April 22 2015

WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2015

VOLUME 104 ISSUE 82

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REPORTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM AUGUST 2014 TO MARCH 2015

WATER

Source of lead contamination in water unknown

By Jake Goodman News Reporter @jake_thegoodman Trace levels of lead discovered in the water at the Hays County Government Center in September 2014 have since disappeared, but the source remains unknown.

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency contaminant guidelines, the maximum allowable amount, or action limit, of lead in drinking water is .015

“

For someone living in San Marcos, I would say there’s no impurity concern.” ­—JON CLACK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES

milligrams per liter (mg/L). According to a test conducted by SA Laboratories, four of six samples of San Marcos water taken at the Hays County Government Center on Sept. 4 revealed a lead contamination between .028 mg/L and .075 mg/L. Jon Clack, assistant director of public services, said the water lines were opened and flushed after the lead was detected. Follow-up tests revealed the contaminant had disappeared from the government center supply. Another test near the center revealed trace amounts of lead in December. Since then, the contaminant has not reappeared, and its source remains unknown.

“We really didn’t come to any conclusive results on where it came from,” Clack said. “We think it’s in that area, but we never found anything we could put our finger on.”

Clint Garza, county development services director, said officials conducted their own tests on the pipes for corrosive materials and lead. Tests of the water at the government center have not revealed lead above the action limit since December.

“We’re still testing to see what the right material for pipe repairs and construction is,” he said.

Garza said the pipes in the government center may have to be replaced because of corrosion.

The city gets water from Canyon Lake and the Edward’s Aquifer, but neither source has ever tested positive for lead, Clack said.

“If it was in our source water, it would show up all the time,” he said.

See LEAD, Page 2

CRIME

Three charged with arson in Sagewood fire investigation

By Carlie Porterfield ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @rep0rterfield Three 19-year-old men have been arrested by officials from the San Marcos Fire Marshal’s Office in connection with an arson that occurred the morning of April 9 at a house on the 1000 block of Sagewood Trail.

San Marcos police and fire department officials determined the blaze was isolated to the front porch of the house.

The residents put out the fire and escaped the house without sustaining injuries.

Officials with the fire marshal’s office conducted an investigation and determined the fire was set intentionally.

Ralph Colten Olle of Wimberley and Bryce Taylor Roberson and Augustine Angel Sosa of Driftwood were arrested and charged with arson and engaging in organized criminal activity.

ON-CAMPUS SEX CRIMES 3 IN 2013 ACCORDING TO THE CAMPUS 1 IN 2012 WATCH 2014 REPORT. 3 IN 2011

20 12

REPORTS OF SEXUAL HARRASSMENT FROM AUGUST 2014 TO MARCH 2015 INCIDENTS OF DATING VIOLENCE REPORTED FROM AUGUST 2014 TO MARCH 2015

New sexual misconduct policies yields increase in reporting

By Jon Wilcox SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Data gathered from the university’s Office of Equity and Access gives insight into Texas State’s newly implemented Title IX sexual misconduct policies.

University officials overhauled their approach to sexual misconduct investigations in August 2014 in response to federal mandates and pressure. Changes in the Title IX policy and procedure have likely increased the number of sexual misconduct reports and investigations, said Gilda Garcia, chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator.

The term “sexual misconduct” encompasses a range of non-

consensual activities, including assault, exploitation, intimidation, harassment, domestic and dating violence and stalking, Garcia said.

Sexual assault topped the university’s list with a total of 27 reports from August 2014 to March 2015, according to data gathered from the Office of Equity and Access. Sexual harassment was the second most commonly reported offense with 20 incidents. Twelve incidents of dating violence were reported.

“I hate that there are any numbers because every number represents somebody who got hurt,” Garcia said. “One is too many.”

Title IX can be traced to federal laws enacted in the 1970s, Garcia said. For decades, universities

interpreted Title IX as a measure to ensure equality in collegiate sports. Between 2011 and 2014, the federal government expanded the scope of Title IX to include sexual misconduct on campus, she said.

University crime statistics before the implementation of Title IX sexual misconduct policies can be found in the annual Campus Watch report, Garcia said.

The reports show three oncampus sex crimes in 2013, one in 2012 and three in 2011, according to the Campus Watch 2014 report.

Garcia said the data gathered from the Office of Equity and Access is not entirely compatible with Campus Watch, although some useful comparisons can

be made. Title IX sexual misconduct incidents are not criminal in nature like those reported in Campus Watch, which may be a factor in the discrepancies.

“Title IX now requires the university to conduct an investigation separate from the police within 60 calendar days from when the case is reported,” she said.

Another difference is Title IX sexual misconduct investigations are not used to determine whether defendants are guilty, Garcia said. Title IX investigators instead determine whether “it was more likely than not that (the defendant) violated the sexual misconduct policy.”

See MISCONDUCT, Page 2

STATE

HIV programs face uncertain future after state budget cuts

By James Palmer NEWS REPORTER @jmesspalmer Funds totaling $3 million originally used to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) will be rerouted to abstinence-only education.

State representative Stuart Spitzer (R-Kaufman) helped

“

usher in the Republican-sponsored shift in funds over two years from HIV/STD prevention to abstinence education, according to an April 2 press release from Spitzer. The state of Texas risks losing federal funding after this move, said Kanaka Sathasivan, AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) communications coordinator.

“The federal funds are dependent on how much state funds there are,” Sathasivan said. “A reduction in state HIV funding

could directly impact the number of federal funds.”

Representatives of ASA and other HIV prevention programs are unsure how these cuts might affect their budgets, Sathasivan said. ASA is primarily funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cuts will not influence any services available at the university student health center but could affect high school students in Texas, said Julie Eckert, student

health center assistant director.

“We might see more students who don’t understand what HIV and STIs are (because of the budget cuts),” Eckert said.

ASA has a health insurance assistance program that receives state funds, and Texas’ budget cuts from HIV prevention could affect recipients, Sathasivan said.

“Scientifically, the prevention programs are what’s really shown

See HIV PREVENTION, Page 2

Scientifically, the prevention programs are what’s really shown to work to stop the spread of HIV. Especially in the long term, these budget changes aren’t going to increase abstinence, they’re just going to increase the spread of HIV.” ­—KANAKA SATHASVIAN, AIDS SERVICES OF AUSTIN COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

CITY

Kyle day care improves security after toddler wanders away

By Alexa Tavarez SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @lexicanaa Officials at a Kyle daycare are improving their child supervision policies after a toddler wandered away last month.

On March 30, a toddler at Open Arms Early Learning Center in Kyle left the day care and was found on Rebel Road near Interstate Highway 35 (IH-35), said Julie Moody, media specialist for the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS).

Tarah Medeiros, Open Arms owner, said the toddler walked away from the group to the parent pickup area. He then proceeded past a childproof door that was left open.

Jerry Hendrix, communications director for the city, said no criminal activity reports related to the incident were filed with the Kyle Police Department.

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

A toddler wandered away from Open Arms Daycare March 30 after a childproof door was left open.

Medeiros left for the day when the assistant director called to

inform her of the incident.

“It’s not something that ever

See DAYCARE, Page 2

2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday, April 22, 2015

CORRECTION: On April 7, a University Star article reported city council approved an ordinance to raise members’ compensation by $500 in a 5-4 vote. However, the ordinance was not approved. Instead, the discussion was moved to a later date.

CITY COUNCIL

SMPD accused of illegal hangar entry

By Darcy Sprague NEWS REPORTER @darcy_days A local attorney spoke to San Marcos City Council Tuesday evening regarding his concerns about San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) misconduct.

Charles Soechting, of The Soechting Lawfirm, claimed police unlawfully broke into his personal hangar after receiving a false lead from a narcotics office.

Soechting alleged police broke into his hangar to look for illegal substances after a “crooked” narcotics officer accused him of transporting drugs. Soechting said the police later informed him that his hangar had been broken into before they arrived.

Soechting has dual ownership of the hangar with San Marcos resident E.F. Romano.

Romano said he felt the police had wrongly broken into the hangar. He said

MISCONDUCT, from front “If there is 51 percent of evidence showing the (defendant) committed a violation, a sanction can be given,” she said. “Creating a whole initiative that tracks the reports and investigations (and) is separate from what the police do is a totally new function of the university.

In the past, universities acted much more passively.”

The student disciplinary process for sexual misconduct can be found in the University Policies and Procedure Statements (UPPS), said Kimberly Duncan-

he was driving away from his hangar after unloading groceries and T-shirts.

Romano said a police officer turned around and ran a red light to pull him over. He then noticed something was not right. The officer shook his hand and said it was a routine traffic stop.

Romano said the police later called him and told him his hangar had been unlocked. He said the police had lied.

His locks are automatic, and no one had the key.

Councilman Shane Scott, Place 6, thinks the situation was exaggerated.

“I’ve always seen Charles in situations that seem irregular,” Scott said.

He said SMPD officers are good at their jobs.

Soechting said he would wait for the police to file their reports before taking action. He asked the police to apologize and agree to get proper training.

Both men urged the city council to seek out corrupt officers and discipline them.

“

Ashley, assistant director for the Office of Student Involvement.

Cases involving individual conduct are referred to the Dean of Students Office, she said.

Students can now report incidents to not only administrators but also faculty and staff, Garcia said.

“With more people who are required to report and more people who are aware of that requirement, I think more people report,” she said. “As awareness increases, reports increase.”

Garcia said the Title IX

numbers parallel trends from when the nation enacted Equal Employment Opportunity laws in the 1960s. Reports of discrimination were at first overabundant but then decreased along with with the number of incidents.

Garcia expects a similar trend with Title IX reports.

“As a community, we have to decide: Can we be fair? We can be,” she said. “If everybody could be kind every day, then I wouldn’t have a job. I’m OK with that.”

With more people who are required to report and more people who are aware of the requirement, I think more people report. As awareness increases, reports increase.” ­—GILDA GARCIA, CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR

HIV, from front to work to stop the spread of HIV,” Sathasivan said. “Especially in the long term, these budget changes aren’t going to increase abstinence.

They’re just going to increase the spread of HIV.” Spitzer said in the press release he felt moving the funds toward abstinence education would help lower the HIV/STD rate.

“With Texas still being the third-highest HIV/STD rate, the effectiveness of related awareness

programs should be put into question,” Spitzer said in the relase. “On the surface it would appear to be a larger failure than the abstinence education, with $191 million spent on HIV/STD awareness annually.”

However, representatives of the Texas Freedom Network (TFN), an organization dedicated to improving public schools and preventing evangelism in the public sphere, contested Spitzer’s statement, said Dan Quinn, TFN communications

director.

“Any time you take money out of prevention programs, you’re making it harder for those programs to do what they’re supposed to do,” Quinn said. “Then why in the world is (Spitzer) switching millions of dollars over from programs that do work to something that even he acknowledges doesn’t work really well?”

Quinn said Spitzer admitted on the house floor during a debate on

the HIV prevention budget that abstinence was not necessarily effective.

The “vast majority” of Texas schools already teach students to abstain, Quinn said. Teens are already sexually active despite abstinence education.

“That’s what’s happening in Texas right now, so let’s deal with the reality here,” Quinn said.

Fifty-two percent of high school students were sexually active as of

2011, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

According to the same survey, 54 percent of sexually active students reported using a condom, and 20 percent reported using no contraceptives during intercourse.

According to the HHS department, 81 percent of high school students reported learning about AIDS/ HIV in class.

LEAD, from front Clack said customer water pipes are the most likely source of the lead. He said the city does not use any lead pipes. However, some of the older water pipes in buildings and homes have brass fixtures that contain small amounts of lead.

The water could have been diverted from customer pipes into the city supply in the event of high usage in one area of San Marcos, Clack said. The concept is called backflow.

“The water system is pretty dynamic, and water’s always moving around, so it’s not always easy to figure out where and how it works,” he said.

Charles Meeks, manager at Culligan Water and treatment specialist, said he rarely encounters lead pipes in San Marcos.

“I don’t even know where any lead pipes are made anymore,” he said.

“It’s kind of just taboo.”

Meeks said pipes installed in homes prior to the 1950s are the only potential source of lead in the water system. He said even in those cases, the other minerals in the water would erode the lead over time until none of the contaminant was left.

“If you do find lead, it’s because

someone took something old out of inventory or made a mistake,” he said.

Meeks said in his years at Culligan, he had never received a request to remove lead from a customer’s water.

“We’ve been testing the water system for 14 years, and we’ve never been above the action limit,” Clack said.

Meeks said the San Marcos Water System is managed efficiently and has high standards. He said notifications would be given to customers if any danger were present.

“For someone living in San Marcos, I would say there’s no impurity concern,” he said.

Clack said the finding of lead at the government center was most likely an isolated incident, but residents in older buildings can take precautions against contamination.

For example, residents can set their water faucets to drip and wash away the built-up lead in pipes.

“My house is about 30 years (old), so usually first thing in the morning, I’ll let the cold water run for about a minute,” Clack said. “When you feel it getting colder, you feel the fresh water moving through it.”

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

James Ximenez, music performance junior, plays the violin April 20 on campus.

WILD

ART

DAYCARE, from front should have happened, but we are taking further precautions,” Medeiros said.

She said the doors have since been renovated to a swing-shut model that closes automatically.

“The person that is responsible is the person that allowed it to happened,” Medeiros said. “We have a policy that all children have to be supervised visually, and she should have known where the child was.”

Medeiros said the supervisor in charge of the child is no longer work-

ing with the day care.

The DFPS opened an investigation to determine whether the day care staff was properly supervising the children, Moody said. DFPS officials considered the studentto-superviser ratio and minimum operation standards.

Medeiros said the DFPS did not require Open Arms officials to do anything differently as a result of the investigation. However, she said her employees have been given additional training on children supervi-

sion in addition to the 24 hours of professional development instruction they receive each year.

All employees are required to have full background checks, she said.

“We are in high alert,” Medeiros said. “I am going to be installing security cameras in the front and in the classroom.”

Medeiros said day care officials are working on implementing a gate that will allow the children to access the playground without crossing through the driveway.

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Enrollment numbers have dropped since the incident, Medeiros said.

“We are doing anything and everything we can to make sure this never happens again,” Medeiros said. “Despite what happened, we do have quality care for our children.”

DFPS records show the day care had 28 reported deficiencies in the past two years. Seven of those deficiencies were “high-risk.” Nineteen were ranked as “medium-high deficiencies.”

Medeiros said Open Arms officials have fixed all of the reported deficiencies.

Moody said the incident with Open Arms should be an important lesson for parents. She encourages parents to visit their children’s day care centers frequently to make sure they know how the facilities are operated and report if anything is amiss.

“Parents do have the power to make the right decisions for their children,” Moody said. “They need to do their research.”

The University Star | Wednesday, April 22, 2015 | 3

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

Community fundraiser benefits animal shelter

By Callie Haley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @calliehaley Dogs and their owners gathered in the San Marcos Plaza Park on Saturday to participate in the 11th annual Mutt Strutt.

Trish Thompson, event coordinator, said the Mutt Strutt begins with a one-mile walk through the park and a wide range of festivities take place at the finish line.

“The walk usually takes about 30 minutes,” Thompson said.

“Then everyone and their dogs meet back to listen to music and participate in the silent auction, raffle and pet contests.”

Thompson said the goal of the Mutt Strutt is to support the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter by raising awareness and promoting responsibility.

“The event is volunteer-based, and we have a lot of sponsorships so the money can go directly to the shelter,” Thompson said.

“The money helps by providing sponsored adoptions, spaying and neutering and other wellness services.”

A committee of dog lovers, local groomers and employees of the

shelter and the city run the event, Thompson said.

“The committee got together 11 years ago because we heard about another fundraiser in town that was supposed to be donating to the shelter but only ended up giving them a small portion of the proceeds,” Thompson said. “We wanted to organize an event that actually made a difference for the animals of San Marcos, and it’s been a success.”

This year’s Mutt Strutt had more than 50 sponsors and over 150 attendees who came to show their support for the shelter, Thompson said.

Kara Montiel, animal services manager for the City of San Marcos, said residents should participate in events supporting local organizations.

“There are a lot of events that happen in this city, and this one supports the community directly,” Montiel said. “I think it’s important for people to be aware that the shelter is here. There are a lot of services we provide that the residents don’t know about.”

Montiel said fundraising allowed the event to assist the shelter in providing services such as microchipping, rabies clinics and

sponsored adoptions.

Jennifer Hine, accounting graduate student, said she and her dog Scout were able to interact with other animal lovers at the event.

“Scout has had the opportunity to be social with all the dogs, and I get to socialize with other dog owners,” Hine said. “It’s kind of a calm, relaxed environment, and it’s for a good cause.”

Hine adopted Scout two years ago from the shelter and plans to attend the Mutt Strutt in the future to show her support.

Selena Guerrero, health information management senior, attended the event although she does not own a dog. She wanted to spend time with dogs that were up for adoption.

“My favorite part was interacting with the dogs from the shelter and taking them out,” Guerrero said. “They really enjoyed the walk. I’m looking to adopt a dog after graduation, so I’m just seeing what different kinds of dogs are out there.”

Joyce Hayes, a local groomer from Driftwood, said she has participated in the Mutt Strutt for the past 10 years.

