by Carlos Guardiola
Editor-in-Chief
At a recent introductory conference, one member of the media asked the 56 year- old gentleman at the podium the question, "Dr. Jennett, you haven't been immersed in Laredo politics too much yet, but some people do feel it's very divisive. How will you incorporate the benefits of this university to the betterment of Laredo as a community, specifically through your involvement in politics, if there's going to be any?"
The response: "I'm going to be the President of Texas A & M International [University]. The politics are for the politicians. I think we're all here to build this region, help our young people, and help fill jobs. Politics is the art of human relations, to some degree -- finding ways to work things out among one another. And we may not always agree how that works, but as long as we keep talking, I think we can be friendly." The speaker capped off with a joke, "I'm looking forward to the opportunity of meeting the people who are the professional politicians, and the amateurs and everyone in between."
Those words were spoken by the next President of TAMIU, Dr. J. Charles Jennett, who previously held the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Clemson University in South Carolina.
As Provost, Jennett was responsible for strategic planning at Clemson University, and oversaw academic programs for more than 17,000 students, 1,200 faculty and 300 staff. As Dean of the College of Engineering at Clemson, he worked to increase minority freshman enrollment in engineering programs from less than 2 percent to more than 15 percent, making Clemson one of the top twenty producers of minority engineers in the nation.
Jennett was also responsible for increasing annual giving to Clemson's College of Engineering from $140,000 a year to more than $5 million a year.
Dr. Jennett succeeds Dr. Leo Sayavedra, who assumed the position of Deputy Chancellor for Academic Institutions and Agencies with the TAMU System in College Station. Mr. Jose Garcia, who has served as Interim President since January, will return to his position of Vice President for Finance and Administration for TAMIU.
Jennett is expected to join TAMIU on or after August 1. He was one of three finalists recommended to the TAMU Board of Regents after a nationwide search by a 15- member Presidential Search Committee, which was comprised of TAMIU faculty, administration, alumni, members of the Laredo community, and one student.
Chancellor Barry B. Thompson said he was extremely pleased with the Board's decision. "In addition to his distinguished academic and administrative record of superior service, Dr. Jennett is above all a strong and dynamic leader," Thompson said. "His comprehensive wealth of experience and understanding of higher education's critical and changing role in our society puts him on the cutting edge of higher education leadership."
Thompson is expected to negotiate the details of an employment agreement with Jennett, who will be the fourth president of TAMIU.
Jennett received his Ph.D. in environmental and water resources engineering from the University of New Mexico and earned master's and bachelor's degrees in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Jennett is listed in American Men and Women of Science, Who's Who in American Education, and Who's Who in America. He was named Outstanding Civil Engineering Alumnus for 1992 at the University of New Mexico and earned master's and bachelor's degrees in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Jennett is listed in American Men and Women of Science, Who's Who in American Education, and Who's Who in America. He was named Outstanding Civil Engineering Alumnus for 1992 at the University of New Mexico College of Engineering, and he is an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.
Jennett belongs to various fraternities, including Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Fraternity, Chi Epsilon Honorary Civil Engineering Fraternity, and Sigma Xi Honorary Fraternity.
In addition to academic honors, Jennett has worked on international projects in North Sydney, New Waterford, and Halifax, Nov Scotia, Canada. He has also been a visiting researcher to the Applied Geochemistry Research Group in the United Kingdom, and an advisor to water and wastewater treatment officials of the City of Natal, Brazil.
Since 1969, Jennett has been an active private consultant to companies including Litton Industries, Dow Chemical, and Martin Marietta Energy Corporation. He has professional registrations in four states, including Texas, and holds active Q clearance from the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as Top Secret clearance from the U.S. government.
Jennett's areas of research have included a focus on anaerobic digestion; biological operations on domestic and industrial waste treatment; and stream pollution abatement schemes.
Jennett and his wife, Linda, are native Texans. Linda Jennett spent her childhood in the Rio Grande Valley and is a former Laredo resident, graduating from Martin High School. Dr. Jennett has ties in San Marcos and Austin areas.
by David Velasquez
On June 21, 1996 Phase II of the Laredo Water Conservation Ordinance went into effect in response to one of the city's worst droughts in years which, according to the Laredo Morning Times' official rain gauger James Unwin, has brought only 9.31 inches of rain to the Gateway City to date. According to a city of Laredo Water Utilities official who requested to remain anonymous, the ordinance was passed because people need to understand that "water conservation is a major factor" in our city as "we need water to live." However, since its implementation, concerns have surfaced in regards to whom this ordinance is targeted at, and why?
According to the Laredo Water Utilities, community response to the new ordinance has been very good as residents are complying with the new regulation without incident. However, some concerns have already been raised about the new regulation's failure to include the business community as well as other entities such as local schools and government agencies which, according to some, tend to be very wasteful. According to Mario Gonzalez, a graduate student majoring in Education Administration, one does not need to go far to see this wastefulness. Gonzalez stated that every day that he strolls through the Texas A & M International University campus, he notices the water sprinklers spraying water all over the sidewalk. On other occasions, Gonzalez sees students sprinting to avoid the sprinkler's spray. When informed that the city's ordinance only targeted residents, and not commercial or government entities, Gonzalez quipped that "water conservation should be a community effort as it affects us all. We all pay taxes and we are all affected by the lack of water. If you have a bag of water that is leaking, how can you solve the problem by patching up some of the holes instead of all the holes?" Another student, Herlinda Nieto, a graduate student majoring in Counseling Psychology, stated that she has "noticed the university's sprinklers on everyday even though ordinance requires us to water our lawns once every other day." The student further stated that she has "driven by on University Boulevard and noticed water all over the Boulevard. I think that they need to look into it. How come they can do it and we can't?" demanded the student. The student expressed surprise when told that the city's ordinance was only targeted at the residential population. Other students, when approached on the matter, seemed to echo Gonzalez's and Nieto's views on water conservation being a community effort. All those interviewed expressed surprise that only residents were required to conserve water.
In an effort to find out more about the water sprinkler problem on campus, several calls to the University's maintenance office were made, but not returned. Further attempts to locate the maintenance manager were also unsuccessful.
When told of some of the concerns being raised by some members of the community about the city's seemingly unilateral ordinance, the Laredo Water Utilities official stated that since the ordinance is contingency-based, the business community is not affected unless the city is forced to go to Phase III, in which case the whole community, including businesses, would be required to conserve water. According to the source, the city ordinance is contingent on the water situation in Laredo. If the water situation is okay, then the ordinance is kept at Phase I, but if the situation worsens, as it is now, then Phase II goes into effect. Should the water situation get even worse, then the regulation's ultimate phase will take effect, forcing residents and businesses alike, to conserve water. The official did caution that Phase III "depends on many factors" and is based on "nothing you can predict." The official further stated that the business community's nature of responding to rules of "supply and demand" has much to do with the commercial sector's higher status on the water conservation scale.
When asked about the city's enforcement policy, the official responded that they rely on the community's efforts in reporting neighbors who violate the ordinance. He also stated that the department also ensures compliance by driving through the community. According to the official, the department's preliminary goals are to educate the community on the importance of water conservation and the rules to follow under the recently passed ordinance. For more information about the ordinance, call 795-2600, or visit the office at 4002 Bartlett.
I am responding to the article, "English 3301: What's Up With That Class?" because several comments are inaccurate and misleading.
First, the reporter states that "faculty have questions about this course." This is grossly misleading. Most of the English faculty agree that a large number of transfer students coming to TAMIU simply do not have the requisite reading and writing skills for college graduates. There have been theoretical disagreements about how the course should be implemented, but a large majority agree that the course must be retained in order to maintain some quality control over the reading and writing skills of TAMIU graduates. Moreover, this course has been instituted, not solely by the English department, but at the prompting of many faculty and administrators across disciplines and colleges.
Second, TAMIU has every right to require additional classes of transfer students. Transfers have not necessarily met OUR institutional standards. ENGL 3301 establishes some uniformity in the reading and writing of students. The professors at TAMIU have both the right and the obligation to set standards and ensure that they are met. The State of Texas expects that state institutions of higher learning encourage high achievement and maintain high expectations. This desire for excellence is also the reason that students who begin their careers at TAMIU don't have to take ENGL 3301. Because they complete their English curriculum with TAMIU, they do not again have to demonstrate their mastery to the professors who have already passed them.
The reporter's comments about the use of the TSWE are also in error. He indicates that students who pass the TSWE turn in their portfolios to their instructors and are not required to pass them. This is untrue. Students who pass the TSWE are not required to turn in their portfolios for departmental review, but these students still must receive a cumulative passing score of 70 on their essays, or they will have to repeat the course. Professors have even compelled students to repeat the course who passed the portfolio review yet failed their course work. This is rare, but it has happened. Thus, students must pass both the course AND the portfolio review. (For the Fall, there will be an exemption policy, which has not been codified, so I cannot provide specifics at this time).
Finally, I agree with Dr. Rhodes' comment that transfer students are not "forced to take their English classes" at another campus. And because we remain unconvinced of transfer students' quality of writing or mastery of language, the English department (ESFA) continues to administer this class. By now, most transfers know that English 3301 is a required class. Unhappily, its apparent difficulty for many of the transfer students is but a confirmation of its actual need. Despite its difficulty, however, former students have often told me that English 3301 was a valuable class for them, focusing on their writing weaknesses and reinforcing their strengths. More importantly, once students enter the job market, employers should have the reasonable expectation that their newly graduated employees have acquired appropriate reading and writing skills. Mandating the English 3301 class remains one of the best ways for students to prepare for their professional lives and achieve their professional goals. At TAMIU, the English faculty are dedicated to developing reading and writing skills for the long-term, painfully recognizing that what students desire is not necessarily what they need.
Jeffrey Cass
Associate Professor of English
I am writing this letter in response to the article, Eng 3301: What's Up With This Class?, which appeared in the May/June edition of The Bridge student newspaper.
I must in all honesty agree with the comments of Mr. Patrick Lopez on the sad state of the English 3301 course. I must further state that the assertions of Dr. Francis Rhodes were unfounded and insulting to Laredo Community College, its students, and its instructors. I have EARNED an Associate's Degree from Laredo Community College and I am happy to report that the courses in which I was required to enroll were complete in every sense and more than adequate to meet the needs and standards of Texas A&M International University. I attended and passed both English 321 and 322 along with other English courses; I can assure Dr. Rhodes that those classes were no "piece of cake."
Aside from the English courses taken (13 hours in all), there were many, if not all, classes that dealt with writing term papers. In one science class alone, given by Ms. Pamela Vaughan, Science Department Chair (no Ph.D.), I must have written over twenty long and short papers. Ms. Vaughan and all my instructors at LCC demanded properly written and documented papers. Not just the content of the paper but also the mechanics of writing was considered for the course's overall grade.
Ninety eight percent of the time spent at LCC was learning-productive. The instructors were professional, helpful and most importantly, they were knowledgeable. Inasmuch as I can appreciate and acknowledge the significance and benefits of possessing a Ph.D., I flatly reject the notion that a Ph.D. makes an exceptional or superiorly qualified instructor, it is a combination of education, devotion, interest . ..that molds the scholar and while instructors at Laredo Community College may or may not possess Ph.D.'s, they do have the knowledge and dedication.
Dr. Rhodes' assertion concerning their capabilities for teaching is unwarranted, inaccurate and, in my judgment, quite discriminatory.
In my estimation, Dr. Rhodes' statement:
"If students feel that this [mal] practice was [or] is unfair, I would remind them that they were not forced to take their English at either campus . . . ."
can be summed-up as illogical, insensitive, unprofessional, and harmful to the morale of the faculty of Texas A&M International University.
