September 7, 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

Study links gender, educational success

Pres. Cardenas: ‘I have this certainty that you can make the world better’

By ANA LEY The Pan American Rousing controversy in academic circles nationwide is a study supporting the hypothesis that boys learn better from men, and girls learn better from women. According to an article released last week by the Associated Press, the research, conducted by Swarthmore College professor Thomas Dee, is based on a nationally representative survey of 25,000 eighth-graders. The survey was conducted in 1988 by the Education Department, but has not been updated with new data. Feelings are mixed as to such a finding at The University of Texas-Pan American, where professors are 59.1 percent male and 40.9 percent female, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Males make up 40.8 percent of the student body and females 59.8 percent, with a student to faculty ratio of 20.9 to 1. Olga Ramirez, a mathematics professor and former chair of the women’s studies developmental planning committee at the university, believes that “considering the size of the sample is quite large, and assuming this was a randomized sample, this does sound like a legitimate conclusion.” Ramirez believes that the real question to ask is not why Dee has hypothesized that a teacher’s gender affects student performance, but why the theory was not delved into deeper in 1988 when the survey was conducted. “If this research is revealing some facts, it is up to the teaching community to turn this into a progressive or regressive step for educators,” she said. “How the results are taken into consideration and how they are utilized

September 7, 2006

By SANDRA GONZALEZ The Pan American Q: As we approach the time when retention numbers will be officially released, I’d like to know a little bit about your plans to increase that rate every year. I know at convocation, you spoke briefly about the “class of 2010” campaign in which entering freshman will be encouraged to graduate in four years. Currently, what other initiatives are helping to improve retention and graduation rates? A: Well, first of all, we’re looking at identifying the services students need in order to increase the probability of stay-

ing, coming back, and getting their degree in the shortest time. Every year that a student postpones their degree completion, they’re losing money. We want students to get their degree in a timely fashion, it’s one of our strategic goals. We think advising has played a very important role in the increases of retention because students know what classes to take, and they know where they’re going. The sooner you see that finish line, the quicker you are going to work towards it. You also have to make it part of the conversation among students. People have to get excited about gradu-

ating. The “class of 2010” was a way of giving students a way to identify with each other, supporting each other and creating a sense of class spirit. Q: From what I understand, increasing class spirit is not the only way the university is encouraging students to stay in school. I heard that you also did a little bit of work on decreasing the number of students with holds on their registration. A: We have to look at what the bureaucratic blocks are that keep students from graduating. We had a policy on registration holds. [After reviewing the

See CARDENAS page 11

See GENDER page 11

UTPA busy building after land acquisition By LUKE KOONG The Pan American As the number of students, faculty and staff continues to grow on campus, the need for adequate space and facilities increases apace. The land on which The University of Texas-Pan American is located has been almost completely used up and the university is making every effort to acquire new pieces in the general vicinity as they come available. “Obviously, our main need is our campus. Seeing how landlocked we are, we don’t have a lot of choices a lot of times,” said Mark Saenz, assistant to the vice president for business affairs. UTPA has quietly acquired nearly 75 acres of land in the last three years, including the most recent purchase, the 16-acre Southwick tract off Jackson Road back in January. Although rumor had it that the university had plans to purchase the property containing Super Wal-Mart north of University Drive, Saenz denied this. “The university has no plans to acquire the property, and to our knowledge, there are no plans from WalMart to sell the property,” he said. All land purchases are made in accordance to the campus master plan, the guiding tool that the university uses when deciding what property to buy and what to use land for. “The only restriction that we have is that there is some type of university usage,” Saenz said. The university is allowed to purchase land outside of the campus master plan, as long as it receives approval from the UT System board of regents and the Texas Higher Education Board. UTPA obtained a 9-acre piece of land west of

See CONSTRUCTION page 11

News

A&E

Sports

Comparing local party scene to top-ranked UT-Austin

Classic and cult cinema return to the Valley at Cine el Rey

Super season ends on a somber note

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See page 16

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READER FORUM

September 7, 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. 3 Editor Claudette Gonzalez ThePanAmerican@gmail.com News Editor Sandra Gonzalez sandra_panamerican @yahoo.com

A&E Editor Frank Calvillo hennero@msn.com

Design Editor Erika Lopez lopez475@ yahoo.com

Sports Editor Roderick Dorsey roderickdorsey @sbcglobal.net

Photo Editor Onydia Garza north14star @aol.com

Designers Roy Bazan crazy_restless @yahoo.com

Laura C. Gomez lm.gomez@yahoo.com

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

Mary Nichols Carolina Sanchez Angela Salazar Trey Serna Krystina Mancias

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.

Web site Review

by Sandra Gonzalez

In an age where some spend entire weekend days on MySpace, I urge everyone to take a step back, and take a moment to indulge your glazed eyes in some of the other entertainment options the Web has to offer. As Web sites become popular, allow me to take them for a test drive before passing them along to you. After all, I wouldn’t want you to waste your valuable surfing time.

On today’s menu: www.perezhitlon.com

Points deducted for occasional, mildlypornographic pictures of ugly people and brainless reader comments.

As a self-admitted celebrity gossip whore, I have no shame in pimping one of my favorite gossip sites. However, be warned: this one is only for those who care to engage themselves with witty commentary from a 20-something gay man. I’m not complaining, and neither is the public. Recently, the Web site marked a milestone by getting one million hits in just one day. Before you pelt me with various vegetable products for further promoting the celebrity culture, admit it, you like it too. plus, it’s better than standing in the aisle at H.E.B reading US magazine. At least this way, no one else sees you.

Web site overview:

Side Note:

The page takes a little while to load (don’t worry, not long enough to have to start thinking…*whew*), but that is mostly due to the fact that every entry has an accompanied picture fresh off paparazzi lenses. As a special treat, the pictures sometimes have laughable (mind you, at times childish) commentary written in. The best part, though, has to be the chance you get to see what many celebrities look like without the help of their Photoshop staff. I’ve always been a sucker for before-andafter photos.

Graphics/Photos:

Hours of entertainment Expect at least 2 if you are a firsttime reader.

More of a celebrity satirist than a (*shudder*) “blogger,” Perez Hilton offers up daily dosages of your favorite car-wreck celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and the creepy Cruise pair. The Web site is the birthplace of most of Hollywood’s couple nicknames and often the first to bring breaking celebrity news (Perez outed the gay Nsyncer, Lance Bass, long before he came out publicly). Although not all of it is always true, he gets points for making me snicker. But if you can help it, stay away from the reader’s comments. They are mostly mindless feedback with little to add to the subject du jour.

Content:

Do you want me to pick apart a personal, band or interesting Web site you have created? Or do you have a Web site you think will make me laugh till I pee, cry in delight or be entertained until the next episode of “Prison Break”? Well, since you know you are already sitting there, e-mail Sandra_panamerican@yahoo.com. No porn, please.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

THE PAN AMERICAN

Available Sept. 14

High and dry

Reggaeton phenomenon

- With utility costs soaring, will UTPA’s funds dry up?

- Find out why the sounds of the Caribbean now dominate radio.

NEWS

News in brief: Career Services is holding a Law Enforcement Career Expo on Sept. 8 from noon to 4 p.m. in the University Ballroom. Contact Career Services at (956) 381-2243 for more information.

UT-Austin takes top party-school honors By JAVIER CAVAZOS The Pan American

Onydia Garza/The Pan American CHUG - Although UTPA’s party scene may not be quite as big as top-ranked UT-Austin’s, students say there are still fun options to choose from locally.

For Amy Szumilewicz, a sophomore art history major at the University of Texas-Austin, finding a party has never been difficult. “All you have to do is ask someone,” she, said. Considering the easy availability of parties, it’s no wonder UT-Austin won the honor of Top Party School in a national list published recently by the The Princeton Review. The list was part of the annual “The Best 361 Colleges” edition which surveys over 110,000 students. The survey questioned students on everything from “race/class relations” to “hardest to get info from,” and also included schools that frown upon or ban drinking and partying. “If you just ask around you can find all sorts of options for things to do,” Szumilewicz said. “Whether it’s a frat party in West Campus or at an apartment off Riverside Drive there are always parties.”

