September 10 2013

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.

LEASING OFFICE OPENING SOON!

capstonecottagesofsm.com LEASING OFFICE:

326 N. LBJ DRIVE

A2 | The University Star | News | Tuesday September 10, 2013

ART, continued from front work came to look the way it does. I hope that people realize it is healthy to make things and making any type of art helps people no matter what situation they are in.”

Joe Meyer, co-chair of the Common Experience committee, said one in four people have a mental health disorder. He said it is very difficult for people who have a disorder to discuss it because society has stigmatized it, forcing everyone else to do the same.

He said art provides anyone an outlet to explore any issue.

“The main thing to learn about mental health disorders is they are a no-fault illness,” Meyer said. “I hope people get educated about the causes and get more comfortable enough to reach out to others to talk about it.

I could only wish students will take advantage of the events about mental health and ask questions and to not be afraid to talk about it because it is not a scary thing.”

Some of the exhibit’s artists said in their statements they did not realize they were making something people would find beautiful or interesting when creating their artwork. Some said painting and drawing comes

naturally to them and is a perfect way to express happiness, anger, love or depression.

“To me, art is like music,” said Ciara Knight, an artist whose work is on display. “People turn to music daily. As they turn to music, I turn to my canvas and pick up my pencil.

It helps people express their feelings and is a safe way to clear your mind.”

Ruth Carrillo, anthropology senior, attended the reception and said the atmosphere is very open and informal. She said the statements accompanying the art give the viewer some perspective. However, she thinks no one can ever truly grasp and understand what the artist was feeling while he or she was making it.

Other events at the exhibit will be “Art on the Quad” Oct. 1, and an art therapy session on Nov. 1. More information about those events will be given out at a later date, according to the exhibit’s webpage.

Admission to the gallery is free and will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday until the end of the semester.

APPLICATIONS, continued from front and cover their benefits, Nance said.

The funds will also cover operating expenses.

“The provost’s office has a formula that dictates budget increases for the non-salary operating expenses of the academic departments that have enrollment growth,” Nance said. “For the past several years, there have been no additional revenues from enrollment growth left to distribute to other parts of the university after these allocations.”

Nance said another concern is whether or not there will be enough space on campus to accommodate all of the new possible students.

“We have a new 600-bed residence hall under construction on the west side of campus that will open next summer,” Nance said. “Also, architects are currently designing another 600-bed facility that will open two years after that.”

COMPOST, continued from front Agency seeking a grant. Sembera said the department was able to set up a composting site with the money and pay employees to scour dining halls every night to collect uneaten food waste.

Sembera said Bobcat Blend has begun selling the compost to local community gardens and is working with a graduate business class to develop a business model.

“We are more of a small business now,” Sembera said. “Until the business picks up, we are always searching for more funding.”

Sembera said the plants that make up the second component of the compost mixture are collected from a variety of locations such as rivers and oceans.

Sembera’s research focuses primarily on the use of the taro plant, also known as elephant ears, an invasive plant species found in the San Marcos River.

“Usually when the plant is removed, it is thrown into a landfill and never used again,” Sembera said. “With Bobcat Blend, we are able to divert it from the landfills and use it for composting.”

According to a TCEQ release, the research conducted with Bobcat Blend has already proved the efficiency of the water hyacinth, another invasive species found in Texas, to be used as a component in composting. Further efforts to look into the viability of using other plant sources such as seaweed for their compost, an option which Sembera said has never been academically studied.

Bobcat Blend’s research efforts have

acted as a vehicle into public education in topics of waste management and agricultural sustainability, Sembera said.

The program has partnered with grade schools to inform students about preand post-consumer waste.

In May, Bobcat Blend was awarded the Texas Environmental Excellence Award in education from the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, one of ten awards given each year.

TCEQ spokeswoman Lisa Wheeler said the strides Bobcat Blend has gone through to contribute to environmental staying power has earned them the award.

“This is a one-of-a-kind program that is powered by the will of students and faculty alone,” Wheeler said. “The recipient was a no-brainer.”

Geography senior Erich Scholl has been with Bobcat Blend for nearly two years. Scholl said he started out as a food waste collector but now works at the composting site, getting dirty and shoveling food waste and plants into piles.

“I like being outside,” Scholl said.

“But I’m also learning a lot in my field of study and getting to network with people, which may lead to a job.”

Sembera said the innovative ideas and research at Bobcat Blend come in a time of environmental revolution where conservation efforts are increasingly becoming a normalcy.

“Composting is the future,” Sembera said. “It’s not so much a movement anymore, it’s a lifestyle.”

LIBRARY BEAT

Open House at Wittliff and other September Events Ladrillería Shirtless, barefooted and dressed in short pants, the brick maker counters the summer heat pounding down on him from above by working in the cool mud below. As he mixes the mud, fills the molds, lets the sun do its job, then turns the mold over to cast the newly created brick, he is participating in a very ancient and necessary Mexican tradition.

These artisans are viewed as maestros—brickmaking, or ladrillería, is as much an art as it is an industry.

Anthropologist and photographer Scott Cook will present a talk, “Artisans with Their Feet in the Mud: The Brickmakers of Reynosa, Mexico,” at the Wittliff Collections on 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17. This is the first of three events in the “Ladrillería” series presented by Texas State’s Center for the Study of the Southwest, and will focus on the history, industry and makers of handmade brick in Reynosa.

Cedar Crossing For a class assignment, you’re researching your family history.

