April 22, 2004

S PORTS

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Dorados face OKC in rematch at Arena

By MATT HALL The Pan American

HIDALGO - The Rio Grande Valley Dorados (1-1) af2 team had a week off to prepare for Saturday’s rematch against the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2-0) at the Dodge Arena at 7:30 p.m. The two teams met earlier this season with the Yard Dawgz getting the best of the Dorados 55-17 when last year’s ArenaCup MVP and Dawgz quarterback Craig Strickland put on a clinic.

at Who: Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz at RGV Dorados When: Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Dodge Arena Records: Dorados (1-1); Yard Dawgz (2-0) Last game: Yard Dawgz routed Dorados 55-17 on April 10 Notable: Former N.Y. Giants linebacker Gary Reasons (1984-91) is the Oklahoma City head coach; the Yard Dawgz are one of three conference teams RGV will face two out of three times on home turf this season. RGV will also face OKC on July 10.

Strickland hit 18 of 28 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for two scores. Head Coach Gary Gussman believes controlling Strickland will be the key to victory for the Dorados. “The quarterback they have is good and proven he can play,” Gussman said. “Controlling him is a part of our game plan.” Rio Grande City native and quarterback Abel González tied the af2 record for the longest touchdown pass by connecting with Mike Duncan on 49-yard strike. González, who is sharing time with quarterback Will Burch, is just happy to be back in the Valley and playing where he grew up. “To be able to play in this area is great,” González said. “I love football down here. I got this opportunity and I could not pass it up.” Dawgz wide receiver Al Hunt was named the Ironman of the Week for his four-touchdown performance, including one interception on the defensive side last time the two teams matched up. Former Defensive Player of the

■ Track. . . . . . . . . . . . .15 ■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

Week Karleton Thomas will be the one the team looks to in order to keep pressure on Strickland. He believes a strong pass rush will help the Dorados and limit the Dawgz’ offensive outbursts. “We are just trying to put out a better performance than last time,” Thomas said. “If they are going to beat us we want them to earn it and not just give it to them.” The last time these two teams hooked up, the Dawgz shut down the Dorados’ offense in the second half. Gussman knows his team has to be efficient on the offensive side of the ball and cannot afford a goose egg in either half to escape with a win Saturday night. “Offensively we got a chance to watch a lot of film and correct the mistakes we made in that game,” Gussman said. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., however, a tailgate party will be held in the arena parking lot at 4 p.m. “It looked like the community had a great time, González said. “It is Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American exciting for them to see this type of football. I am glad for the Dorados kicker Eric Houle practices at Dodge Arena Wednesday in community that we have this down preparation for RGV’s matchup with Oklahoma City Saturday night. here for them.”

‘Whistler’ gets big cheers Men’s tennis routed, women win closer from Broncs and crowd By DELISA GUADARRAMA The Pan American

tion for Martínez, who has become a permanent figure along the thirdbase line at the new Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

“The Whistler” haggles the players from the opposite team and since some of the teams have been Who cares? Jerry Martínez does. coming down for years to play the Nicknamed “The Broncs, he has acquired Whistler,” Martínez has tidbits of inside informabeen a loyal Texas-Pan tion, which he uses to American baseball fan for hassle them a little more, the past eight years and all in good spirits of has proved to be much course. more than a common fan. Since the 1996 season While filling up his gas he has coined such one tank back in 1996, liners as: “All it takes is Martínez decided to head one,” “Get that bullpen over to Judy Ramsey going,” “You’re scared,” Stadium because the and “Runner on first – lights were on. he’s going.” “It was fun,” Martínez Martínez makes up said. “So I kept on coming his one liners on the fly. Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American back” He also has made TJerry “The Whistler” Martínez has supported the Ever since then, it has Broncs baseball team since 1996. shirts for the last couple of See WHISTLER page 15 been somewhat of an addic-

By MATT HALL The Pan American

The University of Texas-Pan American men’s tennis team was routed by rival Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 70, to end the regular season. The green and orange are now preparing for the Southland Conference Tournament that will be held in San Antonio beginning April 30 and concluding May 2. Assistant Coach Kati Gyulai believes the effort was there and no one gave up. “The effort was there,” Gyulai said. “But we just are not playing the big points and that is the difference.” At No. 4 singles Oliver Steil showed toughness and heart after he lost his opening set 6-4. He came back and won the second set 6-1, unfortunately Steil lost the tiebreaker 10-5.

He believes obtaining the goal they set out to at the beginning of the year is possible, but it will be a fight. “We can do it and since we are the underdog people don’t give us respect,” Steil said. “With a good team effort we can still get far in the tournament.” Jeremy Salvo lost a nail-biter to Goncalo Figueiredo in three sets 1-6, 62, 6-2. Salvo and his partner Steil put up a valiant effort in the doubles, but lost 8-4. Salvo knows the odds are stacked against them, but he still thinks Pan Am can win the tournament. “We have always had the confidence to win,” Salvo said. “If we give the same effort we should be fine and come out on top.” One thing the Broncs have against them is the loss of senior Tom Mangelschots, who has two herniated

See TENNIS page 15

HEADLINES

THURSDAY

‘Connie & Carla’

April 22, 2004 An Inside Look: News ............................................2 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16

See Page 8 for details

■

HAPPY FINALS!

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

DEJA VU: Cell phone use becoming hazard SGA election By ANGELA I. CANALES The Pan American

By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American Lessons stretch beyond college classes. This past week student representatives in the Student Government Association for the 2004 SGA elections learned marked life lessons. When Nathan Schwarz and Nadya Maldanado challenged the SGA election results, the process began on exactly how to fix the problems. After an investigation indicated that certain election rules were broken, and election processes were not accounted for, a student trial was held, with the result ending in a second election. Dean of Students Jerry Price feels the mishaps came from overzealous expectations from the student committee. “With the organization, I felt like in many ways, they just overestimated what they would be able to handle,” Price said. “They tried really hard, but didn’t come together the right way.” Though Price feels he should have said something in the planning process of the elections, he also feels the students have learned valuable lessons from the controversy. “The students are better for it in the long run,” Price reflected. “They learned they have to be careful when writing the [election] rules and how to word certain requirements since they are taken very seriously.” This was the first year that SGA extended the hours and days of the elections from 24 hours of open polls to nearly 60 hours. With the extension of the hours,

See SGA page 6

You are taking a test and all of a sudden your concentration is interrupted because someone’s cell phone has gone off. Cell phone usage has boomed in recent years and people are beginning to use them as an everyday thing. People have begun to use their cell phones as a means to converse with friends and for everyday phone calls, rather than for emergency use. Freshmen electrical engineering major Mario Martinez recognizes that he uses his phone often and it is not only for emergency use. Martinez explains that he uses his cell phone about 15-20 minutes daily depending on the reason. “It depends on if I have to call people to meet some place to study or something like that, or just to call friends,” he said. There are students who still only use their cell phones for emergencies only. Being a parent and a student has an affect on some students’ perception of the importance of not using cell phones

I VOTED— Freshman Rachella Mascorro, votes for the second SGA election on Wednesday morning at the Library.

for things other than emergencies. Students such as Paula Guzman, a graduate student of interdisciplinary studies, uses her cell phone strictly for

emergencies. “I use it when I am here at work or at school to check on my kids,” said

See CELL PHONES page 12

Presidential finalists revealed By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

HELLO— During class break, students communicate electronically via cell phone at the Student Union Wednesday afternoon. Studies show that cell phone use is becoming a national hazard. Various car accidents have been credited to its use.

