Prepare for Hurricane Season pages 4-5
June 6, 2013
Volume 69, No. 27
ONLINE CONTENT
panamericanonline.com
Recruiting
Men’s basketball signs one
Watchdog
Organization fights for rights
Core Curriculum By Karen Perez The Pan American Changes
Decreases by one hour
Hog Dash 3
Blood, sweat and mud
Summer Ball
Six athletes join summer clubs
A new university and medical school in the Rio Grande Valley are on their way to being finalized once the Texas governor signs the bill into law. The countdown allowing Gov. Rick Perry to either sign or veto the bill that merges UTPA with the University of Texas at Brownsville ends June 16. In a statement issued May 22, Perry called the creation of a new university in South Texas a “historic moment for future students.” A new medical school would improve access to health care and keep the state’s growing population healthy, he said. “My understanding from the governor’s office is that they are 100 percent in support and I would be absolutely shocked if he didn’t support it,” State Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, said to The Pan American May 20. “I’m very grateful to the governor, the speaker of the House and other affiliates who have worked so hard on this.” Legislation to merge UTPA with UTB and create a four-year medical school in the area received final clearing after Senate
Bill 24 was unanimously passed in the Texas Senate May 22. The Texas House passed House Bill 1000, its companion bill, May 17. SB 24 was sent to Perry May 23. For bills sent within 10 days left in the session, the governor has until 20 days after the final adjournment (May 27) to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it become law without a signature, according to the Texas House of Representatives website. After battling about the location of the medical school in South Texas, Valley lawmakers unified once again and reached a compromise May 16. The final version of the bill places administrative offices overseeing undergraduate medical education in Hidalgo County. Cameron County will then house the offices overseeing the medical school’s graduate education. In addition to forming a new medical school, SB 24 and HB 1000 abolish UTPA and UTB and create a new university under the University of Texas System; this proposal was first announced December 2012 during a UT System Board of
Regents meeting and the bills were filed into the 83rd Legislative Session Feb. 4. With the two-thirds vote from the Texas Legislature, the new university and medical school will have access to the $13.9 billion Permanent University Fund, a state-owned endowment that funds public higher education through oil and gas revenues. As of today, all that’s pending is Perry’s signature in order for the bill to pass into law.
County, which he represents, and the third and fourth years in Cameron County. Originally, the legislation called for a selected panel of experts by the University of Texas System to offer the Board of Regents possible locations for the new medical school. The feud, coming only two weeks before the end of the legislative session May 27, formed divisions between Valley officials seeking to win the honor for their area.
I would be absolutely shocked if he didn’t support it. - Rene Oliveira
State Representative REGIONAL DIVISIONS Debate over the location of the medical school sparked May 8 after Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, substituted language in SB 24. The change, which he authored, placed the first two years of medical school in Hidalgo
According to the author of HB 100, Oliveira, it was always intended by the UT System that the medical school, as well as the new university, be located “all over the Valley.”
Oliveira’s disagreement on Hinojosa’s amendment, however, regarded not allowing experts to decide the medical school’s location as planned. Oliveira said his main concern was to prevent the proposal from becoming “political arbitrary.” Hinojosa defended his decision to split the medical school, explaining that the proposal was based on a “regional approach” to sharing the facility between Hidalgo and Cameron counties. “There’s still negotiation,” Hinojosa said to The Pan American May 13.“Of course, we would like to see year one and year two in Hidalgo County, which has a population close to a million. There’s also the economic impact and creation of new jobs.” Hinojosa said the planned locations are nothing new, as this has been done with other entities such as the Texas A&M Health Science Center, where campuses are split between College Station and Temple. He said his new bill provides the UT System flexibility to move students between the two campuses and builds on
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
2
opinion
June 6, 2013
#UTPA
Tweet at and follow us @ThePanAmerican
Why does orientation for utpa have to be sooooo long? I know the place like the back of my hand.
it’s gonna be a bumpy ride
-@Xmaraj_hdz Why the heck are all the places to eat closed on campus?! People have night classes and come from work! #starving #utpa. -@lisamarie489 The bus ride home takes longer than the bus ride to get to UTPA. -@yarettzy_e When your friends pass the class with you >>>> #UTPA.
-@John_Paul_007
Norma Gonzalez
Co-Editor-In-chief Transitioning from being a section editor to Co-Editor-inChief of The Pan American is always tough, but if the way this new reign has started is any indication of what’s to come, I better
buckle up. My Co-EIC, Lea Victoria Juarez, was going to help write this opinion piece, but life is not fair and plans are never set in stone. Truth is, the paper is in mourning. Early June 1, Lea tragically lost her brother, Aaron Juarez. It shook us all. I’m still finding it hard to believe. But, as any good co-worker and friend would do, I temporarily kicked her off the paper so she can be with her family. I’m proud of my troops. They were there to support one of their own, but also made sure to get their articles in on time in
order to make this paper. Along with this bad news, the newspaper is also struggling from lack of workers. At the end of each spring semester, our re-
desperate we are for students to work for us (applications can be filled out in the Student Publications office in ARHU 170), but we don’t even have time to
Let’s just hope we’re able to get off this bumpy dirt road and onto a smooth highway before too long. porters drop like flies. We lose people to graduation, summer or people just plain quit. It’s pretty ridiculous how
worry about that. You see, we have big plans. As some of you may know, we usually print four summer newspa-
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. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all letters to:
pers, but we’re shaking things up a bit and only printing two. “Why?” you might ask. It’s pretty simple; at the beginning of the fall semester we turn the big 7-0 and want to release a special-edition news magazine to celebrate 70 years of service with a bang. We have many more plans for our birthday, but we’ll leave that as a surprise for now. Let’s just hope we’re able to get off this bumpy dirt road and onto a smooth highway before too long.
#THEPANAMERICAN
ATTENTION INSTAGRAMMERS
thepanamerican @gmail.com
Vol. 69, No. 27
The Pan American
thepanamerican@gmail.com 1201 West University, ARHU 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122
Editors-in-Chief:
Norma Gonzalez Lea Victoria Juarez
News Editor:
Susan Gonzalez
Sports Editor: Jaime Leal
Arts & Life Editor: May Ortega
Photography Editor: Adrian Castillo
Design Editor:
Francisco Rodriguez
Multimedia Editor:
Michael Aaron Aguilar
Social Media Editor: Ismael Melendez
Adviser:
Dr. Greg Selber
Administrative Associate: Anita Reyes
Advertising Manager: Elva Ramirez
Webmaster:
Jose Villarreal 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.
Michelle Garcia /The Pan American
Mechanical engineer majors (from left) Noel Ramos and Josias Malacara practice math problems for Calculus 1 in the Learning Assistance Center. The LAC’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tutors assist students in all academic subjects. Francisco Rodriguez /The Pan American
COMIC
June 31, 6, 2013 January 2013
continued from Page 1 existing assets in Edinburg and Harlingen, according to a May 8 article in The Monitor. Hinojosa also said Edinburg, home of UTPA and its physician assistant program, is the perfect place for classes and lab work during the first two years of medical school. THE COMPROMISE After a week of intense work and lengthy meetings with civic leaders, elected Valley officials and hospital officials, the UT System stepped in to make a different recommendation that was then modified and put in the bill, Oliveira said. Valley leaders found common ground once again to put forth the legislation May 17. The adopted amendment places administrative offices in both the Hidalgo County and Cameron County medical schools. This removed speculation of Hidalgo County being home to the medical school by “primarily” housing its first two years. “I’m very pleased it’s been resolved,” Oliveira said May 20. “Like any family we squabble amongst ourselves but we got back together on it and what’s important is that we unified with this new proposal.” Despite previously mixed views, John Trant, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, remained hopeful for a resolution between the House and Senate chambers. “I’m confident that in the next two weeks they will hammer the differences,” Trant said May 14. “Our leaders won’t allow this opportunity to slip through our fingers.” Trant added his support for the first two years of medical school in Hidalgo County once decisions were made in a “full and open discussion.” “I think Sen. Hinojosa had the best intentions because UTPA and McAllen have a lot to offer,” Trant said. “There would be tremendous advantages to having a medical school here (Hidalgo County). If it was in Harlingen, that’s not a big hurdle...McAllen is very strong, just like Harlingen in providing those kinds of opportunities (in clinical experiences).” WHAT’S IN STORE Amid the recent medical school controversy, Oliveira stressed the importance of what he called the “super university.” According to him, merging UTPA and UTB will form the second largest Hispanic-serving university in the country. According to a 2013 report in Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine, Miami Dade College in Florida ranks first among the top 100 colleges for Hispanics, granting 6,563
