March 3, 2020

SPRING BREAK ISSUE FREE!

TUESDAY MARCH 3, 2020 VOLUME 109 ISSUE 23

www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Professor spreads laughter for generations to come

Super Tuesday voting information inside

The Main Point: February is over, but Black History is forever

SEE PAGE 5

SEE PAGE 3

SEE PAGE 6

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH Southwest Texas State Normal School was authorized in 1899 and opened its doors as a women's teaching school in 1903.

REPRESENTATION

"People are afraid of you, and that's good."

The story of women elected in Hays County

By Sandra Sadek Senior News Reporter "Your rights are not guaranteed unless you fight for them. Unless you vote, unless you participate," Shannon Fitzpatrick, former Texas State University attorney for students, said to a group of about 40 women. "They can be taken away. And they were hardfought to get there. Please keep that in mind. Please get involved. Please pay attention to the races that are out

there."

The group of about 40 women, ranging from college students to elected officials, met to discuss the fundamentals of working on a political campaign and running for office as part of an event hosted by the Hays County Women's Political Caucus Thursday, Feb. 27.

Well-known elected female officials from the county were invited to share their experience and tips for women looking to enter the political

sphere. Panelists included San Marcos Councilwoman Jocabed Marquez; Sherri Tibbe, former Hays County District Attorney; and Hays County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 2 Maggie Moreno.

The 2018 midterm elections saw a surge in women running for elected office at the local, state and federal levels. Records were broken with 126 women elected to U.S. Congress alone and a number of women elected to statewide and local offices all across the SEE REPRESENTATION PAGE 2

TITLE IX

TITLE IX EXPLAINED

By Gabriella Ybarra News Reporter

1

Incident Report Received

2

Initial Assessment

3

Outreach to Complainant

All reports to the Office of Equity and Inclusion are forwarded to the Title IX coordinator.

The Title IX coordinator will evaluate the report and decide whether it warrants an investigation.

Staff will contact the reporting person to offer resources, provide the university policy and gather information.

4

Respondent Due Process

Staff will notify the subject of the report that there is an investigation and provide the university policy outlining their rights.

5

Investigation

Staff will collect evidence and interviews from the involved parties, including witnesses and prepare a written report of all documented evidence.

Students and faculty on college campuses nationwide who have been affected by sexual discrimination and assault have university protections under what is referred to as Title IX. Title IX is part of the federal Education Amendments Act of 1972 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation in any federally funded educational program or activity.

Sexual harassment and sexual violence, which are considered to be forms of discrimination, are included within the policy.

The policy is intended to not only define prohibited sexual conduct, but

SPRING BREAK

Nine days of spring break activities

By Laura Figi & Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Editor & Assistant Life & Arts Editor Spring break is quickly approaching, which means it's time to relax and have some fun for a week without school.

Here are local activities throughout the week of spring break.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 TITL

E IX

establish guidelines in processing Title IX complaints, allowing for the issuing of sanctions and providing available resources to victims of discrimination.

Texas State’s Office of Equity and Inclusion manages the university’s Title IX programs and oversees and investigates claims of discrimination and sexual misconduct on campus.

Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Director to the Office of Equity and is an immediate danger to the victim or Inclusion Alexandria Hatcher, who was another person. appointed to the position last month, Texas State is required to publish is responsible for overseeing Title IX a report log that details reports compliance. Hatcher said the goal of received from both confidential and Title IX at Texas State is to ensure a safe nonconfidential sources. environment for all at the university.

The report logs for September 2019 “It is important for all individuals, to December 2019 are currently especially individuals from marginalized posted on the university's website. communities, to feel safe on campus,” They show that 505 confidential and Hatcher said. “Our main goal is to non-confidential reports were made sustain a safe work and educational within the four-month period, 229 of environment for which were allegations everyone here at Texas "IF 23% OF of rape and statutory State.” rape mostly revealed by UNDERGRAD Although suggested confidential sources. to contact the police WOMEN Despite the total first, the Office of EXPERIENCE number of reports, Equity and Inclusion the numbers do not takes reported RAPE OR SEXUAL indicate the total incidents of sexual ASSAULT, THAT number of official misconduct or MEANS 4,594 Title IX complaints information about an made. According to incident to the Title IX WOMEN ON THE the Office of Equity coordinator. However, CAMPUS OF and Inclusion, during under the policy, all that period, only 173 employees of Texas TEXAS STATE complaints were made State are required to UNIVERSITY WILL in which 70 were listed report any incidents BE VICTIMIZED, as a sexual assault or of sexual misconduct rape. to the Title IX AND 5% OF MALES Hatcher said if an coordinator.

WOULD EQUAL 697 official complaint is Texas State made to the Title IX administrators, faculty, VICTIMS." coordinator and it staff and student is determined that workers are considered -TIMOTHY SCOTT, it warrants further to be employees. Upon evaluation, a thorough EQUITY AND INCLUSION determination that investigation will be ANALYST pursued. the employee failed to report a complaint or a false report was “The university is obligated to made, the employee will be terminated. provide a prompt, thorough and Victims are not required to report equitable investigation of any report their instances of sexual misconduct, of sex-based discrimination, sexual but the Counseling Center, Student harassment or sexual violence. This Health Center and Attorney for obligation remains even in the absence Students are available to listen to of a formal complaint,” Hatcher said. students. These offices are defined According to the Rape, Abuse as confidential sources and are only and Incest National Network, the required to report the type of incident nation’s largest anti-sexual violence to the Title IX coordinator unless there organization, 11.2% of all students SEE TITLE IX PAGE 2

Kick-off spring break weekend with a bang by enjoying live music and food at Centro Cultural Hispano’s first annual Spring Fiesta. The event will take place 12-5 p.m. in Centro Park, located at 211 Lee St. Ricardo Espinosa, Centro Cultural Hispano executive director, said Spring Fiesta will include a variety of music and dance performances by local artists including Centro Youth Mariachi, SMTX Bagpiper and Texas State’s Ballet Folklorico.

“It’s a one-stop-shop regarding what’s happening in San Marcos and a way to be connected to the town as well as the community,” Espinosa said.

Spring Fiesta is free to attend and will offer family-friendly activities and games.

Those interested in volunteering at Spring Fiesta can email Espinosa at ricoespinosa@gmail.com to sign up for a volunteer workshop.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 For art-lovers, take a trip to Wimberley and explore Silo Gallery and Studio, the largest warm glass studio in Central Texas. Be sure to stay for their “Scenes in Glass” class and learn how to create images such as trees, sailboats and even abstract pieces with glass.

Elissa Beach-John, Silo Gallery and Studio co-owner, said the class will be an exciting and easy way for beginners to work with a unique medium such as glass.

“Working with glass is very forgiving and a lot of fun as well,” Beach-John said.

The class will be from 1-4 p.m. Tools and supplies will be provided and no experience is necessary. Visit https:// squareup.com/store/silo-gallery-andglass-studio/ for more information.

MONDAY, MARCH 16 Spend Monday night under the stars listening to live Bluegrass tunes at Radio Coffee and Beer’s Bluegrass Night from 8-11 p.m. The event is free, dog-friendly and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

Radio Coffee and Beer is located in Austin, 4204 Menchaca Road.

