UTSA in the News

May 2003

San Antonio Express-News, 5/3/03, page 1A:
Growing up in California during the Chicano movement in the late 1960s, Josie Mendez-Negrete recalls Cinco de Mayo as a day when people of Mexican descent could celebrate their heritage through music, song and poetry. "It was a time for us to feel alive, like we belonged, even if it was for a day," said Mendez-Negrete. A sociologist at The University of Texas at San Antonio today, Mendez-Negrete said Cinco de Mayo still is a time when Mexican Americans recognize their historical ties to Mexico while enjoying cultural expressions of music, dance and food. "It's not just a historical celebration, but it's a celebration of the people who are connected to that history."

San Antonio Express-News, 5/3/03, page 3E:
Multicultural characters standing in hand are featured on the 2003 commemorative poster for the 32nd annual Texas Folklife Festival. "Bring Your Own Culture to the Texas Folklife Festival," designed by Claudia Schlosser, artist and owner of Manor House Custom Framing, was unveiled at the Institute of Texan Cultures. "The issue of tolerance is always close to my heart," says Schlosser, a German immigrant who has called San Antonio home for six years. "I hope the poster will serve as a small visual reminder of how similar we are despite our differences." Reminiscent of an Aztec calendar, Schlosser's circular design depicts a sun with a Texas longhorn as the bull's-eye. Encircling the longhorn are several familiar icons of the festival and the Lone Star State, including cattle, horses, chickens, sheep, a cactus and a guitar. Colorful flags and the ethnic people of Texas form the two outermost circles of the design.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/4/03, page 1A:
After a challenging first two years as San Antonio's top elected official, Mayor Ed Garza coasted to reelection, but a surprising number of voted for two little known contenders may have raised questions about how much of a mandate he'll have in what could be another tough term. Heywood Sanders, a UTSA professor and public administration expert, said that while Garza won with a commanding 68 percent of the vote, there were signs of crack in his support. "If the mayor gets less than 80 percent of the vote, it would suggest some real dissatisfaction among voters," Sanders said, adding that the election could make it more difficult for the mayor to take on City Charter reform and a possible bond issue in the future. "A mayoral victory doesn't necessarily translate into successful policy leadership on a referendum issue."

San Antonio Express-News, 5/4/03, page 1A:
Six City Council races will have to be decided in runoffs after a municipal election Saturday that was marked by disenchanted voters who either went against the establishment grain or did not cast ballots at all. The 5.5 percent turnout fulfilled the low expectations of experts who predicted a fraction of eligible voters would hit the polls after a series of City Hall lowlights, including the indictments of two council members and the resignation of a third in recent months. "Not voting, it appears, was an active choice this time around." said Richard Gambitta, a University of Texas at San Antonio political scientist. Many of those who did vote vented their frustration against establishment candidates, including several incumbents and three candidates linked to term-limited council members. "It suggests the voters want a change," said UTSA Professor Heywood Sanders. "That route the others have employed in the past of being backed by previous officeholders doesn't necessarily carry the opportunity it once did."

La Prensa, 5/4/03, page 7C:
Crockett elementary second graders anxiously awaited entering the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The kids became the first to benefit from Toyota Motor Manufacturing's gift to the ITC and the "Toyota Education Express." The gift allows financially struggling schools to take students to visit the ITC while the "Toyota Education Express" pays for the cost of transportation for the students. "Recently we've been having lots of calls from the schools saying they want to visit but couldn't afford the transportation," said Laurie Godzikuski from the ITC. Credited for the Education Express program, she asked Julie Favor in the ITC development to find funds for the program. More than two million students have visited the ITC in the 35 years of the Institute. The grant will allow 20,000 more kids to visit on field trips.

Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine, 5/5/03, page 48:
The University of Texas-San Antonio named Sonia Saldivar-Hull the new executive director of the Women's Studies Institute, which provides an affirmative intellectual and social climate for faculty, students, and scholars. Saldivar-Hull is an associate professor of English in a new doctor of philosophy degree program that combines traditional literary topics with Latino studies. She is the author of "Feminism on the Border: Chicana Gender Politics and Literature" and co-editor of the Duke University Press Book series "Latin America Otherwise.

