Inside The MJ

...Award-winning newspaper for The University of Texas of the Permian Basin...
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Campus
News
“Stress-Free Zone” offers
relief during finals week
The Student Union will
offer students a “Stress-Free
Zone” 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
May 1 through 4. Games, as
well as popcorn, fresh fruit
and other refreshments will
be available. The “StressFree Zone” will be free of
charge.
Educator’s Job Fair to
be held May 26
The UT Permian Basin
Educator ’s Job Fair is
scheduled for May 26 from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the
campus Multipurpose
Room. More than 25 school
districts are expected at this
year ’s fair. Teacher
placement files cost $15 and
include 15 mail outs over a
three
year
period.
Volume 24 · Issue 14
Student Senate brings first-ever “Pizza with the Prez”
by Jason Navarette
Editor-in-Chief
April 11 marked the firstever UT Permian Basin “Pizza with
the Prez,” a question-and-answer
meeting between University President Dr. W. David Watts and students. Watts is the fifth University
president. The UT Permian Basin
jazz combo band, the Keasters, performed before and following the
question and answer part of the
event. A total of 19 door prizes were
given away during the Student Senate-hosted meeting and Jersey Girl
Pizza provided the food.
The meeting was broken
into three segments: the answering
of pre-approved questions, an ad hoc
question-and-answer portion and
door prize giveaways.
Questions asked during the
event ranged from “What does the
‘W’ in ‘W. David Watts’ stand for?”
(a question he left unanswered) to
“What consideration has the University administration given to a
campus daycare?”
The first question asked
was about the proposed High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor
(HT3R) project in Andrews County.
Watts said, “Why would
UTPB have anything to do with a
nuclear reactor?”
After all, he added, accidents have occurred at nuclear
power plants in Pennsylvania
(Three Mile Island) and the Ukraine
(Chernobyl).
Watts stated “This reactor
uses a different kind of technology.” to help students through the inThis technology, he added, crease . . . . The ‘We Got You Covallows for the proposed HT3R to be ered’ program has the greatest numhelium-cooled rather than water- ber of participants. We continue to
cooled. This will make the reactor increase pay for student workers . .
safer and more stable.
. . Does that make everything better
Watts said, “It’s safe. I live for everyone? No, it doesn’t. But
here, too. I want to live in a safe we’ll help out as much as we can.
place.”
What we want is widespread covWatts was asked why nu- erage of students.”
trition and fitness programs were
This will not be the last tunot promoted at the University.
ition increase, noted Watts. He
He said, “We should be.”
stated that a variety of national and
He added that he hopes state concerns—such as the lessenthat, once it is
ing support
completed, the
for
higher
newly renoeducation—
have been the
vated Gymna- “It’s safe. I live here, too. I
sium will help
catalyst for
want to live in a
with the protuition
inmotion
of
creases across
safe place.”
these
prothe state.
grams. Watts
Watts
said,
“My
noted
that
- Dr. W. David Watts,
students will
o p i n i o n
doesn’t matter
not receive reUT Permian Basin
imbursement
a lot with this
President
for athletic
sort of thing . .
fees due to the
. . If you want
renovation.
lower tuition
He stated, “The equipment at UTPB, go out and vote.”
is still available to you . . . . The renoOnly then, he remarked,
vation is only short term.”
will Congress shift its focus to
Watts said that students higher education.
should contact either his office or
Another financial concern
the office of the Vice President of students brought forward was the
Student Services Dr. Susan Lara price of textbooks. Watts remarked
should access to gym equipment be that, although the University condenied.
tract with the Bookstore had been
Another question students renegotiated this spring, the price
had was on the recently accepted of textbooks will remain unchanged.
tuition increase for Fall 2006 and
He said, “The Bookstore is
Fall 2007.
owned by a private company, and,
Watts remarked, “We’ve like all companies, they’re in it for
got a number of programs in place the money . . . . You have many dif-
ferent choices as to where you buy
your textbooks.”
Although the price of textbooks remains unchanged, the University will now be able to sell UT
Permian Basin merchandise off
campus.
Watts stated, “Wal*Mart
will begin to carry UTPB apparel.”
Since the recent move of
Falcon athletics to Division II Heartland Conference, students asked
when there will be a UT Permian
Basin football team.
Watts, referencing the
movie and Broadway musical
Annie, said, “I’m looking for Daddy
Warbucks . . . . There are many in
the area that are interested in football at UTPB.”
One of the main problems
with adding football to the University is lack of funding, stated Watts.
He remarked that the University
cannot use state monies or current
tuition, so the funds must come
from another source.
Watts noted that the same
problem can be found in the creation of a campus daycare. Since a
daycare center cannot be built using state funds, the money would
have to come from student fees and
tuition.
He said, “We can do this if
it is the will of the student body . . .
. Not everyone has children. Not
everyone needs a daycare.”
Because of this, he continued, the University is seeking outside funding for a campus daycare
center.
See Pizza, p. 4
John Ben Shepperd Institute hosts semi-annual roundtable discussion
by Isidro Gonzales
Assistant Editor
Photo by Jason Navarette
Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores being interviewed before the JBS
Distinguished Lecture Series roundtable discussion.
The latest installment of the John Ben
Sheppard ( JBS) Distinguished Lecture Series, held on
March 30, was titled
“Terrorism and the Security
of America’s Borders,” a topic
mirroring the current debate
over immigration. The first of
the 2006 JBS Distinguished
Lecture Series occurred on
March 30, 2006 in the UT
Permian Basin gymnasium
and was free to students,
faculty, staff and the general
public.
