VOLUME 36 | ISSUE 1 hilltopviewsonline.com
HILLTOP VIEWS
New Topper revealed at Hillfest
@samanthdriscoll
Raneem Ashrawi @neemyf
Hillfest 2014 was filled with rides, live music, shirts and fireworks. The excitement didn’t stop there, however. For the first time in 15 years, a new Topper mascot was revealed. "We are thrilled to unveil a ‘refreshed’ Topper that is demonstrative of the pride, resilience, and strength we believe personifies St. Edward's and the Hilltoppers," Athletic Director Debbie Taylor said. "The new identity is more representative of our nationally recognized athletic programs and I believe will better resonate with our students and the
campus community." The new Topper was designed by an Austin designer. The new design features a more aggresive-looking Topper. The reveal also featured the words “Fear the Goat” in a new font next to Topper. “I think the new logo presents Topper as more aggressive. It’s a modern, clear, and more inviting to an athletic experience. Overall, it’s a refreshing change,” senior Damion Laverne said. The redesign process began in October 2013, with help from the St. Edward’s Athletic departmnet and the marketing office. The offices used surveys, focus groups and faculty members to create the new Topper.
“The old Topper, while charming and friendly, was a bit cartoonish. The new logo will definitely be a hit for years to come,” Laverne said. During the 15 years that Topper represented St. Edward’s, the athletic department became part of NCAA Division II, won 55 conference titles, produced 61 All-Americans and advanced to the NCAA Tournament 70 times. Student athlete and men’s soccer player, Daniel Riley, believes the new Topper will only continue to bring success to the Hilltop. “I’m confident the new look will only make teams that play here fear the goat even more,” Riley said.
St. Edward’s University
Alumni gym opens after renovations Samantha Driscoll
Photo by Michael Morse Head men’s basketball coach Andre Cook waved farewell to the Topper of 15 years as the new Topper is revealed at Hillfest
SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
Sept. 2 marked the unofficial grand opening of the new University Federal Credit Union Alumni Gym. The gym's target opening was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30, but instead opened four days later. Director of Campus Recreation Andy Lemons recounts how timing got in the way of public promotion for the newly finished gym. "Unfortunately, because we were delayed, we did not get to do our Campus Recreation Open House during the welcome days, which would have served as kind of a grand opening,” Lemons said. “We'll probably do some different stuff throughout the semester with the resources that we had allocated for that event to try and drive interest.” The delay was caused in part to account for a new learning curve. "Anytime you do a construction project, there's always going to be some level of, 'Oh I wasn't expecting that.” Lemons said. “There were a couple things that we
had to do to meet city code that were delayed a little bit, so it was disappointing, but the reality is that it was pretty close to being on time, so we're really happy with how it has turned out." The roughly $3 million project was approved almost two years ago, and construction started last fall. From start to finish, the renovations took about 10-12 months. UFCU donated $1.7 million, and a private, formal ceremony for UFCU and some of the student leaders and alumni that were a part of making the space possible was held on Friday, Sept. 5. The finished gym is airconditioned and has two integrated sound systems, a fitness studio, new restrooms with one shower and six lockers as well as a gender neutral bathroom. The gym will house Campus Recreation offices and be home to academic classes, club practices, intramurals and Group X classes. The gym's fitness studio, which has 15 spin bikes, has allowed for the expansion of returning Group X ALUMNI | 2
LIFE & ARTS | 9
SPORTS | 10
VIEWPOINTS | 12
Freshman’s tattoo homage to home in Iowa, inspired by Lena Dunham.
Women’s soccer team one of top teams in nation, hopes to win championship.
Our View suggests free food make a comeback at next year’s Hillfest.
2 NEWS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Laundry now free for residents
Alumni gym open for classes
Riana Soobadoo
available,” McNinch said. Continued from page 1 “And it's just nice because now we have our own space classes as well as the cre- for informal recreation and ation of several new ones. Group X classes. Before, we "There's a couple of new would go outside because it formatted classes that we was cooler outside than in can do now – spinning be- the gym, so now it's really ing one – early morning nice to have our own space strength class, and a barre where there's air conditionclass,” Lemons said. “We ing and an awesome sound bought quite a bit of fit- system." ness equipment: ball racks, Lemons wants the focus yoga blocks, plyo boxes and of the new Alumni gym to stuff for more of this func- remain on the physical welltional training that seems to ness aspect of Campus Recbe popular. It's little things reation. that really will enhance the "We made it a space that's classes themselves.” dedicated to campus recThe fitness studio has also reation first and foremost,” helped clear up scheduling Lemons said. “There's a fitconflicts for some students. ness assessment room over Junior Megan McNinch, there that we can use for priwho started teaching Zum- vate assessments – measureba for Group X last fall, is ments, body fat percentage, one of them. body mass index, flexibility "We were able more thor- and weight.” oughly to decide how we But that’s not all the new wanted our classes and gym has to offer. when our instructors are "Small group training is
@rianas92
With all the recent concern surrounding the issue of tuition and housing prices rising, St. Edward’s residents finally have something they can enjoy – free laundry. As students moved into their dorms and apartments during move-in weekend, they soon discovered that they would no longer need to scavenge around for quarters in order to do a load of laundry. According to Associate Director of Auxiliary Services Rebekah Nagy, St. Edward’s University leases their laundry equipment from a thirdparty vendor, and the school then accounts for these lease fees in the annual budget. Photo by Riana Soobadoo Last semester, St. Edward’s The new washers and dryers were installed over the summer. was in negotiation due to the existing contract expiring. vice will help to ease and less- collector malfunctions and The new contract was final- en stress on students who, in the need for refunds.” On the other hand, there ized in the spring and the new the past, would struggle to do equipment was installed dur- laundry if they did not have are potential problems with ing the summer to minimize money on their Topper Ten- having a free laundry service disruption and disturbance der card, or could not find available. quarters to insert into the For example, a potential to on-campus residents. problem that Nagy conA lot of talk sidered was the issue of within the St. increased energy and water “The program was Edward’s comusage; but, it was anticipatmunity has been attractive in terms of ed that those increases will happening, with ease of use, and we felt be offset by the increased students wonefficiency of these new madering how the it would be an added chines. school has been benefit to our resident Students are pleased to able to fund new see that St. Edward’s has fiwashers and drystudents.” nally introduced brand new ers so that they’ll Associate Director of Auxiliary washers and dryers. have the luxury Services Rebekah Nagy However, there are a few of free laundry. problems now that the ser“The run-free vice is free of charge. program was an option ofmachines. “The line can get pretty fered to us as we were ne“There are numerous ben- long,” sophomore apartment gotiating our contract with the equipment vendor, ASI efits, but the most obvious resident Jennifer Boudreau Campus Laundry,” Nagy would be that it simplifies said. “I’ve already had to wait. said. “The program was at- things and makes doing laun- I also went to do my laundry tractive in terms of ease of dry easier for students,” Nagy and a student was using up all use, and we felt it would be an said. “Students no longer four of the washers. Now it’s added benefit to our resident have to worry about a meth- free, I can see people abusing od of payment, and we've also and taking advantage of the students.” Nagy also believes the ser- eliminated the issue of coin- machines.”
new this year,” Lemons said. “Personal training was available before, but the fitness studio will allow us to do more of it. A group instructor or a personal trainer will be able to get three or four students and go in there and use that equipment that we bought and tailor the program to them.” Lemons encourages all students and faculty to visit the gym and see for themselves all the changes that have been made. "It's their space, and they need to come take advantage of it. We've got the staff; we've got everything they need to come over and enjoy it,” Lemons said. “College is stressful, and this gym is supposed to be a thing that helps relieve that. It's an awesome space.” All Group X classes are free until the end of the week, thanks to the annual two week preview offered.
