2/1/18

INDEX:

2|CAMPUS

3|OPINION

4|SPORTS

5|ENTERTAINMENT

6|AD

UPD moved to Lewis Hall Page 2

Thursday, February 1, 2017

Volume 92 Issue 13

New non-refundable fee raises questions

Students concerned over new fee policy for Study Abroad program Dakota Roberts Editorial Editor

Texas A&M University— Kingsville’s study abroad program has added a $350 non-refundable commitment fee for all students who will be studying out of the country.

The charge is a new precedent for the study abroad program. In the past, when a student expressed interest in a trip, they were given an interview and asked to make a deposit. When the time came for a student to commit to traveling and complete the remaining payments, that deposit was transferred over to help pay for those remaining charges. If the student could no longer commit to

the trip, the deposit would be returned to the student. This is no longer the case; now the money will be given to the Study Abroad offices permanently.

Dr. Jacqueline Thomas, regent professor of French and sponsor for the study abroad program, raised concerns about the new fee.

“What happens is as soon as a student is interested in a study abroad trip, they go to an interview and they are told they have 10 days to think about whether they want to go on the trip or not, then to pay this $350 confirmation fee,” she explained, “which they used to call a deposit, but now it’s a non-returnable deposit.”

Thomas ended with, “It just seems like this should be

the student’s money.”

Thomas said some students have already been affected by the new policy and have not been able to have their money refunded. Frank Villarreal, a French student who was slated to travel with Thomas to France in May, was unable to come up with the remaining funds and had to abandon his $350.

“I do know there is no way to get the refund and that’s probably the biggest issue I have with that because people can be serious about the trip but there is a moment where you realize I just can’t make it, I can’t do it,” Villarreal said. “So not being able to get that money back, especially here in college, is a big issue.”

Other students have ex-

pressed disdain for the short time allotted to making the final decision before paying the $350 fee. Villarreal said he was given a week to collect the money and pay the nonrefundable fee, regardless if he was certain he would be able to go on the trip.

The school has responded to some comments concerning the fee. In an email, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Duane Gardiner discussed the difficulty with funding the program, writing, “We would all like to have less expensive study abroad trips. Once we lost our ability to waive designated tuition and on-campus fees, the prices soared.”

The Office of International Services and Scholar Services’ staff explained that the

‘It just seems like this should be the student’s money.’

- Dr. Jacqueline Thomas

fee is used as a contingency payment. Wherein, if a student needs to come home or loses their wallet while out of the country, money can be taken from the $350 to help correct the problem. However, Thomas did state that students and professors alike must pay for traveling insur-

ance before going on the trip, including policies that pay for such situations.

Despite this new change Gardiner stated that students are becoming interested once again in traveling the world to learn about cultures and participate in a truly once in a lifetime experience.

Butterflies and students benefit from grants 3 grants totaling $200,000 given to TAMUK Crystal Zamarron Editor-in-Chief

Three grants totaling $200,000 have been received by the university to fund scholarships for students, ongoing research of the monarch butterfly and to restore native habitat throughout South Texas.

Given an official signing on Friday, Jan. 26, in the Founders Room, University President Steven Tallant and Tina Faraca, vice president and project execution of Enbridge Inc., put pen to paper to officially give the three grants to Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Enbridge Inc. and King Ranch gifted $100,000 to the Ceasar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) for

its Monarch Butterfly and Native Plant Habitat Restoration Project. Valley Crossing Pipeline, a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., King Ranch and the CKWRI also teamed up to provide 42 miles of native grassland habitat to help the monarch butterfly population through Kenedy County.

“We believe this project will benefit landowners, industry and habitats in this region and beyond for years to come,” Faraca said.

Additionally, a joint donation of $100,000 by Enbridge Inc. and King Ranch will provide $50,000 to fund the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering with scholarships, and $50,000 to fund the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management program.

