VOLUME 103, ISSUE 18
www.UniversityStar.com
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 2, 2013
Defending the First Amendment since 1911
SPORTS | Page 5
TRENDS | Page 3
Practice Report: Texas State enters its Sun Belt Conference opener Saturday with the Ragin’ Cajuns coming off a bye week.
Wine Walk: The 2013 Texas State Family Weekend kicked off last Friday with an afternoon of wine tasting.
CONSTRUCTION
West Campus Housing Complex on track for fall 2014 move-in Special to the Star
In response to enrollment growth at Texas State, a 578bed, six-story housing complex is being built on west campus. The complex will take about three or four years to complete and is on track to open fall 2014. Juan Guerra, associate vice president for Facilities, said the building’s construction is progressing quickly because the university is using the same contractor, SpawGlass, that built the North Campus Housing Complex. Since SpawGlass has worked with Texas State before, they know which techniques to use and have a management team that is able to finish a project quickly. Each day, 80 to 100 people are working on the new housing complex, Guerra said. Proite said there are three major phases when building a new dorm. There is first a programming phase where officials decide what the rooms will look like. Then, there is a meeting phase where university representatives meet with architects and engineers to discuss designs. The third is a hiring phase where a contractor is chosen and begins building. Twenty resident assistants will be hired to cover the 578 additional students who will be housed in the complex, Proite said.
on each floor. The buildings will feature displays for student art including ceramics and jewelry. The dorms in the West Campus Housing Complex will be priced similarly to San Marcos and San Jacinto Halls, although the fees have not been made official, Proite said. Proite said students were “heavily” involved in the design process for the halls. Getting the perspective of a student was very important when designing the building, because they will be the ones living there, she said. Proite said 40 students were involved with the designs of the West Campus Housing Complex. However, students who live in the halls will not have a new parking lot, Proite said. She said no new parking lots or garages will be added for the housing complex. Proite said there are plenty of parking spots on campus, just not where everyone wants them to be. Caleb Pase, communication design sophomore, said the new dorm will add to the “ridiculous scheme” that is parking at Texas State. Pase, who lives in neighboring Blanco Hall, decided to live there again because of his positive experience as a freshman. Pase said the construction noise was a nuisance in its
Matthews St. Garage
Current debt: $1,476,000
Edward Gary St. Garage Current debt: $922,000
Bobcat Village Lot
Current debt: $400,000
PARpaT rt2 series
By Rebecca Banks News Reporter
The new dorm project, which began in 2011, will be similar to the layout of the North Campus Housing Complex with two buildings separated by a public lobby, Proite said. The dorms will be suite-style with living rooms, kitchens, study spaces and a lounge area
early stages, but this year it has decreased a considerable amount. However, Pase said they were not told about the construction before moving in. Proite said in addition to freshmen, more sophomores are choosing to live in dorms, adding to the number of oncampus residents.
Student Center Garage
Current debt: $474,000
Woods St. Garage
Current debt: $250,000
Parking Services faces deficit of a three-
Danielle Charles | Staff Photographer The West Campus Housing Complex will be ready for move-in fall 2014.
Current debt: $1,013,000
Speck St. Garage
Austin Humphreys | Photo Editor
By Kelsey Bradshaw
In an attempt to minimize a financial deficit created by debt on campus parking garages, Parking Services officials have raised permit prices and are exploring other sources of revenue this fall. During fiscal year 2013, Parking Services had a deficit of $388,000, said Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of Transportation Services. A deficit occurs when the amount of revenue raised by Parking Services is not enough to cover the expenses accrued by the department. Nusbaum said the department’s budget this year had $601,000 in a reserve fund before the deficit was paid, leaving $213,000 to put toward future expenses. “The fact that we had to use our reserves means we are still operating with a deficit,” Nusbaum said. “It means we didn’t bring (in) enough revenue to cover our expenses.”
