<<

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

The Collegian Special Collections and Archives

Spring 1-17-2011

The Collegian (2011-01-17)

Christine Cavazos

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/collegian

Recommended Citation The Collegian (BLIBR-0075). UTRGV Digital Library, The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and Archives at ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Collegian by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. The Student Voice of The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College The

Volume 63 ollegianMonday www.utbcollegian.com CIssue 15 January 17, 2011

A new way More cuts to class to come? Page 8 Page 3 Back on Before the the diamond mortarboard Page 19

toss Page 7

Leslie Barrientos/Collegian Senior management major Laura Cavazos will be among hundreds of students looking for a job after graduation.

Viewpoint Page 4 Police reports Page 6 Noticias en Español Page 18 Page 2 • January 17, 2011 The Collegian The Collegian On Campus January 17, 2011 • Page 3 First in a series: The recession’s Repercussions UTB/TSC braces for Texas’ ‘drastic’ budget cuts By Rene Cardona Jr. of the tax exemptions, well how do you The Collegian fill in that hole? … Some people want to lop the head off government, shrink it Because Texas is facing a potential up, but they don’t realize the impact of $19 billion to $27 billion deficit, UTB/ budget cuts.” TSC administrators are bracing for what Pinching pennies could be an unprecedented budget cut To stay abreast of the financial of $20 million in the coming 2012-2013 strain, UTB/TSC Provost Alan Artibise biennium. informed administrators last semester The Texas Legislature may ask for about the coming austerity. A series yet another cut of 2.5 percent in Fiscal of meetings began the first week of Year 2011, which would be in addition January during which Artibise reviewed to the 5 percent, or about $4 million, the administrators’ budget plans with 15 university trimmed from its 2010-2011 percent to 20 percent less funds and budget that the state mandated on Jan. provided feedback. By the end of the 13, 2010. month, Artibise said he wanted to have If the state does not ask for the the first draft of a detailed plan to cut additional cut in FY 2011, Rosemary costs. Martinez, vice president for Business Cost containment initiatives, like Rene Cardona Jr./Collegian Affairs, said the Legislature may wait those implemented to meet the 5 percent It is likely the Texas Legislature will ask UTB/TSC to cut its 2012-2013 budget by 25 percent. and ask for a 25 percent cut, or $19.875 cuts, are continuing. Travel expenses majority of its budget is tied up in faculty million, instead of a 20 percent cut, and maintenance and operation costs Don’t fear the future; Viewpoint, Page 4 salaries, said Artibise, who is heading in the 2012-2013 biennium. But it all are being monitored. In fact, Martinez the division since Chip Dameron depends on Texas’ revenues. said $500,000 will be saved this year said. “… In the Learning Enrichment stepped down to focus on teaching and “Although the Texas economy is in utilities, in addition to $700,000 in office, which is our tutoring, we cut scholarly work. rebounding and … did not suffer the huge computer purchases because her division back. That is the biggest department that Faculty cuts in low-producing declines that we’ve seen in other states, “worked with the IT folks to develop has money for part-time wages because programs would be looked at if worse we have had reductions in revenues and a standard model so not everybody they hire a lot of tutors. We’re having comes to worse. There are about three so we’re going to have to make budget buys a computer with all the bells and to cut back about $30,000--between to four such programs, but Artibise cuts,” Martinez said. “The question is whistles.” $30,000 and $50,000, depending on was reluctant to disclose them because how much and how will we manage About $1.2 million will be saved with what the bottom line is going to be. So, “we’re still looking at them, still doing them. … The additional 2.5 [percent the 39 faculty and staff members who in order to minimize that, there’s a grant analysis,” he said. reduction] in the current year, I think, chose to participate in the Voluntary Academic Affairs has, called Title V, “What I’m also urging [administrators] that was just to make sure that if last- Separation Incentive Program, even so I proposed that maybe they redirect to do, because the other side of budget quarter revenues did not look like what though about half of the retiring faculty some of the Title V monies into Learning reductions is revenue growth, is to work were expected, then we would have to will be replaced because their roles are Enrichment to make up the shortfall of closely with the deans and the chairs have the additional budget reductions.” critical to the institution, Artibise said. tutoring money.” if we can get increased enrollment, be Things are still up in the air, though, Leaving vacant positions unfilled is A question-and-answer Webpage more efficient in terms of class size because the Legislature hasn’t informed another place for savings. Vice President about the budget cuts, utb.edu/ so we’re getting more revenue from public institutions exactly when and for Student Affairs Hilda Silva said there budgetinformation, will be launched the investments we’ve already made,” how much will be cut, and Martinez said are seven vacancies in her division that concurrently with the new UTB/TSC Artibise said. it probably won’t be for a while. could remain unfilled if need be. website Jan. 24. One such revenue generator is the The Texas House of Representatives “As much as I want to fill the position Among the questions listed in an winter semester, which Artibise called a will lay out a budget Tuesday that for the assistant [vice president for advance copy of the page provided to “modest success.” will assume no new revenue from Student Affairs], I won’t if it means I The Collegian is, “Will there be layoffs “We need to be more strategic in terms possibilities like elimination of tax have to cut more support services,” Silva or salary reductions in the current fiscal of which classes we are offering and exemptions and spending Texas’ Rainy said. “Come next year, if I have to give year? If so, how will they be handled?” tying that into classes that students need Day Fund, estimated at $9 billion, said up more money … then I’m giving up The answer provided states: “Although to keep moving forward at the pace they Tony Gray, legislative director for state the new positions I created. … I made a UTB/TSC is reviewing all options to want to move forward, so we are going Rep. Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville). case to create the positions because I felt meet targeted budget reductions, we to revisit it later this month with the Until the bill is passed, officials won’t they were important, but it’s better to cut cannot guarantee that layoffs or salary deans and chairs and learn the lessons know the size of the reductions, but there than to cut in programming, which reductions will not occur. All budget that need to be learned and try to do it Gray says “huge cuts, shocking cuts” is where we don’t want to try to touch.” units have been asked to develop unit better next year,” he added. are expected, with “drastic cuts to higher Although Student Affairs runs on a plans that will allow us to continue The profits for the semester have yet education.” budget of $10.5 million, a 20 percent to provide mission-critical services to be calculated, Martinez said. “We have a new Republican cut of more than $800,000 could have to students while managing budget Asked if tuition and fees will increase, supermajority in the Texas House and an impact on student services, but the reductions. Each unit will be responsible Artibise replied although educational many of those members have signed division’s directors are continuing to for determining what areas of budget institutions across the state will be no-new-tax pledges, but we have a $27 evaluate impacts and other strategies. will be reduced.” thinking about it, UTB/TSC has not had billion deficit,” Gray said. “Assuming “It’s not a done deal because we’re still Generating revenue there is no new revenue, no spending talking, but what I’ve submitted shows a Academic Affairs is having some • See ‘Cuts,’ Page 9 of the Rainy Day Fund, no elimination cut of positions in Student Success, Silva trouble with the cuts because a vast

Retirement Income Specialist

Bob Richardson CLU, ChFC REGISTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT (956) 542 - 1775

Investment Advisor Representative with and Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc (TFA) member FINRA, SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. Non-securities products and services are not offered through TFA.

LD3916-08/09 Page 4 • January 17, 2011 Viewpoint The Collegian What’s Your Beef?

“One of the complaints that I have is that we’re [in the] winter session. We have to print some papers too and none of the labs are open, so that’s my main thing. We need these labs and then when we go, somebody opens it real quick and the printer doesn’t work.”

Yessica Castillo Senior criminal justice major

“I turned in all my financial aid The best of times, the worst of times papers in December, and when I By Christine Cavazos assured you a spot in the job market. Graduation series, Page 7 was in orientation, Collegian Editor My parents told me that if I went to they said I was college, if I studied hard and received and succeeded. It’s time I do so again for still missing stuff John F. Kennedy good grades, I was sure to get the dream what’s after graduation. and that we only once said, “Change job. And that’s the simplicity I’ve Prepare so you can face the good and had ’til [Jan. is the law of life. dreamed of. I had a vision of graduating the bad. Volunteer, get involved, or take 6] to finish it. And those who and quickly getting a job in the an internship. Don’t be afraid to try it So that’s what look only to the communication field, but that’s harder to all. Be open to taking jobs that perhaps I’m trying to fix past or present are achieve in this new decade, considering weren’t in your original plans. Keep on right now, and certain to miss the college graduates can take more than six learning. I’m having a lot of future.” months to land a job and the national trouble. … But I believe Yes, things could be better, but they Change is all unemployment rate is at 9.8 percent. could be worse, too. I already turned in everything I around us, now more than ever. It’s in I hope you are having a good time needed, so I’m doing it again.” From my short experience in the the bad economy, a job market filled while in college because soon it will semi-adult world I can say one thing: Marco Vazquez with uncertainties and conflicting data, be over. I hope you take with you class Everything is hard work, everything Freshman respiratory therapy major like Wall Street profits rising while the discussions, homework assignments, is a task to overcome, but if you have number of jobs seeing meager growth. nerve-wracking tests and careless party perseverance, you will achieve. Spring semester is the typical time days. Those days will be over, never to To those of you graduating: students graduate and that means change, come back. The adult world is coming Congratulations, Class of 2011. I will see but, again, in more ways than one. nearer and nearer. “Before it used to be easier for me you at Commencement and will receive We are living during a time like none My college experience has been the to come and take two classes or three my Bachelor of Arts in Communication before. Our time is different from that best; I strategically planned what I classes. It was good with great pride. of our parents, when having a degree wanted to do these four years of my life because the price was not that high but now I can Lame-duck session not so lame barely take two classes because By Francisco Garza the successor’s term begins. unanimously, giving first responders the the amount of The Collegian Political analysts and experts had much-needed medical coverage. m o n e y - - y o u predicted that the lame-duck session The new Strategic Arms Reduction cannot get it If you were would be uneventful; if the Democrats Treaty (START) passed, reducing the together--and with wondering what managed to bring any bill to a vote, the number of strategic nuclear missile financial aid, actually, happened in the Republicans would vote against it. But, launchers by half. I just started applying. … Now, it’s world of politics this is where our story takes a turn. Of course, not all is sunshine on really, really expensive and that’s since we finished First, it would seem that the president Capitol Hill. The Development, Relief why I’m really pushing for the finals, allow me to had lost his purpose by extending the tax and Education for Alien Minors (or financial aid.” tell you the story. cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of the DREAM) Act, which would have Well as you population created by former President allowed certain minors not born in the Juana Leibee remember, in George W. Bush. But, in the same United States the opportunity to receive Junior nursing major 2010, President bill, Obama extended unemployment permanent residency status, did not Obama and the Democrats took a big benefits for 13 months. have enough votes to pass in the Senate. hit in the midterm elections, losing nine The president justified the extension So, with victories and losses, the governors, six senators and 64 seats in of the tax cuts as a compromise, saying second half of Obama’s presidency --Compiled by Rene Cardona Jr. the House. it would help pass the upcoming Don’t starts and a new Congress takes office. --Photos by Leslie Barrientos It seemed like all hope was gone, Ask Don’t Tell repeal, the 9/11 first The Republicans say they will repeal and Chris Peña the rest of Obama’s term would be responders health bill and the new health care reform, Wall Street reform, uneventful and there would be no Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and make sure that Obama is a one-term Do you have beef? If so, call Collegian chance of him being re-elected. (START). president. reporter Rene Cardona Jr. at 882-5143 or Then the duck quacked. And then, they did. But this lame-duck Congress seems send him an e-mail at [email protected]. The lame-duck session of Congress The DADT repeal passed, allowing to have given the president the boost took place. Lame-duck sessions happen gay members of the military to serve of confidence and the results that he when one Congress meets after its without hiding their sexual preference. needed to prove he is not giving up successor has been elected but before The 9/11 health care bill was approved without a fight. The Collegian Viewpoint January 17, 2011 • Page 5