Graphic by America Quintero

“It’s our mission in this university to enrich lives through education, discovery and service in South Texas and beyond,” said Brad Walker, vice president for institutional advancements.

“Twenty years from now, I think we will look back at a project like this and realize the contribution that Enbridge Inc. has restored 42 miles of wildlife habitat… thank you so much for leading the way,” said Forrest Smith, the Dan L. Duncan Endowed Director of South Texas Natives and Texas Native Seeds, CKWRI. The funding for engineering scholarships is appreciated as well.

With the low enrollment of international studies “this helps [TAMUK] recruit and retain the very best students

Photo by Crystal Zamarron

Tina Faraca, vice president and project execution of Enbridge Inc., and University President Steven Tallant signing the agreement

to our programs,” President Tallant said.

“This [grant] will help but it is not sufficient,” said Dr. Muhammad Alam, dean of

College of Engineering, “but in the long run, yes, it’ll help both domestic and international students.”

With the many regula-

tions and limited opportunities for scholarships, TAMUK Alumni help fund scholarships specifically for international students.

New parking lot on the horizon

Lot across the President’s house will soon be open Darcy Kay Ramirez Managing Editor

Feel sick? Call Health & Wellness at (361) 593-3991

A new student parking lot, located further north on the corner of Armstrong and Santa Gertrudis streets, is coming soon.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville purchased the parking lot in 2010 for $272,000. The space was not being used for any other purpose, therefore the university decided that specific location would allow students close access to the east side of campus since the parking lot at Manning Hall is closed. Since it is a very contained location and construction is requiring less equipment, the lost is expected to be open at the end of February.

The lot will be for students with yellow parking tags in order to make up for the loss of the commuter lot to the new music building.

But the lot will be available to all permit types or guests between 6 p.m and 6 a.m. The dimensions of the lot are 152 feet x 210 feet and contains 82 parking spaces, of which four are handicap. A cross walk and solar powered light ,which will stop traffic for pedestrians to cross the street, will also be set up.

For a few years the university has had some major issues related to parking and it seemed like these issues would never be resolved.

“I believe the addition of these spots will help to alleviate some of the parking concerns on the east side of

campus for high traffic class times as well as for major events in Jones Auditorium,” Terisa Riley, senior vice president for fiscal and student affairs, said.

Students agree with Dr. Riley about relieving some spatial issues, but they still remain concerned.

“It’s great they are building a new parking lot but there’s no way that lot will fix most of our parking problems,” said Briana Valdez, a biology major.

The lot would have taken longer to construct but the university’s administration decided to take advantage of the December and January months of low student population and decided to start construction.

Christopher Vera, director

of facilities and construction, is very confident in the construction and development of the parking lot and is pleased with its quick construction.

“I don’t recognize any reasons to delay this parking lot when it can be built and we had some down-time in campus activity that we were able to use to our benefit,” Vera said.

Right now, the administration has not planned any other major construction; however, there will be some parking construction after Seale Hall is torn down and a new building is assembled, but that parking will be for University Police Department vehicles as well as for individuals who are visiting the new building for campus events or meetings.

2

THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 1, 2018

Campus

TAMUK UPD relocates to Lewis Hall Seale Hall’s ‘awful’ building conditions lead UPD to change campus headquarters Iliana Flores Reporter As students were taking their winter break, the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Police Department moved the location of their offices to Lorine Lewis Hall.

Before this recent move, UPD could be found at Seale Hall. However, with plans to tear down the building, the University decided to temporarily relocate UPD. Since 1935, Seale Hall has been a staple part of the TAMUK campus.

But, with its age has come some problems, problems which have left the University with no other option than to demolish it.

“The building that they [UPD] were in was in awful condition and it had to be torn down.

“It wasn’t something we could save and do a remodeling of the building or a renovation,” Dr. Terisa Riley, the senior vice president for Student Affairs and University Administration, said.

Ultimately, this reason led the University to transfer UPD to a new building.

