Lindsay Powell

A lot of potential Bobcats have been roaming the halls today. They are here for the annual Bobcat for a Day. Texas State students served as mentors to high school juniors interested in attending the university. The students were given a full tour of the campus, they attended classes with their mentors, and ate in a campus dining hall. 

Adelina Valdez

As graduation approaches, so does the need for graduates to find jobs. Adelina Valdez tells us how students can polish their skills.

Students attend college to train for the professional world, but before landing the dream job comes the interview. There's something about interviews that just seem to make people anxious.
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Standup: For many, the interview process can be very stressful, but here at Texas State the Career Services department offers many ways to help students prepare for entering the job market.
Those who want to polish their interview technique can schedule a mock interview with a career counselor. During the process, students can expect to answer the same challenging questions as the real-life scenario.
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Upon completion, the career counselor will provide feedback on areas of improvement.
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Students can also practice interview skills from the comfort of their own homes by using the "interview stream" option on the Career Services web page. For Bobcat Update, I'm Adelina Valdez.

Alixandra Papa

The first bank robbery in San Marcos since 2011 occurred Monday morning at Pioneer Bank. Police are searching for the suspect. Pioneer Bank is located in the center of the Wonder World Medical Plaza. The man was armed with a handgun and demanded money from the teller. No one was hurt and the suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect was described as a 6-foot-tall white male and wearing a black hoodie and jeans. If you have any information about the robbery, please call the San Marcos Police Department.

Alexa Perez

The Associated Student Government of Texas State is holding elections once again. However, this year, choosing a president may be a little easier than in the past. Alexa Perez explains in this Bobcat Update.

Perhaps you've noticed that A-S-G campaign signs are back up around campus. However, if you've only seen signs for one pair of running mates, it's because they're the only ones running.
Vanessa Cortez and Edward Perez are applying for Student Body President and Vice President unopposed. They held a rally this past Monday.
SB: Vanessa Cortez
Some students wonder whether competition is still an option.
Stand-Up: Although it is too late to run for A-S-G President and Vice President, Cortez still insists the student body come out to vote,
As there will be other important matters included on the ballet, such as the decision on whether there should be a 17-dollar bus fee increase starting next semester.
The Associated Student Government is established to serve as the voice of the students at Texas State.
SB: Dahlia Dandashi
Students are encouraged to voice their opinions at A-S-G meetings on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the L-B-J teaching theater. For Bobcat Update, I'm Alexa Perez. 

Lane Lewis

The Texas State baseball team traveled to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns last night. The Bobcats were trying to stop a 15-game losing streak to the Horns but fell in a close one 5-to-3. After giving up three runs in the first, the Bobcats fought back to tie the game after a 2 R-B-I double from Morgan Mickan and some smart base running by Cody Lovejoy. It wouldn't be enough in the end, though, as Texas State gave up runs in the 6th and 7th innings and couldn't mount a comeback. The Bobcats' next game will be tomorrow night against Seattle, here in San Marcos. 

Yvonne Zamora

It's that time of year again. The 2012 federal tax return deadline is quickly approaching, and if you haven't filed yet, don't panic. It's not too late. There are plenty of resources available to help you file your returns. Tax preparation help is being offered for free at McCoy Hall and the San Marcos Public Library. And there are plenty of businesses in town that can help you for a fee. If you don't need any help; you can prepare your own taxes. Forms are available at the Public Library, and you can file online. For more information visit the I-R-S website.

Marco Enriquez

A Texas State organization is doing its part to provide Easter festivities for the San Marcos community.  Marco Enriquez has more in this Bobcat Update.

Flyers are handed out at all the elementary schools in San Marcos and nearby communities inviting children and their families to participate in the free event.  It's an event that has been growing for the past decade and is getting a bigger turnout every year.
(SB)
Many organizations are invited to help volunteer for the event to help strengthen the bond between the community and the university.  It's something many volunteers say is a feeling that can't be described, only felt.
(SB)
The Easter Eggstravaganza has become an event that many San Marcos families to look forward to every year, and preparations for next year's event are already underway.  For Bobcat Update, I'm Marco Enriquez.

Kristina Coble

Riding a bike in San Marcos can be dangerous. Kristina Coble explains, in this Bobcat Update.

Bicycles are just one option for getting around campus, but cyclists are at a disadvantage. The streets and sidewalks are already filled.
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The lack of bike lanes force cyclists to ride on the shoulder of the street or ride on sidewalks weaving in and out of pedestrians. Safety is key when navigating around campus on a bike.  
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Cyclists would like to see more done to promote safety.
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[  ] For Bobcat Update, I'm Kristina Coble.

