Matthew Boyd

More options will soon be available for students to live on campus. Texas State recently opened the North Campus Housing Complex, and more dorms will be built in the coming months. Matthew Boyd has more in this Bobcat Update.

This is the inaugural semester for the North Campus Housing Complex, and it provides a glimpse into what the future holds for residence halls at Texas State. Three more dorms will be constructed over the next seven years. The West Campus Housing Complex is next, and it should be completed in 20-14.
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After the West Campus Housing Complex is finished, the university will build two more dorms.
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Funding for constructing and maintaining the residence halls comes from a variety of sources.
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After the proposed residence halls are finished and the existing ones have been renovated, Texas State will raise its on-campus population from just under six thousand to a little more than eight thousand. For Bobcat Update, I'm Matthew Boyd.

Jenny Sessions

International Education Month is being celebrated at Texas State. Jenny Sessions tells us more in this Bobcat Update.

International organizations on campus are using the month of November to share information about countries around the world. The point of the program is to educate students on the importance of gaining knowledge and relationships with others.
Dr. Seese interview
Dr. Rao interview
Events this month will include guest speakers, information on studying abroad, an awards ceremony for outstanding international students, and additional information that could help students become more involved globally.
Dr. Seese interview
Sessions standup

Christopher Green

The Texas State Department of Theater and Dance is presenting "Gruesome Playground Injuries" this weekend. A stage crew is setting the scene for the production. Sketches are becoming costumes. And actors are rehearsing to sharpen their chemistry. "Gruesome Playground Injuries" is about a lifelong friendship. It's a love story with light humor and some sadness. The final product can be viewed for the first time tonight at 7:30. Tickets for the performance at the studio theater are 10 dollars for general admission and seven dollars for students with a Texas State I-D.  

Caren Abousaab

The Texas State University Art Department has two galleries showing right now. You can visit the 12th Annual 
Alumni Invitational or a gallery featuring the work of Garth Walker. The department hosts eight exhibits a semester and each lasts about a month. The Alumni Invitational features the work of seven former students, and the Walker exhibit examines South African graphic design using gravestones, signage and architecture. Both galleries are in the Mitte (mitt-ee) Building until November 18th. 

Price Newell

San Marcos residents take pride in putting weird twists on everyday things, and football is no exception. Price Newell has more in this Bobcat Update…

Every Sunday crowds gather at the San Marcos Activity Center on West Hopkins to witness a different kind of football; football on one wheel."
The Unicycle Football League was created in 2007 and is unique to San Marcos. Pitting two five-man teams against each other, the game is a mix of tackle and flag-football played on asphalt and, of course, on a unicycle.
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For last weekend's game between the Hot Dogs and the Rolling Blackouts, everybody -- from the players and officials to the spectators and their pets -- wore their best costumes.
The leagues cheerleaders, the Unibrawdz, entertained the crowd with a half-time chow comprised of songs from The Rocky Horror Picture show.
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With a D-J spinning vinyl, a lively crowd, and a loud-mouthed commentator, the games move fast and the fun never stops.
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The Hot Dogs came out on top, winning 32 to 12. You can catch games every Sunday at 4 p-m and help support this San Marcos tradition. For Bobcat Update, I'm  Price Newell.

Brittney Vaughn Frank

Texas State's SPARK program is trying to get more women to enroll in the university's School of Science and Engineering. SPARK has posted flyers around campus in hopes of capturing the attention of potential candidates. Students selected for the program will receive a 10-thousand-dollar scholarship for each of three years, and will be living in Texas State's newest dorm for at least a year. Candidates must be full-time students with fewer than 30 credit hours. Although the SPARK initiative is targeting women, male students are welcome to apply, too. Visit Texas State's website to fill out an application.

Evan Bolton

Skateboarding and bicycling around San Marcos can be perilous if you don't take precautions. Just last week, a student was hit by a car while riding his skateboard on Edward Gary. To help prevent these types of accidents, students should obey traffic laws. It is important to pay attention to street lights and pedestrian crossing signs. Listening to music should be avoided because it can block car horns and other noises that may suggest danger.

Alexis LaFosse

It's Halloween -- time again to dress up to scare people or just to make 'em laugh. Costume stores have been doing a brisk business the past few weeks as party goers have been getting ready for Halloween. In this Bobcat Update, Alexis LaFosse tells us about the scary, funny and even sexy costumes this year

San Marcos is a college town full of students who have yet to outgrow the Halloween traditions. Texas State students rush to the nearest costume store to get the trendiest costumes for the fun festivities that will occur Halloween night.
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On the San Marcos square, there's a costume store that's open year-round called, Costumed Occasions, but its popularity peaks during the Halloween season. The store has a wide range of hand-made costumes that can be either rented or purchased. San Marcos has other costume stores as well.
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Whether you choose an oldie but goody or one of the latest trends, you'll be in the Halloween spirit at Texas State University.  Remember to have a safe Halloween everyone. For Bobcat Update, I'm Alexis LaFosse.

Daisy Saenz

It's that time of year again. Preparations for Mass Comm Week are wrapping up as the annual conference is set to take place next week. Daisy Saenz has more in this Bobcat Update.

Mass Comm week is a four-day conference that provides students with access to Mass Media professionals.
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The event, this year will have more than 60 speakers, all of them professionals in Mass Communication.
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Stand Up
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Students from different academic programs are invited to attend and take full advantage of the networking opportunities. Coordinators advise students to visit the Mass Comm Week webpage and take a look at the schedule for a list of speakers and contests. Reporting for Bobcat Update, I’m Daisy Saenz.

Kristen Buechler

The Recreation Center at Texas State encourages students to get moving. In this Bobcat Update, Kristen Buechler tells us about some incentives the rec center offers.

STANDUP (Kristen Buechler, The Texas State student recreation center offers a wide variety of activities and equipment to accommodate students of every fitness level.) 
SOUND BITE (Jaclyn)
Unlimited group exercise passes are now half price. These passes allow entrance into all group exercise classes on the class schedule. Certified personal trainers are available and are offering a new body assessment called the Polar Body Age Assessment. The assessment tests your strength, flexibility and fat percentage to compare your body age to your actual age. Another new fitness level test, called the Workout of the Week, is offered in the weight room. Ask an attendant for a demonstration and to keep time. The male and female with the fastest time receives a prize. 
SOUND BITE (Jaclyn)
Ladies Night is a good time to climb the rock wall because it's free. Also, anyone who wears a costume to the rec center on Halloween will be allowed to climb for free.  
SOUND BITE (Jasmine McDuffie, Informal Recreation Manager)
SOUND BITE (Jasmine McDuffie, Cover with B-Roll) 
To find new specials or to get involved, visit the rec center's web page for more information or visit the Center at Sessom Drive and Academy Street. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kristen Buechler.

Jenny Sessions

Research will be conducted to make sure the San Marcos River isn't being polluted. The International Center for Watershed Studies will take a look at whether pollution is harming the wildlife habitat in and near the river. Storm water will be collected as part of the research. Property owners along the river are being asked to participate. Results will likely be released late next year.

Christopher Green

Anyone who visits Texas State is struck by its natural beauty. It's on the edge of Texas Hill Country and next to the San Marcos River. But much credit must also be given to landscapers who do the planting, watering, mowing and trimming. They're employees of the university's physical plant department. Their work goes on year-round, providing the campus with an array of colorful plants to match the changing seasons. Their efforts help make Texas State a pleasant place to work and study.

Chrisdyann Uribe

Many universities across the nation have experienced bomb threats in recent weeks. University officials have been prompted to action in response to the threats that came in by e-mail or over the phone. Evacuations have been ordered in Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Indiana. Three have occurred in Texas alone, including one last week on this campus. So far the threats have all turned out to be hoaxes, but in each case the universities had to treat them seriously. The bomb threat at Texas State is being investigated. No one has been charged.

Anyssa Bohanan

Halloween is next week, and San Marcos residents are already getting ready. Local costume shops -- like Wally's Party Supply on the Square -- are expecting a higher volume of costumers in the coming days. Pop culture has influenced this year's costume selection. All kinds of outfits -- from Iron Man to Big Bird -- are being featured this year. Store employees say the most popular costumes are superheroes and animals, but women's accessories such as butterfly and angel wings are also hot items. 

Christina Ochoa

A San Marcos coffee house will be moving to a different location on the square at the end of the year. The Coffee Pot Bistro, a popular downtown hangout for the past 15 years, will be relocating to make room for an expansion of the Tap Room Pub and Grub. The Coffee Pot and Tap Room share the same building now, but that will be changing soon. The Tap Room owners purchased the building last week, and managers of the two establishments will be meeting soon to finalize details of the move. 

Erik Pompa

Students looking for part-time jobs can find opportunities at Texas State University. In this Bobcat Update, Erik Pompa describes the university's work-study program.

