The Colegio Blogporter

Literature as a Future

By: Stephanie Figueroa

“Television is infecting the mind much faster than bacteria” (Foster, 2001) Because of such infection, students who become fascinated with literature are less.

Due to that number being less, the amount of students who enroll at the University for English Literature are also less.

In August 2010, 18 students matriculated into the English department at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Six of which have already talked about transferring to another department, according to Gloria Muniz.

Since I have knowledge of who the remaining 12 are, I set up an interview to see what they wanted to do with an English bachelor’s degree. Seven have already said they wanted to major in Linguistics. Two clearly stated that they did not know what they wanted to do with English. And the single one said “Literature…of course”, and the remaining two were unavailable for questions.

Literature has much to offer students especially if it’s at UPRM.

The UPRM English Department has the club EDSA to back them up. EDSA is a group of students, no matter which department that gather together to create festivals.

The most wide received one is the Literature Festival. Each year, students write something that has to do with that year’s theme and perform it on stage.

This year, the festival was about Children’s Literature. Students re-wrote fairytales and twisted them a bit to make them more entertaining for older students.

Presentations were also given about the importance of literature at a young age.

Angel Matos, a Master’s Students a UPRM spoke about his adventure into literature and the impact it had made in his life.

“With Literature you can enter a world of endless imagination, where only you are the creator” said Angel Matos during his presentation.

Much of what we see today on television is based on stories and poems written centuries ago. Yet what we see on television is just an imitation. Wouldn’t you like to know what the real story said?

With Literature, you get to go back in time and read about Shakespeare tragedy and loss, Oscar Wilde’s soul swapping portrait, Beowulf, a man with the strength of 30 men in one hand, and poetry, not about heartbreak, but about the most important thing in the world, nature and everything it’s tied to.

But Literature is not all about reading. The UPRM offers many courses where you can learn how to write like the famous authors of the past and the ones like to day. Isn’t that cool?

In the course Expository Writing, you get to write about events that created an impact in your life, you get to play the field and interview people about a topic that interests you, and you even get to write a debatical essay on what you think is most important.

There is also a Creative Writing course, where you get to write whatever you like. You get to use your own imagination, and write about things that are out of this world. Unlike math and Science, where everything must be proven.

The professors at the UPRM English Department are not pieces of cake. Dr. Nandita Batra, Dr. Nick Haydock, Prof. Jose Irizarry, Prof. Mary Leonard, and Prof. Gayle Griggs (to name a few) are somewhat of a challenge.

They all motivate their students to read and be ready for in class discussion. But despite reading something that was written centuries ago, and is boring, like normal high school books are, you will begin to enjoy the assigned readings and learn more from them each time.

But reading doesn’t always have to be written by dead people. Many professors also motivate you to read something for class written not too long ago. Such as Lois Lowry.

Even if you do study Literature, what kind of future can you have?

Haven’t you ever wanted to be famous for something? When I was a little girl I always thought I’d be famous for being the first female president. But now that I’m older, I want to be famous because I’ll be a great writer.

But being a story writer is not the only thing you can do with a literature bachelor’s degree.

You can teach, be an actor, journalist, publisher, proofreader, Media Representative, a communications specialist, or an editor, (to name a few).

The English program the UPRM has to offer is not big enough like other schools, but in my opinion, it is definitely the best, since everyone there challenges you to become a better reader and writer.

BRAIN DRAIN

By: Emmanuel Alemán Pagán

College Students Different from other campuses?

As the recent news show the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez(UPRM) students recently had two assemblies; One by December 14, 2010 and another one by December 2, 2010. In the First assembly students vote for no strike and not fee, and also give an ultimatum to the administration. In the second assembly students did almost the same with the difference of a walk to Rectory.

UPRM studets march to rectory  after second assembly ends by                                                                                                              
January 14

After the assemblies student’s big questions came up like: How we are going to press the administration if there’s no strike? “I really didn’t understand the not strike not fee decision, the strike is one of the strongest ways to pressure the administration. How they pretend to eliminate the fee if they don’t fight for it?” said Luis Candelaria. In the other hand he Luis said “If there isn’t more option I would propose a march to the board of trustees because they are the only ones who can remove the fee”.

