Vol. 38, No. 14 ­ Dec. 6, 2010

IGNAL THE HE SIGNAL A STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE

Hell on Wheels page 4-5 December 6, 2010

www.uhclthesignal.com

Volume XXXVIII, Number 14

Space station celebrates 10 years strong Van Shotwell The Signal The International Space Station has hit a decade of accomplishments beyond earthly proportions. After seven flight assembly missions, the first crew of Expedition 1 docked on the ISS Nov. 2, 2000.

Even before the conception of the ISS, there were other attempts at space survival, such as: Soviet’s Salyut I (April 1971 - October 1971), United States’ Skylab (May 1973 - July 1979) and Soviet/Russian’s Mir (February 1986 - March 2001).

While these two countries acted alone in these first space endeavors, their experiences became a global collaboration.

With the cooperation of the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan and 11 members of the European Space Agency, the ISS fostered a unification of Courtesy: NASA nations on Earth and in equivalent to eight round trips to space. the Sun. The space station has orbited There have been 103 space the Earth 57,361 times and the flights to the ISS and the crew of odometer reads more than 1.5 Expedition 26 currently occupies billion statute miles. NASA explains that this distance is about it. The space station has been

Holidays are a perfect time to give back, opportunities abound Kelly Crittenden assistant director of student life The Signal at UHCL. “As the year comes to Many people give back to a close, there are a lot of needs the community during the winter in our community and many agenholidays more than cies can certainly anytime of the year.

“As the year use additional help While it is a time during this very comes to a that celebrates and busy season.” close, there promotes peace on

The earth and helping are a lot of Houston Food those in need, the Bank participates needs in our economy today does in different food community not allow everyone drives, like the and many to give as much Share Your Holifinancially. But be of agencies can days Food Drive good cheer; there is certainly use that will take place another way to give Dec. 10. Volunadditional back - donate time to teers are needed help during local charities. to assess and sort “Giving back this very busy food and houseto the community hold products, season.” is certainly somepack food boxes Jennifer Clark thing that is needed and repack bulk Assistant Director of all year long, but items into smaller Student Life something about quantities. the holiday season Family to definitely inspires and reminds Family Network will hold a party people to be thankful for what for children with disabilities Dec. they have and to help others who Giving: continued on page 6 are in need,” said Jennifer Clark,

continuously manned for more than 3,680 days.

To give a humanistic perspective on the size of the space station, NASA compares it to the length of a football field,

dock and live on the space station for four months.

Clayton Anderson was part of the ground crew. He remembers that first mission fondly.

“I was pretty much in awe of being a rookie astronaut sitting next to Bill Shepherd who had flown already on the shuttle and was now going to be the first commander of the International Space Station,” Anderson said. “It was a pretty big day.”

In 2007, Anderson received his moment in history as the flight engineer on Expedition 15. This was the moment that Anderson had been waiting and training for since 1983.

“I’m a man of faith and being in space for five months the first time and 15 days the second time did nothing

which measures about 357 feet end zone to end zone.

As the first crew, Bill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, prepared themselves Oct. 31, 2000, to

ISS: continued on page 6

Digital daze: Limewire is dead, file sharing is not Terann Hilow The Signal More than one month ago, a court-ordered injunction forced free digital file sharing company Limewire to cease its online operations, putting an end to illegal file trading via the peer-to-peer network.

A federal judge in New York found that 93 percent of the file trading taking place on Limewire

involved the transfer of unauthorized copyright material, and the injunction states that the network is responsible for intentionally encouraging infringement on a substantial scale.

The network brought in more than 50 million users a month, leading to an estimated $1 billion in damages, which have yet to be assessed by the court. In January, the case will resume and dam-

ages will be decided.

As the Recording Industry Association of America and the federal government continue in their battle against copyright infringement, many musicians and artists agree that illegal file trading is stealing. Jason Bonham, drummer and son of Led Zeppelin’s late drummer, John

Sharing: continued on page 6

Boetticher named Piper Award nominee Diana Cotter The Signal Gary D. Boetticher, associate professor of computer science, software engineering and computer information systems, has been nominated to represent UHCL in competition for the Minnie Stevens Piper Award, which honors college and university professors across the state of Texas.

