Volume 66, No. 23
THE PAN AMERICAN
April Fools, 2010
NCAA ruling slaps probation on Broncs By Brian Silva The Pan American President Robert S. Nelsen expressed relief yesterday after the NCAA said the university’s self-imposed sanctions were sufficient for recruiting violations committed by the men’s basketball team. A report released by the NCAA Tuesday said the men’s basketball coaching staff “committed major violations,” for 44 impermissible phone calls to 13 prospective student-athletes. The NCAA committee investigating the infractions found the university failed to record all phone calls made by staff, which led to inaccurate reporting. The violations occurred from August 2006 and spring semester 2008, according to the report. “There probably wasn’t good communication,” said Nelsen, who also noted that he personally met with the coaches on the matter. Along with the university’s selfimposed sanctions, the NCAA decided to put the university on probation for the next two years. The sanctions were implemented
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By Erin Menendez The Pan American
Alma E. Hernandez / THE PAN AMERICAN
RELIEF - UTPA President Robert Nelsen speaks to the press Tuesday after the university athletic department was placed on two years probation by the NCAA; it could have been much worse, say administrators.
Noted journalists analyze border violence
She came to the university’s Student Union Tuesday along with a journalistic colleague, Jorge Luis Sierra, to discuss the ongoing crisis. Gomez graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico and later studied international law and terrorism. She first began at El Norte, a Monterrey-based newspaper, in 1993 and then moved onto the Reforma in Mexico City, a spin-off of El Norte, working on stories linked to judicial affairs. After spending some time on radio and television she then became involved with the IAPA in 2004. The IAPA, founded in 1942, represents media organizations Brian Silva / THE PAN AMERICAN across North America, TOUGH TOPIC - Jorge Luis Sierra (left) and Idalia Gomez discuss the ongoing borSouth America and der violence situation during their visit to campus Tuesday. the Caribbean. The By Roxann Garcia and Denisse Salinas The Pan American
Idalia Gomez, of the Inter-American Press Association’s Rapid Response Unit, is currently investing the escalating crime against Mexican journalists on the border with South Texas.
Page 2 - Big business might Commentary: Letter to the have packed their bags, but Editor - Tea bag rebuttal they never left
Uh oh! Loss of credits to cause havoc
Page 3 - Jobs after Campus cats charged graduation becoming scarce with indecent behavior
Page 11 - Holiday gift guide Big money
scavenger hunt is on
organization’s objectives are to defend freedom of the press and protect the interests of journalists while also promoting responsible journalism. Gomez now works with 1,500 Latin American newspapers investigating crimes against journalists while also training journalists on how to deal with the violence that has become an unexpected part of their jobs. Tuesday she shared her experiences and discussed the origins of the problem and possible solutions along with Sierra, once the editor El Rumbo in the Valley and a former instructor of Gomez in college. She has studied the journalistic danger involved in the recent violence phenomenon in Mexico and along the border, and how it affects reporters and their stories. Over 17,000 people have died in the Cartel War, with a number of journalists having been threatened, kidnapped, or killed. Gomez’ main focus is investigation, but also education. “I have been researching this phenomenon for a long time, where it comes from, what it does to reporters’ stories and the censorship that it is generating,”
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Football team returning Page 14 - Q&A with volleyball player to Rebecca UTPAToddy in 2012
FBI agents revealed the existence of an ongoing investigation into the University of Texas-Pan American on Friday, with a report into the validity of university credits. The results are a blockbuster. “Thousands of students will be affected by the findings,” according to an excerpt from the FBI report called Fraudulent Credits. “All credits found to be invalid must be repeated, including for those students who have since graduated.” Before the report was released, UTPA administration met with the FBI at a undisclosed location to develop a plan of action to rectify the situation. Over 3,600 students who attended the university in the past two years are said to be affected. “In a meeting with university officials we laid out a plan to re-establish credibility in the system of higher education, course and credit hours found invalid will be recalled,” said Jason Cruzo, the lead investigator on the case. “Students, who earned credits at the University of Texas-Pan American from May 2008 to the current semester, are subject to the recall of unqualified credits. The recall will affect both current and graduate students that earned credits during the given period. Students will have to complete an undetermined number of extra credits at their own expense to be allowed to graduate and/or keep their degree.” The news has hit the university community like a bombshell. “I am shocked,” said Zaria Canteras, who graduated in 2008 with a degree in engineering. “I worked hard for my degree, and I have established myself in my position with a great company. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.” Canteras works for a Fortune 500 company, but will be required to resign from his current position as lead implementation manager as the position requires a degree by law. Numerous other students will be contacted via mail and told of the current plan to reschedule graduation dates and guide graduate students to retake required courses.
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Noted journalists analyze border violence
April 1, 2010
Illustrated Opinion
Letter to the Editor Your blurb on healthcare on Thursday March 24, 2010 is full of liberal lies and inconsistencies. You claim that those opposed to the healthcare reform (that was shoved down our throats) are racists and violent. I’m not saying that every single Tea Party member is immune to racism, but neither is any other human being on the planet, but your claims are just unfounded. The congressman who was allegedly spit on, failed to recognize the man he originally claimed spit on him. Right now, Andrew Breitbart and Michelle Malkin are offering $100,000 as a reward for evidence of anyone calling Congressman John Lewis a “nigger.” Don’t you think that at an event with hundreds, if not thousands, of cameras, one of them would have caught such an insult? The MSM would be playing it over and over. By the way, I’ve attended several Tea Party events Vol 66, No. 23
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and I have Never heard such things, we don’t condone such immature and insulting behavior. You are correct, this is not just about the healthcare, this is about the government taking over more of the private sector and bureaucrats telling people what they can and cannot do regarding their health and other things. I’m a member of the Mcallen Tea Party Association and I invite everyone to learn more about us. The people I’ve met at the MTPA have been nothing less than kind, strong, hard working conservatives from both parties who are tired of too much government intrusion and want nothing more than to bring our Country back to The Constitution. Andrea Casas
April 1 , 2010 Anthony Salinas / The Pan American 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122
EDITOR IN CHIEF
NEWS EDITOR
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Kristen Cabrera / kristenmichellecabrera@yahoo.com ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR
Andrielle Figueroa / j27ig@yahoo.com SPORTS EDITOR
Sara Hernandez/ sarahdzm@hotmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Alma Hernandez / alma.e.hdz@gmail.com SENIOR DESIGNER
Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@utpa.edu ADVISER
Dr. Greg Selber / selberg@utpa.edu
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE
Anita Reyes / areyes18@utpa.edu
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Mariel Cantu/ spubs@utpa.edu
WEBMASTER
Jose Villarreal / josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com
Newspaper, magazine take top honors Brian Silva Editor in Chief
Brian Silva / brian.silva2@gmail.com
Roxann Garcia/ nevaeh09@msn.com
From the Editor
**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.
After an extraordinary year, The Pan American has achieved first place for the highly sought after Overall Excellence award at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference. In addition, Student Publications’ Panorama magazine received second place for their Overall Excellence award. These two awards represent an incredible achievement that stand as a testament to each staff’s Bronc Radio/TV 1st place - TV sports writing - Lilli Lopez 2nd place - TV advertising - Stephanie Becerra Panorama: 1st place - Daniel Flores - Feature Photo The Pan American: 1st place - 2-Person Photo Essay Daniel Flores and Alma Hernandez THE GALLERY 3rd place - Overall Literary Magazine Excellence - The Gallery THE PAN AMERICAN 1st place, Overall Newspaper Excellence The Pan American Honorable Mention, Best Multimedia Package - Sara Hernandez, Kristen Cabrera, Kevin
dedication to excellence. It is no easy task to assemble such a quality publication, but can only be put together by a quality staff. Their dedication and commitment to success is something to be very proud of. On the broadcast side, the Bronc TV/Radio program took 17 awards home from the conference. For a new program this is an extraordinary achievement. These journalism honors tell the tale of a Student Publications organization that is striving toward
excellence in their respective fields. To be the top in the state among fellow universities and colleges is one of the greatest honors that can come from the TIPA conference. The service of providing the students of UTPA with superb access to information about their university should be lauded. It is an industry that is commonly overlooked for its steadfast service to freedom of information. Achievements of this magnitude are to be worn with pride, and we take this one moment to humbly boast.
Stich, “The Press Box” Honorable Mention, Best Online Interactivity - Kristen Cabrera, Jose Villarreal, Brian Silva, “panamericanonline.com” Honorable Mention, Best Online Breaking News – Kristen Cabrera
Becerra 3rd Place - Spot News -Damian Silva and Hector Zapata 2nd place - Radio Documentary - Veronica Gonzalez 3rd place - Radio Documentary - Veronica Gonzalez 3rd place - Overall Radio Newscast - Lilli Lopez, Nancy Alvarez, Hector Zapata 3rd place - TV Sportscast - Otter Ortiz Honorable Mention - TV Non-Feature Story Stephanie Becerra and Naxi Lopez 3rd place - TV Documentary - Alex Pena Honorable Mention - Overall TV Newscast Bernie Corpus and Stephanie Becerra 2nd place - TV Feature Story - Bernie Corpus and Elizabeth Robaina Honorable Mention - General Website Excellence - Bronc Radio/TV
PANORAMA 2nd place overall design - staff 2nd place overall general excellence - staff BRONC RADIO/TV Honorable Mention - Radio Public Affairs Dulce Daniel Honorable Mention - Radio PSA - Hector Zapata Honorable Mention - Radio Sportscast - JD Salinas and Alex Pena Honorable Mention - Radio Feature Story Isaac Garza Honorable Mention - Spot News - Stephanie
3 Renaissance check foots bill for April conference April 1, 2010
By Naxiely Lopez The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American received a $20,000 check from Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg in support of a biomedical ethics conference happening April 13-16. The conference, Promoting Ethics and Values in Health Care and in the Practice of Medicine in the Rio Grande Valley, is being put together by The Pan American Collaboration for Ethics in the Professions (PACE), which was established in 2008. The goal of the conference is to bring together medical experts from around the United States with students and the community to talk about numerous ethical issues that arise in medical practice, health care, and biomedical research. “You have to invest in your community in order for it to invest in you,” said Dr. Carlos Cardenas who presented the check to UTPA President Dr. Robert Nelsen at a press conference March 24. “There’s no
question that when you look at building communities, building infrastructure and economic development… all the different forces that help to make the community great, there are several pillars. Of those pillars, the ones that are the strongest are education, education, and education.” However, he says, education is not just about sitting in class. “Medicine is not just about science; it is about the care of people in communities,” he said, adding that this community is a unique one with a unique culture. The conference will address issues that are important to the Valley through panel discussions, presentations, and academic papers. Topics include chronic illnesses, access to care, immigration, economics, natural disasters, and assisted death. “I went to a liberal arts school in north Texas, and I remember taking
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Naxiely Lopez / THE PAN AMERICAN
PAY DAY - Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance presents a $20,000 check to Dr. Robert Nelsen at a press conference March 24. The money will fund a biomedical ethics conference in April.
Campus cats become condemned critters Finding By Kristen Cabrera The Pan American Earlier this week 12 university cats were rounded up and charged with public indecency and lewd behavior after witnesses reported seeing them engaged in explicit sexual behavior on campus. “The lewd and unabashed behavior of the university’s feline population has gone on long enough,” Police Chief Michael Kind stated. “It is with these
arrests that we set a precedent for cat conduct around campus.” Various reports dating back to when the four-legged fiends first settled on university grounds in 1985 show complaints of “loud high-pitched noises” similar to baby cries throughout the day. The report also lists 57 eyewitnesses who recounted catching the animals in the act in broad daylight. Charlotte Renudo is among those on the list, and is disgusted by what the university has
allowed to happen for so long. “Its ridiculous,” the 28-year-old education major said. “As soon as I turn the corner that [inappropriate activity] is in my face, not to mention that annoying sound ringing in my ears. I don’t understand why it has taken the university so long to do something about it. They are just public nuisances and should all be put behind bars.” Yet local animal physiologist Dr. Fran Scowers doesn’t entirely believe
that their natural animal instincts are at the root of the problem. He suggests a different tack. “I believe that Copy Cat Syndrome is the real culprit behind these acts,” said the Edinburg native. “Sufferers of CCS have a need to reenact what they are exposed to. With explicit themes and acts in movies, music videos,
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FESTIBA speaker updates crowd on Darfur By Naxiely Lopez The Pan American
Alma E. Hernandez / THE PAN AMERICAN
DARFUR IN CRISIS - Dr. Lako Tongun speaking at this year’s FESTIBA, estimates that more than 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur, Sudan, since 2003.
