August 29, 2016

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Back to School Issue MONDAY AUGUST 29, 2016 VOLUME 106 ISSUE 6 www.UniversityStar.com

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

Alumni loyalty comes into question after t-shirt controversy By Bailey Buckingham @bcbuckingham News Editor Texas State’s allegiance to its alumni came under fire after a t-shirt design released by the bookstore was too close for comfort for a former Bobcat. Rio Rodriguez, owner of San Marvelous, created his business in 2011 to provide students with unique designs and clothing to support the city and university. As a student, Rodriguez made it a priority to promote Texas State pride. Fast forward to August 2016 and the question of Texas State’s loyalty to their alumni is one that current and former Bobcats are asking. The item in question was a t-shirt posted to the University Bookstore website that was eerily similar, if not identical, to the San Marvelous design that has been trademarked since Rodriguez opened his business. The front of the shirt read, “San Fabulous.” Rodriguez said this situation has been disappointing but this isn’t the first time his business has seen pushback from his alma mater. After being able to have a booth in the quad for two years, in 2014 the university informed Rodriguez of changing policies that would prohibit outside businesses access to campus. “This pretty much was targeted directly at San Marvelous, they didn’t want sales to be taken away from the bookstore,” Rodriguez said. “But, all we’re doing is promoting how great Texas State is.” In 2015, San Marvelous opened its doors on the square. Shortly after, the company partnered with the Bobcat Club to help raise

ous began sharing the post, along with their anger and disappointment. “This is pretty disappointing, coming from a university who knows better, embarrassing,” said Amanda Wilks in a Facebook comment on Rodriguez’ post. Friends of Rodriguez informed him of messages they sent directly to the bookstore voicing their disappointment. The University Bookstore General Manager responded to them saying they were sorry and the shirt had been taken down, Rodriguez said. “Either way good for you and good for the university realizing the issue and addressing it properly,” said Cameron Rynd in a Face-

book comment to Rodriguez. Rodriguez agreed with Rynd. However, the San Marvelous owner did not receive any form of communication from the university. “It’s not that i’m expecting a call, it’s just a courtesy,” Rodriguez said. John Root, auxiliary services director, said the design was made internally and the shirt was mistakenly overlooked before it went onto the website. He said they acknowledge this was a mistake and that is why the shirt was taken down immediately. “I really don’t even think they were on the floor yet, just online at that point,”

Root said. “But, they were taken down so quickly, I don’t think there were even tags on the t-shirts before it was brought to the director’s attention and taken down.” Root said decisions for designs are created through a variety of ways including student employees and sales representatives that come to the store, however in this instance, the design was created in-house. He said this situation should not happen again. San Marvelous was created to amplify not only the university but the students who inhabit the school and make the culture what it is today. “I felt that Texas State students are essentially the coolest students at any university, we have the best culture of people, everyone is laid back, very friendly,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I identified it as San Marvelous.” Rodriguez was a fashion merchandising student with job prospects from around the country, but instead, he chose to stay and build a life and a brand in San Marcos that would be a marketing catalyst for the city and the university. The university has let Rodriguez know they will be allowing San Marvelous to have a presence in the quad this year and Rodriguez said he is thankful for this and hope to continue to find ways to work together. “In spite of all of this, I still want to find a win-win situation for San Marvelous and the university to be able to work together and help each other,” Rodriguez said. “Instead of viewing each other as competitors, we should view each other as an asset or as a teammate.”

