August 31, 2006 by UTRGV Student Media

THE

PAN AMERICAN

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

August 31, 2006

No plans yet in place for interim dean successors

Recent hearings address border violence

By LUKE KOONG The Pan American As Fall 2006 kicks into gear, the College of Health Sciences and Human Services and the College of Education remain under the leadership of Bruce Reed and Velma Menchaca, interim deans of their respective colleges. Reed and Menchaca have served as head administrators for their colleges for nearly a year and a half so far. Currently, however, there are not any searches under way for either college to find permanent deans. Both colleges are waiting for the provost’s office to initiate the searches, which will most likely begin in September. K a r e n Chandler, assistant dean for the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, elaborated on the REED process. “Generally each department elects one representative to the committee and then the committee elects a chair,” Chandler said. “Other individuals are usually appointed to the committee by the provost.” While Reed and Menchaca are not full-time deans, they wield the same power as their counterparts across campus. “I wasn’t appointed to baby-sit but to work hard and make our program the best it could possibly be,” said Menchaca. Those responsibilities include initiating new programs and projects, taking part in the faculty tenure process and taking disciplinary action when needed. Reed stressed that having to wait for

See DEANS page 11

By JAVIER CAVAZOS The Pan American

be able to buy Plan B over the counter, the FDA set an age restriction that will require girls 17 and younger to get a prescription. This is a compromise decision that leaves Barr Pharmaceuticals, the pill’s manufacturer, wanting more. “While we still feel that Plan B should be available to a broader age group without a prescription,” Bruce Downey, Barr’s chairman and CEO, said, “we are pleased that the agency has determined that Plan B is safe and effective for use by those 18 years of age and older as an over-

Border town officials are upset after being left out of a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on border violence recently in which testimony from border law enforcement officers and victims of border violence was heard. The Aug. 16 hearing held in Houston was one of about two dozen that are taking place around the country to help lawmakers determine what actions should be taken to further secure the borders against illegal immigrants. “It would be a common courtesy to invite the mayors and civic leaders who actually live on the border and not just have emotionalized testimony and a single point of view,” said Richard Cortez, McAllen mayor. “The positions of those who weren’t present regarding the situation on the Texas/Mexico border differ from the views of those present at the subcommittee hearing.” Cortez added that border mayors feel as though using the hearings as a means for determining the best course of action to take against illegal immigrants is “mixing two different issues that aren’t necessarily related.” “The majority of people who come across the border are after a better life and a job, through hard work, not criminal mischief,” he said. With the threat of decreased tourism on both sides of the Rio Grande, local leaders feel that more rational ideas aren’t being heard. “People see and read about this and think they shouldn’t come down here

See PLAN B page 11

See VIOLENCE page 11

Plan B OK’d FDA approves OTC use of controversial pill By CLAUDETTE GONZALEZ The Pan American Women’s rights groups nationwide rejoiced Aug. 24 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of the highly controversial emergency contraceptive Plan B as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. “This is a huge victory for women. Emergency contraception, if widely used, has the potential to prevent half of all the unintended pregnancies in this country each year,” said Kathryn Hearn, community services director for Planned

Parenthood in McAllen. “It gives women more control over their fertility, over their destiny, over their dreams of an education and a career.” The approval came after a threeyear struggle between the manufacturer and the FDA, with activist groups putting pressure on both sides. “Normally the FDA is not so influenced with outside political groups, but in this case they did come under a tremendous amount of pressure to prevent this approval of contraception,” Hearn said. Although women 18 and older will

News

A&E

Sports

Dahlia Guerra shares plans for College of Arts and Humanities

Scorcher 7 returns to the Valley Saturday at the Dodge Arena

Little League pitchers face threat of arm overuse injury

See page 7

See page 16

See page 5

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READER FORUM

August 31, 2006 THE

PAN AMERICAN

THE PAN AMERICAN READER SURVEY:

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 56th Year – No. 2 Editor Claudette Gonzalez ThePanAmerican@gmail.com News Editor Sandra Gonzalez sandra_panamerican @yahoo.com

A&E Editor Frank Calvillo hennero@msn.com

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Laura C. Gomez lm.gomez@yahoo.com

Reporters and Photographers Brian Carr Javier Cavazos Hugo Gamino Sam Iglesias Luke Koong Maria Mazariegos

Krystina Mancias Mary Nichols Carolina Sanchez Angela Salazar Trey Serna

Secretary Anita Casares Adviser Dr. Greg Selber Ad Manager Carolina Sanchez

Asst. Ad Manager Lillian Villarreal

Advertising information spubs@panam.edu Delivery Thursday at Noon

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, classification/title and phone number.

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.

Cine Sol Contest Reminder: You have one more day to enter the contest for Cine Sol film festival tickets. Please fill out the information below to enter. Thirteen lucky students will win a ticket to Cine Sol and be entered into a chance to win one of four real lucha libre masks signed by Ramses to be given out at the festival. Please visit the Student Publications office in COAS 170 from Aug. 24 - Sept. 1 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to drop off your entry form. Students may also send their name, address, telephone number, classification and major to thepanamerican@gmail.com. Winners will be contacted shortly after.

Name: Address:

Classification: Major: Phone #:

Correction: In last week’s The Pan American, quoted material in “UTPA theater department announces fall lineup” implied that the department has never had a female director. This was incorrect. What was meant was that there had been few female directors in recent times. Also, in “Concerns over Castro’s fate still remains,” the interview subject was incorrectly identified as being from Cuba; she was born in Mexico.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

THE PAN AMERICAN

Available Sept. 1

Making ‘fish’ year count

Addicted to YouTube

- Follow students as they tough out the trials of SGA’s freshman year internship program

- Find out why people are spending hours broadcasting themselves on “You tube”

NEWS

News in brief: The Pan American and several other student organizations will be present at an involvement fair today on the Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the hopes of recruiting new members.

Day care celebrates one-year anniversary By CAROLINA SANCHEZ

The Pan American One year ago today, Elda Perez, director of The University of Texas-Pan American Day Care Center, opened the doors of the child-care center for the first time. In particular, Perez remembers asking one small girl as she was walking through the doors if she was ready to come to school. “She looked at me, and said: ‘I’m not coming to school,’” Perez said. “And I look at her, you know when you don’t how to respond, and asked her: ‘What do you mean you are not coming to school?’ and

she replied: ‘I am coming to college.’” Perez said this was a great experience because the UTPA Day Care Center aims to expose children to the idea of going to college in the future. “They will always remember that they went to college with mom, so they will have that illusion as well,” she said. The center first opened with approximately 95 children. Now, it is at full capacity with 140 children and a waiting list of approximately six months. “This first year is made of mixed feelings and mixed emotions,” Perez said. “You put so much effort in what you do so I can say it’s been very rewarding. It has taken us a year to be at full capacity, and

we want to continue like this.” Maria Estevez, a senior criminal justice major, brings her nearly 3-year-old daughter Mariely every day to the center and says it has been a wonderful experience. “She is happy about coming every day. At the end of the day, she doesn’t want to come out of the room,” Estevez said. “Sometimes the teacher has to walk her out, and she cries because she doesn’t want to leave. I feel very happy and safe about bringing my daughter to this center.” Despite the extensive waiting list, Perez says the day care does not plan to open new spots or accept more children

See DAY CARE page 12

Onydia Garza/The Pan American FIRST-DAY JITTERS - Emre clutches onto his mom, Yasemin, assistant adviser for the study abroad program, as he gets dropped off for his first day at the UTPA Day Care Center.

New logo more UTPA spending for construction modern, elegant By ANA LEY

The Pan American

By SANDRA GONZALEZ

The Pan American Green- and white-clad Bronc cheerleaders ran down the aisles of The University of Texas-Pan American Fine Art’s Theater during the presentation of the new UTPA logo last week. Angelo Morsello, who helped design the logo, could not help but be full of pride. “I felt excited, happy and like I had done a job well,” said Morsello, the graphic designer from University Relations. While the final product drew many cheers from the crowd, few knew that Morsello and a team of six to eight other designers had just two weeks to make the final product. After balancing the logo assignment with other projects and working several hours a day, the team created approximately 100 new designs for UTPA.