John Beck

Officials are still talking about it, but so far NO firm date has been set for starting construction of a new overpass in San Marcos. John Beck tells us about the latest developments, in this Bobcat Update.

The Texas Department of Transportation and the City of San Marcos co-hosted an open forum last Thursday at the San Marcos Activity Center to talk about the proposed Loop 82 overpass. The project would raise Aquarena Springs Drive from Thorpe Lane to Charles Austin Drive.
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The overpass project will contain a bridge that will pass over the railroad tracks next to Bobcat Stadium. When the bridge is completed, drivers will be able to look into Bobcat Stadium as they pass by.
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Standup: Although a projected groundbreaking date isn't set just yet, the project is slated to begin around next year. The estimated cost of the project is 36 (m) million dollars. For Bobcat Update I'm John Beck. 

Karen Buenrostro

Music lovers gathered at Embassy Suites Saturday night to celebrate their passion for mariachi music. Karen Buenrostro has more on the story.

Past, present and future generations are here celebrating the 14th annual Feria del Mariachi --and the 10th anniversary of  the Latin Music Studies at Texas State.
Young mariachi Juliana Villapando says she feels a stronger connection to her heritage by coming to the Feria.
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Mariachis of all expertise levels compete and attend workshops during the two-day event that ends with a concert.
America's Got Talent Semi Finalist Sebastian De La Cruz received the Rising Star Award. De La Cruz says he looks forward to seeing how his performances bring out the emotions in people.
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Many people showed their appreciation for this event and what it represents for Texas State. 
SB Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication Timothy Mottet .
The continuing interest in mariachi music is visible in both younger and older generations in the Central Texas area. For Bobcat Update, I'm Karen Buenrostro.

Scott Panther

Registration for fall and summer classes is going on at Texas State. It started on Monday and will end on April 22nd.  Students are encouraged to make an appointment with their advisor if they have questions about their schedule, but some advising centers are booked up until about mid April. Students also need to check their registration times using Catsweb and be sure there are no holds preventing them from registering. Late registration times for the summer semester are May 28th through 30th and times periodically throughout the month of August for the fall semester.   

Tiffany Cinco

Tuesdays are a good time to find fresh fruits and vegetables in San Marcos. Local vendors set up in the 200 block of South Edward Gary. They offer a wide variety of homemade goods, ranging from coffee and vegetables to candles and pottery. The Farmers Market is open between 3 and 6 on Tuesday afternoons as well as Saturdays from 9 to 1. The market gives area farmers a way to sell their products directly to consumers. If you'd like to be a vendor, you can submit your request online at the farmers' market website.

Hady K Mawajdeh

Texas State University and Austin Community College have formed a new partnership. In this Bobcat Update, Hady Mawajdeh tells us how their common goals will help students make a seamless transition.

Adjusting to University life after spending time at a community college can be hard. The larger class sizes, tougher course load and a more expansive campus can take some time for new students to get used to, but Texas State's new partnership with Austin Community College looks to lessen the pressure for transfer students.
SB: Stephanie Perez Student – Had to leave school after transferring, because of a tough adjustment.
Future students at Texas State will likely benefit from a program designed to ease the transition.
SB: Texas State vp for enrollment management – Micheal R. Heintze, Introduces and talks about the pathway program
Stand Up: Facilities like this – the theatre in Tower Dormitory can be helpful in the transition, because new students will be able to make friends (this is sort of what I said… I cannot remember my exact words).
The partnership with A-C-C Kyle begins in the fall of 2014. Professor Debra Feakes says she's excited about its potential benefits.
SB: professor Debra Feakes – tracks transfer's academic success, and she is a supporter of the pathway program.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Hady Mawajdeh.

Chelsea Kelley

The Texas legislature is considering a bill that would allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays. Chelsea Kelley has more in this Bobcat Update.

Blue laws in Texas have made it illegal for consumers to buy liquor on Sundays ever since prohibition, but House Bill 421 may change all of that.
If enacted, the bill would allow liquor stores to be remain for more hours during the week and be open from noon to ten P-M on Sundays.
SB
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Not everyone is happy with the bill though
Stand-up
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Texas is one of only 14 states that prohibit liquor sales on Sunday. For Bobcat Update, I'm Chelsea Kelley.

