October 30, 2003

THURSDAYOctober 30, 2003

An Inside Look:

■ News ............................................2■ A & E............................................7■ Sports ........................................16

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 T e x a s - P a n A m e r i c a nPage 4

CCaammppuussVOICEHow does itfeel to be a

minority herein the Valley?

SSAAEENNZZ VVSS.. PPEEÑÑAALocal newcomer challenges in District 40

Eddie Saenz, local engineer and businessman,recently announced his decision to run for staterepresentative of District 40, which includesEdinburg, the tri-city Delta region, La Joya, andSullivan City. He faces a serious challenge inincumbent Aaron Pena, one of the Valley’s mostactive politicians.

Saenz’ decision to run was based on a void hefelt existed in terms of representation in the area.He thinks his experiences in Austin as anengineer and a consultant have given him thepractice he needs to help the district. Andaccording to Saenz it was not evident thatenough action was being taken to communicatewith the various communities in the district.

“Through my experiences, I know what ittakes to fight for funding for the district,” saidSaenz. “It requires a lot of communication andmeeting with state agencies.”

With the state facing a $10 billion deficit,many of the non-profit programs Saenzrepresented struggled to get funding.

“It’s hard to make sure they don’t cut yourprogram, and we always have to struggle withthat every two years,” said Saenz. “I had to dealwith talking to the legislatures to ensure thatthey become familiar with the program. If youdo cut somewhere we want to make sure thebasic programs don’t get cut. That affects

families, health care and what is really needed inthe community.”

Saenz mentions that if elected he willcontinue communicating with communities tofind out their concerns. The issue ofunemployment in the Delta Area is one big one.

“As a former member of the EconomicDevelopment Corporation of Edinburg, I helpedas we tried to promote businesses to come downhere and we were very successful,” said Saenz.“We need to do that in the Delta Area; they havea very high unemployment rate.”

Some of Saenz’ other concerns include

education and health care. Given the Republicanmajority in the House, the local Democrat feelsthe two parties need to come together to getlegislation passed.

“We are all legislators. Republican orDemocrat,” said Saenz. “We need to talk to allof them. We need to ensure we are not going toput a curtain between us. We need to sell theissues to the Republicans as well and let themknow there are issues the district is having todeal with.”

Saenz will be running against fellow demPena, the current freshman House member from

District 40, who was one of the busiest first-yearlegislators according to a recent AustinAmerican-Statesman article.

Overall Pena feels his first term was a successdue to his involvement in fighting offredistricting. He also noted that he keyed thepassage of a law concerning higher penalties forhuman trafficking. Earlier this month Penaspoke at the university on a wide range ofissues, and his visibility in the area should beimposing to any candidate seeking to unseathim.

During the next session Pena plans onfighting for funding for Iraq, investment ineducation, increased rates and funding for CHIPand Medicaid, and investment in roadinfrastructure. According to Pena, he will alsocontinue to fight for teacher pay raises.

“If you think about the fact that we at PanAmerican generate many of the teachers in the

state of Texas, not only is it good for the Valley,it’s good for Texas,” said Pena. “We are rapidlylosing a large number of teachers because of payconcerns and we know because of the budgetshortfall we’re going to have a very little chance,but we wanted to make the argument.”

Pena is confident his efforts in Austin willhelp him win District 40 again.

“One of the things Mr. Saenz will havedifficulty with is with his supporting of many ofthe Republican efforts,” said Pena. “Most of thevoters will see his record and realize he needs tobe running with Republicans.”

By LYLONY CAZARESThe Pan American

Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

FACEOFF— Aaron Peña and Eddie Saenz will vie for District 40’s representative slot in thenext election cycle. Peña is the incumbent.

The dead continue to pile up on the U.S.-Mexico border. And some citizens want to dosomething about it.

Over 2,000 immigrants have died trying tocross the border to enter the United States, andthe going is especially rough through theArizona desert near Nogales. Illegal crossershave been dehydrated to death, shot byvigilantes or Border Patrol officers, or left todie in trucks and railroad cars by dishonestcoyotes.

Some immigrants are searching for a betterlife for themselves and their families, but oftenit doesn’t work out. With the increasingnumber of deaths, a growing number ofpeople have mobilized to try and stem the tideof tragedy. They are seeking a way to providea legal system for immigrants to enter thecountry without jeopardizing their lives. Partof their quest includes symbolic gestures to

raise community consciousness about the issueof immigration.

On Tuesday, Oct. 28 more than 50 pilgrimsmarched through the streets of San Juan inprocession toward the Basilica of Our Lady ofSan Juan, to celebrate mass for thoseimmigrants who have died in the crossings.The Border Pilgrimage, the first of its kind, isa nationwide event that started Oct. 26 andwill run until Nov. 2. The pilgrimage started atboth spectrums of the 2,200-mile internationalborder, in San Diego, Calif., and Brownsville.The procession is scheduled to stop in El Pasowhere pilgrims of U.S. border will gettogether to give attention to what theyconsider a human rights crisis along thesouthern border.

Father John Lasseigne, a priest from SanJuan, is affiliated with a religious group whois taking part in the pilgrimage to let peopleknow the number of dead. They also want tocome up with ways to stop the victim stream

“The impetus for this event came from theterribly large number of immigrants who die

each year trying tocross the border,”Lasseigne said.“Therefore,different hostcities will holdeducational,religious, cultural,and politicalevents as thepilgrims passthrough on theirway to El Paso.”

He also addedthat in order tohonor theimmigrants theywould also bestudying thecauses ofundocumentedimmigration.

Before Sept. 11, 2001, and the fall of theTwin Towers, Mexican President Vicente Fox

met with President George W. Bush to discuss

By ARIANNA VAZQUEZThe Pan American

Demonstration points out immigrant crossing woes

See IMMIGRANTS page 12

Daniel Aguilar/The Pan AmericanPROTEST— The Border Pilgrimage started Oct. 26 and will continuethrough Nov. 2, to spotlight dangers illegal crossers face.

Dance with Page 8-9

The UTPA Broncs will play thefirst exhibition of a two-gamepreseason at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdayagainst the Monterrey TechBorregos Salvajes at the FieldHouse.

The Broncs, who defeated theBorregos 93-59 in last year’spreseason match, have added somenew personnel, and will hope toduplicate, if not better, last year’soutcome.

Coach Bob Hoffman, who hasbeen running a stringent trainingprogram which began earlier thismonth, is pleased with the progressof his team so far.

“We started green-on-whitescrimmages on Sunday,” Hoffmansaid. “ We’ve improved every day.We’re finding openings and reallyworking on executing as a team.”

Clearly the progress at which the2003-04 roster has adjusted toHoffman’s system will bemeasured by the outcome of theBorrego exhibition, but for someplayers, the matchup againstMonterrey is not merely theculmination of a two and a halfweek training camp.

Next Tuesday’s preseason gameagainst the Borregos will be juniorChris Fagan’s second everexhibition game for the Broncs.Fagan, who appeared last seasonagainst Monterrey, suffered astress fracture in his left foot priorto the outing, and his appearancein that game enhanced the injury.

The 6-foot-5 guard, who

received a redshirt from theNCAA due to the extremecircumstances of the injury, wasable to attend practices, sit on thesidelines during games, and waseven able to participate inpractices when his healthpermitted. But Fagan was not,however, allowed to suit up forany games last season.

For Fagan, the chance to returnto action is highly anticipated.

“I’m kinda excited to be able toget back into it,” Fagan said. “I’mready to get to work.”

Fagan, who is regarded as oneof the key additions to this year’sroster, is highly respected by histeammates, and his presence onthe squad should be appreciated.

Senior Allen Holcomb, wholeads retuning Broncs in pointsper game, is certain that Fagan’spresence will boost their chancesof success.

“We all know what Chris cando and what he brings to thetable,” Holcomb said. “He’s oneof the better guys on the team.”

But Fagan is not the onlymember of the 2003-04 Broncsquad who was tagged with a redshirt last season.

Senior Andrius Sakalys, whoaveraged 11.2 points per gameduring the Broncs’ highlysuccessful 2001-02 season,suffered severe damage to his leftACL during the summer of 2002,and was not able to participate lastyear.

Sakalys, who was a key part ofthe 20-10 season, finished third inscoring for the Broncs behind

Marcus Quinn and Mire Chatman,underwent two surgeries during theoff-season to repair his damagedknee, and is finally in good enoughphysical condition to come backand compete.

Although Sakalys still wears abrace on his knee to help withstability, his teammates have

noticed that his ability enhanceswith every practice.

Junior guard Matt Hall isconfident that his Lithuanianteammate will be ready for theseason.

“Every day he’s getting more

■ UTPAAthletics . . . . . . 15

■ UTPA Tennis . . . . . . .14

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . .13

PAGE 16

SPORTSBroncs setfor first test

Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

A Bronc basketball player attempts a slamdunk during Midnight Madness Oct. 17.

By BRIAN CARRThe Pan American

CCrraafftt wwaannttss ttoo rreeaacchh nneexxtt lleevveellWhen DeAnn Craft accepted the

Lady Broncs’ head coach position lastspring, she knew that the task ofbuilding a successful women’sbasketball program at UTPA wouldbe a challenge.

The Lady Broncs were held to 7-21 last season when Craft was anassistant head coach to TracyAnderson. Now Craft takes over aprogram lacking in much tradition.

Craft realizes that the process ofremedying a losing record will be

lengthy and understands that she willbe starting from the ground up with ateam who has seen no tradition withinit’s program.

“I think that the monumental taskin front of this program is to learnhow to become competitive,” Craftsaid. “This program has been prettymuch a door mat of Division I andit’s our responsibility as the newcoaching staff and the new playersthat have come aboard, to try andhelp get that tide turned.”

Craft, who is not malicious in herobservations of Lady Bronc history, istrying to build an attitude and an

understanding of what it is to win. Todo that she has to start from thebeginning.

“I would much rather us learnhow to play simple basketballcorrectly than to play complexbasketball inconsistently,” Craft said.“And that is a pretty big theme ofmine. Simple done better can get usmoving forward instead of thecomplex being so inconsistent.”

Of the 16 Lady Broncs on theroster this season, only seven arereturners, and only two of thereturning Lady Broncs are seniors.That means two things for Craft. One,

she will be working with a squad thatwill be with her for a few years tocome, and two, she will be dealingwith many girls from a variety ofdifferent basketball backgrounds andbasketball educations.

“I think probably the toughest partis that with so many new people youget some kids that come from goodman-to-man programs where they’vebeen taught great man defensesystems,” Craft said. “We have otherplayers that haven’t played any manto man, they’ve come from strictlyzone philosophy, and then we have


See LADY BRONCS page 15

Today

Houston Rockets vs.Nov. 1 Memphis, 7Nov. 3 at Chicago, 7:30Nov. 4 at New Jersey, 6:30

Friday, Nov. 1

Dallas Mavericks vs.Nov. 3 Miami, 7:30Nov. 5 at Washington, 6

Friday, Nov. 1

NFL SUNDAY

Killer BeesSchedule

Killer Bees vs. CorpusHome OpenerFriday, Oct. 31Time: 7:30 p.m.

vs.

Killer Bees vs. San AngeloSaturday, Nov. 1Time: 7:30 p.m.

See BRONCS page 15

NBASchedule

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

vs.

8:30 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs.Nov. 3 at Memphis, 8Nov. 4 Miami, 8:30All games P.M.

vs.

Noon2-5 6-1

vs.

3:15 p.m.5-2 3-4

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican53nd Year – No. 10

EditorMatt Lynch

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Ashley Brooks

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Reporters

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Lylony Cazares

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Matt Hall

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Vanessa Lucio

Clarissa Martinez

Amy Medellin

Luis Saavedra

Photographers

Daniel Aguilar

Linda Flores

Elizabeth Padilla

Advertising

Dagoberto Perez

Advertising Coordinator

Jo Anne Murphy

Adviser

Dr. Greg Selber

the PAN AMERICAN is theofficial 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 orgratuitouspersonal attacks.Letters are printedat the discretion ofthe editor andmust include thewriter’s name,class/title andphone number.

Letters policy

October 30 2 0 0 3

Readers with dis-abilities mayrequest an alter-native format ofthis publicationat The PanAmerican busi-ness office. For special assis-tance to attendany event listedin this publica-tion, contact thecoordinator of theevent at least oneweek prior to theadvertised date.

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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

The University of Texas-Pan American ath-letic department has its share of notablemoments in sports history; including a CollegeWorld Series visit in baseball (1971), twoNCAA qualifiers in men’s golf (1974, 1978),and an NAIA men’s basketball national cham-pionship in 1963-64.

However, in the 1990s the department stum-bled into TPA Athletics Department was putunder probation by the National CollegiateAthletic Association for infractions made bysome of the staff. Since UTPA’s past contro-versies, the athletics department has come along way and the program has completelyturned itself around.

"Prior to five years ago our athletics pro-gram was not certified, we were the only ath-letic program in the history of athletic certifi-cation not to be certified," said Weidner."During the 1990s, it is my understanding thatduring that ten-year period, this athletics pro-gram was on probation all but 18 months."

Weidner arrived at the university in May1998. Since July of that year, UTPA hasachieved full NCAA certification status andhas never been on probation in the five yearshe has been here. During his first few monthsas athletic director, Weidner, along with hisstaff, put together the new compliance proce-dures manual, which proved to be a greatresource for the department.

"When I got here we worked the first sixmonths, all that summer we came in on week-ends, we worked at night and we put together

a compliance procedures manual that coversvirtually everything on compliance procedures,checks and balances, and it has been a greattool for our coaches and as a teaching tool,"Weidner said. "It is something that doesn’t justsit on the shelf; we really actually use it."

The compliance procedures manual detailsthe business operating procedures that arerelated to the UTPA system, and the hierarchyof the department. Seminars on compliance aregiven throughout the year, along with meet-ings, in a series for all athletics departmentpersonnel on topics such as rules, forms, orga-nizational structure and education. The newcompliance procedures book has made such aturnaround in the department that Weidner,some of his staff, and Dr. Miguel Nevárezhave been asked to review the same proce-dures for other colleges and universities.

"Here was a program that was probably themost penalized program in the ‘90s in DivisionI, we put these things [compliance procedures]and as a result a number of our people havebeen asked by the NCAA to serve on peerreview teams," Weidner said.

From an academic standpoint, five yearsago, the GPA for UTPA student athletes was2.1, one of the lowest in the country, Weidnersaid. To address this problem he hired ChrisUchacz to fill the new position of full-timeassistant athletic director for academic supportand student services. Along with this position,the athletic department built a new state-of-the-art Student-Athlete Academic Learning Center.

"The major influence for the creation andsubsequent development of the Student-Athlete Academic Learning Center and

Academic Support & Student Services unitwithin the athletics department is to provide anacademic support network for all student-ath-letes as they work towards the attainment of auniversity diploma," Uchacz said. "In conjunc-tion with this goal, we are always trying to

increase retention and graduation rates. Ourgoal is to graduate 100 percent of the student-athletes that come to UTPA and represent theinstitution at the NCAA Division I level."

October 30, 2003 sports Page 15

UTPA athletics show improvement

Photo by Amy Medellín/The Pan American

A group of student-athletes study in the computer lab of the state-of-the-art Student-AthleteAcademic Learning Center.

and more confident on[his knee],” Hall said.“He’ll be fine thisseason.”

Sakalys dismisses thecondition, and whenasked about the injuryoffers up the obligatory:

“Eh.”He does, however,

acknowledge the chancesof this year’s Broncs.

“I think we have agood team,” Sakalys said.“It feels like the firstyear I was here when wegot 20 wins.”

Junior Matt Berry, whowas ineligible last yearafter transferring fromIndiana State, is eager toshow that he can be a

part of a successfulseason.

“I’ve been sitting outa whole year,” Berrysaid. “I’ve just beenwaiting to step on to thecourt.”

Coach Hoffmanbelieves that theeagerness of hisincoming redshirtedplayers will fuel histeam, and feed theirchemistry.

“I think in general wehave some guys aroundwho are hungry,”Hoffman said. “Theyhave prior knowledge ofthe program and they’llbe able to teach theothers.”

See ATHLETICS page 14

Broncs continued from page 16

Who:UTPA vs. MonterreyTechWhat: Exhibition gameWhen: Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.Where: Field HouseAll-time series: Broncslead 23-2

Broncs Roster: F-East, G-Puente, G-Montalvo, G-Sánchez, F-Sakalys, F-Berry, F-Fagan, G-Castillo,G-Hall, G-Weir, F-Holcomb,F-Buck, C-Lange, F-Díaz,C-Gedminas

our own system that we’ve got to geteverybody to get on board.”

What does that basketball system involve?Speed, tempo, and aggression.

Craft describes this season’s lineup as aglimpse of what the Lady Bronc program willlook like as it progresses. In their first year ofrecruiting Craft and Anderson went out andtried to get players who matched theirbasketball philosophy, and came up with whatthey feel is a highly athletic group ofballplayers.

Craft’s hope is that there will be speed onboth sides of the ball, and she feels that willenhance their chances of a winning season.

“Because the speed and versatility of somepositions it will allow us to defensively nownever be out of the game,” Craft said. “Usuallyspeed and quickness allows you to stay in thegame longer even if you are playing up.”

The Lady Broncs, who have atremendously competitive schedule and willessentially be playing all of their game “up,”will need to utilize all their speed and depth ifthey are to conquer new grounds for the UTPA

women’s basketball program.“We’re playing two of the Top 5. We’re at

UT, they’re No. 4 in the country, we’re at K-State, they’re No. 5. We didn’t even play aranked opponent last year,” Craft said. “I thinkthat it’s a higher level schedule, and at thesame time if we have improved our depth thanhopefully we will be a little bit morecompetitive.”

In terms of depth, Craft is comfortable. Inher assumption, she has two to three playersthat can hold each position, but sheunderstands that her team could be morecomplete.

“I think the thing that is lacking from thisteam is what I would call a go-to player, or amarquee player,” Craft said. “But as far asteam depth and the understanding of how theteam has to be greater than just one or twopeople, I think this team has that. I think theyunderstand that the only way they are going tobe successful is if they buy in, and sometimesthose types of groups end up winning you a lotmore ball games than the teams that have themarquee kid.”

Lady Broncs continued from page 16

2003-2004 UTPA Men’s Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Date Opponent Date Opponent11/4 Monterrey Tech 12/17 North Texas 1/28 IPFW11/8 Houston Quest 12/20 Rice 2/2 Alcorn State11/22 S. Methodist 12/22 Oklahoma State 2/4 Lamar11/25 TAMIU 12/29 Oklahoma 2/7 IPFW11/29 UT-Arlington 12/31 McMurry 2/11 Arkansas State12/1 SW Assemblies of God 1/6 Baylor 2/14 TAMUCC12/4 Missouri-Kansas City 1/8 North Texas 2/16 Air Force12/6 UTSA 1/14 Wright State 2/19 Central Baptist12/12 Mississippi Valley State 1/19 Missouri-Kansas City2/28 TAMUCC

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

2003-2004 UTPA Women’s Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Date Opponent Date Opponent11/21 Air Force 12/28 Tulsa 1/27 Incarnate Word11/22 Boise State/Dayton 12/31 Prairie View A&M 1/31 IPFW11/25 TAMUI 1/2 UT-Arlington 2/3 Northern Colorado11/29 St. Edward’s 1/7 Sacramento State 2/9 Prairie View A&M12/5 St. Louis 1/9 San Diego State 2/16 Louisiana-Lafayette12/6 Kansas State/Sacramento 1/11 Louisiana-Lafayette 2/19 IPFW12/14 Oral Roberts 1/13 SE Louisiana 2/24 TAMUCC12/17 Texas 1/22 SW Missouri State 2/28 SE Louisiana12/19 Marshall 1/24 TAMUCC 3/3 Northern Arizona

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

By AMY MEDELLÍNThe Pan American

October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 3

NEWS■ Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4■ Wildfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6■ Costello leaves . . . . . . . . 12

Though their numbers are small, theymade history last week.

On the third floor of the UniversityCenter Oct. 24, between 25 and 30 BlackUTPA students attended a startup meetingfor the first black student organization oncampus.

The Black Student Association (BSA)spent the meeting tossing around ideasabout what activities to have, and aboutwhat the organization’s purpose will be.With a temporary constitution, the group’smain goals so far are to make UTPAaware of the presence of black culturehere on campus, and to promote unitybetween members.

They also want others realize thatblacks at UTPA are not just here to playsports, as is commonly assumed. They arealso here to get a quality education.

“I don’t want people here to think thatthe blacks here are all athletes. I wantthem to be aware that there is a variety ofblacks who are working their best atwhatever their goal is,” said senior AmyMoses of Edinburg, who is a student-athlete.

The meeting marked the first time thatmany of these black students had actuallymet one another. Some have been here forthe past few years, and others have justentered this semester. The truth is,possibly because of being such a smallminority in a predominantly Latino area,many black students felt lost and

fragmented because most people here arenot black. The Valley is about 85 percentHispanic and the majority of theremainder are Anglo. One census reportsaid there are fewer than 5,000 Blacks inthe Valley, that leaves them wanting acomfortable place to come and associatewith others like them.

