October 2, 2008

HESTEC 2008 IN REVIEW See Pages 8 & 9

Volume 65, No. 6

October 2, 2008

SINCE 1943

T DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES

Corwin entertains, teaches with exotic animals

By Brian Silva THE PAN AMERICAN Maria Balandra didn’t flinch as an albino Burmese python was placed into her arms. The weight of the large snake pulled down her arms, as Animal Planet host and renowned conservationist Jeff Corwin explained the snake’s features to a full house in the Fine Arts Auditorium Tuesday night.

Balandra, a junior graphic design major, learned how strong snakes are when the python wrapped around her.

While she had an up-close learning experience, students, community members and hundreds of children learned about conservation as Corwin stressed protection of the animals, both ones he brought and those around the world he’s studied.

“It was amazing,” Balandra said. “I think Jeff Corwin is a really good speaker (for conservation), and he has done great things for the world and for animals.”

Corwin, the first in the UTPA’s Distinguished Speakers Series for the year, used the python, an American alligator, a Gabon viper, a Water Monitor lizard, an Alligator Snapping turtle and a Bupho Marine toad to explain animals’ evolutionary and defense characteristics. In addition, he used animals to teach the audience about the adverse affects they suffer from humans, as many were rescued

SEE CORWIN || PAGE 6

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

WILD SIDE - As freshman graphic design major Maria Balandra holds a Burmese python while Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin explains the evolution of snakes to a full Fine Arts Auditorium Tuesday. Corwin is the first of four Distinguished Speaker Series guests.

T EDUCATION

T TECHNOLOGY

Education on wheels Student Information System irks

By Abigail Muniz THE PAN AMERICAN Early next year, the Rio Grande Valley’s Delta Region will benefit from resources and training offered by The University of Texas-Pan American. The delivery of information to residents in this low-income Mid-Valley area will come to them on wheels.

As part of a $599,990 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the school has commenced planning for this outreach program. The funds were provided through HUD’s Hispanic-Serving

INDEX

Institutions Assistants Communities Program and UTPA is one of only 10 institutions awarded. The mobile community will finance work for three years.

The Delta Region includes the communities of La Villa, Edcouch, Elsa and Monte Alto. According to the United States Census Bureau, the median family income for Edcouch is approximately $20,000 a year.

Michael Uhrbrock, associate director of economic development, George Bennack at UTPA’s Center for Entrepreneurship Economic Development and former staff mem-

SEE HUD || PAGE 11

OPINIONS

PG. 2

some, UTPA working out kinks

By J.R. Ortega THE PAN AMERICAN English professor and adviser Barbara Vielma has never had trouble helping her students; in fact, she’s known as someone who goes out of her way to do so. However, the spring semester switch from the PLUS Student Information System to the BANNER system has made her semester more difficult than it should be.

“The only people that I have run into who actually like BANNER, are

NEWS

PG. 3

the BANNER staff,” she said.

“Otherwise, faculty, students and staff are struggling greatly.”

Vielma said she has encountered trouble trying to find information when advising students. Under the old PLUS plan, Social Security numbers could be used to access student information, but for security reasons, only student IDs are now accepted. Several high-profile cases of compromised personal information nationwide have ushered in a newer, safer system.

“I am still using Web for Faculty and the VAX (the old SIS) for all

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PG. 7

advisement help and am fearful for next semester when these two useful tools will be discontinued,” she added.

Navigating through the system is difficult for faculty/advisers and students, according to Vielma. She added that the BANNER training sessions seem “abrupt and hurried.”

Despite frustration with the fairly new way, BANNER project manager Michelle Alvarado said that trainings have been offered on and off since March.

SEE BANNER || PAGE 11

SPORTS

PG. 13

UTPA Generations: The Series Watch for Bronc history lessons intermittently throughout the semester Aug. 25 - Introduction Sept. 4 - ‘20s & ‘30s Sept. 25 - ‘40s & ‘50s

Page 2

Oct. 16 - ‘60s & ‘70s Nov. 6 - ‘80s & ‘90s Dec. 3 - 2000 & Beyond

October 2, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

T OPINION

Voters have choice to not cast ballot

By Gregorio Garza SPORTS CO-EDITOR We are taught that it is our civic and patriotic duty to participate in political elections, especially the presidential election. That we are given a voice and that we get heard when we go to that voting booth and cast our vote. However, like most things, it is never as black and white as it seems.

With so many ways to reach the public, it is the presidential candidate who has to get the American public to agree that they are the best for the job.

Yet, what happens when none of the candidates are the best for the job? Do we pick the lesser of two evils? Doing so will still stick us with an evil, which can end up being the equivalent of shooting ourselves in the foot with our own gun.

Instead of throwing away your vote with a candidate that you don’t agree with, opt to choose to not vote for the President. While this seems contrary to the thought of getting your voice

V 65, No. 6

heard, it carries it with more force than casting any ballot.

You are saying that you will not be lost among the populace that will merely vote for the sake of voting.

You hold your “one vote” in great esteem and won’t have it cheapened by any political maneuvering and/or peer pressure.

If you wouldn’t normally agree with doing something that you don’t agree with, why cave in on the one time you can be heard on a national platform?

People will say that you are just being lazy, that you are throwing away your vote, and will end up just going to be counted in the general statistic of people that didn’t vote. Yet they feel perfectly fine to be counted in the general statistic that voted for one candidate, only to have the Electoral College actually determine who becomes president.

So who is really throwing their vote away and not being heard?

Oct. 2, 2008

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 www.utpa.edu/dept/panamerican EDITOR IN CHIEF J.R. Ortega / ortega.e.jr@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR Abigail Muniz / abby.muniz@yahoo.com A&E EDITOR Laura Garcia / laurad500@hotmail.com SPORTS EDITORS Ramiro Paez / ramiropaez@aol.com Gregorio Garza / the_nataku@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Roxy Solis / roxysolis34@yahoo.com DESIGN EDITOR Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@yahoo.com COPY EDITOR Adriana Acosta / acostaa@hotmail.com REPORTERS, DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Alvaro Balderas Russen Vela Isaac Garcia Andrielle Figueroa Onydia Garza Ben Briones Rick Gamez Ana Villaurrutia Pedro Perez IV ADVISER

Dr. Greg Selber --- selberg@utpa.edu SECRETARY

Anita Reyes --- areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Samantha Quintana --- spubs@utpa.edu

**Delivery** Thursday at noon 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 paper or university.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

Courtesy - www.cksinfo.com

T OPINION

House must approve bill

By Brian Silva REPORTER On Monday the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass legislation that is critical to the health of the U.S. economy, and to the health of all our pocketbooks. The failure of Congress to act on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act was a tragic collapse in leadership by every Congressman who voted against the passage of the bill.

Fierce partisan bickering ensued immediately after the bill failed to pass. At the same time as Republicans and Democrats went to the cameras to lay blame on one another, the stock market plunged.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to its biggest point loss in a single day in its history, and started its dive even before the gavel came down making the vote official. Stunned traders, and even news anchors, realized quickly the bill would not pass.

While Congressional leaders laid blame, media searched for the definitive answer as to why it failed. The answer lays simply with one group; constituents. Many Congressmen, including our local representatives, reported an overwhelming outcry from constituents who didn’t want the bill to pass.

No matter who was to blame, the

markets, retirement accounts and all people with any investments lost $1.2 trillion. The unfathomable loss of money after the bill’s collapse shows without action the problem is real and will get worse.

Congressmen were under ferocious pressure from the people who elected them, to deny the bill’s passage.

However, most American’s don’t understand the complexities of the situation, or the complexities of the solution.

Media are partly to blame for this, as headlines scream “$700 Billion Bailout for Wall Street” which leads people to think the government is giving Wall Street a $700 billion handout from taxpayer money.

All Congressmen are well enough informed to know this isn’t truly what it means.

In essence, the bill is a loan to banks. It doesn’t approve all $700 billion at once, but actually breaks it up into three pieces starting with $250 billion initially. The money will actually be used for mortgage debt from banks, which is the debt people use to buy houses. Thus, in this case, Wall Street is Main Street.

As Americans, we bit off more than we could chew when we bought houses that were more expensive than we could afford. Banks and government were key players in getting us into this mess too. The government deregulat-

ed the banking industry, enabling the industry to more easily make money by issuing more loans, and that’s what they did.

America got itself into this mess, and now America needs to get itself out. The plan currently before Congress is the best solution our brightest economists and leaders can come up with.

