r District. cultured Anit Tate, a librarian individuals. at South Texas, says that Padilla exhibit is part of an was asked to innovation designed to visit the expose students to art school by a and literature while at relative of school. his who Clarissa Martinez /The Pan American “With the location, attends the we can’t simply pick up NEW ADDITION- South Texas Independent School District is showing the artwork S c i e n c e the students and take of Alberto Padilla, from Mexico. The gallery of his work is available for viewing A c a d e m y. them to Houston,” Tate until the end of the month.

N o r m a said. “Instead, we’re Sanchez is a

By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American

sophomore at the school, and told the librarians she had an uncle who was an artist in Mexico and could show his work at the school.

“When she told me about him, I asked her to bring in some photos of his paintings,” Tate said. “After I saw his work, I told her he had to come to the library and share it with everyone.“ During the month of February, Padilla’s exhibit will be open to the public. Classes have been viewing the paintings along with teachers and staff members. Padilla explained his artwork to several classes, but had to cancel several visits to the school due to a family illness.

Padilla’s paintings have been said to have a mystical, ethereal quality. The exhibits are thought to be ones that captivate the imagination and enchant viewers with his abstract sense of beauty.

Crystal Marie Chavez, a senior at Science Academy, said she finds herself visiting the library more often since the exhibit opened.

“To me it’s inspiring to see that a person can create such beautiful art,” Chavez said. “It’s like a never-ending area of beauty that’s in our library.”

Tate said that there has been much positive feedback about the exhibit, and that the library hopes that with Padilla’s work bringing exposure, that more artists and students also will be motivated to display their work for the public.

“Art moves your soul,” Tate said. This art is beautiful, but there is also art that grabs the emotions of a person because it displays such horrible realties. It’s such a wondering experience to enjoy art, and we can use it to teach the students.”

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 4

Charismatic preacher brings unity message

By CLAUDIA L. FARIAS The Pan American Conceptually, we are a country of “what if,” not “what is,” said comedian and social commentator Preacher Moss in a lecture Monday night at the Student Union Theater.

“Remember this as a freedom of expression comedy tour,” Moss said, foreshadowing his call to action to express free thought and to step outside one’s box.

“I think knowledge is self-assertion,” Moss said. “I try to get people to understand that racism isn’t systematic hopelessness. They need to unlearn all that. You can be vulnerable and effective at the same time.”

Moss’ “End of Racism” comedy and lecture tour was sponsored by the University Program Board’s Heritage Committee in celebration of Black History Month. The lecture attracted approximately 200 students, faculty, staff and community residents.

Moss is a former writer for “Saturday Night Live,” “The George Lopez Show,” and “Politically Incorrect.” The guest lecturer, born Bryant Moss, received his stage name when the then nine-year-old was caught imitating the preacher at his church. Moss has been touring for the last four years and was a teacher for 12 years before that.

His lecture, a commentary on social issues and race relations in the country interspersed with anecdotes and comedy, incorporated his experiences as a teacher and lecturer.

Throughout the night, Moss portrayed several characters of different races, from a disgruntled white employee to a Jamaican police officer. Moss also performed stand-up comedy.

“On one side, people say Mexicans are taking our jobs,” Moss said. “On the other side, they say Mexicans are lazy. Which one is it?”

Moss also pledged his support for a prison reality show hosted by Bill Cosby titled “Inmates Say the Darndest Things.”

While the audience laughed at his every joke, Moss reinforced his message of unity across all races and religions.

“Power is in our unity,” Moss said.

He concluded his lecture by asking audience members Ibrahim the most. Ibrahim, a junior majoring in biology to stand, hold one hand out and look at their five fingers. and a member of the BSA, was thankful Moss brought He then named several five-letter words to remember: awareness to issues that have been previously ignored, “white,” “black,” “Latin,” “Asian,” “unity,” and “peace.” such as racism.

“I thought the lecture was good because I’m an AfricanNoelynn Gillamac, a junior majoring in nursing and also American Muslim U P B woman,” Ibrahim president, said. “Preacher found Moss’ Moss represented l e c t u r e a lot of the views insightful. that are not “I was expressed in the v e r y Rio Grande impressed,” Valley.”

Gillamac Two professors said.

“I brought their w a s n ’ t classes to the disappointed lecture.

While at all. It was extra credit was very funny. the initial reason I hope for Rolando students Rodriguez’ understand presence, the the message junior political and share the science major knowledge.” was pleased he The Board attended. worked with “I am glad I the Black came,” said Students’ Rodriguez.

“It Association Franco Caballero/The Pan American was interesting to prepare for and [Moss] made Moss’ visit to MESSENGER— The comedian Preacher Moss spoke at UTPA Monday about racism a lot of sense. I t h e as part of University Program Board’s Black HIstory Month celebration. He will be in think he got the u n i v e r s i t y . Corpus Christi next. meaning of unity B S A through to a lot of races,” Rodriguez said. members were not disappointed either.

Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi is the next stop “The whole idea why people go to college is to broaden their horizons,” said the organization’s sponsor, Jeanette on Preacher Moss’ tour.

Other events scheduled for Black History Month Broshears. “We hope students will recognize that diversity in any form is good and important in the community and include the BSA’s Heritage Night Thursday, Feb. 26, and the UPB screening of “The Tuskegee Airmen” on Friday, on campus.”

Moss’ message of diversity is what impressed Saley Feb. 27.

Technology assistance easier fix on campus

By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American As of Jan. 7, students at UTPA have a new helpmate.

The IT (Information Technology) Service Desk is located in the entrance of the Academic Services Building in room 1.102. This walk-up desk is equipped with fast-speed Internet connection computers, comfortable chairs, and staff on hand to help.

During new-student orientations, the staff provided new incoming UTPA alumni with their e-mail and passwords, which are vital for access to university resources and web pages.

In order to activate a Pan Am student e-mail outside orientation, all students need to do is stop by the Information Technology service desk with a valid driver’s license or current UTPA student identification. During the first week of this spring semester over 10,000 new email activations took place, and currently the IT service desk handles about 25 per day.

The process of activation is takes approximately 10 minutes, during which time students are guided through the activation process by on location staff and full-time computer technicians Guadalupe Gomez and Travis Moon.

“We advise students to stop by and we’ll help them out,” said Gomez.

After successful activation students are shown how to navigate and gain access to various university web pages through their usernames and passwords. One benefit to having an active e-mail is access to Campus Pipeline (at www.cp.panam.edu). Through this site students are able to check their personal records, find out class schedules, email their professors, check course availability, and even register for upcoming classes.

In order to obtain access to the computer laboratories in

the Academic S e r v i c e s Building, library print stations, and online data bases students must enter their e-mail username and password to log on.

S t u d e n t s c u r r e n t l y enrolled in onOver e-mail line classes are activations during the required to obtain a Pan Am first week of classes. e-mail account for class work Currently there are approxisubmission and access to WebCT mately 30 new coursework. e-mail activations per day.

Online Music Appreciation student Diana Salinas says,” I never thought that simple combinations of letters would be required for so many things. I use my email information to get class notes. I also had forgotten my Assist information, so I was glad that I could use my e-mail stuff to register through Campus Pipeline. That was a huge relief!”

Convenience takes on many guises with the help desk. A common problem for students returning after holiday vacations tends to be remembering their passwords. Or not. The IT Service Desk solves that problem by resetting the student’s password.

“Service is there for the students,” stated IT Service

10,000

Desk Manager Maria Carmen Salinas.

A student’s e-mail remains active until graduation.

"Students only need to get their e-mail accounts one time," says Salinas.

Along with supporting UTPA student e-mail, the desk offers faculty and staff assistance with account information. Help can be sought at extension 2020 or in person at the desk.

By dialing 2020, faculty will be assisted by the brother branch of the IT Service Desk, the Help Desk. The IT Service desk is a one-on-one help service, said Salinas, who encourages people to go to the service desk instead of calling. “The people standing in line are our priority,” she explained.

Students or faculty seeking to activate their accounts need to stop by the Academic Services Building IT Service Help Desk Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 5. Contact the IT Help Desk at emailsupport@panam.edu to make special accommodations.

What: Information Tech Help Desk Where: Academic Services Bldg. Rm. 1.102 When: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Benefits: Campus Pipeline, WEBCT, passwords Contact: Call 2020 for IT Service Desk or e-mail

emailsupport@panam.edu

Sports

February 19, 2004

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

2003-2004 Sports Schedules

Men’s tennis wins 5th

UTPA Men’s Basketball Date

Opponent/Time

Scores

Nov. 4

Monterrey Tech

W112-46

Nov. 8

Houston Quest

W 111-59

Nov. 22

Southern Methodist

L 59-69

Nov. 25

Texas A&M-Int’l

W 90-50

Nov. 29

Texas-Arlington

L 75-81

Dec. 1

SWA of God

W 90-60

Dec. 4

Missouri-Kansas City

L 80-104

Dec. 6

Texas-San Antonio

W 86-83

Dec. 12

Mississippi Valley St.

L 67-85

Dec. 14

Sam Houston State

L 66-92

Dec. 17

North Texas

L 81-87

Dec. 20

Rice

L 58-69

Dec. 22

Oklahoma State

L 61-96

Dec. 29

Oklahoma

L 57-72

Dec. 31

McMurry

W 90-58

Jan. 6

Baylor

W 55-54

Jan. 8

North Texas

L 53-71

Jan. 14

Wright State

L 60-82

Jan. 19

Missouri-K.C.

L 69-77

Jan. 21

Texas-Arlington

L 54-73

Jan. 28

IPFW

W 81-60

Feb. 2

Alcorn State

W 74-52

Feb. 4

Lamar

W 90-78

Feb. 7

IPFW

W 57-55

Feb. 11

Arkansas State

W 70-67

Feb. 14

TAMUCC

W 90-72

Feb. 16

Air Force

W 37-35

Feb. 19

Central Baptist

7:30

Feb. 28

TAMUCC

7

March 1

Arkansas State

7:05

Men’s Tennis Spring Season Date Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 7 Feb. 14 Feb. 21

Opponent Time/Results Trinity W 4-3 Texas A&M L 1-6 Eastern Kentucky W 6-1 Dayton W 5-2 Xavier W 6-1 Saint Louis W 4-3 TAMUCC 2

The UTPA men’s tennis team edged St. Louis Saturday to win its fourth straight victory and improve to 5-1.

Nik Porter, Tom Mangelschots and Rehman Esmail won in singles, while the tandems of Jeremy Salvo and Oliver Steil and Gary Bianco and Esmail won two of the three double matches for a 4-3 victory.

UTPA head coach Eduardo Provencio credits the team’s early success to drive, accompanied with new talent on the roster.

“There were some new additions in the fall, and everything has started to come together and gel,” Provencio said. “The team has really interested in making a good impression, and they know they have to pile up wins if they’re going to do that.”

The Broncs will open the home season on Saturday against Texas A&MCorpus Christi at the Cox Tennis Center at 2 p.m.

Lady Broncs fall to 0-3 The women’s tennis team suffered a 6-1 loss at Stephen F. Austin on Sunday.

The Lady Broncs will participate in

2004 UTPA Men’s Golf

Date

Tournament

Feb. 9-10 Rice Intercollegiate

Laredo College (Exh.) 1

March

March 11

Abilene Christian

5:30

14-15

March 13

Texas Southern

10 a.m.

March

March 26 April 3

UTSA DePaul

2 1

29-30

April 4

Texas-Arlington

10 a.m.

April 7 April 8 April 9 April 16 April 30 May 1 May 2

Texas Southern 2 Lamar 3 Southeastern Louisiana Noon TAMUCC 1 SLC Championships SLC Championships SLC Championships

Time/Results

April 5-6

14th of 14

Trojan Cup Hal Sutton Intercollegiate

April 23-24Andrea Brotto Cavalier Classic May 7-9

National Minority Golf Championships

2004 UTPA Women’s Golf Schedule Date

Tournament

Feb.

Bronc Intercollegiate

Opponent

Feb. 7

Houston Invitational 12 of 22

March

Feb. 14

Houston/RunSport No team score

12-14

March 12

NCAA Indoor Track TBA & Field Championships

March

Baylor/Tapatío Springs

19-21

Shootout

All games p.m. unless noted.

Result

Bearkat Invitational

Date

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

an exhibition match against Laredo College Feb. 26 at the Cox Tennis Center and will not return to action until March 11 when they face Abilene Christian at 5 p.m. in their first official home match of the season.

Maddux goes to Cubs Pitcher Greg Maddux returned to Chicago Wednesday after signing a $24 million, three-year contract with the Cubs, the team he started his career with.

Maddux will have a chance to earn his 300th win while wearing a Cubs uniform. He needs 11 more victories to reach the mark.

The 38-year old pitcher went 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA last season with the Atlanta Braves.

While with the Braves, Maddux went 194-88 with a 2.63 ERA in 11 seasons, set an NL record for most consecutive innings without a walk, and helped Atlanta win a division title every year he was there.

Maddux has won 15 games 16 seasons in a row.

During his first stint with the Cubs, Maddux went 95-75 and won the first of his four straight Cy Young awards.

The future Hall of Famer has a 289163 record and a 2.89 career ERA.

Mexican Soccer League 2004

Schedule

Feb. 26

Men’s Track & Field Indoor Season

Page 13

23-24 Xavier Invitational

March

Arkansas-Little Rock

29-30

Invitational

May 7-9

National Minority Golf Championships

Result

Team Chiapas Guadalajara U.N.A.M. América Querétaro Toluca Club San Luis U.A.G. Tigres Pachuca Monterrey Necaxa Cruz Azul Irapuato Atlas Santos Atlante Veracruz Morelia Puebla Group I 9 - Toluca 6 - Pachuca 5 - Monterrey 5 - Atlas 2 - Puebla

W-D-L 4-0-1 4-0-1 3-2-0 2-3-0 2-3-0 3-0-2 2-2-1 2-1-2 2-1-2 1-3-1 1-2-2 1-2-2 1-2-1 1-2-2 1-2-2 1-1-2 1-1-3 0-3-2 0-2-3 0-2-3

GF:GA 11:6 5:2 11:5 9:7 9:7 6:4 6:4 9:11 11:11 6:6 7:6 5:6 4:5 7:9 5:9 6:6 6:8 6:8 4:8 4:9

Group II 11 - U.N.A.M. 9 - América 9 - Querétaro 7 - U.A.G. 4 - Santos

PTS 12 12 11 9 9 9 8 7 7 6 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 2 2

Scorer / Team G W. Gaitán, TIG 5 E. Marcón, UAG 5 B. Marioni, UNAM 5 S. Cabañas, CHI 4 C. Blanco, AME 4 A. Silvera, TIG 4 A. Fernandes, MTY 4 S. Blanco, SL 3 M. Delgado, CA 3 G. Biscayzacú, VCZ 3 R. de Pinho, ATS 3 S. Pereira, CHI 3 17 Tied with 2 goals.

