The United States has issued an alert to anyone wanting to travel to Mexico, but that won't stop some Texas State students from participating in their study abroad programs. Joshua Humphreys has more in this Bobcat Update.
A travel alert, which is in reaction to recent violent attacks by drug cartels, advises Americans to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Mexico.
SB
Study abroad’s director says that there is a difference between a travel alert and a travel warning. With a warning,Texas State will not send any students to the affected country.
STAND UP
Students planning on studying Spanish through Texas State’s study abroad program this summer are asked to stay in groups and keep in contact with their program's student liaison.
SB
Since declaring war on the drug cartels in 2006, more than 16-thousand people have died south of the border. The travel alert gives advice to U-S citizens about how they should cooperate with Mexican officials and warns them to avoid certain places at night. For Bobcat Update I’m Joshua Humphreys.
Bobcat Update, a student-produced newscast recapping events at Texas State University, and is available for viewing on YouTube.
2/24/10
Peter Norosky
New credit card restrictions make it tougher for Texas State students to get their hands on the plastic. Peter Norosky has more in this Bobcat Update.
Last May, Congress decided to crack down on credit card companies by regulating them more. New restrictions will be enforced, including some that will affect college students who are under 21. Minors are now required to have a co-signer when they apply for a credit card.
SB
Some of the new regulations are designed to help card-holders acquire or keep good credit. For example, card issuers must now give 45-days notice before they can raise interest rates. Also, banks must now mail credit card bills no later than 21 days before payments are due. These restrictions could be beneficial to students who are learning to manage their credit.
SB
Stand Up
Last May, Congress decided to crack down on credit card companies by regulating them more. New restrictions will be enforced, including some that will affect college students who are under 21. Minors are now required to have a co-signer when they apply for a credit card.
SB
Some of the new regulations are designed to help card-holders acquire or keep good credit. For example, card issuers must now give 45-days notice before they can raise interest rates. Also, banks must now mail credit card bills no later than 21 days before payments are due. These restrictions could be beneficial to students who are learning to manage their credit.
SB
Stand Up
Megan Turney
Crowded dorms at Texas State may soon be a thing of the past. Megan Turney has more in this Bobcat Update…
With enrollment at the university booming, the lack of housing on campus is a big issue. The Board of Regents at Texas State recently approved plans to build a new dorm that could house more than 600 students. Freshman Willem Gonzalez, who lives in one of the dorms, says he likes living close to campus, but wishes he had a little more space.
SB
Residence Life Director Dr. Rosanne Proite says she believes the new dorm, which will be built near the intersection of Sessom Drive and Comanche Street, will help eliminate over-crowding and improve students’ quality of life.
SB
While requirements for moving off campus have been relaxed to help reduce crowding, Proite says she still believes it’s important for students to begin their college careers close to campus.
SB
STAND UP: Construction on the dorm, which could cost upwards of 50 million dollars, could begin as early as next fall and the university is hoping it will be ready to house students in 2012. For Bobcat Update, I’m Megan Turney.
With enrollment at the university booming, the lack of housing on campus is a big issue. The Board of Regents at Texas State recently approved plans to build a new dorm that could house more than 600 students. Freshman Willem Gonzalez, who lives in one of the dorms, says he likes living close to campus, but wishes he had a little more space.
SB
Residence Life Director Dr. Rosanne Proite says she believes the new dorm, which will be built near the intersection of Sessom Drive and Comanche Street, will help eliminate over-crowding and improve students’ quality of life.
SB
While requirements for moving off campus have been relaxed to help reduce crowding, Proite says she still believes it’s important for students to begin their college careers close to campus.
SB
STAND UP: Construction on the dorm, which could cost upwards of 50 million dollars, could begin as early as next fall and the university is hoping it will be ready to house students in 2012. For Bobcat Update, I’m Megan Turney.
Caitlin Irwin
Texas State students looking for a good time at a cheap price will be pleased to hear that several San Marcos bars and restaurants have a solution. Caitlin Irwin has more in this Bobcat Update.
In today’s struggling economy, bars and restaurants are finding new ways to fill their tables. A nationwide trend is to create or extend happy hour schedules. The manager of the San Marcos restaurant Palmers says the clientèle during happy hour is about 80-percent students.
SB – Lloyd Briseno, Manager Palmers
Some bars, however, are still finding it easy to maintain a steady flow of patrons. For example, the Tap Room is as busy as ever.