Right now the credit markets are frozen. To put it into perspective, the huge incursion of debt is like a clot in America’s heart. Money is the blood that flows through America, and Wall Street is the heart that pumps the money through the rest of the body, America.

According to the Federal Reserve, money is not flowing. America is having a heart attack.

The act before Congress is a massive dose of aspirin that is meant to dislodge the clot of debt and allow money to flow freely again. But, if aspirin is taken too late, an exponentially greater amount of damage will occur, until life expires.

The House must follow the Senate and pass the bill before the damage becomes too great to recover from.

Call or e-mail the offices of Congressmen Solomon Ortiz and Henry Cuellar to change their vote to yes when the bill goes to the House.

Also, urge Congressman Ruben Hinojosa to maintain his yes vote.

Congressional Contact Information Rep. Solomon Ortiz DC Office: (202) 225-7742 RGV Office: (956) 541-1242

Rep. Henry Cuellar Rep. Ruben Hinojosa DC Office: (202) 225-1640 DC Office: (202) 225-2531 McAllen Office: (956) 631-4826 Edinburg Office: (956) 682-5545

Dates to Know:

October 2, 2008

Bingo Afternoon

Disability Awareness Days

Monday 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Student Union Commons

Week of Oct. 6 to Oct. 9 Various times Activities throughout campus Page 3

THE PAN AMERICAN

T EDUCATION

Standardized college entrance exams questioned

By Ana Villaurrutia THE PAN AMERICAN All students have crammed, drilled and paid for a good ACT or SAT score, all done under the impression that the score they earn will indicate their academic ability.

But following a recent nationwide trend, The University of Texas-Pan American has worked to ease students away from their standardized test flashcards.

A controversial study conducted at Harvard University found these standardized scores to be little more than glorified indicators that do not actually measure a student’s ability, and tend to disenfranchise lower-income students from getting good scores.

UTPA Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Pete Farruggio agreed with the study, saying that the tests, long considered the barometer for predicting student success, do not hold water.

“They are not scientifically valid for predicting the abilities of freshmen,” Farruggio said. “These tests were supposed to give us only a snapshot of the students’ ability.”

He added that the ACT and SAT exclude lower-income students from being able to learn the “tricks” of the tests, because they can’t afford some of the study aids.

“Middle class students go to places like Kaplan (a popular tutoring center) to learn how to pass the test,” he said.

“Lower-income students score so much lower because they don’t know the tricks on how to ace them.”

Pre-pharmacy student Jennifer Cervantes agreed that universities should make SATs and ACTs optional, knowing that some students may perform better than others.

“That’s better because there’s people that are really, really smart but don’t do well on the test,” said the sophomore from Pharr.

About 770 colleges nationwide

have made scores optional in considering admission, according to a New York Times article last month, but still nearly two million students take the SATs and 1.4 million take the ACTs. While the Times article states smaller universities do not have time to consider other academic indicators, such as high school test scores and GPA, UTPA tells another story.

UTPA did not require an ACT or SAT score until 2005 when the univer-

SEE TESTS || PAGE 12

T HEALTH

Pickett: ‘AIDS is not a death sentence’

By J.R. Ortega THE PAN AMERICAN Rape, AIDS and the death of a husband are all monumental tragedies, but Cathy Robinson Pickett has somehow managed to weather all three, picking up the pieces to move forward with life and sharing her story and message: Break all stereotypes.

Pickett spoke to students at the Student Union Tuesday night about making responsible sexual choices and told the story of how being raped in 1984 changed her life forever.

In 1991, after having started a family with a husband, one-year-old daughter and a son on the way, she tested positive for HIV. Her daughter Lyndsy and son Garrett did not contract the disease.

After finding out she was HIVpositive, she began to search for the

source of her infection, which turned out to be the sexual assault seven years prior. State laws in Florida at the time did not allow the rapist’s victims to know their assaulter was HIV-positive.

Her knowledge and background in political science and sociology sparked Pickett to speak out and battle against injustices for victims of the deadly disease.

“It can be your teacher, neighbor or even family member,” said Pinkett, who has survived 25 years with AIDS. Despite having the disease, Pickett has had the ability to maintain optimistic throughout the ordeal, and she has expanded her journey from battling AIDS injustice to speaking at schools about sexual choices and AIDS in general.

“I hope my message breaks all stereotypes,” she said. “My job is to educate you, not to preach to you.”

SEE AIDS || PAGE 12

Ben Briones/THE PAN AMERICAN

SPEAK OUT - Cathy Robinson Pickett, an AIDS activist who has survived 25 years with the disease, addresses students at the Student Union theatre Tuesday night about responsible sex and education about sexually transmitted diseases.

T ACTIVISM

T NATIONAL

Organization stresses drug policy M.E.CH.A remembers

By Abby Flores THE PAN AMERICAN

Since 23-year-old David Valdez was a teenager, he has had a keen interest in drug policy; now he’s done something about it, forming Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), which is working to become a new organization on campus this semester at The University of Texas-Pan American.

“I’m a social worker, I feel it’s my obligation to stand up for social justice and be an agent for social change,” said the SSDP president and social work major.

Members of SSDP believe the socalled War on Drugs, a prohibition campaign undertaken over the past 10 or 15 years by the U.S. government designed to combat illegal drugs, has failed society. SSDP’s goal is to look for solutions to drug abuse through research and debate, instead of punishment and propaganda.

Other universities throughout Texas such as Texas Tech, UT-Austin, U of H, UT-El Paso and UTSA all have SSDP chapters. Currently, UTSA has the southernmost chapter in Texas, however Valdez plans on changing that.

He and vice president Edgar

Morales have began to put up fliers and spread the word throughout the UTPA community.

“A lot of people have already contacted us,” said Valdez. “We’re still recruiting and hope to have a good turnout.”

The club members were incensed to learn that in some cases, rapists, murderers and child molesters can get a loan for school, yet students who’ve been convicted with possession of marijuana can’t receive financial aid or any type of help for school; this, because of a provision called the Aid Elimination Penalty in the Higher

SEE ORGANIZATION || PAGE 12

past Mexican massacre

By Janette Soliz THE PAN AMERICAN

While some remember important Mexican holidays like Diez y Seis de Septiembre, The University of TexasPan American Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.CH.A), is preparing for a day of remembrance for the 14th anniversary of a Mexico student massacre, known as the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre.

M.E.CH.A is a student organization on campus dedicated to the

Chicano and Latino community, founded nationally in 1969 in response to the perceived long-time discrimination against Chicanos and Latinos.

The UTPA chapter is off on its fourth year of spreading cultural awareness, practicing political activism, and educating culturally diverse societies.

On Wednesday, M.E.CH.A held a film showing of Tlatelolco: Las Claves de la Mascare or The Clues to

SEE MECHA || PAGE 12

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ADVERTISEMENTS

October 2, 2008

October 2, 2008

Page 5

NEWS

Bronc Community Calendar October 4 UTPA’s Aporia club presents foreign film: “Rikyu” Time: 4 p.m.

Where: SBSC Room 101

Where: McAllen Convention October 9 Center Exhibit Hall and Cine 2008 Majors Fair Time: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

El Rey (film screenings) Where: University Ballroom

October 7 McAllen Art & Film Festival Hispanic Heritage Movie Event: “Motorcycle Diaries” Time: 1 to 10 p.m.

Where: McAllen Convention Time: 4 to 7 p.m.

Center Exhibit Hall and Cine Where: Student Union Sage Room El Rey (film screenings) Auditions for “Sin” (A Cardinal Deposed), looking for an actor to play Cardinal Law Time: 7 to 10 p.m.

Where: COAS Room 107 October 5 Edinburg Centennial 100 years of history celebration Time: 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: South Texas Museum McAllen Art & Film Festival Time: 1 to 8 p.m.

Guys Night Date Time: 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: Student Union Gameroom and second floor commons

October 10 Dig for the Cure – Breast Cancer Benefit Time: 7 p.m.

Where: UTPA Fieldhouse

October 14 Faculty Reading and Discussion Group Time: 3 to 4 p.m.

Where: University Writing Non-Discrimination/Sexual Center (Library, first floor) Harassment Awareness SemOctober 8 October 15 inar Step Out Walk to Fight Step Out Walk to Fight Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Diabetes Where: Admin. Building Diabetes Time: 7:30 a.m. Sign-In, Rm. 316 Time: 7:30 a.m. Sign-In, 8:30 a.m. Walk begins 8:30 a.m. Walk begins Limited Seating of 32 Where: Brownsville, Glady’s Where: Mission, H-E-B Plus Porter Zoo Store Casino Party Where: South Padre Island Disabilities in the Classroom Convention Center, hosted Ladies Night Faculty Seminar by the National Hispanic Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Time: 10 to 11 a.m.

Where: Student Union ComProfessional Organization Where: Engineering Bldg. mons Room 1.300

October 18 Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, $5 fee Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: McAllen Chamber of Commerce October 21 Comedian: Greg Behrendt Time: 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Where: Student Union Commons and Theater October 29 Parapsychologist: Peter Jordan Time: 6 to 10 p.m.

Where: Student Union Theater

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NEWS

October 2, 2008

CORWIN continued from Page 1 from illegal captivity. Corwin pointed to burns on the head of the viper as an example.

Corwin’s lessons on conservationism allowed Balandra, who was glad the university brought him to speak, to appreciate the importance of protecting animals.

“Normally we don’t see the effects and the consequences of what we do to animals,” she said. “I hope the university will give us more information on how to protect animals… and I’m going to talk to my friends to encourage them to help animals.”

Balandra was not the only one to experience exotic wildlife up close.

Corwin, the Emmy award-winning host of “The Jeff Corwin Experience on Animal Planet”, used several children from the audience to exhibit his points about the animal world’s turmoil.

During his introduction of Corwin, Paul Sale, vice president of academic

affairs and provost, noticed the many children in the audience and drew on the opportunity to emphasize higher education to them.

“The teaching that occurs at a university will help you get to where Jeff is,” he said.

Before Corwin addressed the UTPA community he attended a news conference with reporters and followed that up with a business-style dinner with several UTPA invitees.

Those at the dinner were mostly students, with a peppering of faculty and administration.

At both the dinner and in the auditorium talk, Corwin gave short speeches and then opened up to questions from the audience. He was asked what his favorite animal is, and about the places he’s visited; however more serious questions were asked. One was about the border wall, to which he gave stern disapproval.

“I take the border wall issue seri-

ously, the wall… is a terrible idea for wildlife. Animals don’t have a green card,” Corwin said. “Animals do not step out of their box - these lines we created that are invisible to them - and go through immigration.”

He admits that he isn’t an expert on the politics of the matter, but that one of the problems with the wall is that it interferes with nature, as animals have to migrate and do so in certain patterns that take them across the border.

He referred to an ocelot that lives in Mexico and moves through Mexico to near Arizona as an example. Almost all the ocelots left live in South Texas.

Corwin said that in the future, people must be able to create a natural conduit for those animals that are impeded by human infrastructure during their natural migration patterns.

“There is no panacea, there is no perfect solution,” he said “But we must all take the first step in protecting our wildlife.”

NEXT

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER

Jehan Sedat “A Woman of Egypt: Life as the First Lady” November 17, 2008

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

CONSERVATION - Jeff Corwin spoke to the audience about ensuring that the nation’s endangered species remain in their natural habitat.

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

RIBBIT - Analisa Zarate was surprised at the size of the Bupho Marine Toad, one of the largest toads in the world.

GIANT LIZARD - One of Jeff Corwin’s volunteers holds a Water Monitor Lizard, which was found in Massachusetts but native to Asia.

Dates to Know: Palm Fest

Sundaes on Mondays

Saturday 1 to 10 p.m.

Sunday 1 to 8 p.m.

McAllen Covention Center

Free ice-cream sundaes Noon to 1 p.m.

Student Union Commons

October 2, 2008

Page 7

THE PAN AMERICAN

T CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Beware: Pied Piper is coming to town

By Marco Carbajal THE PAN AMERICAN Breaking news: A sleepy little town has been completely overrun with rats and all of the children have been taken. Well, not really, but that will be the case when the University Theatre presents the world premiere of “The Piper and the Rats” Oct. 16 to 19 in the Albert Jeffers Theatre.

The premise for this original children’s play was based on the popular fable “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” from the Brothers Grimm. In this version, a mysterious drifter comes to a small town and brings an army of rats with him, unbeknownst to the townspeople. When the rats overtake and destroy the town, the “kind” stranger offers his help in exchange for payment. After the bumbling townsfolk cannot pay him, he instead takes their children and hides them away, leaving it up to the kids to save the day, and themselves.

The show was only written a few months ago by UTPA children’s theatre creative specialist Brian Warren and Marlene Galvan, a grad student earning a master’s degree in literature and cultural studies. This is the second children’s play the two have collaborated on, the first being the Christmas tale Golden Cobwebs in 2006.

“Last year, Brian said he had an idea for a Halloween show based on the “Pied Piper” fable,” says Galvan.

“So we got together and wrote it this past summer.”

Warren’s enthusiasm for children’s theatre is apparent when he speaks of what inspires him.

“I was always a theatre person,” he said as he watched his young daughter type away on the computer in his office. “But probably having my own children sparked my interest in children’s theatre—just wanting to make them smile.”

The play is directed by senior John Flores, 22, a drama major specializing in performance from Edinburg. Flores has been involved with children’s theatre since he began attending in 2004 and admits that he’s having a lot of fun with the material.

“Brian Warren asked me if I wanted to direct this show,” Flores said.

“We had worked together many times doing children’s theatre and he added a lot to this story. The animals talk and have real feelings. It’s awesome.”

The cast is made up of 15 characters of whom nearly half are children.

It is often said in theatre that one should never work with children or animals, but such is not the case with this production.

“The kids are great. The youngest is around 7 years old,” Flores raved.

“Our lead actress, who plays Shelby, just turned thirteen and she’s doing wonderfully!”

Cassie Dean, 19, a sophomore theatre/TV/film major who plays the part

of Ethel, also agrees noting that one could not ask for a better group of young actors.

“These kids are awesome. They are so wonderful to work with,” she said.

“They’re well behaved, professional and very talented.”

Dean also maintains that “The Piper and the Rats” will delight peo-

ple of all ages, and that the objective is for both actors and theatergoers to have fun.

“In a regular play, there’s that fourth wall where you can’t address the audience,” said Dean. “With children’s shows, you are encouraged to play to the audience. Everyone has more fun and the more ‘out there’ you

are, the funnier the show.”

Both young and young at heart are invited, and performances will begin at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Admission is $3 for everyone, and the box office opens one hour before show time. For more information, contact the University Theatre box office at 381-3581.

Ben Briones/THE PAN AMERICAN

CENTER STAGE - Sophomore Cassandra Dean (left), and Daisy L. Alvarez act out a scene from “The Piper and the Rats.” The play will run Oct. 16 to 19 in the Albert Jeffers Theatre.

T FULL CIRCLE

Metallica’s release proves worthy with fans

By Isaac Garcia THE PAN AMERICAN The last time most people remember Metallica making headlines was in 2000, when the band filed a lawsuit that helped bring down the file sharing giant Napster. But now with the release of a new album, “Death Magnetic,” Metallica fans have something to talk about.

According to Billboard 200, “Death Magnetic,” released Sept. 10, marks Metallica’s record-breaking fifth time topping the charts, selling 490,000 copies in just three days. In addition, the band is one of five inductees nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other inductees include Run D.M.C. and The Stooges. Inductees will be announced in January 2009, and a ceremony will be held in Cleveland

on Apr. 4, 2009.

However, it takes more than high record sales and hall of fames to please Metallica’s fan base.

The Napster controversy in 2000, pitted Metallica against the free filesharing network when they offered material without the band’s consent. It was followed by the release of the commercially successful yet direction-changing work, “St. Anger” in 2003. Fans grew alienated, claiming that Metallica had lost their luster.

According to a Rolling Stone article in 2003, Metallica took a change in pace with “St. Anger” and as a result shortened signature guitar solos and added rattling sounds to its drum parts.

“Death Magnetic,” seems to bring back Metallica’s base, however.

Metal Hammer, a metal based music magazine, calls it a come-back album that reunites the band with

their signature guitar solos and riffs, making it Metallica’s best album in 20 years.

Some fans include University of Texas-Pan American students and faculty.

Oscar Alaniz, a 19-year-old sophomore computer science major from McAllen, is a self proclaimed Metallica fanatic. Alaniz was born a year after one of Metallica’s most acclaimed albums, “… And Justice For All,” but that hasn’t stopped him from following the group’s every move.

“I have been a fan ever since I can remember, but I can see why people have been put off by them. Since the release of “The Black Album,” Metallica’s sound has been on the decline,” Alaniz said. “…And Justice For All” marked Metallica’s fourth studio album that was released in 1988 and reached

number six in the billboard 200 charts.

