September 9, 2004

■ Football. . . . . . . . . . . . 14

■ Hockey. . . . . . . . . . .14

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

PAGE 16

SPORTST h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n S e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 0 0 4

South Texas Community College had a purpose; tobecome a small community college and open its doors tothose that could not afford a higher education. Almost10 years after STC was created, new projects are in theworks for this growing educational institution.

“We were created in 1993 by the Texas Legislature asa community college for Hidalgo and Starr counties,”said Shirley A. Reed,president of STC.“There were almost600,000 people in thesetwo counties and theydid not have access to acommunity college sothe legislature createdus because every otherpart of this country hada community college incommuting distance butthis region did not,”

STC has gone aboveand beyond of what wasexpected from this oncesmall institution.

“We are only 10 yearsold and we went from1,000 students to nowwe are well over16,000. We may evenapproach 17,000 students this fall,” said Reed. “Wehave grown from this little college that was here inMcAllen to almost now 17,000 students.

After starting the first campus in McAllen, STCCquickly grew to five campuses offering 80 degree andcertificate programs.

The community college, however, has taken a steptoward changing its image. The name South TexasCommunity College that represented the institution hasbeen changed to South Texas College.

“It is part of that we have grown and become a verylarge institution,” explained Reed. “Legally we are acommunity college, we will always be a community

college; however, when you offer a Bachelor’s degreeyou usually don’t call yourself a community college youuse the term ‘college’ instead so that is simply what weare doing. We feel that we are now becoming a collegeand we have had very positive response from thepublic.”

Some students, however, don’t seem to mind whetherthe name of the institution would change or not.

Sophomore management major Cynthia Ochoa saidthat she may have seen a difference if the name change

came before she was astudent at STC.

“I don’t see a bigdifference in thechange,” said Ochoa.“I guess if I was a newstudent I might seethe difference, butsince I was anexisting student thename really doesn’tmatter.”

The name changewas inspired,however, by a breakthat STC got from theTexas Legislatureafter it was announcedin the last legislativesession that STC wasone of threecommunity colleges

in the state selected to participate in a pilot programallowing these colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees.

“Last legislative session, a bill was introduced to pilotallowing community colleges to offer a bachelor’sdegree,” Reed said. “This is something very, very newand so they selected three community colleges in Texas.

“They selected us, Midland College, and BrazosportCollege to pilot-test offering a bachelor’s degree. Wehave 10 years to pilot this and then they will evaluatethe success and decide whether to continue it or allowother community colleges to do the same.”

“The first one that we want to offer is called

THE

PAN AMERICANA student’s candid reflection of marijuana

New Bachelor’s degrees will not affect UTPA

See Page 3

See STC page 11

Art chairunexpectedly

resignsWith the sudden resignation of its department chair, the art

department is trying to get organized for the fall semester.There is speculation that Reynaldo Santiago was asked to step

down after complaints from faculty and staff; however, Dr. RodolfoRocha, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, quicklydispelled these rumors.

“There were some issues in the department that he thought otherpeople would be able to handle better,” Rocha said. “[Santiago] feltthat someone, other than himself, could make better choices at thistime.”

Griselda Arias, a senior graphic design major, felt that Santiagowasn’t the right person for the job. She said that a lot of people haddifferent experiences with him as a professor, and that what upset alot of students was that he’d just assign a project, but not explain itright. This, she explained, caused most people to think he wasn’tapproachable.

“He bumped heads with a lot of people,” Arias said. “I think itwas good that we can get somebody in here that’ll do somethingabout the department.”

A person associated with the department, who wished to remainanonymous, agreed that

Santiago shouldn’t have been department chair because he didn’thave tenure, which department chairs usually have. The person alsosaid that, aside from not having much experience, he did not havepeople skills.

“[Santiago] was having trouble with students, faculty, and the artcommunity. There are discrepancies about him and gossip, somemight be true, some not. I think that he was being evaluated and wasasked to leave because he was trying to take over a lot of activitiesin the art department.”

Santiago, who will remain at UTPA as a professor, provided nocomment for the statements against him, saying only that itwouldn’t be productive to stir things up at this time. Regarding hisresignation, Santiago said that he left the department on his own.

“It was time for a change and not everybody was ready forchange,” said Santiago, who took over last year for long-time chairNancy Moyer. “The department is growing really fast and it’s timeto catch up to 2004.”

While he was only departmentchair for a year, Santiago insiststhat he was productive and thatmany good things came out ofhis year in the position. One ofhis proudest achievements wasthe planning and opening of anexhibit in a new venue inMcAllen. It opened officially asa gallery Dec. 6 after having beenplanning at the beginning of the

“[Santiago]felt that some-one, other than

himself, could makebetter choices.”

-Rodolfo RochaDean of Arts and

Humanities

By ANGELA I. CANALESThe Pan American

STC not our enemy

Shuttle Happy

See ART CHAIR page 11

By CHRISTINA HARRISThe Pan American

The new shuttle

buses have arrived

at UTPA. Although

the schedule for the

shuttle has not been

finalized, pedestri-

ans can look for-

ward to getting to

class earlier.Melissa Martinez/The Pan American

Ginmarie Mabry/The Pan AmericanChanges are taking place within the UTPA athletic depart-ment.

On Sept. 2, university movers and shakers convened toacknowledge the athletic program’s certification by theNational Collegiate Athletic Association. This certificationproves that UTPA is a viable Division 1 program, andis the result of rigorous NCAA evaluation, designedto ensure integrity in an institution’s athletics pro-gram.

Director of Athletics William Weidner said certifi-cation proves the program’s commitment to promot-ing athletic success as well as the graduation of stu-dent athletes.

He said it justifies all of the hard work and effortthat has been made over the past six years.

“We have tremendous credibility now, we have respectamong membership and I see a bright future for our athleticprogram,” Weidner said. “We’re continuing to evolve andwe’re growing.”

UTPA was initially fully certified in 1998. This year, thesecond cycle of the process, differs as the NCAA took an up-close-and-personal tour of every aspect of the athletic pro-gram. The next step in the ongoing process occurs in 10years.

“The six years here have been among the most rewarding

I’ve ever had because of the way we were,” Weidner said. “Ihave a lot of pride in our people and student athletes becauseof how far we’ve come.”

UTPA previously has suffered a series of setbacks andcertain NCVAA violations caused them to be an uncertifiedprogram.

Weidner said that prior to six years ago, the average GPAof all student athletes was way below studentbody average.

“Our GPA is (now) one of the top in thecountry,” he said.

Currently, student-athletes have an average2.88 GPA going into the fall semester.

51 percent of athletes, last year, had a 3.0GPA or higher. Seventy-four percent of allscholarship student-athletes over the past 10years have graduated.

“Athletes, he or she, have to understand that collegiateathletics is about developing a whole human being,” saidUTPA president Dr. Blandina Cardenas during the certifica-tion press conference. She added that students who developcan enhance society because they have been in athletics.

Weidner and Cardenas agree the most important thing fora student is to graduate.

“It’s going to be an exciting time for our athletic pro-gram,” Weidner said. “We really do have a lot to be proudof.”

Marco Garza takes a chair in the vacant “nosebleed”section of Edinburg Roadrunner Stadium. In a few minuteshe will move out from the heat to a shaded cluster of tablesoverlooking the park.

On the field, however, Garza challenges all kinds of“heat” before notching another hit to bolster his average.

Last season, he led the Broncs in hits (69), runs (44),and had a batting average of .356.

Garza, 20, earned a spot on the Cincinnati Reds trainingfield after try-outs in Edinburg and Bay City. The 6-footinfielder said his future with the Reds depends on howgood he does at practice and whether he can avoid injuries.

“If I don’t do good, or an injury happens I think they’ll(Reds) release me,” Garza said.

The former UTPA standout began his baseball career atage 4 in Reynosa, Mexico. After having the experience ofplaying in the Little League championships he attendedSharyland High School, where he earned All-Rio GrandeValley, All-Area and All-District honors.

Garza said he developed strength at Sharyland when hebegan lifting weights in preparation for high schoolbaseball.

“The coach (in Sharyland) is pretty good and has a goodprogram,” Garza said. “He works pretty hard.”

Garza said his coaches at Sharyland got him noticed byscouts for the Cincinnati Reds organization. He wasexcluded from the draft, however, after missing fourgames last season.

“They (scouts) looked at everything,” Garza said. “I

missed four games and I missed school and that’s why (Ididn’t get drafted).”

“They want discipline,” Garza said.He was, instead, drafted by the Navojoa Mayos of the

Winter Mexican League, a league where it is notuncommon to have retired major league players playingalongside younger prospects like Garza.

“I can still go over there (Navojoa),” Garza said. “Butthe Reds don’t want me to go.”

Instead, Garza said he spends his time “trying to doeverything right,” in order to “get ready”. He said that to“practice is my job.”

“If you don’t work hard, you won’t feel ready,” Garzasaid.

Despite the obvious challenges of moving from collegebaseball to the majors, Garza said he feels relaxed andcalm, adding he needs to adjust but suspects goodcoaching with the Reds will help

Garza said his experience at UTPA playing againstDivision I pitchers will help. His former coach, UTPA’sWillie Gawlik, said the coaches were excited about Garzagetting an opportunity; they think he will do well.

“He’s a hard worker,” Gawlik said. “He’s always been ahard worker…he plays great defense and he swings the batwell so I’m looking forward to him having a great career.”

“I think he’s going to do alright,” said assistant coachKiki Trevino, himself a former Valley standout player, atP-SJ-A. “ He did well for us and every year he got better.And I think that’s what the Reds are expecting him to do.”

Garza said he welcomes pressure and thrives on it.“ I like it,” he said. “I raise my level of play under

pressure.”

Seeing Red: Ex-Bronc to play in majors

UTPA athletics recertified by NCAA for 10 years

Joey Gomez/The Pan American

Former University of Texas-Pan American President MiguelNevárez (left), new President Blandina Cárdenas (center), andAthletic Director William Weidner (right) at the NCAA certificationof the UTPA held Thursday, Sept. 2.

By JOEY GOMEZThe Pan American


Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

Former University of Texas-Pan American infielder Marco Garza signeda pro contract to play with the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 19.

September 9, 2004 SPORTS Page 15

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539

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54rd Year – No. 3

The PA NAMERICAN isthe official studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

The Pan Americangladly acceptsletters fromstudents, staff andfaculty regardingnewspaper contentor current issues.The Pan Americanreserves the rightto edit submissionsfor grammar andlength. Please limitsubmission lengthto 300 words. ThePan Americancannot publishanonymous letters,or submissionscontaining hatespeech orgratuitous personalattacks. Letters areprinted at thediscretion of theeditor and mustinclude the writer’sname, class/titleand phone number.

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September 9 2 0 0 4

Readers with dis-abilities mayrequest an alter-native format ofthis publication atThe Pan American

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OPINION l e t t e r s ■ e d i t o r i a l s ■ c a r t o o n sPAGE 2

Hello,In her editorial "Research institution: a

goal or an impossibility?" Clarissa Martinezwrote, "How can a university jump frompoint A to point C without even slowingdown for point B?" This begs the questionof what she considers point B to be. Perhapsthere is no intermediate step UTPA needs totake before strengthening its researchcapabilities.

Ms. Martinez also misses a couple ofpoints when she says that "with strongerresearch more students from the area will

not have to leave to gain an exceptionaleducation." First, universities encouragemobility. Harvard does not exist soBostonians never have to leave their city tobe educated; quite the opposite. Topuniversities are cosmopolitain, attractingand sending talented people around theworld.

Second, a student who wanted a “truly”exceptional education would still have toleave the area for the forseeable future.Even with the most aggressive push forresearch imaginable, UTPA will not even

begin to approach the prestige of establishedtop flight institutions in Texas, the U.S., orthe world: Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard,etc.

Ms. Martinez concludes that there is noreason to rush research. But she doesn'tprovide many arguments to the opposingquestion: why wait? Research universitieslargely define the cutting edge, which iswhere students should want to be.

Zen FaulkesDepartment of Biology

EditorArianna Vazquez

[email protected]

News EditorClarissa Martinez

clarissa_utpa@

hotmail.com

A & E EditorOmaira [email protected]

Sports EditorEd Chrnko

[email protected]

Graphics EditorsDägoberto Pérez

[email protected]

Franco [email protected]

Ginmarie [email protected]

Graphic/WebDesign

Eduardo [email protected]

Copy EditorDulce [email protected]

Reporters

Angela Canales

Cecilia Castaneda

Emma Clark

Edwina P. Garza

Christina Harris

Joey Hinojosa

Aaron Lozano

Joey Gomez

Photographer

Delisa Guadarrama

Adviser

Dr. Greg Selber

THE

PAN AMERICAN

Deadline to file for May 2005 graduation

Sept.10, 2004

Office of Admissions and Records

Last day to receive 100 percent refund

Sept. 13, 2004


Graduate Career NightSept. 13, 2004

University Ballroom

5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Business & Internship Job ExpoSept. 14, 2004

Health Physical Education II

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

UTPA Calendarof Events

Letter to the Editor

It seems almost unfair. Just as the university’s ins and outs becomeimprinted on the back of a student’s head, it’s time to ship out and starta career. But a few UTPA alumni got lucky. Upon graduation they founda slot to fill right here on campus, with the degree they earned.

Weslaco native Melissa Ciomperlik graduated in August 2002 with adegree in journalism with a concentration in public relations andadvertising. During her years as a student, Ciomperlik formed bondswith faculty and students that made her time at UTPA positive.

“I think the communication department was kind of like a little familyfor me,” said Ciomperlik. “I had a close relationship with all of myprofessors, and I think that really helped my educational experience.”

A former reporter for The Pan American, Ciomperlik went on tocomplete a master’s at UT-Austin and now finds herself writing forUniversity Relations.

She took the job because there was an opening, but also because itoffered work she has done in the past and the chance to get into someinteresting projects.

“I like it so far. It’s kind of good to be able to, I guess in a sense, giveback, and it’s a familiar place for me,” Ciomperlik said. “It’s easierwhen I write stories, I’ve done it all before, the familiarity has made iteasier in the job I’ve done now.”

Ciomperlik said she’s pleased with her choice to stay at UTPAbecause of the trust the university instilled in her in four years as astudent.

“A lot of times, getting a job is more about relationships that youbuild and people that have faith in you, and your references,” saidCiomperlik. “I think that it has a lot to do with that, so if you can get ajob where people know you, and know what you’re like, and know how

Positions filled: Former students stay on grounds

■ Commuting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

■ Dean Rocha . . . . . . . . . . . 4

■ Self-defense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Juan, a University of Texas Pan-American student whoasked to remain anonymous when speaking openly abouthis history of marijuana use, jokes that it was known that heis a marijuana user, it may hurt his future in politics.

He recalls his first time taking a hit from a joint ormarijuana cigarette. He was 12 years old when hisneighbor, a 16-year-old boy, offered the drug to him.

“He was a pretty good friend of mine,” Juan recalls. “Hedidn’t really push it on me. He just asked if I wanted to tryit. Out of curiosity, I tried it.”

What is no laughing matter to area experts is the lack ofgravity youth place on marijuana use. Professional drugcounselors here would also like to amend a study by theNational Survey on Drug Use and Health that said by virtueof race, Hispanic teens are inherently at risk for marijuanause.

Those who differ say it is location, in addition toethnicity demographics, that determine vulnerable youth.

Chances are, Hispanic males living below the povertylevel between the ages of 13 and 15 in Hidalgo Countyhave already tried or have been offered marijuana,according to a study by the Texas Commission on Alcoholand Drug Abuse (TCADA).

The study also proposes that those at risk rank lower thanaverage in education. The higher number Hispanics in theborder region will eventually mirror national findings dueto the nature of Hispanic population growth, according tothe U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.

Juan, the 23-year-old UTPA student, said that despite

anti-drug messages delivered by parents, and in elementary,middle and high school, he chose to interpret their point inhis own way.

“I was brainwashed from day one. I was a product of theNancy Reagan “Just Say No!” era,” said Juan. “The phrasedidn’t make me want to avoid them [drugs]. It just made mecurious.”

Young Hispanics are at a greater risk based on suchmistaken beliefs, plus environmental factors andeducational levels that remain low, according to RobertRuiz, a licensed professional counselor at the South TexasHealth System Behavioral Health Center.

“Those who say they use marijuana out of curiosity are atrisk as well,” said Ruiz. “Once they do it and find it anenjoyable experience, they are more apt to continue to use.

“However, they don’t realize they are taking the roadmost traveled by people who fall into long-term addiction.They use drugs as a coping mechanism. I have heard manyyoung people say, “I use drugs to feel better. They areusually running from a problem.”

Ruiz said all youth has an especially hard row to hoewhen it comes to avoiding drug abuse pitfalls. Heresponded to a study, “Monitoring the Future NationalResults on Adolescent Drug Use: Overview of KeyFindings” that shows 30 percent of youth overlook thedangers of marijuana, but 40 percent relate marijuana usewith popularity.

“Some kids start using because they think it’s cool. Theybegin using because they believe that everybody in schoolmust be using,” stated Ruiz. “We must challenge thesebeliefs and teach young people how to think.”


NEWS

By EDWINA P. GARZAThe Pan American

By ALICIA NEVAREZ-WARNERThe Pan American

High consumption of marijuana among Valley youth

See MARIJUANA page 6

See ALUMNI page 12

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

MEETING- Michelle Duran (left) chats with members of the Student Leadership Program. She is a2002 graduate, who now works full-time as the coordinator of the program.

*Marijuana is the mostused illegal drug in theUnited States.

*Nearly 69 millionAmericans over theage of 12 have triedmarijuana at leastonce.

*Today’s marijuana is10 to 15 timesstronger than it was inthe �60s.

*Texas Federal DrugSeizures: Marijuana:613,107.3 kgs.

Source: www.drug-statistics.com

EDINBURG -- The EdinburgEconomedes Jaguars opened the 2004high school football season with twolosses at home, but Head Coach OscarSalinas believes the team can bounceback.

“We feel we have a good chance towin,” said Salinas. “We (have) playedwell. Our defense is struggling rightnow, but we’ve play hard.”

The Jaguars (0-2) will be on theroad tomorrow night against the LaJoya Coyotes (1-1) in their last non-district game of the regular season.

Last week the Jaguars had a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarteragainst the Brownsville Pace Vikings,but Pace scored a touchdown and atwo-point conversion to beatEconomedes 36-35.

“We felt we should have won lastweek,” said Salinas. “We have to getthat next piece (to complete ourgame).”

Despite starting the season withlosses, the Jaguars had two big per-formances by senior running backRyan Richardson, who rushed for a

combined 551 yards.“He’s playing like he was publi-

cized,” said Salinas. “He’s a good run-ning back. He’s played two goodgames and proven he is for real.”

The defense has come up short forEconomedes, allowing a combined 92points in the pair of non-districtgames. Salinas believes the entiredefense could use improvement.

“It’s not just our secondary,” saidSalinas. “The defensive line is not put-ting pressure on the quarterback, andthe linebackers are not tackling(well).”

The Jaguars’ defense has allowed atotal of 436 passing yards whileEconomedes’ three quarterbacks haveacquired only 70 passing yards in twogames. Also the Jaguars’ signal callerswere 5-of-18 in pass attempts, andalso threw two interceptions in theirfirst two games.

“(The passing game is) in theprocess of getting better,” said theJaguars head coach. “We are morerunning oriented, but (quarterback)Javier Garza is learning. As the seasongoes along (the passing game) will getbetter and have more consistency.”

Now the team must seek to get ontrack against La Joya, always a strongoutfit.

“La Joya gave us a good game lastyear,” said Salinas. “The kids areexcited.”

