1
NEWS PAGE 3
LIFE&ARTS PAGE 8
SPORTS PAGE 6
Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
@thedailytexan
facebook.com/dailytexan
Thursday, March 20, 2014
dailytexanonline.com
bit.ly/dtvid
CITY
THROWBACK
Stealth dorm study ruled insufficient
Unjust 1984 execution a reminder of ethical issue
By Alyssa Mahoney @ TheAlyssaM
Austin City Council may choose to vote on banning so-called “stealth dorms” at its meeting Thursday, even though a study assessing the impact of the ban on housing affordability concluded that there was not sufficient time to determine the potential effects of
the ban. The study, which was released Monday, was conducted in six weeks, although Sheryl Cole, city councilwoman and mayor pro tem, originally proposed that an eight-week period be allowed. The council ultimately voted in favor of Councilman Chris Riley’s amendment to shorten the analysis
period to six weeks, which passed 6-1. In February, Austin City Council made an initial vote to pass the city code amendment, which would lower the number of unrelated adults who can live together in a house or duplex from six individuals to four. The amendment would only apply to residential complexes built in
the future. The amendment must be voted on two additional times before it is passed, with the second vote scheduled for Thursday, though Cole, speaking at a Student Government meeting Tuesday, said there is a possibility the council will take both the second and final votes necessary Thursday. The economic study
was conducted by the Austin Board of Realtors, who worked with Civic Analytics LLC, a research and consulting firm. Civic Analytics founder Brian Kelsey, who was the principal researcher of the analysis, said in the report he thinks a more in-depth analysis is necessary if City
STUDY page 2
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Young Texas team ready for Arizona State
two years ago in its first game, 65-59. For the rest of Holmes’ young teammates, this will be their first chance at the
TOURNAMENT page 6
PUNISHMENT page 2
@callahangarrett
Shelby Tauber / Daily Texan Staff
Freshman guard Kendall Yancy goes up against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. Yancy will be one of many Longhorns who will play in the NCAA tournament for the first time when the Longhorns face Arizona State on Thursday.
to struggle on offense. Additionally, neither team finished its season strongly: Texas lost five of its last eight games, while Arizona State fell in five of its last seven contests.
“We’ve been struggling lately, but I promise you coming into the NCAA tournament we’ll be ready,” freshman guard Isaiah Taylor said. “We’re ready to face anyone.”
Only junior forward Jonathan Holmes, the lone upperclassman on the team with a scholarship, has played in the tournament previously. Texas fell to Cincinnati
@kevsharifi
The lead sentence of a Sept. 11, 1984 Daily Texan article reads, “Denouncing the system that rejected his final pleas, Timothy Baldwin early Monday died in Louisiana’s electric chair for beating an elderly, blind neighbor to death with a frying pan.” According to the article, Baldwin had been accused of beating to death Mary James Peters, the godmother of his youngest son, with a telephone, a skillet and a stool in 1978. Baldwin, whose appeals were rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, maintained until his death that he was innocent. “I’ve always tried to be a good sport when I’ve lost at something,” Baldwin said. “And I see no reason not to leave this world with the same policy.” A sheriff ’s deputy swore during the trail that officers had beaten and tortured a confession out of Baldwin, and, by the time defense lawyers found a hotel receipt proving that he had been 100 miles away on the night of the murder, it was already too late. Capital punishment has become an issue of even greater contention today. With approximately five
By Garrett Callahan After missing the NCAA tournament last season for the first time under head coach Rick Barnes, No. 7-seeded Texas is set to face No. 10-seeded Arizona State in the Midwest region of the tournament Thursday in Milwaukee, Wisc. “We felt great seeing our name up there [on the bracket], especially after last year,” sophomore guard Demarcus Holland said. “It’s just an opportunity to keep playing basketball and play at the highest level. Every team that is in this tournament has a chance to win.” This is just the fifth time Texas and Arizona State have faced each other, and the first time in the NCAA tournament. The last time these two schools matched up was in 1999. The Longhorns (23-10, 11-7 Big 12) and the Sun Devils (21-11, 10-8 Pac-12) are evenly matched heading into the second round of the tournament. Both teams possess a strong defensive front but are prone
By Kevin Sharifi
CAMPUS
Fraternity declares plan to eliminate pledgeship By Jeremy Thomas @jeremyobthomas
One of the largest fraternities in the nation announced earlier this month that it would eliminate pledging. As of March 9, Sigma Alpha Epsilon had implemented a new program called the True Gentlemen Experience with the goal to improve the educational and leadership experience of its members. If they choose to, local chapters and colonies may continue recruiting prospective members as they do currently, but new members must be initiated within 96 hours of receiving a membership bid. Brandon Weghorst, associate executive director of communication at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said
members of the board of directors were elected this past summer and have worked to find a solution to improve the undergraduate member experience. Weghorst said no one event or incident prompted the Supreme Council to make this decision. A Bloomberg News investigation revealed last December that since 2006, nine people have died in events related to Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapters nationwide, the most of any Greek organization. One of those deaths occurred at UT in 2006. That year, Tyler Cross, a pledge at the UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, died from a fifth-floor fall at an off-campus dormitory. According to police investigators, Cross and other pledges
endured hazing that night as they were forced to consume large amounts of alcohol, were beaten with bamboo and paddles and were sleep deprived. Members of the fraternity’s UT chapter were contacted for comment on the elimination of pledging but did not respond. Weghorst said he would not have access to know whether the UT chapter accepts or rejects the new policy. He said he has not received any information about any chapter rejecting the new policy. According to Weghorst, stiff consequences would occur as a result of not following the new policy. “If there are chapters
OATH page 2
Sarah Montgomery / Daily Texan Staff
The national fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon will end its use of traditional pledging, which will impact the UT chapter’s future way of recruiting new members.
The Daily Texan needs your input! Please take a minute to complete the Audience Survey at: dailytexanonline.com/survey.
Or simply use your smart phone to scan this QR code.
