T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n J a n u a r y 2 7 , 2 0 0 5

THE

PAN AMERICAN

Tsunami hits home on UTPA campus The impending elections in

Iraq are impacting the lives of notonly those living in that country, butalso relatives who live here in theUnited States. Hashim Mahdi, anengineering professor at theUniversity of Texas-Pan American,has strong feelings about the elec-tions in Iraq, scheduled for Monday.

It is his home country, wherehe still has family members living.As the elections approach, violencehas escalated against Iraqis seekingto begin a democratic society.

Mahdi has a bachelor’s degreefrom the University of Mosul, inmechanical engineering. He thenearned a master’s degree from theUniversity of Baghdad and came tothe USA in 1980 where he earned asecond master’s and a Ph.D. fromthe University of Arizona. He isnow legally a U.S. citizen andbegan work at UTPA in 1992.

Broncs fall to rival Islanders at homesee Page 14

As Americans celebrated thebeginning of a new year, half a worldaway, Asians mourned the loss ofentire cities, following one of theworld’s most terrifying disasters, atsunami on Dec. 26.

Incomprehensible to many, thedisaster sparked worldwide relief

efforts to save the exotic locations lostin the wave of fear. Corporate busi-ness, professional athletes, and theentertainment world are some of thegroups lining up to lend a hand in anyway they can.

The University of Texas-PanAmerican is making its own mark inthe relief effort with four organiza-tions coming together in raising fundsfor UNICEF. The InternationalStudent Organization, WorldMandate, P.Lohiya And FriendsFrom India and the Baptist StudentMovement are hoping to donate$17,000 to UNICEF.

All it takes is $1 from each stu-dent at UTPA.

Keri Kling, organizer and direc-tor of the International StudentFriendship organization, said,

“Students don’t realize the impactthey can have. If you get a smallgroup who is passionate, changes canhappen.”

So far, Kling said the groupshave raised close to $600 over thecourse of the week. She alsoexplained that she hopes the groupscan set a standard for each of the dif-ferent colleges on campus.

The relief tables will be locatedoutside the Student Union, theLibrary, the Engineering Building andthe Social and Behavioral SciencesBuilding from 11:30 until 1 p.m.through Friday. Checks can be madepayable to the International StudentAssociation.

Contact Kling at (956) 458-8874or Pravendra Lohiya at (956) 457-0562 for more information.

The makers of Plan B, the con-traceptive also known as the morn-ing-after pill, prepare to meet againwith the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA), to get adecision on whether the pill shouldbe available for sale over the count-er or strictly by prescription.

Last May, the FDA turneddown the initial Plan B application,alleging that there was not enough

information as to how nonprescrip-tion access to the drug would affectthe sexual behavior of youngteenagers.

However, a study made by theCenter for Reproductive HealthResearch and Policy at theUniversity of California at SanFrancisco found that access to PlanB did not make woman engage inmore risky sexual behavior.

The study looked at the experi-ences over a six-month period ofmore than 2,000 women ages 15 to

24 who were either given the emer-gency contraceptive to take home,or were allowed to pick it up at apharmacy without a prescription.

Tina R. Raine, lead author ofthe research, explained the resultsof the study in an article featured inthe Washington Post.

"Our findings were thatwomen don’t change their sexualbehavior when the drug is easilyavailable, but rather that they’remore likely to use it if access is eas-ier," Raine said.

Opponents of the pill includeCatholic Church leaders, who lastyear objected to the legislationdebates that favored the contracep-tive’s sale and distribution in

HOPE — (Left) Education sopho-more Hayley Jimenez extends herconcern and care for the tsunamicause, placing her donation yester-day outside of the BusinessAdministration Building to PravendraLohiya, who is cooperating with KeriKling. They are raising funds to aidvictims of the catastrophe which tookplace Dec. 26 and has been in thespotlight of newscasts around theglobe. “It only takes a dollar…” istheir slogan. Aiming to collect a dol-lar from every student, the UTPATsunami Relief fundraiser beganMonday and will be going on throughJan. 28 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. withtables at the Student Union, theLibrary, Engineering Building, andthe Social and Behavioral ScienceBuilding.

Plan B creates concerns among residentsBy ELIZABETH GARCIAThe Pan American

By KRISTINA CAVAZOSThe Pan American

By EMMA CLARKThe Pan American

See PLAN B page 11

See IRAQ page 11

The 77th Annual AcademyAward nominees wereannounced on Jan. 25. For acomplete list, see Page 9.

"Students don’trealize the

impact they canhave."

—Keri Kling, Director of theInternational Student

Friendship Org.

UTPAprofessorspeaks outabout hiscountry’selections

Courtesy of go2panb.com

Joey

Cor

tez/

The

Pan

Am

eric

an

Dr. Hashim Mahdi

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539

(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

53rd Year – No. 16

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican

The PANAMERICAN isthe official studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

The Pan Americangladly acceptsletters fromstudents, staff andfaculty regardingnewspaper contentor current issues.The Pan Americanreserves the rightto edit submissionsfor grammar andlength. Please limitsubmission lengthto 300 words. ThePan Americancannot publishanonymous letters,or submissionscontaining hatespeech orgratuitous personalattacks. Letters areprinted at thediscretion of theeditor and mustinclude the writer’sname, class/titleand phone number.

Letters policy

January 27 2 0 0 5

Readers with dis-abilities mayrequest an alter-native format ofthis publication atThe Pan American

business office. For special assis-tance to attendany event listed inthis publication,contact the coor-dinator of theevent at least oneweek prior to theadvertised date.

OPINION l e t t e r s e d i t o r i a l s c a r t o o n sPAGE 2

EditorClarissa Martinez

clarissa_utpa@hotmail.com

News EditorsDulce Gonzalezbluetinky10@aol.com

Emma Clarkkoco16@hotmail.com

A & E EditorOmaira Galarza

omairang@yahoo.com

Sports EditorJoey Gomez

jgomez23@panam.edu

Graphics EditorsDägoberto Pérezbachur@mail.com

Ginmarie Mabryohnesie@yahoo.com

Photography EditorFranco Caballero

photomosaix@aol.com

Graphic/Web Design

Eduardo Martinezemartinez23@panam.edu

Raul Cervantesracervantes1@

panam.edu

Delisa Guadarramavivalaconga@aol.com

Reporters

Jacob Alegria

Lylony Cazares

Daryl Gonzales

Joey Hinojosa

Selene Garza

Photographers

Joel de la Rosa

Marcos Cervantes

Copy EditorJason Chapa

SecretaryDiana Corpus Garza

CAS 170381-2541

AdviserDr. Greg Selber

CAS 154292-7201

selberg@panam.edu

DeliveryAnthony Pinal

Thursday noon

THE

PAN AMERICAN

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

To the Editor,

Reading through The Pan American, I stum-ble on another article about a planned protestagainst George Bush. I am not writing to defendBush or the war but enough is enough. Rather, Iwant to expose the irrational agendas of groupslike these who simply seek to stir controversyand are sometimes led by irresponsible UTPAprofessors.

The group in the article claimed to be against“violence and terrorism” and defends “the rightsand civil liberties [of] a democratic society?” Iexpected the group to denounce the terrorists inIraq committing heinous crimes or Fidel Castrowho hammers all forms of a free society.

Instead, the group protests Bush’s inauguration.Everyone has the right to free speech but groupslike these are truly misguided. If you read thePresident’s inaugural speech, you would seehow he believes in free societies and democra-cies everywhere. Under his presidency,Afghanistan has undergone unprecedentedchanges towards democracy and Iraq strugglesto do the same. Nevertheless, this group fails toacknowledge Bush’s commitment to democracy,which leads me to think, its agenda is not in ourinterest.

Reading further, I see the name SamuelFreeman. I have seen the flyers he circulates,and heard about his theatrics in the classroomthat seek to discredit the U.S. government. I

have concluded that Freeman unprofessionallyuses his position of trust in the classroom tospew his skewed ideology. When students enrollin a class, it is to learn the course’s content not beindoctrinated to some ideology. It is a shamethat some professors overlook their basic com-mitment to the university. I challenge students tohold professors accountable to a course’s appro-priate content. It is YOUR TIME and MONEY!To professors who stay true to the course, youdemonstrate your professionalism and earn therespect of all students making this place a realinstitution of higher learning.

Adrian MoralesSocial Studies, Senior

To the Editor:

While your article “Prices put damper on stu-dents’ pockets” rationalized the rising costs ofcollege textbooks, the students are still suffering,and the University isn’t helping.

You listed prices from three local bookstoresand only one online alternative. There are manyonline stores where students can purchase text-books at massive discounts. In fact, online searchengines can automatically find the lowest priceusing the ISBN. Comparing prices from variousonline bookstores saved me over $200. The onlymention of purchasing textbooks online I foundin your entire paper was a revenue-generatingadvertisement for half.com in the back.

Also, paperback editions are available withthe same content as the hardcover textbooks. Thehardcover edition of Linear Algebra lists for$110. I found the paperback edition online for$34.

New editions are released as often as once ayear. Students will receive little cash from thebookstore for old editions, assuming they willeven be bought back! New editions sometimesdo little more than rearrange practice problemsand add a new chapter that probably won’t evenbe covered. I took a course requiring the 6th edi-tion of Serway’s Physics. For $10 I purchased the4th, published 7 years prior. The content was vir-tually identical!

There are many options to avoid paying the

ridiculous prices of textbooks; why was there nomention of them in your article? Instead, youdescribed the situation as futile, a necessary evil,showing an irresponsible apathy for your readers.

The current situation is a greedy attempt tomaintain an unfair financial hold over students.It’s time Panam considered the students’ needsover those of the bookstore. I propose that eachclass syllabus should include the ISBN of therequired textbook, be made available two weeksbefore class, and specify if it is okay to use theprevious edition.

Josh MoralesComputer Science, Junior

Smokers haven’t alwayshad a bad rap. In the ‘50ssmoking was glamorized byHollywood with famousactors and actresses puffingaway at their lovely ciga-rettes. Now, there seems tobe a stigma against smokersnationwide, and in someextremes globally.

According to an article in the BrownsvilleHerald, the town of Brownsville is hoping tobecome a “smoke-free” city. Basically bybecoming smoke-free, people will not beallowed to smoke in restaurants, or free-standingbars and of course general public places.

New York City first saw the ban in 2002,when the state prohibited smokers from restau-

rants. Italy is now seeing the same ban beingplaced. But why is this trend even reaching thestreets where people have the freedom ofchoice?

Smokers should know the health problemscigarettes cause. There’s the attorney generalmessage, the numerous advertisements againstsmoking and even health books warning againstthe habit. Smoking is a choice, just like anythingelse to people choose to keep spending theirmoney on. So why the possible ban?

Sure, for nonsmokers it might be annoying tosit down for dinner only to see a cloud of ciga-rette smoke floating into their table. But experi-encing that discomfort really shouldn’t beenough to insist smokers put their butts out.

Some restaurant managers even claim thatthe ban would be detrimental to business.

Whether people feel smoking is somethingthat they want to bring up, it is still their money,their choice their lives. And why does it have togo to the extreme of banning smoking?

One possible alternative to completely ban-ning smoking in restaurants would be to have themanagement choose whether they want to allowsmoking inside. This way people have the choiceof whether or not they want to eat in a certainrestaurant.

The entire town doesn’t necessarily need tostop smoking altogether. In an extreme compar-ison, smokers aren’t really in the same field oflepers. But to some, it feels like that comparisonis there. Though it couldn’t go as far as sayingthere are cases of segregation, smokers are beingpushed to take a different track with their habit.Whether they want to or not.

City ordinance infringes on freedom

Clarissa Martinez

The University of Texas-Pan Americanhas seen a steady increase in student enroll-ment over the past several years, topping at17,000 this year. Along with this has come alarge number of awards and achievements. Inparticular, the College of Science andEngineering has accomplished noteworthysuccess.