Attending a college or university means that students will spend a considerable amount of time perfecting their writing skills--or they will be looking at poor or failing grades. As for the English 3301 course, it should be taken by all students (LCC & Texas A&M) or by no students. The student's grades determine whether the necessity for Eng 3301 really exists. If Dr. Rhodes and Texas A&M International University really do have the students "best interest at heart" then they should not place obstacles, such as, financial and/or emotional burdens, in front of students. While I realize that writing skills are vitally important in the job market and although I would not mind, but enjoy taking Eng 3301, I do not enjoy or favor the class being shoved down my throat, like castor oil. The English Department should resolve this situation concerning Eng 3301 to the best interest of all, not just Texas A&M . . .
Further, it is my understanding that four-year universities in the State of Texas, are required to transfer equivalent courses, such as Eng 321, 322 for Eng 3301 without penalty or judgment. Requiring Eng 3301 in addition to those courses may be a violation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requirements.
Thank you,
Edward P. Matos
Thank you for your recent letter of inquiry concerning activities, events, and attitudes of the newly-elected Student Government Association, at TAMIU. You raise a number of questions and I can only comment on the issues about which I have knowledge. I don't believe that it would be appropriate on my part to speculate about what "might be" or "could have been."
May I begin by saying how appreciative I am that we have a student newspaper that is concerned about issues that occur on campus and is asking questions. You are exhibiting good journalistic procedures to attempt to get the facts on any subject.
This academic year, 1995-96, is the beginning year for our University with a lengthy litany of many FIRSTS. I dare say that within another year, we will see many adjustments to what we had initially planned to be in place this year. The only thing that is constant in higher education is change. Such is the case for the Student Government Association. A great deal of effort was extended to create and develop a framework for this new governing group. In my view, the group has started normally and has developed along an excellent path. However, no organization is perfect and there will always be controversy and discussion. This behavior is healthy and adds to the strength and credibility of the organization.
The leadership of SGA is attempting to assist the association in establishing it's own identity. This is manifested in a number of ways through programming, projects, club development, and appearance. The Executive Branch and the Senate have had a very busy Spring working through a number of issues involving the understanding of the budget process.
The budget of the SGA is an extension of the Department of Student Development and is so monitored. The Director of Student Development must verify and sign all requisitions developed by the SGA. He also assists the Treasurer of the SGA in producing regular reports for the SGA. In his role and function, the Director advises and ensures that the budget is maintained legally and within the policies and procedures of TAMIU, TAMUS, and the State of Texas. The Director's role in this function is compliance, accountability, and education. By no means, should this role be interpreted as interference but should be understood as professional.
In your letter, you referred to two resignations offered by a member of the Senate and a member of the Judiciary as a reflection of these two members frustrations with process. You would need to speak with those individuals to ascertain their motivations for their action. I believe that neither of the resignations were accepted and both of the individuals were encouraged to withdraw their resignations in order to resolve their differences and to remain as productive members of the SGA. As of this writing, I believe that this is the case.
Finally, I am aware that there are several openings in the SGA and SGA is also aware of this situation. During this first year, SGA took office earlier than normal and it was intended to permit this new group to become grounded and familiar with the constitution as well as processes at the University. The planning retreat in April began the process of goal-setting and members of the Executive Branch will reconvene in Summer to review the goals and further develop the plan of action and implementation. Some of the priorities will be to fill openings in early Fall, 1996. We are also in the process of updating the University Student Handbook, which will outline a set of procedures for Student Due Process. The SGA Judiciary will need this prior to their own completion of the Rules of Court.
I am not aware of the statements to which you refer about SGA becoming a "rubber stamp for TAMIU administrative policies as a method of sidestepping any student objection." (sic) If anything, the encouragement from the administration to SGA is be independent yet involved in all processes of the University, to encourage participation, and to seek the truth. During this next academic year and subsequent years, involvement by the students will be essential to the future of the clubs and organizations and ultimately, the University student life. When provided the opportunity, students must be encouraged to request and attend forums with administration and faculty, volunteer to serve and participate on University committees, seek ways to help the University to move forward, become actively involved in the preparation for the Planned Student Development Center and seek offices in SGA or clubs when they are available.
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns and questions. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience for any other information.
Sincerely,
Stephen Brown, Ed.D.
Dean , Student Affairs
by Carlos Guardiola
Editor-in-Chief
"context, n. - 1. The part of a written or spoken statement in which a word or passage at issue occurs and that often specifies its meaning. 2. The circumstances in which a particular event occurs; situation." (From The American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd College Edition).
This editorial will probably raise levels of discomfiture for some, but, after all, the ancient Chinese proverb does say, "Into each life a little rain must fall."
Two articles in our last edition came under fire from a faculty and an administrator: Dr. Frances Rhodes and Dr. M. Stephen Brown, respectively.
The first complaint concerned an article which I wrote, titled "SGA Critics, Supporters Speak Their Minds."
Fresh after printing, Dr. Brown e-mailed me with the concern that I had taken his quotes "entirely out of context" and that the statements I attributed to him "did not occur in the manner that you presented them."
The details of this first complaint are variegated and complex; I can only comment, in this limited space, that I perceived nothing wrong with the manner in which I used Dr. Brown's quotes because, at bottom, Dr. Brown's chief concern was that I did not print the entire letter which he sent me in response to my inquiries.
The editorial policy does give me, as it does every editor on The Bridge, the right to slice, dice, chop and saute every item that is submitted for publication, and as long as this is done responsibly, there is nothing wrong with it; this is the process known as editing.
Often, such editing is done for space considerations, and other times, I feel that it should be done to clarify any obfuscation of the central or underlying issues that are in discussion. I stood by the accuracy of my article.
No sooner had I put that matter to rest than I received word of Dr. Frances Rhodes' debacle.
It appears that another article, titled "ENG 3301: What's Up With That Class?" was angrily received by people at LCC, including President Ramon Dovalina.