“I am extremely excited about this nomination,” Boetticher said.

“I teach because I thoroughly enjoy helping others learn to succeed. I seek to inspire others to help them make the world a better

INSIDE

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Cartoon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ONLINE

Video: Mixed Signals

place.”

Oil businessman Randall Gordon Piper and his wife, Minnie Stevens Piper, established the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation in 1950. The foundation was incorporated in the state of Texas as a non profit, charitable corporation.

Every fall semester, students nominate their favorite professors.

The UHCL Piper Award Committee, composed of four students and four faculty members representing each of UHCL’s four schools, selects 10 finalists from the pool of candidates. The com-

Hell on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Profile of a skater . . . . . . . . . . 4

Social: Follow The Signal on Twitter and Facebook

GARY BOETTICHER mittee then votes to choose one nominee using a specific criteria.

The nominee then goes on to Piper: continued on page 6 Feature . . . . . . . . . 8

Reuse.

Repurpose.

Recycle me.

OPINIONS

December 6, 2010 Date Here

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EDITORIAL

IMMIGRATION: WHAT DOES IT MATTER? America was built by people from around the world The United States is the land of opportunity, the land of dreams. The resources available outside of its borders pale in comparison to those within them – especially in underdeveloped nations.

In 1492, European explorers unintentionally discovered what would become the United States of America. Children are taught across the country the story of Columbus’ discovery. Usually told with great zeal and pride, it fails to impart that America is stolen land. Native Americans occupied this continent long before it was colonized by Great Britain and the formation of the original 13 colonies. The United States of America is a nation built upon the dreams of those who immigrated here centuries ago.

Texas legislators will consider approximately 15 immigration bills in its upcoming session, which begins days before the start of the next semester. Both chambers will convene noon Jan. 11, 2011 at the state capitol.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act April 23, 2010. The law, most commonly referred to as Arizona State Bill 1070, is touted as the broadest and strictest piece of legislation aimed at preventing illegal immigration in recent history. S.B. 1070 makes it a misdemeanor at the state level for certain aliens, already feder-

COLUMN

Brad Denison: The Signal

ally required to do so, to not carry identification and registration documents.

The bill requires local and state agencies to confirm whether those suspected of committing crimes are in this country legally.

It also prohibits the same officials from limiting enforcement of federal immigration laws and imposes greater penalties for those

who hire, transport or harbor illegal immigrants.

The state of Arizona not only legalized racial profiling earlier this year, but set precedence in favoring it. This is racial profiling – the consideration of race when developing a profile of suspected criminals – to an extreme. The hue of one’s skin and the accent with which one speaks are charac-

teristics of one’s racial identity.

What then, are Arizona officials using as the basis to determine from whom to request documents verifying legal entry in this country?

How different is this from internment of the nearly 110,000 Japanese-Americans in the early 1940s during World War II? What criteria will Texas law

enforcement agencies use if similar legislation is passed in this state in the upcoming legislative session?

State laws on immigration do little, if anything, to prevent illegal entry into the U.S. The debate on the House and Senate floors will take away from the time legislators can debate issues that need to be addressed in Texas.

At best, these laws stiffen penalties already in place at the federal level. At worst, they heighten public hysteria of immigration issues and distract from the real and tangible good state governments can do.

These laws will do nothing to provide food for children and families without it. They will not restore funding to state colleges and universities whose budgets have been drastically cut once again. They will not increase access to healthcare. They will, however, promote fear, hate and injustice. They will further constitutionalize discrimination.

The United States should not be erecting walls and barriers, both physical and metaphorical. Immigration laws should be written to allow for all those who seek to live the American dream to enter the only nation where its pursuit is possible.

This is America in 2010, is it not time that we embraced our heritage as a nation – the melting pot of the world?

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, every single month down the tree, trying to fit the tree back into the impossibly small box and repeating the process in I usually sleep in late on Black 2010 was entirely too much work.

However, I didn’t want to Friday and dream about the crazy leave the tree in its special Christpeople who have been up since 3 mas spot all year. That would a.m. However, this year, I was up just be lazy.

So, I moved it to the early watching the comedy show corner of the that is my husroom. band and his At first, parents trying my husband to put up their wasn’t in new 12-foot love with the Christmas tree. idea of leavWhile decing the tree orating the tree up all year, can be a joybut he got ous occasion over it after a that brings few months. the family At one together, it can point, my also be a disashusband even ter when the Hannah Pietsch suggested tree is too tall The Signal Staff covering it and ornaments up with a have disapsheet.

While I am comfortable peared or been damaged. Though with leaving a Christmas tree up I enjoyed the show, I would for an entire year, I quickly shot recommend that they do what I down the idea of covering it with do with my tree – just leave it up a sheet. That’s just tacky. throughout the year.

We considered decorating it Yes, you read that right. In for different holidays through December 2009, I decided that the year – hearts for Valentine’s removing the decorations, taking Hannah Pietsch The Signal

Day, pictures of people we know for April Fool’s Day and IOU’s for Father’s Day. But, that also sounded like too much time and effort.

So, the tree sat in the corner the entire year. The ornaments stayed on and we plugged it in every couple of months so we could see the pretty lights.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were straightening up our apartment and decided to move the tree back to its special Christmas Editor place in our Corey Benson living room.

Assistant Editor It took 30 secBrad Denison onds.

Designers Thirty Stephanie DuBois seconds and Grant Chesshir Christmas Staff arrived to our Amanda Anderson little slice of Crystina Arnold Houston. I Carla Bradley was amazed Jenny Clement at the minimal Diana Cotter amount of Kelly Crittenden energy spent Jessica Faz decorating for Britta Gamino Christmas this William Garfield year. Already, James Jones

Christmas seemed brighter and happier.

The work crew decorating my in-laws’ Christmas tree eventually dwindled to two. My husband abandoned them to go wash his truck.

The tree is now up and the branches fluffed. My father-inlaw brought four huge storage boxes of ornaments downstairs.

The angel is at the top and a few

ornaments have been sporadically placed. Other decorations include a cowboy hat and big belt buckle wearing Santa that sings and dances to “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.”

While they worked and I relaxed, I tried to think of a good reason to take my tree down this year. So far, I don’t have one.

THE SIGNAL STAFF Terann Hilow Dana Lizik Anthony Nguyen Hannah Pietsch Rose Pulido Amy Salvato Kelly Seiver Van Shotwell Travis Smith Maria Solis Victoria Ugalde Melissa Waller Mechele Williams Valerie Winkler Publication Specialist Lindsay Humphrey Faculty Adviser Taleen Washington

The Signal is a public forum and will print letters to the editor subject to the following: letters must be no longer than 500 words.

Where necessary, letters will be edited for grammar, spelling and style requirements.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s full name, address and phone number.

The editors reserve the right to refuse letters, announcements and contributed articles deemed libelous.

The Signal Student Publications Office, Box 456 University of Houston-Clear Lake 2700 Bay Area Blvd.

Houston, TX 77058 Phone: 281-283-2570 E-mail: thesignal@uhcl.edu Online: www.uhclthesignal.com

3

December 6, 2010

Student Life • Student Life•

•

The Fitness Zone is now offering Workout Fundamentals everyday!

New times available!

10-session program

(sessions expire 30 days from start date)

Cost: $50 Register in the Student Life Office!

Questions?

Contact fitnesszone@uhcl.edu or 281-283-2410

The Signal

FEATURES

Carla Bradley The Signal Better known as “Mojo,” UHCL accounting major Mary Jo Gould’s teammates all think she rocks like Slayer.

“You rock like Slayer” is another way to say “I love you” among MobStars teammates in the local world of roller derby.

As the original captain for The MobStars since its creation in October 2006, Mojo makes sure her team of 10 female skaters practice three to four times a week for two hours; while she trains four times a week and lends a helping hand to skaters who need to improve their technique. “[Mojo] welcomes new people

in, helps them and encourages them to try even if they don’t feel like they are doing very well,” said Marcy Bieber, aka Malibu Vader, one of Mojo’s teammates.

