02 01 2006 by The University Star

NET ‘SCAPE

TOO SICK FOR TV

Spike & Mike’s Animation Festival returns to Drafthouse

Women’s tennis off to a promising start despite loss to SMU

SEE TRENDS PAGE 5

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UniversityStar.com

FEBRUARY 1, 2006

WEDNESDAY

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 48

SMPD Crisis Response Team seeks volunteers By Kathy Martinez The University Star The San Marcos Police Department Victim’s Services program is conducting training classes for volunteers to serve on the Crisis Response Team. Training will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 18 to 19 and Feb. 25 to 26. Eugenia Rinaldi, Victims’ Services coordinator, currently has six trained members on her team and is looking to find more volunteers to train in February. “We are looking for people who are trustworthy, have common sense, definitely a care for humankind and especially a backbone,” Rinaldi said. Rinaldi said it is essential volunteers know when to make decisions concerning victims and possess good boundary skills as well. “Sometimes we want to help a victim so much, but often enough, victims don’t want or are not ready for our help. We need to learn to respect that,” Rinaldi said. Rinaldi hopes to have a team of 25 to 30 members by the end of the year. Rinaldi recalled being the only member on the team at the time a fire occurred at Ye Olde Colony Apartments on Aquarena Springs Drive last year. “We need more help, and disasters like that require the assistance of many to the victims involved,” Rinaldi said. Volunteers in the program will participate in the support of victims involved in major crimes in San Marcos. These crimes include survivors of homicide victims, driving while intoxicated hit and run fatalities, assault, family violence, child abuse, sexual assault and traumatic events or disasters. The Crisis Response Team also volunteered to help Hurricane Katrina victims at the Austin Convention Center. Rinaldi said the basic role of the volunteer is to provide a helping hand for victims going through a difficult time. “These victims feel confused and lost, and they need the support of other people who know the system and can navigate them in the right direction for help,” Rinaldi said. The Crisis Response Team primarily acts as a referral of information about community resources in regard to legal options, the criminal justice process and victims’ rights and compensation. Volunteers will also accompany victims to court and provide transportation to shelters. Because they will have access to crime scenes, Rinaldi said volunteers must practice strict confidentiality in every case as they become a part of the investigation process. Candidates interested in the team must be 18 years old. They are also required to fill out an application form with a notarized waiver for release of information. Background checks and a drug test will also be conducted by police for every applicant. Applicants will participate in an interview with Rinaldi and then a second interview with a panel before final selection. Rinaldi, who conducts the training with the help of other experts in areas such as sexual assault, family violence, legal advocacy and the criminal justice system, welcomes student volunteers. “We don’t ever want to prejudge applicants because of their age by assuming just because they are young that they could not bring a lot to the program,” Rinaldi said. See TEAM, page 3

The Web site PickaProf has debuted a new service for Texas State students called CourseCasting on its Web site. The service allows professors to record their lectures and make them available on the Internet. For students’ opinions regarding CourseCasting, see Opinions page 8

PickaProf offers lecture recordings online By Ashley Richards The University Star Holes in student’s notes could soon be ﬁlled, not with information a fellow classmate jotted down in their spirals, but rather with the words straight from the professor’s mouth, given that the professor records his or her lectures and uses CourseCasting, a recently developed service available through PickaProf.com. The new service allows professors to log recorded lectures at the Web site, making them available for students to download and listen to on media devices. Initially tested at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University, CourseCasting proved to be a success in the eyes of both teachers and students, said Karen Bragg, PickaProf ’s director of university relations. CourseCasting is now available at 130 universities, including Texas State; however, Bragg said because the service became available just last week at Texas State, professors here have

not yet begun recording and posting lectures. Bragg said PickaProf interviewed students and professors at UT and Texas A&M after CourseCasting came in to use. “Students said they used it as a study aid or if they missed a class, but they didn’t miss a class because (CourseCasting) was available,” Bragg said. “There’s certainly that apprehension that students might skip class because this is available … we interviewed the professors, and they did not notice a decline in class attendance.” Pablo Martinez, criminal justice assistant professor, said he has been posting his lectures online for years in the form of PowerPoint slides. He was hesitant to say he would participate in CourseCasting because he questions whether or not students would continue to attend class regularly. “The lectures would be more complete (with CourseCasting),” Martinez said. “But part of See ICOURSE, page 3

CourseCasting is now available at Texas State • The program was tested at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. • At UT, 44 lectures were posted by three professors on the Web site. The lectures were downloaded more than 800 times and used by 145 students. • Professors can record their lectures, and students may listen to them on iPods, MP3 players or computers. • Texas State students are charged $5 per semester for PickaProf services. • CourseCasting is available at 130 universities. • In test studies, professors did not see a decline in class attendance when they used CourseCasting. Mark Decker/Star Photo illustration

Distinguished expert to give fiery lecture as part of Lovell series By Clayton Medford The University Star Distinguished fire expert Stephen J. Pyne will be on campus today to speak about his favorite subject — fire. Pyne said his lecture will look at the role of fire in the modern environment and the problems with fire faced today. “There are a lot of possible themes,” Pyne said. “Mostly, we will look at the last century of development and the factors that play into

how we deal with fire.” Pyne described man’s relationship with fire as a “species monopoly.” “We’ve always had fire and no other species does,” Pyne said. “And I don’t see any other species ever getting it.” Pyne is a professor in the Biology and Society Program of the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. He has written extensively on the subject of fire, including a five-part series called Cycle of Fire. In one book of the suite, Vestal Fire, Pyne chronicles 3,000 years of

man’s interaction with and use of fire. His most recent work is titled Brittlebush Valley. Pyne spent 18 seasons fighting wildfires in Grand Canyon National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Yellowstone National Park, according to a press release from the Lovell Center. He is also the most recent recipient of the Honorary Geographer Award from the Association of American Geographers, “which recognizes excellence in research, teaching or writing on geographic topics by nongeographers,”

the release stated. Pyne has toured the country speaking about the nature of ﬁre. The lecture is the eighth annual installment of the Lovell Distinguished Lecture, a series sponsored by the James and Marilyn Lovell Center for Environmental Geography and Hazards Research. “Students that are interested in environmental careers, issues and environmental management will especially enjoy the lecture,” said See SERIES, page 3

Bush calls for decreasing dependence on Middle East oil By Ron Hutcheson Knight Ridder Newspapers WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vowing to break the nation’s “addiction” to foreign oil, President Bush called Tuesday for cutting oil imports from the Middle East by 75 percent over the next 20 years. “America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world,” Bush said. That long-term energy goal was a centerpiece of a State of Chuck Kennedy/KRT the Union address that combined soaring rhetoric about President Bush greets Associate Justice Samuel J. Alito before America’s role in the world with he delivers his State of the Union address of 2006 before a joint relatively modest policy prosession of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday posals. Bush vowed to increase evening.

Today’s Weather

Partly Cloudy 75˚/49˚

Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 60% UV: 4 Moderate Wind: WSW 11 mph

production of alternative fuels like ethanol, expand tax breaks for health-care expenses and train more math and science teachers. He essentially gave up on his plan to overhaul Social Security — his top priority in last year’s State of the Union speech — by calling for a bipartisan commission to study changes to the retirement system as part of a broader overhaul of Medicare and Medicaid. But even as he scaled back his domestic ambitions, Bush reiterated his determination to change the world, focused on the difﬁcult work ahead in Iraq and urged Americans to resist the temptation to turn inward.

Two-day Forecast Thursday Sunny Temp: 80°/ 48° Precipitation: 0%

Friday Sunny Temp: 75°/ 42° Precipitation: 20%

“The road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting, yet it ends in danger and decline,” Bush said. “The only alternative to American leadership is a dramatically more dangerous and anxious world.” For the ﬁrst time since he took ofﬁce, Bush delivered his remarks to a national audience that generally disapproves of his job performance. Polls put his job-approval ratings in the low 40s, the lowest of any sixth-year president since Richard Nixon. Bush said his long-term goal is “the end of tyranny in our world.” Bush won a standing ovation from lawmakers in both parties

Inside

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

Classiﬁeds ......... 9 Comics .............. 7 Crossword ......... 7 News ..............1-4

Opinions ............ 8 Sports .............. 10 Trends .............5-7

by taking a tough line against Iran and Hamas, the terrorist organization that won recent Palestinian elections. He warned Iran that its support for terrorists “must come to an end” and said other nations cannot let Iran acquire nuclear weapons. He said Hamas “must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace.” The speech, nearly an hour long, offered a preview of Republican themes for the upcoming elections, and Democrats responded in kind. Their ofﬁcial response, delivered by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, blamed Bush See BUSH, page 3

PAGE TWO The University Star

February 1, 2006

starsof texas state

Wednesday in Brief

Texas State Provost Perry Moore announced Friday the appointment of Dr. Larry Price as interim director of the Testing, Research-Support and Evaluation Center at Texas State. Dr. Price, an associate professor of Educational Administration and Psychological Services, will replace Paul Raffeld, who retired early this semester, and will serve during a national search to permanently ﬁll the position. Dr. Price received his doctorate from Georgia State University

in 1997, specializing in research, measurement and statistics. He has been a psychometrician and statistician for the Emory University School of Medicine’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and has worked at The Psychological Corporation in San Antonio. Dr. Price will continue the center’s tradition of providing research advice, data analysis and interpretation for faculty. The Star welcomes him to the Texas State family.

