HILLTOP VIEWS
St. Edward’s University • Wednesday, March 27, 2013 • Volume 33 • Issue 8 • hilltopviewsonline.com
Interest from endowment funds scholarship, aid Adam Crawley dcrawle@stedwards.edu
With the recent $20 million donation by the Munday family, the university endowment has risen to $76.8 million. The university endowment is a large sum of money that is not meant to be spent itself. Rather, it gathers interest over time. This interest is what the university can
spend. “Every time somebody gives us a dollar in If a dollar generates endowment... We’re going to spend what a nickel in comes off of it every year.” yearly interest, for example, a dol-Michael Larkin, vice president of University Advancement lar in a bank account would reliof University Advancement formula,” Larkin said. “Curably generate nickels to spend Michael Larkin said. rently that is set to be five every year. The university “The endowment produces percent of a three year averendowment operates along money every year, and there age. What does that mean? this analogy, Vice President is a thing called the spending It means it's not a strict five
percent. The fact is this dollar over three years is probably slightly less than a dollar. “ Essentially, due to inflation in the economy, a dollar will be worth slightly less in three years than it is today. “Every time somebody gives us a dollar in endowment, what we're basically doing is we're saying we're going to take this dollar and we're going to stick it in the bank and we're never going
to spend that dollar,” Larkin said. “We're going to spend what comes off of it every year. And then we don't have to get it from another source.” As the university endowment climbs, it will generate more interest to spend. Rhonda Cartwright, vice president of Financial Affairs, said the endowment contributes about .5 percent to the operating budget every year. DONATION | 2
Marketing department drafts new photography consent form Austin Hestdalen ahestda@stedwards.edu
Following the launch of the “Take on Your World” marketing campaign in March 2012, St. Edward’s University is advertising across different media and through various platforms. Advertisements can include photos that are taken specifically for that purpose, and more recently, photos provided to the university by students. The Marketing Department is drafting a new Authorization and Release Form to dictate exactly how the university can publish
photos provided to them by students, faculty or staff. Anyone who signs the new form gives consent to let the university “copy, exhibit, publish or distribute any and all photographs” he or she provides for use “in all forms and media throughout the world.” The previous Authorization and Release Form only referred to pictures taken by an official St. Edward’s photographer, not photos provided by a student. However, these two forms are for two different situations: the existing form is signed by subjects in photos taken by Marketing, while the drafted form
will be for people who are giving consent for Marketing to use personal photos. The person providing the photos will be asked to sign the Authorization and Release Form which gives the university consent to use the images for marketing purposes, including advertisments on billboards and television, in print and online. Previously, a concrete policy outlining the circumstances by which the Marketing Department could use photos submitted by members of the St. Edward’s community did PHOTO | 3
ESTIMATED AUDIENCE OF UNIVERSITY ADS
F
35
ST. EDWARD’S
I-35
3,142 followers
approx. 5,095 students & 950 faculty & staff
10,006 page likes
approx. 200,000 per day
Graphic Illustration by Hannah Smith Potential audience for advertisements on social media, on campus and billboards along I-35.
8 | LIFE & ARTS
12 | SPORTS
13 | VIEWPOINTS
Professor, musician and author Brother Muller, age 86, prepares for retirement.
Sports Editor Nolan Green weighs his March Madness picks against Obama’s.
Our View discusses the changes to the university’s consent policy for photos.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS 2 NEWS Donation amounts, tuition fees influenced by small class sizes Continued from page 1
Peer Comparisons
The majority of the operating budget comes from tuition and fees. “Over 90 percent of the operating budget revenue comes from tuition and fees. St. Edward’s current operating budget for 2013 is $146.6 million,” Cartwright said. Compared to its peer universities, St. Edward’s endowment is smaller than most. Two of St. Edward’s peers are Southern Methodist University, SMU, and Baylor University., Cartwright said. SMU’s endowment in May 2012 was $1.16 billion. Baylor’s endowment at the end of May 2012 was $964 million. The university’s small classes are the cause of both high tuition costs and the low endowment, Larkin said.
Small Class Sizes
“A university like St. Edward’s is a nonprofit organization. Unlike a business when you try to make money and give your profits back to shareholders, we’re just trying to not run at a deficit,” Larkin said. “Basically we’re just trying to make sure that we’ve got enough revenue to cover all the expenses.” By far the largest expense is faculty salaries.
“People want to know why a real good connection, it’s tuition is so high. Well, do hard to get those dollars,” you like your faculty? They Larkin said. have to be paid. That’s the Larger Endowment biggest expense,” Larkin said. Even if the endowment “UT’s tuition is less because raises further, this does not their classes are huge. The smaller the classes are, the more people you need. “Basically, we’re just You need more trying to make sure income. There’s a direct correlathat we’ve got enough tion between the revenue to cover all the tuition and what expenses.” you spend the money on, and -Michael Larkin, vice president most of what for University Advancement tuition is spent on is things that benefit the students, which are the teachmean tuition will necessarily ers, student services, Student be lower, Larkin said. Life, those things.” Harvard has an endowment The small classes result in in the neighborhood of $30 a high faculty-to-student rabillion, according to Larkin. tio, which explains the need If Harvard followed St. Edfor higher tuition. They also ward’s spending formula, it result in a comparatively low would generate $1.5 billion amount of graduates, which a year. means less potential donors “I don't know what Harthan a larger school. vard's budget is, but I do “The endowment now is know that they charge tuhalf the operating budget. ition. So they made a conThat’s not ideal, but you have scious decision. You could to balance that with the rerun ten St. Edward's Unialistic: people have to give it versities on the amount of to you. One of the challenges money that's being spun off that St. Edward’s always had from Harvard's endowment. was that when you have small But they still charge tuition. classes, you don’t get as many The premise is, they're going graduates … Unless you have
An example of how endowments generate usable interest $20 Million
What can be spent? The Interest: 5% ($1 Million) Graphic Illustration by Andrew Hatcher The $20 million dollar donation by the Mundays will produce $1 million of yearly student aid.
to give financial aid to people who can't afford it. But if you can pay, they're still going to make you pay something.” A larger endowment will mean more financial aid and scholarships to give to students, but tuition is still required to pay faculty salary and university expenses. However, just because a university has a large endowment does not mean it will have lower tuition, Larkin said. “In fact it's actually the opposite. And that is really counterintuitive,” Larkin said. “Because what it's saying is when you have a big
endowment, you're pretty successful, so therefore you can charge people who are willing and capable of paying. But at the same time what you're going to try to do is make it easier for people who can't.”
Private Schools
Another reason why tuition so heavily funds the operating budget is that St. Edward’s is a private school. Public schools such as UT receive tax dollars for financial aid, for example. A private school like St. Edward’s gets no such benefit. “Often times when the na-
tional media presents articles, they don’t explain the fundamentals and distinctions, for example why state universities have lower tuition: bigger classes and public dollars from taxes,” Larkin said. Over time, the state has cut the money that it gives. So every year, you need more tuition, more endowment dollars, and more state money, but the states been cutting money, and the endowment has to grow significantly to produce anything.” Additional reporting by Kristina Schenck and Katie Heim.
Terms and definitions to know Endowment – A financial asset donation made to a non-profit group, with a stated purpose that the donor wants the donation to fulfill. St. Edward’s is a nonprofit organization. Many organizations, such as St. Edward’s, keep the initial amount intact and use the interest generated to fund things. In St. Edward’s case, the majority of the endowment interest generated goes towards scholarships.
Non-profit organization – An organization that distributes any surplus funds it makes towards the organization’s wellbeing or goals rather than giving it to shareholders as profit. St. Edward’s is a non-profit organization and does not have shareholders. Additionally, it is also a private university, meaning it does not receive aid from tax dollars. Therefore, they must raise money through donations and fundraising.
