VOLUME 103, ISSUE 30
www.UniversityStar.com
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 30, 2013
Defending the First Amendment since 1911
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CRIME
Armed suspect arrested at Copper Beech Townhomes By Traynor Swanson News Reporter
San Marcos Police Department officers arrested a suspect at the Copper Beech Townhomes Sunday night after responding to a call about a man with a shotgun. Police apprehended and charged Miguel Alonzo-Garcia with aggravated assault and failure to identify himself. He was released Monday on $22,000 bail. According to a statement sent to city officials by SMPD Assistant Chief Chase Stapp, police arrived at the complex shortly after 10 p.m. in response to a disturbance call. A witness reported seeing three men, one of whom was armed with a shotgun, approach an apartment, knock on the front door and call for a resident to step outside. The group of men dispersed by the time police arrived at the complex, leaving the shotgun in one of their vehicles, according to the statement. After a 20-minute search throughout the apartment complex, AlonzoGarcia and his weapon were in custody, according to the statement. Alonzo-Garcia was arrested while attempting to hide on a separate balcony belonging to Copper Beech residents unrelated to the investigation. “(The residents) let him in their apartment, but I don’t think they knew who he was,” said SMPD Sgt. Erik Spriegel. “It sounds like he was just
See SUSPECT, Page 2
University Star City Council Debate 6 p.m. ELA 116 TRANSPORTATION
San Marcos sees lower gas prices Students, residents feel effects of cheaper fuel By Scott Allen
News Reporter
R
esidents and students are experiencing declining gasoline prices in San Marcos as part of a state and national trend of lower oil costs. San Marcos is averaging about $3.06 per gallon of regular gasoline, according to gasbuddy.com. The highest gas cost indicated on the price watch site for the San Marcos area is $3.15 at the Shell, Exxon and Valero stations on Aquarena Springs Drive. Gas prices across the state were more than $3.37 per gallon during the summer, but did not rise higher than $3.47 per gallon from May to September, according to information from the AAA website. Gas prices across Texas have dropped recently because of the seasonal change, said Sarah Schimmer, AAA Texas spokesperson. The gas supply across the
Kathryn Parker | Staff Photographer Mercedes Inocencio, physical geography senior, commutes from Buda to San Marcos to attend classes at Texas State.
nation switches from summergrade to winter-grade fuel during the colder months, Schimmer said. This switch in fuel quality is done to reduce pollution and smog during the summer ozone season, which occurs from June 1 to Sept. 15. “The summer gas is cleaner burning, but it costs more for the consumer, while the winter blend is cheaper to supply and produce,” Schimmer said.
Texas has the third least expensive gas in the nation, only behind Missouri and Oklahoma, according to gasbuddy.com. Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for the website, said Texas generally has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation because of its oil production. Since Texas is a large oil-producing state, gas has less distance to travel to reach the consumer, he said.