SEE SPRING BREAK PAGE 5

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, March 3, 2020

NEWS

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT REPRESENTATION

Women elected to office in 2018 Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Rodriguez stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Sonia Garcia starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu

JANE HUGHSON, SAN MARCOS MAYOR

ERIN ZWIENER,

DAPHNE TENORIO,

CHARI KELLY,

ELAINE HANSON CARDENAS,

STATE REP. DISTRICT 45

GISELA TRIANA,

JUSTICE, 3RD COURT OF APPEALS, PLACE 6

KYLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6

MAGGIE MORENO,

HAYS COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 1

News Editor: Chase Rogers starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Laura Figi starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Laura Nunez staropinion@txstate.edu

JOCABED MARQUEZ, SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5

Sports Editor: Claire Partain starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Molly Gonzales stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Jaden Edison starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Isabella Lopes starsengagement@txstate.edu

PR Team Bianca Landry PR Director

Matthew Hawkins PR Specialist

Meredith Martinez PR Specialist

Lynsey Lamoureaux PR Specialist

Trinity Dayton PR Specialist

Nadia Gonzales PR Specialist

Full-Time Staff Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu Student Publications Coordinator: Mayra Mejia, mm1894@txstate.edu

Advertising Staff Amanda Luevano starad1@txstate.edu Jasen Rodriguez starad2@txstate.edu

About Us History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 4,500. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, March 3, 2020. 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.

Deadlines: Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.

Corrections: Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and are brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

Visit The Star at universitystar.com

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JUSTICE, 3RD COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT, PLACE 3

country. In Hays County, 19 women ran for office and won.

San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson has been working on political campaigns since 1988 and served on the San Marcos Planning and Zoning Commission. Quickly into her time on PnZ, people started asking her when she was going to run for elected office.

Hughson volunteered to be on the city's Master Plan committee, now known as the Comprehensive Plan, and felt the only way she could ensure the plan would be followed was to be elected to one of the seven city council seats.

Her father had just passed away in 1993 when Hughson decided she could not "sit around waiting for the older generation to do this."

Precinct 1 County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe found herself in a similar scenario. Ingalsbe worked as a deputy constable for three years when people started asking her whether she was going to run for office. Ingalsbe's father had also served as a Hays County commissioner in the 1980s.

"I thought it would be exciting, although I thought, 'is this really something that I want to do?' Because a lot of times there's politics involved," Ingalsbe said.

District 45 Texas House Member

COUNTY CLERK

BETH SMITH,

HAYS COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 2

MELISSA DERRICK,

SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL PLACE 6

Erin Zwiener's decision to run for office sparked from the outcome of the 2016 elections, despite never seeing herself involved in politics.

"I really felt called to get more involved. And one of the things I learned relatively soon was that no Democrat had challenged my predecessor, the Republican state representative," Zwiener said. "The district was close enough that it seemed to me that no one had even fought for the seat. The next thing I knew was running myself."

Hughson was elected to city council place 3 in 1996, again in 1999 and place 4 in 2014 before being elected mayor of San Marcos in 2018. Ingalsbe has been serving as the county commissioner for Precinct 1 for the last 24 years.

Hughson is only the fourth female mayor of San Marcos and the city council has only had 16 women total in office since 1967.

"There had been two women on the council (in 1996). One was mayor, and there weren't any women that were going to run again," Hughson said. "So if I had not run, there would not have been any women on the council. There was no other woman running."

As the only woman currently on the Hays County Commissioner's Court, Ingalsbe said her approach to her work is to do what is best and right for the

county, regardless of party lines.

"I would hope that (the court is) not any different in the way we approach things. I think we all want what's best for our county. But it is a concerted effort. We're a team, and we need to work together because that's the only way that we get things accomplished," Ingalsbe said.

Hughson believes women have a different perspective when it comes to understanding issues in the community. "(Women) tend to look at things... more holistically. It's not just about business, it's not just about tax breaks.

It's what are we going to do for folks at home," Hughson said. "I think women just look more at how does this affect the household, how does this affect the family. And I also think that women are better at working out a deal."

At the conclusion of the forum, Fitzpatrick pointed to a pin of a jail cell on her lapel, citing that imprisonment has been used to silence women in the past.

"People are afraid of you, and that's good," Fitzpatrick said.

News Editor Chase Rogers contributed to this article.

FINDINGS:

sanctions may include expulsion, suspension, academic or disciplinary probation, expulsion from campus housing, disqualification from student employment positions, revocation of admission and/or degree or the student may be barred from readmission.

Title IX investigations are separate from criminal investigations. If the victim chooses to file a police report, additional punishments could be placed upon the perpetrator should they decide to prosecute.

Scott said if a significant amount of time has passed since an incident occurred, witness statements may not be as helpful. In many cases, victims will delete anything that involves the perpetrator to avoid fixation; however, some of the best evidence that establishes credibility are text messages, direct messages, phone logs, screenshots, pictures and videos. If the case is severe, photos of injuries and an exam with a sexual assault nurse examiner can stand as corroborating evidence.

“What happens between two people when they are alone can be hard to judge, which is why keeping records of what happened after the event, and if you can remember, writing down a log of what happened prior to the event can go a long way,” Scott said.

Student Health Center Health Promotion Specialist Kelsey Banton said when trying to learn more about how these incidents happen, we should be asking the victims of sexual violence directly.

"I just want to be clear that when we talk about how (victims) experienced those interactions with people, I think often times we don't ask the people who've experienced it, and hearing their voices and letting their voices come to the forefront is really important."

Read more information or to submit a complaint visit the Office of Equity and Inclusion official website.

Assistant News Editor Daniel Weeks contributed to this article.

FROM FRONT TITLE IX experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. Among undergraduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experience this type of misconduct.

Timothy Scott is an Equity and Inclusion analyst that processes and investigates Title IX complaints at Texas State. Scott said Texas State has yet to match these statistics.

“If 23% of undergrad women experience rape or sexual assault, that means 4,594 women on the campus of Texas State University will be victimized, and 5% of males would equal 697 victims,” Scott said. “For the 2019-2020 academic term, we haven’t received reports that would total 5% of those numbers.”

According to Scott, this could mean Texas State is either operating well below the average or the overwhelming majority of incidents are not being reported. Scott suggests it is more likely that incidents are not being reported.

“Considering that almost 90% of all reports received by the Office of Equity and Inclusion end up being closed due to the complainant not coming forward to initiate a formal investigation or because the report was not a Title IX issue to begin with... I would conclude that most reports are not being made,” Scott said.

Scott said 47% of victims were either freshmen or sophomore women. Their perpetrators, on the other hand, are not as easily identified, because 50% of reports do not identify the person or the person is not affiliated with the university. Most of the rape reports include an unaffiliated perpetrator.

However, with this year’s reports-todate, Scott said 57% of the perpetrators listed in the reports knew the victim prior to the incident.

If the Title IX coordinator believes a complaint warrants an investigation, Title IX staff will reach out to the complainant to gather additional information on the incident and inform them about the university policy and

No Violation of Policy If the investigation finds that, based on the preponderance of evidence, no violation of policy occurred, both parties will be notified.

Violation of Policy If the investigation finds that, based on the preponderance of evidence, there was a violation of policy, the Office of Equity and Inclusion will notify the appropriate administrator.

RIGHT TO APPEAL Discrimination Decisions The person reported may appeal the severity of the sanction.

Sexual Misconduct Decisions Either party may appeal the finding or the sanction.

offer resources. Staff will then contact the alleged perpetrator to let them know there is an investigation pending and will notify them of their rights.

During the investigation, staff will collect evidence and perform interviews from both parties, which may include possible witnesses. The information will then be compiled into a written report.

If the staff finds there was a violation of the Title IX policy, the appropriate administrator will be notified and either party can choose to appeal the findings or proposed sanction, or the perpetrator may make an appeal for a lesser sanction.

Possible sanctions depend on the gravity of the staff's findings. If the perpetrator is a faculty or staff member, the person may be terminated, reassigned, temporarily suspended without pay, barred from future employment or a promotion or pay increase may be withheld.