Photo by Michael Morse UFCU funded the new gym, which will be used for Group X classes and campus recreation.
NEWS 3
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Colleagues remember John Reininger, Physical Plant painter Lyanne Guarecuco @lyannealexia
John Reininger liked to talk. “Everybody knew him as John the painter. And if you
had a minute and he had a minute, he would talk,” said Gary Morton, maintenance supervisor at St. Edward’s University. Morton worked with Reininger for 22 years.
As students and professors are sitting in one of St. Edward’s buildings for class this semester, they might take a look around at the walls and stop to think about the work that went into them.
Courtesy of Campus Ministry John Reininger was an active member of the Cowboy Harley Davidson HOG Owners Group.
Reininger, who worked at scuba diver. He was an active St. Edward’s for a little over member of Capital Cowboy 27 years, painted and plas- Church. He knew how to tered walls in most of those “Everybody knew him buildings, including the Maloney as John the painter. Room in Main And if you had a Building. Yet, Reininger's minute and he had job at St. Eda minute, he would ward’s was more talk.” than that of a painter. He was Maintenance Supervisor a good carpenter. Gary Morton He was St. Edward’s campus p h o t o g r a p h e r, with his photographs ar- make friends. He participatchived in the library. He was ed in Toys for Tots around Santa Claus at the Festival of Christmas. He would grow Lights and at campus Christ- out his hair until it was long mas parties. He was a co- enough to donate, and he did worker and a friend. this every couple of years unHe loved his Harley Da- til he started going gray. vidson motorcycle. He was a From those who knew him
best, Reininger would always be sure to ask how your day was going, and how you were doing. “He’d definitely strike up a conversation. And on the way home that day, he said something like, ‘well you know, it’ll get better.’ You’d have to know his voice,” said Morton. “He had a really long southern drawl,” said Brian Burns, director of facilities operation at St. Edward’s, who worked with Reininger for 11 years. On April 24, just before the end of the spring semester, Reininger passed at his home in Mountain City, Texas. His years of hard work will continue to live on in many of the walls and buildings around campus, and the mark he left at St. Edward’s, and with the people he worked with, will never be forgotten.
Students cautioned after assault occurs on track this summer Raneem Ashrawi @neemyf
On July 8, St. Edward’s University students received an email from the SEU Alert team after an assault occurred on track that surrounds the Lewis-Chen Family Field. According to University Police Department Captain Dan Beck, the victim was running around the track when she saw a man walk out of the trees by the tennis courts near the southwest corner of the track. She stopped and asked him if he needed help. The man then reached out and placed his hands on the runner’s shoulders. The runner screamed and ran to two other runners, who are both St. Edward’s students, on the other side of the track
where the three of them called UPD to report the incident. Under Sec. 22.01 Subsection (3) of the Texas Penal Code, an assault has been
or provocative..” This definition of assault is considered a Class C misdemeanor. According to Beck, UPD officers searched the north side of campus and all the way to Twin Oaks shopping center, but did “It’s still an open case not find the perbut we’re not actively petrator that matched the viclooking because we have tim’s description. nothing to go on right University police then checked now.” with the Austin Police DepartUPD Captain Dan Beck ment to see if they had any similar reports committed when a person that night. According to “intentionally or knowingly Beck, they had not. causes physical contact with The victim and the two another when the person witnesses were interviewed knows or should reasonably that night as well as the next believe that the other will re- day. The perpetrator is still gard the contact as offensive unknown, and the investiga-
Photo by Michael Morse Two other runners assisted the victim with reporting the incident after they heard her scream.
tion is still at a standstill. “It’s still an open case but we’re not actively looking because we have nothing to go on right now,” Beck said. According to Beck, this type of crime is not common at St. Edward’s. However, Beck also said that this prob-
ably was not the first time something of this sort has happened on campus. “On the face of it, it didn’t warrant anything. It didn’t even warrant the police search we did,” Beck said. The police report is not public because, as a private
university, St. Edward’s is immune to the Texas Public Information Act. UPD is not required to email or notify students of police reports. According to Beck, UPD decided to air on the side of caution and email students as a safety measure.
4 NEWS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Students spend summer abroad Victoria Cavazos @viacavazos
This summer, many students at St. Edward’s University challenged themselves and studied abroad, flying out of their comfort zones to take on their world in the best way possible. “Studying abroad is rapidly gaining popularity among the SEU students; in 2012, we sent 215 students abroad. In 2013, we doubled that and sent 430. We want that to continue and send even more students abroad this year,” said Nicholas Tafacory, an Office Specialist at the Office of International Education. One such student, junior Shelby Evans, studied abroad in Ireland and Romania for two weeks in May. While Courtesy of Shelby Evans Evans was abroad to study, Evans traveled to Ireland and Romania for two weeks in May. she also got plenty of hands “My advice to students: Just Germany both enriching and on experience with the nongovernmental organization go. Get out of your comfort educational, as several asthat was set up to help instill zone and travel somewhere pects of the trip tied into her a self-sustaining agricultural you’ve never been before- the plan of study. Norton’s recommendation system that would feed the world is a beautiful place, but impoverished villages in both you will never see that side of to other students: it in a classroom,” Evans said. “Go down to the OIE and the countries they will help you plan your Evans’ extrip no matter what your fiperiences nancial situation, major or in the two “My advice to students: schedule. They will give you countries plenty of options, you just this summer Just go! Get out of your have to go.” were decidcomfort zone and travel Both students suggest takedly enough somewhere you’ve never ing the dive into international travel for the average been before- the world is study headfirst, swearing by the benefits: a diverse netperson for a a beautiful place” work of friends, new experiwhole year, ences and an overall better but her apunderstanding of the world Junior Shelby Evans petite for adwe live in. venture was A great place to start your not whetted. own journey is hidden on Instead of Another notable world citi- the first floor of Moody hallcoming home after the two weeks of her study abroad zen, Elia Norton, is returning the mystical Office of Interprogram were up, she elected to St. Edward’s for her third national Education, where to travel on her own — and year after studying abroad there are great advisors and ended up covering 17 differ- for five weeks in Germany free coffee. The study abroad applicaent countries over the course on a faculty led excursion. of the summer including Norton, who is majoring in tion deadline for those interCroatia, Hungary and Po- economics and minoring in ested in going spring of 2015 German, found her trip to is Oct. 8. land among many others.
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games
GAMES 5
look for the answers to both games in next week’s issue!
Are you a writer or photographer?
WORD OF THE WEEK This section brings you words from around the world that have no equivalent in English. Expand your global vocabulary and find new ways to say just the right thing.
IKTSUARPOK EEKT-SOO-AR-POHK // INUIT the frustration of waiting for someone to turn up; aka that one kid in your group Physics project
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6 LIFE & ARTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Movies on the lawn events attract all students Rachael Hyde @rachael_hyde
Sept. 2 marked the first of the monthly Movies on the Lawn event hosted by the University Programming Board (UPB). As opposed to the four events last year, UPB makes it their goal this year to increase their events, including monthly open mics, excursions and doubling Blue-and Gold series sporting events. Movies on the Lawn was originally placed in Jones Auditorium, but with enough funding UPB was able to move the location to Holy Cross Lawn, where other big events such as Hillfest and End of the Year Party are held. A large screen is installed to project the movie, as students sit on blankets supplied by
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures University Programming Board will host monthly lawn movies.
the organization. Those who attended had to show their student ID in order to rent a
blanket for the movie. “This event is just a great way to hang out and get their
mind off homework”, Kendyll cent blockbusters or student Severa, executive director of choice. UPB, said. By going to the UPB web“We provide free candy and popcorn, and “All my friends wanted students can to (come to the event), come lay out and it seemed like a on the lawn,” Severa said. good way to unwind The movie after the long day of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” studying. I was actually showcases Ansurprised at how many drew Garfield as Peter Parker events are offered.” and Emma Stone as Gwen Freshman Yasmeen Yahya Stacy, the romantic pair both on and off camera. page, students can give feedActor, comedian and musi- back of the event and sugcian Jamie Foxx is also in the gest movies for the following movie as the villain, Electro. month. Movie selection is based The majority of the stuupon two credentials: re- dents in the audience were
freshmen living on campus, including Yasmeen Yahya. “All my friends wanted to (come to the event), and it seemed like a good way to unwind after the long day of studying,” she said. Yahya had already seen the movie this summer and enjoyed it. As a freshman, this was Yahya’s first Movies on the Lawn event, but she says she will probably attend again, depedning on what the next movie will be. “I was actually surprised at how many events (St. Edward’s) had to choose from, so I think they’ve been doing a good job making new students feel welcomed.” Movies on the Lawn occurs every first Tuesday of the month. The next movie UPB will show is “Mean Girls.”
J Mascis maintains his acoustic roots with second solo album Natalia Gonzalez @nattiegonzalez1
Primarily known as lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis released his second solo album on Aug. 26 entitled "Tied to a Star." This second solo album features appearances by Ken Maiuri, front man for the 90’s group Ribboncandy, Pall Jenkins, founder of The Black Heart Procession, Mark Mulcahy, former front-man for Miracle Legion and Chan Marshall, leading lady for the amazing Cat Power. The album opens with “Me Again,” a simple and gentle acoustic melody that takes on themes similar to those found in Bon Iver's music. With a clean picking pattern and high-pitched vocals,
Mascis pulls off this neat tone and gives the listener a sound even better than he refreshing sound from the pulled off the heavy electric other primarily acoustic guitar sound that he did for tracks. so long. The album is pretty static in style–acoustic “It’s always inspiring from beginning to see artists do solo to end with ocalbums that differ...from casional tempo changes. their original sound, In his track, but the difference that J “Stumble,” the use of elecMascis brings... is that tric guitar and he doesn’t abandon his a din drone brings back roots.” some of his old styles. With heavy drums and a The use of double stops in light electrified solo guitar “Drifter” ties the album toriff, this track is the most dif- gether and shows off Mascis’ ferent from any of his other stellar guitar skills. tracks on the album. “StumClosing the album with ble” poses as a good shift in “Better Plane,” Mascis brings
back the solo guitar and a perfect mix of fuzz and folk style guitar to tie the album together. Overall, his vocals and skillful picking makes for a nice collection of tunes. The natural themes that were introduced in his first solo album, "Several Shades of Why," resurface and continue in "Tied to a Star." With no clear narrative, this primarily sound-based album has proven a continuation of his 2011 solo album. If a third solo album is released, it will definitely be an unnecessary continuation. It’s always inspiring to see artists do solo albums that differ so much from their original sound, but the difference that J Mascis brings to the table is that he doesn't abandon his roots.
Courtesy of Zia Nizami/Belleville News-Democrat/MCT J Mascis’ second solo album has primarily acoustic tracks.
LIFE & ARTS 7
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
John Oliver: Brit comedian with American sense of humor Amanda Markoe @markoepolo
Just like “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report,” “Last Week Tonight” presents different news in society and makes fun of or critiques it. However, one of the main differences between “Last Week Tonight” and other shows similar to it is that the star of the show, John Oliver, is British. This gives the show a new twist compared to the other shows similar to it, which feature American comedians. This makes the show more intriguing and grabs people’s attention, and it also makes the show seem funnier. Yet using a British comedian to critique America’s problems may sound a tad spiteful, but other comedians, like Stephen Colbert, have dissed and belittled their country more times than anyone could count. Shows like “Last Week Tonight” help people know what is going on in society without watching the news, which can sometimes be graphic or depressing. Oliver makes the situation almost entertaining. He points out how ridiculous someone or a situation in America is and makes it comical. This helps Oliver display how truly idiotic a situation or person might be. Some of the ways he does this is by using fake commercials, profanity and making fun of other news programs. However, the show is not perfect. Like many other newsreporting comedians, Oliver reports from a liberal standpoint. Oliver will often report news without giving its
full context. He only gives a touch of the story, not necessarily letting the viewer gather an opinion. For example, Oliver spent a great deal talking about the events going on in Ferguson, Missouri. He gave his opinion, but he never took into consideration the other side of the story. He canceled out all possible evidence that could hurt his stance on the topic, and just automatically stuck with his viewpoint. Of course, the viewer feels as if they must agree with him because he makes a good point through different comedic gestures that gets the audience a touch off-track. But not all the information is present, and the viewer is left
with no other opinion but Oliver’s. Even though the show has its flaws, it inevitably is hilarious. Oliver’s insults and comparisons can be childish, but they remind viewers that sometimes the issues we have in America can be silly. "Last Week Tonight" is a great show for people who want to find out about the news and have a good laugh. Now, for those who only form their opinions from just this show alone, it's probably best to skip out on Oliver and his antics in favor of a more traditional source of news. “Last Week Tonight” has been airing on HBO since April 27. It airs on HBO at 11 p.m. on Sundays.
Courtesy of Sixteen String Jack Productions Brit John Oliver stars in satirical news show Last Week Tonight.
WEEKLY ‘FLIX FIX Horror movie-inspired show has action, outlaws, vampires Audrey Eads @audeveofeden
Weekly ‘Flix Fix takes the legwork out of wading through thousands of film choices on Netflix, bringing you the most truly bizarre, quirky and outright amazing gems instant streaming has to offer. In 1996, Robert Rodriguez co-wrote the movie “From Dusk Till Dawn” with Quentin Tarantino, which focuses on two outlaws that get into trouble when they hide out at a bar filled with vicious vampires. The movie achieved cult status, and Rodriguez has brought it back in the form of a TV series, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” that airs on his new network, El Rey. The full first season recently became available to view on Netflix. “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” has more action than horror, but the supernatural elements of vampires and hallucinations that feature demons give it a decidedly creepy twist. It expands on the story of the Gecko Brothers that were the stars of the movie, but also brings in other characters’ stories which gives it the feeling of a crime show. The show introduces the characters and plot in the first episode without the audience needing any prior knowledge of the movie on which it is based. It begins when the audience sees a young girl running away from unidentifiable tribal men. She is captured and thrown into a
Courtesy of Miramax Films From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series features action and horror.
pit of snakes, and the screen suddenly cuts to presentday Texas. Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez seems to become the protagonist of the show when he and his partner stop at a liquor store in the middle of nowhere for a bathroom break and encounter Seth Gecko and his deeply-disturbed brother Richie Gecko. They are on the run from the authorities after robbing a bank in Abilene and killing four Rangers and two cops. The show keeps the audience in suspense throughout the episode by showing
flashbacks and the inner thoughts of characters. Evil vampires also make up part of the plot of the show. They are much more hardcore than vampires we’ve seen in shows like “True Blood” and “Vampire Diaries.”W Overall, this is a series that will ensnare the audience from its very first episode and make them want to binge-watch the whole thing in 24 hours. There is only one season of the show currently available on Netflix, but it has just been renewed for a 13-episode second season.
8 LIFE & ARTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Robin Williams honored, HBO big winner at Emmy Awards
VMAs become Bey-MAs with empowering performance
Samantha Driscoll
Jennifer Nguyen
@samanthdriscoll
@jenmnguyen
On Aug. 25, NBC broadcast the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by comedian Seth Meyers. For the first time since 1976, the show was held on a Monday to avoid competition with the MTV Video Music Awards. HBO, which Meyers compared to “the kid you grew up with who ended up doing way better than you expected,” had 99 nominations, the most out of all the networks nominated. HBO’s nominated shows included “True Detective,” “Veep” and “Game of Thrones.” “When I first met HBO, all he had was ‘Grease 2’ and ‘Fraggle Rock,’” Meyers said. In a twist that shocked many, “Game of Thrones” failed to bring home any of its 19 nominations during the show. Netflix received 31 nominations, proving just how much streaming has changed the face of television today. “Breaking Bad,” which went off the air in 2013, took home five Emmys throughout the evening, including Outstanding Drama Series for the second year in a row. The show dominated the drama genre, taking home Outstanding Actor (Bryan Cranston), Supporting Actor (Aaron Paul), Supporting Actress (Anna Gunn) and writing. "Modern Family" collected its fifth consecutive win for Outstanding Comedy Series, beating out both "Orange is the New Black" and "The Big Bang Theory." "Modern Family"'s Ty Burrell won his second Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy
It’s awards season, and if you didn’t catch the MTV Video Music Awards, I highly recommended that you watch it. Opening with performances by Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, you could say the night started off with a bang. MTV did not disappoint with guest performances by Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, Usher, 5 Seconds of Summer, Maroon 5 and Sam Smith. There were also reflective moments, with a tribute video to the late Robin Williams and a moment of silence led by rapper-actor Common for the violent civil unrest occurring in Ferguson, Missouri. Miley Cyrus, the winner for Video of the Year for “Wrecking Ball,” shocked and awed the world by keeping her tongue in her mouth for the night. Jesse Helt, a young homeless man, accepted the award on her behalf. Helt, 22, told his story of jumping between shelter homes and spoke about My Friend’s Place, a homeless youth development program where Cyrus met him. Helt appealed to the famous crowd to check out Cyrus’s Facebook page to learn more and donate toward a foundation that aims to end youth homelessness. Beyoncé’s highly anticipated and highly satisfying 16-minute mash-up performance of her self-titled album blew up Twitter feeds and Facebook timelines, and will probably make MTV Video Music Awards his-
Courtesy of Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/MCT Robin Williams was honored by a close friend at the awards.
Series award for his portrayal as the lovable Phil Dunphy. The show also won the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.
the show lighthearted and joke-fueled for a majority of the evening, the atmosphere changed during the annual “In Memoriam,” dedicated to members of the television community that died “(Robin Williams was) in the past year. the brightest star in Billy Crystal the comedy galaxy” honored his late friend, comedian whose “beautiful light and actor Robin will continue to shine Williams, with a touching tribute. on us forever.” “It’s very hard Comedian Billy Crystal to talk about him in the past because he was "The Big Bang Theory" so present in all of our lives,” did manage to steal some of Crystal said. the comedy spotlight back Williams’ death on Aug. 11 when Jim Parsons, who plays took the world by surprise Dr. Sheldon Cooper, won and shattered the hearts of his second consecutive and many. fourth total Outstanding Crystal compared Williams Lead Actor in a Comedy Se- to “the brightest star in the ries Emmy. comedy galaxy” whose “beauAlthough Meyers and tiful light will continue to other presenting guests kept shine on us forever.”
tory. Queen B didn’t just sing and dance; she made a powerful statement. During “Flawless,” the voice over sample from Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie defined feminism with its words played out like subtitles on the large backdrop of the stage. The venue resonated with girl-power as Beyoncé stood in front of empowering words, like “Feminist,” before launching into a fierce performance of the song. After the mashup ended, the most popular kid on the block, Blue Ivy, and her father Jay-Z presented Beyoncé with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
The Winner’s Circle includes: Video of the Year: Miley Cyrus - “Wrecking Ball” Best Female Video: Katy Perry ft. Juicy J - “Dark Horse” Best Male Video: Ed Sheeran ft Pharrell - “Sing” Best Pop Video: Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea “Problem” Best Rock Video: Lorde “Royals” Best Hip-Hop: Drake ft. Majid Jordan - “Hold On (We’re Going Home)” Artists to Watch: Fifth Harmony - “Miss Movin’ On” Best Social Message: Beyoncé - “Pretty Hurts”
Courtesy of MTV Viacom Press Release Beyoncé spreads positive message of feminism for all.
LIFE & ARTS 9
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
TOPPER TATS Heritage, ‘Home’ memorialized in freshman’s personal tattoo Victoria Cavazos @viacavazos
For freshman Augustus Welch, better known by his friends as Augie, the recent artwork on his upper back serves as both a tribute to a favorite actress and a reminder of home. His tattoo features a fourstory house and the lyrics, “Home is wherever I’m with you,” a line from a cherished song by folk band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. The house is an representation of his family home in Omaha, Neb. Welch says he was inspired by watching Lena Dunham, who has a similar tattoo, on the popular HBO TV series
Photo by Victoria Cavazos Welch shows off his tattoo; his father sports the same ink.
“Girls.” “My mother drew that tattoo,” he said. “It’s the house that I grew up in.” Welch’s mother, an art
school graduate who studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, mainly paints in oil, but made an exception for her son and agreed to draw the
tattoo. Welch recalls that his mother was against the idea of his getting a tattoo, but he assured her worries by asking her to draw the piece herself. To Welch, having his mother draw the tattoo gave it much more personal meaning and sentimental value, and his mother was happy to acquiesce. His mother was also swayed by their grand Midwestern home, which has immense personal value to his family because of the memories they share there and the long history that lives within its walls. In 1914, the home was built from pieces of salvaged wood provided by an old church that was destroyed by
a storm. It sits on a half acre of fertile Nebraskan land and towers impressively above the landscape. At four stories, it is a colossal masterpiece of a house with enough doors and windows to confuse any
“The house used to belong to good friends of ours,” said Welch. “They lived in the house for years before selling it to us and that makes it more special.” Welch’s father also sports the same ink of a house and song lyrics on his own “The house used to belong to good friends back. This matching of ours.” tattoo is part of a tradition of tatFreshman Augustus Welch toos in Welch’s family. Within the guest. Aside from its rich ar- Welch family, the tattoo is chitectural history, friends of not only a means of expresthe Welch family were also sion, but an important symprevious tenants of the home, bol of their strong bonds with upping the value of the house each other and their heritage. even further.
