Controversy on campus pushed for the return of an early voting location, won a week back as an extension of downtown.

With less than two weeks before the start of early voting for the Nov. 2 General Election, the UTPA early voting site has been reinstated as an extension to the other Edinburg location at the Elections Annex Building, but for the second week of voting only. A similar offer has been extended to South Texas College.

This comes after students and faculty caused an uproar last week when the UTPA Library was absent from the draft proposal listing locations for Hidalgo County, Associate Professor of Political Science Jessica Lavariega-Monforti said. Many students and faculty were concerned by what they saw as an abrupt change. The response was overwhelming: three students attended a Hidalgo County Elections Commission meeting Sept. 30 to voice their opinions. Other students and faculty circulated e-mails to raise

awareness about the issue. When senior social work major

Erica Ocana heard that there would no longer be an early voting station on campus, she started a petition that reached about 300 signatures in total.

“I started the petition as soon as I found out that the voting location would be removed from Pan Am, to let the students know about the situation,” the social work major said. “And they were quick to sign on, they thought it was wrong too.”

The primary reason the UTPA library was not included on

the draft

proposal was due to budget cuts. According to Hidalgo County Elections Administrator Yvonne Ramon, an early voting station costs from $10,000 to $12,000 to man. In the primary election of 2010, the UTPA location only counted a total of 769 votes over the 11-day period, which means that each vote cost approximately between $13.01 and $15.60.

Despite other locations in the county costing more per vote, Ramon added that UTPA’s proximity to the courthouse, parking regulation, restriction of posted materials, and lack of communication with the county were also factors in cutting it from the early draft proposal.

As it stands now, UTPA students will be able to vote early for the Nov. 2 gen-eral election at the Wellness and Rec-reation Center from Oct. 25 to Oct. 29, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The UTPA loca-tion will function as an extension of the Edinburg location at the Elections An-nex Building for the busier last week out of the two-week early voting period that lasts from Oct. 18 to Oct 29. Hosting for the fi rst week of early voting, which tra-ditionally sees lower voter turnout, was offered to South Texas College.

“We are happy that we were able to work out a solution to the early voting polling site,” UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen said in a statement. “Next year, we will work on getting reinstated as a full site once again.”

THE PAN AMERICANVolume 67, No. 6 October 7, 2010

Campus polling station resurrectedUniversity community rallies to restore Early Voting site, starting Oct. 18

Page 2 - Big business might have packed their bags, but they never left

Page 3 - Jobs after graduation becoming scarce

Page 11 - Holiday gift guide Page 14 - Q&A with volleyball player Rebecca Toddy

By Karen AntonacciThe Pan American

Jennifer Tate’s fi rst airport experience

Survey plumbs campus racial data

Racial dimensions of HESTEC

Todos los detlles de la jornada 10 del futbol

mexicano

Volleyball’s Logan Player of Week

Change is coming soon at the University of Texas-Pan American as the current workload policy is under scrutiny by a presidentially appointed task force.

According to a memo sent by President Robert Nelsen March 31 to all faculty members, department chairs and deans, a task force was created to investigate the current workload situation and develop solutions for university personnel.

Since the initiation, the task force of 18 faculty members has met with other faculty members throughout campus to decipher the workload conundrum. Given the state’s $21 billion shortfall, less money will be coming UTPA’s way, and the university has already had to give back $14 million, with more paybacks on the way.

When the budget cuts began in January, a series of minor ones were made, but looming on the horizon all along has been the possibility that the average number of classes faculty are required to teach per semester could increase from three to four.

Wendy James-Aldridge, psychology and anthropology associate professor, has been at the head of the task force since its creation. The Oklahoma State graduate came to the university when “there were six buildings and four trees,” she noted in reference to her arrival in 1974.

“Most generally, the faculty are looking for something more fl exible and it’s going to take some background research,” Aldridge said. “It’s a big deal to faculty.”

Magic number:Workload decision to be reached this semester.

Illustrated by Anthony Salinas and Alexis Carranza/THE PAN AMERICANSEE WORKLOAD || PAGE 3

By Roxann GarciaThe Pan American

Before last weekend, I was one of the rare few my age who’d never fl own on an airplane, so when the opportunity

presented itself I hesitantly took advantage.

Being a tad bit nervous, especially after hearing way too many horror stories about fl ying, I pushed passed initial uncertainty and settled on just regarding it as a new experience.

Prior to the Sept. 11 attacks, I was the 9-year-old sister of a globetrotting Marine. I’d been to the McAllen-Miller International Airport various times to see my brother depart and then to welcome him home during breaks. The airport often wasn’t a big deal to me - I’d tended to roam around the terminal gazing through the fl oor-to-ceiling windows as the planes came and went. I remember standing at my brother’s gate, watching for him to come down the long corridor so I could fi nally give him a smothering hug following months of him being away getting to see him. Since then, however, much has changed and going to the airport is a stressful experience.

Living in a post 9-11 world, the concept of terrorism has created a sense of paranoia in our nation. National news networks frequently report the constant ups and downs of the Homeland Security’s color-coded threat level system, spurring nationwide concern. Mandates concerning things like nail clippers, liquids over three ounces and various other household items are among recent restrictions to carry on bags. Not

to mention family members can no longer meet you at your gate, or give you one fi nal embrace before the boarding. I hadn’t been to the airport since 2001 and getting ready for this fl ight I defi nitely did not know what to expect.

I had drawn many of my conclusions about fl ying and going through airport security from some recent movies. “Meet the Parents” especially. I had also asked a few of my frequent-fl yer friends about the things I should expect (chewing gum, was the number one response I got out of them). And I’ve just about lost count of how many times I visited the offi cial TSA website or Googled what items were approved to take on the plane or in checked luggage. I questioned whether they would confi scate my liquid makeup just because I didn’t have it in a Ziploc bag. I worried that I might accidently say something like “bomb” as I nervously walked through the security lines. My mother didn’t exactly help my anxiety by stating that I could be strip-searched if something I wore set off the metal detectors. My brain rattled with all the worst-case scenarios as I packed my luggage and laid out clothes for the fl ight.

It was time for me to leave for the airport and head into unknown territory. I was somewhat excited, but at the same time the reputation that airport security has frightened me. I reached the security checkpoint in the airport; I tensely handed over my I.D. and plane ticket to a brawny female TSA offi cial. She scanned everything thoroughly before waving me through to a line that placed me between a man, who was rather large and intimidating, and a short older lady who assisted me through the process, in broken English. I proceeded to take off

my shoes and belt, as those in front of me had done, and walked through the metal detector. The most alarming part was just when my hair was being patted down, but I was quickly let go and passed through the rest of security.

I sat by my gate with a crowd of strangers and waited. I began to glance at the different sets of people and started to notice the amount of luggage some travelers had brought to carry on. There were baby strollers, large suitcases, laptops, purses and sacks of McDonald’s food. My impression was you had to pack sparingly for carry on items, but everyone else had gotten a different memo.

I fi nally made it onto the plane but my mind was still whirling. However, I quickly learned that the experience wasn’t all that daunting; in fact it was quite easy. The nicest people in the world must, in fact, be fl ight attendants; they had a high tolerance for rude passengers and never let their smiles fall.

Once landed, I followed the crowd to baggage claim and we were practically free from TSA, airport security or anyone else with a badge. Only shuttle and taxi drivers were around, unless I was absolutely blind to the bright blue TSA uniforms that saturated my view earlier that day. I walked through the airport exit feeling as if I’d missed some additional step through security before leaving-that awkward “this is it?” feeling.

When my trip was over and it was time to fl y back home, I recalled the steps I had taken just days before to get through the airport and onto the plane. I no longer felt like a novice traveler. I strutted to the Continental kiosk to print my boarding pass and check bags. I lined up to go through airport security and handed over

my plane ticket and identifi cation to the TSA offi cer, who smiled at me and let me go through. I’m not going to lie, I felt like a bad-ass because I got a smile rather than a cold glare this time around. I grabbed two bins, placed my computer in one and my shoes and bag in another before gliding through a metal detector. As I walked through without an alarm ringing, I suddenly became aware of my belt still being around my waist and began to unbuckle it. The offi cer chuckled at me for a moment and reminded me I’d already gone through the metal detector without a peep, and motioned me through. Then as I began collecting my items a different TSA offi cer pointed at my feet and warns me that I’ve left my shoes untied. Still freaked out about my belt I began to panic and thought I’ve just hit strike two by wearing my shoes through security too. Just as my heart began to race, I realize his joke and grab my sandals from the plastic bin I had placed them in.

