April 8 2014

VOLUME 103, ISSUE 76

www.UniversityStar.com

TUESDAY

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

APRIL 8, 2014

TRENDS | Page 3

VIDEO | UniversityStar.com

Fashion: Warmer weather brings with it fresh patterns and colors, and there are several ways Bobcats can incorporate spring trends into their wardrobes.

Youthfest was hosted by the Greater San Marcos Youth Council April 5 to raise awareness of child abuse and the local children’s shelter.

CRIME

Weekend shooting suspect arrested in San Antonio

A soldier bows his head to honor individuals who were affected by the Fort Hood shooting at the Memorial Flag Walk April 4 in Killeen.

By Kelsey Bradshaw

Senior News Reporter

Allison Brouillette | Staff Photographer

FORT HOOD

‘INCOMPREHENSIBLE’ Area, Texas State veterans react to April 2 Fort Hood shooting that left three soldiers dead, 16 injured

By Kelsey Bradshaw and Carlie Porterfield News Reporters

J

ames Rominger has been deployed to Germany, Japan, Korea and Vietnam and served in the Army for more than 30 years. He says soldiers are prepared for the worst when serving overseas, but they do not expect to be attacked at home.

“It’s incomprehensible that things like this could happen at a place that you feel like should be the safest place in the world,” said Rominger, a former senior command sergeant major.

Spc. Ivan Lopez opened fire April 2 at Fort Hood, killing three fellow soldiers and injuring 16 more before

turning the gun on himself. Fort Hood, approximately 98 miles from San Marcos, is the site of a mass shooting in 2009 carried about by former Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others.

Rominger, who has lived in Killeen for 41 years, gathered with a group of veterans at a Shipley Do-Nuts location in Killeen the day after last Wednesday’s shooting.

The veterans swapped stories and reflected on the shooting over coffee and doughnuts. Being in a war is “hard to take,” Rominger said, so veterans often bond together “when horrible events take place.”

“It’s just unbelievable that (soldiers) go off and fight in these terrible countries and come back here and worse things happen to them,” Rominger said.

Veterans in San Marcos and at Texas State are trying to process the news.

Jude Prather, city councilman and Hays County veterans service officer, served in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and was stationed

See FORT HOOD, Page 2 CITY

Police Chief Howard Williams to retire in early August

By Nicole Barrios

Assistant News Editor

San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams, 58, will retire Aug. 1 from a 36-year career in law enforcement.

Williams served 25 years with the Austin Police Department and retired from APD when he was selected to be the chief of police for the San Marcos Police Department. Williams said he is retiring now “because it’s time.”

“It’s just that I’ve been in police work for 36 years—I’ve been the chief for 11,” Williams said.

“And you know, you just reach a stage in your life where you realize you’ve made your contribution—it’s time to get out of the way and let somebody else make theirs.”

Mayor Daniel Guerrero said has been “blessed” to work with Williams.

“I think he brought a tremendous amount of value and professionalism to not only the police department, but to the entire city organization,” Guerrero

said.

Williams said he began in APD as a police cadet in July 1978. During his time at APD, Williams worked in a number of departments including White Collar Crime, theft detail as a detective and Narcotics. Williams was in charge of the inspection unit. He was a commander at the training academy and then

time as SMPD chief of police.

Williams is proud of bringing counselors to help victims and their families deal with the trauma of being affected by crime.

He is proud of the mental health unit SMPD now has with officers who are trained to help people who are dealing with mental health crises.

Williams said one of the hard-

“You just reach a stage in your life where you realize you’ve made your contribution—it’s time to get out of the way and let someone else make theirs.”

—Howard Williams, San Marcos police chief the commander in the organized crime division, he said.

Williams retired from APD in 2003 and became San Marcos’ chief of police in July 2003, he said.

Williams said he is proud of many accomplishments from his

est things he had to do as police chief was arrest two of his own officers this summer.

“Arresting two of my own officers for crimes they had committed while they were my officers was really painful,” Williams said. “I expect more of my offi-

A San Antonio man was arrested Sunday for shooting and wounding another man in downtown San Marcos and attempting to run over a police officer while fleeing the scene Saturday night.

Martin Avila III was booked into the Bexar County Jail on charges of attempted murder and attempted capital murder, according to a press release from the City of San Marcos.

Warrants obtained by San Marcos Police Department detectives were served when Avila was arrested by the San Antonio Police Department at his home Sunday. Avila’s bond has been set at $500,000, and he will be transferred to the Hays County Law Enforcement Center later this week.

Several streets in the downtown area were closed Saturday night after Avila allegedly attempted to shoot another man in a confrontation.

According to SMPD Commander Penny Dunn, Avila, his 18-year-old brother and a friend were involved in a disturbance with the victim and two others at a bar on LBJ Drive Saturday night.

According to the press release, Avila went to his parked vehicle to retrieve a handgun and then confronted the victim and his friends on Hutchison Street across from Fire Station 1. Avila’s brother and friend stayed with the car after Avila retrieved the weapon and confronted the victim, police said.

Witnesses said the suspect fired the handgun twice at 10:20 p.m. and one of the bullets grazed the victim’s right ear and the side of his head.

Avila then fled the scene on foot SMPD Officer Jesse Saavedra and Officer Darin Wilde of the University Police Department pursued Avila on foot.

Saavedra, who was in uniform, repeatedly identified himself as a police officer and told Avila to stop.

Dunn says Avila disregarded Saavedra’s order and told his brother and friend to get in the car. Police say Avila and his brother entered the vehicle and attempted to strike Saavedra at high speed as they fled.

Saavedra jumped over a concrete construction barrier to avoid being hit and fired one shot from his service weapon, striking the car.

Saavedra was not injured during the incident. He was put on administrative leave for the initial stages of the investigation.

The victim was treated for minor injuries and released at the scene.

Photo courtesy of City of San Marcos

cers. I expect better from my officers, and for them to behave in such a way that I ended up firing both of them and arresting both of them on criminal charges was just a horrible disappointment for me.”

Williams, a Texas State alum-

See WILLIAMS, Page 2

Austin Humphreys | Photo Editor A suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting April 6 in downtown San Marcos.

FACULTY SENATE

Possible payment of college athletes questioned by administrators Athlete unionization at Northwestern sparks nationwide discussion

By Kelsey Bradshaw

Senior News Reporter

The National Labor Relations Board recently granted students in the athletics department at Northwestern University the right to form unions, raising questions and concerns about the impact of

potentially paying student athletes Texas State.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officials will make a decision regarding whether to permit student athletes to be paid in the coming summer, said President Denise Trauth during an April 2 Faculty Senate meeting.

Administrators are currently only permitted to fund a student athlete for the cost of attending the university through a fifth year, Trauth said. If approved by NCAA officials, universities across the

country could have the possibility of funding student athletes at a higher cost than the full price of tuition and fees for the institution.

“Right now, (student athletes) are funded through a fifth year, but this would be a lifetime of education,” Trauth said.

The student athletes could potentially receive funding for attending the university and a stipend, if approved by NCAA officials, Trauth said. “(Money) would have to come out of the athletic fee,” Trauth said.

Schools in Division I are having “tens of millions of dollars” funneled into their conferences, said Provost Eugene Bourgeois. The scale of funds from the athletic fee compared to what other universities are receiving is “apples and oranges,” he said.

Solving issues regarding the NCAA and student athletes will take years, Trauth said. NCAA rules are strict and easily broken, she said. For example, if an administrator were to buy lunch for the parents of one athlete and not an-

other, he or she would be breaking NCAA rules.

“You can’t provide a benefit for one parent if you don’t provide it for all parents,” Trauth said.

The potential passing of the NCAA ruling could encourage more parents and guardians to attend athletes’ games, Trauth said.

“The ‘LSUs’ and ‘UTs’ will be able to say to recruits, ‘your parents will be able to fly to every

See FACULTY SENATE, Page 2

2 | The University Star | News | Tuesday April 8, 2014

FORT HOOD, continued from front at Fort Hood. Prather said the news of the shooting was difficult to hear, especially considering the nature of the incident.

“For what he did, there is literally no excuse,” Prather said.

Texas State is has been ranked in the top 15 percent of military friendly colleges

by G.I. Jobs magazine every year since 2009. According to the Office of Veteran Affairs, there are currently 980 veterans receiving benefits enrolled at Texas State.

Mike Nelson, president of the Veterans Alliance at Texas State, said he was shocked by the news of last week’s shooting and is concerned about the larger implications of the circumstances of the

incident.

“It seems like the biggest thing most people worry about is that there’s a severe lack of resources and options when it comes to mental healthcare,” Nelson said. “It’s starting to become glaringly obvious in the veteran community.”

Lopez’s mental health became a major focus of the shooting’s investigation. He was “undergoing a variety of treatments and diagnoses of mental health issues ranging from depression to anxiety to sleep disturbance,” Army Secretary John McHugh said during an April 3 press conference at Fort Hood.

The Counseling Center at Texas State offers specialized counseling services to

veterans, as well as a ‘From Service Member to Student,’ group to help them adjust to the college experience.

A readjustment counseling therapist from the Austin Vet Center is available for appointments on Thursdays for combat veterans.

There is often a stigma attached to seeking mental help, Prather said. Many times, the paperwork for soldiers to receive benefits upon returning home does not reflect the mental or emotional trauma sustained during service, making it difficult for veterans to seek and receive help.

“We’ve got to make sure our soldiers are getting the healthcare services they need.” Prather said.

