Feb 18 2015

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2015 VOLUME 104 ISSUE 58 www.UniversityStar.com

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UNIVERSITY

Looking back: a term as president, vice president Byron Bueche and Lucas Andrews finalize a purchase of marked-down goods Feb. 17 at Tuttle Lumber.

By Kelsey Bradshaw NEWS EDITOR @kbrad5 Student Government power duo President Tiffany Young and Vice President Sean Quiñones will be handing over the titles Feb. 19 once election votes are tallied.

Young and Quiñones were elected in April 2014, leaving them with little time to adjust to new roles before their predecessors left. Elections for 2015 opened in February to give newly elected leaders a transitional period to get situated, something started by Young and Quiñones.

Young and Quiñones will not officially leave office until June. In the meantime, Student Government officials will work on organizational funding.

“Student organizations need all the funding they can get,” Young said. “Now we are going to have a pot of money that was given to us through (the) Student Service Fee that will allow us to give organizations money.”

The Student Government constitution was revised in 2014 to decrease the number of senators allowed in office. Young said the beginnings of senators’ terms were changed to be staggered.

“I believe that it helped and made us a little more strategic with who we accept to become a senator,” Young said.

Revising the constitution proved to be a time-consuming process, she said.

“I’m not entirely happy with the way the constitution worked out,” Quiñones said. “It was a lengthy process, and we were pressed for time at the end. I feel a lot of things were overlooked and revisions still need to be made, but overall it was a process that helped us in the long run.”

The student leaders were previously unsure if they would be able to have veterans acknowledged at commencement.

A similar initiative was tried in the past with ROTC, Young said.

Quiñones comes from a family of veterans, and being able to provide recognition was a big accomplishment, he said.

“There was a time at commencement where veterans were acknowledged,” Quiñones said. “I remember when veterans were asked to stand up and be presented, but they stopped doing that for a while, so I’m glad we brought that back.”

Young plans to stay active in Student Government after her term is over. Young wants to run for a senator position and get involved in organizations she did not have time for as President.

See STUDENT GOVERNMENT, Page 2

MADELYNNE SCALES PHOTO EDITOR

Tuttle Lumber Company closes after 65 years

By Darcy Sprague NEWS REPORTER @darcy_days

T

he owner of the Tuttle Lumber Company has decided to close the store after more than 60 years of operation.

Don Gilbreath, owner, said in an interview with Impact News he lost his “passion” for the store during the recession. He cannot ask his employees to put their lives “on hold” when the company’s future is uncertain. He attempted to regain passion for the store but with no success.

The announcement was made on Jan. 30, according to Impact News.

Long-term employees are saddened by the news, said Trish Simpson, administrative assistant at Tuttle Lumber. She said most employees have been around for many years and act like a family. Simpson has been with the company for 24 years.

Simpson said customers are sad or angry the store is closing.

“A lot of (customers) do not understand why,” Simpson said. “They are confused about the reason.”

Some patrons are on a first-name

See LUMBER, Page 2

MADELYNNE SCALES PHOTO EDITOR Tuttle Lumber is having a retirement sale from Feb. 5 – March 14 as they prepare to close their business.

FOOD

Torchy’s Tacos holds grand opening

By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox A line of diehard fans braved the pre-dawn chill and gloom 7 a.m. on Tuesday outside Torchy’s Tacos to enjoy free breakfast at the restaurant’s grand opening.

After months of construction, San Marcos residents and Texas State students can now enjoy the taco restaurant without driving to Austin or San Antonio. The new location features an outdoor patio, a fully stocked bar, plenty of indoor seating and tacos.

Matthew Stone, Texas State alumnus, said he was the first person in line, arriving a full hour before the 7 a.m. opening.

Stone heard about the restaurant from his friends in Austin but never had the chance to try it, he said. Stone ordered six tacos in total, including “The Wrangler” and “The Monk,” for

himself.