Last week La Joya was able to dis-rupt Laredo Alexander’s offensiveline, sacking the quarterback fivetimes for -47 yards in the 35-7 roadvictory.

“They stack everybody against theline like Sharyland,” said Salinas.“Our line understands (what they needto do).”

There is a possibility that Jaguarssenior running backs Richardson andDerek Garcia could see playing timeon defense in Economedes’secondary.However, Salinas would not guaranteethe pair would play on defense.

“If it happens, of course it won’t befull-time,” he promised. “We need toget some stops. One stop would havebeat (Brownsville) Pace.”

Despite the two losses Salinas saysthe team has a great attitude and isready to face the Coyotes.

“They’re down,” said Salinas. “Weknew we had tough games.”

Last week’s season opener for EdinburgNorth (0-1) was a difficult one as they seemedto never find their spark, getting pounded 56-0 by a strong Brownsville Rivera team. Thisweek North looks to regroup at home againstMcAllen High (1-1), Friday at 7:30 inEdinburg.

In other area matchups, Edinburg plays atHarlingen in a game between traditional pow-ers, and Edinburg Economedes faces off at LaJoya against the always tough Coyote group.

“We ran up against a very tough team inRivera,” Edinburg North Head Coach Lopezsaid. “They just took it to us.”

Brownsville Rivera, ranked 20th in thestate, really turned on the heat againstEdinburg North; the Cougars had their handsfull all night allowing 430 total yards.

““They just shut us down,” Lopez said. Histeam will seek to better last week’s 80-yardoutput on offense against Rivera, against aMcHigh team that lost to Harlingen in Week 1.

“We’re a very young team,” he continued.“We are nowhere near where we would like tobe.”

If the Cougars are going to improve againstMcHigh, they will need a healthy Jerry Saenz.The junior running back was sidelined mid-way through the game with a strained neck but

says he is looking forward to returning to playin about a week or so.

Coach Lopez hopes to see someone to stepup and take charge in these next couple ofweeks before district play begins. He said thathe would like to see junior quarterbackRamiro Ramirez and tight end JulioRodriguez take the reins.

“They have to assume the leadership role,”Lopez said. “They need to take the bull by thehorns and become leaders.”

Lopez spoke highly of wide receiversDominic James and Gabriel Quintanilla, say-ing he expects them to be big contributorsFriday.

“They are quality receivers,” he said. “Ihope to get the best out of them.”

Heading into the McHigh game Lopezthinks his team has a better chance thanagainst Rivera, which might be the best teamin the Valley.

“They’re not like Rivera,” Lopez said.“They’re around our level.”

His gameplan this Friday is to set up therunning game early so that the Cougars cancontrol the pace of the game. Lopez reallywants to use the clock and keep the defenseoff the field as much as possible, unlike lastweek.

North wants to cause turnovers and thenhave offense turn them into offensive touch-downs.

Edinburg North Cougars hope to rebound fromWeek Two trouncing, face McHi Bulldogs next

Jaguars look to bounce back

By DARYL GONZALESThe Pan American

By JOEY HINOJOSAThe Pan American

Gilbert Castillo/The Pan American

Edinburg North Cougars during a recent practice this week in preparation for Friday’sgame against McAllen High.

Hockey in Mexico?McALLEN -- It sounds strange,

but it is true. Believe it or not, Mexicohas a national hockey team.

The Mexican National HockeyTeam will make their inauguralappearance against a professionalteam Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.when they take on the RíoGrande Valley Killer Bees atthe Dodge Arena.

“Many people have asked,‘Mexico has a hockeyteam?’” said Killer BeesGeneral Manager TreyMedlock. “It’s going to beunique (the game). Most people herehaven’t seen international hockey.”

Mexico will continue their tour inthe Valley against the Corpus ChristiRayz Oct. 16 at the AmericanBankCenter and finish up Oct. 17 whenthey face the 2004 President Cupchampion Laredo Bucks at theLaredo Entertainment Center.

“I know it’s strange to theMexicans that we have a hockeyteam,” said Mexican NationalHockey Team Head Coach JoaquínDe La Garma. “It’s like a dream cometrue (for the players) to come up andplay at the professional level. It’s the

best experience for them. They’re allexcited.”

Mexico is far from being a worldhockey power, especially when com-pared to its neighbors, the UnitedStates and Canada. However, in thepast five years, great strides have beenmade in Mexican hockey.

After spending the firstfew years getting trounced atthe International Ice HockeyFederation WorldChampionships, Mexico hasstarted to win some medalsin the primarily Europeanand upper North Americansport.

The Tricolores claimed silvermedals in the 2003 Division II quali-fication tournament and recently wonthe bronze in the 2004 Division IIIWorld Championships hosted inMexico City.

Killer Bees Head Coach TracyEgeland believes Mexico will not beeasy prey and will be a good opportu-nity for both teams.

“I don’t think it will be that easy tobeat them,” Egeland said. “Down theroad there may be one of these play-ers playing in the league (CHL). Itwould be great to have a Mexicannational playing in the CHL.”

By The Pan American

September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 4 September 9, 2004 SPORTS Page 13

College students hustle between dorm rooms andclasses on ten-speed bikes, metal scooters andleather-strapped sandals, or so the generality goes.

Michael Jacquez, a University of Texas-PanAmerican freshman, drives 40 miles fromHarlingen through narrow half-constructedhighways, around school buses, and lingers in acongestion of cars around the university untilreaching class. This is the reality of UTPAcommuters.

The university estimates that many of theirstudents commute from the lower Valley, a drive of30 minutes or more. Yet, these students put asidethe generalizations and recognize the necessitytheir life presents them, ordinary or not.

"My dad has polio," Jacquez said. "My parentsstill need me at home to help with a lot of things."

Like Jacquez, many students prefer stayingcloser to home to be with their families. JavierCavazos a sophomore pre-med student prefersdriving 45 minutes to leaving his family membersbehind, especially his grandfather.

After being offered a full paid scholarship to St.Mary’s University in San Antonio, Cavazosdeclined in order to stay with his family. Hecommented that 40 miles to UTPA is worth it forthe family.

Others chose commuting to save money. Oscar Valdez, a senior majoring in mechanical

engineering, resided at the dorms in the beginningof his college career. However, paying $515 forrent at the dorms proved to be more expensive thancommuting from his parents’ house, Valdezexplained.

"Living at home has saved me money," Valdezsaid. "Not a whole lot more because of gas, but itstill saved me some money."

Students who choose to commute have toallocate their expenses to make room for gas,though predicting it may not be easy. Jacquez setsa budget aside to get him to school every week. Insome cases, it even means sacrificing weekend

activities.The fluctuating prices of gas hinder many

students from choosing to commute. Lidia Ramos, a sophomore formerly commuting

from Harlingen, chose to move to McAllen becausethe drive and the gas prices were too strenuous.

"You have to wake up early and then drivingthrough the mid-Valley construction is stressful,"Ramos said. "Gas is horrible. It takes a quarter oftank to get there and back. It's not worth it."

"I hate it so much," said Noe Monsivais, asophomore who commutes 30 minutes from

Hidalgo. "If it wasn’t for that drive, I could get twohours more sleep."

However, commuting and waking up early servesas an advantage to other students. Living at thedorms tempts many students to sleep in more,eventually neglecting class altogether.

"It’s nice to wake up and be ten minutes fromclass," Valdez said. "But living at the dorms it waseasier to sleep in and skip class. At home, I havemy brothers to get me up. The drive wakes me uptoo."

To students like Jacquez, waking up early in themorning does not lag or drag their mental alertnessfor the rest of the day. It even works as thecounterpart, a daily dose of contemplation toprepare them for the day.

"The drive gives you 45 minutes to clear yourmind and set your priorities for the day," Jacquez

Student commuters:Taking a different course

By CECILIA CASTANEDAThe Pan American

See COMMUTE page 11

What did you do on your summer vacation? Some traveled or worked, and some took either classes or time off. For one

of the university’s six college deans, the summer was one of monumentalimportance, and its effects are still reverberating.

Rodolfo Rocha, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, was one ofonly 10 Hispanic educators selected nationwide to become part of the 2005class at the Kellogg MSI Leadership Fellows Program.

In early August the Alliance for Equity in Higher Education announced thenames of 30 distinguished leaders for this prestigious program including 10individuals each from the American Indian, Hispanic, and African-Americancommunities.

“Having been selected from Pan Am is not only a recognition for myself,but for the institution itself, there were only ten around the nation,” Rochasaid.

This new program is set to prepare these individuals to become the nextgeneration of presidents for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).

There are three partner organizations that make up the Alliance: theAmerican Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC); the HispanicAssociation of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the NationalAssociation for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO).

Rocha explained that prior to receiving this honor and challenge, he hadsome exposure to the same sort of situation. As part of the American Councilof Education, Rocha strengthened his skills to serve as a better dean for thestudents.

“I have had previous training for leadership in the academy,” Rocha said.“I am an ACE fellow, class of ’98. As an ACE fellow you are trained toassume leadership positions in the academy. The academy means theprofession, higher education.

“As ACE fellows we are trained to be senior leaders…I also went toHarvard to continue my training as a leader. Both the ACE and the Harvardare good training, however, the Kellogg is also a training program for peopleto become leaders,” he said. “In this case what they would like for us to do isto become provost or presidents of a university, which is the goal of ACEdoes as well.”

The Kellogg program trains individuals to become the next generation ofleaders at their respective minority institution. The selected few show anoverall commitment to diversity at the vital administrative level.

“The Kellogg focuses on, in my case, becoming a leader at an HSI, whichis a Hispanic Serving Institution. To be a Hispanic Serving Institution youhave to have 25 percent of your student body be Hispanic,” Rocha said.“These are programs to train to become provosts or presidents at theseinstitutions.”

The intensive Kellogg training includes seminars, meetings, a mentor andeven an internship at a campus away from their respective campus, under thetutelage of what is termed a “Model President.” Possible destinations for thistraining include UTSA – where new university president Blandina Cardenas

Rocha’s vacation isfilled with big news


MINGLING- Dean Rodolfo Rocha of the College of Arts and Humanitiesparticipates in Welcome Week to stretch a hand out to new students.


See ROCHA page 6

“You have to wake up earlyand then driving throughthe mid-Valley construc-tion is stressful.”

-Lidia Ramos, sophomore biology major

FOR THE RECORD

Astros notch 12th WinHouston hit four first-inning home runs and tied a team

record of 12 straight wins, beating Cincinnati 5-2 onWednesday.

With the win, the Astros tied Tampa Bay for the longestwinning streak in the majors this season, and are back inthe thick of the playoff race.

"We're on a nice roll right now," first baseman JeffBagwell said to the Associated Press. "It's kind of beenamazing to me, all the home runs we're hitting. I've neverseen it quite like this."

Houston has won 20 of 23 games since Aug. 15 for thebest record in the major leagues during that time, as theybattle for the NL Wild card spot with a number of otherteams.

Bonds hits number 698Barry Bonds smashed his 698th home run but Colorado

still pulled off an 8-7 squeaker over San Francisco onTuesday night.

Bonds is within two homers of joining Hank Aaron (755)and Babe Ruth (714) as the only players to reach 700.

The six-time NL MVP has hit 40 home runs in five straightseasons and in eight overall, tying Aaron, and he had 73homers to set a record three years ago.

Babe Ruth holds the major league record with 11 seasonswith 40 home runs, including 60 in 1927, then the record.

NFL ticket prices spikeThe average cost for a family at an NFL game this year

will be more than $300, according to the Fan Cost Indexcompiled by Team Marketing Reportís annual survey.

According to the AP, the average ticket price for an NFLgame this season will be more than $54, a 4.9 percentincrease from 2003.

The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers had thebiggest average increase in ticket prices. The Falconsraised their average price by 26.2 percent to $43.71. NFCchamp Carolina raised prices by 18 percent to $50.23.

Rockets welcome MutomboHouston traded three reserve guards to Chicago for 7

foot-2 veteran center Dikembe Mutombo Wednesday. An eight-time all-Star and four-time Defensive Player of

the Year, Mutombo is fourth in NBA history with 2,996blocked shots. The Georgetown veteran will be the primary-backup forAll-Star center Yao Ming.

"With the addition of Dikembe, we have bolstered ourinterior defense and rebounding," Rockets general managerCarroll Dawson said. "Dikembe has had a long distiguishedcarreer, but can still contribute on a nightly basis.”

SPORTSCLIPBOARD

NFLToday

Indianapolis at New England, 8 p.m.

Sunday’s Games

Detroit at Chicago, Noon

Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets, Noon

Tennessee at Miami, Noon

Oakland at Pittsburgh, Noon

San Diego at Houston, Noon

Arizona at St. Louis, Noon

Tampa Bay at Washington, Noon

Seattle at New Orleans, Noon

Jacksonville at Buffalo, Noon

Baltimore at Cleveland, Noon

Atlanta at San Francisco, 3:15 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota, 3:15 p.m.

N.Y.Giants at Philadelphia, 3:15 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 7:30 p.m.

Monday’s Game

Minnesota at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.

Note: all times central standard time

HOUSTON ASTROS

Date Opponent Score

Aug. 26 Chicago L-3-8

Aug. 27 Chicago W-15-7



Aug. 30 Cincinnati W-11-3


Sept. 1 Cincinnati W-9-3

Sept. 3 PITTSBURGH W-8-6



Sept. 6 CINCINNATI W-11-5



Sept. 9 Pittsburgh 4:05 p.m.


Sept. 11 Pittsburgh 12:35p.m.


Sept. 13 OPEN

Sept. 14 Seattle 7:10 p.m.


TEXAS RANGERS

Date Opponent Score

Aug.26 Minnesota W-8-3

Aug.27 Baltimore W-6-4

Aug. 28 Baltimore W-4-3

Aug. 29 Baltimore L-6-7

Aug. 30 Open

Aug. 31 Minnesota L-5-8

Sept. 1 Minnesota L-2-4


Sept. 3 Boston L-0-2

Sept. 4 Boston W-8-6


Sept. 6 CHICAGO L-4-7

Sept. 7 CHICAGO W-10-3


HOME GAMES IN CAPS

UTPA SPORTS

WOMEN’S GOLF

Date Opponent

Oct. 4 Battle at the Lake Invit.


Oct. 11 Lady Indian Classic


Oct. 24 Sam Houston State Tri-Match

Oct. 25 Ellingson/Shu Invitational

Oct. 26 Ellingson/SHSU Invitational

Nov. 8 Lady Bronc Classic


MEN’S GOLF

Date Opponent TimeSept. 13 Fairway Club Invit. (Univ. of Nebraska)

Sept. 14 Fairway Club Invit. (Univ. of Nebraska)

Oct. 4 Stonebridge Invit. (So. Methodist Univ.)


Oct. 11 Crown Classic (Stephen F. Austin)

Oct. 12 Crown Classic(Stephen F. Austin)

Oct. 22 The Nelson Invit. (Stanford Univ.)


Oct. 24 The Nelson Invit (Stanford Univ.)

VOLLEYBALL(partial schedule)

Date Team/Tournament TimeAug. 29 UTPA Alumni W 3-0

Sept. 1 Matamoros Club Cancelled

Sept. 3 UTPA Invitational W 3-0

Sept. 3 (Grambling State) W 3-0


Sept. 4 (Oklahoma Univ.) L 2-3

Sept. 8 at Baylor L 0-3

Sept. 10 Texas Tech Round-up Noon


Sept. 18 at Texas A&M-Int’l 4 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Prairie View A&M 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Air Force 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 No. Colorado Classic 7 p.m.


Oct. 1 at Sam Houston State 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Texas A&M-CC 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Texas A&M-CC 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 No. Colorado 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 Utah Valley State 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 Texas A&M-Kings. 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 UTEP 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 New Mexico State 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 Texas State 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 UTSA 7 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOLFOOTBALL

Week 0

Friday, Aug. 27

Non-district

Brownsville Rivera 21, La Joya 14

Harlingen High 28, McAllen High 17

McAllen Rowe 30, PSJA North 0

Sharyland 56, Economedes 34

Corpus Christi Carroll 21, Donna 9

Weslaco High 28, Mission High 14

Los Fresnos 16, Port Isabel 13, OT

Edcouch-Elsa 51, Hidalgo 41

Progreso 14, La Villa 12

Browns.St.Joseph 69,Santa Rosa 13

Lyford 15, Hebronville 12

Week 1

Thursday, Sept. 2

Non-district

McAllen High 26, Weslaco High 24

San Benito 14, Edinburg High 12

Browns. Porter 34, Brown. Lopez 31

Friday, Sept. 3

Non-district

La Joya 35, Laredo Alexander 7

Mission Vets 21, McAllen Mem. 19

Sharyland 28, Harlingen South 24

Laredo Nixon 20, Rio Grande City 0

Harlingen High 35, Donna 28

Brownsville Rivera 56, Edin. North 0

Browns. Pace 36,Economedes 35

PSJA High 42, Weslaco East 6

PSJA North 35, PSJA Memorial 14

Edcouch-Elsa 50,Tuloso-Midway21

La Feria 14, Mercedes 6

Roma 8, Falfurrias 0

Browns.St.Joseph 18, Hidalgo 13

Port Isabel 32, Monterrey Tech 18

Rio Hondo 47, La Villa 0

Raymondville 26, Mathis 12

Lyford 53, Santa Rosa 0

Premont 28, Progreso 0

Saturday, Sept. 4

non-district

McAllen Rowe 48, Mission High 0

Corpus Carroll 20, Brown. Hanna 13

idle: Los Fresnos

Week 2

Thursday, Sept. 9

Non-district

Weslaco East at Harlingen South

Monterrey Metro at Browns. Hanna

Friday, Sept. 10

Non-district

Edin. Economedes at La Joya

McAllen High at Edin. North

McAllen Memorial at Browns. Pace

Browns. Rivera at McAllen Rowe

Sharyland at Mission

Rio Grande City at Roma

Donna at San Benito

Edinburg High at Harlingen High

Los Fresnos at PSJA High

PSJA North at Mercedes

Browns. Porter at Weslaco High

Browns. Lopez at La Feria

PSJA Memorial at Raymondvile

MMA at Lyford

Santa Rosa at Progreso

St. Joseph at Rio Hondo

Saturday, Sept. 11

Non-district

Hidalgo at Mission Veterans

Idle:Brownsville Hanna, Edcouch-

Elsa, Port Isabel, La Villa

Week 3

Thursday, Sept. 16

Non-district

Bro. Lopez vs. Bro. Pace

Harlingen South at PSJA North

September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 5September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 12

Among the many booths at the student recruitmentfair Tuesday, Mike Blackwood was putting themoves on students. Self defense moves that is.

Sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug AbuseProgram from the Student Life and TransitionalServices, the purpose behind the demonstration was,“to enable UTPA students to understand that thereare ways to ensure their personal safety on and offcampus,” Miguel Lopez, organizer of the event said.

Martial arts expert, Blackwood is a minister atHarvey Drive Church of Christ in McAllen and hasbeen teaching regular classes of Ju-Te-Ryu tomembers for nine years.

“People tend to confuse self-defense with martialarts. Self defense, you have to be real grounded,”Blackwood said. “It’s not fantasy, you don’t havetime to warm up. The more a person is aware themore you can reduce your chance [of beingattacked].”

Blackwood was able to show a small group ofstudents what to do should if attacked. But as heexplained it’s not only knowing where the attacker iscoming from.

“You’re dealing with the human body,"Blackwood explained. "There are only so manyangles that an attacker can come from."

Christy Ramirez, a senior finance major,participated in the demonstration. She feels that intoday’s society, self-defense is necessary.

