June 8 2015

WEDNESDAY JULY 8, 2015

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 4 www.UniversityStar.com

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

THE DAY

WON

PRESLIE COX MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Pride flags hang above Stonewall Warehouse June 26 after the law allowing same sex marriage was passed.

Same-sex couples married over July 4 weekend after Supreme Court decision

By Jon Wilcox SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox

L

esbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Inter sex Aesexual (LGBTQIA) couples from across Texas flocked to Austin

over the July 4 weekend to participate in Marriage Freedom Weekend, a multiday, mass wedding ceremony.

One week after the historic June 26 Supreme Court decision struck down state bans on same-sex marriages, hundreds of couples were

married by dozens of volunteer judges and religious leaders from all faiths. The event provided an opportunity for those who could not obtain marriage licenses in their home counties to get married.

Glen Maxey, Texas’s first openly gay state legislator,

helped organize the event through the website and organization, getmarriedtexas. org. Over 50 weddings were conducted on the Capitol steps Saturday afternoon, Maxey said. On Sunday, more than 70 more couples were joined in matrimony at the courthouse.

All sorts of couples from many walks of life participated in Mar r iage Freedom Weekend, Maxey said.

There was the young marine dressed in her formal, blue uniform alongside her new wife. One lesbian couple’s marriage was witnessed by

their quadruplet 6-year-olds.

An 86-year-old man married his 68-year-old partner of 37 years. A transgender person was finally able to legally marry his wife. “(There were) all these

See LGBTQIA, Page 2

ENVIRONMENT

STATE

Governor Greg Abbott pays visit for 35th annual Summer Fest event

By Alexa Tavarez NEWS EDITOR @lexicanaa

Governor Greg Abbott spoke at the 35th annual Summer Fest Independence Day event held at the San Marcos Park Plaza.

Citizens and vendors brought their lawn chairs and their best red, white and blue apparel to celebrate 239 years of American independence.

“Every single man and woman who has worn the uniform of the United States military, we say thank you for your service—thank you for keeping America free and strong,” Abbott said.

After his address at Summer Fest, the governor took some time to take photos and meet with some residents.

“America has been the land of the free and the home of the brave, because

of those men and women we recognized earlier,” Abbott said.

A group of Texas State students held signs reading, “Don’t let the courts shoot down gay rights,” and “Deregulate wombs” as Abbott’s caravan of security left Summer Fest.

The students’ sign “Don’t let the courts shoot down gay rights,” was in regard to the June 26 Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage in the United States. The office of the governor released an official statement regarding the decision.

“As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans—including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman,” read the governor’s official statement.

Officials strategize after river protection bill dies

By Anna Herod ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @annaleemurphy

Officials are planning their next moves to protect the San Marcos River after Senate Bill 234 (SB 234) did not pass into law.

The bill, authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, was designed to create a special recreation district along part of the San Marcos River. The failed bill was supposed to provide funds to hire law enforcement to monitor the river and a team to clean the area regularly.

SB 234 passed the Senate on May 11, but did not make it past the Out of House Committee on May 22 to be voted on, according to the Texas Legislature website.

Tom Goynes, president of the Texas Rivers Protection Association, is moving forward with a new strategy to bring stricter regulations to the river.

He believes the river has been taken over by college students who “binge drink” and make the environment

“unenjoyable” to others.

“Starting at about 2 o’clock we start seeing lots and lots of drunk college students binge drinking and misbehaving, playing X-rated music from their boomboxes,” Goynes said.

“And basically by midafternoon you don’t want to be down at the river with your grandbabies.”

Goynes said he is now pushing for the Texas Parks and Wildlife department to create a linear state park along the San Marcos River.

He said the protections that come along with the classification of a state park would help to better protect the river.

“The river belongs to the state of Texas and the state is allowing this party to go on daily on their property,” Goynes said. “Rivers belong to all of us and everyone should be able to enjoy it.”

If Goynes succeeds in his effort, then the consumption and display of alcohol on or along the river would be completely outlawed.

“One group has

monopolized and taken over the river and made it impossible for others to get out and enjoy it, and we need to take a look at that problem,” Goynes said.

“We need for the state to be creative and declare this stretch of river to be a linear state park.”

Dianne Wassenich, program director of the San Marcos River Foundation, s a i d h e r a l t e r n a t i ve protection plan is to continue to promote good stewardship of the water and wait for the next legislative

session.

Wassenich said she believes the influence of alcohol lobbyists on the legislators is what ultimately prevented SB 234 from becoming a law.

“There’s always going to be people that are careless and don’t care about the river, but those of us that care about it can continue to clean it up and leave it better than we found it,” Wassenich said.

Wassenich said although

See SB 234, Page 2

MARTHA FIERRO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

UNIVERSITY

Round Rock campus to receive new Health Professions building

By Darcy Sprague SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @darcy_days

The Texas legislature approved an award of $48.6 million for the new health professions building set to be constructed on Texas State’s Round Rock campus.

The construction for the new academic building is estimated to cost $67.5

million. The St. David’s Foundation has committed to donating $5,000,000.

“We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Texas State and are delighted that Texas State will be able to leverage our dollars to bring even more support to the project,” said Earl Maxwell, chief executive officer of St. David’s Foundation.

The university will receive

an additional $5 million from the Texas Research Initiative program funded through the state, said Ruth Welborn, dean of the College of Health Professions. " We a r e ex t r e m e l y grateful for the St. David’s Foundation’s continuing generosity and its commitment to advancing matters of healthcare for the public good," said President

Denise Trauth in a June 19 University News Service article. "This $5 million gift for the new health professions building in Round Rock will allow us to expand important health-related programs and increase badly needed healthcare delivery to a fast-growing population of Texas."

The rest of the money will be provided through

additional local funding and donors, Welborn said.

“We are going to proceed with the building,” Welborn said. “We will have occupancy in 2018.”

Officials said the university will offer three graduate and two undergraduate programs in the new building including communication disorders, physical therapy and respiratory care.

“It’s a great thing for the campus and the city of Round Rock,” said Edna Rehbein, assistant vice president of academic affairs for the Round Rock campus.

Welborn said the three programs will offer clinics in Round Rock which will benefit the community.

The composition of the

See CONSTRUCTION, Page 2

2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday, July 8, 2015

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LGBTQIA, from front different groups of people from all sorts of different stories,� Maxey said. “We just had one big, fat wedding.�

Volunteers organized through getmarriedtexas. org to help same-sex couples through the legal hurdles of the marriage process, Maxey said. “In Texas to get married, you have to have a license,�

Maxey said. “You got to wait 72 hours unless a District Judge gives you a waiver, and then you have to get married by somebody who can marry you, meaning a minister or a judge. We were trying to take all that hassle out of it.�

Maxey said he found the entire experience “empowering.�

When Maxey first began working as an activist for LGBTQIA rights in the 1970s, “marriage equality

was nowhere on anybody’s radar.� “Homosexuality was illegal in Texas,� Maxey said. “People were fired from their jobs. All those barriers seemed so big then.�

Although times have changed, many Texans still oppose same-sex marriage, Maxey said.

Planning for the Marriage Freedom Weekend began early in anticipation of the Supreme Court decision, Maxey said. The event was organized to help same-sex couples get married with the expectation some county clerks in Texas might “drag their feet� in issuing licenses, he said.

Maxey was disappointed with both the message from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office and the delays in issuing licenses from some

county clerk’s offices, he said.

Paxton said county clerks could choose to not issue same-sex licenses if compelled by personal religious reasons, Maxey said. “Either (the county clerk) gives the license out, or (they) resign and let another person take their position who will,�

Maxey said. “They don’t have the option of not.�

The Hays County Clerk’s Office did not begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses until June 29 due to technical difficulties, three days after the Supreme Court decision, said Laureen Chernow, Hays County Communications Specialist.

The clerk’s office had issued 15 total same-sex marriage licenses by July 4, Chernow said.

Around 98 percent of Texas counties are now

issuing same-sex marriage licenses, Maxey said.

Although the majority of clerks have fallen in line with the Supreme Court decision, Maxey is pursuing lawsuits against counties that delayed or refused same-sex licenses, he said.

He said marriage is an essential right and not strictly a symbolic affair. “A marriage license is 81 bucks in Travis County, but that marriage license fee gets you about 1,100 federal benefits,� Maxey said. “It’s not just the state recognizing a relationship. It’s giving people true benefits and protection.�

Susan Taylor, University Police Department officer, said she is one of those employees who will see a benefit from the decision.

Taylor’s wife, who has a

history of medical issues, has had to pay high insurance premiums in the past, she said.

Cheaper insurance is not the only improvement the couple will see, Taylor said.

When her wife underwent surgery two weeks ago, Taylor was forced to bring legal documents to the hospital to ensure visitation rights if something went wrong, she said. If complications arose during surgery, there was a chance Taylor would not be allowed to see her wife before she died. “It sucks,� Taylor said. “It’s terrible. It’s horrible.�

The Supreme Court’s decision means she does not have to worry about being locked out of her wife’s hospital room anymore, Taylor said. “I can’t complain about

STEFAN WHITEMAN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Texas State employee, Heather Aidala, poses June 30 on campus.

SB 234, from front having the river re-classified as a linear state park would be helpful, she is not confident that success in the effort is probable. “Well, of course (having the river classified as a linear state park) would be lovely, but I don’t think that the state of Texas is going to do that,�

Wassenich said. “It would be something that has not been done before.�

She said protection of

the river against litter and the overuse of alcohol is essential to harboring a safer environment for river-goers. “There is no excuse and no moral or ethical way it makes sense for people to discard trash in the river or by the river,� Wassenich said. “You should never take Styrofoam or glass into the river because Styrofoam breaks up into little pieces—as does glass— and glass cuts people as well

as animals.�

Wassenich said aluminum cans are a big problem because people let them go in the river and expect them to “magically disappear.� “What (aluminum cans) do is carpet the bottom of the river and then all kinds of creatures take up residence inside the cans,� Wassenich said. “And then when people clean out those cans from the bottom of the river, all

of those creatures die.�

She said just because SB 234 died in the House does not mean students and residents couldn’t start helping to take care of the river.

Tubing outfitters such as Texas State Tubes and Don’s Fish Camp were opposed to the bill from the beginning.

SB 234 would have required Texas State Tubes to raise their prices by 30

percent, according to an April 23 University Star article. “It’s way too much money,� said Richard Lawrence, coowner of Texas State Tubes.

The bill would have required tubing outfitters to have their customers purchase $1-$3 wristbands to help raise the funds needed to hire law enforcement along the river.

However, Lawrence

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Don’s Fish Camp that states the owners will independently establish security measures similar to those outlined in the bill, according to the University Star article. “We are just as concerned about safety,� Lawrence said. “I don’t know any other company that is willing to do what we are doing.�

CONSTRUCTION, from front students at the Round Rock campus is 90 percent evening students, Rehbein said. The new health professions building will increase the number of daytime students.

Welborn said the campus does not offer housing, which increases student spending within the community. She said the university made the decision to move the programs to the Round Rock campus in 2002 or 2003.

Texas State received 101 acres from the Avery family as a gift, Wellborn said. The expectation was the university would construct buildings and offer undergraduate programs, Welborn said. “We are fulfilling that wish,� Welborn said.

We l b o r n s a i d t h e programs will increase by 5 to 10 percent in student numbers when they relocate.

She is expecting about 500 students to be enrolled in the programs.

We l b o r n s a i d t h e program can only grow so

fast, as it is hard to find qualified professionals interested in teaching in the field. Additionally, the hospitals can only sustain a predetermined number of residents and interns.

The nursing program is already located in the St. David’s Nursing building on the Round Rock campus, meaning there will be a total of four upper-level programs offered there.

Welborn said she does not expect much resistance from students who will have to transfer from San Marcos to Round Rock after their sophomore years. “The programs are so competitive to be admitted into,� Welborn said. “If students are admitted, they are going to take that offer.�

Round Rock has a number of hospitals which give the students the ability to compete for residencies and internships.

Rehbein said current faculty will be offered the opportunity to transfer to

the Round Rock campus.

The college will look for replacements to fill spots for those teachers who wish to remain in San Marcos.

The College of Professional Health’s administration and support will still be located on the main campus. Four programs will remain in the San Marcos health professions building.

Rehein said they anticipate the Round Rock campus will be providing additional support for the new programs, including classrooms, computer labs and library services. “We are excited about the move because we are just so out of space here,� Welborn said. “We are eager to move to Round Rock.�

Welborn said it will take about a year to complete the paperwork and prerequisites necessary for construction to begin. Construction will start next summer.

The doors are expected to open in 2018, Rehbein said.

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Wednesday, July 8, 2015 | The University Star | 3

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

CITY

All-day music event raises funds for flood victims

By Mariah Simank LIFESTYLE EDITOR @MariahSimank

Over 30 local musicians invaded the Live Music Capital of the World June 28 to help raise money for Central Texas flood victims.

Flood Aid TX, an all-day music event, took place at the Palmer Events Center in Austin. The concert featured a wide variety of music genres across two indoor and two outdoor stages, and was produced by Crosswind Media, Clayton Corn Productions, LBTJ Creative and Fabulous Working Ladies.

LisaBeth Thomas, one of the event producers, said the idea for the event started a month ago over happy hour drinks.

“Three of us were meeting to discuss Be Brave, which is the event for healing and comfort that is happening in October,” Thomas said. “While we were talking, we thought it might be nice to do a little concert on the lake for the flood victims.”

Two days after planning began, Thomas said the event organizers received a gamechanging phone call.

“Everyone just started

calling their contacts, and two days after we started planning we got a call from the city saying they would give us the Palmer Events Center for the day,” Thomas said.

“That’s when the concert went from a little thing by the lake to something huge. Everyone just started calling in favors and contacting their friends.”

Thomas said United Way of Hays County (UWHC) and Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) were selected to split 100 percent of the event’s proceeds, including ticket sales.

“These two were selected because we personally know that they have the most boots on the ground and are there helping people in the community,” Thomas said.

“Both organizations have pledged to give 100 percent of whatever they receive to flood victims, so it just made sense to work with them.”

Michelle Harper, president and CEO of UWHC, said the majority of their funds will go towards rebuilding homes and making sure families have somewhere safe to stay during the reconstruction process.

“25 percent of our funds that we raise will be for immediate

needs such as temporary housing, food and clothing, and 75 percent of the funds are being held for long-term recovery,” Harper said.

Daniel Geraci, president, executive director and founder of ADRN, said the organization is currently looking for volunteer labor to help fuel the rebuilding process.

“There are many groups from around the United States that are coming in to help volunteer their time,” Geraci said. “The goal is always to go as fast as you can, but the reality of the matter is that this is a two-year project.”

Geraci, whose team is currently working to bring flood relief to Williamson, Travis, Hays and Blanco County, said an estimated $5 PRESLIE COX MULTIMEDIA EDITOR million-$10 million is needed Jay White and the Blues Commanders perform June 26 at Cheatham Street Warehouse for Big Fest to help residents rebuild.

