The Rattler October 5, 2005 v. 93 #3

The Rattler
First place winner for “Distinguished College Journalism” at the Press Club’s 2005 National Headliner Awards
Wednesday
October 5, 2005
Vol. 93, Issue 3
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Hurricane relief efforts need boost
By AMANDA SOTO
STAFF WRITER
last Thursday in the University
Center, attended by only a handAs rebuilding occurs along the ful of students. “Not much can be
Gulf Coast after two major
done easily [by students] exhurricanes struck it in the
cept fundraising.”
past four weeks, student life
Dean of Students Karen
officials stressed the imporJohnson added that students
tance of not letting efforts
can volunteer at various sheldeteriorate on campus.
Hurricane ters in San Antonio, now one
“Hurricane Rita is worse
of the largest port of evacuees
nationally post-Rita. Accordthan a lot of people know,”
said Associate Dean of Students ing to the Red Cross, there were
Rosalind Alderman at a meeting about 4,700 people in the shelters
RELIEF
as of last week, with nearly 2,500
of those attributed to Rita.
Four primary shelters have
been operating in San Antonio for
a month after nearly 13,000 people
evacuated here from New Orleans
in the days following Hurricane
Katrina, which ravaged the central
Gulf Coast on Aug. 28.
The number of people staying at the shelters — two at KellyUSA, the former Levi Strauss
factory and the former Montgom-
ery Ward’s store at the Windsor
Park Mall — had been dropping
steadily in the weeks after Katrina
hit. The numbers increased again
two weeks around the time Rita
slammed into the Texas-Louisiana
border on Sept. 24, the San Antonio
Express-News reported last week.
The death toll from Hurricane
Rita’s assault on Texas has risen to
about 100, but most of the victims
died before the hurricane struck,
either while preparing for the
storm or fleeing from it, authorities told the Associated Press last
Thursday.
Officials in Louisiana said the
death toll resulting from Hurricane Katrina might reach 1,000
this week.
Johnson e-mailed the student
body last week encouraging them
to register with San Antonio Area
Volunteer Organizations Active in
Continued on PAGE 3, SEE “CAMPUS”
Nicaragua faces
challenges in
democracy
BLESSED ARE THE ANIMALS
By CARLA AGUILAR
FEATURES EDITOR
PHOTO BY LAURA E. HALL
Rev. Rudy Vela, S.M., reads prayers to 50 university community and neighborhood pet owners who brought pets to
be blessed last Saturday morning as part of University Ministry’s celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi,
the patron saint of animals. The first-ever blessing was held at the university fountain in front of St. Louis Hall.
Academic excellence fuels
drive behind Vision 2006
By FRANCISCO VARA-ORTA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Revision of the core curriculum, establishment of
the 21st Century Leadership Center, internationalizing
St. Mary’s University and improving law school bar
passage rates form the heart of the academic excellence University President
Charles Cotrell, Ph.D., called for in Vision 2006.
“A goal of academic excellence is
not easy to achieve or sustain,” Cotrell
wrote in Vision 2006, authored five
years ago. “If we aspire to academic excellence, then
we must consider these characteristics as we build on
St. Mary’s reputation of quality.”
Now as university president, Cotrell is overseeing the core curriculum revision 20 years after the last
major changes were made in the mid-1980s, when he
The
road
to
Vision
2006
INSIDE...
St. Mary’s students abroad per academic year
200
Number of Students
Editor’s note: As part three of a six part series this fall semester, The Rattler will be examining how Vision 2006 has
impacted the university in the past five years and shaped the
direction of St. Mary’s University in the 21st century.
250
150
The struggle of attaining diplomacy in the Americas, a region where political corruption
has made it difficult for democracy to thrive, was addressed
by former U.S. Ambassador to
Nicaragua Oliver P. Garza at
a lecture last Thursday at St.
Mary’s University.
The “Diplomacy in the
Americas” lecture was sponsored by Student Voice, a newly
formed group with the mission
of spreading awareness on national and international issues.
President of Student Voice
Jose Frech decided to invite
Garza, a St. Mary’s alumnus, to
speak on campus in an effort to
expose students to the realities
of his native land.
“Nicaragua is not a poor
country,” said Frech. “It is a
country that has been impov-
PHOTO BY VALERIE CHAVEZ
Former U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Oliver Garza discussed
anti-corruption efforts.
erished by corrupt government officials who only enter
the government to satisfy their
own personal interests.”
Garza, who considers diplomacy in Latin American countries to be a complex issue and a complex
Continued on PG 4, SEE “AMBASSADOR”
Campus rape still a
problem nationwide
By LAURA E. HALL
MANAGING EDITOR
100
served as Vice President of Academic Affairs, a position charged with directly redesigning the curriculum.
Today, in Cotrell’s old shoes is vice president of
Academic Affairs David Manuel, Ph.D., who formed
a committee to explore what changes should be implemented to the core.
“As we continue in this process this year, we are
The recent rape of a University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
student in her dormitory reminds the university community that
violence against women on college campuses is a constant concern.
A warning informing students of the rape was issued last week
to UTSA students who live on the campus located in North San
Antonio, prompting campus officials both at UTSA and St. Mary’s
University to stress ways to possibly prevent rape and other acts of
violence against women.
The St. Mary’s police department offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) courses, a program of realistic self-defense tactics and
techniques for women.
According to the website, RAD “is a comprehensive, women-
Continued on PAGE 2, SEE “CORE”
Continued on PAGE 4, SEE “VIOLENCE”
50
0
1998-1999 1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
Year
SOURCE: Office of International Education
2005-2006
(PROJECTED)
GRAPHIC BY DENISE M. SALINAS
Happy 25th, LAC!
Four times a charm
The Learning Assistance
Center celebrates silver
anniversary of tutoring.
Page 6
Men’s soccer overcomes
past challenges to win
four games straight.
Page 15
44
Class Days Left
4
News
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Violence Against Women Act expires
Continued from page 1
only course that begins with
awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while
progressing on to the basics of
hands-on defense training.”
“When I got here, the program
was already strong. We’ve been offered to be paid before, but we’ve
all turned it down,” said St. Mary’s
Police Officer Sgt. Andrew Adam.
“We believe in the program.”
The program lasts three days
and costs $10 to cover the price of
materials, and includes a lifetime
membership so that women can
keep their skills up-to-date.
A recent class featured 10 people taught by Adam, St. Mary’s
Police member Corporal Chris
Flores and San Antonio Police Department member Beth Hish.
Although she feels safe on campus, freshman D’neshia Frederick
said the course was eye-opening.
“When that time happens, it
happens,” Frederick said. “I’m
prepared and I won’t freeze. I have
knowledge that I will survive.”
“It opens your eyes,” freshman
Ryan K. Sanchez added. “It teaches
you about the possibilities of being
assaulted. It’s an actual class, they
teach you…actual facts…[and]
what’s considered what, and what
you can do about it.”
Members of the St. Mary’s
chapter of Amnesty International
are joining in the national organization’s Stop Violence Against
Women Campaign, which addresses issues of women’s rights in
countries such as Turkey, Afghanistan, Russia and Colombia, as well
as in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES:
ON CAMPUS
Student Life 436-3714
Health Center 436-3506
Counseling and Testing Center 436-3135
University Ministry 436-3213
OFF CAMPUS
Sexual Assault Treatment Center 575-8168
Medical treatment and examination
Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital
8026 Floyd Curl (At Wurzbach)
A sexual assault treatment nurse is on duty 24/7
The Rape Crisis Center 521-7273
Free counseling available. Please call for an appointment.
Source: St Mary’s Police Department
But the U.S. also needs to remain vigilant on women’s rights,
said second year student Floyd
Contreras, Student Group Coordinator of St. Mary’s Amnesty International.
The Violence Against Women
Act of 1994 (VAWA), the first legislation to address violence against
women, expired last Friday.
Multiple national organizations like Amnesty International
are hoping that VAWA will be reauthorized in Congress.
As part of their “700 Women”
Campaign, named after the estimated 700 women assaulted or
raped by their partners every day,
Amnesty International also created an online petition to encourage
legislators to renew VAWA.
The petition had over 93,000
signatures by the time the Act expired on Sept. 30.
“(VAWA) is an amazing piece
of legislation,” Contreras said.
“Right now we’re encouraging
students to visit 700women.org
and sign the petition.”
According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund (endabuse.
org), VAWA in 1994 and its renewal in 2000 was “a giant step
forward for our nation.”
Its passage meant that “our federal government finally acknowledged the harm caused by domestic and sexual violence and put
resources into helping victims,”
the fund stated on its website.
VAWA funds law enforcement
training in domestic abuse to encourage arrest and prosecution of
offenders, expansion of services
to children who witness domestic
violence and are victims of sexual violence, and the inclusion of
stalking as a crime.
With VAWA’s potential renewal in Congress, these organizations
hope to build on the foundation
of the act by developing stronger
protections for victims.
Issues of violence against women and rape are especially relevant
for women on college campuses
today.
PHOTO BY LAURA E. HALL
Women enrolled in the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program offered
by the St. Mary’s Police Department learn sexual assault facts as well as
self-defense moves.
According to a 2000 U.S. Department of Justice study, among
college students nationwide,
about 25 percent of women reported experiencing completed or
attempted rape.
Between 50 and 90 percent of
sexual assaults occur when someone involved has consumed alcohol, the study reported.
“In 49 out of 50 states, it’s a felony to have sex with someone you
know to be or should know to be
under the influence of alcohol or
drugs,” said Brett Sokolow, president of the National Center for
Higher Education Risk Management. “The law protects you.”
Sokolow visited St. Mary’s on
Sept. 21 for an interactive presentation titled “Drunk Sex or Date
Rape: Can you tell the difference?”
The program examined in detail a court case involving two stu-
dents’ drunken sexual interaction
after a party and asked the audience to judge if a sexual assault
had occurred and what role of alcohol played.
“At the time of sex, do you
understand who, what, when,
where, why it’s happening?” Sokolow asked. “What the law does
is protect you when your ability to
judge the consequences and control events is gone.”
The audience asked questions
about the situation and the legal
standards involved, as well as
details about how alcohol affects
people physically and mentally.
Once the audience’s questions
were answered, students, faculty
and staff acted as a jury, deciding
whether or not the male student
was guilty.
The results were approximately
equal.
“Intelligent, reasonable people
from the same school – split down
the middle,” Sokolow said. “Every
Thursday night, half of you are
bringing one set of assumptions
to the table, and the other half are
bringing a completely different
set.”
Sokolow asked students to
consider what lessons they could
take away from the case and asked
them to examine their own habits
and behaviors.
“You go out, you drink, you
hook up, and the next day you
don’t make eye contact in the cafeteria. Nobody really asks questions,” Sokolow said. “You need
to ask questions.”
The 2000 U.S. Department
of Justice study also found that
many women do not report sexual
assault for a number of reasons:
embarrassment, not understanding the legal definition of rape, not
wanting to define someone they
know who victimized them as a
rapist or because they blame themselves for their sexual assault.
In addition to alcohol as a major
factor in campus sexual assaults,
most victims know the person
who sexually victimized them.
“For both completed and attempted rapes, about nine in 10
offenders were known to the victim,” the study reported.
In the past four years there are,
on average, two reported forcible
sexual offenses a year on campus.
These statistics include allegations officially and anonymously
reported to the university and are
reported even if alleged victims
requested that no investigation be
conducted.
Although national statistics,
find less than one in 20 completed
or attempted campus rapes are reported, St. Mary’s police attribute
the lower rate of reported and
attempted sexual assaults to the
school’s awareness education.
“Our campus is good at looking out for one another,” Adam
said. “Girls are starting school
with a greater knowledge of what
to expect.”
Ambassador to Nicaragua addresses CAFTA
Continued from page 1
problem, especially in Nicaragua,
reiterated this belief.
“Nicaragua is at a boiling point
dilemma,” said Garza, referring to
today’s political crisis in Nicaragua where President Enrique Bolaños battles a rebel Congress aiming to strip him of his power.
The crisis began late last year
when the National Assembly revised the constitution, demanding that leaders of public service
be appointed by the parliament
while the president’s appointments of ministers and ambassadors should also gain the approval
of lawmakers.
