VOLUME 102, ISSUE 58
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THURSDAY GO NE ONLI NOW
FEBRUARY 21, 2013
Students Speak Out Student bus riders share their thoughts on the tram system at Texas State. To hear their opinions, visit UniversityStar.com.
UNEARTHING HISTORY
Austin Humphreys, Photo Editor
Michael Collins, anthropology research associate professor, and Anastasia Gilmer, anthropology graduate student, slice a soil sample for inspection under a microscope.
Chemistry department aids in archaeological research By Minerva Hernandez-Garcia News Reporter The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has teamed up with the Gault Archaeological Project to dig up the truth behind an ancient civilization. The Gault Site, located in Bell County, is home to evidence of the Clovis people, believed to be the first inhabitants of the Americas. Michael Collins, anthropology research associate professor, said archeologists have found new evidence of inhabitants predating the Clovis people at the Gault site, but the discovery has its critics. The chemistry department is working to prove the authenticity of soil deposits that could substantiate the claims there was a civilization older than the Clovis people. The chemistry department is protecting and preserving the soil deposits excavated from the Gault site by embedding the samples in a plastic polyester resin. The soil samples are believed to be more than
Rezoned restricted spots to alleviate parking woes By Paige Lambert News Reporter While officials say parking at Texas State will continue to be a hot-button issue, changes are being made in several lots across campus that could help ease the problem. The Transportation Services Advisory Council members decided to reassign half of the lot next to the tennis courts to all-zone parking during a January meeting. Nearly 100 spaces were changed to allzone after they had been converted to restricted parking months before, said Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of transportation services. Two to three rows of parking will remain restricted for staff members at the physical plant. Nusbaum said 43 spaces remained empty daily when the lot was designated as faculty parking. Stephen Prentice, assistant director of parking services, said watching and recording those empty spaces led to the reassignment of the spots. “We re-evaluate (parking) all the time, and the R-2 (tennis courts) lot just wasn’t justifiable anymore,” Prentice said. “It wasn’t completely being used by faculty. So, we wanted to give it back to the students who need it most.”
13,500 years old and are so fragile they must be hardened with a mixture of chemicals, Collins said. This process will keep the samples intact so they can be sliced and analyzed by a specialist under a microscope. The specialist will hopefully determine the integrity of the samples, Collins said. “If (the samples) are very high integrity, that is a defense against the criticism that they have been disturbed or mixed up, or are, for one reason or another, of little scientific value,” Collins said. Collins said the goal of the Gault Project has been to collect a sample of the oldest deposits at the site. There are those who do not believe evidence of people before the Clovis exists, so Collins said archaeologists must “bend over backwards” to fend off the critics. Collins said Paul Goldberg, a pioneer in the field of soil science, is usually in charge of turning the Gault Project samples into microscope slides.
READ CHEMISTRY, PAGE 3
Faculty members gained more parking spaces after construction ended and improvements were made to the Lantana and Butler Hall parking lots. The two lots are now designated as restricted parking because there is a higher concentration of faculty near the Undergraduate Academic Center, Prentice said. “There will always be the issue of construction taking away parking spaces,” Prentice said. “Until the dust clears and we don’t have to open and close lots, it’ll be a constant struggle.” Nusbaum presented a modified parking map along with rezoning to the Transportation Advisory Council during the January meeting. Nusbaum said the map is still considered a draft, and an approved version will be available before summer orientation begins. According to the map, all-zone lots will soon be called perimeter parking, and signage will be changed to indicate more clearly who can use the spaces. Signs for the perimeter lots will be completely purple instead of the currently depicted striped color zones. Purple currently indicates commuter parking.
READ PARKING, PAGE 3
Elise Laird, Staff Photographer
Texas State officials are making changes to faculty parking to supply more spots for students.