In the article, Dr. Rhodes makes the comment, "...Although many of the teachers at LCC are very fine teachers, some are not, and only a few have Ph.D.'s in the subjects in which they teach."
No Richter or Modified Mercantilli scale could have measured the shock waves that ensued, and Laredo Community College was the epicenter.
Dr. Rhodes read the article in question, including her quotes, immediately after the edition hit the campus. For one week, she did not complain about her quotes.
But then she was called to a meeting with Dr. Jerry Thompson, the new Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities — and her boss — after which she had a conversation with the original author of the piece, James Kirchenbauer, and proceeded to fire off a letter to LCC English Chair Gustavo Villarreal, Jr.
In her letter, she apologized profusely for any offense taken, and she laid blame at the doors of The Bridge. (After she blamed The Bridge, Dr. Rhodes contradicted herself by writing that there was "no one person to blame.")
Dr. Rhodes wrote that she was misquoted and quoted out of context; that The Bridge was published under the auspices of her office, so she felt ultimately responsible for the disaster; and that, in the future, any quotes made by TAMIU faculty and staff must be reviewed by the interviewee for accuracy.
Unfortunately, this letter was written and circulated to everyone from Provost Larry Boyd to the faculty of the Department of English, Spanish and Fine Arts, which Dr. Rhodes chairs.
This is unfortunate because it left out me, the editor-in-chief, who traditionally assumes the burden of handling any public-relations nightmares regarding the content or context of everything that appears in the paper, from cartoons to classified ads.
First, Dr. Rhodes' quotes were not taken out of context at all or misquoted.
I have the sheet of written responses which Dr. Rhodes provided to our reporter, and I verified that her quotes as they appear in the "ENG 3301" article are indeed verbatim.
Second, aside from occasionally borrowing the printer in Dr. Rhodes' outer office, The Bridge is not published under any auspices of official University viewpoints, including those of the English department. Our masthead declares, "A Student-Run Newspaper," and that is exactly who we are and what we do.
Third, we have neither the time nor the need to have our material reviewed (read censored) by anyone in the upper strata of the University.
The Bridge exists autonomously as a service to the University population — students, faculty, and administration alike.
Moreover, we at The Bridge have not behaved irresponsibly. Such charges will occur entirely without basis, as it is the traditional response to scream, "Context!" whenever something hits too close to the truth.
Moreover, I have no problem with complaints of the type that Dr. Brown forwarded; he inquired with me directly and candidly over what he believed to be incorrect reportage. In effect, he entered into a discussion with clean hands.
I have a real problem with the course of action that Dr. Rhodes chose. She literally went behind my back, and declared that, with her letter, she considered the matter closed.
This is unacceptable. Dr. Rhodes' letter of apology also gave The Bridge a black eye. As editor-in-chief, I have something to say about that.
I wrote this editorial against everyone's advice, including my faculty advisor, Dr. Michael Angulo. But it is my disappointment at untruths such as those contained in Dr. Rhodes' letter which compelled me, as these accusations will ruin the newspaper's credibility if taken at face value.
I would reassure our readers that the editors and staff at The Bridge and the Journalism Club have worked very hard to write fair and accurate articles. We will continue to do so, despite the current spate of false criticism.
by Jaime F. Alvarado
Recently, there have been many incidents which have threatened national security. Two examples are the Oklahoma City bombing and the recent explosion in Centennial Park during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. These acts may only encourage beliefs that total security is virtually impossible. These disasters do not only occur at the national level, however, they hit much closer to home than we might have thought. Laredo has experienced its share of security threats. The bombing at Walker Plaza proved that such acts may occur at anytime, anywhere. Uncontrollable situations may include the crashing into one of the columns by a bus at TAMIU soon after the university opened. Instances like this bring forth the question of whether or not decent security exists.
At any public institution or building, the need for effective security remains a top priority. People need to feel safe anywhere that they go. A university campus certainly is no exception. In a university, thousands of people from all over the world come together to study in one campus. Classes are in session virtually all day, and the safety of these students must be ensured. Until now, The Bridge has decided to stop and evaluate our own university's security system, and what it means to our student. The question has been raised: Is our campus safe?
Serving a population of over 3,000 people including students, faculty, staff, the TAMIU Police Dept. is currently made up of four officers healed by Chief Harry Stege. Each of the officers works a different shift and can be seen on campus from 7am - 11pm, almost covering an entire day. Being a new university, the program is still in its early stages yet already looking to expand. When interviewed, Chief Stege informed us that a request has already been made for additional officers. As TAMIU grows, we can expect to see the Police Dept. grow as well. The additional officers may be used to patrol the campus 24-hours a day, ensuring safety to students who may still be at school late at night. As far as crime at TAMIU goes, 1995 statistics indicated that there were only a total of 2 crimes committed, one burglary and one larceny count. If you would like to take a look at these statistics, pick up a brochure entitled "Safety and Security: TAMIU" at the University Police Dept. in the basement of Killam Library. The brochure lists facts and figures and anything else you might want to know about the Police Dept. The campus is also equipped with a state-of-the-art fire alarm system and emergency telephones, which can be found all around campus. There are also a number of crime reduction programs such as Crime Prevention Presentations, Crime Stoppers, Lost and Found, Motorist Assistance Programs, and Security Escort Services. These programs are offered only to help students and reduce the risk of crime on our campus. A more thorough explanation of these programs is given in the brochure mentioned earlier.
At least till now, crime has not threatened to become a major concern for TAMIU although precautions are being taken. As Chief Harry Stege states, "Crime has not proven to be a problem. . . the majority of the student body are adults who are just looking for a quality education." Though one can never be too safe, we can all find solace in the peaceful environment that TAMIU creates. After all, attending school should be about getting an education, and not worrying about whether or not you are safe in school.
by Carmen Estimbo
Probably any question one has on the city of Laredo can now be easily answered without much travel or hassle. Due to the hard work and dedication from a group of TAMIU graduate computer students, a HomePage, designed and developed for the City of Laredo's Convention and Visitors Bureau, will make general information about our city accessible to any person near a computer.