News Contact — Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu

Calendar of

STARS OF TEXAS STATE POLICY

Do you know someone at Texas State who has recently celebrated a great achievement? Nominate your choice to appear in The Star as a “Star of Texas State.” Write an e-mail to starletters@txstate.edu with the subject line “Stars of Texas State,” and include your nominee’s name, his/her relationship to the university, contact information for yourself and your nominee, and a brief description of the achievement. Also include a photo of your nominee if available. Accepted nominees will be featured at the top of Page Two.

EVENTS Clubs & Meetings Wednesday ACOA/Dysfunctional Families Group meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Counseling Center at (512) 2452208. Facing the Fear: An Anxiety/ Panic Group meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call the Counseling Center. There will be a student-led Bible study at 8 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center lounge.

LBJSC, Room 5-7.1, through Feb. 7. For more information, please contact Career Services at (512) 245-2465. The Society of Professional Journalists will host an internship event with Drew Marcks, assistant managing editor for the Austin-American Statesman, at 6:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 201. Marcks will speak of what newspapers look for in internship applicants. Refreshments will be served. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will hold its weekly meeting on at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. Everyone is welcome. Contact (512) 557-7988 or mail@texasstatechialpha.com.

at the CSC. Career Services is holding a How to Utilize a Job Fair workshop from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the LBJ Teaching Theater. For more information, please contact Career Services at (512) 245-2465.

Campus Sports Wednesday The equestrian team meets at 7 p.m. in the Agriculture Building, Room 204. Saturday

The Student Chapter of Association of Information Technology Professionals is holding its ﬁrst meeting at 5 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-3.1.

The Rock, Praise & Worship will be at 7:30 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

Monday

Friday

Miscellaneous

Change For Life meets at noon in the LBJSC, Room 4-1.9, to discuss impoverished conditions in Third World nations. Optional donations and fasting.

The Air Force Ofﬁcer Qualifying Test will be held. For more information, please call (512) 245-2182.

Wednesday

Events Wednesday There will be a karaoke/open mic night at 8 p.m. at George’s in the LBJSC. Thursday

Monday A celebration for Criminal Justice Career Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the LBJSC Ballroom. Numerous federal, state and local criminal justice agencies will be present. Students of all majors are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www.cj.txstate.edu.

The Study Abroad Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Academic Services Building Breezeway. For more information, contact the Ofﬁce of Study Abroad Programs at (512) 2452322.

Tuesday The Latin American Business Certiﬁcate Program will be offering hands-on training in the basics of exporting from 6 to 9 p.m. in Derrick Hall, Room 339.

Career Services is holding jobshadowing registration in the

There will be a free lunch for all students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Signature style

The Equestrian Western Horse Show will begin at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., and continues through the weekend.

The Writing Center will be holding a grammar and mechanics workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. in Flowers Hall, Room G09. No appointment required. For more information, please contact The Writing Center. CALENDAR SUBMISSION POLICY Calendar submissions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events at starcalendar@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-3487 for more information. E-mailed press releases will not be accepted. If using e-mail, please submit as a simple bulleted list of essential information. Submissions are on a ﬁrst come, ﬁrst served basis and notices for weekly meetings need to be submitted every week they will take place. The University Star reserves the right to refuse entries or edit for libel, style and space purposes. Deadline: Three working days prior to publication.

Mark Decker/Star photo Texas State football fans had a chance to get some autographs and chat with the team at George’s on Tuesday afternoon.

CRIME BL TTER San Marcos Police Department Jan. 30, 9:43 a.m. Criminal Mischief/ 2300 S. Interstate 35 Unknown subject damaged victim’s vehicle during night hours. Jan. 30, 10:20 a.m. Theft Initial Dispatch/ 2300 S. I-35 Unknown person withdrew money from victim’s bank account. Jan. 31, 1:17 a.m. Other/811 S. Guadalupe St. Ofﬁcer made an arrest for delivery of volatile chemical to a minor. University Police Department Jan. 24, 11:30 a.m. Criminal Trespass Warning/ Comanche Hill Apartments A police ofﬁcer made contact with four non-students soliciting magazines. The four nonstudents were issued criminal trespass warnings.

Jan. 27, 1:38 a.m. Public Intoxication/ Concho Street A police officer made contact with a student who appeared intoxicated. Upon further investigation, the student was arrested for public intoxication and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center to await magistration. Jan. 28, 2:36 a.m. Public Intoxication/ Bobcat Village Apartments A police officer made contact with a student who appeared intoxicated. Upon further investigation, the student was arrested for public intoxication and transported to HCLEC to await magistration. Jan. 28, 3:46 a.m. Driving Under the Influence/ University Drive A police officer made contact with a vehicle for a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a student was arrested for driving under the influence and transported to HCLEC to await magistration.

Crime stoppers: UPD 245-7867

The Texas State Associated Student Government held its weekly meeting on Monday night and introduced some upcoming events for the semester. The date and time have been set for the ﬁrst grievance session of the semester. It will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday in The Quad. Students are encouraged to stop by the booth and ask questions or give comments or concerns about ASG and Texas State in general. The statue of Lyndon Baines Johnson is tentatively scheduled to be unveiled on Aug. 27, at the beginning of the fall semester. Other issues to be discussed by ASG include new contracts for Coca-Cola and Cognisa, the company that currently holds the Texas State Tram contract.

Talks are scheduled to separate the Athletic Service Fee from the Student Service Fee, allowing students to see more accurately where their tuition fees go. Students that are interested in learning more about ASG are encouraged to attend the Student Organizations Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 14 and 15 in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom. ASG representatives will be happy to answer any questions you might have. All ASG meetings are open to students wishing to gain insight into what ASG really does. The agenda for the next meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday includes a guest speaker who will talk about the tremendous growth in the Austin-San Antonio corridor and plans to manage that growth. — Courtesy of Associated Student Goverment

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES On Tuesday’s Sports page, last week’s women’s basketball story was inadvertently reprinted under the headline “Overtime heroics lead to weekend split.” The correct story appears on today’s Sports page. Also in Tuesday’s issue, the staff editorial called Mahmoud Abbas the “outgoing president” of the Palestinian Authority. In

Jan. 30, unknown hour Theft: Under $500/ Bobcat Village Apartments A student reported to a police officer that her personal property had been stolen. This case is under investigation. Jan. 30, unknown hour Theft: Under $500/ Outside Jackson Hall A student reported to a police officer that his personal property had been stolen. This case is under investigation. Jan. 30, 2:35 p.m. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/UPD Lobby An unidentified person reported to a police officer that a student possessed suspicious items in his dorm. This case is under investigation.

SMPD 353-TIPS

ASG Beat ASG plans ahead for spring semester

Jan. 28, unknown hour Failure to Comply: Striking Unattended Vehicle/ Nueces Parking Lot A non-student reported to a police ofﬁcer that her vehicle was damaged while parked. This case is under investigation.

fact, the recent parliamentary elections that swept Abbas’ Fatah party out of power will not affect his position as president. Tuesday’s Calendar of Events stated that the Criminal Justice Career Day would take place this Thursday. The event will actually take place Monday, Feb. 6. See today’s calendar on this page for details.

www.UniversityStar.com

City officials to meet regarding Capital Improvement Plan City Manager Dan O’Leary and department directors will meet with the Council of Neighborhood Associations at 7 p.m. on Thursday to take citizen comment on the 20062007 Capital Improvements Program. The public is encouraged to attend. The event will be held at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins St. The CIP will include 10 years of identified needs for streets, water, wastewater and electric infrastructure, as well as other public facilities. The meeting will begin with a presentation by O’Leary about the city’s financial capacity for new projects and an overview of the CIP. O’Leary will then invite residents to offer their suggestions for needed infrastructure projects and priorities for the city. Staff will develop a 10-year Capital Improvements Program for 2006-07 through 2016-17. The Planning and Zoning Commission will review and make recommendations on the CIP in the spring before it is sent to the City Council. The Commission and the council will hold public hearings on the CIP. For more information about Thursday’s meeting and the CIP process, call the Planning & Development Services Department at (512) 393-8230. —Courtesy of the City of San Marcos

NEWS

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

The University Star - Page 3

ICOURSE: Texas State students may attend class via TEAM: Program teaches the Internet if professors embrace new CourseCasting volunteers to help victims CONTINUED from page 1