Joe Aguilar, a senior political science major at The University of TexasPan American, said it didn’t surprise him that UT-Austin took the top spot. “You have a city that has a huge college population and many places to choose from as far as things to do,” Aguilar said. “The number of bars on Sixth Street alone is staggering, and there are always private events.” When asked about the party options at UTPA, Aguilar said that while there may seem like few options on campus, Broncs are in a special position. “The Valley is close to Mexico, and there are some good clubs in McAllen, so we do have our own unique party scene,” said Aguilar. “The clubs in Mexico are so diverse so there really is something for everyone.” With Mexico minutes away and myriad clubs to choose from in McAllen and surrounding cities, he added students don’t have to go far from campus for fun. Reynosa and Nuevo Progreso seem

See PARTY page 12

New foreign language being offered, more to come By MARIA A. MAZARIEGOS The Pan American As The University of Texas-Pan American continues to grow in enrollment, it also grows in culture. The department of modern languages and literature recently announced the implementation of new foreign language courses. “These new courses are part of the department’s long-range plan to diversify the curriculum and ensure the com-

petitiveness among UTPA graduates,” said Glenn Martinez, chair of the department. This semester, FORL 1391.1, Chinese, was added to the list of offerings. “It is an important language since China is the most important trading partner, not only for the U.S., but for the entire Western Hemisphere,” said Martinez. “Our competitors know what we are saying, but we don’t know what they are saying.” Arabic, Portuguese and Turkish

were also slated to be offered this semester, but low enrollment forced the department to cancel the sections. Chinese seems to be a popular language among UTPA students, as some expressed their interest in the complex tongue. “Chinese language does interest me since China is the biggest country in the world,” Denise Perez, a junior prepharmacy major said. “It would be nice to make connections with the people of China since it is such a power country.”

Although English is the universal language, being knowledgeable in more than one language makes people more marketable in all areas. “Before 9/11 no one ever thought that Arabic was especially important; now it is a must for anyone seeking to enter the field of national security,” said Martinez. Due to a growing Filipino community in the Valley, UTPA plans to offer a course in a dialect, Tagalog in the immediate future in an effort to stay current in

local needs and trends. “Because the world is changing at such a rapid pace it is important that the department have flexibility to respond to national needs and to do so in a timely fashion,” said Martinez. The new language courses have been and will be added as FORL courses, giving the department flexibility to offer any number of courses they feel are important. “I like foreign languages because

See FOREIGN page 12

Remote permits fail to ease woes By CAROLINA SANCHEZ The Pan American While Evert Rodriguez, a freshmen electrical engineering major, and Jose Romero, a sophomore undeclared major, waited for the shuttle, they could not help but vent. Students who had purchased the new, lower cost remote-parking permit were taking places in the fullprice lots. “I don't think that is fair for us, the ones who paid the regular permit, to see those people parked in our spaces,” Romero said. The University of Texas-Pan

American created the new parking permit to give students another option. For those who complain about paying $34 for a parking permit when they end up parking far from campus anyway, the $17 remote pass allows them to use the overflow lot - located behind Edinburg Baseball Stadium - for half the cost. “I bought it because it is cheaper, and if I bought the $34 one, I wouldn't be able to find parking,” Gonzalez said. “I [bought it] because I've seen my friends that have [the fullprice pass] and they ended up parking in the remote lot. Plus, I have the accessibility of the shuttle.” Parking officials add that the over-

flow lot is often underused, with some students opting to wait for spots to open up in the closer lots. “The purpose of this permit is to get students to park in the remote lot, and we want them to use this parking lot,” said Melissa Sandoval, parking manager at UTPA, who added that the remote permit was created to help decrease the time it takes to park. Since fall 2005, several lots have been displaced due to the construction of Unity Hall, which took the place of Lot J, and the Wellness and Recreational Sports Center, which took the place of BUSTED - Ines Lucio, a sophomore bilingual education major, removes a parking

See PERMITS page 12

ticket from her car.

NEWS

Page 4

September 7, 2006

Freshman internship prepares future SGA members By CLAUDETTE GONZALEZ The Pan American Stephanie Castellanos has undergone a gradual but noticeable transformation. The once-shy freshman has been converted into a confident, outgoing sophomore through the help of the Student Government Association’s Freshman Year Internship (FYI). “She’s actually grown a lot,” said Bonnie Bustos, SGA vice president and Castellanos’ FYI mentor. “She had great ideas, but she was really shy.” FYI is a student government-run program in which selected freshmen have the opportunity to observe and learn about the inner workings of the organization. Last year’s SGA vice president, Joey Nichols, was inspired to start the FYI at UTPA after hearing of a similar program at Texas A&M University called Fish Aides. He and former president Adrian Sandoval saw that the internship would benefit the organization as a whole, as well as individual participants. “We wanted to develop leaders who would hopefully stay with SGA all four years,” said Nichols, now working on a master’s of public health from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. “We decided it was

important to increase the retention within SGA, increase the intellectual stock of SGA by bringing people into the program sooner and keeping them longer.” With the program in its second year, former freshman intern Castellanos has taken the lead as current FYI director. “Basically, our idea for this program is to mold and attract freshmen so that they can become part of SGA, learn the structure, the function and how much voice SGA has,” Castellanos said. “That way the following year, hopefully they’ll be able to run for senator or another executive position.” That’s exactly what made JohnRobert Iruegas, a freshman child psychology major from Laredo, decide to join. “If they didn’t have this program, we’d go in [sophomore year] without knowing anything about SGA so it’s a help to know what SGA can give you and what you can give SGA,” Iruegas said. Jose Roberto Balmori, a freshman economics and math double major from Veracruz, Mexico, had another reason compelling him to apply for the internship. “I wanted to contribute to the

university because they helped me financially and academically, so I wanted to give something back,” Balmori said. “I think a way to do that is to get involved in groups that can help and change things. That’s why I want to be involved in SGA.” Through FYI, he is sure to be involved in many on-campus and offcampus activities.

Each intern is assigned a mentor, an SGA member whose job is to guide their protégé and give advice about academics, involvement, leadership, and anything else that comes up. Interns participate in a series of eight monthly lunch seminars and attend all SGA meetings to learn about the legislative process, the SGA constitution, and other topics.

Claudette Gonzalez/The Pan American GETTING STARTED - Freshman Year Internship (FYI) director Stephanie Castellanos explains program details to John-Robert Iruegas, a freshman child psychology major, Sept. 1. Iruegas is one of six freshmen chosen to participate.

Moreover, each intern is required to help plan one community service event per semester. Last year, interns helped paint a school in Mexico and renovated a park at Mujeres Unidas to make it safer for children, among other things. With so much for interns to do this year, Castellanos says the group had specific qualities in mind when interviewing potential candidates. “We’re looking for really motivated students that are outgoing and really want to make a difference,” Castellanos said. “Maybe they don’t have a lot of knowledge about the Student Government Association, but that’s what they’re here for.” According to Bustos, this year’s applicant pool had just what they were searching for. “We had a lot of applicants that are really motivated. They’ve already come in with ideas for community service projects that they want to do,” Bustos said. For Castellanos, the experience was stimulating, and she couldn’t get enough in just one year. “You get to meet other motivated people, and that just really excites me,” she said. “I enjoyed it a lot. That’s why I came back.”

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NEWS

September 7, 2006

Page 5

Why Russia?

Student’s missionary work proves life-changing By SANDRA GONZALEZ The Pan American Russia was not her first choice. In fact, it was her third. It was just a short while before Denise Villarreal would make the 11-hour journey to the East as a missionary, but she was filled with doubts. While lying in bed, she asked God, “Russia? Why Russia?” Villarreal had been told about the opportunity to go on a missionary trip from The University of Texas-Pan American’s Baptist Student Ministry (BSM). However, the news that she was going to Russia on June 24, came to her dismay. “My first choice was Asia because I was going to have chance to work with college students,” Villareal, a junior art education major, said. “But since I had been working with children in other ministries here, [BSM] decided that it was the best choice for me.” While she admits to not wanting to go at one point, Villarreal said she knew

there had to be a reason she was being called to Russia. Once she arrived, she found out that reason. POLAR OPPOSITES The journey to Russia was a blur. After not sleeping 24 hours to avoid severe jet lag, Villarreal could not grasp the feat she was about to undertake or the new world she was about to enter. She had expected Russia to be bitterly cold, primitive, and the women old-fashioned. That was far from the case in the group of six’s first stop, Moscow. “Everything over there was very Americanized, at least in the big cities. The women are very fashionable. In Moscow, all the cop cars were BMWs and Mercedes,” she said. However, “Penza was a little different.” There were no lines on the streets of Penza, making driving a dangerous undertaking. Though clear and enticing, the water was undrinkable. Signs in the