degrees to Hispanic students while UTPA came in third place with 3,035. MDC also ranked first in enrollment with 44,809 Hispanic students. For Oliveira, getting access to the PUF by merging the two universities is the crucial component of the legislation. PUF monies are available only to certain universities from the Texas A&M University System and the University of Texas System under the Texas Constitution. Previously, UTPA and UTB are the only universities without access to the $13 billion worth of oil and gas revenues because they joined the System after the PUF arrangement was made. “Don’t get me wrong, the medical school is important but it’s going to take care of about 250 students,” Oliveira said. “I want to talk about the other 30,000 students in Brownsville and Edinburg that will be benefiting from new degree offerings and new opportunities that will come.” Oliveira said besides the PUF there will be all kinds of funds for professors as well as foundations that will start to invest in the new university. The merged university in the RGV is anticipated to become an emerging research university, which makes it eligible for the National Research University Fund established by the 81st Texas Legislature in 2009, according to the UT System website. The funding program financially assists emerging research universities who tally at least $45 million for two consecutive years in restricted research expenditures, which are funded by a restricted funds group for specific research projects. As of 2013, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has designated eight institutions in the state as emerging research universities. The three
not only as a Hispanic-serving Institution, but as an institute of higher education,” Trant said. The compromise for a new medical school in South Texas also states that educational programs for all medical students should take advantage of existing facilities which include UTPA, UTB and the Regional Academic Health Centers in Harlingen and Edinburg, which are remote campuses administered by the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. There are currently three RAHC’s in the Valley. The Harlingen RAHC, established in 2002, already provides years three and four of medical school. The Edinburg RAHC will be strongly focused on research, said Trant, and is expected to house an institute for the study of diabetes and obesity. The first two years of medical school are spent in classrooms and labs while the final two years consist of training through rotations at hospitals and clinics. The first class of medical students will matriculate into the new school in fall 2014, Trant said. But the classes will be held in San Antonio until the new infrastructure, leadership, facilities and faculty are in place and accredited in the Valley. Incoming students fall 2016 will no longer need to attend classes in San Antonio Trant said, but added the connection with UTHSC-SA will continue to be “strong and critical.” If all goes well, Trant said it typically takes a year for a medical school to become accredited. With accreditation, other medical schools will recognize degrees offered. The evaluation process to accredit a school can be done through agencies such as the Association of American Medical Colleges. “Fortunately, the collaboration
It’s not just going to be Cameron County students that are going to benefit but also Hidalgo undergrads. It makes sense to share benefits. - Mayra Balderas Biology major
that are the most recognized as Tier One, or high-performing, nationally competitive research institutes are the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and Rice University. “We’ll finally be able to garner the resources we need to be a major player in education,
with UTHSC-SA and the transfer of the RAHC facilities in Edinburg and Harlingen to the new school will help tremendously,” Trant said. “It is an ambitious schedule but the picture will become more clear after the chancellor identifies resources and the founding dean is hired.” According to Oliveira, the
medical school may be “up and running” in a minimum of five years. “Things are going to start happening real soon. I’d say within two years we’ll see quite a bit being done,” he added. On May 21, the Texas Leg-
toward the development of the medical school, the same amount Harlingen and its medical community has invested into the RAHC, according to a May 8 article in The Monitor. Hidalgo County officials also plan to secure 93 acres of land
3
Senior Esteban Padilla said a medical school in the Valley is something he had been expecting since he was a freshman. The 23-year-old chemistry major hopes opportunities will open in research as a result. “(The medical school) is
We’ll finally be able to garner the resources we need to be a major player in education, not only as a Hispanic-serving Institution but as an institute of higher education. - John Trant
