WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2015
VOLUME 104 ISSUE 64
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CITY
San Marcos website down after security threats By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nick_laughlin
Global Electric Motorcars, powered by electricity, are used in conjunction with the residence halls.
The City of San Marcos website is offline after a hacker made threats to shut it down because of a 2013 incident involving a police officer. A video was posted to YouTube Tuesday by the alleged hacker. The hacker said they will “attack” San Marcos’ website “nonstop” in retribution for a violent assault on a Texas State alumna
“I’m here to say that you’re employing an officer that committed acts of violence in the past. Your police department is disgusting.”
DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
University to add alternative fuel vehicles to campus fleet By Rebecca Banks NEWS REPORTER @r_banks13
T
exas State officials will add five Compressed Natural Gas vehicles (CNG) to the university’s fleet following a requirement from a state mandate. Facility department officials purchase new vehicles every year to replace older ones. The state requires public universities to have 80 percent of their vehicles on alternative fuel sources, said
Bill Nance, vice president for finance and support services. “We aren’t going to convert any that we presently own, but what we’re going to do is start buying vehicles that are prepped for conversion,” said Gordon Green, director of facilities management. Green said university officials are working with a Ford dealership in New Braunfels and will not get the CNG vehicles until May. The university will pay about $30,000 for the vehicles and the
CNG conversion components. Green said the university will qualify for a $2,500 rebate from the Ford dealership. Nance said the payback from the CNG vehicles may not happen for 2-5 years. The payback time will depend on the cost of the vehicles, the conversion fee and the difference in fuel price. “The recent couple of months have given us a good example (that) with the drop in gasoline prices the payback is not as quick,” Nance said. “As the prices between all those three
(products) narrows, it will take you longer to get back cost of outfitting, converting the vehicle to CNG.” The CNG vehicles to be purchased are called Transit Connects and look like “box vans” equipped with natural gas conversion kits. The vehicles will be compatible with gasoline, said Juan Guerra, associate vice president of facilities. “There are a lot of agencies looking for CNG as an alternate fuel for our vehicles,” Green said.
See FUEL, Page 2
—ALLEGED HACKER
TRANSPORTATION by Corporal James Palermo, former San Marcos Police Department (SMPD). Palermo assaulted a university student May 2013 during a traffic stop, according to a September 11, 2013 University Star article. The incident was later deemed an illegal arrest. The student suffered a concussion and broken teeth as a result of the incident. “I’m here to say that you’re employing an officer that committed acts of violence in the past,” said the hacker in a YouTube video. “Your police department is disgusting. I bet you’ve known his past, and still employing him—that’s beyond bullshit.” However, Palermo is no longer with SMPD. Palermo was arrested July 2013 on charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury by a public servant, a first-degree felony. He was indefinitely suspended, the civil service equivalent of being fired, by the department after an internal investigation. The website provider sent notifications to city officials Monday night after being notified of the threat, said Trey Hatt, San Marcos communication specialist. “At no point was our site actually attacked,” Hatt said. “It was taken down by our website provider for security purposes.” The city is working with Vision Internet to “reinforce” security and restore the site “as soon as possible,” according to a March 3 citywide press release.
North LBJ to become two-way street By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nick_laughlin The downtown sections of North LBJ Drive and South Guadalupe Street are scheduled to become two-way accessible in 2017 after funding is acquired. The project includes changing traffic signals on one-way streets, reconfiguring the railroad crossing on Guadalupe Street and LBJ Drive and changing parking areas, said Laurie Moyer, engineering and capital improvements director for the city. Moyer said her team will start redesigning the one-way road in 2016 and apply for funding the following year. “We would pull (the design), together and then we would have those hard numbers available to say, ‘Here’s all of the construction associated with it,’ and we can move forward,” Moyer said. “We estimate right now (it will cost) about $2 million.” Officials with the engineering and capital improvements department will determine the estimated
DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
North LBJ Drive will become a two-way street by 2017 if the engineering and capital improvements department receives funding. cost of the project and then request funds from the city. The project will not be able to start until the funding is made available. “It costs money, but it is a fantas-
tic investment,” said Councilman John Thomaides, Place 3. Moyer said the section between University Drive and Hopkins Street was designed to allow two-
way implementation, but more changes will have to be made to traffic lights.