Denise Villarreal

SITE SEEING- The Church of Transfiguration, built in 1714 without the use of any nails, was one of the sites Villarreal and her fellow missionaries were able to visit.

hotel room bathrooms warned “Do not rinse mouth with water.” While that proved shocking, the most disturbing scene occurred on the streets. “You see six-year-olds drinking and smoking on the streets there. I saw a kid one time on our way to go eat at a restaurant who was sitting on a see-saw, he must have been six years old, smoking a cigarette,” she said. “That just blew my mind.” RISKY COMMITTMENT For three and a half weeks, a core team made up of Villarreal and five others traveled to several orphanages and set up a series of activities to help the children learn more about God. The kids ranged in age from three to 17 depending on the orphanage. After planning was complete, a group of approximately 30 more students would join them and help them carry out the lessons and activities. One of the ways they crossed the language barrier was by putting on skits and plays inspired by the “Chronicles of Narnia” series. “The person who wrote the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ is a Christian and he uses Christian symbolism throughout the book,” Villarreal said. “Aslan, the lion, represents Christ because in the book and the movie, he has to die for another person. So it is similar to the story of Christ, as he died for everyone.” However, Villarreal added that in Russia there are often risks for those who decide to become Christian. “Over there if you’re a Christian, you’re a heathen. Everyone is Greek Orthodox. Some of the interpreters have become Christians through the Ministry and their families have disowned them,” she said. After seeing an oppressed country up close, Villarreal said she has come to appreciate what she has in the United States. “This country is blessed, really. If a person were to go overseas they would realize how wonderful of a country we have and how free we are,” she said. “The government controls everything over there. If they want to buy land, they have to buy it from the government.” THEN THERE WAS VALERIO Many of the orphans Villarreal met had similar stories: broken homes, an abuse-filled past and first-hand experience with murder that no child should have. “I learned a lot about murder while

Denise Villarreal

RUSSIAN TIES- (Top) Denise Villarreal, a junior art education major, poses with Valerio, a seven-year-old handicapped orphan whom she became close to while on a three-and-a-half-week missionary trip in Russia. (Bottom) Villareal said she had a bit of a hard time getting Lillia (left), 13, to open up to her. However, by the time they were parting ways, Lillia was in tears because she didn’t want Villarreal to go. I was over there,” Villarreal said. “It surprised me how laid-back they were about it.” However, the one thing that ran most common among the children, more than their unfortunate stories, was their happy spirits. “[It was great] to see how happy they were to see anybody and just become friends with them,” she said. “They were so friendly to us even though we didn’t speak the same language. That was really awesome.” Among the hundreds of children Villarreal saw and spoke with, one stood out. One evening, as the cold was beginning to set upon a small specialneeds orphanage, one small, shivering blond-haired boy caught Villarreal’s eye. Only a thin, green sweater shielded the young boy from the increasingly bitter night. At that moment, Villarreal pulled out of her bag one of six sweaters she had brought with her to give to the children. “I wanted to give it to him because he was cold, so I pulled the sweater out but he kept pushing it away. He kept telling me ‘no, no, no,’” she said. “I told him ‘I’m giving it to you. It’s the reason I brought it.’ He just wouldn’t take it.”

So Villarreal did all she could. She hugged him while affectionately rubbing her hands over his small arms in attempt to warm him. He never did accept the sweater, but throughout the rest of the day, Valerio never left her side. “He wanted me to hug him and play with him. It was just so awesome to see that’s all he wanted. He just wanted to be around someone and be hugged,” Villarreal said, tearing up. Though they left the orphanage, his image and the image of the other children have never left Villareal’s mind and heart. “I hope they can see that there are people who do love because I don’t think they see enough of that,” she said. Villarreal hopes to go back to Russia one day, in the near future if possible. She has sent correspondence to the children via translators, but has yet to receive word back. Sending mail is difficult as she must go through the translators since she does not know Russian…yet. “Next time I go back, I want to know Russian,” she said. However, next time Russia comes calling, Villarreal says she will, as she does now, know why.

EN ESPAÑOL

Noticias en breve: Career Services llevara a cabo la Exposicion de Carreras en el area de la Justicia Criminal el Viernes desde el mediodia hasta las 4 p.m. Para mas informacion llame al (956)381-2243.

Nuevo permiso de estacionamiento en UTPA Por CAROLINA SANCHEZ Traducido Por MERCEDES CANTU The Pan American Mientras Evert Rodriguez, estudiante de primer año en ingeniería eléctrica y José Romero, estudiante de segundo año, esperaban el autobús no podian dejar de quejarse: estudiantes que han comprado el nuevo y más barato permiso de estacionamiento remoto han estado ocupando espacios de aquellos que pagan el permiso completo. “Yo no creo que esto sea justo; pagamos el permiso regular y otras personas se estacionan en nuestros espacios,” dijo Romero. La Universidad de Texas Pan American creo un nuevo permiso de estacionamiento para dar a los estudiantes otra opción. Para aquellos que se quejan de pagar $34 por el permiso de estacionamiento cuando tienen que terminar estacionándose lejos o fuera de la

universidad, se les da la opción de pagar $17 para estacionarse detrás del estadio de béisbol – la mitad del costo del otro. “Yo lo compre por que es mas barato y por que si hubiese comprado el de $34 no conseguiría lugar,” dijo Norberto González, un estudiante ingeniería de tercer año. “Yo lo compre por que he visto a mis amigos (quienes tienen el pase completo) que terminan estacionándose aquí mas lejos de la universidad. Aparte tengo accesibilidad al transporte.” Oficiales de estacionamiento dicen que los estacionamientos más lejanos no son del todo aprovechados. Muchos estudiantes esperan para encontrar espacios en los estacionamientos más cercanos. “El propósito de este permiso es hacer que los estudiantes se estacionen en estacionamientos como estos para que sean aprovechados,” dijo Melissa Sandoval, gerente de estacionamiento en UTPA, quien agrego que estos estacionamientos se crearon para que el tiem-

po de buscar estacionamiento en la universidad sea menos. Desde otoño del 2005, algunos espacios han sido sustituidos debido a la construcción de ‘Unity Hall’ que tomo lugar del estacionamiento J, y el ‘Wellness and Recreational Sports Center’ en lugar del estacionamiento I. El permiso de color amarillo, que difiere a simple vista del verde, precio regular, es solo una de las maneras de la universidad de recompensar las perdidas de estacionamiento. Comoquiera, la respuesta a este permiso no han sido tan positivos como era de esperarse. Desde Agosto 31, día de expiración de los pases de estacionamiento viejos, Sandoval dice que solo se han vendido unos cuantos. Esto puede deberse en parte a las restricciones. Sandoval dice que los pases de estacionamiento remoto solo son para los estudiantes que atienden clases solamente durante el día.

Jessie Leal, estudiante en psicología, dice que prefiere pagar el permiso de $34 a que el permiso mas barato, ya que cuando viene a las clases en la tarde le es mas conveniente. “Tengo clases en la manan y termino estacionándome en los estacionamientos lejanos, por lo que me convendría el permiso mas barato,” dijo Leal. “Pero cuando asisto a mis clases de la tarde tengo la oportunidad de estacionarme mucho mas cerca de la universidad por lo que necesito el pase regular para no tener multas.” A pesar de la baja respuesta hasta ahora, Sandoval dice que el permiso amarillo estará disponible todos los años y puede ser comprado en el departamento de policía de UTPA. BARATO - El permiso remoto (derecha) para estacionamento es de color amarillo para distinguirlo del regular color verde. Esta no es la unica diferencia, este es ademas mas barato, se puede adquirir por $17.

