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INSIDE NEWS
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LIFE & ARTS PAGE 12
TEXAN IN-DEPTH
Tricky student loan rules lead to more debt
4 OPINION
Finding the Drag’s best pickme-ups.
SPORTS PAGE 7
By Megan Strickland
Rick Perry mentioned a possible 2016 presidential run. We asked UT students walking around campus what they think.
dailytexanonline.com
Horns blow past Colgate, will face Aggies on Friday
2 Student Government’s entrepreneurship agency kicks off with startup demo.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuition is due Jan. 4, and for 56 percent of undergraduate students at UT Austin, that means relying on financial aid to help cover their cost of attendance. Tom Melecki, director of the Office of Student Financial Services, said complex
federal and state laws can both help and hinder students’ access to financial aid. A push to tie financial aid to timely graduation could also be coming at the University and state level, Melecki said. Familiarity with how student aid is distributed could be the key to keeping student borrowing to a minimum, Melecki said.
“We try to go to grants and scholarships first, but the number of people needing aid is far greater than the amount we give out in grants and scholarships,” Melecki said. In the 2011-2012 academic year, the office distributed more than $58.5 million in scholarships and $102.4 million in grants to undergraduate
students, according to the OSFS. Students also took out more than $204.6 million in loans through the office. “I can guarantee you that there is no way this office can fund more than a handful of students ... to have sufficient grant and scholarship aid to totally cover their costs,” Melecki said. “It means they are going to borrow.”
ALUMNI
Proposed bill could lead to no sales tax on textbooks
SPORTS
10
what’s
“Killing Them Softly,” with Brad Pitt, reviewed.
By Joshua Fechter
up his tennis scholarship, moving back in with his family so he could continue his pursuit of competitive weightlifting. Terry Todd went on to win the first two official senior national weightlifting competitions in 1964 and 1965, and in 1966 earned a doctorate with a self-made curriculum from UT. In 1967, he retired from competitive weightlifting.
A bill in the Texas Senate would allow students to purchase textbooks without paying sales tax during two 10-day periods every year. The bill, introduced by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would exempt textbook purchases from sales tax from the third Friday in August to the second following Sunday and from the second Friday in January to the second following Sunday. Students would have to verify their status as full-time or part-time students by presenting identification issued by the institution they attend to the retailer. George Mitchell, University Co-op CEO and president, has testified in favor of similar legislation during previous legislative sessions. Mitchell said the bill would help students save money when purchasing textbooks. Mitchell said he lobbied for the bill because it would make the Co-op competitive with online retailers who did not have to include sales tax in
TODD continues on page 2
BILL continues on page 5
TODAY Plant Sale
Zachary Strain | Daily Texan Staff Terry and Jan Todd, both former competitive weightlifters, are the founders of the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, a 27,500 square foot museum and the largest repository for artifacts of physical culture in the world, at the Darrell K Royal Stadium.
Body of work
LDS Forum
Orange Santa
This program is seeking donations for its annual toy drive. Toys should be new and in their original packaging. Donations can be dropped off at UT guard stations and parking garages and at Pickle Research Campus.
Today in history In 1982
On Nov. 30, Michael Jackson’s bestselling album of all time, Thriller, is released.
‘‘
Quote to note “[Texas] is one of the best programs; I think they’re a national caliber team.” — Ryan Baker Colgate Universtiy volleyball head coach SPORTS PAGE 7
ahead
for higher ed?
LIFE & ARTS
The Austin Latter Day Saints Institute of Religion will host a meeting from noon to 1 p.m., with a home-cooked lunch and spiritual message. The LDS institute is at 2020 San Antonio St.; lunch is $2.
DEBT continues on page 6 STATE
Texas faces UT-Arlington in tuneup for tough slate of December contests coming up.
The Science Undergraduate Research Group will host its monthly plant sale in the West Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This month’s specials include Christmas cacti, lotus bamboo and fire crotons among others.
When borrowing, most students in the United States are unaware of the differences between the federal aid resources offered to them, said Matt Reed, program director of the Institute for College Access and Success. “We do know from research in 2007-2008 that
Retired weightlifters Jan and Terry Todd now teach at UT, consider Austin their home By Miles Hutson Terry and Jan Todd are no strangers to attention. Terry Todd, a former English student, doctoral candidate and lecturer at UT, was the first man to officially perform a 700-pound squat. Sports Illustrated and the Guinness Book of World
Records once declared Jan Todd the “Strongest Woman in the World.” Terry Todd, born in Beaumont, Texas in 1938, attended the University of Texas in 1956 and competed for the UT tennis team. However, his interest in weightlifting conflicted with his desire to play tennis. Athletic coaches at the time believed weightlifting had a negative
CAMPUS
Textbook buy-back starts tabling conflict By David Maly As buy-back season for local textbook stores approaches, several of store owners told The Daily Texan about the conflict often associated with the season and what they expect to see this year. Ken Jones, owner of Austin TXbooks on Guadalupe Street, said in recent years competition between local textbook stores has been growing as an increasing number of tables are being set up near campus to buy textbooks back from students. He said this competition can sometimes cross legal and ethical lines. “Lies are being told, stories are being made up, city officials are being involved and permitting issues are being brought into play,” Jones said. “In some cases, it is close to even physical violence out there, angry words exchanged, threats, just, it is just ugly.
I just do not like the buyback season.” Jones would not go into detail about those issues, but Brad North, co-founder of West Campus Books, a store that operates online but tables during the buy-back season, said he has heard about scuffles between employees at rival textbook stores. “In the heat of the moment, it may turn into a scuffle here or there between employees,” North said. “We have heard stories.” Jones and North said their stores did get into an online conflict when they bought similar domain sites to each other. George Mitchell, CEO and president of the University Co-op, said he keeps his store out of the conflict. “People are going out into the street and yelling at customers and all that stuff, and we don’t do those
BOOK continues on page 5
impact on athletic performance. “But since I had experienced myself what the weights could do for me, athletically, physically, then it didn’t matter who said it was not good for you,” Terry Todd said. Terry Todd began to lift competitively while he played for the tennis team, using assumed names in contests to mask his activity from his coach. However, his coach caught on and Terry Todd gave
CITY
Facilitator Madilynn Garcia practices her act during “And Then Came Tango” rehearsal Thursday night before the day of the first show. The play will begIn at 7 p.m. in the Brockett Theatre inside the Winship building. Pu Ying Huang Daily Texan Staff
Canceled play finds second home By Jordan Rudner Just like how the baby penguin at the center of “And Then Came Tango” finds a loving family with two male penguins, the play has found an unexpected home at local charter schools, private schools and UT. “And Then Came Tango,” an original play written by theater and dance graduate student Emily Freeman, will have three performances at the Oscar G. Brockett
Theatre beginning Nov. 30. The performances were scheduled after the play’s original 10-performance tour of AISD schools was cancelled in a mutual AISD and UT decision. The play, which centers around two male penguins who adopt an abandoned egg, was discontinued when AISD officials raised concerns about the “age appropriateness” of the play’s content after a showing at Lee Elementary School. In an email The Daily
Texan obtained through open records requests, Gregory Goodman, AISD’s fine arts director, cited the potential controversy the play might produce as a reason for the district’s decision. “Elementary schools typically, most especially in the primary grades, do not delve into human sexuality, religion or other politically hot topics,” Goodman said in the email. Though the play will not have any more performances
TANGO continues on page 5
News
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Friday, November 30, 2012
FRAMES | FEAtuREd photo
The Daily Texan Volume 113, Issue 76
CONTACT US Main Telephone: (512) 471-4591 Editor: Susannah Jacob (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor: Aleksander Chan (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 Retail Advertising: (512) 471-1865 joanw@mail.utexas.edu Taylor Barron | Daily Texan Staff History senior Andrew Martinez and English senior Kayla Moses play checkers in the empty fountain space in West Mall on Thursday afternoon.
Classified Advertising: (512) 471-5244 classifieds@dailytexanonline.com The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@dailytexanonline.com.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Student startups pitch ideas to digital CEO By Bobby Blanchard
FOR THE RECORD: An editorial that ran on p. 4 on Nov. 28 misspelled Ronald DePinho’s name, and incorrectly said that M.D. Anderson was awarded a $20 million grant. The amount was $18 million, not $20 million. The Nov. 28 editorial incorrectly said the $18 million grant went toward the formation of the Institute for Applied Cancer Science. The grant was intended to go toward, not toward the formation, of IACS. The editorial incorrectly stated that the IACS was a commercial enterprise. The incubator proposal was a commercial enterprise, not the IACS.
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.