Edwin LeMaster, interim dean explainsthat the college has one of the highest studentenrollments in the university.

“The largest amounts of students can befound in the Biology, Computer Science andMechanical Engineering departments,” hesaid.

Indeed, the recognition that the Collegeof Science and Engineering has earned stemsfrom these three departments.

Pre-Medical students will be content toknow that UTPA boasts one of the highestacceptance rates into medical school in thenation.

“The nation average acceptance rate intomedical school is 33 percent and at Pan Amit can be as high as 70 percent,” saidLeMaster.

This high acceptance rate make studentsconfident in both themselves and the UTPApre-medical program. There is also a plan inprogress to facilitate early entry into medschool for qualified local applicants.

Aileen Carranza, a pre-medical freshmanin the Early Medical School Acceptance pro-gram (EMPSAP) UTPA has with the

University of Texas’s Galveston MedicalSchool, agrees.

“I’m happy with the decision that I madeinto coming to UTPA,”Carranza said.

While a student at South Texas HighSchool for Health Professions (Med High) inMercedes, Carranza learned of the pre-med-ical program at UTPA. She applied toEMSAP and was accepted. By meetingEMSAP requirements she will receive a full-tuition-and-fees scholarship for medicalschool.

Carranza is confident that she will gainacceptance into medical school just likemany UTPA students before her.

“I’ve been very lucky in life and I reallywant to help people,” she said.

Among the medical schools that UTPApre-medical students are accepted into are

Baylor College of Medicine, Universityof Texas-Dallas Southwestern Medical

School, the University of Texas MedicalSchool in Galveston and The University ofTexas-San Antonio Medical School.

Although many believe that UTPA andThe University of Texas-Brownsville arerivals in the academic and student enroll-ment arena, that is not so.

“We are trying to build partnershipsbetween UTPA, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and University of Texas-Brownsville,” said LeMaster. “Our attitudeis more of working together so that we canoffer more courses for our students.”

An example of this partnership is the useof grant money among UTPA and other uni-versities.

“We have some grants and engineeringstudents from Michigan State, MonterreyTech and UTPA work on different areas ofresearch on the same project (using the grantmoney),”said LeMaster.

In the minds of many professors acrosscampus is the recent debate of faculty work-load reduction. How might this affect theCollege of Science and Engineering?

“We are seeing a 22-percent studentenrollment increase in the College andresearch funding has increased 10 percent to20 percent,” said LeMaster, “As an emerg-ing university we are taking advantage ofour growth not only in number (of students)but also in the quality of our work.”

Computer science is the integration oftechnology, engineering, and computationsystems. It is also a unique and emerging

Flu shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Tax assistance . . . . . . . . . . 5

Teacher Credit Union . . . . . . . . 12NEWSMulticolored system to assist eating habits

By AURELIO RODRIGUEZThe Pan American

One in four American adults are over-weight and recently schools and universi-ties have begin changing vending-machinechoices to ensure the health of their stu-dents and faculty.

The public is repeatedly told aboutreports that show how unhealthy eatinghabits are leading Americans to becomemore prone to diabetes, heart disease andother health problems.

A walk through different buildings atThe University of Texas-Pan Americanproves that UTPA students are no different.Most vending machines on campus arestocked with unhealthy snacks.

While the temptation to consume a sweetsnack is appealing, it is triggering serioushealth issues at a younger age and affectingthe youth of the country.

According to a January 2005 report inThe Daily Texan, “Vending machines inTexas schools could contribute to childhoodobesity, according to a statewide survey.”

The report went on to say, “TexasAgriculture Commissioner, Susan Combsenforces a federal child nutrition programthat recently banned the sale of soda, candyand chips from most public elementaryschools in Texas.”

While public schools have started tofocus on healthy vending-machine content,UTPA also has the health of its students inmind, and is a trendsetter by stepping up itshealth awareness for students and staff.

In an effort to keep people more awareof what they are eating, actions are underway to change the current university vend-ing machines by changing content colors toindicate which ones have more sweet prod-ucts, and which ones are healthier.

Robert Cantu, assistant director ofAuxiliary Services for UTPA, said, “Slowlybut surely, all vending machines will behealthier. More juices, water, granola bars,dried fruits and nuts, are among some of theitems.”

Most students asked about the changethought it was a pretty good idea for the

Snacks on the Go - Business management freshman Elena Moncivais contemplates herlunch alternatives as the university gets ready to implement a color-coding process for itsvending machines. The plan will categorize food based on the calorie content.

Loans play majorfinancial role instudents’education

Student loans have always been part of col-lege life. Many students could not continue theireducation without receiving some type of aidfrom loans. However, in recent years the numberof students taking out loans has increased.

Due to higher enrollment and cutbacks infinancial aid many students are forced to pay forschool themselves. This causes them to take outloans to finance their college education. Thereare many types of loans for college students,with some even available through banking insti-tutions. Interest rates very by types of loans, andmost lending companies such as banks offerrates that are usually higher than the govern-ment’s rates.

Loans given out by the federal governmentrequire students to fill out the Free Applicationfor Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“The way to apply for a loan is by checkingthe yes box on the FASFSA,” said Elias Ozuna,associate director of Financial Aid at TheUniversity of Texas-Pan American. “Most stu-dents do not check this box and then somethingcomes up and they have to fill out additionalpaperwork. Students do not even need to comein the Financial Aid office if all the paperwork isdone properly. There are no more pre-loan ses-sions and they can accept or decline their awardonline.”

Each student applying for a loan has differentneeds that need to be met. For example, studentswith dependent children are eligible for Parents

By JENNIFER BARRIENTESThe Pan American

See STUDENT LOAN page 12

By KRISTINA CAVAZOSThe Pan American

See SNACKS page 12

Natalie Villareal/The Pan American

College of Science and Engineering:emerging as award-winning outfit

“The nation averageacceptance rate into medical

school is 33 percent and atPan Am it can be as high as

70 percent.”-Edwin LeMaster,

College of Science andEngeneering Interim Dean

See COLLEGE page 12

January 27, 2005 HHEEAALLTTHH NNEEWWSS Page 4

Valley schools conduct TB testingWhile most of the national health buzz lately

has been about the possibility of a serious flu epi-demic, there are other illnesses getting headlinesin the Rio Grande Valley.

Recently, a second case of tuberculosiscaused an estimated 250 students from EdinburgEconomedes High School to undergo testing forthe infection after a student was hospitalized witha suspected case of tuberculosis, or TB, duringthe Christmas holidays. Students from A.N.“Tony” Rico Elementary in Weslaco were alsotested for TB as a precaution after a substituteteacher suspected of having TB passed away inearly January.

TB is a chronic disease of the lungs that iscaused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tubercu-losis said clinical lab sciences professor GeorgeEyambe of The University of Texas-PanAmerican.

TB is spread through the air from person toperson, mostly through close contact.

“The organism (TB) is found in secretionfrom the lungs,” Eyambe said. “People getexposed to it when somebody coughs. Theyinhale it and then it goes to the lungs and theybecome infected.”

Skin tests are being used to determine if anystudents have been exposed to TB. A proteinfrom the bacteria that causes it is placed under-neath the skin to determine if the individual hasa latent TB infection.

After two to three days the area will becomered and swell due to an immune reaction in thebody; this reaction determines if the test is posi-tive or negative for TB.

According to the Centers for Disease ControlWeb site, most people who have a latent TBinfection breathe in the bacteria, but their bodiesare able to fight to stop it from growing. Thus,the bacterium becomes inactive, but remains in

the body and can become active later if not treat-ed.

Individuals who have latent TB infection donot show any symptoms or feel sick. They arenot contagious and usually have a positive skintest reaction. But if not treated, latent TB candevelop into TB disease.

However, Eyambe explained how those whocome down with the fatal form of TB usuallysuffer from malnutrition and have a weakimmune system, therefore, their body cannotsuppress the bacteria. The TB bacterium beginsto multiply and causes the disease.

“If somebody is suspected to have TB,”Eyambe said. “It is the duty of the Texas StateHealth Department to come in and find out whothis person has been in contact with in terms of

the environment.”As is the process that is being conducted at

Economedes High School, students are beingtested and if positive will receive a chest x-ray todetermine if they have the disease.

UTPA Student Health Services is also offer-ing skin tests and chest x-rays for individualswho are concerned of being exposed to TB.

“TB screening is all year around becausemany students go to work for schools as teachersor work in clinics and they have to be testedbefore having contact with the public,” EddieQuintanilla, health education coordinator, said.“However, if someone feels they have beenexposed to TB we encourage them to come andget tested.”

For healthy individuals who have TB, after

30 days of being exposed they may experiencefatigue, night sweats, persistent coughing andcavities in the lungs, but soon after their healthwill restore. Those with a weak immune systemor experience malnutrition reach the secondarystage of the disease. They have further destruc-tion of the lungs, coughing that lasts longer thantwo weeks, coughing blood, weakness or fatigue,weight loss, fever and night sweats. These indi-viduals can spread the disease to others.

“In the third stage the organism begins tomigrant to other organs,” Eyambe said. “Thiscan lead to death.”

TB disease can be cured with several differ-ent drugs such as isonizid, rifampin and strepto-mycin. Several drugs need to be taken in order tokill the many different types of bacteria for six tonine weeks.

The rate of tuberculosis remains high in theRio Grande Valley, two to three times higher thenthe national average due to proximity to the bor-der of Mexico.

“In some parts like in colonias it is even high-er,” Eyambe said. “The higher rate has to do withthe poor and crowded conditions, malnutritionand lack of medical services.”

The constant influx of immigrants fromsouthern Mexico is also a factor in the high rateof TB because they are able to carry the diseaseback and forth to this region.

“If they [immigrants] settle in places whereyou don’t have good sanitary conditions like incolonias, it gets even worse and a lot of peopleget infected,” Eyambe said.

He also explained how TB takes six to ninemonths to treat and since many people movethey hardly ever finish their treatment and canpass the disease to someone else.

“Because we have a higher rate of TB in thisregion people should be very concerned,”Eyambe said. “The consent should be to find outif the exposure has put you at risk for developingTB. And if it has to get treatment for it.”

By LYLONY CAZARESThe Pan American

At the beginning of the flu season top healthofficials were eagerly trying to find a way tohelp the millions of Americans who would beleft without a shot. Now, the vaccine is avail-able, but are people taking advantage of thisopportunity?

Early in October, the United States founditself in what seemed to be a national crisis.Health officials announced that the country’santicipated stock of flu shots would be reducedby half. Out of the 100 million doses expected,the U.S. would only receive about 50 million.The problem stemmed when the British-basedcompany, Chiron Corp., the nation’s top sourcefor the vaccine, detected bacterial contamina-tion in its flu shots.

The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) was forced to put restrictionson the availability of the vaccine. Only thosecategorized as “high-risk” patients wereallowed to receive the shot. High-risk patientswere considered to be individuals who wouldmost likely have serious health problems if theygot the flu, such as children ages six to 23months, seniors 65 or older, and women who

expected to be pregnant during the influenzaseason.

Months have passed and the crisis seems tohave stalled. According to Rick Gray, director ofthe Student Health Services at The University ofTexas-Pan American, as of Jan. 1 Texas healthofficials removed restrictions on the flu vaccina-tion. The flu season usually begins in lateOctober and lasts well into February. Gray stat-ed that the peak months of the flu are Januaryand February.

In an effort to distribute the flu vaccine,Student Health Services is currently offering theflu shot. UTPA will only distribute the available100 doses given to the university. Students canget vaccinated for a fee of $10, while faculty canget the shot for $15. For those who do not likeshots, the flu mist is an alternative option.Students can get it for $15, while faculty canobtain it for $20.

