New freshmen students at Texas A&M International University had a chance to meet University faculty and administrators, make new friends, and explore University life during A&M International1s popular Freshmen Orientation.
Event organizer Gabriela Mendoza, Associate Director of Student Development, said Orientation is designed to help new students make the transition into University life. Mendoza explained that 10 A&M International student leaders who understand what it is like to be a new student, who have walked in their shoes, will conduct Orientation activities.
"By seeing the University through their peers eyes, new students can more rapidly get a handle on how they can succeed in their effort to secure a four-year University education," she said.
Orientation, theme "Mission is Possible: Orientation 1997," includes presentations on getting around campus, identifying a student skills formula that works, previewing the University's student service areas and representatives, insider tips for success, an opportunity for advisement and registration and a tour of the University's new University Village student housing community.
Orientation participants had lunch with University faculty and administration in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Administration Building (room 319).
"This has always been an immensely popular portion of the Orientation with students really enjoying an advance opportunity to sit down and meet with their faculty, discuss the course work, what will be expected of them, and how best they can approach their semester," Mendoza explained.
The University first initiated its Orientation program two years ago, and Mendoza said student reaction has been overwhelmingly high.
"It's really a fun time, students enjoy skits, go on tours, meet new people and get to sit down with people who will share their on-campus community. The reactions we get from students are very positive," she noted.
An Orientation for new transfer and new graduate students and parents and guests of new students will be offered Tuesday, August 26, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in Bullock Hall room 101. Portions of the program will be offered both in English and in Spanish.
For more information on new student orientation, contact Gabriela Mendoza at (956) 326-2280 or go by her office Kinesiology/Convocation Building, room 107.
by David Velasquez
Allegations of civil rights violations have recently surfaced against the Texas A & M International University Police Department. According to Israel Santillan, a junior majoring in criminal justice, his civil rights were violated when he was wrongly detained by the campus police. In addition, Santillan claims that he was afforded no relief by the university administration after he sought, and was denied, a reasonable course of action to rectify his anguish suffered at the hands of the university police.
According to Santillan, the incident took place in the upper level hall of the C Building on Friday June 13, 1997 as he waited for a friend. Santillan added that as he waited along with his friend Ramona Garcia, who was waiting to take a test that day, he was abruptly "grabbed...by the arm, and in an aggressive manner, ordered" by a man he described as a "male subject wearing black military-type pants,...black t-shirt with a small faded emblem of TAMIU, and a pistol belt" to go with him.
Santillan, apparently startled and perplexed by the swiftly developing situation, asked the subject, who he later identified as Officer Bill Copeland, to identify himself and to give cause for the actions he was taking against him. However, the student stated that his request was ignored by the officer as the officer kept insisting that the student inform him on the type of vehicle that he was driving.
Santillan further added that when he continued to insist that the officer identify himself and explain cause, the officer responded by saying that he was not required to do so since he was in the process of conducting an investigation. The officer then reportedly added that his uniform was enough to identify who he was, and that Santillan could not refuse to answer his questions. Santillan then stated that Officer Copeland told him that he was going to place him under arrest as the officer reached for his handcuffs. At this time, Santillan claimed to have reminded Officer Copeland that "an arrest without a cause would constitute an improper arrest or a false arrest." He further alerted the officer to the people witnessing the incident.
It was at this time that Copeland released "his handcuffs back into the handcuff case." The Officer then radioed for assistance. Within minutes, University Police Chief Harry Stege arrived at the scene accompanied by another officer and a student. They then proceeded to walk Santillan downstairs and out of the C Building as they led him towards the Killam Building. Santillan then complied with their request for identification by showing them his driver's license. He then claimed to have requested that he be released, but that Police Chief Stege refused to give him back his driver's license. Stege then reportedly warned him that under school policy, "he had the authority to kick" him "out of school" if he refused to comply with his request to answer questions in his office. "After being threatened," added Santillan, " I unwillingly answered his questions."
Questioned on this incident, Chief Stege had initially no recollection about such incident ever occurring. After provided with more details on the incident, Stege then recounted how the whole incident had transpired that day in question. According to Stege, the whole incident could have been averted if Santillan had simply complied with Officer Copeland's request for student identification. Instead, Chief Stege added that Santillan was "belligerent and thought that he did not have to answer any questions." He then stated that "all he (Santillan) had to tell the officer was what type of car he was driving."
According to Stege, Santillan "matched the general description of a suspicious character" who had been reportedly seen looking into parked vehicles on the campus parking lot earlier that day. In regards to Santillan's claims that he was "arrested" or "detained" by Officer Copeland, Chief Stege added that Officer Copeland never asked Santillan to go anywhere with him as is claimed by Santillan. As proof of this, he stated that Santillan and Officer Copeland were still in the C Building when he arrived at the scene after being summoned by his officer.
Stege further elaborated that Officer Copeland had summoned him because Santillan "became obnoxious" and refused to identify himself. It was after Santillan refused to identify himself that "Bill called me to request backup." He then stated that the student "was never arrested, he was asked to stay and he did." When told of Santillan's claims that the whole incident took approximately 30 to 40 minutes, Chief Stege suggested that Santillan's recollection was simply his "misperception of time," adding that experience has taught him that people generally misperceive time. Before the interview concluded, Chief Stege volunteered to show his log report which indicated that the whole incident had lasted a total of seven minutes.
When informed of Santillan's statement that Officer Copeland was not wearing a readily identifiable police uniform but what was described by Santillan and other witnesses as black military fatigues with a black t-shirt with a faded emblem of TAMIU and no name tags, Chief Stege responded by saying that these statements were "absolutely untrue." He then proceeded to describe the university's police uniform as being solid blue with red stripes on the trousers, patch on the shoulders, and name tags on the chest. He further added that the uniform identified by Santillan was a uniform worn by the "Explorers," a group of young students interested in exploring a career in law enforcement. Officer Stege then concluded by defending his officer's actions. He did state however, that he did not know whether Officer Copeland grabbed Santillan by the shoulder, as claimed by Santillan.
