Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Multimedia Project Package: Texas State Dorms
Story, Video, Photos & Google Map By: Alyson Svec
College is a time for new beginnings and experiences. For students, living on campus is a way to begin their new journey.
Annie Schultz, English junior, believes there are certain experiences you can only have while living on campus.
“Living on campus brings about a sense of community and pride students living off campus can get separated from,” said Schultz.
Living on campus provides interacting socially within the community, being in close proximity to campus, such as the library, academic buildings and dining halls, and performing better academically. Classes are within walking distance, so there is no need to wake up earlier to catch a bus.
Although the thought of having privacy with your own room and bathroom sounds ideal, some transfer students and upperclassmen prefer living on campus rather than leasing an apartment.
Rena Iglehart, electronic media student, believes living on campus is about adapting and getting to know people.
“You don’t always have what you want. The air conditioner may not always work and you may have no hot water for a while. Everything is not going to be ideal like you see on TV. The real joys of living in the dorm are getting to meet new people. I think everyone should experience dorm life,” said Iglehart.
There are numerous housing options for students at Texas State University. Included is information for upcoming students about rates, the housing policy, deadlines and more.
The following interactive map lists the traditional style dorms and suites at Texas State University. Click on the link below to learn about dorm statistics, history about each and watch videos of students talking about why they like living in a dorm.
View Texas State Dorms larger map
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Cashing In for College
Students at Texas State University are concerned about the rising costs of college tuition.
Public four-year colleges charge an average of $7,605 per year in tuition for in-state students, according to CollegeBoard. This total does not include housing, food, books or supplies.
Stacy Krupala, 22-year-old student is concerned about the rising costs of college and how this will affect her in the future.
“If it increases, I may not have the means or funds to afford college to further my education,” said Krupala.
Krupala started at a community college because it was more affordable and was in her hometown, so she did not have to drive far. She works and saves money by placing it in a special account for college spending.
Cody Lindemann has already been affected by tuition costs and does not want to see them rise.
“It will take longer for me and it will be harder to get my life settled and started,” said Lindemann.
Lindemann took a year off from school because he could not afford it. He worked full-time instead and attended the following year. Yet, he also feels that college is not meant for everyone, and there are other ways to make a living other than having an education.
21-year-old student, Jessica Montez, believes the cost of college will eventually affect her, but knows how important attending college is regardless of the cost.
“On a scale of one to five of importance, I would say a five. Everyone needs a higher education,” said Montez.
Montez deposits money in her savings and also applies for Financial Aid, which is the main contributor for her to pay for college.
Steven Levinson, 18-year-old student, does not apply for Financial Aid, but also believes in the importance of education and saved money by starting off at a community college.
“I was only going for basics and I was paying for it myself so it was the smartest thing to do,” said Levinson.
Although Levinson does not know how the college costs will affect him in the future, he continues to work and puts money in his savings.
Use the College Cost Calculator to get an estimate of future college tuition costs. Students differ on the ways to save and make money, but are all concerned about how their future education may be affected.
Eco-friendly Students Impact on Sustainability
Elizabeth Thai, 18-year-old student, understands the importance to contribute to society by being environmentally friendly.
"I recycle items such as aluminum cans, paper, and plastic bags. I don't do enough, but I do recycle some," said Thai.
As a society, Thai feels we are not contributing enough and the idea of 'going green' is a trend that will eventually become a fad.
Another student who also participates in taking part to help out the environment is Katy Hunter.
"I don't use water bottles. I take my own reusable bottle every day," said Hunter.
She helps by recycling and reusing, because she feels is it simple to do.
Low-income student, Sergio De Anda, believes in the importance of sustainability, yet does not participate fully to be environmentally friendly because of cost and time efficiency.
"I know I should help the environment but buying eco-friendly products costs more and recycling takes a lot of time," said De Anda.
Everybody is concerned about the environment, but not enough people are taking action. Although he does not recycle, taking the bus is the way he contributes to the environment by saving fuel.
Marilyn Elder, 23-year-old student from San Marcos, Texas, is also concerned about the environment and finds alternate ways to help.
"I commute on the bus and walk on campus as much as I can," said Elder.
She also recycles using the Bobcat bins and believes in 'going green.'
Danny Jenkins, 21-year-old student, understands the society's concern about the environment, but believes more can be done to help.
"I'm concerned for future generations. I know my generation won't be forced to directly deal with our current environmental problems like pollution and global warming, but some day one generation will," said Jenkins.
Although he is not a member of an environmental group, he does his best to help by recycling, picking up cigarettes others have thrown on the ground, and not littering. Jenkins feels some people are more careless about the environment though.
Student and educator, Esperanza Young, is also concerned about the future of the environment.
"Although I am not sure if I believe in global warming, it affects a lot and I don't want to see nature destroyed," said Young.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Profile Story - Ectrodactyly
Born with lobster claw hands and feet, Jessica Montez, a 21-year-old advertising major at Texas State University does not let this condition put a hold on her life.
Ectrodactyly is a rare birth defect that causes malformation to the hands and feet. Montez has middle digits missing, while the rest fuse together. All related to genetics, this condition occurs about once in 90,000 births.