Sam Iglesias/The Pan American

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

Editor’s Pick: Must-buy CD Christina Aguilera“Back to Basics” featuring the single “Ain’t No Other Man”

Local theater to showcase unique film festivals

By LESLIE ESTRADA The Pan American Are you tired of watching the same movies over and over again? If you feel ready for a change, the place to go this fall is Cine El Rey in McAllen, where the offerings are constantly changing. This month, the theater will be presenting a series of films from as far as the 1930s in its Classic Film Festival. There will be films based on great works of literature, classic horror flicks, and documentaries covering a wide variety of topics. “I thought it would be a great idea to start off with the classic literature films,” said Luis Munoz, owner of Cine El Rey. “Students are beginning a new academic year, and I thought it would be interesting for their teachers, as well as for them, to come and enjoy these films.” Munoz also stated that these movies are incredible adaptations, and that many are studied in literature classes. “The Grapes of Wrath” will start off the series. Like John Steinbeck’s book about the Dust Bowl Era, the film

THE CLASSICS NEVER DIE - John Ford’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” and “The Serpent and the Rainbow” are two of the films that will be screened at Cine El Rey this fall.

follows the Joads, an Okie family trying to get to California in an overloaded jalopy filled with crying children, beaten-down people and dying grandparents. The festival will end on Sept. 24 with Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” starring Laurence Olivier. The tragedy tells the story of a man who could not make up his mind. Next, “Weird Theatre” and classic

horror movies will hit El Rey in October. Munoz said that he and Rusell Dowden from Weird Magazine came up with the idea for Weird Theatre, which will mainly be composed of odd documentaries and independent films “I was talking to Rusell one day, and came up with the conclusion that people don’t get the chance to watch

these types of movies. They are not shown very often in television,” said Munoz. “It is a great opportunity to have them available for the public in the big screen.” Even though the schedule is still being worked on, Munoz said that some of the films that will be featured are “Serpent in the Rainbow,” “The Believers,” and “Eraserhead.” The

showings will be Sunday afternoons starting Oct. 7. Munoz is not the only one who thinks that these films are enjoyable. Students like Cesar Gonzalez, a junior finance major at The University of Texas-Pan American, agree. Having had the chance to attend several showings at Cine El Rey, Gonzalez said that it has been a wonderful experience. “It is a very good alternative to ordinary movies,” said Gonzalez. “I believe that if we teach ourselves to attend these types of shows, we will become more culture-oriented.” The same could be said about the classic horror movies that are going to be shown in October. “We want to get people into the Halloween mood by showing classical horror movies,” said Munoz. “They are older films, but I am sure that people will enjoy them.” Tickets start at $3 per person, with reduced prices for students. For more information on these and other events, please contact Cine El Rey at (956) 971-9825 or visit their Web page at http://www.cineelrey.com.

UTPA mariachi groups stronger than ever By ANGELA SALAZAR The Pan American Those who have lived in the Valley their entire lives are often reminded of just how unique the area truly is. Being so close to the border provides an opportunity for exchanging old world traditions with new ones. One such tradition is the very popular University of TexasPan American Mariachi. The mariachi was founded in 1989 by Dahlia Guerra, the new dean for the College of Arts and Humanities. The program began as a way to promote the Hispanic culture and benefit the students and community. The idea is to keep a piece of heritage alive for students around the Valley. “I’ve always loved mariachi music since I was a child,” Guerra said. “My father would take us on trips into Mexico and we would always see the mariachis.” There are three groups on campus: the UTPA Mariachi, the UTPA Mariachi Femenil, and the UTPA Mariachi Aztlan. All together, there are about 50 students, not all whom are music majors; some just appreciate the music

itself. They are co-directed by Guerra and Francisco Loera, a professor in the music department. According to the program description, studying the Hispanic culture, music and traditions helps to inspire pride and encourages students to pursue higher education. Many students may later pass these traditions on to their own students. The mariachi groups, however, are not just performers, but also state and nationally recognized musical groups who have won various competitions. A mariachi group is made up of primarily three instruments, the guitarron, along with other guitars, violins and a trumpet. The group is rounded out sometimes by a harp and singers. Most recently the UTPA Mariachi Femenil, the only known all-girl mariachi group at the university level, took first place in the Best in Texas Mariachi Invitational at the Houston Rodeo in March 2006, where they performed for more than 70,000 people. The group also first place at the Albuquerque Mariachi Competition in 2005. “It was so exciting,” said Mirelle Castaneda a member of Mariachi Femenil, “We were backstage…they brought us to the center of the stadium

with lasers and it was a huge adrenaline rush.” Even though competitions have gained the UTPA Mariachi recognition, they also perform for a younger audience. Splitting into two groups, they performed at three elementary schools per day during a weeklong trip to Iowa and Illinois in April 2005. During the Quad Cities Arts Visiting Artist Series performances held in the Midwest, almost 10,000 students and adults heard the sounds of authentic mariachi music. This not only widens the audience for the groups, but also spreads the word for the university, sending out a part of the Valley to the rest of the nation. “It makes me proud to think that our university is recognized by its mariachi program,” said Guerra, “And I believe its because we brought a lot of recognition to the university.” The UTPA Mariachis have two concerts coming up on Dec. 9 and 10. Also check out other upcoming performances from other groups in the music department. For more information on this or any other fine arts organization on campus, please wvisit their Web site at http://www.panam.edu.

Dahlia Guerra MUSIC TO THEIR EARS- The University of Texas-Pan American Mariachi Band has been promoting Hispanic culture since its creation in 1989. All three Mariachi groups at UTPA participate in various competitions.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

September 7, 2006

Exhibitionism and voyeurism... BY: TREY SERNA

September 7, 2006

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 9

all with the click of a mouse Technology is changing at a rapid pace and with the innovation and media convergence of the Internet and television, power is now in the consumer’s hands to watch and see what they want, when they want. In February 2005, online videos changed with the introduction of YouTube.com. The Web site was originally created to serve as a personal video service but has grown into much more. According to YouTube.com, it’s a consumer media company for people to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience. The YouTube craze coincided with the MySpace explosion. Bloggers and MySpacers could now post videos easier than ever on their profiles and share them with their friends. With YouTube, users can upload original videos, tag, and share them. “Tagging” a video is adding in keywords for use when searching for a video. For example, someone can tag their video with the word “guitar.” That way, a user who’s interested in guitars or watching people play guitars can simply search for “guitar” to find that video, among others. Users can browse millions of videos uploaded by the public. YouTube also allows people to find, create and join video groups to connect with other people with similar interests. Users can customize their YouTube experience by subscribing to other member’s videos, saving favorite videos and creating a play list. NAUGHTY COPYCAT Although it is easy to find videos about practically any subject on YouTube, one thing sure not to come up is adult material. The site doesn’t allow users to upload any “mature” videos. If users come across any inappropriate material, they’re able to report it. Any violating sites are taken down. However, it was only a matter of time before a Web site allowed such material to be uploaded. Say hello to XTube. XTube operates like the original. In fact, they’re practically identical, with the most obvious exception being that users can broadcast themselves in an x-rated manner. When signing up for XTube, users can state a preference as to whether they’d like to see straight, gay or bisexual material. They simply provide a valid e-mail address, choose a username and password, choose an orientation preference and get signed up in minutes. Although there are warnings throughout the Web site stating that one must be 18 years or older in order to view X-

rated content with XTube, one problem with the site is that minors can easily click the box that says “18+” and click that they have read and agreed to the terms and privacy policy. There’s no other age verification, so youngsters have easy access to adult material. About two months ago, news headlines were filled with the case of a 14-year-old Texas girl who said she was sexually assaulted by a man she met on MySpace. According to an article on statesman.com, the family sued the popular social networking site for $30 million, claiming that it fails to protect minors from adult sexual predators. Some feel that XTube could be heading in a similar direction in the near future. “It’s such a bad idea to be putting yourself out there like that. People can get your information and see who you are,” said Jesse Medina, sociology secretary at The University of Texas-Pan American. “Something like that 14-year-old girl’s case is going to happen. It’s just so stupid.” To the others, the topic doesn’t even faze them or cause much concern. “I don’t really care because I’m not a computer freak,” said Margie Saenz, a junior English major. “I’m not into all that (YouTube, MySpace) and Internet stuff and I don’t care to find out.” XTube isn’t just about people exposing themselves for fun. It has turned into a full-fledged competition. If a user uploads a video clip that complies with all the rules and regulations, they earn five points. Uploading a photo is worth one point. For every 10 views a picture or video gets, the user earns one point. The maximum number of points one can earn for users viewing their material is 100. If a user invites a friend to join XTube, 50 points can be earned. Points can be redeemed for prizes through the Web site or for XTube money, which can be spent at the online XTube store. “If they’re making money, it almost seems like a form of prostitution,” said Erica A. Gonzalez, a senior broadcast journalism major. Though there’s a demeaning aspect to the idea of earning points and online money, some feel it’s all up to the individual. “Even though it seems wrong, people can do what they want to do,” said Amanda Champion, a sophomore communication major. “I guess it all boils down to freedom of