Dean of College of Science and Mathematics
islature approved $100 million to construct a new University of Texas System campus in Brownsville and a $78.4 million science building for UTPA. In a Feb. 14 article in The Pan American, state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, said the expansion of the UTPA science building would be an asset to the University’s merger with UTB and the creation of a new medical school in the Valley. The 162,600-square-foot annex would support science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, including biology, chemistry, health sciences and environmental studies. “In general, the new facility will have cutting-edge technology to empower UTPA students with the resources needed to compete nationally in the field of science,” Canales said. MONEY TALKS The UT System will allocate a total of $100 million over 10 years for the development of the medical school. Asides from state funding, Oliveira said a taxing district to help fund the medical school locally has also been suggested. Local funding can also come up from economic development funds that already exist within cities, said Oliveira. Such funds financially assist local projects. Oliveira said the possibility for a new taxing district is an issue they might take within the next legislative session in January 2015. Municipalities create such districts when voters approve a special service and are willing to be charged extra taxes for it. “We will of course be seeking additional funding as we go along, including local efforts which will also begin in the next two years,” Oliveira said. “Valley citizens and residents may have to pitch in as well to make it happen.” The Hidalgo County government, Edinburg, McAllen and Pharr pledged $50 million
valued at $13 million near the UTPA campus for medical and research programs. Because Hidalgo County contains two-thirds of the Valley’s total tax base, Judge Ramon Garcia said it would be “fair and equitable” if the first two years of medical school took place in his county (Hidalgo), according to a May 10 article in The Brownsville Herald. Garcia said the medical school will take approximately $40 to $60 million a year to operate with the state only committing $30 million. Garcia said his solution pledges up to $100 million to match the state contributions until a hospital district is created, according to a statement in the Hidalgo County website. Karina Cardoza, public affairs director for Hidalgo County, said although the planned contributions are pledges they are not officially in the 2014 budget yet. The university merger and medical school will also help create between 7,000 to 10,000 jobs with over an average salary of $60,000, said Oliveira. STUDENTS’ VIEW Twenty-year-old Lucero Ramirez expects the merger between UTPA and UTB will “bring the Valley so much closer.” The new medical school, which she hopes to get accepted to, will help her stay here in the Valley with family, she said. For the chemistry major, it doesn’t matter what building she’s in; the splitting of medical school between Hidalgo and Cameron County wouldn’t be an obstacle. “When you get accepted to med school it’s amazing and you’ll do it no matter what,” the Mission native said. “(A medical school in Cameron County) would still be a lot closer than in San Antonio-- an hour is not a lot compared to three, four hours.”
probably something I’m going to see in my career...kind of a little bittersweet there because I was hoping it would go sooner than that but I’m still pretty excited,” Padilla said. “There’ll be a lot of opportunities, not just for the pre-med majors, but also for general biology, chemistry and even the people that do neurosciences.” But for the Weslaco native, the splitting of the medical school between Hidalgo and Cameron counties is an aspect he disagrees with, calling it a “turf war.” Padilla said it shouldn’t be a matter of negotiating terms but of a matter of what’s going to facilitate student success. “It doesn’t make much sense truthfully -- just one medical school would have been better,” Padilla said. “Being from Pan Am you would want (the medical school) to be here but I think a mid-Valley location would be best. That seems to be a fair compromise. I’m personally from Weslaco and I know there is a lot of area around there that can easily be aggregated into a medical school.” Biology major Mayra Balderas said she is OK with the medical school being divided into two facilities “so services utilized can be equal” among the two counties. “It’s not just going to be Cameron County students that are going to benefit but also Hidalgo undergrads,” she said. “It makes sense to share benefits.” The 20-year-old senior said a medical school in South Texas is a great location with a growing population along the border between the U.S and Mexico. “We definitely need a medical school. Everyone is excited,” Balderas said. “If nothing is done to this area you just can’t help but think it’s a waste of opportunity. The Valley is the place to be at in the next couple of years.”