Nusbaum said the remaining reserve funding will most likely be put toward unexpected repairs on parking garages. According to Nusbaum, the Garage Annual Debt Service, or amount required to pay the principle and interest on garages, is the biggest impact on Parking Services’ expenses. Nusbaum said the university is still paying off bonds on the Speck Street, Matthews Street and Edward Gary Street parking garages as well as the Bobcat
“The fact that we had to use our reserves means we are still operating with a deficit.” —Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of Transportation Services Village parking lot. The Woods Street Parking Garage and LBJ Parking Garage bonds will be paid off in the next few years, Nusbaum said. “So, that will free up some revenue for us, but I don’t believe it
happens until 2016,” Nusbaum said. The university still owes $250,000 on the Woods Street Parking Garage and $474,000 on the LBJ Parking Garage, Nusbaum said. The university owes more than $1 million on the Speck Street Parking Garage. About $1.4 million is owed for the Matthews Street Parking Garage, $922,000 on the Edward Gary Street Parking Garage and $400,000 on the Bobcat Village parking lot, she said. Nusbaum said raising the cost of parking permits and boot fees has provided additional parking funds to help pay for the garages. Boot fees were increased from $45 to $75 this fall, Nusbaum said. Special event parking fees have also helped raise revenue, Nusbaum said. “We do work the home games, and we do charge $10 a parking space at the Mill Street Lot and the Spring Town Lot where the old Target used to be,” Nusbaum said. “When the Performing Arts Center opens up, officially in February, we’ll be charging $5
See PARKING, Page 2
UNIVERSITY
Interviews, search for transportation director coming to close By Nicole Barrios News Reporter
The search for a new director of Transportation Services is underway and a candidate will be chosen for the role within the next month, officials say. Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of Transportation Services, said the applicant field has been narrowed to three final candidates. Before a new director can be named, Nusbaum will conduct reference checks on the candidates and the university will run criminal background checks. “Hopefully I can get that done in two weeks,” Nusbaum said.
“I’m trying to have somebody on board no later than Nov. 1.” Nusbaum said the university received about 62 applications for the position of transportation director. Nusbaum brought in three of the applicants for interviews, and she said the last ones were conducted Sept. 24. Nusbaum said she posted a listing for the position in June, but interviews were unable to be conducted until the first two weeks of September due to scheduling conflicts. The candidates for the position met with “the main administrative staff,” the university vice presidents, University President
Denise Trauth, a committee of 15 students from the Associated Student Government and the Residence Hall Association. Nusbaum said she invited representatives from Faculty Senate, Housing and Residential Life and Facilities to the interviews of the candidates. Nusbaum said she will make the final hiring decision. Bill Nance, vice president of Finance and Support Services, said the search for a new director has gone well, and the university has a “good pool of candidates” to choose from. “What we’re looking for in a candidate is somebody with a bal-
ance of parking and shuttle bus transportation experience, and it’s difficult to find somebody with both,” Nance said. Nance said many times candidates have experience in one area but not the other. He said the university prefers candidates with a background in institutions of higher education, and candidates with such experience are “not very plentiful.” Nusbaum said she looks for many qualities in a new director. She looks for someone “who is collaborative, who works well with students and can handle budgets.” Vanessa Cortez, Associated
Student Government president, said it has been interesting to meet the different candidates. She wants the new director to work well with ASG, hear students’ concerns and take action. She said ASG members hope for someone with a “fresh perspective” to help better manage and utilize the university’s resources. Cortez said she hopes the new director will “look at our campus and its unique problems and take a different approach on fixing our issues.” She said ASG hopes for someone with a “fresh perspective” to help better manage and
See DIRECTOR, Page 2
2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday October 2, 2013
PARKING, continued from front parking for anybody who wants to attend those performances.” The Campus Master Plan states surface parking should be replaced with garages, said Bill Nance, vice president for Finance and Support Services. He said garages are about four times the cost of surface parking, and as a result, Texas State was issued a bond as part of a combined revenue financial system. The combined revenue financial system is a pool of money for use by Texas State and the seven other institutions in the university system, Nance said. Nance said university officials can receive bonds from the pool of money as long as they pay back principle and interest. However, bonds will not fund the newest parking addition on campus.
DIRECTOR, continued from front
According to Rosanne Proite, director of Housing and Residential Life, a new residence hall will be built on the current sites of San Saba Hall, Canyon Hall and the West Campus Physical Plant, removing parking spaces in the process. “I felt guilty quite honestly because I am going to build on top of parking,” Proite said. “So, what we have agreed to do and what we will pay for as part of our building project is replacement parking.” Nusbaum said Parking Services officials are also looking to sell special permits allowing universitybranded vehicles to park on campus. The proposal has not been approved yet by adminstrators, but Nusbaum said Parking Services is attempting to “past the cost to everybody,” not just students.
CAMPUS DINING
Nutrition guide now available to students in campus dining halls
Star file photo
Chartwells officials are now posting nutrition information on the university website and App on Campus.
By Nancy Young News Reporter
Chua said there were a few difficulties with trying to use the official Texas State app for Chartwells information. While they are working out the errors, students can use the App on Campus on both iPhone and Android smart phones. Texas State and Texas A&M are the only universities in the state to utilize App on Campus. The nutrition guide will not include facts for national brands found on campus, such as Chickfil-A, Au Bon Pain or Pizza Hut. However, Chua said there is a link on the website that will take students directly to the companies’ web pages for nutritional information. Raquel McAfee, assistant director of Fitness and Wellness, said she believes educating people on healthier options could help students make wiser decisions. “I think being healthy is an integral part in being successful as a college student, and I think it plays and builds (on) eating well,” McAfee said. “Nutrition, also being active, so getting exercise on a regular basis, go hand in hand with one another.” Valencia said the website and mobile app additions have nothing to do with trying to increase dining hall sales or attract people to buy food. “We have just seen that people want to know what our nutrition facts and our values are for the food that we serve, so that is the reason why we brought it to the campus,” Valencia said.
Beginning this semester, students now have access to nutritional information for the Texas State dining halls on Chartwells’ website and a new mobile app. Students are now able to be more aware about what they are eating while dining on campus. Balanced U, a health and wellness program through Chartwells, hopes to educate students about food choices on campus, according to the website. Balanced U identifies food items into five categories: balanced, sustainable, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. With the nutrition guides available, Chartwells employees hope students will make better eating decisions, according to the website. The nutrition guide launched the day residents moved onto campus this year, said Abel Valencia, Chartwells marketing manager. The website offers more detailed nutrition information than available in the dining halls, he said. “If you look into locations, they have identifying cards on the menu screens that have the calorie content, grams of fat, carbs and protein,” Valencia said. “But online, we have more extensive detail of the nutrition facts.” Chin-Hong Chua, Chartwells resident district manager, said more people are becoming selfconscious about what they eat. He said it makes sense to offer students online and mobile app options for nutritional information. App on Campus, the moHill Country MHDD Centers bile nutrition app, offers a simple overview of food FULL TIME CSA III / In New Braunfels options, shows hours of op- Must have HS diploma/GED; be able to work flexible hours. Experience working with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities. eration and features a nuExperience providing residential services. trition guide for breakfast, Available to work weekends and evenings. $9.02/hr. lunch and dinner. Paid Medical, excellent benefits, vacation, sick, retirement, etc. “If (a student) goes straight to the App on CamCSA III / In New Braunfels – 3 PRN Openings Must have HS diploma/GED; work 16 – 18 hours a week. Experience pus, then the information is working with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities. all there,” Chua said. Experience providing residential services. Available to work weekends and evenings. $10.26/hr. Applications are available on line at www.hillcountry.org Hill Country MHDD Centers is an EOE
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utilize the university’s resources. Cortez said she appreciates the way the candidates solved student issues at their former campuses and workplaces. “They’re all problem solvers and really able to communicate with their audience, so that’s what we were looking for,” Cortez said. Nusbaum said one of the candidates is currently working at a university. Another candidate has past experience at a university but is currently with a transit agency. The last candidate works for a health sci-
PRESS RELEASE
SJMC teams with Millennium Tours for first-ever study abroad trip Millennium Tours is teaming with Texas State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication for the school’s first-ever study abroad trip in June 2014. The program, scheduled for June 10-20, includes class meetings on campus and online before and after the 11-day cultural and media immersion trip. This SJMC program will travel to three capital cities in Great Britain — Edinburgh, Cardiff and London. Mohib Mamujee, founder and president of Millennium Tours, said, “As Texas State University has grown, we have been able to grow with it by providing highly customized group travel for a variety of university programs.” Mamujee said the Texas State trip presents unique opportunities for students, with visits scheduled to the BBC, Reuters, Sky TV, The Guardian, as well as PR and advertising agencies and firms. These educational experiences will be included along with traditional sightseeing tours and adventures, Mamujee said. “The world of media has gone global and this study abroad experience will make that reality uniquely come alive,” Mamujee added. The program theme is “Global Media in the United Kingdom.” Dr. Judith Oskam, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said how thrilled she is that the School is embarking on this opportunity. “I really hope students will be come back home and be energized with all of the opportunities that they have on the global scale,” Oskam said. “We’ve already heard from many students who are planning to participate.” Harry Bowers, senior academic adviser for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said students, both undergraduate and graduate, will be able to receive up to six hours of course