Letters to the Editor

What was Cascos thinking? We urge the 82nd Texas Legislature However, that greatness will fade and thought toward the future of the nation Congratulations, returning Cameron to confront the budget deficit more is already fading, unless: the wall is and world. County Judge Carlos Cascos; may concern constructively to meet current needs and removed, all the way west to the Pacific; I know that the United States, call for all in the county mark your new term. position Texas for the future. Before the wars and sweetheart private and us we, can be a leader in world peace, But to have U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of reducing any state services in fiscal year public defense projects halted; and, the imagination and planning that will lead Texas officiate your swearing-in ceremony 2011 or in the 2012-13 state budget, the tax breaks repealed. toward a just planet for all its inhabitants. is insensitive to many in the county, given Legislature must: The wall, as noted, is in the middle of Will it alter its facile moves of the senator’s opposition to the DREAM 1. Use all of the Rainy Day Fund, Brownsville. Its brownish steel horror the now and move in the direction Act and other federal programs that estimated to have $9.2 billion available cries of impotency, a failed and inhumane of national and global maturity? would help thousands in your jurisdiction. for spending in the 2012-13 budget. The immigration policy to all--both sides of constitutional purpose of the fund is the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. Eugene “Gene” Novogrodsky Eugene “Gene” Novogrodsky to maintain vital state services during The wall, a sop to anti-immigration Brownsville Brownsville economic downturns. folk, a boon to contractors. 2. Maximize use of all available The wars, hard to see the damage to Another DREAM deferred Budget advice for Texas Legislature federal funding, including any additional Iraqis, Afghans and Pakistanis, slightly Senators, shame on all of you. You The 82nd Texas Legislature must stimulus aid or any new matching funds easier to see if one does not turn away, betrayed young people. If you voted nay, address a significant budget deficit in made available by health care reform. young Marines with prostheses, and then you are a traitor; if you abstained, you are the session [that began] Jan. 11. The 3. Generate new sources of revenue harder again, the internal damage to all, a coward. League of Women Voters-Texas and that are equitable and can grow along Americans and the Asians. If you had any common sense (of which our partners in Texas Forward believe a with Texas and our needs and eliminate How do the order-givers, from the you seem to be completely devoid) and comprehensive and balanced approach to unproductive tax breaks. president to Congress to the officers, if you really cared for young people, balancing the budget is the only way Texas 4. Carefully look at departments and sleep, dine and vacation knowing that their you would have voted for the DREAM can provide for current needs and make services that can be cut or eliminated directives have not made serious dents in Act. There would be abundant time and the investments necessary for the future without serious harm. world terrorism and have instead delayed opportunity after the vote to improve it as of our great state. Because all Texans We hope you will join us in letting the peace negotiations, while increasing the needed. have much at stake in budget decisions, Legislature know that we need a balanced number of young who embrace terrorism? I believe in the power of prayer. the Legislature’s budget process must be approach to a balanced budget. To join The tax breaks, billions to the rich who Count on it. I will be praying fervently open and transparent. our endeavor or learn more about Texas will only invest but a fraction of their every day that all of you and all of Texas faces both short-term and long- Forward, see http://www.txforward.org/. gains to creating a sustainable economy your mindless Republican colleagues term budget deficits. Reduced state in the United States. (happily N/A to Senators Lugar, Bennett revenue during the global economic Karen Nicholson Taxes that could have been used for: and Murkowski) receive from a just God recession has resulted in a short-term President, LWV-Texas a single-payer healthcare system, debt what you deserve for your egregious deficit that can be addressed with one- reduction, yes, debt reduction, alternative malfeasance. time measures. Longer-term, there is a Grow up, U.S. energy production, clean water and other structural deficit that will require changes Great nations, ah, their potential for environmental needs. The Rev. Armand Mathew, OMI in the Texas revenue system. good, for inspiration. Think prison reform. Think creative UTB/TSC Center A stream of media accounts since the But they do not: build walls to solve public schools. for Civic Engagement November election attest to the harm, immigration issues; fund nearly three- Dream on. The tax breaks will delay all now and for our future, that would quarters of a trillion-dollar defense budget those dire domestic needs. BYOB result from drastic cuts to education, that does not make them safer from global Wise voters, with a sense of the future I am old enough to remember when we health care, juvenile justice and other terrorism; and, fail to invest in national and not merely the immediate, will did not have plastic bags. public services Texas needs to remain improvements while handing billions in demand new and humane steps from How did we survive? a great state. Shuffling money among tax breaks to the very rich. Congress and the president. Have we become such a self- underfunded programs and shifting the The United States is a great nation with Do these voters exist? centered and lazy society that we cost of public services off the state budget a wall (now in downtown Brownsville), Back to the great nation idea. The cannot bring our own bags to the store? may conceal these problems but doesn’t wars and a skewed investment and tax United States is still great despite its Ruth E. Wagner address them. program. recent steps, steps undertaken with little Brownsville

Scholarships

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation professors engaged in specialized study available to U.S. citizen in foster or other residential care. It Scholarship Program is available to of any language/cultures of the Pan or foreign students who are currently covers tuition and fees, other than students who plan to enroll full time in American countries and demonstrate attending a U.S. university and who property deposit fees, for courses for a baccalaureate program at an accredited ability to put the results of study in a Pan submit an essay exploring the place which the college receives tax support. college or university in Fall 2011, have American country to use upon return to culinary traditions hold in one’s cultural/ There is no deadline to apply. The a cumulative undergraduate grade-point Texas. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31. ethnic identity. The contest will be application is at: http://www.utb.edu/ average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0. For more requirements information, visit closed once the first 200 essays are em/fa/Pages/FAWaiversandExemptions. The deadline to apply is Wednesday. http://www.partt.org. received. Awards of $1,500, $750 and aspx. For more information, visit http:// For more information, visit http://www. The American Cancer Society Breast $500 will be given to first-, second- and www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/ jkcf.org/scholarships or call UTB/TSC Cancer CD 2000 Inc. scholarship third-place winners, respectively. For financialaid/tofa2.cfm?ID=551. Financial Assistance Director Mari is available to cancer survivors. An more information, visit http://www. Chapa at 882-8277. annual $500 scholarship is given to an fastrecipes.com/scholarship2010/. --Compiled by Daniel Beltrán The Magic Valley Electric outstanding student with aspirations The Gloria and Joseph Mattera Cooperative Scholarship (MVEC) is of assisting cancer patients and their National Scholarship Fund for Correction available to students who demonstrate families. The deadline to apply is Feb. Migrant Children is available to youth An article about the Texas Section a coherent degree plan and willingness 1. For more information, visit http:// who have a recent history of movement of the American Physical Society to pursue a course of higher learning www.finaid.org/scholarships/c a n c e r . for agricultural employment, financial published in the Nov. 29 issue of and have a minimum of one-year phtml. need and scholastic potential. There is The Collegian inadvertently failed membership with Magic Valley Electric The National Academies scholarship no deadline for applications, which to mention Associate Professor of Cooperative at the application deadline is available to scientists and engineers are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Physics Soma Mukherjee chaired date. The deadline to apply is Jan. 27. at all stages of their career. Applicants For more information, visit http://www. a session called “Astrophysics, For more information and an application, should hold an earned doctorate in migrant.net/migrant/sch-mattera.htm. Astronomy and Space Science” and visit http://www.magicvalley.coop/ science or engineering. Most awards are The Valley Initiative for Development co-authored several talks and posters. community/scholarship-program/. open to foreign nationals as well as to and Advancement (VIDA) scholarship Also, it was reported that Ahmed The 2010-2011 Ronald McDonald U.S. citizens. The deadline to apply is is available to residents of the Rio Grande Touhami, assistant professor of House Charities U.S. Scholarship Feb.1. For more information, visit http:// Valley who are 18 years of age or older. physics, chaired a session, “Probing Program is available to U.S. citizen www.national-academies.org/rap. Students must be eligible to work in the protein conformation changes in food students who have at least one parent of The 2011/2012 South Texas U.S. and be underemployed with family nanostructure,” when this was, in Hispanic/Latino heritage, are younger Academic Rising Scholars applications responsibilities and earning less than fact, a “talk.” He chaired the session, than 21 years old and eligible to attend are available to U.S. citizen or legal $7.50 per hour or unemployed with family “Biological and Chemical Physics.” a two- or four-year college or university permanent resident students who have responsibilities. For more information, Associate Professor of Physics Karen with a full course of study. The deadline earned 12 undergraduate hours and visit http://www.vidacareers.org/index. Martiroysan did not chair a session to apply is Jan. 28. For more information, have at least a 2.7 cumulative grade- htm. but instead delivered a talk titled visit http://www.rmhc.org. point average. The deadline to apply is The Adopted Students Formerly “Nanostructured oxygen generators The Florence Terry Griswold 10- March 31. For more information, visit in Foster or Other Residential Care for aerospace life supporting 11 Scholarship II is available to U.S. www.southtexasstars.org. Exemption scholarship is available systems.” citizen female students who are college My Recipe-My HeritageScholarship to students who were adopted, were Page 6 • January 17, 2011 On Campus The Collegian Collegian B r i e f s ACT preparation about Brownsville’s long and unique Program, which is set to start in UTB/TSC’s Language Institute is history through the Brownsville February. The program is designed for The Collegian is the mul- registering participants for its ACT Historical Association’s Shades of a pragmatic, convenient, substantial and timedia student newspaper preparation course, which will take Winter Walking Tours. The next engaging educational experience that serving the University of place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and tours, guided by UTB/TSC Professor will raise productivity and effectiveness. Emeritus of History Anthony Knopp, For more information and to fill out the Texas at Brownsville and Thursdays until Feb. 10. The cost of the are scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday in application, visit http://gemini.utb.edu/ Texas Southmost College. course is $140 for four weeks and covers math, science, English and reading each the Old City Cemetery Center and at 11 ode/ips/. The newspaper is widely week. For more information, call 882- a.m. Jan. 28 in the Brownsville Heritage ‘Vagina Monologues’ auditions distributed on campus and is 4178. Complex. Tour spaces are limited and Auditions for “The Vagina an award-winning member SGA meeting pre-registration is highly suggested. Monologues” will take place from of the Texas Intercollegiate The first Student Government Admission is $10 for non-members 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (location to be Press Association. Association meeting of the semester and $5 for BHA members. For more announced), with rehearsals scheduled will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday in information, call 541-1167. until Feb. 27. To sign up for an Collegian Editor the Student Union’s Salon Gardenia. Spring music academy audition, send an e-mail to Elisa Nino Christine Cavazos For more information, call 882-5877. Registration continues until Thursday at [email protected] or Debbie Penguin Plunge for the UTB/TSC Music Academy, Perez at [email protected]. For Collegian Online Editor The Recreation, Education and which provides lessons for a group more information, call 882-7177. Pablo Guerra Kinesiology Center will host Penguin class, camp or private lessons. Classes Plunge 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday begin Saturday. The cost starts at $112. --Compiled by Daniel Beltrán Collegian Webcast Editor in the Recreation, Education and For more information, send an e-mail Michael Peña Kinesiology Center pool. Admission is to the Music Academy office at music. If you would like your organization free. The event is part of Welcome Week [email protected] or call 882-7702. or department news published in The Spanish Editor activities. For more information, call Certified Public Manager Program Collegian’s Briefs section, call Daniel Héctor Aguilar 882-5972. The Institute for Public Service Beltrán at 882-5143 or send him an Shades of Winter walking tours is accepting applications for the next e-mail at [email protected]. Sports Editor The public is invited to learn more cohort of the Certified Public Manager Louie Vera