Students at (UPRM) are still by the date inside the university taking class. This occurs by the so called Central American Games “Centroamericanos”. When the strike began in April 2010 students couldn’t finish their semester until summer except for (UPRM) students. (UPRM) students finish their semester by august because the Central American Games were taking place in the UPRM facilities. “Students vote against the strike without being informed, just thinking that the semester ends in January” said Miguel Angel. “The UPRM students go to those assemblies with the decision already taken (No Strike), they didn’t get informed, they didn’t read the Middle States report” added Miguel.

UPRM students express their feelings Picture taken by Colegge Students In Actions

The Middle States Commission is the institution that gives the accreditation to the UPR system. After the strike of April ended 10 of 11 of the UPR campuses were placed on probation for leadership and governance standard. “The current governance of the institution simply does not work. Is one in which no dialogue between the different constituents” (Middle States Inform).  The Middle States Commission reiterated that the strike is not the problem but as the symptom of a much larger problem (Middle States Inform). “The big part of the students at the UPRM votes for no strike also because the possibility that the University closes, nobody wants a diploma from a closed University but nobody get informed neither” said Miguel

The UPR were placed on probation also for the resources standard.  The standard requires that the University can demonstrate that they possess the material and financial resources to be able to operate in a predictable manner, medium and long term(Middle State Inform).

The standard of academic offerings was also on probation. In the visit of the Middle States to 10 of the 11 campuses of the UPR system they keep in probation the 10 of the 11 campuses for the leadership and governance standard. “I personally get informed of why the university continued on probation, and I was in favor of the strike but the big majority weren’t” said Juan Alicea.

The Special fee the administration of the UPR system plan to impose consists of $800 per year, per student. The administration plan to impose this fee because of  the economic crisis in the UPR system. The UPR system are owed about $231,493,005.92 from different institutions like “Hacienda” who owed 21 percent of that debt (Presentation Fee CRE).

The special fee is one of the main reasons if not the only one for a new strike. Students all over the UPR system are doing their methods of struggle against this imposition. “In my house we are 3 in the UPRM, that would be $800 x 3= $2,400 more per year. We only have the Pell grant which only cover enrollment and apartment” said Miguel.

Cops at the Entrance “Jardin Botanico” ,Picture Taken By College Students In Action

The UPR administration said that at least 50,000 students will pay the special fee of $800 for a total of $40 millions (Presentation Fee CRE).The Other 10,000 or more students will get out of the UPR by the lack of money. “If the special fee is imposed like the administration says in January I couldn’t pay. Maybe if I get a Job or if I get a loan, that isn’t the best option” says Luis Candelaria. The special fee will only cover a 16 percent of the entire deficit

As The Presentation fee CRE shows The UPR will collect $ 40 million from the special fee, but they will lose approximately $8,152,800 or more from students leaving the University. Also the Presentation Fee CRE shows that 65 percent of the sub graduated student recive the Pell grant the other 35 percent don’t get anything. From that 65 percent just 38.1 percent gent the Pell grant entirely. “Fortunately I am part of that little part who received the entire Pell grant, but I dare to say that sometimes it isn’t enough to cover all the fundamental stuff” said Miguel.

Between other ways to solve the deficit the Presentation CRE shows, Include the UPR in tax revenues to cigarettes with a 9.6 percent between other possible solutions. UPRM students as the Different Campuses don’t want the special fee, just fight in different ways.

Presuasive:

To: UPR Community

From: UPR Students Inform

Date: December 20, 2010

To the UPR Community

Companions we make this appeal to you as a student of the UPR system to urge you to participate, to get informed, and to organize yourselves. As we have seen in the different assemblies you, the future of Puerto Rico doesn’t get informed. That’s why we urge you to browse through the internet, read newspaper find what is happening in our University.