Texas’ reduced gas prices can be attributed to low fuel taxes as well, DeHaan said. The average gas tax for Texas is $.38 per gallon, while California and New York have an average gas tax of $.69 per gallon, he said. Despite higher fuel taxes in some other states, national gas prices have dipped overall recently as well, contributing to
See GAS, Page 2
ATHLETICS
Sun Belt move increases suite sales By Rebecca Banks News Reporter
Luxury seating in the Jerry D. and Linda Gregg Fields Bobcat Stadium West Side Complex has sold out this footbal season, which officials attribute to the football team’s increasing recognition. Justin Reckenwald, Bobcat Club major gifts officer, said Texas State entering the Sun Belt Conference has helped bring a brighter light to the football team and as a result, helped sell more luxury seating. Steven Kenney, assistant director of development for Bobcat Club, said options for luxury seating at the football games are designated as the Champions Club and Legacy Suites, both of which range in prices. The Champions Club has nine sections, 450 seats and is located outdoors. The Legacy Suites seating is made up of private rooms located on the sixth floor of the West Side Complex of Bobcat Stadium. Josh Whittenburg, director of the Bobcat Club, said luxury seating has a three-year contract, and he is expecting several existing contracts to expire by next season. Whittenburg said the current waiting list has 200 individuals who have shown an interest in
purchasing luxury suites. Whittenburg said the luxury seating contracts are spread out over time to ensure not all will end at the same time. The current seat holders have first priority regarding whether to renew their contracts. “In theory, every year someone’s contract is ending, and in theory, every year somebody could choose to not make those seats available for the wait list,” Whittenburg said. Kenney said the organization uses a priority point system to
monitor a member’s history with the university if they are season ticket holders and have previously donated to the club. “In essence, what it does is reward those individuals that support our program either through season tickets or through donations to the Bobcat Club,” Reckenwald said. “So what will happen is if they purchase season tickets and/or make a donation towards that Bobcat Club, then they will aquire what we call ‘priority
See SUITES, Page 2
Chris Motz | Staff Photographer Bobcat Stadium’s luxury seating area provides patrons with buffet-style meals and beverages during home football games.
Lisa Prewitt City council Place 1 candidate
By Taylor Tompkins News Editor
Lisa Prewitt is running for San Marcos City Council Place 1, a seat left open by the departure of current councilwoman Kim Porterfield. She sat down with The University Star to discuss her platform, ideas for the future of the city and opponent. TT: You announced your candidacy pretty early on. What made you want to run for council? LP: My desire to run for city council is I see that San Marcos has a great opportunity for growth by utilizing all of the characteristics and heritage we have in San Marcos along with the university. I think that we’re not quite embracing those characteristics right now and 20 years from now, I don’t want to look back and say, ‘Hey, I should’ve gotten up
Courtesy of Lisa Prewitt
and done something,’ if the direction the town goes is not the right direction. You’re running against Bill Taylor who has some prior experience in the city. How do you feel your campaign, and maybe the election, are affected? Well, Bill Taylor has given service to the city for many years. We all appreciate and applaud anybody who will volunteer for service in any city or municipality. My opinion is that there’s time in any city for change, and I think Bill Taylor has worked hard while he’s worked for the city, but I think we’re in a new time right now. I think we need more progressive movement. I think we need more community engagement. I don’t know if Bill can pull that together. He’s
See PREWITT, Page 2
CITY
New mobile app allows San Marcos residents to stay connected By Michelle Balagia News Reporter
San Marcos officials recently teamed up with web development company PublicStuff to launch a mobile app designed to keep residents and students better connected with the city. The app, “SMTX Connect,” was released Sept. 25 and allows users to submit concerns, requests for service, questions and comments to city officials. As of Oct. 23, the app has racked up 191 downloads from
iTunes and has been downloaded 74 times from the Google Play store, said Trey Hatt, City of San Marcos communications specialist. The app cost the city just under $50,000 for five years of upcoming service, he said. In the next five years, the app will receive development, maintenance and support from PublicStuff, Hatt said. “It was a council-initiated project,” Hatt said. “This project was aimed for citizen convenience. It’s too soon to say with certainty how much staff time it has saved,
but the app is integrated with our major work order systems.” The app is designed to make the lives of residents simpler, Hatt said. When a request is submitted, it is sent to a designated person in the correct department to address the issue. The request is sent to the departments’ managers if it is not completed within three days, he said. There is a “general request” category where residents can submit anything not specified under other categories. City administration will run monthly reports to see
which categories are being used and which ones need to be added to the app, Hatt said. “I’m not very good with technology,” said Allison Smith, a San Marcos resident for more than 20 years. “The app is real easy though. I made a noise complaint request just the other night.” Other types of requests that can be made through the app include animal issues, fallen trees, park maintenance, graffiti removal, broken signs, sidewalk repairs, potholes and sewer problems, according to the city’s website.