“I felt lost. I saw all different types oforganizations, and wanted to see somesupport for me. Something had tochange,” said Orin Adams. "There shouldbe more student involvement amongAfrican-Americans, an organization thatsays ‘if you feel uncomfortable here (atUTPA), there is an organization (BSA)you can go to to find something incommon’”

The BSA is still an unofficial andtemporary organization, but will becomeofficial soon, one with big plans. One isnot to limit organization membership toblacks only. People of all races andethnicities are welcome to take part. Thegroup plans to invite speakers for BlackHistory Month, and to take part in adancing tradition called Steps. It will alsobe part of a new center opening in 2004.

Adviser Jeanette Broshears, said, “We’llkick off a Multicultural Center in Januaryand we are excited to have BSA be a partof that.”

For those interested in being a memberof the BSA, the next meeting will takeplace Nov. 6 in UC 317. ContactElizabeth Robertson for more informationat: [email protected], or callBroshears at (956)381-2659.

By JULIAN CAVAZOSThe Pan American

Black organizationgets start on campus


FIRST MEETING— The Black Student Association had its initial meeting last week, andis looking forward to becoming an active campus organization. There are only 5,000blacks in the Valley, but UTPA has decent representation.

UTPA international student adviser PhilipClay believes a 36-percent increase inenrollment by international students thissemester is due to the quality of services andprograms offered at the University.

Although the university does somepromotion of its programs along the border inMexico, it does not do so in any other part ofthe world. Thus, Clay believes the increase ofstudent population who come from othercountries is due to peer-to-peerrecommendation, or word of mouth. Butwhatever the reason, they are coming.

“Our surveys show that internationalstudents are more satisfied with the servicesand programs now than three years before,”he said. “As a result they recommend UTPAto their friends and relatives back home andthey decide to come too.”

Of the 47 countries represented on campus,the steepest increase of foreign students hasbeen with students from Mexico and India.These countries registered an increase of 32and 34 percent, respectively, upping theoverall international student population to579 visitors. This total does not include 10exchange students.

The university has an all-time highenrollment of nearly 16,000, and is expectedto continue to grow in coming years.Students from other areas of the state andcountry are being recruited, and so areinternationals.

Clay predicts enrollment of internationalstudents will continue to increase and mayreach 600 students by the spring semester and700 by the fall.

Recent articles in the Houston Chronicleand the San Antonio Express-News attributethe larger immigrant population in the UnitedStates to foreigners’ eagerness to experienceAmerican life. The entering internationalsalso change the place they visit for education.Since Mexico is the most frequentlyrepresented country on campus, this creates

an impact on the culture of the Rio GrandeValley.

It is not unusual for professors to haveseveral students in class who commute backand forth from Reynosa to Edinburg forschool. Despite longer waits to cross thebridge due to post-Sept. 11 regulations andsecurity, the stream of Mexicans continues,and so does the cultural exchange betweengroups.

One of the cultural aspects affected islanguage. Bilingualism is on the rise, andaccording to the U.S. Census Bureau almost47 million people in the country speak alanguage other than English at home. This ismore common in states that border Mexico orare on the two coasts. Eighty-seven percentof the population in Brownsville fall into thissecond language category as well as 74percent in McAllen.

Mexican students bring their owndistinctive styles as well, and these mesh withthose already found in the Valley for a uniquehybrid mix. Add to that the healthycontingent of summer Study Abroad students,both American and Mexican, who travel toother countries together, and the universityoffers a slice of modern life that most placescannot fathom. In a sense, UTPA is ahead ofthe curve in understanding and helpingfashion the growing Hispanicization ofAmerican culture.

The fastest growing minority group in thecountry is now the largest in terms of overallpopulation. The Hispanic bloc’s spendingpower and importance in advertising arebecoming more obvious. Many other areasare starting to have a distinctly “Latin” flavor.

Along with the influx of students fromdown south, Asian students from a number ofcountries have also made their mark in recentyears. The Asian Students Association hashosted cultural events the last two years andits membership continues to burgeon, and therecently instituted Black Students Associationmade news this week with its first meetingand plans for future involvement as a campusorganization.

By LUIS SAAVEDRAThe Pan American

International studentsbring variety to campus

The Pan American wants to hear whatyou have to say about stories, currentevents or anything you want to rantabout. Send your responses to [email protected]

GOT SOMETHINGYOU NEED TO SAY?

The University of Texas-PanAmerican men's tennis team gained alot of confidence with a solid perform-ance at the Omni Hotel ITA SouthwestRegionals at Texas ChristianUniversity.

Junior Jeremy Salvo won threematches and made it all the way to theround of 16 in the championshipbracket where he was defeated byAlex Menichini of Texas Christian, 6-3, 6-2.

Salvo had beaten Robert Kirchner ofUT-San Antonio, 6-1, 6-4, DimitrioMartínez of Texas Tech, 6-4, 6-2, andKhaled El Dorry of Texas A&M, 6-4,0-6, 6-4.

Eduardo Provencio, UTPA’s headtennis coach, believes that after a per-formance like this, the program isheaded in the right direction.

"It was a good showing, but obvi-ously not where we want to be. Butit’s where we need to go," Provenciosaid.

The Broncs are finished for the fallseason and they are going to concen-trate on the upcoming spring season,and prepare for a run at a SouthlandConference title.

Provencio knows that he needs hisyoung players to step up and believesthat they are headed in the right direc-

tion."Our young guys are playing pretty

well, and those are the guys we aretrying to get up to speed with every-body else," Provencio said. "Now, off-season, is the time we are really goingto get everyone up and going."

The orange-and-green, afterenjoying thisweek off, willget back to thegrind next weekwhen they beginwith skill work-outs and weightroom visits.

Newly addedTexas A&M-Corpus Christi,a Top 75 team,makes theSouthlandConference astronger confer-ence for tennis.

Coach Provencio feels his guys areready for the task ahead of them andlikes the leadership his older guys aredisplaying.

"The guys are pretty fired up andthey really feel like they can win astrong conference," Provencio said."That pulls along the young guysbecause of the older guys always talk-ing about it."

Of course all the odds will bestacked against Pan Am when the teamtakes to the court, but this does notscare the players.

Provencio believes the work that isrequired to be the best will get doneand other teams will learn to respect

UTPA."People don’t

even knowwhere ourschool is andwe are trying toput ourselves onthe map,"Provencio said."I want theguys to playwith a chip ontheir shouldersbecause wehave to workextra hard to getwhere everyoneelse is at and

we have opened some eyes with thebigger schools in Texas."

The Broncs have their eyes set onone prize at the end of conference: aconference championship. AndProvencio has no doubt that this is avery attainable goal.

"Our goal is to win it all. I think ifwe don’t shoot for the championshipof the conference, then we are sellingourselves short," Provencio said.


Broncs prepare for spring season after regional tourneyBy MATT HALLThe Pan American

Senior Tom Mangelschots of Belgium practices last spring. Last sea-son, UTPA reached the Southland Conference tourney semifinals.

Photo by Matt Lynch/The Pan American

The department has imple-mented a mandatory 10-weekorientation for all incomingand transferring student-ath-letes to familiarize them withvarious educational resourcesavailable at the university.Topics such as time manage-ment, how to use library andcomputer center resources,and test preparation are taughtat orientation. Study schoolworkshops are also availableto student-athletes in reading,writing, and speech, whichare ongoing throughout theyear.

"As an athletics administra-tion we work very hard toprovide an environment forour student-athletes that isconducive to athletic and aca-demic successes," saidUchacz. "Our coaches haverecruited outstanding athletes,but also outstanding citizensas well."

At the end of each semes-ter, systematic academicreports are compiled andreported to Nevárez, thePresident’s Council, and theAthletic Council, to illustrateeach athlete’s grade perform-ance. As of spring semester2003, the student-athlete GPAhad increased to a 2.92, out-pacing the total student body

GPA of 2.62. Ten of the stu-dent-athletes had a 4.0 GPAlast spring semester and 31were members of the Dean’sList Second Honors.

"Dealing with academicaccomplishments, what wasonce a real weakness in ourathletic program, has nowbecome a strong point," saidWeidner.

Kevin Mitchell, a formerguard for the men’s basketballteam, was named to the 2003Verizon Academic All-DistrictTeam in his senior year.Mitchell, along with JamesDavis, made the NCAADivision I-AAA AthleticDirector’s Scholar-Athletesteam in 2003.

The UTPA women’s tennisteam made the ITA AcademicAll-American team. As of lastspring, 51 percent have a 3.0GPA or higher. The UTPAathletics department alsoranked by USA Today and theNCAA Foundation eighth inthe nation, out of 319 inDivision I, for academicachievements in one of thethree categories.

So the grades are increas-ing, as quickly as the numberof employees when Weidnerstarted. Upon his arrival in1998, he created 18 new posi-

tions in the department. "While other athletic pro-

grams across the country aredownsizing and eliminatingpositions and even eliminat-ing sports, we’re growing,"said Weidner. Due to budgetincreases and fundraising,which has increased 550 per-cent since ‘98, the depart-ment has been able to estab-lish a recruiting budget, whichdid not exist five years ago.Starting in fall semester 2005,baseball and women’strack/cross country, women’sgolf, and women’s tennis willbe fully funded, enablingthese sports to compete withjust about any other universityin terms of scholarship.

Budget increases have alsoenhanced existing facilitiesand helped build new ones.

The Orville Cox tenniscourts were renovated, as wellas the men’s basketball lockerroom, and the AthleticsAdministration Offices. Anew $6.5 million baseball sta-dium complex was built inconjunction with the city ofEdinburg that can seat 4,000people and houses the UTPAbaseball team year-round. Thenew weight room, which isexclusively for the use of stu-dent-athletes, was completed

a few weeks ago, and hasbeen an ongoing projectshared by the universityadministration and the athlet-ics department.

"In order to compete at thehighest level, our student-ath-letes need a state of the artstrength and conditioningfacility," said Uchacz. "Thiswill not only help them getbigger, stronger, and faster,but will also help to preventand rehabilitate injuries."

The UTPA athletics depart-ment, along with the student-athletes, is also active in com-munity involvement. Some ofthese programs are Adopt-a-School, where the athletes goto participating elementaryschools and talk to the stu-dents and take part in variousactivities, the Boys and GirlsClub, and Habitat forHumanity. Communityinvolvement has also becomepart of the UTPA basketballprogram.

"When you come to a bas-ketball game there’s thingsgoing on besides basketball;giveaways, fan involvement,$10,000 shot, and acts like theslam dunk show, and the SanAntonio Spurs Coyote,"Weidner said. "There isalways a lot of interaction

with the crowd."Men’s basketball home

game attendance hasincreased 127 percent since’1998, to an average of 3,100people in 2002. The largestcrowd ever was accomplishedtwo years ago. An estimated5,200 people were in atten-dance at the UTPA FieldHouse, which seats only4,000. Season tickets weresold out during the 2000-01season.

"Although we have madesignificant strides over the last

five years, we have becomesuccessful as a result of thevision implemented by ourathletics director," saidUchacz. "He has surroundedhimself with top notch coach-es and administrators who allbelieve in the good of thedepartment than of an individ-ual team or unit. It has been acombined effort on all partsthat has influenced the direc-tion we are headed as an ath-letics program, one that Iknow the university is proudof."

Athletics continued from page 15


The new weight room built exclusively for student-athletes.

People don’t evenknow where ourschool is and weare trying to putourselves on the

map.

““

- Eduardo Provencio,UTPA Tennis Coach


Gabriel EkartarhChemical EngineeringJunior

I feel comfortable in this environment. If Idon’t come to my classes it is easy forinstructors to notice you aren’t there.But I don’t feel different.

Dr. Mohammad HannanPhysics/Physical Science Professor

No, I do not think there is adifference in the minority groups.Generally we do not follow thattrend. Everyone here is equal andwe treat everyone equally – facultyand staff – as far as my knowledge.

Robert Camp Civil EngineeringFreshman

It doesn’t feel different. There isn’tany racism, you still make friends. Idon’t know anyone here that treatsme different. You hope by now peoplewould be mature enough to not passjudgment on any one.

How does it feel to be aminority here in the Valley?

Valencia KodayNursingJunior

It makes me feel like I am unique in agood way. I feel like I belong in manygroups. I moved around a lot growing upbecause my father was in the Air Force. Iwas exposed to many cultures. I feel Ibelong. I can enjoy many cultures here. I can enjoy Cinco de Mayo andIndependence Day. I can be proud of both.

VOICECCaammppuuss

Rondi Bacolod NursingFreshman

I’ve always been in the minority group.I’ve lived in different states. There arealways people that make you feeldifferent, small but the majority of peopleare nice. They tend to look at you a littledifferent regardless.

There are many students attending TheUniversity of Texas-Pan American who endup staying longer than the typical four years.These students may be here longer than someof their professors.

However, UTPA offers an opportunity forfaculty members to earn their right to stay oncampus by earning tenure. This lofty facultystatus assures faculty members that they willbe able to perform their professionalinstitutional responsibilities without fear ofrandom dismissal. But it also carries somerisk.

If they are able to earn tenure, facultymembers are ensured a degree of academicfreedom and professional security, and in turntheir security helps the university fulfill itsobligations to the students. But if they cannotcomplete the necessary work, they are usuallyasked to leave when their contract runs out.

According to Rodolfo Arevalo, vicepresident of Academic Affairs, UTPAcurrently provides faculty with theopportunity to achieve tenure after six years,on average, of probationary status. Thisprocess demands that faculty membersdevelop teaching skills while pursuingongoing research efforts which will hopefullyresult in the development of scholarlypublications.

“Future tenure status for faculty is amilestone that encourages faculty to excel inall areas critical to the responsibilities of theprofessoriate,” Arevalo said. “Tenure is veryimportant to the majority of faculty at theuniversity because it brings a certain level ofsecurity for those who attain it.”

Currently the Board of Regents at theuniversity are the sole decision makers onwhich faculty members will be awardedtenure. Department chairs and deans canprovide recommendations to the provost’sconsideration

Jose Cortez, associate professor of physics,said that when he spent a year as chair of hisdepartment, he did not have much say in thetenure process.

“At UTPA the chair is basically powerlesswhen it comes to tenure of the faculty in hisdepartment,” Cortez said. “I can tell you, Ifelt my input did not count very much.Maybe this is an isolated incident but whoknows what the rest of the world looks like.”

“Tenure is usually awarded to faculties whohave demonstrated that they can beproductive and that the productivity that theydemonstrate during their six-yearprobationary period will continue after theyare tenured,” Arevalo said. “In some rareoccasions some faculties who are tenured stopbeing productive. That is not good for theuniversity, because eventually these facultywill have to be let go.”

Although tenure can be thought of as areward for loyalty and dedication to theteaching profession, there are also severalnegative aspects for the university faculty.

The system of tenure could possibledistract faculty from their students, becausethey spend more time on time-consumingresearch than in the classroom.

Cortez also feels that tenure couldsometime cause faculty to do things thatcould be thought of as objectionable to makethe grade.

“In many cases, I am sure whatever youcan do to make you a super professor, somewill do it, to reach the tenured goal,” Cortezsaid. “This may be the most irate statementthat I could say, but at one time I did notbelieve that scientists or people that claim tobe scientists would tell a lie, but this happensall the time. The point I am stressing is that

the system forces people, includingprofessors, to cross the line.”

There is also a point where tenure becomesan issue of competition between facultymembers of the same department. Sincemembers know that only a few will obtaintenure, instead of cooperation between facultyto work on common scientific goals, cases ofdivision within the department faculty havearisen.

Cortez is most worried that working to gaintenure through publication could lead to thedeemphasis of teaching, affecting studentlearning.

“Never mind what you publish, just do it isthe motivation or the driving force,” he said.

The tenure idea has been under scrutiny fora number of years and now the State of Texascalls for a 6-year review of all tenuredprofessors in state supported institutions.This implies that the system in Texas may notbe as strong as it could be. How many at the"6-year review" tenure earn it, and is theprocess fair? Professors normally get a 6-yearappointment to tenure track position, andhave to present their work after every year tobe renewed one step further along the track.

Some argue that the doctor of philosophydegree, or Ph.D., should also be time-limited,as should any degree, because that ensures theholder will keep up with the currentinformation in the particular field. Forexample, pilots, air traffic controllers andother professionals need to be re-certifiedperiodically. Yet, some feel that professors ata university do not have that requirement. Butsome would argue that having to walk alongthe tenure track year by year and publishmaterial in the field is the same thing as re-training.

There are other critics who ask why tenureis necessary, and why the process takes solong.

From a professor’s standpoint, job securityis one reason, but status might be another.

“I think tenure should only be used for veryexceptional cases of professors and teacherswho have done an outstanding job both inresearch and teaching, and not for having metthe time in service criteria and publishingcriteria,” Cortez said. “Tenure should be anhonor and not a right.”

Currently only holders of doctorates whohold the assistant professor, associateprofessor, or professor positions are eligiblefor tenure. This leaves lecturers out, and infact most departments are trying to phase outlecturers altogether for various reasons.

Arevalo does not think lecturers should beincluded as possible tenure candidatesbecause the role of tenure track faculties arerequired to be engaged in many moreactivities than lectures.

Cortez, however, thinks that tenure beingoffered only to professors is problematic. Tohim, full-time teachers should have the tenureoption, including lecturers if they areaccomplishing their job.

“Some of our best teachers are lecturersbased on their degrees,” he said. “To be atenured faculty you need the Ph.D., to be agood teacher and lecturer, you do not need aPh.D., and whoever argues with this pointshould only ask the students. So if tenure iswhat it supposed to be, full-time employmentfor faculty, then teachers should have thisright.”

On the other hand, one could argue thatdue to the advanced training required for adoctoral degree, the average candidate whocompletes this degree should be better able toteach students given enhanced learning in aparticular field. The counter argument to thishas always been that often learned professorshave a tendency to be average or poorteachers for whatever reason.

By CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

Tenure path complicated October 30, 2003 Sports Page 13

Broncs baseballschedule set

The University of Texas-Pan American 30-gamebaseball schedule has beenset for the 2004 season.

The Broncs will open upthe season with six straighthome games beginning witha two-game series againstTexas State-San Marcos ofthe Southland Conference.

UTPA will also continue itsrivalry with the ReynosaBroncos of the MexicanBaseball League next year.The annual Border Bash isset for March 3.

The Broncs will also takeon the Longhorns March 30at Austin.

Pan Am will play theirannual Green and Whitegame this Saturday at 12:45p.m. at the EdinburgBaseball Stadium.

Hunters awaitSaturday opening

This Saturday will markthe statewide opening of thegeneral whitetail deer sea-son.

Approximately 500,000Texas deer hunters hit thefields to target approximate-ly 4 million deer.

According to TPWD biolo-gists surveys, prospects arebetter than average.

Habitat in most regions islush and green, and deerherds are in excellent condi-tion.

Opening weekend isexpected to be successful,if the weather cooperates.

The 13th annual Huntersfor the Hungry program willbe accepting legally taggeddeer from hunters with moredeer than they need.

The program donatesdeer to needy Texans.

WWE comes tothe Valley

Professional wrestling inthe form of the WorldWrestling Entertainment orWWE will be hitting theValley at the new DodgeArena for a Nov. 17 date.

The tag team main eventwill pit Kurt Angle and ChrisBenoit against Brock Lesnarand A-Train. The eventincludes a six-man tag team

match.In addition, Tajiri will take

on Billy Kidman in the WWEcruiserweight title match.

The event will also featurefour other matches on theundercard.

James scores 25 inloss to Kings

Lebron James scored 25points in his professionaldebut against theSacramento KingsWednesday night.

However, the 18-year-old’s efforts were for a los-ing cause as the Kingsdefeated the ClevelandCavaliers 106-92 atSacramento.

James lived up to thehype in his first regular sea-son game.

James’ 25 points was themost by any recent prep-to-pro rookie.

The multi-million dollarteenager scored his firstpoints 88 seconds into thegame and helped the Cavsovercome a 19-point deficitin the fourth quarter to takea temporary 85-83 lead, butthe Kings pulled out the win.

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

2003 CHL StandingsNorthwest W L OTL PTSTulsa 3 1 1 7Oklahoma City 3 3 0 6Wichita 3 1 0 6Colorado 2 3 0 4New Mexico 1 4 0 2Northeast W L OTL PTSMemphis 3 1 1 6Indianapolis 2 1 1 5Bossier-Shreveport 2 1 1 5Fort Worth 1 2 1 3Southwest W L OTL PTSSan Angelo 4 2 0 8Lubbock 2 2 0 4Odessa 1 4 0 2Amarillo 0 3 0 0Southeast W L OTL PTSLaredo 4 0 0 8Austin 3 1 0 6RGV Killer Bees 2 1 1 4Corpus Christi 1 2 1 3

NFL Week Nine ScheduleAway Home Date TimeCarolina Houston Nov. 2 NoonJacksonville Baltimore Oct. 2 NoonN.Y. Giants N.Y. Jets Oct. 2 NoonSan Diego Chicago Oct. 2 NoonIndianapolis Miami Oct. 2 NoonNew Orleans Tampa Bay Oct. 2 NoonOakland Detroit Oct. 2 NoonCincinnati Arizona Oct. 2 3:05 p.m.Pittsburgh Seattle Oct. 2 3:05 p.m.St. Louis San Francisco Oct. 2 3:15 p.m.Philadelphia Atlanta Oct. 2 3:15 p.m.Washington Dallas Oct. 2 3:15 p.m.Green Bay Minnesota Oct. 2 7:30 p.m.New England Denver Oct. 3 8 p.m.

