THE DAILY TEXAN Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
Austin/Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force hosts community roundtable
The UT fashion show hits the stage next week INSERT
NEWS PAGE 5 >> Breaking news, blogs and more: www.dailytexanonline.com
TODAY Calendar Blanton Museum Shop hosts jewelry trunk show
Treat yourself to some muchdeserved bling at this spring’s Handmade Jewelry Trunk Show. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Blanton Museum of Art Shop.
Campus bike safety panel and discussion
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MyEdu offers enhanced features for registration By Liz Farmer Daily Texan Staff
The interactive degree planning site MyEdu will offer daily updates on course availability, user profiles and a mobile app in time for Monday’s registration. As the University works with the site, more features will be add-
ed as a result of the UT System’s $10 million partnership with MyEdu that began on October 18. Frank Lyman, MyEdu senior vice president of marketing and business development, said discussions with the UT campuses influenced the creation of the features. Course availability will be updated on MyEdu’s website at mid-
night each evening, which Lyman said will make planning a schedule easier and more reliable. While the system does not update in real time, developers are considering implementing the feature, Lyman said. He said the creation of academic profiles stemmed from student interest in sharing and knowing more
about their academic community. “[Students] said who I am on Facebook might be different from who I want to be academically,” Lyman said. This feature contains a question and answer section that Lyman said he hopes faculty will utilize to answer class questions. Some faculty members are con-
By Sylvia Butanda Daily Texan Staff
In 1866
Butch Cassidy, the last of the great western train-robbers, is born on this day in Beaver, Utah territory.
5-7 a.m. "You've Never Been Right"
Heavy punk rock and roll with classic black metal appetizers and 60s pop and country dessert. That's right, you've never been right.
7-8 p.m. "Mix of Meow"
A plethora of both movie and video game soundtracks with a strong tendency to fall into the realms of high fantasy and science fiction.
MYEDU continues on PAGE 2
City Council approves cab ordinance to ensure safety
Today in history
We keep you in shape with their special workout as we watch the films"Morning Runner" by Ryan Evans, "You" by Nathan Crenshaw, "Blue Masquerade" by Steven Zurita, and "Persistence" by Eli Lopez!
cerned about MyEdu’s comments and ratings section that allows users to evaluate individual instructors. Lyman said this section will remain, along with another feature that is expected to launch at the end of April that will match students’ preferred learning
Pedicab industry receives regulation
As a follow up to last week’s Mapping Bicycle and Pedestrian Conflicts on Campus event, there will be a panel of experts to discuss solutions followed by an open dialogue period from noon-4:30 p.m. in Sutton 2.114.
WATCH TStv ON CHANNEL 15 9 p.m - Capital Cineforum
Friday, April 13, 2012
Photo illustration by Rebeca Rodriguez | Daily Texan Staff
Pavielle Babai-Pirouz, a pedicab driver of four years, rides across 4th Street Thursday evening. Babai-Pirouz is concerned about the growing number of pedicab drivers and supports the new regulations approved by the Austin City Council to implement new safety, insurance and control methods.
Hospitals, organizations hope to increase organ donations By Kayla Jonsson Daily Texan Staff
As the list of patients needing organ transplants increases, so does the need for more organ donors. Organ donor numbers are not increasing, though, said Michelle Segovia, Texas Organ Sharing Alliance Community Relations coordinator, resulting in more people waiting for necessary organs. There are about 113,000 people in the U.S. waiting for an organ transplant, and 11,000 of them are in Texas, Segovia said. She said more than 18 people die every day because they are waiting for a transplant. “There is a critical shortage of organs, and we have the power to change that,” Segovia said. “One person can save eight lives by being an organ donor.” Mary Steinhardt, kinesiology and health education professor, has hosted organ donation registry drives on campus and said being a donor is a wonderful final act while on earth. “The powerful stories I have heard over the years of individuals
being helped with organ donations is very touching.” Steinhardt said. “Of course, there is tremendous sadness at the same time for the family who loses their loved one, but at least the person is continuing the life of another loved one.” Segovia said it only takes one minute to be included in the Texas organ donors database with a driver’s license renewal, or by signing up at donatelifetexas.org. “People don’t realize it, but you have to die in a very specific way to even be eligible to donate organs, so we want everyone who is eligible to be a donor,” she said. The donor must be in the hospital, on a ventilator and brain dead to donate their organs, Segovia said. She said less than two percent of people who die in the hospital meet these qualifications. “When you are brain dead, you are dead,” she said. “It’s different than brain damage. You must be on a ventilator so your heart is still beating and your lungs still have oxygen so they are healthy.”
ORGAN continues on PAGE 2
With the increasing popularity of pedicab transportation downtown and in surrounding areas, Austin City Council members approved new regulations Thursday to hopefully increase safety of pedicab operation and use. There are currently 341 permitted pedicabs and 24 Austin pedicab companies, which was one of the reasons to update the ordinance and implement regulations for safety, insurance and control purposes. The last time the pedicab ordinance was revised was in 1992 when Austin’s streets had only a dozen pedicabs. Kathie Tovo, Austin City Council member, further discussed the ordinance during the council meeting and asked questions about the new
PEDICAB continues on PAGE 2 A proposal was submitted last week to direct $200 million to an express lane project for Mopac Boulevard. that would add a toll lane to both sides of the loop.
Andreina Velazquez Daily Texan Staff
MoPac traffic may lessen with toll road By Alexa Ura Daily Texan Staff
Far West student commuters may be saying goodbye to sitting in traffic for hours on MoPac Boulevard. Last week, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority submitted a proposal to direct $200 million to a MoPac Boulevard express lane project. The roadway
improvement project would add a toll lane to both sides of the loop stretching from downtown around Lady Bird Lake to Parmer Lane in north Austin. Once completed, emergency vehicles and Capital Metro Transit buses, including the Far West UT shuttle, will be able to travel through the new northbound and southbound toll roads at no cost. Other vehicles would be allowed to use the lanes if they pay
the toll fee. “Our goal is to get as many people from point A to point B without sitting in traffic all day,” said Capital Metro Communication Specialist Misty Whited. Whited said the toll lanes would improve transit travel time for the Express shuttle and UT shuttle routes traveling
MOPAC continues on PAGE 2
2
NEWS
Friday, April 13, 2012
PEDICAB continues from PAGE 2
IN GOOD COMPANY
THE DAILY TEXAN Volume 112, Number 154
CONTACT US Main Telephone: (512) 471-4591 Editor: Viviana Aldous (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor: Audrey White (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com News Office: (512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com Multimedia Office: (512) 471-7835 dailytexanmultimedia@gmail.com Sports Office: (512) 232-2210 sports@dailytexanonline.com Life & Arts Office: (512) 232-2209 dailytexan@gmail.com Rebeca Rodriguez | Daily Texan Staff
Photo Office: (512) 471-8618 photo@dailytexanonline.com
Jr., 4, and Bobo, 2, play in the porch of their house while their grandfather Red watches over them Thursday afternoon.
Comics Office: (512) 232-4386 dailytexancomics@gmail.com
MYEDU continues from PAGE 1
Retail Advertising: (512) 471-1865 joanw@mail.utexas.edu
methods to the teaching styles of faculty members. “How do we provide the same [feature] in a way that’s more fair and objective?” Lyman said. The MyEdu app is available for any mobile browser, which includes information on courses and campus buildings, Lyman said. He said students can use it for different functions like finding building hours or forming study groups. Psychology senior Stephanie Holloway said before she used MyEdu she would have to create a spreadsheet to plan her sched-
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 High
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You worked for The Liberator?!
on MoPac. Capital Metro has been involved in the proposal of the toll lanes and has various members on city traffic advisory boards to represent the public transit system. MoPac ranks 39 on the Texas Department of Transportation’s list of 100 most congested roadway segments in Texas causing more than 1,700,000 annual hours of delay, according to TxDOT’s website. UT bus driver David Learned has driven a shuttle on the Far West route for 12 years and said This newspaper was printed with pride by The Daily Texan and Texas Student Media.
Permanent Staff
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Viviana Aldous Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Daley, Samantha Katsounas, Shabab Siddiqui, Susannah Jacob Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Audrey White Associate Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aleksander Chan News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jillian Bliss Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Pagan, Colton Pence, Nick Hadjigeorge Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Messamore, 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, Anjli 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
Issue Staff
Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvia Butanda, Kayla Johnsson, Alex Ura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Maly, Paxton Thomes Multimedia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andreina Velazquez, Sa Wang, Rebecca Howeth Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garrett Callahan, Lauren Jette, Lexy Gonzalez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristin Otto, Matt Warden, Blake McAdow Columnists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larisa Manescu, Rui Shi Page Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Foster Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane Hervey, Kristine Reyna, Holly Wu Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Danielle Thomas, Betsy Cooper, Nick Gregg, Carlos Pagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allie Eissler, Jeff Moast, Raquel Berternitz Web Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ghayde Ghraowi, Michaela Huff, Omar J Longoria
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.
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this semester?’” Vice provost and registrar Shelby Stanfield serves as the co-chair of the University’s MyEdu steering team, which includes several students and faculty members. Stanfield said MyEdu’s graduation roadmap is like a sketch pad, whereas the Interactive Degree Audit is like a more detailed planning device. He said the team’s main objective is to explore how the two systems can work together. “We can say, ‘here’s how you can get maximum benefit,’” Stanfield said. “You can use these in a
complementary fashion.” Version 2.0 of the audit rolled out March 21 with what Stanfield described as a much more enhanced user interface. “There’s a lot of infrastructure improvements,” Stanfield said. “It sets the stage for future features that we’re going to plug into the degree audit.” Stanfield said the steering team has met twice, but plans to start meeting bi-weekly to further examine the features that MyEdu can offer the University. “It’s very much still evolving,” Stanfield said.
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THE DAILY TEXAN
4/13/12
ule, since she thought UT’s registration system was confusing. Holloway said the University’s Interactive Degree Audit is better for long-term planning, but she uses MyEdu to manage course loads. However, she said she dislikes how students use some of the site’s other features. “I’m not the kind of student who looks for the easiest class,” Holloway said. “It seems like it’s being kind of abused. I’m looking for teaching style and effective teaching. I would use it to see a nice visualization of ‘what am I stacking on top of myself
Monday .............Wednesday, 12 p.m. Thursday.................Monday, 12 p.m. Tuesday.................Thursday, 12 p.m. Friday......................Tuesday, 12 p.m. Word Ads 11 a.m. Wednesday................Friday, 12 p.m. Classified (Last Business Day Prior to Publication)
the toll lanes would be beneficial for students. “It gets pretty dicey out there during traffic hour,” he said. “It would be great for the kids so they don’t have to wait an hour in traffic to get to their home only six miles away.” Learned said he was weary of the increased traffic construction would create despite claims from officials that it would be minimal. An average of 4,859 students rode the Far West shuttle daily during the 2011 fall semester, according to Capital Metro figures. Economics senior Martha Parodi said she rides the Far West shuttle to and from campus three times a week. Parodi said at times she prefers to wait on campus for the rush hour to die down instead of waiting in traffic on the bus. “It takes a long time to get back home once it hits five or six in the afternoon,” she said. “The toll lane is a good idea, but how much time would it really cut if cars can pay to get on the lane as well?” The toll lane may require route changes for students because of limited access points. Steve
Our goal is to get as many people from point A to point B without sitting in traffic all day. — Misty Whited, Capital Metro spokeswoman
Pustelnyk, Director of Communications for the Central Texas Regional Authority, said entry and exit ramps would be located at Parmer Lane, between FM 2222 and Far West Boulevard, and at Cesar Chavez Street in downtown Austin. The current Far West shuttle route enters MoPac Boulevard at 35th street and would not allow access to the toll road once created. Whited said it’s too early to make any concrete changes, but routes would be modified or supplemented to travel to Cesar Chavez Street if needed. TxDOT officials announced they have $2 billion to spend on road projects in Texas with an estimated $50 million going to-
ward the MoPac project. The toll road construction could receive the $50 million because it meets TxDOT’s “shovel-ready” criteria for the allocation of any funds, Pustelnyk said. TxDOT requires projects to be ready or nearly ready for construction because they must allocate their funds before a September federal deadline. Financial loan details will need to be finalized before a May public hearing, followed by a final vote to approve the project on June 11. Pustelnyk said construction on the toll lanes would not begin until 2013 pending a final environmental clearance from the Federal Highway Administration that is expected to be obtained in August.