The app has been in the works since September 2012, according to Hatt. “We called other cities to inquire about the vendor during our research, and they are all pleased with them,” Hatt said. “The City of Philadelphia has been very innovative with their mobile app.” The city administrative staff has the ability to update the app as needed, Hatt said. There are icons prepared for emergency weather and city events that can
See APP, Page 2
2 | The University Star | News | Wednesday October 30, 2013
GAS, continued from front the summer, it took almost $40 to $45 to fill up my tank and now that it’s dropped to around $3 a gallon, I can fill up on less than $30.” Inocencio said she will enjoy the low gas prices while she can, because it is only a matter of time until the costs increase again. She said she does not agree with the ability of oil companies to dictate prices. “It’s unfortunate, but no matter how high prices get, I’m going to still have to contribute to this business,” Inocencio said. “My entire life is dependent on it. It’s how I get to work and school.” However, DeHaan said prices are expected to continue to decrease in the near future. “Demand is pretty flat this time of the year—we have healthy numbers and our refinery output is looking good,” DeHaan said. “We’re expecting the future of gas prices to go down because crude oil has gone down to $97 a barrel, the lowest it’s been in years.”
SUITES, continued from front points.’” Kenney said the Champions Club consists of platinum and gold level seating with three center sections between both the 40yard lines with an annual cost of $2,000 per seat. The gold seating consists of anything outside the 40-yard line with an annual cost of $1,500 per seat. The Champions Club allows members to converse in a communal air-conditioned room located above their seats on the fifth floor of the Jerry D. and Linda Gregg Fields West Side Complex. Whittenburg said the cost of gold and platinum member fees for the Champions Club allows members to have golden name plates inscribed with their names on seats. They are also provided buffet-style meal and non-alcoholic drinks during the game. Other amenities for the Champions Club include a cash bar, bar seating, couches and 15-inch televisions located in the communal space, he said. “There’s everything from a carving station to hamburgers and hotdogs to popcorn,”
Whittenburg said. Kenney said Legacy Suites cost $30,000 per room and can hold 16 individuals. Each suite includes 12 stadium-style seats, four bar stools, a retractable window and is 450 square feet. Kenney said there are 15 suites, including ones for University President Denise Trauth and Athletic Director Larry Teis. “The athletic director’s suite is the same size as all the other suites but Trauth’s is double the size just so she can entertain prospective donors or Board of Regents members,” Whittenburg said. Whittenburg said individuals with Legacy Suites are given menus for food during the game and have a private selection of beer, wine and liquor. He said all the suites have a plaque outside the room announcing the names of the company or family who purchased seats in the room. The president and athletic director’s suites are the only ones with private restrooms. The other 13 suites use a communal restroom located in the hallway, he said.
PREWITT, continued from front been on the Planning and Zoning Commission and many people in the community have not been very happy with a lot of the outcomes of the rezoning of singlefamily land to multi-family (land) in San Marcos the last three years. That seems to be Bill’s trend. And I think the community has spoken many times—that’s not what they want for San Marcos. If we don’t hold on to our community and stay strong, I don’t think the City of San Marcos will stay strong. Every city and every community has to have a very strong community in order for it to keep on growing.
worked on together for about 12 to 15 months, we did designate where we would like the housing to go. Of course, it’s going to be market-driven to some degree, but if our city officials and policy makers stand behind our master plan, then development will go there. If there is need for multifamily and need for more student housing, the developers will come and build it where we designate it, but if we keep rezoning, then that option remains available for them all the time. One of my biggest issues is if we don’t stick to a plan, how can any other plan follow through?
Development is always a big deal in San Marcos. You know, where to put housing, single-family to multifamily. What would propose as a councilwoman? What would your stance be on development? Well, we need development in San Marcos. I think many people feel like we’ve gotten too many apartments in San Marcos. We need to have more affordable housing in San Marcos, so people can afford to live in single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums, which is kind of the new trend anyway. Sixty-six percent of our residents are rentals at this point. So, I think we need to offer more options for the housing. And in the Comprehensive Master Plan, which this city and the community
For the entire uncut and unedited interview, listen to our latest edition of the Spotlight Series Podcast featuring Lisa Prewitt at UniversityStar.com.