Topper Trends Students return to classes in lightweight, comfortable styles Jessica Guajardo @jessicagohardo
As temperatures reach the high 90s and the summer heat becomes almost unbearable, comfort is always a factor when choosing an outfit to wear. St. Edward’s University students have definitely been keeping that in mind, coming back to campus in comfortable classics. Collared shirts, loose fitting dresses, basic colors and sneakers are just some of the trends seen around that students are wearing to stay cool, comfortable and in-style.
In the photo above Rachael verse. Hyde, a sophomore digital “My everyday style is basic, media management major, but tweaked. My closet is full looks effortlessly stylish in a thrifted “Austin has definitely denim skirt and neutral impacted the way I colored top dress! Everyone here in from Forever this city dresses very 21. Hyde pairs well and tries to stand her outfit out from what’s typical.” with a statement watch Rachael Hyde, sophomore from Fossil. She also stays comfortable walking to and from of basic, neutral clothes, but I class in classic-white Con- always try to take a twist on
how people usually wear it,” Hyde said. It is not surprising that many students at St. Edward’s have a quirky twist to their style, being a microcosm of a city that is so famous for keeping it “weird.” “Austin has definitely impacted the way I dress. Everyone here in this city dresses very well and tries to stand out from what’s typical. It’s so different to what I grew up in,” Hyde said. Being a college student also means having a college budget. Hyde proves that it is possible to look great without
breaking the bank. “Goodwill and I are now good friends,” Hyde said. In the photo above, senior communication major, John Sjoberg, looks classic and cool in a plaid collared shirt from Brooks Brothers and khaki shorts from J. Crew. Sjoberg also stays practical by teaming his outfit with some Sperry sneakers. Sjoberg, an Austin native, describes his style as comfortable. “Comfort is really important to me when I dress. I am from Austin, so I think that my style gets some influence from that,” Sjoberg said.
Photo by Jessica Guajardo Hyde shows how she stays cool and budget friendly.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Women’s soccer ranked fifth nationally in 2014 Julian Chicoine @julianchicoine
St. Edward’s women’s soccer enters the 2014 season with high expectations. Fresh off an Elite Eight appearance in last year’s Division II NCAA Tournament, the women picked up where they left off with a 2-0 victory over University of Colorado State-Pueblo in last Thursday’s season opener. “We want to win every game we play,” head coach Nick Cowell said. “Resulting in a conference championship, a conference tournament championship, a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and ultimately an NCAA Championship.” This year the women are ranked relatively high by numerous polls, reaching No. 5
in the NSCAA rankings, No. 26 in the Massey rankings, and No. 44 in the Bennett rankings. With all of these expectations, sometimes pressure can build up. However, Cowell has his team playing under control. “Any pressure that we have is what we place on ourselves to perform at a high level every time we go out on the field,” Cowell said. Yet a controlled mindset and a high preseason ranking are not the only things that the Hilltoppers have going for them. They also have loads of leadership. “We have a core leadership group who have grown with the program over the past four years,” Cowell said. “Mikayla Engel and Riana Soobadoo organize a lot of
Photo by Julian Chicoine The soccer team has won its first two games of the season.
the team’s activities; Ally Lindquist, Cailyn Trapani and Megan Anderson are fierce competitors on the field; Jessie Traves and Katie Donahue lead with quiet confidence and composure
on the pitch.” This leadership will be crucial as a large number of new faces join the team. Some of these new faces are transfers, such as defenders Jennifer Bourdeau from the
University of Memphis and Jordan Thinger from Otero College. “With the strength of our returning players and the talent of our newcomers this year we could potentially and hopefully make it to at least the Final Four,” senior defender Ally Lindquist said. In addition to the incoming freshman and transfers, the Hilltoppers are also gaining two international players from Sweden: Viktoria Malmros and Elin Rosenberg Cemazar. “This is the most competitive squad, top to bottom, that we have ever had,” Cowell said. However, these newcomers face the tall task of filling the shoes of last year’s decorated senior class, a group that included All-Americans Kate
Orkild and Rachel Murray, goalkeeper Dani Licarione and defenders Amber Guenther and Anna Owen. With a balance of young talent and veteran leadership, this year’s team will look to gel as a unit and excel on the field as well as off. “They compete at the highest level nationally in NCAA Division II,” Cowell said. “They achieve grades significantly higher than the regular student body, and also find time to devote many hours a week to various community service projects.” After coming up short last season, the women have unfinished business to attend to in 2014. Their road to redemption continues on Friday against Colorado School of Mines here in Austin, kickoff is at 4 p.m.
ATHLETE PROFILES
Hoskins adapts to life in US Natalia Gonzalez @Gonzale02529551
Position: Center Back Fun facts: Runs with bulls during the summer Favorite Music: Oasis
Photo by Natalia Gonzalez The men’s soccer team has a 1-1 record this year.
It was in Portsmouth, England at the age of 8 where Owain Hoskins fell in love with soccer. His father ran a local team in Fareham, not too far from Portsmouth, where Hoskins got the chance to play with the older kids. “For me, soccer is not just about playing,” Hoskins said. “It is about developing as a person.” While Hoskins enjoys the comfort and family atmosphere that the team brings to him, he also revels in fierce competition. “I love the rush you get when you win,” Hoskins said. “When hard work pays off, that is really the
best feeling.” It was the fellowship and spirit that drew him to St. Edward’s University. Had he chosen an education in England, Hoskins would not have had time to develop his skills. He was torn with the decision to either play the sport he loved or get a degree, a non-existent dilemma for a student athlete. His move to Austin hasn’t come without its adjustments, In England, when the ball is out of play, they don’t stop the clock, instead adding extra time. Hoskins has also been adapting to the Texas heat. Regardless, he is enjoying his time here.
Dier driven by her education Natalia Gonzalez @Gonzale02529551
Position: Goalkeeper Fun facts: Plays the ukulele Favorite Music: Haim and The Smiths Sam Dier started her soccer career at the age of five at an indoor YMCA place in Pasadena, Calif., later moving on to playing club soccer at Real SoCal. During her sophomore year of high school, Dier had committed to a Division I school close to home in, but changed her mind senior year and committed to St. Edward’s University. Dier’s decision was driven
by her academic rigor, believing a Division II university would give her the time to balance soccer and school. So far, Dier is loving the Austin vibe, and “shining like the star she is.” Her current major is academic exploration in the humanities. Dier looks at the game of soccer like an extremely realistic video game, and enjoys the adrenaline rush that she gets once on the field. “I get way too nervous before every game,” Dier said. “But as soon as I don’t mess it up too bad, everything seems to go right.”
Photo by Natalia Gonzalez This is Dier’s first year playing for the Hilltoppers.
Dier is also extremely injury prone, claiming to have hurt herself 13 times in the last two weeks. “I am a 90 year old woman in an 18 year old body.”