“We had meetings and pretty much went from 100 to 50 to the top 10,” Morsello said. “Then, those went through the UT System and the higher-ups at UTPA.” Finally, after four committee approvals, they decided on the logo with the right representation of the institution. Morsello said he thought it out quite extensively. “I wanted something powerful, elegant, modern, sophisticated, and legible,” he said. “The older logo had this text that was a little bit hard to read. I wanted to take it in a new direction.” Morsello added that every element of the new design has meaning. “The squares represent the compass: north, south, east and west,” he said. “We accept students from all over the world, so

See LOGO page 12

It is widely known that everyday Americans are falling deeper into debt. Less widely known, however, is that The University of Texas-Pan American is no exception to the growing abyss of debt. When approved, the most recent addition to UTPA’s debt will be a $50 million fine arts academic and performance complex. The plans for the complex began when House Bill 153, a piece of Texas legislation, was discussed May 31 during the Legislature. This bill will allow $1.8 billion in new construction by 10 major public university systems in Texas, paid for through the issuance of tuition revenue bonds. When HB 153, cosponsored by State Rep. Aaron Pena, is formally passed, the state of Texas will grant UTPA $39.7 million for the multi-purpose center and $6

million for a new Starr County Upper Level Center in Rio Grande City. The multi-purpose complex and Starr County center are expected to be worth a grand total of $50 million and $7.5 million, respectively, leaving the university with an estimated $11.8 million bill for the

two projects. Pena, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, will meet with the committee during the next legislative session to guarantee the interest and debt on the tuition revenue bonds.

See FUNDS page 12

New Oracle system to debut today By CRYSTAL LEE ROBINSON

The Pan American

University Relations OUT WITH THE OLD - Angelo Morcello, graphic designer, says the new UTPA logo (bottom) is a far cry from the old one (top) as it is more legible and “elegant.”

Out with the old and in with the new, as the much-anticipated Oracle system is set to go into effect Friday at The University of Texas-Pan American. As the 2005-2006 school year officially wraps up today, the accounting period or fiscal year also closes, which will cause the current computer system at UTPA to retire. Oracle will assist university employees with tasks such as payroll, personnel duties like new employees and scheduling

employees’ vacations, and some of the university’s financial aspects pertaining to purchasing and inventory. It will replace Information Associates (ACTPLUS), an older system in use for almost 20 years. “UTPA’s current large computer systems are nearly 20 years old and are in serious need of upgrading,” said Anne Toal, director of Academic Computing. The university first began discussing the possible upgrade of systems in 2002, and began looking for a system with modern capabilities. The Oracle Information Systems software was purchased in 2003 but will not be implemented until the offi-

cial beginning of the 2006–2007 calendar school year. James Langabeer, vice president for business affairs, says even though it may take a while to utilize the system’s many “tremendous” capabilities, it should not be long until it is fully up and running. “I anticipate it will be fully implemented by the end of the fall semester,” he said. Gary Wiggins, vice president for information technology, believes the system is instrumental for the university because of its endless capabilities and

See ORACLE page 12

NEWS

Page 4

August 31, 2006

Indoor tanning more popular, risky than ever By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American The demand for golden skin is so high that, according to Time magazine, there are three times as many professional tanning parlors in the United States as there are Starbucks. Locally, many Valley residents employ this method. “I like tanning inside. I tan about three to four times per week for 13 minutes a session, then I stop for one week and then tan again,” said Esmer Sanchez, a 23 year-old receptionist at The Bronzing House in McAllen. “I love it.” Indoor tanning is a $5 billion yearly industry in the United States With a single tanning session at local parlors running about $7-$10 for 15-20 minutes. The trend seems to be attracting the attention of young people everywhere. “I don’t like the pasty look on myself. I feel that does not look healthy,” said Jenice Garza, a tanning customer from McAllen. While artificial tanning does guarantee a tan for most people, those who do not tan naturally in the sun will still find it difficult to achieve the desired shade of brown under the tanning beds. “Usually, it will take about 20 minutes a day for two weeks to begin seeing

a nice tan,” Jose Gonzales, a Cornerstone Fitness Center consultant, said. “But not everyone will tan.” However, repeated attempts at getting a tan cause damage to the skin. This fact often comes to the shock of many tan fans who rely on tanning parlors because they feel it is a safer alternative than sunbathing. “I think it is safer than actual tanning in the sun,” said Gilberto Salinas Ibañez, a senior international business major at The University of Texas-Pan American. “It also saves a lot of time. Being a senior here at UTPA takes a lot of time. That’s why artificially tanning comes in handy for me when I don’t want my skin to look pale.” According to the American Academy of Dermatology, UV lamps come with all the health risks of natural sunlight and also emit some vitamin D inducing UVB rays that in excess cause sunburns and skin cancer along with more UVA rays that cause wrinkles. Any change in skin color, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, is a sign of UV radiation damage. But most customers deny that they tan often or long enough to elicit the harmful effects. “I don’t do it that often to be getting worried about the cancer risks or the

Onydia Garza/The Pan American

SUN DAYS - Though more young people are going to tanning parlors in search of the perfect golden tan, few heed the many medical warnings against it. wrinkles,” said Garza. While repeat customers are often very enthusiastic about artificial tanning, others are turned off by the fake process. “Tanning in those beds just doesn’t seem normal to me,” Reyna Lemus, a freshman nursing student, said. “The

girls look so orange and burned when they come out of there. It doesn’t look healthy or nice.” The fascination with artificial tanning may be brought upon by many reasons, but in the end it comes down to the desire to achieve physical beauty and

perfection, even at the risk of one’s own health. Julio Morales, a sophomore criminal justice major, has one cardinal rule: keep it natural. “Don’t get so glossy golden tan you end up looking like a glazed donut,” Morales said.

Ask about

Money for College Where: Local recruiting station at 2901 N. 10th St When: Monday through Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm Who: Your local recruiter at (956) 682-6141

NEWS

August 31, 2006

Page 5

Dahlia Guerra: at new heights By SANDRA GONZALEZ The Pan American Standing atop the Pyramid of the Sun in Theotihuacan, Mexico, Dahlia Guerra felt connected to her Mexican roots. While she took hundreds of steps to reach the top, she and The University of Texas-Pan American mariachis, which she directs, knew the moment they accomplished their goal, the work was well worth it. Much like her arduous journey to the top of the pyramid, Guerra, an Edinburg native, is hoping that the hard work she does in her new role as dean of the College of Arts and Humanities also produces success. “I think that is going to be a challenge, but I am up for the challenge,” she said. “I am looking forward to serving the students and my community in any way I can.” Though she admits her new role will not be an easy one, Guerra is hoping that any and all the work she puts into her job will allow the college to reach its true potential. “We have a very large, diverse

college. This college has the potential for being the center of artistic and cultural activity in the Valley,” she said. “As we produce leaders, our students must be prepared to go out not only into our community but also into the world.” Guerra, a graduate of Pan American University, has had much experience with travel. “In a recent trip, we [she and the UTPA mariachis] went to Chicago and performed for thousands of children in the Midwest who had never seen a mariachi,” Guerra said. “It was a very different culture than ours. We had a very wonderful experience bringing them a little part of South Texas and UTPA.” However, before UTPA shares itself with the rest of the world, Guerra says it is important we share with each other. “I need to talk with the faculty and different chairs and assess their needs and gather ideas,” she said. “I think we need more open forums. People need to be heard.” Guerra added that this sharing of ideas and needs is not exclusive to faculty and staff.

“We need to schedule some discussions between the dean and the students and just listen,” she said. “I would love to talk to students. I’ve always been that kind of administrator. Students come in and if they have a question, problem or idea, my door is always open for them. I make time.” The only drawback to her new role according to Guerra, is her lack of spare time to practice her biggest passion: piano. “I just performed this past season with the Valley symphony orchestra. I soloed on the piano,” said Guerra, who has a master’s degree in piano pedagogy and was chair of the music department before the upgrade. “I play whenever I can.”

Her love for piano began at age 13 when she first started taking lessons at Pan American University. “So I feel like Pan American is my home,” she said. “This is where I spent the majority of the years of my life.” Since then, her love for piano and the university have grown concurrently. “I love Bach, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, those are my favorites. I played the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody for my graduate recital so I can probably say it is one of my favorite pieces,” she said. In the end, Guerra hopes her position as dean allows her to further connect to her long-time UTPA roots and a chance to take the College of Arts and Humanities to new, unforeseen heights.

Students share their thoughts on Dahlia Guerra “She’s a super lady. Dr. Guerra tells us about opportunities for scholarships and gaining [career] experience.” –Mike Trevino, senior music

“Dr. Guerra is always helping, she knows a lot and is willing to get us in contact with people she knows that can be useful for school and events.” –Jaime Garcia, senior music

Dahlia Guerra

Sandra Gonzalez/ The Pan American

LOVE OF MUSIC - Dahlia Guerra (left) new dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, says she won’t have much time to play piano during the work week as her schedule will be hectic. However, she claims it is and always will be her greatest passion. Her other love, directing the UTPA mariachis, is also something Guerra says she will not give up just yet as the music is very close to her heart. The mariachis are shown above playing for a group of school children in April.

“[Guerra] is honest, easy to work with and very interested in helping students, faculty and the community.” –Joel Pagan, viola professor

“Dr. Guerra has a great pride in her culture and it shows in her support and promotion of groups like the UTPA mariachi band and other groups.” –Maribel Garcia, senior MBA/music

EN ESPAÑOL

Noticias en breve: The Pan American y otras organizaciones estudiantiles estarán presentes en una feria de participación estudiatil hoy en el Quad de 11: 30 a.m. a 1 p.m. con la esperanza de attraer miembros nuevos.

Guarderia de UTPA tiene exito al año de abrir Por CAROLINA SANCHEZ Traducido Por MERCEDES CANTU The Pan American Hace un año, Elda Perez, directora del albergue infantil de The University of Texas-Pan American, abrio su guarderia por primer vez. En particular, Perez recuerda haberle preguntado a una de las niñas que entraba si estaba lista para empezar la escuela. “Volteo a verme a los ojos y respondio: ‘Yo no vengo a la escuela,’” dijo Perez. “Y yo la mire sin saber que decir, y le pregunte: ‘Que quieres decir con que no vienes a la escuela?’ y contesto: ‘Yo vengo a la universidad.’” Perez exclamo que eso fue una gran experiencia ya que UTPA Day Care Center tiene la meta de exponer a los niños a la idea de asistir a la universidad en el futuro. El centro se abrio con 95 niños aproximadamente. Ahora esta a su max-

ima capacidad con 140 niños y una lista de espera de 6 meses. Maria Estevez, estudiante en justicia criminal, trae a su hija de 2 años 8 meses, Mariely Estevez, todos los dias a la guarderia. Estevez dice que ha sido una experiencia maravillosa. “Ella esta feliz de venir todos los dias. Al final del dia, no quiere salir del cuarto,” dijo Estevez. “A veces la profe-

sora tiene que caminarla fuera de la sala, y llora por que no se quiere ir. Yo me siento muy feliz y segura de poder traer a mi hija al centro.” A pesar de la larga lista de espera, Perez dice que no hay ningun plan por habrir nuevos lugares o aceptar a mas niños porque tienen una licencia que solo los deja aceptar un cierto numero de niños. Mientras el centro podria aceptar

Onydia Garza/The Pan American KICKER - La mamá de Katarina la deja en UTPA Day Care Center donde ella es feliz en estudiar en la universidad donde trabaja su papá.

unos cuantos mas de niños, Perez dice que han escogido no hacerlo porque la calidad y atencion de maestros no seria tan buena como lo es ahora. Seguridad primero Las medidas de seguridad de UTPA Day Care Center son una de las mayores atracciones. Cada padre de familia tiene un codigo de seguridad. Para venir a recoger a sus hijos, tienen que marcar el numero de codigo en la puerta. “Cuando los padres marcan el codigo de seguridad, su foto aparece en la pantalla de nuestro monitor, y asi sabemos que son en realidad ellos,” dijo Perez. Michelle Sieber, especialista en educacion, esta a cargo de todas las activdades y planes de acuerdo a las lecciones y edad de los niños. “Todas nuestras actividades estan basadas en un plan de estudio y estan divididas en equipos cada mes. Despues

tienen lecciones semanales basadas en esos equipos,” dijo Sieber. Conveniencia A parte de ser la guarderia mas cercana al campus, UTPA Day Care Center es la guarderia con mayor demanda por lo que acomoda horarios para los estudiantes y facultad. Esta abierto de Lunes a Viernes de 7 a.m - 6 p.m y solo cierra en dias festivos importantes. “El horario es de mucha ayuda para todos ya que esta dentro del campus, por lo que pueden dejar a sus hijos en camino a clase, y si por ejemplo su clase termina al mediodia tienen tiempo de ir a estudiar o hacer otra cosa,” dijo Lee Guerrero, socia administrativa que ha trabajado en el centro pr 8 meses. El mayor requerimiento que este centro pide es que para ser elegible la persona tiene que ser estudiante o parte de la facultad o empleado de la universidad con un niño que este entre los tres meses de edad y cuantro años.

RTS A EN T& E RTA I N M E N T

Editor’s Pick: Must-read book “Crisis” The new thriller from best-selling author Robin Cook

Choir, chorus appeal to singers of all skill levels

By LESLIE ESTRADA The Pan American A semester begins, which means new classes, new students, new teachers, and a great deal of work for the university choir and men’s and women’s choruses. All the groups perform different music every semester. Currently, they are preparing for fall concerts; for its first one, Oct. 17, the choir has chosen to pay tribute to the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in honor of his 250th birthday this year. “Every year we have four very large-scale concerts,” said university choir instructor Christopher Munn. “For the first concert, we will be performing a very long multi-movement work by Mozart. This is the year 2006, and so this is a big anniversary for Mozart, who was born in 1756.” At the choir’s next concert, scheduled for Nov. 10, the group will be performing a large, double-choir work by Vivaldi. According to Munn, this lineup of works by well-known composers is characteristic of the choir, which, due to degree of difficulty, is primarily made up of music majors.

Onydia Garza/The Pan American SINGING SENSATION - Choir director Christopher Munn accompanies The University of Texas-Pan American choir on the piano during rehearsal Wednesday. The group is preparing for their first concert scheduled for Oct. 17.

“The choir typically does lengthy works by major composers,” said Munn. “We rehearse every day, because it takes every day to prepare such difficult music.” Many choir members were part of the all-district choir when they were in high school and have had training for several years. That’s why they are able to do advanced music.

While most are already experienced singers, they appreciate Munn’s talented leadership. “The university choir is one of the best in the state, with one of the best directors, Dr. Munn,” said choir member Erica Aldape, a senior music education major. “Our program has had the chance to expand in the last 10 years and we do music that is very inspirational. When

we see great directors like Munn, it helps us want to become better directors ourselves, when we go out to the field.” Munn is very optimistic about the quality of upcoming performances. “Our returning students are very good and our incoming students, as of today still remain to be seen, but we have high expectations that they are going to be very good also,” he said. “We hope to get

better every year, and hope to see our audience satisfied with our performances.” Although the choir is open to students of other majors, the level of skill and commitment required generally restrict membership to music majors. However, those interested in singing for fun have other options: the men’s or women’s chorus. Each one rehearses once a week and their music is generally a bit less difficult but more lighthearted and entertaining, both for members and the audience. “You don’t have to be a music major to be part of the men’s or women’s chorus,” said Munn. “In fact you don’t have to, to be part of the university choir, except that you have to be able to perform at a very high level, whereas men’s and women’s chorus are a little more entertaining.” This is ideal for students like Lucas Saenz, a sophomore business major planning on joining the men’s outfit. “I like to sing and love to perform in front of people. I think that this is a great way of doing something I like, while taking part in a school-related activity,” said Saenz.

Annual event promises celebrities, music and scares By TREY SERNA The Pan American The temperature reached a sweltering 105 degrees on Labor Day 2000 in the Rio Grande Valley. Despite the heat, more than 3,000 people gathered at the then-called Pepsi Sports Park at Shary Plantation in Mission. It marked the beginning of an annual event that’s currently in its seventh year. The South Texas Scorcher, renamed in 2004 to simply The Scorcher, has grown greatly and has become a Valley attraction. It was created by Marc Fantich, president of The Fantich Media Group, an advertising agency and publicity firm based in South Texas. This year’s show will be Sept. 3 at the Dodge Arena, located at 2600 N. 10 St., in Hidalgo. The arena allows it to be an all-day indoor and outdoor affair. Tickets are $15 and children under 10 get in free. According to The Scorcher’s Web site, its home has changed through the

years. In 2001, it moved to Valley Race Park in Harlingen; where it remained in 2002 as well. It returned to the Sharyland Sports Park in 2003. Finally, in 2004, it was moved to the Dodge Arena and has remained there since. The occasion houses a multitude of events from car and bikini shows to tribute bands. Maritiza Cantu, a UTPA graduate and McAllen resident, attended The Scorcher in 2003. Though, there wasn’t enough time to see all the events, Cantu enjoyed what she saw. “I liked the bands I got to see,” Cantu said. “Some of my friends’ bands got to play as well, so it was fun seeing them jamming out on stage.” While many, like Cantu, are attracted to The Scorcher because of the variety of events and shows, some still fail to gain interest. “I’ve heard it’s really not that great and from the commercials I’ve seen, it doesn’t look that great,” said Deyanira Gonazalez, a junior communication disorders major. “It’s always

tribute bands, unknown bands, car shows and really nothing that exciting.” This year, however, the Dodge Arena Web site has added an element of surprise by stating that, for the first time in Scorcher history, there will be three huge wrestling stars from the WWE and TNA. Jerry “The King” Lawler, Conan and Christy Hemme will be signing autographs all day. At the event, six tribute bands will pay homage to Kiss, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin and Rush. Other events include a $1,000 bikini contest, a Scream Factor X Haunted House, a huge skating ramp where skateboarders will show off their abilities and a car show. The Scorcher is expanding every year and this year is no exception. “It’s always growing and we’re always adding in new bits to it,” said Hector Orozco, an assistant with the event. “We just started advertising for this a few weeks back but tickets sales have been pretty good.”

A sign of growth is evident in its attendance record. The event started out bringing in a little more than 3,000 people but that number has grown to over

15,000 now. For more information on The Scorcher, visit www.dodgearena.com or www.thescorcher.net

Page 8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

August 31, 2006

Hollywood stars such as Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and David Spade.

He is known as a comedic genius to many members of Generation X. With his witty humor, sardonic characters and one-of-a-kind interpretations of American life, Mike Judge has succeeded in constantly delivering hilarity, but also a parody of American society in general. Judge reached millions of teenagers through his infamous MTV cartoon “Beavis and Butthead,” and later found his way onto network television through his long-running animated sitcom, “King of the Hill.” His traditional method of focusing on characters rather than simple gags has become a constant for Judge. “I think for me, it’s always been that way. I actually like gag writing, but my strength is definitely more observational stuff,” said Judge in a recent interview with ign.com. But it was the first foray into the arena of live-action feature films, with the satirical comedy “Office Space,” that proved a career highpoint for Judge, and has now become one of the most highlighted footnotes in his stellar career. It has been nearly eight years since Judge’s “Office Space” came out, but next month, the man who made red staplers a must-have accessory for many fans will release his second live-action feature film, “Idiocracy.”

The film tells the story of Joe Bowers, an average guy who is handpicked by NASA to embark on a hibernation program set in the future. Once the mission is under way, Joe discovers a society filled completely with idiots. Fans have been waiting a long time for something new from Judge, a man who oddly enough, was the most unlikely candidate for a comedy writer imaginable. THE EVOLUTION OF JUDGE Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 1962 to middle class parents and raised in Albuquerque, Judge expressed an interest in science from an early age. Like many other boys, he participated in various activities such as Boy Scouts growing up. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physics from The University of California at San Diego, Judge enjoyed a brief stint as bass guitarist of Anson Funderburgh and The Rockets, a blues band. Shortly after marrying girlfriend Francesca Morocco in 1989, the 27-year-old was hired as a writer and cartoonist for HBO’s late night comedy talk-show “Night After Night.” Not only did Judge write for the show, but he also drew cartoons, voiced the characters, composed the music and produced and directed a series of short films for the program. It was on “Night After Night” that he introduced his audience to two young boys who sat around the television saying whatever came into their heads. Judge named these two characters Beavis and Butthead. Shortly after the program aired, MTV came knocking. STRIKING A CHORD “Beavis and Butthead” grew from a short cartoon to a full-fledged series in 1993, when it premiered on MTV’s “Liquid Television.” Almost instantly the cable channel’s audience, which consisted of many teenagers and young adults, was hooked on the antics of these two pre-teens and their mindless babble. It wasn’t long before the pair began appearing everywhere from video games to Christmas specials, spawning a slew of merchandising. Monica Mejia, an English graduate student at The University of Texas-Pan American, recalls the first time she encountered the terrible twosome on television. “I just remember thinking they were stupid little kids that didn’t make any sense, but for some reason were still kind of funny,” she said. However Judge didn’t have time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of his success as he was still undertaking all aspects of production including, writing, drawing, producing, composing, directing and providing all of the voices. In December 1996 MTV Films and Paramount pictures brought Judge and his cartoon to the big screen with “Beavis and Butthead Do America” to theaters nationwide. The hit animated feature film boasted the voices of notable

“SHUT UP BEAVIS!” However by the spring of 1997 Judge was growing tired of working on a show which he felt had run its course. He was much more interested in an animated sitcom he had been developing about a Texan family. But MTV didn’t want to let Judge, or his valuable franchise go. So as a compromise, Judge agreed to let the cable channel take one of “Beavis and Butthead’s” supporting characters, Daria, and expand her into her own spin-off on the condition that Judge would play no role in the new series. Soon after, Judge took his new pet project over to execs at the FOX network, who offered him a lucrative contract and creative control for the newly titled sitcom “King of the Hill.” The show, which centered on a conservative Texan gasoline salesman named Hank, his stern wife Peggy, their freespirited son Bobby and a group of wacky friends and neighbors, premiered in the fall of 1997 immediately following “The Simpsons” on Sunday night. “King of the Hill” scored with audiences as well as critics who finally embraced Judge’s unique sense of humor. Despite the sitcom’s continued success (the show recently celebrated its 200th episode), Judge realizes how “King of the Hill” differs from other family-oriented shows. “I get tired of the sitcom wife who’s always right and always good. I like having the husband be right and the wife be a little bit messed up for a change,” said Judge. “Sometimes I think we’ve gone too far with it though.” HEADING TO THE OFFICE The concept for “Office Space” first entered Judge’s mind when he reflected upon his own experiences in the workforce. “Office Space was definitely inspired by my own horrid jobs,” said Judge. “I worked at Jack in the Box in high school and after college I worked as an engineer for about a year and a half, so that’s where a lot of it came from.” The comedy, which showcased the ups and downs of employees in major corporations, was first developed into a skit by Judge for “Night After Night,” and later as a segment for NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” In early 1998, Judge, who had secured a movie deal with 20th-Century Fox, decided to expand his beloved premise into a full-length, live-action feature film. The story dealt with Peter Gibbons, a man who works a menial job for a huge corporation called Initech. Throughout the course of the movie Peter, along with his co-workers devise a way to get back at the system and seek revenge on the company they loathed. The film, made on a modest budget of $10 million, was critically praised by many who applauded Judge for his accurate portrayal of the everyday workplace.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Variety Magazine’s Joe Leydon even went as far as to compare Judge’s film with other comedic names of the past. “Imagine a live-action version of the ‘Dilbert’ comic strip with a touch of Hal Hartley’s deadpan absurdism, and you have the frequently uproarious ‘Office Space,’” he wrote. However, the film was hardly a hit and was barely able to recoup the amount of money it cost to make. It wasn’t until “Office Space” was released on video and DVD that the film began to gain popularity among many. “It was honest,” said UTPA journalism major Robert Vinson, who has seen the film numerous times. “A lot of comedies are set up to be formulaic, but this one wasn’t anything like that.” Vinson, a senior, agrees that it’s the film’s subject matter which has made “Office Space” resonate with audiences so well. “I think people who work in cubicles sympathize with the dehumanizing aspects of working in a place like that,” he said. “Judge was successful in bringing that to light.” Although released years ago, Office Space continues to live on in merchandising through T-shirts, key chains, mouse pads and of course a special-edition DVD. The Swingline stationary company even went so far as to mass-produce red staplers, acknowledging a similar one that was made specifically for the film. Regardless of the film’s fan base though, Judge remains hesitant to produce a sequel to “Office Space.” “Fox has been asking me about doing a sequel and I started thinking, boy it would be fun, but nothing’s in the works right now,” he said. THE UNITED STATES OF UHHMERICA Currently Judge is continuing his work on “King of the Hill,” a still-fruitful series that has earned him five Emmy nominations - including one win for best animated series in 1999 - and legions of fans. In recent years Judge has also kept busy with side projects such as television work and a theatrical venture called “The Animation Project,” an anthology showcasing various short animated films for audiences. This September Judge will release “Idiocracy,” his first live-action film since “Office Space,” to select cities. Though the plot is a far cry from Judge’s previous work, the seasoned writer describes the film

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enthusiastically. “I was thinking about evolution, and how since now there are no more natural predators, pretty much everyone survives,” he said. “But it’s 500 years in the future and everyone’s dumb.” The question of whether or not Judge’s latest effort will acquire the same following as his last one is irrelevant since Judge has more than left his mark. “He has that dry sense of humor that has helped him to do some pretty interesting stuff,” said Mejia. “I think he was really the one responsible for shows like ‘Southpark’ and ‘Family Guy.’ They didn’t really exist before he came along.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

August 31, 2006

Hollywood stars such as Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and David Spade.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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A&E

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August 31, 2006

New Dolls album differs from original By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

Ruben Moses Garcia/The Pan American

VISITING ARGENTINA- La Pampa goes to great lengths to make sure that every customer’s dining experience is unique.

