Serving the University of Texas at San Antonio Community
TUESDAY
February 22, 1994
Volume 17, Numbers
Texas' ONLY Independent Student Newspaper
Recreation center re-vote plagued by dissent between Student Government, administration
Rach«l Dupnik
NewsWriter
The.University administration and the student government are at odds ova- the ballot students will use to vote for or against a Recreation WeUness Center (RWC) fee the week of Mar. 7.
On Nov. 9-10,1993, students voted
two to one against a RWC fee. _____ 	
However.lhatvotewasdeclared
null and void due to voting im- 7 Want US to work together, but I think
pnqjrieties.    Student govern- ^fjgf y^Q ^jq^q jg q miSUndeStaninp On ment (SG), in consultation with   *«,_ ,«#« «/ o/^ ;„  *.;« ..^«;^>. « univenjity administration, dc- the TOle Of SG in ttllS VOting.
—Karen Whitney vice president of student iife
discussed the possibility of a new ballot for the upcoming election; however, a printed copy of this ballot has not yet been released to SG.
Stem stated that the new ballot pro¬ posed by Whitney at the meeting differs from last semester's ballot in that it gives students four "YES" options and one "NO" option in deciding how or
cided that another vote was nee- essary.
Matt Stem, student govern- _._
ment president, explained that "~~~"~ the vote, scheduled for the spring se¬ mester, would be a "re-vote," that is, voting under the same conditions as before, but correcting the voting irregu¬ larities. Under these guidelines, a re- vote would be conducted using the same ballot as in the previous election.
Stem also said that SG has a respon¬ sibility to rectify the vote. "It was our managerial (Hoblems of not running the election well that caused us to have to nullify the election. In order to rectify that and our credibility, we want to have a re-vote."
Karen Whitney, assistant vice president for student life, said, "There were voting improprieties in the fall. However, the vote was pretty clear. The irregularities did not change the sense of the community. The sense of the com¬ munity was that that was not the way t^ey (students) wanted us to apiHoach this issue." Whititey said that since the last vote there have been a number of collective efforts, campus-wide, to try to find ways to imfHove recreational facilities on campus.
During a Feb. 14 meeting, Whitney, Stem, student govemment representa¬ tives; and Barbie Kamm, assistant direc-
how not to fmance the RWC. Stem stated that because of the way legisla¬ tion governing student referendum reads, Whitney's proposed ballot is problem¬ atic. "I think there are inherent prob¬ lems with a different type of ballot, and a new ballot would be a new vote," Stem said.
Whitney stated that, prior to last week, she did not see this vote as a re-vote/new vote issue. "I was focused on the university's development of strategic initiative on wellness and recreation. The development of a RWC and im¬ proved existing facilities was my whole focus."
Whitney stated that in September SG passed a motion that stated SG would educate the student community and fa¬ cilitate the vote of the student body. "At that time, SG chose not to support or go against any particular position. At that point, their whole role became an electioning mechanism," she said.
"My preference last semester would have been for them (SG) to have taken a position. They chose not to. I respected that choice and went on with the project," stated Whitney. "And that's where we're at"
possibility of the administration holding a separate vote. Stem stated, "If the administration does their own vote, they can go ahead and do that I would hope that we (SG) would chaUenge the valid¬ ity and credibility of that vote."
In addition to the separate vote issue, the administration isalsoconcemed with the SG proposal of a possible maU out _____  ballot. Whitney said, "I rcaUy discourage that from happen¬ ing. I think a mail out vote has huge potential for fraud and regardless of how the vote would tum out, it has an op¬ portunity for the vote to be suspect."
Stem said, "1 was told "¦"""" by Karen that if we do a mail out vote it might not be held as valid." Stem stated that if necessary, the attor¬ ney general would be consulted regard¬ ing the legislation. "1 am sure it is not going to come to that, but our options are open."
In order to conduct a new vote, the administration asked SG to work within a one to three week time period. Stem said. "I believe that the administration wanted the vote to be in one week, two weeks or three weeks so that we were unable to do the mail out, either as infor¬ mation or as a ballot."