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Category 1 74-95 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Category 2 96-110 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3 (major) 111-129 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Category 4 (major) 130-156 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Atlantic Tropical (and Subtropical) Storm Names for 2013*
Andrea
Erin
Ingrid
Melissa
Chantal
Gabrielle
Karen
Olga
Barry
Dorian
Fernand
Humberto
Jerry
Nestor
Lorenzo
June 6, 2013
Page 5
The 2013 hurricane season kicked into full gear June 1 and will end Nov. 30. The Pan American gathered important information to keep in consideration before, during and after a storm. Page by Norma Gonzalez
Pablo
*as decided by the World Meteorological Organization
Before the storm: prepare * To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. * Know your surroundings. * Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
Hurricane Warning:
An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
Hurricane Watch:
Hidalgo County:
County Emergency Management 956-318-2615 www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/index. aspx?NID=85 Twitter: @HidalgoCounty Facebook: Hidalgo County Texas
source: ready.gov
County Sheriff’s Office 956-383-8114*
What is a hurricane?
source: National Weather Service
* Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you. * Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate. * Make plans to secure your property: Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent
storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. * Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage. * Be sure trees and shrubs
emergency information
An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minCategory 5 (major) ute average) is 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/ 157 mph or higher winds hr) or more. The term hurricane is used for DAMAGES: A high percentage of framed Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones east homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and of the International Dateline to the Greenpower poles will isolate residential areas. wich Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be Pacific tropical cyclones north of the Equator uninhabitable for weeks or months. west of the International Dateline. source: National Weather Service
hurricane season June 6, 2013
City of Edinburg 956-383-7691 cityofedinburg.com Twitter: @cityofedinburg Facebook: City of Edinburg, Texas City of McAllen 956-681-1234 mcallen.net/emergency Twitter: @CityofMcAllen Facebook: City of McAllen Government
For evacuation routes visit:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/weather/hurricane.html
City of Mission 956-580-8705 missiontexas.us City of Weslaco 956-968-0367 weslacotx.gov/EmergencyManagement.html Twitter: @WeslacoCity
Cameron County:
County Emergency Management 956-547-7000 www.co.cameron.us/emergency/ County Sheriff’s Office 956-544-0860* City of Harlingen 956-216-5920 www.myharlingen.us Twitter: @HarliNGen2 Facebook: Harlingen, Texas City of San Benito 956-361-3800 cityofsanbenito.com Facebook: San Benito Office of Emergency Management City of Brownsville 956-504-7405 oem.cob.us City of South Padre Island 956-433-9751 myspi.org Twitter: @SouthPadreTexas Facebook: South Padre Island * 24-hour phone numbers
around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. * Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. * Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage. * Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is
not tied down. * Determine how and where to secure your boat. * Install a generator for emergencies. * If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor. * Consider building a safe room. source: ready.gov/hurricanes
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Category 1 74-95 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Category 2 96-110 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3 (major) 111-129 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Category 4 (major) 130-156 mph winds
DAMAGES: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Atlantic Tropical (and Subtropical) Storm Names for 2013*
Andrea
Erin
Ingrid
Melissa
Chantal
Gabrielle
Karen
Olga
Barry
Dorian
Fernand
Humberto
Jerry
Nestor
Lorenzo
June 6, 2013
Page 5
The 2013 hurricane season kicked into full gear June 1 and will end Nov. 30. The Pan American gathered important information to keep in consideration before, during and after a storm. Page by Norma Gonzalez
Pablo
*as decided by the World Meteorological Organization
Before the storm: prepare * To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. * Know your surroundings. * Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
Hurricane Warning:
An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
Hurricane Watch:
Hidalgo County:
County Emergency Management 956-318-2615 www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/index. aspx?NID=85 Twitter: @HidalgoCounty Facebook: Hidalgo County Texas
source: ready.gov
County Sheriff’s Office 956-383-8114*
What is a hurricane?
