April 18 2016

Page 1

MONDAY APRIL 18, 2016

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 57 www.UniversityStar.com

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UNIVERSITY

Texas State Net Impact is helping local businesses conserve energy and save money Just one of the many party buses often seen around San Marcos.

Parking regulations for private bus companies up for consideration for first time ever By Rae Glassford SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @rae_maybe

Private charter bus companies seem to have discovered a lucrative enterprise in transporting partygoers to and from bars and nightclubs. However, these companies may presently find themselves confronted with newly-minted parking restrictions. It has been proposed that a new section be added to Ordinance 90, which concerns vehicles for hire, in order to prevent “party busses” from parking in residential neighborhoods. The request originated

from the Neighborhood Commission, and later made it to the San Marcos City Council’s discussion table during their most recent meeting. “The problem as I understand it is that we have busses loading and unloading in residential neighborhoods,” said city councilwoman Jane Hughson, Place 4. “The apartment complexes that the bus companies primarily cater to are near these neighborhoods.” Logically, it makes sense for charter bus services to load and unload near apartment complexes that house many of their customers,

Hughson said. But when the apartments in question are unable to provide adequate parking space, the buses simply drop clients off in nearby neighborhoods, leaving customers to walk the short distance back to their homes. “I personally have no problem with people getting on busses and going up to Austin, maybe drinking some alcohol and partying,” Hughson said. “But an issue arises when these busses park in the middle of the neighborhoods. These busses are picking up folks around nine or 10 in the evening, and dropping them back

off at two or three in the morning. Those who have had a drink tend to get a little louder, maybe tend to do things you wouldn’t typically do at two in the afternoon.” Noise complaints, which have arisen and been brought to the attention of the city as a result of such incidents, are an issue for residents who have to get up and go to work in the morning, Hughson said. It could also be a problem for students who might have early morning classes the following day. “We need to make sure that private charter bus companies have made ar-

rangements for parking,” Hughson said. “This whole idea really came about as a parking location issue.” Currently there are at least four private charter bus companies operating within San Marcos, perhaps as a testament to the economic success of such services. Although parking for taxicabs and pedicabs has been regulated for years, and services like Uber and Lyft have been regulated since last year, there are no regulations in place which apply to charter busses in town. “It has been suggested

See BUS, Page 2

ENVIRONMENT

Confetti toss graduation photos cause concern for the environment By Tommy Murphy NEWS REPORTER @TommyMurphy

Environmentalists are troubled by the increasing popularity of confetti toss graduation photos, which cause the substance to wash into the San Marcos River. Confetti used for graduation photos can be extremely harmful to the 12 endangered species currently inhabiting the San Marcos River, according to local environmental experts. “Everybody can have an important part in protect-

ing the river,” said Colleen Cook, environmental health safety specialist at Texas State. “Very few people realize the unique environment that we have here and how lucky we are to have it.” She said anything on the ground will end up in the river, and confetti is something endangered species shouldn’t consume. “The easiest thing people could do is take a dust pan and just sweep it up,” Cook said. “There are plenty of trash cans around campus and it really takes just a matter of minutes.”

Dianne Wassenich, San Marcos River Foundation program manager, suggests throwing something such as flower petals or bird food instead of confetti or glitter. Cook said protecting the river is extremely important because endangered species are federally protected. Residents love to use the river for recreation and nobody wants to swim in dirty water. She said the “What Goes Here Flows Here” campaign can help prevent pollution. “The university and city find it necessary to do everything they can to improve

their storm water—the water that flows directly down into the river,” Wassenich said. “Part of that improvement process is this terrific, wonderful and very much needed educational outreach program.” Wassenich said the university constantly has new students who might not understand the importance of the river. A campaign such as “What Goes Here Flows Here” will help educate students on the need to keep the river clean. “The program helps residents, students, and the

campus community realize how important this river is to everyone,” Cook said. “The river has been here for hundreds of years and we want it to be here a hundred years from now.” Cook said the river’s beauty is appealing to the community and must be preserved. “Texas State prides itself on its beautiful campus with a river running through it,” Cook said. “It really is important for students and residents to take care of it.”

By Bailey Buckingham SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @bcbuckingham

Texas State’s Net Impact chapter is making an economical and environmental difference downtown by providing local businesses with free energy audits. Net Impact is a global, volunteer based program centered around sustainability and environmental protection. Each chapter takes on projects throughout the year to help their universities and communities. The Texas State chapter is hosted in the McCoy College of Business, but members are from a variety of majors. The Texas State chapter focuses on the values of the global organization but also ties in economics, said Joseph Fischer, finance junior and project manager of the energy audits. “Our branch takes a more business friendly approach that pairs sustainable growth and environmental responsibility with economically feasible solutions,” Fischer said. “Things that won’t break the bank for a small business but will make a difference in the environment.” Net Impact and Main Street San Marcos have joined forces to provide the energy audits conducted by student volunteers within the organization. The volunteers underwent training to learn the skills necessary for the audits. The idea to conduct these audits for local businesses came from volunteer work the chapter did for Texas State in 2012. Janet Hale, Net Impact faculty advisor, said in 2012 that the Net Impact chapter conducted free energy audits for 54 percent of the buildings on campus. “By conducting these audits, Net Impact ended up saving Texas State over $40,000 in auditing fees,”

See IMPACT, Page 2

CAMPUS CARRY

Questions remain regarding next phase of Campus Carry By Brigeda Hernandez SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @brigeda_h

As implementation of campus carry approaches, some of the finer details still need to be discussed. University officials published President Denise Trauth’s recommendations for the implementation of campus carry. The Texas State University System Board of Regents will vote on the policies during their May 26-27 meeting. This leaves officials just over two months to tackle issues such as signage, safety training and disciplinary action before the law takes effect this August. “The one thing we have to recognize from the getgo is it’s the law,” said Emily Payne, curriculum and instruction associate pro-

fessor and faculty senator. “It got passed. We have to be fully aware and responsive to what our legislature passed.” The Campus Carry Task Force submitted their preliminary recommendations November 2015 for the law’s implementation on campus. After receiving feedback from public forums, task force members shared the revised recommendations in December. Final recommendations were made February, following the final public forum. “The TSUS and the Board of Regents were on this early on and they were vigilant about having a plan,” Payne said. “Getting input from everybody they could, trying to find ways to accommodate the law that passed but do it in

LARA DIETRICH STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The Texas State University Board of Regents will be voting on President Trauth’s campus carry recommendations.

a way that respects peoples’ needs.” Payne said faculty senators requested carve-out zones, places where firearms are prohibited despite the law, include any place where children under 18 receive services. This would apply to locations such as the Child Development Center and the Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support. According to the campus carry rules listed on Texas State’s website, the law would not apply during the summer months in which there are children’s camps. However, it is unknown how it would be applied to something such as a campus tour. Another concern is how campus carry will apply in

See CAMPUS CARRY, Page 2


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