The project began in March, when Victoria Singer de Reyes, Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), asked Dr. Stephen Lunce, Assistant Professor of CIS, if it was possible that graphics, similar to that of the Internet, could be specifically designed for Laredo.
"Seeing as how a tremendous amount of information is easily obtained on the Internet, I offered to have my class of CIS graduate students develop a HomePage as a class project as long as the CVB supported it," Dr. Lunce said. To answer one's question as to what a HomePage is, it is a graphics-based file, formatted on a machine linked to the Internet.
When the deal was made, the students would have a five-month period to work on the HomePage, so as to demonstrate the finished product to the CVB during the summer.
Once the project was underway, the team of 15 students made a mock title-page to show Ms. Reyes a basic idea of what Laredo's HomePage would look like. After receiving approval, the group dove into the project immediately, assigning themselves to separate teams, each one handling different tasks, and deciding what data would be used and what would be disregarded. The latter proved to be the most difficult aspect of the project.
In the end, all of the information each team provided resulted in a professional piece of software. By using the HomePage, a person can attain any bit of information about Laredo, our sister city, Mexico, as well as other surrounding towns. For those visiting, living, or simply interested in Laredo life, a wide variety of things, ranging from restaurants and hotel accommodations to the city's current weather conditions, are available to the HomePage user.
"The students worked a lot of late nights, ordered a lot of pizza, and worked weekends to complete the HomePage on time," Dr. Lunce said.
When the HomePage was finally presented to the CVB, they were very pleased and impressed with the students' work.
"The HomePage is a presence of Internet, providing information to the world about our city and Mexico," Dr. Lunce said. "It is a very positive piece of software which will attract people to our city and help us economically."
As for the HomePage team itself, the students now know how to operate state-of- the-art technology, and foresee future opportunities to be involved in similar projects. A few students have even found jobs based on the piece of software they developed.
"They were a good group of students," Dr. Lunce said. "I am very pleased on how they managed the project. It was represented and delivered professionally, and was always carefully watched."
The students will be presented with certificates of appreciation by the CVB in the Fall of 1996.
by Sarah Collins
News Editor
According to Dr. Malcolm Patterson, one of the TAMIU Barbell Club's sponsors, several professors have set the pace for fitness and strength at the Club in 1996.
Dr. Armand Picou, from the School of Business, and his wife Carol train together regularly on a weight reduction routine three times a week. Together, they have lost over 40 lbs. But Picou's leg strength is becoming well-known — in the leg press he set the Club record with 33 repetitions at 300 lbs. Picou, who weighs in at 160 lbs., also won the title of the lifter with the strongest "traps" or trapezius muscles because he was the only one who could "run the full rack" of the dumbbells, including the 80 pounders which he used for the shoulder shrug.
But Picou's record would not stand long. Dr. Per Fjelstad, from the Department of English, Spanish, and Fine Arts and also a Club regular, broke Picou's leg-strength record with a life of 305 lbs. Fjelstad, who weighs less than 140 lbs., also broke Club sponsor Malcolm Patterson's abdominal leg-lift record with 130 repetitions.
Although Patterson lost to Fjelstad's abdominal prowess, he did not lose in either of the two international contests he competed in this July. On Friday, July 5th, Patterson competed in the first competition in the "barbell curl," a test of bicep strength. Said Patterson, "This contest was in Mexico's Cd. Anahuac, Nuevo Leon. I competed against about 40 others and was lucky to win the Gold Medal. Then in Laredo, I competed on July 7th where I had to life a lot more to win the gold medal. I was lucky again!"
The TAMIU Barbell Club will continue its activities in September. Patterson also reminds us that "the Barbell Club's new facilities on campus should be open before the end of the year. I hope it will be one of Laredo's best gyms!"
Life is a little rough, you can't seem to get organized, people don't understand what you're are saying and they won't cooperate, you miss your high school friends, you are running out of energy, and you're frustrated, ready to just hang it all up and crawl in a hole. Your next stop should be a visit with Deborah Russell or Angie Cantrell, trained counselors for students at TAMIU. They are there to help you, along with other trained counselors, through those rough times encountered in the big leap from high school into the real world. They won't get you an A or a B, but she will help you to regain the control of your life so you can focus on your grades. Confidentiality is a major aspect of gaining a person's confidence to discuss the problem, and confidentiality is the word among these counselors -- what is said there, stays there. The counselors have the experience, training and ability to help you work through many of life's challenges, they also have the means to work through the community to obtain more specialized professional assistance for those students in need. All you need to know is that things are not quite right in your life, and the next step is to go talk with Deborah Russell or Angie Cantrell and get back on track.
by Ramprakash Madanraj
I had the opportunity to do research on the current trend of U.S. foreign investment in India along with its implication to the economy of India. This research paper was presented at the "Association of Indian Economic Studies" conference held in Bombay, India. In this article, I intend to impart some knowledge on how India has made significant strides as Asia-Pacific's most competitive host for foreign capital.
The relaxation of investment restrictions in India combined with immense opportunities available in oil refining, power, food and the electrical equipment industries, underlie India's powerful multinational investment appeal for years to come. Multinational corporations have been especially attracted to India's large market share. It is the second largest populated country in the world after China. They are drawn by India's strong middle class which is estimated to be the largest in the world at over 200 million, and growing at an estimated 12% a year. Also, India has an uninterrupted 40- year history of democracy. This makes it a potentially safer place to invest for those concerned about the long-term stability of their investment. It's workers, despite the country's poverty, are remarkably well-trained, especially in technical areas, and many speak English.
