Kaitlin Moore

College students have a balancing act to perform. They need to work, attend school and perhaps even have a social life. The demands on their time are many. Kaitlin Moore has this Bobcat Update:

Many students have jobs that demand between 15 and 30 hours a week while going to school.  
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Stand up: Texas State students will have to plan ahead and communicate well with their managers in order to balance both their schedules.
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Stand Up: Midterms are right around the corner and students will have to plan around their work schedules in order to have ample amount of time to study. 
A useful resource offered by the university that helps them with their
studies is the SLAC lab, located on the fourth floor of Alkek library. Tutors there can provide guidance and motivation to stay on track. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kaitlin Moore.

Adelina Valdez

Spring break will arrive soon for Texas State students.In this Bobcat update, Adelina Valdez tells us about a different way some students will spend their vacation.

As the weather gets warmer students are indulging in the recreational areas of the Texas State campus. Sunbathing near the river and beach volleyball are just two signs that students are in a springtime mood. In less than two weeks, students will be taking time off from their studies and heading to their Spring Break destinations. Some students say they'll travel out-of-state.
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Other students will vacation locally.
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(Standup: Traditionally, students have looked at Spring Break as a week-long vacation filled with spending time with friends, water sports and maybe even a little partying; but some Bobcats are opting to spend their Spring Break helping those in need.)
Bobcat Break is a five-day long alternative Spring Break program for Texas State students. This year, participants will work with Habitat for Humanity to demolish structures and build new affordable housing in the Houston area.
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Eight students were selected to take part in the program. They will depart March 11th and return on March 15th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Adelina Valdez.

Kristina Coble

In the aftermath of several mass shootings nationwide, Texas State is implementing an emergency plan to avoid such carnage here. Kristina Coble has the story.

They can be found all around campus. Emergency kiosks that, with a touch of a button, can signal emergency dispatch. But when emergencies occur, do students know what to do and where to go?
Soundbite
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Lives can be saved.
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Text messages and e-mails are part of the university's warning system. And cameras have been installed in buildings to make it easier to identify potential suspects. 
Stand up
Although this campus has not experienced a school shooting, Texas State is taking the necessary precautions to keep the campus safe and hoping students will not have to hear the sound of chaos. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kristina Coble.

Lane Lewis

Texas State offers plenty of opportunities for students to get involved in intramural sports though Campus Recreation. Lane Lewis has more in this Bobcat Update.

It's the last week of February, which means campus intramurals are in full swing. The basketball season is halfway through while the softball season is just now getting underway. Campus Recreation is reporting a record number of participants.
(Daniel Balderrama- Intramural Supervisor)
(Standup) Intramurals offer Texas State students an opportunity to compete in a safe and competitive environment against a level of competition they might not be used to, or, if they prefer, they can simply meet up with friends and play.
(Adrian Zalesnika- Sophomore Finance Major)
In addition to being a fun way to spend time with friends, intramurals can be a great source of exercise and a way to meet new people. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lane Lewis.

Scott Panther

Graffiti artists have left their mark around San Marcos over the past couple of weeks. Scott Panther has more in this Bobcat Update.

Graffiti has appeared on dumpsters, signs and sidewalks near the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and Holland Street. The main targets have been the Sac N Pac gas station, Chepo's Mexican restaurant and a State Farm insurance building.  Nobody is sure who is doing the tagging, but some have their suspicions.
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Some people don't see it as an issue, but as free expression.
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So far, owners of the affected businesses haven't had much luck finding anyone who can remove the graffiti.
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Stand Up

Hady Mawajdeh

Texas State University is home to many hidden gems, and Hady (Hah – Dee) Mawajdeh (Mah – Wog –Dee) has found one. We learn more in this report.

Finding something weird to do in San Marcos is no sweat, but finding something interesting to do – now that's a different story. The University Galleries -- located in the School of Art & Design -- has much to offer. The galleries provide more than three-thousand square feet of museum-quality exhibition space. The twin galleries are used in tandem for combined exhibitions and separately for individual exhibitions. Gallery One now houses a gargantuan installation by Beili Liu…
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Meanwhile, Gallery Two is filled with the ceramic art of ten North American artists whose work is quite cerebral.
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Unfortunately, these exhibitions will only be around for one more week. So, you better find your way to the Joan Cole Mitte Building ASAP. Here's a hint -- check the corner of Sessom and Comanche Street. If you need more info about the University Galleries, visit T-X-galleries-dot-org. For Bobcat Update, I'm Hady Mawajdeh.

Matt Wood

The Aquarena Center, home of the glass bottom boat tours in San Marcos, is looking better than ever. Matt Wood has the story.

Renovations are now complete at the Aquarena Center, located next to the Texas State Golf Course. Old buildings that contained toxic chemicals were removed and replaced with natural vegetation. Remnants from the old theme park that had inhabit the area for decades were also taken down.
Walking trails were installed, picnic tables were placed near the spring waters, and the wetlands boardwalk was reopened.
[gaynier sound bite about what the wetlands are]
The wetlands boardwalk was closed during the renovations, which left some visitors disappointed.
[gaynier quote about people being excited for it being opened]
The renovations have helped restore and protect the area to its more natural state.
San Marcos resident Laurel Piersol says protecting the ecosystem is important to her.
[Piersol Sound bite about ecosystem.] "it's easier to enjoy the environment now and not worry that it's not being protected."
Piersol says the boardwalk is a terrific place to take photos of the great blue herons and snowy egrets that are attracted to the wetlands.
Renovations started in the Fall of 2011 and were just finished a couple of weeks ago. Gaynier says there will be more changes if funding can be secured.
[Stand up closing] "With the new renovations and the newly reopened boardwalk, San Marcos visitors, residents and students have another natural beauty to enjoy. For Bobcat Update - I'm Matt Wood."

Marissa Lewis

Texas State has been experimenting with a Big Belly. It's part of an effort to promote recycling of waste on campus. Marissa Lewis explains, in this Bobcat Update.

The Big Belly is a solar compactor system. The university just finished a test run, and results from the trial will be used to determine whether more funding is needed to expand the system. The idea is to make recycling easier for student participation. Many students are aware that waste management is important.
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Standup
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Government reports show that Americans recycle about one-third of the waste they generate each year.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Marissa Lewis.

Alexa Perez

A new social media trend is catching on at Texas State. Alexa Perez has more in this Bobcat Update.

Confession Number 737: "I had a girl ask me if I've seen the Texas State Confessions site, I said yes. Then she told me about this funny one she read the other day. The one I had posted."
It seems that the passing faces you see in the quad may have more in common than you think.
Students are professing their secrets and admirations online on a Facebook page titled "Texas State Confessions". These 'confessions' range from Bobcat Bobby crushes to students revealing that they have cancer or are transgender. 
STAND-UP
Most of the posts, however, are humorous in nature. 
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Students seem to feel relief after posting their embarrassing moments anonymously for all to see.
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These "confession" style pages have become popular at many universities across the nation. Social media allows for students to join university-affiliated groups outside of campus.
SOUND BITE 3
Texas State students are already known for having a strong, comical web presence. Both the "At Texas State" Tumblr blog and the Texas State Memes Facebook have a large following. 
Whether this PostSecret-style web dialogue is a passing fad is too soon to tell, but one thing is certain, our curiosity for a good story will never fade.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Alexa Perez.

Chelsea Kelley

A few well-known companies have recently been victimized by computer hackers, which is alarming to some Texas State students. Chelsea Kelley has more in this Bobcat Update.

Many students constantly check their social media accounts, news articles and even their bank accounts while online, but they have reason to be concerned. Some wonder if their online information is safe.
Hackers this month breached the security of Apple, Facebook and Twitter and retrieved the personal information of hundreds of thousands of users. Some students are feeling uneasy.
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Others aren't as worried.
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Many students have been hacked before.
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But it's not always fun and games.
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Stand-up

Taylor Henderson

A few states have decided to legalize marijuana use. Texas is NOT yet one of them, but seeing other states enact such laws has definitely piqued the interest of some students. And, as Taylor Henderson tells us in this Bobcat Update, a bill has been introduced that could change the penalties for those who are caught possessing marijuana.

(stand up)
The bill aims to lower the penalty of being caught with one ounce of marijuana to a class C misdemeanor and a 500 dollar fine. Currently, if someone is caught with two ounces or less, he or she faces a class B misdemeanor charge and a potential of 180 days in jail. Lessening the penalty could be beneficial to taxpayers.
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The Alcohol and Drugs Services Center at Texas State offers help for students battling marijuana abuse, but students can also be disciplined by the Dean of Students.
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The Texas State student organization, NORML, has been trying to meet with the University Police Department to talk about the enforcement of marijuana laws.
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The bill is being reviewed by Texas lawmakers. For Bobcat Update, I'm Taylor Henderson.

Christina Tafoya

There's a service at Texas State University that can help students who need legal assistance. In this Bobcat Update, Christina Tafoya tells us about how the service works, should the need arise.

Many students live off-campus, or they would like to soon. That means they'll have to sign apartment leases and enter an agreement that is legally binding. Sometimes the students are charged excessive fees. Occasionally, they're scammed. That's when the campus attorney's office can help. Attorneys who work in the office can provide free, legal advice.
SB:  FitzPatrick
Students are advised on the appropriate steps to help them win their case. The staff consists of three attorneys who can help in criminal matters, labor law and landlord-tenant disputes
SB: FitzPatrick
The campus attorneys are not allowed to represent students in court. Their office is located on the fifth floor of the L-B-J Student Center.  Students seeking legal help must schedule an appointment.
Stand-Up (sign-off)

India Johnson

Title Nine has been on the books for a little more than 40 years, and its impact is still being felt at colleges and universities nationwide. India Johnson has the story.

Congress passed Title Nine in June of 1972. It's a law that provides equal rights for women to play collegiate sports. Before Title Nine, athletic scholarships for women were virtually non-existent.  Today, women make up nearly 50 percent of all participants in student-athletics, and the scholarships provide opportunities for competition and educational advancement.
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Some women say gender should NOT play a role when it comes to competing.
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Texas State University offers more than 100 scholarships to female athletes.
Standup

Halie Davis

Job shadowing is an experience that Texas State students can take advantage of, but fewer are these days. Halie Davis explains, in this Bobcat Update.

Texas State's Career Services helps students prepare for the workforce. Many students use this resource for resume critiques and job shadowing opportunities.
However, the annual sign-up for winter job shadowing is no longer in service.
Soundbite (Miguel Guerro)
Career Services is hoping that the change pushes students to take more of an initiative to job shadow.
Soundbite (Allison Birk)
Soundbite (Staffon Adams)
Standup (In the past, Bobcats used to search through a binder to find a potential job shadowing opportunity. Now, students just have to walk in these doors and let the front desk know that they're interested.)
Soundbite (Marjea Wheaton)
Soundbite (Taylor Campbell)
Some, though, have noticed a decline in the number of students reaching out through Texas State to gain work experience
Soundbite (Allison Birk)
If interested in job shadowing, you can make an appointment with the Career Advisor Liaison for your college. More information can be found by searching Career Services at the Texas State homepage.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Halie Davis.

Haley Parmer

Too many trained, not enough jobs. That describes what many Texas State students face as they prepare themselves for what they hope to be lifelong careers. And, as Haley Parmer tells us in this Bobcat Update, education majors, in particular, are entering a tight job market.  

According to U-S-A Today, the nation is training twice as many elementary school teachers as needed each year. Texas State is encouraging students to consider majoring in higher levels of education.
About 650 students are enrolled this semester in elementary education. Curriculum and Instruction Chair Patrice Werner says the department is aware of how difficult it is for graduates to find work.
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Students also know they'll face a challenge after graduation. Junior Noelle Brooks says she plans to get as much experience as possible to better her chances.
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The education department offers several student organizations to encourage professional growth and networking possibilities. For Bobcat Update, I'm Haley Parmer.

Lindsay Powell

Here's a college course that could prove useful -- if it existed -- Living with a Roommate. Sharing space with someone you don't know very well can be challenging. Lindsay Powell has more, in this Bobcat Update.

When students first go to college, some are frightened by the idea of living with a stranger. Whether living in a dorm, or off-campus in an apartment, roommates have to work together to get along. Often, students find similar qualities in their roommate, which makes living together enjoyable.
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Standup: Although some roommates remain friends after college, others aren't quite as lucky.
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It isn't always easy for roommates to coordinate chores. Sharing common areas can be a challenge.
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Finding the right match can be difficult, but roommates are a big part of the college experience. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lindsay Powell.

John Beck

Texas State University is home to a nationally-accredited child development center. John Beck has more in this Bobcat Update.

The Child Development Center in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences offers childcare at the university for faculty, students and staff. 
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Standup
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Some faculty members have taken full advantage of the services at the Child Development Center. For some, having the center was one reason they chose to work at Texas State. 
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The National Association for the Education of Young Children recently renewed its accreditation of the Child Development Center for meeting specific standards. To start the process for enrolling in the Center, you can visit its website. For Bobcat Update, I'm John Beck.

Morgan Wilson

Some students say it's a challenge for them to find healthy food options on campus. Morgan Wilson has more in this Bobcat Update.

Around noon every day, students line up inside of one of dining halls on campus to choose what to eat, but some students find this to be a difficult decision.
While Commons and Harris dining halls are closed, the options are more limited, especially for vegetarians.
Chartwells manages food services on campus, and its website says Jones Dining Hall has several vegetarian options. However, some students say Chartwells is not exactly meeting their needs.
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Chartwells has in recent weeks expanded its options. 
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You can learn more about which vegetarian foods Chartwells offers by logging onto its website.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Morgan Wilson.

Greg Burnam

The Center for the Study of Latino Media and Markets at Texas State University is hosting a Latino-oriented media conference this week. Greg Burnam has this Bobcat Update.

Federico Subervi (su-ber-v), who is director of the center, says the conference offers an opportunity for the Latino population to be more involved. And one way to be involved is through social media. 
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Subervi says he's excited that conference speakers will include academics, grad students and professionals in the media industry. He says some are coming from as far away as Barcelona.  Co-Chair Sindy Chapa says attending the conference will be beneficial.  
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She says students are welcome at the conference..     
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Among the topics to be addressed at the conference will be Latino media in politics, news literacy and the Spanish language media in Europe. The convention starts Thursday the 21st. If you have any questions about the event, please contact the Center for the Study of Latino Media at Texas State.
For Bobcat Update I'm Greg Burnam

Jenny Schmerber

Some students say they're paying too much for food on campus. Jenny Schmerber has more on the story. 

If you've eaten at a dining hall, then you've bought your food from Chartwells. Chartwells manages the food services on campus. And the prices seem to be higher.
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Here's an example -- a small pack of peanuts on campus will cost you a dollar-49 while at a local gas station you can get more for 99 cents. Similarly, a single banana costs 89 cents at Paws N Go but costs only 16 cents at H-E-B. To some people, those prices are reasonable.
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For Bobcat Update, I'm Jenny Schmerber.