2 2
Thursday, March 20, 2014
OATH
FRAMES featured photo
continues from page 1
Volume 114, Issue 123
CONTACT US Main Telephone (512) 471-4591 Editor Laura Wright (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor Shabab Siddiqui (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com News Office (512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com Retail Advertising (512) 471-1865 joanw@mail.utexas.edu Classified Advertising (512) 471-5244 classifieds@ dailytexanonline.com Lauren Ussery / Daily Texan Staff 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.
CORRECTION Because of an editing error, a story about a tuition proposal on the March 19 issue of The Daily Texan misstated the proposed percent increase for in-state undergraduate tuition. The proposal is recommending a 2.6 percent increase.
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
76
62
Moderate meta
Undeclared sophomore Alisa Zambrano and radio-television-film senior Madison Probus sit at Littlefield Patio Cafe.
STUDY
continues from page 1 Council members want to know the impact the ban would have on housing affordability. Kelsey said he does not know how long a more indepth analysis would take but thinks it would be beneficial to make any significant conclusions. “You really need a housing economist to weigh in on this, or at least somebody much more familiar than I am with housing economics,” Kelsey said. “If more time leads to a more thoughtful analysis and results in a more data-driven evaluation of the proposed policy, then I’m all for it.” According to Kelsey, the report reflects a city-wide issue rather than one that pertains only to University students. Kelsey said the city requested data from UT that could not be produced in the six weeks allotted for the report. “It’s a preliminary analysis that was done in a span of about 72 hours after waiting nearly four weeks to collect as much data as we could,” Kelsey said. “My hope is that it presents a
new way of analyzing the issue and that it can undergo some peer review and further refinement if anybody is interested in additional study.” Lorre Weidlich, Hyde Park Neighborhood Association steering committee co-president, said she does not think the progress of the amendment will be affected by the report’s findings. “[The researcher] drew some correlations, but, aside from that, he couldn’t draw any causations,” Weidlich said. “I don’t think the city council members will find this report any more useful than I did. I doubt that [they’ll request more time].” According to Weidlich, the association cannot afford to wait much longer for the amendment to pass because historic houses
would be torn down by developers and replaced with large duplexes. “This ordinance is only for two years,” Weidlich said. “Take that two years and do a good analysis during that period, and then revisit the question.” When the council originally debated and passed the first vote, councilman Bill Spelman — the only council member who voted against the ordinance — said he felt the data was necessary in order to make an informed decision. “We’re flying blind,” said Spelman, who also serves as a professor in the LBJ School of Public Affairs. “We’re talking about a potentially enormous change in land usage in the city without any analysis, with only qualitative affordability assessments.”
Better clinic.
Better medicine. At PPD, we count on healthy volunteers Better world. to help evaluate medications being developed –counts maybeon likehaving you. You must Everybody safe, meet certain requirements to qualify, effective medicine for anything from including a free and But the common coldmedical to heartexam disease. screening tests. We have research making sure medications are safe is a studies available in many different complex and careful process. lengths, and you’ll find current studies At PPD,here weweekly. count on healthy volunteers listed to help evaluate medications being PPD has been conducting developed – maybe like you.research You must studies in Austin for more 25 years. meet certain requirementsthan to qualify, Call today to find out more. including a free medical exam and screening tests. We have research studies available in many different lengths, and you’ll find current studies listed here weekly. PPD has been conducting research
studies in Austin for more than 25 years. Current Research Opportunities
Issue Staff
Business and Advertising
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
3/20/14
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)
times the number of prisoners executed than in second-place Virginia, Texas leads all other U.S. states in number of executed prisoners since 1976. As of Wednesday’s execution of prisoner Ray Jasper, Texas has executed 511 prisoners — all via lethal injection — since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1976 decision to reinstate the death penalty. Jaspers, an aspiring rapper who slit a music studio manager’s throat in 1998 during a recording session before an accomplice killed the victim by inflicting 25 stab wounds, was executed last night around 6 p.m. He had written a letter condemning the United States’
Everybody counts on having safe, effective medicine for anything from the common cold to heart disease. But making sure medications are safe is a complex and careful process.
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, Lauren Ussery 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, Kritika Kulshrestha, David Sackllah, Alex Williams 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 Senior Technical Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Shen, Roy Varney Special Ventures Co-editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Blanchard, Chris Hummer Online Outreach Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred Tally-Foos Journalism Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Brick
(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
continues from page 1
Better medicine. Better world.
Permanent Staff
Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kate Dannenmaier, Adam Hamze, Nicole Stiles, Natalie Sullivan Multimedia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Kurth, Sarah Montgomery, Amy Zang Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Leffler, Kunal Patel, Scarlett Smith Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sean Armas, Pauline Berens, Andy Boyd Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Butler, Calhan Hale, Andy McMahon, Isabella Palacios, Riki Tsuji Life&Arts Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Montgomery, Robert Starr Columnist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck Matula
PUNISHMENT
Better clinic.
This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25
Call today to find out more.
AgeAge Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 50
Age Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55 Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55
Compensation Compensation Requirements Requirements
Timeline Timeline
that don’t want to comply or follow the policies that are set forth by the national organization, they won’t hesitate to take corrective action [such as] suspending, expelling a few members, to closing an entire chapter,” Weghorst said. Elizabeth Medina, assistant dean of students, said the Office of the Dean of Students hopes Sigma Alpha Epsilon will meet the expectations of the national organization, but she thinks it is too soon to tell what impact the ruling may have on the UT chapter. “The national headquarters very recently articulated these expectations, and so now it’s going to be a process of, at least for that individual chapter and that organization, meeting those expectations and walking through that process,” Medina said. “I think that is something that will take some time to play out.” education and penal systems for their treatment of people of color. “Under the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, all prisoners in America are considered slaves,” Jaspers wrote. “We look at slavery like it’s a thing of the past, but you can go to any penitentiary in this nation and you will see slavery.” Debate continues over whether retributive justice is the result of mere blood thirst or human rights can actually be protected by what many would argue to be, paradoxically, a violation of human rights. UT law student Kim Dusseldorp said she feels that, although the laws of a nation must represent the norms of that society, a government should not preach by example that capital punishment is warrantable, considering there are other punishments that suffice, such as life without parole. “I feel the death penalty has more to do with vengeance than justice,” Dusseldorp said. “It is about how civilized people are. It is inhumane and [involves] lowering yourself to the level of the convict. … There is also no proof that capital punishment has a deterrent effect on other potential criminals.” Because Rashad Owens, the intoxicated driver charged with plowing into a crowd of festivalgoers Thursday during South By Southwest, is, according to APD, likely to be charged with capital murder — making him eligible for the death penalty — it’s possible that issues regarding capital punishment will become even more relevant in the coming months.
Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees Meeting Friday, March 21, 2014
Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18 and 33
Thu. 27 Mar. through Mon. 31 Mar.
Up to $1500 Outpatient Visit: 3 Apr. Current Research Opportunities
Compensation Up to $3000
Up to $4500
Requirements
Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18 and 30 Weigh at least 110 lbs.
Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18.1 and 32
Timeline Thu. 3 Apr. through Sun. 6 Apr. Thu. 10 Apr. through Sun. 13 Apr. Outpatient Visit: 17 Apr.
Thu. 3 Apr. through Mon. 7 Apr. Thu. 24 Apr. through Mon. 28 Apr. Multiple Outpatient Visits
www.ppdi.com • 462-0492 • Text “PPD” to 48121 to receive study information Healthy & Men and Women 18 to 55
NEWS
Up to $4000
Non-Smoking BMI between 19 and 30 Females must weigh at least 110 lbs. Males must weigh at least 130 lbs.
Thu. 3 Apr. through Sun. 6 Apr. Thu. 10 Apr. through Sun. 13 Apr. Thu. 17 Apr. through Sun. 20 Apr. Thu. 24 Apr. through Sun. 27 Apr.
www.ppdi.com Text“PPD” “PPD”toto48121 48121to toreceive receivestudy studyinformation information www.ppdi.com• •512-462-0492 462-0492 ••Text
Executive Committee Meeting 12:00 p.m. Board of Operating Trustees Meeting 1:00 p.m. William Randolph Hearst Bldg. HSM 4.122 2500 Whitis Avenue
Visitors Welcome
We encourage any community member who has any kind of temporary or permanent disability to contact Texas Student Media beforehand so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Anyone is welcome to attend.
The Daily Texan • Texas Student TEXAS T Television • KVRX 91.7 FM • STUDEN MEDIA Texas Travesty • Cactus Yearbook • Longhorn Life
W&N 3
NEWS
3
Thursday, March 20, 2014
UNIVERSITY
Electronic cigarettes included in UT ban By Nicole Stiles @nicolestiles42
While many universities continue to grapple with unclear policies regarding recently popular electronic cigarettes, UT set a clear ban on them during the 2012 tobacco-free initiative. Adrienne Howarth-Moore, director of UT’s Human Resource Services, said the decision to include other smoking devices that do not directly use tobacco, including e-cigarettes, in the tobacco-free campus initiative was based in part on the unknown potential health risks e-cigarettes pose to nonsmokers. “E-cigarettes are not currently regulated by the FDA and there is not sufficient safety information available to address bystanders’ concerns of being exposed to ecigarette vapors,” HowarthMoore said. ”The University benchmarked the definition used by other institutions already tobacco free and consulted with the Austin Travis County Health and Human
Services Department.” Howarth-Moore said banning e-cigarettes was part of the stipulation for tobaccofree campus funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, or CPRIT. “CPRIT does include e-cigarettes as a prohibited item for purposes of certifying an entity as meeting their tobacco free criteria,” Howarth-Moore said. “To allow e-cigarettes would jeopardize CPRIT funding.” According to HowarthMoore, there was a student survey given in 2011 about opinions toward cigarettes on campus, but there was never a similar survey for e-cigarettes. Howarth-Moore said the ban on e-cigarettes was approved by representatives from multiple organization on campus, including Student Government, Staff Council and Faculty Council. English junior Alexa Capareda said she doesn’t think e-cigarettes are bothersome in the same way as regular cigarettes. But she said when people are allowed to smoke
Aaron Dugan, coowner of Austin City Vapors, smokes a vanilla and banana-flavored vapor from his electronic cigarette. The ecigarette ban on campus has not affected sales at the store, Dugan said.
Andrea Kurth Daily Texan Staff
them in enclosed spaces, it can be uncomfortable. “They don’t smell so they aren’t as bad, but I saw someone smoking one on the bus and it caught me off guard,” Capareda said. “Maybe people shouldn’t be allowed
PHOTO BRIEFLY
to smoke them in enclosed spaces, like on a bus.” Elysse Alvarado, international and global relations junior, said she believes ecigarettes do not seem to be a problem on campus. “I’ve never seen anyone
After successful run as politician, alumnus Robert Strauss dies at 95 @madlinbmek
Illustration by Aaron Rodriguez / Daily Texan Staff
Video tour highlights statues scattered across campus From the imposing glare of James Stephen Hogg on the South Mall to the iconic mustangs outside Darrell K. Royal stadium, the statues around campus all tell a part of our collective history as Longhorns, as Texans
and as Americans. Take a video tour of the many statues on campus and their history with The Daily Texan’s new interactive map at www.dailytexanonline.com —Dan Resler
UNIVERSITY Men’s head athletic director Steve Patterson at his introductory news conference in November. Patterson announced Saturday that UT will play one regular season men’s basketball game in China in 2015.
Sarah Montgomery Daily Texan Staff
Overseas basketball game to help strengthen international UT brand @ leilakristi
With the UT men’s basketball team scheduled to head overseas to play a regular season game in China in 2015 against the University of Washington, Univeristy officials said they hope to strengthen and expand UT’s global brand. The game, which was announced Saturday, will be the first regular season basketball game to be held in the country for any U.S. collegiate or professional team. UT men’s head athletic director Steve Patterson, a proponent of Pac-12’s Globalization Initiative to promote goodwill and cultural exchange, said he sees the game as an opportunity for expansion and strengthening of the Longhorn brand. “We have national advertising and marketing programs through the Longhorn Network and other broadcast and digital outlets, but we are excited about initiatives like the China game, as it
e-cigarettes has not been detrimental to business. “I don’t feel like the ban has affected business because this is something that people are using to quit,” Dugan said. “If they want to quit, they are going to use it.”