However, Whitney explains that once the fall vote was nullified. SG deter¬ mined that another vote would be con¬ ducted approximately five weeks into the spring semester. Whitney said, "1 notified Matt in December that adminis¬ tratively we were working on other ap¬ proaches to the ballot. Not knowing about the existing problem with the bal¬ lot, I worked for two months on devel¬ oping a more comprehensive ballot with the idea of trying to keep to that original fifth week of school (for the vote)."
Whitney said the critical issue re¬ garding the vote is getting it over with. "There are other projects to complete.
Th« Homecoming Mask-arade Ball of 1994. See pages 4 and 5 of The Pkis for additional Homecoming events.
want to>move on. We've been talking about this issue since September let's do it"
Whimey and Stem both confirmed that this was not a matter of one group chaUenging the other. Stem said, "I do not find the administration chaUenging SG at all; however, they feel strongly about their position Just as we feel strongly about ours."
Whitney added, "1 want us to work together, but 1. think what we have is a misunderstanding on the role of SG in this voting." Whitney also said that prior to last week, she was unaware of the role SG had taken. "I thought since they chose not to take a position, they were simply carrying out a voting pro¬ cess."
Campusline
tor fw student leadership and activities.        Adding to the disagreement is the    The semester is coming to a close and I
UTSA students recognized by Texas Student Scholars
Four University erf Texas at San An¬ tonio students were recognized recently for their research on new infonnation technology and its role on today's infor¬ mation and communication systems.
They were chosen winners in the 1993-94 Texas Student Scholars Project, an inaugural event organized by the Uni¬ versity of Texas Center for Research on Communication, Technology and Soci¬
ety and sponsored by AT&T.
Roberi Lanning, a senior accounting major, from Universal City, wasawarded $S(X) for a research paper that he submit¬ ted to the competition.
His p:q)er, "Virtual Libraries: The Information Connection", explored new digital information systems such as net¬ works and CD-ROM technologies now available in Ubraries, and the concept of
OniiwsaK Cenlw
...... • • mr • *	
As part of the unlverslfy's ongoing Improvement program, new double aikilng glass doors wrtii be hMNailed to) key areas to make ¦Df eiiJiMnis>
a virtual library that could be accessed electronically by anyone on a network.
Three other UTSA CoUege of Busi¬ ness students were awarded research grants of $500 for papers on selected topics. They include:
Dinorah Flores, an MBA student from San Antonio, for the topic, "Shortening the Distance to Leaming";
Janice Lew, a 1993 UTSA graduate from San Antonio, for the topic, "Edu¬ cational Access for the '90s; and ,
Marcus Shipley, an MBA student from Universal City, for a paper on "ImpUcations of Wireless Communica¬ tion of Productivity an Employee Satis¬
faction."
Twenty-two students, representing the nine University of Texas campuses andthe AustinCommunity College, were awarded a total of $38,000 in the con¬ test.
Research papers covered a wide range of tc^ics such as telemedicine, distance- leaming initiatives, public access to and social concems about the development of high-speed information technologies, and economic development concems.
The Texas Student Scholars Project also included a research symposium and infonnation technology fair at the Uni¬ versity of Texas at Austin.
Engineering program celebrates National Engineering Week
The engineering program at the Uni¬ versity of Texas at San Antonio will hold an open house from S to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in the Engineering B uilding to celebrate National Engineer¬ ing Week.
Area high school students and their parents wiU take guided tours of class¬ rooms and laboratories, visit with fac¬ ulty and leam more about engineering careers during the open house. Admis¬ sions and financial aid information also wiU be available.
From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 26, high school and college students are invited to compete in four events de¬ signed to display and test engineering skiUs. The competitions, to be held in the Engineering Building, are:
-An egg drop contest. chaUenging contestants to design and build an en¬ ergy-absorbing mechanism that can withstand repeated 25-foot free faUs without damaging the pay load of a large chicken egg;
-A bridge-building contest, in which 3-by-S-inch cards will be used to build a
iHidge with a high strength-to-weight ratio;
-Walk-upevents, or student quiz com¬ petitions, testing knowledge of engi¬ neering trivia and puzzles, and a contest to build the tallest paper tower, and
-Academic competition, or college- bowl teams, vying for fu^st-place hon¬ ors.
The Engineering Week activities are presented by the UTSA student chapters ofthe American Society of Civil Engi¬ neers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Heat¬ ing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. Insitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Society of Auto¬ motive Engineers, and Society of His¬ panic Professional Engineers.