credit related to public relations, media writing, international communication or an independent study. Courses include “Introduction to Advertising” and “Introduction to Public Relations” with Dr. Bruce Smith, and “International Communication” and “Media Writing” (travel writing emphasis) with Dr. Sandy Rao. “Financial aid is usually applicable toward the required costs of approved Texas State study abroad programs,” Bowers said. “The Study Abroad Office and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will offer scholarships for the Millennium trip on a competitive basis. British Airway’s nonstop flights from Austin to London will help keep airfare low and improve travel experience, Mamujee said. Dr. Richard Earl of Texas State’s geography department said Millennium Tours was the best tour company he had ever worked with. Located in Austin, Millennium Tours is a tier-one travel company specializing in customized group travel for students since 1998. They were recently awarded by Inc. as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America for 2013. It will be honored at the 32nd Annual Inc. 500/5000 Conference and Awards Ceremony Oct. 10-12 at the Gaylord National in Washington, D.C. The size of the group for the study abroad program will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis. A deposit will hold a position for the trip. For more information contact Harry Bowers at hb05@ txstate.edu. For more information about Millennium Tours contact Mohib Mamujee at (512) 345-3100 and visit www.MLtours.com. —Courtesy of Charles Kaufman
LIBRARY BEAT
Mobile librarian assistance provides groups with research aid Roving Research Assistance lets librarians be where you need them, when you need them! The research librarians can come to your school, department, residence hall, student organization meeting or anywhere else a group needs assistance. We can answer questions about choosing the right database, putting together an effective search and organizing your sources. Any location on campus would work, and we can set up with minimal effort. All we need is a table and wireless access. We will bring a mobile device to help you connect to library resources for research projects. Schedule one Roving Research Assistance session at the busiest point of the semester. The librarians can help with research projects or set up recurring appointments throughout the year for your department or school—whichever option works best for your group. You can consider us your point-of-need research help. To schedule appointments, look for the Rov-
CATFISH Library Film Series Thursday, Oct. 3 7:30 p.m. Alkek Library, seventh floor
ing Research Assistance request form on the Ask a Librarian web page. For more information, see the Library’s Research Assistance web page. —Courtesy of Alkek Library
Correction
An Oct. 1 University Star story concerning parking permits should have said residential parking permit prices increased to $485.
KTSW TOP 5 ADDS
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ence center. She said one candidate is located in Texas and two are from out of state. “We think we’ve got three finalists that will do a good job,” Nance said. Nusbaum said balancing her responsibilities as interim transportation director and associate vice president for Finance and Support Services has been “pretty stressful.” “I’m ready to have one job again,” Nusbaum said.
performances by
Los Musicos ktsw.net
of the Texas State Music Department
The University Star | Wednesday October 2, 2013 | 3
TRENDS
UniversityStar.com
W NE WALK
Parents tour historic downtown areas during Family Weekend By Lindsey Bedford Trends Reporter
The 2013 Texas State Family Weekend kicked off last Friday with an afternoon of wine tasting and merriment, giving parents the opportunity to experience the unique, historical features of San Marcos. The fourth annual Downtown San Marcos Wine Walk gave families an opportunity to come together and enjoy the company of fellow Bobcats. A total of 350 people attended the event. A trolley was available for shuttle service around The Square and dropped families off at the Hays County Courthouse. Check-in was located directly in front of the courthouse where each guest received a commemorative wine glass and information for the walk. Patrons were encouraged to start the walk
“All the wines we have are made on location with grapes from all over the world.” —Randy Hestand, partner at Ruby Heels Wine Shoppe at the courthouse to learn about the history of the building. “We came last year, and it was a lot of fun,” said Mark and Veronica Narro, Houston residents and participants in the wine walk. Local businesses and restaurants offered light hors d’oeuvres and several different types of wine for tasting. Downtown shops were full of curious parents and shoppers ready to learn about places like the HUB Bicycle Lounge. “There are a lot of little shops we never noticed before,” Veronica Narro said. At the LBJ Museum of San Marcos, guests were encouraged to learn about national and local history while enjoying finger foods and sipping wines. Parents were decked out in Texas State gear in support of their children and the university. “We came out to see our baby,” Veronica Narro said. Mark Narro said it was easy to travel around The Square in a group of people during the wine walk while making new friends along the way. Families were en-
Madelynne Scales| Staff Photographer Megan Whitley, bio-chemistry junior, serves Laura Melghem wine at the Downtown San Marcos Wine Walk Sept. 27 at HUB Bicycle Lounge. couraged to go to the Shade Rooftop Patio Bar to enjoy a cold beverage and enjoy a picturesque view of Old Main. Boko the Bobcat and Texas State cheerleaders roamed The Square taking pictures with attendees. The mascot and student leaders spread school spirit throughout the wine walk and reminded patrons to attend the football game against the University of Wyoming last Saturday. Texas State’s own Mariachi Nueva Generacion performed for families while wandering down the streets, popping into shops and resting in provided chairs. Ruby Heels Wine Shoppe offered one of
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the most popular stops along the tour’s route, featuring selections of bottled wine. “All the wines we have are made on location with grapes from all over the world,” said Randy Hestand, partner at Ruby Heels Wine Shoppe. The shop throws separate wine tasting parties throughout the year at the store, some of which are themed. “The experience and the friendliness is wonderful,” said Greg and Dee Stanfield, participants in the wine walk. The event’s host, the Office of Community Relations at Texas State, plans to keep the event growing each year.
LEARN TO DEFEND YOURSELF GAMES FOOD& PRIZES Visit the URL below for event details and register to play Capture the Flag.
LBJ Student Center Ballroom OCTOBER 8, 2013 10 a.m.-3 p.m. security.vpit.txstate.edu/training/csad_2013.html
4 | The University Star | Wednesday October 2, 2013
OPINIONS
UniversityStar.com
THE MAIN POINT
Bobcats deserve fair parking prices, more spaces
COLLEGE LIFE
Branching out beneficial for students
A
s Parking Services works to pay off its debt, it is unfair for officials to change zoning in lots while hiking up permit prices, leaving many students in a financial bind. Parking Services employees have been known to alter zoning restrictions in parking lots around campus depending on demand for spaces. Many spaces in a designated commuter lot near Lindsey and Academy streets were rezoned to residential spaces without much or any warning to students beforehand. Additionally, permit fees skyrocketed to $485 from $245 last year for parking at residence halls and the Comanche Hill and Campus Colony apartments. All permit fees saw a cost increase this fall, although commuter parking passes received a comparatively small $10 hike to $115. Logically, it would make sense for many students to be outraged by Parking Services officials’ attempts to bring in more cash to help them get out of debt. Parking Services is anticipated to be in more than $300,000 of debt by the end of the fiscal year, according to a Feb. 5 University Star article. It is disheartening that such a prominent entity is not able to properly manage its financial operations and spent millions of dollars constructing multiple garages without a solid plan in place. Regarding permits, out of the 5,011 commuter parking spaces on campus, 11,545 commuter passes have been sold this semester, according to an Oct. 1 University Star article. There is no reason Parking Services officials should be raking in thousands of dollars overselling permits by more than double the amount of available commuter spaces. Part of the reason so many students, even those who live on campus, are cashing in funds for commuter permits is because $115 is much easier to fit into a budget than $485 out of pocket for a residential one. Students are bogged down with a seemingly endless flow of fees at Texas State with tuition, textbooks and rent. They deserve affordable permits and an adequate number of spaces to park on campus. Bearing the financial burden of Parking Services’ debt is not the job of students. Money management skills are vital, and officials would do well to model Texas State’s parking system after other similarly-sized universities such as the University of North Texas. Only 2,377 permits of the 2,677 residential spaces have been sold this semester, according to the same Oct. 1 article. Due to an excess of unsold permits, Parking Services officials recently announced a lottery system to allow commuters to purchase silver apartment permits and green residential ones. It is obvious why many students who live on campus have shied away from purchasing residential permits—the very passes intended for them. Students are not purchasing these expensive alter-
James Soto Opinions Columnist English senior
who chose to atSof atudents tend Texas State because friend or significant other
Breanna Baker | Star Illustrator
native permits in droves like they are snatching up the commuter passes because of price. If officials want to hold a lottery to encourage students to buy residential and silver permits as opposed to commuter ones, the laws of supply and demand indicate a price reduction is necessary. Parking Services officials have much to consider when digging themselves out of debt, but changing the zoning of lots while hiking up permit prices is not a fair solution. 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.
