Stand Up: It's that time of the semester when students are hitting the books harder and filling up the library- as each day passes we are one day closer to finals.
SB: Biology student, Bianka Martinez. Discussing how she's feeling about finals.
SB: Healthcare administration student, Danielle Janssen. Discussing how she's feeling about finals.
Recreational activities and hard partying can take a lot of time. And if it's too much, there may not be enough time for studying. Texas State student Zach Stables says the learning experience can be improved if students take a proactive approach:
SB: Mass communications student, Zach Stables.
The library serves as a refuge for many who need to study. Tutors are available for just about every major subject. The writing center, for example, is staffed with more than ten tutors.
Stand Up: Whether you choose to study weeks in advance, or at the last minute- to help out all students Alkek Library will be open 24-hours during the week of finals. For Bobcat Update, I'm Yvonne Zamora.
Bobcat Update, a student-produced newscast recapping events at Texas State University, and is available for viewing on YouTube.
4/24/13
Yvonne Zamora
4/23/13
Marco Enriquez
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The Greek community is in the quad raising money through "penny wars," which is a contest aimed at encouraging students to donate their spare change, all of which is being donated to Saint Jude. Coordinators of Greek Week, the Order of Omega, are hoping to raise enough money to make a 20-thousand-dollar donation at the conclusion of Greek Week.
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In addition to penny wars, several local businesses are making donations. The decision to make the fundraising effort a citywide event was done in hopes of raising awareness of Saint Jude Children's Hospital and letting the community know exactly what Saint Jude does.
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The Order of Omega will be in the quad all week collecting money from anyone that wants to help them reach
their goal. For Bobcat Update, I'm Marco Enriquez.
4/19/13
Marissa Lewis
[SU]
Texas State University has 1,500 students registered with the Office of Disability Services and six-point-seven percent of them are students with physical disabilities. The university provides specific routes for these students to navigate the hills and steps that cover our unique campus. Texas State recently added a ramp near the Liberal Arts building and will continue to allocate funding through the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance committee.
[SB]
Although Texas State strives to make campus accessible for everyone, some students say the routes are inadequate.
[SB]
Some of the routes on campus have changed with the ongoing construction projects. Students can access information about the updated routes through the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction department. For Bobcat Update, I'm Marissa Lewis.
Taylor Henderson
John Beck
Adelina Valdez
Halie Davis
4/18/13
Lindsay Powell
Purgatory Creek is a 570-acre natural park in San Marcos. It is home to hiking trials, scenic views and a cave. It is also a nesting habitat for the endangered golden cheeked warbler. Some hikers like to visit the trails to spend
quality time time with their pets.
SB: It's just relaxing. I go with my dog. She's kinda rowdy. She likes to run around.
Others enjoy how seclusive the park is.
SB: You get to see the wildlife we have here in San Marcos that's kinda tucked away and some people don't know that it's out here.
Some students even find connections to their area of study by exploring the park.
SB: I get to see what I'm studying. It's like a real world application of what I learned in class.
The park has three different areas: Prospect Park, Upper, and Lower Purgatory. It is free to all users.
Standup: The Purgatory Creek trails offer San Marcans a chance to escape their busy lives and enjoy nature at its finest. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lindsay Powell.
4/17/13
Haley Parmer
The Veterans at Texas State have a tent set up in the quad to show students how to create their own paper from scratch using personal garments. The idea was inspired by the Peace Paper Project.The Honors College hosted an exhibit on Tuesday displaying some of the completed work. Academic Development Director Diann McCabe says the Honors College has worked with the Peace Paper team before.
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The project works with people who have been through traumatic experiences. The participants seek to heal through art with the hope that the creation process encourages positive thinking.Co-founder of the Peace Paper Project Margaret Mahan sayscreating art on homemade paper is a way for people to tell their stories.
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The Peace Paper Project was founded in 2011 and operates worldwide to build connections between participants and their communities. For Bobcat Update, I'm Haley Parmer.