Lee Travis, marketing junior, twirls Connor Smith, Spanish junior, Oct. 26 during the Homecoming tailgate.
WILD ART
reduced costs in Texas and San Marcos. Schimmer and DeHaan said demand has directly affected the national gas price average. “We see less and less demand after Labor Day because of everyone going back to school and such,” Schimmer said. “This inversely leads to a lower price for the consumer.” The national average for regular gasoline was $3.27 on Oct. 29, slightly lower than the day and week before, according to AAA’s website. “Nationwide, we’re paying $.30 less than this time last year,” Schimmer said. “It’s a good time to get out and enjoy Texas. Take advantage while you can.” Mercedes Inocencio, physical geography senior, commutes from Buda every day to get to the university. She said she enjoys the recent trend of cheaper gas prices. “I’ve definitely noticed the drop in gas prices,” Inocencio said. “When they were higher during
Chris Motz | Staff Photographer
APP, continued from front easily be changed in a matter of minutes to warn residents, Hatt said. “I got the app a few days ago after I heard about it from a friend,” said Anita Gonzales, a long time San Marcos resident. “I live off of Craddock, and there’s always people speeding by my house. I made a general request, so hopefully something can be done about that soon.” “SMTX Connect” is available for free on iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices.
SUSPECT, continued from front wanting to hang out on their balcony.” Will Garrett, Copper Beech resident, said he was sitting on his friend’s balcony watching the police to see what was happening when Alonzo-Garcia asked him from below if he could come up and join Garrett. “(Alonzo-Garcia) asked if he could come in to have a glass of water and watch the situation to find out what was going on,” Garrett said. “I had no idea that he’s who the cops were looking for. I thought he was just trying to figure out what was happening like everyone else.” According to Garrett, a couple minutes after Alonzo-Garcia joined them, a police officer on the ground asked who was on the balcony and in the apartment. Police noticed Alonzo-Garcia met the description of the man with the shotgun involved in the disturbance call when the residents revealed they did not know the suspect. Police entered the building from the front door and detained the suspect on the balcony after receiving permission from the apartment owner to head inside. “I was sitting in my living room doing homework when my roommates let the police in,” said resident Roly Piloto. “They snuck through the apartment with their weapons drawn and went to the balcony and found their man.” The suspect, unarmed at the time of the arrest, was detained without resistance, Piloto said. “He seemed like he was just a bystander, but he came to our apartment trying to blend in,” Piloto said.
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TRENDS
UniversityStar.com
20th annual Austin Film Festival nears conclusion By Jordan Gass-Poore’ Trends Reporter
Celebrating its 20th year, the Austin Film Festival began screening noteworthy films Thursday at various locations around the state capital. The festival, also known as AFF, brought people from different parts of the film industry together. Conference panels and Q-and-A sessions aimed to complement the screenings and please moviegoers and film buffs citywide. In addition to showing dozens of films spanning a variety of genres, the star-studded festival featured sponsored parties and opportunities to speak with cinema
tion it depicted in the film—the Big Sur region of California’s central coast. The film, which features actor Josh Lucas, is based on a 1962 Jack Kerouac novel of the same name. Lucas plays Neal Cassady, a friend of Kerouac’s and also a major figure of the Beat Generation. The film stars Kate Bosworth as Billie, mistress and girlfriend to both Kerouac and Cassady. It was on the set of “Big Sur” that Bosworth met her now-husband, the film’s director Michael Polish. The film focuses on Kerouac’s meteoric rise to fame after the publication of his most famous book, “On the Road.” An insatiable taste for women led to a complexity be-