I had a little extra time before boarding began and started to wander around the different terminals of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. There is very little TSA presence at this point, in comparison to the hundreds of people that rush through other parts of the building. Even with them near, the airport atmosphere wasn’t tense or

overwhelming. I just felt the busyness and not like Big Brother is watching my every move anymore. With this comfort in mind I headed to my new gate.

Once again I was up in the air, watching the earth pass by from a window. Once again we landed and the rush to the front of the plane began before our stop is complete. Once again I was back where I’d started. As I left the passengers-only zone, I watched those going through the security procession, while going around them. Although I’m not used to this part, I was the one walking down the long corridor this time. Even though I have to walk a little further than other passengers did when I was 9, I walked through a crowd of people waiting for their arriving family members and friends and reached my own collection of hugs.

This time, while I grabbed my bags and left the airport, I refl ected on the nerves I had held a few days before. The uncertain anxiety I had felt about the airport no longer existed and not because I was leaving, but because the experience wasn’t as intimidating as I had expected. I just needed to ask someone to direct me at me times. All the hype of strict security measures was minimized and the epiphany moment kicked in: airport security just gets overrated press.

October 7, 20102

Learning how to fly in post 9-11 atmosphere

Elias Moran/THE PAN AMERICAN

Commentary

Illustrated Commentary

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

The Pan American is the offi cial student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan Ameri-can. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily refl ect those of the

paper or university.

Letters to the Editor Delivery: Thursday at noon

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539Phone: (956) 381-2541

Fax: (956) 316-7122

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kristen Cabrera kmcabrera22@gmail.com

NEWS EDITOR: Roxann Garcia roxx.gar11@gmail.com

ONLINE/SPANISH EDITOR: Denisse Salinas dns_145@hotmail.com

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Benny Salinas9_benny_9@live.com

SPORTS EDITOR: Sara Hernandez shernandez261@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Alma E. Hernandez alma.e.hdz@gmail.com

SENIOR DESIGNER: Jennifer Tate jen489@gmail.com

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ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selberselberg@utpa.edu

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THE PAN AMERICAN Vol. 67, No. 6

Jennifer Tate Senior Designer

Beginning in 2005, under former university president Blandina “Bambi” Cardenas, tenure-track faculty members were required to teach a 3/3 workload or in other words three classes per semester. The previous load had been 4/4.

The university has over 900 total faculty members, including those on tenure track along with lecturers. Lecturers, usually those with master’s degrees instead of terminal ones, comprise 60 percent of the faculty. At issue here is the fact that though the faculty workload might go up, there will probably not be a commensurate increase in salary.

A faculty member’s average salary will vary throughout each college and department. In the College of Business Administration the average range is from $99-107,000 a year. On the opposite end of the campus, pay for a member of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will vary from $53-66,000 a year.

The transformation in 2005 was intended to make the university a more research-intensive higher-tier institution. However, the uniform decision for all faculty has not been entirely successful.

Research quantity and quality varies across the different disciplines, Faculty Senate Chair Linda Matthews said.

“For example, music and dance in the Communication Department may put on performances,” Matthews, a New York native, said. “We are expected to output at least three articles a year. In the History Department, they’re writing books. Who can really publish three books a year?”

Matthews, who arrived in 1997, noted that for tenure-track faculty, teaching is only one piece of the requirement. These faculty members are expected to teach, do research and perform service on various committees. At promotion time, they are judged by their performance in all three, but in essence, research has traditionally been the most important leg of the three-legged assessment stool.

As far as service goes, faculty serve on departmental committees that work on issues such as merit, tenure/promotion, or job search committees. University services may include working on committees dealing with curriculum, campus life, or even parking and traffi c.

Matthews is one of many faculty members who have done time on several professional service committees such as conference/journal reviewer, faculty adviser for various school organizations, and chair for other committees.

The faculty goal seems to be to let research-intensive members continue to churn out their work, and to allow teacher-intensive types continue to focus their efforts on that area. A possible

solution is a sliding scale that allows teacher experts to stay on 4/4 and researchers to remain with the 3/3, granting them release time to pursue time-consuming research projects.

“We (task force) have been working over the summer on some solutions to the various problems we’re facing,” the chair-elect said. “We’re focusing on ‘banking’ the overall criteria to create a fair and easier solution.”

The group has also looked to other peer and aspirant universities for examples on faculty workload. These include, according to the OIRE, the University of North Florida, Cleveland State University and Illinois State University.

So far, the fi ndings are remarkably similar and at the same time very different throughout the universities, Aldridge admitted.

“Our research turned out a bit paradoxical,” she said.

“Most of it differed in how administrations decided what to do.”

Most of the workload policies are driven by Board of Regent rules, Matthews noted. Another fi nding was that equivalencies are not fairly credited to various members. For example a faculty member overseeing a student dissertation for a doctoral degree may have a 10 percent reduction on workload.

“But 10 percent doesn’t make sense with teaching three classes, so what we’re trying to figure out is how to evenly weigh these extra doings and still conform with the regents and system’s rules,” she explained.

The fi nal proposal from the task force is not expected to come in

until December. Members are still in the process of conducting town hall meetings to get input and ideas on how to proceed. Each college has two representatives who administer meetings and engage in discussion.

“Nothing has been decided just yet because we are still in the process of gathering information from everyone,” Matthews stressed.

Once the proposal is sent to administration come December, Nelsen and Co. will evaluate the suggestions and then submit guidelines and policies the faculty senate, college councils and finally all deans. The final draft will then be sent t the UT-System in March.

“Preconceived notions without gathering the right info was more of the shotgun approach,” Nelsen said via a phone interview. “The idea ‘either research or teaching’ got us into this predicament, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the task force will present.”

The University of Texas-Pan American can exemplify the saying, “America is much like a melting pot.” Or can it? At least data being gathered by the government will allow a more thorough examination of that credo.

New guidelines by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) require educational institutions to send out a two-part question survey to all students, faculty and staff, asking subjects to identify their racial and ethnical background.

This is for reporting purposes, to see how many minorities are attending the university, said S.J. Sethi, assistant director for the Offi ce of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at UTPA.

“They (DOE) do these statistical tables where they report the percentage of Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, etc., that go to college,” Sethi explained. “They want to see how many graduate by race and ethnicity, in the long run that helps to get funding for minority students.”

According to Sethi, if it can be proven that fewer minorities are going to college, more funding will be provided. Many policy decisions are based on the data that is gathered.

A study conducted by the Pew Research Center earlier this year showed that there was an increase of 144,000 students in freshman enrollment nationwide from the fall of 2007 to the fall of 2008. This 6 percent increase is the largest in the last 40 years and three-quarters of the rise from minority groups.

From 2007 to 2008, there was a 15 percent increase in Hispanic enrollment, 8 percent for blacks, 6 percent for Asians, and 3 percent for whites.

Apart from this survey, the federal government requires educational institutions to do other type of reports in order to maintain accountability, Sethi said. These data results help to allocate PELL Grant monies, student scholarships and other funding.

“Every year, sometimes every semester, every institution of education is required to submit student reports on enrollment, courses taken, graduation, faculty teaching courses,” she said.

Although it’s mandatory that the university sends out these e-mails, it’s not required that students and employees fi ll them out. It’s simply requested, Sethi said. 74.2 percent of faculty and staff responded to the survey that closed Sept. 22.

All new and transfer students who fi lled out an admission application this year were not asked to fi ll out the survey

October 7, 2010 3Counting faces:

By Alejandra MartinezThe Pan American

UTPA conducts a thorough tally ofcampus skin color

SEE RACE|| PAGE 7

Graphic by Alexis Carranza

WORKLOADcontinued from Page 1

BRINGIN’ HOME THE BACON - Based on numbers provided by Human Resources, listed above are a range of salaries of faculty members from various colleges at The University of Texas-Pan American. Included are faculty not eligible for tenure, on tenure track and tenured. Graph only shows full-time employees.

ADVERTISEMENTS October 7, 2010Page 4

Advertisements Page 5October 7, 2010

NEWS October 7, 2010Page 6

On Sept. 1, the College of Science and Mathematics received a $1.2 million grant from the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program to improve the quality of high school physics and chemistry teachers in South Texas. The grant comes from the National Science Foundation, which according to www.nsf.gov, promotes the quality of research and education in universities.

This external, merit-based grant was made possible by Edgar Corpuz, assistant professor of physics, and four other team members from the colleges of science/mathematics and education.