Valley High SchoolFootball

District 31-4A Record Overallx-PSJA High 4-0 5-2Sharyland 4-1 8-1Edinburg 3-1 6-1Mission 2-2 3-4PSJA Mem. 1-3 1-7Mission Vet. 1-4 1-7Roma 0-4 1-7

District 32-4A Record Overallx-Bro. Porter 5-0 8-0x-Edcouch-Elsa 4-0 5-2Harlingen S. 3-1 4-4Los Fresnos 2-3 4-4Mercedes 1-3 3-4Weslaco East 0-4 1-7Bro. López 0-4 0-7

District 31-5A Record Overallx-Economedes 5–0 6–1PSJA North 4–1 7–1McAllen High 4–1 5–2Nikki Rowe 3–2 5–2La Joya 2–3 4–4McAllen Mem. 2–3 2–6Edinburg North 0–5 2–5RGC 0–5 1–6

District 32-5 Record OverallBro. Rivera 4-1 5-4Harlingen 3-1 4-3Bro. Hanna 2-2 5-3Donna 2-2 5-3San Benito 2-2 4-3Bro. Pace 2-3 3-5Weslaco 0-4 0-7x-clinched playoff berth

Week 9 Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 30District 31-5ARío Grande City at Edinburg EconomedesDistrict 32-4AEdcouch-Elsa at Brownsville PorterFriday, Oct. 31District 31-5AMcAllen High at Nikki RoweLa Joya at Edinburg NorthMcAllen Memorial at PSJA NorthDistrict 32-5ABro. Hanna at DonnnaWeslaco High at Harlingen HighOpen Date: Bro. RiveraDistrict 31-4AMission High at RomaPSJA Memorial at Mission MemorialOpen Date: SharylandDistrict 32-4AWeslaco East at Bro. LópezOpen Date: Los FresnosDistrict 32-3ALyford at HidalgoRaymondville at La FeriaProgreso at Port IsabelOpen Date: Río HondoSaturday, Nov. 1District 32-5ASan Benito at Bro. PaceDistrict 31-4AEdinburg High at PSJA High, 2 p.m.District 32-4AMercedes at Harlingen SouthAll games are at 7:30 p.m. unlessotherwise noted.

Valley Football Top 10

Team Record Pvs1. Bro. Porter 8-0 12. Economedes 6-1 23. PSJA North 7-1 44. Edcouch-Elsa 5-2 55. Bro. Rivera 5-4 66. Sharyland 8-1 77. Port Isabel 5-3 108. PSJA 5-2 89. Harlingen South 4-4 1310. Lyford 5-3 9

Note: Poll by The Valley Morning Star

Upcoming UTPASchedule

Friday, Oct. 31Women’s tennis at UTSA FallInvitationalVolleyball vs. UTEP at FieldHouse, 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 1Women’s tennis at UTSA FallInvitationalVolleyball vs. Liga Municipal SelectReynosa at Field House, 7 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 2Women’s tennis at UTSA FallInvitationalMonday, Nov. 3Women’s golf at Sam HoustonState InvitationalTuesday, Nov. 4Women’s golf at Sam HoustonState InvitationalVolleyball vs. TAMUK at FieldHouse, 5 p.m.Men’s basketball vs. MonterreyTech at Field House (exhibitiongame), 7:30 p.m.

UTPA Men's FlagFootball

Wildcard Playoff Results

Wednesday, Oct. 22Mudd Dawgs 41, Metal Militia 12Gamblers 28, Team DU 0

Playoff Results and Schedule

Monday, Oct. 27Vipers 27, Mudd Dawgs 12Meat Heads 41, Iron Maiden 16Stallions 19, Xacutioners 14Wednesday, Oct. 29Vipers vs. Stallions, lateGamblers vs. The Bucs, lateMeatheads vs. Gamblers/Bucs,late

UTPA Co-RecVolleyball

Tournament

Results and Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 28H&K Club def. Bulls, 15-9, 15-10Bhats def. Phi Kaps, 15-11, 15-12Troopers def. Concise, 9-15, 15-12, 15-13Thursday, Oct. 30Vipers vs. The Bhats, NoonH&K Club vs. Tigers, NoonVipers/Bhats vs. H&K/Tigres,12:30 p.m.

UTPA Men’sSoccer

TournamentResults and Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 30Diablos Rojos vs. Warriors, 4Party Boys vs. Real Bañil,5Tuesday, Nov. 4Warriors vs. La Pandilla, 4López Tires vs. Real BañilThursday, Nov. 6A. San Pancho vs. The Beaners, 4Diablos Rojos vs. Party Boys, 5Tuesday, Nov. 11López Tires vs. A. San Pancho, 4Real Bañil vs. La Pandilla, 5Thursday, Nov. 13Diablos Rojos vs. The Beaners, 4Warriors vs. Party BoysTuesday, Nov. 18Wrecking Crew vs. López Tires, 4Party Boys vs. Real Bañil, 5Thursday, Nov. 20A. San Pancho vs. Real Bañil, 4Wrecking Crew vs. Warriors, 5

All games p.m. unless noted.

Mexican Soccer League

Team W - D - L GF:GA PTS Scorer / Team GU.N.A.M. 8 - 4 - 3 25:17 28 R. Navia, MOR 11Tigres 8 - 3 - 3 28:16 27 A. Fernandes, MTY 10Pachuca 7 - 5 - 3 23:18 26 C.M. Morales, ATS 10U.A.G. 8 - 2 - 5 25:21 26 E. Marcon, UAG 9América 7 - 4 - 4 29:16 25 L.G. Rey, ATE 9Atlante 7 - 4 - 4 26:17 25 A. Moreno, NCX 9Necaxa 6 - 6 - 3 21:17 24 W. Gaitan, TIG 9Morelia 7 - 2 - 6 19:20 23 E. Mora, VCZ 9Santos 5 - 6 - 4 31:23 21 C. Blanco, AME 8Toluca 6 - 3 - 5 20:18 21 L.I. Quinteros, PUE 8Cruz Azul 5 - 6 - 4 20:22 21 A. Silvera, TIG 7Irapuato 6 - 3 - 6 20:26 21 J. Borgetti, SAN 7Guadalajara 6 - 2 - 7 25:24 20 J.S. Cardozo, TOL 7Monterrey 4 - 6 - 5 27:27 18 A. Gonzalez, IRA 6Veracruz 5 - 3 - 7 23:29 18 G. Franco, MTY 6Chiapas 5 - 3 - 7 18:29 18 11 tied with 5 goalsPuebla 4 - 5 - 6 17:20 17Atlas 4 - 3 - 8 25:26 15Club San Luis 2 - 4 - 9 15:26 10Querétaro 1 - 2 - 12 11:36 5

Group I Group II Group III Group IV26 - Pachuca 28 - U.N.A.M. 27 - Tigres 25 - Atlante21 - Toluca 26 - U.A.G. 23 - Morelia 24 - Necaxa18 - Monterrey 25 - América 21 - Cruz Azul 21 - Irapuato17 - Puebla 21 - Santos 18 - Chiapas 20-Guadalajara15 - Atlas 5 - Querétaro 10 - San Luis 18 - Veracruz

Week 15 results Oct. 25-26: San Luis 0, Morelia 1; Monterrey 0, Toluca0; Cruz Azul 1, Puebla 0; Veracruz 3, Necaxa 2; Atlas 0, Querétaro 1;América 2, Tigres 1; U.A.G. 2, Guadalajara 4; Atlante 3, Chiapas 0;Irapuato 0, U.N.A.M. 1; Santos 1, Pachuca 2.

Week 16 schedule Nov. 1-2: Chiapas vs. Irapuato; Toluca vs. América;Tigres vs. Atlas; Morelia vs. Santos; Guadalajara vs. Monterrey; Necaxavs. U.A.G.; Pachuca vs. Atlante; U.N.A.M. vs. Cruz Azul; Querétaro vs.San Luis; Puebla vs. Veracruz.

October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 5October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 12

Arturo Ramos wants to see people, and soonerthan later.

The assistant director of UTPA’s LearningAssistant Center (LAC) encourages students toseek help with tutors early in the semester.

With a variety of services ranging from tutoringto advising to counseling, the Center is open to allstudents regardless of their major andclassification. It has been 32 years since it debutedon campus as Proyecto Esperanza (Project Hope).

After years of being located inside the StudentServices building, the LAC moved into the oldMathematics building next to the library lastwinter.

“This location has worked favorably for bothstudents and tutors,” said Ramos. “It’s easier forus to work together and it becomes moreaccessible for students.”

Throughout the years, the services offered atthe center have expanded. Students can get helpfrom tutors on different courses in math, science,history, political science, Spanish, and French.Counselors offer advice on depression, dating,and eating disorders. In addition to this, thecenter’s staff advises and assesses TSI-deficientstudents. This is possible through the reading lab,where students improve their vocabulary andcomprehension skills. Also, the Writing Centerlocated in the library employs tutors to assistsstudents with individual writing projects.

Like the people who seek their services, mosttutors are either graduate or undergraduatestudents and although they do not have to major

in the subject they tutor, they are required tomaintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in the subject theytutor and 2.5 overall. In addition to this and inorder to better serve the students, tutors mustattend training on a regular basis.

Because of the improvements the LAC hasundergone and the increase of student populationat UTPA, the demand for services has changed aswell.

“It used to be five or six years ago that thetutors didn’t have much to do,” said TeresaGarcia, writing center supervisor. “Now it’s reallythe opposite. The tutors are really in highdemand.”

This is why students who need help with asubject are encouraged to seek it early in thesemester.

“It’s very hard for us to overcome one or twoF’s already,” said Ramos. “That’s why it ‘s betterfor students to come to tutoring early and not waituntil they fail a test.”

Moreover, according to Ramos, the state isconsidering implementing tougher regulations thatmay limit the number of times a student canrepeat a given course. This could imply that oncea student has repeated one course a certainnumber of times his tuition fees could rise. Still,this is yet to be confirmed.

In the meantime, like Ramos, Garcia believes itis beneficial for students to visit the LAC earlyand to do so often.

“Many times students think that they’re goingto work with a tutor and see an immediateimprovement,” she explained. “But it isn’t likethat. You see it slowly occurring. It’s a process,just like anything else.”


LAC tutors finding more work this semester

Luis Saavedra/The Pan American

HELPING HAND— Peer tutor Judy Nilsson assists junior math major Roman RoblesTuesday at the Writing Center.

When Richard Costello started working forUTPA as director of the Environmental Healthand Safety Department, one of his goals was toestablish the university as an environmentallyconscious institution. Throughout the years heimplemented campaigns to try and earn UTPAawards, recognition and even grants. Now that heis leaving to assume a new position with TheUniversity of Texas-San Antonio in the spring, heis determined to leave UTPA mercury-free.

Recently, UTPA received a grant from theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) toreplace the use of mercury containing devicesthroughout campus. Nearly 1,300 thermometersand 15 sphygmomanometers in laboratory andclinical settings will be replaced with alcoholthermometers and digital- or vacuum-basedsphygmomanometers.

And the project goes beyond replacement.Research regarding how effective and beneficialthis will be for the students, faculty and everyliving organism at UTPA is under way becausethe university has been using mercury since itopened.

“The awareness of the potential health hazardsa mercury spill can cause is fortunately rising,”Costello said. “We are currently working withEdinburg schools to put this campaign into effect-we are educating the teachers and safety faculty tostop the use of mercury.”

The signs of the toxicity of mercury in thehuman body are not immediately visible,however, they do show up and the results are verydamaging and can even be fatal.

“It mostly affects sexual reproductive organsand kidneys; it is also a major factor in birth

defects that people don’t give a second thoughtthat it may be related to mercury exposure. That’swhat we are trying to avoid: further exposure tothis mineral,” said Saul Jauregi, safety specialist.

As of this Friday, Jauregi will be takingresponsibility for Costello’s position temporarilyuntil a replacement is approved. Jauregi hasalready applied for the position and is hoping hewill get it because he has high hopes for thiscampaign and wishes to emulate Costello’s legacyat UTPA.


ADIOS— Richard Costello is leaving to takea job at UT-San Antonio in environmentalhealth and safety.

By HILDA MORALESThe Pan American

Costello leaves cleanupas last UTPA work legacy

immigration. New plans were beingdeveloped to stop the illegal crossings,possibly with an amnesty agreement or aguest worker program. But after the terroristattacks the issue froze in limbo and Americaquickly became more protective of itsborders.

Rebecca M. Phares, an organizer of theBorder Pilgrimage, stated in a recentconference at UTPA that most of thenation’s prosperity comes from immigrantlabor. She also said that what was even moresurprising for her was that most Americansrely on immigrants for household chores,and manual labor, increasing the nation’swealth and economic stability.

Critics would argue that despite the factthat illegal immigrants contribute in theseareas, they are still breaking the law, andtaking jobs away from low-income citizens.And they would suggest that use of “most”is a large exaggeration. But there is nodenying that the service industry receives aboost from illegal Mexican labor.

Whatever the answer, it is obvious thatthousands of people decide America is theland of opportunity, especially incomparison to their homes, and that thedangerous trek north is worth it.

Workplaces in the States often welcomeimmigrants even though they could beillegal because they are able to pay themless. Part of this willingness stems from thefact that super cheap labor in China isforcing U.S. businessmen to desperatemeasures. Part of it might be plainexploitation. which the migrants in thiscountry have fought for generations.

Immigrants on the other hand, seeworking here as a good deal because theymake solid money and are able to sendmuch of it home to Mexico in the form of“envios.” Though they have to pay dearly toget here, the pay is way more than they can

get at home.For its part, America recently discussed a

trial approach to mitigate the problem ofimmigrant mortality. But it has met withcontroversy, as some say it will onlylengthen survival odds.

An Oct. 2002 proposal was submitted tocreate a fence along the Arizona border. Thefence is said to stretch 249 miles long,longer than the Berlin Wall, and will coverthe entire border to decrease the possibilityof crossing. But Phares stated the fencemight harm other living beings as well, suchas the animals that migrate across the desert.

Though it looks like a good plan, severalof the approximate 70 students who attendedthe lecture at UTPA were not in favor of thegovernment’s plan, and felt other wayscould be more helpful.

Until now, the only other option theBorder Pilgrimage had was to informstudents, and members of the community ofthe Valley of what is going on, what is beingdone, and get feedback and ideas.

Phares was impressed with the number ofpeople who showed up in South Texas, andhopes some positive ideas and actions willcome from the encounter.

“It was tremendous the number of peoplethat came out to support in the march,”Phares commented. “I was really impressedwith that and this is my second trip to theValley. I looked forward to spending moretime and getting to know the people here.”

Lasseigne, who has worked withimmigrants for over seven years, supportedthis cause because he says he’s seen the realpeople and heard their stories.

“I know them as good people andhardworking, the vast majority of them,”Lasseigne explained. “Furthermore, I have aspecial place in the heart for them. If theBorder Pilgrimage turns out well, I predictthere will be another one in the future.”

IMMIGRANTS continued from page 1

Elizabeth Padilla/The Pan American

AT THE FAIR— Kassandra Madrigal, pre-pharmacy freshman (left) and SandraMorales, philosophy junior, attended the HUB vendor fair Wednesday.

The University of Texas-Pan AmericanHistorically Underutilized Businesses(HUB) Program Office held its 3rd annualvendor fair Wednesday in the StudentBallroom. Over 25 minority- and woman-owned businesses were in attendance toendorse products or services.

Vendor exhibit booths featured officesupplies, janitorial and safety supplies,promotional items, furniture, computerequipment, laboratory supplies, andprinting supplies. Although the majority ofthe vendors are based locally, a fewoutside businesses also made the trip topromote their services.

Nancy Johnson, the owner of DesignCenter Signs and Banners, traveled over625 miles from Tyler to attend the fair.

“We want to get some business in thisarea,” said Johnson. “We’re here to helppeople advertise their event, business ororganization.”

In order to be HUB-certified, thebusiness has to be at least 51 percentowned and operated by a woman orminority. According to the HUB websitethe mission of the program is to encourageand effectively promote the utilization ofHUBs by all state agencies, and to reporttheir utilization to the State legislature.

“The purpose of this program is topromote full and equal businessopportunities for all businesses in statecontracting in accordance with the goalsspecified in the State of Texas DisparityStudy,” said Alex Valdez, programcoordinator.

According to the University of Texas-ElPaso website, the disparity study wasperformed in 1993 to determine whetherrace and sex discrimination limited theability of companies owned by minoritiesand women from doing business in Texas.Policies and rules were created three yearslater that institutions and state agencieswere required to follow. State agenciesare to make good-faith efforts to assistHUB businesses and utilize their services.

Valdez thinks that there might one daybe a time in the future in which businessowners will no longer have to beidentified by race,. Then the identifiablefactor would become size.

“Programs like HUB will have tochange and adapt, not only ensuring thatdifferent owners (based on race) but alsodifferent sizes of businesses, large orsmall can all have an equal opportunity tobid on state contracts,” said Valdez.“These programs do not guarantee theawards of the bid, but they do helpbusinesses get the opportunity to bid onthem.”

By CHRISTINA HARRISThe Pan American

October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 6 October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 11

For the first time in 10 years theBlazers dance team will not perform atuniversity basketball games, thanks to afamiliar recent story line of anorganization trying to survive budget cutsand not succeeding.

The dance team used to be a regularhalf-time and time-out entertainment plusfor Bronc games, but not anymore.However, when the Blazers were told thatthere wasn’t enough money to keep themaround, eight girls created a neworganization, Wildfire, to keep in touchwith their high school friends and still dowhat they love to do, dance.

There are five former Blazers in thenew contingent. Melanie Ruiz, former co-captain of the defunct group, is presidentfor the new group, which resembles theformer Blazer dancers in look and routinestyles, though there are 12 fewermembers.

“Our motto is simple: ‘We’ll light your*** on fire!’ It’s a symbol of what we willgive the audience when they come to oneof the games,” stated Ruiz, who also hassome pointed remarks about the demise ofthe Blazers.

With a motto like that it’s hard not tonotice the new organization performingoriginal choreography. According to Ruiz,“The Blazers’ routines were created bymyself and a few others. There wasn’tmuch of a team effort when it came toactually practicing.”

She admitted that the exit of the Blazerswas no shock.

“I wasn’t surprised, it was kind ofexpected that we would no longer be ateam,” she said. “Some of the girls werenot staying the full four-year commitmentit took to really put on a goodperformance.”

Wildfire performed at MidnightMadness earlier in the month, andaccording to Ruiz there were plenty ofcompliments for their work.

“There wasn’t really any animositybetween the former Blazer dancers whodidn’t join our organization, they werethere and wished us good luck,” statedRuiz.

But, that isn’t entirely so. Senior ErikaSilva is a dance major (ensemble) andformer Blazer dancer who disagrees onthat matter.

“To be honest, I loved being a Blazerbut all Charlie did was push play. Wecould have kept the team going on ourown and I know the girls agree,” saidSilva, referring to former team adviserCharlie Caseres.

“If there is one person in the group whois saying she did all the work, she wouldbe lying. But that was definitely a selectgroup of girls who decided which friendsthey wanted in Wildfire,” she added. “Itried to keep in touch with Wildfire’spresident but they made it a point to notinvolve those who they did not want intheir organization, much like high school.It doesn’t seem very professional and theBlazers were all professionals,” sheemphasized.

MEMORIESThis year would have marked the 10th

anniversary for the Blazer dance team.When Caseres had the idea to start aperformance group separate from thecheerleaders, people thought he wascrazy. In 1993, Caseres knew there neededto be a creative dance outlet for enteringfreshman, who came from Valley highschools with dance experience. At thattime, the university didn’t even have adance major.

“Back then we had a new basketballcoach and new facilities. There was somuch talent going to waste; it just wasn’tgetting utilized,”Caseres recalled.

“Fast forward tothis year, I wasburning candles onthree ends andgetting burned for it.I had to blow out oneof the candles to stayabove water,” hesaid.

Caseres wasworking 12-hourdays and coachingthe Blazers for aboutsix hours, not tomention maintainingan added role ascheer adviser and as co-drafter of aproposal to build a new rec-sports center.So time was an element in the death ofthe Blazers.

As always, money was a factor in thedecision. The recreational- athleticdepartment tried to seek other forms ofadvisement in the kinesiology department,

but no one seemed to have the time orwill to coach the Blazers. It would havetaken approximately a minimum of$10,800 to hire an assistant director part-time for 2-3 hours three times a week, notcounting game time.

“It was a bittersweet experience for me,but nothing is final,” said Caseres. “TheBlazers could always come back.”

One former dancer would welcome thechance to get busy again.

“If Charlie were to bring the Blazersback I would say yes because he has beenlike a deranged father in law to me,always pushing the team to be better,”

said Ruiz. “He knowswhat the guys in theaudience like to see.”

Wildfire will startthe first of severalopen auditions startingNov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. inthe gymnastics roomin HPEB 2. There areno member fees andexperience is notnecessary.