Allison Brouillette | Staff Photographer Stephanie Booth, Killeen resident, sings a hymn April 6 during a Fort Hood memorial service at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Attendees paid tribute to the Fort Hood tragedy during regular church services.

WILLIAMS, continued from front

PRESS RELEASE As their first year comes to a close, students in the Personalized Academic and Career Exploration (PACE) Center may be looking for a recess from their classes and studying before finals.

The second annual PACE Week could provide a perfect opportunity for a much needed break.

PACE Week is a conference-style set of events to promote and facilitate students’ transition out of the PACE Center at the end of their first year at Texas State.

“The events offer answers to many questions, addressing issues now so that there

are no worries later,” said senior lecturer Twister Marquiss. “It’s an excellent way for students to connect to their own immediate futures,” PACE Week events range from budgeting and dining etiquette workshops to Peer Mentor panels and a professional attire fashion show. The event-filled week will end on the afternoon of April 17 with featured speaker Jullien Gordon, who is most widely known for his TEDx Talk about making the most of your college experience. These events are open to all PACE students free of charge.

In addition to gaining valuable knowledge from these presentations, students will also benefit from free food and valuable giveaways. Door prizes will be given out at each event, and attendance to these events will earn students raffle entries for larger prizes to be drawn at the end of PACE Week.

For more information and a detailed schedule of PACE Week events, students can visit pace.txstate. edu/paceweek.

nus, said he attended Southwest Texas State in 1975. He received his bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences and his master’s degree in criminal science from the university. He graduated last December with his Ph.D. in criminal science from Texas State.

“I’m a nerd—I don’t

“The thing that baffled me is why they would be called an employee of the university,” said Debra Feakes, chemistry and biochemistry senator. “In my mind, they’re not employees.”

If the NCAA were to loosen its rules with Division I programs, more funding could be spent

-Courtesy of Stephanie Pridgen of the PACE Center

on “student money welfare,” Trauth said. There has been a “real push” by Bowl Championship Series (BCS) conferences to spend some of the “enormous” amounts of revenue coming from TV contracts on student athletes, Trauth said.

“There will be a vote this summer, and I believe the

nights to his wife.

“I have no intention of leaving San Marcos, and I intend to continue to serve my community in whatever ways my community feels is appropriate,” Williams said. “I love this town, I love the university and I love the people of this town.”

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

FACULTY SENATE, continued from front game,’” Bourgeois said.

“We probably won’t be able to say that to as much of a degree as LSU and UT.” The proposal of student athletes potentially receiving paychecks and thus becoming university employees has caused some debate among Texas State administrators regarding advertising revenue.

know how else to say it,” Williams said. “I enjoy the academic pursuit. I really do.”

Williams said he is not sure what he will be doing after retirement but does not see himself as “one to sit in a rocking chair by the fireplace.” He will take this time to make up all the missed dinners and late

vote will lead to a loosening of restrictions,” Trauth said. “This (vote) is life and death for the NCAA.” Trauth said pending approval by the NCAA this summer, the issue of paying student athletes “absolutely” needs to be presented before the U.S. Supreme Court in the future.

The University Star | Tuesday April 8, 2014 | 3

TRENDS FASHION

Bobcats can prepare for spring with bright colors, fun prints THE FINE PRINTS

The ever-popular chevron stripes will be sticking around for another season but with new, bright colors for spring, said Sarah Wilsey, manager at Langford Market.

Native American-inspired prints will become prominent as the so-dubbed music festival season jumps into full swing. As in past spring seasons, floral patterns bring fresh life to wardrobe basics.

line way to usher in the warmer weather. Linen blazers, light cardigans and bright ties are all easy additions to any man’s wardrobe.

ANCHORS AWAY

Kenworthy Uleanya| Staff Photographer Printed fabrics are on display at Langford Market.

By Lindsey Bedford Trends Reporter

Warmer weather brings with it fresh patterns and colors. There are several ways Bobcats can incorporate spring trends into their wardrobes.

PURPLE HAZE

Color trends for spring will vary and range from bright jewel tones to soft, delicate pastels, said Rebecca Pullian, JC Penney sales associate.

“A lot of what we are selling is bright spring shorts,” Pullian said.

Pullian said varying shades of purple in particular are popping up in jewelry and clothing as Pantone recently named “radiant orchid” color of the year. Men and women can be seen mixing and matching colors to create a cool and soft spring outfit.

By Jordan Gass-Poore’ Trends Reporter

Sherman Alexie visiting poet

Indian. “That’s what we call each other, it’s an everyday language,” said award-winning author Sherman Alexie. “Indian isn’t any more inaccurate than Native American.

Native American just means anybody born here, so the most accurate term would be ‘here first-ians.’”

Much of Alexie’s writing draws from his Native American ancestry and experiences living on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington.

Alexie’s first poem was written for an assignment in Alex Kuo’s class his first semester at Washington State University in 1987, where he initially dreamed of becoming a doctor.