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With the help of various organizations and UT professors, Student Government is hoping to continue growing entrepreneurship support on campus. One Semester Startup, a UT course that aims to help educate and mentor student startups, held its annual fall demo, where 10 different student businesses pitched their company to a crowd of more than 300 students, entrepreneurs and investors. Business presentations included Clay.io, a marketplace that sells games that can be played on any device and Still Open, a website and soon-to-be-released app that provides a map of nearby open businesses. The event was put on with the help of a new on-campus entrepreneurial group, the Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency. Earlier this semester, Student Government created the new agency to bring together student entrepreneurs on campus and help them connect. Nicholas Spiller, the agency’s director, said the agency spent this past semester establishing itself and recruiting. “There is a lot of interest in This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25
Permanent Staff
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susannah Jacob Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew Finke, Pete Stroud, Edgar Walters Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aleksander Chan Associate Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trey Scott Digital Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hayley Fick News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Stottlemyre Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Boze, Samantha Katsounas, Allie Koletcha Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Blanchard, Joshua Fechter, David Maly, Alexa Ura Enterprise Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Audrey White Enterprise Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Messamore, Megan Strickland Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kristine Reyna Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riley Brands, Sherry Hu, Luis San Miguel, Sara Reinsch Editorial Copy Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nile Miller Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Collins Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pu Ying Huang, Omar Longoria, Jack Mitts Special Projects Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natasha Smith Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lawrence Peart Associate Photo Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elisabeth Dillon, Andrew Torrey Senior Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pu Ying Huang, Zachary Strain, Fanny Trang, Marisa Vasquez Multimedia Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jorge Corona Associate Multimedia Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Macias Senior Videographers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oluwademilade Adejuyigbe, Thomas Allison, Shila Farahani, Lawrence Peart Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelsey McKinney Associate Life&Arts Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jorge Corona, Sarah-Grace Sweeney Senior Life&Arts Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen Fernandez, Shane Miller, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Smothers, Alex Williams, Laura Wright Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christian Corona Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Giudice, Chris Hummer, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sara Beth Purdy, Rachel Thompson, Wes Maulsby Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ao Meng Associate Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riki Tsuji Web Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ghayde Ghraowi Associate Web Editor, Social Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Sanchez Associate Web Editors, Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Helen Fernandez, Omar Longoria Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albert Cheng Editorial Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Doug Warren
Issue Staff
Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tiffany Hinman, Miles Hutson, Jordan Rudner Multimedia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Taylor Barron, Ben Chesnut Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evan Berkowitz, Garrett Callahan, Rachel Wenzlaff Life&Arts Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexandra Hart Columnist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grayson Simmons Page Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jaime Cheng Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Kaser, Sarah Smith, Amy Yu Comic Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anik Bhattacharya, Cody Bubenik, David Hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forrest Lybrand, Christina Sze Paige, Lindsay Rojas Web Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Peacock
Business and Advertising
(512) 471-1865 | advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jalah Goette Business Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lori Hamilton Advertising Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CJ Salgado Broadcast & Events Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carter Goss Campus & National Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Bowerman Event Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Hollingsworth Student Advertising Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Morgan Haenchen Student Assistant Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ted Moreland Student Acct. Execs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter Chitwood, Zach Congdon, Jake Dworkis, Ivan Meza, Rohan Needel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trevor Nelson, Diego Palmas, Paola Reyes, Ted Sniderman, Stephanie Vajda Student Lead Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabby Garza, Jennifer Howton Student Office Assistant/Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Cremona Senior Graphic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Felimon Hernandez Junior Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacqui Bontke, Sara Gonzales, Bailey Sullivan Special Editions/Production Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abby Johnston Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Hublein
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 once weekly during the summer semester. The Daily Texan does not publish during academic breaks, 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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general with entrepreneurship right now,” Spiller said. “We’re just trying to harness that energy and make something productive.” The agency has 22 students on its staff. Spiller said initially he planned for 10, but when he got 36 applications he expanded the number of positions available. The Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency is not the first entrepreneurship student group on campus. Spiller said UT has a long history of entrepreneurship groups. Some of these groups include Austin Technology Incubator, a group that counsels and provides support to starting businesses and Technology Entrepreneurship Society, a student organization focused on identifying future technological entrepreneurs in the UT community. Spiller said he wants to bring all of these groups together for monthly roundtable discussions about what is going on in their communities. Through this, he is hoping the Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency can be a resource of all entrepreneurial information on campus. “It is a lot of information to take in, as of right now you have to get it from a lot of different places,” Spiller said. “We want to increase opportunities and continue to develop student resources.” Spiller, who is the founder of two different startups, was
TODD
continues from page 1 “I was getting ready to become a professor and decided that I’d fulfilled
Ben Chesnut | Daily Texan Staff Student Government president Thor Lund addresses a crowd at One Semester Startup, an event where 11 different student businesses pitched their companies.
co-author of the legislation that created the Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency. He has been a member of the entrepreneurship community on campus before leading the new agency. Last year, he put on the first UT Entrepreneurship Week. The event will happen again this spring under the Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency. “UT Entrepreneurship Week is going to be a way for all the different student organizations, courses and entrepreneurship programs on campus to come together, host events all across campus and basically just try to raise awareness and
get people excited about entrepreneurship,” Spiller said. With events like that, Student Government vice president Wills Brown said he hopes the Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency can reach out to any student who wants to start a business. “In the years to come, I hope this agency truly helps make Austin the Silicon Valley of the South,” Brown said. Student Government president Thor Lund said he hopes this agency can inspire innovation among the student body. “I think we all hope that someday our student entrepreneurs will be as celebrated as
our athletes on this campus,” Lund said. Spiller said he is already working on that goal. At the One Semester Startup, the Texas Cheerleaders performed several chants for student entrepreneurs. Later in the evening at the event, Rony Kahan, CEO and cofounder of Indeed.com, a digital job finder, offered advice to future student entrepreneurs. “People will give you a lot of advice on business, but you have to find your own path,” Kahan said. “You just have to go out there and try. I encourage everyone, it’s a worthy journey to take.”
my curiosity about becoming big and strong,” Terry Todd said. Terry Todd went from about 340 pounds, his peak weight, to 250 pounds, where he stands today. He began teaching at Auburn
University and later moved to Mercer University, where he met Jan Todd. Jan Todd caught his eye when she beat many of his companions at a spontaneous game of log tossing. They were married in 1973 during Jan Todd’s senior year at Mercer University. Jan Todd began tagging along with Terry Todd to his workouts. “This is what Terry did for recreation, and I just wanted to understand it a bit,” Jan Todd said. Jan Todd said she found light workout routines designed for her to be boring, but later found she was able to deadlift 225 pounds. She became inspired to ask Terry Todd whether he thought she could compete in weightlifting. “For me the transition was from doing light sets of ten to going and seeing ‘Can I do more,’” she said. Jan Todd, with Terry Todd’s guidance, went on to set more than 60 strength records, competing in men’s competitions
because of a lack of women’s strength contests. “I grew up in the generation before Title IX,” Jan Todd said. “People were generally surprised that I could put a sentence together.” Jan Todd later earned a doctorate from the University of Texas in American studies, and continues to lecture at UT today. Jan and Terry Todd founded the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, a 27,500 squarefoot museum and the largest repository for artifacts of physical culture in the world, at Darrell K RoyalTexas Memorial Stadium in 2009. Jan and Terry Todd, now 60 and 74 respectively, say the Stark Center occupies most of their time but they enjoy the challenge. Terry Todd said he was happy it could be located in Austin, where he felt he belonged. “This was the place where clearly it means home,” Terry Todd said. “It’s our ancestral home.”
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Friday, November 30, 2012
World & Nation 3
NEWS BRIEFLY
Syrian Internet services blacked out through state
NASA probe finds ice on planet Mercury CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Just in time for Christmas, scientists have confirmed a vast amount of ice at the north pole — on Mercury, the closest planet to the sun. The findings are from NASA’s Mercury-orbiting probe, Messenger, and the subject of three scientific papers released Thursday by the journal Science. The frozen water is located in regions of Mercury’s north pole that always are in shadows, essentially impact craters. It’s believed the south pole harbors ice as well, though there are no hard data to support it. Messenger orbits much closer to the north pole than the south. The ice is thought to be at least 1½ feet deep — and possibly as much as 65 feet deep.
Twinkie maker, Hostess, set for sale NEW YORK — The future of Twinkies is virtually assured. Hostess Brands Inc. got final approval for its winddown plans in bankruptcy court Thursday, setting the stage for its iconic snack cakes to find a second life with new owners — even as 18,000 jobs will be wiped out. The company said in court that it’s in talks with 110 potential buyers for its brands, which include CupCakes, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos. The suitors include at least five national retailers such as supermarkets, a financial adviser for Hostess said. — Compiled from Associated Press reports
Luis San Miguel, Wire Editor
By Zeina Karam & Bassem Mroue
Majdi Mohammed | Associated Press Palestinians celebrate as they watch a screen showing the U.N. General Assembly votes on a resolution to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Authority to a nonmember observer state, in the west bank city of Ramallah on Thursday.
Palestine’s UN status upgraded By Mohammed Daraghmeh in lands Israel captured in the recognition will strengthen 1967 Mideast War. their hand in future talks & Karin Laub RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinians erupted in wild cheers Thursday, hugging each other, setting off fireworks and chanting “God is great” after the United Nations granted them, at least formally, what they have long yearned for — a state of their own. The historic General Assembly decision to accept “Palestine” as a non-member observer state won’t immediately change lives here, since much of the territory of that state — the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem — remains under Israeli control. Yet many Palestinians savored the massive global recognition — 138 of 193 General Assembly members voted “yes” — following decades of setbacks in the quest for Palestinian independence
“It’s a great feeling to have a state, even if in name only,” civil servant Mohammed Srour said standing in a flagwaving a crowd of more than 2,000 packed into a square in the West Bank city of Ramallah. “The most beautiful dream of any man is to have an independent state, particularly for us Palestinians who have lived under occupation for a long time.” After the euphoria over the vote, Palestinians will return to their harsh reality. They lack most trappings of statehood, including control over borders, airspace or trade. In a further complication, they are ruled by rival governments, one run by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank and the other by the Islamic militant group Hamas in Gaza. Yet, Palestinians say the recognition isn’t just symbolic and that U.N.
with Israel, which has lambasted the the Palestinian move as an attempt to bypass such negotiations. The warm embrace by the international community could also help Abbas restore some of his domestic standing, which has been eroded by years of standstill in peace efforts. Hamas, entrenched in Gaza, has seen its popularity rise after holding its own during an Israeli offensive on targets linked to the Islamists there earlier this month. After initially criticizing the U.N. bid as an empty gesture, Hamas has come around to supporting the popular move, with reservations. Palestinians in the coastal strip also celebrated the vote, though on a smaller scale than after the massive eruption of joy in the streets after last week’s cease-fire deal with Israel.