“We saw this is as something appropriate for supporting our new BSI and physical sciences program,” Corpuz said. “It’s a new course that is being approved by appropriate offi ces and being reviewed by the assistant of the UT system . . . but we are expecting it to be approved by spring 2010.”

BSI stands for “bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies, physics or chemistry.” It is a program that consists of various physics and chemistry courses such as organic chemistry and quantum mechanics.

The grant should help the university’s ongoing effort to encourage interest

in STEM fi elds for K-12 students, by grooming good teachers. For the most part, high school science teachers have a background in biology and/or took a teacher certifi cation test that consists 50 percent of biology and 50 percent of physics and chemistry.

Christopher Smith, assistant professor of chemistry, said the government has identifi ed qualifi ed teachers as those with a degree and teacher certifi cation in the subject he or she is teaching. The scholarship will be able to help more qualifi ed people join the ranks.

According to a 2000 U.S. Department of Education report to the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century, about 56 percent of high school students taking physical science are taught by out-of-fi eld teachers. “Tripartite Synthesis of Research and Data on Recruitment and Retention of STEM Teachers,” another study in 2006, suggested that students are 77 percent more likely to be taught by an out-of-fi eld teacher in high-poverty schools.

“The undergraduate program that this scholarship is going to support,” Smith said, “focuses on heavy-context concentrations in physics and chemistry. Those are the two major areas in high school that are lacking in highly qualifi ed teachers.”

Currently, the Noyce Scholarship

team is in phase one of three, gathering information and working with the Scholarship Offi ce to create a scholarship system for students seeking to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Physical Science (chemistry and physics) with teaching certifi cation. This would help reduce the number of unqualifi ed teachers throughout South Texas by training new people to eventually teach.

“I think the scholarships will also bring better students to the program,” said John Villarreal, assistant dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. “Because they’re competitive. I think it’s going to bring top students and that’s what we want out there in the public schools.”

The 2000 data and recent push toward encouraging STEM programs throughout the country had the Robert Noyce Scholarship team concerned about Rio Grande Valley high school students graduating with little knowledge or lack of passion for these fi elds. Addressing minority representation in these areas has also been a priority.

The thought is that schools will hire teachers who do not have any background in physics or chemistry because they need to fi ll a

high number of vacant positions.All fi ve members of the team agreed

that it’s important to address the lack of quality teachers. They began the journey in 2008 looking into another grant from the National Science Foundation but did not qualify. Their second shot was a success.

The Scholarship Offi ce said they are hoping to receive the team’s criteria for hopeful individuals. Griselda Cabrera, director of the Scholarship Offi ce, said their role will be to validate that the student is in compliance with other federal, state, or institutional aid he/she is receiving, if any, and provide fi nancial need and academic performance results to the department.

“Renewable scholarships also help students keep focused on their studies,”

Cabrera said. “Since they have that goal to meet, that is to maintain their gpa and earn a certain number of credit hours each year. Requirements such as these assist in improving graduation rates since it encourages and assists students to graduate on a timely basis.”

The scholarships will be available for juniors and seniors by Fall 2011. Applications are expected to be available spring 2011. Decision to let incoming freshmen and sophomores apply is still up in the air.

Current requirements are a 3.0 grade-point average and an interest in teacher certifi cation or in undergraduate study in interdisciplinary studies in physical science. It will pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books, and transportation.

Grant seeks to improve quality of science teachers By Pamela MoralesThe Pan American

Requirements:* Overall 2.75 GPA* STEM 3.0 GPA* Junior or Senior

Pays:* Tuition/fees* Room/board* Miscellaneous items

Holds standards of Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP)

Effective for 5 years Sept. 1, 2010 - Sept. 1, 2015

Scholarships for Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

COMMUNITY DAY AT HESTEC -

Left: President Nelsen and his wife Jody meet astronaut Lee Morin in the Fieldhouse.

Above: Kayla Ochoa of Mer-cedes tries on a space helmet at the NASA booth of HESTEC.

Right: Bobby Pulido performs Saturday night in the South Quad as one of the headliners for Community Day.

Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN

Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN Alma Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

NEWSOctober 7, 2010 Page 7

RACEcontinued from Page 3

How to succeed in business:

Since opening in 2008 the Offi ce of the Provost for Graduate Studies, Academic Centers and Continuing Education has worked hard to create workshops and special-interest courses for UTPA students and the local community.

According to Jayshree Baht, coordinator for the Offi ce of Continuing Education at UTPA, one of the newly developed workshops for community members is the Strategic Planning Seminar, presented by Arnoldo Mata, owner of Leadership Resource Group and part-time UTPA employee for the Development Offi ce and Offi ce of Graduate Studies.

The aim of the seminar is to help local, full profi t and non-profi t businesses/organizations develop strategic planning techniques that will allow them to remain successful, despite expected and unforeseen complications in business.

The seminar will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 20 and also be held Oct 27, Nov. 3, and Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the UTPA McAllen Teaching Site on 1800 S. Main Street, Suite 1100.

According to Baht, funding for Continuing Education is generated by offering courses/workshops to the local community. Profi t from these courses is then shared among the academic departments at UTPA. Currently, the strategic planning seminar costs $299 per attendee, for 10 hours of instruction.

Baht feels that workshops like this help to enrich the area by offering experienced instructors, who can teach on subjects ranging from business to art, all related to the community’s interests/areas of employment. With Mata’s guidance, this month’s Strategic Planning Seminar is

expected to help representatives from local businesses/organizations learn the importance of undergoing internal analysis of their company, before deciding on how to achieve company goals like increasing sales or customer rates.

He remains optimistic about October’s upcoming seminar, believing it will bring various representatives from both the non-profi t and profi t sectors of businesses/organizations. Representatives from Easter Seals, including the board president of International Museum of Art and Sciences (IMAS), media personality

Tim Smith, and Joseph Bravo, executive director for IMAS, are scheduled to attend.

Mata believes that attendance for future Strategic Planning Seminars will surely grow because the event will continue to meet the demands of the professional community and offer imperative advice for business management.

“Strategic planning is essential to any organization,” Mata said. “If you don’t know where you are going then it’s going to be very diffi cult for you to achieve any kind of success. One of the problems that some businesses have is that they make changes

from one day to the next without really thinking about it.”

Mata stressed that while the seminar is helpful in planning for business, it is not a quick fi x for overcoming fi nancial troubles or attaining company goals. Instead, it should be seen as a stepping-stone for helping companies access realistic goals in realistic timeframes.

“Most people tend to think, ‘Oh we’ll sit down for a couple of hours and plan this out,’” he said. “That’s not very effective.

You really have to take a lot of time to think it through. Talk to everybody within the organization. Talk to your clients. Talk to people you deal with. Get a good clear picture of what you want to do and what is accomplishable.”

In order to get the best out of the seminar, Mata says that businesses must fi rst do internal analysis on the market place, competitors, and other variables like population, that are constantly changing. A company is more likely to succeed, when it considers the demographics it wishes to reach with services or products. This means looking at the local census to determine age groups to target, and even conducting surveys to fi nd out the interests of clients/potential clients. It is important for companies to consider where they are struggling, as well as to pinpoint where the bulk of their revenue is coming from.

Participants at the Strategic Planning Seminar will also learn how to deal with unpredictable problems, like a sudden decline in customers or a downturn in the economy. For more information about this course, including payment and registration, participants can visit www.utpa.edu/ce, or call the Offi ce of Continuing Education at (956) 665-2071.

because they were already asked those questions during the application process.

That was about 6,000 or 7,000 students. The remaining 11,926 did not fi ll out a new application because they were continuing students. An e-mail was sent out to these students and 4,108 responded before the survey closed last night at midnight.

The survey consisted of two questions. The fi rst asks students and employees if they identify themselves as Hispanics. The second asks them to choose from one or more race categories. Those who do not want to disclose their race or ethnicity will be listed as “unknown.”

Blake Alvarenga, a freshman from Edinburg, said he never received the survey but if he had, his choice would have been not to fi ll it out.

“I don’t like people getting my information more than they need to,” the electrical engineering major said. “In today’s society we give out way too much information like on Facebook or Twitter. I think we need to learn to have some privacy.”

On the other hand, Eriberto Cuellar, a sophomore from Monte Alto, had no issues with responding to the survey.

“I fi gured they were just trying to get some statistics down, so I might as well help them out,” the computer engineering major said.

The DOE’s new guidelines require separating the category of Asian or Pacifi c Islander into two categories, one for Asian and other for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacifi c Islander. It also broadens the defi nition of Native American and Alaska native to include people from North, South and Central America.

Four weekly seminars to be administered at University’s McAllen Teaching Site

Close to 19,000 students are walking the hallways of the University of Texas-Pan American this year, an increase from last fall according to the Offi ce of Institutional Research & Effectiveness. And with the university straining to make the most of funding sources, enrollment numbers become very interesting.

Each year UTPA provides more and more students with the university experience of a college education. According to Magdalena Hinojosa Williams, dean of admissions and enrollment services, last year the university’s enrollment for fall 2009 was 18,337 students, a 4.6 percent increase from the prior year.

Along with collective growth come increases for university colleges and departments. Professor Jose Hinojosa created the Public Administration program as an offshoot of political science department; William L. Turk, program director, noted that, “We function as a department but it’s called Public Administration program.”

By any name, the Public Administration program has been booming, with 40 percent growth over fall 2009. More students is good, for the most part.

“This year we are fi ne, we were able to incorporate students into the classes, we had enough instructors and enough professors,” Turk said. “If we have another 70 next year, I got a problem.”

Turk explained that according to the national standards for his program, the university can hire master’s graduates to teach undergraduate classes and move those professors who teach undergraduate classes into graduate classes.

COMPLEX SUCCESS STORYWhile the Public Administration

area is growing and addressing issues, across campus, the Communication Department has experienced a distinct boost in the number of students enrolled in the graduate program, with 33 percent more since Fall 2009.

“It is important to note that our growth is occurring despite the fact that we are minus two graduate faculty members (Salma Ghanem in PR and Kimberly Selber in advertising),” said Timothy P. Mottet, department chair. Former chair Ghanem left UTPA for a deanship at Central Michigan, while Selber now heads the university’s creative marketing team, teaching just one communication class per semester.

The Department of Communication’s undergraduate enrollment is currently steady. In Fall 2009 it had a total of 6,898 student credit hours, or SCHs; however, this semester’s unoffi cial total is 6,707. The department added 62 more majors to the books, however the SCH count is not dramatically changing.

“Even though our number of majors is increasing, our students might not be taking the full 15 hours,” Mottet said. “There are probably many part-time

students in that mix, which is why the SCH number is holding steady.”

However, with graduate enrollment way up, the department is pleased with the numbers for 2010. This fall the graduate program had a total of 490 SCHs.

As stated SCH stands for the student credit hours. If there are 10 students in a class, those 10 students generate 30 SCHs and this number is important to the amount of funding a department receives.

Every year a budget request is sent by chairs to the deans of each college, who then summits a budget request to the provost. The provost decides how much money the department is going to get in operating monies. The more students enrolled, the more likely the department will secure monies to hire additional faculty.

According to Mottet, the Department of Communication was given a budget of $1.2 mil, used partly to pay all faculty salaries. With less funding coming to the university due to the $21 billion state shortfall, chairs have diffi cult decisions to make every year.

“My job is to make sure that the money is used very carefully,” Mottet noted.

Mottet explained how the department has applied for grant money and also put in a request to its dean and provost for additional funds to make sure that the students have the equipment necessary to do work. For example, right now the department has a huge request in to get new editing software and new computers in the editing bay.

A work-intensive area like communication can expect to be able to justify expenditures based on what students to do prepare themselves for work after graduation. But in these trying economic times, there are no guarantees of who will get what.

“There is never enough money, and no one is ever going to be totally happy,” Mottet admitted. “There is always something that we need.”

Student population increases to nearly 19,000Public administration, communication enjoy healthy gains

By Belinda MunozThe Pan American

By Larissa GarzaThe Pan American

ENROLLMENT UPDATE

Pertinent fi gures from the most recent student count on campus

FALL 2010Over 19,000 increase

FALL 200918,337 students, a 4.6

increase

BIG WINNERPublic administration

program 40 percent increase from 2009 to 2010

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN 7 de octubre del 2010 7 de octubre del 2010 Página 9Página 8

Llámala loca, loba o ciega sordomuda, pero Shakira ha sido a lo largo de los años uno

de los iconos musicales al-rededor del mundo.

Todo empezó

después de ganar un concur-so infantil en su natal Colombia, donde nació el 2 de febrero de 1977. Tras ser la ganadora del programa local por tres años consecutivos, Shakira Isabel Meb-arak Ripoll firmó con Sony un contrato para grabar tres discos entre los 10 y 13 años de edad. Lamentablemente las pro-ducciones no fueron como se esperaban y no tuvieron tanto éxito, pero sería el inicio de una larga trayectoria.

No fue hasta 1995, que Shakira escribe ¿Donde estás corazón? que fue una de sus primeros éxitos y con eso, sale su disco Pies Descalzos que

gracias a el, la cantautora se convierte en una de las artistas más importantes

vendiendo un poco más de 5 millones de copias. En este disco, Sha-kira pro- mocionó las cancio- nes que hasta ahora siguen siendo

unas de sus más importantes

como “Antología”, “Un poco de amor”, y

“Se quiere, se mata”.Tres años después, Shakira

saca a la venta su disco “Dónde están los ladrones?” del cual se vendieron 7 millones de copias. En esta producción, Shakira dió a conocer sus éxitos “In-evitable”, “Ciega, sordomuda” y “Ojos así”, que con la última ganó su primer premio de MTV Video Music Awards en el 2000.

Siendo una estrella internacional, Shakira ya había grabado varias cancio-nes en portugués pero solo se dieron a conocer en ciertos paises. No es hasta el 2001, que sale su primer disco bilingüe: “Servicio de Lavandería” o “Laundry Service” en inglés. Con canciones como “Que me quedes tu” y “Suerte” en el disco en español y en la producción

en americana los sencillos “Underneath your clothes”, y “The one”.

“Fijación Oral” y “Fijación Oral 2” fueron los discos que siguieron en el 2005, pero “Fijación Oral 2”, u “Oral Fixation 2” ya era completamente en inglés. Con canciones como “La Tor-tura”, a dueto con Alejandro Sanz, y “No”, fueron de los sencillos en espa-ñol y en cuanto al disco en inglés, “Hips don’t lie” que fue producida por ella misma y Wycleaf Jean, fue todo un hit alrededor del mundo.

En el 2007, a Shakira se le pide hac-er el soundtrack para la película “Amor en los tiempos de cólera” del famoso escritor Gabriel García Márquez y con esta petición, Shakira interpreta las canciones “Hay amores”, “Despedida” y “Pienso en ti” de su producción “Pies descalzos”. Dándole un twist diferente a su música, en el 2009, “Loba” (She Wolf) se convierte en su siguiente hit. Describió el disco como algo dife-rente y la canción como un himno de libertad. El sencillo salió en ingles al mismo tiempo, y los sencillos siguien-tes también fueron bilingües como “Lo

Shakira, Shakira

hecho está hecho” (Did it again) y “Gi-tana” (Gypsy).

Este año, Shakira sacó su primer sencillo del disco “Sale el sol”, que es-tará en venta a partir del 19 de octubre. “Loca” que al igual que sus últimas producciones, tiene la versión en inglés y en español. En este mismo disco se incluyó el éxito del mundial Sudáfrica 2010 “Waka, Waka”.

La artista que ha recibido más de 100 premios alrededor del mundo, co-

menzó su Tour Sale el Sol este año y este sábado 9 de octubre se presentará en la Arena State Farm para presentar su nuevo disco, y los boletos han esta-do en venta empezando de los 80 hasta 450 dólares.

La música no es el único don de la can-tautora colombiana, sino bailar también. Ha sido reconocida por su manera de mov-er la cadera ya que usa el “belly dance” para la mayoria de sus coreografías y es lo que a la mayoría de sus fans vuelve locos.

No solo por su música y la letra de sus canciones, pero también por su ayuda hu-manitaria, Shakira ha llegado al corazón de todos sus fans al demostrar que tam-bién tiene un lado muy humilde al crear su fundación “Pies Descalzos”.

Pies Descalzos fue creada por la can-tante colombiana con el propósito de en-contrar oportunidades para la niñez vul-nerable y que ha sido desplazada debido a la violencia en Colombia. A finales de los años noventas, Shakira, asumió el com-

promiso de proveer educación, comida y salud a poblaciones colombianas y darles la oportunidad de tener un mejor futuro; y hoy en día, es reconocida por ayudar junto con la labor de la fundación a 30 mil personas y sus comunidades.