“I just wanted to try a range of tacos,” Stone said. “I don’t even know how big these things are, so I could be eating a lot of tacos this morning.”

Cati Kincaid, criminal justice junior, arrived at 6:30 a.m. to have a chance of snagging a free taco.

Kincaid said she is a longtime Torchy’s fan and enjoyed the tacos on a regular basis in Austin.

Her favorite taco is the “Trailer Park” made “trashy” style, which features fried chicken, green chilies, Pico de Gallo and melted queso.

“I’ve just been waiting for a long time for them to open (a Torchy’s Tacos) in San Marcos so I can start coming here and get my taco fix,” Kincaid said.

Kirsten Dorrier, a bartender at Torchy’s Tacos, trained for two weeks before the grand opening.

Dorrier, who plays unicycle

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Melissa Garza, nutrition senior, and Kelsy-Michele Moore, psychology junior, eat at Torchy’s Tacos Feb. 17 during the grand opening.

football under the name “Ladybird” for the Ill Eagles, scooped ice and hurried between customers at the packed bar despite spraining her wrist at a recent game.

Dorrier said the opening went smoothly, which she chalked up to her training and fellow employees.

See TORCHY’S TACOS, Page 2

CITY

Loop 82 overpass construction to start, complete with maroon, gold aesthetics

By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nick_laughlin Construction on the Loop 82 overpass, which will last an estimated two years, is slated to start April 6 on Aquarena Springs Drive after

months of delay.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will start work on the access roads first. Construction will then move to the Post Road configuration and the overpass, said Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of Transportation Services.

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER TxDOT officials plan to build an overpass on Aquarena Springs Drive to relieve train traffic.

The overpass access roads will consist of two lanes, one on each side, Nusbaum said. Aquarena Springs Drive will become a twoway road for an estimated two weeks during construction, Nusbaum said.

“The City of San Marcos has been concerned with these at-risk railroad crossings for a long time,” said Bill Nance, vice president of finance and support services.

According to the city website, the project will increase mobility and safety along Aquarena Springs and allow traffic to travel without interruptions from train crossings.

Nusbaum said TxDOT gave the university an opportunity to voice an opinion on the look of the overpass.

Denise Trauth, Texas State president, wrote a letter to TxDOT stating the university would support the project if officials could have input on the aesthetics of the overpass.

The bridge will feature arches mirroring the architecture of Bobcat Stadium, the Texas State star and maroon and gold elements, Nance said. Designs on the concrete will “evoke” the feeling of the

San Marcos River where the bridge meets the earth.

“TxDOT and the city have been very good about incorporating what they can within the budget,” Nance said. “We think, given that it’s an overpass, it’s going to look as nice as it can look over there.”

Nance said TxDOT officials have been easy to work with and are dedicated to keeping the university’s parking lots accessible.

The university will lose the parking spaces between the stadium and Strahan Coliseum to make way for the overpass and a new water line, Nance said. TxDOT officials paid the university for the land acquired on both sides of Aquarena Springs Drive.

“With some re-striping, we believe that we can get back most of the spaces but not all of them,” Nusbaum said.

Three of the six Aquarena Springs Drive bus routes will be reconfigured as TxDOT recreates the access roads, Nusbaum said.

The access roads will not parallel the overpass. The overpass will start near Mamacita’s and gradually

come up to its highest point at Post Road, Nance said. The overpass will start to level out and meet the current road at Charles Austin Drive.

TxDOT negotiated to keep the stadium driveways open during home football games and commencement, Nusbaum said. The contractor will place signs near Interstate Highway 35 directing drivers to open lanes.

Nusbaum and her colleagues will attend construction meetings to stay informed and get notices out “as fast as we can.” “(University officials) will do our best to send out notices,” Nance said. “The key will be communication between the contractor and the university.”

Nusbaum said university officials will advise students living off Aquarena Springs Drive to leave “a little bit earlier” to get from their apartments to classes on time.