CONTINUED from page 1

going to school is not just to get a degree; it is networking with people who will help them in the long run.” Bragg said she thinks students ceasing to attend class because the lectures are available online is not a likely result of professors offering CourseCasting. “I think in general students are just underestimated. They’re there to learn and get an education and they know if they skip class then they don’t benefit,” Bragg said. Ross Compton, department of chemistry and biochemistry associate professor, said he would not participate in CourseCasting in addition to the services he already provides for students online. “I’m already doing stuff on Blackboard for the students, and I’m not interested in doing anything else,” Compton said. John Jennings, theatre and dance professor, said he thinks CourseCasting would be a beneficial tool in some courses. However, because he teaches acting, he did not think it is appropriate for his classes. “If I did lecture classes, I would probably be for it, but since I teach acting I don’t do much lecturing and students have to be present in class to practice,” Jennings said. Professors who choose to test the waters with CourseCasting can use nearly any means necessary to record their lectures and then log them at PickaProf. com. Students may then sign up for a membership to the site and begin downloading the lectures to listen on a home computer, an iPod, MP3 player or any other media device. Bragg said at Texas State students are charged $5 per semester to use the PickaProf services, but if a professor posting his or her lectures for downloads notifies PickaProf of their student’s e-mail addresses, the site will send out free semester invitations for membership to those Mark Decker/Star photo on the list. Those who pay for the site’s GOING TO CLASS A THING OF THE PAST?: As iPods abound on campus, Texas State students will services are reimbursed with a be able to utilize them for school with the new CourseCasting service from PickaProf.com. $5 e-campus.com gift certificate. The gift certificate is an ef- dents that English wasn’t their sider using CourseCasting if have to keep using it,” Bragg fort by the Web site to keep as first language and they could it proved successful in other said. many of its services free as pos- re-listen to the lecture and classes at the university, but In addition to CourseCastsible, while keeping its revenues slow it down if they needed to,” he would monitor its effect on ing, Bragg said PickaProf.com healthy as well, Bragg said. Bragg said. class attendance closely. could evolve into offering InCourse Casting is an easy way Since the technology is now “I think that professors, if ternet classes for download, to bring useful technology into readily available, Bragg said she they have an open mind about thanks to the new video iPod the classroom for a project that thinks it is worth a try for pro- having new technology for stu- technology. will help both the teacher and fessors, even if they are initially dents, they can test it out and “I just think in general it’s a the student, Bragg said. wary about it. if they find it’s not helpful for whole new tool to bring into “We heard from foreign stuMartinez said he would con- their students then they don’t the classroom,” Bragg said.

BUSH: Other issues include education, eavesdropping CONTINUED from page 1

for the return of federal deﬁcits, the slow response to Hurricane Katrina and some of the problems in Iraq. “We now know that the American people were given inaccurate information about the reason for invading Iraq. We now know that our troops in Iraq were not given the best body armor or the best intelligence,” Kaine said. The Democrats’ guest list included Iraq war protester Cindy Sheehan, who blames Bush for the death of her son, Casey, in Iraq. Sheehan, who had been invited to the House chamber by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, DCalif., missed the speech. She was ejected by police before the president arrived and later charged with unlawful conduct for wearing a protest T-shirt. Congressional rules prohibit any type of demonstration, even applause, in the House gallery, although the applause rule is ignored on State of the Union night.

On other topics, Bush: — Called Coretta Scott King, who died Tuesday, “a beloved, graceful and courageous woman” and paid tribute to her late husband, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Bush urged Americans to mirror King’s determination during the civil rights struggle by accepting the nation’s leadership role. — Said areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina should be rebuilt in a way that improves lives throughout the Gulf Coast. — Touched lightly on the lobbying scandal in Congress, reminding lawmakers that “each of us has made a pledge to be worthy of public responsibility.” — Defended his domestic eavesdropping program aimed at suspected terrorists, to loud applause from Republicans and virtual silence from Democrats. — Reiterated his support for a “rational, humane guestworker program,” accompanied by tougher enforcement of laws against illegal immigration.

— Called for expanding tax breaks for health-care expenses and letting Americans put more tax-free savings into so-called health savings accounts. — Called for improving math and science education by offering special training to 70,000 high school teachers. Another program would recruit as many as 30,000 math and science professionals to put aside their careers and become teachers. Bush was blunt about the need for action on oil dependence, but his proposal offered no near-term relief from high

gasoline prices. The president’s plan, released a day after Exxon Mobil reported record quarterly proﬁts of $10.7 billion, calls for a 22 percent increase in federal spending for research on ethanol, electric cars and other alternatives to fossil fuels. He said his goal is to develop alternatives to the point where they can displace 75 percent of the oil that’s now imported from the Middle East. Independent energy experts noted that only about onefourth of U.S. oil imports comes directly from the Middle East.

However, of the six team members, three have bachelor’s degrees, two have master’s, and one Rinaldi said, has extensive experience and education in the field of criminal justice. “I think it’s always a reoccurring concern of how do we get university students to integrate into the community of San Marcos and not just be seen as temporary transients,” said Daniel Segura, political science junior. “As students, we should have a passion or value for civic responsibility for this town that we live in and what could be a better way to establish our place as dwelling citizens in the city of San Marcos than by helping out our fellow neighbors,” Segura said. Tina Ybarra, social work senior, is a current volunteer on the team. She began her training during the summer of 2005. Ybarra said students would almost definitely benefit from such an opportunity. “As a social work major, one of the advantages of being involved in this volunteer program is the ability to utilize the knowledge I have gained in the classroom to ‘real world’ events,” Ybarra said. Ybarra has spoken on two different panels at Texas State and has encouraged new and existing social work majors to apply to the program. “I also think it’s very important to have a diverse group of volunteers from various cultures and ethnicities,” Ybarra said.

s students, “A we should have a passion

or value for civic responsibility ... what could be a better way to establish our place as dwelling citizens in the city of San Marcos than by helping out our fellow neighbors.”

— Daniel Segura political science junior

Rinaldi encourages students to apply regardless of their extent of experience or education. Currently, the team consists of all women and Rinaldi said she would like to see a variety of both women and men.

Applications are available at the San Marcos Police Department or on the Web site at www.ci.san-marcos. tx.us. For more information about the program, contact Eugenia Rinaldi at the SMPD Victims’ Services Ofﬁce at (512) 753-2106 or by e-mail at rinaldi.eugenia@ci.sanmarcos.tx.us.

SERIES: History of man and fire to be examined in lecture CONTINUED from page 1

Lovell Center Director Denise Blanchard-Boehm in an email. “Also, Dr. Pyne may have some advice on how to reduce ﬁre danger and manage the ﬁre hazard, given Texas’ recent drought problems.” Former astronaut James Lovell and his wife Marilyn created the Lovell Distinguished Lecture series. Lovell began his career as a naval aviator and took part in several missions while at NASA,

including Gemini 7, Gemini 12 and Apollo 13, one of NASA’s most infamous missions. The lecture series seeks “to incorporate different disciplinary perspectives as well as to enhance interest and knowledge of the geographical world,” the press release stated. Pyne’s lecture is titled “American History with Fire in Its Eye: How We Got to a World with Too Much of the Wrong Fire and Too Little of the Right” and will be held in Flowers Hall, Room 341.

www.UniversityStar.com

Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Bush, European Union will report Iran to the U.N. Security Council Countries to meet as uranium troubles heat up By Jonathan S. Landay Knight Ridder Newspapers LONDON — Russia and China agreed Tuesday to join the United States and its European allies in voting to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council for resuming uranium enrichment work and failing to disclose all facets of its nuclear program to U.N. inspectors. The accord appeared to represent a major diplomatic breakthrough for the Bush administration and the European Union, which suspect Iran of concealing a nuclear weapons program behind the cover of what it claims to be a civilian nuclear project. Russia and China, which have huge financial stakes in Iran, had been resisting the vote, which is due to be held at an emergency two-day U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors meeting beginning Thursday in Vienna, Austria. Their about-face underscored the depths of their frustrations with the hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s regime and made it likely that a majority of the 35-member IAEA board of governors would vote to haul the Islamic republic before the Security Council, which can impose economic sanctions. “This is a very good agreement … that sends a very powerful message to Iran,” said a senior State Department official who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “They can’t depend on Russia and China to block action.” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hashed out the accord in four hours of late-night talks with her counterparts from Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and European Union officials who have been spearheading negotiations with Iran. The United States, Russia, China, Britain and France are the veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council.

his is a “T very good agreement ...

that sends a very powerful message to Iran.”

— anonymous State Department ofﬁcial

The wording of a statement on the agreement was finalized at 1 a.m. Tuesday. In the statement, which was released by the British Foreign Office, the ministers said they “shared concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and agreed that an extensive period of confidence-building was required by Iran.” The ministers called on Iran to resume under IAEA monitoring its more than two-year suspension in uranium enrichment work, which ended on Jan. 10. Enrichment is the process that produces low-enriched uranium for power plants and highly enriched uranium for nuclear warheads, depending on how long it’s conducted. The ministers agreed that the IAEA board of governors “should report to the Security Council its decision on steps required by Iran and should also report … all IAEA reports and resolutions … relating to this issue.” They agreed to urge the Security Council to delay any action against Iran until IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei presents a March 6 board of governors meeting with an updated report on Iran’s compliance with demands to fully address unanswered questions about its nuclear program. That provision was designed to give Iran time to answer those questions and was apparently a key to winning over Russia and China. The U.S. official said Rice wanted to bring Beijing and Moscow on board in order to send “a powerful message” to Iran’s theocratic government that the international community was united. Russia and China have made clear that they oppose sanctions

on Iran, and there was no indication in the statement that they had changed their minds. But bringing them to the Security Council could strengthen the IAEA’s hand. Iran, the world’s fourth largest oil producer, has threatened to retaliate by ending its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency and taking other moves that could increase world oil prices. Iran insists that it has the right to conduct peaceful uranium enrichment work under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the international system to curb the spread of nuclear arms. But it admitted in 2002 that it kept its nuclear program secret for nearly two decades, during which it purchased knowhow and technologies to enrich uranium from an international smuggling network led by A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. For the past three years, Iran has failed to provide IAEA inspectors with all of the details of its dealings with the Khan network, including its work on centrifuges, the devices that spin uranium hexaﬂuoride gas at high speeds into enriched uranium. The IAEA board of governors voted in September to hold Iran in violation of its NPT obligations to disclose all aspects of its program to agency inspectors, but it delayed referring the matter to the Security Council to provide time to EU negotiators to resolve the standoff with Iran. But Iran’s decision to unfreeze its uranium work brought those talks to a halt. The agreement early Tuesday came only hours after EU negotiators rejected a last-ditch effort by Iran to win a delay in the IAEA board of governors vote. Iran presented what it said were new ideas on a Russian proposal under which enrichment of uranium for Iranian power plants would take place on Russian territory. But the Europeans said they saw nothing new in the Iranian ideas because they continued to call for Iran to be able to continue doing some enrichment work.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

trendythoughts “The Shakira concert, the Mongoose tour. Maybe it’s just because Shakira’s awesome.” — Lina Castano athletic training sophomore

