March 26 2015

THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2015

VOLUME 104 ISSUE 71 www.UniversityStar.com

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CITY

Local hangar to undergo renovations

By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nick_laughlin The Central Texas Wing (CenTex) of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) received grant money to refurbish its hangar built in 1942.

CenTex is part of the worldwide Commemorative Air Force. The group in San Marcos is one of 79 units with five wings overseas.

CenTex received three grants totaling $70,000 to help restore and upgrade the original 1942 hangar, said Tim Black, CenTex wing leader. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) granted $25,000, $15,000 came from the City of San Marcos and $55,000 was from the Ed Rachal Foundation.

“Getting the grant money allows us to do things that we need to do to keep the facility up and keep the airplanes up,” Black said. “No one is paid. Everyone is a volunteer.”

The interior and exterior wall of the hangar have been deteriorating. The money from the grants will be used to put metal siding on the south wall and to refurbish the front hangar doors to their original 1942 condition.

“Back in the ‘90s (San Marcos) came out and put metal protective siding on the north and side walls,” Black said. “(San Marcos) didn’t have enough money for the south wall, so it’s always been open to the elements.”

Black said termites have caused damage

Sherlon Jackson, the “pizza lady,” announces freshly made pizza March 25 at the East Hopkins H-E-B.

PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

“Pizza lady” breaks personal record at neighborhood H-E-B

By Exsar Arguello NEWS REPORTER @Exsar_Misael

T

he self-proclaimed “pizza lady” of San Marcos broke a personal record March 4 for selling the most pizzas in a day.

Sherlon Jackson, H-E-B employee, promoted the record-breaking event with the help of her fellow staff and through social media.

At the end of the day on March 4, Jackson had sold 366 pizzas, breaking her goal of 300.

Pizza was introduced to the East Hopkins H-E-B deli in 2013, Jackson said.

“No one was buying them or paying attention to the pizzas at first,” she said.

One day Jackson was asked to hand out samples of the pizza and sold about 75. After her success, Jackson began to regularly demo pizza on Wednesdays. At

one point, Jackson sold 175 pizzas in one day.

“I could never break 200 pizzas sold, and it was killing me,” Jackson said.

Jackson took to social media to help advertise her attempt to break her own record.

“We posted on Facebook, made flyers and spread the word to city officials,” Jackson said. “News got around. When the time came, we did it. In matter of fact, we sold 225.”

Jackson broke her 200-pizza record in 2013 and attempted to surpass that number a year later.

Jackson sold 278-pizza in 2014, but still was not satisfied.

“This time around, we promoted on Facebook, to local businesses, my church family and to schools in the area,” Jackson said.

Jackson told her regular buyers to come by for the event. People were marking their calendars for

the big day, she said.

Jackson said a faculty member at Texas State offered her students extra credit if they bought a pizza and took a “selfie” with Jackson.

When the day came, Jackson said customers bought boxes of pizzas in bulk.

“I had this one person come in and buy 40 pizzas at one time,” Jackson said.

The event was scheduled to run throughout the workday, but the pizzas were sold out by 6 p.m., she said.

Ashley Steans, employee at the H-E-B deli and a fellow pizza maker, assisted Jackson in making the pies. Steans made about 100 pizzas a day for several days beforehand to prepare for the event, she said.

“I had to calculate how much cheese and pepperoni I use on each pizza,” Steans said. “From there, I just had my managers order the amount I needed.”

In total, Steans had her managers order 21 boxes of cheese and 5 boxes of pepperoni. The duo also made different types of pizzas, ranging from cheese to margherita, to sell.

Justin Garcia, H-E-B deli employee, helped Jackson and Steans stack, cut and make the pizzas.

The deli was still serving costumers who wanted other items on the menu even though the main event was breaking the pizza record, Garcia said.

“The whole day was just so packed with people buying pizzas and food,” Garcia said. “It really took a team effort to make it all happen.”

Jackson said she will continue break her own records.

“I want to thank everyone who came out and supported me throughout this process and hopefully next year we can go at it again,” Jackson said.

See CENTEX, Page 2

STUDENT HOUSING

ENVINRONMENT

Central Texas areas seek to comply with ozone regulations

By Rebecca Banks NEWS REPORTER @r_banks Hays County is at risk of being designated a “nonattainment” area by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if a proposal to reduce the current ground-level ozone standard passes.

The EPA proposed a change to current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 2014 for the ground-level ozone standard. The change would lower the level required for a space to be considered an attainment area from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to between 65-70 ppb.

Ozone emissions are created when nitrogen oxide from vehicles combine with volatile organic compounds from vegetation in the area, according to CAPCOG’s March 3 presentation to the San Marcos City Council. Sunlight “bakes” the pollutants and forms ozone emissions.

High ozone levels can impact individuals with asthma, particularly children and the elderly, according to the EPA’s website.

High ozone levels can damage plants and trees.

The proposal will not be finalized until Oct. 1, said Andrew Hoekzema, air quality program manager for the Capital Area Council of Governments.

“Our levels right now are at 69 ppb, so we are in compliance with the current standard of 75,” Hoekzema said. “We would be in compliance with the revised standard if it was set at the highest level that EPA proposed, which is 70.”

Hoekzema said the Central Texas counties will not be in compliance if the EPA approves reducing the NAAQS standard below 70 ppb.

According to the CAPCOG, the projected ozone levels for the Central Texas area are expected to decrease thanks to environmental initiatives but may still not

See OZONE, Page 2

Eight17 construction stalled by financial problems

By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Construction progress at Eight17 Lofts has ceased amidst rumors of bankruptcy and building code violations.

Eight17 officials have delayed move-in dates at least four times since construction began in February of last year. The most recent prediction for construction completion, late spring, now seems unrealistic to some.

Hale-Mills Construction, the contracting company hired by Eight17’s property management, Innovative Student Housing, currently has an up-to-date building permit, said Abigail Gillfillan,

“The city doesn’t engineer people’s projects at all. We just ensure that they have used engineers when they are required to.”

—ABIGAIL GILLFILLAN, PERMIT CITY MANAGER permit center manager.

City Planning and Development officials have required the company to hire a private construction engineer. Cracks in the building’s foundations will be assessed even though the HaleMills permit is valid.

“The city doesn’t engineer people’s projects at all,” Gillfillan said. “We just ensure that they have used engineers when

they are required to.”

Gillfillan said the foundational cracks do not pose an imminent danger.

Hale-Mills reported the project has experienced financing issues and officials are looking for additional financial investors, Gillfillan said.

Aaron Windham, health care administration senior, said he originally signed a lease with

Eight17 last April.

The Eight17 leasing office closed in December 2014, Windham said. Officials with Innovative told Windham the office would reopen in early 2015 at the construction site.

Windham had doubts about the relocation.

“The construction site is a hard-hat-only area,” Windham said. “I think they knew they were lying.”

Jae Sung Um is currently renting the old Eight17 leasing office.

He plans to open “Frozen Cave,” a frozen yogurt shop, at the old office by May. Windham said he tried to contact Innovative by phone only to

See EIGHT17, Page 2

UNIVERSITY

Tribal representatives win right to bury ancient human remains

By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Representatives from the Indigenous Cultures Institute have regained rights to a set of 1,000-yearold human remains disturbed by construction at Spring Lake.

Mario Garza, board of elders chair for the Indigenous Cultures Institute, and Todd Ahlman, director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State, pleaded their case March 3 at a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) meeting in Amherst, Massachusetts.

