VOLUME 103, ISSUE 24
www.UniversityStar.com
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 16, 2013
Defending the First Amendment since 1911
VIDEO | UniversityStar.com
SPORTS | Page 7
Classical Recital: Texas State graduate students performed classical guitar solos Monday as part of the Student Recital Series.
Georgia State Preview: The Bobcats’ defense will be challenged Saturday when the team faces Georgia State’s offense and wide receiver Albert Wilson.
CITY COUNCIL
Planning and Zoning vice chair retains position despite alleged ethics violations By James Carniero
Assistant News Editor
San Marcos City Council members voted 5–2 to keep Carter Morris on the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday evening after several alleged ethics violations were brought against him. Emails sent from Morris to fellow Planning and Zoning commissioners were submitted as evidence in his ethics hearing. Morris, the commission’s vice chair, sent the emails while the board members were deciding whether to approve the construction of an apart-
Carter Morris
ment complex he was representing as a real estate agent at the time. This violates the San Marcos Ethics Code, according to City Attorney Michael Cosentino.
See MORRIS, Page 3
CONSTRUCTION
CITY COUNCIL
Smoking ordinance amended to include e-cigarettes After the San Marcos city councilmembers voted Oct. 2 to pass an amendment to the new Clear Air Ordinance, the use of e-cigarettes in public places will be banned beginning in June. As of June 1, 2014, smoking or “vaping” inside any bar, lounge or restaurant will not be permitted, according to the ordinance. The ordinance defines smoking as “inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, tobacco, weed, plant, or other combustible substance in any manner or in any form.” Smoking includes the use of an e-cigarette, which by definition under the ordinance “creates a vapor in any manner or in any form.” City staff are looking into questions that have been raised about “vaping” and “vape shops,” according to Councilwoman Kim Porterfield, Place 1. “I anticipate there will be future discussion and possibly an amendment to allow for vape shops to operate, similar to the exemption on smoking shops,” Porterfield said. Retail tobacco stores are cur-
Danielle Charles | Staff Photographer The remodeling of the Comal Building is budgeted at $13.85 million and is scheduled to be complete by June 2014.
Reynaldo Leaños | Photo Illustration rently exempted from the portion of the ordinance that prohibits smoking in public places, according to the ordinance. No such exception is yet defined for “vape shops.” Enforcement of the ordinance ranges from routine health inspections by city employees to reports of violations to the director of the Environmental Health Division of the Community Services Department. “No Smoking” signs will be required in all public places where smoking is prohibited, according to the ordinance. “I don’t see why e-cigarettes needed to be included,” said Robert Rahm, a local regular “vape shop” customer. “You can’t smell it, and it’s not harmful to the people around you.”
—Report compiled by Michelle Balagia, news reporter
Campus building renovations continue Philosophy, computer science departments to have new home in Comal Building By Autumn Bernhard News Reporter
T
he gutted remains of the Psychology Building are in the process of being renovated to open by June 2014 with a new look, name and departments. Construction on the structure, which will now take on the moniker of the Comal Building, began in May 2012, according to Juan Guerra, associate vice president of Facilities. The computer science and philosophy departments will occupy the building by August 2014, and classes will be held there next fall, he said. The remodeling project is budgeted to total $13.85 million. “The building was well past a remodel due to its age,” Guerra said. “We upgraded the mechanical appliances, gave it a new AC and made it code compliant in electrical appliances. It will also be re-roofed and have easier stair access. We also gave it new IT sys-
tems.” According to Guerra, nothing was added onto the building, but officials have reconfigured the building’s layout to make the facilities more evenly distributed. The classrooms will be able to hold 40 people, and conference rooms will have space for a meeting table and 15 people, he said. The philosophy department will occupy the first floor of the building, and the computer science department will be located on the third floor, said Cheryl Morriss, computer science administrative assistant. The two departments will share the second floor, Morriss said. The psychology department was relocated to the Undergraduate Academic Center after its construction and will remain there to accommodate future growth within the department, Guerra said. Currently, the computer science department is located in the Nueces Building with classrooms held in the Math and Computer Science Building, and the philosophy department is located in Derrick Hall, Guerra said. The philosophy department was located in the former Psychology Building before remodeling began and has been housed in Derrick since the sum-
mer 2012. Department officials are anticipating the move to the Comal Building, said Vincent Luizzi, philosophy department chair. “We will have offices and some classrooms in the building,” Luizzi said. “The main addition for the department is going to be a brand new dialogue room. Moving into to Comal Building will give us a central location again, and The Quad houses many of the liberal arts buildings, so we will feel at home.” The department of computer science has been located in the Nueces Building since 2002, Morriss said. When renovations are complete, faculty and department offices and some labs will move into the Comal Building, but the classes will remain in Derrick, Morriss said. Department officials hope to gain some room to grow with added space in the new building, said Hongchi Shi, computer science department chair. The new labs are designed to be larger to accommodate more research projects fueled by an increase in funding, Shi said. “Our main concern is that the renovations will not be done on time,” Shi said.