Friends, faculty remember Texas State student serves as physical therapy professor state representative in session
Photo courtesy of Chandler Prude
By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor Barbara Melzer, professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, died from pneumonia Feb. 17 in California. Melzer had been hospitalized since early January after becoming sick on a trip to visit friends in California. Faculty senators had been updated prior to Melzer’s death her health was reportedly improving and she was being taken off medication. Melzer was the director of clinical education and the Faculty Senate chair. Melzer had practiced and taught physical therapy for about 38 years, according to a eulogy written by Eric Robertson, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. Melzer was 63 and planned on retiring in May. Debra Feakes, associate profes-
sor of chemistry and biochemistry, served with Melzer on the Faculty Senate. Feakes said Melzer was a “woman of all trades” and was dedicated to both her family and work. “She was just remarkable,” Feakes said. “All the characteristics you want in a faculty member, she had. She was open and caring.” Melzer had won the Texas State University Presidential Award for Service multiple times. Barbara Covington, associate professor in the School of Nursing, said Melzer was a champion of the nursing school. “She was already going to start her bucket list,” said Valerie Anderson, Faculty Senate administrative assistant. “She had planned a trip to the Grand Canyon over spring break.” Anderson said Melzer had recently adopted four cats and was active in her church in San Antonio. “She jumped in with both feet,” Anderson said. “She had no fear.” Melzer frequently flew to visit her sister with terminal brain cancer, said Gwynne Ellen Ash, associate professor of curriculum and instruction. Feakes said Melzer loved jewelry and art. Melzer’s office was decorated with numerous art pieces, and she collected decorative pins for all of her outfits. Melzer’s ashes will be sent to San Antonio, and a celebration will be held in her memory in April, Covington said.
By Nicole Barrios News Reporter A Texas State student has one foot in the door of higher education and the other in the Texas Legislature. Larry Gonzales, the state representative for District 52, is simultaneously working toward earning his master’s degree and pushing for legislation to fund new buildings to better the university. This legislative session Gonzales is spending his time out of the classroom and in the capitol, serving on multiple committees concerning budgets, redistricting, local calendars and technology. Gonzales said he is interested in higher and public education funding this legislative session because of his ties to Texas State. He is interested in seeing what advances can be made by utilizing technology to make the state run more efficiently. A part of Gonzales’ job is working on legislation for funding the proposed Health Professions 2 building in Round Rock and the new Engineering and Science structure on the San Marcos campus. Gonzales said getting funding for the new buildings is one of his top priorities this session. “We’re building an infrastructure of health care (in Round Rock),” Gonzales said. Gonzales is working toward
earning his Master’s of Public Administration at Texas State’s Round Rock campus. He is not enrolled at Texas State during this legislative session, but is nine hours shy of a master’s degree. Gonzales said his time as a state representative has been wonderful and challenging. “You walk in the chamber, you walk on that House floor and you realize there’s a lot of history before you,” Gonzales said. “Texas is a really neat place to be.” Gonzales said the experience is rewarding, but sometimes serving as a state representative can present challenges. “It’s also a very difficult time to serve,” Gonzales said. “There are budget shortfalls, people that are upset, people that are angry, and there’s a bad attitude toward Washington, D.C.” Gonzales served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations for the Texas State University System prior to being elected as a state representative. Gonzales said he was able to visit all eight institutions within the Texas State University System and meet students during the tenure. He said each campus has its own mission and unique population of students. “I think I got a really good appreciation for all of the kids at each one of these schools because every school is so different in their mission and who they’re
teaching,” Gonzales said. “I loved it.” Diane Corley, associate general counsel of the university system, said Gonzales’ role was to monitor the legislative process, including bills affecting the system, students, faculty and overall higher education. Corley said Gonzales was one of the most professional and honest people with whom she has worked, and he represented the system well. She said the special interest in the Round Rock district will help Gonzales do all he can in supporting both Texas State campuses during the legislative session. Gonzales serves on the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee when the legislature is not in session. Gonzales said it is his job to give the chamber the “Texas State and higher education perspective,” along with state government news affecting Round Rock. Doug Kurkul, president and CEO of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, said Gonzales was one of five legislators who recently spoke to members about the current session. He said Gonzales talked about the budget challenges facing Texas. “We’re very hopeful we will get funding for additional construction during this session,” Kurkul said.
2 | Thursday February 21, 2013 | The University Star
OPINIONS
For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu
Double-major students should not be restricted
By Ravi Venkataraman Opinions Columnist
T
students who cannot utilize alternate transportation. Ollyanne Offor, education junior, said she rides the tram because it is “safe.” Offor said the glare from car headlights blurs her vision and hurts the eyes when she drives. It may seem like a minor complaint, but impaired visibility was a contributing factor in 42 fatal crashes in 2011, according to TxDOT statistics. Christina Rodriguez, political science master’s student, said she is thankful for the trams. She is able to “debrief” instead of having to be “mentally awake and mentally focused” while driving. TxDOT statistics indicate fatigue or “asleep” were identified as contributing factors in 136 fatal crashes. There are far too many Texans who are unwilling to accept the taxing physical and mental responsibilities of driving. Transportation services officials noted concern for student safety on trams as a reason for the elimination of the interurban bus service this fall in a Jan. 31 campus-wide email. There were 3,015 motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2011, and only two involved were passengers on a bus, according to the TxDOT statistics. However, it appears as though students’ substantiated safety concerns for riding the interurban trams will be void in the coming months.
exas State officials should avoid implementing a plan some universities across the nation have discussed that could abridge degrees and restrict some students from double majoring. Administrators at Ohio State University and University of Texas discussed banning students from earning two degrees at once unless they could graduate within four years, according to a Jan. 31 Time Magazine article. Lagging graduation rates and internal pressures at many institutions have fueled many similar discussions in the country. In the same article, it’s said 58 percent of students who enroll in bachelor’s degree programs at four-year institutions in the United States graduate within six years. In addition, statistics from U.S. News & World Report indicate Texas State’s four-year graduation rate is approximately 27 percent. With this in mind, simplifying degree paths and restricting students to only one degree could be a possibility for Texas State administrators in the future. However, rather than looking for ways to alleviate the overall increasing costs of higher education, why are administrators at other universities interested in banning some students from double majoring in particular? Students should not be barred from double majoring if they need more than four years to do so even when the institution’s four-year graduation rate is an area to improve upon. A report published Oct. 11, 2012 by The Chronicle of Higher Education indicated 30 to 40 percent of all graduates from the country’s “most elite schools” double majored in college. It is likely some of these students required more than four years to complete certain degree plans. Overall, it seems as though the crackdown on graduation rates is becoming increasingly important to administrators. E. Gordon Gee, Ohio State University president, advised changing the culture of college campuses to improve graduation rates, according to a Jan. 24 report by the National Commission on Higher Education Attainment. He said in the report that this would improve cost efficiency and the utilization of data more effectively. Gee suggested limiting the choices of coursework per semester within a major and insisting students complete their degrees within a fixed period of time in order to improve cost efficiency. Gee said in the report, “the result has been a much higher rate of degree completion at a much faster pace than in the past.” Administrators should be concerned with cost efficiency, but this suggestion to fix the problem of low four-year graduation rates by going after the larger trend of double majoring is unfair. Creating strict degree paths and rigid timetables would work in the university’s favor, but it does not seem to fully serve students’ interests. It does not cater to majors that are potentially difficult to finish in four years because of the breadth of knowledge and number of requirements. Take biology or chemistry for example. The upper-division courses are very knowledge-intensive, meaning that it may take a complete grasp of a plethora of loaded terms and applying the knowledge in case studies just to get by. For some, the four-year degree plan model could be too stressful for those intending to dual major. Administrator suggestions to graduate more students on a strict timetable and potentially create cost effective institutional funding solutions are not fully developed. However, it is understandable university officials want to attain higher four-year graduation rates because they can benefit current and future students and the overall health of the institution. Despite this, banning some from double majoring, restricting class options and simplifying degree plans is not the answer. This will only create gaps in higher education in an era where dual degrees are becoming increasingly more valuable to emerging job fields.
-Daniel Palomo is a mass communication masters student.
--Ravi Venkataraman is a creative writing masters student.
Kara Ramer, Star Illustrator
Proposed bus fee increase must be approved Though students have been shortchanged by transportation services in recent weeks, things could become much worse if they are not willing to hand over more money to fix the problems. A recent review by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute led to the administration canceling the Bobcat Interurban Tram services, effective Aug. 26. Commuter students who rely on the interurban services will have to find another way to get to campus. This unfortunate situation is compounded by the fact transportation services is asking for the student bus fee to be increased from $78 to $95 through a referendum in April. Asking for more money from students who are already strapped for cash is not likely a popular decision, but increasing the bus fee is necessary. Transportation services is going through a major administrative and operational transformation. Although it is difficult to ask students to pay more money for the same service, not passing the bus fee would trigger a series of negative changes in students’ transportation. Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of transportation services, said more bus services could be reduced if the department does not receive the necessary
money from the fee increase. There could be a drop in service hours and elimination of Saturday, night and Wonder World Drive routes, in addition to other cancelations and modifications. Nusbaum said the department would like students to vote on the fee increase at the same time as the Associated Student Government elections, according to a Feb. 5 University Star article. Students will vote on the fee increase April 2 and 3. ASG should allow the student referendum to be a part of the ballot even though some members have expressed displeasure about the group’s lack of involvement in the issue. ASG President Nathan McDaniel expressed his displeasure in a Feb. 3 memorandum sent to administrators. McDaniel said the proposal timeline to increase the bus fee has changed over time “without consultation and in some cases with extremely late notification.” ASG is being used as a “tool to achieve an end instead of as a collaborative partner,” McDaniel wrote. As the students’ formal representation to the administration, representatives should have absolutely been involved in discussions regarding potential service fee increases. The fact that these changes—which burden students exclusively— took place outside of the transportation committee with student representatives is deplorable. The practice encompasses a communication error and a continued practice of taking advantage of those
who are the most vulnerable. In this case, however, ASG members need to set aside any harbored feelings and put the referendum on the ballot for the good of the campus. The bus fee increase is necessary for the university’s transportation services to remain operating at a sufficient level. McDaniel states in his memorandum that members of ASG have ideas for a solution, but it is unlikely anything can be accomplished before the date of a referendum. It is important to note the referendum can still be put on the ballot without ASG’s consent, but it is in the students’ best interest to address the issue at the same time the ASG elections are held in order to maximize student input. It is ultimately the students’ responsibility to make sure the bus fee increase is approved. Paying more money than usual is never enjoyable. However, the bus fee increase is necessary to keep transportation services from being forced to cut some of the important benefits students rely on every day. 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-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
Students find safety in interurban buses
By Daniel Palomo Opinions Columnist
S
ome students’ only safe and reliable route to Texas State will unfairly vanish this fall when the Bobcat Tram Interurban routes cease to operate. One of the aspects passengers enjoy about the interurban buses is safety. Often students believe riding the bus is safer than driving personal vehicles for a number of reasons, and some Texas statistics validate their feelings. On average, one person in Texas was murdered every seven hours in 2010, according to the “Texas Crime Clock” published by the Department of Public Safety. This statistic may not seem very high since Texas is a big state. However, that number pales in comparison to the danger Texas drivers face every day—one person is killed approximately every 2 hours and 54 minutes, according to statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2011, 152 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in my home
county of Bexar, according to statistics from TxDOT. That same year, 275 total people died in motor vehicle incidents within the counties that encompass San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin and San Marcos. It is unfortunate so many Texas State students commute to campus by car on these dangerous roadways everyday. In addition, the statistics indicated people of college age are at a significantly higher risk for vehicle crashes than the rest of the population. People may think fatal traffic crashes tend to involve multiple vehicles. However, “single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes” accounted for 40 percent of all motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2009. Undivided roads with four or more lanes have the highest rate of deadly traffic crashes, according to the same statistics. The layouts of Aquarena Springs Drive and Hopkins Street fit into this category. A total of 768 people sitting in the “front left occupant position” died two years ago on undivided roads with four or more lanes in Texas. Morbid? Yes, but these statistics from TxDOT are pertinent to the Texas State community. Pedestrianism and biking can only provide slight reprieves from urbanization and motorized mayhem on the roadways. It is not plausible for everyone to ride a motorcycle, walk to campus or use multimodal transportation. However, the interurban bus provides a relatively safe and sometimes the only option for
TALK IT OUT
AGAINST
University Name Change By Molly Block Opinions Columnist
FOR
The state legislature should grant Texas State officials’ request to shorten the university’s name in order to increase national recognition and presence. The official name is Texas State University-San Marcos, but administrators are looking to change the title to just Texas State University. The current name has been official for 10 years, but it is a mouthful and not said in typical conversation. The name alteration would not be that big of an adjustment for the university in financial respects regarding sign and letterhead changes. A name change would prevent Texas State from being confused for a regional institution with multiple branches like the University of Texas or Texas A&M University.
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Editor In Chief................................................Beth Brown, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor............................Lee Moran, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................................Caitlin Clark, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor............................Hollie O’Connor, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Liza Winkler, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..........................................Cameron Irvine, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief......................Thomas Glasebrook, starcopychief@txstate.edu Web Editor.............................................Cayla Green, starwebeditor@txstate.edu
By Christian Penichet-Paul Opinions Columnist
Texas State University-San Marcos should not change its name to Texas State University. The alteration is meant to clear confusion over whether Round Rock is seen as a separate branch rather than a second campus of Texas State, according to a Jan. 31 University Star article. The proposal would change Texas State’s title for the sixth time in its 114-year history. The change would not eliminate confusion, but rather would increase student questions as to the university’s official title. Furthermore, the university’s prestige is hurt every time its name is altered. Businesses and prospective students might not respect a university that tries to redefine itself by changing its name multiple times. Instead, Texas State officials should continue to make concrete academic changes. Thousands of students have graduated from Texas State since its last name change in 2003. It would be unfair for these alumni to have their original diplomas with an outdated university title. In the sentiment of Shakespeare, this university will continue to be the same by any other name. We may as well keep the current one.
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The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published 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 Thursday, February 21, 2013. 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.
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The University Star | Thursday February 21, 2013 | 3
NEWS
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CHEMISTRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 However, Goldberg’s upcoming retirement meant the process of turning the samples into microscope slides was up to the archaeologists of the Gault Project. Collins said Goldberg gave the Gault Project all the information needed to complete the process. However, the task was turned over to the chemistry department so the samples would not be ruined. “If the samples are ruined, it is an enormous task to collect them again,” Collins said. Joseph Lamas, biology senior, is assisting with the project. Lamas said the process of turning the deposits into slides starts when a block of sediment is taken from the Gault site. A chemical mixture must be made to harden the sediment. Collins said the chemical mixture is put
in a tub containing the sediment, and a catalyst is added to the polyester resin. The resin soaks into the soil, which makes the mixture “hard as a rock.” The hardened samples are then sent to a lab and sliced to make the microscope slides. Anastasia Gilmer, anthropology graduate student, said she has been working on the Gault Project since 2001 and is currently writing her thesis on the Gault Site. She said the chemistry department has helped provide the important information necessary to complete the project. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it as successfully without them,” Gilmer said. Collins hopes this is not a one-time partnership between the Gault Project and the chemistry department.
Austin Humphreys, Photo Editor
Soil samples obtained from the Gault Site, located about 40 miles north of Austin, will be inspected for evidence of the first inhabitants of the Americas.
PARKING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“In the middle of (the current color-coded legend) is a little layer of purple, so it’s hard for someone to see that,” Nusbaum said. “We want to make it easy for commuters, especially new ones, to know where they can park.” Prentice said the restricted parking areas around Bobcat Trail will eventually be repurposed into a mall area as a part of the Bobcat Trail Redevelopment Project. The project will consist of replacing underground pipes and other maintenance work, as well as turning the asphalt into green space similar to the mall in front of the UAC. Thomas Gleason, geography senior and ASG parking and transportation committee chair, said because Bobcat Trail is a high pedestrian area, changing it into a green space will benefit everyone.
“So many people walk through that area, and there are only a few spaces for faculty and staff to park,” Gleason said. “A green space isn’t just advantageous, but necessary for this campus. It’s great for students to have a place (where) they can enjoy the outdoors, relax or study.” Gleason said while parking will continue to be an issue, students should look into other modes of transportation and remember faculty have vehicles as well. “Students need to realize the fact that the faculty are also hurting,” Gleason said. “It’s important faculty have close parking to help maintain and keep our current faculty. We don’t want to push them, or any new people for that matter, away with something as simple as parking issues.”
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4 | Thursday February 21, 2013 | The University Star
TRENDS
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Hip Hop Congress members to perform with rapper at TMT By Fiona Riley Trends Reporter This weekend five Texas State students will have the opportunity to open live for a noted musical artist. Members of the Hip Hop Congress will perform at Texas Music Theatre Saturday as opening acts for professional rapper Big K.R.I.T. The members, Evan Taylor, Troy Baham, Alex Harris, Collin Gee and Jade Lewis, will each be performing an original piece for their act. Taylor’s song is a piece called “I Ain’t Trippin’” from his mix tape, “For My People.” Lewis, whose stage name is Aye Cue, will perform his song “Mornings to Regret,” which will be released in his album, Genre 2080, in late February. “People are always saying they want to have a night to remember. So, I flipped it,” Lewis said. “It’s basically about downfalls and successes.” Tamara Johnson, Hip Hop Congress president and mass communication senior, said the opening acts encompass a variety of styles. Her role in preparing for the big night was to help coordinate the artist, pick which Hip Hop Congress members would perform, put together rehearsals and guarantee everything runs smoothly. The group members involved in the performances have been preparing since they learned of the opportunity in December. They hope performing alongside Big K.R.I.T. in front of a large crowd will help their careers as rappers. “I think it’s going to give them a great
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 to serve as Editor-in Chief of The University Star. Term begins one week following the final issue of the 2013 Spring Semester publication schedule. The term of office runs through the Spring 2014 Semester. 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 Communication, the director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 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 on the committee. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in at least nine hours each semester during the term office. Students graduating in the final semester of the appointment (Spring Semester 2014) 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. 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 responsi-
opportunity, and put their foot in the door,” Johnson said. “It’s a great thing to put on their resume for future job opportunities, to say they opened for Big K.R.I.T.” The opportunity to open for the musician was obtained through an organization called Tha Fixx and co-founder of the Hip Hop Congress, Ray Cordero. Tha Fixx promotes hip-hop shows in the South. “The whole goal of our partnership with Tha Fixx is to make sure that Texas State is now aware of hiphop shows, because Tha Fixx will be bringing other hip-hop shows here,” Cordero said. “So, we’ve been working to make that partnership mutually beneficial, and I think we’re in a good place with that right now.” Star File Photo The students’ perfor- Big K.R.I.T. performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2012. Hip Hop Congress will open Feb. 23 at Texas Music mances are expected to Theater. benefit Hip Hop Congress as a whole, not just the individual artists. “I think it will give us more credibility as a hip-hop organization on campus,” Johnson said. Those involved with the event are anticipating the concert to be completely sold out, seating a total of approximately 1,000 people. Tickets are $22 and are available at bigkrittmt.eventbrite.com. The concert starts Feb. 23 at 8:00 p.m.
ble 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 the official voice of the publication with the community.
Term of office begins following the final publication of the Spring 2013 Semester and runs through the Spring 2014 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. 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 for the position by the student publications board, will be interviewed. The board will select the editor-in- chief.
Applications for the position will be due by noon, Wednesday, March 27 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 Tuesday, April 9. 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.
Trends | The University Star | Thursday February 21, 2013 | 5
Independent artist, philanthropist to visit campus By Glen Tadych Assistant Trends Editor Texas State students will glimpse into the world of professional pottery through insight and instruction Monday when distinguished studio potter Ayumi Horie pays a visit to the School of Art and Design. For more than a decade, Horie has established herself as an accomplished independent artist, entrepreneur and activist through the art of studio pottery while giving lectures and demonstrations throughout the U.S. and abroad. Now, Horie will teach Texas State students how they can become successful in independent art with the use of business skills and social media. “Because the internet is such a direct link to people, I feel like anything can happen,” Horie said. Her take on passion fueling one’s accomplishments and use of the internet as a tool proved true in her relief efforts following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake in Japan. She co-founded the organization Handmade for Japan, raising $100,000 through ceramic-based art auctions. The charity contributed to disaster relief in Japan through the non-profit organization GlobalGiving. Texas State’s ceramics students selected Horie in the spring of 2012 as a speaker worthy of delivering a meaningful message to the student body because of her success in art and fundraising efforts, “We’ll get to see someone who’s active in their community and a model for small artists or people with small businesses,” said Will Wilson, studio art senior and president of the Ceramic Arts Student
Association. Wilson was involved in putting together the funding to bring Horie to Texas State, along with the University Lecturers and School of Art and Design Visiting Artists Committees. Michel Conroy, having served on the board of directors of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts for seven years, gained exposure to artists in the pottery field, including Horie. “There’s a character and personality to her work which she wants to contribute to the atmosphere of when people get together,” Conroy, Art and Design professor, said. Conroy felt one of the strongest attributes of contemporary potters is they are utopian in their approach to impacting people’s lives. She said by creating objects used in a social setting, potters are in fact adding to people’s conversations, which will stand as a crucial point of Horie’s lecture. “The goal with a lecture like this is promoting the value of handmade work,” Horie said. “When we can make a connection from a maker to a user, we can, in some sense, make our world more human.”
John Casares, Staff Photographer
Ayumi Horie will be visiting the School of Art and Design Feb. 25 to give advice on social media and business skills and how they can help independent artists.
Horie’s lecture will begin on Monday at 2 p.m. in room 2121 of the Joann Cole Mitte building. Her workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday in room 1127 of the Joann Cole Mitte building. For more information, visit her website at ayumihorie.com.
6 | Thursday February 21, 2013 | The University Star | Advertisement
The University Star | Thursday February 21, 2013 | 7
SPORTS
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SOFTBALL
BASEBALL
League-worst batting average has Pitcher sidelined for ‘a while’ as Texas State prepares for Shootout Bobcats still searching for spark By Odus Evbagharu Sports Reporter The Texas State softball team will try to defend its 14-game home winning streak in this weekend’s Texas Shootout, but will have to do so without one of their star pitchers. Texas State will play four of the five teams in the tournament, including a familiar foe in former Southland rival Sam Houston State University. Last season, the Bobcats swept the series against SHSU. They were victorious in the Southland Conference Championship game, 3-0, with then-senior Chandler Hall pitching her second no-hitter of the season, going 2 for 3 at the plate and driving in a run. “With ex-Southland conference teams and Sam Houston, we know they’ll be out there to beat us,” Lemons said. “We didn’t leave them with a good taste in their mouth. We’ve dominated that conference and so yes, we know we can beat them. With all of those match-ups, we know we have to bring our “A” game because they want to beat us so bad.” The Bobcats have not lost a home game since Feb. 19, 2012, against Rutgers University. The losing pitcher in the 2-1 contest was then-junior Anne Marie Taylor. Taylor pitched a complete game, gave up two earned runs and struck out three batters in the defeat. Now, the senior pitcher has a leg injury and will be sidelined for some time. “It’s not good,” said Coach Ricci Woodard. “She is going to be out for a while. We don’t have a diagnosis yet, but she will not be pitching for a while. She is getting some stuff done (Thursday), and we’ll find out more on Friday.” In Taylor’s junior campaign she posted a 17-8 record in 28 starts. In 2012, Taylor had a team-low 1.71 ERA, struck out 10 and recorded 22 complete games. In Taylor’s three starts this season she has a 0-2 record. The senior pitcher has given up 13 hits, walked 12 batters and has 14 strikeouts to go along with a 4.29 ERA. Even with the rocky start, senior first baseman Haley Lemons understands the loss of a senior pitcher is a “big blow.” “Anne Marie is a big part of our family,” Lemons said. “She’s in our senior class. So, that is a big blow to us on the field. We do understand that Anne Marie has to take care of Anne Marie first and rehab as best she can so we can have her back as soon as possible.
Right now, we just have to focus on the people we have and figure out how to dominate without her.” The University of Texas-Arlington, a former Southland member, will be at the tournament but is not scheduled to play Texas State in the first two days. However, the two could meet in Sunday’s championship game. The teams will be competing alongside each other in the WAC this season. The Bobcats have found recent success against UTA, winning their previous three matchups. Last season, Texas State shutout the Mavericks 4-0 and has not allowed Arlington to score more than a run in the past three meetings. “It’s a new year,” sophomore third baseman Courtney Harris said. “It’s always fun to watch them and see what they have on the field. I’m excited to see what they have to offer and get ready to play them in conference when we see them later on down in the season.” The University of North Texas, Baylor University and Texas Tech University will compete in the tournament as well. Baylor comes into the contest as the only ranked team, claiming the No. 25 spot in the nation. Texas State is the defending champion of the Texas Shootout, defeating the Red Raiders in 2012, 3-1. This weekend will mark the Bobcats’ first home games of the season. The team so far has a 2-7 record on the road. “It’s always nice to play at home,” Woodard said. “You get to stay in and sleep in your own bed and the familiarity is always nice. It’s just nice to be at home and you expect the team to come out with a little bit more energy and a little bit more fire.” Twitter: @odus_Outputs
Star File Photo
Senior pitcher Anne Marie Taylor has been sidelined indefinitely with a leg injury.
