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LIFE&ARTS PAGE 10
SPORTS PAGE 6
The Mediterranean Festival celebrates its 78th year
Omega Psi Phi offers tailgate temptations LIFE&ARTS PAGE 9
‘RENT’ rocks its way into Austin
THE DAILY TEXAN Thursday, September 30, 2010
TODAY
Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
TOMORROW’S WEATHER
www.dailytexanonline.com
Calendar Hook ‘Em
Football head coach Mack Brown will kick off the Red River Rivalry weekend by speaking at the Frank Erwin Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. He will break down last weekend’s loss to UCLA and give the audience an inside look into Saturday’s game.
an eye-opening experience about some of her peers. “It just kind of reminded me that there are a lot of people that don’t have hope,” she said. “I wanted to be here to just pray for those people for healing.” The Interfaith prayer service Wednesday night at the center echoed the students’ desire to
PRAYER continues on page 5
PROFILE continues on page 5
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Harding will speak in ACE 2.302 from 7:30-9 p.m. He won the prize in 2010 for his first novel “Tinkers.”
Ambassador on campus
Ambassador Robert Hutchings will present a free public lecture about American democracy and the end of the Cold War from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bass Lecture Hall.
Flood relief
Fighting the flood will host their second all day drive to raise money for flood Victims in Pakistan all day at tables in front of the FAC.
Today in history In 1868 Louisa May Alcott published the first volume of “Little Women,” which went on to be a best seller.
Inside In News: Nobel laureate parties with the stars at RLM page 2
In Opinion: Controversial college rankings mislead readers page 4
In Sports: Texas volleyball secures win against Iowa State page 6
In Life&Arts:
Drink’s history dives deep into Chartreuse’s past page 10
On the web Visit dailytexanonline.com for more coverage on both the University Interfaith Council’s vigil and the Texas Exes Torchlight Parade.
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Quote to note “All I know is that for the next four years, I expect to make the PCL my home for its air conditioning, silence and ample privacy on the upper floors.” — Colton Tooley Former UT Student
Erika Rich | Daily Texan Staff
Spanish sophomore Sarah Macelroy and architecture junior Mona Miltenbeger pray together at the UT Tower on Wednesday morning to support one another following the traumatic events of the previous day. By Ahsika Sanders The Daily Texan Staff Students of all religious affiliations listened intently during the prayers of leaders from different denominations and united as they sang songs of spiritual uplift, at the University Catholic Center. Members of the University Interfaith Council co-hosted one of three vigils held Wednesday
to bring closure to students after Tuesday’s shooting. Hundreds of students also gathered in the shadow of the UT Tower on Wednesday morning to show solidarity through prayer in light of the shooting and to offer spiritual comfort at the University Catholic Center. With Bibles in hand, hundreds of students and Austin community members broke into groups
to pray for the campus at the morning vigil. “I know a lot of the kids that are here and I just want to be there for them,” said Miles O’Neal, a local youth pastor. Curious passers-by slowed their gait as the assembled students began to sing contemporary Christian songs. Biology senior Johanna McLendon said yesterday’s tragedy was
Library reopens to patrons while damages are repaired By Daniel Sanchez Daily Texan Staff The Perry-Castañeda Library was back to normal Wednesday, a day after math sophomore Colten Tooley died by suicide on the sixth floor of the building. There were no signs of the shooting that happened the previous day aside from the uncommon quietness of the fifth floor and postings around the building informing students that the sixth floor was closed. Advertising junior Hill Crawford was studying on the fifth floor Wednesday 30 minutes before a test for class. He said he always goes to the PCL to study — at least twice a week. But today, just walking into the building felt eerie. “You think about what went down while he was running through the halls with an AK-47 getting chased by police,” Crawford said. “It kind of puts things in perspective, knowing that can happen at any time, any moment. You never think it’s going to happen at your school.” Doug Barnett, chief of staff for UT libraries, said the sixth floor
Jeff Heimsath | Daily Texan Staff
Psychology sophomore Bavly Khalil leans back as he studies on the fourth floor of Perry-Castañeda Library on Wednesday afternoon. was closed because some carpet and furniture was being replaced. There was also some damage to minor parts of the walls. Carpenters were working on the same floor of the incident, but Barnett said he did not know the extent of the damage. The sixth floor will reopen Thursday by noon with the corner where the shooting took place closed off.