University Advancement – The department of the university responsible for fundraising efforts that provide funding for projects and programs such as buildings and scholarships. It is their job to coordinate fundraising activities and programs, and to manage the endowment and ensure that gifts are managed properly. Alumni and Parent Programs is also located within this department.
NEWS 3
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Photo incident prompts second release form from Marketing Continued from page 1
not exist. University spokesperson Mischelle Diaz said St. Edward’s has just recently started using photos submitted by students for marketing purposes in the past six to nine months. “One of the reasons we’re using student photography is because more and more students are studying abroad and study abroad global educational opportunities and new partner campuses in other countries are a huge part of the university’s strategic plan and our job is to com-
municate that and illustrate tion (OIE) often work tothat and show that in action,” gether to create concepts for Diaz said. Paige Booth, the supervi“We are hoping to sor of Marprotect both our keting, would photographers and not provide i nformation ourselves from incidents concerning like the one that recently the amount of funding that occurred.” SEU uses on -Mischelle Diaz, director of advertising communications campaigns each year, but did confirm that Marketing and the Of- advertising study abroad profice of International Educa- grams.
Conflict arose regarding the use of images taken by students, faculty and staff came after a photo taken by alumnus Lindsley Howard was used in a poster advertisement for the OIE on campus without her prior knowledge. Howard’s photo was included in a stack of photos taken by another student who had been traveling abroad during the summer. The person who submitted the photos, one of which was taken by Howard, wished to remain anonymous, but confirmed that they did not sign an Authorization and Release Form.
Neither did Howard. Howard then contacted the Marketing Department and complained regarding the use of the photo in an advertisement. “Usually students are happy and excited to see themselves in posters around campus. I was very surprised she was so upset,” Diaz said. Diaz said the department was in the process of developing the new release form at the time the photos were provided. The photographer submitted the photos with the understanding that they would be used in the univer-
sity’s magazine, Diaz said. Following the incident, the posters were taken down at the request of the photgrapher Howard, and the student who submitted the photos. “Students have been very gracious in letting us use their photos. The way that we’re doing marketing is changing and we have the need to use these students photos and students most of the time are very happy to share those photos for us to use them but this release form will obviously safe-proof any misunderstanding,” Diaz said.
Anonymous confessions page draws varied student comments Brooke Blanton bblanto@stedwards.edu
Following the lead of many universities including the University of Texas and Harvard University, an undisclosed person recently started a St. Edward’s University Confessions page on Facebook. Students were invited to share their secrets using an anonymous link on SurveyMonkey.com. The confessions were then posted to the Facebook page. Since its creation on Feb. 11, the page had 710 likes and over 200 confessions at press time. The page administrators were unable to be reached for comment and have not posted any confessions in over three weeks. As of March 23, a new page was launched on Facebook with new confessions. The content matter of the confessions varies widely from admissions of illegal activity and wrongdoings to those of love and sexual encounters.
Most of the confessions are of negative opinions, such as “Why are we building a second science building and not a new theatre?” but a few represent a more positive side of the community, such as “I thank God every day that I ended up coming to St. Edward's. This is where I was meant to go to college.” The seriousness of the confessions also vary, from addressing abuse with “Was in a serious relationship with an abusive guy last semester and am still in counseling for it. Still hurts to think about it too,” to admissions of oncampus mischief, such as “I prank call members of the Student Government pretending to be Bill Clinton.” The Student Government Association declined to comment. Reception from the community has also been mixed. Sophomore Damion Laverne finds the page humorous. “I don’t really think the confessions page gives the school a bad name, and it shouldn’t,” Laverne said. Sophomore Krystal Joseph
agrees. “I believe that by keeping the page up, no harm will be done, and if anything it will just bring the university something to bond over and spread a few laughs,” Joseph said. Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Beth Eakman was unaware of the page until asked to give a comment. “You’ve got some people who I think are really being sincere and some people who are being creeps and other people that are writing fiction,” Eakman said. Since there is no way to tell who the confession is from, there is no way to verify its sincerity and truthfulness. Laverne estimated that 6070 percent of the confessions were true. “I don’t doubt some of the things happen here,” he said. Joseph also supposes the page is mostly true. “I believe just like any other university confession page there is mostly truth to the comments but a few over-exaggerations or lies,” she said.
“It may have some truth to it, but it doesn’t resemble what St. Ed’s stands for and what it represents.”
Eakman advises the confessors to find another outlet for their secrets. “We are Catholic, we have
professionals on our campus that you can confess to,” she said. “Go to someone that knows what they are doing.”
Facebook.com The St. Edward’s University confessions page allows students to anonymously post messages.
4 NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
BRIEF
Event educates students on drunk driving, alcohol poisoning Ali Montag amontag@stedwards.edu
To warn against the effects of alcohol, St. Edward’s University recently hosted an event put on by the St. Edward's Health and Counseling Center. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service brought the simulator to campus on March 7. The simulator was like a video game, with a chair, controller and screen, but with real life implications. The virtual car simulated the difficulties of driving under the influence. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has been using the simulator as part of its Watch Your BAC program. BAC stands for blood alcohol content. The program focuses on preventing
alcohol poisoning and driv- to the Texas Department of ing while intoxicated, DWI. Motor Vehicles, DMV. Both can be prevented with Just one DWI can have consideration for BAC said severe consequences, resultthe program's manager Bob- ing in a $2,000 fine, up to six bi Brooks. Brooks said that the symp“...the symptoms toms and and warning signs of warning signs of alcohol alcohol poisoning are poisoning are vomiting, seizures, vomiting, seiirregular breathing, zures, irregular breathing, stustupor, coma and por, coma and hypothermia.” hypothermia. If any signs are present, do not wait for them to wors- months behind bars, license en, find help immediately, suspension up to one year Brooks said. and an annual fine of $1,000 Every year in Texas, ap- for three years in order to proximately 2,000 deaths keep driving privileges, acoccur from accidents related cording to the DMV. The to drunk driving, according consequences increase with
POLICE BLOTTER Date
Time
March 5
11:42 a.m.
March 5
Incident
Photo by Ali Montag A group of students watches as one participant tests out the drunk driving simulator.
a second and third DWI, eventually resulting in a $10,000 fine, a two-year li-
cense suspension and two to 10 years behind bars. Texas has a zero tolerance
policy for any amount of BAC for drivers under 21.
VOICES ABROAD Location
Resolution
Injured student
Johnson Hall
Closed
2:17 p.m.
Student code of conduct violation
Premont parking lot
Referred to Dean of Students
March 6
1:20 p.m.
Theft of bike
RCC
Closed
March 7
5:26 p.m.
Welfare check
Main Building
Referred to Psych Services
March 7
6:55 p.m.
Theft of iPad
Ragsdale
Active
March 11
n/a
Damage to SEU property
Storage shed behind theatre
Referred to other SEU dept.
March 14
12:32 a.m.
Trespass
Apartments
Closed
March 15
8:09 a.m.
Damage to SEU property
Fondren Book Store
Active
March 16
5:15 p.m.
Theft of ladders
Library construction site
Active
March 17
1:17 p.m.
Burglary of building
Storage container by mule barn
Active
March 21
1:45 p.m.
Suspicious activity
3200 block of Congress
In progress
March 22
7:46 a.m.
Graffiti
Baseball field
Closed
March 22
12:37 a.m.
Harassment
SEU
Referred to Dean of Students
March 22
11:51 a.m.
