Students can look forward to expanded options in the Honors Program as university officials seek transformation into a college.

The change will bring an increase in course offerings and further growth and prestige of the program, said Heather Galloway, program director of University Honors.

Shane Scott handled the news of his victory in the race to San Marcos City Council Place 6 the same way he handled his campaign — by not talking to the media.

Scott put his hand in front of a reporter’s face, refusing to comment following the win Tuesday night.

Scott, business owner, received 54.6 percent of the vote, defeating Rodney Van Oudekerke, retired police officer, who garnered 45.4 percent.

Neither Scott nor Van Oudekerke returned multiple requests for comment.

The construction of the North Campus Housing Complex began Wednesday morning after a ceremonial groundbreaking.

The residence hall, located next to the Student Health Center, is scheduled for a fall 2012 completion.

Democratic incumbent Tommy Ratliff and Gary Cutler, a state police officer with the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission, are running for Hays County sheriff.

Ratliff, who assumed office December 2008, said he realizes the jail is old and needs work despite the jail passing commission inspection two different times within the year.

“We continually work day to day on that jail,” Ratliff said. “Unfortunately, we are in the position that the jail is old. It’s over 22 years old and we have issues all the time.”

Students not knowing what to do with aquarium fish and plants have the opportunity to enrich elementary students’ education while protecting the river.

Residential life just got a little greener.

The Department of Housing and Residential Life distributed 3,100 red, blue and yellow recycling buckets to every dorm room on campus last week in an effort to promote environmental responsibility.

University officials first implemented on-campus recycling about 10 years ago. This action is the first time recycling has been brought directly to students’ bedroom.

ASG President Mel Ferrari has expanded the 10 campaign initiatives in the Ferrari-Ray platform to 22 proposals in her executive agenda.

“We recognize this executive agenda is a very ambitious one at that, but on the same note, this is what we believe we can accomplish for the student body and more that is not included in there,” Ferrari said.

The 10 initiatives Ferrari and ASG Vice President Colter Ray campaigned on included themes of school pride and outreach.

Students, faculty and alumni congregated for the 18th annual African American Leadership Conference Sept. 9 to Sept. 12 at the LBJ Student Center where more than 200 high school and college students participated in events and workshops.

The “Replenish the Leader to Sustain Excellence for a Greater Tomorrow” conference theme touched base on leadership, sustaining a role in the community and networking.

Texas Wild Rice has been on the endangered species list for more than 30 years. Now, the aquatic grass is only found within a two-mile radius of the upper part of the San Marcos River near Sewell Park.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Wild Rice is endangered because the river water is being impacted by the growth of San Marcos.