LEGACY
By Madlin Mekelburg
By Leila Ruiz
smoking an electronic cigarette, I didn’t even know they were banned,” Alvarado said. Aaron Dugan, part owner of smoke shop Austin City Vapors on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, said having an on-campus ban on
provides a high profile way to showcase the UT brand and our long-standing global philosophy,” said Kathleen Mabley, director of brand marketing and creative services for the University. The decision to hold a game overseas comes as the National Basketball Association hosts its current season with 10 games played overseas in eight different countries, the most international games played in one season in NBA history. China specifically is a target for marketing basketball, as it is the NBA’s second largest market outside of the United States, according to an article in The New Yorker. Asian studies professor Chiu-Mi Lai said basketball was the first major professional sport to target the Chinese market. According to Lai, international players, such as former Houston Rockets player Yao Ming, as well as popular March Madness tournament brackets, have helped to increase that popularity. Lai said he
believes the excitement for the game overseas will be infectious, as there is a large demographic of Chinese and Taiwanese UT alumni and students in China. “The UT name is wellknown, and having a degree from UT is well-regarded [in China],” Lai said. “Having a strong brand in China is not only good business sense but important to increase one’s global presence.” Carleton Teel, finance junior and UT basketball fan, said he thinks the game is an interesting and highly beneficial step toward increasing UT’s overall brand around the world. “There’s no doubt — if you go around places now — everyone knows what ‘hook ’em’ is around China,” Teel said. “It’ll prompt people to do more research on UT as a whole — not just athletics.” The game will be broadcast on ESPN and is tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. in Beijing on Nov. 14, 2015, or 9 p.m. in Austin on Nov. 13, 2015.
Robert Strauss, UT alumnus and former Democratic Party leader, died in his Washington, D.C., home on Wednesday. He was 95. Strauss, who received his undergraduate and law degree from UT, worked as a special agent for the FBI following his graduation in 1941. Later, he established his own law firm in Dallas, which eventually became known as Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. Strauss has deep ties to UT, as he and his law firm endowed the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law to UT. Strauss also served as the Lloyd Bensten chair at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. In 1989, the UT System
Board of Regents established the “Robert S. Strauss Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law” to benefit the School of Law. Funds for the scholarship were provided by Strauss’ law firm in his honor. Strauss’ political career started when he was still an undergraduate student at UT, as he had the opportunity to work on President Lyndon B. Johnson’s first congressional campaign. Later, Strauss managed both of President Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaigns and advised presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush while they were in office. While working under Bush, Strauss was sent to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union because he was a self-defined “expert on people.” Strauss is survived by three children. His wife,
Robert Strauss
Former Ambassador
Hellen Strauss died in 2006. No memorial service has been scheduled. Strauss — who was renowned for his quick wit, biting humor and self-reflective nature — reportedly told anyone who would listen: “It ain’t braggin’ if you’ve done it.” Parts of this story was compiled using reports from the Associated Press.
CAMPUS
Human rights activist covers plight of Palestinians in Gaza By Adam Hamze @adamhamz
The Society for Islamic Awareness hosted Canadian rights activist and journalist Eva Bartlett to speak of her experience living in and reporting from the Gaza Strip since November 2008, and to explain the type of human rights violations committed by the Israeli Defense Forces that she witnessed during her stay. Bartlett went to the Gaza Strip with the International Solidarity Movement, a grassroots organization that works to aid the Palestinian population. Bartlett said she directly worked with citizens and witnessed firsthand the nature of the situation, saying the United Nations and other organizations argue that, because Israel controls the Gaza Strip, it has an obligation to support the well being of its people. “Instead of looking after the well being of Palestinians in Gaza, [Israel’s] policies are designed to find and attack every aspect of life in Gaza and make it literally unbearable,” Bartlett said. According to Bartlett, Israeli forces fire live ammunition at fishermen and farmers near Israeli borders, regardless of the fact that they operate within the legal boundaries. During her presentation, Bartlett showed a number of videos of these events, all of which she was
Sarah Montgomery / Daily Texan Staff
Canadian activist Eva Bartlett speaks as a part of her 2014 tour around the U.S. to discuss issue of human rights in Palestine.
present for. The Gaza Strip spans 140 square miles, with a population of 1.7 million. In 2013, its unemployment rate was 31 percent. Bartlett said Israeli forces impose tight restrictions on the region’s imports and exports, severely affecting the health of Palestinians. According to Bartlett, 80 percent of the population relies on food aid — a 70 percent increase from 2001. “Until mid 2010, Israeli authorities were banning everything from entering Gaza, except for 40 items,” Bartlett said. “This is how sadistic their policies are.” Bartlett said she believes Western media does not show the hardships experienced by Palestinians. “A scene you will never see in our corporate media is a Palestinian suffering.”
Bartlett said. Tracy Frydberg, Middle Eastern studies and journalism junior and president of Texans for Israel, referred to the conflict as a complex and emotional issue, saying the Israeli policies were put in place to protect the people of Israel. “The Israeli Defense Force is an incredibly moral army, based on defending the state of Israel and its people.” Frydberg said. Christina Noriega, journalism junior and president of Palestine Solidarity Committee, said the conflict has been inaccurately portrayed to the public by the media. “This is not a war of equal sides but, rather, a blatant Israeli occupation involving the systematic displacement of the indigenous Palestinian community,” Noriega said.
