T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
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A R L I N G T O N
Thursday April 14, 2011
Volume 92, No. 104 www.theshorthorn.com
Since 1919
No Doubt
Hitting Their Stride
The Theater Arts Department is performing Doubt this weekend. PULSE | SECTION B
Every hitter on the softball team’s lineup has improved offensively since last season. SPORTS | PAGE 3
LEGISLATURE
SC, legislators reinforce gun bill opposition SB 354 loses momentum on senate floor, two supporters back out. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Efforts to allow concealed handguns in college classrooms stalled in the Texas Senate for a second time Mon-
day, leaving a measure that seemed headed for approval now struggling to survive. The measure’s Republican sponsor, Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio, said he didn’t have the necessary support to call the bill for a vote. Wentworth would not predict if or when he would try again. “I’m hopeful this is a bump
SAFETY
Crosswalk renovation to end by Tuesday
in the road,” Wentworth said. “I don’t have a very clear crystal ball.” The Senate passed a similar bill in 2009, and Wentworth assumed he would get it through the chamber again. With more than 80 lawmakers in the 150-member House CONCEALED continues on page 6
ABOUT THE BILL Name: SB 354 What they say: Would allow people with concealed handgun licenses to carry on campus. Let us know what you think about the bill online at theshorthorn.com.
SC president continues to write opposition letters to legislators. BY BIANCA MONTES The Shorthorn senior staff
Student Congress President Aaron Resendez penned letters to every member in the Texas Legislature to
inform them of SC’s overwhelming opposition to all bills concerning concealed carry on campus. This week, Resendez delivered the letter to Governmental Relations Director Kate Kettles. “I am speaking in one SC continues on page 6
HORSING AROUND FOR A CAUSE
University spokeswoman says the redesign will use $16,000 from $10M set aside for research building repairs. BY JOHN HARDEN The Shorthorn senior staff
Funds remaining from the Engineering Research Building’s construction will cover construction costs for the redesigned pedestrian crossing being built on UTA Boulevard. About $16,000 is being used to redesign the crossing, said university spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan. The cost of the original design was included in the $126 million Engineering Research Building construction budget. She said the actual construction cost was about $116 million. The research building was constructed ONLINE using less than its allocated budget — al- What do lowing the university you think about to use the funds for op- the changes to the erational maintenance crossing? Share and to help pay off the your thoughts at debt from the tuition theshorthorn.com. revenue bonds issued to cover the construction cost. Construction began this week after Facilities Management concluded the crossing’s design wasn’t safe for pedestrians. Jeff Johnson, facilities management maintenance operations and special projects director, said construction is scheduled for completion by Tuesday. “The opening of the Engineering Research Building created a lot of foot traffic,” Sullivan said. “The university has never had to address the safety concern until now, because we’ve never had to CROSSING continues on page 5
The Shorthorn: Daniel Molina
Texas Rangers mascot, Captain, splatters kinesiology senior Eric Hernandez with a pie at Delta Xi Nu sorority’s Stomp Out AIDS festival Wednesday on the Central Library mall. Hernandez and other members of Lambda Theta Phi were one of many fraternities that appeared in support of AIDS awareness and raised money for the American Heart Association.
STUDENT LIFE
Big Event to be featured on morning show There will be more than 50 students and the focus will be on The Big Event. BY SARAH LUTZ The Shorthorn staff
When public relations senior Britney Taylor found out she had the chance to appear on WFAA’s
News 8 Daybreak Friday morning, she went to the UTA Bookstore for everything from blue and orange ribbons for her hair to a Maverick themed flag and a teddy bear. At 5 a.m. Friday morning Taylor will join about 50 UTA students decked out in blue and orange at the University Center to drive to WFAA Victory Park Studios in
Alumnus Derrick Gatewood, then an English graduate student, simultaneously plays 12 people at chess Nov. 6, 2006 at the University Center. Gatewood went down the line, making one move at a time until each game ended. He will once again play multiple challengers at 2 p.m. Friday in Nedderman Hall.
Dallas to appear on the local news station’s morning broadcast. Taylor said she’s a little nervous, but as long as she’s not asked to do a live interview, she thinks she’ll be fine. “I’ve actually done things that involve being on television before, but it was like camera crews come out to the event, say ‘Hi, how are you?’ Things like that, a little in-
HOW TO WATCH What to watch: WFAA Channel 8 When to watch: 6 a.m. Friday
terview,” she said. “But the fact that you get to actually go to the studio WFAA continues on page 5
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Students move to check king of chess Champion hopes to reinvigorate members through the tournaments. BY CHRIS BATES The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: File Art
Derrick Gatewood, twotime former UTA chess club champion, will defend his title as he plays multiple challengers at the chess tournament put on by the Maver-
ick Chess Club. The first five people to defeat Gatewood in the simultaneous matches win a $5 prize and bragging rights. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at Nedderman Hall second floor. Gatewood joined the chess club when it started in 2003 and spent his whole college career in the club. He said he had a great experience with
the tournament and encourages others to try it out. “The simultaneous tournament has always been something I have enjoyed,” he said. “It provides a chance to socialize with other players [and] students in an informal setting. New players also have a much higher rate of success in winning a game CHESS continues on page 6