Theft
Ragsdale
Active
Our writers are blogging from abroad. Follow their experiences online at: hilltopviewsonline.com/viewpoints/ voices_abroad/ Sophomore Hannah Thornby is blogging from Angers, France
Sophomore Willa Goldberg is blogging from South Africa
Sophomore Caitlin Maples is blogging from Koblenz, Germany
Sophomore Jenna Jaco is blogging from South Korea
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
games
GAMES 5
look for the answers to both games in next week’s issue!
check us out @ hilltopviewsonline.com
FOR WEATHER, SURVEYS, BLOGS AND ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FROM ALL OF OUR SECTIONS!
6
LIFE & ARTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Alumni work for major American play festival Mitch Harris rharris7@stedwards.edu
Actors Theatre of Louisville is now in the middle of its world famous Humana Festival of New American Plays. St. Edward’s University alumna Jessica Angima, who graduated in 2012, has a front row seat. The 37th Annual Humana Festival is a unique and Courtesy of Actors Theatre groundbreaking original play This year’s Humana Festival of New American Plays is about festival that has launched seeing humanity at its core, without the masks and disguises. many new works into the na“I look through old Huma- gian Play “Peer Gynt.” tional spotlight. Other plays at this year’s Three plays produced at na anthologies and see plays Humana have gone on to win that have been produced at festival include “The Delling Pulitzer prizes while eight Mary Moody Northen The- Shore” by Sam Marks, a tense have been adapted for televi- atre and throughout Austin,” drama between peer writers sion or film and five original Angima said. “It's thrilling to and their families, “Cry Old Humana Festival plays have be at the epicenter of where Kingdom” by Jeff Augustin, won off-Broadway’s highest those productions were the story of a Haitian artbrought to life and to witness ist’s escape to America and honor, the OBIE. This year’s festival proved the premiere of new Ameri- “Appropriate” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the tale of a to be brimming family paralyzed by the death with talent with “It’s thrilling to be at of its patriarch and shocked new works from the epicenter of where by the secrets uncovered. established playOn top of the full-length wrights such as those productions were productions, Humana also Sam Marks, Will brought to life and to holds an open 10 minute play Eno and Sarah witness the premiere contest that anyone in the Ruhl. country can enter. Three are The real goal of of new American chosen and produced at each the festival is to classics.” year’s festival. highlight emergWhile there are many play ing artists. That -Alumna Jessica Angima festivals in the country, Angiis what is most ma believes this one is special. appealing to An“We are the only new play gima, a development intern can classics.” Although Louisville, Ky., festival to fully produce these at Actors Theatre for their may be more than 1,000 new plays. This process by 2012-2013 season. “I am attracted and inspired miles away, Angima is not the production is really imporby the Humana Festival's only St. Edward’s alumnus tant to playwrights as part of commitment to producing working at Actors Theatre. the development of new work enriching and groundbreak- Kate Eminger who graduated and is one of the key reasons in 2008 is currently a direct- that the Humana Festival ing new plays,” Angima said. continues to be so influential Angima, who was a Theater ing intern for the company. Eminger assistant directed in the world of new play deArts major at the university, was very familiar with the Will Eno’s “Gnit,” a humor- velopment,” Angima said. The festival runs from Feb. prestige of Actors Theatre ous adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 17th century Norwe- 27 until April 7. and the Humana Festival.
WEEKLY ‘FLIX FIX | Chalet Girl Charming British romantic comedy defies tired tropes Clair Daly cdaly3@stedwards.edu
Weekly ‘Flix Fix takes the legwork out of wading through thousands of film choices on Netflix, bringing you the most truly bizarre, quirky and outright amazing gems instant streaming has to offer. Browsing through your Netflix Instant Watch page, you will find a pleasant surprise in Phil Traill’s “Chalet Girl.” As someone who is addicted to romantic comedies and corny ABC Family movies, I quickly stumbled across “Chalet Girl,” but found a completely different and more charming quality to it. The story follows a witty tomboy named Kim, played by the beautiful English actress Felicity Jones, who decides to get away from her dull job and life in England by working as a chalet girl in the Alps.
As a down-home Brit, she must learn to be “posh” as she works with richer ... and more handsome clients. Sounds a little cliché, right? However, Kim is still dealing with a tragedy from her past that adds a more realistic level to this film. Her father, played by British comedian Bill Bailey, adds some “beans and toast” humor that can only be found on BBC, but also reflects Kim’s melancholy past very well in a slightly more serious role. As a chalet girl, Kim is given lots of free time for herself. Missing her professional skateboarding years, she attempts to learn how to snowboard from her new happy-go-lucky Finnish friend, played by Ken Duken. Between snowboarding, new friends, and a birthday party gone horribly wrong, Kim accumulates a debt that she must pay off in order to
support herself and her dad back home. The only way she can get this money is to win a snowboarding competition. "Chalet Girl" follows her journey as an athlete with, of course, some romance and fun thrown in on the side. The film is star studded with actors such as Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, Nicholas Braun, Sophia Bush of "One Tree Hill" fame and Ed Westwick from "Gossip Girl." Although these experienced actors may play very stereotypical characters, they add their own layer to the film, if not with their acting then with their attractiveness. So do not be fooled by the generic cover, movie trailer or the cliché storyline. “Chalet Girl” is an inspiring story, chock full of Brit humor on top of that rom-com feel that you know you just cannot resist.
Jerilee Bennett/Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT The featured movie takes place primarily on the snow covered slopes of the Swiss Alps.
7 Eccentric sushi restaurant doubles as a promising music venue LIFE & ARTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Alexis Gonzales agonza27@stedwards.edu
Brand new restaurant WuWu Sushi is a “Sushislinging, Asian-fusion restaurant coming soon to East Austin,” as described on its Twitter account, Facebook account and official website. Among the thousands of events that were happening during SXSW this year, WuWu Fest was one that stood out. WuWu Fest was presented by Circus on the Moon, a growing and popular promotions company here in Austin, to promote the opening of the new sushi restaurant. WuWu Fest hosted over 80 bands during the March 12-17 week of SXSW. Those
bands included Ghostbunny, Syd Arthur, Cave Painting, T Bird and the Breaks, Megafauna, The Rocketboys who played on campus at Hillfest this year, Wild Child and TransContintental Trip. Along with Circus on the Moon, an audio, video, and live production company Werd, and a live-show recording company Deja Set and Vitamin Water were all sponsors that helped make this event happen. WuWu Fest was held at two locations during SXSW: The Russian House and the restaurant’s permanent location. WuWu Sushi is located in what has been described as the heart of the Eastside of Austin at 1407 East Seventh Street.
WuWu Fest provided SXSW participants and Austinites with free entry, sushi, drinks and live music. The event allowed free entry, but the restaurant and sponsors highly encouraged people to make donations to The American Red Cross of Central Texas. WuWu Fest allowed people to enjoy sushi that was freshly hand made and constructed into a cone-like roll that provided every bite with a soft crunch. The unique rolling techniques of the sushi allowed their California Roll to have the perfect balance of rice, crab and avocado. WuWu Sushi boasts that they will offer creative sushi rolls and a range of Asian fusion dishes.
On top of the enjoyable food, WuWu Fest provided an atmosphere filled with a variety of tunes surrounded by both sushi and music lovers. Austinites can expect to experience a different twist on the sushi dining world at WuWu Sushi. According to its website, WuWu Sushi will feature “sushi, graffiti-sprayed walls, live music, local beers, local wines and sexy cocktails." As a delightful bonus, the restaurant guarantees their customers plenty of parking in the rear location of the building. More information about their menu can be found on WuWu Sushi’s official website. The restaurant has post-
Photo by Alexis Gonzales Live music concerts at a sushi restaurant is iconically Austin.
ed a sneak peek of enjoyable food to come on their menu tab. WuWu Sushi has also posted plenty of pictures on Facebook of the artwork that will surround their restaurant that Austinites will be able to enjoy while dining there.
Fortunately for St. Edward's University students, WuWu Sushi is only about an eight minute drive from campus, so students should make sure to go try out and support this new restaurant once it is up and running.