According to two witnesses, Officer Copeland grabbed Santillan by the arm, and it appeared that the complainant was being detained. According to one witness, Liza Lara, Officer Copeland grabbed Santillan by the arm and guided him away. She further added that it appeared that Santillan " was being detained." Ramona Garcia, another witness, corroborated Lara's account of the incident. Both confirmed Santillan's statement regarding the uniform that the officer was wearing. Both also stated that Officer Copeland failed to offer any information other than that Santillan had to go with him.
Mr. Jose Garcia, Vice President for Financial Affairs and responsible for overseeing the University Police Department, expressed regret that the student had been visibly shaken by the incident. He stated that he "personally apologized to him" for the incident, and offered an explanation why he had been questioned, which was that he fit the general description of a suspicious character who had been spotted on the campus parking lot earlier that day. He then suggested that the responsibility of the University Police is "to provide a safe environment for students, faculty, and anybody on campus," and that the actions of the police resulted from that resolve. He did state that the issue that the student had been grabbed by the arm was never brought to his attention. He further expressed a willingness to respond to such allegations had the student filed a complaint with him. He stated that if there are witnesses that would be willing to bring this matter to his attention, that he would take action on it. He stated that his office is "willing to look into any concerns that the students have that are reasonable.
When told that the student had failed to file a complaint because there was no procedure in place, Mr. Garcia stated that "there is nothing to say that you can't write a letter on your own. You don't need a special form" for this. As the meeting was concluded, Mr. Garcia expressed a concern for providing students with a warm and safe environment. He also clarified that "police do not have the authority to kick anybody out, but do have the responsibility to investigate and enforce the law."
English 3323 - Children's Literature is not a Mickey Mouse Course although
you just might get to read about mice, rats, and other rodents. Recapture
a
child's- eye view of the world as you read from different genre and
periods.
Frances Rhodes
Studies American film, with a critical emphasis on the social construction
of gender and the "hero/heroine" (both past and future). Students themselves
will decide some of the actual films to be studied. (Undergraduates finishing
their degrees in Fall '97 may also enroll.)
Dr. Loren Quiring
HIST 4380 examines the origins of U.S. modern diplomatic practics; territorial and commercial expansion; legal and constitutional problems; and the course of U.S. foreign relations. This course is designed for those who are interested in international affairs, such as foreign relations, foreign trade, and international laws, from a historical perspective. For details about the course, please to see University Catalog 1997-1998, or to talk directly with the instructor, Dr. Xiaoming Zhang
SOCI 3351 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. 9:00-9:50 MWF. This course
examines different cultures and lifestyles around the world, including Australian
Aborigenes, tribes of the Amazon rainforest, African nomadic pastoralists,
and Pacific island chiefdoms. We will also examine the roots of our modern,
industrial (and post-industrial) cultures, and how they differ from the
traditional societies of the Third World.
Dr. Michael Yoder
HIST 3352/GEOG 3352 (cross-listed) Latin American Historical Geography.
11:00-11:50 MWF. This course examines the changing cultural geography of
Latin America, from the pre-Iberian (indigenous) to the modern. We will emphasize
how the agricultural countryside and the cities of Latin America have evolved.
Finally, we will consider how Latin America's connections with the world
economy have deepened through time.
Dr. Michael Yoder
THE MONOLOGUE IN AMERICAN LIFE (Engl 3329 or Spch 3330). The course will
examine what people do everyday when they tell stories and compare that to
what professional performers do on the stage and screen.
Dr. Per Fjelstad
Dr. Michael Angulo
by Francisco Sanchez
After interviewing a handful of teachers and finding out the kind of frustrations they go through, it leads me to believe that our local teachers are not given a chance to teach. Consequently, students are not getting a fair chance to learn the material. Modern teachers are trying to keep up with the never ending trail of paper work and administrative red tape. It seems like a never ending cycle.
Teachers mentioned that they don't get paid overtime and that teaching is a job that requires a lot of your personal time.
Frustrations come from filling out a variety of data sheets that deal with everything from student behavior to academic progress. Teachers must deal with strong political pressure from administrators that are determined to generate positive statistics. If a teacher feels that a student should be retained,, he or she must go through a beaurocratic nightmare. Despite recommendations from teacher, many students are promoted to the next grade level. This type of social promotion makes the statistical data look good. The problem is that students never grasp the concepts they are supposed to learn. It is common for teachers to blame the previous teacher for not doing her or his job. The actual fault lies in those that are in charge of creating and implementing the school system.
Teachers face many serious issues and on top of this they are burdened with ridiculous worries. For example, the amount of copies that a teacher can make is limited to a specific amount. If the teacher exceeds this amount, he or she is responsible for purchasing the Xerox paper for further copying. Many educators come out of the University with many wonderful and fresh ideas, but they are quickly turned off by the current state of politics in our school system Most of the first year teachers are promised the world during recruitment. They end up with the students that are labeled as discipline problems ( ADHD or ADD) or special ed.
Most of these kids are problem children that are not given much prespectives for success. New teachers usually get the problem students. These rookies are given a veteran teacher to serve as a mentor.that does not have the patience and wants to label every student with a learning disability as special ed without trying a different teaching method. Administrators also play a big part in the frustration of a first year teacher. Some administrators take the side of the parent due to political favors. Yes, politics also come into play in our school systems. Favoritism is a frustration for these teachers, because a handful of teachers get away with not doing their share of groups work. The ideas of first year teachers are usually thrown out the window.
The worst frustration that first year teachers go through, is the lack of parent involvement. Parents are the first ones to blame the teacher if their son or daughter is having trouble teaming a concept that is being thought or is behaving inappropriately. The parent will tell flat out that it's your problem not theirs. Some parents also go into denial when told by the teacher that their son or daughter has to be referred for special education testing. The parent will say that the teacher has it out for the student. Some parents are cooperative, thus making the job of the teacher easier and helping their children excel in the classroom by spending time with them going over the homework that has been assigned.
The added frustrations are does of having to collect the money after the functions that the school has planned for the year. The responsibility of having to turn in the same amount of books that were issued to the students. Field trip and fundraiser money is also the responsibility of the teacher. Bulletin boards have to be done on your own time. Monitoring the playground and school grounds when the students are being dropped off in the morning and when school is out. Teachers not willing to share teaching material with first year teachers even if the material is not being used. Six weeks reports and mid term reports (in between six weeks). Grading papers on the weekend and at night.
Since most of the added duties are imposed by the main office and administration, teaching the student seems to be dwindling as more paper work is given to the teachers. There seem to be no end to the frustrations of first year teachers and the low pay doesn't help at all.
by Francisco Sanchez
The conditions of the Rio Grande or (toxic grande) is the worst polluted between the Laredo area and Zapata Tx, where it provides water and life to thousands of people. Utilized as an open sewer by millions of people, diverted for it's many uses, the Rio Grande is overused and heading into potential water shortages and the most toxic river in the nation. Of the thirty chemicals found to exceed various government levels, nineteen were found in our area between Laredo and Zapata Texas. The rest of these chemical are found between El Paso and Brownsville.
This study was done by the IBWC, which consisted of water samples, fish tissue and sediment from a number of sites along the Rio Grande. These studies were confirmed by the Rio Grand Study Center, which continues to study the quality of our only source of drinking water. Tests samples were done at the water treatment plant located on Jefferson street, from the mouth of Manadas, Zacate, and Chacon creeks. Some samples were also gathered from El Coyote Creek in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and thirteen miles down river from International Bridge One. Showing the highest impact from pollution south of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo were invertebrates and fish.
"Black Water" or "Agua Negra" is released as untreated waste into the Rio Grande from the Mexican side. But, Laredo is also responsible for releasing antimony from the once dormant soil that was dredged when the widening of mines roads was underway. This chemical is the result of a smelting plant that used to be located where Anzon chemicals is now situated. High rates of gastrointestinal diseases are due to the higher than normal fecal coliform counts in the Rio
Grande. Hepatitis A is transmitted by fecal contaminated liquids. Skin infections and dysentery are also common along the border from El Paso to Brownsville. High rates of liver diseases are due to the high rates of toxic chemical and pesticides and unsanitary conditions. It has been reported that the majority of the people from El Paso county will be infected with hepatitis A by the young age of thirty five. Neither nation has been able to keep up with the increasing pace for sewage treatment plants, thus leading to water quality degradation.
The toxic chemicals found in sediment at the Jefferson sewage plant site, one of the chemicals was chromium. Exposure to chromium happens mostly from breathing workplace air, or injesting water or food from soil near waste sites. Chromium can damage the lungs, and cause allergic reactions in the skin. The other toxic chemical was PCB's found in channel catfish. Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls(PCB's) happens when eating contaminated foods or breathing contaminated workplace air. Higher exposure to PCB's can damage lungs, eyes, and skin. PCB's can also stay in the air for ten days. In the early 1990's the Dept. Of Health and Human Services determined that PCB's can be considered a carcinogen. To find out if you have been exposed to PCB'S, you can get a blood, body fat tests are also for mothers that plan to breast-feed their newbom. Thirteen mile down river from Bridge One, zinc was found in fish tissue (carp). Exposure of zinc occurs mostly from breathing workplace air, eating food and drinking water that has been contaminated near waste sites and manufacturing plants. Too little zinc can be harmful to our bodys since it is an essential element that our body needs. Too much zinc is also harmful. The RDA for zinc is 15 mg/day for men, 12 mg/day for women, 1 0 mg/day for children and mg/day for infants. The other chemical found in fish tissue was toluene. Higher than normal exposure to toluene affects the brain and causes memory loss, concision, headaches, and sleepiness. Exposure happens by deliberate glue sniffing, breathingworkplace air automobile exhaust and other solvents. The amounts of toluene found in food will usually be low.
Found at Manadas Creek was the chemical antimony. Being exposed to high levels of this chemical can cause problems with the lungs, heart irritability, and stomach ulcers. Antimony is used in paints, ceramics, fireworks and enamels for plastics, metal and glass. Traces of antimony is found in the Rio Grande due to the expansion of mines roads which was explained in one of the earlier paragraphs. All these toxic chemicals that were mentioned are found in our drinking water, food and soil. These few chemicals that were confirmed by the RGSC are still coming up in samples taken from the river and no recovery by the river has occurred. Our only source of drinking water is in jeopardy if no action is taken by the citizens of the bordering cities along the Rio Grande. It just amazes me that on 135 there is a sign that states superior drinking water, I just don't know where they took the water samples from.
by Gilberto Sanchez
Managing Editor
The purpose of a nonprofit organization is usually synonymous with social help. Nonprofit organizations range from state universities to medical clinics. Regardless of the business they may conduct, they generally have the reputation for striving to carry out social justice and equality. Take for example today's family health clinics. Laredo has experienced an explosion of such clinics in poor areas and surrounding colonias in an effort to meet health demands.
The combination of the scaling back of government benefit programs and rising health costs are forcing the medical industry to find more efficient ways of servicing the community. A local health clinic Finance Director explained to me that programs like Medicare and Medicaid used to pay private doctors limitless amounts of money to care for the elderly and disadvantaged. However, the government is unable to continue to meet the rising cost. The government is initiating a program in which it will pay a physician a fixed dollar amount per patient on a monthly basis, regardless of the number of visits. The Financial Director expressed that the idea behind this limit was to make doctors more efficient in treating patients.
It remains to be seen whether this fund limit will actually force doctors to be more efficient or if it will cause them to cut down on necessary treatments to make a profit. A local health company COO felt that nonprofit organizations were at an advantage under this cost-cutting plan since they have used limited state and federal funds to provide medical support to the poor for years. Perhaps even the larger medical organizations are even copying the clinic concept. Columbia Doctors Hospital here in Laredo has such clinics in operation at lower income sectors of Laredo.
Nonprofit organizations are usually viewed as less effective then the for- profit organizations, but in modern times they are competing with large medical companies for the medical dollar. Sources revealed that a local hospital was actively competing with small clinics for government grants. Nonprofit organizations have to balance their organizational structure to meet their social mission while at the same time being financially stable enough to handle cut-throat competition.