To fully prepare to lead her team, Mojo attends boot camps and finds ways to communicate strategy to her team during the week. This process eats up valuable studying time.

“I’m more passionate than obsessed for the sport,” Mojo said.

“It’s not that school interferes with training; it’s more the other way around.”

For Mojo, game strategy is essential to her and her team’s success. Her leadership skills and refined strategic knowledge have

4

helped lead The MobStars to several championship games. “[Championship games] are always very high-tension and competitive,” Mojo said. “This year was even more so, since it was the first championship played on our banked track.”

Although her team just lost the championship by 4 points (for the first time in three years), she proudly believes her teammates played well. “[Mojo] is really good at strategy,” said Marissa McDaniel, Domino Drop-A-Ho, another one of Mojo’s teammates. “She’s also good at finding people’s strengths and weaknesses and building packs according to what each

December 6, 2010

player may have – she’s a derby badass.”

Mojo is soon to be the former captain of The MobStars roller derby team as she prepares to take on a new position as a part-time owner of Texas City’s South Side Roller Derby league, which consists of eight teams with approximately 12-14 players on each team.

“Mojo is a great asset to our league as a whole,” said Brenda Cooper, founder of South Side Roller Derby and the woman responsible for teaching Mojo the basics. “I’ve been waiting for her to focus more on the league with me for three years now.”

If the teams within the league

aren’t happy, the league isn’t either, and Mojo plans to make the league better through her talents and dedication.

“I know I can always count on her to have my back and she’s taught me a great deal about the sport itself,” said Esther Conolly, Mojo’s closest friend on the team who intends to retire from roller derby with Mojo and focus on running South Side.

“She’s made this all better for me because of all the knowledge she has. She knows how to play the game better than anyone else on the league – that’s her greatest strength.”

FEATURES

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December 6, 2010

Melissa Waller: The Signal

Las Muertas take on the defending champions The MobStars in the 2010 Golden Skate Championship on Nov. 20, at The House of Derby.

Victoria Ugalde: The Signal

Brad Denison The Signal This is the 2010 Golden Skate Championship, Las Muertas vs. The MobStars.

Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you just joining us, welcome to Texas City and The House of Derby, home to South Side Roller Derby.

The sport is experiencing a major comeback. This is the fifth operating modern day bank track in the nation and the fastest in the world.

The first half of the game saw a number of injuries; most surprisingly the undefeated defending champion MobStars only had the lead in the game for one jam.

They are not accustomed to this kind of game.

Donkey PuncHer is taking on Las Muertas cocaptain D-Vious, and both skaters take it through a competitive pack with half the players taking a serious spill, allowing the most points in one jam for the night so far – 10 points total: 7 MobStars, 3 Las Muertas.

The jam also saw a number of penalties called

by Babs WheelHer, including the first ejection of the evening: Battle TeacHER. When a skater accumulates three major penalties, she is required to remove her skates and is ejected from the banked track. Three minor penalties equal one major penalty and can just as easily get a skater ejected.

Next up is HiJackin’ Jill jamming for the Muertas and Malibu Vader is in for The MobStars. Vader

JAMMER REFS

takes a quick trip into Daisy Pukes, but elsewhere on the track, I hear a scream of pain. Jill is down on the inside of the rink. EMS works their way onto the track to assess the situation, but from my vantage point, it doesn’t look good. Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking a 5 minute break while they take care of Jill.

Let’s have a round of applause for HiJackin’ Jill and wish her a speedy recovery as they carry her out of the building.

With The MobStars down a jammer, Showin’ Tail is in a power jam. It’s her versus the pack. The Muertas want to extend their lead, but The MobStars lay on the speed, preventing Tail from catching back up to the pack. It may be the frustration building on the track, but tensions are rising, and the timer runs out before any points can be scored.

Las Muertas’ fans start chanting the team name again, and I think it’s pushing JC Hatchet to take lead jammer position.