CONSTRUCTION
Study conducted to expand seating in Strahan Coliseum By Rebecca Banks News Reporter
A Dallas-based architecture group will complete a study on Strahan Coliseum by the end of the month to determine whether the facility can be expanded to better accomodate crowds for commencement ceremonies. Juan Guerra, associate vice president of Facilities, said the Moody-Nolan architecture firm is conducting an expansion feasibility study to provide cost efficient plans for the construction of more seats in the arena. During the study, firm officials are reconfiguring the current seating arrangement and evaluating possible expansions for the coliseum, Guerra said. Guerra said the study will be completed by the end of this month, and Moody-Nolan will provide proposed options for construction at the coliseum. Facilities will take a few weeks to review the proposed options and then submit one for a final report to Provost Eugene Bourgeois and President Denise Trauth for approval.
Guerra said he estimates a final report including details of the selected expansion plan to be put out at the end of November. The Texas State University System Board of Regents will cast votes for final approval during their May 2014 meeting, he said. Strahan Coliseum currently seats 7,500 people. The current occupancy limit is adequate for sporting events such as basketball and volleyball games because the crowds are not as large as those during graduation ceremonies, Guerra said. “So when you’re watching a basketball game you know that’s pretty comfortable, but when you’re dealing with commencement and you’ve got 9,000 to 10,000 people coming to see their sons and daughters graduate, we can’t get everyone into the coliseum,” Guerra said. According to Kristin McDaniel, commencement coordinator for the Office of Curriculum Services, there were 3,094 graduates in spring 2012, 2,302 graduates in fall 2012 and in 1,461 graduates in summer 2012. In spring 2013, the
number of graduates increased to 3,403 and currently 2,849 candidates have applied for graduation for this fall, McDaniel said. McDaniel said the university estimates an average of 10 individuals will attend the commencement ceremony for each graduation candidate. Oftentimes the candidates will bring more or less than the estimated amount of guests, which varies between the different commencement ceremonies, McDaniel said. According to Debbie Thorne, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, the university established an “overflow room” in Jowers Center’s Gym 102 in May because there was not enough seating in the arena for last spring’s commencement ceremonies. Thorne said the gym can seat 800 to 1,000 people, and they will be able to watch the live-streamed ceremony on a large screen. “What is really interesting about the overflow rooms is no one was upset,” Thorne said. “When we did the singing of the national anthem, people actually stood up even though they were in the overflow
Kathryn Parker | Staff Photographer Studies are being conducted to determine options to expand Strahan Coliseum for graduation ceremonies. room.” Thorne estimates some ceremoThorne said the university has nies this December will exceed a high graduation rate, and it is the maximum occupancy, so an expected to increase due to the “overflow room” will most likely continuing increase of enrollment. be needed. As a result, more seating will need Thorne said since the university to be available at some point, she first discussed providing an addisaid. tional commencement ceremony, “We realize that our main con- there has been an effort to expand straint is the coliseum, and we Strahan Coliseum to allow more obviously don’t have anywhere guests to attend the ceremony. else on campus or anywhere else Thorne said the university does in San Marcos that can seat more not want to limit attendees by than 7,500 people or so,” Thorne implementing a ticket system as said. other universities have done. Thorne said the university an“As an institution, we really valnounced there will be a seventh ue friends and family being a part commencement ceremony in May of graduation, so we really don’t 2014 as opposed to the six cer- like the idea of turning people emonies typically held in the past. away at the door,” Thorne said.
2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday October 16, 2013
CONSTRUCTION
LBJ Student Center renovation designs to begin next month By James Carneiro
Assistant News Editor
Architects will begin planning renovations for the LBJ Student Center in November, the first step in determining future improvements for the building. The renovation process is led by LBJ Student Center Director Jack Rahmann, who will decide what changes will be made to the building and how they will be implemented. Rahmann said the renovations process is still in the programming phase. University officials are meeting with students and faculty to see what they want out of a new facility, he said. The design phase begins in November when architects will start writing plans and construction companies will bid on the project, Rahmann said. The design phase will take nine months to a year to complete, he said. It will take a good deal of planning and design work before the architects can “bring the vision to life,” he said. Rahmann said that above all, it is important to involve as many people as possible in the planning process. “We need to bring all stakehold-
ers to the table,” Rahmann said. “Then we find out what (their) priorities are for the building and how it’s used.” Rahmann said the student center will be larger after the redesign because the current size is less than the average at other universities in the region. He said while the regional average is about 8 square feet per student, the LBJ Student Center has about 6 square feet per student. Because of this, the university needs more room for everyday activities, student programming, a new ballroom and more area for performances and events, Rahmann said. Administrative space has reached its capacity too, he said. “(We must) meet growing needs, (add) volume, (reduce) lines and provide new options,” Rahmann said. Expanding the student center’s food service options is a significant aspect of the renovations, he said. Rahmann said he hopes a number of new restaurants will open after the renovations are complete. Rahmann said he does not know if student fees might increase to finance construction be-
