8/30/15

Roslyn Barrutia

Texas State University has set an enrollment record for the 18th consecutive year. More than 37-thousand-500 students are enrolled for the fall semester. Roslyn Barrutia has the story.

Higher enrollment means Texas State needs to construct more dorms, renovate existing buildings and increase parking on campus. Several projects are planned and many others are already underway.
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Texas State attracts a diverse student body, which means there are a lot of opportunities to learn about other cultures. Several organizations help students connect with others.
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If you want more information about campus organizations, go the Texas State website and look up SACA -- the Student Association for Campus Activities. For Bobcat Update, I'm Roslyn Barrutia.

Jeffrey Westgate

Construction is everywhere it seems at Texas State. The university is trying to keep up with ever increasing enrollment. One project in particular has gained the attention of students. Jeff Westgate has more in this Bobcat Update.

Renovations are underway at Jones Dining Hall, which has been one of the school's more popular eating spots. The hall has been shut down for nearly a year. Texas State is giving the cafeteria an 18-million dollar makeover after 40 years of serving hungry students. When it was open, Jones stayed busy. People who lived on campus very often had their meals there. But what used to be convenient is now a pain.
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While the closed sidewalks and detours can be annoying, some students are excited about the prospect of having a new and improved dining hall.
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Construction will likely continue through July of 2016, so patience is the best option for now.
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Not everyone is convinced the renovation is necessary.
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Future students will no doubt benefit from the improvements the changes will bring. For Bobcat Update, I'm Jeff Westgate.

PJ Theberge

Texas State's enrollment has hit an all-time high in each of the past 17 years. And, as P-J Theberge (phonetic spelling please) tells us, in this Bobcat Update, the continued growth means problems for commuters.

Recognize these parking areas?
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More than 80 percent of you should. According to Texas State's Office of University Marketing, about 18 percent of the nearly 37-thousand students enrolled at Texas State live on campus. That means the other four-fifths of students have to commute. Some ride bikes.
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Some take the bus.
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Some use a vehicle. According to the university's parking rules, all persons wishing to operate a vehicle on campus must purchase a parking permit. Parking in a zone without the corresponding permit results in a parking ticket.
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Asking students about parking elicits a fairly uniform response…what the university has now ISN'T getting the job done.
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Talking to members of the staff and administration reveals a similar – but more diplomatic response.
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Because of the lack of parking on campus, students often find it difficult to arrive on time. It's an issue that administrators have heard before. For Bobcat Update, I'm P-J Theberge.

James Atkins

Texas State University is stepping up its social media presence. Here with the story is Bobcat Update's James Atkins.

The fall semester is underway with freshmen joining upperclassmen who've returned to campus. Texas State has a new Snapchat account to help them connect with one another. It's a popular app for mobile devices.
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The university account is a hip new way for the school to keep students in the loop as some of the older social media platforms lose traction.
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To join in the fun, look for T-X-State-U on Snapchat and send a message. Your message might even end up as a featured snap. For Bobcat Update, I'm James Atkins.

Ricardo Vargas

Students at Texas State who need a break from studying can find a selection of comic books to divert themselves for a while. Bobcat Update's Ricardo Vargas takes a look at Alkek Library's newest exhibit.

Alkek has made room for some new comic books. But before they are put on the shelves the library has them on display. A manga exhibit is now on the first floor. It opened a week before classes started and will be there only for a short while.
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The family of former student Samuel Hunt, who passed away in 2013, donated the items. The exhibit features a wide range of Japanese-inspired artifacts that Hunt collected.
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The first floor has had unique exhibits before, such as one last year that focused on Willie Nelson.
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Students don't have much longer to experience the comic book exhibit. The books will be moved to the graphic novel collection on third flood at the end of the month. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ricardo Vargas.

Karlee Tobola

The quad at Texas State stays busy during daytime hours. You can find tents set up to attract students to fundraisers or membership drives. In this Bobcat Update, Karlee Tobola tells us about an organization that has been a reliable presence for almost 20 years.