Panelists of the
recent discussion included
David Aguilar, Chief of the
United States Border Patrol;
Rick Flores, Sheriff of Webb
County, Texas; Belen Robles,
former president of LULAC;
Daniel Benjamin, former
Director of Counterterrorism
for the National Security
Council; Susan Burk, Deputy
Coordinator for Homeland
Security, Counterterrorism
Office and Dr. Michael Perry,
Vice President of General
Atomics Corporation. Randy
Kaye, a CNN reporter who
has covered terrorism
extensively, moderated the
panel.
One
topic
of
discussion during the media
event held prior to the panel
discussion was the perceived
threats to United States
security.
“The biggest threat is
the fact we have become
complacent as a country,”
stated Aguilar, “Complacent
because
nothing
has
happened since September of
2001.”
Another
topic
discussed was the efficiency
of manning the borders.
“Well there is no
doubt about it, we need to do
a lot more technological
support and [need] the
manpower to respond the
combination to respond,”
said Robles.
Perry agreed to an
extent about technical
support, but he differed on
Psychology Club holds Director offers advice,
campus roundtable discussion financial aid tips to students
by Cindy Dodson
Staff Writer
On April 13, the Psychology Club hosted a roundtable discussion in the UT Permian Basin
Cafeteria. There were nine students
in attendance, as well as the moderator, psychology professor and
club advisor Dr. Greg Harter.
The club meeting opened
with Harter calling for nominations
for club officers for next year. The
nominations that came forth were
Jason Navarette for the office of
president and Jack Welch to continue in the office of treasurer.
Harter then went on to introduce the topic of the day—gay
marriage. He stated that this is a
topic that is always controversial
and usually guarantees a lively discourse. This day was no exception.
Harter made many attempts to steer the discussion to-
ward the appropriate area of attention.
In his opening remarks,
Harter said, “I’m not sure who came
up with these topics . . . . I think for
a lot of people, it’s a moral issue and
it’s certainly a political issue. Psychologists can study this and help
people clarify their beliefs and values, but I don’t think they can, from
an empirical research perspective,
answer the questions.”
Despite Harter ’s efforts,
however, the discussion soon
veered off-course to the topic of religion.
UT Permian Basin student
Jack Welch, speaking passionately
about all aspects of this subject
matter, said, “If people are going to
talk about the Bible, they should be
prepared and know what they’re
talking about. If you want to debate
your religion, be prepared and know
what your religion says.”
See Psychology Club, p. 4
by Jason Navarette
Editor-in-Chief
One of the primary concerns students have with attending a university is the rising cost of college.
In order to allow students an opportunity to attend college and
cope with the financial burden of
college life, financial aid is offered
to those that qualify. This is the first
of a series of articles highlighting
tips for students seeking financial
aid. The information was provided
by UT Permian Basin Financial Aid
Director Bob Vasquez.
Vasquez said, “I think the
affordability of the University is
great, though financial aid can
still help.”
According to Vasquez,
there are two steps a student
should take in order to receive
help for attending the University:
getting registered as soon as pos-
sible and completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) form, which can be
found in the Financial Aid office,
room MB1225.
He said, “Don’t procrastinate. Be sure to do this no later
than mid-July.”
Vasquez noted that, especially near the end of the spring
semester, many students put off
taking the necessary steps until
it is too late to apply for aid.
Various factors help determine whether a student is eligible for financial aid. These include maintaining a minimum 2.0
cumulative GPA, previous loans
and grants and the completion of
at least 75 percent of the courses
attempted for a semester.
Once the student is registered and the FAFSA is completed, the process of determining the level of financial aid is ini-
See Financial Aid, p. 4
how the U.S. should go about
it.
“It really is the length
of the border and the vast
areas,” stated Perry, “This
issue is how to do it cost
effectively; we got the
technology we got plenty of
know how, but the issue is
how to do it cost effectively.”
Flores was in accord
about the necessity of
manpower on the border.
“I think we need to
place more of an emphasis on
providing more boots on the
ground and more resources
to the border,” said Flores.
He stated that
Homeland Security was
important, but that the
priorities of President George
W. Bush were misplaced.
“Homeland Security
is important but I think that
the president has somehow
deviated from [his] priorities
and we are concerned with
the fact that we do have a
Mexican border adjacent to
Texas, California, New
See JBS, p. 4
Inside
The MJ
Thoughts on
Leadership...
page 2
UT Permian Basin Wind
Ensemble holds first
concert...
page 3
Major League Baseball
starts-off new season...
page 4
Opinion/Editorial
Page 2, The Mesa Journal
Into the Wilderness
Seasons
in
My Rant
Transition
T
he end of the Spring
2006 Semester is finally
upon us. The tension caused
by a looming finals week can be
seen all around. For those who
want a chance to relax and
unwind before the “big exam,” the
Student Union will be holding a
“Stress-Free Zone” in the Student
Union Commons from 8 a.m. to 10
p.m., May 1 through 4. Summer is
almost here.
Some of you will be taking
Jason
a break this summer. Of course,
“taking a break” may mean
Navarette
or other similar
Editor-in-Chief working
activities—but at least you’re not
taking any classes. There are
others, like me, who will be attending classes during this
time.
If you’re taking classes this summer, why not write
for The Mesa Journal? Not only will it help polish your writing
skills and help you beef up your résumé (after all, The Mesa
Journal is an award-winning publication), but you can earn
some extra cash to boot. We are always looking for new
writers, photographers and cartoonists. Or, perhaps you
would prefer to be a guest writer or columnist. Whether
you’re interested in joining The MJ staff, want to submit a
guest article/column or just want to take photographs, call
(432)552-2659, email [email protected] or drop by The Mesa
Journal office in room MB2138 of the Student Union.
Summer is a time of life, of action. It is the antithesis
of winter, which represents death and lethargy. Of course,
the draining heat of a Texas summer can cause just about
anyone to become weary or exhausted, but I digress. Fall and
spring can be considered to be transitional seasons, times of
change.
Superficially, the differences between the seasons can
be seen in nature. Plants seemingly wither and die during
the fall and winter months, only to be “reborn” during the
spring and summer. It is no wonder why many cultures
evolved their spiritual belief system around such
observations. Such cultures are rooted in spirituality—of
both humans and a “world spirit”—and are generally
considered inferior by practitioners of certain religions.
This mirroring of nature onto the human spirit is the
true meaning of the seasons. The human spirit has periods of
death/depression, life/action, as well as times of transition.
This is the cycle of nature as it is of the spirit. Of course, the
term spirit is subjective. Some will translate the term as “soul”
(which is also subjective), while others will call it “the
animating force within humans.” There are many ways to
define the term spirit. One of the shared ideas behind most of
these definitions is that the spirit is affective. Spirit is action,
spirit is emotion, spirit is movement. These qualities of
spirit—action, emotion and movement—most personify the
season known as summer.
So, let this summer be a time of action. Volunteer
your time to those in need. Plant a garden. Play a sport. Write
for The Mesa Journal (just thought I’d sneak that in).
Live a life full of spirit.
Live a life of action.
Do you love to write?
Do you love
to take pictures?
Then come join the staff of
The Mesa Journal,
the award-winning student
newspaper of
UT Permian Basin.
Call The MJ office at
(432)552-2659, email
[email protected] or
drop by room MB2138 in
the Student Union.
The Truth is No Joke!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Column by Isidro Gonzales
Assistant Editor
I
t seems that certain sections of the UT Permian Basin community do not really understand what a rant
is. It is simply an opinion expressed by an individual in the same vein as Bill O’Reilly, who, some say, is
the best commentator on Fox News Channel. When O’Reilly “rants” its news, when I rant I get told
that I don’t know what I’m talking about. But I digress.
In a “Letters to the Editor” printed in Volume 24, Issue 13 of The Mesa Journal (April 12), I was asked
if I really knew was I was talking about in terms of Iraq and the so-called weapons of mass destruction
(WMDs). I was asked if I knew for certain if they (Iraq) really had any WMDs. I was also asked from where
I received my information concerning the fact. Well, to be perfectly honest, I received the information just
like everyone else—from the Bush Administration and the Senate Armed Services committee. During a
Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in October 2004, Charles A. Duelfer, Special Advisor to the
Director of Central Intelligence for Strategy Regarding Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs and
head of the Iraq Survey Group testified that Iraq’s WMD program was essentially destroyed in 1991 and
Saddam Hussein ended Iraq’s nuclear program after the 1991 Gulf War. He also stated during that hearing
that Iraq worked hard to cheat on United Nations-imposed sanctions and retain the capability to resume
production of WMDs at some time in the future. The report did not state specifically as to how far in the
future.
Also, three months later the Bush Administration acknowledged that they had received erroneous
information concerning Iraq developing and stockpiling nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. It was
at that time President Bush changed his raison d’être on invading Iraq, the ever-popular “regime change.”
Bush even went as far as to make light of not finding WMDs in Iraq when he attended the Radio
and Television Correspondent’s Dinner in 2004. The video can be found at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4596717.
Pretty poor taste, if you ask me—especially when our soldiers are still dying for his mistakes. I do give him
credit on how his slide show ended, though. The ending segued into scene depicting a group of Special
Forces troops in Afghanistan at the site where they buried a piece of the fallen World Trade Center, a
commemoration of the dead from September 11.
Now on to Iran. Yes I adamantly believe that they harbor—or will harbor—nuclear weapons. Yes, I
do believe that they pose a serious threat to our wellbeing. And yes, something needs to be done about it.
What we need to do is exhaust every form of diplomacy. I recall that Iran has constantly advocated
that the resumption of the nuclear program was to provide the country with energy. What I suggest is that
we (the U.S.) call their bluff. If they really are in need of some sort of energy, then propose giving them the
technology to create wind and solar farms. If they do not take this diplomatic gesture of help for their socalled energy crises, then we, as well as the rest of world, have the answer.
In terms of voting, I do tend to classify myself as a democrat, but I do not vote lockstep or advocate
blindly anything that the party says without adequate research. In fact, I actually vote for the person over
the party. To answer the question over whom I would vote for if Bush ran again, to tell you the truth, I
would vote for McCain or, dare I say, Jeb Bush. Now that’s a Bush I could stand behind.
Finally, I would like to end with a prayer. During this Easter season may the promise made over
2,000 years ago be as real and alive. Also, may God, in His infinite wisdom, inspire in all the world’s leaders
the knowledge to understand that we were all created in His image and, therefore, are all brothers and
sisters. Finally, may God bless America, may God bless the world and may God give each and everyone of
you Falcons the wisdom to ace those dreaded finals next week. And all the congregation said, “AMEN!”
Leadership Thoughts
WHO AM I? — I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you
onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things I do you might just as
well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed—you must merely
Be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do them
automatically. I am the servant of all great individuals and, alas, of all failures, as well. Those who are great, I have
made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work With all the
precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin—it makes
no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me
and I will destroy you. WHO AM I? I AM HABIT!
NAILS IN THE FENCE — There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails
and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day
the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the
number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than
to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his
father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold
his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The
father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the
holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this
one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound
is still there. “ A verbal wound is just as bad as a physical one. How many times have you said things in anger
without thinking about the consequences of your words?
The Mesa Journal
e-mail: [email protected]
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Phone: (432) 552-2659
Fax: (432) 552-2660
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Jason Navarette
Assistant Editor: Isidro Gonzales
Advisor: Becki Murphy
Staff Writers: Luke Garrett, Courtney Goheen, Mary Gonzales,
Jay Gorania, Malissa Greenwood, Wren Nance, Amber Navarette,
Tabitha Overby, Kevin Roberts, Ben Swanson, Nora Triepke
Layout and Design: Jason Navarette
Page Two Design: Isidro Gonzales
Photographers: Luke Garrett, Jay Gorania, Malissa Greenwood
General Information
The Mesa Journal is a student publication that provides information, commentary and entertainment for The University
of Texas of the Permian Basin community. Editorial statements and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the UT Permian Basin administration.
The Mesa Journal
Letter Policy
All contributions, in good taste, will be edited for grammar, spelling, length (250 minimum), libel, profanity and
personal attacks. All letters must contain the author’s name, major, academic classification and contact information.
This information can be withheld upon request. Electronic copies of articles and letters are preferred.
Mission Statement
The Mesa Journal is designed to inform, entertain, educate and heighten awareness of students, faculty and
administrators at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Staff members will be responsible journalists by
maintaining high ethical standards with fairness, accuracy and balance.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Arts & Entertainment
The Mesa Journal, Page 3
UT Permian Basin Wind Ensemble hosts first concert
by Nora Triepke
Staff Writer
About 40 people attended the UT Permian Basin
Wind Ensemble’s performance on April 9. Previously,
the Music Department’s pep
band and jazz band have
performed but the wind ensemble is wrapping up its
first semester.
Music Department
Chair Dr. Dan Keast stated,
“Anything we’ve ever done
in the past has been in conjunction with the pep band
and we’ve always called the
ensemble the Falcon Flock . . .
this is our first chance to
break out of the pep band
mode.”
“A wind ensemble,
such as the one that played
[April 9], is basically a modern day concert band except
there is only one person per
part and it has a different
function. It’s a little smaller;
some of the concert bands can
have 100 players and the reed
sound of wind instruments
dominates,” Keast explained.
The wind ensemble,
composed of 12 UT Permian
Basin students and two fac-
ulty and staff members, performed a variety of selections
in the J. Conrad Dunagan Library Lecture Hall room
LL001. Faculty member Dan
Keast and staff member
Gloria Carpenter joined the
ensemble on clarinet and
flute, respectively.
The UT Permian Basin Tuba Quartet also performed Sunday evening playing “Jupiter” from Gustav
Holst’s The Planets and Dona
Nobis Pacem.
The concert was followed by a reception and live
jazz music provided by the
UT Permian Basin Jazz
Combo in the library foyer.
The majority of the audience
found a place to sit and
stayed to hear the jazz selections.
When asked why the
jazz combo did not perform
inside the lecture hall, Keast
responded, “They were going
to be on stage and perform
but we thought jazz is one of
those things that you don’t
always just sit there and be
quite for it when you listen.
The roots of jazz are in a
party atmosphere, we just
thought it was better in the
lobby where they could talk
and mingle in a casual atmosphere.”
In addition to the ensembles performances, student conductors studying
under Nyela Basney con-
ducted a few of the wind
ensemble’s selections.
Keast claimed, “I saw
a lot of growth in all three of
the student conductors” noting, “If you go to a bigger
school, a major university,
you’re not going to get that
opportunity.”
Keast said that he
doesn’t usually have students conduct but given the
response of the student conductors and the ensemble, he
will be including this in the
future as an aspect of the conducting courses offered on
campus.
Leandro Chapa, a UT
Permian Basin junior who
plays piano with the jazz
ensemble, said there were
only four musicians in the
jazz ensemble and this semester there are now are
seven.
“Next
semester
we’re looking to add Latin
music to our jazz ensemble,”
said Chapa, “We want the
ensemble to expand and
grow because we want it to
stay in the University as a
permanent ensemble.”
Eric Garcia, UT Permian Basin junior and saxophonist in the jazz combo,
agrees with the idea of adding a variety of musical influences to the combo’s repertoire. The Latin ensemble
will focus on music stylistically influenced by Salsa,
Photo by Michelle Keast
The brass section of the Wind Ensemble plays in the Library Lecture Hall.
Tejano, Norteño and Merengue. Garcia said that, with
enough interest, a separate
group may form, but for now
it would be without credit
and on a volunteer-basis
only—or just a part of the
jazz combo’s repertoire.
The amount of live
musical performances offered by the University’s
Music Department over the
last two years shows consistent growth. Chapa says it is
important for musicians to
have a variety of music programs available on campus.
“Your creativity as a
musician expands when
there is a variety of avenues
through which you can express yourself,” he said.
The UT Permian Basin Chancel Choir, Jazz
Combo, Falcon Flock, Wind
Ensemble and String Ensemble will all be performing in upcoming recitals open
to the public.
Although the pro-
gram enjoys much support
and interest both on and off
campus, Garcia stated, “We
do need people to come out
and join our groups, especially percussionists, low
brass players and singers.”
Dates for upcoming
concerts are posted on the UT
Permian Basin online calendar (www.utpb.edu/cgi-pl/calendar/calendar.pl) and more information about these concerts
is available through Dr.
Keast.
The mysterious Alain Nu bends spoons, minds
by Wren Nance
Staff Writer
Student Services
presented mentalist Alain
Nu, from the TLC television
series The Mysterious World Of
Alain Nu, on April 6. The performance was located in the
Multipurpose Room of the
Student Union and a free dinner of chopped brisket sandwiches from Rockin’ Q was
served. Tickets were also
passed out for a raffle at the
end of the show. The prizes
were a $50 gift card from
Wal*Mart and two $25 gift
cards from Hastings.
Before the performance, Alain Nu mingled
with audience members as
they arrived, attempting to
memorize everyone’s name.
After being introduced, Nu
defined mentalism as “a
combination of psyche, probability and timing.”
His first demonstration was a transfer of
thought, in which two audience members managed to
draw the same image randomly. The second demonstration was a complex card
trick that involved several
audience members picking
numbers and a card suit that
Student Life
Career Corner
with Tony Love
I’m fixing to graduate and I’m having last minute
thoughts about possibly getting into teaching. Everyone keeps telling me that teaching is changing, but how?
I know it’s a little late in the game, but what are my
options?
-ER
ER, you didn’t mention your major, but a couple
of local options include attending UT Permian Basin as a
post-baccalaureate certification student or attending a
local Alternative Certification Program (ACP).
Region 18’s ACP offers certification in bilingual
education, EC-8 generalist, History grades eight through
12, Mathematics grades four through eight, Physics
grades eight through 12, Science Composite grades four
through 12, Physical/Life Science and Social Studies
grades four through 12, Technology Applications EC-12
and Computer Science grades eight through 12. The full
cost for their program is approximately $4,000 plus testing fees. If you’re planning on relocating to the metroplex
area, Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has an
ACP which offers more subject areas. DISD quotes a
turnkey cost (which includes all exams) for $3984-$4648,
depending on the subject area.
To learn more about certification through UT
Permian Basin, call or visit the certification office
(MB3215). To read information about Region 18’s ACP
program, go to www.esc18.net and click on “teacher certification program.” To read about DISD’s ACP program, go to
www.teachfordallas.com.
The entire public education field is transforming rapidly. Accountability is rapidly creeping into the
equation for all state educators. Houston ISD recently
became the largest school district in the country to adopt
a merit pay plan for teachers that focuses on a pay structure tied to students’ test scores. Other school districts
nationwide have adopted various types of incentive pay
programs for teachers in recent years. Be aware of these
trends, especially if you’re considering staying in-state
and teaching a subject in which students are tested in
our state’s Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
(TAKS) test. The TAKS measures the statewide curriculum in Reading at grades three through nine; in Writing
at grades four and seven; in English Language Arts at
grades 10 and 11; in Mathematics at grades three through
11; in Science at grades five, 10 and 11; and Social Studies
at grades eight, 10 and 11. Satisfactory performance on
the TAKS at grade 11 is prerequisite to a high school diploma.
Career Corner continued on Page 4
eventually predicted where guess the altered time on a
the chosen card was in the random audience member’s
deck.
watch.
Then, for the next
Next, Nu randomly
two demonstrations, Nu chose two audience members
duct taped
for a hyphis
eyes
nosis dem“[Mentalism is] a
shut and
onstraperformed
tion. After
combination of
another
talking
psyche, probability
card trick.
them into
Without his
“hypnoand timing.”
sight, he
sis,” he
was able to
tapped
guess how
one of the
- Alain Nu, Mentalist
many cards
volunhave been
teers, causcut from the deck by an au- ing the other one to feel it.
dience member. Then, still Neither felt they had been
blindfolded by duct tape, he hypnotized and both bewas able to successfully lieved they had been
touched, even if they had not.
Then there came the
spoons. Nu’s grand finale involved bending spoons with
his mind. Nu demonstrated
his uncanny ability to force
the metal of the spoon to
bend, twist or break without
touching it. Several audience
members tested the spoons
before he would work his
mentalist magic. The audience, already awed, was
truly amazed at Nu’s ability.
Nu signed mental
stickers when the performance was over. More than
half the audience stuck
around while Nu talked, performed more spoon bending
and played a mental version
Falcon
Success
Stories...
Three years ago, first generation college student Carl os
Cruz researched his higher education options and chose to attend
UT Permian Basin. Originally from
Sanderson, Texas—a small town
about 60 miles south of Ft. Stockton—Cruz was raised by h is
grandparents. His paren ts
thought that the smaller school
system was a better option for him
than in Del Rio, Texas, where his
parents live and work. Cruz maintained good grades and was acCarlos Cruz
tive in several sports, including
six-man football, in his small high
school. His grades and academic record earned him a merit
scholarship. Among his reasons for choosing UT Permian
Basin were the merit scholarship opportunities and the proximity of the University to his family.
When he was in high school, Cruz worked in the
summers in the same bank in which his mother works as a
teller. Cruz is in his junior year as an Accounting major, a
choice he made because of his summer experiences at the
bank. He has made the Dean’s list every semester since he
first enrolled at UT Permian Basin. He is currently in the
dual Masters and Bachelors program. When he graduates in
two years, he will receive both degrees.