The recent assemblies show that you people didn’t wanted a strike, but its big majority just went there with their decision already taken and without being informed. The assembly is suppose to inform you students of the current situation.

That’s why I urge you to read the Middle States Inform, go to forums at the UPR expressing your thoughts. The UPR have to be all together to defend what is ours and someday the University of our next generation.

Sit down some day and think of those students who by the date are still fighting for you, for me, for all the UPR community. Those who you people call “Fupistas” because their fight for our rights, those rights the PR governance wants to remove.

Our University is being threatened by the now famous special fee of $800 and the UPRM community is sit down watching the different campuses fighting for what we all should fight together. That’s why I urge you not to fight with us, not to vote in favor of the strike not to stand in front of a gate, just to get inform chose your own decisions but do it consciously

UPR Agricultural Experimental Substations

December 28, 2010

by Joel D. Rodríguez and Lenier Arvelo

When we think of the university, we consider it a place where people enrich themselves of new information, in the quest of recognizing what they want to pursue in the future, strengthening their skills and grasping their abilities.

However, there are many factors that tag along with the individual that are considered “normal” within the college environment such as stress, headaches, sleep deprivation, weight increase or decrease, among others. Unable to deal with the load of academic responsibilities, college students turn to other alternatives in order to cope with their student life. The one that stands out the most is the use of drugs.

Drug abuse is one of the most dangerous alternatives to deal with stress.

For some time now, drugs have been used by college students to help them escape from the academic stress that bounds students from pursuing any other type of activities, such as social interactions. Some of the main drugs that have been used by this community are marihuana and alcohol. According to a study made by the Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, 61.2% of male students and 46.7% of female students drink alcohol; furthermore, 12.7% of male students and 4.7% female students use marihuana.

Although these are some of the most recognized drugs within the student community, smoking and caffeine overdose (e.g. energy drinks) are also considered substantial drugs by the way they affect student performance.

Statistics of 2004 by the “Consorcio de Estudios Universitarios Sembrando Alianza de Alerta a las Drogas, el Alcohol, y la Violencia” (C.R.U.Z.A.D.A.)  show that 51.9% of the students of the UPR system consumed alcohol 30 days before taking the survey, 41.9 of them being binge drinking (five or more shots in one sitting); 33.9% smoked in the last year, 10% being on a daily basis; 7.7% are current marihuana users and 5.6% used an illegal drug other than marihuana in the past year.

As we can see, there is a majority that consumes drugs during their college studies. However, we cease to notice that individuals who study also have other responsibilities that affect their academic and personal performance, such as employment in private or public institutions, family situations, and socioeconomic issues (e.g. debt, meetings).

According to Mr. Hernán Mendez, coordinator of the program for health promotion and prevention of the University of Puerto Rico—Mayagüez (UPRM), “many of the factors that influence the decision-making of drug consumption are problems with family members, partners, people one spends their time with, and the place where they are located.”

For example, after taking an exam and failing, a person is perpetrated by negative thoughts and lack of achievement. If a friend invites this person for a few drinks suggesting it to forget about the results of their performance, the person will be influenced by their friend and encouraged to drink. In another case, the person can be asked to smoke some “pot” or “weed” to forget about the exam and take away all worry from their mind.

As a consequence, 81.5% of the student community say that the feel great risk of consuming crack and 82.5% of them consuming cocaine.

In addition, there are actually two ideologies that reigns over the minds of Puerto Ricans about the use and impact of alcohol based

The majority of the student population consume more than half of these bottles.

on a study of C.R.U.S.A.D.A.. There is the false ideology that considers the consumption of alcohol as a natural process of the college student; the absence of alcohol is considered a loss, it is said that they “missed on great times” since they did not went through the experience.

This ideology is strengthened by the marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages directed specifically towards the student community. This is tied with the vision of great social interaction and pleasures (e.g. partying, romance, sex). The second ideology considers that students must be motivated by the university’s environment and culture that opt for a healthier, positive and with great social tactics that do not include the use of drugs.

Besides the subjective view, there is also the objective perspective by the people that surround the student. Friends, family and other members of society are also affected by the life style chosen by the student who consumes drugs.

A statistics by the Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans says that 60.55% of “clean” students had study or sleep interrupted, 53.6% had to deal with a drunken student, 29.3% have been insulted or humiliated, 9.5% have been pushed, hit, or assaulted, and 1.3% of women have been victim of sexual assault (date rape). In other words, other members of the student community and society are also victims of drug abuse by college students, resulting in serious injuries, criminal charges, or life threatening situations.

Another stress builder is looking for parking if you’re late for class.

Furthermore, the effect of these drugs have a stronger impact on the individual by being unable to function and reason the same way, degrading their energy and stamina as they continue within their student life. It has been proven that students consume more drugs than the general public.

According to an article of USA Today, “22.9% of students meet the medical definition for alcohol or drug abuse or dependence—a compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences—compared with 8.5% of all people 12 and older.”

Nevertheless, there are alternatives students can incline to instead of depending on drugs. Mendez stated that the first thing that helps relieve tension and encourages the student to perform well is to do what they enjoy doing most, “Being sidetracked from our pleasures, that which makes us happy, makes us take a dark road that further takes us away from all of that.”

He continues by saying that socializing with people with the same interest as ours, having hobbies, and maintaining a connection with our cultural background is essential in our search to maintain a balance in our lives and to repel stress.

According to C.R.U.Z.A.D.A., 64.8% of the student body of UPRM did not smoke in the last year, 78.9% did not consume marihuana, 93.2% did not consume any other drugs, 94.1% have not experimented any type of aggressive act, 22.4% of the people that consumed alcohol state that they have consumed less in the last year, and 30.1% reported to have reduced the use of drugs.

As we can see, there are many influences that affect our performance as students and individuals that conflict with our goals as future academics and professionals. It all depends on the life style we want to take and the philosophy we choose to grasp.

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By: Miosotis Acosta

The Agricultural Experimental Substation of Lajas, Puerto Rico is one of the six Experimental Stations that the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus have.These agricultural     experimental substation consists of a small animals farm and a dairy farm. These facilities are used as investigations and educational sites for the UPRM Agricultural Sciences Department.

The UPRM is the second largest university campus of the University of Puerto Rico system. The campus is also known for been the premier science and engineering institution of the Caribbean and Latin America. The university comprise the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Business Administration and the Division of continuing Education and Professional Studies. This campus also have other facilities included in the different departments.

The College of Agricultural Sciences comprise some programs that are helpful for the students. The Agricultural Experimental Station and the Agricultural Extension Service. These stations are located in different parts of Puerto Rico; Adjuntas, Corozal, Lajas, Juana Diaz, Gurabo and Isabela. This department also have two investigative centers located in Rio Piedras and Mayaguez, P.R. The purposes of these experimental stations are to develop a investigative program in each one.

The investigative centers purpose is to give administrative, technical and financial support for scientist. To address the scientific necessities, find funds to make investigative projects possible. And one of the main purposes of these investigative centers is to maintain a data base of the scientists, investigation projects, proposals and publications.

“These experimental programs will help me achieve my goals.” Said Karitza Velazquez a students from the Agricultural Sciences Department.

The UPR is one of the few universities in PR that have programs about animal sciences. The College of Agricultural Sciences have been known through out all the island and United States because of these special programs.

These special programs include the six Agricultural experimental substations, as mentioned earlier. One of the substations is located in the city of Corozal, where the departments of Agricultural Sciences make investigations about plantains, bananas and a lot more. This substation help agronomists and students to know more about on crops of P.R. and its various functions.

Students from the UPRM have research from different students and topics. Some of the projects are Plant genetic resource conservation and utilization: Plantains and bananas, by the student Agenol Gonzalez; Management of plant parasitic nematodes in crops in economic importance, by the student Jose Chavarria; and Potential Fodder trees and shrubs for meat goats in the Caribbean Basin, by Elide Valencia.