Eatery offers patrons international cuisine By ANGELA SALAZAR

The Pan American The same old everyday dining experience can leave one’s palate wanting to venture out and try something new. La Pampa is bringing a different type of Latin flavor to the Valley. La Pampa is an Argentinean steakhouse located at 3300 N. McColl in McAllen. According to Julie Cantu, a hostess, the McAllen location has been open for almost eight months and the Brownsville location just celebrated its two-year anniversary. According to the short story on the back of the menus, the name “La Pampa” means “the prairie.” Argentina’s vast prairie lands yieldsimmense production of quality beef. What makes this dining experience different is the careful detail the chefs take in order to make sure the experience is authentic. “[The steaks] are cooked over an open fire or mesquite,” said Frank Gonzalez, a server for La Pampa. “There’s nothing on the steak but sea salt,” he added. La Pampa offers some of the best cuts of meat in the area. One of their most popular dishes is known as the La Cana, a 10-ounce sirloin steak served with vegetables and either steak fries or salad. “Argentines very rarely ask for rice, beans or tortillas,” said Gonzalez, “just steak fries, usually, or vegetables.” Another favorite for beef lovers is the bife de lomo. This is a10-ounce grilled beef tenderloin. According to

Gonzalez, it does not matter what dish you select, it will just melt in your mouth and customers tend to agree. “I come here a couple times a week,” said Dr. Lester Dyke, a cardiac surgeon and McAllen resident who was there enjoying a meal with his family. “The bife de lomo is my favorite dish.” The menu has a variety of items ranging from appetizers to salads to deserts. An interesting appetizer can blend a person’s sweet tooth and satisfy carnivorous needs as well. For example, the Empanadas Argentinas are a good way to start off a meal. The customary empanada is stuffed with ground beef and spices. The appetizers and meals are served with a side of fresh baked bread and an array of dips and spreads including butter, chicken pate (or paste), and Chime-Churri dip. This tasty dip is a mix of parsley, ajo molido (crushed garlic), basil, crushed red peppers and virgin olive oil. Caution: the garlic taste on this is very strong, but it’s still good. Now, for those who have to satisfy their sweet tooth there are more than enough choices. The most ordered desert is the Helado frito or fried ice cream. The ice cream is covered in Argentinean bread, deep fried and sprinkled with cinnamon powder. Although, this dessert is not an authentic Argentinean dish, it still seems to be a popular choice among customers. And for those who wish to watch the waistline, there are salads. The Ensalada La Pampa is a mix of heart of palm, artichoke hearts, olives and let-

tuce with balsamic dressing. Even though these are salads the portions are quite big and can feed two or more people. La Pampa has a romantic yet rustic atmosphere, with candles on every heavy, wooden table and chic settings; it is definitely fine dining. The walls are covered with traditional Argentinean antiques that were brought straight from South America, ranging from lassoes and “Alpargatas,” an old type of Argentinean calendar, to posters describing every step to the tango. Music by Carlos Gardel, a famous Argentinean singer, plays softly in the background to help enhance the mood. This is a great restaurant for a family celebration or a date. Even if you’re just in the mood to try something new, then La Pampa will provide a unique Latin dining experience.

The real New York Dolls emerged from the Manhattan punkrock underground in the early 1970s dressed in drag and drenched in selfdestruction. Precursors to the shemale rock heroes who enjoyed playing to arena-capacity crowds during the Reagan Era, the Dolls fell short of finding fame, and had to settle for influential status. Blondie, The Clash, Poison and countless others credit the Dolls as their musical inspiration. But record companies were leery of the New York-based semi-cross-dressers due to their eccentric behaviors and collective addictions. After a half decade without mainstream success the Dolls disbanded. Two of the founding members went on to form The Heartbreakers, a punk rock band in no way associated with Tom Petty, while lead singer David Johansen took on a solo career. The New York Doll’s latest endeavor “One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This,” is a reunion of sorts with founding member Johansen and popular member Sylvain Sylvain regrouping to capitalize on the history of their 1970s band. Initially the defunct group was brought together by Morissey to play the 2004 Meltdown Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London. That reunion was well chronicled in the 2005 documentary “New York Doll” which followed estranged, troubled founding-bassist Arthur “Killer” Kain as he practiced for the reunion. Kain died of Leukemia two months after that final gig.

Unfortunately for the deceased, the new product is strong. The collective mentality of Sylvain and Johansen is ‘Screw Posterity.’ There is no lament and no fatigue on the Dolls’ new recording. There is less drag swagger due to old age and road wear, but the intention remains the same – rock and roll. Opening with the harmonicadriven testimonial “We’re All in Love,” the Dolls quickly establish the reality that their geriatric skills can still maintain punk-rock progressions. On “Dance like a Monkey,” they put together a drum-driven toe-tapper seemingly created for radio broadcast. But it is on “Fishnets and Cigarettes” that the Dolls return to form, hinting at their blues and drag queen roots while introducing a mature reservation. They pontificate what we’ve all known: “Happiness is fishnets and cigarettes.” Several guests perform with the Dolls on their new CD including R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe and legendary blues gunslinger Bo Didley. The result is a pentatonic perpetuated pop gun of pleasure perfect for road trips and bar parties. Okay, it is slightly tacky that the whole project is based on making money. And it would have been respectful to the deceased Dolls for the living dolls to take on another moniker for the latest album. But you have to quietly root for a band that has been through so much and received so little. What is ironic is that a band founded upon the carelessness of youth is poised to break through the mainstream so late in their creative lives. Dead Dolls, make ready to spin in your graves.

NEWS

August 31, 2006

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PLAN B continued from page 1 the-counter product.” The two-pill treatment, also known by its generic name, levonorgestrel, is a progestin-only contraceptive, meaning a highly concentrated dose of one of the same hormones used in oral contraceptives. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, studies have shown that Plan B – or the “mornin- after pill” - is 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. However, health professionals stress that it should only be used in case of emergency, not in place of a regular contraceptive. “It’s not meant to be used on a regular basis. That’s why it’s called ‘emergency contraception,’” said Crystal Stewart, an RN at Student Health Services at The University of Texas-Pan American. “If you’re going to take a highly concentrated form of the pill, why not just take regular birth control? It’s easy, it’s safer, there are fewer side effects and it’s much more reliable.” In addition, Plan B is much more expensive than the regular birth control pill at $45 to $50 dollars per dosage. Conventional birth control can be obtained for $12 to $17 for a month’s supply at Student Health Services on campus. CONTROVERSY The FDA’s approval of Plan B becoming an OTC drug has raised doubts. Many worry that easy access to emergency contraception may result in a false sense of confidence in it, rather than on other more effective and reliable forms of contraception. “People who aren’t on birth control and aren’t using condoms regularly might take Plan B and it might work for them once or twice but if they don’t make changes that are more reliable, they’re going to end up pregnant

Kidnappings and murders in Ciudad Juarez and drug cartels have plagued the border for years making residents on both sides worry. Last year, the U.S. State Department issued warnings to tourists venturing across the border and their Mexican counterparts quickly dismissed the warnings as unfounded. Those with family on both sides of the border often get first-hand accounts of what occurs. “I have family who live in Mexico and sometimes the things that happen there that I’ve heard about are scary,” said Ricardo Rios, a sophomore political science major. “The law enforcement is nothing like what we have here and for many families if anything does happen to a loved one you may never have closure.” However, for many university