According to Gray, flyers were posted andemails were sent informing faculty and studentsthe shot was available. Gray stated that so farsome faculty members have taken advantage ofthis new opportunity to get vaccinated.

“There has been pretty good traffic,” Graysaid. “A lot of faculty have been here. The stu-dents traditionally don’t take the flu vaccine.”

While some are taking advantage of the vac-cine, others are refusing. Dolores Santiago, clin-ical supervisor at Babies and Children’s Clinicin Pharr, said the clinic never had a problemadministering the influenza vaccine until theshortage.

“In the past we never had a problem with thevaccine, this year it was very hard,” Santiagosaid. “Usually we start immunizing our patientsearly, but this year we had to turn down thosethat didn’t meet the requirements.”

Santiago said that now that the restrictionshave been lifted, the clinic is offering all itspatients the vaccine. Yet, the clinical supervisorstated that nobody wants it anymore.

“Now patients aren’t looking for the flu shotbecause they say that they already got the flu orthey got the vaccine from somewhere else,”Santiago explained. “Some of our patients told

us that they bought the vaccine from Mexicoand then it was administered to them inMexico.”

But the flu season is not over yet and theCDC recommends that citizens look out for theflu symptoms, which are fever, headaches,tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose orstuffy nose, and body aches.

According to the CDC those who alreadyhave the flu should follow certain precautions inorder to keep the disease from spreading. Avoidclose contact, stay home when you are sick,cover your mouth and nose, clean your handsand avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Gray said that those on campus should getthe vaccine while they can.

“The flu virus is different every year,” Graysaid. “It’s still early, it might get around later.Just practice hygiene and healthy habits.”

By DULCE GONZALEZThe Pan American

Flu shot shortage ends: Now available on campus

TB PREVENTION - Claudia Garza, nurse supervisor for Student Health Services, performs aTB test on Maylin Gerardo Friday. To prevent the outbreak of TB, preparations have been takenfor students on campus to be tested.

Natalie Villareal/The Pan American

PREVENTING FLU FROM SPREADINGVaccination against the flu remains the primary way to prevent this disease. Inaddition to vaccination, the following simple actions, can help decrease thespread of the flu.

Avoid close contact with people who are sickStay home when you are sickCover your mouth and nose Clean your hands Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

Be aware of common flu symptoms: High fever Headache Tiredness Cough Runny or stuffy nose Body aches

Tax season is right around the corner andmany Hidalgo and Starr County residentswill be at a disadvantage when making theirincome tax returns. Help is on the way, how-ever, as Feb. 1 will mark the 2005 kickofffor the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly(TCE).

The programs offer tax preparation assis-tance free of charge to families that earn lessthan $36,000 and individuals who earn lessthan $20,000. Volunteers from across theValley have been trained to assist eligiblearea residents in making their tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service reportedthat Rio Grande Valley residents did notclaim the full amount they deserved for thelast fiscal year, leaving approximately $92.5million in unclaimed returns, many fromlow-income working families who need itmost. The goal of VITA is to help familiesaccess the millions in Earned Income TaxCredit (EITC) refunds that have goneunclaimed the past few years.

The EITC is a tax credit for people whowork, but do not earn high incomes.

Families that qualify and claim the creditcould pay less federal tax, no tax, or get atax refund. Families in the Valley couldclaim up to $4,300 and estimates are that upto 25 percent of the people eligible are nottaking advantage of it.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who serveson the Ways and Means Committee, hasbeen pushing for these measures inWashington D.C. and has successfullyreceived support from the IRS, plus from theFinancial Literacy Task Force in SouthTexas. The Ways and Means Committee isresponsible for writing tax laws and Doggettwants to make sure Valley residents do notget taken advantage of in Washington.

“These are the working people of theValley, who do some of the toughest jobsand work some of the longest hours, andthey deserve to get fair treatment from ourtax system,” Doggett said. “This programwants to make sure these families get themoney they have earned.

While Doggett is serving Valley interestsin Congress, other individuals are striving toachieve the same goal through different tac-tics.

“We’re working closely with IRS to makesure families get their entitlement with IRS-

provided software,” said Olga Gabriel of theChildren’s Defense Fund. “Families losehundreds of dollars with paid services whenthey could be getting it from VITA for free.”

“What people in the Valley aren’t realiz-ing is that these unclaimed funds have amajor impact on the local economy,” Gabrielsaid. “The $56 million that went unclaimedcould have brought approximately $390 mil-lion to the Valley economy.”

Bill Hubbard and Janis Foulk are the IRSrepresentatives trying to do what many peo-ple do not always associate the outfit with:making sure families get their money back.

“What the IRS wants to do in this situa-tion is provide free filing through state-of-the-art electronic services,” Hubbard said.

All certified tax preparers must gothrough a series of online training coursesand tests, including 3-hour sessions on threeseparate days involving IRS proprietarysoftware licensed to the VITA sites for free

use. This software is only available to thevolunteer sites.

“It was important to recruit, train and cer-tify UTPA students for the program becausethis permits Valley residents to help outother Valley residents,” Foulk said.

Gouranga Ganguli, professor of account-ing and business law, is also the adviser forThe University of Texas-Pan American’sAccounting Society. Around 25 newlytrained tax preparers are students from theSociety.

“I believe this is the most important com-munity outreach service that involves UTPAstudents,” Ganguli said. “It projects a verypositive image of what the students can dofor the community.”

The program is made up of IRS-trainedvolunteers along with banking partners suchas International Bank of Commerce (IBC).Last year this service helped Rio GrandeValley families get $1.3 million in EITC.

January 27, 2005 NNEEWWSS Page 5

Every day college students around the country wake up andmove to the daily grind of classes, work and homework.Sometimes, daily tasks tend to be accomplished at the speedof a snail trying to cross the street. The life of a college studentcan seem unmotivated.

This does not seem to be true in the case of political sciencemajor David Zamora. The 22-year-old junior does not have aproblem motivating his own life andthe lives of others. He spreads his ideaof motivation and encouragementthrough an e-mail that is sent out dailyto friends and family.

“Two years ago my father handedme a magazine that motivates theworld, called ‘Bits and Pieces,’”Zamora said. “It’s a monthly publica-tion and in it you have quips andquotes and short stories that motivatepeople.”

Zamora wanted to get people think-ing about themselves, and what theyneeded and wanted for their futures.And so began his e-mail crusade known as MotivationalFirewood.

The idea behind the name is that in order to get the fire ofencouragement and motivation started, you must kindle thewood. Once the spark starts burning, there is no stopping thefire. The enemy of fire is water. The water of motivation is dis-couragement and in order to fight it the opposite must be used,which is encouragement.

“How do you fight discouragement? Well you need a dailydose of encouragement. And so that’s what they need,” hesaid.

However, spreading the word is not enough. In order toknow if people have received the message, feedback is neces-sary. And that seems to be the motivation for Zamora. Peoplewrite to him saying it’s what they needed to hear, and to keepit up because it helps them get through their day.

“I’ve known David only a short time, but already I see hisgreat potential in motivating people in a good direction,” saidWarren Berkley, preacher at the Laurel Heights Church ofChrist in McAllen. “He enjoys a great capacity to grasp thosethings people need to hear to become better…he holds greatpromise.”

The ability to grasp people’s feelings is what is pushingZamora to become a motivational speaker. He hopes his mes-sage will help young teens become aware of the potentialinside them.

“Ultimately I do plan on becoming a motivational speaker,which is why my minor is public speaking,” he said.

Zamora’s friends are also involved in MotivationalFirewood, to help spread the word. He explains that is howthe project got started, and it had a domino effect. He sent e-mails out to his friends who in turn would send them out totheir friends, and so on.

“I have known David for about six years now…he is agreat person to listen to. He has all these great ideas anddreams and it pretty much looks like he will accomplish all ofthem,” said Raudy Garcia.

Another idea for expanding Motivational Firewood is forhim to try and reach other schools in the Rio Grande Valley.He said he wants to talk to some of these students and encour-age them and motivate them.

Although students are the target audience for these inspira-tional notes, anyone in the Valley is welcome to join along inthe message. Starting a small fire here in the Valley can growinto a Texas wildfire.

According to Zamora, motivation is needed badly atUTPA. In order for people to become motivated, they need to

realize the potential gold mine they are sitting on. All thepotential they need is within them, he says. Tapping into thegold mine by motivation will change the way a person thinks.Students fail to realize what can happen once they are motivat-ed.

Zamora wants not only to motivate students on campus, butfuture students as well. Look for him around campus thissemester as a campus tour guide and at meetings for theCollege Republicans.

Anyone interested in being on the mailing list forMotivational Firewood e-mails can contact him at republican-dave34@aol.com.

Student spreads motivation like wildfire

DAVIDZAMORA

By ANGELA SALAZARThe Pan American

By RAUL ADRIAN CERVANTESThe Pan American

Free tax assistance forRGV working class

Eligible Tax Forms

RGV residents can receive free assistance on these forms:

1040 EZ

1040

1040 V

1040 ES

2441

8812

“Growth begins whenwe accept and start

correcting ourweaknesses in orderthat we may grow.”

-David Zamora

January 27, 2005 TTHHEE PPAANN AAMMEERRIICCAANN Page 6

Arts and entertainment are a timelesspart of society. However, the people ofBrownsville felt they were lacking in thatdepartment. Thus in 1994, the BrownsvilleSociety for the Performing Arts (BSPA)was founded. It is a non-profit organizationrun by an all-volunteer board with a mis-sion to strengthen and revitalize the com-munity through the performing arts.

“The BSPA wants to produce, presentand expose the Brownsville area to the per-forming arts that would not conventionallybe offered to them in the [Rio Grande]Valley,” said George Ramirez, BSPA presi-dent of the board. “We want to showcasethings that aren’t regional like Jazz, Popand different kinds of dance.”

Among the BSPA’s many projects, itstop priority is the restoration of the CapitolTheater in Brownsville’s historic down-town district. The theater was an up andrunning attraction in the 1940s, providingthe people of Brownsville a source ofentertainment by showing films. However,through the years it was neglected and sorestoration of the theater will provide astate-of-the-art 1,200-seat venue, withhopes of providing a home for local artistsand its own opera, classical orchestra, andtheater and dance companies. The theateralso takes part in the annual CineSol LatinFilm Festival, that celebrates and awardscontributions to the art of filmmaking in theLatino community.

“The renovation of the old CapitolTheater is the main goal of the BSPA,” saidRamirez. “The arts are homeless without atheater. We want to be able to provide one.”

BSPA’s main event is the annualBrownsville Latin Jazz Festival, which

began in 1997.Throughout theyears, the festivalhas become oneof the Valley’smain attractionshaving featuredgreat Latin Jazzperformers suchas the late TitoPuente, a.k.a. theKing of LatinJazz, and lastyear’s headliners,the Jazz on theLatin Side All-Stars, a 17-piecegroup led by thegreat Jose Rizo.This year the 9thannual Latin JazzFestival will beheld Oct. 13-16 inBrownsville.

“We try tobring big names to our events,” said JosephNajera, assistant director of the BSPA. “Wewant to expand our culture and the culturalawareness of the community.”

The BSPA’s current upcoming attrac-tions include the the Opera Gala featuringcoloratura soprano, Jennifer Kerber and theQuartetto Gellato on Jan. 29 at theUTB/TSC’s SETB Lecture Hall at 8 p.m.The group is a Toronto-based quartet inter-nationally known for their eclectic styleand span of music. The gala will be held atthe UTB/TSC’s SETB Lecture Hall at 8p.m. on Apr. 16.

For more information on tickets andmore upcoming events hosted by the BSPAcall (956) 831-9590 or check out their Website at www.Brosociety.com.

Joel de la Rosa/The Pan American

DO RE MI — Specializing in guitar at UTPA, Kurt Martinez played on Tuesday night. He earned his

bachelor’s degree at University of Miami. Then, he earned his master’s degree at Georgia State

University and his doctorate at University of Wisconsin.

DDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 & 9

Oscar Nominees . . . . . . . . . . 9

Movie Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Curtis Sittenfeld, winner of SeventeenMagazine fiction writing contest, bringsforth to us her first novel titled, “Prep.” Thenovel takes the reader through the life anddevelopment of Lee Fiora, as an enteringfreshman up to her senior year at AultSchool, an elite boarding school in the EastCoast.

Sittenfeld’s writ-ing style can be com-pared to that of J.D.Salinger’s – full of dryhumor and entertainingchapters—but in reali-ty it takes the readernowhere. The bookstarts at the beginningof Fiora’s life at Ault,and invites us into thisshy, unattractive girl’slife. The main dilemmafor Lee is that she isn’t one of the rich EastCoast kids, so she has trouble adapting to theboarding school life.

With each chapter, a transition is madein Lee’s life, she begins to act like the richkids, but in reality she is still a middle-classkid from Indiana who is only able to attendthe expensive boarding school due to ascholarship. The plot sounds reasonablygood, at least to a young teenager. The novelis quite predictable; each situation is set in amanner that the end result is easily forseen.

Sittenfeld also does a great job at settingthe stereotypes for different ethnic charac-ters introduced in the novel. It is all quite

By SELENE GARZAThe Pan American

A&E

‘Prep’ for failure

SITTENFELD

Sittenfeld’s first fiction novel toopredictable for mature readers

See ‘PREP’ page 10

WORKS BY SITTENFELD

“This American Life”Available online

at www.thislife.org.

* “Give the People What They Want”

July 12, 2002

*“Like It Or Not” Oct. 24, 2003

* “Auto Show”Dec. 10, 2004

By AMANDA GARCIAThe Pan American

Joel

de

la R

osa/

The

Pan

Am

eric

an

Joel de la Rosa/The Pan American

SCATTING— Valley, cinema, and all that jazz! The Brownsville Society of the Performing Arts

continues to honor its tradition of bringing cultural entertainment to Lower Valley residents,

fulfilling a task that began more than 10 years ago with its foundation in 1994.

BSPA brings culturalevents to Lower Valley

JANUARY 27, 2005 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9JANUARY 27, 2005 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 8

Dancing Machine

New Year’s resolutionsto lose weight may beeasier to keepthis yearwithout con-ventionalexercise, butinstead byplayingvideogames.

Story byChristina Harris

While playing Resident Evil with normal controllers willonly leave a player with hand cramps, there are games that aredesigned to help drop the pounds. Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR,puts the player in control using both feet instead of pushing buttonswith the fingertips.

To play the game, the person stands on a floor pad connected tothe screen. The monitor then shows arrows that correlate with the padthat the player stomps on. At the same time, music plays in the back-ground, so it seems like the person is dancing to the beat.

The unexpected side effect is that people, if they play the gameoften enough, will eventually lose weight.

Rio Grande Valley gamers dedicated to DDR would frequentplaces like Mr. Gatti’s and Peter Piper Pizza in McAllen to play. WhenPizza Planet opened in Edinburg next to Carmike Theater, one of theirmost popular games became DDR Extreme. When Exceed 2, a newdance game came out, Pizza Planet became the first entertainmentvenue to have both games. This proved to be beneficial to the gamersthat frequented the restaurant.

Exceed 2 is similar to DDR, but made from Andamiro, a Korea-based company. DDR is from Konami, which is Japan-based. Thegames are also similar in appearance, but according to Pizza Planet’sgaming technician, David Alvarez, Exceed 2 is going to be the morepopular game.

“DDR and Exceed 2 are going to be the number one games here,”Alvarez said. “But people have been playing [Exceed 2] more. Theysay it’s more difficult but if you use both of them you get faster.”

Charles Pena, the customer service manager of Pizza Planet, ispleased with the decision to order both games because of the populari-ty it has received. When Pizza Planet opened, they purchased the DDRExtreme game and decided two months ago to purchase the Exceed 2game.

“It seems to be the trend right now,” Pena said. “South Texas isbarely expanding to these types of gaming systems. We’re the first inthe Valley to have both.”

Pizza Planet’s head gaming technician, Bernie Zapata, movedfrom one of the previous restaurants that had DDR to teach people

how to play, and explain the benefits of playing.“Whenever I talk to people I tell them how they can lose weight from the game,” Zapata said. “That

usually interests them.”Waiting in line to play on the Exceed 2 game was Sandra Garcia, a music education senior from The

University of Texas-Pan American. She said that playing the game enabled her to lose weight but was notthe primary reason she began playing.

“The music appealed to me first,” Garcia said. “And the game is easy to learn as long as you follow thearrows.”

She said it took three to four months of playing on the game for her to lose 60 pounds. She dropped to170 pounds from her original 230 pounds by playing two to three times a week, mostly on weekends.

According to www.msnbc.com, games like DDR are designed to keep your feet moving, which can bea good cardio workout. It also features a workout mode, where players enter their weight and height for anestimate of how many calories have been burned after each song.

Carlos Garcia, program director at Fitness Edge, a personal training and wellness studio, has hadclients comment on the game as a workout.

“I had a client tell me her son started [playing the game] and had been losing some weight,” Garciasaid. “There’s a lot of cardio involvement and eventually she noticed that his clothes were fitting loosely.”

However, Garcia also said that playing the game is not the definite answer for people trying to loseweight. He emphasized that a diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as strength training andcardio workouts should all be integrated into a daily routine.

Garcia recommends burning as much calories as consumed, otherwise merely playing a game such asDDR will not fulfill any long term goals of staying fit. Part of the work of staying healthy means spreadingout the 2,000 calories the body is supposed to consume a day.

“As far as a long term goal, they are going to stay the same because they’re going to consume morecalories than they burn,” Garcia said. “By eating healthier foods and breaking up your meals, so instead ofthree large meals a day you eat several small meals, it’s easier to keep the weight off and stay healthy.”

Yet Garcia believes that the DDR and Exceed 2 games are the better alternative than regular videogames.

“Really your thumb is getting the only action [in other video games],” Garcia said. “[DDR] keeps kidsactive, especially if kids are going to want to play video games anyway.”

DDR is made for most video gaming systems, such as Xbox and Playstation. The games can come as apackage with the floor pad included or sold separately. Customizable dance moves and head to head battleare also features offered by DDR and Exceed 2.

So, for those dieters wanting to honor their New Year’s resolution of losing weight, there are moremodern alternatives to gym memberships and aerobics videos.

77thAcademyAwards

Announced Categories

Best motion picture of the year: “The Aviator”

“Finding Neverland” “Million Dollar Baby”

“Ray” “Sideways”

Best animated feature film of the year: “The Incredibles”

“Shark Tale” “Shrek 2”

Performance by an actor in a leading role: Don Cheadle in “Hotel Rwanda”

Johnny Depp in “Finding Neverland” Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Aviator”

Clint Eastwood in “Million Dollar Baby” Jamie Foxx in “Ray”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role: Alan Alda in “The Aviator

Thomas Haden Church in “Sideways”Jamie Foxx in “Collateral”

Clive Owen in “Closer”

Performance by an actress in a leading role: Annette Bening in “Being Julia”

Catalina Sandino Moreno in “Maria Full of Grace” Imelda Staunton in “Vera Drake”

Hilary Swank in “Million Dollar Baby” Kate Winslet in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless

Mind”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role: Cate Blanchett in “The Aviator”

Laura Linney in “Kinsey” Virginia Madsen in “Sideways”

Sophie Okonedo in “Hotel Rwanda” Natalie Portman in “Closer”

Adapted screenplay: “Before Sunset”

“Finding Neverland” “Million Dollar Baby”

“The Motorcycle Diaries”“Sideways”

Best foreign language film of the year: “As It Is in Heaven” Sweden

“The Chorus (Les Choristes)” France “Downfall” Germany

“The Sea Inside” Spain “Yesterday” South Africa

For more information on the AcadamyAwards, visit www.oscars.org

JANUARY 27, 2005 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9JANUARY 27, 2005 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 8

Dancing Machine

New Year’s resolutionsto lose weight may beeasier to keepthis yearwithout con-ventionalexercise, butinstead byplayingvideogames.

Story byChristina Harris

While playing Resident Evil with normal controllers willonly leave a player with hand cramps, there are games that aredesigned to help drop the pounds. Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR,puts the player in control using both feet instead of pushing buttonswith the fingertips.

To play the game, the person stands on a floor pad connected tothe screen. The monitor then shows arrows that correlate with the padthat the player stomps on. At the same time, music plays in the back-ground, so it seems like the person is dancing to the beat.

The unexpected side effect is that people, if they play the gameoften enough, will eventually lose weight.

Rio Grande Valley gamers dedicated to DDR would frequentplaces like Mr. Gatti’s and Peter Piper Pizza in McAllen to play. WhenPizza Planet opened in Edinburg next to Carmike Theater, one of theirmost popular games became DDR Extreme. When Exceed 2, a newdance game came out, Pizza Planet became the first entertainmentvenue to have both games. This proved to be beneficial to the gamersthat frequented the restaurant.

Exceed 2 is similar to DDR, but made from Andamiro, a Korea-based company. DDR is from Konami, which is Japan-based. Thegames are also similar in appearance, but according to Pizza Planet’sgaming technician, David Alvarez, Exceed 2 is going to be the morepopular game.

“DDR and Exceed 2 are going to be the number one games here,”Alvarez said. “But people have been playing [Exceed 2] more. Theysay it’s more difficult but if you use both of them you get faster.”

Charles Pena, the customer service manager of Pizza Planet, ispleased with the decision to order both games because of the populari-ty it has received. When Pizza Planet opened, they purchased the DDRExtreme game and decided two months ago to purchase the Exceed 2game.

“It seems to be the trend right now,” Pena said. “South Texas isbarely expanding to these types of gaming systems. We’re the first inthe Valley to have both.”

Pizza Planet’s head gaming technician, Bernie Zapata, movedfrom one of the previous restaurants that had DDR to teach people

how to play, and explain the benefits of playing.“Whenever I talk to people I tell them how they can lose weight from the game,” Zapata said. “That

usually interests them.”Waiting in line to play on the Exceed 2 game was Sandra Garcia, a music education senior from The

University of Texas-Pan American. She said that playing the game enabled her to lose weight but was notthe primary reason she began playing.

“The music appealed to me first,” Garcia said. “And the game is easy to learn as long as you follow thearrows.”

She said it took three to four months of playing on the game for her to lose 60 pounds. She dropped to170 pounds from her original 230 pounds by playing two to three times a week, mostly on weekends.

According to www.msnbc.com, games like DDR are designed to keep your feet moving, which can bea good cardio workout. It also features a workout mode, where players enter their weight and height for anestimate of how many calories have been burned after each song.

Carlos Garcia, program director at Fitness Edge, a personal training and wellness studio, has hadclients comment on the game as a workout.

“I had a client tell me her son started [playing the game] and had been losing some weight,” Garciasaid. “There’s a lot of cardio involvement and eventually she noticed that his clothes were fitting loosely.”

However, Garcia also said that playing the game is not the definite answer for people trying to loseweight. He emphasized that a diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as strength training andcardio workouts should all be integrated into a daily routine.

Garcia recommends burning as much calories as consumed, otherwise merely playing a game such asDDR will not fulfill any long term goals of staying fit. Part of the work of staying healthy means spreadingout the 2,000 calories the body is supposed to consume a day.

“As far as a long term goal, they are going to stay the same because they’re going to consume morecalories than they burn,” Garcia said. “By eating healthier foods and breaking up your meals, so instead ofthree large meals a day you eat several small meals, it’s easier to keep the weight off and stay healthy.”

Yet Garcia believes that the DDR and Exceed 2 games are the better alternative than regular videogames.