4/16/13
Kaitlin Moore
SACA, the Student Association for Campus Activities, is in charge of hosting Riverfest along with the marketing that goes into it. Coordinator Philip Ramon says SACA's marketing strategy is _______.
SB (Philip Ramon)
Ramon says some students are familiar with Riverfest, so they won't be surprised about when it is or who's playing.
SB (Michael Achy)
But Jordan Richardson is a student who had no idea Riverfest was even happening this year.
SB (Jordan Richardson)
Riverfest has been a Texas state tradition since SACA started it in 2003.
Stand Up:After months of planning, SACA is expecting an even larger turn out than last year for this years Riverfest. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kaitlin Moore.
Kristina Coble
Although students are expected to learn throughout their college years, some are walking away with a little less than what they paid for. Some say one reason is that life events have a way of taking precedence over school.
SB
The University College at Texas State has seen more students lately who are undecided about their future and need help exploring their options. The College suggests that picking the right major can help students learn more. If they're motivated and interested, they'll retain more.
SB
SU
Texas State offers assistance in student development. [ ]. For Bobcat, I'm Kristina Coble.
India Johnson
Maddie Serviente
K-T-S-W started the tradition six years ago and, since then, Mr. Fest has grown from seven bands and one venue to more than 60 acts at nine locations. The festival is held in downtown San Marcos with a new stage, sponsored by the Hays County Food Bank, on the courthouse lawn. This year's headliner, Ume, will be joined by many local artists, who got their start in central Texas.
Sound bite
Me. Fest features bands from a variety of genres as well as comedians. Admission is free.
Sound bite
Sign off (stand
up)
Jennifer Schmerber
The student Rec center was packed on Friday night as Texas state hosted Relay For Life. The annual event supports the American Cancer Society. Money is raised in hopes of finding a cure.
Sound Bite
The event was kicked off this year by Mayor Daniel Guerrero who sees the cause in a very personal way.
Sound Bite
The relay began with everyone walking a lap around the indoor track as a dedication to cancer survivors. Some of the survivors say the illness changed their lives in a positive way.
Sound Bite
Nighttime activities included dance routines, sports, and musical performances -- all dedicated to the cause. The relay for life at Texas State involves more than 20-thousand people. For Bobcat Update, I'm Jenny Schmerber.
Christina Tafoya
College textbooks are known to be highly expensive for students. Prices can range anywhere from 15 to more than 300 dollars for a book. It is not assured that students will be able to sell them back at the end of the
semester. But often they don't have a choice -- they have to buy -- because some professors require books to be purchased to retrieve access codes needed to take exams.
SB: Stables
The Texas State faculty decides whch textbooks will be required for the upcoming semesters. The University Bookstore is one of many bookstores where students can sell-back books to get reimbursed up to 50-percent of the retail price. Bobcats can get more money for their books depending on the time of year they decide to sell-back.
SB: Gustafson
The University Bookstore is very competitive with online sites and is known to offer better deals on buy-backs. The store rarely gets the quantities of buy-backs it would like.
Stand-Up (sign-off)
4/15/13
Greg Burnam
Even in death, a person can be earth friendly. There's a unique approach being offered in San Marcos at the Eloise Woods Community Natural Burial Park.
SB:
Macdonald made sure that all would be welcome at the burial park. There are sections for various faiths, for infants and even one for pets.
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Families can chose to be as involved as they want. Some of the families at Eloise Woods have dug the grave, prepared the body, and had a memorial service without the involvement of a funeral home.
SB:
Traditional funerals can cost close to ten thousand dollars, so being green has benefits to the Earth as well as the wallet. For Bobcat update, I'm Greg Burnam
John Beck
The Keep San Marcos Beautiful concert series can be found at the Plaza Park stage on the corner of Hopkins and C-M Allen Parkway. The event is free, open to the public, and pet-friendly. Eats, vendors, and live-music all give the community to socialize while lounging at the park.
