VOLUME 103, ISSUE 4

www.UniversityStar.com

THURSDAY

AUGUST 29, 2013

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

VIDEO | UniversityStar.com Lost in Purgatory: The Purgatory Creek Natural Area houses caves, creeks, trails and trees. It is maintained by the Greenbelt Alliance, which works toward creating more integrated natural areas surrounding urban regions. To learn more, go to UniversityStar.com.

Downtown music venue to rebrand By Nicole Barrios News Reporter

Beginning in September, the venue housing Texas Music Theater will change its tune and name as a result of a partnership between San Marcos business owners Mike and Omar Dawoud and the owners of the original event space. According to an Aug. 28 press release from Texas Music Theater, the venue will now be called The Marc, “a tribute to its location in downtown San Marcos.” The Dawoud’s will have control of day-to-day operations of The Marc. The venue will feature shows and concerts and allow private organizations and other promoters to reserve the The Marc for events, weddings and shows, according to the release. Omar Dawoud, a business senior, owns AfterDark Entertainment, a concert and events promotion business that will bring in different genres of music and rebrand the space, he said. “We’re definitely going to be rebranding (Texas Music Theater) toward the college students,”

See TMT, Page 3

Kathryn Parker | Staff photographer Texas Music Theater owners will change the venue’s name to The Marc and plan to feature a different variety of music performances.

UNIVERSITY

Texas State named among top colleges for investment return By Juliette Moak News Reporter

Texas State has been named one of the highest-ranking Texas colleges for return on investment, meaning students pay less tuition in college and make more money in

the professional world. AffordableCollegesOnline.org compiled the list of “Highest Return On Investment Colleges in Texas.” The website seeks to educate prospective college students on the affordability of the college experience, said Dan Schuessler, Affordable Colleges Online founder and CEO, via email. After analyzing 452 Texas colleges that met the criteria of being a fully-accredited, fouryear, public or private institution, 49 Texas colleges were ranked, with Texas State coming in at number 32 on the list. Affordable Colleges Online calculates return on investment by comparing the av-

erage salary of college graduates over a 30-year period to the average earnings of someone with a high school diploma. The cost of educational investment, determined by the total cost of tuition, fees, room, board and supplies throughout college, is then subtracted from the average salary amount, according to the site’s methodology page. Schuessler said the goal of

See INVESTMENT, Page 3

Madelynne Scales | Staff photographer Affordablecollegesonline.org ranked Texas State in the top 30 cost-effective colleges.

RESEARCH

University archaeologists excavate Monterrey shipwreck Researchers examine underwater wreckage

copper were found. The third shipwreck was the largest of the sites, however, the content of its cargo was not evident, Hanselmann said. “Neither of the two new shipwrecks had any armament (armour) either, whereas the By Juliette Moak first had a large swivel gun, carronades and Special to the Star two different sections loaded with muskets,” Hanselmann said. A team of marine archaeologists partnered Hanselmann said since they were only with Texas State conducted the deepest ar- granted a federal antiquities permit allowchaeological shipwreck excavation in North ing them to remove artifacts from the first America this summer, discovering two sunk- shipwreck, they had to leave the other two en ships in the process. untouched until a later date. He said they A team of researchers from Texas were able to conduct extensive mapping and State’s Meadows Center for Water and the documented the additional areas through Environment and other entities spent five photographs and video. days from July 18 through 25 mapping and “The information we gained will allow documenting the underwater wreckage, ac- us to analyze the two new wrecks and pincording to a press release disseminated by point goals for the next trip to the site,” the university. Hanselmann said. The vessels are thought to be from the early 1800s, possibly privateer ships, Hanselmann said. It is not believed there were any survivors from the wrecks. Among the more than 60 artifacts recovered from the first vessel were pottery from —Fredrick Hanselmann, Mexico, china from Britain, a musket from eyeglasses, liquor bottles, clothing chief underwater archaeologist Canada, and a toothbrush, Hanselmann said. The recovered artifacts are currently undergoing preservation work at the Texas Using the Ocean Exploration Trust’s ves- A&M University Conservation Research sel Nautilus, the team explored a shipwreck Laboratory, according to the press release. at the record-breaking depth of 4,363 feet “The artifacts have been in a stable state below the surface. When the team investi- and environment for up to 200 years,” gated the surrounding area, they discovered said Christopher Horrell, senior marine two more ships within a five-mile radius of archaeologist for the Bureau of Safety and the Monterrey wreck, according to the press Environmental Enforcement. “Removing release. them from the marine environment requires “We went to the Monterrey shipwreck that we slowly remove the chlorides that with questions and came home with even have impregnated the artifacts.” more,” said Fredrick Hanselmann, chief Horrell said if they did not remove the underwater archaeologist at the Meadows chlorides the surface of the artifacts would Center for Water and the Environment. “We start to fragment and pop off, removing found two more shipwrecks that carried a valuable evidence and interpretive data. variety of similar artifacts to the first, but What will become of the remaining hull of there were some stark differences as well.” the Monterrey shipwreck has yet to be deterHanselmann said the second shipwreck mined. There is a possibility it will be recondid not have copper sheathing around its structed and exhibited in the Bob Bullock hull like the other two. Its cargo appeared to Texas State History Museum in Austin, said include tanned hides with blocks of tallow, which, he said, would have made a profit if See SHIPWRECK, Page 3

“We went to the Monterrey shipwreck with questions and came home with even more.”