San Antonio Express-News,Neighbors Northwest section, 5/7/03, page 1H:
In class, Victor Mendiola Sr. is called "sir." On the softball field, he's called "Pop." On Saturday May 10, he will get a new name--university graduate. More than three decades after he began working toward a history degree, Mendiola, 53, will graduate from The University of Texas at San Antonio with his much anticipated diploma. He won't be alone though, two of his sons, Michael and Gabriel will graduate with him earning their political science degrees. In fact, even though Mendiola will graduate with honors and should walk the stage before his sons, he received special permission to wait. "I want to walk with my kids, that was the big thing. They were the ones that told me the honor people go first, but it is more of an honor to walk with my kids," said Mendiola.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/9/03, page 1A:
The University of Texas at System Board of Regents approved a $45 million, 1,000-bed student housing project for UTSA, a sign the institution is shedding its commuter-school image. "This clearly will change the personality of the institution." said UT System Regent Cyndi Taylor Krier of San Antonio. Research has linked housing on campus to improved academic performance, a factor particularly appealing to UTSA President Ricardo Romo, who has designs on making UTSA a top research facility. Having students with strong academic credentials is critical to that goal. The UT regents' support for such a sizable complex acknowledges not only that San Antonio's public university is among the state's fastest-growing, but also it faces the most dire need for space, two facts Romo is found of pointing out as he lobbies for his school to be the next Texas flagship. The 1,000-unit project is believed to be the largest by a UT System component in at least 10 years.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/9/03, page 3B:
With the nation's unemployment rate hovering at an eight-year high and the state's economy still struggling, what do you tell a college graduate about to enter the work force? For starters, the outlook in San Antonio isn't so bad. "There's a brighter economic light shining on San Antonio than in other areas of the country," said San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza, alluding to the anticipated arrival of Toyota to San Antonio. The auto giant is scheduled to open a truck manufacturing plant in 2006 that some experts say will produce directly and indirectly 7,300 jobs with an annual $230 million payroll in 10 years. Even for those seeking jobs elsewhere, the outlook may not be so bleak according to Hector Barreto with the Small Business Administration. "Graduates should know that this administration is working to create more jobs, something I'm sure is on their minds right now," said the featured commencement speaker for one of this weekend's ceremonies at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/10/03, page 6A:
A Senate committee approved a $400.5 billion defense bill that includes $112 million in new programs and construction for South Texas installations and contractors. Included in the bill is a proposal to advance biotechnology research at Brooks CityBase. The approved $2.8 million is directed to the study of cell, tissue and bacterial growth and will be conducted by The University of Texas at San Antonio.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/11/03, page 1B:
The University of Texas at San Antonio awarded more than 1,700 diplomas to graduates during three separate ceremonies. One keynote speaker, Hector Barreto with the Small Business Administraton, encouraged graduates to live by tenets of personal responsibility, strong relationships, appreciation and generosity. "There is no greater achievement than being a generous person and giving back to the people, the community and the country that got you where you are," Barreto said. Barreto's words resonated with Juan Rodriguez, a 26-year-old engineering graduate from Laredo. Rodriguez was the first in the family to go to college and was surrounded by about a dozen beaming relatives. "I think this is as exciting for them as it is for me," Rodriguez said gesturing toward his relatives."But this is not just for us, it's for our whole community."

San Antonio Express-News, 5/13/03, page 1C:
According to most recent graduation-rate statistics compiled by the NCAA, athletes graduated at a rate of 60 percent--2 percent higher than the general student body. The The NCAA numbers represent a four-year average of scholarship athletes recruited from 1992-93 through 1995-96, with each class given six years to graduate. The University of Texas at San Antonio is one area university that can boast about their numbers with 41 percent of its athletes graduating compared to 25 percent for the rest of the student body.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/13/03, page 3B:
One of this weekend's college graduates already has the title "publisher." Liz Avelar, who just received her biology degree from UTSA and plans to go to medical school, decided to start a free, classified newspaper in San Antonio. Going into its third issue, "El Vendedor de San Antonio" (The Seller) is already breaking even. It's distributed mainly in small businesses on the South Side and at the information center at South Park Mall. "I want to see how far I can take this," she said, "and I'm going to continue to preparing fro my career goals." Not bad for a 21-year-old

San Antonio Express-News, 5/14/03, page 1H:
As Austin Highway goes through an economic renaissance, some aspiring architects have come up with their own ideas for how the venerable avenue could look in the future. Architecture students from The University of Texas at San Antonio "adopted" Austin Highway for a spring semester project. They did extensive research on the architecture and landscape of the corridor and then came up with their own ideas for the roadway's renovation. The area's rebirth began in late summer 2001 when the Austin Highway Revitalization Project Group Inc. formed as a spinoff to the city's Northeast Inner Loop Neighborhood Plan. That plan promotes urban revitalization of an area bordered by Loop 410, Harry Wurzbach Road, Rittiman Road and the eastern city limits of Alamo Heights.