“We have been figuring 2015. five-and-a-half million would Harper said fundraising Red Cross and Salvation Army “Events like this help to build 100 homes that have been destroyed and not every events like Flood Aid TX are trucks driving around,” Harper remind people that we still home will be destroyed that an important way to keep the said.

However, once the have friends and neighbors needs to be rebuilt,” Geraci public aware of the ongoing thousands of volunteers start in need,” Harper said. “This is said. “So when you do the recovery process.

“Everyone sends in a ton of to return home and the Red a long-time process and these averaging you see that we will need minimally five and a half resources the first week or two Cross trucks start to pack up, million but it will probably lean and it’s all over the national Harper said, the momentum families aren’t just going to get closer to $10 million.” and local news and there is begins to die down. to go back home overnight.”

d n e PICKS OF the week

By Mariah Simank LIFESTYLE EDITOR @MariahSimank

FOR THE LADY GAGA ADMIRER The Alamo Drafthouse in New Braunfels will host a Lady Gaga sing along at 7:30 p.m.

July 8 to give fans the chance to relive all of her music videos on the big screen. The two-hour event will feature props and a dance party to enrich the audience’s experience.

FOR THE OUTDOOR MUSIC FAN San Marcos Plaza Park hosts the Summer in the Park concert series on the banks of the San Marcos River every Thursday through August. On July 9, Midnight River Choir will be performing at 7:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

FOR THE ART ENTHUSIAST The Art Squared Art Market is held in The Square every second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair, which features paintings, sculptures, jewelry and crafts, is designed to give local art vendors a chance to showcase their work. The event runs through December.

FOR THE TEXAS COUNTRY LOVER The O's will take the stage at Cheatham Street Warehouse July 11 at 10:45 p.m. with special guest Dalton Domino at 9:30 p.m. Tickets to the 18-and-over show are $10 and can be purchased at Cheatham Street’s website.

FOR THE HISTORY ENTHUSIAST Billi London-Gray and Daniel Bernard Gray’s exhibit titled “Displacement” is currently being showcased at The University Galleries until July 26. The exhibition explores displacement and uses the idea to compare important moments in history to today’s world.

UNIVERSITY

Alumna uses Texas origins to land role

By Mariah Simank LIFESTYLE EDITOR @MariahSimank

One up-and-coming actress is using her Texas roots to kickstart her acting career.

Molly McMichael, who grew up in Dallas and graduated from Texas State with a BFA in acting, landed a role in the History Channel miniseries Texas Rising and the film 6 Years when she was a senior.

“Right before my senior year I got an agent with Actors Clearinghouse in Austin,” McMichael said. “He took me on as his client and I booked 6 Years, and then I ended up getting an audition for Texas Rising.”

McMichael said Texas Rising scouting agents broadened their search to Texas after they didn’t find what they were looking for in Los Angeles.

“It just so happened to fall into my lap and they called me a week after I auditioned and told me I got the part,” McMichael said. “Usually you have to fly to L.A. and audition again and stuff like that, but I guess they really wanted a short redhead.”

McMichael said she plays Rebecca Pit, a young woman traveling to make a homestead with her brother.

After the pair run into a group of Texas Rangers, McMichael said her character is torn between her head and her heart.

“She ends up falling in love with one of the rangers, but there is a little bit of a backstory that I'm not going to tell you because you have to watch it.

But basically, there is some drama with that,” McMichael said. “She is a breath of fresh of air, I would say.”

McMichael said she first discovered acting in high school after auditioning for one of the school plays.

“I just decided to audition for one of the plays in ninth grade and I ended up getting an understudy role and I was thrilled,” McMichael said.

“Ever since then I was always in the school plays, and at the end of high school I didn’t know what else I would do in life. So I ended up majoring in acting and I haven't looked back ever since.”

When she was auditioning for a collegiate program, McMichael said good teachers and faculty were an obvious choice, but what set Texas State apart from other programs was their well-rounded approach to education.

“I think it's important as an actor to have a well-rounded view of different kinds of people, different kinds of lifestyles, that kind of thing,” McMichael said. “Since Texas State is a university with lots of different majors, that made it really appealing to me.”

Michael Costello, head of acting, worked with McMichael off and on during her time at Texas State. He said she immediately made an impression during her audition.

“I remember Molly in her audition for our BFA acting program,” Costello said. “I liked her right from the beginning. There was something just so charming and attractive about her in

terms of who she was as a person.”

Costello said the main goal of the BFA Acting Program is to teach students the essentials of professionalism in acting, whether students are choosing to work on stage or in television and films.

“When our students come into the BFA Acting Program they have to sign a contract that really sets up their understanding from the beginning that this isn’t just four years of fun and games— it’s four years of a rigorous program towards the profession of acting, which is a very difficult thing to do,” Costello said.

McMichael said she is looking forward to seeing 6 Years released on Netflix later this year.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Netflix acquired rights to the film after its worldwide premiere at the SXSW Film Festival this year.

“The whole movie was improv,” McMichael said.

“There was a script but it was about 40 pages, which is really short for a feature film. It's a really great movie, and I'm excited for it to come out.”