Alexie’s poem, “Futures,” was published in his debut collection, “The Business of Fancydancing: Stories and Poems” in 1992.

With his eyes closed, Alexie conducted

Nautical motifs including navy and white stripes and anchors can put a preppy spin on otherwise bohemian ensembles. Nautical styles and bohemian ensembles pair perfectly for summer concerts.

“I definitely see a lot of nautical styles (with) festival styles (at) Coachella,” said April Brown, manager at Charming Charlie.

Sea-themed accessories are a simple way to incorporate the nautical trend. Anchors, chunky chains and rope-like bracelets are cute nautical options. The preppy look is easily achieved through maxi skirts of breathable fabrics.

CROP TO IT

For those who dare to bare, crop tops are warm weather’s biggest trend, as they can be paired with almost anything. They are cute and cool on a warm day with shorts, skirts or a swimsuit by the pool. The barely-there trend has lent itself to other items as well.

“There are a lot of sheer items like bandeaux tops and camisoles (in stores),” Wilsey said.

FOR THE BOYS

For the guys, pairing blue jeans and a light blazer is perfect for both day and night. For the bold, adding a pastel-colored pant or shirt to the mix is a simple, mascu-

an impromptu recitation of “Futures” in its entirety during an interview with The University Star before his reading, Q-and-A and book signing Friday at the Wittliff Collections: Jordan Gass-Poore’: When you were at Washington State University there was a Mr. Kuo who seemed to be your mentor.

What is the importance of having a mentor, specifically as a young person, in shaping your career?

Sherman Alexie: Well, I took the poetry class sort of accidentally, it just sounded like fun. And the human anatomy class I was supposed to take I couldn’t handle.

So, I took the

poetry class and then wrote a poem for the first assignment, and (Kuo) came up to me after the next class, and asked me what I was doing the rest of my life. I said, “I don’t know,” and he said, “Well, you should write.” And I’d written one poem. So, really the idea of having a mentor was somebody who actually believes in you, somebody outside your family.

So, really is getting, the sense is getting permission to do what

Bright spring appropriate colors are also on trend at Langford Market.

you do. So, it’s an emotional connection and then it’s professional—one of the things you had to do in his class was to submit work.

SA: Oh, yeah. He lives about an hour-anda-half away.

JGP: That was a requirement?

SA: Yeah, that was a first semester poetry class you had to submit to magazines. It was part of your grade. And (Kuo) was always talking about the life of a writer, as well as inside the class, though he didn’t make the assumption that we’re all going to be taking his class once, I mean, he talked about it in terms of the rest of our lives. And then he was handing me books, introducing

JGP: Have you stayed in contact with (Kuo) throughout your career?

SA: Yeah. And you know, I mean, I’m his star, of course. There have been other writers he’s had, but nothing like I’ve done, so he’s proud, certainly. But he’s a teacher, so he’s proud of hundreds. You know, he has this huge network of former students that are friends as well. So, I’m not just friends with him, I’m friends with multiple generations of students. So, there’s this community that’s built around him.

me to writers I never would have heard of, never would have found.

So, he was this combination of job mentor, library, father figure, grandfather, yeah, he was amazing. He is amazing.

JGP: How old were you at this time?

SA: I was 21.

Courtesy of Sherman Alexie

JGP: Do you still stay in contact with Kuo?

JGP: Do any members of your family still live on the reservation?

SA: Everybody’s still on the reservation—siblings, mom, all my first cousins. One uncle lives off the res, but everybody else is still on the res. One’s in Seattle, but the rest are on the res.

JGP: You left Washington State (University) three credit hours short of receiving a bachelor’s degree, but did they award you something else?

SA: Yeah, I have an honorary bachelor’s degree. Well, they may have given me the credits for life experience. So, it’s a real degree, but I like to call it an honorary bachelor’s.

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4 | The University Star | Tuesday April 8, 2014

OPINIONS MAIN POINT

New ASG administration must focus on worthwhile initiatives

U

niversity Star-endorsed candidates Tiffany Young and Sean Quiñones were named the student body president and vice president, respectively, last week. The editorial board believes they are poised to be the leaders who could finally put an end to complaints that the organization is ineffective and irrelevant.

The editorial board has historically been critical of ASG’s lack of influence and impact on students. W.H. “Butch” Oxendine, Jr., executive director of the American Student Government Association (ASGA) states in his evaluation of the organization that “ASG is struggling to determine its relevance on campus….

Research suggests that ASG historically has been ineffective and has not been respected across campus.” If one of the foremost authorities on university student governments has this to say of Texas State’s ASG, it should be an indication that the editorial board has not been exaggerating the problem for years.

That being said, Young and Quiñones have the potential to lead a successful administration as long as they pursue initiatives that are both feasible and helpful, and then follow through once resolutions and bills are being reviewed by the administration for approval.