“I think it’s always important to know when todefend yourself,” Ramirez said. “Now that I learneda couple of moves, I feel like I’m in a betterposition.”

The latest figures from the UTPA crime reportindicate that there were a total of 10 reported

assaults both residential and non-residential in 2002. Lopez attributed the growth of the student

population to those numbers. “As a result of this [increase] students bring with

them different behaviors,” Lopez stated. “Manystudents due to their youth and inexperience oftenallow their behavior to be influenced by peers,alcohol and their misperceptions of what is normal.”

Both Lopez and Blackwood agreed that today’ssociety, including the growing threat of terrorismplays a significant role in how the public view selfdefense and well-being.

“As social problems in communities become morecomplex and as UTPA enrollment continues toincrease, issues in student safety will continue togrow and change,” Lopez said.

“Perhaps the greatest asset to student safety is toassist the student not only in their academic IQ, butalso in the development of their social andemotional.”

Self-defense offers student empowerment

With a projected increase of job positions for registerednurses (RN) many students are becoming interested in thefield. According to the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services by the year 2020 there will be a shortageof 800,000 RNs.

However, many students are being turned away byuniversities due to a lack of professors. There arecurrently 150 students admitted into the University ofTexas-Pan American's nursing program; 140 are takingthe required pre-nursing courses.

According to the nursing department chair, CarolinaHuerta, about 60 are enrolled in the graduate program.

“We are also having problems with the nationalshortage of faculty,” Huerta said. “There have been morestudent applications for the BSN [Bachelor of science innursing] program but we are only able to admit 80students each spring.”

Universities across the country are running into thesame problem due to health-care jobs with better pay andfewer nurses in doctoral programs. According to Huerta,the shortage of faculty is due to the fact that manyprofessors are “baby boomers” who are retiring from theprofession.

“The average age of the nursing faculty isapproximately 50 years of age,” Huerta explained. “Thereare also so many other opportunities in nursing and inother fields that being a nurse educator is not asappealing.”

The nursing department has been advising students to

help the national nursing andfaculty shortage by attendingrecruitment events, offeringflexible schedules for returningnurses and implementing measuresto retain more students. Anotherway would be to increase thecapacity pre-nursing classes and byworking closely with area hospitalsto provide the quality nursinggraduates that are needed.

“We are encouraging students toenter into our graduate program,”Huerta said. “In order to teachprofessional nursing in the State ofTexas, you must have a Master’s innursing or a Master’s in anotherfield with at least six hours ingraduate nursing courses.”

Amanda Gamaz, a sophomoretaking nursing classes at UTPA andSTC, joined the nursing programbecause she had a desire to helpothers and finds the lack of faculty to have somebeneficial outcomes.

“Although a solution must be made in order to recruitmore qualified professors to teach in the nursing field, theshortage has caused students to become competitive,[and] it makes us try harder to get into the program,”Gamez said. “In the long run all of our hard work will beworth it and if more of us consider teaching in the fieldwe will help reduce the shortage in nursing and

professors.”Huerta was presented with the opportunity to teach at

Pan American College 30 years ago due to a nursingshortage, and it has been her life’s vocation ever since.

“I found I truly enjoyed helping student achieve theirgoals,” Huerta explained. “I have since, of course,obtained a master’s and doctorate. I believe my effortsand those of our faculty who have been here a very longtime have been very beneficial to our community.”

Nursing numbers in need of augmentationBy LYLONY CAZARESThe Pan American

Joel De La Rosa/The Pan American

EVERY VOTE COUNTS— Students stop by the “Rock the Vote” table Tuesday at therecruitment fair to register for the upcoming presidential election.

By EMMA CLARKThe Pan American

Mike Blackwood conducts demostration withfreshman Stephen Rodriguez (above), seniorChristy Ramirez and junior Annel Zamarron(left).

you work, or at least you have references therethat can vouch for you then I think that makes ita little easier as well.”

The desire to stay in a field where she hadexperience led Ciomperlik to UTPA’sUniversity Relations department, but desire towork for something she believed in ledMichelle Duran to stay in Edinburg.

Duran graduated in December 2002 with adegree in computer science. Just as Ciomperlikhad, she found her experience at UTPA to begratifying.

“It was absolutely fabulous,” commentedDuran. “It was the complete college educationfor me, it was getting my degree beyond just anormal education, but actually gettingeverything from campus life to mentoringcomponents to an actual professional position.It was pretty much the complete well-roundededucation.”

As a student, Duran worked with the StudentLeadership Program, working with severalstudents that had a lot of potential. She saidthroughout her college career she saw howstudents in the Rio Grande Valley wereoverlooked and believed that those at UTPA hadmore potential than people may have thought.Once it became time for her to graduate, sheknew she wanted to stay at UTPA and helpensure that its students get everything they

deserve. “I believe in the program I’m working with

now, I believe the Valley has so muchpotential,” stated Duran. “I saw that thestudents I was fortunate enough to work with inmy undergraduate career, the StudentLeadership Program, had a lot of promise, andthat all our students have a lot of promise ifthey put time and effort into their work. I reallysaw all the potential of what could be.”

Being a former student is advantageous toDuran beyond familiarity with buildings oncampus. She said it provides her with an edgethat no one else has, and that’s being aware ofwhat it really is like being a student at thisuniversity, in this community.

“Because of the fact that I’m from Pan Am, Igraduated from here, I think it’s just been acomplete asset to my professional position,"stressed Duran. "It helps me understand thepopulation that I’m working with because I wasone of the population. It helps me see thelimitations and the strengths of the students.”

Duran said that the university has taught herboth academically as well as professionally andsaid that she is delighted in her decision toattend and work at UTPA.

“It’s just been the place that I’ve found myroots in, and it’s my home away from home,”she concluded.

Alumni continued from page 3

2005

125,000

213,500

381,250

800,000Projected RN Shortage

By 2020, the projected RNshortage will be 800,000

2010 2015 2020

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Writing continued from page 11help students write well and avoid plagiarism.

Peer tutor, Delma Maldonado, does encounter students who unintentionallyplagiarize.

"They think that it's sufficient just to have a works cited or bibliography butthey don't realize that there needs to be internal documentation,” Maldonadosaid. “And that's probably the most common problem. They don't cite thingswithin the text.”

When assisting students, Maldonado usually asks them what information iscoming from the source so she can teach the student to cite it properly. But shedoes not condone intentional plagiarism.

"It's dangerous. It's really risky business. It's your decision ultimately. Youcan get busted for it but know that there are going to be serious consequencesand of course, you can be kicked out of school for it,” Maldonado said. “Ipersonally don't think it is worth it.”

To help against this problem, tutors inform students that there are a varietyof handbooks to assist them. Since there are different writing styles that requiredifferent types of documentation, the writing center has handbooks andhandouts for Modern Language Association (MLA), American PsychologicalAssociation (APA), Chicago Manual and Turabian.

Tutors also tell students to ask their professors for samples of references orwork cited lists to know what has to be done and improve the quality of work.

Another concern the writing center stresses to students is that not everythingposted on the Internet is reliable and accurate. Students need to do theirresearch and find out if the source they plan to use is credible, commentedDavidson

Though the Internet can be a beneficial tool in writing a paper, it opens aPandora's box. Students can be swept with temptation to purchase an onlinepaper and pass it off as their own, leading to long trail of trouble.

"You know, if an instructor were to just pick up just the language of thesentence being awkward and didn't seem like it was your language, and wereto type in into a Google search, or some kind of interface where they can do asearch, they're going to pull up that paper or parts of that paper," Garcia said.

Garcia said that the tutors do discuss the consequence of plagiarism with thestudents.

"Often if it looks like it's plagiarism or they admit to it, we'll say 'You knowthat's a violation of the honor code.” Garcia said. “’If that's discovered by yourinstructor, you can get taken for disciplinary action before the dean. It'ssomething that could possibly be noted in your academic record and probablyfor the rest of your life and do you really want to do that just to get out ofmaybe a poor grade, maybe a D that you really deserve because you didn't dothe work?'"

Garcia said that the UWC is there for people who need help. She doesn'twant students to think that they are a policing agency.

Since there is no way to know for sure if the student will go ahead andplagiarize, they can't report students. They are just a place to serve and advise.

"So it's kind of a fine line as tutors and as the writing center that we rest uponbecause we want to be helpful to students," Garcia said. "We want them tobecome the best writers that they can possibly become and at the same time wehave to operate within the university and encourage them to adhere to allpolicies, including those regarding plagiarism and the honor code."

Davidson and Garcia both said it is better for the student to write their ownpaper and earn their grade honestly. It's all about personal integrity.

Sophomore business major Elizabeth Resendez gets writing advicefrom Juan Ovalle at the University Writing Center.

Melissa Martinez/The Pan American


September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 6 September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 11

Marijuana continued from page 3

A practicing drug counselor for five years, he has seen 8-year-olds in treatment formarijuana use. Ruiz said changing these beliefs is the key to modifying behavior in thosewho use marijuana even casually.

Using the analogy of putting poison in a beloved pet’s bowl he asks those he counsels,“Would you poison your dog’s food?” Hearing a mortified negative response, Ruiz followsup with the questions, “Don’t you love yourself? Why are you poisoning yourself?”

Dealing with real problems like low college graduate levels, domestic violence issues,lack of values in some indigent households even modeling parent drug abuse, thecounselor said Hispanic youth might find it easy to try to use drugs for escapism.

Ruiz challenges all youth to “take responsibility and don’t blame others for yourmistakes. You choose to use, others didn’t make that decision for you.”

Some users like Juan say that in his experience the viewpoint on inadequate educationis inaccurate. The psychology major that also aspires to a minor in criminal justicecounters that given facts about marijuana; young people should make their own educatedchoices.

“If I had children, I would educate them before I tell them about my use of drugs,” Juansaid. “I would try my best not to impose my views on them. That’s their decision. If that’swhat they choose than they will have to deal with it on their own.

“I was just 12. I had more education than most kids my age. I was selected to go to amore academically advanced school. So it was not a lack of education that pushed me totry marijuana. My parents told me all about those anti-drug messages. I said, yes becauseI wanted to.”

Researchers say that high school students are saying, no to marijuana use because anti-drug initiatives seem to work. However, marijuana use in older college level students isgrowing.

Findings in the study “Monitoring the Future 2003: In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-,and 12th- Grade Students” by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and University ofMichigan, conducted in December 2003, support this belief.

In the study, responses seemed to hinge on the age of a user. For instance, beginning with eighth-graders 17.5 percent said they have used marijuana

in their lifetime. Tenth-graders said approximately 36.4 percent had used and 46.1 percentof high school seniors said they had used the drug.

Among college students and adults ranging from ages 19-40, a 1975-2002 study by theNational Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan called “Monitoring theFuture National Survey” showed that in 2002 about 50 percent of college aged students,and 57 percent of young adults up to age 28 said they used marijuana in their lifetime. Ofthe same groups, 34.7 and 29.3 percent said they had used marijuana within the past year.

Juan admits to distributing marijuana to minors, some elementary age students.“I didn’t offer it to them,” Juan stated. “I don’t advertise. They know people who know

me. I’m a middleman. People just ask me.”There is no question that the logistical nature of the Rio Grande Valley, along a major

drug trafficking route, correlates with statistics showing Hispanic youth marijuana use isrelated to border population, according to Jody Guerra Palmer Drug Abuse Centercoordinator.

“Being on the north side of the border, puts us in a unique area,” said Guerra the 14-year veteran counselor. “This is where drugs are staged in the way of being stashed andpackaged before they move further north.”

As for Hispanic youths being a more susceptible target he notes that the abundance ofdrugs is a major factor.

“It’s the abundance," Guerra said. "Drugs are more available here so the price goesdown. It’s easy to get them here.”

With no trouble finding an affordable supplier, Juan admits he took his drug use toanother level.

“I’ve experimented with other drugs, but not as a direct result of pot,” Juan claims. “Ican tell you for sure. There are a lot of things I haven’t tried and won’t try. I’ve nevergraduated to harsher things.”

Experts say that eventually marijuana use leads to a considerably more potent chemicalabuse. According to a report “Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know” by the NationalInstitute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, it is considered a gateway drug.

While not all people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs, using marijuanasometimes lowers inhibitions about drug use and exposes users to a culture that

encourages use of other drugs,” long term study findings show. In addition, the study addsthat those who use marijuana are up to 104 times more inclined to begin using cocaine.

Guerra agreed. In the future, he hopes to see more efforts to emphasize the fact thatmarijuana is not a drug of a lesser degree, but one that is equally dangerous to youth asany other.

“I don’t like to use the expression that marijuana is a gateway drug,” Guerra stressed.“The reality is that it’s just as bad and we should view it that way. It’s not O.K. A dangerof marijuana use is not seeing that following this path, leads to this place.”

Guerra said that the push to legalize marijuana is an argument championed by some, butdoes not constitute safety.

“The fact of the matter is, it’s still illegal," Guerra said. "Users still suffer negativeeffects, legal or not. It still has negative effects on health, family and spirituality. Throughdenial, they fail to see the real dangers.”

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reported that of the estimated438,202 prison population, 29 percent of the incarcerations are related to substance abuse.

At UTPA, a $90,000 annual Drug Free Initiative makes it easier for college students tohave affordable access to substance abuse treatment. The UTPA Alcohol and Drug AbuseProgram (ADAP) gets operational and staff funding also in part from student fees.Students have access to information, peer counseling and the services of Miguel Lopez, alicensed professional counselor.

Lopez has his own theory about challenges facing youth concerning marijuana. He characterizes what is happening to Valley teens and pre-teens as young as eight and

nine-year-olds who just happen to be Hispanic, as consequences of ‘availability and cost.’Lopez said easy access to cheap drugs makes growing up in this border region a

challenge. He said the prevention and intervention unit sees an average of 10 students persemester with up to 30 to 40 clients annually. Lopez said alcohol is the number one reasonstudents visit the center for help.

“It’s very easy for students to cross over to Mexico and drink if they are underage,”Lopez said.

He added that approximately three students have come in for marijuana counseling inspring 2004.

Delivery of marijuana carries a punishment of confinement in jail for a term of not morethan 180 days. In addition, those charged may face a fine not to exceed $1,500 or both tojail time in TDC for life, or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 15 years, anda fine not to exceed $250,000.

Commute continued from page 4

said. "On the way home too, it helps you forget about somethingthat upset you. I can go home and concentrate on my family."

Though some commuters like Valdez and Jacquez enjoy thecommute, others argue that living on campus is essential toexperiencing college. The dorms, the bikes, the leather-strapsandals make a college student. Commuters are just commuters.

"I guess it might be good to live on campus," said Valdez. "Butit all depends what you want of college."

Many UTPA students know what they want out of college, anindividual desire and goal that is not restrained bygeneralizations and conceptions. Commuter or not, they moldtheir experience at UTPA to their life and needs. Commuting istheir reality.

"I have to be at home right now,” Noe Monsivais said. "But Imust come to school too.”

served before moving to the Valley – andUT-El Paso, both state MSIs.

Wherever this takes him, Rocha is lookingforward to furthering his education in thismanner.

“It’s a learning experience, right now wehave only had a one-week seminar, and weare going to have a series of six differentones throughout the year,” Rocha said. “I amgoing to be mentored by a president of anHSI. The experience will help us to be verycompetitive for positions as provosts orpresidents.”

Rocha explained how he plans to use hisnew training to move UTPA, a place where80 percent of the students are Hispanic, to abetter place academically. He wants theEdinburg campus to become a householdname.

“I was appreciative of the fact that I hadbeen selected and that I will continue mytraining as a leader in higher education,” hesaid. “What I learn in this yearlong process Iwill use to help move UTPA to the next levelof leadership in the nation…as a major if notthe premier HSI in the country.”

Rocha envisions UTPA to be universitythat Hispanic students can call their premier.

“One of the things I would like to do is tomake UTPA the premier HSI in the country,”Rocha said. “You know non-Hispanicwhites have their Yale their Princeton theirHarvard. Black-Americans have theirHoward, Mason, Grambling; those aremajor prestigious black universities. I wouldlike to contribute to making UTPA thepremier, the most recognized HSI in thecountry.”

ROCHA continued from page 4

“I was a product of the Nancy Reagan ‘Justsay no!’ era. The phrase didn’t make mewant to avoid them [drugs]. It just made mecurious.”

-Juan (anonymous), UTPA student

STC continued from page 1

‘Bachelor’s in Applied Technology in TechnologyManagement,’” said Reed. “What we want to do isbuild on the technical skills of our students andprepare them for supervisory and managementpositions.”

Reed explained that after surveying thesecompanies they were able to determine if graduateswith this type of degree would be useful to thesecompanies.

“We designed the curriculum and we had to presentit to the Higher Ed Coordinating Board to approve theprogram and they have approved the program, Reedsaid. “That was the first step, the next step is allcolleges and universities in the south are credited bywhat is called The Southern Association for Collegesand Schools, it is the same body that credits UTPA.

Reed and the administration will conduct a self-study to evaluate STC to decide whether the collegemeets the accreditation standards to be a bachelor’sdegree granting institution.

December will be when the accreditation body willmake their decision on whether STC will receiveaccreditation. They hope to admit their first class inthe fall of 2005.

Reed is confident that students will have a greatinterest in pursuing a Bachelor’s at STC.

“There is a big interest for two reasons, one arestudents that have attended the college love it andwant to earn a Bachelor’s degree here,” she said.“Then there is another group of students thatrecognize this degree will lead to a pretty good paying

job for them.”There is an interest from existing students to

continue their education at STC.“I would consider staying at STC to get a

Bachelor’s only if they offered the degree I ampursuing or a degree of my interest,” said Ochoa.“Staying at STC is more convenient, less expensiveand the classroom sizes are smaller, so I would preferstaying at STC, but it would depend on which degreesthey would offer.”

The institution is allowed to offer up to fiveBachelor’s degrees, there will be research done in theValley to see which programs will get students goodemployment.

“What we will do is talk to the community and tothe employers because we are only interested indeveloping a program that leads to employment,”explained Reed. “We are not going to train anybody ifthere aren’t any jobs so it will have to tie into a realdemand in the Valley and we know healthcare is one,but we haven’t gone beyond that. We would have totalk to the employers.”

One of the biggest issues that is being looked atwhen deciding which new degrees are being offered isthat the degrees that will be offered at STC are notalready being offered at UTPA.

“We do not want to duplicate anything that is beingoffered at UTPA,” said Reed. “State resources aresimply too tight for us to duplicate what is happeningat the university so this is a degree that is not beingoffered at the university.”

2003 fall semester. “The students had to do all the planning, setup, lighting, and

publicity,” Santiago said. “Everyone got involved and each one had anassignment to do regarding the commitment. It was an excellentopportunity for the students to see how to open up a gallery and abusiness, and on top of that it was a fabulous learning experience.”

The past semesters has seen a closer working relationship betweenart and communication, something Santiago said he was trying to getgoing. He also said another contribution he felt he gave as departmentchair was the Latin American studies tour, a two-and-a-half weekminimester in Oaxaca, Mexico.

“I spoke with Dr. Richard Phillips who spearheaded this project,”said Santiago. “I opened it up so that more students could get this oncein a lifetime opportunity. There we added digital photography, designI, and drawing. We’re already planning for this year’s trip toGuanajuato.”

While Richard Hyslin is the temporary chair right now, the searchfor a permanent chair will begin soon. Lenard Brown, an art professor,said that he believed that it will take a year or two before a permanentchair is found. But he said that right now a search is on for an outsidechair.

“The tenure-track faculty is young and replacing retirees,” Brownsaid. “They want a senior person who is already had tenure.”