If the perpetrator is a student,

The University Star

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 | 3

NEWS SUPER TUESDAY:

BEHIND THE BALLOT (Incumbent indicated by asterisk*) TEXAS SENATE The Texas Senate consists of 31 members, elected to four-year terms. The Texas State Senate assists in drafting and passing state laws and policies.

REPUBLICANS: Frank Pomeroy DEMOCRATS: Judith Zaffirini* TEXAS HOUSE The Texas House consists of 150 members, elected to twoyear terms. The House assists in drafting and passing state laws and policies. House District 45 represents all of Blanco and Hays counties.

REPUBLICANS: Carrie Isaac, Austin Talley, Kent “Bud” Wymore DEMOCRATS: Erin Zweiner*, Liliana Posada TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in the state. Each of the nine judges serve a six-year term.

Place 3 REPUBLICAN: Bert Richardson*, Gina Parker DEMOCRAT: Elizabeth Davis Frizell, William Pieratt Demond, Dan Wood Place 4 REPUBLICAN: Kevin Patrick Yeary* DEMOCRAT: Tina Clinton, Steven Miears Place 9 REPUBLICAN: David Newell* DEMOCRAT: Brandon Birmingham CHIEF JUSTICE The chief justice oversees the Texas Supreme Court. The chief justice delivers “state of the judiciary” addresses.

REPUBLICAN: Nathan Hecht* DEMOCRAT: Amy Clark Meachum, Jerry Zimmerer JUSTICE, PLACE 6 REPUBLICANS: Jane Bland* DEMOCRATS: Larry Praeger, Kathy Cheng JUSTICE, PLACE 7 REPUBLICANS: Jeff Boyd* DEMOCRATS: Staci Williams, Brandy Voss JUSTICE, PLACE 8 REPUBLICANS: Brett Busby* DEMOCRATS: Gisela D. Triana, Peter Kelly STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION The state board of education oversees Texas education policy, funding and curriculum. The board consists of 15 members who serve four-year terms.

REPUBLICAN: Inga Cotton, Lani Popp, Robert Morrow DEMOCRAT: Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Letti Bresnahan HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER Commissioners conduct city business arrangements and pass infrastructure ordinances. The only contested commissioner election is the Precinct 3 election. Precinct 3 encompasses parts of Kyle and the cities of Buda and Niederwald.

REPUBLICANS: Lon A. Shell* DEMOCRATS: Lisa Prewitt HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF The county sheriff is Hays's chief law enforcement agent who enforces criminal laws of the state. The sheriff is responsible for the county jail, bail bonds and civil process.

REPUBLICANS: Dave Graham, Gary Cutler* DEMOCRATS: Dickey Haverda, Alex Villalobos HAYS COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW NO. 3 The county court-at-law handles civil cases. The No. 3 court is the only court of law up for election this year.

REPUBLICANS: Tacie Zelhart* DEMOCRATS: Millie Thompson, Tony Fusco HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE A constable is a law enforcement officer that enforces civil, criminal and motor vehicle laws.

PRECINCT 1 REPUBLICANS: Eliseo Galarza DEMOCRATS: David L. Peterson*, Cody Cheatham PRECINT 2 REPUBLICANS: Steve Avalos DEMOCRATS: Michael Torres* PRECINCT 3 REPUBLICANS: Ray Helm*, Jessica R. Deatherage DEMOCRATS: None PRECINCT 4 REPUBLICANS: Ron E. Hood* DEMOCRATS: None PRECINCT 5 REPUBLICANS: John Ellen* DEMOCRATS: None

Chase Rogers News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

ELECTION 2020

Local offices: what you need to know for Super Tuesday jurisdiction of the county sheriff as well.

Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler was elected and has been in office since Super Tuesday brings several contested November 2010. local office elections, and studies show JUSTICE OF THE PEACE that those who do not vote in local office The justice of the peace is an office elections are unfamiliar with how local that is elected every four years. The Texas officials influence their communities.

The lack of knowledge in local Constitution grants the justice of the peace government jurisdiction is one of the top jurisdiction in being the presiding officer of five obstacles listed for poor voter turnout the justice court and the small claims court.

In criminal matters, the justice of the in millennials, according to focus group study from the Knight Foundation, a peace has jurisdiction over misdemeanor nonprofit foundation dedicated to creating punishable by fine.

A justice of the peace may issue warrants "informed and engaged communities."

In the 2014 midterms, only one in five for search and arrest, conduct hearings, registered voters casted a ballot in local administer oaths, perform marriages and mayoral elections on average, according must serve as coroner in counties where to a studies published by the Knight there is no provision for a medical examiner.

Often, justices of the peace are called to the Foundation.

Some of the contested local offices up scene to declare affected persons deceased.

In addition, justice of the peace courts for election in the 2020 voting season are: county commissioners, sheriff, justice have original jurisdiction, the authority to of the peace, constable and county court- accept a case at its inception, in criminal at-law. The primaries for these offices are matters punishable by fine only. slated for Tuesday, March 3.

CONSTABLE Here is your guide to how local positions Constables have all the powers and contribute to the community. responsibilities of any peace officer, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS including writing tickets, making arrests, The Hays County Commissioners Court conducting investigations and filing is composed of one elected commissioner criminal charges. In addition, they are per precinct and a county judge. Municipal responsible for serving and executing civil offices have jurisdiction within their legally process and civil court orders. designated city limits. A county office like In addition, constables assist other the Hays County Commissioners Court agencies with traffic control during has jurisdiction of what is outside of legally traffic accidents and fires, assist with 911 designated city limits. emergency calls, searches for the elderly and The general duties of the court is to missing children and escort service duties. establish precincts, build and repair bridges Hays County has five precincts in which and exercise control over the roads within each precinct has one constable. Voting the county. for the constable office happens every four In addition, the commissioners court's years. duties entail adopting a yearly budget, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW calling and conducting elections, funding The state legislature created county the county jail, providing for the support courts at law in more populated counties, of the indigent population or residents who are unable to support themselves according including Hays County, to help single county courts in their judicial functions. to the Texas Constitution.

The civil jurisdiction of most county The county commissioners court divides the county into four precincts while city courts at law varies but is typically more council members represent everyone who than that of the justice of the peace courts and less than that of the district courts. lives within city limits.

County courts at law usually have appellate SHERIFF jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice The county sheriff is an elected position of the peace and municipal courts. that is put on the ballot every four years, Hays County Court-at-Law has three performing a role similar to that of a places with varying election dates. Voters police chief in a municipal department. can vote for Place 3 court-at-law in the The sheriff usually has jurisdiction over 2020 election. Place 1 and 2 have terms unincorporated areas of their county, while that expire in 2022. a police chief is in charge of areas within STATE RACES town or city limits.

The state races that are up for election The sheriff is also responsible for in the 2020 primaries election are: railroad managerial office duties, including filling out paperwork on warrants and complaints, commissioners, three members of the reviewing patrol logs, overseeing hiring and supreme court and the court of criminal training of deputies, managing the county appeals, eight members of the state board jail and forming and distributing the of education, 16 state senators, 150 state budget. The sheriff also facilitates public representatives and chief justice of court of forums on policing matters and community appeals. These positions will be voted for also Tuesday, March 3. outreach programs.

More information on the election can found Operating the county jails and investigating crimes falls under the on Hays County Election website.

By Daniella Carrera News Reporter

SAN MARCOS PRIMARY ELECTION POLLING LOCATIONS Scan this QR code to see all polling locations in San Marcos!