The work-study program provides an opportunity for students to earn a paycheck on campus. Having a job allows students to learn firsthand what it takes to be part of a working environment.
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Students must first be approved through the financial aid office, because funds for the program come from the state and federal governments. The income earned can be used in any way the students choose.
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Stand Up: Some students are in a work-study program that may not lead them down their career path they plan to pursue. Although, being in the program can have its advantages.
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Students can find information to begin their job search by going to the university's career services website. If there are available positions on campus, students are encouraged to apply. For Bobcat Update, I'm Erik Pompa.

Brittney Vaughn Frank

New techniques are being developed to help us use technology. Brittney Vaughn Frank tells us about a device that enables you to control a computer by just looking at it.

Technology has allowed us to do amazing things with our hands. What if we could do those same things with our eyes? Dr. Oleg Komogortsev, with the help of his students, is working on making that idea a reality.
(Nat. Sound lead in - Dr. K explaining the chart of eye movement)
Dr. Komogortsev, or Dr. K as his students call him, has been developing a system that identifies a person by his or her unique eye movements. This new technology allows the user to select pictures, open files, and even play games with the blink of an eye.
The eye tracking unit used in this example is being sold for a hefty 25-thousand dollars, but Dr. K is working on a similar, more affordable device.
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"So basically this is just a web camera that is attached to this stand. So the camera itself cost 20 dollars in contrast with 25-thousand dollar equipment. But essentially does the same thing."
STAND UP (STANDING NEXT TO BIG POSTER OF WORLD OF WARCRAFT)
"Dr. Komogortsev came up with this brilliant idea while playing the popular video game World of Warcraft."
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I loved computer gaming when I was an undergraduate student. When I was a PhD student I was enamored with World of Warcraft."
Dr. K was so intrigued by the video game that he emailed the company, Blizzard, with an interesting proposal.
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"I wrote in the proposal, by the way, that I want disabled people to play World of Warcraft. Let's say someone is handicapped or cannot move their arms to play the game, they would be able to with eye movements."
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Blizzard was impressed with Dr. K's idea and rewarded him with free access to the game. Dr. K says that developing the technology will not only allow easier communication for the disabled, but will also provide better security. Dr. K says  a password system that memorizes a person's unique eye movement will be almost impossible to hack. However,
he says it may be a while before we start using eye-movement passwords.
SB (Talking about technology and how it needs to progress)
For Bobcat Update, I'm Brittney Vaughn Frank.

Chrisdyann Uribe

Texas State students can rest easy now that the university has issued an all clear following a bomb scare. Chrisdyann Uribe has more in this Bobcat Update.

Kristen Buechler

The Associated Student Government wants to hear from the Texas State community regarding whether to allow concealed weapons on campus. Kristen Buechler has more in this Bobcat Update.

The A-S-G has what it calls Engagement Weeks. Each month some of the student leaders go to the Quad to hand out promotional items and offer free food. They have these encounters to hear from students about a wide variety of issues.  This week the A-S-G sought opinions about concealed carry on campus.
SOUNDBITE (Nathan McDaniel, Student Body President) "We feel like it is important for the Associated Student Government to address something like this in order for the State Legislatures to have an accurate idea of where Texas State students stand."
A-S-G will be hosting a public forum soon on concealed carry. The forum will be for Texas State students, faculty and staff.
SOUNDBITE (Danielle Bonanno, ASG Senator-at-large) "This is a definitely a very open thing for the students and we want to hear their voice and so if you're there expect to get asked questions and to give your opinions. We really want you to give your opinions and why you have that feeling because we're going to be voting in the Senate and we're not voting for our personal opinions we're voting on what you the students at Texas State feel. "
The forum will be next Monday at 5:30 in the L-B-J Student Center Teaching Theater.
SOUNDBITE (McDaniel) "We've been getting a ton of different reactions from students. On such an important issue, you usually have people who are strongly for it, strongly against it, or people who just wish it would go away."
STANDUP (… for Bobcat Update I'm Kristen Buechler.)

Daisy Saenz

Candidates for graduation are wondering what to do now. The semester is already more than half way over and there's much that remains to be done. Letters of approval for graduation have been received, but there has been no communication about commencement attire. All bachelor candidates must purchase a tassel and a black cap and gown from the University Bookstore prior to the ceremony. Masters candidates must also purchase a hood in addition to the official regalia. Check with the bookstore if you're needing answers.