Advertising Manager Jimena Evia Police Reports

Advertising Representatives F o l l o w i n g possession of marijuana and transported complaining of back pain. An ambulance Melissa Ramirez are among the to the Carrizales-Rucker Detention was called, but the student refused Lucia Regalado incidents reported Center. transportation to a hospital. by Campus Police At 8:23 p.m. the same day, a faculty At 7 a.m. Nov. 16, an officer was Staff Writers between Nov. 1 and member reported that a student entered dispatched to the Campus Security Daniel Beltrán Dec. 9. her class at the International Technology, Center in reference to a student almost Rene Cardona Jr. At 12:22 a.m. Education and Commerce Center and being struck by a vehicle. The student Francisco Garza Nov.1, an unknown stated that there was a bombing in Mexico. said that she was fine and did not require Alejandra González man violated the After the statement, all of the students emergency care. Cleiri Quezada curfew at The grabbed their belongings and evacuated At 9:18 a.m. Nov. 17, a student reported Village at Fort Brown while visiting a the building. that his spare tire was missing from the Copy Editor woman. The subject was asked to leave At 12:24 p.m. Nov. 10, a student bed of his truck. The tire disappeared Rene Cardona Jr. by the resident assistant and when he requested a Campus Police officer at while the truck was parked in Lot AB. refused, a Campus Police officer issued a the Life and Health Sciences Building At 4:13 p.m. Nov. 21, a staff member criminal trespass warning. The man was because she had safety concerns. The reported a student suffering a seizure Photographers also allegedly in possession of a stolen student had seen her ex-boyfriend on at the University Boulevard Library. Leslie Barrientos parking permit. campus and felt uncomfortable. Brownsville Emergency Medical Services Sergio Salazar At 2:34 p.m. the same day, a student At 6:04 p.m. the same day, a student was called, but the student refused Christopher Peña reported that a known vehicle came close reported that she was being followed transportation and left the area with her to striking her when she stepped off the by an unknown man at the Arnulfo L. parents. sidewalk on Ringgold Road. Oliveira Memorial Library. At 11:32 a.m. Nov. 22, an officer was Cartoonist At 12:15 p.m. Nov. 2, a Campus Police At 11:40 a.m. Nov.12, two students dispatched to the corner of International Michelle Serrano officer was called to the Education and in a sports utility vehicle were pulled Boulevard and Ridgely Road regarding Business Complex because a student fell. over on Ringgold Road for fighting. a man lying on the ground. Upon arrival, The student missed a step and injured her They stated that the argument the officer awakened the man, who Secretary II ankle and back. She refused transportation didn’t get physical. The report was complained of a harsh pain in his pelvic Ana Sanchez to the hospital, but said she would go to forwarded to the dean of students. area. The man was transported to Valley Student Health Services. At 5:33 p.m. the same day, an officer on Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville. At 2:15 p.m. the same day, a Campus patrol at the International Technology, At 6:45 p.m. the same day, a Campus Student Media Coordinator Police officer was requested at Lot U Education and Commerce Center detected Police officer was dispatched to the Susie Cantu when a student reported that her car was the smell of marijuana when he approached Arnulfo L. Oliveira Memorial Library no longer where she parked it. The student two men inside a car under the carport in reference to a young man soliciting later clarified that she had defaulted on a of the auto body shop. One student was money. The man said he was asking Student Media Director loan and her car had been repossessed. issued a citation for drug paraphernalia people for money to buy a soft drink. He Azenett Cornejo At 2:01 p.m. Nov. 4, a faculty member and the second student was arrested on was issued a criminal trespass warning. called for a Campus Police officer at a charge of misdemeanor possession At 8:48 a.m. Dec. 2, a faculty member Rusteberg Hall because a student was of marijuana. He was transported to the reported that a window of his Honda having a possible seizure. The student Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center. Fit was shattered while the vehicle was Address: was conscious and said that he felt fine. At 11 p.m. Nov. 14, an officer was parked in Lot E. The Collegian At 9:37 p.m. Nov. 8, a student requested advised by three resident assistants that At 10:49 a.m. Dec. 9, a Campus Police Student Union 1.28 a police officer at Lot O because the paint an individual who was previously issued a officer was dispatched to the Jacob Brown 80 Fort Brown Brownsville, TX 78520 on his Ford Mustang was damaged. criminal trespass warning for The Village Auditorium after a woman fell and injured Phone: (956) 882-5143 At 7:43 p.m. Nov. 9, an officer on at Fort Brown was again spotted on the herself. She complained of pain in her Fax: (956) 882-5176 patrol on Mexico Boulevard conducted a premises. An arrest warrant was issued for left ankle and was transported to Valley e-mail: [email protected] traffic stop and smelled the odor of burnt the man. Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville. www.utbcollegian.com marijuana. Marijuana was found inside At 12:37 p.m. Nov. 15, a Campus the vehicle. The backseat passenger was Police officer was dispatched to Student --Compiled by Alejandra González © 2011 The Collegian arrested on a misdemeanor charge of Health Services in regard to a student HELP WANTED The University of Texas at Brownsville and Opportunity: Want to earn money? Set Texas Southmost College your own hours? Interviewing for positions Find us on Facebook and Twitter available for sales representative. Training available. Advancement Available. for UTB/TSC news updates. Cherry Vela 956-908-9246 The Collegian Graduation 2011 January 17, 2011 • Page 7 Experts say start job search now Can a degree protect you from unemployment? By Rene Cardona Jr. “Obviously, in 2011, we expect this year It may take about six months for a advised because when it comes down The Collegian to be economically better than the last two graduate to find a job, said Juan Andres to two candidates vying for the same years, at least, when we were in, I would Rodriguez, program director of Career spot, having held a leadership position The words recession and unemployment say, a deep recession,” said Rafael Otero, Services, so it’s best to start your search and high grade-point average influence summarize a reality to be dealt with soon an associate professor before graduation employers’ decision, according to NACE’s after you leave the stage with your degree in the School of First in a series: arrives. survey responses. Verbal communication but, despite the uncertain times, there are Business. “That’s why Devote a few skills, a strong work ethic and teamwork strategies you can implement to insulate the outlook is slightly Braving the job climate hours to it every skills came out as the top three qualities yourself from a harsh job climate. better, not optimum, day, treating it as if important to employers in the association’s Reality plays favorites, and if you’ve though.” it were another class, and report, so it may be a good idea to stress learned anything, it should be that axiom Then there’s always the don’t wait to begin working these attributes. reiterated thousands of times: Those matter of your major, which on a résumé because those Maybe you long to leave the Valley for a prepared fare better. certainly affects your likelihood few sheets of paper are job or go to graduate school, which could “You have to [have] a sense of urgency of getting hired no matter the your chance at getting an be beneficial, depending on your situation. and really do your homework to find hiring climate. NACE found interview. A master’s degree in business a position,” said Jaime Villanueva, a accounting, finance, electrical “If you’re not getting administration, for example, would give coordinator of student relations with UTB/ engineering, computer science interviews, I’d venture to an applicant a significant advantage, and TSC’s Career Services Department. “Right and mechanical engineering say look at your résumé,” the local job market for bilingual teachers now the employers … can be discreet as [to and business administration/ Villanueva said. “Maybe is saturated with supply, so relocating to whom] they hire or even interview because management as some of the top there is something that’s cities such as Houston is not only logical they have so many applicants applying for bachelor’s degrees in demand for not speaking volumes about but can lead to monetary incentives, one position.” 2011. you.” Rodriguez said. The pool of unemployed has grown When degrees were compared Once you get an interview, Career Services extends its help to dramatically since the recession occurred to those in the same category, NACE’s the staff at Career Services recommends alumni but priority is given to current in 2008 when unemployment rates hovered report showed psychology as the liberal that you research a company and even the students and more recent graduates. For around 7 percent for Cameron and Hidalgo arts degree most in demand, mathematics manager who will interview you. more information on its services, call 882- counties, compared with 11.9 percent and as the top science degree, accounting Relying solely on your degree isn’t 5711. 12 percent, respectively, in November above all other business degrees, and a 2010, according to the Texas Workforce general communication degree as favored Commission. But things could be changing over other specific degrees in the field. for the better. National demand, though, differs slightly Across the United States, the National from that in the Rio Grande Valley. Jobs Association of Colleges and Employers, requiring certification, Otero said, such as which conducts annual surveys to gauge nursing, accounting and teaching, are in the job market for college graduates, found great supply. things are off to a “positive start.” “Those [students] would probably find a Employers responding to this year’s job here in the Valley and the pay is decent,” survey reported plans to hire 13.5 percent he said. “Noncertified degrees, or degrees more graduates with bachelor’s degrees that don’t require certification to get a job, than in 2010. Also, more employers, 47.7 are going to have a hard time getting a job percent, intend to increase their number of locally. … So they either end up teaching hires for this graduating cohort than those or go into government positions, and many surveyed around 2009, when only 16.9 of these positions require just a college percent said they would. degree.” Successful job search starts with résumé By Alejandra González dependability. [but] I always tell all the students it’s never The Collegian There are three types of résumés: optional,” Villanueva said. “You always chronological, functional and a have to submit a cover letter.” Writing a résumé might be intimidating combination, according to information A standard cover letter should state for some of us. What might make it difficult provided by Career Services. where you heard of the job, why you’re a is knowing what to include, what not to A chronological résumé is the most good fit for the position, some qualifying and what to highlight. widely used. It arranges job experience experiences, your passions, motivations and A résumé is a self-promotional document by listing the most recent job first. It inspirations. Villanueva also recommends that presents you in the best possible light is recommended for use when the job that students include a working phone for the purpose of getting a job interview, you’re applying for is relevant to your number and avoid unprofessional e-mail according to UTB/TSC’s Career Services job experience. A functional résumé addresses and abbreviations in their Department officials. arranges work experience according to résumés. Jaime Villanueva, Career Services Juan Andres Rodriguez, program coordinator for student relations, director for Career Services, advises recommends that students “tailor [their students to be careful with the résumé] to that specific job that you’re information they post on social applying for.” networks such as MySpace, Facebook Villanueva explained that the key and Twitter. to a résumé is in the employer’s job “Seventy-five percent of employers, description. aside from conducting background “Those actual words, [that] verbiage checks, look at Facebook,” Rodriguez that they use, that’s the key, that’s what said. “Clean all your public they are looking for,” he said. “That information; don’t [post] anything that needs to be in your résumé. That is the you wouldn’t want your mother or key to finding a position. grandmother to see. … If they see you “Your résumé has to tell a story with risky behavior, which can be a lot about you and why you’re a good fit for areas of skill and is suggested for use when of things, they might say no.” that job, for that particular position.” you’re looking for a job that differs from Career Services, which is housed in the He said the average recruiter looks at a other jobs you have had. A combination Old Education Building, offers assistance résumé for 10 to 20 seconds. résumé combines qualifications and work in composing a professional résumé, fine- “Twenty [percent to] 30 percent of all experience in a chronological order. tuning interviewing skills and developing résumés that get in the “no” pile quickly This format presents a more detailed strategies and options for seeking are for having typos, misspelled words, presentation of your work history. employment. having everything all over the place,” A résumé should include an objective, The department will sponsor a job fair Villanueva said. education, work experience, relevant for all majors on