April 21 2015

TUESDAY APRIL 21, 2015

VOLUME 104 ISSUE 81 www.UniversityStar.com

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

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ENVIRONMENT

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

President Denise Trauth swears in Lauren Stotler, student body president, April 20 in front of the Lyndon Baines Johnson statue.

New student body president, vice president inaugurated

By Gabrielle Huezo NEWS REPORTER @_ghzzzo

T

exas State’s new student body president and vice president were inaugurated Monday afternoon next to a statue of the university’s most famous alumus, President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Tiffany Young, outgoing student body president and public relations junior, gave the opening

speech and introduced President Denise Trauth. Trauth spoke about the importance of Student Government and then swore in the new student body president: Lauren Stotler, finance sophomore.

Stotler swore in Tyler Burton, finance junior, as the new student body vice president.

Trauth said Young and Sean Quiñones, outgoing student body vice president and public administration junior, did an out-

standing job during their terms.

Trauth said she is confident in Stotler and Burton’s leadership and their ability to reach the expectations set by Young and Quiñones. Stotler said she and Burton have discussed various ideas for next school year. School pride and student involvement are at the top of their list. Stotler and Burton want to implement an organization-matching program to help students find organizations that compliment

their interests.

“Texas State has the problem of having too many phenomenal student organizations,” Stotler said. “It’s often daunting for students to look through these organizations and pick one in which they feel they will do best.”

Stotler and Burton want to work on making financial literacy programs more readily available to students.

“Perhaps the biggest concern

See INAUGURATION, Page 2

WATER

City, university team up for new stormwater campaign

By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nmlaughlin A new campaign partnership is intended to help educate the community about stormwater runoff and how it affects the environment.

University officials, in conjunction with the City of San Marcos, are joining a new campaign called “What Goes Here Flows Here.”

The university and the city were included in a new stormwater permit called Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in 2013, said Colleen Cook, environmental health specialist and university stormwater manager.

Cook said five areas have to be addressed under MS4, including public education outreach and

involvement. Officials decided to create a joint program since the university lies within the city. “(Residents and students) need to understand that they can make a difference in reducing the amount of pollution that reaches the river,” said Shawn Wolfshohl, city stormwater systems manager.

Wolfshohl said the stormwater program emerged from the Clean Water Act (CWA), a federal law passed in its current form in 1972 to govern pollution.

The first phase of the program regulated “large” cities such as Dallas and Houston. Phase two was enacted in smaller cities such as San Marcos, Wolfshohl said.

The university’s community relations department is involved with the campaign, said Kim Porterfield, community relations director.

ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Officials with the City of San Marcos and Texas State have joined to start a new stormwater educational campaign, “What Goes Here Flows Here.”

“We train students who volunteer in the community,” Porterfield said. “The message of

‘what goes here flows here’ will

See STORMWATER, Page 2

New manhole covers promote environmental responsibility

By Kasandra Garza NEWS REPORTER @KasGarza Salamanders have been spotted all over San Marcos—not in the river, but on storm drains.

Last year, city officials hosted a competition and asked residents of all ages to develop a design for the storm drain covers around San Marcos.

Andrea Weissenbuehler, communication design graduate student, and Mabel Lopez (who goes by Mabel Sirup), studio art senior, won the competition.

Weissenbuehler and Sirup created the “Sally the Salamander” logo to be put on storm drains. The first storm drains were installed March 6, with Weissenbuehler’s artwork in the center and Sirup’s border.

“I thought it was perfect,” Weissenbuehler said. “It’s named after the city, and I could create a connection with what is living in the river. It made me feel closer to the city and the university.”

Weissenbuehler and Sirup originally entered the competition separately. The judges later decided to combine Weissenbuehler’s central design and Sirup’s border design because they felt the two complemented each other, Sirup said.

The theme of the competition was “Protecting our rivers begins at the storm drains,” said Lauren Williams, a judge for the competition and the university general merchandising marketing manager. The winning entries were chosen based on uniqueness to San Marcos, original artwork, overall appearance and the intended water quality message, Williams said.

“The city was trying to make everyone aware that what you dump on the street goes into the river and affects the wildlife and everything that depends on the water,” Williams said.

The Texas blind salamander is one of the most well-known species in the San Marcos River. The San Marcos salamander lives in the Edwards Aquifer, Weissenbuehler said.

The purpose of the contest was to develop designs that would educate people and prevent them from littering, Sirup said.

“You throw your trash away and you

See SALAMANDER, Page 2

ENVIRONMENT

Electronics recycling event promotes waste disposal

By Jake Goodman NEWS REPORTER @Jake_thegoodman Rain showers were not enough to stop items ranging from leg massagers to big-screen televisions from rolling in to the seventh Earth Day RecycleNow electronics collection day.

The RecycleNow event was an opportunity for residents to dispose of electronics without paying a processing fee or sending the material to landfills, said Lisa Arceneaux, hazardous waste management specialist and event coordinator.

“Recycling electronics is a huge favor we can do for ourselves and for the planet,” Arceneaux said.

Arceneaux said the R3 Recycling company moved into San Marcos last year and now offers residents free electronic waste disposal year-round.

Marcos Garza, event volunteer and CEO of R3 Recycling, estimates more than 7,000 pounds of computers, batteries, phones, keyboards and speakers were collected during the 2015 RecycleNow electronics collection day.

He said the amount is close to the

2014 total, but the exact number will not be known until officials process what was collected.

Arceneaux said on average, 200 cars bring items each year. This year’s total count was 188.

Rocky Bravo, materials management worker, volunteered at the event, making it his sixth year helping. He said an entire semitruck was filled with electronics waste in 2014, but this year fewer people participated.

“I think now because San Marcos has a recycling center, people are going there more,” Bravo said.

Donny Bagley attended the event and brought a used television set. Bagley said he kept the set for almost three years after Green Guys Recycling refused to take it.

“I’d like to see something like this on a quarterly or semi-annual basis,” Bagley said.

Malachi Delgado, event volunteer and human resources manager at R3 Recycling, said electronics waste is a developing problem for the world. He said electronics account for only two percent of the world’s landfill trash but 70 percent of toxic waste.

“Most people have this idea that there’s this giant imaginary

NEWS BRIEF

Victim of lethal train accident identified

By Carlie Porterfield ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @reporterfield

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Volunteers sort through electronics during the RecycleNow event April 18 at the Strahan Coliseum parking lot. trash can somewhere,” Delgado said. “People are just unaware of the danger.”

Delgado said electronics—including cell phones and computer monitors—contain trace elements including gold and platinum as well as toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury.

Delgado said people often dispose of their electronics by dumping them in trash cans or dumpsters to be taken to landfills.

He said when screens are exposed,

hazardous chemicals can be released into the environment and harm people nearby.

“At the end of the day, this waste isn’t going to a landfill ever,” Delgado said.

Touch screens contain a rare compound called indium. Delgado said more indium is located in existing devices than inside the Earth. He said this fact demonstrates why recycling electronics

See RECYCLENOW, Page 2

Officials with the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) have identified the man who was struck and killed by a train on Friday afternoon.

Richard Alonzo Natal, 50, was struck by a train at about 3:30 p.m., The victim was pronounced dead via phone by Jo Anne Prado, Justice of the Peace, shortly after he was found by police.

According to police, witnesses said Natal was lying on the northbound tracks near Wonder World Drive when he was hit. The Union Pacific employee driving the train applied the brakes and blew the horn. Natal spotted the approaching engine and began to get up, but did not move in time, said members of the train’s crew.

Police have not confirmed why Natal was lying on the tracks, according to an April 20 city press release.

2 | The University Star | News | Thursday, April 16, 2015

COUNTY

Officials plan for consequences of rapid growth he said.

“We had a buyer the other day looking for a house under $200,000 in San Marcos,” Walker said. “There were only seven houses available on the market in that moment in time, and that was it.”

Commissioner Mark Jones, Precinct 2, said the rise in the county’s population is a major factor in the jail’s recent issues with overcrowding.

City officials have had to transfer inmates to neighboring counties since July, according to an August 21, 2014 University Star article.

Jones thinks Hays County officials will have to start planning to expand the jail.

“Whatever we do will be at the current (county jail) site, and I think (the new jail) will probably be phased in,” Jones said. “I think we’re probably looking three to five years down the road for this to happen.”

Growth creates opportunities that allow county residents to work where they live and attracts new businesses.

“You have more businesses coming to where the people are, and you have a bigger tax base to hopefully lessen the tax base on the current

By Anna Herod SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @annaleemurphy Hays County is the second fastestgrowing county in America, according to data released March 26 by the United States Census Bureau.

Attention is being directed toward the lack of affordable housing as the population surge ushers in more people looking for homes in Hays County, said James Walker, vice president of the Four Rivers Association of Realtors.

Options are limited in Buda, San Marcos and Kyle, Walker said.

“It is very difficult for buyers to find the houses that they’re looking for, particularly under the $200,000 price range,” Walker said.

Walker hopes the market will improve, but prospects for affordable housing are expected to remain limited.

“I don’t know of any future plans for brand-new affordable housing units ahead,” Walker said. “(Future) developments that are on the books right now are going to be in the $200,000 price range and up.”

Buyers in Kyle are forced to “fight over houses” and “make multiple offers” before they can find homes,

residents,” Jones said.

Jones said negative affects of population growth are inevitable despite the new opportunities.

“We’re having a hard time keeping up with infrastructure, so traffic becomes a huge obstacle,” Jones said.

Jones said supplying new residents with water is another concern.

“The more people we have, the more pressure it puts on our aquifers, and water becomes a bigger issue as we grow,” Jones said.

Conflict surrounding water has plagued other growing cities in Hays County, including Buda and Wimberley, but San Marcos is more secure in its plans for the future, said Tom Taggart, executive director of public services.

“Obviously we have to plan to supply the population as it exists, and we know the population here is growing,” Taggart said. “I would say that we’re considerably ahead of some of our neighbors in having (water supply) addressed.”

San Marcos relies on the Edwards Aquifer and a surface water treatment plant, Taggart said.

“Our current supplies will last us until about 2040, even if we acquired no additional water,” Taggart

STORMWATER, from front be incorporated with everything we do with students.”

Porterfield said members of her department will educate students, faculty and staff through communication efforts, trainings and events.

“Most people—students included—don’t realize that if it goes into a gutter, it goes into the river,” Porterfield said. “That’s just not something that you think about.”

Manhole covers and metal storm drain caps are being installed to alert the public to connections to the river, Wolfshohl said. The artwork is a reproduction of a contest winner’s submission, which was a drawing of a salamander.

The salamander has gotten the nickname “Sally the Salamander” through the campaign.

Cook said city and university officials will use the same manhole cover design on any new developments. Some old covers will be replaced with the new design. She said 14 have already been replaced on campus—specifically on Moon and Edward Gary Streets. “(The manhole cover) says, ‘Re-

2040 year city will do studies 2070 on how to reuse water year current water supplies will run out

$200,000

minimum price of most houses in San Marcos said. “But we’re acquiring water beyond that, so that we have it on hand and planned for well in advance of the actual need.”

City officials began seeking additional water sources about 11 years ago, when the Hays Caldwell Public Utility Agency was formed, he said.

Officials will begin purchasing water from the Carizzo Aquifer in 2023, Taggart said. The second

phase of using the aquifer’s water will begin in 2038 and continue to meet needs beyond 2070.

“After 2070, it is likely that the city is going to be doing studies in relation to reuse of our existing water,” Taggart said. “(The studies will) potentially direct potable reuse to augment those supplies as water resources in Texas get much tighter.”

SALAMANDER, from front member your friends in the water,’ and it’s basically showing whatever goes in this hole will end up in the river,” Cook said. “It doesn’t go to a treatment plant. The salamander is supposed to connect because it’s the same program.”

Cook said the campaign will be incorporated into the University Seminar course. An explanation of the stormwater dispersal process will be included in every University Seminar glass bottom boat tour.

The tour instructor will explain that when it rains, whatever is in the parking lots flows to nearby storm drains.

“They are going to walk across the street and see that it literally goes from (the) storm drain to the river,” Cook said.

Porterfield said she worked with Cook, university marketing officials and the city to develop the slogan and logo that represent the campaign.

“We are fortunate from a marketing standpoint that we have the river in our mark,” Porterfield said. “That really resonates with

people.”

Porterfield said at first, the logo only featured Old Main, but the committee thought it should also include city landmarks, like the Hays County Courthouse with the “iconic” San Marcos River.

“I am really pleased with the way that it came out,” Porterfield said. “It has Old Main and the courthouse, which shows the university and the community working together for the river.”

Cook said officials can move forward in educating the campus community, residents and businesses now the logo and slogan have been created.

Porterfield hopes the campaign will create an “expectation” people will not litter.

“Our belief is through the training that we do with students, that when they go out into the community, or when we send them to work with kids in schools, that they will become the ambassadors of the campaign,” Porterfield said.

“Texas State students will help spread that message.”

the night before and it comes into contact with the battery, you can end up burning your house down,” Clark said.

Elsie Romano, event volunteer and university employee, has participated all seven years the event has taken place. Romano originally

volunteered because she was concerned hazardous materials could leak into groundwater and the river.

“It really does restore my faith in humanity to see so many people are disposing their waste properly,” said Beth Carrey, event volunteer and Stericycle employee.

don’t ever think of it again, but that thing you threw away is still there,” Sirup said. “It didn’t disappear. Hopefully by looking at the drain covers, people will just grow to care more.”

Weissenbuehler said the river is a “playground” for Texas State students, but it is fragile, and people must be mindful of that.

“When we’re swimming in there, we’re swimming in someone else’s house,” Weissenbuehler said. “All of these people are creating awareness, and I’m hoping that I too can play a role with some humor.”

Sirup said artists have opportunities to get involved around San Marcos. People should use their art to spread messages.

“As a result of this contest, I’ve

been introduced to all these people doing good things, and they’re protecting the river,” Weissenbuehler said. “I’m reminded of all the goodwill around me.”

San Marcos is one of the fastestgrowing cities in Texas, and the university has an expanding campus, Weissenbuehler said. The growth results in more people using water and dumping their trash where it can reach the river.

Residents must take care of the river in order to keep creatures like “Sally the Salamander” safe, Weissenbuehler said.

“We’ve got this really awesome campus and this really awesome body of water,” Weissenbuehler said. “We have to take care of it.”

RECYCLENOW, from front is important.

Stewart Clark, event volunteer, said battery waste can be dangerous. Batteries can cause fires if they come into contact with metal. Alkaline batteries have positive and negative terminals close together.

“If you have that tin foil from

WILD

ART

Destany Blanchard, communication design major, welds a masquerade mask April 20 at the Joan Cole Mitte Building.

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

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Mabel Sirup, studio art senior, poses near a storm drain she helped design for the “What Goes Here Flows Here” campaign April 19 on campus.

INAUGURATION, from front of most students at Texas State is that they might run out of money or that they have financial burdens,” Stotler said. “Being able to ease some of their worries would allow students to put more energy into their school and organizational work.”

In addition, attendance at athletic events is something Stotler and Burton plan to improve.

Burton said he is most excited about working to keep and improve pride and tradition at the university, and he hopes to increase appreciation for veterans as well.

“I love Texas State,” Burton said.

“One thing I would like to implement is more recognition for our veterans. I think that without our veterans we wouldn’t be where we are today, so if we can recognize them a lot better and in more ways, then that will satisfy myself.”

Young and Quiñones said Stotler and Burton are ready to take on their new roles. They are excited to see how their successors perform.

“It will definitely be rewarding to watch Lauren go through the experience and be able to be there as a resource to her,” Young said.

“I have full faith in her and Tyler that they will do an amazing job

The University Star | Tuesday, April 21, 2015 | 3

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

TEXAS STATE ALUMNI PRODUCE LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

By Jonathan Hamilton LIFESTYLE REPORTER @jonodashham1

Thousands of eager partygoers showed up to Cool River Ranch in Martindale for #TXSpringFest on Saturday.

John Russell, co-CEO of Tha Fixx, an entertainment website, came together with business partners Brian Hobbs and Victor Jackson to make #TXSpringFest a reality. The event was hosted by Tha Fixx and promoted

by Endless Entertainment.

The concert was supposed to featured hip-hop artists Juicy J and K Camp as well as EDM performers

LooKas and Sikdope.

The event ended early due to poor weather. Juicy J and K Camp did not perform, but the appearances

by LooKas and Sikdope went on as scheduled.

Russell said Tha Fixx was founded five years ago. The founders have carved a niche for themselves within the hip-hop industry, he said.

Russell was excited for the chance to throw a concert in San Marcos because the three businessmen are Texas State alumni.

“We are a bunch of Bobcats doing this for Bobcat nation,” Russell said.

Jackson hoped concerts like #TXSpringFest were held when he was a

student at the university.

“We all graduated from Texas State,” Jackson said. “This is our school. And we know what we wanted when we went here, and we saw that void still had not been filled. So we opened the market and filled it.”

Hobbs said the three alumni are focused on growing their business in San Marcos and wanted to throw an event like #TXSpringFest for years.

“We do not just want to be another fish in the pond,” Hobbs said. “We want to be the shark in the pond out here.”

Shawn Onyechi, health and fitness management junior, said he used his company, Endless Entertainment, to

promote SpringFest.

Onyechi said he founded Endless Entertainment to promote unity and diversity within the Texas State community through events like #TXSpringFest.

“I am the type of person that likes to be around different people,” Onyechi said. “At Texas State, we have a very diverse group with different types of people.”

Onyechi said one of his goals was to make the concert easily accessible to university students.

“It is all about bringing people together for an affordable cost,” Onyechi said.

Onyechi believes introducing #TX-

Austin Fashion Week creates opportunities for small businesses

By Sarah Bradley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @sarah_bradskies Fashion gurus from across the globe gathered to experience what the up-and-coming designers of Austin had to offer this past weekend at the seventh annual Austin Fashion Week (AFW).

The event was held April 10-18 at the Austin Music Hall.

Matt Swinney, founder of AFW, said the event gives designers a chance to showcase their work.

“Austin Fashion Week is really a celebration of independent fashion designers,” Swinney said. “It’s about giving young designers a really amazing, highly produced platform to put their brands in the most positive light we can possibly provide.”

Swinney said the event was necessary to show off Austin’s creative talents.

“It all started as a simple event when I realized that no one ever hugged or welcomed all that Austin had to offer to the fashion world,” Swinney

said. “There were so many amazing and talented design artists who were truly gems that needed displaying.”

Swinney said the weeklong event featured various international designers, but the finale was held as a platform to exclusively showcase artists from Austin.

The events featured eight full collections and 10 designers showcasing three looks each. Swinney said a designer must have a unique look to be selected.

“When looking for designers to display, you obviously look for the skill,” Swinney said. “However, we also look for things that can set that particular designer apart from all the other designers selected.

This way the show appeals to a broad audience base.”

Swinney said AFW has continued to grow and improve over the years.

“What sets (this year) apart is really the growth,” Swinney said. “This year there were about 80 to 85 applicants for runway designers, whom were all fighting for about 20 spots. With this, the level of designer skill increases, and

therefore so does the amount of press and people in attendance.”

Swinney said this year’s show was sold out a week before the kickoff.

Kristen Chin, principal of Patterns of Movement (POM) Public Relations and head organizer of the event, said she helped regulate and coordinate the media and attendees.

Chin said Swinney hired her seven years ago when he was beginning to organize AFW. Chin’s team was focused on working with the media for AFW. This year the event had about 200 credential applications from various press outlets.

Chin said the organizers try to fairly delegate interviews among designers so each participant can get as much press as possible from the event.

The team’s hard work pays off when the designers are able to gain exposure.

“Austin Fashion Week is so beneficial for so many people,” Chin said. “It’s a way for designers and vendors to connect with potential

SpringFest as an annual concert in San Marcos would be beneficial to the community.

“It is about doing something that is bigger than us,” Onyechi said. “We are doing something for everybody.

The whole community came out, and businesses profited too.”

Hobbs said #TXSpringFest is in its infancy, and he hopes it will one day be a nationally recognized music festival.

“We just want to make this thing bigger and bigger and bigger,” Hobbs said.

“If you are into having fun, this is something you should want to go to, period,” Russell said.

MY MEATS ATE

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customers as well as get their name out there. (It’s) also a way for locals to see what all is available, and (they) are exposed to hidden gems.”

Hayley Swindell, founder of Hip Humanitarian, said she is grateful for the experience AFW provides for new businesses. Hip Humanitarian is an Austin-based retail shop that sells environmentally friendly products, ranging from beauty items to clothing.

“As a booth sponsor for the Austin Fashion Week gallery, it’s so amazing being selected and involved in an event like this because it’s so wellorganized and established,” Swindell said. “It really helps small businesses, like myself, to get a foot in the door.”

Swinney said his goal for AFW was to provide opportunity to the local fashion scene.

“These designers don’t get many chances to show their work at our level of production,” Swinney said. “Therefore, we’ve figured out a way to raise money where it’s not causing any setbacks for the designer and ultimately gives them a chance for success.”

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4 | The University Star | Tuesday, April 21, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

Financial literacy important for young adults A

pril 15 was the filing deadline for the United States income tax. All across campus students were heard discussing the proper way to go about filing taxes or if anyone going to the university even made enough income to file.

This day prompted a lot of confusion and stress for the young people on this campus and nationwide.

The widespread panic highlights a larger issue prevalent in this generation of young adults.

In high school, teachers often stressed that they were tough not because they wanted to be but because they were preparing students for the “real world.” Many students are now taking those steps into the real world. As the years progress, it is clear the tools students should have been taught have more to do with personal finances and less with calculus.

Having a solid educational foundation in basic subjects is an important part of being a well-rounded adult.

However, learning how to do calculus instead of how to balance a checkbook is proving to be a detriment.

Everyone needs to know how to take care of his or her personal finances, but not everyone needs to know how to do the Pythagorean

Theorem.

According to the Texas State website, the University Seminar course is designed to provide for “transitional needs” of new university students. The class, US 1100, is mandatory for all students who have completed fewer than 15 hours of college credit and is supposed to help them cultivate the skills needed for “lifelong learning.”

The idea behind this course is admirable. Unfortunately, the reality is often that this class ends up being a waste of resources and time. University Seminar instructors could take advantage of the mandatory nature of the course to impart real-world knowledge to students instead of running a glorified book club.

Implementing these changes could be as simple as taking a month to discuss personal finance management techniques.

Topics to be discussed could include how to file personal income taxes, how credit cards work or what exactly a mortgage is. Some high schools have home economics courses that teach students important skills. A revised seminar course could be like home economics for university students.

Lauren Stotler and Tyler

Burton, the new student body president and vice president, expressed interest in establishing a financial literacy program for incoming freshmen.

According to a Feb. 19 University Star article, Stotler and Burton plan on making this class their first area of focus as new campus leaders.

The editorial board is hopeful the administration will be successful in implementing this program and making strides toward improving the financial literacy of Bobcats campuswide.

In the meantime, a lack of information on an institutional level is no excuse for ignorance overall. Online resources for financial literacy include CNN’s Money 101 and blogs like The Simple Dollar.

Even if university officials do not revise the US 1100 course to inject more realistic and viable information, students should take it upon themselves to learn what they need to know.

Being financially stable is an important part of growing up, and students must make sure they have a firm grasp on financial information before stepping out into the real world.

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.

RELIGION

ALCOHOL

Indiana bill about religious freedom, not LGBTQIA

Madison Teague OPINIONS COLUMNIST @maddiebell_bell

T

he Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has recently undergone criticism claiming the bill is anti-LBGTQIA, however false that may be.

The bill mimics the 1993 federal RFRA signed into law by President Clinton.

The bill is still held federally, while only 19 states have passed the RFRA portion applying to state governments.

Indiana’s decision to pass the RFRA is in the spotlight because someone created a hypothetical situation to stir up fear of discrimination and repression. The “gay wedding cake” scenario stirred up hatred for Christian businesses and led to a hodgepodge of misconceptions about Indiana’s RFRA. The RFRA simply states employees and businesses

cannot be sued for denying certain services on the basis of religious freedom.

The bill contains absolutely nothing in reference to the LBGTQIA community.

Business owners have to right to deny a service on the grounds of compromising their religious beliefs.

A similar situation arose with the court case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby, claiming that requiring a family-owned business to provide birth control of certain types violated the company’s religious freedom.

A Christian baker can deny taking part in a homosexual marriage by not producing the cake. A Christian baker cannot assess whether the customer is a homosexual and, therefore, refuse to bake him a cake for his sister’s birthday.

“I feel that it’s not the government’s right to tell people how to conduct their own business, especially when it comes to religious matters,” said Kayla Weddle, International Studies sophomore and chair of College Republicans at Texas State. “Everyone has the right to practice their religion in the way they see fit.”

Conservative comedian Steven Crowder created

The University Star Editor-in-Chief................................................Nicole Barrios, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor....................Cameron Cutshall, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters................................................................................universitystar@txstate.edu News Editor..............................................Kelsey Bradshaw, starnews@txstate.edu Lifestyle Editor..........................................Britton Richter, starlifestyle@txstate.edu Opinions Editor.......................................Imani McGarrell, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor...........................................Madelynne Scales, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor........................................... Quixem Ramirez, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief.....................................Sam Hankins, starcopychief@txstate.edu

a tongue-in-cheek video targeting critics of the bill who focus solely on Christian bakeries. Crowder points out that the law also pertains to any baker of any religion where homosexuality can be seen as a sin. He also indicates the unlikelihood of these types of situations and noted some bakers not shown in his video agreed to produce the cake.

If a business does not operate by standards a person sees fit, that person has the right to deny them their business. Businesses like Angie’s List have opted out of furthering their business in Indiana as a direct result of the opposition to the bill. However, it is just as much one business’s right to deny a certain service on the grounds of religious freedom as it is the right of consumers to deny patronage according to their own beliefs.

No government of free people should ever be allowed to command its constituents to forsake their god or lose their livelihood. That is not freedom.

RFRAs like the one seen in Indiana do not only shield Christians, they stand as a bulwark against all persecution against any religion. ­—Madison Teague is an English junior

New app will keep drinkers off roads

Evelin Garcia OPINIONS COLUMNIST @Eveling285

S

outh by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin continues to be the heart of innovation release. On March 13 during the SXSW Interactive festival, TopShelf, an alcohol delivery app, was launched.

Hot innovations are often released through such festivals, but this time modernization struck liquor stores all around Austin.

The alcohol delivery app was created by Ryan Browne and was designed to keep liquor fans safe and satisfied.

The user-friendly app gives customers access to a list of alcoholic beverages from nearby liquor stores. The list provides users with a wide range of their favorite liquors. From there the customer takes his or her pick and adds it to an online shopping cart.

From there they choose a payment method, and the liquor is on its way.

Most accidents related to alcohol excess occur when the abusers try to perform basic activities like driving.

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the foremost cause of death for people aged 5-34 in the United States.

These incidents claim the lives of 18,266 Americans every year.

An app like TopShelf will eliminate the need to drive to buy alcohol, thus minimizing the number of potential drunk drivers on the road. Topshelf is the future for liquor and a new form of safety for its consumers.

A liquor delivery app is a positive innovation in the alcoholic beverage business. The creation of this app is much like the invention of Snapchat, WhatsApp and Pandora. These apps have started a digital revolution, and TopShelf is a part of it.

With the amount of technology in the world today, it is important for people to learn to coexist and intertwine their lives with it. Knowing local businesses are willing to adopt new technology should give consumers comfort because it pushes the technology revolution forward.

Beverage World, a liquor store in Austin using TopShelf, has seen the app’s popularity grow. Employees at Beverage World said the app started small but is gradually getting bigger.

The development of an app like TopShelf was inevitable. According to the website, it will shortly be spreading to nearby cities like San Marcos.

Soon Bobcats will be able to have liquor delivered to their front doors.

—Evelin Garcia is a journalism sophomore

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Tuesday April 21, 2015 | The University Star | 5

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

BASEBALL

BOBCATS BURNED IN 13-3 LOSS TO RAGIN’ CAJUNS

By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @QUIXEM Wyatt Marks, Ragin’ Cajuns freshman pitcher, struck out 11 batters in Louisiana-Lafayette’s 13-3 win over the Texas State baseball team.

Marks, making his second career start, outplayed Jeremy Hallonquist, junior pitcher, who allowed eight unearned runs in his four-inning stint. Hallonquist’s previous season-high in unearned runs was three.

Marks pitched 5.1 innings to improve his season record to 4-0.

Assistant Coach Jeremy Fikac started Hallonquist because his sinker does not typically induce home runs. However, the Ragin’ Cajuns hit four home runs, bringing Hallonquist’s season total to seven.

Hallonquist, who earned his first loss of the season, allowed 11 runners to reach base out of 22 plate appearances. His earned run average dropped to 3.63, which is second on the team.

“I thought we had the right guy on the mound, a heavy sinker guy,” Fikac said. “I thought we could keep them on the ground and keep them in the park. That didn’t happen for Jeremy today.”

Home runs accounted for Louisiana-Lafayette’s first seven runs of the game.

Kyle Clement, Ragin’ Cajuns

junior center fielder, began the matchup with a solo home run in the second plate appearance of the game.

Stefan Trosclair, Ragin’ Cajuns junior second baseman, and Dylan Butler, senior right fielder, added home runs in the fourth inning.

The game was in reach until the fifth inning, when Trosclair’s three-run home run gave the Ragin’ Cajuns a 7-0 lead.

Fikac pulled Hallonquist from the game after Trosclair’s second home run.

Colby Targun, senior designated hitter, and David Paiz, senior third baseman, drove in three runs for the Bobcats in the sixth inning. The home run was the first of Paiz’s collegiate career.

By then, the damage was done.

“A home run is a home run,” Fikac said. “You still have to work about the ball and drive it. I don’t care which way the wind is going.

They did that more often than us.”

Blake Whitter, senior pitcher, and Pasquale Mazzoccoli, junior pitcher, finished the shortened seven-inning game with a deficit.

Whitter and Mazzoccoli combined for five unearned runs in three innings in relief.

Fikac said the team did not keep the ball down in the strike zone, which allowed LouisianaLafayette to take advantage of the wind.