governing boards must name finalists for a presidency at least 21 days before making an appointment. A meeting at With the ending of which the UT a semester, the UTPA Dr. Herman Lujan- Provost and Vice System board UTPA University of Texas will make a PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TES President for CANDIDA Board of Regents final decision are already Academic Affairs, has not yet been preparing for the Dr. Blandina Cardenas- Dean of the LACU. scheduled. upcoming year after College of Education and Human naming the seven Development, UTSA. "The finalists Dr. Lois Muirfinalists for the whom the Board Provost and Vice presidency of the Dr. Lynda Y. de la Viña- Associate of Regents has President for University of Texasnamed today are Dean and Director of the Graduate Academic Affairs, University of Pan American. distinguished The Board has Division of Business and Management Montana. leaders capable announced the and Chair of the Department of of taking UTDr. Richard A. Navarrosenior finalists after Finance and International Business, Pan American to project officer for UNICEF. recommendations of JHU. a higher level of the advisory Dr. Fernando M. Treviño- Dean of prominence in committee and the School of Public Health at the nominations for the Dr. Tim Hudson- Provost and Vice t e a c h i n g , The President for Academic Affairs, position. research, and University of North Texas Health c o m m i t t e e , University of Southern Mississippi. public service," Science Center. consisting of said Board of Source: UT System News Release various faculty R e g e n t s ' members and Chairman Charles Miller in the UTExecutive Vice Chancellor for Monday. university law, Texas Under Academic Affairs for the UT System See PRESIDENT page 12 as the chair, met April 15 to create the final list of candidates and announced them in a UT System press release on

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April 22

OPINION

letters

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editorials

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cartoons

2004

Advertising cheapening women’s power 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 27

Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com

News Editor Clarissa Martinez clarissa_utpa@ hotmail.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 Dägoberto Pérez Ginmarie Mabry Reporters Angela Canales Vanessa Castillo Julian Cavazos Edwina Garza Dulce Gonzalez Matt Hall Christina Harris Aaron Lozano Vanessa Lucio Amy Medellin Photographers Franco Caballero Delisa Guadarrama Copy Editor Joe Anna Moreno Student Pub. Secretary Jo Anne Murphy Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

The PAN AMERICAN is

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

“All the w o m e n independent, throw your hands up at me,” was sung by Destiny’s Child in the soundtrack ARIANNA VAZQUEZ of the hit m o v i e “Charlie’s Angels.” Since then independence in women has been the mantra, as well as a marketing stunt. It is a time when celebrating a woman’s success and status is important, and jewelry companies have learned it well. Right-hand rings have been in the market since the fall of 2003, and stores from Tiffany’s to Wal-Mart have been at the core of the fad. The ring symbolizes being independent and happy, and the rule to follow is that women should buy it for themselves as a way of applauding their success in life. The rings are usually worn on the fourth finger of

the right hand. Celebrities such as a Minnie Driver, Eve, and the cast from the HBO show “Sex and the City” have worn them. It was the perfect scam to capture already diamond loving women so that they will buy more diamonds without feeling guilty of buying them for themselves. Righthand rings have even gotten as pricy as engagement rings, and their popularity and demand have grown due to the help of singers and actresses that endorse the product. The ad campaigns for the rings have illustrated the importance and the symbol of owning a right-hand ring to the dot. They explain how they are explicitly for independent, powerful, and accomplished women. The ads are also seen in famous women magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan, capturing different age groups with the same idea. It is a well developed and conceived publicity stunt. Women were given the upper hand on things and given a place in society, even though it is all an illusion: they are simply the target market for

jewelers. Women have been given the chance to feel good about not having anyone to buy them jewelry because the rings have also proven to be a status symbol of being single. It was a perfect cover, to switch roles and make women feel power over men. The rings are thick like men’s rings, they have an x number of diamonds versus engagement rings, which are typically solitaires, and they are worn in the opposite hand where society has placed wedding bands, the universal symbol of being attached “forever.” The right-hand ring is simply an advertising strategy that has made billions of dollars for jewelry companies, and the sad thing is, women are listening and believing what they are being told. The ad campaign launched by the Diamond Trading Company read: “Women of the World, Raise Your Right Hand.” Do it, but raise it with or without a ring because advertisers should not be the ones to give the approval of what constitutes the universal symbol of women’s independence.

Stray pets, lazy owners becomes epidemic It’s not unusual to find the occasional abandoned non-working appliance, worn tires, even bags full of trash while driving down rural roads in the Rio Grande DIANA GARZA Valley. A person would think twice before dumping anyone of these items out in the open, considering it’s illegal, but in a world where discarding anything that is no longer of use or inoperable, this is the norm instead of the exception. When dumping includes unwanted pets, it’s time to draw the line. This practice of abandoning animals in remote areas is rampant, even though there are laws to protect innocent and helpless animals. But it continues to happen. The law in the state of Texas makes it a Class A misdemeanor for anyone failing to provide necessary food, care or shelter for an animal in a person’s custody, or abandoning an animal in the person’s custody. Violation is punishable by incarceration in the county jail for up to one year and a fine not to exceed $4,000. But offenses continue to go undetected. It prompted Elizabeth Johnson to start her own animal rescue shelter, Oasis Animal Sanctuary, in her parent’s home located in rural Mission. Johnson, originally from New York, moved to Mission three years ago. She doesn’t understand how people can abandon their pets in the middle of nowhere. Neither can John Vidaurri, executive

Pro events not like high school sports April 22, 2004

director for The Upper Valley Humane Society in Edinburg. The Center has quietly sheltered and advocated for these neglected animals, serving 13 communities in Hidalgo County. Their mission is to shelter stray animals, those who are unwanted, or abused. The Center can house up to 600 animals, mostly cats and dogs. It handles a little over 100 pets per day. Last year more than 42,000 animals came and went through its doors. The three-year average between 2000-2003 was at 40,250. The numbers are increasing. One problem is education. Few pet owners take the time to study the breed they’re considering for adoption. Often times it can be a high-maintenance animal and they fail to look into the time and amount of work it will take to care for their pet. Owning a pet takes a lot of commitment. That commitment includes responsibility for the offspring of these pets. Only a handful knows about neutering or spaying their pet, fewer still can afford it. In this border region, where the poverty level is high, pet owners are unwilling to pay for medical care for their pets much less for such extravagances as neutering or spaying. To compound matters, the Center has been without a veterinarian since November 2003. There are few, only about 40 veterinarians to service four counties. Most vets are overworked and underpaid. Meanwhile, only adoptable cats, and dogs are being neutered, or spayed at the Center by a volunteer veterinarian for a reduced fee. While there is quite of bit of success in placing a number of pets for adoption, not all animals are adoptable. Non-adoptable pets are euthanized. The numbers keep rolling in. It costs $1.1 million yearly to

run the Center. The majority of the money, $640,000 to be exact, comes from contracts with the surrounding cities. The rest, almost 50 percent, comes from fundraisers and grant writing. Johnson funds her own shelter with her own monies and through donations. She, too, is in dire need of a veterinarian for rescued animals. She normally can get them spayed or neutered for $50 in Corpus Christi when she travels there at her own expense. Other times people are willing to donate $100 for each animal, in the event that she has to get it done here in the Valley. For Vidaurri, a solution where pets can be neutered or spayed at an affordable rate and no pets are euthanized, would mean a no-kill facility but that would require an animal hospital instead of a clinic. It would mean it could provide long-term treatment for animals that are diseased and need 2-3 months to heal. A full-care facility is a long-range vision for Vidaurri. Bigger cities have them. Here, it all comes down to economics. Consider this factor the next time you see a stray cat or dog out in the country, or better yet in your neighborhood. Two uncontrolled breeding cats, plus all their kittens and all their kittens’ kittens, if none are ever neutered or spayed, can add up to two litters per year with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter each with a 10year breeding life. In 10 years, the number of cats could reach up past 80 million. For one male dog and one female dog, the first year can average four offspring, two of them females. In seven years, there would be 4,372 offspring. There is still a long way to go getting the public educated and making them responsible pet owners. Stop the abuse. Do your part, be a responsible pet owner.