Taking over the role of department chair for the time being is Hyslin,who was chair of the department from 1980 to 1994. Although he hasthe experience, he said that he wasn’t seeking this position and he willonly be interim chair until someone more permanent is found.

“Right now, we’re just going to try to keep things moving,” Hyslinsaid. “We have a lot of input from faculty so we’re moving in a waythat has good consensus within the department.”

While he would not comment directly on Santiago’s situation,Hyslin did say that he hopes the issue does not linger past a certaintime.

“Everyone is hoping that this doesn’t create ill feelings that festerand stay in the department,” Hyslin said.

Art chair continued from page 1

Photo courtesy of www.uscis.gov

Writing center helps studentslearn rules, dismiss old habits

Stephen Ambrose was a famous historian known forhis books about American history. He had many honorsand achievements to his name but in a flash it all camecrashing down.

His credibility and reputation was tarnished due toallegations of plagiarism. Though he claimed it waspoor attribution he committed, he lost the respect andadmiration he once received.

College students encounter the same problem.Usually, students are not aware of the troubles that canarise from plagiarism, even if it is unintended. Thisproblem can easily be avoided with the properguidance.

The University of Texas-Pan American UniversityWriting Center [UWC] located in the library, focuseson teaching students the proper ways of documentinginformation among other things.

Director of the UWC Judy Davidson believes thatsince it's the beginning of an academic year, studentsneed to be reminded of the seriousness of plagiarismand how to avoid it.

"Sometimes, I think when they [students] get out ofhigh school, they've forgotten the concept that if it's adirect quotation they better attribute the source," saidDavidson. "But they don't get the idea that sometimesif they paraphrase someone's ideas they still need togive credit and document that individual source.

"So I think sometimes students have a hard timegrasping that you give credit to your source for otherthings than just direct quotations. It's for ideas, fornumbers, references, statistics, anything that's notcommon knowledge."

Teresa Garcia, writing center supervisor, agrees thatstudents may sometimes have a misconception of somesort. They think that by mentioning their source intheir bibliography it covers the bases, but it certainly

does not. Students must credit their source whenparaphrasing.

But why do students have difficulty citing theirsources when paraphrasing?

Garcia said that students don't do enough criticalreading. Sometimes they may not want to or have timeto read the information several times to fullyunderstand what the source is saying. Therefore, thestudent finds paraphrasing grueling.

"They [students] write something that's very

derivative," Garcia said. "It relies too much on thesource because they don't really understand what thesource is saying. So I think one way to reduce that isjust to get students to really take the time to read well."

Garcia said that the UWC is there to help studentsstrengthen their documentation skills.

In doing so, peer tutors are available to assiststudents. Currently there are eight under-graduates andeight graduate/degree tutors that are certified by theCollege Reading and Learning Association, aninternational certification organization.

Peer tutors are required to attend a workshop everyThursday where they are trained and are sometimesinformed by faculty members of their documentationstyles. Tutors, in turn can gain a better idea of how to

By JENILEE HERNANDEZThe Pan American

“I think sometimes studentshave a hard time grasping thatyou give credit to your source,”

-Judy Davidson, UWC director

See WRITING page 12


Art Department Chair, Reynaldo Santiago, resigns.

On Sept. 4, seven students met for the first time to dis-cuss a project that involves persuading thousands of Texanteens to go to college. These students are putting their use ofbroadcasting skills to the test, through the use of film, in aproject called College for Texans.

"It’s exciting because besides learning the basics inclasses like television production, this is going to be more ofan actual job with actual productions and deadlines," broad-cast television and film major Carina Medrano said.

"I’m also excited because they were only going tochoose five broadcast students, and I was the fifth to bepicked."

Overall, seven students were selected to take part in thisinternship at the University of Texas-Pan American.According to Chelsea Benham, radio, television and produc-tion supervisor, the interns will use $32,000 worth of newfilm equipment.

The interns are Rick Aguirre, Nicole Boychuck, DeniseCantu, Crystal Kief, Carina Medrano, Monica Quintanilla,and Rita Reyna. They will work 12-20 office hours a week,and this does not include outside work.

"The kids are really ‘gung ho’ about this," Benham said."And this is attitude-driven. They’re hungry for it; they wantthis kind of experience. That’s what this internship is about,

to help these students become really marketable, so they caneasily compete in bigger markets."

Benham, who will be completing her second year atUTPA on Oct. 1, comes from markets that have allowed herto work on cable networks such as A&E and The HistoryChannel. She currently holds 17 regional, national, and inter-national awards including South East Regional Emmy forentertainment. With these qualifications; Benham claims sheknows how to help a student become marketable after col-lege.

Along with the College for Texans Internship, and underthe guidance of Benham, the interns will gain a larger knowl-edge of the programming industry.

"The idea is to be bigger than a "local news" kind ofgraduate," said Benham.

"Getting to know the real ins and outs of programmingand distribution."

Kief, who plans to finish school in December, is excitedabout the internship because a project like this is what willmake her marketable after graduation.

"I felt very honored, because it's a great opportunity tobuild my resume and when [Benham] came to speak to ourcreative strategies class, I realized, this is exactly what Ineed," Kief said.

If successful, the College for Texans program will pro-mote college consideration for high school freshmen andsophomores.

"We're the only university, presently that I know of, thathas decided to do a project like this," Benham said. "Becausewe're the only, we're not just targeting Hispanics, we're tar-geting a general market which is high school freshman andsophomores.

"[The city of] Austin is very eager to get the final videoand involve it in its advertising campaign," she explained. "Itneeds to be of very high standards, original material, written,produced and post produced by the students."

College for Texans is a project of the Texas HigherEducation Coordinating Board.

According to their website, there is $3 billion availablefor Texans who want to attend college. This film project is aresource the board is using to help get that message across ina statewide campaign called “Education. Go Get It.” Thegoal for the campaign is to enroll 300,000 more prepared stu-dents beyond the 200,000 already enrolled by 2015.

"It’s exciting because its not just a production, it’s aproject that will eventually promote higher education,"Medrano, who will be working on videography and research,said.

Currently, because of the extensive workload, opportu-nities are still available for those interested in participating inthe College for Texans internship. Anyone who wishes to usehis or her skills in television, journalism, cartoon and anima-tion, please contact Benham at [email protected].

“I don’t think I would," said Enslow. "I have been given the body Ihave, I’m not going to drastically change it.”

When considering these drastic surgeries, people tend to forget aboutthe risks.

“Any surgery is risky,” said Avila. “My job in a consultation is toinform the patient that there are risks and make sure that they are aware ofthem. One thing that I have noticed about these shows is that in the con-sultation, the doctor does not talk about the risks.”

A face-lift, with an average surgeon’s fee of approximately $5,283,can potentially cause injury to the nerves that control facial muscles.Liposuction, a $2,224 procedure, can cause clotting, infection, and shockfrom fluid loss. These are a couple of the risks to consider before crawlingonto that surgery table.

Enslow also talked about her awareness of the dangers of cosmeticsurgery.

“To most people, it is worth the risks,” stated Enslow. “But I would-n’t want to be that one in 1,000 that ends up maimed or dead from goingunder the knife.”

SSUURRGGEERRYY continued from page 7

rather than humans. His abusive childhood may be partially to blame forhis attitude toward people.

Although this world seems unreal, it is real and this is apparentthrough the supporting cast. Seth Green plays James St. James, whoconsidered himself the original “club kid.” His character seems to havea bit more of a human touch. James' addiction to drugs is very present,but is not as dominate as Alig's. James seems to have a bit more controlof his life. Critics think Green's performance outshines Culkin's.

According to a TV guide review, Culkin's Alig has the face of adebauched cherub, but the former child star never quite captures thecharisma everyone swears was an essential component in Alig's success.Green's St. James steals the picture out from under him (poetic justiceof a sort), and the supporting cast is nothing short of amazing.

If the ‘80s is of any interest to you, this film is a unique portrayalof the time. Complete with classic ‘880s music, costumes, and nightlife.For the complete experience, check out the DVD in all retail stores nowwith special features including interviews with actors and the real Alig.

Take a step back in time to the late1980s, and witness the era of the “clubkids.”

According to www.Ggreg.com, thesenon-gender specific “club kids,” who werefueled by the AIDS epidemic, the sup-posed oppression of the Reagan Era, andthe newly imported rave scene, were a cul-tural phenomenon of the late 1980s andearly 1990s. The outlandish and outspokenNew York party scene is revisited in this

2003 movie, "Party Monster."Based on the partially autobiographi-

cal book "Disco Bloodbath" by James St.James, this movie is a shockingly real rev-elation into the life of Michael Alig,played by Macaulay Culkin of the "HomeAlone" fame, and his “club kid” followers.

This movie shows the brutal effects ofexcessive and addictive drug use and theevents that lead to Alig's 1996 arrest afterhe bragged on television that he killed hisdrug dealer, Angel Melendez.

Alig went to Manhattan in search of

his identity after experiencing a troubledchildhood growing up in a single parenthome. He finds his niche throwing partiesat Limelight, a famous nightclub. His goalwas to be the icon for “club kids” and to bethe most outrageous by wearing increas-ingly elaborate costumes.

If nothing else, this movie should beseen for the lavish costumes. Many wereoriginals donated by real “club kids.” Themovie contained over 1,000 costumes.

The DVD’s special features offer aportion of the original documentary donefor the 1998 Cinemax “Reel Life” series,which shows the characteristics of the realAlig.

Culkin attempts to capture Alig'scharacter, but lacks certain magnetism andcharisma. There is a lack of humanity inthe way Culkin portrays Alig. He seemsunreal, but so does Alig's life. There is,however, a definite sense of distance thatCulkin keeps from his audience, in thesame way the real Alig did with hisfriends. His friends were objects to him,

■ Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 & 9

■ Internship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

■ Latin Grammy’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

September 9, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 10

A&E ■ ■ ■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Appearance-conscious individuals areonly a phone call away from a new nose, chin,or cheeks.

Cosmetic surgery has become somethingof a trend for Americans within the last coupleof years, due to the growth in availability andacceptance of optional plastic surgery. Whilemany seek out the fountain of youth, others arerushing to get tucked, tightened, suctioned, andtweaked like never before to achieve a trim ath-letic profile to the likeness of Barbie and Ken.

Twenty years ago, plastic surgery was onlyaffordable for the rich and famous. Today, it’savailable to almost anyone with a credit cardand vacation time. According to U.S. News andWorld Report, more than8.7 million people under-went cosmetic surgery in2003, up 33 percent fromthe previous year, andthey spent $9.4 billion.

This growing trendmay be fueled by the con-stant portrayal of plasticsurgery in the entertain-ment industry. Realityshows such as ABC’s“Extreme Makeover” andFox’s “The Swan,” fea-ture participants whoundergo extreme transfor-mations to the other asthey undergo extensiveplastic surgery. MTV’s “IWant a Famous Face,”shows individuals whoendure painful surgicalprocedures to resemble a movie star of theirchoice.

Society also places emphasis on lookingyounger longer. Billboards, commercials, andmagazine covers are constant reminders ofwhat our society considers beautiful.

Dr. Rafael Avila, a local plastic surgeonand member of the American Society of PlasticSurgeons, said that the majority of surgeries heperforms are cosmetic.

“The increase in the number of surgeries

performed is due to the fact that people respondto society,” said Avila. “Almost all of the pro-cedures I conduct are for cosmetic purposes.Breast augmentation and liposuction are proba-bly ranked number one and two, along withtummy tucks and eyelid surgery at three andfour.”

Television shows such as TLC’s “BodyWork” portrays cosmetic surgery as simple andnormal. An individual desires to change theirappearance, so they do it, no problem.

Avila stated that cosmetic surgery is moreobtainable because covering the cost is simple.

“The reason that there are now more tele-vision shows featuring plastic surgery is simplya response to availability,” commented Avila.“Because of financing companies, loans, andcredit, cosmetic surgery has become more

accessible, therefore, ithas become more popu-lar.”

Ashley Westmeyer,a junior at Kansas StateUniversity told theKansas State Collegianthat she believes plasticsurgery should be avail-able to everyone.

“It should be okayfor people to do whatthey want if it makesthem feel good aboutthemselves,” saidWestmeyer.

Aaron Penk, a stu-dent of the DefenseLanguage Institute inMonterey, Calif., dis-agreed because he

believes plastic surgeryshould be used for reconstructive purposesonly.

“I think that plastic surgery should only beavailable to people with serious deformities orinjury,” said Penk.

When asked whether she would accept theopportunity to have an “Extreme Makeover,”Stacey Enslow, a concurrent enrollment studentat the University of Texas- Pan Americanresponded that she would not.

By JENNY LAFARAThe Pan American

Trend: Making the cut

Film students promote College for Texans

See MONSTER page 10

‘Club kids’ reign in‘Party Monster’

By MONICA QUINTANILLAThe Pan American

MMOONNSSTTEERR continued from page 7

Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox and Picture this Home Video

Viewers Rating: 3.5/5

CBS showcases Latin talent

The 5th Annual Latin Grammy Awards were held atThe Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Wednesday, Sept.1, and were hosted by George Lopez.

The event was broadcast live on CBS and includedlive performances by Jessica Simpson, David Bisbal,Paulina Rubio, Café Tacuba, and Incubus.

According to the executive director of the RecordingAcademy Texas Chapter, Wendy Morgan, a requirementfor the performers is that to present they must be nominat-ed for an award.

“The Grammys and the Latin Grammy Awards arethe only award show that give awards based on technicaland artistic excellence,” Morgan said. “It is given by theirpeers, to producers, engineers, artists, writers who are allmembers of the recording academy. It’s an association ofprofessionals in the music industry.”

The event was held in English, and many of the per-formances were combinations of Spanish and English lan-guage artists. This was the case when David Bisbal and“Newlyweds” star Jessica Simpson performed a duet ofher hit single “Angels.”

“When we’re talking about a show that airs on CBS,”Morgan said. “The goal with any television show is toattract the most viewers possible and by bringing in some-body like Jessica Simpson to work on a Latin show bringsin a larger audience. The whole idea is to bring in viewersthat wouldn’t normally watch the Latin Grammys.”

The evening’s big winner was singer/songwriterAlejandro Sanz, who won four awards; he received AlbumOf The Year, Record Of The Year, and Song Of The Yearfor No Es Lo Mismo and its title track.

By JORGE HINOJOSAThe Pan American

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

AROUND TOWNMeetingSept. 9 at 12 p.m.Place: Fine Arts Bldg., Rm. 228Event: The Coalition of Student Artists(COSA) is holding a meeting for stu-dents who are interested in the arts. Allmajors are welcome.Phone: (956)381-3480

Open MicSept. 11 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.Place: Barnes and Nobles gift shoparea. Event: Everyone is welcome to bringpoetry, prose and short stories to sharewith the audience.Phone: (956) 683-7773

AuditionsSept. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. Place: Studio Theater, COAS Bldg., Rm.107Event: Audition for the first children’sshow of the season, “Little Troll withouta Soul.” There are 5 adult and 9 childrenparts available.

ConcertSept. 19 at 7 p.m.Place: McAllen Civic Center AuditoriumEvent: Olivia Newton-John, of “Greece”fame, will perform. There will be a Pre-Party on the patio at 6 p.m.Price: Reserved tickets start at $35.Phone: (956) 638-5231

See SURGERY page 10

Victor Juhasz. News & World Report

The Latin Grammy’sawards artists on a basis

of excellence.

5th Annual Latin Grammy’sBig Winner:

Alejandro Sanz*Album of the Year

*Record of the Year

*Song of the Year

*Best Male Pop Vocal Album

September 9, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9September 9, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 8

When young adults talk to each other,literature, poetry, or reading in general arerare topics of conversation. Instead, thecommon question seems to be, “Did you seeyesterday’s episode of [insert favorite TVshow]?”

While this is to be expected of youngadults, studies show that the decline in read-ing from all ages should be consideredalarming.

According to the National Endowmentof the Arts (NEA), literary reading is declin-ing rapidly, with fewer than half of adultsreading. The organization released a reporttitled, “Reading at Risk: A Survey ofLiterary Reading in America. Dana Gioia,NEA chairman wrote that the report docu-ments a national crisis.

“The decline in reading among everysegment of the adult population reflects ageneral collapse in advanced literacy,”Gioia wrote. “To lose this human capaci-ty—and all the diverse benefits it fosters—impoverishes both cultural and civic life.”

The study shows that the percentage ofthe adult population that reads literaturedropped from 54 percent in 1992 to 46.7percent in 2002, and college-age students,approximately ages 18-24, are the secondlowest age group to read literature.

The effects of a decline in readership ofthe college-age segment may stem frompoor readership as a child. According to anarticle titled “Reading is Essential” on the

Ohio State University website, libraries,bookstores, and schools are all focusing onchildren, promoting reading programs andrewarding children who read the mostbooks with prizes.

The McAllen Memorial Library offers aTexas Summer Reading Club program thatawards children with pizza parties for read-ing a certain amount of books over the sum-mer months. The program is designed topromote reading in young children in thehopes that as they get older they will contin-ue reading for enjoyment.

Gerard Mittelstaedt, director of theMcAllen Memorial Library, said thatalthough the turnout for the summer readingprogram was good, the numbers of childrenwho participate in reading programs is notenough.

“When the number we reach is meas-ured against the total population, it is dis-maying,” Mittelstaedt said.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore in McAllenalso promote reading for young children,and Monday mornings are the busiest timein the children’s section. A group of chil-dren are read stories for about 20 to 30 min-utes by employees, and then the store pro-vides activities that lend to audience partic-ipation.

Store Manager Norma Weston believesthat parents should encourage the habit ofreading in their child as early as possible.

“If we don’t instill the importance of

reading as a child, they won’t continue tolove reading later on in life,” Weston said.“My worst peeve is when a parent comes inhere with a child, and tells them no whenthey ask to buy a book.”

The International Museum of Art andScience (IMAS) in McAllen hosted a SouthTexas Literary Festival on Aug. 28, whichbrought in authors from the Valley to sharetheir experiences as writers. Priscilla AnnRodriguez, marketing director for IMAS,said that the festival was geared towardyoung adult and adult audiences, but themuseum offers other programs that tie inboth literature and art.

“Literature, art, and science have thetremendous potential to spark a young per-son’s imagination and curiosity," Rodriguezsaid. "Which in turn helps them pursue alifetime of learning."

Rodriguez said that children who growup reading tend to develop problem solvingand thinking skills that are required for col-lege.

"The more you read, the better yourcomprehension is, the better prepared youare for the increased amount of reading incollege," Rodriguez said. "Children that donot grow up with the love of reading mightnever understand how important it is, andwill find it incredibly difficult to read in col-lege."

Jose Skinner, a local author and creativewriting professor at UTPA, was one of the

No time for“Once upon a Time...”

featured authors at the literary festival.While he never cultivated a love of readingat a young age, he did read a lot of politicalmaterial as a teenager, and math and sciencetextbooks as a college student. Literaturewasn't as important to him until his twenties,when he wanted to learn how the languageworked, and learned about different people.

"Novels are still the best medium forshowing human beings in all their dimen-sions," Skinner said. "But I didn't realize thisuntil my late twenties. Sure, now I wish I'dread a lot more a lot earlier, but it's never toolate to start reading and writing."

According to www.scholastic.com, read-ing is crucial "to being an informed citizen,to succeed in one's chosen career path, andfor personal fulfillment."

While technology is thought to be part ofthe reason for the decline of reading, it actu-ally acts as a tool for accessing books, mag-azines, and newspapers. So what is to blamefor the decline? A not-so-popular theory isthat the decline in readership may stem froman oversupply of books.

In an article from the New York Times,Laura Miller wrote that people may feeloverwhelmed by the endless amount ofbooks on the shelves, and are "daunted bythe task of choosing from so many alterna-tives, hence their reliance on Oprah" tochoose what to read each month.