“We didn’t pitch well enough

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Blake Whitter, senior pitcher, pitches April 19 against Louisiana-Lafayette at Bobcat Ballpark. today,” Fikac said. “We didn’t throw well enough defensively.

We didn’t get enough hits.”

Texas State’s loss comes in the team’s last home game until May 8. The Bobcats have nine consecutive road games before finishing the season with six straight home matchups.

Texas State’s winning percentage is higher on the road than at home this season. Fikac said the nine-game road trip allows the

coaching staff to set the players’ schedule and eliminate exterior distractions.

“We’ve played good baseball on the road,” Fikac said. “It’s allowed us to come together as a club and, really, it’s family time.

It’s fun going to other people’s ballparks and them screaming and hollering at you and you overcoming that.”

Texas State’s next game is April 21 against the Texas Longhorns,

who have lost 11 of their last 15 games.

The Longhorns defeated the Bobcats 6-4 at Bobcat Ballpark in the previous meeting this season.

C.J. Hinojosa, Longhorns junior infielder, erased Texas State’s two-run lead in the eighth inning with a three-run home run.

“Our kids always get up to go to Austin to play the Longhorns,” Fikac said. “We’ll be competitive.”

BASEBALL

STORYLINES TO WATCH: TEXAS STATE VS. TEXAS

By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @QUIXEM

For the next three weeks, the Texas State baseball team will play in front of opposing fans. The next home game is May 8 against Arkansas State.

Assistant Coach Jeremy Fikac said the team is not fazed by the road trips because the Bobcats play better in other ballparks.

The numbers support Fikac.

Texas State is 10-12-1 at home and 8-8 on the road for the season. The team’s next road test is Tuesday night against Texas. The matchup will conclude a twogame home-and-home series.

JARED HUBER’S IMPROVEMENT

Fikac recruited Jared Huber, freshman catcher, because of his defensive ability behind the plate.

Huber, 5 feet 8 inches tall, compensates for his size with a quick release on the base paths. The

freshman has caught 16 baserunners stealing out of 32 opportunities, a success rate higher than that of Tanner Hill, junior catcher. Hill has thrown out six baserunners in 49 attempts.

Defense was never a question for Huber. Offense was. Until April 2, Huber did not get consistent playing time as a catcher.

Fikac swapped him out with Hill as the freshman’s batting average dipped to .214 in March.

Fikac changed his mind once Huber grasped the nuances of offense. In the past 11 games, Huber’s batting average has risen from .214 to a team-high .345.

His 10-game hitting streak was snapped in Sunday’s 13-3 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. Huber’s batting average during this 11-game stretch was .390. The sample size is limited, but Huber is more than 50 points ahead of Hill in on-base percentage.

Now Huber is the everyday starting catcher, allowing Fikac to replace Ben McElroy, senior infielder, with Hill at first base.

Texas State benefits from Hill’s batting prowess while upgrading defensively.

Fikac said part of Huber’s growth is in batting approach: trying to find open holes in the defense rather than driving for power. It works for Huber. It works for Texas State. The team’s production took off once Huber solidified his role, which is no coincidence.

MIDWEEK DECISION

Fikac has not confirmed a starting pitcher for Tuesday night against Texas. His decision is down to Cory Geisler, junior, and Montana Parsons, freshman. Neither option has been reliable in previous midweek matchups.

Geisler allowed six unearned runs in the 10-8 loss to UTSA as a starter. Parsons gave up three unearned runs the week before in 1.2 innings. The defense did not do the duo any favors, but neither pitched well enough to overcome the errors.

Parsons pitched seven innings

against Texas in the previous meeting, though he nearly allowed several home runs in the game.

Fikac needs a reliable starter for Tuesday night. As of now, he does not have a clear-cut player to fill the role.

STUMBLING TEXAS

Texas is not the same team from a month ago. The Longhorns, then ranked No. 10 in the nation, spiraled into a seven-game losing streak following their victory over Texas State. A 4-11 record in the past 15 games has brought them down to 21-19 overall and 8-7 in the Big 12.

PREVIOUS MEETING

in their previous meeting at Bobcat Ballpark. C.J. Hinojosa, Longhorns junior infielder, erased the Bobcats’ lead with a three-run home run in the eighth inning.

TEAM HISTORY

With the win, the Longhorns are 41-9 all-time against the Bobcats.

The winning streak is now 20 games.

WHAT’S NEXT

Texas State will play Troy, which is tied with the Bobcats for fifth place in the Sun Belt Conference with a 10-8 record. The threegame series begins Friday.

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