9/28/16

Jacquelyn Carter

Some Texas State students hosted an event they called a die-in yesterday to protest social injustice and oppression across the nation. Jacquelyn Carter has more in this Bobcat Update.

SU: Bobcats sat on these stairs yesterday in wake of yet another unarmed black man shot in San Diego. This is one of many peaceful protest black Texas State has demonstrated since the start of the school year.
A crowd of over 50 students and teachers stood together in solidarity. Lonvis Naulls, the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter organization at Texas State, says he hopes the die-in brings knowledge to everyone including those who don't even agree with the movement.
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Yesterday morning students, like co-planner of the event Russell Boyd, shared posts on social media inviting students to unite not only to protest the San Diego shooting, but also to call attention to every person who has fallen victim to alleged police brutality. Students and faculty shared personal stories and joined in prayer. Boyd says he's glad many students participated, or at least observed, the event.
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Skyller Walkes, the Associate Director of the university's Office of Disability Services,  says the die-in event allowed voices to be heard and perhaps will bring about change.
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For Bobcat Update, I'm Jacquelyn Carter

9/25/16

Bryan Binford

It was a long night for the Bobcats Saturday. They had a difficult match up against a highly-ranked Houston team. Bryan Binford has more in this Bobcat Update.

The Bobcats hosted the number-six ranked Houston Cougars in what was the highest attended game ever at Bobcat Stadium. More than 33-thousand people attended the game, which was televised on E-S-P-N-U. Texas State Junior Desiree Alvarez says she was impressed with how many people came out to the game.
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The Bobcats got off to a slow start in front of the record crowd. At halftime they were trailing the Cougars 43-to-three. Despite the lopsided score, some fans were able to see the Bobcats' potential.
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The final score was 64-to-three. Next week the Bobcats face Incarnate Word at home. For Bobcat Update, I'm Bryan Binford.

9/23/16

Sydney Herrera

A beautification project is having a positive effect on Sewell Park at Texas State. Sydney Herrera has the story.

A beautification project called the Habitat Conservation Plan is underway next to campus. Barriers now deny access to an area by the Salt Grass Restaurant. Outdoor Center Director John Johnson says education is key.
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Students have been helpful in the effort.
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Senior Echaka Manjok says that side of Sewell is one of her favorite places.
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University officials say no date has been set for reopening the green area next to the restaurant. The habitat conservation plan is still a work in progress. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sydney Herrera.

Camille Shotts

Hazing has long been a source of concern on college campuses, but it's a ritual that Texas State officials are trying to prevent. Camille Shotts has the story.

To prevent hazing, the Dean of Students' Office has sent a memorandum to students, faculty and staff to remind them of regulations regarding hazing. Atiana Sanchez says she feels the university takes appropriate action when instances of hazing become known.
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This year alone, Texas State has issued penalties to five student organizations for hazing. According to the university, nine infractions have been acted on since 2011. Some students say hazing dampens their enthusiasm for Greek life.
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Hazing may be difficult to prevent.
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There are laws in Texas to prevent hazing, and the university has its own set of regulations as well. For Bobcat Update, I'm Camille Shotts.

Christi Kerr

Since the start of school, many students at Texas State have been seen playing a popular mobile game with their smartphones. In this Bobcat Update, Christi Kerr tells us about how Pokemon Go is trending on campus.

Pokemon Go combines game elements with real-world locations, requiring players to explore the area and visit certain landmarks to play the game. On campus, players can catch Pokemon, collect items from Poke-stops, and battle other players' Pokemons for control over their gym. On-campus hot spots include Alkek Library, the U-A-C, and the Vaquero statue.
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The familiarity of campus and its landmarks are appealing to players.
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With new updates for the game coming soon, such as the ability to trade Pokemon and battle directly with other players, students will likely have even more reason to play the game on campus. For Bobcat Update, I'm Christi Kerr.

9/4/16

Irene Casanova

Texas State's student population increases every year; and with higher enrollment comes fewer parking spaces. Irene Casanova has more in this Bobcat Update.