speech and free expression.” The world of XTube has even invaded MySpace. An update was posted on XTube.com about two weeks ago announcing that XTube had created an official XTube MySpace Profile. They encourage XTube users to add them and to “help spread the good word.” The Web site also reminded users to keep the MySpace profile clean because “what happens on XTube, stays on XTube.” A big question is, What does a Web site like this do to/for us? What does it do to the aesthetic value of sex? And why do people feel such a need to show themselves off, especially sexually? Petra Guerra, a communication professor, feels the reason people tend to engage in this sort of behavior is because of the gratifications theory, which explains that people need to satisfy their needs. “People live through the media and want to feel important,” Guerra said. “They use it to identify with themselves. People want to be desired.” According to Guerra, today’s society needs the media to satisfy their credibility and confidence. People want to feel a sense of importance. “It’s like if someone sees a beer commercial. The media glorifies drinking and makes it seem fun,” Guerra said. “The people in the commercials are sexy and people want to be portrayed and desired just like those people.” COPYRIGHT RULES FAIL A problem that both networking phenomena face is copyright infringement. Although, both Web sites say copyrighted material isn’t allowed, it’s hard to monitor user posts. YouTube users have been posting music videos, TV shows and other copyrighted material since it began. XTube faces the same problem, with users uploading actual adult films or clips. Xtube policy states that if they receive notice that content infringes another party’s copyright, the member’s account may be terminated and the content will be removed. With XTube still in its infancy, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what effects it will have on society or how the Web site will change in the future. One thing is certain, sex in the media sells, so inevitably XTube will continue to grow.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Exhibitionism and voyeurism... BY: TREY SERNA

September 7, 2006

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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A&E

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September 7, 2006

New ‘Wicker Man’ remake still terrifies By FRANK CALVILLO The Pan American

Moses Garcia/The Pan American JUST LIKE BEING THERE- Thai Red Chilli’s brings the authentic feelings and flavors of traditional Thailand to Valley residents.

Thailand’s culinary history makes its way to Valley By BRIAN CARR

The Pan American Pan-Asian cuisine has been at the forefront of the culinary world for the past half decade. In the ‘80s Chinese food was the undisputed king of Asian fare represented in the restaurant community. Health conscious diners clung to Japanese minimalism throughout the ‘90s and sushi bars were the trend. But since the turn of the millennium adventurous eaters have sought out the curry-rich cooking techniques of other Asian countries. And Thai Red Chili’s, located at 3507 N. Ware Road in McAllen, is capitalizing on restaurant-goers’ cravings. Thai Red Chili’s, as the staff is eager to say, is the only Thai restaurant in the Rio Grande Valley. Delicately lit and spaciously arranged, the dining room echoes the simplicity of the cuisine that the kitchen aptly prepares, a cuisine predicated on simple ingredients prepared with traditional techniques. Thailand literally means “free land,” appropriate for a country that has never undergone occupation. Its food is pure and based upon an unadulterated

culinary heritage. Whereas French and American ideals have found their way into the kitchens and pantries of the Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese, and manifest themselves in the form of added fat and table salt, Thai food remains lighter and less brash than the cuisine of the countries that surround it. Coconut milk, fish sauce and peppers are the focal flavor components represented in the food of Thailand, with peanuts, palm sugar, kafir lime leaves, lemongrass and ginger adding intensely aromatic qualities. Curry is the general catch phrase associated with Thai dishes. However, as in India, the word does not exist as such. There are curry leaves. There is no curry seasoning. Curry is a word invented by the British to describe the food of India and the adjective has grown in scope and is now used to describe many aromatic and spicy foods from Asia. In recent years the restaurant industry in the Rio Grande Valley has exploded with representations of curryrich cuisine. Le Lai, Taste of India and Thai Red Chili’s opened nearly simultaneously in 2005, allowing diners to sample the spice-rich foods of the

continent. Thai Red Chili’s fare is bright and warm and a great representation of Thai food as a whole. The Spring Rolls, stuffed with cabbage and carrot, are deep fried to a beautiful golden brown and served with a delicious carrot and pineapple salsa. Their Penang Curry, a red coconut-based curry served with onions, chicken and rice, is smooth, vibrant, aromatic and perfectly spicy. The Pad Thai, lo mein’s Thai counterpart and arguably the national dish of Thailand, is served with crushed red pepper and crisp bean sprouts. It can be ordered with chicken or pork, and is loaded with tofu and roasted peanuts. It is an excellent noodle dish with a haunting flavor and satisfying finish. If Thai Red Chili’s has a flaw it is in a slight miscalculation of the American palette. The fish sauce used to season their dishes is slightly less salty then what most would care for, but it is a minor point of note. Rebecca Salinas, a recent University of Texas-Pan American graduate and teacher at Jensen Elementary in Alton, says she tries to eat at Thai red Chili’s every week.

Luke Koong/The Pan American

Remaking horror films has always been rather shaky ground to walk upon. A good horror film has either massive or cult audiences. There are fans that worship and adore certain movies to no end. Therefore, when a filmmaker decides to re-enter familiar territory and give the public a new spin on an otherwise familiar tale, he/she is playing with fire. Director Neil LaBute’s revision of “The Wicker Man” is no exception. The movie tells the tale of Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage), a police officer who is on leave from the force after a terrible and mysterious accident left him in a state of disenchantment. One day he receives a letter from a former fiancée, Willow (Kate Beahan). Willow writes saying that her daughter Rowan has been missing for some time now and fears someone in her island village might have taken her. Feeling compelled to help, Malus travels to the mysterious island where Willow and her daughter live along with an entire neo-pagan community (mostly female) who believe in the purity of goodness in nature. However, when no one on the island admits that the girl in question ever existed, Malus begins to suspect that there is something not quite right with the strange environment and its inhabitants. The ever-looming presence of the island’s leader Sister Summersisle (Ellen Burstyn) coupled with continuous nightmares and the quest for a girl that supposedly vanished without a trace all conspire to send Malus into a state of chilling hysteria. The performances in “The Wicker Man” are perhaps the film’s biggest flaw as every actor performs his or her part as if they were reading their lines on the first day of rehearsal. Even Oscar-winning pros Cage and Burstyn, though good at their craft, fail to ignite any real acting sparks.

Fortunately for “The Wicker Man,” it doesn’t need much. LaBute took great care in constructing a film set that appears peaceful and welcoming with bright flowers, quaint cottages and green grass. However at the same time he succeeds in making the same environment frighteningly unnerving with sinister-looking characters, all of whom act as if they have something to hide. Essentially the filmmakers have constructed two different types of horror films in one. The first deals with the isolation Malus feels when he is wandering through the island community. As he goes further and further into it, he uncovers an almost covenant-like alliance between the island folk that leaves Malus helpless. The second deals with the instability of Malus’ state of mind; not only has he left the civilized world, he has begun to leave reality behind as well. The original film, released more than 30 years ago, had an undertone of the clashing of religions and societies between modern conservatives and free-spirited thinkers. While the current version still has a feeling of the original’s theme, its central ideology is geared toward feminism. The majority of the island’s population is female (including the leader) and while there are male counterparts, they act as mere laborers. They are worker bees to the many female queens. This symbol of the bee is further emphasized with a sequence involving a giant maze of beehives that swarm around Malus, who happens to be allergic to them. At one point in the film when Mallus kills a bee flying around in a tavern, the crowd goes silent and the female shopkeeper looks horrified. In the end, the film succeeds in being a rather unlikely representation of female empowerment while still managing to be a serviceable thriller with a twist ending that, despite more than 30 years, is still surprising.

LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH- Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage) desperately searches for clues to a missing girl’s whereabouts in “The Wicker Man.”