What’s the best concert you’ve been to? “Blink 182, when they were on tour with New Found Glory. It was intense. Everyone put on a really good show.” — Tim Besgrove music junior

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - Page 5

Compiled by Jason Buch

Trends Contact — Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Let

“Usher, for his album 8701. It was so good because he sang every song, and he dropped his pants for the crowd, on purpose.” — Mai Lewally ﬁnance and economics sophomore

e d i u g re

be your go

By Samuel Ladach-Bark The University Star The much-anticipated Spike and Mike’s Sick and Twisted Animation Festival has landed in Austin for its annual tour of mind-numbing entertainment, featuring the “most wanton, demented, debauched, perverted, unnatural, lewd and generally irredeemable cartoons known to man,” as defined by the festival’s program. 45 minutes prior to the show Thursday night, fans and enthusiasts were already lined up around the block outside the downtown Alamo Drafthouse. This being the festival’s ninth annual tour, word got out and shows were packed. The line was not surprising, but the variety found in the crowd was. Everybody from indie-rock teenagers to working class 30-somethings showed for the cartoon carnage, proving one can never quite outgrow the stick figures with bleeding anuses seen in last year’s festival. While waiting in line, small talk was made, cigarettes were smoked and cartoons from the 2005 tour were relived and laughed about. Finally, after 30 minutes of subdued excitement, the crowd began to file into the sold-out theater. Inside, the audience was treated to hilarious and twisted Japanese game show clips while everyone made himself or herself comfortable. Then, the master of ceremonies took the stage and challenged three audience members to a pre-show beer chugging contest. It seems that he was disappointed with the festival’s lack of alcohol abuse and wanted to make up for it on stage. The winner, a short brunette who poured the last of her Schlitz on her lowcut top, won a free Spike and Mike’s DVD. And just as in previous years he divided the crowd and had them chant “Sick!” and “Twisted!” until the first short began. Cheek muscles were given a real workout as they went from laughter to clenched teeth gasps. One such eye-averting animation involved a boy attempting to saw off his tongue while it was stuck to a frozen pole. Another hilarious yet twisted clip featured a middle-aged working class hero who was mugged and then taught self-defense by an unseen narrator. In the end, the flustered narrator chooses to give the man a handgun, stating that in civilized combat, one should be able to kill their opponents from a comfortable distance. Of course, there was the return of the Happy Tree Friends, to the cheers and applause of all. Apparently, nobody can resist cute, multi-colored woodland creatures that always seem to get hurt in away by the graphics here. These low budget cargut-wrenching and torturous manners. The audi- toons specialize in high shock value. The first short ence was treated to two brand new episodes; one depicting a crudely drawn gerbil singing “The starred a pastel red porcupine that skied down a Sounds of Silence” from inside a donkey’s colon ilmountain with a wooden plank nailed to her foot, lustrates this point perfectly. while the other demonstrated how to make lemonAs stated in the program and in the online trailade with eyeballs. er, “some cartoons are just too depraved even for Among the more entertaining films was a stick Adult Swim.” This is definitely true of Spike and figure blind date that ended tragically with an al- Mike’s. If you are a fan of Adult Swim or mindmost fatal allergic reaction to caffeine, and a com- numbing humor be sure to catch this festival. The puter animated piñata who is brutally beaten by descriptions may sound immature and disgustkids in sombreros until he exing, but that is exactly what cretes candy in a last minute the Sick and Twisted Festival bowel movement. is all about. You might think Throughout the show the auit disturbing to laugh at brutal dience cheered, applauded, and mutilation and raunchy sexual laughed as one in true Draftdepictions, but hey, they’re carhouse style. Watching this alone toons, so don’t feel bad when you might have felt awkward you laugh. laughing so hard at cartoons dry The festival will run Thurshumping and being tortured, days through Sundays until — Online trailer program for but as part of a rowdy DraftFeb. 12, with a special ValenSpike and Mike’s Sick and house crowd it just feels right. tines Day showing Feb.14 at the Twisted Animation Festival But don’t expect to be blown Alamo Drafthouse–Village.

ome “S cartoons are just too depraved even for Adult Swim.”

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

Kelly Simmons/Star illustration

TRENDS

Page 6 - The University Star

Big winners for some at the Screen Actors Guild Awards By Nixon Guerrero The University Star

Before the Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild Awards were held Sunday to honor outstanding performances in ﬁve ﬁlm and eight television categories. For these awards, the winners were chosen by the nominees’ peers and col-

Line. “June was my inspiration,” Witherspoon said. Rachel Weisz won for best female in a supporting role for The Constant Gardener, and Paul Giamatti was chosen best supporting actor for his role in Cinderella Man. “Actors are weird interesting people,” Giamatti said, “and I’m proud to be among them.” The ﬁrst television award

he only reason I’m up here “T is because my fellow actors had my back.”

— Philip Seymour Hoffman actor

leagues — the actors. The award of the night was the performance by a cast in a motion picture category. The nominees included Good Night and Good Luck, Hustle and Flow, Brokeback Mountain, Crash and Capote. The winner was the cast of the popular Crash. The award for male actor in a leading role had an impressive list of nominees, including Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix, David Strathairn, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Russell Crowe. Capote star Hoffman won for his performance as Truman Capote. “The only reason I’m up here,” Hoffman said, “is because my fellow actors had my back.” The female actor in a leading role award, again, had an impressive list of nominees ﬁlling the ballot, with Judi Dench, Felicity Huffman, Ziyi Zhang, Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron. The winner was Reese Witherspoon for her performance as June Carter in Walk the

of the night was the given to Sandra Oh of Grey’s Anatomy for the female actor in a drama series. Oh wanted her fellow Asian American fellow actors to “keep shining.” The male actor in a drama series award went to 24 star Kiefer Sutherland, who was not a stranger to winning this award. He won it in 2004. Quickly following was the ensemble in a drama series award, which was given to the cast of Lost. Cast member Terry O’Quinn delivered their acceptance speech. “I’ve always been told ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say about somebody, let’s hear it,’” O’Quinn joked about his fellow cast members. He went on to add that their cast was a “family.” Felicity Huffman took home the award for best female in comedy series. Huffman had the most nominations for the night. She was nominated in both female lead and ensemble in a comedy series for Desperate See SAG, page 7

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Annapolis stays interesting despite likeness to earlier military film film review

✯✯✯

Annapolis Dir.: Justin Lin Stars: James Franco, Jordana Brewster Rated: PG-13

By Andrea Short The University Star

The prestigious United States Naval Academy gained its reputation through 160 years of producing America’s most disciplined, devoted and successful leaders and heroes. Located in Maryland, Annapolis is one of the most intense collegiate atmospheres in the country. In this film, Jake Huard (James Franco) may have grown up in the shipyards, but his lifelong goal has been to one day join the ranks of the few and the proud Academy students at Annapolis. After defying the odds, Jake is accepted as one of the 1,200 freshmen, out of 50,000 applicants and begins his journey with the other “plebes” with nothing but negative support from his family and friends. Jake sets out to prove himself to his family and his officers. And along the way, he will also find out if he truly has what it takes to succeed. Upon arrival, Jake is immediately thrown into a pressurecooker atmosphere where he loses all his say in everyday activities and must answer solely to his ranking officers. After a few months, it seems hot-headed Jake is on his way to becoming just another statistical drop out, when he meets the beautiful and strong superior midshipman, Ali (Jordana Brewster), who becomes his reason for continuing to push through the grueling physical and mental challenges he faces at Annapolis.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures GLOVE LOVE: Jordana Brewster plays Ali, who trains Jake (James Franco) to be a boxer, in Annapolis.