Miller concluded by asking, "If everyone

is writing and publishing books, who willfind time to read them?"

So whether the reason for the decline ofreading is the overstocking of books, tech-nology, or people not reading enough aschildren, the solution seems to be to take upreading now, and to continue to educateyourself beyond school years.

By Christina Harris

Illustrations by Eduardo Martinez


September 9, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9September 9, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 8

When young adults talk to each other,literature, poetry, or reading in general arerare topics of conversation. Instead, thecommon question seems to be, “Did you seeyesterday’s episode of [insert favorite TVshow]?”

While this is to be expected of youngadults, studies show that the decline in read-ing from all ages should be consideredalarming.

According to the National Endowmentof the Arts (NEA), literary reading is declin-ing rapidly, with fewer than half of adultsreading. The organization released a reporttitled, “Reading at Risk: A Survey ofLiterary Reading in America. Dana Gioia,NEA chairman wrote that the report docu-ments a national crisis.

“The decline in reading among everysegment of the adult population reflects ageneral collapse in advanced literacy,”Gioia wrote. “To lose this human capaci-ty—and all the diverse benefits it fosters—impoverishes both cultural and civic life.”

The study shows that the percentage ofthe adult population that reads literaturedropped from 54 percent in 1992 to 46.7percent in 2002, and college-age students,approximately ages 18-24, are the secondlowest age group to read literature.

The effects of a decline in readership ofthe college-age segment may stem frompoor readership as a child. According to anarticle titled “Reading is Essential” on the

Ohio State University website, libraries,bookstores, and schools are all focusing onchildren, promoting reading programs andrewarding children who read the mostbooks with prizes.

The McAllen Memorial Library offers aTexas Summer Reading Club program thatawards children with pizza parties for read-ing a certain amount of books over the sum-mer months. The program is designed topromote reading in young children in thehopes that as they get older they will contin-ue reading for enjoyment.

Gerard Mittelstaedt, director of theMcAllen Memorial Library, said thatalthough the turnout for the summer readingprogram was good, the numbers of childrenwho participate in reading programs is notenough.

“When the number we reach is meas-ured against the total population, it is dis-maying,” Mittelstaedt said.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore in McAllenalso promote reading for young children,and Monday mornings are the busiest timein the children’s section. A group of chil-dren are read stories for about 20 to 30 min-utes by employees, and then the store pro-vides activities that lend to audience partic-ipation.

Store Manager Norma Weston believesthat parents should encourage the habit ofreading in their child as early as possible.

“If we don’t instill the importance of

reading as a child, they won’t continue tolove reading later on in life,” Weston said.“My worst peeve is when a parent comes inhere with a child, and tells them no whenthey ask to buy a book.”

The International Museum of Art andScience (IMAS) in McAllen hosted a SouthTexas Literary Festival on Aug. 28, whichbrought in authors from the Valley to sharetheir experiences as writers. Priscilla AnnRodriguez, marketing director for IMAS,said that the festival was geared towardyoung adult and adult audiences, but themuseum offers other programs that tie inboth literature and art.

“Literature, art, and science have thetremendous potential to spark a young per-son’s imagination and curiosity," Rodriguezsaid. "Which in turn helps them pursue alifetime of learning."

Rodriguez said that children who growup reading tend to develop problem solvingand thinking skills that are required for col-lege.

"The more you read, the better yourcomprehension is, the better prepared youare for the increased amount of reading incollege," Rodriguez said. "Children that donot grow up with the love of reading mightnever understand how important it is, andwill find it incredibly difficult to read in col-lege."

Jose Skinner, a local author and creativewriting professor at UTPA, was one of the


featured authors at the literary festival.While he never cultivated a love of readingat a young age, he did read a lot of politicalmaterial as a teenager, and math and sciencetextbooks as a college student. Literaturewasn't as important to him until his twenties,when he wanted to learn how the languageworked, and learned about different people.

"Novels are still the best medium forshowing human beings in all their dimen-sions," Skinner said. "But I didn't realize thisuntil my late twenties. Sure, now I wish I'dread a lot more a lot earlier, but it's never toolate to start reading and writing."

According to www.scholastic.com, read-ing is crucial "to being an informed citizen,to succeed in one's chosen career path, andfor personal fulfillment."

While technology is thought to be part ofthe reason for the decline of reading, it actu-ally acts as a tool for accessing books, mag-azines, and newspapers. So what is to blamefor the decline? A not-so-popular theory isthat the decline in readership may stem froman oversupply of books.

In an article from the New York Times,Laura Miller wrote that people may feeloverwhelmed by the endless amount ofbooks on the shelves, and are "daunted bythe task of choosing from so many alterna-tives, hence their reliance on Oprah" tochoose what to read each month.

Miller concluded by asking, "If everyone

is writing and publishing books, who willfind time to read them?"

So whether the reason for the decline ofreading is the overstocking of books, tech-nology, or people not reading enough aschildren, the solution seems to be to take upreading now, and to continue to educateyourself beyond school years.

By Christina Harris

Illustrations by Eduardo Martinez


On Sept. 4, seven students met for the first time to dis-cuss a project that involves persuading thousands of Texanteens to go to college. These students are putting their use ofbroadcasting skills to the test, through the use of film, in aproject called College for Texans.

"It’s exciting because besides learning the basics inclasses like television production, this is going to be more ofan actual job with actual productions and deadlines," broad-cast television and film major Carina Medrano said.

"I’m also excited because they were only going tochoose five broadcast students, and I was the fifth to bepicked."

Overall, seven students were selected to take part in thisinternship at the University of Texas-Pan American.According to Chelsea Benham, radio, television and produc-tion supervisor, the interns will use $32,000 worth of newfilm equipment.

The interns are Rick Aguirre, Nicole Boychuck, DeniseCantu, Crystal Kief, Carina Medrano, Monica Quintanilla,and Rita Reyna. They will work 12-20 office hours a week,and this does not include outside work.

"The kids are really ‘gung ho’ about this," Benham said."And this is attitude-driven. They’re hungry for it; they wantthis kind of experience. That’s what this internship is about,

to help these students become really marketable, so they caneasily compete in bigger markets."

Benham, who will be completing her second year atUTPA on Oct. 1, comes from markets that have allowed herto work on cable networks such as A&E and The HistoryChannel. She currently holds 17 regional, national, and inter-national awards including South East Regional Emmy forentertainment. With these qualifications; Benham claims sheknows how to help a student become marketable after col-lege.

Along with the College for Texans Internship, and underthe guidance of Benham, the interns will gain a larger knowl-edge of the programming industry.

"The idea is to be bigger than a "local news" kind ofgraduate," said Benham.

"Getting to know the real ins and outs of programmingand distribution."

Kief, who plans to finish school in December, is excitedabout the internship because a project like this is what willmake her marketable after graduation.

"I felt very honored, because it's a great opportunity tobuild my resume and when [Benham] came to speak to ourcreative strategies class, I realized, this is exactly what Ineed," Kief said.

If successful, the College for Texans program will pro-mote college consideration for high school freshmen andsophomores.

"We're the only university, presently that I know of, thathas decided to do a project like this," Benham said. "Becausewe're the only, we're not just targeting Hispanics, we're tar-geting a general market which is high school freshman andsophomores.

"[The city of] Austin is very eager to get the final videoand involve it in its advertising campaign," she explained. "Itneeds to be of very high standards, original material, written,produced and post produced by the students."

College for Texans is a project of the Texas HigherEducation Coordinating Board.

According to their website, there is $3 billion availablefor Texans who want to attend college. This film project is aresource the board is using to help get that message across ina statewide campaign called “Education. Go Get It.” Thegoal for the campaign is to enroll 300,000 more prepared stu-dents beyond the 200,000 already enrolled by 2015.

"It’s exciting because its not just a production, it’s aproject that will eventually promote higher education,"Medrano, who will be working on videography and research,said.

Currently, because of the extensive workload, opportu-nities are still available for those interested in participating inthe College for Texans internship. Anyone who wishes to usehis or her skills in television, journalism, cartoon and anima-tion, please contact Benham at [email protected].

“I don’t think I would," said Enslow. "I have been given the body Ihave, I’m not going to drastically change it.”

When considering these drastic surgeries, people tend to forget aboutthe risks.

“Any surgery is risky,” said Avila. “My job in a consultation is toinform the patient that there are risks and make sure that they are aware ofthem. One thing that I have noticed about these shows is that in the con-sultation, the doctor does not talk about the risks.”

A face-lift, with an average surgeon’s fee of approximately $5,283,can potentially cause injury to the nerves that control facial muscles.Liposuction, a $2,224 procedure, can cause clotting, infection, and shockfrom fluid loss. These are a couple of the risks to consider before crawlingonto that surgery table.

Enslow also talked about her awareness of the dangers of cosmeticsurgery.

“To most people, it is worth the risks,” stated Enslow. “But I would-n’t want to be that one in 1,000 that ends up maimed or dead from goingunder the knife.”

SSUURRGGEERRYY continued from page 7

rather than humans. His abusive childhood may be partially to blame forhis attitude toward people.

Although this world seems unreal, it is real and this is apparentthrough the supporting cast. Seth Green plays James St. James, whoconsidered himself the original “club kid.” His character seems to havea bit more of a human touch. James' addiction to drugs is very present,but is not as dominate as Alig's. James seems to have a bit more controlof his life. Critics think Green's performance outshines Culkin's.

According to a TV guide review, Culkin's Alig has the face of adebauched cherub, but the former child star never quite captures thecharisma everyone swears was an essential component in Alig's success.Green's St. James steals the picture out from under him (poetic justiceof a sort), and the supporting cast is nothing short of amazing.

If the ‘80s is of any interest to you, this film is a unique portrayalof the time. Complete with classic ‘880s music, costumes, and nightlife.For the complete experience, check out the DVD in all retail stores nowwith special features including interviews with actors and the real Alig.

Take a step back in time to the late1980s, and witness the era of the “clubkids.”

According to www.Ggreg.com, thesenon-gender specific “club kids,” who werefueled by the AIDS epidemic, the sup-posed oppression of the Reagan Era, andthe newly imported rave scene, were a cul-tural phenomenon of the late 1980s andearly 1990s. The outlandish and outspokenNew York party scene is revisited in this

2003 movie, "Party Monster."Based on the partially autobiographi-

cal book "Disco Bloodbath" by James St.James, this movie is a shockingly real rev-elation into the life of Michael Alig,played by Macaulay Culkin of the "HomeAlone" fame, and his “club kid” followers.

This movie shows the brutal effects ofexcessive and addictive drug use and theevents that lead to Alig's 1996 arrest afterhe bragged on television that he killed hisdrug dealer, Angel Melendez.

Alig went to Manhattan in search of

his identity after experiencing a troubledchildhood growing up in a single parenthome. He finds his niche throwing partiesat Limelight, a famous nightclub. His goalwas to be the icon for “club kids” and to bethe most outrageous by wearing increas-ingly elaborate costumes.

If nothing else, this movie should beseen for the lavish costumes. Many wereoriginals donated by real “club kids.” Themovie contained over 1,000 costumes.

The DVD’s special features offer aportion of the original documentary donefor the 1998 Cinemax “Reel Life” series,which shows the characteristics of the realAlig.

Culkin attempts to capture Alig'scharacter, but lacks certain magnetism andcharisma. There is a lack of humanity inthe way Culkin portrays Alig. He seemsunreal, but so does Alig's life. There is,however, a definite sense of distance thatCulkin keeps from his audience, in thesame way the real Alig did with hisfriends. His friends were objects to him,

■ Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 & 9

■ Internship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

■ Latin Grammy’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

September 9, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 10

A&E ■ ■ ■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Appearance-conscious individuals areonly a phone call away from a new nose, chin,or cheeks.

Cosmetic surgery has become somethingof a trend for Americans within the last coupleof years, due to the growth in availability andacceptance of optional plastic surgery. Whilemany seek out the fountain of youth, others arerushing to get tucked, tightened, suctioned, andtweaked like never before to achieve a trim ath-letic profile to the likeness of Barbie and Ken.

Twenty years ago, plastic surgery was onlyaffordable for the rich and famous. Today, it’savailable to almost anyone with a credit cardand vacation time. According to U.S. News andWorld Report, more than8.7 million people under-went cosmetic surgery in2003, up 33 percent fromthe previous year, andthey spent $9.4 billion.

This growing trendmay be fueled by the con-stant portrayal of plasticsurgery in the entertain-ment industry. Realityshows such as ABC’s“Extreme Makeover” andFox’s “The Swan,” fea-ture participants whoundergo extreme transfor-mations to the other asthey undergo extensiveplastic surgery. MTV’s “IWant a Famous Face,”shows individuals whoendure painful surgicalprocedures to resemble a movie star of theirchoice.

Society also places emphasis on lookingyounger longer. Billboards, commercials, andmagazine covers are constant reminders ofwhat our society considers beautiful.

Dr. Rafael Avila, a local plastic surgeonand member of the American Society of PlasticSurgeons, said that the majority of surgeries heperforms are cosmetic.

“The increase in the number of surgeries

performed is due to the fact that people respondto society,” said Avila. “Almost all of the pro-cedures I conduct are for cosmetic purposes.Breast augmentation and liposuction are proba-bly ranked number one and two, along withtummy tucks and eyelid surgery at three andfour.”

Television shows such as TLC’s “BodyWork” portrays cosmetic surgery as simple andnormal. An individual desires to change theirappearance, so they do it, no problem.

Avila stated that cosmetic surgery is moreobtainable because covering the cost is simple.

“The reason that there are now more tele-vision shows featuring plastic surgery is simplya response to availability,” commented Avila.“Because of financing companies, loans, andcredit, cosmetic surgery has become more

accessible, therefore, ithas become more popu-lar.”

Ashley Westmeyer,a junior at Kansas StateUniversity told theKansas State Collegianthat she believes plasticsurgery should be avail-able to everyone.

“It should be okayfor people to do whatthey want if it makesthem feel good aboutthemselves,” saidWestmeyer.

Aaron Penk, a stu-dent of the DefenseLanguage Institute inMonterey, Calif., dis-agreed because he

believes plastic surgeryshould be used for reconstructive purposesonly.

“I think that plastic surgery should only beavailable to people with serious deformities orinjury,” said Penk.

When asked whether she would accept theopportunity to have an “Extreme Makeover,”Stacey Enslow, a concurrent enrollment studentat the University of Texas- Pan Americanresponded that she would not.

By JENNY LAFARAThe Pan American

Trend: Making the cut

Film students promote College for Texans

See MONSTER page 10

‘Club kids’ reign in‘Party Monster’

By MONICA QUINTANILLAThe Pan American

MMOONNSSTTEERR continued from page 7

Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox and Picture this Home Video

Viewers Rating: 3.5/5

CBS showcases Latin talent

The 5th Annual Latin Grammy Awards were held atThe Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Wednesday, Sept.1, and were hosted by George Lopez.

The event was broadcast live on CBS and includedlive performances by Jessica Simpson, David Bisbal,Paulina Rubio, Café Tacuba, and Incubus.

According to the executive director of the RecordingAcademy Texas Chapter, Wendy Morgan, a requirementfor the performers is that to present they must be nominat-ed for an award.

“The Grammys and the Latin Grammy Awards arethe only award show that give awards based on technicaland artistic excellence,” Morgan said. “It is given by theirpeers, to producers, engineers, artists, writers who are allmembers of the recording academy. It’s an association ofprofessionals in the music industry.”

The event was held in English, and many of the per-formances were combinations of Spanish and English lan-guage artists. This was the case when David Bisbal and“Newlyweds” star Jessica Simpson performed a duet ofher hit single “Angels.”

“When we’re talking about a show that airs on CBS,”Morgan said. “The goal with any television show is toattract the most viewers possible and by bringing in some-body like Jessica Simpson to work on a Latin show bringsin a larger audience. The whole idea is to bring in viewersthat wouldn’t normally watch the Latin Grammys.”

The evening’s big winner was singer/songwriterAlejandro Sanz, who won four awards; he received AlbumOf The Year, Record Of The Year, and Song Of The Yearfor No Es Lo Mismo and its title track.

By JORGE HINOJOSAThe Pan American

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

AROUND TOWNMeetingSept. 9 at 12 p.m.Place: Fine Arts Bldg., Rm. 228Event: The Coalition of Student Artists(COSA) is holding a meeting for stu-dents who are interested in the arts. Allmajors are welcome.Phone: (956)381-3480

Open MicSept. 11 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.Place: Barnes and Nobles gift shoparea. Event: Everyone is welcome to bringpoetry, prose and short stories to sharewith the audience.Phone: (956) 683-7773

AuditionsSept. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. Place: Studio Theater, COAS Bldg., Rm.107Event: Audition for the first children’sshow of the season, “Little Troll withouta Soul.” There are 5 adult and 9 childrenparts available.

ConcertSept. 19 at 7 p.m.Place: McAllen Civic Center AuditoriumEvent: Olivia Newton-John, of “Greece”fame, will perform. There will be a Pre-Party on the patio at 6 p.m.Price: Reserved tickets start at $35.Phone: (956) 638-5231

See SURGERY page 10

Victor Juhasz. News & World Report

The Latin Grammy’sawards artists on a basis

of excellence.

5th Annual Latin Grammy’sBig Winner:

Alejandro Sanz*Album of the Year

*Record of the Year

*Song of the Year

*Best Male Pop Vocal Album

September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 6 September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 11

Marijuana continued from page 3

A practicing drug counselor for five years, he has seen 8-year-olds in treatment formarijuana use. Ruiz said changing these beliefs is the key to modifying behavior in thosewho use marijuana even casually.

Using the analogy of putting poison in a beloved pet’s bowl he asks those he counsels,“Would you poison your dog’s food?” Hearing a mortified negative response, Ruiz followsup with the questions, “Don’t you love yourself? Why are you poisoning yourself?”

Dealing with real problems like low college graduate levels, domestic violence issues,lack of values in some indigent households even modeling parent drug abuse, thecounselor said Hispanic youth might find it easy to try to use drugs for escapism.

Ruiz challenges all youth to “take responsibility and don’t blame others for yourmistakes. You choose to use, others didn’t make that decision for you.”

Some users like Juan say that in his experience the viewpoint on inadequate educationis inaccurate. The psychology major that also aspires to a minor in criminal justicecounters that given facts about marijuana; young people should make their own educatedchoices.

“If I had children, I would educate them before I tell them about my use of drugs,” Juansaid. “I would try my best not to impose my views on them. That’s their decision. If that’swhat they choose than they will have to deal with it on their own.

“I was just 12. I had more education than most kids my age. I was selected to go to amore academically advanced school. So it was not a lack of education that pushed me totry marijuana. My parents told me all about those anti-drug messages. I said, yes becauseI wanted to.”

Researchers say that high school students are saying, no to marijuana use because anti-drug initiatives seem to work. However, marijuana use in older college level students isgrowing.

Findings in the study “Monitoring the Future 2003: In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-,and 12th- Grade Students” by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and University ofMichigan, conducted in December 2003, support this belief.

In the study, responses seemed to hinge on the age of a user. For instance, beginning with eighth-graders 17.5 percent said they have used marijuana

in their lifetime. Tenth-graders said approximately 36.4 percent had used and 46.1 percentof high school seniors said they had used the drug.

Among college students and adults ranging from ages 19-40, a 1975-2002 study by theNational Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan called “Monitoring theFuture National Survey” showed that in 2002 about 50 percent of college aged students,and 57 percent of young adults up to age 28 said they used marijuana in their lifetime. Ofthe same groups, 34.7 and 29.3 percent said they had used marijuana within the past year.