The government has voiced
anger about the revision, saying
it helped the opposition usurp authority from the president.
Bolaños’ anti-corruption campaign in the country also has created powerful opposition from
lawmakers and driven lawmakers
of his own party into an alliance
with their rivals.
Most of Bolaños’ own Constitutionalist Liberal Party’s congressmen oppose him now since his
administration prosecuted former
President Arnoldo Alemán of the
Liberal Constitutional Party (PCL)
on corruption charges.
The country’s courts, comptroller and electoral agencies are
now controlled by Bolaños’ rivals
under a power-sharing deal that
Alemán worked out with the leftist Sandinista party (FSLN).
Although the Latin American
Foreign Ministers have issued
statements backing the democratic rule in the Central American
nation until next year’s elections,
Nicaragua’s current political upheaval concerns Garza.
“Nicaragua has been taken over
by the country’s caudillos who are
not buying into the system of justice and democratic values,” Garza said. “This is a special dilemma
in particular because of upcoming
national elections.”
The Bush administration has
raised concerns over a possible
comeback to power of the Sandinistas and Daniel Ortega, who led
the guerrilla war in the eighties
against the U.S.-backed “contras.”
If Ortega returns to power, it
could frustrate U.S. attempts to
seal a free trade agreement with
Nicaragua and other Central
American nations.
Garza said political progress in
the region has gone hand-in-hand
with economic reform, something
he does not see happening if the
Sandinistas are in power.
“The Sandinistas want to keep
the poor poor and do not agree
with ideology of having a middle
class,” Garza said.
According to Garza, the Sandinistas are hindering economic
prosperity by rejecting the implementation of the Central American
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
“CAFTA is a gift to Nicaragua;
it is a shame that it is not accepted,” Garza said.
While some protest CAFTA
as another flawed trade deal that
will drive Central American and
Dominican workers further into
poverty, Garza believes it to be
beneficial to Nicaragua.
“CAFTA will strengthen Nicaraguan economy and that is to Nicaragua’s advantage,” Garza said.
“Look at what NAFTA (North
American Free Trade Agreement)
has done, for example.”
According to Garza, CAFTA
will help Nicaragua because 75
percent of the population earns $1
an hour. With CAFTA there will be
more jobs available to them and
even maquiladora workers could
earn up to $3 per hour.
Nicaraguan Eduardo Ortega,
senior economics major, agrees
with Garza.
“Although U.S. ideology might
look down on the idea of earning
$3 an hour, the Nicaraguan people
have nothing, so this is a real advance,” Ortega said.
According to Frech, Garza’s
comments about CAFTA typify
the reality of Nicaragua.
“My only concern with the
CAFTA agreement is that the technological innovation in industries
ostracizes many Nicaraguan laborers therefore causing structural
unemployment,” Frech said.
“If subsidies are provided to
individuals who may suffer from
this agreement... it is a possibility
to bring economic and social development in the country,” Frech
said.
2
News
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Core curriculum revision process underway Caf asks
·
·
·
·
·
·
VISION 2006
OBJECTIVES
Fostering Catholic
Identity (Issue 1)
Community
Building (Issue 2)
Academic
Excellence (Issue 3)
University
Advancement and
Promotion (Issue 4)
Financial
Responsiveness
(Issue 5)
Information
Technology
Integration (Issue 6)
Continued from page 1
seeking to continue to build consensus among our faculty regarding the new core curriculum,”
Manuel wrote in a statement.
The university reviews the core
curriculum every three years, but
it’s been two decades since St.
Mary’s made any major changes.
A final report on the core curriculum will be submitted to the
Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools (SACSCOC) by 2010.
As the administration awaits
the current SACSCOC review after their campus visit last month,
Cotrell is looking towards his
new strategic plan for St. Mary’s,
including the continuing internationalization of the university.
In a recent interview, Cotrell
said internationalizing the campus isn’t achieved solely through
the year-round study abroad
programs but also in a “globally
aware” core curriculum, service
immersion trips, bringing international students to campus and
faculty exchange programs.
Director of International Educational Programs Minita Santizo
has seen the study abroad programs grow from a handful of
students when she was appointed
director in 1998 to the largest class
ever in 2004, with over 250 students abroad in five continents.
At 59, the number of students
enrolled in the fall semester
abroad program in London was
double the previous year and the
costliest, Santizo said.
The London and Spain semester abroad programs, two of the
more high-profile international
programs, were capped earlier this
year to 20-25 students each due to
budget constrictions.
Santizo has seen an obvious demand for students to study abroad
and participate in international
education programs. “But there
are new challenges international
education throughout the United
States is facing,” she said.
In a post-9/11 world, Santizo
said the university has to jump
more government hurdles in keeping the study abroad programs
running smoothly in addition to
the devaluation of the dollar and
language barriers.
The paperwork hurdles international students face in coming
to the U.S. has also effected the
international student population
on campus.
“More international students
are opting to study in Europe or
Asia instead of the U.S. because
of all the new government regulations,” Santizo said.
Despite the financial and logistical challenges, Santizo said she is
optimistic about the program. The
university is looking at new countries in Latin America, Asia and
Africa for study abroad programs.
“International programs were
a big part of Vision 2006 and Dr.
Cotrell knows its importance,”
Santizo said. “Students have to be
more proactive in financing their
study abroad experience but the
university is behind them as much
as possible.”
Creating a global student
leader is also a goal shared by the
21st Century Leadership Center,
formed out of Vision 2006.
The center organizes yearround civic engagement activities
and conducts research on topics
relevant to the university mission
such as service and voter trends.
“All of us have the spark of
leadership within us and the work
the center does brings that out in
students,” Cotrell said.
Another major goal Cotrell
had in Vision 2006 was for the law
school to surpass the state average
in bar passage rates, as their scores
have consistently placed them on
the lower totem pole of Texas law
schools in the past decade.
A glimmer of hope came this
year as the most recent scores
were the highest in eight years, according to the Texas Board of Law
Examiners.
Some 72.7 percent of first-time
test takers from St. Mary’s passed
the February 2005 exam, the first
of two administered annually.
That rate is a few points below
The suspect charged with the hit and
run death of St. Mary’s law school student
Sarah K. Thompson in early September
has been found.
Juan Carlos Vara was arrested on Sept.
20 by police for failure to render aid.
Third-year law student Thompson was
killed by a 2002 Jaguar in front of the Rebar
bar on the 8100 block of Broadway.
The impact was so intense that several
parts of the car fell off. Detectives used
these parts to connect the Jaguar to Vara.
Damages to Vara’s Jaguar were consistant
with those usually sustained from hitting
a pedestrian.
Two of Vara’s friends gave statements
to police verifying Vara’s involvement in
the crime.
According to the San Antonio ExpressNews, the sworn statement quoted Vara’s
friend as saying, “He didn’t mean to hit
the woman and tried to miss her but was
unable to.”
When initially questioned, Vara told
police that his vehicle was in Laredo, Texas
at his parent’s home.
It was another friend of Vara’s who
PHOTO BY SELINA MADRID
The core curriculum revision will define the next chapter of St. Mary’s
education. Robert O’Connor, Ph.D., teaches a core philosophy class.
Suspect in law student
hit-and-run arrested
By AMANDA GUERRA
STAFF WRITER
the overall statewide average for
first-time takers of 75.6 percent,
but significantly above the only 50
percent passage rate of St. Mary’s
students who took the exam in
February 2004.
“There is definitely room for
both celebration and improvement, given these results,” St.
Mary’s Law School Dean Bill Piatt
said in a press release.
Cotrell said the law school is
“on the right track” but hopes to
see more consistent results in the
July exam results, expected for release in November.
“Everyone in the university
community is behind the law students and know they can reach
this goal,” Cotrell said.
When drafting Vision 2006, Cotrell made sure to emphasize education through the community.
“We wanted to foster academic
excellence that moves from inside
classrooms into the communities
we are part of long after graduation,” Cotrell said.
Next issue, The Rattler reports on
the Bell Tower, the $100 million endowment and the grants program.
later contacted police after news reports
made her suspicious. She told police that
Vara’s car was in her garage.
According to Law School Dean Bill Piatt, the tragedy has been very difficult to
deal with for Thompson’s classmates, especially those who traveled with her to Europe this past summer, as well as Thompson’s roommate and childhood friend.
Students at the School of Law at St.
Mary’s University feel an even greater
pain because Vara did not stop after the
accident.
“To leave her there only compounded
the agony,” Piatt said.
When asked how he felt about the arrest
of Vara, Piatt replied, “It’s a good and bad
thing. Good because they may have found
the culprit of this horrific crime but bad because now her friends that were with her
that night have to testify. It’s going to be
difficult for them because they have to relive that moment.”
To keep Thompson’s memory alive,
several of her friends and family have contributed money for a scholarship in her
name to benefit a future law student.
for food
feedback
By ROSEANNA GARZA
STAFF WRITER
Director of Food Services Tara
Engberg-Castro has created the
Aramark Food Service Committee
as a way for students to voice their
concerns about the service in the
Diamondback Café.
Now in its second semester, the
Food Service Committee meetings
allow an opportunity for students
to offer comments about all food
related issues.
“First of all, we want to hear
from our students about the quality of food,” Engberg-Castro said.
“It’s one thing to walk by a student table and overhear that the
food stinks, but it makes more of
an impact when they tell it to you
directly.”
With only eight different dining venues to choose from, it’s not
uncommon for campus residents
to complain about the menu, selection, or quality of food.
“I hate eating in the [cafeteria],”
said freshman Marisa DelaCruz.
“Every day you go in there and
they have the same thing cooking
and nothing ever tastes good.”
Already new fountain drink
cup lids were ordered after a complaint that there were no straw
holes in the old lids.
Students will be notified of
upcoming Aramark Food Service
Committee meetings via e-mail.
Those interested in attending or
that have questions or comments
can contact Tara Engberg-Castro
at (210) 436-3344, or e-mail her
at engberg-castro-tara@aramark.
com.
News
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
3
Campus fears relief will slow Campus to unify for
Continued from page 1
Disaster (VOAD) at www.savoad.
org.
“By registering with San Antonio VOAD, you are making your
skills available to approximately
20 coordinated organizations
working together to respond to
this season’s historically devastating hurricanes,” Johnson wrote.
The American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Food Bank, among
others, will let students know how
they can help, she said.
Volunteers are also needed to
staff the Volunteer Operations
Center (VOC) to answer phones
and/or process data entry.
Those wanting to volunteer at
the VOC can contact Julie Martinez at (210) 614-4316 or (210) 6144317.
The American Red Cross and
Salvation Army recently said they
do not need any more donations
of goods.
They are, however, asking for
help sorting the donations.
The Salvation Army Warehouse
located at Kelly USA is accepting
volunteers between 8 a.m. and 6
p.m., Monday through Saturday,
and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday and
can be reached at (210) 932-9372.
“The need for volunteers in San
Antonio continues to be great,”
Johnson said.
Service immersion trips to New
Orleans and Beaumont, Texas are
being looked into for Christmas
vacation or spring break.
“As a student, I think it’d be
cool to go help another school,”
said sophomore international
business major Sarah Ingram.
As for monetary donations,
small Katrina relief fund boxes
are still in use around campus and
a final tally is in the works as of
press time.
Director of Student Activities and University Center Karlos
Ramirez said someone anonymously left a check for $45 in his
mailbox last week.
Alderman also said the university is considering buying gift
cards for the displaced students
now on campus.
Currently, there are 16 visiting
undergraduate, graduate and law
students attending St. Mary’s from
the areas Katrina hit.
The 500 green and purple Rattler Katrina Relief Fund T-shirts,
priced at $10, available in the Rattler Bookstore, sold out within days
of its initial order three weeks ago.
A second order of 70 shirts put out
last week was down to a handful
by the end of the week.
University bookstore merchan-
dise buyer Sonya Cisneros said
all proceeds will go to the school
relief fund, saying the administration hopes to raise $3,000 to donate
to the American Red Cross solely
from the T-shirt fundraiser.
“We’ll keep ordering if the demand remains constant,” Cisneros
said. “They’re selling extremely
well.”
Alderman is compiling a comprehensive tally of money, hours
and goods donated to hurricane
relief efforts.