Cruz continues to be active with campus activities,
including intramural flag football. His team, Game Day, won
first place this past season. Last year Cruz served as VicePresident of the Students in Philanthropy (SIP) and was chosen to be the organization president this year. As SIP President, Cruz has helped to raise thousands of dollars, which
the group gives to non-profit agencies that submit grant requests in the Odessa area. He has also volunteered for many
non-profit organizations including the Mission Center, the
Humane Society, Catholic Charities and Samaritan Counseling. Cruz also helped clean up tables for a spaghetti supper
to help hurricane Katrina victims.
Cruz applied for and was granted a summer internship at Georgetown University’s Institute of Philanthropy
and Voluntary Service in Washington D.C. His expenses will
be paid by the Abell-Hanger Foundation, a non-profit organization that also sponsors scholarships for SIP members.
He will be learning how to do accounting services for nonprofits while at Georgetown. Cruz will leave June 1 and will
return August 10 from his internship.
Carlos Cruz hopes to continue his community service after he graduates. He plans to earn his CPA and then go
to work for a large firm and do volunteer work for non-profit
agencies or possibly become an accountant for a non-profit
organization.
of Texas Hold’em. This lasted
for over thirty more minutes.
Finally, in an effort to leave,
Student Services had to flick
the lights on and off to get him
to finish.
Nick Goyeneche and
Sam Holland, the two hypnotized audience members,
said the performance was
“mind boggling.”
When asked what he
thought of the audience, Alain
Nu said, “The students are a
nice group.”
He also spoke of a future television project involving research in the psychic phenomena. For more
information on Nu, visit his
website at www.justsaynu.com.
with
Mary
Gonzales
Meet Rolando Diaz, the
cheerful, unassuming UT Permian
Basin Student Union Director.
Diaz joined the University staff in
December 2004. He was the first
person in his family to graduate
from High School and the first to
earn a college degree.
Diaz’s beginnings were
humble. Born in Allende Coahuila,
Mexico, to migrant farm worker
parents, Diaz, his parents and his
older brother crossed the border
and traveled across the U.S. folRolando Diaz
lowing crops and subsisting on
meager earnings. His parents had
very little education—his mother completed the fourth grade
in Mexico and his father completed the sixth grade in Eagle
Pass, Texas.
Diaz recalled one instance when a contractor enticed
his family to travel from Eagle Pass to Plainview, Texas, to
work with the promise of high wages and decent living quarters. They traveled in a cargo van with small windows on
top, about 18 people in a van built to accommodate only half
that amount. When they reached their destination they were
welcomed to a dilapidated shanty with one community toilet to be shared by all of the families present. The wages were
much lower than what had been promised, a typical and
dishonest practice for growers and contractors. They were
disappointed at having been deceived and exploited once
again.
As a child, Diaz worked alongside his parents and
older brother in the corn and cotton fields, but he realized he
did not want to continue the life of a migrant farm worker.
He decided to graduate from High School in Eagle Pass and
managed to get accepted at UT Austin.
“I don’t think I could do that hard work anymore if I
tried” said Diaz.
He and Lewanda, his wife of 18 years, met while both
attended UT Austin. Diaz received a Bachelors’ degree in Theater at UT Austin. He also has two Masters’ degrees, one in
Theater, which he earned while attending the University of
North Texas, and one in English, which he received from Texas
Woman’s University. He has been in higher education administration at various universities since 1992.
Diaz credits his wife with stabilizing him and encouraging him to continue his education. He is proud of his
Mexican-American heritage and his competence and fluency
in both the English and Spanish languages. Diaz is a proficient writer and ultimate Star Trek fanatic, a “Trekkie.” He
plans to continue his education and complete his Ph.D. in
English. Although Spanish was his first language, Diaz’s ultimate goal is to become a tenured faculty member in a college or university English department.
Page 4, The Mesa Journal
Student Life
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Falcon Fledgling Storytime brings
New club teaches members community
children,
parents
together awareness, importance of sign language
by Tabitha Overby
Staff Writer
What is Falcon
Fledgling
Storytime?
Storytime is a project of UT
Permian Basin’s School of
Education that is related to a
class about how young
children learn to read and
write. The point of this
program is to get children
and parents interacting
through books. Although the
program is designed for preschool children and their
parents, anyone from the
community and University
is welcome, and encouraged,
to come.
Storytime helps to
build the love of reading
while, at the same time,
modeling how to help
children read. It is also a good
way for UT Permian Basin
students to see reading and
helping children learn to
read modeled so they can use
these tools in their own
families.
One thing that is
covered are basic prereading concepts that are
explored, such as “what is a
title,” “what does an author
do,” “where do we start
reading a book” and “why do
we read from left to right,”
as well as many other
concepts. These concepts
may seem simple, however
many adults already know
how to read and children
must learn from the very
beginning. This helps bring
understanding of reading to
the children and a new
understanding to the
parents.
It is also a great way
to build the libraries of the
children who come, because
Storytime has an AbellHanger grant to buy books
that are given to the children
each time they come.
Assistant Dean and
Associate Professor for the
School of Education Dr.
Rebecca Oekerman stated, “I
want students to take
advantage of it [especially] if
they have a young child.”
On Oekerman’s door
is a thank you note from a
little girl who has attended
Storytime since she was
about 18 months old and will
go to kindergarten in the fall.