cause the budget is not prepared yet. He said that information will become available during the design phase of the project. Norma Gaier, director of Career Services, which is housed in the student center, said she thinks the renovations are a good idea. “I’m excited about the renovations,” Gaier said. “We’re due for a face lift.” Gaier said a lack of space for Career Services functions is an issue too. Gaier said Career Services is hosting its latest job fair over a two-day period because there was not enough room to fit everyone in a single day. “It would be fabulous if we could extend our ballroom,” she said. Expanding the office space of Career Services is something the organization will benefit from, Gairer said. She said it would be “phenomenal” if more offices are built. There currently is space for five to six employers to interview in the Career Services offices, and they could use addition space, Gairer said. Career Services needs more space so the organization could increase its already
LIBRARY BEAT
Dallas 1963
Most people are familiar with the events and images of November 22, 1963, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which is approaching its 50th anniversary—it is a defining moment in American history. Yet, very little attention has been paid to the people and events in Dallas itself relating to that fateful day, until now. A new book has come out that takes a fresh look at the tragedy. “Dallas 1963” written by Bill Minutaglio and Wittliff Collections’ curator Steven L. Davis, focuses on the anti-Kennedy hysteria in the city of Dallas. While other books and films have attempted to explain the assassination itself, this is the first attempt at explaining the negative sentiment toward the president in north Texas at that time. Thursday, Oct. 24, the authors will be speaking at the Wittliff at 4 p.m. A conversation and book signing will follow. Tuesday, Oct. 15, the second of three events in the “Ladrillería” series will be presented. Alberto Dávila, a border-area economist from UT-Pan American, will be presenting a talk on self-employment
along the U.S.-Mexico border. Sponsored by Texas State’s Center for the Study of the Southwest, the event will be held at the Wittliff at 6 p.m. with a Q&A session after. Jennifer Egan, the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of “A Visit From the Goon Squad”, will be reading for the English department’s Lindsey Literary Series on Thursday, Oct. 17. at 3:30 p.m. at the Wittliff and will be followed by a book signing and Q&A. The Texas State University Archives, in recognition of Archives Month, present the 8th annual Archives Day at the Wittliff. This year’s theme is “Teaching with Archives” and Stephen S. Cure, director of Educational Services at the Texas Historical Association, will present a talk titled “National History Day and Tools for Archivists and Librarians.” The presentation begins at 2:30 p.m., and will be followed by a reception. All events at the Wittliff Collections are free and open to the public. For more information, and for a complete calendar of events for the semester, visit http:// www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/ exhibitions-events/events.html.
Kristen Lefebvre | Staff Photographer Renovation designs for the LBJ Student Center will begin in November. The plan will increase floor space including new restaurants and a possible ballroom.
high rate of employment for students, she said. Brenda Lenartowicz, interim associate director for Campus Activities, said the amount of space her organization needs should be assessed. She said Texas State enrollment has grown exponentially in the four years she has worked here, so now is the right time to see if the building should be expanded. Student
organizations use meeting rooms, and those are expensive to rent out, so having the space to meet somewhere else is important, Lenartowicz said. However, there may be some issues with constructing a bigger student center, Lenartowicz said. “We have unique limitations,” Lenartowicz said. “(The student center) can’t expand sideways or out.”
ON THIS DAY in history
1793
1964
Marie Antoinette beheaded during French Revolution
China detonates its first atomic bomb
1995
2002
2011
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan leads “Million Man March” in Washington
President George W. Bush signs resolution authorizing war against Iraq
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial formally dedicated in Washington, D.C.
18-month-old Jessica McClure rescued after 58 hours in abandoned well in Midland, Texas
—Courtesy of Erick Nogueira Romero
PRESS RELEASE
Main Street to hold downtown brick sale The City of San Marcos Main Street Program is offering a unique way to honor loved ones, acknowledge special occasions or leave a lasting connection to downtown San Marcos. The program is making this possible through a downtown brick sale just in time for the holiday season. “This is an exciting opportunity for community members, businesses and organizations to leave a lasting impression on our downtown streets,” said Samantha Armbruster, Main Street Program Manager. The inscribed red bricks will be placed at the corners of intersections along North LBJ Drive between Hopkins Street and University Drive. The foot-by-foot paver allows for up to six lines of text. Proceeds from the sale will benefit down-
1987
town beautification efforts and Main Street programming. The personalized bricks make a great gift to celebrate milestones like graduations, birthdays and anniversaries. The bricks can be surprises for a significant other for Valentine’s Day or used to honor a loved one’s memory. Bricks are $100 each and may be purchased online at www.sanmarcostx. gov/bricksale or the Main Street Office, 202 E. Hopkins Drive. The deadline for purchase is Dec. 20, and bricks will be laid early- to mid-2014. For information, contact the Main Street office at 512.393.8430 or email mainstreet@sanmarcostx.gov. —Courtesy of Melissa Millecam
WILD ART
—Courtesy of The New York Times
PRESS RELEASE
Stephen Frayser joins Association of University Research Parks board Stephen Frayser, executive director of the Science, Technology and Advanced Research Park at Texas State University, was elected to the Association of University Research Parks 2014 board of directors. Frayser joins three other newcomers to the board. Kevin Byrne, vice president and chief operating officer of the University Financing Foundation, Inc., will serve as president of the AURP board of directors in 2014. Byrne previously served as AURP president in 2012. “AURP plays a vital role in fos-
tering collaboration between the university and the private sector,” Byrne said. “We have a lot of work to accomplish to expand communities of innovation around the world, and I look forward to serving the association as president of the board.” Frayser joined Texas State in 2012 from the Nebraska Technology Park, where he served as president since 2003. In that position, he was responsible for development of the 155-acre research park and 22,000-square-
Madelynne Scales | Staff Photographer Alayna Phillips, communication design senior, throws pottery on the wheel Oct.15 in the Joann Cole Mitte Art Building.