NEWS

September 7, 2006

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CARDENAS continued from page 1

GENDER continued from page 1

policy] we learned that there were 7,000 students who attended UTPA in the last five years who had a hold on their registration because they owed money for a locker or for a parking ticket. So we set a new policy that we would not keep anyone from registering who owed less than $300. Because the probability that they will come back or pay decreases…we’re in the business of getting students registered and graduated. All of this becomes urgent because the Texas Legislature has reduced the number of courses they will subsidize. The state has now said they will only pay for 30 hours more than what your degree requires. Any more than that is considered excess credit hours. That means we would have to charge more tuition for excess credit hours. So students have to make good choices for themselves, for the university, and their community.

governs how they will make an impact on students’ lives.” She believes that in the study, the students’ age group is irrelevant, and surveying eighth-graders should yield the same results as surveying college students. Others, such as Rosalva Resendiz, a criminal justice professor who specializes in women’s studies at UTPA, believes that although the research may have some legitimacy, Dee targeted an inadequate age group, since eighthgraders may be more accustomed to female teachers, who she believes predominate in the elementary years. “Junior high kids are usually too hormonally unstable to be asked questions such as these,” she explained. “College-aged students are usually the best to interview for this type of behavior, because you do see it happen a lot on campus. Sometimes people even complain about male professors giving special treatment to female students, and vice versa.” Resendiz, who often conducts research of her own, said she would definitely consider performing a study mimicking Dee’s but using UTPA students as subjects. “Research progress such as this one (Dee’s study), even if seemingly trivial, is good for the teaching community because it inspires other people to explore their own hypotheses,” she added. Juan Crosby, a graduate student of public administration, believes that the age group chosen by Dee was appropriate, since he has noticed that younger males tend to pay more attention to male authority figures. “At the same time, a professor of mine told us about a study that concluded that boys are lagging behind due to a recently female-oriented curriculum,” he explained. “The data are

Q: Speaking of choices, I know you have made a conscious choice to begin making a transition into a more research-oriented university. What advancements are you hoping to make in that regard this year? A: First of all, this is something I believe in very passionately. Part of a university’s job is to serve as the research-anddevelopment arm of the community it serves. I think that our students have tremendous potential for helping this nation solve some longstanding problems. But we have to create an environment that engages students in research and development. When I was a dean, I worked on creating that transition. I found that faculty who engaged in research tended to be more excited about the content they were teaching. I don’t see research and teaching as in conflict, I see them as complementary. Q: Part of making research, however, involves getting grants and loans. How do you plan to encourage the acquiring of such funds for research purposes? A: We’ve redistributed the workload so more faculty are teaching a 3-3 course load and a 1-1 research load. I think that is going to move us forward. We’re also supplying some seed money so people can start their research. In several fields, research requires money. It’s tough, though. Do you spend money on advising or research support? So we’re trying to find that balance. Q: You also spoke at convocation a little bit about decentralizing authority. How will that play into advancing research and some of your goals for the university? A: Well, UTPA is growing, and when you have a large organization, not all the decisions can be made in the president’s office. What you want is leadership to

emerge and to be supported across the board. You want strong people who have the information they need and have the authority they need to make the right decision in the shortest time possible. Q: As we begin this new school year, what are some of the goals you’d like to accomplish? A: Well one of my challenges just as president will be the Legislative session. That will start in January. I will be spending a lot of time in Austin, unfortunately. I’d rather be here. But I will be over there making sure the line items we have proposed get a good hearing. There will be a lot of competition for these monies, but we want to make sure we make the good case for them. Q: In a best-case scenario, how will all of the hard work you are putting into advancing the university pay off? A: We need to be at a 25 percent fouryear graduation rate, we need to be at a 50 percent four-year graduation rate. For me personally, I would like to see it before I leave here as president and the day will come, because it always comes. I would like to see us well above the national average. Q: That’s a lot of pressure for one person to take on. How do you get through all the pressures people and yourself are setting for the university? A: I don’t feel that kind of pressure. The only pressure I feel is that I’m always tired because I’m going all the time. The pressures I feel are mostly self-imposed. I have high expectations. I believe in the people at this university. I think we are just as smart as anybody at any university in this country. I also think that living in the Valley is…I’m just so happy to be here. I enjoy the culture of the Valley: the way people treat each other. Q: And this culture you love so much, is this what you are trying to portray with the new logo and advertising campaign? A: We have so much good here, in the Valley and at this university, but the rest of the world doesn’t know about it. The rest of the world thinks of us as ‘that university down there that serves all those needy students,’ and that is not what we are. We are a very powerful university. Yes, our students have needs, but they have far more assets. We have significant lessons to teach the rest of the state and the rest of the country. I have this certainty that you can make the world better. The people of the border region of Texas have something very powerful to offer this country. I’m convinced that we have everything it takes and more to make that contribution. I’m certain that we will. Tarde o temprano, sooner or later, we will make that contribution.

Onydia Garza/The Pan American DOES GENDER MATTER?- Bobby Lovett, anthropology of women professor, addresses her predominantly female class on Monday. A recent study suggested that when students are taught by teachers of the same gender, they learn better.

convincing, but that really depends on whether or not they conducted the survey properly.” He believes that the research would have little merit if conducted on college students, because for the most part, older students grow accustomed to having professors of a different sex. “Younger kids are really who should be targeted when dealing with this issue. It gives us an understanding of what’s going on in the classroom so teachers can perform better than they do,” he said. Gregory Gilson, an assistant professor of philosophy at UTPA, believes that whether Dee’s conclusions are sound or not, “there are no questions that should not be answered, whether they lead to truth or falsehood.” Gilson believes that although there is nothing objective about the quality of teaching, Dee’s speculations could hold truth. “It’s possible that a teacher’s gender does play a role in how children learn,” he said. “I can certainly imagine likely human mechanisms that would

explain it.” Still, the professor says he has never heard of a professor’s gender affecting student performance at UTPA. However, some remain skeptical of the methods Dee used in his research. Lucas Espinoza, a lab instructor and clinical psychology graduate student who specializes in statistics, believes that Dee’s methods are somewhat practical, but the study might be biased, especially considering the past controversy around the research. “If I knew more about the study, I’d be able to come to my own conclusions, but from looking at the research methods he used, it’s kind of confusing,” he said. He believes there is a risk of subjectivity because demographics play a large part in how participants respond, and there is a chance the researcher overlooked these. This is not the only time Dee’s research has caused several academic questions to be raised. Last year, he conducted a similar study analyzing the effects of teacher race and ethnicity on students.

CONSTRUCTION continued from page 1 Jackson Road in this manner. In addition, land purchases and construction projects are made using unexpended plant funds (last year it totaled $58,596,837), revenue finance system bonds and tuition revenue bonds. UTPA is currently in an “off cycle” for construction projects. The state Legislature meets every two years and did not offer any funding for projects the last time it convened. Lawmakers will meet again next year and the university anticipates receiving a fair amount of funding for the 2007-2008 academic year. Tuition revenue bonds will be the source of money for future projects, like the Fine Arts Events Center and expansion of the Starr County facility. According to Marvin Boland, director of facilities planning and

construction, those projects have already been approved, but funds have not been designated yet. When it comes to construction on campus, there are two major types. Institutionally managed projects are overseen completely by the university. Projects falling under that category must be limited to $1 million for construction of new buildings and $2 million for renovation of existing buildings. For more expensive projects, deemed capital projects, the UT System takes over management. Boland said with growth, the university’s needs will be reflected in additions and changes to the campus. “All of our needs are quite obviously based on academics. That’s why we’re here,” he said.

There is still plenty of work to be done on campus. Even with the acquisition of new land, the university is planning to continue changing the face of main campus. “We will ultimately start tearing down the old one-story buildings, which are too expensive to remodel for what they’re worth,” Boland said. Additionally, existing buildings could be re-designated and remodeled; there are currently plans to redesign and remodel the old Computer Center. Boland believes the College of Business will be targeted for future work, as the new Education Building was completed last year. He also feels an academic annex to house many of the business affairs departments will be necessary.

NEWS

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September 7, 2006

PARTY continued from page 3 to be the two most-visited border cities for students at UTPA. However, commuting to a party often poses safety issues not as prevalent if the gathering were taking place on campus. Rodolfo Franz, a sophomore undeclared major, says there are ways of playing it safe. “Since some people commute you can meet in Progreso and hang out and have fun without having to drive [too far] across the Valley,” Franz said. “Crossing over is easy enough. As long as you stay

with your friends you should be fine.” For UT-Austin students, a little traveling takes them downtown where they have dozens of options for bars and clubs. “So there is never a night where you don’t have anything to do,” Szumilewicz said. “The other great thing is that in Austin you get to see so many different people. That alone makes going out fun.” When wary about the dangers of going to a party, Szumilewicz says the best thing is to bring the party to you.

“My friends and I usually do things together at one another’s place and try and stay away from parties unless we know the host and a majority of the people, to avoid anything bad happening,” Szumilewicz said. According to the Review’s survey, Rice University was listed as having the best “racial/class” relations. The Review’s list also ranked UTAustin second in hard liquor drinking, third in beer drinking and 13th in marijuana smoking.