scenes work that can be done, but when the senate session begins, we can bring to fruition all of that hard work we’ve put in all summer.” Vice President Samantha Martinez said she is excited to work with such a diverse and motivated group of senators. She said senators have already contacted her about adding resolutions to the first meetings agenda. “We will have so many different perspectives in the upcoming year and we look forward to encouraging students to reach out to a representative if they ever need anything,” Marti-

nez said. “We plan to reach out to various groups to increase our involvement on campus.” Connor Clegg, Student Government chief of staff, said he is impressed by the efforts made by Homann, Martinez and the cabinet throughout the summer to create quality legislation that will benefit everyone. “I look optimistically forward to an improved and enduring university environment for which we here at Student Government are laying the groundwork,” Clegg said. Homann said his overall goal for his term and the

upcoming year is for Student Government to be relevant. He is putting a priority on student engagement, transparency and hopes to change the culture of the organization. Through the initiatives they have been working on, Homann said if approved, it will be a great first step to becoming an impactful force on campus that will continue to make lasting, positive change. “Most importantly, I want students to know that we have their back and that we will represent them to the fullest this year,” Homann said.

Judith Gomez, history junior, shopping for clothes Aug. 25 at the San Marvelous store. Texas State almost sold shirts saying “San Fabulous,” which caused conflict with the brand. PHOTO BY BRANDON VALENCIA | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

membership numbers. The club had 9 members when San Marvelous began the partnership, that number increased to 616 members in one semester. “I’m a bobcat and it’s my responsibility to help out in anyway I can,” Rodriguez said. “Part of the agreement with Bobcat Club was for San Marvelous to be in the quad. After some pushback, administration agreed but gave us exclusions to follow.” This year, Rodriguez had been in talks with the university regarding the possibility of having San Marvelous shirts sold in the bookstore with the Bobcat logo on them. The marketing group for the bookstore

said the clothing company would need to pay $20,000 as a corporate sponsor to put the logo on San Marvelous shirts. Rodriguez said this was not in their budget right now, but he would like to have this option in the future. After two to three weeks of not hearing anything back from the representatives he spoke with, the San Fabulous shirt appeared on the bookstore’s website and it featured the Bobcat logo on the back of the shirt. Rodriguez started receiving messages and phone calls informing him of the t-shirt. After posting screen shots of the shirt on his Facebook page, students, alumni and supporters of San Marvel-

NEWS

Student Government hopes to continue spring momentum By Bailey Buckingham News Editor @bcbuckingham After starting the new senate session in May with nine resolutions passed in one night, Student Government has been working all summer to ensure the momentum continues. While there are no official meetings during the summer, several senators have resolutions ready to be read on the floor at the first senate meeting on Aug. 29. President Andrew Homann has also been working with his cabinet all summer to produce resolutions that will be beneficial to all Bobcats. “I want Student Government to be relevant,” Homann said. “To engage with students and be transparent. Our administration hopes to step into the spotlight and change the culture of the organization.” One resolution Homann, his cabinet and members of the Supreme Court have been working on involves parking appeals for stu-

dents. Pending senate approval, the resolution would establish the Supreme Court as the new university parking appeals committee. With the fullest Supreme Court in recent years, Homann felt this resolution would be beneficial for the student body. “We felt as if students weren’t being adequately represented in this area,” Homann said. “By working with Parking Services, we will have this program up and running in the Fall.” A new town-hall program called Bobcats United is in the planning stages and will open a dialogue between the San Marcos Community, Bobcats and local law enforcement. Bobcats United: Where Black and Blue Lives Matter, the first town hall of the semester, will be on Sept. 12 and will be open to the public. This will give students, residents and local law enforcement an opportunity to meet each other in a neutral setting and participate in constructive discourse.

Student Government wants to put a focus on the beautification of campus by creating an Adopt-a-Spot program. Pending senate approval, various organizations will be able to “adopt” a section of campus and assist with the upkeep in that area by cleaning trash and beautifying the space. Homann said he is confident these resolutions will pass because he has worked with his cabinet this summer to tie up every loose end in all of Student Government’s new program ideas. “We are incredibly confident that the senate will have no objection to passing our efforts so that the students will be better represented on campus,” Homann said. Homann hopes to hit the ground running with 4-5 resolutions introduced at the senate’s first meeting. “I am very much looking forward to senate meetings,” Homann said. “Summer is great- there are a lot of good opportunities for planning and behind-the-

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