Mason believes in the power of independent film makers. “It is where all great creativity is coming from,” said Mason.

Last weekend, the film festival  kicked off with a mixer, which was held at Tabella at Clear Creek Winery in Kemah on Friday. Once guests had their fill of wine and conversation at the mixer, they made their way to the awards dinner at the South Shore Harbor Resort in League City on Saturday. Finally, guests watched the winning films from the 2010 film festival at a screening that was held at the Butler Longhorn Museum in League City last Sunday. Hal Wixon, Director of the Gulf Coast Film Festival, worked hard to make the festival a success.

The film follows the Mirabal sisters as they set out to free the Dominican Republic from its brutal dictator, Rafael Trujillo. In the end, the sisters’ heroic efforts inspires an international day dedicated to ending violence against women.

“In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we should all take a minute to educate ourselves on this community, which is the fastest growing minority in the United States,” said Susana Hernandez, IISS Coordinator for Educational Programming and Outreach. “The story of the Mirabal sisters shows the history of just one Latin American country (Dominican Republic), which gives us a better understanding of this particular community and their struggle.”

Haney also believes that everyone can benefit from the Mirabal sisters’ story.

“This is the kind of story we all need to know about because learning about other people’s heroism reminds us to keep heroism a part of our lives – especially when we are busy or insecure,” Haney said.

For more information about the film screening or discussion, please contact Susana Hernandez at hernandezsu@uhcl.edu.

All university students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to visit the Community Service Fair and connect with over 20 non-profit agencies from the Houston and Galveston areas. This is a great opportunity to learn more about some of the major non-profits as well as some of the lesser-known agencies.

Those new to volunteering and a little unsure about the experience, consider the many benefits.

“Volunteering fosters a sense of pride in knowing you are giving selflessly of your time,” said Jennifer Clark, assistant director of Student Life –The Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (SLICE). “You can learn so many valuable skills in teamwork and leadership, and it also connects you to your community.”

Some of the local agencies that will be attending include:

• Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees (PAIR) Houston
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
• Krist Samaritan Center
• Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County, Inc.
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Bay Area Turning Point
• Moody Gardens
• Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center-Be the Match
• Baytown Habitat for Humanity , Inc. / Bay Area Houston Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
• Houston Food Bank

David Rachita, interim dean of students

Check out the upcoming issue of The Signal out Sept. 13 to learn about the resignation of Anthony Jenkins and meet David Rachita who is serving as the interim dean of students.

Hilary Jo Karp, chairman of UHCL’s psychology and fitness and human performance division and associate professor of psychology.

Courtney Brodbeck

The Signal Staff

Hilary Jo Karp, chairwoman of the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s psychology and fitness and human performance division, associate professor of psychology and revered faculty member, will be remembered for her profound impact on the lives of her students, colleagues and friends.

Karp passed away July 30, 2009, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster. She and her husband had just returned from the United Kingdom where they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

“Dr. Karp was able to have one last big adventure doing something she loved, traveling, with the person she loved so dearly, her husband,” said David Malin, professor of psychology and neuroscience.

A long time member of the UHCL faculty, Karp proved to be an invaluable asset to the university. She inspired and excited generations of students with her intellect and individuality.

Hilary Jo Karp was born in Los Angeles to Sylvia and Bernie Karp. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California-Los Angeles in 1967, a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Brandeis University in 1970, and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Chicago in 1975.

“Hilary was so passionate about teaching; she loved her students and they loved her,” said Dorothea Lerman, professor of psychology at UHCL. “She was absolutely devoted. If she was ill and couldn’t find someone to teach her course, she would refuse to cancel the lecture and insist on coming anyway. She cared that much about her students.”

Collages of memories were displayed at the memorial service in honor of Hilary Karp held Sept. 2 at UHCL.

Karp was not only a teacher but also an explorer, administrator and musician. She co-founded the Clear Lake Symphony Orchestra in 1976, was a founding member of the Women’s Studies Program, and published numerous articles on behavior analysis. She was also a prize doctoral student of world-renowned University of California psychologist, Israel Goldiamond.

“Hilary was a builder,” Malin said. “She helped develop General Psychology as one of the largest and most successful programs in the university.”