March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 Besides communication skills, accomplishments, field experience, p.m. and a teachers’ fair on March 3 from 9 employers concentrate on your experience, professional affiliations, professional a.m. to 1 p.m. Both fairs will take place at an understanding of the job, punctuality, conferences, honors, community service, the Student Union’s Gran Salon. grooming, honesty, multitasking, handling skills and references. For more information, call Career pressure, organization, creativity and “Under the cover letter, it says optional, Services at 882-5627. Page 8 • January 17, 2011 on au The Collegian eed a ticet to ride? o just a Sting Card By rano Garza money for this project. The Collegian Anyone may ride the Scorpion Metro. “It is open to students, faculty and You probably noticed two buses staff,” said Meloney Linder, associate making their way around campus today. vice president for Marketing and The Scorpion Connector (Route 14) and Communication. “Anyone with a Sting the Scorpion Circulator (Route 15) are Card can ride for free.” Linder said the a new form of transportation for UTB/ Sting Card not only allows its carriers to TSC. ride for free on the Scorpion Metro but Collectively, the buses are known as also on all Brownsville Urban System the Scorpion Metro. routes. “We wanted to integrate the Fort The general public and those without Brown campus with the ITEC Center their Sting Cards can use the Metro but and provide a shuttle connection so that must pay the usual BUS fares. students would have ease of travel,” This reporter rode the Connector said Veronica Mendez, associate vice and Circulator on Jan. 10 and found president for Facilities and Planning. them clean and their drivers friendly Route 14, the connector, is a and excited to be part of the campus lelie aienToCollegian modifi cation of the existing Brownsville community. Urban System route, which now extends The Scorpion Circulator akes its way around capus on an. 10 the launch date o the uniersitys shuttle syste. The Metro currently runs 7 a.m. to 7 to the university, making a stop outside p.m. Monday through Friday. because they are some of the most the shuttle service. Cardenas Hall North. Mendez said there are plans to expand congested areas on campus. “The overall project program budget Route 15, the circulator, is a shuttle that the hours but it will depend on the “We wanted to have it go around every is $624,054, the federal share is goes around the school every 10 minutes. demand. 10 minutes so we make sure we get the $331,527,and the university is putting in Some of its stops include Cardenas Hall “We want your feedback,” she said. students to their classes,” she said. $177,568,” said Andrew Muñoz, assistant North, Cavalry Hall, the Recreation, For more information, a route schedule Mendez said the school looked at BUS director. The City of Brownsville is Education and Kinesiology Center and and detailed maps, visit www.utb.edu/ several grants available from the U.S. providing the rest of the funds. the Education and Business Complex. metro. Department of Transportation and the Mendez said the Texas Southmost Mendez said the stops were chosen Brownsville Urban System to help fund College board of trustees allocated Chess team plans logical progression to st place By Cler ezada ever experienced. The Collegian “It was defi nitely more diffi cult [than past Pan American tournaments] because The UTB/TSC Chess Team has qualifi ed of how [good] the teams were,” Gareyev for the President’s Cup for the third year said. “Each one of the top 14 universities on in a row. the boards had at least two grandmasters in The university’s A team placed third at each team, so the teams were very strong.” the 2010 Pan American Intercollegiate He and International Master Max Chess Championships after tie-breaking Cornejo also received individual honors as points against the University of Maryland- the top players on board. Both earned fi ve Baltimore County. The tournament was out of six possible points. conducted Dec. 27-30 in Milwaukee, Wis. Gareyev received the award for top fi rst Program Director Russell Harwood’s board and Cornejo for top fourth board. main goal was to advance to the Final 4. “I got a plate, it was kind of cool,” “I was very pleased,” Harwood told he Gareyev said. “It’s not about the award; I ollegian. “The match we lost against played a good tournament. I got an award CoTe hoTo [the University of Texas at Dallas] could on my board for individual performance.” ebers o the UTB/TSC Chess Tea copete at the 2010 an erican Intercollegiate Chess Chapionships have easily gone the other way. We could Cornejo and Chess Coach Ronen Har- last onth in ilwaukee is. Shown ro let are Tiur areye xel Bachann auricio lores and ax have easily tied it. The match went back Zvi could not be reached for comment. Corneo. and forth; they pulled it out in the end, In the past, the U.S. Chess Federation consulting fi rm. the Final 4, will take place April 2 and 3. but we had our chances, so I was happy. has given money to the schools that “It’s, apparently, a very prestigious The UTB/TSC Chess Team will compete … If we can come out qualifying, we were qualify to help them with travel expenses consulting fi rm in Washington, D.C., against the University of Maryland- successful in my mind.” to tournaments such as the President’s and the tournament is going to be at Baltimore County, UT-Dallas and Texas Of the 20 chess teams competing, UT- Cup, but this year the federation is “in sort the corporate headquarters,” Harwood Tech. Dallas placed fi rst with six points, UMBC of a crisis, fi nancially, so they said they said. “They’re going to give each school The chess team aims to take the fi rst came in second and Texas Tech University wouldn’t be able to continue their support something like $2,250 … so I think it’s place this year. in fourth place. for right now,” Harwood said. like $9,000 split between the four schools “This year, I would defi nitely say we Grandmaster Timur Gareyev said the As a result, the previous chair of the to help with their travel expenses. It won’t want to win,” Harwood said. “We were 2010 Pan American Chess Championships college chess committee was able to get pay for everything, but it will help.” third, then we were second. I think the next was one of the hardest tournaments he has sponsorship from the Booz Allen Hamilton The President’s Cup, also known as logical progression is fi rst.” The Collegian On Campus January 17, 2011 • Page 9 Alternative Certification Program New Business dean sets sights dropped; post-bacc option offered on international accreditation By Héctor Aguilar By Michael Peña need … to establish that reputation, bachelor’s degree from an accredited Spanish Editor Webcast Editor that acknowledgement of the quality university and had an overall grade-point of the program. We need that extra T h e average of 2.75 or higher to become UTB/TSC has accreditation.” A l t e r n a t i v e certified to teach. The program consisted appointed a Rio Provost Alan Artibise has high C e r t i f i c a t i o n of two phases, which, if taken full- Grande Valley confidence in and expectations for the Program at UTB/ time, could be completed in one year. native as the new dean. Those expectations include TSC has been Upon completion of the phases, students new dean for that the new dean will help the business canceled due to a had the option of a semester of student the School of school move forward, increase its drastic decrease teaching or a one-year paid teaching Business. graduation rates, provide leadership in the number internship. Mark J. Kroll among the faculty and linking it with of applicants; It was divided into four sections. Within began his duties the community. n e v e r t h e l e s s , the early childhood section, certification on Jan. 1. Kroll is originally from Harlingen and Gayle Brogdon students will was available for bilingual generalist and Mark J. Kroll Kroll has set graduated from Rio Hondo High School. have some English as a Second Language generalist. many goals for He attended Pan American University options to spare them the grief. The middle grades and secondary grades himself and the School of Business, (now the University of Texas-Pan In the 1990’s, about 125 teachers were sections included mathematics, science such as a higher accreditation for the American) and later transferred to and English language arts and reading; certified annually through the ACP, but in business program, re-establishing Sam Houston State University, where however, social studies, speech and the past five years there have been about an undergraduate degree in finance, he received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish were available for the secondary 50 people, said College of Education offering a fifth-year experience for finance and a master’s in business Associate Dean and Certification Officer section. Lastly, kinesiology, music and accounting majors, which will help administration. Gayle Brogdon. special education were the certifications them take the CPA exam, and searching He went to work for Conoco as Guillermo Treviño learned of the available for the all-levels section. out grant opportunities for current a financial analyst until two of his program’s cancellation through a friend Prospective students for the business programs. colleagues at Sam Houston State four days before paying tuition for the postbaccalaureate program must pay “Our most important goal is to achieve University took jobs at Mississippi program. a $40 fee and submit an application, [Association to Advance Collegiate State University and persuaded him to “For me, the ACP was a way to as well as an official transcript for diversify my curriculum,” said Treviño, evaluation by the program. Afterward, Schools of Business] accreditation,” pursue an academic career there. He a mechanical engineer who was the certification office will devise a plan Kroll told The Collegian. “… I don’t went on to earn a doctorate in business scheduled to begin classes this semester. of coursework for the students to follow. think we are that far off from achieving administration from Mississippi State “What I wanted to get from there is the The students will then be able to enroll in that goal. That’s sort of the first major University. experience and the course schedule that a three-semester-credit-hour internship hurdle, or step, we need to accomplish so Kroll cited personal and professional they have. My ultimate goal is to develop in the fall and spring semesters and will that we establish the kind of reputation reasons for returning to the Valley. professional programs and focus on have to pay a $400 mentor fee, pass their for quality and credibility, not only “It gave me an opportunity to come engineering and science.” required TExES certification exams and in the community but regionally and home after being gone for years,” He plans to apply to Texas A&M then be recommended for the appropriate nationally.” he said. “… We like South Padre, the University’s master’s in human resource certificate. He explained the difference between weather, the culture. We like the people. development program after he finishes a Students unable to find a teaching the accreditation the School of Business … While this is a young university and postbaccalaureate program here. position have the option to complete six has and the higher accreditation he it doesn’t have all the accomplishments Treviño was upset the program was semester credit hours of student teaching wishes to achieve for the school. [of] a university that has been around dissolved four days before tuition was coursework and work with a mentor “[The] Southern Association of for many years, there’s a lot of potential due because he had planned the next few teacher and university supervisor for Colleges and Schools accredits this here. You have a growing community… years with the program in mind. full-day placement in a classroom. university,” Kroll said. “Business growing student body, a real need for “Dr. Gayle Brogdon was great, but Brogdon believes that a slump in the schools have an international accrediting a higher education community. … I think they need to plan things a little economy has caused school districts body, called AACSB International. … There is a real need for a higher-quality bit better; they need to communicate to reduce the number of teachers There are probably about 2,500 or so business school.” better with students. Four days is not they hire and those that are ACP business programs in the United States. Before coming to UTB/TSC, Kroll acceptable,” Treviño said. candidates are always the last ones to … Maybe 20 [percent] or 25 percent was the Maurice Tatum Endowed Students who have cleared admission be hired. He believes, however, that the are AACSB-accredited. That’s what Professor of Business and chair of into the program but have not completed postbaccalaureate program will better we mean, separate accreditation of the the Department of Management and their certification will be transferred prepare students. business school, above and beyond the Information Systems for the College of into the postbaccalaureate program and “I think that the post-bacc, even though university standard accreditation, which Business at Louisiana Tech University will be exempt from paying the program it will be more expanded in terms of is granted by SACS. But we want, we in Ruston, La. fee. Students who are currently enrolled requirements, they are going to come out in internship classes will continue the much better prepared to be a teacher,” he classes as planned. said. “I don’t anticipate anybody being Students interested in the left out in the cold,” Brogdon said. “I postbaccalaureate program may contact anticipate us … giving everyone the the Certification Office, located in For ad rates, call 882-5143. opportunity to complete the certification.” Education and Business Complex 1.102 The ACP program was intended to E, at 882-5706. allow individuals who had earned a