The University of Texas at Austin
The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC)
is a comprehensive scholarship program. It gives you the money you need to cover tuition, fees, and stipends for books - even monthly allowences. An NROTC Scholarship covers the following: • Full tuition • All college and university educational fees Stipend for books • Subsistence allowence each month • Other related educational expenses • Uniforms
Subsistence Allowance each month
(see your local recruiter for current amounts) Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
$250 $300 $350 $400
General Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the NROTC Program must:
• Be a U.S. Citizen • Be 17 years old by September 1 of the first year of college and younger than 27 on June 30 of the year in which you are eligible for graduation and commissioned status. An age waiver may be granted for prior active military service. • Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency certificates by August 1 of the same year that entrance into the four-year NROTC program is anticipated. • Be physically qualified by Navy standards. • Have no moral obligations or personal convictions that will prevent bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States. • Apply for and gain admission to NROTC colleges. Contact: or: • Acheive qualifying scores on the SAT/ACT NC1 Gina Rocha Valdez MMGS Philip Wygans Scores can be mixed (different test dates or test) Work: (210) 295-9619 Work: (210) 295-9619 SAT - 520 Math, 530 Verbal Cell: (210) 336-2264 Cell: (210) 439-7200 ACT - 21 Math, 22 English Or, be in the top 10% of High School class standing Email: gina.valdez@navy.mil Email: philip.wyans@navy.mil (Must have taken either ACT or SAT)
regulations, which will go into effect April 22. “From what I understand, the ordinance provides more requirements in terms of safety and insurance by making sure pedicab operators have appropriate levels of insurance in case of any kind of accident or injury,” Tovo said. Karla Villalon, spokeswoman for the Austin Transportation Department, said the updated ordinance allows pedicab operators to service people only within a certain area. “It prohibits pedicabs from using private roads closed to traffic or roads within the jurisdiction of the state, including UT and the State Capitol complex,” Villalon said. “Council also approved rules for pedicabs to operate within the barricade section of Sixth Street over the weekend so that pedicabs and pedestrians can coexist.” Leah Fillion, City of Austin public information spokeswoman, said there is also a regulation on pedicab safety features. “Pedicabs need to have brakes, lights and the pedicab operator’s information has to be displayed,” Fillion said. Fillion said the most interesting regulation of the ordinance was that the city is considering permanently limiting the number of pedicabs and will not approve new pedicab permits for the next six months. “Right now there’s no cap on the number of pedicabs in the city, and the amount of these vehicles has been steadily growing for the last few years,” Fillion said. “After we see what effect these new regulations have, we will make a decision on whether a cap is in order.” In addition, City Council approved a rule that would allow pedicab stands to be installed in areas downtown. “The pedicab stands will be places, designated by signs, where nine to 10 pedicabs can wait for customers in high-traffic areas,” Fillion said. Apart from the ordinance, a resolution was approved to put together a program for street markings to designate where a smaller amount of pedicabs can park. “Other than the pedicab stands, we’ve asked the city staff to design a marking to put on the street in places that are appropriate places for one to two pedicabs to park and wait,” Fillion said. Russell Williams, City Pedicab manager, said the pedicabbers in the Warehouse District have clashed with police in the past, so the ordinance could help regulate the areas where pedicabbers are allowed. “We have staged in areas that somedays they would look past then somedays they would ticket,” Williams said. Williams said he welcomes the ordinance, however, he’s concerned the ordinance will put more restrictions on pedicab operating boundaries. “My fear is that they would progress the ordinances to the point in which we’re only allowed to solicit rides in the staging areas,” Williams said. “I don’t see it happening, but I fear it.”
ORGAN continues from PAGE 1
She said it is rare for all these qualifications to be met, so when it does occur and the patient was not signed up as a donor, TOSA will approach the family to ask if the patient’s organs may be used to save someone else. “We work with wonderful donor families every day who are having the worst day of their life because a loved one has just passed away,” she said. “Their decision is much easier if they had had that conversation prior and knew being a donor was your wish.” Communication studies sophomore Shelbi Flood is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a co-ed professional business fraternity that hosts blood drives for community service. She said she made the decision to become an organ donor when she got her driver’s license renewed. “I’ve had family members who needed transplants so I really wanted to become a donor,” Flood said. “If I don’t need my organs anymore and I’m in a position to donate, why should I be selfish? It’s so easy to do.”
World&NatioN
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Friday, April 13, 2012 | The Daily Texan | Austin Myers, Wire Editor | dailytexanonline.com
N. Korea fires long-range rocket
NEWS BRIEFLY Calif. Court says employers don’t need to guarantee lunch breaks SAN FRANCISCO — In a case that affects thousands of businesses and millions of workers, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that employers are under no obligation to ensure that workers take legally mandated lunch breaks. The unanimous opinion came after workers’ attorneys argued that abuses are routine and widespread when companies aren’t required to issue direct orders to take the breaks. They claimed employers take advantage of workers who don’t want to leave colleagues during busy times. The case was initially filed nine years ago against Dallas-based Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s and other eateries, by restaurant workers complaining of missed breaks in violation of California labor law. The opinion written by Associate Justice Kathryn Werdegar explained that state law does not compel an employer to ensure employees cease all work during meal periods. It stated that while employers are required to free workers of job duties for a 30-minute meal break, the employee is at liberty to use the time as they choose even if it’s to work, she wrote.
Iranian negotiators expect to receive concessions on Saturday
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s envoys are heading for nuclear talks with confidence that the chips are falling their way. It could be dismissed as just political theatrics for the world powers that Iran will face in Istanbul on Saturday. After all, Iran has some serious matters on its plate: Tightening economic sanctions, near blacklist status from international banking networks and the threat that Israel or the U.S. could eventually opt for a military strike against Tehran’s nuclear program. But think like the Iranian leadership. The baseline objective is to keep the centrifuges spinning in its uranium enrichment sites. That now seems within reach — and the Islamic Republic could even try to leverage a few concessions from the West. That’s because Iran has been very busy since the last attempts at negotiations nosedived more than a year ago with the same group: The five permanent U.N. Security Council members — the United States, France, China, Russia and Britain — plus Germany.
Mississippi anti-abortion law may shut down state’s only clinic JACKSON, Miss.— Mississippi’s abortion laws, already among the strictest in the nation, are poised to become even tighter after a push by social conservatives to shut down the state’s only clinic providing the procedure. Women’s legal options could soon be restricted to finding a doctor willing to terminate a pregnancy or seeking an abortion out of state, which would prove difficult for people with little money. A bill passed by the Republicancontrolled Legislature and awaiting the signature of GOP Gov. Phil Bryant requires anyone performing abortions in a clinic to be a certified OB-GYN with admitting privileges at a local hospital. Those privileges aren’t easy for doctors to get, either because they live out of state or because some religious-affiliated hospitals might be unwilling to associate themselves with people who perform elective abortions. Bryant says he’ll sign the law in a few days. It would take effect July 1.
Russian arms dealer in prison asks his country to sue the US
MOSCOW — A Russian arms dealer who was convicted in the United States on terrorism charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison asked Russia on Thursday to file a lawsuit against the U.S. and Thailand on his behalf. Viktor Bout, a former Soviet military officer dubbed the Merchant of Death, also urged Russia’s parliament to create a panel to dispel what he called false accusations leveled against him by the U.S. prosecutors. Bout has been jailed since his arrest four years ago in Thailand in an elaborate U.S. sting operation. — Compiled from Associated Press reports
By Jean H. Lee The Associated Press
PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea fired a long-range rocket early Friday, South Korean and U.S. officials said, defying international warnings against moving forward with a launch widely seen as a provocation. Liftoff took place at 7:39 a.m. from the west coast launch pad in the hamlet of Tongchang-ri, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said, citing South Korean and
Lee Jin-man | Associated Press
A South Korean protester hangs an effigy of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un near mock missiles during a rally in Seoul on Tuesday.
U.S. intelligence. However, the launch may have failed, U.S. officials said in Washington. South Korean officials said they could not confirm that. Japan’s Defense Minister Naiki Tanaka said, “We have confirmed that a certain flying object has been launched and fell after flying for just over a minute.” He did not say what exactly was launched. He said there was no impact on Japanese territory from the launch. In Pyongyang, there was no word about a launch, and state television
was broadcasting video for popular folk tunes. North Korean officials said they would make an announcement about the launch “soon.” North Korea had earlier announced it would send a three-stage rocket mounted with a satellite as part of celebrations honoring national founder Kim Il Sung, whose 100th birthday is being celebrated Sunday. Space officials say the rocket is meant to send a satellite into orbit to study crops and weather patterns — its third bid to launch a satellite since 1998.
Syrians call for anti-Assad protests during truce By Elizabeth Kennedy & Zeina Karam The Associated Press
BEIRUT — Syria’s opposition called for widespread protests Friday to test the regime’s commitment to an internationally brokered cease-fire that the U.N. chief described as so fragile it could collapse with a single gunshot. Regime forces halted heavy shelling and other major attacks in line with the truce that began at dawn Thursday, though there were accusations of scattered violence by both sides. The government ignored demands to pull troops back to barracks, however, defying a key aspect of the plan, which aims to calm a year-old uprising that has killed 9,000 people and has pushed the country toward civil war. “The onus is on the government of Syria to prove that their words will be matched by their deeds at this time,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Geneva. He said the world was watching with skeptical eyes. “This cease-fire process is very fragile. It may be broken any time,” Ban added, saying “another gunshot” could doom the truce. The presence of tanks and troops could discourage any large gatherings, but the leader of the opposition Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun, urged Syrians to demonstrate peacefully on Friday. “Tomorrow, like every Friday, the Syrian people are called to demonstrate even more and put the regime in front of its responsibilities — put the international community in front of its responsibilities.” A massive protest would be an
Hussein Malla | Associated Press
Lebanese anti-Syrian regime protesters carry the Syrian revolutionary flag at Martyrs’ Square in Beirut, Lebanon, last month.
important test of the cease-fire — whether President Bashar Assad will allow his forces to hold their fire and risk ushering in a weekslong sit-in or losing control over territory that government forces recently recovered from rebels. If the truce holds, it would be the
first time the regime has observed an internationally brokered ceasefire since Assad’s regime launched a brutal crackdown 13 months ago. “The test will come when we start to see protests across the length and breadth of the country,” said Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings
By Matt Gouras The Associated Press
Rich Pedroncelli Associated Press
UC-Davis pepper spray incident puts campus police techniques under fire SAN FRANCISCO — State lawmakers are calling for greater oversight of campus police departments after investigators blasted administrators and officers at the University of California, Davis, for pepper-spraying demonstrators — a police action that drew widespread criticism after a video went viral. In a report released Wednesday, a UC Davis task force said the decision to douse seated Occupy protesters with the eyestinging chemical was “objectively unreasonable” and not authorized by campus policy. “The pepper-spraying incident that took place on Nov. 18, 2011, should and could have been prevented,” concluded the task force created to investigate the confrontation. The chemical crackdown prompted widespread condem-
start to arise?” An outbreak of violence at a chaotic rally could give the regime a pretext for ending the truce. And it would be difficult to determine the source of such an attack, given that Syria is largely sealed off from journalists and outside observers.