A popular trend among private practitioners is to pool resources. Physicians are now associating with other doctors to create economies of scale. They are then able to charge less and compete for the traditional nonprofit patient base. Nonprofit clinics are countering by forming networks among themselves. These ventures are at an experimental stage..
Now that the medical system reform is out of the political spotlight, the industry itself must find feasible reform. Nonprofit organizations are finding themselves competing with the "Big Scalpels" of the industry. All we can do is wait and see what fix modern medicine will find. Let us hope the fix is not worse than the illness.
by Sheila Kirkendall
Do you have a hectic schedule because you are working and going to school? If theanswer is yes, then you are in the same dilemma as a result of limited night-class availabilities. This problem has been approached before, but lacked visible results. Classes should be structured around the entire student population, as opposed to one particular group.
After looking over class schedules, most students walk away feeling frustrated and confused. Many of the classes students need to take are offered only during early hours. The majority of students attending TAMIU are students who work and can not find the time to attend morning or even mid-day classes. It is extremely difficult to try and put together a class schedule with required classes at convenient times. I know from experience that it does not always work. The University's system is comparable to that of other universities, but it should be geared to specifically to towards student population and the needs Texas A & M International.
Semester after semester we students rack our brains trying to make a decent schedule, but we can not because there are not enough night classes available. The University's system utilizes the day-time hours for undergraduate classes, the most in demand, and leaves the night hours for graduate courses. This system works fine in accommodating freshman, but what about the upper classman? Most of us are trying to complete our required hours, ultimately having no other choice but to postpone our graduation date further and further because the University can not or will not meet our scheduling needs. In all fairness to the University, since the publishing of a previous article on this topic, four classes have been added to the night class schedule. Now, let's be realistic, four classes could hardly for the three thousand and fourteen students registered for night classes could hardly be called a dent. It is an admirable effort to appease the growing number of students, with the exact same complaint, but TAMIU needs more classes in all subjects.
Texas A & M International University should be more sympathetic to the needs of it's older generation students who are trying to better themselves by attending college. If you stand back and look at the situation, you will see that the university is reluctant to change their system because they could possibly lose younger students to other colleges. Underclassmen generally do not have families or full-time jobs tying them to Laredo. We the undergraduate are bound this city and thereby, the University. We can't just up and leave because we don't like the class schedules; basically we are stuck.
The student body is not demanding a drastic flip in the scheduling, only a little evening out. The University needs to open it's eyes to the increasing number of students attending night classes and make the proper adjustments. For example, I am sure there are certain classes that are not registered for. Instead of offering them time and again they should be replaced with an undergraduate course that has not been available at night. Another situation is the under registering of courses that are ultimately dropped from the roster, these too could be replace by classes that are in great demand. All that is needed is a little shuffling of the books and substituting what doesn't work with what will.
by Sheila Kirkendall
Many people choose to become teachers because they think it will be fun and helpful. However, there are a few problems that future teachers can expect to encounter when they start teaching. These problems will come about through contact with their students, parents and even with the administration.
One of the problems that can be encountered with the students is the fact that most of today's students do not want to listen. They are not used to discipline at home and therefore think that they can disregard all rules and regulations at school. Although teachers teach, model and show students how to follow rules, pay attention and how to hear their efforts are sometimes to no avail. These students go home to parents who do not expect them to have homework, where there is no help with the homework, and home to parents who can not or will not devote time to help or discipline their kids.
Another problem that can be encounters with parents is that parents do not teach their children to have respect. Parents of today feel that it is the teacher's responsibility to be at the beck and call of their children. However, teachers are here to heighten and further the education children receive at home. Parents today have a "hands off" philosophy to parenting. They feel it is wrong to spank or assert their authority over children. However, speaking from experience, a firm hand can do a world of good. My easy going my and extremely strict grandfather allowed me to enjoy my childhood but know my limits. It seems parents would rather complain about teachers methods that contribute to such teachings. These parents send their children to school without the proper materials, at times unbathed and filthy and even without the proper clothing. Due to the lack of parental guidance students come to school tired and unwilling to cooperate. Parents such as these usually provide the least amount of help and complain the loudest.
The last, but most definitely not the least of the problems comes from within the school itself. It begins with the principal. There are a few principals who feel that the school is there to provide them with a job. They in turn run the school with the "This is my school and you do what I say" mentality., This creates friction between colleagues who have the welfare of the students in mind. Principals are always telling teachers that we have to nurture the children and that we have to be careful what we say lest we hurt their feelings. On the other hand it is okay for them to be rude and hurtful to the children and faculty. Their treatment of some of the teachers leaves a lot to be desired. They embarrass teachers in'- front of their colleagues, as well as, demean and over work them.
There are also principals who refuse to delegate authority to make sure information is disbursed in a timely manner and then complain and belittle teachers because work is not turned in on time. They refuse to delegate authority because they do not want anyone to know that the school can run well even if they are not around. Teachers are then stuck not being able to get certain things accomplished because the principal is not there to okay anything.
These problems are not indicative of all students, parents, or principals, but there are many cases. These problems, as well as others can make teaching burdensome at times. Although, if you are prepared to confront these problems and do the best that you can you resolve them; teaching can be rewarding. Teachers are here for the children and should be praised instead of bombarded with petty, time consuming problems.
by P.C
A few TAMIU students along with Dr. Jewett-Smith and Dr. Vaughn spent Spring Break in Big Bend National Park. The Park features grand mountain views, as well as calm Chihuahuan desert beauty. Many different species of wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else, make their home in the park. The wild flowers along the road side are a magnificent array of colors from yellow to purple intermixing with each other in harmony, from blue bonnets to yellow daisies. The park offers a numerous hiking trails that range in length from short day to overnight backpacking. The park also offers camping grounds in the desert and in the basin in the Chisos Mountains.