Juan admits to distributing marijuana to minors, some elementary age students.“I didn’t offer it to them,” Juan stated. “I don’t advertise. They know people who know

me. I’m a middleman. People just ask me.”There is no question that the logistical nature of the Rio Grande Valley, along a major

drug trafficking route, correlates with statistics showing Hispanic youth marijuana use isrelated to border population, according to Jody Guerra Palmer Drug Abuse Centercoordinator.

“Being on the north side of the border, puts us in a unique area,” said Guerra the 14-year veteran counselor. “This is where drugs are staged in the way of being stashed andpackaged before they move further north.”

As for Hispanic youths being a more susceptible target he notes that the abundance ofdrugs is a major factor.

“It’s the abundance," Guerra said. "Drugs are more available here so the price goesdown. It’s easy to get them here.”

With no trouble finding an affordable supplier, Juan admits he took his drug use toanother level.

“I’ve experimented with other drugs, but not as a direct result of pot,” Juan claims. “Ican tell you for sure. There are a lot of things I haven’t tried and won’t try. I’ve nevergraduated to harsher things.”

Experts say that eventually marijuana use leads to a considerably more potent chemicalabuse. According to a report “Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know” by the NationalInstitute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, it is considered a gateway drug.

While not all people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs, using marijuanasometimes lowers inhibitions about drug use and exposes users to a culture that

encourages use of other drugs,” long term study findings show. In addition, the study addsthat those who use marijuana are up to 104 times more inclined to begin using cocaine.

Guerra agreed. In the future, he hopes to see more efforts to emphasize the fact thatmarijuana is not a drug of a lesser degree, but one that is equally dangerous to youth asany other.

“I don’t like to use the expression that marijuana is a gateway drug,” Guerra stressed.“The reality is that it’s just as bad and we should view it that way. It’s not O.K. A dangerof marijuana use is not seeing that following this path, leads to this place.”

Guerra said that the push to legalize marijuana is an argument championed by some, butdoes not constitute safety.

“The fact of the matter is, it’s still illegal," Guerra said. "Users still suffer negativeeffects, legal or not. It still has negative effects on health, family and spirituality. Throughdenial, they fail to see the real dangers.”

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reported that of the estimated438,202 prison population, 29 percent of the incarcerations are related to substance abuse.

At UTPA, a $90,000 annual Drug Free Initiative makes it easier for college students tohave affordable access to substance abuse treatment. The UTPA Alcohol and Drug AbuseProgram (ADAP) gets operational and staff funding also in part from student fees.Students have access to information, peer counseling and the services of Miguel Lopez, alicensed professional counselor.

Lopez has his own theory about challenges facing youth concerning marijuana. He characterizes what is happening to Valley teens and pre-teens as young as eight and

nine-year-olds who just happen to be Hispanic, as consequences of ‘availability and cost.’Lopez said easy access to cheap drugs makes growing up in this border region a

challenge. He said the prevention and intervention unit sees an average of 10 students persemester with up to 30 to 40 clients annually. Lopez said alcohol is the number one reasonstudents visit the center for help.

“It’s very easy for students to cross over to Mexico and drink if they are underage,”Lopez said.

He added that approximately three students have come in for marijuana counseling inspring 2004.

Delivery of marijuana carries a punishment of confinement in jail for a term of not morethan 180 days. In addition, those charged may face a fine not to exceed $1,500 or both tojail time in TDC for life, or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 15 years, anda fine not to exceed $250,000.

Commute continued from page 4

said. "On the way home too, it helps you forget about somethingthat upset you. I can go home and concentrate on my family."

Though some commuters like Valdez and Jacquez enjoy thecommute, others argue that living on campus is essential toexperiencing college. The dorms, the bikes, the leather-strapsandals make a college student. Commuters are just commuters.

"I guess it might be good to live on campus," said Valdez. "Butit all depends what you want of college."

Many UTPA students know what they want out of college, anindividual desire and goal that is not restrained bygeneralizations and conceptions. Commuter or not, they moldtheir experience at UTPA to their life and needs. Commuting istheir reality.

"I have to be at home right now,” Noe Monsivais said. "But Imust come to school too.”

served before moving to the Valley – andUT-El Paso, both state MSIs.

Wherever this takes him, Rocha is lookingforward to furthering his education in thismanner.

“It’s a learning experience, right now wehave only had a one-week seminar, and weare going to have a series of six differentones throughout the year,” Rocha said. “I amgoing to be mentored by a president of anHSI. The experience will help us to be verycompetitive for positions as provosts orpresidents.”

Rocha explained how he plans to use hisnew training to move UTPA, a place where80 percent of the students are Hispanic, to abetter place academically. He wants theEdinburg campus to become a householdname.

“I was appreciative of the fact that I hadbeen selected and that I will continue mytraining as a leader in higher education,” hesaid. “What I learn in this yearlong process Iwill use to help move UTPA to the next levelof leadership in the nation…as a major if notthe premier HSI in the country.”

Rocha envisions UTPA to be universitythat Hispanic students can call their premier.

“One of the things I would like to do is tomake UTPA the premier HSI in the country,”Rocha said. “You know non-Hispanicwhites have their Yale their Princeton theirHarvard. Black-Americans have theirHoward, Mason, Grambling; those aremajor prestigious black universities. I wouldlike to contribute to making UTPA thepremier, the most recognized HSI in thecountry.”

ROCHA continued from page 4

“I was a product of the Nancy Reagan ‘Justsay no!’ era. The phrase didn’t make mewant to avoid them [drugs]. It just made mecurious.”

-Juan (anonymous), UTPA student

STC continued from page 1

‘Bachelor’s in Applied Technology in TechnologyManagement,’” said Reed. “What we want to do isbuild on the technical skills of our students andprepare them for supervisory and managementpositions.”

Reed explained that after surveying thesecompanies they were able to determine if graduateswith this type of degree would be useful to thesecompanies.

“We designed the curriculum and we had to presentit to the Higher Ed Coordinating Board to approve theprogram and they have approved the program, Reedsaid. “That was the first step, the next step is allcolleges and universities in the south are credited bywhat is called The Southern Association for Collegesand Schools, it is the same body that credits UTPA.

Reed and the administration will conduct a self-study to evaluate STC to decide whether the collegemeets the accreditation standards to be a bachelor’sdegree granting institution.

December will be when the accreditation body willmake their decision on whether STC will receiveaccreditation. They hope to admit their first class inthe fall of 2005.

Reed is confident that students will have a greatinterest in pursuing a Bachelor’s at STC.

“There is a big interest for two reasons, one arestudents that have attended the college love it andwant to earn a Bachelor’s degree here,” she said.“Then there is another group of students thatrecognize this degree will lead to a pretty good paying

job for them.”There is an interest from existing students to

continue their education at STC.“I would consider staying at STC to get a

Bachelor’s only if they offered the degree I ampursuing or a degree of my interest,” said Ochoa.“Staying at STC is more convenient, less expensiveand the classroom sizes are smaller, so I would preferstaying at STC, but it would depend on which degreesthey would offer.”

The institution is allowed to offer up to fiveBachelor’s degrees, there will be research done in theValley to see which programs will get students goodemployment.

“What we will do is talk to the community and tothe employers because we are only interested indeveloping a program that leads to employment,”explained Reed. “We are not going to train anybody ifthere aren’t any jobs so it will have to tie into a realdemand in the Valley and we know healthcare is one,but we haven’t gone beyond that. We would have totalk to the employers.”

One of the biggest issues that is being looked atwhen deciding which new degrees are being offered isthat the degrees that will be offered at STC are notalready being offered at UTPA.

“We do not want to duplicate anything that is beingoffered at UTPA,” said Reed. “State resources aresimply too tight for us to duplicate what is happeningat the university so this is a degree that is not beingoffered at the university.”

2003 fall semester. “The students had to do all the planning, setup, lighting, and

publicity,” Santiago said. “Everyone got involved and each one had anassignment to do regarding the commitment. It was an excellentopportunity for the students to see how to open up a gallery and abusiness, and on top of that it was a fabulous learning experience.”

The past semesters has seen a closer working relationship betweenart and communication, something Santiago said he was trying to getgoing. He also said another contribution he felt he gave as departmentchair was the Latin American studies tour, a two-and-a-half weekminimester in Oaxaca, Mexico.

“I spoke with Dr. Richard Phillips who spearheaded this project,”said Santiago. “I opened it up so that more students could get this oncein a lifetime opportunity. There we added digital photography, designI, and drawing. We’re already planning for this year’s trip toGuanajuato.”

While Richard Hyslin is the temporary chair right now, the searchfor a permanent chair will begin soon. Lenard Brown, an art professor,said that he believed that it will take a year or two before a permanentchair is found. But he said that right now a search is on for an outsidechair.

“The tenure-track faculty is young and replacing retirees,” Brownsaid. “They want a senior person who is already had tenure.”

Taking over the role of department chair for the time being is Hyslin,who was chair of the department from 1980 to 1994. Although he hasthe experience, he said that he wasn’t seeking this position and he willonly be interim chair until someone more permanent is found.

“Right now, we’re just going to try to keep things moving,” Hyslinsaid. “We have a lot of input from faculty so we’re moving in a waythat has good consensus within the department.”

While he would not comment directly on Santiago’s situation,Hyslin did say that he hopes the issue does not linger past a certaintime.

“Everyone is hoping that this doesn’t create ill feelings that festerand stay in the department,” Hyslin said.

Art chair continued from page 1

Photo courtesy of www.uscis.gov

Writing center helps studentslearn rules, dismiss old habits

Stephen Ambrose was a famous historian known forhis books about American history. He had many honorsand achievements to his name but in a flash it all camecrashing down.

His credibility and reputation was tarnished due toallegations of plagiarism. Though he claimed it waspoor attribution he committed, he lost the respect andadmiration he once received.

College students encounter the same problem.Usually, students are not aware of the troubles that canarise from plagiarism, even if it is unintended. Thisproblem can easily be avoided with the properguidance.

The University of Texas-Pan American UniversityWriting Center [UWC] located in the library, focuseson teaching students the proper ways of documentinginformation among other things.

Director of the UWC Judy Davidson believes thatsince it's the beginning of an academic year, studentsneed to be reminded of the seriousness of plagiarismand how to avoid it.

"Sometimes, I think when they [students] get out ofhigh school, they've forgotten the concept that if it's adirect quotation they better attribute the source," saidDavidson. "But they don't get the idea that sometimesif they paraphrase someone's ideas they still need togive credit and document that individual source.

"So I think sometimes students have a hard timegrasping that you give credit to your source for otherthings than just direct quotations. It's for ideas, fornumbers, references, statistics, anything that's notcommon knowledge."

Teresa Garcia, writing center supervisor, agrees thatstudents may sometimes have a misconception of somesort. They think that by mentioning their source intheir bibliography it covers the bases, but it certainly

does not. Students must credit their source whenparaphrasing.

But why do students have difficulty citing theirsources when paraphrasing?

Garcia said that students don't do enough criticalreading. Sometimes they may not want to or have timeto read the information several times to fullyunderstand what the source is saying. Therefore, thestudent finds paraphrasing grueling.

"They [students] write something that's very

derivative," Garcia said. "It relies too much on thesource because they don't really understand what thesource is saying. So I think one way to reduce that isjust to get students to really take the time to read well."

Garcia said that the UWC is there to help studentsstrengthen their documentation skills.

In doing so, peer tutors are available to assiststudents. Currently there are eight under-graduates andeight graduate/degree tutors that are certified by theCollege Reading and Learning Association, aninternational certification organization.

Peer tutors are required to attend a workshop everyThursday where they are trained and are sometimesinformed by faculty members of their documentationstyles. Tutors, in turn can gain a better idea of how to

By JENILEE HERNANDEZThe Pan American

“I think sometimes studentshave a hard time grasping thatyou give credit to your source,”

-Judy Davidson, UWC director

See WRITING page 12


Art Department Chair, Reynaldo Santiago, resigns.

September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 5September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 12

Among the many booths at the student recruitmentfair Tuesday, Mike Blackwood was putting themoves on students. Self defense moves that is.

Sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug AbuseProgram from the Student Life and TransitionalServices, the purpose behind the demonstration was,“to enable UTPA students to understand that thereare ways to ensure their personal safety on and offcampus,” Miguel Lopez, organizer of the event said.

Martial arts expert, Blackwood is a minister atHarvey Drive Church of Christ in McAllen and hasbeen teaching regular classes of Ju-Te-Ryu tomembers for nine years.

“People tend to confuse self-defense with martialarts. Self defense, you have to be real grounded,”Blackwood said. “It’s not fantasy, you don’t havetime to warm up. The more a person is aware themore you can reduce your chance [of beingattacked].”

Blackwood was able to show a small group ofstudents what to do should if attacked. But as heexplained it’s not only knowing where the attacker iscoming from.

“You’re dealing with the human body,"Blackwood explained. "There are only so manyangles that an attacker can come from."

Christy Ramirez, a senior finance major,participated in the demonstration. She feels that intoday’s society, self-defense is necessary.

“I think it’s always important to know when todefend yourself,” Ramirez said. “Now that I learneda couple of moves, I feel like I’m in a betterposition.”

The latest figures from the UTPA crime reportindicate that there were a total of 10 reported

assaults both residential and non-residential in 2002. Lopez attributed the growth of the student

population to those numbers. “As a result of this [increase] students bring with

them different behaviors,” Lopez stated. “Manystudents due to their youth and inexperience oftenallow their behavior to be influenced by peers,alcohol and their misperceptions of what is normal.”

Both Lopez and Blackwood agreed that today’ssociety, including the growing threat of terrorismplays a significant role in how the public view selfdefense and well-being.

“As social problems in communities become morecomplex and as UTPA enrollment continues toincrease, issues in student safety will continue togrow and change,” Lopez said.

“Perhaps the greatest asset to student safety is toassist the student not only in their academic IQ, butalso in the development of their social andemotional.”

Self-defense offers student empowerment

With a projected increase of job positions for registerednurses (RN) many students are becoming interested in thefield. According to the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services by the year 2020 there will be a shortageof 800,000 RNs.

However, many students are being turned away byuniversities due to a lack of professors. There arecurrently 150 students admitted into the University ofTexas-Pan American's nursing program; 140 are takingthe required pre-nursing courses.

According to the nursing department chair, CarolinaHuerta, about 60 are enrolled in the graduate program.

“We are also having problems with the nationalshortage of faculty,” Huerta said. “There have been morestudent applications for the BSN [Bachelor of science innursing] program but we are only able to admit 80students each spring.”

Universities across the country are running into thesame problem due to health-care jobs with better pay andfewer nurses in doctoral programs. According to Huerta,the shortage of faculty is due to the fact that manyprofessors are “baby boomers” who are retiring from theprofession.

“The average age of the nursing faculty isapproximately 50 years of age,” Huerta explained. “Thereare also so many other opportunities in nursing and inother fields that being a nurse educator is not asappealing.”

The nursing department has been advising students to

help the national nursing andfaculty shortage by attendingrecruitment events, offeringflexible schedules for returningnurses and implementing measuresto retain more students. Anotherway would be to increase thecapacity pre-nursing classes and byworking closely with area hospitalsto provide the quality nursinggraduates that are needed.

“We are encouraging students toenter into our graduate program,”Huerta said. “In order to teachprofessional nursing in the State ofTexas, you must have a Master’s innursing or a Master’s in anotherfield with at least six hours ingraduate nursing courses.”

Amanda Gamaz, a sophomoretaking nursing classes at UTPA andSTC, joined the nursing programbecause she had a desire to helpothers and finds the lack of faculty to have somebeneficial outcomes.

“Although a solution must be made in order to recruitmore qualified professors to teach in the nursing field, theshortage has caused students to become competitive,[and] it makes us try harder to get into the program,”Gamez said. “In the long run all of our hard work will beworth it and if more of us consider teaching in the fieldwe will help reduce the shortage in nursing and

professors.”Huerta was presented with the opportunity to teach at

Pan American College 30 years ago due to a nursingshortage, and it has been her life’s vocation ever since.

“I found I truly enjoyed helping student achieve theirgoals,” Huerta explained. “I have since, of course,obtained a master’s and doctorate. I believe my effortsand those of our faculty who have been here a very longtime have been very beneficial to our community.”

Nursing numbers in need of augmentationBy LYLONY CAZARESThe Pan American

Joel De La Rosa/The Pan American

EVERY VOTE COUNTS— Students stop by the “Rock the Vote” table Tuesday at therecruitment fair to register for the upcoming presidential election.

By EMMA CLARKThe Pan American

Mike Blackwood conducts demostration withfreshman Stephen Rodriguez (above), seniorChristy Ramirez and junior Annel Zamarron(left).

you work, or at least you have references therethat can vouch for you then I think that makes ita little easier as well.”

The desire to stay in a field where she hadexperience led Ciomperlik to UTPA’sUniversity Relations department, but desire towork for something she believed in ledMichelle Duran to stay in Edinburg.

Duran graduated in December 2002 with adegree in computer science. Just as Ciomperlikhad, she found her experience at UTPA to begratifying.

“It was absolutely fabulous,” commentedDuran. “It was the complete college educationfor me, it was getting my degree beyond just anormal education, but actually gettingeverything from campus life to mentoringcomponents to an actual professional position.It was pretty much the complete well-roundededucation.”

As a student, Duran worked with the StudentLeadership Program, working with severalstudents that had a lot of potential. She saidthroughout her college career she saw howstudents in the Rio Grande Valley wereoverlooked and believed that those at UTPA hadmore potential than people may have thought.Once it became time for her to graduate, sheknew she wanted to stay at UTPA and helpensure that its students get everything they

deserve. “I believe in the program I’m working with

now, I believe the Valley has so muchpotential,” stated Duran. “I saw that thestudents I was fortunate enough to work with inmy undergraduate career, the StudentLeadership Program, had a lot of promise, andthat all our students have a lot of promise ifthey put time and effort into their work. I reallysaw all the potential of what could be.”

Being a former student is advantageous toDuran beyond familiarity with buildings oncampus. She said it provides her with an edgethat no one else has, and that’s being aware ofwhat it really is like being a student at thisuniversity, in this community.

“Because of the fact that I’m from Pan Am, Igraduated from here, I think it’s just been acomplete asset to my professional position,"stressed Duran. "It helps me understand thepopulation that I’m working with because I wasone of the population. It helps me see thelimitations and the strengths of the students.”

Duran said that the university has taught herboth academically as well as professionally andsaid that she is delighted in her decision toattend and work at UTPA.

“It’s just been the place that I’ve found myroots in, and it’s my home away from home,”she concluded.

Alumni continued from page 3

2005

125,000

213,500

381,250

800,000Projected RN Shortage

By 2020, the projected RNshortage will be 800,000

2010 2015 2020

Sou

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Dis

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.com

Writing continued from page 11help students write well and avoid plagiarism.

Peer tutor, Delma Maldonado, does encounter students who unintentionallyplagiarize.

"They think that it's sufficient just to have a works cited or bibliography butthey don't realize that there needs to be internal documentation,” Maldonadosaid. “And that's probably the most common problem. They don't cite thingswithin the text.”

When assisting students, Maldonado usually asks them what information iscoming from the source so she can teach the student to cite it properly. But shedoes not condone intentional plagiarism.

"It's dangerous. It's really risky business. It's your decision ultimately. Youcan get busted for it but know that there are going to be serious consequencesand of course, you can be kicked out of school for it,” Maldonado said. “Ipersonally don't think it is worth it.”

To help against this problem, tutors inform students that there are a varietyof handbooks to assist them. Since there are different writing styles that requiredifferent types of documentation, the writing center has handbooks andhandouts for Modern Language Association (MLA), American PsychologicalAssociation (APA), Chicago Manual and Turabian.