She is requesting that campus departments and student
organizations send a summary
of anything they have done to
help relief efforts via e-mail to
ralderman@stmarytx.edu.
“I think we just need to get
the word out [to get people involved],” Alderman said.
PHOTO BY SELINA MADRID
Freshmen Kayla Galvan and Virginia Mendoza sort through Katrina relief
T-shirts in the University Bookstore.
homecoming dance
By KRISTEN FLORES
STAFF WRITER
The first goal of the newly
formed Special Events Committee
(SEC) is a community dance, similar to that of a traditional homecoming dance.
Spearheading the campaign is
SEC founder Jessica Harbin who
describes the dance as “something
off-campus, semiformal, that every student from St. Mary’s could
be invited to,” not only those involved in independent organizations like Greek life.
To get the project going, Harbin asks every student from St.
Mary’s to get involved, particularly student organizations.
Harbin said the unification
of all sixty-four organizations
on campus could create “a really
powerful group [that] can do a
lot.”
Furthermore, she hopes each
student organization will take part
in fundraising. With everyone’s
support, ticket prices could be as
low as $3 for students and $7 for
non-students.
Students with previous prom
or dance committee experience or
anyone interested in sharing ideas
for the project are encouraged to
offer their expertise.
“Don’t just say you’re supporting it but take part in it, too,” Harbin said. “Everybody has great
ideas that can be budgeted and
put into a format for St. Mary’s.”
Currently, the Turtle Creek
Country Club or Bright Shawl,
both local reception halls, are being looked at as possible venues
for the dance that will spotlight a
spring basketball game.
“I think that a dance would be
something cool to do because it’s
something everybody can do,”
sophomore history major Michael
Martinez said.
Harbin said universities all over
the country have similar dances.
“Just because it’s a little different at first doesn’t mean it won’t
catch on,” she said. “It’s not too
high school.”
It may be a hard project to
work on, Harbin admits, but she
has good motivation.
“I think that we can really make
it happen and get a tradition going
here at St. Mary’s,” she said.
There will be an SEC meeting
today at 7:30 p.m. in UC Conference Room B. Elections for committee members and ideas for
venues and fundraisers will be
discussed.
Meetings will be held regularly
at that time and location every
other Wednesday.
Any questions or comments
can be directed to Jessica Harbin
at jharbin@stmarytx.edu.
News On The Web
•Caroline E. Hallman: St. Mary’s
celebrates U.S. Constitution
•Kimberly Vela: New freshman senators encourage SGA involvement
•Jaime Contreras: Katz discusses
Christians in the Holy Land
•Isabel Rodriguez: Class offered in
inter-cultural negotiations
Features
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
5
Make friends with a Marianist Brother
By ROSEANNA GARZA
STAFF WRITER
Formerly called the “Adopt
a Brother Program,” the Student
Marianist Friends (SM Friends)
Program is a way for students to
reach out to the brothers of the
Society of Mary in an attempt to
cultivate new and lasting relationships.
Referred to as “the best kept
secret on campus” by coordinator Fay Bourgeois, the SM Friends
Program offers an opportunity for
students to become part of the extended Marianist family.
Students are partnered with one
of the 44 brothers at the Marianist
Residence according to their interests and are then asked to dedicate
one hour per week to visiting their
brother and keep up the commitment throughout the school year.
COURTESY PHOTO
Students enjoy the company of the Marianist Brothers at the SM Friends
Welcome dinner held at the Marianist Residence Sept. 28, 2005.
“The Marianist Brothers are
wisdom figures for the students,”
Bourgeois said. “The program offers an opportunity for the brothers to still feel capable of making
a difference to young minds and
to cultivate new relationships that
extend outside of the classroom.”
A student program that has
been in effect since the late 1980s,
the SM Friends Program serves
both as a mentor program and a
volunteer program. Participating in events including Boo Bash,
Homecoming, bingo and movie
nights, the program offers varied
events for students to get involved
to help enhance the Marianist
presence here on campus.
“Fewer and fewer people are
joining the Society of Mary as
years pass,” said Bro. Isak Keyman-Ige, a Casa Maria resident
and SM Friends Program moderator. “The program offers the
chance for students to participate
in enhancing their sense of family
on campus,” Keyman-Ige said.
“Some students are far away
from home and participating in
the SM Friends Program allows
students to become a part of the
extended family of Mary,” Keyman-Ige said.
With service learning being one
of the missions of the university,
the SM Friends Program is eager
to gain support from both individual students and student-run
organizations on campus. Organizations are encouraged to participate in one-time programs with
the brothers at the Marianist Residence, and those who come individually to continue their commitment throughout the school year.
“I participated in the SM
Friends program for two years,”
junior Amanda Gonzales said.
“Being away from home, the Marianist Residence gave me a sense
of a home away from home and
allowed me to be a part of a real
family.”
Students are encouraged to
fill out an application at the Service Learning Center. Contact the
program director Fay Bourgeois
at (210) 436-3768 for additional information.
Best Buddies extend a welcoming hand to the disabled
By ELIZABETH RUIZ
STAFF WRITER
Many students join organizations because they relate to their prospective careers and many others join to bulk up their
résumés.
Yet some people simply join organizations that offer ways to help those who are
most in need, to gain a sense of fulfillment
through their involvement.
One such organization is Best Buddies,
which allows college students to befriend a
mentally disabled adult.
According to the Best Buddies International website, the mission of the organization is to “enhance the lives of the intellectually disabled by providing opportunities
for one-to-one friendships and integrated
employment.”
A common misconception about the organization is that it allows college students
to befriend other college students, a point
made by director Miriam Granados, a senior political science and multinational organizational skills major.
“Students should know that it is a community service organization that makes
a difference in people’s lives,” Granados
said.
Students that join are encouraged to
attend chapter meetings and fundraisers,
but most befriend a buddy that they are
responsible for spending time with at least
once a month.
Upon joining, students are interviewed
and then matched up with a buddy according to compatibility.
According to Granados, most are capable adults who have their own homes and
are well established, but having a college
buddy offers that aspect of life that may
have been lacking before.
“It really brightens their day to get to
spend time with their buddy,” Granados
said.
The feeling of giving someone so much
happiness may account
for what interests students in the group.
Sophomore Arlinda
Arriaga, who already
is involved in several
other extra-curricular
activities, says that the
selfless nature of the
program sets it apart
from others.
“This is not some-
thing you join to make yourself look good.
It gives you an opportunity to work with
someone with a need,” Granados said.
Granados, who has been participating in
the organization since her freshman year,
maintains that this organization gives students a distinct feeling of pride in helping
someone find friendship.
“Students feel that it is rewarding to
help others, and they will always get something out of joining Best Buddies,” Granados said.
For more information on the Best Buddies program, contact Miriam Granados at (210) 436-3954, or by e-mail at
mgranados@stmarytx.edu.
PHOTO BY SELINA MADRID
Historian Desiree DeLeon and member coordinator Erica Rivas discuss the logistics of participating in the Best Buddies Program at their
second informational meeting.
6
Features
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Celebrating 25 years
Learning Assistance Center commemorates tutoring more than 18,500 students.
By ERICA PEREZ
STAFF WRITER
The Learning Assistance
Center (LAC) recently blew out
25 candles in a party that commemorated over 142,500 hours
of tutoring as one of its proudest
achievements.
In the past 25 years, approximately 396 tutors have helped
more than 18,500 students, said
LAC director Barbara Biasolli.
The spirit was high when the
university community came together at the LAC birthday party
on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
Faculty, staff, students and
alumni looked back on the academic achievements and personal experiences they gained
from the LAC while socializing
and viewing a slideshow of the
center’s history.
Some signed a birthday banner or gave a testimonial to share
these stories with the St. Mary’s
community 25 years from now,
at the center’s 50th birthday party
slated for 2030.
“This is one of the most well
supported centers I have found,”
1980
1980 Filo Maldonado began
arranging what is now the LAC
to prepare students for their
first year of college. That first
semester they had three tutors
and 56 students
Biasolli said. “In a sense, we’re a
model center for other schools.
The students that come here really do want to learn.”
The LAC offers a variety of
services from individual and
small-group tutoring to shortterm problem-solving centers.
Although other resources such
as videotape instruction, computer programs and textbooks
are available, the most valuable
resource is the tutoring program.
Biasolli thanked the faculty
for referring the brightest students to the program, while former tutor and class of 1991 alumna Michelle Galindo commended
Biasolli.
“Barbara selects really special
people,” Galindo said. “It takes
someone really special to do
that.”
In 1980, the LAC started with
three tutors and 56 students registered. As of 2005, there are approximately 45 tutors and 707
students registered with the
LAC.
Of the graduating tutors, 103
have become doctors, 50 health
1985
1984 Maldonado collaborated with Dr. Mike Medina to
win the first Health Career
Opportunity Program (HCOP)
1990
COURTESY PHOTO
Sophomore biology major Smita Singh listens attentively to Meagan
Brorman, senior English major at the Learning Assistance Center .
professionals, and eight dentists.
“Those are the numbers,” Biasolli said. “But the stories are
more relevant.”
Stories like that of Galindo,
who married another former
LAC tutor after graduation and
is now a lawyer working in Dallas.
While
watching
different slides about how the LAC
developed over the years, Galindo started to recognize people
from her tutoring days from 1988
through 1991.
1995
1987 Barbara Biasiolli was
hired as a second Associate
Director for the LAC in chare of
establishing a Writing Center
1999 10 years after the new
LAC facility was dedicated in a
campus-wide ceremony. The
center served 326 students
with 32 tutors.
“I wanted to come to the
reunion because these are my
friends,” Galindo said. “This
place never changed, it still feels
like home.”
As a result of her positive experience at the LAC, she tutored
fellow students at the law school
she attended after graduating at
St. Mary’s.
“The experience of being a tutor at the LAC makes
you feel part of something bigger
than yourself,” Galindo said.
2000
2002 President Charles
Cotrell signed an agreement
creating the FASTS program
(Facilitated Admissions for
South Texas Scholars) that
accepts LAC students to the UT
Medical School at San
Antonio
2005
2005 LAC celebrates 25th anniversary serving 742 student
with 45 tutors for a total of
6929 contact hours between
students and tutors
GRAPHIC BY DENISE M. SALINAS
SOURCE: Learning Assistance Center
St. Mary’s indulges in Facebook
By ELIZABETH RUIZ
STAFF WRITER
As if it had not been difficult
enough to study without distraction before, St. Mary’s University
students are now offered yet another online diversion, the Facebook.
The Facebook is an online
directory that allows people to
connect with students at other
schools through social networks.
It has offered many students
chance to keep in touch with their
friends from high school and be
connected to those who are registered at their own school.
The Facebook, which began
in February of 2004, has already
been available to hundreds of
college campuses across the
country.
For months, many from St.
Mary’s attempted to log in using
their St. Mary’s e-mail accounts,
but to no avail.
Because it has been avail-
able to other schools for so long,
many at St. Mary’s felt out of the
loop.
“My friend from Baylor [University] asked why we weren’t
on Facebook, so I requested St.
Mary’s a few times and even
asked my friends to request,”
said sophomore biology major
Smita Singh, who is already registered on Facebook.
Once the St. Mary’s account
was up and running after months
of student requests to the administration, students were able to
experience what friends from
other colleges had for months.
The site allows users to view
general information about another user or friend, such as their
political views and favorite movies, while sharing one’s own information.
Student John Fogerty sees
Facebook as a way to maintain
relations with fellow students.
“I basically joined Facebook
Classifieds
ADVERTISE HERE
Standard Cost: $10 (5 lines of 12 pt. type, approx. 2 columns
x 1 in. Additional lines $1.00 each). Call Pedro @ (210) 4364301 for more information.
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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANGELIQUE CHAVARRIA
to stay in contact with friends
here at school,” Fogarty said. “ It
provides an easy way of letting
people know what is going on.”
The site offers many interesting ways to link with students
with similar interests.
If a user were to click on a
favorite movie, organization or
political leaning that is included
in someone else’s or their own
profile, the site would take the
user to a list of other students at
school who have included that
particular word or phrase on
their profiles.
