AJ Sanchez

Texas State students have noticed some changes to their meal plans on campus, and not everyone is pleased. Bobcat Update's A-J Sanchez tells us more:

The food vender, Chartwells, provides meal plans at Texas State, so students can use their I-Ds to eat at places like the Den, the L-B-J Student Center, and Jones Dining Center. Those who live on-campus are required to buy one of these plans. Chartwells used to offer meal trades so that certain combo meals at these places could be bought with one swipe of their ID,  but NOW the meal trades can only be used at the buffet halls. Some students aren't happy.
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Replacing them are Meal Swipes, which can be used on orders for up to six dollars, AND Dining Dollars, which can be used dollar for dollar to supplement purchases. Plans come in Maroon, Bronze, Silver and Gold packages, but some students find the new plans confusing.
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Chartwells representatives say the meal trade system was inefficient and this new system will allow students to choose what they want -- based on their lifestyle and dietary needs.
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In addition, for the first three weeks of the semester, Chartwells could be found at many dining locations to answer any questions about the new plans.
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Ernesto Santos

The men's soccer club at Texas State is hoping to make it to the regionals this season. The team is in the thick of the competition, BUT this past weekend they had a setback. Bobcat Update's Ernesto Santos tells us more

The Bobcats lost two to one against Sam Houston State this past weekend. Team President Mo Kassim says they're doing pretty well even though they lack funds. Kassim says the team would like to have a paid coach to guide the players.
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Bobcat Parents, Jenny and Paul Shumann, attended the game to watch their son, Will, play against the Bearcats. They say the team deserves more support from the university.
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Kassim says he'll continue working for the team. He's constantly searching for players who are serious about developing the sport. 
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The team will travel to College Station this Friday to play the A-and-M Corps of Cadets. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ernesto Santos. 

Dalton Williams

The Trump administration wants the U-S Supreme Court to decide how certain matters affecting the L-G-B-T-Q community should be handled. Bobcat Update's Dalton Williams has the story.

The Trump administration has filed three cases within the past year affecting L-G-B-T-Q workers. At issue is whether it should be legal for businesses to fire workers based on their sexual preferences. Title Seven is a law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender -- male or female. However, the law does NOT directly address L-G-B-T-Q concerns. There's fear that the clear conservative majority on the nation's high court will not be sympathetic.
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Texas State Senior Shannan Robinson says she's concerned.
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Media Law Professor Abby Chiodo Gray says if even the Supreme Court rules against the L-G-B-T-Q community, Congress could effectively address the issue. She says there's still the possibility that legislation could be enacted that includes more expansive language aimed at curbing discrimination against the L-G-B-T-Q community. For Bobcat Update I'm Dalton Williams.

O'Bryant Muralles

The San Marcos Public Library will be expanded in the coming months. Among those attending a recent groundbreaking ceremony for the construction project were San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and State Representative Erin Zwiener. Bobcat Update's O'Bryant Muralles has more.

After five years of planning, the San Marcos Library will soon have its size doubled.
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Voters approved funding the library expansion when they voted for Proposition Two in 20-17.
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All of the usual activities at the library will continue during construction.
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Representative Zwiener says the expansion will provide more opportunities at the library.
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And speaking of the future
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Kyle Emmott

It's October, and for baseball fans, it's time to wrap up the major league season. The playoffs are underway and will ultimately lead to the World Series. Which team will win it all? Here's what's some students at Texas State predict:

Jacob Hall

The San Marcos Transit Department is coordinating with Bobcat Shuttle to provide better public transportation services. Bobcat Update's Jacob Hall has the story.

The City of San Marcos hosted an open forum last week to discuss a proposed five-year plan for public transportation. [WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PLAN? THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT MISSING IN YOUR STORY.]
Keeping riders informed will be necessary for the plan to work.  
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General Services Director Lee Hitchcock says the coordinated effort will serve more of the area's transportation needs.
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Will Wadsworth

For some students at Texas State, graduation will be followed by law school, and NOW is a good time for them to be shopping around to decide where they'll pursue their law degrees. Bobcat Update's Will Wadsworth has the story.

Students interested in the legal profession are encouraged to attend the law school fairs that Texas State arranges. The university's Career Services Office offered one earlier this month. Law schools send representatives to recruit soon-to-be graduates. Texas State does NOT having a pre-law major, but that's not an obstacle for those who seek admittance. Recruiters say they accept prospective students from a wide range of disciplines.
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The Career Services Office sees the law fair as an opportunity for students to look at a wider range of options after graduation.
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Law school recruiters like to come to Texas State because of its large AND diverse student body.
Standup: Texas State's prelaw adviser Carol Dochen partners with Career services regularly to help bring these 60 plus law schools to San Marcos. For Bobcat Update, I'm Will Wadsworth.

Brynn McCurley

The Men's Rugby team at Texas State is hoping to go all the way to the championships this year. With more on the story, here's Brynn McCurley.

The upcoming season holds a lot of potential for the rugby team, which has 35 members ready for competition.
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The prospect of facing longtime rivals, the University of North Texas, awakens a sense of belonging among players.
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Rookie Drue (Last name) came in never having played before, but says the team's camaraderie and constant practice make him competitive.
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Second year member, C-J Helms, is hopeful that this season will be a great one. 
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The next home game will be Friday, October 11that 6pm. For Bobcat Update, Brynn McCurley.

Conner Yarbrough

K-T-S-W, the student-run radio station at Texas State, invites students to apply for positions that are available during the spring semester.
Bobcat Update's Conner Yarbrough has the story.

You don't have to be in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication to be hired. All majors are welcome. The station has a variety
of paid and volunteer positions serving a wide range of student interests.
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K-T-S-W gives students the experience they need to succeed in the professional world and provides them a place to call their own on campus. 
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Some staff members form friendships that ultimately turn into lasting connections after they launch their respective careers. 
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Students are encouraged to apply for any position they are interested in.
(Stand-Up) Executive applications have already closed, but general staff applications will be open until 5 PM on October 28. For Bobcat Update, I'm Conner Yarbrough. 

Roxanne Hill

When people think of the music industry, specifically punk rock, they often equate it with substance abuse. Recently, however, many artists in the industry have been moved to come clean. Bobcat Update's Roxanne Hill has the story.

The punk rock band from California, Bleached, is comprised of Jennifer and Jessica Clavin. The two sisters talked about how their new album focuses on the difference in their music.
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Jennifer and Jessica have been making music since high school.
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Their career began with them being surrounded by drugs, alcohol and other means of self destruction. From the chaos when they first started writing to their progression now, the difficulties of touring have followed them.
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They move between environments and different shows where there are outside influences, but they have chosen to rise above. For Bobcat Update, I'm Roxanne Hill.

Breann Barrow

The San Marcos city square is a very popular place for Texas State students to go out and have a good time. The square offers a lively night life for students. However, the bars and restaurants that cater to students have to be cautious. An on-going issue is that of minors using fake identification cards trying to buy alcohol. Bobcat Update's Breann Barrow has more on the story.

The square is a hub for students to come and consume alcohol during their free time, and while most of these students are 21 and older, there are minors who try to sneak their way around the law.
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Bartenders and servers say those caught with fake I-Ds are often Texas State underclassmen .
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Employees of restaurants and bars can get into serious trouble serving a minor, even if it's by accident. They can be fired, fined, or even jailed.
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Because harsh punishments can be doled out, bartenders and servers take their jobs very seriously. They are trained to catch minors.
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Employees warn minors that they themselves will face penalties if found trying to drink underage. If caught, they may be arrested or fined.
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Underage drinking can have long term consequences, including one's status at the university.  For Bobcat Update, I'm Breann Barrow.

Michelle Rivera

The Fire Marshall's office in San Marcos has decided the Vie Loft apartment complex is safe enough for residents to return home. That means those who were forced to evacuate may return. City officials ordered the mandatory evacuation on September 20th, citing safety concerns. The order caught residents by surprise. They had to find immediate accommodations. The complex announced that it would reimburse students a prorated amount for the number of days they were displaced as well as any Uber expenses to and from work.

Sydney Smith

Student workers at Texas State appreciate having flexible work hours while in college, but such jobs usually offer limited pay. Bobcat Update's Sydney Smith has the story.

At the Honors College, students who work at the front desk of the coffee lounge are paid ten dollars an hour. That's higher than the minimum wage but still not enough to pay all of their bills. Some of the workers have to take out loans to make ends meet.
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Student lab assistants at Alkek library in the Student Learning Assistance Center receive eight dollars and twenty-five cents an hour. Junior Luis Ortiz said he is able to cover his costs with his bi-weekly paycheck by living on campus and having his tuition
paid for by the school.
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SU: Student workers are happy with their jobs on campus because they are financially dependent on other resources, learning in some cases how to make a five hundred dollar monthly income last. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sydney Smith.