Another Agricultural Experimental Substation of the UPR is found in Adjuntas, P.R. This substation investigation is almost based on coffee. It was establish in 1952 at the Llinas farm and in 1963 it was moved to the Limani neighborhood.

The Adjuntas experimental substation not only makes investigations about coffee but also about citrics, platains, bananas, ornamentals and hydroponics. This substation also makes conferences and workshops for agronomists, farmers and the community. Some of its active projects are High value speciality crop pest management, Weed and diseases control alternative for seed bed and coffee nursery and Impact evaluation of the environmental coffee processing system in P.R. among others.

In Juana Diaz, P.R. there is other of this Agricultural Experimental Substations. This substation was funded in 1959, in it we can find collections of mangos, avocados, guavas, acerolas, among others. It has approximately 30 acres dedicated to mangos, because of its high economic value.

“The mango is one of the most important fruit here in the island.” Said John Fernandez Van Clave, professor from the Agricultural Sciences Department.

This substation not only works with mangos but also have investigations about platains,irrigation systems, bananas and other crops. Some of the selected investigations made in this substations include; Administration of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Juana Diaza, by Irma Cabrera, Planta Genetic resource conservation and utilization: Guavas and other Tropical fruits, by Ruben Velez among other fruit related projects.

Founded in 1953 by an official of the Agricultural Experimental Station the Gurabo substation was created. This substation unlike the others was used in the years between 1910-1920 was used to plant sugarcane and livestock. After that in 1940 it was acquired by the United States Federal Government to create the O’Reilly Military Camp.

Nowadays this fields are used in various investigations that includes topics about sugarcane, tobacco and other crops. Some of the active projects help in this substation include; High value special crop pest management, Dairy herd management in P.R. and even Prevalence of Paratuberculosis in P.R. Dairy Industry.

“This substation is one of the most importance for students in the field of pre-veterinary and livestock industry.” Said Teodoro Ruiz, professor of the Agricultural Sciences Department.

By 1929 the substation of Isabela was establish the Guerrero neighborhood, becoming the first substation created and establish in the island. The first mission that this substation had was to acquired the surplus water from the Guajataca hydroelectric plant to generate the agricultural zone there.

This substation make investigations about those agricultural enterprises that were of greater importance in Puerto Rico. Here they realized the first investigations about assessments of fertilizer formulas, its quantity and frequency and among others.

Drug Ad

Final Project – Feature on Drugs

December 28, 2010

By Lua Harmsen        

The year 2010 has been a hectic one as the University of Puerto Rico continues to face difficulties. Beginning with the student strike in April, it seems the conflicts are constant. Most recently the students of the Rio Piedras Campus have begun to strike once more in repudiation of the institution’s new $800 special fee but the administration is not backing down. The incidences in which security and police have used extreme force are more and more frequent. This poses the question: How much confrontation is too much?

The UPR has been the stage for violent conflicts almost constantly since its foundation more than a century ago. Professor Lester McGrath of the UPR-Mayaguez Humanities Department attributes the clashes “to our eternal crisis, the crisis of common-wealth status.” Student protests have most commonly been political, such as objections to the presence of the U.S. military and the ROTC on campus.

Fashion and photography may have changed in the University of Puerto Rico, but student protests and strikes have not. They continue to make banners, chant mottos and hold rallies. But will the Administration continue to oppose them with methods of confrontation?

During the strike of the UPR in the ‘70s, centered around the presence of the ROTC in the university, police took quite extreme measures with students.

“In those days the police didn’t just take over the university, they toke over the whole town of Rio Piedras,” said Wanda Ocasio, UPR alumnus and doctoral student in Cultural Studies at the University of Illinois. “Police Swat didn’t just hit students, they hit anything that moved.”

Excessive use of force like this is what lead to the death of one student in 1970, Antonia Martinez, age 21 from Arecibo. When she shouted “Killer!” from the balcony of her apartment at a police officer who was beating a young man, the officer turned around and shot her in the head. “It wasn’t even in the university, it was outside on Ponce de Leon Street!” added Ocasio.

