1
THE DAILY TEXAN Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
Blogs evolve, devolve in short time period while incorporating social aspects
NEWS PAGE 5
LIFE&ARTS PAGE 12 >> Breaking news, blogs and more: www.dailytexanonline.com
TODAY Calendar Kinky Friedman at Cactus Cafe Texan icon and country singer set to perform in the Texas Union at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.
‘Ghetto Klown’
Film and comedy legend John Leguizamo will be on stage at the Paramount Theatre at 8 p.m. performing his oneman show. Tickets available for purchase online.
@thedailytexan
facebook.com/dailytexan
Spending limits affect SG campaigns By Jody Serrano Daily Texan Staff
Stu d e nt s s e ek i ng a p o s i tion in Student Government may face a pricey challenge in the 2012 general elections because of new rules stating violation fines will now be deduct-
ed from a candidate’s total campaign spending limit. Pa ss e d on Jan . 1 7 i n an amendment to the University Election Code, the new rules state a candidate may not exceed more than 20 percent of his or her spending limit for a campuswide election. This includes any
material or service candidates purchase for their campaign as well as any fines incurred from campaign protocol violations. Any candidate who spends more than $1,080, or 20 percent of their spending limit, will be disqualified by the Election Supervisory Board, the student-ap-
pointed group that oversees all campus-wide elections. The new provisions also extend the Board’s jurisdiction to include off-campus sites like the University Co-op and the Dobie Center. Candidates are still allowed to set
SPENDING continues on PAGE 2
Cabs to add peak hours fee
DRUGS continues on PAGE 2
The two bands will have their limited edition 7-inch split record release at Mohawk. Tickets are $8 and the show starts at 8 p.m.
‘Manual of Love’
Today in history In 1971
Satchel Paige becomes the first Negro League veteran to be nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff
Jaimie, who declined to give his last name, gets in a taxi downtown Wednesday evening. Beginning on Monday, Austin taxis will start charging a $1 surcharge for passengers riding during peak evening hours every day of the week.
Austin taxi services will begin charging a $1 fee per passenger during peak evening hours in less than a week, city of Austin public information spokesperson Leah Fillion said. The Austin City Council voted in favor of the fee proposal on Feb. 1 as the city of Austin con-
different crowd, Fillion said. Austin taxicabs have a high demand in the evening, and the city of Austin wants to ensure that passengers looking for a cab are able to find one, she said. The $1 surcharge will go into effect on Monday, Feb. 13 and will occur from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. everyday. City Council members are also proposing an additional surcharge
University in negotiations to purchase Players land By Liz Farmer Daily Texan Staff
7-8 p.m. Sports With Schmucks Your student-run sports commentary on local and nation sports, including everything burnt orange.
11 p.m. - 12 a.m Brown Water The greenest jams in sludge/ stoner/doom/southern/ beardcore.
The University is in negotiations with Players Restaurant to purchase its land near the UT AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The UT System Board of Regents approved the University to begin negotiations at the Regents meeting on Wednesday. The University has a troubled history in its previous attempts to acquire the Players land on MLK Boulevard, said Eric Hirst, associate dean for business graduate programs. The appraised value of about half of the land is $696,925, according to Travis County
By Kayla Jonsson Daily Texan Staff
TAXICAB continues on PAGE 2
Marmalakes and The Sour Notes
tinues to help regulate the local taxicab industry, ensure its safety and make sure drivers are certified, Fillion said. Since each contractor chooses his or her work hours, the $1 surcharge will provide an incentive for Austin taxi drivers to offer more rides in the evenings, she said. Evening service is more difficult for taxi drivers than nonpeak hours and encompasses a
DPS to create prescription database to prevent drug abuse
if intoxicated passengers vomit while riding in a taxicab. Yellow Cab Austin general manager Ed Kargbo said the city of Austin’s initial proposal was to charge a $2.50 fee per passenger during peak hours, which would have given the city of Austin the highest drop rate in the state of Texas. The drop rate is the dollar
Bevonomics: Living Off-Campus will help familiarize yourself with popular student areas offcampus and around Austin, expenses, safety and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. The workshop is at WAG 420 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
By Alexandra Klima Daily Texan Staff
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The process of “doctor shopping,” or when patients see multiple doctors to be re-prescribed medication without the previous doctor’s knowledge, will become more difficult for prescription drug abusers this summer. After years with a hard copy request through the mail as the only way for doctors to learn if a patient has been prescribed the same drug by multiple doctors, the Texas Department of Public Safety plans to unveil an Internet database which will inform doctors of the patients’ prescription history before they leave the office, the DPS told The Daily Texan in an email. There are currently prescription drug monitoring programs operating in 36 other states; an additional 11 states and Guam have also enacted legislation for their own programs. DPS representatives said the database is an attempt to prevent patients from abusing and distributing drugs obtained from multiple prescriptions. DPS representatives said the database is one of many tools a practitioner can use to make a professional decision about prescribing a patient a drug. “The goal is to provide a single database record of all prescription transactions within the state of Texas in order to take a proactive approach to prevention, assist with criminal investigations, provide historical reporting and identify trends,” DPS representatives said. Because of privacy laws, only doctors, pharmacists and police will have access to the database, DPS representatives said, and doctors will not be required to look up a patient each time a drug is
Life off campus
I Film del Circolo screens Giovanni Veronesi’s Italian blockbuster love comedy “Manuale d’amore” (“Manual of Love,” 2005). The film follows four different couples, focusing on four stages in a typical love relationship. In Italian with English subtitles at MEZ B0.306 from 8-10 p.m.
Aquatics center will use city of Austin’s property
SOFTBALL PREVIEW
property information. Official UT sources could not confirm future building plans for the land. However, Hirst said the plot is attractive to any school hoping to expand and said the business school is currently toying with ideas for a new building to house the MBA graduate program. He said current McCombs business school classrooms do not allow for teamwork, which he said is essential to the program. “When we look at our current facilities, we’re not able to do what management does,” Hirst said. “That affects our ability to engage in teaching.”
More photos from Wednesday’s softball practice can be seen online, and for an in-depth look at this year’s softball season check out The Daily Texan’s 2012 softball season preview on page 7
bit.ly/dt_softball
PLAYERS continues on PAGE 2
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff
Feb. 11 - Apr. 1 th
35 Miles East on 290
Saturdays & Sundays & Spring Break - Friday, March 16th
st SherwoodForestFaire.com
2
NEWS
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Life & Arts Office: (512) 232-2209 dailytexan@gmail.com Photo Office: (512) 471-8618 photo@dailytexanonline.com Comics Office: (512) 232-4386 dailytexancomics@gmail.com Retail Advertising: (512) 471-1865 joanw@mail.utexas.edu Classified Advertising: (512) 471-5244 classifieds@dailytexanonline.com
The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. I f we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@dailytexanonline.com.
COPYRIGHT Copyright 2012 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in the print and online editions, are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission.
TOMORROW’S WEATHER Low
High
48
62
Queefer.
THE DAILY TEXAN
Permanent Staff
This newspaper was printed with pride by The Daily Texan and Texas Student Media.
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Viviana Aldous Associate Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matthew Daley, Samantha Katsounas Managing Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audrey White Associate Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aleksander Chan News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jillian Bliss Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Victoria Pagan, Colton Pence, Nick Hadjigeorge Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kayla Jonsson, Sarah White, Liz Farmer, Jody Serrano Enterprise Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matt Stottlemyre, Huma Munir, Megan Strickland Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elyana Barrera Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandra Feuerman, Arleen Lopez, Klarissa Fitzpatrick Wire Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin Myers Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Benavides Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Collins, Bobby Blanchard, Betsy Cooper, Natasha Smith Special Projects Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Simonetta Nieto Multimedia Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Edwards Multimedia Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackie Kuenstler, Lawrence Peart, Fanny Trang Senior Photographers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Allison, Elizabeth Dillon, Shannon Kintner, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebeca Rodriguez, Zachary Strain Senior Videographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Demi Adejuyigbe, David Castaneda, Jorge Corona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Dillard, Andrea Macias-Jimenez Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Stroh Associate Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Nguyen Senior Life&Arts Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Lee, Anju Mehta, Eli Watson, Alex Williams Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sameer Bhuchar Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christian Corona Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Cremona, Austin Laymance, Lauren Giudice, Chris Hummer Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ao Meng Associate Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Victoria Grace Elliot Web Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Sanchez Senior Web Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William Snyder, Stefanie Schultz Associate Web Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hayley Fick Editorial Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Warren
Ashley Baker
Natalie Butler
ALLOWED TO SPEND
Advertising
(512) 471-1865 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director of Advertising & Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jalah Goette Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lori Hamilton Business Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Ramirez Advertising Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CJ Salgado Broadcast & Events Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carter Goss Campus & National Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Bowerman Student Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ryan Ford Student Assistant Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Veronica Serrato Student Acct. Execs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted Sniderman, Adrian Lloyd, Morgan Haenchen, Ted Moreland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paola Reyes, Fredis Benitez, Tyrell Elegonye, Zach Congdon Student Office Assistant/Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rene Gonzalez Student Marketing Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allison McMordie Student Buys of Texas Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Hollingsworth Student Buys of Texas Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Suzi Zhaw, Esteban Rivera Senior Graphic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Felimon Hernandez Junior Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aaron Rodriguez Special Editions Adviser & Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adrienne Lee Student Special Editions Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine Imperatore
The Daily Texan (USPS 146-440), a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78705. The Daily Texan is published daily, Monday through Friday, during the regular academic year and is published twice weekly during the summer semester. The Daily Texan does not publish during academic breaks and most Federal Holidays. and exam periods. Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, TX 78710. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Daily Texan, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591), or at the editorial office (Texas Student Media Building 2.122). For local and national display advertising, call 471-1865. classified display advertising, call 471-1865. For classified word advertising, call 471-5244. Entire contents copyright 2012 Texas Student Media.
The Daily Texan Mail Subscription Rates One Semester (Fall or Spring) $60.00 Two Semesters (Fall and Spring) 120.00 Summer Session 40.00 One Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) 150.00 To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 471-5083. Send orders and address changes to Texas Student Media', P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713-8904, or to TSM Building C3.200, or call 471-5083. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Texan, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713.
2/9/12
Texan Ad Deadlines
Monday .............Wednesday, 12 p.m. Thursday.................Monday, 12 p.m. Tuesday.................Thursday, 12 p.m. Friday......................Tuesday, 12 p.m. Classified Word Ads 11 a.m. Wednesday................Friday, 12 p.m. (Last Business Day Prior to Publication)
FINES
$900
TOTAL SPENT
$234 $1134
Sameer Desai
Abel Mulugheta
Editor’s Note: Students campaigning for president and vice president are allowed a $900 campaign spending limit. Under the new Election Code provisions, campaign violation fines will be deducted from the total campaign fund.