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
NFL, fantasy leagues kick off new season this week Jennifer Nguyen @jenmnguyen
A large portion of Americans do not pay attention to sports, except when it comes to the National Football League (NFL). What draws in an even larger audience is the number of people who play fantasy football. Millions of people who were playing on Yahoo! Fantasy Football this past weekend caused the website to temporarily crash, causing panic among fans. Football is the most popular sport in America and the number of players is growing. ESPN has everything a potential fan might need if they wanted to join a fantasy league, from weekly predictions to opportunities to join
other leagues or draft lobbies and great draft kits to start the season off right. The NFL season kicked off on Sept. 4 when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers. Fans were on the edge of their seats, sometimes rooting for a player on the opposing team, to score points or to make a defensive stop in order to win their fantasy game that week. The opportunities are endless for ultimate humiliation in fantasy leagues, like forcing the losers to show old photographs to making them wear the uniform of their rival team each week. On the flip side, there are endless chances for eternal bragging rights, like making
Weekly sport events for: Friday 9/12 - Monday 9/15
MEN’S TENNIS Friday 9/12 | All Day Trinity Tournament @ San Antonio, TX
WOMEN’S TENNIS Friday 9/12 | All Day Trinity Tournament @ San Antonio, TX
WOMEN’S SOCCER Bettma Hansen/Seattle Times/MCT The 2014 fantasy football season is under full swing after the season kicked off this week.
championship rings to receiving cash in lieu of victory. ESPN’s predictions for the top five players of 2014 include Adrian Peterson,
LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte and Marshawn Lynch. Fantasy league players must be prepared if a player goes down
and costs them valuable fantasy points. This week’s leading scorer was QB Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons.
Playoff races heating up in last month of season Amanda Gonzalez @Amanda620DG
With less than a month of regular season baseball left in 2014, the top teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) are fighting hard for a possible playoff berth or wild card spot. All season long, dominant pitching and silent bats have helped some teams, while hurting others who cannot seem to find an offensive attack. Currently leading the American League (AL) divisions are the Baltimore Orioles in the East, Kansas City Royals in the Central and the Los Angeles Angels in the West. Very close behind in the AL wild card race are the Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. In the National League
(NL), the division leaders are the Washington Nationals in the East, St. Louis Cardinals in the Central and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West. In a tight NL Wild Card race, the San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers,
SPORTS CALENDAR
Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates are all jockeying for position. In other baseball news, several walk-off heroes are in the running for the AL and NL MVP titles, as well as two starting aces for the Cy Young award.
Kirthmon Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT The Yankees are trying to make playoffs in Jeter’s last year.
In the AL, outfielder Mike Trout of the Angels and first baseman Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers are both having outstanding seasons. For the past two years, Cabrera has earned the MVP title with Trout closely behind. However, statistics and analysis show that Trout has a slight lead in the race this year over Cabrera. In the NL, it is a pitcher who is dealing his way to the top of the MVP race: Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. The other two players in the running for the NL MVP are outfielders Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates. Stanton and McCutchen are both reliable power bats in their respective lineups. However, recently, McCutchen suffered a rib fracture which has limited his
time. In regards to the Cy Young race, the award for the most outstanding pitchers in both leagues, Kershaw and Seattle Mariners All-Star Félix Hernandez are atop of the list of aces in the running. Players in the hunt for the Rookie of the Year Award are first baseman José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox and outfielder Billy Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds, based on their solid statistical seasons. As Abreu and Hamilton are finishing the first season of their promising careers, one respected player will soon be completing his last MLB game in uniform. The New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter is playing his last month of his 20-year career, and hopes to cap it off with a championship when the playoffs start in October.
Friday 9/12 | 4:00 p.m. vs. Colo. School of Mines @ Austin, TX
MEN’S TENNIS Saturday 9/13 | All Day Trinity Tournament @ San Antonio, TX
WOMEN’S TENNIS Saturday 9/13 | All Day Trinity Tournament @ San Antonio, TX
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Saturday 9/13 | 12:00 p.m. vs. St. Mary’s @ Austin, TX
MEN’S SOCCER Saturday 9/13 | 1:00 p.m. vs. Metro State @ Austin, TX
WOMEN’S SOCCER Saturday 9/14 | 7:00 p.m. vs. Texas A&M Int’l. @ Laredo, TX
MEN’S GOLF Monday 9/15 | All Day vs. West Texas A&M @ Amarillo, TX
WOMEN’S GOLF Monday 9/15 | All Day Concho River Classic @ San Angelo, TX
12 VIEWPOINTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
@hvviewpoints OUR VIEW Move from free food frustrates all but freshmen Every week the editorial board reflects on a current issue in Our View. The position taken does not reflect the opinions of everyone on the Hilltop Views staff. People go to Hillfest for the free food and stay for their friends and free stuff. This year, the upperclassmen are outraged and the freshmen are stoked. Why? Well, when you are required to buy enough meal plan to feed a family of three (freshmen), you do not tend to notice what food truck food costs. However, as a commuter or upperclassman, your meal plan does not seem to feed a family of one-third, let alone you. Most students are speculating that the fireworks are
Courtesy of Laura D’Eramo In past years, long lines for free food were worth the wait.
what did the food in, and they are not impressed. Fireworks are great situationally, but not in this instance. Instead of having a shirt — which will almost certainly
be given to Operation T — at the end of the year, some students would rather eat a third meal of the day that does not consist of SweeTarts and a juice box (nothing against
either of those two delicious items). Those who are desensitized to the flyers, sandwich boards and their University Programming Board friends demanding them to go to every event might be confused. According to the St. Edward’s University website, everyone should “Come out to enjoy live music, carnival attractions, and great prizes!” All of those things are appealing. The question turns up with the statement that “Admission, food and unique takeaways are free to students with a valid St. Edward's ID.” This statement must have been recycled from last year’s Hillfest, or from any of the previous years, where food was graciously offered freely
to all St. Edward’s students willing to endure the long lines. While free food is not a guarantee at all University Programming Board events, it is typically what students look forward to the most. “Free [insert name of delicious food here]” is probably the most appealing phrase to a student passing hundreds of event flyers a day. While all students appreciate and enjoy the free rides, music, prizes and apparel that Hillfest provides, removing the free meal was not the best move. Judging by the campus’ disappointed reaction to the news that Hillfest food costs money, attendance at the event may have suffered.
Upperclassmen who have enjoyed free Chick-fil-A, Torchy’s and P-Terry’s at past year’s Hillfests hold high expectations for the event, assuming that each year it will be equal to or better than past years’ fests. It’s not that food trucks won’t prove popular; it’s the cost of them that worries upperclassmen. For instance, one year, the UPB rented segways. The following year, upperclassmen experienced disappointment, finding that the present year’s Hillfest to be segway-less. Regardless of the absence of free food, the students all seemed to enjoy the velcro wall, Miley Cyrus simulator and zipline at Hillfest. This is merely a suggestion to bring back the free food next year.
