Category: Christine Mester
Tailgating parties have gone green.
College Democrats initiated a recycling program during the homecoming tailgate. The organization is partnering with the Associated Student Government, Texas State Recycling, Waste Management and Green Guy Recycling.
Christina Starkey, College Democrats secretary, said the effort began after College Democrats witnessed the waste being produced during tailgating parties.
City Council is developing a brand for San Marcos to promote economic development, tourism and marketing efforts.
City Council partnered with public relation and advertising agencies KGBTexas and TateAustinHahn to develop a unique San Marcos brand, which is set to launch in approximately six months.
Citizens will vote today on a Texas constitutional amendment that could increase research funding for public universities, but not Texas State.
Proposition 4 would allocate money from the Higher Education Fund to emerging research institutions who meet specific requirements outlined in the amendment if passed. The amendment is part of an effort to develop more public universities in Texas into national research institutions.
Construction on two bike paths will begin this month to reduce bus crowding and automobile traffic.
Bill Tomlinson, project manager, said the endeavor is part of the Campus Master Plan.
“We need to eliminate more cars from our campus, and bikes are one way to do that,” Tomlinson said. “Students are beginning to use bikes more and more coming into campus, and we’re trying to foster that.”
The project will be funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation in conjunction with university funds.
Students have been walking through construction zones on campus and causing safety concerns for university officials.
In accordance with the Campus Master Plan, construction sites have been posing an inconvenience to students, faculty and staff.
Three active construction sites are on campus and construction to increase parking near Tomas Rivera Drive will begin soon, said Michael Petty, assistant director for facilities planning, design and construction.
An on-campus student organization was recently banned from activities for one year after failing to follow the university’s off-campus solicitation policy.
The policy requires student organizations to present permits before soliciting funds from local businesses.
Chloe Carson, administrative assistant of Campus Activities and Student Organizations, reviews off-campus solicitation requests.
“We correct the solicitations request letters for grammatical errors and make sure the students approach local businesses professionally,”
Saturday’s football game will not be the only kick off at Texas State. New tailgating traditions will make their debut this weekend in effort to draw more fans to the stands.
Texas State tailgating, previously led by SACA, was the subject of much discussion last year because of the move to FBS and the NCAA’s requirement to attract an average of 15,000 people to the stands. A tailgate committee created by ASG will now lead the pre-game festivities.
Austin developers Lamy-Springtown Mall Ltd. withdrew their proposal to redevelop the Springtown Mall center after they failed to receive financial incentives from the City of San Marcos.
The developers requested a multimillion-dollar, no-interest loan from the city. The center, which once housed Target, Best Buy and JCPenney, is now nearly vacant.
Designs for a new train overpass on Aquarena Springs Drive are scheduled to begin this summer.
City officials pushed for the overpass to alleviate traffic and improve air quality in San Marcos. The city has more than 20 railroad crossings and 47 trains pass through daily, according to Melissa Millecam, communications relations director for the City of San Marcos.
Laurie Moyer, assistant city manager, said city officials are now looking for input from the university on the overpass.
The Lambda organization has seen a spike in membership since initiating a campus-wide effort to raise awareness about the LGBTQA community.
Scott Schoenmakers, Lambda president, said the organization supports members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allied community.