SPENDING continues from PAGE 1 up their own polling locations and encourage people to vote on their sponsored computers or electronic devices, but cannot be within 20 feet of a Supervisory Board-sponsored polling station. Until now, candidates have not had to worry about campaign fines impeding their candidacy. Last year’s candidates Natalie Butler and Ashley Baker acquired approximately $405 in campaign fines, about 50 percent of their total campaign budget. UT alumnus Abel Mulugheta and marketing senior Sameer Desai ran against Butler and Baker in 2011 and acquired $234, approximately 21 percent in violation fines. Under the new Election Code provisions, both campaigns in last year’s election would have been disqualified for their spending violations. Some violations by both camps included inappropriate use of signs, height violations in the Aframe advertising boards, chalking on campus and early campaigning before the official date set by the Dean of Students. Dean of students Soncia ReaginsLilly serves as the official advisor of the Election Supervisory Board and said she supported the new rules. “The [Student Government] Assembly considered the recommendations presented and approved a provision they feel is in the best
interest of the student body,” Reagins-Lilly said. “The action was in response to feedback offered by previous candidates.” Butler said if given the chance she would increase the spending limit from $900 to at least $2000. She said $900 between herself and Baker bought them T-shirts, fliers and signs, but not much else. “People are going to be more careful campaigning this year,” Butler said. “People are also going to be pettier and file small complaints to have people pushed out. If you get $10 or $20 fines, it can [eventually] kick you out. It all depends on the people running.” Currently, students running for president and vice president have a $900 spending limit in campuswide elections. Students running for University-wide representatives have a $550 limit. Students running for representatives of their respective college have a $350 limit. All candidates are allowed an extra $150 if they participate in a runoff election, according to the University Election Code. Liberal arts representative Janette Martinez served on the committee that ratified the election code and said the committee wanted to give the Supervisory Board more power and encourage them to establish presets for fines and violations instead of deciding on fines on a case-by-case basis. Martinez said these new rules
in a way reward candidates who Currently, the executive alliance play by the rules because it gives dual-candidates include Spanish and them more money to spend. If on finance senior Madison Gardner the last day of campaigning they and public relations senior Antonio do not have any fines they can af- Guevara, government senior Yaman ford to spend a little more mon- Desai and government junior Whitey and not get disqualified, Mar- ney Langston. Urban studies setinez said. nior John Lawl“I d o n ot er and computthink the new er science sophrules will make omore Terrence it more diffiMaas said they People are going to be cult to camare also runpaign,” Marmore careful campaigning ning for the tinez said. “I position. this year. People are also think it makes Butler said the races fair. she acknowlgoing to be pettier and file e d g e d u n In the past, if you went over small complaints to have der these new your campaign rules both she people pushed out. expenditures and Mulugheyou could still — Natalie Butler, ta would have win the elecStudent body president been disqualt i on . [ T h is ] ified. She said makes it a lot if this new fairer with the election code candidates, eswould have pecially those been in place who do not have a lot of experi- the Supervisory Board may have ence in SG.” evaluated the fines differently. She Students have until 5 p.m. on said she would advise this year’s Feb. 13 to declare their candida- candidates to follow the Election cy for SG president and vice pres- Code because violating the new ident — or executive alliance — rules may hurt their campaign if campus-wide representatives and they do not. college representatives. Elections “Prioritize your speaker cirwill take place Feb. 29 to March cuit and get your face out there 1. The recently approved student — the more volunteers the bettuition referendum will also be ter,” Butler said. “Get out there on the ballot. and speak for yourself.”
“
DRUGS continues from PAGE 1 prescribed if there does not seem to be a risk of abuse. UTPD Sgt. Charles Bonnet said prescription drug abuse is an issue for students. “It does go on more than it should and probably more often than people think,” Bonnet said. “I’d say there is more prescription drug abuse than marijuana, cocaine and other s ubstance abuse.” Bonnet said he has noticed an increase in the abuse of pre-
SKI SPRING BREAK 2012! breckenridge
Vail • Beaver Creek • Keystone • Arapahoe Basin
20 Mountains. 5 Resorts. 1 Price. FROM ONLY
plus t/s
WWW.UBSKI.COM
1-800-SKI-WILD • 1-800-754-9453
scription drugs in the past five years. Students are caught with drugs not prescribed to them more often than distributing them, he said. “Some students don’t realize that just because it was prescribed by a doctor to your friend, doesn’t mean you can take it, too,” Bonnet said. “If you take Adderall just because you are studying for an exam, and it’s not prescribed to you, it is a crime.” Undeclared sophomore James
Compean said he has heard about Adderall, a drug prescribed to those with ADHD and narcolepsy, being sold during exam weeks. “I’ve heard people talk about Adderall being sold for $5 a pill during the semester and during exam weeks they can be sold for $20 each because people want to stay up late studying,” Compean said. UT senior research scientist Jane Maxwell said the prescription drug database is necessary
PLAYERS continues from PAGE 1 University spokesman Gary Susswein declined to comment on specifics because he said it would undercut the University’s position to negotiate. Hirst said the negotiations for Players’ land is interesting given how things fell apart in 2004. At that time, the University tried to acquire the plot through em-
Issue Staff
Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandra Klima, Rachel Thompson, Andrew Messamore, Sam Lieble Multimedia Staffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marisa Vasquez, Raveena Bhalara Sports Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antonio Morales Life&Arts Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rainy Schermerhorn, Daniel Munoz Columnists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kayla Oliver Page Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pu Ying Huang, Omar Longoria Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lazaro Hernandez, Paige Harriman, Amyna Dosani Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacob Hamrick, Josie Pham, Riki Tsuji, Rory Harman, Anaia Grainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Pagan, Colin Zelinski, Jeff Moast Illustrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlin Zellers Web Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ghayde Ghraou, Helen Fernandez
$1305
Need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Don’t go to extremes. We have a research study.
inent domain, virtually sidestepping the owners to seize the land for public use, with plans to build a parking garage for the AT&T Conference Center. He said the previous attempt turned into a political issue, but this time around the University is proceeding in a more respectful manner with the owners of Players. “That’s very different than say-
462-0492
Text “PPD” to 48121 to receive study information
ing someone’s going to try to take your property and you don’t have any say in the matter,” Hirst said. Hirst said the business school is also interested in renovating the McCombs building to better suit undergraduate needs, which would necessitate a new building to house students during renovations, regardless of where that new building may be.
20th Street
SCHLOTZKY’S
Right now, PPD is looking for qualified participants for a post-surgical pain relief research study of an investigational medication. Surgery for qualified study participants will be performed by a board certified oral surgeon. Receive up to $500 upon study completion and the surgery is performed at no cost.
For information, call
not only to detect drug abusers but also for doctors to offer the best treatment for a patient. “People who get a lot of different prescriptions for real and legal reasons, such as the elderly, may go to one doctor and get prescribed one medication, then go to different doctor and get prescribed another, and the two drugs might be harmful when taken together,” Maxwell said. “This database is needed badly to prevent that.”
Mar
AT&T CONFERENCE CENTER
PLAYERS tin L uthe r Kin d Jr Bo
ulev ard
reet
Sports Office: (512) 232-2210 sports@dailytexanonline.com
$405
ca St
Multimedia Office: (512) 471-7835 dailytexanmultimedia@gmail.com
$900
Lava
News Office: (512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com
TOTAL SPENT
Whitis Avenue
Managing Editor: Audrey White (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com
FINES
t
Editor: Viviana Aldous (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com
ALLOWED TO SPEND
Stree
Main Telephone: (512) 471-4591
amount present on a cab meter prior to its departure. “Our first consideration was the lower to middle income folks who would not necessarily be able to afford such a hike on cab fares,” Kargbo said. “We realize not all cab riders are well off, so we came up with the proposal of reducing the charge to $1 per passenger.” Kargbo said signage will be required in each taxicab to inform the passengers of the surcharge. Biology and pre-med junior Taylor Brasher said he and his friends get rides to and from downtown in “underground taxis,” unlicensed cab drivers who use their own cars to provide rides for a fee. Underground taxis are known to be cheaper than licensed cabs and usually don’t expect a tip. He said by charging more during peak hours, licensed taxicabs will most likely lose business with the competition of undercover taxis. “[The underground taxi driver] will drive by the E-bus stop around 11:30 p.m. asking if anyone needs a ride downtown and will come and pick us up on Sixth Street whenever we call the driver back,” Brasher said. “I mainly use either the underground taxis or the E-bus for a ride home, but you have to get lucky enough to squeeze onto the always-packed West Campus buses.” In conjunction with the ground transportation department, enforcement officers attempt to root all of the illegal taxi operators out, Kargbo said. At today’s City Council meeting, Kargbo said he will present a proposal asking for 50 additional Austin taxicab permits to be used only in alternative fuel vehicles such as hybrids, compressed natural gas vehicles and electric cars. “We are proposing to try out various types of fuel efficient vehicles, which will not only benefit our industry but also car manufacturers as well,” Kargbo said. “More permits also means that licensed cab drivers without access to cars can utilize the alternative fuel vehicles in peak evening hours.” Radio-television-film and psychology junior Francis Roman said she considers taxicabs a reliable form of transportation but thinks that the fee increase will give the extra push to taxi drivers to perhaps be more available during peak hours. “I think it’s always important to have transportation to and from your destination,” she said. “People, especially college students, need a safe and efficient way of getting home.”
A PRICEY RESOLUTION
Guadalupe Street
CONTACT US
TAXICABS continues from PAGE 1
lupe
Volume 112, Number 113
Gua da
THE DAILY TEXAN
“
2
Illustration by Simonetta Nieto | Daily Texan Staff
3 W/N
World&NatioN
3
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | The Daily Texan | Austin Myers, Wire Editor | dailytexanonline.com
NEWS BRIEFLY Santorum sweeps three states, gets cash to fight Romney’s bid WASHINGTON — Resurgent Rick Santorum said his sweep of three GOP contests earned his shoestring campaign $250,000 overnight, cash he needs to take his upstart bid for the Republican presidential nomination to Mitt Romney’s turf. Santorum’s stunning victories Tuesday in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado marked his best performance thus far in the rollicking contest for the Republican presidential nomination — and Romney’s worst. It was far from clear, though, that Santorum would be able to turn his momentum into the millions of dollars he would need to overtake Romney. “I think last night we raised a quarter of a million dollars online,” Santorum told CNN’s “Starting Point” the morning after. “We are going to have the money we need to make the case we want to make.”