You stumble upon a horrible event: a triple lynching that occurred in 1899. You’re even

more disturbed to discover your grandfather was there to witness it. Such is the situation for Jeff Adams, a character in a story set in 1964 and the basis for the new novel “Cedar Crossing” written by Texas State’s own Mark Busby. Currently a member of the English department faculty, Busby is the author of 11 books as well as a past president of the Texas Institute of Letters. He will be reading selections from “Cedar Crossing” at the Wittliff on Thursday, Sept.19. A Q-and-A session and book signing will follow.

On Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Wittliff will hold its annual Open House. This tradition, held in conjunction with Texas State’s Family Weekend, provides students and their families with the opportunity to talk with staff about the exhibitions and collections housed at the Wittliff.

Refreshments will be served.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu.

—Courtesy of Erick Nogueira Romero and the Alkek Library

LEARN TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Amy Lea S.J. Akers

GAMES FOOD& PRIZES

Attorney at Law

TheAkersLawFirm.com P.O. Box 578 San Marcos, TX 78667

(512) 897-5708 **AkersLaw TheAkersLawFirm@cs.com

Visit the URL below for event details and register to play Capture the Flag.

Gallery Sales Position Available

LBJ Student Center Ballroom OCTOBER 8, 2013 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Send Résumés to jhobbs@wgw.com www.wgw.com

Reach Higher

512-393-3316

security.vpit.txstate.edu/training/csad_2013.html

Attend a Graduate Information Session As an emerging research university, Texas State provides world-class graduate education.

WHERE AND WHEN LBJ Student Center, 3-14.1 September 13, 2013 REGISTER NOW www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/info-sess INFORMATION SESSIONS 10 – 11 a.m. noon – 1 p.m.

6 – 7 p.m.

Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus.

Texas State University is an equal opportunity educational institution.

This information is available in alternate format upon request from the Office of Disability Services.

CAMPUS TOURS Meet in LBJSC, 3-14.1 11 a.m.

7 p.m.

The University Star | News | Tuesday September 10, 2013 | A3

Reynaldo Lea単os | Staff photographer

WILD ART Theresa Santos, applied sociology sophomore, passes out flyers Sept. 9 in The Quad.

A4 | The University Star | Tuesday September 10, 2013

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

THE MAIN POINT

Administrators must find balance between current, future enrollment

Breanna Baker | Star illustrator

W

hile increasing enrollment numbers is essential to Texas State’s expansion and longevity, it will compromise current students and departments around campus if the university does not improve its poor growth management.

Though it has not yet been officially announced or confirmed, Texas State will see its largest freshman class to date this fall, if enrollment figures follow the trend of recent years. Additionally, Texas State received the fourthhighest amount of applications among the state’s public universities this fall, according to a Sept. 10 University Star article. The editorial board is thrilled by the growing number of students who are interested in Texas State, as reflected by the number of applications received this fall. However, admissions standards need to be raised if the university wishes to increase its credibility.

According to a March 21 University Star article, Michael Heintze, associate vice president for enrollment management, said enrollment should not grow by more than 5 percent this fall. Official fall enrollment numbers have not yet

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been confirmed, so it is unclear whether that guideline was adhered to. An enrollment cap is likely a measure the university is not willing to take at this time, so the 5 percent growth limit is a parameter that should be followed closely.

More students being admitted to Texas State means more revenue for the school. While this may be good for the university’s bottom line, a growing student population has already caused a seemingly endless list of conflicts at Texas State.

The university is overcrowded as it is without factoring another record-high freshman class into the equation. Texas State is looking to increase prestige by adding more Ph.D. and master’s degree programs, but it currently cannot accommodate students in existing majors like engineering, music and health professions.

Construction plans were halted when legislators could not agree on a bill to authorize bonds for new facilities before the 83rd legislative session ended this summer. Texas State administrators had requested $83 million for the construction of an engineering and science

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, starentertainment@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, starmultimediaeditor@txstate.edu

building on the main campus. The university also requested approximately $50 million for the construction of medical education and research buildings at the Round Rock campus.

The construction of these new buildings is imperative. The health professions building is at full capacity, and a new science and engineering building would have allowed the implementation of two new baccalaureate engineering degrees and growth of the biology department. Additionally, a new music building is needed to house a growing number of students who are forced to play their instruments outside because of limited space in the current facility.

Both space and funding are needed to construct additional buildings to properly accommodate students, neither of which the university has. Along with a lack of space, growing enrollment numbers have strained some of the resources students rely on most.

For example, the Counseling Center is currently struggling to meet the needs of the growing student population and had to turn away a total of 1,700 students during the 2011-2012 academic year

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because of a space and manpower deficit. In addition, the University Police Department has been historically understaffed and could have trouble handling a crisis situation if one arose.

Texas State could not have handled growth management more poorly, and how administrators choose to approach the situation in the future is a serious concern. Finding the balance between admitting enough new students to meet budgetary obligations and providing the necessary resources for current ones will be a difficult and intricate challenge.

Unfortunately, it is one administrators need to solve quickly.

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-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.

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 Tuesday, September 10, 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 | Opinions | Tuesday September 10, 2013 | A5

SAFETY

CAMPUS LIFE

Greek life sets positive example for Bobcats

Self-defense skills necessary for college students n light of recent crimes on campus, Ithemselves.

Bobcats should learn to defend

In all honesty, Texas State is far from a perfectly safe, gated community. It is wonderful to feel safe walking across campus alone at night, unaware of the dangers Ashley Trumps present, but it Opinions Columnist is not responMass communication senior sible.

Emergency alerts are emailed to staff and students practically every other week. Students are no strangers to the robbery, theft and sexual harassment that plague our school in the dead of night. Campus and San Marcos police forces work diligently to prevent such incidents.

But unless they hold hands with every individual walking campus after midnight, not much more can be done to protect students. Late night campus roamers need to take matters into their own fists.

Learning self-defense would not just teach students how to kick butt and take names when necessary. It would help students be more alert while walking alone. This ability would make it easier to spot a suspicious party before receiving an eyeful of their brandished junk, as in the case of the recent flasher. That is one less set of unsolicited genitals students have to be exposed to if they learn basic selfdefense.

Gentlemen should remember selfdefense classes are not only for ladies.

Kicking a creepy flasher in his parts is

he Greek community at Texas State T is doing a fantastic job at setting an example for students here at the

one thing, but knowing what to do at gun or knifepoint is a different story.

Self-defense against a gun may not seem like the best idea at first consideration. It may seem safer to fork over the wallet or purse and let the perpetrator dash away to be caught by police later. If armed with the proper knowledge and techniques, however, victims can reclaim their power and keep their hard-earned or freeloaded money. Having the power to take control of the situation beats being scared and broke.

Learning basic self-defense is incredibly easy. Texas State offers several PFW courses in martial arts and selfdefense. Learning a martial art is fun and saves students still in need of a PFW credit from the torture of taking track or tennis.

Learning how to kick someone in the face is not just useful against thieves. The skill will earn students respect. If students knew they could get their butts handed to them by their peers at any moment, the university would be a much more pleasant place.

Cutting in lines around campus would be eliminated, wallets and purses would stay with their rightful owners and the harrowing glimpse of a strange man’s privates would be swiftly avenged.

Practicing self-defense requires students to exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists weight control, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer and improved mental health as a few of the bonuses exercise can provide.

Learning some form of self-defense can only enhance students’ lives. Stay safe, look fine, keep your wallet and learn how to kick people in the face.

university.

First of all, the ridiculous stigmas surrounding fraternities and sororities on campus need to be dispelled.

The rumors, reputations and jokes are Alex Pernice for the most Opinions Columnist part untrue.

Mass communication junior Much of the gossip passed around about Greek life has traveled nationally and is outdated. Talking negatively about these organizations is not productive in any way. In fact, it is a complete detriment. Many students who would otherwise get involved in an awesome community are dissuaded by untrue rumors, hindering the growth of positive organizations on campus.

Greek life is depicted in a skewed, albeit humorous, fashion in television and movies. Asking any actual fraternity or sorority members if the media hype is accurate would probably result in laughter on their parts. The portrayal of Greek life in popular media could not be further from the truth.

Being Greek is not about beersoaked frat parties and “preppy” attitudes. It is about contributing to community projects and outreach, achieving academically and the development of a high self-worth. Any member, regardless of whether they are a part of National Pan-Hellenic, Interfraternity, Panhellenic, or the Multicultural Greek Council, knows

the true meaning of Greek life. Every student who wears letters has an obligation to cast a positive light on their individual chapters.

Being part of a Greek organization is not only an honor, but also a big part of student life. I would know as a proud member myself. Greek men and women work hard every single day to represent their letters and organizations as best as they can.

True, Texas State Greeks are not shy about their accomplishments—but why should they be? Each and every chapter here at Texas State is very involved on and off campus. Stellar records in academic accomplishment, school involvement and community service are just a few of the accomplishments of the Texas State Greek community.

What is even more amazing about the Greek community here at Texas State is that it is constantly growing.

In the past year, two chapters have been added to campus— Gamma Phi Beta, member of the National PanHellenic Council, and Phi Kappa Tau, member of the Interfraternity Council.

This creates an opportunity for even more Bobcats to get involved in Greek life. The addition of extra chapters also increases the diversity of NPC and IFC organizations at Texas State, something Greeks across the nation take pride in.

Even with all of the negativity that people spread about Greek life here and across the country, Greek organizations continue to thrive and remain a positive presence at universities nationwide. Unfortunately, there will always be those who choose to believe the rumors and think poorly of Greek life. To the stubborn naysayers, all I can say is, “My letters do not make me better than you. They make me better than I used to be.”

CITY

Stricter smoking laws necessary for San Marcos residents he city of T San Marcos should pass an

anti-smoking ordinance in order to provide citizens with the clean, unpolluted air they deserve.

The majority Molly Block of San Marcos Opinions Columnist residents polled Mass communication senior in a spring survey support stricter smoking regulations according to an Aug. 28 University Star article.

City councilmembers are now reevaluating a 1995 ordinance that restricts smoking in designated public areas. The ordinance could potentially ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other private

institutions in the city. Local smokers could face inconvenience if the ordinance passes, but it is absolutely necessary if the community wants to avoid the lasting, dangerous consequences that can come attached to smoking.

Smoking is a disgusting habit with consequences that can affect even those who choose not to partake in the activity. One person’s poor decision-making can potentially ruin the health of those around them—anyone who breathes in secondhand smoke is in danger. Even more despicable is the fact that many smokers seem not to care at all.

The leading cause of preventable death in the United States is tobacco using according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Each year, smoking accounts for more than 440,000 deaths nationwide. Secondhand smoke, according to the same CDC

website, can be a killer as well.

Secondhand smoke is defined as a combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and that which is breathed out. Secondhand smoke is made up of more than 7,000 chemicals according to the CDC website. Hundreds of these chemicals are toxic and about 70 of them can cause cancer.

Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 3,400 deaths in nonsmokers due to lung cancer each year in the U.S. San Marcos is a college town and therefore home to many students who like to smoke with their friends on The Square. Some students start smoking because their friends do, or because they are exposed to cigarettes while drinking or having fun. If fewer people were allowed to smoke in public places such as The Square, students would probably be less likely to pick up the habit in the

first place. The ban would not only be positive in that it would reduce the incidences of secondhand smoke, but would also help to prevent more students from becoming addicted.

People should not have to suffer the second-hand consequences of smoking just because some do not care about the irreversible damage cigarettes can do.

Survey results indicated 47 percent of residents questioned supported firmer regulations while 26 percent did not according to the same University Star article. San Marcos officials should heed the will of the majority and ban smoking in public locations.

In order to avoid the consequences of secondhand smoke, something must be done—and quickly. San Marcos officials should adopt the proposed smoking ban in order to safeguard the lives of nonsmoking citizens.

What do you think about the new venue replacing Texas Music Theater on The Square called The Marc?

Courtney Cullingford

Kelly Doyle

David Macias

Zaida Jasso

Sophomore Interdisciplinary studies

Junior Psychology

Graduate student Anthropology

Sophomore Social work

“If it’s fun and not a whole bunch of obnoxious people getting drunk all the time, then that would be okay.

But if it’s a whole bunch of drunk people or if it’s more of a party scene I probably wouldn’t want to go.”

“Dubstep isn’t really the kind of music that I like to dance to. I think it’d be cool to have a club if they had more than one floor, so (there would be) different types of music on each floor.

That’s a thing they do a lot in Los Angeles, and more people end up going to those clubs beccause there’s a little something for everybody instead of having a really, really specific club.”

“I like metal, which is not real(ly) common anyway, but I think a good, cultural sort of hip hop scene would be really good for this town outside of Austin. More artistic music (would be nice), which I guess is what the other (previous venue) was.”

“I would go there for the experience I guess, just to watch people dance.

I don’t really like dubstep myself, but I like watching it. I wouldn’t want to go if it’s kind of not really classy, (with) fights busting out or something like that.”

A6 | The University Star | Tuesday September 10, 2013

THE GREEK PAGE

UniversityStar.com

Sororities raise money, awareness though community service

By Amanda Ross Trends Editor

Logging thousands of service hours and donated dollars, the seven Panhellenic sororities of Texas State get hands-on with a variety of causes.

Alpha Delta Pi, the first greek letter organization in the nation to use the term “sorority,” is partnered with the Ronald McDonald House on a national level.

The aim of the Ronald McDonald House is to create a safe place for children and to contribute to their general wellbeing.

On the Texas State Campus, ADPi hosts a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, including a university-wide kickball tournament and 5k fun run.

The sorority travels to Ronald McDonald houses in both San Antonio and Austin to do chores and cook for the home’s tenants.

Nationally partnered with Autism Speaks, Alpha Xi Delta sponsors athletic events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The group’s signature event, Walk Now For Autism Speaks, is held at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond. The sorority has also created on-campus events including Xi Ball, a campus-wide volleyball tournament and Football FrenXi, a flag football game.

Chi Omega, also known as Chi O, sponsors the popular Make-AWish Foundation, which grants children with life-threatening illnesses wishes.

Along with fundraising events, the sorority personally grants two wishes a year and throws one wish party. The wish party, hosted at

the Chi O house, includes food, fun and decorations for the children they sponsor.

In the 2012-2013 school year, Chi O helped one child go to Disney World and another to the Bahamas.

Delta Zeta counts “speech and hearing” among its several national philanthropies. The sisters of DZ host a popular university-wide male pageant to crown the next Mr. Bobcat. The pageant, which will celebrate its 4th anniversary this year, routinely packs the LBJ Ballroom with spectators eager to donate to the cause.

Delta Gamma’s motto of “Do Good” rings true on the Texas State campus. Raising both money and awareness for Service For Sight, DG logged nearly 120,000 hours for the charity.

DG takes a hands-on approach to the foundation for the visually impaired, visiting their philanthropies beneficiaries, making braille cards and raising money through their signature fundraiser, Anchor Splash.

The newest sorority to the Texas State Panhellenic Council, Gamma Phi Beta, sponsors underprivileged girls through the Building Strong Girls foundation.

Gamma Phi sisters act as mentors, coaches and tutors for young girls, inspiring them to stay mentally, socially and physically strong.

Spreading awareness for their philanthropy, Zeta Tau Alpha paints the town pink each October for breast cancer research and awareness.

Zeta sponsors a Bobcats PinkOut game every fall, exchanging the football team’s maroon and gold for bright pink and encouraging fans to follow suit.

Visit our new site UniversityStar.com

By Rebecca Banks News Reporter

Ivan Rodriguez Phi Iota Alpha vice president

By Rebecca Banks News Reporter

Ivan Rodriguez, nursing junior, is the vice president of Phi Iota Alpha, a Latino fraternity. Rodriguez spoke with The University Star about philanthropy, the fraternity’s semester break and recruitment.

RB: What is Phi Iota Alpha?

IR: We are part of the multi-cultural council. We are a service-based fraternity. We do our service at the Boys and Girls Club in San Marcos, we go on tour and have a park we adopted that we go to. Education is a big thing, most people come to college and they don’t have someone to say hey “do your work” like a mom and dad. Obviously the social aspect that we have, we like to travel, we like to keep in touch with our UT, Baylor, A&M chapters and we like to travel all across the state of Texas because that’s one thing, we are a family.

RB: How was the last year with the fraternity?

IR: We didn’t have a fall line last year. We took that semester off in order to focus on our grades because the previous semester

we had a low GPA. So what we did in the fall was focus on our grades and we managed to bring it up to what the university standards are. So everybody managed to bring their grades up a lot, and we got second highest GPA (in our council), so that was a big accomplishment.

RB: How are the pledges this year?

IR: We haven’t started our pledging process yet. Right now we are recruiting and giving more information.

RB: Are there a lot of people interested in the fraternity?

IR: Yea, we actually have a lot of interest, especially for fall because we don’t take first semester freshmen. That’s against our rules set by our national office. We like to get them interested, keep in touch with them.

We invite them to different events, and by the spring if they have the GPA and hours, that’s when we get them to pledge.

RB: What are the requirements for someone interested in becoming a member?

IR: Requirements of at least 2.5 GPA, have at least 12 hours and just have the heart and dedication and commitment to go through with it.

The University Star | Tuesday September 10, 2013 | A7

TRENDS

UniversityStar.com

Unspoken Rules of the Bobcat Tram

By Ernest Macias Trends Reporter

Many students have mixed emotions when it comes to their experiences riding the Bobcat shuttle.

For some students, the idea of riding the tram was humiliating until it became a necessity. Others view it as a comfortable but slow commodity.

The reality is the tram is helpful but not always a pleasant ride. Riding the tram can be described as a violation of the senses or a trip with the most cliché characters of an MTV reality show, to put it in perspective.

“When people either talk extremely loud on the phone or share way too much of their personal lives, it makes others

uncomfortable,” said Amanda Tucker, exercise and sports science junior.

Small everyday obnoxiousness is amplified while riding the bus.

Tucker said excessive cursing, over the top conversations, pointless stories and body odor are inescapable realities.

Small talk is considered a nice gesture for many, even though some take this idea to extreme levels at times, sharing intimate details of their lives to strangers.

Joshua Gutierrez, international studies senior, said being on the phone during the shuttle ride is an annoyance, adding that being forced to listen to someone else’s one-sided conversation is

Chris Motz | Staff photographer There are several unspoken rules some students believe are necessary to follow for an enjoyable ride on the Bobcat shuttle. an unpleasant way to spend a bus ride.

Once in a while, bus-riders may encounter an individual who is still in party mode from the weekend, content to blast techno music loud enough for all passengers to hear. Sometimes this can be enjoyable, but according to Roxette Doria, undeclared junior, not everyone enjoys listening to hip-hop or trap music and getting “turned-up” early in the morning.

The one factor that seems to bother almost every passenger is overcrowding on the shuttle.

Personal space often appears to have no meaning when riding the

Avoiding the Freshman 15 Weight gain proves conquerable for some

By Jordan Gass-Poore’ Trends Reporter

Madelynne Scales | Staff photographer Emily Downs, English sophomore, maintains a healthy lifestyle by participating in women’s lacrosse.

The proverbial “freshman 15” weight gain may not be a one-size-fits-all phenomenon for those learning how to balance academics, work, a social life and living alone simultaneously.

Tina Stone, psychology junior, attested to these obstacles, calling them a “rude awakening” that may have contributed to her freshman year weight loss.

Stone said she is now better able to cope with stress but floundered freshman year because of persistent family and work problems.

“I get stressed thinking about how it used to be so stressful,” Stone said.

The often-discussed “freshman 15” phrase, which first appeared on Seventeen Magazine’s August 1989 cover, has little scientific evidence, according to recent research. A 2011 Ohio State University study measured weight data from 7,418 young adults across the nation. The study found women gained an average of 2.4 pounds their freshman year of college, while men gained an average of 3.4.

tram. Oxygen seems to vanish and a certain peculiar smell takes over the tram: body odor. Gutierrez said keeping body odor-free, refraining from smoking before the ride and brushing one’s teeth are basic rules of survival everyone should follow when riding the tram.

“It is proper to wear deodorant when riding the tram. It sounds like something logical, but some people just don’t do it,” Doria said. “Sometimes there is no personal space during the ride, try and at least smell decent.”

Due to the proximity of sweaty bodies and hormones, the bus can sometimes be the perfect

Jay Zagorsky, co-author of the study, reported one in four people surveyed actually lost weight their freshman year.

Stone remembered coming home during winter break her freshman year to compliments from friends about her weight loss. The Nacogdoches native said she did not notice the significance of her weight loss until people pointed it out.

“Jones was like the weight-gainer hall.”

—Tina Stone, psychology junior

“If I ate (on campus) it was at the Harris buffet,” Stone said, a former San Marcos Hall resident. “Jones was like the weight-gainer hall.”

According to the Texas State Dine on Campus website, the chili cheese fries at Route 90 Grill have the highest calorie count, 930, in Jones Dining Hall.

Emily Downs, English sophomore, succumbed to the prepackaged snacks of her residence hall vending machine last year because of its convenience.

As the school year wore on, Downs said she noticed a friend struggling to maintain her weight after quitting the on-

place to flirt and meet people. On the other hand, bus-riders can run the risk of accidentally engaging with overzealous students who might be touchy-feely. Doria said this experience is one of the most uncomfortable faced by shuttlegoers.

“The tram has downfalls like everything else, from its limited space to the inconsistency of the schedule, but I enjoy the convenience of the bus,” Tucker said.

“People just need to be respectful to others. Control the noise level and the space they take up. Just follow the rules.”

campus lacrosse team where they met.