Dr. Lako Tongun may not know his exact age, but he knows firsthand the conflicts happening in Sudan. Tongun, who was born and raised in the southern part of that African nation, is now an associate professor at Pitzer College in California. He was invited by the University of Texas-Pan American to speak at this year’s Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) on the topic of world revolutions. The weeklong event completed its fifth year last week, aiming to improve literacy in South Texas and raise awareness of important issues around the world. Tongun, whose area of expertise is in African and Third World politics and economy, gave a lecture March 23 titled Darfur: Crisis and Genocide. He focused on the mass killings happening in the western region of
Sudan known as Darfur. “More than 300,000 people have been killed since February 2003,” he said. “There are more than 250,000 refugees, and 2.5 million more are internally displaced.” According to the United Nations, internally displaced persons are people on the run in their own country. Unlike refugees, they remain within the boundaries of their government, even though that government might be the cause of flight. Tongun, who was given his name and an approximate age by the UN after becoming a Sudanese refugee in 1962, says this is the case in Darfur. He explained that there is an identity crisis happening in Sudan, where the government is composed of military regimes that identify with the Arab world, while 60 percent of the population sees itself as African. Tongun went on to say that the main
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popular worded opinions By Pamela Morales The Pan American
In a new twist on the famous word-association test, Grant Benham, associate professor of psychology at the university, is trying to find what’s on people’s minds. Benham, who’s been at UTPA for eight years, developed a survey experiment called the Word Clouds Project that entails a non-traditional method of research. “I was looking for a creative venture that would simultaneously allow me to say something about the human condition,” he said. The idea was derived from a Pew Research Center study that asked individuals what word described the 2008 presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. The top three words for Obama were “inexperienced,” “change” and “intelligent.” For McCain, the words were “old,” “patriotic” and “Bush/Bush-like.” According to Benham, these words are considered to be “visual representations of the frequency with which certain words are used.” The more a word is used, the more it is noticeable and therefore, peeking out of the cloud of endless
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Gomez noted. “This allows me to train journalists and college students in demanding that Mexican authorities solve these cases.” Gomez has investigated a number of journalist deaths near the border since starting with IAPA. The incidences have risen significantly since President Felipe Calderon began the war on drugs at the start of his presidency in 2006. Reynosa has experienced an upsurge in problems over the past 18 months, joining the hot spot Ciudad Juarez on the sad list of affected areas. “To know when the violence actually began, you have to go as far back as 20 years ago,” the investigative journalist stressed. “This was happening because no one at the time was taking action against the cartels. We were allowing them to conduct business right under our noses without the thought of it escalating to this.” When crime methods are effective in forcing communities, authorities, and media to submit, it produces more of these methods. Gomez said the situation of selfcensorship to ensure safety of journalists has happened so rapidly that the change for the worse has gone unnoticed by many people. She also suggests that American demand for recreational drugs has not helped matters at all. Until last year, journalists were under the impression that nothing would happen to them, she continued. The year 2008 was recorded as the most violent in history with 2009 showing a spike in cruelty and injury to innocent citizens. In 2010, some
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continued from Page 1 observers feel that the numbers might decrease as the war reaches a climax, with exposure of the violence increasing, along with prosecutions of perpetrators. One case in particular Gomez investigated involved an accountant who wrote for a local paper in Tabasco, Mexico. The young writer mentioned a shooting that had taken place in an article he had submitted. Shortly afterward he was kidnapped and found later at a ranch, dismembered. Gomez has also experienced firsthand what can happen to a reporter investigating the dangerous subject. She recalls a time when she was in Mexico driving home and noticed a car swerving and forth in front of her. She immediately phoned Mexican authorities and as soon as the chance presented itself, she sped in front of the mysterious vehicle and drove off. Another experience involved Gomez walking to a friend’s home when she noticed an armed man following her. She quickly raised her phone to her ear and pretended to talk loudly with a friend, suggesting that she was right outside the house. The man quickly retreated and she returned to her vehicle and went home. “What helps me is that I am so lucky to know my country well. I know what to ask, who to ask and where to ask,” said the 17-year veteran. “I’ve been in this business for so long, I know how to manage these situations.” One of the problems in ending
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after the conclusion of an internal investigation by the university and UTPA has worked with NCAA officials since the beginning of the process. The sanctions basically amount to a series of reductions: the number of scholarships goes down from 13 to 12 and there will be decreased recruiting opportunities including fewer phone calls to prospective student-athletes allowed. But it could have been worse, as the key facet of the NCAA ruling was that the university’s self-imposed sanctions for its violations would suffice. Athletic Director Chris King, who’s been at the university since September, expressed relief in a statement released by the university Tuesday afternoon. “I’m looking forward to putting this investigation behind us,” he said in the statement. The conclusion of the NCAA investigation comes at the end of a rocky period for UTPA athletics. Tom Schuberth, who was the men’s basketball coach
during the period when violations took place, was not rehired by the university at the conclusion of last year’s basketball season, after three seasons at the helm. DeAnn Craft, the women’s basketball coach, also suffered the same fate at the end of last year’s season. The non-renewal of the hoops contracts occurred under the watch of Interim Athletics Director Ricky Vaughn, after former director Scott Street resigned. King replaced Street. Last summer former interim president Charles Sorber expressed displeasure with the state of the athletics department. He made it clear he was not happy with its leadership, but that restructuring was occurring to produce an improved department in the end. When asked about the past year’s troubles, Nelsen reaffirmed that he was pleased that this point marks a moment to move forward. “It puts us on more solid ground,” Nelsen said. “I’m glad it’s all over.”
The report reveals the extensive exploration began in 2008 and which took over 18 months. Findings determined the South Central Regulatory Institution (SCRI) that is responsible for reviewing university credentials is inept, as fraudulent federal forms have been discovered and legal proceedings have begun. When UTPA officials were contacted for comment, the request was declined. The university is required to repay the federal government in excess of 3 million including penalty fees for those courses and credits found useless, as the SCRI is a branch within the university system. Pan American students who have received federal Pell Grants, will now need to be refunded due to federal guidelines of unqualified credits. Students who paid cash for these courses, will also be credited. Please see a listing of available credits at your designated counselor’s office. Further information can be obtained via the FBI hotline at 1-ube-anf-ulld.
the crisis has to do with economics. Corruption is firmly entrenched in many Mexican institutions, including the police and military, making it difficult to know which side supposedly trustworthy officials are on. “There was no service ethic upon these individuals; it was easy to move towards the other side,” she commented. “The labor conditions are not enough to keep them focused on societal issues.” The government, she continued,
became comfortable for years as the responsibility to keep order was lifted. Fear was generated in Mexico as the government justified militant authorities conducting operations on the streets that violated human rights. The journalists under fire need to continue to try and expose wrongdoing from officials, while finding new ways to bring the story to citizens despite the danger. “Coverage in Mexico and the U.S. is not enough; everything is changing
too quickly,” Gomez said. “We need to cover from different angles, more so than what we are used to.” The prominent journalist suggests a social compact between the media and the country to defend human rights and fight against organized crime. Solving some of the structural problems of the Republic, like corruption and economic woes, might help too, “It isn’t about who is behind it, it’s a social problem,” Gomez said.
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continued from Page 3 my first bioethics course,” Cardenas said. “Bioethics was in its infancy, and it was usually taught by a professor in religion, or a professor in humanities.” Today, advances in technology and science have brought about more controversies regarding ethics in medicine. Cardenas says he can think of no other time in the Valley’s history when this could be more important, suggesting that the focus is to “bring thought leaders from other parts of the country to visit our area, where they can see it firsthand, and work with people who know what it is to deal with chronic disease, what it means to deal with chronic poverty, the cycles of poverty, and end-of-life issues that are so important in our community.” Nelsen agrees. “The Valley is historically underserved when it comes to medical care,” he said, noting that this is a good way for the university to give back to the community. According to Dr. Thomas Pearson,
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continued from Page 3 associate professor of philosophy and conference organizer, the money will be used to help pay for all the conference’s relevant expenses. “We’re bringing five keynote speakers, and a portion of the money will help pay for their accommodations, as well as food for the conference,” he said. “The keynote speakers will work closely with the students in the classrooms and labs. They’ll also be working with the community on issues that are important to this area.” Over 400 people are expected to attend, including physician and medical ethicist Dr. Ira Kodner from Washington University. He is director of one of the only comprehensive programs in ethics and human values at a university in the United States. Lawrence Gelman, physician and CEO at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance, is expected to attend as well. “I say over and over, ‘Mano a Mano,’” Nelsen concluded. “And that’s what we are.”
conflict in Darfur is between two groups of people - a nomadic Arab group and African farmers. “They used to have good relations in the past,” he said. “But it changed after the governemnt tried to step in and regulate the land.” He says Sudanese officials used the nomadic Arab group to form a militia called the Janjaweed, which in translation from Arab means Devil on Horseback, specifically to attack civillians, in this case African farmers. “The purpose for the government in doing that, is they want room for deniability,” he said. “They want to claim ‘it’s not us doing that, it’s the militia.’” Tongun said one of the reasons the government has been able to facilitate the attacks is due to the lack of media coverage - an issue of recent local import in the form of self-censorpship by Mexican reporters who are in fear of retribution from narco traffickers
such as the Zetas. “The government did not allow the world press in to the country,” he said. “Instead, reporters were rerouted to Chad, a neighboring country. There, they were able to speak to some refugees and evetually get some information on the situation.” In 2005, the UN set up a commission to investigate allegations of genocide in Sudan. Representatives from five countries were sent to investigate, but Tongun says they were not allowed to move freeily within the region. Their conclusion was detailed in a 176-page report staying that acts of genocide were committed, but noting lack of enough evidence to conclude that the government had pursued a policy of genocide. The commission also found that “government forces and militias conducted indiscriminate attacks, including killing of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, destruction of villages, rape and other forms of
sexual violence, pillaging and forced displacement, throughout Darfur.” On March 4, 2009 the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity, but again ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him for genocide. Because the ICC does not have a police force, AlBashir remains a fugitive. As long as he remains in Sudan or in countries that are not obliged by the ICC to arrest him, he is free. In fact, he is running for re-election in April. UTPA History Professor Dr. Tamer Balci personally invited Tongun to the university. Balci was once Tongun’s student in graduate school, and says that it is important for students to learn about ongoing troubles around the globe. “We learn lessons from every conflict,” he said, added that residents in the Valley have one brewing next door.
discriminations between classes,” Scowers said. “Luckily sexting has not caught on with the species due to their lack of opposable thumbs.” Renudo however doesn’t think CCS can explain other popular complaints that have swamped UTPA PD; their flagrant, vagabond rudeness and overpopulation. “I can’t peacefully sit outside without the mongrels coming up to me and begging for food,” said the Edinburg native. “Some even hold up signs that have been obviously altered to say ‘do’ instead of ‘don’t
feed the cats.’ Others send their kittens to go out and do the dirty work. It’s just sickening.” Conversely, engineering major Alyssa Garcia said she is worried for the welfare of the kittens. “Half of the cats on campus are always pregnant,” she claimed. “The mothers shouldn’t be having sex and making kittens if they can’t own up to the responsibility of taking care of them. It’s a shame because of their disgusting disregard for decency their children must suffer for it.” After four years of living at the
university, Garcia said has gotten used to the vulgarity of the cats and just ignores them. “I just pass right by them as if they don’t exist,” she said. “It’s not like I can do anything about it, they’re not going to change. So I just stay away from corners where I know they usually hang around and if they do come up to me begging I just say ‘No, thank you’ and walk away. People should learn to just ignore them and go one with their own business.” Scowers disagreed with Garcia and stated that the best course of
action to take against the felines is more practical as well as beneficial. “In reaction to the arrest of the 12 cats, The Feline Rehabilitation Center of the Valley and I have constructed a program to cure the cats of CCS and eventually release them back into society to be productive members,” he outlined. “It is titled ‘Cat Catch and Release.’” The program is scheduled to start in mid April with a full staff of 28 animal physiologists, rehabilitators, councilors and veterinarians. Their first patients will be the Infamous 12.
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continued from Page 3 music and even video games, it’s no wonder the cats on campus act the way they do…they are just copying their surroundings.” Scowers explained that this is not the first instance of CCS to be taken into the media. In the early part of the last decade, 346 teenagers around the country were injured trying to perform stunts they saw on the MTV show “Jackass.” “These cases provide clear connections between the involuntary need to mimic one’s social surroundings and has no
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Norma Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN
CANDIDATES - President and vice president candidates Brian Silva and Erika Perez present their platform at the presidential debate March 25 in the Quad.
hypothesis, only the interest in studying the word possibilities. The 10-minute survey has questions asking power of one-word responses that describe for a favorite food, opinion on abortion, current issues. Among the growing number of individuals among others Just like with the Pew study, taking the survey is Amy the responses must be the Claudio, a junior in education. first word that comes to mind. Claudio said she likes the whole Generally, the responses are concept of having to respond to meant to stand out “amidst the questions with just one word. cloud of words” and possibly She also said that other students describe the feeling that should take this survey and look relates to certain age groups, into the results out of curiosity. nationalities and genders. “It’s really interesting,” she “I am hoping to cast as wide said. “I’d take another survey with a net as possible so that people different words.” with different backgrounds To take this survey, Benham and different perspectives encourages participation at can be represented,” Benham wordclouds.questionpro.com, clarified. Grant Benham which will then direct the individual Since its launch three weeks ago, 200 individuals have responded. to a Facebook page for more samples of word Benham’s goal thus far is 1,000 and he clouds. “I’m also interested to see whether hopes word clouds “evolve as more people respond.” There isn’t an exact date for using Facebook helps to spread the survey completion of the survey or an actual nationally and internationally,” he said.
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Scavenger hunt paid for by student, tuition fees By Andrielle Figueroa the pan american
“Real American Stories” is the new Fox News show that will be hosted by Sarah Palin. Problems have already come up on the participation of rapper LL Cool J, who claims to have no involvement.
It’s Miley! “Last Song,” a story with love, music and a teary plot line, opens in theaters March 31. We would expect nothing less from a film inspired by a Nicholas Sparks novel. Too bad critics have been panning Cyrus’ acting skills left and right.
David Byrne and Fatboy Slim teamed up for “Here Lies Love”; the album is due to come out April 6. The project has songs with artists like Santogold, St. Vincent and Tori Amos.
Applegirl002, a South Korean girl has done a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” using her instruments - four iPhones and a handful of apps. Her channel can be found on YouTube.
Easter is just around the corner and with a break Friday, and a campuswide event has given students a feel for child’s play. The campus will be furnished with hundreds of brightly colored and other inconspicuously painted eggs to treat students to an event titled Scavenger Funds. The festivities began March 31 and will end April 5. The increase in tuition funds this academic year has created a heap of money that the school did not expect. In turn the university has decided to give back to students; Scavenger Funds has found a way to do so in a creative manner. The event was thought up by Anita Banar of Student Financial Aid Services. “Students will be able to find maps on tables in the Student Union, and then those maps will give them clues
as to where these eggs are hidden,” Banar explained. These are not the average Easter eggs, however. Each one has a ticket inside that can be exchanged for cash or prizes. The smallest amount of money will be $50 and the largest will be $1,000, while some students will find coupons good at local restaurants and for gaming equipment and shopping sprees. Financial Aid Services has spent a lot of time mapping out the search, so it will not be easy to find these special eggs. “There will be an assortment of maps. Students can pick and choose one that parallels with their daily routine,” Banar stated. “If you spend most of your time in the MAGC building then you would take the map for the surrounding area.” Many egg snatchers have already claimed their prizes, one being graphic design major Juanita Lopez. The 22-year-old found her
Many of the hints involve math golden egg just outside a building. “I have a long break in between equations and odd hiding spots; Banar says they classes where I hoped to stimulate spend my time in the minds of the library, and “ I have a long break in students when there I discovered creating clues. a map,” Lopez between classes where “We would explained. “I found I spend my time in like all students my prize next to to participate in the bike rack on the library, and there this event and the west side of the I discovered a map. I just have a good building.” time,” Banar Lopez’s loot found my prize next to said. “Remember was a ticket for there are 500 $500 in cash. the bike rack on the west eggs placed all Now there are side of the building. ” over the campus, only three more make sure to left in the race, find one while so make sure you you still have the follow the clues Juanita Lopez chance.” precisely. Each Graphic design major Students can map has a set of find maps in the guidelines and Student Union and riddles, to separate those who are willing to take on the can redeem their tickets by sending an e-mail to banara@utpa.edu. task and others who are not.