Egypt’s rulers will refuse US aid in standoff over nonprofit groups CAIRO — Egypt refused to back down Wednesday in a dispute with the U.S. over Cairo’s crackdown on nonprofit groups despite Washington’s threats to cut aid, while the military deployed troops to the streets after violence and protests. Egypt’s official MENA news agency said the army was deploying more troops to reinforce the police, restore security and state “prestige.” The move comes in the wake of a deadly soccer riot last week that sparked days of clashes between the police and protesters. At least 89 people were killed in a week of violence. The deployment appeared to be a show of force in response to a surge in criticism of its handling of the country’s transition to democracy and rising calls for the ruling generals to step down. Compiled from Associated Press reports
Russians to study lake hidden for 20m years By Vladimir Isachenkov The Associated Press
MOSCOW — After more than two decades of drilling in Antarctica, Russian scientists have reached a gigantic freshwater lake hidden under miles of ice for some 20 million years — a pristine body of water that may hold life from the distant past and clues to the search for life on other planets. Finally touching the surface of Lake Vostok, the largest of nearly 400 subglacial lakes in Antarctica, is a major discovery avidly anticipated by scientists around the world. Valery Lukin, the head of Russia’s Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute who oversaw the mission and announced its success, likened the endeavor to the epic race to the moon won by American scientists over the Soviets in 1969.
“I think it’s fair to compare this project to flying to the moon,” he said Wednesday. Scientists hope the lake may allow a glimpse into microbial life forms that existed before the Ice Age and are not visible to the naked eye. Scientists believe that microbial life may exist in the dark depths of the lake despite its high pressure and constant cold — conditions similar to those expected to be found under the ice crust on Mars, Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. “In the simplest sense, it can transform the way we think about life,” NASA’s chief scientist Waleed Abdalati said. American and British teams are drilling to reach their own subglacial Antarctic lakes, but Columbia University glaciologist Robin Bell said those lakes are smaller
and younger than Vostok, which is the big scientific prize. “It’s like exploring another planet, except this one is ours,” she said. Lake Vostok is 160 miles long and 30 miles across at its widest point, similar in area to Lake Ontario. It’s kept from freezing into a solid block by the mammoth crust of ice across it that acts like a blanket, keeping in heat generated by geothermal energy underneath. The technological challenges of drilling through the ice crust in the world’s coldest environment have made the project unique. Temperatures on the Vostok Station on the surface above have registered the coldest ever recorded on Earth, reaching minus 89 degrees Celsius, and conditions were made even tougher by its high elevation, more than 11,000 feet above sea level, resulting in thin oxygen.
The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of St. Petersburg’s drilling machine 5-G in Antarctica has breached Lake Vostok, Antarctica’s largest icebound freshwater lake, which has been sealed off for millions of years, after more than two decades of drilling.
Pavel Teterev Associated Press / Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Press Service
Brutal murder may get girl life in prison By David A. Lieb The Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri teenager who confessed to murdering a young neighbor girl faces the possibility of life in prison when she’s sentenced Wednesday morning. Alyssa Bustamante, 18, was described by prosecutors as a thrill killer who lacked remorse and by defense attorneys as a disturbed child who deserved the chance to be set free one day. The trial’s conclusion follows days of testimony in a small courtroom in Missouri’s capital city. Proceedings descended into chaos Tuesday as prosecutor Mark Richardson was making an impassioned, final plea for a lifelong sentence for Busta-
mante, who pleaded guilty to murdering 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten. Bustamante’s grandmother and grandfather stormed out of the courtroom. That prompted Bustamante — who had been staring blankly downward as Richardson recounted her crime — to begin silently crying for the first time in her court proceedings that have spanned more than two years. Then as Cole County Circuit Judge Pat Joyce announced that she would reveal her sentence on Wednesday, Elizabeth’s grandmother interrupted and cried out from her wheelchair. The disorder capped what was an emotional, two-day sentencing hearing highlighted by repeated references to words Bustamante — then age 15 — had written in her diary on the
night she strangled, slit the throat and repeatedly stabbed Elizabeth. Bustamante wrote that it was an “ahmazing” and “pretty enjoyable” experience, ending the entry by saying: “I gotta go to church now...lol.” Bustamante’s attorney Donald Catlett cited the testimony
Tuesday of mental health professionals who described Bustamante as a “psychologically damaged” and “severely emotionally disturbed” child. They recounted her family’s history with drug abuse, mental disorders and suicide attempts, noting her father was in prison and her mother had abandoned her — though she was in the courtroom Tuesday for the first time. Various mental health professionals testified over the course
Jim Dyke | Associated Press / The Jefferson City News-Tribune
Alyssa Bustamante at her sentencing hearing in Jefferson City, Mo. on Monday, where she could face life in prison for killing a 9-year-old girl.
of the two-day hearing that jor depression disorder and borBustamante suffers from a ma- derline personality disorder.
the new ‘26’ NEW NAME
new upgrades UPGR ADED COMPUTER L AB WITH NEW COMPUTERS COMING SOON
apply online today @ 26-west.com UPGR ADED AMENITIES COMING SOON
NEW EXPANDED 24-HR FITNESS CENTER WITH NEW EQUIPMENT • NEW PAINT THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY NEW AESTHETIC UPGRADES • UPGRADED COMPUTER LAB WITH NEW COMPUTERS NEW POOL FURNITURE • NEW ROOFTOP BASKETBALL COURT • NEW BBQ GRILLS • NEW TANNING BEDS
2 6–W E S T. C O M | 6 0 0 W 2 6 TH S T R E E T | 5 1 2 . 4 7 7. 3 4 0 0 AMENITIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
OPINION
4
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | THE DAILY TEXAN | Viviana Aldous, Editor-in-Chief | (512) 232-2212 | editor@dailytexanonline.com
VIEWPOINT
A season of shallow rhetoric A strange creature exists on the UT campus, emerging once every year in traffic-clogging numbers only to vanish two weeks later. Unlike certain campus squirrels, seeing one is unlikely to help you on your next exam; rather, your encounter with a Student Government candidate may make you late for it. Filing for SG elections began last week, which means that campaign season is mere days away. The West Mall will soon undergo its yearly transformation into something more like an auction house, littered with glossy pieces of tiny paper and in which unaccompanied walkers seem to receive an unusually high number of text messages requiring their immediate attention. Two weeks later, the fair will disappear, leaving behind an eerily silent ghost town of whirling pamphlets long discarded. It seems that every year, SG candidates promise to stick around after they get your vote, but they never seem to do it. Such is SG’s perennial problem. The image of resume-padders and opportunists is a tired one, but its persistence belies its veracity. Try as it might, SG rarely seems to match its electoral fanfare with its legislative accomplishments. Of course, that is not to say SG does nothing. The truth is quite the opposite. SG has fought for student representation in city politics — keeping, among other things, parking meters out of West Campus — lobbied legislators to think of students when passing laws and disbursing state funds, organized events on campus to raise awareness of unfamiliar issues and distributed money to worthy organizations and deserving Longhorns. SG’s problem is not its lack of activity; it is that its electoral mishaps so consistently and disastrously mar its reputation and manage to upstage anything else it may manage to accomplish in a given year. If news about SG’s accomplishments resembles an intermittent series of light showers, news about its scandalous elections resembles a Category 5 hurricane. It’s no wonder that, when the topic of SG comes up, thoughts fly to the memorable parts; they are so disproportionately salient as to cast a long, impenetrable shadow across everything else. Three years ago, the then-SG president and the chairman of the Election Supervisory Board, the supposedly impartial arbiter of disputes between campaigns, actively solicited support for their chosen candidates in confidential emails leaked to The Daily Texan. The next year, candidates violated the election code by spamming Blackboard listservs on election day and stuffing reams of campaign literature under the doors of dorm rooms. Last year, amid an escalating series of allegations that candidates had spent too much money and campaigned unfairly, the elections ground to a halt as candidates argued late into the night to a panel of law students. None of the above violations meant anything more than a slap on the wrist and a minor fine. Though spending limits have now been imposed — $900 for presidential candidates — the competitors clearly value the position enough, perhaps, to take these fines in stride as just another cost. But fines should not be a line item when planning a campaign budget. The newly revised election code — which as of press time is still unavailable on the SG website — stipulates that campaigns that exceed their spending limit by 20 percent or more must be disqualified. Another revision counts fines toward that spending limit. These are welcome changes, and the Election Supervisory Board and the newly created SG judicial court should not shrink from their duty to enforce them. Rules governing these elections need to have teeth. Lacking proper enforcement, they only serve to take up paper — and the election process already kills enough trees. Of course, it would be simpler if candidates would not break the rules in the first place. SG should care about the integrity of its elections, if not out of a sense of fairness then, at least, out of a realization that all those rules violations paint a picture of a dysfunctional organization that values student resumes more than results for students.
An egalitarian approach to guest hours By Kayla Oliver Daily Texan Columnist
Many of us have been there; if not, we’ve all heard the horror stories: strange noises filtering through the walls in the middle of the night, uncomfortable scenes upon a roommate’s unexpected return or even that awkward feeling of knowing that someone is sharing your roommate’s bed just a few feet away. When someone breaks the residence hall rules and sneaks in a boyfriend or girlfriend for the night, things can get uncomfortable or even downright unbearable. In just a few short months, however, the ban against these furtive trysts will be lifted. Last week, the UT Division of Housing and Food Service, in cooperation with the University Residence Hall Association, notified residents that next fall, “all residence halls with the exception of Prather and Littlefield will have ‘no gender restriction’ guest policy.’” As always, roommates will have to consent to any overnight stays and sign a written agreement, but now visitors of the opposite sex may stay up to three consecutive nights. This news comes as a welcome relief to some students and as an outrage to others. Many worry that UT’s liberal policies
have finally been taken too far. Does the University encourage risky sexual activity among its residents, most of whom are underclassmen? It seems unlikely. Besides, anyone who really wants a significant other to spend the night will find a way to make it happen, regardless of residence hall policies. Students should view the gender-blind guest policy not as a University-sponsored encouragement of bad behavior but as a step toward modernity and equality. First, we can’t assume that every visitor of the opposite sex is there for fornication. To achieve true equality, modern society must place less emphasis on physical characteristics such as gender and more on individual attributes, including the ability to exercise self-control and form platonic friendships. From a more practical perspective, out-of-town guests shouldn’t have to pay for a hotel room simply because they’re visiting a student of the opposite sex. More importantly, this policy represents a nod toward the LGBT community. Under the current rules, gay and lesbian students can have significant others spend the night, but straight students cannot. The new policy should not be interpreted as the University saying, in effect, “If they
DEADLINE TO FILE TO RUN IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
LEGALESE
RECYCLE
days
Please recycle this copy of The Daily Texan. Place the paper in one of the recycling bins on campus or back in the burnt-orange newsstand where you found it.
COUNTDOWN TO THE FIRST DAY OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
days
Oliver is an English and sociology freshman.
Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are those of the editor, the Editorial Board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.
4
20
can have boyfriends or girlfriends as overnight guests, the straight students should be able to as well.” Instead, the genderblind policy recognizes the legitimacy of same-sex couples. Allowing them to spend the night together while straight couples cannot ignores and undermines the validity of same-sex relationships. To disregard the implications of current rules for same-sex couples is to suggest that their relationships either are not as “serious” as straight couples’ or do not pose many of the same risks. In order to equalize rights for students of all sexual orientations, the University could either place a ban on all overnight guests or lift the gender restriction. The new policy extends rights rather than revoking them and reflects the University’s high opinion of its students as principled adults. Of course, mischievous students can find a way to abuse any overnight guest policy, and the new gender-blind rule is not likely to reduce the frequency of uncomfortable roommate run-ins. However, students should appreciate the new policy for its egalitarianism and respect the residence halls’ guidelines to ensure that it remains in place.
SUBMIT A FIRING LINE
Email your Firing Lines to firingline@dailytexanonline. com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.
SUBMIT A GUEST COLUMN EDITORIAL TWITTER Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@DTeditorial) and receive updates on our latest content.
The editorial board welcomes guest column submissions. Columns must be between 600 and 800 words. Send columns to editor@dailytexanonline.com. The Daily Texan reserves the right to edit all columns for clarity, brevity and liability.
5 UNIV
News
Thursday, February 9, 2012
5
Social networks support UT Democrat discussions By Andrew Messamore Daily Texan Staff
Photo courtesy of YMCA
The YMCA of Austin has proposed the building of a 40-acre recreational aquatics center downtown that would include an Olympic-sized competition pool, water slides and sports fields. The estimated cost of constructing the facility is projected to be between $38 and $42 million.
Proposed gym faces economic challenges By Sarah White Daily Texan Staff
The YMCA of Austin is looking for help from Austin City Council to build a 40-acre recreational aquatics center in downtown Austin as a family-friendly escape from the heat. If constructed, the complex would be located between South Mopac Expressway and the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Cesar Chavez Street, said YMCA spokesman Sean Doles. It would include an Olympic-sized competition pool, a recreational pool with water slides and a lazy river as wells as several sports fields, Doles said. The city of Austin owns the area and will retain ownership of the land if the project moves forward, although the YMCA of Austin will manage the facility, Doles said. “What we are talking about is an
unused piece of land that is largely inaccessible,” Doles said. “We have a comprehensive park plan that would be a destination not only for residents, but for people from all over the world. The stateof-the-art competitive pool would attract national events, potentially bringing thousands of people to Austin and millions of dollars in revenue to the city.” Doles said the pool would be open to Austin residents on a day-to-day basis for free or for a nominal fee. He said it would be a resource for families, a place where school teams can train and a new venue for the YMCA’s existing programs, such as free community swim lessons. “Our aim would be for [the complex] to be a self-sufficient entity,” he said. “We are confident that after receiving these initial funds we will not need further government subsidies.”
Doles said cost estimates for the facility are fluid, but he estimates the project to cost between $38 and $42 million. The YMCA has suggested that the city contribute $25 million towards the project, Doles said. Austin City Council member Laura Morrison said proposed city costs were only $6 million when she first heard of the project in September and have ballooned since then. “The funds would need City Council approval to be placed on the November ballot for the voters to consider,” Morrison said. “The proposed YMCA project has not been [reviewed] and is not in the staff ’s recommendation for consideration. Morrison said the city currently has more pressing concerns than the YMCA’s proposed complex. “At a time of tight budgets, investing this amount of taxpayer mon-
ey on an extravagant facility is illadvised and raises serious concerns about our priorities,” Morrison said. Matt Haviland, public health senior, said he did not know how financially feasible the project is, but he thought that it could be a significant resource for students, faculty and staff. Haviland said he could see transportation being a slight issue, but the city and UT bus systems offer fairly convenient transportation to downtown Austin. He also said UT faculty and staff who live near campus could benefit significantly from the new facility. “The Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex is a little small based on the student population,” Haviland said. “It is really nice to have outside facilities like Barton Springs where students can exercise. From a health perspective, even 30 minutes of exercise a day can create substantial health benefits.”
Social media and politics combined Wednesday when the University Democrats hosted a Twitter town hall meeting with Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. The audience was able to field questions to Leffingwell by tweeting to #UDemsATX, inquiring on issues ranging from energy rate increases to Occupy Austin’s recent eviction. Leffingwell also announced his support at the meeting for a medical school at UT and the creation of six-and-a-half mile high-speed rail in central Austin. “Rail is the future of Austin, as it is the future of every great city in the United States,” Leffingwell said. “It would be a tremendous economic stimulant, and eventually we could get it across the river to Riverside [Drive] and towards the airport.” The mayor is running for reelection this year, and Leffingwell said he hopes to receive the continued endorsement of the UDems as he prepares for his fourth city race. “We try to maintain a close relationship with guys in the University Democrats,” Leffingwell said. “UT is both the cultural and the economic center of Austin, and we have to keep close ties with the university that brings so much incentive to the city.” Politicians and electioneers have been making sustained use of Twitter since President Barack Obama’s supporters used the service to mobilize grassroots support for his campaign in 2008. Obama also hosted a national open town hall meeting last year using Twitter, which inspired UDems president Huey Fischer to host Wednesday’s meeting, Fischer said.
♲
“Social media is a huge component of the UDems,” Fischer said. “We have Twitter, Facebook, a Youtube account, Foursquare and a website. All of these tools are just really valuable to connect with supporters and with students especially.” Using Twitter to enhance discussion and promote interaction is exciting for the UDems, said communications director Andre Treiber, and this is the first time the organization has been able to do this with social media. “With Twitter, things can be discussed in a public forum without interrupting the flow of the meeting,” Fischer said. “It lets us advertise to members and get discussion going by directly communicating with the speaker. In the past it was just commentary and discussion.” Peck Young, director of Austin Community College’s center for public policy and political studies, spoke at the meeting after Leffingwell in support of the 10-1 plan for geographic representation. The plan would divide Austin into 10, one-member districts, and Young said that the city needed the help of students to legalize the plan. Young said he believes the plan will make Austin more democratic, continuing a tradition of progress that the UDems have been fighting for since the 1970s. “Today we have two progressives running against each other to decide who’s the more liberal,” Young said. “We’ve obviously changed a lot since the time when electing a mayor depended on picking someone who looked good in a KKK sheet. That change was largely the result of the University Democrats 40 years ago.”
R E C YC L E
your copy of The Daily Texan
TIME TO BET ON SOME AWESOME HOUSING at the...
2012
DAILY TEXAN
R I A F G N I HOUS FEBRUARY 22ND 2012 GREGORY GYM PLAZA
Come and enjoy free food, sign up for giveaways and see all the housing options available around campus and in Austin!
SIMPLE BILLS
TEXASNT STUDDEIA ME
FOR MORE INFORMATION
5IF %BJMZ 5FYBO r 5457 r ,739 r 5FYBT 5SBWFTUZ r $BDUVT :FBSCPPL visit us at WWW.UTEXAS.EDU/TSM
CONTACT US
Carter Goss Broadcast Manager & Sponsorships P 512.475.6721 E cartergoss@mail.utexas.edu
6 S/L
news
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Court rules MySpace-based evidence okay in murder trial
Nayan Shah, author of the book “Stranger Intimacy,” spoke on campus Wednesday. His lecture cited court cases, specifically those referencing sodomy, to challenge many traditional views on immigrant history.
least two of three vehicles during a confrontation on Interstate 30 that began earlier at a club. Valadez was HOUSTON — The Texas Court driver of one of the cars. of Criminal Appeals ruled WednesCourt records indicate Tienda was day an accused killer’s MySpace pag- present during the gunfire but testies were properly used as evidence mony at his trial was inconsistent as by prosecutors to help convince a to who fired first. Bullets from Valajury to convict the Dallas-area street dez’s body never could be matched gang member of murder. to a weapon and no firearms ever Ronnie Tienda Jr. appealed his were recovered. conviction and 35-year prison Valadez’s sister told prosecutors as term for the slaying of 23-year-old they were preparing for trial about David Valadez in a 2007 shootout three MySpace pages featuring Tienon a Dallas freeway. da boasting about the killing. They In the appeal, Tienda’s attorney also included entries of him comargued the judge at his 2008 trial plaining about wearing an electronic in Dallas County was wrong to al- monitor while awaiting trial. low MySpace entries into evidence “I kill to stay rich!!” according to because it was questionable wheth- one of the entries. Another features er Tienda was responsible for entries a photo of a tattoo of the Roman nuthat referred to the killing on his meral for 18 on the back of Tienda’s pages on the social networking site. head, which a detective testified reThe appeals court said the ferred to the North Side 18th Street content of Tienda’s postings, gang in Grand Prairie. which included photos, comTienda’s trial lawyer unsuccessfulments and music, was sufficient ly argued the evidence wasn’t credito show he created and main- ble and couldn’t be authenticated. tained it and the trial judge wasn’t Responding to the appeal, prosewrong to allow it as circum- cutors said the social network pagstantial evidence for prosecu- es contained “sufficiently distinctive tors to show Tienda was involved information” to justify their admisin the slaying. sion into evidence. Tienda’s attorney, Leslie McFarThe appeals court agreed, saying lane, said Wednesday she wasn’t sure it also was aware electronic writings where the case could go now. The can sometimes be open to question. Court of Criminal Appeals is the “Computers can be hacked, prohighest criminal court in the state. tected passwords can be compro“I think it’s fair to say it’s mised, and cell phones can be purtroubling,” she said. loined,” the judges wrote. But the Valadez, from Grand Prairie, died court said in this case an email adat a Dallas hospital of wounds suf- dress and subscriber name used fered when gunfire erupted from at Tienda’s nickname, “Smiley,” his home zip code, tattoos, photos, even a link to a song played at Valadez’s funeral, to tie him to the MySpace pages. Computers can be hacked, “This is ample circumstantial evidence — taken as a whole with all of protected passwords can the individual, particular details conbe compromised, and cell sidered in combination — to support a finding that the MySpace pages bephones can be purloined. longed to [Tienda] and that he created and maintained them,” the court said. Tienda, 26, already had a con— The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals viction on three counts of robbery when he was arrested for Valadez’s murder. He doesn’t become eligible for parole until August 2026. By Michael Graczyk The Associated Press
Raveena Bhalara Daily Texan staff
Visiting scholar presents new book, gives lecture on migrant experience to students By Samuel Liebl Daily Texan Staff
In his new book, visiting scholar Nayan Shah challenges the conventional narrative of the American West centers on white nuclear families. Shah, a professor at the University of California San Diego, presented his book, “Stranger Intimacy: Contesting Race, Sexuality and the Law in the North American West” at a lecture Wednesday. The event was sponsored by the C enter for Asian American Studies, the Gender and Sexuality Center, the Institute for Historical Studies and the South Asia Institute. The center does not have the funds to bring in scholars on its own and would not have been able to host Shah had he not been in the area, said Madeline Hsu, associate professor and di-
“
“
TEXASNT STUDDEIA ME
a real world job to jump-start a real world career
The largest college media agency in the nation, Texas Student Media, is looking for a few goal-driven college students to work in our Advertising department! We have the following positions available::
• The Buys of Texas Representative • Marketing Intern
Benefits: • • • • •
Full training Flexible schedule Fun environment Internship credit Located on campus
Do you have what it takes?
