THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2015 VOLUME 104 ISSUE 59 www.UniversityStar.com

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

UNIVERSITY

1969

2015

—PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Regulations of free speech at the Stallions were not as lenient during the Vietnam War as they are today.

PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students gather at the free speech zone Feb. 12 on campus.

THROUGH THE YEARS

University protection of free speech expands over the decades By Anna Herod SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @annaleemurphy

T

he protest was silent, but the message was loud and clear—the war in Vietnam needed to end. In the midst of the Vietnam War, a series of anti-war protests surged through university campuses across the nation. Southwest Texas State University was no exception. About 100 students rallied around the Fighting Stallions in November 1969 in a silent and nonviolent antiwar protest despite warnings from university officials to not participate in such events. Their constitutional right to freedom of speech proved to

come at a cost. At the time, the University Policy and Procedures Statement on free speech, UPPS No. 07.04.05, only permitted campus expression in an area on the edge of campus on Fridays after 4 p.m. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was contacted by the students prior to the demonstration and advised them to remain silent and not block any sidewalks during the event, said Al Hinson, one of the protestors who was in his second semester at the university in 1969. Floyd Martine, then the dean of students, arrived within minutes of the demonstration in an effort to put an end to the activity, Hinson said.

“He gave us the ultimatum to depart from the area or suffer the consequences,” Hinson said. “I just felt like I was fully within my rights to sit there.” Ten students continued to protest after Martine’s announcement. Those students came to be known as the “San Marcos 10.” The dean decided the 10 students would be expelled and all course credit earned at the university would be erased. Hinson said he avoided his parents for several days after the incident for fear of what his father, a decorated World War II veteran, would say. “He said, ‘Look son, I don’t necessarily agree with you on all this war stuff,’ but he said, ‘I’m so proud of

you that you stood up for something that you truly believed in,’” Hinson said. “I was blown away, and he became my hero all over again.” ACLU representatives observed the event. Officials immediately filed a lawsuit on the students’ behalf, Hinson said. After a long legal battle, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision of the school in Bayless v. Martine. Hinson’s expulsion marked the end of his college career, but he harbors no hard feelings against the university. “Freedom of speech is a freedom,

but it doesn’t mean it’s free,” Hinson said. “You pay the cost every once in a while.” The targets for consequences extended beyond the San Marcos 10. Bill Cunningham, who was a sophomore in 1969, was managing editor of The University Star at the time. He was fired from the publication for writing an editorial condemning the actions of the university toward the students. “It was actually a pretty well-written editorial, I thought,” Cunningham said. The students were denied their

See FREE SPEECH, Page 2

UNIVERSITY NEWS BRIEF

Faculty Senate opposes statewide campus carry By Bleah B. Patterson NEWS REPORTER @missbleahp Faculty Senate and liaisons approved a “proclamation in opposition” of a campus-carry bill proposed at the ongoing 84th Texas Legislative Session. Faculty Senators held a joint meeting with liaisons Feb. 18. Liaisons are faculty members elected by their departments to represent interests to the senate. “I believe there is enough support to begin drafting a statement by the senate and show the president and the provost next week,” said Michel Conroy, faculty senate chair. Each liaison stood and expressed specific opposition to the bill. Some suggested canvasing the faculty, but the liaisons ultimately chose to leave the senate to write the proclamation as soon as possible. Conroy said officials from the University of Texas and Texas A&M University have already sent proclamations to the legislature, creating a push to expedite the process. UT opposed the campus-carry bill, and A&M approved of it, Conroy said. Conroy said Provost Eugene Bourgeois and President Denise Trauth have requested the legislation allow individual regions and university systems to decide on the issue rather than pass a statewide law. The Round Rock campus will be represented in the proclamation as an opposed party, said Barbara Covington, nursing senator. “I work at Round Rock, so I represent them here when I say we are in strong opposition (of) the bill—no question,” Covington said. Covington said she considers the Round Rock Campus high-risk because it serves “many mentally ill students,” and provide cares for kindergarten-age children. The Faculty Senate will write the opposition proclamation next week.