The United States is India's largest trading partner. The total trade between U.S. and India in 1993 reached $7.3 billion, which in turn enabled India to enjoy a trade surplus of $1.8 billion. In 1993, India's imports from the U.S. accounted for 11.5% of its global imports and the United States purchased 20% of India's total exports. The American Embassy in New Delhi, has estimated that total U.S. investment in India in 1994 was between $4 billion and $4.5 billion. In 1993 alone, the Indian government approved more than $1 billion in American investments, making the U.S. the largest single foreign investor in the country and giving the U.S. access to a market of more than 900 million people.
___________________________
By 1993, India had comfortable
foreign exchange reserves of about
$7 billion.
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The number of American firms significantly expanding their operations in India includes AT&T Corp., General Electric Co., IBM Corp., Kellogg Co., Motorola Corp., Novell Inc., PepsiCo Inc., and Texas Instruments. These U.S. multinational corporations are part of the foreign investment boom in India. For example, PepsiCo is not only selling soft drinks through Pepsi foods, in which it has invested $30 million, but also has set up Pepsi India Holdings Ltd., which is capitalized at $95 million. Pepsi has also poured in $40 million each in opening up its Pizza Hut and KFC restaurant chains in India. This company's move to India is a classic example of India's changing economic environment. Another classic example of the liberalization reforms bringing in foreign direct investment prompted the Kellog's company to seriously investigate the potentials of tapping into India's strong middle-class market. By 1991, the company secured a majority ownership in a proposed cereal processing facility to be located in India. In July 1993, Kellog India received approval for 100% foreign ownership, one of the first companies to be granted the privilege. Kellog's is now producing cereal in a plant outside of Bombay. IBM has also returned to India after it's departure in 1978 due to government pressure to take on a majority local partner and reduce its stake to below 40%. In November of 1992 the Indian government opened the country's stock exchange to foreign investors. Foreign portfolio investment in Indian securities has gone from practically zero in 1992 to close to $2 billion today.
After decades of shying away from FDI, India under the able leadership of former Prime Minister of India Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao and former Finance Minister of India Mr. Manmohan Singh had orchestrated a string of liberalization policies to aid in boosting India's economy. When Mr.Rao was sworn into office as Prime Minister of India in 1991, India was facing a financial crisis that dampened the foreign exchange earnings, the gross domestic product was stagnant, inflation was rising, and India was on the verge of default. Mr. Rao and his Finance minister decided to deal with this crisis by swiftly implementing liberalization policies. They devalued the rupee and largely abolished industrial licensing (the system whereby anyone wanting to set up a business had to get a government license). They reduced import tariffs from a maximum of 300% in 1991 to 50% (today) and abolished much of the import-licensing. They demolished the monopoly power of the public sector in areas such as the roads, ports, aviation, and telecommunications by inviting in new private and foreign investment. The government floated a trade-related rupee in March 1993. India now officially welcomes foreign investments, offering approvals to ventures of up to 51% foreign equity in 34 countries.
By 1993, India had comfortable foreign exchange reserves of about $7 billion. By the end of April 1994, India boasted a very healthy $19 billion in foreign exchange reserves, compared with a paltry $1 billion at the same time in 1991. In 1993, FDI commitments topped $3 billion, and capital market inflows were more than $3 billion. The total value of India's foreign trade in 1993-94 was over $40 billion, with a trade deficit of $1 billion. As a result of India's liberalized policies, the $5.1 billion in foreign investment approved by the Indian government between January 1991 and July 1994 exceeded the nominal dollar value of all foreign investments approved during the previous four decades.
The major impacts of these FDI on India's economy has been increased competition between the public and private sectors of the country. This has forced local and domestic companies to improve the quality of services provided to their customers in order to compete with the multinational firms. For example, the domestic airline industry in India has seen a sharp rise in private airlines offering better services to passengers flying within India. The liberalization reforms has also benefitted large Indian companies which have the resources to team up with foreign investors and to take advantage of the reduction in import levies for capital goods. This in turn will help the technological content of the Indian industry to improve. All this will help India's competitiveness and export growth in the long-run.
In conclusion, there had been concern about whether the new government elected in the recent general elections will continue the liberalization policies in the same direction started by the Congress party. The newly elected United Front coalition party under the new Prime Minister of India Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda has dispelled such fears by stating that the new government will continue the liberalization reforms. The new government intends to privatize the noncore public-sector units. They will welcome investment in infrastructure and technology, but foreign investment in consumer goods will be discouraged.
by Tim Kennedy
During a conversation about professional development Dr. Berg-Andreassen, I asked that he recommend some logistics books for my professional development.
These books are the foundation for a professional library, and there are more books to be recommended. Periodicals, Trade Journals have recent developments and provide some background information which can help you identify current trends. Research papers provide greater detail which allows for the application of the logical mind. The combination of these resources provides a more balanced background in logistics which will better prepare you to participate in discussions with other professionals in this field.
Michael Portert; Competitive Advantage, The Free Press, New York 1985
Lambert, D.M. & Stock, J ;Strategic Logistics Management, Irwin, Homewood, Il. 1993
Robson, J.F. & Copacino, W.C.; The Logistics Handbook, The Free Press, New York 1985
Bowersox, D.J., Closs, D.J. & Helferich, O.K.; Logistical Management, MacMillan, New York 1986
Angie Cantrell
Director, Student Health Services
Participants in Student Health Service' presentation on food poisoning came away with more than just free cookies for desert. The presentation held June 25 provided the audience with a new appreciation for one's vulnerability to stomach upsets, especially in Laredo where soaring temperatures result in favorable conditions for bacterial growth.
It is surprising to learn how easily food can become a vector for spreading illness. It can be inoculated with bacteria by having someone sneeze near it or touch it with unclean hands or utensils. Airborne bacterial spores can contaminate food also. Then, if it is not kept at correct temperatures, those bacteria can multiply quickly. Food that is left out for 2 or more hours should be considered potentially hazardous. As this time limit is reached or exceeded, one has to decide whether to throw it out, or ërecook' it so the hazardous organisms are killed.