Metallica formed in 1981 in Los Angeles Calif., when drummer Lars Ulrich placed an ad in The Recycler, an L.A. newspaper. To date the band has released a total of 10 studio albums and sold more than 90 million albums worldwide.

Owning all of Metallica’s albums is Edinburg native Joel De La Rosa, 27, research assistant in the education department. De La Rosa was more than impressed with “Death Magnetic.”

“I have been a fan for a very long time, and I feel that they have returned to their older sounding records, which is a very good thing,” De la Rosa commented.”

De la Rosa, who first attended a Metallica concert in 1996, remembers the long guitar solos and intricate drumbeats that filled the stadium.

“Seeing Metallica perform live

was an amazing experience for me and it is part of the reason that I am still a fan today,” said De la Rosa.

Not all fans are content with Metallica reaching for their roots; some believe they have more reaching to do.

Arnold Maldonado, 22, junior history major from San Juan, believes that “Death Magnetic” is a step in the right direction, but much more is needed for Metallica to be able to reclaim the old sound.

“I think the new album is a step forward from “St. Anger,” but still hasn’t met the expectations of what Metallica once was and what they stood for,” he said. “Metallica is a big band with a big sound, and they seem to be lacking in that department for this album. But I believe that this album does show that Metallica still has life in them, and that they still have one or two albums in them.”

Page 8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 2, 2008

October 2, 2008

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week FEEDING THE MASSES - Food vendors selling anything from tacos and quesadillas to ice cream and brownies lined the sidewalks at The University of Texas- Pan American during Community Day Saturday.

Community event entered seventh year, bringing thousands together Design by Roy Bazan

Photos by Roxy Solis, Ben Briones, Isaac Barrientes and Roberta Zamilpa

KUNG FU - Master Bob Davis of Master Bob Davis Karate in McAllen, entertains the audience with his skill of over 34 years at HESTECʼs Community Day Saturday.

HUMAN HILLS - Curious high school and junior high visitors lie in the path of an eightwheel prototype of NASAʼs Mars Pathfinder Sojourner Rover Thursday at HESTECʼs Robotics Day.

NIGHT OF MUSIC - Natalie Vidal and her band Highway 7, were one of the opening acts during HESTECʼs Community Day on Saturday.

OH, OH ITʼS MAGIC - Students from all over the Rio Grande Valley joined during HESTEC for a chemistry magic show.

LITTLE EINSTEINS - Elementary school students learn about the motion in the universe and how the planets work before their visit to the UTPA Planetarium on Saturday.

A SPLASH OF COLOR - Ashley Munoz, a junior communications disorders major, gives children a face-painting experience during HESTECʼs Community Day.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 2, 2008

October 2, 2008

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week FEEDING THE MASSES - Food vendors selling anything from tacos and quesadillas to ice cream and brownies lined the sidewalks at The University of Texas- Pan American during Community Day Saturday.

Community event entered seventh year, bringing thousands together Design by Roy Bazan

Photos by Roxy Solis, Ben Briones, Isaac Barrientes and Roberta Zamilpa

KUNG FU - Master Bob Davis of Master Bob Davis Karate in McAllen, entertains the audience with his skill of over 34 years at HESTECʼs Community Day Saturday.

HUMAN HILLS - Curious high school and junior high visitors lie in the path of an eightwheel prototype of NASAʼs Mars Pathfinder Sojourner Rover Thursday at HESTECʼs Robotics Day.

NIGHT OF MUSIC - Natalie Vidal and her band Highway 7, were one of the opening acts during HESTECʼs Community Day on Saturday.

OH, OH ITʼS MAGIC - Students from all over the Rio Grande Valley joined during HESTEC for a chemistry magic show.

LITTLE EINSTEINS - Elementary school students learn about the motion in the universe and how the planets work before their visit to the UTPA Planetarium on Saturday.

A SPLASH OF COLOR - Ashley Munoz, a junior communications disorders major, gives children a face-painting experience during HESTECʼs Community Day.

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October 2, 2008

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

T FINE ARTS

Choir brings Handel back to life

By Russen Vela THE PAN AMERICAN Ever wonder what it feels like to hear the thundering of a choir chorale sing and arouse the senses? Did anyone ever imagine that with such singing, they can actually be moved to tears, and sometimes happiness? With all the activities and festivities gearing up this fall semester on campus, the UTPA Choir has been holding on to something special that will probably outdo and yes, out-sing the competition this year.

The UTPA Choir has been a campus staple since 1951, when Hidalgo County administered a referendum turning the school into a four-year university. Its latest performance comes Oct. 7 in the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium.

Professor Christopher Munn oversees the university choir as its conductor. He also teaches music history, theory, conducting, and supervises secondary choral student teachers.

“The university choir is a degree requirement for voice majors and piano majors,” Munn said. “Students participate in the choir every semester until they graduate.”

Munn, a New Jersey native, and

professor at UTPA since fall 1984, has decided to bring out the whimsical 18th-century style of Baroque music to the UTPA auditorium.

Baroque music, for those who are in a tizzy just thinking about the word, describes an era and a set of styles of European classical music which were in widespread use between 1600 and 1750. The original meaning of Baroque is “misshapen pearl,” a strikingly fitting characterization of the architecture of this period of music; later, the name came to be applied also to its music.

It is associated with composers such as Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach, and the style expanded the size, range and complexity of instrumental performance, establishing opera as a musical genre.

For those who still don’t get it, just think of it this way: If Marie Antoinette had an iPod, she would most certainly be listening to Baroque.

Munn decided to bring Handel back to life for this semester’s first choir performance, filling the auditorium with his genius.

“2009 is the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death,” Munn explained. “We are getting the jump on the rest of the

world, celebrating it a little early.”

Munn also said that because Handel is considered a worldwide known composer, choirs around the world will be holding large-scale concerts celebrating the composer’s masterpieces.

Handel, a German-born composer, was famous for his operas, oratorios and concerti grossi. Oratorios are large musical compositions including an orchestra and a choir. The oratorios were somewhat modeled after the operas. However, operas are more musical theatre, while oratorios is strictly concert pieces. Concerti grossi is music in which the musical material is passed between a small group of soloists and full orchestra.

Handel’s most famous works are Messiah, an oratorio set to texts from the King James Bible, Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Munn’s wife, professor Vivian C. Munn conducts the men’s and women’s choruses, and teaches applied voice to voice majors, plus four music education courses. Vivian Munn who has worked at UTPA for 18 years, founded the choruses in 1997.

“Students do not need to be music majors to join the men’s or women’s chorus,” said Munn. “In fact, many of the students who sing for me are

majoring in other disciplines.”

However, Munn stated that they need to have some choral background, hopefully in a high school choir.

Celeste Garcia, a freshman music major, was excited about the upcoming concert and the music which was going to be featured. “I am thrilled the UTPA choir is offering such a diverse concert this year,” the McAllen native said. “This type of music makes you open your eyes and see the beauty of the world through the eyes of the composer.” Garcia also mentioned that once she got her schedule and classes in order she would be more than happy to join the women’s chorus. “I’m glad that I joined choir in high school, now that I have that as my background, I would be thrilled to join the UTPA women’s chorus.”

Munn usually conducts contrasting concerts in November, March, and April, showcasing a variety of historical styles, while his wife lead conducts a concert in the fall and in the spring.

Along with the Munn’s choir feature Handel’s Baroque music will be performed at the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Vivian C. Munn’s choruses will perform a holiday concert on Dec. 2.

T CAMPUS CLUB

EROS combines music, arts, culture

By Andrielle Figueroa THE PAN AMERICAN The University of Texas-Pan American is home to a rapidly growing student organization called Erosculture, a group that stands as a medium for art, music, and culture.

Erosculture is run by Isaias Villarreal, a 23-year-old cinematography major, and Alberto Gomez, 24, an Edinburg native studying public relations and advertising.

Villarreal and Gomez started the Erosculture group over two years ago outside of school, but soon Gomez realized that there was a legion of new artists on campus so they decided to bring their group to campus.

“I wanted to help students have a better concentration on their talent, to sort of create a platform for the artistic talent in the school,” Gomez explained.

On Sept. 25, the group held an event at the McAllen Lounge called Kafs, with three DJs: Alushe, Isa, and Paolo Mojo. Paolo Mojo of London stopped in as a part of his U.S.Mexico tour.

Mojo is known for his DJ skills in house and techno music. Alushe and Isa are apart of the Eros group, and have the experimental electronic presence in their set.