Another form of networking takes place through
groups, which are created by
students or are sponsored by
paid promotions.
Many groups have already been launched, which
include “Hardcore Nappers,”
“Chaminade Stair Climbers”
“Procrastinators Unite…Tomorrow” and “I Just Tried to Ford
The River And My Freakin’ Oxen
Died (St. Mary’s Chapter).”
The groups are intended to
connect students in different
ways.
“People probably join groups
so that others can know a little
more about them than what is
already listed on their profile,”
said biochemistry major Ashley
Nava.
Students say the appeal comes
in situations such as wanting to
know whatever happened to the
girl that sat next to you in third
grade.
“With Facebook, you are given the opportunity to ramble on
about yourself and have people
comment on it,” Nava said.
The Facebook is accessible at
www.facebook.com.
TECH BYTES
Cyber
Security
Month
begins
In today’s technology world, keeping your computer and the information
on it secure is paramount.
It’s a shame, but I
bet everyone knows
someone who has been
affected by one or more
of the following: viruses, worms, Trojan
horses, hacking or even
Jeff
Schomburg identity theft.
So what can we do
to arm ourselves against these formidable cyber security foes?
According to the online search giant Yahoo!, the three critical categories
of online security are protecting your
password, protecting your computer
and protecting your identity.
With these in mind, St. Mary’s University has pulled together a series of
hands-on workshops and a list of guest
speakers to discuss cyber security issues throughout October.
We’ve joined in the national effort
to make October our cyber security
awareness month.
Because of the global importance of
this topic, our activities are extended
not only to faculty, staff and students,
but as well to our greater surrounding
community.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Cyber Security
Schedule of Events
Install Fest
Monday, Oct. 3
10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
University Center Atrium
Install Fest will show you how to install security software and keep your operating system
and anti-virus software updated.
Learn about spyware removal programs and
other security applications. Enjoy the festivities with refreshments and a movie. Raffle
prizes will be provided.
Don’t forget your laptop!
FBI: Data Theft & Cyber Crimes
Monday, Oct. 10
6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
SBC Technology Building Room108
Data theft is on the rise. Come learn about
this growing problem and other cyber
crimes.
Identification Theft
Monday, Oct. 17
12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m.
University Center Conference Room B
6:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.
Flores Hall
Officer Tony Lummus will discuss the serious
nature of identity theft. Bring your brown-bag
lunch to the noon session. Food and drinks
will be served at the 6:30 p.m. session.
Hacking
Monday, Oct. 24
3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.
University Center Conference Room B
Guest speakers will include:
Prof. Jeffrey F. Addicott
“Cyber Terrorism”
Air Intelligence Agency Representative
Hacking”
Mercedes Elias
“How to protect your computer”
Features
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
By ALBERT CRUZ
STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY FRANCISCO VARA-ORTA
A free concert for area college students featuring Latin Grammy winner Julieta Venegas
was held last Friday at Our Lady of the Lake University’s Lakeapalooza.
Umbrella of culture over
Hispanic Heritage Month
Campus signs promote Latino cultural diversity.
Since Sept. 17, 1968, the United States
Congress has officially declared Sept. 15
through Oct. 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month.
It celebrates the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries— Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico
declared its independence on Sept.16 and
Chile on Sept. 18.
The term Hispanic, according to the
U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanishspeaking people in the U.S. of any race.
St. Mary’s University has picked up on
the spirit and culture of the Latino heritage by embracing it.
With 53 percent of Hispanics making
up St. Mary’s enrollment population, the
Hispanic culture and lifestyles are alive
and well on the university campus.
Signs of reminding students of Hispanic Heritage Month are everywhere on
campus, from the strong Catholic influence to the everyday language.
Sandwich boards commemorating the
month are also set up around St. Mary’s.
“Hispanic Heritage Month to me is a
time in which us Hispanics can look back
and remember where we came from and
appreciate how far we’ve come thanks to
our family, our culture and our values,”
said Veronica Flores, a Mexican-American
freshman.
For many, the month offers the opportunity to be in touch with their identities.
“It makes our culture become aware
within our country,” said Erlinda Delgado, senior Spanish major and secretary
7
Marketing the future
JULIETA-PALOOZA
By SARAH SWAIM
STAFF WRITER
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
LEADERS IN HISPANIC HERITAGE
Simon Bolivar (1783-1830)
Born in Venezuela
The greatest leader of South American
liberation from Spain.
Sor Juana Ines (1651-1695)
Born in Mexico
Considered the first female Latin American philosopher for her feminist writings.
Don Miguel Hidalgo (1753-1811)
Born in Mexico
Known for calling for independence of
Mexico from Spain.
Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)
Born in Chile
Well-known poet who experimented with
various poetic styles in his work.
Evita Peron (1919-1952)
Born in Argentina
Symbolized the populist movement within
Latin America and did charity work.
Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980)
Born in El Salvador
Outspoken church leader that was assassinated because of his beliefs.
Cesar Chavez (1927-1993)
Born in United States
Fought for fair treatment of migrant farm
workers through non-violent protest.
Shakira (1977-present)
Born in Colombia
First female artist to make a Spanish-language song popular in mainstream U.S.
- COMPILED BY AMANDA GUERRA
of St. Mary’s LULAC (League of United
Latin American Citizens).
Delgado said Hispanic Heritage Month
focuses on what makes Hispanics unique
and celebrates the group’s diversity.
“It’s really important to learn the history of other cultures,” Delgado said.
have not been exposed to before,” said Jacqueline Arrue, senior international business
The U.S. Department of State Student and marketing major.
Marketing Program is sponsoring a “unique
The B&G marketing students have began
industry-education course,” allowing 15 to organize their agency and implement their
seminar marketing students from St. Mary’s marketing campaign with a $2,500 budget.
University to develop a real world market- They have created departments within their
ing agency.
agency that consist of advertising, public reThese students have become B&G Mar- lations, research and finance.
keting Agency. They are working in conjuncCurrently, B&G is in preparation to prestion with EdVenture Partners to promote ent their marketing campaign to EdVenture
U.S. Department of State internships by and Department of State representatives for
targeting students from St.
approval to launch during
“We are enthusiastic
Mary’s and surrounding
this week.
Once they receive apSan Antonio universities.
about actually seeing
proval,
they will begin set“This is a unique and our campaign come
rather special opportuniting up info sessions, distogether once we receive tributing flyers and have a
ty,” said seminar marketapproval for our caming professor Dr. Karl F.
table at the Career Fair on
paign.”
Oct. 12.
Kampschroeder. “The students are actually acting
“We are enthusiastic
- Senior Andrea Carranco
like a marketing company
about actually seeing our
would: they are out there creating advertise- campaign come together once we receive
ments, creating promotional materials and approval for our campaign,” said senior Andrea Carranco, B&G marketing agency cocreating events.”
ordinator.
“This is also a good opportunity
The B&G Marketing Agency campaign
is aimed at recruiting applicants of a minor- for St. Mary’s because more businesses will
ity background who are juniors and seniors start approaching the school and asking for
from non-traditional majors. The U.S. De- us to actually take on marketing campaigns
partment of State offers paid and unpaid, for them.”
At the culmination of the B&G marketing
student internships with 39 different bureaus in domestic and overseas locations.
campaign, they will have an agency-style
Their aim is to further diversify and presentation of their campaign experiences.
For more information on the internship
strengthening the presence of minorities in
government agencies.
opportunities offered by the Department of
“By increasing the awareness of St. State, visit http://www.career.state.gov/
Mary’s students to these internships, we can student/apply/student_internship.html.
Summer applications must be submitted
have a great impact on helping people open
up doors to their futures that they would by Nov. 1.
8
Features
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
India
beyond the travel guide
St. Mary’s students ventured Indian villages and slums on study abroad seminar this summer.
By JAIME CONTRERAS
STAFF WRITER
they discussed the recent topic with their lecturer.
Students unanimously agreed the most dramatic
enior Khusbu Patel easily saw the contrast part of their trip was witnessing the slum areas.
“I was surprised at how the poor took pride in evbetween the “tourist New Delhi” and the underdeveloped areas just outside the city dur- erything and were just happy to be alive,” said graduate
ing a summer abroad seminar she took with student Sara Kelly.
a university delegation to India.
The group held meetings with urban development
“It is clearly evident that the government has Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in the slum arinvested a lot of money into the city,” Patel said. eas.
“But just outside of the postcard picture, you see people
“I felt strange and upset when the NGO we were
living next to raw sewage. When the poor asked for visiting would offer us tea and cookies upon arrival,
paved roads, the city gave them a dump-load
when just outside we would notice people
of recycled concrete from an old building and
who couldn’t even afford to buy a cookie, so
INDIA
told them to build the road themselves.”
I snuck some cookies out and gave them to
QUICK FACTS:
The International Relations Program, led
the children,” Patel said.
Population:
by Bro. Ed Violet and Dr. Larry Hufford, ofThe group encountered, some for the first
1,080,264,388
fered students like Patel the opportunity to
time in their lives, the depths of extreme pov25% live in poverty
erty.
take part in a study abroad seminar to India
Religions:
this past July 4 through July 22.
“When my family goes to India, we go
80.5% Hindu,
13.4% Muslim,
The three credit hour course gave 12 stufor leisure, to shop,” Patel said. “We don’t
2.3% Christian
dents a first-hand perspective into the life,
usually pay attention to what is going on all
Languages:
culture and socio-political aspects of a counaround us, whereas this trip opened up the
30% Hindi, other
try with over one billion people.
shutters.”
official languages
include Bengali,
“There is a lot to process,” said political
Patel said she saw the whole picture of the
Marathi, Punjabi
science senior Greg Pardo. “We got to witness
India she never truly knew.
SOURCE:
what kind of conditions people in extreme
“It forced me to see up-close what we’ve
www.cia.gov
poverty live, endure and suffer under. The
ignored in the past,” Patel said.
fascinating part is that the people living in the
St. Mary’s students ventured to villages
slums would find a way to deal with it.”
and sat amongst Marianist priests and brothers at the
The group divided their time in between New Delhi, organization REDS (Ragpickers Education and Develwhich serves as the historic capital of India, and Ranchi opment Scheme), a Marianist NGO offering education,
a rural town in the east central region of the country.
meals, medical attention, support groups and even fiStudents attended lectures in the morning given by nancial services to the locals.
At the Marianist meetings, the delegation had the
various professors from the region and paid visits to
non-governmental organizations in the afternoon.
chance to share experiences with fellow students.
Lecture topics included economics, politics, developRagpickers are people who make their living by sellment issues, law and gender relations.
ing whatever refuge they can find, such as bottles, plasAfter a round of lectures, the class broke for tea where tic and aluminum.
S
•
•
•
PHOTOS BY LARRY HUFFORD
Directly Above: Many children like this 12-year-old girl living in rural India do not have a childhoods. Top: The Taj
Majal is one of the most beautiful architectures in the
world and considered an international symbol for India.
“The one thing that struck me when I came back is
that I’ve started a connection with people from across
the world,” said Pardo, reflecting on the trip. “These
people are also our brothers and sisters.”
Entertainment
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
9
TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN
The Rattler talks with the stars of Waiting..., the hilarious new comedy about life behind the kitchen door.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
MENU
TODAY’S SPECIALS
DANE COOK
SLOPPY JOE
For you carnivores,
try the Dane Cook
Sloppy Joe. Itʼs
a half-pound of
chopped meat (well,
itʼs mostly meat)
drowned in BBQ
sauce and slapped
on a bun. Comes
with your choice of
steak fries or halfbaked potato. $6.66
JUSTIN
FOOT-LONG
HERO SUB
The Justin Foot-Long
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you need when you
donʼt know what you
want. A foot-long
white bun packed
with turkey, cheese
and slathered in various condiments, itʼs a
safe choice! $8.98
ANDY
MILONAKIS
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SALAD
Looking to keep your
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Andy Milonakis Caesar Salad: chicken
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smothered in ranch.
Delicious! $6.95
OUR FRIENDLY STAFF IS
SORT OF HAPPY
TO SERVE YOU!
LUNCH AND DINNER
Weʼre serving up a hot plate of journalism as we talk to the stars of the
new Lions Gate film, Waiting...
