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A Project of the Student Newspaper Association
J Volume 14 Number/CS
October 22,1991^
Wilder tosses hat in San Antonio
By Robert Schemertiom News Editor
Doug WiWer. Governor of Virginia and 1992 presidential candidate,stopped in San Antonio as part of a two-day fund-raising trip through Texas. Dr. Richard Gambiita, political science pro¬ fessor al UTSA, was a key orgMiizer of the visit
Saturday,OcL 19,Wilderspokeatan anti-drug conference for public housing resklents, held a press ^ference and attended a rally at Antioch Baptist Church.
Gambiita inuoduced Wilder al Ihe luncheon as "The one man who can heal Ihe divisions in our society and can initiate the solutions to the problems which this country has at Ihe present time."
During die luncheon. Wilder, only Ihe third black in modem times lb run for the presidency, summed up Ihe main thrust of his domestic policy platform, an area that he feels recent administra¬ tions have sUghted.
"The next president has got to realize that you have to put America first. If you're not concerned about drugs and crime in America, if you're not con-
about an infrastructure that promotes a better quality of life, then how can we talk about helping anyone else any¬ where?"
Wilder was blunt in his criticisms of Bush'sdomestic policies calling him "A complete failure in terms of fulfilling his campaign promises. He said he would be the education president. Now he says 'Well, acbially, that's a mauer for the states.' In addition to that what he has done is put the key in the lock to turn the progressbackoncivilrights. Thatkinder, genUer president doesn't exist."
Bush's labeling of the 1990-91 civil rights bill as a quota bill sparked more harsh words from Wilder. "He (Bush) knows in his heart of hearts that the civil rights bill is not a quota bill. To suggest Ihat we as African Americans, Hispan¬ ics and women don't aspire to the same rights and affumations and principles that are supposedly a part of that Ameri¬ can dream is absolutely retrograde, not progress."
Wilder volunteered someof his views on the confumation hearings of Clarence Thomas. He finds fault with virtually every aspect of the ThomasAIill part of the hearings. He criticized the media, feeling that Ihe air-time spent covering
the allegations could have been belter used dealing wilh domestic issues such as education and dmg abuse.
"We don't need to be titillated with sensationalism. Nor do we need to have our prurient interests excited. What we should be concerned about are ihose things which improve the quality of life in our country, and how we have had the clock nimed back on that quality of life."
He said the Thomas confumation process increased rather than diminished his desire to run for office. 'The process made me understand that we need to have a president who wouldn't be so cynical.
Wilder accused the White House with using the race issue as a ploy in the confirmation proceedings. "I don't like the fact that the White House orches¬ trated (the emphasis on) race and per¬ petuated it in Clarence Thomas to the extent of saying that he was being lynched and equating, uivially, that pro¬ cess to anything that the KKK has in- fiicted on black people for years.
"How is Ihis a lynching when the only thing that is taking place is a lady being brought in to assert a claim to which she is entitied?"
Congressman Albert Bustamante speaks at a ceremony at UTSA for the Hispanic Research Cemer. The Cemer, says Bustamante, will "Focus emirely on the cultural, medical, historical, linguistic and social science needs importam to Hispanics."
Flu season looms
A release from the Baylor College of Medicine warns that North Anwricans might be in for another influenza epi- demk; similar to the outbreak last year when 50,000 people died from flu-re¬ lated illnesses.
Dr. W. Paul Glezcn, chief epidemi- ok>gisl at the Influenza Research Center at Baykw College of Medicine in Hous¬ ton, says "The 1990-S season was pre¬ dominantly influenza B. so we expect influenza A to be dominant for 199land 1992." The epidemic two years ago was the worst in 20 years.
A complk:ating factor. Glezen said, is that many elderly peq;>le (who com¬
prise the largest influenza high-risk group) were bom or went through child¬ hood prior to the emergence of the A strain ofthe influenza virus, of which A/ Beijing is a variant. As a result, they ha ve not built up resistance Ihrough prior exposure.
Vaccines available this season pro¬ tect against A/Beijing and A/Taiwan strains, as well as B/Panama, another suain that could i4)pear.
"The elderiy are the single largest group of people who should get flu shots," Glezen said. "They arc particu¬ larly susceptible to such serious flu com- pUcations as pneumonia."
Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder (left) chats with Dr. Richard Gambitta, UTSA political science professor, at a luncheon at the iUlarrlot RIvercenter on Saturday.
"I thought Anita Hill was subjected lo being treated as an inferior person, as if she had no reason to even be in the room with all those men. The insensitivity...madc mc sick."
Even the democratic party is not im¬ mune to Wilder's attacks.   He reluc¬
tandy agreed that the Democrats have not adhered to important issues and con¬ veyed them to the voters.
"Can anyone remember what was an issue in the campaign of 1988? All you heard, other than about Willie Horton (the rapist Dukakis released on parole)
was all patriotism and the flag."
Wilder said that Jesse Jac°kson will be making his plans for the 1992 campaign known on Nov. 2 "Jesse Jackson and I have been friends for almost 30 years. Whatever his decision is, it won't result in he and I being at each other's throats."
Muslims meet to unify community
By Chris Schexnayder Contlbuting Writer
Approximately 100 Muslims con¬ vened Saturday, Oct. 12 to discuss the need fora more unified Islamic commu¬ nity in San Antonio.