On the front of the card is a
drawing of herself reading a
book with more books to
read on a table nearby.
The inside says,
“Dear Dr. Oekerman, Thank
you for the books. Kathryn.”
Oekerman was very
encouraged by the card.
Storytime is in its
fourth year of operation and
now has more children in it
than when the program first
started. Also, Storytime lasts
for about a half hour, 9:30 to
10 a.m., Thursday mornings
in the UT Permian Basin J.
Conrad Dunagan Library
foyer. The last day for the
Spring 2006 Semester will be
May 4. This summer, it will
begin again in mid-June and
last through July. Older
brothers and sisters are
encouraged to join in the
summer.
For
more
information on Fledgling
Falcon Storytime, Oekerman
can be contacted at (432)5522141.
by Isidro Gonzales
Assistant Editor
A new student organization has been established at UT Permian
Basin named The American Sign Language Club
(ASLC). The brainchild
of founder and club President Austin Walden,
ASLC consists of students, faculty and staff of
the deaf and hearing community.
“The
ASLC
strives to remain as diverse as possible,” said
Walden.
Meeting every
Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the
Student Union Multipurpose Room, ASLC strives
to promote a sense of
community awareness
and to expand the cultural
boundaries of UT Permian
Basin.
Walden stated that
American Sign Language
was the third most commonly used language in
North America, preceded by
English as the most common and Spanish as the second.
Walden was delighted with the turnout
for the several meetings the
club has had thus far.
“We now have 25
members total,” said
Walden.
He also stated that
although he can hear, he attended the Howard College
School for the Deaf in Big
Spring, Texas.
“There is a deaf college located in Big Spring,
Texas, that is a part of
Howard College. I have attended that school as a
guest and really enjoyed
being surrounded by the
deaf culture.”
He further added
that one of his goals was
to take all of the members
to the school so that they
could use what they have
learned and communicate
with the deaf students attending the school.
“Also, [ASLC Faculty Advisor] Chris
Stanley and I are eagerly
trying to locate an ASL
(American Sign Language) teacher for the Fall
2006 Semester to teach the
language,” stated Walden.
Along with providing an outlet for those
that want to learn a new
language, the ASLC also
provides opportunities for
its members to participate
in various community
service projects such as
the “Keep Texas Beautiful” Campaign.
For more information about ASLC, Walden
can be contacted at
[email protected].
Sports
Pass the Crackerjacks, Major League Baseball is back
by Wren Nance
Staff Writer
The grass is green,
the winds are high, barbeque
grills can be smelled for miles
and baseball is back. Opening week has come and it can
only mean one thing, road
trip! So we packed our bags,
packed the toddler boy and
took off on that all too familiar road to Arlington to catch
the end of opening week with
the Texas Rangers hosting
the Detroit Tigers.
Excitement was in
the air as we pulled up to
Ameriquest Field. Baseball
fans took the long walk to the
ballpark from the parking lot
while some tailgated. My
two-year old son was in awe
as he saw the outside of
Ameriquest Field for the first
time; he was only familiar
with
the
Midland
Rockhounds ballpark. We entered the park and began to
explore, eventually spending
Pizza,
Continued from p. 1
Regarding the meeting, Watts said, “This event
was brought to you by your
Student Senate. The Student
Senate is an important organization for the University
JBS,
Continued from p. 1
Mexico and Arizona and that
needs to be protected,”
responded Flores.
When asked about
how some have equated
illegal immigration with
terrorism, Robles stated that
Psychology Club,
Continued from p. 1
According to Welch,
a particular biblical passage
(upon which other passages
Financial Aid,
Continued from p. 1
tiated. The level and type of
financial aid received is dependent on level of income,
previous loans and grants,
academic classification, as
well as other factors.
Career Corner,
Continued from p. 3
If you enjoy working
primarily with infants and
toddlers, the federal Head
Start program might also be
an option. Head Start serves
the child development needs
of preschool children (birth
through age five) and is focused on narrowing the
too much money in the gift
shop.
After stocking up on
traditional baseball snacks,
we found our seats, in the
premium infield over the
home dugout. Then we are
treated to a surprise as firstbaseman Mark Teixeira was
awarded his first Golden
Glove. But then, unfortunately, the game began.
Ranger ’s pitcher
Kevin Millwood allowed four
runs in the first inning and
one more in the third inning.
Millwood only pitched six
innings and had an ERA of
7.36%. In contrast, pitching
for Detroit, Verlander
pitched seven innings and
only allowed two hits.
Feldman came in from the
Ranger’s bullpen in the seventh inning and allowed a
two-run home run. After
that the game, other than being a total disaster for Texas,
was uneventful. The Rangers
could only manage two hits,
no runs and a 7-0 loss.
My son, however,
was in heaven. Since he is
only two years old, he was
impressed when anyone
caught, threw or hit the ball.
To him it was a magical sight,
a milestone for him that I will
always be proud of—his first
Major League game.
Then cue the opening
week fireworks show. The
lights went down and the
sky lit up in a spectacle of
massive proportions. The
fireworks were timed to music and lasted for over thirty
minutes.
The Rangers were
able to come back on Sunday
and win 5-3 against the Tigers. It was the first time
former Texas pitcher Kenny
Rogers
appeared
at
Ameriquest Field in a Detroit
uniform. All in all, it had been
a rocky start for the Rangers
as they sat at the bottom of
the American League Western division. But the season
had just begun and anything
was possible.
and for the students . . . .
