Serving the University of Texas at San Antonio Community
SEP 25 1991 tKEIVED
Posting policy is under revision
By Colleen Concerage Contributing Writer
In an attempt to simplify the rules governing the display of posters and other materials on campus, the Student Activities Office (SAO) is revising its policy.
The SAO is meeting with the presi¬ dents' council (a panel of the presidents of UTSA's registered student organiza¬ tions) to gain input on the proposed policy.
According to Hank Phelps, director of the University Center and student activities, students on the president's council want to enforce rules governing posting. Currently, enforcement rests with die SAO. One means of enforce¬ ment involves denying posting rights to those students or groups who do not remove posters within 48 hours afler the end of Ihe advertised event. The current limit is 24 hours.
The proposed policy prohibits the posting of "obscene" maierial, lo be determined by the SAO. The proposed policy stales that authorization of post¬ ing will not be granted for anydiing dial SAO believes to be offensive to the students or the community."
Also prohibited, according to a draft of the proposal, are materials that "glo¬ rify, edify or support the misuse and/or abuse of alcohol." This is a Board of Regents rule and applies to the whole . University of TcxasSystem. According to Phelps diis is equivalent to the prohi¬ bition of any reference to alcohol.
Some bulletin boards are a.ssigned lo organizations for their use. A lottery system has been proposed as the means of assigning the limited numbcrof boards to the interested groups.
"It can be incredibly competitive for some organizations, "Phelps .said. "They want a board, and they want it in a particular location." The SAO plans to consider the number of students in each of the applicant organizations and the potential number of students thai will benefit from llic group's inronnaiion. Some ofthe bulletin boards will be di¬ vided into .sections and shored among groups.
The SAO and ihc presidents' council should come lo an agreement and final¬ ize the policy wiihin a nionih. All regis¬ tered student organizations will he .sent copiesof thcproposcdpolicy. The SAO hopes to have the new policy imple¬ mented by January 1, 1992.
internsiiip opportunities on the rise for Engiish majors
Davies speaks about third Russian Revolution
By James Sanchez Contributing Writer
The recent coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev and its subsequent failure was die subject of a lecture pre¬ sented last week by Dr. Brian Davies.
Davies, assistant professor of history at UTSA, discussed the immediate and long-term effects of the reactionary in¬ solence and what the future holds for
Gorbachev and Russian Republic Presi¬ dent Boris Yeltsin.
The hu-gcsl and most obvious effect was die end of seven decades of Com¬ munist rule. According to Davies, coup plotters diought that il would be a popu¬ lar revolt because of the depressed stale ofthe Soviet economy and Gorbachev's inability lo deliver on promised eco¬ nomic reforms. The coup only acceler¬ ated the dismantling of Communism
because of the citizens' resistance to a regression into a prc-Glastnost state, Davies said.
The leader of the reformers, Yeltsin, made a great name for himself wilh the people by calling for civil disobedience during die Soviet slate of emergency. Davies pointed out how little is known about Yeltsin. Whedier he is a true re¬ former or a self-serving politician re¬ mains lo be seen. Davies feels that
Gorbachev's prc-coup unpopularity grew wor.se when he did not ideiuify himself with ilic reformers, leaving the future of his presidency an enigma as well.
Whatever the outcome of the Soviet Union's political lurnioil, Davis feels, a more pressing issue is weighing heavily on the minds of its eiiizcns. A last approaching winter and a projected f(X)d shortage make for a volatile situation.
By Robert Schermerhorn News Editor
The variety of internships is on the rise for English majors at UTSA.
Dr. Jeanne Reesman, die internship director, can' l remember a semester diat has offered a wider range of internship Opportunities for English majors.
This fall, English majors are intcm-
Patli Yeichis interning this semester widi die University Outreach Program, a joint effort between the University of Austin and A&M. Itisanonprofitgroup which offers tutoring to local schools in order lo inspire students to pursue higher education. The group has made use of UTSA interns for several years.