Tutors also tell students to ask their professors for samples of references orwork cited lists to know what has to be done and improve the quality of work.

Another concern the writing center stresses to students is that not everythingposted on the Internet is reliable and accurate. Students need to do theirresearch and find out if the source they plan to use is credible, commentedDavidson

Though the Internet can be a beneficial tool in writing a paper, it opens aPandora's box. Students can be swept with temptation to purchase an onlinepaper and pass it off as their own, leading to long trail of trouble.

"You know, if an instructor were to just pick up just the language of thesentence being awkward and didn't seem like it was your language, and wereto type in into a Google search, or some kind of interface where they can do asearch, they're going to pull up that paper or parts of that paper," Garcia said.

Garcia said that the tutors do discuss the consequence of plagiarism with thestudents.

"Often if it looks like it's plagiarism or they admit to it, we'll say 'You knowthat's a violation of the honor code.” Garcia said. “’If that's discovered by yourinstructor, you can get taken for disciplinary action before the dean. It'ssomething that could possibly be noted in your academic record and probablyfor the rest of your life and do you really want to do that just to get out ofmaybe a poor grade, maybe a D that you really deserve because you didn't dothe work?'"

Garcia said that the UWC is there for people who need help. She doesn'twant students to think that they are a policing agency.

Since there is no way to know for sure if the student will go ahead andplagiarize, they can't report students. They are just a place to serve and advise.

"So it's kind of a fine line as tutors and as the writing center that we rest uponbecause we want to be helpful to students," Garcia said. "We want them tobecome the best writers that they can possibly become and at the same time wehave to operate within the university and encourage them to adhere to allpolicies, including those regarding plagiarism and the honor code."

Davidson and Garcia both said it is better for the student to write their ownpaper and earn their grade honestly. It's all about personal integrity.

Sophomore business major Elizabeth Resendez gets writing advicefrom Juan Ovalle at the University Writing Center.

Melissa Martinez/The Pan American


September 9, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 4 September 9, 2004 SPORTS Page 13

College students hustle between dorm rooms andclasses on ten-speed bikes, metal scooters andleather-strapped sandals, or so the generality goes.

Michael Jacquez, a University of Texas-PanAmerican freshman, drives 40 miles fromHarlingen through narrow half-constructedhighways, around school buses, and lingers in acongestion of cars around the university untilreaching class. This is the reality of UTPAcommuters.

The university estimates that many of theirstudents commute from the lower Valley, a drive of30 minutes or more. Yet, these students put asidethe generalizations and recognize the necessitytheir life presents them, ordinary or not.

"My dad has polio," Jacquez said. "My parentsstill need me at home to help with a lot of things."

Like Jacquez, many students prefer stayingcloser to home to be with their families. JavierCavazos a sophomore pre-med student prefersdriving 45 minutes to leaving his family membersbehind, especially his grandfather.

After being offered a full paid scholarship to St.Mary’s University in San Antonio, Cavazosdeclined in order to stay with his family. Hecommented that 40 miles to UTPA is worth it forthe family.

Others chose commuting to save money. Oscar Valdez, a senior majoring in mechanical

engineering, resided at the dorms in the beginningof his college career. However, paying $515 forrent at the dorms proved to be more expensive thancommuting from his parents’ house, Valdezexplained.

"Living at home has saved me money," Valdezsaid. "Not a whole lot more because of gas, but itstill saved me some money."

Students who choose to commute have toallocate their expenses to make room for gas,though predicting it may not be easy. Jacquez setsa budget aside to get him to school every week. Insome cases, it even means sacrificing weekend

activities.The fluctuating prices of gas hinder many

students from choosing to commute. Lidia Ramos, a sophomore formerly commuting

from Harlingen, chose to move to McAllen becausethe drive and the gas prices were too strenuous.

"You have to wake up early and then drivingthrough the mid-Valley construction is stressful,"Ramos said. "Gas is horrible. It takes a quarter oftank to get there and back. It's not worth it."

"I hate it so much," said Noe Monsivais, asophomore who commutes 30 minutes from

Hidalgo. "If it wasn’t for that drive, I could get twohours more sleep."

However, commuting and waking up early servesas an advantage to other students. Living at thedorms tempts many students to sleep in more,eventually neglecting class altogether.

"It’s nice to wake up and be ten minutes fromclass," Valdez said. "But living at the dorms it waseasier to sleep in and skip class. At home, I havemy brothers to get me up. The drive wakes me uptoo."

To students like Jacquez, waking up early in themorning does not lag or drag their mental alertnessfor the rest of the day. It even works as thecounterpart, a daily dose of contemplation toprepare them for the day.

"The drive gives you 45 minutes to clear yourmind and set your priorities for the day," Jacquez

Student commuters:Taking a different course

By CECILIA CASTANEDAThe Pan American

See COMMUTE page 11

What did you do on your summer vacation? Some traveled or worked, and some took either classes or time off. For one

of the university’s six college deans, the summer was one of monumentalimportance, and its effects are still reverberating.

Rodolfo Rocha, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, was one ofonly 10 Hispanic educators selected nationwide to become part of the 2005class at the Kellogg MSI Leadership Fellows Program.

In early August the Alliance for Equity in Higher Education announced thenames of 30 distinguished leaders for this prestigious program including 10individuals each from the American Indian, Hispanic, and African-Americancommunities.

“Having been selected from Pan Am is not only a recognition for myself,but for the institution itself, there were only ten around the nation,” Rochasaid.

This new program is set to prepare these individuals to become the nextgeneration of presidents for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).

There are three partner organizations that make up the Alliance: theAmerican Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC); the HispanicAssociation of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the NationalAssociation for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO).

Rocha explained that prior to receiving this honor and challenge, he hadsome exposure to the same sort of situation. As part of the American Councilof Education, Rocha strengthened his skills to serve as a better dean for thestudents.

“I have had previous training for leadership in the academy,” Rocha said.“I am an ACE fellow, class of ’98. As an ACE fellow you are trained toassume leadership positions in the academy. The academy means theprofession, higher education.

“As ACE fellows we are trained to be senior leaders…I also went toHarvard to continue my training as a leader. Both the ACE and the Harvardare good training, however, the Kellogg is also a training program for peopleto become leaders,” he said. “In this case what they would like for us to do isto become provost or presidents of a university, which is the goal of ACEdoes as well.”

The Kellogg program trains individuals to become the next generation ofleaders at their respective minority institution. The selected few show anoverall commitment to diversity at the vital administrative level.

“The Kellogg focuses on, in my case, becoming a leader at an HSI, whichis a Hispanic Serving Institution. To be a Hispanic Serving Institution youhave to have 25 percent of your student body be Hispanic,” Rocha said.“These are programs to train to become provosts or presidents at theseinstitutions.”

The intensive Kellogg training includes seminars, meetings, a mentor andeven an internship at a campus away from their respective campus, under thetutelage of what is termed a “Model President.” Possible destinations for thistraining include UTSA – where new university president Blandina Cardenas

Rocha’s vacation isfilled with big news


MINGLING- Dean Rodolfo Rocha of the College of Arts and Humanitiesparticipates in Welcome Week to stretch a hand out to new students.


See ROCHA page 6

“You have to wake up earlyand then driving throughthe mid-Valley construc-tion is stressful.”

-Lidia Ramos, sophomore biology major

FOR THE RECORD

Astros notch 12th WinHouston hit four first-inning home runs and tied a team

record of 12 straight wins, beating Cincinnati 5-2 onWednesday.

With the win, the Astros tied Tampa Bay for the longestwinning streak in the majors this season, and are back inthe thick of the playoff race.

"We're on a nice roll right now," first baseman JeffBagwell said to the Associated Press. "It's kind of beenamazing to me, all the home runs we're hitting. I've neverseen it quite like this."

Houston has won 20 of 23 games since Aug. 15 for thebest record in the major leagues during that time, as theybattle for the NL Wild card spot with a number of otherteams.

Bonds hits number 698Barry Bonds smashed his 698th home run but Colorado

still pulled off an 8-7 squeaker over San Francisco onTuesday night.

Bonds is within two homers of joining Hank Aaron (755)and Babe Ruth (714) as the only players to reach 700.

The six-time NL MVP has hit 40 home runs in five straightseasons and in eight overall, tying Aaron, and he had 73homers to set a record three years ago.

Babe Ruth holds the major league record with 11 seasonswith 40 home runs, including 60 in 1927, then the record.

NFL ticket prices spikeThe average cost for a family at an NFL game this year

will be more than $300, according to the Fan Cost Indexcompiled by Team Marketing Reportís annual survey.

According to the AP, the average ticket price for an NFLgame this season will be more than $54, a 4.9 percentincrease from 2003.

The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers had thebiggest average increase in ticket prices. The Falconsraised their average price by 26.2 percent to $43.71. NFCchamp Carolina raised prices by 18 percent to $50.23.

Rockets welcome MutomboHouston traded three reserve guards to Chicago for 7

foot-2 veteran center Dikembe Mutombo Wednesday. An eight-time all-Star and four-time Defensive Player of

the Year, Mutombo is fourth in NBA history with 2,996blocked shots. The Georgetown veteran will be the primary-backup forAll-Star center Yao Ming.

"With the addition of Dikembe, we have bolstered ourinterior defense and rebounding," Rockets general managerCarroll Dawson said. "Dikembe has had a long distiguishedcarreer, but can still contribute on a nightly basis.”

SPORTSCLIPBOARD

NFLToday

Indianapolis at New England, 8 p.m.

Sunday’s Games

Detroit at Chicago, Noon

Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets, Noon

Tennessee at Miami, Noon

Oakland at Pittsburgh, Noon

San Diego at Houston, Noon

Arizona at St. Louis, Noon

Tampa Bay at Washington, Noon

Seattle at New Orleans, Noon

Jacksonville at Buffalo, Noon

Baltimore at Cleveland, Noon

Atlanta at San Francisco, 3:15 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota, 3:15 p.m.

N.Y.Giants at Philadelphia, 3:15 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 7:30 p.m.

Monday’s Game

Minnesota at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.

Note: all times central standard time

HOUSTON ASTROS

Date Opponent Score

Aug. 26 Chicago L-3-8






Sept. 1 Cincinnati W-9-3









Sept. 11 Pittsburgh 12:35p.m.


Sept. 13 OPEN



TEXAS RANGERS

Date Opponent Score

Aug.26 Minnesota W-8-3

Aug.27 Baltimore W-6-4

Aug. 28 Baltimore W-4-3

Aug. 29 Baltimore L-6-7

Aug. 30 Open

Aug. 31 Minnesota L-5-8




Sept. 4 Boston W-8-6



Sept. 7 CHICAGO W-10-3


HOME GAMES IN CAPS

UTPA SPORTS

WOMEN’S GOLF

Date Opponent





Oct. 24 Sam Houston State Tri-Match

Oct. 25 Ellingson/Shu Invitational

Oct. 26 Ellingson/SHSU Invitational



MEN’S GOLF

Date Opponent TimeSept. 13 Fairway Club Invit. (Univ. of Nebraska)

Sept. 14 Fairway Club Invit. (Univ. of Nebraska)



Oct. 11 Crown Classic (Stephen F. Austin)

Oct. 12 Crown Classic(Stephen F. Austin)



Oct. 24 The Nelson Invit (Stanford Univ.)

VOLLEYBALL(partial schedule)

Date Team/Tournament TimeAug. 29 UTPA Alumni W 3-0

Sept. 1 Matamoros Club Cancelled


Sept. 3 (Grambling State) W 3-0


Sept. 4 (Oklahoma Univ.) L 2-3

Sept. 8 at Baylor L 0-3



Sept. 18 at Texas A&M-Int’l 4 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Prairie View A&M 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Air Force 7 p.m.



Oct. 1 at Sam Houston State 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Texas A&M-CC 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Texas A&M-CC 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 No. Colorado 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 Utah Valley State 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 Texas A&M-Kings. 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 UTEP 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 New Mexico State 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 Texas State 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 UTSA 7 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOLFOOTBALL

Week 0

Friday, Aug. 27

Non-district

Brownsville Rivera 21, La Joya 14

Harlingen High 28, McAllen High 17

McAllen Rowe 30, PSJA North 0

Sharyland 56, Economedes 34

Corpus Christi Carroll 21, Donna 9

Weslaco High 28, Mission High 14

Los Fresnos 16, Port Isabel 13, OT

Edcouch-Elsa 51, Hidalgo 41

Progreso 14, La Villa 12

Browns.St.Joseph 69,Santa Rosa 13

Lyford 15, Hebronville 12

Week 1

Thursday, Sept. 2

Non-district

McAllen High 26, Weslaco High 24

San Benito 14, Edinburg High 12

Browns. Porter 34, Brown. Lopez 31

Friday, Sept. 3

Non-district

La Joya 35, Laredo Alexander 7

Mission Vets 21, McAllen Mem. 19

Sharyland 28, Harlingen South 24

Laredo Nixon 20, Rio Grande City 0

Harlingen High 35, Donna 28

Brownsville Rivera 56, Edin. North 0

Browns. Pace 36,Economedes 35

PSJA High 42, Weslaco East 6

PSJA North 35, PSJA Memorial 14

Edcouch-Elsa 50,Tuloso-Midway21

La Feria 14, Mercedes 6

Roma 8, Falfurrias 0

Browns.St.Joseph 18, Hidalgo 13

Port Isabel 32, Monterrey Tech 18

Rio Hondo 47, La Villa 0

Raymondville 26, Mathis 12

Lyford 53, Santa Rosa 0

Premont 28, Progreso 0

Saturday, Sept. 4

non-district

McAllen Rowe 48, Mission High 0

Corpus Carroll 20, Brown. Hanna 13

idle: Los Fresnos

Week 2

Thursday, Sept. 9

Non-district

Weslaco East at Harlingen South

Monterrey Metro at Browns. Hanna

Friday, Sept. 10

Non-district

Edin. Economedes at La Joya

McAllen High at Edin. North

McAllen Memorial at Browns. Pace

Browns. Rivera at McAllen Rowe

Sharyland at Mission

Rio Grande City at Roma

Donna at San Benito

Edinburg High at Harlingen High

Los Fresnos at PSJA High

PSJA North at Mercedes

Browns. Porter at Weslaco High

Browns. Lopez at La Feria

PSJA Memorial at Raymondvile

MMA at Lyford

Santa Rosa at Progreso

St. Joseph at Rio Hondo

Saturday, Sept. 11

Non-district

Hidalgo at Mission Veterans

Idle:Brownsville Hanna, Edcouch-

Elsa, Port Isabel, La Villa

Week 3

Thursday, Sept. 16

Non-district

Bro. Lopez vs. Bro. Pace

Harlingen South at PSJA North

It seems almost unfair. Just as the university’s ins and outs becomeimprinted on the back of a student’s head, it’s time to ship out and starta career. But a few UTPA alumni got lucky. Upon graduation they founda slot to fill right here on campus, with the degree they earned.

Weslaco native Melissa Ciomperlik graduated in August 2002 with adegree in journalism with a concentration in public relations andadvertising. During her years as a student, Ciomperlik formed bondswith faculty and students that made her time at UTPA positive.

“I think the communication department was kind of like a little familyfor me,” said Ciomperlik. “I had a close relationship with all of myprofessors, and I think that really helped my educational experience.”

A former reporter for The Pan American, Ciomperlik went on tocomplete a master’s at UT-Austin and now finds herself writing forUniversity Relations.

She took the job because there was an opening, but also because itoffered work she has done in the past and the chance to get into someinteresting projects.

“I like it so far. It’s kind of good to be able to, I guess in a sense, giveback, and it’s a familiar place for me,” Ciomperlik said. “It’s easierwhen I write stories, I’ve done it all before, the familiarity has made iteasier in the job I’ve done now.”

Ciomperlik said she’s pleased with her choice to stay at UTPAbecause of the trust the university instilled in her in four years as astudent.

“A lot of times, getting a job is more about relationships that youbuild and people that have faith in you, and your references,” saidCiomperlik. “I think that it has a lot to do with that, so if you can get ajob where people know you, and know what you’re like, and know how

Positions filled: Former students stay on grounds

■ Commuting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

■ Dean Rocha . . . . . . . . . . . 4

■ Self-defense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Juan, a University of Texas Pan-American student whoasked to remain anonymous when speaking openly abouthis history of marijuana use, jokes that it was known that heis a marijuana user, it may hurt his future in politics.

He recalls his first time taking a hit from a joint ormarijuana cigarette. He was 12 years old when hisneighbor, a 16-year-old boy, offered the drug to him.

“He was a pretty good friend of mine,” Juan recalls. “Hedidn’t really push it on me. He just asked if I wanted to tryit. Out of curiosity, I tried it.”

What is no laughing matter to area experts is the lack ofgravity youth place on marijuana use. Professional drugcounselors here would also like to amend a study by theNational Survey on Drug Use and Health that said by virtueof race, Hispanic teens are inherently at risk for marijuanause.

Those who differ say it is location, in addition toethnicity demographics, that determine vulnerable youth.

Chances are, Hispanic males living below the povertylevel between the ages of 13 and 15 in Hidalgo Countyhave already tried or have been offered marijuana,according to a study by the Texas Commission on Alcoholand Drug Abuse (TCADA).

The study also proposes that those at risk rank lower thanaverage in education. The higher number Hispanics in theborder region will eventually mirror national findings dueto the nature of Hispanic population growth, according tothe U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.

Juan, the 23-year-old UTPA student, said that despite

anti-drug messages delivered by parents, and in elementary,middle and high school, he chose to interpret their point inhis own way.

“I was brainwashed from day one. I was a product of theNancy Reagan “Just Say No!” era,” said Juan. “The phrasedidn’t make me want to avoid them [drugs]. It just made mecurious.”

Young Hispanics are at a greater risk based on suchmistaken beliefs, plus environmental factors andeducational levels that remain low, according to RobertRuiz, a licensed professional counselor at the South TexasHealth System Behavioral Health Center.

“Those who say they use marijuana out of curiosity are atrisk as well,” said Ruiz. “Once they do it and find it anenjoyable experience, they are more apt to continue to use.

“However, they don’t realize they are taking the roadmost traveled by people who fall into long-term addiction.They use drugs as a coping mechanism. I have heard manyyoung people say, “I use drugs to feel better. They areusually running from a problem.”

Ruiz said all youth has an especially hard row to hoewhen it comes to avoiding drug abuse pitfalls. Heresponded to a study, “Monitoring the Future NationalResults on Adolescent Drug Use: Overview of KeyFindings” that shows 30 percent of youth overlook thedangers of marijuana, but 40 percent relate marijuana usewith popularity.

“Some kids start using because they think it’s cool. Theybegin using because they believe that everybody in schoolmust be using,” stated Ruiz. “We must challenge thesebeliefs and teach young people how to think.”


NEWS

By EDWINA P. GARZAThe Pan American

By ALICIA NEVAREZ-WARNERThe Pan American

High consumption of marijuana among Valley youth

See MARIJUANA page 6

See ALUMNI page 12


MEETING- Michelle Duran (left) chats with members of the Student Leadership Program. She is a2002 graduate, who now works full-time as the coordinator of the program.

*Marijuana is the mostused illegal drug in theUnited States.

*Nearly 69 millionAmericans over theage of 12 have triedmarijuana at leastonce.

*Today’s marijuana is10 to 15 timesstronger than it was inthe �60s.

*Texas Federal DrugSeizures: Marijuana:613,107.3 kgs.

Source: www.drug-statistics.com

EDINBURG -- The EdinburgEconomedes Jaguars opened the 2004high school football season with twolosses at home, but Head Coach OscarSalinas believes the team can bounceback.

