Experience culture firsthand Taking courses via study abroad
Pages 4-5
March 26, 2015
Volume 71, No. 23
ONLINE CONTENT
panamericanonline.com
Interns in Austin
VLIP sends local students to capitol
UT Austin to name new president
Meet UTPA’s scientific pair of professors Bonnie Moser was once enrolled in Scott Gunn’s genetics class at UTPA in spring 1990 while working toward her master’s degree in Biology. More than 20 years later Mrs. Bonnie Gunn and Scott spend their busy days at the University and their nights together in their cozy home. But before the pair got married and started a family, Bonnie had enrolled in two of Scott’s courses and participated in his research lab. The pair developed a friendship, which bloomed into a relationship after she completed the classes. To avoid any conflicts, they informed a University administrator, without any problems arising. Scott, who hails from Little Rock, explained the caution he and his now-wife took at the start of their relationship. “When we figured out we liked each other we had to draw some clearly
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defined lines,” he said. “I think my wife is absolutely unbelievable and I didn’t want anything that came from the professional side to cast any doubt on her abilities or transcript. So we talked to the department chair at the time and told him, ‘We think it’s real.’ And it turned out to be real. Bonnie explained that the day after their first date, she turned in her resignation from Scott’s lab. She also refrained from enrolling in any more of his courses. Now they both work on the other side of the desk at UTPA. THE JOB Scott has served as a genetics and mammalogy professor at the University
for more than 25 years while Bonnie has focused on anatomy and physiology during her six years at the school. She explained how she tosses in jokes and anecdotes during her lectures in order to have an “interactive” style, which she attributes to her experience as an elementary and high school teacher. “My teaching style really reflects my personality because I am incredibly silly. I love being in the classroom with my students. Look, I get goose bumps just talking about it,” the Iowa native said with a smile. Meanwhile, Scott prefers to take the classic route with his courses through lectures and guided practice. Early during his tenure at UTPA he introduced molecular genetics as well as scientism graduate courses to the curriculum, although he no longer leads either. The former serves to teach students about the function of genes at a molecular level while the latter explores how science progresses and how it should ideally be conducted. “I felt that they were needed to expand graduate program offerings. The molecular genetics was needed to cover the tremendous expansion of knowledge in the field at a level above undergraduate,” he explained. “Ex-
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pansion in genetics has occurred at a tremendous rate which merit a separate course. Scientism was added to provide a larger view of biology as it fits into the broad field of science.” Bonnie is also responsible for the creation of a new type of course at the University: the flipped lab. This lab, still in its infancy, involves students doing online activities and readings prior to class. Once they enter their classroom they are ready to start activities with minimal introduction, giving them more time for hands-on work. “This is the first semester implementing this model so we will see (how it fairs),” she said. “I am hoping this model will help my students improve their reading skills and become independent learners.” Scott also believes in helping students advance in their studies, so he is involved in seven committees including the Early Medical School Acceptance Program with the University of Texas’ Medical Branch. When he isn’t busy taking care of those responsibilities, he also advises every pre-med student at UTPA. He explained that this position calls for him to help each Bronc maximize potential for acceptance into medical school. “It turned out to be a whole lot more than I thought it was going to be and took a lot more time,” he said. “(UTPA’s) medical program has grown and has about 1,000 students, which is a lot of people to invest time in.” The program may continue to flourish come 2016 when the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine opens in Edinburg. It is expected to have several new resources for students including a 15,000-square-foot “Smart Hospital” complex. This means the medical campus will have an abundance of technology to educate students via hands-on methods. “This will make the learning process more active and place the student in the central role… The classroom will become a much more broad and inclusive experience with the instructor becoming the ‘guide on the side,’” he said. “Technology offers immediate information at a level determined by the learner. Thus the more advanced students can move rapidly through sections that they find less challenging and concentrate on the more challenging areas.” He sees the new institute as a way to keep more medical professionals in the area, thus improving healthcare in South Texas.
“We need to raise the educational level of the RGV to be more competitive on the state and national level,” he said. “The challenge is not just in medicine, but in all fields of study. An educated population is the ultimate goal (and) the medical school is simply the most recent commitment to this larger goal.” His wife echoed his sentiments, hoping the region will benefit greatly from these local additions. “Hopefully we will be able to keep our students here in the Valley and recruit the best and brightest from all over the country to come in and be doctors here,” Bonnie said. Although he is glad about the medical school, Scott will not be pursuing a position there. He said he is happy with his present job: helping Broncs reach their goals of professional school. AT HOME While Bonnie earned her degree at UTPA, Scott received his Bachelor’s at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as well as a Master’s in wildlife sciences and a Ph.D in zoology from Texas A&M University. Adding to the family’s list of attended colleges, their 19-year-old daughter is attending the University of Texas at Austin for a degree in computer engineering. The Gunns have had many new experiences throughout their two decades together, but the toughest challenge came in October 2002 when a tumor resulted in Bonnie’s diagnosis of breast cancer. This kick-started treatments consisting of eight chemotherapy sessions over the span of 24 weeks and 20 daily radiation sessions - as well as two surgeries to remove the tumor. She went into remission and remains cancer free. She said Scott stood by her side from beginning to end, adding how attentive he is not only to her and their kids, but to his pupils as well. “He was there when my hair fell out, when the chemo made me deathly ill and as I dealt with the devastation of the diagnosis and surgeries,” she said. “He has been an wonderful, supportive father to our children. He really cares deeply about the success of his students and works endlessly to get them every opportunity possible. He is the most amazing person I know.” The couple will celebrate their 21st anniversary Nov. 19. For now they will continue lecturing at the University to help their students succeed.