4A OPINION
LAURA WRIGHT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / @TexanEditorial Thursday, March 20 , 2014
4
EDITORIAL
No easy solution for the future of the Texan By Laura Wright
Daily Texan Editor-in-Chief @wrightlauras
It’s been nearly a year since I assumed the editorship of the Texan, but in many ways, it feels like I’m right where I was when I first took the job. On Friday, the Texas Student Media Board of Trustees, which oversees the operations of The Daily Texan as well as TSM’s four other student media properties, will consider potential solutions to the newspaper’s persistent and ever-growing budget shortfall. On the table will be, just like last year, a drastic cut to The Daily Texan’s print schedule. This year, the cut under consideration is even larger — from a five-day-a-week Daily Texan to a one-day-aweek Daily Texan, if, as many have suggested, a paper that prints only one day a week should even continue using “Daily” in its name. Because the Texan — like most newspapers — is heavily dependent on the revenue generated from print advertising, cutting the paper’s print product would mean cost savings, but it would also cut into the Texan’s main source of revenue at a time when there is no reasonable plan to replace it. Consequently, such a cut would be less of a “strategic move to digital” than a desperate move toward declining revenue and subsequent slow death. The difference is that the Texan, unlike most newspapers, is at the behest of University administrators, from President William Powers Jr. on down. And given their inability to do anything more than lament the paper’s dire situation, the Texan’s end looms imminent. In the past five years alone, the role of TSM director has changed hands three times. Most recently, former TSM Director Jalah Goette abruptly resigned in December in yet another example of administrators running from the
problem instead of attempting to solve it. Even the Texan’s impending move from its current home, the Division of Student Affairs, to the Moody College of Communication, which was announced in January, has yet to produce any tangible benefit for the paper or TSM as a whole. Though Powers told the Texan he considered the move “a plausible solution” to TSM’s troubles, his confidence in the Daily Texan’s future under the School of Communication can’t be that high, as he and the two other administrators involved in the decision — Gage Paine, vice president of student affairs, and Moody college Dean Rod Hart — all refused to take credit for ordering the move. In short, if you’re holding your breath for a strong administrative hand to reach in and save UT’s student newspaper, don’t. Of course, I haven’t yet made the case for why we should save the Texan in the first place. It’s often said that no one cares about the campus newspaper, and having walked past piles of unretrieved Texans on far too many West Campus lawns, I recognize that for many students on this campus, that statement rings true. I also recognize that the print media market is an evaporating puddle, that college media outlets across the nation are struggling, that the Texan is in want of major organizational changes and that the paper I’ve made the cornerstone of my college experience may never turn a profit again. But that doesn’t change my belief that a university as large, important and historic as UT needs a strong, independent student newspaper as much as it needs a Student Government or a classics department or a president or even a football team. Because teaching students that their actions are newsworthy, that their opinions have a place in the public domain and that
Jonathan Garza / Daily Texan Staff
President William Powers Jr. and Roderick Hart, Dean of the Moody College of Communication, at the School of Journalism’s Cenntential celebration.
authority must be checked by a fourth estate is crucial to teaching them how to be good citizens of the state. Yes, it’s true — the Texan is a business, and a struggling one at that. But the problems now plaguing the Texan are bigger than the question of whether to go digital or to stay in print. And, as eventual bankruptcy is the probable outcome of both keeping the current print schedule and of slashing it, both are no more than buckets with which to bail water out of a quickly sinking ship. Going into Friday’s board meeting, the question shouldn’t be whether or not the Texan will go bankrupt, because barring the sudden
resurgence of print media or the appearance of an extremely generous donor, it will. Nor should it be whether the Texan, in whichever form it comes to exist, deserves to continue serving students on this campus. The question should be whether or not Powers, who, as University spokesperson Gary Suswein told the Texan, “has spoken many times about his commitment to The Daily Texan, to [TSM] and to student journalism,” is willing to do anything stronger than say aloud how much he believes the Texan should exist before it ceases to. Wright is a Plan II senior from San Antonio, Texas.
COLUMN
GALLERY
Students should be wary of high risk, poor terms of private loans By Chuck Matula
Daily Texan Columnist @chucketlist
Lucy Griswold / Daily Texan Staff
HORNS DOWN: STEALTH DORM VOTE TO PROCEED WITHOUT DATA On Wednesday, The Daily Texan reported that an economic study assessing the impact of the “stealth dorm” ban on area housing affordability concluded that there was not sufficient time to determine the economic effects of the ban. Originally, Sheryl Cole, city councilwoman and mayor pro tem, proposed that eight weeks be allowed for the study. But the council ultimately voted to shorten the analysis period to six weeks. Even though we have written in support of the “stealth dorm” ordinance, we still need more data on how banning “stealth dorms” would affect the availability of affordable student housing. Horns down to the City Council for not caring enough about “stealth dorms” to allocate an adequate amount of time to understand an issue that our city cares deeply about.
Even though we have written in support of the ordinance, we still need more data on how banning “stealth dorms” would affect the availability of affordable student housing. Horns down to the City Council for not caring enough about “stealth dorms” to allocate an adequate amount of time to understand an issue that our city cares deeply about. HORNS DOWN: LOW RATE OF SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR According to a report by the College of Education’s Center for Community College Student Engagement, white male students show a higher rate of academic success in community colleges across the nation than male students of color do. This, disturbingly, comes despite the fact that male students of color show higher levels of engagement in their college communities and have higher aspirations, according to the study, which blames a lack of college readiness for the disparity. This is disheartening news, and we need to do what we can to not only encourage students of color to pursue higher education, but also to ensure that high schools across the nation are preparing all of their graduates for collegelevel coursework.
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.
College is an exceptional time in our lives when we can partake in activities that society otherwise frowns upon, such as drinking Keystone beer and playing hacky sack in public. One potentially ruinous side effect of pursuing a higher education, though, is taking out the loans to pay for it. According to a May 2013 estimate by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, there are $1.2 trillion in outstanding student loans in the U.S. Student loans now make up the second-largest sum of debt held by Americans, behind mortgages. The swelling bubble of student debt is a well-trod narrative — rising costs of school combined with declining job prospects make post-grad financial realities difficult — but a less-explored dimension of student loans is the market forces behind them. Student loans hold a special place in annals of American finance. Because pursuing an education is considered a worthy goal, the federal government has long guaranteed publicly made loans and set an unwavering, comparatively low interest rate for the students who take them. Before 2010, public student loans were mostly made by commercial banks directly to students and guaranteed by the federal government. But this arrangement was phased out, and loans from commercial banks were replaced with loans directly from the U.S. federal government in 2010 under the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. By squeezing out private banks from public student lending programs, it became more difficult for banks to make a profit from student lending. The increased competition for pieces of a smaller pie forced several major banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America, out of the student lending industry. Meanwhile, bigger players in the industry, such as Sallie Mae, have grown to dominate it. This is an issue because private student lenders offer less favorable rates that are dependent on students’ lending histories. Whereas public student loans have a universal, low interest rate for all borrowers regardless of their credit scores or borrowing histories, private student lenders predicate their rates on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. For a
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.