Auditions willcontinue until theeight-memberperformance grouphas enough dancers toperform.

For now, Silva and many of the othersremain out of the loop.

“I choose not to join Wildfire because itwouldn’t be fair having one person try todo everything like when we were theBlazers,” she said. “It’s the university’sloss and I wish the new organization luckin the future.”

By VANESSA L. LUCIOThe Pan American

Wildfire organization replacing Blazers

Special to The Pan American

TRANSFER— The Wildfire organization includes several former members of the Blazersdance team, which was a budget casualty this year.

Our motto issimple: ‘We’ll lightyour *** on fire!’ It’s asymbol of what wewill give the audiencewhen they come toone of the games.

““

- Melanie Ruiz,President of Wildfire dancers

HUB fair promotesunderutilized firms


SIGNING UP— Ana Cache fills out paperwork at theGraduate Student Fair earlier in the week. Dozens of uni-versity reps were on hand to recruit.

Slow and steady, the tortoise winsthe race? Not exactly, on Saturday,Nov. 1 the reptile will be the subjectof a noted honor.

That’s when the Valley NatureCenter (VNC) honors Dr. FrankJudd, a research professor at theUniversity of Texas-Pan American,as this year’s Outstanding Naturalistfor his research with the TexasTortoise, Gopherus berlandieri.Judd’s research has been steadythrough the years, but with over 94publications in less than 40 yearshis work has not been slow.

“I am honored and I am grateful,”Judd, who received a doctorate inzoology from Texas Tech Universityin 1973, said. “And humbled forthis recognition.”

This is the fourth year the VNC

will honor a localnaturalist forcontributions to the wellbeing of the local floraand fauna. The groupwill hold an OutstandingNaturalist Awards Dinneron Saturday at the FirstUnited Methodist Hall inWeslaco at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the VNCmake nominations, andthe ultimate decision isup to the executive committee. Theestimated 400 members of thecenter can nominate potentialcandidates. To be eligible for theaward the individual is not requiredto be a member.

Martin Hagne, executive directorof the VNC, is pleased that Juddwas chosen as this year’s winnerfrom a pool of noteworthycandidates.

“I think it was anexcellent choice,” Hagnesaid. “I think Dr. Judddefinitely deserves to berecognized.” Judd hasreceived several awardsfor his research and workas a professor, such as theLeadership Award fromthe Texas AgriculturalExtension Service in 1991.

Eleven of Judd’s 94scientific publications are

about various aspects of the biologyof the Texas Tortoise. Along withhis co-author Dr. Francis

Rose—chairman of the biologydepartment at Texas StateUniversity in San Marcos— he hascovered topics such as populationstructure and size, egg production,growth, and longevity of thisspecies tortoise.

In addition to his extensive

studies of the Texas tortoise, Juddhas researched numerous topicsincluding: the role of lipids in thereproductive cycles of lizards andmammals, the effect of freezes onthe woody vegetation in the RioGrande Valley, and the populationecology of the Keeled EarlessLizard.

Currently Judd is continuingresearch involving Texasvegetation.

“I am currently working on twogrants.” Judd said. “I am alsowriting papers for publication basedon data that I have collectedpreviously.”

Judd’s studies will be discussedat the Outstanding NaturalistAwards Dinner. Tickets for thedinner are $12.95 per person, andcan be purchased from any VNCboard member or by calling theoffice at (956) 969-2475.

■ Dancing Devil . . . . . . 8

■ LeAnn Rimes . . . . . . 9

■ Culture Club . . . . . . . 9ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

AroundTown

Halloween CostumeOct. 30 from 8 p.m. tomidnightPlace: UTBEvent: The UTB HalloweenCostume Party features abest costume, best howland pumpkin pie eatingcontest, as well as livemusic, hors d’oeuvres anddoor prizes.Price: $10Phone: (956) 983-7400

Broadway showOct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.Place: McAllen Civic CenterEvent: The Broadwaymusical ‘Saturday NightFever’ comes to the Valleystage.Price: $30-35.

MusicalNov. 13-15, 20-22 at 7:30with 3 p.m. matinees onNov. 16 and 23Place: PSJA High SchoolPerforming Arts CentreEvent: The life and times ofsinger/song writer EllieGreenwich are celebrated inthe Broadway musical“Leader of the Pack: TheEllie Greenwich Musical.”Her sixties hits include“Chapel of Love,” “Do WahDiddy” and “Da-Do RonRon.”Phone: (956) 783-2252

Health FairNov. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2p.m.Place: McAllen Civic CenterEvent: The 20th Annual“Heart of the Valley HealthFair,” sponsored by theMcAllen Chamber ofCommerce, promotes healthawareness in the Valley. Achildren’s section willfeature fingerprinting by theMcAllen Police Departmentand a Fire Safety House setup by the McAllen FireDepartment to teachchildren how to exit aburning house.Price: FreePhone: (956) 682-2871

Mexican muralist Diego Rivera diedin 1957, but for two days in November,this artist and several other members ofthe deceased will rise again and beremembered. Nov. 1 and 2 mark thetraditional Mexican holiday, El Dia delos Muertos--Day of the Dead.

The name sounds morbid, but thisholiday is intended to be a festive time,a time when the living celebrate thedead. Tradition calls for a special dinnerthat includes "Bread of the Dead" or"Pan de Muertos," colorfully decoratedcandy sugared skulls, tamales, andspecial altars honoring loved ones whohave passed on.

The International Museum of Artsand Science will hold a specialobservance of the holiday Nov. 2 from1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"This year, we chose to honor DiegoRivera because we like to highlightMexican artists," said contributing artistRaquel Hinojosa.

The museum will have an altar set up

complete with pictures of Frida Kahlo,his wife, a jacket and a hat similar toones he used to wear, Mexican candyhe used to like, and a bottle of tequila.

"I decided to put an easel for him,some brushes, a pallet, and a bottle oftequila," Hinojosa said.

Community members areencouraged to contribute to the altarwith items they think are suitable forhonoring Rivera. A second altar will bedisplayed at the museum to honor otherindividuals loved ones. The generalpublic and local artists can bring articlesthat symbolize a loved one that died.

Aside from the altars at the museum,community members can celebrate theholiday at the 2nd Annual Dia de losMuertos Festival hosted by Espana andpresented by Cine Sol. The event willrun from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m at McAllen'sEspana Restaurant. There will be a$10 cover charge at the door.

The event will have an altardedicated to the Latin salsa queen,Celia Cruz.

The McAllen Chamber ofCommerce will hold a special event for

anyone wishing to experience Dia delos Muertos in Rio Bravo, Mexico.With the purchase of a $45 ticket,patrons will be taken to this historicMexican city that hosts holidayfestivities. The event features over 20altars made by several local familiesand schools. Lunch will be includedwith the trip.

"You'll see families decorating andcleaning the graves of the loved ones,"Jim Deuser of the McAllen Chamber ofCommerce said, "it gives you a chanceto wander around and enjoy the daywith the people of Rio Bravo."

A contest is held at the event for themost appealing altars. They will be setup in Rio Bravo's historic, "Casa delCultura" which is open to the public.The public square surrounding thisbeautiful historic building housesfestivities during the day.Deuser encourages students to attend,even if they don't buy a ticket. Theevent is open to the public and anyonewishing to go may do so on their own,or with a ticket purchased at theChamber.

"What is most appealing to me is thatso many people in the U.S. areforgetting their roots," Deuser said,"this would be a great opportunity forthem to rediscover their roots."

HISTORY

Dia de los Muertos is a holiday thatdates back more than 3,000 years, andit has experienced severalmodifications. The celebration,practiced in July, was initiated by theMexican native Indians before theSpanish invasion. When the Spanishcame across to Latin America theywere exposed to this ritual that seemedto mock death, according to an officialDay of the Dead website.

The Spanish adopted this ritual andmoved the holiday to November inorder to coincide with the Christianholiday, All Hallow's Eve. Although theholiday was adopted by the Spanishand made into an official day ofcelebration, the same Aztec principles

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

By OMAIRA GALARZAThe Pan American

Professor honored with award for reptile research

"When I'm in front of somany people performing, itfeels like having sex for thevery first time, you can'tbelieve you are doing it at first,but after a while it becomeseasy," said Danny Cardenas,vocals and guitar for themelodic punk band FahttChester.

Fahtt Chester was formed in2000 by Med-High (SouthTexas High School for HealthProfessions) students DannyCardenas, Eloy Pina, and IsaacTrevino. They were togetherfor a year before theyintroduced an incomingfreshman, Matt Enriquez, tothe band. After two years ofsuccess, hard times came andPina, the bass player, left theband for personal reasons.

After months of not fillingPina's position the band took abreak and only played twoshows as a trio. Finally inNovember 2002, former Eh?Ska! Later saxophone playerAlfonzo Mendoza was hired tofill Pina's bass duties.

"I use to play saxophone inEh? Ska! Laters with Danny, aska band. The band separated

See MUERTOS page 10

See BAND page 10Left to right, Danny Cardenas, Alfonzo Mendoza and MattEnriquez work to satisfy a crowd with an energenic performance.

Arlett Lomeli/The Pan American

By ARLETT LOMELIThe Pan American

Artists, musicians to be honored during celebration

Fahtt Chester: Local band hoping forsuccess, to perform at coffee shop

October 30, 2003 arts & entertainment Page 10

were kept, such as the use of skulls. These skulls symbolizedeath and rebirth. Today, the holiday is celebrated in Latincountries and parts of the United States where there is aheavy Latin population.

ALTARS

These altars are a common way to honor the dead on thisholiday. Family members and loved ones set up thesemonuments with old photos, belongings and reminders oftheir deceased loved one. According to Hinojosa, who hascontributed to Diego Rivera's shrine, it is a good idea toinclude their favorite food or candy. In rural Mexico andGuadalupe, the altar may be set up on the actual gravesite.They include toys for children and bottles of tequila foradults. In the United States and large cities in Mexico altarsare set up in the homes of the deceased and familymembers to honor their loved ones. Candles and flowersare used to decorate these altars.

TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FOOD

Pan de muertos or bread of the dead is a traditional sweetbread that is served on Nov. 2. The ingredients call for asmall skeleton toy baked inside the bread. The hidden toy isplaced in the bread so the family member who bites into itwill have good luck.

Sugared skulls are decorated with pink or blue laceaccording to Raquel Hinojosa of the International Museumof Arts and Sciences in McAllen. The skulls are moremeaningful if they include the name of the deceased writtenacross it. If the person was male or female, you would usepink or blue lace. The small skulls are then meant to beeaten by a family member or loved one.

Also, like any traditional Mexican holiday, tamales areusually served as a meal.

MUERTOS continued from page 7

and I basically bugged Danny to let me intoFahtt Chester," Mendoza said. "After non-stop nagging they agreed to give me a shot."

Fahtt Chester's members now includeDanny Cardenas (vocals and guitar), MattEnriquez (guitar), Alfonzo Mendoza (bass),and Isaac Trevino (drummer).

"This band has been able to please manypeople with our 'I'm better than you' attitudeand energetic stage presence," said the band.

Cardenas lives in Mercedes and hasplayed guitar for eight years. On a breakfrom school, his focus is to write moresongs for the band.

Cardenas said, "During middle school Iwas fat, so I thought that playing guitarwould help me be cooler and get the ladiesto notice me."

He has written most of the Fahtt Chesterlyrics, which talk mainly about girls andeveryday life experiences.

Enriquez is from San Juan and has playedguitar for two years. He is a senior in highschool.

"I was inspired to start playing because alot of my friends at Med-High would play,so I eventually picked it up also," Enriquezsaid. "Now the best part of playing is whenyou see the audience dance and sing to yourtunes. I really enjoy getting crazy andputting on a good show."

Fahtt Chester's bass Mendoza is aUniversity of Texas-Pan American seniormarketing major. He works as theuniversity's telephone operator and plays onhis free time. Mendoza has played for about

three and a half years."The guys have been

patient with me and havetaught me somethingnew all the time,"Mendoza said. "It wouldbe nice to make a careerout of it, but it’s a toughindustry. I just hope tobe playing with theseguys for many moreyears."

Trevino, the FahttChester's drummer, isfrom Mission andcurrently enjoying hisvacation before starting college in thespring.

"I started playing because Eloy, ourprevious bass player, wanted to start a bandso bad he kept nagging me," Trevino said. "Ialso started drums because I was inspired byBrain, the drummer of Primus."

Fahtt Chester's goal is to get signed to alabel and tour the nation.

Trevino said, "We want to conquer theU.S. ... simple as that."

Fahtt Chester can be heard online atMP3.com. The band is in the process offinishing its web site in a few weeks. Theband is also a part of the Union, a collectiveof local talent that meets once a month toorganize shows for the bands. The Unionwebsite (www.the-union.org) hasinformation about each band. It alsocontains the show dates, location, bands

who will perform, prices, and directions. Fahtt Chester plays "Union" shows, but

have also played with local talents such asOne time thing, Stiff one eye, MalcontentParty, Yoink, 13th Victim, as well as, out oftown bands. Out of Town bands includeDynomite boy, Limbeck, Lonely Kings, andUnsung Zeros.

The next show for Fahtt Chester underthe Union shows will be a tribute show andis scheduled for Halloween night, Oct. 31, atAthena's II located on 16th and Beech (nearthe McAllen Library, two blocks fromBusiness 83). Price to see the show is $3 forall ages. Show starts at 7 p.m. and willinclude the following bands: Plan 9 (fromMonterrey), Fahtt Chester, A One TimeThing, Parkwood Ave., and The Grendels.There will be a Halloween costume contest.The prize is $100.

BAND continued from page 7

Danny Cardenas, Alfonzo Mendoza and Matt Enriquez, with drum-mer Isaac Trevino (not shown) make up the band Fahtt Chester.


October 30, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 9October 30, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 8

Movie: “Gone With the Wind”CD: GiovanniWebsite: ivillage.com

Movie: “Finding Nemo”CD: “Desde Hoy” by DueloBook: “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Movie: “The Empire”CD: “The Eminem Show” by EminemWebsite: aol.com

Jesus AldayJuniorBus. Management

Gloria E. ProaJuniorAccounting

Susie ChapaCoordinator ofCooperative Education

CULTURE CLUBWhat students like to read, listen to and surf.

TheLeAnn Rimes to performat Dodge Arena in Hidalgo

Planning a spook-tacular nightat a club this Friday? Just becareful who you choose to dancewith.

It is still believed that about 35years ago the devil came out topaint the night red right here in theRio Grande Valley.

Dr. Mark Glazer, professor ofanthropology specializing inMexican-American folklore,

says the story is that the devilmade his appearance at a club inMcAllen on April 13, 1979, whichhappened to be on a Good Friday.

According to Glazer, the devil,known as Satan or Lucifer in theHoly Bible, was dancing with ayoung woman at a popular nightspot known as Boccaccio's 2000Disco Tech. The night club, whichreally did exist back then, waslocated on the corner of Nolanaand 10th Street., a couple ofbuildings south of the Exxon GasStation.

Glazer said there are manydifferent versions of the devil

dancing at the club. One versionwas that he was dancing with agirl, who disobeyed her parents bygoing to the club. As they weredancing everyone started noticingthe couple as they began to spininto the air. The girl fell dead inthe middle of the dance floor andthe “mysterious man” that she wasdancing with disappeared into thinair.

Another version was that thedevil left the club in a blacklimousine, which had no driver,and made several stops at differentclubs all throughout the Valley andMexico.

“The devil left Boccaccio's 2000Disco Tech to the Star Ship, whichlater became an Italian Restauranton the corner of 10th and LaVista,” Glazer said. “From there hewent to other

discos, not only in the McAllen,because there are versions of hisappearance at the same

timeframe from different spotsin the Valley to Reynosa, and allthe way to Tijuana.”

Glazer said at the time everyonewas buzzing with the story about

the devil clubbing herein the Valley, but the story goes

back further. The story about the‘Devil at the

Dance’ can be traced somewhatback to the Old EuropeanMedieval times, which wasbrought over from the SpanishSettlers; but the origination isunknown.

The story can be told where thea young girl disobeys hergrandmother, who warns her aboutgoing out on a Good Friday or anyHoliday. The girl breaks a tabooand goes anyway. She is eithervain by not dancing with anyoneuntil the tall handsome man [thedevil] asks, or she is flirtatious anddances with all the men who askher until she meets and danceswith the devil.

The girl either dies immediatelyafter the dance ends or she diesthree days later

and her remains are not foundwhere she is buried, because Satancame back to take her body toHell. Either way the story is told inthe same basic context but withmany variations.

But they all meet the criteria formorality [dancing on GoodFriday], holidays, elderdisobedience, and sexual overtones[dancing with a handsome man],Glazer said.

Paula Guzman, aninterdisciplinary studies graduatestudent here at UTPA, who movedto the Valley when she was 14, hadnever heard about the devil at thedance story until she took her corecourses in anthropology.

“I didn’t believe how this storycould be true, but people who tellthe story can swear on theirchildren’s lives on its [validity],”said Guzman.

Guzman said the story that shewas told was about a youngwoman who lives with her

grandparents and wants to goout on a Good Friday, which is ataboo, because you’re notsupposed to do anything on thatholiday. She sneaks out to thedance. The girl was being pickyabout who she danced with,because she refused a lot of guys.

Finally, this sharp-dressed,handsome man asked her and she

accepted. They danced the nightaway and the girl felt as if she wasfloating in air. But when the lightscame on at midnight, the girllooked down and man had no feet.She started to scream, which goteveryone’s attention and hedisappeared. The girl later ends upin a mental hospital.

Guzman said it was because shedisobeyed her grandmother.

Psychology student RubyGuerra said her mother told herthat she was there when the devilwent to the club in 1979.

“She said this girl was dancingall night with a very good-lookingguy. As they were dancing,

his feet turned into [goat]hooves and everyone was freakingout. They both were spinning inthe air and girl just dropped downon the floor,” Guerra said. “Mymother told me that story when Ifirst wanted to go to clubs.”

There are over 2,000 storiescollected here at UTPA’s Libraryin the Special Collectionsdepartment about the devil dancinghere in the Valley along with thevarious variations on that legend.

The new Dodge Arenawill host a night of comedyand music as the SouthTexas Academic RisingScholars (STARS) fund triesto raise money for localstudents.

For the past several yearsthe Hispanic ScholarshipFund (HSF), a nationallyknown organization, hasbeen raising scholarshipmoney. According to TeriTrevino Funk, executivedirector of STARS, as of theyear 2002 local HSForganizers formed their ownnonprofit scholarship fundfor the students of the RioGrande Valley. One of themain reasons STARS wascreated was because localHSF organizers wanted tohave a familiar board ofdirectors in South Texas.

As part of the 2003scholarship fundraiserSTARS will bring actor andcomedian Paul Rodriguez totown, as well as Grammyaward winner LeAnn Rimes.They will perform Dec. 9 atthe Dodge Arena. Funk saidthat both are stars and bigdraws.

“We chose both of thoseentertainers because of theirbroad appeal,” stated Funk.“Both of them are wellknown and respected intheir fields ofentertainment.”

The opening act for theevening will be Rodriguez.

The native of Culiacan,Mexico was raised in LosAngeles. During college heworked in a comedy cluband in exchange he asked tobe allowed to perform.Rodriguez has been inseveral movies such as“D.C. Cab,” “Born in EastL.A.,” “Quicksilver,” andmost recently he workedwith Clint Eastwood in“Bloodwork.” Aside fromproviding entertainmentRodriguez finds time to

raise funds for organizationssuch as Farm-Aid, ProjectLiteracy, and Comic Relief,among others.

Following the comedianwill be the featured artist,Rimes, who in a few shortyears has achieved whatmany artists spend alifetime pursuing in vain. In1995 she signed a contractwith Curb Records and in1996 made her debut with‘Blue’ which receivedcritical acclaim. That album

featured her hitsingle “Blue,”which waswritten in the1960s forcountry singerPatsy Cline. Herdebut in themusic industrymarked thebeginning of hersuccess as amusic artist.During 1996 theAcademy ofCountry Musicawarded Rimeswith Song of theYear for her top

selling single, and Top NewFemale Vocalist. That yearshe also won two GrammyAwards.

Rimes has continued to besuccessful, as in 1997Billboard awarded her withCountry Artist of the Yearand Country Singles Artistof the Year. The same yearshe was once againnominated for a Grammy,but she fell short. Mostrecently in 2003 she wasnominated for the Hottest

Female Video of the Yearfor her song “Life Goes On”by the CMT FlameworthyVideo Music Awards.

She’s tried her luck in themusic industry, but also inother areas, including 2000when she stepped into theworld of movies, in “CoyoteUgly.” Most recently Rimesbecame an author,publishing a children’s bookalong with her husband,Dean Sheremet.

The STARS scholarshipfund expects this year’sfundraiser to be a success.According to Funk, in thepast the events were private,for corporate sponsors only.These days the public willalso be able to dig theentertainment. Sponsors ofSTARS will enjoy a dinneralong with a live and silentauction. Immediatelyafterward, the general publicwill be allowed to come intothe arena for the show.

“Now thanks to ourpartnership with the DodgeArena even the public canenjoy the entertainment,”said Funk. “Now it[fundraiser] is sponsors pluspublic so it means moremoney for scholarships. Thesky’s the limit; we hope toraise a lot of money forscholarships.”

