THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2015
VOLUME 104 ISSUE 68 www.UniversityStar.com
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Former SAE member tweets racist remarks Matthew Scaggs reads a book March 11 outside of the Freeman Aquatic Biology building.
MADELYNNE SCALES PHOTO EDITOR
Tree care rooted in campus community
By Kelsey Bradshaw NEWS EDITOR @kbrad5
T
rees on campus do more than just provide shade for students on hot Texas days. The Arbor Day Foundation recognized Texas State as a USA Tree Campus. University officials on the Tree Advisory Council apply for the recognition annually. The university must meet five criteria to be recognized. A committee dedicated to the campus’ trees must exist, a care plan has to be in place and finances must be allocated specifically. Additionally, Arbor Day must be observed and a service-learning project has to happen. Nancy Nusbaum, associate vice president of finance and support services, heads the Campus Tree
Advisory Committee. She said the university has applied since 2011 and has been recognized multiple times. “We value trees on campus, because they provide not only a natural beauty to the campus, but they also cool it, provide shade for people to walk under, sit under, study under,” Nusbaum said. “It’s kind of like, if you’re going to value the trees, you should get recognized for it.” Students in the Woody Plants Materials class work with the university’s landscaping department and commit time to auditing each tree on campus. “(Students in the class) go around and look at every tree on campus and see the state of it and make sure that it’s healthy and growing well,” said Hallie Casey, agriculture business and management senior, who was in the class.
85
trees were planted on campus but
forty-two were removed
for various reasons = number of campus trees removed as a result of the Stage 4 drought in Fall 2014
The university’s 14-page care plan details specific actions taken to guarantee trees are tended to. Funding for trees has changed over the years, Nusbaum said. She said in 2012, over $236,00 was devoted to buying trees, mulching, irrigation, pruning, memberships and volunteer hours. Nusbaum said a chipper was purchased that year.
The Arbor Day Foundation recommends universities spend $3 per full-time student on trees, a number Nusbaum said has been exceeded. A total of $133,149 was spent in 2014 on trees. “If you multiply three times 36,000, it’s a little bit more,” Nus-
See TREES, Page 2
HOUSING
Campus housing, meal plan rates increase By Rebecca Banks NEWS REPORTER @r_banks13 Student housing and meal plan rates will increase for the 2015-2016 academic year. The Texas State Board of Regents approved a 3.5 percent increase to
campus housing rates at Feb. 19-20 meetings. A two percent increase in meal plan rates was approved, said Bill Nance, vice president of finance and support services. The cost of campus housing and meal plans has increased slightly over the last 12 years. The steady rise was proposed
by representatives of the Board of Regents as a way to avoid larger, more infrequent increases. “The philosophy behind this is that you want to do these increases incrementally,” said Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs. “You don’t want to not do (the increases) for three or four years, then
LARA DIETRICH STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Matt Poehl, computer science junior, serves food to Alec Perez, psychology freshman, Feb. 27 at Harris Dining Hall.
somebody’s going to get a 10 to 15 percent increase all of a sudden.” Smith said officials from Housing and Residential Life and Auxiliary Services present rate proposals to the Board of Regents every February. “(Housing and Residential Life) does not get any money from the State or any money from the university, but we have to pay for everything—so electricity, toilet paper, salaries and student desk workers,” said Rosanne Proite, director of housing and residential life. Nance said both departments have self-supporting funds, and most of the revenue comes from payments for housing and meal plans. “Our concern is we have to make sure that all of our bills can be paid because the university isn’t going to come to our rescue,” Proite said. Proite said payments for campus housing are used to fund department salaries, student workers and payment of loans for new and renovated residence halls. Smith said the expenses for Housing and Residential Life total $1.2 million. Officials with Auxiliary Services use the revenue generated from student meal plans to pay Chartwells staff and fund renovations at Jones Dining Hall. The total cost of renovations will be between $16 million
See PLAN INCREASE, Page 2
NEWS BRIEF
Faculty Senate creates new non-voting adjunct position By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Faculty Senate has established a new position to better educate untenured faculty about the role of the legislative body at Texas State. The Faculty Senate Fellow assignment was created at a March 4 meeting to introduce a nonvoting participant, said Vedaraman Sriraman, vice chair. The senate met with
members of the President’s Cabinet March 11 to further discuss the fellow position. Sriraman said the adjunct-representing member will most likely be selected from the Adjunct Faculty Committee (AFC) and function as a liaison to the group. The umbrella term “adjunct faculty” refers to a variety of untenured instructors. It includes professors in the process of gaining tenure, those who teach part-time and 16 other
classifications of untenured faculty, said Provost Eugene Bourgeois. Adjunct faculty represent an important segment of the university’s teaching body, especially because of steadily rising enrollment, Bourgeois said. Sriraman said a part-time instructor may be contracted to teach for a singleyearorsemesterifadepartment has a need for an additional section. Bourgeois said he hopes the new Faculty Senate Fellow assignment
will help to inform the AFC on topics including merit raises. “By just being here week after week they’ll gain familiarity with issues that confront the entire campus community,” Sriraman said. “They will share their experiences.” Debra Feakes, faculty senator, said the position has not yet been filled. Senators hope to fill the position to by Fall or Spring 2016. “We’d like to get them in earlier if we could,” Feakes said.