BEIRUT — Internet service went down Thursday across Syria and international flights were canceled at the Damascus airport when a road near the facility was closed by heavy fighting in the country’s civil war. Activists said President Bashar Assad’s regime pulled the plug on the Internet, perhaps in preparation for a major offensive. Cellphone service also went out in Damascus and parts of central Syria, they said. The government blamed rebel fighters for the outages. With pressure building against the regime on several fronts and government forces on their heels in the battle for the northern commercial hub of Aleppo, rebels have recently begun pushing back into Damascus after largely being driven out of the capital following a July offensive. One Damascus resident reported seeing rebel forces near a suburb of the city previously deemed to be safe from fighting. The Internet outage, confirmed by two U.S.-based companies that monitor online connectivity, is unprecedented in Syria’s 20-month-old uprising against Assad, which activists say has killed more than 40,000 people. Regime forces suffered a string of tactical defeats in recent weeks, losing air bases and other strategic facilities. The government may be trying to blunt additional rebel offensives by hampering communications.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland condemned what she called the regime’s “assault” on Syrians’ ability to communicate with each other and express themselves. She said the move spoke to a desperate attempt by Assad to cling to power. Syrian authorities often cut phone and Internet service in select areas to disrupt rebel communications when regime forces are conducting major operations. The government sent mixed signals about the Internet outage but denied it was nationwide. The proregime TV station Al-Ikhbariya quoted Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi as saying that “terrorists” have targeted Internet cables, interrupting service in several cities. Separately, state-run TV said the outage was due to a technical failure that affected some provinces, adding that technicians were trying to fix it. Activists in Syria, reached by satellite telephones unaffected by the outage, confirmed the communications problems. A young Syrian businessman who lives in an upscale neighborhood of Damascus, which some refer to as part of “the green zone” because it has remained relatively safe, sent a text message to an Associated Press reporter Thursday that said the Internet had been cut in his area and that mobile phone service was cutting out. The opposition said the Internet blackout was an ominous sign that the regime was preparing a major offensive.
Opinion 4
Friday, November 30, 2012
Editor-in-Chief Susannah Jacob
VIEWPOINT
We Asked: Perry 2016? Editor’s note: On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry told the Rio Grande Guardian that he will “make an announcement about [his] future political plans in July.” We asked UT students walking throughout campus how they felt about the governor’s remarks regarding a potential presidential run in 2016. [Laughs]. Excuse my laughter. I don’t see it happening. Ever. But I don’t have much to say beyond that it’s not going to happen. I just, I don’t believe in him as our governor, let alone as president of the United States. — Courtney Lavadia, biology sophomore from Salado Well, that’s a good — I don’t really know how to respond to that. It should be an interesting, I mean, I’m interested in seeing who the GOP brings to the table, but I wouldn’t say that Rick Perry would be my first choice. — Joanne Chien, nutrition sophomore from Baton Rouge, LA It makes me roll my eyes. But I think he made such a big fool of himself in 2012 that if he ran again in 2016 it would be good for Texas Democrats, because it would increase the chances of him not being reelected for governor in 2016, I guess. So I know he won’t ever become president of the United States, so I’m not worried about it, and it might get him out of office in Texas, so I’m kind of happy about this news. — Nathan Vest, Arabic and history junior from Sugar Land
I feel that he’s free to run. It’s his right, you know? But at a personal level, it’s not so much him. I mean, it is him. But the Republican Party in general has to reorganize themselves. They have to drop the religious fanatics. They have to deal with immigration better because that’s the reason they lost this election. They have to deal more with minorities. And he’s actually from Texas, so he should know more about immigration than other Republicans, maybe. But yeah, I feel like he’s free to run. I have personal issues with him. I don’t hate him or anything, but if he wants to be a presidential candidate he should basically go a step further with immigration. I guess his little campaign prayer thing he did — last year, was it? — in the Houston stadium. He might want to drop that too. Just reform the Republican Party. — Everardo Alvarez, government and economics junior from Laredo Well, I think that this campaign showed his true self, and I just don’t think that he can [win]. I think Obama was really strong, and I think it was a really fought-out battle. I honestly don’t think he’s strong enough, and doesn’t appeal enough to the public. But I think he’s kind of charismatic, I guess. But he’s missing that emotional component that Obama has. — Paulina Jaime, Psychology and English senior from Monterrey, Mexico
I don’t think it’s a very good idea, considering. I mean, he’s so conservative he won’t appeal to anybody, you know? If he was at least moderately moderate, he might have a chance. But considering ... I just don’t think he has a chance, and I don’t think it’s very smart at all. — Ulrika Doederlein, Communication sophomore from Guam
Uh, well, I’m kind of shocked. I mean, I thought he kind of made a fool out of himself the first time. I mean, not to say that he may not be capable, but I just don’t think that he has the presence of it — the support of the other people. A lot of it has to do with image. — Hayden Thomas, Biology junior from Buda
I think that would be a really bad idea for the Republican Party. I think that the next election, they’re going to have to choose — the Republican Party, I mean — whether or not they’re going to continue to be heading towards this super-polarized, conservative direction, or pick a candidate that’s actually a moderate, that actually has a chance of doing something for the country. — Katelyn Woolheather, Public Health junior from McKinney
Uh, he probably wouldn’t have my vote. — Elizabeth Cherry, International Relations and Global Studies senior from Denver, Colorado
GALLERY
Pristine in 2016 On Nov. 27, Gov. Rick Perry told the Rio Grande Guardian that he will “make an announcement about [his] future political plans in July,” and his “instincts are very positive towards it right now.” There’s no hurry, he said, “2016 is way down the road.” We beg to differ and are more than happy to oblige by offering some possible bumper stickers for his 2016 presidential bid:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Obama and our future in space By Grayson Simmons Daily Texan Columnist
I voted for Barack Obama during the recent election. There are a number of reasons why he got my vote, and although some might not think it carries much weight, his administration’s position on our space program was one of them. The Obama administration’s space policies so far haven’t fit into one neat column of good or bad. The Constellation Program, an ambitious attempt to send equipment and manned missions back to the moon and eventually to Mars, was halted and defunded by Obama in 2009 because of budgetary and scheduling concerns. A budgetary review board projected a $150 billion price tag for the whole program. It was “over budget, behind schedule, and lacking in innovation,” Obama said. In response to Obama’s decision, the late Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong attempted to reverse the decision by testifying before Congress, but to no avail. Then, in 2010 Obama hosted a space conference to answer some questions about the program’s cancellation. During the conference, Obama introduced a different Mars-bound course than the one the Constellation Program had pursued. Obama’s plan, called a “Flexible Path to Mars,” includes plans for a new heavy-lift launch vehicle with the capacity to get large objects (like satellites and manned spacecraft) out of the atmosphere. In late 2011, details of certain launch vehicles were released as future replacements for the Constellation Program’s Ares rockets. Obama also halted the deorbit of the International Space Station by providing additional funding through 2020. Compared to former President George W. Bush, who took a backseat role in
spaceflight, Obama is more involved in the activities of NASA and this country’s future in space. That is not a bad change. In contrast to Armstrong’s criticism, fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin has offered support for Obama’s approach to the space program. Even Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, the private company that bids for many government space contracts, supports Obama’s recent space decisions. Both Aldrin and Musk agree with Obama’s decision to dismantle the Constellation Program in favor of a new direction for our space program — a direction that relies heavily on commercial industry. And as much as I dislike the privatization of the space program, due to the current state of USAbuilt, space-capable, manned launch systems (read: none), I’ll take what I can get. It’s hard to predict what may have happened had Republican nominee Mitt Romney been elected. It’s hard to find any concrete evidence of his goals for the space program. Unlike Obama, who has been said to have been more interested in the specifics of our space program than any presidential candidate before him, Romney’s plans were almost nonexistent. When asked about it, he often replied with something insubstantial about how Obama is doing a poor job and how he could do better. At least with Obama we have some real information. My view is that NASA should take advantage of the federal funding that the Obama administration doles out. I realize that few others share my view. But I appreciate the due consideration the administration gives the future of American space flight, because that gives me faith that future decisions to alter or even end current programs will at least be made with consideration of those programs’ advantages. Simmons is an aerospace engineering junior from Austin.
LEGALESE
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.
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“Oops, I did it again” “No hat, no cattle, lots of cash” “What’s the third one again?” “Romney in reverse: All heart, no brain.” 5. “The Unanalytical Choice” 6. “Why secede when I can lead?” 7. “Press mute & I appear presidential” 8. “My picture is worth all the others’ words” 9. “My hair’s still pristine in 2016” 10. “Vote for me or the coyotes will eat your little puppy.”
FIRING LINE
Liberal and uninformed
I do not appreciate your support and stand against Israel. I am disgusted at how liberal and uninformed your paper and the University of Texas students are. Always protesting and never an intelligent part of the solution. It is easy for all of you to sit in your ivory tower or classroom and put down others for defending their country. If the U.S., in your opinion, should stay out of other countries’ affairs, then get off of the Islamic bandwagon as well. (Students are always thinking that whatever is today’s popular opinion with the academic world must be the right way to think and act — and when has that really worked?) You love to flash equality and freedom around like a banner — and yet you’re hypocritical about who should benefit from them. Like the UT campus banning all smoking and smoking paraphernalia (yet marijuana use runs rampant?) and I bet the students protest for legalization — so if it were to happen would they refrain from smoking it? What a laugh! —Lisa Slay, Austin resident
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RECYCLE
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.
News
Friday, November 30, 2012
CAMPUS
5
CAMPUS
Photo Club snaps free portraits By Jordan Rudner
Taylor Barron | Daily Texan Staff Former Sen. Bill Bradley gave a keynote speech on the topic of Basketball and American Culture this Thursday at the Etta Harber Alumni Center.
Ex-NBA star, speakers laud basketball’s legacy By Tiffany Hinman Invented in 1891, the game of basketball began with only 13 rules before arriving at UT in 1906 as it grew into the multi-million dollar industry it is today. The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports presented its “Basketball and American Culture” symposium Thursday, coinciding with the display of James Naismith’s “Original Rules of Basket Ball” at the Blanton Museum of Art. Naismith’s original document consists of two pages that list the 13 rules transcribed in 1891. “[Basketball] is the gift that never stops giving,” Bill Bradley, keynote speaker, NBA Hall of Fame member and former U.S. Senator, said. “The game is full of great joy and great memory. It needs to be celebrated.” Bradley played for the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1964. The New York Knicks drafted Bradley after he left the University of Oxford in 1967 and served six months active duty as an officer in the Air Force Reserves. He retired from the Knicks in 1977 and took office as a U.S. Senator the same year. Bradley said the game is constantly transforming. He discussed the differences between present concepts of basketball compared to concepts during his career. “When I played basketball we were told the one thing
to never do is lift weights,” Bradley said. “Take a look at the basketball players today and then. When I played we played with the feet, but now it is played with upper body strength. The game has changed.” Skidmore College professor Daniel Nathan said the sport has permeated the world in addition to transforming it. He said what started as an urban game, mostly practiced in Jewish communities, has diffused to international cultures. Nathan said 29 of the 30 NBA teams now feature at least one international player. “NBA teams are more eclectic than ever, culturally, nationally, ethnically and racially,” Nathan said. “Basketball promotes a cross-cultural exchange and respect.” Janice Todd, Stark Center co-director, said people across the world are drawn to the sport because it is unlike any other. Todd emphasized Naismith’s drafting of the sport as history. She said Naismith’s written rules separate it from sports that share similar qualities. “They are two sheets of paper and in some ways very plain and very simple, but they are the only artifact that we have in the world of sports that can show the creation of a game,” Todd said. “Most games have evolved over time from something else into something different.” Naismith’s “Original Rules of Basket Ball” will be on display at the Blanton Museum of Art until January 13.
