April 28 2015

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TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2015

VOLUME 104 ISSUE 84

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ART

‘Nude’ performance piece causes stir, raises awareness By Carlie Porterfield and Nicole Barrios UNIVERSITY STAR STAFF @reporterfield The Texas State community took to social media Monday morning after a student sat nearly nude on the steps of Alkek Library. Monika Rostvold, studio art senior, wore a thong and pasties on her breasts the color of flesh in a performance piece to make a statement about the objectification of women for Sexual Assault Awareness month. Women are pressured to attain an ideal body type, Rostvold said. However, women come in “all different shapes and sizes.” The artist wanted to highlight the difference between the way the male and female bodies are perceived by society. “I think that me having to wear pasties is a (double) standard in itself,” Rostvold said. “I have to cover my areolas and my nipples, and men don’t have to do that.” The piece went “hand-in-hand” with Sexual Assault Awareness month, she said. “Me and a few of my friends have been sexually assaulted before,” Rostvold said. “I just wanted to take away that kind of standard on our bodies and make it more empowering. I also wanted to not view our bodies as sexual objects but gear it toward beauty and nature.” Rostvold sat on the steps of Alkek for about 45 minutes. “At first, I got negative reactions,” Rostvold said. “People (got) really, really close to me, touching me and whatnot.” Rachel Romero, sociology senior lecturer, was on her way to teach an 11 a.m. class in Derrick Hall when she noticed students crowding around the library steps. “I approached the crowd,” Romero said. “I was curious. And so there was this girl—she didn’t have any clothes on—she had this beautiful silk, red bandage over her eyes, and her ears were also covered.” Romero took her 100-student class outside to observe what was happening. Romero said she was moved by the art piece. “It was so cool, and it was so pure, and she was so graceful siting there,” Romero said. “And I was really moved by the art.” University Police Department (UPD) officers came to talk to Rostvold. “They were just making sure I wasn’t on drugs,” she said. Officials said she broke no laws during her performance, and the officers eventually left. Rostvold researched the university policy regarding nudity before the performance. “When we got there, the cops, or the authorities, were talking to the woman, and she just kept herself so cool,” Romero said. “She was incredible just handling that.” Romero’s favorite part of the experience was seeing some of the police officers help the woman put her blindfold and headphones back on. “I really appreciated it—giving her the ability to express herself—and then she was incredible,” Romero said. “When that happened, all of us broke into a clap. We just clapped for her. She heard it all.” After the police left, people came and sat with Rostvold and gave her letters, water and flowers, she said. “I didn’t expect it to be as positive as it became,” Rostvold said. Loc Huynh, studio art junior and Rostvold’s studio mate, worked with her and helped document the reactions of passersby. “At first, people were shocked that there was a person that was naked on the steps,” Huynh said. “But then

See ROSTVOLD, Page 2

13,000 have been accepted a total of 26,900 students will probably apply by May 1 deadline

13.2%

16

increase from 2014 freshman enrollment

UNIVERSITY

Freshman class of 2016 expected to break record By Darcy Sprague NEWS REPORTER @darcy_days

The Texas State freshman class of 2016 is set to be the largest group yet with a 13.2 percent increase from last year. Michael Heintze, associate vice president for enrollment management, said over 24,000 students have applied. So far, 14,000 have been accepted. Texas State is the fourth-largest

school in Texas. “We have become an ‘it’ school,” he said. Heintze estimates a total of 26,900 students will apply by May 1, the deadline for incoming freshmen. The size goal for the freshman class is 5,4005,500 students, Heintze said. Last year’s freshman class had 5,357 students. However, Heintze does not expect every accepted student to enroll. The average high school senior ap-

plies to three universities. “I think we are becoming a first-choice university,” said Dan Brown, University College dean and director for the Personalized Academic and Career Exploration (P.A.C.E.) Center. Brown and Heintze agree the campus and surrounding environment factor into Texas State’s growth. Angelita Segura is a junior at Elgin High School

CITY

and is considering attending Texas State in the future. “I like the community and the all-around energy that surrounds the campus,” Segura said. “Everyone seems to get along, and it has a nice, cozy feel. Oh, and the river, of course.” Heintze believes the university will reach its freshman enrollment goal. He estimates the university will also meet its transfer goal of 3,800-3,900 stu-

dents. Transfer applications are up five percent from last year. The exact enrollment numbers will not be known until all freshmen have registered for classes during the last New Student Orientation (NSO) session. Brown said 3,725 students have signed up for NSO, which is a six percent increase from last year. Brown said 24 NSO

See 2016, Page 2

COUNTY

Stonewall Warehouse popular Hays County ranked fifth-healthiest in Texas in San Marcos community By Gabrielle Huezo NEWS REPORTER @_ghzzzo Stonewall Warehouse, the first and only gay bar in San Marcos, has been open on the Square for almost five months and is proving it is here to stay. Stonewall Warehouse and The Barfish Lounge are both owned by Brian Scofield and made around $86,177 in alcohol sales during February, according to mybarsales.com. Chris Rue, general manager of Stonewall Ware-

house, had difficulty trying to get the location ready for the opening. Stonewall was originally supposed to open in October but was delayed until Dec. 2 because the renovations were not yet complete. “All of us people that were hired to start working when we opened were in here with paint brushes and screwdrivers, helping get it all together, volunteering our time,” said Tabatha Mumford, manager. Rue said business has been great. “We’ve had a good mix

of students (and) locals,” Rue said. “People from out of town have come and checked us out. We’ve had nothing but positive reviews so far.” Stonewall Warehouse officials have incorporated ideas to make a night at the Square more enjoyable, Rue said. There is a theme night every week. The venue hosts drag shows, karaoke, college night, lip sync battles and open mic comedy events. Monday through Thurs-

See STONEWALL, Page 2

PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nathan Pennington, communication design senior, pours a drink April 25 at Stonewall Warehouse.

By Brianna Stone NEWS REPORTER @bristone19 A recent study ranked Hays County as one of the healthiest in the state of Texas. Officials with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute conducted the 2015 study. Hays County was ranked fifth in the state according to health outcomes. The county is ranked 17th in health factors. Health outcomes are “untraditional” elements such as premature death, poor physical health days, poor mental health days and low birth weight, said Anne Roubal, research associate with the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program in Wisconsin. Health factors are “traditional” elements such as health behaviors, social and economic factors, clinical care and physical environment, Roubal said. Health behaviors include teen births, sexually transmitted infections and access to exercise opportunities. According to the study, 27 percent of adults living in Hays County are obese and 14 percent are smokers.

Clinical care pertains to the availability of resources including dentists, diabetic monitoring, mammography screening and primary care physicians. According to the study, 22 percent of people of Hays County were found to be uninsured, a relatively high amount. Social and economic factors include high school graduation, child poverty, unemployment and violent crimes. According to the study, 5.2 percent of citizens in Hays County are unemployed, which is below the state average. Hays County ranks well in terms of health, but “there is always room for improvement,” Roubal said. “Exercise is key to health,” Roubal said. “Encouraging exercise and increasing access to workout facilities, such as gyms and parks, can help people be healthier.” Roubal said the proximity of gyms and parks to community members and the hours of operation have an impact on the amount of people who are willing and able to exercise. Average income plays a role in health as well, she said.

See HEALTH, Page 2


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April 28 2015 by The University Star - Issuu