Daisy Colón

Hundreds of mermaids swarmed downtown San Marcos this past Saturday during the Fourth Annual Mermaid Promenade and Aqua Fair. Bobcat Update's Daisy Colon has the story.

The celebration promotes community involvement. It involves several civic-minded groups participating in a parade and fair.
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The Mermaid Society coordinates what are called Splash events, with one main purpose -- cleaning up the San Marcos River.
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Following the parade is a fair, which highlights the work of local artists and small businesses. They showcase their art and merchandise.
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The Mermaid Society aims to bring the San Marcos community together to celebrate cultural diversity and to protect the environment. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. For Bobcat Update, I'm Daisy Colon.
 

Darreane Valles

It's football season and the tailgaters have been out in full force. Bobcat Update's Darreane Valles has the story.

The athletic department is pleased that tailgating has been in demand so far this season.
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Tailgating is a big tradition for Texas State students, faculty and alumni. The Student Alumni Council has a tent specifically for those who return to campus.
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Students come to tailgates to have a good time, but ultimately they love to show off their Texas State pride.
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Good times...good food. The experience contributes to a happy Bobcat.
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For more information on tailgating or setting up a tent, you can contact the Texas State Athletic Department. For Bobcat Update, I'm Darreane Valles.

AJ Sanchez

Texas State is a big campus and some students need to travel quite a ways to get to their classes. The methods they use may surprise you. For more, here's Bobcat Update's A-J Sanchez.

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Buses run daily around San Marcos to get students on and off campus in a timely manner.
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For those who would rather take matters into their own hands, skateboarding is another worthy option.
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There's even a company in town that provides a unique service featuring a classic human-powered vehicle.
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No matter the method for traveling on campus, students trust them to get them closer to what really matters: their diploma. For Bobcat Update, I'm A-J Sanchez.

Conner Yarbrough

Every year Texas State challenges students to rethink familiar subjects through its Common Experience program. This year's theme is Truth. Bobcat Update's Conner Yarbrough has more:

To encourage critical thinking, the university organizes events to support a theme. Truth will be explored this year. The concept is portrayed in a unique way at the Texas State Galleries. The exhibit -- titled Philosophy of the Encounter -- gives voice to the late Helene Rytman, who was murdered by her husband, the philosopher, Louis Althusser.
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The exhibit also examines whether there are universal truths to be discovered.
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The exhibit is free and located in Gallery One on the second floor of the Joan Cole Mitte (mitt -tee) Building. It will run through November 12th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Conner Yarbrough.

Kyle Emmott

Electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, have long been viewed as a safe alternative to cigarette smoking, but recent studies AND several cases of a mysterious lung illness have people wondering if vaping is as safe as they once thought. Kyle Emmott has the story.

According to the National College Health Assessment, about 16 percent of the student population at Texas State uses e-cigarettes. Some see that as risky behavior.
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So far this year, there have been seven deaths across the nation attributed to acute lung disorders strongly correlated to vaping. This, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
However, some students aren't convinced that there's enough reason to stop.
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According to the New England Journal of Medicine, teens have doubled the amount of nicotine they consume -- compared to just two years ago.
Another issue related to the vaping phenomenon is the emergence of counterfeit operations that dupe some users with their attractive flavors.
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The recent deaths have increased scrutiny of vaping, prompting some lawmakers and President Trump to call for stricter regulation of e-cigarettes.
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Jacob Hall

Some students are challenging the stereotypes associated with making a four-point-oh. And, as Bobcat Update's Jacob Hall tells us, they're finding support on campus for their efforts.

Texas State's Student Support Services will host its Guaranteed Four-Point-Oh seminar at the L-B-J student center on Friday. The seminar will provide students with study tips on how to earn straight A's. Time management is a key factor.
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The seminar is open to graduate and undergraduate students and will challenge the stereotypes on what it takes to make a four-point-oh.
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Dalton Williams

The Peace Corps offers civic-minded U-S citizens an opportunity to work on humanitarian projects around the world. Bobcat Update's Dalton Williams has more:

The Peace Corps is a federally-funded program, and many people are unaware of its purpose.
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Central Texas Peace Corps Recruiter Brendan Cavanagh says the Corps offers Americans a way to volunteer their services.
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Potential volunteers must meet certain requirements to join.
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The Peace Corps coordinates more than seven thousand volunteers in about 60 countries. Over 250 Bobcats have worked in the organization. For Bobcat Update, I'm Dalton Williams.