Her father, Jesse Montez, 55, started the first generation in his family during the late fifties. His mother, at 45, took the pill Thalidomide to cure morning sickness, which caused these birth defects.
“We discussed with the family that we felt that this was the Ectrodactyly, Ectodermal Dysplasia, and Clefting Syndrome (EEC). It is autosomal dominant with variable expression with perhaps lack of penetrance in some families.” said M.D. Lillian H. Lockhart.
The most common type is linked to the mutation of the seventh chromosome.
There are no preventions, although several treatments can make the hands appear normal, while still functioning differently than others.
Although Montez has this condition, she appreciates being this way.
“I believe everything happens for a reason, so I’m happy I have this because I am unique,” said Montez.
During school, she feels different from other students in her classes.
“Everyone else seems so fast paced. I am used to doing everything slower,” said Montez.
Montez is a perfectionist at heart. She focuses more on her studies, since she knows it will take her longer to complete. Her mental development is slower, but she feels she has matured well.
Typing and writing is no challenge to her. She learned where all the keys are and can type at a decent pace. She also receives notes from her professors instead of writing them.
Cody Lindemann, a 20-year-old student, believes Jessica fit in well with others during school.
“She was in my class for a whole semester and I didn’t even notice she had three fingers on each hand,” said Lindemann.
He believes she is a normal human being just like everyone else.
In a similar situation, it took six months before her father’s coworker noticed his hand condition.
Whether televising sewer lines in Austin, delivering newspapers in La Grange or doing manual labor as a crew leader, he still handled each task offered to him.
“I felt normal. A lot of employees treated me like a real person,” said Jesse Montez.
Although teased throughout the years, Montez does not care what others think of her.
“Take a picture, since it will last longer. I’m sure you’ve seen worse than me,” said Montez.
Some of the challenges she faces are walking on campus, running, buttoning her clothes, and opening items.
Seeing it as a blessing, her father believes being born without all his fingers is not a challenge, because he never misses something he never had.
“I have a thumb, so at least you can still hitchhike,” said Montez.
He still challenges himself though. Snapping his fingers took five years to learn.
Numerous side effects are linked to Ectraodactyly including abnormalities of skin, hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands as well as cleft lip, limb defects and hearing loss.
Montez has one enlarged kidney, so she makes trips to the restroom every hour, and always goes before and after class. She was also born with no wisdom teeth, uneven hips, and no tear ducts.
“She had it rough sometimes. People stared at her, and I was overprotective at times, but I just want the best for her,” said her mother, Wanda Montez.
Since she has no arch in her feet, she has trouble keeping balance. Her doctor broke her toes and put pins in them when she was younger to straighten them out since they did not bend. Montez wears different sized shoes because of her toes.
Those who have Ectraodactyly or have children with the condition are at increased risk for passing it onto future children.
“In each of their pregnancies they would have a 50 percent chance to have a child that would receive the gene,” said Lockhart.
Montez is concerned about the future when she is ready to start a family.
“When I have kids, I wonder how their genetics may turn out,” said Montez.
Besides her struggles, she can still play sports and get involved with numerous activities.
Because of the way her hand is shaped, she is good at catching a ball, hitting volleyball over the net and playing pool. She also enjoys bowling, watching television, and making collages.
Some benefits of having this disability allow her to register sooner for classes, park closer to campus, and have extra time on her tests.
When Jessica and her father play pool, the bump between their hands helps them hold a pool stick better.
“You have the perfect hands for pool,” said a friend of the father.
People in the bar used to call her father an alien, three fingers, and a frog, but he joked with them, and realized they will not hurt him.
He believes there are fewer fingers to worry about when doing certain tasks like painting nails.
“If you have less fingers you should get a discount on a pedicure,” said Montez.
Montez has an interest in learning more about her condition. As she gets older, she realizes new information arrives over time, so she learns more every day.
She said, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Desired Dream of Becoming a Journalist
By: Alyson Svec
My most desired dream for the future is to become a successful journalist. Writing has always been something I enjoy doing. I am able to express myself through words the best. When I first attended college, I felt lost on what I wanted to be when I grew up. I thought Business was in the cards for me, until I realized the right path I should take was within Mass Communication. In my free time, I started my first blog a year ago on Tumblr. I wrote about personal experiences, current events, entertainment, and anything else which caught my interest. I will use this new blog to do the same.
I understand how media has changed during the years. Technology has become more advanced, users are able to access information instantly at any time and place, information can be stored with unlimited space, along with many more possibilities. This change puts a challenge for journalists since print media with newspapers and magazines have now been introduced to the online world today. Journalists need to know how to use computers and certain programs, such as InDesign. Even though we have gone from a simple to advanced state, I believe if I set my mind to it, success is just a few steps away.
Writing is my passion; my future career. Years from now, no matter how much has changed or what happens, I know I will be able to look back and say, "I did what I love to do and this makes me happy." I believe in the power of never giving up on your dreams and staying positive. I may or may not be the best writer, but everyone is unique and has their own opinions. I hope to show off my creativity and see where it takes me in the future.
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