New book presents the death penalty from the attorney’s view Ali Montag amontag@stedwards.edu
Susannah Sheffer, author of “Fighting for Their Lives: Inside the Experience of Capital Defense Attorneys,” which explores the emotional trauma that comes with representing a convicted criminal on death row, recently visited Austin to promote her book at Book People. Sheffer sat down with a Hilltop Views reporter to discuss her career and writing process. Ali Montag: How did you get started writing? Did you figure out that you wanted to write professionally in college or after? Susannah Sheffer: No, before college. I was writing pretty seriously as a young person. AM: Which book was the hardest to write? SS: Different books have been hard in different ways.
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT Sheffer’s book shows some harsh truths of criminal justice.
The particular challenge of this new book was exploring unfamiliar material, and what I mean by that is material unfamiliar to the attorneys. I interviewed lawyers about their personal experiences and they had never talked about that before. AM: Talked about having someone else’s lives in their
hands? SS: Exactly. The actual impact of that on them, is something they had never talked about. It was a wonderful challenge. AM: How did you choose that topic? SS: I work as a staff writer for an organization called Murder Victims Families for
Human Rights, which is for to death row ... the execufamily members of murder tion date is looming. The 20 victims and family members attorneys were all specialized of people who have been exin the end stage and had lost ecuted. We’re looking closely at least one client to execuat the impact of the murder tion. It’s not really possible to and the death penalty, asking pick one particular hearthow are people affected by wrenching story, everybody what happens to them, and had really powerful things by violence. That lends a nat- to say. ural outgrowth to be curious AM: Did you find that these about the impact on the capital defense attorneys. “It’s not really possible I knew some of to pick one particular them through heart-wrenching story, my work, and I became curious everybody had really about what it powerful things to say.” was actually like. AM: Who had the most interesting -Author Susannah Sheffer story out of those that you met? SS: I interemotions were still affecting viewed 20 attorneys who them, or that the ones who had specialize in the end stage of been in the business for longer capital defense, where they were becoming hardened? have already been sentenced
SS: The attorneys talked
about a lot of different traumatic impacts with these experiences, including sometimes numbness after execution, but not in a sense of being hardened, or unaffected, not at all. AM: What would you say the most important thing you learned from writing the book was? SS: That the impact of the death penalty is really broad, far reaching. It’s easy to think that if you take someone and execute them, that’s who you’ve affected, and it’s over, but in fact that practice affects a lot of people. AM: Would you say your book is an argument against the death penalty? SS: The book is not making an argument, but it’s looking at the impact, and with the facts, it’s very possible the reader might reach that conclusion.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS 8 LIFE & ARTS Music teacher and Holy Cross Brother to retire after 35 years Jacques Mercier de Rochettes jmercie2@stedwards.edu
Brother Gerald Muller will retire at the end of this spring semester with more than 35 years of teaching experience at St. Edward’s University. Muller has been teaching various types of music courses for more than 62 years in high schools and universities around the country. He started music very early and sang opera during his childhood. “I had a fine soprano voice. I was trained to sing opera and I knew how to sing properly,” Muller said. His musical career took him to San Antonio, where he sang opera, but also to many different places around the world such as Oregon, California, the Northeast, Wales and England. Brother Mueller sang, conducted and worked with celebrities such as Robert Shaw, the famous chorale director. “To sing with him was the highest honor,” Muller said. “I worked with the very best
Courtesy of Brother Gerald Muller Muller has been an integral part of New Student Orientation for the past several years now.
brother of Archbishop John Williams and Cardinal William Levada. When he arrived at St. Edward’s, he founded the present music department and he has been supportive of its development since then. “Thirty five years ago, I was
Courtesy of Brother Gerald Muller Muller is talented on many instruments including the keyboard.
choral directors around the world and I learned from all these wonderful people.” He also had the privilege to teach Don Williams, younger
a department of one,” Muller said. From nothing, he brought a music program to St. Edward's. He mentioned
that, when he came here, the pianos were out of tune, the sound isolation was terrible and he had to deal with a very tiny budget. “’How can you teach in this dump?’ Someone once asked me, for we could hear on the
blessed.” What he had to give, he gave to the university. He gave his talent, passion for music and even his inheritance, with which he bought four pianos for the campus. One of them is located in the Maloney Room. Muller is “It has been a great thankful for his time at St. run and I leave it with Edward's and no regret. I have no leaves with a positive spirit. more to give.” “It has been -Brother Gerald Muller a great run and I leave first floor everything that was it with no regret. I have no going on in the second one,” more to give,” he said. Brother Muller said, smiling. Muller’s students always In such conditions, he appreciate not having any worked hard to develop pressure and being able music at St. Edward's, in the to enjoy more music than city which later became the lectures in the classroom. Live Music Capital of the Muller is now ready to World. retire after his last semester Muller organized two teaching music history major concerts per semester, courses. conducting both the choir “I must say I have and the Omni singers. accomplished all my goals,” “We did lovely choir music,” Brother Muller said. Muller recalled. ”I was His goals of writing books,
going to the University of Notre Dame and doing music were all reached through his Brotherhood in the Holy Cross Congregation. Thus, Muller wrote a hundred books for children and several for adults. One is about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. These books are available for free online. “All the gifts God gave me were developed by being a Brother,” he said. He is very satisfied with what he accomplished at St. Edward's. The music department now includes 14 instructors, two among them who hold a doctorate and the best jazz people in town, according to Muller. Being a Brother of Holy Cross Congregation, he has lived a life of sacrifice and joy for the community of St. Edward’s. “The Brothers of Holy Cross are some of the besteducated Brothers in the world. We are a family, we spread the word of God, we love our students. We know them and teach them well. It’s a life of total giving. That’s the way it should be, what Jesus wants,” Muller said.
Courtesy of Brother Larry Atkinson Muller has been passionate about music most of his life.
After offering his life to God and others, at the age of 86 and with several health complications, Muller still rocks with a few St. Edward's students in the band Brother Muller and His Brothers. “My life is God and music. It has been amazing. I have been blessed. It is not an easy life, but is a happy life and a blessed life. It is all about faith, all God giving," Muller said.
Courtesy of Brother Gerald Muller Many students know Muller from his St. Edward’s based band.
LIFE & ARTS 9
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Organization unites non-profits with breakfast and original ideas “We want all the speakers tin-based business that helps to be from Austin or have companies create and manage pjaureg2@stedwards.edu some connection to Austin,” an online store. Creative Mornings, a non- said Ben Thoma, one of the “It is a great way for these profit with an emphasis on three directors behind Cre- companies to get involved in empowering local creative ative Mornings Austin. the Austin community and communities, will mark the Thoma, along launch of the Austin chapter with his co“To give Austin creative of its breakfast lecture series founders Brian with speaker Austin Kleon, a Thompson and people a platform to local Austinite and bestsell- Erik Proulx, wish share their work and ing author on April 5. to showcase what Creative Mornings is a se- Creative Mornwhat they believe... is ries of inspirational talks ings has to offer really powerful.” where speakers with a back- that is different ground in creative fields try from the many -Co-director Brian Thompson to spur conversation. other lecture orThe events take place once ganizations that a month on Friday mornings pass through while attendees enjoy a com- Austin. support something they beplimentary breakfast. A short “It is more about a focus lieve in, but also it is a great speech is performed that here in town and what this resource for people in Austin leads into a time for open town has to offer,” Thoma to discover great companies conversation. said. “We are all living here, they may not have heard of,” When the free tickets went we are all staying here. It is Thompson said. up for the event, it took a something that does not just Creative Mornings began mere eight hours for all of become a one-off.” in 2009 in New York City them to be reserved, with Thoma believes there will when its founder, Tina Roth more than 60 people regis- be plenty of local speakers. Eisenberg, decided to go on a year-long sabbatical from her work running a design studio. The series has since taken off and now consists of 49 chapters located across the globe, all with their own speakers, but united by a common monthly theme. Eisenberg was asked to give a keynote speech in Austin during the SXSW festival, during which she gave a sneak peek at the yet-to-bereleased overhaul to the Creative Mornings website that was funded by donations Courtesy of Alexis Wilson from fans. The organization had their launch party during SXSW this year. This global aspect to Creative Mornings is not sometered to attend. “Right now I don’t see a thing that the Austin orWhile Kleon is a much- problem filling the quota ganizers have overlooked, respected creative figure with with Austinites,” said Thoma. despite their focus on local his popular book “Steal Like Creative Mornings offers a benefits. an Artist”and his acclaimed sustaining form of conversa“There are people all around poetry collection “Newspa- tion that can help bridge the the world now that love and per Blackout,” it is also his gap between not only other are inspired by Creative place of residence that really creative people but local busi- Mornings,” Thompson said. interests the Austin Creative nesses as well, such as its first “To give local Austin creative Mornings team. sponsor, Volusion, an Aus- people a platform to share Phoenix Jauregui
Graphic Illustration by Cheyenne Barton There are 16 United States cities that currently hold monthly Creative Mornings meetings.