The repatriation review committee will recommend the Secretary of the Interior for Texas State return the ancient remains of a 25-year-old Native American man to the institute for reburial.

The institute represents hundreds of native groups that once resided in Texas and northeastern Mexico, including the staterecognized Miakan-Garza tribe.

The remains were uncovered in 2011 near the park’s restrooms when workers excavated ground for a new sewage line, Garza said.

Jon Lohse, former director of the Center for Archaeological Studies, immediately notified

See REMAINS, Page 2

MADELYNNE SCALES PHOTO EDITOR

Mario Garza, board of elders chair for the Indigenous Cultures Institute, points to the site where construction workers found the 1,000-year-old bones of a Miakan-Garza tribe member March 13 at the Meadows Center.

2 | The University Star | News | Thursday, March 26, 2015

CENTEX, from front to the hangar.

“This money, along with the matching grant funds, will be used to preserve the building for years and allow future generations to enjoy the aircrafts,” said Clara Tuma, LCRA Public Information Officer.

Black said CenTex was not in a financial situation to do anything except keep the airplanes flying. With the grants and fundraisers, officials can be proactive. “(This construction project) is

something that has needed to be done for a long time,” Black said.

The LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP) awards grants for economic development in the region. It is a way for LCRA to give back to the communities in the service area, Tuma said.

Tuma said LCRA awards grants twice a year. Applicants must state why and how the money will be used.

Recipients must provide at least 20 percent of the total cost of the project

OZONE, from front

in matching funds.

“We’ve increased our fundraising program to put us in a better financial situation,” Black said. “We still needed help, and that is the reason we went after the grants from the different sources; to allow us to get done what we needed to do.”

CenTex now hosts a Casino Night in the spring, a golf tournament in the fall and a dinner dance held on Veterans Day weekend to help raise funds.

Black said the rear hangar doors need to be refurbished to mirror the front doors. Plumbing and electrical systems need to be fixed to get the hangar into a satisfactory condition.

“We are already seeing an increase of tourists on a daily basis,” Black said. “One of the reasons is we have increased their presence on social media with Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.”

Black said CenTex joined the Chamber of Commerce in San

Marcos, Buda, Kyle and Canyon Lake. Officials have plans to join New Braunfels.

“By getting the word out through those avenues, along with the advertising that we do, we see more activity out here,” Black said.

CenTex is located at the San Marcos Airport and is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No entry fee is required, but a donation of $3 is recommended for upkeep.

EIGHT17, from front

be compliant if EPA officials lowers the standard. The average is anticipated to be 68 ppb this year and could drop to 65 ppb in 2017, Hoekzema said.

EPA officials will begin to propose regions that are nonattainment areas or are incompliant with the finalized NAAQS standard in June 2017, he said.

Hoekzema said if the space were to be designated as a “nonattainment area,” it would be in the lowest of five classifications of incompliant zones. It has remained in compliance since 1970 with the NAAQS standards.

Hays County is part of the Austin-Round Rock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Bastrop, Caldwell, Travis and Williamson are the other incorporated counties, Hoekzema said.

Oscar Hairell, facilities operations manager for San Marcos, said the EPA’s analytical data may be “slightly dated.” “(It) doesn’t take into account all the environmental initiatives that have been on going in the last 10 years,” Hairell said.

Hairell said population growth and instances of drought or heavy rainfall will impact the area’s ozone levels.

Every region has different environmental issues and initiatives in place that should be considered by the EPA. San Marcos has been active for at least 12 years in improving the environmental standard, Hairell said. Water conservation, carpooling and various ozone-related improvements have been pursued by city officials.

Hairell said the city’s parks use propane mowers, not gasfueled ones.

“When you burn propane versus gasoline, there is much less carbon monoxide emissions that are going to be produced,” Hairell said. “It burns cleaner, the engine burns hotter and it’s more efficient. So with all those things, it causes less emission issues.”

Most of the city’s police vehicles use E10 and E85 alternative fuel. The city’s other vehicles use the latest EPA approved ultra-low diesel, Hairell said.

find the number disconnected.

“I called and called, but nobody ever answered,” Windham said.

Windham decided to call another one of Innovative’s properties and learned the company was experiencing financial problems.

The Attorney for Students office confirmed Innovative had filed for bankruptcy at a consultation meeting in January 2014, Windham said. He initially approached the Attorney for Students in an attempt to seek legal recourse for breach of contract but was told his case would likely go nowhere.

“It was a rough period,” Windham said. “I slept on my friends’ couches for six months.”

Windham said the constant uncertainty of not having a place to live added to the stress of trying to finish his degree.

The delayed construction project has created difficulties at Treff’s Tavern, a bar located adjacent to the Eight17 building site, said Jessica Peña, pre-physical therapy senior.

The construction has slowed traffic and diminished parking at the bar, she said.

Peña said she heard from off-duty construction workers the project was experiencing financial problems.

“It’s a waste of space,” Peña said.

“The construction on the roads is annoying and hazardous for (drivers), especially when they’re drunk.”

Efforts to reach Eight17 and Innovative Student Housing were made via email and by phone. No calls and emails were returned.

STAR FILE PHOTO

Where the good meat is REMAINS, from front

It’s good medicine!

Garza of the discovery and allowed him daily prayer visits at the burial site. The remains were catalogued and stored at Texas State after days of study and unearthing, Garza said.

Garza said the university’s decision to excavate and remove the burial site reflects an attitude of disrespect in the archaeology field. “(Archaeologists) do not consider our bones as human remains,” Garza said. “We’re considered as archaeological objects. An object is something easier to deal with than something human.”

More than seven million sets of human remains are currently in cardboard boxes across the United States, Garza said.

“That soul is not going to be at rest,” Garza said. “It will be wandering until we repatriate it, until we rebury it back, and that’s what we are going to be doing with these remains.”

Attitudes regarding the treatment of human remains are beginning to change at the university. Ahlman’s cooperation in repatriation efforts is one example of the shift, Garza said.

Garza has observed sensitivity from university and city officials.

Until recently, the university required the Miakan-Garza band to pay a $300 fee to conduct prayer ceremonies at the San Marcos Springs, said María Rocha, executive director for the tribe.

Rocha said the San Marcos Springs is not only a historically important site for the Miakan-Garza band but a

FACULTY SENATE

S.T.A.R. Park hopes to reach out to academic departments

By Nicholas Laughlin NEWS REPORTER @nick_laughlin Faculty Senate held its annual meeting with the Council of Academic Deans and discussed the expansion and mission of the Science Technology and Advanced Research (S.T.A.R.) Park.

Stephen Frayser, director of S.T.A.R. Park, addressed the joint meeting to discuss how each department can have a role in the institution.

“President (Denise) Trauth and I have had conversations about the need for the updated look, which is what (Frayser) wants, to the mission of S.T.A.R. Park,” said Provost Eugene Bourgeois.

Bourgeois said the presentation is Frayser’s first. He will take part in follow-up meetings in colleges and other academic departments.

The park will undergo a two-phase expansion, Frayser said. The first phase will create 6,300 square feet of laboratory space including, a student entrepreneurship area. The second phase will add a 16,000-square-foot wing. The expansion will bring S.T.A.R. Park to a total of 36,000 square feet. The second phase will add the ability to accommodate 15-20 additional firms.

Five firms are currently housed in S.T.A.R. Park. Six new labs will be added by June, Frayser said. Park officials have received letters of intent from officials with three other companies about joining the space.

Frayser said S.T.A.R. Park officials have requirements for companies that join their team. The companies must be for profit, have a management system in place and complete significant work. “(A firm) has to be open to being in a incubator environment,” Frayser said. “We are not real estate. We are a partnership.”

Frayser said Faculty Senate and the deans are the “first step” in making the strategic plan for the park.

“I am more than willing to meet with each of your college councils to let (the departments) know how you can help with what we are doing,” Frayser said to the senators.

Bourgeois said S.T.A.R. Park officials wanted to give everyone on campus the opportunity “to climb on board.”

“This is an opportunity to get some interaction going between students from different disciplines,” Bourgeois said. “(S.T.A.R. Park) kind of creates space where they can get together and they can literally just go nuts with their ideas and creativity.”

sacred one as well.

Rock art near Comstock, known as the ‘White Shaman Panel,’ has been dated at over 4,000 years old and depicts the Miakan-Garza creation story, Garza said.

A map of the tribe’s four sacred water sites—Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs and San Pedro Springs—is depicted in the White Shaman Panel, Garza said.

“We were created in the underworld,” Garza said. “Then we followed the deer and came out at one of the springs.”

He said the San Marcos Springs, otherwise known as “the umbilical,” is open to the Miakan-Garza’s religious ceremonies.

“It was so humiliating,” Rocha said.

“We finally went to (President Denise Trauth) and asked if we could just come and pray.”

Trauth conceded and decided to waive the fee, allowing the tribe to practice its religion at the preserve without charge, Rocha said.

Garza and other activists from the institute are working with San Marcos officials to find a permanent reburial site for remains uncovered in the future, said Steve Parker, assistant city manager.

Artifacts dated at more than 15,000 years old have given San Marcos the unique claim of being the “oldest continually inhabited site in North America,” Garza said.

Widespread construction and rapid

growth will likely lead to more uncovered burial sites in the near future, Parker said.

Jared Miller, city manager, and Parker are negotiating with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for permission to create a dedicated reburial site in the Spring Lake Preserve.

Garza and institute officials are compiling a manual to help other tribal groups fight for the repatriation rights of their respective ancestors, Rocha said.

The institute received a grant for more than $38,000 from the Indian Land Tenure Foundation to aid in the creation of the manual, she said.

“This whole process—we are documenting it: who we talked to, how we worked with them, how much it costs, all of that,” Rocha said.

The repatriation process should be completed by next year with the reburial to take place by January or February 2016, Garza said.

Garza and other tribal leaders will begin the three-day reburial ceremony by purifying themselves in a sweat lodge before handling the remains, he said. Garza and other institute members will conduct a public reburial service after an allnight peyote vigil with the remains.

“We have had burial ceremonies, but we have never had reburial ceremonies,” Garza said. “When we buried our people, we figured that it would be forever.”

The University Star | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 3

LIFESTYLE

UniversityStar.com

San Marcos residents visit Superfly’s for musical variety, sound quality

By Jonathan Hamilton LIFESTYLE REPORTER @Jonodashham1 Many San Martians know Superfly’s Lone Star Music Emporium as a one-stop shop for classic vinyl records, posters and literature.

Zach Jennings, owner, said the store opened about three years ago and features vintage music from a variety of genres.

Lance Garza, employee and Texas State alumnus, said he was hired after being a regular customer at the record shop.

Wild Child, The Deer, José Gonzáles and Americana bands are sold consistently at Superfly’s, Garza said. The sound of these artists appeals to Central Texans.

Garza said he wasn’t especially exposed to music growing up. However, he developed a love for the art, which eventually led him to work at Superfly’s.

Garza said the emergence of the Internet as a primary source for music has changed the culture of the record industry. Despite this change, he has seen a recent resurgence in the purchasing of vinyl records.

“I’ve seen a lot of people coming in lately looking strictly for vinyl records,” Garza said.

“Most people believe vinyl has a superior sound quality”.

Garza is not opposed to listening to music on a CD or through an MP3 device, but he believes vinyl records are the best way to feel the sound.

“I just love music, but I prefer vinyl,” Garza said. “It is the whole process of throwing an album on, flipping it over and dropping the needle. It is the whole experience that draws me in.”

Promise Udo, employee, said he has been producing and writing music for over

ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Oscar Favian, geography senior, browses records March 25 at Superfly's Lone Star Music Emporium. five years. He was inspired by genres such as hip-hop, jazz and electronica as well as the records at Superfly’s.

“I have been here for almost two years,” Udo said. “I make music and have always loved music, so this is an awesome job. We sell everything here, so it is pretty cool.”

Udo said Superfly’s greatest asset is its variety of music, which allows any customer to find an appealing genre.

“No matter what type of music you are into, chances are we have it,” Udo said.

“We have got it on CD, and we have got it vinyl. If you are actually about supporting the artists that you listen to, then you will probably buy their record here.”

Garza said Superfly’s gives local musicians a platform to share their art with live performances.

“There are a lot of people in the area

that we support as far as local music,” Garza said.

Krystal May, biology junior, said she frequently visits Superfly’s to purchase R&B and soul records.

May said she is an avid listener after growing up in a house where music played constantly.

“Upon walking into the store, the vibe was very relaxed and chill,” May said.

The summer scoop on Rhea’s Ice Cream

By Louis Zylka SPECIAL TO THE STAR @OrinZylka

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Osvaldo Rios, biochemistry freshman, Abraham Trevino, criminal justice junior and Emmanuel Bacerott, electrical engineering freshman, mix tracks March 24 at Arnold Hall.

New student organization connects electronic music lovers

By Adriana Ruiz LIFESTYLE REPORTER @Adreezzy “Love, unity and respect” is the motto adopted by a new campus organization striving to promote the San Marcos electronic music scene.

Abraham Trevino, criminal justice sophomore and president of the Electronic Music Association (EMA), said the group is dedicated to providing students who appreciate electronic music the opportunity to connect and network.

“We want to create a scene for those who might not fit in,” Trevino said.

The organization is still in the beginning stages, but representatives hope it will improve students’ careers by teaching them how to DJ or produce music.

Trevino, who is a DJ, hopes by creating EMA he can help others find them-

selves.

“We want to support people in the scene who may be a little out of the norm,” Trevino said. “I think (music) helps you discover who you are and to learn to live and love.”

Maxwell Yi, computer science sophomore and member of EMA, joined the group to network with others who appreciate music.

“I think finding others to collaborate with and to share ideas with is the biggest purpose,” Yi said.

Yi, a music producer who goes by the name AznInvzn, is an ambassador for the Recording Academy’s Grammy U program. He has worked with G-Eazy, Zed, ZZ Ward, Paul Wall and Colbie Caillat.

He is currently teaching a few members of the group to DJ or play the piano.

Trevino said the group has 18 active members. He hopes to increase that num-

ber with an interactive recruiting session that will allow group members to take turns DJing in the Quad.

“We want to have a set list of DJs playing two hours of their own style of music,” Trevino said. “We want it to be interactive and have our DJs playing live.”

Trevino hopes to educate people who associate the electronic music genre with drug use by serving as a positive influence on campus.

“Personally, I have a problem with being seen under that light,” Trevino said. “I don’t judge people, but I don’t support that scene.”

Yi said the goal of the group is to promote electronic music and introduce the style to students who may not be familiar with it.