The friendly soccer match played last week between Mexican League rivals Pumas of UNAM and Tigres of UANL drew over 13,000 fans to M c A l l e n Ve t e r a n s Memorial Stadium and made Valley sports history. ED CHRNKO H o w e v e r , the organizaTIRO DE tion of the ESQUINA event itself was not what you may call the most efficient or the safest on behalf of the City of McAllen. The McAllen Police Department in conjunction with the McAllen ISD Police claimed that they were ready

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Sports

and it would be treated as other big events that have taken place at that particular stadium, such as high school football games. Great. Glad to hear it. Except there’s one little flaw in the police department’s arrogant assessment. If you are experienced in big-time events whether they are held in a 5,500-seat arena or a 14,000-seat stadium, you can’t compare high school football to a professional sporting event, much less a professional soccer match. The comment alone shows that you have no idea what you are doing. Because there were no incidents reported, it doesn’t mean it went smoothly. It just means the city got off lucky. As far as traffic control was concerned, it was not the greatest. I wait-

ed 20 minutes to advance half a block officials do have experience in these the match. Once inside the stadium, the police along Bicentennial in order to turn on matters, you would see a police offiTamarack, only to wait another 15 cer directing traffic. I didn’t see a presence was quite noticeable, however, they were too busy pulling minutes guard duty around an empty b e f o r e team bus instead of controlling making it the crowd that could’ve easily to my desgotten out of hand and trampled ignated several people that stood around parking the locker rooms. area. I I got caught in this human don’t mind wave. Actually, I literally was waiting in pulled in and, luckily, was spit traffic if it’s out at the other end. And I am justified, experienced in these types of but in this events. case, there However, children and older was no reaspectators that could’ve or did son for it. Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American get caught up in this autographIn cities seeking mob only a few feet away where pro- A huge crowd swarmed around the locker room area of the f e s s i o n a l Pumas and Tigres during their friendly match April 14 in McAllen. from McAllen’s finest may not be used to this and could’ve actually sporting events are held on a regular basis and meter maid out there, much less a gotten hurt. On the promotional side of the McAllen police officer doing much of anything at this particular inter- event, it could’ve been better since section except a motorcycle cop only one gate was open to sell the riding around in circles as I, along remaining tickets available as well as with several other vehicles, waited to admit people into the stadium. The event’s lack of advertising in line. To be fair, the police did an effi- also was not what it could’ve been, cient job of directing traffic after although in the end it wasn’t neces-

Pan Am track and field has Twilight on horizon By MATT HALL The Pan American

Whistler

A couple of weeks ago, a sudden increase in lightning strikes cancelled the Texas A&M Invitational after the second heat of the men’s 800-meter dash. Texas-Pan American Head Coach Ricky Vaughn thought that meet went really well considering the sudden intrusion of the inclement weather. “The ones that got to compete did very well,” Vaughn said. “Isaac [Ybarra] got second overall, Rashaad [Ben] ran good in the hurdles, and Amy Moses competed well.” The UTPA trio has already secured a spot at the NCAA Regionals David Treviño finished with a time of 4:01.16 and placed fifth overall in the 1500-meter run. “David Treviño has run very consistent and solid in the distance area,” Vaughn said. The Broncs had the weekend off, but the team looks forward to having a good showing at the Rice Twilight in Houston this weekMen’s Track & Field end. “I think we will Indoor Season do well,” Vaughn Score Opponent Date said. “We have two March 6 Border Olympics None or three more indiMarch 13 Angela Proctor Invit. None March 19-20 Whataburger/UTSA None viduals that I think Relays have a good shot March 27 Bayou Classic 5 of 8 qualifying for None Texas Relays April 1-3 April 10 Texas A&M None regionals and hopeInvitational fully we can get that April 18-19 Southwestern Bell Classic done.” April 24 Rice Twilight “We usually have May 1 Tom Tellez Invitational Texas A&M All-Comers May 15 people that step it up Meet at the end of the seaMay 27-29 NCAA Regional son,” Ybarra said. Championships June 9-12 NCAA Outdoor “Amber Kelly

He also has made T-shirts for the last couple of seasons, paying them out of his own pocket, and distributes them to other fans. Although he never played baseball and, at times, gets ice, gum, and even grapefruits thrown at him, “The Whistler” keeps coming back. Martínez has even taken a leave of absence and reshuffled his work

Championships

Track Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

The UTPA track and field team will participate in the Rice Twilight in Houston this weekend.

has had a great season,” Vaughn said. “She has come in as a freshman and has had a lot of success. Amy has had a solid season, I still really think she has a lot more left in her.” Vaughn expects good things out of Kelly in the future. “I’m happy with what I’ve done, but I think I could be doing better,” Kelly said. Although the season has gone “fast” according to Vaughn, he admits that “its gone well.” He credits Ben and Ybarra to have stepped it up this season. “They knew what they needed to do, what they wanted to focus on and both have had good seasons,” Vaughn said. “And I really think they have a chance of making it to the NCAA’s.”

continued from page 16 schedule to attend Bronc baseball games. He has now gathered about 15 regulars to his crew. “When we go on the road some of the fans can be 10 times worse than Jerry,” said sophomore Louie Alamia. “He is just a really awesome guy to have out in the stands on our side.”

continued from page 16

disks and will not compete. Salvo believes that his teammates will step up and perform fine in the absence of Mangelschots. “It is hard to replace a player like Tom,” Salvo said. “Armando has welcomed the challenge. We just have to step up at all of the other positions.” Women’s Tennis The women’s tennis team do not have a conference tournament to prepare for, instead they finished their season on a winning note after defeating Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, 6-1, on the final day of NCAA Division I Independent Championships. Gyulai was happy to see the girls

end their season on a positive note. “Definitely I am very happy with they way they played and ended the season,” Gyulai said. “It was a great experience for the newcomers.” Pharr native and mid-season walk on Jessica Chávez destroyed Jessica Vervynckt of IFPW at No. 6 singles, 6-0, 6-1. Chávez believes this win will carry over to next season and give her confidence to come back and build upon this win for next year. “I believe that winning and losing has a lot to do with what one believes he or she can do,” Chávez said. “I feel I gained a lot of experience being part of the tennis team and it was a great opportunity.”

April 22, 2004

Sports

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April 22, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

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■ Volunteer Fair. . . . . . . . . . 4 ■ Theft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ■ Accountability. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

N EWS

Continuing lawsuit plagues Edinburg ecomony By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American

A local construction company is trying to resolve issues at hand after not completing what was agreed under their contract. The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and Shea Development, a limited liability company, have recently been in disputes over contract deals and negotiations since August 2001. Now, Shea Development owner Hector Casas has made an offer to EEDC, which EEDC could agree to, but only under certain restrictions. The EEDC is a corporation that focuses on bringing expansion to the Edinburg economy by attracting new businesses and industries. Services provided are site selection assistance, and real estate database of properties and buildings. However, on Aug. 28, 2001, the agreement between the two corporations was made. Shea Development agreed to build a 16,000-square-foot conference center, and restaurant next to the Los Lagos Golf Course in Edinburg. The conference center would employ 15 personnel, and the restaurant, 30. The two projects would cost $4.5 million, according to the Plaintiff Petition. In return, the EEDC would provide infrastructure improvements, such as problems with sanitary sewers, paving, and drainage. The EEDC would have the infrastructure improvements completed within six months. As the Plaintiff Petition stated, they were completed by April 2002, costing $299,960. Contrarily, Shea Developments failed to complete the two buildings. An extension was asked for on July 29, 2002, agreeing that the conference center and restaurant would be completed in six months after October 2002. After the EEDC agreed, they gave Shea until August 28, 2003 to complete them, the document pointed out. If Shea

failed to have the two buildings completed by that final analyzed that there is retail demand in Edinburg. According deadline, a reimbursement of $300,000 would have to be to Garza, the strong support for business and meticulous planning is the cause for so many businesses to become paid to the EEDC. receptive to coming to Edinburg. Still, Shea “As the population increases, there is a failed to Edinburg Economic Development number of products and services needed to accomplish Corporation (EEDC) Lawsuit support the increasing population, encouraging what was new growth in the city,” Garza explained. promised. The ◆ Shea Development agreed to construct According to an article in The Monitor, EEDC then locations that are likely to have high retail filed a suit a conference center and restaurant potential are: 10th Street and State Highway against Shea, costing $4.5 million 107; Canton Road and U.S. Highway 281; State claiming of a ◆ In return, the Edinburg Economic 107 and Raul Longoria; and U.S. 281 and Farmbreach, or to-Market Road 2812. The Edinburg-McAllenviolation, of Development Corporation agreed to proMission area was also recently ranked fourth contract. Shea vide improvements in sanitary paving, among metropolitan statistical areas with the t h e n and drainage. largest over-the-year percentage of employment responded to ◆ Shea Development failed to construct the lawsuit increases, according to the Bureau of Labor with an offer the two buildings, and could have to pay Statistics. to the EEDC, $300,000. The new headquarters for the Rio Grande which the Border Patrol Sector will be built along Trenton EEDC will Road and U.S. Highway 281. The headquarters only accept under certain restrictions. EEDC attorney will bring 200 more jobs to the city. Other businesses, such Cynthia Gutierrez said an agreement has not been as Merkafon, a leading teleservice company, and UTPA established yet. have also contributed to the decrease in unemployment in “The settlement discussions are confidential, there is no Edinburg. Merkafon alone has brought about 300 jobs to agreement yet. We are still under mediation,” Gutierrez Edinburg. Also, about 15 new subdivisions are also said. currently being proliferated. Ramiro Garza Jr., EEDC executive director, said the Garza is confident about the future of the economy in EEDC is working on bringing more retail and industries to Edinburg, considering how it is growing rapidly both in Edinburg. business and population. “We have four different industrial parks in the city and “[Edinburg is] thriving. We know the different sectors we continue to attract different industries [that] come to the that possibly fit our city, so the idea is to be able to go after city or work with industries that have a need to expand,” those that match our demographics. We have the said Garza. “We also want to make that information numbers [and] all indicators reflect positive growth. available for companies that could provide products that are We are working to make sure that this continues, and be hardly provided to fulfill the demand here in our city.” able to adapt to any changes of the economy that might A retail study done by Buxton Company of Fort Worth come in the future,” Garza concluded.

Changes coming with release of student magazine By CLAUDIA L. FARIAS The Pan American

Students will be able to see where their service fees have gone next week with the release of the university’s official magazine/yearbook. This year’s issue of The Panorama will be available May 1. The free publication, themed “Everything you Never Expected,” will be larger and longer than the last edition. “I think we’ve created a book that we’re very proud of and the university will be proud of,” said Dr. Kimberly Selber, advertising professor and first-year adviser for The Panorama. “Expect radical changes this year in the format and design. It’s like a yearbook without all the mug shots.” She also said that the publication’s staff focused both on the aesthetics and content. “The cover’s different,” said Gabby Barajas, communication graduate student and creative editor for The Panorama. “It’s more simplistic, but has a more elegant look.” Barajas said the magazine will be laid out differently and will include coverage of each college on campus. “We wanted to focus on each college and not just one because it’s important to recognize each college,” she

said. “We hope to meet the students’ expectations.” “I didn’t want to be wasteful with the students’ money,” Selber said, referring to the 10,000 ordered copies of this year’s publication. Student service fees funded The Panorama’s production. Many copies were left over from last year’s issue, Selber said. She attributed the excess issues to last year’s release date, which was after finals. However, this year’s Panorama will be available while students are still attending school during finals week. The Panorama’s staff was split into teams and each team was assigned a college. Also, students from the university’s art department contributed to the magazine/yearbook, fostering more of a universitywide production of the publication. In addition to making this year’s issue more of a university-wide edition, rather than a communication department publication, Selber hoped to feature the achievements of students and faculty throughout the university. “We’re working toward a bigger concept,” Selber said. “I know this sounds like a cliché, but UTPA is a hidden gem. A lot of people have stereotypes, but then they’re surprised at UTPA. We do have Ph.D.s, we do have great computer facilities, and we wanted to highlight all these positive things.” Other university students throughout the state also

publish magazines that feature their schools’ successes. For example, students at the University of Texas at Austin produce Orange, which is also free to students. The Panorama will be available across campus and at the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. It will also be available at this semester’s commencement ceremonies. Freshman Jenice Garza, a physician’s assistant major, was excited to hear about the upcoming issue of The Panorama. “I find that interesting, considering this is my first year and I want to be able to remember what happened or what I missed,” Garza said. The Panorama staff began developing the publication last September. “I’ve seen the students go from looking for guidance to taking the lead and guiding others,” Selber said. “The credit goes to the students who wrote it, produced it and designed it.” And although the publication will not be available until next week, Selber is planning for next year’s edition of The Panorama. She wants to start recruiting staff already to fill the paid and non-paid positions available. “We’ll have different approaches next year,” Selber said. “I really want to build bridges across campus.”

April 22, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 4

Organizations Students raise funds for medical aid seek volunteers By VANESSA CASTILLO The Pan American

By JOSE CAMERO The Pan American At 11 p.m. the event began, and the sounds of people talking filled the Student Union. The halls of the first floor were lined with tables draped with banners, each one designating a different organization. This semester’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair had organizations ranging from the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aide to UTPA’s own Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. The purpose was to try and get help from any person wiling to lend a hand. Representatives from each organization took information such as name, telephone number, and e-mail, to facilitate the volunteer process. The success of the annual fair is marked not by those attending, but by the numbers willing to sign up to help, and end up coming through down the road. Sandra Morales from the Office of Services for Persons with Disabilities addressed this tension. “Last fall, 30 students signed up to volunteer,” she said. “We need more people to volunteer because we have a lot of students with disabilities.” Most of the people currently employed by the Office are on direct wage, but some are on the work-study program. “If we could get enough students to volunteer, we could use the money that would otherwise be used to pay employee wages to buy new and updated equipment,” Morales said, adding that most of the equipment they use is out dated. Dawne Hill, coordinator of campus activities, took part in the event, distributing flyers enabling students to enter into a raffle at fair’s end. Hill and the Office of Student Activities donated a Samsung DVD player, along with two DVDs, “Kill Bill” and “Old School.” “Last semester students came to the fair mainly for the giveaway prizes, but then got interested in actually volunteering,” Hill said. “Overall, this is a successful event and every time we have it, we have a great turnout.” Also in attendance was Dean of Students Jerry Price, who hopped from table to table, asking each organization how it was doing. “The circumstances that would have provided maximum attendance were not perfect, with final exams coming up, but organizations find themselves pretty occupied,” Price said. “This fair allows students to express their support to the different groups while also allowing the students to experience themselves what the community has to offer.”

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

VOLUNTEER— Stephanie Chavez (left) and Laura Duran view volunteer opportunities Tuesday afternoon at the Student Union commons area.