Among the usual physical fitness requirements at Annapolis, the relentless running and obstacle courses, is the training all students receive in boxing. At the end of the year, every student has the opportunity to participate in the famous Brigade Championships, in which plebes and officers become equals once they step into the ring. After finally mastering his academics, Jake decides to compete in the Brigades. With the help of his trainer, Ali, he works night and day toward surpassing his final obstacle, the steel-jawed company commander, Midshipman Lt. Cole (Tyrese Gibson). Now everything Jake strives for is on the line. This is his opportunity to make his unsupportive father proud, stand up for his fellow plebes and fight for his chance at a better future. This film follows Huard as he

pursues his path to greatness, while offering civilians a glimpse into the highly structured and competitive world of Annapolis Academy. The boxing training is inspiring, while watching Huards struggle with his academics is frustrating. But, the basic plot is suspenseful enough to keep viewers interested throughout. The love story between Ali and Jake is a small but obvious addition to the plot. I mean, in order for Huard to be the quintessential hero, he has to get the girl, right? Overall, Annapolis is reminiscent of An Officer and a Gentleman with hints at several of the latter’s plot. It’s basically a movie about boxing set at a naval academy. The boxing can be somewhat fast-moving and gripping, but the camera angles prevent you from seeing a first-rate fight.

Aside from a few close-ups on individual characters, the majority of the fight scenes are based around the crowd and wide shots of the ring. Director Justin Lin reproduces every detail of Annapolis as accurately as possible. The stars of the film trained hard in boxing in preparation for the film, but nothing other than basic punches and jabs are accurately played out on screen. The film is basically a feelgood resurrection of An Officer and a Gentleman, with hot stars and sweaty fight scenes.

movies rating key No stars – Must skip ✯ – Bad, fails overall ✯✯ – Mediocre, wait for DVD ✯✯✯ – Good, few ﬂaws ✯✯✯✯ – Outstanding, must see

Lionel Hahn/Abaca Press GRAMMY MAN: Zach Braff, shown at the Los Angeles premiere of Garden State, won a Grammy as the producer of the ﬁlm’s soundtrack.

Garden continues to grow with high sales of soundtrack By Sean Piccoli South Florida Sun-Sentinel Back when actor Zach Braff of the medical sitcom Scrubs was shopping around a movie project, he sent out a screenplay that he’d written and, with it, a mix CD of songs he wanted to use in certain scenes. The story, as told in show-business circles, is that several studio executives tossed the script and kept the CD. The anecdote could be “myth,” said Glen Brunman, chief of the Sony Music division that would eventually put out a more finished version of Braff ’s mix. But Brunman told the tale anyway to make the point that Braff ’s faith was not misplaced. Audiences have not only embraced Garden State, Braff ’s debut as a big-screen leading actor, screenwriter and director, but they’re still buying the movie’s soundtrack. Anchored by countercultural bands such as The Shins, Remy Zero and Frou Frou, the Garden State album sold more than 650,000 copies in the U.S. in 2005, according to year-end figures from the research firm Nielsen SoundScan. It has passed the one million mark since its release 17 months ago, and continues to sell 4,000 to 5,000 copies every week, Brunman said.

It’s no movie-music blockbuster on the scale of Titanic (1997) or The Bodyguard (1992). But for a low-budget independent film with a boutique soundtrack, Braff’s offbeat, melancholy love story has become something of a mainstream phenomenon. “For a lot of kids it was very a generational film,” said singersongwriter Cary Brothers, whose ballad “Blue Eyes” is in the movie and on the album. “There really hadn’t been anything like that for a whole generation of kids, and they immediately latched on to it and felt a bond with the film and the music.” Like The Graduate (1967) and Pulp Fiction (1994), Garden State makes virtual co-stars of its songs, which double as atmosphere and as commentary on scenes and characters. Braff plays Andrew, a depressed young man who fails at acting in Los Angeles and bottoms out on a dismal trip home to New Jersey. Then he meets a vivacious young woman, Sam, played by Natalie Portman. Their halting, sometimes comical progress as a couple is not unique to boy-meets-girl movies, but the depiction of it often has the submerged, unreal air of a dream. The music Braff chose — from the abstract lines and swirls of The Shins’ “Caring Is Creepy”

to the whispery vocals of Frou Frou’s “Let Go” — contributes to that sensation, and sometimes creates it. There’s a clue to the movie’s aesthetic in a remark on Braff ’s blog, in which he tells readers about a song — not on the soundtrack — that he likes: “It will make you feel warm and fuzzy and sad and happy and lonesome all at the same time.” Garden State puts the viewer in the same cocoon of gently contradictory emotions. Well before he found backing and a distributor for the movie, Braff was casting around for the right songs and thinking about movies such as The Graduate, which showcased Simon & Garfunkel, and the oddball romance Harold and Maude (1971), featuring songs by Cat Stevens. Brothers says that he and Braff were “music-geek friends” in Los Angeles at the time and “talked a lot about those ﬁlms.” As if tipping his hat, Braff wound up using a typically wistful Simon & Garfunkel song, “The Only Living Boy in New York,” on his soundtrack. Rock band Coldplay, the late English folk singer Nick Drake and former Men at Work singer Colin Hay also appear on the collection. But most of the 13 tracks are performed by artists with smaller followings: Thievery

Corporation, Bonnie Somerville, Iron & Wine and Brothers. “This was a case where the soundtrack came together really for a love of music,” Brothers said. “The songs were not in there because some label said, ‘Oh this is our next release and we’re going to push this.’ It was very organic. It was like a mix tape your best friend made for you. I think that’s what people responded to, that mix-tape feel.” Sony Music, a blockbusterobsessed major label on most days, took a low-key approach to promoting the soundtrack, which was doing well by word of mouth in the summer and fall months of 2004 that Garden State spent in theaters. “I don’t think Sony spent a dime … until it had sold 500,000 copies,” Brothers says jokingly. Sony did give the soundtrack a push, however, through the Garden State DVD, which came out at the end of 2004. The DVD includes a music video of The Shins, a promotional spot for the soundtrack and, of course, all the music in the movie itself. Brunman of Sony Music Soundtrax said the album has sold more copies since the DVD release than before. “That’s a clear signal that there’s still a lot (of album sales) to go here,” he said.

TRENDS/DIVERSION

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

✯Star Comics

The University Star - Page 7

SAG: Housewives, cowboys dominate awards ceremony CONTINUED from page 6

Housewives and for female lead for her performance in Transamerica. The best actor in a comedy series award was given to the highly animated Sean Hayes for his performance in Will & Grace. Hayes has won this award twice before. “I would like thank Ang Lee for taking a chance on me,” Hayes joked about the director of the hit ﬁlm Brokeback Mountain. Desperate Housewives prevailed as winner of Lionel Hahn/Abaca Press BEST MAN: Philip Seymour Hoffman won best actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in Capote.

the ensemble in a comedy series, their second consecutive win for the category. Young Dakota Fanning introduced the Life Achievement Award, which was given to Shirley Temple-Black. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis joined Fanning to welcome Temple-Black to the stage. While accepting the award, she displayed a sincere gratitude and had some advice for those who want to be given the Life Achievement Award. “Start young,” she said. In the mini-series or TV movie categories, S. Epatha Merkerson won for her performance in the HBO movie Lackawanna Blues and the absent Paul Newman won for his performance in Empire Falls.

SU-DO-KU Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Tuesday’s solutions:

Michael Mepham/Los Angeles Times

Wednesday’s solutions:

Go to www.UniversityStar.com for today’s answers.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

quoteof the day

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - Page 8

“The sword of the ﬁlibuster has been sheathed because we are placing principle before politics, and results before rhetoric.”

”

— Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., following the conﬁrmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. (Source: CNN)

Opinions Contact — Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

Where would you rather learn, inside a second story classroom in Flowers Hall or at a quiet, sunny corner in The Quad? By providing recordings of their lectures, Texas State’s professors will give their students the ability to further grasp the concepts of classes past at the touch of a click wheel or left-mouse button at a student’s convenience. The ease of listening to a course lecture is surprisingly simple. The online files, widely known as CourseCasts, are easily downloaded onto a computer and can be listened to via any audio program, as well as on an MP3 player. While we’ll grant that the possibility for students to skip class because of the service is indeed a worthy issue, the same thought must be given to situations that could arise where CourseCasting a lecture might benefit more students. Late on Dec. 7, an ice storm moved through San Marcos and as a result, the university postponed the next morning’s early finals because of the dangers to those commuting to campus on icy roads. Many people braved the roads because of the enormity of their finals, but with the lateness of the announcement, some who traveled found their finals were moved back once they arrived. With CourseCasting available, students would have been able to stay safe and download a lecture had this happened at a time other than during final exams. Safety issues aside, both students and professors can benefit from the ability to revisit a lecture for exam preparation or in the case of missed notes. As far as people skipping extra classes, there is something to be said for attending class regularly, as many professors find ways to enhance their students learning experiences with visual aides or open discussion about the lessons at hand. Those can’t necessarily be replicated via a CourseCast, but that’s one of the benefits students would give up with staying toasty in their beds or listening to their geography lectures on the lawn at Sewell Park. The technology is available to help students greater expand their knowledge and it can only benefit those who are here to truly learn. If possible within their classes, we call for professors to begin offering their course lectures available for download for their students. The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State UniversitySan Marcos.