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things,” Mitchell said. Jones said between the four major textbook stores, his store, the University Co-op, BookHolders and West Campus Books, 20 to 30 tables are now normally set up in the area. Jones said only four years ago, those tables were not present. He said his store set up its first table in 2008, and it was quickly followed by tables from other stores in coming year. “[West Campus Books] started setting up tables,” Jones said. “They would
surround us and then we would branch out and then BookHolders came in, and they started doing that, setting up also ... It’s good for the kids because they don’t have to walk all the way to any store to sell their books.” Jones said this competition also helps students becauses it increases the amount textbook stores are willing to pay for used textbooks. Jones and North said they both hope to keep the buy-back season peaceful this year.
TANGO continues from page 1 at AISD schools, several other schools have held showings, including UT. Leslie Lyon, spokesperson for the College of Fine Arts, said the decision to put “And Then Came Tango” on UT stages was met with a warm reception. She said the theater will seat up to 250 people for each performance, which is more than the standard audience size. “We increased the capacity in response to the positive feedback we’ve received from patrons,” Lyon said. “Much of that seating will be on the floor.” In addition to the three showings at UT, students also performed the play at several non-AISD schools, including religious schools and preschools. All Austin Cooperative Nursery School, Austin Jewish Academy, Del Valle Middle School, Austin Discovery School and Round
Rock High School all hosted performances of the play this month. St. Francis School, an interdenominational private school, hosted the play for its 57 second and third grade students. Head of school and founder Barbara Porter said she first learned of the play from a parent in the community who later put her in contact with the College of Fine Arts. “I thought it would be a good idea,” Porter said. “It sounded like a darling story, and fit in with our inclusive parent and student body.” However, Porter said the school asked every parent to sign a permission slip before the play. She said only three families chose to opt out of the performance. Porter said for St. Francis School, the family structures in the play simply didn’t present a significant issue.
The Texas Photography Club, active for the first time in several years, is trying to gain notice in the public eye by getting behind the lens. The club set up cameras and lighting equipment Thursday on the West Mall for a three-hour photography session, offering free portraits to members of the UT community. “We’ve been growing largely through word of mouth, and we thought it was time to try and attract a wider audience,” club president Daniel Lucas said. Lucas said since the club began hosting events in August, membership has skyrocketed from 15 people to just more than 230. Though the club doesn’t hold formal meetings, they host events including state park hikes, where older members teach nature photography, and seminars for novice photographers. “We appeal to anyone who’s interested in photography,” Lucas said. “It’s something you can get into from any background.” Over the course of the event, designated photographer Amyn Kassam took pictures of a little more than 100 people. Kassam said one
Taylor Barron | Daily Texan Staff The Texas Photography Club tried to gain exposure by offering students the chance to take free portraits in the West Mall.
girl asked for eight separate portraits, adjusting her clothes and taking her glasses on and off with each shot. Another student brought his pet dog, who was bestowed with honorary reindeer antlers before his portrait session. According to club members, the majority of the portrait subjects were people who came in pairs. “Photography is a great way to show the personality of the photographer, but it’s also a great way to capture memories,” club member Kallie
|Nemunaitis said. “Friends love convincing each other to take pictures.” Comparative literature graduate students Fatma Tarlaci and Somy Kim got their picture taken together to mark the end of their time serving as teaching assistants for undergraduate course “The Pursuit of Happiness.” “Today is our last day as TAs together, and we wanted to commemorate that by taking a picture together,” Kim said.
Kassan, who took more than 300 shots over the course of the event, said he wasn’t surprised at the demand. “No one’s going to say no to a free portrait,” Kassam said. “At the very least, you get a new profile picture.” Member Reese Sun said she also wasn’t surprised at the club’s newfound popularity. “In photography, you’re documenting life as it happens,” Sun said. “It’s a universal creative outlet. There’s no one who doesn’t like photography.”
FOOTBALL
‘Keep Mack Brown’ shirts smack talk coach By Bobby Blanchard According to a new T-shirt, OU and UT fans have finally found something to agree on: Mack Brown. Smack Apparel, a sportsfocused non-licensing Tshirt company, is selling a new shirt that reads “Keep Mack Brown... Oklahoma Fans Agree.” Wayne Curtiss, president of Smack Apparel, said he started producing and selling the T-Shirt after OU beat UT 63-21 in October. “Poor Mack is a good guy, he just hasn’t fared too well since Oklahoma,” Curtiss said.
Curtiss said Smack is an unlicensed apparel company because licensing restricts what they can do creatively. He says the company is about having fun, but keeping it in good taste. “We try to do things clever and creative, that are not always the typical shirt,” Curtis said. “It’s all in humor, we won’t make fun of players but we certainly will make fun of coaches.” The Longhorn’s currently stand at an 8-3 schedule. If they lose their next two games, they will have ended two consecutive seasons with the same record. Some bloggers and fans have called for Brown’s retirement or firing,
BILL continues from page 1 purchases prior to the Texas Legislature’s 2011 decision requiring online retailers to charge sales tax. “Online companies that are out-of-state did not have to charge sales tax, thus, had advantage over us,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said the proposed tax holiday would increase sales at the Co-op, which made an estimated $20 million in revenue from textbook sales during January 2011, August 2011 and January 2012. Approximately $1.6 million of that revenue went to the state in the form of sales tax.
“Families take many different forms,” Porter said. “I personally thought it was an absolutely charming play, and a beautiful little story.” Students also performed “And Then Came Tango” at Austin Jewish Academy. Former Academy parent Suzanne Saikin Newberg, whose two sons attended the school, said she doubted community members would have found the material controversial. “The environment at Austin Jewish Academy has always been very warm, very open, very accepting,” Newberg said. “There are kids from all backgrounds, all different areas of observance, the school is very socioeconomically diverse, and yes, there are kids with two moms.” The play will run at the Brockett Theatre through Dec. 2.
The bill would require the state comptroller to establish methods for patrons to identify themselves as students when purchasing textbooks from online retailers, but does not specify those methods. In 2010-2011, students nationwide spent an average of $449 on textbooks in campus bookstores or online, according to data provided by the National Association of College Stores. Members of the legislature have introduced similar bills during previous sessions, but those bills were left pending in committees. Zaffirini introduced a bill
but boosters have reiterated support for Brown. Brown has said he has no intention of leaving. “In your life if you start quitting, then you’re a quitter,” Brown told ESPN. “You need to compete. You don’t sign up for just the good days.” Curtiss said the T-shirt has sold well but not great. He said sales were likely weakened by Oklahoma’s loss to Notre Dame. “A lot of sports is momentum driven,” Curtiss said. “Had Oklahoma beaten Notre Dame, I think it would have taken off but come into next year, I think the sales will really go up.”
While Smack is selling the smack on Brown, the apparel company is also selling T-shirts for UT fans, Curtiss said. However, those shirts are not being sold at retailers in Austin. Previously, Curtiss said the Co-op used to sell Smack apparel shirts, but stopped purchasing them five years ago when the licensing director became uncomfortable with buying unlicensed shirts. In the meantime, the “Keep Mack Brown” shirts are staying around. “I wish Mack Brown luck but as long as Oklahoma keeps beating Texas, the T-shirt will stay around,” Curtiss said.
in 2011 that would have instituted the tax holiday during the same time period. The bill was left pending in the Senate Finance Committee after a study from the Legislative Budget Board found the bill would cost the state an estimated $150,100,000 in lost revenue from fiscal years 2011 to 2016. The same study concluded Texas cities would lose an estimated $28.3 million over the same period if the bill was implemented. Zaffirini introduced a similar bill in 2009 that was referred to the Finance Committee where it received the same treatment
as its 2011 counterpart. Efforts to reach Zaffirini to discuss the bill were unsuccessful. State Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, introduced a bill in 2009 that would have instituted two month-long periods during which textbooks would be exempted from sales tax, but it did not make it out of the House Ways and Means Committee. In 2011, Alonzo introduced a bill that would have completely exempted textbook purchases from sales tax yearround, but the bill did not pass the House Higher Education Committee.