La Prensa, 5/18/03, page 1A:
The legacy of Ruben Munguia will not only live on through the memories he created as an active civic and community leader in the city of San Antonio. Now, through a scholarship bearing his name, students will remember the name Ruben Munguia as they step forward into a higher education. The Ruben Munguia Scholarship was given to its first two graduate student recipients, both from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Jessie Villareal, graduate student majoring in public policy and Derak Berban, senior political science major, were each presented with a $1,000 scholarship for their continuing education. "The word 'scholarship' involves community and integrity," friend of Ruben Munguia," Dr. Richard Howe said. "I think in this case these students have one more obligation after receiving this scholarship--that is to get to know Ruben Munguia. He was a man who was an independent scholar.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/20/03, page 1B:
A year after experiencing unprecedented growth that brought 2,000 more students to The University of Texas at San Antonio, the school is bracing for yet another spike in the fall--and this time the number could be as high as 3,000. University officials said freshman applications are up 26 percent from the same period a year ago, prompting the institution to strictly enforce its July 1 student application deadline. I previous years, the university allowed flexibility for prospective students who applied past the deadline. "While this may not be indicative of the actual increase in the number of students who attend UTSA this fall, the increase does have us convinced that a record number of students may be enrolled next year," said Rosalie Ambrosino, the university's vice president for student affairs. Over the past 10 years, UTSA has been the state's fastest-growing university. Over that period, the university grew 27 percent. In fall 2002, the school added a record 2,000 students from the year before, making it the state's eighth-largest public university with just more than 22,000 students. Last year, UTSA received about 8,400 applications by mid -May. This year, the university already has received more than 10,600. Although the university accepts the majority of its applicants, fewer than half of those admitted actually enroll.

San Antonio Business Journal Online, 5/23/03:
The University of Texas at San Antonio has been ranked first in the number of undergraduate degrees in the biological sciences awarded to Hispanics for the sixth time in seven years by a national survey of the nation's Hispanic serving colleges and universities. Overall, UTSA increased its ranking from No. 7 to No. 4 in total undergraduate degrees awarded to Hispanics and ranked 14th in master's degrees granted to Hispanics during the 2000-2001 academic year. Six separate UTSA undergraduate degree-program areas placed among the top 10, including business and marketing and multi/interdisciplinary studies(both 3rd); protective services(3rd); psychology(4th);mathematics(9th) and English literature(10th) all among the most popular discipline concentrations for Hispanic students.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/25/03, page 1B:
Resources will be tight and space will be cramped this fall at The University of Texas at San Antonio, but the institution could be a model for efficiency in just a couple of years, officials say. UTSA is flirting with a 3,000 student increase this fall, which translates to good news and bad news for the relatively young campus. Good because the rising population indicates the school is thriving, and bad because the university already facing a tight budget and space limits, will be hard-pressed to deal with this year's rapid growth. Officials have attributed the growth to a variety of factors, including population increases, the addition of academic programs at UTSA, a cap provision at UT Austin that requires some students to attend other UT components first and the economy. When the economy falters, officials say college enrollment generally rises because people seek new training. To handle the growth this fall, the university is leasing off-campus space to move several operations, such as business and human resources to make room for faculty advising and other student services.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/27/03, page 1D:
It's true--Jose is once again the most popular name for a boy born in Texas. The Spanish name beat out Jacob and Joshua, respectively, for the top spot statewide, according to a list released this month by the Social Security Administration. "It's kind of a realization that you don't have to give up your roots to belong in Texas," said Robert Bayley, professor of bicultural-bilingual studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The government agency compiled the annual list of most popular baby names based on Social Security card applications based for children born last year. Jose ranked 27th nationwide and Texas was the only one of the 50 states to have a Hispanic name top the list for either gender. Family traditions and cultural or religious practices--such as recognizing Mary or Joseph or other venerated Catholic saints of a significant person in one's life--often indicate how children are named," said Josie Mendez-Negrete, UTSA sociologist. The prevalence of Jose represents the continuous influx of Latinos into Texas, a high Latino birthrate, and a reproduction of their own cultural preferences, Mendez-Negrete said. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics make up about 32 percent of 20.8 million Texas residents. Texas Department of Health statistics show there were 363,325 births in Texas in 2000. Hispanics accounted for 166,440 of those births, or about 46 percent.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/27/03, page 1D:
Attention, college hopefuls. Are you busy planning a summer of flopping between the couch and the pool? If so, put the remote down and listen up. Colleges will note what you do between June and September. It will say as much about you as your in-school achievements. "How students spend their summers can make the difference between regular or provisional admission. These activities can help contribute to qualifications for scholarships and meet alternate admissions requirements for students who are struggling to be accepted," said George Norton, UTSA Director of Admissions. Well spent summers pay off in less obvious ways as well. Students who work, volunteer or study make contacts who can provide glowing recommendations. Such students also write more engaging application essays.