By TOMMY DEIBEL
STAFF WRITER
The only thing funnier than Waiting…,
the story of what really goes on at an Applebee’s-family-fun-type of restaurant, is
an interview with its three of its stars, Dane
Cook, Justin Long and Andy Milonakis.
After 15 years as a stand-up comedian,
Cook has proven himself as one of the greatest comedians of our generation. He has
been featured on Comedy Central and in
Rolling Stone and Stuff Magazine. His newest comedy album, Retaliation, is a runaway
success, and Cook credits fans for all of the
support they have given him throughout his
career. Oddly enough, Cook plays a manic
cook, Floyd, in the film.
Long is a rising actor on the Hollywood
scene, recently featured in Vince Vaughn’s
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Long has
also been featured on Broadway and in the
NBC television series Ed.
In Waiting..., Long plays Dean, a waiter at
fictional restaraunt Shenanigan’s. When he
learns of a old high school peer’s recent success as an engineer, Dean begins to question
his own life choices. It is this crisis that sets
the stage for some hilarious encounters.
Milonakis plays the wankster busboy,
Nick. Milonakis’ fame developed after his
original rap song “The Super Bowl is Gay”
became an Internet smash hit and he was invited to appear on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
From there, Milonakis was offered his own
television show on MTV (appropriately
titled The Andy Milonakis Show), which includes an interesting blend of humor, rap,
improvisation (improv) and lunch meat.
Improv is a long-standing comedy tradi-
DISCLAIMER:
PHOTOS COURTESY LIONS GATE FILMS - ILLUSTRATIONS AND DESIGN BY CHUCK KERR
Cont. on PAGE 10, SEE “KITCHEN”
AN’S
ANIG
T SHEN
AFF A
T
S
E
H
T
Shenaniganʼs is not responsible for any bad service, spilled plates or foreign objects found in food.
I mean, for all WE know, YOU put that fingernail in
the Dane Cook Sloppy Joe. If you donʼt like it, just
eat around it. No one likes a crybaby.
tion. So exactly how much of Waiting... came
from the page or from the actors?
Long replied that his character didn’t
have “much room for me to do anything
outside of [the script],” but he was quick
to mention that other roles in the movie involved a lot of improvising.
“When you’re doing comedy, you wanna
be able to…kind of…kick it around a little
bit, because comedy is best when served
fresh,” Cook said. “The script itself, that Rob
McKittrick wrote and directed was already
a cavalcade of fun before we even started
smacking it around…”
“You mean a cornucopia of fun,” Long interjected.
“…and a plethora,” finished Cook.
“It was WYSIWYG,” Milonakis said.
“What you see is what you get.”
Long spoke on behalf of Cook, whose recent popularity raised questions about his
being pigeon-holed as “the” college comedian.
“The simple answer is ‘no’,” Long said.
“Dane is a man of many different hats and
he wears them all equally well.”
Cook continued, “No, I don’t feel like
there is pigeon-holing because I have been
doing stand-up a long time and I’ve done
the college circuit, I’ve done the club circuit,
and it’s certainly a different type of show
when you go to college, its kind of an event.
But it’s all good. You know what, comedy
fans? If you’re laughing it doesn’t matter if
you’re at a college or a crackhouse. Comedy
is comedy.”
*
!
s
u
e
e
s
d
n
a
k
c
a
b
Come
* But when you do, make sure you
actually tip 15%, you cheapskates.
10
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Entertainment
E
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
Concert Band goes “Pop”
StMU Concert Band pays tribute to the past, looks to future
with outdoor concert and upcoming South Texas tour.
By ROSEANNA GARZA
STAFF WRITER
ABOVE: Frank “Pop”
Sturchio in his
uniform. RIGHT: Sturchio conducts the
St. Mary’s University
wind ensemble.
The music of the past will be
heard once again when the St.
Mary’s University Concert Band
kicks off its 2005-2006 season.
Playing music from nearly a
hundred years ago, the Concert
Band is honoring Frank G. “Pop”
Sturchio, the head of the Music
Department at St. Mary’s from
1949-1965, in their upcoming outdoor concert on Oct. 11, 2005.
“It’s great because it’s our first
full concert band performance
outside,” French horn player Pam
Trevino said. “A plus is being
able to dedicate this performance
and show honor to the man who
founded the music department
here on campus.”
Born in Italy in 1894, Sturchio’s
family immigrated to the United
States in 1914. He later earned his
bachelor’s degree in music at the
San Pietro A Me Miella Conservatory of Music.
In 1943, Sturchio enlisted in the
military and was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base. Upon his
discharge he enrolled at Our Lady
of the Lake University (OLLU),
and by 1949, became head of the
first-ever music department here
on campus.
Under the direction of professor Dale Schultz, the Concert Band
will be performing marching pieces that were written by Sturchio
during his tenure at St. Mary’s.
“I was a student under Pop
back when we used the old ROTC
barracks for a band hall and egg
cartons covered the floor as a
make-shift acoustic system,”
Schultz said. “I wanted to honor
the memory of Pop, and the upcoming concert was a great idea
for me to pull out the old marches
that he wrote.”
Sturchio’s marches include
“Into the Wind,” “ The Cotton
Bowl” and “Fiesta Flambeau
March,” inspired by the annual
San Antonio parade.
“When I was a kid, there was
no UTSA [University of Texas at
San Antonio] or OLLU band to
listen to,” Schultz said. “People
could come to hear the St. Mary’s
band and it was a major cultural
event of the season.”
The 38 members of the St.
Mary’s Concert Band have been
rehearsing for the concert since
the second week of school. With
guest performers alongside the
talent that already existed on campus, the arrangements by Sturchio
as well as Sousa are expected to
bring out a lot of community support.
“Music lays the foundation for
creativity and inspiration,” trumpet player Joshua Cavazos said.
“The St. Mary’s University Concert Band is here to convey those
ideas and share the passion of music with the community on and off
campus.”
In addition to the outdoor
event, the concert band and jazz
orchestra are planning a tour of
South Texas high schools to recruit young musicians and spread
awareness of the university music
department and recruit incoming
freshmen into the program.
The “Pops” concert will begin
at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the alumi
field. The Music Department extends an invitation for all to attend
and help pay tribute to the man
who has helped keep the music
alive at St. Mary’s in decades past
and those to come.
JAZZ ALIVE!
The Sept. 22 St. Mary’s
University Jazz Orchestra and
Combos concert has been
rescheduled to Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m.
in Treadaway Recital Hall.
PHOTOS COURTESY THE STURCHIO FAMILY
Kitchen cut-ups onWaiting...
Continued from Page 9
A QUICK LOOK AT...
Milonakis also shared his experience of working on his first comedy film.
“It was my first one, but I loved it,” Milonakis
said. “I don’t know…what is the difference when
you work on, like, movies that are more serious?
Probably not as fun, I’d imagine.”
Later, the three were asked about the film’s
notorious ‘Game’ which consists of employees
performing disturbing bits of show and tell with
names like “the brain” and “the batwing.”
“The game came from writer/director Rob
McKittrick,” Cook said. “That’s something [that
developed] after having worked in several years
in that environment.”
Milonakis claims he had his own version of the
game, including one position called “the turkey.”
“You just wave your hand at people and say,
‘Look I’m doing the turkey!’” Milonakis said. “You
just show your five fingers to people.”
Cook began to talk about his newest pet project: “It’s a little bit away from the entertainment
industry, but I’m working on some pottery.”
“I actually sold him his pottery set, because I
work at a pottery store,” Milonakis boasted.
Long then joked how he is “working on a project with Gary Busey and Jake Busey, called Just the
Three of Us.”
Cook was the only one of the three that had not
had prior experience in a restaurant. He soon admitted that he was, in fact, “born in a Petri dish,
and I was grown for this movie.”
FILM REVIEW
Waiting...
PHOTO COURTESY LIONS GATE FILMS
Please wait to be seated...or else!
★★★★★
Dir. by Robert McKittrick
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Anna
Faris and Justin Long
Waiting… is the movie that
was destined to be created since
the dawn of the restaurant.
Rob McKittrick has created a
masterpiece of comedy with his
writing/directorial debut. Ryan
Reynolds, Anna Faris and Justin
Long star as servers at the family-friendly restaurant Shenanigan’s. The staff performs some
not-so-family-friendly
shenanigans during their working hours
and cap their late shifts with
booze and debauchery.
As waiter Monty (Ryan Reynolds) shows the newest employee (John Francis Daley) the finer
aspects of working at Shenanigan’s (including “The Game,” a
kitchen pasttime you’ll have to
see to believe), Monty’s friend
Dean (Justin Long) finds himself
wanting more out of life than
just waiting tables and refilling
drinks. When an offer for assistant manager comes his way he
has to decide between his life or
a promotion.
Waiting… is a hilarious look
into the life of a restaurant employee. While it may be a bit over
the top, there is a very disturbing
element of truth that anyone who
has worked in a restaurant can
see. - TOMMY DEIBEL
Entertainment
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
11
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Franz Ferdinand gets better with age
ALBUM REVIEW
Franz Ferdinand
You Could Have
It So Much
Better
★★★★★
DOMINO
By SELENA SAN MIGUEL
STAFF WRITER
If you thought you finally had
Franz Ferdinand’s 2003 mega-hit
“Take Me Out” clear from your
internal radio, you’ve got another
thing coming.
The mischievous Scottish rockers return with their sophomore
album You Could Have it So Much
Better, and their newest single, “Do
You Want To,” is by far the band’s
catchiest song.
The constant melodic stream of
“do-do-dos” makes it almost impossible to kick the tune from your
brain, no matter how incoherent
the verses sound. With lines like,
“He’s a friend and I knew him
before you / He’s a friend, well,
I blew him before you,” you can’t
help but do an aural double take.
Of course, the lyrics were intentionally written to make absolutely no sense, which in itself
makes perfect sense: the song is
a reproduction of party conversations overheard by frontman Alex
Kapranos in an attempt to show
the decadent reality behind glitz,
glamour and celebrity.
Point taken, Alex.
The late `60s retro-feel of the
band (originally unmasked on
their previous self-titled album)
shines through “Eleanor, Put
Your Boots Back On.” The vocal harmonies immediately recall
your dad’s vinyl collection of The
Beatles.
However, the other tracks put
an edgier spin on the famous British boy band cliché as the quartet
put more lyrical depth into their
songwriting. Almost all the songs
on the album reference morality
or describe how the world is continually corrupting itself (except
you might not notice the message
due to the frenzy you’ll be in over
Franz’s driving, punchy guitars).
“The Fallen” warns against prejudging one another: “The fallen
are / The virtuous among us /
Walk among us / If you judge us /
We’re all damned.” A friendly reminder just in time for Halloween;
and just in case you’re looking for
that theme song for your annual
night
of promiscuity, the buzzing riff
will inspire you to unleash your
devilish side to scare little ghouls
and goblins.
But be gentle with the kiddos.
Don’t be overly villainous because
then you would be considered
“Evil,” in which case you could just
sing along to the track of the same
name: “I’m evil and a heathen.”
The mocking tone of the chorus
should definitely be accompanied
by the fingers-for-horns pose or an
unforgettable cackle, even if it is
for a brief two minutes.
Franz Ferdinand avoided the
sophomore jinx by delivering
more solid, danceable rock songs
while expanding their sound into
other areas. If you liked their debut album, you
could indeed have it
so much better with
their second.
Franz
Ferdinand:
least
threatening
band ever.
COURTESY PHOTO
Sean Paul goes to Trinity
The album ultimately lacks coherent vision but
still has moments of brilliance. There are a half-dozen
cuts that will lodge in your head without delay, but
the rest never get off the ground.
The Trinity album lacks the excitement and enthusiasm compared to its predecessor. Dutty Rock’s
magic was very original and timely and The Trinity
simply has a hard time sending that same level out
to listeners.
★★★
ATLANTIC / WEA
By SHAE MCDOWELL
STAFF WRITER
Who can forget Sean Paul and the get-up-off-yourfeet hype he led in 2003?
Sean Paul struck two years ago with Dutty Rock,
bringing Jamaican style straight to our televisions
with hits like “Gimme the Light” and “Get Busy.”