Our first few days we camped in Rio Grande Village. The first day we hiked the Window Trail in the Chisos Mountains. It is about a 5 mile hike and a real work-out. Later that day we went to Boquillas, Mexico. Boquillas is located across Big Bend, the separation between mexico and the U.S. is the Rio Grande. The way to cross the river is in a small ferry, and the fee for this service is $2.00 round trip. The town of Boquillas has approximately about 25 families and their only source of income is tourism and farming. The town has a restaurant, bar, country store and a health service facility. Their only source of electricity is solar panels, which have been donated by the Mexican Government. Later that night we all went to the Hot Springs. The hot springs is a natural Hot Tub with a temperature of 105 F. We stayed there for about 2 hours enjoying the hot water and then returned to camp. The second day we headed for Big Bend Ranch for a rigorous hiking trail. The Rancherias Trail is located near the Colorado Canyon River Access is a rough hike for serious backpackers. Our Back packs included food, water, a sleeping bag and a blanket. This was a two day hike. The first day we saw a pack of Mountain goats coming toward us, but unfortunately they were scared off and we didn't get to see them up close. That night we were so tired that we went to sleep very early, but admiring the stars before dozing off.
The next morning, we proceeded with our hike. We hiked for about 5 hours before reaching the top of the Canyon, encountering a rattle snake along the way. At the top, there was a magnificent waterfall that was breathtaking. We stayed there for about 2 hours and started to hike back to camp. At camp, we picked up our back packs and headed towards our cars and came back home. Our adventure came to an end and we came back to reality.
by Veronica Vasquez
Do you remember how your high school newspaper was? Did you ever read one? Do you think there are major differences or similarities between our newspaper to the ones in high schools? I was able to get one example of local high school newspaper from Martin High School. In fact, there are differences between our newspapers to theirs as well as similarities. I compared The Bridge, April 1997 issue and The Laredo Journal, February issue.
I will mention the differences and similarities between The Bridge to The Laredo Journal. The Martin High School newspaper is published every two months, TAMIU's newspaper is published monthly. The Laredo Journal is black and white exempt the title of the newspaper, and headlines on the front page. Our newspaper also black and white exempt for the title and ÔExtra" section. In the front page The Laredo Journal has the outstanding students, teacher or counselor for the issue. They include a picture of them and a short article of what they did or why they were chosen as an outstanding person. The Bridge has the most important news of the university such as phone registration and the Student Government Association's elections. The Laredo Journal's February issue was dedicated to Valentine's Day. All throughout the newspaper they included pictures of hearts, cupids, teddy bears and love chains. They also include photos of couples and friends wishing their loves one a Happy Valentine's Day. On page 2 they have a section on song dedications. They also include a section on textbooks. This one was very interesting because students would publish to their peers the page numbers where they can read stories on their Literature books. For example, they have for the senior class-England in Literature pg. 725. The last page they have a section on special thanks to the sponsor, editors and teachers who helped out on publishing the issue. The sponsor is a Journal teacher from Martin. In our newspaper, we don't include that many photos or special thanks to anyone. Although we do have a book reviews. In Martin's newspaper, they don't usually publish book reviews or movie reviews. They also don't include articles about Laredo. Both The Bridge and The Laredo Journal include ads, which are the ones that help paid for the publishing of the issue. In both newspapers the students and teachers or professors are the ones that write the articles.
In conclusion, I saw that our newspaper in fact has some differences and similarities to a high school newspaper. Many of my friends that I spoke to about this article stated that we have major differences between our newspaper and high schools' newspaper but in fact we don't have major ones. Both newspapers are black and white with few color added. They both cover news about events that happen in our campus. One thing that I remember about my high school newspaper was the gossip that was published, we all love to read it about who broke up with who and who had the hottest boyfriend and girlfriend. I enjoy reading both of them and I am pretty sure that you would too.
They called themselves "Writers on the Edge--Voces Fronterizas." Fifteen writers made up the 1997 South Texas Writing Project's second five-week Summer Institute. "On the edge" when the program began June 2, these writers quickly evolved, developing and honing their skills during the daily sessions held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m in Pelligrino 106.
The Laredo STWP is one of five Texas-based sites of the National Writing Project, which has 160 sites in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The NWP, a federally funded, non-profit organization which believes in "teachers teaching teachers," has helped train 1.5 million teachers in Summer Institutes for the past 24 years. One goal of the project, cooperatively sponsored by TAMIU, LCC, and local school districts, is to create teacher leaders at all grade levels from kindergarten through university.
During the five weeks of the Institute, one or two workshops are presented each day. Presenters include the institute's directors, teaching consultants from the 1996 Institute, local university and college professors, and all of the 1997 Fellows. These workshops are demonstrations of successful lessons the teachers use with their own students.
A typical day includes the workshops, daily response groups where Fellows read, develop and revise their writing, and the afternoon "Authors Chair," a favorite of everyone. Here Fellows are nominated by members of their response groups to read their works in progress to the entire assembly. Besides these activities, the Fellows read and discuss a number of books on teaching writing, compile an anthology of their writing, and present a public reading where each Fellow reads a selected piece written during the Institute.
For diversion, the group members get together at a Fellow's home each Thursday evening for a potluck supper and meet one another's husbands or wives. As everyone visits and eats, the entire group shares in the cohesive closeness which is one of the trademarks of the Laredo Summer Institute. Fellows also select their group name and create a logo to represent it. This year's logo, designed by Rosendo de la Garza, appears on the STWP t-shirts. It pictures a writer standing with pencil in hand "on the edge" of the Texas-Mexico border.
It was recently noted that when the 1997 STWP Fellows talk about "great expectations," they are rarely discussing Charles Dickens' novel. Rather they are echoing the attitude of the Institute and all that is happening. As the STWP's Administrative Director Carlos Flores recently stated, "This group of writers is'on the edge' of so many positive, even great things that it's contagious, so that I'm getting Ôedgy'too!"
Next summer's Institute will be held during TAMIU's first summer sessions. The Institute is open to teachers employed in Laredo schools. Applications can be obtained by contacting Lucinda Farrok, the Summer Institute Director, or Carlos Flores at LCC at 721-5491 or 721-5490.
by Omar Gonzalez
Is it important to you that the rest of your classmates know that you and the instructor are on a first name basis? Do you f eel that your classmates are impressed by the remarkable wisdom you demonstrate in class? Do you often find yourself carrying a one-to-one conversation with your professor during class time? If this is the case you might be categorized as "The annoying student found in every class".