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the majority of undergraduate borrowers did not understand the differences between the different types of student loans or their interest rates,” Reed said. Former UT student Ashley Pierce said when she began at UT in 2002 at age 17, she was too young to qualify for a federal student loan because she had graduated from high school early. Her parents had to cosign loans from private lenders to finance her education. “I had no way of knowing a 25 percent interest rate was bad,” Pierce said. “I had not bought a house or a car. I wasn’t even 18-years-old. As a result, I ended up with tons and tons of private student loans with astronomical interest rates that pretty much have no feasible plan for repayment.” Pierce said her debt totals $38,000, and it grows every day despite her $60,000 annual salary. “I have a great job and I’m a great citizen,” Pierce said. “I’m very responsible, but I have an astronomical amount of student loan debt just as a result of bad decisions.” UT no longer recommends private lenders to students, Melecki said. Once students have exhausted debt-free resources, the Office of Student Financial Aid must advise them of federal unsubsidized and subsidized loans, Melecki said. The average student debt for UT undergraduates who graduated last year and who have taken loans was $25,192 for the last academic year, less than the national average of $26,600. UT made a total of $138 million in loans to students in the 2011-2012 academic year. Melecki said the first loans students are advised to take are direct federal subsidized loans. These loans include Perkins Loans, which were funded by Congress. This program no longer receives annual government funding and is sustained by payments made by former loan recipients, Melecki said. This creates a revolving $8 million fund from which the University lends to its neediest students at a 5 percent interest rate. Students must begin paying the loan back six months after graduation. Students demonstrating financial need are also able to receive subsidized loans
I can guarantee you that there is no way this office can fund more than a handful of students ... to have sufficient grant and scholarship aid to totally cover their costs. It means they are going to borrow. — Tom Melecki, Director of the Office of Student Financial Services through the Federal Direct program, Melecki said. These loans have a 3.4 percent interest rate and don’t accrue interest until six months after the student graduates. Unsubsidized student loans, which 14,083 students took out last year, have a 6.8 percent interest rate and accrue interest from the day the loan was disbursed. Students without demonstrated financial need can take out these loans. Aside from these personal loans, parents of students can also sign for an unsubsidized loan at a 7.9 percent interest rate. When parent loans were first created in the 1980s by the federal government, they were not intended for the extensive borrowing students utilize them for today, Melecki said. “The envisionment was for parent and unsubsidized loans to be loans of convenience for fairly affluent families who need to meet a cash flow problem,” Melecki said. “The idea was that the unsubsidized and parent loans wouldn’t be used by those who were financially needy. We have a lot more financially needy people taking those loans now.” For the 2011-2012 academic year, more than $66.4 million in parent loans were made to UT-Austin students. Pierce said even financially savvy parents can fall prey to student loan debt. “My parents are people who have perfect credit,” Pierce said. “They are homeowners. They are totally responsible adults, but I think even they didn’t realize what sort of hole we were digging into when we were signing these things every semester like it would be manageable to pay back.” An increase in the cost of attendance, increased cost of living and decreased state and federal aid fuel the need for more loans, Melecki said.
A decade ago, the average cost of attending UT for an off-campus, in-state undergraduate was $5,340 in tuition, $7,478 for housing and $3,492 for other expenses per academic year, according to admissions documents. For the current academic year, the OSFS estimates tuition to cost between $9,346 and $10,738 per academic year, with housing costs estimated to be $10,946 for in-state undergraduates and other expenses estimated at $4,656. Those costs directly affect the amount of debt students acquire, Pierce said. “It seems insane that in math, the cost of going to schools continues to rise and the interest rates continue to get higher,” Pierce said. “If tuition goes up by 30 percent it isn’t fair and it doesn’t make sense for loan rates not to adjust to that.” Meanwhile, the amount of state and federal aid available to UT students decreased by about $16 million from the 2010-2011 academic year to the 2011-2012 academic year. In 2010 the federal government redirected $60 billion from private student loans to government grants and loans. However, stipulations on that money may negatively impact some students, Melecki said. State-funded loan programs were classified as private in the process, Melecki said. This bars financial aid counselors from advising students to ask about state loan programs even if they are less expensive than federal loans. “We believe there should be an exception carved out for state loans as long as you can demonstrate that terms and conditions of the loan are better than the federal loan program,” Melecki said. Texas’ College Access Loan program lends to students at a 5.25 percent interest rate that accrues from the day students
student loan breakdown Number of Students
Amount Borrowed
Direct SUBSIDIZED Loans
14,083
$60,622,395
Direct UNSUBSIDIZED Loans
13,227
$51,671,308
Direct Parent Loans
5,353
$66,415,532
Perkins Loans
2,700
$8,440,722
B-on-Time Loans
595
$3,803,262
College Access Loans
892
$7,531,360
Alternative (Private) Education Loans
543
$6,128,417
STATE
FEDERAL
Loan Program
undergraduate financial aid breakdown 2011-2012 Work Study $3,008,399
Grants $102,411,371
Parent Loans $66,415,532 Federal parent loans are made to parents with a 7.9 percent interest rate. Student Loans $138,197,464
Scholarships $58,595,398
Federal and state student loans are made to students for interest rates ranging from 0 to 6.8 percent.
$13,000
estimate of 2012-2013 cost of attendance per semester
$12,474
$12,000
Cost of attendance per semester
DEBT
Friday, November 30, 2012
‘
$11,000
$10,000
It seems insane that in math, the cost of going to schools continues to rise and the interest rates continue to get higher. If tuition goes up by 30 percent it isn’t fair and it doesn’t make sense for loan rates not to adjust to that.
$9,000
$8,000
— Ashley Pierce, former UT student 03-04
04-05
05-06
06-07 07-08
08-09
09-10
10-11 11-12
12-13
Based on the lowest estimated cost of attendance for undergraduates by the Office of Student Financial Services. Costs include estimated tuition, fees, books, room/board, transportation and personal and miscellaneous expenses.
take out the loan, Melecki said. However, because the interest is never capitalized by the state, the total cost often ends up being less than federal loan programs, Melecki said. Additionally, the state offers the zero-interest rate B-On-Time Loan program to students demonstrating financial need. Students who complete 15 hours per semester and graduate with a B average or higher have their B-On-Time loans forgiven. Current federal law prevents financial aid counselors from advising students to take advantage of the B-OnTime loan program, Melecki said. Students must ask about it directly. As a result, the office only distributed $3.9 million of $6.7 million allocated to UT for the program, Melecki said. “If students don’t know about the program there’s no way it can work,” state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, said. Zaffirini has proposed legislation for the 2013 legislative session that she hopes will ensure the B-On-Time loan program receives adequate funding instead of further cuts. In 2011, the state cut the program by 29 percent, from $157.1 million to $111.9 million, according to The Texas Tribune. In the state legislative session set to begin in January, the large number of new legislators will play a big role in deciding whether or not to cut funding for higher education, Zaffirini said. In the 2011 session, legislators cut $92 million from the UT budget. “The big issue is funding,” said Zaffirini, a UT alumna. “Everyone talks about equal access and opportunity, but the big issue is funding. I, for one, will prioritize to
secure more funding for higher education.” Some higher education policy groups propose tying loan awards to on-time graduation rather than just academic performance. Zaffirini said she opposes such a change. UT is also considering tying some of its gift aid to number of hours completed, Melecki said. He said beginning in the fall semester of 2013, a UT pilot project will offer 200 freshmen loan forgiveness. One hundred of the students will be offered forgiveness in the amount of $1,000 on the principal, plus interest accrued if they complete 15 hours of coursework in their degree plan, Melecki said. One hundred students will be offered forgiveness in the amount of $2,000 on the principal, plus interest accrued if they complete 30 hours in the first academic year, he said. Students graduating on time could save $12,975 if the program were extended four years, Melecki said. Many students say the burden of taking on student loan debt is worth it. For media entrepreneur Rubén Cantú, taking loans to obtain a master’s degree from the McCombs School of Business made all the difference in launching his business, CORE Media Enterprises. “I studied entrepreneurship and technology commercialization, and because of that experience I can sit down in front of a venture capitalist and talk business,” Cantú said. “I can do things that I never would have been able to do, or would have taken a very long time to do because of that experience.” Pierce said in her case, a
UT education wasn’t necessarily a stepping stone to a career. “The joke of this whole thing to me is that I got my first really cool journalism job without my degree,” Pierce said. In addition to using financial aid, students can also think of other ways to keep from borrowing greater amounts, said Jamie Brown, a UT financial aid officer. “We see students every semester who have to take emergency loans to meet rent,” Brown said. “Then we have to sit down and ask if living in an expensive West Campus apartment is really affordable for them.” Anthropology senior Elizabeth Melville said living frugally was necessary to attend UT after she was denied sufficient financial aid in her freshman year. Melville had moved away from her mother’s home at the age of 16, and said she hadn’t received support from her since then. But since she had not been legally emancipated from her mother, many student aid officers said she could not file independently of her mother, whose income was higher than the amount needed to receive need-based aid. “I didn’t even get enough loans to cover tuition,” Melville said. “My first few years at UT were really difficult saving up money for books and tuition.” Melville said she worked a 20-hour on-campus job and picked up extra shifts when she could to make ends meet. Melecki said working and living frugally to keep debt low will pay off later in life. “UT is really just a way station to something greater,” Melecki said.
system to evaluate student debt These are the moments you’ll want to remember. Let us help.
UT System chancellor Francisco Cigarroa recently told The Daily Texan that the System will release a comprehensive report on student loan debt next week. Cigarroa said the report will include information related to loan debt among the System's nine academic institutions and six health institutions. The UT System Board of Regents are expected to discuss the report during their upcoming meeting on Dec. 4-5.
methodology order your Cactus yearbook today at www.CactusYearbook.com
and hook ‘em Horns!
The Daily Texan collected all data on student loans and financial aid from Tom Melecki, Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. The Daily Texan found data on cost of attendance on the Office of Student Financial Aid Services website. Graphics by Natasha Smith | Daily Texan Staff
Sports 7
Friday, November 30, 2012
Christian Corona, Sports Editor
VOLLEYBALL | NCAA TOURNAMENT
Longhorns use fast start to advance
SIDELINE NFL SAINTS
By Sara Beth Purdy
The Longhorns overpowered the Colgate Raiders in round one of the NCAA tournament Thursday night at Gregory Gym. The Raiders claimed the first point of the match, but never led again after that as the Longhorns came out with the 3-0 sweep (25-4, 25-11, 25-15). “I felt very good about our attack tonight, it was focused, we had very low error,” Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “We had a very good rhythm, but most importantly, we were prepared mentally.” With the victory, the Longhorns advance to round two and will face former Big 12 rival Texas A&M on Friday at 7 p.m. in Gregory Gym. The Aggies defeated North Carolina State 3-1 earlier Thursday in round one at Gregory. In set one, the Longhorns looked nearly perfect, ending the set with 17 kills and only one error while hitting an impressive .667 as a team. Junior outside hitter Bailey Webster led the surge with six kills with a .750 hitting clip. Junior Hannah Allison went on an 11-0 serving run in set one with three service aces. “It put them back on their heels a bit, slowed them down,” Allison said of her service run and the dominating play during set one. Colgate, who had not appeared in an NCAA
FALCONS
NCAAF LOUISVILLE
RUTGERS
NBA SPURS
HEAT
Zachary Strain | Daily Texan Staff Khat Bell goes for a kill agaisnt Colgate. The Longhorns got out to a fast start with a 21-point win in the first game. They took the next two games for a 3-0 sweep setting up a second round matchup against Texas A&M.
tournament game since 1999, was not able to overcome an early deficit and a large energetic Texas crowd. The Raiders were stopped by an impressive Texas defense. They were held to only three kills with two errors and a .048 hitting clip. “The crowd got us early and frazzled our passing,” Colgate head coach Ryan Baker said. “[Texas] is one of the best pro-
grams; I think they’re a national caliber team.” Things settled down in the second, though Texas still won the set easily by a score of 2511. The Longhorn defense held the Raiders to negative hitting with a clip of -.120. The Raiders had seven errors with only four kills. The Longhorns hit .433 with 16 kills and three errors to take the 2-0 match advantage
going into the intermission. After the break, the Longhorns seemed to get a little complacent during the third set. A few errors and several poorly placed balls allowed the Raiders to get to within one point early on in the set. The Raiders hit a match high .192 with nine kills and four errors. About halfway through the set, the Longhorns woke up
and ran away with the set, taking it 25-15. Texas had 18 kills with a .556 hitting clip in set three. A block by Webster and freshman Sara Hattis ended the game and sent the Longhorns to round two and the Raiders back to New York. “It shows that we’re prepared,” Elliott said after the easy win. “I like what I see and I like this team.”