Students react to new Virtual Narcissism degree available soon By Kristen Cabrera the pan american
Freshman Juliza Sanchez of San Benito is always on Facebook. She also has MySpace, Twitter, Photobucket, YouTube and Livejournal accounts that consume most of her day. “It’s actually really hard to keep track of all my profiles and friends online,” the sociology major stated. “I get mobile updates and I have a smart phone, but I just need more time in the day to balance everything out and let more people know what I’m doing all the time. I think it would be awesome to have classes teaching us how to do this professionally.” The University of Texas-Pan American has taken this into account and constructed a new bachelors degree, Virtual Narcissism, in the Communication Department. The coursework for the new major will consist of specialized classes dealing with online social networking skills
and shameless self-promotion. This includes new classes such as Comm 1222, Photo Uploading; Comm 2445, MySpace Photo-angle Techniques; Comm 3345, Braggart Writing for Bloggers; Comm 3338, Instant Status Upload Procedure; and Comm 4344, Video One-man Show Producing. “The idea is this,” department chair Tim Motothy said. “It’s for the students to dive into the new media and thoroughly express themselves while entertaining the globe with their semi-mediocre everyday life adventures and supposed charisma.” With such YouTube breakout icons like ‘Smosh’ and ‘Fred,’ the department hopes to produce heavyhitting egocentrics to blog about their importance on the Internet and generate high numbers of followers. “It’s an entrepreneurial market,” stated professional YouTube vloger Jonathan Weissler via e-mail; his YouTube show has garnered
over 800,000 hits and has 45,000 subscriptions. “You’re taking yourself, your life, your personal persona and splashing it all over the world for everyone to see, enjoy and approve of. It’s kind of an invigorating experience.” Many students are excited to be a follower just as much as an online starlet. Denise Zapata of Edinburg is currently following 958 people, shows, and corporations on Twitter. “It’s a great place to get coupons,” said the 22-year-old criminal justice major. “And find out whether or not your favorite celebrities are home, or even where your ex-boyfriend is going out that night. I don’t understand why more people don’t put their exact locations and actions out on the Web more often!” The degree is in its infancy on a probationary basis. There is a registration cap on the number of students who can sign up for classes. Currently 99 students have signed up
out for the initial allotment of 100 spaces, and many of those, including Zapata, are current students outside the College of Arts and Humanities who have switched majors entirely. “I’m really excited to participate in the new major,” said Zapata, who was a pre-med/biology major and National Merit Scholar before the news broke. “I can’t wait to get my face out there and have thousands and thousands of new friends following all my actions and me. Who needs privacy or a medical degree? Celebrity status is what I really want to go for.” The explosion of new media and social networking sites online has made the UTPA Communications Department the 25th public school in the country to create such a degree. UCLA was the first to announce the implementation of an ‘Online Networking degree geared to the public satisfaction of a voyeuristic society,’ as stated in a press release last month.
Monica Herbert McAllen
Cesar Olivarez Edinburg
Daniel C. Clark Edinburg
Age: 21
Age: 22
Age: 21
Major: Rehab Studies Class: Junior
Major: Business Class: Junior
Major: Philosophy-Business
“A girlfriend of mine called me up and used a guy’s voice in order to freak me out, telling me he was right outside my window. I hung up the phone all scared!”
“Years ago people in Mexico freaked out about this mountain that was supposed to be moved by the government. Everyone thought that it was going to happen, they were going crazy about it, but not me. I’m too smart for that.”
Class: Freshman
“My ex-girlfriend told me she was pregnant, when she wasn’t. That completely freaked me out.”
April 1, 2010
ARTS AND LIFE
Page 11
Duo illustrates Border life through arts it allowed her the freedom to take time off from drawing. “I was in a lot of pain. There’s something in dealing with difficulty, According to Hispanic Market pain, and struggling that somehow Weekly, an estimated 89.2 percent of can even bring out the depths of the Rio Grande Valley’s 1.2 million dignity of a person. It’s hard to people are Hispanic. A majority of express,” she recalled. “In some that percentage was undoubtedly way, I kind of used these people to born or raised here. With that comes a express what I was experiencing. It was also an sense of taking for expression of granted the area in compassion for which they were them.” brought up. “One of the last poems in As her condition F o r t u n a t e l y, the book is called, ʻEs una improved, so Steven Schneider, did her mood. an English mentira.ʼ It speaks to many Portraits of happy professor at of the lies made up about musicians and a The University smiling bootseller of Texas-Pan the border. What weʼre started to appear American, along trying to do in our book in the growing with his wife, collection. Reefka Schneider, is to present the real lives Throughout highlight faces of this time, Steven the forgotten of the of real people; the human Schneider decided Rio Grande Valley side of the border that to try his hand at in their bilingual writing about the book “Borderlines: often gets overlooked in figures in her work. Drawing Border the headlines about drugs Over the course of Lives,” or five or six years, “Fronteras: and violence and crime.” the published poet Dibujando las chose 25 of her vidas fronterizas” drawings to write in Spanish. Steven Schneider poems about. Work for the English professor “These poems book, which and her drawings celebrates its speak to certain official release issues here along today, began in 2001 when the couple first relocated the border, including literacy, poverty, the importance of cross-cultural to the Valley from Nebraska. “When I moved here, I immediately dialogue…because, really, we’re met up with a group of artists that one people living on two sides of the arranged for a model each week so river,” he said. Hitting a somber note,. Schneider I got to begin drawing what I called then, ‘Faces of the Rio Grande Valley,” remembers no border wall at the start of the project. Reefka Schneider said. “One of the last poems in the book Shortly after, a serious injury sustained in a car accident prevented is called, ‘Es una mentira.’ (‘It is a lie’ her continuing the craft for about in English) This is a woman in Nuevo a year. When she was finally able Progreso and she’s telling us, ‘You to work again, Schneider only know, the border wall is an artificial worked from photographs because barrier. The border was always a
By Victor Ituarte the pan american
Pat & Rowley Illustrated by Anthony Salinas the pan american
Student exhibit uses third dimension with metal, meat By Cecily Saldana the pan american
Courtesy of Reefka Schneider MOTHER-DAUGHTER LOVE - Steven Schneider and wife Reefka use their talents to show emphasis on the Border culture. Their work will be shown in the Schilling Room in the UTPA Library April 7. river,’” he explained. “It speaks to many of the lies made up about the border. What we’re trying to do in our book is to present the real lives of real people; the human side of the border that often gets overlooked in the headlines about drugs and violence and crime.” Last year, the artsy couple’s exhibit, featured in the Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) at UTPA, drew the gaze of famed writer Sandra Cisneros, author of “The House on Mango Street.” Cisneros offered a testimonial, which is now one of four displayed on the back of the book.