If you often find yourself being stared at by your classmates, it could be because you are a sight for sore eyes OR be the sore itself. Those stares could mean a number of things anywhere f rom "SHUT UP! 11 to "I hope you develop a chronic case of laryngitis" whatever it may be, believe me it isn't good.
With the help of other students I came up with a few of the categories that describe they type of annoyance anyone can be. Do these describe you?
The Joker, this type of student will laugh about anything and everything specially after one of their typical smart-alec remarks. I figure they use this so as not to be embarrassed of the senseless, pointless, left field comments they always manage to make after an instructor makes a statement. Guess what Joker, the joke is on you!
The Day Light Savings Time (Fall) Student. This student never seems to catch up on anything. He will arrive to class in the middle of the lecture, drop his books and proceed to speak out loud the reason of why he is late. again. He will scrounge through his back pack for a piece of paper and pen and still breathing heavily he will turn to you and ask, "Where are we at?" "What page is that?", "Did the instructor pick up the homework?" All these questions while the instructor is still lecturing. Then they will have the audacity to ask to borrow your notebook so that they will have copy the notes for next weeks test. DLST student Catch Up and Hush Up!
Spaced Out Student, this student tends to live in her own little world. She will get up in the middle of a lecture and walk clear across the room and in front of the instructor to dispose of a piece of paper undisturbed by the interruption she is causing. This type of student will also take the class time to clean out their back packs, eat snacks and drink a soda while in class. They will for no reason stand up and remove their turtle neck sweater in front of everyone and insist on sharpening a very short pencil. Call Home Space Cadet.
These are just some - of the categories of students that several students
are most bothered by and feel their work is being affected. There is really
not much we can do other than try to ignore them. If you feel you simply
cannot, concentrate on the comical aspect of the whole thing and just laugh
it off. To those that annoy, try to be a little more conscious of your
surroundings and classmates and understand that the world does not revolve
around you. If you are still unsure whether or not you fall under any of
these categories, ask a friend to be brutally honest with you. If you don't
have a friend, monitor your actions and see if you do any of the things that
are mentioned above. For now, this is how I see it. Until next time.
Omar
Early response to student housing at Texas A&M International University indicates that the campus conversion to a residential campus is being well-received by students and their parents. One and two- bedroom units in the $5.1 million complex are already sold out.
University Village, on-campus apartment-style student housing, will begin move in mid- August for the start of the Fall 1997 semester. Located in a private wooded area on the campus west side, the privatized initiative will provide housing for 250 students in a garden apartment-style setting.
A&M International president Charles Jennett said the availability of affordable student housing signals a new era for Texas newest four-year University.
"The addition of on-campus student housing is crucial to the University's continued growth and development. University Village will allow us to be able to offer a more complete student life dimension and, more importantly, provide the many out-of town or commuting students with an affordable student housing option," said Dr. Jennett.
University Village is a far cry from the dormitories most recall from their University experiences.
All rooms are fully furnished and each resident has a private bedroom and bathroom. Other amenities include free cable, in-room free Internet access, clubhouse lounge with wide-screen TV, a convenient computer lab, on-site management and laundry facilities. Completing the complex are a spa, swimming pool and a beach volleyball court. The enclosed garden style complex is lushly landscaped and features security card entry. The 48x22 swimming pool features the University1s initials across the pool bottom in large tile letters. In addition to one and two-bedroom units, three and four-bedroom units are available. All facilities meet ADA guidelines.
Joe Garcia, A&M International vice president for finance and administration, said the provision of free Internet access is a big plus for the University1s student residents and in keeping with the University's high technology focus.
"This is a tremendous benefit for our students. Many universities around the nation are saying this is something they want to do. However, very few of them actually have Internet access in their student housing individual bedrooms," he said.
Garcia said students have only to hook up their Internet-ready computer in their private room and access the University's Home Page to begin their cyberjourney.
"Students will be able to access needed information for research projects, check library holdings, receive and send email and have 24-hour free access. They1ll sign on to the Home Page and begin their links from there." he explained.
Michael Hanley, University Village general manager, said University Village is dedicated to accommodating student needs and preferences and has patterned its financial arrangements to the needs of full-time students.
"For example,the housing payments may be structured around the release of a student's financial aid award letter. Under certain circumstances a student can even get a larger financial aid award by living in University Village. And because the resident agreements are individual lease liability, no matter what unit a person lives in, a student resident is only responsible for his or her portion on the rent, never a roommate's. To help with monthly costs, the Housing Office also pays up to the first $30 of each unit's monthly utility bill. Also there are no utility deposits, hook-up or trash fees," he explained.
For additional information, please contact University Village at (956)326-3878, or visit offices located in the on-campus complex.
By David Velasquez
While the Laredo softball season winds down to a close, the Border Flag Football League kicked- off its inaugural fall season on Sunday August 17 with fifteen teams strong. The Border Flag Football League, a revamped version of the former Laredo Flag Football League under the auspices of the Laredo Parks and Recreation Department, is now an independently runned league under the leadership of league president Cuco Ortiz and a five member committee comprised of team captains from around the league.
With fifteen teams in the league, Laredo flag football fans are sure to see a very exciting and interesting season. The league, anchored by perennial powerhouses the Bad Boyz,
Regulators, Bondsmen, and New Boys, is comprised of teams representing every segment of the community. Among the league participants are attorneys, teachers, police officers, and business leaders to name a few.
Under the new league, teams are expected to play a fourteen game schedule which will run through November and conclude with the league's championship game commonly known as the Dust Bowl. Under the league's play-off format, the top six teams will advance to the playoffs. League teams are comprised of twenty-men rosters and play in accordance to Texas Flag Football Association rules.
Sunday's kick-off action at Trautman Middle School provided fans with an awesome offensive display by the league's finest. The day ended with the following scores:
by Pete Navarro
TV Critic with a Badge
Don't you just hate season finales? I do.
I was sitting in my bean bag jumping from station to station the other day, and NBC has started putting up these "reminder" commercials to let you know where the season finales of its best shows left off.
Please. This must the networks' way of saying, "Sorry we made you watch all that recycled crap during summer hiatus." I still hate season finales.