The University Star

4 | Tuesday, March 3, 2020

LIFE & ARTS

Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

COLORING BOOKS

Students design inclusive coloring books for youth

By Brianna Benitez Assistant Life & Arts Editor A motivation to make a difference and a passion to inspire youth fueled Texas State Bobcats as they worked together to paste, decorate and create coloring books for kids.

Student Volunteer Connection donated multicultural shade crayons and custom coloring books featuring historic black figures for the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Texas on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in an effort to give back and inspire local youth.

The coloring books feature historical black figures such as Mae Jemision, the first African American woman to travel to space; Louis Armstrong, influential jazz musician; George Washington Carver, an African American scientist who created more than 300 products from peanuts; and Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.

Malorie McGruder, education sophomore, is the philanthropy coordinator for SVC and is responsible for creating the organization's monthly Bobcat Acts of Kindness, events that open up an opportunity for all Texas State students to earn community service hours through volunteering with SVC. Feb. 20, SVC hosted "Coloring Through History" a BAK event that allowed both SVC members and Texas State students to create custom coloring books for BGCSCT. McGruder said it was important for SVC to create and donate the books in order to show the kids of BGCSCT that they are capable of accomplishing their goals and have the chance to be just as successful as the historical figures featured in the coloring books.

"I want them to see we have astronauts, we have doctors, we have inventors," McGruder said. "I want these kids to know they can do whatever they want to and nothing is going to stop them."

Through the donation of not only the books but the multicultural shade crayons, SVC is hoping to normalize the idea of kids being able to color in characters with inclusive skin tones.

SVC public relations and marketing

Student Volunteer Connection member Kenadee Fears decorates a coloring book for the Boys and Girls Club in the LBJ Student Center,Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, at Texas State.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA BENITEZ

coordinator Millenia Watkins, marketing sophomore, said she rarely saw book characters that looked like her growing up. She said she felt that it was important for SVC to donate multicultural crayons along with the coloring books to show kids that book characters can and should be able to look like them.

"I remember the first time I saw a black character in a book that you would read to kids and I literally cried," Watkins said. "I had never seen that before. All the stories that were read to me as a child or like that I saw never had black

"I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I SAW A BLACK CHARACTER IN A BOOK THAT YOU WOULD READ TO KIDS AND I LITERALLY CRIED."

A set of multicultural crayons sit on display at the Student Volunteer Connection's "Coloring Through History" event,Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, in LBJ Student Center at Texas State.

The crayons will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club in addition to the coloring books.

PHOTO BY BRIANNA BENITEZ

characters."

Growing up, Watkins said she would have to mix purple and green crayons to create the color of her skin. She said she would have never thought about there being multicultural crayons as a kid and is grateful that they exist now for today's youth.

-MILLENIA WATKINS, "You get used to never seeing yourself, SVC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND not even as an astronaut but literally just in a book or in a pen that’s your shade,"

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Watkins said. "I had to be a mixologist at six years old to get my cocoa shade and it's unfortunate."

The underlying theme for "Coloring Through History" was not only to celebrate Black History Month but to provide the kids of BGCSCT with an opportunity to learn more about historical black figures. At the event, SVC members discussed how most of them did not learn much about black history growing up and how they are hoping to change that reality for the youth community.

Each page of the coloring books feature a short blurb on each historic individual, which discusses their accomplishments and showcases their significance to black history.

SVC member, Kenadee Fears, nursing freshman, said it is important for children to learn about different individuals and historical objectives that are not taught in the traditional classroom curriculum.

"We're not always told the truth about Black History so it's important that everybody learns it," Fears said. "I think that it's good that we as an organization are going out into the community and expressing this."

SVC event coordinator Raven Perez, sociology sophomore, said she hopes kids feel represented and recognize that they, too, can accomplish great things like the individuals in the books.

"I think it’s really important that they can look to their future and be excited to see what the future holds for them and not think they can’t achieve something based on who they are," Perez said.

Perez said the importance of SVC is to encourage students to care about the community and educate the people around them about social issues.

"We don’t ever talk to be right, we talk to start conversations," Perez said.

"We want this campus to care about everybody, care about each other."

SVC holds membership meetings 5-6 p.m. every other Monday. Membership is open to any Texas State student and dues are $10. One BAK event is held every month and is open to non-members.

For more information on meeting locations and SVC events, follow @TXST_ SVC on Twitter or @txst_svc on Instagram.

SWIG

Texas State organization bridges the gap of minorities in geography studies after a chapter created by alumni Vanessa Eckert and Lydia Bean with the assistance of Julie Tuason.

SWIG acting president Alisa Hartsell, geography Texas State students are making efforts to a more doctoral student, said she became heavily involved gender-inclusive and accessible field for all. in the organization after transitioning as a graduate Supporting Women in Geography is an organization student to geography from her background in history. that uplifts women and other minorities in geography “There’s no surprise that (SWIG) is at Texas studies and careers. SWIG chapters across North State because we have one of the largest geography America are part of a larger diversity and inclusion departments in North America," Hartsell said. "After initiative by the American Association of Geographers. the first year of just being a member, I jumped into SWIG vice president Sara Moya, geography graduate the treasury position to help out and pull in the allstudent, became involved with the organization after inclusive (aspect)." a professor brought up the lack of gender diversity Hartsell and other officers believe that SWIG within the field. offers two over-arching benefits: professionalism and "My professor addressed the fact that women are community. a significant minority not only in the discipline of Each semester, SWIG officers meet and organize geography but also in the American Association of monthly meetings, panels, socials and other community Geographers, which is our annual events to keep members involved conference," Moya said. "I decided "WE TRY TO CREATE on-campus and in the San Marcos to join and I really enjoyed the area.

A WELCOMING camaraderie between members and SWIG public relations officer ENVIRONMENT that they supported everyone." and treasurer Salma Rosales, urban The AGG reports that only THAT DRAWS UPON and regional planning junior, has about one-third of geographers are worked since the fall semester DIVERSITY AND female. to rebrand SWIG's social media According to the Department ALSO PROMOTES platform and promote events to of Geography, SWIG at Texas new and current members.

State is set upon inclusion and PROFESSIONALISM This semester, members will encouragement through providing FOR MEN, WOMEN have the opportunity to connect students with the ability to network OR NON-IDENTIFYING at upcoming events like Bobcat with professionals and gain insight Build, hiking and relaxation while working within the San (PEOPLE)." socials and professional panels Marcos community. throughout March and April.

Chapters within the organization "Whenever we have our career have been operating for over -SARA MOYA, panels, we usually invite like two decades on North American SWIG VICE PRESIDENT four or five different people from campuses. Austin's own larger different parts of geography," organization, Supporting Women in Geography and Rosales said. "They tell us separately how they got there Geographic Information Systems, was established in and what they do. I think it's a good way to explore 2008 for the professional realm. your options."

SWIG at Texas State is one of 11 university groups SWIG Secretary Diego Perez, sophomore urban and in North America that aim to promote and support regional planning major, believes that SWIG events are women and greater gender diversity in geography an easy way to meet other students and expand your studies. professional and personal network.

The organization first emerged at Texas State in 1998 "It's a great way to meet new people, make friends

By Madyson Sanchez Life & Arts Reporter

SWIG members pose for a photo at a trash clean-up social Fall 2019 in the San Marcos area.

PHOTO COURTESY SALMA ROSALES

Former SWIG President Rachel McCaig poses with cookies at a bake sale fundraiser during spring 2019 on The Quad at Texas State.

PHOTO COURTESY RACHEL MCCAIG

and start networking," Perez said.