See NORTH LBJ, Page 2
UNIVERSITY
Community members play ‘Muir-opoloy’ for land development By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Almost 100 community members attended the Code SMTX environmental planning workshop Tuesday to contribute thoughts and concerns. City planning and zoning commissioners partnered with environmental consultants in an effort to incorporate public opinion into the creation of a new land development code. Small groups gathered around paper maps of San Marcos in the Lions Club Park Recreation Hall. Attendees were given “Muir Bucks”—pretend money named after famed naturalist John Muir—to rank environmental priorities on the maps. The Muir Bucks ranked priori-
ties such as water quality, temporary erosion control and stream buffers. “It’s like we’re playing Muiropoly,” said Zach Halfin, a member of Eyes of the San Marcos River, a local naturalist activism group. Participants learned the rules of the game with the help of city officials and experts. “Water quality is uber important,” Halfin said, pointing to an area between Ranch Road 12 and Wonder World Drive on one of the maps. “Plus, that’s where I live.” At another table, Texas State geography and urban planning majors evaluated the importance of “urban forestry canopies” around San Marcos. “I would love to see more trees downtown, but how expensive
is it going to be?” said Kendall Bell-Enders, Texas State alumna. The groups presented their findings to the environmental consultants and city planning officials after an hour of activity. Water conservation was a primary concern among the groups, said Brian Wright, a consultant with Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative. Abby Gillfillan, San Marcos Permit Center Manager, said she was pleased with the turnout and thought the night went well. Wright said he was surprised with the group’s diversity and level of education. “People were up to the challenge,” Wright said. “A lot of communities we work in, younger people don’t feel empowered. It’s really exciting to see a good mix.”
JOHNEL ACOSTA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Warren Abrams, geography senior, Zach Halfin and Derrick Lee discuss environmental regulations March 3 for Code SMTX at City Park Recreational Hall.
2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday, March 4, 2015
FUEL, from front “The problem for us was there wasn’t going to be a station in town. Well, there is a new company bringing a station to San Marcos.” Green said the CNG location will be at the Shell station next to Pluckers. The station will be a high-pressured fueling area. Filling up a vehicle will take three minutes. “When we buy the gas, typically what you see, like at a house, you may see 50 PSI (pounds per square inch),” Green said. “This (station)
will take it up to 200 PSI natural gas. It compresses it so you can get more of the product into a tank, kind of like divers that take regular air and compress it.” Green said purchasing CNG vehicles is “the right thing to do” from an environmental standpoint. “Compressed natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, so it’s just natural gas,” Guerra said. “You’re pretty much using natural gas to fuel your vehicle.”
Guerra said natural gas reduces of emissions of different nitrogen oxides. “In other words, it’s a cleanburning fuel, 93 percent reduction in carbon monoxide emissions as compared to gasoline,” Guerra said. “The air quality associated with (a) natural compressed gas fuel vehicle is much better than that for a typical gasoline fueled vehicle.” Guerra said CNG fuel is cheaper than gasoline.
Selection of new Finance and Support Services VP underway Texas State’s Vice President for Finance and Support Services (VPFSS) will retire in August. Bill Nance has worked for the State of Texas for 44 years and currently serves the university as VPFSS. “My wife has been retired for a couple of years, so I feel like now is a good time,” Nance said. Nance started his career at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 1971 in the financial planning division. Nance left in 1984 to work for the Texas State University System. “I wanted to be on a campus, which is where more of the actual work goes on,” Nance said. “The job opened up here as Associate Vice President in 1991, so I decided to come down here. I was familiar with the university because it was part of the system.” The VPFSS serves as the chief financial officer for the university, Nance said. Human resources, auxiliary services and risk management fall under his jurisdiction. Nance said people joked his career was going in the wrong direction when he took the job. “People typically start at a campus, then move to a system, then move to a statewide agency, but I went in the other direction,” Nance said. “I have to admit, the last 24 years have been much more rewarding, working on the campus.” The search to replace Nance is currently underway with the help of Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Search, a firm hired by the university. Bob Lawless, AGB Search consultant, was assigned to aid the university in finding Nance’s successor, said Provost Eugene Bourgeois. The external search firm will be used
fuel except for compressed natural gas,” Green said. Green said the university currently uses E85 and electric vehicles. The E85 vehicles are have V8 engines and a lower energy output than gasoline models. “Our fuel economy isn’t where we want it to be, so we wanted to look at something in compressed natural gas,” Green said. “Now it’s going to be available, and it will probably be a better option for us.”