This mural commemorates the death of Antonia Martinez, who was shot by a police officer on March 4, 1970 during a student strike at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. She is an example of the repercussions of police intervention in university affairs.

Until the 90’s most student movements in the UPR were characterized by how chaotic and violent they were, not only because of the students actions but also because of the intervention of the police and the tactics they used. Many conflict even resulted in deaths.

But in 2005 the Academic Senate devised the Non-Confrontation Policy, in order to avoid such tragic events and ensure “a climate of tolerance and respect for diversity expected of the university community.”

It states that in order to avoid physical confrontation the UPR must: “1) To guarantee the freedom of speech of all the components of the university community, 2) To establish as institutional policy the use of all resources possible to avoid the intervention of the Police of Puerto Rico in university matters, 3) To establish mechanisms of dialogue and communication… during situations of conflict.”

A news camera man films SWAT police as they persue students through the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. One officer stands ready with a bean bag guns.

But at the beginning of December this policy was pushed aside and more than 1,000 police officers occupied the Rio Piedras Campus as students began to strike once again. And on December 20, in a police used tasers, tear gas and batons, injured students and arrested 16, many times, throwing them to the floor in order to do so.

Shift Supervisor Ricardo Figueroa and Security Officer Jonathan Perez form part of the UPR-Mayaguez Security Department. In contrast with Rio Piedras, Mayaguez has not seen as much need for physical interventions and Perez attributes that to the mutual respect that the students and guards have for each other.

But a job is a job and Figueroa, if ordered to do so would have to follow instructions like the police officers in Rio Piedras. He assures, however, that in Mayaguez the guards are well informed of civil rights and would not violate them.

Perez understands that they have to take great care in order to do so, because abuse is often caused by bad decisions. “When detaining a young man or woman, if they can be detained with one officer alone, there is no need to use four,” said Perez. “That case would be excessive use force.”

Jonathan Perez takes his job very seriously. That is why he isn’t very happy about the actions of the guards in Rio Piedras.

This December, Capitol Security, the private company being paid more than 1.5 million dollars for its services there, ‘urgently’ recruited around 80 individuals to be put to work in the conflict. The means for recruiting them was through a facebook page which stated that the first 80 people to answer the call would be hired on the spot.

This caused Perez to doubt how professional the company is. “They are people who are not trained and not prepared to intervene in that type of situation. That’s when problems happen,” he said. He also admits that abuse of force can take place if a guard or an officer loses control.

Figueroa’s stance is to protect all the students weather they are in favor or opposed to the strike. “I see you guys like my kids. You don’t abuse your kids, but you don’t spoil them either.” He hopes for the university dispute to end soon, because in addition to working there he is also a student.

Some feel that an end isn’t likely without more violence first. “The police respected violence from the other side,” Said Lester McGrath in reference to the strikes of the ‘70’s. “They abused the students until the day they arrived armed to the teeth as well. And then something finally got solved.”

Feture Story- Personality

Arroyo’s Free Agent Market

by: Juan Alicea

Audience: Basketball fans, basketball players, BSN, NBA, other basketball leagues and people of Puerto Rico that like Arroyo.

Personality and Investigative

Born and raised in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Carlos Arroyo is an important basketball free agent this summer. He played basketball professionally since 1997 when “Los Cariduros de Fajardo” (a puertorican team) signed him in the “Liga de Baloncesto Superior Nacional”. The same year he won the rookie of the year in the BSN. In 1998 he changed of team to “Cangrejeros de Santurce” and he won 5 championships with that team.

Carlos Arroyo playing in the BSN for “Cangrejeros de Santurce”

Arroyo began his studies in Florida International and played basketball with the team of the university. He is all-time scorer leader in this university. When he graduated, a National Basketball Association team, Toronto Raptors signed him and then waived him. Other NBA team, Denver Nuggets signed him and then waived him again. In 2002 another NBA team, Utah Jazz signed him and played 3 years for that team playing 2 of them in the starting lineup in point guard position.