Parking. Students who need a place to park their cars on campus have reason to be frustrated. They buy parking permits but there's no assurance they'll find a space and make it to class on time. It's as if they're looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack. Senior Angelique (ANN-JUH-LEEK) Paccione (PA-CHEE-OH-NEE) says she parks off campus and then walks.
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Others just choose to miss class rather than be an hour late.
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Senior Adam Carreno says Parking Services has made some improvements.
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One alternative to the hassle of parking is the university's shuttle system. For Bobcat Update, I'm Irene Casanova.

Kyle Kloza

Senate Bill Eleven, also referred to as Campus Carry, is now in full effect at Texas State. The law allows individuals with a concealed carry license to carry their weapons on campus. Kyle Kloza has more in this Bobcat Update.

Texas State has several resources available to educate the campus community about the new law, which allows weapons to be carried in classrooms and faculty offices. Students have mixed opinions about the law:
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While some feel campus carry adds protection, others feel more stress.
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Certain areas of campus are still off limits for those who carry weapons. For example, guns are not permitted at athletic events where alcohol is served, nor are they allowed at the president's home. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kyle Kloza.

Travis Tyler

It's election year, and, as we inch closer to November, time will soon run out for those who haven't registered to vote. This year the registration process will be a little different from previous years. Travis Tyler has the story.

That's because new voter identification laws have taken effect in Texas. To help increase awareness about the new laws, Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos stopped by campus a few days ago to educate students about how to register.
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He says informing the students will help increase voter turnout.
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Seven forms of identification will be accepted at the polls, including pay stubs and utilities bills. Texas State Senior Bryan says it's important to vote.
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Students are urged to visit Vote-Texas-dot-gov website, if they want more information, about the acceptable identification forms as well as how to register. For Bobcat Update, I'm Travis Tyler.

Malik Mingo

With digital media on the rise, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication has made some changes to help students be better prepared for the work world. Malik Mingo has more in this Bobcat Update.

Texas State students are now able to major in Digital Media Innovation. S-J-M-C is offering classes that will teach students about all things digital.
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Through classes such as Web Design and Publishing and Advanced Social Media and Analytics, the faculty hopes to prepare students for jobs that do not even exist yet.
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The process for establishing the new major began almost two years ago. During the summer the state's council on higher education approved the major, and S-J-M-C purchased new computers for the M-I lab, which now occupies space in Old Main where the offices of radio station K-T-S-W used to be. Holly Hendrichsen was majoring in electronic media, and she decided to make some changes.
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Whether you want to create a new app OR become a content creator for BuzzFeed, like Hendrichsen, digital media innovation may be the major for you. For more information about the new program, visit the School of Journalism and Mass Communication website. For Bobcat Update, I'm Malik Mingo.

Marques Mingo

Texas State's student radio station has a new home and is now collaborating with another local media outlet. Bobcat Update's Marques Mingo has more.

Since it first aired 24 years ago, Texas State's radio station K-T-S-W broadcast out of Old Main. But now with the support of the university and its Board of Regents, K-T-S-W has moved out of the building. The station is now located in the newly renovated Trinity Building, which is the same office space as the student-run newspaper, the University Star. Back in the fall of 2015, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication began discussing the idea of combining the university newspaper and radio station operations under one roof to enhance collaboration and reduce rivalry. With the move, K-T-S-W received new equipment and other extras. The University Star also received new computers and additional work space.
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K-T-S-W and the University Star will now work more closely in gathering news and covering events.
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The former K-T-S-W offices at Old Main have been converted into a digital innovation lab. For Bobcat Update, I'm Marques Mingo.

Colleen Payne

Many organizations at Texas State use the Quad to set up tents, hand out flyers and even make tacos to attract the attention of passing students. One young man has found a secret ingredient that reins them in more than most. Colleen Payne tells us more in this Bobcat Update.

(nat of music)
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Will Riley discovered it doesn't take anything fancy to appeal to a college student.
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It didn't take long for others to join in.
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Students often avoid eye contact with many of the club promotions in the Quad, but Riley gets attention by simply doing what he loves.
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In doing so, he's helping boost the local music scene.
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Maybe other tents should take a note from his book.
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Next time you're doing the duck-and-cover on campus, take a look around for Will Riley. He could be just what you need to make it to the end of the day-- or even just the end of the Quad. For Bobcat Update I'm Colleen Payne.

