The Rattler News 02.18.09 Police Blotter
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Vol. 96 Issue 8 TheSt. Mary’s University Rattler Student Newspaper 02.18.09 Rattler Awakening Students grow in their faith at the annual retreat. Page 4 Striking out a legend A century-old game played here has impressive history. Page 14 How much will your Pink Panther Returns Steve Martin reprises his role student bill change? as Inspector Clouseau. Page 3 Page 22 2 The Rattler News 02.18.09 Police Blotter 2/03/09 Telephone harassment in Chaminade Hall, report was generated. 2/08/09 Suspicious person in law classroom, suspect was identified. 2/09/09 Fire alarm in Cremer hall, building was cleared. No smoke/fire; alarm malfunction; Physical plant contacted for repair. 2/10/09 Fire alarm in Dougherty Hall, building was cleared. There was a strong smell of smoke and a burnt popcorn bag was found in a trash can. 2/11/09 Criminal mischief in Dougherty Hall, a plasma TV was damaged. 2/12/09 On Feb. 9-10, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center conducted a blood drive for St. Mary’s students and faculty willing to donate. The drive was held in the Criminal trespass warning on UC and emphasized the fact that donating blood could help and even save a person’s life. Photo/ Robin Johnson University Drive, the suspect was escorted off of campus. 2/15/09 Catholic Intellectual Sick/injured person in Dougherty News in Brief Health information Hall. EMS was contacted for Tradition continues available on campus treatment and transport; and was transported for further medical Fellowship application Thursday, March 5, 7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. treatment. Conference Room A Alumni Athletics and Convocation Center deadline approaches Auxiliary Gym 2/16/09 Friday, Feb. 27 Student handbook violation in Lot Garni Science Hall Room 110 Professor Melissa Wilde will speak about The University Health Fair will be in the M. A report was generated; St. Mary’s Vatican II and its role in social changes. The AACC. Free samples of health food items as citation issued; immobilization Students wanting to participate in the Under- presentation will include the results of inter- well as free screenings and free mini-massag- warning notice issued; referred to graduate Research Fellowship Program over views with Bishops and Cardinals that were es will be available. Students can register at judicial affairs. the summer must turn in their application by present in the Vatican II Council as well as re- the booths for a chance to win door prizes. Friday. It is expected that five summer fellow- search on actual Vatican documents that oth- ships will be granted to students. ers had not seen. Applications can be downloaded at Index www.stmarytx.edu/uro News 2-6 Awards will be announced by March 20. Commentary 7-11 Crashed plane was still on Stimulus bill passes, Science may help city Features 12-18 Entertainment 19-23 autopilot setting becomes law during times of drought Sports 24-28 Preliminary investigations show that the President Barack Obama’s stimulus bill passed Artificial enhancement of the recharge process plane that crashed into the ground in Buffalo, in the House of Representatives without any of the Edwards Aquifer could allow the springs N.Y., still had the autopilot on. support from Republicans, then again in the to sustain during periods of drought, meaning Contact Us: Senate with the minimum Republican vote. more water for the environment. 210-436-3401 (office) The pilots of the aircraft discussed ice build 210-431-3407 (fax) up on their wings and windshield just before The $787 billion package aims to save or create Information is still being gathered from the [email protected] crashing into a house, killing all aboard the over 3 million jobs across the country. four-year study, but suggestions to improve plane and one person on the ground. the aquifer will be in place soon. Cover design by Amanda Rodriguez Source: Huffingtonpost.com Source: Associated press Source: Mysanantonio.com 02.18.09 News The Rattler 3 Stimulus plan effects aid Increase in Published Tuition and Fees, 2007-08 Despite an economic recession, March 31. Percentage Increase “There is nothing I could stress more: do financial security for attending St. your FAFSA. [Students] do not have to wait to Mary’s does not suffer. do their taxes and they can estimate their infor- 21% or More mation. The important thing is they need to try to have [FAFSA] completed because it has to be By JAIME PEREZ and processed and get back to us.” SARAH MILLS Student Government Association president 18 to 20.9% and political science major James Escamia also Features Editor and Editor-In-Chief urges students to educate themselves on mon- ey available in a timely manner. “[Students] need to be educated about stu- 15 to 17.9% With an economic recession bankrupting dent loans and they need to make sure that companies and affecting the budget of busi- they know all the information,” said Escamia. nesses everywhere, one may automatically “Students also need to make sure they stay con- assume that the same crisis would plague the nected with the financial aid office.” 