First, it's all about getting you to watch. And about money. The networks can't make money if they can't sell commercial air time. That pisses me off.
Because you know they'll be coming up with something season after season. Season finales are just tricks that waste my time and insult my intelligence.
Yes, I said intelligence.
I mean, what difference will it really make in my life if Caroline and Richard don't fall in love after all? Or if Ross and Rachel never get back together? Will I die any happier knowing that Mulder is still alive?
Second, the season finales may not be that good.
I remember I used to watch Wiseguy on CBS with Ken Wahl, until the storyline had him kidnapped and supposedly executed by a South American death squad. The show died soon after with the fate of Wahl's Agent Terranova dead and buried.
Years later, on ABC, here comes this movie called Wiseguy, and here comes Agent Terranova looking like Orson Welles after a good dose of Grecian Formula. And his old boss, besides pretending that Terranova didn't get really fat, also pretends that nothing ever happened in South America. They just blew off the storyline set up by the series finale.
It used to be even worse in the Saturday matinee serials of the 40s and 50s. All these adventure or crime shows ended in a cliffhanger every week.
Back then, they had these really obvious dirty tricks. I remember one show, Captain Rocket or some dumb-ass name like that, the hero was trapped in a truck with no brakes and went over a cliff into the Amazon river. The next week, he had managed to jump out right before the truck went careening down. The director had switched footage. They did that pretty often.
Today, they still use dirty tricks, only they're sneakier. Bobby Ewing died? Hey, it was Pam's bad dream. J.R. got shot? Well, the SOB managed to live. Will Dr. Kimble ever find the one-armed man? Well, yeah, David Janssen found him once, and at the movies Harrison Ford found him again, and we kept watching. Did we actually expect the ending to be different?
Sometimes the TV shows don't even try to be sneaky. Nurse Hathaway got stood up at the altar by George Clooney and swallowed pills. Well, she died at the end of the first season of ER; the second season came and there she was, talking about how she was "working toward recovery." All the way from death?
(I never really liked ER anyway Ñ entirely too many times that the staff jumps up and starts dancing at the nurses' station while someone behind a curtain goes into cardiac arrest.)
The point is, these season finales aren't much more clever than their distant cousins of the 40s serials. But we're still falling for them. Don't people get it? They're not real.
J. R. got shot one season, then supposedly blew his head off in the series finale of Dallas. Last year, he came back in a Dallas TV movie. So please, let's all clasp our hands together in one big circle and close our eyes and realize one basic truth of life.
Actors don't die, they just get their contracts renewed.
by Cordelia "Cordy" Nieto
Thoughts of returning to your high school alma mater for a reunion are enough to drive anyone to consider death...but what about if it's your profession?
This is the dilemma Martin Blank (John Cusack) faces as he is in the midst of finishing a job, which involves killing a cyclist, in the film Grosse Pointe Blank.
For Blank, going back to Grosse Pointe, means dealing with his past demons, including seeing his high school sweetheart, "Debi," (Minnie Drive.r) whom he jilted on prom night. Plus, everyone wants to know where he disappeared to ten years ago because no one has heard from him since high school.
The film has the right combination of action, humor, and romance, but fails to develop dramatically. Throughout the film, the main focus is on Blank, and his hard-luck story which drove him to become a professional killer. Action is the mainstay of Grosse Pointe Blank as guns are fired, bombs explode, and people are killed in rapid succession. We are led to believe that Blank is depressed and is remorse about his line of work. With a quick wit and a humor to match it, Blank confesses his sins to his unwilling therapist, played by Alan Arkin. The rapport between Blank and his psychiatrist is reminiscent of a father-confessor, but humor is added as the therapist tells Blank, "I told you, I don"t want to be your doctor, yet you keep showing up every week at the same time." Blank- merely laughs, replying that he needs someone to talk to, and besides he knows where the "Doctor" lives.
Romance takes a backseat in this film, up until near the end of the movie. Blank is forced to return to Grosse Pointe for a "job." Upon seeing Debi, he realizes that he has always been in love with her. Of course, it's not a traditional courtship for the romantic couple. Debi is a disc jockey at a radio station and refuses to discuss the past with Blank, without a listening audience. ln other words, she hands him a pair of headsets and shoves the microphone at him. All of the radio station's listening audience is encouraged to call in and decide if Blank- is worthy of Debi Newberry's affections. Romantically, it's a whirlwind ride for Blank and Newberry.
Grosse Pointe Blank is a good flick which definitely delivers comedically, but lacks dramatic depth and its stabs at dark humor fall short of their mark-. There are many supporting actors, including Dan Aykroyd, Jeremy Pivens, and Frank Azaria. Their roles were not pivotal to the film, but viewers were barely introduced to them. The most dramatic part in the film is when Blank finds himself carrying a baby at the reunion and there is silence and the camera focuses on him and the baby. The viewer realizes that his whole life is being questioned.
Overall, Grosse Pointe Blank is worth watching for the hilarious antics of John Cusack as he kills without hesitation and later tries to justify that the murders he committed are not personal. The supporting cast, consisting of Aykroyd, Arkin, Driver, Pivens and Azaria, make the most of their on-screen time and add effectively to the film. Also, the plot isn't new, but the proclamations of love at the most inopportune times are humorous. Grosse Pointe Blank- proves John Cusack has a humorous writing style. He both co- wrote and produced the film. If you are a fan of Cusack's and enjoy a good comedy, you may want to rent Better Off Dead which portrays the actor as a lovesick teen willing to do almost anything to get his girlfriend back.
by Carlos A. Guardiola
Does art imitate life? In Chuck Logan's first novel, Hunter's Moon, life has been nearly transcribed.
Although a literary chestnut does advise that an author's first novel is usually autobiographical, Logan presses his charge to the hilt. The author is a Vietnam veteran who creates graphics for a newspaper in Minnesota; his book is about a newspaper illustrator-come-war veteran who lives and works in, well, Minnesota.
This should not deride Logan's polished talent, however. Admittedly, the book is a seamy mystery surrounding the protagonist's best friend and his seductive, manipulative wife with a more than checkered past.