The organization is open to anyone at the undergraduate, graduate and professional level interested in geography and getting to work within SWIG's collaborative learning space. Hartsell said SWIG pulls together people from diverse backgrounds to create support within the collegiate and professional realm.

“We try to create a welcoming environment that draws upon diversity and also promotes professionalism for men, women or non-identifying (people),” Moya said. “We are an inclusive organization.”

For more information about getting involved with SWIG at Texas State, visit @txst.swig on Instagram or email txstateswig1@gmail.com.

The University Star

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 | 5

LIFE & ARTS

Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

PROFESORA

Professor spreads laughter for generations to come us,” Kitchen said. “She wanted us to be amazing teachers.”

Kitchen said Reyes was joyful with everyone and will live on through her students and their students as well.

“She was a great light in this world and so many people have been affected by her life,” Kitchen said. “I hope I make her proud someday when I finally get to be a teacher.”

Jodi Holschuh, chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Department, said Reyes had plenty of close friends in addition to her colleagues, including people in the

By Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor

Yolanda Reyes had the type of laugh that people remember. It was the type of laugh that flooded the halls, could be heard from doors down, made people smile from far away and spread into any room she was in. By the time she left the room, she was guaranteed to know everyone’s name.

Reyes, a lecturer in the College of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction Department, was on her way to campus Feb. 17 when she was involved in a fatal car crash. She will be missed dearly by the students who will pass on her knowledge for years to come.

Reyes will be honored at three separate memorials: the College of Education memorial, specifically for students in the department, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. from March 6 in UAC 124; the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue, in Austin will hold a memorial at 2 p.m March 8; and the Bobcat Pause Memorial with a reception at 5:15 p.m. and the ceremony at 6 p.m. April 8 in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

Before teaching at Texas State, Reyes was an assistant principal at Bonham PreKindergarten for two years and previously worked as a kindergarten teacher. Reyes was affectionately known as “Profesora Reyes” by her students and was well-loved by both students and faculty.

Aubree Kitchen, interdisciplinary studies junior, said she was in Reyes’ first class of the day the morning when she INTERDISCIPLINARY did not show up. The students waited STUDIES JUNIOR in the class, as it was unlike Reyes not to show up, and wrote messages wishing Reyes was okay on the classroom board biology department, custodial staff and before they left. everyone who worked at The Den. “She was so wise and she had a lot to “She knew everybody’s name,” share with us but she also encouraged Holschuh said. “It’s kind of amazing

"SHE WAS A GREAT LIGHT IN THIS WORLD AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY HER LIFE, I HOPE I MAKE HER PROUD SOMEDAY WHEN I FINALLY GET TO BE A TEACHER."

-AUBREE KITCHEN,

FROM FRONT SPRING BREAK

ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH THOMPSON

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 For outdoor enthusiasts, enjoy a sunset kayak tour on the crystal clear waters of Spring Lake from 6:30-8 p.m. The tour is beginner-friendly and all kayak gear is provided. Paddlers of all levels can expect a night filled with adventure as they immerse themselves in the history of Spring Lake and learn about the lake’s diverse ecosystem.

Registration for the kayak tour can be found on The Meadow Center’s website.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 Wind down on Wednesday and get creative at “The Art of Zentangle” from 6-7:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Public Library.

Kim Morgan-Benson, adult programming and outreach librarian, said Zentangle is a free form of drawing that encourages meditation. She said the event will be a great opportunity for non artists to create art in an easy way.

“It’s a creative outlet but you don’t have to consider yourself an artist,” Morgan-Benson said. “I think its an opportunity to relax or a way of meditating people might not have considered before.”

The event is free and all materials are provided.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 Get out of the house and enjoy all the local goods San Marvelous has to offer during the monthly Downtown Walk About.

The event happens every third Thursday on The Square and features

local artists, musicians in the Kissing Alley Concert Series, local business promotions and more.

The Downtown Walk About goes from 5-8 p.m. and starts on Courthouse Square, 111 East San Antonio St. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MARCH 20-21 Take a day trip to Fredericksburg to enjoy not only the lovely smalltown charm but also eat as much inseason seafood as possible. The 2020 Fredericksburg Crawfest will take place from noon-8 p.m. March 21 and Oyster Festival and Crab festival starts at 4 p.m. March 20 and continues until 8 p.m. Saturday. All three festivals are separate.

Tickets range from $20-55 dollars, and premium tickets include all you can eat seafood for each event.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 As the break draws to a close, remember to relax and get back into the school mindset again. Get out in nature and make the most out of your last day of break at Hamilton Pool.

Hamilton Pool, 24300 Hamilton Road, in Dripping Springs is a beautiful natural pool and hiking trail and is famous for its instagramworthiness. If you did not do anything over the break, this is the time to get outside and change that or if you did, the pool is sure to help you unwind and close out your week.

It costs $8 per person to enter the park and reservations are required, https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/ parks/hamilton-pool-preserve.

how many people she touched.”

Holschuh said Tim Kinard, associate professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Department, will teach Reyes’ classes for the rest of the semester and one professor at the Round Rock campus even volunteered to come out of retirement to substitute her class.

Holschuh said Reyes was able to make friends in all walks of life through her hobbies and had an unforgettable laugh.

“It was big (and) booming,” Holschuh said. “She honestly had the best laugh I’ve ever heard."

Reyes was a Hays County Master Naturalist and had 717 volunteer hours at various nature organizations around central Texas. She was a very active employee at the entry kiosk at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center and loved being in nature.

Minnette Marr, conservation program manager at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, said Reyes had a way of making people feel welcome, was an advocate for local government and reminded everyone to vote.

“She was a good friend,” Marr said. “I just felt so lucky to have someone that I could really talk to about important ideas in a very honest way.”

Taylor Seibel, early childhood education senior, said Reyes defied all stereotypes of a scary professor and made her feel like she could be herself.

“I’ve never had a professor that just cared so deeply and passionately about her students and about everything that we’re doing,” Seibel said. “She knew specific stuff about our lives, not just like she was coming to teach us about reading and ESL.” Reyes’ students and colleagues memorialized her office door, 3034 in the education building, with flowers, notes, chocolates, memories and a whiteboard filled with messages. Seibel said Reyes’

(Left to right) Associate Professor Dr. Mary Esther Huerta, Lecturer Yolanda Reyes, and Assistant Dean Dr. Ruben Garza enjoyed the treats and company at “Paletas and Platicas” during HSI week.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

impact could be seen by the amount of students who came to pay their respects.

“I was really happy that everyone had really special memories of her,” Seibel said. “She was so much more than our early education teacher; she put so much of her life into making people happy.”

All three memorials are open to anyone who wishes to pay their respects.

According to her obituary, Yolanda would have appreciated donations to the Wildflower Center or to the ACLU. The Counseling Center is a free and confidential resource all currently enrolled students experiencing grief can utilize and it also holds group grief counseling Wednesdays 10-11:30 a.m.

The University Star

6 | Tuesday, March 3, 2020

OPINIONS

Laura Nunez Opinions Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Opinions expressed in The University Star are not necessarily those of Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

MAIN POINT

February is over, but Black History is forever

By The Editorial Board When the calendar turns to February, the smell of baked macaroni and cheese and smothered fried chicken disperse across Texas State’s soul food celebration.

Prominent black figures dust cobwebs off their phones and calendars to accept invitations to speak at public events, and everyone is searching for a Martin Luther King Jr. quote that looks good on a poster.

Black History cannot be squeezed into just a month. February is over, but Black History continues to unfold at Texas State, and it is all of our duty to acknowledge it.

Texas State integrated its first black students in 1963, and now black students make up about 11% of its student population.