Know that I’m here for you.
I’m available for you, I’m your
president.”
Freshman Carlos
Tercero, whose major is undeclared, was pleased with
the event.
He said, “I thought it
was great. It had a really big
turnout . . . . We got to learn a
little about Dr. Watts and see
how he handles our questions. I liked it.”
A total of 19 door
prizes were given away during the event, including two
UT Permian Basin bags, one
$50 gift certificate to Target,
four $250 gift certificates to
the University Bookstore and
three iPod nanos.
Tercero conveyed
mixed feelings regarding the
door prizes.
He said, “I appreciate
the fact that [the Student
Senate] went all-out to get
students involved in the
[event]—especially if I
would have won something—but they gave away
a lot of expensive prizes. That
money probably could’ve
gone to some better use.”
For more information on the UT Permian Basin Student Senate, visit
room MB2114 in the Student
Union or call (432)552-2655.
The President’s Office is located in room MB4218 and
can be contacted at (432)5522105. The Vice President of
Student Services Office, located in room MB4274, can be
contacted at (432)552-2603.
it was a big mistake.
“We cannot equate
illegal immigration to
terrorism, because when you
do you lose focus of the
situation. It’s just too
different,” said Robles,
“Consequently, we cannot
equate people that enter
undocumented into this
country to work to those that
enter with a definite focus to
do harm in the United
States.”
Flores added that we
should not be worried about
Mexican’s crossing the
border.
“Mexican’s are not
terrorists. Other people are
terrorists,” said Flores.
Flores also expressed
his disagreement over the
comments stated recently by
U.S. Representative Duncan
Hunter of California about
wanting to build a fence from
west of San Diego all the way
to east McAllen, Texas.
“In California, like
[Hunter] calls it, it’s no man’s
land, but in Texas it’s
somebody’s land. So, you just
cannot erect a wall,” said
Flores, “Second of all, we are
bicultural and we are related
to Mexico either by affinity
or consanguinity we have a
relationship.”
Sheriff Flores finally
stated that he was for the
guest worker program
recently proposed by Bush.
“I’m for the guest
worker program,” stated
Flores, “These people are
going to be required to report
to the immigration offices. If
they fail to do so then they
are reported to the U.S.
Border Patrol, found and
deported.”
are based) regarding homosexuality is always taken out
of context and the preceding
and subsequent verses are
consistently ignored.
Gracie San Miguel, a
senior at UT Permian Basin
pursuing a double major in
art and psychology, shared
with the group some recent
research in which the authors talk about long-term
gay couples who do an exceptionally good job at
parenting. She said that some
of the research being done in
this field shows that children
brought up in these homes
are very well-adjusted and
mentally healthy, as well as
high-achieving, productive
members of society.
There was some general discussion about the use
of the word “marriage” as
opposed to the term “civil
union” and why some people
feel the two terms are equal
and some feel they are not.
For
information
about the Psychology Club,
please call Student Activities
at (432)552-2650.
Vasquez stated that
students who fail to meet the
GPA prerequisite will be suspended. Should this happen,
he suggested that the student
appeal the suspension.
He said, “We encourage them to write a letter of
appeal. Even if they don’t
make the grade, they should
attend
programs
like
[Supplemental Instruction],
the Math and Science Center,
tutoring—anything that will
show anyone looking at the
letter of appeal that the student is willing to make things
right.”
Vasquez admitted
that the Financial Aid office
does not give away many
scholarships. However, most
financial aid available to students is from outside sources,
such as contributing foundations. Vasquez indicated that
the Internet is abundant
with various financial aid
opportunities for students.
He said, “[Students]
should continue to check
online to see what scholarships are available. Look for
foundations that offer scholarships.”
Some of these foundations include Sally Mae
(www.thesalliemaefund.org),
Wells
Fargo
(www.wellsfargo.com/wf/stu-
dent/, under “Scholarship
Search”) and FastWeb
(www.fastweb.com). Such
websites also contain links to
other scholarship opportunities.
For more information on financial aid or the
award process, call Financial
Aid at (432)552-2620.
readiness gap for young children.
The federal Head
Start programs are also facing transformations of their
own. The Senate’s proposed
Head Start Improvements for
School’s Readiness mandate
(if passed) will require 50
percent of teachers in each
Head Start school to have a
bachelor’s degree by the year
2011. However, this proposal
in its current format
amounts to basically an unfunded mandate. Creators of
this proposal failed to earmark extra money to pay for
the necessary courses to raise
current teachers to the mandated levels. The current
challenge by the center’s operators is in making their
current bachelor’s level (lead
teachers) salary competitive
with the local school dis-
tricts.
shared by all center operators, not just in Ector County.
You don’t have to think very
long on how this legislation
would impact Head Start
centers nationwide.
Teaching requires
tons of patience and a genuine concern for your students. It can also be one of
the most gratifying and rewarding occupations available. If you feel it’s the right
career for you—go for it!
Photo by Wren Nance
Currently,
lead
teachers have to pass a Child
Development Associates
(CDA) exam. Locally, the
Odessa Head Start program
starts its bachelor’s level lead
teachers in the $25,000 range,
which is somewhat pale
compared to the $35,000 first
year salary a pre-Kindergarten teacher in ECISD would
make. This dilemma is
Tony Love is Director of the
UT Permian Basin Career
Center and a UT Permian
Basin alumnus. If you have
a careers question for Love,
you can email him at
[email protected]
and note “career question”
in the subject field.