Group III 12 - Chiapas 8 - San Luis 7 - Tigres 5 - Cruz Azul 2 - Morelia

Group IV 12 - Guadalajara 5 - Necaxa 5 - Irapuato 4 - Atlante 2 - Veracruz

Week 5 results Feb. 14-15: Chiapas 3, Puebla 1; Morelia 0, Guadalajara 1; Tigres 3, Irapuato 1; San Luis 0, Veracruz 0; Atlas 3, U.A.G. 2; América 3, Monterrey 2; Pachuca 0, Necaxa 0; Querétaro 2, Toluca 1; Atlante 2, U.N.A.M. 4; Santos vs. Cruz Azul (March 24).

Week 6 schedule Feb. 21-22: Veracruz vs. Santos; Toluca vs. Tigres; Monterrey vs. Atlas; Cruz Azul vs. Atlante; Guadalajara vs. Querétaro; Necaxa vs Morelia; Irapuato vs. América; U.N.A.M. vs. Chiapas; Puebla vs. Pachuca; U.A.G. vs. San Luis.

2003-2004 Sports Schedules UTPA Women’s Basketball Date Nov. 7 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 25 Nov. 29

Opponent/Time Houston Air Force.

Boise State/Dayton TAMUI St. Edward’s

Scores W 91-77 W 68-67 W 63-57 W 84-55 W 79-42

Dec. 5

St. Louis

L 45-77

Dec. 6

Kansas State/Sac.

W 60-50

Dec. 14

Oral Roberts

L 57-67

Dec. 17

Texas

L 25-90

Dec. 19

Marshall

L 59-74

Dec. 21

Central Michigan

L 40-56

Dec. 28

Tulsa

L 41-71

Dec. 31

Prairie View A&M

W 64-52

Jan. 2

UT-Arlington

L 46-85

Jan. 7 Jan. 9

Sacramento State San Diego State

W 49-47 L 38-59

Jan. 11

Louisiana-Lafayette

L 54-62

Jan. 13

SE Louisiana

L 58-60

Jan. 22

SW Missouri State

L 34-69

Jan. 24

TAMUCC

L 43-73

Jan. 27

Incarnate Word

W 63-46

Jan. 31

IPFW

W 75-72

Feb. 3

Northern Colorado

L 56-57

Feb. 9

Prairie View A&M

W 70-63

Feb. 16

Louisiana-Lafayette W 56-38

Feb. 19

IPFW

5

Feb. 24

TAMUCC

7

Feb. 28

SE Louisiana

7

March 3

Northern Arizona

8

Women’s Tennis Spring Season Date

Opponent

Feb. 6

UTEP

Time/Results L 0-7

Feb. 13

Sam Houston State,

L 3-4

Feb. 15

Stephen F. Austin

L 1-6

Feb. 26

Laredo College (Exh) 1:00

March 11 Abilene Christian

5:30

March 13 Texas Southern

10 a.m.

March 27 Air Force

8:30 a.m.

April 3

TAMUCC

2

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

Women’s Track & Field Indoor Season Date

Opponent

Feb. 7

Houston Invitational

Time/Results 18 of 21

Feb. 14

Houston/RunSport

TBA

March 12

NCAA Indoor Track TBA & Field Championships

HOME GAMES IN BOLD All games p.m. unless noted.

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 19, 2004

RACE

GARCIA

continued from page 1

investigation.

Etzel Cardena, psychology and anthropology professor, was born in Mexico City, and attended the Universidad Iberoamericana, later studying at Stanford University. However after three years at UTPA, the internationally known author of various scientific publications feels he has been given unequal treatment from his administration and has concluded that his background and place of origin might have sparked the problems.

“It is likely that the treatment I have received in which some administrators have tried to do just about everything they can to get rid of me reflects a very strong bias against hiring or retaining professors who were born and educated in Mexico,” Cardena said.

Cardena said that there have been several different confrontations in the past two years. His arguments revolve around the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Garcia. He alleges that his appointment as chair caused problems, and that he took a cut in pay for missing days when others who also missed were still paid in full. He also decries what he described as “repeated and publicly repeated defamatory statements that I broke federal and state laws regarding faculty searches.” He also mentioned Garcia’s critical response to Cardena’s letter to the editor in The Pan American student newspaper in 2002.

However Garcia said this week that this was the first he had heard of any allegations against him, especially concerning discrimination. He explained

that he did remove Cardena from the position as chair of the psychology and anthropology department, because of his failure to properly maintain the position.

“If an administrator does not follow the rules, if the administrator behaves unethically, and does not follow procedures, I must remove that administrator,” Garcia said. “He was treated fairly. If he had problems, why didn’t he talk sooner? It has been more than two years ago. What was done was procedurally proper.”

Cardena also mentioned that Garcia has revoked and overturned several majority decisions from the department without probable cause. However, the allegations are not official, and that is why Cardena went with PAUF to get further help and a possible amelioration of his current situation.

However, Aldridge mentioned that with Garcia’s resignation, the investigation would probably conclude.

After learning what was being alleged against him, Garcia feels that the most important training that UTPA gave him to become president in his new job was that integrity was constantly tested. And that his commitment to ethical, legal, and procedural standards has prepared him for what is to come.

“I love my job, [and have] enjoyed being a dean even with all the problems, with the likes of Cardena, which make work more interesting,” Garcia said. “The pulse in certain faculty was the one that tested me the most. The most important duty of an administrator is to uphold standards.”

Page 12

continued from page 1

been involved in many organizations, which influenced his running for state representative.

“I started as a volunteer in transportation committee at Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and elected to be chairman of same chamber and represented 600 businesses,” Saenz related.

“I served one year in Edinburg Economic Corporation, and at the same time I was a chairman of Avance, a non-profit organization to help low incomes advance in life and help strengthen the family unit.”

During his time as chairman, the organization began the initial process of enrolling children in the CHIPS program to help low-income families who can’t afford insurance. There are 41 million people in the United States in this fix.

“I’m very familiar with the impact it had on the family and children who can’t afford insurance,” commented Saenz about CHIPS. “Aside from my diversification, and being a community servant, I’ve been going to Austin for past 10-12 years on behalf of city of Edinburg or county on various projects.”

Examples of such projects are US 281 overpass improvements, getting funding for the World Birding Center, and getting Edinburg selected as part of the series of projects connected with the Research Academic Health Center.

Though Saenz has been able to overcome many obstacles in his career, perhaps the most difficult will be to surpass incumbent Pena in the election.

Pena is a well-known politician with a loyal following and a successful early track record as a state leader. He said there are so many things that need to be addressed, which is why he is running again.

“The job and the long-term struggle is not over,” said Pena. “Politically and economically, the state of Texas has always treated it as second-class. We are the future of Texas; we need to make sure we’re included in the larger Texas family and that we take a rightful place in the leadership of the state.”

Like Saenz, Pena has quite a resume. He has been a lawyer in 1988, and since 1995 has been one of the first Hispanics in labor law in Texas, the first in the Valley in representing employees. He is currently the state chairman of the Tejano Democrats, the largest caucus in Texas Democratic Party, and also one of the drafters of the 2000 National Platform Committee in Los Angeles. Pena has been representative for District 40 since 1992.

“My primary efforts will be to increase funding for education in many aspects,” Pena said. “One is to make sure that we maintain an equitable education system, an attempt to develop a school system for the rich and poor: a public school system. I want to ensure that the State of Texas provides the very best of education systems that is fair and equitable to everyone.”

Another goal for Pena is to restore the cuts in health and social service programs such as CHIPS. “It insures for those who don’t have access to health care, which is a majority of the population,” commented Pena.

Also similar to Saenz, Pena plans to improve the educational system for future generations of students, especially at the university level, and that includes the Regional Academic Health Center.

Some things Pena accomplished as state representative: championing the anti-slavery bill that passed out of the House. Ironically, before the bill was passed, there had not been a law against slavery in Texas, nor was there a criminal statute that made slavery legal. The achievement he is most proud of was being one of the many Democrats who stood up against the Republicans trying to push across redistricting.

“My proudest moment was when all of the democrats, when 51 of us stood against the Republicans to remove the Congressional Representation from the Valley. I was one of the one that went to Oklahoma. We all left the state.

That was a unifying moment, a pivotal moment in the history of Texas,” said Pena, despite the fact that the movement failed.

Meanwhile, as Pena and Saenz continue to rally for votes, Saenz is having a bit of a problem. The dispute he is involved with concerns his company’s effort to widen University Drive. Saenz said he was fired after Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia’s new administration came in. The City of Edinburg has sued him for breach of contract.

“The new administration came in May, I had four months left over,” Saenz said. “We had several projects we were undertaking at that time, and they cut me off. They chose not to let me complete it, and told me to stop work.”

Once he was fired, the article said Saenz was paid $160,362 after showing the invoices of all the preliminary engineering work, and some 20 percent of the final engineering work. Then in December, the city of Edinburg asked for the money back and filed a lawsuit against Saenz for him not being able to back up the invoices with paperwork.

“The hundred-sixty thousand that Saenz took from Edinburg without doing any work seems to be a system or repetitive problem for Mr. Saenz,” Pena said. “It is one of many problems.”

In defense, Saenz says he hired Vox Political, L.L.C, a company that manages expenditures and finances, to handle the invoices so he could concentrate more on his campaign.

“Vox takes care of [the expenditures] for me.

It saves me more time so that I can concentrate more on the campaign,” Saenz pointed out. “I think it is politically motivated for [the city of Edinburg] to damage our campaign and me as an individual because they want to create a question in the voters‚ minds that I’m trying to hide something.”

A hearing was held on Saenz, but District Judge Mario Ramirez ended it with no definite decision regarding Saenz and the city.

“The judge ordered that we undergo mediation to try to settle this,” Saenz said. “I’m open-minded, and hoping the city will meet somewhere that is feasible to both parties.”

Recently, Pena filed a complaint accusing Saenz of hiding his campaign expenditures in what Pena called a “slush fund,” according to the Edinburg Daily Review. A slush fund is when somebody filters money to individuals or parties because they don’t want anybody to know about it.

“I don’t believe this is true,” said Saenz.

“Vox is a political corporation that represents many facets. They provide in a political campaign. Vox was hired to do our marketing.”

Though these disputes are tough, Saenz still remains confident in the voter turnout based on all the hard work he’s done.

“I’ve been involved in this community for a long time, and many people know me,” he said.

“Basically, we’re still going to keep our message, but will also inform the public what Pena is saying, which isn’t true. We are putting out press releases, and we do have to pay for advertisement just to counter the allegations.”

No one knows for sure who is right at this point. The only thing that is known is that voter turnout will be the only factor in determining the next state representative.

Pena is encouraging all to come out and vote, because this will determine the type of leadership District 40 will have.

“I want to encourage all the students to participate in the process, not to blow it off,” Pena said. “They can’t be complaining about the leaders they get if they don‚ get out and speak for themselves.”

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 5

Campus police study to make service better

By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American It was only a test, but to people across campus it will mean much more. It was a test to find potential new members of the university police department.

The UTPA Police Department held a test for Police cadets Feb. 14 at the Police Department. Applicants had to have met minimum requirements of 60 hours of college credit or two years of active duty military service.

According to Assistant Police Chief W. Jay Carey, the testing occurs every semester and consists of several stages.

On Saturday, at least 15 individuals took the first written exam.

In the next few weeks, the department will invite those who pass to a second written exam and a physical fitness test. The potential cadets then go though thorough background checks, psychological screening, and a personal interview with UTPA Chief of Police Howard Miller.

Those who are successful are then eligible to attend cadet school in Austin. After a yearlong process of learning the duties of being a state police officer, they will eventually return to UTPA. “I think the biggest misunderstanding the campus has is about the jurisdiction we have,” Carey said. “The officers have authority from the state, and therefore are fully empowered by the state. They aren’t just ‘campus cops,’ but commissioned police officers.”

UTPA Police Department jurisdiction includes the main campus, the Annex, the Coastal Studies Laboratory, and other area properties owned by the university. In addition, because of the power of the UT System, that jurisdiction can also include areas that the system owns, rents or leases. By the authority of the state the university officers have the authority to stop vehicles, make arrests, and enforce laws.

Duties of the campus police include watching the campus, responding to assault reports, passing out an occasional parking ticket, and helping students who may have safety

These include security surveys, crime prevention concerns. presentations, updates on alarms and security systems, Carey explained that the university has its own police recommendations for security department. If a systems in new buildings, and complain or accusation engraving services, of a crime occurs, rather Carey emphasized that the than taking it to other entire campus and properties officials, the campus of the university are police are the ones the maintained and protected by crime is reported to and the campus police for the use they investigate what of students, faculty, and staff. actions should be taken.

“Howard Miller [police Whatever the crime, the chief] is very serious about UTPA police are there to having the adequate campus handle it. communication between the Currently there are police department and the rest around 45 people on of the university,” Carey staff, including those in explained. “We have management, and both recommendations that we full-time and part-time work on that have been officers. The most volunteered from the Staff noticeable workers on Senate, the Student campus are those who Government Association, and handle parking tickets. the Faculty Senate. We want University Police to make sure everyone’s voice work with news media and concerns are heard.” to help educate the Carey is also one of the University community Franco Caballero/The Pan American officials who has taken his in crime prevention and OOPS—Carlos Contreras checks a license plate Wednesday in career a step further by reporting. They also the UTPA parking lot. The campus police have been through a learning skills necessary to handle battery boosts, series of measures designed to augment skills and improve over- effectively manage police locked cars, and an all performance and service. agencies and deliver a higher escort service. level of service.

The Police Vehicle Services and The Department's Crime Prevention Unit He recently graduated from the Leadership and Command provides a wide range of services and educational programs College of the Law Enforcement Institute of Texas. By taking designed to promote campus security, aiding in anticipating three 3-week modules Carey learned from top national and and minimizing potential dangers to the population and international law enforcement expects on leadership, property of the university.

See POLICE page 11

Work-study giving students assistance, jobs

By BELINDA REYES The Pan American

Over 90 percent of work-study jobs are located on campus, in different departments, including positions as assistants to professors for both research and class work.

The remaining percentage is community service-oriented,

Juggling a job and a school schedule can be burdensome, but it’s also a necessity for many college students nation-wide. That is why university and college work-study programs were created to alleviate the problem.

This year there are a little over 1,200 people involved in the UTPA workstudy program, both graduate and undergraduate students. It is a financial aid-based program that helps students work, ideally without interfering with class schedules, according to William Morley, the program coordinator.

“Work-study is often a misconception for entering [college] students who think that they will be getting paid to study, when in fact the job schedule works around their class schedule,” Morley explained. “Their class schedule always comes first.”

Work-study is considered Title Financial Aid, for students who qualify for financial aid grants. The Franco Caballero/The Pan American government sets an annual budget for WORKDAY— Kristi Santana, a freshman early childhood education major, helps the nation’s colleges and universities.

And the UTPA work-study program does a customer at the Financial Aid office this week. Santana is one of the growing its best to use all the funds it is awarded. number of work-study students helping pay bills with campus work.

“We usually run out of money by the end of the year,” originating in various school districts, with public Morley said. “We award more [students] if we can and libraries, and charities such as United Way. The students usually every month we analyze if we can award a few also have the opportunity to select their position, Morley more [eligible] students, so that we can zero out at the end said. of the year.”

“The departments let our office know [the availability Morley stressed the importance of using all funds of positions] and we let the students choose,” he added. awarded, because if the money is not used, the university After the student applies for the desired position, they is at a loss. There are no incentives for meeting the annual then go through the interview and hiring phase with the budget. department. The work-study program handles the financial

aid portion of the process, and the job etiquette basics in an orientation session for eligible employees.

Morley said the office takes care of the referral process prior to student interviews, and the supervisor or department takes care of the interviewing and hiring.

“Once a student is hired we make their memorandum of employment or MOE,” Morley said. “The federal government accounts for 60 percent of the student’s salary, and the university [UTPA] makes up for 10 percent and the department [employer] takes care of 30 percent.”

Brooke Guelker, senior anthropology major, worked in the work-study program for two and half years before changing to a direct-wage job.

“I worked under purchasing, tech resources and the department of communications on campus,” Guelker said.

“I did filing and data entry for purchasing. Under tech resources, I worked on computers around campus, I also did some data entry and secretarial duties.”

Guelker said that she did the same duties described above for the department of communication, which later led her to a direct-wage position as research assistant under the same department.

Although she said that her work-study jobs were flexible with her class schedules, there are things that students should understand about working under workstudy. Sometimes a student can get other forms of financial aid cut off, if they are under the work-study program.

“The stuff people don’t know about work-study and need to be careful with are that potential scholarships could conflict with your financial need,” Guelker said. “I found it better to work [at school] under direct-wage jobs.”

The work-study program hopes to improve before the upcoming fall semester, by installing an automatic, online job search engine for qualified students and employers. Here, students would be able to search for information, and leave their information. The search would also enable supervisors to choose potential candidates, as well, Morley said.

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 19, 2004

Page 11

UTPA scores high on state test POLICE Closing the Gaps hopes to radically increase Hispanic and African-American college participation by 2015.

Demographic forecasts suggest that by When it comes to employing, enrolling, and 2030, Hispanics will become the dominant group graduating the most Hispanics, UTSA and UTPA in Texas but right now the institutions of Texas are are schools that make the top grades in Texas. not reflecting that prediction.

The overall grade for The only A grades was Texas’s 35 public awarded to UTPA and UTuniversities was a CBrownsville, while nine other plus, said higher institutions got an F for education official Ed tackling the state’s Hispanic Apodaca, associate vice needs, including UT-Tyler. president of Enrollment OVERALL STATE UTSA was another school that Management at the was well above state average.

AVERAGE University of Houston.

“UTSA awarded 42 percent According to of its degrees to Hispanics Apodaca, “UTPA has state institutions as a whole great results and goes only awarded 16 percent to beyond state goals at Hispanics. Something has got improving Hispanic “A” Institutions to change in Texas fast,” said participation at public Apodaca.

UTPA Edinburg institutions. However, I What kinds of factors UT-Brownsville am disappointed in us as dictate these types of grades? a state.”

Findings from the Western At a presentation held Interstate Commission for by education leaders Higher Education show that sponsored by the although Hispanic students REPORT CARD Hispanic Association of make it to Texas higher Colleges & Universities education institutions at rates A recent study by the Hispanic (HACU) at La Mansion competitive with other racial Del Rio Hotel, Apodaca Association of Colleges and or ethnic groups, a showed the report card disproportionate number Universities (HACU) rated 35 which rated public actually finish their degrees institutions in Texas on Texas public schools on the basis and graduate. their efforts to address There is also a relationship of providing education for underrepresentation of between race, income level Hispanics in higher Hispanics. and academic preparedness, education. along with the type of social “The report card was Source:HACU structure each university an intended gauge as to models for each student. where Texas’ The hope is that as institutions were at precisely in the grand scheme minorities complete their education, they will earn of Texas - in regards to meeting statewide more money and then their offspring will be more initiative referred to as Closing the Gap, the gap is likely to follow suit, expanding the numbers. still very much there,” stated Apodaca.

By VANESSA L. LUCIO The Pan American

C+

VOTING

continued from page 5

professional ethics, integrity, communication and personnel management issues.

This year the Command College has 864 graduates and over 3,000 participants in all.

Carey traveled all over Texas to gain the knowledge needed to improve UTPA. “This particular session discussed executive leadership and how to network with every part of the department,” Carey said. “I learn lessons from these types of seminars that I use on a daily basis and the knowledge is always being put to use.”

The campus will soon reap the benefits of the extra work its police have put in.

The latest campus police innovation is the installment of five more emergency light posts. The police also surveyed the campus to find areas that had dim or no light.

With the help of representatives of SGA and the Staff/Faculty Senate, the campus will now be more

comfortable for students attending night classes.

Carey pointed out that the new lights will be spread throughout the campus. One light will be at Parking Lot F located across from apartments, one behind the library, and another between the engineering and science building.

One light is being put in front of the ITT building. The final post will be inside the track area, since the closest emergency post is across Parking Lot F. One area that has lacked lighting is the end of the hallway of the education building. In compliance with the notice of dim light, temporary light posts were placed until a permanent plan can be established.

“The university is growing by leaps and bounds,” Carey said.

“Eventually the campus will stretch and increase the responsibilities of the campus police. As we grown, we have to make sure the students have the best.”

continued from page 2

weeks - that's plenty of time,” she said. “I think we'll be pretty pleased [with the voter turnout] because of the location.”

As a mother of a 21-year-old son, Navarro has heard her share of complaints when it comes to voting.

“I tell my son to educate himself, and I have to keep reminding him,” she said.

Navarro said her son has difficulty in sitting and analyzing the candidates and the issues at hand.

She said her son specifically doesn't enjoy the political part of voting, such as the fighting between candidates. Historically, negative campaigns have had a tendency to turn people away from the political process.

But growing up, Navarro said going to vote was a family event. At a young age, she learned that voting was very important and her parents never reminded her about voting because it was something she enjoyed.

“I remember registering to vote in high school, and I couldn't wait to get to vote,” she said. “I always went to vote with my parents, they never forced us. We went together, it was a family thing.”

In response to the “One vote doesn't make a difference” sentiment, Navarro said she has seen the numbers, and one vote can definitely make a difference.

“If everyone walked around saying that, imagine how many votes that would be,” she said.

“And the results of an election could be decided by those votes. They would really make a difference. One vote does make a difference.”

Previous elections, according to Navarro, have been close races with 25 or 15 votes separating two candidates. The presidential election of 2000 was an example of a close race.

“I've talked with so many candidates that have said, 'Wow, if I could have just gotten 25 more people to vote,' the numbers do add up, and we've seen it.”

Urban Outfitters sells a T-shirt that states, “Voting is for Old People,” but the youth and Choose or Lose are working to make that statement change. In a poll conducted on the Choose or Lose web-site, 60 percent of site visitors say the shirt is a joke, but it's a statement the members aren't taking lightly.

Their new campaign, 20 Million Loud, is making an attempt to mobilize more than 20 million young adults ages 18-30 to vote and be a deciding factor in the presidential election.

Meanwhile, the Rock the Vote campaign that started in 1990 offers young adults information and incorporates politics into the entertainment community. Artists such as R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine, OutKast, KRS-One, and the Dixie Chicks have participated in encouraging youth around the country to get out and vote. In 2000, the Rock the Vote campaign registered over 500,000 new voters.

“This is an important year,” Navarro said.

“People should always vote, but with this being a presidential election it’s very important that they vote. They have an opportunity to make a difference and I hope that they take the advantage to exercise their right to vote,” she concluded.

Dodge Arena Photo

SHOW ME THE MONEY— A $25,000 check for the UTPA/VAMOS Scholarship Program was donated by the McAllen Medical Foundation Feb. 17. Pictured are: (left to right) Roland S. Arriola, vice president for External Affairs, Chris Smolik, of the Texas Health System, and John Schrock, chairman of the McAllen Medical Center

REPORTERS WANTED THOSE INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE PAN AMERICAN CAN CALL 381-2541 ALSO AVAILABLE ARE POSITIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 10

Professor joins technology with art Texan

By DULCE GONZALEZ The Pan American Technology has made its way through almost every pore of every human body.

Whether we are referring to home computers or a simple medical procedure we eat, breathe, and sleep with technology.

Leila Hernandez, assistant professor of graphic design, has merged art with the world of technology. According to Hernandez, her art offers a personal vista on the influence of technology in our lives and provides a creative solution to any technical difficulties we might experience.

This month Hernandez's work is on display in the university's art gallery, located in the first floor in the Communication Arts and Sciences building. Her exhibit is titled Yollotl Corazon, which in Nahuatl is translated as "heart." Nahuatl was one of the languages used in Mesoamerica. The art has the influence of ancient Mesoamerica and the technology of today.

The artist stated that she refers to her art as Mayatosh, a techno-cultural hybrid between ancient civilizations such as the Maya and contemporary cultures like the Macintosh.

To the common eye the art displayed might not mean anything, except that it has artistic value. It is definitely more than just a work of art. It is an expression of how technology has crept into our lives and on another level it is a depiction of emotions such as the love/hate relationship we all experience at some point with computers, television and any other form of modern machinery.

To further comprehend the message of the pieces on display we need to understand the importance of the heart. Hernandez believes that in ancient times the heart was considered the most important organ in the

The artist gives her audience the opportunity to express emotions about technology using the same concept of the sacrifice to the gods. When computers crash and work disappears or is deleted, people automatically want to pound the machine.

Hernandez suggests channeling those destructive feelings in a more positive manner by making a sacrifice to the technology gods.

By no means does this sacrifice employ the use of a human heart, but it does require computer artifacts such as a zip drive that can be used as a representation of a heart.

Even with a quick glance at the display, it is evident that technology has come to merge with everything. Some of the pieces in the gallery contain an older computer with adjoining slabs of ceramic clay. The clay represents the earth and nature and the computer is the symbol of various mechanisms. The drawings on the computers are those of the ancient people of Mesoamerica.

The recurring theme is evident in another work that displays the following quote. "Our world is integrated of nature and technology."

People can interpret this showcase in many ways. Yet everyone has the chance to let their imaginations and emotions seep Omaira Galarza/The Pan American through as they try to decide whether or not technology is a University professor Leila Hernandez blends technology and positive or negative aspect in their art with the Yollotl Corazon exhibit, in the UTPA Art Gallery in lives. No matter what, humans the Communication Arts and Sciences building. have no escape from technology. human body to several Mesoamerican cultures.

According to the "Dictionary of Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya," Mesoamerican cultures valued human hearts as offerings in sacrifice ceremonies. Hearts were often referred to as food for the gods.

continued from page 7

frequent appearances on the second season of "Nashville Star," discussing the things that have happened to him since he won the first title, while also sharing his thoughts on the next batch of finalists this season.

"So many wonderful things have happened since winning 'Nashville Star' that I find it hard to keep up with them," Jewell said on the network's website. "By the end of the year, I will have performed on ‘The Grand Ole Opry’ a dozen times since I made my debut on May 24th. That in itself is astounding. Every time I get to walk out on that stage, I can't help but feel like I'm in a magical place and moment."

Marshall, Jewell, and the 20 other contestants will perform on the premiere of "Nashville Star" Saturday, March 6 at 9 p.m. on the USA Network. Anyone can vote for Marshall, or their favorite contestant, and be a part of bringing the next big country star to the music world.

PAGE 7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Around Town Art Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Place: Edinburg Public Library Meeting Room Event: A night of poetry, art, and song by local talent.

Price: No admission fee.

Phone: (956) 3836246 Concert Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Place: La Villa Real Event: Country and Western singer Tracy Lawrence performs in the Valley.

Price: Tickets are $15 for general admission and $25 and $20 for reserved seating.

Phone: (956) 687-7121

Photos courtesy of SheilaMarshallBand.com

Dance Feb. 23 at 8 p.m.

Place: Jacob Brown Auditorium in Brownsville Event: Watch the St. Petersburg classic ballet as dancers leap and pirouette across the stage.

Price: Tickets range from $12 to $50.

Phone: (956) 983-7945 Auditions Feb. 23 and 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Place: UTPA Albert Jeffers Theater Event: Try out for UTPA’s spring children’s show “A Salamander Story.” Theater performance student Mark C. Guerra will direct the show.

Phone: (956) 381-3581 Play Feb. 25-29 at 7 p.m.

Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday Place: Albert Jeffers Theater at UTPA Event: Watch Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” the way it was intended—live, onstage, and intense.

Price: Tickets are $5 general admission, $3 for students third grade and above, no charge for students with ID, reserved seating is no longer available.

Phone: (956) 381-3581 Magazine Submissions Feb. 27 by 4 p.m. (Deadline) Place: UTPA Communication Arts and Sciences building Event: Submit original creative work to the Gallery Literary-Arts Magazine. Help make UTPA’s multi-award winning magazine a success.

Prizes: Awarded to first, second, third, and honorable mention in all four categories.

Phone: (956) 381-3638

■ Real Opinions . . . . . . 8 ■ Fiesta Edinburg . . .8-9 ■ Art Gallery . . . . . . . .10

‘Nashville Star’ features Texas native

A native Texan may be the next big country music sensation in Nashville this coming year.

Sheila Marshall from Austin made the finals in USA Network's original series "Nashville Star," the country music version of "American Idol."

Story by Christina Harris

M

arshall is one of 20 young hopefuls competing for the coveted title of "Nashville Star” as well as a Sony Music Nashville recording contract.

Thousands auditioned all over the country last October until 118 contestants advanced to the regional competition.

In January, the contestants were reduced to 20 finalists.

In March these finalists will perform on television, in a format that mirrors "American Idol," before a live audience and famous panel of judges.

The viewing public can vote online or by calling in to choose their favorite performer and a week later the contestant with the fewest votes gets eliminated.

Marshall will be performing live on March 6 at the BellSouth Acuff Theatre at Opryland in Nashville. However, this is not Marshall's first time on stage. An accomplished singer, she and her band have toured all over the country and in France, Mexico, and Japan.

“

"Though I have performed in some great places, this show is definitely the one I am most excited about," said Marshall. "I have been working toward this moment my whole life and I consider myself extremely fortunate and humbled to be part of this great show."

When Marshall was a child, her mother gave her voice lessons, and as she got older she got practice by singing in church and in school.

Her talents enabled her to receive a scholarship for music and voice from Austin Community College, where she was a member - Shiela Marshall of the show choir and theatre.

Singer "Since I was a child, music has always been a major part of my life and as an adult I find writing and performing my own brand of music, which has not only been a freedom for my soul but my ticket around the world," said Marshall.

Being a Texan, Marshall said that

My roots are in Country Music

“

February 19, 2004

country music is part of her He feels that the USA Network show enhanced his career upbringing. Some of her favorite has artists include Sheryl Crow, Dolly tremendously. He will be making Parton, Lucinda Williams, Patsy See TEXAN page 10 Cline, Johnny Cash, and the Black Crowes.

"I love to sing country music because it is where I come from, my roots are in country music," said Marshall. “I don’t expect to be anyone but who I am and I hope that comes across in my performances.

My style brings an authentic sound from many genres while remaining true into my country roots."

The winner from the first season of "Nashville Star," Buddy Jewell, has been busy with his new career as a country singer, performing and touring the nation.

Photos courtesy of SheilaMarshallBand.com

Auctions speak louder than words

By AARON LOZANO The Pan American

Love, live, hope, hug, paint, pray, draw, dance, write, recite, inspire, play, sing, shape, teach, give, volunteer, be, do.

All these simple, kindhearted objectives sum up to one primary goal of Art Beat, to heal.

On Feb. 26 Art That Heals will host a silent auction and reception called Art Beat. Artwork provided by several Valley artists will be auctioned off at the ceremony in hopes of achieving what the Art That Heals mission statement proudly states on its website, "To encourage cultural literacy in the Rio Grande Valley by promoting the arts and to use art to help bring an end to the AIDS epidemic."

The silent auction, described as a night of art and jazz, will be held at the University Ballroom from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the university’s Office of Student Development (OSD).

"This is the first time we have this event.

We've had other auctions before but nothing quite

like this," said Dandy Pilon, cofounder of Art That Heals.

This is the first Art That Heals

Courtesy of Dandy Pilon Local artist Michael Motyl works on a mosaic for the Feb. 26 Art Beat, which is a silent auction.

auction at UTPA. It is also the first time the group has worked with OSD. Proceeds from the auction will help Art That Heals fund its AIDS Mastery Retreat and other AIDSrelated programs. The expected cost for the retreat is $6,000. Art Beat hopes to raise enough to at least cover half the of the expenses.

The retreat happens twice every year and services about 50 people who are either affected or infected by the AIDS virus. There is no event like this south of Houston.

Currently, the Valley Aids Council has 800 to 850 registered clients living in the Valley, according to the Council office in Brownsville.

"All of the money, 100 percent of it will help us sponsor the retreat," Pilon said. "It takes quite a bit of money to fund this retreat because we make sure all of those who participate don't pay for anything, including room and board."

Artwork for the auction will include photography and mosaics donated by artists from the Valley and San Antonio. Some of the work

will be donated by student organizations. Currently, Art Beat has about 25 items, but is expecting more.

According to Pilon, a diverse range of artwork will be auctioned to satisfy collectors with a trained eye for art and students looking for art, with practical everyday uses like furniture.

"We're still collecting artwork," Pilon said, "just this week we've had a large response from people donating their work."

The theme of the auction is semiformal which will be highlighted by live jazz music. "We wanted the theme to be fun and jazz has that sort of nighttime feeling to it," said Pilon.

At the auction and reception the group will award small door prizes and provide refreshments.

Admission is free. You can visit the Art that Heals official website at http://www.angelfire.com/folk/arte s/index.html If you have an item to donate for the auction, please feel free to contact Dandy Pilon at (956) 3585648.

t s a e i F C om e e

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

February 19, 2004

Th

Who will benefit if Comcast gets Disney?

For the 36th year, Edinburg residents will unite to celebrate the pride and reverence they have for their city.

after months of planning, a star-studded lineup will anchor the muchmusicians like La Factoria, Siggno, and Frijoles

anticipated event.

According to Letty Martinez, director of membership for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, this Fiesta is an opportunity to

“It’s a family-oriented, community event that

graduate. “It took a while for

several days,” said Martinez.

Martinez went on to say that there are improvements to this year’s event, including

and a new parade route.

“Everything

is

centrally

“

o

-Letty Martinez

Town

Dä go be rto Pér ez

negotiations but when we

We are bringing huge entertainment at an affordable price.

ecstatic.

I

am

hoping

everyone has a blast and is looking forward to next year’s Fiesta.”

Other events will include a magician, petting zoo, reptile

located in one area this year,” she said. Our parade is taking a different route

adventures, clowns, face painting, and a fajita

and will end up where all the talent is going to

cook-off.

Director of Membership for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce

Fiesta Edinburg Schedule of Events Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 At the Edinburg Professional Baseball Stadium (920 N. Sugar Road)

THURSDAY, FEB. 19 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.

Bill Dillard Carnival

FRIDAY, FEB. 20 6 p.m. - 12 p.m.

finally got to go we were

-Jessica Vela Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director

Pictures taken at Fiesta Edinburg 2003. All pictures courtesy of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Dillard Carnival

SATURDAY, FEB. 21 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Fajita Cookoff

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Parade

12 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Reptile Adventures

12 p.m. - 5p.m.

Car/Bike Show

12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Petting Zoo

1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Magician

1 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Bill Dillard Carnival

2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Clowns & Face Painting Musical Performances

The Fiesta is steeped in history, and has

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

UTPA Musical Performances

12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.

ENHS Mariachi Oro

become a symbol for pride for the city of

1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Country Roland

Mecca, the Edinburg Professional Baseball

Edinburg.

2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

River Rock

Stadium—home of the Edinburg Roadrunners.

when Edinburg became official county seat for

3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

i declare

4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Silver Lined Tragedy

The Chamber spared no expense in recruiting

Hidalgo County. The people decided to mark

5 p.m. - 5:45p.m.

Hijos de Maiz

entertainers and boasts both international

this event by creating a festive occasion. The

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Evolucion

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Frijoles Romanticos

superstars and Grammy Award winning

city and the Fiesta have both continued to

8:45 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Siggno

performers.

improve and thrive, and this year’s event is

10:30 p.m. - Midnight.

La Factoria

considered the best so far, by Chamber

SUNDAY, FEB. 22

This year’s talent will gather at the Fiesta’s

OPINIONS

families all over the Valley,” said Vela, a UTPA

brings everyone together for

be.”

REAL

“It’s exciting because we are bringing huge entertainment at an affordable price for

unite the people of Edinburg.

better musical entertainment

“I think if they sold Disney, it wouldn’t be the same. As long as the aren’t trademarks affected.’

-Aida Hernandez International Business Freshman

Fiesta.

“

“I heard it was because they wanted to rerelease certain movies Disney owns. They want the power to do that and if Disney is willing to sell, then Comcast should buy it. ” -Cynthia Sanchez Social Work Junior

Romanticos will bring a large crowd to the

by

Page 9

“It’s a family-oriented, community event that brings everyone together for several days.”

st

Fiesta Edinburg runs from Thursday, Feb. 19 to Saturday, Feb. 22, and

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

February 19, 2004

y or St

“All I know is that if Comcast wants Disney it might be because they think they can do a better job if they owned it.”

-Angel Martinez Biology Sophomore

Page 8

Jessica Vela, the Chamber’s marketing director, hopes that hosting such well-known

The celebration tradition began

representatives.

1 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Bill Dillard Carnival

t s a e i F C om e e

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

February 19, 2004

Th

Who will benefit if Comcast gets Disney?

For the 36th year, Edinburg residents will unite to celebrate the pride and reverence they have for their city.

after months of planning, a star-studded lineup will anchor the muchmusicians like La Factoria, Siggno, and Frijoles

anticipated event.

According to Letty Martinez, director of membership for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, this Fiesta is an opportunity to

“It’s a family-oriented, community event that

graduate. “It took a while for

several days,” said Martinez.

Martinez went on to say that there are improvements to this year’s event, including

and a new parade route.

“Everything

is

centrally

“

o

-Letty Martinez

Town

Dä go be rto Pér ez

negotiations but when we

We are bringing huge entertainment at an affordable price.

ecstatic.

I

am

hoping

everyone has a blast and is looking forward to next year’s Fiesta.”

Other events will include a magician, petting zoo, reptile

located in one area this year,” she said. Our parade is taking a different route

adventures, clowns, face painting, and a fajita

and will end up where all the talent is going to

cook-off.

Director of Membership for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce

Fiesta Edinburg Schedule of Events Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 At the Edinburg Professional Baseball Stadium (920 N. Sugar Road)

THURSDAY, FEB. 19 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.

Bill Dillard Carnival

FRIDAY, FEB. 20 6 p.m. - 12 p.m.

finally got to go we were

-Jessica Vela Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director

Pictures taken at Fiesta Edinburg 2003. All pictures courtesy of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Dillard Carnival

SATURDAY, FEB. 21 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Fajita Cookoff

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Parade

12 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Reptile Adventures

12 p.m. - 5p.m.

Car/Bike Show

12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Petting Zoo

1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Magician

1 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Bill Dillard Carnival

2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Clowns & Face Painting Musical Performances

The Fiesta is steeped in history, and has

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

UTPA Musical Performances

12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.

ENHS Mariachi Oro

become a symbol for pride for the city of

1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Country Roland

Mecca, the Edinburg Professional Baseball

Edinburg.

2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

River Rock

Stadium—home of the Edinburg Roadrunners.

when Edinburg became official county seat for

3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

i declare

4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Silver Lined Tragedy

The Chamber spared no expense in recruiting

Hidalgo County. The people decided to mark

5 p.m. - 5:45p.m.

Hijos de Maiz

entertainers and boasts both international

this event by creating a festive occasion. The

6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Evolucion

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Frijoles Romanticos

superstars and Grammy Award winning

city and the Fiesta have both continued to

8:45 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Siggno

performers.

improve and thrive, and this year’s event is

10:30 p.m. - Midnight.

La Factoria

considered the best so far, by Chamber

SUNDAY, FEB. 22

This year’s talent will gather at the Fiesta’s

OPINIONS

families all over the Valley,” said Vela, a UTPA

brings everyone together for

be.”

REAL

“It’s exciting because we are bringing huge entertainment at an affordable price for

unite the people of Edinburg.

better musical entertainment

“I think if they sold Disney, it wouldn’t be the same. As long as the aren’t trademarks affected.’

-Aida Hernandez International Business Freshman

Fiesta.

“

“I heard it was because they wanted to rerelease certain movies Disney owns. They want the power to do that and if Disney is willing to sell, then Comcast should buy it. ” -Cynthia Sanchez Social Work Junior

Romanticos will bring a large crowd to the

by

Page 9

“It’s a family-oriented, community event that brings everyone together for several days.”

st

Fiesta Edinburg runs from Thursday, Feb. 19 to Saturday, Feb. 22, and

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

February 19, 2004

y or St

“All I know is that if Comcast wants Disney it might be because they think they can do a better job if they owned it.”

-Angel Martinez Biology Sophomore

Page 8

Jessica Vela, the Chamber’s marketing director, hopes that hosting such well-known

The celebration tradition began

representatives.

1 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Bill Dillard Carnival

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 10

Professor joins technology with art Texan

By DULCE GONZALEZ The Pan American Technology has made its way through almost every pore of every human body.

Whether we are referring to home computers or a simple medical procedure we eat, breathe, and sleep with technology.

Leila Hernandez, assistant professor of graphic design, has merged art with the world of technology. According to Hernandez, her art offers a personal vista on the influence of technology in our lives and provides a creative solution to any technical difficulties we might experience.

This month Hernandez's work is on display in the university's art gallery, located in the first floor in the Communication Arts and Sciences building. Her exhibit is titled Yollotl Corazon, which in Nahuatl is translated as "heart." Nahuatl was one of the languages used in Mesoamerica. The art has the influence of ancient Mesoamerica and the technology of today.

The artist stated that she refers to her art as Mayatosh, a techno-cultural hybrid between ancient civilizations such as the Maya and contemporary cultures like the Macintosh.

To the common eye the art displayed might not mean anything, except that it has artistic value. It is definitely more than just a work of art. It is an expression of how technology has crept into our lives and on another level it is a depiction of emotions such as the love/hate relationship we all experience at some point with computers, television and any other form of modern machinery.

To further comprehend the message of the pieces on display we need to understand the importance of the heart. Hernandez believes that in ancient times the heart was considered the most important organ in the

The artist gives her audience the opportunity to express emotions about technology using the same concept of the sacrifice to the gods. When computers crash and work disappears or is deleted, people automatically want to pound the machine.

Hernandez suggests channeling those destructive feelings in a more positive manner by making a sacrifice to the technology gods.

By no means does this sacrifice employ the use of a human heart, but it does require computer artifacts such as a zip drive that can be used as a representation of a heart.

Even with a quick glance at the display, it is evident that technology has come to merge with everything. Some of the pieces in the gallery contain an older computer with adjoining slabs of ceramic clay. The clay represents the earth and nature and the computer is the symbol of various mechanisms. The drawings on the computers are those of the ancient people of Mesoamerica.

The recurring theme is evident in another work that displays the following quote. "Our world is integrated of nature and technology."

People can interpret this showcase in many ways. Yet everyone has the chance to let their imaginations and emotions seep Omaira Galarza/The Pan American through as they try to decide whether or not technology is a University professor Leila Hernandez blends technology and positive or negative aspect in their art with the Yollotl Corazon exhibit, in the UTPA Art Gallery in lives. No matter what, humans the Communication Arts and Sciences building. have no escape from technology. human body to several Mesoamerican cultures.

According to the "Dictionary of Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya," Mesoamerican cultures valued human hearts as offerings in sacrifice ceremonies. Hearts were often referred to as food for the gods.

continued from page 7

frequent appearances on the second season of "Nashville Star," discussing the things that have happened to him since he won the first title, while also sharing his thoughts on the next batch of finalists this season.

"So many wonderful things have happened since winning 'Nashville Star' that I find it hard to keep up with them," Jewell said on the network's website. "By the end of the year, I will have performed on ‘The Grand Ole Opry’ a dozen times since I made my debut on May 24th. That in itself is astounding. Every time I get to walk out on that stage, I can't help but feel like I'm in a magical place and moment."