“We’re in an industry that celebrates youth.” —Ron Judkins, filmmaker heavyweights. Filmmaker Ron Judkins premiered his latest movie “Finding Neighbors,” marking a return to the craft for the first time in more than 10 years since his 1999 AFF Audience Award Winner “The Hi-Line.” “We’re in an industry that celebrates youth,” Judkins said, adding that his advice to older filmmakers and writers is “don’t disappear.” “Finding Neighbors” was mostly shot in Judkins’ California neighborhood. The writer-director said the film is mostly autobiographical, taking a cue from his former neighbors in Los Angeles who thought he was spying on them. On the film’s website, Judkins provides an opportunity for fans to see how a scene came to fruition from his real life experiences, displaying sketches for the film along with an actual photograph of the location. Much like “Finding Neighbors,” “Big Sur,” which made its Texas premiere at AFF, was shot on the loca-
tween Cassady and Kerouac that is depicted in “Big Sur,” which recounts the three brief journeys he made to the eponymous region. Orian Williams, a producer on “Big Sur,” said it took six years to produce the film because it was difficult to acquire the necessary funds. “It’s not terribly easy to get these films made. It’s independent filmmaking,” Williams said, adding that the subject matter contributed to the film’s delay. “(I)t’s about a guy who’s so crucial to how we write and think, and look at art.” Williams, a Baylor University alumnus, said he did not delve into “On the Road” until college, but was excited about the subject matter. “Big Sur” is not the only Kerouac tale to have been made into a film. “Kill Your Darlings,” a movie based on a murder within the author’s circle of friends, was released in theaters earlier this month. “Big Sur” will hit theaters Friday.
Reynaldo Leaños | Staff Photographer ‘Big Sur,’ directed by Michael Polish, opened Oct. 25 at Paramount Theater in Austin for Austin Film Festival.
Actor Josh Lucas walked the red carpet at Paramount Theater in Austin for Austin Film Festival Oct. 25 to promote his new film 'Big Sur'.
4 | The University Star | Wednesday October 30, 2013
OPINIONS
UniversityStar.com
THE MAIN POINT
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.
Residents must stay safe around trains S an Marcos is synonymous with college life, rolling hills, the river and another more irritating element — trains. Since waiting at railroad crossings is a such a large, time-consuming part of everyday life in San Marcos, residents should use more caution in order to help reduce chances of collisions with 416,000-pound hunks of metal. According to an Oct. 29 University Star article, two Bobcat Tram drivers were cited for violations at a train crossing Oct. 23 during an operation to raise safety awareness in the area. An additional 65 individuals were cited for unsafe actions at the railroad crossing as trains traveled through town last week, according to
the article. Trains can pose a serious threat to pedestrians and drivers alike. It is commonplace for many drivers to speed through an intersection to avoid waiting in train traffic after railroad crossings begin flashing. A hasty decision like speeding may save about five to 10 minutes of time, but it immediately places drivers in extremely dangerous situations. Oncoming trains often carry heavy cargo and travel at speeds too fast to brake in a short amount of time. Not only can drivers become stuck on the tracks or otherwise not make it through the crossings, but they can also receive a class C misdemeanor citation. While a citation is far less serious than possible death at the hands of a train, tickets should be an additional deterrent for those who do not regard personal safety as incentive enough to abide the law. Additionally, if students or residents feel compelled to walk along the train tracks, they should take care not to block out the world with distracting text messages or loud music blaring through their headphones. It is easy to space out and avoid
hearing train horns, so it is vital for students and residents to take extra caution to be aware of their surroundings when traveling near trains. While signs reading “don’t take a shortcut, it might cut your life short” are extreme, they are true. Walking on the railroad tracks is not cooler or quicker than any other route. According to the same article, a 2012 Federal Railroad Association report said Texas and 15 other states contribute to 63 percent of the total amount of highwayrail crossing collisions that occurred last year. Of a total 1,967 incidents last year, 227 occurred in Texas. This puts Texas as the number one state in the nation for highway-rail crossing incidents. In San Marcos alone, a handful of students and residents have died on the tracks in the past few years. Trains are a huge part of everyday life for those who live in San Marcos. If students and residents value their lives, they should be cautious at each of the numerous railroad crossings that pass through town.
Ryan Jeanes | Star Illustrator
ETIQUETTE
SOCIAL ISSUES
Religious organizations should use different methods to spread awareness
Ryan Pittman Opinions Columnist Journalism freshman
religious organization Stakeome affiliates on campus should a different approach when
reaching out to students walking to class. It is commonplace for students to be handed fliers while on their way to class. Oftentimes these fliers are presented with a short statement summarizing the content of the message. Some religious organizations use a different approach, however. Shoving Bibles into the hands of a student with a busy schedule is annoying and unnecessary. I understand these groups are trying to promote their causes, but this is a university, not a market. These religious groups should reach out to students from behind a table or booth instead of just shoving materials into the hands
of unwitting students. Approaching the topic in a more secular way would likely be effective. Placing a Bible in a student’s hand wastes resources and, quite frankly, valuable time. In my time here, I have seen several instances of groups handing out copies of the New Testament on The Quad only to result in piles of holy trash accumulating in trashcans. Religion is a touchy subject for many students and should therefore be advertised more delicately. College is a time for students to find themselves. A student has every right to join or ignore a group as they please. Religious groups on campus should take this into consideration when campaigning in The Quad. All campus organizations have a right to set up in The Quad and advertise their causes. However, this does not mean it is acceptable to chase students on their way to class and pass around copies of the Psalms like one would a football. Religious organizations should keep in mind some students do just fine without believing in a higher power hovering over them and judging actions they make as a sin. The free speech area located around the Fighting Stallions statue in The Quad is an essential part of campus. Students
Generalizations about feminism unfair
and faculty alike are welcome to express themselves on any subject there. Many religious groups use this area just for that purpose. However, spewing spiritual rants like a schizophrenic St. Peter can only to turn people away from an organization. Religion is something many people turn to when everything else has abandoned them. Groups on campus should keep this in mind and offer comfort rather than force students to accept their dogmatic doctrine. Religious groups should take advantage of the free speech area as a way to promote their views in a calm and collected manner. Some students searching for acceptance in a group will likely be more apt to join a rational one rather than ones speaking in tongues and sporting the stigma. In my personal experience so far at Texas State, the only religious groups I have seen out on The Quad are associated with Christianity. Christians seem to have a monopoly on the religious groups on campus. This gives students the impression Christianity is the only option. Since Texas State prides itself in being a campus immersed in diversity, I encourage all religious groups to stake out a spot on The Quad and promote their groups in a rational, calm manner.
Brandon Sams Opinions Columnist Journalism freshman
ideals not only Fbuteminism positively affect women, also men and those who
ETIQUETTE
Courtesy important on elevators
Alexis Aguirre Opinions Columnist Journalism freshman
ince elevator rides are awkward Sdisplay enough as is, students need to proper etiquette to ensure
these experiences are less excruciating for all involved. Elevators are heaven-sent. Without elevators, I would walk into many of my classes with sweat beads running down my forehead, gasping for breath after walking up a measly two flights of stairs. Since I have come to campus, my use of elevators has escalated dramatically. That being said, a great portion of my experiences on elevators around campus have caused me to vent to my roommate about some people’s lack of concern for their surroundings. One time when I was waiting in an elevator with a group of folks, one girl decided to prop the door open to have a 10-minute conversation with her friend. I was in such shock that I could not even give
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her my normal death stare. Instead I just stood there waiting for her to realize how much of an inconvenience this was to everyone in the elevator. Unfortunately, she never did. I considered just walking out to climb the stairs, but that would mean walking up seven flights of stairs—my mind quickly shut down that idea. Elevator rides are known to be generally uncomfortable, awkward experiences for many people. Just watching a scene on a television show where a character stands in an elevator with music playing in the background makes me uneasy. But every now and then the average awkward silence or small talk is replaced by the utter horror of people completely disregarding the comfort of everyone around them. In a short elevator ride, I should not have to be exposed to loud, obnoxious people who lack common sense or come in with strange odors. This stuff should be common sense. I know there is no way to avoid the small talk that takes place to fill the void of awkward silences. But can we at least avoid talking about wild nights out filled with experimental drug use and casual sex while surrounded by strangers in an elevator? I understand that this is college and students want to have fun, but I do not need to hear about last night’s wild sexcapades
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
while I am heading to class. Furthermore, students should keep in mind that an elevator ride is not an audition for American Idol. This is an elevator we are talking about. And while their moms may appreciate their singing, I am just trying to make it back to my dorm with my sanity intact. While riding elevators, people should realize there is limited space. As a girl who suffers from claustrophobia, I do not appreciate people inviting their party of 10 into an already crowded elevator. If the elevator looks like sardines in a can, people should wait for the next one to come along. People should remember small space equals limited air. This means showers and deodorant are essential when it comes to close encounters with other individuals. Aside from body odor, smoke is another smell that is apparent in elevators. And I am never in the mood to smell smoke from someone else’s bad habit, especially not when I am forced to be in close quarters with them. Elevators are necessary if you do not want to climb massive flights of stairs or get to class heart attack free. That being said, those who choose to ride elevators need to show appropriate elevator etiquette.
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fall within the gray area between feminine and masculine. Instead of demonizing feminism and making a mockery of it, students should support it. As a self-proclaimed male feminist, I have noticed the bad reputation feminism gets nowadays. I am a feminist because it attacks the cultural norms and standards put in place to restrict women and men. I am a person who blurs gender lines and regularly switches between a face full of makeup and less elaborate attire such as a T-shirt and basketball shorts. The condemnation of femininity directly affects me. As an effeminate man, feminism is important to me. In a large portion of third-wave feminist groups, the disruption of the gender binary and sex positivity are key concepts. These views do not represent the entirety of third-wave feminism nor do they speak for all members of the group, but it is a huge part of the movement. The disruption of the gender binary allows women to define feminism however they see fit within the context of their own lives. In this conception, feminists fight against any universal notions that dictate what constitutes femininity. This fight against restrictive gender norms benefits men in that they are no longer confined only to traditional masculinity. The sex positivity aspect of feminism rejects bonds on female sexuality. Sex positivity allows for varied sexualities and sexual practices. Sex positivity counteracts the shame the second wave of feminism placed on prostitution, pornography and promiscuity. These two key concepts are what dominate much of modern discourse among feminists. However, students must understand within any group there are radicals. This vocal minority can often create a
false narrative in the public eye. Like with any other group, radical feminists do not represent the majority or even a considerable minority of the group. The old saying rings true—one bad apple really can spoil the whole bunch. That said, the vilification of feminism is the reaction of a privileged class. Whenever something comes along to topple the privilege and opportunity of one group, there will always be conflict. Positive work has been done in the past century, but male privilege, or more specifically, white heterosexual male privilege, still exists. I do not expect privileged groups to give up their privilege without a fight—after all, who wants to give up their power and influence? No one wants to diminish the role they have grown accustomed to and comfortable with. Those who see feminism as redundant or a movement that has run its course are out of touch with reality. In thirdwave feminism, women and the feminist men who choose to support them are no longer fighting for suffrage and surface-level equality. Those rights were addressed by first and second-wave feminism, respectively. The fight we are currently engaged is much deeper. Sexism is like an iceberg—the huge pillar piercing the sky has already been conquered, but the other 90 percent that sits below the surface still has yet to be tackled. I am tired of hearing girls like Taylor Swift distancing themselves by saying things like, “…oh, but I am not a feminist,” as if it is something to look down upon. Really, Taylor? Thanks for clarifying. Your constant sob stories about boys made me think otherwise—not. Women still cannot even fight on the front lines in the United States. This is just one example of the fact feminism still has work to do. When you put a gun in someone’s hand, a woman is just as dangerous as a man. Genitalia does not equate to power, strength or competence. This is just one instance in which feminism is still relevant and necessary. The mission of many, but not all, third-wave feminists is to demolish gender norms and hinder unfair expectations based on sex—a commendable goal. Students should educate themselves before they make unfair generalizations or oversimplifications of what feminism is and what feminists do.