If your professor offered CourseCasting, would you go to class? “I don’t have an iPod, so it doesn’t matter, but it sounds like an excuse for students to be lazy and not go to class.” Will Peck criminal justice freshman

“I would deﬁnitely use it if I missed class and maybe as a reinforcement for a study guide, but I wouldn’t just not go to class.” Daisy Gonzales undecided sophomore

“If I had an iPod, I’d use it, but I don’t have an iPod. I hear Notre Dame is giving iPod’s away, so they’d be able to use that real well.” Adam Watt business marketing freshman

Compiled by Jason Buch

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Kelly Simmons/Star illustration

CourseCasts allow students to learn anywhere, anytime

Americans need moral refresher In 2004, 62-yearinvincible, moral old Bill Ginglen and ethical, rerobbed seven banks member that you and stole more are only human. than $55,000 in Bill Ginglen order to support a made an apcrack cocaine adpearance on The diction. Oprah Winfrey NICOLE HERNANDEZ Living the life of Show that aired a father, a husband Monday. The Star Columnist and an upstanding case sparks a pascommunity memsionate debate ber was in sharp contrast to between those that would the affair he was having, the “do the right thing” and the crack cocaine he was addicted others that would pick family to and the banks he robbed over anything. for the money to support Without making a statehis habit. Ginglen’s three ment as to what the right sons, themselves volunteer thing was in that case, the firefighters and police ofquestion that lies beneath the ficers, turned their father in emotion remains to be asked: and watched him endure a If people turn a blind eye to criminal trial ending with a wrongdoing, how do they, 40-year prison sentence. in turn, live honest lives and Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has teach their children to follow made the headlines for alsuit? leged insider trading, and we The moral line between all know who already spent right and wrong has been time in the big house for that. blurred to every degree in James Frey just got real with mainstream society. TV, poliOprah about how revealing tics and parents are sending The Smoking Gun report was children all kinds of mixed true. He fabricated parts of messages about what is OK his memoir. Rapper Lil’ Kim and what is not. The rising is spending a year and a day problem of ethics in America in prison for perjury. Tom is closer to home than anyone DeLay has corruption charges might want to imagine. flying left and right. Now, Questioning ourselves before you decide that you’re is a valid way to spend our

time and thoughts, because if you are not a parent now, you may become one. If you have never been faced with a moral dilemma, you will be. People spend so much time deciding what to wear or what car to buy or which dollar menu to order from, but far too few people are asking themselves what is right and what is wrong and in what kinds of situations. Contemplating the ideas of right and wrong allows people to know themselves more deeply and to become more prepared for the time when they are faced with such tough decisions. Garrett Ginglen, who had been brought up on the moral high ground of his father, knew that when his father robbed those banks, he was “going against everything we were told when we were kids.” There was no way for his sons to understand what made a man desperate enough to lie, cheat and steal, but they were sure about the morality of the situation. If Bill Ginglen never taught his children the difference between right and wrong, they may have turned a blind eye to his crime. They would have committed their own offenses against society. So where and how often do

law and order cross paths with ethics, and when do moral issues become political ones? It is a difﬁcult path to righteousness, but someone has to take it. It is questionable whether Americans can remain safe from themselves and each other when ethical guidance is almost nonexistent. When there is such backlash against the church, such outcry against moral issues in the political realm and so little preservation for the morality of American society, it is vital that we take a step back and examine our hearts. America’s future is in jeopardy. No, America is in jeopardy right now. Every child will teach somewhere the things that are right and the things that are wrong. We, as current and future parents, as teachers of children, as protectors of our nation, should be selﬂess enough to ask ourselves what we believe and why. We should understand ourselves and be ready to defend our beliefs, because that is what made this the country that it is. Doing the right thing, as easy as it looks, is sometimes incredibly hard. Not one of us is immune to the shaky ground of uncertainty.

Big Brother could be logging on to Facebook CHAMPAIGN, the part that states, ERIC NAING Ill. — “Big Broth“we may share Daily Illini (U. Illinois) account or other er” is more than just a literary alinformation when lusion and a CBS reality show; we believe it is necessary to it’s also the lurking boogeycomply with law or to protect man that all wild-eyed liberals our interests or property. fear could be watching them The “comply with the at this very moment. Between law” part makes sense as aucontrolling world events and thorities have used personal spying on UFO enthusiasts, is proﬁles and photos found it possible that “Big Brother” is on Facebook to apprehend also logging on to Facebook? students at universities such as The people behind FacePenn State and Ohio State. But book claim that on average why would any “government they attract around 80 percent agencies” want to know that I of a university’s undergraduwatch “Arrested Development” ate population. or think White Snake rocks? Now think back to when The answer may surprise you. you ﬁrst joined Facebook. Like Facebook was started by all programs you install and students at Harvard in 2004 Web sites you register for, you with $500,000 in funding probably passed over the prifrom one Peter Thiel, founder vacy policy and blindly agreed of Paypal, right-wing darling, to their terms. I would recom- board member of the consermend taking a look back at it. vative Vanguard PAC. Aside from the usual “we Facebook also received $13 may share your information million in venture capital with third parties” clause, from Accel Partners. Accel’s there also is the slightly dismanager, James Breyer, is on concerting “Facebook also col- the board of the National lects information about you Venture Capital Association. from other sources, such as Also on the NVCA’s board newspapers and instant mesis Gilman Louis, who heads saging services.” Even scarier is the CIA’s In-Q-Tel program.

Established in 1999, In-Q-Tel specializes in “data warehousing and mining” and “the aggregation and management of data from large numbers … of interest to the CIA.” While I realize that this “conspiracy theory” is venturing into the “my brother’s friend’s sister’s roommate” territory, it can’t be denied that Facebook’s CIA links are somewhat disturbing. But it’s not just Facebook that threatens your privacy. America Online recently stated that users of their instant messaging service AIM “waive any right to privacy,” meaning AOL reserves the right to republish any AIM conversation at any time. Furthermore, users of the Web site MySpace. com have reported that certain comments and proﬁles have been censored. (Not so) coincidentally, Myspace was recently purchased by Rupert Murdoch, owner of a media empire that includes Fox News. Your privacy is worth ﬁghting for, especially when the president claims the right to illegally wiretap U.S. citizens

and demands that Google give up search records. As Ben Franklin famously said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Am I telling you to quit using the Internet and hide under your bed wearing a tin foil hat? No, but I hope that the next time you log onto Facebook or Myspace or have a conversation over AIM, you’ll consider who could be watching. By using Web sites and programs such as Facebook, Myspace and AIM, you are willingly providing a public record of whatever you wish to share. If that doesn’t bother you, then go ahead and list your political views, sexual orientation, friends and interests. And remember, “Big Brother,” be he the president, the creepy dude in the top left corner of Facebook.com or that yellow AOL guy, is watching. This column orignally appeared in the Jan. 31 Daily Illini.

Letters policy: E-mail letters to starletters@txstate.edu. Letters must be no longer than 300 words. No anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, space and libel. We reserve the right to refuse obscene, irrelevant and malicious letters. All e-mails must include the name and phone number of the letter writer. Students should also include their classiﬁcations and majors.

Editor In Chief..................David Michael Cohen, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..................................Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor......................................Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor.........................Jason Buch, jb1163@txstate.edu Trends Editor................Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor......................................A. D. Brown, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor...................................Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

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The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every other Wednesday of Summer I and II with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright February 1, 2006. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

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All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu. Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication. The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

E-mail starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifieds Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

ANNOUNCEMENTS SEMESTER, YEAR, SUMMER PROGRAMS IN SPAIN AND COSTA RICA $1985 includes: Tuition (4-9 credits), airfare,board, excursions.mlsa@sprintmail.com www. mlsa.com Tel. (815)464-1800.

FOR RENT $99 INCLUDES DEP. App. and 1st month rent. Beautiful property! 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

$1-1 $375 500 SQFT! call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123

FOR RENT-DUPLEX

3/2 MOBILE, Nice, extras, fenced

107 Cedergrove (on bus route). Fenced backyard/pets ok. $1050 per month. 512-557-2557

rented lot, Hunter Rd. $29K 512-3962374

3/2, 907 ALLEN ST. Rent $925.00, Dep $925.00. C-21 512-787-2982. SAGEWOOD DUPLEXES preleasing for 6/1 &8/1, bus route, 3/3.5 garage, W/D inc., Call 512-699-9759 1120 ALAMO, 4/2/2, no pets, no students. Rent $1350.00 dep. $1000.00. C-21 512-787-2982.

LOOKING FOR WORK THAT’S FUN AND PAYS WELL? Earn $1000-$2000 this month

WALK TO CAMPUS. $99 total-

4/2, 1605 POST RD. Rent

move-in 2-2 $599. 1-1 also available. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123.

$1200.00, deposit $1000.00. C-21 512-787-2982.

LARGE T-HOME, $99 total movein free cable, internet, and phone. W/D included. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123.

NEW HOUSE FOR RENT.

$0 DEP. $0 APP. Large Condo 1 & 2 bdrms available. Some bills paid. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 or check out more apartment specials at www.sanmarcos-apartments.com

VACATION RENTAL GUEST HOME on the S.M. river in

(512)805-0123.

2 BEDROOM 2 BATH with w/d $550 per month. Park North Condos. 353-7644

$149 TOTAL MOVE IN! $420, 2bdrm $525. On TX State shuttle. Call apartment experts (512)805-0123.

TOWNHOME 4-2.5, all bills paid, W/D included call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123

1/1.5 LOFT, 700 SQFT. Backyard and w/d included call apartment experts (512)805-0123

ROOM FOR RENT.