Apply today! Email your resume to: advertise@texasstudentmedia.com and call 512.471.1865 for more information
1 FEBRUARY 23, 2011
an advertising special edition
6
of The Daily Texan
INSIDE
> SAVE SPACE and DECORATE using these tips pg. 3-4 > SPICE UP your new pantry with four simple ingredients pg. 9 > YOUR GO-TO GUIDE for today’s Housing Fair pg. 10-11
rector of the Asian American Studies center. Hs u s a i d t h e C e nt e r f or Asian American Studies shares S h a h’s g o a l o f d i s r u p t i n g conventional narratives. “The challenge in Texas is that Asian-Americans are not really integrated into the culture and history of Texas,” Hsu said. “One of the things that we’re trying to do with the center is to be able to document and share these stories [of Asian Americans] and remake how people understand the history of the South and the history of Texas, to be more inclusive of these stories.” Shah shared stories of South Asian immigrants in the early 20th century that he said he hoped would destabilize the conventional histor y of the American West. “I’m trying to capture important dimensions of migrant ex-
perience that do not fit neatly with the traditional categories with which we understand immigrant history,” Shah said. Shah said that the conventional narrative of Asian immigrants immediately assimilating into Western society by forming conventional families does not reflect what really happened. Shah said he drew much of his material from court cases, especially those based on sodomy. “I used court cases of seduction and sodomy, gross indecency, murder cases, everything that’s now emblematic of ‘Law & Order: SVU,’” Shah said. Shah said his work connects to the current debate over gay rights. His research raised issues like the liberty of association and the right to have one’s relationship recognized by the law, he said. “There are all kinds of possi-
bilities and alternatives that are closed off if we don’t constantly remain curious about what happened in the past and what was ignored,” Shah said.
CheCk Ou t CheCk Out CheCk Out
Let’s Talk SPorTS @dailytexanonline.com
7 SPTS
SPORTS
7
SPRING BREAK
G TRIP COSTA RICA SURFIN EXPLORING
STARTS HERE
www.utrecsports.org
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | THE DAILY TEXAN | Sameer Bhuchar, Sports Editor | (512) 232-2210 | sports@dailytexanonline.com
SIDELINE
SOFTBALL SEASON OPENER: TEXAS vs.CAL STATE FULLERTON Thursday 7 p.m. at Red and Charline McCombs Field
NBA SPURS
T I HOR S S I M
SIXERS
HEAT
MAGIC
CLIPPERS
The Daily Texan takes a look at the 2012 Texas softball season
CAVALIERS
NCAAB Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff
Junior outfielder Taylor Hoagland watches the ball fly off her bat during batting practice at Red and Charline McCombs field. Hoagland returns from a summer campaign with the USA National Softball team where she gained valuable experience playing with some of the nation’s top athletes. The Longhorns open play tonight against Cal State Fullerton.
No. 19 Longhorns host season opening tourney By Garrett Callahan Daily Texan Staff
Nine months ago, the Longhorns completed in a dramatic fashion what was one of their best seasons in UT history. They shattered multiple school records, establishing them as a favorite going into the NCAA College World Series. Unfortunately, their season ended a little early when they lost two straight games in the regional round right here in Austin against
Houston and Louisiana-Lafayette. However, for the Longhorns, it was a learning experience from which they hope to grow. The Texas Classic, held in Austin at Red and Charline McCombs Field, opened today and Texas has its first game of their 2012 season tonight against Cal State Fullerton. The Longhorns were ranked 19th in the preseason polls, according to ESPN. com/USASoftball, and are the only ranked team going into their first tournament. “I think the team is ready, and I love
their focus,” head coach Connie Clark said. “We have been talking since July about what we’re bringing back and coming into this year.” Clark, who has been at Texas for 15 years, has been waiting for the start of this season since last year’s disappointing finish. One of her main focuses has been changing the competitive spirit of the team. “We talked a lot about competitive spirit and have been talking about that ever
since [last year],” Clark said. “The talent is here, but it’s just about going out and competing against the game. We had to define what competitive spirit was, and we are really still working on that ... but more than that, we are trying to teach them about behavior.” Leadership is a big part of this year’s focus as well. A trio of seniors has been selected to captain the Longhorns. Lexy
By Sara Beth Purdy Daily Texan Staff
While most athletes hit the gym and dive into personal workouts and unofficial team workouts in the offseason, Taylor Hoagland did something a bit different this past fall. Last summer the junior outfielder earned a roster spot on the USA National Softball team and spent several months touring the country and the world. Af-
Elisabeth Dillon Daily Texan Staff
ter spending her offseason wearing red, white and blue, Hoagland is ready to be back in burnt orange. “I am so ready to just start playing,” Hoagland said. “I’m counting down.” Hoagland is expected to pick up where she left off last spring and guide a potentially explosive offense through the 2012 season. Last year Hoagland started in all 56
To her it was her dream come true. A sport she loved, playing for a team she loved, in a city she loved. Lexy Bennett, a senior infielder on the Texas softball team, always dreamed of becoming a Longhorn. When she was 5-years-old she started playing T-ball baseball in a youth league in her hometown. She played with the boys
until she was 8, and joined a softball league. Growing up in Houston, she fell in love with the Longhorns and said that visiting here on her recruiting visit was “the most exciting feeling ever.” The physical culture and sports major was a four time all-state selection and two-time most valuable player choice in high school. In her freshman season, she started all but one game, ranking third in batting
average on the team and second in hits. Her sophomore year was just as impressive, leading the team in runs scored; however, her junior year was by far the best. In 2011, she led the Big 12 in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage while setting UT records in all three of those categories. A scary moment came when she was hit by a pitch against Iowa
BENNETT continues on PAGE 9
With the implementation of the Longhorn Network this season, the University of Texas has been both praised and criticized for its multimillion dollar decision. Although the Longhorn Network has been credited with the exodus of four different universities
to new conference homes, here on the 40 Acres it can provide some positive opportunities. For the softball team, the Longhorn Network could prove to be a powerful tool to help them overcome some recent bad luck on the national stage. The Longhorns excelled throughout the course of the 2011 season. They cruised through both
their non conference and conference schedules, culminating in an impressive 46-10 regular season record. They were within one game of clinching the Big 12 title, finishing second behind an equally impressive Missouri squad. For the second year in a row, they were poised for big things. They
NETWORK continues on PAGE 9
(2) SYRACUSE
TWEET OF THE WEEK Myck Kabongo @1MK2
“I need to follow more people. So if you know me @ me so I can FOLLOW!”
SPORTS BRIEFLY Dynamo goalie picks up charge freed after posting $5,000 bail
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff
Taylor Hoagland squares around to bunt during practice Wednesday. She’ll be one of eight upperclassmen for Texas in 2012.
LHN provides more exposure for Horns By Sara Beth Purdy Daily Texan Staff
(11) GEORGETOWN
USA continues on PAGE 9
Bennett ready to make title run By Garrett Callahan Daily Texan Staff
(6) BAYLOR
CAPTAINS continues on PAGE 9
Hoagland brings leadership, experience to this year’s team
Senior infielder Lexy Bennett was a Top 25 finalist for USA Softball Colegiate Player of the Year in 2011 and hopes to make the list again this season.
(10) KANSAS
GAMES TELEVISED ONTimeLHN Date Opponent/Event 2/9
2/10 2/11 2/12 2/15 2/17
Cal State Fullerton vs. UTSA vs. Colorado State Texas Classic Semis Texas Classic Consolation/Champ. vs. Texas A&M- Corpus Christi vs. Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee
7pm 5pm 1pm 4pm or 6:30pm 9am or 12pm 5pm 2pm 5pm
HOUSTON— Dynamo goalie Tyler Deric has been charged with assault in an alleged scuffle with an off-duty officer working security at a Houston bar. A team statement Tuesday says the organization is aware of Saturday night’s incident and the issue is being taken seriously. Deric has been charged with assaulting a public servant. Police say an officer was punched. Deric was freed Sunday on $5,000 bail. Defense attorney Allen Tanner says his client is innocent and that Deric says African-American players who were with him were denied entrance to the bar. Deric is white. Officials with the Roosevelt Bar denied the allegations and say the individuals were intoxicated. A second-round draft pick from Central Florida, Warren Creavalle, was charged with misdemeanor interfering with public duties. Creavalle was freed on $500 bail.
— The Associated Press
8 SPTS
8
SPORTS
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Longhorns tank latest road game By Stefan Scrafield Daily Texan Staff
With a chance to end a three-game losing skid and improve its NCAA tournament odds, Texas never gave itself a chance against Kansas on Wednesday night. Another slow start and a poor defensive performance by the Longhorns led to an 85-61 victory for the Jayhawks in Lawrence. Kansas’ 85 points were the most given up by Texas this season and the 24-point gap was the greatest margin of defeat suffered by the Longhorns this year. It was also the first time the Longhorns had lost a game at Allen Fieldhouse since the 2005-2006 season. “We got off to a great start and we were able to get some great separation in the second half,” said Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson. After trailing by as many as 17 in the first half, Texas showed resilience and poise, clawing its way back into the game and reducing the deficit to just three points in the early minutes of the second half. But they would get no
closer. A combination of steady scoring from the Jayhawks and horrible shot selection by the Longhorns cost Texas any chance at the lead and allowed Kansas to pull away. “We just didn’t want to let them make a comeback,” said senior Jayhawk forward Aishah Sutherland. “We worked hard to build the big lead and we just had to keep at it and stay consistent. We couldn’t afford to get soft and give them the opportunity to get a lead.” Texas shot a horrific 22.9 percent from the field in the second half and failed to get any offensive production from its post players. The Longhorn bigs combined to score just 19 points on the night and converted on just eight of their 23 field goal attempts. Kansas’ scoring attack was led by Sutherland, who tied her career high with 24 points, and added 12 rebounds to earn her sixth double-double of the season. “I was more focused than usual today,” Sutherland said. “I wasn’t as hyper as I usually am. I just tried to stay focused and keep my head in the game.” Even more impressive was the play of
Jayhawk point guard Angel Goodrich. The 5’4” junior’s career-high 16 assists were the most ever at Allen Fieldhouse. “I was very surprised,” Goodrich said. “I don’t really keep track of my assists. Everything just went so smoothly out there, it just came down to my teammates knocking down shots.” She matched her record setting assist total with an even 16 points. Chassidy Fussell carried the offensive load yet again for the Longhorns. The sophomore guard had 22 points and was a perfect eight for eight from the free-throw line. Unfortunately for Texas, the supporting cast failed to show up. Senior guards Ashleigh Fontenette and Yvonne Anderson had just 10 points each and struggled to find their stroke as they shot a combined 36 percent and failed to hit a 3-pointer all game. The Longhorns will look to stop Rebecca Rodriguez | Daily Texan file photo the bleeding and stay relevant in the tournament conversation when they Sophomore guard Chassidy Fussell dribbles up the court against Kansas State at the Frank Erwin Center. take on Oklahoma State this Satur- Fussell has led the Longhorns in scoring with 16.3 points per game. She put up 22 more points in the Longhorns’ 85-61 loss against Kansas on Wednesday night. Texas has now lost 4 straight games. day at the Frank Erwin Center.