Cuts the UT System to make some major Continued from Page 3 investments in the Valley, particularly any detailed discussions on the matter. in [UT-]Pan Am and Brownsville, “First we do our budget reduction, our to improve higher educational revenue enhancement exercise, and see opportunities in four areas: STEM how close we come and then we decide education, energy and the environment, whether or not it’s, in our view, critical health professions and manufacturing,” that we increase costs,” he said. “It’s Artibise said. not our first option. … At this stage I This initiative will aid the nascent couldn’t guarantee that we won’t do College of Nursing and the College of that. At the same time, I wouldn’t say Biomedicine and Health Professions we’re going to do that. It’s still an open Artibise created last semester. question.” “It’s critical for both nursing and So, don’t expect a rise in tuition in biomedicine because one of the fields the immediate future. Pricing for next is health professions,” he said. “It’s year has already been determined. Plus, also going to help with the College of UTB/TSC has an unofficial “cap”: The [Science, Mathematics and Technology] university can’t have tuition increases of because within the plan are the more than 5 percent, Martinez explained. possibilities there will be funding for More recently, the University of Texas faculty positions, so we should be able System started work on the Rio Grande to grow our faculty in critical areas.” Valley Higher Education Initiative, which is “a commitment on behalf of Page 10 • January 17, 2011 Community The Collegian Shoppers welcome reusable bags By Francisco Garza said the restaurant has not been affected Brownsville’s litter problem. Many plastic The Collegian negatively by the ordinance. bags were ending up on streets and in “Some people are surprised that we are resacas, where they were choking drains The first Wednesday of the year marked giving away paper bags,” Sauceda said, and harming wildlife, according to the the beginning of a plastic bag-free adding that although he hasn’t had any city’s website. Brownsville. customer complaints, he has a limited Camarillo said that the plastic bag ban “The response has been very positive; number of paper bags and is trying to has put Brownsville on the map, having we’re finding that people are bringing conserve them. been the first city in Texas to approve such their own bags [to stores],” said Healthy Camarillo said city officials are excited an ordinance. Communities of Brownsville Executive that the public has embraced the green “Before, they would mention two things Director Rose Timmer. measure. However, some customers have [about Brownsville]: chess and the border. Timmer said the ordinance that bans requested to be given the old non-reusable Now, it’s about green initiatives,” he said. plastic bags from use by businesses is going plastic bags. Camarillo hopes that green businesses better than expected and that Brownsville “The retailers have had to explain to see what Brownsville is doing and decide residents are proud of their city. them that if they give them a plastic [bag], to bring their business here. Residents such as Norma and Manuel they will charge them a dollar fee,” he said. “It’s something that exposes the city in a Cisneros are proud of the decision the city The fee will go toward the city’s very positive way,” he said. made. They have been purchasing reusable environmental programs, recycling and Brownsville is no longer alone in this bags since last year. cleanup initiatives, according to the city’s green crusade. South Padre Island has just “We’ve been purchasing them little Web site. passed a similar ordinance and there is talk by little,” Norma Cisneros said Jan. 10 The alternative for those who don’t have of Port Isabel being next. as she and her husband left the Walmart their own reusable bags is to buy one at the The next step for a greener Brownsville, Supercenter on Boca Chica Boulevard. store. Prices range from 25 cents per bag according to both Timmer and Camarillo, District 4 City Commissioner Edward at Walmart to a little more than a dollar, is curbside recycling. Camarillo said, “It’s been wonderful to see depending on the store. Camarillo said the city has a contract the community come to the stores bringing “They pay the 25 cents vs. the dollar with BFI Allied Waste, which has selected their bags. I think that was the shocking [fee], with the understanding that you will 200 households, each of which will be part of it.” bring those bags back with you when you Leslie Barrientos/Collegian given a container in which to place certain Camarillo said the support the ordinance come back to the store,” Camarillo said. Norma Cisneros leaves the Walmart on Boca Chica recyclables such as plastic bottles, glass, has received is overwhelming. Vicente Loera of Valle Hermoso, Boulevard on Jan. 10 with her purchases in a aluminum, cardboard, paper, newspaper “We believe we saw anywhere between a Tamaulipas, Mexico, makes a shopping reusable shopping bag. for collection. good 50 [percent] to 70 percent compliance trip to Brownsville regularly. He said inventory and we are letting them finish “That will be the process for the next 90 rate at our stores here in Brownsville,” he the plastic bag ban is bothersome but their inventory,” she said. days; we hope to get some good data from said about Jan. 5, the day the ordinance necessary. Timmer added that the city’s health this program,” he said. took effect. “I tell everyone that we need to take department will be looking into stores Based on the results from this program, Although city officials expected the advantage of this opportunity to make the that keep giving plastic bags to customers the city will be able to make a mandate or major stores to be affected negatively, planet better,” Loera said. without charging them the $1 fee. start a volunteer program. Camarillo said that those were the places Timmer said that although she has seen “If they do not comply with the city For answers to frequently asked where they saw the increase in the usage of some businesses still giving out plastic ordinance, there is a fine of $500 per questions about the plastic bag ban, visit reusable bags. bags, she is going to give them the benefit transaction,” she said. http://www.cob.us/docs/announcements/ Juan Sauceda, the manager at the of the doubt. The city commission approved the PlasticBagOrdinanceFAQs.pdf. Subway at 1725 International Blvd., “They still have plastic bags in their ordinance on Dec. 22, 2009, to help stem The Collegian on Cmu January 17, 2011 • Page 11 shoTslaBels

leslie BarrienTos/Collegian hoTos

ao insirs yor sy “I have always had a nostalgic longing for the style and fashions from previous decades. I draw inspiration from various icons such as Edie Sedgwick and Jean Seberg a Marcy Gonzales to Janis Joplin and present-day Jenny Classifi cation: Junior ewis. [In] my spare time, I can almost aor Art education always be found rummaging through oin Forarin ror, bins at thrift stores searching for vintage Jim Johnson Thrift Store 2; ay dresses, rompers, high-waisted belts and azr, Texas Thrift in Harlingen fl oral prints, which are among the many 1; Bac sr anyos, Walmart pieces I cannot live without.” 3.50; i cooy oos, Downtown Brownsville thrift store 4 scri yor sy in r ors: ccssoris ar ncac, Forever “Expressive, vibrant and spirited.” 21; ayr cain ncac, Etsy.com; corion nan, Buffalo Exchange; Coile elie aieno ococa rin, Sanrio store; G rin, Brownsville Flea Market

PREPARE TODAY TO LEAD FOR A LIFETIME.

What do you need to succeed in today’s climate? You need to START STRONG.SM In Army ROTC, you’ll do just that. While attending college, you’ll gain strength, character, and unmatched leadership skills to lead the most well-trained individuals in any field. And when you graduate and complete Army ROTC, you can be commissioned as a U.S. Army Officer. Plus, to help pay for your education, you can earn a full-tuition, merit-based scholarship. ROTC will give you strength for a lifetime of success. There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong.

For more information, visit goarmy.com/rotc/startstrong.

©2009. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved. Page 12 • January 17, 2011 On Campus The Collegian Students now have rental option for textbooks Office of News & Information of-pocket spending, and not having to wait for the buy-back, for which there is no Students at UTB/TSC can take advantage guarantee,” Rodriguez said. of a new textbook rental program beginning Another textbook preference that has this semester. been available for a few semesters and is “The rental program began in Fall 2010 gaining popularity is the e-textbook option. with more than 300 college and university According to Rodriguez, the cost of an bookstores giving it a try,” said Carmen e-textbook is about half that of a new book. Rodriguez, Barnes & Noble Bookstore Upon purchasing an e-textbook, students manager. “It was such as success, we are given an access code to download the wanted to offer it here at UTB/TSC.” book. The cost of renting a text is about “Some students prefer this option half the price charged for a new book. because it is one less book to carry around,” However, not all texts will be available as Rodriguez said. rentals. When renting a book, students will The purchase of an e-textbook is for be required to leave a credit card number 180 days. There are time frames built on file as security that they will return the into the program, generally by the week, book on time. when specific pages can be printed. These “Students can highlight or mark the usually range around 15 to 20 pages at one rented books just as they would if they time, or an assigned chapter. The entire purchased a book and planned to sell it book cannot be printed at one time. And, back to the bookstore,” Rodriguez said. there is no buy-back on e-textbooks. Other specifics on book rental include: Rodriguez said the lifespan of a textbook --Students can convert their rental to is usually about three years. Texts in a purchase during the first two weeks of scientific fields, such as nursing, however, class. tend to change more frequently. --The rental period is for the duration of The average discount on a used book the semester. Books are due back by the is roughly 15 to 20 percent off the price last day of finals. Students can return books of a new book. When reselling the book- in person or mail them to the bookstore. -assuming it is being used the following --Courtesy emails will go out as the end semester--the student receives about half of the semester approaches reminding of the original purchase price if returned students to return their books. Books to the bookstore during the week of finals. not returned (or returned in unusable For more information regarding textbook condition) will be subject to replacement options, call Rodriguez at 882-6737 or visit and processing fees. bncollege.com. “The big advantage is having less out- UT Law School dean to meet with students Wednesday Office of News & Information Law has provided me with opportunities for effective networking and great friendships. Larry Sager, dean of the University of It was a great experience.” Texas at Austin School of Law, will meet Founded in 1883, the UT School of with students interested in applying to the Law is one of the oldest law schools in the law school at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the nation. With an enrollment of 1,400 doctor Gorgas Hall boardroom. of jurisprudence (JD) degree candidates, Three current students, including Jason it is also one of the nation’s largest law Rios, a 2009 UTB/TSC graduate and a first schools. year law student, will make the trip with The training received and the courses Sager. offered provide the necessary legal Tim Lopes, a 2005 graduate of the law education for practice in any part of school and a 2002 alumnus of UTB/TSC, the United States. Legal positions with will introduce the dean at the event. government, public service organizations, “I’m always proud to say that I attended leading corporations and law firms the University of Texas School of Law,” throughout Texas, the nation and the world Lopes said. “What I find particularly are available to its graduates. gratifying is knowing that the quality of For more information, call the Office of education I received continues to serve me Admissions and Recruitment at 882-8860. well. Aside from the education itself, UT Homecoming Royal Court