Two artists also had their exhibits alongside the mixing DJs, Ruben Gomez and Christy Johnson.

Gomez elaborates they like to have local artists and musicians to com-

SPIN SPIN - Guest DJ Ivan Rodriguez turns up the music at Kafs on Thursday.

Isaac Garcia/THE PAN AMERICAN

pliment each other at these events.

They use artwork and music straight off campus, as well as artists on tour such as Paolo Mojo and DJ Witch Van Storck.

Erosculture has pulled out all the stops to get the message out about all the talent in the Valley.

“We also have a media team to create an image and at the same time to get exposure for our local arts,” Gomez said.

The media team records the events on film, to use as promotion for future events and to showcase talent that can be viewed at these gatherings.

Sara Garza, 21, one of the onlookers at Kafs, was there in support of her friend, Gomez.

The criminal justice major stated it was important to have events like this for Valley virtuosos.

“This is great. It is important to show culture and diversity through art. It is something that should be done more often,” Garza stated.

The Erosculture leaders don’t stop at just mixers for their artists, they also have a radio show that runs from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on XHRYA 90.9 Mas Music. Mas Music is also a group who uses their Web site and radio station to promote the arts.

The group started the radio show in June 2008. The hosts believe it’s helping them communicate their message to a Valley-wide audience as well as into northern Mexico.

The radio gig is also a tool that is assisting them to build their agency.

“Currently we are not a full blown agency but we do help artists get booked on a monthly basis,” Villarreal explained.

Their Web site (erosculture.com) is up for anyone interested in showcasing their work and for getting in contact with Villarreal and Gomez.

By showcasing new talent and throwing mixers for them at local clubs and hot spots, Erosculture has managed to obtain sponsorship from many companies including First National Bank, Coca-Cola, Yoko’s Sushi and Mixmasters.

The organization has also decided to have an end-of-semester bash to host exhibits and music on campus.

It will commemorate the vast expansion of this project that has been two-years in the works, and only recently made a student organization.

With such a rapidly growing organization, the group is in the process of recruiting people who agree with what they do.

With so many ideas, goals, and events, Gomez states their message is simple and clear.

“We don’t see any boundaries to what we do. It is important to us to have as many people involved as we can in what we do,” he stressed. “We can find a way in which all cultures can communicate, and we can all learn something from each other.”

Music Come out and enjoy the Valley Symphony Orchestra at the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium today at 8 p.m. Cost is $25-$45 and music majors get in free.

THEATRE NOTE Because of the heavy demand for tickets, and the unusually high costs of doing a musical, the ticket policy has been revised for these performances.

Reserved seats will still cost $20 per person.

General admission prices are twelve dollars per person. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Box Office in advance at 956-381-3581 during regular university hours.

They may be charged to a credit card. If any reserved seats are still available on the night of the performance, they will be available at the Box Office window in the Jeffers Theatre. General admission seats may not be reserved in advance.

However, UTPA students, faculty and staff will get one general admission seat per ID at no charge.

Because of the demand for tickets, UTPA patrons are advised by Theatre Manager Elva Galvan to arrive by 7:30, in order to avoid facing a sold out house. Students, faculty and staff from other academic institutions—colleges, high schools and elementary schools—may buy general admissions seats for five dollars if they have valid ID’s.

These tickets are available only at the Box Office one hour before each performance and may not be reserved in advance.

- UTPA Theatre Release

October 2, 2008

BANNER continued from Page 1 “We started some of the trainings “Sometimes only four to five facin March,” she said. “If I had to cate- ulty members show up for the traingorize things, timing would be the ing,” she stated, adding that she main issue.“ understands that schedule conflicts Alvarado said trainings will con- have a lot to do with the lack of attentinue throughout the semester and dance. added that at the time the switch was Mari Pardo, nursing department made in the spring, UTPA was still secretary, has used BANNER since using both the old and new system; March and said she sees how it can be one of the downbeneficial, but still sides which has “We started some of the has to work through caused some conkinks. trainings in March. If I had some fusion.

“I think it’s getShe said that to categorize things, timing ting used to it BANNER train- would be the main issue” (BANNER),” she ings, which are not said. “There are so mandatory, are many things you Michelle Alvarado offered twice a can actually do that week but the BANNER project manager it’s a matter of getturnout rate for ting better familiarfaculty/student advisers has been min- ized.” imal.

Administrative departments bene-

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NEWS

fit most from BANNER, according to start looking at the bells and whistles Alvarado. She said many of the of the program,” said Alvarado in notable changes regard to minor are how efficient “Mandatory advisement is tweaking to make processes like looming. Graduation verifi- navigation more uploading tranuser-friendly for scripts and billing cation is past due. I am faculty. “We’ll be overwhelmed.” is. able to pretty things Despite the easup.” ier and efficient Alvarado said by Barbara Vielma inner workings of the beginning of the English professor the BANNER sysspring semester the tem, Pardo SIS transition will explained that it is the small kinks that have been fully made, allowing for make the system frustrating. the tweaking to ensue.

According to Pardo, once a winShe added that training sessions dow is opened and one clicks on a link will continue. to enter another portion of the system, Despite the university’s attempt to a separate window pops open; making train UTPA personnel on the matter, it inefficient, she said, when it comes professors like Vielma are still wary. to navigating through the system.

She added that some of the prob“As we get more feedback we can lems the faculty at the College of Arts

and Humanities are facing deal with upcoming December graduation.

“The actual process, for each student, takes an average of 30 minutes,” she said. “Normally, my list of December graduates numbers around 100. Multiply that number by 30 minutes each.”

Vielma, who has been advising with the English department for 13 years, said that in the past she has received degree audits for graduation eight months prior, but because of new system, she has yet to verify any of the audits.

According to Vielma, she usually has at least half a year to go through the process; however the change is making her time more short.

“Mandatory advisement is looming. Graduation verification is past due. I am overwhelmed,” she said.

ber Gustavo Salinas wrote the grant to HUD with the help of Accion Texas, Delta Region Revitalization Corporation, and Texas/Mexico Border Coalition.

Uhrbrock, who was named director of the project, said the outreach program is designed to assist in community and economic development of the Delta area.

“We’re taking the information and the training out to them,” Uhrbrock said. “The project will even help people start a business; this will help [the area] economically.”

Micro-enterprise training will allow residents access to information about how to start a business, including tips on financing and loan assistance.

UTPA faculty, staff and graduate students will help area residents understand the fair-housing lending program, diabetes, obesity and nutrition, youth financial literacy education, and job resource opportunities.

The Delta area was chosen because research found it to have pressing need of basic services, according to a university press release.

through which the information will be made available to residents. The 38foot mobile unit has a generator, is airconditioned, and is equipped with seating.

The Unit also has Internet access on laptop computers for up to 15 people at a time.

Hector Diaz, chair of the social work department, will serve as program evaluator. He said social work graduate students will be able to take part in the project.

“These students will have hands-on experience in community development,” Diaz said. “It will also be good experience for these students to learn about administration and communication.”

Although the students who serve on the program have not yet been chosen, Diaz has a good outlook on the coming year. Nine master’s students will take the role of community development specialists.

And even though the mobile unit’s first mission may not come until spring 2009, planning for the project is well under way.

“A lot of groundwork has to be done before we go out there,” Uhrbrock said. “We just got the grant a few weeks ago, we still have a lot of paperwork.”

HUD continued from Page 1

HERE THEY COME The project’s most interesting aspect may well be the vehicle

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TESTS continued from Page 3

sity was alerted that it had one of the lowest standardized test scores in the UT system. The Admissions Committee decided to make a 15 ACT score (710 SAT) a requirement, with the standard to increase every two years until it reaches 18.

Though some schools had started to argue against the veracity of such testing, UTPA saw the situation from another perspective.

“It (having ACT or SAT scores) is important because we are trying to raise the standard of education,” said committee chair and Mechanical Engineering Professor Constantine

Tarwaneh. “We want to send a message to high schools that they need to raise the quality of education.”

Currently the ACT score requirement is 16 (with 760 for the SAT), but the admissions office and committee found that raising the standard would mean a loss of 600 to 800 students per enrollment period.

“We lost 800 students in 2005 when we set the standard at 15, so there was a lot of students with no place to go,” said committee official and Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Ana Maria Rodriguez.

