Surveillance cameras all over campus are in the process of being upgraded. The projected expense for the upgrade is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

A number of surveillance cameras around campus are in the process of being updated and installed.

Chris Pasztor, psychology graduate, has recently set up a food truck named Smoked Out Barbeque located at Mimi's Trailer Park Eatery.

After earning a degree from Texas State, one alumnus decided to abandon the career path he chose in college to pursue something more adventurous—opening a food trailer.

Chris Pasztor graduated with a degree in psychology in August 2009. He originally planned to attend graduate school to further his career and eventually become a professor at the collegiate level. However, Pasztor soon realized he had been in school long enough and was ready to move on to other pursuits.

“I got my degree and ran off into the adult world,” Pasztor said.

The National Science Foundation awarded grants to two Texas State assistant professors this semester for their work as researchers and teachers.

Assistant physics professor Nikoleta Theodoropoulou and assistant computer science professor Apan Qasem were each granted $500,000 NSF CAREER awards by the foundation. The awards will fund their research projects at Texas State over the next five years.

Susan Beauchamp, associate director for the Office of Sponsored Programs, said the foundation’s funds are awarded annually. Future funds may be projected, but Beauchamp said the foundation might feel the impact of the federal fund sequestering situation.

A former Texas State student is gaining national attention for his master’s thesis that examines the correlation between Facebook and anxiety, loneliness and alcohol and substance use.

Russell Clayton found that of the 225 college freshmen who responded to his survey, those who reported higher anxiety and alcohol use were more emotionally connected to Facebook. He found students who were more lonely and anxious use Facebook as a platform to connect with others. Clayton received his bachelor’s in psychology in 2010 and a master’s in health psychology in 2012. Clayton is now at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism obtaining a Ph.D. in media and psychophysiology.

“Emotional connectedness refers to the degree to which Facebook is integrated into individuals’ daily lives,” Clayton said.

The Alumni Association is formulating a strategic master plan that will outline ways to strengthen ties with the approximately 150,000 graduates spread across the state and country.

Kim Gannon, alumni executive director, said during the March 17 Faculty Senate meeting the association’s strategic master plan will determine the goals and objectives for increasing former-student involvement. Texas State has an alumni-participation rate of 5 percent, according to the office of University Advancement webpage. The plan comes after several years of transition within the Alumni Association, which has had its bylaws rewritten and changes made to the Board of Directors, Gannon said.

City councilmembers are considering amending the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget to authorize the addition of four new firefighters and one new police officer to San Marcos’ police and fire departments.

Councilman Jude Prather, Place 2, said the amendment originated from staffing issues at the San Marcos Fire Department, and the city’s police team needs an additional officer in response to the growing community. Prather said some firefighters are having to work overtime, and another police officer would make the city safer. The city’s budget would be amended to authorize $226,650 of funds for the additions.

“Every year our city grows, and as we grow our need for public safety grows with it,” Prather said.
Prather said it is “extremely unlikely” the amendment will not pass. The search to find people to fill the new posts has already begun, he said.

President Denise Trauth swears-in Associated Student Government President-elect Vanessa Cortez April 17 in the Quad.

Vanessa Cortez enthusiastically said her first hello to the student body as Associated Student Government president while her parents watched from the front row.

City councilmembers unanimously approved the final reading of the new Comprehensive Master Plan Tuesday, which will officially be updated for the first time in almost 20 years.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a master plan. Congratulations,” said Mayor Daniel Guerrero at the city council meeting.

The councilmembers, city staff and residents completed the 13-month process of updating the city’s 17-year-old master plan, which will now guide the population growth and infrastructure for the next 10 years. Matthew Lewis, director of planning and development services, said the whole process started with Dream San Marcos. Lewis said public input was the driving force of finalizing the master plan.

“It captured community voices we typically don’t hear from, and (the public’s) ideas were incorporated in the Comprehensive Master Plan,” Lewis said.

Alesha Waters whizzed down the familiar path toward Lantana Hall on her favorite golf cart to pick up the first call of the night.

For Waters, physical therapy sophomore and Bobcat Bobbie, Lantana Hall is where most of her requests for a ride are from. This trip was unique in that one of her coworkers had received an identical request and was on the way to the dorm as well.

Two female students walked down the stairs of the dorm as Waters pulled up and sat on the back of the golf cart. Waters told the girls that groups of four will have to split up because only three people will fit. The girls were fine with that—the call Waters’ coworker received was from the other half of their group. Waters just shook her head.

This occurrence is normal for a Bobcat Bobbie.

Texas State is one step closer to its sixth name change since 1903.

State senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 974 April 10, which would eliminate “–San Marcos” from the end of the university’s name. The change is currently pending in the House, from which university administrators hope to hear a final decision later this week. The institution’s name was modified 10 years ago from Southwest Texas State University to its current title. Provost Eugene Bourgeois said this should be the last name change for the university.

University President Denise Trauth said in a statement the school is already referred to as “Texas State” or “Texas State University” in instances other than legal documents.

Bourgeois said the name change reflects the “need and desire” to eliminate confusion surrounding the Round Rock campus. If Gov. Rick Perry signs the bill into law, the Round Rock campus would be referred to as the “Texas State University Round Rock Campus.”