SB – Tim Russell, Bartender Tap Room
SU - Happy hours around San Marcos bring students out and as the prices go down, its bottoms up. For Bobcat Update, I’m Caitlin Irwin. (this is a stand up)
In today’s struggling economy, bars and restaurants are finding new ways to fill their tables. A nationwide trend is to create or extend happy hour schedules. The manager of the San Marcos restaurant Palmers says the clientèle during happy hour is about 80-percent students.
SB – Lloyd Briseno, Manager Palmers
Some bars, however, are still finding it easy to maintain a steady flow of patrons. For example, the Tap Room is as busy as ever.
SB – Tim Russell, Bartender Tap Room
SU - Happy hours around San Marcos bring students out and as the prices go down, its bottoms up. For Bobcat Update, I’m Caitlin Irwin. (this is a stand up)
Nathan Seltzer
A program that provided late-night rides home to students who have been at bars ╨ could be revived. Student government and the city are preparing a pilot program of Students With Alternative Transportation ╨ or SWAT. It will investigate re-launching the program ╨ which was canceled last year due to a lack of student volunteers to drive rental cars. If the pilot program is successful, the new incarnation of SWAT could allow students to catch a bus home from downtown to anywhere along the Bobcat Tram route on weekend nights. A date for the test run has not yet been announced.
Aaron Kolar
Controversial legislation is brewing in Washington that will affect the radio broadcasting industry. The bill would enact a performance tax. It would benefit artists whose music is played on radio stations, like Texas State's K-T-S-W. Broadcasters would have to pay an extra fee, and it's a fee they don't want to pay.The National Association of Broadcasters is opposing the bill stating that radio stations already provides two-point-four (b) billion dollars in sales for the music industry. The N-A-B also argues that the fee would force some small stations off the air and that up-and-coming artists would struggle to get air time.
James McNeal
The 2010 census form will be arriving in your mailbox soon. James McNeal has more on what's being done to inform students about how to fill out the form.…
Look for the form to be delivered sometime next month.
The Texas State University Student Affairs office and the Bateman Public Relations team have joined forces to inform students about the importance of the census.
(SB… Smith... 12 secs)
Smith says more than seven-thousand students will receive the forms on campus.
(SB…Taylor… 10 secs)
The census helps ensure that San Marcos gets its fair share of political representation and government funding. After the census is completed, there's a possibility that the population of San Marcos will exceed 50 thousand, which could bring in more funding for area projects:
(SB… Smith… 8 secs)
(SU… McNeal… 8 secs… about the count.)
Facebook and Twitter are among the ways the Census Bureau is reaching out to explain the process to students. Some students are not sure if they should use their San Marcos address or their parents' address as their official residence for the census.
(SB… Smith… 12 secs)
After filling out the ten questions on the form, all you have to do is send it back in the pre-paid envelope.
For Bobcat Update… I’m James McNeal.
Look for the form to be delivered sometime next month.
The Texas State University Student Affairs office and the Bateman Public Relations team have joined forces to inform students about the importance of the census.
(SB… Smith... 12 secs)
Smith says more than seven-thousand students will receive the forms on campus.
(SB…Taylor… 10 secs)
The census helps ensure that San Marcos gets its fair share of political representation and government funding. After the census is completed, there's a possibility that the population of San Marcos will exceed 50 thousand, which could bring in more funding for area projects:
(SB… Smith… 8 secs)
(SU… McNeal… 8 secs… about the count.)
Facebook and Twitter are among the ways the Census Bureau is reaching out to explain the process to students. Some students are not sure if they should use their San Marcos address or their parents' address as their official residence for the census.
(SB… Smith… 12 secs)
After filling out the ten questions on the form, all you have to do is send it back in the pre-paid envelope.
For Bobcat Update… I’m James McNeal.
Jennifer Alvarez
College life can be an exciting time, but with it comes added pressures and stress. Jennifer Alvarez has more in this Bobcat Update…
Last week San Marcos Police were dispatched to the Sanctuary Lofts after receiving a report of a female student on the building's roof. Police were able to talk the woman out of taking any drastic action. An investigation is underway. Her situation is a sad but familiar one. Some students feel overwhelmed.
SB (counselor on always being evaluated)
SU (option) According to the counseling center's website, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and almost ten percent of students have considered doing it.
SB (Fear of failure is so great)
College students aren’t the only ones affected by extreme stress. Last week an Austin man flew a airplane into an office building because -- according to statements he left behind -- he had ongoing tax problems.
SB (stacks statement)
The pressures of a college student can take a toll on maintaining relationships and grades. Some students have ways of alleviating the stress.
SB (how she gets rid of stress)
SU-->Texas State has a 24-hour emergency hotline available or you can set up an appointment on the counseling centers website. For Bobcat Update, I’m Jennifer Alvarez.