LEGISLATURE

Senate bill to shorten school’s name

Texas State will officially drop “-San Marcos” from its name Sept. 1. According to an April 10 University Star article, the university’s name is being officially changed because state senators voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 974, authored by Donna Campbell (R-25) and Judith Zaffirini (D-21). According to the bill, the name change was proposed to clear up confusion between the Texas State University Round Rock Campus and the main campus in San Marcos. Texas State administrators asked the Texas Legislature to amend the university’s name. According to a Jan. 31 University Star article, Provost Eugene Bourgeois said confusion fueling the name change stems from some people thinking the Round Rock Higher Education Center is a second branch of Texas State. Bourgeois said in the same Star article that administrators want the legislature to make it clear Texas State is one university with two campuses. He said dropping “-San Marcos” from the school’s name is not an effort to keep Texas State from being seen as a regional school. “The name change doesn’t have anything to do with that,” Bourgeois said. “This is simply to eliminate confusion.” Robert Gratz, special assistant to the president, said the school’s official name, “Texas State University-San Marcos,” is used on legal documents, but in most publications the institution is already referred to as Texas State University. Consumable products such as letterheads and stationary that read “Texas State University-San Marcos” will be used until they run out, according to the legislature’s fiscal note for the bill. Signs displaying the former name will have the “-San Marcos” portion removed, which is not expected to cost the university a significant amount of money. Bill Nance, vice president for Finance and Support Services, said it cost the university $235,000 to update signs and other property when the 2003 name change occurred. He said the costs for the name change will be minimal compared to the previous one. —Compiled by James Carneiro, assistant news editor

2 | The University Star | Thursday August 29, 2013

PAGE TWO

UniversityStar.com

PRESS RELEASE

Texas State assistant professor receives Greater Texas Foundation grant Edna Alfaro, an assistant professor in the Graduate College at Texas State University, has received a grant from the Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) to support her work in areas related to student postsecondary success. The three-year, $90,000 GTF grant to Alfaro is one of four given out to support tenure-track faculty at Texas higher education institutions. Texas State received two such grants for 2013, with Melissa Martinez receiving the other. “My interest in student outcomes stems from personal observations I made while transitioning through high school and college,” Alfaro said. “At the time, I was surrounded by family and friends making similar transitions. However, I noticed that there seemed to be almost as many paths through these transitions as there were people. These paths led to early, on-time or delayed graduation or leaving school all together. These observations quickly turned to a genuine interest in gaining a better understanding for the factors that foster academic success.” “Having the opportunity to serve as a GTF Fellow will have a tremendous impact on my teaching and research activities. I hope to contribute to our understanding of Latino students’ academic success and retention by focusing on cultural, familial and individual assets that enable students to overcome academic barriers, ” she said. “Partnering with GTF will provide me with the support needed to dedicate my time and energies to implement a research study that examines the importance of parents, culture, in-

dividuals and universities in the transitions into and through college. Approaching my research with academic rigor will allow me to effectively serve my students while laying the groundwork for the future development of programs.” Following a competitive proposal process, the foundation selected four individuals to comprise the first cohort of the GTF Faculty Fellowship Program (GTF Fellows). Each GTF Fellow will receive up to $30,000 per year for a period of three years to support a proposed research agenda. “Greater Texas Foundation’s mission is to support efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in and complete a postsecondary education,” said Malon Southerland, GTF board chair. “GTF Fellows is a result of our board’s desire for the foundation to have a role in building research and teaching capacity for Texas faculty working in areas related to the foundation’s mission and strategy.” After being nominated, the selected fellows were invited to participate in a competitive proposal process in which they were required to demonstrate potential in and commitment to a career in research and teaching at the postsecondary level. In addition, applicants were required to identify a mentor to assist them throughout the three-year fellowship. Each of the selected fellows’ home institutions committed to a partial match for the program. “Only one in five Texas students completes a college credential within six years of graduat-

PRESS RELEASE

Reserved textbooks moving to second floor of Alkek The Alkek Library is moving the Reserve Services desk and the locations of a few types of books, according to a press release. The Reserve Services desk is moving from the third to the second floor of the library. Most reserved books can be checked out for two hours for use in the library. This service is popular with students who choose not to purchase their own books. To find out which books are available for reserve, students can go to the Alkek Library website. Faculty can reserve textbooks for their students by bringing the books to the second floor where Reserve Services will have them ready for students within two days. Faculty can reserve textbooks online as well. The following book collections are moving to the third floor: The Juvenile Collection, the Textbook Curriculum Materials Center, the Guided Reading Collection and The Testing Collection.

On this day in History 1533

Atahualpa, the last ruler of the Incas, was murdered as Francisco Pizarro completed his conquest of Peru.

1786

Shays’ rebellion, an insurrection of Massachusetts farmers against the state government, began.

1842

ing from high school,” said Wynn Rosser, GTF president and CEO. “With the addition of a new cohort each year, over time, GTF Fellows will create a broad and deep network of highly talented and committed Texas researchers working to understand barriers for students and identify research-based solutions to help more Texas students access and succeed at the postsecondary level.” Through participation in annual GTF Fellows summits over the course of the fellowship, fellows will have access to professional development opportunities and guidance related to their intended career trajectory. The selection process for the second cohort of fellows will begin fall 2013. For additional information about the GTF Fellows program and the first cohort of fellows, visit greatertexasfoundation.org and click on the “GTF Fellows” tab. Greater Texas Foundation The Greater Texas Foundation is a statewide education grant maker, based in Bryan. The foundation’s mission is to “support efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete a postsecondary education.” GTF puts particular focus on helping underserved and disadvantaged populations. GTF pursues its mission by forming partnerships, supporting research, sharing knowledge, and making grants. From 2001 through 2012, the foundation’s grant making totaled nearly $40 million from more than 400 grants.

Brigham Young died in Salt Lake City, Utah.

1949

The USSR tested its first atomic bomb.

1957

Strom Thurmond ended the longest filibuster in U.S. Senate history. He spoke for more than 24 hours against a civil rights bill. The bill passed.

1966

The Beatles played their last major live concert at Candlestick Park, California.

1991

The Supreme Soviet, the parliament of the USSR, suspended all activities of the Communist Party, bringing an end to the institution.

City Calendar Thursday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. Summer in the Park Music Series Free Thursday night concert

Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. Farmers Market on The Square Produce, arts and live music

Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m. Local art vendors-jewelry, ceramics, scarves, tie-dye, paintings, carvings, yard art, drawings

Monday, Sept. 12, 12:30 p.m. 50+ Game Day. Hand and foot, bridge, Mexican train dominoes, and 42 available. Can bring a snack to share. Call 512-393-8280 for more information

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1:30 p.m. Economic Development Board

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. Planning and Zoning Commission

Wednesday, Sept. 14, all day Free computer classes

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m. Emancipet- spay or neuter your pet

2005

Hurricane Katrina slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast, destroying beachfront towns in Mississippi and Louisiana, displacing a million people and killing more than 1,000.