For now, UPD offices can be found in the northern portion of Lewis Hall.

And, while this transfer has brought a bit of growing pains and confusion for TAMUK’s faculty and students, “I think this is a good location…we’re kind of central-

ized in the middle of campus and it’s easy to get to,” Lieutenant Todd Burris said.

Some students have also found this move to be good.

“I feel safer knowing that it [UPD] is closer to the dorms because…that’s where one wants to be safe and OK,” said Leti Torres, a resident of Bishop Hall.

In April, the TAMU System Board will vote on whether to continue with the demolition and the rebuilding of Seale Hall.

If the project is approved, students can expect to see construction beginning in Fall 2018. Once the new building is completed and up and running, it will be an administrative building con-

sisting of a few departments such as the University police, Development, Alumni and Giving, Career Services, as well as a few others.

“We really tried to focus on those offices that have a lot of external traffic coming in where it might be donors, alumni or contractors for meetings, or people who need a parking tag, or just need to meet with a police officer.

“So, we wanted to have them all together in a location,” Dr. Riley said.

Burris said he and his fellow staff of UPD are excited about a new building.

“We’re excited about the new building.

“Of course, anytime you

Photo By America Quintero

Office of TAMUK UPD in Lewis Hall

get a brand new building, you can’t help but be excited about getting that and moving into a new space,” Burris said.

However, as for now, TA-

MUK faculty, staff and students will have to wait a while for the reconstruction of Seale Hall to be done as completion of the building is not expected until the end of 2019.

School of Business Receives AASCB Accreditation

TAMUK’s Business School enters the top five percent of business schools internationally C.R. Neal Reporter The business school at Texas A&M University– Kingsville (TAMUK) joins the ranks of such venerated schools as Harvard and Yale

after earning the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, which is one of the highest honors in the world.

“AACSB commends each institution for their exemplary work in holding the highest honor in business school

accreditation,” said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International.

“Business schools must not only meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculty and professional staff must make a commitment

to ongoing continuous improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver the highest quality of education to students.”

According to the AACSB, less than five percent of the world’s business schools have earned the accreditation.

“It’s a long-time-coming and very much deserved for this campus,” said Natalya Delcoure, DBA, the Dean of the Business School at TAMUK. On average it takes approximately four to five years of observation from the AACSB to receive this accreditation, and Delcoure is acutely aware of who deserves the credit for making the school eligible for the honor.

“You cannot make this happen if there is no true commitment from everybody who is involved,” Delcoure said.

Delcoure is not alone in celebrating this honor. Her colleague and Chair of the

Accounting and Finance Department at TAMUK Thomas Krueger, DBA, expressed his excitement for the School of Business.

“It’s an accomplishment that speaks well for the effort being put forth,” Krueger said, “and when it comes right down to it, the education that you get here is as good as you would get at any of the flagship institutions in the nation.”

According to the AACSB the accreditation is known worldwide as the longest standing and most recognized form of specialized/ professional accreditation an institution can earn.

“It was a goal that we all had,” Krueger said. “Everybody on the team from the faculty and staff to the students were able to enjoy this success.”

The students of the business school are the ones who will really benefit from the accreditation.

A study by the AACSB

combined their records with those from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to compare the starting salaries of graduates from accredited schools to those from non-accredited schools.

They found that, on average, graduates from the accredited schools made approximately $15,000 more per year than their counterparts, while graduates from the Master’s programs made over $35,000 more per year.

“When our students are out interviewing [for jobs] they’re now in a different group and seen as being worth more,” Krueger said.

Business Schools with the AACSB accreditation produce a highly qualified workforce, and could serve as a way to boost enrollment for TAMUK. Delcoure and the Business School at TAMUK are already brainstorming ideas to take advantage of that.

Educating Texans about the Coastal Bend Area Wildlife CBBF awards the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award to TAMUK Wildlife Professor America Quintero Campus Editor Bart Ballard has devoted his life’s work to studying birds and waterfowl. As a young boy, his father got him interested in wildlife and the conservation of natural resources.