“You don’t need drugs to appreciate music,” Yi said.

“Music itself is almost like a drug. You can get lost in it and even addicted to it.”

Summer is approaching, and few things provide more relief from the heat than ice cream.

Rhea Ortamond created Rhea’s Ice Cream in 2010.

Ortamond said she always enjoyed making ice cream, and the opportunity to turn it into a career began when she acquired extra space to live. She turned her small area into a shop in order to ease rent concerns.

She said her mother taught her to create unique flavors.

“I am always experimenting,” Ortamond said. “It’s cool to see people appreciate what you’re making.”

She creates the majority of her own recipes, flavors and hand-made waffle cones.

Tom and Summer Hoff, visitors from Austin, said they were delighted by the strong variety of flavors.

Owner Rhea Ortamond serves a cone of ice cream March 25 at her shop.

“There is an interesting ambiance of choices,” Tom said. “The Big Red is not too sweet.”

Summer said her personal favorite was the goat cheese flavor.

Ortamond said the shop features a new flavor on the first of each month. Her personal favorite, so far, is caramel sea salt.

Ortamond interacts with her customers by accepting flavor suggestions using the Rhea’s Month Box. A customer randomly selected from the box is put on the shop’s wall of fame and gets free ice cream,.

Lindsay Adair, former employee, said Ortamond allows her employees to create their own flavors. She developed a friendship with her former boss.

“Rhea has been my friend for 15 years,” Adair said. “I enjoy helping her out with her business.”

Rhea’s Ice Cream is open year-round, no matter the temperature. Customers visit from a variety of areas.

“People like to eat ice cream during the winter too,” Ortamond said. “There are a lot of out-of-towners.”

ANDRES J RODRIGUEZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Voted BEST Pizza in San Marcos 2014

$20 pitcher and pie 2-4:45 and 10-close 700 North LBJ Drive #107

4 | The University Star | Thursday, March 26, 2015

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

Continental United States ideal for summer travel T

hat time has come once again Bobcats. Summer is here—well, almost here.

Students are rallying their study habits for finals and flooding the Rec in an attempt to get those last few crunches in for their “beach bods.” Summer is on the horizon, and as students make their plans for those months of pure R&R, students should look no further than the continental United States.

Not only is exploring the United States much cheaper, but it allows people to experience the beauty they did not know existed in their own backyards.

A plane ticket looks like a mortgage payment when compared to the average cost of a bus ticket. Wasting thousands of dollars on a plane ticket and a hotel in a

foreign nation for a week is not a sound investment. The cost-benefit analysis is disproportionate, especially when people could be saving thousands spending their vacation time couch surfing in the land of the free.

Every year Americans pack up their bags and travel all across the world, ignoring the beauty found in good old U.S. of A. Television stations continue to play ads trying to entice people to visit places like California and Montana. Places with beautiful scenery as well as national locations of interest with taglines like “Montana is waiting for you” or something equally appealing flood television screens.

Upon hearing of Montana’s apparent longing, the typical viewer may be think-

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

RYAN JEANES STAR ILLUSTRATOR

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. ing, “Of course Montana is waiting. All it has is time. There’s nothing there.”

While this is an adorably shady sound bite, it simply is not true. In fact, Montana is home to Yellowstone National Park, which spans three states, as well as the Glacier National Park. These are two beautifully scenic locations important enough to be designated two of 59 protected areas by the Department of Interior. Little Montana is starting to sound not so bad.

Granted, all students may not desire to take a break and party every weekend nor have the money, and that is perfectly okay. If students want to they can join thousands of students in America and study abroad. Combining an education with a foreign nation is high on tons of

people’s list of things to do. Earning credit while fulfilling that wanderlust feeling is a two-for-one combo. Experiencing what the world has to offer while furthering an education equals no time lost.

America has tons of places to visit and experience such as Mount Rushmore, the Smithsonian, Empire State Building, the Grand Canyon and the entirety of Vegas just to name a few. Investing time and money in America to see what she has to offer is something that should be of interest to everyone. We should attempt to understand and enjoy our own backyard before we try to play in someone else’s. America has a lot more to offer than baseball and apple pie. She is a beauty from sea to shining sea.

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The University Star | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 5

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

SOFTBALL

BOBCATS FEND OFF COWGIRLS COMEBACK ATTEMPT IN 4-3 WIN

By Christian Rodriguez ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @crod9521 The Texas State softball team secured a 4-3 victory against Southland Conference leader McNeese State Wednesday night thanks to two freshmen.

The bottom of the second inning proved to be the only time in the game timely hitting was present for the Bobcats.

Braegan Hamilton, freshman center fielder, and Ariel Ortiz, freshman shortstop, produced hits in the inning that resulted in a total of four runs: Texas State’s entire scoring output.

The inning began with a pair of walks to Katie Doerre, junior right fielder, and Danielle Warne, sophomore left fielder, which sparked the early surge. A sacrifice bunt from Sara Rupp, freshman catcher, advanced the runners to second and third base.

Hamilton took advantage of the opportunity by hitting a blooper into the outfield that plopped between the right fielder and first baseman, scoring Doerre from third. Kelli Baker, junior second baseman, reached base on a hit by pitch in the next at bat.

The number-two spot in the lineup came to the plate.

What followed was the Bobcats’ winning hit.

The bases were loaded. Ortiz hit a line drive into left center field that rolled to the wall. Ortiz reached second base, and three teammates scored to take a 4-0 lead.

“When I took the first pitch, it was a strike,” Ortiz said.

“And I was like, ‘Crap I should have swung at that one,’ and then she got me with the ball, and then she threw me a changeup, and I was honestly hoping to get a good part of the bat on it because if I mishit it, the ball would have been in a little bit of trouble.”

McNeese State started its comeback attempt in the fourth inning when Erika Piancastelli, Cowgirls freshman catcher, hit a home run over the left field wall to cut the deficit to three.

Tori Yanitor, Cowgirls sophomore outfielder, followed with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning.

The feat brought the team within one run late in the game.

The Bobcats fended off the late rally in the last two innings and came out with a victory.

Coach Ricci Woodard said the team did not execute at the right time.

“We killed ourselves along the way,” Woodard said. “I thought we did enough to keep ourselves in the ball game and try to give ourselves a chance to win, and at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.”

Texas State is set to face Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are first in the Sun Belt Conference, heading into the contest with a 25-4 record.

Woodard knows the contest will be tough. She feels her team has what it takes to meet the challenge head-on.

“They’re a good ball club,” Woodard said. “But they’ve got two losses already, and they’re very beatable, and if we play our game we’re going to get a couple of wins out of the weekend.”

Randi Rupp, freshman pitcher, recorded a complete game March 25 in the Bobcats’ victory against McNeese State at Softball Stadium.

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

FOOTBALL

WELCOME TO THE MAGER ZONE: ALUM LOOKING TO FIND NFL NICHE

By Quixem Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR @quixem Craig Mager joined the Texas State football program in 2010. Those were different times.

Texas State was not a Division I team at the time. The Bobcats had not been bowl eligible and had not appeared on national television.

Texas State was the new kid on the block, attempting to make a mark in college football.

Five years later, Mager and the football program are drawing interest from the National Football League.

Twenty-four NFL scouts representing 23 teams visited Texas State’s 2015 pro day, up from one in 2011.

“I’ve seen this university grow to what it is right now,” Mager said.