Well known for her wit, intelligence and sense of humor, Karp would, instead of ranting about those who opposed feminism, amusingly impersonate and parody them as one of those “Ladies against Women,” adds Malin.

Karp also found joy in traveling the world with her husband, Charles E. South. Her adventures took her to London, Spain, Israel, Turkey, Norway and Italy, where she immersed herself into the unique cultures and made lifelong friends. In the 1980s, Karp spent the summer with a family in Turkey and dedicated herself to understanding the culture.

One lifelong friend Karp made was Frances Fernandes, who is the principal editor and senior writer for the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States.

The two met when they were undergraduates studying for a year in Madrid, Spain, and became roommates. Karp is also the godmother to Fernandes’ daughter. Their friendship grew after Fernandes moved to Los Angeles, where Karp and her parents lived.

“We just became family,” Fernandes said. “Her parents became my daughter’s grandparents.”

Fernandes remembers walking into her home and finding presents stacked in the corner of the living room. Karp and her family had decided to throw Fernandes a baby shower since she didn’t have anything yet for her child.

“That was really typical of Hilary, to see that there was a need, to think it through, make a plan and follow through with it,” Fernandes said.

Karp’s compassionate nature also overflowed into her work, encouraging others to live up to their full potential, recalls Leslye Mize, director of UHCL’s family therapy program and a graduate student of Karp’s.

“I will always remember how fair and kind she was as a teacher and administrator; she always looked for the best in everyone,” Mize said.

A memorial was held Sept. 2 at UHCL for Karp, where colleagues, friends and family gathered to remember and share stories of how she had impacted their lives.

“Hilary’s death diminished the world that I lived in, especially how much she was able to add to that world and she added a good deal to my world,” said Bruce Palmer, dean of the school of Human Sciences and Humanities.

Though she will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her, Hilary Karp will live on through her many accomplishments and in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.

Jenna Simsen

The Signal Staff

Every semester, the Intercultural and International Student Services have offered information to students and the community to educate and expose certain details of society which are generally unspoken.

Usually, a series will cover a topic for the span of a semester; however, some topics tend to be more complex than others and will cover multiple semesters with multiple speakers.

This semester, IISS chose to spotlight women in law. During the course of the spring semeser, IISS has invited three women lawyers to visit the university to speak about different but very particular topics suggested by students and faculty.

Over the semester, speakers have presented information in workshops educating others about the truths about human embryos, discrimination regarding employment and the most recent topic on human trafficking.

“We’re wanting people to understand that there are segments of society that aren’t often talked about,” said Linda Contreras Bullock, assistant dean of student diversities. “We want to expose unordinary topics.”

Bullock emphasized that the unordinary topics are intentionally chosen, so that those soft subjects are exposed to the community, and spoken of so that others are educated about what really goes on within certain societies.

The human trafficking seminar given by Diana Velardo, a topic of which is very passionate about was discussed and exposed in a workshop open to the university and community. Velardo, a clinical instructor and the crime victim’s coordinator at UH-Law Center, was the third speaker asked to give a presentation because of her vast knowledge of human trafficking and her desire to help those who are victims.

The topic discussed was officially introduced with the slogan “Have You Met a Slave Today?” As claimed, the answer was sure to surprise many. The information Velardo presented was meant to educate others the truth regarding modern-day slavery.

In short, human trafficking is the legal and illegal commerce or trade of people for use in legitimate labor as well as forced labor. This sometimes evolves into involuntary servitude or slave-like situations with no escape. Often times, women who fall victim to human trafficking find they are being forced into sexual servitude or prostitution. Victims usually cooperate with involuntary exploitation when faced with threats of violence or exploitation. Exploitation is not limited to women, as many children are also victims of human trafficking, with similar exploitations occurring. Exploitation can be defined anywhere from rape, slavery, and forced prostitution.

“What happens is, people think they are getting into a smuggling agreement.” Velardo said. “But then find themselves victims of human trafficking, victims of slave-like conditions or victims of involuntary servitude.”

Velardo says that Houston is a large arena for human trafficking. She has assisted with several cases involving the topic. She also serves as the executive director of the Artemis Justice Center, a nonprofit organization she founded to help victims of domestic violence.

It is the objective of Bullock and IISS to expose and educate students and faculty about issues going on in our area that are generally unheard of and kept under the radar. Bullock says they are always taking suggestions or feedback as to what topics should be selected and discussed every semester.

Any student with information, feedback or suggestions can contact Bullock at 281-283-2574 or visit www.uhcl.edu/intercultural.

The Signal Staff

The unabridged evolution theory and the concept of intelligent design will be incorporated in Texas public schools curriculums beginning in 2010.

The Texas Board of Education voted March 27 by a 13-to-2 margin to revise its science curriculum, which was last approved in 1998. The existing curriculum, states that students must be able to analyze the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories such as evolution. The proposed new guidelines removes the “strengths and weaknesses” language, which has been in place since 1988, and state, “scientific theories are well-established and highly reliable explanations, but may be subject to change as new areas of science and new technologies are developed.” The measures adopted by the board may cause debate on key aspects of evolutionary theory such as natural selection and common ancestry.

“In CCISD we focus on strengths, weakness, and changes that have resulted from our improved technology, of all theories, not just evolution,” said Terry Berry, secondary science coordinator for Clear Creek Independent School District.

The Theories

“We present the student to evolution as a biological concept,” said Marvin Stewart with Hardin Independent School District.

Charles Darwin formulated the two theories: creationism, which holds that God created all living things as stated in the Bible; and the theory evolution, which holds that different species have evolved naturally from a common ancestor. Darwin concluded that the creation theory could not be true, and thus opted for the theory of evolution put forth in his book “On the Origins of Species.”

The evolution concept supports the belief that animals and plants have developed or ‘evolved’ gradually through various existing forms.

Intelligent design theory is another theory of origin that claims there is evidence of complex biological structures and other aspects of nature having been designed by a superior intelligence. Their complexity level is so high that these structures could not have just gradually evolved as per Darwin’s Theory. Intelligent design theory does not rely on the biblical account of creation like creationism; it does acknowledge a belief in God.

The Politics

The issue of evolution is one that is tinged with politics, religion, science, legislation and educational curriculum.

Democrats have supported the evolutionary theory and most of the Republicans have opposed it in favor of the creationist theory. From a Pew Poll taken between May 21-24, 2007, it was found that 68 percent of Republicans favored the idea that God created human beings about 10,000 years ago, while only 30 percent believe in evolution. Independents and Democrats, on the other hand, voted 61 and 57 percent, respectively in favor of evolution theory.

Christian fundamentalists protest the teaching of evolution in schools and support the teaching of biblical creationism.

“Because intelligent design is based on belief, not science, we have not included it in our curriculum,” Berry said.

Advocates of intelligent design desire to have it taught in U.S. public schools alongside the Darwinian theory of evolution.

The Opinions

According to a Gallup poll, since 1982 there has been very little change in the views of adult Americans on this issue. Between 43 percent and 47 percent of Americans during this period supported the creationist view that God created human beings pretty much in their present form.

“Between 35 percent and 40 percent have agreed with the alternative explanation that humans evolved, but with God guiding the process as in the case of intelligent design while 9 percent to 14 percent have chosen a pure secularist evolution perspective that humans evolved with no guidance by God,” the Gallop Poll survey states.

These new standards in Texas School curriculums are meant to last over the next ten years and will have a great impact on the classroom education in Texas, its test materials and content of science textbooks.

Photo courtesy of CDC

Matt Griesmyer

The Signal Staff

H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, is quickly becoming a very prevalent issue of conversation.

As of press time for the publication of this article, there were 109 laboratory confirmed cases of the flu infection in the United States, with the only confirmed death from the virus happening in Texas; so far none have been reported on or near the University Houston-Clear Lake campus.  The number of reported cases, however, are growing quickly.

Susan Leitner Prihoda RN, family nurse practitioner and director of health and disability services at UHCL, explained what would happen if even one person became infected on campus.

“If there is a confirmed case of swine flu, the Texas Department of Health will close the campus down,” Prihoda said.

The World Health Organization has an alertness classification system in place for similar situations.  Arranged from phase one through six involving the development and spread of a virus, and two phases following those involving the post-peak and post-pandemic alertness levels. The WHO, the directing authority for health within the United Nations, has raised the alertness level of the swine flu outbreak from phase four to phase five, meaning the pandemic is imminent.

Deb Blakely, assistant professor of communication at UHCL as well as a published author of “Mass Mediated Disease,” a book analyzing three major pandemics and how the media covered them, explains what would classify the current situation as a pandemic, and consequently a WHO phase six alert.

“Rates of infection and the spread of infection,” Blakely said.  “With a pandemic, it typically means that many countries are involved.  You have to have epidemics within several countries to be classified as a pandemic.”

Students are being advised to maintain preventative measures to ensure the health of the area.

Prihoda said that the methods people need to use to prevent getting sick are all about prevention of infection.

“We already know the virus is here,” Prihoda said.  “Start with essential handwashing technique, use antibacterial hand gel if you cannot wash your hands often, and stay away from sick people.”

Should a student feel ill and have flu-like symptoms, students are advised to stay away from campus and visit a doctor.  The office of campus health and disability services at UHCL is prepared to test, in certain situations, for swine flu.

The symptoms of swine flu are no different than any other influenza strain.  Running a fever, body aches, sore throat, congestion and runny nose are common symptoms, with the key characteristic being the fever.  The incubation period for swine flu is 24 to 48 hours, with the illness lasting an average of five days.

UHCL is taking measures to prepare the university in case of confirmed infection. The university has put into place a risk management team to analyze all potential problems and situations involving swine flu, arranging university-level responses for each.  Anthony Jenkins, dean of students at UHCL is on the risk management team.

“We are looking at contingency plans,”  Jenkins said.  “We are trying to think through every scenario possible and put in place something that will help us be proactive and reactive to that situation.”

Situations that are still under analysis include finals, summer classes and commencement.  If there is any update in the information regarding classes being held, students will be notified by email.

Also, students can check the UHCL home Web page for updates.

A common idea shared by Jenkins, Prihoda and Blakely is to stay calm, but stay informed and aware.

Throughout these times it can be easy to become too inundated with hype produced by other sources that the facts can become muddled.

The most reliable sources for information involving the swine flu are the Web sites of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the World Health Organization at www.cdc.gov and www.who.int, respectively.

Preparations for the potential swine flu pandemic are similar to hurricane procedures.  Collect enough water and food for two weeks and keep vehicles topped off with gasoline.  Also, keep cash money on hand in preparation of bank closures.  Should the situation occur in which certain city facilities become shut down, it is important to be prepared.

The Signal Staff

At Virginia Tech, April 16, 2007, a gunman went on a killing spree leaving 32 students and faculty members dead. The gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, also a student at Virginia Tech, killed himself afterward.

Less than a year later, Steven Kazmierczak opened fire on a geology class at Northern Illinois University killing five students. Kazmierczak, like Cho, was a student at the university where he gunned down his fellow students; he also committed suicide after his tirade.

These two tragedies sent shock waves throughout the country and people began to question what could be done to keep college campuses safe.

In the wake of the shooting, a particular bill has picked  up steam in Texas House Bill 1893. The bill will allow a concealed handgun license holder to “carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder’s person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state.”

An institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state may adopt any rule, regulation, or other provision prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns on the campus of the institution.

The bill, sponsored by State Representative Joe Driver (R), received five ayes and three nays in a vote held by the Public Safety Committee. The bill will be scheduled to go before the whole house next.

Driver feels that House Bill 1893 can make school campuses safer without added danger.

“‘Gun-free zones’ merely serve to disarm honest victims,” Driver said. “Criminals who are intent on committing violent acts will ignore any campus policy restricting firearms or any state law banning them from university grounds.  This bill levels the playing field for those who have demonstrated that they are law-abiding, responsible citizens.  Allowing concealed handguns to be carried almost everywhere else in the state of Texas has not resulted in an increase in violent crime — in fact, studies have shown the opposite.  That will not change if we simply remove a geographical boundary that is currently off-limits to Texas concealed handgun liscenses.”

The state representative also feels that armed students who are CHL carriers would be a good defense against armed attackers such as Cho and Kazmierczak.

“I believe that a lawfully owned firearm in the hands of any law-abiding citizen is both a strong deterrent and often the only defense against a violent attacker,” Driver said. “As good a job as they do, first responders are often just that: responders to a crime or crime scene that has already taken place.”

The issue of accidental gun discharges is a circumstance that Driver dismisses as unlikely to occur.

“We’ve had concealed carry in Texas for 13 years now and I’m not aware of incidents involving accidental shootings among the 300,000-plus licensees we have in this state,” Driver said. “The bill has immunity for the schools built into it, although that was done at the request of the schools and not because I thought it was necessary for the bill.”

Many critics feel that House Bill 1893 is an overreaction stemming from the Virginia Tech shooting After the Virginia Tech shooting, many people questioned gun laws that allowed a mentally ill person to purchase guns. Cho, despite having a record of psychological problems, was able to buy his guns legally. Driver, however, does not see it that way.

“The shootings at Virginia Tech and other institutions across the country may have served to spark the debate and media frenzy on the issue of concealed carry on campus,” Driver said.  “But I’m carrying this bill because I believe that licensed, law-abiding adult students, professors or employees shouldn’t be denied the right to protect themselves from any random criminal act just because they study, work or live on a college or university campus.”

House Bill 1893 has recently sparked debate among colleges in Texas. Students from the University of Texas walked out of class April 16 to protest outside the capital. The protest was held on the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings.

Patrick Cardenas, president of the UHCL Student Government Association, believes each university should be responsible for campus security.

“Each public university has the capabilities to ensure campus safety by issuing policies of their own without such a policy as allowing a concealed handgun,” Cardenas said.

Anthony Jenkins, dean of students, believes that House Bill 1893 stemmed from the Virginia Tech Shootings but does not agree with Driver about allowing concealed handguns in the classroom.

“All of this is a kneejerk reaction to my alma mater, Virginia Tech, and that tragedy has spawned a lot of people to have conversations about weapons on campus,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins considers the bill to be what he calls a “feel good bill” aimed at making people feel good. However he believes that this bill would take away from what a college institution is intended to be.
“It disrupts the fundamental purpose of higher education, we should be in the business of helping young men and women become scholars and critical thinkers,” Jenkins said. “Move them to a point to where they add to an educated citizenry and not resort to violence, intimidation and threats.”

Unlike Driver, Jenkins doesn’t believe that armed CHL carriers will bring about more peace on college campus. He thinks colleges should use more preventive approaches.

“What we need to do is focus on more prevention, tighter admissions policies, looking at backgrounds of students, creating more of a safety net rather than simply carrying more guns,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins, an army veteran, feels that the training required to receive a CHL may not be enough for an individual to perform in an intense situation.

“With an M-16 assault rifle I’m considered an expert; I can hit 40 out of 40 targets out to 400 yards OK,” Jenkins said. “I was trained to do that, and the repetition made me better. To take an individual who may have to certify with a hand gun once a year and now throw them in a crisis situation where their adrenaline is pumping, they’re nervous, there is chaos and confusion and you want an individual be it 18, be it 35, to compose themselves and take out someone who is firing at them. That’s not easy, and I think that is what will open us up to more serious injuries, fatal injuries and liabilities, and that is not where we should be moving in higher education.”

Police Chief Paul Willingham, like Jenkins, also questions the training of those who are CHL carriers. He believes some CHL carriers could help, but some may make dangerous situations worse.
“Some who have advanced military and law enforcement training; I would not have a problem with,” Willingham said. “Those without this type of training and experience would be useless in a fire fight and would likely be severely injured or killed themselves.”

Willingham acknowledges that deciding who is allowed to carry a handgun into the classroom is out of law enforcement hands.

“I’m not opposed to every student carrying a firearm, but there are no checks and balances,” Willingham said. “The inability know what you’re getting causes a lot of anxiety.  I hate to leave it to a ten hour class.”

Even with the VT and NIU shootings,Willingham insists that college campuses are still safe.

“Campuses are far safer than the cities around them,” Willingham said. “Look at the comparison of crimes on the campus, the fraction is so low.”

Colleges have had less shooting deaths than schools K-12. Jenkins wonders if the next step is to start arming people on this level of education who are over 18 years old.

Students who have questions about House Bill 1893 can find contact information on Joe Driver and all the other State Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.