His passion led him to become a professor and research scientist for the animal, rangeland and wildlife sciences department at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). The Coastal Bend Bays Foundation (CBBF) recently awarded Ballard with the 2017 Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award in the category of higher education.

In the last 15 years, CBFF has given the award to professors or instructors who are dedicated in educating Texans about the natural resources of the Costal Bend area.

The award seeks to give recognition to underappreciated individuals based on nomination.

Ballard first received news of his nomination in Novem-

ber. He was surprised when he received a call and email saying that he had been nominated and awarded the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award. However, he feels privileged for having been recognized.

“It’s always a good honor.

It’s always nice when you get acknowledged for your work or by your peers,” Ballard said.

Ballard believes that his graduate student mentorship program on Coastal Bend resources might have helped his nomination. He helps from six to eight graduate students at once with multiyear projects.

Randy DeYoung, associate professor and research scientist at TAMUK, states that most students in the wildlife program express an interest in helping with conservation.

DeYoung explains that Texas has one of the last underdeveloped coastlines. It is important to migrating birds, recreational fishing and local economies.

The CBBF is only one of many organizations in Texas that promote the conservation of the Costal Bend area.

Ballard’s research mainly involves studying the wetlands and waterfowl, which are of major importance for the Coastal Bend.

April Ann Torres Conkey, assistant professor in wildlife at TAMUK believes there is always a need for conservation.

“When you have a lot of development that occurs along the coast, it could potentially impact some of those areas where the birds are living and nesting. So certainly, conservation is something that we need to look at,” Conkey said.

DeYoung thinks a good method of supporting conservation is to support organizations such as the CBBF and Ducks Unlimited. He also considers Ballard’s award as proof that he has been able to help promote the coastal region of Texas.

“It really shows that his work, not just his research work, is being recognized by some private conservation organization. I think it’s a good example that he’s been able to transfer his research into conservation efforts,” DeYoung said.

Opinion

3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018

Watching the Lessons of India

Reflections on Indian Cultural Dances

Courtesy Photo

Dr. Arishya Sethi

Graham Castor Reporter Art is something that can be considered a valued form of expression. To Dr. Arishya Sethi, Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Scholar, art (and dance explicitly) is the ultimate form of human expression and the culture that people represent.

The conversation that Dr. Sethi delved into at the annual Arts & Sciences Dean’s Colloquium held Friday, Jan. 26, was the effect of government on art and culture in general.

To Dr. Sethi there are two types of “culture.” Culture is arts and creativity that the people of a certain area represent, while as culture is the

Not Just on the Screen

The Hidden Lessons of TV Josue Villarreal Reporter

Many brave women have recently exposed many toxic men in the entertainment industry. These include the likes of Louis CK, Harvey Weinstein, Max Landis, TJ Miller, Aziz Ansari, James Franco, plus the many more that have been accused, and the undoubtedly much more to be revealed in the future.

Many men have be resistant of the movement claiming that it is just a “witch hunt” to successful men, that it is purely women picking at straws and making light of what “real” sexual assault is, or just trying to ruin the career of people they don’t like.

The truth, however, is that from the very start of life, men are not raised to respect women in the correct way. We

are taught that you shouldn’t hit or rape women, of course.

However, the subtleties of consent, the emotional aspect of reading another’s feelings and how men don’t understand the manipulation aspect of coercion is largely caused by the popular media we consume.

Think of the characters Joey Tribbiani from Friends or Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother. The entire characters are based around viewing women as simply a goal to obtain. Homer Simpson from The Simpsons or Peter Griffin from Family Guy are often portrayed as idiotic misogynists. We’re expected to laugh, but not take their acts seriously.

Even if called out, the woman is often treated as if she is in the wrong for taking it too seriously. They are expected to not get mad, to

give the benefit of the doubt that underneath it all men are good people. The man’s ego is portrayed as more important than the feelings of comfort for the woman.