Marshall, Jewell, and the 20 other contestants will perform on the premiere of "Nashville Star" Saturday, March 6 at 9 p.m. on the USA Network. Anyone can vote for Marshall, or their favorite contestant, and be a part of bringing the next big country star to the music world.

PAGE 7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Around Town Art Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Place: Edinburg Public Library Meeting Room Event: A night of poetry, art, and song by local talent.

Price: No admission fee.

Phone: (956) 3836246 Concert Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Place: La Villa Real Event: Country and Western singer Tracy Lawrence performs in the Valley.

Price: Tickets are $15 for general admission and $25 and $20 for reserved seating.

Phone: (956) 687-7121

Photos courtesy of SheilaMarshallBand.com

Dance Feb. 23 at 8 p.m.

Place: Jacob Brown Auditorium in Brownsville Event: Watch the St. Petersburg classic ballet as dancers leap and pirouette across the stage.

Price: Tickets range from $12 to $50.

Phone: (956) 983-7945 Auditions Feb. 23 and 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Place: UTPA Albert Jeffers Theater Event: Try out for UTPA’s spring children’s show “A Salamander Story.” Theater performance student Mark C. Guerra will direct the show.

Phone: (956) 381-3581 Play Feb. 25-29 at 7 p.m.

Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday Place: Albert Jeffers Theater at UTPA Event: Watch Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” the way it was intended—live, onstage, and intense.

Price: Tickets are $5 general admission, $3 for students third grade and above, no charge for students with ID, reserved seating is no longer available.

Phone: (956) 381-3581 Magazine Submissions Feb. 27 by 4 p.m. (Deadline) Place: UTPA Communication Arts and Sciences building Event: Submit original creative work to the Gallery Literary-Arts Magazine. Help make UTPA’s multi-award winning magazine a success.

Prizes: Awarded to first, second, third, and honorable mention in all four categories.

Phone: (956) 381-3638

■ Real Opinions . . . . . . 8 ■ Fiesta Edinburg . . .8-9 ■ Art Gallery . . . . . . . .10

‘Nashville Star’ features Texas native

A native Texan may be the next big country music sensation in Nashville this coming year.

Sheila Marshall from Austin made the finals in USA Network's original series "Nashville Star," the country music version of "American Idol."

Story by Christina Harris

M

arshall is one of 20 young hopefuls competing for the coveted title of "Nashville Star” as well as a Sony Music Nashville recording contract.

Thousands auditioned all over the country last October until 118 contestants advanced to the regional competition.

In January, the contestants were reduced to 20 finalists.

In March these finalists will perform on television, in a format that mirrors "American Idol," before a live audience and famous panel of judges.

The viewing public can vote online or by calling in to choose their favorite performer and a week later the contestant with the fewest votes gets eliminated.

Marshall will be performing live on March 6 at the BellSouth Acuff Theatre at Opryland in Nashville. However, this is not Marshall's first time on stage. An accomplished singer, she and her band have toured all over the country and in France, Mexico, and Japan.

“

"Though I have performed in some great places, this show is definitely the one I am most excited about," said Marshall. "I have been working toward this moment my whole life and I consider myself extremely fortunate and humbled to be part of this great show."

When Marshall was a child, her mother gave her voice lessons, and as she got older she got practice by singing in church and in school.

Her talents enabled her to receive a scholarship for music and voice from Austin Community College, where she was a member - Shiela Marshall of the show choir and theatre.

Singer "Since I was a child, music has always been a major part of my life and as an adult I find writing and performing my own brand of music, which has not only been a freedom for my soul but my ticket around the world," said Marshall.

Being a Texan, Marshall said that

My roots are in Country Music

“

February 19, 2004

country music is part of her He feels that the USA Network show enhanced his career upbringing. Some of her favorite has artists include Sheryl Crow, Dolly tremendously. He will be making Parton, Lucinda Williams, Patsy See TEXAN page 10 Cline, Johnny Cash, and the Black Crowes.

"I love to sing country music because it is where I come from, my roots are in country music," said Marshall. “I don’t expect to be anyone but who I am and I hope that comes across in my performances.

My style brings an authentic sound from many genres while remaining true into my country roots."

The winner from the first season of "Nashville Star," Buddy Jewell, has been busy with his new career as a country singer, performing and touring the nation.

Photos courtesy of SheilaMarshallBand.com

Auctions speak louder than words

By AARON LOZANO The Pan American

Love, live, hope, hug, paint, pray, draw, dance, write, recite, inspire, play, sing, shape, teach, give, volunteer, be, do.

All these simple, kindhearted objectives sum up to one primary goal of Art Beat, to heal.

On Feb. 26 Art That Heals will host a silent auction and reception called Art Beat. Artwork provided by several Valley artists will be auctioned off at the ceremony in hopes of achieving what the Art That Heals mission statement proudly states on its website, "To encourage cultural literacy in the Rio Grande Valley by promoting the arts and to use art to help bring an end to the AIDS epidemic."

The silent auction, described as a night of art and jazz, will be held at the University Ballroom from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the university’s Office of Student Development (OSD).

"This is the first time we have this event.

We've had other auctions before but nothing quite

like this," said Dandy Pilon, cofounder of Art That Heals.

This is the first Art That Heals

Courtesy of Dandy Pilon Local artist Michael Motyl works on a mosaic for the Feb. 26 Art Beat, which is a silent auction.

auction at UTPA. It is also the first time the group has worked with OSD. Proceeds from the auction will help Art That Heals fund its AIDS Mastery Retreat and other AIDSrelated programs. The expected cost for the retreat is $6,000. Art Beat hopes to raise enough to at least cover half the of the expenses.

The retreat happens twice every year and services about 50 people who are either affected or infected by the AIDS virus. There is no event like this south of Houston.

Currently, the Valley Aids Council has 800 to 850 registered clients living in the Valley, according to the Council office in Brownsville.

"All of the money, 100 percent of it will help us sponsor the retreat," Pilon said. "It takes quite a bit of money to fund this retreat because we make sure all of those who participate don't pay for anything, including room and board."

Artwork for the auction will include photography and mosaics donated by artists from the Valley and San Antonio. Some of the work

will be donated by student organizations. Currently, Art Beat has about 25 items, but is expecting more.

According to Pilon, a diverse range of artwork will be auctioned to satisfy collectors with a trained eye for art and students looking for art, with practical everyday uses like furniture.

"We're still collecting artwork," Pilon said, "just this week we've had a large response from people donating their work."

The theme of the auction is semiformal which will be highlighted by live jazz music. "We wanted the theme to be fun and jazz has that sort of nighttime feeling to it," said Pilon.

At the auction and reception the group will award small door prizes and provide refreshments.

Admission is free. You can visit the Art that Heals official website at http://www.angelfire.com/folk/arte s/index.html If you have an item to donate for the auction, please feel free to contact Dandy Pilon at (956) 3585648.

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

THE PAN AMERICAN

February 19, 2004

Page 11

UTPA scores high on state test POLICE Closing the Gaps hopes to radically increase Hispanic and African-American college participation by 2015.

Demographic forecasts suggest that by When it comes to employing, enrolling, and 2030, Hispanics will become the dominant group graduating the most Hispanics, UTSA and UTPA in Texas but right now the institutions of Texas are are schools that make the top grades in Texas. not reflecting that prediction.

The overall grade for The only A grades was Texas’s 35 public awarded to UTPA and UTuniversities was a CBrownsville, while nine other plus, said higher institutions got an F for education official Ed tackling the state’s Hispanic Apodaca, associate vice needs, including UT-Tyler. president of Enrollment OVERALL STATE UTSA was another school that Management at the was well above state average.

AVERAGE University of Houston.

“UTSA awarded 42 percent According to of its degrees to Hispanics Apodaca, “UTPA has state institutions as a whole great results and goes only awarded 16 percent to beyond state goals at Hispanics. Something has got improving Hispanic “A” Institutions to change in Texas fast,” said participation at public Apodaca.

UTPA Edinburg institutions. However, I What kinds of factors UT-Brownsville am disappointed in us as dictate these types of grades? a state.”

Findings from the Western At a presentation held Interstate Commission for by education leaders Higher Education show that sponsored by the although Hispanic students REPORT CARD Hispanic Association of make it to Texas higher Colleges & Universities education institutions at rates A recent study by the Hispanic (HACU) at La Mansion competitive with other racial Del Rio Hotel, Apodaca Association of Colleges and or ethnic groups, a showed the report card disproportionate number Universities (HACU) rated 35 which rated public actually finish their degrees institutions in Texas on Texas public schools on the basis and graduate. their efforts to address There is also a relationship of providing education for underrepresentation of between race, income level Hispanics in higher Hispanics. and academic preparedness, education. along with the type of social “The report card was Source:HACU structure each university an intended gauge as to models for each student. where Texas’ The hope is that as institutions were at precisely in the grand scheme minorities complete their education, they will earn of Texas - in regards to meeting statewide more money and then their offspring will be more initiative referred to as Closing the Gap, the gap is likely to follow suit, expanding the numbers. still very much there,” stated Apodaca.

By VANESSA L. LUCIO The Pan American

C+

VOTING

continued from page 5

professional ethics, integrity, communication and personnel management issues.

This year the Command College has 864 graduates and over 3,000 participants in all.

Carey traveled all over Texas to gain the knowledge needed to improve UTPA. “This particular session discussed executive leadership and how to network with every part of the department,” Carey said. “I learn lessons from these types of seminars that I use on a daily basis and the knowledge is always being put to use.”

The campus will soon reap the benefits of the extra work its police have put in.

The latest campus police innovation is the installment of five more emergency light posts. The police also surveyed the campus to find areas that had dim or no light.

With the help of representatives of SGA and the Staff/Faculty Senate, the campus will now be more

comfortable for students attending night classes.

Carey pointed out that the new lights will be spread throughout the campus. One light will be at Parking Lot F located across from apartments, one behind the library, and another between the engineering and science building.

One light is being put in front of the ITT building. The final post will be inside the track area, since the closest emergency post is across Parking Lot F. One area that has lacked lighting is the end of the hallway of the education building. In compliance with the notice of dim light, temporary light posts were placed until a permanent plan can be established.

“The university is growing by leaps and bounds,” Carey said.

“Eventually the campus will stretch and increase the responsibilities of the campus police. As we grown, we have to make sure the students have the best.”

continued from page 2

weeks - that's plenty of time,” she said. “I think we'll be pretty pleased [with the voter turnout] because of the location.”

As a mother of a 21-year-old son, Navarro has heard her share of complaints when it comes to voting.

“I tell my son to educate himself, and I have to keep reminding him,” she said.

Navarro said her son has difficulty in sitting and analyzing the candidates and the issues at hand.

She said her son specifically doesn't enjoy the political part of voting, such as the fighting between candidates. Historically, negative campaigns have had a tendency to turn people away from the political process.

But growing up, Navarro said going to vote was a family event. At a young age, she learned that voting was very important and her parents never reminded her about voting because it was something she enjoyed.

“I remember registering to vote in high school, and I couldn't wait to get to vote,” she said. “I always went to vote with my parents, they never forced us. We went together, it was a family thing.”

In response to the “One vote doesn't make a difference” sentiment, Navarro said she has seen the numbers, and one vote can definitely make a difference.

“If everyone walked around saying that, imagine how many votes that would be,” she said.

“And the results of an election could be decided by those votes. They would really make a difference. One vote does make a difference.”

Previous elections, according to Navarro, have been close races with 25 or 15 votes separating two candidates. The presidential election of 2000 was an example of a close race.

“I've talked with so many candidates that have said, 'Wow, if I could have just gotten 25 more people to vote,' the numbers do add up, and we've seen it.”

Urban Outfitters sells a T-shirt that states, “Voting is for Old People,” but the youth and Choose or Lose are working to make that statement change. In a poll conducted on the Choose or Lose web-site, 60 percent of site visitors say the shirt is a joke, but it's a statement the members aren't taking lightly.

Their new campaign, 20 Million Loud, is making an attempt to mobilize more than 20 million young adults ages 18-30 to vote and be a deciding factor in the presidential election.

Meanwhile, the Rock the Vote campaign that started in 1990 offers young adults information and incorporates politics into the entertainment community. Artists such as R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine, OutKast, KRS-One, and the Dixie Chicks have participated in encouraging youth around the country to get out and vote. In 2000, the Rock the Vote campaign registered over 500,000 new voters.

“This is an important year,” Navarro said.

“People should always vote, but with this being a presidential election it’s very important that they vote. They have an opportunity to make a difference and I hope that they take the advantage to exercise their right to vote,” she concluded.

Dodge Arena Photo

SHOW ME THE MONEY— A $25,000 check for the UTPA/VAMOS Scholarship Program was donated by the McAllen Medical Foundation Feb. 17. Pictured are: (left to right) Roland S. Arriola, vice president for External Affairs, Chris Smolik, of the Texas Health System, and John Schrock, chairman of the McAllen Medical Center

REPORTERS WANTED THOSE INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE PAN AMERICAN CAN CALL 381-2541 ALSO AVAILABLE ARE POSITIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 4

Charismatic preacher brings unity message

By CLAUDIA L. FARIAS The Pan American Conceptually, we are a country of “what if,” not “what is,” said comedian and social commentator Preacher Moss in a lecture Monday night at the Student Union Theater.

“Remember this as a freedom of expression comedy tour,” Moss said, foreshadowing his call to action to express free thought and to step outside one’s box.

“I think knowledge is self-assertion,” Moss said. “I try to get people to understand that racism isn’t systematic hopelessness. They need to unlearn all that. You can be vulnerable and effective at the same time.”

Moss’ “End of Racism” comedy and lecture tour was sponsored by the University Program Board’s Heritage Committee in celebration of Black History Month. The lecture attracted approximately 200 students, faculty, staff and community residents.

Moss is a former writer for “Saturday Night Live,” “The George Lopez Show,” and “Politically Incorrect.” The guest lecturer, born Bryant Moss, received his stage name when the then nine-year-old was caught imitating the preacher at his church. Moss has been touring for the last four years and was a teacher for 12 years before that.

His lecture, a commentary on social issues and race relations in the country interspersed with anecdotes and comedy, incorporated his experiences as a teacher and lecturer.

Throughout the night, Moss portrayed several characters of different races, from a disgruntled white employee to a Jamaican police officer. Moss also performed stand-up comedy.

“On one side, people say Mexicans are taking our jobs,” Moss said. “On the other side, they say Mexicans are lazy. Which one is it?”

Moss also pledged his support for a prison reality show hosted by Bill Cosby titled “Inmates Say the Darndest Things.”

While the audience laughed at his every joke, Moss reinforced his message of unity across all races and religions.

“Power is in our unity,” Moss said.

He concluded his lecture by asking audience members Ibrahim the most. Ibrahim, a junior majoring in biology to stand, hold one hand out and look at their five fingers. and a member of the BSA, was thankful Moss brought He then named several five-letter words to remember: awareness to issues that have been previously ignored, “white,” “black,” “Latin,” “Asian,” “unity,” and “peace.” such as racism.

“I thought the lecture was good because I’m an AfricanNoelynn Gillamac, a junior majoring in nursing and also American Muslim U P B woman,” Ibrahim president, said. “Preacher found Moss’ Moss represented l e c t u r e a lot of the views insightful. that are not “I was expressed in the v e r y Rio Grande impressed,” Valley.”

Gillamac Two professors said.

“I brought their w a s n ’ t classes to the disappointed lecture.

While at all. It was extra credit was very funny. the initial reason I hope for Rolando students Rodriguez’ understand presence, the the message junior political and share the science major knowledge.” was pleased he The Board attended. worked with “I am glad I the Black came,” said Students’ Rodriguez.

“It Association Franco Caballero/The Pan American was interesting to prepare for and [Moss] made Moss’ visit to MESSENGER— The comedian Preacher Moss spoke at UTPA Monday about racism a lot of sense. I t h e as part of University Program Board’s Black HIstory Month celebration. He will be in think he got the u n i v e r s i t y . Corpus Christi next. meaning of unity B S A through to a lot of races,” Rodriguez said. members were not disappointed either.

Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi is the next stop “The whole idea why people go to college is to broaden their horizons,” said the organization’s sponsor, Jeanette on Preacher Moss’ tour.

Other events scheduled for Black History Month Broshears. “We hope students will recognize that diversity in any form is good and important in the community and include the BSA’s Heritage Night Thursday, Feb. 26, and the UPB screening of “The Tuskegee Airmen” on Friday, on campus.”

Moss’ message of diversity is what impressed Saley Feb. 27.

Technology assistance easier fix on campus

By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American As of Jan. 7, students at UTPA have a new helpmate.

The IT (Information Technology) Service Desk is located in the entrance of the Academic Services Building in room 1.102. This walk-up desk is equipped with fast-speed Internet connection computers, comfortable chairs, and staff on hand to help.

During new-student orientations, the staff provided new incoming UTPA alumni with their e-mail and passwords, which are vital for access to university resources and web pages.

In order to activate a Pan Am student e-mail outside orientation, all students need to do is stop by the Information Technology service desk with a valid driver’s license or current UTPA student identification. During the first week of this spring semester over 10,000 new email activations took place, and currently the IT service desk handles about 25 per day.

The process of activation is takes approximately 10 minutes, during which time students are guided through the activation process by on location staff and full-time computer technicians Guadalupe Gomez and Travis Moon.

“We advise students to stop by and we’ll help them out,” said Gomez.

After successful activation students are shown how to navigate and gain access to various university web pages through their usernames and passwords. One benefit to having an active e-mail is access to Campus Pipeline (at www.cp.panam.edu). Through this site students are able to check their personal records, find out class schedules, email their professors, check course availability, and even register for upcoming classes.

In order to obtain access to the computer laboratories in

the Academic S e r v i c e s Building, library print stations, and online data bases students must enter their e-mail username and password to log on.

S t u d e n t s c u r r e n t l y enrolled in onOver e-mail line classes are activations during the required to obtain a Pan Am first week of classes. e-mail account for class work Currently there are approxisubmission and access to WebCT mately 30 new coursework. e-mail activations per day.

Online Music Appreciation student Diana Salinas says,” I never thought that simple combinations of letters would be required for so many things. I use my email information to get class notes. I also had forgotten my Assist information, so I was glad that I could use my e-mail stuff to register through Campus Pipeline. That was a huge relief!”

Convenience takes on many guises with the help desk. A common problem for students returning after holiday vacations tends to be remembering their passwords. Or not. The IT Service Desk solves that problem by resetting the student’s password.

“Service is there for the students,” stated IT Service

10,000

Desk Manager Maria Carmen Salinas.

A student’s e-mail remains active until graduation.

"Students only need to get their e-mail accounts one time," says Salinas.

Along with supporting UTPA student e-mail, the desk offers faculty and staff assistance with account information. Help can be sought at extension 2020 or in person at the desk.

By dialing 2020, faculty will be assisted by the brother branch of the IT Service Desk, the Help Desk. The IT Service desk is a one-on-one help service, said Salinas, who encourages people to go to the service desk instead of calling. “The people standing in line are our priority,” she explained.

Students or faculty seeking to activate their accounts need to stop by the Academic Services Building IT Service Help Desk Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 5. Contact the IT Help Desk at emailsupport@panam.edu to make special accommodations.

What: Information Tech Help Desk Where: Academic Services Bldg. Rm. 1.102 When: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Benefits: Campus Pipeline, WEBCT, passwords Contact: Call 2020 for IT Service Desk or e-mail

emailsupport@panam.edu

Sports

February 19, 2004

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

2003-2004 Sports Schedules

Men’s tennis wins 5th

UTPA Men’s Basketball Date

Opponent/Time

Scores

Nov. 4

Monterrey Tech

W112-46

Nov. 8

Houston Quest

W 111-59

Nov. 22

Southern Methodist

L 59-69

Nov. 25

Texas A&M-Int’l

W 90-50

Nov. 29

Texas-Arlington

L 75-81

Dec. 1

SWA of God

W 90-60

Dec. 4

Missouri-Kansas City

L 80-104

Dec. 6

Texas-San Antonio

W 86-83

Dec. 12

Mississippi Valley St.

L 67-85

Dec. 14

Sam Houston State

L 66-92

Dec. 17

North Texas

L 81-87

Dec. 20

Rice

L 58-69

Dec. 22

Oklahoma State

L 61-96

Dec. 29

Oklahoma

L 57-72

Dec. 31

McMurry

W 90-58

Jan. 6

Baylor

W 55-54

Jan. 8

North Texas

L 53-71

Jan. 14

Wright State

L 60-82

Jan. 19

Missouri-K.C.

L 69-77

Jan. 21

Texas-Arlington

L 54-73

Jan. 28

IPFW

W 81-60

Feb. 2

Alcorn State

W 74-52

Feb. 4

Lamar

W 90-78

Feb. 7

IPFW

W 57-55

Feb. 11

Arkansas State

W 70-67

Feb. 14

TAMUCC

W 90-72

Feb. 16

Air Force

W 37-35

Feb. 19

Central Baptist

7:30

Feb. 28

TAMUCC

7

March 1

Arkansas State

7:05

Men’s Tennis Spring Season Date Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 7 Feb. 14 Feb. 21

Opponent Time/Results Trinity W 4-3 Texas A&M L 1-6 Eastern Kentucky W 6-1 Dayton W 5-2 Xavier W 6-1 Saint Louis W 4-3 TAMUCC 2

The UTPA men’s tennis team edged St. Louis Saturday to win its fourth straight victory and improve to 5-1.

Nik Porter, Tom Mangelschots and Rehman Esmail won in singles, while the tandems of Jeremy Salvo and Oliver Steil and Gary Bianco and Esmail won two of the three double matches for a 4-3 victory.

UTPA head coach Eduardo Provencio credits the team’s early success to drive, accompanied with new talent on the roster.

“There were some new additions in the fall, and everything has started to come together and gel,” Provencio said. “The team has really interested in making a good impression, and they know they have to pile up wins if they’re going to do that.”

The Broncs will open the home season on Saturday against Texas A&MCorpus Christi at the Cox Tennis Center at 2 p.m.

Lady Broncs fall to 0-3 The women’s tennis team suffered a 6-1 loss at Stephen F. Austin on Sunday.

The Lady Broncs will participate in

2004 UTPA Men’s Golf

Date

Tournament

Feb. 9-10 Rice Intercollegiate

Laredo College (Exh.) 1

March

March 11

Abilene Christian

5:30

14-15

March 13

Texas Southern

10 a.m.

March

March 26 April 3

UTSA DePaul

2 1

29-30

April 4

Texas-Arlington

10 a.m.

April 7 April 8 April 9 April 16 April 30 May 1 May 2

Texas Southern 2 Lamar 3 Southeastern Louisiana Noon TAMUCC 1 SLC Championships SLC Championships SLC Championships

Time/Results

April 5-6

14th of 14

Trojan Cup Hal Sutton Intercollegiate

April 23-24Andrea Brotto Cavalier Classic May 7-9

National Minority Golf Championships

2004 UTPA Women’s Golf Schedule Date

Tournament

Feb.

Bronc Intercollegiate

Opponent

Feb. 7

Houston Invitational 12 of 22

March

Feb. 14

Houston/RunSport No team score

12-14

March 12

NCAA Indoor Track TBA & Field Championships

March

Baylor/Tapatío Springs

19-21

Shootout

All games p.m. unless noted.

Result

Bearkat Invitational

Date

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

an exhibition match against Laredo College Feb. 26 at the Cox Tennis Center and will not return to action until March 11 when they face Abilene Christian at 5 p.m. in their first official home match of the season.

Maddux goes to Cubs Pitcher Greg Maddux returned to Chicago Wednesday after signing a $24 million, three-year contract with the Cubs, the team he started his career with.

Maddux will have a chance to earn his 300th win while wearing a Cubs uniform. He needs 11 more victories to reach the mark.

The 38-year old pitcher went 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA last season with the Atlanta Braves.

While with the Braves, Maddux went 194-88 with a 2.63 ERA in 11 seasons, set an NL record for most consecutive innings without a walk, and helped Atlanta win a division title every year he was there.

Maddux has won 15 games 16 seasons in a row.

During his first stint with the Cubs, Maddux went 95-75 and won the first of his four straight Cy Young awards.

The future Hall of Famer has a 289163 record and a 2.89 career ERA.

Mexican Soccer League 2004

Schedule

Feb. 26

Men’s Track & Field Indoor Season

Page 13

23-24 Xavier Invitational

March

Arkansas-Little Rock

29-30

Invitational

May 7-9

National Minority Golf Championships

Result

Team Chiapas Guadalajara U.N.A.M. América Querétaro Toluca Club San Luis U.A.G. Tigres Pachuca Monterrey Necaxa Cruz Azul Irapuato Atlas Santos Atlante Veracruz Morelia Puebla Group I 9 - Toluca 6 - Pachuca 5 - Monterrey 5 - Atlas 2 - Puebla

W-D-L 4-0-1 4-0-1 3-2-0 2-3-0 2-3-0 3-0-2 2-2-1 2-1-2 2-1-2 1-3-1 1-2-2 1-2-2 1-2-1 1-2-2 1-2-2 1-1-2 1-1-3 0-3-2 0-2-3 0-2-3

GF:GA 11:6 5:2 11:5 9:7 9:7 6:4 6:4 9:11 11:11 6:6 7:6 5:6 4:5 7:9 5:9 6:6 6:8 6:8 4:8 4:9

Group II 11 - U.N.A.M. 9 - América 9 - Querétaro 7 - U.A.G. 4 - Santos

PTS 12 12 11 9 9 9 8 7 7 6 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 2 2

Scorer / Team G W. Gaitán, TIG 5 E. Marcón, UAG 5 B. Marioni, UNAM 5 S. Cabañas, CHI 4 C. Blanco, AME 4 A. Silvera, TIG 4 A. Fernandes, MTY 4 S. Blanco, SL 3 M. Delgado, CA 3 G. Biscayzacú, VCZ 3 R. de Pinho, ATS 3 S. Pereira, CHI 3 17 Tied with 2 goals.

Group III 12 - Chiapas 8 - San Luis 7 - Tigres 5 - Cruz Azul 2 - Morelia

Group IV 12 - Guadalajara 5 - Necaxa 5 - Irapuato 4 - Atlante 2 - Veracruz

Week 5 results Feb. 14-15: Chiapas 3, Puebla 1; Morelia 0, Guadalajara 1; Tigres 3, Irapuato 1; San Luis 0, Veracruz 0; Atlas 3, U.A.G. 2; América 3, Monterrey 2; Pachuca 0, Necaxa 0; Querétaro 2, Toluca 1; Atlante 2, U.N.A.M. 4; Santos vs. Cruz Azul (March 24).

Week 6 schedule Feb. 21-22: Veracruz vs. Santos; Toluca vs. Tigres; Monterrey vs. Atlas; Cruz Azul vs. Atlante; Guadalajara vs. Querétaro; Necaxa vs Morelia; Irapuato vs. América; U.N.A.M. vs. Chiapas; Puebla vs. Pachuca; U.A.G. vs. San Luis.

2003-2004 Sports Schedules UTPA Women’s Basketball Date Nov. 7 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 25 Nov. 29

Opponent/Time Houston Air Force.

Boise State/Dayton TAMUI St. Edward’s

Scores W 91-77 W 68-67 W 63-57 W 84-55 W 79-42

Dec. 5

St. Louis

L 45-77

Dec. 6

Kansas State/Sac.

W 60-50

Dec. 14

Oral Roberts

L 57-67

Dec. 17

Texas

L 25-90

Dec. 19

Marshall

L 59-74

Dec. 21

Central Michigan

L 40-56

Dec. 28

Tulsa

L 41-71

Dec. 31

Prairie View A&M

W 64-52

Jan. 2

UT-Arlington

L 46-85

Jan. 7 Jan. 9

Sacramento State San Diego State

W 49-47 L 38-59

Jan. 11

Louisiana-Lafayette

L 54-62

Jan. 13

SE Louisiana

L 58-60

Jan. 22

SW Missouri State

L 34-69

Jan. 24

TAMUCC

L 43-73

Jan. 27

Incarnate Word

W 63-46

Jan. 31

IPFW

W 75-72

Feb. 3

Northern Colorado

L 56-57

Feb. 9

Prairie View A&M

W 70-63

Feb. 16

Louisiana-Lafayette W 56-38

Feb. 19

IPFW

5

Feb. 24

TAMUCC

7

Feb. 28

SE Louisiana

7

March 3

Northern Arizona

8

Women’s Tennis Spring Season Date

Opponent

Feb. 6

UTEP

Time/Results L 0-7

Feb. 13

Sam Houston State,

L 3-4

Feb. 15

Stephen F. Austin

L 1-6

Feb. 26

Laredo College (Exh) 1:00

March 11 Abilene Christian

5:30

March 13 Texas Southern

10 a.m.

March 27 Air Force

8:30 a.m.

April 3

TAMUCC

2

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

Women’s Track & Field Indoor Season Date

Opponent

Feb. 7

Houston Invitational

Time/Results 18 of 21

Feb. 14

Houston/RunSport

TBA

March 12

NCAA Indoor Track TBA & Field Championships

HOME GAMES IN BOLD All games p.m. unless noted.

February 19, 2004

Sports

Page 14

February 19, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 3

Proper teeth care could prevent other medical complications

By AMY MEDELLIN The Pan American What if a person was able to add approximately 10 years to their life just by doing something that should be done at least twice a day for two minutes? According to Michael P. Bonner, D.D.S. and Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., authors of “The Oral Health Bible,” one could easily extend life by practicing good oral hygiene.

In their book, Bonner and Mindell explain the connection between the mouth and the rest of the body.

The mouth, they say, is the doorway to achieving maximum health and wellness in the body’s systems.

Bonner emphasizes the importance of finding and treating periodontal (gum) disease, because if untreated, it can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Bonner and Mindell’s claim is not a theory they have come up with on their own. It is backed up by The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, which states that good oral health is essential to good general health, specifically for women. A growing body of research has linked gum disease to a variety of health problems.

Because gum disease is a bacterial infection, it can enter the bloodstream and may be a factor in causing other health complications such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems such as pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis. Pregnant women may be more likely to have a baby born too early or too small and can also trigger increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor.

Gum disease is usually painless and many people may not even know that they have it, until it reaches an advanced stage.

“We see more gum disease now than we did 25 years ago, largely because of the increasing availability of harmful and unnecessary oral hygiene products on the market,” Bonner and Mindell said in their book.

He is not the only dentist who agrees that some of the new products on the market today are not doing the job.

Beverly Franks, a representative from Larry Franks

D.D.S. Dentistry Offices, feels that mouthwashes sold in fights volatile sulfur compounds that can cause bad supermarket shelves, especially, do anything but prevent breath, and are 100 percent alcohol-free. bad breath.

However, Franks does not totally “Many of the agree that all these new products m o u t h w a s h e s DISEASES WHICH CAN BE CAUSED BY are pointless. sold at your “Many of the whiteners, such as GUM DISEASE local drug the white strips and gel, are a great stores contain HEART DISEASE and inexpensive way to get your alcohol and teeth whiter, although they may People with gum disease may be more at risk of take sugars, both longer,” said Franks. which promote heart disease and have nearly twice the risk of having a “Although, we do recommend that dry mouth, fatal heart attack. Heart disease is also the number one people do see a dentist and fix any which leads to killer of American women. problem that they may have, such bad breath,” as the removal of plaque and DIABETES said Franks. calculus, because they may not get People with diabetes are more likely to have gum the best or desired results from Almost all of the popular disease and may make it more difficult for diabetics to those products,” Franks continued. m o u t h w a s h e s control their blood sugar. Gum disease may also be a risk “To walk around with a pretty smile do in fact factor for diabetes, even in otherwise healthy individuals. is good, but to walk around with a contain alcohol healthy mouth is great.” and sugar, RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS So why the sudden phenomena in Bacteria that grow in the oral cavity can travel to having clean mouths and fresh including Listerine, the the lungs causing respiratory disease such as pneumonia breath? Has this society become most popular - especially in people with gum disease. obsessed with healthy teeth? Or are m o u t h PREGNANCY OUTCOMES these new products on the market antiseptic quick, cheap fixes to cover a Pregnant women who have gum disease may be statistically obvious poor dental among students at UTPA. This more likely to have a baby born too early or too small. hygienic culture, as suggested by A m e r i c a n Gum disease may also trigger increased levels of biologi- Bonner and Mindell?

D e n t a l cal fluids that induce labor.

Bonner, Mindell and Franks all A c c e p t e d point out that the best way to a antiseptic, better smile and healthier mouth, contains 21.6 Source: Surgeon’s General’s Oral Report on Health and body, is through daily good oral percent alcohol health. This includes brushing and sodium twice a day for at least two minutes saccharin, which is used as a sweetener in low calorie with a soft bristle brush, never hard bristles, flossing, foods, such as Sweet n’ Low and in toothpastes. Saccharin tongue scraping, rinsing with a mouthwash, and most has been used as a sweetener since the 1800s and is 500 importantly, frequent dental visits. times sweeter than sugar.

For more information about oral hygiene visit Bonner Some mouthwashes, which can be purchased at a and Mindell’s website www.oralhealthbible.com, or call dentist’s office, such as BreathRx, contain ZYTEX, which the Larry Franks D.D.S. office at (956) 428-4431.

Mercedes school home for Mexican art collection hoping to create a museum environment at the library to help students increase their knowledge of art and culture.”

Tate said that even though some students at the school MERCEDES - Lucian Freud once said, “The object of a r e art is not to reproduce p r e p a r i n g reality, but to create a themselves reality of the same for academic intensity.” fields of Mexican artist science and Alberto Padilla is math, the allowing students and school could civilians to catch a a l s o glance of his reality by strengthen bring one of his exhibits skills that to Biblioteca Las will help Americas Library at the them when South Texas speaking to Independent School o t h e r District. cultured Anit Tate, a librarian individuals. at South Texas, says that Padilla exhibit is part of an was asked to innovation designed to visit the expose students to art school by a and literature while at relative of school. his who Clarissa Martinez /The Pan American “With the location, attends the we can’t simply pick up NEW ADDITION- South Texas Independent School District is showing the artwork S c i e n c e the students and take of Alberto Padilla, from Mexico. The gallery of his work is available for viewing A c a d e m y. them to Houston,” Tate until the end of the month.

N o r m a said. “Instead, we’re Sanchez is a

By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American

sophomore at the school, and told the librarians she had an uncle who was an artist in Mexico and could show his work at the school.

“When she told me about him, I asked her to bring in some photos of his paintings,” Tate said. “After I saw his work, I told her he had to come to the library and share it with everyone.“ During the month of February, Padilla’s exhibit will be open to the public. Classes have been viewing the paintings along with teachers and staff members. Padilla explained his artwork to several classes, but had to cancel several visits to the school due to a family illness.

Padilla’s paintings have been said to have a mystical, ethereal quality. The exhibits are thought to be ones that captivate the imagination and enchant viewers with his abstract sense of beauty.

Crystal Marie Chavez, a senior at Science Academy, said she finds herself visiting the library more often since the exhibit opened.

“To me it’s inspiring to see that a person can create such beautiful art,” Chavez said. “It’s like a never-ending area of beauty that’s in our library.”

Tate said that there has been much positive feedback about the exhibit, and that the library hopes that with Padilla’s work bringing exposure, that more artists and students also will be motivated to display their work for the public.

“Art moves your soul,” Tate said. This art is beautiful, but there is also art that grabs the emotions of a person because it displays such horrible realties. It’s such a wondering experience to enjoy art, and we can use it to teach the students.”

PAGE 2

February 19

2004

OPINION

Sports

February 19, 2004

letters

■

editorials

■

cartoons

Carlow, Lady Broncs seek record

By AMY MEDELLÍN 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. 19

Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com

News Editor Belinda Reyes mstxbellezalatina2003@ yahoo.com

A & E Editor Omaira Galarza omairang@yahoo.com

Sports Editor Ed Chrnko echrnko@yahoo.com

Graphics Editor Daniel Aguilar kerygma_@hotmail.com

Layout Designers Dagoberto Perez Ginmarie Mabry Reporters Brian Carr Vanessa Castillo Julian Cavazos Edwina Garza Dulce Gonzalez Matt Hall Christina Harris Aaron Lozano Vanessa Lucio Clarissa Martinez Amy Medellin Photographer Franco Caballero Copy Editor Joe Anna Moreno Student Pub. Secretary Jo Anne Murphy Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

The PA N AMERICAN is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American.

Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the 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.

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.

Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

NEWS

■ Teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ■ Preacher Moss . . . . 4 ■ UTPA Police . . . . . . . 5

Latest election challenges youth excuses for apathy

By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American November is quickly approaching and the primaries are slowly making their way to Texas. As political science classes discuss electoral votes and campus groups try to sway students to vote by providing registration resources, some young adults are still holding on to the “One vote doesn’t make a difference,” excuse.

According to the 2000 Current Population Survey, 166.8 million American citizens are registered to vote, and 23.9 million are in the 18-25-year-old group. Several campaigns have been in operation for years, such as the Choose or Lose campaign run by MTV, and their previous effort, Rock the Vote. Despite these efforts, in the 2000 election, the survey estimates that 59.9 percent of 1825-year-olds say they registered to vote in comparison to the 80.8 percent in the over-25 group.

Monica Villanueva, 24, of McAllen said young people feel they aren’t heard and that their concerns aren’t the same as those in charge in Washington, D.C.“People our age feel that their voice doesn’t count so they don’t care,” Villanueva, an English major, said.

With this in mind, Villanueva said she still couldn’t figure out why young adults don’t care to vote and make their voice heard.

“I don’t know why students don’t want to vote - I mean it’s important to me!” she said.

A possible reason for apathy with young voters is maturity, Villanueva said, as some people don’t realize that they’re affected by what happens in the world.

Many students live in the present and don’t realize that someone in charge at the national or state level could actually affect their life.

“People are also turned off by the system in general,” she said. “After the whole Gore and Bush thing, if the Electoral College doesn’t pay attention to what the state says, what’s the point? So then, oh well, what’s one vote?”

“Plus,” she continued, “young people are generally not into politics.”

Villanueva mentioned that once a student graduates from college and starts to pay their own bills they might stop to realize that they should vote if they want to at least do the minimum to attempt at creating change.

Education, according to the Current Population Survey, may play a large role in a person’s decision to vote. Of American citizens who voted in 2000, 28.8 percent were voters who never attended college. College graduates made up the other 71.2 percent.

Stee Ramirez, 21, a general studies major, believes that education does play a major factor in a person’s decision to vote.

“People who work all the time don’t have time to sit down and analyze all the information to make the best decision,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just best to forget about it.”

Ramirez says that the abundance of knowledge from 24-hour news networks, as well as a diversity of media outlets, are making information more available. But cable is a luxury that people without an education may not have.

“It just depends on your education,” Ramirez said.

This November will mark Steve Quintinilla’s first chance as a registered voter. Yet the 18-year-old McAllen native said he is choosing not to participate in this election.

“I have other things on my mind,” Quintinilla said. “I don’t know what’s going on with the politics, and right now, I have more important things to worry about than voting.”

Teresa R. Navarro, the elections administrator for Hidalgo County, said perhaps time management is a factor in a student’s ability to vote.

“Many of them don't gather the proper information, they don't make themselves aware of the importance of voting,” Navarro said. “They don't educate themselves on the issues or the candidates.”

Navarro believes that overall, students and young voters don't see the importance of voting, and they don't make the time to discover how important it is to participate.

In Hidalgo County, the registration of young voters has increased by 10 percent.

The Elections Department hopes that UTPA students will participate in early voting at a substation that will be located in the library.

“That's a very active area, all students have to go into the library at one point,” Navarro said.

In the 2000 election, the Elections Department and UTPA worked together and held a substation on the second floor in the cafeteria for one day. This year, the substation will be in operation for two weeks, giving ample time for students to vote.

“We're giving the students two full

See VOTING page 11

Page 15

Amanda Carlow dribbles around an Incarnate Word defender during the Lady Broncs’ 63-46 victory Jan. 27 at the Field House. The win was the first in their latest string of four victories in the past five games.

Boxing

continued from page 16

gym, the elder boxer explained that his son is focused for the fight after having trained so well.

“He’s got that look right now, he’s been training hard for it,” Peña Sr. said. “My boy doesn’t talk about anybody. He’s a real good guy. It’s like a dog, if you corner him, what’s he gonna do?

He’s gonna stop barking, he’s gonna be biting.”

The trainer also says that all the talk from De la Rosa’s camp may backfire.

“So, my boy said they’ve said enough and he’s the one who decided he wanted to take him on,” he commented. “Now J.P.’s got a chance to prove himself. So, this is his chance. Like I said, my boy doesn’t talk much, but he’s going to do his talking in the ring come Thursday.”

The fight between the two Valley rivals will split the audience. Peña Jr. explained that aside from a victory, the winner of the fight would also gain bragging rights.

“It’s going to be a good crowd, supporting, and booing,” he said.

“But I guess for this fight it’s pretty much bragging rights because since we’re both Valley fighters, fighting at the same weight, trying to get up, and get going. It’s going to be a good fight.”

The second-year pro will be fighting for the first time at the newest venue in the Valley, the Dodge Arena, holding its second boxing event of the year. He sees

it as a golden opportunity to display his boxing skills.

“I feel very good,” Peña said.

“I have to go out there and show everybody what I got, especially if they seen me in the last fight.

They’re going to see a totally different new fighter and it’s a step up. I hope there’s a lot of promoters and other managers out there so they can see what I got and get me on to moving up.”

In the other corner is 17-yearold J.P. De la Rosa, who signed his first professional contract at age 15 and will be making his debut in the United States against Peña. He fought his first seven professional fights in México because of the lower age limits.

“I had good competition,” De la Rosa said. “I got a draw with one of the guys, but it was more my training than anything. I was younger so I thought they [Mexican boxers] were pushovers and went over there with the wrong mind. Now, I’m matured and ready to go now.”

De la Rosa is ready fight Peña, but says that he was the one that was called out to fight.

“It was the other way around,” De la Rosa said. “I heard talk about me so, I decided to take the fight. I’m not sure, but they called me and told me that he wanted to fight me and that he was calling me out. So, I took the fight.”

Whatever the case may be, the two fighters will meet tonight to decide who is the better fighter and who is right.

In the past few games Amanda Carlow, senior UTPA guard, has stepped up to lead her team as it tries for school history. With four games to go, the Lady Broncs are closing in on the single season record for wins, set with a 12-12 mark in 1984-85 season. What better way to end a career than to make team history?

The Lady Broncs next game will be against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne today at 5 p.m. UTPA defeated the Lady Mastodons Jan. 31 by three points. They have four shots to set the record and Carlow will be right in the middle of that effort.

It didn’t start so well for Carlow, as she was injured and forced to redshirt in 2001-2002.

But she came back from that and has gradually established herself as a steady player since. This season has been the culmination of that progress as she averages 19 points per game, with a season best of 26 against Incarnate Word.

Her coach has seen the improvement and is glad to have Carlow running the show down the stretch in 2004.

“She’s one of our best point guards, she has good range and has the pulse of the basketball team,” said Coach DeAnn Craft.

Although Carlow loves basketball and will be sad to see her career come to an end March 3 when the Lady Broncs play Northern Arizona, she can’t wait to return home, to South Dakota.

Keeping in touch with past Carlow grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where many Oglala Sioux Native Americans, like Carlow reside.

The Pine Ridge Reservation has been the center of much controversy between the government and Native Americans in the past. Located on the reservation is Wounded Knee Creek, where the 1891 Massacre of Wounded Knee, as the Sioux call it, or the Battle of Wounded Knee, as American history recalls it occurred. There, 350 Native American men, women and children were killed by the 7th Cavalry of the United States.

Although Carlow is very active in her culture, which has been passed down by her grandparents, she finds it hard to keep her focus on her ancestry being so far away, living in the Valley.

“Being here it is really hard to embrace my culture because there really is not anyone to relate to it

but when I am at home I do Sun Dances, I participate in ceremonies, and the whole cultural aspect of the Native Americans,” Carlow said.

Although Carlow enjoyed her home, she found comfort in her second home on the basketball court at Rapid City Central High School, where she started an impressive career. There she was named Second Team All-State, All-Conference during all four seasons, was the Cobbler Classic Most Valuable Player, and team most valuable player. She also served as team captain, led her team to two league championships and two state playoff appearances, and was recognized as her school’s top female athlete. Carlow showed her versatility by being named a member of the National Honor Society and graduating Summa Cum Laude.

After high school Carlow attended Northeast Community College, where she was named All-Conference and All-Region twice, led her team to the conference title both seasons, and twice earned Academic All-Region honors.

A Whole New World The addition of Carlow to the Lady Bronc roster was a step in the reconstruction of the team. The Dakota native wanted instantly to be a part of the rebuilding soon after her first visit to UTPA, after meeting the coaches and team.

“Whenever I got recruited I really believed in the coaching staff, their philosophies and I connected with them and the team so I figured I would give it a shot,” Carlow said.

Besides the obvious cultural differences between her home at Pine Ridge Reservation and the Valley, Carlow has adjusted and has actually found similarities between the two, including one in the area of demographics.

“Coming to the Valley was a whole different experience, they have a whole different set of rules here,” said Carlow. “Although in some ways it is similar to life on the Rez [reservation]. Here the Valley’s majority is in reality a minority and back home the majority is also a minority.”

Off the Court Besides her basketball record, Carlow has made other high marks at UTPA, as a major in criminal justice with a concentration on corrections. She received the Arthur Ashe Junior Sport Scholar Award, and is member of the

Criminal Justice National Honor Society.

Beyond her studies and basketball Carlow still has time for the most important person in her life, her son Riyen. The support of both her family at home and her family at UTPA helps the situation.

“The team has been really supportive and helpful, they let him come to the gym during practices and also help watch him if I have a major test,” said Carlow.

“Although this semester he is with my mom and brother because I had to be on the road for 10 days straight. But he is coming back next week and I can’t wait.”

She is set to graduate in May and then is looking forward to moving home again.

The Rest of the Season Since taking over after guard Ashley Roberts’ injury, Carlow has stepped up as a team leader and a commander on the court as point guard.

“When our back is against the wall, we always have someone come out and surprise us with their play,” said Craft in a recent interview with Mike Bond, UTPA sports information director interim. “Amanda has just really taken over this team the past few weeks, she has taken charge as a senior should, she has always been a tremendous distributor but she has now become more of a scoring point guard.”

As the Lady Broncs work toward breaking their win record Carlow hopes to make the most of her last four games as a player at UTPA and her last four games of basketball altogether.

“I am really going to miss basketball when the season ends,” she said. “Basketball has always been an important part of my life; I always scheduled everything around it.

“It’s going to be hard.”

Lady Broncs’ next game:

at What: Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne Lady Mastodons at UTPA Lady Broncs When: Tonight at 5 p.m.

Where: UTPA Field House Records: Broncs (11-13); IPFW (7-17).

Last meeting: Lady Broncs won Jan. 31, 2004 at 75-72 Gates Sports Center.

All-time series: Lady Broncs lead 2-1.

Notable: The Lady Broncs have won 4 of their last 5 games.

S PORTS

PAGE 16

Killer Bees Tonight vs.

Feb. 20 Austin at Dodge Arena, 7:30 Feb. 21 Corpus Christi at Dodge Arena, 7:30

NBA Schedule Friday, Feb. 20 at 35-18 6:30 20-33 San Antonio Spurs vs.

Feb. 22 at Minnesota, 2:30 Feb. 24 Houston, 7:30

Saturday, Feb. 21 vs.

33-20 7:30 31-22 Dallas Mavericks vs.

Feb. 24 L.A. Clippers, 7:30

at 31-22 7:30 33-20 Houston Rockets vs.

Feb. 22 Atlanta, 7:30 Feb. 24 at San Antonio, Feb. 25 Cleveland, 8

Tuesday, he cooled down in a caged-off section of the Edinburg Parks and Recreation Center, serving as a boxing facility that Noé Peña Jr. calls home. Here he was finishing up a last training session in preparation for tonight’s Fight Night at the Dodge Arena.

Peña’s welterweight fight tonight will be his seventh professional outing, and it will come against Valley rival J.P. De la Rosa (60-1) of Harlingen, who he was supposed to fight in December. Peña (3-2-1, 2 KOs) came down with the flu and had to pull out.

“He had the flu and he still wanted fight, he was getting better, but he was too weak,” said Peña’s father and trainer, Noé Peña Sr. “I’m not going to let him go in there after being sick four or five days. You’re too weak, his pride was getting in the way, but I didn’t let him go fight because he wasn’t going to do anything…he wasn’t ready. This time he’s ready. He’s 100 percent ready.”

As a result of the first fight’s cancellation, De la Rosa’s camp assumed Peña was afraid and began a trash-talk campaign to lure Peña into a fight, something the 21-year-old second-year pro from Edinburg was more than happy to oblige.

“He hasn’t fought anybody to my caliber yet,” said Peña of De la Rosa. “So, it’s going to be a surprise for him.”

Still, the recent illness and inactivity will mean that Peña is going to have to shake off

HEADLINES

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

Preacher Moss

some rust against the Harlingen opponent.

Peña’s last fight was on Oct. 22 of last year when he lost a decision to Anthony Wilson at the Pharr Convention Center.

Peña, described as a conventional fighter, says that he learned a lot from the last fight and explained that De la Rosa fights similarly to Wilson. He has a game plan to counter both the speed and body-punching power of his opponent.

“He has a lot more speed than power than anything” Peña said of De la Rosa. “So, I’m just going to have to match up with his speed and throw more power shots. But once I take it to him in the first round, he’s not going to know what to do so, I have a totally different game plan and it is going to be very good.”

Peña Sr. is a fighter himself who expects to make his next ring appearance in May. For now, he is his son’s trainer, and he believes that De la Rosa and his trainers are selling his son short.

“They’re underestimating my boy Noé a little bit because he’s real calm,” Peña Sr. said. “But he’s smart. So, they think they’re going to get the best of him, but my boy’s focused. They’ve said a lot of stuff already and pretty much called my boy out so, my boy’s giving them a chance to prove himself now.”

Photo by Ed Chrnko/The Pan American With Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” blaring in the background at Peña Sr.’s auto Edinburg’s Noé Peña Jr. trains at Edinburg Parks and repair shop just down the street from the Recreation Monday for his bout with J.P. de la Rosa, tonight at

See BOXING page 15 the Dodge Arena at 7.

Broncs looking for eighth win in a row

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

7:30

All games p.m.

Tonight vs.

What: UTPA Broncs vs.

Central Baptist Mustangs When: Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Where: UTPA Field House Radio: KSOX 1240 AM Records: Broncs (12-13); CBC (11-17) Last meeting: Broncs won 105-43 on Feb. 8, 2003 at Field House.

All-time series: Broncs lead 1-0.

Notable: The Broncs have won 7 games in a row.

■ Boxing. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Local fighters ready to rumble

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American

Killer Bees at Corpus Christi, 7:05

■ Carlow. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Photo by D. Guadarrama/The Pan American

The Broncs defeated AirForce 37-35 Tuesday night in their lowest scoring game since Jan. 5, 1970, when they defeated Northern Michigan 30-29.

The UTPA Broncs will be looking for their eighth consecutive win, and 13th of the year when they host the Central Baptist Mustangs Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the Field House.

The Broncs, who are currently one game under .500, could take one step closer to finishing the 2003-04 season with a winning record if they can take advantage of their recent momentum and edge the Stangs. But a loss at home would mean the Broncs would have to settle for.500 or less on the season.

The Broncs, who extended their winning streak to seven games Monday night when they grounded the Air Force Falcons in a low scoring 37-35 victory, are looking for an easy win to coincide with their Senior Night festivities. But senior Allen Holcomb, who will be playing his final home game with the Broncs on Thursday, knows the team can’t lose its focus.

“We’ve had a tough couple of games recently, and I’ve been happy that

we’ve pulled them off,” Holcomb said.

“But basically in these next couple of games we can take anything too lightly.”

Holcomb, who led the Broncs against Air Force with 12 points, knows every game is serious.

“It’s a game so anybody can be beat on a given day,” Holcomb said. “We want to come in here prepared and try to get on top of these guys from the tip.”

For Holcomb, a dominant force on the Bronc roster since transferring to UTPA from Allen County Community College last season, the final game at home will be bittersweet.

“I’ve got mixed emotions about it,” Holcomb said. “It’s my senior year, and I hate to leave it, but at least I’ll be able to leave it on a good note. And if anything I’d love to leave it on a good note.”

In addition to Holcomb, forwards Andrius Sakalys and Delvis Díaz will also be making their final home appearance.

According to Head Coach Bob Hoffman the work of these three players is a key part of the Broncs’

success as of late.

“I think it was important that those guys took ownership, and they helped other guys take ownership. And all three of those guys have been great leaders for us,” Hoffman said. “The reason we’ve won seven in a row is because of those guys’ great leadership.”

Coming into the 2003-04 season the Broncs had high hopes. Prior to the season many players on the squad were predicting a NIT invitation, and were anticipating more than 20 wins.

After a rocky start, the Broncs shifted their focus to a winning season. Since dropping Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne on Jan. 21 the Broncs have appeared indestructible, and with their win against Air Force earlier this week, which came after back-to-back wins against New Mexico State and Colorado State, the Broncs have solidified themselves as a solid Division I basketball team.

The current RPI poll shows UTPA moving up more than 60 spots from their low point in the season, to 250 of 321 teams.

THURSDAY

SEX FAREWELL SUN. 22

February 19, 2004

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

See Page 4 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

INVESTIGATION ON HOLD Garcia’s resignation changes PAUF grievance case

By ARIANNA VAZQUEZ The Pan American

position as soon as possible due to a serious illness that has caused a change at the top for Henry Cogswell College.

With brown boxes ready to be “The current president of the other college is seriously picked up for storage, Homer Garcia ill and they need a president immediately, and I need a readied his exit from the job,” Garcia said. “On one hand I am very sad to say university stage Wednesday. goodbye to faculty, administration colleagues, and Garcia, the former dean of students, but excited of the the College of Social and presidency that awaits Behavioral Sciences, is me.” leaving the school and the After the word was Valley, after three years as out last spring that dean. He is moving his President Miguel books to Henry Cogswell Nevarez would be College where he will take retiring this year, the seat of president in midGarcia started job March.

His sudden hunting. According to resignation from UTPA was Garcia - who has seen made public Feb. 4 through four president a mass e-mail to faculty and resignations at various staff. Prior to the message universities - after a Garcia had contacted president leaves, the Rodolfo Arevalo, provost, new one is entitled to to inform him of the have an entire new decision, so that the administration if replacement process could he/she wishes. begin.

Garcia’s goal since Arevalo mentioned that he started working Arianna Vazquez /The Pan American as an administrator the process to find the interim and/or next dean LIMBO- Homer Garcia, former dean of the College of Social and was to stay in the would take in the most Behavioral Sciences, is leaving the Valley for a job as president of a administration, and two weeks. Garcia will small college in Washington state. to develop have to assume his new aspirations of some

day becoming the president of a university. With Nevarez leaving, he had the chance to job hunt for the position he was waiting for, and figured that when Nevarez leaves, things may change at UTPA. “The new president has the right to remove all administrators,” Garcia said. “I am part of the Nevarez team, and I know there was a good possibility to be asked for a letter of resignation because of change in presidency. I have seen presidents make replacements, and I don’t want to be told to pack up and leave.”

LOOSE ENDS

With Garcia leaving, the Pan American United Faculty (PAUF), a local association affiliated with the Texas Faculty Association (TFA), will find that one of its ongoing investigations, involving Garcia and his former College, has changed.

TFA was created to provide faculty and staff in higher education with peer support of their duties and experiences on the field. Faculty members from various state colleges run the organization.

One of the many goals of the organization is to help faculty members who feel they are having problems with their administrators, and the purpose of TFA as a whole is to calm the sea and try to find a democratic solution to problems.

This time, the local chapter got a complaint from a UTPA faculty member involving what he called discriminatory action by the administration. James Aldridge, TFA president and a psychology and anthropology professor, got the report and started an

See GARCIA page 12

Saenz vs. Peña becoming heavyweight political bout

By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American Months have turned to weeks, and weeks have turned to just only a few days remaining before the District 40-state representative showdown between Eddie Saenz and incumbent Aaron Pena begins.

Clothing advertisements, posters and signs of Pena and Saenz continue to color the Valley landscape with their pearly white smiles and spiffy suits set in a background full of reds, whites and blues around town. Both candidates have one goal in common: to become state representative for District 40.

Eddie Saenz There are currently 150 state representatives in Texas. District 40 that covers Edinburg, La Joya, Sullivan City, Edcouch-Elsa, Monte Alto, and a small part

of McAllen. In total, this nears to about 140,000 residents. Early voting begins Feb. 23 and ends March 5, with election day set for March 9. There will be a mobile voting booth available in the library lobby.

The race has been perhaps the most interesting and contentious of the season. Both men have extensive resumes and experience, and have not hesitated to come out swinging, both on the issues and on personal situations.

Saenz is the owner and engineer for J.E. Saenz and Associates Inc, and says the core of his platform is creating more jobs and to improve the infrastructure.

“It’s about creating jobs. Needed infrastructure and funding is one that helps in creating jobs, whether its Aaron highways, water lines, and even quality of life projects like (Edinburg’s) World Birding Center,” said Saenz. “People look at what’s available here before they want to open business here.

Small businesses will be created here to create jobs for the community.”

A third branch of Saenz’ platform consists of providing better education for students, and at the same time make sure teachers are qualified to teach them.

“It is important that we take care of these issues for our future, such as our kids,” said Saenz, who is the challenger in the race. “We also need to address issue with our teachers as well. Teachers who are not the highest paid profession in country. We rank in the bottom half. We need to make sure we have teachers that are certified to teach our children, so to do that, we need to make sure we pay them adequately.”

Saenz also wants to get the teachers’ health insurance paid for. Teachers, he says, participate in teacher retirement system but aren’t treated as state employee. Saenz says that if a plan could be contrived for some fairness and equality in Peña teachers at the state level, more will want to stay and remain teaching because of higher pay.

During the past 15 years as a community servant, Saenz has

See RACE page 12