Meanwhile, Choctaw falls back behind the track to engage JC. The MobStars’ strategy backfires though as JC passes the pack and the opposing jammer. I have been waiting two hours to announce this: GRAND SLAM! One lap, 5 more points for Las Muertas for a total of 44. MobStars have 31.

With JC Hatchet in the penalty box from the last jam, The MobStars get another power jam and Marlo wants this jam badly.

She makes it through the pack and takes lead jammer position with little effort. Las Muertas have decided on speed and are keeping up with Marlo.

Folks, this is not legal; there will be penalties, but Marlo will not be able to score any points since Las Muertas in effect have prevented her from lapping them.

Las Muertas made a decision to rack up penalties to prevent The MobStars from scoring, which is enraging the crowd. Fans are ejected from the building.

Deliberation is taking place by the referees. Penalties are passed out to almost everyone who skated; I’ve never seen anything like it.

This is a 4-point game: Las Muertas 49, MobStars 45. There are 7 seconds left on the clock. That means we get a final 1 minute jam!

If Marlo can make it through the pack, The MobStars can tie-up the game – if not take the win. JC Hatchet makes it through the pack and takes lead jammer position. As Marlo breaks through, JC calls off the jam.

Ladies and gentlemen, with a score of 49 to 45, your 2010 Golden Skate Champions have been decided. VIVA LAS MUERTAS! For more derby action and the 2011 South Side Roller Derby schedule go to www.southsiderollerderby. com or www.houseofderby. com.

BLOCKERS (PACK) REFS

JAMMERS

PIVOTS

6

The Signal

Giving: continued from page 1

11 at Bear Creek United Methodist Church. The party will include food, games and crafts. Volunteers are needed to serve food, help children play games, creates crafts and clean up after the festivities.

Contact the volunteer coordinator at 713-466-6304 for more information.

H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing, which will take place Dec. 12 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, provides a meal, entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus to children and their families. Volunteers are needed to serve more than 10,000 meals to the Houston community.

Help Our Military Endure, or HOME, is a nonprofit organization that sends care packages to soldiers serving overseas. People can easily encourage a soldier by writing a letter or card to them and sending it to HOME, who will then include it in a care package.

“Sending a surprise package to someone defending our country and all mankind is such a simple gesture of thanks for all they endure,” said Trudy Duhon, president of HOME. “It doesn’t take much to write a letter and that one letter could make a world of difference to someone serving so far from home.”

For ways to contribute to HOME, contact Duhon at 281614-9015.

Animal shelters always offer volunteer opportunities to befriend animals by grooming them and walking dogs. There are outreach opportunities to work at booths and even help baby-sit animals. The Houston Society

for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is always in need of help to further their mission of helping animals. They can be reached at 713-869-7722 for information on volunteering.

Once the holiday season is over and the next year begins, the giving does not have to end.

There are volunteer opportunities that will help carry the spirit of goodwill throughout the entire year.

Houston Food Bank holds multiple events throughout the year, including the Senior Food Box Program for the elderly, Disaster Relief Box Preparation and the Back Pack Buddy Program, where volunteers can help with food preparation, packaging and delivery.

Interfaith Caring Ministries houses a food pantry year-round that requires an assortment of volunteers to operate. They also participate in Meals on Wheels Association of America program, which provides meals to seniors everyday all over the United States. To find a local program, go to www.mowaa.org or www.imgh. org. There are opportunities to be runners, drivers, meal preparation and several more tasks.

“A great resource if you are looking for ways for you and your family and friends to give back during this time is to check out Bay Area Volunteer Houston’s Web page,” Clark said. “They have a link for ‘Holiday Volunteering’ in the Bay Area that lists a wide variety of activities available and also includes a wish list if you have items you would like to donate.”