“I’ve had some opportunity to help that growth. It’s just amazing to

see what a little bit of a culture change and a new coach can do to a university.”

Mager, much like the program, was in a transition period. He played running back in high school before switching to cornerback for Texas State.

The position switch leveraged his athleticism and football acumen in a different manner. He needed to be on the defensive instead of attacking the defense.

Mager did not need much time to learn the position. He started every game as a cornerback, exceeding 48 tackles in each season throughout his career at Texas State.

Mager eventually honed the nuances of cornerback, and the coaching staff leaned on him more.

Relying on Mager—who could play press man-to-man, in the box as a blitzer and in zone coverage—gave the defensive coordinator flexibility to send extra defenders to disrupt

the quarterback.

Mager was an integral part of a defense that finished sixth in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring defense last season.

Mager earned an invitation to the 2015 NFL Combine, which he called a “dream come true.” He posted a 4.44 time in the 40-yard dash, the fourth-best mark among cornerbacks.

His performance elevated his draft stock. Mager, however, was unfazed.

“At the NFL Combine, I wasn’t really too shocked about my numbers,” Mager said. “I always knew I was fast and could jump pretty good. It wasn’t too much of a shock.

I wish I could have done better.”

Mager’s Combine numbers were a result of deliberate preparation over a span of months. He took more away from the East-West Shrine Game, however, because he had no idea what to expect.

The East-West Shrine Game showcases the top collegiate football players. Mager, playing on the East team, held his own.

“The East-West performance shocked me a lot,” Mager said. “I was able to use my technique to stay with them. Even though I played at Texas State, dudes that went to SEC, we can still compete with them.”

Mager, labeled as a potential starter according to an NFL.com scouting report, had individual workouts with the Houston Texans and San Diego Chargers. He has more scheduled workouts as the 2015 NFL Draft approaches.

Fred Evans, picked by the Miami Dolphins in 2006, was the last Bobcat selected in the NFL Draft.

Evans has appeared in 95 games in eight seasons.

Mager observes Joplo Bartu, linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, and Darryl Morris, cornerback for the Houston Texans, for guidance

during the draft process. Bartu and Morris signed as undrafted free agents after playing with Texas State.

“It hasn’t really set in yet,” Mager said. “I was just thinking the other day, ‘Man I got invited to the NFL Combine.’ It’s slowly but surely becoming a reality the closer we get to the draft. I’m just trying to enjoy the ride.”

The NFL Draft begins April 30, and the clock is running out for Mager to improve his chances of making a professional team.

He’s knocking on the NFL door.

Mager’s performance has already opened doors that did not exist five years ago for future Texas State football players.

“Yeah, I feel good, but I’m a hard critic of myself,” Mager said. “I always feel I can do better. I just try to stay with the flow, keep praying and hope that God can carry me the rest of the way.”

BASEBALL

STORYLINES TO WATCH: TEXAS STATE VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN

By Matt Gurevitz SPORTS REPORTER @Matt_Gurevitz

and re-focus on Georgia Southern?

We’ll find out this weekend.

First place in the Sun Belt Conference is in sight for the Texas State baseball team.

Georgia Southern and Texas State are tied for first place and one team will exit the weekend with sole honor of the top position in the conference.

The Bobcat bullpen has had its share of struggles this season, and the trend continued against Texas.

Blake Whitter, senior pitcher, and Cory Geisler, junior pitcher, have been asked to get big outs as a “closer by committee.”

Whitter gave up a three-run home run on Tuesday night, giving Texas the lead. Whitter, who leads the team in saves, was an effective closer prior to the matchup.

Whitter has given up one run in his last 10 appearances before Tuesday and has a 2.89 earned run average this season.

Whitter and Jeremy Hallonquist, junior relief pitcher, are the only relievers with an earned run average below 3.00 The inconsistency of the bullpen has been the story of 2015.

The players will need to step up down the stretch in the season.

MATCHUP HISTORY, OR LACK THEREOF

The two unfamiliar foes will get their first taste of a Sun Belt matchup. Georgia Southern is in its first season of the Sun Belt and has never faced Texas State.

No players on Texas State were born in Georgia, and nobody on the Georgia Southern team was born in Texas. There are plenty of unknowns.

How will Texas State respond to the Texas loss?

Texas came into San Marcos on Tuesday night in a highly anticipated game.

Texas State lost 6-4 after leading for seven innings. Will Texas State be down after the loss on Tuesday, or will the Bobcats move forward

BULLPEN STRUGGLES

STANDINGS SITUATION

Texas State could be anywhere from first to seventh place by the end of the weekend.

Whoever wins the weekend series will be in the top four in the Sun Belt, but first place is a possibility.

UT-Arlington is 4-2 in Sun Belt play and has the same winning percentage in the Sun Belt as Georgia Southern and Texas State. UT-Arlington hosts Georgia State this weekend, and the Mavericks will have a chance at first place if they sweep the series.

The Sun Belt is still in the early stages, but jostling for higher posi-

tions remains important.

ROUGH STRETCH FOR GEORGIA SOUTHERN

This series will be the start of a seven-game road trip for the Eagles.

The Eagles will play three matchups in San Marcos before traveling to play Louisiana-Lafayette next weekend for another three-game series.

Louisiana-Lafayette won the Sun Belt a season ago and is a half-game behind Texas State and Georgia Southern in the conference standings.

Georgia Southern’s season could

have a different outlook if the Eagles do not bring their best during this stretch.

WHAT’S NEXT

Texas State hosts the Baylor Bears for a three-game series next weekend. Baylor is currently unranked and 10-14 overall. These two inner-state teams split their two-game series a year ago.

This will be the last non-conference series for Texas State this season.

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6 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday, March 26, 2015

SOPHOMORE GOLFER

BEYOND THE GAME

By Delisha Mims SPORTS REPORTER @_DeeJernigan Maty Monzingo, sophomore, looked back, and her father was gone. Life as she knew it had changed.

While Monzingo was on the golf range her father, Lynn, was being rushed to the nearest hospital.

“Something wasn’t the same about my dad,” Monzingo said. “I remember he wasn’t able to balance, and when I would ask him a question, he would slur his words. I knew something was wrong.”

Prior to her third shot of the 18th hole, Maty glanced back and watched as Lynn fell to the ground in a fairway.

Maty went back to the green to start her second round of the Jim West Challenge, trying not to stress herself out.

After the tournament, the doctors informed her Lynn was suffering from a stroke.

Lynn went from walking with Maty to every hole to lying in a hospital bed. He was confined to a wheelchair after the stroke.

“My father couldn’t walk,” Maty said. “His speech had changed, and he just wasn’t his normal self.”

Maty was in a state of shock. She would go to class but not be mentally present. Her dad was continually on her mind.

Her grades suffered. Maty had trouble listening in class because she was constantly worrying about the health of her father.

Maty’s grades were good enough for her to play golf. However, they were not good enough for her liking. Not maintaining a high grade point average weighed on her heart.

Maty described her father’s placement in the Intensive Care Unit as the hardest thing she has endured.

“When we got there, his speech was normal, but his words were mumbled,” Maty said.

The family did not realize Lynn could not walk until he was released from the ICU. They tried to help him up, but he could not move.

Lynn was relocated to a rehab facility in New Braunfels after spending a week and a half in the ICU. He remained there for two months before being placed in the personal care of his wife, Margaret.