No cabe duda que Shakira cuenta con el talento necesario para triunfar y que mas que solo cantar y bailar, la artista de 33 años tiene todo para seguir conquistando corazones de ni-ños, jóvenes y adultos.

RODEADA DE AMOR - La artista colombiana visita con frecuencia a los niños de la fundación que ella misma creó; Pies Descalzos, que ayuda a niños que sido afectados por la violencia en Colombia y les ofrece educación, alimento, salud y la esperanza de un mejor futuro.

Historia por Denisse Salinas y Diseno por Jennifer Tate

1995Pies Descalzos

1998Dónde Estan los Ladrones?

2001Servicio de Lavandería

2009Loba2005

Oral Fixation Vol. 1&2 2010Sale el Sol

1993Peligro

1991Magia

La cantautora colombiana sigue sorprendiendo con su música.

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN 7 de octubre del 2010 7 de octubre del 2010 Página 9Página 8

Llámala loca, loba o ciega sordomuda, pero Shakira ha sido a lo largo de los años uno

de los iconos musicales al-rededor del mundo.

Todo empezó

después de ganar un concur-so infantil en su natal Colombia, donde nació el 2 de febrero de 1977. Tras ser la ganadora del programa local por tres años consecutivos, Shakira Isabel Meb-arak Ripoll fi rmó con Sony un contrato para grabar tres discos entre los 10 y 13 años de edad. Lamentablemente las pro-ducciones no fueron como se esperaban y no tuvieron tanto éxito, pero sería el inicio de una larga trayectoria.

No fue hasta 1995, que Shakira escribe ¿Donde estás corazón? que fue una de sus primeros éxitos y con eso, sale su disco Pies Descalzos que

gracias a el, la cantautora se convierte en una de las artistas más importantes

vendiendo un poco más de 5 millones de copias. En este disco, Sha-kira pro- mocionó las cancio- nes que hasta ahora siguen siendo

unas de sus más importantes

como “Antología”, “Un poco de amor”, y

“Se quiere, se mata”.Tres años después, Shakira

saca a la venta su disco “Dónde están los ladrones?” del cual se vendieron 7 millones de copias. En esta producción, Shakira dió a conocer sus éxitos “In-evitable”, “Ciega, sordomuda” y “Ojos así”, que con la última ganó su primer premio de MTV Video Music Awards en el 2000.

Siendo una estrella internacional, Shakira ya había grabado varias cancio-nes en portugués pero solo se dieron a conocer en ciertos paises. No es hasta el 2001, que sale su primer disco bilingüe: “Servicio de Lavandería” o “Laundry Service” en inglés. Con canciones como “Que me quedes tu” y “Suerte” en el disco en español y en la producción

en americana los sencillos “Underneath your clothes”, y “The one”.

“Fijación Oral” y “Fijación Oral 2” fueron los discos que siguieron en el 2005, pero “Fijación Oral 2”, u “Oral Fixation 2” ya era completamente en inglés. Con canciones como “La Tor-tura”, a dueto con Alejandro Sanz, y “No”, fueron de los sencillos en espa-ñol y en cuanto al disco en inglés, “Hips don’t lie” que fue producida por ella misma y Wycleaf Jean, fue todo un hit alrededor del mundo.

En el 2007, a Shakira se le pide hac-er el soundtrack para la película “Amor en los tiempos de cólera” del famoso escritor Gabriel García Márquez y con esta petición, Shakira interpreta las canciones “Hay amores”, “Despedida” y “Pienso en ti” de su producción “Pies descalzos”. Dándole un twist diferente a su música, en el 2009, “Loba” (She Wolf) se convierte en su siguiente hit. Describió el disco como algo dife-rente y la canción como un himno de libertad. El sencillo salió en ingles al mismo tiempo, y los sencillos siguien-tes también fueron bilingües como “Lo

Shakira, Shakira

hecho está hecho” (Did it again) y “Gi-tana” (Gypsy).

Este año, Shakira sacó su primer sencillo del disco “Sale el sol”, que es-tará en venta a partir del 19 de octubre. “Loca” que al igual que sus últimas producciones, tiene la versión en inglés y en español. En este mismo disco se incluyó el éxito del mundial Sudáfrica 2010 “Waka, Waka”.

La artista que ha recibido más de 100 premios alrededor del mundo, co-

menzó su Tour Sale el Sol este año y este sábado 9 de octubre se presentará en la Arena State Farm para presentar su nuevo disco, y los boletos han esta-do en venta empezando de los 80 hasta 450 dólares.

La música no es el único don de la can-tautora colombiana, sino bailar también. Ha sido reconocida por su manera de mov-er la cadera ya que usa el “belly dance” para la mayoria de sus coreografías y es lo que a la mayoría de sus fans vuelve locos.

No solo por su música y la letra de sus canciones, pero también por su ayuda hu-manitaria, Shakira ha llegado al corazón de todos sus fans al demostrar que tam-bién tiene un lado muy humilde al crear su fundación “Pies Descalzos”.

Pies Descalzos fue creada por la can-tante colombiana con el propósito de en-contrar oportunidades para la niñez vul-nerable y que ha sido desplazada debido a la violencia en Colombia. A fi nales de los años noventas, Shakira, asumió el com-

promiso de proveer educación, comida y salud a poblaciones colombianas y darles la oportunidad de tener un mejor futuro; y hoy en día, es reconocida por ayudar junto con la labor de la fundación a 30 mil personas y sus comunidades.

No cabe duda que Shakira cuenta con el talento necesario para triunfar y que mas que solo cantar y bailar, la artista de 33 años tiene todo para seguir conquistando corazones de ni-ños, jóvenes y adultos.

RODEADA DE AMOR - La artista colombiana visita con frecuencia a los niños de la fundación que ella misma creó; Pies Descalzos, que ayuda a niños que sido afectados por la violencia en Colombia y les ofrece educación, alimento, salud y la esperanza de un mejor futuro.

Historia por Denisse Salinas y

Diseno por Jennifer Tate

1995Pies Descalzos

1998Dónde Estan los Ladrones?

2001Servicio de Lavandería

2009Loba2005

Oral Fixation Vol. 1&2 2010Sale el Sol

1993Peligro

1991Magia

La cantautora colombiana sigue sorprendiendo con su música.

October 7, 201010

Adopted from the 2006 novel by the same name, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” opens Friday. Staring Zach Galifankis and Keir Gilchrist, the fi lm revolves around a self-institutionalized 16-year-old who fi nds love at a mental-health clinic.

Four years after their successful release “The Life Pursuit,” indie pop group Belle and Sebastian are back. “Write About Love” fi nds the band reuniting with producer Tony Hoffer and collaborating with Norah Jones on a few tracks.

In Brazil a 45-year-old illiterate man best known for his impression of Tiririca the clown won a position in congress with more than twice the votes as the next candidate. His slogan? “It can’t get any worse.”

ABC has begun the process of uncovering embarrassing family photos hidden away in closets after sources say the network bought the rights to Internet sensation “Awkward Family Photos.”

Social Cycling rides through McAllen

Every Thursday evening, a group of people arrives at Moonbeans Coffee on 10th & Dove in McAllen. Not to have coffee and socialize, not to participate in a study group or meeting, but to get ready for a journey through the streets of McAllen via bicycle. They’re called “social cyclers” and they can be spotted riding through town once a week en masse.

“I used to live in Austin and I was a part of a group that used to ride together through town,” said Robert Zapata, 22-year-old mechanical engineering student at UTPA. “I made a lot of friends and had a great time cycling so when I moved back to the Valley, I wanted to bring the social cycling idea with me.”

With the economy struggling and gas prices well over two bucks a gallon, cycling has become increasingly popular in metropolitan areas, and such is the case in McAllen, the Valley’s most sophisticated city. Alternative transportation is somewhat foreign in the Rio Grande Valley. Bus routes are minimal and few roadways outside of McAllen include bike lanes, but social cyclers are hoping to change attitudes and inspire more people to consider bicycling as an alternate to driving.

The goal of the McAllen social cyclers is simple.

”We would just like to raise awareness to the public about the increasing popularity of alternative transportation, while having fun and meeting new people,” said cycler Ruben Reyna, mechanical engineering student at UTPA who is from Mission.

Zapata thinks that continuous action on the part of the riders could bring eventual dividends.

”With a large group of people on bikes riding together, we’ll gain more recognition from the public, and maybe from the city,” he said. “We’re hoping the Valley can progress in alternative transportation routes by adding more bike lanes and bike signs along the streets.”

Those who do use bikes in the Valley quickly discover that they might as well be invisible.