McMichael said she hopes to further her acting career now that she has moved to L.A. “I have an agent here in L.A. now, which is pretty awesome, and now I’m just auditioning and waiting for the next thing to come up,” McMichael said.

“A few auditions have come my way, so we'll hear about those. But for now I’m just auditioning and waiting for the next thing.”

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4 | The University Star | Wednesday, July 8, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

Good riddance Confederate flag, we hardly knew you A

fter the racist terrorist attack on the historical Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church that left nine innocent civilians dead, the debate over the legitimacy of the Confederate flag begun anew.

In the aftermath of the event, states like Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and most notably South Carolina have taken measures to remove the flag from government buildings and license plates due to the controversy and massive outcry. South Carolina, after creating a committee to discuss bringing down the Confederate flag that sits atop their capitol building, voted to take down the flag July 6.

The line did not stop there. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Sears and eBay decided to ban the sale of not only the flag, but the Confederate symbol itself. As expected, the proper demonization of the flag was not celebrated by everyone. Supporters of the flag, evoking the revisionist southern heritage talking-point, felt victimized by the dismissal of the symbol.

The Confederate

emblem is both a symbol of racism and a symbol of treason against the very government and nation which supporters of the flag claim to be a part of.

If dismissal of this symbol is victimization, then so be it. They may not see it as such, but many do.

To say the flag does not represent racism is to be ignorant of its history. William Thompson, the creator of the Confederate flag, said, “We are fighting to maintain the heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race.”

Those words are not as open to interpretation as some flag supporters would have people believe.

Germany banned their Nazi flag directly after World War II. There are no Nazi flags flying on WWII monuments and museums out of respect for the survivors and descendants of their ridiculous regime.

There would have been

a huge uproar if some German descendants of Nazi soldiers wanted to fly their flag in order to show their “heritage” for the great effort Hitler put into helping the German economy after a major

to kowtow to the white supremacist and destructive ideology of their ill-forgotten ancestors under the guise of heritage and pride.

History should not be forgotten, so the Confederate flag deserves its just dues as a historical symbol of Americana.

However, those dues need to be within a historical context—such as a museum—like all historical indicators of defeated administrations.

The flag should serve as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the legacy and dark stain left of America’s original sin—not as a symbol for people to throw in the faces of those that would be oppressed BIRMY MICHELLE STAR ILLUSTRATOR under the rule of that very flag. loss in World War I. People can cling Unlike America, onto whatever images Germany understood they see fit. After all, what the symbol meant it is their right per to the people it was the First Amendment used against. They of the Constitution. sought to redress the However, flying the flag of a regime that wrongs of their dark past. They decided not threatened the fabric

of America and the ideals she has worked to adopt is as hurtful as it is stupid.

There is a sheer difference between acknowledging history and praising a symbol.

The Confederate flag should be acknowledged as a part of history—not flown on capitol buildings as a symbol of pride. A symbol of slavery and forced racist subjugation and servitude has no place in a country priding itself on being the land of the free.

Flying a flag that symbolizes the perpetuation of slavery and treason against the American union should not be flown on any American structures. If the Confederates had it their way, America as it is known today would not exist.

The South will not rise again. Their anti-government, pro-slavery war was lost and countless were freed. That is a good thing. If people want to honor their Confederate heritage, then perhaps they should do as Confederate leader Robert E. Lee said after rejoining the Union—fold up the flag and put it away.

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, Texas State University or the advertisers.

SOCIETY

TRANSPORTATION

Freedom of expression important note in flag debate

Summer shuttle hours inadequate, expansion necessary

Madison Teague OPINIONS COLUMNIST @maddiebell_bell

T

here is a difference between ignorance and stupidity.

The key difference is that ignorance simply implies lack of awareness about a subject, while stupidity conveys the inability of a person to understand something due to inadequate intelligence.

Stupidity thus leads to the misinterpretation of a fact. Clinging to the Confederate flag is the definition of stupidity, but people have a right to freely express that stupidity.

During the 1950s, the rebel flag was adopted by the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups as a symbol of their movement—a movement determined to segregate the population based on the belief that some human beings are worth less than others. The rebel Confederate flag is not a symbol worthy of identifying oneself with.

Sure, the Confederate flag stands for a certain cultural heritage. However, that heritage is one of war, failed rebellion and segregation. I understand the desire to feel a connection to one’s heritage. I understand that the Confederate flag used to stand for the fight for the sovereignty of states’ rights, but what is most important to understand is the fact that the meaning behind the flag of the Confederacy has changed over time.

While I in no way support the meaning behind the Confederate flag, I do support every American’s right to show and even fly those unsavory colors if they so choose. We must decide what we stand for, what we value most in our society.

Either we are a people who support freedom of expression or we are not.

The First Amendment allows one to peacefully protest and share information through free speech and press, yet in the same sentence allows some to fly and celebrate a flag that represents a racially segregated and war-torn nation.

Adding restrictions to the freedom of expression would do nothing but hinder our freedom.