Tickets are alreadyavailable to the public. Fortickets log ontododgearena.com or call 866-RIO-TIXX. For moreinformation on becoming aSTARS corporate sponsorcontact Teri Trevino Funk at687-7751.

By DULCE GONZALEZThe Pan American



By BELINDA REYESThe Pan American

October 30, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 9October 30, 2003 Arts & Entertainment Page 8

Movie: “Gone With the Wind”CD: GiovanniWebsite: ivillage.com

Movie: “Finding Nemo”CD: “Desde Hoy” by DueloBook: “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Movie: “The Empire”CD: “The Eminem Show” by EminemWebsite: aol.com

Jesus AldayJuniorBus. Management

Gloria E. ProaJuniorAccounting

Susie ChapaCoordinator ofCooperative Education

CULTURE CLUBWhat students like to read, listen to and surf.

TheLeAnn Rimes to performat Dodge Arena in Hidalgo

Planning a spook-tacular nightat a club this Friday? Just becareful who you choose to dancewith.

It is still believed that about 35years ago the devil came out topaint the night red right here in theRio Grande Valley.

Dr. Mark Glazer, professor ofanthropology specializing inMexican-American folklore,

says the story is that the devilmade his appearance at a club inMcAllen on April 13, 1979, whichhappened to be on a Good Friday.

According to Glazer, the devil,known as Satan or Lucifer in theHoly Bible, was dancing with ayoung woman at a popular nightspot known as Boccaccio's 2000Disco Tech. The night club, whichreally did exist back then, waslocated on the corner of Nolanaand 10th Street., a couple ofbuildings south of the Exxon GasStation.

Glazer said there are manydifferent versions of the devil

dancing at the club. One versionwas that he was dancing with agirl, who disobeyed her parents bygoing to the club. As they weredancing everyone started noticingthe couple as they began to spininto the air. The girl fell dead inthe middle of the dance floor andthe “mysterious man” that she wasdancing with disappeared into thinair.

Another version was that thedevil left the club in a blacklimousine, which had no driver,and made several stops at differentclubs all throughout the Valley andMexico.

“The devil left Boccaccio's 2000Disco Tech to the Star Ship, whichlater became an Italian Restauranton the corner of 10th and LaVista,” Glazer said. “From there hewent to other

discos, not only in the McAllen,because there are versions of hisappearance at the same

timeframe from different spotsin the Valley to Reynosa, and allthe way to Tijuana.”

Glazer said at the time everyonewas buzzing with the story about

the devil clubbing herein the Valley, but the story goes

back further. The story about the‘Devil at the

Dance’ can be traced somewhatback to the Old EuropeanMedieval times, which wasbrought over from the SpanishSettlers; but the origination isunknown.

The story can be told where thea young girl disobeys hergrandmother, who warns her aboutgoing out on a Good Friday or anyHoliday. The girl breaks a tabooand goes anyway. She is eithervain by not dancing with anyoneuntil the tall handsome man [thedevil] asks, or she is flirtatious anddances with all the men who askher until she meets and danceswith the devil.

The girl either dies immediatelyafter the dance ends or she diesthree days later

and her remains are not foundwhere she is buried, because Satancame back to take her body toHell. Either way the story is told inthe same basic context but withmany variations.

But they all meet the criteria formorality [dancing on GoodFriday], holidays, elderdisobedience, and sexual overtones[dancing with a handsome man],Glazer said.

Paula Guzman, aninterdisciplinary studies graduatestudent here at UTPA, who movedto the Valley when she was 14, hadnever heard about the devil at thedance story until she took her corecourses in anthropology.

“I didn’t believe how this storycould be true, but people who tellthe story can swear on theirchildren’s lives on its [validity],”said Guzman.

Guzman said the story that shewas told was about a youngwoman who lives with her

grandparents and wants to goout on a Good Friday, which is ataboo, because you’re notsupposed to do anything on thatholiday. She sneaks out to thedance. The girl was being pickyabout who she danced with,because she refused a lot of guys.

Finally, this sharp-dressed,handsome man asked her and she

accepted. They danced the nightaway and the girl felt as if she wasfloating in air. But when the lightscame on at midnight, the girllooked down and man had no feet.She started to scream, which goteveryone’s attention and hedisappeared. The girl later ends upin a mental hospital.

Guzman said it was because shedisobeyed her grandmother.

Psychology student RubyGuerra said her mother told herthat she was there when the devilwent to the club in 1979.

“She said this girl was dancingall night with a very good-lookingguy. As they were dancing,

his feet turned into [goat]hooves and everyone was freakingout. They both were spinning inthe air and girl just dropped downon the floor,” Guerra said. “Mymother told me that story when Ifirst wanted to go to clubs.”

There are over 2,000 storiescollected here at UTPA’s Libraryin the Special Collectionsdepartment about the devil dancinghere in the Valley along with thevarious variations on that legend.

The new Dodge Arenawill host a night of comedyand music as the SouthTexas Academic RisingScholars (STARS) fund triesto raise money for localstudents.

For the past several yearsthe Hispanic ScholarshipFund (HSF), a nationallyknown organization, hasbeen raising scholarshipmoney. According to TeriTrevino Funk, executivedirector of STARS, as of theyear 2002 local HSForganizers formed their ownnonprofit scholarship fundfor the students of the RioGrande Valley. One of themain reasons STARS wascreated was because localHSF organizers wanted tohave a familiar board ofdirectors in South Texas.

As part of the 2003scholarship fundraiserSTARS will bring actor andcomedian Paul Rodriguez totown, as well as Grammyaward winner LeAnn Rimes.They will perform Dec. 9 atthe Dodge Arena. Funk saidthat both are stars and bigdraws.

“We chose both of thoseentertainers because of theirbroad appeal,” stated Funk.“Both of them are wellknown and respected intheir fields ofentertainment.”

The opening act for theevening will be Rodriguez.

The native of Culiacan,Mexico was raised in LosAngeles. During college heworked in a comedy cluband in exchange he asked tobe allowed to perform.Rodriguez has been inseveral movies such as“D.C. Cab,” “Born in EastL.A.,” “Quicksilver,” andmost recently he workedwith Clint Eastwood in“Bloodwork.” Aside fromproviding entertainmentRodriguez finds time to

raise funds for organizationssuch as Farm-Aid, ProjectLiteracy, and Comic Relief,among others.

Following the comedianwill be the featured artist,Rimes, who in a few shortyears has achieved whatmany artists spend alifetime pursuing in vain. In1995 she signed a contractwith Curb Records and in1996 made her debut with‘Blue’ which receivedcritical acclaim. That album

featured her hitsingle “Blue,”which waswritten in the1960s forcountry singerPatsy Cline. Herdebut in themusic industrymarked thebeginning of hersuccess as amusic artist.During 1996 theAcademy ofCountry Musicawarded Rimeswith Song of theYear for her top

selling single, and Top NewFemale Vocalist. That yearshe also won two GrammyAwards.

Rimes has continued to besuccessful, as in 1997Billboard awarded her withCountry Artist of the Yearand Country Singles Artistof the Year. The same yearshe was once againnominated for a Grammy,but she fell short. Mostrecently in 2003 she wasnominated for the Hottest

Female Video of the Yearfor her song “Life Goes On”by the CMT FlameworthyVideo Music Awards.

She’s tried her luck in themusic industry, but also inother areas, including 2000when she stepped into theworld of movies, in “CoyoteUgly.” Most recently Rimesbecame an author,publishing a children’s bookalong with her husband,Dean Sheremet.

The STARS scholarshipfund expects this year’sfundraiser to be a success.According to Funk, in thepast the events were private,for corporate sponsors only.These days the public willalso be able to dig theentertainment. Sponsors ofSTARS will enjoy a dinneralong with a live and silentauction. Immediatelyafterward, the general publicwill be allowed to come intothe arena for the show.

“Now thanks to ourpartnership with the DodgeArena even the public canenjoy the entertainment,”said Funk. “Now it[fundraiser] is sponsors pluspublic so it means moremoney for scholarships. Thesky’s the limit; we hope toraise a lot of money forscholarships.”

Tickets are alreadyavailable to the public. Fortickets log ontododgearena.com or call 866-RIO-TIXX. For moreinformation on becoming aSTARS corporate sponsorcontact Teri Trevino Funk at687-7751.

By DULCE GONZALEZThe Pan American



By BELINDA REYESThe Pan American

Slow and steady, the tortoise winsthe race? Not exactly, on Saturday,Nov. 1 the reptile will be the subjectof a noted honor.

That’s when the Valley NatureCenter (VNC) honors Dr. FrankJudd, a research professor at theUniversity of Texas-Pan American,as this year’s Outstanding Naturalistfor his research with the TexasTortoise, Gopherus berlandieri.Judd’s research has been steadythrough the years, but with over 94publications in less than 40 yearshis work has not been slow.

“I am honored and I am grateful,”Judd, who received a doctorate inzoology from Texas Tech Universityin 1973, said. “And humbled forthis recognition.”

This is the fourth year the VNC

will honor a localnaturalist forcontributions to the wellbeing of the local floraand fauna. The groupwill hold an OutstandingNaturalist Awards Dinneron Saturday at the FirstUnited Methodist Hall inWeslaco at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the VNCmake nominations, andthe ultimate decision isup to the executive committee. Theestimated 400 members of thecenter can nominate potentialcandidates. To be eligible for theaward the individual is not requiredto be a member.

Martin Hagne, executive directorof the VNC, is pleased that Juddwas chosen as this year’s winnerfrom a pool of noteworthycandidates.

“I think it was anexcellent choice,” Hagnesaid. “I think Dr. Judddefinitely deserves to berecognized.” Judd hasreceived several awardsfor his research and workas a professor, such as theLeadership Award fromthe Texas AgriculturalExtension Service in 1991.

Eleven of Judd’s 94scientific publications are

about various aspects of the biologyof the Texas Tortoise. Along withhis co-author Dr. Francis

Rose—chairman of the biologydepartment at Texas StateUniversity in San Marcos— he hascovered topics such as populationstructure and size, egg production,growth, and longevity of thisspecies tortoise.

In addition to his extensive

studies of the Texas tortoise, Juddhas researched numerous topicsincluding: the role of lipids in thereproductive cycles of lizards andmammals, the effect of freezes onthe woody vegetation in the RioGrande Valley, and the populationecology of the Keeled EarlessLizard.

Currently Judd is continuingresearch involving Texasvegetation.

“I am currently working on twogrants.” Judd said. “I am alsowriting papers for publication basedon data that I have collectedpreviously.”

Judd’s studies will be discussedat the Outstanding NaturalistAwards Dinner. Tickets for thedinner are $12.95 per person, andcan be purchased from any VNCboard member or by calling theoffice at (956) 969-2475.

■ Dancing Devil . . . . . . 8

■ LeAnn Rimes . . . . . . 9

■ Culture Club . . . . . . . 9ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

AroundTown

Halloween CostumeOct. 30 from 8 p.m. tomidnightPlace: UTBEvent: The UTB HalloweenCostume Party features abest costume, best howland pumpkin pie eatingcontest, as well as livemusic, hors d’oeuvres anddoor prizes.Price: $10Phone: (956) 983-7400

Broadway showOct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.Place: McAllen Civic CenterEvent: The Broadwaymusical ‘Saturday NightFever’ comes to the Valleystage.Price: $30-35.

MusicalNov. 13-15, 20-22 at 7:30with 3 p.m. matinees onNov. 16 and 23Place: PSJA High SchoolPerforming Arts CentreEvent: The life and times ofsinger/song writer EllieGreenwich are celebrated inthe Broadway musical“Leader of the Pack: TheEllie Greenwich Musical.”Her sixties hits include“Chapel of Love,” “Do WahDiddy” and “Da-Do RonRon.”Phone: (956) 783-2252

Health FairNov. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2p.m.Place: McAllen Civic CenterEvent: The 20th Annual“Heart of the Valley HealthFair,” sponsored by theMcAllen Chamber ofCommerce, promotes healthawareness in the Valley. Achildren’s section willfeature fingerprinting by theMcAllen Police Departmentand a Fire Safety House setup by the McAllen FireDepartment to teachchildren how to exit aburning house.Price: FreePhone: (956) 682-2871

Mexican muralist Diego Rivera diedin 1957, but for two days in November,this artist and several other members ofthe deceased will rise again and beremembered. Nov. 1 and 2 mark thetraditional Mexican holiday, El Dia delos Muertos--Day of the Dead.

The name sounds morbid, but thisholiday is intended to be a festive time,a time when the living celebrate thedead. Tradition calls for a special dinnerthat includes "Bread of the Dead" or"Pan de Muertos," colorfully decoratedcandy sugared skulls, tamales, andspecial altars honoring loved ones whohave passed on.

The International Museum of Artsand Science will hold a specialobservance of the holiday Nov. 2 from1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"This year, we chose to honor DiegoRivera because we like to highlightMexican artists," said contributing artistRaquel Hinojosa.

The museum will have an altar set up

complete with pictures of Frida Kahlo,his wife, a jacket and a hat similar toones he used to wear, Mexican candyhe used to like, and a bottle of tequila.

"I decided to put an easel for him,some brushes, a pallet, and a bottle oftequila," Hinojosa said.

Community members areencouraged to contribute to the altarwith items they think are suitable forhonoring Rivera. A second altar will bedisplayed at the museum to honor otherindividuals loved ones. The generalpublic and local artists can bring articlesthat symbolize a loved one that died.

Aside from the altars at the museum,community members can celebrate theholiday at the 2nd Annual Dia de losMuertos Festival hosted by Espana andpresented by Cine Sol. The event willrun from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m at McAllen'sEspana Restaurant. There will be a$10 cover charge at the door.

The event will have an altardedicated to the Latin salsa queen,Celia Cruz.

The McAllen Chamber ofCommerce will hold a special event for

anyone wishing to experience Dia delos Muertos in Rio Bravo, Mexico.With the purchase of a $45 ticket,patrons will be taken to this historicMexican city that hosts holidayfestivities. The event features over 20altars made by several local familiesand schools. Lunch will be includedwith the trip.

"You'll see families decorating andcleaning the graves of the loved ones,"Jim Deuser of the McAllen Chamber ofCommerce said, "it gives you a chanceto wander around and enjoy the daywith the people of Rio Bravo."

A contest is held at the event for themost appealing altars. They will be setup in Rio Bravo's historic, "Casa delCultura" which is open to the public.The public square surrounding thisbeautiful historic building housesfestivities during the day.Deuser encourages students to attend,even if they don't buy a ticket. Theevent is open to the public and anyonewishing to go may do so on their own,or with a ticket purchased at theChamber.

"What is most appealing to me is thatso many people in the U.S. areforgetting their roots," Deuser said,"this would be a great opportunity forthem to rediscover their roots."

HISTORY

Dia de los Muertos is a holiday thatdates back more than 3,000 years, andit has experienced severalmodifications. The celebration,practiced in July, was initiated by theMexican native Indians before theSpanish invasion. When the Spanishcame across to Latin America theywere exposed to this ritual that seemedto mock death, according to an officialDay of the Dead website.

The Spanish adopted this ritual andmoved the holiday to November inorder to coincide with the Christianholiday, All Hallow's Eve. Although theholiday was adopted by the Spanishand made into an official day ofcelebration, the same Aztec principles

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

By OMAIRA GALARZAThe Pan American

Professor honored with award for reptile research

"When I'm in front of somany people performing, itfeels like having sex for thevery first time, you can'tbelieve you are doing it at first,but after a while it becomeseasy," said Danny Cardenas,vocals and guitar for themelodic punk band FahttChester.

Fahtt Chester was formed in2000 by Med-High (SouthTexas High School for HealthProfessions) students DannyCardenas, Eloy Pina, and IsaacTrevino. They were togetherfor a year before theyintroduced an incomingfreshman, Matt Enriquez, tothe band. After two years ofsuccess, hard times came andPina, the bass player, left theband for personal reasons.

After months of not fillingPina's position the band took abreak and only played twoshows as a trio. Finally inNovember 2002, former Eh?Ska! Later saxophone playerAlfonzo Mendoza was hired tofill Pina's bass duties.

"I use to play saxophone inEh? Ska! Laters with Danny, aska band. The band separated

See MUERTOS page 10

See BAND page 10Left to right, Danny Cardenas, Alfonzo Mendoza and MattEnriquez work to satisfy a crowd with an energenic performance.


By ARLETT LOMELIThe Pan American

Artists, musicians to be honored during celebration

Fahtt Chester: Local band hoping forsuccess, to perform at coffee shop

October 30, 2003 arts & entertainment Page 10

were kept, such as the use of skulls. These skulls symbolizedeath and rebirth. Today, the holiday is celebrated in Latincountries and parts of the United States where there is aheavy Latin population.

ALTARS

These altars are a common way to honor the dead on thisholiday. Family members and loved ones set up thesemonuments with old photos, belongings and reminders oftheir deceased loved one. According to Hinojosa, who hascontributed to Diego Rivera's shrine, it is a good idea toinclude their favorite food or candy. In rural Mexico andGuadalupe, the altar may be set up on the actual gravesite.They include toys for children and bottles of tequila foradults. In the United States and large cities in Mexico altarsare set up in the homes of the deceased and familymembers to honor their loved ones. Candles and flowersare used to decorate these altars.

TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FOOD

Pan de muertos or bread of the dead is a traditional sweetbread that is served on Nov. 2. The ingredients call for asmall skeleton toy baked inside the bread. The hidden toy isplaced in the bread so the family member who bites into itwill have good luck.

Sugared skulls are decorated with pink or blue laceaccording to Raquel Hinojosa of the International Museumof Arts and Sciences in McAllen. The skulls are moremeaningful if they include the name of the deceased writtenacross it. If the person was male or female, you would usepink or blue lace. The small skulls are then meant to beeaten by a family member or loved one.

Also, like any traditional Mexican holiday, tamales areusually served as a meal.

MUERTOS continued from page 7

and I basically bugged Danny to let me intoFahtt Chester," Mendoza said. "After non-stop nagging they agreed to give me a shot."

Fahtt Chester's members now includeDanny Cardenas (vocals and guitar), MattEnriquez (guitar), Alfonzo Mendoza (bass),and Isaac Trevino (drummer).

"This band has been able to please manypeople with our 'I'm better than you' attitudeand energetic stage presence," said the band.

Cardenas lives in Mercedes and hasplayed guitar for eight years. On a breakfrom school, his focus is to write moresongs for the band.

Cardenas said, "During middle school Iwas fat, so I thought that playing guitarwould help me be cooler and get the ladiesto notice me."

He has written most of the Fahtt Chesterlyrics, which talk mainly about girls andeveryday life experiences.

Enriquez is from San Juan and has playedguitar for two years. He is a senior in highschool.

"I was inspired to start playing because alot of my friends at Med-High would play,so I eventually picked it up also," Enriquezsaid. "Now the best part of playing is whenyou see the audience dance and sing to yourtunes. I really enjoy getting crazy andputting on a good show."

Fahtt Chester's bass Mendoza is aUniversity of Texas-Pan American seniormarketing major. He works as theuniversity's telephone operator and plays onhis free time. Mendoza has played for about

three and a half years."The guys have been

patient with me and havetaught me somethingnew all the time,"Mendoza said. "It wouldbe nice to make a careerout of it, but it’s a toughindustry. I just hope tobe playing with theseguys for many moreyears."

Trevino, the FahttChester's drummer, isfrom Mission andcurrently enjoying hisvacation before starting college in thespring.

"I started playing because Eloy, ourprevious bass player, wanted to start a bandso bad he kept nagging me," Trevino said. "Ialso started drums because I was inspired byBrain, the drummer of Primus."

Fahtt Chester's goal is to get signed to alabel and tour the nation.

Trevino said, "We want to conquer theU.S. ... simple as that."

Fahtt Chester can be heard online atMP3.com. The band is in the process offinishing its web site in a few weeks. Theband is also a part of the Union, a collectiveof local talent that meets once a month toorganize shows for the bands. The Unionwebsite (www.the-union.org) hasinformation about each band. It alsocontains the show dates, location, bands

who will perform, prices, and directions. Fahtt Chester plays "Union" shows, but

have also played with local talents such asOne time thing, Stiff one eye, MalcontentParty, Yoink, 13th Victim, as well as, out oftown bands. Out of Town bands includeDynomite boy, Limbeck, Lonely Kings, andUnsung Zeros.

The next show for Fahtt Chester underthe Union shows will be a tribute show andis scheduled for Halloween night, Oct. 31, atAthena's II located on 16th and Beech (nearthe McAllen Library, two blocks fromBusiness 83). Price to see the show is $3 forall ages. Show starts at 7 p.m. and willinclude the following bands: Plan 9 (fromMonterrey), Fahtt Chester, A One TimeThing, Parkwood Ave., and The Grendels.There will be a Halloween costume contest.The prize is $100.

BAND continued from page 7

Danny Cardenas, Alfonzo Mendoza and Matt Enriquez, with drum-mer Isaac Trevino (not shown) make up the band Fahtt Chester.



AT THE FAIR— Kassandra Madrigal, pre-pharmacy freshman (left) and SandraMorales, philosophy junior, attended the HUB vendor fair Wednesday.