should question whether the decision prevented them from taking full advantage of college opportunities. Choosing to go to a university solely because that is where a student’s boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend is going is a bad idea. Choosing to attend a university is a big life decision, and students should consider their choice of institution carefully. Following somebody else to a university, while easy and safe does not give students the greatest opportunity to explore and branch out. It can be challenging to leave everybody behind, but if students can persevere, they will be stronger for it. For traditional students who go straight to a university right after high school, college is a time of change, growth and reinvention. Freshmen often come to a university wide-eyed, anxious and unsure of themselves. Following a high school sweetheart or best friend starts impressionable freshmen off on the wrong foot. Unless they are forced to be independent, many students will cling to the familiar and refuse to branch out, stunting their growth as individuals. Furthermore, students should choose a school based on their own interests and whether they believe they can find success there. Discovering interests will become easier if students pick a school they like, regardless of whether they are certain of a particular major as a freshman. The university students graduate from will forever be attached to their names—just another reason to carefully
consider university options. Texas State students who came to the university following a friend or significant other need not regret their decision to come here, though. These students should, however, try to step outside of their comfort zones to interact with different types of people. Part of freshman year is meeting new people with different life experiences and perspectives. Having a friend from back home on campus from day one is both a crutch and a handicap. On one hand it helps students feel comfortable in a new environment, but on the other it keeps them from ever feeling completely at home on their own. Relying on old friends and lovers to feel comfortable will ultimately hurt students more than it helps them. One thing I love about Texas State is the number of students who go here. The feeling of anonymity I feel walking in The Quad used to scare me, but now I find it exciting. Anonymity is empowering. In a small town, everyone knows a student’s name and story. In San Marcos, every day is a chance at a fresh start, and I can be whomever I choose to be without my past holding me back. Texas State is the perfect place for students to reinvent themselves and start from scratch. Why cling to old friends who know about previous mistakes when you can make new ones with different people? Texas State students have an unprecedented opportunity to wipe their slates clean in San Marcos. Those who do not take advantage of chances to meet new people are missing out. Students should step out from the shadows of old friends and high school antics and start to craft themselves into the type of adult they want to be now. There is nothing wrong with maintaining high school relationships, but students should make a concerted effort to meet new people in college. Students have a chance of a lifetime to completely reinvent themselves, if only more had the courage to take the first step into unknown territory.
TRANSPORTATION
Zipcar system provides affordable advantage at Texas State tudents should Sof the take advantage new Zipcar
system at Texas State in order to save money while easing congestion and campus parking issues at the same time. Zipcar is an Robert Núñez eco-friendly Special to the Star transportation Journalism senior system and smallscale car rental program new to the university. Zipcar members can slide their cards on one of the vehicles to gain access to it. Members then can drive the car anywhere they need
to go, returning it when they are done. Zipcar membership includes insurance, gas and maintenance, so members should not worry about added expenses. More than 100 other universities have gotten on-board with the Zipcar program, including ivy-league schools such as Yale and Stanford. Having access to a car without having to own one is incredibly convenient, especially for college towns where students may not be able to afford their own cars. Through Zipcar, students can travel without having to worry about all the hassles of owning a vehicle. Getting a Zipcar membership is not difficult—the entire system is geared towards students and incredibly convenient. Zipcar membership has several advantages. Members can reserve cars online
and find nearby vehicles via mobile device. There is a 24-hour roadside assistance and membership service hotline specifically for Zipcars. Zipcars have specific parking spots on university campuses, saving students the price of a parking permit. Hourly and daily rates for Zipcars are very affordable, yet again saving students in a big way. The system helps decrease the number of vehicles on the road, an issue especially relevant in overcrowded San Marcos. According to the Zipcar website, every Zipcar reduces the need for about 15 personal vehicles on the road. This system could potentially provide a partial solution to the congestion and parking issues Texas State and San Marcos have experienced recently.
Zipcars are environmentally friendly, reducing the carbon footprint of drivers. According to the Zipcar website, 90 percent of members drive a combined average of 5,500 miles less per year after joining the program. This saves around 219 gallons per person each year. Texas State is on the right track when it comes to going green. Now, students need to catch up. Implementing Zipcars around campus not only helps students financially but allows them to go green. Living in such an environmentally sensitive area, students should be concerned about their contribution to local and global pollution. By opting to use the new Zipcar system, students can save money and help reduce their carbon footprint at the same time.
ART
Officials should allow, regulate graffiti on campus
exas State students should be able to use T graffiti for artistic expression without fearing penalty from university or city police officers.
Art is everywhere around campus. To the naked eye, graffiti might only appear to be abstract lettering and crude characters, but it is art nonetheless. Graffiti may be very different Ryan Pittman from what many Opinions Columnist consider art. Journalism freshman The people who design sticker slaps, tags and murals for decorating public structures are artists who put time and effort into their work. Although many examples of street art can be seen around campus, they are being removed quickly. According to the Texas Penal Code,
The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building, Room 101 San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708
graffiti is defined as the marking of inscriptions, slogans or pictures with aerosol paint, markers or etching devices without the consent of the property owner. Texas State officials should decriminalize street art on campus by giving artists permission to mark university buildings. The university should be eager to display student art around campus—what better way to do that than with the buildings themselves as the canvas? A journey to class could be like walking through a museum of modern street art. Many pieces of street art around campus are not in plain view. Generally artists will put their work around a corner or high up on a wall to decrease the chances of removal. If university officials decriminalized street art, then it could be put in plain view for the enjoyment of all. Graffiti artists must complete art without being seen to avoid receiving penalties from either Texas State or San Marcos police officers. This can rush the act of creating, sometimes causing the quality of the work to suffer as a result. Graffiti quality would
Editor in Chief................................................Caitlin Clark, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..........................Liza Winkler, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor............................................Taylor Tompkins, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor.............................................Amanda Ross, startrends@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..................................Savannah Wingo, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor.......................................Odus Evbagharu, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief................................Lesley Warren, starcopychief@txstate.edu Video Editor........................................................Alex Peña, starvideo@txstate.edu
no doubt increase if artists no longer had to fear police interference. If Texas State officials do not want just any average artist marking up their campus, they could restrict graffiti installations to only those they approve. This would be a good way to regulate the quality of street art on campus and prevent the campus from being covered in obscene drawings and tags. Many street artists are forced to display their work on blogs and other social media outlets such as Instagram. Texas State could offer an official outlet for artists to show off their work. Street art without a stigma of illegality could be freely incorporated into portfolios and official art gallery displays. Many artists may still choose to conceal their identities or work under a pseudonym. Several artists may welcome the chance to display their street art in a legitimate setting. On the other hand, the best outlet for graffiti will always be on the streets. Graffiti does not transfer well to a gallery setting, and that is why decriminalized public venues are needed. Imagine the New
Design Editor.................................................Lee Moran, stardesign@txstate.edu Web Editor.........................................Anthony Garza, starwebeditor@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist............................................ Chris Salazar, c.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu
York Philharmonic Orchestra performing in an alleyway—it just does not fit. If Texas State officials are not open to decriminalizing graffiti, street artists around campus can find other ways to display their art without harming university property. For instance, stickers can be attached to almost any surface and leave no more than a thin residue behind once removed. Another medium that can be used for temporary and harmless graffiti projects is chalk. Chalk comes in a variety of colors, can be drawn on almost every surface and leaves no residue behind once removed. Unless Texas State officials have a change of heart and decide to allow regulated permanent graffiti, street artists should consider using less permanent mediums to create their art. All students should be encouraged to find expression in an outlet they feel comfortable with. Texas State officials should get on board with the modern street art movement and elect to decriminalize graffiti on campus.
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 2, 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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The University Star | Wednesday October 2, 2013 | 5
SPORTS
UniversityStar.com
FOOTBALL
Bobcats prepare for first Sun Belt game Sports Reporter @SamuelRubbelke
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Texas State enters its Sun Belt Conference opener Saturday, one week behind the opposition due to the Ragin Cajuns’ bye week. Louisiana-Lafayette is 11-1 at home in the past three years with Coach Mark Hudspeth at the helm. The Cajuns were projected as the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt due in part to a total of 14 starters returning from last year’s team. Among the returnees is junior quarterback Terrance Broadway,3 who was awarded the Manning Award Stars of the Week against Akron. The same award was given to Wyoming junior quarterback Brett Smith, who played the Bobcats last week. Broadway was also awarded Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week before the bye week, accounting for 373 total yards and all five Lafayette touchdowns at Akron. “Louisiana has a good football team,” said Coach Dennis Franchione. “They’re physical and have a really good quarterback in Terrance Broadway who is a big, strong, hard runner and a good thrower. This is more of a balanced offense between run and pass, so it’s a little bit different than what we have faced.” Lafayette’s balanced attack can be attributed to junior wide receiver Jamal Robinson and junior running back Alonzo Harris. The Cajuns are averaging 218.5 yards on the ground and 212.5 by air. Robinson had his most complete game against Akron, catching a career-high eight passes for 124 yards. He is within 61 yards
of being the 20th wide receiver for the Ragin’ Cajuns to catch for more than 1,000 yards. Harris has accumulated 251 yards and two touchdowns for the season. “I think an equal amount of blitzing and the schemes we have going in this week should be able to counter (Lafayette),” said senior linebacker Damion McMiller. “They have the same type of offense we run, so from us practicing, going through the fall, camp and spring—playing against our offense kind of gives us an edge.” Texas State is currently ranked third in the nation and leading the Sun Belt in rush defense, holding opponents to an average of 62.5 yards this season. Texas State is ranked sixth nationally and leads the conference in turnover margin averaging 1.5 per game. The Bobcats rank 17th in forced fumbles, 11th in red-zone defense with a percentage of .647 and have forced 11 turnovers in four games ranking them 12th in the FBS. All rankings are first in conference play. The emergence of freshman quarterback Tyler Jones will not come as much of a surprise to Lafayette as it did for the Wyoming coaching staff and Bobcat fans. The Cajuns have had two weeks of preparation and can watch film on the new dualthreat freshman. Jones made his first career start against the Cowboys and recorded a Texas State season high 196 passing yards and contributed 56 rushing. Jones accumulated 252 yards in the game, and the team recorded 452 overall. With senior quarterback Tyler Arndt and redshirt freshman Jordan Moore at quarterback, the Bobcats averaged 285 yards of total offense in the first three
O EP FO AT E R BC B O T IC AC PR
By Samuel Rubbelke
Madelynne Scales| Staff Photographer Jason Johnson, wide receivers coach, runs drills Oct. 1 at football practice in preparation for an upcoming conference game against Louisiana-Lafayette. games. Franchione started a true fresh- supported me 100 percent, and “He’s the kind of quarter- man quarterback was in 2010 that is a big confidence booster back that we would like on our with Arndt. for me coming in as a freshman.” offense—a guy that can do a little “I found out last Thursday durbit of both running and passing,” ing practice,” Jones said. “Coach Franchione said. “He was effec- Fran said ‘you’re going to be the tive when he ran the ball and starter,’ that’s all with toughness. In practice we he said—straight felt like he was an accurate pass- back to busier, and I thought he was accurate ness. The team this past game. He played like he was very suphad showed us he can do in prac- portive all week, tice, and we are not surprised by and they helped what he did.” me out during The last time Texas State and practice. They
TWEET OF THE WEEK
GT: What are your other hobbies? TG: I read. I like to run sometimes. I play video games sometimes, but they don’t override my studying. GT: If you could have any superpower what would it be? TG: I guess (being able to) run faster. GT: Who is your future celebrity wife? TG: Zoe Saldana from “Colombiana”. GT: If you could spend the day with any NFL player, dead or alive, who would it be? TG: I’d say Sean Taylor and Walter Payton. GT: What song do you listen to most on your iPod right now? TG: “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour.
Chris Motz | Staff Photographer
Get to Know Tim Gay
Sophomore running back By Gabby Tropea Sports Reporter @gabbytropea
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GT: What has been your most memorable moment at Texas State? TG: The 75-yard touchdown in my last game of the season last year. GT: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions? TG: I just stay quiet. I guess because of my ADHD, I move around a lot. I pace and I think about the stuff I have to do and envision what I’ve got to do out on the field. GT: What is your favorite part about Texas State? TG: I would say being part of the team. They gave me the opportunity to be here. They gave me the scholarship, and I’m proud to be a Texas State Bobcat. GT: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? TG: If not (in) the pros, maybe a high school football coach or track coach. Just doing anything at the high school level (as) a coach and a teacher.
Craig Naivar, defensive coordinator
6 | The University Star | Advertisement | Wednesday October 2, 2013