Many people allow food to cool before placing it into their refrigerator. There are two prevailing thoughts on the subject. One is that if you allow your hot food to cool, it may no longer be safe to eat because you left it out too long. On the other hand, if you place hot food immediately into the refrigerator, it may exceed the appliance's capability to maintain a cool temperature. Thus, as the temperature rises, the rest of the food in the refrigerator becomes warmer and, therefore, the foods safety comes under suspicion. If your appliance is fairly new, set the temperature to at least 40 degrees and place your food in it as soon as possible. Try to keep from opening it so that it can more easily maintain the temperature. It may be difficult for a refrigerator to stabilize the temperature if it is older or if it is already fairly full of food.
Even getting one's food from the grocery store can result in a bout with food poisoning. Although many people attribute their illness to a ëstomach flu', in reality food poisoning can result by exposing one's food to warm temperatures, such as those encountered in your hot car. Before you know it , BAM! You're sick and blaming it on the last thing you ate. However, the real culprit may be elusive since different organisms cause symptoms to develop at different time intervals.
While some of the organisms mentioned during the presentation cause the well- known symptoms (nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and sometimes headache and fever). Botulism stands out as causing neurological deficits and ultimately causing death by respiratory arrest.
Here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones from becoming ill:
* Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
* Serve quickly. Don't let stand.
* Cook meats to 180 degrees.
* Do not eat from cans that are dented, bulging, or rusted.
* Utensils that prepare meats should not be used in other food preparation.
* Thaw meat in refrigerator (24 hours for each 5 pounds).
* Wash hands before handling food and after going to the bathroom.
* Eat eggs that are cooked firm, never runny.
* Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
by Dr. Jeff Cass
The English, Spanish, and Fine Arts Department has announced several policy changes for its English 3301 (Writing for the Professions). These policies have just been approved and will be in effect for the Fall semester.
In the past, the university required all transfer students to enroll in English 3301. Early in the term, students took the TSWE (Test for Standard Written English). Those students scoring 50 or more on the exam were not required to submit their portfolio essays for departmental review although they were required to achieve a class average of at least 70. Those students failing to score 50 or more on the TSWE were required to pass portfolio review as well as to achieve a class average of 70 or above.
In the Fall, the university will still continue to require all transfer students to enroll in the course, but there is a newly established exemption policy. First, students will be permitted to take the exam only once, even if they ultimately have to repeat the course. Students who pass the TSWE with a score or 55 or above will be exempt from taking the course altogether; those scoring below 55 must enroll in the course. All students enrolled in the course will have to turn in their portfolios for departmental inspection and achieve at least a 70 average for the course in order to pass out of English 3301. There will be no exceptions to this policy. TSWE testing will be held on AUGUST 9 at 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in Bullock Hall 202. (There will also be a small fee to cover administrative costs. For more information, call the ESFA office at 326-2470 or at 326-2608).
Instructors will require students to attend three of five testing dates during the semester. Students may choose to come to all five testing times, but at the end of the semester, they will be permitted only three essays in their portfolios. In other words, all portfolio essays will be written in common and outside the regularly scheduled days of classroom instruction.
The department believes that these changes will promote a greater degree of fairness to the portfolio process and equity to all students who must enroll in the course. At the same time, these alterations to the structure of the course open up a good deal of class time for instructional purposes, class time formerly spent in writing portfolio essays. The English faculty believe that these changes will enhance classroom performance and improve the writing skills of TAMIU graduates.
Imagine spending five weeks of your summer in class from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.! Sound hard? Sound boring? Well, according to participants in the STWP, "it's been anything but boring."
Picture this: Using pizza, poetry, and puppets to improve student writing. Fifteen creative minds engaged seven hours every day inspired by three creative professors! Besides such fun ideas, the students, who represent many of the areas of the teaching community of Laredo, get into heavy topics like seamless, interactive education, and bridging all the boundaries of writing! That's why entire the group calls this 1996 workshop, "Bridging Borders/ Voces Sin Fronteras."
Well, that's what the STWP, the South Texas Writing Project, is all about. Program Administrative Director, Carlos Flores explains that, "We are in this workshop environment to consider how we can most positively bridge all existing writing boundaries."
Or as Lucinda Farrokh, Summer Institute Director explains, "The STWP workshop brings already successful teachers together to continue studying what works best and how to incorporate this dynamically into their teaching. One of the most positive of our long-range outcomes will be the development of great support people in a strong local network."
The 13 STWP participants include the following area teachers: Maria Zamarripa- Villarreal, Lamar Middle School, Annie Trevino, St. Augustine High, Raymond Herrera, Cigarroa High, Gustavo Villarreal, LCC English, Lucy Cardenas, LCC History, Kathy Smith, St. Augustine High, Mary Shearer, Region 20 Education Service Center, Herlinda Nieto, Amparo, Gutierrez Elementary, Sandra Rodriguez, Martin High, Melissa Mendoza, Christen Middle, Richard Vergara, Alexander High, and Malcom Patterson, TAMIU, English/Spanish.
Besides writing, the group has designed a great looking T-shirt, and each Thursday evening the class meets at a participants gets to teach a 75 minute session stressing themes important to writing. All fellows not only will choose selections from their own writings to be published in the 1996 STWP Anthology but will also receive six hours of graduate credit in English.
Dr. Malcolm Patterson, TAMIU professor, feels, "There's so much that makes the project seem like a writer's paradise, like a dream-come-true." Zam Villarreal says, "The STWP has changed my entire life!" Gustavo Villarreal states, "The lines of communication already established through the STWP will help every educator in Laredo." Mary Shearer observes, "The Institute builds on staff development by engaging the participants in ëreal' writing and reading experiences." Kathy Smith sums up the entire experience, "The Institute has been an awakening, an adventure, a rebirth."
The Laredo-based project began only this year but is part of the National Writing Project, more than 20 years ago at UCLA. Texas now in 1996, Laredo is the sixth to have its own Project, which is a unified effort of public, private, and higher education in our Gateway City!