Black contributions to the university are monumental, as seen with the implementation of the African American studies minor this school year.

It is an absolute disgrace to black students that surrounding institutions, including The University of Texas, which has fewer black students on its campus,

provided education in black studies, history and people long before Texas State—and have since the 70s.

It was meaningful actions from organizations like the Pan-African Action Committee and students like Tafari Robertson and Nahja Marshall that demanded more.

They wrote about it. When a sit-in was taking place calling for the impeachment of former Student Government President Connor Clegg, the black studies minor was always part of negotiations. They were willing to get arrested for it.

In the end, they got the job done. It was black student action that took care of the business that should have been handled decades prior, and it did not stop there.

It was the first black Student Government President Corey Benbow who implemented a Diversity Week at Texas State in 2019—a week purposed to celebrate minority students and make them feel at home on campus.

The week brought diverse groups like Step Afrika!, a black dance group that uses stepping, a dance routine popular in black communities, to educate and give

insight into black culture.

It also gave a platform to The Asia Project, a duo that performs emotional spoken word poetry with an acoustic musical ambiance.

It is celebrations like Diversity Week that students taking part in will remember for years to come. Moreover, it shows students of color that their university is interested in minority culture; it allows them and the things they love to feel welcome in a space that has forever been dominated by white people.

Diversity should be celebrated and recognized year round, and just like the Pan-African Action Committee, Benbow helped our university take a step in the right direction. A black man made that happen and it can never be erased.

The Star has also benefited from black contributions.

Our first black Editor-in-Chief Carrington J. Tatum, helped us implement a foundation that we can now build on for years to come. In an industry where black people are underrepresented, his presence gave us insight into how much journalism can benefit from black voices.

MAIN PO NT

O

Tatum spent time actively recruiting students of color and put them in positions to move up in leadership.

He advocated for students of color. He lectured and encouraged discussions about race, diversity and inclusion in our newsroom and how we cover our community.

Even after his tenure at The Star, he continues to serve as a mentor, advocate and leader for our organization.

Texas State is indebted to its black students, faculty and administration.

The way it pays off that debt is through education in and out of the classroom.

Those of us at Texas State have to be willing to learn about one another.

Although there is nothing that could ever substitute first-person perspective, there is nothing wrong with a good faith effort toward trying to understand.

That is how we move forward; that is how we embark on change like the PanAfrican Action Committee, Benbow and Tatum implemented. They are not finished and neither are we.

February is over, but Black History is forever. It is all of our responsibility to ensure that it does not go unnoticed.

INCLUSION

Inclusivity calls for a time and place

By Amira Van Leeuwen Assistant Opinion Editor Texas State is inadvertently marginalizing minority groups across campus by implementing inclusive practices that do not work.

Inclusivity is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or mental disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.

During Bobcat Preview, incoming students are inconvenienced with having to stand up and say their preferred pronouns to a room filled with strangers. This forces students who are part of the LGBTQ+ and transgender community to out themselves. Even if they decide they are not comfortable promoting their new, self-avowed identity they may stumble or verbally express they are uncomfortable expressing their pronouns.

This game forces students to identify themselves differently than they normally would, or it might force them to come out without their consent. Texas State is putting a target on these students’ backs by not letting people confront their own sexuality and identity at their own will.

Texas State needs to re-examine its inclusivity initiative and understand there is a time and place to advertise

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELE DUPONT

such inclusion and the first week of being on campus as a freshman is not one of them. LGBTQ+ people have always been put on public trial, facing dozens of policy setbacks and extreme violence.

Advocating for inclusivity is not, and will never be a bad thing. But the idea of inclusivity on a college campus, such as Texas State, is a never-ending battle so long as discriminatory ideology continues to make its home here.

Through Republican organizations and right-wing ideology actions like making a mockery out of “National Coming Out Day," which is a demonstration held annually by the Texas State College Republicans, the fight for inclusivity is a losing one.

LGBTQ+ communities are not the only ones to face trials and tribulations. After the 2016 election, threatening fliers were posted around campus reading, “Now that our man Trump is elected and Republicans own both the Senate and the House—time to organize tar & feather vigilante squads and go arrest and torture those deviant university leaders spouting off all this diversity garbage."

The aftermath included a letter from President Denise M. Trauth, but nothing much was said about the incident. Texas State cannot advocate for inclusivity and then turn a blind eye later.

While Trauth did release a second letter addressing the fliers head-on it should be noted that Texas State cannot pick and choose the easiest times to be an advocate for those who are still growing their own voice.

Texas State cannot expect inclusivity to happen while closeminded people continue to thrive on the discourse that comes from it.

Even so, this discriminatory language stems from systemic issues people of color and the LGBTQ+ community cannot hide from, but should not run away from either.

The university needs to understand true inclusivity can only happen organically.

- Amira Van Leeuwen is a journalism sophomore

Letter from the Editor: Re Coronavirus social media graphic

By Jakob Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Last week, we messed up. In attempting to localize our coverage of the coronavirus, we posted a graphic on our social media accounts that disappointed our followers and has since been removed.

As our social media calendar dictates, on Tuesdays we #StarwiththeStar and showcase our lead story, typically in and around the setting where the story takes place.

Our coverage of the cancelled China and Korea study abroad trips last week meant that we talked to people who represented study abroad programs and so our location for the photo was the Thorton International House. However, we utilized elements from our illustration of the Coronavirus and layered those elements over the picture of the Thorton international House and posted to our social media channels.

Obviously, it was never our intent to present the international house in a negative light or give the impression that the international house or students that represent the international house in some capacity had been infected by the virus.

While we did not receive a large volume of complaints for the image, we thought that if it was important enough for even some students to voice their concerns, then it should be important to us.

Thank you for calling us out when we get things wrong. We promise to always keep you in our hearts and minds while we report on issues that affect us all.

The University Star

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 | 7

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Holle twins celebrated with Senior Night win

By Cade Andrews Sports Reporter For their final game at Strahan Arena, senior twins Brooke and Bailey Holle led the team to one last win with a 67-62 victory over Georgia State on Saturday.

In addition to the Senior Night celebration, the Bobcats brought in their second weekend sweep and kept their Sun Belt Conference Tournament hopes alive.

Brooke helped the team to victory by scoring 17 points, including going 4-of6 from behind the arc.

Bailey said the sisters focused on playing the game so they could secure the win for their teammates.

Texas State guard Bailey Holle, (33), goes through South Alabama defenders for a layup as twin sister and teammate Brooke Holle, (24), watches, Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Strahan Coliseum. The Texas State Bobcats defeated the South Alabama Jaguars 77-45.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

The Texas State Bobcats huddle and cheer before the start of a game against Georgia State, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Strahan Arena.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

“Brooke and I just tried to pretend that it was just any other game because we didn't want our emotions to get the best of us," Bailey said. "The team did a really good job of being locked in because they wanted this win for us just as much as we wanted it."

The Bobcats and Panthers spent the majority of the first half trading buckets until Texas State took a 28-26 lead into halftime. Neither side prevailed for the majority of the second half as the Bobcats went into the fourth quarter with another two-point lead, but Texas State pulled away after a four-point play

by Holle to go up 57-50.

Sophomore guard Kennedy Taylor also came up big with a three-point play with 3:58 remaining to give the Bobcats a 61-53 advantage.

Georgia State fought back and was able to cut the lead back down to three with 15 seconds left. Sophomore guard Da’ Nasia Hood finished them off by knocking down two crucial free throws with 10.2 seconds remaining in the fourth to close out the game.

Hood led the team with 18 points, followed by Brooke, who added 17 with 4-of-6 from three. Sophomore forward Jayla Johnson continued her strong performances from the bench, also finishing in double figures with 10 points.