young person with little credit history and an older adult with only a high school education, these rates can end up being prohibitively expensive. Ideally, private loans would only be used to cover the difference between loans available from the government and the amount needed to finance an education. Typically, the government will issue Federal Stafford Loans, the main type of public student loan, to students who demonstrate financial need up to a certain level. But as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned in a 2013 report, young borrowers may not understand the comparative advantages public loans direct from the government have over those from private banks. According to FinAid, private student loans are expected to continue growing at a double-digit rate in the foreseeable future. Because private student loans are extremely difficult to discharge — it’s unlikely a bankruptcy court would forgive the debt — high interest loans have the potential to saddle a young person with crippling debt for decades to come. In 2012, Arne Duncan, the U.S. secretary of education, criticized this business model that preys on under-informed borrowers, remarking to Daily Finance that “Subprimestyle lending went to college, and now students are paying the price.” Sallie Mae and student lenders are exposed to very little risk in the event of a consumer defaulting on the loan, creating a conflict of interest between the lender, borrower and third-party purchaser of securitized loans similar to the conflict of interest that arose in securitizing mortgages in 2008. If it is not in the interest of the lender to ensure the borrower doesn’t default, that lender could be inclined to intentionally give the borrower, particularly a financially illiterate college student, terms that he cannot afford. The evolving student loan marketplace creates a space for aggressive lenders to take advantage of vulnerable, informationpoor consumers. Student loans should be a stepping stone to a better future, not a crippling burden that lenders expect to end in default. Loans are a vital part of funding higher education in America, but the burden falls on us, as students, to do our research and make sure we’re getting the most favorable terms. If we approach the student loan marketplace with an informed, critical mindset, hopefully we can leave our debt where we leave our campus parking fines and mandatory math classes: in the past. 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 5 5
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Feline expert mediates cat fight LOS ANGELES — The large cat that attacked a baby and trapped an Oregon family in a bedroom touched off an Internet uproar that worries Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell.” Cats don’t become ferocious felines that turn on their families for no reason, said Galaxy, who is heading to Portland soon to work with the 4-yearold part-Himalayan pet named Lux. Galaxy will film the visit for his show’s fifth season, which kicks off April 26. “Every parental site on the Internet blames the cat for this confrontation. Every pet site blames the family,” Galaxy said, adding that something is wrong if the cat is acting out. “We need to step away from the hysteria. There is a story behind all this. Don’t assume anything.” Lux became a worldwide phenomenon after owner Lee Palmer called 911 and said
the cat had cornered him, his girlfriend, their baby and the family dog inside a room. Palmer said his 7-monthold pulled Lux’s tail, and he kicked the animal after it scratched the child. Then, the cat “just went off over the edge,” Palmer told an emergency dispatcher after the family barricaded themselves. “He’s charging us,” Palmer said, as the cat was heard screeching in the background. Officers arrived and caught Lux with a dog snare. Palmer said the cat had a history of violence, but the family kept Lux until Monday, when they turned him over to a Portland-area shelter. But the family assured Animal Planet they were going to keep the cat and agreed to therapy with Galaxy. Palmer didn’t return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment Tuesday. The behaviorist, who has
worked with tens of thousands of cats, said the thing that bothered him most about Lux was his continued aggression the day Palmer called 911, including the animal’s ongoing assault on the door even though the threat was gone. But the word “attack” doesn’t sit well with Galaxy because 75 percent of the
time, it’s tied to a grouchy mood or a warning, he said. “If I have a headache, I won’t be the nicest guy in the world. I may snap at you,” Galaxy said. “This may have been Lux’s way of snapping. Hypothetically speaking, someone pulling his tail may have been the last straw.” —Associated Press
PUNK
and will open for Perfect Pussy at Hotel Vegas in May. It is also planning a short Oklahoma tour in April followed by an East Coast tour this summer. Feral Future will play local shows on a monthly basis, yet, rather than playing every day to the same 40 people in Austin, it is said to be selective about the shows it books and who it plays with. “We want to play with bands we admire and respect,” bassist Steph Mueller said. “There’s a way to get sucked into playing all the time in Austin and just
playing to play.” The members have all found a home in the Austin music scene but believe the biggest issue is that most of the local punk shows, at venues such as Hotel Vegas and Beerland, are 21-and-up shows. “I think really what the Austin music scene is lacking is an all ages venue so we can be able to include more of the younger kids and bring that all together,” Mueller said. The band members advocate for social and political change through their art and actions, sometimes
in humorous ways. The album credits contain a short thank you note that ends, “No thanks to Rick Perry, he sucks.” Relle said she added that in because the album was recorded while the members were all protesting at the Capitol last summer, and being in Austin is part of what makes the band so assertive. “People are starting to get fed up and say something,” Relle said. “That’s part of why we do it the way we do it. We’re right on the front lines of our rights being taken away.”
continues from page 8 Her hope is that people outside of Austin who don’t have as many resources can hear her music and relate to Feral Future’s message. Relle said the band’s message is about standing up for yourself, other people and doing the right thing, even if it’s hard. Drummer Hunter Ross summed it up succinctly. “Don’t take any shit,” Ross said. The band is playing a local show at Beerland on Sunday,
UNS AD IRNE FOR ONL
E! FRE d wor
ad s
only
FISH
continues from page 8 larger clump of papers with results on or around that magic “.05” number than we would expect by chance alone. And this clump is higher than it was 40 years ago, partially because computers are more readily available now. Rather than having to break out the slide rule or reserve processor time, scientists can calculate p-value on their laptops while taking data, stopping early if they get the results they want or throwing out data that raises the number too high. Some have even cynically described the results of several papers to be little more than a fairly accurate measure of the researchers’ bias. For this reason, it is important for those outside the scientific community to take newspaper headlines with a healthy dose of skepticism. Just
John Chapple / Associated Press
Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy is concerned by Internet hysteria that erupted on March 7 when an Oregon family called 911 to report their cat had them trapped in a bedroom.
SLAM
continues from page 8 such a remarkable turnout and a big female presence Austin — it’s one of the best cities to host the poetry slam.” Roop placed sixth in the competition in 2011. “I feel like why I was so successful last time is that I was really dedicated to my work,” Roop said. “I had a really clear mind and a good plan. If I get to the final stage, that’s amazing, and if I don’t, that’s cool too.” In addition to competitors’ performances, the four day festival will
CLASSIFIEDS THE DAILY TEXAN
because scientists found a result doesn’t make it so. Also, the question shouldn’t be “Is there an effect?” It should be “What is the size of the effect?” Overloaded studies can produce certainty with minute effect sizes, but if said effect is so small that it requires millions of subjects to uncover it, even if it is genuine, how significant can it really be? One of science’s greatest strengths is that it isn’t decided by a single experiment but by many that converge on the same answer. If several experiments manage to replicate the results of the dead fish study, maybe we need to rethink our views on the thought processes of post-mortem salmon. Until then the only major conclusion the research can lead us to is that when properly prepared, store-bought fish can be quite tasty.
include other themed open mics, poetry workshops, performances, speakers and after parties. Another slam competition, Spitfest, will take place within the festival Friday night at 11 p.m. Spitfest is a quarterly poetry slam competition held in Austin. “We haven’t had something of this caliber event since the National Poetry Slam was hosted here in 2007,” Charles said. “I think it’s important for people to see how poetry is done in other places, and it’s good for the poets to see the uniqueness and the culture of Austin.”
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
360 Furn. Apts.
875 Medical Study
THE PERFECT LOCATION! Five minutes to campus, pool, shuttle and Metro, shopping, parking, gated patio, summer rates available. Century Plaza Apts. 4210 Red River (512)452.4366 Park Plaza and Park Court Apts. 915 & 923 E. 41st St. (512)452.6518 apartmentsinaustin.net 452-6518 512-452-6518
512-
370 Unf. Apts.
$100 CASH* 1-4 Bedroom Elloras West Campus Apartments. 512-808-7292/ TitanMX12@gmail.com *For Sign-up this week only! 512-8087292
425 Rooms
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY One large room in lovely home/ Central Austin. Perfect for Graduate Students. 10 minutes UT shuttle. $500 plus utilities. Share bath. 850-420-2122
785 Summer Camps
WATERFRONT DIRECTOR The Summer Camp (in Maine) is hiring a Waterfront Director! Must be a strong swimmer, be lifeguard certified (or become lifeguard certified). Position is from June 14th - August 2nd with the potential to stay for our 13 day Hiking and Canoeing program from August 4th - 16th. FMI Please contact: Tracy St. Onge-May info@thesummercamp.org www.thesummercamp.org
790 Part Time
PART-TIME OFFICE HELP Small property management/ real estate company looking for part-time assistant. Duties include processing end-ofmonth activities, monitoring rental properties, contacting necessary repair people, insuring leases are current, checking properties, general office errands. Must have own transportation and be willing to work July 15-August 15th. Close to campus. Very flexible hours. Spreadsheet and Word processing experience helpful. Pay commiserate with skill. Please email resume and salary requirements to: sjp@itinst.com.
Sell Textbooks
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 50 Up to $1500 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18 and 33 Thu. 27 Mar. through Mon. 31 Mar. Outpatient Visit: 3 Apr.
Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55 Up to $3000 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18 and 30 Weigh at least 110 lbs. Thu. 3 Apr. through Sun. 6 Apr. Thu. 10 Apr. through Sun. 13 Apr. Outpatient Visit: 17 Apr.
Men and Postmenopausal or Surgically Sterile Women 18 to 55 Up to $4500 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 18.1 and 32 Thu. 3 Apr. through Mon. 7 Apr. Thu. 24 Apr. through Mon. 28 Apr. Multiple Outpatient Visits
Men and Women 18 to 55
Up to $4000 Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI between 19 and 30 Females must weigh at least 110 lbs. Males must weigh at least 130 lbs. Thu. 3 Apr. through Sun. 6 Apr. Thu. 10 Apr. through Sun. 13 Apr. Thu. 17 Apr. through Sun. 20 Apr. Thu. 24 Apr. through Sun. 27 Apr.
512-462-0492 • ppdi.com
text “ppd” to 48121 to receive study information
Seeks College-Educated Men 18–39 to Participate in a Six-Month Donor Program
Donors average $150 per specimen. Apply on-line
www.123Donate.com
910-Positions Wanted
NETWORK SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Upgrade, set-up, and monitor the company’s wide area networks and local area network. Perform maintenance, evaluation, installation, and training tasks to ensure LAN and WAN performance and user requirements and assess network performance. Deploy new accounting/managing software for newly acquired sites. OneSite Knowledge. Develop receipt software for non-accounting staff members using Clarion. Analyze products and recommend use of new products and services to managers and corporate. Establish and implement policies and procedures for LAN/WAN usage throughout the organization. Administer network workstations, utilizing one or more TCP/IP or non-TCP/ IP networking protocols. Requires bachelor degree in computer science. Send resumes to The Preiss Company. austinjobs360@gmail.com. Job is in Austin, TX.
super tuesday COUPONS
SCIENCE FICTION: Stolen memories, dangerous dreams, collapsing societies, lost souls, engineered life, our world transformed. REMEMBERING THE FUTURE: science fiction stories by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon.com
clip and save!
RECYCLE RECYCLE
RECYCLE RECYCLE
SEE WHAT OUR
ONLINE SYSTEM
has to offer, and place YOUR AD NOW!
920 Work Wanted
TUTORS WANTED for all subjects currently taught at UT. Starting at $10/hour. Apply online at www.99tutors.com or call 512-354-7656.