Another STWP participant told The Bridge, "I'll probably be accused of exaggeration, but the STWP has been one of the high points in my educational career. I've actually begun to write the things that I've never had time to do as a full-time public- school teacher. And our project leaders have inspired us to new creative heights!"
The three STWP leaders of the project are all Laredo teachers. Carlos Flores and Lucinda Farrokh are Laredo Community College English professors and Dora Flores is a LISD Trevino Magnet School teacher.
Now that the STWP is a reality, project directors talk about project's future. "We plan to have the STWP workshops every summer in Laredo. Anyone interested in further information or in future participation should contact Carlos Flores, the Project's Administrative Director at LCC."
by Anika Fasci
This past spring Officer Peter Bak mapped a running course through the desert surrounding our campus, after a woman, who wanted to shed some pounds, approached him. She had come to him for advice, and he replied, "The easiest way is to go jogging."
The woman planned to jog every evening, and then, she invited a friend. Her friend invited a friend, who in turn invited a friend, who in turn invited a friend, ... etc. By the time the 100 degree weather arrived the jogger had become joggers, and the course grew from being one mile to being 2.7 miles.
Bak refers to the trail as a Health Walk. It is currently unmarked, however Bak would be happy to show it to anyone who "wants to run in hundred degree weather." He is working on landscaping the course with railroad ties and mulch, but funds are not available for such an endeavor at this point in time.
While Officer Bak has been mapping out walking / running trails, Officer Jaime Rios has been planning a 5K (3.1 miles) route to be used when the university hosts a Cross Country Rally in the fall.
Rios' route starts in the west parking lot, loops through the desert, comes out on Loop 20, winds back down University Boulevard, and ends in the breezeway at the Killam Building. Rios would also be happy to show the course to anyone interested in long distance running, or walking.
For every walking and running course created, there arises a need for a separate bicycle course. Two single path mountain bike trails have recently been mapped out.
It was put to the test Saturday, July 20, when TAMIU opened the trail. Here for the "Grand Opening" were several professional mountain bikers from the Laredo area, as well as a few policemen, who patrol on bicycles.
These particular courses are marked with flags. A half mile course is marked with yellow flags, and a harder course is marked by white flags. Both trails begin along the road leading to the east parking lot.
All of the courses are available to the community at large. Anyone interested in getting together with other individuals to walk, run, or cycle can contact either Officer Bak or Officer Rios at the University Police Department after 3:00 pm. They can also be reached via e-mail:
bak@tamiu.edu
jrios@tamiu.edu
Compiled by Ramprakash Madanraj
Luck is not chance, it's toil. Fortune's expensive smile is earned.
Emily Dickinson
Keep high aspirations, moderate expectations and small needs.
H. Stein, quoted by Benjamin J. Stein
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly either being proven right or pleasantly surprised.
George F. Will, The Leveling Wind (Viking)
It's not the hand that signs the laws that holds the destiny of America. It's the hand that casts the ballot.
Harry Truman
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us
Emerson
Excellence encourages one about life generally, it shows the spiritual wealth of the world.
George Eliot
If you never budge, don't expect a push.
Malcolm S. Forbes
Well-timed silence is the most commanding expression.
Mark Helprin, in the Wall Street Journal
I'm in my classroom and here, I am in control.
Nothing happens in this world that I do not allow to happen.
Control. I control my classroom world,
What! We're out of copy paper?!
How can I control the outcome of this lesson if I can't control the way it
begins!
OK... OK... There's always the chalkboard.
But I'm still in control. I'm in control.
What! The direction don't make sense to you?!
These are clear directions in my world!
OK... OK... Each of you choose the day.
But I'm still in control. I'm in control.
Thank God.
I've reached my car.
I shut the door.
I'm in control.
The engine roars to life,
the car begins to move,
the wheels start to turn,
the radio begins to sing.....
all things spring to life because.... I'm in control.
What! You didn't see me exiting the parking lot?!
You have no license or insurance!
OK... OK... I'm insured,
And I'm in control. I'm in control.
At last I'm home.
Now here I know, I'm in control.
I've locked the door.
I've keyed the code.
I've checked the messages on my phone.
The music's on... I'm calm, I'm calm.
I'm in control. I'm in control.
What! My Caller ID has been blocked?!
How can I see who wants to talk to me!
Quick! Quick! Head for the Mac!
The World Wide Web. People without faces.
Surf the net and check the mail,
and I'm in control. I'm in control.
What! My hard drive's crashed?!
All e-mail's lost?!
OK... OK... Breathe... Breathe...
I'm in control. I'm in control.
Right...
I'm in control.
and if you believe that...
I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
—Annie Trevino
Entre las aguas, entre las naguas
Voices, voces, echoing between the stalls,
Teaching me about what goes on beyond the walls.
Hay que pretty tu blouse!
The veo a las four!
Me vas a pick up en frente del library?
Yo no pude study para el test y...
Ya viene la teacher y tu, que le vas a tell?
Entre las aguas, entre las naguas
Voices, voces, echoing between the stalls,
Teaching me about what goes on beyond the walls.
As the waters flow
Enlightening me to the daily lingo,
of voices on the go, of faces all aglow,
Coloring our local lingo.
Entre las aguas, entre las naguas
Voices, voces, echoing between the stalls,
Teaching me about what goes on beyond the walls.
Oh, how I have dreamed
To talk the talk and walk the walk
To understand and be teamed
with the barrio talk and walk.
Entre las aguas, entre las naguas
Voices, voces, echoing between the stalls,
Teaching me about what goes on beyond the walls.
Now at last it seems, my new lingo beguines.
Echoing at last, the swinging rhythm of our caste.
What a charming place to go, where bathroom waters flow
and girly skirts belie the depth of this linguistic spy.
Entre las aguas, entre las naguas
Voices, voces, echoing between the stalls,
Teaching me about what goes on beyond the walls.
LRC 7/96 (STWP)
Through Waters and Among Skirts - Wisdom
learned in Women's Water Closets