“Really your thumb is getting the only action [in other video games],” Garcia said. “[DDR] keeps kidsactive, especially if kids are going to want to play video games anyway.”

DDR is made for most video gaming systems, such as Xbox and Playstation. The games can come as apackage with the floor pad included or sold separately. Customizable dance moves and head to head battleare also features offered by DDR and Exceed 2.

So, for those dieters wanting to honor their New Year’s resolution of losing weight, there are moremodern alternatives to gym memberships and aerobics videos.

77thAcademyAwards

Announced Categories

Best motion picture of the year: “The Aviator”

“Finding Neverland” “Million Dollar Baby”

“Ray” “Sideways”

Best animated feature film of the year: “The Incredibles”

“Shark Tale” “Shrek 2”

Performance by an actor in a leading role: Don Cheadle in “Hotel Rwanda”

Johnny Depp in “Finding Neverland” Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Aviator”

Clint Eastwood in “Million Dollar Baby” Jamie Foxx in “Ray”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role: Alan Alda in “The Aviator

Thomas Haden Church in “Sideways”Jamie Foxx in “Collateral”

Clive Owen in “Closer”

Performance by an actress in a leading role: Annette Bening in “Being Julia”

Catalina Sandino Moreno in “Maria Full of Grace” Imelda Staunton in “Vera Drake”

Hilary Swank in “Million Dollar Baby” Kate Winslet in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless

Mind”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role: Cate Blanchett in “The Aviator”

Laura Linney in “Kinsey” Virginia Madsen in “Sideways”

Sophie Okonedo in “Hotel Rwanda” Natalie Portman in “Closer”

Adapted screenplay: “Before Sunset”

“Finding Neverland” “Million Dollar Baby”

“The Motorcycle Diaries”“Sideways”

Best foreign language film of the year: “As It Is in Heaven” Sweden

“The Chorus (Les Choristes)” France “Downfall” Germany

“The Sea Inside” Spain “Yesterday” South Africa

For more information on the AcadamyAwards, visit www.oscars.org

January 27, 2005 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 10

humorous how distasteful the stereotypesare, such as the all-starblack basketball playerwhose daily attire includessweats and gold chains, andthe typical, chubbyMexican girls with clothestoo tight for them and thin,penciled-in eyebrows. Itseems that Sittenfeld triestoo hard to convey to thereader that his charactersare ethnic. At first it didn’tseem to faze me, but afterso many of the references, Iwanted to slam the bookshut. However, somethingabout the entire plot piqued

my interest, regardless of how predictableit was.

Without meaning tocompletely disparage theentire novel, it does have itsgood chapters. It wasSittenfeld’s first novel, andmaybe with a bit more prac-tice she will not make thesame mistakes. The bookwas entertaining, and it willappeal to those who wouldenjoy reading about a younggirl who develops into awoman, and encounters sev-eral obstacles along the waythat serve as lessons in lifeand love.

PPRREEPP continued from page 7

Friday night activities for college students inthe Rio Grande Valley are limited. Movie the-aters can become too expensive, dinner and danc-ing does not appeal to everyone, but movierentals are convenient.

It doesn’t take much to gain a membershipto a local video store; most require valid identifi-cation and a major credit card. The selection isvast: VHS, DVDs and games. From new releas-es to old favorites, there is something for every-one. So, why isn’t everyone rushing out to rentmovies?

New companies, such as Netflix andMovielink as well as programs that allow mem-bers to download movies for free like KazaGoldare changing movie renter habits. DVDs can alsobe rented by mail and information is available onwww.DVD-Rental-Recommendations.com. Thepopularity of movie piracy has also hinderedmovie rentals.

Not only that, but conventional rental meth-ods are pricey.

“It’s too expensive at national chains,” saidNeddy Cepeda, a sophomore kinesiology major.“That’s why I prefer Video Stop, a local videostore.”

Mayra Aguillon, shift leader of theBlockbuster in Mission, said that rentals areaffordable.

“All DVDs are $4.32 and new release VHScosts $4.10,” Aguillon said.

On top of that, their new “No Late Fees”campaign is popular with consumers, and thosewho did acquire late fees in Dec. 2004 are beingcomplimented with a free movie rental.

According to Aguillon, before the programwas implemented, patrons were charged $2.17for every day a rental was returned late. This wayof dealing with tardiness angered many cus-tomers.

According to Cepeda, that’s why studentslook elsewhere for their weekend movie rentals.

Now, with the new program, customers areentitled to a three to four day grace period.

“All rentals are for two days, but with NoLate Fees, now people can keep the movie for upto five days with out penalties,” Aguillon said.

The frequently asked questions (FAQ) onwww.blockbuster.com clarify the consequencesoverdue movies.

According to the Web site, “if a memberchooses to keep a rental item more than a week

after the end of the rental period, Blockbuster willautomatically convert the rental to a sale on theeighth (8th) day after the end of the rental peri-od.”

Using this formula, if a movie has a sellingprice of $15.99 and was rented at $4.32, therenter’s account will be charged $11.67.

However, the Web site also stated, “If themember returns the item within 30 days of thesale date, Blockbuster will credit back …theamount previously charged…but the memberwill be charged a minimal restocking fee.”

In comparing the old late fee rules and thenew No Late Fees rule saves the customer a fewdollars. Blockbuster has modified its late chargesinto a sale instead of a fee.

Other video stores in the Valley, such as

Hollywood Video, also have late-fee programs. According to Hollywood Video Store

Director Abel De Leon, all rentals are for fivedays.

“If the customer keeps the movie for oneday past the five, they are charged a re-rental fee,”De Leon said. “They can then keep it for up tofive more days.”

Rental fees at Hollywood Video set allDVDs for $3.99, new release VHS at $3.76 andolder VHS at $1.99.

Hollywood Video does not seem to bemoved by the new Blockbuster campaign.

“We pride ourselves on being a customer-oriented environment helping make movierentals an experience for the customer,” De Leonsaid.

Before going out to rent a video, be aware ofall the stores’ policies and requirements tobecome a member.

By SARAI GARCIAThe Pan American

Rentals free of fees

“All rentals are for two

days, but with No Late

Fees, now people can keep

the movie for up to five

days,”

-Mayra Aguillon,

Blockbuster shift leader

Joel de la Rosa/The Pan American

STRUMMING— Kurt Martinez, professor in the music department, filled the air with a series of

guitar masterpieces Tuesday night in the art building. This event kicks off a number of faculty

and student recitals for the spring 2005 semester.

When asked how he felt about thecurrent elections, he responded, “Ifeel really great, because for so longwe lived under a dictatorship. Weanticipate a positive change.”

He also added “that to change acountry from the way it was to theway we are hoping will take a longtime.” He said that observers mustconsider that most Iraqis under 45have lived most or all their livesunder the rule of Saddam Hussein,who was desposed in Gulf War II.

Recent media coverage hasshown the insurgency’s violentopposition to what it sees asAmerican occupation, and to theupcoming election. However, whenMahdi was asked if he felt the Iraqipeople supported the elections, hesaid: “Yes, I would say 85-to-90 per-cent of the population does. Theywill elect 275 officials to governtheir country in all, so this is veryexciting.”

The elected members of thenational assembly will begin by con-structing a constitution.

One of the joys of this electionis that eligible Iraqi-Americans willalso be allowed to vote, howeverMahdi will not be able to do sobe-cause only five different electionlocations were assigned in theUnited States: in Nashville,Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, andWashington. The registrationprocess for Iraq citizens living out-side their country and in this one

ended Tuesday, and according to theUSA TODAY, over 24,000 expatri-ates have registered to vote. Thereare about 1.2 million Iraqi exiles eli-gible to vote in 14 countries, howev-er only 10 percent of Americanexiles have signed up. Locationproblems may have limited theirability to take part in an historicoccasion.

“I really expected it to be clos-er, but unfortunately I would have tomake two trips to Nashville, whichis the closest location for me. Onetrip would be for registering, and theother for the actual vote,” Mahdisaid.

He added that this was disap-pointing, because he thought therewould be a voting location a littlecloser, at least one here in the stateof Texas. He has nothing bad to sayabout that, because as he put it, “it’sthe first time we do this, so whatev-er arrangements they made, we sup-port them totally.”

When asked if his own familywould be voting back home, he said,“yes, every single one of them willbe voting.”

He has three brothers and twosisters who live in Iraq. Mahdi, likemost Iraqis and Americans, said heis hopeful that Iraq will become anew democratic country.

“Despite all the threats, mostpeople there are looking to give sup-port to the new Iraq,” Mahdi said.

January 27, 2005 NNEEWWSS Page 11

IRAQ continued from page 1

Massachusetts hospitals. An article in The Boston Globe last year said that the

Catholic Church and other anti-abortion supporters organizeda lobbying campaign against the legislation, labeling themeasure "an attack on religious freedom.”

In that same article, Gerry D’Avolio, executive directorof the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, expressed concernabout how the measure would affect Catholic hospitals.

"It’s trying to force our Catholic hospitals to do some-thing we shouldn’t and couldn’t do,” D’Avolio said. “It’s try-ing to force standard care in emergency rooms not everyoneagrees on."

Moreover, Plan B supporters claim that making the pillavailable without a prescription would help alleviate the num-ber of unplanned pregnancies and abortions in the UnitedStates.

The claim was challenged by Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Esq.,of the U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life, in an article fea-tured in The Catholic News Agency.

Ruse stated that recent research co-authored by PlannedParenthood found no evidence supporting the idea that Plan Bhelped reduce pregnancy and abortion rates.

“This study blows the lid off the main argument for put-ting morning-after pills on the drugstores shelf,” Ruse said.“Our message to the FDA remains the same: putting Plan Bon the drugstore shelf is bad policy and bad medicine.”

Supporters, on the other hand, stand by Plan B, arguingthat emergency contraception helps people be responsibleabout bringing a child into this world.

Planned Parenthood, a pro-choice organization, pro-motes birth control in all forms, and believes that access toemergency contraceptives is imperative because it gives peo-ple an opportunity to be responsible about their reproductive

choices. Kathryn Hearn, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood in

McAllen, said that not everyone who is sexually active is sex-ually educated or ready to be a parent.

“We believe that raising a child is very important and noteveryone is prepared to do so,” Hearn said. “People aren’tperfect; birth control isn’t perfect so the least we can do ishelp folks be responsible about their parenting by preventingunplanned pregnancies.”

Hearn also said that Plan B does not stop or hurt an exis-tent pregnancy and that it is more effective within 72 hours ofintercourse.

Experts agree that the best way to avoid emergencieswould be to use any of the birth control forms such as Depo-Provera, also known as The Shot, POPs - regular birth controlpills - and Diaphragms or cervical caps, among others.

Ruben Zavala, Edinburg Med-Aid Pharmacy manager,said that the FDA usually bases approval upon a medicine’sside effects and possible abuse.

“There are side effects to this contraceptive and noteveryone reacts the same to it,” Zavala said. “People need topay attention to their health before taking this medicine. Forexample, if a person smokes, drinks or has diabetes, they canexpect different side effects than those who don’t.”

Others argue that side effects are not what keeps Plan Bon the FDA's black list.

A student at The University of Texas Pan-American,whose name will not be revealed for confidentiality purposes,said that she has used Plan B and is convinced that politicalfavors, not side effects, are behind the contraceptive’s contro-versy.

“Let’s face it. It’s all about a hidden agenda and the Bushadministration is pushing it. Side effects are not the issue.I’ve seen cough medicines with worse side effects than Plan

B’s,” she said. “I can’t believe how much they’ve manipulat-ed this situation. They’re trying to justify an oversexed soci-ety by blaming it on a contraceptive.”

For more information on emergency contraceptives visita doctor or contact Planned Parenthood at (956) 686-0585.