FOREIGN continued from page 3

The Princeton Review recently published its annual list of:

TOP 5

party schools 1. University of Texas - Austin 2. Penn State University 3. West Virginia University 4. University of Wisconsin-Madison 5. University of Mississippi

TOP 5

“stone-cold sober” schools 1. Brigham Young University 2. Wheaton College 3. College of the Ozarks 4. Grove City College 5. US. Naval Academy

PERMITS continued from page 3 they broaden one’s horizons,” said Monica Hanna, a biology graduate student. “If a country interests me, then I am going to want to learn their language.” Whether it is to acquire knowledge, to make one more marketable, or just for fun, UTPA has now broadened its options in foreign language courses and will continue to do so in the future. All the cancelled foreign language classes will be re-offered next semester, along with the existing classes and Tagalog as well. For more information on these courses, contact the department of modern languages at (956) 381-3441.

Lot I. The yellow remote parking pass, which visually differs from the green, full-price permit, is just one of the ways the university is trying to compensate for those losses. However, the response to the remote permit has not been as positive as expected. As of Aug. 31, the expiration date of the old parking passes, Sandoval said they had only sold a few. This may be due in part to restrictions. Sandoval says the remote parking pass is only offered to students who attend classes exclusively during the day. Jessie Leal, a senior in psychology, said he prefers buying the regular $34

permit as opposed to the cheaper one because when he comes to class in the afternoons it is convenient. “I have classes in the morning and I end up parking in the remote parking, so in that case the remote permit is convenient for me,” Leal said. “But when I come to my classes in the afternoon, I am able to park closer to the university so I need the regular parking permit to avoid fines.” Despite the low response so far, Sandoval says the remote permit will be available every school year and can be purchased at the UTPA Police Department.

September 7, 2006

SPORTS

SPORTS CLIPBOARD UTPA athletic department adds four staff members Local alumni join Bronc athletics

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FOR THE RECORD UTPA SPORTS Volleyball UTPA vs Texas A&M Intl. (Sept. 4 at Laredo) GAME SCORES

UTPA Texas A&M Intl.

30 22

21 30

27 30

18 30

TEAM RECORDS 1-6 7-2

Texas Tech vs UTPA (Sept. 2 at Edinburg) The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the addition of four staff members. Amy Moses, Frances Garate, Bob Lopez and Mark Rodriguez joined the Bronc and Lady Bronc administration on Wednesday. Moses is a former two-time UTPA Female Student-Athlete of the Year and joins the compliance office as the assistant compliance officer. The former two-time indoor All-American graduated in May 2005 with a bachelor's degree in pre-med biology with a minor in chemistry and English. Moses currently holds the top five hammer throws in UTPA school history and excelled in the classroom, earning Dean's List First Honors while also garnering Bronc Pride 3.0 Club honors in the spring and fall semesters of her senior year. Garate will join the academic support and student services department as the academic counselor. Garate is a native of La Feria, and earned her bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a minor in English in 2003. Garate comes to UTPA after working as a teacher at San Martin De Porres Catholic School in Weslaco, where she taught fourth grade this past year. Lopez, a senior broadcast journalism major at UTPA, joins the athletic media relations department as the assistant sports information director. He served as the media relations assistant for the Central Hockey League's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and Rio Grande Valley Dorados of the Arena Football II league for two seasons. Lopez assisted in operating game-day statistical programs and served as a media liaison for the Killer Bees and Dorados. Rodriguez, a senior at UTPA, will be interning with the marketing department. The San Antonio, native is a general studies major and will assist in game-day activities. The former Bronc baseball player was selected in the 30th round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

GAME SCORES

TEAM RECORDS

Texas Tech Texas-Pan American

30 19

30 24

4-2 1-5

Texas State vs UTPA (Sept. 1 at Edinburg) GAME SCORES

Texas State Texas-Pan American

30 24

30 26

30 32

32 30

TEAM RECORDS 3-2 1-4

UTPA Sports Information

Tennis adds former Bronc to coaching staff Steil rejoins team as assistant The University of Texas-Pan American men's and women's tennis program announced Wednesday that Oliver Steil will return as student assistant coach for Bronc and Lady Bronc tennis teams. Steil, a member of the Bronc men's tennis team for four years, will aid second-year head men's and women's coach Rob Hubbard and assistant coach Chris Gill in their coaching duties. During his senior campaign, Steil posted a 4-5 record in singles' competition while recording an overall record of 2-6 in doubles play. When paired with senior Rehman Esmail, Steil recorded a 2-2 record in doubles competition and ended the season on a high note winning his final two doubles' matches. As a junior, Steil finished with a singles' record of 6-5 and ended the doubles' competition with a 6-5 record. With teammate Gary Bianco (Annecy, France-Lycee Berthollet), he was victorious against University of Texas-Arlington in Southland Conference doubles competition. Academically, Steil was named a member of the Bronc Pride 3.0 Club in both the spring and fall semesters and earned Dean's List Second Honors the following fall semester. The former Bronc student-athlete saw plenty of action during his sophomore season when he posted an overall record of 13-8 in singles' competition and finished the season at 11-12 in doubles action. In 2003, Steil ranked first among the Broncs in singles victories during his freshman season while posting a record of 19-13. He won both the singles and doubles competition against Lamar University at the Southland Conference Tournament. As a rookie, he finished the season with a record of 9-14 in doubles competition and posted a 6-1 record when partnered with teammate Jeremy Salvo. Steil is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in international business and will graduate in December. UTPA Sports Information

Onydia Garza/The Pan American PASS COMPLETE - Orlando Pequeno attempts to catch the ball on a pass downfield. Flag football is just one of several sports offered by Intramural Sports at UTPA.

Intramural sports season is here By RODERICK DORSEY The Pan American Intramural sports at The University of Texas-Pan American kicked off a new season yesterday. Beach volleyball, the first event offered, will be one of several sports that UTPA students have the chance to participate in this fall. Art Cabrera, intramural assistant of the department of wellness and recreation sports, has been involved with the campus activities team for 16 years. “We’ll be doing games four days a week depending on when these guys want to play,” he said. He believes that this will be a promising term for intramural sports. “We’re hoping it’s going to be a good year for us, because our building is being built, and this time next year, we’ll be in our new building,” Cabrera explained. He added that once the Wellness Center is completed, things will only get better for the rec-sports group. “We’re really looking forward to the move,” Cabrera noted. “We’re hoping that we get more participation out of the student body this year; I’m pushing for that big time.” Some of the events taking place this month besides

beach volleyball include kickball, soccer, and flag football. Flag football is the most popular event, and according to Cabrera, UTPA has a team that competes on a regional and national level, ranking 17th overall in the nation this year. “This Friday at 2 p.m. is our big event: our captain’s meeting for flag football. It’s our big-ticket item; I anticipate at least 20-25 teams to come out, just men’s (teams) alone,” Cabrera said. “I’m trying to create Greek leagues, where the fraternities and sororities play against each other. They can also participate in other leagues.” According to Cabrera, no entries have been entered for kickball. “There’s still time to get entries in if anybody’s still interested in getting entries for kickball,” he said. Soccer is also a high-interest sport that will be offered, with teams normally consisting of 10 to 12 teams according to Cabrera. “We’ll have a good amount of players coming out for soccer this year,” he said. In other campus action, the Bronc Soccer Club begins its season this weekend, as the men’s team will be playing at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville Sunday, and the next day at San Antonio College. The women’s team is in action Sunday at San Antonio College for its first game of the year.

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SPORTS

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SPORTS

September 7, 2006

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Onydia Garza/The Pan American BLOCKED SHOT - Heather Bravo jumps high to block the defender’s return shot. The Lady Broncs will try to improve their efforts Friday.