Both Brooke and Bailey were honored for their four-season careers at Texas State after the game.

Brooke, who has started in every game for three consecutive seasons for the 'Cats, reached another career milestone

in the game as she landed a three-pointer in the final quarter. The shot was her 133rd career three-pointer, putting Brooke at seventh on the school's alltime list.

With a .351 season percentage, Bailey hits buckets behind the arc with the most accuracy on the team and ranks ninth in the Sun Belt. Bailey has seen time in every game for two consecutive seasons and appeared in 28-of-31 games her sophomore season.

Both Brooke and Bailey's scrappy defense ranks them at sixth and seventh in the conference in steals, respectively, with Brooke racking up 49 and Bailey bringing in 46 steals this season.

Head Coach Zenarae Antoine said it was important for the Bobcats to close out the final weekend at Strahan with two wins.

"I'm just really excited that we had the opportunity to get two wins on this homestand to cap Bailey and Brooke's

senior year and that's so important to me," Antoine said. “They said pain is temporary, but victory is forever, and I really do believe that.”

Earlier in the week, Texas State defeated Georgia Southern (9-19, 6-11) 72-68 Thursday morning for the annual Kids’ Game at Strahan Arena.

Students from San Marcos Independent School District arrived for the game, putting the attendance at 3,386—the third highest attendance for women’s basketball at Strahan Arena in program history.

Bailey gave the 'Cats momentum in the first quarter with back-to-back threes as the Bobcats and Eagles traded shots to start the game. Texas State pulled away at the end of the third to go up 57-49, but Georgia Southern quickly responded by going on a 12-3 run to take a 61-60 lead.

The Bobcats were able to successfully close out the game by knocking down six of their final seven attempts from the charity stripe.

Hood had her third double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Brooke and Taylor each added 13 points, while Taylor put up eight assists.

Taylor said that trust was key when it came to their first win in the Georgia homestand.

“We’re able to trust in our teammates,” Taylor said. “Being able to trust that they’re going to be in the right spot and make the right play when it needs to be made.”

The Bobcats are currently 10th in the Sun Belt Conference and will travel to Louisiana to take on the University of Louisiana-Monroe at 6 p.m. Thursday to battle for the final spot in the Sun Belt Tournament. ULM won 58-55 despite a fourth-quarter Bobcat lead in the last meeting between the two teams.

Sports Editor Claire Partain contributed to this article.

TRACK & FIELD

Sprinter earns co-women's top scorer, breaks school record

By Claire Partain Sports Editor Texas State's track and field teams each took third place in the Sun Belt Indoor Championship Meet on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and sophomore Sadi Giles did her part for the team by winning the 60-meter dash— twice.

Giles took her lane, got in her blocks and easily won the 60-meter race on Friday. It is her best event, and she had the top conference time going into the championship meet. She never found out her meet-winning time, however, because the clock kept running well over a minute after the last runner crossed the finish line.

Giles would have to go for the gold again.

She said that she was prepared to win the first time around and was upset that she would have to try another attempt.

"I was so ready for that 60," Giles said. "I was in the blocks just telling myself to push, push, push out, and I knew I was going to win. (After the race) I just walked away because I thought they could've given it to me anyways because I was far ahead."

The sprinter managed it once again and broke Texas State's school record along the way, hitting the finish line first with a time of 7.38 seconds.

Giles said she was most bothered about not knowing if she was faster the first time, but she had to mentally prepare herself quickly to win it again.

"I was just thinking that my first time could've been even faster, I just don't really know," Giles said. "I was just trying to think positively because after that I kind of got a negative vibe and I thought, 'I need to stop,' because I won, I obviously beat them once so I can beat them again. I was also thinking, 'what if I lost this time and someone else gets first,' so I had to switch from negative to positive."

After the 60-meter scandal, Giles went on to take the gold in the 200-meter dash with a personal best of 24.03 within an hour of her first

two races. The two races were enough to make Giles the co-women's top scorer at the meet.

Giles said that she was more apprehensive about the 200-meter because she knew she had stiff competition.

"My races were very close together," Giles said. "I was actually super nervous for the 200 because one girl's time was pretty close to mine, but I think I just had a lot of adrenaline at that point."

In situations like these, Giles believes that mental aspects are more important than their physical counterparts. Giles said that she wants to use her psychology major and exercise and sports science minor to open her own practice as a sports psychologist after graduation.

"I think that mental health in sports is just as important as physical," Giles said. "Being a mental coach or helping people with their mindset going into races and competitions is just as important as how ready your body is. I think it's an upcoming career."

As far as track goes, Giles is not sure if she will pursue the sport after graduation. A long-term goal has always been the Olympics, but she said role models such as former Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross (whose book she has) show her that she can still be involved in track after her athletic career and have other interests as well.

"When I was younger, I always said I would go to the Olympics, and I feel like I could do it if I really put my mind to it, but I've been doing track my whole life," Giles said. "(Sanya Richards-Ross) is a really good role model for me because she's still a sports commentator and starts new brands too, so she's showing me that you can still be involved after track but also progress in life."

For now, Giles is focused on the upcoming outdoor track season, securing first place once again and hopefully progressing to the NCAA National Championship Meet. Giles

said she can't get complacent as she looks ahead for the season.

"There's always room for change and there's always room for improvement," Giles said. "I feel like I'm a very humble person so I don't like to just stop and get comfortable with where I am because everybody's working hard and everybody wants first place. You just have to keep working hard no matter what."

GOLD JAYLEN ALLEN 400m (m)

JUSTIN BOTELLO

Distance Medley Race (m)

RONNIE BRISCOE Long Jump (m)

"I DON'T LIKE TO JUST STOP AND GET COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE I AM BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S WORKING HARD AND EVERYBODY WANTS FIRST PLACE. YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP WORKING HARD NO MATTER WHAT." -SADI GILES, SOPHOMORE SPRINTER

The men's and women's track teams combined for eight gold medals, four silver and one bronze at the Indoor Championship to each take the third place title. Moving forward, both teams will look to improve as they prepare for the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships on May 8-10.

Giles and Texas State track and field will get their first test of the outdoor season as they travel down Interstate-35 for the Roadrunner Invitational on Friday, March 20-Saturday, March 21 in San Antonio.

JOHEN DELEON

Distance Medley Relay (m)

NAOMI FERDINAND Triple Jump (w)

SADI GILES

60m (w) & 200m (w)

TAAHIR KELLY

Distance Medley Relay (m)

PEDRO OSORIO LOPEZ Distance Medley Relay (m)

JULIEN OLIVAS Heptathlon

KATHERINE STUCKLY High Jump (w)

SILVER MYLES ANDERS - 200m (m) JAVLYN CAMERON - 60m Hurdles (w) NOAH HERRING - Triple Jump (m) NAOMI FERDINAND - Long Jump (w)

BRONZE ARIANA EALY-PULIDO - 60m Hurdles

The University Star

8 | Tuesday, March 3, 2020

SPORTS

Claire Partain Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

SOFTBALL

Softball wraps up tournament play with three wins

By Colton McWilliams Assistant Sports Editor The Texas State softball team competed in the Capital Classic over the weekend, winning three games and losing two in Sacramento and Davis, California.

The Bobcats improve their record to 12-7 overall with one game left to go before conference play.

Though Head Softball Coach Ricci Woodard was disappointed in some of the losses, she said she was proud of how the team performed through the adversity.

“It didn’t go as well as we would've liked to obviously, but it also could’ve gone worse,” Woodard said. “I like doing this road trip to put them through a little bit of adversity and see how they handle it.”