Protesters, activists take to the Quad By Bleah B. Patterson NEWS REPORTER @missbleahp Protests and rallies are not uncommon in the Texas State Quad and can create change using different techniques. Texas State has a designated free speech zone in the Quad where students often protest and rally to create awareness of different issues. Students have witnessed a range of activism this semester, from silent protests to speeches, at the Fighting Stallions. Rallies and protests are not a fad, and activism has driven historic change for decades, said T. Jane Heffelfinger, history senior. Heffelfinger has protested regarding a variety of issues since she was in high school, including gay rights and police brutality. Lately she has decided to shave her head, hoping her appearance will initiate conversation about the inactivity of the government search for rapists in America. Heffelfinger said serial rapists are on the loose and efforts are not made to find them. “For me it’s because I looked around (and) realized we had a huge problem (with rape),” Heffelfinger said. “You’re always given these reasons like ‘boys will be boys,’ whatever, or ‘they didn’t mean it,’ or ‘only bad girls get raped, slutty girls,’ and I was tired of it.” She wants to stop that. “We’ve spent at least 20 years fighting a war on terror, but the terror is in our own backyard,” Heffelfinger said. “We have terrorists in our own neighborhood, and they’re terrorizing women.” Heffelfinger believes the goal of activism is not to change the minds of everyone on the street. The objective should be to identify those who share belief systems. “Numbers are really the most important thing because once you have numbers, lawmakers will listen,” she said. “And lawmakers are the people you need to listen. That’s how you spur on change.” Jessica O’Donnell, communication disorders sophomore and human committee director of H.E.A.T., said students want change when things don’t work. “We’re here to spread the

love,” she said, while standing in the quad Monday with a sign that read ‘Free Hugs!’ O’Donnell said her committee has been standing in the quad giving out encouragement, compli-

she was a student at the University of Florida and heard him preaching. “At the time it was just entertainment, but it got my attention, and I turned my life around,”

savior,” Jed said. “Making people angry has its effects, and it’s working.” Heffelfinger said activists have to take the advice of experienced advocates to be successful. Activ-

Numbers are really the most important thing because once you have numbers, lawmakers will listen. And lawmakers are the people you need to listen. That’s how you spur on change. ­­—T. Jane Heffelfinger, history senior ments and hugs for more than a year. The committee hears testimonies of change in people’s lives. “People gravitate towards us because we don’t protest traditionally,” O’Donnell said. “We aren’t confrontational. Building relationships is a better form of activism.”

Cindy said. She said most people stop and watch protests for entertainment, but the Smocks use a different approach. “We believe it’s our place to guilt students into receiving salvation,” Cindy said. “People think we’re harsh, and people are dis-

ism is most effective when participants gather as a group and focus on politicians. Activism should be about uniting people, not isolating them. “To become an activist, you have to identify something that’s happening that’s a repeating problem,” Heffelfinger said.

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Sister Cindy and Brother Jed Smock protest Feb. 11 at the Stallions. Cindy Smock, also known as “Sister Cindy,” said she and her husband, “Brother” Jed Smock, have been “Confrontational Evangelists” together for 37 years. Jed has been a campus activist for 43 years. Cindy met him when

turbed, but it’s because we call them out on their sins.” Jed believes harsh activism is God’s way of calling into people’s lives. “You have to tell people they’re lost and dead before they seek a

She wishes young activists would cluster together and keep goals in mind. “This is the world they’re going to grow up in,” Heffelfinger said. “They need to make sure it’s the kind of world they want.”

2 | The University Star | News | Thursday, February 19, 2015

FREE SPEECH, from front rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, Cunningham wrote in his editorial. “The only people breaking the law on that day were the administrators because they were breaking the constitutional First Amendment rights of speech and assembly,” Cunningham said. Cunningham did not stop there. After leaving The University Star, he continued to participate in anti-war activity and covered it in his own underground newspaper called the Purgatory Creek Press. “As a journalist, I’ve learned that you need to fight for your rights,” Cunningham said.