and six runs combined. On the contrary, sophomore right fielder Brooks Orton leads the team in at-bats (19) but only has two hits (.105). “If we just keep grinding and stay to our approach, I think we will be alright (offensively),” Mattlage said. “(Hitting Coach Mike) Silva has been working on our approach to get on base. If we can just keep getting people on base then the hitting will come around.” In relation to the Bobcats’ offense, Houston has three players batting over .400 in their first four games. Freshman first baseman Justin Montemayor is the team’s leading hitter (.417) and has Star File Photo already hit a home run on Texas State baseball will take on the University of Houston in three the season. Freshman secgames this weekend. The Bobcats’ record is 1-3 overall. ond baseman Josh Vidales along with Survance are hitting .400 with three RBI and By Jordan Brewer six runs combined in four games. Assistant Sports Editor “It’s the first couple of games,” Orton Texas State (1-3) will host the University said. “It takes a few games to get the offense of Houston in a three-game series this week- going and to get used to game speed. As an end with hopes that they can better their offense we want to keep grinding away and we know we are going to get chances.” conference worst .176 batting average. The Bobcats can hope to find a solution “We got to get better and grow as an ofto their offensive blues against the Coufensive team,” Head Coach Ty Harrington gars while leaning on their one-two punch said. “We got to maintain. We have to have at pitcher with junior Kyle Finnegan and four pitch at-bat and sometimes a five and sophomore Taylor Black. Finnegan and six pitch at-bat so we get more looks at it, Black have combined for 18 strikeouts and with hopes that (the opposition) can make six walks with seven hits and two runs ala mistake.” lowed. The Bobcats are coming off of their 6-3 Houston will send senior left-handed Tuesday night loss to Baylor University in pitcher Matt Hernandez to the mound on Waco where they were not able to take adFriday to face Finnegan. Hernandez has vantage of the Bears’ five errors. The Bobfive strikeouts and no walks in six innings, cats were right on their season average Tuesgiving up two runs on nine hits so far in day, .176 from the plate. 2013. Senior Austin Pruitt will get the nod Texas State would be averaging a little the second game, coming off of a 4-1 vicover two runs a game and five hits a game, tory over Northeastern University. if it were not for an offensive explosion Relievers have not been an issue for Texagainst Sam Houston State University in as State, thus far, on the positive for Texas last weekend’s finale. Texas State had nine State. Freshman reliever John Hollonquist hits and nine runs against the Bearkats. and junior left-hander Donnie Hart both Houston (3-1) is coming off of a 6-3 vickept Texas State in the game against Baylor tory over Sam Houston State who defeated on Tuesday. They combined for three and the Bobcats 10-9 last Sunday. The Cougars a third innings, one hit, no runs and five were able to score runs off of Bearkat misstrikeouts. cues and their four errors. Left fielder Kyle Texas State took the series last season Survance and third baseman Kyle Kirk at Houston, winning two out of three by a went a combined 4-7 with two RBI’s, a run total score of 13-3. The Bobcats swept the and a walk. Cougars two seasons ago in three games. Texas State is led in hitting by senior Houston has only won once in nine games catcher Andrew Stumph and sophomore against Texas State since 2010. short stop Garrett Mattlage who are each hitting .267 in four games with three RBI Twitter: @jbrewer32
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Team to face former conference adversary By Samuel Rubbelke Sports Reporter
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Men’s basketball will get its chance at revenge Saturday in the Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters game as the Bobcats face a team that dashed their playoff hopes last year. Texas State will face the Lamar University Cardinals, who ended Texas State’s chances at the Southland Conference Tournament last year, while trying to secure its first win in February to end a five-game skid. Lamar ended the Bobcats’ chance at postseason play last year with a 71-59 victory en route to its own March Madness run after winning the Southland crown. That Cardinals team was led by four senior guards (Anthony Miles, Devon Lamb, Charlie Harper and Mike James) who all scored in the double-digits to end Texas State’s playoff run. But this year’s Lamar
team entered the season with 8 underclassmen on a 12-man roster, and the Cardinals are currently riding a three-game losing streak with a 3-23 overall record. “That’s called the cycle of coaching,” said Texas State Coach Doug Davalos. “They’ve got some young talented kids that are inexperienced. It’s a totally different team.” This season, the Cardinals are averaging a Southland Conference-low 58.3 points-per-game and hold a minus-17.6 scoring margin against their opponents. Lamar’s offense makes 1.7 threes-per-game, the lowest of all 345 Division I basketball teams, and commits 18.7 turnovers per game. “They were really good last year with all the seniors,” said Texas State senior forward Matt Staff. “They’re still a good team. Their record doesn’t show how well they’re playing. They’re really well coached, and they’ve been
in a lot of games, just haven’t been able to finish.” The players and coaches, with almost a full season in the WAC under their belts, have noticed a difference between their current conference and former Southland opponents. Texas State senior guard Vonn Jones said playing in the WAC has better prepared the Bobcats for facing Southland Conference teams such as Lamar. “Last year, people (in the Southland) weren’t as athletic and strong as players from the WAC,” Jones said. “I feel like teams play with more discipline, and it’s a higher level of play.” Most apparent was the overall athleticism and talent that comes off the bench. This will be a statement game for the Bobcats, showing the WAC that they belong in the conference and not in the Southland.
“There’s more size and more athleticism,” Davalos said. “The guard play is similar but what you notice is the physicality, athleticism and the size. You have really good players (from 10 players deep). That’s the quality of depth for most of these (WAC) programs.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Texas State women’s basketball team could not overcome Shanice Steenholdt’s 32 points in a 78-76 overtime loss to Houston Baptist Tuesday night, the team’s fourth loss in the last five games. For the complete story, scan here or visit UniversityStar.com.
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