Young and Quiñones need to pursue “big picture” initiatives rather than focusing on minutiae

and frivolous endeavors. For instance, promoting school pride for the sake of pride seems to be a cornerstone for many adminis-

in comparison to other institutions, could join the ranks of other failed attempts at instilling Bobcat pride in students. While

a problem with ASG. Installing a (now defunct) milkshake bar in Jones Dining Hall, bringing Dr. Pepper back to campus and

Breanna Baker | Star Illustrator trations. The editorial board fears Young’s “numbers campaign,” which would promote Texas State’s rankings in various areas

pride is important, it should not be high on ASG’s priority list.

Identifying the priorities of students has traditionally been

having the marching band lead students into the stadium from tailgate were all initiatives implemented by ASG in recent years.

While students were likely not complaining about any of these changes, Young and Quiñones need to focus on bigger problems.

Parking and transportation, campus dining and the Counseling Center’s lack of resources are huge issues student face on a day-to-day basis. Even if Young and Quiñones are likely not going to be able to directly fix these problems, their time would be well spent listening to students’ concerns and then bringing that feedback to the administration.

The new ASG administration should also make an effort to stay informed about the major issues facing Texas States. It is alarming that during The University Star’s ASG debate before elections, none of the candidates seemed adequately informed about the Counseling Center’s inability to accommodate students, veterans’ affairs or transportation issues.

Besides focusing on worthwhile and impactful initiatives, working together despite differences will be key to this ASG administration’s success. Young and Quiñones ran on different platforms, but they both have valuable ideas that could aid the campus community. All student government members should keep in mind they are working for the same purpose, which is to help students.

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.

TECHNOLOGY

ACADEMICS

Changing majors can be beneficial, should be embraced by students

Ashley Trumps Opinions Columnist Mass communication senior

C

hanging majors is no cause for concern and should be embraced as a learning experience rather than considered a grave mistake on the part of the student.

According to a Nov. 29, 2005 NBC News article, 80 percent of college-bound students have yet to choose a major. Fifty percent of students change majors at least once during their college career.

This process often causes a lot of stress for students, many of whom are pressured to feel as though they should know what they want their career to be before they even start college. This expectation is outrageous.

Those who endured public school likely spent 12 years learning the same core subjects with a few extracurricular classes or clubs thrown in. “College prep” in public schools often consists of little more than studying the same standardized material used to prepare for the SAT or ACT. With the exception of a few career tests offered to high school students, career options are not explored in the detail they need to be in pre-college education. Yet, somehow students are still expected to know what they want to do right out of high school.

Students are thrust blindly into college and expected to grope through

four years of classes, and are often encouraged to quickly choose a major and career path with little to no guidance.

Choosing a major and career path is something that requires life experience, which students usually do not have. Students must at least experience studying a subject on a college level for a semester or two before making the decision to pursue it professionally or for the remainder of their university time.

For example, the two things I knew I loved to do and knew I was good at before coming to college were writing and reading. I decided to minor in creative writing right off the bat when I came into university. Instead of loving my creative writing classes, I hated the approaches of my professors and the smug attitudes of my fellow students who wrote absolute garbage and refused any constructive criticism.

I came to the conclusion that I could study creative writing on my own by finding other outlets, so I needed to change my minor. I had to get real experience studying creative writing as a minor before I could move on to one more suited to me.

Changing majors is a learning experience that should not be stigmatized.

Sampling various majors helps students make more informed decisions and it gives them a broader knowledge base.

College has an infamous reputation for experimentation. It is expected for college students to have wild flings and one-night stands and to meet new people. The same applies for majors. Before settling down, students have to have a taste of what is not right for them. This way, they can devote themselves to their one true love instead of looking back on their life 20 years later and realizing they have been living a lie.

Bobcats, do not make a commitment before you have browsed your options.

Limited smartphone usage can promote increased productivity

Christopher Gonzalez

S

Opinions Columnist Healthcare administration senior

tudents should make a conscious effort to occasionally unplug themselves from smartphone technology, as doing so can boost individual productivity as well as appreciation for the simple things in life.

When people use their smartphones, a wealth of resources instantly become available to them. People can communicate with anyone from just about anywhere and, because of the Internet, news travels as fast as lightning. Smartphone technology is positive in many respects, but it has its drawbacks.

People frequently use their smartphones while performing other tasks. Many smartphone users may browse the Web or text while watching TV or even when sitting at a dinner table with others. Such multitasking has become increasingly common with the growing ubiquity of smartphones.

Multitasking has become the new normal, and the urge to constantly take in content has come to consume everyday life.

Most students have likely been in the situation where they opened their phone to respond to a message and somehow ended up on an hour-long scroll through Facebook. The badges and chimes become an addiction and time spent online becomes compulsive and disruptive, mostly because multitasking itself only splits students’ attention rather than allowing them to focus on one thing at a time.