The university’s treatment of freedom of speech is more tolerant today than it was in 1969, but some students remain unsatisfied. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (F.I.R.E.), a non-profit group focusing on civil liberties in academics, has given the university a “yellow light” rating, said Azar Majeed, director of the individual rights education program for F.I.R.E. F.I.R.E. rates the free speech policies of universities across the nation according to red-, yellowand green-light standards, Majeed said. Red-light schools have one

or more policies in violation of students’ constitutional rights. Yellow-light schools have one or more ambiguous policies possibly leaving room for abuse of students’ rights. Green light schools completely abide by the constitution. Texas has no green-light and only five yellow-light schools. Texas State has four policies F.I.R.E. considers yellow-light. The free speech zone policy is particularly concerning, Majeed said. “(The policy) limits where on campus you can do something as simple as distributing literature or handing out pamphlets, having a

symbolic protest—all these types of things that are more First-Amendment activities,” Majeed said. Policies like these have been proven unconstitutional, Majeed said. In 2004, a federal court struck down a similar free speech zone policy at Texas Tech University after a student lawsuit, Majeed said. “(Because) this happened at Texas Tech, you would think that schools like Texas State would know better based on that case,” Majeed said. “It’s disappointing to see that a policy like this still exists.”

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CITY

Waste disposal method changing, evolving in San Marcos Trash pickup was initially semiweekly. The service became weekly after the introduction of a larger recycling cart, Kirwin said. The bigger container was popular among residents, and the city noticed an increase in recycling. A third cart will be distributed along with the smaller garbage container to separate green waste from common recycling. The Community Services Department has received calls from residents who do not want to switch to a smaller trash cart, Kirwin said. Some residents prefer the security of having a large cart.

By Andrew Blanton SPECIAL TO THE STAR @andrewjblanton

The units should provide enough space after the third green-waste receptacle is provided. Residents wishing to opt out of a different cart must pay a $3 fee. “When people start going to a smaller space, they’re a little more mindful of what can and can’t be recycled,” Kirwin said. Some residents who support the city’s efforts to expand recycling remain unhappy with the reduction in trash

San Marcos officials will provide residents with a new standard of solid waste removal in an effort to expand recycling and conserve limited landfill space. Trash Disposal Systems (TDS), in conjunction with city council members, will begin distributing 65-gallon trash carts Oct. 1 to replace 96-gallon carts. TDS originally introduced 1,000 65-gallon trash carts, as well as green-waste containers, for a pilot program on Nov. 1, 2013, said Amy Kirwin, Solid Waste Coordinator. A majority of residents involved were satisfied with the program. ™ 1504 Aquarena Spring Dr “When we added the sin(Near Colloquium Books) gle-stream recycling, the big 512-392-2221 96-gallon cart and started takš San Mar Plaza ing more material, that was 929 Hwy 80 very popular, and (residents) (Near Jason's) were filling up the recycling 512-396-1100 containers,” Kirwin said. The change will not affect › TSU Round Rock residents living in apartment 210 University Blvd (At IH 35, near HEB) complexes, Kirwin said. Most 512-863-2191 complexes provide recycling containers. Residents without this service can take items to the Green Guy Residential and Commercial Recycling Center located on Highway 80. TDS, which has provided waste removal services for the city since 2013, operates a 2,000-acre facility in southeast REG $11.95-$14.95 Travis County that includes supercuts.com green waste composting, landOffer valid only at locations listed. Not valid with any other offer. Printed in the USA © 2014 Supercuts Inc. Expires: 05/31/15 TSU-STAR fill services and recycling.

cart size. “While I’m excited that we’re moving towards green-waste composting and recycling, it’s kind of like we’re not getting much of a choice,” said Lisa Marie Coppoletta, local environmental activist. Coppoletta expressed concern regarding the city council’s decision

to present information for the cart change at packet meetings, which are generally held at noon, instead of at 5 p.m., when voting takes place. “It would be like me covering lecture materials during office hours and not during class,” Coppoletta said. “Office hours are not required. They’re optional.”