Efficient offense leads Texas over Colgate Why Texas Won
Swiftly and easily, Texas dominated its first NCAA tournament game against Colgate on Thursday night, swallowing the Raiders and starting the postseason on a strong note.
Tournament Tidbits The numbers were in Texas’ favor: in first round NCAA matches, the Longhorns are 24-0 and have appeared in 29 NCAA tournaments. Starting in 1982, the Longhorns earned their spots in 18 straight NCAA tournaments. Only two other teams, Penn State and Florida, have advanced to the NCAA third round seven times in the past eight years.
Set by set
By the numbers
4: Number of points allowed by the Longhorns in the first set, the fewest allowed in UT history for non-fifth sets since 2001. .543: The Longhorns’ hitting percentage, their second-highest of the season 15: Number of kills junior Bailey Webster launched, the highest number of kills on the team.
Up next
Set One
Bailey Webster’s three subsequent kills at the beginning of the set gave way to more powerful swats and slaps from the Longhorns along with four service aces. One final explosive kill by sophomore Haley Eckerman led to set point, as Texas concluded the set, 25-4. Four straight Texas points and two back-to-back kills by sophomore Khat Bell launched the second set, which included 10.5 Webster points. The set ended on Bell’s kill, 25-11. After an initial Webster kill, Colgate inched up closer to Texas and upped the score. Two back-to-back Bell kills allowed Texas to pull away, 14-9, as freshman middle blocker Sara Hattis stepped in, launching a kill of her own as well as a double-block with junior setter Hannah Allison. The Longhorns completed the sweep at 25-15. —Sara Beth Purdy
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Horns set up for winter stretch By Nick Cremona
Texas is gearing up for yet another brutal December schedule, but before it faces four ranked opponents over a five-game stretch, the Longhorns welcome UT-Arlington to the Frank Erwin Center on Saturday. Regardless of the weather, it won’t be the warmest of welcomes. Texas leads the all-time series against the Mavericks 6-0, including an 80-62 win in Austin last year. The Longhorns (4-2) have won the past 37 home games against unranked non-conference opponents and have lost just three non-conference home games since the 2002-2003 season. Despite a couple blemishes on their record, the Longhorns have held all six of their opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field. Under head coach Rick Barnes, Texas is 210-21 when holding teams under the 40 percent shooting mark. The Mavericks (3-1) are led by senior center Jordan Reves, who is averaging 9.5
NOTRE DAME
TOP TWEET Kenny Vaccaro @kennyvaccaro4
“Shout-out to longhorn nation for all the support, even when times were rough. Two more games left to leave it all on the field.”
SPORTS BRIEFLY Commish to impose sanctions on Spurs
Zachary Strain | Daily Texan Staff Junior Bailey Webster goes up for one of her 15 kills during Texas’ sweep of Colgate on Thursday.
CROSS COUNTRY
Family atmosphere helps Texas rebound, build off loss By Rachel Wenzlaff
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff Sheldon McClellan handles the ball against Sam Houston State. McClellan is Texas’ leading scorer with 17.5 points per game
points and 12.3 rebounds per contest. Jamel Outler, a transfer from Texas Tech, is the only underclassman to average over five points per game and his .368 threepoint field goal percentage is second highest on the team. Outler was a high school teammate of the Longhorns’ leading scorer, Sheldon McClellan, at Bellaire High School in Houston. McClellan is averaging 17.5 points per game and leads Texas in free throw percentage, hitting 90 percent of his shots from the charity stripe.
KENTUCKY
Set Two
Set Three
After defeating North Carolina State, the Texas A&M Aggies will find themselves once again facing their rival Longhorns. The two Texas schools play at 7 p.m. in Gregory Gym, preceded by a Fan Fest from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Gregory plaza in honor of the game.
NCAAB
WHAT TO WATCH UT Arlington @ UT
You may not be watching, but they’re there. They’re awake before the sun hits the horizon, running upwards of 85 miles per week, pushing their minds and bodies past standard limitations. Cross-country doesn’t draw the 100,000 of spectators other sports have, but the hard work and dedication put in is equivalent, if not more. What sets cross-country apart is the grueling mental motivation
required. It is one of the few sports in which your biggest competition is yourself. It’s a fight to see how much you can convince yourself you are capable of. “If you are not mentally tough you can struggle no matter how good of a crosscountry runner you are,” senior Rory Tunningley said. “Running at our level isn’t a natural thing for the body. So while we can prepare it all we want and reach a top physical
LUTZ continues on page 8
Date: Saturday Time: 3 p.m. On air: LHN “We think Sheldon can be a very special player,” Barnes said. “He is a prolific scorer in so many different ways if he wants to. He can score behind the arc, he can
DEFENSE continues on page 8
Photo courtesy of UT Athletics No. 5 Texas went into the NCAA Championships with hopes of winning a national title but, after Craig Lutz’s injury, finished ninth.
David Stern has made clear his intentions to punish the San Antonio Spurs for not playing Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and Danny Green. In their sixth game since Nov 21, the starters did not play, nor did they travel with the team. Instead they were being rested for Saturday’s game against Memphis. “This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming.” Stern said. This decision comes on the heels of the NBA suspending Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo following a brawl against the Brooklyn Nets. — Wes Maulsby
Pirates sign Martin to two-year deal
The New York Yankees were in no hurry to re-sign catcher Russell Martin. The Pittsburgh Pirates swept in when they had the chance. A person with knowledge of the deal says the Pirates have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract with the threetime All-Star, hoping he can give them some pop at the plate and respectable defense behind it. The deal is pending a physical. The person spoke Thursday night on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been announced. —Associated Press
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LUTZ continues from page 7 peak, our minds will always battle our bodies and say that the places we try to take it are unreasonable and dangerous. The greatest runners are the ones who don’t allow their minds to control them,” sophomore Craig Lutz added. Despite the separate mental focus of each athlete and cross-country’s appearance as an individual sport, the Longhorns assert that they are nothing less than family — and that includes their coach. Senior Kyle Merber, a transfer student from Columbia, said, “You have got to admire the way [coach John Hayes] runs the program. This is his passion, not just a job for him. I know that he stays up late at night thinking of ways he can make us better, and that enthusiasm carries over into the way the team operates on a daily basis.” The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced John Hayes as the NCAA South Central Region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. With Hayes’s inspiration, Texas had every expectation to make history. They came into the season with the highest preseason ranking in program history in the USTFCCCA poll at No. 6, finished second in the Big 12 Championship and took first for the second consecutive year at the regionals meet to qualify for the nationals meet. Finishing 9th at nationals may appear to be a success, but the team with a No. 5 ranking and the drive to place in the top three, perceived it as a loss. The Longhorns were at their mental and physical peaks, but still faced obstacles. A leg injury to Lutz crippled the Longhorns at nationals, preventing him from completing the race, impairing the overall team score. Initially, Lutz was flooded with feelings of guilt for the team and disappointment in himself. However, one of the most impressive aspect of the
Friday, November 30, 2012
FOOTBALL
‘
I would describe the team as a family unit that you can come back to when you’re having your worst of days ... — Craig Lutz Sophomore
men’s cross-country team is how they stand together. “I would describe the team as a family unit that you can come back to when you’re having your worst of days that will always embrace you no matter how you do, or no matter what happens on any given day. Its just comforting to know that there’s a group of guys that always have my back,” Lutz said. Within the week after the meet, with the support from his family and the team, Lutz came to accept his misfortune. “I have no regrets from this season. At first I thought I could say my performance at nationals but there wasn’t a lot of control I had in that situation. All I can do is learn from it and build my character to something stronger for next year.” While Lutz will return, the Longhorns will be losing key members in Merber, Tunningley, Patrick McGregor, Trevor Van Ackeren next season. “I put personal goals to the side this year; for me the 2012 cross country season was about the team. As a team leader I was centered on not just getting myself to perform at a high level but to also make sure that my teammates were prepared to do the same,” Tunningly said. The younger members on the team will have some big shoes to fill next season and even higher expectations to face, but with a family behind them, anything is possible.
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff Kenny Vaccaro tackles TCU wide receiver LaDarius Brown during the Longhorns’ 23-10 loss to the Horned Frogs on Thanksgiving Day. Texas goes into its regular season finale against Kansas State on Saturday as double-digit underdogs, an unfamiliar role for the Longhorns.