The University of Texas-Pan AmericanHistorically Underutilized Businesses(HUB) Program Office held its 3rd annualvendor fair Wednesday in the StudentBallroom. Over 25 minority- and woman-owned businesses were in attendance toendorse products or services.

Vendor exhibit booths featured officesupplies, janitorial and safety supplies,promotional items, furniture, computerequipment, laboratory supplies, andprinting supplies. Although the majority ofthe vendors are based locally, a fewoutside businesses also made the trip topromote their services.

Nancy Johnson, the owner of DesignCenter Signs and Banners, traveled over625 miles from Tyler to attend the fair.

“We want to get some business in thisarea,” said Johnson. “We’re here to helppeople advertise their event, business ororganization.”

In order to be HUB-certified, thebusiness has to be at least 51 percentowned and operated by a woman orminority. According to the HUB websitethe mission of the program is to encourageand effectively promote the utilization ofHUBs by all state agencies, and to reporttheir utilization to the State legislature.

“The purpose of this program is topromote full and equal businessopportunities for all businesses in statecontracting in accordance with the goalsspecified in the State of Texas DisparityStudy,” said Alex Valdez, programcoordinator.

According to the University of Texas-ElPaso website, the disparity study wasperformed in 1993 to determine whetherrace and sex discrimination limited theability of companies owned by minoritiesand women from doing business in Texas.Policies and rules were created three yearslater that institutions and state agencieswere required to follow. State agenciesare to make good-faith efforts to assistHUB businesses and utilize their services.

Valdez thinks that there might one daybe a time in the future in which businessowners will no longer have to beidentified by race,. Then the identifiablefactor would become size.

“Programs like HUB will have tochange and adapt, not only ensuring thatdifferent owners (based on race) but alsodifferent sizes of businesses, large orsmall can all have an equal opportunity tobid on state contracts,” said Valdez.“These programs do not guarantee theawards of the bid, but they do helpbusinesses get the opportunity to bid onthem.”

By CHRISTINA HARRISThe Pan American

October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 6 October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 11

For the first time in 10 years theBlazers dance team will not perform atuniversity basketball games, thanks to afamiliar recent story line of anorganization trying to survive budget cutsand not succeeding.

The dance team used to be a regularhalf-time and time-out entertainment plusfor Bronc games, but not anymore.However, when the Blazers were told thatthere wasn’t enough money to keep themaround, eight girls created a neworganization, Wildfire, to keep in touchwith their high school friends and still dowhat they love to do, dance.

There are five former Blazers in thenew contingent. Melanie Ruiz, former co-captain of the defunct group, is presidentfor the new group, which resembles theformer Blazer dancers in look and routinestyles, though there are 12 fewermembers.

“Our motto is simple: ‘We’ll light your*** on fire!’ It’s a symbol of what we willgive the audience when they come to oneof the games,” stated Ruiz, who also hassome pointed remarks about the demise ofthe Blazers.

With a motto like that it’s hard not tonotice the new organization performingoriginal choreography. According to Ruiz,“The Blazers’ routines were created bymyself and a few others. There wasn’tmuch of a team effort when it came toactually practicing.”

She admitted that the exit of the Blazerswas no shock.

“I wasn’t surprised, it was kind ofexpected that we would no longer be ateam,” she said. “Some of the girls werenot staying the full four-year commitmentit took to really put on a goodperformance.”

Wildfire performed at MidnightMadness earlier in the month, andaccording to Ruiz there were plenty ofcompliments for their work.

“There wasn’t really any animositybetween the former Blazer dancers whodidn’t join our organization, they werethere and wished us good luck,” statedRuiz.

But, that isn’t entirely so. Senior ErikaSilva is a dance major (ensemble) andformer Blazer dancer who disagrees onthat matter.

“To be honest, I loved being a Blazerbut all Charlie did was push play. Wecould have kept the team going on ourown and I know the girls agree,” saidSilva, referring to former team adviserCharlie Caseres.

“If there is one person in the group whois saying she did all the work, she wouldbe lying. But that was definitely a selectgroup of girls who decided which friendsthey wanted in Wildfire,” she added. “Itried to keep in touch with Wildfire’spresident but they made it a point to notinvolve those who they did not want intheir organization, much like high school.It doesn’t seem very professional and theBlazers were all professionals,” sheemphasized.

MEMORIESThis year would have marked the 10th

anniversary for the Blazer dance team.When Caseres had the idea to start aperformance group separate from thecheerleaders, people thought he wascrazy. In 1993, Caseres knew there neededto be a creative dance outlet for enteringfreshman, who came from Valley highschools with dance experience. At thattime, the university didn’t even have adance major.

“Back then we had a new basketballcoach and new facilities. There was somuch talent going to waste; it just wasn’tgetting utilized,”Caseres recalled.

“Fast forward tothis year, I wasburning candles onthree ends andgetting burned for it.I had to blow out oneof the candles to stayabove water,” hesaid.

Caseres wasworking 12-hourdays and coachingthe Blazers for aboutsix hours, not tomention maintainingan added role ascheer adviser and as co-drafter of aproposal to build a new rec-sports center.So time was an element in the death ofthe Blazers.

As always, money was a factor in thedecision. The recreational- athleticdepartment tried to seek other forms ofadvisement in the kinesiology department,

but no one seemed to have the time orwill to coach the Blazers. It would havetaken approximately a minimum of$10,800 to hire an assistant director part-time for 2-3 hours three times a week, notcounting game time.

“It was a bittersweet experience for me,but nothing is final,” said Caseres. “TheBlazers could always come back.”

One former dancer would welcome thechance to get busy again.

“If Charlie were to bring the Blazersback I would say yes because he has beenlike a deranged father in law to me,always pushing the team to be better,”

said Ruiz. “He knowswhat the guys in theaudience like to see.”

Wildfire will startthe first of severalopen auditions startingNov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. inthe gymnastics roomin HPEB 2. There areno member fees andexperience is notnecessary.

Auditions willcontinue until theeight-memberperformance grouphas enough dancers toperform.

For now, Silva and many of the othersremain out of the loop.

“I choose not to join Wildfire because itwouldn’t be fair having one person try todo everything like when we were theBlazers,” she said. “It’s the university’sloss and I wish the new organization luckin the future.”

By VANESSA L. LUCIOThe Pan American

Wildfire organization replacing Blazers


TRANSFER— The Wildfire organization includes several former members of the Blazersdance team, which was a budget casualty this year.

Our motto issimple: ‘We’ll lightyour *** on fire!’ It’s asymbol of what wewill give the audiencewhen they come toone of the games.

““

- Melanie Ruiz,President of Wildfire dancers

HUB fair promotesunderutilized firms


SIGNING UP— Ana Cache fills out paperwork at theGraduate Student Fair earlier in the week. Dozens of uni-versity reps were on hand to recruit.

October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 5October 30, 2003 THE PAN AMERICAN Page 12

Arturo Ramos wants to see people, and soonerthan later.

The assistant director of UTPA’s LearningAssistant Center (LAC) encourages students toseek help with tutors early in the semester.

With a variety of services ranging from tutoringto advising to counseling, the Center is open to allstudents regardless of their major andclassification. It has been 32 years since it debutedon campus as Proyecto Esperanza (Project Hope).

After years of being located inside the StudentServices building, the LAC moved into the oldMathematics building next to the library lastwinter.

“This location has worked favorably for bothstudents and tutors,” said Ramos. “It’s easier forus to work together and it becomes moreaccessible for students.”

Throughout the years, the services offered atthe center have expanded. Students can get helpfrom tutors on different courses in math, science,history, political science, Spanish, and French.Counselors offer advice on depression, dating,and eating disorders. In addition to this, thecenter’s staff advises and assesses TSI-deficientstudents. This is possible through the reading lab,where students improve their vocabulary andcomprehension skills. Also, the Writing Centerlocated in the library employs tutors to assistsstudents with individual writing projects.

Like the people who seek their services, mosttutors are either graduate or undergraduatestudents and although they do not have to major

in the subject they tutor, they are required tomaintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in the subject theytutor and 2.5 overall. In addition to this and inorder to better serve the students, tutors mustattend training on a regular basis.

Because of the improvements the LAC hasundergone and the increase of student populationat UTPA, the demand for services has changed aswell.

“It used to be five or six years ago that thetutors didn’t have much to do,” said TeresaGarcia, writing center supervisor. “Now it’s reallythe opposite. The tutors are really in highdemand.”

This is why students who need help with asubject are encouraged to seek it early in thesemester.

“It’s very hard for us to overcome one or twoF’s already,” said Ramos. “That’s why it ‘s betterfor students to come to tutoring early and not waituntil they fail a test.”

Moreover, according to Ramos, the state isconsidering implementing tougher regulations thatmay limit the number of times a student canrepeat a given course. This could imply that oncea student has repeated one course a certainnumber of times his tuition fees could rise. Still,this is yet to be confirmed.

In the meantime, like Ramos, Garcia believes itis beneficial for students to visit the LAC earlyand to do so often.

“Many times students think that they’re goingto work with a tutor and see an immediateimprovement,” she explained. “But it isn’t likethat. You see it slowly occurring. It’s a process,just like anything else.”


LAC tutors finding more work this semester


HELPING HAND— Peer tutor Judy Nilsson assists junior math major Roman RoblesTuesday at the Writing Center.

When Richard Costello started working forUTPA as director of the Environmental Healthand Safety Department, one of his goals was toestablish the university as an environmentallyconscious institution. Throughout the years heimplemented campaigns to try and earn UTPAawards, recognition and even grants. Now that heis leaving to assume a new position with TheUniversity of Texas-San Antonio in the spring, heis determined to leave UTPA mercury-free.

Recently, UTPA received a grant from theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) toreplace the use of mercury containing devicesthroughout campus. Nearly 1,300 thermometersand 15 sphygmomanometers in laboratory andclinical settings will be replaced with alcoholthermometers and digital- or vacuum-basedsphygmomanometers.

And the project goes beyond replacement.Research regarding how effective and beneficialthis will be for the students, faculty and everyliving organism at UTPA is under way becausethe university has been using mercury since itopened.

“The awareness of the potential health hazardsa mercury spill can cause is fortunately rising,”Costello said. “We are currently working withEdinburg schools to put this campaign into effect-we are educating the teachers and safety faculty tostop the use of mercury.”

The signs of the toxicity of mercury in thehuman body are not immediately visible,however, they do show up and the results are verydamaging and can even be fatal.

“It mostly affects sexual reproductive organsand kidneys; it is also a major factor in birth

defects that people don’t give a second thoughtthat it may be related to mercury exposure. That’swhat we are trying to avoid: further exposure tothis mineral,” said Saul Jauregi, safety specialist.

As of this Friday, Jauregi will be takingresponsibility for Costello’s position temporarilyuntil a replacement is approved. Jauregi hasalready applied for the position and is hoping hewill get it because he has high hopes for thiscampaign and wishes to emulate Costello’s legacyat UTPA.


ADIOS— Richard Costello is leaving to takea job at UT-San Antonio in environmentalhealth and safety.

By HILDA MORALESThe Pan American

Costello leaves cleanupas last UTPA work legacy

immigration. New plans were beingdeveloped to stop the illegal crossings,possibly with an amnesty agreement or aguest worker program. But after the terroristattacks the issue froze in limbo and Americaquickly became more protective of itsborders.

Rebecca M. Phares, an organizer of theBorder Pilgrimage, stated in a recentconference at UTPA that most of thenation’s prosperity comes from immigrantlabor. She also said that what was even moresurprising for her was that most Americansrely on immigrants for household chores,and manual labor, increasing the nation’swealth and economic stability.

Critics would argue that despite the factthat illegal immigrants contribute in theseareas, they are still breaking the law, andtaking jobs away from low-income citizens.And they would suggest that use of “most”is a large exaggeration. But there is nodenying that the service industry receives aboost from illegal Mexican labor.

Whatever the answer, it is obvious thatthousands of people decide America is theland of opportunity, especially incomparison to their homes, and that thedangerous trek north is worth it.

Workplaces in the States often welcomeimmigrants even though they could beillegal because they are able to pay themless. Part of this willingness stems from thefact that super cheap labor in China isforcing U.S. businessmen to desperatemeasures. Part of it might be plainexploitation. which the migrants in thiscountry have fought for generations.

Immigrants on the other hand, seeworking here as a good deal because theymake solid money and are able to sendmuch of it home to Mexico in the form of“envios.” Though they have to pay dearly toget here, the pay is way more than they can

get at home.For its part, America recently discussed a

trial approach to mitigate the problem ofimmigrant mortality. But it has met withcontroversy, as some say it will onlylengthen survival odds.

An Oct. 2002 proposal was submitted tocreate a fence along the Arizona border. Thefence is said to stretch 249 miles long,longer than the Berlin Wall, and will coverthe entire border to decrease the possibilityof crossing. But Phares stated the fencemight harm other living beings as well, suchas the animals that migrate across the desert.

Though it looks like a good plan, severalof the approximate 70 students who attendedthe lecture at UTPA were not in favor of thegovernment’s plan, and felt other wayscould be more helpful.

Until now, the only other option theBorder Pilgrimage had was to informstudents, and members of the community ofthe Valley of what is going on, what is beingdone, and get feedback and ideas.

Phares was impressed with the number ofpeople who showed up in South Texas, andhopes some positive ideas and actions willcome from the encounter.

“It was tremendous the number of peoplethat came out to support in the march,”Phares commented. “I was really impressedwith that and this is my second trip to theValley. I looked forward to spending moretime and getting to know the people here.”

Lasseigne, who has worked withimmigrants for over seven years, supportedthis cause because he says he’s seen the realpeople and heard their stories.

“I know them as good people andhardworking, the vast majority of them,”Lasseigne explained. “Furthermore, I have aspecial place in the heart for them. If theBorder Pilgrimage turns out well, I predictthere will be another one in the future.”

IMMIGRANTS continued from page 1


Gabriel EkartarhChemical EngineeringJunior

I feel comfortable in this environment. If Idon’t come to my classes it is easy forinstructors to notice you aren’t there.But I don’t feel different.

Dr. Mohammad HannanPhysics/Physical Science Professor

No, I do not think there is adifference in the minority groups.Generally we do not follow thattrend. Everyone here is equal andwe treat everyone equally – facultyand staff – as far as my knowledge.

Robert Camp Civil EngineeringFreshman

It doesn’t feel different. There isn’tany racism, you still make friends. Idon’t know anyone here that treatsme different. You hope by now peoplewould be mature enough to not passjudgment on any one.

How does it feel to be aminority here in the Valley?

Valencia KodayNursingJunior

It makes me feel like I am unique in agood way. I feel like I belong in manygroups. I moved around a lot growing upbecause my father was in the Air Force. Iwas exposed to many cultures. I feel Ibelong. I can enjoy many cultures here. I can enjoy Cinco de Mayo andIndependence Day. I can be proud of both.

VOICECCaammppuuss

Rondi Bacolod NursingFreshman

I’ve always been in the minority group.I’ve lived in different states. There arealways people that make you feeldifferent, small but the majority of peopleare nice. They tend to look at you a littledifferent regardless.

There are many students attending TheUniversity of Texas-Pan American who endup staying longer than the typical four years.These students may be here longer than someof their professors.

However, UTPA offers an opportunity forfaculty members to earn their right to stay oncampus by earning tenure. This lofty facultystatus assures faculty members that they willbe able to perform their professionalinstitutional responsibilities without fear ofrandom dismissal. But it also carries somerisk.

If they are able to earn tenure, facultymembers are ensured a degree of academicfreedom and professional security, and in turntheir security helps the university fulfill itsobligations to the students. But if they cannotcomplete the necessary work, they are usuallyasked to leave when their contract runs out.

According to Rodolfo Arevalo, vicepresident of Academic Affairs, UTPAcurrently provides faculty with theopportunity to achieve tenure after six years,on average, of probationary status. Thisprocess demands that faculty membersdevelop teaching skills while pursuingongoing research efforts which will hopefullyresult in the development of scholarlypublications.

“Future tenure status for faculty is amilestone that encourages faculty to excel inall areas critical to the responsibilities of theprofessoriate,” Arevalo said. “Tenure is veryimportant to the majority of faculty at theuniversity because it brings a certain level ofsecurity for those who attain it.”

Currently the Board of Regents at theuniversity are the sole decision makers onwhich faculty members will be awardedtenure. Department chairs and deans canprovide recommendations to the provost’sconsideration

Jose Cortez, associate professor of physics,said that when he spent a year as chair of hisdepartment, he did not have much say in thetenure process.

“At UTPA the chair is basically powerlesswhen it comes to tenure of the faculty in hisdepartment,” Cortez said. “I can tell you, Ifelt my input did not count very much.Maybe this is an isolated incident but whoknows what the rest of the world looks like.”

“Tenure is usually awarded to faculties whohave demonstrated that they can beproductive and that the productivity that theydemonstrate during their six-yearprobationary period will continue after theyare tenured,” Arevalo said. “In some rareoccasions some faculties who are tenured stopbeing productive. That is not good for theuniversity, because eventually these facultywill have to be let go.”

Although tenure can be thought of as areward for loyalty and dedication to theteaching profession, there are also severalnegative aspects for the university faculty.

The system of tenure could possibledistract faculty from their students, becausethey spend more time on time-consumingresearch than in the classroom.

Cortez also feels that tenure couldsometime cause faculty to do things thatcould be thought of as objectionable to makethe grade.

“In many cases, I am sure whatever youcan do to make you a super professor, somewill do it, to reach the tenured goal,” Cortezsaid. “This may be the most irate statementthat I could say, but at one time I did notbelieve that scientists or people that claim tobe scientists would tell a lie, but this happensall the time. The point I am stressing is that

the system forces people, includingprofessors, to cross the line.”

There is also a point where tenure becomesan issue of competition between facultymembers of the same department. Sincemembers know that only a few will obtaintenure, instead of cooperation between facultyto work on common scientific goals, cases ofdivision within the department faculty havearisen.

Cortez is most worried that working to gaintenure through publication could lead to thedeemphasis of teaching, affecting studentlearning.

“Never mind what you publish, just do it isthe motivation or the driving force,” he said.

The tenure idea has been under scrutiny fora number of years and now the State of Texascalls for a 6-year review of all tenuredprofessors in state supported institutions.This implies that the system in Texas may notbe as strong as it could be. How many at the"6-year review" tenure earn it, and is theprocess fair? Professors normally get a 6-yearappointment to tenure track position, andhave to present their work after every year tobe renewed one step further along the track.

Some argue that the doctor of philosophydegree, or Ph.D., should also be time-limited,as should any degree, because that ensures theholder will keep up with the currentinformation in the particular field. Forexample, pilots, air traffic controllers andother professionals need to be re-certifiedperiodically. Yet, some feel that professors ata university do not have that requirement. Butsome would argue that having to walk alongthe tenure track year by year and publishmaterial in the field is the same thing as re-training.

There are other critics who ask why tenureis necessary, and why the process takes solong.

From a professor’s standpoint, job securityis one reason, but status might be another.

“I think tenure should only be used for veryexceptional cases of professors and teacherswho have done an outstanding job both inresearch and teaching, and not for having metthe time in service criteria and publishingcriteria,” Cortez said. “Tenure should be anhonor and not a right.”

Currently only holders of doctorates whohold the assistant professor, associateprofessor, or professor positions are eligiblefor tenure. This leaves lecturers out, and infact most departments are trying to phase outlecturers altogether for various reasons.

Arevalo does not think lecturers should beincluded as possible tenure candidatesbecause the role of tenure track faculties arerequired to be engaged in many moreactivities than lectures.

Cortez, however, thinks that tenure beingoffered only to professors is problematic. Tohim, full-time teachers should have the tenureoption, including lecturers if they areaccomplishing their job.

“Some of our best teachers are lecturersbased on their degrees,” he said. “To be atenured faculty you need the Ph.D., to be agood teacher and lecturer, you do not need aPh.D., and whoever argues with this pointshould only ask the students. So if tenure iswhat it supposed to be, full-time employmentfor faculty, then teachers should have thisright.”

On the other hand, one could argue thatdue to the advanced training required for adoctoral degree, the average candidate whocompletes this degree should be better able toteach students given enhanced learning in aparticular field. The counter argument to thishas always been that often learned professorshave a tendency to be average or poorteachers for whatever reason.

By CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

Tenure path complicated October 30, 2003 Sports Page 13

Broncs baseballschedule set

The University of Texas-Pan American 30-gamebaseball schedule has beenset for the 2004 season.

The Broncs will open upthe season with six straighthome games beginning witha two-game series againstTexas State-San Marcos ofthe Southland Conference.

UTPA will also continue itsrivalry with the ReynosaBroncos of the MexicanBaseball League next year.The annual Border Bash isset for March 3.

The Broncs will also takeon the Longhorns March 30at Austin.

Pan Am will play theirannual Green and Whitegame this Saturday at 12:45p.m. at the EdinburgBaseball Stadium.

Hunters awaitSaturday opening

This Saturday will markthe statewide opening of thegeneral whitetail deer sea-son.

Approximately 500,000Texas deer hunters hit thefields to target approximate-ly 4 million deer.

According to TPWD biolo-gists surveys, prospects arebetter than average.

