September 15, 2011

A HEAVY PROPOSALAfter a $4 billion cut to higher

education in Texas last year, including extensive impact on the University through cuts, layo� s, and early retirements, the future may well hold more painful shrinkage for higher education and UTPA.

When the next budget decisions are made in coming years, UTPA may have to make some tricky moves in doing its part to account for some percentage of an expected repeat of the state budget shortfall. � e question is, how much can be trimmed before the high-dollar items start feeling the crunch?

� e majority of expenditures at the average university goes to paying personnel, outside of intermittent and expensive building projects. Faculty salaries in particular have become an issue of great tension. No one seems to have the appetite to raise tuition or fees, and the University may be running out of areas to tweak and save.

In the spring, controversy swirled around the “Seven Breakthrough Solutions” for higher education, a Rick Perry-backed business efficiency model that pitted regents and their educators against those who argued that the standards used to judge productivity must be adjusted to fit the unique business of an university. Academics were quick to point out that the business model doesn’t fit with college teaching, and faculty should have input about how their performance will ultimately be judged. Some supporters of enforcing stricter productivity guidelines for faculty, like the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, questioned whether faculty are pulling their weight, and if not, whether to raise their workload.

Some critics of faculty say that they spend too much time on research, or teaching smaller classes instead of taking on more classes with more students, which would pull in additional money and possibly lower the cost of public education.

Gene Powell, chairman of the UT Board of Regents, hired adviser Rick O’Donnell last year to examine e� ciency in the system. O’Donnell requested extensive data on salary and number of students taught by faculty in the System, among other things.

� e resulting data has been criticized for its metrics and comes with a disclaimer that states it is raw data and should not be used for analysis. Yet the Center for College A� ordability and Productivity, a Washington D.C. think-tank, used the data to draw the conclusion that a � fth of UT system faculty taught the majority of the classes. O’Donnell was relieved of his post after a successful protest by state faculty.

Dora Saavedra, an associate professor who is chair for the UTPA Faculty Senate, is also skeptical of the data and said it does not give an accurate representation of the amount of work that professors do.

“I thought the metrics were oversimpli� ed,” she said. “For example, this semester I’m teaching two graduate courses. Each graduate course is 16 students…and I also teach another class that has 41 students. So depending on how you report those numbers, it looks like I have very few students, yet what I have on the workload was a semester that I had several undergraduate classes that were 45 or more students. So that semester I had close to 100 students and I was working just as hard if not harder.”

� e data also do not take into account classroom availability, or how often a course must be o� ered. Core classes must be o� ered regularly and sometimes they are equipment-heavy, meaning that the number of slots for students is equal to the number of, say, computers.

“Departments have to teach certain courses every single semester and you have to cover those,” Saavedra said. “In (some cases) there are certain courses that we teach every other year.”

Also ignored in the 821-page report that caused a � restorm is mention of writing-intensive courses that may be impossible to expand. Richard Vedder, director of the center that did the study based o� of the data, has publicly stated that while smaller class sizes are preferable, it may “be a luxury we can’t a� ord.”

UTPA created a task force in October to examine faculty workload after having addressed the issue two years ago with dialogue. � e current situation is that faculty tenured prior to 2005 teach four classes a semester, lecture-based faculty may teach as many as � ve classes a semester and faculty hired or tenured on or after 2005 teaching at least three.

� ese di� erent categories of faculty load also have di� erent levels of responsibility in

the � elds of research or creative projects and service. Research or creative projects include publishing books or scholarly articles, doing scienti� c research or a number of other things. � e service component can be to a professional organization, or serving on department, college or university-wide committees.

Lecturers, usually master’s degree holders, have little to no research requirement, and limited service requirements while others are required to produce scholarly work and serve on committees related to the University and that professor’s college. Generally, the lecturer’s job is to teach, and to teach often.

According to the UTPA provost, Havidan Rodriguez, the October task force consulted with the Faculty Senate and other stakeholders, ultimately deciding to keep a baseline of three classes per semester as the workload.

Saavedra maintains that while it may not always look like it, these combined responsibilities illustrate that faculty are more than pulling their weight.

“� e public is worried that people are not putting in their forty hours, or defrauding the state by taking a check they haven’t earned,” she said. “But I’d say that 98 percent of faculty are working in the range of 60 hours a week. We are stretched to the limit.”

As to whether further budget cuts will force faculty to take on more students and classes, Saavedra said she doesn’t think it’s likely, and the provost agreed.

“One of the recommendations (from the taskforce) was that we maintain the 3/3 teaching load we have for faculty, and that’s not going to change,” he said. “� e president [Robert Nelsen] has indicated that unless departments make other types of decisions, the president nor the provost…we’re not going to request that the faculty workload change.”

WWW.PANAMERICANONLINE.COMVolume 68, No. 3 September 15, 2011

Erick Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN

Can we ask the professors to do more? By Karen AntonacciThe Pan American

The King is here!Artifacts from the upcoming King Tut exhibit arrived Wednesday, Sept. 14 || Read the complete article in next week’s issue.

September 15, 20112

Tomas Garza /THE PAN AMERICAN

Opinion

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

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

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

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THE PAN AMERICAN

Vol. 68, No. 3

Parking permits are a terrible useless idea.

Leaving late after work, I recalled the events that took place the morning I waited in line for over an hour, sitting on the � oor and playing video games on my phone…for something that doesn’t even guarantee me a parking space and is overpriced.

If you thought you were the only student ripping your hair out at the concept of paying hard-earned cash for a worthless piece of plastic, you’re not alone. Everyone has to pay to play the parking game for this annual pocket puncher.

Once you do lay claim to a ridiculous holographic placeholder, the real fun begins. A � aming � re of internal frustration bubbles up in my arteries just thinking about the daily ordeal of having to park my truck.