Volunteer Sites: Family to Family Network party for children with disabilities: http://www.familytofamilynetwork.org/events/educational-calendar H-E-B Feast of Sharing: http://www.yelp.com/events/houston-5th-annual-h-e-b-feast-of-sharing Help Our Military Endure or HOME http://www.helpourmilitaryendure.com/?section=contribute Meals on Wheels http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=396 The Houston SPCA http://www.houstonspca.org/site/PageNavigator/getinvolved_volunteer

ISS: continued from page 1

but strengthen that faith and the ability to look at the Earth from above and see the planet with no boundary lines and no borders,” Anderson said. “It was extremely moving for me and I think if more people had that opportunity to see the Earth from outer space we would not fight each other as much as we do.”

Kirk Shireman, ISS’s deputy program manager, understands the depth of the perspective that the human space programs give to the world.

“Even though I’m not an astronaut, but even to be part of it is really a blessing to me,” Shireman said.

Shireman concurred with a comment that astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson shared with him recently on the profound realization that they are a part of something that only a very small fraction of people in the

world have had the privilege to experience.

“Being part of an endeavor that’s so rare in human kind, hopefully it won’t be so rare as we go forward,” Shireman said.

Shireman explained that the future of the ISS will involve increasing the amount of crew time and resources that would interface with the ISS. Therefore, NASA has created a national laboratory that is open to other federal divisions and the private sector.

“What we want to do is make it as simple as possible so that basically anyone could build an experiment that could fly on ISS,” Shireman said.

For further information about the International Space Station and the national laboratory, visit www.nasa.gov.

December 6, 2010

Sharing: continued from page 1 Bonham, said that he is against sites like Limewire.

“You take away what the musician has done and prided himself on,” Bonham said. “There’s a certain amount of people who say that it should be free, but then you’re taking it from the hands of the musician. I have never downloaded anything free in my life, even when I know how to do it because I just don’t think it’s right. I believe in paying for it. What many people don’t think about is that whatever is made on an album these days, an artist will be lucky to get 25 cents out of it.”

Artists and bands are not the only ones who oppose illegal file sharing; record companies also voice a negative opinion toward copyright infringement, citing similar financial and ethical reasons. Amy Sciarretto, publicist at Roadrunner Records, stands firmly against stealing music and explained the impact that it has had on the music industry. “[Illegal file sharing] has undoubtedly impacted the industry,” Sciarretto said. “Look at record sales. The CD is a dead medium.

Ten years ago, the top-selling album sold over a million copies its first week in stores. Now, top-sellers max out at 100,000 and you land at number one. That was unheard of in the 80’s, that number wouldn’t even crack the Top 100 and was grounds to get a band dropped from its label.

I think that illegal file sharing is destroying the notion of music as art that should be compensated.

I am all for digital music, as long as the artist and those who created it are paid for their efforts and their talents in making it.”

Regarding the closure of

Limewire, Sciaretto believes that justice has been served.

“I think it is a big reminder that music is still a viable form of art and that those who create it need to be paid for it,” Sciaretto said. “Plumbers don’t fix toilets for free. Carpenters don’t build shelves for free. Mechanics don’t fix cars for free. Music still has monetary worth and value.”

While the music industry fights to preserve copyright laws, the opposing side says that it will continue to participate in illegal file sharing using different networks. Some students say they do not exactly equate illegally downloading music with stealing.

“You can call it stealing if you want, but I look at it differently,” an anonymous UHCL student said. “The music industry is far different than it was when I was growing up. I’m not going to go out and spend $15 on a CD with three good songs, one of them being a song that’s played 100 times a day on the radio. If artists and record companies would put out good music that’s worth the money, then I’d have no problem with paying for it. You’re stealing from me if I buy your CD and it’s full of filler songs you put out just to make a quick dollar.”

Others argue that even though they illegally download music, they still support their favorite bands and artists by purchasing merchandise and attending concerts.

“I love file sharing, and I don’t really feel bad for downloading music because I have always spent a ton of money supporting the music industry,” a second anonymous student said. “I go to lots of concerts and live shows,

usually opting for the more expensive seats. I buy merchandise for myself and others. I’ve been known to feed starving artists, and when I go to shows I often buy CDs just to show support for the band, whether I actually plan on listening to it or not. I think “There’s I do more than my fair share a certain of supportamount of people who ing the music industry. So, say that it no, I don’t should be feel bad for free, but downloading then you’re music.” taking it Furtherfrom the more, some hands of say that the battle against the musiillegal file cian.”