Postmaster general on mission to save small-town post offices
Geoffrey Wildanger, one of the students pepper sprayed by campus police officers at UC-Davis last November, questions members of a task force that looked into the incident, during a town hall style meeting held at the school on Wednesday.
By Terence Chea The Associated Press
Doha Center. “Is the Assad regime willing to accept that there will likely be hundreds of thousands of people on the streets in the next few days? And will they accept those protesters, if they are not breaking any laws, occupying certain spaces and towns and centers of towns, should that
nation, campus protests and calls for the resignation of Chancellor Linda Katehi after videos shot by witnesses were widely played online. Images of an officer casually spraying orange pepper-spray in the faces of nonviolent protesters became a rallying point for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Assembly Speaker John Perez, who sits on the UC Board of Regents, said in a statement that the report “shows the systemic and administrative problems that led up to an outrageous and excessive use of force against peaceful student demonstrators.” Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, a Democrat whose district includes UC Berkeley, also said she would pursue legislation based on the report’s recommendations to improve the training, organization and operation of campus police departments. The task force blamed the the incident on poor planning,
communication and decisionmaking at all levels of the school administration, from Katehi to Police Chief Annette Spicuzza to Lt. John Pike, the main officer seen in the online videos. Pike and other officers said they needed to use pepper-spray to break through a hostile crowd, but the investigation determined police were able to step over the seated protesters and walk through the throng of onlookers, according to the report. “There was really no reason, we conclude, to have used the pepper spray,” Cruz Reynoso, a retired California Supreme Court justice who chaired the task force, said at a campus forum where the panel presented its findings and recommendations. The report also said Pike used a pepper-spray canister that was larger than the one campus police officers are authorized and trained to use.
INGOMAR, Mont. — The top U.S. Postal Service official on Thursday took his case for rural post office closures straight to the people it will hurt most, telling residents in Montana’s capital and in one of its smallest towns that up to 3,600 small post offices around the country need to be shuttered as part of cost-cutting moves. Rural residents who traveled to Helena to meet Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe answered right back, saying cuts should be made elsewhere because their post offices provide a much-needed lifeline. In Montana alone, about 80 small post offices are slated for closure, from Alzada to Zurich. The agency needs to reorganize in part because of a 60 percent decline in the number of people paying bills through the mail and the cost of paying into its employee retirement benefits, Donahoe told the gathering in Helena, which is facing the loss of its mail processing center. Last year, postal losses totaled $5.1 billion, and losses are projected to grow. The trip comes as the Senate prepares as early as next week to take up legislation that would slow, if not stop, the Postal Service’s plans to close roughly half of the nation’s 460 mail processing centers beginning this year. The move would slow first-class mail delivery and, for the first time in 40 years, eliminate the chance for stamped letters to arrive the next day. At the request of Congress, the mail agency previously agreed not to close any facilities before May 15. Donahoe said they agency has to consider competing requests to preserve certain aspects of its services,
like six-day delivery, as it weighs a whole slate of reductions that include the closures. In a report released Thursday, federal auditors stressed that “dramatic changes” were needed to stem the Postal Service’s mounting debt and that the agency’s proposal to close mail processing centers, estimated to save roughly $3 billion a year. The report by the Government Accountability Office also noted that the proposal to close mail centers faced tough obstacles due to local communities’ opposition to the job losses and cutbacks in service. Labor agreements also make layoffs difficult. The GAO auditors expressed support for elements of a House postal bill that would set up a new commission to make major decisions on postal cuts, including reducing mail delivery to five days a week. They said that if Congress opted to delay or prevent the closing of mail processing centers, lawmakers would have to find other ways to significantly cut postal costs. “Without congressional action to help USPS address its financial problems, USPS may have to seek a rate increase of unprecedented scale, or fall even further into debt,” the auditors wrote. In the Senate, a bill would postpone a proposed postal cut to fiveday mail delivery by at least two years and require additional review before mail facilities could be closed. In response to concerns from rural states, bill sponsors have been discussing possible additions that could keep many low-revenue post offices and processing centers in rural communities open at a cost of roughly $1 billion a year. That expense would be paid for with a proposed 5-cent increase to a firstclass stamp, to 50 cents.
OPINION
4
Friday, April 13, 2012 | THE DAILY TEXAN | Vivi Aldous, Editor-in-Chief | (512) 232-2212 | editor@dailytexanonline.com
Thursday’s UT System Board of Regents meeting came and went with perhaps the most unwelcome news possible regarding tuition for the next two years: No news at all. The regents’ decision hurls the University into a state of uncertainty, creating administrative nightmares as it prepares its budget for the 2012-13 academic year. Students are left adrift in nightmares of their own as they begin registering for classes on Monday without knowing what their tuition bills will be. In 2010, the previous tuition-setting year, the regents approved the tuition proposals of the system’s universities in early March. The group’s continued delay is the longest since the state Legislature granted tuition-setting power to the board in 2003, and the reason for the delay remains largely unexplained, according to The Daily Texan. President William Powers Jr. submitted his proposal to the UT System in January to increase tuition by 2.6 percent for resident undergraduate students and by 3.6 percent for all other students. Powers’ recommendation mirrored the proposal prepared by the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC), which is composed of nine voting members, four of which are students. However, much of TPAC’s process resembled a charade as it was bound by directives from
Mum’s the word
the system. Two of the most restrictive directives set a cap on the maximum tuition increase TPAC could propose and required that all increases be tied to improving four-year undergraduate graduation rates. The board’s delay in addressing tuition policy brings about a few interesting questions. First, the next scheduled regents meeting is May 2-3, which coincides with the hellacious last week of classes for most students at UT. And while the board has been supportive of keeping tuition low, any increase will likely be met with demurring by individuals who feel that any increase simply reinforces the hegemonic narrative of transferring the burden of public education from the state to parents and students. The board does have the option of calling a special meeting before May to address tuition, however. Second, since last year, several University admin-
“
istrators have privately acknowledged — and cringed at — the possibility of the regents disallowing any tuition increases at all despite state budgets cuts. Their postponement of the decision only adds to that anxiety. Deans at UT had to submit a proposal to the provost’s office in October that outlined how they would use any extra money they receive from increasing tuition to improve fouryear graduation rates. The Daily Texan acquired the proposals through the Texas Public Information Act. Several deans proposed using the money to reduce bottleneck courses, improve academic advising and tracking and increase mentorship services. Others, such as at engineering and business deans, proposed using the money to hire tenure and tenure-track faculty members to reduce the student-to-faculty ratios in classrooms — a respectable thought, but
“
VIEWPOINT
Students... [will] begin registering for classes on Monday without knowing what their tuition bills will be.
one that is concerned more with improving rankings than graduation rates. The College of Communication even suggested using some of the new money to build a bridge across Dean Keeton Street to connect the Jesse H. Jones Communication Center with the new Belo Center for New Media, which will open in November. It is possible that the regents may scrutinize the proposals and feel that they do not merit a tuition increase. UT System spokesman Anthony de Bruyn said that the deans’ proposals are currently being reviewed by the chancellor. Additionally, while most universities in the state are upholding the emerging tradition of increasing tuition, some are holding out. Within the UT System, UT-Brownsville, UT-San Antonio and UT-El Paso are all proposing tuition increases, but UT-Arlington is not. And while the Texas A&M University System approved a system-wide, 3.95 percent tuition increase in February, the University of Houston System plans to keep its tuition the same. The implications of the board’s decision go beyond the biennium as a change in tuition policy can affect how many view higher education as a whole. At the moment though, the board’s inaction just has everyone else scrambling.
Making a digital promise By Rui Shi Daily Texan Columnist
In August 2008, Congress created “a new national center founded to spur breakthrough technologies that can help transform the way teachers teach and students learn.” Digital Promise, also known as the National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies, brings leaders and innovators from tech giants, such as Qualcomm, to educational institutions, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in order to bring technology and education closer together and encourage students to pursue careers in the technology sector. With several ground-breaking initiatives, Digital Promise could be the spark that jump-starts an education system that is still floundering as it tries to train students for employment in the fast-paced world of technology. Digital Promise will help students realize their potential through the implementation of its many programs. One such initiative is a partnership with the League of Innovative Schools in which various school districts around the country are banding together to create the next generation of learning technologies. These school districts will test new innovations in teaching and learning. This league could cause a ripple effect through the educational world. The league encourages flexibility, which will allow its members to try out new methods of teaching and incorporate cutting edge technologies. As membership in the league increases, more and more schools will be able to break out of the system of standardized testing that is doing little to prepare students for their future careers. Were the league to grow, it would send a message to entrepreneurs that there is great potential in the education system, and that it is time to develop game-changing innovations for use in the classroom. Digital Promise also hopes to launch a national “STEM Video Game Challenge.” The STEM fields — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — have traditionally been shunned by a large number of college students in favor of coursework in other disciplines. These fields, however, are integral to the growth of the economy. The perpetual shortage of doctors and engineers is a problem that must be solved. Indeed, in his 2012 State of the Union Address, President Obama noted yet again that encouraging more students to study STEM fields remains a priority for his administration. Together with Digital Promise, a coalition of technology companies, community organizations and education non-profits are banding together to add some excitement to the STEM debate. By creating a national competition, they hope to spark creativity within students. This competition will provide students with more insight into the world of technology and inspire the next generation of innovators in the process. Digital Promise is not just about doing things online or bringing iPads to the classroom. It’s about empowering both teachers and students so that an instructor can identify the reasons behind a student’s struggles. It’s about offering students a personalized education so that they can learn at their own pace. Shi is an electrical and computer engineering junior.
Celebrating all beliefs on campus
So why hasn’t a secular equivalent to Rez Week evolved? It’s certainly not due to a lack of secular students, but rather a lack of funding, organization and, perhaps, an underlying hesitation due to fear of negative reactions to such an event. Campus Renewal Ministries raised half the funds for the week-long activities in Rez Week, while the University’s Events Co-Sponsorship Committee, the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and Student Government also contributed, according to The Daily Texan. “The reason that [the University] would support us is that they see deeper into us,” Yousup Lee, a radio-television-film and computer science sophomore, said. “They see the Christian values that underlie this, and I just hope we’re doing a good job of showing that.” It is a shame if that’s what students think the funding decisions were based on. Atheist values are not sinister and sinful, just as Christian values are not exclusively righteous and respectable. The hosting of both religious and secular gatherings would serve the necessary purpose of putting that message out there: that both Christians and atheists hold values independent of their faith or lack thereof. To quote a statement displayed on the open wall at Rez Week, “The world needs goodness wherever it may come from.”
March concluded with the Campus Renewal Ministries’ Resurrection (Rez) Week, during which “40 Christian organizations work together during the week, which is meant to create a dialogue about Christian faith on campus. It is also meant to help Christians of different backgrounds, denominations and traditions to get to know one another,” according to the event’s website. This presentation and celebration of faith had an explicit presence on campus; it was popularly located on Gregory Plaza and featured musicians, an art exhibition, 24/7 prayer booths and a large open wall on which anyone could have publicly displayed their thoughts. One of the panels on the open wall asked, “What does it mean to be hungry?” At the very bottom of the panel, someone had written: “I am a member of [one of] the last American minorities that it is still acceptable to ridicule and humiliate. I am an atheist, and I am hungry for equality.” Next to that statement, another person wrote: “I’m sorry you’ve been ridiculed for your beliefs. So have I. I respect you. Love, a Christian.” While both statements are true to a certain degree — atheists and Christians can face criticism for their beliefs — the question of why atheism is not as pronounced on campus as Christianity — or even other religions — is a troubling one. For a University that revels in its diversity,
the absence of some sort of open gathering of secular students is inconsistent with the oft-expressed values of acceptance and tolerance UT students maintain they hold. The argument against such a gathering may be that while Christians are celebrating their belief in God, the object of celebration for atheists might be unclear; What would be the purpose of a gathering of atheists and agnostics? Many are concerned that any such gathering would merely attack Christianity and organized religion in general. However, the idea of having a congregation of secular students — hosting similar available activities such as an open wall, discussion groups and musicians — is not inherently opposed to Rez Week. Its purpose would not be to spark a fiery battle between beliefs, but rather to provide all beliefs with the opportunity to meet others with similar opinions and philosophies. Additionally, just as it is quite likely that atheists were exposed to Rez Week as they passed by on Speedway, Christians would likewise be witnesses to the activities of an atheist gathering. Rez Week, an act of religious solidarity, has occurred annually for 16 years and offers support for those of faith. An atheist gathering would act in the same way, providing an environment where secular students would feel understood, unified and comfortable exchanging ideas. Ideally, the eventual result would be a gradual deterioration of misconceptions about both faith and atheism.
