SHSU Update for Week of April 28

Parents' Association to Host Apple Days

They will be at the location from 8:30 a.m. until the supplies are gone.

Each semester, the Parents' Association hosts two Apple Days, giving out more than 1200 apples and 5000 Scantrons to Sam Houston students.

"We know how stressful the end of the semester can be, so we like to show our support to the entire student body and hope they each do well on their tests and final projects," said Ginny Melancon, president of the association.

The Parents' Association is an organization of Sam Houston parents who actively support the students through awarding scholarships and hosting special events. The association raises funds from member dues and events for its annual scholarships.

The association also assists with planning Parents' Weekend each fall semester, answering questions for parents of new students during Orientation each summer, and hosting Apple Days each semester.

Parents, guardians and families of Sam Houston students are encouraged to join the association not only to support students but also to have a primary link to the university. Through events like Parents' Weekend and a periodically published newsletter, members stay involved and informed about campus issues, events and news.

For more information about membership, volunteering with the association or scholarships, call SHSUPA Vice President-Publicity Kelly Clements at 903.581.5224. For general information, call SHSUPA Adviser Mary Ellen Sims at 936.294.3026.

Maintenance Projects to Affect Campus Locations

The buildings affected will be: Academic Building 2, Belvin-Buchanan Hall, Elliott Hall, Estill Hall, University Health Center, King Hall, Criminal Justice Center and Hotel, Lawrence House, Mitchell House, Zeta Tau Alpha House, Ann Gibbs House, Charles O. Stewart House, Rachel Jackson House, Ann Shaver House, Alpha Delta Pi House, and Margaret Lea Houston House.

Individuals who work or visit on campus should also be aware that several streets and parking lots will be repaved during May.

On May 10, the university will close Ave. J between Smith-Kirley Hall and the Dan Rather Communications and Peabody Buildings from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for street repairs.

During the time period between May 9-24, University Ave. from Academic Building 2 to the Estill Classroom Building will be closed for repaving, as well as the parking lots across from the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

'Hooked on Fishing...Not on Drugs

The program is for children 8 to 14 years old and will take place at the University's Gibbs Ranch Facility on Highway 75 North.

For more information, or to make reservations, contact Patrick Antwi with the City of Huntsville Parks and Recreation Department at 936.295.5725.

Doctoral Candidate Researches Female Sex Offenders

Glen Kercher served as the chairperson of the dissertation committee, and committee members were Charles Friel, Raymond Teske, Jr., and John Edens.

"This research is unique in that it utilizes one of the largest samples in an empirical assessment of female sex offenders," said Vandiver.

Vandiver's research included an assessment of 532 registered female sex offenders in Texas, which were accessed through the Texas Department of Public Safety's sex offender registry. Additional information was attained from each offender's criminal history to provide more information about each offender's criminal arrest patterns.

Vandiver's research found that most (88 percent) of the registered adult female sex offenders in Texas were Caucasian. The majority (88 percent) had only one sex offense noted in her criminal history, with the largest percentage (34 percent) having committed indecency with a child, involving sexual contact. These females received an average sentence length of approximately eight years.

The victims were typically young. Fifty-three percent were between the ages of 12 and 17, while 25 percent were between the ages of six and 11.

The adult female sex offenders abused male and female victims equally. Female sex offenders differed from adult male sex offenders, who abuse females at higher rates than males.

Vandiver also developed a classification scheme, identifying six types of female sex offenders. The results of this research will be presented in upcoming criminal justice conferences and submitted for publication.

The research is expected to make a substantial contribution to the literature on female sex offenders.

"This research focuses on a group of offenders who are often overlooked, which leads to low official reports of such incidents," Vandiver said. "It provides a foundation of information that future research can build upon."

Vandiver is currently an assistant professor at Illinois State University, Department of Criminal Justice Sciences. She will be awarded the doctorate in criminal justice during Sam Houston State University's commencement ceremonies on May 4.

Student Selected for Grammys Internship

Walter was chosen as the group's one intern for summer 2002, and she is the first Sam Houston State student to be selected for the position. Her responsibilities will involve event management, demographic studies, public relations/marketing, and artist promotions and development. The Texas Chapter serves the southwest region of the United States.

In summer 2001, Walter served as an intern with Arista Records, Inc. in New York City. Her duties included working in urban promotions and publicity. Much of her work was with platinum artists--those selling over a million records.

Outstanding Student Writers Honored

The event was hosted by the Across-the-University Writing Program, Alpha Chi National Scholarship Honor Society, and the Student Government Association.

Bill Bridges presented "Writing Matters" as part of the program, and certificates were presented to each of the 165 students who had been nominated by SHSU faculty as outstanding writers.

Part of the celebration included the Dr. A. J. Koinm Best Freshman Composition Competition. English faculty submitted 30 outstanding papers for the competition, and two first place winners and one honorable mention were selected.

The first place winners were: Literary Analysis - Retta Price, whose paper was "Analysis of 'The Blind Man' by Kate Chopin"; and Personal Narrative - Kim Castell, whose paper was "The Last Beating."

Honorable Mention was awarded to Lorie Rose Gonzalez, whose paper was "Not Guilty."

SHSU Update

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
April 28, 2002
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu