The Bobcats deliver Prairie View A-and-M an 18-to-6 loss at Bobcat Field. Early in the game, the Panthers kept it close, taking a 6-to-5 lead in the top of the 6th inning. But the Bobcats took control following homeruns by Spenser Dennis and Lance Loftin. Pitcher Bryant Rutledge was credited with his first win of the season. The Bobcats are now 25-and-10 for the year. They'll return to action Friday against the Northwestern State Demons.
4/16/09
Mary Dichard
Texas State students and San Marcos residents exercised their first amendment right to assemble yesterday at the Tax Day Tea Party. The nationwide protests were named after the Boston Tea Party that occurred more than 200 years ago. University students marched from the campus to the Hays County Courthouse where they met with some city residents to oppose President Obama's spending policies.
SB: Dylan Matthews (00:10)
The activists also voiced their disdain for the Federal Reserve. They want more transparency in government and are worried that inflation is ahead.
SB: Craig Young…fiscal conservatism (00:11)(Precinct Coordinator)
SB: Mary Dichard-stand up and sign out
4/15/09
Kristen Dudding
The month of April is Cancer Awareness Month and with summer approaching, people need to be aware of the dangers of sun exposure. U-V Rays, which come from the sun, are known for causing skin aging and wrinkling, and also contribute to skin cancers. Here are a few ways to help prevent skin cancer. When you are out in the sun, cover up as much as possible. Wearing a hat and sunglasses is an easy way to block out UV rays. Even if you are covered up, it is important to wear a sunscreen of at least fifteen S-P-F. Most sunscreens need to be reapplied every two hours, and even more often if you are swimming. The Student Health Center has free sunscreen samples that can be picked up there or at the Outdoor Center located at Sewell Park. For more information on skin cancer prevention, visit the Student Health Center or skin cancer dot org.
Matthew Champion
Lindsay Skaggs
The students occupy jobs all across campus. You can find them at places like The Alkek Library, computer labs, dining halls and the writing center. Some students tutor fellow students at the SLAC center. Today, the 2009 Student Employee of the Year will be announced. Many students depend on their campus jobs to help pay for tuition and living expenses while attending the university.
Lisa Freeman
Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson closed out this year's common experience theme "civic responsibility and the Legacy of L-B-J" by giving a lecture named in his honor. The lecture was the final event in a yearlong celebration of Johnson's birth 100 years ago.
Both Robb and Johnson spoke about how proud their father was of saying that he came from this great university in the hill country, and that he would be pleased that Texas State continues to grow and still has that feeling of one big university family.
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President Johnson was a graduate of the class of 1930 and was the 36th president of the United States. He returned to the campus November 8, 1965 to sign the Higher Education Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation enacted during his presidency. His final visit to Southwest Texas State came six days before he died on January 22nd 1973, to speak to political science students. For Bobcat Update I'm Lisa Freeman
4/14/09
Kara Marshall
4/13/09
Katie Lombardi
The team is dedicated to ensuring the safety of San Marcos residents and their homes. Battalion Chief Rick Rowell says prevention is the key.
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You and your family should develop a plan in case a fire occurs in your home. The first steps are to exit the dwelling and then dial 9-1-1. Fire officials say do NOT attempt to go back into the house to retrieve belongings. Wait for the fire department to arrive.
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STANDUP
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Some basic tips to remember include checking your smoke detector to make sure it works properly and keeping a fire extinguisher handy. Also, remember to never leave the kitchen unattended while cooking and be cautious when lighting candles. For Bobcat Update, I'm Katie Lombardi.
Alysha Mendez
(Stand-up) Bobcat Blend is a composting pilot program that will turn this leftover food (holding tray of food) into fertilizer for the university.
Senior Jason Sanders, founder of the program, says students will not only have access to trash and recycling bins, but also compost bins.
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Sophomore Oscar Cabrera says he thinks Bobcat Blend is a great idea.
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By the end of this semester, about a dozen waste stations will be introduced to the L-B-J Lair Food Court.
Bobcat Blend hopes to add these organic recycling bins to every dining hall on campus.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Alysha Mendez.
Jorrell Rodriguez
Ben Wempe
4/9/09
Brandon Simmons
Many Texas State students are anxious for summer break to begin.
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For the more adventurous, there are opportunities to take their summer courses overseas. Freshman Andie Cruz is excited about going to Spain to study.
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The economic recession may affect some activities this summer.
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Andrew Salazar
4/8/09
Megan Schwarz
Ben Wempe
Mitchell Devonport
4/7/09
Amabilia Esparza
The Texas Department of Transportation, better known as Tex-Dot, began planning for the overpass seven years ago. The project was put on hold because of insufficient funding. Tex-Dot is hoping that construction dollars will be forthcoming from President Obama's economic stimulus plan. Public Service Assistant Director Sabas Avilos says Tex-Dot is also considering what is called a Pass-Through-Toll-Project.