All-Star Game finds a home Plenty of exciting sporting events still to come this year By Antonio Morales Daily Texan Staff
Houston will play host to basketball’s biggest stars for the second time in seven years, having been selected to host the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, the league announced Wednesday. “Houston is a spectacular sports city, and for one week it will be the basketball capital of the world,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “NBA All-Star is a magnificent celebration of our game, and I want to thank the city and the Rockets for welcoming us once again.” The 62nd NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 17 at the Toyota Center. The city will also host the NBA Rising Stars Challenge and NBA All-Star Saturday Night. The entire weekend of festivities will broadcast on TNT. “I am thrilled the Rockets and the City of Houston have once again brought NBA All-Star to Toyota Center. The All-Star Game showcases the best basketball players in the world
and will allow our great Rockets fans and the entire community the opportunity to once again experience the best that our league has to offer,” said Rockets owner Leslie Alexander. All-Star Weekend was also held in Houston in 2006 and featured the Houston Rockets’ own Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. “T-Mac” led all scorers with 36 points but lost out on the MVP trophy to the then 21-year-old LeBron James. The hot shooting of James powered the East to a 122-120 victory over the West. “The 2006 All-Star Game in Houston was a tremendous success, and we plan to set the bar even higher in 2013,” Alexander said. Next year’s All-Star festivities mark the third time the NBA’s greatest talents will be showcased in Houston. The city also hosted in the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as Karl Malone led the West all-stars to a 143-134 victory over the East in the Astrodome. This year’s All-Star Game will take place Feb. 26 in Orlando, Fl. at the new Amway Center.
By Chris Hummer Daily Texan Columnist
The Super Bowl capped off this Sunday and the New York Giants are world champions. Now football fans everywhere are panicking and wondering, what am I supposed to watch until football starts up again in August? Well calm down NFL fanatics, here is a list of great sporting events, month by month, you can check out to hold you over until opening kickoff 2012.
February
Feb. 6-12 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
This event marks the return of the world’s most famous — or infamous, depending on who you talk to — athlete Tiger Woods to the PGA tour. Woods will be looking for his first tour victory since 2009. The event also features celebrities Bill Murray, Ray Romano and Aaron Rodgers.
droves. Opening day is something just a few of the storylines that will every sports fan should experience be a part of the NBA playoffs this year. The playoffs feature the highThe lockout couldn’t prevent an at least once. est level of basketball played all seaNBA season from happening, and as April 2-8 Masters Tournament Perhaps the classiest event in son and is definitely worth anyone’s a result sports fans still get to watch the most entertaining All-Star game all of sports, the Masters is the time. Yes, even you Clippers fans — in professional sports. Plus you get golf ’s most prestigious major you actually have a shot for once. to see Blake Griffin dunk, reason and is always good for a week- July 25-Aug. 12 end of father-son bonding. Ex- Summer Olympic Games in London: enough to tune in right there. pect Woods and up-and-comers Almost every country in the March like Rory McIlroy to battle it out world comes together every four College Basketball (that’s all you for the Green Jacket. years for the Olympic Games, and need next month) April 26-28 NFL Draft luckily for sports fans, the London March Madness! There are conAlright NFL fans, by this games are finally here. ference championship tournaments, p oint I k now you’re going National pride will be on the line, bubble teams, upsets, bracket comthrough serious football with- and sports fans have a wide varipetitions, bracket busters, Cinderella drawals, which is why the NFL ety of events for their entertainstories and enough basketball a day has scheduled its annual draft ment, whether it’s basketball or powto make a person call in sick more extravaganza in late April. Tune than a few times. What more could er walking, there is something for in to see who your favorite team a fan want? drafts to help alter the course of everyone. You have the opportunity to March 28-29 the franchise forever. watch world class athletes like MLB opening day Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps One of the purest days in all of April 28 do what they do best, compete. sports as 32 teams open up their NBA playoffs start Can LeBron James finally win And if nothing else, any fan can 162 game marathon. Every team has a clean slate, fans still believe a ring? Can Kobe Bryant win his tune in to root on the red, white their team has a chance — yes, even fifth? Will the Mavericks repeat or and blue — I can already hear Cubs fans — and they come out in was their run just a fluke? These are the USA chants from here.
Feb. 24-26
NBA All-Star Weekend
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AND CACTUS GOODFELLOW AWARDS RECOGNIZING EXTRAORDINARY UT STUDENTS FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS
Cactus Yearbook is soliciting nominations for its Outstanding Student and Cactus Goodfellow Awards. For your convenience, we have placed the nomination forms online at: www.cactusyearbook.com. All rules and instructions are included, so all you have to do is either print the nomination form or pick up one at the William Randolph Hearst Building (HSM), 25th and Whitis Avenue, Room 3.304.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS FEBRUARY 24 Send us your applications today! If you have any questions,
KVRX PLEDGE DRIVE BENEFIT
FRI FEB 17 DOORS AT 8
please call 471-1084 for more information.
2012 PLEDGE DRIVE: FEB. 6-20
SCAN AND DONATE NOW!
RINGO DEATHSTARR CACTUS PEACH WESTERN GHOST HOUSE SHIVERY SHAKES THESE ARE WORDS
ONLY $5 AT THE DOOR!
29TH ST. BALLROOM AT SPIDER HOUSE (2908 FRUTH) TEXASNT STUDDEIA ME
www.cactusyearbook.com
9 CLASS/SPT/ENT
SPORTS
Thursday, February 9, 2012
9
CAPTAINS continues from PAGE 7
“
I think all the pieces will be clicking on every cylinder, and I think as a group, we all want to work together with team unity and trust each other.
“
Bennett, Courtney Craig and Nadia Taylor are ready to lead the team deep into the post season this year. They all lobbied for captain because they felt that they were all on the same page and had enough experience collectively to positively mentor their teammates. “The seniors have been together all four years, so we obviously have that experience that some of the girls don’t have,” Bennett said. “I think we can take that experience and teach that to the other girls.” Taylor also added, “I think all the pieces will be clicking on every cylinder, and I think as a group, we all want to work together with team unity and trust each other.” Texas has a solid team this year, with a duo of strong freshmen and multiple strong returners. Junior Taylor Hoagland, who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team for the past two years, set Texas single-season records with 15 home runs and 54 runs scored last year. Alongside her, freshman Gabby Smith is expected to be a strong contributor for the Longhorns. She comes into UT after being
— Nadia Taylor, Third-Base
named her district MVP for the past two years and earning a 2011 ESPN All-American First Team selection as a utility player. Coming off a disappointing postseason, the Longhorns are ready to get back into the game and see what they learned from the offseason. To them, this first tournament provides the opportunity to forget last season and make an important statement about this Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff year’s team. These Longhorns are Assistant coach Corrie Hill and junior outfielder Torie Schmidt watch the Longhorns take batting practice Wednesday afternoon. Hill is in her chomping at the bit to come out seventh season at Texas and oversees and directs all aspects of the Longhorns’ offense and also serves as a bench coach during games. Hill has and be on top again. helped the Longhorns break many offensive records over the past few years.
USA continues from PAGE 7
games for Texas and posted an impressive .335 batting average. She led the team with 15 home runs and 54 runs scored and contributed further with 36 RBIs. “She’s just an amazing athlete, she’s an amazing package,” said Texas head coach Connie Clark of Hoagland’s performance with the Longhorns. “She’s a great student and a super young lady.” Hoagland hopes that what she learned last summer will help the Longhorns back home as they begin their season tonight. “I think the biggest thing I learned was role-playing, teamwork and having one common goal to work towards the entire season,” Hoagland said. In the championship game of the World Cup of Softball, Hoagland came up with a clutch home run to push the USA team past Japan
♲
your copy of The Daily Texan
UNS AD IRNE FOR ONL
E! E R F ad s
to win the tournament. Her shining moment came after a long stretch where Hoagland didn’t see much playing time with the national team, but she was still happy to be there. “It didn’t matter what position or role you had on the team, you were all there to win,” Hoagland said. “I think that’s great to bring back [home] because we are so young.” Because of her efforts the last two seasons and her work on the USA national team, Hoagland was named to the watch list for the USA National Softball Player of the Year award, which is awarded by the Amateur Softball Association of America each year. “[They’re] great achievements but you just got to keep going on, it never stops,” Hoagland said. “And when it does you just got to get back on the horse and get back to it.”