For many of these players, the tournament was the first time they experienced playing in California.

Woodard said the West Coast experience was beneficial to the team because of the distance and different environment.

“It’s a four hour plane ride and a two hour time difference, so it’s always interesting to see how we were going to respond” Woodard said. “It could’ve gone worse and could’ve gone better, and it kind of told us where we’re at and what we need to continue to work on.”

helped put the Bobcats over St. Mary’s Gaels in a 5-2 win on Sunday. With a St. Mary’s RBI double in the top of the fourth inning that scored two runs, the Gaels cut the lead down to 3-2.

Vanderford’s home run put a stop to any Gaels comeback as the Bobcats buckled down for the 5-2 win.

Junior Meagan King took her fourth win of the season, allowing two runs on six hits and throwing two strikeouts.

Freshman Tori McCann recorded her fourth save on the season allowing no runs on one hit with two strikeouts.

UC Davis 4, Texas State 2 A four-run inning by the UC Davis Aggies was too much to overcome for Texas State as the Bobcats lost 4-2 in the final game of the tournament. Junior Texas A&M transfer Kylie George put together a great performance at the plate, going 2-3 at the plate with one RBI. Senior Dalilah Barrera took the loss for the game, allowing three runs on five hits.

SATURDAY Utah State 4, Texas State 2

A three-run inning in the bottom of the third was enough to push the Aggies over the Bobcats in a 4-2 loss for Texas SUNDAY State. The Bobcats’ offensive attack struggled to bring in their runners home Texas State 5, St. Mary’s 2 as Texas State left seven potential runs on base.

Freshman third baseman Sara Woodard said the ‘Cats' poor hitting Vanderford’s fourth-inning home run performance ultimately led to the loss.

“Well obviously Saturday morning we just didn’t swing the bats very well at all,” Woodard said. “Then we made a couple of mistakes to give them a couple of runs early in the game (and) we just couldn’t bounce back from it. We didn’t hit a couple of spots and they capitalized on it.”

The defense struggled as well, allowing the Aggies to score two runs on a wild pitch and one error. King took the loss on the mound, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts.

Texas State 6, UC Davis 2 A five-run outburst in the first inning put Texas State over the top in the 6-2 win over UC Davis Aggies.

Back-to-back doubles by junior infielder ArieAnn Bell and Vanderford combined for four RBIs between the two to cap the five-run first inning.

Barrera put together another great pitching performance for her fourth win on two hits, one run and five strikeouts, while McCann received her third save of the season.

FRIDAY Texas State 0

State

2,

Sacramento

McCann threw a complete game shutout as Texas State defeated Sacramento State 2-0 to kick off the tournament. McCann allowed zero runs on five hits with three strikeouts to improve her overall record to 4-3.

With the game tying 0-0 in the top of

the sixth inning, Tara Oltmann broke the deadlock with a right field single, scoring both senior infielder Bailee Carter and junior outfielder Marisa Cruz to ultimately score the only runs in the game.

PREVIEW By the time conference play begins on Friday, Texas State will have played in four different tournaments featuring five teams ranked in the Top 25.

Woodard said the tough competition helped the team see where they were before conference play.

“Really it's just kind of the parody of our sport, to try to get out there and see where we match up against other teams,” Woodard said. “At the end of the season it comes down to a number of wins and losses against other teams across the country and so sometimes it's good to get out there and see where you are.”

Woodard said she is proud of what the team has accomplished prior to playing in the Sun Belt.

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job,” Woodard said. “We played a pretty tough February and I'm pretty proud of where we finished. I would have liked to have seen a couple more wins there, but probably any coach would say that. I think we did a pretty good job with the tough schedule.”

Texas State hosts Texas A&M Corpus Christi at 5 p.m. on Wednesday before starting conference on the road against Georgia State in a three-game weekend series.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Texas State knocks off rival UTA in historic triple-overtime win

By Aidan Bea Sports Reporter Texas State (20-10, 13-6 Sun Belt) won their fifth game in a row Friday night at UT Arlington (13-17, 9-10 Sun Belt), defeating the Mavericks 85-83 in a triple-overtime thriller on ESPN 2. The Bobcats had previously lost nine away games in a row versus UTA dating back to 2010.

With the win, Texas State remains a game ahead of Georgia Southern and South Alabama for second place in the Sun Belt standings.

The Bobcats were led by senior guard Nijal Pearson and senior forward Eric Terry. Pearson continued his historic season with 24 points and an impressive 15 rebounds, while Terry kept his hot streak going by scoring 30 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Marlin Davis had a near triple-double with 14 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.

Texas State played with a solid team defense, holding UTA to just 33% from the field. On the other end, the ‘Cats Texas State sophomore guard Mason Harrell shot 43% from the field, leading to a 27attempts a floater over UTA senior forward 25 lead going into the break.

Jabari Narcis, Saturday, Jan 25, 2020, at Texas State struggled slightly in the Strahan Coliseum.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

second half, however, only shooting 35.3% from the field and 16.7% from three. As the Bobcats led by seven with 4:30 left in the half, UTA whittled down the lead and UTA’s sophomore guard David Azore tied the game with 26 seconds left to send the game into the first overtime.

The first overtime was tightly contested, with neither team going up by more than two points. Scoring was extremely hard to come by as each team only scored six points, ending the period 65-65.

The second overtime saw more scoring than the first as each team scored 11 points. UTA stayed in the game with six made free-throws in the period. Texas State led for most of the period but lost the lead late, leading into the Bobcats’ first triple-overtime since 2009.

Terry and Pearson took over to secure the win in the final overtime. Pearson hit a quick three off the opening tip to start the period, while Terry scored the gamewinning basket with a tough and-one under the basket.

Texas State faces South Alabama on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for their final game of the regular season. A lot is riding on

this game as the winner will have the second seed in the Sun Belt and receive a bye until the semifinals of the Sun Belt Championship Tournament. Both teams also have winning streaks on the line: while Texas State won five in a row, South Alabama holds a league-high with seven wins in a row.

The game holds even more importance as it is the first meeting between the two teams since Texas State knocked South Alabama out of the quarterfinals in the 2019 Sun Belt Championship Tournament.

Texas State will have their hands full on both sides of the floor. On the offensive end, South Alabama is tied for the best field goal percentage (47.2%) in the Sun Belt, while on defense, the Jaguars rank third in blocks per game (3.8) and fourth in steals per game (7.7).

The Sun Belt Conference Tournament will be held March 7-15, with the first three rounds held at home for the higherseeded team. If Texas State secures the win against South Alabama, they will get a bye to the semifinals at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Saturday, March 14. The conference finals will follow on Sunday, March 15.

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY welcomes new faculty and administrators to the College of Applied Arts.

Dr. Zina N. Alaswad

Dr. Ryan G. Anderson

Dr. Merritt L. Drewery

Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences

Assistant Professor, Agricultural Sciences

Assistant Professor, Agricultural Sciences

Ph.D., Iowa State University

Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Ph.D., Louisiana State University and A&M College

Dr. Leslie E. Green

Dr. Xiangping Liu

Ms. Sarah M. Urquhart

Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences

Assistant Professor, Agricultural Sciences

Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences

Ph.D., University of Georgia

Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park

M.F.A., University of Central Oklahoma

Dr. Jie Zhu

Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences Ph.D., Wuhan University

Ms. Kathleen M. Fritz

Assistant Professor of Practice, Family and Consumer Sciences

Mr. Ernest R. Gard, Jr.

Lecturer, Agricultural Sciences M.A., Brandeis University

M.I.D., Boston Architectural College

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Texas State University, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus.

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The University Star

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