October 2, 2008

NEWS

After research suggested using elements such as ACT and SAT scores, high school class rank, Texas Success Initiative Scores and high school curriculum provided by the Office of Admissions, the university, which had relied mainly on test scores in the past, decided to add a class-rank provision in cases where standardized test scores might exclude a student from being accepted.

“Since test scores were the only criteria used for admission purposes, it is safe to say that we relied too much on them for admissions,” said Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Services

Magdalena Hinojosa.

Starting in fall 2009, UTPA applicants who rank in the top third of their high school class with a 16 ACT score can be admitted, as well as students in the top quarter with a 15 ACT. While the country may be experiencing a shift away from the traditional ACT and SAT scores, UTPA plans to marry both test scores and class rank in considering for future applicants.

“SAT (and ACT) isn’t a bad indicator, it’s a good one, but we don’t want to close the doors on everybody,” Tarwaneh said.

Admissions provisions -Top 33 percent class rank and received a 16 ACT score (SAT score 760) can be admitted* -Top 25 percent class rank and received a 15 ACT score (SAT score 710) can be admitted* -Top 10 percent recieve automatic admission -International Baccalaureate degree automatic admission Requirement starts Fall 2009*

AIDS continued from Page 3

ORGANIZATION continued from Page 3

Pickett said many people have the mindset that only gay men get AIDS or that one must be extremely sexually active.

Pickett said it is her job to let them know that that is not always the case.

Pickett cited that nurses who accidentally are pricked, drug users, bad blood transfusions and even rape can all cause the disease, not just promiscuity.

“Sexual responsibility is you taking charge of you,” she said.

“People’s judgment on sex and how people get HIV are very inaccurate.”

Though Pickett now has a positive attitude, that was not always the case.

It took joining a support group to help shed light on the disease’s impact on one’s life.

“If you stay wrapped up in this negativity, you will die,” said Pickett, referring to a discussion between her and another person in the group which changed her outlook on life.

Soon she started her own support organization, with her husband Steve Pickett, who died in a car accident in April 2005.

It is Friends-Together, a non-profit organization which aims to meet needs and educate families affected

by HIV. Though her husband’s death was

Education Act. The law is part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and it means there is help for rapists, murderers and child molesters, yet students convicted for possession of marijuana receive no aid.

When asked for her opinion on what the club stands for, 21-year-old Viridiana Perez of Hidalgo, majoring in education said, “all criminals should be punished equally, there’s no right in any wrongdoing.”

another ordeal, she managed to go on.

“You know you are going to wake up in the morning and move forward,” said Pickett, speaking about AIDSinfected patients but also people in general.

Texas, according to statistics from the Center from Disease Control, is fourth nationwide in numbers of AIDS-infected persons, as there were nearly 70,000 adults and adolescents and 392 children under age 13 with the disease in 2006.

Pickett said numbers likes these could be combated if people can have more open communication.

She added simply communicating is one of the most significant preventions to the deadly disease.

Bianca Leal, a 20-year-old graphic design major, said she is interested in AIDS awareness at the local, state and national level.

“She gives us insight on her life,” the Rio Grande City native said. “She takes her experience to share it with the students here on campus.”

Pinkett stressed that students need to take advantage of the availability of campus services like Bacchus & Gamma’s free condoms and information sessions.

“AIDS is not a death sentence,” she said. “Good or bad, life goes on.”

PLANS SSDP would also like to address policies in the University Handbook of Operating Procedures. The organization is calling for a minimum penalty of suspension for drug-related offenses for example, and would like to see sponsored drug treatment groups which the Office of Counseling and Psychological

Services could possibly facilitate.

One of the penalties at UTPA is if a student is caught with marijuana they would be immediately suspended.

However, if they were caught with alcohol on campus punishment wouldn’t be the same. SSPD would like to see equal punishment for both offenses.

Also this semester, Valdez said SSDP plans to invite local police chiefs and representatives of law enforcement to discuss their reasons for not practicing discretion when dealing with marijuana-related arrests.

This is related to the passage of a piece of legislation in the Texas House of Representatives in the 2007 session, called HB 2391. The bill passed and gave law enforcement agencies discretion when dealing with marijuana-related crimes. The bill states the purpose is to save money and law enforcers are given the choice of

either writing a citation or arresting the individual.

According to Valdez, each time a person is cited for possession of marijuana, it costs taxpayers an estimated $2,000. Travis County is the only Texas county to practice discretion when arresting someone for possession of marijuana and has began to issue citations as an option.

“I’m not familiar with the bill, but if they’re not endangering other people and it helps the taxpayer save money, I think they should enforce it,” said Alamo native Laura Rendon, who is majoring in communication studies.

SSDP is recognized as a temporary organization. Their status is pending, but members anticipate it will become a permanent organization at UTPA. The first meeting will be held on Oct. 9 at the Health and Human Services East building during activity hour from noon to 1 p.m.

VOTER REGISTRATION In an effort to increase the number of voters this presidential election, SSDP will be hosting a Voter Registration drive.

* When: Monday, Oct. 6 * Where: Outside UTPA Library * Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

MECHA continued from Page 3

Ben Briones/THE PAN AMERICAN

OUTREACH - Cathy Robinson Pickett gets UTPA students to interact Tuesday night as she spoke about sexual responsibility.

the Massacre, followed by discussions, comments and dialogue.

The incident took place during the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, when student protestors were allegedly attacked by the military; scores of activists died, and the event has become part of the country’s lore.

The 57-minute, English-subtitled film suggests military leaders were involved in the situation, and highlights a four-year collection of investigations.

Professor David Carlson from the history department attended the event and already knew a little about the incident. This was his first time seeing

the actual live footage.

“I especially liked the detailed event the footage depicted and the mapping of where some snipers were positioned on rooftops of buildings,” said Carlson.

The organization placed posters around campus that helped promote the film showing, and M.E.CH.A. members say they plan on keeping up the public relations campaign in the future.

The most captivating poster was a 5-foot description of the massacre, in various locations around campus.

Samantha Garcia, a biology graduate student and M.E.CH.A. volunteer,

said though not all plans are set in stone, some are under way for Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead at the beginning of November.

“M.E.CH.A. wants to do some alters for dia de los muertos, maybe organize some immigration forums and other films throughout the semester,” the 23-year-old said.

In the past, the group has co-sponsored events with other organizations like Students for Peace, Migrant Health Promotion, La Voz Latina and LUPE in gathering support for marches and rallies.

The organization’s officers did not return any e-mails or phone calls.

October 2, 2008

ADVERTISEMENTS

Page 13

Dates to Know:

Page 14

Volleyball

Women’s Golf

vs. UTSA Saturday, 4 p.m.

UTPA Field House

ORU Shootout Host - Oral Roberts Univ.

Sunday Tulsa, OK October 2, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

T FEATURE

New athletic marketing director ready to fulfill duties

By Ramiro Paez THE PAN AMERICAN Her friends would call her “determined,” but she just labels herself a downright “sports fanatic.”

Rebecca Sweat, 22, was hired as the new marketing director for The University of Texas-Pan American’s athletic program in September and is ready to show the UTPA and Rio

Grande Valley communities her enthusiasm for sports.

“I’m really excited to be at UTPA,” Sweat said. “Working in sports is a dream of mine. I’m also really excited to stay in the Valley because this is a great community and in the time I’ve been here, I’ve really come to love it.

So I’m excited to share my love for sports with the Rio Grande Valley.”

Sweat arrives in South Texas from

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

A NEW MARKET - With her PR experience, Rebecca Sweat hopes to create a larger fan base for UTPA home athletic functions.

Memphis, to replace former marketing director Natalie Haime, who held the position for a year after graduating from UTPA in 2006. The newest Bronc graduated from St. Louis University in 2007, where she majored in public relations with a minor in history.

During her college career, Sweat was a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and an organization called Women in the Media.

She is also a certified dance instructor through the Southern Association of Dance Masters.

Sweat says she developed an interest in public relations in high school, when she was the yearbook editor. She wanted to take part in more communication than journalism, so starting in PR gave her the opportunity to interact with people.

But she also has the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies to thank for that interest.

“I went to a game one day and realized that you can mix public relations and sports,” Sweat said. “I was just hooked right there and then and it became a dream ever since.”

As an athletic marketing director, Sweat’s duties include establishing community relations, landing and working with sponsors, increasing fan bases for athletic functions, meeting with student organizations, and managing home-game entertainment.

Sweat says building a fan base for

athletic functions is something that marketing experience in professional has plagued UTPA sports in recent sports and in the business world. I years, and will be her biggest task to needed someone that understood the time needed to put into this job.” accomplish.

Sweat’s first mark is to have a “It is a challenge, a pretty big one,” she said. “I’m working really hard with stronger level of communication with student organizations and different peo- the UTPA community; she also wants to find out what she ple around the community to try to build “We have a really great can do to build a stronger connection that attendance level so hopefully we can program and I want between athletics get that done.” everyone to see that. We and students. Her Previous experi- have Division I sports vision for basketball is to have stuence in the field should assist Sweat here and I don’t think a lot dents as a sort of Sixth Man, giving in attaining these of people realize that.” something like the ideal goals. At SLU, support that Duke’s she was a sports inRebecca Sweat Cameron Crazies formation intern bring to the Blue during her senior Athletic marketing director Devels. But in year, creating a media guide for the women’s basket- order to accomplish that, she knows it ball team. She also worked as the will take a heavy load of commitment.

“I want to put more fans in the media relations’ assistant during the Missouri Valley Conference men’s bas- stands,” she said. “We have a really great ketball tournament and helped out for program and I want everyone to see that. the 2007 NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen St. We have Division I sports here and I don’t think a lot of people realize that.”

Louis regional.

She also encourages any feedback or Interim athletic director Ricky Vaughn says Sweat’s experience in suggestions from students that will result working with collegiate athletics was in an improved athletic environment.

“My door is always open,” Sweat very important in UTPA’s decisionconcluded.. “I want students to come making process.

“I think Rebecca is going to do an talk to me and introduce themselves. outstanding job for us,” Vaughn said. Tell me if you have any ideas or what “She comes here with collegiate and you want to see.”

T WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Craft integrates new freshman recruiting class into ‘08-‘09 roster

By Sara Hernandez THE PAN AMERICAN A promising 2008-2009 season is in sight for The University of Texas-Pan American women’s basketball program after it signed the most talented crew of freshmen in the last five years.

“It’s exciting that we are beginning to find such good freshmen as opposed to getting only transfers,” Lady Broncs coach DeAnn Craft said of her latest freshman recruiting class.

UTPA finished last season as the second-leading offensive team in five years under Craft, and earned the most home victories (10) ever. The Lady Broncs also claimed the Battle of the Border Championship at the Field House before Independent play began.

Craft says with all the accomplishments last year, her team has pointed itself in the right direction.

“We look upon it as a very profitable season and something that I really think has positioned us well for the upcoming years,” said the coach.

The freshmen lines that will be re- are high for myself and my team.”

Brittany Demery, a freshman from inforcing the loss of four “tremendous seniors,” according to Craft, begin with Oklahoma City, was voted the best Epiphany Smith. Smith will fill the va- player in the state during her last year cancy that Lakeisha Gray left at the at Millwood High School, after scoring 342 points with 70 steals for the Lady point guard position.

Other seniors that departed from the Falcons.

Demery, a 5-foot-11-inch forward, ‘07-‘08 season were guards Tiona Wilson, Tamara Vaughn, and Cinthia says she chose to attend UTPA because the program Rameriz Women’s Basketball adapted to her exThe 5-foot-4-inch Arkansas native, First Game of the Season pectations.

“I like the enviwho was nominated ronment, it is very as a McDonald’s AllNov. 8 student-athlete oriAmerican selection, ented,” she said. commented that the vs. Texas A&M“We are working transition from her Kingsville very hard and I home state to South @ UTPA Field House want to win a lot of Texas was not easy, games.” but now that she’s Time: 7 p.m.

A pair of Valley settled, she is looknatives, Andrea Garza and Damaris ing forward to a booming season.

“It was hard at first, but I have awe- Rodriguez, both from McAllen High some teammates,” said Smith, who at- School, will play forward and guard tended Har-ber High School and was in positions, respectively. Five-10 Shavon the all-conference, all-state, all-area, Walker, from Schertz, will also be a and all-star teams. “My expectations piece of the Lady Broncs frontline unit.

Along with the fabulous freshman, there is another newcomer who will be familiar to Valley fans. Edinburg native Marah Guzman, a former standout Lady Bobcat, will man the perimeter on the team after playing at Western Texas Junior College as a point guard.

Rachel Hester is a 5-7 transfer from Elon University in North Carolina who Craft says will be bringing some Division I experience. Hester played in all of Elon’s games, averaging 7.1 points and 19.9 minutes per game. The Plano native also connected on 73.3 percent of her free throws and was fifth in the Southern Conference in 3-pointers.

Even though Craft believes incoming players are vital for team success, she assures that the returning players will be the backbone of the team, including senior guard Teshay Winfrey, junior guard Rose Esther Jean, junior forward Aleeya Grigsby, and senior center Robin Garrett.

So with the roster set, the women’s basketball program is looking to improve upon last year’s 11-18 record.

The program record for wins is 14.

“You always want to better your record each and every year,” said Craft.

“So many things come into play: if you can remain injury free, if your chemistry begins good, if you have some incoming players that understand and make a difference, even though our returning players have all gotten better.”

“Our goals are to obviously win more ball games. If the chemistry is good, then you see how far that can take you.”

The Lady Broncs will get the 20082009 season under way Nov. 8 when they host an exhibition game against Texas A&M-Kingsville at the Field House. In the meantime, the women will continue practicing with the passion they believe is needed to have a successful season.

“Practice has been encouraging.

They’re getting our staff excited,” said Craft. “They have such good chemistry with such good intensity. I’m the one leaving excited from practice, and I’m a hard person to impress, so that’s an exciting feeling to have.”

October 2, 2008

Page 15

SPORTS

T CROSS COUNTRY

Teams stride toward consecutive top finishes

By Ramiro Paez THE PAN AMERICAN Some might think that not having competition for three weeks can stifle a team’s performance, but don’t tell that to The University of TexasPan American men’s and women’s cross country teams. The Broncs and Lady Broncs have assumed a confident demeanor as they’ve opened up the 2008 cross country season to a strong start.

After posting successful finishes Sept. 19 at the Ricardo Romo/Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic in San Antonio, the teams continued to impress at the New Balance Islander Splash in Corpus Christi Sept. 26, where the men finished second and the women placed third.

“Overall, this past meet was good,” said men’s and women’s coach Hugo Cervantes. “It allowed me to see where we stand as a team on a hard course against some good competition. We had some good performances from everyone. I knew it would be a hard race since we’ve increased our mileage and our workouts have intensified as well.”

Cervantes says he is not surprised by his teams’ performances in the last two meets even with the slow start to the season, leaving the main focus in priority. The groups got a late start due to travel issues, among other holdups, and missed the San Antonio Relays in San Antonio (Aug. 31); Texas State Invitational in San Marcos (Sept. 6); and Texas A&M Invitational in College Station (Sept.

13) due to Hurricane Ike. “A lot of it has to do with the anticipation for the season to begin,”

Cervantes said of his teams’ top fin- travel to Houston Oct. 10 for the ishes. “Everyone was ready to test Houston Baptist Invitational. their fitness and see the summer ISLANDER SPLASH training pay off. This has been the Leading the Broncs in the Coastal first time in a long while that the team meets on their own to do their Bend was Hernandez, who placed fifth out of a field of 50 participants. His running.”

Senior San Juan native J.J. time of 25:35 was one piece in the Hernandez says that the men’s team team’s 50-point total, as Texas A&Mhas created a voluntary “on our own” Corpus Christi outlasted UTPA, finishing first with day to run, a total of 19 after NCAA points. rules requires T h e one day off for Broncs were athletes. coming off Hernandez, or MEN an upset of whomever is J.J. Hernandez 25:35 No. 14willing to take 5th Robert Najera 25:48 ranked Texas initiative, ral- 8th Angel M. Ramirez 25:50 in San lies his team- 10th Luis Nava 26:00 A n t o n i o , mates to take 11th is advantage of 16th Wally Gonzalez 26:18 which s o m e t h i n g the day off.

17th Gilroy Martinez 26:18 H e r n a n d e z The coach 19th Omar Doria 26:44 says may added that his 32nd Vidal Ruiz 27:49 have played runners seem to into the understand the WOMEN t e a m ’ s program’s Carolina Izaguirre 18:00 inability to long-term plan. 4th Diana Galloso 18:59 capture first.

“We have 14th Sara Rodriguez 19:40 “I think always had 21st Larissa de Leon 19:44 our team did our goals in 22nd Sasha Suarez 22:56 pretty well,” m i n d , ” 38th e x p l a i n e d . 49th Diana Flores 26:57 H e r n a n d e z s a i d .

“We see the big picture and realize that the “Unfortunately we didn’t win like we important meets are at the end of the were planning on winning. I think we season, and this time off has allowed maybe got a little carried away from the them to not lose sight of the big pic- first meet after beating Texas, but we ture by not focusing too much on the held our own. We ran the way we wanted to; we just didn’t get the outcome we early season meets.”

With one last race before the Great wanted.”

Senior Luis Nava of La Joya also West Conference Championships Nov. 1 in Utah, the programs will try returned to the lineup Friday after to keep momentum rolling when they having nursed a leg injury since the

summer. Nava crossed the finish line in 11th place with a time of 26:00.

On the women’s side, Carolina Izaguirre led the Lady Broncs with a second consecutive fourth-place finish after a time of 18:00. The sophomore Brownsville Hanna alum improved her time by more than a minute 19:19.2 from the San Antonio

meet, where the women finished fifth overall.

At Corpus Christi, TAMUCC (24 points) continued to dominate, taking home first-place accolades, while The University of Texas-San Antonio (72 points) placed second.

New Balance Islanders Splash Results

Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

RUNNING STRONG - Sophomore Carolina Izaguirre continues to be the catalyst for the Lady Broncs after placing fourth at the Islander Splash.

T MEN’S GOLF

Broncs finish in fourth for conference tournament

By Pedro Perez IV THE PAN AMERICAN

After the America Sky Men’s Golf Championship was postponed due to heavy rain Sunday, The University of Texas-Pan American men’s golf team teed off Monday to play 36 holes instead of 54.

At the end of all the mental anguish and Mother Nature’s wrath, the Broncs placed fourth in the America Sky Conference Championship which was part of the Hawks Invitational, scoring 611 (311-310) at Ballymeade Country Club in North Falmouth, Mass.

“We let the things we couldn’t control end up controlling us,” said second-year head coach Ofelia Lopez.

The Broncs’ problems began even before the tournament started. The team spent most of the time sitting around waiting for the course to dry, and was only allotted time to put in seven holes for practice, forcing them to play the rest of the course blind.

“It was a struggle out there,” said

Lopez of the conditions and lack of prep time. “We went through the fact of having it be canceled the first day, so it went down to 36 holes and we were waiting around a lot. Golf is a mental game and it got to them.”

DAY ONE Junior Armen Kirakossian (38-34) was holding strong in second at the end of the first round Monday as he shot even par. Senior Shane Pearce (40-38) and sophomore Tim Acaster (38-40) ended tied at 14th shooting six over while junior High Wongchindawest (47-36) completed his round 11-overpar 83, in 31st place. Three spots behind Wongchindawest was Valley native and sophomore A.J. Gonzalez (39-48), who shot 15-over-par 87 (34th).

Lopez said she also thought Gonzalez and Wongchindawest could have performed better, and the Broncs needed one more player to step up and give them a higher individual placing

in the tournament. Illness and injuries kept the members from performing to their potential.

“A.J. was sick a little bit and High is still coming off his wrist injury so right now with only having six people on a team and only five traveling we go with what we have,” Lopez said.

DAY TWO On Tuesday, the Broncs were on the links at 8 a.m. as the shotgun start began the conclusion of the America Sky tournament.

Kirakossian cut his score by four strokes to a 76 on the second day but was in a three-way tie with Acaster and Andrew Marler of Binghamton University at the end of conference play.

Kirakossian shot 72-76 and Acaster 78-70, for 148 over the 36 holes.

Pearce improved two spots from Monday, finishing nine-over-par (153) for 12th place. Wongchindawest

placed 29th with a score of 79 and 162 for the tournament. Gonzalez shot a 79 and 166 for the tournament to finish in a two-way tie with Clark Frederickson of future Great West opponent Utah Valley University.

Sacramento State held its first-day lead to take home first place as a team with 589 (296-293) in conference play.

The Broncs are back on the green

Oct. 12 when they travel to Huntsville to play in the Sam Houston State Invitational.

“They’re going to practice hard this week and get ready for Sam Houston,” Lopez concluded.

“Hopefully we can bring it back.”

Next year, the winner of the America Sky Conference tournament will be eligible for an automatic bid in the NCAA Championships.

America Sky Men’s Golf Championship Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Sacramento State University of Hartford Northern Colorado UTPA Weber State Binghamton University Utah Valley University

Team score over two days (589) (608) (609) (611) (613) (620) (634)

Page 16

October 2, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

T SOCCER CLUB

By Alvaro Balderas THE PAN AMERICAN An offensive explosion took place Saturday afternoon at The University of Texas-Pan American practice fields. The Lady Bronc soccer club captured its first win of the season by routing The University of Texas-San Antonio 5-1.

Coming off a loss and a tie in the first two games, women’s coach Hugo Zuniga said the mentality coming into this one was to forget everything and start having fun playing soccer.

“We respected the team like we do all the teams we play. The first half we played excellent, touching the ball and sending the runs through spaces.

We created nice plays,” Zuniga said.

“Defensively though, we need to improve some more. We are not at 100 percent, but the team is looking better with every game.”

The Lady Broncs (1-1-1) showed exuberance in the first half by scoring four goals, but in the second, their performance diminished, which left Zuniga baffled.

QuotesFrom TheStands “I think in the second half we got down to their level. We had some opportunities but unfortunately we could not score more. We need to work on keeping a consistent level play,” Zuniga noted. “From what I saw in the first half I think we are starting to get to the level that I want, though.”

The five goals were scored by freshman forward Marcela Polanco, Harlingen native Gabriela Soto, graduate student Tracee Byrd, and two from senior Elvia Garcia.

“It was a good game but the team was not well and we could have played a lot better especially in the second half. Hopefully next game we improve and keep scoring goals,” Garcia said. “The first goal was pretty good. I scored with my left, which I have not done. The other one I have to give credit to my teammate who created the entire play and left it so I could finish.”

A real orchestrator in the midfield, Soto caused havoc with her pauses, set-ups and more importantly her speed on the right wing, which

helped UTPA establish dominance in the first half.

“I am real proud of the team because we came together and got a good win. I think it was the team’s energy that everyone fed off of,” Soto commented. “I hope that this win is a starting point and we will continue to get better.”

BRONCS The Bronc men’s soccer club also saw some action this weekend in Austin with a tie in a scoreless affair against powerhouse University of Texas 2 Sunday and a 2-1 win over St. Edward’s University Saturday.

The men had few opportunities to score against the Longhorns, but men’s coach Marcelo Schmidt said he feels happy with what his team showed collectively against a true powerhouse.

“The guys played extremely well against the tougher competition that UT presented. It seems like we have been able to meld together and look solid as a team,” Schmidt said. “I believe everything is starting to click

and I am happy with this new injection of confidence that we now have.”

Noticeable performances for the Broncs (1-1-1) came in the midfield from senior Apolonio Cavazos and McAllen native Adrian Arredondo.

Against the Hilltoppers Saturday, the Bronc goals came from senior midfielder Juan Reynoso and sophomore forward Juan P. Davila.

Schmidt and his players knew that St. Edward’s was not a strong team and they were able to do enough to attain the victory.

Tied after the first half, the Broncs kept looking for opportunities. During the 20th minute, a cross was sent into the area and a penalty was awarded after a St. Ed’s defender was caught holding. Davila was able to capitalize on the penalty to give his team the 2-1 advantage.

“I think we have the most amount of talent, which makes us versatile.

This enables us to modify and do what we want according to the team we face,” Schmidt said.

“It was kind of boring. It was a real defensive game and just wasn’t as exciting as the others. It was kind of a letdown because they lost. It really wasn’t that good.”

A.J. Aguilar

Freshman Computer engineering major

On Cowboys’ recent loss “It was disappointing. I understood the problems that they had. First off, T.O. [Terrell Owens] wasn’t catching everything and that could of been a help. Other than that, it was disappointing, very disappointing.”

Issac Guerra

Sophomore Pharmacy major

On Cowboys’ recent loss

Editor’s Picks HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Sharyland Rattlers

@

McAllen Bulldogs

Friday 7:30 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Texas Longhorns

@

Colorado Buffaloes

Saturday 6 p.m.

NFL Roxy Solis/THE PAN AMERICAN

ON POINT - Junior Harlingen native Gabriela Soto (right) was one of four Lady Broncs who scored in Saturday’s 5-1 romp of the UTSA Lady Roadrunners.

Washington @ Philadelphia Redskins Eagles Sunday Noon (Fox)