Returning students are likely to see something familiar on the quad. Walt Smith sets up his jewelry tent every year to serve his customers.
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The jewelry tent is sponsored by the Non-Traditional Student Organization and offers a wide variety to choose from. It caters to the unique and diverse student body at Texas State.
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Money made from jewelry purchases is used to give back to the students. Two 500-dollar scholarships are given each semester to show support for Bobcats.
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The jewelry is on sale at what many would consider reasonable prices. For Bobcat Update, I'm Karlee Tobola.

Ryan Marcus

Football is returning to San Marcos, but a massive construction project might affect the fans who want to cheer on the Bobcats. Ryan Marcus tells us why.

Many fans show up at games to tailgate, but this year there will be less room for the pregame socializing. The parking lots next to the stadium will be downsized this year because a new overpass is being built on Loop 82. Eventually the street will be raised to go over the railroad tracks. Mass Communication Senior Kimberly Benson says the construction project will have an impact.
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There's concern that the construction will also affect attendance at the games. Low attendance can be detrimental to the team, because it was a factor last year when Texas State failed to receive a bowl bid even though the team had a pretty good win-loss record.
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The Bobcats' first home game this season will be September 12th. For Bobcat Update, I'm ____________

Garrett Caywood

After a yearlong construction delay, a proposed luxury apartment complex in San Marcos is searching for a new buyer. Garrett Caywood has more in this Bobcat Update.

Trustmark Banking is looking for potential suitors to take over the unfinished student housing project of Eight-17 Lofts. Construction crews are repairing damages caused by exposure to weather. Trustmark Vice President Jennifer Long says at least one construction firm has shown interest.
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Texas State students who had planned to live at the complex had no choice but find other housing.
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Long says Trustmark is hoping the project will be completed early next year.
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Innovate Housing stopped construction on Eight-17 Lofts in June of last year. Cited as issues at the time were project changes and failed inspections. For Bobcat Update, I'm Garrett Caywood.

Daniel Hutchison

Bobcats living north of campus will soon be able to celebrate completion of the roadwork on North L-B-J Drive. Daniel Hutchison has more in this Bobcat Update.

You have seen it if you've been over to Dos Gatos for a pastry or stopped by Treff's Tavern after class for a pick me up -- lots and lots of construction.
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Students who travel on North L-B-J have been putting up with it for over a year now, but they don't have to wait much longer for things to get back to normal.
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The construction was supposed to be finished by now. Many students have been forced to find different bus routes or else walk to school.
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Local businesses affected by the project have been unhappy with the inconvenience the construction has caused. They were promised that some things would be done to help ease the problems that the detours and roadblocks have caused, but the results have been disappointing.
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The street construction has been pretty annoying, but at least it's almost finished -- unlike the nearby Eight17 lofts. That project has been foreclosed on and new contractors are being sought. But L-B-J Drive should have both lanes of traffic opened within a few weeks. For Bobcat Update, I'm Daniel Hutchison.

Jeremy Thomas

Texas State students can now purchase rare artwork to decorate their rooms, and they don't even even having to leave campus to buy it. Jeremy Thomas has more in this Bobcat Update.

A popular attraction is back on campus again. Many students are taking time out of their schedules to browse through hundreds of posters on sale outside of the L-B-J Student Center. Freshman Michaela (last name) says this is her first time at the annual poster sale.
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The poster sale doesn't just attract freshmen. Even upperclassmen are attracted to the unique artwork available for purchase. Senior Jerry Garza says the selection at the sale still impresses him.
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The posters will be sold on campus during the first week of classes.
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For Bobcat Update, I'm Jeremy Thomas.

Ben Kailing

Students at Texas State face many challenges this semester. Bobcat Update's Ben Kailing has more.

The first day of class is never easy. With temperatures holding steady at above 100 degrees, the task was made even more difficult for freshmen who were navigating what to them is an unfamiliar campus:
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Students dealt with a busy quad -- one result of record enrollment.
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The numerous construction projects on campus caused difficulties all their own.
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Even with all the challenges students faced during the first of classes, many remained optimistic about Texas State's future.
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Official enrollment numbers for the fall semester will be released soon. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ben Kailing.