By Kelsey Bradshaw NEWS EDITOR @kbrad5 A Texas State student posted racially charged tweets seen circling social media Wednesday afternoon. Turner Coulson, public administration junior, identified himself as a member of the Texas State Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in his Twitter biography. His Twitter account, @ PresidentTKC, has since been deleted. The fraternity’s Twitter account, @TexasStateSAE, identified Coulson as one of its members in an Aug. 3 2014 tweet. Twitter user @curlyheadRED posted a screenshot of Coulson’s tweets Wednesday on her account. “Let’s start gangs and shoot each other and attack cops,” Coulson said, according to @curlyheadRED’s tweet. “Then maybe the media will like us.” Coulson made his Instagram account private. The fraternity’s website has been taken down for unknown reasons. Coulson’s tweets included one stating, “If it was black people singing about crackers we would never hear a word about it. #SAltinEs.” Matt Garrity, SAE chapter president, could not be reached for comment. According to a San Antonio Express-News article, Margarita Arellano, dean of students, said Coulson has not been an active member of SAE since February. Coulsoncouldnotbereachedforcomment.
CITY
City officials use activity kits to assess public opinion By Exsar Arguello NEWS REPORTER @Exsar_Misael
San Marcos residents have a second opportunity to assess their subdivisions through “Brand Your Neighborhood” activity kits. The kits are part of a citywide initiative allowing citizens to share concerns and comments about their neighborhoods. Kits are provided by the Planning and Development Services Department. They include questions, maps and other activities about the city will use to assess neighborhoods, said Abby Gilfillan, San Marcos permit manager. “Using the colors red, blue and green, residents can color-code areas they feel need help or preservation in their neighborhoods,” Gilfillian said. Red represents constraints such as abandoned buildings, dangerous routes and environmental hazards, Gilfillian said. Blue represents opportunities for improvement, like empty lots, developments in public space or amenities. Green represents assets such as natural beauties, meeting places and areas to walk. Gilfillan said the kits establish no “limitations” on what residents can write. “There are sections for individual notes and pictures so the city can have a better idea (about) what it is you want to improve,” Gilfillan said. Residents can turn packets in to the Planning and Development Services office, said Paul Murray, representative for the Sessom Creek neighborhood. Kits are due March 31 for recording. Gilfillan said the kit initiative represents the second round of data collecting by the city for the project. Murray said some neighborhoods did not give the city enough feedback and involvement the first time the kits were sent out to the public. The kits are part of the comprehensive plan Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us, Murray said. The comprehensive plan includes the land development code. Code SMTX is a rewrite of the current land development laws. “What Code SMTX is supposed to do is take the comprehensive plan and have it reflected in the land development code,”
See NEIGHBORHOODS, Page 2
2 | The University Star | News | Thursday, March 12, 2015
TREES, from front bam said. Casey said the recognition is great for Texas State because trees provide more than something pretty to look at. “They’re beautiful, but they’re also incredibly necessary, especially to the university,” Casey said. “I think Texas State has done a pretty good job for a college campus at fostering within our on campus
canopy, which is extremely important as well.” Nusbaum said 85 trees were planted in 2014, but 42 were removed. The City of San Marcos experienced Stage 4 drought conditions in Fall 2014, resulting in the removal of nine campus trees. Nusbaum said 33 other trees were removed because of storms or construction or for safety reasons.
Arbor Day events are held in November because the weather is cooler and the trees have a better survival rate, Nusbaum said. An educational fair was held at the last event, and attendees mulched trees instead of planting new ones due to the city’s severe drought. Nusbaum said the committee will plant more trees in the future. She said her favorite tree is the
NEIGHBORHOODS, from front Murray said. Murray said the kits are designed to give city officials data from the residents that will help them rewrite the land development code. “Over time, all the little changes that have been made to the land development code no longer allow it to work successfully,” Murray said. Murray said the land development code lacks coherence. “Since the code has changed so much over time, developers have been able to get away with a lot of stuff they shouldn’t,” Murray said. Some environmental factors have been negated from the code, he said. Murray said a land developer could cut down a 50-year-old tree and replace it with a new, smaller one. The feedback city officials receive will help preserve and protect different needs in the new code, Gilfillan said. The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) is an independently run “grassroots” organization whose members work separately
“old oak” located in her backyard. Nusbaum and Casey value the trees on campus. Casey especially loves a cottonwood tree near the university’s aquatic center. “I love cottonwoods,” Casey said. “They’re my favorite trees.” Casey did not have just one favorite tree, though. “I also really like the bur oak in Sewell because it’s actually the best
bur oak I’ve ever seen in my life,” Casey said. “It’s kind of low, so it gets more water, so it has almost a perfectly round canopy, which you never see on bur oaks.” Casey planted acorns from the bur oak in Sewell for one of her class projects. “They were the largest bur acorns I’d ever seen in my life,” Casey said.
PLAN INCREASE, from front with the city and the Brand Your Neighborhood activity kits. Officials give data they receive from their neighborhood research to the planning department staff in the city, said Betsey Robertson, president of CONA. The organization recognizes neighborhood boundaries that differ from the city’s, Murray said. “The new Code SMTX is going to talk about different ways to help preserve some of the older neighborhoods,” Robertson said. “It will focus on preserving certain historical land that needs it.” The land development code and the comprehensive plan go hand in hand, she said. The comprehensive plan must be revised along with the land development code. CONA and the Brand Your Neighborhood initiative are two different entities working for the same goal, Robertson said. “We try our best to send representatives out to different places to talk to residents on what they want improved,” Robertson said.
and $18 million, said John Root, director of auxiliary services. The university is required by contract to pay a percentage according to consumer price index, Root said. “What that does, is based on the whole year’s economy it should incorporate, for Chartwells, (an) increase in what their labor increases would be—cost of food, cost of transportation, all those things that they’re paying for,” Root said. Root said in the 2015 fiscal year the percentage paid to Chartwells was 1.8. Next year it will increase to 2.5 percent. “I try to be fair as best I can to the students to just not keep raising because that’s not good either,” Root said. “We do have a reserve—all
amount of facility upkeep needed for the halls. The department usually has money left over, which is put into a reserve fund. The additional funds are used to pay for any maintenance needed for residence halls. “We’ve been using our reserve fund to do major renovations,” Proite said. “So for example, the new Falls and Sayers Halls, we took a loan out to build the halls, (and) that loan was around $52 million. We also renovated Brogdon, Beretta and Laurel over the span of about six years.” Proite said the majority of the reserve funds were used to pay for renovations at the halls. “What that means is I don’t have to raise rates, so it’s a good thing we put money away,” Proite said.
3.5% increase to campus housing rate 2% increase to meal plan rates
CITY
Local entities work against aquifer pumping By Anna Herod SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @annaleemurphy San Marcos City Council passed a resolution in support of legislation that would create a groundwater district regulatory oversight of the Edwards Aquifer at their March 4 meeting. The decision came as a response to Electro Purification (EP), a Houston-based company planning to pump and sell 5.1 million gallons of groundwater per day from an unregulated area of the Trinity Aquifer. “There’s not any direct affect on our water supply at all in relation to (EP’s plans),” said Tom Taggart, executive director of public services for the city. “Now, having said that, there could still be effects in relation to some of our spring flows.” The relationship between the two aquifers is not easily quantified or understood, he said. It is known the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers are connected at parts, and many water features in the local area could be affected by changes in the Trinity Aquifer. “Oversight of those resources helps make sure that they’re sustainable for all purposes and for everyone, and helps keep those things in balance so that one use (of groundwater) doesn’t necessarily impact another,” Taggart said. Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) plans
self-supporting services have reserves—so that in one year, (if) something comes up, we can pay.” Auxiliary Services officials do not implement an increase every year. There was no rate change from 2007-2009 or 2011-2013, Root said. Proite said Housing and Residential Life was not able to avoid an increase because of the
Root said the increase of students living on campus has had a positive impact on Auxiliary Services and helps keep meal plan rates low. “It helps considerably in that the more bodies you have paying into the system, the less you need from each person,” Root said.
to lead the fight against EP after announcing its formation as a nonprofit corporation. TESPA officials hope to file the first court documents against EP to protect residents who rely on private wells within the Trinity for their daily water supply, said Jeff Mundy, lead counsel for TESPA. “The neighbors are very concerned that they will actually lose their water and not have the water they need to live,” Mundy said. “They literally won’t have drinking water, water to cook, water to bathe, things like that.” TESPA officials plan to dispute the decision of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) to not take regulatory authority over EP’s proposal because of interconnections between the two aquifers, said Jim Blackburn, TESPA board member said in a press release. "The Electro Purification proposal has made us all aware of how vulnerable our groundwater resources are,” said Vicki Hujsak, president of TESPA, in a press release. “We all depend upon this water and we never imagined it could be taken away from us but it apparently can. We have made up our minds to fight back through the legal system. EP is able to develop water from an unregulated area of the Trinity because of the ‘rule of capture.’ In the Day vs. EAA case, the Texas Supreme Court decided groundwater is the property of the surface owner, even if the owner had not drilled to ‘capture’ the water.”
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The University Star | Thursday, March 12, 2015 | 3
SPORTS
UniversityStar.com
SOFTBALL
BOBCATS WIN AT HOME WITH SHUTOUT By Christian Rodriguez SPORTS REPORTER @crod9521
It was better late than never for the Texas State softball team. The Bobcats scored eight runs in the final three innings of their 8-0 victory against Lamar. The team led 8-0 after the fifth inning, cutting the game two short. Randi Rupp, freshman pitcher, held the Cardinals to two hits in 16 at bats.
ence now, so that it’ll just make me better in my four years here.” The offense was led by Ariel Ortiz, freshman shortstop, and Kelli Baker, junior second baseman, who combined for four hits and four runs batted in. The game did not start fast for either team as neither produced a hit in the first inning. The second inning was much of the same as neither team was able to put a run up on the board. Ortiz doubled in the bottom of the third inning for the Bobcats’
“We’re in a really good spot. Offensively we’re doing a good job. Defensively we’re decent. We’re still making some mistakes we don’t need to make. But we’re running the bases fairly decent. We’re pitching as well as we’ve pitched all year. It’s good timing as far as this point in the season goes.” —COACH RICCI WOODARD Rupp, who pitched a complete game against Lamar, improved her earned run average to 2.51 on the season. Rupp has won her last three games inside the circle. Rupp feels the experience she is gaining will help her be a better player for the next four years. “I came here because I wanted to play and come in and be able to start and pitch a lot,” Rupp said. “That’s why I came to Texas State. I didn’t want to sit on the bench my freshman year, and I want to get experi-
first run of the game, scoring Baker. Texas State scored seven total runs in the fourth and fifth innings, concluding with a walk-off double by Kendall Wiley, junior second baseman, scoring Braegan Hamilton, freshman outfielder, and Danielle Warne, sophomore right fielder. Coach Ricci Woodard is preaching quality at bats to her team. “That’s the key to our success,” Woodard said. “We know that if we have good quality at bats, we’re go-
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TEAM SURVIVES LATE RALLY, ADVANCES TO SEMIFINALS By Paul Livengood SPORTS REPORTER @IamLivengood
It's fitting that Coach Zenarae Antoine’s motto for the postseason tournament was survival because that’s what the Texas State women’s basketball team did against UT-Arlington. “A big part of being able to survive in any competition is the mental piece,” Antoine said. “For me, that’s really where it started. I think the momentum for me right now, with our team, is truly in our favor. We’ve been here before, and we have done this.” Two blocks from Ericka May, freshman guard, and a pair of free throws with seven seconds on the clock secured the 52-46 win. “I saw it as a big play because if (Chaun Williams) would’ve made that, it would’ve changed the game situation,” May said. “Blocking that shot really helped us get our momentum to finish off the game and get the win.” The score would have been 48-46 with 40 seconds remaining in the second half if May had not blocked the shot. Instead, the Bobcats had the ball and Meghan Braeuer, senior guard, hit two free throws to extend the lead to 50-44. Defense was the overall theme of the game with the teams missing 75 of 109 shots. The teams went four minutes without scoring a point. “What a defensive effort by both teams,” Antoine said. “Our one Achilles heel for this entire season has been our lack of consistent defensive effort. Tonight we did a great job of being more consistent with that.” The Bobcats held Rebekah Van Dijk, Mavericks freshman center, to nine points on 17 shot attempts. Van Dijk, the Sun Belt Conference Fresh-