source: National Weather Service
* Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you. * Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate. * Make plans to secure your property: Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent
storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. * Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage. * Be sure trees and shrubs
emergency information
An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minCategory 5 (major) ute average) is 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/ 157 mph or higher winds hr) or more. The term hurricane is used for DAMAGES: A high percentage of framed Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones east homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and of the International Dateline to the Greenpower poles will isolate residential areas. wich Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be Pacific tropical cyclones north of the Equator uninhabitable for weeks or months. west of the International Dateline. source: National Weather Service
hurricane season June 6, 2013
City of Edinburg 956-383-7691 cityofedinburg.com Twitter: @cityofedinburg Facebook: City of Edinburg, Texas City of McAllen 956-681-1234 mcallen.net/emergency Twitter: @CityofMcAllen Facebook: City of McAllen Government
For evacuation routes visit:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/weather/hurricane.html
City of Mission 956-580-8705 missiontexas.us City of Weslaco 956-968-0367 weslacotx.gov/EmergencyManagement.html Twitter: @WeslacoCity
Cameron County:
County Emergency Management 956-547-7000 www.co.cameron.us/emergency/ County Sheriff’s Office 956-544-0860* City of Harlingen 956-216-5920 www.myharlingen.us Twitter: @HarliNGen2 Facebook: Harlingen, Texas City of San Benito 956-361-3800 cityofsanbenito.com Facebook: San Benito Office of Emergency Management City of Brownsville 956-504-7405 oem.cob.us City of South Padre Island 956-433-9751 myspi.org Twitter: @SouthPadreTexas Facebook: South Padre Island * 24-hour phone numbers
around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. * Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. * Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage. * Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is
not tied down. * Determine how and where to secure your boat. * Install a generator for emergencies. * If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor. * Consider building a safe room. source: ready.gov/hurricanes
6
arts & life
June 6, 2013
Drive for Danger Belen Diaz/The Pan American
Mike Morton participates in legal drag races using his 1967 Ford Galaxie. By Jose S. De Leon III The Pan American Mike Morton would never have described himself as an adrenaline junkie. However, he received a rush when he took part in his first street racing competition almost two years ago. “It’s a little scary. You’re maneuvering a two-ton car and racing someone else, but the more you do it, the more experience you get,” the Harlingen native said. “It takes a great deal of risk-taking to street race.” This illegal activity is known as “street racing,” an unsanctioned form of drag racing where drivers compete along public roads instead of a race track. Drag racing is an acceleration contest between two vehicles, according to the National Hot Rod Association, a racing
governing body that oversees the majority of drag racing in the United States. In the illegal version, cars race along a drag strip in two-vehicle, elimination-style tournaments. The distance of the races varies from a quarter of a mile to eight miles. A staple in street racing is fixing up cars to make them accelerate faster. Morton, an owner of a ‘67 Ford Galaxie, spent $7,000 on customizing the motor and transmission of his vehicle. “Most of the cars that race aren’t everyday cars because of all their modifications,” Morton said. “I’m actually selling this one so that I can start rebuilding a new car.” Even though drag racing is legal if done at the right place, such as a professional arena, there are several unsanctioned competitions. And trying to beat the other guy can get one into big trouble. Street racing is
Locals take part in illegal sport
a misdemeanor offense, mainly due to trespassing on private property, the lack of safety equipment regularly found in a sanctioned race and the high possibility of fatal crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 153 people
just exist in the movies. It has its fans in the Rio Grande Valley as well. Morton, a sophomore engineering major, understands why people are attracted to the dangerous sport. “It’s one of the most popular motor sports down here,” he
T h e ra c e rs d o n ’t s t o p t o c o n s id e r t h e o t h e r p e o p le o n t h e ro a d , t h a t t h e y ma t t e r t o o . Is a t ic k e t s e rio u s ly wo rt h mo re t h a n a h u ma n lif e ? - Juan Gio
Mission native
were killed in 122 crashes while racing between 2001 and 2010. Despite the danger, films like The Fast and Furious series have popularized the activity. However, this sport doesn’t
said. “As many as 60 cars join in. The further away from a sanctioned drag strip, the bigger the crowds for street racing.” Before moving to an apartment off-campus to attend
UTPA, Morton’s only option for speed was street racing. He lived far from the Edinburg Raceway, the RGV’s only sanctioned drag strip, located on 15920 U.S. 281, 38 miles north of Harlingen. Now that he lives closer to the Raceway, he no longer participates in street racing. “There’s not really a good reason to admit to liking this sport,” he said. “Some people like football, others enjoy track and some have a lot of fun with the thrills that drag racing provides.” According to Alton Police Officer Preciliano Lopez, violators of the law can be charged with a misdemeanor, which usually results in a fine and/or up to one year of imprisonment in a county jail. The penalty can be elevated to a felony charge should a fatality occur, resulting in up to 20 years in a state prison. “To be honest, I don’t
know why people do this,” the 51-year-old officer said. “It’s just a lot of people who want to go out there and see what they can do with their car.” Juan Gio, a 28-year-old Mission native, said he believes that the consequences for street racers should be more severe. A few weeks ago, two drivers nearly crashed into his car while he drove his family home from church. “The racers don’t stop to consider the other people on the road, that they matter too,” he said. “Is a ticket seriously worth more than a human life?” Morton, who recommends that people try out the sanctioned Edinburg Raceway, understands the dangers of street racing, but had his reasons for participating in the sport. “I just did it for fun,” he said. “For the self-satisfaction of building something and showing it off.”
