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TheSouthTexan
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017
SOUTHTEXANNEWS.COM
VOLUME 91, ISSUE 20
Chancellor to star in venom center video
NNTRC among nation’s top toxin research facilities Darcy Ramirez Contributor
National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is ful-
filling processes and some students may be unaware of the activities they perform. Elda Sanchez, the Executive Co-Director of the NNTRC explained that, “The NNTRC mission for many years has been to conduct research, provide proper research training, produce venom, and venom products to researchers worldwide.” The NNTRC does all of this because they understand that their analysis and attained knowledge could lead to important scientific or medical discoveries. These discoveries could then lead to drugs
or medical substances that can explain how cells function and also how they are affected by venom molecules. The Marketing and Communications Department commented that, “For many decades the NNTRC program has been substantially growing and flourishing, and as you know it’s one of the best toxin research facilities in the country.” The NNTRC is the only federally-funded viper resource center in the United States, and was designated a center in March of 2000 by Texas A&M Board of Regents. During recent weeks there has
been talk of a video involving the NNTRC that Chancellor John Sharp would be starring in. The video shows Sharp, and Sanchez talking about the future of the research center, and how the program supplies students with opportunities especially targeted at undergraduates, and how they can become trained in research studies. The research training of undergraduates gives the students the necessary skills, and knowledge that will accredit them into substantial graduate schools. Sanchez also stated that the reason behind Chancellor Sharp’s appearance in
the NNTRC video is to, “highlight the centers in the A&M system.” Sharp’s visit was organized and staged in order to enhance the importance of the NNTRC. His presence is believed to increase the attention and enact an understanding of the research center given his significant position and role. Despite obtaining information regarding Sharp’s purpose and the goal of the video the release date has not been officially determined. But it has been hinted that the debut will probably occur during this Spring semester.
State Senate education budget evolves Kaitlin Ruiz Contributor
An amendment to the Texas Senate’s proposed version of an appropriations bill raises cautious hope amid remaining obstacles for Texas A&M University-Kingsville. As the state legislature continues to form its own versions of the state budget for fiscal years 2018-2019, institutions of higher education have been steadied for losses in funding. Nevertheless, the malleable nature of these processes was highlighted by a March 15 change of tack within the Senate Finance Committee in an attempt to lessen the severity of budget cuts for smaller, regional universities such as TAMUK, and to distribute the weight of cuts more even-handedly. An initial take on the working version of Senate Bill 1 (SB1) would have assigned TAMUK a 37 percent cut in funding, in part by eliminating 100 percent of special item appropriations for public universities in Texas. The stripping of these funds would have outed the university $15 million, paired with a projected $11 million reduction in formula-driven General Revenue (GR) funding over the next biennium. However, the Senate Finance Committee’s March 15 measures, which were
approved by a 15-0 vote, are intended to make coming cuts in funding more manageable. In this instance, TAMUK would see a 10-percent decrease in special items funding, or about $1.5 million. When paired with a potential loss of general revenue funds, the updated version introduces TAMUK to a 19 percent budget cut for the next biennium. This is more comparable to the House’s attempt at a budget bill, HB6, which is presently measuring a 17-percent cut in state funding for TAMUK. By providing support to student success and research, special items appropriations have helped TAMUK cultivate a culture of excellence. The Weslaco Citrus Center, Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Conner Museum, Vet Tech Program, PhD Program in Environmental Engineering, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and the South Texas Archives are all dependent on such funds. Additionally, Institutional Enhancement Funding that supplies salaries to faculty members also falls beneath the domain of special items. President Steven Tallant addressed the crucial importance of these funds for TAMUK before the Senate Finance Committee in Austin on Jan. 25, explaining: “We understand and anticipated
the formula funding cuts. However, the complete dissolution of special items was unexpected, and we cannot absorb that level of loss.” Although efforts to alter SB1 have the potential to aid in easing losses at TAMUK, a challenge remains in formula funding. Special items are on one side of the coin when it comes to state money at universities; however, at this stage of development, both the Senate and the House have TAMUK’s main financial gap coming from formula-driven general revenue money, which is allocated based on a university’s enrollment growth and semester credit hours. Enrollment numbers have begun to plateau after a period of growth at TAMUK. The creation of the upcoming state budget is by no means torpid; eventually, both the House and Senate will have their proposals reconciled. It is unclear if the Senate’s recent revisions to SB1 will hold; they may be subject to change in a session that does not conclude until May 29. According to Chief Financial Officer Raajkumar “Raaj” S. Kurapati, “Regardless of what the cuts are, we will make sure we have the appropriate pathways to serve our students.” “[Tallant] has made it clear to all of us that we will serve our students, we will figure out a way.”
5TH YEAR - HOLI “FESTIVAL OF COLOURS”
Graphic by Pablo Villanueva
Photos by Pablo Villanueva
The festival of colours celebrates the victory over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter. Where individuals can meet friends, laugh, and play. For everyone to participate. Hosted by: International Student Organization and Association of Indian Students through the Office of Student Activities, now called the Javelina Student Engagement Center “It’s colorful and it’s beautiful weather. We’re enjoying this and it brings in the whole festival and the blooming of flowers and celebrating Spring,” said Elizabeth Lawerence, the first picture on the left.