The beauty of a country controlled by a free people is that the people get to decide what is and is not

The University Star Editor-in-Chief...........................................Kelsey Bradshaw, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor.......................Imani McGarrell, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters................................................................................universitystar@txstate.edu News Editor....................................................Alexa Tavarez, starnews@txstate.edu Sports Editor.............................................Quixem Ramirez, starsports@txstate.edu Lifestyle Editor.........................................Mariah Simank, starlifestyle@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Brandon Sams, staropinion@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor......................................Preslie Cox, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief....................................Abby Marshall, starcopychief@txstate.edu

acceptable. There is no need to get the federal government involved. If the people decide amongst themselves that something is wrong, the issue can be taken care of.

Already we have seen retailers such as Amazon and Wal-Mart respond to the backlash regarding the Confederate flag by banning its sale in their stores. The people have shown their displeasure toward a symbol and ideology. Now society in turn will make the needed adjustments so that everyone flying the Confederate flag will be seen as stubborn fools.

The Confederate flag is not a monster—it is a mockery of what America is and a reminder of its tumultuous past. It is my hope that those who support the Confederate flag will release their stubborn hold on the ragged cloth and let a sleeping dog lie.

Handing over one’s rights should never be seen as a good option in times of crisis. Preventing people from displaying a symbol will not stop people from adhering to a hateful ideology. Hate will always exist; giving up freedom of expression will not end the hate in their heart.

—Madison Teague is an English senior

Haley Smutzer OPINIONS COLUMNIST @AwkwardAdverbs

B

eing stranded at a bus stop is more than just an irritating inconvenience: It is an interview missed, a baby shower unattended, another disappointed look from your parents after a regrettable phone call, an instant anxiety attack, a desperate call to a friend and a valued job now lost.

Like many of my fellow Bobcats, I depend on the university shuttle bus as a primary mode of transportation to and from school. As an enrolled summer school student, I was shocked to discover that the summer transportation service arrangements were anything but effective.

Although my summer course ends at 4:40 p.m., the last bus to Wonder World departs from campus at 4:30 p.m., leaving myself and numerous others stranded.

One anonymous bus driver was kind enough to give me a “courtesy

lift” home. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for many of my fellow Bobcats, who stood in disbelief and anger as he recited regulation at them and gave them the appropriate number to contact with any complaints before driving off.

Extending the bus schedule to at least 5 p.m. would be a benefit for those students who, by no fault of their own, get out of class at a later time.

Thanks to the courtesy lift I was able to have a candid discussion with the anonymous bus driver.

He informed me that one of the main reasons for cutting the routes short was to save on gas costs.

However, this is a grievous cutting of corners.

Denying students a ride home in hopes of pennypinching is repulsive.

According to the university shuttle website, Transportation Services aims to help students, faculty, staff, and visitors access campus and reach their destinations in a safe, efficient and reliable manner and to provide professional, courteous and sustainable services utilizing the most costeffective strategies.

A transportation system aimed at servicing Bobcats cannot be considered effective or reliable when it is only available to the students fortunate enough

to have earlier classes during summer school.

Most last departures for off-campus shuttle routes depart well before 5 p.m. The final shuttles for Wonder World and Mill Street are scheduled to leave the UAC at 4:42 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. according to the university shuttle summer schedule.

With only one bus per route, the chances of students missing their buses are high. Summer school students are often left feeling less important than regular school year students.

Many Bobcats do not have someone on speed dial ready and willing to come and pick them up out of a sea of stranded students. Summer students matter—until the last bell is rung and the final students leave their classes.

Buses should be departing campus with ample time for students to catch them. This means expanding the shuttle schedule until 5:30 p.m., and seeing that all our summer Bobcats have a safe, reliable way home.

Students may contact the Texas State University Transportation Services by calling 512.245.5555 or emailing shuttle@txstate.edu. #SummerBobcatsMatter

601 University Drive Trinity Building, Room 101 San Marcos, TX 78666

Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Design Editor...........................................Lauren Huston, stardesign@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor............................Anna Herod, starasstnews@txstate.edu Account Executive............................................Hanna Katz, starad2@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Morgan Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive....................................Jamie Beckham, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist.......................................... Chris Salazar, c.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...............................Kelsey Nuckolls, kjn16@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator........................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

—Haley Smutzer is a English senior

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 Wednesday, July 8, 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.

Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

Wednesday, July 8, 2015 | The University Star | 5

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

FOOTBALL

SIGNS OF INSPIRATION: PLAYER PERFORMS IN CONCERT

By Paul Livengood SPORTS REPORTER @IamLivengood

On July 6 Brian Guendling, junior defensive end, posted a YouTube video of himself performing a sign language concert alongside friends and teammates—the first of its kind.

Overnight, the video received over 2,000 views.

There is more to this story than a viral video, however.

Guendling has spent his life around the special needs community. Guendling’s two 55- and 51-year-old uncles are blind, mentally challenged and have been in wheelchairs their

entire lives.

G u e n d l i n g ’s fa th e r, Mike, played football for Northwestern University and was drafted with the 33rd overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Mike Guendling used his career to take care of his brothers and the rest of his family.

When Brian Guendling was born, the doctors told his mother, Yvonne Guendling, that there was a possibility he would be mentally challenged like his uncles.

Brian Guendling did not speak until he was four years old, going on to spend his entire public education enrolled in

the special needs program.

“I would get pulled out of class about three days a week to work on my memory and my grammar and my speech just like all the other special needs kids,” Brian Guendling said.

Growing up athletically gifted like his father, Brian Guendling’s special needs friends looked up to him as a role model and he loved being their inspiration. As a junior in high school, he took a foreign language class. Brian Guendling selected the sign language course at a local university and fell in love with it.

The idea for the concert began when Brian Guendling

invited his deaf friends to go out at night with him and have fun, but they declined because it was uncomfortable for them.

One night, lying in bed, he came up with the idea to perform a concert for his deaf friends where he would sign the lyrics and dance. The performance was to Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.”

“I want my deaf friends to have the same opportunity as the hearing (do)” Brian Guendling said. “Ever since last night when I posted it, I have had so many deaf people from the state of California, Texas in the Houston and

Dallas area, add me on social media and message me saying, ‘You are a huge inspiration to me and what you did is unbelievable.’”

Brian Guendling wants to bring the hearing and nonhearing communities together.

“This will allow the deaf to meet new friends, potential boyfriends/girlfriends, to be able to talk to new people for the first time ever," Brian Guendling said. "My goal is to reach out to the millions and millions and give them a concert to go to and have a good time.”

Brian Guendling had a few of his teammates on the Texas State football team help him

with the performance.

“I can’t wait to see where this goes,” said Karee Berry, sophomore defensive end. “It’s a great feeling and I’m so proud of Brian to be able to bring two worlds together. It is just an awesome feeling to be a part of something like this.”

Brian Guendling is already planning to perform more concerts in the San Antonio and Austin areas in the near future—with even more songs in addition to “Uptown Funk.”

“I’m going to do some LMFAO songs, some Ke$ha songs, some more Bruno Mars and more popular artists like that,” Brian Guendling said.

FOOTBALL

SEVEN KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS FALL

By Matt Gurevitz SPORTS REPORTER @Matt_Gurevitz

[Editor's note: For the next few summer issues, The University Star sports staff will provide you with breakdowns of the 2015 Texas State football team— from the skill players to the front seven to the secondary to everything in between.]

TREY MCGOWAN, SENIOR LINEBACKER With the departure of David Mayo, somebody needs to step up. McGowan could be the guy to come in and lead the linebacker core, like Mayo did a year ago. McGowan started in seven of the 11 games last season, averaging 7.8 tackles per game. He is ranked 17th in the Sun Belt for his tackles per game total. McGowan transferred from West Texas A&M in 2012 and worked his way up the depth chart by

producing on special teams.

His strong play has landed him on the preseason All Sun Belt Conference fourth team.

JERRID JETER-GILMON, SENIOR LINEBACKER The team has another senior linebacker this season in JeterGilmon. The senior made 46 tackles last season in 12 games, recording 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Gilmon has found playing time since coming in in 2012 as a true freshman. He has not been a full-time starter in his career, but that could change in his senior year.

DALLAS MCCLARTY, JUNIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE McClarty made strides in the 2014 season in his opportunities at nose tackle for the Bobcats. The junior started in 11 games last

season, making 41 tackles and three sacks. The junior has been a cog in the middle of the team’s defensive line, and he was awarded with a spot on the All Sun Belt Conference fourth team. McClarty will be asked to do much for the Bobcat defensive line.

KAREE BERRY, SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE END Berry did not start last season but will see plenty of time on the field with the departure of Michael Odiari.

The sophomore played in 11 games last season while recording 27 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Berry had his best game in the finale of this season against Arkansas State, with seven tackles and two tackles for loss. Berry’s strong finish to the season will go a long way with the coaching staff, and he will make an impact this fall.

MERSHAD DILLON, SENIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Dillon will be the senior leader on the defensive line in 2015 and will play next to McClarty when the team comes out with two defensive tackles. Dillon started in 10 games last season and recorded 15 tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack. This fall will be the first season in which Dillon is at the same school he was the year before. His journey started at Fresno State as a freshman. He then transferred to Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California for his sophomore season. Dillon then made a move to Texas State in his junior season,

[Editor's note: For the next few summer issues, The University Star sports staff will provide you with breakdowns of the 2015 Texas State football team—from the skill players to the front seven to the secondary to everything in between.]

QUARTERBACK Tyler Jones, junior quarterback, returns as the third-year incumbent starter. Jones will be the go-to leader for this Bobcat offense. As a dual threat, Jones adds to the Bobcats’ running game. Jones rushed for 718 yards last season, the third best mark on the team. His improvement needs to come from being an impact passer.

Jones has grown with his passing efficiency, completing 65.4 percent of his passes and a 22:7 touchdown to interception ratio in 2014. However, Jones averaged only 222.5 passing yards per game, which ranks 52nd in the nation.

Jones needs to utilize his arm late in close games. In two seasons, he has shown a penchant for making plays in high-leverage situations. That will take Texas State to the next step in making a bowl game for the first time in school history.

Connor White, sophomore quarterback, does not think he will get playing time, but he said his grasp of the offense has increased since transferring from prep school last year. In the event of an injury to Jones, the team can insert White into the fold and maintain the offensive pace Coach Dennis Franchione asks for.

RUNNING BACK Robert Lowe, senior running back, returns after posting 1,091 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Chris Nutall, senior running back, also returns after missing the 2014 season. Nutall ran for 506 rushing yards and six

WIDE RECEIVER Texas State lost Ben Ijah to graduation in 2014, but Brandon Smith, CJ Best and Jafus Gaines, senior wide receivers, all return for the Bobcats. The trio combined for a total of 1,058 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Gaines and Best are smaller, quicker, deep-threat types who are both shorter than six feet.

The taller, lengthier Smith will look to be the bigger body on the outside, as well as making his contributions to the kick return game.

TIGHT END

STEPHEN SMITH, JUNIOR JEFF BANKS, SOPHOMORE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE END

Smith played in eight games with three starts last season for Texas State. Smith only has five career starts but will play a bigger role this year for the team and help the line backing core replace Mayo’s 154 tackles. Smith recorded 35 tackles last season in addition to one sack against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

There will be youth on the end of the defensive line this year, which includes Banks. He is one of two sophomores at defensive end for the team, as they are trying to fill the spots left by Michael Odiari and Kris Petersen. Banks played in eight games last season while recording 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Banks, standing at 6-foot-5, has the size to wreak

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ANALYZING THE SKILLS touchdowns when he split carries with Lowe in 2013.

Running back will be a strong position for the Bobcats in 2015.

The run game is the catalyst for the Bobcats’ spread offense.

Texas State rushed for 2,862 total yards in 2014, 18th in the nation.

havoc in the Sun Belt. The opportunities to contribute should be there next season, but the team will need be patient with the sophomore.

classifieds

FOOTBALL

By Paul Livengood SPORTS REPORTER @IamLivengood

where he found a home on the defensive line. Dillon saw his share of playing time last season and will come back as a senior for the Bobcats in the fall.

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split between Lawrence White, and Ryan Carden, senior tight ends. Both sat behind Brad Miller, who took the majority of the snaps in 2014.

Miller was the Bobcats’ leading receiver, snagging 44 catches for 431 yards. Miller was Jones’ security blanket.

Replacing the production of Miller will be key for success in the passing game for Texas State because Jones habitually targets the tight end in the middle of the field.

After catching two passes for 31 yards in the first seven games last season, Lawrence White scored all three of his touchdowns in the last five games along with 110 yards.

Jones’ growing comfort with Lawrence White bodes well for this season.

Chris French, sophomore tight end, is on the fringes of the depth chart but he could potentially be a fill-in if he acclimates to the system quickly.

French, 6-foot-4, is a three-star recruit from San Clemente High School.

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6 | The University Star | Sports | Wednesday, July 8, 2015

BOBCAT NEWS AND NOTES

By Donavan Jackson SPORTS REPORTER @djack_02

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ADDS TO COACHING STAFF

SIMMS’ HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVES $1,000 FOR HER PERFORMANCE

Coach Zenarae Antoine and the Texas State women’s basketball team announced the addition of a new assistant coach Wednesday.

Laura Terry joins the Bobcats after one season as assistant coach at Weber State last year.

Terry’s responsibilities involved on-court coaching, recruiting,

Alexandra Simms, Texas State graduate, was awarded the ninth annual Memorial Dick Bynum Award by the Downtown Lions Club of Amarillo. The award honors the top female athlete in the town of Amarillo. The Lions

scouting, player development and community service involvement.

With a focus on post players, Terry produced the leading scorer for the Weber State offense, Jalen Carpenter, and another athlete recognized for All-American honors, Zakiyyah Shahid-Martin.

SOFTBALL ADDS PITCHER TO SUPPORT RUPP Coach Ricci Woodard and the Texas State softball team have filled a much-needed hole in the Bobcat pitching rotation this offseason. With the addition of Quincy Charleston, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College transfer, the Bobcats will have some support on the mound for Randi Rupp, sophomore pitcher.

Charleston is coming off an impressive 2014-2015 campaign, leading Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to a second place finish at the NJCAA Division I National Softball Tournament with a 30-10 overall record. She finished with a 1.92 earned run average and 178 strikeouts.

Club will donate $1,000 to Simms’ high school, San Jacinto Academy.

Simms, a member of the 2013 Sun Belt Conference Championship team, finished her Bobcat career with 882 kills.

SAUNDERS, WILLIS PLACE AT USA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Allie Saunders, senior triple jumper, and Sydni Willis, freshman hurdler, represented the Bobcats at the USA Track and Field Championships and USATF Junior Championships.

Saunders completed her Texas State career with an eighth place finish nationally and All-American honors. The 13.26-meter jump is the second farthest in her career and qualified Saunders for the opportunity

to compete for Team USA in the approaching international competitions.

Willis concluded her freshman season with the fastest 400-meter hurdle time of 1:00 flat at the USATF Junior Championships.

With three collegiate seasons remaining, Willis has already a c c o mp l i s h e d S u n B e l t Conference championships in the indoor 400-meter dash and outdoor 400-meter hurdles.

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