Out of school, onto the stage PASS theatre program gives limelight to summer students By Monica Rodriguez The Pan American Three different plays produced in a six-week summer course sounds stressful, yet students are signing up for the Pan American Summer Stock. PASS is a summer season of plays performed by students in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre, located within the Arts and Humanities building. Auditions were held June 3 at the theater; people from the community were also welcome to try out. Pharr native Charlie Palacios is the director of Our Lady of the Tortilla, the first play of the summer and theater performance major Mia Cienfuegos is acting in the program along with 14 other participants. Palacios, who graduated from UTPA with a communications degree in 2012, is a guest director for the University and
22-year-old Cienfuegos is a senior attending the workshop. “Students involved in the PASS class have the opportunity to work on two to three shows at the same time,” Palacios said. “I’m excited to see those who put in the effort to bring all three shows to life.” This six-hour course is offered in odd-numbered years. PAST, Pan American Summer Television, is another workshop offered to students in even-numbered years and they produce a made-for-television movie. Both summer programs have been a department tradition since 1973, Star Spangled Girl was its first show. The day begins with students checking in at the start of class and receiving their duties, such as set design, stage management, sound and lights, all assigned to them by the directors. “I’m hoping to widen my knowledge on not only the
acting part, but everything else,” said Cienfuegos, who is from Edinburg and has worked on campus shows Sweeney Todd and Latina. “Costuming, props, set design and building amongst other things.” The more time students dedicate to these shows, the better the grade they will earn. The minimum number of hours is 180 and most students in the past have met that requirement within the first three weeks. “I’m really looking forward to working with my cast and crew,” Palacios said. “One of my favorite things to do as a director is to dive in and develop characters with actors. It’s a very interesting and collaborative process.” Jesse Briones will be directing Over the River and Through the Woods and Eric Wiley will be directing Pachanga. Palacios explained why he chose Our Lady of the Torilla.
“I selected this play because it can directly connect with the audience here in the Valley,” said the 25-year-old. “It is set in a Latino household and deals with problems the community can relate to.” Our Lady of the Tortilla is about Nelson, a young man who returns home from college to visit his family. He brings his Anglo girlfriend with him and finds himself embarrassed by how religious his family is. Nelson struggles with his identity as a young Hispanic male. “My hope is for the Valley audience to laugh and smile while taking in the serious points about the miracle of family love,” said Palacios, who has been involved in theater since he was 11 years old and had an ensemble role playing multiple characters in the play Billy the Kid in 1999 at Memorial Middle School in Pharr. He began studying
theater at UTPA in 2008 and began directing three years ago for a local theater company, Thirteen O’Clock Theatre. “Since then, I have directed plays such as Humpty Dumpty’s Dish, the Pillowman, Zoot Suit and now Our Lady of the Tortilla,” he said.
Our Lady of the Tortilla will run from June 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and June 30 at 2 p.m. Over the River and Through the Woods will run from July 4-6 at 7:30 p.m. and July 7 at 2 p.m.
Adrian Castillo/The Pan American
A group of students audition to take part in the play Our Lady of the Tortilla June 3. Performances will take place at the Albert L. Jeffers Theater June 27-30.