LEGALESE
RECYCLE
SUBMIT A FIRING LINE
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.
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.
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.
By Larisa Manescu Daily Texan Columnist
Manescu is a journalism and international relations and global studies freshman.
NEWS
Friday, April 13, 2012
5
Student Activity Center honors alumna
Moderator and Host Tom Spencer interviews Karen Gross, Muna Hussani, Steven McCormick and Jackie Wood at the Civil Summit Thursday.
By David Maly Daily Texan Staff
After her lifetime of dedication to the UT community, the University is honoring one distinguished alumna in a very special way. Today marks the dedication of the ground floor atrium of the Student Activity Center to 1937 UT alumna Margaret C. Berry. The dedication comes after nearly 80 years of Berry’s University involvement, in which she was an administrator, teacher, historian and mentor to thousands of UT students. Berry’s accomplishments include writing 10 books and her doctorate dissertation about UTrelated topics, earning her the nickname of UT’s unofficial historian. The festivities will consist of a ceremony outside of the SAC, which begins at 11:30 a.m., a luncheon reception following the ceremony and a private dinner with Berry and some of her former students. Rick Potter, 1977 UT alumnus and volunteer with Students for the Margaret C. Berry Student Activity Center, said the honoring of Berry comes after an extensive and widespread campaign. “She touched so many parts of the campus,” he said. “So, about two years ago a number of current and former students started discussing the idea of honoring her contributions to
Rebeca Rodriguez Daily Texan Staff
Task force speaks on hate crimes By Alexa Ura Daily Texan Staff
NEWS BRIEFLY Suspect’s hearing delayed, pedestrian recovers in rehab The court hearing for the man accused of injuring Kylie Doniak, communications senior and UT soccer player, was postponed for May 1 by judge Clifford Brown yesterday. The hearing was postponed in order to allow parties more time to review the case brought against Nicholas Colunga by the Travis County District Attorney, said Billy Pannell the bailiff of the 147th District Court, which is overseen by judge Brown. Pannell said the next set court date is May 1, although the hearing will not necessarily take place then — especially if the hearing is postponed once again. Colunga allegedly collided with Doniak and two other pedestrians after running a red light at the intersection of Eighth Street and San Jacinto Boulevard on February 3. He was taken into police custody that night after being pursued and apprehended by a witness and has remained in jail since then. Robert Mueller, Colunga’s attorney, represented him in court yesterday although Colunga did not appear. Mueller received permission from judge Brown to postpone the hearing. Mueller could not be reached for comment. Colunga is being accused of four separate offenses including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and failure to stop and render aid. He also had a previous count against him for parole violation, according to court documents. Doniak is currently undergoing rehab at a hospital in California, according to an update posted by her sister on Doniak’s CaringBridge webpage. Doniak has been recovering, although she still struggles with short term memory problems and recently had a feeding tube removed. “Keep praying for us and Kylie because your prayers are evident every single day,” her sister, Alyssa Doniak, wrote on the blog. “We are continuously thanking God and all of our friends and family because it has only been 10 weeks (such a short amount of time in the big picture) and Kylie is already showing her personality.” — Sarah White
because she had to change the way she viewed other people’s intentions, worrying about who was going to hurt her,” he said. “She opened my eyes to realize that so many individuals live like this and they shouldn’t because that’s what police officers sign up for.” There are increasing resources in the community for both officers and community members to use to help those that have been affected by a hate crime, he said. “It’s important that our officers, as first responders, learn to make a person feel safe so they can begin accepting what has happened to them and eventually heal,” he said. After the talk, Occupy UT member Lucian Villaseñor spoke up and asked McCormick what APD was doing to prevent hate crimes among its own police officers. Villaseñor claimed the death of a man killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in East Austin last week was a hate crime. Villaseñor said students attended the summit to confront Police Chief Art Acevedo about the incident. Acevedo was expected to be at the event but did not attend. McCormick said he couldn’t speak for the officer involved in last week’s shooting that is currently under investigation. APD is continuously working with the task force to train officers in prevention and response to hate crimes, McCormick said.
bestowed upon her.” Berry said at age 96 she is still learning, as she is active on campus through participation on scholarship committees, guest lecture appearances and reading The Daily Texan. “We always continue learning,” she said. “We just never stop.” Leslie Cedar, CEO and Executive Director of Texas Exes, said the commemoration couldn’t be more fitting. “Margaret C. Berry is the quintessential UT alumna,” Cedar said. “She has dedicated her life to promoting, preserving and celebrating the University of Texas. Renaming the student activity center atrium in her honor is a fitting tribute for a woman who has made such a profound and lasting contribution to the University of Texas.”
We always continue learning. We just never stop. — Margaret C. Berry, UT alumna
♲
R E C YC L E
The Austin/Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force is trying to instill a new message in the community: respect is not a passive mind-set. More than 50 representatives from various groups of the Austin community attended a summit Thursday night on campus entitled Creating a Community of Respect. During the summit, four members of the Austin/Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force were part of a roundtable that addressed how Austin is working to prevent and respond to hate crimes within the community. “We need to overcome the notion of the bystander,” said Karen Gross, community director of the AntiDefamation League. Gross oversaw the creation of the task force in December 2010. Gross said it’s important for other members of the community to speak up when a hateful crime is being committed. She said the task force asks for any community member wishing to get involved to reach out to them in order to create a task force that is better reflective of the community it serves. The task force is divided into the prevention, response and restoration work groups with the goal of creating a respectful community free of hate. The prevention work group is focused on education, and the
response work group creates local policies, while the restoration work group is geared toward helping victims cope. Task force members spoke about how the intention behind hateful crimes differentiates them from ordinary misdemeanors and how the community can respond to them. Muna Hussaini, UT alumna and community activist, said she has been a victim of hate crimes. She spoke about the verbal and physical hate crimes committed against her following the events of 9/11. “I was being verbally assaulted because of my background on a plane three months after 9/11 and no one, including the flight staff, would say anything,” Hussaini said. “We need to be active and intentional about how we respond to hate crimes.” The other task force members said Hussaini played an integral part in helping them realize who they are trying to serve in the community. Senior Austin Police Department officer Steven McCormick said individuals like Hussaini should not have to live their lives wondering who is going to hurt them. McCormick serves as the co-chair of the Restoration Work Group of the task force and helps educate police officers on how to spot signs of hateful crimes and how to respond to them at APD’s Training Academy. “Muna had to change her life
the University, and they soon began a grassroots campaign to encourage the UT administration to recognize her by naming some portion of the University after her. Over 5000 students, faculty, alumni and friends endorsed the initiative, and in early January UT President Bill Powers announced the decision.” The SAC seemed like a logical choice in honoring Berry due to her extensive campus involvement, Potter said. “It’s really the nucleus of the campus,” he said. “This makes it an ideal place to honor someone so involved in the UT community.” Berry said she was deeply touched by the initiative and all the support it received. “This whole thing has overwhelmed me,” she said. “I’m pretty emotional and I hope I can hold up. It’s not going to be easy.” Thomas Jenkins, 1960 UT alumnus and former colleague of Berry’s, said the commemoration is well-deserved. “In the 42 years that I have spent in public higher education, I have never known a more student-oriented person,” he said. “She was the best student advocate on campus and always in the student’s corner. I think she’s just a marvelous lady who has lived a nice, long life and deserves all the honors that can be
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NEWS
Friday, April 13, 2012
Possible parking meters to be added to West Campus area By Paxton Thomes Daily Texan Staff
UAP PROVISIONAL PLAN FOR PARKING
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Sa Wang Daily Texan Staff
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Graphic by Nicole Collins | Daily Texan Staff
UT ranks No. 7 in healthiest college in U.S. Health programs, services and healthy dining hall food options contributed to UT ’s number seven place among the Top 25 healthiest colleges in the nation. Greatist.com, a health and wellness blog, recently ranked the 25 healthiest colleges by taking student surveys from College Prowler and The Princeton Review, as well as nominations from readers. UCLA ranked number one. Susan Hochman, interim assistant director for University Health Services, said the University offers a large number of high-quality, accessible resources to keep students healthy. “University Health Ser vices, which provides medical services, health promotion, a Center for Students in Recover y and other public health leadership was recently ranked by the Princeton Review as the fourth best student health services in
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Representative for University Area Partners Brian Donovan leads a discussion about the placement of parking meters at the West campus parking event on Thursday night.
By Sylvia Butanda Daily Texan Staff
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alternative sources of funding. Lawler has opposed the idea of parking meters in West Campus since the proposal to implement them was approved by City Council members in October. “If they do end up succeeding we need to make it clear that parking meters will not cut it,” Lawler said. “I can’t see parking meters as a solution for the situation.” The proposal states 51 percent of the parking meter revenue will be allocated for neighborhood improvement projects. However, Lawler said the program would provide minimal financial benefits. “One of the ideas that was thrown around instead was to create a special taxing zone to try and get it reinvested in the area,” Lawler said. “What we really need to do though is really advocate in the next bond election for the funds directly.” Brian Donovan, representative for UAP at the event, said he is in favor of adding the parking meters because he said it will create a higher turnover of parking in the area. “You can’t park with the way it works now,” Donovan said. “Right now there are about 900 parking spots, and if you find one you are probably less likely to leave.”
Rio Grande Street
West Campus residents, business representatives and community leaders are still considering a plan that could put a price on parking in the area as early as next year. A proposal to introduce a Parking Benefit District was put forth after members of the community raised concerns about parking in West Campus, said Mike McHone, vice president of University Area Partners, a group made up of organizational stakeholders in the West Campus area. If the proposal is approved by City Council, approximately 400 parking meters would be added to the area between Guadalupe St. and Rio Grande St. Residents and business owners attended a meeting Thursday night to express their approval and concern over the proposal to add the meters. UAP members plan to revise their proposal based on input gathered during the meeting and will present the updated proposal to other residents of the West Campus neighborhood. The proposal will then be submitted to the City’s Transportation Department, where it’s scheduled for
review by the Urban Transportation Commission. City council members will receive the proposal following its review by commission members and will vote next fall on whether or not it will go into affect. McHone said the primary goal of the meeting was to answer any questions and let people know the long and exhaustive process that has gone into this plan. “This plan has been the result of a two year effort on UAP’s part,” McHone said. “We have been trying to work with students since this came up.” McHone said the meters would help ensure there is not an out of control parking situation in West Campus. “If the meters are put in there, the parking situation will be better and traffic control will be enforced,” McHone said. “If people have to pay for parking they will realize the cost of car equity.” Urban studies senior John Lawler is a member of the Central Austin Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee, which represents neighborhoods where many UT students live. Lawler said he is not in support of the meters, and he said the city is placing this burden on students because they are trying to find
the country and consistently receives high remarks for patient satisfaction,” Hochman said. The seventh place ranking was mainly due to the efforts of the Wellness Network, a partnership made up of students, faculty and staff who work together to create a healthy campus community. “The Wellness Network brings together advocates for health and wellness from across UT in order to share information, strategies and resources,” Hochman said. “Through this collaboration, we aim to shape the environment in which we learn, live, work and play to support overall health and healthy choices.” Another contributing factor to the high rank was the Division of Housing and Food Services and their promotion of healthy dining options and their number of initiatives related to wellness, Hochman said. Applied Learning and Development senior Sammie Hanks, president of the Health Promotion Club, said students are
fortunate to attend a school that provides a healthy atmosphere. “Being provided with these outlets promotes healthy living throughout our campus,” Hanks said. “This ranking is very honorable and is a motivation to continue to promote health, not only throughout our campus, but throughout the community as well.” Scott Meyer, director of food s er v ice for DHFS, s aid t he “Healthy Suggestions” food in the dining halls gives students healthy options for every meal. “We realize that many students dine with us as freshman and oftentimes miss the comfort foods of home and turn to food items such as hamburgers, french fries and macaroni and cheese,” Meyer said. “We provide the comfort and indulgence food items mentioned, but also take strides to make students aware of the delicious, healthier alternatives that we offer such as our gluten free, vegan and vegetarian friendly dishes, quinoa and whole grain pasta and our local grass-fed beef.”
10 Healthiest Schools 1. University of California, Los Angeles 2. Stanford University 3. University of North Dakota 4. Colby College 5. Univeristy of Georgia 6. Bowdoin College 7. University of Texas at Austin 8. St. Olaf College 9. United States Military Academy, West Point 10. James Madison University according to greatist.com
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Texas A&M appoints first black Cadet commander By Michael Graczyk The Associated Press
COLLEGE STATION — Nearly a half-century after African-Americans were admitted to predominantly white Texas A&M University, a black student has reached the pinnacle of one of its signature organizations. Marquis Alexander next school year will become commander of A&M’s Corps of Cadets, a high-profile post that involves establishing the cadets’ dress codes for their militarystyle uniforms and setting their daily schedule, including physical training that can begin before dawn. “There is a sense of pride that’s there,” Alexander, 22, said Wednesday, standing in front of the “Corps Arches,” an arched brick wall that marks the entrance to the dormitory area for the 2,100 members of the Aggie Corps of Cadets. “I look at it as encouragement to other people to get out and do whatever they want no matter what their background is.” Black students represent less
than 4 percent of the 40,000 undergraduate students at the College Station campus. “A lot of people from that part of town don’t come here,” said Alexander, who already spent a year and a half in the Marine reserves before enrolling at Texas A&M in 2009. His continuing duty as a reservist, where he’s a corporal, also makes him the first person with actual military experience to head the corps. Texas A&M opened its doors in 1876. Blacks and women weren’t allowed until 87 years later. The first African-Americans joined the corps in 1964. The first women cadets came a decade later. Alexander, who hopes for a career as a military lawyer or intelligence work, said he wasn’t even aware he was the first black cadet commander until someone told him. “I don’t know why it’s taken so long,” he said. “But I know the corps’ process is that they will always put the best people in the spot. I can honestly say my race didn’t play a factor. I hope it’s because I was legitimately the best person for the job.”
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SPORTS
7
Friday, April 13, 2012 | THE DAILY TEXAN | Sameer Bhuchar, Sports Editor | (512) 232-2210 | sports@dailytexanonline.com
SIDELINE
BASEBALL
White-hot Weiss overcomes slow start
NBA GRIZZLIES
By Christian Corona Daily Texan Staff
SPURS
Not many people had a better start to their college baseball career than Erich Weiss. The third baseman from Brenham went on a ridiculous tear to begin his freshman season, getting hits in each of his first five at-bats and going 9-for-11 with six runs and 7 RBI in his first four games as a Longhorn. But Weiss didn’t get off to the scorching start in his sophomore season that he did in his first year at Texas. In the Longhorns’ first eight games this season, of which they won only three, Weiss hit .179 (5for-28) while scoring three times and driving in three runs. “At the beginning of the year, I was pressing a lot,” Weiss admitted. “I was swinging at some bad pitches in the dirt and stuff I couldn’t hit just because I was trying to get a hit and pressing when all you really have to do is see the ball and know whether or not it’s going to be a ball or strike when it crosses the plate.” Weiss has since returned to the torrid pace he was at in his first few career games. In his last 16 games, Weiss has batted .464 and has scored 24 runs, racked up 18 RBI, and has drawn 10 walks while the Longhorns have gone
MAVERICKS
WARRIROS
BULLS
HEAT
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo
Sophomore third baseman Erich Weiss is hitting .464 with 24 runs and 18 RBI in his last 16 games after going just 5-for-28 at the plate in WEISS continues on PAGE 8 his first eight. Weiss now leads the Longhorns with a .370 batting average a .469 on-base percentage, and a .588 slugging percentage.
By Chris Hummer Daily Texan Columnist
Defense wins championships. The old adage applies in almost every sport, and that includes baseball. Many people overlook this aspect of the game when thinking of successful teams on the diamond, immediately imagining a dynamic offense or a shutdown pitching staff
Elisabeth Dillon Daily Texan file photo
SOFTBALL
instead. However, defense is still key, and if overlooked or done without complete concentration it can cost a team games. The No. 25 Longhorns are a perfect example of this; they hit well as a team with a .281 average and also have very respectable pitching numbers with a team ERA of 3.65. This has allowed them to have a solid 1812 record, but one that’s not exactly up to the high standards that are
DEFENSE continues on PAGE 8
MEN’S TENNIS
After starting 32-2, Longhorns trying to end three-game skid More has happened to the Longhorns in these past three games than in the first 34 games. Three losses in the last three games isn’t what they expected, and as the No. 5 ranked team travels to Kansas for a threegame series, they definitely wanted a better start to April. The Texas team, now 32-5, have scored only six runs in their past three while having a little bit of trouble on the mound. As they travel further north to Lawrence, home of the Jayhawks, the Longhorns look to put an end this slump. They are going to have a challenge doing so, however, as their away record against Kansas isn’t in their favor (6-10). The Jayhawks are 24-12 on the sea-
MARINERS
Defense needs to catch up to pitching, batting
Senior shortstop Jordan Etier has made six errors this season, the second-most on the team. Meanwhile, his backup, junior Christian Summers, made a pair of errors in his last start, a 12-2 loss to Cal March 31. Etier also made error in that contest.
By Garrett Callahan Daily Texan Staff
MLB
son but only 3-9 in the Big 12 Conference. The team has been having a trouble in their last run of games as they have dropped six of their last seven. Two of their big leaders will try to shut down the Longhorns and prove their spot in the conference. Alicia Pille holds a 2.13 ERA with 137 strikeouts and holds her opponents to only a .205 batting average. At the plate, Maggie Hull leads the Jayhawks with six home runs, 26 RBI and a .388 batting average. Texas, while not playing up to its standards recently, is second in the nation in batting average, .361. Junior Taylor Hoagland looks to lead the team back on its feet as she attempts to tie the Texas home run record. She is one shy of Amy Hooks
HORNS continues on PAGE 8
Zachary Strain | Daily Texan file photo
Junior Taylor Hoagland has hit 35 career home runs, leaving her in a tie with former Texas catcher Amy Hooks for the school record. Hoagland is batting .318 this season and has hit a team-high nine home runs.
RANGERS
TWEET OF THE DAY Kenny Vaccaro @KennyVaccaro4
“Had to be up early for this Big 12 drug test.. Oh well at least I’m up”
LONGHORNS IN THE NBA and MLB D.J. Augustin - 13 points - 5 assists
Drew Stubbs - 0-for-5 - 3 K’s
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff
In the last scheduled meeting between Texas’ and Texas A&M’s men’s tennis teams this weekend, Longhorn freshman Jacoby Lewis will go up against his older brother, Aggie senior John Lewis, who unsuccessfully attempted to convince his younger brother to join him in College Station.
Bitter rivalry brings brothers together By Lauren Jette Daily Texan Staff
After more than 100 years of intense, competitive matchups, the Longhorns and Aggies will square off on the tennis courts for one final Lone Star Showdown on Saturday. The game will also be a family reunion of sorts for one Longhorns tennis player. Freshman Jacoby Lewis will don burnt orange, while his older brother John will put on maroon for the Aggies. While the two teams have already battled it out on the courts twice this year, with the teams splitting the meetings, this match is more important. “I think this match means more,” Lewis said. “It’s conference play and it could be the last time we ever play [A&M].”
Of course, playing across the net from his older brother, who is a senior, also adds more meaning to the match. “I want to take it as just another match,” Lewis said. “But it definitely means a little more to me, and I’m sure to [John] as well, being siblings and not wanting to lose to your sibling. We’ve played each other growing up and it’s always been really competitive, so this will be interesting.” Being from Alabama, Lewis knew about the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry but did not get the full scope of the mutual hatred between the two until he got to Austin. “I knew it was a pretty big rivalry,” Lewis said. “Coming here and just seeing what Texas people think about A&M people and what A&M people think about Texas people
Texas vs. Texas A&M
Date: Saturday Time: 6 p.m. Location: Austin is just ... It kind of put it on another level. You definitely want to beat them every chance you get.” Several schools recruited Lewis, including Texas A&M, but Texas ultimately won out, even with his brother trying to convince him to join the maroon side of the rivalry. “[John] did try to persuade me, but he also wanted it to be my decision,” Lewis said. “It was a tough
BROTHERS continues on PAGE 8
Sam LeCure
-2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB
SPORTS BRIEFLY Sophomore receiver to undergo surgery after injuring right foot
Sophomore wide receiver Bryant Jackson has sustained a broken bone in his right foot and will have surgery Friday morning. Jackson, who made his first career catch for eight yards in the Longhorns’ 21-10 over Cal in the Holiday Bowl last December, is expected to make a full recovery before fall camp begins in August. A four-star prospect coming out of high school in 2010, according to Rivals.com, Jackson made 99 tackles and five interceptions in his last year at Sulphur Springs, Texas. Jackson, listed at No. 223 in the Rivals250 two years ago, redshirted in his first year at Texas before playing in eight games last season.
— Christian Corona
8
SPORTS
Friday, April 13, 2012
MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
Elite competition awaits Longhorns By Lexy Gonzalez Daily Texan Staff
Mike A. Myers Stadium will be the battleground of a Lone Star State showdown of sorts this weekend as the No. 6 Longhorns host their Texas Invitational meet on Saturday. Texas and nine other collegiate teams throughout the state, including Houston, Houston Baptist, Prairie View A&M, Rice, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas Southern, Texas State, UT-Arlington and UT-San Antonio, will have one day to compete. With the Big 12 Outdoor Championships just a month away, athletes will likely bump up their intensity in order to get a better feel for where they stand regarding top times and qualifying marks. The Longhorns will feature 28 athletes, and six of them have posted top 10 performances this season. This weekend’s meet will likely sharpen the Longhorns’ performances as they run alongside a group of 10 Olympic and nationally recognized runners. The men are scheduled to kick off the events at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, beginning with the hammer throw. Field events will continue for almost the entire duration of the meet, ending with the shot put at 7 p.m. The last time Texas’ throwers entered the ring, they came away with top performances in both the shot put and discus. Senior Jacob Thormaehlen and junior Hayden Baillio put on quite a show at Texas Relays, claiming first and second in the shot put with throws of 64-01.00 and 63-9 respectively. Thormaehlen currently has the top mark of 2012 in the shot put, while Baillio ranks fourth nationally. Freshman Ryan Crouser was able to take third overall in the discus with a heave of 195-6, earning him a fourth place national ranking. Running events for the men are set to start promptly at 4:10 p.m., featuring the 4x100-meter relay. Texas’ Mark Jackson, Trevante Rhodes,
Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan file photo
Senior thrower Jacob Thormaehlen, who helped Texas claim its first triumph in the shotput at the Texas Relays for the first time in 30 years, is one of 28 Longhorns men’s track athletes set to compete this weekend.