2
opinion
March 26, 2015
The Pan American
Streaming killed the moviegoer
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Why you should still see movies in theaters
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thepanamerican@ gmail.com Vol. 71, No. 23
The movie theater is a place where family and friends of all races, ages and genders can gather to escape the problems of the real world for just a moment and embrace the story that is being told on the silver screen. This place of memories may not be an image for future generations due to easier ways of obtaining movies. With video streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Crackle, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU, some people would not leave their home to see a movie. With the ease of opening a laptop and watching a movie that was just released in theaters available on your own screen, why go to a theater? There is no doubt the way society interacts with entertainment has changed dramatically in the past decade. With the convenience of watching movies at home, more people get their entertainment by streaming. In 2014 Netflix
grew to 33 million subscribers in the United States and collected more than 9,000 movies and TV shows. Streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon have gained so much popularity that they have branched out to not only stream, but also create their own entertainment studio. This attracts people to the convenience resting in the palm of their hands, but does convenience outway the quality that theaters offer? When going to watch a movie, people should think about whether the movie is going to be effects-heavy, visually stunning or artsy like Interstellar and Gravity. With those types of movies you would most likely want to watch them in the best format possible. Theaters use high quality projectors on a 28x58foot screen. Streaming sites usually use about five megabytes per second of internet connection speed to supply high definition, which is powerful and expensive. With less people sitting in theaters, ticket prices have increased to an average of $8.30, making the everyday moviego-
er think twice about the worthiness of watching. This also makes it harder for studios to invest in small or independent films because they don’t make their money back. Which, in turn, allows for blockbuster movies to be made like superhero franchises, Mission Impossibles and Star Wars. This keeps pushing smaller movies aside, which are risky but creative and have the potential to be recognized by major awards. Big franchises can earn the studios’ money back on opening weekend because of the fan base no matter if it’s good or bad. Whichever new way you are able to watch a movie, it would still not compare to a screen on a larger-than-life scale with surround-sound speakers. TVs, smart phones or computers would not be able to create that kind of movie-viewing experience. Remember that people don’t just go to the theaters to see a movie. They go for the cin-
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Juanita Renee Rivas/ The Pan American President of Conscious Eating Alexis Longoria (right) and Vice President Priscilla Martinez juicing fruits and vegetables outside the Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex March 25.
Tweet at and follow us @ThePanAmerican
I am humbled and honored to announce that I have accepted the presidency at Sacramento State. #SacState #UTPA -@PrezNelsen
Why all of a sudden is there good looking people at #UTPA what happened over Spring Break? :o
-@RADDster
I think I see Panam give Sarah Carvajal/ The Pan American more tickets than the state Sylvia Cantu, communication disorders major, signs up for the Christians at The troopers. #Utpa University of Texas - Pan American organization March 23. The club tabled the -@RegineCosmo Student Union to give information about its organization.
ematic experience, to have popcorn in one hand, a drink in the other and to share a moment with strangers in the dark, where every thrill and emotional rollercoaster is felt with the audience, creating a feeling of unity for those few hours. As years go on, theaters will upgrade their equipment to give the best moviegoing experience possible and visiting to
the movies will be more of an investment toward saving the cinema experience from disappearing from the lives of generations to come.
news
March 26, 2015
UTRGV revamps remedial courses
Breathing new life into college readiness By Emily Zurita The Pan American Summer Bridge is a name that will be frequently heard in coming months as the merger of the University of Texas at Brownsville and UTPA is imminent. Summer Bridge is a program whose purpose is to rejuvenate remedial courses so that students who are required to take them can have all the support possible to succeed in college. The program begins this summer, although the curriculum is still being developed. It is expected be finalized by June. Associate Vice Provost for Student Success Jonikka Charlton commented on the number of students who participate in remedial courses. “At UTPA approximately 13 percent of first-time full-time students need to take developmental courses,” she said. Such courses include math 1300 elementary algebra and English 0101 introduction to college reading and writing. Summer Bridge will be a mandatory five-week program held annually during the summer II semester. It will cover math, reading and writing courses that stu-
dents are required to pass to be considered college ready. Students will enroll as they usually would for other courses by logging on through assist and registering for preferred times. The three-credithour courses will include encompassing support from not only professors, but also student assistants in class as well as peer mentoring.