Medicine for a toothache seems simple enough to obtain doesn’t it? How about spending money for a night out with friends? Time and time again material items such as these are unequivocally taken for granted. But recently a group of students at UTPA have gotten a glimpse at how people in the third-world country of El Salvador cope with terminal illness, without the luxury of medicine, and realized that caring about the well-being of others is as important as caring about their own. Former Student Government Association President Francisco Vielma was asked by the University of Texas System Board of Regents to organize a philanthropic event that would encompass the entire student body and surrounding communities. While his father, a journalist, was documenting a hospice in San Salvador, El Salvador, he sent his wife pictures and letters describing the conditions. He was recently quoted saying, “I think of a hospital as a place where people get well. What I found there was a place where people are being

helped to die,” he said. “It is getting harder to put into words what we see. It doesn’t seem possible, but every day we see things that are more tragic than the day before.” In the event of his father’s visit to the hospital, Vielma was touched and wanted to incorporate Hospital Divina Providencia to the Board of Regent’s request. “My father shared a story with me about a group of patients who gathered in a corner of this facility and were praying to God. They weren't praying to God asking for a new car, for a date with a beautiful person, or for his help passing a math exam. They were praying to God asking him for someone to comfort their family when they passed away, for God's help in making it through the last painful days of their lives, for his help to be strong. We never realize that the nearest helping hand is at the end of our own arm,” said Vielma. Throughout National Volunteer Week, Vielma has organized a group of students that handed out packets of information about the hospital in an effort to raise funds for medical staff, medicine, medical supplies, and hospital equipment. Hospital Divina Providencia was

established in 1969, to assist people who were dying of cancer, leukemia, and other malignancies who were too poor to afford care and sometimes died on the streets of San Salvador. It is the only hospital of its kind in Central America and through the United Neighbors Council, a project of Comfort House Charities, Inc., Vielma has brought this issue to the attention of many who may have not realized that helping others can make a difference. Sister Therese Corkery, a member of the Divina Providencia Task Force, expressed her appreciation for the student’s hard work. “I think it is wonderful that students are becoming aware of people that are less fortunate than we are here in the United States,” she said. “I’m glad that they have stopped to look around and see that sometimes others need help too.” Closing the week of volunteerism and fund-raising, the students and faculty will subsidize an on campus telethon on Sat. April 24 at the Visitor’s Center. Members of Tau Kappa Epsilon and other student and faculty volunteers will be answering phones from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. UTPA is comprised of approximately 15,000 students; if everyone pledged a dollar, it would make a world of difference to people who have almost nothing. All contributions are tax See VOLUNTEER page 6

Candidates vie for Hispanic votes By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American

In 1996, Democrat Bill Clinton gained 72 percent of the Hispanic vote. In 2000, it looked as though the Democrats lost a few points with the Hispanic community as Al Gore only earned 62 percent of Hispanic votes while Republican George W. Bush received 35 percent, the highest showing ever for a Republican. As the presidential election draws near, both parties are making strong attempts to win the Hispanic vote for the 2004 election. Since being named the largest minority in the U.S., 35.3 million in 2000, and one of the fastest growing segments of the electoral, both parties are attempting to ensure the Hispanic vote, one that could easily make or break an election. The National Council of La Raza has said that Hispanicvoters numbered less than 5 million in 1996, nearly 6 million in 2000, and anticipate 8 million voters this year. With these statistics, the Republicans have

been working diligently over the past few months to sway Hispanic voters, commonly loyal Democrats, to vote for the Republican Party. And likewise, the Democratic Party is doing its best to keep its voters. “We’re seeing an unprecedented amount of attention to court Latino votes,” said Rosalind Gold of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund to the Mansfield News Journal. “Both parties are realizing that Latinos don’t march in lockstep and are up for grabs.” The Republican Party has been making its strong showing by demonstrating that the party shares many of the equal values that Hispanics do such as family and religion. Julio Zermeño, a junior at UTPA, said he would be voting for Bush this November because of the conservative values that the Republican Party has. “I’m a little more conservative than I am liberal,” he said. “I agree with a lot of the things the party stands for.”

Bush along with his family and supporters have been making appearances on Spanish television networks asking for the support of Hispanics come election time. Another one of Bush’s advantages the party uses is his ability to speak Spanish. And in hopes to strengthen ties with Hispanics, the President has been following his weekly radio speeches with Spanish translators. Zermeño calls the strategy a good move. “It’s a very popular, smart choice he made, and you can see where it’s headed—to just get votes, and that’s fine. Politics is politics, you have to do what you have to do.” In a memo to the Democratic Party, vice president to the New Democratic Network Maria Cardona explained the Republican’s goals. “The Republicans are not aiming to get the majority of the Hispanic vote, they don’t need it—they only need five or six more percentage points to win,” she said. “And they are being incredibly aggressive about making it happen.” See HISPANICS page 12

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

April 22, 2004

James gets rookie of year award Lebron James,19, became the youngest player in the history of the NBA to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award Tuesday. The 6-foot-8 James received 66 percent of the first place nominations from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. “It brings a smile a smile to my face,” James said.

Brown named NBA coach of year Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Hubie Brown, 70, won the NBA Coach of the Year Award Wednesday after leading the Grizzlies to a 50-32 season record and their first playoff appearance in team history. The award is Brown’s first in 26 years. He began coaching in 1978 when he led the Atlanta Hawks in 1978.

Israel soccer ban lifted Israel has the chance to play its first home game in more than two years. The recent lull in terrorism prompted UEFA, the sport’s European governing body, to allow games only in the TelAviv area with guaranteed security. Israel’s first game is set for May 8 when the women’s national team hosts Estonia.

Pan American Golf Classic The 15th annual Pan American Golf Classic will be held April 23 at the Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco. The golf classic will be to benefit scholarships that will help deserving students at UTPA. Golfers can participate in three different flight levels for $6,000 in cash prizes in the two-man, low-ball tournament. The highlight of the event will be a hole-in-one opportunity for an automobile. For more information, call 381-2500.

Page 13

Sports

FOR THE RECORD Broncs Baseball Date

Opponent

Nov. 1

Green and White

Score

Local / Regional Coverage

Jan. 31

Texas State-San Marcos L 7-8 Texas State-San Marcos L 2-6

Feb. 3

Texas Kingsville

Feb. 6

Lamar vs. Kansas

Feb. 6

Sam Houston State

L 2-7

Feb. 7

Kansas

W 8-6

Mexican Soccer W-D-L 11 - 3 - 1 9-5-1 9-2-4 7-4-4 6-6-3 5-6-4 5-5-5 5-5-5 4-8-3 5-5-5 5-4-6 5-4-6 5-3-7 5-3-7 2-9-4 4-3-8 3-6-6 3-5-7 3-4-8 3 - 2 - 10

Feb. 16

Lamar

L 4-6

Feb. 18

Texas A&M-Kingsville

W 15-5

Feb. 20

Sam Houston State

L 6-10

Feb. 21

Sam Houston State

L 5-10

Feb. 22

Sam Houston State

L 4-6

Feb. 27

Washington State

W 3-2

Feb. 28

Washington State

L 3-15

Feb. 29

Washington State

L 6-15

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

March 6

Arkansas

W 4-1

x-Claimed playoff berth

March 7

Arkansas

W 11-4

March 9

TAMUCC

W 2-0

March 9

W 6-3, 3-2 3-2

Feb. 7

Lamar vs. Sam Houston 7-4

Feb. 8

Sam Houston vs. Kansas 8-8

Feb. 8

Lamar

Feb. 15

Lamar (DH)

W 2-1 L 1-16, W 8-6

TAMUCC

W 10-5

March 12 Texas-San Antonio

W 6-4

March 13 Texas-San Antonio

L 1-3

March 14 Texas-San Antonio

ppd.