Jason Bonham trading is one that will never Drummer be won.

“We can thank the Internet era for pirating music,” another UHCL student said. “It’s so easy, and there is no way to stop it or police it.”

Moreover, an anonymous source who belongs to a private P2P network said that he does not feel bad about downloading music and movies for free, and that he is not concerned with being caught.

“As far as legal repercussions, I’m not worried at all,” source number four said. “One of the many advantages of being a member of a private tracker is just that: it is private, keeps a low profile and is invite-only.”

To learn more about the RIAA’s stance against illegal file sharing, visit the website at www. riaa.com/physicalpiracy.php.

Piper: continued from page 1 compete against other nominees at the state-level competition.

“The candidates’ files are carefully vetted for evidence of teaching excellence,” said Keith Parsons, member of the 20102011 UHCL Piper Award committee and former 2009-2010 UHCL Piper Award nominee. “Other criteria such as an excellent record of research and service also go into the decision.”

Boetticher obtained his Ph.D. in computer science at West Virginia University and has been a UHCL faculty member since 2000. He has been nominated nine times for the Piper Award and has been a finalist six times, but this is the first time he has been selected to represent the university at the state level.

“I find it rare that a professor would give so much of his time outside his posted hours to help us succeed; this is above and beyond,” said Richard Albrecht, computer science major.

“Through my university career, I’ve been fortunate to have been taught by many fine professors, but with Dr. Boetticher, I feel that I’ve been taught by the best.”

Boetticher has written two books, several papers and presented at numerous workshops.

He has earned two Best Paper Awards from The 8th World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics. In the Spring 2010 semester he was

awarded the Instructional Innovation Award for a paper entitled, “How to Teach Like Harvard” at UHCL, which describes how he integrates YouTube videos in his teaching.

“Excellent teaching involves engaging students in the learning process,” Boetticher said. “I also try to capture a student’s imagination by making my teaching innovative.”

One of his more popular classes is Financial Data Mining.

“Students enroll in degrees or classes with the intent of learning how to make more money,” Boetticher said. “In Financial Data Mining, students apply mathematical models to the stock market and learn how to have their money work for them.”

Besides Financial Data Mining, Boetticher also teaches Database Management Systems, Data Mining, Bioinformatics, Human Computer Interaction and Software Engineering Tools.

“As a division chair, I carefully read the student evaluations for every faculty member every year,” said Kwok-Bun Yue, division chair of computing and mathematics and former UHCL Piper Award recipient. “Dr. Boetticher’s student evaluations are consistently excellent.”

In several of his classes where there is a lot of content, Boetticher has shown initiative in reaching out to his students.

“Dr. Boetticher goes out of his way to help students learn with his well-written notes and YouTube videos,” said Dawood Moazzem, a graduated computer science major.

Since 2009, Boetticher has produced or sponsored more than 60 YouTube videos, gaining local and international recognition.

“In about 15 months, these videos have been viewed more than 150,500 times in 154 countries including remote places such as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Haiti,” Boetticher said. “There have been students who transferred to UHCL as a result of watching these videos.”

These videos have managed to percolate to the top in searches.

If you go to YouTube and search on UHCL, Boetticher’s videos occupy the first 25 spots.

The Minnie Stevens Award committee, located in San Antonio, will announce the names of the 2010-2011 10 Piper Award recipients. Each recipient receives a certificate of merit, a gold pin and a $5,000 cash honorarium.

“Boetticher is the kind of professor that UHCL wants others to see as a role model, both on campus and in the state of Texas,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students.

December 6, 2010

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The Signal

FEATURES

8

A life-changing experience

Student learns hope from nephew Diana Cotter The Signal It was one of those perfect Sundays. An August afternoon spent with family while we watched my 13-year-old nephew Erick Cotter play soccer. The crowd was cheering, and Erick was running as fast as he could to get to the other side of the field.