Seriously, what’s the point of these permits, really? All they do is sit there hanging from your windshield rearview mirror, fading from the sun like the dye some so desperately put into their hair.

Just looking up at the permit reminds me of my childhood days searching for rare, glittery trading cards only to have them be quickly forgotten and lost in the closet.

I’d rather spend my Ulysses S. Grant on Pokémon cards, for that matter.

I swear, to own a parking permit is to only own the comfort of not getting cited, towed, or booted. And that’s not even guaranteed. Don’t try making the mistake of parking in the wrong “zone” because no amount of parking permits can replace the money you will have to give up. It’s all a lost cause, really.

� is symbol, this badge we must buy to station our car here on campus, is demanded and required by upper management. Otherwise, you’ll have the wonderful delight of receiving an unexpected ticket from the school police station that is worth more than the gas you probably wasted looking for a parking space in the � rst place.

A vicious cycle that starts with waking up late for class, having to park in the faculty parking lot while in a hurry, receiving a ticket for $30, and ends in accumulatid � nes in money you don’t already have. � is results in

a hold on your account and becoming unable to register for classes the following semester. In the end, what started out as an investment in your future turns out to be its demise.

You are not the only one, teachers have to face this ordeal too, due to the fact that a few parking spaces from faculty were cut last year for students who live on campus. Now they have to play the game like everybody else.

So after you’ve spent the $50 that your could have used for something more practical, like, I don’t know, a date, Chinese food take-out, video games, clothes or gasoline, you are reminded of the sad fact that this still doesn’t guarantee you a spot in a parking lot.

If you live within a one-mile radius of school, I suggest you get a bicycle to save some dough, but if you’re like me and have to drive, you’ll just have to suck it up.

When I was attending Collins College in Tempe, Ariz., I only had to buy one parking permit, which was a small square sticker with a big black bold “C” that stood for ‘carpool.’ It lasted me the whole four years that I was there. When the school moved to another

location down the street, it was still valid and this only costs me forty bucks, not to mention I could park wherever you wanted.

As a fellow employee stated, it’s like buying a hunting license, because you’re literally hunting students down like a shark for blood. In our case, a parking space, all in the while listening to a full album for over an hour, almost crashing into another car backing up, and possibly getting into a � ght. Ever see someone throw down for a parking space?

In conclusion, as I walked to my lonely car, pondering my thoughts from the furthest distance in the lot with a heavy backpack over my shoulder, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Parking permits suck, they don’t absorb, they literally suck, they just suck and there’s no doubt about it.”

So what do we do about this pointless deal? I propose we get more parking to make everyone happy, make the price cheaper, and enable all to have the ability to park wherever they want…or just do what I want to do and burn permits and tickets straight to hell.

By Frank RodriguezLead Designer

UTPA parking: An exercise in futility

After much preparation and e� ort, � e University’s computer engineering degree now has accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology. � is degree has existed since fall 2007 and has graduated a total of 19 students; currently, there are 221 computer engineering majors.

ABET/EAC, located in Baltimore, is the international board that accredits all engineering programs in the country. According to its website, ABET accredits over 3,100 programs at more than 600 colleges

and universities worldwide. UTPA now o� ers four accredited engineering tracks – mechanical, manufacturing, electrical and now computer engineering.

Pearl Brazier, director of the computer engineering program, professor in the Computer Science Department, and coordinator of the undergraduate computer science program, was directly involved with the process of acquiring accreditation.

“All engineering programs need to be accredited for the opportunity for students to get jobs and attend graduate school,” she said. “I think it’s great for our students that we have this accredited CMPE degree and it has been done very, very well.”

� e computer science and electrical engineering departments joined forces

to create the degree. Faculty from both departments organized the curriculum and will teach the courses.

“I was very happy to hear that the CMPE degree received accreditation,” said senior Joshua Orozco, who has plans to graduate with a CMPE degree. “I feel employers will give greater consideration and acknowledgment to our extraordinary education.”

PROCESS FOR ACCREDITATION

� e CMPE degree at UTPA had to be approved by the UT System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before an application gets to ABET/EAC.

� e next step was to apply directly from ABET/EAC and begin the self-study.

� e self-study involved examining every aspect of both the degree program and UTPA itself, which includes making sure that the major has the appropriate degree plan and courses o� ered. It also involved justifying that UTPA was in support of the program � nancially by providing appropriate equipment for the major.

After the self-study was � nished, results were submitted in the form of a large report to ABET/EAC. ABET then arranged for the EAC to visit UTPA for two days and do what is called an on-site visit.

� e four-person team arrived to UTPA around last November having studied the report beforehand. Its members visited and interviewed faculty, sta� , and students that were part of the program. � ey also met

with the administration, including the president or the president’s designate, plus representatives from business a� airs, Career Placement Services, and the library sta� .

UTPA received the several-page response stating that the degree was approved for accreditation two weeks ago. Now the department has plans to grow academically and also see more students pursue the degree in future semesters.

“In my opinion, the greatest advantage of the accreditation of the CMPE degree is the professional con� dence that this achievement (will) give us (in the future),” said senior Carlos Tijerina Ibarra. “When you are going to a job interview, your interviewer will see that the University of Texas-Pan American is a very prestigious school.”

3

B.S.C.E. gains accreditation By Daniella DiazThe Pan American

Students say certifi cation helpful in future job interviews

September 15, 2011

Frank Rodriguez/THE PAN AMERICAN

Famous billiards trick-shot artist Jack White demonstrates how to properly execute a variety of tricks at the Student Union Game Room Wednesday evening. White kept students laughing as he taught the rules of pool. White’s book, is available for those wanting to learn from home. He is the only professional pool player who has been invited to the White House.

By Norma GonzalezThe Pan American

Taking a ‘cue’ from

a pro

Norma Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN

To some UTPA professors who have collaboratively authored the book, “� e CIA on Campus: Academic Freedom and the National Security State,” the Central Intelligence Agency has been circling in on U.S. universities for far too long.Philip Zwerling, an associate professor

of English for the last � ve years, authored and edited two essays for the book, which will be published in early October by McFarland Co. Inc.“Our book (is) a collection of essays

written by seven professors and one former CIA agent about this issue of the CIA on U.S. campuses,” Zwerling said. “� e chapter by the former CIA agent describes how as an undergraduate student at Iowa State, he was recruited by the CIA. He was given a draft deferment; this was during the Vietnam War, and paid money every month to spy on his fellow students and his professors.To Zwerling, the problem is simple.

� e CIA is an operation that promotes secrecy and controlled information while college campuses are a place for academic freedom and the sharing of information amongst professors, faculty and students.“� e CIA should do their work o�

campus. � ey should do their recruiting o� campus. � ey should not be spying on students. � ey should not be spying on faculty and that’s the point of the book,” he said. Also concerned about the idea of

universities merging with government organizations like the CIA is David Anshen, associate professor of English at UTPA and a co-contributor to the book.“I decided to write an essay for this

book as an outgrowth of my opposition to the merging of universities with the intelligence and military apparatus of the U.S. government,” he said. “I feel a moral and intellectual responsibility to oppose organizations and agencies that daily violate the rights of humans worldwide including, at times, in the United States.”David Carlson, who has been an

assistant professor of Latin American History at UTPA since 2007, took a further look at the actions of the CIA in Latin America in his essay for the book. “I highlight some recent scholarship

about how in the 1970s and 1980s, Latin American military dictatorships/national security states internationalized illegal intelligence operations and even international terrorism directed at dissidents and exiled opponents in a program known as Operation Condor,” he said. Zwerling encouraged readers to

become informed about the issue, and to consider whether the agency’s presence will eventually a� ect college cultures, democracy, and free speech.“We hope that (readers) would take

some action to defend it. Especially now, in hard economic times, the CIA has lots of money and it’s easy for universities to make deals with the CIA.” At a Faculty Senate meeting last year,

Zwerling and other professors expressed their concern that the Integrated Global Knowledge and Understanding Collaboration (IGKNU) and the Global Security Studies program at UTPA, was receiving funding from the O� ce of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the main funder of the CIA. Kristin Croyle, UTPA’s interim dean of

Social and Behavioral Sciences, rebutted this and said that the grant for the

program was an initiative of the ODNI, but was actually funded by the National Geospatial Agency, which is under the Department of Defense. She clari� ed that there was no association between the CIA and the grant. In addition, the funding from the

ODNI was also used to support programs like the Global Security Studies Master’s Degree, the Global Security Studies Graduate Certi� cate, and an undergraduate minor in Global Security

Studies. It also o� ered scholarships of up to $5,000 to students from all academic � elds and majors, so that they could study language and culture abroad in places like China and Morocco. Although the IGKNU program ended

last May, Zwerling remains concerned that programs with CIA ties could emerge in the future. It is Anshen’s hope that readers of the book will be inspired to consider all the facts and analysis the book has to o� er.

“Many well-intentioned individuals disagree that we should have a CIA/ODNI free campus,” he said. “One argument is these agencies have just made mistakes that can and should be corrected. My essay intends to persuade readers these leopards cannot change their spots.”“The CIA on Campus” is available

from the publisher’s website at www.mcfarlandpub.com or at bookstore locations.

4


THE POWER OF THE PEN - English professor, Philip Zwerling, recently published another book, C.I.A. on Campus: Academic Freedom and National Security State.

By Belinda MunozThe Pan American

Book by faculty aims to defend against CIAProfessors pen essays to keep the agency off campus

September 15, 2011

September 15, 2011 4

Watch the Monikapolitan video and others in the new Multimedia section.

PANAMERICANONLINE.COM WEB EXCLUSIVES

Vist fl ickr.com/thepanamerican for more photos from around UTPA

Not Just a

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Queremos MasMexican American Studies pro-gram receives conditional re-prieve from cuts

Cadets excel in trainingFour students shine in

Fort Knox, Ky.

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The University of Texas-Pan American has made a call to arms, as the search for three faculty directors of different programs is underway.

The positions to be filled include the leadership of the Guerra Honors Program, the Office of International Programs, and ultimately that of a new member to the program family at UTPA, the Undergraduate Research and Service Learning Program.

Kenneth Buckman, associate pro-vost for student engagement and ex-periential learning and former direc-tor the honors program for nearly five years, has had experience in each area.

“I’ve been involved in all three of those elements,” he said. “I’ve done the honors study abroad program for about 10 years and I’ve taught the humanities courses for honors for about 12 to 15 years. And of course I’ve had experience with undergraduate research as well.”

The University’s goal, says Buckman, is having a global im-print on campus.

“So not being just a parochi-al university down here in South Texas but the kind of program where we have both outgoing and incoming input with regard to globalization.”

‘Global citizens’ is what Buckman referred to. The vision also includes ‘comprehensive in-ternationalization,’ a term that has been kicked around in the pro-vost’s office. Quite possibly at the forefront of this initiative, Buck-man hopes this will be achieved through the interaction of stu-dents, faculty and administration in hopes of attaining a global way of thinking.

“The three offices in particu-lar will each, in their own distinct ways, engage in that kind of inter-nationalization,” he explained.

The newly created office just opened its doors for the director this September. Buckman, along with the rest, is well on his way to discovering more about the service learning aspect.

“The one thing that I’m really on the learning curve about myself is service learning and I’m finding

out a lot great stuff about it,” he said. “It’s remarkable.”

Service learning consists of hands-on experience as a practi-cal and immediate way to connect theory to realistic situations. For ex-ample, a philosophy student might work with a non-profit organization and consider the ethical framework of the organization.

With students challenging the theoretical frameworks, most are go-ing from the classroom into the com-munity making not just consumers of knowledge, but producers of it, Buck-man acknowledged.

“The experiences that students have in the community translate into shaping the course itself as the go for-ward,” he said. “Experiences such as these help shape the discussion.”

Although undergraduate research

such as theses written by honor stu-dents continues to flourish on cam-pus, administration feels it’s not as focused as it could be.

“I’m going to be looking for someone that is going to be able to focus our efforts and assist faculty and students in doing each of those things,” he said. “Both research and the service-learning components.”

Responsibilities and duties for faculty director of the Undergradu-ate Research and Service Learning Program include working with the associate provost and deans, plus other administrators and faculty members. The goal is to develop and implement while also strengthening initiatives to engage undergraduate students in hands-on research and service-learning experiences.

This also includes the devel-

opment of an annual undergradu-ate research conference reach-ing into fields across campus set to occur next summer, according to Buckman.

“We’re going to bring all the re-search from the different colleges and disciplines, including service learning, because that’s productive research,” he said. “Students will be able to report on these experiences so that the gen-eral community can see what we’re do-ing. These kinds of efforts really lead into graduate school.”

Responsibilities for the faculty director of the Office of Interna-tional Programs include a similar range of duties with more empha-sis on engaging students in study-ing abroad and promoting the idea of ‘global citizenship.’

“I would love for every student

to have the opportunity to study abroad,” said Yvonne Quintanilla, former director for the program. “If I won the lottery, I would make sure of that because you come back absolutely different. Your eyes are wide open.”

The program, according to Quin-tanilla, has been at the University for two decades with many different di-rectors over the years. After arriving from Northern Kentucky University two years ago, the Edinburg native now hopes the next leader will con-tinue to emphasize the importance of the program.

“I hope to see UTPA as a mecca for international programs,” she said. “I’m hoping they will bring opportu-nities and grants to our kids, making this a global study for students.”

Over in another office, the fac-ulty director of the Guerra Hon-

ors Program, founded in 1963, will strive to encourage students in honors and studying abroad as well.

“Students in honors programs are typically light-years ahead of other students when they enter a graduate program,” Buckman said. “There are tougher requirements in an honors program but the placement level in graduate school is close to 97 percent.”

All three positions require that candidates have a doctorate with at least two years of proven experi-ence in their designated areas and a comprehensive understanding of program development. Previous administrative and teaching expe-rience is also desired as well as the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

The cut-off for submissions is set for the end of this month on Sept. 30 with an appointment for the Guerra Honors Program and Service Learning Program sched-uled for the first day of the year at the latest. An appointment for the OIP, however, will be announced this November.

“This is really going to be an opportunity where we can nurture both students and faculty,” Buck-man said in regard to the search. “It’s going to be the best job in the University, I think. It’s just one of those things with the potential for expansion.”

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 Page 7

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C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

amazon_9-5x12-5_color.pdf 8/2/11 1:45:50 AM

the honors study abroad program for

for about 12 to 15 years. And of

where we have both outgoing

in hopes of attaining a global way

this September. Buckman, along



will strive to encourage students

Wanted; faculty directors at UTPA

University Searches for position fi llers By Roxann GarciaThe Pan American

Johnathan Wilds / THE PAN AMERICANErick Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN

The University of Texas-Pan American has made a call to arms, as the search for three faculty directors of different programs is underway.

The positions to be filled include the leadership of the Guerra Honors Program, the Office of International Programs, and ultimately that of a new member to the program family at UTPA, the Undergraduate Research and Service Learning Program.

Kenneth Buckman, associate pro-vost for student engagement and ex-periential learning and former direc-tor the honors program for nearly five years, has had experience in each area.

“I’ve been involved in all three of those elements,” he said. “I’ve done the honors study abroad program for about 10 years and I’ve taught the humanities courses for honors for about 12 to 15 years. And of course I’ve had experience with undergraduate research as well.”

The University’s goal, says Buckman, is having a global im-print on campus.

“So not being just a parochi-al university down here in South Texas but the kind of program where we have both outgoing and incoming input with regard to globalization.”

‘Global citizens’ is what Buckman referred to. The vision also includes ‘comprehensive in-ternationalization,’ a term that has been kicked around in the pro-vost’s office. Quite possibly at the forefront of this initiative, Buck-man hopes this will be achieved through the interaction of stu-dents, faculty and administration in hopes of attaining a global way of thinking.

“The three offices in particu-lar will each, in their own distinct ways, engage in that kind of inter-nationalization,” he explained.

The newly created office just opened its doors for the director this September. Buckman, along with the rest, is well on his way to discovering more about the service learning aspect.


out a lot great stuff about it,” he said. “It’s remarkable.”

Service learning consists of hands-on experience as a practi-cal and immediate way to connect theory to realistic situations. For ex-ample, a philosophy student might work with a non-profit organization and consider the ethical framework of the organization.

With students challenging the theoretical frameworks, most are go-ing from the classroom into the com-munity making not just consumers of knowledge, but producers of it, Buck-man acknowledged.

“The experiences that students have in the community translate into shaping the course itself as the go for-ward,” he said. “Experiences such as these help shape the discussion.”


such as theses written by honor stu-dents continues to flourish on cam-pus, administration feels it’s not as focused as it could be.

“I’m going to be looking for someone that is going to be able to focus our efforts and assist faculty and students in doing each of those things,” he said. “Both research and the service-learning components.”

Responsibilities and duties for faculty director of the Undergradu-ate Research and Service Learning Program include working with the associate provost and deans, plus other administrators and faculty members. The goal is to develop and implement while also strengthening initiatives to engage undergraduate students in hands-on research and service-learning experiences.

This also includes the devel-

opment of an annual undergradu-ate research conference reach-ing into fields across campus set to occur next summer, according to Buckman.

“We’re going to bring all the re-search from the different colleges and disciplines, including service learning, because that’s productive research,” he said. “Students will be able to report on these experiences so that the gen-eral community can see what we’re do-ing. These kinds of efforts really lead into graduate school.”

Responsibilities for the faculty director of the Office of Interna-tional Programs include a similar range of duties with more empha-sis on engaging students in study-ing abroad and promoting the idea of ‘global citizenship.’

“I would love for every student

to have the opportunity to study abroad,” said Yvonne Quintanilla, former director for the program. “If I won the lottery, I would make sure of that because you come back absolutely different. Your eyes are wide open.”

The program, according to Quin-tanilla, has been at the University for two decades with many different di-rectors over the years. After arriving from Northern Kentucky University two years ago, the Edinburg native now hopes the next leader will con-tinue to emphasize the importance of the program.

“I hope to see UTPA as a mecca for international programs,” she said. “I’m hoping they will bring opportu-nities and grants to our kids, making this a global study for students.”

Over in another office, the fac-ulty director of the Guerra Hon-

ors Program, founded in 1963, will strive to encourage students in honors and studying abroad as well.

“Students in honors programs are typically light-years ahead of other students when they enter a graduate program,” Buckman said. “There are tougher requirements in an honors program but the placement level in graduate school is close to 97 percent.”

All three positions require that candidates have a doctorate with at least two years of proven experi-ence in their designated areas and a comprehensive understanding of program development. Previous administrative and teaching expe-rience is also desired as well as the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

The cut-off for submissions is set for the end of this month on Sept. 30 with an appointment for the Guerra Honors Program and Service Learning Program sched-uled for the first day of the year at the latest. An appointment for the OIP, however, will be announced this November.

“This is really going to be an opportunity where we can nurture both students and faculty,” Buck-man said in regard to the search. “It’s going to be the best job in the University, I think. It’s just one of those things with the potential for expansion.”

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 Page 6

Students get FREE Two-Day Shipping

Up to

30% OFF New Textbooks at Amazon

Download the Amazon Price Check app and check textbook prices instantly.

Free two-day shipping available to customers who qualify for our free Amazon Student program.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

amazon_9-5x12-5_color.pdf 8/2/11 1:45:50 AM

the honors study abroad program for

for about 12 to 15 years. And of

where we have both outgoing

in hopes of attaining a global way

this September. Buckman, along



will strive to encourage students

Wanted; faculty directors at UTPA

University Searches for position fi llers By Roxann GarciaThe Pan American

Johnathan Wilds / THE PAN AMERICANErick Gonzalez / THE PAN AMERICAN

� e country was still reeling from the terror attacks of 9/11 when, four days later, a tugboat pulling four barges under the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway struck the bridge and caused a 160-foot section to collapse into the Laguna Madre.

For several cars traveling on the bridge during the dark morning hours of Sept. 15, 2001, it was too late to stop before they drove o� the edge into the water below. Eight people died. � ree survived.

“� at whole time was just numbing,” recalled Brownsville native Veronique Medrano, who was then 11 years old.

Ten years later, Medrano began to notice that the upcoming anniversary of the collapse was overshadowed by the enormity of 9/11, even at the local level.

“I realized very quickly, no one’s ever talked about the incident at the island,” the 20-year-old UTPA student said. “I understand not thousands of lives were lost, but...it was something that needed to be

talked about.”It was a thought that sparked the creation

of “� e Queen’s Collapse,” a 20-minute documentary about the events surrounding and following the accident. � e � lm will premiere with three showings at the UTPA Library Auditorium � ursday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“I thought, ‘What better way to commemorate the 10-year anniversary than to go and research and give this the proper memorial that it needs’” Medrano said.

She faced suspicion and hostility at times from those she approached for interviews.

“At � rst, I didn’t know if this was going to get o� the ground,” she said. “I kind of put it into perspective as…an event that some of these people just don’t want to talk about it. It was hard dealing with that knowing full well the place that I’m coming from.”

As she collected accounts of the events from law enforcement and government o� cers who responded to the collapse, o� cials gave her names of more people who

might be willing to talk. “I knew those would be the people who

would be more free to speak than a survivor or the family of someone who’s deceased, and I went from there,” Medrano said.

� e experience came to a head for Medrano when she interviewed the parents of Robin Leavell, a woman among those who perished when the causeway collapsed. While the family declined to have their images or voice recordings included in the documentary, their experience is read aloud in the documentary.

“I’m sitting there and I have to be really quiet, but little tears are coming out,” Medrano said. “I think when people see the documentary and see their daughter’s story and how much their daughter meant, they’ll see why it kind of put me to tears. Even if someone walks out of that documentary [thinking], ‘I didn’t know, and now I do,’ that’s enough.”

Eager and nervous eyes look back from the mirrors in front of the 20 students. Exotic music slowly replaces the silence and � lls the room with unexpected tempo. Brenda Dias, a senior at the University of Texas-Pan American and instructor of the belly dancing class, welcomes her � rst class of the semester with a con� dent smile and encouraging words. Warm-up begins.

“With belly dancing, the dancer moves gracefully according to the rhythm of the music, and her bond with Earth grows closer,” Dias explained. “� e dance was created by a Middle Eastern man back in the Semitics lands. It was a dance danced for a goddess. It has turned into a more artistic dance.”

� e students loved the class and really gave it their all to keep up with Dias. It is held in the Wellness and Fitness Recreational Center every � ursday at 5:30 p.m.

“I really liked it,” said Angie Becerra, a senior communication disorders major. “I recommend it to all the girls. It’s a stress-free environment and a lot of fun. I want to learn choreography for when I’m not able to attend the class.”

In only two classes, the number of girls that showed up increased by nine. Many

come in with simple curiosity and really enjoy themselves.

“I was wondering what it was, and now I plan to attend weekly,” freshman Melissa Garza said excitedly.

Dias begins class with a relaxing warm-up and slowly moves up to choreography. Drums, harmonica, and voice complete the music.

“If done correctly you could feel the top of your head because of the movements,” Dias said. “It gives good posture and works your lower back, de� nitely your hips, and basically every part of your body. It really is a mind and body experience.”

Dias is originally from Fresno, Calif., and has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She loves to dance several di� erent types but said “ballet, tribal dancing, modern and belly dancing” are her favorites.

“I’m totally excited,” Dias said after class. “I want everybody to come in feeling sexy and more comfortable with their bodies as well as getting in touch with their minds. I like to change lives with every breath, one hip move at a time.”

September 15, 20118

By Martha FloresThe Pan American

Art

Benefi t

By Nadia Tamez-RobledoThe Pan American

Belly dancing class shakes up typical workout routine

ARTISTIC EXERCISE- Brenda Dias, senior communication major, also in-structs belly dancing classes offered at the UTPA Wellness Center every Thursday at 5:30 p.m.


� e University Library will host the 18th Annual CineSol Film Festival this weekend, featuring 22 di� erent movies and workshops Saturday and Sunday.

� e � rst CineSol Film Festival was held at South Padre Island, where it stayed for ten years. � ese days the festival is held at multiple locations including the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas State Technical College in Harlingen.

� e festival has been accepting submis-sions and reviewing � lms for 18 years, but it all started with two women, Lupita Garza and Evy Ledesma. � ey saw a vacuum in the Rio Grande Valley where arts and theater should have been.

“Nobody was doing theater, nobody was doing arts,” said Garza, a cofounder of Ci-neSol. Films were harder to � nd back then, before the popularity of the Internet ex-ploded in the mid-1990s, so word of mouth was a primary source of information about new products.

“Everything was on VHS or 35-mm,” Garza continued. “We had to pay someone $1,500 a weekend just to come down and operate the reels.”

Finding guests able to appear at the Ci-neSol Festival has been di� cult in the past. However, they have had some memorable moments. For instance, in 1995 they were able to secure a star from the Golden Globe nominated “Water for Chocolate,” a for-bidden love story set in Mexico, to come to UTPA.

“We had to do three showings (of the � lm) because it was standing room only,” Garza remembered.

� is year also has several memorable guest presenters including Steven Escobar.

A UTPA alumni, award winning editor, and founder of Escobar Indie Pictures, he has even pledged an endowed scholarship for communications at UTPA.

Escobar and Joe Castro, director, will be presenting a workshop about video distribu-tion at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Escobar and Castro will also be at the screening of a movie they created, “� e Summer of Massacre,” Saturday at 7 p.m.

Another local talent that will be appearing on Saturday at Cinesol is Alvaro Rodriguez, who has co-written such movies as “Machete.” Rodriguez and Rogelio Agrasanchez, Jr., the curator of the Agrasanchez Film Archive, will be screening “Deseada,” at 12 p.m. and later discussing this Mexican love story, � lmed in 1951, in a panel titled “� e Golden Age of Mexican Cinema,” at 1:30 p.m.

Rodriguez will also be hosting a “Script to Screen” panel on Sunday at 12 p.m. with Luis Robledo, an act or and � lmmaker, where they will discuss the process of � lmmaking.

� e � lms shown at CineSol are inde-pendent � lms made by people from around the world.

“We are seeing a lot more entries than in the early years,” Serrato said, adding that there were more than 200 for this year’s � lm festival.

Admission to all � lms and workshops is free.

� e Queen’s Collapse

UTPA library hosts annual

CineSol FestivalBy Sandy DavisThe Pan American

Miniature Tigers, Sick/Sea, and Darn Darn Dudes will be play-ing at Cine el Rey today from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $8 at Fall Back Records until 6 p.m the day of the show, or $10 at the venue.

Food Bank RGV will host a ben-efi t concert for Action Hunger Month Saturday fron 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hop Shop in Harlingen. Featured bands include Los Bluzanos, Joe Shull & the Blues Posse, and Vito Del Valle Hou-serockers. Admission is $5 or 2 or more canned food items.

The Rink Family Fun Center will celebrate its one-year anniversary with free admission Sunday from noon to 9 p.m in San Juan. The event will also feature family ac-tivities, a live DJ, and a car show.

Artists Unanimous, a UTPA student art club, is having a circus-themed art show at Panini Cafe & Deli today from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Valerie D. Bates

AdvertisementsSeptember 15, 2011

Por Saira TreviñoThe Pan American

September 15, 201110

Celebrando el 16 de septiembre

¡QUE VIVA MÉXICO, SEÑORES!

Erick Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN

Adrian Castillo/THE PAN AMERICAN

Adrian Castillo/THE PAN AMERICAN

Con tan solo 17 millas de frontera y a menos de 15 minutos de distancia, uno se pregunta porque las costumbres mexicanas se celebran en los Estados Unidos.

Con una población aproximada de 1.7 millones de residentes, el Valle del Rio Grande se ha categorizado como una de las regiones más abundantes con una población mexicoamericana. Llegando al 77.28% de la población, los hispanos o latinos han conquistado al corazón del Valle.

Gracias a la cercanía a la frontera de México, sus celebraciones, costumbres e idioma se han adoptado a la vida diaria en esta región de los Estados Unidos. Es por eso que cada 16 de septiembre el estruendo mexicano se da a oír.

Desde hace 201 años la nación Mexicana celebra con orgullo su independencia. El 16 de septiembre de 1810 marcÓ el inicio a una batalla por la lucha de libertad.

Encabezada por el Cura Miguel Hidalgo y el General Ignacio Allende la reyerta por la emancipación durÓ aproximadamente 11 años, y no fue hasta el año 1821 que México se proclamó un país libre del régimen Español.

Y hablando de historia, no fue hace mucho que la ciudad de McAllen, Texas abrió sus puertas a la vida nocturna. En este caso, fue exáctamente tres años atrás que se originó el legendario IceHouse, un club nocturno. Por ser innovador y único en sus movimientos estratégicos el IceHouse se ha comprometido, desde su inicio, a serle � el a sus raíces mexicanas.

Sin embargo, unas dudas permanecen. ¿Por qué se celebra una tradición mexicana en los Estados Unidos? ¿Por qué es tan importante seguir con el grito del 16 de septiembre?

“Para conservar nuestro origen mexicano,” mencióna Ángel Garza, dueño del IceHouse, acerca de las celebraciones patrias. “Muchos no van a México por la inseguridad y por razones migratorias. El

16 de septiembre es una fecha muy especial que no se puede olvidar.”

En Estados Unidos se celebramas el 5 de mayo, aunque el 16 de septiembre es más importante para México, menciono Blanca Villarreal, quien presentemente está obteniendo su doble Maestría en Literatura en Español y en Advance Placement (A.P.).

Nosotros, en México, decorábamos todo con colores patrios. Los hombres se pintaban las patillas como los generales y las mujeres se vestían como Adelitas. Esperábamos ansiÓsamente por el televisor para que a medianoche pudiéramos ver el grito por el presidente, informÓ, Blanca Villarreal, la originaria de la Ciudad de México D.F. Asi mismo, el mes patrio no es solo una costumbre, sinÓ una tradición que crea un espíritu de orgullo y unidad entre los habitantes latinoamericanos que se encuentran fuera de él.

“Hasta ahorita creo que el Ice ha sido uno de los mejores lugares para celebrar el grito, ya que se transforma

completamente. Es algo realmente mexicano,” mencionÓ la originaria de Rio Bravo, Victoria Ruiz quien estudia Biología con un enfoque en Química. El año pasado hasta hubo una pelea de gallos (ningún animal fue lastimado) y el antro fue decorado como un rancho mexicano, obviamente lleno de verde, blanco y rojo.”

Entre ranchos, peleas de gallos, patillas pintadas y Adelitas, sin duda, el 16 de septiembre es una fecha que conmemora el verdadero orgullo mexicano, ya sea en México o en los Estados Unidos.

“El celebrar la independencia de México, aquí o haya, es lo último que un pueblo debe perder. Estas tradiciones son los lazos que nos mantienen unidos—que viva México,”- Villarreal dijo.

En el centro de convenciones de McAllen, el pasado sábado 10 y domingo 11 de septiembre, el consulado de México celebró la independencia de su país. Los invitados de esta celebración titulada como “El Grito”, fueron aquellos con raíces mexicanas de todas partes del Valle de Texas.

Esta conmemoración, contó con una gran exposición de artesanías auténticas mexicanas las cuales estuvieron a la venta para los que ahí se encontraban. Quienes asistieron pudieron disfrutar de todo lo que se preparó con el � n

de recordar a su patria a pesar de encontrarse fuera de su país.

Así mismo se encontrÓ la oportunidad de disfrutar del gran entretenimiento. participantes incluyeron el Ballet Folklórico “Raíces de Dos Tierras,” acompañados por la interpretación del Mariachi “7 Leguas” y la actuación del cantante Ramón Ayala en el gran � nal.

Dentro de la audiencia se encontraban estudiantes de la Universidad de Texas Pan-Americana. Varios de ellos acordaron que el evento fue grandioso—una gran celebración mexicana.

“Es un gran orgullo, para nosotros los mexicanos, poder celebrar una fecha

tan importante aunque ya no vivamos en México y que el consulado nos haya traído un poco de nuestro país,” Jackeline Leyva en negocios, mencioná,

“Este evento estuvo muy divertido. La música es de mi agrado y me la pase muy bien, "Alejandra Ramirez, especialidad en Mercadotecnia, mencionÓ. Ya nos hacía falta una � esta como esta.”

Es evidente que el próximo 15 y 16 de septiembre será motivo de festejar estas � estas patrias de México. Se sumaran miles de personas de todas partes del mundo para celebrar la independencia y con esto dar una vez más el tan famoso “Grito de la Independencia.”

Por Krizia Velez y Carlos ArteagaThe Pan American

Celebración Mexicana en el ValleGrito de la Independencia

FOLKLORICO — Una bailarina de Tierra de Dos Raizes muestra su vestido de su estado natal de Mexico.

The UTPA women’s volleyball team just looked like a more confident group Tuesday night. The Broncs were noticeably more energetic and were hustling all around the UTPA Field House.

Broncs junior libero Juri Franzen even crashed into the press table during pursuit of a ball in the second game.

“We are pursuing the ball (more),” said Franzen, who had a game-high 26 digs on the night. “We just had a lot more energy.”

It was a complete turnaround from last week’s 3-0 defeat at home to Texas Tech, when the Broncs couldn’t finish the Red Raiders after leading the first game 24-18.

“We learned from the loss (against Texas Tech) and began playing for each other to keep us up,” Franzen said.

Effort and all, it still didn’t translate into a win for UTPA as it fell 3-2 (21-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 15-10) to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for the third time this season.

Leading 2-1 after three games, the Broncs (1-11) faced a back-and-forth fourth game where the

Islanders took control of the game after it was tied at 13. Neither team got more than a one-point lead until the Islanders broke it loose and forced a decisive fifth game victory.

UTPA simply couldn’t finish off TAMUCC (6-5) when it had the shot. Bronc coach Brian Yale said at least the girls won some games and improved from last week’s home loss to the Red Raiders.

“We got a couple of wins, a couple of sets under our belt, but we didn’t finish,” Yale said. “That was a winnable match for us. We were right there and we should’ve closed it out. They played a good match, and that’s what we expected, but we hurt ourselves in the fourth set.”

Down by one, the Broncs allowed the Islanders’ strong middle blockers to finish the second game on a 5-0 run and tie the contest at one win apiece before heading into the locker room.

“We had a few issues there, but it was one of those things where (A&M) had a lot of weapons on that side of the net,” Yale said.

A clearly disappointed Yale said that the Broncs got sloppy when they got away from the basics, which makes the elusive

win at home a little bit harder to swallow.

“They showed that they can do what we’ve been asking them to do,” Yale said. “We got in trouble whenever we tried to get tricky and a little bit soft…. (the win) was close, so close.”

Although they still lead the all-time series 15-13, the Broncs have dropped seven straight to TAMUCC.

The Broncs hit the road to the three-game Robert Morris Tournament Friday and come home four days later to host Mexico’s Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.

September 15, 2011 11

Reynaldo Leal/The Pan american

The cross country season officially kicked off two weeks ago, however this weekend’s Ricardo Romo/Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic in San Antonio brings the first big meet appearance for the Broncs.

The men’s team is ranked 12 in the south central region by the U.S. Track & Field And Cross Country Coaches Association preseason poll, and if it wants to slip into that top ten much improvement is expected of the runners starting this weekend. Even though the Broncs got a good indication of where the team stands during the RGV Classic on Sept. 2, Head Coach Dave Hartman wants to gauge where the team stands now after a few more weeks of training.

“We got off to a solid start in the first meet. I was able to see where we stood as a squad and we want to approach this meet similarly. We want to use it to see where we stand now,” he said. “Usually this meet attracts some solid competition, so

it will be a good experience for our squads. At this point I want to see where we stand against an opponent like UTSA. I believe they are ranked fifth in the same region as us. I just want to see a solid effort.”

The meet that is held at UTSA Park West Athletics Complex was good to the Broncs last year as they had a few quality finishes. On the men’s side Mathew Kotut finished in fourth with a time of 15:01.0 and Luis Serrano placed 13th as he clocked a time of 15:27.1. For the women, Lilian Lagat came in 18th with a time of 18:48.1 and right behind her was Judith Chumba crossing the finish line at 18:49.5.

This year the race is only a 5K (3.1 Mi.) run for the event, and for cross-country runners that is a bit shorter than the usual distance. But Hartman believes that this race could fall right into the comfort zone for a couple of the Broncs.

“Martin Casse will have a chance at being comfortable in this shorter distance race,” he admitted. “It will be a 5K and that is a little shorter

than we are used to running, but it will still help us get better. Judith (Chumba) on the women’s side will be comfortable as a middle distance runner as well.”

Casse is an incoming freshman from Toulouse, France, and Chumba is a returning junior for the Broncs.

In this sport, it takes time to build up into the final product to the end of the season. Basically, it is five meets followed by the one that counts, the Great West Conference Championships Oct 29. With high expectations for the Broncs put on by Hartman, it is a must that the squads continue to improve meet by meet.

“We’ve had some really strong workouts after the last meet. We have basically been working on strength and endurance right now,” Hartman said. “So by mid October, I predict we will be ready for the big meets and the conference championships.”

UTPA Cross Country travels to San Antonio for Friday’s meet

Broncs up and running

Ever since Chris King became UTPA’s athletic director two years ago, important changes began to occur within the program.

For example, last year’s rebranding of the athletic logo and insignias gave the Broncs a more battalion-ready look, complementing the newly remodeled field house.

So in August, when the NCAA recertified UTPA as a Division I institution, it paved the way for the direction King wants the department to take in terms of professionalism.

“Being certified by the NCAA as a Division I university allows us to participate in a full range of sports and in leagues and tournaments,” UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen wrote in a UTPA Athletics press release.

Every 10 years, the university must conduct a year-long self-study as part of the NCAA Division I athletic certification program. The evaluation focuses on governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, gender and diversity issues, and student-athlete well-being.

The self-study secures integrity within the University’s athletic programs by setting rules and guidelines for operating as well as a mechanism for imposing sanctions when the department fails to monitor issues within the department. Recruiting violations incurred by the UTPA men’s basketball program from 2006-2008 will soon conclude.

“We run a clean program and stress it,” said King, who was part of NCAA compliance boards for 13 years at three different institutions including the University of Alabama. “I think it starts at the top with leadership. The president is very adamant in making sure we run the athletic department well. He’s had a background of doing so.”

Nelsen and members of the steering committee oversaw the self-study and were pleased that UTPA, with nearly 20,000 students, received its certification without NCAA officials visiting the campus.

“(The NCAA) liked our feedback and guiding principles. We answered every question and (they) were satisfied,” King explained.

Over the 10-year period, the University must keep documents and records of the athletic department’s business affairs. But before King and Nelsen’s arrival in Edinburg, the documentation wasn’t maintained properly.

“It was difficult. We’ve had a bit of instability and continuity,” King said. “There wasn’t good enough documentation (in the past) so we have to a little more work than we had to.”

With the program now recertified, King must continue to build strong ties between campus organizations and the athletic department.

“I think it starts with the core values of the institution. It’s not something that one person or department is doing,” he stressed. “It’s a total team effort.”

Broncs Athletics

recertified as D-I

By Alex E. Peña The Pan American

Broncs improve but can’t finish off Islanders

By Alex E. Peña The Pan American

By Michael Saenz The Pan American

Freddie Martinez /The Pan american

keePing The PACe - Freshman runner Marlene Garcia begins her distance race at the inaugural Rio Grande Valley Classic Sept. 2. The next cross country meet will be Friday, Sept. 16 at San Antonio.

Silver lining - Coach Brian Yale tries to motivate his players during Tuesday night’s loss against TAMUCC.

THE PAN AMERICAN September 15, 2011

September 15, 2011

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