PLAN B continued from page 1

ARTE — Mabel Cortina, assistant event coordinator for the Office of International Programs, oversees preparationfor the upcoming “400 Years of Don Quixote” exhibit and presentation scheduled to take place at the Library Galleryon Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. Celebrating four centuries since the novel was first published, the event will feature guest speak-ers from the Instituto Technologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey joined by Dr. Lino Garcia, UTPA professorand owner of the exhibition pieces.

Classified Ads are now being accepted by The Pan American

Reach over 17,000 students. Call 956-381-2541 for more information about placing your Classified Ad.

The 411 onPlan B

Plan B’s Cost: $35

Possible side effects:Nausea

VomitingHeadache

Breast TendernessIrregular menstrual period

Lower stomach pain

Information courtesy of Med-Aid Pharmacy

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

January 27, 2005 NNEEWWSS Page 12

STUDENT LOAN continued from page 3

Teacher credit unionoffers positive perks

Across from UTPA, on 900 W.University Drive, is the EdinburgTeacher’sCredit Union, where the philoso-phy is “people taking care of people.”

The ETCU has existed since May 2,1955. James Neaville, the senior vice presi-dent of operations, said that ETCU “…is anon-profit, member-owned and community-based cooperative financial institution.”

“Which in theory,” Neaville said,“means each member is an owner, and wedonot have shareholders.”

To become a member, one must be anemployee or a family member of anemployee from a local surrounding schooldistrict in the region, such as Edcouch-Elsa,The University of Texas-Pan American, orLa Villa ISD.

If a person fits these criteria, then theymust make an initial membership deposit of$25 in a savings account and pay a one-timefee of $1.

“Once a member,” Neaville said, relay-ing the company motto, “always a member.”

When applicants have become members,they are entitled to all the services theETCU

Offers, including low service fees andloan rates, interest-earning checkingaccounts, and direct depositing, plus auto-matic payroll deduction for paychecks. Theinstitution has in addition started to offer‘Quick Cash,’ as well as a revolving line of

credit.Unlike banks, the ETCU doesn’t have

stockholders. Neither does it have businessor commercial accounts. This outfit, like allcredit unions, was established to benefit tar-geted employee groups. Banks handle thebusiness aspect by rewarding outside stock-holders with earnings, while the ETCU usesearnings to benefit members.

“A full-service financial institution forpeople,” Neaville added, “who a lot of peo-ple need and appreciate.”

At UTPA, many staff and faculty aremembers of the Edinburg Texas CreditUnion, including William Turk, a politicalscience professor who has taught at the uni-versity and been a member of ETCU for 15years.

“Its convenient to the university,” hecommented, “It’s very close.”

Turk went on to say that as a facultyadvisor, when the group has money, they-keep it at the ETCU.

“All banks are equal,” said Turk. ”Peopledo business because they like the businessthat they do there. I’m able to deposit mymoney and write checks.”

On average Turk goes to the credit unionat least once a month, and he added he has-n’t any complaints after 15 years of service.

“It’s nice because your dealing withlocal people and see lots of students whowork there part-time,” Turk said. “It’s alocal company that’s nice to do businesswith.”

By RENEE CAVAZOSThe Pan American

Plus Loan, which covers the cost of school thatcould not be covered by the rest of financial aid.

The Federal Perkins Loan and the FederalStafford Subsidized Loan are given out to stu-dents who show financial need. The FederalStafford Unsubsidized Loan is given out to stu-dents who did not receive the Federal StaffordSubsidized Loan.

The Federal Perkins Loan can give up to theamount of $4,000 an academic year and must berepaid nine months after the student leaves col-lege. The interest rate is five percent.

The Federal Stafford Subsidized andUnsubsidized Loans amounts given differdepending on the student’s classification.Freshmen are allotted up $2,625, sophomorescan receive $3,500 and all other upper-classmanare eligible for $5,500. The interest for theseloans change however it up does not go past 8.5percent. Payments begin six months after thestudent leaves college.

These loans that are processed by the univer-sity are made possible by the government and alending company called COSTEP.

COSTEP is a government-funded servicingagent of student loans. Through what’s knownas Title V their representatives are able to awardstudents loans once the university they areattending has approved them.

“The best way to receive a loan is by fillingout FAFSA,” a COSTEP employee in McAllenstressed. “Many students do not fill one outbecause they don’t think they will receive anyaid. But in order to receive a loan with the gov-ernment through their school they need to fill

one out.”The employee continued to explain that the

best way to fill the FAFSA form out is to do itonline; it’s the quickest way for the governmentto receive it.

“Students are also going to need to fill out theFAFSA as soon as possible,” the employee said.“The best time is as soon as they or their parentshave filed their 2004 income tax.”

With all the money available, some studentsstill feel hesitant about borrowing too muchmoney since the consequence of paying theloans back could be steep.

“All I know is when I graduate I have to callsomeone or wait for them to harass me,” saidsenior art major Clarisa Y. Martinez. “I took outa small amount so I’m not too worried but it willeventually catch up with me. I don’t think I willever take out another student loan again.”

The university also issues the EmergencyLoan, which any student can apply for as long asthey are in good standing with the university.The Emergency Loan covers the amount oftuition and fees for one semester and must bepaid back before the semester is over.

“Just be careful,” warns junior theatre artsmajor Cecil Castle. “Remember, you have topay these back. Try to find the loans with thelowest interest rates as possible and ones thatyou do not have to pay the interest back imme-diately.”

The best advice a student can give you whohas taken out loans is plan ahead, get the loanthrough the school and if you are unsure aboutsomething, ask questions.

SNACKS continued from page 3

school.Communication disorders sophomore

Shannon Flanagan stated, “I think it’s real-ly good that they are doing that for us.Every time I go to the vending machines, Itry to avoid sweets and search for some-thing more nutritious.”

School, as well as family and culture,can influence the food choices studentsmake. Initially, it is up to the individual todecide whether they want to eat healthy ornot.

When asked what was currently beingdone to improve the health of the students,Joe Martinez, supervisor of the C-Store inthe UTPA Student Union, “We try toaccommodate as many students as we can.We would like to get more input from thestudents as to what they want.

“Some of the students may not like thechange and a lot of students like to eat thecandy to stay awake,” said Martinez. “Iknow I would rather eat a candy bar over agranola bar any day.”

SCHUNIOR VILLAGE926 ENGLISH, EDINBURG1/2 BLOCK FROM UTPA

NEW 2 BEDROOM 2 BATH, ENHANCED SECURITYALARM SYSTEM, GATED ENTRY TO COMPLEX,BUIT-IN COMPUTER DESK WITH CONVENIENT

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CALL 358-6919 FOR MOVE IN SPECIAL

program offered at the university.“We have two degree programs, a bache-

lor of science in computer science and amaster’s degree in computer science,” saidGustavo Dietrich, a computer science lec-turer.

“We are also hoping to add a Ph.D pro-gram in the future, “ he added.

UTPA is the only college in the area tooffer a master’s degree in computer science.According to The University of Texas-Brownsville Web site, UTB only offers abachelor’s.

The computer science program offersand receives internships and grants fromsome of the best companies in the UnitedStates.

“We frequently are offered grants fromsuch companies as Microsoft for undergrad-uate research,” said Dietrich.

Not only does the computer science pro-gram receive grant money from major com-panies, but students are also allowed to par-ticipate in internships, and some have alsobeen hired afterward.

“These companies offer great internships

during the summer, the experience is great,”said Dietrich.

“Students have been hired to work forcompanies such as Exxon, IBM, Microsoft,Intel and Lockheed Martin,” he added. “Wealso receive calls from them stating that theyare very pleased by the quality of studentsthat they hire from UTPA.”

In past years the computer science pro-gram had trouble keeping the program avail-able for students, due to lack of funding andlow enrollment. However, they now hope tomake it a permanent program in the Collegeof Science and Engineering.

To help those students that have selectedcomputer science as their major, a mentoringprogram has been initiated to help them stayon track.

“We have mentors that meet with stu-dents several times a week and help dealwith both college and non-college issues,”said Dietrich.

In essence, the computer science programis an asset to the university, but its missionwill be to expand itself in order to providethe best program in the area.

COLLEGE continued from page 3

FOR THE RECORD

LAST A.D. CANDIDATE VISITS Decision for Weidner replacement looms

This week Rance Pugmire, the final potential candidate for theathletic director position vacated by William J. Weidner in November,will be interviewed by UTPA administrators, faculty, and communitymembers.

Pugmire, the former director of athletics at Utah State from 1999 to2004, has been unemployed after being arrested for suspicion ofdriving under the influence of alcohol in February 2004.

In a recent interview, James Langabeer, UTPA vice president forBusiness Affairs, said all candidates were chosen after extensivebackground checks by the appointed search committee.

“We want a person with honesty, integrity, and a person that caresabout students,” said Langabeer in an interview with the Monitorearlier this month.

He said he would likely decide the new hire no more than 24 hoursafter the final candidate has left campus. In that case, UTPA shouldhave a new leader in the Athletic Department by the end of this week.

GANDARA FOLLOWS FOOTSTEPSBronc runner honored as Keating before him

The University of Texas-Pan American junior transfer HectorGandara was honored as the Independent Runner of the Year, asselected by cross country coaches of NCAA Division I Independentinstitutions.

With the honor, Gandara joins Wesley Keating, who was the otherBronc to win the award (in 2002 and 2003). Keating was redshirtedlast year but returns to the track in 2005.

This past season Gandara captured two invitational crowns, firstwith his performance at the Texas State Invitational with a time of27:01 in his Bronc début. He also capped off the regular season bywinning the Independent Championships individual title with a time of25:38 in the 5K. By winning he became the third consecutive Bronc towin that race.

Gandara also qualified for the NCAA Division I South CentralRegional Championships. An injury kept him from running at his fullpotential, but he still managed to finish 50th out of 127, tops on theteam.

NO FINAL WORD ON T.O.Eagle star’s status hangs in balance

It seems that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens hasnot been cleared by his physician to suit up against the New EnglandPatriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 6, as the flashy receiver suggestedearlier this week.

Rick Burkholder, head trainer for the Eagles, told AP sports writerRob Maaddi that Owens has started to jog, and is also continuing hisrehabilitation on the injured ankle so that he play with his team inJacksonville in less than two weeks. The ultimate decision will bemade by Owens, Coach Andy Reed and the team medical staff.

Dr. Mark Myerson was the physician who inserted two screws intoOwens’ right ankle and a plate outside of the ankle days later. Theinjury occurred when Dallas Cowboy safety Roy Williams tackled“T.O.” after a catch, sidelining the league’s top pass-catcher. TheEagles won the game but dropped their last two of the regular seasonwith Owens out of action.

While active, Owens led Philadelphia with 77 catches for 1,200years and 14 TDs. The Eagles have managed to make it to SuperBowl XXXIX without him by beating Minnesota andAtlanta.Quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back BrianWestbrook put up the numbers to carry them past the NFC title game.

Philadelphia last appeared in the Super Bowl in 1980, losing to theOakland Raiders. New England has won two of the last three Bowls.

January 27, 2005 SPORTS Page 13

SPORTSCLIPBOARD

NFLWild Card Games

Saturday, Jan. 8 St. Louis 27, Seattle 20

N.Y. Jets 20, San Diego 17 OT

Sunday, Jan. 9Indianapolis 49, Denver 24

Minnesota 31, Green Bay 17

Divisional PlayoffsSaturday, Jan. 15

Pittsburgh 20, N.Y. Jets 17

Atlanta 47, St. Louis 17

Sunday, Jan. 16Philadelphia 27, Minnesota 14

New England 20, Indianapolis 3

ConferenceChampionships

Sunday, Jan. 23NFC Championship Game

Philadelphia 27, Atlanta 10.