Christopher Peña/Collegian Members of the Homecoming 2010 Royal Court are (from left) Queen Rosalinda Rangel, SGA vice president of administration; King Jorge Muñoz, SGA president; Princess Kaitlin Lara, a sophomore communication major; and Lara’s escort Samuel Camarillo, a junior biology major. Instead of a popularity contest, students competed by donating canned food on Nov. 3, said Student Life Director Sergio Martinez. Rangel and Muñoz collected 777 cans, Lara brought 289 and Denise Molina, who was crowned duchess, brought 26 cans. The food was donated to the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank. The Collegian On Campus January 17, 2011 • Page 13 Campus adds drills A.S.P.I.R.E.: extra help for to fire safety training 1st-generation students By Alejandra González extinguishers are, at least in your area, By Daniel Beltrán and, most importantly, where your exits students must be enrolled in the program The Collegian The Collegian are.” for one semester before applying for If you hear the fire alarm, take action. Avila said nighttime fire drills will If you are a first-generation, low- them. Campus fire drills are scheduled also be conducted. income college student or have a This semester, if students cannot throughout this semester. The first “We want to make sure that we capture documented disability, you might be attend a workshop, they can do so via random fire drills on campus were those individuals [in night classes],” he eligible for academic assistance from the “webinars,” online seminars on the conducted in Eidman Hall in November said. A.S.P.I.R.E. program at UTB/TSC. A.S.P.I.R.E. page on Blackboard. and in seven other buildings in December. The Guerra Early Childhood Center A.S.P.I.R.E. stands for A Support E-mentoring, or chatting with mentors “Each building is going through a drill has a fire drill every month per Program in Reaching Excellence and on Blackboard is also new this spring. every year,” said Esiquiel Avila, UTB/ regulation, and is now required to have a has been part of the university’s Student Students who have less than 30 hours TSC’s director of Environmental full evacuation--where Support ServiceS Program, or SSSP, must meet with a mentor weekly. If they Health and Safety. the children must be since 1992. It focuses on freshmen and cannot, they can get mentored online. In addition, the campus moved to an alternate offers guidance on registration, Scorpion If the student is at home sick or has to continues to train appointed fire location--every three Online, Blackboard, as well as mentoring go out of town, he or she can log on and wardens, Avila said. months. sessions, tutoring, a computer lab and do e-mentoring, Verduzco said. “Fire wardens are usually The Village at Fort scholarships. Participants are monitored “We only want students to use staff members within the Brown also conducts until they receive a bachelor’s degree. [e-mentoring] if they’re sick, they can’t building or within a department fire drill each semester. “What we offer mostly for our first- make it; other than that, we want them to in that building,” he said. “And “We are required year students is the mentoring,” said come in to have a one-on-one, a face-to- those individuals help the rest of to train and help Jennifer Verduzco, a student development face mentoring,” she said. the people evacuate the building people become specialist with SSSP. “They meet with A.S.P.I.R.E. students also have access and go where they are supposed familiarized with the a mentor on a weekly basis. We also to a computer lab in Cardenas Hall North, to. … We always had training fire emergency exits,” provide tutoring in reading writing and which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday for [fire safety], but we never had actual Avila said. math--those are the core components, through Friday. After 5 p.m., they can fire drills.” Some general tips in the event of a but, of course, we have tutoring in other go to the Learning Enrichment labs, also Students will be advised which fire: subjects.” located in North. building will have the fire drill but the --Activate the alarm and evacuate She said A.S.P.I.R.E. mentors Students are also asked to attend a time will not be announced. --Spread the word provide informational workshops and cultural event and volunteer in a civic “A campuswide e-mail from our --Help those who need assistance in its tutors give workshops on math engagement event. department will be sent, saying that evacuating (linear equations) and English (sentence Last semester, students volunteered this particular day, during this week a --Go to the appropriate assembly structure, grammar, as well as on APA, for the November’s Feast of Sharing, particular building will have a drill,” location (found on the Environmental MLA styles). Students are asked to attend Verduzco said. Avila said. “We just won’t tell them the Health and Safety Website at http:// 10 tutoring sessions. A.S.P.I.R.E. is funded by a grant and time.” www.utb.edu/ba/safety/Documents/ Verduzco said students also receive has a capacity of 275 students. In the event of a real fire, he explained Fire-Evacuation-Assembly.pdf) help with registration. “Right now, we’re not at the capacity of that the ideal thing would be for the --Call 911 and Campus Police “We meet with the students and guide 275, so we have a lot of slots available,” individuals who witness the fire to call You may contact Environmental Health them through Scorpion Online,” she said. Verduzco said. Campus Police from a safe distance after and Safety at 882-5930, send an e-mail Although A.S.P.I.R.E. does not provide In Fall 2010, 83 percent of they activate the fire alarm. to [email protected] or access its website personal counseling, students who need A.S.P.I.R.E.’s 208-student cohort were Avila mentioned that it’s important to for more information on evacuation it are referred to Student Health Services classified in good academic standing, she know where the pull stations are. procedures, assembly areas and building or any other agencies that can help them, said. For more information about the “Pull stations are what activate the fire fire wardens. Verduzco said. alarm,” he said. “Know where the fire Scholarships are also offered, but program, call 882-7119. Natalie Stovall concert, Penguin Plunge part of Welcome Week By Christine Cavazos want to take a break between classes, there what about our university?’ So, we are Collegian Editor is something for everybody, and that’s our promoting school spirit through that goal, to reach out to students as much as effort,” he said. UTB/TSC is working on making new possible,” Martinez said. At 2 p.m. Friday a Just Dance Wii and returning students feel at home as the On Wednesday, Join-a-Club-Day takes tournament will be held in the REK Center. new semester begins. place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student On Jan. 25, Student Health Services will Mari Fuentes-Martin, associate vice Union. More than 20 student organizations host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. president for Student Affairs and dean of will set up tables to recruit students and in Cortez Hall. students, said new students are the ones in encourage them to become involved on From 5 to 7:30 p.m. that night in the most need of assistance at the beginning of campus. EDBC Courtyard, students can enjoy each semester. That same day, Mohammed “Mo” Amer, music performed by fellow students at the “Students always need directions, so a comedian from Houston, will perform at Tardeada. Pan dulce (pastries) and hot Collegian File Photo the first day of school, what we are going 7 p.m. in the Student Union’s Gran Salon. Student Union employee Emmanuel Rocha assists coffee will be served. to focus on is the information tables,” Amer is the youngest comedian on the a student during last fall’s Welcome Week. On Jan. 26, country singer Natalie Fuentes-Martin said. Muslim Comedy Tour, “Allah Made Me Stovall will perform at 8 p.m. in the Those buildings people have the most Funny.” He has performed in Germany, pool. Racers must run or walk around Student Union’s Gran Salon. This is the trouble finding are the Education and Italy, Sicily, Japan, Korea and Bahrain. He buoys without moving or touching them. second year Student Life hosts the singer. Business Complex, the Life and Health also performed at the Las Vegas Comedy Once the first racer completes the course, But the festivities begin at 4 p.m., when Sciences Building and the Science and Festival in 2004, according to his web then the second team member may enter Ringgold Road will be closed off so Engineering Technology Building. site. The Campus Activities Board is the water. Results will be announced and student organizations can sell food and “What we’ve done for those buildings sponsoring the event. prizes will be awarded. beverages. Junior public service major is we’ve enlarged some maps so when On Thursday, Campus Recreation In the competitive race, participants Nestor Treviño will open for Stovall. A students are looking for their classrooms, will host the Penguin Plunge from 6 to will use the whole pool and must enter the mechanical bull will be set up for anyone we can help them pinpoint where it is and 8 p.m. at the Recreation, Education and water by doing cannonballs. who wishes to ride it. show them how to get there,” she said. Kinesiology Center swimming pool. Prizes will be awarded, and music and On Jan. 27, Student Life will sponsor a Information tables will be set up at the Participants will be able to compete in food will be available. This is the first Student Involvement Fair from 10 a.m. to Student Union, the Endowment Courtyard three different games. The first one being year Campus Recreation is sponsoring the 1 p.m on the Student Union lawn. Students and the Education and Business Complex. “Take the Plunge,” a noncompetitive race event. can take part in games and enjoy hot dogs Welcome Week events started Saturday in which participants will jump into the On Friday, Student Life will host a and soft drinks. Students can pose for a with Move-in-Day at The Village at Fort pool at the sound of a whistle, then walk, Scorpion T-Shirt Swap-O-Rama at 1:30 picture on the “Big Chair on Campus” for Brown, the student housing complex. run or swim across the pool. Once out of p.m. in the REK Center. Students can a memento of the day’s activities. Events will continue until Jan. 28. the water, students will be offered a hot bring T-shirts from other universities and The UTB/TSC baseball and golf teams Student Life Director Sergio Martinez shower and hot chocolate. swap them for a UTB/TSC one. will be introduced at a noon pep rally, also said Welcome Week is a way for university Jamie Barnhill, Campus Recreation’s Martinez said the event is a way to at the Union. officials to give back to the student aquatic and events coordinator, said the promote school spirit. Welcome Week wraps up with a second community. event will also have recreational and “A lot of times we are surprised to see blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 28 “I think people have a good time, competitive races. The recreational race that our students are using T-shirts from in Cortez Hall. whether you want to bring a friend or just will be held in the shallow end of the other universities, so we are like, ‘Well, Page 14 • January 17, 2011 On Campus The Collegian Corrido in honor of Americo Paredes

spotlight Club ourtesy hoto C P Members of the Philosophy Club include (from left) Charles Rodriguez, Vice President Jose D. Cantu, Benjamin Gutierrez, President Luciana Morales, Secretary Santos Garza, Adviser Angelika Soldan, Julia Jones, Gabriela Cavazos and Treasurer Enrique de la Garza III.

Name: UTB/TSC Philosophy Club Meetings: At noon every Friday in the Purpose: To establish and encourage Barnes & Noble Café patio. an appreciation of philosophy at UTB/ Requirements: Must be a current TSC, as well as promote a forum for UTB/TSC student, faculty or staff active student participation in debates member. of philosophical nature. Dues: None Established: 2007 For more information: send an President: Luciana Morales e-mail to [email protected] Vice President: Jose D. Cantu or http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Secretary: Santos Garza Philosophy-Club-Thinking-Out- Treasurer: Enrique de la Garza III Loud/122758971116146 or http:// Adviser: Associate Government philosophyclub.tumblr.com/ Leslie Barrientos/Collegian Professor Angelika Soldan Joe and Rosa Perez, musicians, and cultural activists, performed corridos, including an Community Service: Produce --Compiled by Daniel Beltrán original composition in honor of the late Américo Paredes, during Eduardo del Rio’s Mexican-American “Thinking Out Loud,” a show that literature class on Nov. 12. The Mexican-American literature class is studying Paredes’ work, “With His airs weekly on Sting Radio (www. Pistol in His Hand,” in which the University of Texas at Austin professor emeritus examines the life and utbstingradio.com). legend of folk hero Gregorio Cortez.