Aug. 26, 7:30 a.m. 941 Sycamore St. Criminal Trespass Warning Aug. 26, 10:44 a.m. 2300 Interstate 35 Assault Felony Aug. 26, 10:55 a.m. 1000 River Road Vehicle theft Report Aug. 26, 2:21 p.m. 301 Telluride St. Collision-hit and run Blue Form Issue Aug. 26, 5:02 p.m. 1800 Post Road Public assistance Report Aug. 26, 6:36 p.m. 1015 Highway 80 Burglary-vehicle Report Aug. 26, 8:15 p.m. Craddock Avenue/ Hughson Drive Collision-minor Report

The Treaty of Nanking was signed, ending the Opium Wars and ceding the island of Hong Kong to Britain.

1877

Police Blotter

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 5:30 p.m. Ethics Commission

Aug. 26, 8:30 p.m. 2300 Interstate 35 Theft Report Aug. 27, 9:27 a.m. 101 East MLK Drive Mental health investigation Report Aug. 27, 9:53 a.m. 917 Gravel St. Assist animal control Refer to other agency Aug. 27, 11:06 a.m. Student Center Drive/ North Comanche Street Collision-minor Report Aug. 27, 1:27 p.m. 615 North LBJ Drive Assault-felony Report Aug. 27. 3:01 p.m. 1631 Aquarena Springs Drive Vehicle theft Report Aug. 27, 4:36 p.m. 1013 Hackberry St. Burglary-habitation Arrest Aug. 27, 9:23 p.m. 777 East Hopkins St. Collision-minor Report Aug. 27, 10:47 p.m. 112 West Ave. Terroristic threat Report

The University Star | News | Thursday August 29, 2013 | 3

TMT, continued from front Omar Dawoud said. Scott Gregson, principal owner of the former Texas Music Theater’s venue, said in the press release it is important to focus the uniqueness of the new venue on the market most prevalent in downtown San Marcos—Texas State students The venue will undergo a few physical changes to the space with the addition of custom VIP couches, tables in the upstairs area, pool tables, new paint and a new sign, Omar Dawoud said. The Marc will be open on Tuesday as well as Thursdays through Saturdays, the press release said. Omar Dawoud said he hopes The Marc will be the “centerpiece of nightlife entertainment for San Marcos.” He plans to make it “the place” to go to. Texas State alumnus Tyler Boswell, operations manager of The Marc, said there has not been a place like The Marc in San Marcos for a long time. “A couple years ago when TMT opened it had a really good vibe and people were in there, and basically we just want to get it back to where it was,” Boswell said. Boswell said many people think The Marc will be getting rid of country music and becoming a “dubstep venue,” but that is not

correct. He said it will feature all kinds of music. Boswell said while the majority of The Marc’s shows will be electronic music, they are “adapting to the times.” “It won’t be a country venue anymore, it will cater to everyone rather than one focus group,” Omar Dawoud said. “But we will most definitely have country music, of course.” Mike Dawoud, owner of Café on the Square and Omar Dawoud’s father, said the investors in the Texas Music Theater built the location as a state-of-the-art facility in the downtown area. Mike Dawoud said the city should be proud of the venue, and it is the Dawouds’ intention to fully utilize the property so they can continue to bring large audiences downtown for entertainment. Omar Dawoud said the four staff members who worked at Texas Music Theater are continuing work at the new venue, and he his hiring 20 to 25 new employees. Initial negotiations forof the partnership began a month ago, and it has been a fast process, Omar Dawoud said. The grand opening of The Marc is set for Sept. 6, but he would would not yet release the names of the acts set to perform that night.

INVESTMENT, continued from front the website’s list is to provide information about more affordable college experiences. “Until recently there hasn’t been an easy way to quantify the actual monetary return on investment,” Schuessler said. “While the data isn’t perfect and the return on investment metrics are not widely available today, I believe it will become a more meaningful metric very soon.” The data used in the calculations is derived from National Center for Education Statistics, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, Carnegie Classification and PayScale. com’s 2013 College Value Report, according to the Affordable Colleges Online website. The calculation of return on investment does not take into account the various levels of post-college earnings achieved based on individual courses of study completed within an institution, a factor Schuessler admits is important to consider as well. “What might be more interesting is the return on investment by program,” Schuessler said. “When sorting through the data it is clear that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs are bringing the highest ROI (Return On Investment) as these graduates earn more on average than graduates from other programs.” According to Payscale.com, graduates

Have

SHIPWRECK, continued from front David Denney, the museum’s director of special projects. “We’ve been working with the Meadows Center and the Texas Historical Society, and we are very interested in the ship materials,” Denney said. Denney said ownership of the wreckage is the most important factor in deciding its final storage place. Under international maritime law, there is a possibility it may belong to another country, he said. “It’s a long process,” Denney said. “The biggest decision will be in determining who technically owns the wreckage.” A definitive answer as to what the ships were doing and how they sunk cannot be stated with certainty just yet, Hanselmann said. One theory is the original wreckage was a small merchant convoy protected by an armed vessel, perhaps naval or privateer, as privateers were hired for a number of maritime duties, Hanselmann said. Hanselmann said his favorite theory is that the first ship was a privateer, and the second two ships were prizes it captured prior to sinking during a storm. Researchers are in the process of discussing the next steps to return to the sites and conduct further research on the two additional shipwrecks, Hanselmann said.

who go on to pursue higher than a bachelor’s degree were excluded from the survey upon which the college earnings report is based. Carlos Laird, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions at Texas State, said he is not usually asked about return on investment by parents and prospective students. “I don’t think most high school students are thinking about that,” Laird said. “Parents tend to want to know about outcomes—job placement, graduation rates, those sort of things. We try not to compare ourselves to other institutions.” Schuessler said return on investment is something concerning students more as tuition rises and the average amount of debt increases. He said students approach their college decisions relatively similarly to how students have approached them for the past few decades, weighing factors such as cost, location, reputation and program details. Mass communication senior Erica Brokaw said her decision to attend Texas State was influenced more by interest in her field of study than by its potential to yield a return on her investment. “It doesn’t change my opinion at all,” Brokaw said. “It’s an inexpensive public school in an expensive area of Texas, and the enrollment is sky high, so the ranking doesn’t surprise me at all.”

