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Wednesday, January 16, 2013
TRY OUT Interested in contributing to The Daily Texan? Stop by the HSM, underneath the Cronkite Plaza, to pick up an application today.
INSIDE 4 OPINION
A review of a few main issues to be debated this spring at the Capitol.
dailytexanonline.com
Psychology professor talks about keeping resoultions.
Indecisive Mike Davis will make impact as senior next season.
LIFE&ARTS PAGE 8
SPORTS PAGE 6
UNIVERSITY
LEGACY
Student veterans difficult to track
Mathematics professor dies of heart attack
By Jordan Rudner
veterans there are. “We have a ballpark figure, but no precise number,” Marc Hamlin, vice president of UT’s Student Veteran Association, said. “The Office of the Registrar only sees people who are pulling veteran benefits, which includes dependents and spouses, and they don’t classify people as veteran or non-veteran.” Gary Romriell, a veteran
As part of recent efforts to gather better data on higher education experiences of veterans, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) asked universities to track their graduation rates. But before UT can provide those statistics, the school will need to figure out how many student
who served in Baghdad and now works in the Student Veteran Services (SVS) office, said the SVS knows of roughly 650 student veterans at UT. “But that estimate changes depending on who you’re talking to,” Romriell said. “There are also veterans who are undeclared, who pay for their tuition and don’t necessarily inform us of their presence, and that makes it hard
to get a figure.” While UT doesn’t have complete information about its student veterans, Hamlin said student veterans are often equally uninformed. According to data gathered from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans released by the VA, there is a widespread lack of knowledge among vet-
RATES continues on page 2
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
5 NEWS
Two UT professors awarded by Obama for their contributions to science.
Under new leadership
6 SPORTS
Imani McGee-Stafford improves, will try to help snap Texas’ six-game losing streak.
10
By Christine Ayala Mathematics professor Edward Odell suffered a heart attack and died of resulting complications Jan. 8 at the age of 65. Odell, known to many as Ted, began teaching at UT in 1977. While teaching in the mathematics department he held the John T. Stuart III Centennial Professorship in Mathematics and worked to restructure the undergraduate mathematics curriculum. Odell was scheduled to teach Introduction to Real Analysis this semester. Lecturer Gary Berg, who took over Odell’s class, knew him as a graduate adviser, instructor and co-worker. He said Odell inspired others with his dedication to his work and his colleagues. “Ted had a passion for solving math problems,” Berg said. “Even after being loaded with administrative duties, he continued to find time to do significant research. Research at his level requires large blocks of uninterrupted time in which to concentrate on the problem
ODELL continues on page 2
LIFE & ARTS
The Daily Texan lists the top ten albums to look out for in 2013.
TODAY Japan Karate
Japan Karate is the Austin branch of the Japan Karate Association and teaches Shotokan Karate to members of the University community. No prior experience is necessary. Japan Karate will meet inside Gregory Gym (GRE), North Aerobics Room from 6:45-8:30 p.m.
Longhorn Salsa open house
Free beginner salsa lessons from 7-8 p.m. followed by social dancing to a mix of salsa, bachata and merengue. This event will be held in the Texas Union Building (UNB), Quadrangle Room 3.304.
Bridging Disciplines Program
Learn about BDP undergraduate interdisciplinary certificate opportunities at an information session with BDP advisers. Event will be held rom 3-4 p.m. at Flawn Academic Center (FAC) 4.
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff Rose Brimmer, interim women’s track and field head coach, looks on during a practice Tuesday. Brimmer was an assistant for eight years under Bev Kearney, who resigned after an investigation into an “intimate” relationship between her and a student-athlete in 2002.
CAMPUS
1947-2013
CAMPUS
UT alumnus donates classic organ to Butler By Christine Ayala A new organ, donated by UT alumnus Robert Sherrill, is filling Jessen Auditorium with music and is being introduced to the Organ Studio Program. The Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1393 organ was built in 1963 and previously housed in a church in Houston. It was installed in Jessen Auditorium over the fall and after its completion on Dec. 14, a dedication concert was played. The organ contains more than 10,000 different pieces. The organ was donated by
Sherrill, in honor of his late wife, Mary Elizabeth Sherril. Douglas Dempster, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, said the new instrument will allow the organ program to expand. The program serves nine Organ Studio students and allows non-majors to use the organs for lessons. “The program was handicapped by having only one significant organ available to students in Bates Recital Hall,” Dempster said. “The addition to Jessen Auditorium of this refurbished Aeolian-Skinner is an
ORGAN continues on page 2
Today in history
Chelsea Purgahn | Daily Texan Staff Freshman math and pre-med double major Alicia Sego relaxes in her San Jacinto dorm room with roomate Christina Nguyen between classes Tuesday afternoon. San Jacinto Residence Hall will be offering a limited number of full year contracts in the 2013-2014 school year.
Dorm offers full-year contracts By Tatiana Marceleno
In 1920
First assembly of League of Nations in Paris. This organization was founded as the result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the World War I. It was also the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace.
Edward Odell
See full story on page 6
Photo courtesy of Marilyn McCray
The Division of Housing and Food Service (DHFS) is offering full-year contracts to incoming and returning students looking for the full on-campus living experience during the 2013-2014 school year. The contracts are for a limited number of rooms in the San Jacinto Residence Hall. Previously, students could only sign dorm contracts through the fall and spring semesters. DHFS decided to offer the new type of contract
because of students who need a place to live during winter and summer breaks, when most other residential dorms are closed, said Laurie Mackey, director of administrative services for DHFS. “People who don’t live here and can’t afford to go back home, or who have a job in Austin and have to work over the summer or for winter break” will likely benefit from the contract plan the most, Mackey said. She said DHFS will be monitoring applications and available space to find out how many contracts
can be offered. “It’s going to depend on the interest and how much space we have, and we won’t know that until probably after May 1,” Mackey said. Students will benefit from the new contract plan if they plan to stay in the Austin area for the full year. Piano performance freshman Yanni Chan said she had no other choice but to stay with a friend in Houston during the winter break. With plane tickets too expensive to fly
DORM continues on page 2