AFC Championship Game

New England 41, Pittsburgh 27

Super Bowl XXXIXSunday, Feb. 6

Philadelphia vs. New England

Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.

AFC-NFC Pro Bowl Sunday, Feb. 13

Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii

Note: All times central standard time

Intramural Rec-Sports

4-4 VolleyballEntry due: Jan. 28

Games begin: Feb. 1

Punt-Pass-KickEntry due: Feb. 3

Games begin: Feb. 1

SoftballEntry due: Feb. 4

Games begin: Feb. 7

SoccerEntry due: Feb. 4

Games begin: Feb. 7

Note: Applications can be picked up at

Bronc Village Apt. #2101 or call 292-0839

UTPA SPORTS

Baseball

2004 seasonUTPA

BATTING

AB R H HR RBI AVG

Powers 23 4 8 0 3 .348

Alamia 182 39 59 4 28 .324

Eichel 113 17 34 3 22 .301

Flowers 170 27 48 0 19 .282

RodriguezP. 42 6 11 0 6 .262

RodriguezM. 23 2 5 1 9 .217

Broyles 168 23 35 0 19 .208

Pena 5 1 1 0 0 .200

Padron 37 7 6 0 2 162

Totals 763 126 207 8 108 .256

PITCHING

W-L GS SV SO IP ERA

Rodriguez 1-1 2 0 10 20.1 3.56

Linder 2-2 0 2 23 41.0 4.39

Broyles 0-3 0 9 16 12.1 5.11

Pena 3-2 3 0 17 27.0 5.33

Foster 0-2 5 0 18 32.0 7.31

Guerra 0-5 2 1 16 28.0 9.64

Totals 6-15 12 12 100 160.2 5.89

Men’s Golf 2-7-05 Rice Intercollegiate

2-8-05 Rice intercollegiate

2-14-05 Matlock Collegiate Classic

2-15-05 Matlock Collegiate Classic

3-1-05 Roadrunner Intercollgiate

3-2-05 Roadrunner Intercollgiate

4-11-05 Cowboy Classic

4-12-05 Cowboy Classic

4-16-05 Boilermaker Invitational

4-17-05 Boilermaker Invitational

Women’s Golf 2-28-05 Mo-morial Invitational

3-1-05 Mo-morial Invitational

3-11-05 St. Croix Collegiate Classic

3-12-05 St. Croix Collegiate Classic

3-24-05 Baylor-Tapatio Spring Shootout

3-25-05 Baylor-Tapatio Spring Shootout

3-26-05 Baylor-Tapatio Spring Shootout

4-4-05 Bobcat Invitational

4-5-05 Bobcat Invitational

Basketball

Men’s BoxJAN. 26, 2005

TAMUCC 66, UTPA 61UTPA

FG FT Reb

min M-A M-A O-D-T A Pts

East 22 2-3 4-4 2-2-4 0 8

Berry 27 1-9 2-3 2-0-2 5 3

Fagan 29 3-8 2-2 2-5-7 3 9

Sanchez 34 3-7 0-0 0-2-2 3 8

Montalvo 35 5-11 1 -1 2-1-3 1 13

Castillo 17 3-9 0-0 1 -2-3 0 8

Lange 5 0-0 0-0 1-1-2 0 0

Gedminas 31 4-6 3-5 1-2-3 1 11

Totals 200 21-53 12-15 13-17-30 13 66

Percentages: FG .396 FT .800. 3-Point 7-

31 (Castillo 2, Sanchez 2, Montalvo 2,

Fagan 1). Blocked shots: 1 (Berry 1).

Turnovers: 18 (Berry 7, Fagan 6, Montalvo

2, Lange 1, Gedminas 1, Sanchez 1).

Steals: 10 (Berry 5, Montalvo 2, East 1,

Fagan 1, Castillo 1). Personal Fouls: 12

(Berry 3, Montalvo 3, Gedminas 2, East 1,

Sanchez 1, Fagan 1, Lange 1).

TAMUCC

FG FT Reb

min M-A M-A O-D-T A Pts

Bailey Th. 36 6-13 0-0 2-1-3 1 12

Bailey Tr. 35 8-14 2-2 0-0-0 3 21

Mitchell 25 1-4 2-2 0-0-0 2 4

Engelken 16 2-3 0-0 2-3-5 0 5

Lamkin 34 4-8 2-2 2-4-6 5 10

Stokes 22 2-3 1-2 2-3-5 1 5

Ervin 15 1-4 2-2 1-3-4 2 5

Jackson 10 2-5 0-0 1-1-2 1 4

White 7 0-1 0-0 0-1-1 1 0

Totals 200 26-55 9-10 12-19-31 16 66

Percentages: FG .473 FT .900 3-Point

goals: 5-15, .333 (Bailey Tr. 3, Engelken 1,

Ervin1). Blocked shots: 2 (Bailey Th. 2).

Turnovers: 17 (Bailey Tr. 6, Lamkin 4,

Mitchell 3, Engelken 2, Bailey Th. 1).

Steals: 4 (Ervin 2, Lamkin 1, Bailey Th. 1).

Personal Fouls: 13 (Bailey Tr. 3, Jackson

3, Bailey Th. 2, Lamkin 2, Stokes 1,

Ervin1, White 1 ).

UTPA.................29 32- 61

TAMUCC...........28 38- 66

Women’s BoxJAN. 22, 2005

UTPA 70, IPFW 59UTPA

FG FT Reb

min M-A M-A O-D-T A Pts

Guin 16 2-4 0-0 0-0-0 2 5

Reed 32 4-7 6-9 2-4-6 4 14

Daniel 36 6-7 7-11 1-5-6 1 19

Montaque 23 3-7 0-0 0-3-3 1 9

Schamel 18 2-4 2-2 0-1-1 1 6

Wilson 22 2-3 2-2 1-1-2 1 7

Roberts 6 0-1 0-0 0-0-0 1 0

Piwonka 4 0-0 0-0 0-1-1 0 0

Pierce 16 0-3 1-2 1-6-7 0 1

Gooden 15 1-3 3-5 2-4-6 0 5

Cheadle 12 2-3 0-0 0-1-1 1 4

Totals 200 22-42 21-31 8-30-30 12 70

Percentages: FG .524, FT .677 3-Point

goals: 5-12, .417 (Montaque 3, Guin 1,

Wilson 1). Blocked shots: 4 (Daniel 1,

Schamel 1, Montague 1, Pierce 1).

Turnovers: 23 (Montague 4, Guin 4,

Roberts 3, Daniel 3, Schamel 3, Wilson 2,

Pierce 2, Reed 1, Gooden 1). Steals: 8

(Daniel 3, Reed 2, Roberts 1, Pierce 1,

Cheadle 1). Personal Fouls: 17 (Reed 3,

Schamel 3, Pierce 3, Daniel 3, Wilson 2,

Cheadle 2, Montaque 1).

INDIANA-PURDUE FORT WAYNE

FG FT Reb

min M-A M-A O-D-T A Pts

Johnson 21 2-4 3-4 1-2-3 1 8

Nicley 25 1-6 3-4 1-2-3 1 6

Martin 18 1-6 0-0 0-1-1 3 3

O’Connell 26 3-10 0-1 3-4-7 0 8

Bibbs 26 3-6 2-2 5-3-8 0 8

Lewis 31 5-14 6-8 1-2-3 2 18

Green 17 0-1 2-2 0-0-0 0 2

Glowacki 11 1-2 0-0 0-0-0 2 3

Murdock 25 1-8 0-0 1-2-3 0 3

Totals 200 17-57 16-21 13-20-33 9 59

Percentages: FG .298 FT .762 3-Point

goals: 9-27, .333 (O’Connell 2, Lewis 2,

Johnson 1, Nicley 1, Martin 1, Glowacki 1,

Murdock 1). Blocked shots: 0. Turnovers:

17 (O’Connell 3, Lewis 3, Glowacki 3,

Johnson 2, Nicley 2, Martin 1, Bibbs 1,

Green 1, Murdock 1). Steals: 14 (Lewis 7,

Nicley 2, O’Connell 2, Johnson 1,

Glowacki 1, Murdock 1). Personal Fouls:

23 (Johnson 5, Bibbs 5, Lewis 5, Nicley 2,

O’Connell 2, Murdock 2, Green 1,

Glowacki1).

UTPA........................31 39- 70

IPFW.........................33 26- 59

January 27, 2005 SSPPOORRTTSS Page 14

Broncs drop thriller to visiting Islanders, 66-61

Everything started well for theBroncs Wednesday. The crowd of2,637 saw a team on a roll from its firstroad win, last week over Alcorn State.Sergio Sanchez returned despite a braceon his recovering wrist, but in the endeven Alvaidas Gedminas’ notable effortplaying with a broken foot couldn’t pullthe Broncs past five measly points.

The game ended with a loss, TexasA&M-Corpus’s 66 to UTPA’s 61, but itwasn’t decided until the waningminutes. Despite having a halftime leadthe Broncs let Corpus storm out of thegates quickly in the second half, andthough they battled back, neverregained the lead from the visitingIslanders.

“We knew we could play with themand we felt like we were better thanthem and should have won the game,”said Bronc Coach Robert Davenport,whose team is now 9-10 for the year.“But when you don’t take care of thebasketball and have 18 [total] turnoversit’s hard to score.”

In the first half, the highlyanticipated return of senior guardSanchez to the Field House came andwent. It was overshadowed by a Broncoffense that kept a narrow lead overIndependent rival Corpus (13-6) by atleast four points most of the way. Thefirst half sealed shut with UTPA

leading the Islanders 29-28. The gamewas tied only twice and the leadchanged only once.

In the second half, referees weretrampled as play got more physical, andthe win seemed to hinge on oneimportant factor. The team whocontrolled the momentum, and the leadwould take the game.

UTPA trailed by as much as 12points with six minutes left beforenarrowing the gap to one point (59-58)with two and a half minutes to go.

“During that stretch we took care ofthe ball and we played good offenseand good defense and played where wewere supposed to,” Davenport said.“But the game was dictated in the firstfive minutes in the second half that’swhy I told our team in the locker roombefore we started we have to control thebasketball, we have to make goodshots…from then on we were diggingout of a hole.”

The Broncs closed to within one at62-61 with 30 seconds left. TheIslanders capitalized on a last-ditchcharity effort by Travis Bailey for twopoints, and a Bronc foul accounted fortwo more free throws and the win forthe rivals from the north.

Senior guard Eric Montalvo led theBroncs in points with 13, going 5 of 11from the field with three rebounds.Matt Berry led the team with fiveassists and five steals, while ChrisFagan collected seven rebounds, but

the pair also combined for 13turnovers.

“It was a hard loss,” Montalvo said.“ We came back, fought hard, [but]didn’t take care of the ball…we have tocome back tomorrow and bounce backfrom it, bounce back and get ready forSaturday.”

For the game the Broncs werewoeful from downtown, converting justseven of 31 three-pointers while theIslanders attempted half as many treysand managed to shoot 47.3 percentoverall from the field to 39.6 for theBroncs. Somehow the team managed tolead at the half although it made justthree of 16 threes, though they did snag20 of a game total of 30 rebounds in thefirst half.

The return of their injured stars didprovide a boost.

Gedminas, hampered by the injury,scored 11 points, shooting 4 for 6 fromthe field with just three rebounds, lessthan half his usual average. Sanchezfinished 3 for 7 with eight points, threeassists and two three-pointers.

“I was hoping to contribute, I washoping we’d get the win,” saidSanchez, who is working his way intoshape after being out for three weeks.“It really doesn’t matter how manypoints I got…the brace in my hand isbothering me a little bit, I have to stickit through for another week or so.”

The Broncs next face NorthernColorado on Saturday, Jan. 29.

By JOEY GOMEZThe Pan American

The 2005UTPA baseballteam has a mentorand fan in theupper echelons ofp r o f e s s i o n a lbaseball.