foot technology business incubator. During his tenure, 2,400 jobs were created or retained, more than 300,000 square feet of new facilities were constructed and more than $68 million in new capital investments were made. —Courtesy of University News Service
The University Star | News | Wednesday October 16, 2013 | 3
MORRIS, continued from front Councilman Shane Scott, Place 6, and Councilman John Thomaides, Place 3, casted the dissenting votes. A criminal trial for the ethics violations is currently pending. Councilman Jude Prather, Place 2, said he has great respect for Morris, admires his philanthropy work in the community and considers him a friend. However, Prather said the ethics violations had become a “public shame fest” and suggested Morris resign from the Planning and Zoning Board.
Scott said he agreed with Prather’s statement. Councilwoman Kim Porterfield, Place 1, said while she thought Morris should resign from the board, she thought the process had become “too political.” Porterfield said the removal of Morris from the board would cause a rift in the community. David Gonzalez, Morris’ attorney, said at the meeting that Morris had indeed sent the emails and held meetings with Planning and Zoning commissioners about the proposed apartment complex,
though he had no idea it violated the ethics code at the time. Gonzalez said the larger problem was Cosentino’s role in the incidents. Gonzalez said Morris immediately talked to Cosentino and asked for legal advice as soon as he heard there were ethics violations filed against him. The councilmembers questioned Gonzales, Morris and Cosentino about their roles in the incident. Thomaides asked Cosentino whether he gave Morris legal advice before or after he knew of his alleged ethics vio-
lations, which Cosentino denied by saying no advice was given after the allegations. Morris said he talked to Cosentino within 15 minutes of receiving the ethics violations email. Morris received a letter stating he could not accept clients anymore and instantly followed the letter’s instructions, he said. “(You all) are calling me unethical and I’m not,” Morris said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Scott asked Cosentino when Morris’ emails were discovered by the city, which Cosentino said
did not happen until August 2013. Thomaides asked Morris if he thought it was wrong to consider himself innocent. Morris said he felt like he did something wrong now, but thought what he was doing was completely legal when he sent the emails to his colleagues. The ethics violations allegations during the past few months have had a sizable impact on his life and the way he approached his job, Morris said. “I had to grow up pretty quick,” Morris said.
4 | The University Star | Wednesday October 16, 2013
OPINIONS
UniversityStar.com
THE MAIN POINT
Fixed rate tuition plan poor choice for students, university
A
lthough the governor and a gubernatorial candidate endorse a four-year fixedrate tuition program, the plan is not in the best interest of the university or its students. According to an Oct. 9 University Star article, the board of regents will vote on a proposal to give students an option to maintain a fixed tuition price over the course of their four years at Texas State. From freshman to senior year, students could have the ability to budget for a consistent tuition cost. Supporters of the plan say financial predictability is the main attraction of this tuition option for students and their families. The fixed-rate tuition will be adjusted for inflation over the four years of the student’s college career, according to the same Oct. 9 article. This means a student who opted into the fixedrate tuition choice would pay the price of predicted inflation and price hikes in utilities and
services. The fixed-rate tuition plan is unfavorable for students because the tuition estimation could be more than the actual price increases over the next four years, causing them to overpay. Alternatively, this could harm the university if the costs for inflation and services are underestimated. In the current U.S. economy, it is virtually impossible to accurately predict a consistent price for tuition over a four-year span. In an Oct. 16, 2012 University Star article, Provost Eugene Bourgeois said implementing a four-year tuition plan at Texas State would require guaranteed funds from the state over a the same period of time. As seen in recent years,
cuts in state funding cannot be ruled out. University officials cannot depend on stable and steady funding from the state. Students who do not finish school within four years could suffer a hike in prices during their fifth year and beyond if on the four-year fixed-rate tuition plan, according to the Oct. 16 article. This could cause students to transfer to another school or even drop out if the rise in prices was dramatic enough.