Outpost Apartments, fully furnished, on Texas State Tram Route. All utilities paid minus electric. Immediate move-in available. Poolside! 832-515-6533

3/2. 1900 sq. ft; W/D. Very good neighborhood. $1300/mo. Call (512) 554-5080 or (830) 257-4339.

Martindale Jan.-Feb, special, 2b/2b/ $95.00 nightly $450.00 weekly, 1,150 month www.marilisa.com/vacationrental.htm. 754-1851.

3/2/2, 1109 PERKINS. Rent $1200.00, Dep $1000.00. C-21 512787-2982. 4B/2B HOUSE NEXT TO CAMPUS. Hardwood ﬂoors, 2 car garage converted to game room, large kitchen & dining room. Excellent condition. Free internet & cable. 392-2700.

205 BOOTH, 4/2/2,1700 +sf, 2.16 acres, approved pets OK. Rent $1200.00, dep $1200.00. C-21 512787-2982.

HUGE 3/2, W/D, ETC. 1600 sq ft. $950 per mo. 713-774-5953.

3/2 HOUSE, close to campus and the San Marcos River, ceramic tile bathrooms, ch/ca, $980.00/mo. Call Maris 512-472-2123

2 bedroom 835 sq ft $495/ For more info call Apartment Experts 805-0123.

SPECTACULAR & BARGAIN, 2br beautiful decor, all new, $12k renovation, 1 mi. from W. campus, 803A Hazelton, open house daily, 9-6. 20ft mirror wall, crown mold, tile, fans, W/D, microwave, lg fenced yard & more. February Free $585. No Dogs. 353-8384.

CHECK OUT OUR current apart-

FOR RENT - 3/2 house, two

ROOMMATE NEEDED. $300 month. 1/3 bills. Close to campus. Contact Jason 713-992-0263 1 BEDROOM 670 SQ FT $420.

ment specials online at www.sanmarcos-apartments.com or call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

NEED LOW RENT? Roommate matching could be the answer. Call and we’ll set you up. Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

BIG 2 BDROM 900 SQFT. $585! call Apartment Experts (512)8050123.

FOR RENT-APTS ROOMS NEXT TO CAMPUS free internet, cable, and other free utilities $325-$375 call 392-2700.

APARTMENTS NEXT TO TEXAS STATE now leasing for May and August. Beautiful wooden ﬂoors, no shuttle or parking worries. Rooms, 1B, 2B, 3B and roommate matching. Free internet, cable and some utilities. $300 - $605 per person. 392-2700

SUBLEASE 2BD APT. $600/mo. Begin Feb. w/Feb. paid by owner. Near School. Contact Wessam 878-6224.

APARTMENTS FROM $371/ MO. Near stadium. Gas, water paid. 353-5051.

3 BEDROOMS WITH 3 FULL PRIVATE BATHS.

Extra large kitchen, washer/dryer, fridge, dishwasher, 3 carports, storage building, and FREE phone-cable-high speed internet. $845. Agent, 512-289-4864.

FOR RENTCONDO/TOWNHOMES 2/2, 310 PAT GARRISON, Pets OK. Rent $625.00, dep $150.00. C-21 512-787-2982.

$785 2/2.5 TOWNHOUSE.

3 blks from TXState. Preleasing for 5/20 and 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, full-size W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com for ﬂoor plans & prices. 396-4181.

SPRING BRANCH AD AGENCY seeks part time graphic

FOR RENT-HOUSES

3/2/1, 1104 GIRARD, pets OK. Rent $1150.00, Dep $1000.00. C-21 512-787-2982.

$0 DEP, $345 MOST BILLS PAID. Call Apartment Experts

HELP WANTED

designer. Working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator required, Quark helpful. Email resume to margaret@getousset.com.

internet, water paid, W/D included. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123.

$350 FULLY FURNISHED cable,

FOR SALE

FOR RENT DUPLEX 3br/3.5ba

rooms available. Close to campus. Call Kenneth at (210) 825-1948.

FOR SALE ‘89 HONDA ACCORD. Baby blue, under 90K miles, sunroof, power locks and windows, new tires, spacious trunk, fun car! $4000. Contact Sara 787-7072.

Bonuses paid weekly. Work around your schedule. Flexible hours. Serious inquiries only 1-866-368-3257

TEXAS LIONS CAMP is looking for students to make a positive difference in the life of a child. No experience is required and training is provided. It is a paid job, including room, board, laundry services, and a scholarship program is available. Come to Summer Job Fair Feb. 9th in LBJ Student Center for an application or see website at www.lionscamp.com.

HEALTH FOOD STORE. Part-time employee needed. Must have experience with vitamins and herbs. Friendly and responsible please. Little Shoppe of Health. 396-4325 across from University.

HEALTH CLUB open Monday thru Saturday. Part-time positions, front desk and training with athletic background required. must be working on a related degree. 512-560-6761. Email resume to ﬁtnessdoctors@aol.com. HELP NEEDED for a Specialty Tree Care Company. Candidates should be detail-oriented and appreciate demanding outdoor work. Job Location- Wimberley. OAK WILT SPECIALISTS OF TEXAS 888-453-1593

OUTGOING STUDENT NEEDED to distribute ﬂiers on Feb. 13-14 ﬂexible hours $10 per hour. 1-800-927-9194.

LOOKING FOR A FUN AND EXCITING JOB THAT IS FLEXIBLE? Well, check out Wonder World Park! Now hiring tour guides for spring and summer. Apply in person Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1000 Prospect St. or call 392-3760.

NOW HIRING experienced child care teachers M-F afternoons. 512295-2329

SPRING BRANCH AD AGENCY seeks part time writer. Publication background helpful. Email resume to margaret@getousset.com.

BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM WE NEED Paid Survey Takers in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

HELP WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

SEEKING WAIT STAFF & ENTERTAINERS with a fun loving

ON-SITE REAL ESTATE SALES. Need energetic, organized

SUMMER INTERNSHIP AVAILABLE: Summer Internships

attitude who enjoys working in a party atmosphere. AM/PM, PT/FT, ﬂexible schedules. Great $$$! Apply Sugar’s 404 Highland Mall Blvd. E., Austin (near Highland Mall) 512-451-1711

person to operate an on-site sales office in San Marcos area residential subdivision. Full-time position, flexible hours, flexible compensation package with possible housing in subdivision. E-mail resume to norton27@sbcglobal. net.

($10.00/hr). Positions available in the Planning and Recreation departments of Community Associations of The Woodlands. Students should be working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism or related ﬁeld. Candidates must pass an extensive background check and pre-employed drug screen. Resumes may be mailed or applications may be submitted to: Community Associations of The Woodlands, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77387, Attn: HR/SA. Fax 281-210-3970 or e-mail hr@catw-tx.org. For more information, visit our web-site at www.thewoodlandsassociations.org.

CAMP COUNSELOR POSITIONS AVAILABLE at Camp Weequahic, a co-ed children’s sleepaway camp in northeastern PA, about 1/2 hours from New York City. We will be at the University on Thursday, February 9th, for the Summer Job Fair, and will be happy to meet with you there. Positions are available for all areas of sports, including tennis, gymnastics, baseball, softball, roller hockey, golf, basketball, soccer, lacrosse and others, as well as waterfront, including swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurﬁng and waterskiing. We will pay for training and certiﬁcations where required. Other positions may be available in hobby areas such as archery, dance, aerobics, theater, piano accompanist, rocketry, woodworking and ceramics. We also need a nurse (either LPN or RN) and will help you to obtain the PA license. Salaries start at $200 per week, plus room, board and travel expenses. Please visit our website at: www.weequahic.com for more information and to FILL OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION. You may also contact us by e-mail at newsweeq@aol.com. Please be sure to leave a phone number, including area code, where we can reach you. We will contact you prior to the 9th to set up an appointment to meet with you at Camp Day.

!BARTENDING!

Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ ok. 800-965-6520 x 157.

WAITPERSON NEEDED. Fine dining restaurant (Little Texas Bistro) seeks back waiter to work Tuesday through Saturday evenings. Hourly plus great tips. Some restaurant experience preferred. Please contact Beth or Paul at (512) 312-5828.

DIRECT CARE STAFF for group homes. San Marcos area. Call 830-372-0276 or apply at 1575 N. Austin, Seguin

ENERGETIC, DEPENDABLE, RESPONSIBLE student needed for cleaning 3 separate family homes in Wimberley on weekly/biweekly basis. All 3 families have young children; additional babysitting jobs are a potential too. Please call (512) 847-8477. Leave name and number along with days of week available. Please have references available.

THE SAN MARCOS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT needs energetic individuals to work Spring Break Madness Camp (March 13-17, 2006). Hours are 7:30am-5:30pm. Call Lisanne Foster at 393-8283 for more information or to set up an interview. Application deadline is Feb. 15. E-mail: foster_lisanne@ci.san-marcos.tx.us.

HAVE THE SUMMER OF YOUR LIFE at a prestigious coed sleepaway camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania 2 1/2 hours from NYC. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any Team & Individual Sports, Tennis, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Mt. Bike, Theatre, Tech Theatre, Circus, Magic, Arts & Crafts, Pioneering, Climbing Tower, Water Sports, Music, Dance, Science, or Computers. Kitchen and maintenance positions also available. Great salaries and perks. Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors. On-campus interviews on February 9th. Apply online at www.islandlake. com Call 800-869-6083 between 9 and 5 eastern time on weekdays for more information .

