Inside The MJ

...Award-winning newspaper for The University of Texas of the Permian Basin...
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Campus
News
Honors Convocation to
be held April 13
The 30th Annual Honors
Convocation will be held at
2 p.m., April 13, in the
Mesa Building Courtyard.
Featured speaker will be
Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board Director
Dr. Raymund Paredes.
Campus AA meetings held
twice weekly for students
Have a problem with drugs
or alcohol? If so, join
campus AA, a 12-step
program tailored to help
students. Meetings are held
on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and
Wednesdays at 9 a.m. in the
University Counseling
Center, which is located in
room FB054 of the Founders
Building. For more
information, please call
(432)552-2659. Confidential.
Volume 24 · Issue 13
Students discuss cultural awareness at UT Permian Basin
by Jason Navarette
Editor-in-Chief
March 22 marked the first
step toward cultural proficiency at
UT Permian Basin. A panel of 10 students met for a video-recorded session to discuss cultural diversity on
campus among students, faculty
and staff. The students were Jack
Welch, Skyler Clifton, Noi McDaniel,
Amber
Simms,
Rajalique
McCullough, Brandi Pettus,
Stephen Fuentes, Glenda Walker,
Mary Gonzales and Jay Culver. The
discussion was moderated by Associate Professor of Behavioral Science Dr. Spencer Thompson. Cultural proficiency workshops at UT
Permian Basin are mandated by the
Hispanic Serving Institutions
Grant.
The session was divided
into five parts, each answering a
specific question relating to student
perception of cultural awareness on
campus.
Thompson opened the discussion by saying, “We will emphasize diversity . . . . We live in a world
with more diversity than ever before . . . . We are really engaging in a
great experiment.”
He stated that those on
campus must embrace their differences and be able to embrace their
culture. Individuals have power
when they gather together, Thompson remarked, adding that the cultural proficiency workshops will
accentuate the viewpoints, unique-
ness and culture of those on campus.
Welch said, “I’m sure everyone here has a story.”
Student Senator McDaniel
added, “This campus is so much
more diverse than people are
aware.”
How accepting are University faculty, staff and programs to
students’ needs?
Culver remarked, “They’ve
all been accepting of my needs and
willing to help me.”
Although UT Permian Basin had already taken measures to
cater to little people, Culver noted
that there is room for improvement—particularly with the seating in some of the older rooms on
campus, where the chairs are attached to the tables.
Culver stated that he
doesn’t want to be the spokesperson for little people across the country. He noted that there is much diversity within each group.
Welch added, “You just
need to be the spokesperson for
yourself.”
Walker stated that, as the
oldest student at the discussion, she
found that older people are not sure
how they will fit in on campus.
Gonzales agreed, adding,
“It’s intimidating coming in as an
older student.”
Although the University is
becoming more traditional as far as
student demographics, Pettus said
that the campus was once primarily made up of older students.
McDaniel said that there is
an eagerness to learn more about
different cultures on campus that
has yet to be addressed.
Do students feel that they
are disadvantaged due to their beliefs, lifestyles, ethnicity or culture?
Black Student Organization (BSO) Vice President Simms
remarked that there are disadvantages because students do not talk
to one another for fear of being offensive.
She said, “Don’t feel as if
you don’t put me on a pedestal I’ll
lash out . . . . When you talk to these
other groups, there’s always some
tension.”
According to BSO Secretary McCullough, the problem lies
in the fact that the faculty is not diverse. She pointed out that there are
no African American professors at
UT Permian Basin with Ph.D.s.
She said, “It kind of sets
that tone.”
The students agreed that
talking with other groups would be
a good first step toward cultural
awareness.
Walker, who is not originally from Odessa, said, “You’ll find
out a lot of awesome things about
their backgrounds.”
Another problem addressed by the students was
childcare on campus. Gonzales said
that students have trouble finding
someone to watch their children.
McDaniel stated, “That’s
one thing this campus needs is a
daycare.”
She added that the University could put it together and offer
development classes to support it.
She also said that many campuses
have programs set up for this.
Clifton noted that one rea-
son many groups do not interact is
because of fear. He said that UT Permian Basin once had a Gay-Straight
Alliance during Club Day. However,
he stated that no one would visit
the booth for fear of being marked
as homosexual.
Culver said, “All hatred . . .
comes down to not being taught
properly. It comes down to ignorance.”
McDaniel stated that some
gender discrimination exists on
campus, particularly in the field of
science. Pettus agreed to that assessment, adding that it can also be
found in mathematics.
Gamers Club President
Fuentes admitted that he has never
been one to judge a person on appearance or culture.
He said, “You just walk up
and talk to people . . . . I don’t look at
people’s skin color . . . . I don’t see the
point.”
Fuentes added that he only
looks at how good a video game
player a person is.
Simms said, “There’s always going to be stereotypes . . . .
[You] can’t change the world in a
day.”
The students agreed, however, that cultural proficiency workshops were a step in the right direction. The hard part is getting cultural awareness started.
McDaniel said, “This is a
good first step. We all have a fear of
what is different. We must put our
foot out and face that fear.”
The roundtable discussion
was the first step in cultural proficiency on campus and was initiated
by Thompson.
Area public school students participate in University Regional Science Fair
by Isidro Gonzales
Assistant Editor
Photo by Jason Navarette
Fair attendees look over the projects at the Gymnasium during the
UT Permian Basin Regional Science Fair.
ternational Science Fair
against over 1,400 students
representing over 40 nations for scholarships, tuition grants, internships,
scientific field trips and a
grand prize of a $50,000
A multitude of elcollege scholarship. This
ementary, junior high and
year’s judges came mainly
high school students from
from the science facacross the Permian baulty staff and students.
sin competed at the
The UT Perannual UT Permian
mian Basin science facBasin Regional Science
“A number of students,
played a major
Fair on March 18.
parents and teachers have ulty
role in organizing and
Students in
hosting the fair,
grades third through
been most kind . . .”
which proves to be a
fifth, sixth through
- Dr. Douglas Spence,
difficult task every
eighth and ninth
year.
through twelfth were
Regional Science
“It seemed to
divided into three sepaFair Director and
go very well,” said
rate classifications: junFair Director and UT
ior, intermediate and
Associate Professor
Permian Basin Associsenior divisions. These
ate Professor Dr. Doustudents competed in
glas Spence. “A num15 categories ranging
from Botany to Physics and Health category, Lauren ber of students, parents and
Social Science to Engineer- Maddox (Midland) with teachers have been most
her project in the Physics kind in saying to me and
ing.
First-, second- and category and Hubert the other faculty and staff
third-place awards were pre- Montoya (Andrews) with who put on Science Fair
that they thought it went
sented to top winners in his Botany project.
Maddox and Boden well and how much they
each category. This year,
three students were chosen will be competing in the In- enjoyed it.”
to represent the area in the
International Science and
Engineering Fair, which is
to be held in Indianapolis
on May 7 through 13. The
overall winners and one alternate were respectively
Emily Boden (Midland)
from the Medicine and
UT Permian Basin Falcon Day a Presenters speak to students about
big hit for students, parents long-term health care careers
by Cindy Dodson
Staff Writer
On March 25, high school
seniors from across the State—and
a few from out of State—gathered
at UT Permian Basin for Falcon Day.
This is an annual event designed to
give prospective incoming students
a foretaste of what UT Permian Basin has to offer in the way of academics and student life.
The event was well-organized and well-attended. The day’s
activities began with registration
and a continental breakfast in the
foyer of the library, followed by a
warm welcome from University
President Dr. W. David Watts and
informative speeches about Student
Services, Admissions, Financial Aid
and the School of Business.
After a short break, the
guests were then divided into
groups and treated to visits in vari-
ous rooms with faculty members
representing the College of Arts and
Sciences, the School of Education
and the Pre-Med program.
Next, it was on to the Student Union Multi-Purpose room in
the Mesa Building for an information fair. Many instructors were
available to chat with students and
share information about their departments, as well as answer any
questions the visitors might have.
Permian High School Senior
Rebecca Loos, who is planning a
double major in bio-medical and
mechanical engineering, said, “It’s
going well. They talked to me from
the College of Arts and Sciences and
also from the Pre-Med Department,
so I’m pretty confused right now.
I’m trying to decide which junior
college to attend. I’ve already been
accepted at a private university
here in the United States, but I need
some calculus first.”
Loos went on to say, “I’m
See Falcon Day, p. 3
by Jason Navarette
Editor-in-Chief
The UT Permian Basin
Career Services Center sponsored
a presentation on long-term
health care on March 23. Featured
speakers were Avalon Place Administrator
Paul
Barnes,
Cimarron House Assistant Administrator Trina Brame and
Midland College Long-Term Care
Administration Director Ed Penz.
Penz said, “[Long-term
health care] is becoming a booming industry. Anything in health
care is good.”
Two areas of long-term
health care were discussed during the presentation: Nursing
homes and assisted living facilities.
The discussion began
with Barnes, who spoke of a career in nursing home administration.
Barnes stated that aside
from needing to have a bachelors
degree, those interested in nursing homes must also undergo
1,000 hours of internships. Most
internships are not paid and
about 20 hours per week are required.
According to Penz, the
purpose of a long-term health
care internship is to understand
what happens in every area of the
industry.
He said, “If you know
how every aspect of your facility
works, you can better mobilize
[you staff].”
For those that are new in
the industry, Barnes suggested
that starting with a nursing home
chain is the best option. Such
chains allow for more referral
and resources.
Accounting courses are
helpful in the nursing home in-
See Health Care, p. 3
Inside
The MJ
Student voices opinion
over “Rant”...
page 2
University, West Texas
Jazz Society brings
renowned trumpeter to
campus...
page 3
Falcon Soccer prepares
for NCAA DII Heartland
Conference...
page 4
Page 2, The Mesa Journal
Opinion/Editorial
Into the Wilderness
The truth over immigration
M
arch 30 marked the
latest installment of
the JBS Leadership
Institute
Distinguished
Lecture Series, the topic of
which was “Terrorism and
the Security of America’s
Borders.” The issue of border
security cannot be fully
discussed without analyzing
immigration—border
security and immigration are
inexorably linked, regardless
of the nation in question.
In particular, illegal
Jason
immigration is the primary
Navarette
topic of concern.
It can be argued that
Editor-in-Chief
the concentration of illegal
immigrants provides a
necessary component to the U.S. economy. After all,
such migrant workers fill jobs in which most
Americans are not willing to work.
Because of this, the current president has
pushed for Congress to pass a “guest worker ”
program, which would allow immigrants to reside
within the country under a temporary work visa. It
is debated, however, whether such a program would
be beneficial.
So, how does a country secure its borders?
Clearly, the most direct way to do this is to
increase the manpower allotted to border security.
Of course, this begs the question, “From where will
the resources—primarily financial resources—be
supplied?” After all, any method of border security
would prove costly.
Other methods include erecting a fence along
the U.S.-Mexico border, creating a “virtual fence” and
making use of pilotless drone aircraft to alert officials
of any security breaches. Again, these methods would
demand too many resources to be viable.
In response to the issue of immigrations,
organizations such as Minuteman Civil Defense
Corps have descended upon the U.S. borders in an
attempt to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing
into America. This method would be less costly than
a large-scale construction program, but the idea of
civilians manning the borders has proven to be
controversial.
It is apparent that there is no sure way to
secure the nation’s borders. But, from what are we
trying to secure our borders?
The easy answer is “terrorists.” So, what
constitutes a terrorist? What is an act of terror?
It must be noted that immigrants—whether
legal or illegal—do not equate terrorists. Terrorists
cannot be defined by nationality, political belief or
religion. Terrorists need not hail from another
country—some terrorists have been Americans. Most
nations have terrorism etched into their histories,
particularly those that were forged in the fires of
revolution—the U.S. not excluded.
Some Americans tend to have xenophobic
attitudes when confronted with the issue of
immigration. This is particularly noticeable due to
the fact that the U.S. is supposedly the “melting pot”
of races, religions and cultures. These attitudes lead
to distrust of anyone considered non-American.
Terrorism can be defined as “any act, or
threatened act, of violence against a civilian
population.” Terrorism, by its very nature, is an act
or crime against humanity.
We have entered into an age where a new
breed of terrorist exists. Whereas the terrorists of old
saw terror as simply the means to an end, new
terrorism relies on terror as being both the means
and the end (Mathew J. Morgan, “The Origins of the
New Terrorism,” Parameters, 2004). Such new
terrorists make ready use of the Internet in relaying
their message and gaining new recruits.
The most fragile border for the U.S. is its
electronic border. This is especially true in an age
where almost everything is simply a mouse-click
away. How do we secure this border? More
importantly, do we want this border secured?
The same question can be asked of any method
of securing America’s borders. Are we, as a nation,
willing to do what it takes to be truly secure? What
rights are we willing to give up in order to ensure
that our borders are safe? Is our national security an
all-or-none proposition? These are the questions we
must answer.
Immigration plays a vital role in America’s
identity and culture. True, there are an increasing
number of illegal immigrants entering the country,
but this flow of illegal migration across the borders
is perpetuated, in part, by U.S. companies that exploit
these workers.
Would a “guest worker ” program help
alleviate concerns over immigration and border
security? Probably not.
However, if the American people are truly
concerned about ending immigration—whether
illegal or not—and securing the U.S. borders, the first
step taken should be to remove Emma Lazarus’ poem
from the Statue of Liberty. Then again, if the American
people were truly concerned about making the
nation’s borders fully secure, I fear what the next step
would be.
“The Colossus”
by Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
with silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
My Rant
Just WHO is the Real Threat?
Column by Isidro Gonzales
Assistant Editor
W
hat’s this whole business about our neighbors to the south? It seems that the big hoopla over
immigration has gotten everyone in an uproar. Just why are we so upset? Is it because they
might be, dare I say “terrorists.” As Sheriff Rick Flores of Webb County said during an interview for the JBS Distinguished Lecture Series, “Mexicans are not terrorists—other people are terrorists.”
Which brings me to the other people? I do not recall that Iraq directly attacked us during that terrible Sept.
11 in 2001. As I recall it, was Al Qaeda, through the government of Afghanistan, that attacked us. Yes,
people have said that eventually Saddam Hussein would have attacked us with biological weapons. What
about the no-fly zones, what about our constant surveillance of Iraq that was created soon after Bush 41,
the father of the current president, ended the First Gulf War. During that now famous skirmish, were we
not facing the same weapons that we had given them when they were our supposed allies in the Iran/Iraq
war?
No, my friends, this was not and continues not to be a war for WMDs, regime change, democracy—take your pick. I am of the opinion that this war is beginning to look more and more like it was
initiated to finish what someone ELSE could not. Honestly, if there was such an imperative that the Iraqis
possessed WMDs, do you not think that the nations of the world, our allies in the War on Terror and the
First Gulf War, would not have joined us against them to take them out immediately as was evidenced
during the first time we were there. Even the administration could not get its story straight. One minute it
was WMDs. When that was proven false by its own members, the administration changed the story to a
need for a regime change and, finally, the spreading of democracy in the region.
Now I do not have anything against our military. They are only following orders. I support them
(the military) 1,000 percent. They go into battle day in and day out to protect even alleged lefties like me
when I want to rant. What I find reprehensible is that we still cannot determine what was the real reason we
entered into Iraq in the first place (except for the aforementioned opinion).
I want to end this Rant with a question. What ever happened to our search for Osama bin Laden,
the real threat to America?
Letters to the
Editor
This letter is in response to Isidro Gonzales’ “My Rant” in Volume 24, Issue 12 (March 29) of The
Mesa Journal. I will say that at least the column is titled correctly—”Rant.” Ranting seems to be the preferred
form of meaningless dribble for people who have no idea what they are talking about.
You said that weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) were never in Iraq to begin with. Do YOU know
this absolutely to be true? How do you know this? The investigating committee for the War in Iraq told you
so, right? How much political posturing was involved in that so-called investigation?
I served in the Army during the First Gulf War and, although I did not attend the festivities, I was
privy to some information that convinced me then that Saddam Hussein was likely in possession of WMDs.
Putting that aside, do you know about the gas attacks on the Kurds? Do you know about the threat of
biological attacks that existed against our troops? If those weapons are not the WMDs you casually referred
to in your rant, then perhaps you were talking about nuclear weapons. I suppose you also think that Iran
has no aspirations whatsoever to design and build nuclear weapons.
You said you believe Bush will be run out of office. He cannot run again, but if he could I would vote
for him before any Democrat. If you really want our country to be in bad shape, just put another Dem in
office now. The flakey, feel-good politics of the left panders to whatever wind blows in their ear—provided
that wind offers some promise for power and control.
May God bless America and may He convince our enemies they would fare better as our friends.
Michael W. Sorensen
Math/Geology
Senior
The Mesa Journal
The Award-Winning Newspaper for The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
The Mesa Journal
e-mail: mesajournal@utpb.edu
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Phone: (432) 552-2659
Fax: (432) 552-2660
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Jason Navarette
Assistant Editor: Isidro Gonzales
Adviser: Becki Murphy
Staff Writers: Courtney Goheen, Jay Gorania, Malissa Greenwood,
Amber Navarette, Tabitha Overby, Kevin Roberts, Nora Triepke
Layout and Design: Jason Navarette
Page Two Design: Isidro Gonzales
Photographers: Luke Garrett, Jay Gorania, Malissa Greenwood
General Information
The Mesa Journal is a student publication that provides information, commentary and entertainment for The University
of Texas of the Permian Basin community. Editorial statements and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the UT Permian Basin administration.
Letter Policy
All contributions, in good taste, will be edited for grammar, spelling, length (250 minimum), libel, profanity and
personal attacks. All letters must contain the author’s name, major, academic classification and contact information.
This information can be withheld upon request. Electronic copies of articles and letters are preferred.
Mission Statement
The Mesa Journal is designed to inform, entertain, educate and heighten awareness of students, faculty and
administrators at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Staff members will be responsible journalists by
maintaining high ethical standards with fairness, accuracy and balance.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Arts & Entertainment
The Mesa Journal, Page 3
Lead trumpeter from the motion picture Ray Performs for University students
by Nora Triepke
Staff Writer
Trumpeter Jamil
Sharif performed and lectured for a group of 72 students Feb. 28 in the UT Permian Basin Student Union.
The number in attendance
shows a slight increase from
the group of 67 who attended
a similar concert in the fall.
Sharif performed in
the Grammy award-winning movie Ray and was visiting on campus direct from
a concert on Bourbon Street
the night before. His fivepiece ensemble included Earl
Bonnie on clarinet, Peter
Martin on piano, Richard
Motten on bass and Stan Joseph on drums.
Sharif started-off the
lecture and concert using
“Happy Birthday to You” to
demonstrate the differences
between playing a song
straight and “jazzing it up.”
He continued to combine
short biographies of composers and descriptions of New
Orleans Jazz with performances to demonstrate these
styles.
Music Department
Chair Dr. Dan Keast said, “In
conversing with the students
after the concert, I found they
enjoyed it more than the last
concert because it was more
organized. Jamil did a great
job organizing all his
thoughts, giving an accurate
history of New Orleans jazz
and then illustrating the
styles of different compos-
ers.”
Keast said his own
experiences
overseas
prompted him to promote
live jazz performances on
campus over other musical
genres.
He said, “The number one question I was asked
in Europe and Australia was,
‘What was it like growing up
with all that jazz?’ and I remember laughing and thinking, what’s jazz?”
Keast went on to
mention how little exposure
he had to jazz during high
school and explained that
other countries find this
modern and original art form
intriguing.
He added, “I think
having live concerts like
these increases student’s interest in the music program
and in jazz itself. I believe the
size of our jazz combo has
increased because of these
concerts.”
Both drummer Joseph and Sharif agreed that
exposure to jazz at an early
age was their motivation to
become jazz performers.
Sharif said, “When
you listen to a jazz recording, it’s from a sterile studio,
but in live jazz there’s a certain spirit that prevails and
you can just feel it in that
moment.”
He explained jazz as
an American form of
storytelling, free from European influence.
“The thing that
makes jazz unique is that it
represents the voice of
America,” said Sharif, “those
guys told so many stories
with their music. They could
play a note and you’d just feel
their whole life experience.”
The group ended
their day in the Permian Basin with an evening performance at the Midland Petroleum Club. The UT Permian
Basin Music Department can
add this concert to a growing list of successful performances made possible in
part by the West Texas Jazz
Society.
An alliance between
UT Permian Basin and the
West Texas Jazz Society has
grown out of the relatively
new music program on campus. When the West Texas
Jazz Society brings in a jazz
ensemble, Keast contracts
these same performers at a
performance rate only,
avoiding the performers’
travel expenses paid for by
the Jazz Society in a full contract with the performer.
In addition to this
collaboration, The West
Texas Jazz Society also spon-
sors a music student on campus with a $500-per semester scholarship. The current
recipient of this scholarship
is Music major Andy Chapa,
who is a member of the UT
Permian Basin Jazz Ensemble.
The next jazz concerts will be located at the
MCM Elegante and are a part
of the 40th Annual West Texas
Jazz Party. The West Texas
Jazz Society has generously
extended free admission to
all students with current UID
to all of the Jazz Party performances scheduled for the
end of April. Without student admission, concert tickets to all the performances in
this series total $45 for general admission and $175 for
reserved seating. Performances are scheduled from 8
to 12 p.m., May 19 and 20, and
from 2 to 6 p.m., May 21.
Hawthorne Heights takes on Dos Amigos during the “Black Clouds Underdog Tour”
Entertainment Review
by Malissa Greenwood
Hawthorne Heights played for a very excited and nearly packed Dos Amigos on March
27.
The boys from Ohio made the stop in
Odessa while on the “Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour” with All-American Rejects and Fall
Out Boy. They played songs from their album
Silence in Black and White and their new one, If
Only You Were Lonely. The band features Eron
Bucciarelli on drums, Casey Calvert and Micah
Carli on guitar, Matt Ridenour on bass and vocals by JT Woodruff.
Opening for Hawthorne Heights was One
Way Letter, Makeshift and Maylene and The Sons
of Disaster.
All four bands put on an energetic show,
inspiring plenty of traditional moshing and crowd
surfing.
For additional information on these and
other bands, visit www.purevolume.com and
www.victorypresscenter.com.
Photo by Manny Hernandez
A lively crowd rocks out during the “Black Clouds Underdogs Tour” at Dos Amigos on March 27. Featured
bands were Hawthorne Heights, All-American Rejects and Fall Out Boy.
Falcon Day,
Continued from p. 1
here by myself today, which
is even more confusing. I was
kind of hoping my mom
might come with me and I
invited her, but she decided
not to attend. She said I had
to learn to do things on my
own, but I kind of wish she
was here to help me sort all
this out.”
One mother-daugh-
Health Care,
Continued from p. 1
dustry, said Barnes.
He added, “It doesn’t
matter if it’s a nursing home,
7-11 or the mafia . . . they all
kick money upstairs.”
Penz added that the
long-term health care program at Midland College includes accounting courses.
According to Barnes,
long-term health care administrators must “deal
with a wide spectrum of
people,” particularly with
family dynamics. Because of
this, he recommended that
those interested in the industry have some background in
psychology or family studies.
Like most of the
long-term health care field,
salary of nursing home administrators depends on experience and the size of the
company.
As nursing homes
such as Avalon Place are nonprofit organizations, these
facilities rely on monies from
national and state programs
like Medicare and Medicaid.
Barnes stated that about 70
percent of Avalon Place residents receive Medicare.
Long-term health
ter duo suffering absolutely
no confusion at all was high
school Senior Latrice Bonner
and her mom, Carolyn Taylor, from Killeen, Texas.
Bonner has already applied
and been accepted as a student at UT Permian Basin for
the Fall 2006 semester, and
her plans are definite—she is
coming to Odessa, Texas.
Taylor said, “We
drove six hours to get here,
but it was worth it. I am so
excited and Latrice is excited
about coming here. This is
such a wonderful place, and
I love the way everyone
seems to take an interest in
the students and they seem
to really care that they do
well.”
Also along for the
day was Bonner’s younger
sibling,
four-year-old
Qualun.
Taylor continued,
“This morning in one of
those seminars, the professor
even talked to Qualun and
asked him a question an d
then he was quoting Qualun’s
answer later on to other s.
They really do care here.”
For
informati on
about attendance at UT Permian Basin, please conta ct
the Office of Admissions at
(432)552-2605.
care is the second most regulated industry in the U.S.,
stated Barnes. The first most
regulated industry is nuclear
energy.
Facilities are surveyed annually and inspectors can enter a nursing home
at any time—10 percent of
which must be during off
hours.
“As a nursing home
administrator, you are like a
ship captain . . . . You are ultimately responsible for everything that happens on your
ship.”
During the presentation, Brame accentuated the
differences between assisted
living and nursing homes.
She stated, “Even
doctors get confused. You
have to keep in mind that assisted living is not a nursing
home—it’s assisted living.”
One difference is
that, unlike nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, like
Cimarron House (a Midlandbased institution), do not receive monies from Medicare
or Medicaid. Because of this,
the clientele is more selective.
Brame said, “We
don’t get the state funding
and there’s a big problem
with financing . . . . Long-term
care insurance wasn’t available when [residents] were
younger . . . and social security can’t pay enough.”
Some assisted living
facilities, like Cimarron
House, charge clients based
on the level of care needed.
Assisted living facilities allow for more independence for residents, said
Brame. In fact, such facilities
will not accept residents that
cannot be transported with
the aid of just one person.
Brame said, “There’s
always that fear factor . . . .
It’s like being in your own
home, but with greater security on the outside.”
Due to the same state
regulations, Brame noted
that assisted living facilities
are starting to be run like
nursing homes.
She stated, “It’s not
all fun, but you just have to
go with it and run a good
home.”
Brame said that another difference between the
two fields of long-term
health care is that no degree
is needed in assisted living.
However, like nursing home
administration, education in
accounting and psychology
is preferred.
According to Brame,
nursing is a bonus when considering a career in assisted
living.
She stated, “Nurses
do well in this field. Plus, if
you are an administrat or
with nursing experience, you
don’t have to have a nurse on
staff.”
In closing, Pe nz
noted that long-term health
care can be a great care er
path for those interested in
the industry.
He said, “Some like it,
some don’t. You really have
to like the geriatric population, which is fast becoming
the largest segment of t he
population . . . . The older
population has to be cared
for.”
Brame agreed, adding, “You have to have heart
to work in this business.”
For more inform ation on the Midland College
Long Term Care Administration program, call Penz at
(432)685-4589 or vis it
www.midland.edu/ltca/. Avalon
Place, a part of the Heartway
Corporation, can be co ntacted at (432)362-258 3.
Cimarron House can be contacted at (432)689-2717.
Club News
Psychology Club/Psi Chi
Events
April 13
Round Table Discussion
12 p.m.
UT Permian Basin Cafeteria
(Topic: Gay Marriage)
April 21
Club Meeting & Awards Ceremony
12 p.m.
Student Union Club Room
utpb_psychology_club@yahoo.com
Attention all clubs!
Do you have an event or meeting
scheduled and would like
to spread the word?
If so, call The Mesa Journal at
(432)552-2659, email
mesajournal@utpb.edu or
drop by The MJ office in
room MB2138 of the Student Union
Sports
Page 4, The Mesa Journal
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Soccer gears up for NCAA
Division II Heartland Conference Getting into the swing of things
by Kevin Roberts
Staff Writer
After coming off of a
district championship in the
Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), the UT Permian
Basin Men’s Soccer program
is entering the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division II Heartland Conference for the Fall
2006 Season.
“It will be difficult
entering a conference with
new teams and tougher competition,” said Men’s and
Women’s Head Coach Dennis
Peterson. “We have 16 returnees from last season and
four signed recruits for the
fall.”
With seniors Jose
Soto, Aldo Mendez, Josh
Stewart, Eliseo Ortiz and
Kevin Roberts back for their
last season, the Falcons are
practicing for their first year
at NCAA DII level of play. The
big team in the Heartland
Conference is Incarnate
Ward, who placed first in
both the men’s and women’s
division.
“We need to make
some adjustments because
the speed, size, and skill will
be a lot better in comparison
to the RRAC. We will be satisfied for second place in the
new conference,” said
Peterson.
Senior Josh Stewart
said. “It will be competitive
but fun in the fall season.”
The women’s team
also is making the conference
switch and practicing for the
fall. With seniors Kelly Day,
Norma Gonzales, Mary
Moore and Sofia Vidal back
for their last season, the
women have ten returnees
for the jump to NCAA DII.
With seven teams in
the Heartland Conference the
Lady Falcons are looking for
a 500 season.
“The poor opponents from the RRAC won’t
be there in the Heartland
Conference, with the quality
of teams, every game will be
a fight. I believe the women
will surprise a lot of the new
teams,”
according
to
Peterson. “We are looking
forward to playing in the Division II level; the adjustment will be new and exciting with competitive teams
and new rules.”
The Men’s and
Women’s Soccer teams start
their season in the fall and are
training for the new conference so come and support
your Falcon soccer teams in
the fall semester.
Courtesy Photo
Falcon Sports
~Spring 2006 Schedule~
Baseball
Date
April
April
April
April
April
14
15
18
21
22
Opponent
Place
Time
Northwood University
Northwood University
Abilene Christian
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University
Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill
Abilene
UT Permian Basin
UT Permian Basin
12 p.m.
12 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
12 p.m.
Softball
Love to write?
Love to take pictures?
Then come join the staff of
The Mesa Journal, the
award-winning student newspaper
of UT Permian Basin.
Call (432)552-2659, drop by
The MJ office in room MB2138 of
the Student Union or email
mesajournal@utpb.edu.
Date
Opponent
Place
Time
April 22
April 29
Houston Baptist
College of the Southwest
UT Permian Basin
UT Permian Basin
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
ial
c
e
sp t
a
e
a
v
Ha ject th et
pro s to g can’t
d
t
nee e, bu e?
m
don the ti
find
Have a report, thesis or any
assignments you need copied,
bound or put together?
Do
n
to m ’t hav
a p ake a e the
t
r
by ofesso ll the ime
c
cla
ss t r nee opies
ime ds
?
Then stop by the
University Reprographic Shop!
The UT Permian Basin Reprographic Shop
offers a wide variety of special operations
that could be used for your next project!
Special Operations:
1. Mass folding machine
2. Binding equipment; title printing capabilities
3. Cutting machine
Reprographics Shop has new copiers!
1. Konica Minolta 920; produces 92 pages per minute!
2. Konica Minolta C351; full color copying!
Located in room MB1106, just south of the elevators.