“I think it’s going to be a dramatic improvement,” Nance said. “The fact that you don’t get stopped by trains will be a benefit for everybody, but the two and a half years getting there will be painful.”

2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

CITY

LUMBER, from front basis with the sales associates.

Simpson said the loss of a local business, especially one that has been around for 65 years, is sad..

“It is important to remember that it is the owner’s own decision,” Simpson said. “We have always done well (with revenue)—the retirement sale has helped—but sales have nothing to do with why we are closing.”

Simpson said the “hometown feeling” that comes from getting to know customers is her favorite part of working for the company.

Investors have expressed interest in the land the lumber company sits on, Simpson said.

Johnny Roberts, employee in the outside sales department, said the news came as a shock to him. He has only known about the closure for three weeks.

“Lots of customers have expressed sympathy,” Roberts said. “They are loyal longtime customers.”

Roberts worked at the store for 10 years.

He was a customer for 20 years.

“That is a 30-year relationship,” Roberts

said. “I was born and raised in San Marcos.

I remember coming in with my dad for hardware supplies.”

Roberts and Simpson said they are still determining what to do next. Both received a few job offers but have made no decision.

“This is a great company,” Roberts said.

“It has been a real pleasure working here.”

Marty Amaya, longtime customer and San Marcos resident, said he has shopped at the store for six years. He is troubled the store is closing.

The Tuttle Lumber in Lockhart will remain open, Simpson said.

“The store is a little smaller and sells a few different things,” Simpson said. “For example, it sells guns and ammo.”

Employees were given the opportunity to interview with McCoy’s Building Supply, she said. McCoy’s hired one employee, and another is transferring to the Lockhart Tuttle Lumber store.

John Hardy, Tuttle Lumber customer, said he will miss the convenience of the store, as it is located in a prime spot in San Marcos.

TORCHY’S TACOS, from front “We had two weeks of training, and that’s more than any other Torchy’s has had,” Dorrier said.

Nathaniel Ramsey, Hays County Fire Department Emergency Medical Service, was excited and surprised by the quality of the restaurant’s bar.

“I didn’t know it was a full bar,” Ramsay said. “I’m pretty pumped up about it. I’m a pretty big beer fan, and just the fact that they have anything other than your typical college Budweiser—it’s pretty exciting to me.”

Frank Martinez, bar manager, said he formerly managed a Torchy’s Tacos in Cedar Park.

Martinez said the restaurant in San Marcos has a larger patio with more indoor and outdoor seating and a better stocked bar than the Cedar Park location.

Some San Marcos residents were not taken in by the energy inside the taco restaurant.

Jonathan Johnson, an employee at the nearby Exxon gas station that sells its own tacos, said he did not attend the grand opening. Johnson is not worried about the gas station’s taco revenue in light of the new competition.

Torchy’s employees regularly stopped by the Exxon’s kitchen to buy breakfast tacos during the restaurant’s two-week training period, Johnson said.

Martinez said was pleased with the turnout at the grand opening and Monday night’s soft opening. He is confident the restaurant will succeed in San Marcos.

“It’s Torchy’s Tacos, you know,” Martinez said. “This town is ready for it. They’ve been waiting for it.”

Regional organization plans improvement to highway congestion

By Bleah B. Patterson NEWS REPORTER @missbleahp An Austin-based group has proposed methods to relieve Interstate Highway 35 of its congestion.

Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (C.A.M.P.O.) lobbies for transportation legislature on behalf of Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. The organization began the 2040 Plan early last year. The plan proposes a strategy to clear up congestion on IH-35 by the year 2040, said Ashley Johnson, C.A.M.P.O. director.

Johnson spoke to citizens during a luncheon Feb. 17 in conjunction with San Marcos City Council, the Texas Department of Transportation

and the Technical Advisory Committee and Transportation Policy Board with updates on the 2040 Plan.

Johnson said the draft portion of the plan is complete and will be available to the public March 7 on the C.A.M.P.O. website.

