The Daily Texan 2014-01-28

1

NEWS PAGE 3

NEWS PAGE 3

SPORTS PAGE 6

Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900

@thedailytexan

Ralph Hutchinson

H. R. Schenker

1903-1905

1906

Berry M. Whitaker 1920-1922

Tuesday, January 28, 2014*

facebook.com/dailytexan

W. E. Metzenthin 1907-1908

E. J. Stewart

Clyde Littlefield

Ed Price

Darrell Royal

1923-1926

1951-1956

1927-1933

dailytexanonline.com

bit.ly/dtvid

Billy Wasmund

Dave Allerdice

Eugene Van Gent

Bill Juneau

The long road to Strong

Jack Chevigny

Dana Bible

Blair Cherry

Fred Akers

David McWilliams

Dexter Draper 1909

1910

1911-1915

1934-1936

By Garrett Callahan @CallahanGarrett

1957-1976

John Mackovic 1992-1997

Mack Brown 1998-2013

1977-1986

1916

1917-1919

1937-1946

1947-1950

1987-1991

Charlie Strong 2014-

After 120 years, first black head coach brings change to Texas football program UT’s first football team in 1893 didn’t have a coach.

Some aspects of the game were different then: Field goals were worth more points than touchdowns, and it was played almost exclusively by wealthy, upper-class white men with Ivy League connections.

Since that inaugural season, Texas has had 29 different head coaches — 21 since the team became known as the Longhorns starting in

1903 — and earlier this month, it hired Charlie Strong, the University’s first black head football coach.

“College football is changing, and everybody’s welcoming change and they should,” Strong said in his Jan. 6 introductory press conference. “People are being given opportunities and they know it. There is always going to be a first somewhere, so this had to be the first.”

Strong will coach his first season a full 120

years after Texas’ first head coach, R.D. Wentworth, coached his. Strong has been involved with college football since 1983, when he was a graduate assistant at Florida. He has witnessed the slow progression of the nation’s most popular college sport, which has made great headway among black athletes, but little with black coaches. In the 2012-2013 academic

COACH page 6

CAMPUS

UNIVERSITY

Author details issues for LGBTQ Cubans

Faculty Council passes resolution to request Shared Services information

By Kate Dannenmaier @thedailytexan

At a talk discussing queer issues in Cuban culture Monday, Achy Obejas, a Cuban-American writer and LGBTQ advocate, noted the achievements of Cuba’s movement toward equality but said there is still progress to be made.

Naomi Lindstrom, acting director of the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies, said Obejas brings a well-balanced

perspective to the discussion of Cuban issues.

“She’s not at all what you would think,” Lindstrom said. “She’s not totally critical of the Cuban government. She’s not totally supportive. She takes what I consider [to be] a very measured outlook of everything that came out of the Cuban Revolution.”

Obejas said that since the early 21st century, treatment of the LGBTQ

CUBANS page 2

Remy Fine / Daily Texan Staff

Achy Obejas, a distinguished writer at Mills College in Oakland, Calif., gives a lecture on queer issues in Cuban culture.

By Madlin Mekelburg @madlinbmek

At its meeting Monday, Faculty Council passed a resolution requesting more information about Shared Services, which is a plan to consolidate a number of University services.

The resolution, authored by the Faculty Council Executive Committee, asks Kevin Hegarty, executive vice president and chief financial officer, to share specifics of the Shared Services Plan with the public. It was passed by a vote of 28-3.

The plan, a series of recommendations scheduled to be submitted to President William Powers Jr. in the coming months, calls for the centralization of several University services. The plan outlines the elimination of 500 jobs — primarily through attrition and retirement, according to University officials — to centralize finance, information technology, human resources and procurement services.

The resolution asks for a list of the University units

Shelby Fry / Daily Texan Staff

William Beckner, chair-elect of the Faculty Council, presents his annual report at a Faculty Council meeting at the Tower on Monday afternoon.

that have volunteered for a pilot and the method of implementation within each unit. It also asks for a report of the results of centralized services already on campus, a plan for collecting data through a pilot, a plan to distribute the findings of the pilot to campus

and a request for “one more non-administrative faculty member” to be added to the Shared Services Steering Committee.

“We want to emphasize the need and the conversations about Shared Services to always have specifics, and, when specifics began to

emerge, they should be presented to the faculty,” mathematics professor William Beckner said.

Hegarty said he will respect the requests outlined in the resolution, but a more detailed Shared Services

COUNCIL page 2 an adve

rtising spec

Find the latest news on the lives of longhorns in a special edition to the Daily Texan. Jan 29th

APRIL

ial editio

n of The

27, 2012

Daily Texa

n

THRO

WING

Inc

luding ADUA ...

TIO

BY PER N PARTY SON

A GR

ALT GR

AD PRO

NAME

BY PER GRAMS SON NAM E

GRAD

PRO

BY PER GRAMS SON NAM E

TEST PREP ...and

Much

More!

2 2

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

NEWS

FRAMES featured photo Volume 114, Issue 91

CONTACT US

Th use like cord M cies Sou call the whi tors from Tro Leid bur In sor auth use call “ frog tive Rya R syll for

Main Telephone (512) 471-4591 Editor Laura Wright (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor Shabab Siddiqui (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com Retail Advertising (512) 471-1865 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.

CORRECTIONS Because of a reporting error, a story about the integration of UT athletics in the Jan. 23 issue of The Daily Texan misstated when Charlie Strong was hired. Strong was hired two decades after Beverly Kearney.

Because of an editing error, a story about a rally opposing HB2 in the Jan. 27 issue of The Daily Texan misidentified the group holding the rally.

The group consisted of abortion rights advocates.

The story incorrectly applies the AP Style guidelines in identifying the group. This was a regrettable editorial oversight.

COPYRIGHT Copyright 2013 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.

TOMORROW’S WEATHER Low High

50

31

Samosas?

Abbey Grimes / Daily Texan Staff

Freshman Madeline Jordan stares up at the Texas State Capitol Building on Monday afternoon.

COUNCIL

continues from page 1 Plan can only be developed with specific units or departments in mind, so the current model remains “a plan to get to a plan.”

“Now they want to jump the gun and say, ‘before you get to that customized plan, we need to see a plan,’” Hegarty said.

“Well, you’ve seen the plan.”

Hegarty said he thought he made the data necessary to pursue a pilot program widely available.

“I guess I’ll send them the slides that I made for all the presentations,” Hegarty said.

“In fact, I’ll point them to our URL because I think they’re all on the web. … I’m not trying to be smart about it, but it’s confusing to say ‘I want data, but I don’t want you to go through the process it takes to develop the data.’”

At a Faculty Council meeting in December, associate communication studies professor Dana Cloud and associate English professor

Snehal Shingavi authored a resolution calling for the immediate suspension of any implementation of Shared Services until Hegarty and his staff made more information available. The council didn’t take any action on this resolution and didn’t discuss it at Monday’s meeting.

Instead, Cloud proposed three “friendly amendments” to the resolution presented by the executive council.

“I am very appreciative of this resolution,” Cloud said.

“I think it is modest, I think it’s respectful and I think it is deserving of the council’s approval.”

The council passed an amendment asking for

Hegarty to begin distributing information to them by the next Faculty Council meeting. An amendment asking for the pilot program to be suspended until data becomes available did not pass.

“There should already be information that is not yet pilot-tested,” Cloud said.

“There should be a basic plan of information that we’re not getting. I think it’s reasonable to say that information could begin to flow before the next Faculty Council meeting on some of these questions.”

Hegarty said the University cannot continue to function with its current financial model.

“The campus cannot

afford to staff under the current model, [in which] everybody has a customized service,” Hegarty said.

“We are having layoffs every year. Those layoffs will have to continue because of our distressed financial situation. The longer we delay trying to do something about how we organize ourselves and don’t save money, the people who are most directly impacted are our staff, and that’s [whom] I feel badly about.”

According to Hegarty, doing nothing is no longer an option.

“To me, in my mind, Shared Services is not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” Hegarty said.

TEXASNT STUDDEIA ME

TEXAS STUDENT MEDIA

BOARD OF OPERATING TRUSTEES

This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25 Permanent Staff

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Wright Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christine Ayala, Riley Brands, Amil Malik, Eric Nikolaides Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shabab Siddiqui Associate Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elisabeth Dillon News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Rudner Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antonia Gales, Anthony Green, Jacob Kerr, Pete Stroud, Amanda Voeller Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Julia Brouillette, Nicole Cobler, Alyssa Mahoney, Madlin Mekelburg Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Reinsch Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brett Donohoe, Reeana Keenen, Kevin Sharifi Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Mitts Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hirrah Barlas, Bria Benjamin, Alex Dolan, Omar Longoria Multimedia Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlie Pearce, Alec Wyman Associate Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam Ortega Senior Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Garza, Shweta Gulati, Pu Ying Huang, Shelby Tauber Senior Videographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Barron, Jackie Kuenstler, Dan Resler, Bryce Seifert Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Smothers Associate Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren L’Amie Senior Life&Arts Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eleanor Dearman, David Sackllah, Alex Williams, Kritika Kulshrestha Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stefan Scrafield Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Hummer Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evan Berkowitz, Garrett Callahan, Jori Epstein, Matt Warden Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Massingill Associate Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Hadidi Senior Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cody Bubenik, Ploy Buraparate, Connor Murphy, Aaron Rodriguez, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Vanicek Director of Technical Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeremy Hintz Associate Director of Technical Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Stancik Special Ventures Co-editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Blanchard, Chris Hummer Online Outreach Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred Tally-Foos Journalism Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Brick

Tryouts Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate Dannenmaier, Matthew Gil, Nicoles Stiles Multimedia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remy Fine, Shelby Fry, Abbey Grimes, Lisseth Lopez, Ethan Oblak, Bryan Winter Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blake Carter, Andy McMahon

Business and Advertising

(512) 471-1865 | advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Interim Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Serpas, III Executive Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Barnes Business Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Heine Advertising Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CJ Salgado Broadcasting and Events Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carter Goss Event Coordinator and Media Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Hollingsworth Campus & National Sales Associate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carter Goss, Lindsey Hollingsworth Student Advertising Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted Sniderman Student Assistant Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rohan Needel Student Acct. Execs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dani Archuleta, Aaron Blanco, Hannah Davis, Crysta Hernandez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Jacobs, Erica Reed, Mayowa Tijani, Lesly Villarreal Student Project Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aaron Blanco Student Office Assistant/Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mymy Nguyen Student Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dito Prado Senior Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Hublein Student Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karina Manguia, Rachel Ngun, Bailey Sullivan Special Editions/Production Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Gammon Longhorn Life Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ali Killian Longhorn LIfe Assistant Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrew Huygen

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 4711865. For classified word advertising, call 471-5244.

Entire contents copyright 2012 Texas Student Media.

The Daily Texan Mail Subscription Rates One Semester (Fall or Spring) $60.00 Two Semesters (Fall and Spring) 120.00 Summer Session 40.00 One Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) 150.00 To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 471-5083. Send orders and address changes to Texas Student Media', P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713-8904, or to TSM Building C3.200, or call 471-5083.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Texan, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713.

Texan Ad Deadlines

1/28/14

Monday .............Wednesday, 12 p.m. Thursday.................Monday, 12 p.m.

Tuesday.................Thursday, 12 p.m. Friday......................Tuesday, 12 p.m.

Word Ads 11 a.m.

Wednesday................Friday, 12 p.m. Classified (Last Business Day Prior to Publication)

TSM IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS POSITION

TERM

The Daily Texan Editor-In-Chief

June ‘14 - May ‘15

Board of Trustees MemberCollege of Communication student (two places)

June ‘14 - May ‘16

Board of Trustees MemberAt-Large Student

June ‘14 - May ‘16

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 4:00 p.m. Friday January 31, 2014 APPLICATIONS DROP OFF: HSM 3.200

1 FEBRUARY 23, 2011

an advertising special edition

of The Daily Texan

INSIDE

> SAVE SPACE and DECORATE using these tips pg. 3-4 > SPICE UP your new pantry with four simple ingredients pg. 9 > YOUR GO-TO GUIDE for today’s Housing Fair pg. 10-11

QUESTIONS? Contact us at serpas@austin.uetxas.edu

For more information visit: www.utexas.edu/tsm

CUBANS

continues from page 1

community in Cuba dramatically shifted from a place of persecution and marginalization to a place of tolerance. According to Obejas, tolerance does not mean acceptance.

Obejas said that most of the changes could be attributed to Mariela Castro, founder of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education, known as ENESEX, a government-funded body that advocates for LGBTQ issues.

Mariela Castro is the daughter of current Cuban president, Raul Castro.

“What makes Raul Castro’s daughter’s pet project of homosexual acceptance truly ironic is that he is who is widely credited with being the driving force behind the creation of Cuba’s most notorious anti-gay campaign, the Unit for Military Production, also known as the UMAPs,” Obejas said.

Obejas said the Units to Aid Military Production, otherwise known as UMAPs, formally unacknowledged by the government, were detainment facilities for homosexual citizens as well as other political dissidents.

Obejas said that despite the government’s silence on the subject, Mariela Castro was able to make gender issues part of the national conversation.

CENESEX pushed for a law that provides government-funded gender reassignment surgery to Cuban citizens who request the procedures. Obejas noted that, while the center’s accomplishments have made significant strides toward tolerance, there is still progress to be made within the movement.

According to Obejas, the ability for citizens to surgically change their anatomy doesn’t release them from societal gender pressures, just as the existence of an LGBTQ movement hasn’t eradicated homophobia.

“The truth of the matter is that the harassment of gays is a pretty continuous and daily event in Cuba, particularly in Havana, where the capital police are notoriously violent,” Obejas said.

David Glisch-Sanchez, a sociology graduate student, said he enjoyed the fresh perspective given

by Obejas.

“I think [Obejas] did a really great, balanced job of talking about prerevolutionary Cuba and postrevolutionary Cuba and not romanticizing either,”Prof the Glisch-Sanchez said.

inst

1

W&N 3

NEWS

3

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Researchers study tungara frogs, echolocation

By Alexandra Wilts @thedailytexan

The calls the tungara frog uses to attract a mate sound like dinner bells to bats, according to UT researchers.

Male tungara frogs, a species native to Central and South America, use mating calls that create ripples in the ponds they are sitting in, while also attracting predators, according to researchers from UT, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Leiden University and Salisbury University.

Integrative biology professor Michael Ryan, who coauthored the study, said frogs use complex and lengthy calls to attract mates.

“The more syllables the frogs use, the more attractive they are to females,” Ryan said.

Ryan said using more syllables makes it easier for bats to detect the frogs

in a sonar-like process called echolocation.

“Bats are able to locate the frogs by locating the [sound waves] and going straight to the center of the ripple,” Ryan said.

According to Ryan, frogs are immediately able to see the danger their calls have caused, but the damage has already been done.

“The frogs are able to see the bats from their silhouette in the water, but they can’t make their ripples come back,” Ryan said.

According to Ryan, male tungara frogs are not the only species that use ostentatious practices to attract mates at the possible expense of their lives. Ryan said peahen, or female peacocks, prefer peacocks with elaborate feathers even though the plumage makes it difficult for peacocks to hide and escape from predators.

Patricia Jones, another

UNIVERSITY

co-author of the study and an ecology, evolution, and behavior graduate student, said the research is an example of how evolution affects animal communication. “[The research] contributes to our understanding of both the evolutionary pressures on frog calls and frogcalling behavior and to our understanding of how bats perceive the world around them,” Jones said.

Brian Wilkey, a human development and family sciences graduate student who studies relationships within an evolutionary framework, offered a comparison between the behavior of the tungara frog and humanmating practices.

“The selection pressures that created this long-enduring mating call [for tungara frogs] must be so successful that it outweighs the cost of dying,” Wilkey said. “In a human context, the closest

Bryan Winter / Daily Texan Staff

Integrative biology professor Mike Ryan and graduate student Patricia Jones are researching echolocation. Male tungara frogs’ mating calls attract the attention of hungry bats.

comparison I can think of is when people show strength or daringness, which, in theory, will attract a mate but by doing so puts them in danger.”

Jones said this research also gives insight into the world around us.

“Humans have long asked questions about why animals

behave the way that they do,” Jones said. “This study is just one small piece in the puzzle toward understanding the world that we live in.”

UNIVERSITY

Memory technology Live-stream courses offer college credit enhances MOOCs

By Nicole Stiles @thedailytexan

By Matthew Gil @thedailytexan

Though many openenrollment courses face high dropout rates, UT professors hope memorymanagement software that checks retention rates and interacts with students will make a new online class more engaging for interested students.

Massive open online courses, commonly known as MOOCs, are free online courses accessible to the public. The UT System offers MOOCs through edX, a nonprofit distributor of interactive online courses.

In 2012, the UT System Board of Regents approved a $10 million investment in edX, and the System’s first four MOOCs cost upward of $150,000 each.

Though the System specifically created the Institute of Transformational Learning in 2012 with the goal of establishing UT as a leader in online education, MOOCs have also received criticism for their high dropout rates. According to data from The Texas Tribune, about 87 percent of students dropped out of System MOOC Energy 101.

Other fall semester MOOCs boasted dropout rates ranging from 89 percent to 99 percent.

Leslie Hall, project manager at UT’s Center for Teaching and Learning, said memory management software Cerego adjusts review times to maximize a student’s information retention.

Newly offered UT MOOC Jazz Appreciation will use Cerego technology.

“Cerego is designed to help the information truly sink in by letting students practice their knowledge and skills in short, frequent intervals,” Hall said.

Jazz professor Jeff Hellmer, an instructor for the Jazz Appreciation MOOC, said his course differs from other MOOCs because the combination of edX and Cerego allows students a more individualized experience.

“Cerego allows for a personalized approach to learning, as it tailors the repetition of items to be learned based on the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses,” Hellmer said. “It is also ideal in that in a course such as Jazz Appreciation, it eliminates the need for testing over basic facts and concepts.”

According to Hellmer, although integration with Cerego has been successful so far, he sees room for improvement in the future.

“There’s the long-term challenge of devising ways to evaluate student progress on content that requires lengthier responses,” Hellmer said.

Finance senior Joshua Sigala said he’s enrolled to take his first MOOC this March. The 10-week course, offered by Cornell University and hosted on edX, will explore issues of privacy and surveillance in an increasingly interconnected world.

“I heard a few people talking about [MOOCs] and when I googled it, I learned that these courses were free, so I thought I would give it a shot,” Sigala said. “I would like to learn more about different subjects that aren’t part of my major.”

Hall said the University currently offers eight courses through edX and is analyzing its progress with hopes to improve current courses.

“We want to learn about what helps students be successful in a MOOC environment, and what they’re getting out of it, so we can continue to improve what we offer,” Hall said.

According to Hall, education is constantly evolving with the advancements of technology. Hall said she was excited about her participation in the changing environment.

“I think the future will be more flexible and studentdirected, with more options for choosing the types of courses and programs that take them where they want to go,” Hall said.

Registration for an onlineonly Government 310L class, which will be delivered to students in a news broadcast format, will close Wednesday.

The class, taught by government professors Eric McDaniel and Daron Shaw, is another experiment in synchronous massive online courses — better known as SMOCs — which differ from the format of traditional online classes. UT offered Psychology 301 in a SMOC format last semester with professors Samuel Gosling and James Pennebaker.

Students must check in for the online lecture at a certain time, and McDaniel said the lectures are posted within 36 hours for students to access.

According to Emily Cicchini, Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services project manager, the course’s online setting brings the professor right to the student’s computer screen.

McDaniel estimates 1,050 students, both from UT and the general

public, have enrolled for this semester’s course.

“Anyone in the nation can enroll,” Cicchini said.

McDaniel said the new class format increases efficiency because it allows professors to cover more material in less time.

“Administrative costs are way down,” McDaniel said. “[Video streaming] is a way to easily integrate media and learning.”

Although the concept of online courses is not new, the recently lowered prices of video streaming have allowed UT to take part in this modern form of teaching, according to Cicchini. The interactive, online format of the course is part of a recent trend of bringing new technology to the University, including the introduction of Canvas.

“UT has been experimenting with a lot of different technology,” Cicchini said. “Canvas is part of the big picture.”

McDaniel said the use of online lectures encourages students to participate, since it only requires turning on their computers.

Shweta Gulati / Daily Texan Staff

Professors Eric Daniel (above) and Daron Shaw are offering a Government 310L course in an online news broadcast format.

Linguistics junior Emily Hunker said she thinks the class could provide educational opportunities to people outside the University.

“Anything to make education more accessible to more people is beneficial,” Hunker said.

Shaya Mehdibeigi, international relations and global studies junior, said although she thinks the system would create a more convenient learning experience, it’s not conducive to certain learning styles.

“I personally prefer the

traditional way of physically attending class and taking notes,” Mehdibeigi said.

“Knowing myself, watching an online lecture might lead to boredom. I would get very easily distracted and end up not paying attention.”

McDaniel said students who are self-motivated are likely to do well in the course because the online format places more responsibility on the student. “[The student will] still have to show up on time and keep track of times and due dates,” McDaniel said.

VISIT ANY OF OUR 32 AREA SALONS! ON CAMPUS...

ANY HAIRCUT

3025 Guadalupe

(Reg. $11.95 - $14.95)

$

10

(Next to Wheatsville Co-op and Chango’s)

512-476-4267

95

4410 E. Riverside Dr. #140 At Pleasant Valley (Near Planet Fitness)

512-385-4973

supercuts.com Coupon valid at all 32 area salon locations. Not valid with any other offer. No cash value. One coupon valid per customer.

Please present coupon prior to payment of service. ©2014 Supercuts Inc. Printed U.S.A. Expires: 08/31/2014 DlyTxn

$5

$1

99

00

OFF

Dry cleaning of $20.00 or more

Please present coupons with incoming orders. Coupons not valid with other offers or 3 Pant Specials. Only one coupon per visit.

• All Work Guaranteed • Same Day Laundry & • Dry Cleaning Service (M-F)

Open Every Day...

No Appointment Needed!

Plain Laundered Shirts

Please present coupons with incoming orders. Coupons not valid with other offers or 3 Pant Specials. Only one coupon per visit.

• Household Items Cleaned • Alteration Services • Same Day Saturday Service (selected locations)

Open Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm Saturday 9am - 3pm

3637-B Far West Blvd.

Lisseth Lopez / Daily Texan Staff

Professor Jeff Hellmer conducts a jazz orchestra rehearsal at the Butler School of Music on Monday afternoon. Hellmer also instructs a Jazz Appreciation MOOC that is free to the public.

338-0141 Not valid with any other offer.

Expires September 1, 2014.

Not valid with any other offer.

Expires September 1, 2014.

501 W. 15th @ San Antonio

236-1118

3207 Red River

(Next to TX French Bread)

472-5710

4A OPINION

LAURA WRIGHT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / @TexanEditorial Tuesday, January 28, 2014

4

GALLERY

TAKE YOUR SHOT

Firing lines: “pro-abortion” is unfair, inaccurate, misleading Editor’s Note: On Monday, this newspaper published a news article that, because of an editorial oversight, incorrectly used the term “pro-abortion” instead of “pro-abortion rights” to refer to both a rally and a group of protesters. Readers rightfully reacted with anger and frustration, both to this error and to what some perceived as journalistic bias in the article itself. Your reactions are crucial to the success of the student journalist at the Texan, and so we have collected several of the letters received from readers in a special “Firing Lines” section. Future firing lines on this article or any other can be sent to editor@ dailytexanonline.com.

What is going on with your front page? Is there any editorial oversight? And, do your reporters research, or even Google, their topic before churning out their copy? Kinda sorta? First, someone who supports reproductive rights and access to abortion is not “pro-abortion.” Read an AP Style Guide.

Second, the event was the Texas Rally for Life. Texas pro-life supporters (those who do not support reproductive rights and access) demonstrate at the Capitol EVERY YEAR the weekend following the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision. They were not there “to protest Texas Judge R.H. Wallace Jr.’s order to take pregnant and braindead Marlise Munoz off life support, terminating the pregnancy.” This is a standing event. Texas Project Counter was a counter-protest, quickly-organized over Twitter and FaceBook in a matter of weeks, in response to that annual demonstration. So, your reporter was covering a counter-protest and failed to mention that. And finally, the copy under the front page photo reads “Anti-abortion supports lined the gates of the Capitol to protest an anti-abortion rally Saturday afternoon.” Does that make sense to you? “Anti-abortion supporters” protest “an anti-abortion” rally.

Do you even read over your copy before publishing the paper?

—Liz Garlow, junior, American Studies, submitted via e-mail I am appalled at the misleading language used in Christina Breitbeil’s article, “Pro-abortion rally draws support from political candidates”. The “pro-abortion” label is completely inaccurate – as many people who commented on the piece stated, one can be personally opposed to abortion for themselves while still being comfortable supporting another person to make that choice for her own body (and/or uncomfortable with giving the state power to make that decision for her). On that same token, using phrases such “pro-choice” and “pro-life” are problematic because they are too politically charged and entrenched to reflect neutral language. More appropriate, and less politically-charged (and misleading) descriptions of people who support a woman’s right to obtain an abortion is “abortion-rights advocate/supporter”.

Likewise, a person who wants to limit a woman’s access to abortion would appropriately be described as an “opponent of abortion rights.” I ask that you update the online version of the article to replace the inaccurate and inflammatory language with more accurate language that describes behavior, not political stances.

—Kristine Hopkins, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, submitted via e-mail I am a student at UT. I just saw our paper’s “news” article about the pro-choice rally that was held on Saturday. Christina Breitbeil’s article “Pro-abortion rally draws support from political candidates” is an embarrassment to journalistic integrity and the university. No one at that rally was pro abortion. Please put out an apology for this article.

—Melissa Seal, student, Geological Sciences, submitted via e-mail I have never seen the pro-choice position represented as “pro-abortion” in a supposedly non-biased news source before. This seems like an oversight (or lack of oversight!) Yes, it’s fun to stir the pot on the opinion page, but this is not an opinion piece. I feel the wording should be changed for this piece.

—Jeff Newberry, staff, University of Texas libraries, submitted via e-mail This message is in response to today’s article by Ms. Christina Breitbeil. I have never written to a newspaper, but I found that the title “Pro-abortion rally draws support...” to be inappropriate. I am a

pro-choice person, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I am pro-abortion. Those phrases are not interchangeable or congruent. I believe women should have the choice to make decisions based on their own situations, including adoption, raising the child, or in some cases abortion. I do not feel that the predominantly male government employees and conservative institutes should make that choice for me. By using the loaded terminology “pro-abortion,” I immediately dismissed this article as skewed and disregarded it as a credible article. It cheapens the integrity of The Daily Texan, which I find very disappointing.

—Leah Fenley Adrian, staff, Institute for Computational Engineering and Science, submitted via e-mail As I walked to my job this morning on campus I was horrified to see today’s headline at the top of The Daily Texan: “Proabortion rally draws support from political candidates.” I have been a member of the UT community for nearly ten years now and have been reading your paper ever since I started here as a graduate student, and I find this headline to be insulting and embarrassing, not just to your paper but to those of us on campus who call ourselves pro-choice. To be clear, there is no such thing as a “pro-abortion” group. No one is pro-abortion. To characterize the pro-choice movement in such a way is to demonize those involved who have been fighting tirelessly since June (many for much longer) for access to safe healthcare for ALL women in Texas. Many of those people involved in the fight last summer against HB2 and in the ongoing fight for access to abortion are members of the UT community...Do you really want an opinion piece as your front page headline, Daily Texan? Additionally, please keep the Marlise Munoz case out of the discussion. Her family has been very clear in their wishes to keep her situation free of politics from either the pro-choice or pro-life side. Her family is going through a horrible tragedy that has absolutely nothing to do with access to safe, legal abortion.

—Megan Reilly, staff, College of Natural Sciences, submitted via e-mail As a participant in last weekend’s Texas Rally for Life march and rally, I found your article inaccurate, biased, and, frankly, insulting. The Texas Rally for Life made it very clear that is was a group of peaceful, prayerful citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional right of public demonstration. The purpose of the march was to advocate rights for all stages of life- from conception to natural death- not to protest a recent ruling made on a singular case with extenuating circumstances (i.e. that of Marlise Munoz). How this report was meant to give a well-rounded and unbiased overview of the event is beyond me when there were such obvious connections and connotations being implied to one side of the issue. Choosing the words “abortion rights group” for one side of the argument’s group and “anti-choice” for the opposing group is a glaring bias- why switch terminology halfway through the article instead of using consistent terminology and naming the first group “anti-life”? If the “antilife” angle was still going to be published in this paper, it should have been found in the “opinion” section, and not given as “news” which implies that the complete truth is being presented.

—Claire Anderson, sophomore, College of Communication, submitted via e-mail I am extremely disappointed in the Daily Texan’s coverage of the events that took place on Saturday, January 25 in front of the Capital. While there were indeed a few hundred abortion rights advocates there protesting, there were also several thousand people there for the Texas Rally for Life, an event that is held annually in commemoration of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion on demand in America 41 years ago. Since then, legalized abortion has killed over 55 million unborn Americans.

While the Daily Texan has the right to focus a story on whichever angle it chooses, the publication does not enjoy the right to completely ignore and/or fail to interview someone with an opposing viewpoint.

There was not one source spoken to from the Pro-Life side of the rally. As a journalism student myself, I am disappointed by the obvious bias in this article and the carelessness in reporting a fair story.

—Rachel Bush, sophomore, Journalism, submitted via e-mail

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.

Illustration by John Massingill / Daily Texan Staff

HORNS DOWN: ABBOTT PUTS BLIND FAITH IN CHARTER SCHOOLS In an editorial Friday, we reported that Texas’ largest charter school network, Responsive Education Solutions, teaches both an anti-evolution science curriculum and a history curriculum that plays fast and loose with facts. This is especially troubling, considering gubernatorial candidate and Republican frontrunner Greg Abbott’s hard-line support for charter schools is the centerpiece of his education platform. Over the last six weeks, Abbott has made numerous campaign stops at schools where he has held roundtable discussions about education policy. At these events, Abbott made clear his support for the privatization of public education, despite the fact that his campaign has yet to offer a concrete platform. Charter schools and privatization may be part of the solution to issues confronting Texas public education, but, until we can be sure that we are supporting the right charter schools, we should be skeptical of Abbott’s blind faith in their effectiveness.

COLUMN

What Longhorns can take away from Detroit’s pension issues

By Chuck Matula

Daily Texan Columnist @chucketlist

There are few stereotypes more publicly villainized than the lazy, unambitious government employee. That’s why a decision by a judge in Detroit to allow the city’s creditors to seize pension funds in their ongoing Chapter 9 bankruptcy could, for some, be a cause for celebration.

But this decision has troubling implications for the employees of any government entity, including those at UT and the many students who will go on to work for federal, state, municipal and county entities. According to the Texas Tribune, UT employs at least 12,941 people, many of whom at least partially rely on the Teacher’s Retirement System of Texas, a public pension system, for their retirement funds. And the DiNitto Center for Career Services in the School of Social Work explained to The Daily Texan that 24 percent of 2011’s graduating class found work with some sort of government entity, indicating that there are more than a few UT seniors who might soon join a workplace where they’re dependent on a public pension plan.

For anyone who intends to join civil service (or is currently a part of it), Detroit should serve as a cautionary tale of how financial dysfunction can devastate a city in a way that makes pension payments unsustainable. A financially prosperous city of almost 2 million at its peak in the 1950s, the city’s decline has been long and slow. People who took a job with the city long ago for the promise of a pension may not have been able to foresee Detroit’s financial struggles. As years passed, an exodus of jobs, people and businesses took its toll on a once bustling metropolis until 2013, when federal judge Steven Rhodes determined that the city was eligible for bankruptcy. The finances of major Texas municipalities are much better off

There are more than a few UT seniors who might soon join a workplace where they’re dependent on a public pension plan.

SUBMIT A FIRING LINE | E-mail your Firing Lines to editor@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.

than those of Detroit, but serious mismanagement can put what seems to be the most stable government on shaky financial footing.

Clearly Detroit is suffering from deep financial woes, and a Chapter 9 Bankruptcy, which allows municipalities to restructure their debts, could very well be the best way to deal with those problems. And although Rhodes’ ruling means that cuts in pension plans for city workers won’t violate Michigan law, they have troubling implications for pension funds and public employees everywhere. Before this decision, federal law had been in conflict with Michigan law as to whether or not pensions can be a part of a debt restructuring. The precedent Rhodes decision sets, that the funds of public pensions can be partially used to pay off creditors, puts the livelihood of all government retirees at risk. Detroit’s precipitous decline should be a reminder that hard times can befall even the most prosperous of cities. Even the mammoth Employee Retirement System of Texas warned as recently as December that the Legislature must make tough decisions on how to fund the pensions soon or the system could face insolvency.

A career in civil service is a decision by an individual to devote themselves to serving the government, often at the expense of a higher-paying private sector job. The promise that a government can offer an individual that a corporation or sole proprietorship can’t is a pension in exchange for their working lives. To allow a court to amend that promise in a bankruptcy is to take away a benefit that could help draw talented individuals to public work. Shiftless bureaucrats are a difficult group to sympathize with, but consider the public school teachers, University faculty and social workers who could lose one of the few incentives to pursue civil service.

The bankruptcy and subsequent court decision should also be a wake-up call to pension managers that they need to take maintaining solvency seriously. Irresponsibly-run pension funds that are beholden to popular demands for more money will inevitably run out and bust, just like Detroit’s did. Employees who hope to one day be the beneficiaries of a pension system need to make their voices heard to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. Pension fund management is not a thrilling field, but unless politicians and public employees are willing to take it seriously it will be our generation that loses out.

Matula is a finance junior from Austin.

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.

EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanEditorial) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.

CLASS/JUMP 5

NEWS

5

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

TEXAS COWBOYS

STATE

Cold weather may hurt HD-50 runoff election’s voter turnout

By Alyssa Mahoney @TheAlyssaM

Cold weather may decrease voter turnout for the House District 50 runoff election between Democrat Celia Israel and Republican Mike VanDeWalle on Tuesday.

After state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, resigned from the House seat in June, a special election was called for November. In the special election, around 60 percent of voters chose one of the three Democratic candidates, while about 40 percent chose VanDeWalle. No candidate received a majority of the votes, so Tuesday’s runoff election will determine the representative. House District 50 consists of parts of North Austin, Pflugerville and areas just west of Bastrop.

University Democrats President David Feigen is a volunteer coordinator for Israel’s campaign. Feigen said he has been working to increase voter turnout, but he is concerned the cold weather will discourage people from voting.

“Probably our biggest opponent has nothing to do with our opponent and nothing to do with our candidate, but it has a lot to do with the weather,” Feigen said. “It’s an extraneous variable — we don’t know what that will do to people that might think, ‘Oh, she’s got it in the bag. We don’t need to show up.’”

Feigen said he thinks grassroots efforts are especially important in this

UNS AD IRNE FOR ONL

E! FRE d wor

ad s

only

election because people may not be informed about the race.

“It’s a January special election where it’s the only race going on,” Feigen said.

“Spreading the word and making sure everyone understands how this works is more crucial than ever.”

Daniel Hung, president for College Republicans at Texas, said it is difficult to predict the outcome of the election.

“It’s hard to say because it’s a runoff election, and there’s going to be low turnout,” Hung said.

“It’s going to be very cold, especially tomorrow.”

Feigen said Israel has provided many opportunities for University Democrats to participate in her campaign.

“She showed a belief in us,” Feigen said. “She’s assured University Democrats that we have a friend in the Capitol whose door will always be open to us.”

Feigen said he thinks Israel’s goal to expand the district’s Democratic electorate is important.

“What was once a 58 percent Democratic district can become more like a 65 percent Democratic district, which doesn’t mean a lot for the person running in that seat, but it means a lot for [a candidate] running statewide,” Feigen said.

Hung said the outcome of the election may signal which political direction Texans will vote in November general elections.

“This district will be a bellwether as to which direction Texas as a whole will

EST. 1922

“Give the best you have to Texas, and the best will come back to you.”

Mike VanDeWalle Republican

Celia Israel

SPRING SELECTIONS

Democrat

blow in 2014,” Hung said. “If VanDeWalle wins, then it would really show that Texas is not moving to the Democratic direction.”

Feigen said he thinks Israel’s previous state government experience will help her reverse cuts to education spending and ensure that teachers’ salaries are more in line with the national average.

According to Hung, many campaign promises may remain unfulfilled in the first few years in office.

“Whoever wins, they’ll be a newly elected state representative,” Hung said. “They’re going to be a freshman in a chamber of 150 legislators, with most of [the legislators] with more seniority than [the newly elected one].”

MEET & GREET: WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29 4:30 PM @ THE TEXAS EXES ALUMNI CENTER APPLICATIONS DUE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

FOR APPLICATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.TEXASCOWBOYS.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS THE DAILY TEXAN

ADVERTISING TERMS There are no refunds or credits. In the event of errors made in advertisement, notice must be given by 10 am the fi rst day of publication, as the publishers are responsible for only ONE incorrect insertion. In consideration of The Daily Texan’s acceptance of advertising copy for publication, the agency and the advertiser will indemnify and save harmless, Texas Student Media and its officers, employees and agents against all loss, liability, damage and expense of whatsoever nature arising out of the copying, printing or publishing of its advertisement including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees resulting from claims of suits for libel, violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright and trademark infringement.

All ad copy must be approved by the newspaper which reserves the right to request changes, reject or properly classify an ad. The advertiser, and not the newspaper, is responsible for the truthful content of the ad. Advertising is also subject to credit approval.

Self-serve, 24/7 on the Web at www.DailyTexanOnline.com

HOUSING RENTAL

380 Furn. Duplexes ROOM FOR MALE OPEN NOW Beautifully furnished 1470 sq. ft. house has 1 bedroom available for male. ABP. No pets. 4 blocks from UT. Pics: www.homestayfinder.com 512-585-7093

SERVICES

760 Misc. Services

BECOME AN EGG DONOR Give a miracle with egg donation. See how to qualify for compensation for your time. www.txeggdonor.com or call 888-my-donor.

EMPLOYMENT

790 Part Time

875 Medical Study

WORDPRESS DEVELOPER Need experienced WordPress developer to provide support for amazing new product. Flexible hours. Great pay. Send email to scott@theme.co

800 General Help Wanted

3’S TEACHER & PM AIDE NEEDED Pre-school in West Austin is looking for a full-time co- teacher for their 3 yr. olds class & an afternoon teacher’s aide. Previous child care experience & CDA perferred but not required.

Competitve wages & great working environment. E-mail resumes to hazel_2_cute@yahoo. com or call the school at 512476-1151.

790 Part Time

FUN JOB, GREAT PAY! Mad Science needs animated instructors to conduct entertaining hands-on, after-school programs and/or children’s birthday parties in Austin area schools. Must have dependable car, be available after 1:00pm at least two weekdays, and prior experience working with groups of elementary age children. We provide the training and equipment. If you enjoy working with children and are looking to work only a few hours per week, this is the job for you! Pay: $25 - $35 per 1 hr. class. Call 892-1143 or website at www.austin.madscience.com

CALLING ALL LONGHORNS!

UTalk is currently seeking 10 quality applicants for a flexible, on-campus job throughout the spring semester! Earn up to $9/ hr with incentive based bonuses.

Applicants hired before February 1st will be eligible to receive Tuition Assistance for the spring semester. All applicants must have great communication skills and a drive to succeed. Boost your resume while helping your peers, your school, and your professional development! For more information contact Morgan Brooks at morgan.brooks@ ruffalocody.com or apply at utalk.thecallingcenter.com.

SEE WHAT OUR

ONLINE SYSTEM has to offer, and place

YOUR AD

NOW!

dailytexanclassifieds.com

PPD Study Opportunities

PPD conducts medically supervised research studies to help evaluate new investigational medications. PPD has been conducting research studies in Austin for more than 25 years. The qualifications for each study are listed below. You must be available to remain in our facility for all dates listed for a study to be eligible. Call today for more information.

Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55 Up to $1200 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 19 and 35 Tue. 11 Feb. through Thu. 13 Feb. Outpatient Visit: 18 Feb.

Men and Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 45 Up to $3000 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18 and 32 Weigh at least 132 lbs.

Thu. 13 Feb. through Mon. 17 Feb. Thu. 27 Feb. through Mon. 3 Mar. Outpatient Visits: 21 Feb. & 7 Mar.

Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55 Up to $1200 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 19 and 35 Tue. 18 Feb. through Thu. 20 Feb. Outpatient Visit: 25 Feb.

super tuesday COUPONS

every week

recycle

Donors average $150 per specimen.

Apply on-line

www.123Donate.com

920 Work Wanted THE HEADLINERS The Headliners, a private club is now hiring AM/PM Banquet waitstaff & bus boy positions. Scheduling is flexible around semester schedules and there is an employee meal provided for each shift as well significant employee benefits for full-time employees.

Please apply Monday thru Friday between 2pm and 5pm.. The club is located on the top floor of the downtown Chase Bank Bldg at 221 W 6th St Ste 2100.

FOR SALE

Sell Textbooks

920 Work Wanted

clip and save!

Seeks College-Educated Men 18–39 to Participate in a Six-Month Donor Program

512-462-0492 • ppdi.com

text “ppd” to 48121 to receive study information

DailyTexanClassifieds.com

SCIENCE FICTION: After a global catastrophe, how will we rebuild our world? What vision will we follow? And who will corrupt it?

WILDERNESS, a science fiction novel, is by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon.com SCIENCE FICTION: Changes may be genetically engineered, outside us or inside us, with or without our consent. WONDERS AND TRAGEDIES, a science fiction novel, is by Alan Kovski.

Available via Amazon.com SCIENCE FICTION: The future may be beautiful, terrible, bewildering. People will have to deal with it somehow. REMEMBERING THE FUTURE: science fiction stories by Alan Kovski.

Available via Amazon.com

PICK UP LONGHORN LIFE TOMORROW WEDNESDAY 1/29/14 recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle

REMEMBER! you saw it in the Texan

Sign up for the Daily Digest and receive coupons DAILY! Scan this code >

H

6 SPTS 6 SPTS

6

STEFAN SCRAFIELD, SPORTS EDITOR / @texansports Tuesday, January 28, 2014

SIDELINE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Sophomore guard Empress Davenport throws up a shot during Texas’ game against West Virginia on Saturday. The Longhorns travel to Lawrence, Kan., on Tuesday to try and record their first Big 12 road win.

NBA RAPTORS

NETS

HAWKS

THUNDER

NHL BRUINS

ISLANDERS Shweta Gulati Daily Texan Staff

Horns look to end road woes

By Jori Epstein @JoriEpstein

Karen Aston, women’s basketball head coach, and the Longhorns know how to win a basketball game. They know how to beat ranked opponents, and they know how to outrebound, outscore, outplay and outlast conference and non-conference opponents alike.

But they haven’t figured out how to do it on the road.

Texas (13-6, 4-3 Big 12) has won 10 of its 11 home games this season, including four conference matches. But an unimpressive 1-4 road record reminds the team that it has yet to win a single conference away game. “[Our first match against West Virginia] was a road

game and when they got the momentum, that made the difference,” Aston said Jan. 15 after the Longhorns’ first game against the Jayhawks. “Just like the Oklahoma game made a difference here. When we gained momentum late in the game, the crowd was tremendous for us.”

In a rematch against West Virginia on Saturday, Texas redeemed an overtime loss from earlier in the season. Junior forward Nneka Enemkpali paced the Longhorns with a conference-high 21 rebounds and 15 points.

Aston said that “execution down the stretch” and maintaining play during final minutes of games will make or break remaining conference matchups.

Texas has shown a knack for mastering those tossups at home but has continued strong on the road. The Longhorns dropped each road conference match by single-digit margins.

“Right now our team is a little more comfortable at home,” Aston said after Texas’ first season matchup with Kansas at the Frank Erwin Center.

Texas did not trail the Jayhawks that game and recorded leads as high as 17 points. The Longhorns shot 47.1 percent in the first half and forced nine turnovers in that period alone. Yet protecting the ball wasn’t a task restricted to just half the court as Texas grabbed 22 offensive rebounds throughout the match.

Better clinic.

Better medicine.

Better clinic.

Better world.

Better medicine.

Everybody counts on having safe, effective medicine for anything from Better world.

the common cold to heart disease. But Everybody on having safe,is a making surecounts medications are safe effective medicine for anything complex and careful process. from the common cold to heart disease. But At PPD, we on healthy making surecount medications are volunteers safe is a to help evaluate medications complex and careful process. being developed – maybe like you. You must At PPD, we count on healthy meet certain requirements to volunteers qualify, to help evaluate medications including a free medical exambeing and developed – maybe You must screening tests.

We like haveyou. research meet certain requirements to qualify, studies available in many different including a free medical exam and lengths, and you’ll find current studies screening We have research listed heretests. weekly. studies available in many different PPD hasand been conducting research lengths, you’ll find current studies studieshere in Austin for more than 25 years. listed weekly.

Call today to find out more.

PPD has been conducting research studies in Austin for more than 25 years.

Call today to find out more.

Current Research Opportunities AgeAge Age Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55

Men and Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 45

Current Research OpportunitiesTimeline Compensation Requirements Timeline Compensation Requirements Compensation Up to $1200

Up to $3000

Requirements

Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 19 and 35

Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18 and 32 Weigh at least 132 lbs.

Timeline Tue. 11 Feb. through Thu. 13 Feb. Outpatient Visit: 18 Feb.

Thu. 13 Feb. through Mon. 17 Feb. Thu. 27 Feb. through Mon. 3 Mar. Outpatient Visits: 21 Feb. & 7 Mar.

“Texas was aggressive, they got us in transition and they got us on the glass,” Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson said after that game. “When you regress with those, those are the most aggressive things you can do is go get opportunities in transition and offensive rebounds.”

Numerous Longhorns contributed to securing the win against Kansas. But sophomore center Imani McGee-Stafford led the team, scoring a career-high 24 points and grabbed nearly half the team’s boards.

The Jayhawk defense had no answer.

“You have to get that [McGee-Stafford’s] head down and get more disruptive,” Henrickson said. “We have to be more active with her. We

COACH

continues from page 1 year, about 47 percent of Division college football players were black, according to the NCAA. Meanwhile, only 13 out of the 120 head football coaches in the FBS — or about 11 percent — were black in 2013.

Texas integrated its athletics programs in 1963, but it wasn’t until 1970 that Julius Whittier became the first black football player for the Longhorns, paving the way for players such as Earl Campbell in 1974.

College football has a more traditional, networkdriven way of hiring new head coaches, compared to professional sports like the NFL. The NFL’s Rooney Rule, which was established in 2003, requires teams to interview minority applicants when filling a vacant head coaching or senior operations position. The NCAA has no such rule in place.

Sociology professor Ben Carrington, whose research focuses on race and sports, told The Daily Texan in May 2012 that UT hiring a “wellpaid, well-qualified black head coach is the day we can really say we’ve changed.”

Now, less than two years later, Texas has made that change and Carrington believes it has

AVALANCHE

STARS

Texas @ Kansas

NCAAM Date: Tuesday Time: 7 p.m.

On air: ESPN3

(8) OKLA. ST.

(23) OKLAHOMA

sat behind her.”

McGee-Stafford and the Longhorns will look to avoid any hints of their previous road woes as they aim to maintain the level of competition they showed the Jayhawks at home.

They still know how to outrebound, outscore and outplay teams. And they’ve done it against Kansas. Tuesday night, Texas needs to show Kansas that maybe — just maybe — there is some place like home. come from the hiring of newly appointed men’s head athletic director Steve Patterson.

“It’s interesting that Steve Patterson has come from the professional sports world,” Carrington said. “Most of his experience is in the NBA and the NFL. And now, within four weeks, Steve Patterson had appointed an AfricanAmerican head coach, which hadn’t happened in the history of UT until then. So I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”

But Carrington said he believes the true test of this historic moment will be if Strong and other AfricanAmerican head coaches are given a second chance if they fail in their first attempt.

“I will say it will be a historic moment when these head coaches have bad seasons and they are rehired by somebody else if they are fired after that down turn,” Carrington said.

“I think that will be when that notion that there is a question mark against these AfricanAmerican head coaches will be truly gone. This is only a good first step.”

Strong, still adjusting to his new job in Austin, is now faced with his biggest challenge in what was former head coach Mack Brown’s strong suit: networking. Even after a disastrous 5-7 season in 2010, Brown kept his job for three extra seasons, partly by staying

TOP TWEET Jordan Hicks @JHicks_3

“First time jogging since September 21st, and it’s got me already excited for the season!”

in the good graces of boosters.

Strong, on the other hand, has already come under fire from boosters less than a month after his appointment.

Red McCombs, who has donated more than $100 million to the University, spoke out against Strong days after his hire, calling it a “kick in the face,” which he later apologized to Strong for.

In the end, Strong’s ability to win football games may quiet the doubters and prove that he is the right coach for the job.

“Change takes time,” said Paul Hewitt, past president of the Black Coaches and Administrators organization.

“But, that is the beautiful thing about sports, the good coach will always show. The scoreboard is the ultimate decider.”

Strong has recognized the historical significance of his hire. He understands his part in the changing world of college football, but, for him, the most important thing he has to do is what he was hired to do — coach football. “[The world] has changed and it will continue to change,” Strong said at his press conference. “That’s what it’s all about.

A lot of times people look at it, just being the minority. I’m just a football coach, a football coach directing young people’s lives and I want to change lives. That is the only thing I’m looking to do.”

Charlie Strong speaks to the media in his second press conference as the Longhorns’ newest head coach.

Men and Postmenopausal or Healthy & Tue. 18 Feb. through Thu. 20 Feb. Surgically Sterile Up to $1200 Non-Smoking Outpatient Visit: 25 Feb. Women BMI between 19 and 35 18 to 55 www.ppdi.com • 462-0492 • Text “PPD” to 48121 to receive study information

www.ppdi.com••512-462-0492 462-0492 • •Text www.ppdi.com Text“PPD” “PPD”toto48121 48121totoreceive receivestudy studyinformation information

Shelby Tauber Daily Texan Staff

COMICS COMICS 7 7

COMICS

7

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Edited by Will Shortz

Crossword

SUDOKUFORYOU t

8

3 7 5

1 4 5

5 7 8 1

t

1 8 3

4 9 7 3 6 2 7 9 4 8 7 5 4 8 2

SUDOKUFORYOU t8 1 4 5 7 8 1S4 5 7 3 7 5 5 3 77 8 1 5 U 1 8 3 5 7D8 1 4 9 7 1 O 8 3 3 6 2 7 9 4 8 K 7 5 4 8 2 U7 4 9

SUDOKUFORYOU Arrr matey. This scurrvy beast is today’s answerrrrrr.

Crop it out, or it’ll be the the fishes for ya!

9 6 8 3 1 4 5 2 7 3 7 1 5 6 2 4 8 9 4 5 2 9 7 8 6 1 3 5 2 7 1 9 6 8 3 4 1 8 3 2 4 5 7 9 6 6 4 9 8 3 7 1 5 2 8 3 4 6 2 1 9 7 5 2 1 6 7 5 9 3 4 8 7Today’s 9 solution 5 4will appear 8 3here2next6issue1

7

5 6 9 8 1 7 4 2 3

1 2 8 3 4 9 6 5 7

2 9 5 7 8 3 1 4 6

4 8 1 6 2 5 7 3 9

3 7 6 1 9 4 5 8 2

9 1 3 4 7 8 2 6 5

6 5 2 9 3 1 8 7 4

8 4 7 2 5 6 3 9 1

28 Born: Fr. 29 Predecessor of 36-Across and sharer with him of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize 31 Dog tail motions 33 Abbr. at the end of a French business name 34 Knot 35 Chicago White ___ 36 Late political leader who wrote “Long Walk to Freedom” 42 “___ a living” 43 Hubbub 44 ___-advised 46 Father, in Xhosa, and a nickname for 36-Across 48 Bygone policy in 60-Across 51 Boycott 52 Vote for 54 Reads carefully

S U D O K U F O R YPrep to Othe highest Udegree.

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE C R O P

O A R S

M A T E

E B A Y

R A F T S

I V O R Y

S U D O

Today’s solution will appear here next issue

7 3 4 5 6 2 9 1 8

ACROSS 1 United rival, once 4 Large number 8 With 68-Across, prison where 36-Across spent 18 years 14 Enjoy a repast 15 Green land 16 Philippine seaport with a reduplicative name 17 Cockpit reading: Abbr.

18 With 60-Across, 1994-99 role for 36-Across 20 Yeats’s “___ and the Swan” 22 Non-U.S. gas brand 23 “Oh no!”

24 Class of automobile inspired by the Ford Mustang 26 In the back, nautically speaking

L I Z A

A C R D C I O S P L M P I G G T H A N E O M A S K E I T T E S M O E T V E R P H E C O E G M A C H A M H A N E S T

E N E M Y

S C R I B E

T O M C A T

C O T H Q U O B R O E N N I N E N O I E R N

B O N G A M O R W H A L E A N A G C K I N G O N O J O S E B A N K I W I I E A S T S I X O I N K S O O O H M A K E S H O D

55 River that can be seen from the Uffizi Gallery 57 Geezer 59 Zero ___ (near) 60 See 18-Across 63 Acid holder 65 Rubbernecker 66 Glitch 67 Flight board posting, for short 68 See 8-Across 69 Watch like a wolf 70 “Oedipus ___” DOWN 1 Kind of party 2 Be immersed by 3 Barack or Michelle Obama, at the memorial service for 36-Across 4 Prepare to travel again 5 Make known 6 Unlimited latitude 7 “___ of the D’Urbervilles” 8 Finished with 9 Corrida cry 10 Skeletal 11 Harsh, as winter winds 12 Runs off, as Romeo with Juliet 13 Checking account come-on 19 Author Dinesen 21 L’Oréal product 24 Enlistee with a chevron above an arc: Abbr.

25 Some horns

1

2

3

4

14

5

6

7

18 20

22

24

26

29

27

30

33

31

34

40

48

56

60

28

43

52

55

13

32

39

47

51

12

35

38

42 46

11

23

25

37

10

19

21

36

9

16

49

53 57

41

44

45

63

64

50

54 58

61

59 62

65

66

67

68

69

70

PUZZLE BY DAVID J. KAHN

27 Having no depth, briefly

40 Covers

30 Draw up new boundaries for

45 Mormons: Abbr.

32 Log chopper 35 Saw logs

41 Estrange 46 Fortunetelling decks

37 Illuminated

47 Like many physicals

38 “Don’t go anywhere”

48 Beginning

39 Evolving

49 Battlefield procedure

50 Part of Attila’s legion 51 Low voices 53 Online greeting 56 Other, in Oaxaca 58 Approximately 61 Rooster’s mate 62 Low-___ (for weight-watchers) 64 Strain

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554.

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information.

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

MCAT® | LSAT® | GMAT® | GRE® Available:

8

15

17

No. 1224

In Person

LiveOnline

Use promo code DailyTexan$150 to save $150 on classroom prep.

PrincetonReview.com | 800-2Review

8 L&A

HANNAH SMOTHERS, LIFE&ARTS EDITOR / @DailyTexanArts Tuesday, January 28, 2014

MUSIC

8

BOOK REVIEW | ‘THIS STAR WON’T GO OUT’

Photo courtesy of Yoon S. Byun

Esther Earl is the girl many think inspired the main character in John Green’s award-winning novel “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Memoir details young girl’s battle with cancer

By Sarah Montgomery @withalittlejazz

Abbey Grimes / Daily Texan Staff

Band manager Jules Esh and band members from Our Glass plan to recreate Earphoria, a Chicago hostel catering to musicians, here in Austin. The hostel will be a community where music lovers can stay overnight, play instruments and collaborate.

Austin to gain new hostel

By Sam Hays

@samingtonhays

Hostel Earphoria is a hostel for musicians and music lovers, a place of collaboration and the manifestation of founder Jules Esh’s 8-year-old vision. And it’s coming to Austin this year.

Esh started Hostel Earphoria in January 2012 in Chicago’s Logan Square. On the surface, the hostel is a temporary home for musicians.

Anyone is welcome, but musicians pay a reduced rate to stay overnight and access the hostel’s musician-friendly amenities, such as pianos and guitars donated by friends of the community.

But Hostel Earphoria has become more than just a place to spend the night. A constant stream of musicians who create, share and perform music move in and out of Earphoria’s open doors.

Ben Maroney, a sound engineer and current head of the hostel in Chicago, says he loves what he’s seen Earphoria become over the years.

“It’s really interesting seeing all these people from different backgrounds meet this collaborative goal and make this happen,” Maroney said. “Everyone who’s involved in the community cares.”

Over the course of two years, Earphoria created a physical location for a large portion of Chicago’s music scene. Tim

John, a Chicago writer and musician, found out about Hostel Earphoria Chicago through Air BNB, an online booking agency. He intended to stay one night, but became a part of the community for months.

“The hostel itself has an extremely cool vibe,” John said.

“There’s great shows on the weekends, and a string of traveling musicians and music lovers comes through during the summer. There’s a community with regular participants, and it’s all focused and centered around music.”

With the success of Hostel Earphoria in Chicago, Esh and a team of four others from the Earphoria community decided to leave the flourishing Chicago hostel and bring their idea to a new front. They knew they wanted a city where music was the focal point of the culture instead of just part of it, so they set their sights on Austin.

Esh moved to Austin three months ago with a goal: She wanted to bring the same sense of community which held Hostel Earphoria Chicago together so well, to the Austin music scene. For Esh, it’s the next of many communitycentered projects.

The Earphoria idea started with a music podcast Esh started in 2006 from her home in Whitehall, Mich., after leaving her job in community

There are musicians here that can bring others together. When you bring people together, things happen.

—Jules Esh, founder of Hostel Earphoria

development. She interviewed musicians, recorded their performances and shared the content with her followers.

When Esh moved to Chicago in 2007, her Earphoria podcast attracted the attention of tech-savvy, creative-minded people she met through her day job at Apple, and they were soon ready to join Esh in taking the concept of Earphoria further.

“I realized that it was more about creating a community of people who could do this, that I wasn’t the only listener that wanted to interview their favorite musicians or the only listener that could,” Esh said.

“This started a more physical community, and people started going out and doing their own interviews.”

Earphoria grew from a podcast to a music blog, with an ambitious team of audiophiles, led by Esh. She quickly realized the Earphoria engine was self-sustaining, allowing her to envision a new direction for the idea.

“Here was a big group of people who always wanted to be together, playing music and relating,” Esh said. “That’s

Plenty of FREE PARKING!

512-­‐443-­‐3911 3005 South Lamar #110-­‐A • 512-­‐462-­‐4646

THIS STAR WON’T GO OUT Author: Esther Earl Publisher: Dutton Books Pages: 431

before, during and after cancer. It tracks her childhood and the family while they lived in various cities where Earl first discovered she had fluid in her lungs and thyroid cancer, which is rare among the young. From there, the dates on Earl’s journal entries, messages to family and friends and photos guide the story along.

Included among Earl’s writings are pieces by her closest friends and their conversations together as a part of a collaborative group called Catitude.

Catitude was created by Earl and her friends as a “nerdfighter” group, which are fans of John and Hank Green’s vlog series and who support all things nerd-tastic. The messages show the group connecting on nonserious topics, such as Harry Potter and games. But they also expose the love and support they have toward one another on more serious topics through the time Earl revealed her disease to them. Although Catitude members lived all across the U.S., they gathered for the first time in real life for Earl’s Make-AWish request.

Unlike many people we read about who have passed away who leave many unanswered questions, Earl’s journal entries open her mind as a free place to peek and prod. Her deepest passions and thoughts are revealed through the text, and the reader can see her handwriting, scribbles and doodles as even more proof that she lived.

From her prayers to God to her teenage hopes of having her first kiss, Earl is not an idea of a person wrapped up in a disease; she is relatable, full and real. In many parts of the book you lose sight of the illness completely and understand that this book really isn’t a story about cancer, it’s about life with all the sickness and messiness and friendship in between.

@thedailytexan Follow us for news, updates, and more.

Now OPEN TO BUY at 3005 So. Lamar between Torchy’s & Kerbey Lane! Bring in your gently worn designer & trendy clothing for guys & girls before our Grand Opening in March and get FIRST SHOT with a VIP ticket to our Pre-­‐G.O. Event!

when I had the vision of having an actual space where artists could stay when they were touring and individuals who were musicians could stay without the fear of upsetting their neighbor or their roommates.”

Five years after its inception, it was time for Earphoria to have a physical location. Esh wanted to create a location for the music community in Chicago. Esh found a home in late 2011, and, a month later in January 2012, Hostel Earphoria was fully operational.

Now, two years later, Esh and her team face a similar challenge in the real estate jungle of Austin. In a city that saw a 12-percent spike in property values last year, local musicians are finding it harder and harder to live close to downtown, the hub of the live music scene. The Earphoria crew said they know they can be a valuable resource to musicians in Austin.

“There are musicians here that can bring others together,” Earphoria co-founder Lydia Palazzolo said. “When you bring people together, things happen. Austin is full of creativity. Chicago is a big city with lots of restrictions.

Here, it’s more of a DIY community. There is more openness to musicians and to the creative mind.”

David Click, an audio engineer who joined Esh and others here in Austin, is optimistic that Earphoria’s addition to Austin will prove to be beyond beneficial. “[Earphoria] is extremely open to new things and new people,” Click said. “The community is very supportive. It’s like a family of musicians, all working for the cause.”

Esh and her team are relentlessly searching for Hostel Earphoria’s Austin location and hope to have it up and running as soon as July 1.

“We’re not here temporarily — we want to do something fantastic,” Esh said. “Everything forms around music here. We want to bring Austin that same sense of community.”

On Thanksgiving Day 2009, 12-year-old Esther Earl was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after experiencing abnormal chest pain and fatigue. Today, her short but powerful story is a 400-plus page manifestation of the fullness even the shortest lives can have.

“This Star Won’t Go Out” chronicles the life of Earl, whom many believe was the inspiration for John Green’s best selling novel “The Fault in Our Stars.” The book starts out with an introduction

by Green, Earl’s favorite author and close friend.

While he claims that his novel is only dedicated to Earl — not based on her — there are many similarities between the two, including that they both use an oxygen tank, have pixie haircuts, thyroid cancer and a deep love for literature.

Speculation aside, the book is not about Green, “The Fault in Our Stars” or even cancer. It’s about Earl.

The novel is Earl’s posthumously published work made up of a compilation of her journal entries, message-board conversations and drawings.

In addition to her own work, there is input from friends, family and Earl’s parents, Lori and Wayne, who were the main force behind compiling her writings and getting them published.

Earl’s passion for storytelling grew at a young age, and, accordingly, she spent a lot of her time in her early childhood reading and writing diary entries and stories.

From the beginning, her voice is loud and clearly spoken. The book opens with a quote from Earl: “This is a story about a girl that went through this life changing experience known as Thyroid Cancer. It’s not one of those dramatic ‘based on a true story’ cancer things … It’s a story about me, Esther Earl, having a sickness that’s pretty scary.”

Although Earl, who would be turning 20 this year, died in 2010, this publication ensures her presence among literature. Her parents also created the nonprofit “This Star Won’t Go Out” in dedication of Earl to raise money for families in need.

The book goes through the timeline of Earl’s life

Check out more of The Daily Texan on our Facebook page, or online at dailytexanonline.com