Greg Burnam

Federal budget cuts will likely lead to layoffs at 149 airports across the country, including the one in San Marcos. Greg Burnam has more in this Bobcat Update.

Standup: The San Marcos Airport may go silent after April 7th That's because air traffic controllers might be forced to cut their days short or even take mandatory time off. That time off would likely only average one day per pay period through the end of the September but that could mean at times airports like San Marcos won't have any air traffic controllers on duty. But what effect is that going to have on traffic in and out of the airport?
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The F-A-A has procedures in place for uncontrolled airports and airports that don't have towers. Some of those procedures at the San Marcos airport date back to when it was an army airfield, but the possibility of planes landing without someone watching over them can still be a scary thing.
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The San Marcos Airport stays relatively busy -- with more than a dozen businesses and three runways, but it hardly compares to Austin or San Antonio.
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For Bobcat Update I'm Greg Burnam

Alexa Perez

Texas State students are getting together to help beautify the San Marcos community this weekend. Bobcat Build is a one-day community service project where students say “thank you” to the residents of San Marcos by painting houses, planting flowers and trees, and picking up trash. This year over four thousand student volunteers have been matched to 215 job sites. The Texas State tradition is now the second largest of its kind in Texas. Bobcat Build will begin this Saturday, March 23rd in the Strahan Coliseum parking lot at 8:30 A-M.

Russell Bisbey

The Texas Department of Transportation will host an open house at the San Marcos Activity Center tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 to seek public input on a proposed Aquarena Springs overpass. The overpass, still in the design phase, will extend over the Union Pacific railroad tracks  Access roads will allow traffic to enter and exit at Post Road and the football stadium. The city hopes the overpass will help alleviate traffic problems on Aquarena. It'll cost an estimated 39 (m) million dollars and will take two years to complete once construction gets underway.

Dawn Brooks

If you find yourself getting tired of the same old thing when it comes to dining options on campus, you don't have to go far to find some unique food choices. Take a quick walk down to the corner of Hutchison and North Guadalupe and you'll find several food trucks offering a wide variety of tasty dishes. You can find everything from Hawaiian-style burgers to barbecue to baked goods. Plenty of seats are available, and you can even a few board games.

Jennifer Schmerber

The city is considering a project that would stabilize the banks of the San Marcos River and add some native plant life. The city will have a public meeting at 5:30 this afternoon at the Dunbar Center to talk about possible changes to the Habitat Conservation Plan. The plan was implemented in 2011 to help preserve and protect  water resources in the region, including plant and animal life. Part of the plan has already been implemented with the removal of invasive species such as elephant ear plants and non-native fish.  

Yvonne Zamora

Hosted by the University Police department and taught by certified instructors, Krav Maga self-defense classes are being offered for free to Texas State students and faculty. The classes offer a self-defense system combining elements from jiu jitsu, boxing and Karate. The tactics are easy to remember and can help sharpen one's survival instincts. The next class will be tomorrow afternoon at 5 o'clock. If you're interested in learning Krav Maga, you can register online at the University Police Department's website.

Halie Davis

Cell phones play an important role in today's society. Halie Davis reports on our growing dependence.

Standup: Many rely on their cellphone for everyday use, from waking up in the morning to planning for the next day. So what would you do if you lost your phone?
SB: Jacki Garcia
SB: Austin Zant
SB: Marisa Githner
For most, losing their cell would be a difficult situation. Our phones can help us stay connected with the world; whether we are by ourselves...
SB: Gittinger
Or around others.
SB:  Garcia
Cell phones aren't only used for personal reasons. Business communication can also be affected by cell phone usage.
SB: Zant
It seems that cell phones have become an important part of our everyday lives. Losing your phone could cost you more than just money.
SB: Brianna Barnes
Talking is no longer the only reason for a phone. We have established a deeper connection with our phones. For Bobcat Update, I'm Halie Davis.

Morgan Wilson

The drought in Texas has been unrelenting. And, as Morgan Wilson reports, the lack of rain in San Marcos is prompting officials to ask residents to use less water.

The city of San Marcos declared Stage Two water restrictions two weeks ago. City officials say San Marcos had been at Stage One for about a year.
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One of the Stage Two restrictions states sprinklers may only be run before ten a-m and after eight p-m once a week.  City officials say San Marcos may reach Stage Three, if the Edwards Aquifer levels drop any more.
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Stage Three is the highest level for water restrictions. Violating the restrictions can result in fines ranging from one hundred dollars to two thousand dollars. The city's website has more information on the restrictions and how they might affect you. For Bobcat Update, I'm Morgan Wilson.