“Ordinary folks rendered with love, compassion, and intimacy at a time in history when love, compassion, and intimacy are in short supply on borders, especially when it comes to the Tex-Mex border,” Cisneros said. Steven Schneider will read from “Borderlines: Drawing Border Lives” on Wednesday, April 7 as part of Pan American Days. The event, which will take place in the Schilling Room of the UTPA library, is open to the university community. A signing will take place after the reading. The book can also be found at the University Bookstore, local Barnes & Noble stores, and Amazon.com.
The student art show “Virtues” has been on display at the Clark Gallery since March 24 and will be closing Friday. The exhibit includes works that illustrate the concept of virtues through petite sculptures and wearable art. Some of these pieces have been created through traditional handwork and others were made with the help of digital technology. Art students at UTPA have used a Dimension 3D printer in order to bring their creations to life. The medium used to create jewelry with this machine is called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. A design is submitted through specific software and the machine melts plastic, contained in an auto-loading cartridge, to a semiliquid state and the design is formed one layer at a time. “It’s interesting to see the plastics and how they’re molded versus the raw metal,” says Hilda Del Rio, a graphic design major. “It gives it a more contemporary look and feel.” Other pieces do include metal and leather mediums; one artist even used dried beef in their jewelry and sculptures. “The meat one is interesting,” said senior graphic design major Jason Rodriguez. Still, the jewelry hasn’t convinced all spectators that it is actually functional. “I like a lot of the jewelry but I can’t imagine anyone actually wearing it,” says Frank Saldivar, a sophomore art major. “It’s really unconventional. I enjoy it.” “Virtues” will be open to the public at the Clark Gallery at the Fine Arts Building until Friday.
Page 12
April 1, 2010
THE PAN AMERICAN
Author’s novels, short stories gain recognition at UTPA
undying love, adolescent woes, family trials and tribulations, and tests of courage and morale. The author, also a counselor to troubled youth as well Values of family, courage, and as a teacher of English, ESL, and storytelling were crucial components methodology, claims there is a story to that acclaimed author Stella Pope be found everywhere and giving voice Duarte brought to life at a book to those who are too afraid to tell theirs reading at the UTPA library March is what serves as motivation to her. 24 for FESTIBA, a week celebrating “I’m attracted to helplessness, as culture and encouraging the arts and you can tell with ‘If I Die in Juarez,’ literature. Duarte said. “I love to give voice Duarte is author of “Fragile Night,” to somebody who isn’t being heard a collection of short stories, plus because everyone has a story to tell.” novels “Let Their Spirits Dance,” The author and counselor indeed and “If I Die in had many stories Juarez,” and this to tell from the year’s astonishing pieces she read addition, a short aloud, making “Her stories are diverse story collection direct, almost called “Women s o u l s e a r c hing and universally appealing, Who Live in eye contact with Coffee Shops and especially to Mexican her captivated Other Stories.” a u d i e n c e , Americans. When someone Her array of removing her rich cultural stories reading glasses reads them maybe theyʼll stem from her life every time she think, ʻOh gee, I couldʼve growing up in the had a personal Sonorita Barrio philosophy to written that about my of South Phoenix, share. One of relativeʼ and maybe they yet her depictions these is about of a do-it-yourself what her father will. Maybe they can be the attitude and trust taught her about next Stella.” in faith and fate as strong self-will, a part of a Hispanic reoccurring theme heritage mirror in her stories, and a the same values reoccurring theme of those raised in in the Hispanic Virginia Haynie Gause culture. the Valley. When Media and marketing librarian praised by various “Not everybody audience members who should love for her wholesome you will love you,” and understanding she noted. “Now persona, the author offered an what’re you going to do about it?” unforgettable piece of insight without Duarte’s father was also the man missing a beat. who encouraged her talents as a writer “We all have a frequency of energy and encouraged her career when he inside, that’s why sometimes when had a prophetic dream in 1995 of her you meet someone, ‘te cai muy bien’ utilizing her talents. Two years later, (you get along well) and your energies Duarte published “Fragile Night” connect,” Duarte said. “There is no through the Bilingual Review Press. coincidence, everything really does “If someone would have said happen for a reason.” you’re gonna publish,” Duarte reflects, During the presentation, Duarte’s “I would’ve cracked a rib laughing.” words unraveled like silk off the Yet, Duarte, now a highly spindle as she related excerpts from distinguished voice of Hispanic her novels, which weave tales of culture, has been nominated for and
By Monica Yvonne Solis the pan american
Courtesy of Virginia Gause LET THEIR SPIRITS DANCE - Stella Pope Duarte leads a book reading March 24 in the UTPA Library. Duarte’s upbeat energy and bubbly persona captivated those in attendance. received an abundance of awards for her published works. She has twice been awarded the creative writing fellowship from the Arizona Commission on the Arts for “Fragile Night,” the 2009 Arizona Book Award for “Best in Popular Fiction” and two gold medals for Multicultural Fiction as well as honorable mention in the 2009 International Latino Book award for “If I Die in Juarez.” She won first prize for the 34th Annual Chicano/ Latino Literary Prize from the University of California for “Coffee Shops” and the Arizone Highways Fiction Award in 2003 for “Let Their Spirits Dance.” In 2004, she copped the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund Award for an excerpt from “If I Die in Juarez.” The author has been personally recognized by receiving the Excellence in Latino Arts and Culture Award in 2003, and in 2005 the Outstanding Alumni of the Year by the American
Association of Community Colleges. Duarte has an obvious knack for writing and telling her stories in a way that connects to people as human beings that love unconditionally, humble themselves in the face of tragedy, learn to learn from every experience, and seek a shoulder to lean on in times of hopelessness. “I don’t care how noisy this world is – it cannot match the invisible world in here,” Duarte said, pointing to her heart and a book she held. “If you have no one to talk your soul out to, someone who won’t judge, you have nothing.” The author proved to be that nonjudgmental and inspirational figure for many in the audience such as art and English major Beatrice Guzman. “I felt she was validating what I had been doing for the last two years: writing and painting about my community,” said Guzman. “Coming
from a Mexican family, it has been hard for me to find support in following my need to create art. It has been hard since no one in my family has done it before. “One of the things I learned from Ms. Duarte is that sometimes the people who are supposed to love or support you will not. She said ‘Then what are you going to do about it,’ the responsibility turns to me.” Media and Marketing Librarian Virginia Haynie Gause, a coordinator and attendee of the book presentation, feels confident that readers such as Guzman would identify with Duarte’s characters and hopes the author’s visit inspired potential writers. “Her stories are diverse and universally appealing, especially to Mexican Americans,” Gause said. “And when someone reads them maybe they’ll think, ‘Oh gee, I could’ve written that about my relative’ and maybe they will. Maybe they can be the next Stella.”