UTSA, which enroUs more than 1.100 students in its undergraduate and gradu¬ ate engineering programs, offers bach- ebr and master of science degrees in civU, electrical and mechanical engi¬ neering. A doctoral degree in engineer¬ ing is being developed.
Campusline is aforumforitrformation of looming events or deadlines happen¬ ing on the UTSA campus. Students, faculty, staff. RSOs and other university groiq>s may artnounce events by contacting the Paisano News Editor at 690-9301. DeeuUines are the Wedaesday prior topukUealkm.
ABBOoBccaieiits
UTSA Admissions office is seddng voluntBos to participate in their annual spring phone-a-thon to contact prospective students and answer questions about college and UTSA. The phone-a-thon will last from S-7 p.m. and take place on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 and 2. Interested studoits, faculty, or staff shoukl call 691-4599 and ask for Jill «¦ Velma.
February Events and Deadline
22 (Tuesday) Student Health Services offers an wthqiedic clinic at 3:30 p.m. Appointment necessary.
23 (Wednesday) Paisiuio meeting in office at Campus South shopping center at 4 p.m. New members welcome.
23 CWednesday) Black Studeitt Alliance meeting in UC Oak Room at 1 p.m.
23 (Wednesday) Stodent Health Services c^ers aerobic classes from 11 a.m.-12
pjn.
23 (Wednesday) MEChA meeting in MS 3.02.52 at 1 p.m.
23 (Wednesday) VOICES meeting in UC Pecan Room at 5-6 p.m.
23 (Wednesday) -24 (Ttailrsday) Besta UTSA infonnation meetings (attend
only one) in UC Mesquite Room from 3-4 pjn.
23 (Wednesday) • 24 (Thursday) VOICES: American Heart Association in the
Laurel Room firom 12-1 pjn.
25 (Friday) Student health sovkes ofifers aerobic classes from 11 a.m.-12 pjn.
28 (Monday) Alpha Phi Omega general meeting at 3:30 p.m. in Uie UC Dak
Room. For moie info call DebtMe at 361-4389.
March Events and Deadlines
1 (Tuesday) bitemational Undergraduate and Masten student deadline far applying for admission for Sununer 1994. Deadline for applying for Summer 1994 Honors Program for Yoimg Scholars.
2 (Wednesday) VOICES meeting in Mesquite Room at 5-6 p.m.
2 (Wednesday) Bladk Sbident Alliance meeting in UC Oak Room at 1 p.m. 2 (Wednesday) MEChA meeting in MS 3.02J2 at 1 p.m.
2 (Wednesday) Paisano meeting in office at Canqms South shopping center at 4 p.m. New members wdcome.
3 (Thursday) Comedian Ed Marques, sixxisored CAB, in ttie Roadrunner Roost at 8 pjn.
4 (Friday) Deadline for students on die testallment plan to have a promissory note on file in the Bursar's Office.
7 (Monday) Alpha Phi Omega general meeting at 3:30pjn. in the UC Oak Room.
Fbr more info caU Dd)bie at 561 -4389.
7.11 (MoMlay.Friday) Wmnen's History Wedc
9 (Wednesday) VOICES meeting. No room available. 5-6 p.m.
9 (Wednesday) Black Student AUiance meeting hi UC Oak Room at 1 pjn.
9 (Wednesday) MEChA meding in MS 3.02.52 at 1 p.m.
9 (Wednesday) Paisano meeting in office ate .npus South shopping centn-itt4 pjn. New membo^ wdcome.
10 (Thursday) Fiesta UTSA booth selection meeting in the UC Mesquite Room &Y)m3-4p.m.
14 (Moaday) Alpha Phi Omega general meeting at 3:30 pjn. in die UC Ori| Room. For more info call Ddrfiie at 561-4389.
14 (Monday) • 17 (Thursday) Flea market sponsored by CAB from 9 ajn. to S pjn. under the SombriUa.
15 (Tuesday) Summer 1994 deaifline for filing petition for reinstatement for graduate students who have been academically cfismisssed a second or subs*-^ quoit time.
16 (Wednesday) Tentative date for distibution erf die Summer 1994 Scheitele Classes. 16 (Wednesday) Punchline comedy game show qxxisored by CAB under
ilvilla at noon.
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