Earn $100 this week

Donate your plasma at Talecris Plasma Resources to help save the lives of patients worldwide and earn up to $100 this week as a new donor.

1401 East Washington Street Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Brownsville, TX Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (956) 982-0445 Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. www.talecrisplasma.com Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Collegian January 17, 2011 • Page 15 Page 16 • January 17, 2011 The Collegian The Collegian Arts & Entertainment January 17, 2011 • Page 17 ‘Zorro’ to make mark on Arts Center By Michelle Serrano founded at New York City’s Juilliard The Collegian School in 1986 by conductor Rick Benjamin and is the world’s “most The mysterious masked crusader senior” accompanist for silent films, known as Zorro, along with a live musical with the UTB/TSC show as the 608th score performed by the world renowned performance. Its music echoes the Paragon Orchestra, will make a one-night memories of simpler times, an idyllic appearance at UTB/TSC. benchmark to American culture that is “The Mark of Zorro,” a swashbuckling so iconic that even the Disney Corp. has silent movie known as the first action- utilized the group’s music for its theme adventure film in the history of cinema, parks’ “Main Street U.S.A.” outdoor is based on the 1919 Johnston McCulley music. story, “The Curse of Capistrano.” The “Our mission is to preserve this art form, plot details the wily exploits of Don which, frankly, is a dying one,” Benjamin Diego Vega, aka Zorro, (Spanish for told The Collegian in a telephone “fox”) a “Californio,” or Latin American, interview Jan. 10. “We’re talking about from a pre-annexed California belonging an era when there were maybe a hundred to Mexico. thousand musicians working, just playing The film will be projected onto the big for movies. … That’s vastly more people screen, much as theaters did in the early playing music than there is today.

20th century, with the Paragon Orchestra “Of course, music today is Courtesy Photo providing live musical accompaniment. instantaneous, because it’s touch of the The Paragon Orchestra performs the score for “The Mark of Zorro.” The musical ensemble, also known as button and you got your iPod going, but “The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra,” was not that long ago, if you actually wanted were discovered by Benjamin in a series was demolished. The library offered to to hear music, you had to have musicians of fortunate instances, the first dating donate the cue sheets to Benjamin on the in the room with you.” back to 1985. condition that “[Paragon] would develop Arts Center Director Dan Barnard “I found the original music collection public programs using [the] material,” he explained the academic relevance of from the Victor Talking Machine Co., said. movies such as “The Mark of Zorro,” which was one of the world’s first record “Indeed, coming to Brownsville is part saying that “silent movies weren’t silent; labels that started at the end of the 19th of this agreement that we have had all there was always music played.” century,” he said. these years with the Washington Library,” “In between 1908 and 1912, they The finds featured works of such Benjamin said. invented this thing called a ‘cue sheet,’ composers as Scott Joplin, John Philip “The Mark of Zorro,” with which changed the music from being Sousa and Jerome Kern. accompaniment by the Paragon improvised and really uneven to being Later, the cue sheets came to Benjamin. Orchestra, will be screened at 7:30 p.m. more or less the same wherever you went “I would start to get calls from people Jan. 28 in the Arts Center. Student tickets to see the movie,” Barnard said. “They who would find things,” he said. will be $6 for the front-row seats and $10 would write little fragments and then In 1992, the Washington, D.C., Public for balcony seats. Popcorn will be served. there would be a little sheet that would Library found 26 packing crates of silent For tickets or more information, call say which fragment they would need to film music from 1912 to 1928 in its the UTB/TSC Arts Center box office at play at each point of the film.” basement that formerly belonged to the 882-8587. Douglas Fairbanks as Zorro. The cue sheets the ensemble utilizes Washington Capitol Theatre before it Review Review ‘Country’ weak DEV does it again By Louie Vera shabby. Paltrow and Hedlund deliver a By Rene Cardona Jr. Now for the video. Frankly, it’s Sports Editor more-than-average performance that’ll The Collegian awesome, filled with the hottest people keep viewers engaged, or at least hold wearing the least bit of clothing, For the avid and average country fan, them off until the music kicks in. She likes her beats fast and her dancing rhythmically and so in sync it the music in Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest Kelly, Chiles and Beau are talented bass down low and DEV’s new song makes you wish you’ll look that good movie, “Country Strong,” is solid and stars and find themselves on tour in-- proclaims that over and over again, four shots of Patron later. But, it’s eerie arguably its best asset. Unfortunately, you guessed it--Texas as manager and which to her benefit, sounds eerily (I must jump back to being negative) for fans, we’re talking about a major husband James Canter (Tim McGraw), similar to “.” because it’s a snapshot of who we are motion picture and not a concert. who is the only real country star in the Aside from being repetitive and or, at least, who the media giants want Written and directed by Shana Feste, film (who doesn’t sing a note), attempts formulaic, “Bass Down Low” shows us to be: well-dressed alcoholics. Is the film stars Paltrow as Kelly Canter, to mend and support Kelly throughout a degeneration in our culture, that of this what American youth culture has a fading singing the movie while hedonistic pursuits being no more than become? star struggling balancing a getting a deluge The Western with alcoholism business interest of liquor every World is suffering who didn’t exactly in Chiles. night. But, you horrid economic follow the 12-step Oddly, this so- have to admit the woes; new program in rehab. called comeback song does its job: White House Canter continues her tour for Kelly You’re singing politicians are drunken shenanigans, has only three along in no time leaning to cutting poured with double- dates and during and enthralled such services as shots throughout that span the in the notion of Medicare, Medicaid the film, after being movie magic has going out and and Social Security; released from an Beau’s career getting messed up U.S. Vice President institution where the s k y r o c k e t i n g to no end. Joe Biden recently film opens up. and Kelly’s from If you haven’t stated that we Don’t get me wrong, the movie minuscule-to-full-blown stardom again heard the song, I don’t know where are willing to stay in Afghanistan ’til isn’t terrible by any means. The script overcoming her internal struggles. you’ve been. The video, which on its 2014; and the American middle class is seems rough, though, as there is not This movie formula is overdone in own is creepy for reasons I’ll detail shrinking. enough background story on any of the industry but it’s repeated again and later, already has more than 2 million And what do the youth of the most the characters. Why did Kelly struggle again because it works. This will be hit views and will quickly jump to the 44 powerful nation rally around? Liquor with alcoholism? Was it the her lack or miss for moviegoers and within a million its counterpart by the Far East and a club culture that provides no true of recent success, the tragic loss of few months it’ll surely be worth a dollar Movement has already accrued. satisfaction or societal advancement. her unborn child from drunkenly at your nearest Red Box. Is there anything new? Not at all, Then again, why would you want to falling off stage, jealousy from up-and- The opening weekend for “Country other than a few new quips the club worry about the global cacophony coming country singers Chiles Stanton Strong” brought home $7.3 million, kids will love, including “We sip when you can simply turn up the beats, (Leighton Meester) or Beau Hutton about half the Coen brothers’ top- champagne when we thirsty,” and my play ’em fast and, most importantly, (Garrett Hedlund)? selling box office hit “True Grit.” personal favorite: “Can I get a little turn the bass down low. Yet, the performances aren’t too Goose in my OJ?” 17 de enero del 2011 • Página 18 Noticias en español The Collegian Estudiante Termina el programa de certificación alternativa Por Héctor Aguilar dijo él. “Avisarle a uno cuatro días antes incluían matemáticas, ciencia, e inglés y Editor de español no es un tiempo adecuado”. lectura; la sección de secundaria también de hoy Los estudiantes que ya hayan sido incluía estudios sociales, comunicación El Programa aceptados al programa de certificación y español. En la sección de todos los de Certificación pero que aún no hayan completado los niveles existía quinesiología, música y A l t e r n a t i v a cursos serán transferidos al programa educación especial. (ACP) de de posgrado y no tendrán que pagar Los estudiantes de posible ingreso UTB/TSC se la cuota de $40. Aquellos estudiantes para el programa de posgrado deben ha clausurado quienes estén inscritos en las clases pagar una cuota de $40 y someter una debido a la de internado, proseguirán sin cambio solicitud y su expediente académico. reducción en alguno. La oficina de certificación desarrollará el número de “No anticipo que nadie se quede un plan de estudios para los estudiantes participantes, sin desamparado, anticipo que nosotros que sean aceptados. En cuanto hayan Gayle Brogdon embargo, existen les daremos la oportunidad a todos terminado sus cursos ellos podrán varias opciones de completar su certificación”, dijo inscribirse en un internado de tres para los estudiantes que se encuentran Brogdon. créditos para ambos semestres de dentro del programa. El ACP se desarrolló con la intención otoño y primavera y tendrán que pagar Inicialmente en la década de los 90 de permitir que los individuos pudieran una cuota para un mentor de $400 y había aproximadamente 125 deberán aprobar los exámenes estudiantes al año, sin embargo, “No anticipo que nadie se de certificación de TExES y ser en los últimos cinco años recomendados para la certificación solamente se certificaron a 50 quede desamparado, anticipo adecuada. personas, dijo el vicerrector del Los estudiantes que no puedan Chrisopher Peña / Collegian Colegio de Educación y oficial que nosotros les daremos encontrar un puesto laboral de Nombre: Noemí Hernández de certificación Gayle Brogdon. la oportunidad a todos de enseñanza tienen la oportunidad de Edad: 24 Guillermo Treviño se enteró completar un curso de 6 créditos de Ciudad Natal: Brownsville de la clausura por medio de un completar su certificación” enseñanza estudiantil y trabajarán Promedio: 3.0 amigo tan solo cuatro días antes con un maestro mentor y un Especialidad: español de pagar la colegiatura. -- Gayle Brogdon, vicerrector supervisor universitario para poder Clasificación: Estudiante de cuarto año “Para mí el ACP era una estar en un salón de clase todo el Fecha de graduación: Mayo 2011 manera de poder ampliar del Colegio de Educación día. Pasatiempos: “Juego tenis”. mis experiencias para mi Brogdon cree que el problema Actividades extracurriculares: “Voy al currículum”, dijo Treviño, un ingeniero obtener una certificación para poder con la economía ha causado que los gimnasio”. mecánico quien estaba programado enseñar después de haberse licenciado distritos escolares hayan reducido el ¿Cuál sería tu trabajo ideal? “A lo que para comenzar el programa este de una universidad acreditada y que número de maestros que contratan y me voy a dedicar es a ser directora de semestre. “Lo que quería obtener de tuvieran un promedio académico de aquellos certificados por el método preparatoria, esa es mi meta a largo plazo”. este programa era la experiencia y los 2.75 o más alto. El programa consistía alternativo siempre son los últimos en ¿Cuáles son tus metas? “Ahorita a corto cursos que ofrecían. Mi meta es poder en dos fases las cuales se podrían ser contratados. Sin embargo, él cree plazo es terminar lo que es en inglés desarrollar programas profesionales y completar en un periodo de un año si que el programa de posgrado preparará “Student Teaching” y las prácticas hasta enfocarme en la ingeniería y la ciencia”. se llevaran clases de tiempo completo. mejor a los estudiantes. abril, graduarme y transferirme a la Él tiene la intención de asistir al Después de completar las dos fases, los “Creo que el posgrado, aun que sea universidad “Dallas Baptist University” y programa de maestría de desarrollo de estudiantes tenían la opción de enseñar más extenso en términos de requisitos, continuar mi maestría”. recursos humanos en la Universidad de por un periodo de un semestre sin pago [los estudiantes] estarán mejor ¿Cómo te ves dentro de 10 años? “Una Texas A&M cuando acabe el programa o inscribirse en un internado como preparados para ser maestros”, dijo él. directora muy exitosa”. de posgrado. maestro por dos semestres donde se les Los que estén interesados en el ¿Qué te gusta de la universidad? “Bueno, Treviño se molestó que hubieran pagaría. programa de posgrado pueden pedir una de las cosas que me gusta es que les clausurado el programa porque ya había El programa estaba dividido en mayores informes en la Oficina de da oportunidad a los estudiantes a trabajar, hecho planes para los próximos años. cuatro secciones. Dentro de la sección Certificación, ubicada en el Edificio de entonces si estudias aquí puedes trabajar “El Dr. Gayle Brogdon se portó muy de preescolar, existía la certificación Educación y Negocios (EDBC) 1.102E aquí sin tener que usar tu coche. Yo trabajé bien, pero creo que deberían de planear de generalista bilingüe y generalista y al teléfono 882-5706. mi primer semestre en la universidad y me las cosas un poco mejor, necesitan de inglés como segundo idioma. Las fue excelente”. comunicarse mejor con los estudiantes”, secciones intermedia y secundaria ¿Qué les aconsejarías a los estudiantes de nuevo ingreso? “Que estudien desde su primer semestre; yo entré tomando siete B r e v e s clases y eso me cansó demasiado, tanto que Capacitación para el ACT fui al hospital de tanto estrés. No tomen El Instituto de Idiomas de UTB/TSC tantas clases, cuatro o cinco está bien”. está aceptando solicitudes para aquellos ¿Qué consejo les darías a los estudiantes interesados en el curso de capacitación de para estudiar antes de un examen? “No se ACT. Será de las 6 a 9 p.m. los martes desvelen tratando de memorizar todo y no y jueves hasta el 10 de febrero, El curso estudien una hora antes del examen”. costará $140 y durará cuatro semanas y Anécdota: “En mi primer semestre, venía cubrirá las áreas de matemáticas, ciencia, súper contenta a mi clase de las ocho de la inglés y lectura. Para mayores informes, mañana. ¿A quién se le ocurre una clase a llame al 882-4178. las ocho de la mañana? Llego a la clase y La zambullida del pingüino 2011 me di cuenta que traía un zapato de uno y El Centro de Recreación, Educación el otro de otro par. Era notorio porque uno y Quinesiología (REK) organizará la era abierto y el otro estaba cerrado y pues zambullida del pingüino (Penguin Plunge me tuve que quedar en la clase. Ese fue mi 2011) de las 6 a 8 p.m. el jueves en la momento vergonzoso”. piscina del Centro (REK). La entrada será gratuita. Para mayores informes, llame al 882-5972. ­--Recopilado por Daniel Beltrán Excursiones de las Sombras del Invierno Aprende más de la historia de Brownsville con las excursiones de la Asociación Histórica de Brownsville (BHA) (Shades of Winter Walking Tours). El profesor emérito de historia de UTB/TSC, Anthony Knopp guiará las excursiones a las 11a.m. el sábado en el Viejo Cementerio de la Ciudad y a las 11 a.m. el sábado 28 de enero en el (Brownsville Heritage Complex). La entrada costará $10 para los que no son miembros BHA y $5 para los miembros. Para mayores informes, llame al 541- 1167. --Recopilado por Daniel Beltrán