Lane Lewis

Prices keep going up, but the minimum wage -- which many students are paid -- has remained steady for several years. It can be a struggle for those who are trying to make ends meet. Lane Lewis has more in this Bobcat Update.

(Standup) College students that have to work through school are known for having to live cheap. That's especially the case in Texas where the state has the most minimum wage workers in the United States. And at seven dollars and 25 cents, the minimum wage here in Texas is tied for the lowest in the country. 
Students and non-students alike have to worry about rent, buying food and rising gas prices. Being paid the minimum wage comes to about 15-thousand dollars a year. That's not much for sustaining a family.
(Dr. William Chittenden, Head of the Department of Finance and Economics)
Students have it a little easier than a family would, but they still struggle..
(Adrian Hernandez, Junior Mass Communications major)
Working on campus can be easier and more convenient for anyone being paid the minimum wage. It helps save on gas money if commute times are reduced.
(Standup) The government isn't likely to raise the minimum wage anytime soon due to reasons like inflation, but there are other options that, while maybe less convenient, will pay more than the minimum wage. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lane Lewis.

Kristina Coble

Today marks the first day of spring. With warmer weather, there are plenty of activities to do at Texas State. Whether between classes or on a day off, students can have fun at Sewell Park. The outdoor center offers a wide variety of equipment. Picnics can be fun as well as throwing a ball around or simply sunbathing. The San Marcos River is a perfect place to beat the heat. From splashing around with friends or playing around with your furry companion, the river can be a refuge for anyone looking for a little bit of relief from the Texas heat.

John Beck

Construction has begun on a new phase of the Texas State Master Plan. Part one of the West Campus Housing project is now underway and should be completed by next year, with one of the two complexes opening South of Blanco Hall. San Saba and Canyon Halls will be demolished. University officials say the estimated cost of the projects, including the demolition, will be about 102 (m) million dollars.

Matt Wood

Texas State University is being asked to change its procedures regarding what happens when someone is caught with marijuana. Matt Wood has more on the story.

The student government at Texas State has voted 45-to-3 to have the University Police Department implement a policy known as Cite and Release. The state legislature in 2007 approved a law allowing localities to decide for themselves whether to adopt Cite and Release.
If implemented, it would mean that people caught with small amounts of marijuana, along with several other minor offenses, would only be cited, rather than taken to jail. In the end, suspects would face the same punishment but the initial pre-conviction jail time would be removed.
Proponents of the procedural change say it would save valuable resources because police officers would not have to transport non-violent marijuana offenders to jail.
Texas State NORML President and A-S-G Senator Kevin Kutras authored the bill.
[Kutras soundbite: why he put it forward]
Besides NORML, the Texas State Young Americans for Liberty backed the bill. Y-A-L collected hundreds of signatures from students. The group's president, Dustin Brennan, says implementing Cite and Release would free officers to deal with more serious crimes.
[Dustin Soundbite: better use of resources]
University Police Department spokesperson Sue Stewart says having a Cite and Release policy doesn't free up as many resources as some people think.
[Stewart soundbite: "we still have to do our paperwork, we still have to do our report, the only thing that it prevents us from doing is taking someone to jail."]
The Student Government does NOT have the final say in implementing the policy change. It must be approved by university officials for it to be enforced.
A-S-G Chief of Staff Vanessa Cortez says that it's important for officials to listen to what the students want.
[Cortez soundbite: "We are the representatives of the student body and what we say and pass should have a remarkable influence on what the administration does, and so I hope they will make the decision that the study body wants."]
Vice President of Student Affairs Joanne Smith says she will make the final decision and will give consideration to the A-S-G proposal. But Brennan and Kutras say they're concerned that the students' wishes will not be seriously considered.
[brennan or kutras soundbite on student government]
Vice President Smith says she has not yet received the A-S-G paperwork for Cite and Release and cannot comment on what action she will take.
Except for U-P-D, the law enforcement agencies in Hays County follow the Cite-and-Release procedure.
[Wood Standup: ...For Bobcat Update, I'm Matt Wood}

Haley Parmer

While many Texas State students are traveling to their chosen destinations for Spring Break, others are choosing to keep it low key in San Marcos. Sewell Park is a popular hangout spot for sun bathing and water activities. While it may not be a sandy beach, the park offers fun and relaxation. The Sewell Park Outdoor Center provides many activities to take part in. You can rent kayaks, canoes, tubes as well as snorkeling and water sports equipment.