SB
A little known fact is that Texas State students, along with Keep San Marcos Beautiful, organize the event. It's a requirement for a Recreation Administration course at the university.
SB
For some first-timers, who have just now discovered this series, there's an assurance they'll be repeat attendees.
SB
SU
4/11/13
Alex Navarro
4/10/13
Christina Tafoya
Yvonne Zamora
It's the latest trend in beauty that women just can't get enough of- but what exactly is a B-B Cream?
SB: Siobhain Mulkey
SB: Student
SB: Sarah Genovese
B-B cream, which stands for beauty balm, has been gaining in popularity for its all-in-one features. Ads for the cream have been showing up in commercials and fashion magazines. Some beauty experts call it makeup on steroids.
Clinique beauty consultant Esmeralda Urbizu says B-B Cream isn't your typical foundation but rather a makeup product giving users the coverage they need while combining, sunblock, primer, and moisturizer.
SB: Esmeralda Urbizu explaining BB Creams.
B-B Creams can be found at department store makeup counters or at local drugstores.
Stand up: Well there you have it the low down on the latest beauty trend that's great for every skin tone. For Bobcat Update, I'm Yvonne Zamora.
4/9/13
Alexa Perez
Marco Enriquez
Karen Buenrostro
Confused students gazed on as production crews invaded the quad. The one-day shoot included paid actors and some Bobcats.
SB- Miles
Austin-based Fueled Films had to get permission from the university to shoot on location. University policy dictates that a 35-hundred-dollar location fee be paid for each day of shooting. The fee helps pay for extra security during filming.
SB- Sgt. Rodriguez
Although many participants had been on location since eight in the morning, they say the experience was worthwhile.
SB- Stubblefield
Stand up - Production crews filmed in various locations over Texas State and encouraged students to become extras. For Bobcat Update, I'm Karen Buenrostro.
Halie Davis
Some behavioral scientists are studying the measurement of stress that can be found in saliva. On Monday, Texas State hosted a presentation by Salivary Bioscience Research Center Director, Douglas Granger.
SB: Douglas Granger
Labs at several universities, including John Hopkins, Arizona State and Texas State University, are conducting salivary research.
SB: William Kelemen
Researchers have found that the saliva samples collections show that physiology is often associated with behavior. Testing is done on one's environment and interactions to link saliva with stress.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Halie Davis.
4/8/13
Dawn Brooks
Scott Panther
Greg Burnam
4/7/13
Hady Mawajdeh
San Marcans have long known the beauty and excitement of The Square. Its cafés, pubs and quirky shops give life to the city's downtown, while keeping students and locals coming back for more. Now, the square's appeal has reached a national level, because Travel and Leisure Magazine, known for its "Worlds Best Awards" list, has just named the San Marcos' Square as one of America's Most Beautiful Town Squares.
Stand Up: "I am standing in front of the Hays County Courthouse the focal point of San Marco's Town Square, which is home to many other historical buildings"
Buildings like this one, which is home to Rhea's Ice Cream…
SB: Rhea of Rhea's Ice Cream – "I didn't know about this list. It's cool." "San Marcos is great, because unlike Austin it's less busy. There's a different vibe here." (Or something like that)
SB: TMM Co Owner "We chose to open our venue right here, because it's the heart of the city and it was the right place to put my money."
For Bobcat Update, I'm Hady Mawajdeh
Taylor Henderson
Some Texas State students decided to bring the nationally recognized organization, Cans for a Cure, to San Marcos. The organization seeks to further the fight for cancer awareness by raising money through collecting aluminum cans. Students held their first pool party at the University Heights 2 apartment complex Saturday to collect all of the cans that Texas state students used while enjoying some fun in the sun. Assistant Director Ashley Falkon says that losing loved ones to cancer motivated her to get involved.