Texas in new role as underdog By Christian Corona Sports Editor
The Longhorns will be in an unfamiliar spot this weekend when they play the role of spoiler. Kansas State, out of the national championship picture because of a loss to Baylor in its last game, still controls its own destiny in the Big 12 title race. All the Wildcats have to do to capture the conference crown is beat Texas. The Longhorns are used to having the target on their backs, playing the team with nothing to lose at the end of the year. Now they’re the ones with a chance to knock someone off the pedestal. “There’s really no pressure,” junior guard Mason Walters said. “I know we’re going in playing the underdog role. I’ve never really enjoyed playing it but, at the same time, it does have its advantages.” What bowl Texas plays in
doesn’t depend on the outcome of its regular season finale in Manhattan, Kan. on Saturday as much as it depends on other games. If Oklahoma falls to the TCU team that upset the Longhorns last week, it could cost the Sooners a chance at playing in a BCS bowl, which could mean Oklahoma taking Texas’ spot in the Cotton Bowl. Even the MAC title game between Kent State and Northern Illinois could have an impact on where the Longhorns play this postseason. If Kent State, currently ranked No. 17 in the BCS standings, beat the Huskies and move into the Top 16, they’d earn an automatic berth into a BCS bowl. That could also knock OU out of the BCS bowl picture. Still, the chance for the 8-3 Longhorns to surpass last year’s win total with a win over Kansas State — who they haven’t beaten since 2003 — would be significant,
even if it didn’t affect where they played their bowl game. “With them being a top10 team, yeah, it is kind of a spoiler alert,” junior defensive back Adrian Phillips said. “If we win over Kansas State, it would open up a lot of doors for us. It would be taking the right steps toward where Texas needs to be.” The Wildcats have had two weeks to think about everything they did wrong in a 52-24 loss to Baylor. They’ve had Texas’ number recently and will be playing at home with a chance to clinch a conference title. And they won’t be happy. “I expect them to be in a very bad mood,” junior offensive tackle Trey Hopkins said. “But I expect us to have a chip on our shoulders after this past week.” Texas won’t be coming off a bye week like Kansas State. But the Longhorns have proven that they can bounce back from a disappointing performance. They were an
underdog in Lubbock when they faced Texas Tech following a narrow win over lastplace Kansas before handily beating the Red Raiders. “I understand Kansas State is probably a little upset about losing control of their own destiny after the Baylor game,” Walters said. “However, this team isn’t really happy about what happened Thursday against TCU and we understand that we have a limited opportunities left to prove that this team can play great football when we decide to do it.” The Longhorns, who couldn’t spoil Robert Griffin III’s chances to win the Heisman Trophy in their final regular season game last year, will have to play great football to knock off Kansas State. The Wildcats are 12.5-point favorites, and for good reason. If Texas plays the way it did against TCU, Kansas State could win by a lot more than 12.5 points.
swimming recap | Evan Berkowitz Olympic stars lived up to the hype yesterday at day one of the AT&T Winter National Championships as they cleaned up, with a few exceptions, the rest of the field. But it was Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte who stole the show. Whenever he was on the deck, one had a hard time distinguishing the difference between the swimming national championship and a Justin Bieber concert. He looked to the crowd; hundreds of girls screamed. He waved; hundreds of girls screamed louder. And then to top it all off, after he won the 200 individual medley, his only event of the evening, Lochte tossed his gold medal into the middle of the screaming girls. “It was awesome and fun,” freshman Jackie Aguillen, who caught Lochte’s medal, said. “[My friends and I] came out just to see him.” Gold medalists Katie Ledecky (500 free), Jessica Hardy (50 free) and Matt Grevers (50 free) also won their respective
Ben Chesnut | Daily Texan Staff Competition began at the AT&T Winter National Championship. Ryan Lochte stole the show with his performance.
events. London Olympics sweetheart Missy Franklin finished third in the 200 medley. As for Texas swimmers, none had a better day than senior Michael McBroom, who came from behind in the 500 freestyle to win by less than half a second, drawing the loudest nonLochte yells of the day. “I knew I didn’t have as much speed going out as the other [competitors],” McBroom said. “I just wanted to stick with them and race the last 100 and 50 [yards] tough and come away with the pass. There
were a lot of Texas fans and they let out a pretty good roar when I was up there which was cool because that doesn’t really happen at other meets.” Four other Texas swimmers reached the finals on day one of competition: Kaitlin Pawlowicz (eighth, 500 freestyle), sophomore Kelsey LeNeave (fifth, 500 freestyle), senior Austin Surhoff (third, 200 medley), junior Ellen Lobb (seventh, 50 freestyle). The championships resume Friday and Saturday with prelims starting at 9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m.
check out DEFENSE continues from page 7
ONLINE stories videos photo galleries dailytexanonline.com
put it on the floor, and he’s good playing without the ball, but the biggest thing we’re after him about is defense. We need him to be effective in terms of standing in front of the ball.” For the most part, Texas has been sound defensively and its 7.3 blocks per game rank second in the Big 12. The Longhorns have had turnover issues, but some-
times that’s the case when a team plays six freshmen and four sophomores every game. If Texas can take care of the ball and force the Mavericks into bad shots with defensive pressure, its non-conference home winning streak should remain intact. “I don’t think we will have to win ugly,” McClellan said. “We will just have to value the ball better.”
Pu Ying Huang | Daily Texan Staff Sophomore forward Nneka Enkempali takes a shot during Texas’ win over Jackson State. She is the first Longhorn since Tiffany Jackson in 2006 to record double-doubles in her first four games.
women’s basketball preview|Garrett Callahan Four years ago the Longhorns went 11-0 to start their season. Though they have not been able to match that recently, they have a chance to climb to 5-0 for the first time since 2008. On Friday, Texas will try and achieve just that. The young team will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi right here in Austin. The Longhorns, ranked No. 13 in the AP poll and No. 18 in the USA Today poll, come into the game playing some of their best basketball. Sophomore forward Nneka Enemkpali leads the team with four straight doubledouble games, on pace to tie the program record of five. In addition, freshman center Imani McGee-Stafford had a breakout game last weekend against Central Connecticut where she recorded her first career double-double and tallied nine blocks. The Islanders, on the other hand, aren’t having one of their best seasons so far.
They started 0-7 with some of those losses coming by a large margin. However, their schedule has been one of the hardest they’ve seen in recent years. They have already played tough bigname teams such as Auburn, Colorado and Indiana. Texas A&M Corpus-Christi, not an opponent to take lightly, is averaging about 51 points per game and looking to get its season back on track. The last time these two teams met was four years ago in 2008. The Longhorns easily downed the Islanders in a 87-36 win, continuing Texas’ perfect streak in the series and winning all of five games. A big key to the game for Texas is rebounds. This season, the Longhorns are leading the league with a +20.3 rebound margin. They have outrebounded their opponents 211-134 in their first four games of the season. According to junior guard Chassidy Fussell, the
WHAT TO WATCH TAMU - CC @ UT
Date: Today Time: 11 a.m. On air: LHN team is just playing a better game than it did last year. The team’s new style is making it easier for members to play together well and continue their successful season thus far. “Just the inside-out game makes it so much easier on the guards and the posts really, because if they double the post they’re going to kick it back out, and if they double the guards we’re going to throw it in. So just the inside-out game is working best for us,” Fussell said. Texas and Texas A&M Corpus-Christi tip off at 11 a.m. Friday.
Life & Arts
Friday, November 30, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW | ‘UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING’
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures Andrew Scott (Dolph Lundgren) has a smashing time in “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning.�
‘Universal Soldier’ pairs fast action, bad acting By Alex Williams
some level. Laughable acting and damnable logic aside, it’s still a well-paced and exciting sequel to a franchise that should have run out of steam long ago.
someone else and drew an allegory relating to the U.S. economy circa 2008, but his constant use of political speeches as diegetic noise is tiring after a while. However, Dominik brings an eclectic sensibility to his hard-boiled crime tale, sketching a stylistic pastiche of different flourishes and elements that blend to create a consistently compelling story. His fantastically taut opening robbery stands out, as does a slowmotion killing done on a rainy night, but Dominik has notable problems with subtlety and some of his cues are too obvious by several measures. For instance, Pitt’s entrance into the film is scored to Johnny Cash’s “When the Man Comes Around,� an uninspired choice that makes it pretty clear Pitt is there to rain death down and not much more. Pitt has a much smaller, less flashy role than the trailers might have you expect, but he’s funny and unflappable, serving mostly as a conductor for the rest of the cast to funnel through. The rest of “Killing Them Softly’s� ensemble is stacked, and heavies James Gandolfini and Richard Jenkins are both in their element as a fellow hitman and the man who hires Jackie, respectively. Liotta deserves special mention for his work as one of the film’s few voices of reason and most tragic figures — someone’s whose mistakes catch up to him in a way he never expected. As the duo in charge of robbing the poker game, Mendelsohn is absolutely repulsive but totally watchable, and McNairy (recently seen in Ben Affleck’s “Argo�) gives perhaps the film’s best performance, full of opportunity, optimism and — once he realizes just how deep a hole he’s dug for himself — terror.
CLASSIFIEDS
E! E R F ad s
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning John Hyams Genre: Action Runtime: 114 min.
THE DAILY TEXAN
UNS AD IRNE FOR ONL d wor
of creative sight gags and the climactic bloodbath is consistently satisfying, making the red herrings and plot contrivances that inspire them almost worthwhile. In the original film, Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren were the stars, but at this point, both actors have only brief appearances as antagonists. The former headliners get some generic speechifying and a few great action beats, but neither really seems to know what they’re doing here, and “Day of Reckoning� doesn’t seem sure either. Instead, Adkins takes the reins, and while he’s an impressive fighter, he’s also a wooden, unconvincing actor who renders much of the film’s drama inept. “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning� is by no means intelligent or cohesive, but it’s still directed with enough momentum from new series frontman John Hyams that it’s hard to not enjoy on
KILLING continues from page 10
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Despite the quality of its acting and its unpredictably terse screenplay, “Killing Them Softly� struggles to sell its overarching message Despite the quality of its acting and its unpredictably terse screenplay, “Killing Them Softly� struggles to sell its overarching message. Once the guns get put away and the bodies filed, Pitt has a final scene in which he interacts with one of President Obama’s first speeches about the economy, and it’s one of the most on-thenose finales to a film in a while. It is a blatant attempt to funnel a political manifesto through sharply written dialogue. Despite the clumsiness of its message, “Killing Them Softly� is a modern noir that’s great when it sticks to exploring the underbelly of the dark, wet world its heroes inhabit.