March 16 Texas-Arlington

W 7-5

March 17 Texas-Arlington

L 5-13

March 19 Oral Roberts

L 0-1

March 20 Oral Roberts

L 10-12

March 21 Oral Roberts

W 4-1

March 23 Texas-San Antonio

L 11-12

March 24 Texas-San Antonio

L 6-21

March 26 Dallas Baptist

L 7-11

March 26 Dallas Baptist

L 6-10

March 27 Dallas Baptist

L 6-8

March 30 Texas

L 1-10

April 6

Texas State-San Marcos

L 5-6

April 7

Texas State-San Marcos

L 8-13

April 9

TAMUCC (DH)

April 13

Texas-San Antonio W5-1, L1-2

L6-7, W11-3

April 14

Texas-San Antonio

2

April 16

Arizona

9

April 17

Arizona

9

April 18

Arizona

3

April 23

Dallas Baptist (DH)

4

April 24

Dallas Baptist

1

May 7

Southeastern Louisiana 7

May 8

Southeastern Louisiana 7

May 9

Southeastern Louisiana 1

May 11

Arkansas

7:05

May 12

Arkansas

7:05

May 14

Oklahoma

7:05

May 15

Oklahoma

7:05

May 16

Oklahoma

1

GF:GA PTS 30:16 36 30:13 32 22:17 29 23:19 25 25:22 24 22:20 21 25:23 20 19:18 20 21:22 20 16:24 20 23:21 19 20:23 19 22:21 18 29:30 18 20:21 15 23:27 15 19:23 15 18:25 14 15:27 13 25:35 11

Week 15 results April 17-19: Toluca 2, Monterrey 0; Guadalajara 3, U.A.G. 1; Morelia 2, San Luis 1; Necaxa 1, Veracruz 0; Pachuca 2, Santos 0; U.N.A.M. 0, Irapuato 0; Querétaro 1, Atlas 0; Puebla 3, Cruz Azul 2; Chiapas 2, Atlante 1; Tigres 2, América 1. Week 16 schedule April 24-25: Veracruz vs. Puebla; Cruz Azul vs. U.N.A.M.; Monterrey vs. Guadalajara; San Luis vs. Querétaro; Atlas vs. Tigres; U.A.G. vs. Necaxa; América vs. Toluca; Irapuato vs. Chiapas; Atlante vs. Pachuca; Santos vs. Morelia. Week 17 May 1-2: Toluca vs. Atlas; Cruz Azul vs. Irapuato; Morelia vs. Atlante; Tigres vs. San Luis; Guadalajara vs. América; Necaxa vs. Monterrey; U.N.A.M. vs. Veracruz; Pachuca vs. Chiapas; Querétaro vs. Santos; Puebla vs. U.A.G. Week 18 May 8-9: Veracruz vs. Cruz Azul; Chiapas vs. Morelia; Monterrey vs. Puebla; San Luis vs. Toluca; Atlas vs. Guadalajara; América vs. Necaxa; Pachuca vs. Irapuato; Atlante vs. Querétaro; Santos vs. Tigres; U.A.G. vs. U.N.A.M. Week 19 May 15-16: Toluca vs. Santos; Cruz Azul vs. U.A.G.; Tigres vs. Atlante; Morelia vs. Pachuca; Guadalajara vs. San Luis; Necaxa vs. Atlas; U.N.A.M. vs. Monterrey; Querétaro vs. Chiapas; Puebla vs. América; Irapuato vs. Veracruz. Liguilla (Playoffs): May 19-23 Recalificación (Wildcard) May 26-30 Quarterfinals June 2-6 Semifinals June 9-13 Final Note: Liguilla played in two legs; winner based on aggregate score of both matches.

Men’s Golf

af2: RGV Dorados Tournament

Result

Feb. 9-10 Rice Intercollegiate 14 of 14 March

Bearkat Invitational 14 of 16

14-15 March

Lindsay Collegiate

29-30

Classic

April 5-6

Hal Sutton

15 of 15 3 of 10

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

10 17 24 31

Oklahoma City at Tulsa Arkansas at Wichita

7:30 7:30 7:30 7

GREEN, 2-1

Feb. 1

Date

July July July July

National Minority Golf Championships

Date Dorados vs. Time/Results April 3 Laredo W 37-6 April 10 at Oklahoma City L 17-55 April 24 Oklahoma City 7:30 7:30 May 1 at Laredo May 8 Wichita 7:30 May 15 at C. Valley 9:30 7:30 May 22 Laredo 7:30 May 28 at Tulsa June 12 Tulsa 7:30 June 18 at Boss-Shreve. 7:30 6:30 June 26 at Birmingham July 3 Wichita 7:30

Roadrunners Baseball Roadrunners vs. Date May 6 at Pensacola May 7 at Pensacola May 8 at Pensacola May 9 at Pensacola May 10 at Fort Worth May 11 at Fort Worth May 12 at Fort Worth May 14 Pensacola May 15 Pensacola May 16 Pensacola May 17 Fort Worth May 18 Fort Worth May 19 Fort Worth May 20 Fort Worth May 21 at Shreveport May 22 at Shreveport May 23 at Shreveport May 24 at Jackson May 25 at Jackson May 26 at Jackson May 28 Amarillo May 29 Amarillo May 30 Amarillo May 31 at Coastal Bend June 1 at Coastal Bend June 2 at Coastal Bend June 3 San Angelo June 4 San Angelo June 5 San Angelo June 6 San Angelo June 8 Shreveport June 9 Shreveport June 10 Shreveport June 11 at San Angelo June 12 at San Angelo June 13 at San Angelo June 14 at San Angelo June 15 at Amarillo June 16 at Amarillo June 17 at Amarillo June 18 Coastal Bend June 19 Coastal Bend June 20 Coastal Bend June 21 Coastal Bend June 23 Jackson June 24 Jackson June 25 Jackson June 26 Jackson June 28 at Pensacola June 29 at Pensacola June 30 at Pensacola July 1 at Pensacola July 2 at Fort Worth July 3 at Fort Worth July 4 at Fort Worth July 5 at Fort Worth July 6 Pensacola July 7 Pensacola July 8 Pensacola July 9 Fort Worth July 10 Fort Worth July 11 Fort Worth July 13 Shreveport July 14 Shreveport July 15 Shreveport July 16 Jackson July 17 Jackson July 18 Jackson July 20 ALL-STAR GAME July 22-25 Amarillo July 26-27 Coastal Bend July 28 at Coastal Bend July 29 at Coastal Bend July 30 San Angelo July 31 San Angelo Aug. 1 San Angelo Aug. 3-5 Shreveport Aug. 6-9 San Angelo Aug. 10-13 at Amarillo Aug. 15 Coastal Bend Aug. 16 at Coastal Bend Aug. 18-21 Jackson UTPA HOME GAMES IN BOLD All games p.m. unless noted.

HISPANICS

Arianna Vazquez/The Pan American

HOMEBOUND— Former UTPA student Sgt. Jose Olivares gets a welcome home hug from his mother after being deployed in Iraq for one-year. Troops from the 961st Quartermaster Company were welcomed Monday afternoon by family members and the media at the Reserve Center in McAllen.