June January 6, 2013 31, 2013
Biggest Highlights in UTPA Sports Visit panamericanonline.com/category/sports
BASEBALL
-Riley Goulding
-Andy Lopez
- Beat the UVU Wolverines for the first time in the GWC and won game one by a mercy rule. - Infielder Riley Goulding had a 19-game hitting streak, making it the second longest by a Broncs student-athlete since Louie Alamia’s 24-game streak in 2006. - Right-handed Pitcher Sam Street was named GWC Pitcher of the Week four times throughout the season (Feb. 22, April 3, May 2, and May 22). - Ended season with 28-30 record (.483) and a conference mark of 17-10.
TRACK AND FIELD - During Day Two of the GWC outdoor track and field championships, Jesus Alvarez, Jasmine Davison and Jasmine Brooks ended the day with three silver medals and 15 were recieved on the final day. - Andy Lopez, Dijan Johnson and Martin Casse qualified for the men’s outdoor NCAA Championships West Preliminary Round where Lopez advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing with 1:50:23 May 23. Casse returned to his home in France and Johnson failed to qualify. Lopez missed a bid into the finals by 1.36 seconds. - Jasmine Davison gained a gold medal during Day One of the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field GWC Championship in the hammer throw May 3 after having tossed 50.74 meters.
MEN’S GOLF
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MEN’S BASKETBALL - Guard Aaron Urbanus became the Broncs’ all-time leader in minutes played (3,481) while ranking 11th in scoring (1,259) Nov. 24, 2012. - Guard Brandon Provost finished his career 12th in program history in scoring (1,252) Dec. 22, 2012.
-Brandon Provost
- Season record of 16-16 (.500). - Scored 65.7 points per game. - Had a home winning streak of two which proved to be the longest streak.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - Ended the season 12-16 (.429) while going 8-12 non-conference games. - Guard Bianca Torre finished her career as the Broncs all-time leader in points (1,439), ranks second in field goals made (461) and third in free throws attempted (355). - Freshman Joyea Marshall (.381) led the Lady Broncs in GP-GS (2824) while Freshman KaeLynn Boyd (.303) followed with 28-14. - With a total of 1,671 points throughout the season, the team averaged 59.7 per game. - In turnovers per game, the team increased from 2011-2012 season’s 18.4 to 19.6.
-Bianca Torre
- The team came in third during the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. - Senior Kevin Kirakossian earned medalist honors at the Championship May 12 after shooting a one-under 71 to finish with a career-best score of a four-under 212.
WOMEN’S GOLF -Sarah Kothny
- Tied for first during the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship and broke the program record with 296 in the first day of competition. - Women’s golf and senior captain Sarah Kothny was awarded GWC Player of the Week April 5.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
- The team ended its season with 10-19. - Outside hitter Michelle McNamee led the team with a percentage of
-Michelle McNamee
.135 in attacks and 243 kills - Libero Juri Franzen broke into the top 10 in career digs (948) in midNovember and was awarded Defensive Player of the Week. - Broke a 17-year-old program record single-season attendance record by drawing 1,017 fans to bring the season total to 4,034 Oct. 9, 2012.
MEN’S TENNIS
WRSC
- Men’s tennis pulled a record of 8-17 (.320) by the end of the season. - Singles won an overall percentage of .356 with Thomas Orestis-Panoulas, sophomore, going 13-16. -Thomas Orestis-Panoulas
WOMEN’S TENNIS
MONDAY - THURSDAY 8 A.M. - 9 P.M. FRIDAY 8 A.M. - 8 P.M. WEEKENDS 12 - 6 P.M.
- The team ended their season 6-12 (.333) - Junior Wanda Beguelin led the singles division with a 12-15 mark and doubles with 9-16. - The team garnered a percentage of .355 in singles and .288 in doubles.
For more information or special accommodations, please call (956) 665-7808.
-Wanda Beguelin
It was announced Feb. 6, 2013 that UTPA will be acquiring a men’s soccer team in 2015 and a women’s soccer team in 2014. UTPA Athletics accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference in all sports for the 2013-2014 year. WAC begins July 1, 2013.
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