their work and what they believe with not only other creative people in Austin, but to feel that ripple out to other creative communities around the world, is really powerful.” Although the first event has sold out quickly, there
will be plenty more like it to come. Information about the upcoming events can best be obtained through the Austin chapter’s twitter @CM_ Austin as well as through their mailing list. “We did it for the city, and
we hope the city and community can be proud of it and find it to be very worthwhile,” Thoma said.
[slapdash] Wrong kind of bunnies
10
SPORTS Women’s tennis serves up four successive wins WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Nolan Green ngreen2@stedwards.edu
The No. 22-ranked St. Edward’s University women’s tennis team won their fourth match in a row on Friday against Southern Nazarene University. The tennis team’s run started after the first week in
March, coming off of a loss against Barry, the No. 4 team from Florida. Since that loss, the Lady Hilltoppers have beaten Heartland Conference rival Newman College and the highly ranked Drury University, as well as two other teams in the last two and a half weeks.
Senior Paige Rachel has been a large part of the team’s success, as she has won matches at the No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles spot. Those matches earned both comeback wins against Drury and Southern Nazarene. Against Drury, Rachel took the first set in seven games, dropped the second set 1-6
and came back to win the third set 7-5. Paige and her doubles partner Rafaela Haegele won in a tiebreak 9-8. Rachel was named Heartland Conference Player of the Week after two consecutive singles wins and four consecutive doubles wins. Haegele was also named
Heartland Conference Player of the Week. The underclassmen also came through in a big way with No. 5 singles sophomore Francesca Chahor and No. 6 singles freshman Katherine Sullivan winning their matches in two straight sets each. Sullivan also won her match 6-0, 6-0 against
Southern Nazarene. With under a month until the Heartland Conference tournament, the Hilltoppers have seven matches left, including two conference matches against the University of Texas-Permian Basin and their next match against St. Mary’s University on Thursday at 2 p.m.
ATHLETE PROFILE
Senior hopes to live and ride dressage in Europe post-grad Shelby Cole scole2@stedwards.edu
Senior Environmental Science and Policy major Ashley Shaw balances riding with work and school. She also participates in dressage competitions in Texas Shelby Cole: How long have you been riding? Ashley Shaw: What is twenty one minus three? Eighteen years? That’s a really long time! SC: What got you into riding? AS: My mom trained horses when I was little and I would go with her to the barn. I think that I just grew up with a natural passion for them. SC: Don’t you live on a ranch now? AS: Yeah! Now my mom has her own horse boarding and training business. SC: And I’m assuming you help out with her work there AS: Yes, so I have my own horses at her place, and I help train them with her. SC: What are your horses’ names? AS: Their names are
Courtesy of Ashley Shaw Ashley Shaw owns three horses and rides dressage.
T-Bone, Frankie and Stardust. SC: I know there’s dressage, trail riding and country western riding, but what kinds of riding do you prefer? AS: I prefer dressage. SC: Where all have you competed? AS: Just across Texas. There didn’t used to be a lot of championships nationally, it was pretty much just if you wanted to be in the Olympics, they have competitions for you. If you don’t want to do that, you just show in your region. This is the first year
that they have national championships, which I would like to do, but the horse that I show the most right now isn’t mine, so I don’t know if I’ll get to do that or not. SC: So there’s a chance you would get to compete at a national level, though? AS: Yeah, that’s what I would like to do: compete internationally. It’s kind of hard, though, because people who do that are sponsored. I don’t have that much money right now. SC: I know you don’t have
very much free time ever, but what do you do besides ride and school? AS: I garden! I’m the garden coordinator. I’m gardening right now, actually. I also like to paint watercolors. I like to eat lots of food ... and I work at a bar. SC: I know that you’ve worked really hard to pay for horseback riding, which is an expensive hobby to have. AS: I’m lucky because my mom owns a boarding facility and that’s why I can have my three horses. But anything else I do, like shows or anything else, I have to pay for all of that, in addition to school. SC: If I’m remembering correctly, you’re going to graduate in May? AS: Nope. I’m going to graduate in December. SC: Ok, so you have some time, then, before you panic. What is your ideal post-grad dream life? AS: Hopefully, I will be moving to Europe to do a horse internship. It’s basically a working student program. In Europe, the
horse culture is entirely different than it is here. A lot of the big trainers can have more ‘for fun’ help because it’s kind of like an art over there, like an art program. So I would like to go to Europe. I’m not really picky about where I go because getting across the ocean is the first major step, but maybe Germany or the Netherlands. You basically become an indentured servant. You live there, you do a lot of the barn work. It doesn’t necessarily pay, but they give you lodging and you learn to ride. SC: Learning from the best, basically. AS: Yeah. I’d like to go work for somebody who is competing internationally, but I don’t know yet. SC: I believe in you. Follow your dreams. AS: That’s what I feel like I want to do. I have the rest of my life to figure out that I’ve made the wrong decision, but I’m not going to be fit enough to get bucked off of horses and work twelve hour days outside for the rest of my
life, so that’s what I want to do first. If I decide that I need to go to grad school and get an office job because I get married or, you know, break an arm which are the same thing really, I can do that later. SC: I have a two-part question. Part one: have you ever witnessed a live horse birth, and part two: was it horrifying? AS: I have witnessed two live horse births. It wasn’t horrifying. Horses are really efficient at pushing babies out, so it took about fifteen minutes each time. Goats are a lot scarier because they scream like they’re being murdered. SC: Did you participate in the birthing process at all? AS: You don’t really have to do anything. You want to make sure that the momma understands that the thing that just came out of her is a child that needs to be taken care of. Beyond that, you shouldn’t have to help. I just kind of hung out. SC: I wish it was that way for humans. AS: Yeah, I agree.
