Megan Turney

Business Leadership Week is bringing big names to campus. Megan Turney
has more in this Bobcat Update…

Richard Garriott, computer gaming entrepreneur and space tourist spoke
to students Monday about the importance of privatizing the business of
space travel.

Garriott, who spent 30 million dollars to spend 12 days in orbit, told
students that it doesn't take huge sums of money to get to space, it
simply takes motivation and hard work.
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Garriott urged students to stop thinking of space travel as a
something reserved only for astronauts and to pursue space travel
commercially. Garriott explained that with modern techonology, space
travel is relatively easy, as the materials needed to send a rocket
into space are all available for purchase on the internet.
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Garriott was the Spotlight Speaker of Business Leadership Week, hosted
by the McCoy College of Business. Other events include an etiquette
dinner and leadership seminar.
STAND UP

Joshua Humphreys

This spring some Education students will have a different name for their college's department. Joshua Humphreys has more in this Bobcat Update
The College of Education is changing the names of two departments to follow the example of other schools and universities. This change comes after other major universities began consolidating their education departments to more concise and professional names that better reflect what the department actually does.
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The Department of Educational Administration and Psychological Services is being renamed to the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology.  This name will help associate the careers that the departments' students will be entering into.
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The Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation will also be renamed to theDepartment of Health and Human Performance. This less confusing title encompasses the department's focus on all aspects of health and physical education. These department name changes will not affect any degree plans or classes but will reflect the many programs that each department offers.
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This trend could start happening in other departments in the future because the consolidation of departments can help cut costs while still providing a more focused education.  For Bobcat Update, I'm Joshua Humphreys.

Lauren Kendrick

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, the shelves of San Marcos local businesses are stocked full of gift ideas with sweets for your sweetheart. Lauren Kendrick has more in this Bobcat Update.
If you still haven't decided on what to get that special person in your life for Valentine's Day, don't worry. H-E-B has a wide array of candy and flowers to choose from at an affordable price.
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The traditional Valentine's Day gifts include chocolate, flowers, and stuffed animals, but that might not be for everyone. Local flower shop, Bizzy B's, is also giving friendly has some suggestions for those guys who that have no clue what to get their significant other.
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For the most part, students on campus have already made plans but didn't anticipate needing a reservation for busy restaurants. Another helpful suggestion is to plan ahead if you're taking your sweetheart to a restaurant this weekend. Suzanne, owner of Mint Café, says to use common sense such as making reservations or calling ahead.
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Students around campus have made plans ranging from cooking for their special someone to going out for a romantic dinner on the town. [This last statement added nothing new.  You need a wrap up with something else.] For With Bobcat Update, I'm Lauren Kendrick.

Jennifer Alvarez

The San Marcos City council may be adding decide soon to allow a form of adult entertainment to San Marcos’ roster that includes a little nudity the city hasn't had before. Jennifer Alvarez has more in this Bobcat Update…

Strip clubs may be in San Marcos' future. Council members began amending an the ordinance affecting regarding sexually oriented businesses last month, and the changes may make it possible for strip clubs to be created. making way for strip clubs.

The Some City Council members have expressed reservations about allowing strip clubs, but they also recognize that there could be a positive economic effect. say they recognize the secondary effects that arise from adult oriented businesses. Many students also feel that strip clubs could be just what San Marcos needs to stimulate its economy.

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Some students are tired of driving all the way to Austin and feel say it’s time to bring something a little different to the area.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission began laying out plans for is considering possible locations for strip clubs.  One condition is that such businesses  that extend along I-35 with a 1000 foot buffer from the highway and must contain a 15-hundred foot buffer around away from churches, schools, bars and residential zones.
Also included in the ordinance was the allowance of adult bookstores, video stores and novelty stores.

So far no businesses have made plans to open up shop. [<-- How do you know?] Whether the revised ordinance will be a good or bad thing is something we will all have to just wait for and see. [<--Trite, cliche and not informative].
For Bobcat Update, I’m Jennifer Alvarez.

Caitlin Irwin

Toyota dealerships are servicing recalled vehicles this week after receiving parts for accelerator pedals. Caitlin Irwin has the story.
According to the a company's press release, Toyota has tried to accommodate the two-point-three (M) million vehicle owners of recalled models in the U.S.
Toyota dealerships nationwide have extended their hours of operation, many to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in an attempt to help those who aren't available during regular business hours.
The San Marcos Toyota dealership is open later than usual for service needs but not 24/seven for service needs. Mass Comm. Student Colleen Baker says her 2010 Camry is already scheduled for the 30 minute pedal replacement service next week because of the recall.
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According to Toyota, the company is focused on making this recall simple and trouble-free for its' its customers.
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In Texas, there have been no reports so far of any accidents related to Toyota's accelerator problem in Texas and four other Gulf States yet to report an accident pertaining to the recall. For Bobcat Update, I'm Caitlin Irwin.

Tim Leeland

Texas State University students frustrated by a shortage of on-campus parking may see some improvement soon after a new parking garage is opened. Tim Leeland has more in this Bobcat Update.

Construction of the Matthews Street Garage began in December of 2008. According to Texas State University, it is now 45 percent complete. Some students believe it will improve on-campus parking:

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The Matthews Street Garage will have five levels and hold up to 956 vehicles.