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 30, 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 30, 2013 | 5
SPORTS
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FOOTBALL
Bobcats prepare for November’s ‘defining moments’ Sports Reporter @SamuelRubbelke
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The Bobcats are on the brink of a three-game winning streak and becoming bowl eligible for the first time in school history as they prepare to take on Idaho this weekend. Texas State defeated Idaho for its first Western Athletic Conference victory last season, 38–7. As the team gears up for games, Coach Dennis Franchione and the Bobcat offense discuss situational busts each Sunday. The team practices these scenarios in which the opposing defense diagnoses an initial play call, causing the quarterback to improvise and analyze a new plan of action during games. With repetition in preparing for the worst-case scenario, freshman quarterback Tyler Jones encountered a 4th and 24 situation last week and adjusted to the defense. The Jaguar defense read the initial target to junior tight end Bradley Miller, causing Jones to scramble out of the pocket. Jones completed a 51-yard pass to junior wide receiver Ben Ijah for a first down. Jones’ pass lead to the ensuing last-minute field goal for the Bobcats’ fifth win of the season. “We called a double post route,” Franchione said. “The key was Tyler moving around in the pocket and bought some time. Coverage starts to break down, and he makes a great throw. (Jones) finds Ben (Ijah) for a strike.” The development of Jones as a quarterback continues to help the offense that relied so heavily on the ground game earlier in the season. Jones threw for a careerhigh 218 yards against South Alabama, despite Texas State being ranked last in conference play in pass offense with 139.8 yards per game. Sophomore running backs Robert Lowe and Chris Nutall both ran for 75 yards
or more against South Alabama for the second straight week. Jones rushed a seasonhigh 23 times for 68 yards. “Like the coaches said, we’re just going to do whatever works,” Jones said. “Last week it was working to run the ball, so we ran it. This week it was working to mix it up, so we mixed it up.” Headlining the special teams matchup will be junior kicker Jason Dann, who won Special Teams Player of the Week for the Sun Belt after his performance against South Alabama. Dann, for the first time in his career, attempted a game-winning kick from 41 yards out to give the Bobcats a 33–31 win over the Jaguars. Dann tied a school record with four field goals in the second half. The junior kicker is now 8-for-8 on the season. “That’s the stuff you go to bed at night and dream about,” Dann said. “Just to have the chance to do that was amazing. A couple of teammates said that was the most excited they had ever seen me, and I’d have to agree with them.” Last year against Idaho, senior wide receiver/punt returner Andy Erickson returned five punts for 76 yards. Erickson caught three passes for 48 yards and had a touchdown in the game last year. Texas State has accumulated 192 yards for punt returns and is currently ranked number one in conference play averaging 12 yards per return this season. Junior punter Will Johnson leads the Sun Belt with an average 46.2 yards per punt. “That was win number five. Teams are defined in October and November. A month from now we will be playing Troy the day after Thanksgiving,” Franchione said. “We will be defined in the next month. We have three road games left. It’s taken us three years to get (the) guys to this point—it’s what do we make of it now?”
O EP FO AT E R BC B O T IC AC PR
By Samuel Rubbelke
Austin Humphreys | Star File Photo
Texas State football focused on preparing for worst-case scenarios in game situations during this week’s practices. The Bobcats will take on Idaho this weekend on the road.
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