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Executive Director James Kemp is excited about the turnout at the pool party this past weekend.
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If you're interested in helping out with the new San Marcos Cans for a Cure chapter, you can check out the group's Facebook page for more information.
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4/4/13
Jessica MacCall
(standup)
In a recent look by Best College Reviews.org Texas State claimed a home among the ranks as one of the 25 Most Amazing Campus Recreation Centers.
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With all of the basic rec center amenities, like basketball courts and a gleaming weight room, it was components like the indoor pool, rock climbing center and boxing studio that helped place Texas State as number 13 on the list. The center's reputation has proven to play a role in attracting students to the university.
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For Bobcat Update, I'm Jessica MacCall.
Chelsea Kelley
Alex Navarro
The Texas State's General Education Council, along with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is responsible for setting core curriculum standards. The council last year approved a curriculum change that will remove P-F-W classes as a requirement. Department of Health and Human Performance Chair, Duane Knudson, was part of the committee and voted against the removal of P-F-W classes.
SB
Knudson says removing the physical education component from the curriculum would negatively affect college students and even shorten the lives of those who have never adopted a healthy lifestyle.
SB
While P-F-W will no longer be a requirement, Knudson says there is still something very interesting that happens.
SB
For Bobcat Update, I'm Alex Navarro.
4/3/13
Greg Burnam
Just steps away from the State Capitol lies a treasure trove of artifacts. The Texas State Library and Archives holds some of the most valuable pieces of Texas history, including documents, flags and drawings.
Some of them date back to before the Texas revolution. A letter written by William Travis is probably the most famous document in the collection. Another important artifact is a flag that belonged to Mexico and was captured during the Texas revolution.
sb:
The archives' responsibility for these items includes protecting and preserving them for future generations. When necessary, documents are repaired using state-of-the-art technology. Head Conservator Sarah Norris says she's now working on the Confederate muster rolls containing information about the Texas soldiers who served in the Confederate Army.
sb:
If you're interested in finding out more information about the history of Texas, you can visit the Archives in Austin or visit the organization's website. For Bobcat Update, I'm Greg Burnam.
4/2/13
Alexa Perez
India Johnson
Morgan Wilson
Managing school, work, and extra-curricular would be enough for most students, but try adding rapper, musician, creative visionary, and record label owner to the mix as well. Charles Inim -- also known on stage as Charlie CB -- is a transfer student who is following his passion for music.
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Charlie is his own manager, and he's working hard to gain more fans.
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CB can't really put a label on his music.
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From his South by Southwest performance this year to his Battle of the Bands performance in George's, CB artistry hasn't gone unnoticed. The life of an artist can be stressful but he continues to stay motivated from advice he was given.
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You can find Charlie CB's music on his website or on itunes. For Bobcat Update, I'm Morgan Wilson.
Haley Parmer
Don Giovanni is a two-act opera based in the 1940s and features music by Mozart. It tells the legend of Don Juan, a man who always gets his way. Some consider it the greatest opera of all time. Dr. Sam Mungo says the dedication and hard work from his students have paid off.
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A blend of humor and drama, the show is filled with serious and comic action. Carlos Saenz, who plays Don Juan himself, says he took drastic measures to get into character.
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The cast hopes the audiences enjoy the show and create their own meaning of the story.
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(Stand Up) Don Giovanni is showing Friday through Sunday at Evans Auditorium. Tickets are 12 dollars for adults and six dollars for students. Come out and support the Texas State Opera Theatre. For Bobcat Update, I'm Haley Parmer.
Scott Panther
In the quad when students see someone from a student organization making burgers or hot dogs, they can be assured that certain minimum standards are being met, to make sure no one gets hurt.
SB
Stand Up
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In order to sell food they need to get approval from the Campus Activities and Student Organizations.They make sure there is space and time available and that their food stays sanitary. They also have to pay a small fee. For Bobcat Update, I'm Scott Panther.