The Collegian Sports January 17, 2011 • Page 19 Scorpions prep for season, Alumni Game Crystal Baller: More football By Louie Vera Sports Editor isn’t better

It’s been more than six weeks since the By Louie Vera UTB/TSC Baseball Team has been on Sports Editor the diamond. And, for alumni, it could be In the midst of the decades, but for one more day they’ll be NFL playoffs most able to sport the orange and navy jerseys of Texas is thinking again. about what the Dallas Scorpion ballplayers old and new will Cowboys and Houston be back for the annual Alumni Game, Texans will do with their draft picks. scheduled at 4 p.m. Saturday on Scorpion Louie Vera Field. Yet, the Cowboys, Tex- “The Alumni Game is always fun,” ans and the rest of the NFL are on the third-year coach Bryan Aughney said. clock for a different reason as it has 45 “It’s fun to get the guys that used to play days until the labor contract expires, here, either recently or the ones from 20- meaning, there is a significant chance 25 years ago. It’s fun for our guys to meet there will be no football in 2011. If the them and throw the ball around again. threat weren’t serious, then the players There are a lot of guys that have come union wouldn’t have a “Lockout Watch” countdown ticker on its Website. before the guys we have and coaches that Collegian file photo have been there before me that have laid This Jan.10, 2010 photo shows a play at first base during the annualAlumni Game. The 2010-11 Scorpions One of the proposals on the table the foundation to where we’re at now.” will take on the alumni at 4 p.m. Saturday on Scorpion Field. that could be dooming us for the NFL’s first lockout since 1987 is an 18- For the current Scorpions, it’s their our first game situation against somebody same team, whereas in the fall we com- game schedule that will eliminate two first chance at an opponent other than else in a long time,” he said. “Coming off peted against each other.” preseason games and, according to NFL themselves, and Aughney is expecting a five-week Christmas break, hopefully, Last season the alumni, who had 14 Commissioner Roger Goodell, will bring his team to take advantage as the season everyone stayed in shape. We’ll have a players suit up, including Ocar Gallegos, more “high-quality football.” inches closer. week practice under our belt and it’ll be of the 1978-79 Texas Southmost College But will it? “[The game] is also nice because it’ll be a good chance for us to compete on the Baseball Team, fell short, dropping an America loves its football and the idea 11-6 decision to the Scorpions. sounds like it would work. More football, New alumni such as Walter Blume and more fun, right? We love it! Daniel “Trey” Garcia from last year’s No, I’m sorry, folks but it’s not as team are expected to strap on the cleats riveting as it may seem. One of the un- again and hit the field with the same mind questionable reasons we can’t get enough frame they’ve had since they were kids: football is just like any good TV series, to win. we are left wanting more. “Dexter,” “I don’t think that competitive spirit “Entourage,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” ever dies,” said Garcia, the former hurl- etc. --all have that quality that keeps most er who played from 2006-10. “It might of us coming back week after week. sound silly but [the alumni] are going to More games means less importance to want to win just as much as the current each and the value of each game is what guys. It’ll be nice to be able to put on the fuels our fire and makes it burn bright for uniform for one last time.” our teams, as we know any snap could be The Scorpions will have their final the difference in the season. tuneup Jan. 29-30 with a four-game home With more games, we take that scrimmage against Laredo Community urgency away and as far as bringing College. more “quality football” teams such as the UTB/ TSC opens the regular season Collegian file photo Patriots, Colts, Steelers and the rest of the with on Feb. 1 against Texas A&M Inter- In this file photo from Jan. 10 , 2010, the 2010 Scorpions (in blue) and alumni (in orange) congratulate one perennial playoff teams it will just create another after their annual Alumni Game at Scorpion Field. The 2010 Scorpions defeated the alumni 11-6. national University. more space between the rest, In the end, the teams that deserve to be Lopez, men’s golf look to thrive in spring in the playoffs make it and the ones who are bad to mediocre end up showing their now and in the future. I’m pleased with ter on a high note, placing third at the By Louie Vera true colors by season’s end. The NFL will the chemistry and dedication each indi- Northwood University fall shootout and Sports Editor feel like a movie that’s “dragging” rather vidual has put in.” firing a 295 on the final day to move up than keep us in suspense. The UTB/TSC Men’s Golf Team Despite the severity of the fall line- seven positions at the Tierra Verde Golf endured a daunting tournament schedule Want more reasons? Here you go: up, the Scorpions men’s team had Mar- Club in Arlington for its best finish of the injuries short- and long-term. Aren’t in the fall semester heightened by some cus Cavazos (75.56 avg.) take home fall. players getting fined left and right for of Mother Nature’s doings, but, for first- top-medalist honors in the University of Lopez and company have high hits, concussions spreading like the flu? year coach Anthony Mary Hardin Baylor Fall Intercollegiate expectations this spring semester and These players are humans, not Lopez, it’s all according Invitational on Sept. 28. Teammate Vince hope to end the reigns of Texas Wesleyan animals for owners to make more dough. to plan. Cavazos (76.44 avg.) followed close- University, which has won seven consec- Speaking of the owners, prices for games For Lopez, the blue- ly in his brother’s footsteps, earning a utive RRAC titles. will not drop, and with 18 games, stats print to prepping his third-place finish two weeks later at the “Win conference,” Lopez said when will be less important. And if that weren’t squad for the Red River Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference asked about his goals for the men’s team. enough the owners will still be paid by Anthony Lopez Athletic Conference Fall Preview. “There will be a lot of hard work and the networks even if there is a lockout so the owners are daring the playiners tournament, which will be “We have the strongest team we’ve had preparation for that tournament, and each union. If there’s 18 games those single- hosted by UTB/TSC, was to ready his here at UTB/TSC,” Vince Cavazos said. player has that goal as well. I’m very con- season record holders, enjoy them while team for anything and everything. “Any five of the team together and we fident this team can do it.” you can. “Overall, I’m happy the way we played feel like we can win, and with conference The Scorpions will tee off the spring [in the fall],” Lopez said. “I know we It’s cliché, but more isn’t always bet- in our backyard, we want to put UTB golf semester hosting the 12th Eddie Lucio Jr. ter and sometimes it’s the best way to didn’t play up to our expectation and we on the map like volleyball, soccer and the Annual Golf Invitational Feb. 20-21 on evaluate the situation. There are plenty of played in difficult tournaments and in dif- other sports.” the South Padre Island Golf Course, also reasons that saying is a cliché and plenty ficult conditions, which will prepare us As a team, UTB/TSC ended the semes- site of the RRAC tournament in April. more why we shouldn’t have 18 games. Page 20 • January 17, 2011 On Campus The Collegian Holiday service project

Courtesy Photo UTB/TSC students who are studying to be teachers donated 46 math and science learning center activities to the Early Childhood Program at the Brownsville Literacy Center on Dec. 8. Each activity included hands- on materials and instructions and was developed as part of their class (ECED 4389). Shown (from left) are UTB/TSC student Sarae Bernal, adjunct professor Mary Elizabeth Hollmann, Family Literacy Project Early Childhood teacher Mary Avilis and Brownsville Literacy Center Executive Director Victor Rivera.