“This Thursday was the fi rst time I came out on a ride. Normally I ride alone and I love to ride my bike around town,” said Michelle Alaniz, a UTPA art major. “The only problem I see is that sometimes the lane will suddenly end and drivers use bike lanes as turning lanes…maybe social cycling will make drivers more aware of people on bikes.”

There are no particular rules or requirements needed to join the cyclers except for the obvious (one’s own bike.) However, it is suggested that folks have a couple of months of experience before jumping into the fi rst ride. Highly recommended items include refl ective lights for the bike (tires, front and back

of bicycle), water or Gatorade, and tools to fi x a fl at tire or broken chain.

The route on Sept. 30 started at Moonbeans, headed to Archer Park at 101 N. Broadway, and made a stop at the McAllen Con-vention Center, where the group rested, rehydrated, and socialized. Then, after count-ing heads, check-ing tires, and hav-ing a few laughs, the riders headed to McAllen’s En-tertainment District downtown. Cine El Rey was the des-ignated spot as the riders congregated to enjoy music by the band Personal Use, who now plays every Thursday night there.

Social cycling started in McAllen in April 2010 and has largely been a success, though the group has run into a few problems along the way. People walking to and from bars on 17th Street have been known to yell rude comments

to the group, mostly requesting (aggres-sively) for riders to get out of their way.

It is advised that those over 21 do not consume alcohol or at least limit them-selves in alcohol consumption since it wouldn’t be safe to ride home under the infl uence. The group hasn’t run into any serious problems yet, with the exception of a few members hav-ing a few too many beers and having to call for a ride home. Members make their best effort to practice safe riding, and always have each other’s best in-terest in mind.

Everyone is invit-ed to participate and the group only rides as fast as the slow-est rider, so as not to discourage the less experienced ones.

McAllen Social Cyclists meet every Thursday at 8 p.m. at Moonbeans Coffee and begin the ride at 8:45 p.m.

For more information, visit them on Facebook - Social Cycling McAllen.

By Lorena BalliThe Pan American

BIG WHEELIN’- (L to R) Robert Zapata, Sofi a Peña, Melissa Trevino, and Javi Gonzales meet at Moonbeans Coffee every Thursday evening to participate in a social bike ride around McAllen. Zapata brought the idea down from Austin, making a Facebook page and encouraging people to try biking.

Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN

Robert ZapataMechanical engineering student

“I used to live in Austin

and I was a part of a group

that used to ride together

through town. I made a

lot of friends and had a

great time cycling so when

I moved back to the Valley,

I wanted to bring the social

cycling idea with me.”

ARTS AND LIFE Page 11October 7, 2010

By Nadia Tamez-RobledoThe Pan American

Miki Ehimika knows that he’s part of the minority at The University of Texas-Pan American, something the senior political science major has been periodically reminded of since his fi rst day of orientation. As the son of Nigerian immigrants, the Harlingen native drew a blank when it came to Spanish phrases that peppered presenters’ conversations with the audience.

“I remember coming back from orientation here and telling my dad, ‘It’s really Hispanic-centered. I don’t really fit in. I don’t really feel a part of it,’” the 21-year-old said. “He was like, ‘Oh, maybe they’ll treat you as a novelty. Just give it a chance.’”

Ehimika stayed and, with graduation two semesters away, has a deep fondness for the university. Still, when the annual Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology (HESTEC) Week puts the school’s Latino majority front and center again, Ehimika can’t help but feel somewhat excluded.

Of the 15,947 students enrolled at UTPA in Fall 2009, black students made up less than one percent. Hispanics accounted for about 89 percent, whites four percent, and Asians represented just over one percent of the student body.

“I had a few other options of universi-ties to go to, and none of them were as tied to traditional heritage as this one,” he

said. “I think how different it would be if I was in an area that didn’t focus just on Hispanics. Overall, I don’t think HES-TEC would be that way for everyone be-cause it focuses on engineering, not just being Hispanic.”

While events like HESTEC don’t limit attendance only to Latino stu-dents, some at UTPA argue that nam-ing it a “Hispanic” event is in itself exclusionary toward other cultures.

“Not everybody has a Mexican heritage, and the message is, ‘If you’re not Hispanic, you’re somehow defi -cient,’” said Jack Stanley, a TV/radio/fi lm professor who has taught at the university since 1981. “It’s not fair to our students, it’s not fair to our Asian students, it’s not fair to our black stu-dents. They’re very hesitant to say anything because…if you say any-thing about the predominance of cater-ing to Hispanics, you feel the weight of being labeled a racist.”

According to a 2009 National Science Foundation report, Latinos make up eight percent of all college degrees earned in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fi elds and 5.4 percent of the STEM workforce. This in contrast to the fact they are over 15 percent of the U.S. population now, the most populous American minority group.

While some may feel the name HESTEC is problematic, along with a number of Hispanic-based scholarships, the argument is far from one-sided.

“I do not think labeling these events as ‘Hispanic’ is exclusionary, but rather an attempt to address the gross underrepresentation of Latina/o people in the STEM fi elds and in high-er education,” said Stephanie Alvarez, a modern languages professor in the Mexican American Studies program. “In fact, I know that not only is HES-TEC open to everyone, but that HES-TEC honored several non-Latina/o educators this year.”

However, Stanley said that naming such an event at a university like The University of Texas at Austin, where he taught for six years, would face resistance from people of other cultures.

“But because Hispanic is the dominant culture, other people here shut up rather than stand up,” he said. “If you are going to take a look at it from that perspective, you begin to see that it’s racist, but it’s not a perspective that anyone who’s running this wants to see.”

On the other hand, Marci McMahon, an English professor in the MAS program, views ethnicity-based organizations as a tool for encouraging growth in underserved communities.

“As a white scholar who does work in Chicana/Latino studies, I see it is my responsibility to form alliances with scholars of color rather than to create divisions by claiming racism and exclusion,” she said. “While I might be a racial minority on this campus, given our society’s framing

of race, when I walk off this campus, I am part of a racial group that has historically asserted dominance and privilege against racial ‘Others.’”

Another Rio Grande Valley in-stitution known for serving Latinos is the Valley Alli-ance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS), which specifi es that only Hispanic high school seniors are eligible to apply for its scholarship.

As a high school student, Ehimika said he accepted Hispanic ethnicity as a cri-teria for many of the scholarships promoted, and chose to focus his energy on researching award pos-sibilities based on writing or merit. During his college career, he’s en-countered a political science fellow-ship opportunity that he was ineligi-ble for because he is not Latino.

But again, there are reasonable explanations for what some might see as institutionalized exclusion by race.

“VAMOS is a crucial program that provides Latinos/as with much-needed scholarships to attend college,” Alva-

rez said. “We must remember that a recent report re-vealed that half of all children in Hi-dalgo County are classifi ed as ‘poor.’ Because Latinos/as are a marginalized population in the United States, iden-tity-based groups are essential to cre-ate spaces in which the empowerment of the community become possible.”

As the debate continues, Ehimika said that UTPA could do a lot to help non-Latino students feel like their cul-tures are recognized by diversifying

the programs it offers during events like FESTIBA and International Week. In the week-long FESTIBA event held in the spring, only four of the discussion panels addressed issues outside of Hispanic heri-tage, the US-Mexico border, and Mexico.

“It’s a great place, really,” he said. “I would just like to see a little more diversity. And by a little, I mean a lot.”

Jack StanleyTV/radio/fi lm professor

“Not everybody has a

Mexican heritage, and the

message is, ʻIf youʼre not

Hispanic, youʼre somehow

deficient.ʼ Itʼs not fair to

our students, itʼs not fair

to our Asian students,

itʼs not fair to our black

students.”

HESTEC’s cultural leanings questioned by Valley minorities

AdvertisementsPage 12 October 7, 2010

7 de octubre del 2010 13

Película de Hollywood tendrá premier en Edinburg

Futbol Liga Mexicana

A unas cuantas horas de estrenarse nacionalmente en un cine local, la película “Down for Life” fue una de las atracciones principales de la celebración del PalmFest International Folklife el pasado 2 de Octubre.

El evento encargado de ofrecer a las familias del Valle de Texas diversión, cultura, arte, deportes, entre muchas otras actividades fue realizado por quinta ocasión consecutiva en el McAllen Convention Center.

“Down for Life”, dirigida por el también escritor y productor, Alan Jacobs, cuenta las dificultades ante las que se enfrenta una adolescente latina de tan sólo 15 años al descubrir que salirse de su pandilla es aún más difícil que formar parte de ella. Rascal, lider de una pandilla californiana, intenta cambiar su vida dejando el crimen atrás para convertirse en una escritora famosa.