Perry indicted: his lawyers believe case is unconstitutional Jackie Schicker @365photopoems
On Aug. 15, a grand jury of 12 indicted a Texas governor for the first time since 1917. The indictment was followed by Gov. Rick Perry turning himself into authorities for booking. In preparation for Perry’s court date, his lawyers have discussed their trial strategy and proposed that the indictment is unconstitutional. This interpretation is due to the absolute veto power granted to the governor, which Perry’s attorney argues he exercised. “Continued prosecution of Governor Perry on the current indictment is unprecedented, insupportable and
simply impermissible,” reads Ferguson’s vetoing of funds the notion for dismissal made to University of Texas led to by Perry’s attorney David his impeachment, though he Botsford. later worked in the goverThe 1917 indictment of nor’s office when his wife was Gov. James “Pa” Ferguson was also tied to the “Continued Texas governor’s prosecution of veto power, but Gov. Perry on the ended with the current indictment impeachment of is unprecedented, Ferguson. Ferguson and Perry’s insupportable lawsuits are akin. and simply Neena Satija, a impermissible.” reporter for the Texas Tribune, recently wrote a piece about the similari- elected to the position. ties between Ferguson and Perry’s vetoing of funds for Perry. Satija says both were the Public Integrity Unit is involved with vetoing fund- questionable because it is a ing to organizations in Texas. force responsible for checking
political corruption. In social media responses, some liberals seemed pleased by the indictment on abuse of power charges, because it seems to admonish greater actions than what it is precisely tied to. This may prove difficult in court, however. Because they are so vague, abuse of power charges rarely jail indicted individuals, according to reporter Jay Root from his recent article for the Texas Tribune. The standards to prove abuse of power are incredibly high, so the case of the prosecution will likely need to emphasize the charge of coercion of a public servant. Whether your response to the indictment was on the liberal side, the conservative
Courtesy of Olivier Douliery/AbacaPress/MCT Perry’s lawyers argue that he excercised absolute veto power.
side or simply an amount of awe at the indictment of our state’s governor, you can voice
your opinion about it. As the hashtag adage goes, “remember in November.”
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
IJ FACE OFF: US INTERVENTION
America must rise against ISIS to prevent further harm Hannah Lieck @hlieck
The Obama Administration must intervene more in Iraq and Syria. As President Barack Obama considers asking Congress for approval to intervene in the Middle East, again, tens of thousands of people are living in terror of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The terrorist group has brutalized and murdered thousands, and must be stopped. The U.S. cannot allow the killing to continue with a clean conscience. Some suggest that the issue be put on the backburner until America solves its internal issues, like health care, immigration and the aftermath of racial unrest in Ferguson, Mo. While these problems are significant, the Obama Administration must weigh the costs of its hesitation to act
in the Middle East. By providing more help to the oppressed and terrorized religious minorities in Iraq and Syria, Obama will not be abandoning American needs. If the U.S. further intervenes, many Americans fear that the entirety of the government’s energy and attention will channel into this situation. However, this fear is illogical, for the president’s administration is comprised of a multitude of offices that will still focus on their specific duties. For example, the U.S. government’s involvement in Syria will not hinder the Office of National Drug Control Policy from working to improve the country internally. Other opponents of American involvement in the ISIS crisis urge Obama to stop airstrikes, believing that the terrorist group will
continue to kill Americans like James Foley and Steven Sotloff if military interference continues. This logic exalts the lives of Americans over the religious minorities being slaughtered by ISIS. While Foley and Sotloff ’s deaths deserve attention and mourning, they should not be magnified over the thousands of civilian deaths in Iraq and Syria. While opponents of U.S. intervention in the Middle East encourage the American government to withhold further help, their beliefs are flawed. Most claims opposing intervention are based on skewed assumptions about the different roles of the American government in the country, and the exaltation of American lives over the lives of those terrorized by ISIS. Intervention is vital to maintain both US humanism and foreign affairs.
J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post Dispatch/MCT Intervention could quell the number of civilian deaths and help reassert U.S. dominance.
VIEWPOINTS 13
US air attacks on ISIS are ineffective, illogical, immoral Sara Katona @katanakatona
After terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria publicly executed Steven Sotloff, their second western victim, the U.S., NATO and other forces are determining the best course of action to aid the Middle East’s resistance. The U.S. should not do more than offer humanitarian relief and work with NATO to find solutions to ISIS’s massacres. The Obama administration has confirmed that there will be “no boots on the ground,” but I am advocating for the stoppage of air strikes. Air strikes have the potential to cause more civil harm than soldiers. In terms of foreign affairs, Obama’s decision to not deploy ground forces is excellent. The West intervening in Iran and Iraq—two countries within the top ten of oil producing countries—would allow other countries to condemn the U.S. for several reasons. This year, when Syrian President Bashir al-Assad was using chemical weapons, America continued helping with airstrikes, but backed off with further military assistance. Intervention in Iran and Iraq would give countries such as Russia ammunition which could lead to problems in foreign relations. The attacks could come as America only helping those in need when those in need can repay. This perspective
MCT Foreign actors are getting sick of the U.S. role, “big brother.”
seems only more likely when looking at how other, closer, countries are reacting. American government sources suggested that Britain might be willing to help with air forces too, but Cameron and other officials were quick to spot the mention. The British government stated that strikes were “not under discussion at the moment.” By continuing drone strikes, civilians will be killed and ISIS will be getting what it wants. Civilians have already been killed by the U.S. drone strikes on ISIS. With more strikes, more civilians will be killed and ISIS will use its
exceptional media plugs to spread the word of Americans as bloodlusting invaders. The executioner of Sotloff stated that “just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.” The recent videos of ISIS beheadings can attest to this threat. Whether NATO decides on airstrikes or not, humanitarian relief will be necessary. The U.S. is not in charge of dismantling ISIS and should look inwards at civil disputes, the slowdown of employment rates this month and affairs with organizations that can make a difference without the backlash of foreign input.
14 VIEWPOINTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Short-sighted solutions for police brutality cases will not work Rosemond Crown @rosemondcrown
The police shooting of unarmed black teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. has brought about speculation as to how the country should prevent these types of incidents. Officer Darren Wilson was named as the shooter on Aug. 15 and has faced no disciplinary action as of yet. People want to see their law enforcement take action and hold themselves responsible for this tragic event. Some want the local police department to hire more black officers, while others want to see policemen wearing body cameras — though these are merely Band-Aid solutions. Hiring more black officers creates the notion that this is a black problem. This is an
American problem, and it is insulting that this is one of the solutions being pitched. According to Politifact. com and Ferguson’s QuickFacts profile from the U.S. Census Bureau, Ferguson has a population that is 67 percent black. Their police force, however, has only three black officers compared to its 50 white officers. Though this difference is alarming, increasing the amount of black policemen will not eradicate the issue of police brutality. It will simply redirect it. Sure, having more black policemen will help calm the racial tensions between the citizens of Ferguson, but that does not remove the fact that police brutality is still an issue. After all, who is to say the black policemen will not target the white people of Ferguson?
Courtesy of Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT/BW One proposed solution to police brutality is requiring all policemen to wear body cameras.
A more effective, but still flimsy solution that has been pitched is the requirement of body cameras on all police officers. Jay Stanley, the senior policy analyst of the Ameri-
can Civil Liberties Union, believes that body cameras are a type of technology that have “a very real potential to serve as a check and balance on police power." This, in all honesty, is very true.
Having police wear body cameras makes it easier to serve justice to civilians who fall victim to police brutality. But the fight is not against the justice system. It is against the violence between
police and civilians. Having the cameras will serve to help achieve justice speedily, but it does not prevent police brutality. While the body cameras should definitely be implemented to protect police and civilians, people must also realize that cameras will not fix the problem from its root. The solution is increased police training on the appropriate use of force. It is comforting to know that there are people who are deliberating legitimate ideas to prevent this tragedy from replaying. The ideas to use body cameras and add more black officers are only partial solutions that belittle Brown’s death and the justice being sought. America can do better. This is a chance for the nation to prove how civilized it is.