Habitat in most regions islush and green, and deerherds are in excellent condi-tion.

Opening weekend isexpected to be successful,if the weather cooperates.

The 13th annual Huntersfor the Hungry program willbe accepting legally taggeddeer from hunters with moredeer than they need.

The program donatesdeer to needy Texans.

WWE comes tothe Valley

Professional wrestling inthe form of the WorldWrestling Entertainment orWWE will be hitting theValley at the new DodgeArena for a Nov. 17 date.

The tag team main eventwill pit Kurt Angle and ChrisBenoit against Brock Lesnarand A-Train. The eventincludes a six-man tag team

match.In addition, Tajiri will take

on Billy Kidman in the WWEcruiserweight title match.

The event will also featurefour other matches on theundercard.

James scores 25 inloss to Kings

Lebron James scored 25points in his professionaldebut against theSacramento KingsWednesday night.

However, the 18-year-old’s efforts were for a los-ing cause as the Kingsdefeated the ClevelandCavaliers 106-92 atSacramento.

James lived up to thehype in his first regular sea-son game.

James’ 25 points was themost by any recent prep-to-pro rookie.

The multi-million dollarteenager scored his firstpoints 88 seconds into thegame and helped the Cavsovercome a 19-point deficitin the fourth quarter to takea temporary 85-83 lead, butthe Kings pulled out the win.

SPORTS CLIPBOARD

2003 CHL StandingsNorthwest W L OTL PTSTulsa 3 1 1 7Oklahoma City 3 3 0 6Wichita 3 1 0 6Colorado 2 3 0 4New Mexico 1 4 0 2Northeast W L OTL PTSMemphis 3 1 1 6Indianapolis 2 1 1 5Bossier-Shreveport 2 1 1 5Fort Worth 1 2 1 3Southwest W L OTL PTSSan Angelo 4 2 0 8Lubbock 2 2 0 4Odessa 1 4 0 2Amarillo 0 3 0 0Southeast W L OTL PTSLaredo 4 0 0 8Austin 3 1 0 6RGV Killer Bees 2 1 1 4Corpus Christi 1 2 1 3

NFL Week Nine ScheduleAway Home Date TimeCarolina Houston Nov. 2 NoonJacksonville Baltimore Oct. 2 NoonN.Y. Giants N.Y. Jets Oct. 2 NoonSan Diego Chicago Oct. 2 NoonIndianapolis Miami Oct. 2 NoonNew Orleans Tampa Bay Oct. 2 NoonOakland Detroit Oct. 2 NoonCincinnati Arizona Oct. 2 3:05 p.m.Pittsburgh Seattle Oct. 2 3:05 p.m.St. Louis San Francisco Oct. 2 3:15 p.m.Philadelphia Atlanta Oct. 2 3:15 p.m.Washington Dallas Oct. 2 3:15 p.m.Green Bay Minnesota Oct. 2 7:30 p.m.New England Denver Oct. 3 8 p.m.

Valley High SchoolFootball

District 31-4A Record Overallx-PSJA High 4-0 5-2Sharyland 4-1 8-1Edinburg 3-1 6-1Mission 2-2 3-4PSJA Mem. 1-3 1-7Mission Vet. 1-4 1-7Roma 0-4 1-7

District 32-4A Record Overallx-Bro. Porter 5-0 8-0x-Edcouch-Elsa 4-0 5-2Harlingen S. 3-1 4-4Los Fresnos 2-3 4-4Mercedes 1-3 3-4Weslaco East 0-4 1-7Bro. López 0-4 0-7

District 31-5A Record Overallx-Economedes 5–0 6–1PSJA North 4–1 7–1McAllen High 4–1 5–2Nikki Rowe 3–2 5–2La Joya 2–3 4–4McAllen Mem. 2–3 2–6Edinburg North 0–5 2–5RGC 0–5 1–6

District 32-5 Record OverallBro. Rivera 4-1 5-4Harlingen 3-1 4-3Bro. Hanna 2-2 5-3Donna 2-2 5-3San Benito 2-2 4-3Bro. Pace 2-3 3-5Weslaco 0-4 0-7x-clinched playoff berth

Week 9 Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 30District 31-5ARío Grande City at Edinburg EconomedesDistrict 32-4AEdcouch-Elsa at Brownsville PorterFriday, Oct. 31District 31-5AMcAllen High at Nikki RoweLa Joya at Edinburg NorthMcAllen Memorial at PSJA NorthDistrict 32-5ABro. Hanna at DonnnaWeslaco High at Harlingen HighOpen Date: Bro. RiveraDistrict 31-4AMission High at RomaPSJA Memorial at Mission MemorialOpen Date: SharylandDistrict 32-4AWeslaco East at Bro. LópezOpen Date: Los FresnosDistrict 32-3ALyford at HidalgoRaymondville at La FeriaProgreso at Port IsabelOpen Date: Río HondoSaturday, Nov. 1District 32-5ASan Benito at Bro. PaceDistrict 31-4AEdinburg High at PSJA High, 2 p.m.District 32-4AMercedes at Harlingen SouthAll games are at 7:30 p.m. unlessotherwise noted.

Valley Football Top 10

Team Record Pvs1. Bro. Porter 8-0 12. Economedes 6-1 23. PSJA North 7-1 44. Edcouch-Elsa 5-2 55. Bro. Rivera 5-4 66. Sharyland 8-1 77. Port Isabel 5-3 108. PSJA 5-2 89. Harlingen South 4-4 1310. Lyford 5-3 9

Note: Poll by The Valley Morning Star

Upcoming UTPASchedule

Friday, Oct. 31Women’s tennis at UTSA FallInvitationalVolleyball vs. UTEP at FieldHouse, 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 1Women’s tennis at UTSA FallInvitationalVolleyball vs. Liga Municipal SelectReynosa at Field House, 7 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 2Women’s tennis at UTSA FallInvitationalMonday, Nov. 3Women’s golf at Sam HoustonState InvitationalTuesday, Nov. 4Women’s golf at Sam HoustonState InvitationalVolleyball vs. TAMUK at FieldHouse, 5 p.m.Men’s basketball vs. MonterreyTech at Field House (exhibitiongame), 7:30 p.m.

UTPA Men's FlagFootball

Wildcard Playoff Results

Wednesday, Oct. 22Mudd Dawgs 41, Metal Militia 12Gamblers 28, Team DU 0

Playoff Results and Schedule

Monday, Oct. 27Vipers 27, Mudd Dawgs 12Meat Heads 41, Iron Maiden 16Stallions 19, Xacutioners 14Wednesday, Oct. 29Vipers vs. Stallions, lateGamblers vs. The Bucs, lateMeatheads vs. Gamblers/Bucs,late

UTPA Co-RecVolleyball

Tournament

Results and Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 28H&K Club def. Bulls, 15-9, 15-10Bhats def. Phi Kaps, 15-11, 15-12Troopers def. Concise, 9-15, 15-12, 15-13Thursday, Oct. 30Vipers vs. The Bhats, NoonH&K Club vs. Tigers, NoonVipers/Bhats vs. H&K/Tigres,12:30 p.m.

UTPA Men’sSoccer

TournamentResults and Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 30Diablos Rojos vs. Warriors, 4Party Boys vs. Real Bañil,5Tuesday, Nov. 4Warriors vs. La Pandilla, 4López Tires vs. Real BañilThursday, Nov. 6A. San Pancho vs. The Beaners, 4Diablos Rojos vs. Party Boys, 5Tuesday, Nov. 11López Tires vs. A. San Pancho, 4Real Bañil vs. La Pandilla, 5Thursday, Nov. 13Diablos Rojos vs. The Beaners, 4Warriors vs. Party BoysTuesday, Nov. 18Wrecking Crew vs. López Tires, 4Party Boys vs. Real Bañil, 5Thursday, Nov. 20A. San Pancho vs. Real Bañil, 4Wrecking Crew vs. Warriors, 5

All games p.m. unless noted.

Mexican Soccer League

Team W - D - L GF:GA PTS Scorer / Team GU.N.A.M. 8 - 4 - 3 25:17 28 R. Navia, MOR 11Tigres 8 - 3 - 3 28:16 27 A. Fernandes, MTY 10Pachuca 7 - 5 - 3 23:18 26 C.M. Morales, ATS 10U.A.G. 8 - 2 - 5 25:21 26 E. Marcon, UAG 9América 7 - 4 - 4 29:16 25 L.G. Rey, ATE 9Atlante 7 - 4 - 4 26:17 25 A. Moreno, NCX 9Necaxa 6 - 6 - 3 21:17 24 W. Gaitan, TIG 9Morelia 7 - 2 - 6 19:20 23 E. Mora, VCZ 9Santos 5 - 6 - 4 31:23 21 C. Blanco, AME 8Toluca 6 - 3 - 5 20:18 21 L.I. Quinteros, PUE 8Cruz Azul 5 - 6 - 4 20:22 21 A. Silvera, TIG 7Irapuato 6 - 3 - 6 20:26 21 J. Borgetti, SAN 7Guadalajara 6 - 2 - 7 25:24 20 J.S. Cardozo, TOL 7Monterrey 4 - 6 - 5 27:27 18 A. Gonzalez, IRA 6Veracruz 5 - 3 - 7 23:29 18 G. Franco, MTY 6Chiapas 5 - 3 - 7 18:29 18 11 tied with 5 goalsPuebla 4 - 5 - 6 17:20 17Atlas 4 - 3 - 8 25:26 15Club San Luis 2 - 4 - 9 15:26 10Querétaro 1 - 2 - 12 11:36 5

Group I Group II Group III Group IV26 - Pachuca 28 - U.N.A.M. 27 - Tigres 25 - Atlante21 - Toluca 26 - U.A.G. 23 - Morelia 24 - Necaxa18 - Monterrey 25 - América 21 - Cruz Azul 21 - Irapuato17 - Puebla 21 - Santos 18 - Chiapas 20-Guadalajara15 - Atlas 5 - Querétaro 10 - San Luis 18 - Veracruz

Week 15 results Oct. 25-26: San Luis 0, Morelia 1; Monterrey 0, Toluca0; Cruz Azul 1, Puebla 0; Veracruz 3, Necaxa 2; Atlas 0, Querétaro 1;América 2, Tigres 1; U.A.G. 2, Guadalajara 4; Atlante 3, Chiapas 0;Irapuato 0, U.N.A.M. 1; Santos 1, Pachuca 2.

Week 16 schedule Nov. 1-2: Chiapas vs. Irapuato; Toluca vs. América;Tigres vs. Atlas; Morelia vs. Santos; Guadalajara vs. Monterrey; Necaxavs. U.A.G.; Pachuca vs. Atlante; U.N.A.M. vs. Cruz Azul; Querétaro vs.San Luis; Puebla vs. Veracruz.


NEWS■ Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4■ Wildfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6■ Costello leaves . . . . . . . . 12

Though their numbers are small, theymade history last week.

On the third floor of the UniversityCenter Oct. 24, between 25 and 30 BlackUTPA students attended a startup meetingfor the first black student organization oncampus.

The Black Student Association (BSA)spent the meeting tossing around ideasabout what activities to have, and aboutwhat the organization’s purpose will be.With a temporary constitution, the group’smain goals so far are to make UTPAaware of the presence of black culturehere on campus, and to promote unitybetween members.

They also want others realize thatblacks at UTPA are not just here to playsports, as is commonly assumed. They arealso here to get a quality education.

“I don’t want people here to think thatthe blacks here are all athletes. I wantthem to be aware that there is a variety ofblacks who are working their best atwhatever their goal is,” said senior AmyMoses of Edinburg, who is a student-athlete.

The meeting marked the first time thatmany of these black students had actuallymet one another. Some have been here forthe past few years, and others have justentered this semester. The truth is,possibly because of being such a smallminority in a predominantly Latino area,many black students felt lost and

fragmented because most people here arenot black. The Valley is about 85 percentHispanic and the majority of theremainder are Anglo. One census reportsaid there are fewer than 5,000 Blacks inthe Valley, that leaves them wanting acomfortable place to come and associatewith others like them.

“I felt lost. I saw all different types oforganizations, and wanted to see somesupport for me. Something had tochange,” said Orin Adams. "There shouldbe more student involvement amongAfrican-Americans, an organization thatsays ‘if you feel uncomfortable here (atUTPA), there is an organization (BSA)you can go to to find something incommon’”

The BSA is still an unofficial andtemporary organization, but will becomeofficial soon, one with big plans. One isnot to limit organization membership toblacks only. People of all races andethnicities are welcome to take part. Thegroup plans to invite speakers for BlackHistory Month, and to take part in adancing tradition called Steps. It will alsobe part of a new center opening in 2004.

Adviser Jeanette Broshears, said, “We’llkick off a Multicultural Center in Januaryand we are excited to have BSA be a partof that.”

For those interested in being a memberof the BSA, the next meeting will takeplace Nov. 6 in UC 317. ContactElizabeth Robertson for more informationat: [email protected], or callBroshears at (956)381-2659.

By JULIAN CAVAZOSThe Pan American

Black organizationgets start on campus


FIRST MEETING— The Black Student Association had its initial meeting last week, andis looking forward to becoming an active campus organization. There are only 5,000blacks in the Valley, but UTPA has decent representation.

UTPA international student adviser PhilipClay believes a 36-percent increase inenrollment by international students thissemester is due to the quality of services andprograms offered at the University.

Although the university does somepromotion of its programs along the border inMexico, it does not do so in any other part ofthe world. Thus, Clay believes the increase ofstudent population who come from othercountries is due to peer-to-peerrecommendation, or word of mouth. Butwhatever the reason, they are coming.

“Our surveys show that internationalstudents are more satisfied with the servicesand programs now than three years before,”he said. “As a result they recommend UTPAto their friends and relatives back home andthey decide to come too.”

Of the 47 countries represented on campus,the steepest increase of foreign students hasbeen with students from Mexico and India.These countries registered an increase of 32and 34 percent, respectively, upping theoverall international student population to579 visitors. This total does not include 10exchange students.

The university has an all-time highenrollment of nearly 16,000, and is expectedto continue to grow in coming years.Students from other areas of the state andcountry are being recruited, and so areinternationals.

Clay predicts enrollment of internationalstudents will continue to increase and mayreach 600 students by the spring semester and700 by the fall.

Recent articles in the Houston Chronicleand the San Antonio Express-News attributethe larger immigrant population in the UnitedStates to foreigners’ eagerness to experienceAmerican life. The entering internationalsalso change the place they visit for education.Since Mexico is the most frequentlyrepresented country on campus, this creates

an impact on the culture of the Rio GrandeValley.

It is not unusual for professors to haveseveral students in class who commute backand forth from Reynosa to Edinburg forschool. Despite longer waits to cross thebridge due to post-Sept. 11 regulations andsecurity, the stream of Mexicans continues,and so does the cultural exchange betweengroups.

One of the cultural aspects affected islanguage. Bilingualism is on the rise, andaccording to the U.S. Census Bureau almost47 million people in the country speak alanguage other than English at home. This ismore common in states that border Mexico orare on the two coasts. Eighty-seven percentof the population in Brownsville fall into thissecond language category as well as 74percent in McAllen.

Mexican students bring their owndistinctive styles as well, and these mesh withthose already found in the Valley for a uniquehybrid mix. Add to that the healthycontingent of summer Study Abroad students,both American and Mexican, who travel toother countries together, and the universityoffers a slice of modern life that most placescannot fathom. In a sense, UTPA is ahead ofthe curve in understanding and helpingfashion the growing Hispanicization ofAmerican culture.

The fastest growing minority group in thecountry is now the largest in terms of overallpopulation. The Hispanic bloc’s spendingpower and importance in advertising arebecoming more obvious. Many other areasare starting to have a distinctly “Latin” flavor.

Along with the influx of students fromdown south, Asian students from a number ofcountries have also made their mark in recentyears. The Asian Students Association hashosted cultural events the last two years andits membership continues to burgeon, and therecently instituted Black Students Associationmade news this week with its first meetingand plans for future involvement as a campusorganization.


International studentsbring variety to campus

The Pan American wants to hear whatyou have to say about stories, currentevents or anything you want to rantabout. Send your responses to [email protected]

GOT SOMETHINGYOU NEED TO SAY?

The University of Texas-PanAmerican men's tennis team gained alot of confidence with a solid perform-ance at the Omni Hotel ITA SouthwestRegionals at Texas ChristianUniversity.

Junior Jeremy Salvo won threematches and made it all the way to theround of 16 in the championshipbracket where he was defeated byAlex Menichini of Texas Christian, 6-3, 6-2.

Salvo had beaten Robert Kirchner ofUT-San Antonio, 6-1, 6-4, DimitrioMartínez of Texas Tech, 6-4, 6-2, andKhaled El Dorry of Texas A&M, 6-4,0-6, 6-4.

Eduardo Provencio, UTPA’s headtennis coach, believes that after a per-formance like this, the program isheaded in the right direction.

"It was a good showing, but obvi-ously not where we want to be. Butit’s where we need to go," Provenciosaid.

The Broncs are finished for the fallseason and they are going to concen-trate on the upcoming spring season,and prepare for a run at a SouthlandConference title.

Provencio knows that he needs hisyoung players to step up and believesthat they are headed in the right direc-

tion."Our young guys are playing pretty

well, and those are the guys we aretrying to get up to speed with every-body else," Provencio said. "Now, off-season, is the time we are really goingto get everyone up and going."

The orange-and-green, afterenjoying thisweek off, willget back to thegrind next weekwhen they beginwith skill work-outs and weightroom visits.

Newly addedTexas A&M-Corpus Christi,a Top 75 team,makes theSouthlandConference astronger confer-ence for tennis.

Coach Provencio feels his guys areready for the task ahead of them andlikes the leadership his older guys aredisplaying.

"The guys are pretty fired up andthey really feel like they can win astrong conference," Provencio said."That pulls along the young guysbecause of the older guys always talk-ing about it."

Of course all the odds will bestacked against Pan Am when the teamtakes to the court, but this does notscare the players.

Provencio believes the work that isrequired to be the best will get doneand other teams will learn to respect

UTPA."People don’t

even knowwhere ourschool is andwe are trying toput ourselves onthe map,"Provencio said."I want theguys to playwith a chip ontheir shouldersbecause wehave to workextra hard to getwhere everyoneelse is at and

we have opened some eyes with thebigger schools in Texas."

The Broncs have their eyes set onone prize at the end of conference: aconference championship. AndProvencio has no doubt that this is avery attainable goal.

"Our goal is to win it all. I think ifwe don’t shoot for the championshipof the conference, then we are sellingourselves short," Provencio said.


Broncs prepare for spring season after regional tourneyBy MATT HALLThe Pan American

Senior Tom Mangelschots of Belgium practices last spring. Last sea-son, UTPA reached the Southland Conference tourney semifinals.

Photo by Matt Lynch/The Pan American

The department has imple-mented a mandatory 10-weekorientation for all incomingand transferring student-ath-letes to familiarize them withvarious educational resourcesavailable at the university.Topics such as time manage-ment, how to use library andcomputer center resources,and test preparation are taughtat orientation. Study schoolworkshops are also availableto student-athletes in reading,writing, and speech, whichare ongoing throughout theyear.

"As an athletics administra-tion we work very hard toprovide an environment forour student-athletes that isconducive to athletic and aca-demic successes," saidUchacz. "Our coaches haverecruited outstanding athletes,but also outstanding citizensas well."

At the end of each semes-ter, systematic academicreports are compiled andreported to Nevárez, thePresident’s Council, and theAthletic Council, to illustrateeach athlete’s grade perform-ance. As of spring semester2003, the student-athlete GPAhad increased to a 2.92, out-pacing the total student body

GPA of 2.62. Ten of the stu-dent-athletes had a 4.0 GPAlast spring semester and 31were members of the Dean’sList Second Honors.

"Dealing with academicaccomplishments, what wasonce a real weakness in ourathletic program, has nowbecome a strong point," saidWeidner.

Kevin Mitchell, a formerguard for the men’s basketballteam, was named to the 2003Verizon Academic All-DistrictTeam in his senior year.Mitchell, along with JamesDavis, made the NCAADivision I-AAA AthleticDirector’s Scholar-Athletesteam in 2003.

The UTPA women’s tennisteam made the ITA AcademicAll-American team. As of lastspring, 51 percent have a 3.0GPA or higher. The UTPAathletics department alsoranked by USA Today and theNCAA Foundation eighth inthe nation, out of 319 inDivision I, for academicachievements in one of thethree categories.

So the grades are increas-ing, as quickly as the numberof employees when Weidnerstarted. Upon his arrival in1998, he created 18 new posi-

tions in the department. "While other athletic pro-

grams across the country aredownsizing and eliminatingpositions and even eliminat-ing sports, we’re growing,"said Weidner. Due to budgetincreases and fundraising,which has increased 550 per-cent since ‘98, the depart-ment has been able to estab-lish a recruiting budget, whichdid not exist five years ago.Starting in fall semester 2005,baseball and women’strack/cross country, women’sgolf, and women’s tennis willbe fully funded, enablingthese sports to compete withjust about any other universityin terms of scholarship.

Budget increases have alsoenhanced existing facilitiesand helped build new ones.