Some might argue that these are jokes and don’t affect anything, but media shapes how we interpret reality. We’re taught to feel superior to women, that no matter our actions, women will forgive. We are taught that the manipulation of women is humorous and not a big deal by making them jokes.

Now that women are no longer as forgiving, men are made extremely uncomfortable because they are not used to being held responsible. Being uncomfortable is important, it’s a first step to being better. Analyze and learn from the media you consume and create a better future.

The South Texan The South Texan is a student publication produced by Texas A&M UniversityKingsville students. The views, opinions and commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas A&M University system.

The South Texan uses student fees in part to publish.

The South Texan is part of the Art, Communications, and Theatre Department (ACT), The Javelina Broadcast Network (JBN), and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA).

Staff:

Crystal Zamarron - Editor-in-Chief Darcy Ramirez - Managing Editor America Quintero - Campus Editor Dakota Roberts - Editorial Editor Plaserae Johnson - Sports Editor Robert “Bobby” Puentes - Circulation Manager Josue Villarreal - Reporter C.R. Neal - Reporter Hector Andres Landin - Reporter Joshua Lin - Reporter Iliana Flores - Reporter Graham Castor - Reporter Nicole Morris - Adviser Dr. Manuel Flores - Content Supervisor

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First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

way of life with which people go through day in day out.

Dr. Sethi goes further into this statement that the culture (both capital C and lowercase c) of India are through “the culmination of various other identities, religions, peo-

‘Art is not just for entertainment, but for spiritual, ritualistic, and honorable purposes’ -Dr. Arishya Sethi ples, and nations throughout thousands of years of forma-

tion.”

With this noted it can be described that the cultures of India are based and ingrained very deep within the Indian government. The mantra of India because of these formations form the apropos ideas of “diversity and unity.”

Even with this inclusion of various ideals and Cultures, there are still noted bans on the arts and creativity of the people. Because of the idea of culture being so integral to the Indian society and government, there are many who have become critical of any formations of modern creativities or any thing that can be perceived as heretical or offending of traditions of the various social identities of India. This mindset has, as Dr. Sethi puts it, “caused

riots, destruction and even deaths” amongst clashing of tradition and creativity.

However, with this said it its not all bans and censorship, because of the high regard that the Government of India feels towards its culture, it has been able to valorize the arts and cherish their culture, with establishing various government-run academies that allow art to stay from being a medialized sector to being respected and honored amongst all of India. To India, Dr. Sethi said “art is not just for entertainment, but for spiritual, ritualistic, and honorable purposes.” Politics are still tied to the Indian Culture, but it is through this Culture that India is still able to truly express itself in many ways.

TWITTER POLL QUESTION Do you believe that award shows, such as the Oscars, the Grammys, The Emmys, the Country Music Awards, etc, are important in today’s times?

The Twitter poll will appear every week on the South Texan’s Twitter page, where anyone can vote on the weekly topics dealing with campus and national issues

The Golden Idol Falls The Era of Award Shows Ending

Dakota Roberts Opinion Editor The Grammys, while they have drawn controversy, did not exactly draw the attention of the public. The award show saw the worst decline in viewership since the 2013 show with 24 percent of the audience deciding to tune out this year. I was one of those people, even though I was never much for the Grammys anyways.

However, in practice I understand award shows.

Performances, massive production value, celebrities, hopefully an amusing host; it all just seems like a formula for an easy few hours of viewing. Why then do these events seem to be teetering towards that downward spiral? It’s not just the Grammys; the entirety of the award show family not only has declined but the very foundation they are built on seems to have toppled.

Reading about the Oscars, people do not seem to care about the recognition or the validation of movies because

who really cares? The Oscars relied on the public having a belief in the golden idol, that this award was given to the best of the best; often times the best was even so recognizable people would bet in Oscar pots to see who could guess the most wins. But it was more than a party game, it seemed like an American, perhaps even a World, event; akin to the Super Bowl or the State of the Union Address.

So, what has been lost?

Some of it can be related to the controversy surrounding how movies are picked through campaigns that often revolve around exchanges in money, but that doesn’t explain other award shows, and I feel like that argument doesn’t quite fill all the open spaces. To me, it’s a mix of a technological and an artistic shift. These days people do not consume TV or movies in the same way; it has become far easier to hone in on what you truly like in a film or a show. In an era of endless TV show gossip and an eternity of reviews and comments to read, watching the film industry give awards to

the film industry seems irrelevant.

This new-found self-esteem allows people to see these kinds of awards for what lies beneath, an empty gesture of recognition where controversy rides the news wave and not the ceremony itself. I would equate the feeling of watching this year’s Oscars with watching another school pick a prom queen.

The recognition while nice, isn’t worthwhile. It doesn’t affect the nature of my viewing, it doesn’t change my opinion of the actor or actress, especially when the takeaway from the show was a bad joke, awkward speech, or a politically heated night of aggressive jabs.

I focus on the Oscars because it’s up next, and I feel like when the time comes I will be hearing about most of the same. New movies, but old tricks. The news will argue the same things, Hollywood will shake and shudder until the next big thing comes along, and here I am, as a viewer, feeling more out of the loop then ever before.

4

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018

Sports

Caudle Receives Honor At Hooks Baseball Banquet

Minor League Baseball Assocation Sponsors Award Joshua Lin Sports Reporter Christian Caudle, a senior catcher for the Javelina baseball team, was recently honored as the Javelinas’ Player of the Year at the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet.

The banquet was sponsored by the Minor League Baseball organization the Corpus Christi Hooks, which is also affiliated with the Houston Astros.

“Being from Houston, it was really an honor to be honored by an organization that I watch,” Caudle said.

In his junior year, the season was notable, as he hit a .384 batting average with an on-base percentage of .520, one homerun and 20 RBIs. “Last season was great, it didn’t end how we wanted it to end as a team,” Caudle said. “It was an easier game for me all season and with baseball being the way that it is, you just hope that it stays that way for the next season.”

That season helped him earn a spot on the All-Lone Star Conference first-team for the second time. His time as a Javelina will not be forgotten, but Caudle did look back to where he was when he joined the team.

“When I got here I was a skinny lanky kid,” he said.

“It’s really cool to look back now as a senior and see where I was as a freshman and see the changes, not just physically, but mentally as well.”

The new season is approaching and Caudle wants to continue his success on the field not just by getting on base, but to also increase his driving on the ball.

“It’s been a good adjustment for me to get on base and to drive in runs because it is about a different approach,” Caudle said.

Head Baseball Coach Jason Gonzales has seen the changes in Caudle.

“It’s about changing the mental approach at the plate and looking for specific pitches,” he said.

Gonzales had nothing but positive remarks about Caudle.

“Christian is a leader, a captain, and an extension of the coaching staff. He’s been what we call a ‘grinder’ since he got here. He’s the type of person that you never have to worry about him doing the wrong thing, on or off the [field]. There will always be a correlation to the type of person you are off the field, to the type of player you are on the field,” Gonzales said.

Caudle has positively impacted the team.

“Christian has embodied our standards and expectations, and makes sure, daily, that those standards are being met by everyone,” Gonzales said.

He went on to talk about the honor Caudle received.

“There is always a tremendous amount of pride when one of your players receives recognition for his dedication and hard work,” the coach said. “He has certainly put himself in position to deserve success, with the discipline and relentless pursuit of excellence he displays daily.”

While Caudle is enthusiastic about this honor Gonzales said that isn’t why he is

Courtesy photo of Javelina Athletics

Christian Caudle

doing it. “He’s doing this for his brothers in The Pack in our pursuit of our 4th championship in six years,” Gonzales said.

Upcoming Volleyball Tryouts open to all TAMUK students Allen Searches for New Lady Javelinas for the Upcoming 2018-2019 Season Joshua Lin Sports Reporter The Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) women’s volleyball team recently announced tryouts would be held in early February. The objective is to encourage current female students at TAMUK to try out for the university’s volleyball team for next season. In the 2017 season, the volleyball team had a win-loss record of 23-12.

The team competed well during the Lone Star Conference Tournament, but fell short at the quarterfinals by losing to West Texas A&M University in four sets. It is now the post-season for the indoor volleyball team which makes it time for changes.

Now, the goal is to observe what needs to be done for improvement. One of the improvements suggests tryouts to find potential players for the team.

“We are looking for athletes that have talent or [a] skill set in this sport with potential to get better,” said As-

sistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Joseph Morales.

“We also look for those athletes that can compete in our gym [practice] every day at the level we play at. And of course, look for those that may also have an IQ for this sport.”

Tryouts won’t likely affect the recruitment process, Morales said.

“Having tryouts allows those athletes an opportunity to get seen for an opportunity to make the team,” he said.

“There are many athletes who cannot afford clubs or have opportunities for clubs in this area, unlike San Antonio, Houston or Dallas. Cities and towns like Alice, Kingsville, Mathis, San Diego, Orange Grove, and other outlining towns, usually do not have volleyball clubs.”

The athletes trying out for the team this year are receiving a chance to show their talent and knowledge of the sport.

“We try to give those athletes a chance to get seen and showcase what they have and of course, we will get some coming from those major cities who may not play

club or have gotten recruited said. to improve on for the next yet,” Morales said.

The recruiting process and season,” Payne said.

All students are welcome tryouts will not impact one Along with the Fall indoor to tryout, whether they have another. The staff is treating volleyball season, players played for a club or collegiate them like the two separate here at TAMUK play beach team. matters they are. Along with volleyball to keep themselves “We [are] host[ing] tryouts this mentality, the staff has a in the game year-round. to give all athletes; seniors, routine set in place.

“Some of the girls are also transfer, and even current “We also have an off-sea- dual sport athletes and they students here at TAMUK, an son program that we put the will be playing beach volleyopportunity to get seen for a current team through. They ball this Spring,” Payne said. chance to play at the NCAA will have weights and con“Even though the two level,” Morales said. ditioning along with some sports are different in how Head Coach Tanya Allen individual practice, where they are played, beach volis excited to see new players we work specifically on their leyball helps get more touchwho are full of potential. position and what they need es on the ball and a different “If we pick up any players from the tryout[s], they would join us next Fall and train with the rest of the team,” Allen said.

The volleyball staff is busy preparing for tryouts and recruitment during the off-season.

“One of the biggest things we do to prepare for next season is recruiting. The off-season is a big time of the year where high school girls are playing in club volleyball tournaments. We go out to these club tournaments and even club practices to watch and evaluate potential prospects for our program,” Assistant Coach Gary Payne Coach Tanya Allen cheering for the Lady Javelinas

level of conditioning that they can’t get normally since they are playing in some deep sand.”

The off-season is all about looking to improve the team moving forward, and with the tryouts ahead, a championship doesn’t seem far off.

“I’m looking forward to having potential Javelinas on campus [join our team]. It’s always exciting to bring kids together and see their competitive spirit,” Allen said.

Photo by Javelina Athletics

Hoggies Taking,Making Their Shots The Men’s and Women’s Javelina Basketball Teams and their overall statuses Plaserae Johnson Sports Editor The Lady Javelinas won a nail-biter in overtime over the visiting Texas Women’s University Pioneers on Jan. 25, 66-59.

Angelica Wilson and, Shaq Debose are some notable ath- Coach Wade Scott instructs the Lady Javelinas letes who piled up points for the Lady Hogs’ victory. The up enough rebounds. traveling to Midwestern Lady Javelinas, 6-14, have Both teams still have more State University to compete won three out of nine games opportunities to keep them against the Mustangs along in the Lone Star Conference climbing or dropping in the with the Women’s team on (LSC).

LSC polls. The Men’s Javeli- Feb. 1 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Upcoming games are Feb. na Basketball Team is 11-9 in Afterwards, they will head 1 against Midwestern State the LSC. to Cameron State University University in Wichita Falls, The men’s team was de- where they will face off with Texas, and then Cameron feated Jan. 23 in San Ange- the Aggies on Feb. 3 in their University Feb. 3, in Lawton, lo against the Rams. It was gym in Lawton, Okla.

Okla. a rematch that could have They will play A&M ComBoth the Lady Javelinas ranked them higher on the merce again at 2 p.m., Feb. and Javelinas have about LSC board.

10, in the Steinke Physical 11 games left this season.

Some teams the Men Ja- Education Center.

The Men’s Basketball team velinas have defeated are Photo by Javelina Athletics has won the majority of the St. Edwards, St. Mary’s, games on their schedule be- Midwestern State and A&M At right, Cris Boleware dribbling past a Buffalo player cause they have swished Commerce. enough points and scooped The Men’s team will be

Photo by Taylor Guidry

Entertainment

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018

The Cantus Are In Perfect Harmony

Minneapolis-based vocal choir ensemble performed at TAMUK Josue Villarreal Reporter

The Cantus, a Minneapolis-based full-time vocal choir ensemble came to Texas A&M University-Kingsville for the first time to perform a free show in the Jones Auditorium on Jan. 24 for the student body.

“They are a wellknown ensemble across the country,” complimented Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities Dr. Kenneth D. Williams.

The Washington Post says they have “exalting finesse” and “expressive power,” as well as winning prestigious awards such as the “The Mar-

garet Hills Award for Choral Excellence” in 2009 and the Dale Warland Singers Commission Award in 2016.

The ensemble also earned the Education Outreach Award for its contributions to music education. Members have a deep love of music.

“Since I was a kid, I have always loved singing in choir,” reminisced one of the tenor voices of Cantus, Paul Scholtz.

The group is full of passion and love, as Photo by Josue Villarreal illustrated by the deThe Cantus ensemble group performed at TAMUK on Jan. 24 scriptions of their songs, referring to them as The crowd erupted their final piece, bringphysical experiences, was impressed by Can- bliss to my ears,” said tus’ vocals.

TAMUK student and and gave a standing ing a close to the ensemrather than just songs to “Their voices just melt music major Kassandra ovation as the eight men ble’s first TAMUK visit. be sung. The audience together and it’s just Villegas. sang the final note of

Digital Certification on Horizon for A.C.T. Eight-week program would be available to students, community Josue Villarreal Reporter Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Department of Art, Communications and Theatre is working towards a program to assist students with obtaining a Digital Arts certificate.

Whether it be art majors, other majors or someday even any citizen within the community, the certification is easily attainable.

Unlike a major taking upwards of 18 course hours, a student interested in a Digital Arts certificate can instead take 12 hours and re-

ceive a certificate within an eight-week course.

“There are five courses that are possible to be taken,” said Department Chair Head of Arts, Communications and Theatre Todd Lucas.

The certification will have classes such as Digital Painting, Typography, Advanced Graphics, Web and Interface Design and Package Design.

The courses are all designed to help each creator reach their artistic goals, which then benefit the arts as a whole at TAMUK. “We don’t need an inspiration, it’s a need,”

Associate Professor Jesus De La Rosa said, referring to a need to have more accessible education in a time where technology is rapidly growing.

Accessible courses such as these would go a long way to ensure that everyone is informed and ready for the next big thing in digital media, namely things such as the growing popularity of 3D Printing.

Students see the need for such an option.

“I feel like that would be beneficial to a lot of people,” said TAMUK student and Cultural Studies major Julio Martinez.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

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