“It takes a mentally strong person to be a personal nurse,” Maty said. “Watching her care for my dad inspires me daily (and) makes me wish I could be half the woman she is.”

Lynn’s basic motor skills were not high enough for him to leave rehab. His diet was limited to pudding and soft food.

“My daughter has grown into a strong young woman who is not letting the adversity of her father’s situation keep her down,” said Margaret Monzingo, Maty’s mother. “Instead she is learning to put her father’s condition into perspective.”

A year later, Lynn’s motor skills have improved. Walking remains his ultimate goal.

Maty is aware she cannot predict her father’s abilities. She makes a point of calling her dad every day to make sure he is staying strong.

“He’s been such a great golf influence in my life,” Maty said. “I definitely want to do good not only for myself but also for him. I just want him to continue to work really hard so he can regain his strength to walk 18 holes at my next tournament.”

Lynn introduced Maty to golf at the age of seven. Maty loved the thought of being with her dad.

Maty’s dad was formerly an assistant golf coach at Oklahoma, so the expectations placed on her were higher than average.

Lynn saw potential for Maty to become a great golfer as she reached her teenage years.

What began as a recreational activity between father and daughter turned into a legitimate collegiate option.

“Growing up focusing strictly on golf gave me a little attitude,” Maty said. “That made my dad and I butt heads a lot. Like everyone my age, I just wanted to be a kid. The pressure of being great at golf made it very hard for me to do so.”

Maty’s ability to develop a normal social life was limited as she improved on the golf course.

“During my younger years, I had the tendency to mope about continuously being at the golf range because I just wanted to be normal,” Maty said. “My dad saw in me the opportunity to make a way of life playing golf.”

The bond between Maty and Coach Mike Akers was strengthened as she juggled golf, school and worrying about her father simultaneously.

“I have been coaching 19 years, and Maty is the most talented golfer I have ever coached,” Akers said. “She can definitely play at the next level if she continues to put in the time and effort.”

Maty is maintaining perspective more than a year after the incident.

“Having my father as my role model pushes me to do better every day,” Maty said. “I know now that the only way to make him proud is to go and successfully get my dreams accomplished.”

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

SOUTH LAMAR • BRODIE LANE • KYLE PARKWAY

The University Star’s

H U$ING GUIDE CLOSE TO CAMPUS

The Vistas offers room with a view close to campus

By Exsar Arguello NEWS REPORTER @Exsar_Misael

PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Vistas San Marcos will continue to offer off-campus luxury with the convenience of an on-campus feel under the new slogan, “Work hard, play hard, walk home.”

The Vistas is located on Fredericksburg Street next to campus.

The most attractive aspect of the housing complex is the location, said Amanda Cox, Vistas Regional Manager.

“A big thing that sets us apart from other apartments is our security,” Cox said.

Every resident has an individual key and access code to enter the facil-

The Retreat offers quality location, amenities

By Paul Livengood SPORTS REPORTER @IamLivengood The Retreat is located the corner of Craddock Avenue and Old Ranch Road 12 a mile away from campus.

The complex is the last bus stop on both the Ranch Road and North LBJ bus routes. The trip from the bus stop to the LBJ Student Center bus loop takes about 10 minutes.

The community provides townhomes ranging from two to five bedrooms with varying floor plans and rates. The rates cover rent, cable and Internet. Electricity and

water fees are charged separately.

There are six five-bedroom options with varying prices, the least expensive of which is $559 per month.

The two-bedroom rate ranges from $704-$724 per month depending on the model.

The houses are available in furnished and unfurnished styles and are pet-friendly.

“We have tanning beds, a resort sized swimming pool, a two-story workout center, golf simulator, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court,” said Shelby Foster, a community assistant at The Retreat.

“Our clubhouse is three stories also.”

ity, Cox said. Individual entrances located around the complex and garage.

Every building has a lounge on the roof that provides a “spectacular” view of the campus and city, Cox said. The Vistas is equipped with a pool, two workout centers, a party room, a 24-hour internet café and a fitness room equipped with CrossFit, P90X and resistance bands.

“The gym is really nice, and they have a lot of different equipment for us to use,” said Brent Johnson, electronic media senior. “The pool is great too, so I do enjoy the things they have here for us.”

Johnson has lived at The Vistas since the complex opened in 2013.

“This year we got new manage-

ment, and I haven’t had one complaint,” Johnson said. “Everything is running smoothly.”

Pricing at The Vistas varies depending on square footage of a room and the number of people living in a space, Cox said.

Prices start at $570 a month for a one-bed, one-bath unit offering 632 square feet of living space. The rate then increases up to $749 a month for a three-bed, three-bath unit with 1,232 square feet of living space.

“We know our prices can be in the higher range, but we do offer options for people who might want a smaller living space,” Cox said.

“Most people come here knowing they are paying for different services and location.”

Windmill Townhomes and Duplexes offer variety

By Denise Cervantes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @cervantesdenise Windmill Townhomes and Duplexes offer a variety of floor plans for students looking to live in a spacious environment.

Potential residents can choose from 10 different types of two-bedroom townhomes or duplexes, and one three-bedroom unit. Rates are not perbedroom. Instead, residents pay between $850 and $1,350 for the entire apartment.

Ally Zinseimerer, former resident, said the complex is one of a kind.

“If you’re looking for space, then these are good,” Zinseimerer said.

“The rooms are huge compared to other apartments in San Marcos.”

Windmill is located within walking distance of campus.

According to the website, the complex is a 15-minute walk from the LBJ Student Center and a 12-minute walk from the Quad.

Billy Smith, housing manager, said the apartments do not come fully furnished, but each one has a full-size washer and dryer, ceiling fans, microwaves and frost-free refrigerators.

“We’re a small, clean and quiet community, and we are only two blocks from the college,” Smith said. “I find most of our residents to be satisfied.”

Zinseimerer was satisfied with her experience at Windmill.

“I would recommend staying here to any college kid,” Zinseimerer said. “They’re a good price. I stayed there for two years and never had any problems.”

Smith said students interested in touring the Windmill Townhomes or Duplexes can make an appointment through the website.

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

Affordable square footage offered at Verandah Apartments

By Jake Goodman NEWS REPORTER @Jake_thegoodman San Marcos living options offer different amenities and incentives, but for the Verandah Apartments, price is most important.

The Verandah Apartments, located on Interstate Highway 35 North, has the city’s lowest rent cost per square foot, said Keith Miller, assistant manager.

Miller said the Comal floor plan, a one-bedroom space with 670 square feet, is $615 per month.

The square footage cost of $0.92.

The other two plans, the Guadalupe (835 square feet) and the Rio Grande (870 square feet) have square footage costs of $0.82 and $0.83.

“It’s a lot of square footage for the price,” said Melvin Crusive,

resident.

Crusive chose the Verandah because he needed space for storage, and the complex gave him the most space for the price.

“You can’t beat the rent,” said Priscilla Ramos, resident.

Miller said the Verandah is able to keep costs for residents lower because the rent does not have certain amenity fees.

“At some places you’ll lay in another $300 or $400 for a gym, but most residents don’t use it,” Miller said.

Miller said the Verandah offers some amenities for residents, including two swimming pools and a tennis court. The complex sits on the Bobcat Shuttle route.

Ramos has lived at the complex for two and half years. She moved to the Verandah because of the affordability and stayed because

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

it was quiet and the management was nice and efficient.

“If you ask for a repair, the management calls you back to check on it,” Ramos said.

Miller said the majority of residents are Texas State graduate stu-

dents. Non-students are also present at the complex.

“They’re friendly, nice, good neighbors,” Ramos said. “It’s not a party complex.”

Miller said the apartments come furnished with appliances, exclud-

ing microwaves and washer-anddryer units. Pets are permitted with no weight limit.

“I’ll see people who used to live at these apartments, and they’ll say this was the best apartment complex they ever lived at,” Miller said.

2 | The University Star | Housing Guide | Thursday, March 26, 2015

CLOSE TO CAMPUS

Bishops Square tight-knit community

By James Palmer NEWS REPORTER @jmesspalmer Bishops Square is a townhomestyle apartment complex, offering fully furnished one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

One-bedroom units cost $884 a month furnished and $864 unfurnished. Two-bedroom units cost $629 a month furnished and $604 unfurnished. The three-bedroom model costs $569 a month furnished and $544 a month unfurnished. The garage unit requires an extra $10 per month. Management focused on building a quiet, tight-knit community, said Kelly Dimas, assistant general manager at Bishops Square.

“We have about 300 tenants, and I’ve learned the names of about 200 of them,” Dimas said.

The courtyard in the center of the square-shaped complex is the most important feature on the grounds, Dimas said.

“Our property is a fairly small

community,” Dimas said. “We’re only about 300 beds or so, so our property pretty much revolves around our courtyard. Inside our courtyard, we do have our resortstyle pool, a little cabana area with ceiling fans and our sand volleyball court.”

Officials have plans of adding a dog park by the end of the summer, Dimas said.

Meghan McCann, undeclared senior, said she liked the quiet, pet-friendly atmosphere.

“I didn’t want to live in some massive complex with hundreds and hundreds of people in it,” McCann said. “And it’s dog-friendly, so that’s a big thing.”

The complex is within walking distance of the university at a mile and a half and is on the North LBJ shuttle route, Dimas said.

“Our bus route takes about 10 minutes to get to campus,” Dimas said. “We are the second stop, but it’s never been too full for students at my complex. They’ve always got a spot on the bus.”

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Lindsey Lofts: location, location, location

By Callie Haley LIFESTYLE REPORTER @calliehaley Students looking for a downtown view and convenient location should look no further than Lindsey Lofts.

Matt Hageman, landlord, said the complex’s best feature is its location.

“It’s all about location,” Hageman said. “It’s ideal for walking

to campus and to everything you could need downtown. Some of the units even have views of downtown.”

Lindsey Lofts, which is located at the corner of East San Antonio Street and South Edward Gary Street, is just feet away from the Square. The location makes it a popular complex for Texas State students.

“It’s close enough to walk to and from the Square so that’s

helpful for students,” Hageman said. “It is safer.”

Lindsey Lofts has 14 units, 12 of which are 1,200 square feet and contain two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The remaining units are 1,000 square feet with one bedroom, one bathroom and an office apiece, Hageman said.

“All units include a washer and dryer and all other appliances.” Hageman said. “The kitchens and bathrooms also

have custom cabinets.”

Rates for a 12-month lease are currently $1,350 for a twobedroom unit and $1,150 for the one-bedroom option.

“Our prices include rent, water, two covered reserved parking places and trash,” Hageman said.

Hageman said Lindsey Lofts is pet-friendly for animals up to 35 pounds.

The complex does not have

the types of standard amenities seen at other student housing complexes around San Marcos, but Hageman said the location convinces students to sign.

“There really aren’t many amenities, honestly,” Hageman said. “We don’t have a pool or anything, but the location sells itself. Residents here don’t have to worry about buying parking passes or riding the tram to school.”

Treehouse Apartments features proximity, upgraded units

By Denise Cervantes LIFESTYLE REPORTER @cervantesdenise Evading the bus is a coveted luxury among Texas State students.

Treehouse Apartments, located on 800 North LBJ Dr, is a two-minute walk from campus, said Courtney Cooley, property manager.

“We’re the closest to campus,” Cooley said. “Our atmosphere is very friendly and laid back.”

The complex offers one- and two-bedroom apartments, Cooley said. Rates range from $785-$975.

Cooley said each apartment has newly remodeled units featuring upgraded countertops, faux-wood flooring, space-saver microwaves and built-in bookshelves.

Joe Zuniga, prospective resident, said Treehouse Apartments has a calm community and is ideal for anyone without private transportation.

“I’ve been considering it here because of a friend who lives here,” Zuniga said.

“I plan on going back to school in the fall, and I have no car, so this is probably a safe choice.”

The apartment also features a pool, a picnic area with barbeque grills, a 24-hour clothes care facility and a professional onsite management team. Cooley said the apartment is pet-friendly.

Cooley said anyone looking to take a tour of the complex is welcome to walk in without an appointment.

“Most of our traffic actually comes from resident referrals,” Cooley said. “When people live here, they stay a while.”

It makes you smarter.

3. 31. 15

The University Star | Housing Guide | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 3

4 | The University Star | Housing Guide | Thursday, March 26, 2015

OFF MILL STREET

The Village on Telluride provides ‘resort-style’ amenities

By Darcy Sprague NEWS REPORTER @darcy_days

HARON SAENZ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Village on Telluride is a neighborhood of cottages with the amenities and resources of an apartment complex.

Derrick Heslip, manager and education graduate student, said amenities set the Village on Telluride apart from other complexes.

The complex has two clubhouses, two pools and two hot tubs.

The cottages come in models ranging from 2-4 bedrooms.

They are available furnished or unfurnished, Heslip said. The furnished version comes with standard bedroom and living room equipment, including a 42-inch TV. Three-bedroom cottages are still available. They start at $619 furnished, with a $25 furniture option, Heslip said.

The two- and four-bedroom cottages were running furnished

for $639 and $649, respectively, before they filled to capacity.

The application fee is $95 along with a $175 security deposit, Heslip said.

Heslip said electricity is not included in the cost. Regulations include a $10 cap on water and no trash or land management fees.

Hunter Nall, mass communication and business sophomore, agreed the amenities are a key selling point for the complex.

“The amenities are resortstyle,” Nall said. “The pool is something everyone utilizes.”

Nall has lived in other complexes and prefers the Village on Telluride.

“The homes are beautiful,” Nall said. “It’s a small-town feel.

Everyone knows everyone.”

The complex is located on 201 Telluride Street, 1.5 miles past Bobcat Stadium. The commute to the university is approximately 10 minutes.

Village Green Apartments nestled in friendly neighborhood, allows pets

By Adriana Ruiz LIFESTYLE REPORTER @Adreezzy Village Green Apartments, located less than a mile from campus, offers spacious rooms with appliances and a 12-month lease.

Kristina Kupke, assistant property manager, said the complex is located on the Texas State shuttle route, conveniently allowing students to walk to and from campus.

“It’s a nice place to live for students who are ready to live on their own,” Kupke said.

Kupke said the complex is a part of the

Cabana Beach offers ‘laid-back’ atmosphere

By Rebecca Banks NEWS REPORTER @r_banks13 Cabana Beach Apartments offers students furnished one-bedroom studio apartments as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom units in a laid-back environment.

The units include a washer and dryer. The complex pays for cable, Internet and $10 toward the water bill every month.

The complex is located on Sadler Drive near Wonder World Drive and Interstate Highway 35.

“It’s a very friendly atmosphere, and (there is) a sense of community with residents,” said Isabel Wallis, general manager at Cabana Beach.