Adelina Valdez

The hilly terrain of the Texas State campus makes it a challenging course for mobility-impaired people. The university provides ramps to help them. The ramps are at several locations on campus, and they're being used by a lot of able-bodied people, even though they're designated for the disabled. Bicyclists also routinely use the ramps, which can be an obstruction for people who need to use them.  The University Police Department says it doesn't have the manpower to patrol these areas. They say bicyclists should do the right thing by refraining from using the ramps.

Kaitlin Moore

Bobcats, Get ready to throw your caps in the air... Graduation will be here soon.  Even though most seniors are excited about finishing their coursework, they have reason to be concerned about what happens afterward. In this Bobcat Update, Kaitlin Moore tells us about the difficulties that lie ahead.

College seniors are preparing to enter the next chapter of their lives. It's time to celebrate, but there's a challenge awaiting them, too. They need to find work, and entry-level jobs are hard to come by. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 53-point-six percent of those under the age of 25 who have bachelor's degrees were jobless or under-employed last year. However, Texas State student Elijah Justice is keeping a positive attitude about the job market.
(Soundbite)
Another Texas State senior, Andrew Henley, has a job
opportunity after graduation, but he has mixed emotions.
(Soundbite)
(Stand up): Texas State students are both hopeful and fearful of what lies ahead after graduation. But most graduating seniors like myself are really anxious to see what new challenges will come out way. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kaitlin Moore.

Lindsay Powell

Texas State will be on spring break starting this weekend, and for some that means party time. Lindsay Powell reports on efforts to promote safety during the break through a don't drink and drive campaign.

You may have seen some unusual items on the Quad this week. The idea was to attract the attention of those passing through.
Standup: University police teamed up with several organizations to give students a simulation of what it's like to drink and drive.
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Among the crowd were representatives from the awareness campaign "Watch UR BAC".
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Different D-W-I prevention simulators were brought on campus with vision-impairing goggles to show the difficulty of operating a vehicle under the influence. Students found the simulators to be more challenging than expected.
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Officers hope that the presentation will leave an impression on students to make wise choices over Spring Break. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lindsay Powell. 

Kristina Coble

Many students are planning to get out of town soon for Spring Break. We asked a few of them what they’ll be doing:

Marco Enriquez

Students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication are looking for real-life experiences in the job market, and, to that end, many of them participated in this week's Career and Internship Fair at the L-B-J Student Center. Broadcasters from across the state were present to offer students summer and fall internships. They recommended students start off with an internship and work their way into full-time positions.  Students had the opportunity to drop off their resumes in hopes of making a favorable impression and possibly land one of the positions available.

Maddie Serviente

If you don't adjust your clock this weekend, chances are you'll lose an hour of sleep. Clocks are supposed to be set an hour ahead on Sunday to Daylight Savings Time. You might need to do an inventory to find where all of your time pieces are -- clocks, watches, appliances, video recorders and your car. Daylight Savings Time will remain in effect through November, at which time you might be able to get back that hour of sleep.

India Johnson

Texas State is buckling down on security during spring break. The university police department says locking your doors is the first -- and often overlooked -- step in preventing theft. About 95 percent of the thefts on campus result from unforced entry.  U-P-D would also like to encourage anyone leaving their vehicles on campus next week to take advantage of the "Spring Break Program." Anyone with a valid Texas State parking permit can park in the Woods Street parking garage from noon on Friday until Monday, March 18th at 7 a.m 

Jennifer Schmerber

An interactive art exhibit has made its way to the courtyard of the North Campus Housing Complex. The acrylic sculptures named "Fish Bellies," arrived at the Gaillardia and Chautauqua dorms this past weekend and have already become a popular hangout space for studying, spending free time, and has become a source of many Instagram photos. The sculptures have touch sensors that light up at night and use energy efficient, color changing L-E-D's. Students are encouraged to use the art as both a hangout or to even use the space as inspiration to create their own art. 

Karen Buenrostro

Information on how to cope with sexual assault may be hard for some students to find. But information is available for the askingat the university's counseling services office and at the Central Texas Medical Center. The counseling center offers psychological assistance and referral services for assault victims, and the Medical Center has a program called SANE that offers support to victims and helps collect evidence.The UniversityPolice Department says prevention is key. Officers advise students to walk accompanied at night and report any sexual abuse. 