Hillary Clinton winning over supporters without announcement Jessica Guajardo @Jessicagohardo
Ready or not, Hillary Clinton is coming for you. That’s right — phone cases, neon solo cups and “#READY” posters are just some of the items the Ready for Hillary super political action committee is using to gain the young Obama following for her presidential bid. Ready for Hillary has raised over $5 million, according to CNN. Through the PAC’s hip grass roots effort, Clinton’s potential campaign has picked up popularity, especially among the millennial voters. With a whopping 67 percent of the youth voting for President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, the Ready
Courtesy of Astrid Riecken/MCT Clinton has not announced her bid, but already has backers.
for Hillary super PAC understands the importance of campaigning toward the younger population. With merchandise that looks like it belongs on a college website and fundraisers held at breweries, it is obvious who the pro-Clinton
team is targeting. Facebook and Twitter are just a few of the outlets the committee is using to connect with the young following. The PAC promotes the hashtag “#Hillary2016” on social media, t-shirts, bumper stickers and buttons.
Trendy t-shirts are sold used in one of the Ready for that have Clinton’s twitter Hillary campaign videos, and bio on the back, making her tweets have even been exan even more relatable figure. changed between the two. Hopefully, St. Ed’s will soon “I told @HillaryClinton be brimming with walking that I would write her a Hillary-boards. ‘theme’ song if she needs it,” The t-shirt reads: “Wife, Perry tweeted. mom, lawyer, women and kids advocate, “Facebook and Twitter FLOAR, FLOare just a few outlets TUS, US Senathe Super PAC team is tor, SecState, author, dog owner, using to connect with hair icon, pantthe young following.” suit aficionado, glass ceiling cracker, TBD…” It is not just students like us “@katyperry Well that’s not who are hyped for Clinton; a Hard Choice. You already pop icons such as Katy Perry did! Keep letting us hear you are also supporting Clinton Roar,” replied Clinton. in her potential 2016 camThe possibility of Clinton paign. becoming the first female Perry’s song, “Roar,” was president coupled with her
strong stance on important issues like the wage gap and gay marriage attracts the younger and more progressive population as well. Clinton’s super PAC may be targeting a younger audience, but no age group should shy away from her sincere and innovative beliefs on important topics. Although the PAC is “run by young politicos,” according to CNN, some advisors close to Clinton “have reservations” about the different groups supporting her possible campaign in 2016. However, the young politicos running Ready for Hillary should give her campaign the vigor that it lacked back in her first campaign for presidency in 2008 and push Clinton to the forefront.
VIEWPOINTS 15
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
Russia retrieves geckos from successful space sexpedition
Ebola epidemic necessitates greater US humanitarian aid
Victoria Cavazos
Hannah Lieck
@VNCavazos
@hlieck
In an attempt to study the effects of weightlessness on reproduction, the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, sent off five experimental “sex geckos” into space on the satellite FotonM4. The satellite containing the geckos was launched July 19 in Kazakhstan. Its goal was to measure fertility and egg structure in zero gravity. However, contact was lost with the satellite on July 24. Since their orbital mishap, Russia’s brave “geckonauts” have been getting a lot of press. Russians being Russians, the team decided to abandon the geckos and let the satellite make its way back to earth on its own time. The result of Russian abandonment was comedian John Oliver’s campaign to “go get those geckos.” Oliver rallied support from celebrities such as Regis Philbin, Buzz Aldrin, Tim Gunn and even Patrick Stewart. As any team would after being harassed by an
The Ebola virus is spreading rapidly in West Africa, and the American media is now frequently covering it as more American aid workers become infected with the disease. So far, Ebola has affected three Americans: Nancy Writebol, Kent Brantley and Richard Sacra. They all worked in Liberian hospitals until infected, though not all worked with Ebola victims. These American nurses and doctors then became patients themselves. They flew back to the U.S. to receive treatment in Atlanta, Ga. Beyond Americans’ contraction of the illness, Ebola has infected 3,500, taking the lives of over 1,900 people in West Africa, according to BBC News. While the United States has the adequate sanitation and treatment technology for the virus, West Africa lacks the equipment to even protect those treating the victims of Ebola. Many Liberian nurses have begun a strike, refusing to treat patients without adequate equipment to diagnose
Courtesy of Institute of Biomedical_Problems Even though celebrities pleaded, the geckos died in space.
X-Man and ex-spaceman, Russia’s team of controllers worked tirelessly to regain contact with the geckos and eventually brought home the satellite. On Sept. 1, the satellite was retrieved only to find the creatures lifeless. Some say they were still smiling. If it weren’t for those meddling scientists, the geckos would be snug at home right now, quietly reproducing in the comfort of their own rainforest with their own partners. Instead they were prostituted and exploited in space in the name of science. Despite the reptiles’ illfated sexpedition, Russia’s
launch was still partially fruitful. In addition to the five hypersexual green lizards, they also sent a group of flies that successfully reproduced. Along with those flies were other specimens including mushrooms, silkworms and other seeds. Although this has been a sad day for the geckos, the trial was not entirely in vain, and something interesting may come from Russia’s study. At the very least, the geckos seemed to have perished in ecstasy, and they will forever be remembered for their bold sacrifice to science.
HILLTOP VIEWS Print Editor-in-Chief Jacob Sanchez Online Editor-in-Chief Lyanne Guarecuco Copy Chief Jenna Jaco
and treat those assumed to have Ebola. The U.S. has responded to the outbreak, but could do more in the way of equipment to treat victims of Ebola. According to a press release from the Centers for Disease Control, “100 U.S. government personnel have been deployed and are working in the affected countries.” Since March, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has aided West Africa by giving nearly $21 million to help combat the disease. Along with UNICEF, USAID has also Courtesy of MCT flown in over 400,000 pairs of medical gloves Three Americans working in Liberia have contracted Ebola. and 40 tons of chlorine. The World Health Organization is asking for Borders), who have labeled an accumulative $490 million the response of world leadfrom the U.S. and other na- ers to the disease as "lethally tions able to commit money. inadequate". Despite aid from the U.S., Although $21 million is nurses in Liberia, victims of a lot of money, the U.S. has Ebola, and aid workers alike more to offer. all agree that more help is When battling an epidemic needed. like Ebola that has killed alWorld leaders have en- most 2,000 people, wealthy dured criticisms by organi- nations like America have a zations like Medecins Sans moral obligation to generFrontieres (Doctors without ously and selflessly give. 3001 S. Congress Ave. #964, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 448-8426 Fax: (512) 233-1695 hilltopviewsonline@gmail.com www.hilltopviewsonline.com
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Hilltop Views is a weekly student newspaper published by the School of Humanities and serving the community of St. Edward’s University. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the university, whose mission is grounded in the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church. Letter Policy: Hilltop Views welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for space, grammar and clarity. Letters will be published at our discretion. Anonymous letters will not be printed.
16 PHOTO ESSAY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 | HILLTOPVIEWSONLINE.COM
HILLFEST
This year’s Hillfest was bigger and better than ever with more rides, food vendors and live bands. The newly designed Topper mascot was also revealed to campus with the slogan “FEAR THE GOAT.” photos by: Michael Morse