Texas Exes spark campus spirit with torchlit march By Destinee Hodge Daily Texan Staff Students, faculty and staff paraded around campus Wednesday with torches held high and banners in tow to show their support for the Texas football team in anticipation of one of the biggest games of the season. The Texas Exes Torchlight Parade and Rally drew thousands of people to one of the most wellknown UT traditions. The parade began at the intersection of 25th Street and Whitis Avenue and made its way to the tower
via Guadalupe Street. The string of supporters monopolized the street as the Longhorn Band, along with numerous dance groups and students, marched their way to the stage at the foot of the tower. Texas Cheer, Texas Pom, the Roustabouts and various spirit organizations all took the stage to energize and entertain the audience. As various acts made their way to the stage, students snapped pictures of Bevo, the longhorn that serves as the school’s mascot.
RALLY continues on page 2
Barnett said going back to his office was an interesting experience. Tuesday’s evacuation happened so quickly that it was over before he had much time to think about it, he said. “Coming back was a bit odd because all the lights were on, all the rooms were open,” Barnett said.
PCL continues on page 5
Classmates say gunman was helpful, intelligent By Aziza Musa Daily Texan Staff UT campus shooter Colton Tooley’s actions Tuesday morning — when he appeared on campus armed with an AK-47 — shocked friends at the University and former classmates at Crockett High School in South Austin. Tooley was known as an intelligent but reserved student. Biology freshman Deborah Alemu said the mug shot of the 19-year-old provided by the Te x a s D e partment of Public Safet y, w h i c h was featured in several media outlets this week, was not an accuColton Tooley rate portrayFormer UT student al of Tooley. She described him as harmless and always helpful to other students. Undeclared freshman Andres Chable said Tooley seemed to be a normal teenager. “I always knew that he wasn’t the most social guy, but what he lacked in social skills he made up for in brains,” said Chable, who attended public school with Tooley. “He was a great guy, and it is truly sad to know that he was pushed to the limit.” UT officials identified Tooley as the gunman who fired
‘Tinkers’
The House Committee of Natural Resources will host a panel discussion about upcoming legislative issues that will impact Texas at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Building.
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Students join in prayer at vigil
Water symposium
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Walk-ins increase for UT counseling services By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff The UT Counseling and Mental Health Center has seen an increase in students seeking resources after Tuesday’s shooting, with 50 students calling the 24-hour hotline and 28 coming in for a walk-in visit by Wednesday night. Normally, about five students call the hotline and five students use walk-in services each day. Many students are likely to benefit from some kind of counseling, according to CMHC Director Chris Brownson. In addition to increased availability and services at the center, the Employee Assistance Program is expanding its efforts to reach faculty and staff. “In the first days afterward, people can become quite overwhelmed with emotions,” Brownson said. “Some of that depends on personal coping styles or past history involved in other frightening or traumatic events, which can trigger more intense reactions. There are a lot of reasons why someone might want to seek support.” Mental health specialists said they are concerned that other students at UT and through-
out the country may be likely to commit copycat suicides after hearing about recent events at UT. These kinds of events tend to happen in clusters, said Courtney Knolls, the executive director of the Jed Foundation, a college student suicide prevention advocacy organization. “When suicide happens in a public way, it can lead to other people thinking about attempting and completing suicides,” Knolls said. “We encourage schools to make sure they’re communicating the warning signs of suicide and offering the resources people might need if they’re struggling. Traumatic events can cause distressed people to be more distressed.” Students can call the center’s hotline, which operates 24 hours a day, or visit the office in the Student Services Building. Associate English professor Phillip Barrish was in the Perry-Castañeda Library when Tooley came into the building, and received counseling after giving a statement to the Austin Police Department. “I was brought down to APD to
SERVICES continues on page 5 Sociology senior Nathan Bunch tries to blow out his torch after reaching the South Mall at this year’s Torchlight Parade.
Corey Leamon Daily Texan Staff