man of the Year, is averaging 13.1 points a game this season. Ayriel Anderson, junior guard, credited Kileah Mays, junior center, and May for the defensive success. Mays anchored the Bobcat defense, getting three blocks and a steal. However, defensive positioning led to Van Dijk’s 23.5 shooting percentage. “I’m especially proud of the effort by Kileah Mays and Ericka May,” Antoine said. “They got some huge defensive stops with those rebounds and were enough to get the ball up the floor to our guards that can shoot free throws.” The Bobcats had a help defender from the weak side ready to doubleteam Van Dijk at all times, though the Mavericks still managed to score 30 of their 46 points in the paint. “We know that they have No. 44 (Van Dijk), who can really bang it in the inside,” Anderson said. “The defensive presence of Kileah Mays just really helped our guards feel great about not letting them get it into the middle to also help Kileah (Mays). Our defensive pressure has certainly kicked in toward the end of the season.” The Bobcats move on to the second round, where they will face ArkansasLittle Rock, the regular-season conference champions. Arkansas-Little Rock defeated Texas State by a combined 47 points in two matchups this season. However, the Bobcats remain confident. “I think our team understands that, and I think that they understand that we can beat this team,” Antoine said. “We just haven’t had the opportunity. Now the opportunity presents itself. We’ll prepare them, but as long as they bring great effort, I think you will find that it will be a close game.”
HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Randi Rupp, freshman pitcher, throws the ball March 11 against Lamar University at Softball Stadium. ing to win a lot of ball games because we’re going to score runs. I thought they did a great job of sticking to the game plan tonight and doing that.” The loss moves the Lamar Cardinals to 10-10 on the season and 1-10 when trailing or tied after two innings of play. Texas State moves to 15-10 on the season, increasing its win streak to
six games. Woodard, one win shy of her 500th career victory, feels the Bobcats are moving in the right direction and improving on mistakes they were making early in the season. “We’re in a really good spot,” Woodard said. “Offensively we’re doing a good job. Defensively we’re decent. We’re still making some
mistakes we don’t need to make. But we’re running the bases fairly decent. We’re pitching as well as we’ve pitched all year. It’s good timing as far as this point in the season goes.” Texas State continues its conference schedule Saturday against Georgia State in a three-game series.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
TEXAS STATE LOOKING TO MAKE FRESH START IN TOURNAMENT By Sabrina Flores SPORTS REPORTER @SabrinaFloresTX Coach Danny Kaspar and the Texas State men’s basketball team are headed to the Sun Belt Conference tournament with the mentality of a “clean slate.” The Bobcats approach the season in three stages—non-conference, Sun Belt and playoffs. “I do believe our players are going in this with renewed hope,” Kaspar said. “This is our third season. We are happy to be
UT-Arlington’s fast break offense approach is threatening to Texas State. In particular, Lonnie McClanahan, Maverick’s senior guard, tallied 29 points total this season against the Bobcats. Kaspar believes McClanahan is the fastest player in the conference and the Bobcats will rely on Wes Davis, senior guard and D.J. Brown, senior guard, to apply pressure to the Mavericks. Davis, Brown and Ethan Montalvo, junior guard, will be responsible for contesting any
cent from the field in the last meeting against the Mavericks. Emani Gant, junior forward, provided 12 points for the Bobcats in the loss. “The attitude I’m taking is just to give it 100 percent, give it our all,” Gant said. “I feel like we can beat anybody when we play our best game. My attitude coming in is complete focus and togetherness.” UT-Arlington will attempt to defeat Texas State three consecutive times in one season. Gant, however, is skeptical of
“I do believe our players are going in this with renewed hope. We are happy to be in the postseason tournament.” —DANNTY KASPAR, TEXAS STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH in the postseason tournament. Our players are playing with a lot of intensity now, and the bottom line is that we just did not shoot the ball well our last two games against Appalachian State and Louisiana-Monroe.” Texas State will face fifthseeded UT-Arlington in the first round of the postseason tournament. The Mavericks have beaten Texas State twice this season by a total margin of 20 points. The Bobcats were down by three points at halftime in their last home game against the Mavericks. However, the Mavericks opened the second half with a 11-2 run, and the Bobcats were never able to recover from the deficit. Kaspar was disappointed that his defense gave up 70 points on its home court.
outside shots the Mavericks give up. Kaspar has emphasized to the team that its defensive effort will play a huge role in the tournament. The Bobcats are expecting the Mavericks to take quick shots, meaning they need to take care of the rebounding department. The Mavericks are third in the conference in offensive rebounds. The Bobcats sit in last place in offensive rebounds. Kaspar is certain rebounding will be vital if the Bobcats expect to pull off a win. “That’s the line I’m giving my players,” Kaspar said, “If (they) can shoot in the mid-forties, outrebound your opponent and defend the way like we have, we are going to win some games.” The Bobcats shot 33.3 per-
the Mavericks’ ability to achieve that feat. “I don’t feel like they can beat us three times,” Gant said. “I lost to them four times. I don’t want to take no more (losses) against them, so I’m focused on beating them.” With a 13-16 overall record, Texas State needs to win the conference tournament to earn a berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament. Otherwise, the team’s season will be over. “Postseason is just a whole different animal,” Gant said. “You have to come 100 percent ready to play. One game and you are out, so if you make it, you keep going. If you don’t, then you are going home. So our attitude it that you have to come with it.”
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4 | The University Star | Thursday, March 12, 2015
OPINIONS
UniversityStar.com
THE MAIN POINT
Bobcats should take care, have fun during break S
pring break is here, but Bobcats should take care not to party too hard. Spring break is steadily approaching—much to the excitement of university students, faculty and staff—but everyone should keep in mind moderation makes everything just a little better. Spring break can bring out the best, or worst, in everyone, but using this brief vacation as a justification for wild and crazy behavior is unacceptable. Having a drink, partying with friends and just letting loose is perfectly acceptable and, frankly, expected. Allowing that raging inner party animal to take control is where the problem arises. Bobcats should remember to keep the monster at bay and
never go full beast mode. Party animals should make sure their spring break shenanigans remain the best-kept secret this side of the Guadalupe. Flooding Twitter and Instagram with blackout-drunk partygoers, drug-filled tables and trashed apartments seems cool in the moment. But when future employers are trying to get a feel for a new prospect, it is far from a good look. They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Spring break craziness should echo the same sentiment. Your future will thank you. This coveted week of relaxation can get a bit crazy and sometimes may be dangerous. When risky business arises, students should always remember to call the
police, no matter what. Rebecca with the bottle of Cîroc does not know the proper actions and precautions to take when administering help to a person experiencing an overdose. Police and paramedics are there to help, not to place blame and arrest. Saving lives is the number-one priority, so even if what is going on is illegal, it is important to call police if problems arise. Additionally, wallflowers can have nice breaks as well. Being uninterested in spring break craziness does not make one an outcast. If someone would much rather spend time with family or
RYAN JEANES STAR ILLUSTRATOR
eat ice cream while binging on Netflix, that is perfectly fine. People should do whatever they want, peer pressure be damned. This is not high school, and students should not allow their friends to coerce them into doing things they do not want to. This vacation is all about individual relaxation. Most importantly, Bobcats should not forget about their classroom responsibilities. Students should not procrastinate
or ignore potential classwork or preparation for upcoming tests. Yes, spring break is the time for fun, but school should be high on the list of priorities. Allowing the excitement of spring break to cloud otherwise logical judgment is a fool’s errand. Have fun on spring break, Bobcats, be safe and love life, but this academic year is not over, and students will do well to remember that.
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.
SOCIETY
Al Sharpton’s approach more talk, less change
Mariana Castillo OPINIONS COLUMNIST @mar9cast
“
Move forward” is more than just a campaign slogan used by the Obama administration. Although it seemed to be the nation’s motto, there are those like Reverend Al Sharpton who seem to be stuck in the past. Sharpton
is known for giving his opinions on national news headlines whether anyone asked him or not. For years he has been one of the most outspoken voices for civil rights. Sharpton even claims on his MSNBC nighttime show he fights every day for a cause he has dedicated his life to—justice. The African American community is a group Sharpton makes a point to highlight often. Sharpton has made several guest appearances to give his view on high-profile cases such as the Trayvon Martin shooting. He speaks about how the African American people still have a long fight for full equality. One who might use Sharpton as a main source of news might be convinced that yes indeed, this divided country has made little progress since
the Civil Rights movement. With his radio show, Keepen’ It Real and as the host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, he has an audience of 445,000 viewers with 61,000 between the ages of 25-54, according to the DailyBeast. More than half of his viewers are African American. With this kind of following, the audience is told repeatedly there is still little progress being made in favor of the African American community. Earlier this year Sharpton called an emergency meeting to discuss his concerns about the lack of diversity in the movie industry. In a Jan. 15 interview with Business Insider, he compared the industry to the Rocky Mountains, saying “the higher you get, the whiter it gets.” Sharpton also criticized the
STAYING DEMOCRAT
Greg Arellano OPINIONS COLUMNIST @GregGoneWild
T
he political climate in the United States has undoubtedly become more partisan than ever. The coveted spot for the 2016 presidency remains in the sights of the Democratic and Republican Parties. However, there might not be as much competition for the spot given both the hype of the Democratic base and the lackluster performance of the Republican Party’s presidential campaigns. Democrats have been pushing for Hillary Clinton to run since President Barack Obama’s re-election. Although she hasn’t officially announced her bid for the party’s nomination, her super Political Action Committee (PAC) raised over $4 million in 2013 alone. Despite the recent email controversy sweeping headlines, the Clinton team has demonstrated sizable skill in dodging bad press. While the newly announced Associated Press lawsuit against the State Department is going to be an important curveball for the Clinton team to dodge, there’s no reason to assume she’s incapable of doing so considering her past relationship with the press. The last two election cycles were evidence enough the Republican Party is doomed in its current ways. It’s time to re-evaluate how Republicans plan to run election campaigns. The year 2008 saw John McCain as candidate, who pretty much solidified his loss by choosing Sarah Palin as his run-
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African American community does still face oppression and is at times at a disadvantage. However the America Sharpton portrays in his media coverage is reminiscent of a country that still has separate water fountains. There has been rumored talk of Sharpton’s show possibly being canceled. This move might be best in order for a new perspective to be considered. Times have changed, and so have people’s opinions. Removing Sharpton’s show might be the opportunity to bring forth someone who has a different approach to key issues that affect not only the African American community but also the United States as a whole. —Mariana Castillo is a journalism sophomore
GOING REPUBLICAN
ning mate. Details came out about Palin’s “pork” (fat federal spending) requests for the “Bridge to Nowhere” in her time as mayor of Wasilla and as governor for the state of Alaska. After the news came to light in conservative circles, McCain’s tea party advantage effort with Palin as his running mate proved to be in vain as the hopeful vice president defended herself from criticisms by her own base. The 2012 election was supposed to be the Grand Old Party’s (GOP) time to redeem itself. Instead, the party proceeded to show its tea party influence, and the nation was given a handful of some of the most outrageous candidates known to U.S. history. With tea party streamliners like Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann, there was almost no reason to take the Republican Party seriously. While these two candidates were not given the party’s main nomination, they were perhaps the most vocal voices of the conservative wing. The HBO show The Newsroom highlighted the downfalls of the 2012 candidates perfectly. Nearly all of the candidates, including the Republican Party’s frontrunner, Mitt Romney, had quotable hiccups that cost them the presidency. Romney didn’t even care for 47 percent of Americans while he was running. The Democratic base has problems of its own. However, Democrats know how to play the campaign game well. Obama’s campaigns were miles ahead of his opponents’. Given the fact that the GOP has stubbornly refused to make any positive structural changes in its campaign styles, there’s little reason to assume improvement will just magically happen. If Clinton were to run, we would see her husband’s approval ratings come to her aid. While Clinton might face opposition from the more liberal sphere of her base, a liberal champion like Sen. Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts could not only win her the election but also effectively balance out her platform in ways both needed and desired by her party’s constituents.
Jeffrey Bradshaw OPINIONS COLUMNIST @jeffbrad12
T
TALK IT
OUT THE NEXT ELECTION
—Greg Arellano is an electronic media sophomore
The University Star
Oscars and noted while there is a wide array of talented black actors, they are often overlooked, and instead nominations are given to white actors. While one may think he has a valid point, the same could be argued for the lack of diversity in sports such as the NFL, which is dominated by 68 percent of African Americans. There have not been riots in the streets over this because it is perceived as the norm. His radio show is a good way to directly relate to his main target audience. However, instead of tackling stories only pertaining to one racial group, Sharpton might have a bigger following that may inflict more change on its own to spread the message of equality for all. The
he 2016 election cycle is just around the corner, and this go-around will see a new president elected to the White House. This cycle is even more unique because there is not a president running for re-election. People across the nation will look forward to seeing twice as much news coverage and twice as many political commercials competing for public attention. The question is, will the next president be a Republican or Democrat? I think it is very unlikely for a democrat to be elected after President Barack Obama’s time in office. Unrest in the Middle East will play a huge part in this upcoming election. A candidate’s approach to dealing with Islamic extremist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram may determine election. Generally speaking, Republicans seem to have a much more aggressive and militaristic approach when dealing with these types of threats. Therefore, citizens might be more inclined to vote for the Republican candidate because a growing number of Americans see groups like ISIS as a threat. Russia will also be a factor in the next election because it is becoming increasingly aggressive. How the next president will deal with Russia will affect the country for longer than the next four years, making the Russian situation even more significant. Americans might want the next president to respond aggres-
sively, therefore, making a Republican candidate more desirable. After all, the president who told Mikhail Gorbachev, former General Secretary of the Communist party of the Soviet Union, to tear down the wall was a Republican. Foreign policy is only half of the puzzle the next president will have to solve. The 2014 election cycle saw the Republican Party take the Senate and keep a majority in the House of Representatives. According to a Jan. 14 Washington Post article, Republicans have gained 913 state legislative seats in the past three state elections. Obama was president for all of these past elections, and it seems America is becoming more dissatisfied with the Democratic Party. This most likely is not a permanent disapproval but an illustration of the continuing political cycle. Looking back into recent political history, George H. W. Bush was elected after Ronald Reagan but only served one term. Since then, America has continually swayed back and forth between Democrats and Republicans. This pattern of switching between Republican and Democratic presidents, more or less, continues throughout history with the exception of the occasional assassination, resignation or reconstruction. The Republican takeover in 2014 will continue in 2016. This upcoming presidential election will be as exciting as all of the others. The political climate is always changing, and the general statements I made above might not even apply next year. With all of this in mind, it is safe to predict the next president of United States will be a Republican. Hopefully, the American people will not compare and contrast Obama’s actions when considering the next president. Instead, voters should look at the qualifications both candidates have and the state of the country when deciding who should be the next Commander-inChief. —Jeffrey Bradshaw is a political science sophomore
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The University Star | Thursday, March 12, 2015 | 5
LIFESTYLE
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Bobcat Build celebrates 13 years of giving back “We share San Marcos with residents who live here permanently, and our students tend to be temporary,” Lenartowicz said. “It’s just an opportunity for us to give back.” The program sees a rise in volunteers each year, Lenartowicz said. “Last year, we had over 4,000 students registered to volunteer, and that was the biggest year we’ve ever had,” Lenartowicz said. Bobcat Build officers, along with roughly 40 volunteers, make up the Student Planning Committee and are responsible for evaluating 250 job sites throughout a 25-mile radius from campus. “The whole program is really planned by these student leaders,” Lenartowicz said. “Everything has to be coordinated, which is why this is a student-run organization—because these students are doing all of it.” Sam Kelling, outreach co-chair, said a typical build day begins at 8:30 a.m. when registration opens and volunteers begin to check in. At 9:30 a.m., volunteers are treated to a kickoff event that features live music and speeches from Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Lenartowicz. “We have all sorts of food at the kick-off event, and it’s all free, including t-shirts,” Kelling said. “That goes on until about 10 (a.m.) when we finally send our job crews out to get
By Mariah Simank ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR @MariahSimank Bobcat Build, the second-largest student-run community outreach event in Texas, will return to the San Marcos community for its 13th year March 28. Brenda Lenartowicz, associate director of student involvement, said a group of Texas State students founded the program as a way to support San Marcos, Wimberley, Driftwood, Kyle and other local communities.
“Most students only know three places— the Square, the university and their apartment complex— and there’s nowhere else they ever go in town other than maybe Dos Gatos or something like that. You just gain more perspective about your community and how beautiful it is.” —BILLY LANGFORD, OUTREACH CO-CHAIR
their tools and head up to their job sites.” The use of power tools is not allowed on job sites, and the program does not approve any tasks requiring structural work. Jobs change from year to year, but the most common tasks include raking leaves, cleaning shelves at the food bank, trimming trees and painting, said Alex Greenbaum, outreach co-chair. “There is a lot of raking leaves because it is just that time when certain trees drop all their leaves, so there is inches of leaves in people’s yards,” Greenbaum said. “We also paint a lot of people’s fences or the side of houses—just anything they really need us to do. We try to do as much as possible.” Greenbaum said the project helps to change people’s perception of students at the university. “People that we usually help out, when we go back the next year or even when we go to evaluate, would just be so thankful,” Greenbaum said. “They would tell us stories about their lives and say things like, ‘I really couldn’t do all of these things without you guys.’” Lenartowicz said members of the community do not have to be facing hardships in order to receive help from the organization.
STAR FILE PHOTO
“It’s not a needs-based, it’s really a wants-based (program),” Lenartowicz said. “It’s about a thank-you, and we just want to go out there and get our students in the community.” Kelling said Bobcat Build is a unique volunteer opportunity because it allows students to get to know their peers and people from outside the university. “I always say it’s a way to say ‘thank you’ for housing all of those rowdy college students because it’s not easy for the community, especially because we do have a very large
elderly community,” Kelling said. Billy Langford, outreach co-chair, said the program helps students to see areas of the community outside of the university’s shadow. “Most students only know three places—the Square, the university and their apartment complex—and there’s nowhere else they ever go in town other than maybe Dos Gatos or something like that,” Langford said. “You just gain more perspective about your community and how beautiful it is, and that’s really great.”
Elite student dance company performs new recital tion or are recruited to the exclusive team. The team practices well into the evening hours on a weekly basis, Nance said. Members must be talented and have a good work ethic, she said. Allen Bernabe, dance education junior, said he was one of the lucky few asked to join the group without having to go through the audition process. “It is very humbling and prestigious to be a part of the group,” Ber-
By Adriana Ruiz LIFESTYLE REPORTER @Adreezzy San Marcos is home to performers and dancers, but a company is setting the standard for aspiring professionals. Michelle Nance, associate professor and co-director of Merge Dance Company, said The contemporary group is made up of eight dance majors who audi-
nabe said. The practice hours are grueling but rewarding, Bernabe said. The group has the opportunity to learn from and work with professional choreographers. “Intersections”, the company’s latest recital, “merged” many styles together, Nance said. The name is a metaphor for the diverse group that came together to create the performance. “It reminds me of the traffic on (Interstate Highway) 35,” Nance said.
“We felt so many people involved.” Nance said the performance featured 10 unique dances that evoked different moods. She said a piece titled “Loss” was thought-provoking, poignant and sweet. The dance investigates issues and process of grieving. Nance said the group helps students to enhance their skills and understand dance is a way of communicating. The group routinely travels for performances. Nance and three group members traveled to Guatemala last year. The trip was an eyeopening experience for the members because it showed them dance can break language barriers, Nance said.
“Everybody moves, and gestures mean things, and you just get it,” Nance said. Anthony Castillo, performance and choreography sophomore, said being a member has been a challenge. “It has been a little overwhelming but exciting,” Castillo said. “I do this because I love it.” Castillo, who has been dancing since the age of 13, said the group seemed professional when he auditioned. “The energy level was up there, and it was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Castillo said. The Merge Dance Company is open to all dance majors, Nance said. Membership is a yearlong commitment. Auditions will be held again before the beginning of the Fall 2015 semester.
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ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Merge Dance Company rehearses March 4 at the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre.
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6 | The University Star | Lifestyle | Thursday, March 12, 2015
San Marcos offers spring break Wake the Dead Coffee House vibe appeals to wide audience opportunities for students By Sarah Bradley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @sarah_bradskies Wake the Dead Coffee House provides more than coffee to the community. Julie Balkman, current owner and founder of Wake the Dead, said what started out as an idea has since developed into one of the most popular and sought-out coffee shops in the San Marcos area. She said opening the shop was a slow and daunting undertaking.
“I found inspiration in warm grandparent homes for the relaxed and homey feel but also things like haunted houses, foliage, circuses and skulls and zombies regarding the style of the shop.” ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Margo Reitz, psychology junior, kayaks March 9 at Sewell Park.
By Callie Haley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @calliehaley Envisioning the perfect vacation may not include staying in town, but San Marcos offers entertainment for all interests. Officials with The Outdoor Center, Superfly’s Lone Star Music Emporium and The Marc aim to provide entertainment for those staying in San Marcos during spring break. Adam Berglund, student manager for outdoor recreation, said The Outdoor Center at Sewell Park offers special rates for people wanting to get away for spring break. “For spring break we have a pro deal for our camping equipment, which means you can rent it from the first Saturday of spring break until the last Sunday of spring break for the price of four days,” Berglund said. Makenna Seymour, front desk attendant, said The Outdoor Center has a range of camping supplies available for anyone with a valid Texas State ID. “We rent outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags, sleeping pads, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and tandem kayaks to all faculty, alumni and students,” Seymour said. Berglund said this special allows students to save money and experience something fun whether it’s for a couple of days or the
entire break. “It depends on what people want, but for the basics like a tent, (a) sleeping bag and a trail pad, you’re looking at about $12 to $15 a day in rentals,” Berglund said. “That cuts your costs for a trip from maybe $120 to just $60.” The Outdoor Center will be closed March 15-22, so all rentals for spring break must be reserved ahead of time, Seymour said. “We run this special and close down because we understand that our staff wants to go do things over spring break,” Berglund said. “We also recognize that students want to get out and camp, so we’ve been doing this for at least the last four years.” Renters often use the equipment at University Camp, Berglund said. University Camp is a 126-acre property located in Wimberley featuring campsites, lodges and trails. San Marcos has some indoor options for those spending spring break in town. Lance Garza, sales associate at Superfly’s, said Superfly’s features in-house performances for music lovers, showcasing local talent. Garza said Superfly’s will host Austin indie band The Lonesome Heroes March 13 at 6 p.m. “It should be pretty good,” Garza said. “We are already selling a couple of their CDs in the store, so it should be a good turnout.” Garza said artists play a few songs to promote themselves at
the performances. Occasionally they play entire albums. “We clear out the middle of the store and have the artists set up,” Garza said. “We also serve free beer whenever we have in-store performances, so that’s always a plus.” The Marc, a San Marcos venue, will host electronic music concerts throughout the break. Landon Bullard, bartender, said The Marc will host two big events for those staying in San Marcos. “On Saturday March 21, Doctor P will be here along with other local DJs,” Bullard said. “Doctor P is a heavy bass dubstep DJ. The other artists that will be here range from house to trap to EDM.” Travis Scott and Young Thug will be at The Marc March 22 as part of their Rodeo Tour, Bullard said. “Both of the shows during spring break will be 18 and up,” Bullard said. “I’m not sure what the drink specials will be yet, but they will probably average around four dollars.” The Marc offers entertainment for those who may not be able to attend regularly scheduled concerts, said Bullard. “Even if people can’t make it to the shows on the weekend, they can come hang out with us during spring break,” Bullard said. “We have drink specials every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It’s always a good time.”
—JULIE BALKMAN, CURRENT OWNER AND FOUNDER OF WAKE THE DEAD “Blood, sweat and tears were definitely involved with the initial creation, remodeling and landscaping, but everything worked out in the end,” Balkman said. The city’s rules and regulations were difficult and expensive to maneuver when opening the store. “The process of creating Wake the Dead, as a reality, was difficult,” Balkman said. “It took about a year just to get through to the city.” Balkman said she has worked in the coffee business for 16 years and was influenced by everything she experienced. “What really gave me the idea for
Wake the Dead varies pretty widely,” Balkman said. “I found inspiration in warm grandparent homes for the relaxed and homey feel but also things like haunted houses, foliage, circuses and skulls and zombies regarding the style of the shop.” Balkman describes the coffee shop as a “funky Tim Burton-esque house.” The coffeehouse officially opened in May 2008, and business has been consistently strong, said Balkman. Ryan Dowling, San Marcos resident, said the atmosphere Wake the Dead provides sets it apart from other coffee houses around town. “Wake the Dead is, in my opinion, way more friendly and welcoming than most other coffee shops,” Dowling said. “The employees are so personable and down-to-earth, which makes for a really great environment.” Chris Truan, employee, said the shop serves a variety of customers. “Having been an employee for quite some time, I’ve noticed that what really helps us stand out is that we don’t pigeonhole ourselves,” Truan said. “In other words, we make it a priority to not specifically cater to any one crowd. We try to be welcoming to any and everyone that visits.” The shop is also known for providing entertainment, Truan said. “Julie (Balkman) tries to bring in and display local artists’ pictures and local bands to help showcase the creativity and art within San Marcos,” Truan said. Truan said Wake the Dead undoubtedly provides a unique experience with its food, coffee, beer, welcoming environment and place for local artists to perform. “It’s called a coffeehouse for a reason,” Truan said. “It’s really meant to feel like a home, so we try our best to uphold what our name implies.”
DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Barista Tammy Bingham makes a cappuccino March 9 at Wake The Dead Coffee House.
Picks of the Weekend By Britton Richter LIFESTYLE EDITOR @brittonrichter
For the historian: The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is hosting a Sacred Sites & Nature Tour. On March 14, the center will give a hiking tour presenting Central Texas history from a Native American perspective. The hike features a trek over historic trails and more. People who want to access this unique experience can register online.
For anyone and everyone:
For the artist:
South by Southwest (SXSW) is a unique festival combining film, music, tech, comedy and everything in between. Through the years, SXSW has allowed every niche involving arts and tech to combine and interact. The festival occurs March 13-22 across Austin. SXSW is a creative hub, giving everyone the chance to experience a personal interest. Passes are required for some activities, but the festival features free events.
San Marcos has a one-of-a-kind artistic scene. The Art Squared market can be found March 14 on the Square 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market had its first showing in 2014 and has since been held on the second Saturday of every month except January and February. This outdoor showing gives local artists a chance to exhibit and sell their work, from pottery to paintings to live music.
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Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 15,2015! Apply now at
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