Category Archives: News

WT expects visit from the Texas Board of Education

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Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

The Texas Board of Education will visit the WT campus this year in order to make sure that the campus is meeting the provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act was designed to enforce penalties on those who violate it by downloading copyrighted materials within the A&M system.

If the campus does not meet all the criteria upon the visit of the board, the aid that comes from the state can be revoked, which means students would not be able to receive financial aid in an extreme case. Continue reading →

WT Engineering is taking big steps for their future

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WT students have just started a year-long process of becoming a student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

“The students had the initial idea,” said Kenneth Leitch, professor of Civil Engineering. “I was approached by them.”

Robert Heinz transferred to WT in 2011 for the civil engineering program. After visiting other universities he decided on WT because he wanted to be a part of something new. Heinz initiated the request to start a ASCE club. He and other students talked about it in a civil engineering course early this fall and decided they wanted to approach Leitch with the idea. As soon as their professor was on board, the students decided to start right away. Continue reading →

Symphony Orchestra gets in tune for future events

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Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

The WTAMU Symphony Orchestra has many students who play string and wind instruments. Throughout the Symphony season, the students put on many events.

These events consist of concerts, opera, choral and live cinema performances, as well as collaboration performances with the dance program.

After wrapping up their latest performance “Chaplin, City Lights” in live cinema, the Symphony Orchestra is now preparing for their annual Christmas Concert performance. It will take place Dec. 4 in the Northen Recital Hall.

Continue reading →

Congress fights online piracy, theft

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To combat Internet theft of copyrighted materials, Congress is taking action with its new Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

Many people do not think that pirating movies and music from the Internet creates a significant loss for these producers industry-wide. According to NPD, a group that gathers business statistics, in 2009 only 37 percent of music in the United States was purchased legally. Creative America, a group fighting online piracy of movies, reports that more than 500,000 movies and television shows are viewed illegally every day. In addition, stats from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation show 24 percent of the world’s bandwidth is devoted to digital theft of movies, music and other copyrighted material. These numbers equate to tens of billions of dollars lost annually and more than 10,000 U.S. jobs lost every year.

“The bill is of vital importance to protecting American jobs and artisans, protecting American consumers from dangerous counterfeits, and ensuring the very vitality of American culture,” House Judiciary Committee member John Coyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) said during a hearing on the act in front of the rest of the house on Nov. 16. Continue reading →

Obama and Republicans face challenges in 2012

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President Barack Obama will have to jump a few hurdles in his 2012 re-election campaign. According to a recent New York Times & CBS News poll, 43 percent approve of his performance.

The nation’s view of the government is even more bleak. 23 percent believe that the country is going in the right direction, while only 12 percent approve of the job Congress is doing.

“Voter mood in 2012 is the same as it was in 2008,” Dr. Dave Rausch, WTAMU professor of Political Science, said. “Voters are angry, but they can’t tap into who they’re angry at.” Continue reading →

Great American Smoke Out helps students with smoking habits

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Every third Thursday of November, a day is dedicated to raising awareness about the consequences of smoking cigarettes. This is the 36th year that the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smoke Out. A booth was set up on Nov. 17 in the JBK where students were informed about the Great American Smoke Out.

“It’s a day of awareness about the dangers of smoking cigarettes,” said Terri Prescott, manager of Health Initiatives. “It also gives people a target day to quit smoking.”

Students and members of the American Cancer Society encouraged students and faculty to try to quit for one day.

“I think it’s great to provide awareness to students about different factors that they choose,” Amanda Kraemer, a senior History and English major, said. “A lot of younger students think it’s cool to smoke, however they don’t know the consequences that comes from smoking.” Continue reading →

EFC calculation does not always achieve accuracy

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Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

Despite the fact that the government’s financial aid program has helped fund the college careers of numerous people, one thing that remains mysterious to some is exactly how a person’s “need” is determined. WT’s Associate Director of Student Financial Services, Marian Giesecke, helped explain the financial aid equation:

  • Step One: First, they take your cost of attendance. This cost is a combination of your tuition and fees, books, room and board, transportation, and personal costs. The tuition is based on 15-hour enrollment, and the room and board is an average of the three major residence halls’ costs.
  • Step Two: Next, they subtract your estimated family contribution (EFC). When you file your FAFSA each year, the government determines a certain amount of money that your family is expected to be able to contribute to your college costs.
  • Step Three: Then, they subtract any other form of financial aid besides unsubsidized loan. This includes scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans.

Finally, the remainder equals your financial need. However, this equation has its faults, which has left some students with things not adding up. Marco Gillezeau, a sophomore at WT, is one of those students. After receiving scholarships and accepting the student loans offered to him, Gillezeau still had some costs not paid for. Continue reading →

O’Brien studies magical realism in Latin writers

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Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

An aspect every graduate student at WT must endure is research.  However, an individual’s particular discipline shapes the type of research they conduct.

“Research at WT touches every aspect of the human condition,” said Cheree Burleson, graduate admissions coordinator. “Oftentimes research has very real, tangible benefits … [or it is the] study of how we interpret our lives and the reflection of [who] we are and who we want to be.”

Joshuah O’Brien, an English graduate student interning with the Remnant Trust, has focused his research on “magical realism,” or as O’Brien explains it, a “tool for conveying modes of thought not generally subscribed to Western thinkers.” Continue reading →

Campus follows meningitis vaccination state law

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Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

Bacterial Meningitis is a serious illness that has been around for hundreds of years. WTAMU is following the law that was passed and signed by Governor Rick Perry that requires that every incoming college student be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis.

Student Medical Services, which is a division of the office of Student Affairs, has followed through with this new state-wide law.

“This disease is at higher risk within people who live in close living quarters, such as the dorms here on campus, and I would suggest every student to seek medical attention as soon as possible if symptoms appear” said LuAnne Rickwartz, R.N. at the Student Medical Services. Continue reading →

RHA encourages students to participate in Skip-A-Meal event

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Web Editor’s Note: This story was written for the MCOMM 3309 – News Editing & Reporting Class

Brianna Moore (Sophmore) and Skip Chisum (Director of Student Activites). Photo by Alex Montoya.

Brianna Moore (Sophmore) and Skip Chisum (Director of Student Activites). Photo by Alex Montoya.

The Residence Hall Association is encouraging WTAMU students to participate in the annual Skip-A-Meal event. Any student at WT may volunteer to donate a meal to the less fortunate. The only requirement for students is to have their Buff Gold card number.

“There are sign-up sheets in the halls of WT for students to sign their name and their Buff Gold card number if they want to donate their food,” RHA Vice President of Internal Affairs Brianna Moore, said. “It’s a meal that will be donated for the homeless at Faith City Mission in Amarillo and all students have to do is swipe their card.”

Faith City Ministry is a small building at 22 E. 4th Street in Amarillo. Faith City provides chapel services, Faith City Family Lighthouse, women’s ministries, children’s ministries, clothing outreach, and the Hope Programs for men and women. Continue reading →