El largometraje cuenta con figuras reconocidas como Danny Glover y Snoop Dogg, además de la mexicana Kate del Castillo, quién se ha dado a conocer por sus

trabajos en la pantalla chica. Sin embargo, la estrella de la película no es nadie más que una chica común y corriente de las calles de Wilmington, California. Jessica Romero, de 16 años de edad, obtuvo el papel estelar de ésta obra del séptimo arte a pesar de no contar con experiencia actoral.

R o m e r o , ahora de 18 años, compartió con su audiencia en el Centro de Convenciones de McAllen, cómo fue la transición de pandillera a estrella de Hollywood.

“No había hecho nada de mi vida durante muchos años, por eso cuando llega a mi la oferta de actuar, decidí que era tiempo de hacer algo de provecho”, dijo Romero.

También comentó que el cambio no fue sencillo, sin embargo, asegura que todo su esfuerzo ha valido la pena.

Por su parte, Jacobs comentó que fue una gran expriencia haber trabajado con Romero, quién siempre estuvo dispuesta a entregar lo mejor de ella y comprometerse con su personaje.

“Jessica es una persona muy dedicada y entregada a su trabajo. No fue dífi cil lograr un buen trabajo ya que ella siempre se exigía para dar lo mejor

se sí”, dijo Jacobs. “El haber tenido las mismas vivencias que el personaje, hizo que Jessica desmostrara una gran naturalidad en la pantalla”.

Además de descubrir nuevos talentos, Jacobs esta interesado en brindar la oportunidad a talentos internacionales. Tal es el caso de Kate del Castillo, quién tras haber participado en un fi lme mexicano del productor y comediante Eugenio Derbez, es ahora parte de proyectos en el tan soñado Hollywood.

“Alan Jacobs es un excelente director, la conexión que crea con el actor facilita el logro de lo deseado”, dijo Del Castillo. “Trabajar con Jacobs ha sido una experiencia totalmente enriquecedora, además de que contamos con un elenco de primera”.

Tras haber recibido críticas positivas en el Festival Internacional de Filmes de Toronto (TIFF por sus siglas en inglés), hoy se llevará a cabo la premier del afamado filme.

El evento dará inicio a las 18:30 horas y concluirá a las 21:30 en un cine de la ciudad de Edinburg.“Nos da gran orgullo el haber sido escogidos para la premier nacional. Es grandiosos que cada vez más eventos importantes llegan al Valle”, dijo Christopher Julian, publicista local. “Esperamos que vengan a disfrutar de ésta gran función”.

Para más información contactar a Christopher Julian (956) 682-5563.

Se llevó a cabo la Jornada 10 del Torneo Apertura 2010 del Futbol Mexicano.

Los encuentros se efectuaron desde el viernes 1 de octubre en el estadio 3 de Marzo, cuando los Estudiantes Tecos recibieron a los Jaguares de Chiapas en un cotejo que terminó en empate, sin goles.

Para la jornada sabatina tuvimos mas acción, los Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León visitaron al San Luis, y los locales se llevaron la victoria con gol de Othoniel Arce al minuto 77’.

La comarca lagunera se vistió de gala para recibir a los actuales campeones del torneo, los Diablos rojos del Toluca, y les abollaron la corona al propinarle su segunda derrota en el torneo, con un marcador de 2-0, los

goles de Santos los convirtieron José María Cárdenas y Christian Benítez.

En la sultana del norte, los Rayados de Monterrey derrotaron 2-1 al Necaxa, con goles de Humberto Suazo y Aldo de Nigris, por los hydrorayos descontó Pablo Quatrocchi.

El último encuentro de la jornada sabatina, se efectuó en Cancún, Quintana Roo, donde el Atlante se llevo otro descalabro al caer 1-3 como local frente al Pachuca.

El saldo de la jornada dominical dejó la victoria de Pumas sobre Morelia, con gol de Dante López al 63’, Puebla hizo lo propio sobre Gallos Blancos, y con goles de Nicolás Olivera y Rodrigo Salinas, derrotaron al equipo Queretano 2-0.

Por último; semana de clásicos en el fútbol mexicano, en el estadio Azul, la Máquina Cementera por fi n se sacudió la hegemonía que tenia ante

el América al derrotarlos con un tanto de Christian ‘Chaco’ Jiménez, tras una larga racha de siete años de no poder vencer a las águilas. Y Jalisco no se raja, por que también tuvo su primer clásico tapatío en el estadio Omnilife, Guadalajara y Atlas dividieron puntos en un salomónico empate a 2 goles, obra de Flavio Jesús Santos y Gerardo Flores por parte de los rojinegros, Miguel Ángel Ponce descontó para el rebaño, y con autogol Néstor Vidrio al minuto 90’ se produjo el empate. Cabe mencionar que Marco Fabián de la Mora, erró un penal por parte de las Chivas al minuto 64’.

Así fue como se llevó a cabo la décima jornada en el fútbol mexicano, enseguida la tabla general con los juegos jugados (JJ), juegos ganados (JG), juegos perdidos (JP), juegos empatados (JE) y puntos en total hasta hoy.

COMO TODA UNA PROFESIONAL - Jessica Romero fi rmó autógrafos junto con el rapero Lil’ Rob que vinieron a promover la película “Down for Life” que se estrenará este 7 de octubre en Edinburg.

Alejandra Moreno/THE PAN AMERICAN

Tabla General, Futbol Mexicano Apertura 2010

Por Daniel Cuevasthe pan american

Por Karen Velázquezthe pan american

“No había hecho nada de

mi vida durante muchos

años, por eso cuando llega

a mi la oferta de actuar,

decidí que era tiempo de

hacer algo de provecho”

Jessica RomeroProtagonista “Down for Life”

Pos. Equipo JJ JG JE JP Puntos

1 Cruz Azul 10 8 0 2 24

2 Monterrey 10 6 4 0 22

3 Santos 10 7 0 3 21 4 Toluca 10 4 4 2 16

17 Atlante 10 2 2 6 8

15 Necaxa 10 2 4 4 10

13 Chivas 10 2 5 3 11

11 Tigres 10 3 3 4 12

9 Jaguares 10 3 4 3 13

7 Pumas 10 4 3 3 15

5 San Luis 10 5 1 4 16

18 Atlas 10 1 2 7 5

16 Estudiantes 10 2 3 5 9

14 Gallos Blancos 10 3 2 5 11

12 Pachuca 10 3 3 4 12

10 Morelia 10 4 1 5 13

8 Puebla 10 4 2 4 14

6 América 10 4 3 3 15

Resultados de la décima jornada, apertura 2010

Tabla General Futbol Mexicano, Apertura 2010

Although students are barely past the first third of the school semester, the fall season for the UTPA women’s golf program is about to come to an end. The Lady Broncs have only one more tournament this year after plac-ing 16th at the ORU Shootout Monday and Tuesday.

The top finisher for UTPA was Majo Camey, who ended three rounds tied in 24th with a score of 236. The Lady Broncs struggled as a team; ju-nior Sarah Kothny came tied in 69th with rounds of 83, 85 and 86, as senior Haley Hocott tied in 74th with a final score of 256.

Junior Melinda Uriegas (260) and freshman Samantha Garcia (271) got 78th and 89th place.

Men and women’s golf director Ofelia Lopez mentioned that any time

a team is in the bottom of the score-board, it is hard to recover and that the UTPA players failed in starting off the tournament strong enough to make a statement.

The Lady Broncs finished day one (first two rounds) in 15th out of 17 teams and dropped a spot the next day.

“We did not play well, we lacked the ability to take the tournament, we gave the tournament away,” Lopez said.

Lopez added that the factor that the ladies are missing the most is being mentally strong, which would allow them to hit consistent shots and gain more effective results. The team is made up of talented players, whose main work to do will be re-building confidence.

The women head to Huntsville Monday and Tuesday to conclude the fall season at the SHSU Harold Fun-ston Invitational.

“We’re looking out for next week to play well from hole one, play one, round one and not forget that we know how to play,” Lopez said.

The women came into this tourna-ment after finishing 10th at the Cin-cinnati Bearcat Classic two weeks ago and 12th at the Worldlink North Texas Fall Classic, the first event of the semester.

Lopez and Camey agreed on that the advantage of the brief fall cam-paign is that it gives the team an idea of what to work on while also serv-ing as practice to get ready for the spring season.

The first tournament of 2011, the Claud Jacobs Challenge hosted by Texas State, will take place in Febru-ary in Victoria.

“This is definitely a learning expe-rience, every tournament we play is a learning experience and we are getting better each time,” Camey said.

By Sara HernandezThe Pan American

October 7, 201014

Broncs play at top-notch tournament

On Monday, the UTPA men’s tennis team took its two top players, Aswin Vijayaragavan and Beau Bernstein to compete in the 2010 D’Novo/ITA Men’s Tennis All-American Championships at Tulsa, Okla.

The tournament included six rounds of prequalifying and qualifying matches, followed by six rounds in the main draw. Both team leaders competed in the qualifying rounds of the doubles event as well as in the prequalifying rounds for singles. The tournament runs Oct 2-10 and the Bronc pair ended up going 0-2 in the opening round of singles play.

Senior Vijayaragavan played Alex Brigham, a sophomore at UCLA who came in 1-1 against nationally ranked opponents. Brigham took the win with a 6-2 advantage.

“It was a little too fast for me,” said Vijayaragavan, a finance major and award-winning player for the Broncs the past three years. “It was a good experience but we didn’t play our best.”

Bernstein of Sugarland went against Tobias Obenaus, senior at the University of Washington who had a record of 24-9 for the Huskies in 2009-10. According to the Office for Athletic Media Relations, Bernstein found his opportunity to break back and even the match, but the foe was

able to find two big serves and close the match out 6-2, 6-4.

“We played the tournament at Waco first … this is Bernstein’s and my second time but we didn’t go as well as expected,” Vijayaragavan said.

Coach Chris Taylor mentioned that this tournament was very prestigious and is considered a high-level event, so overall the Broncs did well.

“We would have liked to come away with a couple of wins,” Taylor said. “I don’t think they played their best game, but that happens sometimes.”

Vijayaragavan, from Andrapadesh, India, agrees with Taylor, saying that everyone has off days and it just happened to be theirs. However, it was a learning experience.

“It’s my last year and I want to finish it in style,” Vijayaragavan said. “We just have to come back and work on our mistakes.”

BACK AT HOMEBesides competing at the ITA All-

American Championship as the top representatives for the Broncs, senior Vijayaragavan and junior Bernstein will serve as an example for the four newcomers to the team this year.

“Beau and Vijayaragavan are our two leaders and they are mentoring the new guys and motivating them,” Taylor said.

This season, the program welcomed

juniors Matt Teivans, an Australian transfer from Wichita State University, as well as three freshmen: Sebastien Job of Belgium, and the Brazilian pair of Ricardo Hopker and Victor Alves.

Taylor also explained that unlike a team’s sports, where a coach could tell the team to pass the ball better or play better offense, in tennis the responsibility lies with each individual.

“I have eight guys on the team and

every guy is different than the next guy,” he noted. “Talent really wins in this factor and you have to be talented, smart, and you have to know how to think your way through a match.”

Taylor also suggested that one of the main struggles the young squad may go through is inexperience, but that overall he has a set of skilled individuals. The players think highly of their coach, too.

“Our coach is being as good, as always, and he is pumped up this year because we have a new team,” Vijayagaravan said. “Our team point of view is to get ranked and our main goal is to win conference.”

Taylor and his new group will get ready for the next event, in Austin, starting Oct. 8. Freshman Victor Alves, plus Teivans and Hopker, will be competing.

By Astrid VillegasThe Pan American

Freddie Martinez/The Pan american

LEADING THE PACK - The Broncs’ more experienced players, junior Beau Bernstein (pictured) and senior Aswin Vijayaragavan competed at the ITA All-American Championship last weekend.

Women’s golf ready to wrap up2010 after placing 16th at ORU

With a new group under their wing, men’s tennis team coach and top players have high expectations for 2010-2011 season.

Alma E. Hernandez/The Pan american

MuLLIGAN - Majo Camey and the team are taking advantage of fall semester struggles to prepare for the upcoming year.

2007

NGCA ALL-AMERICAN SCHOLAR TEAM

2003200420052009

NATIONAL MINORITY COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

2009

GREAT WEST CONFERENCE

CHAMPIONSHIP

UTPA WOMEN’S GOLF T ITLES

SPORTSOctober 7, 2010 Page 15

A full-time attacker from beginning to endWhen it rains it pours. If some is

good, more is better. Add any other favorite positive clichés and one can understand the crazy rollercoaster ride senior Marci Logan has been on this season.

Last week, Logan was named the Great West Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Like most great athletes who acquire individual awards, Logan knows that her accomplishments would not have been possible without teammates.

“They played a huge role,” exclaimed the senior Colorado native. “The defensive players covered me when I was hitting so I could have the confi dence to go for the kill every time instead of just playing it safe. Our middles worked hard to pull a blocker, so I was left with either a solo on the outside or a hole in the block for me to put the ball down.”

Putting down the ball is exactly what Logan has been doing as a member of the Bronc volleyball team for four years. With 39 kills recorded in the last three games, she only needs 92 more to reach the 1,000 mark for her collegiate career. This is a rare milestone and not that many outside

hitters are able to obtain it, but this is not what drives Logan to play at a high level.

“I just have to stay focused on playing well and putting points up

on the board for UTPA,” Logan stated. “I’ll reach my own personal goals only if we reach our team goals for the season.”

This type of attitude is nothing new to fourth-year Head Coach Angela Hubbard, who has seen Logan develop into the strong vocal leader she is today.

“Marci is my only four-year starter that has been with me since the beginning and knows how hard we have worked to build this program to where it is today,” Hubbard said. “She knows what is expected of everyone and what we need to do to be successful this season.”

Logan continues the program tradition of having had at least one player every season collect the honor of Offensive Player of The Week. Hubbard has produced one every year since she took the reins as head coach four years ago.

Recognition for individual talent is not something the Logan Family is unfamiliar with. Her older brother Brock Logan, competed in “Iron Man” triathlons and set records at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“I’m kind of following in his shadow and trying to make my own athletic achievements,” Logan admits. “My goal is to come out of every game having no regrets and knowing that I did everything I could to put us in the best possible position to win.”

Although it is a great honor for both Hubbard and Logan, along with the rest of the Broncs, they know there is no time to celebrate and that the main focus right now is for the team to play at the level they have reached going back to the win against Prairie View Sept. 20, when Logan recorded 17 kills. The team is now 2-1 in Great West play and 6-12 overall.

“No pies to the face just yet,” Hubbard noted. “I am very proud of Marci and I know her teammates are as well, but we still have a lot to accomplish this season so the true celebrations will be postponed until then.”

UTPA KILLS

CAREER LEADERS

1. Jaclyn Muszynski 1,629 00-02

2. Kellie Phillips 1, 405 05-08

3. Heather Bravo 1,352 03-06

4. Tanja Thomas 1,175 89-91

5. Stephanie Redd 1,076 02-05

6. Cathy Netemeyer 921 02-04

7. MARCI LOGAN 908 07-10

By Dionicio “Nune” Rodriguez The Pan American

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

FIRE! - Despite Marci Logan’s recent accomplishment and nearly 1,000 career kills, the veteran looks to remain focused and lead the team into good closure.

Freddie Martinez/THE PAN AMERICAN

“My goal is to come out

of every game having no

regrets and knowing that

I did everything I could to

put us in the best possible

position to win.”

Marci LoganSenior

Check out Bronc Soccer Club photo gallery and story at panamericanonline.com

NFL Weekend Schedule

SUNDAY

Jacksonville @ Buffalo 1 p.m. CBS

Tampa Bay @ Cincinnati 1 p.m. FOX

Atlanta @ Cleveland 1 p.m. FOX

St. Louis @ Detroit 1 p.m. FOX

Kansas City @ Indianapolis 1 p.m. CBS

Green Bay @ Washington 1 p.m. FOX

Chicago @ Carolina 1 p.m. FOX

Denver @ Baltimore 1 p.m. CBS

NY Giants @ Houston 1 p.m. FOX

New Orleans @ Arizona 1 p.m. FOX

San Diego @ Oakland 4:05 p.m. CBS

Tennessee @ Dallas 4:15 p.m. CBS

Philadelphia @ San Francisco 8:20 p.m. NBC

MONDAY

Minnesota @ NY Jets 8:30 p.m. ESPN

GO GET HIM - Business major Simon Garza (right) goes in to gain offensive possession of the ball Saturday afternoon at the WRSC Soccer Field.

THE PAN AMERICAN October 7, 2010Page 16

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