NORTH LBJ, from front
UNIVERSITY
By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nick_laughlin
“One thing that we’re going to keep an eye on is how much it is costing us for the natural gas to fuel the vehicles and how many miles are we getting (per) gallon of natural gas as compared to gasoline,” Guerra said. Green said university officials are unable to purchase small vehicles that use alternative fuel. “(Transit Connect) works out well for us because one of the problems we have is there are no small vehicles available with alternative
to introduce and review candidates. Bourgeois said an internal search committee will look over the applicants to decide who will be invited for an airport or oncampus interview. The search committee is composed of representatives from all divisions of the university, Bourgeois said. The committee has created a job description and an advertisement to be used in the search. Bourgeois said Lawless will review the job description with his staff and change it if needed. The committee will narrow down the list of candidates to 6-8 finalists. The candidates will be asked to meet with the committee for interviews, Bourgeois said. The final 3-4 candidates will be sent to President Denise Trauth for consideration. Bourgeois said officials are looking for someone with experience in executive management as well as master planning for a university, running and managing auxiliary services and overseeing human resources. Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of transportation services, said she has worked with Nance since he started at the university. “He is very flexible,” Nusbaum said. “He is very much a people person. I really appreciate the opportunities he has given me over the years.” Bourgeois said working with Nance over the past 20 years has been a pleasure. “He has also been a gentleman—very efficient, fair with the way he expects units like academic affairs or information technology to develop their budgets,” Bourgeois said. Nance and his wife hope to start looking for properties on a beach in Texas or somewhere out of state. “I am interested in doing something very different than what we have been doing for the last 44 years,” Nance said.
Thomaides said city officials spent 2008 and 2009 creating the Downtown Master Plan. Officials completed the plan in 2010, and public meetings were held so citizens could give feedback. “This is not an arbitrary thing,” Thomaides said. Moyer said she has heard opinions about the project from both sides. “We haven’t been a major community on this issue,” Thomaides said. Ruben Becerra, owner of Gil’s Broiler, said the two-way implementation plan is a “potential detriment” for small businesses. Becerra said most of the other business owners on North LBJ Drive are happy with the one-way traffic flow. “This is not specially for my sake, but for new business or the ones that are on the fence of trying to get anchored,” Becerra said. “If someone ends up on a block that is not as popular or not as traveled, then slowly that section will begin to potentially slow down to an ultimate death.” According to the Master Plan, converting the one-way streets within San Marcos’ downtown area to two-way will help solve traffic problems.
Studies have indicated a “well-designed” two-way street can support a higher capacity of vehicles than their one-way counterparts, according to the plan. “If you take a look at Guadalupe from the Square to I(H)-35, half of it is already two-way street,” Thomaides said. “You notice a lot of empty lots and a lot of wide-open spaces.” Thomaides said the two-way street will be implemented in accordance with the Master Plan. “What I envision is a beautiful street with sidewalks and lighting, something that connects everything from the downtown and makes a gateway from (Interstate Highway 35) to downtown,” Thomaides said. Thomaides is aware his colleagues and citizens have concerns about the reconfiguration. “I respect that, and I want to hear what they have to say,” Thomaides said. City officials hope the change will slow traffic and increase “walkability” for pedestrians in downtown neighborhoods. “The biggest defense is that it will slow traffic down, and I just don’t believe that,” Becerra said.
NEWS BRIEF
City to expand emergency response team By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Hays County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to restructure the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) under the direction of the Office of Emergency Management. The court voted unanimously to place the CERT under the office’s jurisdiction after hearing a recommendation from Kharley Smith, emergency management coordinator. Members of the court hope to expand the CERT’s presence throughout the county and increase its membership, said Commissioner Will Conley, Precinct 3. The CERT was created in 2003 as a component of the Department of Homeland Security to provide backup for crisis services, Smith said.
Smith said the group currently has almost 100 trained volunteers. Conley hopes the court’s decision will lead to a membership increase of “several hundreds.” Hays County emergency personnel train CERT members for crisis situations, according to the program’s webpage. Smith hopes to provide better training opportunities for the volunteers by integrating CERT and the Hays County Office of Emergency Management. Commissioner Ray Whisenant, Precinct 4, said CERT performed well during the 2011 “Labor Day fires.” CERT volunteers set up staging areas for fire crews, opened shelters for victims and provided rehabilitation and support for emergency responders, Smith said. “They were instrumental in that incident,” he said.
Better than hairballs.
desegregating education in texas 1890-1971
Academic Research Conference Free and Open to the Public Thursday, March 5, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. LBJSC Ballroom
Sponsors: A T & T, O f f i c e o f E q u i t y & A c c e s s , H i s t o r y D e p a r t m e n t , and The Common Experience
I f y o u r e q u i r e a c c o m m o d a t i o n s d u e t o a d i s a b i l i t y, p l e a s e c o n t a c t Diann McCabe at dm14@txstate.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event. Te x a s S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y i s a t o b a c c o - f r e e c a m p u s .
The University Star | Wednesday, March 4, 2015 | 3
SPORTS
UniversityStar.com
TRACK & FIELD
ANICKA NEWELL SENIOR POLE VAULTER By Jose Campos SPORTS REPORTER @josewithaj For Anicka Newell, senior pole vaulter, competitive drive was never a question. Newell’s drive is symbolized by a tattoo on her shoulder, which depicts a dragon and koi fish. “I got it because of a Japanese saying that when a koi fish swims up the river, it has to go through all the obstacles,” Newell said. “If it doesn’t die or get washed all the way back by the time it makes it all the way up the waterfall, it turns into a dragon.” Her approach involves using past experiences—good or bad—and applying them in order to become better. “Really it’s just the internal drive that I think every athlete has,” Newell said. “Either you have it or you don’t, and I know that I have it. I know that I’m going to keep working toward the things that I want most.” Newell showed her competitive drive early in her athletic career before she became interested in pole vaulting. Newell competed in gymnastics before entering high school. She remained in gymnastics until she broke her back, which required a year and a half of recovery. Once Newell was fully healed, she found herself wanting to compete in a sport again. Newell tried a variety of other sports: swimming, diving and cross-country. None of them appealed to her quite like pole vaulting did. Newell drew interest from the New Mexico program as she started to get better in pole vaulting. More collegiate offers
eventually came. “It would’ve been nice for her to stay in town,” said Tim Newell, her father. “It turned out great for her.” Tim said Texas State was a good choice for Anicka because she never had experience with tougher competition while in New Mexico. “I’ve really come to appreciate her being down at Texas State,” Tim said. “I like the school, her coaches down there work really hard and she has great friends down there. In the end I’m very happy she’s there. Texas State turned out to be a really great place for her.” He believes Anicka became accustomed to being the best in high school. She developed an attitude as a result. Tim knew once Anicka was in college she would be motivated by other athletes who were on her level. During her freshman year, Anicka found she would need to make adjustments immediately. “My high school coach was no help at all,” Newell said. “In fact, my first two years here at college, I had to essentially break down everything he taught ‘cause it was wrong. Brooklyn Dixon, the pole vault coach—I got all my technique from her. I’ve got her to thank for everything.” Anicka met a training partner and close friend, former Texas State pole vaulter Leslie Ables, during her freshman year. Ables contacts Anicka often to talk about upcoming meets, give advice and hear how she is doing. Anicka’s accomplishments include the 2014 pole vault championship at the Sun Belt Outdoor Conference Championships, a silver medal in 2013 at the WAC Outdoor Championships and a third-place finish at the 2015 Sun Belt Indoor Conference Championship. “She definitely steps it up a level when there is higher competition there,” Ables said. “Every vault she is working her butt off to get to that highest height, to clear that next bar, so she is very competitive. She doesn’t take losing. She wants to be the best. It’s in her head that she is going to give it her all or there is no point in doing it.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
RAVEN BURNS JUNIOR GUARD By Paul Livengood SPORTS REPORTER @IamLivengood Raven Burns, junior guard, almost cried tears of joy during a photo shoot with her best friend, Regina Harris. The feeling subsided when Burns held the camera lens over her eye. It was time to get to work. Burns got a new camera last Christmas from her father, Randy. Raven and Randy do not have much experience with photography, but they possess a flair for it. “She’s always been kind of creative and decorative and all of that, so I think that’s something she would probably be good at,” Randy said. Raven gets her photography instinct from her father. Randy took a photography class in high school, and his teacher told him he had a knack for it. Randy was not interested at first. He took the class because he thought it would be easy. The apple does not fall too far from the tree. Raven seems to have been destined to be a photographer. “I think she’s probably got it in her blood,” Randy said. Harris agrees. She has never seen Raven as passionate about anything as photography. “It’s like she found one of her purposes in life, and that is so exciting to find at such a young age,” Harris said. “The sky is the limit for her, and as long as I’m her best friend, I will make sure she will pursue her dream as a photographer because I believe in her 110 percent
even if she doesn’t see it yet.” One of the first shoots Raven did was with Harris. Harris said the photo shoot was professional, and an observer would never have known the two were best friends. “The photo shoot went very well,” Harris said. “We took it very seriously, with me being an artist and her being an artist as well. We connected on a lot of ideas. She has a very creative mind that can take her really far, and I truly believe that it will.” Raven plans on pursuing a professional career in photography after she graduates.
“Right now I’m just playing around with it,” Raven said. “I’m not a professional yet. It depends on where the money takes me.” Raven’s photos re-kindled an old flame in her father. Photography is creating a new bond between father and daughter. “In my graduation pictures, it has me holding one of the old-time cameras like I was a photographer,” Randy said. “I never really pursued it. Actually, I’m thinking about pursuing it now since she’s into it. I’m thinking about getting back into it, and maybe we can do something together.”
STAR FILE PHOTO
COLUMN
MADNESS IN MARCH: BOBCATS MUST BRUSH UP FOR POSTSEASON PLAY Kyle Ashcraft SPORTS COLUMNIST @Kyle_Ashcraft4
The Texas State men’s basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the Sun Belt Conference according to ESPN’s preseason predictions. Right now, the Bobcats are slightly exceeding those expectations as they sit in the seventh spot with a pretty much secured—knock on wood—spot in the conference tournament. This year shows a huge improvement after the team finished last in the Sun Belt with a 4-14 conference record in 2013. Some people might even deem it successful. But to coaches, players, and fans, success is not just making the tournament. An early exit would just mean another season in the books. To be successful, they need to win the tournament. In order for that to happen, though, there need to be vast improvements. It is no secret that the Bobcat offense is horrific. They are in the bottom half in just about every offensive statistical category and dead last with 62.1 points per game. Even that number is slightly inflated, as many of their best offensive games occurred against lesser teams. In order to improve their offense, they need to improve their 3-point efficiency. Opponents know the Bobcats are not the best from beyond the arc, so they pack the paint, creating low-percentage shots for Emani Gant, junior forward. D.J. Brown, senior guard and Ethan Montalvo, junior guard,
are shooting a combined 33.5 percent from 3-point range this season. While this is not a bad percentage, the Bobcats are going to need them, along with other wing players, to shoot in order to free Grant in the post. 3-point shooting is essential to making a post-season run because it is the ultimate equalizer. The extra point helps an underdog overcome the gap in talent. The Bobcats are terrific on the defensive side, however. Texas State is No. 1 in conference scoring defense, allowing only 59.9 points per game. The perimeter defense causes opponents to shoot the ball 29 percent from 3-point range, which will bode well for the Bobcats in the postseason. The Bobcats also create turnovers, ranking third in steals per game with 7.3 and second in overall turnovers with 15.9. However, their rebounding does need some work. Besides Gant, no one on the team averages more than five rebounds per game. When it comes down to the grit and grind games in the playoffs, Gant is going to need some help grabbing boards. Another thing that will be in the back of the Bobcats’ minds entering the postseason is their 2-9 record against the top six teams in the conference. If they want to make any noise at all, the Bobcats are going to have to figure out how to beat these teams. Overall, the Bobcats are going to need a huge lift in their offense if they want to have a chance to make a postseason run. Someone has to step up. Whether it’s Gant, Brown or JaMarcus Weatherspoon, junior guard, someone needs to provide scoring. On the defensive side, they need to maintain their fantastic season. Postseason play calls for toughness, and that’s what the Bobcats are going to need to deliver if they want a shot at making the big dance. Then they might cause some madness in March.
The Student Publications Board of the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication is conducting an all-campus open petitioning process to select a student as Editor-in-Chief of The University Star. Term begins one week following the final issue of 2015 Spring Semester publication schedule. Applicants must be available to serve the entire term of the appointment. Each applicant is asked to complete a written petition, which is subsequently screened by members of the student publications board. The board will interview qualified candidates for the position. The student publications board includes the journalism sequence coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, the assistant director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a member of the print medium who is selected by the director of student publications. The director of student publications and the current editor-in-chief serve as ex officio members for the committee.
Minimum Qualifications To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in at least nine hours each semester during the term of office. Students graduating in the final semester of the appointment (Spring Semester 2016) may be enrolled in fewer hours as long as they meet graduation requirements. Applicants must have worked in a professional editorial environment, or have served as a section editor at a university student newspaper. Students of all majors and classifications, including graduate students, may petition for the position. Applicants must be in good academic standing with the university when submitting an application. An overall minimum 2.5 grade-point average is required for application consideration.
Term of Office Term of office begins following the final publication of the Spring 2015 semester and runs through the Spring 2016 semester. Applicants must be able to serve the entire term of office in order to be considered for the position. A salary is paid during the term of office.
Petitioning Process A written petition is to be completed by each applicant. This petition consists of questions to determine an applicant’s qualifications in journalism academics and management. A letter of interest must be included with the formal application. The letter should address personal characteristics addressing reasons the applicant is qualified for the position. Applicants, certified as qualified by the student publications board, will be interviewed. The board will select the editor-in-chief.
Petitioning Deadlines Applications for the position will be due by noon, Wednesday April 1 to the Director of Student Publications, Trinity Building, Room 107. People interested in petitioning should sign a candidacy list in Trinity, Room 107 and acquire an information package. Qualified applicants will be notified and interviews will be scheduled beginning April 13. Selection of the editor-in-chief will be made shortly after interviews have been completed for the position. Formal assumption of duties will begin one week after the final newspaper of the Spring Semester is published.