Emerson Sanders and Keiron Stewart finished eighth at Relays but hope for a turnaround this weekend. The running events are coordinated to run very quickly, with little delay between events. The sprint events, including the 100-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, 200-meter and 400 meter will be action-packed, as they will feature undoubtedly the highest level of competition on the day. Jerome Miller (unattached) of Baylor will be the solo elite athlete to compete in the 110-meter hurdles. Junior hurdler Stewart clocked a much-improved time of 13.46 for third place at Texas Relays, earning him the third fastest time nationally. Elite athletes Jeremy Wariner (Adidas), Marcus Boyd (Nike), Reggie Witherspoon (World Express) and Michael Tinsley (unattached) will showcase their seasoned
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Undefeated in Big 12 play, Texas prepares for Baylor By Matt Warden Daily Texan Staff
They rank No. 13 in the nation, hold a flawless conference record and perhaps have multiple All-Big 12 performers. At this point, the Longhorns have proven that they are one of the best tennis teams in the country and one of the best athletics groups on campus. Following two dominating victories against Kansas and Kansas State, the team is in a good position in the Big 12. “The girls really stepped up and played well,” head coach Patty Fendick-McCain said. “It was great to see them perform that well. We just need to stay fresh and focused.” The women currently reside in the No. 13 spot in the ITA rankings, holding an 11-5 record, including a 4-0 record in Big 12 play. Resiliency has been the team’s motto, but consistency has defined the team’s top performers. Senior Krista Damico has been the leader of this year’s squad all season long, earning her status as team captain. Although her 12-match win streak was snapped against Kansas State, her 12-2 record overall has earned her a spot amongst the top 70 players in the country. After a pair of wins against the Jayhawks and Wildcats, sophomore Elizabeth Begley pushed
It was great to see them perform that well. We just need to stay fresh and focused. — Patty Fendick-McCain, Head Coach
her singles record to 10-1 on the year. Even though her impressive play has slid under the radar this year, her impact hasn’t gone completely unnoticed. “She has been a rock down there,” Fendick-McCain said. “She never gives an inch and having that kind of backbone in your lineup is very helpful.” Mainstays in the Longhorns’ lineup have played huge all year, but newcomers have also stepped up and proved their wor t h. Freshmen Noel Scott and Lina Padegimaite remained consistent all year, pushing their win totals to 15 and 10 respectively in the team’s last match. The big women on campus and in all of college tennis will take their two-game win streak into weekend matches against Big 12 rivals Baylor and Texas Tech.
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talent in the 400-meter dash, while Aaron Armstrong (API) and Carey Lacour (unattached) exhibit their speed in both the 100 and 200-meter dash. Texas’ Marquise Goodwin did not find himself atop the 100-meter medal platform at Relays, but has an excellent opportunity to post a personal best time while running against some of the nation’s most quick-footed competitors. Also running in the 200 meters will be Tinsley, Mychal Dungey (New Era Sprint Club) and Witherspoon. The decathlon will not take place this weekend, so decathletes Isaac Murhpy and Petter Olson, currently nationally ranked first and fourth respectively, will change things up and compete in several singular events. The Longhorns’ distance team, coming off difficult performances at last weekend’s Stanford Invitational,
BROTHERS continues from PAGE 7 decision, but I liked the school, the athletics, the academic part. I thought I could get the most out of my college career here at UT.” Growing up with his older brother,
WEISS continues from PAGE 7 12-4 over that stretch. By comparison, Texas was 6-8 in its first 14 contests, a stretch that saw Weiss hit just .240 with six runs, three RBI, and six walks. Facing a locked-in Weiss doesn’t bode well for Oklahoma State (17-14, 4-5) as No. 25 Texas (18-12, 7-2) begins a three-game home series against the Cowboys at 6:00 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field Friday evening. “I told myself at the beginning of the year, because I wasn’t doing too hot, to keep looking forward and keep running everything out, keep hitting the ball hard and it’ll find holes,” Weiss said. “And it has, for all of us. We’re all hitting very well right now.” As tremendous as Weiss has been over the last month, he’s been partic-
DEFENSE continues from PAGE 7 set upon a legendary program like Texas baseball. A lackluster defense performance this season is a huge part of Texas’ pedestrian record. The Longhorns fielding percentage is .966 on the season, and while that doesn’t sound bad, to put it in perspective, that total ranks them 135th in the country in fielding. The team has the talent to play defense with the best of teams. They’re athletic with good speed and arms in the outfield, quick and adept at
Longhorn Invitational
More than two dozen set to play in Texas Invitational By Kristin Otto Daily Texan Staff
Spanning from the Gulf Coast up to the suburbs of Dallas, nine schools across the Lone Star State will compete in the Texas Invitational in Austin this Saturday. With the official heat sheets scheduled to be posted sometime today, the names of 27 UT women are marked down on the meet’s initial roster. Throughout the all-day event, the Longhorns will take on athletes representing a diverse array of Texas colleges and universities including the University of Houston, Houston Baptist, Rice, as well as other schools belonging to the UT and A&M Systems. Two weeks after the 85th Annual Texas Relays, Saturday’s Texas Invitational will be the second meet held at Mike A. Myers Stadium this 20112012 season. The Invite will commence Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. with men’s and women’s javelin. Various field events, including the long jump and pole vault, will take place throughout the afternoon and continue into the evening. Tied for the No. 9 seed in the country, high jumpers Shanay Briscoe and Victoria Lucas will try to surpass their current season-best measurement of
Date: Saturday Time: TBA Location: Austin will surge into the 3000-meter steeplechase with a much different outcome in mind. Sophomore Austin Roth competed in the event for the second time at Stanford and finished in 9:11:09 for 15th place overall. Texas looks to utilize Saturday’s events as an opportunity to get back on their feet and regain confidence going into the weeks of preparation ahead. The Longhorn men will close out the day with the 1600-meter relay at 8:40 p.m.
Ryan Edwards | Daily Texan file photo
No. 9 seed, senior high jumper Victoria Lucas, clears the bar.
there was a bit of competition in just about every aspect of life, Lewis said. “We’re always competing, trying to get the best of each other,” he said. “Whether it’s a pick-up game of basketball or just seeing who does better in school; just anything really.” As with any rivalry, trash talk is a given — sibling rivalry is no exception, although brotherly support is
also sprinkled in. “It’s a little bit of both,” Lewis said. “We’re more supportive of each other. He’s really helped me this year, told me some things like how to handle the first year, what to do, what not to do. So he’s been really helpful, but there’s also a little trashtalking sometimes.” On Saturday, the younger broth-
er is looking forward to being the one holding the Lone Star Showdown trophy with his teammates and earning bragging rights in the sibling rivalry. “I’m really looking forward to playing against my brother for the last time, possibly,” Lewis said. “Just really wanting to get the win and have that last word.”
ularly good over the last week. The sophomore third baseman earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors after going 10-for-17 in Lubbock last weekend against Texas Tech. The Longhorns won two of three games from the Red Raiders with the only loss being a one-run, 14-inning defeat Saturday. Texas went on to beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 9-2, Tuesday night as Weiss went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI. He’s batting .619 in his last four games. “We had a little joke this past weekend that we wanted to get 10 hits between both of us, and he got the 10 hits by himself,” said sophomore first baseman Alex Silver, who is currently riding a 16-game hitting streak. “This is the Erich Weiss that I knew last year. He started a little slow. But it’s just one of those things where he gets so locked-in that nobody can get him out. It’s unreal watching him play.” Weiss is now reminding his team-
mates of the way he played last season, when he led the Longhorns with a .348 batting average, 45 RBI, a .483 on-base percentage and a whopping .518 slugging percentage. So far this year, Weiss has regained his place as the squad’s leading hitter as the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has team-high marks in batting average (.370), on-base percentage (.469) and slugging percentage (.588). Only Brooks Marlow’s 22 RBI top the 21 runs Weiss has driven in. “I’m in a zone right now,” Weiss said. “I feel comfortable right now. Whenever the ball comes across the plate, I’m going to hit it hard.” Texas has not had a hitter post a better batting average than Weiss’ current .370 mark since Chance Wheeliss batted .376 in 2007. And if Weiss maintains the same pace over the final 20 regular season games that he was maintained in his last 16, he’ll become the first Texas hitter to bat better than .400 in a decade, when another Bren-
Texas vs. Oklahoma St.
ham native, outfielder Dustin Majewski, batted .401 in 2002. But someone thinks Weiss could do even better. “He might end up batting .500. Who knows?” said sophomore right fielder Mark Payton, who has had an impressive year at the plate in his own right, reaching base in each of the Longhorns’ 30 games this season. “It’s his time right now and we know this is who he was last year. And we knew it was inside of him. He’s a great player and a great hitter. We’re excited to see what he’s going to do this weekend.”
making the correct reads in the middle of the infield, feature a strongarmed third baseman and catcher and even have a first baseman capable of making difficult picks out of the dirt. However, these tools can make the players lethargic and it seems, at times, bored. This causes minor miscues to happen in the field, and a kicked ball here, a poor throw there and an incorrect decision with the ball tend to add up. Those plays cost the team runs and sometimes can even turn into a mark in the loss column. Most recently, this was seen in the second game of the Texas Tech series last weekend in the 14th inning. A routine ground ball was hit to Jor-
dan Etier at shortstop, which looked like a sure double play ball, but instead of concentrating and fielding the ball cleanly, Etier was already looking to make the toss to second for the double play. As a result he booted the ball and couldn’t make a single out, allowing both runners to reach base, and both eventually scored, costing the team the game. Mental lapses and defensive errors like these have plagued the Longhorns all season, and no matter how well the pitching staff and offense play to make up for it, the inconsistent fielding will continue to be an issue. In prior seasons, defense was the aspect of the game the team could lean on even if the bats were faltering
or the pitchers were struggling to get outs. Last season, Texas was ranked in the top 10 in the country in fielding percentage at .982 for the season and only committed 47 errors all year. But in 2012, the Longhorns have already committed 40 errors, and that’s with 20 more games left to play, plus whatever postseason action they see. For this team to be successful, all three main phases of the game will have to be effective, and it will be up to the players to put in the effort and concentration needed for stellar defense. Perhaps head coach Augie Garrido puts the solution to the defensive issues the best. “It just needs to be more consistent,” Garrido said.
HORNS continues from PAGE 7 (2008-2011) at 35 home runs. The Longhorns still hold their positive look on the rest of the season, however. Head coach Connie Clark looks to keep the team’s spirits up and have them finish strong. “This final stretch is where you really want to see things
1.81-meters, the stubborn mark has been the glass ceiling — both indoors and outdoors — this year for the pair. At 4:00 p.m., the running events of the meet will kick off with the women’s 4x100-meter relay — an event in which UT and Texas A&M teams are both nationally ranked in the top 5. In the 100-meter, Chalonda Goodman, ranked sixth in the event with a time of 11.23, will be joined by five elite athletes: ex-Aggie Porscha Lucas, Nike’s LaShauntea Moore, Adidas’ Tiffany Townsend, Olympic gold medalist Natasha Hastings and former Longhorn Alexandria Anderson. Later on in the night, No. 3 Goodman will most likely encounter Lucas and Hastings again in the 200-meter dash. Heading into the evening’s running events, sophomores who are likely to have notable performances include Briana Nelson in the 400-meter open and Danielle Dowie in the 400-meter hurdles. At 8:30 p.m., the Invitational will conclude for the women with the 1600-meter (4x400-meter) relay. After a third-leg pull that resulted in a comeback to clench a victory at the Relays, a No. 1 ranked Longhorn team will be set on proving, once again, who is the best in Texas.
come together,” Clark said. “We told the team that this is the time where we have to stay close together as a team and deal with adversity. I feel really good about this group and believe this will stick together.” Texas looks to get back on
their feet in these next few games but the Jayhawks are trying to stop that. With very few games left on the season, ever y game counts and ever y game is a step closer to the ultimate goal of a long run in the NCAA Tournament.
Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Location: Austin
Texas @ Kansas Dates and Times Times: Friday at 5 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. Location: Austin
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SPORTS
Friday, April 13, 2012
WEEKEND preview MEN’S GOLF
9
WOMEN’S GOLF
Texas faces Vandy before Top-ranked Horns looks defending Big 12 crown for third consecutive win By Blake McAdow Daily Texan Staff
With two weeks left before the Longhorns defend their Big 12 title, Texas is taking advantage of an open weekend and putting in some final competitive action against highly ranked Vanderbilt. “We knew in the fall we’d have an extra day, and with the national championship being hosted there, we thought about having a little one-day competition there,” said head coach Martha Richards. This weekend’s matchup will not be of conventional stroke-play, but played in twosomes with a play-six-count-five scoring method. This basically means out of every six holes, the best five results for each player are counted, totaling 15 holes out of 18 played. “The biggest thing I want to see from the group this weekend is how we’ve been building as a team, with team camaraderie,” Richards said. “It’s a little bit different in golf because you’re playing by yourself, but you can still get a lot of energy from each other. Individually,
I want each one of them to take care of their business.” After a frustrating spring full of inconsistent play, Texas finally broke through in their last tournament, finishing 7th overall against some tough competition in Arizona. “I was really happy and they did a good job,” Richards said. “We always seem to play well out there and they like the way that tournament feels. It’s always fun to play against the top ranked teams.” Freshman Bertine Strauss broke onto the scene with an impressive second round to leap into contention. With Strauss adding to the experienced squad of senior Nicole Vandermade, juniors Madison Pressel, Haley Stephens and Desiree Debreuil, Texas is ready to show the country what they are capable of as a group. “We’ve played good golf, but they feel like they haven’t played as well as they can yet,” Richards said. “I keep telling them that we are really, really close, but now we’ve been working on finding that dig deep factor and trying to find a way to get the ball in the hole.”
By Christian Corona Daily Texan Staff
Coming off two straight tournament wins and with the nation’s top two golfers at their disposal, top-ranked Texas has a good chance to win their third straight tournament this weekend. Senior Dylan Fritelli and freshman Jordan Spieth, the No. 1 and No. 2 college golfers in the country, respectively, according to Golfweek’s most recent rankings, were recently named finalists for the Ben Hogan Award, which is awarded annually to the college golfer of the year. Fritelli and Spieth will try to help the Longhorns navigate a tough field in the Western Intercollegiate that includes six of the top 13 squads in the country — No. 3 USC, No. 5 Cal, No. 6 Oregon, No. 7 UCLA, No. 8 Stanford, and No. 13 San Diego State.
At the Morris Williams Intercol leg iate in Aust in Mar. 31 and April 1, Texas triumphed by 16 strokes and was the only team to finish the tournament under par (-9). Fritelli, Spieth, and junior Julio Vegas were all tied at 5-under-par for the individual lead while senior Alex Moon finished in a tie for second place at 4-under-par. The Longhorns won their next tournament two weeks later at the Augusta State Invitational in Augusta, Ga. at the week before the Masters was played there. The victory didn’t come as easy as the previous one as Texas needed a two-hole playoff to put away Augusta State. Among the other teams in this weekend’s tournament are San Jos e St ate, New Mexico State, Cal-Irvine, Denver, Hawaii, Hawaii-Hilo, and Kansas.
VOLLEYBALL
Horns meet Bobcats for first time since NCAA tourney By Sameer Bhuchar Daily Texan Staff
Texas has had most of this semester to rest up, but it’s time to get back into the swing of things for the Longhorns. Texas will host Texas State in the fourth game of its spring day, month day, 2008
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ble competition for the Longhorns, who bowed out of the NC A A R e g i on a l rou n d i n 2011. The game, which will be held at Gregory Gym, will help Texas gauge where it’s new set of talent is capable of playing and how to tune them up in time for fall.
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10 COMICS
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Life & Arts
friday, April 13, 2012
11
MovIE REvIEW
‘Cabin’ presents plot twists, suspense as introspective horror Editor’s note: “The Cabin in the Woods” is a movie best seen with little to no knowledge of its contents going in. With that in mind, this review will be as spoiler-free as possible. By Alex Williams Daily Texan Staff
Photo Courtesy of Concord Music Group
Americana rock group Delta Spirit returns to Austin on Friday night at Emo’s East in support of their latest self-titled release.
Delta Spirits discuss spirit behind band By Eli Watson Daily Texan Staff
Delta Spirit — it’s a name that has taken over the indie and Americana rock scene recently. Formed in San Diego, CA, the band’s vibrant sound is a reflection of the city that raised them. There is a soulful backbone to their music. Raised on Texasbred blues and Motown soul, vocalist and guitarist Matt Vasquez (originally from Austin) strides high with a vocal delivery that seems effortless. Such is exemplified in the band’s latest, selftitled release. From the dancefriendly “Tear It Up,” to the surfrock “Otherside,” Vasquez confidently discusses spirituality and other themes, backed by powerful guitars and driving drums. Vasquez took the time to speak with The Daily Texan about rec ord i ng t h e i r l ate st a l bu m , influences and finding memorable records at Austin’s very own Waterloo Records. The Daily Texan: I read in another interview that bassist Jon Jameson would rather be frozen to death than burned alive. Which one would you choose? Matthew Vasquez: I’m going to
go with burned alive. It takes a lot longer to freeze to death, and I wouldn’t want to go through that pain. I wouldn’t want to be cooked to death, or anything like that. Give me a nice burn, and I’m good.
you hear a song and you’re like, “Oh, well that’s a country song.” We would take that song and record it to where it sounds completely different, taking things from a familiar place while creating something new that doesn’t immediately sound like where it DT: There is plenty of soul be- came from. hind the b and’s music . On songs like “Trashcan,” I feel the DT: You guys did SXSW this Motown and gospel influences. year, and now you’re returning Would you say that that type of to perform at Emo’s East. Are music has had a large influence you all looking forward to it? on you? Vasquez: We are definitely anticVasquez: Yeah. Actually recently, ipating our performance. I know it’s been a lot of music that has it’s one of the shows I’m looking soul, but with a modern twist to it, most forward to playing. I grew like Prince. His album 1999 is just up in Austin, and my mom lives crazy soulful. TV on the Radio is in Dripping Springs, so whenevanother great example. I think er I’m here, it definitely feels like our latest record is headed in that home. During SXSW we had an direction more. in-store performance at Waterloo Records, which was really fun. I DT: How would you say your love Waterloo Records, I’ve gotten latest release is different from so many weird records from their past albums Ode to Sunshine recommended wall. and History From Below? Was the s ong w riting or re cord- DT: What would you say is the ing pro c ess dif ferent f rom weirdest record you’ve bought those albums? from Waterloo? Vasquez: From a songwriting Vasquez: It would definitely have standpoint, it started the same, to be a compilation album called, but we went further with the me- God’s Got It. It features this revdium of the song and having it be erend, Reverend Charlie Jackgenre-specific. For example, say son, and a bunch of gospel re-
Delta Spirit w/ Waters Where: emo’s east When: friday, April 13 Doors open at 9 p.m.
Price: $18 cordings from the south. It’s this guy [Jackson] with a little Fender Princeton amp and a Jaguar guitar, simultaneously preaching and singing. Like while he’s singing, he’s saying things like, “Oh I got a stroke, and I couldn’t speak!” and then he goes into a guitar solo. DT: You should try and tour with him, or see if he would be cool with a collaboration. Vasquez: Well, he had a stroke in the ‘70s, so he might have gone home to be with Jesus. Someone that I would like to do a tour with who’s hot in the [gospel] game, is a guy named Wayne Cochran. He pulled an Al Green and went to ministering [after his music career]. He has like this four-foottall white pompadour, dresses in Elvis suits and sings like Wilson Pickett.
PDA continues from PAGE 12 “If the couple is comfortable, more power to them,” Calderon-Stucky said. “No one is forcing any of us to look at them if we have any objections to their PDA.” On a hypothetical PDA scale, hand holding, an arm around one another, quick kisses and leaning a head on your partners shoulder would be PG-rated content and usually safe for all environments. PG-13 content might include longer kisses, hooking a finger through your boyfriend or girlfriend’s pants’ belt loop, a blatant but quick ass-grab and sitting on their lap. This level of PDA is more appropriate with groups of friends or at a bar on Sixth Street. R-rated content includes lap straddling, making out, a hand that appears to be glued to your partner’s ass and pretty much any kind of thrusting or groping. This kind of behavior is never acceptable in Illustration by Carlos Pagan | Daily texan staff public. Ever. Above all, couples should be mindful of the environment they’re a restaurant may be considered in- might make others uncomfortable. you can always follow my mother’s in before showing one another affec- nocent and sweet, remember that a If all else fails and you’re unsure advice: “Keep it in your pants, just tion in public. While a quick kiss at long kiss-turned-make-out-session of what level of PDA is appropriate, hold hands.”
BEAR continues from PAGE 12
Matt Bayles? Murchy: It’s been great. We’re wrapping up overdubbing, and we’re going to start mixing next week. We’re excited to be playing some new being able to sleep in our own beds songs and working with Matt again. For Omni we worked with another after being on tour. producer, so it’s cool to be working DT: You guys are currently work- with him. ing on the follow-up to your 2010 album, Omni. How has the record- DT: What I’ve noticed with ing process been so far, and how is your music is that there’s been working with longtime producer a gradual progression. You
guys started off dance-y, then prog-y and now it’s very grooveoriented, but you’ve still retained the roots of your sound. Is this a direction you plan on exploring more with your upcoming album? Murchy: We’re always trying to challenge ourselves and trying to do something new. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be a Minus the Bear song. We’ve never limited ourselves to a specif-
There’s something underrated about going into a movie completely unspoiled, and in today’s world of instant-delivery culture, it’s hard to see a film where you truly know nothing about it ahead of time. “The Cabin in the Woods” is best if you’re completely unaware of what you’re getting into, and I was lucky enough to sit down to the film’s SXSW screening without having seen a single frame of footage. If you want to have the best possible experience with “The Cabin in the Woods,” save reading too many reviews until after you see the film, which is pretty brilliant both as an exercise in the horror genre and a deconstruction of its most basic elements. We’ll be keeping spoilers light here. “Cabin” deals with a group of stereotypical college students heading to, you guessed it, a cabin in the middle of some particularly menacing woods. Meanwhile, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford play employees for a company whose future relies on the backwoods goings-on in a very specific way. Once things start to go south, as they inevitably do in this type of film, we start to understand how these two plotlines are related, and as they start to converge, “Cabin” becomes more and more insane in a spectacularly gory, entertaining fashion. Fans of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Lost” know that writers Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard (who makes an adept directorial debut here) are very good with genre fare, but “The Cabin in the Woods” is a huge departure for both of them. “Buffy” was mostly concerned with finding parallels between supernatural horrors and high school drama, while “Lost” told nakedly human, emotional stories on a scifi backdrop, but the way “Cabin” approaches the horror genre is akin to the way Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” dissects the Western. “Cabin” finds joy in the construction and destruction of its own conventions and invokes a lot of classical horror imagery in its storytelling. Goddard assembled a strong, mostly under-the-radar cast for his lambs to the backwoods slaughter here. It’s interesting that, even though “Cabin” was filmed back in 2009, most of the cast remains unknown. The obvious exception to that is Chris Hemsworth, now better known as Thor, and he plays his letter jacket-sporting jock with surprising intelligence and kindness. It’s hard not to be charmed
“The Cabin in the Woods” Drew Goddard Genre: Horror Runtime: 95 minutes
by Kristen Connolly as the film’s heroine, and the disarmingly funny Anna Hutchison is more than game to be objectified by Goddard’s lens. Die-hard Whedon fans may remember Fran Kranz as the most likeable part of “Dollhouse,” and he carries that honor here as well, as a stoner who starts to grasp the unfortunate situation the gang is in just before all hell breaks loose. If there’s one complaint to lodge with “The Cabin in the Woods,” it’s that the film isn’t particularly scary. There’s no denying that it’s clever and engaging and even surprisingly introspective. The film certainly manages to build legitimate tension here and there, but any consistent sense of terror is mostly undercut by the way the film approaches its concept. Even so, that doesn’t make it any less entertaining, and many of “Cabin’s” scariest beats are in its third act, which makes a left turn that’s best described as absolutely daffy. The film’s closing moments have some absolutely irresistible imagery; there’s one shot in particular that attempts to cram the entire horror genre into one indelible frame. The level of detail and ambition present would be stunning if you weren’t busy being blindsided by the onslaught of carnage. Fans of horror will find plenty to appreciate in “The Cabin in the Woods.” The film’s concept isn’t at all what you’re expecting, and it makes a convincing case for the vitality and entertainment value of its own genre. Even on a less intellectual level, “Cabin” is undeniably effective, simply because it’s so fun to watch the characters stumble their way through their hopeless situation. Then the third act rolls around, “The Cabin in the Woods” puts all its cards on the table and guarantees itself a spot in any worthwhile discussion of horror cinema for years to come.