R E C YC L E
day, month day, 2008
d wor
NETWORK continues from PAGE 7
on l y
HOUSING RENTAL
370 Unf. Apts. x ID 3139270
EMPLOYMENT
766 Recruitment
$5,000-$7,000 PAID EGG DONORS Plus Expenses. N/ Smokers, Ages 18-27, SAT>1100, ACT>24, GPA>3.0 Reply to: info@ eggdonorcenter.com
790 Part Time BARTENDING! $300/DAY POTENTIAL No experience necessary. Training available. Age 18+. 800-965-6520 ext. 113
FUN JOB, GREAT PAY! Mad Science needs animated instructors to conduct entertaining hands-on, after-school programs and/or children’s birthday parties. Must have dependable car and prior experience working with groups of elementary age children. We provide the training and equipment. If you enjoy working with children and are looking to work only a few hours per week, this is the job for you! Pay: $25 - $35 per 1 hr. class. Call 8921143 or website at www. madscience.org/austin
$250 DAILY / PT Male/Female All Shapes and Sizes. No Exp Needed. CollegeStudentModels.com
were seeded No. 3 in the NCAA post season tournament and for the second year in a row, hosted their own NCAA regional in Austin. However, for the second year in a row, they suffered two unexpected early postseason losses and weren’t able to make it out of the first round. Texas doesn’t have good history in front of a national audience, even in the regular season. Last year, the Longhorns were featured twice on ESPN against Oklahoma and Missouri and once on Fox Sports Network for their annual showdown against Texas A&M. But despite entering the weekend as the projected winner, the Longhorns struggled and lost all three games. In fact, it’s been several years since Texas has won a televised game. During the past four regular seasons, they were featured on television nine times while only coming away with a victory once against Texas Tech on Texas Student TV, the Texas student channel, in 2008. As far as the NCAA tournament is concerned, in the past four years, Texas has not made it out of the first round once. They have dropped a regional in Houston, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and two in Austin in consecutive years. This season however, the Longhorns will be appear on television
32 times, once on Fox Sports Network with the rest being featured on the Longhorn Network. While it may seem trivial, hopefully the Longhorns can use the consistent national presence to overcome their big game flops. “Having a little more depth and experience under our belt with playing the NCAAs, and really understanding what that is about,” said Texas head coach Connie Clark. “I think as much as you try to teach that to your athletes, until they really go through it, they can look back on it and say they really know what the coaches were talking about.” Maybe it’s their youth that is not able to adjust quickly to college level competition or maybe it’s nerves about playing in the spotlight, but hopefully this year’s senior class can finally see beyond the regional round of the tournament. Tonight, against Cal State Fullerton in their spring 2012 season opener, the Longhorns will get their first chance to break their television curse. “Our expectations this year are to finish all the way through the season,” said junior starting pitcher Blaire Luna. “I think this year we are more determined to finish strongly. We’ve lost the last two years in regionals, but if anything I think we’ve learned from it.”
CLASSIFIEDS
BENNETT continues from PAGE 7 State in mid April causing her to miss the last twelve games of the regular season. That wouldn’t stop her though and she came back for the NCAA Austin Regional and is more than ready to go this year. “It [the arm] feels pretty good right now,” Bennett said. “I got a lot of rehab and rest in the offseason. It feels strong and ready to go. I’m just trying to get back where I was before and work on seeing the ball coming from the pitcher.” Bennett, one of the three captains on the team this year, is looking forward to a strong season. She stresses that the team needs consistency. “We need to start strong and stay strong through the whole game,” said Bennett. “We need consistency in every inning, into every game and then carry that through the whole season.” The King wo o d native has high expectations for her Longhorns this year. After losing the past two years in the NCAA Regionals, she wants the team to win in the regionals and make it to the championship round. She expects an overall great season with no ups and downs, but consistent winning. On a personal level, she has set the same expectation for her-
CLASSIFIEDS THE DAILY TEXAN
Self-serve, 24/7 on the Web at www.DailyTexanOnline.com
800 General Help Wanted
STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Austin. 100% FREE To Join! Click On Surveys.
TEACHERS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
Get your education, training and experience now! Hiring energetic teachers at all locations. Min. 1 year experience preferred. Flexible schedules, great perks! Apply online. EARN $1000-$3200 A month to drive our brand new cars with ads. www. AdCarPay.com
840 Sales MARKETING/SALES NINJA WANTED!! Are you fearless and want to do some really cool stuff? Need someone to run our entire social/ online marketing strategy: FB, Twitter, Google Places, Yelp, etc. also doing outside sales/ marketing around Austin. We are a brand new automotive concept that has never been done before in the USA and growing fast. Part time & Full Time positions. We want people who are eager & hungry!!! $9-$20 per hour!!!! Jobs@LuxuryAutoWorks.com
875 Medical Study x ID 3138091 x ID 3138119
880 Professional
ONLINE TRAINERS NEEDED Become a Shaklee Independent Distributor. 50 Year old company looking for online trainers. Flexible hours, work from home. www.2dreambigger. com
940 Opportunities Wanted
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!
CALL 512.471.5244 or self-service to submit Ad at dailytexanonline.com x ID 2860257
890 Clubs-Restaurants
WORK ON CAMPUS! The University of Texas Club is now hiring part time servers. Must be able to work home football games and certain holidays. Typical shifts are 10:00am-3:30pm, and 4:00pm-10:00pm. Pay averages $11.50/ hour. Apply in person or send resume to owen. wright@ourclub.com www.utclub.com
BUSINESS
930 Business Opportunities
THE DAILY TEXAN CLASSIFIED Regular rate 15 words for one day=$12.50/ for one week=$42.08/ for two weeks=$67.20 & $.50 per additional word. All ads appear online at no charge unless you opt for enhancements which will incur additional nominal charges. recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle
SEE WHAT OUR
ONLINE SYSTEM has to offer, and place
YOUR AD
NOW!
dailytexanclassifieds.com
keep an eye out for the
super TUESDAY COUPONS clip and save!
every week
self as she has for the team. She is striving for consistency in every part of the game. “I need more consistency,” said Bennett. “I want to be good at every at bat and make the most out of them all. I also want to be a leader on and off the field and be a good team player.” Bennett has one last season ahead of her before she departs the 40 Acres. She wants to become a first grade teacher after she graduates and is pursuing a certification to make that dream come true. Along with that she plans to continue to play softball in a professional league, keeping with the sports she always loved. Throughout her career at UT, she has had a great time with the team. Her favorite moment during her four years at UT, so far, was when the team won the Big 12 Championship her sophomore year. She almost had to redshirt the season because of an injury to her arm but she couldn’t be happier that it didn’t come to that. Winning the Big 12 Championship that year has a special meaning to her, but she isn’t satisfied just yet. The senior is excited about her last semester and the upcoming season, and if her previous accomplishments are any indication, this season should be the best yet for her and the team.
3B
ADVERTISING TERMS There are no refunds or credits. In the event of errors made in advertisement, notice must be given by 10 am the fi rst day of publication, as the publishers are responsible for only ONE incorrect insertion. In consideration of The Daily Texan’s acceptance of advertising copy for publication, the agency and the advertiser will indemnify and save harmless, Texas Student Media and its officers, employees and agents against all loss, liability, damage and expense of whatsoever nature arising out of the copying, printing or publishing of its advertisement including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees resulting from claims of suits for libel, violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright and trademark infringement. All ad copy must be approved by the newspaper which reserves the right to request changes, reject or properly classify an ad. The advertiser, and not the newspaper, is responsible for the truthful content of the ad. Advertising is also subject to credit approval.
10 COMICS
10 COMICS
7 6 2
2 3 8 5 9 1 6 4 7
8
5 7 9 6 3 4 2 8 1
5 1
6 4 1 2 7 8 9 5 3
1 3 8 4 2
7
4 6 5 8 1 3 7 9 2
4 2 3
8 1 3 9 2 7 5 6 4
1 9 8
3 1
2 7 1 7 8 6
8
9 2 7 4 6 5 1 3 8
5
1 8 6 7 4 9 3 2 5
6
3 5 2 1 8 6 4 7 9
Arrr matey. This scurrvy beast is today’s answerrrrrr. Crop it out, or it’ll be the the fishes for ya!
7 9 4 3 5 2 8 1 6
Case Dismissed? Deferred Adjudication? Don’t get treated like a criminal. SEAL EAL YOUR RECORD.
t
WINES · SPIRITS · FINER FOODS W (512) 366-8260 · specsonline.com (5 CHEERS TO SAVINGS
SUD OKU FOR YOU
Low
Thursday, February 9, 2012
2 7 3 4 9 8 1 5 6 6 8 9 5 1 7 4 3 2 8 3 6 9 5 4 7 2 1
Yesterday’s solution
9 5 7 2 8 1 3 6 4 3 1 2 8 7 9 6 4 5 4 6 8 1 2 5 9 7 3 7 9 5 6 4 3 2 1 8
UT School of Law, Class of ‘01
1 2 4 7 3 6 5 8 9
www.pq-law.com paul@pq-law.com
5 4 1 3 6 2 8 9 7
w Offi Office Quinz Law ce of Paul Quinzi 707 W. 10th Street Austin, Texas 512-535-1081 FREE CONSULTATION
LIFE&ARTS
Thursday, February 9, 2012
BLOGS continues from PAGE 12 time to write about. “Twitter is essentially microblogging,” Cicchirillo said in reference to the 140-character limit users have for their posts. While Twitter is generally for casual day-today updates, “blogging is becoming more formalized and mainstream,” Cicchirillo said. However, the often questionable perception of Twitter as a source for updates of a trivial nature may gradually be changing. With the use of Twitter as an organizational tool during political uprisings, such as the ongoing Syrian revolution and the Egyptian riots of early 2011, Cicchirillo says that the site’s usage is not strictly limited to casual updates, allowing for fast-paced ‘tweets’ that blogging cannot as readily provide. In a 2010 New York Times interview with Evan Williams, for-
mer CEO of Twitter, he marketed the site as “an information tool, not a social tool, and ... an essential way for people to communicate and get information in real time.” However, with the new censorship policies announced by Twitter last month that adhere to the censorship guidelines of certain countries such as Thailand and China, the use of this platform as a political communication resource may be debated. Journalism freshman Raisa Tillis, a frequent ‘tweeter,’ believes that the increasing popularity of microblogging over more traditional platforms is a natural, inevitable progression. “It’s like the latest pair of shoes — everyone is wearing or wanting them but they won’t be cool forever,” Tillis said. “Soon there will be another website and students will leave Twitter behind just as they’ve done
SCIENCE continues from PAGE 12 [with] MySpace.” When it comes down to it, an implementation of both platforms may prove to be the best bet when it comes to blogging success. One example of such an approach can be seen with The University of Texas at Austin itself, which implements both means of communication with an official Twitter feed and individual blogs for many of its departments. For Tillis, regardless of platform, her main priority is communication with her followers. “I enjoy using Twitter because although there’s a small character limit, I’m encouraged to say as much as I want and I know people are actually reading what I have to say,” Tillis said. “I love being able to let my followers know what I’m doing or feeling at any time. I could tweet all day if I had the time.”
another piece to add to the huge pile of evidence in support of global warming — evidence that’s getting harder and harder to ignore. For Your Eyes Only Science Magazine announced the winners of its International Science & Engineering Visual Challenge this week, honoring those who use images to present scientific ideas in new and interesting ways. The categories included photography, illustration, posters and graphics, interactive games and video. The winners depicted mouse eyes, attacks on monstrous cancer cells and a game that allows users to help scientists by bending amino acids into proteins. Nice Guys and the Women Who Make Them In a study that won’t surprise many, men are more likely to be
giving when there’s an attractive woman nearby. Psychologists performed a study on participants in which there was an option to share money rather than keep it for themselves. The catch was that some were observed by an attractive male, while others were observed by an equally attractive female. Male participants in the latter category acted more nicely and shared more of their money, while female participants’ actions didn’t vary much regardless of who observed them. A follow-up experiment found similar results with truly altruistic behaviors, showing that men observed by good-looking women were willing to donate more of their time to charities than those in the control groups in which either other men or nobody would be watching them.