Jim Hickey,current interimpitching coachfor the HoustonAstros, came totown last Fridayand offered hispersonal reflectionabout this

season's baseball team."I told them, in my opinion, what it took

to be successful," Hickey said.Hickey expressed his disbelief at the

UTPA team's youth, and his unfamiliaritywith talent on this year's squad. He alsonoted a world of difference on campus.

"Just to see the growth of McAllen,Edinburg, and the campus in particular ispretty impressive," Hickey said. "I thinkthese guys have a good attitude as well asa winning attitude."

Hickey joined Houston from Triple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs last July, after 14years of experience as a pitching coach. In2002, he was selected as a coach for theMLB All-Star Futures Game and wasnamed Astros Player Development Man ofthe Year that year.

“I was honored, I really was, whencoach [Gawlik] called me and told me hewanted to make me a part of this weekendI was very happy,” “Hickey said about the2nd Annual Baseball ScholarshipTournament. "I haven't been back in quitesome time so I'm looking forward to it."

At UTPA Hickey was a first team All-American selection in 1983, finishing 16-2with a 1.66 ERA. He struck out 109 battersin 130.1 innings with only 19 walks. Hejoined the Chicago White Sox in the 13thround of the '83 draft, spending eight yearsplaying in the minor leagues with the Sox,Los Angeles Dodgers, and Astros.

Hickey is one of two former UTPAplayers coaching in the majors. CurrentFlorida Marlins first base coach Perry Hillis the other. The long path he took to themajors is a good model for other Broncs tofollow.

“It's not always the most talentedperson that ends up winning the race,there's dedication, the right attitude,”Hickey said.

“To be able to give something back tothe program that allowed me everyopportunity I ever got in baseball, and tohave a chance to maybe help the program,maybe help the kids get a little bit better,maybe influence the kid who is decidingwhere to go to school to come down here.That’s a great feeling.”

On deck, the Bronc season begins Feb.4 with the UTPA Classic at EdinburgBaseball Stadium; the six-gametournament lasts until Feb. 6.

Star of ‘83 makes returnBy JOEY GOMEZThe Pan American

JIM HICKEY

Marcos Cervantes /The Pan American

BLOCK THIS - UTPA’s Chris Fagan tosses in a putbackover Corey Lamkin in UTPA’s loss to Texas A&M-CorpusChristi last night at the Field House.

Manley jumps to actionLone high jumper in final season

Track season is hereonce again and this yearat the University ofTexas-Pan American,among the hopefuls,there will be one seniorhigh jumper with somelofty goals.

Marlin Manley isexpected to be one ofthe team leaders as thisseason will be his last

go-around. The experienced high jumper hashopes of breaking some records, and willbegin that quest at the first meet of the year,the Houston Indoor Classic on Friday Jan.28.

Manley, a Hampton, Va., native, made asignificant impact upon arriving at UTPA.During the 2002 season he captured the highjump championship at the UTSA-Whataburger Relays with a jump of 6-foot-63/4. He also recorded a second-place finish atthe 2002 Angela Proctor in Edinburg with ajump of 6-6. Manley then finished fourth inthe Houston Indoor Classic against some stiffcompetition.

In his sophomore year (2003) he competedin the outdoor season and compiled fivesecond-place finishes. During the sameseason, he recorded a jump of 6-10 3/4 at theTexas Relays in Austin, Texas, which put himsecond on the Bronc all-time single-jumplist.

He is the only men’s jumper on the teamthis season.

Last season Manley again had a jump of 6-10 3/4, just off the record. He also earned aninvitation to the NCAA Division I Midwest

Regional Championship at Texas A&M inCollege Station. During the remainder of theoutdoor track season Manley finished first atboth the Bayou Classic and the BorderOlympics, with marks of 6-8 3/4 and 6-8.

During the 2004 season he also finishedsecond at the Whataburger-UTSA Relays. Hethen wrapped up the indoor track and fieldseason with a fourth-place finish with a jumpof 6-6 at the Houston Runsport All-Cornersmeet.

Manley has racked up five of the school’stop 10 jumps all time, despite the fact thatwhen he started he didn’t know what he wasdoing.

“I’m more or less like a raw jumper… soa lot of it was off of natural ability naturaland power,” said Manley.

This expectations and goals are high forManley, but the pressure is something thatdoesn’t faze him. Some of his goals includejumping 6-11 in the indoor track season and7-1 in the outdoor season. Although the goalshe has set for himself are high, literally, hefeels they are attainable.

“Of course the record’s there and I want tograb the record ‘cause it’s a ridiculous heightthat I’ve cleared thousands of times, but forsome reason I haven’t been able to clear itduring the season.”

The cool, calm and confident Manley feelsthis season is one where he will giveeverything that he has left, because it will behis last as a collegian. He hopes hard workand experience will make this his best seasonever; he says he hopes to leave everythingout there on the track.

“I trained a lot harder in the off-season andI’m actually a lot stronger this season…when it’s your last go-around you tend to putmore into it,” said Manley.

January 27, 2005 SSPPOORRTTSS Page 15

With the spring semester well underway, the UTPA men’s and women’s trackand field teams are preparing for theiropening meets in Houston. Friday theteams will be at the Houston IndoorClassic, and on Saturday, Feb. 5 theBroncs will be at the Hyatt RegencyInvitational.

UTPA Track and Field Head CoachRicky Vaughn is looking forward toseeing the season start this weekend.

“I just want to get everybody out thereto establish a mark and see where theyare at,” said Vaughn. “There are a coupleof people, Amy Moses and Isaac Ybarra,who have a chance to go to the NCAAChampionships. Hopefully we can getout there and get the provisional mark.”

The provisional mark is the minimumaccepted for an athlete to get to theindoor championship. Getting theprovisional mark doesn’t necessarilymean the athlete is automatically in.

There is also an automatic mark thatguarantees a competitor a spot in thechampionship. The number of totalathletes competing and their resultsdetermine how many advance.

Ybarra, a senior, will be competing inthe weight throw and shot put at theHouston meets. His goals are clear.

“No doubt making the championshipfor both indoor and outdoor (are mygoals),” said the Broncs senior.

Moses, a senior, is happy to have theseason starting.

“I guess I’m just really excited to beback (competing) in indoor,” saidMoses. “I love indoor season.”

Moses also is determined tomake the NCAA Championshipsthis year.

“I know for indoor I want todo really well. I want to place,”said Moses. “The last time Iwent I choked, sohopefully I amlooking forward toa good time upthere inFayetteville.”

The NCAAchampionships willtake place in at theUniversity ofArkansas, inFayetteville onMarch 11 and 12.

Vaughn is alsoworking with someof the distancerunners in

preparation for theTyson Invitational, also taking place atthe University of Arkansas, Feb. 11 and12.

“A couple of our distance runnerswe’re getting ready and priming for amuch better race at the University ofArkansas,” said the Broncs coach. “Wewill put them out in some races (inHouston), and hopefully they’ll havegood times, but for them we’re reallyfocusing on about a month from now.”

One of those distance runners is JuniorWestly Keating. The three-time

All-American was redshirted lastseason, and is glad to be competing intrack and field again in 2005.

“I’m excited. I have been away for ayear,” said Keating. “I’m looking

forward to (gettingback).”

Keating will berunning the 3,000-

meter race at theHouston Indoor

Classic. Twoyearsago,

Keating hada mark of 8:16.82 in the same

event at the Houston IndoorInvitational, breaking the

school record.“(The 3000 race) is

15 laps indoor,”said the

Broncdistance

runner. “It is a little shorter thantwo miles. It is kind of a faster

race.”The UTPA men’s track and field

team also has its share of qualityathletes competing in the high jumps,pole vault, and hurdles. Vaughnthinks jumpers Marlin Manley andJeff Martzall, plus hurdler RashaadBen could all have great seasons.

The Lady Broncs track and field groupwill have someone competing in everyevent this weekend. Vaughn is excitedabout seeing three athletes vying in thepentathlon in Houston. SophomoresBethany Anderson and Brittani Hiltonand freshman Liliana Cavazos will be themulti-event trio.

The five events the Lady Broncs triowill be competing in are hurdles, highjump, shot put, long jump, and 800meters race.

“It will be their first one. We’re prettyexcited to see them compete in that,” saidVaughn.

On your marks: Track campaign begins

Teresa Nájera /The Pan American

CRUISING - Canadian Rowena Hamlet, a senior sprinter for the Lady Broncs track team, prepares in practice for the upcoming season-opening meet Jan. 28 at the Houston Indoor Classic.

By JOEY HINOJOSAThe Pan American

MARLIN MANLEY

Rashaad Ben

By JACOB ALEGRIAThe Pan American

Sports Clipboard . . . . . . . . 13

Basketball . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Track & Field. . . . . . . . . . .15SPORTSPLAY BALL !!!

Capping the end of fall workouts beforethe season kicks off in February, the Broncbaseball team has already made greatexpectations to become the top rankedNCAA Division 1 Independent team asvoted by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.

As The University of Texas-PanAmerican Head Baseball Coach WillieGawlik returns at the helm for his thirdseason, many can assume the best. Gawlikis known for winning, as he was a part ofthe 1971 UTPA College World Series team,the only one in school history to reachsuch a goal. He has also brought some ofthat winning style to the table as theBroncs, once ranked 213, start the seasonat 117.

“We’ve had a lot of great workouts,”said Gawlik, whose team starts the yearFeb. 4 with the UTPA Classic.

This year’s group hasn’t really lostmuch of their fire, but did lose key playerMarco Garza to the Cincinnati Redsorganization. The early departure of thisoutfielder left a gap that is going to betough to replace since Garza was on top ofmost statistical category last season. Onthe other hand, most 2004 starters returnfor 2005.

Edinburg native Louie Alamia isreturning from last year’s bunch thatfinished with a record of 22-31. He had a.324 batting average, third on the teambehind Garza and another returning starter,Otis Powers. Powers’ on base percentagewas second on the team at .423.

Another player to watch is senior TonyOrtiz who had an outstanding season lastyear, as he was selected to the 2nd teamAll-Independent team for a .336 battingaverage that was second on the team. Ortizaccounted for 40 runs, 37 runs batted in

(RBI), and 18 doubles, tying a schoolrecord.

The team wasn’t the only thing toreceive preseason mention. Alamia andOklahoma State transfer Dane Mason, whohas yet to throw a pitch from the EdinburgBaseball Stadium in a live game, werelisted by Collegiate Baseball Magazine as“Players to Watch for 2005.” While Masonwas at Oklahoma State, he had a 4-1 recordwith a 6.00 earned run average (ERA)from the mound. He dominated during the2004 season with 32 strikeouts in 39innings, and only nine walks.

Gawlik said that he’s had his playersworking on the fundamentals, includingrunning, plus defensive and offensivesituations to get ready.

“We have a lot of people [players] thatare doing really well,” he said. “When westart the games, then we will find out howwell they perform.”

Returning to the pitcher’s mound fromlast year is Chad Linder, who finished theseason with a 2-2 record as a truefreshman. He struck out 23 batters in 42innings while finishing up with a 4.29ERA, fifth best on the team. Anotherreturning pitcher is Phillip Rodriquez, theEdinburg native who finished with a 3.54ERA. Relief pitcher Johnny Gibson, in hisfinal season at UTPA, had six wins lastseason, all in relief. He also had threesaves.

“The off-season went great, the guysworked real hard and got their arms inshape,” Assistant Coach Justin Meccagesaid. “ The biggest thing during this earlyin the season is that everybody is healthy.”

Meccage said that if the Broncs were toplay a game now, he thinks that they wouldhave 12 or 13 guys ready to go. His goalset at the beginning of the season was tohave everyone ready to go for the season.

By DARYL GONZALESThe Pan American

Eduardo M

artinez /The P

an Am

erican