The Orville Cox tenniscourts were renovated, as wellas the men’s basketball lockerroom, and the AthleticsAdministration Offices. Anew $6.5 million baseball sta-dium complex was built inconjunction with the city ofEdinburg that can seat 4,000people and houses the UTPAbaseball team year-round. Thenew weight room, which isexclusively for the use of stu-dent-athletes, was completed

a few weeks ago, and hasbeen an ongoing projectshared by the universityadministration and the athlet-ics department.

"In order to compete at thehighest level, our student-ath-letes need a state of the artstrength and conditioningfacility," said Uchacz. "Thiswill not only help them getbigger, stronger, and faster,but will also help to preventand rehabilitate injuries."

The UTPA athletics depart-ment, along with the student-athletes, is also active in com-munity involvement. Some ofthese programs are Adopt-a-School, where the athletes goto participating elementaryschools and talk to the stu-dents and take part in variousactivities, the Boys and GirlsClub, and Habitat forHumanity. Communityinvolvement has also becomepart of the UTPA basketballprogram.

"When you come to a bas-ketball game there’s thingsgoing on besides basketball;giveaways, fan involvement,$10,000 shot, and acts like theslam dunk show, and the SanAntonio Spurs Coyote,"Weidner said. "There isalways a lot of interaction

with the crowd."Men’s basketball home

game attendance hasincreased 127 percent since’1998, to an average of 3,100people in 2002. The largestcrowd ever was accomplishedtwo years ago. An estimated5,200 people were in atten-dance at the UTPA FieldHouse, which seats only4,000. Season tickets weresold out during the 2000-01season.

"Although we have madesignificant strides over the last

five years, we have becomesuccessful as a result of thevision implemented by ourathletics director," saidUchacz. "He has surroundedhimself with top notch coach-es and administrators who allbelieve in the good of thedepartment than of an individ-ual team or unit. It has been acombined effort on all partsthat has influenced the direc-tion we are headed as an ath-letics program, one that Iknow the university is proudof."

Athletics continued from page 15


The new weight room built exclusively for student-athletes.

People don’t evenknow where ourschool is and weare trying to putourselves on the

map.

““

- Eduardo Provencio,UTPA Tennis Coach

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican53nd Year – No. 10

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the PAN AMERICAN is theofficial studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

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October 30 2 0 0 3

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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

The University of Texas-Pan American ath-letic department has its share of notablemoments in sports history; including a CollegeWorld Series visit in baseball (1971), twoNCAA qualifiers in men’s golf (1974, 1978),and an NAIA men’s basketball national cham-pionship in 1963-64.

However, in the 1990s the department stum-bled into TPA Athletics Department was putunder probation by the National CollegiateAthletic Association for infractions made bysome of the staff. Since UTPA’s past contro-versies, the athletics department has come along way and the program has completelyturned itself around.

"Prior to five years ago our athletics pro-gram was not certified, we were the only ath-letic program in the history of athletic certifi-cation not to be certified," said Weidner."During the 1990s, it is my understanding thatduring that ten-year period, this athletics pro-gram was on probation all but 18 months."

Weidner arrived at the university in May1998. Since July of that year, UTPA hasachieved full NCAA certification status andhas never been on probation in the five yearshe has been here. During his first few monthsas athletic director, Weidner, along with hisstaff, put together the new compliance proce-dures manual, which proved to be a greatresource for the department.

"When I got here we worked the first sixmonths, all that summer we came in on week-ends, we worked at night and we put together

a compliance procedures manual that coversvirtually everything on compliance procedures,checks and balances, and it has been a greattool for our coaches and as a teaching tool,"Weidner said. "It is something that doesn’t justsit on the shelf; we really actually use it."

The compliance procedures manual detailsthe business operating procedures that arerelated to the UTPA system, and the hierarchyof the department. Seminars on compliance aregiven throughout the year, along with meet-ings, in a series for all athletics departmentpersonnel on topics such as rules, forms, orga-nizational structure and education. The newcompliance procedures book has made such aturnaround in the department that Weidner,some of his staff, and Dr. Miguel Nevárezhave been asked to review the same proce-dures for other colleges and universities.

"Here was a program that was probably themost penalized program in the ‘90s in DivisionI, we put these things [compliance procedures]and as a result a number of our people havebeen asked by the NCAA to serve on peerreview teams," Weidner said.

From an academic standpoint, five yearsago, the GPA for UTPA student athletes was2.1, one of the lowest in the country, Weidnersaid. To address this problem he hired ChrisUchacz to fill the new position of full-timeassistant athletic director for academic supportand student services. Along with this position,the athletic department built a new state-of-the-art Student-Athlete Academic Learning Center.

"The major influence for the creation andsubsequent development of the Student-Athlete Academic Learning Center and

Academic Support & Student Services unitwithin the athletics department is to provide anacademic support network for all student-ath-letes as they work towards the attainment of auniversity diploma," Uchacz said. "In conjunc-tion with this goal, we are always trying to

increase retention and graduation rates. Ourgoal is to graduate 100 percent of the student-athletes that come to UTPA and represent theinstitution at the NCAA Division I level."


UTPA athletics show improvement


A group of student-athletes study in the computer lab of the state-of-the-art Student-AthleteAcademic Learning Center.

and more confident on[his knee],” Hall said.“He’ll be fine thisseason.”

Sakalys dismisses thecondition, and whenasked about the injuryoffers up the obligatory:

“Eh.”He does, however,

acknowledge the chancesof this year’s Broncs.

“I think we have agood team,” Sakalys said.“It feels like the firstyear I was here when wegot 20 wins.”

Junior Matt Berry, whowas ineligible last yearafter transferring fromIndiana State, is eager toshow that he can be a

part of a successfulseason.

“I’ve been sitting outa whole year,” Berrysaid. “I’ve just beenwaiting to step on to thecourt.”

Coach Hoffmanbelieves that theeagerness of hisincoming redshirtedplayers will fuel histeam, and feed theirchemistry.

“I think in general wehave some guys aroundwho are hungry,”Hoffman said. “Theyhave prior knowledge ofthe program and they’llbe able to teach theothers.”

See ATHLETICS page 14

Broncs continued from page 16

Who:UTPA vs. MonterreyTechWhat: Exhibition gameWhen: Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.Where: Field HouseAll-time series: Broncslead 23-2

Broncs Roster: F-East, G-Puente, G-Montalvo, G-Sánchez, F-Sakalys, F-Berry, F-Fagan, G-Castillo,G-Hall, G-Weir, F-Holcomb,F-Buck, C-Lange, F-Díaz,C-Gedminas

our own system that we’ve got to geteverybody to get on board.”

What does that basketball system involve?Speed, tempo, and aggression.

Craft describes this season’s lineup as aglimpse of what the Lady Bronc program willlook like as it progresses. In their first year ofrecruiting Craft and Anderson went out andtried to get players who matched theirbasketball philosophy, and came up with whatthey feel is a highly athletic group ofballplayers.

Craft’s hope is that there will be speed onboth sides of the ball, and she feels that willenhance their chances of a winning season.

“Because the speed and versatility of somepositions it will allow us to defensively nownever be out of the game,” Craft said. “Usuallyspeed and quickness allows you to stay in thegame longer even if you are playing up.”

The Lady Broncs, who have atremendously competitive schedule and willessentially be playing all of their game “up,”will need to utilize all their speed and depth ifthey are to conquer new grounds for the UTPA

women’s basketball program.“We’re playing two of the Top 5. We’re at

UT, they’re No. 4 in the country, we’re at K-State, they’re No. 5. We didn’t even play aranked opponent last year,” Craft said. “I thinkthat it’s a higher level schedule, and at thesame time if we have improved our depth thanhopefully we will be a little bit morecompetitive.”

In terms of depth, Craft is comfortable. Inher assumption, she has two to three playersthat can hold each position, but sheunderstands that her team could be morecomplete.

“I think the thing that is lacking from thisteam is what I would call a go-to player, or amarquee player,” Craft said. “But as far asteam depth and the understanding of how theteam has to be greater than just one or twopeople, I think this team has that. I think theyunderstand that the only way they are going tobe successful is if they buy in, and sometimesthose types of groups end up winning you a lotmore ball games than the teams that have themarquee kid.”

Lady Broncs continued from page 16

2003-2004 UTPA Men’s Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Date Opponent Date Opponent11/4 Monterrey Tech 12/17 North Texas 1/28 IPFW11/8 Houston Quest 12/20 Rice 2/2 Alcorn State11/22 S. Methodist 12/22 Oklahoma State 2/4 Lamar11/25 TAMIU 12/29 Oklahoma 2/7 IPFW11/29 UT-Arlington 12/31 McMurry 2/11 Arkansas State12/1 SW Assemblies of God 1/6 Baylor 2/14 TAMUCC12/4 Missouri-Kansas City 1/8 North Texas 2/16 Air Force12/6 UTSA 1/14 Wright State 2/19 Central Baptist12/12 Mississippi Valley State 1/19 Missouri-Kansas City2/28 TAMUCC

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

2003-2004 UTPA Women’s Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Date Opponent Date Opponent11/21 Air Force 12/28 Tulsa 1/27 Incarnate Word11/22 Boise State/Dayton 12/31 Prairie View A&M 1/31 IPFW11/25 TAMUI 1/2 UT-Arlington 2/3 Northern Colorado11/29 St. Edward’s 1/7 Sacramento State 2/9 Prairie View A&M12/5 St. Louis 1/9 San Diego State 2/16 Louisiana-Lafayette12/6 Kansas State/Sacramento 1/11 Louisiana-Lafayette 2/19 IPFW12/14 Oral Roberts 1/13 SE Louisiana 2/24 TAMUCC12/17 Texas 1/22 SW Missouri State 2/28 SE Louisiana12/19 Marshall 1/24 TAMUCC 3/3 Northern Arizona

HOME GAMES IN BOLD

By AMY MEDELLÍNThe Pan American

THURSDAYOctober 30, 2003

An Inside Look:

■ News ............................................2■ A & E............................................7■ Sports ........................................16

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 T e x a s - P a n A m e r i c a nPage 4

CCaammppuussVOICEHow does itfeel to be a

minority herein the Valley?

SSAAEENNZZ VVSS.. PPEEÑÑAALocal newcomer challenges in District 40

Eddie Saenz, local engineer and businessman,recently announced his decision to run for staterepresentative of District 40, which includesEdinburg, the tri-city Delta region, La Joya, andSullivan City. He faces a serious challenge inincumbent Aaron Pena, one of the Valley’s mostactive politicians.

Saenz’ decision to run was based on a void hefelt existed in terms of representation in the area.He thinks his experiences in Austin as anengineer and a consultant have given him thepractice he needs to help the district. Andaccording to Saenz it was not evident thatenough action was being taken to communicatewith the various communities in the district.

“Through my experiences, I know what ittakes to fight for funding for the district,” saidSaenz. “It requires a lot of communication andmeeting with state agencies.”

With the state facing a $10 billion deficit,many of the non-profit programs Saenzrepresented struggled to get funding.

“It’s hard to make sure they don’t cut yourprogram, and we always have to struggle withthat every two years,” said Saenz. “I had to dealwith talking to the legislatures to ensure thatthey become familiar with the program. If youdo cut somewhere we want to make sure thebasic programs don’t get cut. That affects

families, health care and what is really needed inthe community.”

Saenz mentions that if elected he willcontinue communicating with communities tofind out their concerns. The issue ofunemployment in the Delta Area is one big one.

“As a former member of the EconomicDevelopment Corporation of Edinburg, I helpedas we tried to promote businesses to come downhere and we were very successful,” said Saenz.“We need to do that in the Delta Area; they havea very high unemployment rate.”

Some of Saenz’ other concerns include

education and health care. Given the Republicanmajority in the House, the local Democrat feelsthe two parties need to come together to getlegislation passed.

“We are all legislators. Republican orDemocrat,” said Saenz. “We need to talk to allof them. We need to ensure we are not going toput a curtain between us. We need to sell theissues to the Republicans as well and let themknow there are issues the district is having todeal with.”

Saenz will be running against fellow demPena, the current freshman House member from

District 40, who was one of the busiest first-yearlegislators according to a recent AustinAmerican-Statesman article.

Overall Pena feels his first term was a successdue to his involvement in fighting offredistricting. He also noted that he keyed thepassage of a law concerning higher penalties forhuman trafficking. Earlier this month Penaspoke at the university on a wide range ofissues, and his visibility in the area should beimposing to any candidate seeking to unseathim.

During the next session Pena plans onfighting for funding for Iraq, investment ineducation, increased rates and funding for CHIPand Medicaid, and investment in roadinfrastructure. According to Pena, he will alsocontinue to fight for teacher pay raises.

“If you think about the fact that we at PanAmerican generate many of the teachers in the

state of Texas, not only is it good for the Valley,it’s good for Texas,” said Pena. “We are rapidlylosing a large number of teachers because of payconcerns and we know because of the budgetshortfall we’re going to have a very little chance,but we wanted to make the argument.”

Pena is confident his efforts in Austin willhelp him win District 40 again.

“One of the things Mr. Saenz will havedifficulty with is with his supporting of many ofthe Republican efforts,” said Pena. “Most of thevoters will see his record and realize he needs tobe running with Republicans.”

By LYLONY CAZARESThe Pan American


FACEOFF— Aaron Peña and Eddie Saenz will vie for District 40’s representative slot in thenext election cycle. Peña is the incumbent.

The dead continue to pile up on the U.S.-Mexico border. And some citizens want to dosomething about it.

Over 2,000 immigrants have died trying tocross the border to enter the United States, andthe going is especially rough through theArizona desert near Nogales. Illegal crossershave been dehydrated to death, shot byvigilantes or Border Patrol officers, or left todie in trucks and railroad cars by dishonestcoyotes.

Some immigrants are searching for a betterlife for themselves and their families, but oftenit doesn’t work out. With the increasingnumber of deaths, a growing number ofpeople have mobilized to try and stem the tideof tragedy. They are seeking a way to providea legal system for immigrants to enter thecountry without jeopardizing their lives. Partof their quest includes symbolic gestures to

raise community consciousness about the issueof immigration.

On Tuesday, Oct. 28 more than 50 pilgrimsmarched through the streets of San Juan inprocession toward the Basilica of Our Lady ofSan Juan, to celebrate mass for thoseimmigrants who have died in the crossings.The Border Pilgrimage, the first of its kind, isa nationwide event that started Oct. 26 andwill run until Nov. 2. The pilgrimage started atboth spectrums of the 2,200-mile internationalborder, in San Diego, Calif., and Brownsville.The procession is scheduled to stop in El Pasowhere pilgrims of U.S. border will gettogether to give attention to what theyconsider a human rights crisis along thesouthern border.

Father John Lasseigne, a priest from SanJuan, is affiliated with a religious group whois taking part in the pilgrimage to let peopleknow the number of dead. They also want tocome up with ways to stop the victim stream

“The impetus for this event came from theterribly large number of immigrants who die

each year trying tocross the border,”Lasseigne said.“Therefore,different hostcities will holdeducational,religious, cultural,and politicalevents as thepilgrims passthrough on theirway to El Paso.”

He also addedthat in order tohonor theimmigrants theywould also bestudying thecauses ofundocumentedimmigration.

Before Sept. 11, 2001, and the fall of theTwin Towers, Mexican President Vicente Fox

met with President George W. Bush to discuss

By ARIANNA VAZQUEZThe Pan American

Demonstration points out immigrant crossing woes

See IMMIGRANTS page 12

Daniel Aguilar/The Pan AmericanPROTEST— The Border Pilgrimage started Oct. 26 and will continuethrough Nov. 2, to spotlight dangers illegal crossers face.

Dance with Page 8-9

The UTPA Broncs will play thefirst exhibition of a two-gamepreseason at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdayagainst the Monterrey TechBorregos Salvajes at the FieldHouse.

The Broncs, who defeated theBorregos 93-59 in last year’spreseason match, have added somenew personnel, and will hope toduplicate, if not better, last year’soutcome.

Coach Bob Hoffman, who hasbeen running a stringent trainingprogram which began earlier thismonth, is pleased with the progressof his team so far.

“We started green-on-whitescrimmages on Sunday,” Hoffmansaid. “ We’ve improved every day.We’re finding openings and reallyworking on executing as a team.”

Clearly the progress at which the2003-04 roster has adjusted toHoffman’s system will bemeasured by the outcome of theBorrego exhibition, but for someplayers, the matchup againstMonterrey is not merely theculmination of a two and a halfweek training camp.

Next Tuesday’s preseason gameagainst the Borregos will be juniorChris Fagan’s second everexhibition game for the Broncs.Fagan, who appeared last seasonagainst Monterrey, suffered astress fracture in his left foot priorto the outing, and his appearancein that game enhanced the injury.

The 6-foot-5 guard, who

received a redshirt from theNCAA due to the extremecircumstances of the injury, wasable to attend practices, sit on thesidelines during games, and waseven able to participate inpractices when his healthpermitted. But Fagan was not,however, allowed to suit up forany games last season.

For Fagan, the chance to returnto action is highly anticipated.

“I’m kinda excited to be able toget back into it,” Fagan said. “I’mready to get to work.”

Fagan, who is regarded as oneof the key additions to this year’sroster, is highly respected by histeammates, and his presence onthe squad should be appreciated.

Senior Allen Holcomb, wholeads retuning Broncs in pointsper game, is certain that Fagan’spresence will boost their chancesof success.

“We all know what Chris cando and what he brings to thetable,” Holcomb said. “He’s oneof the better guys on the team.”

But Fagan is not the onlymember of the 2003-04 Broncsquad who was tagged with a redshirt last season.

Senior Andrius Sakalys, whoaveraged 11.2 points per gameduring the Broncs’ highlysuccessful 2001-02 season,suffered severe damage to his leftACL during the summer of 2002,and was not able to participate lastyear.

Sakalys, who was a key part ofthe 20-10 season, finished third inscoring for the Broncs behind

Marcus Quinn and Mire Chatman,underwent two surgeries during theoff-season to repair his damagedknee, and is finally in good enoughphysical condition to come backand compete.

Although Sakalys still wears abrace on his knee to help withstability, his teammates have

noticed that his ability enhanceswith every practice.

Junior guard Matt Hall isconfident that his Lithuanianteammate will be ready for theseason.

“Every day he’s getting more

■ UTPAAthletics . . . . . . 15

■ UTPA Tennis . . . . . . .14

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . .13

PAGE 16

SPORTSBroncs setfor first test

Photo by Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

A Bronc basketball player attempts a slamdunk during Midnight Madness Oct. 17.


CCrraafftt wwaannttss ttoo rreeaacchh nneexxtt lleevveellWhen DeAnn Craft accepted the

Lady Broncs’ head coach position lastspring, she knew that the task ofbuilding a successful women’sbasketball program at UTPA wouldbe a challenge.

The Lady Broncs were held to 7-21 last season when Craft was anassistant head coach to TracyAnderson. Now Craft takes over aprogram lacking in much tradition.

Craft realizes that the process ofremedying a losing record will be

lengthy and understands that she willbe starting from the ground up with ateam who has seen no tradition withinit’s program.

“I think that the monumental taskin front of this program is to learnhow to become competitive,” Craftsaid. “This program has been prettymuch a door mat of Division I andit’s our responsibility as the newcoaching staff and the new playersthat have come aboard, to try andhelp get that tide turned.”

Craft, who is not malicious in herobservations of Lady Bronc history, istrying to build an attitude and an

understanding of what it is to win. Todo that she has to start from thebeginning.

“I would much rather us learnhow to play simple basketballcorrectly than to play complexbasketball inconsistently,” Craft said.“And that is a pretty big theme ofmine. Simple done better can get usmoving forward instead of thecomplex being so inconsistent.”

Of the 16 Lady Broncs on theroster this season, only seven arereturners, and only two of thereturning Lady Broncs are seniors.That means two things for Craft. One,

she will be working with a squad thatwill be with her for a few years tocome, and two, she will be dealingwith many girls from a variety ofdifferent basketball backgrounds andbasketball educations.

“I think probably the toughest partis that with so many new people youget some kids that come from goodman-to-man programs where they’vebeen taught great man defensesystems,” Craft said. “We have otherplayers that haven’t played any manto man, they’ve come from strictlyzone philosophy, and then we have


See LADY BRONCS page 15

Today

Houston Rockets vs.Nov. 1 Memphis, 7Nov. 3 at Chicago, 7:30Nov. 4 at New Jersey, 6:30

Friday, Nov. 1

Dallas Mavericks vs.Nov. 3 Miami, 7:30Nov. 5 at Washington, 6

Friday, Nov. 1

NFL SUNDAY

Killer BeesSchedule

Killer Bees vs. CorpusHome OpenerFriday, Oct. 31Time: 7:30 p.m.

vs.

Killer Bees vs. San AngeloSaturday, Nov. 1Time: 7:30 p.m.

See BRONCS page 15

NBASchedule

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

vs.

8:30 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs.Nov. 3 at Memphis, 8Nov. 4 Miami, 8:30All games P.M.

vs.

Noon2-5 6-1

vs.

3:15 p.m.5-2 3-4

October 30, 2003

Documents

saenz decision

eddie saenz

t h e s t u d e n t

e r i c

e r s i t y o f t e

p e r o f t h e u n

delta area

overall pena