He was determined to help his team win this game.

About halfway through the game Erick collapsed on the ground, his vision blurred.

His mother took him home thinking that all he needed was a good nap, but what happened to Erick was more serious than just simple fatigue.

The next morning, Erick noticed some strange bruises that felt and looked like bumps; he also noticed little brown spots on his arms and legs. Erick ended up being rushed to the Texas Children’s Hospital emergency room for tests.

The results revealed his blood was thickening from the over-production of white blood cells. And just like that, my nephew was diagnosed with leukemia.

“LEUKEMIA, the possibility just seemed impossible,” said Gladys Cotter, Erick’s mother. “It all seemed like a nightmare to me, but this was all real.”

Erick was transferred to the cancer floor where a bone marrow biopsy was performed to find out if the cancer had spread to the brain, spinal cord and other parts of his body. Good news – the cancer hadn’t spread.

Bad news – Erick’s cancer was identified as acute lymphoid leukemia, a lifethreatening form of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and blood. It is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells.

“I know what leukemia is,” Erick said.

“I have blood cancer, and I have to get chemo done.”

He started his chemo treatment right away. The nurse placed a temporary IV in his arm to provide fluids such as: plasma, blood, platelets, antibiotics and chemotherapy. Erick was released from the hospital two weeks after his diagnosis.

Because of Erick’s critical condition, my sister, a single mother, made the difficult decision to move in with us so she and Erick could have help from family. Things haven’t been easy for them, especially for Erick. He left his friends, his school, his home and many aspects of his life behind.

“The hospital has become like a second home for us,” Gladys said.

He can no longer attend regular school classes. Instead, he is homebound.

“In spite of all the time he has missed, he has caught up with the rest of his classmates in a very short period of time,” said Michelle Conner, Clear Creek ISD homebound teacher. “He surprises me each visit by understanding difficult concepts and lessons so quickly. He has a lovingly sarcastic sense of humor and a laugh that brings a smile to the room.”

Football games, soccer practices and orchestra performances have been replaced with weekly chemotherapies, administered via a port that was surgically implanted into his chest.

In addition, at least once a week a spinal tap is performed, which consists of inserting a hollow needle into the spinal cord to extract bone marrow and blood.

He also receives three peg shots in his leg, which is another form of chemotherapy. Both procedures are tremendously painful.

The effects of the treatment, along with the excruciating pain, cause him to walk with difficulty and lose his appetite for days.

“Just the thought of food makes me nauseated,” Erick said. “This treatment is so strong that it makes me feel more miserable, weak and ill.”

For Halloween there was no trick or treating for Erick; he was in the hospital getting two units of blood and two platelet transfusions. While other kids were eating Halloween treats, he was forcing down six to 10 different giant pills.

“When I look at myself in the mirror, I don’t see that healthy kid anymore,” Erick said. “I see a weak kid who is losing his hair and whose body is changing but not like a normal teenage boy’s body would; mine is changing in reverse.”

His muscles are slowly getting smaller as he continues to lose weight. As a kid who struggles daily between life and death, his body is in a constant battle.

Many tasks that were easy for him to handle in the past, such as carrying grocery bags or making his bed, are now challenges because he is so weak. Removing a cap from a bottle of juice and getting a new video game out of the box are things that, without help, he can no longer accomplish.

This disease has stolen his childhood.

My nephew is an amazing kid who will not stop fighting. He has dreams of becoming a lawyer and as courageous as he is, I know that one day his dream will come true. We have lost this battle before, with my dad’s aggressive form of cancer.

This time we won’t lose the battle; we still have three years of treatment ahead of us. His will and determination will help our entire family persevere. We won’t give up because we know that he will never give up.

“I want to play soccer again and go back to school,” Erick said. “I want to be healthy and I want to be who I was. And I know that one day I will.”

Photos courtesy: Diana Cotter

Bottom: Erick takes a nap while three units of blood are infused into his bloodstream via a port in his chest.

Top: Erick enjoys a boat ride just days before he is diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia.

December 6, 2010