♲
RECYCLE
As someone whose experience with the “Universal Soldier� franchise is limited to 3 a.m. channel-surfing and Wikipedia, I feel qualified to say that the seventh film in the franchise, “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning� makes absolutely no sense. It appears to be totally unrelated to the other films in the franchise and a complete reversal of the story so far. Even though it is a mostly nonsensical mystery stringing together memorable action scenes, it never fails to entertain. In an impressively staged first person-POV opener, John (Scott Adkins) wakes up in the middle of the night just in time to see his entire family murdered by former franchise protagonist Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme). Nine months later, he rouses from a coma and starts hunt-
ing for Deveraux, bouncing between locations and action sequences in something resembling a narrative. Unfortunately, John’s search for his family’s killer is deeply uninteresting, and gets more and more far-fetched as he starts to piece his past together. While the film’s clichÊs include a stripper with a heart of gold and massive government conspiracies, once it starts asking you to swallow brainwashing, cloning and mind control, it’s hard not to become thankful for the action sequences. But they certainly do make the film worth watching. It seems like a massive chunk of the film’s budget was poured into making the action beats distinct and impressive. Even when the storyline doesn’t make a bit of sense and you’re not sure who you should actually be rooting for, each and every fight scene is a standout. A brutal showdown in a sporting goods store is full
9
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Life & Arts
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Friday, November 30, 2012
MUSIC PREVIEW | LOCAL LIVE
Duo joins Austin’s hip-hop crowd By Alexandra Hart Megan Tillman is soft-spoken and slight in stature; her rhymes are anything but. Together with former St. Edwards classmate Chris Beale as disk jockey and producer, she makes up Megz Kelli and Dougie Do. The duo hopes to bring new sounds and new fans to the often overlooked Austin hip-hop scene. The pair met up last year for St. Edwards’ event Hip Hop on the Hilltop through a mutual friend, and have been making music together ever since. “It was awkward at first, things were kind of in shambles,” Beale said. “We had a bunch of people that wanted to go different directions, but after that first performance we knew we needed to come together.” After their well-received Hip Hop on the Hilltop performance, Tillman and Beale decided to take the next step and start recording together. “After that we did Creature Creative, our first mixtape,” Tillman said. “That was the first time I had an opportunity to work directly with a producer and have my own music, so I was excited to get into that. Once we released the mixtape, we got a fairly decent response and decided to keep going with it.” Since then, the two have worked to refine and evolve their sound. Their second mixtape, Shoestring Theory, was more focused but still largely experimental for them. “Once we released Shoestring Theory, things got better, but of course it was still a learning experience. It was still kind of all over the place and we’re still learning from it,” Tillman said. Their backgrounds have helped to shape the unique fusion of sounds that they tout today. Their combination
Pu Ying Huang | Daily Texan Staff Chris Beale and Megan Tillman, of the duo Megz Kelli and Dougie Do, will perform on KVRX and TSTV’s Local Live on Sunday. The pair continues to perform in support of Austin’s overlooked hip-hop scene.
of jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul elements is a product of different musical upbringings. Beale’s music often carries a jazz influence, in part from his background with his early musical training and the music he frequently listens to. “I started playing saxophone in sixth grade in band but I got kind of bored of it in high school and wanted to do more,” Beale said. “So a friend showed me how to make my own beats and that’s how I started off.” Tillman brings her own lyrical flair through a history of writing and performing hip-hop.
“I’ve been doing music since I was about seven because my dad was really into music so growing up I was exposed to it,” Tillman said. “I started doing a little rap group with my church and I just kept going with it and eventually started writing my own rhymes.” As the duo gains recognition, they are working on their third project, experimenting with new sounds and solidifying the direction they want to take as a group. “Now we’re trying to find our voice and really figure out who we want to be,”
Tillman said. “We actually talked about it last night and we decided that is something we need to establish. What is our sound going to be, what are people going to expect from us? That’s what we’re trying to focus on right now.” Beale said that they hope to have the third mixtape out in time to submit it for South By Southwest. In the meantime, Megz Kelli and Dougie Do are working on gaining attention in a market heavily saturated by indie, rock and country acts. “Now we’re trying to perform live more, we’ve been do-
Examine the Evidence
ing a lot of shows at the 512 Bar downtown, where a lot of people just end up there by chance and see us,” Beale said. “We’re excited to be doing Local Live because hopefully we’ll be able to reach a new audience. The hip-hop scene isn’t as big here and that’s been a challenge but hopefully we can bring our music to new listeners.” Tillman said that she hopes the group’s complex sound will appeal to a broad range of tastes. “We want to have the lyrical substance, the hip-hop roots, and a bit of the shock factor too,” she said. “We’re
Megz Kelli and Dougie Do Where: HSM building When: Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Cost: Free with wristband
trying to avoid confining ourselves and our sound to this little box.” Students who would like to join the audience for the Megz Kelli and Dougie Do on Sunday can pick up wristbands from the business office located on the ground floor of the Hearst Student Media Building all day Friday.
MOVIE REVIEW | ‘KILLING THEM SOFTLY’
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Photo courtesy of the Weinstein Company Jackie (Brad Pitt) is prepared for a sticky situation in “Killing Them Softly.”
New film hits storyline, misses political theme By Alex Williams
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713- 646-1810 www.stcl.edu Deadline for fall 2013 admission is february 15, 2013
All of the best films are, in one way or another, “about something.” Not content to simply tell their stories, the movies work in some sort of thematically sound message or moral about today’s society, and hope that the audience is smart enough to parse out what they’re going for. “Killing Them Softly” isn’t just a thrilling crime yarn — which it certainly is — it’s also an allegory for America, set directly after Obama’s election in 2008. While the film’s message may be sound, the subtext is weaved into the story with the subtlety of a flashing neon sign, making “Killing Them Softly” a film that’s much more engaging when it sticks to the simple stuff. Things kick off with a misguided poker game robbery staged by smalltime crooks Frankie (Scott McNairy) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn). Because the game’s boss, Markie (Ray Liotta), previously admitted to robbing his own game, they expect the blame to land on him, but
Killing Them Softly Andrew Dominik Genre: Crime Runtime: 97 min.
they’re not counting on the arrival of Jackie (Brad Pitt), an enforcer from out of town. As Jackie closes in on the true culprits, Frankie and Russell struggle to keep a low profile and stay alive. It’s easy to see how writer/director Andrew Dominik saw the story of a few thugs wrecking the local economy by hoping to pin their robbery on
KILLING continues on page 9
Friday, November 30, 2012
12
Kelsey McKinney, Life & Arts Editor
TEXAN IN-DEPTH
THE DRAG’S BEST PICK-ME-UPS
The Great Daily Texan Coffee Taste Test 2012 Aleksander Chan & Sarah-Grace Sweeney CAFFE MEDICI 2222 Guadalupe St.
For when you’re not meeting your TA to discuss a paper.
BEST
PRICE CALORIES HEAT TASTE
Finals are upon us. Colder weather has finally found its way south. Finishing the semester is a matter of staying alert through exams, papers and projects and staying warm. We’ve asked five of the Drag’s prominent coffee purveyors about their three top-selling cold-weather drinks to taste and compare them. For each store, we’ve designated our favorites after considering their price, needed caloric investment and necessary heat factor.
ALSO GOOD
BLECH
Cafe Latte
Regular Coffee
Cappuccino
$3.85 for a small
$2.50 for a small
$3.50 for a small
N/A
0
N/A
The best drink we tasted; steamed just right with a spiky espresso.
Strong, bold flavor that’s aromatic and warming.
Like a too-strong version of the latte.
THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF 2402 Guadalupe St.
For when you don’t want to walk the extra block to Starbucks.
BEST
ALSO GOOD Red Velvet Hot Cocoa
Winter Dream Tea Latte
$4.06 for a small
$3.25 for a small
$3.79 for a small
250
320
200
Of the many gingerbread-flavored drinks, this one is the best. You can taste the ginger, but it’s not too strong.
It sounds like a bad idea, but as translated, it’s not half bad. Flavorful.
There’s nothing necessarily bad about this middle-of-the-road drink, it’s just so ... blah.
Gingerbread Cookie Latte
PRICE CALORIES HEAT TASTE
WHATEVER
STARBUCKS 504 West 24th St.
For when you’re ready to admit you like it.
BEST
ALSO GOOD Peppermint Mocha
Caramel Brulee Latte
$3.55 for a tall
$3.55 for a tall
$3.55 for a tall
190
250
270
Of all the Seattle-based coffee purveyors overpowering flavored drinks, this is its most subtle and tastes just like the cookie.
A liquid Andie’s Mint. A lukewarm, melted, liquified Andie’s Mint.
Like regular coffee overloaded with CoffeeMate creamer and left sitting out for a few hours.
Gingerbread Latte
PRICE CALORIES HEAT TASTE
GROSS
EINSTEIN BROS BAGELS 2404 Guadalupe St.
For when you need an excuse to get a bagel and schmear.
BEST
PRICE CALORIES HEAT TASTE
ALSO GOOD
MEH
Regular Mocha
White Chocolate Mocha
Caramel Macchiato
$3 for a regular
$3.20 for a regular
$3.20 for a regular
334
419
250
More like a cup of hot chocolate than caffeinated cocoa, it might be perfect for the coffee-averse.
It’s more like cookies and cream than white chocolate.
Watery and not at all caramel-y.
7-ELEVEN 2600 Guadalupe St. For when you’re between paychecks.
BEST
ALSO GOOD Brazilian Bold
Exclusive Blend
$1.19 for a small
$1.19 for a small
$1.19 for a small
N/A
0
0
Hot, buzzy Cocoa Puff milk. It’s your childhood breakfast, spiked with extra sugar.
Hot, bold brown water. There’s a definitely a body to this blend.
Flavorless. If you’re looking for something caffeinated to warm you up ... this will work.
French Vanilla Cappuccino
PRICE CALORIES HEAT TASTE
BLAND