According to a Psychology Today article, multitasking is referred to as an illusion. When people attempt to multitask they actually only switch focus between multiple tasks. In fact, researchers use the term “task switching” to refer to what we describe as multitasking. Surprise, surprise— the American Psychology Association reports task switching can cost people as much as 40 percent of productivity.

Unplugging from smartphone technology for a day is a practical way to clear one’s mind. According to Tiffany Shlain, founder of the Webby Awards and co-founder of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, people can allow their minds the opportunity to rest and slow down when they disconnect from technology.

Restricting smartphone technology use allows the chance to enjoy cognitive breathing space. People have become so obsessed over every smartphone notification that they cannot enjoy actual physical interaction. Unplugging from smartphone technology affords students the chance to appreciate simplicity.

Shlain pointed out at a TEDx event that when people are online they tend to perceive everything as operating quicker and time as moving faster yet, ironically, the work never seems to end. Consider this—a 2013 UC San Diego study found people on mobile devices solicit more than 15 hours worth of digestible media each day.

This means that people today attempt to consume more content each day than did any other generation in history.

Unplugging indefinitely does not need to be phase one of transitioning to hermit status. Students need not resort to the carrier pigeon—unplugging on occasion for anywhere from a day to an hour is all the break that is needed. Simply putting the smartphone down for a small period can help students boost their productivity and appreciate the simpler things in life.

SELF-EXPRESSION

Workplace discrimination against tattoos unreasonable

Hunter Larzelere Special to the Star Journalism sophomore

H

aving visible tattoos should not reduce one’s chances of getting a professional job.

Tattoos have always been a taboo in the professional world.

If one wishes to work in an office setting, he or she must meet the clean-cut image of the

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business world. That means short hair, nice clothes and no visible tattoos. However, it seems trivial that a simple mass of ink on a person’s skin can be the difference between working at a big law firm and or a burger joint.

Hiring decisions should be based on skills and merit, not appearance. The person who gets the job should be the person who deserves the job, not the person who simply looks the part.

I personally have to face this reality every time I walk into a job interview. I have to wear a long-sleeved shirt to hide my half-sleeve, and I have to hold my hands in the hope that the tattoo on my hand will go unnoticed.

Every job interview could potentially be for nothing—someone else could always receive the job

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just because he or she fits the look more than I do.

According to a 2010 study by the Pew Research Center, about 23 percent of Americans today have a tattoo. Employers cannot be biased against such a large contingent of the American population. Especially seeing as young people are even more likely to have tattoos, it is unreasonable for employers to discriminate against intelligent individuals simply because they have tattoos.

Unfortunately, 61 percent of human-resource managers still stated that having a tattoo would hurt job applicants’ chances, according to a 2012 survey by the Center of Professional Excellence. No federal law currently exists to prohibit this discrimina-

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tion, so suing is a waste of time.

Of course, there are certain circumstances where tattoos can and should hurt your chances of getting a job. No job is going to hire the guy with curse words on his knuckles, a teardrop under his eye or a giant swastika on his forehead. Although employers should not discriminate against everyone with ink, it is unreasonable to suggest that they should hire those with offensive tattoos.

There is some hope for those with tattoos. Many companies are seeking to appeal to a younger crowd. Tattoos could be seen as a benefit to a company trying to exude a young, hip atmosphere.

In an increasingly diverse world, companies must be more tolerant of tattoos if they want

to stay relevant. If recent college grads know their chances of being hired could be lowered because of their tattoos, they are going to apply somewhere else. If this cycle persists, then companies will become underemployed and no longer in touch with the ever-evolving market, doomed to be replaced by more forward-thinking businesses.

Getting tattoos is a life decision that is not to be taken lightly. That being said, it should not be a life decision that prevents students from getting jobs they are qualified for. Sure, some people will always judge and will never enjoy dealing with those who have tattoos. But as for myself, my body is a canvas that will keep getting covered with art until it becomes a masterpiece.

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the spring and fall and every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright Tuesday April 8, 2014. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

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The University Star | Tuesday April 8, 2014 | 5

SPORTS BASEBALL

Bobcats lose second-straight Sun Belt series

By Kirk Jones

Sports Reporter @kirk_jones11

The Texas State baseball team lost its second straight Sun Belt Conference series against South Alabama this weekend at home.

The defeat marked the team’s first series loss at home after winning two consecutively to start the season.

Austen Williams, junior pitcher who started Saturday, finished his first career complete game shutout and allowed six base runners. Williams was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week Monday for his performance.

“He started this game with a sore neck,” said Coach Ty Harrington.

“Sometimes when it’s little things like that, it increases your focus. I thought he was incredibly competitive, and there was only one point where he looked out of sync in the seventh when he was closing in on 100 pitches.”

Williams struck out seven in the victory, including the final out of the game.

Williams is the Sun Belt leader in strikeouts with 56 on the season.

“I don’t think I’ve thrown more than seven innings all season,” Williams said.

“To get a shutout and pitch nine, it felt great.”

The Bobcat offense provided five hits on 2 runs in the team’s 2-0 victory.

Colby Targun, junior outfielder, and Garrett Mattlage, junior infielder, notched both RBI for the team.

“Every once in a while, the only way to win a game is to throw a shutout,” Harrington said. “This was a non-offensive game in a non-offensive ball park.

The kid (Kevin Hill) was good tonight.”

Kevin Hill, Jaguars pitcher, matched Williams’s complete game with one of

his own. Hill struck out eight and issued four walks.

Texas State recorded three stolen bases in the game. Matt Smith, sophomore infielder, earned his fourth of the season.

In the series opener, the Bobcats fell

Alexandra White | Staff Photographer Texas State baseball went 1-2 against South Alabama at Bobcat Ballpark. to the Jaguars 5-4 in 13 innings.

South Alabama scored first with 2 runs in the top of the fourth. The first run crossed the plate on a throwing error by Taylor Black, junior pitcher.

The Bobcats countered in the bottom of the fourth with a 2-run inning as Tyler Pearson, senior catcher, doubled home Mattlage from second. Cory Geisler, sophomore outfielder, drove home Austin O’Neal, senior infielder, and tied the

game at 2.

Black pitched eight innings, struck out seven and allowed one earned run.

Hunter Lemke, senior pitcher, replaced Black in the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead intact.

Justin Cullifer, Jaguars designated hitter, reached on Lemke’s errant throw to first and moved to second after a sacrifice bunt by Matt Wojciechowski, Jaguars catcher.

Drew LaBounty, Jaguars infielder, knocked home the tying run from second and sent the game into extra innings.

LaBounty came through again in the top of the 13th and singled home the winning run from second, which gave South Alabama the 5-4 victory.

The Bobcats dropped to 7-5 overall in the Sun Belt conference after a 7-2 loss in the series finale.

Lucas Humpal, sophomore pitcher, allowed 3 straight runs in three innings after a line drive hit off of his thigh.

Humpal pitched 5.1 innings and struck out five before being replaced by Geisler.

Targun produced two hits on four plate appearances for the game and singled home Trey Hicks, freshman infielder, from second.

“They had timelier hitting than us,” Targun said. “You have to tip your cap to them. They capitalized on a few of our mistakes, and that was the difference in the game.”

The Jaguars scored three runs in the top of the ninth and increased the score from 4 to 7.

“We had a chance to win the series, and that’s frustrating,” Harrington said.

“We didn’t play defense, and that is frustrating for our players. We need to take care of the baseball.”

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TRACK & FIELD

Texas State hosts second outdoor meet of season

By Ishmael Johnson Sports Reporter @ish_46

Texas State track and field hosted the second meet of its outdoor season this weekend as the teams continue to prepare for the Sun Belt Championships in May. The Texas State Invitational was the second straight home meet at the Track and Field Stadium. The meet featured competitors from Prairie View A&M, Purdue, Concordia University and Texas Southern in addition to the Bobcat athletes.

The Bobcat throwers had one event this weekend in which they placed outside of the top-three. Sophomore Talore Kelly, freshman Julie Lange and sophomore Roman Rodriguez did not finish lower than third in any of their respective throwing events.

Kelly finished first and second in the hammer throw setting personal bests in both. Lange finished ahead of Kelly, in discus, with a throw of 161-ft-4.61-inches.

Kelly’s hammer throw was good enough to rank second on the year in conference behind South Alabama’s Bobbie Williamson. Lange’s hammer throw performance ranks eighth.

Marika Brown, freshman sprinter, finished second in the 200-meter dash and fourth in the 100-meter dash.

Brown set a personal best in the 200-meter with a time of 23.24 seconds, placing her atop the conference in the

event. Brown already holds the top spot for the 100-meter in the Sun Belt.

Michelle Jones, senior mid-distance runner, bested her personal record in the 1,500-meter with a time of 4:30.20, good enough to finish third in her event.

“It’s a lot better than I was doing during indoor season,” Jones said. “The third lap was better than what I normally run and so that was what I kind of focused on. I had nothing left for the last 200, but the third lap is the most important part in it makes or breaks races so I think I did really well.”

Jones looks to round out her outdoor season by improving on the one thing she felt hindered in Saturday’s race—finishing.

“Just finishing,” said Jones. “I didn’t have the finish. I wanted to at this one,

so definitely just holding on for 200 more meters to finish.”

Jones’ performance ranks as the third best performance of the season for a Sun Belt middle distance runner.

Larron Black, sophomore hurdler, placed fifth in the 110-meters and said he was not satisfied with his performance Saturday afternoon.

“Honestly today I didn’t feel like I had one of my best performances, but we had a lot of things going on,” Black said. “We had a couple of mishaps with the hurdle placement. Overall, I feel like today I didn’t have my best performance, but I learned something from it.”

Black said he knows what to take with him into this weekend at the Texas Longhorn Invitational and for the rest of the outdoor season.

“Whatever the environ-

ment is you have to shape and adjust to it,” Black said.

“You can’t really come up with any excuses and stuff like that. Just kind of make things work even if you feel like things are against you.”

Allie Saunders, junior jumper, placed first in her first outdoor competition of the year with a career-best triple jump distance of 12.77 meters. Saunders now ranks second in the conference for the best performance of the season behind Western Kentucky’s France Makabu.

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6 | The University Star | Sports | Tuesday April 8, 2014

SOFTBALL

Bobcats improve conference standing against defending champion Jaguars

Timishia North, senior utility player, prepares to swing April 6 at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

By Cameron Cutshall Sports Reporter @CameronCutshall

The Texas State softball team handed the defending Sun Belt champion No. 11 South Alabama its first conference losses this weekend in San Marcos.

The Bobcats lost their first game against South Alabama 8-0, which extended the team’s losing streak to five.

Texas State dropped below .500 for the first time all season.

Kendall Wiley, sophomore first baseman, committed an error in a 1-0 game with two outs in the top of the fourth. The error allowed the Jaguars to load the bases and led to five unearned runs for South Alabama, which made the score 6-0 before the end of the inning.

Amanda Minahan, South Alabama outfielder, recorded two home runs with three RBI. Stephanie Pilkington, South Alabama outfielder, went 3-5.

Pilkington recorded two RBI and a run.

Hannah Campbell, South Alabama pitcher, went 6.1 innings and gave up five hits, no runs and seven strikeouts.

Holly McKinnon, South Alabama closer, came in for relief of Campbell with one out in the seventh. McKinnon struck out both Texas State batters she faced.

Texas State came out in the second

game of the double header and earned the victory 4-1. This was South Alabama’s fifth loss of the season and its first conference defeat all year. The loss dropped the Jaguars from first to third in the Sun Belt Conference.

“I told the team before the game that the team that plays the best is going to win the game,” said Coach Ricci Woodard. “I felt like we put together a good seven-inning ball game all the way around defensively, offensively and pitching. It was one of those things that what we did worked.”

Farish Beard, South Alabama pitcher, earned her third loss of the season.

Beard came into the matchup with a .40 ERA and had only given up one home run all season. Beard gave up two home runs on Saturday—a 2-run home run to Kortney Koroll, junior designated player, and a solo to Timishia North, senior outfielder, her first of the year.

Beard pitched five innings and gave up five hits, 4 runs and seven strikeouts in the game.

“It’s good to get the win,” Koroll said. “It’s about time we turned it around. We got the momentum early (in the first inning) and we just ran with it.”

The Bobcats won the final game of the series Sunday 4-3 and made their record 21-20 on the season despite two errors committed in the game.

Kelli Baker, sophomore second

Madelynne Scales | Assistant Photo Editor baseman, scored in the bottom of the first off a RBI single up the middle from Courtney Harris, junior third baseman, and gave Texas State the 1-0 lead.

Taylor Rodgers, South Alabama second baseman, hit a 2-run home run to left field and gave the Jaguars their first lead of the game 2-1 in the top of the fourth.

Baker hit an RBI single and scored Jordan Masek, senior shortstop. Baker scored along with Harris on a two-RBI single by Koroll and made the score 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

South Alabama scored one more run in the top of the seventh and made the final score 4-3.

Texas State is 4-5 in conference play.

South Alabama finished the series with a 30-6 record and fell to 8-2 in the Sun Belt.

Rayn House, senior pitcher, finished the weekend 2-1. House’s overall record is 18-13 this season. House pitched 14.2 innings throughout the weekend and allowed 11 hits, 9 runs and six strikeouts. The senior pitcher has a total of 171 strikeouts this season.

Texas State will travel to San Antonio Wednesday to face UTSA for its second matchup against the Roadrunners this season. The Bobcats defeated UTSA Feb. 19 in a run-ruled five-inning 8-0 victory.

Get to Know Kortney Koroll

junior utility player

By Chris Woodard

Sports Reporter @UcuffEm_iPassEm

CW: What’s your favorite local restaurant?

KK: I like eating at Pluckers.

CW: What are your hobbies other than softball?

KK: I like to play ice hockey in my free time.

CW: What’s your hidden talent that no one would guess you could do?

KK: I can longboard.

CW: Do you listen to music before games?

KK: Yes. I like to listen to Christian music to think about God before my games.

CW: Who’s your favorite celebrity?

KK: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins player) has to be my favorite celebrity.

CW: What’s your favorite sport to watch other than softball?

KK: Hockey. It’s my second favorite sport.

CW: What’s your pregame meal?

KK: Before my games I like to eat chicken pasta.