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4 | The University Star | Thursday August 29, 2013

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

New TMT tenants need diverse business plan A

s a new business prepares to open in the venue formerly known as Texas Music Theater, its owners must find ways to appeal to the city’s eclectic student and resident audiences to have a lasting presence. Texas Music Theater will no longer exist in its current state on The Square, according to an Aug. 29 University Star article. Omar Dawoud, a business senior, and his father Mike Dawoud, owner of Café on The Square, will transform TMT into a dance club called The Marc with a variety of music, live show entertainment and rentable event space, according to the article. The Dawouds have entered a partnership with the owners of TMT to create The Marc, which is anticipated to open Sept. 6. Omar Dawoud also owns AfterDark Entertainment, a concert and event promotions company based in the San Marcos and Austin areas. In the same University Star article, Dawoud states his outright ownership of the space, while the owners of TMT only claim a business partnership exists with Dawoud. In order for The Marc to stay around in San Marcos for years to come, ownership of the venue must be clear in the future, and business interactions between the Dawouds and TMT owners must be thorough and mutually beneficial. The downtown San Marcos area has been a revolving door for local businesses recent years. It is unfortunate that TMT has joined the ranks of local business that have closed or rebranded, but the editorial board is excited to see what The Marc will bring to the downtown business scene. It takes a serious, well-thought-out business plan to survive when trying to set up shop in the high-rent real estate stretch of The Square. Omar Dawoud has significant experience in the event planning business and hopefully has the skills it takes to ensure the business will appeal to a wide audience of students and residents of all ages. It is admirable Omar Dawoud is looking to bring back the distinctive flair that drew crowds to TMT

Lara Shine | Star illustrator

in its earlier years. The Dawouds need to ensure the new club will grant entrance to an 18 and up crowd on designated days. Freshmen and sophomore students looking to head out for a weekend night on the town have very limited options for nightlife along The Square. If The Marc had 18 and up nights mixed in with special 21 and up nights for older residents and students, the business could possibly have a greater profit margin and true staying power. It is wise that Dawoud has plans to include event space for rent at The Marc. The prime location of the venue along

The Square is ideal for those looking to host both small and large events for parties, conferences or concerts. Eager residents, students and visitors should be able to contact The Marc, schedule events and enjoy the versatile space in the process. Another possible way to fill event space in The Marc could be creating a type of community theatre for local playwrights and actors to take the stage and star in public plays. The plays could generate profit for residents, students and organizations while enriching the unique culture of San Marcos at the same time. Dawoud and other students should be

praised for attempting to help the economy of San Marcos grow by opening new businesses and creating new jobs. The editorial board wishes The Marc the best of luck with its new business ventures in the community. 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.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Rate My Professors website a reliable source for registration I

nstead of relying on the unhelpful surveys gathered by Texas State, students should use ratemyprofessors.com to make an educated decision regarding which classes to take. More than anything, professors are the biggest factor in determining whether a student will do well in a class. Even subjects many students find boring can become interestSavannah Wingo ing under the inOpinions Editor struction of the Mass communication junior right professor. When instructors are so vital to a student’s academic success, being able to screen professors before registering for classes becomes critical. While the school makes some level of screening possible via House Bill 2504, a bill which requires universities to post summarized professor evaluations online, the surveys do not offer much useful information. Many students do not even

take HB 2504 surveys seriously, instead hastily filling out bubbles so they can get home quickly. Not only are the surveys unhelpful, but the link to reach them is hard to find, buried in the mess of links that is the Texas State website. The evaluations lack room for comments, limiting students to rating professors based on pre-set criteria. Students are better off finding an alternative. Ratemyprofessors.com has been a staple among students looking for the right class for years. The site is easily navigable and includes student comments in addition to ratings on the categories of easiness, helpfulness, clarity, textbook use and rater interest. These simple categories allow students to more easily assess a professor’s quality—unlike departmental and HB 2504 survey questions, which can be confusing and unclear. The Texas State Rate My Professors website alone has campus ratings for 1,849 different professors, the average rating of which is a 3.77 out of five. This is a huge resource for students who want to be more selective when registering for classes. Not only does the site allow students to search for professors with their preferred teaching style, but it enables students

to select professors based on difficulty, absence policy, textbook requirement, charisma and hotness. If a student wants to take a full semester with only hot professors, they can do so using the Rate My Professors website as a tool. If students are not interested in the subject matter, want an easy course or a class they can afford to skip, they can use comments on the site to guide their class selection. Likewise broke students can purposefully select classes in which a textbook is not necessary in order to save money. Many may criticize the credibility of responses on the site as unreliable and unsubstantiated. It is true many ratings on the site should be taken with a grain of salt. No matter how good or bad the professor may generally be agreed to be, there will always be dissenting opinions mixed in with other reviews. Many students may leave negative reviews for a professor who failed them, for instance. Since the site is anonymous, there is also always the possibility of trolling. There are several checks against these negatives, however. Raters have the ability to mark what grade they received for the semester, perhaps heightening or lessening the credibility of their comment.

All reviews are also filtered through a moderation system to eliminate spam and flaming as much as possible before posting. Professors have an opportunity to make rebuttals to reviews on the site, though the function seems unfortunately mostly unused at Texas State. However, the good of the site far outweighs the bad. In my experience, the ratings are usually pretty reliable, and I have used the site every semester to help with registration. To keep the site updated and functional far into the future, however, students who use the ratings have a responsibility to post reviews of their own at the end of a semester. If students do this, the site will undoubtedly remain an invaluable student resource for years to come. The Rate My Professors website, although sometimes the target of criticism, provides an invaluable service for students trying to get the most out of their semester. Bobcats should make sure to keep the Rate My Professors website active and useful for future students by adding their own reviews at the end of each semester.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Graduate students face burden due to student loan debt G

raduate students should not be limited in the scholarships, grants and other financial help they can receive— school and government officials should recognize the additional burden these students face and offer support accordingly. Applying for and attending graduate school is an exhausting process. Not only is the Robert Núñez selection process Opinions Columnist often stringent, Mass communication senior but many graduate students have to work long hours in order to fund their degrees. Many students are

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content to receive a bachelor’s and not pursue any higher degree, but for others, a four-year degree is not enough to satisfy personal career and academic goals. A graduate degree can unlock numerous opportunities for students career-wise, and many fields require graduate degrees even at the most basic, entry-level position. However, students who need a graduate degree in order to succeed in their chosen field run the risk of piling extra-expensive grad school fees on top of already costly undergraduate debts. Universities and government entities should provide additional scholarships focused on the needs of graduate students. A less-than-perfect GPA and large debts from previous schooling should not hinder these students from receiving muchneeded funds via scholarships or other methods. Having strict requirements on graduate scholarships can make pursuing

Editor in Chief................................................Caitlin Clark, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..........................Liza Winkler, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor............................................Taylor Tompkins, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor...............................Amanda Ross, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..................................Savannah Wingo, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor.......................................Odus Evbagharu, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief................................Lesley Warren, starcopychief@txstate.edu Video Editor...................................Alex Peña, starmultimediaeditor@txstate.edu

a higher degree nearly impossible for many students. Regardless of which type of degree a student is seeking, financial help is available for those who qualify. However, graduate students require additional support, and unnecessary restrictions on aid hurts those who deserve a chance at school. For example, most scholarships and grants require students to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to qualify for aid. While not a wholly unreasonable prerequisite, perhaps those offering aid should consider candidates who do not meet GPA requirements but still excel in other respects. The amount of student loan debt in the U.S. has grown exponentially, with outstanding federal loan debt nearing almost $1 trillion, according to American Student Assistance (ASA). According to the organization’s website, the median

Design Editor.................................................Lee Moran, stardesign@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist................................... Chris Salazar, chris.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

loan debt for students graduating with a bachelor’s degree is $7,960. This is a staggering amount for an average broke student. Pile graduate debts on top of that, and you have got one overwhelmed student. To help solve these issues, those who choose to pursue a masters or Ph.D., should be able to have all outstanding loan debts deferred until after graduation. Considering the increased earning potential students have after completing a graduate degree, it is likely students will be more able to handle the increased debt after graduating and landing a job. Those who decide to further their education should receive additional opportunities for financial support. Cutting graduate students some slack is not only beneficial for the students but for the economy in the long run by introducing educated workers.

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 Thursday, August 29, 2013. 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. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.

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The University Star | Thursday August 29, 2013 | 5

TRENDS

UniversityStar.com

New experiences for international students in US By Randi Berkovsky Trends Reporter

Some students travel further than others for an education at Texas State. Many Bobcats are only a short drive away from their hometowns, but some crossed borders, oceans and language barriers in order to have the college experiences they always dreamed of in the United States. The Texan way of life can be a culture shock to many international students. For Thibault Gehin, a 22-year-old finance junior from Mellecey, France, the Lone Star State was overwhelming after only a week in San Marcos because “everything is so big.” Gehin said every time he goes to campus, it is like a workout. He has been in the U.S.for two years, and was a student at

Collin College in Plano before attending Texas State. “Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to go away and experience the world,” Gehin said. “I feel like I am accomplishing my dream. Coming to the U.S. changed my life. I am so proud to be a student at Texas State University.” Some of the things Gehin found odd about America were the large cars and students wearing pajama pants on campus. He also said the people are friendly and open to making new friends. Like Gehin, Edith DeLeon, who is from Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, was also taken aback by some things at Texas State. DeLeon, a 24-year-old material sciences graduate student, said she was surprised she was the only female in a class of about 10 to 12 students. “In Mexico, it is about half and half,”

EVENTS AT THE WITTLIFF

MEXICO Edith DeLeon Material sciences graduate student

DeLeon said. “Research is more for women than men because most of the boys in Mexico finish their bachelor’s degree and find jobs.” When DeLeon applied to Texas State for her Ph.D., she never imagined the university would be the way it is. She also described the landscape of the university as big, beautiful and very clean. DeLeon said there are many opportunities offered at Texas State and the chance to meet people who are experts in her field and exchange information and techniques is one of her dreams. Soon, DeLeon will be a doctoral graduate assistant at Texas State and will be able to teach her own lab. Becoming accustomed to American cuisine was difficult for Arda Onkol, a 19-year-old industrial engineering junior and San Saba Hall resident assistant.

FRANCE Thibault Gehin Finance junior

Onkol said he found it surprising that dining hall soft drinks were unlimited. It was also hard for Onkol to get used to American food, because everything is greasy and fried, which is not typical of Turkish fare. After coming to the country, Onkol said he has gained almost 10 pounds. Onkol first came to the U.S. in 2009 from Ankara, Turkey for his junior year of high school as an exchange student. Onkol said his first time in the the United States was difficult, especially in high school, because everyone knew each other and had a lot of memories together. “Despite these things, I feel like this is home,” Onkol said. “There is a lot of hospitality on and off campus. San Marcos is a pretty city first of all, but Texas State makes it even prettier.”

TURKEY Arda Onkol Industrial engineering junior

Sept. 8

Aug. 1 - Feb. 14, 2014

Fall Photography Exhibitions “Between Tradition and Modernity is a Bridge: 
The Photograph in Mexico.” Elizabeth Ferrer, esteemed writer, curator and former Austin Museum of Art director, presents a talk celebrating the Wittliff Collections’ Manuel Álvarez Bravo and México lindo exhibitions. This special Sunday afternoon reception and program will include hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Manuel Álvarez Bravo One of the founders of modern photography, Manuel Álvarez Bravo (1902–2002) is Mexico’s most accomplished and renowned photographer. His images are masterpieces of post-revolutionary Mexico, composed with avant-garde and surreal aesthetics that resonate with stylized vision. Álvarez Bravo’s signature landscapes, portraits and nudes translate reality into dream-like moments that have become iconic. “Don Manuel,” as he was called, taught photography at various schools in Mexico City and mentored generations of Mexico’s finest photographers. The Wittliff is proud to present its first-ever solo exhibition of works by this esteemed master—the result of more than 20 years of collecting.

3 pm

June 3 - Feb. 14, 2014 The Writer’s Road: Selections from the Sam Shepard Papers The Wittliff Collections are home to the major archive of Sam Shepard, one of the world’s most widely produced—and considered one of the greatest living—American playwrights. The Writer’s Road is the first-ever comprehensive exhibition from this extensive and illuminating archive, and it celebrates the forthcoming book in the Wittliff’s Southwestern Writers Collection Series: Two Prospectors: The Letters of Sam Shepard and Johnny Dark. The Writer’s Road exhibition includes Wittliff materials used by filmmaker Treva Wurmfeld to make the documentary, Shepard & Dark, which won the prize for Best Documentary Feature at the 2012 Woodstock Film Festival, among other awards.

Aug. 1 - Dec. 13 México lindo Titled in tribute to the famous song, “México lindo y querido”—whose lyrics evoke a sentiment of love of the homeland—this exhibition celebrates the beauty of Mexico as seen through both native and foreign eyes. Presenting more than 100 photographs drawn from the Wittliff’s permanent collection, México lindo explores subjects that illuminate the diversity of the country’s landscapes, speak to the dignity of the individual and reveal the importance of family, community, tradition and faith. Images by 49 photojournalists and fine art photographers span in date from modern to contemporary and represent a variety of printing techniques.

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6 | The University Star | Thursday August 29, 2013

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

FOOTBALL

Franchione, Bobcats look to defeat Southern Miss in opener ond coaching change in the past two years, consistency will be valuable for Monken if he hopes to restore a senior class accustomed to winning. The Golden Eagles recorded a 12-2 season in 2011 and went on to beat undefeated Houston to win the Conference USA Championship while finishing 20th in the Associated Press poll. “This is a proud program we’re getting ready to play,” said Coach Dennis Franchione. “It’s hard for me to pinpoint what went wrong last year. The year before they went 12-1 and won the conference. This has always been a good football team and a good program. I’m sure whatever they went through last year was correctable.” As many coaches know, vetKathryn Parker | Staff Photographer eran or newcomer, the season Senior cornerback Xavier Daniels stops freshman cornerback John Bellfield during Aug. 27 opener can be a surprise. One can never really know what practice. The Bobcats will hit the road to take on Southern Miss Aug. 31 in Hattiesburg. to expect or how to tell if the scout team was beneficial team that went 0-12 last season, By Samuel Rubbelke snapping its 18-year streak of enough to give legitimate insight Assistant Sports Editor on the opponent’s systems. winning records. @SamuelRubbelke However, both Franchione The Golden Eagles hired and Monken may encounter the The Texas State football team Todd Monken, Oklahoma State same battle with uncertainty by will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., offensive coordinator, to rejuve- not knowing which quarterback to take on Southern Miss, a nate the institution. With a sec-

Get to Know Charlie Will Tuttle

football sophomore center By Samuel Rubbelke

Assistant Sports Editor @SamuelRubbelke

John Casares | Staff Photographer

SR: What’s the best part about school starting up again? CT: Well, I guess I get a little bit closer to getting a degree and graduating.

will take the field. “I suppose they’re trying to find their way a bit,” Franchione said. “I know what it’s like to be a first-year head coach. I’m sure they’ll have a capable guy back there. None of them have played a great deal, but they all have ability.” As for the Bobcats, the twoway battle for quarterback between junior Tyler Arndt and redshirt freshman Jordan Moore can be expected to continue all the way to kickoff. “We’ll make that decision later in the week,” Franchione said. “I think it’s a fair statement to say both players will play in the game. I think both have earned the right and deserve to do that. The separation between them is very small if any. I think as coaches, we’ve gone back and forth between them. Somebody’s got to go out for the first snap, and we’ll see how they do and go from there and be prepared to adjust.” Arndt and Moore will have their work cut out for them against an experienced senior defensive core. Four of the top five returning defensive backs, the top two linebackers Alan Howze and Dylan Reda, and

SR: What will you remember most from this past summer? CT: My buddy Will and I were out fishing together, and we landed a 12-pound bass. SR: Who is your celebrity crush? CT: The soccer player Alex Morgan. SR: Where is your favorite hangout spot on campus? CT: The Quad. SR: If you were to be entered in a dunk contest with Texas State power forwards,Corey Stern and Joel Wright, who would win and with what dunk? CT: I would, and I’d probably do a windmill.

6-foot-3-inch 308 lb. defensive tackle Khyri Thornton are all entering their final year of collegiate ball. The defense will look to dismantle Monken’s raw offensive line that lost four players who collected 159 career starts. The Golden Eagles two seniors Ed Preston and Vincent Brown are the only linemen who have more than 19 games of starting experience. “Use speed and power. That’s how you can get the edge against anyone,” said senior defensive linemen Jamie Clavell-Head. “I think it’s pretty even. We’re going to have to really work. It’s going to be a fourth quarter win.” With three days left until the start of the season, the Bobcats are prepared for the up-tempo Big 12-style offense that Monken will bring from Oklahoma State to Southern Miss. “I think we match up well,” said senior safety Xavier Daniels. “We’re ready for their uptempo offense. We’ve dealt with up-tempo offenses before with Texas Tech and others. . We have to go in each game and execute the game plan.”

SR: What excites you most about the Sun Belt? CT: Well we’re going to play some good teams. I’m excited to go to Louisiana. It’s also been nice to play different teams all four years and different guys. I’m looking forward to playing some new teams. SR: If the offensive coaching staff decided to move you to running back, who would lead the team in rushing this year? CT: I would, no doubt. I’d at least get 200 yards a game. SR: What does it mean personally for you to be a Bobcat? CT: Well it makes me proud, and I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here. They teach us how to be responsible, accountable and trustworthy, and I take pride in that.

Sports | The University Star | Thursday August 29, 2013 | 7

CLUB SPORTS

Hockey club prepares for upcoming season By Josh Zigrang Sports Reporter @JoshZigrang

The Texas State hockey club looks to turn this season into one that will give the club recognition in the area and nation, despite going 7-15 last year. Coach Bob Smith looks to continue building the hockey program in his second year with the Bobcats. He will do so with limited funds for skating time, no skating rinks in the San Marcos area and 18 players. “We have nothing to offer but pure love of the game,” Smith said. “Anyone who wants to be a first class player, come aboard. We’re ready for you.” The hockey team held tryouts in August to replenish its roster but will be recruiting until the end of October. As new additions to the team, Sawyer Stull and Dylan Carpenter, freshman goalies, are still battling for a starting position. Forward Jason Crabtree and Sean Wilson, who skated on the same line as high scorer Dominick Girard, are returning to the team this season. The coaching staff has yet to name a team captain to lead this season. “We might name the captain of the team after this weekend,” Smith said. “I will say that it will be a veteran player.” Two key players will not be returning to the ice this season, including forward Casey Savage and goaltender Patrick Parker, who both graduated last year. Girard, previously the team’s point leader, now serves in the

U.S. Air Force. With 18 players on the roster, assistant coach Dave McShane looks to gain more. “We need at least 25 players so we have others to take up another player’s position in case of injury, poor grades or family emergencies,” McShane said. “We are asking our better skilled players to add more guys to the team.” The team is in its third year of existence and so far no scholarships have been given to the players because of a lack of funding available to the hockey club. The nearest skating rinks the team can practice on are in Austin and San Antonio, requiring the players to commute to practices. The club will play 30 games, twice as many as when they first started two years ago. The coaching staff has established a set of Photo courtesy of Eric Morales goals they wish to accomplish this The Texas State hockey club started its second year with Coach Bob Smith. Smith and his 18 year. players are looking to improve on last year’s 7-15 record. “We want national recognition within the American Collegiate This season will be the team’s first year playing on Hockey Association,” Smith said. “We want to establish the Division I level. The club will play its first Division a winning tradition and a fraternity within the commu- I game against Central Oklahoma Nov. 8, while the first nity. We want the players to have fun and to make this a game of the season will be Sept. 6, against North Texas. life building experience.”

INSIDE THE LINES Mara Puisite, senior golfer By Josh Zigrang Sports Reporter @JoshZigrang

Golf is a fair weather sport one would find difficult to practice in a colder environment such as the capital city of Riga, but Latvia native and senior golfer Mara Puisite has managed to find her place in the sport. Mara Puisite is a member of the Texas State women’s golf team who has gone through all lengths to play. With the help of her parents, Mara Puisite and her sister Krista, a former golfer at Texas State, had to travel far to chase after their dreams of becoming great golfers. “My dad was pushy (for us) to play golf,” Mara Puisite said. “He wanted us to have options and choices.” After playing in three World Amateur Championships, Mara Puisite looks to improve her golf game. In 2008, Mara Puisite traveled to Australia to play against the top three high school golfers in the world. She did the same in 2009 and 2010

77.42

when she played in Buenos Aires and Turkey respectively. “It is a big chance to play with the top three athletes of each country,” Mara Puisite said. “It’s a great honor and a big accomplishment to play against (the best) in the world.” The Latvia native seems to travel non-stop as she does her summer training at Tom Burnett’s Golf Academy in St. Augustine, Fla. She practices with Burnett, who has graduated men’s professional golfer Matt Kuchar, winner of six Professional Golfers’ Association of America tours. “Mara is a world class golfer,” Burnett said. “She is a powerful hitter, and there is not much technically she needs to improve on.” Mara Puisite does not struggle to balance her studies along with golf, winning three different academic awards from Texas State. She collected the Cream of the Crop Academic Award, Oak Farms Academic Achievement Award and made the dean’s list last year at Texas State. “School is easy for me,” Mara

Puisite said. “I study on the bus on the road (to) games. It takes a lot of discipline.” Mara Puisite relied on her sister for a lot of insight about the campus and golf. Krista Puisite, being one of the top golfers on the team and the older of the two, gave her younger sister help along the way. Mara Puisite was able to have her sister act as a coach in some ways by gaining advice and accreditation amongst her peers. “I was never a regular freshman because of my sister,” Mara Puisite said. “My sister helped me a lot with my transition here on campus and on the golf course.” To Mara, the game is more psychological than physical. “I just learned (golf) is a very psychological game,” Mara Puisite said. “I used to be very harsh on myself, but now I am not.” As Mara Puisite enters her senior year, she goes into the season with a 77.42 scoring average that is 5.23 away from her sister who is the alltime board leader.

BY THE NUMBERS Scoring average per roun for Puisite in the 2012-2013 season, making her fourth best on the team

5

69 5584.1 4.0

Best finish in a tournament for the 2012-2013 campaign

Puisite’s best score in a round last season, good enough for the third best round on the team for 2012-2013 Number of miles between Puisite’s hometown of Riga, Latvia and San Marco

Puisite’s GPA for the 2012-2013 academic school year, her third straight year accomplishing this feat

Star file photo

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8 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday August 29, 2013

SOCCER

Bobcats look to gain weekend momentum against Prairie View A&M, Oklahoma By Kirk Jones

Sports Reporter @kirk_jones11

The Texas State soccer team takes on Prairie View A&M, a team the Bobcats defeated in all six of their previous meetings, for the first home game of the 2013 season. “Any team we can shutout continuously is a good thing,” said senior goalkeeper Natalie Gardini. “As a goalkeeper, my goal is to shutout a team, so it’s always a good thing.” Prairie View A&M comes to San Marcos winless on the season after losing to Lamar in a nail-biter Aug. 23 and Incarnate Word Aug. 25. As both teams go into Friday’s game after tough losses, Texas State is looking to keep their confidence at a high level. “The (home opener) is always a fun game for us,” Gardini said. “When we score a lot its fun and gets the fans involved and brings people out to show them that soccer’s fun.” In the match up against the Panthers Aug. 30 expect to see the ball in the back of the net often, as Texas State outscored Prairie View 35-0 in its previous six contests. With that type of advantage expect the team to come out attacking. “I think having a home opener and being on our field will help the players be extremely ready,” said Coach Kat Conner. “Being in front of their fans and our home field will get them

going emotionally and physically.” Conner and company look to bounce back from a tough loss. The Bobcats are still trying to instill the mentality to come out even stronger after tough losses. “When you’re that dominant against certain teams sometimes you can come out flat,” Conner said. “Hopefully we won’t, but it being a home opener, I know the players will be ready.” After their home opener, the Bobcats head to Norman for an afternoon game against the Oklahoma Sooners. Texas State is familiar with playing Big 12 teams such as Baylor, Texas Tech and University of Texas and will look to use that experience against Oklahoma. “We know what Big 12 soccer is,” Conner said. “That’s why we got to play those games. We’re always looking to go to the postseason. We know if we get to the postseason, we’re going to have to play a top team like this. We expect them to be very physical and athletic and expect them to be somewhat direct and use their athleticism.” The Bobcats are a young team and will use the veterans to calm nerves when they head to Oklahoma. “I can connect with the freshmen a little more because I’ve been in their shoes before,” said sophomore defender Kristen Champion. “I’ve been nervous. I’ve understood everything. I’ve talked to them a lot, and I tell

By Kirk Jones

Sports Reporter @kirk_jones11

KJ: What is it like playing soccer with your sister? LC: I love it, especially because she’s older. She knows more about the game than I do, and she’s definitely someone I can look up to when I have questions.

Star file photo

them to shake off the nerves after the first couple of hits.” Leadership and experience will be key, and the Bobcats will look to use them to their advantage. The team has 11 players returning to the squad that started in a game last year and hope to use the combined effort to lead them to a Sun Belt championship. “(Freshman) take criticism really well,” Champion said. “They trust us to teach them, and our defense is looking pretty good. We are hopeful it can stay that way the whole season.”

Texas State season to open against rival Lamar in Delta Zeta classic Sports Reporter @BertSantibanez

The Texas State women’s volleyball team will begin its season against the Lamar Cardinals when the club hosts the Delta Zeta Classic beginning Aug. 30. The last matchup between the Bobcats and the former Southland Conference rival took place Sept. 29, 2011, where the team came away with a victory, winning three out of four sets in the contest. In the game, Sierra Whittaker, a sophomore at the time, led the team with 10 kills. Whittaker is now in her senior year with Lamar and was selected to the Southland Conference preseason squad this year. During her junior year, Whittaker led the team in kills, scoring 326 points in addition to 41 aces. Whittaker is 175 kills away from becoming the 18th player in school history to reach 1,000. Coach Karen Chisum said Lamar is a Southland opponent the team has faced for many years. “(Whittaker) is a hammer, but she hits low. One of our players can’t beat their team,” Chisum said. “Volleyball takes a team effort. We’ll key on (Whittaker) a little bit, but more importantly, we’re more concerned with what we’re going to do on our side of the net. In the long run, since we’ve been out here for nearly three weeks now, I thought the team would be a little further along.” At the beginning of last season, Texas State lost its first three games of the season. During those games, the ball club totaled 54 less points than its opponent. The Bobcats finished with an overall 14-16 record and placed seventh in the WAC last season with a 9-9 record. “I think it’s very important that we take this first match,” Chisum said. “It is all about building confidence right now and getting the players to believe in themselves. To get that first win, it’ll be huge. If we could leave the tournament on Friday night being 2-0, I think we’ll be feeling pretty good about Saturday.” The other teams featured in the tournament are SMU, Quinnipiac and Houston. Texas State’s game against the Mustangs will be played on Saturday, a rematch from last season’s contest at the SMU Invitational. The Bobcats won the match 3-0. Caroline Young, Mustang junior outside hitter, led the team last season in kills with 397. Young was named to both the American Volleyball

Lynsey Curry sophomore forward

VOLLEYBALL

By Bert Santibanez

Get to know

Coaches Association All-Midwest Region Team and Conference USA team last year. “The team’s really excited to get to play someone other than ourselves,” junior setter Caylin Mahoney said. “There were a few of the underclassmen that have really been able to adapt into the culture of the team and really earn their position. As a team, we’ve been working on strong serves, being able to get our opponent out of their system (and) getting them unorganized on the court.” Amari Deardorff, a senior right side hitter for the Bobcats, discussed the team’s development and improvements to her own game as the season approaches. Deardorff ranked second on the team in kills hitting 277 with a .243 hitting average. “We (are) ready to see competition,” Deardorff said. “(We have) got to keep in mind that what we do in the gym is going to make us better against other teams.”

KJ: What’s your most Courtesy of Texas State Athletics memorable moment in your soccer career? LC: Last year’s Idaho game in the WAC tournament because I scored in overtime to beat them to go to the semi-finals. KJ: Who’s your favorite player? LC: I would say Fernando Torres from Spain. He’s a really good right forward, but he’s really hot so I really like him. KJ: What are your hobbies besides soccer? LC: I’m actually a really big girl, so I love to shop and get dressed up. I like to hang out with my friends as much as I can. Most of my free time is (spent playing) soccer, so when I get it I don’t know what to really do with it. KJ: If you were not playing soccer what sport would you play? LC: That’s a good question. I don’t really know. My life has revolved around soccer since I was four years old. KJ: Do you have any superstitions before or after you play a game? LC: I used to be when I was in high school, but one of my coaches told me there’s nothing superstitious about soccer. You just have to go out there and do it yourself.

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