C.A.M.P.O. officials will request funds during the state legislative session to create a public transit system and rideshare program that will encourage commuters to stop driving. The public transit system and rideshare program could help relieve congestion, Johnson said.

“This year’s legislative session is our best chance in 15 to 20 years for the funding we need,” Johnson said.

Johnson said changes will probably not be complete soon. The “2040 Plan” is a literal title. The issues IH-35

faces will not be completely resolved until 2040.

The completion of the plan rests on government funding and decisions made by the legislature, she said.

“Right now we’re pinpointing the problems and proposing solutions,” Johnson said.

“The congestion on IH-35 creates unclean air and a safety hazard. We want to resolve that by changing things up.”

Johnson proposed adding more efficient public transportation. He also suggested working with the cities along IH-35 to put more thought into the distance between apartments, neighborhoods and the areas of town where people commonly work.

“This will create less of a distance between point A and point B and obviously make everyone’s commute shorter,” Johnson said.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT, from front “I’ll still be around to make an impact in the school and in Student Government,” Young said.

Quiñones said the next vice president will need a high level of commitment and dedication.

“It’s easy to make promises, but you learn to realize how hard it is to get changes done when you go to a university of our size,” Quiñones said. “It takes someone with

tough skin and persistence to have this job.”

Young said the feeling of being president is one only someone who has held the position can understand.

“It’s been an amazing experience, and I don’t think that I can ever put a price on the knowledge I’ve gained and the relationships I’ve started,” Young said. “I’m excited to see where the organization goes next, and I’m excited I’ll be there to see it all.”

It’s good medicine!

The Student Publications Board of the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication is conducting an all-campus open petitioning process to select a student as Editor-in-Chief of The University Star. Term begins one week following the final issue of 2015 Spring Semester publication schedule. Applicants must be available to serve the entire term of the appointment. Each applicant is asked to complete a written petition, which is subsequently screened by members of the student publications board.

The board will interview qualified candidates for the position. The student publications board includes the journalism sequence coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, the assistant director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a member of the print medium who is selected by the director of student publications. The director of student publications and the current editor-in-chief serve as ex officio members for the committee.

Minimum Qualifications To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in at least nine hours each semester during the term of office. Students graduating in the final semester of the appointment (Spring Semester 2016) may be enrolled in fewer hours as long as they meet graduation requirements. Applicants must have worked in a professional editorial environment, or have served as a section editor at a university student newspaper.

Students of all majors and classifications, including graduate students, may petition for the position. Applicants must be in good academic standing with the university when submitting an application. An overall minimum 2.5 grade-point average is required for application consideration.

.NET

mrfest_otis

Term of Office Term of office begins following the final publication of the Spring 2015 semester and runs through the Spring 2016 semester. Applicants must be able to serve the entire term of office in order to be considered for the position. A salary is paid during the term of office.

Petitioning Process A written petition is to be completed by each applicant.

This petition consists of questions to determine an applicant’s qualifications in journalism academics and management. A letter of interest must be included with the formal application. The letter should address personal characteristics addressing reasons the applicant is qualified for the position. Applicants, certified as qualified by the student publications board, will be interviewed. The board will select the editor-in-chief.

Petitioning Deadlines Applications for the position will be due by noon, Wednesday April 1 to the Director of Student Publications, Trinity Building, Room 107. People interested in petitioning should sign a candidacy list in Trinity, Room 107 and acquire an information package. Qualified applicants will be notified and interviews will be scheduled beginning April 13. Selection of the editor-in-chief will be made shortly after interviews have been completed for the position. Formal assumption of duties will begin one week after the final newspaper of the Spring Semester is published.