Photo Courtesy of Lionsgate
Kristen Connolly has a terrifying moment in “The Cabin in the Woods.”
ic genre, so we’ve always been done]. We love playing in Aus- during SXSW. able to experiment throughout tin though, so this should be our career. no different. DT: I know the name of the band derives from a funny story that inDT: You guys will be perform- DT: What has been some of your volves the TV show “B.J. and the ing at this year’s Forty Acres Fest. more memorable performances Bear” and a date one of your friends How did that come about, and do in Austin? went on. If you could compare Miyou look forward to playing on Murchy: We’ve loved all of them. nus The Bear to any TV show, our campus? We started out playing at Emo’s, which one would you choose? Murchy: We got asked, and we so we always have fond memo- Murchy: I would definitely rethought it was a cool idea, so we ries of playing there. Many drunk- late our whole band to “The Goldsaid yes. I’m sure it’ll be one of en moments have happened en Girls.” “Thank you for being the more interesting shows [we’ve in Austin for sure, especially a friend.”
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LIFE&ARTS
Friday, April 13, 2012 | THE DAILY TEXAN | Katie Stroh, Life&Arts Editor | (512) 232-2209 | dailytexan@gmail.com
GIRLS
Maintain courtesy, keep affection level Show depicts friends’ lives, love, adulthood suitable for setting
TV REVIEW
LOVE INTERRUPTED By Anjli Mehta
Illustration by Raquel Berternitz | Daily Texan Staff
By Aleksander Chan Daily Texan Staff
There’s a moment in the third episode of “Girls,” the new comedy created, written and directed by “Tiny Furniture” auteur Lena Dunham, where the show transcends from being really good to being great. It’s a sequence made in the image of pure cliche, a trope of postfeminist movie shorthand for empowerment: the goofy group bedroom sing-along dance scene. These scenes, with their purposely overworked lip-synching to ‘80s pop, their hairbrush microphones and matching outfits, rarely ring true. They portend a call to arms, a coming together of women to share in a song and dance of solidarity, empathy and fun — their friendship and commitment to each other deepened with each harmony. Except most of these sequences are just silly, lazy and fleeting. They are akin to pusillanimous narrative shortcuts, such as the shopping montage and crying in the rain. But w hen Hanna h ( D u n ham) and Marnie (Allison Williams, daughter of “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams), best friends navigating post-graduate stupors in New York, dance together in a bedroom to Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” it not only succeeds in bringing them closer, but it’s also completely earned and makes total sense.
Yes, “Girls” emerges as an unexpected corrective text to ‘00s-era cultural conventions, rendered in a sparse, honest ensemble comedy that’s finely acted and immensely watchable. It is generation Y’s intellectual devotional, created by a woman who grew up on Clinton and W. Bush-era pop culture who made a series for her peers. The pilot opens on Hannah being unceremoniously given “one last push” from her parents: They’re severing financial ties from Hannah, an aspiring memoirist who can’t finish her book because she hasn’t “lived it yet” who is forced to figure out self-sustainability. But this bildungsroman, refreshingly, doesn’t dwell on its topicality. Sure, Hannah is faced with New York City-sized rent and no job and an unused college degree, much like some of her peers of actual 20-somethings, but her and her friends’ struggles are never direct or surface level. It’s about the anxiety and fear of failure and that internal tension between wanting the protections of youth and reaping the benefits of finally growing up. And Dunham’s show masterfully captures the kind of willful poor decision-making that comes from this tension. “Girls” depicts those young adult moments — of realizing that a choice you’ve made, convinced of your own maturity and agency, was actually awful and foolish — with a charming sense of bemusement.
Sometimes they’re just funny bursts of self-loathing (“I just bought four cupcakes and ate one of them in your bathroom”), but others are protracted and tumultuous, like Hannah’s relationship with her sort-of boyfriend Adam (the spectacularly abhorrent Adam Driver), whose belittlement of her at every turn doesn’t keep her away. What holds the show together, though, is the easiness of the cast’s friendship. There’s a naturalness to their interactions: whether it’s the put-together and cutting Marnie butting heads with Jessa (Jemima Kirke) and her careless sense of adventure, or Hannah commiserating with Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) “about the stuff that gets up around the sides of condoms,” you get the sense that not only are these young women real, but could also be real friends. This is all by Dunham’s design, who comes across in “Girls” as even more a self-assured filmmaker. You can also see the careful, guiding hand of producer Judd Apatow, whose theatrical raunchiness is withheld for his ability to render small moments of powerful emotional resonance. Dunham proved great at those instances too in “Tiny Furniture,” but here it’s more focused and affecting. Episode two weaves the idea of facing your own mortality into a plot about an STI exam. But the reason you should watch
Minus the Bear will grace UT fans with their presence at this year’s Forty Acres Fest. The group will be one of many artists performing, including local acts Suite 709 and Driver F.
“Girls” Lena Dunham Premieres: April 15 at 9:30 p.m. on HBO Starring: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet “Girls,” even if you have an XY chromosome, is how sobering and honest it is about young people and the friends they have and the choices they make. Sometimes it feels so relatable as to be overwhelming, but it also knows that laughter, something this show is overflowing in, is what can get us all through it.
It was 10 p.m. last Thursday at a cafe near campus, where the beer was flowing, the canopy of lights twinkled overhead and good conversation floated through a rare summer breeze. I surveyed the patio, taking in the casual ambience ... until I saw something totally out of place: a couple, just seats away, appeared to be swallowing each other’s faces. Figuring out when and where public displays of affection (PDA) are appropriate determines the difference between having the people around you think “aw” or “ew.” When it comes to PDA, there is a risk of crossing the fine line that can make both your friends and onlookers feel uncomfortable and reluctant to have you around. Advertising senior Moriah Rivera, who is currently studying abroad in Spain, quickly realized European countries encourage PDA more than the U.S. does, when she witnessed a couple straddling one another on a playground. She said since a lot of 20-somethings in Europe live at home, the only “private” places they have with their significant others are in public. “On countless occasions, I have found myself in a crowded metro, stuck in that perfectly awkward position just inches away from a couple making balloon animals with their tongues,” Rivera said. “Apparently, it’s socially acceptable in Europe, but us Longhorns should leave the extreme intimacy for drunken freshman or behind closed doors.” While many people can agree that hand-holding and pecks on the cheek rarely ever cross the line, kisses on the lips are riskier territory. The appropriateness of PDA
nitch, admits that there’s a gender difference when it comes to PDA around his and Rivera’s single friends. “I’ve always engaged in PDA around single friends. I guess it’s different for me because majority of my friends are guys,” Maranitch said. Maranitch said that deciding when and where PDA is appropriate varies by the person’s perspective. “If PDA is just giving the significant other a few kisses in public, then PDA is a go for me. If people look at PDA as making out and groping the other, then that’s not really my thing,” he said. Radio-television-film senior Olivia Calderon-Stucky agreed that her feelings toward PDA are dependent on the environment. She feels that in casual settings, like on the Drag or outdoors on campus, hugs and kisses are fine as long as there is no moaning involved.
PDA continues on PAGE 11
BY ALEKSANDER CHAN
HORNS UP
The Billfold, a new site about personal finance. It’s hilarious, informative and helpful.
PBS’ NOVA Elements app. It makes science look so cool.
“The Cabin in the Woods.” This Joss Whedon project upends typical horror movie conventions.
James Van Der Beek on “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt. 23. “ He plays a jerky version of himself.
Photo Courtesy of Minus the Bear
Green GreenDay Dayannounces announce aatriple triplealbum albumrelease. release. That’s That’saalot lotofofeyeliner eyelinerand middle schoolschool angst.angst. and middle
Minus the Bear to play Forty Acres Fest What do ‘70s TV show “B.J. and the Bear” and experimental rock group Minus the Bear have in common? The band’s name derives from a joke a friend of the band made about a date (“You know that TV show from the ‘70s, ‘B.J. and the Bear?’ It was like that, minus the bear.”) Although the band’s name comes from playful origins, Minus the Bear takes their music very seriously. Praised for their intricate guitar parts and incorporation of electronics, the band has become very popular over the years, having performed at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and South By Southwest.
health promotion/allied health professions junior Jeremy Mara-
POP INDEX A Poem from Us, a crowdsourced poetry project. Anyone can contribute video of themselves reciting their favorite poetry.
By Elijah Watson Daily Texan Staff
should be judged by how you anticipate those around you will feel about it. If you’re with friends who know you and your partner well, chances are PDA won’t bother them. However, if the majority of people you’re around are strangers, like at the grocery store or in the mall, it’s best to refrain from anything more affectionate than a kiss on the cheek. Rivera said she naturally adjusts her level of PDA depending on who she is around as a sign of respect around family and to ensure that she is not flaunting her relationship in front of her single friends. “PDA can be precious to watch, but at the same time it can be super depressing when you see all these couples share a passionate kiss under the Eiffel Tower,” Rivera said. Rivera’s boyfriend of four years,
Gearing up for a special performance at this year’s on-campus Forty Acres Fest, Minus the Bear bassist Cory Murchy spoke with The Daily Texan about the band’s upcoming album, their 10-year anniversary tour and future plans. The Daily Texan: Last year, you guys had your 10-year anniversary tour. Any memorable performances or moments during the tour? Cory Murchy: That whole tour was a blast. It was just a real pleasure to play a lot of our songs. [Our hometown show] in Seattle was a blast — it was nice to have our homecoming show at home and finish up the tour that way. But all of the shows were pretty
Forty Acres Fest What: Minus the Bear and other activities
Where: UT’s Main Mall When: Saturday, April 14 noon - 9 p.m.
Price: Free bitchin,’ man. It definitely felt like a celebration, and everyone was having a good time. DT: Did you guys celebrate with any ice cream or cake? Murchy: Our final celebration was
BEAR continues on PAGE 11
Spotify’s frustrating lack of single song repeat. Sometimes we want to obsess over one song for eight hours. Sue us.
Department of Justice finally sues Apple for e-book price fixing. After they huffed and puffed about it forever.
Study suggests that America is more obese than we previously thought. Screw it, we’re going to keep eating Wendy’s.
Foolishly thinking you could ignore “The Three Stooges.”
The Fray’s terrible rendition of the national anthem. Not a good idea, guys.
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch” to be rebooted as a live action super hero movie. We’re not convinced a cape is a good look for Melissa Joan Hart.
HORNS DOWN