“We feel we have a good chance towin,” said Salinas. “We (have) playedwell. Our defense is struggling rightnow, but we’ve play hard.”

The Jaguars (0-2) will be on theroad tomorrow night against the LaJoya Coyotes (1-1) in their last non-district game of the regular season.

Last week the Jaguars had a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarteragainst the Brownsville Pace Vikings,but Pace scored a touchdown and atwo-point conversion to beatEconomedes 36-35.

“We felt we should have won lastweek,” said Salinas. “We have to getthat next piece (to complete ourgame).”

Despite starting the season withlosses, the Jaguars had two big per-formances by senior running backRyan Richardson, who rushed for a

combined 551 yards.“He’s playing like he was publi-

cized,” said Salinas. “He’s a good run-ning back. He’s played two goodgames and proven he is for real.”

The defense has come up short forEconomedes, allowing a combined 92points in the pair of non-districtgames. Salinas believes the entiredefense could use improvement.

“It’s not just our secondary,” saidSalinas. “The defensive line is not put-ting pressure on the quarterback, andthe linebackers are not tackling(well).”

The Jaguars’ defense has allowed atotal of 436 passing yards whileEconomedes’ three quarterbacks haveacquired only 70 passing yards in twogames. Also the Jaguars’ signal callerswere 5-of-18 in pass attempts, andalso threw two interceptions in theirfirst two games.

“(The passing game is) in theprocess of getting better,” said theJaguars head coach. “We are morerunning oriented, but (quarterback)Javier Garza is learning. As the seasongoes along (the passing game) will getbetter and have more consistency.”

Now the team must seek to get ontrack against La Joya, always a strongoutfit.

“La Joya gave us a good game lastyear,” said Salinas. “The kids areexcited.”

Last week La Joya was able to dis-rupt Laredo Alexander’s offensiveline, sacking the quarterback fivetimes for -47 yards in the 35-7 roadvictory.

“They stack everybody against theline like Sharyland,” said Salinas.“Our line understands (what they needto do).”

There is a possibility that Jaguarssenior running backs Richardson andDerek Garcia could see playing timeon defense in Economedes’secondary.However, Salinas would not guaranteethe pair would play on defense.

“If it happens, of course it won’t befull-time,” he promised. “We need toget some stops. One stop would havebeat (Brownsville) Pace.”

Despite the two losses Salinas saysthe team has a great attitude and isready to face the Coyotes.

“They’re down,” said Salinas. “Weknew we had tough games.”

Last week’s season opener for EdinburgNorth (0-1) was a difficult one as they seemedto never find their spark, getting pounded 56-0 by a strong Brownsville Rivera team. Thisweek North looks to regroup at home againstMcAllen High (1-1), Friday at 7:30 inEdinburg.

In other area matchups, Edinburg plays atHarlingen in a game between traditional pow-ers, and Edinburg Economedes faces off at LaJoya against the always tough Coyote group.

“We ran up against a very tough team inRivera,” Edinburg North Head Coach Lopezsaid. “They just took it to us.”

Brownsville Rivera, ranked 20th in thestate, really turned on the heat againstEdinburg North; the Cougars had their handsfull all night allowing 430 total yards.

““They just shut us down,” Lopez said. Histeam will seek to better last week’s 80-yardoutput on offense against Rivera, against aMcHigh team that lost to Harlingen in Week 1.

“We’re a very young team,” he continued.“We are nowhere near where we would like tobe.”

If the Cougars are going to improve againstMcHigh, they will need a healthy Jerry Saenz.The junior running back was sidelined mid-way through the game with a strained neck but

says he is looking forward to returning to playin about a week or so.

Coach Lopez hopes to see someone to stepup and take charge in these next couple ofweeks before district play begins. He said thathe would like to see junior quarterbackRamiro Ramirez and tight end JulioRodriguez take the reins.

“They have to assume the leadership role,”Lopez said. “They need to take the bull by thehorns and become leaders.”

Lopez spoke highly of wide receiversDominic James and Gabriel Quintanilla, say-ing he expects them to be big contributorsFriday.

“They are quality receivers,” he said. “Ihope to get the best out of them.”

Heading into the McHigh game Lopezthinks his team has a better chance thanagainst Rivera, which might be the best teamin the Valley.

“They’re not like Rivera,” Lopez said.“They’re around our level.”

His gameplan this Friday is to set up therunning game early so that the Cougars cancontrol the pace of the game. Lopez reallywants to use the clock and keep the defenseoff the field as much as possible, unlike lastweek.

North wants to cause turnovers and thenhave offense turn them into offensive touch-downs.

Edinburg North Cougars hope to rebound fromWeek Two trouncing, face McHi Bulldogs next

Jaguars look to bounce back

By DARYL GONZALESThe Pan American

By JOEY HINOJOSAThe Pan American

Gilbert Castillo/The Pan American

Edinburg North Cougars during a recent practice this week in preparation for Friday’sgame against McAllen High.

Hockey in Mexico?McALLEN -- It sounds strange,

but it is true. Believe it or not, Mexicohas a national hockey team.

The Mexican National HockeyTeam will make their inauguralappearance against a professionalteam Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.when they take on the RíoGrande Valley Killer Bees atthe Dodge Arena.

“Many people have asked,‘Mexico has a hockeyteam?’” said Killer BeesGeneral Manager TreyMedlock. “It’s going to beunique (the game). Most people herehaven’t seen international hockey.”

Mexico will continue their tour inthe Valley against the Corpus ChristiRayz Oct. 16 at the AmericanBankCenter and finish up Oct. 17 whenthey face the 2004 President Cupchampion Laredo Bucks at theLaredo Entertainment Center.

“I know it’s strange to theMexicans that we have a hockeyteam,” said Mexican NationalHockey Team Head Coach JoaquínDe La Garma. “It’s like a dream cometrue (for the players) to come up andplay at the professional level. It’s the

best experience for them. They’re allexcited.”

Mexico is far from being a worldhockey power, especially when com-pared to its neighbors, the UnitedStates and Canada. However, in thepast five years, great strides have beenmade in Mexican hockey.

After spending the firstfew years getting trounced atthe International Ice HockeyFederation WorldChampionships, Mexico hasstarted to win some medalsin the primarily Europeanand upper North Americansport.

The Tricolores claimed silvermedals in the 2003 Division II quali-fication tournament and recently wonthe bronze in the 2004 Division IIIWorld Championships hosted inMexico City.

Killer Bees Head Coach TracyEgeland believes Mexico will not beeasy prey and will be a good opportu-nity for both teams.

“I don’t think it will be that easy tobeat them,” Egeland said. “Down theroad there may be one of these play-ers playing in the league (CHL). Itwould be great to have a Mexicannational playing in the CHL.”

By The Pan American


1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539

(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican

54rd Year – No. 3

The PA NAMERICAN isthe official studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

The Pan Americangladly acceptsletters fromstudents, staff andfaculty regardingnewspaper contentor current issues.The Pan Americanreserves the rightto edit submissionsfor grammar andlength. Please limitsubmission lengthto 300 words. ThePan Americancannot publishanonymous letters,or submissionscontaining hatespeech orgratuitous personalattacks. Letters areprinted at thediscretion of theeditor and mustinclude the writer’sname, class/titleand phone number.

Letters policy

September 9 2 0 0 4

Readers with dis-abilities mayrequest an alter-native format ofthis publication atThe Pan American

business office. For special assis-tance to attendany event listed inthis publication,contact the coor-dinator of theevent at least oneweek prior to theadvertised date.

OPINION l e t t e r s ■ e d i t o r i a l s ■ c a r t o o n sPAGE 2

Hello,In her editorial "Research institution: a

goal or an impossibility?" Clarissa Martinezwrote, "How can a university jump frompoint A to point C without even slowingdown for point B?" This begs the questionof what she considers point B to be. Perhapsthere is no intermediate step UTPA needs totake before strengthening its researchcapabilities.

Ms. Martinez also misses a couple ofpoints when she says that "with strongerresearch more students from the area will

not have to leave to gain an exceptionaleducation." First, universities encouragemobility. Harvard does not exist soBostonians never have to leave their city tobe educated; quite the opposite. Topuniversities are cosmopolitain, attractingand sending talented people around theworld.

Second, a student who wanted a “truly”exceptional education would still have toleave the area for the forseeable future.Even with the most aggressive push forresearch imaginable, UTPA will not even

begin to approach the prestige of establishedtop flight institutions in Texas, the U.S., orthe world: Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard,etc.

Ms. Martinez concludes that there is noreason to rush research. But she doesn'tprovide many arguments to the opposingquestion: why wait? Research universitieslargely define the cutting edge, which iswhere students should want to be.

Zen FaulkesDepartment of Biology

EditorArianna Vazquez

[email protected]

News EditorClarissa Martinez

clarissa_utpa@

hotmail.com

A & E EditorOmaira [email protected]

Sports EditorEd Chrnko

[email protected]

Graphics EditorsDägoberto Pérez

[email protected]

Franco [email protected]

Ginmarie [email protected]

Graphic/WebDesign

Eduardo [email protected]

Copy EditorDulce [email protected]

Reporters

Angela Canales

Cecilia Castaneda

Emma Clark

Edwina P. Garza

Christina Harris

Joey Hinojosa

Aaron Lozano

Joey Gomez

Photographer

Delisa Guadarrama

Adviser

Dr. Greg Selber

THE

PAN AMERICAN

Deadline to file for May 2005 graduation

Sept.10, 2004


Last day to receive 100 percent refund

Sept. 13, 2004


Graduate Career NightSept. 13, 2004

University Ballroom

5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Business & Internship Job ExpoSept. 14, 2004

Health Physical Education II

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

UTPA Calendarof Events

Letter to the Editor

■ Football. . . . . . . . . . . . 14

■ Hockey. . . . . . . . . . .14

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

PAGE 16

SPORTST h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T e x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n S e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 0 0 4

South Texas Community College had a purpose; tobecome a small community college and open its doors tothose that could not afford a higher education. Almost10 years after STC was created, new projects are in theworks for this growing educational institution.

“We were created in 1993 by the Texas Legislature asa community college for Hidalgo and Starr counties,”said Shirley A. Reed,president of STC.“There were almost600,000 people in thesetwo counties and theydid not have access to acommunity college sothe legislature createdus because every otherpart of this country hada community college incommuting distance butthis region did not,”

STC has gone aboveand beyond of what wasexpected from this oncesmall institution.

“We are only 10 yearsold and we went from1,000 students to nowwe are well over16,000. We may evenapproach 17,000 students this fall,” said Reed. “Wehave grown from this little college that was here inMcAllen to almost now 17,000 students.

After starting the first campus in McAllen, STCCquickly grew to five campuses offering 80 degree andcertificate programs.

The community college, however, has taken a steptoward changing its image. The name South TexasCommunity College that represented the institution hasbeen changed to South Texas College.

“It is part of that we have grown and become a verylarge institution,” explained Reed. “Legally we are acommunity college, we will always be a community

college; however, when you offer a Bachelor’s degreeyou usually don’t call yourself a community college youuse the term ‘college’ instead so that is simply what weare doing. We feel that we are now becoming a collegeand we have had very positive response from thepublic.”

Some students, however, don’t seem to mind whetherthe name of the institution would change or not.

Sophomore management major Cynthia Ochoa saidthat she may have seen a difference if the name change

came before she was astudent at STC.

“I don’t see a bigdifference in thechange,” said Ochoa.“I guess if I was a newstudent I might seethe difference, butsince I was anexisting student thename really doesn’tmatter.”

The name changewas inspired,however, by a breakthat STC got from theTexas Legislatureafter it was announcedin the last legislativesession that STC wasone of threecommunity colleges

in the state selected to participate in a pilot programallowing these colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees.

“Last legislative session, a bill was introduced to pilotallowing community colleges to offer a bachelor’sdegree,” Reed said. “This is something very, very newand so they selected three community colleges in Texas.

“They selected us, Midland College, and BrazosportCollege to pilot-test offering a bachelor’s degree. Wehave 10 years to pilot this and then they will evaluatethe success and decide whether to continue it or allowother community colleges to do the same.”

“The first one that we want to offer is called

THE

PAN AMERICANA student’s candid reflection of marijuana

New Bachelor’s degrees will not affect UTPA

See Page 3

See STC page 11

Art chairunexpectedly

resignsWith the sudden resignation of its department chair, the art

department is trying to get organized for the fall semester.There is speculation that Reynaldo Santiago was asked to step

down after complaints from faculty and staff; however, Dr. RodolfoRocha, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, quicklydispelled these rumors.

“There were some issues in the department that he thought otherpeople would be able to handle better,” Rocha said. “[Santiago] feltthat someone, other than himself, could make better choices at thistime.”

Griselda Arias, a senior graphic design major, felt that Santiagowasn’t the right person for the job. She said that a lot of people haddifferent experiences with him as a professor, and that what upset alot of students was that he’d just assign a project, but not explain itright. This, she explained, caused most people to think he wasn’tapproachable.

“He bumped heads with a lot of people,” Arias said. “I think itwas good that we can get somebody in here that’ll do somethingabout the department.”

A person associated with the department, who wished to remainanonymous, agreed that

Santiago shouldn’t have been department chair because he didn’thave tenure, which department chairs usually have. The person alsosaid that, aside from not having much experience, he did not havepeople skills.

“[Santiago] was having trouble with students, faculty, and the artcommunity. There are discrepancies about him and gossip, somemight be true, some not. I think that he was being evaluated and wasasked to leave because he was trying to take over a lot of activitiesin the art department.”

Santiago, who will remain at UTPA as a professor, provided nocomment for the statements against him, saying only that itwouldn’t be productive to stir things up at this time. Regarding hisresignation, Santiago said that he left the department on his own.

“It was time for a change and not everybody was ready forchange,” said Santiago, who took over last year for long-time chairNancy Moyer. “The department is growing really fast and it’s timeto catch up to 2004.”

While he was only departmentchair for a year, Santiago insiststhat he was productive and thatmany good things came out ofhis year in the position. One ofhis proudest achievements wasthe planning and opening of anexhibit in a new venue inMcAllen. It opened officially asa gallery Dec. 6 after having beenplanning at the beginning of the

“[Santiago]felt that some-one, other than

himself, could makebetter choices.”

-Rodolfo RochaDean of Arts and

Humanities


STC not our enemy

Shuttle Happy

See ART CHAIR page 11

By CHRISTINA HARRISThe Pan American

The new shuttle

buses have arrived

at UTPA. Although

the schedule for the

shuttle has not been

finalized, pedestri-

ans can look for-

ward to getting to

class earlier.Melissa Martinez/The Pan American

Ginmarie Mabry/The Pan AmericanChanges are taking place within the UTPA athletic depart-ment.

On Sept. 2, university movers and shakers convened toacknowledge the athletic program’s certification by theNational Collegiate Athletic Association. This certificationproves that UTPA is a viable Division 1 program, andis the result of rigorous NCAA evaluation, designedto ensure integrity in an institution’s athletics pro-gram.

Director of Athletics William Weidner said certifi-cation proves the program’s commitment to promot-ing athletic success as well as the graduation of stu-dent athletes.

He said it justifies all of the hard work and effortthat has been made over the past six years.

“We have tremendous credibility now, we have respectamong membership and I see a bright future for our athleticprogram,” Weidner said. “We’re continuing to evolve andwe’re growing.”

UTPA was initially fully certified in 1998. This year, thesecond cycle of the process, differs as the NCAA took an up-close-and-personal tour of every aspect of the athletic pro-gram. The next step in the ongoing process occurs in 10years.

“The six years here have been among the most rewarding

I’ve ever had because of the way we were,” Weidner said. “Ihave a lot of pride in our people and student athletes becauseof how far we’ve come.”

UTPA previously has suffered a series of setbacks andcertain NCVAA violations caused them to be an uncertifiedprogram.

Weidner said that prior to six years ago, the average GPAof all student athletes was way below studentbody average.

“Our GPA is (now) one of the top in thecountry,” he said.

Currently, student-athletes have an average2.88 GPA going into the fall semester.

51 percent of athletes, last year, had a 3.0GPA or higher. Seventy-four percent of allscholarship student-athletes over the past 10years have graduated.

“Athletes, he or she, have to understand that collegiateathletics is about developing a whole human being,” saidUTPA president Dr. Blandina Cardenas during the certifica-tion press conference. She added that students who developcan enhance society because they have been in athletics.

Weidner and Cardenas agree the most important thing fora student is to graduate.

“It’s going to be an exciting time for our athletic pro-gram,” Weidner said. “We really do have a lot to be proudof.”

Marco Garza takes a chair in the vacant “nosebleed”section of Edinburg Roadrunner Stadium. In a few minuteshe will move out from the heat to a shaded cluster of tablesoverlooking the park.

On the field, however, Garza challenges all kinds of“heat” before notching another hit to bolster his average.

Last season, he led the Broncs in hits (69), runs (44),and had a batting average of .356.

Garza, 20, earned a spot on the Cincinnati Reds trainingfield after try-outs in Edinburg and Bay City. The 6-footinfielder said his future with the Reds depends on howgood he does at practice and whether he can avoid injuries.

“If I don’t do good, or an injury happens I think they’ll(Reds) release me,” Garza said.

The former UTPA standout began his baseball career atage 4 in Reynosa, Mexico. After having the experience ofplaying in the Little League championships he attendedSharyland High School, where he earned All-Rio GrandeValley, All-Area and All-District honors.

Garza said he developed strength at Sharyland when hebegan lifting weights in preparation for high schoolbaseball.

“The coach (in Sharyland) is pretty good and has a goodprogram,” Garza said. “He works pretty hard.”

Garza said his coaches at Sharyland got him noticed byscouts for the Cincinnati Reds organization. He wasexcluded from the draft, however, after missing fourgames last season.

“They (scouts) looked at everything,” Garza said. “I

missed four games and I missed school and that’s why (Ididn’t get drafted).”

“They want discipline,” Garza said.He was, instead, drafted by the Navojoa Mayos of the

Winter Mexican League, a league where it is notuncommon to have retired major league players playingalongside younger prospects like Garza.

“I can still go over there (Navojoa),” Garza said. “Butthe Reds don’t want me to go.”

Instead, Garza said he spends his time “trying to doeverything right,” in order to “get ready”. He said that to“practice is my job.”

“If you don’t work hard, you won’t feel ready,” Garzasaid.

Despite the obvious challenges of moving from collegebaseball to the majors, Garza said he feels relaxed andcalm, adding he needs to adjust but suspects goodcoaching with the Reds will help

Garza said his experience at UTPA playing againstDivision I pitchers will help. His former coach, UTPA’sWillie Gawlik, said the coaches were excited about Garzagetting an opportunity; they think he will do well.

“He’s a hard worker,” Gawlik said. “He’s always been ahard worker…he plays great defense and he swings the batwell so I’m looking forward to him having a great career.”

“I think he’s going to do alright,” said assistant coachKiki Trevino, himself a former Valley standout player, atP-SJ-A. “ He did well for us and every year he got better.And I think that’s what the Reds are expecting him to do.”

Garza said he welcomes pressure and thrives on it.“ I like it,” he said. “I raise my level of play under

pressure.”

Seeing Red: Ex-Bronc to play in majors

UTPA athletics recertified by NCAA for 10 years

Joey Gomez/The Pan American

Former University of Texas-Pan American President MiguelNevárez (left), new President Blandina Cárdenas (center), andAthletic Director William Weidner (right) at the NCAA certificationof the UTPA held Thursday, Sept. 2.



Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

Former University of Texas-Pan American infielder Marco Garza signeda pro contract to play with the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 19.

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