Graduation and retention rates are, and rightfully should be, important to Texas State administrators. Implementing the plan could have numerous negative effects on students, even though the program would be optional. The program could also affect financial aid if it were enacted, according to the Oct. 9 article. Students who qualify for financial aid and opt into the program would still receive enough to cover their tuition costs. While that scenario is beneficial for students who opt into the program, it takes up
more of the financial aid funds allotted for the university. Fewer students could end up receiving aid depending on the total number using the fixed-rate program. While the idea for fixed fouryear tuition is a good start in finding solutions to relieving ever-increasing student debt in the state, it is not a good option for the university or its students.
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.
Ryan Jeanes | Star Illustrator
TRANSPORTATION
Campus, San Marcos residents should pay more to park
ncreasing commuter permit prices for IMarcos those who live on or off campus in San and raising bus fees would be a
good incentive to encourage more students to ride the buses, freeing up more parking spaces. Lack of parking is a common complaint amongst students and faculty due to the number of cars flooding the limited amount of spaces on campus. For this very reason, raising commuter permit prices for students who live off campus in San Marcos would help increase available parking spots for those who actually need Ashley Trumps them. Pricier Opinions Columnist parking stickers Journalism senior
would deter residents who live on or close to campus from parking in commuter spots and encourage them to ride the bus, use a bike or walk. However, parking sticker prices for commuters from outside of San Marcos and visitors, of course, should stay relatively low cost, since taking a car is not optional for many of them with the cancelation of interurban bus routes. With an increase in commuter permit prices for students who reside off campus in San Marcos, the availability of parking spaces would no longer be in such short supply since less people from town would be taking up spots. In conjunction, bus fees included in tuition should be slightly raised. This could go toward the purchase of additional trams, increasing bus route efficiency and bringing back the interurban bus routes. Reinstating bus routes to Austin and San Antonio would help a great deal of students commute to school, home and even work
FRESHMEN
University Seminar classes waste students’ time, money
niversity Seminar classes are unU necessary, redundant and should no longer be required for incoming freshman students.
University Seminar is a required class for incoming freshman and transfer students with less than 15 college credit hours. The class is worth one credit hour and works with the Alexis Aguirre PACE program Opinions Columnist to help ease the Journalism freshman transition from high school to college. Although the goals are commendable, the class itself is excessive and a waste of time. The University Seminar class helps Bobcats become familiar with resources available on campus, but this is something students can and should learn to do themselves on their own time. For those students who are completely new to college, I can see how this class could be viewed positively. However, students coming to college are adults and as such, should take responsibility for learning to do things on their own. For students who have already taken college courses while in high school, this class becomes tiresome and worthless. An entire class dedicated to being successful in college is unnecessary. The transition from a high school to college atmosphere can be disorienting and hard for some students. However, programs such as Paws Preview and New Student Orientation are more than enough to ease these issues. These sessions are required in addition to university seminar for freshman and transfer students, and, like the
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one-credit class, help new students navigate Texas State. University Seminar is basically Paws Preview and New Student Orientation combined and spread over the course of a semester. I found Paws Preview and New Student Orientation necessary and helpful, but learning repeatedly of how to register for classes or about campus resources in University Seminar is overkill. Aside from learning to be a college student, University Seminar incorporates information about that year’s common experience theme. The common experience is a topic that is explored throughout the year. While I believe this year’s common experience of mental health is important, it should be explored in voluntary workshops and lectures instead of examined intently in a mandatory class. Although University Seminar is only one hour, students need to focus on classes that are actually a part of either their core curriculum or major. Students should not have to worry about a class as trivial as this one. University Seminar classes force students to attend lectures and social events—yet another thing students should do of their own free will. This may be beneficial in that it helps students become aware of what is going on around campus and interact with their peers. However, forcing students to attend such events is a step too far. Furthermore, students are required to pay for University Seminar classes out of pocket. Paying for a class that teaches you to be a college student is a colossal waste of money. The majority of the class curriculum should have either been taught to students in high school or picked up on their own. University Seminar is a waste of student time, money and energy. The class should be eliminated altogether or at least only offered as an option to students who choose to take it.
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without having to take a car of their own. Additionally, taking advantage of bus routes is beneficial for students. Students who choose to use the bus do not have to pay out the rear for a parking spot, nor do they have to climb Texas State’s infamous hills. All of these changes could come together to make the buses more accessible and convenient for students. Students may complain about high parking and fee prices, but if more funding went toward the buses and parking services, parking would be less of an issue on campus. Texas State’s Parking Services webpage cites one of its philosophies as “to minimize the intrusion of vehicles into campus and keep general vehicular circulation to the campus periphery.” Improving the tram circuits and encouraging people to use them regularly is the perfect way to adhere to this doctrine. Developing incentives for students
to take the bus serves to further the university’s eco-friendly campaign. The campus is already covered with recycling bins and fountains specialized for reusable water bottles. Sustainable food options are offered and encouraged in the dining halls. Contributing to reducing our carbon footprint by reducing car usage is a logical next step. Offering increased commuter permit prices for on and off campus residents who live in San Marcos is not necessarily a bad thing. An increased bus fee could ensure good, quality on-campus transit. In addition, a parking sticker price increase for those who live on and off campus in San Marcos could help secure spots for those who really need them. Both of these services are self-sustaining, and instead of criticizing, students should put their money where their priorities are. These services could be easily streamlined if resources were allotted more efficiently.
ART
Texas State officials should create outlet for musical, artistic expression ith the wide variety of talent presW ent at Texas State, administrators should consider implementing one day
each month dedicated to showcasing student artists and musicians around campus. With a designated art and musician showcase day, Bobcats would be given an opportunity to show off their talents and find potential buyers for commercial works. Ryan Pittman Students could Opinions Columnist display their Journalism freshman art throughout The Quad while musical acts could be staged in various locations across campus. This monthly showcase could take place on the First Friday of every month, giving students and artists something to look forward to on a regular basis. This First Friday event could encourage students to show off their talents who may have never had an outlet before. Everyone knows that guy on The Quad who sits outside playing his guitar every now and then, but no one seems to ever actually stop and appreciate him. First Friday would turn that annoying acoustic guitar guy into an actual performer worth stopping and listening to. Motivating students to pursue their talents could be the main focus of the event. With an “everyone is welcome” mentality, a First Friday event would offer a wider selection of entertainment for Texas State students. San Marcos venues
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are relatively limited in their selection of music, so if one is not in the mood for bass-fueled house music or melancholy blues, they could have another option. The combination of art and music offers an alternative to binge drinking for Friday night entertainment. It would be refreshing to have one Friday of the month dedicated to supporting fellow students. An event like First Friday would be much more cost effective than hitting the bars. First Friday would not necessarily have to be limited to campus. If city officials got on board with the idea, students and local artists could display their works in downtown San Marcos to reach a broader audience. Starting the movement on campus is just a steppingstone to bigger venues. A First Friday event should be free for anyone who wants to participate, focusing on the display and performance of art. Artists could have the opportunity to provide insight to patrons about their works. They could sell artwork or recordings and could promote future performances or showcases. An event such as First Friday would bring together the campus as a whole. Right now, it seems as if football is the only event students really care about, and that bothers me. Every week there is some sort of theatrical or musical performance on campus students could attend. Becoming active in campus activities is the best way for students to thrive and survive in college. A showcase of student artistic talent once a month could promote student involvement and artistic achievement. University officials should consider hosting such an event.
The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the spring and fall and every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, October 16, 2013. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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6 | The University Star | Wednesday October 16, 2013
TRENDS
UniversityStar.com
Study abroad office offers programs, opportunities By Jordan Gass-Poore’ Trends Reporter
Inside the historical Thornton International House off West Woods Street are opportunities for Texas State students to explore faculty-led study abroad programs in about 28 cities around the world. These programs are typically held over the course of one month at various times throughout the year and allow students to receive course credit hours in a variety of subjects. A new study abroad program proposed in the Department of History to Chester, England is pending approval by the university’s board of regents. Bryan Mann, Study Abroad in
Chester program director and senior history lecturer, said he and colleague Bryan Glass, history lecturer, are hoping to share their experiences in England with students. “Both of us regarded this as a transformative experience,” Mann said. Just 20 miles south of Liverpool, Chester is home to a Roman amphitheater and the oldest racetrack in Britain, dating to 1540, Mann said. “It encompasses everything you’d want out of a city— breadth of history, significance and still physical remains on site. It seemed a natural fit,” Mann said. Proposals for faculty-led study abroad programs sometimes begin years in advance. Mann said a
feedback committee and the Texas State Board of Regents have to approve prospective programs, after reviewing the budget, faculty and course syllabi. For those students who wish to not only live but study as the natives do, Texas State offers an International Exchange Program at various universities in 32 different countries. Sephra Hochstein, healthcare administration senior, has been studying abroad in Valladolid, Spain since Aug. 23. “I feel like I understand Spanish 100 percent better than before I came here,” Hochstein said. “I’m more comfortable making mistakes.” According to officials with the Texas State Study Abroad Office,
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students can attend a partner university in other countries for one or two semesters and are not obligated to find a counterpart to exchange with or host an international student at their homes. Beside the extended stay, there are differences between exchange and faculty-led study abroad programs regarding the professors designated to teach the courses as well as how financial aid, tuition and fees are accepted. Semester-long exchange programs usually require the transfer of course credits, similar to those required for a U.S. institution, where a transcript must be sent to the Texas State Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Prior to the program, tuition and fees are sent to Texas State, while room
and board fees are typically paid to the host institution. Hochstein said students from other American universities are enrolled at Universitas Castellae, a private educational center housed in a former bullring that specializes in teaching the Spanish language and culture to foreign students. Some of these students live with host families, including Holstein and another Texas State student who lives with an “older couple” who only speak Spanish, she said. Isis de la O, assistant director of the Texas State Study Abroad Office, recommended students interested in studying abroad first attend the Texas State on-campus study abroad fairs. The next fair takes place Oct. 31.
Local fashionistas give Bobcats tips for dressing well quickly By Kara Dornes Trends Reporter
Either waking up early to dress nicely for class or scoring a few more minutes of precious sleep is a decision many students face each morning. Candis Trinidad, assistant manager of Langford, a new clothing store located on The Square, said students can make their outfits look as if they took an hour to put together, even when running late. “Since fall is coming up, wearing a pair of leggings paired with boots and either an oversized lace or sheer top gets you ready for class,” Trinidad said. San Marcos is anticipating cooler weather, so oversized sweaters and scarves are something every girl should have in her closet to dress up or dress down an outfit, Trinidad said. Lauren Frank, manager of Strut, said leggings and boots are an easy look for
mornings when students want to throw an outfit together to make it to class on time. “Boots and leggings are a go-to, especially when they are paired with an oversized sweater or T-shirt,” Frank said. Frank stressed the trendiness of Aztec prints for this fall. She said Aztec printed cardigans are gaining popularity this season, and every girl should own one to make their outfits a little more fashionable. “A pair of earrings, whether they are simple studs or a big pair to accentuate your outfit, are essential no matter how late you are running in the morning,” Frank said. Regardless of how fashionable an outfit may be, it can be rendered sloppy and unpolished if accompanied by bedhead. If a lady Bobcat is running late and there is not enough time to curl, straighten or put product in her hair, there are methods to tame tresses in a hurry.
Velma Villalongin, manager of the family-owned hair salon Premier Cuts, knows just the right hairstyles for rushed mornings. “You can throw your hair up in a bun or a ponytail, or you can always braid your hair,” Villalongin said. Students should opt for a very high or low ponytail and wrap a lock of hair around its securing elastic for a sleeker, more polished aesthetic, Villalongin said. “Braids are the quickest and the easiest in the morning. You don’t have to smooth the braid—it can be tousled to give it a bohemian look,” Villalongin said. Villalongin suggests clients try hairstyles that can be set overnight, requiring only a simple combing the next day to save even more time in the morning. “You can tie your hair in a sock ponytail to give curl to your hair, or you can sleep on braids to give your hair a more textured and softer curl,” Villalongin said.
The University Star | Wednesday October 16, 2013 | 7
SPORTS
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FOOTBALL
PR B O AC BCAT TIC FOO E R T B AL EP L OR T
Bobcats prepare for Georgia State Panthers at home “Wilson, their receiver, is as fine as we’ll go up against this year. Their quarterback is athletic, runs around and does a good job of giving it to Wilson. He’s their key.” —Coach Dennis Franchione on Georgia State wide receiver Albert Wilson
670 Total yards accumulated by Wilson this season
643
Sophomore wide receiver Brandon Smith and Brad Franchione run drills Oct. 15 at Bobcat Stadium during football practice.
By Samuel Rubbelke Sports Reporter @SamuelRubbelke
The Bobcats’ 112th nationally ranked pass defense will be challenged Saturday when the team faces Georgia State’s senior wide receiver Albert Wilson and the Panthers’ offense. With 670 yards on the season, Wilson has accumulated more yards than Texas State’s top five receivers. Andy Erickson, Bradley Miller, Brandon Smith, Isaiah Battle and Ben Ijah combine for 643 yards. For his career, Wilson has 2,683 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. Wilson currently leads the Sun Belt conference in receiving yards, averaging 111.7 per game. His average of 197.8 all-purpose yards per game ranks him second in the league. Having a career average of 19.6
Get to Know Kelsey Weynand
freshman outside hitter
yards per catch, Wilson ranks first amongst all active FBS players. “They’ve got some good players,” said Coach Dennis Franchione. “Wilson, their receiver, is as fine as we’ll go up against this year. Their quarterback is athletic, runs around and does a good job of giving it to Wilson. He’s their key.” The Panthers established a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter last Saturday before Troy recorded a similar game-winning drive as Louisiana-Monroe did to beat the Bobcats at home. “First off let me say I’m real proud of my kids. They battled hard after last week,” Franchione said. “We prepared well, fought hard, battled hard. That was really great to see we bounced back, and we will do that and go on to win some more games this year.” In Georgia State’s loss to Troy, quarterback Ronnie Bell tied a school record connecting on four touchdown passes, two of which were caught by Wilson. The Bobcat defense will look to force more offensive turnovers Saturday. Texas State is ranked 17th and leads the conference in fumbles recovered. Constant emphasis on take-aways have led to 14 forced turnovers and eight interceptions, both leading the Sun Belt. “This past week was about getting back to
Madelynne Scales | Staff Photographer
Total yards accumulated by Texas State’s top five receivers combined
Bobcat football,” said senior safety Aaron Matthews. “We’ve got to get off the field on third downs—that’s what we take pride on. So, (we need to) practice that down situation and learn how to get off of the field.” Texas State’s scoring defense averages 23.5 points per game, best amongst conference teams. The Panthers have allowed on average 37.7 points, makMadelynne Scales | Staff Photographer ing them last in Craig Naivar, defensive coordinator, leads a drill during football practice Oct. 15 the league. Sophomore run- at Bobcat Stadium. ning back Robert backer Joseph Peterson tied the Panthers’ Lowe leads the Bobcats with 442 yards on the ground, single-game record with 16 tackles. Peterplacing him second behind the 882 yards son leads Georgia State with 44 tackles on of Western Kentucky’s senior running back the season, placing him fifth in the Sun Belt. Antonio Andrews. “It’s all about tomorrow—tomorrow we Lowe will look to avoid senior linebacker Robert Ferguson on the field, the only Pan- learn from our mistakes and try not to ther to play in every Georgia State football make those throughout the week so that game. The program began in 2010, and when next week’s game comes, we capitalFerguson is at 156 tackles, one tackle away ize on those mistakes we made this past from breaking linebacker Mark Hogan’s ca- game,” Lowe said. “It’s those little things that are going to make us better, and if we reer record. Last week against Troy, sophomore line- work on those little things, that will be a complete turn around, I feel.”