Wallis said rent for the different floor plans ranges $440-$745.

The complex offers a resort-style pool along with a 24-hour business and fitness center. The business center has conference rooms and a computer lab, Wallis said.

“My favorite amenity is the computer lab and study rooms,” said Lorena Escobar,

communication disorders senior. “It helps students living off campus to print what they need.”

Escobar said she likes the fact the apartment’s location is the first stop on the Route 26 Wonder World Bobcat Shuttle.

“Being the first bus stop on route to campus is beneficial, and it helps to avoid any crazy traffic,” Wallis said.

Wallis said all apartments include vinyl faux-wood flooring in the common areas like the kitchen and living room. The bedrooms have carpets.

“There is no upcharge for the vinyl planks.”

Wallis said. “Some complexes charge residents to have it in their apartment.”

The complex has a dog park, basketball and sand volleyball courts and clubhouse, according to the website.

Wallis said the complex has 20 studio apartments that are usually the first to be filled. The two- and four-bedroom floor plans are also popular.

“I’d say it’s cozy and comfortable.” Escobar said. “You get a good deal for what you’re paying for.”

Read it any way you like.

‘Achieving Community Together’ Ally program (ACT Ally), which was created by university officials to help promote a positive relationship between students, local residents and the community.

The complex offers 12-month leases for one-, two- and three-bedroom plans with the option to sublease, Kupke said.

All apartment rates are per room and

not per person, Kupke said. Every room comes with Internet and cable, and the complex pays for 30 percent of the water in each unit.

Kupke said up to two pets are allowed in student’s apartments if they comply with size and breed restrictions. The complex offers a swimming pool, volleyball courts and a fitness center.

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The University Star | Housing Guide | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 5

AQUARENA/BLANCO/WONDER WORLD

Cottage-style living brings mixed reviews from residents

University Springs boasts leasing deals

By Jonathan Hamilton LIFESTYLE REPORTER @Jonodashham1

DENISE CATHEY ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

By Alexa Tavarez SENIOR NEWS REPORTER @lexicanaa On the corner of Craddock Avenue and Wonder World Drive, students can pamper themselves with lodge living at Capstone Cottages.

The cottage-style homes with an extended list of amenities have attracted students to Capstone since the complex opened in Fall 2014. However, some residents have mixed feelings about the pet policies and roommate matching.

Kandyce Blackwell, psychology junior, has been living at Capstone since the fall and is not a fan of the pet-friendly policy.

“Not to be rude, but they don’t put dogs on a leash here,” Blackwell said. “I like dogs, but I don’t want them on me.”

Blackwell transferred from Sam Houston State University and enjoys the privacy and spaciousness of the cottages.

“The thing I really like here is the closet space,” Blackwell said. “Back at my apartment in (Sam Houston State University), there were two people to a bathroom.”

Floor plans start with three bedrooms.

Other plans offer up to six with individual bathrooms.

The resort-style pool is one of Capstone’s largest attractions.

Savannah Del Bosque, nutrition sophomore, another transfer student, leased before seeing the pool in person. She said it is one of her favorite amenities.

The lagoon-shaped pool is the centerpiece of the complex, terraced into three areas of luxury swimming. Other features include a swim-up cantina bar and a beach for tanning.

However, Del Bosque’s roommate set up was not ideal.

Management compiles a book with profiles of potential roommates and their living preferences, Del Bosque said. Future residents can contact their roommates through Facebook.

Del Bosque lives in a five-bedroom duplex, but she would rather have fewer roommates. Living with five girls is a recipe for drama, she said.

“You need to meet your roommates first before you move in with them because it’s going to be a big factor to your living experience,” Del Bosque said.

University Springs San Marcos is the perfect apartment complex for students looking for upscale living at an affordable price.

Pamela Villalobos, apartment complex manager, said the complex boasts two-, three- and fourbedroom apartments that come unfurnished or fully furnished.

Villalobos said management is currently waiving application and administration fees for anyone who signs a 12-month lease within 24 hours. She said management is holding a raffle for each signee, offering the chance to win either a trip to Cozumel, Mexico or a moped.

Alexus Hebert, criminal justice senior, said she has been living at University Springs for almost two years, and the amount of room in her apart-

ment is the biggest perk of living at the complex.

“The rooms are really big and spacious,” Hebert said. “I can do a cartwheel in my room if I wanted. People come over all of the time and comment on how big the rooms are.”

Electricity and water are fixed into the monthly rate, and those who sign will find the staff is helpful and accommodating, Villalobos said. The main goal is to “answer the phone with a smile” and ensure all questions and concerns are handled in a timely manner.

Villalobos said future tenants would not have to worry about the hassles and issues are associated with other apartment complexes.

“We have a great price and location, plus our employees are really friendly,” Villalobos said.

“We are pretty much all-billspaid. People here don’t have to worry about anything. We will take care of everything.”

Riverside Ranch offers lofts, hot tubs and prizes

By Adriana Ruiz LIFESTYLE REPORTER @Adreezzy Loft-style apartments, a coffee bar and two hot tubs are among the luxuries found at the Riverside Ranch Apartments, located at 1805 Aquarena Springs Dr. Carrie Cornicelli, property manager, said the loft-style rooms are popular. Riverside Ranch is the only apartment complex in the area that offers glass sliding doors.

“The lofts have very cool fogged glass sliding doors that separate the bedrooms from the living area,” Cornicelli said.

The lofts are $785, but the complex also offers two-bedroom apartments at $505 per person. Small one-bedroom apartments for $799 and bigger one-bedroom units for $815 are also available.

Cornicelli said the rooms come un-

furnished except for a few of the loft apartments. All units include washers and dryers.

The Riverside Ranch Apartments are located a little over a mile from campus, Cornicelli said. They are placed on the Texas State shuttle route.

Other amenities include a swimming pool; a jogging trail; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts; two hot tubs and seven picnic pavilions with grills.

Cornicelli said the complex allows two pets per apartment. There are no weight restrictions on pets, but the complex has certain breed restrictions for dogs.

Management occasionally hosts events with food, contests and prizes, Cornicelli said.

Students should start making plans if they plan on moving in soon because the units are filling up quickly, Cornicelli said.

Amenities, activities available at The Heights II

By Kyle Ashcraft SPORTS REPORTER @Kyle_Ashcraft4 The close of the semester is near, and students at Texas State will start thinking about their living plans for the next year.

The Heights II is a place students should consider. The complex offers a one-bedroom unit for $910 a month, two bedrooms for $530, three bedrooms for $500 and four bedrooms for $450. The rates cover everything except electricity.

The complex offers a computer lab with high-speed Internet, community barbecue grills, free tanning beds and a game room.

The apartments come fully furnished with a full-sized washer and dryer, a dishwasher, individual bathrooms and private balconies.

The pool deck is a selling point for future residents.

“It is one of the largest in San Marcos, and they throw tons of pool parties,” said Kelly Kieserman, leasing manager.

The friendliness of the staff is another selling point.

“They (are) always doing something crazy for the residents,” Kelly said.

Management hosts events for residents including movie and video game nights.

Food and snacks are periodically available in the front office.

Residents have the option of purchasing permits for covered parking spaces, which makes finding a location near a resident’s building easier. Electronic gates limit vehicle access to the community to residents and visitors.

6

6 | The University Star | Housing Guide | Thursday, March 26, 2015

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