Lady Broncs off to slow start By KRISTYNA MANCIAS The Pan American Last weekend, The University of Texas-Pan American Lady Broncs fell to 1-6 on the season after losing to Texas State and Texas Tech at the UTPA Women’s Volleyball Invitational. On Friday, the Lady Broncs had a chance to redeem themselves after dropping their season opener to Texas State Aug. 25. They fell short again losing in four sets. The Lady Bobcats captured the first two sets 3024 and 30-26, but the Lady Broncs came surging from behind to seal the third set 3230. In the fourth set, the Lady Broncs were unable to close out Texas State and fell 3230. UTPA’s Heather Bravo finished with a team high 19 kills and 17 digs, her third double-double (kills-digs) of the season. Bravo was the only player from UTPA to receive all-tournament honors. Outside hitter Kellie Phillips also posted her third double-double, finishing with 16 kills and 15 digs. Saturday had the same outcome for the

Lady Broncs, as they fell in three sets to Texas Tech (30-19, 30-19 and 30-24). The Lady Red Raiders had a height advantage over UTPA, which proved to be detrimental to the Lady Broncs’ squad. UTPA was close throughout all three sets but could not maintain offensive consistency. Despite the losses this weekend, UTPA’s Bravo sealed her name in the record books on Monday against Texas A&MInternational, becoming the second player to collect 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for her career. “I think it’s an amazing testament to her hard work and it shows how well she’s done throughout her entire career,” coach Dave Thorn said. “She’s been a great player for us and I’m proud of her and what she’s accomplished. I think it also shows how the program is moving up. We now have two people that have 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.” The Lady Broncs will be on the road the next couple of weeks and will take on Cornell on Sept. 8. They will be back at the Field House Sept. 18 to face Texas A&MKingsville at 7 p.m.

Onydia Garza/The Pan American GAINING MOMENTUM - Rose Escovedo runs in practice this week. Both the men’s and women’s teams will travel to College Station for a September 16 meet.

Runners to improve on performance By MARY NICHOLS The Pan American The Broncs’ first cross-country race was held at Baylor University Sept. 1 and proved to be a good fitness marker. After a long bus trip, they felt tired going into their first race of the season but toughed it out and finished strong. Assistant Coach Brian Cunningham felt this race allowed the Broncs to evaluate what they needed to work on. “For a first race, it did what it was intended to do,” he said. “It was a first experience for freshmen and a renewal of competitive racing ideas for the upperclassmen.” Upperclassmen like Karla Hernandez (Edinburg High) and sophomore Rose Escovedo (Edinburg North) led the Lady Broncs, who completed the two-person race in 13th place. Hernandez felt that the team performed well under the circumstances of being tired. “We rode for seven hours on a bus, got

out, warmed up, and had a race. But we still performed much better than expected,” she said. Following Hernandez and Escovedo were teammates Carolina Izagurie (Brownsville Hanna) and senior Deanah Chavez (Edinburg High), who placed 18th in the two-person relays with a time of 32:36.10. Finishing close behind Chavez and Izagurie was Ashley Perez (Falfurrias), who Cunningham said was feeling a little under the weather, and Vanessa Rodriguez (Harlingen High). They came in 19th with a time of 32:41.63. Next in line were Shardae Bay (Houston) and Eveylen Vega. Cunningham was happy with the results for both squads. “Both squads are vastly improved,” he said. “This race proved we are in way better shape than last year.” Showing their strong fitness levels were Juan Davila (Donna) and Angel Ramirez (Mission H.S.), who placed 9th with a time of 39:40.52.

Coming in three minutes later were J.J. Hernandez (P-SJ-A North) and Gil Castillo (Hanna) with a time of 42:47.04 placing 17th. Following close behind were Gilroy Martinez and Alex Moncivais (Pharr), placing 18th timed at 43:25.45. Placing right behind Martinez and Moncivais at 19th were newcomer Omar Doria (Edinburg North) and Luis Hernandez (P-SJ-A North). Doria felt that the team will have to do better. “It was an O.K. race, but not very good overall,” he commented. “I think we were just tired as a team and individually as well.” Coming up next for the Broncs is a meet at Texas A&M Sept.16. Cunningham believes this race will be a good training session for the team. “We have a lot of work to do, and we’re going to be doing that in the next two weeks of training,” he said. “Racing just fits into training. We are training through our races.”

Bronc Soccer Club

Onydia Garza/The Pan American RETURN TO SENDER - Monique Schaal pops one against Texas State last weekend.

SPORTS

Editor’s Pick: Game to Watch When: Tonight Time: 7:30 p.m. Where: Heinz Field Pittsburgh Steelers

Miami Dolphins

Optimism key to strong golf season By PATRICK KENNEDY The Pan American Shine that nine iron, and get ready for the putting green, because the guys representing The University of Texas-Pan American men’s golf team are suiting up for another year of competitive play against some of the best teams in the nation. The seven-man team, led by senior Colin Norris, is practicing hard for the season debut in Boston starting today, where they will be taking on the likes of the U.S. Army team. Coming off of a successful season in which the team rose over 60 slots in the national ranking, coach Andrew Tredway has already set the goal of breaking into the top 100 teams in the nation. “I like the way things look right now; the guys have confidence,” Tredway said. Confidence is exactly what Tredway has in his young players. The team consists of only one senior and two juniors. Tredway said, “What the team lacks in experience, they make up for in hard work.” The Broncs are no strangers to hard work. By the time most of their fellow students are waking up, team members have already dressed and are ready to go for a round of practice at Las Lagos Golf Course. Last year, they were the team champions at the National Minority College Golf Championships, and returning junior Kyle Tudi comes off a season where he earned the individual championship at the that competition. Each member is working to make the team a success. The seven members of the team are Jeff Hensley, Blake Hughey, Armon Kirakossian, Colin Norris, Shane Pearce, Kyle Tudi, and High Wongchindawest. Under the watchful eye of their seasoned coach, the team will be striving to be the most successful squad ever. Tredway summed up his disposition on the upcoming season with direct optimism, saying, “We’re going to have a great year.”

The Pan American OUT AT HOME - Kelly Casares, Eric Gonzalez, Aaron Guerra and the Edinburg Coyotes lost the United League Baseball Championship title to the Alexandria Aces.

Coyotes fall short of dream season By RACHEL REIDA The Pan American The Edinburg Coyotes lost the United League Baseball title series to the Alexanderia Aces. This brought to a close a successful season in which the Coyotes won the league’s regular season championship. In the best of five series, the Coyotes came away with a 7-5 victory in game one Aug. 30, but then lost the last three games – including the last two at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Following the win, the two teams played once again at the Aces’ home field, battling until the final innings. Alexandria walked away with the win, 1-0, as the Coyotes managed just one hit against Santos Hernandez. Last Saturday, the series shifted to Edinburg, where the Aces collected their second win of the series with a 6-2 victory. Game Four was a must-win situation for the Coyotes, but with their backs against the wall, the season came to an unfortunate end.

The Aces put up five runs before Edinburg responded with two runs in the seventh inning, only to be countered with a three-run eighth inning by Alexandria. The Aces defeated the Coyotes convincingly 8-2 to take the series and the ULB championship.

Q “Winning the championship would have been a great ending for my first year playing, but it just didn’t happen.” - Pitcher Aaron Guerra Former University of Texas-Pan American right-handed pitcher Kelly Casares was sad about the loss. “I was disappointed with how the season ended because we didn’t win the championship, and that was the ultimate goal of the season,” he said.

Casares had seven saves and an 0.67 ERA after joining the team midway through the season. Aaron Guerra, also a former UTPA pitcher, felt the same way. “Of course I was disappointed, but that’s just how the game goes,” said Guerra, who had a 1.67 ERA this season. “We were clearly the better team all year, but they played better all around in the last series. Winning the championship would have been a great ending for my first year playing, but it just didn’t happen.” Gold glove shortstop Abigail Sandoval felt that the team simply didn’t play well in the series despite knowing that they were playing for the championship. This would ultimately cost the team the title. “We played different in the playoffs than we did during the regular season,” said the Venezuelan native. “We thought about the fact that it was the championship, and didn’t have fun and play baseball like we had done during the regular season.” Although there was disappointment with how the season came to an end, many

of the players felt that they had a good year. “I think overall we had a great season,” Casares said. “Although it didn’t end the way that we wanted it to, we can’t really be disappointed about the whole season for the simple fact that we were number one all summer.” Guerra also had the same view. “For the most part, I thought the season was good. I’ve never been on a team that had a winning season,” he noted. “Even though we didn’t take the whole thing, we still finished with a good record and that’s something I’ve never been a part of.” Fans couldn’t agree more with the sentiments of the Coyote players. The franchise averaged 2,100 fans for 45 games at the Stadium. “I think that team did great all season,” said fan Stephanie Perez. “They shouldn’t look back at the fact that they lost the championship. They should look back at the fact that they were number one all season, and that is a harder task to accomplish then winning the championship.”