September 10 2013

Page 1

VOLUME 103, ISSUE 8

www.UniversityStar.com

TUESDAY

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

VIDEO | UniversityStar.com Austin Stone, a nondenominational church, held its first Texas State event Thursday in celebration of the Christian faith. To see footage of the event and interviews with church members, go to UniversityStar.com.

GROWTH

University ranked fourth in statewide college applications A& M 34,

UT

U of H 45,500

TEXAS STATE

544

38,160

23,865

Courtesy of respective universities

By Kristen Smith

Special to the Star

T

he numbers are in, and it’s official— Texas State was the fourth most-applied-to public university in the state this fall. The university received a total of 23,865 applications for fall 2013, according to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Texas State fell behind only University of Texas-Austin, Texas A&M University and University of Houston in number of applications. Stephanie Anderson, assistant vice president for

Enrollment Management and director of Undergraduate Admissions, said via email that Texas State is a good fit for students looking for quality in the curriculum. “The number one reason why students are applying here is because of academic quality,” Anderson said. “I believe that students and their families see that we have big opportunities, but have been able to maintain the small feel and studentcentered focus.” The increasing number of applications being sent to Texas State has resulted in record numbers of new students enrolled during recent years. Of 21,495 students who applied in 2012, 12,386

were accepted, according to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This year, 13,976 students were accepted of the 23,865 who applied. Bill Nance, vice president for Finance and Support Services, said via email higher revenue numbers will naturally follow with higher application and acceptance numbers. “If our rate of growth exceeds the average rate of growth for all Texas public universities, we should see an increase in our share of state appropriations from the legislature the next time they meet,” Nance said. “That is because they use a formula system to make appropriations

RESEARCH

that is based, for the most part, on student enrollment.” Nance said this growth will hopefully bring in more money to the university but it will create more expenses. Additional funds will be distributed to academic departments to hire faculty to teach the larger number of students, Nance said. Nance said whether revenue exceeds expenses depends on factors such as an approved budget and cuts contributing to declining revenues. The funds resulting from more accepted applicants will pay for additional faculty

See APPLICATIONS, Page 2

CITY

Texas State home to award-winning Planning and zoning chair Bill Taylor enters student-run composting program city council race By Weldon McKenzie News Reporter

The odor of rotting food and dead plants can be smelled from a hilltop outside of San Marcos, however for students at Texas State’s sustainable composting project, the stench is a byproduct of their work. Bobcat Blend creates compost, a soil product often comprised of food waste and dead plant matter, said Jen Sembera, graduate student researcher and Bobcat Blend employee. The mixture is placed into a long pile called a windrow and, after an extended period of time, the blend decomposes into a fine, uniform soil used for landscaping and agricultural purposes, Sembera said. The operation, which is entirely student-run and faculty managed, focuses on researching alternative, renewable resources and educating people in agricultural sustainability and waste management, according to a presentation given by Sembera on the program. “It’s creating something from nothing,” Sembera said. “With this project, we are able to take

something useless and repurpose it into a viable resource again.” In 2011, Bobcat Blend processed 57 tons of food waste

tion said. Sembera said before the program’s inception in 2009, the on-campus dining halls were throwing out about 300 thousand

By Megan Carthel News Reporter

Benjamin Rauls | Staff photographer Kevin Walsh, graduate student, and Erich Scholl, geography senior, shovel recycled food from dining halls Sept. 6 for the Bobcat Blend program. at their composting site a few miles southeast of San Marcos. Just one year later, the program was able to process 80.4 tons of food waste, all with the help of seven employees, the presenta-

pounds of food waste every year. Members of the agriculture department saw an opportunity for research, and went to the Environmental Protection

San Marcos’ growth, river and businesses are on the top of City Council Place 1 candidate Bill Taylor’s platform list. Taylor is the chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and served on the city councilfrom 2002 to 2005. Taylor received the commissioner elected official of the year award for the central Texas region commending his work on the creation of the city’s new comprehensive master plan. Taylor said there is a balance between business growth and the sustainability of the river, which is something he believes his voting record reflects. Taylor voted for the construction The Retreat and The Cottages at Hillside Ranch. Taylor said he supports adequate student housing where it is convenient for students—close to campus.

“I voted for projects near the university, some of them not popular, but student housing close to campus makes sense,” Taylor said. Taylor said there are “stark” differences between his view on student life and his opponent’s, Lisa Prewitt. Taylor said he is a pro-growth, pro-business candidate. Carter Morris, planning and zoning commissioner, said Taylor approaches the city’s growth with a “holistic” view. “We have people moving in to our community, we have to put them somewhere,” Morris said. “Bill’s opponent is not for growth in the city of San Marcos, and Bill is pro-growth and for the business community—and that’s the positive part of Bill.” Morris said the city would benefit from Taylor’s many years of service to the community and positive outlook on growth.

See COMPOST, Page 2

COMMON EXPERIENCE

Exhibit shows emotional healing process through art By Autumn Bernhard Special to the Star

A Common Experience art exhibit sponsored by the Honors College opened Aug. 26,, unveiling work that helped artists through emotional difficulties. The exhibit, called “Minds Into Matter: How Creating Art Affects Artists,” is located in Lampasas Hall. The works include paintings, drawings, photos and videos that intend to show art as another way of finding happiness, relief or something new in life, according to the exhibit’s webpage. This year’s Common Experience theme, “Minds Matter: Exploring Mental Health and Illness,” explores

how society views and perceives these issues, according to the webpage. A statement explaining what inspired the artist accompanies each piece of artwork and connects it to the Common Experience theme. The gallery officials received 50 pieces of artwork from around the country and then narrowed the field to 20, said Billi LondonGray, curator of the gallery. London-Gray said the judging was based on the statement the artists were required to include with their work. “With the statements, the artwork is very approachable,” London-Gray said. “It makes the exhibit and art unique by letting the viewer know how and why the

See ART, Page 2

John Casares | Staff photographer Jeffery Nelson, criminal justice junior, and Anthony Megie, developmental education doctoral student, examine a piece of artwork Sept. 5 during the “Minds Into Matter” artists reception at the gallery of Common Experience.

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September 10 2013 by The University Star - Issuu