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INSIDE NEWS While not quite out of a Harry Potter movie, UT researchers have figured out ways to make objects undetectable to microwave detection. PAGE 5 Austin Energy gathers more data before jumping to establishing a new governing board. PAGE 5
SPORTS The Longhorns pound out 13 hits in an 8-5 win over Oklahoma State, their fourth straight victory. PAGE 7
Friday, March 29, 2013
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Johnathan Gray looks to make impact in 2013.
Eclectic band, Zeale, to perform at Local Live.
SPORTS PAGE 7
LIFE&ARTS PAGE 12
STATE
Ramifications of loans not fully realized By Joshua Fechter Students who receive forgivable loans under the BOn-Time program receive something in addition — an income tax form. Under federal law, forgivable loans such as the B-OnTime loan count as taxable income if the loan is forgiven
under the program’s criteria. Although the information is not new and is available on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s website, the provision has provoked concern from some Texas lawmakers, such as state Rep. Helen Giddings, D-DeSoto. Giddings, who serves on a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, said she and other members
sent letters to Texas’ congressional delegation in Washington informing them that lawmakers at home hope to see changes. “I think when you sign up for the B-On-Time loan and you’re 17 or 18 years old, even 19, you’re not thinking about the end game,” Giddings said. “If you said to an 18-year-old that it is a forgivable loan, I’m not sure that they understand
that that means it becomes taxable income once it’s forgiven.” The program, established by the Texas Legislature in 2003, administers zero-interest loans to students who complete their degrees within four years for a four-year degree and five years for a fiveyear degree, maintain a 3.0 grade point average and do not exceed their degree plan
CITY
UT striving toward more equality for female staff
Texas Relays continue as the Texas men win the 4x800 relay and sweep the top five in the 10,000 meters. PAGE 8
By Jordan Rudner
together to run,” Ackerley said. “We’re bringing in people from all walks of life, different states and even bachelorette parties. It is just a weird mix of people, but getting to see so many people and meeting them is an added bonus for me.” City Running Tours is a national organization that guides
The University has made slow progress in responding to a report that female professors are paid less, promoted later and more likely to leave before receiving tenure. In a University-commissioned report written by the Gender Equity Task Force in 2008, several issues of inequity were identified, including a wage gap between male and female faculty members at the full professor level. The gap was calculated with a multivariate analysis that used statistical modeling to control for differences in faculty salaries by field, rank and a variety of other characteristics. Even after factoring in these differences, female full professors earned on average $9,028 less than their male counterparts. Janet Ellzey, vice provost of the International Office and mechanical engineering professor, took on gender equity as part of her portfolio in 2009 and also chaired the original task force’s subcommittee on compensation. Ellzey said in 2011, female full professors earned 96 percent of what their male counterparts earned. The University aimed to
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LIFE&ARTS “Game of Thrones” Season Three premieres on HBO on Sunday. PAGE 12 Science Scene reveals scientific blunders. PAGE 12
Sexism and racism share underlying causes, and one won’t be solved without also addressing the other. PAGE 4
Shelby Tauber | Daily Texan Staff Lee Ackerley, Austin manager of the City Running Tours, celebrates the end of the Texas 5K Beer Run with fellow runners at Kung Fu Saloon on Thursday evening. City Running Tours offers runs featuring history and beer at least once a week.
Run, drink, be merry By Jeremy Thomas
TODAY UT Tiene Talento Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning acts of this talent show on Hispanic culture. Open auditions held through March 29, from noon to 6 p.m. in Benedict HAll (BEN).
LOANS continues on page 2 UNIVERSITY
Texas softball wins its seventh in a row by shutting out a Kansas team that entered the game with the nation’s highest team batting average. PAGE 7
VIEWPOINT
by more than six credit hours. Giddings said concern within the committee crosses partisan lines and found the support of state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, the subcommittee’s chairman. Thomas Melecki, Office of Student Financial Services director, said discussion
Beer, history and running coincide with one another every week to provide locals and tourists with a unique experience of downtown Austin. The Texas 5K Beer Run allows participants to learn about different historical downtown landmarks
and experience some of Austin’s most unique bars and restaurants. Typically, participants run around a mile from the Texas Running Company to view the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. From the trail, there is a stop at Shiner’s Saloon on Congress Avenue, where runners of the proper
CAMPUS
age may receive beer samples. Northbound, the tour goes to the Capitol, followed by more beer samplings at the Cloak Room, near the Capitol, and at Kung Fu Saloon on Rio Grande Street. Lee Ackerley, Austin manager of City Running Tours, said the groups are typically small. “It’s getting all these people
UNIVERSITY
UT professor up for deanship
Lecture Series The McCraw Lecture Series presents Juan Dominguez, who will give a talk entitled “Brain and Hormone Influence on Natural and Artificial Reward” from noon to 1 p.m. in Belmont Hall (BEL) 328.
By Christine Ayala Shooting underwater photography, running marathons and binding molecules to DNA are just a few of Brent Iverson’s interests. Iverson is chairman of the department of chemistry and biochemistry and a chemistry professor. He is also one of five finalists for the deanship of the School
Tavola Italiana The Department of French and Italian presents Tavola Italiana, a weekly meeting for informal conversation in Italian and on Italian culture from 3 to 4 p.m at the Cactus Cafe.
of Undergraduate Studies, and the only one from UT. Iverson, who has been chairman for two years, said he continues to teach chemistry because of his passion for the science and the excitement of seeing students connect scientific fundamentals to the world around them. “We’re in the process of updating our undergraduate curriculum and I think we’re creating the kind of learning
environment that going to be just want the students need especially at the undergraduate level,” Iverson said. “The demands on students after they leave are changing and the though process of what students want are changing.” Iverson said although he is involved in administration, teaching and research, all three areas have a
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Illustration by Colin Zelinski | Daily Texan Staff
What is today’s reason to party?
UT police to implement new campus PA system By Alberto Long
SEE COMICS PAGE 10
A mass notification PA system linking all buildings to UTPD dispatch is the “missing link” in creating a safe campus environment for students and faculty, according to UTPD Chief of Police Robert Dahlstrom. Over the last four years, Bob Harkins, associate vice president for campus safety
and security, has advocated for a mass notification system that would fill a gap in campuswide safety initiatives. “We’ve got about 160 plus buildings on campus and what I want is for dispatch to talk to one or all the buildings at the same time,” Harkins said. Harkins said there are several roadblocks impeding his project, such as the four different
UTPD continues on page 2
Jonathan Garza | Daily Texan Staff Chairmen of The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Brent Iverson is one of the five candidates for UT’s next UGS Dean.