SB: Avilos... Interview
More than 40 trains pass through San Marcos everyday causing lengthy traffic delays. Texas State commuter Scott Thomas says he has learned to deal with the trains.
SB: Thomas... Interview
Officials say the project will cost more than 20 million dollars and, so far, 15 million of it has been raised.
SB: Me... Designs for the overpass will begin this summer. Construction will be done by 2012. For Bobcat Update, I'm Amabilia Esparza
Mary Dichard
Drew Suprenant
Dr. Margarita Arellano is the new Dean of Students at Texas State University. Dr. Arellano left her home country of Nicaragua more than 30 years ago when the nation was engaged in a civil war. She's come a long way in her education career.
Arellano's experience includes overseeing more than one-thousand student organizations and 20-plus years in student affairs.
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The Dean of Students office -- located on the fourth floor of the L-B-J Student Center -- handles a wide array of student issues.
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Dr. Arellano serves as the Assistant Vice-President of Student Affairs.
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Arellano says she wants to work closely with students and help them succeed at Texas State.
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Sasha Armstrong
The services being offered at Texas State are wide ranging. At the student health center, one can be screened for cancer. The university also offers workships to help people cope with the disease. The first line of defense against cancer is awareness.
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Other activities aimed at battling the disease are a bone marrow donor drive and a fund-raiser called Relay for Life.
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To learn more about events planned for Cancer Awareness Month, check out the student health center page on the university's website. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sasha Armstrong.
Shay Creech
4/6/09
Jorrell Rodriguez
The L-B-J Student Center may seem like just an entry-way, to and from the west side of campus. But tucked into a pathway next to the Visitor's Center is an exhibit of a class all in its own. The gallery "Southwest Texas Women: The First Hundred Years" pays tribute to the notable achievements of more than 1,500 women, who have helped develop Texas State University. The Southwest Texas President's Council for Women in Higher Education commissioned the gallery, and introduced it in 1999 as part of the university's centennial celebration. On display are photographs of the honorees and each with a short bio highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to the university.
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Other notable inductees include: Holly Mills- Gardener, who was the first and only Texas State student named Miss Texas U-S-A in 1998, the Gypsies--Texas State's first athletic team in 1904, late former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, who was the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate from Texas State in 1982, and Texas State University President Denise M. Trauth. The work of one inductee can be seen everyday...
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Sophomore Erika Molina admires the university's tribute.
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Dr. Laurie Fluker, an inductee herself, says the honor is very meaningful to her.
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If you find yourself in the student center with a few minutes to spare, swing by the exhibit and witness the work of these pioneers first-hand. For Bobcat Update, I'm Jorrell Rodriguez.
Amy Lane
Frances Rendon
4/2/09
Lauren Guerra
Last week the federal cigarette tax was increased to one dollar a pack. That's up from 39 cents a pack -- enough to leave some smokers gasping for air.
International Business major Kara Hester says the tax hike does not bother her.
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Advertising major Rebecca Wilson says she might stop smoking someday, but not anytime soon.
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Some expect the higher tax will result in cigarette sales going down.
Stand-up
(Do you explain in your stand-up what the increased tax will pay for?)
Brandon Simmons
4/1/09
Sylvia Irizarry
Frances Rendon
Dexter Ellison
Congress has approved 17-point- three billion dollars in Pell Grants, which will provide assistance to students for at least the next two years. The funds are part of an omnibus spending bill approved last month. Full-time students receiving Pell Grants could see an increase in the maximum Pell amount. The expected family contribution will also be reduced by about 600 dollars. The Federal Work-Study program will also receive a boost, allowing for more job opportunities on campus.
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Michelle McDonald, an assistant computer lab technician, welcomes the decreased stress that more money could provide.
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Freshman Elizabeth Rackar is a work study office assistant, and she says she'll appreciate the extra income.
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Other benefits in the bill include tax exemptions for school necessities, funding for job training, and tax credits for tuition and fees. Students can determine if they are eligible for the increase by visiting the financial aid office or by checking online through Catsweb.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Dexter Ellison
Lisa Freeman
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would give people the right to carry a concealed handgun on campus if they are licensed.
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Bob Mann, a Journalism and Mass Communication lecturer, strongly disagrees with the proposal.
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The representative who wrote the legislation, Republican Joe Driver, says he believes a committee vote might come as early as next week. Representative Driver says he has 70 House members signed on at this point, but it would require 76 to pass in the House.
In the Senate, only 12 of 31 Senators have indicated that they will support the bill.
For Bobcat Update I'm Lisa Freeman