Despite their efforts to move into the twenty-first century, Muslims hold true lo most traditions ofthe Nation of Islam. Many of the women attending the meet¬ ing wore headresses (hijabs) and other uaditional clothing. They sat in the back ofthe room and stood during prayer. All of the panel members were men, except for one female American Muslim repre¬ senting Ihe women present.
Akramha Kahn, vice president of UTSA's Muslim Student Association,
said, "Back home it is preferred that the women stay home and pray. You don't see any women at the mosques."
Approximately between 200 and 300 Islamic organizations exist in the United States. The San Antonio chapter. The Islamic Center of Greater San Anionio, was founded in 1984. Some members say that their group lacks efficiency and one of Ihe long term goals addressed in Ihe meeting was becominj* a more pro¬ fessional organization.
Goals set in the past include registe.r- ing as a non-profit organization, seeking support from the community and pur¬ chasing land on which to build a com¬ munity center, school and mosque.
The first school began in 1988 in a
garage. Today, the school meets at the Indian Trail Apartments Clubhouse each Sunday. Teachings concentrate prima¬ rily on the Muslim faith, but the long term goal is to have primary and second¬ ary schools whore the children can have their academic as well as religious edu¬ cation.
The group's goal of registering as a non-profit organization has been achieved. Theirolheraimsof increasing community support and purchasing land were also the focused upon al Saturday's seminar.
Some financial support has been re¬ ceived from Muslim organizations in other communities, but a major prob¬ lem still facing local Muslims is their
small population. Approximately 250 Islamic families live in San Antonio; in larger cities such as Houston, the Mus¬ lim community is large enougli to sup¬ port mosques, community centers and schools.
Sabah Karan, president of the Is¬ lamic Center of Austin, stressed the need for an effective local establishment. "Institutions arc," he said, "the way things function in America. In tomorrow's world, individuals will not be heard."
The Muslim Mission Center is lo¬ cated near downtown on Hays Ave. and is open to all. Students interested in UTSA's Muslim Student Association may contact Amir Abbassi at 224-7447 or Akramha Kahn at 349-4538.
United Way solicits student participation
Fund taps alumni
By Umber Husain Staff Writer
The United Way kicked off its annual fund raising drive on Oct. 15 with a goal to increase participation of faculty, staff, and studenis.
Thecampaign is headed by the United Way Campus Steering Committee and chaired by Dr. Robert Hom, vice presi¬ dent for university advancement. The volunteer committee is comprised of 30 Staff Coordinators, 15 Faculty Coordi¬ nators, and two Student Coordinators. Il works to solicit monetary donations.
Other than soliciting funds, a major goal for this year is lo increase long term awareness of the United Way's efforts by mobilizing a poster hanging cam¬ paign across campus.
Tentative plans have alsc vn made to place large water bottles in food ser¬ vice areas on campus where people can donate. Bottles will be accompanied by the slogan, "Your change can make a change." Steering Committee member
Brooks Rose noted that if every student were to drop one dollar in a bottle over Ihe course of a week, the United Way would accumulate roughly $15,000. Sierra Springs will donate ihe bottles. Additionally, part of the proceeds from a Nov. 2 party at the Showcase Theater featuring the bands Passing Strangers and Genre will be donated to the United Way. '   .
The United Way benefits approxi¬ mately 85 different organizations, rang¬ ing from drug ueatmenl to Ihe Boy Scouts. Students interested in donating time or resources may contact steering committee members Robert Schermerhom or Brooks Rose.
Dr. Wayne Bodensteiner, Faculty Representative for the steering Com¬ mittee encourages participation. He says, "I can't think of a more worthwhile effort that everyone al the university can be involved in than the United Way campaign, because it helps so many needy people in so many different ar¬ eas."
By Gerry Garza Contributing Writer
As part of UTSA's comprehensive plan lo heighten fund raising activities, the Office of Annual Fund Develop¬ ment has established a direct mailing
Most private colleges and universities have large programs directed toward procuring alumni donations. Mosl of these programs have been highly suc¬ cessful in generating funds, which are then converted into scholarships and school equipment.
(Ttie Annual Fund) generated $6,500 in its first eigfit days of operation.
and telephone network to gather alumni input and to contact those willing to contribute lo the annual fund.
The duties of acquuing alumni feed¬ back and donalbns are being carried out by die UTSA Ambassadors under the supervision of Betty Murrary. Director of Annual Fund Dcvetopmeni, and As¬ sistant Director. Roger Teng.
The phone operands ask alumn i ques¬ tions about their degrees from UTSA, their jobs in their chosen fields and the quality of the work skills they leamed at the university. These questkms help the university discover aieas where alumni support need improvement.
UTSA is now tapping into a viable source of funds. The Annual Fund pro¬ gram began soliciting Sept. 30 and gen¬ erated $6,500 in its first eight days of operation.
Tengfeelsthatmanypeople have the misconception that a public university does not need lo solicit donations since il is state funded. He points out that the state pays for less than 45 percent of UTS A's total operating costs. The dona¬ tions to the annual fund, says Teng, will grow in importance as the university struggles to keep prices down while maintaining Ihe quaUty of education in the future.