“I donated gift baskets for the auction this year,” Hayes said. “It’s

DARYL ONTIVEROS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joyce Hayes praises her dogs April 18 after winning the costume contest at the San Marcos Plaza Park.

just my way of giving back to the shelter and to the animals.”

Hayes entered her dog into the best-dressed contest. She has enjoyed dressing her pets for the past 15 years.

“They’ve been Bonnie and Clyde, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, and this time they (were) Smokey the Bear and his park ranger sidekick,” Hayes said.

“They don’t mind it. They are very

well behaved since we’ve been dressing them up for so long.”

Hayes enjoys supporting the Mutt Strutt because the shelter ensures the money goes toward sponsored adoptions.

“I do this every year to save the animals because it helps get them out of the shelter,” Hayes said.

“Eventually I hope Texas becomes a completely ‘no-kill’ state.”

CONCERT SERIES FINALE SHOWCASES FACULTY

By Sarah Bradley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @sarah_bradskies Music buffs, students, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday to listen to the musical workings of Texas State jazz artists.

The performance by the Texas State Jazz Artists Septet was the final event of the International Concert Series presented by the School of Music. This event was held in the Performing Arts Center.

Washington García, associate professor of piano and assistant director of the School of Music, said he is the founder and artistic director of the International Concert Series. García said the series is intended to expose the community to new styles of music and support the school.

“This is the first year that the School of Music has hosted the

International Concert Series,” García said. “This series aims to bring artists of the highest caliber from around the world to raise scholarship money for the School of Music.”

García said various strategies are used in finding artists to invite for the series.

“When finding the artists, the chairmen of the School of Music receive proposals from other faculty members,” García said. “From those, we sift through the suggestions and look for artists who are the cream of the crop.”

He said high-level artists would not normally perform as guests, but some are his colleagues and are willing to come to Texas State.

García said the artists believe in the School of Music and want to help raise money for it.

Guest artists aren’t the only musicians to be featured, García said.

Some of the best musicians come from within the school.

“We have featured many wellknown and out-of-town artists in the duration of the International Concert Series,” García said. “But we have also had three concerts that have purely featured faculty members of Texas State, including the Jazz Septet Concert.”

García said the International Concert Series has a total of six events featuring a variety of music, styles and multi-cultural aspects.

He said Tuesday’s performance was the first in the series to feature jazz music.

Russell Haight, assistant professor of saxophone, said jazz is a unique and variable style of music.

“The beauty of live jazz is that it’s really a lot of improvised music,” Haight said. “It’s music that’s happening in real time and only in that exact moment. You never really get

the same song each time.”

Haight said the concert consisted of 10 jazz pieces including various small combinations, solos, duets and a septet.

Moises Aguayo, exercise and sports science junior, said the different musicality of the concert exceeded his expectations.

“With the different instruments and various tunes provided, the concert made for a diverse and entertaining performance,” Aguayo said.

Haight said the International Concert Series is a reflection on the expansion of the School of Music.

“Related to the concert series, the School of Music is apparently becoming increasingly worldly in our musical styles,” Haight said.

“The faculty is spanning out from it, the quality of the music is skyrocketing and we’re becoming a ma-

jor competitor as a music school.”

García said the School of Music is active throughout the entire academic year, even during the holidays.

“We have several projects that we’ve created, such as the International Concert Series, but also an International Piano Festival, jazz festival and even summer festivals,” García said.

García said the school hosts over 200 events throughout the academic year.

“The School of Music is committed to excellence,” García said. “In my opinion, it’s a great example of the rising star of Texas.”

García is confident the expansion will continue to benefit the school and its students.

“I can’t say what the future holds for this department,” García said.

“But I can say that it’s going to be fantastic.”

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4 | The University Star | Wednesday, April 22, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

University police need new campus alert policy T

he University Police Department (UPD) has kept the Texas State community on high alert as of late due to nonstories and redundantly rushed alerts.

The influx of emails about threats and potential danger has left Bobcats drained, afraid and dissuaded.

On April 13, students and faculty received emails about potential gunshots between the J. C. Kellam and Freeman Aquatic buildings on southeast campus. The threat was quickly dismissed. Then, just two days later on April 15, UPD officials emailed students a random update about alleged gunshots near the Math and Computer Science building. The noise was reported as fireworks, according to student eyewitnesses.

According to an April 15 University Star article, UPD officers did not find any remnants of fireworks.