Sean Paul’s love for dancehall music brought massive success, and here he goes aiming at it again with
his newest, The Trinity.
Returning with a more Jamaican sound, Trinity
provides that “back to the roots” feel; there is more
experimentation with the beats and sounds. Sean
Paul lets his Jamaican roots show loud and proud,
using only a handful of artist collaborations in an attempt to create a more personal statement.
The ethnic salute “Yardie Bone” is a solid reggae
track featuring Wayne Marshall that channels Bob
Marley. “Connection,” featuring Nina Sky, has a sexy,
playful vibe that puts it in the race for a club hit.
Sean Paul doesn’t stray far from his hit-making
formula on “We Be Burnin,’” a high-volume stomp
comparable to “Gimme the Light,” with lyrics that
take flame to your heart but might hurt the ears of
those outside the Caribbean.
While eclectic, Trinity’s offerings can be hit-andmiss. “Oh Man” (featuring Daddy Yankee) is a track
that probably looked better on paper than in the studio. Both MCs flows seem to clash rather than work
together. Other tracks hard to connect with are “Head
To Toe” and “Never Gonna Be The Same.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Sean Paul wants you to talk to the hand.
Noelia
Montez
Freshman
Education
New Found Glory
Sticks and Stones
“It makes me happy.
NFG is freakin’
sweet!”
Michael
Martinez
Sophomore
History
★★★
ACTIVISION /
RAVEN SOFTWARE
★★★★
LOST HIGHWAY
By CHUCK KERR
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Ryan Adams has always been
too talented for his own good.
The slim, outspoken alt-country troubadour returns with Jacksonville City Nights, his second of
three (Three! This guy has songwriting diarrhea) full-length LPs
scheduled for 2005.
Backed by his band The Cardinals (which includes longtime
Strokes associate J.P. Bowersock on
guitar), Adams adopts his crusty,
country-fried persona, complete
with a slightly jarring vocal twang
as he sings about the “ol’ company
store” (on “The Hardest Part”).
This would be an odd move for
any other popular artist, but Adams does have roots in the country community. His solo debut,
Heartbreaker, is an effective country-rock reflection with a few uptempo numbers out of sheer spite.
Jacksonville doesn’t have the
songwriting power of Heartbreaker,
but what it lacks in spunk it makes
up for in spirit. To be more precise,
its the broken spirit that Adams
portrays so well, especially on
somber tracks like “September”
and “My Heart is Broken.”
Adams may not stick to a single
genre, but with songs and talent
like his, who can blame him?
By JAVIER HERRERA
STAFF WRITER
What could be better than playing as your favorite X-Men? Playing as your favorite X-Men and
playing as their worst villians.
In X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, you can do that and more.
Activision and Raven Software
bring the action to your home console in this new role-playing game
starring Marvel Comics’ mightiest
mutants.
Evil mutant Apocalypse plans
waging a war to end all wars. Humanity is on the brink of extinction
when the X-Men step in, teaming
up with their long-time nemesis
the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
to take the battle to Apocalypse
and show him the real way to win
a war.
You and your friends can customize your own four-man team
of mutants to punish the forces of
Apocalypse in co-op mode or online. The game features up to sixteen playable characters (with seven new characters) equipped with
new powers, new upgrades and a
new storyline from the comics.
X-Men Legends II is an experience not to be missed.
Students reveal their current listening.
▼
▼
WHAT’S IN YOUR STEREO?
X-Men Legends
II: Rise of
Apocalypse
COMPILED BY AMANDA GUERRA
▼
Sean Paul
The Trinity
VIDEO GAME REVIEW
Ryan Adams &
The Cardinals
Jacksonville
City Nights
Incubus
Make Yourself
“It’s the first
album I ever
bought.”
Nicole
Lozano
Sophomore
Biology
Streetlight Manifesto
Everything Goes Numb
“I like ska. They’re pretty
upbeat and different.”
▼
ALBUM REVIEW
ALBUM REVIEW
Nathan
Sandoval
Freshman
Computer
Science
System of a Down
Mezmerize
“It’s interesting. The
lyrics are different.”
12
Commentary
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR POLICY
The Rattler welcomes letters to the
editor. Letters should not exceed
300 words and must include writer’s
name, classification, major and
telephone number. Editors reserve the
right to edit submissions for length,
grammar, spelling and content.
Letters may be delivered to Room
258 in the University Center, faxed
to (210) 431-4307, mailed to The
Rattler, St. Mary’s University, Box
83, One Camino Santa Maria, San
Antonio, TX 78228, or e-mailed to
rattlernews@stmarytx.edu.
For more information, call the
newsroom at (210) 436-3401.
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Don’t touch my student loans
Taking away funding from higher education not the solution.
Hurricane Katrina caused
an immense amount of damage
to the city of New Orleans and
the surrounding areas. Billions
of dollars have been used to
bring aid to the people of New
Orleans and to help clean up
Adrian
the city.
Martinez
Congress is planning on
cutting student loans by $11 billion to replace
the money that was spent on New Orleans.
Shocker, isn’t it?
Loans help out a number of students all over
the country to gain an education they have
every right to pursue. No one should have to
take the opportunity of expanding your mind
away from anyone.
Why do student loans have to be cut? Are
there not other things the government can cut
instead of the future of millions of college and
high school students?
At the risk of beating a dead horse, do
we still need all those soldiers in Iraq? The
government can bring some of our troops back
home and save a couple million dollars that
could go into paying some of the deficit instead
of having to dig into student loans.
If proper procedures would have been taken
to evacuate all of southern Louisiana before
Hurricane Katrina hit, we would not have had
to spend $11 billion.
You can do your part by contacting your
senators and letting them know how not having
those loans has affected you. Contact financial
aid at http://www.stmarytx.edu/finaid/ for
further information.
Ontario enforces
policy, not love
Student expelled for having gay parents.
“Your family does not meet to the crowd at a school football
the policies of admission.” game. Clark’s parents will not be
Imagine hearing overruling the expulsion.
that
phrase
This can be seen as logical
upon
rejection since the policy is made public;
from St. Mary’s however, does that make it
University.
right? By labeling one of Clark’s
Since
when parents as “immoral,” the school
does a family is automatically recognizing the
Jennifer
have to meet a biological mother’s partner as a
Zúñiga
certain criteria to parent as well. California doesn’t
gain admittance to an educational even identify same sex marriages,
so why would a Christian
institution?
Ontario Christian School in school?
Christian beliefs prohibit
Ontario, California expelled 14year-old
Shay
adultery, abortion,
Clark
due
to “There are numerous homosexuality and
the like. Yet, there is a
violation of the
school‘s
policy:
Christians living a mean between these
her parents are
standard
beliefs
lesbians.
The homosexual lifestyle and the American
superintendent
way of life. There
of
the
school, without abandoning are
numerous
Christians living a
Leonard
Stob,
wrote the girl’s
homosexual lifestyle
their faith.”
biological mother,
without abandoning
their faith.
Tina Clark, a letter
Of course, the role family plays
explaining the policy they had
violated. School regulations for in a person’s life is immense;
the Christian school state that at however, just because love is
least one of the guardians of the displayed in a fashion that is still
enrolled student must not practice seen as taboo in today’s society, it
a lifestyle which isn’t conventional shouldn’t affect the pupil’s ability
in supports of Christianity, such to learn. If anything, this would
as a homosexual relationship.
enable the student to be an openEven though the expulsion minded individual who is willing
occurred a week after school to aspire his or her own goals
officials found out Clark’s and dreams instead of settling for
parents were women, the girl was what to seen as “normal”.
originally penalized for speaking
Editor-In-Chief
Francisco Vara-Orta
Managing Editor
Laura E. Hall
Layout/Design Manager
Denise M. Salinas
Copy Editor
Ana Ramirez
News Editor
Valarie Geckler
Features Editor
Carla E. Aguilar
Commentary Editor
Kavita Bhalla
Entertainment Editor & Cartoonist
Chuck Kerr
Sports Editor
Chad Peters
Photo Editor
Angelique Chavarria
Assistant Photo Editors
Selina Madrid
Giovanna Alanis
Advertising Manager
Pedro Nieto
Assistant Ad Manager
Nancy Martinez
Webmaster
David N. Garza
Faculty Advisor
Cynthia Olvera
Staff Contact
Patricia R. Garcia
Standards
The Rattler upholds the Mission Statement
of St. Mary’s University. The publication
follows the Canons of Responsible
Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook
guidelines and the Student Publications
policy.
The Rattler is a member of the Associated
Collegiate Press, the Columbia Scholastic
Press Association, the Society of
Professional Journalists, and the Texas
Intercollegiate Press Association.
Contact Us
The Rattler • St. Mary’s University •One
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TX 78228 •(210) 436-3401 • FAX: (210)
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House moves to erase lines
between religion and state
Religion-based hiring using federal funds a violation of freedom.
STAFF EDITORIAL
THE RATTLER
Two weeks ago, the U.S.
House of Representatives voted
to let Head Start centers consider
religion when hiring workers,
triggering polarizing arguments
on what grounds federal funds
may be used in hiring policies
that essentially allow religious
discrimination.
The Republican-led House
approved the amendment to HR
Bill 2123, which lets churches and
other faith-based preschool centers
hire only people who share their
religion, yet still receive federal
tax dollars.
According to the Associated
Press, Democrats blasted the idea
as “discriminatory.”
Founded in 1965 during
President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War
on Poverty, the nearly $7 billion
Head Start program provides
comprehensive education to more
than 900,000 low-income children
before they enter kindergarten
across the nation.
Though credited for getting
kids ready for school, Head Start
has drawn scrutiny as cases of
financial waste and questions
about academic quality have
surfaced throughout the U.S. and
San Antonio is no exception.
Last year, the San Antonio
Express-News uncovered how
Head Start was struggling to pay
teachers adequately although
the local director at the time was
receiving $200,000 in pay and
benefits, making her one of the
highest paid leaders in child care
welfare programs nationwide.
HR Bill 2123 was initially
created under a bipartisan effort
to nourish and restructure the
beleaguered areas of the program,
with the original House bill
inserting more competition into
Head Start grants, requiring
greater
disclosure
of
how
money is spent, and improving
collaboration among educators in
different grades.
Yet, before the House voted
on the religion-based hiring
amendment to the bill, the dispute
over religion eroded the bipartisan
support for Head Start’s renewal.
The House initially passed the
bill 231-184; only 23 Democrats
voted for it. When the amendment
was added on, only 10 Democrats
voted for it, leaving the final
House vote on the bill at 220-196,
mainly along party lines.
While the squabbling goes
on to the Senate, the bill further
blurs the line between religion
and state on government policy in
education.
Children need to be exposed to
different cultures and religions to
healthily foster their own identity.
The U.S. is founded on
fair and equal treatment of its
citizens, hence, the most qualified
individual should be hired to teach
children. If the candidate is of the
same religion as the organization
he or she is applying to, then it’s
an added bonus but should not be
a requirement.
Above all, let’s listen to the
parents as they are the ultimate
judges in what kind of education
they want their children to have.
The Minnesota-based Parents
United
Network
opposes
the amendment because “it
is
imperative
faith-based
organizations be subject to the
same civil rights laws that all
federal programs must abide by.”
If this attitude becomes a trend
in federally funded education, then
many talented, well-intentioned
and cultured educators will be
shut out of their classrooms and
students’ minds boxed into what
their family’s religion mandates,
worsening cultural awareness in
an age of intense globalization.
Commentary
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
CONTINUING STUDIES: GRADUATE SCHOOL
College truly once-in-a-lifetime experience
Editor’s Note: The Rattler is
featuring a new column written by
graduate and law students displaying
their perspectives on the issues that
affect their respective communities.
buildings have replaced the old
ones, professors have come and
gone, but, as I embark on my last
year of graduate studies, I have
noticed the constant yet quirky
reminders
of
why St. Mary’s
can be so beloved
by its students.
“I have noticed the constant yet
M o r e
quirky reminders of why St. Mary’s scholarships are
can be so beloved by its students.” available than
ever before, the
s
an
undergraduate tuition higher than ever, but, rest
alumnus and the son of assured, we can always count
St. Mary’s alumni, I have on long lines at the Bursar’s—
witnessed the changes of this wait—Business Office. Wireless
university in all of its aspects. New connections are bringing students
Matthew Landers
A
and academics closer together.
It’s too bad it hardly works. Sports
championships have been won
and lost over the years but a lack
of school pride carries the students
through the season, especially if
you’re almost the only one in the
stands at V.J. Keefe Stadium.
A new paint job or new
furniture may have spruced up
the dorms (“residence halls,”
according to the brochures), yet
the fire alarms in the early morning
hours still ring in my ears after all
these years. Conservation is a good
idea, but must the school have
blackouts? Parking tickets are
still issued to confused students,
Student Government Association
still has to use a machete for the
school’s red tape, there’s nothing
like the smell of Oyster Bake in
the morning, a cold shower is
never too far away and the food
in the cafeteria…well, you get the
idea.
Even with changes to the
university, you can never quite
escape the truly unusual aspects
of college life. Like the old saying
goes—the more things change,
the more they stay the same -especially at St. Mary’s. Here’s to
those “special traditions” that get
students through the year.
As John Roberts takes the bench this week as the 17th Chief Justice of the U.S.
Supreme Court, his role in American politics is debated.
JUSTICE
Chief Justice Roberts: Not a proponent of
the “pregnant and barefoot law.”
Chief Justice Roberts: Going backwards
at an alarming speed.
By JOEL W. DUGAN
By KAVITA BHALLA
A great chapter in American
history began with the swearing
in of Chief Justice John G. Roberts
Jr. on Sept. 29, 2005. This highly
qualified and very intelligent
individual was confirmed by
a 72 to 22 bipartisan vote in
the Senate receiving the votes
of all 55 Republican senators,
Independent Senator Jeffords
and 22 Democrats. This feat is
impressive when considering the
partisan nature of Washington,
D.C., these days and certainly
proves those in power on both
sides of the aisle recognize
Roberts is no ideologue.
Unfortunately, many within
the American citizenry listen to
groups compromised of “liberal
crazies” that make Roberts out to
be a woman-hating Nazi. It is true
that in 1991 Roberts authored a
document that stated Roe v. Wade
had been wrongly decided. What
is important to acknowledge
here is that at the time, he was
working for the Solicitor General’s
office and was presenting the
views of the George H.W. Bush
administration, not those of his
own. In fact, Roberts later referred
to the Roe v. Wade decision as the
settled law of the land.
That last fact is very important
and ties into Roberts’ firm support
of stare decisis or the doctrine of
precedent. If a court has already
decided an issue it constitutes
a legal precedent and should
only be changed in exceptional
cases. Having Roberts serve as
chief justice will not jeopardize
a woman’s right to seek an
abortion.
Other alarmist groups believe
Roberts will do away with the
right to privacy, something
not explicitly mentioned in the
Constitution. He has questioned
current privacy laws but
these
legal challenges
have
taken
place
since
1890 so it is not
exactly a new or
controversial position
to take.
If
Americans
want to worry about
something involved with judicial
issues they should be looking at
the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
in California, not Chief Justice
Roberts. The 9th Court is a bastion
of liberal activists trying to make
rather than interpret law. In a
recent decision, the court reversed
the conviction of an armed
bank robber because he “never
intentionally displayed the gun.”
Between that and the fact that
they seem to think taking God
out of the Pledge of Allegiance is
a critical U.S. legal issue, perhaps
it is time to put them under the
Say What?
Will President Bush replace Sandra Day
O’Connor with a liberal or conservative?
COMPILED BY AMANDA GUERRA
With the official swearing-in of
Chief Justice Roberts, Americans,
especially American women,
should be a little hesitant. The
young conservative justice, who
believes he is actually quite fair,
has given the conservative side of
the Supreme Court an advantage
with his powerful role and his old
school views.
In 1991 and 1993, Roberts
wrote two pieces of anti-Roe
v. Wade legislature calling
the decision wrong.
Despite a retraction
of the majority of the
statements he made
in these documents,
with Roberts in
a
powerful
decisionmaking position
w o m e n are in danger of
losing the right to decide what is
appropriate for themselves and
their bodies. It is a serious and
realistic worry because Roe v.
Wade has been constantly debated
since the day the decision was
made. Roberts, a young, affluent
white male, should not be making
decisions for women, especially
those who are socially and
economically disadvantaged.
Another significant problem
is the Right of Privacy, an issue
that worried Americans since
the intrusive Patriot Act of 2001.
POINT
COUNTERPOINT
“A conservative,
because every person
is there to help his
administration.”
Jonathan Gray
Junior, Entrepreneurial Studies
Americans do have the right,
as citizens of a free nation, to
feel secure in their privacy from
all foreign sources, including
their government. Roberts has
questioned right of privacy laws
and now has the power to act
on his views in a way that may
be detrimental to fundamental
American rights.
Today, with our troops fighting
an unjust war for oil, money and
power, with our government
trying to keep immigrants
out of the United States and
natural disasters revealing the
disorganization and nepotism of
Bush’s administration, Americans
do not need a leader who is willing
to play the Republican pawn
in the political game of chess.
America needs a leader who can
stand by his own convictions.
Despite the many worries with
Roberts, Americans should be
more concerned with who Bush
will nominate for O’Connor’s
replacement. Roberts was sworn
in with little trouble, because
Democrats are more focused
on preparing for Bush’s next
nomination. With the court being
tied at four conservatives versus
four liberals, and with O’Connor
traditionally playing the swing
vote, Bush nominating another
conservative could be devastating
to America and its citizens.
“Since he has the
opportunity to pick
a conservative, he
should.”
James A. Cortez
Sophomore, Political Science
13
Hey!
Do you
know...?
PHOTO BY ANGELIQUE CHAVARRIA
Sarika and Kavita discuss how ridiculous Indian families can be,
especially those crazy cousins.
By KAVITA BHALLA
COMMENTARY EDITOR
M
eet Sarika Bhakta.
She’s
a
senior
biology major from
McAllen, Texas.
Bhakta graduated from South
Texas High for Health Professions
in Mercedes, Texas.
She chose to come to St. Mary’s
University because of the great
biology department and the strong
scholarship she was awarded.
If Bhakta was not a bio major,
she would have majored in art or
Indian dance.
Her favorite thing about St.
Mary’s is the small campus where
the professors know your name;
however, she feels the campus’s
biggest downfall is that the “food
sucks” and is way too expensive.
School takes up a lot of her
time as well as the two main
organizations that she is member
of; Alpha Phi Omega (APO) and
American Chemical Society of
Students (ACSS).
You can find her trying to relax
in the Java City Amphitheatre,
as long as there aren’t too many
bugs, or hanging out at the APO
table in the caf.
For fun, Bhakta likes hanging
with her friends, and once in
while, hitting up a club. She is a
fan of pretty much every type of
music, except Tejano, and she only
tolerates some country.
After graduation Bhakta wants
to be a physical therapist (PT). She
wants to either go to PT school
at University of Texas Health
Science Center or at Southwestern
University.
Ten years from now, she
sees herself owning her own PT
practice, preferably in McAllen.
She wants to move back because
she believes there is a lot to be
done in McAllen, and as long as
the city doesn’t get too big, and
she wants to be a part of it.
“A conservative. He
might put someone
that is like O’Connor,
but he might be
afraid of backlash.”
Diana Cruz
Senior, Bio-Physics
14
Sports
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
Kling-ing to her own Rattler tradition
A former championship-winning pitcher at St. Mary’s,
Kym Kling is now attempting to bring renewed excellence to Rattlers cross country.
By ANGELA OJEDA
STAFF WRITER
After playing three years for
St. Mary’s University and helping lead the Rattlers to the 2002
NCAA Division II softball national championship, Kym Kling is
taking over the reigns as the new
women’s cross country coach.
Kling, an assistant coach for the
softball team where she was a student assistant coach last season,
graduated from StMU in May with
a bachelor’s degree in education.
Kling has her plate full but is eager for the cross country team to
do well. With all of the controversy that occurred last season with
the cross country team, which centered around then-coach Ricardo
Guerra’s release of talented runners Leslie Hartmann and Cheyenna Villarreal, one might expect
Kling to feel added pressure.
However, Kling wants the girls
to just enjoy the game.
“It is showing the girls how to
have fun and enjoy the sport that
they are in,” said Kling.
Kling is keeping it interesting
by changing up workouts.
“I try to keep it hard at the beginning of the week,” said Kling.
“It gets slightly easier as the week
goes on because our meets are ei-
ther on Fridays or Saturdays,” he
said.
Kling prefers not to talk about
the controversy that occurred last
season because this is a new season.
“I told them this is a new year, a
fresh beginning,” said Kling. “Everyone was going to start off on a
clean slate with me.”
So far, the season is off to a good
start. At the meet at Trinity the
girls placed fifth overall. At Texas
State, they finished third only behind UT and Texas State.
Kling’s goal for the girls is to at
least place fifth in every meet and
to have at least two runners in the
top 20.
Even though Kling has played
softball her whole life, she was excited and nervous when the position of head coach for cross country come up.
“I was a little nervous, but with
the group of girls I have, I am having fun with them and feel we are
all learning from each other,” said
Kling.
As far as which sport Kling prefers, she enjoys both softball and
cross country for different reasons.
“Softball will always be my love
because I have played it for 18
PHOTO BY ANA LOPEZ
Kling has already proven herself on the softball diamond, but is starting anew as StMU’s cross country coach.
years and feel I can teach it with
confidence,” said Kling.
With her successful playing career, Kling has plenty to be confident about for her future coaching
career.
“I think knowing what it takes
to make it there and win will be
beneficial in my future coaching
opportunities,” Kling said. “I will
be able to let them know what they
have to do to be an All-American
Rattlers serve up 4-1 conference record
By ALISON PINO
STAFF WRITER
The Lady Rattlers volleyball
team soared to a 4-1 conference record after defeating St. Edward’s
University on Sept. 28, bringing
their overall record to 10-8.
The Rattlers seemed to breeze
through the first game with 14
kills and only 5 errors, winning
30-17.
“We limited our simple mistakes and we played consistent,”
said head coach Todd Caughlin.
The second game proved to be
a challenge for the Lady Rattlers
with the Hilltoppers playing aggressive and improving offensively, but it would not be enough to
defeat the Rattlers who pulled out
the close game 30-27.
“We had a lapse during the
second game, but we persevered
through it,” said senior right side
Collanne Bramblett who led the
team with 13 kills.
The Rattlers were able to stay
intense and focused winning the
third and final game 30-21.
“We really came together and
worked hard to pull out the win,”
freshman deep setter Valerie Teter
said.
Teter had an impressive showing with 13 defensive digs while
sophomore setter Courtney Matula finished the night with 36 assists.
The team’s underclassmen
players continue to exhibit outstanding play over the course
of the season, holding their
own against top-ranked teams
and proving they can continue
to win as a team following this
year’s loss of four key players.
The team’s four seniors have
played an integral part in unifying as well as motivating the
entire team.
“All of the seniors are such
good leaders and role-models for
us. I feel I have something to aspire to,” said Teter.
With their remarkable win
against St. Edward’s, the Lady
Rattlers are one-step closer to
their goal of competing at regionals and continue to demonstrate
their talent and drive.
The Lady Rattlers are scheduled
to compete against Texas A&M
Kingsville today in Kingsville.
STATS LEADERS
Kills
Collanne Bramblett, 13
Mallary Moehrig, 9
Anna Seals, 8
Digs
Valerie Teter, 13
Katy Migl, 12
Courtney Matula, 7
Aces
Courtney Matula, 5
Valerie Teter, 4
SOURCE: www.rattlerathletics.com
or a national champion.”
She added, “As a college player,
everyone’s dream is to make it to
the NCAA Championships and
win. I can only help them know
how hard they have to work.”
Highlight Reel
Game Cancellations. With the
threat of Hurricane Rita, St.
Mary’s University was forced
to cancel or change games that
were held the weekend of Sept.
23.
All of the home games for Friday, Sept. 23 thru Sunday, Sept.
25, have been cancelled or postponed.
Other sports affected by Rita
were men’s and women’s cross
country scheduled for Friday,
Sept. 23, at the UTSA Invitational.
Men’s soccer against Midwestern State at St. Mary’s has
been postponed to a further
date as well as a women’s soccer game that was scheduled for
Friday, Sept. 23.
The women’s soccer game
scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 25
against Central Oklahoma has
been cancelled.
The baseball teams exhibition
game against Japan was also
cancelled.
Midnight Madness. Interested
in participating in the Midnight
Madness tailgate carnival? Contact Jessica Padilla at (210) 4363599. Booths must be submitted
for approval by 5 p.m., today.
Spurs spirit. SBC Coyote Crew
tryouts have been rescheduled
for Sat., Oct. 8, at UIW. Call
(210) 444-5022. Tryouts were
originally scheduled for Sept.
24, but moved because of Hurricane Rita.
- COMPILED BY ANGELA OJEDA
Sports
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
Saints in
SA? Keep
marching
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
BCS is
fun, but
flawed
MEN’S SOCCER
PHOTO BY ANA LOPEZ
The Saints were prepared to hang
Buffalo last Sunday. Is San Antonio
getting ready to hang the Saints?
Out of the tragedy that befell
Louisiana last month, NFL fans in
San Antonio got what they have
been clamoring for: pro football
in the Alamo City. But can our city
support an NFL franchise?
The NFL doesn’t
think so.
Despite attempts
by
then-owner
Red McCombs to
move his Minnesota Vikings to San
Tim
Hennessey Antonio in the late
90’s, and San Antonio native Tom Benson moving
his Saints here as early as the 2006
season, we haven’t had a move seriously discussed.
But the NFL has stated it would
fight such a move. The reason?
The market is not big enough.
Why move a struggling franchise,
both financially and competitively, from a large market to an even
smaller one?
And really, can you blame them?
Of the three games the NFL has
scheduled in San Antonio, none
have sold out yet. Even the draw
of Michael Vick is not enough to
move tickets.
If San Antonio wants to have
the slightest chance of gaining a
franchise, we at least need to show
the NFL that they are a draw here.
Can we do that? Can the Saints
draw people in San Antonio when
they barely did in New Orleans?
The Saints are a loveable loser
but it doesn’t appear San Antonio
is prepared to support them.
The Saints’ recent arrival has
shown that San Antonio is the
Cowboys’ market. The uproar
caused by the news that Cowboys
games might be preempted had
local Fox affiliate KABB anxiously
awaiting news from the NFL on
the situation. San Antonio clearly
wants the Cowboys, which was
backed up by KABB general manager John Seabers in a newspaper
article last month.
“This is a Dallas Cowboys market and will be whether the Saints
are here or not,” Seabers said. “It
will always be a Dallas Cowboys
market.”
If San Antonio wants professional football, it needs to prove
to the NFL that it can be a viable
market.
As it stands, we are proving that
we want these Saints, and any future franchise, to march right on
out of here.
PHOTO BY ANA LOPEZ
Junior midfielder Juan Carlos Sanchez (4) scored the Rattlers’ go-ahead goal in the first half.
Sanchez powers StMU
to victory in record heat
By FRANCISCO VAZQUEZ
STAFF WRITER
The St. Mary’s Rattlers took
the field on Sept. 27 against a
(2-9) Montana St. Billings team
that was looking for a win on
the road.
But the Rattlers prevailed,
shutting out the Yellowjackets, 20, at the St. Mary’s soccer field.
The Rattlers, looking to extend their winning streak to four
games, seemed not to be affected
by the one hundred degree heat
and hustled throughout the entire game.
The first half was a defensive
struggle that included a shot
being deflected off the crossbar
and saving St. Mary’s from a
sure goal. The teams ended the
PHOTO BY ANA LOPEZ
half tied 0-0 despite a few close
Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Michael takes a breather during the
calls by both teams.
game. St. Mary’s has played in record temperatures to start the year.
The Rattlers, despite one close
call that was turned away by to the heat,” said John Gray
goalie Steven Michael to pre- when asked about the temperaserve the tie, dominated the ture that seemed somewhat unThe Rattlers men’s soccer
team recently made three
second half. With the game still usual for a game being played in
nodded up, Juan
late September.
roster moves, releasing goalkeeper Derek Dobervich, and
Carlos Sanchez beat
Their familiarSOCCER
ity
with
the
heat
the Montana goalie
defenders Matt Ambrose and
for the go-ahead MSU-BILLINGS
Matt Dickson.
0 was very apparent
StMU
2 in the second half,
Dobervich started in the
goal.
The Rattlers dewhen Montana St.
Rattlers’
season
opener
fense preserved its shutout and Billings no longer seemed to be
against Trinity University, allowing two goals and recordwith three minutes remaining, able to keep up with the relentScott Kilpatrick put the game less Rattlers.
ing four saves.
on ice and sealed the victory
“ Were just playing well,” said
Ambrose, a sophomore,
extending the Rattlers’ winning Willis when asked about his
also started against Trinity.
streak to four games.
team’s turnaround.
Dickson, a junior, was ex“They held on strong and kept
St. Mary’s is back in action
pected to serve as a backup
us in the game,” said Coach Que on Oct. 5 against St. Edward’s,
defender with the Rattlers
Willis about his defense, who for when they’ll be looking to exthis season, having played
the first time this season had a tend their winning streak to five
a reserve role with the team
shut out.
games.
last season.
“Being from Texas, we’re used
- CHAD PETERS
Roster shake-up
15
Enter the golden calf that is Division I college football. Many of
us are guilty of basking in its presence, habitually worshipping the
pageantry, intensity and tradition
it represents every weekend.
On
Saturday
you’ll know where
to find the faithful from 10 a.m. to
the late hours of
the night: either in
front of the tube or
Patrick
in attendance. StaGalvin
diums overflow on
game day with crowds of diehard
fanatics. Why is there such a buzz
around every game?
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) has created a system to
match conference champions in
four major Bowl games and one
National Championship match
between the No. 1 and 2 teams.
The teams are ranked by a point
system based on votes given at the
end of every week.
It gets complicated, but in the
end, good teams get left out creating one of the most long-standing
debates in the sports world.
Many argue that the regular
season is better now because one
loss essentially ends a season due
to the computer rankings, but undefeated seasons for USC (in 2003)
and Auburn (in 2004) only earned
them a seat in the bleachers for the
national title.
In Austin, they all bleed burnt
orange on Saturday and rightfully
so. Their team is ranked No. 2 in
the country. If they don’t lose this
season they are a shoe-in for the
National Championship Game.
However, the Longhorns will
only play two ranked teams this
season, giving them a relatively
weak schedule. The legitimacy of
their season will be critiqued, even
if they win a title, discrediting the
team and puzzling the fans. This is
not the intention of a post-season.
David Frohnmayer, the chairman of the BCS board and president of Oregon University, has
been overwhelmed with proposals by spectators in and outside
the NCAA for a playoff bracket to
replace the BCS.
A playoff seems to be a legitimate process to decide a champion
to a large constituency. However,
much of the personnel at the top of
the NCAA infrastructure believe
the current system is satisfactory
because the ratings are high and
the attendance is staggering every year. An enormous amount
of money is at stake and contracts
reaching 2009 are in effect to continue the BCS.
As logical an option as a playoff system appears, disrupting the
status quo is too much of a risk.
Despite all these concerns, the
league should make the post-season legitimate so the fans will be
satisfied with the result rather
than confused.
Simply put: undefeated teams
should be playing for the title.
16
Sports
THEHOTSEAT
Featuring Julie Allred
Women’s Soccer
Position: Defender
Number: 8
Classification:
Senior
Major: Computer
science
Hometown: Fort
Worth, Texas
How long have you played
soccer?
“Since I was about six.”
What is your favorite movie?
“Recently, The Longest Yard.”
What is your favorite sports
team?
“I like the Spurs.”
Who has been your biggest
influence in you life?
“Definitely my mom.”
What are three words that
describe your personality off the
soccer field?
“Dedicated, heart and a team player.”
What CD can be found playing
in your car right now?
“I guess just a bunch of mix of CDs.
I always burn CDs.”
What are your expectations for
this season?
“I think this year we can really go
all the way. We’ve never made it to
a national conference or national
tournament, but I think this year all
the girls are dedicated. We all have
the heart, and I think we’ll make
it to at least national conference/
tournament, and hopefully win it.”
What is your favorite hobby
outside of playing soccer?
“I like watching movies and just
chilling with friends, kind of laid
back.”
If you weren’t playing soccer,
what do you think you’d be
doing?
“Probably just be studying,
hitting the books. Trying to get an
education.”
Who is your favorite
professional athlete?
“Mia Hamm. She’s just an
inspiration to all people.”
Who is your biggest fan on the
soccer field?
“My mom. She drives eight hours in
a day. Four hours to get here, four
hours back to see me play.”
What characteristics define you
as a player on the soccer field?
“Outgoing, fun and exciting.”
What has been one of your
most important career
accomplishments in soccer?
“Our freshman year we won the
Conference Championship. We hadn’t
won a conference championship, and
that was only the second title in St.
Mary’s [history]. Other than that,
this year I feel it.”
What advice would you provide
for incoming freshmen soccer
players to help with their
transition to college?
“With this team, everybody gets
along, it’s like a family, you know.
Incoming freshmen should have the
heart to play soccer. I mean, if you
have the heart and dedication, you’ll
fit right in.”
What has been one of the most
beneficial things about playing
soccer at St. Mary’s?
“Staying in shape.’
What are your career plans after
graduating from St. Mary’s?
“I’m not positively sure, but I’ll
probably move back to Dallas, find
some kind of computer programming
job and design. I don’t know yet.”
What is the hardest part about
playing soccer at the college
level?
“The traveling because we miss
classes and then you have to catch
up. It’s hard to do homework on the
road.”
- COMPILED BY ANA LOPEZ
October 5, 2005
The Rattler
www.stmarytx.edu/rattler
WOMEN’S SOCCER
HEADS UP!
Sophomore midfielder Toni Tullius (13) heads the ball in the Lady Rattlers’ 3-0 victory over East Central University on Sept. 30.
PHOTO BY ANA LOPEZ
Shutout extends winning streak
Lady Rattlers (7-2) off to best start under head coach Corwyn Ritch.
By GABRIEL SANCHEZ
STAFF WRITER
minutes,” Ritch said.
Senior Kennie Boxill limited the
opposing team to only two shots
The St. Mary’s University the entire game. Sophomore Rawomen’s Rattler team pulled off a chel Maldonado and sophomore
spectacular 3-0 victory over East Deann Lopez dictated the midfield very well throughout the
Central University on Sept. 30.
“This is a special team, they play game.
“We played like a team and
for each other with each other and
they never give up,”
everybody stepped
head coach Corwyn
up into place to take
SOCCER
the win,” said Lopez,
Ritch said.
0 who scored the RatThe Lady Rat- EAST CENTRAL
StMU
3
tlers kept possestlers’ first goal with
sion of the ball and
8:14 left in the first
exploited openings to give the half.
The Rattlers’ victory boosted
Rattlers the win on the St. Mary’s
soccer field. After being off for their record to 7-2. Every year
two weeks back-to-back, the team they have been gradually imstarted off slow but picked up the proving their record. Last season
intensity as the game progressed. at this point their record was 5-4
“Any region game is going to and before that it was 4-5.
“We came into the game feeling
be difficult but we made this team
play our level of soccer the full 90 excited and we all knew we had
to win this important match up,”
Maldonado said.
The Rattlers seemed to have
just manhandled East Central
with ease. They were in control
in the entire game and never lost
focus.
“We knew if we took this game
lightly that it would have been
difficult to win so we knew we
had to come out and play hard to
take this win,” said Lopez.
The only thing the team seems
to be lacking is fan support from
the St. Mary’s community, as a
mere crowd of 150 oversaw the
victory.
“We always play better if we
have more fan support,” Maldonado said.
“It’s important not to get overconfident, because we have a really great team and we have a
lot tough games ahead but the
PHOTO BY ANA LOPEZ
Marcey Morales (20), a freshman
midfielder, scored one of the Lady
Rattlers’ three goals.
two toughest would be Incarnate
Word and St. Edward’s,” Lopez
said.
Their next game will be at home
when they host Southwestern
Oklahoma on Oct. 9 at 12 p.m.