SPORTS11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Austin named potential host city for 2024 Summer Olympics Mitch Harris rharris7@stedwards.edu
Austin has been selected by the United States Olympic Committee, USOC, as a possible host city for the 2024 Olympics. However, Austin was not alone in receiving a letter from the USOC. Thirty-four other American cities also received a letter, three of which, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, are also in Texas. Though the letter came on Feb. 20, 2013, Mayor Lee Leffingwell has yet to indicate
whether the city is interested in accepting the nomination. The letter is not an appointment, but rather a preliminary gauge of public interest for the global event that is more than 11 years away. It does, however, outline specifics that a host city must look into if it is to be considered. The city must have 45,000 available hotel rooms, an Olympic Village facility that can hold 16,500 athletes and coaches, a space for more than 15,000 media and broadcasters, an international airport that can deal with thousands
of international travelers per required for the games. day and a 200,000 person UT could provide the reguworkforce, according to the lation swimming pool, track letter. and courts for basketball, volAustin is more than qualified “The largest cause in terms of hotel rooms. More of skepticism is the than 50,000 potential bid for Austin were booked for SXSW the past is its airport.” two years. It is speculated that the city would strike a leyball and tennis. deal with the University of This is, of course, only if the Texas if it were to truly seek university agrees to put its the 2024 bid. The school has own summer athletics promany of the athletic facilities grams on hold for the sake of
the Olympics. Lady Bird Lake is a huge asset for outdoor water sports such as rowing. The Circuit of the Americas could also serve as a valuable venue because it can be transformed to hold nearly any sport. The largest cause of skepticism in the potential bid for Austin is its airport. The Austin-Bergstrom Airport is only one terminal with 25 gates. Compare this with 2012 destination London’s Heathrow Airport, which has 152 gates spread across 4 terminals.
SPORTS COMMENTARY
SPORTS CALENDAR
Return of Bulls’ Rose could spell doom for Heat Reagan Roehl rroehl@stedwards.edu
Just 11 months ago, NBA on TNT broadcaster Kevin Harlan spoke these fateful words: “holding on to his knee, holding on to his knee and down.” It was the day the world stopped turning in Chicago, as the Bulls’ All-Star point guard and league MVP Derrick Rose tore his left ACL in their playoff opener against the Sixers. But perhaps more significant than the initial reaction by Harlan were his comments that followed, “how about one guy, one injury changing the landscape of the Eastern Conference, and beyond.” Without Rose, the Bulls are a fringe playoff team with only a first round ceiling. But with him, Chicago poses the biggest threat to the defending champion Miami Heat in the East. The masses are quick to
Word is still out on whether the city of Austin is even interested in hosting the 2024 games, but, if so, there would be a lot of work to do. However, the mere possibility of another summer games in the U.S. is enough to get any Olympic fan’s blood pumping. If any of the 35 cities are chosen by the International Olympic Committee for the 2024 games, it will be 28 years since the last summer Olympics were held in the United States in Atlanta in 1996.
Chris Sweda/ Chicago Tribune/MCT Rose was injured last year.
forget the Bulls are just two years removed from facing the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and decisively jumping out to a 1-0 lead in that series. However, that squad hardly resembles the current. The vaunted “Bench Mob” consisting of Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and Omer Asik is
gone, replaced by the cast of Nate Robinson, Jimmy Butler, and Marco Belinelli. Former Bull Kirk Hinrich has been re-signed to provide depth at the point guard position and the addition of three-time All-Star Richard Hamilton was poised to link up a reliable knock-down shooter with Rose in the backcourt. However, the common denominator is very apparent; it’s the need for Derrick Rose’s return. He has been participating in 5-on-5 practices for a month now, and reports surfaced earlier this month that reveal he’s been medically cleared to play. All signs point to a return, likely before playoffs. But there’s still one hurdle left, and it’s mental. Rose’s game is built on explosion and aggressive cuts, and at the moment he simply doesn’t have enough trust in his surgically repaired knee. Without his return, the up-
start Indiana Pacers appear to be the best bet against the Miami Heat, who are currently on an unprecedented 27 game winning streak. With a dominant interior consisting of Roy Hibbert and a rough-and-rugged David West, the Pacers exploit the Heat’s lack of size and ability to rebound. But the fact remains, there is simply no answer for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who single-handedly propelled the Heat past Indiana in last year’s playoffs. Chicago, however, holds three key features that blueprint how to beat the Heat: a LeBron stopper, frontcourt size, and an explosive point guard. All-Defensive Team and All-Star forward Luol Deng is an elite onball defender, who is proven capable of sealing off James’ driving lanes. The Bulls also have excellent rebounders and defensive post players in Joakim
Noah and Taj Gibson who can alter shots defensively, and create second-chance opportunities on the opposite end. The most critical piece to the puzzle is Rose, who when healthy, is too athletic at the point for the Heat’s Mario Chalmers to handle. Although LeBron has been assigned to guard Rose in late-game situations in the past, he cannot guard him the entire game without exposing a size mismatch elsewhere on the floor. At this point, however, this is all hypothetical as Rose has yet to return. Is Chicago poised to unseat Miami, even with a full arsenal? It’s unlikely considering they average 92.8 points per game, second worst in the league, and struggle to find complementary scoring with or without Derrick Rose. “Da Bulls” are certainly capable, but they’ll need to have their catalyst and MVP back first.
MEN’S BASEBALL Thurs. 3/28 | 1 p.m. @ Oklahoma Christian Fri. 3/29 | 1 p.m. @ Newman Fri. 3/29 | 4 p.m. @ Newman Sat. 3/30 | 1 p.m. @ Newman
MEN’S TENNIS Wed. 3/27 | 2 p.m. @ Incarnate word Thurs. 3/28 | 1:30 p.m. vs. Laredo CC @ San Antonio
WOMEN’S TENNIS Thurs. 3/28 | 2 p.m. @ St. Mary’s Tues. 4/2 | 2 p.m. vs. Tarleton State
WOMEN’S GOLF Mon. 4/1 - 2 p.m. Grand Canyon Women’s Invitational
Nolan Green ngreen2@stedwards.edu
March Madness has lived up to its name in 2013. Other upsets aside, the Cinderella team this year is without a doubt the Eagles from Florida Gulf Coast University, FGCU. Not even President Barack Obama called the Eagles run from play-in to full blown giant killers, taking down Georgetown in the first round. In 75 years of NCAA championship play, no 15-seed had ever won two games. FGCU now holds a title in history as the only 15 seed to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. The most surprising fact behind this little known university? FGCU has only been in existence for 15 years and is only in its second year of NCAA eligibility. Obama does tout a near perfect South region as well as a perfect East region, not an easy accomplishment by
any means. Although he does have his Final Four picks still in play, he has some very risky picks with Florida winning their matchup against Michigan in the Elite Eight. Florida will have to face now in-state rival Florida Gulf Coast and if their play continues, will end up on the losing side of that battle. My prediction, FGCU by eight. His pick of Michigan over Kansas is one I wish I would have made, as Kansas struggled in their opening game and as Michigan finally reached their potential, winning their first two games with ease. In the Midwest, Michigan State has it wrapped up. With a small scare in the first round, the Spartans dominated the game against Memphis to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. They face Duke who has not faced much of a challenge. Louisville is favorite of many to win the tournament, but I believe Michigan State
coach Tom Izzo will make it to his second Final Four in four years. Obama’s perfect East bracket holds up well, with Indiana beating out Syracuse in the Sweet Sixteen and Miami in the Elite Eight and facing Kansas in the Final Four. The West region is where things get tricky. With Wichita State shocking No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 13 La Salle pulling off an equally as shocking Sweet Sixteen run, Wichita State and La Salle face off to see who will face Ohio State in the Elite Eight. Although the possibility of two Cinderella teams in the Final Four is an exciting thought, Ohio State is the logical choice. My bracket shows three of the four teams in the Final Four as Big Ten, which is highly probably given the teams remaining in the field with Michigan State being my obvious choice for National Championship. Better luck next year, Mr. President.
NOLAN GREEN’S BRACKET
Olivier Douliery/Abacausa.com/MCT President Obama’s picks have always been strong and his perfect East region is no different.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’s BRACKET
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS 12 SPORTS March Madness predictions: Hilltop Views vs. Barack Obama
ESPN.com
VIEWPOINTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
13
OUR VIEW
Marketing department addresses advertising controversy Initially, the camera was thought to steal the soul of its subject. This cryptic misconception fascinated both theorists and advertisers, especially since photographs are reproductions of reality. Recently, advertising photographs have caused a conflict on the St. Edward’s University campus. Just take a look around campus and you will realize that St. Edward’s is a rapidly growing community. Buildings are being constructed, more specializations are being implemented into curricula and the student population is increasing quickly. Because St. Edward’s is becoming a more diverse and
globally conscious community, it only makes sense that the St. Edward’s Marketing Department would enhance its efforts. That being said, Marketing should have considered the increasingly public nature of St. Edward's advertisements, especially when dealing with the representation of the student body. Attempting to build a more globally connected brand, Marketing creates advertisements featuring photographs of students who have studied abroad. However, one of these photographs featured a St. Edward’s student who did not consent to be photographed for an advertisement. Even if the St. Edward’s
student would have consented to be in a study abroad advertisement, the fact that Marketing did not inform the student about their role in these images is irresponsible. In light of this conflict, Marketing is creating a new “Authorization and Release Form” that will acquire not only the consent of the student photographers, but also the students featured in the photograph. According to the “Authorization and Release Form,” by signing this release form, you are allowing St. Edward’s “to copy, exhibit, publish or distribute any and all photographs” that you have personally provided to the university. The mediums that these
images can be disseminated student must notify the Marinclude, but are not limited keting Office in writing. to “print, billboard, radio This is a valiant effort on and television advertising, Marketing’s part. websites, social media, and uniBecause St. Edward’s versity and other third-party apis becoming a more proved publicadiverse community, tions.” it only makes sense These photographs can be “in that the Marketing whole or in part, Department would in all forms and media throughenhance its efforts. out the world and in perpetuity for purposes of publicizing or While addressing the adadvertising the university and vertisement debacle by forits programs, or any other mulating concise guidelines ethical and lawful purpose.” does not exactly excuse the Moreover, if a student de- flawed situation, it does encides that he or she wants to sure that something similar revoke this authorization, a is less likely to occur in the
future. Acquiring permission before using an individual’s photograph, whether that individual be photographer or subject, is both responsible and ethical. With countless tales of copyright infringement and licensing issues on mediums such as Flickr and Facebook, understanding when an institution is authorized to use a photograph is important, not only on the Internet, but also in the real world. Also, the Marketing Department’s new “Authorization and Release” form exposes the significance of establishing a steady and open form of communication between college departments’ and the student body.
Texas legislators should consider concealed carry laws carefully Michael Darling mdarlin@stedwards.edu
Late last month, the Arkansas state Senate voted to allow colleges to decide whether they will allow concealed weapons on campus. This decision comes at the heels of Texas lawmakers filing similar legislation in January. Ostensibly, both of these legislative actions represent a conservative answer to the question of how to prevent crises like the Sandy Hook shooting, which ended 2012 on a bleak note. What would it look like if such legislation were passed here in Texas? More locally, what would it mean for the students of St. Edward’s University and the University of Texas at Austin? Answering these pertinent
questions requires a close examination of the current Texas concealed carry laws. As the laws stand, only law enforcement officials or other
individuals with government clearance are currently allowed to carry a firearm at a “non firearms-related school, college, or professional ath-
Rick Hartford/Hartford Courant/MCT Demonstrators supporting gun ownership in Hartford, Conn.
letic event,” according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. If passed, the proposed legislation in Texas would allow anyone who has gone through the required class and processes to obtain a concealed carry license to have a concealed weapon on their person at any college or university that votes to allow it. While St. Edward’s and UT-Austin are two of the least likely schools in Texas to vote to allow concealed carry on campus, what would it look like if they did? At the most obvious level, there would be many more guns on campus at both schools. Taking into account the raw numbers, this would probably lead to more gun crime.
There were 12,664 murders in the United States in 2011, and 8,583 of them were caused by firearms, according to FBI crime statistics. The US also has the highest rate of gun ownership in the world, with 89 guns per 100 citizens. In England, there are only six guns per 100 citizens, and the firearm murder rate much lower in proportion. In 2011, only 58 murders by firearms took place, according to British crime statistics. This number is roughly 30 times lower per capita than in the United States. Clearly, more guns are not the answer to the growing problem of mass shootings. In fact, the extremely lax gun control laws in the United States as compared to other developed countries might be
the main contributor to such violent incidents. While the majority of Austinites would probably be against the legislation, some St. Edward’s students are speaking out in favor of it, such as junior Vicky Villalobos. “If [students and teachers] have a permit for [concealed weapons], I don’t see how it’s a problem,” said Villalobos. With such a polarized issue, the debate over the proposed legislation is set to be heated. Hopefully, Texas legislators will take into account the empirical data before making a final decision. Sadly, Texas legislators have a bad track record for decision-making, especially under Governor Rick Perry’s regime. We shall see how they choose to handle this issue.
14 VIEWPOINTS Undergraduates must face the reality of unpaid internships Lesli Simms lsimms2@stedwards.edu
you are forced to wonder if all this experience is not just a waste of time. Truthfully, unpaid internships are glorified volunteer work. You should know that now. More often than not, you are assigned tasks that your boss would have to do. Your boss should write all those blogs and enter all that data. If your boss or supervisor did that work, he or she would get paid for his or her effort and services. That is a hard realization. For the organization or company where you intern, the work you do is essential. Someone has to do it. This means that, for undergraduates, there are two truths that have yet to be reconciled: internships have become an essential requirement for most post-graduate plans, yet many students simply cannot afford to be interns because internships are unpaid. Some students need some income to sustain them in their financial situation. Especially at a private institution, increasing numbers students need some kind of part-time job. Students cannot afford to be interns if an internship does not help them pay rent.