Landry Lowe sophomore midfielder By Quixem Ramirez Sports Reporter @quixem
Reynaldo Leaños | Star File Photo
By Cameron Cutshall Sports Reporter @CameronCutshall
CC: What is your favorite color? KW: My favorite color would have to be blue. CC: What is your favorite candy? KW: Kit Kat. CC: What is your favorite movie? KW: My favorite movie? Oh gosh, I have so many. I would have to say “Facing the Giants.” CC: What is your favorite class you’re taking this semester? KW: My favorite class would be math. I’m a big math person. CC: Who’s your celebrity crush? KW: Channing Tatum, definitely.
CC: If you could play any other sport besides volleyball at the collegiate level, what would you play? KW: Probably softball just because that’s what I played growing up. CC: Is there a professional athlete you look up to the most? KW: Misty May-Treanor. CC: If someone offered you a week-long trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go? KW: Australia, it sounds fun. CC: Is there a famous quote or a piece of advice given to you by a coach that you look to for motivation before a game? KW: Before the game for motivation, I would usually look at a Bible verse. My favorite is Joshua 1:9.
Sophomore midfielder Landry Lowe had a choice—basketball, dancing or soccer. It was her freshman year of high school, and she did not have time to juggle multiple sports—she chose soccer. “I felt I’d get the most out of playing soccer,” Lowe said. “I put a lot of time into soccer, and I stuck with it. I didn’t really see myself dancing anymore. Basketball was just a hobby. I just went with soccer because it was more comfortable.” Lowe spent her entire childhood in Friendswood, a city 30 miles southeast of Houston. Her parents graduated from Friendswood High School. Her uncle, Ralph Lowe, was the mayor of Friendswood for 16 years. “My parents definitely allowed me to do what I wanted to do,” Lowe said. “Yes, it was a struggle. They kept saying, ‘This is for you—we support you.’ They were very supportive and sacrificial when it came to soccer.” Coach Kat Conner reached out to Lowe during her senior year of high school. Conner envisioned a player who could replicate former midfielder Kelsey Bernard’s ability. Bernard finished her four-year tenure with Texas State in 2011. “I thought Landry was more of a defensive player,” Conner said.
“Then, I saw that she had more creativity in her, and she was better than I initially thought. She ended up being more of a raw talent.” Texas State’s soccer program impressed Lowe, because it provided a balance between athletics and academics. “We have smart soccer players here,” Lowe said. “It’s not only about on-field performance—they focus a lot on our academics. I thought it was definitely someplace I could get the best of both worlds.” Lowe has started in 25 of the last 26 games dating back to Sept. 14, 2012. The Friendswood-native has played 1,744 minutes in this span after beginning her freshman year on the bench. “She’s worked her tail off,” Conner said. “It keeps the team sparked and motivated to work at the same rate. That’s why I love her so much, and she’s also a great person. She’s honest, loyal and trustworthy, a great student. I’m really happy she chose Texas State.” Lowe is required to initiate the scoring attack rather than finish the goal in her position as midfielder. As the oldest of four children, she is comfortable with that role. “I’m always worried about making other people look good and making their day better,” Lowe said. “It’s an older sibling thing. It comes natural. I just want to give and give, and give more than I take.”
John Casares | Staff Photographer In Texas State’s first home game this season, a 5-0 victory over Prairie View A&M, Lowe tallied her first career assist. She assisted on sophomore forward Lynsey Curry’s second goal of the season. Lowe is not the first Division I athlete in the family. Her cousin, Jaxon Appel, played free safety for Texas A&M. Appel was a first-team all-Big 12 selection in 2004. Another cousin of Lowe’s, Molli Abel, appeared in 79 volleyball matches for Lamar from 2004 through 2006. Lowe said her family members’ success helped pave the way for her soccer career. “For me, it was a lot about my family, especially getting a scholarship in college,” Lowe said. “Soccer isn’t always fun—you have to work, sweat, cry and get angry sometimes. At the end of the day, it was all for my family. I felt like I was really accomplishing something, like I was giving something back to them. It’s a good feeling.”
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