PRESIDENT

Page 12

THE PAN AMERICAN

continued from page 1

System press release. "We look forward to interviews with the finalists and to receiving input from campus and community constituencies as we move toward the appointment of the next president." With the nominees being from all over the United States, candidates from South Texas were not included as finalists. Dr. Rodolfo Arevalo, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs was one of the well-known nominees on campus, maintaining a position that many of the finalists also hold. When Arevalo discovered he was nominated for the position, he was very honored to know that the individuals he had work with thought he was prepared to take on the role of president, but was not surprised to find out that the Committee did not select him as a finalist. “It appeared that the UT System was looking for a President from off campus,” Arevalo said. There hasn’t been a reason given why individuals who have past experience with UTPA were not considered for the finalists, but Arevalo speculates that the committee and leadership have a plan for the future of the campus. And although Arevalo was not named a finalist, he still looks forward to working with the future

president as a member of the administration board. “I would enjoy continuing to work with the new President as we initiate new initiatives and continue the implementation of new degree programs I have helped get approved,” he said. Campus visits by the finalists will be scheduled soon and will include meetings with students, staff, faculty, department chairs, deans, alumni, and community members. "The selection of finalists for the U.T. Pan American presidency has been undertaken by the board with full awareness that the appointment of a new president for this great institution is one of the most important decisions that we will make,” Miller said. “We have selected the finalists from among an exemplary group of candidates, and on behalf of the board I would like to thank all the candidates who have taken part in this lengthy and detailed process.” “The ability to work effectively with all segments of the campus and able to develop relationships with all communities is essential for the new President,” Arevalo said. “Experience with working with legislators, alumni, business leaders and an excellent ability to work with the Systems Office and the Board of Regents is also needed for the future of UTPA.”

continued from page 4

For this election, the Democratic Party is concentrating on gaining back votes from Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Florida— all states that Bush won in 2000. And while Bush has nearly 30 teams around the country helping him recruit Hispanic voters with ad campaigns, the Democratic Party is doing all it can to keep the votes it has, as well as gain more. In efforts to do so, there is a new group that is headed by New Mexico’s Gov. Bill Richardson to raise money to get Hispanics to the party. Richardson, who is the country’s first Hispanic governor is also one of the possible vice president candidates for John Kerry. Other than campaigns to encourage and recruit Hispanic voters to vote for Kerry, the Democratic Party has also made various Spanish-language advertisements discrediting the Bush-Cheney ticket. The effort is part of Democratas Unidos, a $5 million project that was designed by the New Democratic Network. The Republican Party has a separate group that studies Hispanic communities and attempts to understand what Hispanic voters are looking for. The Democratic Party will hold the Hispanic Leadership Summit in Orlando May 14 through the 16 in order to discover how to communicate with the Hispanic electorate. Last week, Univision Communications Inc., the nation’s leading Spanish-language media company, announced the release of an interactive CD-ROM that will provide insight to Hispanic voting behavior. “The Hispanic Vote Tool Kit” will be used to inform politicians and media advisors about the Hispanic electorate. The kit is said to explain voting trends of Hispanics as well such as the tendency to align more with a candidate than a political party. But is it possible to navigate voting

CELL PHONE Guzman. “It’s not to talk to my friends and say ‘hey what are you doing,’ that is what I have a home phone for.” People are also beginning to use their cell phones while driving. MSNBC News reported that there are 120 million cell phone subscriptions in the United States and an estimated 60 percent of cell phone use is happening on the road. With this significant number of people using their cell phones while driving, it can pose a potential risk to surrounding drivers. According to a study published in the Washington Post in 2002, cell phone use ranked as the sixth highest cause of accidents. It is agreed by many that driving and using a cell phone is dangerous and can potentially be dangerous for other people on the road. The Rio Grande Valley is not exempt from this statistic. Martinez witnessed an accident where the driver was talking on a cell phone and hit the car in front of him. “He was talking on the phone and he actually hit the car in front of me,” he said. “He was leaning to the left and talking on the phone and he hit the car. I mean it is pretty dangerous. I wouldn’t do it, I wouldn’t do it at all.” Similarly, Guzman said that it has happened to her where she is not paying attention and she feels it could endanger other drivers.

trends of Hispanics? Dr. Jerry Polinard of the political science department said there isn’t. “The short answer is no—there is no silver bullet that predicts how any of the Latino populations will vote,” he said. “MA’s [Mexican-Americans] tend to be Democrats as do Puerto Ricans and Central Americans. Cubans tend to be GOP.” To search for a possible answer on Latino voting patterns, Polinard along with Dr. Robert Wrinkle, and Dr. David Leal of the University of Texas at Austin have been working on a paper that discusses Latino voter participation. The paper discusses mobilization and includes an on-going survey of about 1,000 respondents from 15 Texas counties. The interviewed subjects were asked various questions about their voting habits as well as their participation in past elections. “This paper tested whether political mobilization efforts were associated with higher electoral and non-electoral turnout by Latino registered voters in the November, 2002 Texas gubernatorial elections,” the paper states. “We found little effect on Latino voting but some impact, particularly mobilization through places of worship, on non-electoral participation. We also discovered some additional religious dynamics, specifically that Catholics were more likely to vote.” Currently, the race for the now coveted Hispanic vote is on, and Sergio Bendixen of the New Democratic Network has found that 58 percent of Hispanics were voting Democrat, 20 percent were voting Republican, and 20 percent were undecided. For further information on “The Hispanic Vote Tool Kit,” call 1-(888) VOTE NOW.

continued from page 1 With all the risks involved in driving and using a cell phone, there is still some debate on whether imposing laws against the use of cell phones is the best route to take, but some disagree. Guzman is one that has mixed feelings about whether or not laws would be beneficial due to possible emergencies. “I don’t know because I know sometimes you are driving and there is just an emergency,” she said. “But also, I do think it is a bad idea when you are just on the phone and you are angry and you are not paying attention to what you are doing that can cause an accident so I guess it could go both ways, but I do actually lean more toward no cell phone use.” In contrast Martinez feels that he would support laws that would prevent people from jeopardizing the lives of other drivers because of cell phone use. Laws against cell phone use while driving has not yet passed in Texas; however, there have been rumors of a possible law. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly 100 bills have been introduced in 38 states this year because more and more lawmakers are blaming cell phone distractions for motor vehicle accidents and fatalities.

April 22, 2004

Page 5

THE PAN AMERICAN

Car theft increase alarms police Campus offers health services By EMMA CLARK The Pan American

Carey also asked students to keep their own eyes open and to become more aware of what‘s going on around them. He added that students really are the eyes and ears of the campus.

Due to a recent rash of car thefts on campus, the University Police have been Tips for securing a vehicle active of late, searching for perpetrators and trying to get prevention information ❖ Lock and secure your vehicle, out to the campus community. Three pick-up trucks have been stolen including your windows. from various parking lots around the ❖ Beware of who’s around you. UTPA campus in the last six weeks, according to University Police. All three Look out for people loitering. were Chevy/GMC vehicles from the late ❖ Use The Club to place over the 1980s to early 1990s, and were stolen at different times throughout the day. steering wheel, to prevent the car Police suggest that there may be a gang from moving. in operation, either using a ‘slim-jim,’ which is a long piece of metal used to ❖ Do not leave things lying around break the lock, or possibly even a sort of in the vehicle (particularly in the cenmaster key. There was no sign of forced Source: UTPA entry according to police reports. ter console). Put things away. Police Dept. To help combat car theft, as well as theft of parking permits and bicycles, According to Carey, “People have to understand, this Assistant Chief of Police W. Jay Carey said that the d e p a r t m e n t campus is a small community. It’s larger than some Texas has increased towns,” and that theft will happen anywhere. We like CAR THEFT ON CAMPUS patrols. He everyone to feel safe here. Chief [Howard] Miller and added that the myself strive to keep it that way. It’s a daily process. Our 2000 2 t h r e e mission, our vision, our goal.” 2001 6 Local police departments are also involved in trying to incidents is 2002 2 atypical for track down those responsible for the thefts. Carey said the the UPTA campus continues to work closely with the Edinburg Police 2004 3 campus, but Department on the matter. Anyone with information, or Source: 2002-2003 Campus Safety and added, “We seeing anything suspicious is urged to call 316-7151 from Security Report need a higher any cell phone, dial 911, or head to the nearest blue kiosk, degree of where the phone can be connected to the police department. keeping our eyes open.”