As unpaid internships become normal, growing numbers of undergraduates must face the ethical dilemma of being expected to work without getting paid. The importance of internships has become increasingly great as every undergraduate student moves closer to graduation. In college, it seems that obtaining an internship is just as important as obtaining the Bachelor’s degree. If your résumé is void of an internship then everyone seems to wonder what you have been doing for the past four years. You know, besides completing 90 plus hours in four years. That part is irrelevant without an internship. For undergrads, those everimportant internships are widely unpaid. Honestly, internships are unpaid 9.5 times out of ten. Though students’ internships are unpaid, they are still expected to treat the internship as your first professional job. Regardless of whether the internship counts towards class credit, internship supervisors and bosses expect students to be professional. That is fine, even understandable, but there is still that nagging issue of “Unpaid internships not getting paid for hard work. are at the bottom of Typically, interns the murkiest swamp, progress from and students have doing grunt work such as data enalmost no way of try to more interescaping.” esting projects. Even though they gain more responsibilities, they still are As much as they would want not getting paid. to intern for a publishing Sometimes, as an intern, house or a state representa-
tive, they need their jobs. For those students who simply cannot afford internships, their résumés will probably be placed at the bottom of the pile because they do not have internship experience. Theoretically, a student could work in eight different internships during her entire undergraduate career. It seemed like an internship always guaranteed a job. That salaried light at the end of the plebeian tunnel, if you will. Now, that is not necessarily true. The student worked eight semesters of unpaid without the guarantee of job at the end. Sure, she could walk away with a stellar letter of recommendation. However, that recommendation will not pay back the loans she took out so she could do unpaid work for an entire semester or year. Imagine the frustration some students must feel when they find that diamond internship. The internship is stellar, but then they scroll past requirements to see that the internship is unpaid. Or, imagine students who have been a dedicated interns for an extended period of time. They have no guarantee of a job, yet they are expected to remain loyal and professional to an unpaid position. Students have to decide that their services deserve a paycheck at some point, yet that is an incredibly awkward position to be in. With no guarantee of a job, they have to start at the bottom of another organization. Unpaid internships are at the bottom of the murkiest swamp, and students have almost no way of escaping. For all their hard work, interns should at least be paid.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Functionally cured toddler could mean the end of HIV Sam Jackson sjackso8@stedwards.edu
The human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, and its companion disease autoimmune deficiency syndrome, AIDS, has continually ravaged the entire world since its’ appearance in the 1980s. To be diagnosed with it is not only a potential death sentence, but a terrible stigma as well, since the disease’s first human origins were in drug users via infected needles, and in gay men. In the early days the disease Carr/MCT was thought to be exclusive Map showing the number of children with HIV by country. to them. Because of this stigma, has never been used before. remission. patients with HIV/AIDS Immediately after the Other researchers are must deal with the fact that news broke, the media questioning whether the they will potentially be os- pounced on it, and the inci- child was even infected to tracized or feared by people dent is the first ray of light begin with, which would who know about their con- to HIV patients in years. have just made the aggresdition. But do not get too excited sive treatment another The United Nations es- just yet. method of common preventimated that in 2011, 34 This is good news, but it tion due to babies born of million people infected mothers. were living This is not the first in“We can take a minute stance of someone being with HIV/ AIDS worldcured of HIV either. to celebrate, because wide, 2.5 milTimothy Brown, aka the at least one life on lion people “Berlin patient”, was strickwere newly inen with a vicious double this earth has been fected and 1.7 whammy, HIV and leukepotentially freed of a million people mia. have died due vicious virus.” However, he received a to the disease. bone marrow transplant We have from an HIV resistant domanaged to nor, and a year after the hold it in check with special may not be the end of HIV treatment, no traces of HIV medicine, but all the while, quite yet, so people should were found in him. This any hope of a cure seemed not get tied up in false hope. was even more surprising, so far out of reach as to be A full cure is likely still years because at that time it was laughable. in the making, barring some thought HIV was imposBut new developments put other miracle. sible to cure. a cure within reach. We should wait calmly We can take a minute to A baby in Mississippi and see what scientists and celebrate, because at least who was infected with HIV doctors discover in these one life on this earth has at birth was “functionally findings. potentially been freed of cured” after being treated Plus, “functionally cured”, a vicious virus. But at the with antiretroviral drugs according to researchers, same time, we must temper shortly after birth, an un- is not the same as actually it with logic and patience for conventional technique that cured. In fact, it is more like a cure for everyone.
VIEWPOINTS 15
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Amy Poehler’s forthcoming memoir will inspire and empower Mitch Harris rharris7@stedwards.edu
You may not be inclined to agree with the old adage, “Blondes have more fun,” but if Amy Poehler is any indication, you might want to go out and get some hair dye immediately. Amy Poehler lives the comedic American dream. She’s beautiful, talented, hilarious, a strong voice for women’s empowerment, best friends with Tina Fey and, like Fey, she is now an author. Set to hit bookstores in fall 2014, the nature of Poehler’s book is still rather ambiguous. Will it be a gossipy tellall of her rise to fame and rocky relationship with Will Arnett? Will it be a hodgepodge of personal stories and witty repartee like Tina Fey’s
“Bossypants”? Will it be a moving memoir of the difficulty of being a woman in the world of comedy? The only clue we have is from her publisher, HarperCollins. “While inspired in part by Poehler’s interest in helping young women navigate the adult world, her original twist on the conventional memoir will have universal appeal. An illustrated, non-linear diary full of humor and honesty and brimming with true stories, fictional anecdotes and life lessons, the book will be a unique and engaging experience from one of today’s most talented and beloved stars,” said the HarperCollins press release. The world of young women’s empowerment is not a foreign one to Poehler. Since 2008, Poehler, along with a
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Hilltop Views is a weekly student newspaper published by the School of Humanities and serving the community of St. Edward’s University. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the university, whose mission is grounded in the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church. Letter Policy: Hilltop Views welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for space, grammar and clarity. Letters will be published at our discretion. Anonymous letters will not be printed.
Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/MCT Amy Poehler is the star of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.”
few friends, has run Smart Girls at the Party. The organization teaches girls to “change the world by being yourself,” as their motto states. The most notable facet of Smart Girls at the Party is Poehler’s YouTube series “Ask
Amy” in which users can submit life questions directly to Poehler which she then answers in the next video. Poehler has covered body issues, makeup, anxiety, rocky friendships and a myriad of other issues that plague to-
day’s young women in her YouTube series, and she does so with the utmost sincerity and concern. Poehler is a mother to two young sons, Abel and Archibald Arnett. She is not only a strong, independent woman and mother, but she also helps other women to be strong and independent. Poehler is a great role model for women and girls in the real world, as she has shown through things like Smart Girls at the Party and “Ask Amy.” She also plays a great role model in the world of television. Her character Leslie Knope in the hit NBC comedy series “Parks and Recreation” epitomizes this type of strong, proud woman, working in the potentially hostile environment of the political “boys club,” as she calls it.
It seems likely that Poehler’s personal mantra reflects her character’s mantra, which she states in a “Parks and Recreation” episode, “Pawnee Rangers.” “I am a goddess, a glorious female warrior. Queen of all that I survey. Enemies of fairness and equality, hear my womanly roar,” Knope says and proceeds to roar vigorously. Knope has already proven to be a great champion for women and girls. She is a successful comedian and actress. She is a mother. She is a role model on and off screen. She is a goddess. She is a glorious female warrior. We can only assume that Poehler’s literary debut will be equally as funny, inspiring and empowering as the rest of her work.
Media negatively influences body image Alya Salem asalem@stedwards.edu
“I hope I’m helping women to embrace their own bodies … to understand they don’t have to be small to succeed,” said gorgeous, plus-size model Robyn Lawley. Lawley’s goal helps explain the issue of body image today. Women should feel proud of what they have and realize that everyone has insecurities. Body image today is so oversaturated in the media that it negatively affects any woman. Women should not care so much about their appearance because it hurts their self-confidence. One reason girls in this generation are not confident is because they do not feel attractive or “pretty” enough.
They think they must obtain after bulimia and binge eatthe perfect appearance in or- ing disorder. der to look like the fashion Both anorexia and bulimia models and actresses they see nervosa are terrifying illnessin magazines and on televi- es. They affect anyone, male sion. and female, physically, menClearly other things in life tally and emotionally. are more important. Being stick“Women should not thin is not going to make a woman have to compare happier or change their appearance to life for the better. What is exother women or feel tremely horrifynegatively about the ing is the way the way they look.” web and media glorify eating disorders and thinness. Some girls tend to delve The good news is there is into an unhealthy lifestyle by still hope. developing an eating disorSome influential figures in der. the media, such as plus-size Specifically, among teen- model Robyn Lawley, are tryaged girls, anorexia is the ing to send a positive message third most common illness to every woman who wants to
feel beautiful inside and out. American plus-size model Kate Dillon said, “What really makes you sexy is what you project, your confidence and your self-awareness, having a great sense of humor and being really smart” The media should stop showing so many images of women that girls, in society, today perceive as “perfection.” Airbrushing pictures on magazine covers is not fair because first, the images are not real, and secondly it is not ethical to make a profit from these fake images. Women should not have to compare their appearance to other women or feel negatively about the way they look. Being seemingly “perfect” or “sexy and skinny” is not going to help them succeed in the real world.
16 PHOTO ESSAY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 • HILLTOP VIEWS
Holi
St. Edward’s University students attended the annual Holi Festival at the University of Texas at Austin March 24. Also known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is a Hindu holiday. The event was hosted by UT-Austin’s Hindu Students Association. During Holi celebrations, colored powders are thrown on all people, giving the event its festive name. This year, Student Life organized an excursion for St. Edward’s University students to the University of Texas campus to participate in the celebration.
PHOTOS BY: JOE ARELLANO