In Hunter's Moon, Logan's protagonist, Harry Griffin, is an ex-alcoholic content with biding his time alone in his studio apartment, until a close friend, the wealthy, pedigreed Bud Maston invades Harry's seclusion in the middle of the night by announcing a sudden marriage to the sultry but domineering Jesse Deucette.
Bud quickly asks for Harry's help. He has just fallen off the wagon, has committed to a marriage he didn't want, and keeps seeking solace from his downward spiral in a bottle of Jim Beam. Although things aren't the best between them yet, Harry feels he owes his friend a show of support.
Before long, there is a hunting trip, a snowbound cabin, and a palpable dislike between Harry and Jesse. Bud confides that he has serious misgivings about the marriage, and Harry agrees to help.
Yet on the day hunting season opens, someone will lie dead, and the mystery will begin to coil. Harry must confront his personal demons, both real and imagined, in order to find the answers he seeks.
To dismiss this book as low-grade genre fiction would rob readers of the redeeming quality the author has expertly woven into the tale. The pleasant attraction of Hunter's Moon lies in Logan's expressive abilities with the written word. He uses a self-styled economy of language to convey clear, deep sense impressions.
Logan knows the value of writing with nouns and verbs, using the active voice, and closing the narrative distance between reader and character. Where many a novelist has cracked an elbow trying to blend stream-of-consciousness style with third-person limited omniscience, Logan barely cracks his knuckles.
The local color is especially salient. Minnesota's outdoors, deer hunting in the snow-capped pines, and the minutia of local color are brought to life in Hunter's Moon.
Logan may be writing what he knows, but for a first novel, he writes it very well.
by Carlos A. Guardiola
If a reader were forced to choose one title as a resource tool for the CIA bureaucracy, it would need to be Mark Perry's well-documented, engrossing nonfiction account, Eclipse: The Last Days of the CIA.
To be sure, CIA-bashing has always been fashionable, and occasionally melodramatic. Any reading list that boasts insider knowledge will probably yield titles offering an abundance of searing indictments and shady subterfuge; the CIA as rogues gallery, as conspiratorial evilmonger, as a motley collectivity of incompetents.
And it is against this common frame of reference that Perry's narrative stands out.
Written using key sources, Perry's Eclipse offers a narrative more layered and complex than any fictive lore could offer. While critical of various facets of CIA behavior, the book lacks the acrimonious moral defamation that has become a staple of countless films and novels. This is the journalistic strength of Eclipse.
In taking this route, Perry, to a large extent, demystifies many aspects of the CIA. What stands exposed is an agency not unlike other federal bureaucracies: hampered by internal politicking, oversensitized to public perception, and leery of Congressional probings into its affairs. Its realities are aptly encapsulated by Perry's borrowed tag from The Wizard of Oz: "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."
Perry's account is not a crade-to-grave history that traces CIA activities from the earliest glimmers. But it does span from the late William Casey's tenure as DCI (Director of Central Intelligence) in 1986 to the confirmation of Robert Gates as the new DCI in late 1991, and it is a quite interesting tour along the way.
During this timespan, Eclipse maps the strategies, tactics, and headaches of the CIA during some very visible crises: the heavy-handed destabilization of Noriega's regime before the Panama invasion; the wellspring of intelligence assets in the wake of China's Tiananmen Square massacre; the relentless tracking Ñ and speculation over motive Ñ of the bombers of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland; and the fruitless pursuit of timely preemptive measures before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
Perry also documents the pockmarked, precarious relationship between intelligence objectives, political expediency, and White House policy initiatives, with textbook examples that would serve budding foreign service officers well.
Eclipse, surprisingly, also reveals the subtler exchanges of politicized turf battles that often led to full-blown internal conflagrations.
Perry recounts, for example, how William Casey predicted the demonopolization of the CIA's intelligence estimates in light of competing agencies such as the DIA, NSA, and NRO (hence the book's title), a prediction which prodded the formation of controversial multiagency centers that would fight terrorism and narcotics smuggling.
The revelations in Eclipse are at times scathing, too. These include the open distrust of top CIA officials about Oliver North's dialogues with Iranian moderates before the Iran-Contra scandal broke, and CIA veterans' characterization of Robert Gates as a "self-promoter" who rose to the top because of an intelligence snafu.
In sum, whether the reader is eager to find out what the Team A/Team B controversy meant for ex- President Bush during his time at the CIA, or how fierce the jealousies and turf battles raged between the CIA and the Pentagon, Eclipse is the book to consult.
Author Mark Perry, who previously wrote Four Stars: The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the American Military, is an investigative journalist who has worked for The Washington Post and The International Herald Tribune.
Eclipse (HC); William Morrow & Co.; 1992; $25.00.
by Javier M. Valenciano, Jr.
I grew up in a musical family. I always loved to hear my father and my uncles rehearse and perform as a kid. Music was always something that brought our family together and allowed expression both individually, and collectively. Well, having given you that hint of my background, you can probably speculate that I myself enjoy both listening to and performing music now. Music has been called a universal language by many people. I thought that description made sense, but it was not until I had an interesting experience at a concert that I fully understood why music was called a universal language.
While visiting friends in Houston, we heard that Carlos Santana was performing in town that evening. We immediately stopped and bought tickets. We jumped at the surprise opportunity to see one of our favorite and most respected performers live.
I was really surprised when I walked into the Woodlands Pavilion that evening. I expected to see a lot of Hispanics in the audience, and there were. What surprised me was the number of African-American, White, and Asian listeners in the audience. Everyone was enjoying the show. It was a beautiful Texas summer night at an outdoor venue, with a light drizzle and lightning that made it seem like God himself was providing a light show for a tremendous performance by very gifted musicians. Thousands of people were sitting or dancing on the lawn in the rain enjoying themselves singing along to "Black Magic Woman' and "Jingo.' It was quite a moving experience to see so many people of all races and ages singing in unison creating an atmosphere of pure peace and enjoyment.
Some people sitting next to us struck up a conversation with my friends and me. We began to reminisce about the memories that were stirred by the music that was enveloping us emotionally,