That is when she became aware of her own physical changes and was reminded of her first experiences on campus seeing physically healthy people.

“Seeing people like that makes you want to be like that,” Downs said, who works toward a healthy lifestyle by continuing to play on the lacrosse team and exercising with friends.

Being in school and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle proved to be difficult for Vincen Vann, nutrition and foods junior.

Vann said his tendency to eat processed foods stemmed from a lack of healthy oncampus menu items.

“You have to take time and effort,” Vann said. “It’s almost like another job.”

Vann said he prepares his meals ahead of time once or twice a week in an effort to stay healthy and save money.

Sylvia Crixell, family and consumer sciences professor, said there are a variety of reasons why people choose to eat or not eat certain foods.

“How to nourish yourself is not a trivial thing,” Crixell said.

Stone said she has become happier since she put on some weight her sophomore year. At close to 5 feet and 6 inches, Stone said she now weighs about 130 pounds and is more comfortable in her skin.

“I call them love pounds because I’m surrounded by love,” Stone said.

A8 | The University Star | Advertisement | Tuesday September 10, 2013

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The University Star | Tuesday September 10, 2013 | B1

SPORTS

UniversityStar.com

SECTION

B

SPORTS

Football wins at home, B2 A loss and a draw for soccer, B2 Volleyball’s win streak broken, B2 Inside the Lines: Ali Meyers, B4 Inside the Lines: Gabbi Cottee, B4 The good, the bad and the ugly, B5 Tweet of the week, B5

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B2 | The University Star | Sports | Tuesday September 10, 2013

W Texas State

28

Prairie View A&M

3

Junior cornerback Craig Mager celebrates the Bobcats’ win over Prairie View A&M Sept. 7 at Bobcat Stadium.

Austin Humphreys | Photo editor

FOOTBALL

Victory at home

Texas State defeats Prairie View A&M 28–3

By Samuel Rubbelke

Assistant Sports Editor @SamuelRubbelke

With a stifling defensive performance and an effective offense, the Bobcats defeated Prairie View A&M 28-3 Saturday in front of 20,135 fans for their first 2-0 start since 2005.

“It was a good win,” said Coach Dennis Franchione. “We’re 2-0.

We played good enough to win— we haven’t been 2-0 in a long time.

I’m proud of my team. There’s a lot of people who would like to be 2-0 tonight. They aren’t—we are.

We need to take this and build on

it.”

The running game was led by sophomore running back Chris Nutall, who broke out for a 77yard touchdown. This was the longest Bobcat run since junior running back Terrence Franks ran for an 82-yard touchdown against Northwestern State in 2011.

“Chris deserves a lot of credit,” Franchione said. “He was one of those guys last year at this time or in the past who made mistakes that would make you a little crazy. And he came in, in August and had a mission and a purpose. He’s had a great camp. He’s done well and run hard in the two games, he deserves to be the starter right now.”

SOCCER

Bobcats finish with loss, draw against McNeese, Rice

By Quixem Ramirez Sports Reporter @quixem

The Texas State soccer team finished with a loss and a draw in a pair of double overtime matches against McNeese State and Rice this past weekend.

The Bobcats have not won a contest in their last three attempts. It is their longest drought since their five-game losing streak last year, spanning 17 days in September 2012.

McNeese State junior midfielder

Tori Lasiter nailed the game-winning goal with 5:44 remaining in the second overtime period Friday.

Texas State yielded a season low four shots on goal, but the Cowgirls capitalized on defensive miscommunications.

“There was a bit of a mix up in the backline, when they got their two goals,” said Coach Kat Conner.

“One player thought she was going to the ball, and they both stopped.

Then we gave up a corner in overtime, and we didn’t get on the corner, and they put it away. It was a heartbreaker.”

The Bobcats capitalized on their first two possessions to take an early 14-0 lead. Their first drive was eight plays going for 67 yards.

Due to penalties, the Bobcats had to overcome two third down conversions that were 15 yards or more. Nutall finished the drive from four yards out to give Texas State its first touchdown in Bobcat Stadium.

Following a defensive three and out, senior quarterback Tyler Arndt and the offense kept on rolling with a 10-play, 61-yard drive where the Bobcats converted on two more crucial third downs to keep the drive alive. Sophomore running back Robert Lowe powered through the goal line from one yard out to give the Bobcats a 14-0 lead.

“I feel like every running back has their (strengths) and weakness(es),” Nutall said. “It’s about being patient and reading

your holes. I feel like every running back has their game. Like Coach Fran(chione) told me last week, you can’t score every play. I was just being patient, and I hit it. I saw a hole, and I took it.”

Texas State rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns, including Nutall who averaged 16.5 yards per carry. Nutall finished with 132 yards, his first game of rushing for more than 100 yards in a single game.

“Offensively I thought Chris Nutall had a good game,” Franchione said. “The big 77-yard run was huge. It’s the longest run from scrimmage we’ve had in a while. That was good to see.”

When the Bobcats played against the Panthers two years ago, Texas State gave up 300 rushing yards. This year the Bobcat defense held the running game to 45 yards on 25 carries.

Junior linebacker Mike Orakpo

recorded eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Damion McMiller led the Bobcats with nine tackles. After a 34-26 battle two years ago, Texas State limited the Panther offense Saturday to only a field goal.

The Panther offense was 0-3 in red zone opportunities and failed to convert its two fourth down plays. Prairie View accumulated a total of 227 yards.

“I feel like the first couple of games we have been pressing hard on stopping the runs,” Orakpo said. “It all starts up front. These linemen have been doing a great job, stopping the run and being aggressive up front. Giving up just two touchdowns in two games.

That’s good. That means that we are keeping them out of the end zone. I think we’ve been doing a great job.”

Rice notched two goals in a 2-1 victory against Texas State last year. The Bobcats stalled the Owls’ offensive attack Sunday, limiting them to five shots in the first half.

“Rice came out all over us in the first 15 minutes,” Conner said. “We weathered the storm. But then we came back, got our attacks going (and) got our composure. And we really started to knock on the door.”

A 95-minute weather delay in the ensuing half undercut some of that momentum.

“Anytime there is a long delay, it’s always hard mentally,” Conner said. “You start to get hungry, and you lose some focus. For us to come back and get ourselves back into it, I’m really proud of them for not losing their focus. Maybe

we didn’t play our best, but we did fight hard.”

Sophomore forward Lynsey Curry tallied 17 shots in the past two games, though she did not convert on any of her chances. Curry leads the team in shot attempts, shots on goal and goals through six games this season.

“It’s my job,” Curry said. “I should have opportunities. I just need to work on being more consistent and finishing the job.”

Texas State generated four corner kicks in the second overtime, but Rice cleared each of those opportunities. Senior goalkeeper Natalie Gardini stopped a season-high nine shots and had her first shutout of the season.

“We outplayed them,” Curry

said. “We had the momentum. It’s unfortunate because we definitely could have won, but the adversity, the rain and lightning threw us off.”

The Bobcats continue the rest of a three-game home stand against Sam Houston State and UTEP this weekend, prior to their road matchup against the University of Texas Sept. 20. Sun Belt Conference play begins Sept. 27 against South Alabama.

Texas State is 40-13-2 in its past 55 home games, dating back to the 2008-09 season.

“It’s always fun to stay at home and not travel,” Conner said. “It’ll give us extra days of practice, and opportunities to clean and polish things up. It’ll be nice to stay home for a bit.”

ings. Utah recorded 10 serving aces against the Bobcats.

“Hats off to Utah. They’re a strong team, but we made too many errors in the game,” said Coach Karen Chisum. “This is probably the first match this year we lost the serving-passing battle. They served us off the court. We have to be a tougher serving team and pass the ball a lot better. Overall, we just need to get rid of some of our errors and continue to stay confident.”

Texas State resumed play on Saturday facing Prairie View A&M and North Texas. The Bobcats beat the Panthers in three sets, holding Prairie View to less than 20 points in each set.

Senior middle-blocker Ashlee Hilbun led the team in kills, scoring 10 on 13 shot attempts, ending the

game with a .692 hitting percentage. Junior setter Caylin Mahoney accounted for 24 assists in the game.

“We definitely have been doing a lot of good things,” Deardorff said.

“Our back row is diving after shots.

Our biggest weakness right now is serving. A lot of teams were able to get runs of points on us and knock us out of system. These two things we’re really going to address before conference starts.”

The Bobcats’ final opponent of the tournament was host team North Texas. The Mean Green beat both Northwestern State and Prairie View A&M in three sets but lost to Utah.

During the game between Texas State and North Texas, there was a combined 26 lead changes, with

the score being tied 40 times. The Bobcats lost to the Mean Green, 3-1. This match was the closest contested match Texas State has played this season.

Sophomore outside-hitter Carnae Dillard tallied 18 kills, her highest number of kills in a single game during the tournament. The Bobcats’ totaled a .129 hitting percentage, which is their lowest shot percentage of the year.

“Honestly, I was really impressed with how we played,” Hilbun said.

“We fought all the way to the end in this game. During the Utah match, we didn’t fight all the way, but during this one, I am really impressed how the team did not give up until the last point. That’s something really good for us, which will help us move on to the next games.”

VOLLEYBALL

Utah breaks 6-game win streak

By Bert Santibanez Sports Reporter @BertSantibanez

The Texas State volleyball team endured its first two losses of the season Friday and Saturday to Utah and North Texas at the North Texas Invitational.

The Bobcats entered the invitational with a 5-0 record and moved to 6-0 when they defeated Northwestern State to open the tournament. The six-game winning streak marked the best beginning by a Texas State team since 1982.

The Bobcats beat the Lady Demons 3-1. Senior right-side hitter Amari Deardorff, junior outside-hit-

ter Alexandra Simms and freshman outside-hitter Shelby Vas Matt all scored double-digits in kills. Simms led the category with a season-high 13 kills. The Bobcats committed 28 errors, which was the highest total in a single game for Texas State.

The Bobcats’ next opponent was the Utah Utes, who would go on to win the tournament. Texas State lost to the Utes three sets to one.

Junior Chelsey Schofield led Utah with 13 kills and 12 digs. Junior Lea Adolph accounted for 11 digs in the game. Adolph is seventh in Pacific-12 Conference rankings in the category, averaging 3.96 digs per game. The Utes are currently ranked first in the Pac-12 stand-

The University Star | Advertisement | Tuesday September 10, 2013 | B3

B4 | The University Star | Sports | Tuesday September 10, 2013

INSIDE THE LINES

Ali Meyers, junior midfielder

By Kirk Jones

Sports Reporter @kirk_jones11

After winning the Most Athletic Female award while attending Clements High School in Sugar Land, junior midfielder Ali Myers knew she was destined to play soccer at the collegiate level.

Myers won the award while taking her team to the third round of the 2011 playoffs and was named 23-5A All-District Offensive Most Valuable Player by the Houston Chronicle.