9/3/16

Chakadra Ward

Jones Dining Center is perhaps the most popular dining hall on campus, but for several months students weren't able to use it because of renovations. Well, the wait is over. Food is again being served at Jones. Chakadra (SHA-KAY-DRA) Ward has more in this Bobcat Update.

Many students who dined at Jones BEFORE the renovations are happy with what the center now offers.
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The center has several new dining options including Cheeburger Cheeburger Express and Wing It. The one dining option that hasn't changed much is Panda Express.
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Chartwells Dining Services has managed the campus food operations since 1998.
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Jones Dining Center is now open daily until _________. For Bobcat Update, I'm Chakadra Ward.

Andy Hernandez

Texas State University is continually growing. Every year the university accepts more and more freshmen and transfer students. Bobcat Update's Andy Hernandez tells us about the impact of having more students on campus.

The impact can be seen -- more dorms and classrooms have been built. Others have been remodeled. And we can see it in the parking lots where many students experience the hassle of finding a place to park. Empty spaces are few and far between. Each parking lot is color coded, showing who is allowed to park in that area. Hundreds of commuter students compete everyday for the limited number of parking spots available to them.
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Even after spending money on a parking permit some students have to use the pay garages just to find a place to park.
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The number of available spots for students has also significantly decreased due to all of the campus construction near the perimeter parking lots.
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During the first week of a semester, parking services is usually more lenient about ticketing violators of the parking policy, but that doesn't mean all violations were ignored. For Bobcat Update, I'm Andy Hernandez.

Conor Yarbrough

Texas State is the fourth largest public university in Texas. The university is growing -- not only in enrollment but also in buildings. Walk around campus and you'll see the signs of growth. Conor Yarbrough has more in this Bobcat Update

Enrollment has increased every year for more than a decade and the infrastructure has grown to match. The university has added several new buildings including a dual Performing Arts Center-Recital Hall complex and the iconic graduation photo backdrop provided by the University Academic Center. As for the impression on students, most seem to like it.
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But others have their doubts.
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There's rapid change on campus. One can't help but notice.
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More changes are likely in the future. The university plans for them. In the coming months, administrators will develop a new master plan to keep the transitions organized. For Bobcat Update, I'm Conor Yarbrough

Gustavo Torres

Old Main has been the home for K-T-S-W eighty-nine-nine for more than 23 years, but now the station has a new location. Gustavo Torres has more with this Bobcat Update.

The studios at Old Main haven't had any live announcers since the last week of the spring semester. The station stayed on the air during the summer with computer-automated recordings as a major renovation took place. K-T-S-W has a new place to call home.
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Texas State's station is now in the Trinity Media Building -- down the hill from Old Main. K-T-S-W will share the building with the student newspaper.
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Having the student media under the same roof means the University Star and K-T-S-W will have more opportunities to collaborate in the future, especially in news coverage. For Bobcat Update, I'm Gustavo Torres.

Rachel Bloom

Starting soon George's won't be the only place at Texas State where you can buy alcohol. Beer and wine will now be for sale at home football games. Bobcat Update's Rachel Bloom has the story.

Alcohol used to be banned from all Texas State sporting events, but last spring beer and wine were made available at baseball and softball games. Now the new drink options are coming to football games -- making some students think about going to their first game.
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Many students are looking forward to being able to drink at the games.
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_______ says there are students who don't really care about drinking but selling alcohol might encourage more students to come out to the games.
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Beer and wine will be sold till the start of the fourth quarter and, of course, anyone who wants some will need an I-D. For Bobcat Update, I'm Rachel Bloom.

Kelsey Favila

A new shirt is causing some friction between a local business and the university. The shirts display some familiar designs, but there's a problem. Kelsey Favila tells us more in this Bobcat Update.

A week into the school year and the university bookstore is pushing some buttons with a local business called San Marvelous. At issue is a shirt with the words San Fabulous printed on it.
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Owner and alumnus Rio Rodriguez says the university's bookstore apologized for the incident and said it was an overlooked print that caused the problem.
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San Marvelous will continue to participate in tailgates and are ready to start the semester will plenty of new designs. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kelsey Favila.