12 to 14.9% economics of education. The university is also reaching out to stu- However, the $787 billion dollar stimulus dents in order to help educate them about the package that was signed into law Monday pro- financial process. vides money for an increase in loans, scholar- 9 to 11.9% ships and work-study opportunities to college “There is nothing that leads me to students. Both of Texas’ senators voted against believe that anything will happen the bill. [financially] to the employees of this $15.6 billion will be used to increase the 6 to 8.9% Pell Grant’s maximum awards by $500 from institution and when I look at the stu- $4,850 to $5,350 starting July 1 of 2010. The dents here I think we are in very good stimulus package will also increase the Unsub- sidized Stafford Loan limits to $2000. Overall shape.” the package spends an estimated $32 billion on 3 to 5.9% higher education. - David Krause, “There is nothing that leads me to believe Director of financial aid that anything will happen [financially] to the employees of this institution and when I look Under 3% at the students here I think we are in very good “The president [University President shape,” said David Krause, director of financial Charles L. Cotrell] sent out a letter to families 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% aid here. saying that if you have problems in these tough In addition to increased financial aid, Krause economic times to please let us know so we can Percentage of Full-Time Undergraduates says that St. Mary’s students will experience the help you,” said Krause. smallest increase in tuition that has occurred in Krause also suggests that students look for PRIVATE FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC FOUR-YEAR the past few years. The specific percentage has outside sources, such as scholarships, to help not been confirmed yet. ease their student bill. Source: College Board’s 2007 “Trends in College Pricing” Tuition and fees at public, four-year univer- “There are groups like the SallyMayFund. sities have increased an average of 53 percent org which provides scholarships for students since lawmakers gave university regents full who are first in their family to go to college,” he authority to set tuition rates in 2003, according said. “There are a number of scholarships out to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating there, students just need to go out there and STIMULUS PACKAGE Board (THECB). Texas tuition rates have also get it.” accelerated at 48 percent compared to a nation- There are also university departmental al average of 32 percent, a rate THECB consid- scholarships that are available for students. ers much faster. Krause said the Office of Financial Aid will A 3 percent increase for St. Mary’s room and be sending out e-mails informing the students How the new bill will affect your education board has also been proposed, according to about these scholarships. and financial future. James Villarreal, Director of Residence life. Krause speculates that some organizations Even though tuition and room and board may offer fewer scholarships, since available The bill will include a provision to $490 million will be given to rates may be increasing, Krause still hopes that money depends on their endowment. increase the Pell Grant by $500 increase work study funding. the newly passed stimulus package will help St. 1 2 “We don’t know how effective the stimulus from $4,850 to $5,350. Mary’s students with high academic achieve- package is going to be,” said Escamia. “There ments and in high need of financial assistance is a possibility that prospective students have a pay for any increases in tuition. certain implication about school, but as long as The bill promises student loan $50 million will provided to the The Pell Grant and the Stafford Loan are scholarships and the American dream continue limits to increase on unsubsi- Department of Education to both awarded based on student’s Free Appli- there is an everlasting hope.” 3 4 cation for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and dized Stafford Loan by $2,000. help them administer student aid their family’s financial need. Kraus urges stu- and loan programs. dents to complete their applications early. St. Mary’s priority deadline to turn in the FAFSA is 4 The Rattler News 02.18.09 Rattlers find Awakening By ANGELA SANTANA team, believes that retreat participants Senior Staff Writer apply for staff year after year because of the impact on new participants.