By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American With final exam week coming up, many students at UTPA may be experiencing stress and other health concerns. Temperature changes from air-conditioned buildings to hot steamy walkways to the parking lot may cause sniffles for students. With their slogan “Where Your Health Matters,” the Student Health Services or SHS, at the university is a student facility on campus. Conveniently located in Emilia Schunior Ramirez Hall, Room 1.113 near Sugar Road, this facility caters to any UTPA student or faculty needing health care. “This is just like a doctor’s office,” stated Rick Gray, director of Health Services. Students are welcome with no appointment; all they need is a valid form of identification. Student Health Services offers confidential assessments, treatments, medical referrals, and peer education opportunities for all UTPA alumni. Along with attending the common flu, physical exams, and vaccinations, the SHS offers free HIV and pregnancy testing. All reports and information acquired are strictly confidential. “More than just a health facility, we encourage students to come and ask questions about any concerns they might be having regarding an illness,” Gray said. The Student Health Services includes a full on Women Wellness Clinic, specifically designed for the needs of females. Services include PAP smears, family planning education, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases amongst other services. All medical staff at SHS are licensed and credentialed in their specialty area. Staffs include family practice physicians,

physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and See STUDENT HEALTH page 6

Tui t i on i ncrease may lead to future benefits If you recall, students and faculty were asked to vote on the tuition increase, last fall, but did you wonder where that extra money went? Tuition was augmented from $32 to $38 per More money from students fees and tuition, isn’t semester credit hour. This designated six-dollar always a negative aspect of paying for college. charge kept UTPA tuition below the statutory cap Now, the students will gain more from the that was set prior to tuition deregulation. university from money given. Mandatory increases were enforced in library Stronger academic programs and more financial technology fees and a new fee for students who aid for students were supposed to be the results of repeat a course for a third time was also decisions made by the Texas implemented. In Coordinating Board of Regents to addition to the increase tuition this spring. The Board swell in tuition, We are using the acted on Nov. 18 to approve proposals UTPA wanted to from Texas college campuses for higher encourage students money to hire more staff costs. to take larger so that smaller classes After the legislature allowed course loads and will be possible. This way universities to set their own tuition rates, based its flat fees rising expenses led Governor Rick Perry on 14 semester our students will have a to direct an executive order to all Texas credit hours instead better learning universities. This order asked regents to of 12. environment. begin setting accountability standards for N u m e r o u s tax money schools receive. complaints came - Dr. Susan Griffith, A deadline of Dec. 17 was given to Executive Director of the OIRE from parents and Texas colleges for emergent students who were accountability system proposals, but angry over the UTPA is ahead of the game. increase that followed the state’s decision to let “We knew we were going to have to account for public universities set their own rates. Some the extra money in tuition fees we asked for,” said legislators questioned whether students were Dr. Susan Griffith, executive director for the getting enough information about financial aid as Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. deregulated tuition rates climbed at some schools. “This increase and accountability plan has been in However, explained that this Griffith the works since last year, we have ours ready.” dissatisfaction does not pertain to UTPA.

By VANESSA CASTILLO The Pan American

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April 22, 2004

“The truth is, we didn’t increase tuition by that much, not as much as other schools like UT [Austin],” she said. “We are using the money to hire more staff so that smaller classes will be possible. This way our students will have a better learning environment.” Currently, the Communication Department is having potential faculty members visit the campus as part of the interviewing process. The department is planning to increase the staff by adding more advertising and public relations professors. The cost of tuition for students enrolled for 12 semester credit hours last fall was $1,233, this spring, tuition is $1,329. Griffith elaborated by saying that UTPA could designate a larger tuition increase to help boost the amount of financial aid available to students, but that plan will probably develop as the university grows. There are 69 academic indicators and 48 health indicators reported in UTPA’s accountability plan. Graduation rate, enrollment, affordability, and diversity of graduates are among some indicators the UT system encloses. While rising costs do not seem ideal, some items such as course availability and quality, incentives to increase course loads and ultimately graduation rates, can be improved and made possible in the future through higher tuition costs. UTPA’s accountability plan was finished and released March 11. Students can find a copy of the accountability plan online at www.utsystem.edu/cha/AcctRpt/2003/homepage.htm.

April 22, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

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ancillary medical staff. Along with the well qualified staff, the Student Health Services is the first University of Texas health center accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care or AAAHC, and is also an institutional member of the American College Heath Association or ACHA. “Only four schools in Texas have an AAAHC accreditation,” Gray proudly stated. Currently SHS serves 800 to 1,000 students per month. Monique Flores, graduate student at UTPA, takes advantage of this facility, “I think that it is great that students are offered such a service. I really recommend that every student here at Pan Am come visit this place. They are very attentive and it’s just like going to the doctor except its free and the medicines are much more affordable.” The pharmacy a SHS carries both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Medicine prices are made affordable for students since they are only charged for the price of the actual medication, there is no processing fee in this fully licensed pharmacy. “Our job is to keep students healthy enough so they can do well in school,” stated Gray. For more information on the types of services available or for an appointment call (956) 381-2511.

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deductible. People wishing to donate to UTPA’s “United to Serve” can make checks payable to UTPA-United to Serve and mail to UTPA, UC#205,1201 W University Drive Edinburg, TX 78541. Donors can call (956) 318-5388 for more information. It is as simple as Dr. Seuss put it in one of his books said Vielma, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." “I'm being allowed the opportunity to do something other than be selfish. I'm being allowed the opportunity to give up a couple of nights of spending money at a bar so one individual's family can sleep comfortably at night, knowing that their loved one is in no pain.”

SGA

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this would require the volunteers to dedicate more hours to the polls. Price explained that the committee expected more student organizations to volunteer their time to the SGA elections, but their expectation fell short. With few students working longer hours, Price said the inevitable happened—polls workers were recruited that did not have total proper training, or one person ran a booth. “I respect the process,” Price said, referring to the decision to have a second trial. “But I don’t interpret this as the second election insinuating that students maliciously affected the results.” During the four-day election, there were a reported five students who voted twice with one student filling out three different ballots from three different polls. Price said this occurred since a student could stop at polls all over campus without the poll workers knowing that they already voted. “When students stopped at booths, some poll workers knew they were students, so didn’t feel the need to require the photo ID,” Price explained. “This caused some problems because it was in the rules that the students had to show photo identification. Because of that rule, they were obligated to follow certain protocol.” Being dean of students has caused Price to have a rapport with the students, including those who participated in the SGA elections, and he believes they have dealt with the situation in a decent manner. UTPA has 10 percent of its student population vote in the first election. For a commuter school this number is higher than normal rates of students elections, Price said. “I expect students to come out to vote the

second time around,” Price said. “It’s the end of the semester and with only one poll booth open over a two-day period, there will be a smaller number of voters, but I think students will choose to vote.” Mike Jones, a senior marketing major, is challenging Schwarz for the position of SGA president. He sees the second election as being unfair since the results of the first election win in his favor. Jones questions whether students will be willing to vote a second time, since during his campaign he has seen an unenthusiastic reaction to the election. “I’ve had students tell me that they have voted once and don’t want to have to vote again,” Jones said. “There’s an attitude among students that they don’t want to vote for a second time.” Though Jones has been campaigning as enthusiastically as he did the first time, he believes that the second election could have been prevented had Schwarz complained about the voting process during the first election. “I think Nathan [Schwarz] could have come forward earlier,” Jones said. “He knew about some polls having only one person covering it but didn’t come forward.” Jones speculates that Schwarz may have planned the complaint because of his defeat in the first election. Schwarz maintains that the complaint was because the first election broke conduct and rules, and the second is necessary to maintain a fair and proper student election. “We can’t allow anyone to get away with this,” Schwarz said referring to the election misconduct. He implied that this election is necessary to uphold the proper rules and provide a fair chance.

April 22, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

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