Yvonne Zamora

Online classes are in high demand at Texas State. Some of them fill almost immediately when they become available. Yvonne Zamora has more in this Bobcat Update.

Forget the alarm clock and the daunting task of finding parking on campus- more and more students are ditching the classroom and seeking an unconventional kind-of-learning through online courses. 
SB: Student Bryce Burton (talking about the online class he has taken).
Texas State Vice President for Academic Affairs Debbie Thorne says online classes are being offered in a broad range of topics.
SB: Vice President Debbie Thorne (talking about the many options available).
A 150-dollar electronic-fee is attached to every online class, but the extra fee hasn't stopped those who are interested in taking such a course.
SB: Vice President Debbie Thorne (talking about the student incline in online courses). 
Stand Up: As more online classes become available students are quickly enrolling and forming their opinions about them.
SB: Student Lezli Zbranek (speaking about her online class experience). 
Some students quickly realize that online classes demand self-discipline and a good work ethic, if they're to be successful
SB: Student Kate (speaking about her online class experience). 
Stand Up: Whether students choose to learn to face to face interaction of at the convince of their own home, it's clear to say that more options are becoming readily available through online education. For Bobcat Update, I'm Yvonne Zamora.   

John Beck

The Clear Springs Apartment Complex will be closing soon. The apartments have long been a desirable location because of their proximity to the river and campus. But on May 12th, all leases will end and the place will be shuttered. The complex, which was built in 1966, no longer meets building code requirements. Residents who will have to vacate are making plans to move elsewhere. It's uncertain at this point what will become of the property. The apartments are on Aquarena Springs Drive across from Strahan Coliseum.

Greg Burnam

For some people, these are hard economic times. It can be a struggle to provide basic necessities, like food, clothing and shelter. But, as Greg Burnam tells us in this Bobcat Update, a helping hand is available at the Hays County Food Bank.

The Food Bank provides assistance to those in need. It's a volunteer organization that could use more volunteers. Coordinator Jim Wagner says the easiest way to get involved is to attend one of the group's training sessions.
SB
Some employers say a resume that includes volunteering can be a plus.
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Lauren worked her first shift today but has volunteered at other organizations since high school. She attended a training session last week.
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The Food Bank depends on food donations, both large and small, to be able to feed the hungry in Hays County. The group sends its trucks to H-E-B each morning to pickup donations. Every can, box or jar helps someone in need.
The Hays Food Bank served 600-thousand pounds of food last year and served about four-thousand families.  If you'd like more information about donating or volunteering, check out the group's website at hays-food-bank-dot-org. For Bobcat Update, I'm Greg Burnam

Gabe Garza

Students who use Tower Garage will not have full access to the facility during spring break. The garage stairs will be getting a much needed upgrade. The stairs are pretty old and deemed unsafe. Many parts of the steel staircase have eroded and problems are plainly visible. Nails that support the stairways are beginning to fall out. Because the repairs will be made during spring break, few Tower residents will be affected by the work. 

Halie Davis

It'll be an attention-getter to be sure. Several students at Texas State are planning to run across campus in their underwear -- all for a good cause. It'll happen on April 5th. The run will start at Harris Dining Hall and end at Sewell Park. Runners at the starting line will strip down and donate their clothes to an orphanage in Haiti. The event --called Hit the Floor Running -- is also a fundraiser for a school in Africa.The group HEAT is promoting the run buy selling briefs and handing out flyers. For more info, look up heat-establishment-dot-com.

Lane Lewis

Many Texas State seniors are just a couple of months away from finishing school. Graduation is almost here. The deadline to apply was last Friday, but there are still a few items that potential graduates need to cross off their to-do lists. The bookstore in the L-B-J Student Center sells caps and gowns as well as frames for diplomas and graduation invitations. Senior portfolios are due in many departments. And, of course, everyone should be concerned about earning passing grades in all remaining classes.

Alex Navarro

A group at Texas State is promoting awareness and understanding about the L-G-B-T-Q community. Alex Navarro has more in this Bobcat Update.

The group is called Allies of Texas State. Members want to provide a safe environment for L-G-B-T-Q persons. Allies are committed to eliminating myths, misconceptions and stereotypes, and they offer training sessions to that end. Senior Lecturer Gilbert Martinez, an Ally member for six years, says the group helps promote tolerance and acceptance:
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Ally members are part of a campus-wide network.
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For more information, you can ask an Ally member -- they're easily identified by the rainbow decals near their office doors -- or you can stop by the group's office.
SU.