Arroyo played for the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team. In Atenas Grecia’s Olympics in 2004, Arroyo and the Puerto Rico National Team defeat 92-73 the USA Team (“the Dream Team”) for first time in the history of a USA Team using NBA’s players. Arroyo was the player of the game with 24 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. According to Entertainment and Sports Programming Network the USA Team said: “Is a dream that became a nightmare”. In the game Arroyo changed words with a USA player, later he proudly showed his uniform that said Puerto Rico.

Arroyo proudly show his uniform in the win over USA

The coach of the “Dream Team”, Larry Brown says that he wants Arroyo in his NBA’s team, the Detroit Pistons and they signed Arroyo. Arroyo played almost 2 years with the team, but arroyo wasn’t the player that Larry Brown expected and they changed Arroyo to the Orlando Magics. Arroyo played 2 years with the team and later he was a free agent again and in 2008 he decided to play in Israel for one year. He led the team to the championship and won the finals MVP (Most Valuable Player).

One year later he decided to return to the NBA and signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Miami Heat. Everybody was excited to saw Arroyo played with Dwayne Wade, the player of the USA Team that he changed words in the defeat of USA against Puerto Rico in 2004 Olympics. He played well and the team guarantees his contract and he finished playing in the starting lineup in the point guard position. Arroyo and Wade played well together and led the team to the way for a championship. The team lost in the playoffs making Arroyo a free agent again.

Carlos Arroyo and the mural made in the Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Miami Heat was given the task to sign the best free agent this past summer because they have a lot of money. The Miami Heat sign 3 of the Top 5 free agents in the NBA; Lebron James, Chris Bosh and re-sign Dwayne Wade. The Miami Heat was trying to find a point guard that that has experience and doesn’t have to expend a lot of money because they use the money to sign the key free agents. They talk with Arroyo, but he have to take the minimum salary that is less than a million of dollars. Arroyo accepted the offer and re-signed one year deal with the Miami Heat. Arroyo said “I will like to play with these guys; I didn’t care too much the money… I want to win a NBA championship and this is my opportunity”.

ESPN maganize cover... Lebron James, Carlos Arroyo and Dwayne Wade (from left to right)

At this time still not over this season and some sources ensures that Arroyo his receiving offers from many teams of different leagues to play for them at the end of the season. One of these sources is Leonel Arill, he is the coach of the “Caciques de Humacao” team in the BSN, and he also is the assistant coach of the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team. He said “We want to see Arroyo playing again in Puerto Rico that will be very exciting”. “When he left the BSN the league was good but not competitive at all, today the BSN the one of the most competitive leagues in the world and we want that Arroyo join us the make the BSN more competitive than is now”. Leonel Arill assures that he in represent of the BSN sent a letter to Arroyo. This is the letter that I sent to him.

Leonel Arill

BSN League

San Juan, Puerto Rico

December 1, 2010

Mr. Carlos Arroyo

Miami Beach, Miami USA

Dear Mr. Arroyo,

We know that this summer you are going to be a free agent. We will like that you join our league again. We will very gratify if you or your agent can meet with us to talk about a contract with any team on this league, but personally I will like you or your agent to meet me to talk about a contract with “Caciques de Humacao”. We are a very good team in our way to a championship, but we need some experience and a player who can help us to teach young players how to play the game. In that moment the name that came to my mind was: Carlos Arroyo. I really like you to joins us, and these are some stuff that we can provide to you:

–          A house for you and your family in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

–          A guaranteed contract starting at 1 and a half million

–          If you have an injury the payment is guaranteed

–          50,000 bonus if you are choose to the all-star game, 50,000 if you are chose defensive player of the year, 100,000 if you are the MVP league and 200,000 if you are the finals MVP

This are some of the benefits that we can provide you if you choose our team. Let me know if you aren’t agreeing with any of them or if we need to negotiate other stuff. I will be waiting for your response. Puerto Rico and the BSN need you again. I will hope that you choose us

Sincerely,

Leonel Arill