These often confusing scenarios bring one to question the emergency procedures of UPD. If the main purpose of university alerts is to warn students and decrease chaos in high stress situations, then they are not exactly doing that.

The UPD needs to employ a more streamlined system. The editorial

board understands the officers are doing their jobs and policing can be stressful. The problem arises once university police officers forego being efficient and methodical for being reactionary.

UPD officials should address situations and look into them before posting on social media sites and sending out emails, causing panic and disorder among the city populous. There need to be more people double-checking what is going on before immediately taking to Twitter and Facebook to get ahead of the story.

Implementing a more stringent, uniform protocol would be beneficial for students, the police and the slew of parents who put their faith in the powers that be to ensure the protection of their children. After the initial threat alert, the department should confirm what is going on before reporting to social media outlets.

Emailing students about potential gunshots, stating the disturbance was caused by fireworks and then saying no fireworks were found seems ineffective. Instead, officials should assess a situation and report through

alerts what the assessment found— not what was alleged or reported but what the facts of the situation are.

Clearly department officials are trying to get the information to people who could be in potential danger as quickly as possible. However, the key word there should be “possible.” Until a situation is under proper investigation, it is not possible or worthwhile to inform people of hoaxes and false reports.

Obviously, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially in high-risk situations such as gun threats and reports of physical and sexual harassment. UPD provides a functional sense of transparency that allows students to be informed at the earliest convenience about what is going on.

Yet informing students at every turn of every little report, whether false or true, elicits panic. Perhaps a better alternative for UPD would be translucency: clear enough for people to discern what is of importance but not clear enough for them to be inundated with every minute, often disreputable detail. That would be beneficial to police officers as well as the people they serve and prove to be more efficient.

RYAN JEANES 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.

NOT TODAY

THE TIME IS NOW

America needs change, Hillary for president

Clinton would be figurehead, not leader

Mariana Castillo OPINIONS COLUMNIST @mar9cast

A

s a woman, I would like to believe America has come far enough along in its history to not question the possibility of having a woman for president.

However, the main subject currently dominating conversations in the country is whether Hillary Clinton will be able to run a country based on the fact she is a woman.

Not long ago women were seen purely as trophy wives, homemakers and people always cooking in the kitchen in their finest pearls. Times have shifted since then. According to the United States Department of Labor, 57 percent of women participate in the labor force.

Additionally, 70 percent of women who are mothers to children 18 years and younger participate in the labor force.

There seems to be a cultural mind change of having a woman in charge, especially in light of more situations like Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, who famously announced she would be returning to work after having recently given birth.

But if people’s attitudes really caught up to the current times, no one would be questioning a woman’s capability to run a nation simply because of her gender.

Since Obama became America’s first African-American president, there seems to be a new hope of a changing face to the United States. However, not all politicians share the same enthusiasm. According to a Feb. 20, 2014 Huffington Post article, Republican Michele

Bachmann does not think Clinton will win the upcoming election. She believes people do not hold any kind of guilt for women’s past oppression as they do for the nation’s history with the treatment of African Americans.

I am not saying men are better leaders, but society is emerging from times where the man was the breadwinner and the woman was not even allowed to wear pants or file for divorce.

Compared to the past, I would say women definitely have more power now than ever before.

Now that Clinton has become a major political figure, she will be held to a different set of standards, much like Obama was when he first took over the White House. Obama likely has such low approval rates because the nation had such high expectations. These were not based on his political ability but because he was making history and the nation was rooting for this Cinderella-type story.

Another factor to consider is other nations’ attitudes toward the United States if a woman was our leader. Many countries consider women as property or as second-class citizens and would question America’s authority as one of the world’s most influential countries.

I do not question Clinton’s credentials as a political powerhouse, but the main focus would not be about her policies or any kind of reform.

The focus would be about her outfits and jokes about mood swings. Instead of talks about how Clinton plans on helping America recover from the recession, more will be spoken about her weight gain or loss and if she will be wearing her glasses again.

Until people can concentrate on the individual themselves, America and the world are not yet fully ready to accept a woman as president. But I do hope the day comes soon where a woman’s face will appear on American currency.

Rivers Wright OPINIONS COLUMNIST @MonsieurRivers

H

TALK IT

OUT HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT

-Mariana Castillo is a journalism sophomore

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

illary Clinton has officially thrown her hat into the ring for the 2016 presidency.

Clinton has a rough past. She ran for president once and quit the race and, most recently, was the center of an email scandal that left people questioning her motives.

Initially America was not ready for the first black president, but history was made eight years ago when Barack Obama was sworn into office. The nation has dealt with good and bad during his presidency but is ultimately better for the change.

This trend of change will most certainly continue to occur with Clinton in office. America sometimes needs to be pushed a little before people wake up and realize they’re moving in the right direction.

No one is going to cut Clinton any slack, and she will have a tough fight to the finish. She will lead the country through many issues if elected president, including health care reform, Obama’s free college plan and the Supreme Court decision concerning same-sex marriage.

As a fellow Democrat, Clinton will have to deal with the fallout from Obama’s decisions. This includes soothing the savage attitudes of Republicans hellbent on the destruction of the presidency should a Democrat be elected into office.

True to form, not a single Republican will be cutting her any slack. News articles are already reporting Republicans bashing her every move from big issues like foreign policy to minimal details like the reveal of her new

logo.

A major issue Clinton will have to face if given the chance to grace the oval office is the inequality of pay between women and men. The scales need to shift to prove once and for all women can work just as hard as men and accomplish just as much all while wearing heels.

In an April 13 mic.com article, staff writer Michael McCutcheon lists nine reasons why there should never be a lady president. This satirical piece does an excellent job of pointing out just how ridiculous people sound when criticizing female leaders. When faced with the facts, it is clear the rhetoric often adopted by those who believe females are ineffective leaders is more misogynistic than realistic.

If this article proves anything, it is that the nation is ready for a female leader to bring us out of the dark. This great nation needs a strong and powerful leader to continue this journey forward.

The main concern that seems to be at the front of everyone’s mind is if Clinton will be a great female leader. It is great that she could be the first female president in an occupation dominated by men for hundreds of years. However, the focus should be on if she will be a great leader for this great nation in an overall spectrum without having to tack on the word “female” in front of it.

Her campaign trail had a rocky start in Iowa with potential voters comparing the beginning of this campaign to her last attempt at presidency in 2008. Rocky start aside, an April 14 New York Times article states Iowan citizens have noted a sharp contrast between the two campaigns, expressing that Clinton is going back and fixing her mistakes.

Regardless of criticism or praise, this voter thinks Clinton for president in 2016 is exactly the kind of radical change America needs to catapult the nation into a better future.

-Rivers Wright is a journalism junior

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Wednesday, April 22, 2015 | The University Star | 5

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

BASEBALL

PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Tyler Giovanoni, freshman pitcher, pitches against UT April 21 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

BOBCATS LOSE 21ST STRAIGHT GAME TO TEXAS

By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @quixem

Ten years and counting stand between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas State baseball team.

The Bobcats will need to wait at least two weeks to break the team’s 21-game losing streak to the Longhorns following the 7-3 loss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Texas State’s last victory against Texas occurred April 22, 2005.

The gap between the teams is thinning, but Texas State remains

winless.

The Bobcats built an early lead and then spent the rest of the game recovering after losing the advantage.

Granger Studdard, sophomore left fielder, and Ben McElroy, senior designated hitter, drove in two runs in the first inning.

“I thought our offense got out to a great start,” said Jeremy Fikac, assistant coach. “We are getting better at the plate. That’s important for us.”

Montana Parsons, freshman pitcher, walked to the mound with

a two-run lead. Parsons’ last start against Texas resulted in a two-run lead for the Bobcats heading into the eighth inning.

Parsons’ second try did not go as well. He hit his first batter by a pitch, then the inning unraveled when Cory Geisler, junior center fielder, missed a ball in the outfield. Tres Barrera, Longhorns sophomore catcher, reached base on a triple.

“It was the basic fundamentals of us executing off the mound,” Fikac said. “The fundamentals of catching the baseball left us in the first inning, and it cost us a few runs.”

Tyler Giovanoni, freshman pitcher, replaced Parsons, who went 0.2 innings and allowed three unearned runs in his start.

Texas scored another run off Giovanoni. A two-run lead turned into a one-run deficit in half an inning.

“There was definitely a momentum swing,” Fikac said. “But we approached it like 1-0. We spotted them a run.”

Zane Gurwitz, Longhorns sophomore center fielder, struck next in the third inning with a two-run home run that rebounded off the

BASEBALL

classifieds

NOTEBOOK: TEXAS 7, TEXAS STATE 3

By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @quixem

WHAT THE LOSS MEANS The Texas State baseball team loses the season series to Texas. The team remains in a tie for fifth place in the Sun Belt Conference.

TURNING POINT(S) Jared Huber, freshman catcher, had a chance to dig into the Longhorns’ lead in the sixth inning. His grounder up the middle nearly escaped the grasp of C.J. Hinojosa, Longhorns junior shortstop, who ranged to the left and flipped the ball to second base for the force out. Brooks Marlow, Longhorns senior second baseman, completed the 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

The Bobcats could have added another run without the well-executed double play. The team had runners on first and second base with one out prior to Huber’s at bat.

Texas State squandered a chance to tie the game with its middle-of-the-order in the eighth inning. Cedric Vallieres (senior shortstop), Granger Studdard (sophomore left fielder) and Tanner Hill (junior first baseman) recorded outs, and the Longhorns added two extra runs in the bottom of the inning.

LOSING STREAK CONTINUES The Bobcats add another loss against

the Longhorns, making it 21 straight.

The good news? Twelve of the losses have been decided by two or fewer runs, meaning the Bobcats are within striking distance of a victory. Texas State’s last win against Texas was April 22, 2005. It’s been a while since the team finished the deal.

PARSONS EXITS EARLY Montana Parsons, freshman pitcher, earned the start against Texas due in part to his seven-inning outing in the previous meeting. This time around, he did not escape the first inning. Parsons was replaced by Tyler Giovanoni, freshman pitcher, after allowing four baserunners and three unearned runs in 0.2 inning. Parsons’ earned run average has not worsened, but he has not proven himself as a midweek starter.

Excluding his first start against Texas, Parsons has given up 16 unearned runs in his last three Tuesday night starts.

left field foul pole.

From there, the Bobcats bullpen duo of Giovanoni and Blake Whitter, senior pitcher, stepped up with four consecutive scoreless innings.

“We are trying to build some depth,” Fikac said. “We are doing it in the midweeks in hopes that our weekend guys go deep in the games, and that’s what we are looking forward to this weekend.”

The Bobcats had scoring opportunities late in the game as they did in the previous meeting. Tanner Hill, junior first baseman, opened the rally with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The Bobcats’ hottest hitter in the past two weeks reached the plate with two runners on base and one out. Jared Huber, freshman catcher, grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning, stranding a potential run on second base. Huber has not recorded a hit in two consecutive matchups, ending his 10-game hitting streak.

Texas State had its second, third and fourth batters in the lineup at the plate in the eighth inning. Two runs separated the Bobcats from the Longhorns. The inning resulted in three consecutive outs.

“It’s a game of inches,” Fikac said. “It’s part of it.”

Hill’s home run was one of three total balls that sailed past the outfield fences. The last home run happened to be the final nail in the coffin.

Bret Boswell, Longhorns freshman third baseman, hit his first collegiate home run off Whitter, who pitched 3.1 innings in relief.

The ball descended into the stands, and Texas State’s chances went with it. The team continues a stretch of eight consecutive road games.

The last game of the road trip is against Texas and presents another chance to end a slide that has lasted 10 years.

“We have to pack our lunch bags and go to Troy, Alabama and try to win three this weekend,” Fikac said.

pitches against the Longhorns batters.

One mistake, though, kept the Bobcats from turning the game around.

BAD The bottom of the order reached base once in nine plate appearances. Huber and Colby Targun, senior right fielder, did not record a hit in seven combined at bats. The lack of offensive punch in the back end did not support the top of the order, which had all five of the team’s hits.

UGLY Building on the lead. The Bobcats scored two runs in the top of the first inning, giving them an opportunity to put Texas in an early deficit. The Longhorns regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the inning and never trailed for the rest of the game.

SPOTLIGHT PLAYER

WHAT THEY SAID

Tanner Hill, junior first baseman. His home run in the sixth inning left no doubt. It was gone. Texas State’s next two batters reached base before the mini-rally was stopped short.

“You have to tip your hats to them every once in a while,” Fikac said “It’s a physical club. They made some decent swings and drove the ball out of the park.”

GOOD

WHAT’S NEXT

Bullpen. The Bobcats kept themselves in the game until the eighth inning.

Fikac said Blake Whitter, senior, and Giovanoni gave him productive innings because they mixed their secondary

Texas State continues its road trip against Troy, which is tied with the Bobcats for fifth in the conference.

The team swept the Trojans in their only series last season.

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