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The parking garage is in the middle of the Texas State campus.  It will cost approximately 25 (M) million dollars to complete.  University officials say they expect it will open this summer. For Bobcat Update I'm Tim Leeland

Jonathan Wachsmann

Students at Texas State will soon be a source of some much needed energy, and they'll provide it through their exercise. The student recreation center is retro-fitting 30 elliptical machines that will give the equipment the capability of converting exercise into renewable energy. The machines will be connected to the university's power grid. A typical 30-minute workout will convert into 50-watt hours, which is enough to power a computer for 30 minutes. The nearly 20-thousand dollar project will be funded by the Department of Campus Recreation and is set to be unveiled on December 8th at the student recreation center.  

Bret Taylor

The San Marcos Southside Community Center will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow at their location on South Guadalupe. The feast is geared towards less fortunate families in the San Marcos area and starts at Six o'clock P-M. They are expecting two-thousand people to attend. Turkeys have been cooked and provided by Fuschaks Barbeque. In addition to turkey and fixings The Jigglebug Express will be there to provide free rides to kids in the community center parking lot. Admission is free and open to all members of the community.

Colby Howell

A new facebook group regarding school pride has many students talking. The group called "Texas State Traitors" urges students to take pictures of fellow bobcats who wear other schools' clothing. The group has reached almost twelve-hundred members in just a week. Some say that a shirt is just a shirt. Other students say they've had enough- School pride has never been strong at this university and some say wearing colors besides maroon and gold in the quad doesn't help. If your picture is posted, the only way to be removed is to send the group a pic of you either throwing away, burning or donating the shirt to charity.

Timothy Ladusky

Citizens in San Marcos will have to continue to wait for help with traffic problems caused by the trains on Aquarena Springs Dr. The overpass that is supposed to begin at I-35 and travel down the West side of Aquarena Springs. The design phase of the project has been pushed back until May of 2011 and be finished in September of the same year. The overpass will cross in front of Mamacita's Resturant over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks ending at Charles Austin Drive. City officials say the project is could cost up to 22-million dollars and bidding on the project will being in January of 2015

Jesse Moloney

Students at campuses across the country are growing beards and mustaches as part of a No-shave-November campaign. A Holiday that originated in Australia, Called Mo-Vember, combining Mustache and November to celebrate manhood and the changing of the seasons. The celebration has been adopted in the U-S through word of mouth and social networking sites and is now being called Novem-Beard, allowing for all sorts of creative styles. Facial hair popularity is growing at Texas State, and Man-acured styles are causing a hairy situation on campus. Participants are urged not to shave the entire month. The November campaign has even inspired Decem-Beard and Manuary, Leaving men hairy all winter long.

Rena Iglehart

Bobcat Update gets a behind the scene look on the life of a not so average but normal Texas State student. Rena Iglehart has more on this inspiring story.
In an interview before the big speech, Lizzie gives Bobcat Update a peak into her story.
(Velasquez...)
Like most college students Lizzie enjoys the typical pleasures.
(Velasquez..)
Later that night Lizzie would be addressing her Texas State peers, for the very first time.
Stand up: Showtime is just a few minutes away but students continue to come to hear the spectacular story of Lizzie Velasquez.
A once empty auditorium is almost full. As students and family wait to hear a unique story.
Even though things are looking up. Times haven't always been so easy.
Family members, audience members and even an old friend were inspired by her determination.
The event was a success. Friends and family express their joy and gratitude for taking another yet another big step.
(Arispe...sec...)
Lizzie Velasquez....
For Bobcat Update I'm Rena Iglehart

Lianne Thomas

The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us.  Next week most everyone at Texas State will take a break from school-related activities to spend time with family.  Bobcat Update's Lianne Thomas asked several people on campus how they'll celebrate the holiday. 
Standup
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Standup

Selina Affram

Students are standing up to the Winter Challenge. The Winter Challenge is an initiative to discourage students from driving under the influence of alcohol during the holidays. The Network is a peer group at Texas State, which is leading the challenge to educate students about living healthy lifestyles. The group is asking students to sign pledges not to drink and drive. The message was reinforced with a portable demonstrator -- set up by the University Police Department. The demonstrator allows students to experience what it feels like to drive drunk.

Mitch Shubert

For seniors at Texas State, commencement is right around the corner. For those graduating, students are asked to arrive at commencement an hour beforehand. To get ready for the big day, make sure you purchase the official Texas State cap and gown, which can be ordered from the University bookstore in the L-B-J Student Center, or on the bookstore website. The bookstore also sells graduation announcements, diploma frames, and official Texas State rings.

Ashley Flores

You need an anchor lead-in.
November 15th through the 20th is National Hunger and Homelessness week. The Student Volunteer Connection in the L-B-J student center has planned programs and events for every day of this week.
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The purpose of the designating this week for events is to help raise poverty and hunger awareness. The Student Volunteer Connection hopes students will gain a better understanding of what it means to be homeless.
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Bridge: If you're unable to make it to this week's events, you can still help feed the hungry.
If you have meal trades and would like to make a difference, you can stop by Harris Dining Hall and donate by simply swiping your card.
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Whether you donate a swipe, a can of food or your time, any little bit will count for something.
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For Bobcat Update, I'm Ashley Flores.

Amanda Dugan

Credit card companies will no longer have the privilege of soliciting on or near college campuses. Once the CARD Act takes effect after February, credit card companies will be required to let consumers know 21 days before a bill is due. That is a week longer than before. The act will also require individuals under the age of 21 to have a co-signer on their card that has good credit history. Texas State has established a link called Money Savvy Cats to help students learn more about financial responsibilities. Visit v-p-s-a-dot-t-x-state-dot-e-d-u-slash money savvy to learn more.