While reading and writing courses will prepare students for the workload of university English courses, math classes will be tailored to one’s degree plan, i.e. designed for those majoring in science, technology, engineering or math. Those who are not enrolled in science or math-based degrees will have the opportu-
The important thing to do is to make those online activities attractive and short-term effective so that students engage with them consistently. - Colin Charlton Assistant professor
According to the Interim Associate Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics Virgil Pierce, there are about 600 students enrolled in math, reading or writing developmental courses at UTPA. Summer Bridge is designed so that students will focus on their particular area of weakness without the added stress of extra courses and by the time their summer term ends, the students will be caught up with their peers and ready for university life.
nity to take contemporary math or statistics after passing remedial courses. For special cases, such as international students who cannot reach campus during the summer or those who did not pass Summer Bridge, they will take the required basic course alongside an online developmental class serving as reinforcement. Colin Charlton, the English department’s coordinator of transitional and first-year reading/writing for the past
three years, said the courses students will take if they do not complete the program are currently being developed. “If a student does not pass the Bridge she or he will enter English 1301-0301, which will closely resemble a standard English 1301 with an online 0301,” he said. “The 0301 will involve a variety of activities designed to support students doing their 1301 assignments. Nothing is permanently decided yet. It will likely be a mix of work including idea generation/mapping, online discussion, multimodal peer review and student-teacher conferencing. The important thing to do is to make those online activities attractive and short-term effective so that students engage with them consistently.” UTB has not had remedial courses since its separation from Texas Southmost College in 2010. Both current and incoming students of UTB and UTPA will have the privilege of participating in Summer Bridge this summer. Courses will be held at both campuses for the convenience of students. Administrators plan to keep a watchful eye and make changes accordingly to assure the program’s success.
3
New horizons for Nelsen Former president takes new job at CSUS
By Andrew Vera The Pan American After nearly five years of serving as UTPA’s president, Robert Nelsen has found a new home in California. Nelsen was announced as the newest president of California State University, Sacramento early yesterday afternoon. Nelsen was pegged as one of three finalists for president of Midwestern State University in North Texas earlier this month, according to Wichita Falls’ Times Record News, but accepted this position instead. The University of Chicago grad is currently serving as special adviser to the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Texas System. The position involves Nelsen giving guidance to the community relations of the soon-to-be University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and school medical school as well as fundraising for UTRGV. The Montana native will be-
www.UTPA.edu gin his duties as president beginning fall 2015. His predecessor, Alexander Gonzalez, will be retiring at the end of the current academic year after 17 years of service, one of the longest reigns in CSUS history. Known widely for his endearing emotions toward UTPA and his teary-eyed speeches, Nelsen mentioned UTPA in his announcement of his position at CSUS via Twitter. “It was an honor to serve UT Pan Am,” Nelsen tweeted this afternoon. “The Valley will always be in Jody and my heart. Now on to the next rodeo.”
You can earn up to $100.00 first week. Edinburg Biomat 209 S Jackson Rd Edinburg 956-287-0365 Bring a friend and earn $30.00 extra
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age.
Page 4
March 26, 2015
THE PAN AMERICAN
World class By Nerio Celaya The Pan American
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 5
Students, professors speak of experiences with study abroad program
vide that for our students as well so they have an experience to travel.’”
UTPA’s Study Abroad program has been exposing students to the world outside the United States and professors like Erik Anderson help facilitate this life-changing experience by teaching UTPA students abroad. Traditionally other such programs would allow students to transfer for a semester or a year to continue their studies in another country, but with UTPA’s Summer Study Abroad program they can take UTPA courses, hosted by Bronc professors in another country for a semester. Back in 1994, Erik Anderson, a philosophy professor at the University, participated in study abroad while studying at Concordia College in Minnesota. He now teaches philosophy of film during the summer abroad in Salamanca, Spain. “When I was a student I did a study abroad program in largely Greece and Italy and it’s one of the things that got me interested in academics, so for me it was probably one of the coolest experiences I had as a college student,” the 41-year-old said. “So when I started teaching here my instinct was, ‘I want to pro-
March 26, 2015
THE PROCESS According to Anderson, the program is made possible by foreign colleges leasing out space for other schools to use in the summers when attendance is low. “What happens in universities in Europe to make up money is they’ll rent their classrooms out in the summertime and that helps them stay afloat, and we take total advantage of that; it’s awesome for us,” the professor said. The application process for students begins after their freshman year, requiring that they have completed one year of classes and be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 grade-point average. After those requirements are met, one can go to Sandra Hansmann at the Office of International Programs located in the Student Academic Center 3.107 and fill out at least two applications: one to attend the program and another for scholarships. Anderson encourages students to explore their options. “One of the biggest things that students don’t realize that is absolutely crucial is that there is funding set aside for students that want to participate in study abroad,” the North Dakota native said. “Because many of them come in and get sticker shock - they see $3,000 or $4,000 - and they and think ‘I can’t pay for that.’ The fact of the matter is that I’ve had students that had the entirety of their trip paid for. I’ve also had students that have had half or a third of their trip paid for just by applying.” One of these students was Yesenia Marin, a criminal justice major with a minor in history, who attended the University of Salamanca via Photo courtesy of Joshua Alderete one of these scholarships
last summer. “The study abroad program cost $2,100 which included living, food and medical insurance for a whole month,” the senior said. “The airfare was separate, which cost about $1,500 and plus (the $2,000 in expenses) I used. I did receive a $500 scholarship from the UTPA International Education Fee Scholarship.” However, a lot more goes into financial planning than just scholarships. A country’s economy plays a key role in the cost of a student’s trip abroad, because exchange rates fluctuate. The exchange rate is now about 1.09 euros for every dollar, as opposed to last May when the rate was about 1.39, according to Bloomberg.com. “The economy is down in Spain the exchange rate is amazing; right now our program cost is the lowest they’ve been in years,” Anderson explained. “So the cost to go over there with housing, three meals a day and everything else is around $1,700. A student now could be looking at $1,700 plus maybe $1,200 (to spend on the trip) you could spend three weeks in Spain and you get two side trips to both Portugal and Andalucia that we organize through the university there. That’s cheaper than what I paid to go to Greece and Italy in 1994, so it’s an amazing value. And if you get a portion of it paid for in scholarships you’ll never have the opportunity to travel that inexpensively with people your age and engage in this experience ever in your life again.” As for professors looking to teach abroad, the process starts with a proposal for a course for either summer I or II, and getting it approved through their department. After they have their college dean sign off on it, it’s the lecturer’s job to spend the rest of the fall and spring semesters recruiting students for the summer class. If the course does not enroll at least 15 students, it is cancelled. However, some exceptions may be made; for example this year will be the first trip to Australia’s Gulf Coast Region to add to the already growing list of places to go. “I go to my department head every year and then the dean signs off, and then I get approved through OIP,” said Anderson, who is returning to teach in Salamanca this summer. “So what happens is, it’s like every other course I have to recruit an ‘X’ amount of students for the course to be made, so from the faculty member’s side you post your course early and start communicating and recruit students that are interested throughout the year.” EXPERIENCES For past participants like Joshua Alderete, the experience is an unforgettable one and can be eyeopening. The recent UTPA graduate was in Anderson’s logic class in Salamanca last summer. “There’s just so much to say. The culture was dif-
ferent,” the 24-year-old said. “A lot of people primarily got around by walking. People obviously drove as well, but the cars they drove were way different than ours. They were smaller and more compact. The way they eat is way different as well. As far as nights went, people were always in the streets. It wasn’t uncommon to still see people at the plaza until 2 or 3 in the morning.” During Alderete’s semester-long stay, he was cared for by a host family, which is a family that provides board and lodging to students, usually for a fee. “My host mom was the best,” said Alderete, who earned his bachelor’s degree in English in December. “I could not understand that lady’s rules. I’d go out and come back past midnight and she’d tell me I was out too late. Other times, she would come home after I did and say that I was home too early. She even pretty much said that I should be embarrassed that an old lady stayed out later than I did.” Roel Hernandez, a criminal justice major, traveled to Vienna, Prague and Budapest as a sophomore as part of the Honors Study Abroad Independent Study with Kenneth Buckman summer 2014. “The program I participated in did not attend a classroom in a foreign university, but instead the city was our classroom,” the senior said. “We would visit and explore museums and areas that are important in history and the culture of the area.” Hernandez stayed in three different hotels during his trip, venturing out to more city-like hangouts in his free time where he was surprised at the reach of American culture. “The thing that I enjoyed was when most of the group went to the Five Story Club in Prague,” he recalled. “The club as the name states had five stories, but each story had a different genre and era of music playing as well as different layouts in each. It was pretty awesome how music from the States is pretty prominent around the world.” Marin, a recipient of one of the program’s scholarships, took a criminal justice course in Spanish law with professor Marika Dawkins. She said she grew close with her host family and the lifestyle. “The Spanish culture is very lively and very family-orientated,” the 21-year-old said. “When you would walk the streets there was always a person playing an instrument or performing a show. They are also big on art; they have a lot of painting on walls. When it was lunch time the whole family would get together to eat. (My host family) really made it feel like we were part of the family and they took really good care of me, especially the time when I got really sick.” For Anderson, the experience is more about personal growth than academic growth. “I look at it like this: you don’t want to go on
a study abroad trip and work super hard, so if I had to take a rigorous course in science for example, the worst thing in the world is to spend $3,000 to $4,000 go to Spain and just grind out homework and come back,” he said. “That’s not the experience that you want. So if you look at it as, ‘What do I need for my degree program?’ I think you’re sort of missing the point. It’s more like, ‘What course is going to enable me to have the richest experience this one time when I get to go?’ I think that’s the way to look at it.” Another thing the philosophy professor values is the ability to get to know his students as people, a chance he doesn’t get too often during the bustle of the fall and spring semesters. “I for one think that it’s really fun to know my students as people and for them to know me as a person, and another thing is often they are looking for (letters of recommendation) to get into grad school or medical school...,” said the 3331 instructor. “It makes it easier to write because I know this person, I care for this person, you know when we were in Spain it’s like you really are family you really do have to care for each other and look out for each other.” Lastly, Anderson is troubled by the lack of use the program is getting by students, more specifically by those that are trying to fulfill their course requirements and move on. According to Hansmann, director of the Office of International Programs, on national average only 1 to 4 percent of students in public higher education settings attend study abroad programs. Every year, UTPA sends about 200 students to travel. In 2014, of the university’s 20,015 students, only 191 took part of the program, 15 of which partook in the long-term session. “One of the things I want to stress is that whether or not I’m teaching somewhere abroad in the future I don’t really care,” the professor stressed. “But I do think that students should take advantage of this opportunity. It’s underutilized and one of the things - like for students that are looking for their degree requirements - would be this, because students
Photo courtesy of Erik Anderson are the ones that can do this, go up to a faculty member at the beginning of next year and ask them: ‘What do you think about offering a course abroad?’ I don’t think a lot of faculty or students are taking advantage of this opportunity. It’s very easy, it’s very affordable and for students is a life-changing experience.” Currently 272 students have applied for courses overseas this summer which include Ireland, Peru, Spain, Germany, Australia’s Gulf Coastline, South Korea and two courses in each of the following: England, France and Italy.
Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American
Page 4
March 26, 2015
THE PAN AMERICAN
World class By Nerio Celaya The Pan American
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 5
Students, professors speak of experiences with study abroad program
vide that for our students as well so they have an experience to travel.’”
UTPA’s Study Abroad program has been exposing students to the world outside the United States and professors like Erik Anderson help facilitate this life-changing experience by teaching UTPA students abroad. Traditionally other such programs would allow students to transfer for a semester or a year to continue their studies in another country, but with UTPA’s Summer Study Abroad program they can take UTPA courses, hosted by Bronc professors in another country for a semester. Back in 1994, Erik Anderson, a philosophy professor at the University, participated in study abroad while studying at Concordia College in Minnesota. He now teaches philosophy of film during the summer abroad in Salamanca, Spain. “When I was a student I did a study abroad program in largely Greece and Italy and it’s one of the things that got me interested in academics, so for me it was probably one of the coolest experiences I had as a college student,” the 41-year-old said. “So when I started teaching here my instinct was, ‘I want to pro-
March 26, 2015
THE PROCESS According to Anderson, the program is made possible by foreign colleges leasing out space for other schools to use in the summers when attendance is low. “What happens in universities in Europe to make up money is they’ll rent their classrooms out in the summertime and that helps them stay afloat, and we take total advantage of that; it’s awesome for us,” the professor said. The application process for students begins after their freshman year, requiring that they have completed one year of classes and be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 grade-point average. After those requirements are met, one can go to Sandra Hansmann at the Office of International Programs located in the Student Academic Center 3.107 and fill out at least two applications: one to attend the program and another for scholarships. Anderson encourages students to explore their options. “One of the biggest things that students don’t realize that is absolutely crucial is that there is funding set aside for students that want to participate in study abroad,” the North Dakota native said. “Because many of them come in and get sticker shock - they see $3,000 or $4,000 - and they and think ‘I can’t pay for that.’ The fact of the matter is that I’ve had students that had the entirety of their trip paid for. I’ve also had students that have had half or a third of their trip paid for just by applying.” One of these students was Yesenia Marin, a criminal justice major with a minor in history, who attended the University of Salamanca via Photo courtesy of Joshua Alderete one of these scholarships
last summer. “The study abroad program cost $2,100 which included living, food and medical insurance for a whole month,” the senior said. “The airfare was separate, which cost about $1,500 and plus (the $2,000 in expenses) I used. I did receive a $500 scholarship from the UTPA International Education Fee Scholarship.” However, a lot more goes into financial planning than just scholarships. A country’s economy plays a key role in the cost of a student’s trip abroad, because exchange rates fluctuate. The exchange rate is now about 1.09 euros for every dollar, as opposed to last May when the rate was about 1.39, according to Bloomberg.com. “The economy is down in Spain the exchange rate is amazing; right now our program cost is the lowest they’ve been in years,” Anderson explained. “So the cost to go over there with housing, three meals a day and everything else is around $1,700. A student now could be looking at $1,700 plus maybe $1,200 (to spend on the trip) you could spend three weeks in Spain and you get two side trips to both Portugal and Andalucia that we organize through the university there. That’s cheaper than what I paid to go to Greece and Italy in 1994, so it’s an amazing value. And if you get a portion of it paid for in scholarships you’ll never have the opportunity to travel that inexpensively with people your age and engage in this experience ever in your life again.” As for professors looking to teach abroad, the process starts with a proposal for a course for either summer I or II, and getting it approved through their department. After they have their college dean sign off on it, it’s the lecturer’s job to spend the rest of the fall and spring semesters recruiting students for the summer class. If the course does not enroll at least 15 students, it is cancelled. However, some exceptions may be made; for example this year will be the first trip to Australia’s Gulf Coast Region to add to the already growing list of places to go. “I go to my department head every year and then the dean signs off, and then I get approved through OIP,” said Anderson, who is returning to teach in Salamanca this summer. “So what happens is, it’s like every other course I have to recruit an ‘X’ amount of students for the course to be made, so from the faculty member’s side you post your course early and start communicating and recruit students that are interested throughout the year.” EXPERIENCES For past participants like Joshua Alderete, the experience is an unforgettable one and can be eyeopening. The recent UTPA graduate was in Anderson’s logic class in Salamanca last summer. “There’s just so much to say. The culture was dif-
ferent,” the 24-year-old said. “A lot of people primarily got around by walking. People obviously drove as well, but the cars they drove were way different than ours. They were smaller and more compact. The way they eat is way different as well. As far as nights went, people were always in the streets. It wasn’t uncommon to still see people at the plaza until 2 or 3 in the morning.” During Alderete’s semester-long stay, he was cared for by a host family, which is a family that provides board and lodging to students, usually for a fee. “My host mom was the best,” said Alderete, who earned his bachelor’s degree in English in December. “I could not understand that lady’s rules. I’d go out and come back past midnight and she’d tell me I was out too late. Other times, she would come home after I did and say that I was home too early. She even pretty much said that I should be embarrassed that an old lady stayed out later than I did.” Roel Hernandez, a criminal justice major, traveled to Vienna, Prague and Budapest as a sophomore as part of the Honors Study Abroad Independent Study with Kenneth Buckman summer 2014. “The program I participated in did not attend a classroom in a foreign university, but instead the city was our classroom,” the senior said. “We would visit and explore museums and areas that are important in history and the culture of the area.” Hernandez stayed in three different hotels during his trip, venturing out to more city-like hangouts in his free time where he was surprised at the reach of American culture. “The thing that I enjoyed was when most of the group went to the Five Story Club in Prague,” he recalled. “The club as the name states had five stories, but each story had a different genre and era of music playing as well as different layouts in each. It was pretty awesome how music from the States is pretty prominent around the world.” Marin, a recipient of one of the program’s scholarships, took a criminal justice course in Spanish law with professor Marika Dawkins. She said she grew close with her host family and the lifestyle. “The Spanish culture is very lively and very family-orientated,” the 21-year-old said. “When you would walk the streets there was always a person playing an instrument or performing a show. They are also big on art; they have a lot of painting on walls. When it was lunch time the whole family would get together to eat. (My host family) really made it feel like we were part of the family and they took really good care of me, especially the time when I got really sick.” For Anderson, the experience is more about personal growth than academic growth. “I look at it like this: you don’t want to go on
a study abroad trip and work super hard, so if I had to take a rigorous course in science for example, the worst thing in the world is to spend $3,000 to $4,000 go to Spain and just grind out homework and come back,” he said. “That’s not the experience that you want. So if you look at it as, ‘What do I need for my degree program?’ I think you’re sort of missing the point. It’s more like, ‘What course is going to enable me to have the richest experience this one time when I get to go?’ I think that’s the way to look at it.” Another thing the philosophy professor values is the ability to get to know his students as people, a chance he doesn’t get too often during the bustle of the fall and spring semesters. “I for one think that it’s really fun to know my students as people and for them to know me as a person, and another thing is often they are looking for (letters of recommendation) to get into grad school or medical school...,” said the 3331 instructor. “It makes it easier to write because I know this person, I care for this person, you know when we were in Spain it’s like you really are family you really do have to care for each other and look out for each other.” Lastly, Anderson is troubled by the lack of use the program is getting by students, more specifically by those that are trying to fulfill their course requirements and move on. According to Hansmann, director of the Office of International Programs, on national average only 1 to 4 percent of students in public higher education settings attend study abroad programs. Every year, UTPA sends about 200 students to travel. In 2014, of the university’s 20,015 students, only 191 took part of the program, 15 of which partook in the long-term session. “One of the things I want to stress is that whether or not I’m teaching somewhere abroad in the future I don’t really care,” the professor stressed. “But I do think that students should take advantage of this opportunity. It’s underutilized and one of the things - like for students that are looking for their degree requirements - would be this, because students
Photo courtesy of Erik Anderson are the ones that can do this, go up to a faculty member at the beginning of next year and ask them: ‘What do you think about offering a course abroad?’ I don’t think a lot of faculty or students are taking advantage of this opportunity. It’s very easy, it’s very affordable and for students is a life-changing experience.” Currently 272 students have applied for courses overseas this summer which include Ireland, Peru, Spain, Germany, Australia’s Gulf Coastline, South Korea and two courses in each of the following: England, France and Italy.
Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American
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JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR FACULTY & STAFF! Join us as we recognize two of the most important groups on campus with a special celebration featuring our Elite Menu by CRAVE AMERICAN on Friday 3/27/15 from 11am-2pm in the Bronc Dining Hall. For more details, contact the Sodexo Marketing Department at 956-665-7409 or e-mail us at alyssa.reyna@sodexo.com
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March 26, 2015
sports By Nathaniel Mata The Pan American Western Athletic Conference tennis is under way for the UTPA’s women’s team as of March 20 in Southern New Mexico. The men will start their WAC season when they host matches this weekend at the Orville Cox Center. Both teams’ on-court play will decide how the Broncs stack up against their conference counterparts and show how much non-conference play prepared both teams. WOMEN’S In the span of one week the team played four matches in two different cities: El Paso and Las Cruces, N.M., the former as a neutral site match against Western New Mexico University March 19. The Broncs won 4-0 against the Mustangs by initially earning the doubles point. Junior Reegan Greenwood and sophomore Katia Stavroulaki won their match 8-5 while Lison Le Biavant and Mariana Ranzahuer won theirs 8-4. The singles matches were clinched due to wins by Greenwood, Ranzahuer and Stavroulaki, all in straight sets. Las Cruces was the next stop March 20, serving as the
By Marco Torres The Pan American In the Women’s Basketball Invitational the Broncs fell to the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns 70-52 March 19 at the Earl K. Long Gym in Lafayette during the opening round of the WBI. It was announced March 16 that the UTPA women’s basketball team was heading to the postseason for the first time in program history. The Broncs then accepted to compete in the sixth-annual WBI against Louisiana-Lafayette, members of the Sun Belt Conference. Head Coach Larry Tidwell knew how important it was to compete and win in the Western Athletic Conference in order to compete in a postseason tournament. He said the two victories in the WAC Tournament helped the team make it and he felt a bit of comfort when they got the invite to the WBI. “It’s a feeling of relief,” Tidwell said. “Our kids de-
March 26, 2015
first WAC competition of the year. The first weekend match was against the Grand Canyon University Antelopes. The WAC opener resulted in the Valley team’s conference loss 5-2. The Broncs won the doubles point for a second straight day with victories by the pairs of freshman Le Biavant and sophomore Ranzahuer as well as Christel Amsallem and Dominique Esparza. In singles, however, UTPA only earned one additional point: a comeback 1-6, 6-3, (10-1) result by early childhood education major Greenwood. The following day the women were back on the court in Las Cruces at the New Mexico State Tennis Center for the second match of the weekend against Seattle University. This time the Broncs earned a 5-2 WAC victory over the Redhawks. Head Coach Stephanie Vallejos attributed the team’s readiness in conference to getting work done leading up to the recent kickoff. “The matches we played leading up to conference play definitely helped build our game and prepared us for our most important moments during conference play,” the fourth year coach said.
Esparza and Amsallem won against New Mexico State, Chitheir doubles match as the Red- cago State and the University of hawks won the other two, earn- Missouri – Kansas City. ing the point. “It would be great to head The Broncs fought back in into more conference play on singles to win. Stavroulaki, a a winning streak,” Vallejos business administration major, said. “But each day is a new won her matchup against Mi- day of competition and we chelle Lui 6-1, 6-2. Greenwood will go to Phoenix ready for extended her winning streak to every opponent.” eight consecutive matches with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. MEN’S Amsallem, Ranzahuer and The UTPA men played Natacha Minc were all success- through a gauntlet in the schedful in their matches, clinching ule before hosting opening UTPA’s first conference win. WAC matches at the Orville On March 22 the Broncs were Cox Tennis Center. at the El Paso Tennis Center to Since the calendar turned to face the University of Texas El March, men’s tennis has faced Paso. The Broncs dropped the four schools ranked in the nalast match of the weekend 5-2. tional top 75: Southern MethThe double’s pair of Stavroulaki odist, Oklahoma State, Univerand Greenwood was the lone sity of Texas at Arlington and UTPA win at 8-6. University of Texas at Austin. In singles play Ranzahuer The Broncs lost all four matches The there First were 9 John earned a triumph in her match- but some set wins. up 7-5, 7-5, while the last Bronc Teller Head Coach Brandon Stokes winner was Minc with her 4-6, said his team responded well 6-4, 6-1 victory. to the challenges against their The women will have a ranked opposition. tune-up match in San Antonio “Our entire schedule is against Nicholls State University tough,” said the coach, who is March 27. It’s their last non- in his second year. “I believe it conference action before round- is the toughest schedule in the ing out the regular season with WAC. We compete in the most another WAC cluster, or group challenging region in college of conference matches, in Phoe- tennis. This is a huge advantage nix, Ariz. the weekend of April 3 for us in the WAC. The boys
served to be there. We won 19 games. I think the two games we won in our tournament were significant, and to see these kids rewarded with postseason play is very good because ... there are a lot of good teams that are sitting home while the UTPA Broncs went to the playoffs.” The WBI tournament is a 16team, single-elimination tournament that consisted of teams such as Xavier, New Mexico, Texas State and Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns are a two seed in the tournament who went 19-12 for the 201415 season. “It was definitely a rush. It was ground-breaking, uncharted waters for this program,” Tidwell said. “We were very excited to be a part of the WBI. When I was at Lamar, we were part of one. It’s a first-class organization and well-run. It’s a very good tournament.” In the first round of the WBI March 19 senior Brittany Bush led the Broncs by scoring 12 points, grabbing 11 boards
and four blocks. The doubledouble marked her fifth of the season and now with 44 blocks, the psychology major finished fifth in most blocks in a single season in program history. For most of the first half the Broncs and the Ragin’ Cajuns went back and forth until a 7-0 run pushed the Broncs up to a five-point lead, which extended to six-points as time ran out of the half. In the second half the oppenent caught fire as the Broncs still had a five-point lead, outscoring UTPA 34-12, which put the game out of reach and resulted in the loss. “The postseason is something very, very special,” the second year coach said. “Only 144 teams make the postseason out of a possible 349, so we feel very fortunate and happy to have gone to the postseason since over 200 other teams went home.” Even though UTPA lost the game, Tidwell knew how important it was to make it to a
have responded the way we are supposed to: with resiliency, relentless energy and belief in ourselves and each other.” The Broncs won the doubles point with victories from freshman Koby Jansen and sophomore Juan Cruz Soria 7-5, as well as a 6-1 triumph for Hector Ramirez and Nikola Crvelin against No. 63 UT-Arlington March 19. In singles play Ramirez, a junior, defeated his opponent 6-0, 6-2. After his win the host team took the remaining singles matches. On March 22 at Westwood Country Club in Austin the team faced the No. 8 Texas Longhorns. The duo of Jansen and Cruz Soria earned a 7-5 result over the No. 35-ranked pair of Soren Hess-Olsen and Lloyd Glasspool. After the Broncs dropped the doubles point they moved on to singles where they earned two victories before the Longhorns clinched the 5-2 win. Ramirez won his set 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (10-7). Freshman accounting major Elliot Johnstone 3-6, 6-0, 6-2, also got a victory against Longhorn William Jou. Stokes said his team’s tough schedule is a tool that get them ready for WAC play.
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“It most certainly has prepared us,” the 1994 University of Toledo graduate said. “The vast array of experiences this season has us ready for anything that conference competition brings our way. Toughness is earned and our Broncs are ready.” March 22 saw the men get back into the win column over the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers. The opposition was ranked No. 22 in NCAA Division II, but the Broncs walked away with a 7-0 sweep. Doubles wins by Cruz Soria and Jansen (8-6) and by the pair of Miguel Alaverz-Hevia and Ethan Ammon (8-0) clinched the point for the visitor. Every singles match went to Bronc players with straight-set decisions going to Johnstone 6-1, 6-4; Jansen 6-3, 6-3; Alvarez Hevia 6-4, 6-0; and Ramirez, 6-0, 6-3. Bronc men will host WAC cluster matches starting March 27. Their first match is March 27 at 5:30 p.m. against Grand Canyon University.
postseason tournament for the school and his athletes, considering only a select number of schools are invited to postseason action. While the future is uncertain due to the merger, Tidwell remains optimistic in his chances of getting back to the postseason and possibly holding up a trophy at the end of it. “The postseason’s fun. It’s a joy to be a part of. The atmosphere and energy it creates, the positive vibes it creates about your program,” Tidwell said. “When you have a winning season it takes some of the pressure off. I’m really pleased with the way our girls made a run at the WAC Tournament Championship, getting to the finals. We came up short in the finals, but hopefully that win will come.”
Sarah Carvajal/ The Pan American Head Coach Larry Tidwell talks to freshman forward Hildur Björg Kjartansdóttir during the final home game of the season against the Utah Valley Wolverines at the Field House Feb. 21.
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March 26, 2015
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