For WEB
ExclusivE
STORIES VIDEOS PHOTO GALLERIES & MORE @dailytexanonline.com
MUSIC continues from PAGE 12
u eB Th
ys
rocker, has long insisted that struggle is the key to creativity. In the rock documentary “It Might Get Loud,” White summed up the point of lo-fi and do-ityourself recordings: “If you don’t have a struggle already inside of you or around you, you have to make one up.” It’s hard not to agree. While it’s true that Attack On Memory nobly takes on the unreflective
nostalgia of hipster culture and w h o k i l l deals with heavy themes like sexual violence, this thematic ambition is mostly absent from the artists’ earlier work. This makes perfect sense when one considers that lo-fi gives artists something to struggle with before they have the creative maturity to tap into their own lives for inspiration. Still, it might be that this the-
of T
as ex
your e-mail address to our list and we will send you the opportunity to …
it with your friends and save even more!
up to 50% off of local businesses!
$10 for $20 of food and drink at El Sol y La Luna Getcha Some!
sis is too abstract to get at the concrete greatness of four-track masterpieces. After performing at last year’s Pitchfork Festival, Tobin Sprout, famous for his work with lo-fi legends Guided By Voices, shared his view on the matter with the bloggers at Lazyi. “It’s all about the songs,” Sprout insisted. “There are people in every generation that seem to get that.” tunE-yArDs is currently on tour promoting last year’s highly successful w h o k i l l, the professionally produced follow up to Garbus’ self-recorded debut, BiRdBrAiNs.
Photo courtesy of tUnE-yArDs
PHOTO STUDIO
cording to date. The Cloud Nothings’ success was all possible because of the hard-won label attention paid to band leader Dylan Baldi’s first lo-fi albums, written and produced in Baldi’s parents’ basement. Similar stories of neckbreaking changes in production quality could be told of The Antlers’ Pete Silberman, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and especially Destroyer’s Dan Bejar, who has somehow switched sides from classic-era Guided By Voices to Avalon-era Roxy Music. What’s responsible for the ubiquity of this rags-to-swag tale of indie success? One answer might be that new methods of distribution have changed the game. Now that unknown bands can attract serious media attention just by posting their songs online (as was the case last year with bands Cults and Washed Out), albums like BiRdBrAiNs, which was originally a choose-your-own-price download, can bring artists’ money based solely on the strength of their material. But I think a better explanation can be given. Jack White, himself a former lo-fi
11
FINAL CACTUS PORTRAIT STUDIO FEBRUARY 13-24, 2012 HEARST STUDENT MEDIA BUILDING ROOM 3.200 | 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. Graduating Seniors also wanting cap and gown photos must either call 471-1084, or go to www.UTPhotos. checkappointments.com to make a reservation.
www.cactusyearbook.com
12
LIFE&ARTS
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | THE DAILY TEXAN | Katie Stroh, Life&Arts Editor | (512) 232-2209 | dailytexan@gmail.com
Despite increasing preference for brevity, blogging still strong By Rainy Schermerhorn Daily Texan Staff
It seems like just a few years ago, blogging was one of the biggest emerging trends on the Web — alongside embracing social media, companies such as Google, Adobe and BBC implemented blogging into their business practices. But almost as quickly as it grew in popularity, blogging through the traditional means of written posts seems to have fallen out of the spotlight in favor of sites like Twitter and Tumblr, which allow for media-based updates with more brevity than their predecessors. While blogging as a whole certainly hasn’t vanished from the public spectrum, with the emergence of sites that combine the best aspects of both blogging and social networking, the blogosphere appears to be in a state of evolution — or as some may argue, de-evolution. According to alexa.com, an informational online ranking site, Twitter’s traffic is ranked No. 8 in the United States, with Tumblr steadily growing at No. 24 — in contrast, Blogspot and Blogger have fallen behind at No. 11 and No. 58, respectively. With 50 percent of its user base under the age of 25, Tumblr has become a popular site for college students, but is not limited strictly to this demographic. For instance, the 2012 Obama campaign launched its “Obama for America” Tumblr in late October of last year. However, Austin-based fitness blogger Valeka Cruz of “Running on Heavy” chooses to stick with the more traditional platform of blogger.com for her updates on running, dieting and general wellness. “In my opinion, the other platforms that focus on brevity don’t give as much insight to a person’s writing style and voice,” Cruz said.
Photo Illustration by Marisa Vasquez
“One of the primary goals of my blog is to help others who have fitness, health and wellness concerns. I began writing it out of necessity for myself and found that a lot of others were interested in what I had
to say and could relate to what I was going through.” While Cruz admits that she often receives less reads for particularly verbose posts or updates made during weekdays when people have less
time to read, she believes that the “classic” approach simply works better for her content, despite her appreciation for shorter blurbs put out by other fitness bloggers on Twitter. According to assistant advertis-
ing professor Vincent Cicchirillo, the main difference between the two platforms is connectivity, with sites like Twitter being on the social sphere and traditional blogging on the more political and information-
al sphere. Cicchirillo also believes blogs are vital resources for coverage of more local topics that the mainstream news doesn’t always have
BLOGS continues on PAGE 11
Science explores flying robots, size evolution, Texas drought John Leguizamo touring, switching style in countries
SCIENCE SCENE
By Chris Nguyen Daily Texan Staff
By Robert Starr
Robot Swarms The General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception (GRASP) Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania has put together small flying machines that travel in complex formations while nimbly avoiding objects in their path. Looking like small, alien military helicopters, these devices effortlessly float but are also smart enough to detect where the other helicopters are and shift their position accordingly, like a flock of birds. This type of device has obvious military uses down the line, but as of now, it’s best to watch the YouTube videos of the machines moving in gorgeous motion, looking more like a special effect from a Hollywood blockbuster than something touchable. Bulk Up in 24 Million Generations A recent study in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” looked at several different mammals and calculated how many generations it took for them to get to their current size. Elephants, for instance, took at least 24 million generations to go from the dimensions of a mouse to their current stature. The scientists noted, however, that evolutionary pressures often act faster in the other direction — going from large to small may only take 100,000 generations. Also, water-based animals such as whales grew at almost twice the rate of land-based animals, likely a
Known for his fast-talking, wisecracking roles, John Leguizamo has been able to make a wide and eclectic mark on Hollywood. He made his first break as Luigi in “Super Mario Bros.” before going on to meatier roles, whether it was as Tybalt in Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” or the voice of Sid in the “Ice Age” movies. Although known for his television and film work, Leguizamo has built a strong list of stage performances since 1993, including roles on Broadway. Now he is set to take the stage at Paramount Theatre as a part of his international tour for “Ghetto Klown,” a one-man show that offers a glimpse at Leguizamo’s high-energy, highstrung dealings with his childhood and even his time with Steven Seagal. During his tour stop in Bogotá, Columbia, The Daily Texan spoke with Leguizamo about his new show.
Photo Illustration by Caitlin Zellers
result of not having to fight so strongly against gravity. Texas Heat Wave Thought last summer was hot? You weren’t alone. A recent paper strongly suggested that last summer’s massive heat wave and drought here in Texas — along with
other recent weather anomalies — were a direct result of global warming. While it’s difficult to pin a specific event on a statistical model, the study’s authors note that the chances of the kind of weather we experienced last summer, with the bulk of the three months filled with 100+
degree weather, is highly improbable unless one accepts a model that incorporates climate change. This is a rather bold claim and other scientists are double-checking the math, but if it checks out, this could be yet
SCIENCE continues on PAGE 11
WHAT: Ghetto Klown WHERE: Paramount Theatre WHEN: Feb. 9-11 at 8 p.m. TICKETS: $37.50-$83 WEB: ghettoklownonbroadway. com
“Ghetto Klown,” this isn’t your first stage show by any means, so tell me why you decided to do it at this point in your life. Leguizamo: I wanted to share things about life, personal and professional, that have happened. It’s really just about my life. I speak about what I know about Hollywood, which is very much about being a business. I talk about my time working with people like Patrick Swayze, Al Pacino and Steven Seagal.
DT: The show was on Broadway last year. What made you decide to bring this show on tour, and an international one at that? Leguizamo: This was a good time, I think, to be able to travel and get to be in all these places and be with so many different audiences around the world to bring this show to. I enjoy being on stage and getting the energy from the crowd.
DT: In doing a show in Bogotá, where you translate your show into Spanish, do you change things up a lot? Leguizamo: I do, but it has to do more with understanding the audience and the crowd reaction. People here are going to be laughing at different things than other audiences because of culture and DT: What can we expect from you the way of life. So I definitely try to see how the audience will react. in the future? Leguizamo: I’ll be doing the voice DT: How do you feel about of Sid again in the next “Ice Age” movie, but I’ll also be showing a coming down to Austin? Leguizamo: I love Austin. It’s one movie at South By Southwest latof my favorite cities in the world. er this year. I’m excited and really DT: Going back to your show, looking forward to that.
Resourcefulness results in Garbus’ rags to riches journey By Daniel Muñoz Daily Texan Columnist
It’s been a good year for Merrill Garbus, better known by her stage name, tUnE-yArDs. Since releasing her sophomore album w h o k i l l to critical and commercial success last April, Garbus’ music has been on critics’ top 10 lists, popular TV shows such as “Weeds” and even Billboard 200 album charts. What’s so remarkable about
w h o k i l l isn’t that it’s successful — it deserves the acclaim, it’s that a mere two years before the album’s release, Garbus had just finished recording her debut album, BiRd-BrAiNs, using nothing more than a cheap hand-held voice recorder and shareware mixing software. “Money was just never there, so I got used to being and creating without it,” Garbus told the Guardian in April 2011. When she realized she couldn’t afford
a bass guitar, she compensated by layering percussion parts, most notably seen in the gritty hi-hat, boomy bass drum and swooshing backwards snare of “Little Tiger.” Soon enough, she had developed a unique, likable sound that helped her self-released debut sell more copies than she’d ever imagined it could. The unexpected influx of cash and media attention meant that tUnEyArDs was able to mature into
something more ambitious than a lo-fi side-project. The story of Garbus’ success, stripped down to its bare narrative form, is what happens when an artist goes hi-fi and things go right, and it’s happening more and more often. Just last month, Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings released Attack On Memory, their most successful and by far highest-fidelity re-
MUSIC continues on PAGE 11
Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg