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LIFE&ARTS PAGE 8
SPORTS PAGE 6
COMICS PAGE 7
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Tuesday, January 21, 2014
dailytexanonline.com
UNIVERSITY
Powers, Paine deflect TSM blame By Jordan Rudner @jrud
Almost a full week after new broke that Texas Student Media, commonly known as TSM, would move under the domain of the Moody College of Communication, it remains unclear who — if anybody — ultimately made that decision. In an interview with the Texan on Friday, President
William Powers Jr. said he did not make the final decision on the move, although he considered the absorption of TSM properties — which include the Texan, Texas Student Television, Cactus Yearbook, KVRX 91.7 and Texas Travesty — a plausible solution for TSM’s financial woes. Gage Paine, the vice president for student affairs, and Roderick Hart, dean of the
Moody College of Communication, denied making the final decision to move the properties earlier in the week, though they acknowledged they played roles in the process. Last week, the Texan reported that TSM properties, including The Daily Texan, would be moved into the domain of Moody college from their current home in the Division
Does the trust need to be changed? Do the regents need to get involved in changing the trust? I would have anticipated that all of that would have been worked out in advance. —William Powers Jr., President
@ellydearman
Pu Ying Huang / Daily Texan Staff
James Magnuson’s new book, “Famous Writers I Have Known” offers a saterical perspective on the writing world and recalls many of Magnuson’s daily tasks at the Michener Center for Writers.
PHOTO BRIEFLY
when you become an old dog. You start thinking about your legacy. I’m so proud of all of these young writers who have done so well. You know it’s interesting how personal it can be, the idea of creating an institution.”
@TheAlyssaM
BUS page 3
By Eleanor Dearman
just a salary to support his writing career, but he began to love his students and care about their careers. “Teaching has become an important part of my life,” Magnuson said. “You know you start thinking about this
By Alyssa Mahoney
NOVEL page 8
Students inspire novel-worthy figures
creative writing programs in the country. Magnuson came back to Texas and took the director position in 1994 after a stint as a television writer in Hollywood. He said that at first the Michener center job was
CapMetro to open new bus system this week
It is his work directing the Michener center and building its reputation that has allowed him an insider view into the world of MFA students and famous authors.
TSM page 2
LITERATURE
For the past 20 years, James Magnuson has been waking up early to write before coming into work as the director of the Michener Center for Writers. Magnuson’s newest of nine novels, “Famous Writers I Have Known,” gives a satirical look into the workings of the Master-of-FineArts culture. The plot centers on Frankie Abandonato, a con man who pretends to be V. S. Mohle — a resident writer at the Fiction Center, which is based on UT’s Michener center. In the novel, the Fiction Center is funded by author Rex Schoeninger, who is a transparent version of the Michener center’s namesake, James Michener. UT’s Michener center is a three-year residency program for aspiring writers. Students can apply to concentrate in one of four writing fields: fiction, poetry, screenwriting or playwriting, and receive a $27,500 stipend each year. With an acceptance rate hovering around 1 percent — the center only accepts 12 writers each year — it is recognized as one of the top
CITY
To increase public transit and reduce Austin congestion, Capital Metro will launch MetroRapid, a bus line which will include more direct routes, fewer stops and the use of transit-priority lanes, on Sunday. The new service includes higher-capacity vehicles with free Wi-Fi and technology that syncs with stoplights to hold the light green if the bus is behind schedule. Stations will have arrival information that refreshes every 90 seconds. CapMetro spokeswoman Melissa Ayala said fare changes will include a $1.50 premium for services that offer more direct routes and limited stop service, such as MetroRapid. There will be no fare changes to regular service in 2014. According to Blanca Juarez, UT Parking and Transportation Services spokeswoman, University students, faculty and staff will continue to have free access to CapMetro transportation, including MetroRapid, with valid University IDs. “During the early development stages of this new service, the University worked closely with [CapMetro] to make sure that these routes provided service to the University,” Juarez said. There will be 77 stations along MetroRapid routes 801 and 803, including 12 stations near the University and downtown areas. Ayala said CapMetro projects up to 21,000 boardings per weekday in the first two years of operation of Rapid 801. According to Juarez, 2 to 3 million rides per year are
“I don’t have a dog in the hunt of how the issue is
of Student Affairs. Powers said he was comfortable with the move, though it wasn’t originally his idea.
bit.ly/dtvid
CITY
Half marathon celebrates 20 years By Zachary Keener @thedailytexan
Check out our video online at dailytexanonline.com Sarah Montgomery / Daily Texan Staff
Community remembers life, legacy of MLK Jr. The Austin community honored the life of Martin Luther King Jr. during the 21st annual community march Monday. This year’s march began with a rally at
the MLK Jr. statue on the East Mall, then continued past the state capitol toward Huston-Tillotson University, a historically black university in East Austin. At
the march, themed “Dream Even Further,” marchers were asked to bring canned goods and other nonperishable food items. —Jordan Rudner
More than 5,000 runners ran in the 20th annual 3M Half Marathon on Sunday. This year, the race started at the corner of Stonelake Boulevard and Capital of Texas Highway, continued through the UT campus and finished at Waterloo Park. Jane Kovacs, the event’s public relations supervisor, said the race catered to seasoned runners and those new to running half marathons. “Topographically, if you follow it, it’s a downhill race,” Kovacs said. “But, you know, there’s a guy running his 20th race, and he runs so he can eat Blue Bell Ice Cream. How fabulous is that?” The race comes at a good time for running-inclined UT students, according to government senior Zach
Flores, who ran in the event. Flores is also part of the University’s Texas Running Club and ran more than 1,000 miles in 2013, with 180 in December alone. “It’s a good race for the UT students because we’re getting back into [running].” Flores
said. “It’s also a good way to start a New Year’s resolution.” Jodi Ondrusek, a UT marketing and advertising communications alumna, has been running the race for four years, since her arrival at UT.
REASON TO PARTY
Sam Ortega / Daily Texan Staff
David Stransky from Anchorage, Alaska runs the 3M Half Marathon on Sunday. More than 5,000 participants ran in the marathon.
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
ONLINE
Professors awarded for early career achievement. PAGE 3
Horns down: The Davis campaign fudges truth. PAGE 4
Horns gain first top-10 win since 2011. PAGE 6
Magnuson’s ninth novel is a love letter to Austin. PAGE 8
Blanton tour examines hidden symbolism. PAGE 3
Professors against Accenture partnership. PAGE 4
Texas falls to TCU for first time in school history. PAGE 6
“Devil’s Due” manages to bring few surprises. PAGE 8
See how Dolce Neve, a newly opened local gelato shop, makes its traditional gelato. dailytexanonline.com
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