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The University Star | Thursday, February 19, 2015 | 3

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

Mexican restaurants go head-to-head By Kara Dornes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @karadornes Mexican food is a popular staple of San Marcos, but two restaurants, Herbert’s Taco Hut and Garcia’s Mexican Food, stand out from the crowd. Debates continue regarding which Mexican restaurant has the best salsa, enchiladas, tortillas and more. Sabrina Bauer, exploratory sophomore, said Herbert’s is one of the best Mexican restaurants around town. “I prefer Herbert’s to Garcia’s because they have been there forever,” Bauer said. “They’ve kept their small-town local vibe and have bomb food.” Bauer said the bean-andcheese breakfast taco is her favorite dish from Herbert’s.

She prefers Herbert’s Mexican food for breakfast rather than at dinner. Kayla Rodriguez, public relations and mass communications sophomore, also prefers Herbert’s to Garcia’s. “Herbert’s food has a more authentic taste to it that reminds me of home,” Rodriguez said. “I’m from El Paso, so I have high expectations for Mexican food, and Herbert’s set the bar (as) one of the best authentic Mexican food restaurants in San Marcos so far.” Rodriguez said students should try Herbert’s because it has affordable prices and its food is more authentic than Garcia’s “tex-mex.” “I have the green chicken enchiladas at Herbert’s, and they were very yummy,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re craving some Mexican food with that extra kick, you should

“If you’re craving some Mexican food with that extra kick, you should definitely try this hidden gem.”

of the restaurant’s popular American dishes, chicken fried chicken, along with the appetizers. “The guacamole is very fresh,” said Logan Nease, marketing sophomore. “It has a good kind of spicy flavor that is not too hot but is still very flavorful along with the margaritas being pretty –KAYLA RODRIGUEZ, good.” PUBLIC RELATIONS AND Nease said Garcia’s affordMASS COMMUNICATIONS able prices are preferable for SOPHOMORE students. “It’s cheap, which is really definitely try this hidden nice for college students, and gem.” However, some patrons they also have bottomless disagree and think Garcia’s chips and salsa,” Nease said. Garcia’s outside seating Mexican food is the best in also attracts customers’ attown. “I like Garcia’s better be- tention. “The service is pretty fast, cause they have better chips and salsa,” said Meagan and you also can sit outside, Broussard, nursing sopho- which is something that I think is really nice to have,” more. Broussard prefers one Nease said.

Purgatory Creek provides natural space for community By Sarah Bradley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @sarah_bradskies The Purgatory Creek Natural Area, located on Ranch Road 12, is a popular attraction amongst San Marcos residents who know of the hidden gem. Richard Salmon, San Marcos Parks and Recreation grants administrator, said the region started as 460 acres. It was purchased to protect the area where water goes into the aquifer, he said. The space has grown to a 750-acre park for the public to explore. “Within the past three years we have added on the Wonder World extension, creating the Upper and Lower Purgatory areas,” Salmon said. “This includes an 89-acre track, a 92-acre track and a 107acre track.” Salmon is in charge of all the grants for purchases of property around the area and has been working on expanding Purgatory Creek Park since 2011. The park currently has about 14 miles

of trails, and Parks and Recreation hopes to add 110 acres, Salmon said. After the first addition is complete, they will look to expand by 212 acres, he said. “We just believe in the conservation of this area and consider it a great open natural area for the public to experience the habitats and animals,” Salmon said. Anadeycy Morales, San Marcos resident, enjoys Purgatory and visits four or five times per week. “Purgatory is huge and therefore a remote and quiet spot to explore and relax,” Morales said. “Purgatory is well known, from what I have heard, but still remains remote because of how spacious it is, so there are never that many people really, nor (is it) ever too crowded.” Morales enjoys the trails and activities the park has to offer. “There are plenty of trails and pretty views to sightsee,” Morales said. “It is always good to have options.” Cody Freeman, exploratory sophomore, said the natural scenery is the best part of Purgatory Creek.

“Lately I’ve been coming here a lot just to take advantage of the beautiful weather we have been having, especially since another cold front should be coming in soon,” Freeman said. “I specifically choose to come to Purgatory Creek Park because I really feel like it portrays nature’s true beauty.” Stephanie Ortiz, psychology senior, said the park is the perfect place for a getaway. “With being a Texas State student, parttime jobs, other organizations and extracurricular activities, life can get pretty stressful and hectic,” Ortiz said. “That’s why it’s always nice to come out here to Purgatory and get away from it all.” David Cantu, criminal justice senior, said Purgatory Creek allows busy residents to get away from the chaos of dayto-day life. “It is so close to the city, so it would only take a few minutes to get here for local residents,” Cantu said. “You are literally a few minutes away from paradise.” See the video online at universitystar.com

HERBERT’S VS. GARCIA’S

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9 Justin Moore Tuesday

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La Arrolladora Banda El Limón and La Maquinaria Norteña

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16 Dierks Bentley March 20 the band perry

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20 The Band Perry

4 | The University Star | Thursday, February 19, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

Students should get behind national debt campaign S tudents should take the time to lend their support to Texas State’s Up To Us campaign team. Up to Us is a national competition on university campuses sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative. The campaign seeks to empower students to educate others on the United States’ national debt and the economic and social effects it has on the populace. As of January 2015, the national debt is approximately $18.1 trillion. Needless to say, a large national debt is not exactly a good thing. Up to Us participants hope to raise awareness, specifically among the millennial generation, about the fiscal challenges such a large debt could present in the future, especially for college students. As of Feb. 18, Texas State is first place with 1,776 current pledges. The competition ends Feb. 20. Teams from each university selected will receive the training necessary to run campus campaigns. These teams will educate people on the national debt and what can be done to help lower it. In addition, the winners of the

campus competition will receive $10,000 and the honor of being recognized by former President Bill Clinton at the 2015 Clinton Global Initiative University. Financial literacy is important for everyone, especially college students. Understanding the position students play in world economics is pivotal. With recent increases in student loan interest rates, understanding debt would be helpful. Millenials have the most to gain and lose in the crisis. Understanding and fixing the national debt could solidify an economically sound future for Bobcats. Not addressing the concerns brought up by the campaign could topple the would-be fiscal foundation of the future, leaving citizens debt-ridden with low employment prospects. Considering the school is currently at number one, gaining the information from the campaign is great, but gaining the unique bragging rights is greater. In order to help the team achieve victory, students should sign up and take the pledge at the Up to Us website. The process

JORDAN GURLEY STAR ILLUSTRATOR

takes no more than two minutes and only requires students to include their names, email addresses and the university they attend. Students should spread the word and help others to pledge. Hopefully on Feb. 20 the Texas State team will be announced as the winner of the nationwide campaign and students will be one step closer to

understanding debt control. Mobilizing the student population to comprehend its fiscal and economic future and the ways to

go about improving it is a reward in and of itself. Leading fellow Bobcats to victory is priceless.

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.

HEALTH

People should vaccinate to stop spread of illness

Mariana Castillo OPINIONS COLUMNIST @mar9cast

A

merica could not be a successful powerhouse if every worker

called in sick because of a recent outbreak that could have been prevented with a simple shot. There has been recent debate over mandatory vaccinations for children and whether they are necessary for public safety or an invasion of personal freedom. There are available exemptions for required vaccinations—if they compromise a person’s health or if they can provide proof that a certain immunization is against they religious views. However, the ones most likely to be susceptible to what these vaccines protect the public from are not able to speak for them-

selves. More parents are opting out of having their children vaccinated. This leaves the child defenseless against deadly strains their weak immune systems cannot fight off alone. Some parents might argue vaccines are toxins being put into their child’s body and if they were ever to get sick, they would have home remedies to cure them faster and safer than a shot could. Germs spread quickly among kids, and unlike adults who are stronger, young children do not know how to simply “tough it out.” They can land in the hospital because one child had a

GOVERNMENT

Communism will not come to United States

Jeffrey Bradshaw OPINIONS COLUMNIST @jeffbrad12

M

ore and more youth are turning to communism as an answer to the problems they face here in capitalist America. They feel as if capitalism has failed them and there is no way to get ahead in the current system. Therefore, communism might be the only way out. Communism is defined as a political and economic system that strives to replace private property and a profitbased economy with public ownership and control. The government owns all industry, everyone is equal and no one is richer than the next person. This idea sounds great on paper but doesn’t work out as well in practice. History has shown communist countries can work,

but there are consequences. The quality of life tends to go down as well as quality in state-made products. Also, whenever a government gets that much control, they tend to abuse it. For some, the move to communism is more anticapitalist instead of pro-communist. People are becoming increasingly negative toward capitalism, and they have many genuine complaints. For example, people are told they can climb up the socioeconomic ladder if they work hard. This is completely true, but it fails to take into account just how hard it is. It’s not just taking a couple of extra shifts at work. That’s why many youths see communism as the only way of achieving success. The main reason for the new rise in communism is the ever-growing wage gap and class system. According to a 2011 article by John Bachtell at Peoplesworld.org, anger is escalating over the brutal economic crisis. People are seeing how unequal society is becoming in terms of wealth. There are people with millions of dollars and people starving in the same city, so it is hard to not be angry. The rise in popularity

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

of communism, of course, coincided with the recent recession. One problem people do not realize is that in a communist country, a recession would affect everyone, which is unfortunately the better option. Communism will most likely never become the system in which America works unless there is a violent takeover of government. If the government had that much power, Americans could probably agree lawmakers would not work for the common good. Citizens would probably never vote to give the government complete control. Many people have an aversion to the word “communism,” let alone the ideology, that if it were to take hold here things would have to be a lot worse than they currently are. On the other hand, I am not saying capitalism is flawless. It is flawed and very much needs to change, but the country will probably stick with it as long as possible. It is pretty unlikely Americans will be calling each other “comrade” anytime soon. —Jeffrey Bradshaw is a political science sophomore

parent that made the decision to not have their kid vaccinated. The parent or legal guardian making the decision also makes it more dangerous for other kids who may come into contact with them. They all run an even higher risk of catching a disease and furthering a severe epidemic. It is up to state and local governments to regulate mandatory vaccine precedents. Schools have vaccines to ensure everyone has a safer chance of attending school without running the risk of catching a deadly disease. The federal government is in charge of making sure visitors from

other countries and new legalized citizens must have certain vaccinations before entering the country. What many do not realize is even though America is technologically advanced and has access to health care, deadly sicknesses are spreadable and make strong, healthy adults extremely sick. These mandatory vaccine requirements are put into place for our safety and well-being and should therefore be taken seriously. —Mariana Castillo is a journalism sophomore

TOBACCO

E- cigarettes restrictions necessary to protect minors

Rivers Wright OPINIONS COLUMNIST @MonsieurRivers

C

onventional cigarettes have all but gone up in smoke due to the electronic cigarette trend. However, they are not a “healthy” alternative and should be kept away from minors. Currently, there are no formal laws regulating the purchase of electronic cigarettes by minors. E-cigs, as they are affectionately called, may not be classified as traditional cigarettes, but they are still just as dangerous and unhealthy. Laws already exist to regulate who can and cannot purchase conventional cigarettes based on age. The same regulations should be put in place for the purchase of e-cigarettes. The creators of electronic cigarettes consider them a healthy alternative to tobacco-based products because it contains none. While e-cigs may lack tobacco, the addictive agent, nicotine, can still be found in the vapor used. Supporters and producers of electronic cigarettes argue even though nicotine and other harmful chemicals are used, there is a significant decrease in what dangerous substances are in the cigarette.

Due to the lack of regulations and restrictions on electronic cigarettes, the chemicals being used in the product do not have to be released by the manufacturer. Without proper disclosure, people are left to wonder how much truth there is behind the claim that there is definitely a decrease in toxic chemicals. E-cigs have been around for a few years and have only recently surged into the spotlight as an alternative and less harmful counterpart to the conventional cigarette. This is possibly due, at least in part, to the success of anti-smoking companies like Truth. According to a Sept. 5 Washington Post article, some high school students who were non-smokers before picked up the habit of smoking after being introduced to e-cigs. According to the article, The Center for Disease Control (CDS) reported 1.78 million middle school and high school students had tried an e-cigarette. Three-quarters tried a conventional cigarette within a month of using the electronic version. Due to the instant popularity, regulations have been scarce between the CDC and government as to who can purchase the product and how they are produced. Regulations need to be put in place to once-and-for-all bring an end to the habit of smoking. I am not here to reiterate the health concerns of smoking, as that would be beating a dead horse. However, these are the facts. Adding restrictions as to who can purchase electronic cigarettes makes a definitive end to cigarettes that much closer. —Rivers Wright is a journalism junior

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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, February 19, 2015. 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, February 19, 2015 | 5

SPORTS

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BOBCATS STRIVE FOR CONSISTENCY AGAINST LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @quixem Coach Zenarae Antoine referred to a team poster for inspiration heading into a rematch against Louisiana-Lafayette. “Heart and hustle set us apart,” Antoine said. “That’s what is going to set apart either team.” The Texas State women’s basketball team lost the previous meeting to Louisiana-Lafayette in double overtime. The Bobcats allowed a season-high 25 offensive rebounds in the 83-81 loss. Antoine is stressing the fundamentals in practice—positioning and energy—in response to the rebounding disparity. Antoine said Louisiana-Lafayette “played with more heart.” “They play with a tremendous amount of energy and effort and heart,” Antoine said. “That’s what they have to do in order to win. They are extremely scrappy, and they basically say, ‘We are gonna outwork you.’ You see it in the statline. Man, they give maximum effort.” Schematics take a backseat against Louisiana-Lafayette. Instead, Antoine is pushing her team to match the Ragin’ Cajuns’ energy on both ends of the court. Antoine said Louisiana-Lafayette compensates for its size and offensive ability by creating what she calls “effort points.” “Not as much scheme as heart and hustle, especially against a team

like Lafayette,” Antoine said. “If I had to guess what Coach (Garry Brodhead’s) motto is, I’m sure it’s ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.’ Our ability to step up and say, ‘Geez, they beat you on your home court in double overtime’—there’s some desire and want to do better. I think that’s their vision.” Energy translates to the defense end, where the Bobcats rank fourth in scoring. Antoine’s challenge to her defense is to sustain proficiency over several games. “We are getting better,” Antoine said. “It’s just the consistency. We’ve strung two decent games backto-back together, but we’ve had some spells, and we’ve kinda let it go. The more consistent we are, the more prepared I think we are to make a run. Every game I’m seeing more consistency. I’m excited to see if that continues.” Louisiana-Lafayette has three players averaging over 12 points this season. Antoine’s defense is shifting attention to the entire team rather than an individual player for the

purposes of this matchup. “They are pretty balanced,” Antoine said. “Keke (Veal) does a great job for them. I think it needs to be a situation where we don’t let any one particular player go off. I can pick any four of them to do a good job against. It’s more about making sure we don’t let any one particular player get hot.” Antoine wants to replicate the Ragin’ Cajuns’ offensive balance on the other end of the court. The key to achieving that equilib-

rium, she said, is to create points in transition, from the free throw line and by finding scoring opportunities for Kileah Mays, junior forward, and Jacqueline Jeffcoat, senior forward. Antoine anticipates a defense that will “pack the paint” and force the Bobcats to shoot from the perimeter. Her solution is to zig while the Ragin’ Cajuns zag. “We can’t live and die by the 3-pointer,” Antoine said. “I know we

are one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the conference, but we are gonna have to find ways to score in the paint. It needs to be more balanced.” Texas State is 2-1 in its last three games against Louisiana-Lafayette. The average margin of victory in all three games is 6.7 points. The gap between the two teams is not big enough for any clear predictions to be made in either direction. “If I had a crystal ball—I don’t really know,” Antoine said.

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The Student Publications Board of the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication is conducting an all-campus open petitioning process to select a student as Editor-in-Chief of The University Star. Term begins one week following the final issue of 2015 Spring Semester publication schedule. Applicants must be available to serve the entire term of the appointment. Each applicant is asked to complete a written petition, which is subsequently screened by members of the student publications board. The board will interview qualified candidates for the position. The student publications board includes the journalism sequence coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, the assistant director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a member of the print medium who is selected by the director of student publications. The director of student publications and the current editor-in-chief serve as ex officio members for the committee.

Minimum Qualifications To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in at least nine hours each semester during the term of office. Students graduating in the final semester of the appointment (Spring Semester 2016) may be enrolled in fewer hours as long as they meet graduation requirements. Applicants must have worked in a professional editorial environment, or have served as a section editor at a university student newspaper. Students of all majors and classifications, including graduate students, may petition for the position. Applicants must be in good academic standing with the university when submitting an application. An overall minimum 2.5 grade-point average is required for application consideration.

Term of Office Term of office begins following the final publication of the Spring 2015 semester and runs through the Spring 2016 semester. Applicants must be able to serve the entire term of office in order to be considered for the position. A salary is paid during the term of office.

Petitioning Process A written petition is to be completed by each applicant. This petition consists of questions to determine an applicant’s qualifications in journalism academics and management. A letter of interest must be included with the formal application. The letter should address personal characteristics addressing reasons the applicant is qualified for the position. Applicants, certified as qualified by the student publications board, will be interviewed. The board will select the editor-in-chief.

Petitioning Deadlines Applications for the position will be due by noon, Wednesday April 1 to the Director of Student Publications, Trinity Building, Room 107. People interested in petitioning should sign a candidacy list in Trinity, Room 107 and acquire an information package. Qualified applicants will be notified and interviews will be scheduled beginning April 13. Selection of the editor-in-chief will be made shortly after interviews have been completed for the position. Formal assumption of duties will begin one week after the final newspaper of the Spring Semester is published.

The University Star Mission

PACKETS AVAILABLE: March 2, noon; Trinity, Room 107

The editor is the primary student editorial administrator for The University Star and has authority in all personnel matters and makes the final decision regarding news, sports, feature, photo, Web and opinion content. The editor determines daily operation guidelines, provides a role model for professional behavior, delegates operational authority and fulfills policies and procedures as determined by the student publications board and faculty adviser. The editor oversees meetings and handles personnel problems, evaluates all copy and artwork for each publication. The editor-in-chief is responsible for hiring, properly training and supervising all members of the editorial board. The editor-in-chief promotes relations between the publication, the community and campus organizations. The editor-in-chief is also the voice of the publication with the community.

DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 1; noon; Trinity, Room 107 INTERVIEWS: April 13

Call 855-996-3459 ext 185

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February 23, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. LBJ Ballroom The Department of Housing and Residential Life—Off-Campus Living Presents the 2015 Off-Campus Housing Fair! Over 30 properties and service providers will be available to help you become a successful off-campus bobcat for the next academic year.

For more information or questions regarding the Off-Campus Housing Fair contact Off-Campus Living at offcampusliving@txstate.edu. If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact (512) 245-4663 at least 72 hours in advance of the event.