The University Star Mission

PACKETS AVAILABLE: March 2, noon; Trinity, Room 107

The editor is the primary student editorial administrator for The University Star and has authority in all personnel matters and makes the final decision regarding news, sports, feature, photo, Web and opinion content. The editor determines daily operation guidelines, provides a role model for professional behavior, delegates operational authority and fulfills policies and procedures as determined by the student publications board and faculty adviser. The editor oversees meetings and handles personnel problems, evaluates all copy and artwork for each publication. The editor-in-chief is responsible for hiring, properly training and supervising all members of the editorial board. The editor-in-chief promotes relations between the publication, the community and campus organizations. The editor-in-chief is also the voice of the publication with the community.

DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 1; noon; Trinity, Room 107 INTERVIEWS: April 13

The University Star | Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 3

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

Unique San Marcos sandwich shop gains national recognition

By Kara Dornes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @karadornes Alvin Ord’s has been the go-to sandwich shop for students and San Marcos residents for over 30 years and has now received national attention for it.

The sandwich shop was ranked as 15th in the nation by the BuzzFeed Community in a Feb. 2 article, “21 Sandwich Shops In America To Eat At Before You Die.” Olivia Trevino, store manager, said one of the eatery’s biggest appeals is the homemade artisan bread, which is baked daily, as well as the fresh produce and premium meats.

“We bake our own bread every morning, and then they are toasted,” Trevino said. “Our ingredients are very fresh, and we don’t have many preservatives in our food.”

History surrounds the sandwich shop and its connection to Schlotzsky’s. According to the Austin Chronicle, Alvin Ord’s opened after a dispute occurred between Dolores and Don Dissman, the founders of Schlotzsky’s, and another former business associate.

The falling out evolved into a bitter feud over who held the rights to the bread recipe, according to the Austin Chronicle. Schlotzsky’s won the dispute, and now the rivals could not be more different.

William Martin, Alvin Ord’s owner, said the Salvation is the restaurant’s best-selling sandwich.

“I hate to single out a sandwich, but the Salvation is definitely the best-seller and our signature sandwich,” Martin said.

Martin said the success of the business has everything to do with the workers’ combined effort to maintain quality.

“I have been the owner there for a while now, and consistency is one of our biggest concerns along with quality,” Martin said. “One of the keys to success here at the business is the people that you hire and represent you.”

Michael Gonzales, construction science and management freshman, said the restaurant is popular among students and locals craving a unique and hearty meal.

“Everything always looks really good, and the Salvation is definitely my favorite sandwich out of them all,” Gonzales said.

William Martin prepares bread Feb. 13 at Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop.

PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Texas State welcomes first entrepreneurial fraternity and venders to benefit EDventure International, a humanitarianism organization on campus.

“EDventure does trips for college students to go and use their leadership skills in other countries for environmental work,” Thomas said. “We like to support the City of San Marcos as well as other organizations at Texas State.”

ENT partnered with former organization members and the owners of San Martian Apparel to promote the festival, which will be held April 18 at Sewell Park.

“It’s going to be big,” Hines said. “We have it booked for over 1,000 people. It’ll be free to students, but we will have sponsorships, and we’re bringing in vendors.”

The group’s goal is to raise between $3,000 and $5,000 at the event, he said.

Hines said members of ENT developed sponsorship packages and spoke to Shannon Fitzpatrick, attorney for students, about permits and vendor contracts.

They are also working with the Parks and Recreation department to make sure the event is environmentally safe.

“We are currently auditioning any and all local bands and talent,” said Hines.

“It’s a great way for artists to give back to the community as well as creating publicity for themselves.”

By Callie Haley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @CallieHaley

Texas State’s first entrepreneurial fraternity was established this semester to help Bobcats give back to their community.

Epsilon Nu Tau (ENT) is made up of approximately 15 members who participate in a wide range of events, said Aaron Hines, vice president of Internal.

Eric Pizzeck, philanthropy chair, said ENT is a co-ed professional organization that aims to create a group of entrepreneurs who volunteer and network with professionals in the area.

