Sept. 10, 2019 — Vol. 126, Issue 03

Page 1

SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO SINCE 1893

FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES $1.00 EACH

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

VOLUME 126, ISSUE 3 ESPAÑOL

Esvástica pintada en Wolf Pack Tower See ESPAÑOL page A3

A&E

File Photo/Nevada Sagebrush

A student climbs aboard a PackTRANSIT bus on Feb. 12, 2018. PACKTransit transitioned to a single service line that operates one continuous loop around campus, beginning Aug. 2019.

Change in PackTransit route raises concerns for students By Kennady Pine University of Nevada, Reno, students can expect several changes to transportation options around campus. As of the beginning of the 2019 fall semester, PACKTransit transitioned to a basic service which operates one continuous loop around the campus. The service line, called PACKLine, serves eleven stops from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Last semester, the silver and blue lines each ran from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Michelle Horton, Director of Facilities Services and Parking and Transportation Services, said the new transportation service is meant to be more cost-effective for the university. “Three years ago, we identified that the shuttle operation was not sustainable with the current funding model and the ‘basic service’ was formed,” Horton told The Nevada Sage-

brush in an email. “This ‘basic service’ included a continuous one-loop service from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Understanding that this was not ideal for some students, we went to both ASUN and GSA to gain support of an annual student fee (somewhere from $6 to $8) to fund the extra service. In the end, while the student leadership groups appreciated the PACKTransit service, they chose not to move forward with a student fee with the understanding that the service would transition to the basic service in the fall 2019.” The cost savings resulting from the new transportation system has allowed the Parking and Transportation Services to operate within its budget, including providing necessary funding for deferred asphalt projects that have been delayed due to a lack of funding. “The single one-loop system allows two buses to service the campus instead of three buses and the reduction of hours in the morning and evening has

saved the department over $300,000,” Horton said. According to Horton, no complaints have been brought to the attention of the Parking and Transportation Services Department. Despite no complaints being brought up to the department, students and former university employees have expressed their concerns to The Nevada Sagebrush. Rachael Reyes, a junior at the university, said she is unhappy with the change in transit that has taken place. “The university’s decision to make one line instead of two is one of the most illogical decisions that the university has yet to make,” said Reyes. “Last year, when there were separate lines for the east and west sides of campus it took only about twelve to fifteen minutes for the bus to make its rounds. Now it takes about 20 to 25 minutes. It also only runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. which doesn’t benefit my roommates or I at all considering a

lot of people have class before 8 a.m. and most of my classes end at 5:45 to 6:45 at night. I just don’t understand why they would change a perfectly fine system.” When the university made the transition to single-line transportation system, bus drivers were laid off. According to Meike Verebely, one of the bus drivers laid off due to the new transit route, three drivers, including her, were let go from a staff of eight. Verebely said she feels bad for the students and is concerned for their safety. “It really hurt,” said Verebely. “The new system doesn’t do anyone any good. The change is all about profit and it compromises the safety of the students. The kids have to wait for thirty minutes or more, and they can’t all rely on campus escort. Around the medical building and The Republic Apartments there’s very little light and it worries me. For the

ASUN starts year with Welcome Week Concert See A&E page A4

OPINION

Tune in for the next debates

See PACKTRANSIT page A2

See OPINION page A6

SPORTS

OTA Photos / Flickr

An individual types data on their laptop on Aug. 23, 2013. MyNevada will experience a system outage on Wednesday, Sept 18 to upgrade its technology.

MyNevada 2.0 to undergo update By Taylor Johnson MyNevada 2.0 will receive a technical upgrade on Monday, Sept. 23 in order to have better navigation, efficient log-in and to be more mobile-friendly. MyNevada 2.0 will experience a system outage from Wednesday, Sept 18 to Monday, Sept. 23. “Current and prospective students, where now they may have to log in to MyNevada 2.0 several times and when they go back and forth, it’s not smooth,” said University of Nevada, Reno,

registar Heather Turk. “It’s as smooth as we could make it and it’s functional, but it’s not a great experience.” Because the second fee payment is due Monday, Sept. 23, Enrollment Services is expanding the payment due date to Wednesday, Sept. 25. Turk said no negative actions for missing the Sept. 23 deadline.

See MYNEVADA page A2

File Photo / Nevada Sagebrush

A house in Reno’s Gateway District as it stands on Dec. 11, 2018. UNR started the design process for two academic buildings and a parking garage set to occupy the area of the current Gateway District.

UNR begins designs for Gateway construction By Andrew Mendez The University of Nevada, Reno, started the design process for two academic buildings and a parking garage set to occupy the area of the current Gateway District. The Gateway District refers to 12 homes located near Interstate 80, Evans Avenue, Virginia Street and Ninth Street and the relocation or potential demolition of the homes. Currently, one home has been relocated and three are under contract to move before construction takes

place. There has been no negotiation by the university about the other eight homes. The three homes under contract are expected to be relocated by the end of this year. Mark Johnson, President of the university, met with the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents on June 7 for approval of a Master Plan Update. The updated detailed the university has plans to

See GATEWAY page A2

Wolf Pack falters in Eugene See SPORTS page A7

Title IX launches new anonymous reporting feature By Kennady Pine The University of Nevada, Reno, launched an updated version of a feature on the Title IX section of the website which allows students to report violations of Title IX anonymously. The new software system implemented a way to make the site more campusfriendly and assists the Title IX office with functions such

as getting out notices and tracking and maintaining cases. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, which includes sexual misconduct. The Title IX also allows students to report acts of hate and discrimination.

See TITLE IX page A2


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