Theatre transitions into more pyrotechnics, 3-D effects By Kevin Stich special reporter The University of Texas-Pan American theatre department released its annual budget report Monday, which showed that in 2009 the program’s productions grossed a total of $17 from ticket sales and donations. The UTPA budget office has instated a committee to review the report, which had the inscription “holy shit!” written across it, in order
to assess ways in which to best deal with the waning program. Recently, suggestions from the newly-formed committee have included “throwing a giant tarp over it,” “going all ‘Hamlet 2’ on everyone’s asses” and “blowing up the facilities like that slick scene in ‘The Punisher’ (2004) where there’s that flaming skull.” “Well, the situation is this: UTPA got t’ get paid, son,” budget director Juan Claudio Gonzalez said. “The theatre program really needs to step it
up. Just add explosions to everything. Hey, it worked for Michael Bay.” One change being considered is a “BYOB” policy that would allow attendees to bring ice chests full of beer or liquor into the theatre. Jack Stanley, a professor of communication, playwright and active voice in the program said that the department is open to any and all suggestions to help carry UTPA theatre performances into the next decade. “The program is open to any and all suggestions to help carry UTPA
theatre performances into the next decade,” he said. Many are concerned over the report as it shows a lack of interest in the arts from the UTPA community. “I’m not sure how this could’ve happened, considering that in 2008 – our highest grossing year ever – we made $73.43,” Elva I. Galvan said. “I don’t even know how to explain the 43 cents. Our ticket prices were all whole numbers.” Already added to the list of productions for Fall 2010 are live-
action renditions of the blockbusters “Twilight” and “Avatar.” The theatre department is also discussing doing live-action 3-D performances, although it hasn’t quite worked out what that actually means. “Yeah, that’s our biggest challenge considering that life is already in 3-D,” Stanley said.“As for the latest James Cameron joint, we plan to bring in real Banshees (flying creatures in ‘Avatar’) for the production. This will bring a new level of reality to shows. Stuff needs to get blowed up, real quick.”
April 1, 2010
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 13
April 1, 2010
EXCLUSIVE
Valley View to host U.S.-Mexico match before World Cup
Administration gives Bucky wings By Neena Hernandez The Pan American
By Sara Hernandez THE PAN AMERICAN Are you ready for some futbol? Rio Grande Valley style? Good, because on May 20, the soccer Game of the Century will be played in tiny little Valley View. “Yes, they’re coming,” said Miguel Puente, director of business development of the Rio Grande Valley Bravos. The U.S. Men’s National Team is set to face Mexico in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But this time, it’s the Rio Grande Valley’s chance to experience the rivalry between the two most emblematic national teams in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) area after a last-minute decision made by both national teams and the RGV Bravos staff. The two squads will compete May 20 at Valley View Stadium in Hidalgo, home of the RGV Bravos since the team was founded as part of the United Soccer League in November 2008. The game will mean the preamble to the three final games for both teams, after which official team rosters for the World Cup will be released. The U.S. will face Czech Republic, Turkey and Australia at home, while Mexico will travel to England, Netherlands and Italy after playing its last home game against Chile in Mexico City. Now the local soccer fans have the chance of a lifetime. “This game at the Rio Grande Valley will be of great relevance for the team because we would like to head to the last three games of the preparation with an almost-finalized roster,” said Sunil. K Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer. For the Mexican team, the match will mean rewarding followers both in Mexico and nearby. “It’s very important for Mexico to leave the continent facing a team of high caliber like the United States,” said Justino Campean, president of the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol in a press release earlier this week. In regard to why the organization committee waited until the last minute to release information about the game, Puente mentioned that the news had not been revealed to the media because of the relevance that it would have on soccer fans of the area. A no answer could have resulted in great disappointment from the public if the project had not been finalized. The event wasn’t confirmed until the end of last week. The match is expected to start at 7 p.m. and due to the low capacity of the facilities, prices for the tickets will range from $80 to $150 and will be sold on a first-come first-served basis as the doors open at 5 p.m. that day.
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Photo illustration by Jennifer Tate / THE PAN AMERICAN
NEW AND RENOVATED - The new model of the UTPA mascot, Pegasus, is meant to symbolize strength and bravery. The final version of Bucky will be more muscular and will wear plate armor.
A bronc symbolizes strength and natural companionship and is represented well by the athletic program at The University of Texas-Pan American. But one minor change will give the mascot a little extra bit of symbolism. In the fall of 2010, UTPA’s bronc will be getting its wings. The administration agreed that a mythical creature known for its elevation should provide hope for new heights in achievement for the athletic program. Athletic director Chris King suggested at a meeting held last week in the UTPA Ballroom that the revamped mascot will give the athletes new aspirations. “Wings symbolize flight and I think that if the bronc were to get wings, it will be like a Pegasus figure and show others the strength and bravery that our athletic program has,” he said. “I believe that the whole mascot will be changed in order to look more well-built, with muscles and some armor…and the wings will definitely be big!” A sketch of the new and improved mascot has been passed around campus to show athletes the representation they will work with to compete at their best. Sara Hernandez, a junior hurdler from Brownsville, feels that this just the push the athletes need to succeed. “This is a great idea,” she said. “I feel very proud of the university to do something like this because it would be very cool to go to a competition with my track gear and
show the other schools our buffedup bronc with wings! Since I compete in the hurdle competitions, the wings will give me more flight to be at the top of the rankings.” Oscar Garcia, a sophomore from Edinburg majoring in biology, thinks the bronc should undergo even more changes. “If they are going to remodel the mascot, they should change the school’s colors too. It should be white and blue to go with the whole theme of Pegasus,” Garcia said. “Maybe the name should be changed too but in all, I think this is an awesome idea! It would be cool to say that I’m a Pegai,” he said. The origin of Pegasus, the winged horse of days gone by, comes from the Greek word pegai, and UTPA is considering the suggestion. “During the meeting, we not only talked about modifying the bronc but we also talked about changing the name as well,” King said. “Since it is inspired by Pegasus, we did some research and found the word ‘pegai’ relating to the name of Pegasus. When the modifications are made, UTPA may just be a home for the Pegais. We can say that we are Pegains.” Another meeting will be held April 9 at 10 a.m to finalize the innovation. There will also be a suggestion box in the front of a statue of the old-school Bronc, located at the front of the school’s Visitors Center. The university community is encouraged to drop by the athletic department and give feedback on the monumental mascot ideas, or call 381-2221.
UTPA football program to kick off in 2012 By Benny Salinas The Pan American The smiles and spirit flowed deep into the night last week in the university courtyard as students celebrated the announcement that The University of Texas-Pan American will reinstate the long-formant football team. After the crowd waited nearly three hours for a decision from the university, at 10:30 p.m., president Robert S. Nelsen and athletic director Chris King, along with a panel of selected faculty members, emerged from a closed-door meeting to announce that UTPA would be back on the gridiron starting in 2012. The school last fielded a team back in 1950 when it was known as Edinburg Junior College. “It took awhile but I’m glad we finally got this thing pushed through,” Nelsen said. “It’ll take a while before we start seeing the benefits of this football
they would go directly to the football proteam, but it’ll be completely worth it.” Much of the debate surrounding the gram. The payment plan did not seem to idea regarded finances, given the tight bother most students. budget the univer“I’m not really concerned about lossity has had to deal with the last two “Iʼm not really con- ing my financial aid. We got football!” said years. Also an issue cerned about losing my sophomore Jesus Sawas where the stadium for the team financial aid. We got las, carrying a sign that read: “We don’t need will be built. Nelsen football!” no stinkin’ money… cleared up perhaps We got football!” the most pressing isFellow student sue himself. “There wasn’t Adan Salinas echoed Jesus Salas any real argument sophomore the sentiment. “I don’t use my fiabout it, we all wantnancial aid for what ed a football team, I’m supposed to use it we just didn’t know if we could pay for it,” he noted. “So we for anyway,” he admitted. “I mean, last decided that the best possible way to pay semester I spent it all on a trampoline and for this was to use student financial aid.” a four-wheeler…and some beer.” In fall of 2011 the football departUnder the payment program, students would fill out their FAFSA as usual but ment will begin recruitment for a team instead of receiving financial aid checks, by looking at both local and regional
high school teams. The hope is to provide many players who are not picked up by other colleges a chance to continue their pigskin careers. “In all realness, we’re gonna get beat really badly by other colleges,” Salas said. “But I mean at least now we’ll be able to see Texas and Notre Dame play in our town for free!” There is still debate over where to build the stadium but sources say that expanding the track field is a definite possibility. Building a completely new stadium for the team could be too costly. The president announced that the best plan right now is to evacuate all students from on-campus housing to make room. Still, as the night broke into the early hours of the morning and the celebrations died down, a new feeling of Bronc pride lingered over the university and will more than likely continue until the opening kickoff in 2012.
