INDEX:
2|ENTERTAINMENT
3|CAMPUS
4|OPINION
5|SPORTS
6|JUMPS
Thursday October 26, 2017 Volume 92 Issue 08
HOUSING RATES FROZEN FOR FUTURE YEARS
New policy to not increase cost of room and board Darcy Ramirez Managing Editor Housing prices are locked in. Students currently living on campus this year will be granted three years of the same housing costs, as long as they continue to live on campus, Dr. Terisa Riley, senior vice president for Student Affairs, said Additionally, students arriving in summer 2018, fall 2018 and spring 2019 will have the same 2017-18 rates for four years, as long as they continue to live on campus. University Housing and Residence Life decided to initiate this new policy after analyzing their budget fees. The policy is meant to make on-campus living more affordable for students, and to encourage them to continue
2017-2018 Housing Rates Freeze Turner/Bishop/Martin Hall
living on campus for multiple years. This decision was recently approved by TAMUK President Dr. Steven Tallant. In the past, rates for housing have increased 2 to 2.5 percent annually. University officials feel the frozen rates now in place can save struggling students a lot of money, while helping the university to fill residence halls. “With this rate, students have the convenience and safety of living on campus without being concerned that the rate will increase every year,” Riley said. The 2017-2018 housing rates are as follows: Turner/ Bishop/Martin Hall is $2,096 each semester, Lynch Hall is $2,311 each semester and Lucio and Mesquite are $3,604 each semester, not including meal plans.
Lynch Hall
Lucio & Mesquite Hall
$2,096 $2,311 $3,604
*each semester * not including meal plans
Graphic by Crystal Zamarron
“Living on campus is an important part of the college experience that many students try to rush away from to have a sense of independence. We want students to be able to have that sense of independence in a comfortable and convenient location to all classes, while also keep-
ing it affordable,” said Callie Hogan, head resident for Bishop Hall. The freeze rate policy will be advertised to all current residents. Additionally, the Office of Admissions is communicating with students who have applied for the spring and summer, as
well as the next school year, through email and open house events at high schools and community colleges. The overall goal behind the rate freeze is to get as many students to live on campus as possible. “We just want to make a big noise to people and say
‘Hey, here’s something that’s not going up. Now the price of gas goes up, the price of groceries go up, the price of just about everything goes up, but here’s something that we can guarantee,’” said Thomas Martin, executive director of University Housing & Residence Life.
Breast Cancer Walk 2017 Homecoming Queen & King raises awareness Samantha Olivares
&
Tomisin Alagbe
Survivors, supporters banned together to cross the finish line Josue Villarreal Reporter
Photo by Frankie Cardenas
Crowned at the homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 21 were Samantha Olivares as Queen and Tmisin Alagbe as King. To see more homecoming events, see page 2
On the path to a cure Dr. Ali designing, testing drugs to fight cancer Dakota Roberts Editorial Editor Cancer is a disease that begins with a human cell over which the body has lost control. The disease itself is so widespread and so encapsulating that you would be hard pressed to find someone whose family was not affected by the disease. Many dream of a future in which the diseases is conquered
and cured. Luckily, people like Dr. Hamed Ismail Ali are on the case. Dr. Ali is an assistant professor at the Irma Rangel College of Pharmacy, located at Texas A&M University—Kingsville. He has been a part of the institute since 2013; when he joined as an instructor. Today, he is a researcher seeking to develop anti-cancer drugs, specifically targeting leukemia and breast cancer; as well
as many other degenerative diseases. Dr. Ali received his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Computer-Aided Drug Design at the Okayama University in 2007; beginning a long career in the field of pharmaceuticals. Here on the TAMUK campus, after learning all that he has, Dr. Ali uses what is considered one of the most advanced techniques for drug discovery - In silico study.
The air was humid on Saturday, Oct. 21, but that didn’t stop participants at Texas A&M University-Kingsville from tying their running shoes and coming out at 9 a.m. to show their support and walk or run for breast cancer. “It went really well,” said Director of Student Health and Wellness Jo Elda Castillo-Alaniz. The finish line was doused with pink, from the T-shirts of the volunteers, to the table cloths that had bananas and Dr. Ali said there are three different approaches in his field to design and test anti-cancer drugs - In vitro, In vivo and In silico. In vitro, which translates to “in glass,” revolves around using cultures and conducting experiments with components of an organism that have been isolated in glass containers. In vivo, “within the living,” is exactly that, conducting experiments on whole, living organisms; just as lab rats are often used. Which leaves the newest form of study, the one that Dr. Ali himself practices, in silico, meaning “in silicon.” This process revolves around computer simulation to perform and work on a 3-D
water for tired participants, and necklaces provided to show support of the event. “It’s the first time I’ve done it, and I’m really glad people are willing to do this,” said TAMUK student and Psychology major Matthew Krug as he just finished the route. Young and old ran at the same time for the same cause in hopes of spreading awareness and putting an end to the fight that millions of people are having. Survivors who attended the event were inspired. “It’s very close to my heart, I attended before I was even diagnosed,” reminisced TAMUK alum and breast model of a cell, a cancer cell. “The main approach for this discovery is to screen the front molecules and we can find the best candidate that can fit and interact with the 3-D structure, this is called in silico study,” he explained. With the use of computer simulation Dr. Ali and his collaborators are able to envision tumor cells and decide which medicinal experiment can shrink these cells. With the ability to target many different diseases and map binding sites, Dr. Ali has found drug candidates that help combat these deadly cells. However, Dr. Ali is not without challenges. Along with the immense task of combating cancer, Dr.
cancer survivor Sylvia Ruiz. She spoke at the event to share her story and bring a calm and caring voice to the scary battle of breast cancer. “Do everything your doctor tells you, and take it as a process,” Ruiz said. She said the best way to battle breast cancer is to understand your own body and to be as informed as possible about what you are going through, and never forget the love and support that others give you in such a trying time. The event came to a close as participants purchased shirts and hydrated after the run.
Courtesy photo
Dr. Hamed Ismail Ali Ali finds himself thrown into the chase for research grants. “Unfortunately finding a grant here in the United States is just highly competitive,” he said. “Many faculty
Cure Continued on Page 6