“The Church is one of many organizations that really defend life, from conception to the end of life,” said Alfonso Liguez, campus minister at the Catholic Student Center in Edinburg. “Life is important. It’s sacred. It must be protected.” For this reason, although the church disapproves of all contraceptive use, Liguez believes at the very least, women should have the counsel of a physician when taking emergency contraception. “It’s important that women know that without doctor’s supervision they may be taking levels of a drug that could potentially lead to an early abortion and that’s a really grave issue,” Liguez said. “Over-the-counter use of this potentially harmful drug will compromise informed consent and follow-up care when necessary.” However, based on the definition generally accepted by health organizations, Plan B does not cause abortions. In fact, supporters believe that it will actually decrease the number of abortions that occur each year. “The United States, for all its resources, for all its wealth, for all its education, has one of the highest rates of unintended pregnancy in the industrialized world,” Hearn said. “Of course, the leading cause of the need for abortion is unintended pregnancy. That’s one of the wonderful things about emergency contraception. It reduces the need for abortion.” While Student Health Services offers students the opportunity to purchase Plan B at the on-site pharmacy, Stewart hopes not many will need that service. “I’d like to see people making safer choices so that this isn’t something that they need,” Stewart said. “But, it’s nice that it’s there when they do need it.”

DEANS continued from page 1

VIOLENCE continued from page 1 and see the reality of life on an international boundary,” added Cortez. “There’s a criminal element in every society. Yes, some immigrants, legal or otherwise, commit crimes in America, but so do Americans.” Cortez added that the media focus more on border violence than on crimes in Los Angeles, New York and other large cities, which in his opinion is a double standard. Recent criminal activity involving homicides and drug-related violence in Mexico has prompted Congress to take notice of the security of the border as well as the influx of illegal immigrants. Over 140 people have died in border violence this year. “The violence needs to be stopped in any way,” Cortez said. “The facts need to be examined and can’t be embellished.”

anyway,” Stewart said. However, Hearn believes this is not the case. “Survey after survey that we’ve done tell us that for the most part, people are using birth control when they come for emergency contraception but they had an accident, missed a couple of pills, the condom broke or they were victims of sexual assault,” she said. Another issue swirling around the approval is some confusion between emergency contraceptives such as Plan B and the so-called “abortion pill,” which operates in a distinct manner to end a pregnancy. “The abortion pill, RU-486, Mifeprex, by whatever names it is used, actually causes the termination of a pregnancy, whereas emergency contraception is made of the same hormones in regular birth control pills and just prevents a pregnancy,” Hearn said. The heart of the conflict, however, is in the definition of pregnancy. While the Catholic Church and many other pro-life groups believe that life begins at conception - when an egg is fertilized by a sperm - many health organizations including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists define pregnancy as beginning when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Plan B works in three ways to prevent pregnancy. It can temporarily stop an egg from being released from the ovaries to the uterus, stop fertilization, or stop a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. Because one of the methods works by preventing an already fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, the Catholic Church strongly opposed the transition from prescription-only status to over-thecounter availability of Plan B.

students, trips to Mexico are a regular occurrence and don’t worry them. “It never seems that dangerous to me. I feel about as safe there as I do here,” said Kelly Cramer, a junior criminal justice major. “The violence doesn’t really scare me that much, and the cities that have been most affected were Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juarez.” Cramer added that crime can happen anywhere. “Things happen on both sides so we can’t point fingers and say it is only one group of people,” Cramer said. The subcommittee meetings will continue in various cities throughout the country as Congress continues to tackle immigration reform. Protests have been held at several, including most recently at the one in Houston, with critics claiming it is political maneuvering and election-year politics.

a full-time dean is not a negative thing. “In higher education administration, it often takes a long time to get hirings in place,” he said. “Having interims for one to three years or more is not uncommon.” In fact, both deans have been able to accomplish many things during their service. For some who serve as an interim administrator, there is a tendency to abstain from making major managerial decisions. However, according to Reed, the president made sure that was not the case. “President Cardenas was very clear that she expected an interim dean to operate as a dean, not as an interim,” Reed said. “She did not want someone coming in with the idea that it’s interim and therefore shouldn’t make hard decisions.”

He believes having an interim administrator will eventually be more harmful than beneficial, but service in the short term, as in his and Menchaca’s case, is vital to the success of the college. Menchaca’s college is about to establish a reading clinic in addition to developing demonstration classrooms. Reed’s college recently opened a new student organizations office where club officers can meet. During this academic year, he would like to start a recycling program for his MENCHACA college. The previous provost, Rodolfo Arevalo, appointed both Reed and Menchaca to their current positions. It is likely that both will continue serving for at least another year.

NEWS

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August 31, 2006

DAY CARE continued from page 3 because it has a license that only allows a certain number of kids. While the center could accept a few more children, Perez says they choose not to take more because the quality and teacher attention would not be as good. Currently, the center’s staff includes 10 full-time employees, seven part-timers, an assistant director, an education specialist, and about to 20 staff members, including work-studies. SAFETY FIRST The security measures at the Center are also one of the main attractions. Every parent is assigned a security code, and in order to come in and pick their child up, they have to dial the code at the door. If another person is allowed to come pick a child up from the center, they are assigned a different code. “When the parent dials the security code, a parent photo comes out on the monitor, so we know that is the parent,” Perez said. “We make sure that is the parent, and that they are taking the correct child.” Michelle Sieber, an education specialist, is in charge of activities and plans them according to lesson plans and the child’s age. “All of our activities are based on our curriculum and they are divided in teams every month. Then you have weekly lessons based on those teams,” Sieber said. Some of the past teams have includ-

ORACLE continued from page 3

ed: I am special, transportation, communication, community helpers. CONVENIENCE Aside from being the nearest child care center to campus, the UTPA Day Care is also in high demand as it accommodates student and faculty schedules. It is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m and is only closed on major holidays. “The schedule is very helpful for the people because it is on campus, so you can drop your kid on your way to class, and also if their classes end at 12:30 p.m. they have time to study or do whatever they need to do,” said Lee Guerrero, an administrative associate who has been working

with the center for eight months. The center is also budget-conscious with three options for payment: private pay, some child care grants such as “Child Care Assistance Means for Parents and School,” also called Campus Grant or CGrant, and “Child Care Services,” which is when an outside agency refers you to the UTPA Day Care Center. The main requirement is that in order to be eligible the person has to be student, faculty or staff with a child between the ages of three months and four years. However, the facility is primarily for students, and so they are only allowed to accept a certain amount of spaces for faculty and staff.

flexibility. Running such a wide-ranging system may cause its leaders some problems, of a technical nature or in set up, along the way. “If we anticipated any problems, we’d fix them,” Wiggins said. As of now, Langabeer said the only obstacle they are predicting is the “learning curve.” “There are people who have worked with the current system for years, so bringing in a new system may be a bit of a change and adjustment,” he noted. All the proper measures were taken to ensure minimum problems. Employees have and will be trained in order to gain knowledge and better understand the system and its capabilities.

“We are not going to change everything in one day,” Wiggins said after mentioning that the system will be slowly phased in. The university currently has over 1,000 employees who will use the system. “At this time, students who aren’t also employees will not see a whole lot of the system. The system is mainly for employees; it is a software system in which everyone and everything gets paid,” Langabeer said. “The purpose of this system is to upgrade our old one. We need more convenient ways to pay things such as parking permits and/or citations.” As of today the old computer system is still running, but by midnight tonight it will retire and Oracle will take its place.