“ENT is different from other organizations because our idea is to create something from nothing all in the benefit of others and the community of San Marcos,” Pizzeck said. “We are going to be starting this week canvassing the Quad, asking people what they think should be improved at Texas State so ENT can do volunteer work that is actually needed.”

Hines said ENT officials are currently focusing on the Ultimate Pet Contest, which gives awards to the top five pets based on cuteness, uniqueness and poses.

Texas State students paid $5 Feb. 10-12 to enter pets in the contest.

“We had over 300 people vote for the cutest pet the first time we did the contest, and that was without any marketing on Facebook,” Hines said. “Just today alone we’ve jumped up to 107 likes on Facebook, so it’s definitely growing fast.”

Texas State students are encouraged to visit ENT’s tent in the Quad beginning Feb. 17th to vote for the winning pet.

“A small donation is required for students to vote,” Pizzeck said. “Fifty percent of the proceeds will benefit PALS, a local animal shelter. The money will help provide animals in the San Marcos area with food, shelter, spaying and neutering.”

The entrepreneur fraternity is also planning The Planet San Marcos Music Festival, the group’s biggest project of the semester.

Nicolas Thomas, vice president of JOHNEL ACOSTA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Membership, pitched the music festival idea to the organization. He said the Members of Epsilon Nu Tau speak with students Feb. festival will showcase local artists, bands 9 in the Quad

The McCoy EXPERIENCE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP WEEK 2/16/15

2/19/15

Meet the Leaders of Business Speaker Series The International Society of Beta Gamma Sigma and the McCoy College of Business invite you to join us for a special event featuring

Camping Available

Brian McCoy and Meagan McCoy Jones

Save $3 at Participating

President & CEO; Senior Vice President & COO of McCoy’s Building Supply

Thursday, February 19, 2015 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., McCoy Hall, Room 119 Visit: https://www.betagammasigma.org/mtlob-021915 for more information about this special event.

For tickets and information: www.SherwoodForestFaire.com 512.222.6680

Emmett & Miriam

McCoy

College of Business Administration

4 | The University Star | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

A day in the life of The University Star 7 Copy

6 Design

4 Lifestyle

Sam Hankins

Lauren Huston

COPY CHIEF @VerbsEverywhere

DESIGN EDITOR @lkhuston30

The Copy Desk is where the grammar and fact-checking magic happens. My six staff members worked hard to familiarize themselves with the rules of AP Sstyle and the art of Googling proper nouns. We come in the evening before the paper is released to make sure everything from News to Lifestyle is presentable. The articles are sent to my staff after the section editors finish reading them.

Then the Copy Chief—that’s me—looks over the articles again before sending them to Nicole, our interim E.I.C. Finally I take one more look, and then they’re ready to go to Design to be put in the paper.

As the design editor, I am the only reason you are reading this. It’s my staff’s responsibility to put the all the content sent in by section editors, reporters and photographers on the pages in a visually stimulating manner. We begin designing around 7 p.m. and finish late at night.

My staff—working in the upper office of the

8 Sports

Britton Richter

Trinity Building known as “the Freezer”—deals primarily in Adobe InDesign but noodles into the abyss of Illustrator and Photoshop as well.

My staff designs most of the inside content and sends the pages back over to me to critique and approve them before they are sent to print. It’s my job to lay out the front pages, nitpick typefaces and export the bulk file as a PDF to put online at the end of the night.

LIFESTYLE EDITOR @BrittonRichter

The lifestyle Lifestyle section focuses on the arts and entertainment of San Marcos.

W, so we write anything from previews to feature stories to reviews. Typically after our daily meetings I sit down at my desk to edit stories, which can be a struggle because I’m usually quite sleepy. I also do one one-on on-ones with my staff, which is basicallyentails editing stories together so they can learn new formatting and stylistic ways to improve their articles. The section also has a Twitter and Pinterest everyone should follow!

