Exotic species hunting restricted across Texas

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Andrew Garay

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service ruled a restriction on the hunting of certain exotic species living on hunting ranches across Texas.

Information from the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife – Associated Recreation showed there are 1.1 million hunters that come to, or live, in Texas and spend about $2.2 billion on expenditures. Results from the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University show that from the hunting section of this survey the exotic hunting industry alone has a $1 billion economic impact in Texas.

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) website, the HSUS filed a lawsuit in 2005 over the exemptions under the Endangered Species Act that allowed the captive hunting of the dama gazelle, scimitar horned oryx and the addax. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, these animals are critically endangered or extinct in their native lands, but information from the Exotic Wildlife Association shows that these animals are thriving on the 637 exotic hunting ranches Texas Parks and Wildlife surveyed. Continue reading →

Android app development class open for fall 2012

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jacob Cain

The WTAMU Computer Science department will offer a class in mole app development in the fall.

“We’ve already begun discussing what student projects might look like and some of those may well be in a collaboration with civil and mechanical engineering,” H. Paul Haiduk, instructor of Computer Sciences, said. “Developing apps for data acquisition in our labs…we’re pretty excited about it.”

Haiduk will also teach the class in the fall. Continue reading →

Jean Walker is honored by Amarillo Women’s Network

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Brittany Castillo

WTAMU’s Jean Walker was awarded the 2011 Dual Career/Lifetime Achievement Award by the Amarillo Women’s Network (AWN).

Walker is WT’s Miller Professor of Entrepreneurship, and she created the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team 18 years ago, which wins regional awards annually.

AWN member Lou Ann Garrett nominated Walker for the prestigious award in Jan. 2012.

“Being named to the Miller Professorship of Entrepreneurship is a fitting tribute to her impact in our area and a compelling reason to honor her with AWN’s Career Achievement Award!” Garrett said in her nomination letter. Continue reading →

West Texas A&M Agriculture Department sponsors T.A.G.

Gallery

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jessica Bartel

The Agriculture Gathering (TAG) will take place on April 25 at 6 p.m. in the Agriculture Education Center. TAG’s purpose is to recognize student accomplishments, develop stronger relationships at WTAMU, and gather everyone in the agriculture family. Professor of Agriculture … Continue reading →

WTAMU students unaware of degree plan process

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jessica Chandos

Priority registration began on April 1. Students all over campus are signing up for classes and getting degree plans finalized.

WT students must file a degree plan after completing 60 hours. According to a survey of 50 students, 30 upperclassmen and 20 underclassmen, most upperclassmen are familiar with the advising process, but underclassmen seem to struggle with the process.

Carlos Aguirre, a student worker at the Student Success Center, said freshmen and sophomores need the most assistance.

“We don’t get many questions about degree plans, upperclassmen know what to do. But the freshmen and sophomores have no clue,” Aguirre said. “[We] have a good process on informing people on how to register themselves.” Continue reading →

2010 U.S. report shows campus crimes on the rise

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Ashley Hendrick

Campus crimes are on the rise according to a 2010 report released by the U.S. Department of Education, the Secret Service and the FBI.

The report, titled Campus Attacks: Targeted Violence Affecting Institutions of Higher Education, was released in response to the Virginia Tech incident that occurred in 2007 when VT student Seung-Hui Cho went on a campus shooting spree, killing 32 students and faculty.

The incident not only sparked a federal investigation into crimes in higher education learning environments, but also sparked alarm in college students across the country, including Nathan Nunez, former student of Amarillo College.

“I think the Virginia Tech debacle is a good indicator of how fragile campus security is,” Nunez said via Facebook. “Campus police can hardly be expected to be in every hall, dorm and classroom.” Continue reading →

Prairie, EF win awards for student journalism

Posted on April 3, 2012 by The Prairie

The Prairie and Eternal Flame come home with 23 awards and a scholarship at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention. Continue reading →

WT town hall budget meeting looks at the 2013-2014 year

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Krystina Martinez

Budget Meeting Dates. Graphic by Krystina Martinez.

A town hall budget meeting was held on March 27 to discuss updates for the 2013-2014 school year.

“State appropriations have declined [14 percent] over the last couple of years,” WTAMU President Patrick O’Brien said in the meeting. Appropriations have dipped from $61 million in 2010 to $53 million for the 2012-2013 school year.

In order to make up for the budget shortfalls, WT has proposed to increase designated tuition from $102.51 to $150, an increase of $10 per credit hour. Continue reading →

Amarillo Zoo will host Thompson Park cleanup

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Lisa Hellier

Trash floats at the edge of Thompson lake. Photo by Lisa Hellier.

Web Editor’s Note: To see more photos of the lake, click here.

On April 14, the Amarillo Zoo will be hosting a clean up project in which participants will help clear up lake and creek shorelines throughout Thompson Park. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“We selected the lakes since they are adjacent to the zoo and are enjoyed by many visitors in addition to local and migratory wildlife,” Mike Boley, Amarillo Zoo visitor services coordinator, said. “Each year thousands of waterfowl and songbirds visit the lake for shelter and food, and keeping the water and shorelines clear of trash benefits them. Plus, other wildlife including turtles, frogs, fish, insects and small mammals depend on the lakes for survival.”

Volunteers are invited to attend a free hotdog barbecue that starts at 1 p.m., right after the clean up. Continue reading →

Coffee Memorial Blood Center to host blood drive

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Georgia Romig

Shawn Walker, Junior Pre-Med student, after donating blood. Photo by Georgia Romig.

Web Editor’s Note: To see more photos of the blood drive, click here.

WTAMU is hosting a Blood Drive from April 2 to April 5.

Donations are taken at the JBK Student Center and the “Bloodmobile”, located in front of the Dining Hall from 9 to 6 p.m.

The drive will be sponsored by the Coffee Memorial Blood Center. Since 1949, CMBC has provided life-saving blood products and transfusion services to patients throughout the high plains. One of their regular donation stops is WT. Their last donation drive was on Feb. 6 – 9.

CMBC recently put out a call for donations to help people injured during Spring Break. As written on their Facebook Page on March 29, “Coffee Memorial was already facing an uphill battle with the blood supply following the automobile accidents over Spring Break. However, with several local traumas last night, our blood supply is in critical need of several types in this order of emergent need O-, A+, B-, O+ and A-.” Continue reading →