MISCELLANEOUS ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc $75-200/hr, no exp. needed, (512)684-8296.

ROOMMATES NEED ROOMMATE AT LES CHATEAUX. 2/1, $275/mo free cable and high speed internet. Can walk to campus. Call Daniel 512-557-1307

ROOMMATE WANTED 3/2 house, $300/mo plus utilities, call if interested 361-688-8629

SUBLEASE FEBRUARY FREE! Subleasing a 1b in a 3b/3.5b on Sagewood for $315mth. Pets OK. 512-917-6722.

TRAVEL SPRING BREAK Mazatlan Party bus $399 with hotels and meals. http:// www.mazatlanexpress.com 1-800-3664786.

WANTED BUS DRIVER NEEDED Transport preschoolers to and from Child Development Centers in Hays & Caldwell Counties. Part-time position schedule: M-F 6:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. & 1 p.m. to 4 p.m./Mon.,Tues.,Thurs. 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Salary range: $10.50$15.00 hourly, DOE. For detailed listing visit www.communityaction.com. Pre-employment screenings required. Applications available at 101 Uhland Road, Suite 107, in San Marcos, or download from Web site. Position open until ﬁlled. EOE. Drug-free work environment.

WANTED: USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition. Running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. 512353-4511.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

sports snortsquotes from the sports world “I’m not a slam-dunk-competition type of guy. On the spur of the moment, I can do dunks during the game. I can’t think of a dunk before I do it. I’ll leave it up to the guys who don’t play as many minutes as I do.” — Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Lebron James on his reasons for not joining the NBA Slam Dunk Competition. (Source: ESPN News)

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - Page 10

Sports Contact — Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

Bobcat tennis team starts off strong despite loss By Chris Parrish The University Star The Texas State women’s tennis team played against the Mustangs from Southern Methodist this past Saturday. They competed against SMU, which is 3-1 this season, tooth and nail, yet came up short in a 6-1 defeat for their opening match. The morning match began at 11:30 a.m., although the scheduled time was originally for a 10 a.m. start. The Mustangs were forced to show up late because of a postponed match the night before against UT-San Antonio and equipment issues, Bobcats Coach Tory Plunkett said. Prior to the match, the Bobcats were psyching themselves up, mentally preparing for the match. The women were all smiles and high-fives, rallying cries of “Eat ’em up! Eat ’em up! Go ’Cats go!” They knew that SMU would be their first great test for the season and were excited to get it underway. “SMU is known for tennis. To be good, you have to play the best teams,” Plunkett said in the San Marcos Daily Record. The doubles matches were first, and both squads came out strong, toting their “A” games. Court 1 featured Bobcat senior Leja Sirola and freshman Tiffany Searcy/Star photo Christina Amo against the Mustangs’ Svetlana Kouzmenko and ANYONE FOR TENNIS?: Senior Margaret Potyrala communicated well with tennis partner Sumarie Natalia Bubien. Muller for a smooth forehand return. The Bobcats lost to SMU 6-1. Potyrala and her doubles partner The two Bobcats lost by a Sumarie Muller were defeated 8-2 by Brooke and Halley Rambally. score of 8-5. Court 3 witnessed sophomore Sumarie Muller and Brooke and Halley Rambally. the matches are really exciting. Court 2, where freshmen Ashley senior Margaret Potyrala lose “SMU is a good team, but so It’s good tennis to watch.” Ellis and Lainy Chafitz defeated a toughly fought match, with a are we,” Plunkett said during the Texas State’s lone win in dou- SMU’s Georgiana Marta and score of 8-2, against SMU sisters doubles matches. “Therefore, bles competition took place on Monica Neveklovska 8-5. The

Mustangs were awarded one team point for winning two out of three matches, and the team scores stood at 1-0 in favor of SMU. “I was a little uptight, a little nervous in the doubles,” Ellis said. “It was a good thing my partner played really well and carried us.” The singles matches were featured on six courts. Because of the delay, all of the matches took place at the same time. Ellis battled Bubien and lost in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. Chafitz lost to Jennifer Chay 6-3, 6-0. “To adjust to the SMU opponent is difficult,” Chafitz said. “I beat her in the fall and thought I knew her game, but just couldn’t adjust.” Sirola lost to Marta 6-0, 6-3. Amo was defeated by Kristen Reid, 6-3, 7-5 and Muller lost to B. Rambally, 6-0, 6-0. Senior Jana Cucciniello provided the exclusive singles win and team point for the Bobcats by edging out SMU’s Neveklovska. The score after two sets was 63, 0-6, paving the way for a “super tie-breaker set” in which a competitor must score 10 points and beat the opponent by two points. Cucciniello proved to be the victor with a 12-10 margin over Neveklovska. “We have Bobcat pride, and (the team) pumped Jana up to get the win,” Plunkett said. “One of the reasons why she won was for the team’s support; the whole team earned that point.” Many fans were on hand in support of Bobcat tennis. Overall, the Texas State women’s team was thoroughly impressive in their season opener against

SMU, an effort that was much more affirmative than the final score would entail. Exceptional teamwork was a shining point in the doubles matches, as partners rallied back and forth from forecourt to back with great communication. Individually, each athlete showed the kind of awe-inspiring technique that only practice and dedication can generate. Backhand shots were fluid and drop shots floated effortlessly. It was hot outside as well, but the Bobcats remained strong in stamina from start to finish. The team was winning early on during many of the matches with aggressive play, only to be subdued by a Mustang squad put on the ropes. “In college play, when you get up, the opposition starts playing defensively,” Plunkett said. “We can’t let up when we’re leading early, or we let them back in. Finish the game out the same way we got to that winning point.” The Bobcats must certainly learn from this in order to beat their Top 25 rival next week, Texas A&M. “If we turn around and learn, we can do very well against A&M,” Plunkett said. Both Ellis and Chafitz agreed that the keys to beating the Aggies would be to practice hard all week, condition and keep their heads up during the match. “Going out and working hard on serves and ground-strokes will help us get on top of their game,” Ellis said. “We’re the underdogs and we want to prove people wrong,” Chafitz said.

Narrow defeat over Demons moves women Bobcats up in ranks By Nathan Brooks The University Star With just seconds remaining and clinging to a two-point lead, the Bobcats needed a basket to put away the Lady Demons from Northwestern State. Joyce Ekworomadu was having a career night, but everyone inside Strahan Coliseum knew where the ball was going with the game on the line and just 20 seconds remaining. Jenna Hoffman stood on the right wing waiting for a teammate to break free, and to little surprise Tamara Thompson found a way to get open. Hoffman hit a wide-open Thompson right underneath the basket to give the Bobcats a 75-71 lead with 18 seconds remaining.

Texas State would go on to get a defensive stop and add a Ryann Bradford free throw to defeat Northwestern State 76-71. “It felt good out there tonight. Shooting was a weakness for us last game, and we worked on it in practice. Tonight we shot well,” said sophomore Ekworomadu. The win boosted the Bobcats into ﬁfth place in the Southland Conference with a 12-6 record overall and a 4-3 mark in league play. After a tough 69-63 loss to Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday, in which the Bobcats shot just 36 percent from the ﬂoor, it was important for Texas State to get off to a good start. Did they ever, as the Bobcats scored the

first 14 points of the game and the Lady Demons didn’t get onto the scoreboard until the 14 minute mark in the first half. Texas State would eventually build a 39-16 lead with just under 3:30 left in the first half, behind three Jeana Hoffman three-pointers and a full offensive repertoire from Ekworomadu. However, Northwestern State would end the half on a 14-3 run behind continuing defensive pressure to cut the Bobcat lead to 42-30 at intermission. The Demon run would continue into the second half as Northwestern eventually took a 55-54 lead with 12 minutes remaining in regulation. “We didn’t shoot the ball well

last game, so the great start was important, but we knew they would come back because they are a good team,” said head coach Suzanne Fox.

The Bobcats answered quickly on a Ekworomadu jump shot to retake a 56-55 lead. Ekworomadu had a career night scoring 27 points on 12 of 17 shooting

to go along with seven rebounds. Her 27 points were also the most points scored by a Bobcat this season. After retaking a 56-55 lead, Texas State would not trail again. A Sheronda Bell three-pointer with 6:20 remaining would tie the game at 64-64, but that would be as close as the Lady Demons would get. Despite four players in double ﬁgures led by Sheronda Bell’s 18 points and forcing 25 Bobcat turnovers, it wasn’t enough for Northwestern State. With the loss the Lady Demons fell to sixth place in the conference with a 10-6 record overall and a 3-3 record in league play. On the night, Tamara Thompson recorded her second doubledouble in as many games scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 boards. Jeana Hoffman added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Ashley Riley dropped in 11 points off the bench. The Bobcats will hit the road Monty Marion/Star ﬁle photo this week to play a pair of games in Louisiana against SouthSIZING IT UP: Sophomore forward Joyce Ekworomadu (22), sizes eastern Louisiana and Nicholls up her competition from Louisiana Monroe’s Melanie Williams (14), State. during the Bobcats’ Thursday loss.

Better than hairballs.