The University Star Mission
PACKETS AVAILABLE: March 2, noon; Trinity, Room 107
The editor is the primary student editorial administrator for The University Star and has authority in all personnel matters and makes the final decision regarding news, sports, feature, photo, Web and opinion content. The editor determines daily operation guidelines, provides a role model for professional behavior, delegates operational authority and fulfills policies and procedures as determined by the student publications board and faculty adviser. The editor oversees meetings and handles personnel problems, evaluates all copy and artwork for each publication. The editor-in-chief is responsible for hiring, properly training and supervising all members of the editorial board. The editor-in-chief promotes relations between the publication, the community and campus organizations. The editor-in-chief is also the voice of the publication with the community.
DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 1; noon; Trinity, Room 107 INTERVIEWS: April 13
4 | The University Star | Wednesday, March 4, 2015
OPINIONS
UniversityStar.com
THE MAIN POINT
San Marcos needs fulltime homeless shelter
T
he city does not currently have a full-service homeless shelter, and this must be remedied. Homeless services are present in town, but none are full-time. The Southside Community Center (SSCC) provides daily shelter and meals, but those who stay overnight must leave every morning and return at 5 p.m. when the building re-opens. SSCC officials are doing what they can to help the homeless, but more must be done. During the recent city elections, none of the candidates even mentioned the homeless population. They mentioned jobs and construction, but not one brought up people without homes. Even if federal sources aren’t an option, the city could get behind Southside and help allocate some local funds. SSCC can house a maximum of 12 people per night due to the size of the location. City officials should help the center get enough funds to rebuild in a bigger space and enough staff to operate fulltime. This is one way the council would be able to help the homeless population and bring new jobs
to the city. Additionally, companies like Goodwill are doing what they can to spread good will in their communities. Last year, the Central Texas center helped 126 families either prevent or deal with homelessness. The lack of shelters does not reflect a lack of good intentions. People need money to run nonprofits, as ironic as that may seem. The funds for homeless centers are not always there. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development officials recently announced the program received $150 million to provide rental assistance to state housing agencies, according to a press release. The Texas Department of Housing and Community affairs received $12 million. This is enough money to help 296 families find permanent homes. The new funds will trickle down from the state level to smaller centers. Hopefully, Southside will be one of the centers helped, and the city will be able to provide much-needed services to the homeless.
JORDAN GURLEY STAR ILLUSTRATOR
The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University.
GO VEGETARIAN
NOT FOR EVERYONE
Vegetarian lifestyle not necessary, overly restrictve
Vegetarianism an ethical alternative to meat-based diet
Kirsten Peek OPINIONS COLUMNIST @kirsten_peek
“
The animals of the world exist for their own reasons,” said Alice Walker, author. “They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white or women were created for men.” For many Americans, the decision to eat meat is rarely second-guessed. It is deeply ingrained from a young age that animals exist for humans to consume and exploit however people see fit despite the fact that animals are sentient beings. Since humans have the ability to thrive on a plantbased diet, it is unethical to eat meat. There are myths surrounding the health of a meat-free diet. These outdated arguments claim vegetarians do not get enough protein and vitamins. According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarian diets provide adequate nutrition when appropriately planned. The diets, including total vegetarian or vegan, may also provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of some diseases. In this area of Texas, it is easier than ever to find healthy alternatives to eating meat. The factory farming industry, the source of 99 percent of meat in America, offers a short and miserable life to overcrowded animals before a painful death. So-called humane farming operations are
not much better. For example, the only requirement to have poultry labeled as “free-range” is that the chickens be allowed access to the outdoors, according to the USDA website. This means that if part of the chicken coop extends past the roof or is uncovered, the chickens have been raised “free-range.” It does not necessarily mean, as the words imply, the chickens are running free on a green, grassy field. Regardless of the quality of life farm animals experience, there is simply no such thing as humanely killing a healthy animal that does not want to die. When a human is murdered in his or her sleep, no one refers to it as a humane death. This disconnect between the two situations is speciesism. It is not even putting a human life ahead of an animal life. It is putting a human appetite ahead of the life of another sentient being. Choosing to eat meat outside of a life and death situation means the craving for a hamburger is more important than the entire life of the cow being eaten. Like humans, farm animals are self-aware, sentient beings. They are capable of experiencing pleasure and try to avoid pain and death. Though humans may be more powerful, we owe non-human animals moral consideration and should not needlessly inflict suffering. While there is much debate over whether humans were meant to eat meat or not, we now know humans do not need it to thrive. In addition to the impact caused by the meat industry on the environment and world hunger, it is unethical to eat meat when humans do not need it to survive.
TALK IT
OUT
Rivers Wright OPINIONS COLUMNIST @MonsieurRivers
A
recent increase of environmentally friendly acts has also seen a rise in the number of people choosing to be vegetarians. Vegetarianism is nothing new, but rises in trying to preserve the earth have brought on a new wave of vegetarians. Dictionary.com defines a vegetarian as “a person who does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.” There is a constant battle between vegetarians and meateaters. Most arguments are on moral grounds and health benefits or lack thereof, depending on what side a person takes. From a morality standpoint, vegetarians argue it is wrong to kill animals to eat them. In some cases, it is also wrong to domesticate them and use them for their byproducts. These byproducts include milk from cows and eggs from chickens. These arguments are valid when companies misuse the animal so that parts of the animal go to waste. Most companies ensure the animal and its byproducts are used to maximum capacity with minimal waste. The companies also take the time to make sure they are replenishing what they are taking, so as to not exhaust all resources. The graphic nature of that statement may make it difficult for some people to swallow their hamburger next time they eat one, but that is the reality of how most
vegetarianism
—Kirsten Peek is a journalism senior
consumed products are brought to fruition. The morality argument continues with vegetarians pulling the inhumane card. They often state animals should be free and humans should share the earth with them. It would be nice for animal and man to live in harmony making flower crowns for each other while sharing a fresh batch of kale cookies, but that is just a daydream. The earth is in a fragile state as populations continue to rise, which increases global warming, pollution and waste. The focus should be put on preserving what is left of nature instead of wondering if flowers would make good tea. Vegetarians do have some pretty good health benefits by going sans meat. They have increased sex drive, more energy and lower stress levels than their meat-eating counterparts because red meat can increase cholesterol and affect mood. However, cutting out meat and animal byproducts massively restricts the diets and nutrient intake of vegetarians. Because of this, more needs to be consumed in order to fill the gaps usually filled by meat, milk and the like. Doubling up on certain proteins or vitamins does not just mean an extra serving of a certain vegetable at lunch. It means making sure what cannot be consumed in food form is taken in a vitamin or eating three different types of beans to ensure the protein intake is that of a healthy person. Vegetarians and meat eaters come in multiple forms, and each person has different preferences. Each category has its pros and cons and is appealing to a wide range of people. Each has health benefits and risks, and one is not better than the other. It ultimately boils down to how each individual chooses to live their life and what they want to put in their body. —Rivers Wright is a journalism junior
CULTURE
Local gentrification inevitable part of growth, expansion
Greg Arellano OPINIONS COLUMNIST @GregGoneWild
I
f history teaches anything about developing cities, it’s that gentrification is almost always an inevitability. Native San Martians and devoted transplants can argue it is already taking place, but honestly,
it seems the worst has yet to come for students and citizens alike. Texas State accepts more students than it should handle almost every year. Last year’s admissions accepted over 5,000 applicants and led to the university’s largest freshman class in history. University officials maintain they are implementing “strategic growth,” but one can’t help but cast a dubious eye on expensive campus construction continually looming on the horizon. One of the biggest advantages Texas States holds against the University of Texas at Austin is the lower price of tuition. One can’t help but wonder how long this advantage will continue to last with seemingly neverending construction taking place on campus. The university could see a decline in
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enrollment with rising tuition rates. Higher rates are discouraging and instill a morale-depriving sense of pessimism even school spirit can’t seem to shake. The university may find dropout rates, along with tuition rates, in an unforgivable climb. The surplus of housing expenses is contributing to San Marcos’ gentrification problem. These costs go in conjunction with the already low standard of living many local residents have. According to information from the City of San Marcos’ website, an estimated 49.4 percent of white households, 35 percent of African-American households and 45.2 percent of Hispanic households have incomes under $25,000. The city is in significant need of new permanent housing, but
with discouraging circumstances for native San Martians, such developments will likely be to their detriment. Even if the permanent housing doesn’t displace them, the influx of non-native San Marcos residents will lead to a significant culture change within this booming city. As gentrification has shown, particularly in the case of Austin, the powerful hand modernization plays in the diminishing of native culture becomes the most evident sign of how times have changed. With the influx of business enterprises and projected success comes at the risk of eliminating and alienating the needs of the economically disadvantaged. Unfortunately for San Marcos, this same subsection significantly comprises the native population.
The solutions to these problems won’t be easy to find, but that’s not to say these growing pains are impossible to fix. Through strong civic engagement and devotion to the preservation and positive growth of the city, San Marcos could become the Austin that did things right. However, if the power of the almighty dollar outweighs the practical needs of residents and students, we might as well change our name to The University of Texas State at San Marcos. At least the name would then answer questions of what happened to the native city that was once San Marcos. —Greg Arellano is an electronic media sophomore 601 University Drive Trinity Building, Room 101 San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708
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The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the spring and fall and every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, March 4, 2015. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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The University Star | Wednesday, March 4, 2015 | 5
LIFESTYLE
UniversityStar.com
Wittliff Collections presents Local tattoo shops offer ‘homegrown’ poster art of past community atmosphere By Sierra Holmes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @CcSeh126 A new exhibit at the Wittliff Collections in Alkek Library is bringing a glimpse of music and poster art history to Texas State students. The Wittliff Collections is featuring the Homegrown: Austin Music Posters exhibit Jan. 12-July 3 to give students insight into the 1967-1982 music scene. Katie Salzmann, lead archivist and curator, said the exhibit honors Texasinspired vintage posters and the close-knit community of the Austin artists who created them. “More than 140 vintage pieces from the Wittliff’s archive—from Tom Wilmore and other generous donors—document this history and testify to Texas artists’ mastery of the poster form using hand drawings and creative print techniques,” Salzmann said. Alan Schaefer, co-curator and English lecturer, said the posters helped define the music culture in Austin. “We envisioned doing
an exhibition that would explain the true identity of poster art,” Schaefer said. He said assistance from poster experts helped transform the traditional exhibit into a modern gallery. “Nels Jacobson is the expert,” Schaefer said. “We sought him out to give an introduction to the book (“Homegrown”) and of poster artists in the late ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s that visually evoked the sound and defined the culture of Austin just as the city was establishing itself as one of the most vital music scenes in the country.” Salzmann said the exhibit emphasizes local Austin artists such as Gilbert Shelton, Jim Franklin, Kerry Awn, Micael Priest and Danny Garrett as well as their influence on the community. Schaefer said “Homegrown” has been featured on both national and local media platforms. “Features of ‘Homegrown’ have been made relevant in Vogue and in Austin’s Statesman,” Schaefer said. Mariah Brown, political science junior, was enlightened by the exhibit and felt
it has a valuable purpose in San Marcos. “The artwork had a psychedelic feel, which seemed to be reflective of popular culture of the ‘70s,” Brown said. “I appreciate their use of human faces and abstract art. It defines Austin today.” Salzmann said student interest was taken into account during the creation of the exhibit on campus. “Some of the posters includes a free app called Musing, which was created by the art and design department here at Texas State,” said Salzmann. “For students that have art critiques, the Musing app is designed for them to add further content for their research.” Schaefer said the exhibit allows San Marcos to stand out while contributing to the creativity and emergence of Austin’s music culture. “San Marcos is so close, yet so far from Austin, which allows our exhibit to stand alone and keep the audience wanting more from our art gallery,” Schaefer said. “We are proud that we can present to the San Marcos community the art of Austin.”
By Sierra Holmes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @CcSeh126 The San Marcos community diversifies itself in population, scenery and a growing number of tattoo parlors. Morgan Haberle, owner and tattoo artist at Classic Tattoo, has been giving tattoos since the age of 19. “I love the character and creativity in San Marcos and I am proud to be an alumni of Texas State University,” Haberle said. “I would never want to change the location, I love it here.” Haberle said Classic Tattoo is unique because it is the type of shop you can bring your parents to. Anna Lisa Turner, former student at Texas State, said university alumni continue to give Classic Tattoo their business because of the relationships developed with the staff. “I know various tattoo artists all over San Marcos, but there is just something about Classic Tattoo that keeps me coming back,” Turner said. Bubbas Family Tattoo Parlor is another tattoo shop that is growing as fast as the city. Bubba Ward, owner, said the parlor’s growth comes from their family-friendly environment. “We have been representing a unique art style, clean friendly environment and family orientation in the parlor,” Ward said. “Standing out in personality and in style is the way we here at Bubba’s want the people of the community to set us a part from other tattoo shops.” Chase Thomas, management junior, said he sees growth in many areas throughout the city. He frequents the tattoo parlors in San Marcos to support the city’s art scene. “In each tattoo parlor, I see a different sense of personality and style, which is essential, but one thing I remember is the trust and comfort that they each represent to their customers,” Thomas said. Haberle said she anticipates Classic Tattoo staying in its current location for as long time. “I want us to be right where we are,” Haberle said. “Improvement is necessary for any facility, but I want Classic to stay right here in the heart of the city.”
“I know various tattoo artists all over San Marcos, but there is just something about Classic Tattoo that keeps me coming back.” —ANNA LISA TURNER, FORMER TEXAS STATE STUDENT Ward said each stylist strives to create a unique environment for students, and he does his best to create an experience and make them aware aware of the shop’s location. “The more people that walk through those doors, I know they will continue to reopen,” Ward said. “Everyone remembers where they have gotten their first tattoo, or any tattoo at that, and I want that reputation for Bubba’s Family Tattoo Parlor here in San Marcos.”
ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Morgan Haberle, owner of Classic Tattoo, poses Feb. 26 at her shop.
ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Memorabilia is displayed for the Homegrown exhibit, a collection of music posters from 1967 to 1982 at the Witliff Collections in Alkek Library.
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