LOGO continued from page 3

Courtesy of UTPA Day Care Center TO CAPACITY - With approximately 140 children enrolled, the UTPA Day Care Center has a waiting list of six months.

they represent the diversity of students from UTPA.” In addition, Morsello said he chose the star to take center stage because it is a well-known symbol of the UT System and because the students are “shining stars.” “They excel and shine in their field of study,” he said, adding that when he learned that he was going to be part of the project, he was thrilled. “It was a project that I had wanted,” he said. “I am very honored to have been a part of it.” Ramiro R. Lozano, publications production manager for University Relations, also worked on the logo project and said

students had input on the final decision. “I think this was important because in years past students really didn’t have as much of a direct say,” he said. “There was actual student representative.” For now, UTPA students can view the new logo on the Web site – which also has a new look as of Monday - or around campus on various posters. For Morsello, this is one of the biggest honors. “It feels good to see the logo around campus,” he said. “As a designer you feel so proud to have something you made reproduced in so many ways. I’m very proud and honored that my logo was chosen.”

sity will have little flexibility to take on more debt for another large project after building the complex, he is confident the realization of the university’s vision will be well worth it. “It’d be nice if we just had money lying around and didn’t have to take on any debt at all, but we don’t,” Langabeer said. “All I can say is, we’ll manage.” Luis Roberto Garcia, a sophomore criminal justice major, believes that though a fine arts auditorium would benefit students, the funds would have been better suited for addressing parking issues. “Whenever we (students) take our lunch break, it gets very hard to find a spot, and it gets really packed at the baseball stadium,” he said. “I can see why they

would want to build something for fine arts students, though, because the practice rooms and dressing rooms for music students are very small.” Roberto Soto, a 2005 graduate in theater performance, believes the fine arts academic and performance complex is a definite necessity. “The university will reap more than it sows by giving theatre students a place to perform and show everyone how capable they are,” he commented. “It will allow the Valley to expand its intellectual diversity.” Soto believes that a new acting arena will allow performers to put on more impressive shows and ultimately inspire younger students to study theatre at UTPA.

FUNDS continued from page 3 “It’s going to be a tight budgetary cycle because of other demands such as tax cuts, state park and jail maintenance,” Pena said. “But the state of Texas is growing, and we have to keep up with it.” While he believes the school will have to endure growing pains, he is certain that taking on the project will ultimately prove a progressive step for the community. “UTPA is a jewel in the Valley, and we hope that adding this building will help make it shine even brighter,” he said. “I know this center will further highlight the rich diversity the Valley has to offer.” James Langabeer, vice president for business affairs at UTPA, envisions the multi-events complex as “the future center of cultural event presentation in the lower

Rio Grande Valley.” “We are certain this will be a premiere theatre for not only our students, but our community members as well,” he said. While the university and community leaders have not released any detailed specifications for the arena because it is still in the very early stages of planning, Langabeer predicts the school’s tennis courts and track will have to be moved for its construction. He added that while they are not sure about the availability of the land they want to use, the school’s current focus is to build it on the corner of University Drive and Miguel Nevarez Drive. Although state legislators must still formally pass HB 153 during their next

regular session in January, Langabeer and other local community leaders are confident it will be approved. He anticipates a meeting with UTPA President Blandina Cardenas and Marvin Boland, director of the university’s facilities planning office, taking place before then so that they may begin to discuss the project’s execution. “This will be the first of a long series of meetings with university planners and community leaders so that we can eventually get into the nitty-gritty of it all,” he said. “We still have to wait for the bill to get formally approved, so the project is still in its preliminary stage. But we’d rather hit the ground running and start talking to our planners now.” While Langabeer believes the univer-

HOW TRBs GET APPROVED INSTITUTION

SUBMITS CAPITAL PROJECT PROPOSAL

TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS & RATES PROJECT

LEGISLATURE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY AUTHORIZES PROPOSAL

REVIEWS PROJECTS TO MEET INSTITUTION’S NEEDS

TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD

APPROPRIATE BOARD OF REGENTS

STATE BUDGET OFFICE ATTORNEY GENERAL

CONFIRMS THAT FINANCING SYSTEM IS APPROPRIATE

APPROPRIATES DEBT SERVICE REVIEWS & APPROVES BOND ISSUANCE

SPORTS

August 31, 2006

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FOR THE RECORD UTPA SPORTS Volleyball Upcoming Schedule

Onydia Garza/The Pan American FOCUSED - Eddie Wilson, catcher for the Edinburg Coyotes, watches the game with teammates. The Coyotes won 5-3 Monday over the Laredo Broncos to advance to the championship series, which began last night. Games 1 and 2 are in Alexandria, La.

SPORTS CLIPBOARD Game 3 win boosts Coyotes into ULB Championship Series Comeback Kids do it again to clinch series The Edinburg Coyotes defeated the Laredo Broncos 5-3 on Monday night, winning the three-game series 2-1 to advance to the United League Championship Series. The Coyotes are now facing the Alexandria Aces in the United League Baseball championship series, a best-of-five tilt that started Wednesday in Alexandria, La. The Alexandria Aces defeated San Angelo in the other semi-final series. Despite manager Vince Moore utilizing a solid lineup of six pitchers allowing only three runs, the Coyotes survived another close call with a come-from-behind rally after trailing 3-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. They scored one run in the sixth inning off a clutch two-out single by Evan Cherry, and then followed it up with two runs in the seventh inning to secure the lead. The Coyotes started the series with a 6-4 loss to the Broncos, putting the team in a mustwin situation. With their backs against the wall, the Coyotes fought back from an early 7-0 deficit in Game 2 Sunday, scoring seven unanswered runs, topped off with a two-out double by Carlos Gallardo that sent the game into extra innings. In the 10th inning, Eddie Lara finished off the incredible surge with a single up the middle, securing an 8-7 victory and tying the series at 1-1.

Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

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Texas State (UTPA Volleyball Invitational) Texas Tech (UTPA Volleyball Invitational) Texas A&M - International Cornell (Univ. of Portland Tournament) High Point (Univ. of Portland Tournament) Univ. of Portland (Univ. of Portland Tournament) Nevada (Univ. of Nevada Tournament) Portland (Univ. of Nevada Tournament) Texas A&M - Kingsville IPFW (IPFW Volleyball Invitational) Robert Morris Univ. (IPFW Volleyball Invitational) North Florida North Florida (IPFW Volleyball Invitational) Texas A&M - Kingsville North Dakota State Utah Valley State

UTPA Sports Information

7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 1:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:30 PM 5:00 PM TBA 1:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

TEAM STATISTICS (Through 4 games)

-------------------------------------------------------ATTACK........................ Kills....................... Errors...................... Total Attacks............... Attack Pct.................. Kills/Game.................. SET........................... Assists..................... Assists/Game................ SERVE......................... Aces........................ Errors...................... Aces/Game................... SERVE RECEPTIONS.............. Errors...................... Errors/Game................. DEFENSE....................... Digs........................ Digs/Game................... BLOCKING...................... Block Solo.................. Block Assist................ Total Blocks................ Blocks Per Game............. Block Errors................ BALL HANDLING ERRORS.......... ATTENDANCE.................... Total....................... Dates/Avg Per Date.......... Neutral site #/Avg.......... Current win streak.......... Home win streak.............

Davis promoted to associate head coach for UTPA women's hoops News passed last week on hiring UTPA head women's basketball coach DeAnn Craft announced last Friday that Jill Davis has been promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach for the Lady Broncs. Davis has played an instrumental role in the rebirth of the Lady Broncs' program through tireless hours of evaluating, recruiting and signing student-athletes on the current roster. Over the course of the last two seasons, Davis has helped the Lady Broncs develop one of their deepest and most talented women's basketball roster in program history. Two years ago they won a program-best 14 games. The Lady Broncs' recent roster has included some of the best talent at the junior college level in the state of Texas to go along with a McDonald's All-American nominee, a student-athlete selected as one of the top 150 players in the country as well as a trio of top-100 players in the state. On the court, Davis handles the perimeter players for the Lady Broncs, both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Over the course of the last two seasons, the Lady Broncs have connected on 259 three-point field goals, including 134 during the 2004-05 season, the fourth most in program history. Former Lady Bronc standout Dominique Montague was one of the biggest reasons for UTPA's ability to shoot from behind the arc as she connected on 111 career treys, third in program history. In addition to her on-court responsibilities, Davis also directs the UTPA Lady Bronc evaluations, campus visits for potential recruits as well as the team’s home presentations. The fourth-year coach has her hand in all facets of the UTPA women's basketball program as she serves as the team's travel coordinator and lead scout.