Last week San Marcos Police were dispatched to the Sanctuary Lofts after receiving a report of a female student on the building's roof. Police were able to talk the woman out of taking any drastic action. An investigation is underway. Her situation is a sad but familiar one. Some students feel overwhelmed.
SB (counselor on always being evaluated)
SU (option) According to the counseling center's website, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and almost ten percent of students have considered doing it.
SB (Fear of failure is so great)
College students aren’t the only ones affected by extreme stress. Last week an Austin man flew a airplane into an office building because -- according to statements he left behind -- he had ongoing tax problems.
SB (stacks statement)
The pressures of a college student can take a toll on maintaining relationships and grades. Some students have ways of alleviating the stress.
SB (how she gets rid of stress)
SU-->Texas State has a 24-hour emergency hotline available or you can set up an appointment on the counseling centers website. For Bobcat Update, I’m Jennifer Alvarez.
2/23/10
Sydney Liles
Texas State University students have seen something they aren’t used to…snow. Students braved snowy conditions on Tuesday…and some even had a little fun. Whether they were taking pictures…in a snowball fight…or making tiny snowmen…students enjoyed their time in the snow. As it accumulated… the University closed at five Tuesday evening. Classes resumed the next day. Parts of Central Texas saw up to three-inches of snow.
Parker Hans
San Marcos is seeing more construction as the railway company Union Pacific continues to renovate its system. The upgrades stretch from San Antonio to Taylor, which is northeast of Austin. The workers are removing wood, mud and other elements that could cause damage to the trains. According to Union Pacific workers, the renovation in San Marcos should be finished by next week. In the meantime, motorists can expect to face delays if they have to drive near the construction. (Remove the sentence I added if the formatted version is more than a page long.)
Lauren Kendrick
We're only a week into Lent, but some students are finding it hard to stick to their commitments. Lauren Kendrick has more in this Bobcat Update.
SU: The season of Lent is upon us again. Students and faculty are sacrificing things they can't live without in preparation for Easter.
SU: The season of Lent is upon us again. Students and faculty are sacrificing things they can't live without in preparation for Easter.
2/22/10
Colleen Baker
Some areas of San Marcos are showing evidence of economic expansion. Colleen Baker has more in this Bobcat Update.
New businesses have opened on the downtown square. Monroe Hair Studio is an example. Another is the sandwich shop Jimmy Johns.
SB: GIBSON
Downtown is a prime location for new and old alike. Managers at the Coffee Pot say it's an asset to be in the center of town.
SB: VALENZUELA
(You need a different closing--with facts. Tell me why downtown is doing so well.)
For Bobcat Update, I’m Colleen Baker.
New businesses have opened on the downtown square. Monroe Hair Studio is an example. Another is the sandwich shop Jimmy Johns.
SB: GIBSON
Downtown is a prime location for new and old alike. Managers at the Coffee Pot say it's an asset to be in the center of town.
SB: VALENZUELA
(You need a different closing--with facts. Tell me why downtown is doing so well.)
For Bobcat Update, I’m Colleen Baker.
Evan Dennis
Driving is essential for most of us every day, but it can also be dangerous. The most recent available data, from 2008, shows there were just over 14-hundred traffic collisions in San Marcos, eight resulting in fatalities. Several intersections and roads are difficult to navigate for some drivers. Driving hazards include confusing road signs, five-way stops and construction. Another common hazard is that many drivers don't take the time to fully stop before entering intersections. On a section of North Street, the road is narrow and there are no sidewalks for pedestrians, which results in them walking in the road and creating yet another hazard.
April Adams
The city of San Marcos will soon launch some road improvement projects along Sessom Drive. Construction will begin on March 4th to repair drainage inlets and install new culverts near Sessom and North L-B-J Drives. Construction work will stretch all the way to Academy Street. The project is expected to take five to eight weeks, depending on weather conditions. Officials say they hope to get the repairs done quickly since Sessom is a busy street for Texas State students and the general public. This is the first of many road improvement projects scheduled over the next two years.
2/17/10
Tim Leeland
Spring break is fast approaching, and for some at Texas State that means it's time to start shaping up. The university's Recreation Center has more than 100 cardio machines and a variety of free and machine weights. It also provides students with a swimming pool, eight basketball courts, a rockwall and racquetball courts. If you prefer group exercises, they are available as well ranging from yoga to spinning classes. One class -- called the Cat Crunch -- focuses on the abs. So, if you're thinking it's time to shape up for the spring or summer, the Rec Center can help.
2/16/10
Anisia Morales
Texas State students are facing problems when it comes to scheduling appointments at the Student Health Center. Anisia Morales has more in this Bobcat Update.
The health center is being kept busy treating sore throats and a variety of respiratory ailments. The center has added more personnel to handle the increased demand. Student Health Center Associate Director Karen Gordon-Sosby says February has been a busy month.
SB
Most students have to wait a few days before they can see a doctor. Senior Christie Brantley says it’s hard to get an appointment.
SB
The Student Health Center’s website provides a way for students to look up over the counter medications. All they have to do is go to the site and click on symptom. Junior Megan Smith says the website is easy to use.
STAND-UP
The health center is being kept busy treating sore throats and a variety of respiratory ailments. The center has added more personnel to handle the increased demand. Student Health Center Associate Director Karen Gordon-Sosby says February has been a busy month.
SB
Most students have to wait a few days before they can see a doctor. Senior Christie Brantley says it’s hard to get an appointment.
SB
The Student Health Center’s website provides a way for students to look up over the counter medications. All they have to do is go to the site and click on symptom. Junior Megan Smith says the website is easy to use.
STAND-UP
2/15/10
Liz Guzman
A couple of Texas State fraternities have been raising funds for Haiti relief. Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha have been using their cooking skills to raise money. They call their event Hot dogs for Haiti. The University Bookstore was also involved and handed out t-shirts to anyone who bought food or donated money. The fraternities have raised more than 300 dollars by selling hamburgers for two dollars and hot dogs for a buck.
Adam Kolar
San Marcos will be honoring Martin Luther King Junior and President Lyndon Johnson by building a memorial at the intersection of M-L-K and L-B-J Drives.
A committee formed by San Marcos residents is overseeing the project. Recently land at the intersection was transferred from county to city control for the memorial. The committee’s next step is to secure funding for the project, estimated at 150 thousand dollars. Officials say the memorial should be finished by next January.
A committee formed by San Marcos residents is overseeing the project. Recently land at the intersection was transferred from county to city control for the memorial. The committee’s next step is to secure funding for the project, estimated at 150 thousand dollars. Officials say the memorial should be finished by next January.
2/12/10
Parker Hans
San Marcos restaurants are doing their part to help Haiti after an earthquake rocked the country’s capital. Parker Hans has the story:
Tres Hermanas restaurant owner David Chiu thought up the idea for “Dine-Out” for Haiti day after watching news coverage on the disaster. Chiu says he and others want to help.
SB: (David Chiu)
A couple of other restaurants will be hosting the “Dine-Out” for Haiti. A portion of their profits will go to an organization that will help the Haitian people.
SU:
Grins is another local restaurant that is participating in the “Dine-Out” for Haiti. Ten-percent of the proceeds will go to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.
SB
“Dine-Out” for Haiti begins today and will last until the restaurant doors close. For Bobcat Update, I’m Parker Hans.
Tres Hermanas restaurant owner David Chiu thought up the idea for “Dine-Out” for Haiti day after watching news coverage on the disaster. Chiu says he and others want to help.
SB: (David Chiu)
A couple of other restaurants will be hosting the “Dine-Out” for Haiti. A portion of their profits will go to an organization that will help the Haitian people.
SU:
Grins is another local restaurant that is participating in the “Dine-Out” for Haiti. Ten-percent of the proceeds will go to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.
SB
“Dine-Out” for Haiti begins today and will last until the restaurant doors close. For Bobcat Update, I’m Parker Hans.
Kara Bell
Sweethearts in San Marcos are attempting to find new ways to bring a little love to their lovers' hearts this Valentine’s Day. Kara Bell has this Bobcat Update.
This Valentine’s Day couples are looking for new ideas to make their lovers smile like never before. Many are looking past the standard box of chocolates, cards and candy to a more romantic and creative approach. Some sweethearts say they know just what their mate would like this Valentine’s Day.
SB
Some couples, though, prefer just to spend quality time together on Valentine's Day without the pressure of thinking outside the box.
SB
Stores are well stocked this year in preparation for the holiday, so even the last-minute shopper will find something for their special someone. For Bobcat Update, I’m Kara Bell.
This Valentine’s Day couples are looking for new ideas to make their lovers smile like never before. Many are looking past the standard box of chocolates, cards and candy to a more romantic and creative approach. Some sweethearts say they know just what their mate would like this Valentine’s Day.
SB
Some couples, though, prefer just to spend quality time together on Valentine's Day without the pressure of thinking outside the box.
SB
Stores are well stocked this year in preparation for the holiday, so even the last-minute shopper will find something for their special someone. For Bobcat Update, I’m Kara Bell.
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