Rebecca Banks

Enrollment of undocumented students increases

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Since 2005, the university has seen a slight increase in undergraduate enrollment of undocumented students.

In 2005,18 undocumented students were enrolled at Texas State, according to the Office of Institutional Research. In 2010 there were three undocumented students, and in 2012 a total of 75 were registered. There are currently 93 undocumented students attending the university as of March, while 111 took classes during the 2013-2014 school year.

In 2001, then-Governor Rick Perry approved House Bill 1403. The bill allowed undocumented students to receive in-state tuition at any public college or university.

President’s Cabinet changes process of naming buildings

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The President’s Cabinet has approved changes to the University Policy and Procedure Statements (UPPS) involving requirements for changing the names of university buildings.

The approved changes will allow university officials to assess an individual’s overall donation history to recommend naming a building after him or her. The previous language required individuals to donate specific dollar amounts or percentages, said Bill Nance, vice president of finance and support services.

The proposal was approved during an April 6 meeting, said Vicki Brittain, special assistant to the president.

Army cadet honored with top leadership award

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Being described as a humble leader is an honor reserved for very few.

Army Cadet Walter Brinker, Spanish senior, joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in January 2012 after graduating high school in 2003. Brinker was one of 15 cadets nationally recognized with top honors in leadership March 30 with the George C. Marshall Award.

University officials seek applicants for TSUS student regent position

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University officials are considering ways to garner interest in the student regent position for the Texas State University System (TSUS).

The university receives only one or two applications per year for the position. The last time a Texas State student held the position was two years ago, said Joanne Smith, vice president of Student Affairs.

The regent is the voice of the students within the TSUS, said Anna Sandoval, current student regent from Sul Ross State University.

Library repository may be built at S.T.A.R. Park

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University officials hope to build a repository to relocate books not commonly checked out at the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (S.T.A.R.) Park.

The architectural design and budget for the repository will be submitted for approval by the Texas State University System Board of Regents, said Lori Hughes, director of administrative services at Alkek Library. The submission and approval of the plan is expected to occur in May.

False acceptance letters a result of mailing list error

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The Office of Undergraduate Admissions mailed a letter of apology to 341 of the 458 students who wrongly received acceptance brochures last week.

On April 7, the university accepted 117 applicants of the 458 students into Texas State. Twenty-six applicants completed the forms and are under review, and 30 were declined admission, said Jayme Blaschke, University News Service director.

“One applicant out of those 458 has withdrawn their application,” Blaschke said. “The remaining 284 still have incomplete applications.”

Local barista contacts Jimmy Kimmel for piñata skit

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Working as a pedicab driver in the Hill Country takes a certain kind of passion.

David Harmon works as a barista at Wake the Dead Coffee House. When he is not crafting a cup of jo, he is in Austin driving a pedicab. Harmon is an independent driver for Movemint Bike Cab, an Austin-based pedicab company, and travels across the country for events.

“Being a barista helped pay my way through college,” Harmon said. “I really just enjoy the coffee culture more than I enjoy sitting on the computer clicking all day.”

In February, Jimmy Kimmel contacted Movemint to reserve a pedicab for a skit to be filmed in Austin during the South by Southwest festival. Harmon replied to the email before knowing who the client would be.

Students voice concerns to President Trauth

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The second Open Door Session of the year had an attendance of 11 students, 10 more than before, who discussed littering near campus and future renovations of Albert B. Alkek Library.

President Denise Trauth’s Open Door Sessions serve as an opportunity for students to communicate directly with her. Students were invited to discuss issues related to university life.

Shelly Alfaro, international relations senior, went to the session to share concerns about cigarette disposal near campus.

Social work program in need of update, officials say

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School of Social Work officials have proposed to combine courses from the graduate programs to help market students in the workforce.

Officials are waiting for the Texas State University System Board of Regents to approve curriculum changes in May. The curriculum will begin this fall if approved, said Dorinda Noble, director of the School of Social Work.

Angela Ausbrooks, associate professor and Master of Social Work coordinator, said the proposal to combine the curriculum began last fall.

Central Texas areas seek to comply with ozone regulations

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Hays County is at risk of being designated a “nonattainment” area by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if a proposal to reduce the current ground-level ozone standard passes.

The EPA proposed a change to current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 2014 for the ground-level ozone standard. The change would lower the level required for a space to be considered an attainment area from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to between 65-70 ppb.

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