5 Opinions

Quixem Ramirez

Imani McGarrell

SPORTS EDITOR @quixem

OPINIONS COLUMNIST @ImaniMcg

In some journalism circles, the sports section is known as the “toy department” because it is not nearly as important as other sections. I may be biased, but that is not the case.

My job is to provide the San Marcos area with pertinent Texas State athletic updates. That means we cover everything from football to women’s golf. Our coverage is not limited to games, though. The section incorporates columns, beyond Beyond the game Game feature stories and question-and-answer pieces to complement traditional game event coverage.

Sports never stops, and neither do I. Well, unless I need a nap.

Otherwise, I’m generally editing, writing, reporting or covering a game. Welcome to my life. It’s nice to meet you.

Day to day operations as the Opinions Editor usually involves a lot of hurt feelings. The two things that everyone has are opinions about themselves and opinions about everyone else’s opinions.

Besides the occasional Sports column or Lifestyle review, my section gets to

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1 Interim Editorin-Chief

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Nicole Barrios INTERIM EDITOR -IN- CHIEF @NBBarrios

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JORDAN GURLEY STAR ILLUSTRATOR

9 Photo

2 Managing Editor Cameron Cutshall

Madelynne Scales

MANAGING EDITOR @CameronCutshall

PHOTO EDITOR @madscales

Oftentimes I like to think I have the best job in the newsroom. I get to work with a staff full of talented individuals who can creatively illustrate even the most boring of stories. One might assume that newspaper photographers simply take photos.

Wrong. We are visual storytellers, which means we too are reporters. One essential quality a photojournalist must have is the ability to connect with his or her subject. The ability to make him or her feel confortable is what leads to successful and compelling images. As photo editor, I manage a full staff and decide which photos to run in the paper, all while working with the most down-to-earth, dedicated students who I like to call my second family.

be the group getting everyone riled up.

Our intent is not to make anyone angry but rather to prompt thought-provoking conversations. In addition to editing columns for clarity while maintaining the author’s voice, I write the Main Point editorials and moderate our weekly podcast. The section also uses our video series Quad Talk to get student’s take on issues in the city and nation.

In my role as managing editor, I oversee the multimedia components of publication. After the daily editorial meeting, my night consists of multiple objectives.

For the most part I will produce one to two podcasts a night for the writing sections, as well as read and edit stories as they come in.

On top of that, I have a staff of five videographers. I mentor them as they produce videos, which that add a visual element to supplement the accompanying storystories running in print and online.

3 News Kelsey Bradshaw NEWS EDITOR @kbrad5

My job typically consists of running out of class to cover a fire or a bird that has caused a citywide blackout or a protest. Whatever the breaking news is, I’m there.

And if I’m not there, Carlie is there, or we’ve assigned a lucky reporter to break the news through some sort of social media. Editing news stories, live tweeting

A day in the life of the editorin-chief is something with which I’m only just becoming familiar.

I was recently appointed interim editor-in-chief and have learned there is never a dull moment in this position. Most days I wake up to an inbox full of emails, press releases, story ideas and comments on our website. After responding to emails and drinking the massive amounts of coffee vital to my existence and sanity, I head to my first class. I stop by the newspaper office between classes to look at how large the paper is scheduled to be for the next day and put out fires as necessary..

The editorial board meets daily to plan the paper we’ll produce that evening to be published overnight and distributed next morning. Throughout the night I read and edit stories after they go through the copy editors. At the end of the night I write headlines with Sam, the copy chief. Before the paper is sent to press, I approve and look over all the pages. By that time it’s around 11:30 p.m. and we go home to rest before another day starts the process all over again.

3 News an event and answering questions from reporters are all part of a normal day in the newsroom. But normal doesn’t exist around here—there’s usually a lot of off-key singing or office Olympics happening.

Covering the university and community can get pretty intense, but I love my job at the Star no matter how stressful it can be. Working in the News section is never boring, which is something I am continually thankful for.

Carlie Porterfield ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @p0rterfield

My name is Carlie Porterfield, and I am the Assistant News Editor as of this semester. I am first line of defense when it comes to editing articles for the News section. After combing through our reporters’ stories for errors or typos, I send them over to Kelsey for the final edits to be made. During my nights at the Star office, I have one-on-one meetings with reporters, help answer questions about our articles from the other sections at the newspaper and generally do whatever Kelsey tells me to. I also spend a lot of my time at the office drinking coffee and fantasizing about taking naps.

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University.

The University Star Interim Editor-in-Chief...................................Nicole Barrios, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor....................Cameron Cutshall, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters................................................................................universitystar@txstate.edu News Editor..............................................Kelsey Bradshaw, starnews@txstate.edu Lifestyle Editor..........................................Britton Richter, starlifestyle@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.......................................Imani McGarrell, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor...........................................Madelynne Scales, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor........................................... Quixem Ramirez, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief.....................................Sam Hankins, starcopychief@txstate.edu

601 University Drive Trinity Building, Room 101 San Marcos, TX 78666

Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Design Editor...........................................Lauren Huston, stardesign@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor...................Carlie Porterfield, starasstnews@txstate.edu Account Executive............................................Hanna Katz, starad2@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Morgan Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive....................................Jamie Beckham, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist.......................................... Chris Salazar, c.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...............................Kelsey Nuckolls, kjn16@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator........................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the spring and fall and every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright Wednesday, February 18, 2015. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy.

Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.

Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

The University Star | Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 5

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

BASEBALL

BOBCATS HIT ‘ROCK BOTTOM’ IN 10-0 LOSS TO SAM HOUSTON STATE

By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @quixem

A week into the season, the Texas State baseball team is still searching for its first win.

This is the same team that was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll behind Louisiana-Lafayette.

This is the same team that boasts the Preseason Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year, Lucas Humpal.

The Bobcats’ 10-0 loss to Sam Houston State caps a four-game stretch when the team was outscored by an average of four runs per game.

Texas State’s 0-3-1 record is the program’s worst start in Coach Ty Harrington’s 16-year tenure.

“Embarrassing,” said Jeremy Fikac, assistant coach. “It’s rock bottom for this program right now. The only good thing I can take away is now there is only one way to go now, and that’s up.”

Sam Houston State scored a run in six of the nine innings, forcing Texas State to replace starter Joe Powell, sophomore pitcher, in the third inning. Powell allowed six hits and three runs in his two-inning stint.

The team’s collective earned run average is 4.74 through four games.

For now, the Bobcats can only trust in the team’s talent level to get them over the hump.

“Probably not the start any of us envisioned coming out of the fall and who we thought we were gonna be,” Fikac said. “We are pretty on

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

paper. That’s it right now. The one good thing about it is that we have Wednesday and Thursday to practice and get some issues fixed.”

Until then, Fikac has enough material to fill multiple bulletin boards. His next task is to get the team to have faith in the process.

In total, Texas State left 13 runners on base.

Luke Sherley, freshman shortstop, left the bases loaded in the fourth inning when he struck out swinging.

Ben McElroy, senior first baseman, stranded two runners in scoring position with his strikeout in the fifth inning.

“For some reason we can’t get a key hit with runners in scoring position,” Fikac said. “We had an opportunity to get into that baseball game. One of these older guys needs to step up and get a hit and drive runs in. That’s their job.”

When the Bobcats were not squandering scoring opportunities, they were granting Sam Houston State extra chances.

The Bearkats tallied 15 hits in the win, reaching base on 45.7 percent of their plate appearances.

Texas State’s defense committed four errors, leading to five unearned runs for the Bearkats.

“We have to clean the defense up,” Fikac said. “On the mound, we have to dig our heels in and minimize. These kids have to take some ownership. We as coaches need to take some ownership, and we’ve got to get back in there.”

Read the full-length version of this article at universitystar.com

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6 | The University Star | Advertisement | Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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