San Antonio Express-News, 5/28/03, page 7A:
Senators voted to permit universities to increase college tuition by more than 50 percent by 2005, fulfilling a grudging promise to House leaders in weekend talks on a comprimise 2004-05 budget. Under House Bill 3015, as revised by Sen. Florence Shapiro, institutions like the University of Texas at San Antonio--capped at $92 per semester credit hour now--could charge up to $142 per hour in 2005. Rates would be free to rise starting in 2006 if institutions meet state benchmarks for affordability, enrollment, graduation and retention rates, among factors. Members gave final approval by 23-8, sending the proposal back to the House, where Speaker Tom Craddick could seek House-Senate negotiations toward an agreed approach.

San Antonio Express-News, Neighbors Northwest section, 5/28/03, page 2H:
Felix Almaraz, Jr., a professor of history at The University of Texas at San Antonio, has been named Piper Professor of 2003 by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. The Piper Award is one of the most distinguished teaching awards in Texas. Organized in 1950, the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation supports charitable, scientific and educational undertakings.

San Antonio Express-News 5/29/03, page 2B:
The University of Texas at San Antonio broke ground on what will become the institution's largest academic building, an $83.7 million, 227,000-square-foot Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. "The new building will play a significant role in moving UTSA into the top-tier of research institutions by enhancing the university's triple mission of excellence in teaching, research and public service," said President Ricardo Romo. The five-story building will be funded from a combination of sources, including $54 million from the UT System and $23 million from the state. The remaining $6.75 million will come from gifts and grants, including a $1 million contribution from the city of San Antonio and $500,000 from SBC Communications. Completion is expected in Spring 2005.

San Antonio Express-News Business Section 5/29/03, page 1E:
As groundbreakings go, nothing's going to top the Toyota plant ceremony in September or October in San Antonio. In any other year, or virtually any other city, however, the groundbreaking held at The University of Texas at San Antonio would have been the economic development event of the year. Education, business and government leaders shoveled dirt to start construction of the $83.7 million UTSA Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building at the Loop 1604 Campus, scheduled to open Spring 2005. The economic effect of the new UTSA building will position the region to percolate a number of jobs over time. At five stories and 227,000 square feet, the building will be UTSA's largest and one of the biggest of its kind in the nation. "But this is not just another building at a major university," said Tom Frost, banker and chairman of the UTSA Development Board. Among other things, it represents UTSA's newest stake toward becoming the state's next top-tier research universities after The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University at College Station and Rice University.

San Antonio Express-News, Weekender,5/30/03, page 21H:
There's nothing monochromatic about Texas, so when the 32nd annual Texas Folklife Festival opens June 5-8 in and around the downtown Institute of Texan Cultures, with the theme "BYOC: Bring Your Own Culture," there'll be plenty of culture and cultures; plenty of color and colors; plenty of accents from which to choose. The Folklife Festival is a celebration of all things Texan, as well as a celebration of many of the things--the arts, the crafts, the music, the dances, the people--that make Texans individuals and Texans unique. This time around representatives from 60 counties in Texas, representatives of 40 distinct ethnic groups all of whom have found a home in the Lone Star State, will join forces to showcase the Texas crazy quilt. And here are some of the essential elements of the cultural quilt: food, music, pioneer skills and dance.

Comments or questions to Kris Rodriguez, (210) 458-4550
Updated June 3, 2003