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April 1, 2010
March 4, 2010
Lady Broncs find no place like home
Track improves at Rice, heads to Texas Relays By Alvaro Balderas THE PAN AMERICAN
Norma Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN
ONE LAST TIME- Luisa Cantu is one of four seniors that played their last game at the Orville Cox Tennis Center yesterday; the other seniors are Megan Bedeau, Sarah Burton and Nina Ciric. The Lady Broncs lost 4-2 to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. By Neena Hernandez The Pan American With hard work and extreme focus, The University of Texas-Pan American women’s tennis team toughened up to beat McNeese 4-3 in their home match but lose the next day during the senior’s last home match. After a 4-0 upset in their March 22 match against the University of New Orleans, Coach Chris Taylor was pleased with how the match against McNeese turned out. “I am so proud of how the girls fought. I felt we played some excellent doubles at 1 and 2,” he said. “It was a battle out there on those courts and I am so proud to see what we have been working on doubles came to fruition in a tough match like that.” For the doubles competition, the No. 1 spot was taken by Luisa Cantu and Megan Bedeau who defeated Ralista Pirdopska and Victoria Martinez 9-8(8). Nina Ciric and Reetta Raty were in the No. 2 spot and defeated IIona Serchenko and Kwynn Biggs 8-6. In the No. 3 spot Tea Tvrkovic
and Inga Efimenko defeated UTPA’s Sara Burton and Andrea Salvetova 8-3. Cantu, a senior from Victoria, Tamps, Mexico, majoring in international business, was satisfied with the results that came from her team. “We’ve been working on doubles a lot and I think that showed at the courts,” she said. “I played very well, we were able to pull it out in the doubles and we played a great match. It gave me confidence to go into my singles.” Taylor commented that his veterans have been coming through lately. “Sarah and Luisa showed their experience as seniors and played some of their best tennis to put us up 3-0,” he said. In singles, Cantu defeated Pirdopska 6-1, 6-2. Serchenko beat Ciric 6-1, 6-4. Biggs bested Raty 6-3, 6-4. Burton topped Efimenko 6-0, 6-2, and Tvrtrovic took down Salvetova 6-4, 6-3. The women had a close match as Megan Bedeau defeated Victoria Martinez 6-1, 7-6(4) with the deciding point giving UTPA the win.
“Megan has been in that situation many times before. Maria [Graduate Assistant Coach Klokotzky] and I had the confidence that she would be able to close out the match for us,” Taylor said. Raty wasn’t happy with her single’s competition and felt there were some touch-ups that needed to be made when she plays next. “Nina and I played pretty good together but I could have done a little better in my singles. I was playing a little worse than the last match against New Orleans,” she explained. “I need to work on my returns, they are shaky. I just need to be more consistent.” The following match took place yesterday. It was the last home game for the women’s tennis team and also the last for the seniors. The women slipped from their win with McNeese and lost to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-2. The women only competed in the singles. Mirna Cicak defeated Cantu 6-2,6-3. Doris Kuselj defeated Ciric 6-4, 6-2. Bedeau picked up a win against Adrienne Kovacs 6-1, retired.
Bronc Results of the Week •Baseball
•Women’s Tennis
HBM 6-5 UTPA HBM 11-4 UTPA TAMU-CC 17-1 UTPA
UTPA 4-3 McNeese State TAMU-CC 4-2 UTPA
•Women’s Golf
UTPA 6-1 TAMU-CC
UALR Women’s Golf Classic 18th/18
•Men’s Tennis
Bianca Discordia defeated Raty 6-3, 6-4. LeAnne Mascall defeated Burton 7-6(3), 6-0 and Andrea Salvetova defeated Nadia Fimalter 6-4, 6-2. “No one likes to lose,” said Taylor. “But we can certainly walk away from knowing that we played some good tennis. I think we let a few points slip away from us in some key situations but overall we hit the ball well today,” “Losing is not the best feeling but sometimes you just got to accept that the other player is better than you, Cicak played well. I feel like I played well and I’m very happy with my performance.” Cantu said. Taylor expressed words of appreciation to his senior girls. “Despite taking over the programs so late in the season, I have embraced the opportunity to get to know these girls—my seniors especially. They are quality girls on and off the court, and I count it a privilege that they call me coach,” he said. Next up for the women is a match against Prairie View A&M in Houston April 10.
The University of Texas-Pan American men’s and women’s track and field teams participated in last weekend’s 28th Annual Victor Lopez Bayou Classic hosted by Rice University. Distance runner Omar Doria and thrower Jesus Alvarez highlighted the men’s side of action while freshman Michelle Zamora and junior Wendy Wells showed well for the Lady Broncs. “We did very well. I think we’re making significant improvements across the board,” Bronc head coach Dave Hartman said. “Being competitive against schools that we once weren’t definitely pleases us.” Doria placed 14th in the 5,000-meter with a time of 1:55.20 Friday and topped that performance the following day in the 800 meters, running 1:55.20 for an 11th-place finish. His 14th place finish may not immediately stand out, but for Doria, given it was his first-ever 5K on track, it is a learning experience that he will use to get better. “I just was not used to it. I was up there with top guys but during the last laps I slowed down my pace,” said the graduate student from Edinburg. “I know when I try it again later I’ll have a better understanding going into it knowing what it is like.” Sophomore Andrew Lopez notched a 13th-place finish in the 800 with a time of 1:55.64. In the shot put event, Alvarez’ 45-2.5-feet throw earned him 12th place while junior McAllen native Oscar Barrera came in at 14th with 429.5 feet. Barrera also attained seventh place in the hammer event, throwing 153-5 feet. On the women’s side newcomer Zamora recorded fifth place in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 43:04.76 Perhaps the biggest story of the event was the return of Weslaco native Wells to the field after an absence of more than three years due to injuries. Wells threw for second place in the women’s javelin event with a toss of 42.03 meters. “She looked really good coming back,” Hartman said. “We’re still early in this outdoor season so we look at the outcomes with a level of optimism. We understand that our focus is set more toward May. Hartman admits his team is starting to see outcomes improve as far as time and distance are concerned. UTPA is in Austin today for the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays hosted by The University of Texas. The Broncs will take 16 athletes on the trip. “This is some of the best competition we will face in the country,” he said.
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the pan american
April 1, 2010