“Growing up I was always active, and I pretty much played every sport,” Myers said. “My sister played soccer, so playing sports rubbed off on me.”

Myers’ sister, who is three years older than her, also played soccer. Myers said she looked up to and learned from her sister as her soccer career molded into what it is today.

“Everything I learned was from her,” Myers said. “We would always go in our backyard and play all day with my dad.”

Along with her sister, Myers’ parents were always there to support her burgeoning sports career. She knew they had her back, whether it was playing in the backyard or supporting her through the tough times.

“I would definitely say my parents supported me,” Myers said. “Especially through the tough times, being there to encourage me to be better was great.”

Not only did she play for her high school team, she played for the Eclipse Soccer Club under Coach Mac McCallum. McCallum coached Myers for six years and knew her game well when she left her club

team for the next level.

“Ali was very relaxed while playing,” McCallum said. “She was intense and really enjoyed being out there on the field competing.”

At 5 feet 7 inches, Myers has the height to jump up and use her head rather than her feet when the chance comes. McCallum said knowing when to use her head turned the skill into one of Myers’ best.

“Ali is very good in the air,” McCallum said. “Being tall, she was able to use her head and make plays that other couldn’t with the head.”

Myers is known as “Ali Cat,” a name she picked up from her dad when she first started playing soccer. Having more than one Ali on the club team, the coaches quickly picked up on this name and began calling her “Ali Cat.” “My dad called me that (Ali Cat), my coaches noticed, and it stuck ever since,” Myers said. “We also had another girl named Ali Fischer, and they would call her ‘Fish’ and call me ‘Cat.’ We had a bunch of girls on the team with animal nicknames, so it just stuck.”

At a young age, Myers had a dream of playing soccer at the collegiate level.

“I played club soccer since I was 11, and it was always competitive,” Myers said. “It was always a dream of mine to play at the college level. When I was in high school I went to a lot of college games and always looked up to the girls playing.”

This year, Myers has started every game with the exception of two. She has an ongoal shooting percentage of 60 for her career at Texas State and looks to use this skill to her advantage for the 2013 campaign.

Chris Motz | Staff photographer

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By Quixem Ramirez Sports Reporter @quixem

After a lengthy Tuesday evening practice, senior forward Gabbi Cottee dipped into an icy bathtub with several of her teammates. Cottee hung around a few minutes, engaging in light-hearted conversation.

It is her responsibility as a senior to help create team unity.

Cottee said winning is important, and she works hard to maintain a healthy team dynamic. There are nine freshmen in the club, and Cottee utilizes her experience to guide them in the right direction.

“I consider myself a vocal leader,” Cottee said. “I talk really easily. I wouldn’t say I’m bossy. I like to talk and narrate everything, and it helps from a leadership aspect. When you’re the oldest, everyone looks to you because you’ve been there the longest.”

Cottee scored two goals in her first three seasons. Cottee has matched that total this year with a goal in the victory over Prairie View A&M and one in the win against Northwestern State.

Cottee is a three-time District 14-5A first-team selection and four-year letter winner at McNeil High School, but she received little playing time at Texas

State in her first few seasons.

“Coming from a high school where you do really well, you get humbled really quickly when you come here,” Cottee said. “You can be a big fish in a little pond, but when you come here, you are no longer the big fish. It’s really important to work (your) hardest, no matter what level you’re at.”

Cottee converted to defender at the request of Coach Kat Conner, despite playing forward her entire life. Cottee chipped in 61 goals and 26 assists at McNeil in four years and received the District Offensive MVP award in 2008.

“I freaked out,” Cottee said. “I had a panic attack. I’ve never played defender, and I don’t know how to play defender. How am I supposed to defend these girls that are amazing scorers and amazing attackers?”

Cottee said being a forward was helpful in her transition to defense because she is able to predict what her opponent may do.

“It makes it a little easier to defend because offense is about being creative,” Cottee said. “If you can think of what they might be doing, then you’re that much closer to catching them.”

Cottee has played in each game this season, logging 329 minutes. She is a full-time forward again, and she has

seized the opportunity.

“I have a little more opportunity.

I’ve worked my way up,” Cottee said.

“My mindset is where it needs to be.

Now that I’m focused on attacking, it’s a lot easier to recognize my role and what I need to be doing on the field.

I see myself as the person who is supposed to score. I need to make things happen.”

Cottee does not only contribute her gameplay to the team, she wants to be a fixture in her teammate’s lives.

“She’s very knowledgeable,” said senior midfielder Sydney Curry. “She’s very open. She is everything. She can be the tough when you need someone to whip you in shape, and she’s also a great person to build your confidence.”

Curry said Cottee is multi-dimensional as a teammate and friend. She said Cottee is always there for any teammate, and it is “easy to trust her and count on her.”

Cottee, a communication studies major, will pursue job opportunities in the public relations field next spring.

Her career path is clear, though it does not make leaving the Texas State soccer program easier.

“It’s scary knowing that I’ll never play soccer at this level again,” Cottee said. “What do you even do after this?”

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With the defeat of Prairie View A&M Saturday, the football team has won 16 out of 17 home-openers dating back to 1996.

In the 3rd set against North Texas Friday, the Texas State volleyball team committed 11 errors. The 11 errors mark the most the Bobcats have had in one set this season.

The Texas State soccer team has not won a game in its last three contests. During the winless streak, the Bobcats have been outscored 6-1.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

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B6 | The University Star | Advertisement | Tuesday September 10, 2013