Ycich is wriUng the newsletter and draflmg press releases for the group.
Heightened dorm security prompts residents' concerns
In Reesman's view, internships are the best way to breal< into the working world.
ing at HEB, Parker-Felbcr Advertising, the Methodist Hospital, Current Maga¬ zine, Southwest Research Institute,City Public Service and odier local and na¬ tional firms.
"In the past we tended lo have more placements on campus, which is good, but mosl students prefer to go off cam¬ pus so they can begin to develop con¬ tacts," Reesman said.
In Reesman's view, internships are the best way to break into die working world. "Employers don't care if you were the president of die German club, or if you were active in student politics, as much as diey care whether you've had experience," she said.
Usually about two students a semes¬ ter arc offered jobs at the firms where they fulfilled their internship.
Allen Green, an English major widi an emphasis in technical writing, is in¬ terning at the "San Antonio Business Journal" as an in-housc writer. He finds that'his internship is an opportunity to make contacts in business and journal¬ ism. He is considering an offer to work for the Journal after graduation.
She is also involved with a program Called the Saturday Academy, a four week scries in which local college and university professors lecture and guide high school students in sciendfic experi¬ ments.
Lisa McGinnis, dirough her intern¬ ship widi KLRN , is acung producer of the weekly television forum "San Anto¬ nio Week in Review" which airs Fridays at 9:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
Her duties include briefing the guest panelists, operating cameras, monitor¬ ing shows from the control booth and odier responsibilities of a producer.
"There is die possibility dial we are going to offer internships in the spring," Reesman said. "Wc haven't done diat lately. But there has bcenalotof student demand and die employers like it be¬ cause they grow accustomed to having an intern."
Beyond the benefits accrued by the intern in the program, Reesman sees a benefit to the university. For not only does die intern get exposure lo their carreer field, UTSA gains exposure in the business community.
By Sunyoung Hammond Contributing Writer
A new $25,000 card reader access security system, complete with video cameras and a monitor, was acuvated at the Chisolm Hall Residence Complex last Thursday. Residents express mixed feelings about the change.
The decision to replace die old sys¬ tem of combination door locks was made by Bach Management, Inc., owner of the complex. According to Tom Akins, director of residence life, the n'^w sys¬ tem was installed as a prevenuve mea¬ sure and is not due to any increase in security problems.
However, with the old system Akins acknowledged the problem of residents giying out door codes to non-residents. "They can give it to anybody who can come in and do anything they want," says Akins. "It's not a severe problem, but why wail until something bad hap¬ pens before you try to solve il."
All residents have been issued a mag¬ netic card which is needed to open the fu-st floor doors.
The card reader doors were also in¬ stalled • the Activity Center (AC) next to die dorms. This allows residents 24 hour access for studying and relaxing.
Lost cards can be deactivated as soon as the resident notifies the Housing Of¬ fice. Replacement cards will cost $25.
A TV screen at die dorm's front desk allows staff to monitor the AC. pool and
Kail Paxton monitors the entrances to Chisolm Hall.
the east and west dormitory doors.
According lo Akins, video tapes will be kept for 10 days and then reused. The tapes will include die dale and time ano arc legal evidence in court.
Residents' reactions to the new sys¬ tem have been mixed. Students arc happy with die 24 houraccess to the AC, but are concerned about technical prob¬
lems and the potenual invasion of pri¬ vacy. The system documents, by card number, die arrival dmes of each resi¬ dent. Resident Lisa Simpson feels this is an invasion of her privacy.
Former resident Andrea Hardwick points out that, "With die eliminaUon of the door codes, anyone whocan climb to the second floor, out of the camera's
view, can get into the complex since only the first n(X)r doors require cards." Resident Trina Harris has already experienced aproblem widi a non-work¬ ing card. Furthermore, resident assis¬ tant Larry Butler cautions that non-resi- dcnls can slill follow residents into the dorms if die staff is not constanUy watch¬ ing die monitor.