UTPA Field House UTPA Field House Laredo, TX Portland, OR Portland, OR Portland, OR Reno, NV Reno, NV UTPA Field House Fort Wayne, IN Fort Wayne, IN Fort Wayne, IN Fort Wayne, IN Kingsville, TX UTPA Field House UTPA Field House

UTPA

OPP

181 125 604 .093 12.9

203 88 598 0.192 14.5

173 12.4

184 13.1

20 29 1.4

27 50 1.9

27 1.9

20 1.4

263 18.8

260 18.6

5 18 14.0 1.0 6 12

8 48 32.0 2.3 5 10

0 0/0 3/185 0 0

174 1/174 -

Men’s Cross Country Upcoming Schedule Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

1 16 22 30

Baylor Relays Texas A&M Invitational UTSA Invitational Cowboy Jamboree

Host Host Host Host

- Baylor - Texas A&M - UTSA - OSU

Waco, TX College Station, TX San Antonio, TX Stillwater, OK

9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM

Women’s Cross Country Upcoming Schedule Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

1 16 22 30

Baylor Relays Texas A&M Invitational UTSA Invitational Cowboy Jamboree

Host Host Host Host

- Baylor - Texas A&M - UTSA - OSU

Waco, TX College Station, TX San Antonio, TX Stillwater, OK

8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM

Men’s Golf Upcoming Schedule Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

7 8 18 19

Hawks Invitational Hawks Invitational Raines Development Inter. Raines Development Inter.

Host Host Host Host

Univ. of Hartford, Boston, MA Univ. of Hartford, Boston, MA Francis Marion, Florence, SC Francis Marion, Florence, SC

All All All All

Day Day Day Day

Page 14

SPORTS

August 31, 2006

SPORTS

August 31, 2006

Page 15

Bronc runners anxious for start of new season By MARY NICHOLS The Pan American

he first meet for the university’s cross country team will be at Baylor University Friday, and the season icebreaker will be a good opportunity to get Bronc feet wet, test their fitness, and get back into the focus of competitive running. Head Coach Ricky Vaughn hopes the Baylor meet, the first race of a rigorous and competitive schedule, will give the teams a better idea of physical shape and how to best prepare. “It is a true test to show us what we need to do for the rest of the season,” he said. This cross country race, however, will be different. The normal race, which usually involves women running a 5k or 6k and the men running an 8k or 10k, will consist of a two-person relay team. The Baylor meet will feature each man running 2x3,000 meters (two miles) and

each woman will run 2x2,000 meters (1.25 miles). Assistant coach Brian Cunningham feels that although they have not prepared strongly for this meet (because it is more of a fitness marker) they will be ready on Friday. “It’s a fun format, but something different, and we should perform very well,” he said. Vaughn mentioned that they just want to treat this meet as if it were a hard workout, and see how well the freshmen can perform. Newcomers like Carolina Izaguirre, who hopes to gain a positive experience and do her best, said, “It’s my first race in college, so I’m nervous, anxious and at the same time excited.” Though the meet will be treated like a workout, there will be some heavy competition. According to Cunningham, the Broncs trained all summer without other competitors, and now that they have competition, all their hard work begins to mean something.

“It starts to mean more, and answers why you’ve been out every day hammering yourself,” said Cunningham. All that work has runners like senior Lorraine Garcia and freshmen Wally Gonzalez anxious to compete. Garcia, who is from Laredo, is ready to get back into racing mode. “We just want to see what we can do against Baylor, and actually give them a race,” she said. Gonzalez, who attended Edinburg North, may be jittery, but he is ready to compete at the college level. “I’m nervous but excited. It’s my first race at the university and I’m hoping to get some experience, and finish strong,” he said. With anticipation, excitement and nervousness, the Broncs and Lady Broncs are ready to take on their first challenge. “I’m always excited to get the first meet going, to see what we have,” said Vaughn.

Onydia Garza/The Pan American WARMING UP - Omar Doria, a freshmen and new addition to the men’s cross country team, practices early in the morning at the track. Doria and his fellow teammates will compete for the first time this season at Baylor on Sept. 1.

R E C

S P O R T S

SPORTS

Editor’s Pick: Game to Watch When: Saturday Time: 7:05 p.m. Edinburg Baseball Stadium Edinburg Coyotes

Alexandria Aces

Lady Broncs prepare for weekend tournament By KRISTYNA MANCIAS The Pan American

Onydia Garza/The Pan American DIGGING IN - Deeanna Schneyer practices with the team during Wednesday practice. The Lady Broncs host Texas State and Texas Tech this weekend.

After a rough start at the Texas State CenturyTel/ Classic Honda Premier last weekend, the Lady Bronc volleyball team (1-2) will try to bounce back at home in The University of Texas-Pan American Volleyball Invitational this weekend, starting against Texas State in a 7 p.m. game Friday at the Field House. The Lady Broncs picked up their first win of the season against North Texas on Saturday after going 0-2 in the first day of tournament play. They lost to Texas State, University of Southern California and Wyoming in the tournament. Even though the Lady Broncs won just once, head coach Dave Thorn feels that his team played hard. “I think we did alright,” he said. “The first day was a little rough. We played against a good Texas State team and they got us there and then we played the number 13 team in the country. We actually played much better in the evening games and I think that carried over into the second day, we beat North Texas and gave Wyoming a run for it.” He said that the experience gained at the tournament was worth it.

“Overall I think the weekend was pretty good and we just need to keep on improving from that point,” he noted. The Lady Broncs will host both Texas State and Big 12 team Texas Tech at the tournament. They will get a rematch versus the Lady Bobcats, after losing to them last weekend, 30-25, 30-26, and 3028. On Saturday, UTPA will continue tournament action against Texas Tech. Last season, the Lady Red Raiders finished with an 11-20 record, including 4-16 in the Big 12. Bringing a school from a major conference down to the Valley brings exposure to UTPA’s volleyball program and the university. Outside hitter Heather Bravo expects big things from her team and for the volleyball program as a whole. “I think it’s a big deal,” Bravo said. “It’s going to bring a lot of people to the game and it’s going to be very exciting once we beat Texas Tech and I think it’s really good for the school. I think it’s very positive.” After making several mistakes in the season opener against Texas State last weekend, UTPA will regroup and try to start fresh at their home tournament starting Friday.

Competitive young pitchers risking injury to future arm growth By RODERICK DORSEY The Pan American Little League baseball has evolved from a mere pastime for youngsters prepping for a possible future dream job, to a worldwide spectacle celebrated annually on national television. The desire to win it all is as prominent at the Little League level as it is in professional sports, and this could be the root to a major concern involving young pitchers: arm injury. “First and foremost, for a pitcher to be successful at an early age, I feel that he should be directed in the right way,” says Fabian Pedraza, the head coach/pitching coach of the Edinburg Wildcats, a local 8year-old team that won the state title tournament held in Irving July 22. “I don’t think that pitching [young athletes] into late innings and giving them a high number of pitches is too healthy for their arms,” he added. Overuse injuries are an increasing

issue with Little League hurlers, the most noticeable being the damage done to the growth plates between the pitching shoulder and arm. Traditional rules limit a pitcher to six innings a week during the regular season. However, these same rules are bent in favor of allowing a pitcher to throw more innings in the postseason. Pedraza indicated that wear and tear on a young pitcher’s arm can be prevented by implementing a pitch count and discouraging the athlete from throwing any type of breaking balls. “Numbering pitches would be very good at this age,” he explained. “There should be no throwing curveballs or anything similar; just keep it nice and simple with fastballs and changeups.” Another preventative method Pedraza mentioned was proper conditioning of the young athlete. “What we can do to condition pitchers is to keep them running sprints in practice,” he said. “To keep them at a high level in pitching, as far as in between innings, I suggest they put on a sweater or jacket to keep their pitching arm warm at all times.” Pedraza’s son Fabian is a pitcher for the Wildcats, and he believes that tough-

ness is an important trait a pitcher should possess. “I have to keep on pitching even when I’m a little tired, because I think that pitchers have to be tough, and I must be a tough guy out there on the mound for my team to have a chance to win,” his son claimed. Although he and his son agree that physical and mental toughness are keys to building a championship squad, Pedraza strongly suggests that winning at the expense of seriously injuring a child is not a worthy cause, yet it happens all the time in youth sports. “To me, winning is important, but I don’t feel that it’s so important that you should risk injuring a kid,” he insisted. “That’s why numbering pitches on a kid is so important; it’s for longevity purposes, especially if they have talent and will stick to playing baseball in the future.” Pedraza has not yet encountered any arm issues with his young players, but he advises an injured pitcher to rest the wounded arm if and when an injury occurs. “Continue to condition the arm after resting it; that’s the best solution,” he said.

Gregorio Garza/The Pan American LITTLE LEAGUER - Bone growth stems from several growth areas, including a growth located in the humerus. However, continued stress from pitching can severely widen or damage the plate.