Sell Longhorn Stuff
PHD ACADEMIC REGALIA w/UT Hood, Mortar Board, $150 Cash. Email 4SBO2014@GMAIL. COM
Sell Textbooks SCIENCE FICTION: A wilderness may be prowled by creatures of the forest. Or it may be urban, highly cultured, and just as deadly. WILDERNESS, a science fiction novel, is by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon.com SCIENCE FICTION: First came the physical changes, spread by viruses carrying recombinant DNA. Then came the memories. WONDERS AND TRAGEDIES, a science fiction novel, is by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon. com
Sign up for the Daily Digest and receive coupons DAILY! Scan this code >
every week
DailyTexanClassifieds.com
LIFE&ARTS
6 SPTS OKLAHOMA SOONERS
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
6
STEFAN SCRAFIELD, SPORTS EDITOR / @texansports Thursday, March 20, 2014 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
TEXAS
HOUSTON
VS.
Houston out-muscles Texas TEXAS LONGHORNS
TEXAS TECH
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
SIDELINE NCAAM Tournament 1st Round CAL POLY
By Scarlett Smith @ScarlettRSmith1
The Longhorns fell to the Houston Cougars 5-4 on Wednesday evening at Red and Charline McCombs Field after blowing a two-run lead in the seventh. The matchup began as a pitching duel as freshman Tiarra Davis got the start against senior Diedre Outon of Houston. Diedre Outon, whose catcher is her twin sister Haley Outon, threw five innings in the Cougars’ win. Texas head coach Connie Clark’s team started strong, but fell prey to a defensive lapse in the top half of the third inning, surrendering two runs on dropped balls in center field and by sophomore Holly Kern at first base. Davis, a burgeoning force in the circle, got her seventh start in eleven games. Davis lasted three innings Thursday before being replaced, after several defensive miscues gave the visiting Cougars an early two-run lead. Clark had planned to pitch by committee, making three changes throughout the game. Junior Gabby Smith took over for Davis to start the fourth, working out of a bases loaded jam to hold the Cougars scoreless in the inning. Senior shortstop Taylor
TX SOUTHERN
IOWA
TENNESSEE
NBA Tournament 1st Round TIMBERWOLVES
MAVERICKS
Amy Zhang / Daily Texan Staff
Thom was shut down Thursday through three at-bats before an RBI single in the sixth moved her into sole possession of first place on the Texas all-time RBI list. Texas finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs off sophomore utility Lindsey Stephens’ one-out double,
her 41st and 42nd RBIs of the season to lead the Big 12. Freshman second baseman Stephanie Wong’s leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth got things started for Texas. Wong eventually came around to score on a squeeze by senior catcher Mandy Ogle, giving the Longhorns
their first lead of the game. Freshman pitcher Lauren Slatten then replaced Smith in the top of the sixth inning and was later pulled for Davis, who returned to a 5-4 deficit after Houston scored three runs to take the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Davis pitched well,
MEN’S BASKETBALL l COLUMN
Longhorns head to NCAA Championship
With recent surge of upsets, Cinderella dream looms large
By Kunal Patel
Lit atiur? Aximendis minciamustia non re derum eos am im quia aut exernatempos moluptur accate nienimus aut quia nem velit pratur mod maximinis cuptat dolorrovid quam Um eiu
By David Leffler
@kunalpatel104
The Longhorns are well acquainted with the NCAA Championships, having won seven in their history, in addition to three second-place finishes, and reaching a meetrecord 746 points in 1991. backstroke. She is seeded 12th in the 100 butterfly. Tucker is seeded 16th in the 200 freestyle. The Longhorns also have three junior swimmers, Gretchen Jaques, Kelsey LeNeave and Kaitlin Pawlowicz, who are each making their third consecutive appearance. The two freshmen swimmers, Madisyn Cox and Tasija Karosas, are making their championship debuts. Even without much experience at a meet of this magnitude, Cox ranks 10th nationally in the 200 individual medley, and Karosas is seeded 11th in the 200 backstroke. The Longhorns are not the favorite to win the meet, as head coach Carol Capitani’s alma-mater, California, and her previous employer, Georgia, are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.
Daily Texan Columnist @leffler_david
The NCAA tournament is upon us, and with it comes a welcome dose of chaos. As usual, the big dance was full of surprises last year, including Wichita State becoming the first No. 9 seed to reach the Final Four since 1979. With madness sure to ensue following the tipoff of Thursday’s games, here’s a look at some of the great first-round upsets of years past. Although we have yet to see a No. 16 seed down a No. 1 seed, matchups between No. 15 seeds and No. 2 seeds have had their share of wild games. One of the marquee first-round upsets came in 1993, when Steve Nash and Santa Clara shocked the world by toppling Arizona 64-61. Prior to 2011, though, Nash and Co. were only one of four No. 15 seeds to survive the first round — giving the group a combined 4-104 record. Since then, three No. 15 seeds have won games in the past two tournaments, including Florida Gulf Coast last March. who alley-ooped their way to an easy 78-68 win over Georgetown. The matchups between No. 14 seeds and No. 3 seeds have been more generous to the underdogs. The favorites have lost 17 times
Andrea Kurth / Daily Texan Staff
Junior Kaitlin Pawlowicz swims at the Big 12 Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Pawlowicz’s time qualified her for the NCAA Championships for the third time.
PACERS
KNICKS
TOP TWEET Arian Foster @ArianFoster
Ncaa will win. They’ll get billions, players get a trophy. RT @ mcorado33: @ ArianFoster which team do you think will win the NCAA tournament?
SPORTS BRIEFLY Ty Marlow undergoes Tommy John surgery
Stephen Katz Associated Press
since 1985, including last year when Harvard downed New Mexico en route to its first tournament victory in school history. Another classic upset took place in 2005, when Bucknell shocked Kansas in a thriller. This year, keep an eye on North Carolina Central. Despite their modest seeding, the Eagles have an explosive offense and own a 15-1 conference record. If any No. 14 seed has a chance to advance, it’s them. Though the gap between No. 4 seeds and No. 13 seeds is large, things have not played out that way. A No. 13 seed has advanced 25 times in tournament history. The most historic upset in this seeding matchup came in 1996, when
Princeton ousted defending champion UCLA 43-41 to send shock waves throughout the nation. At this point, victories by No. 12 seeds over No. 5 seeds shouldn’t come as a surprise — three teams pulled off the upset last year alone, making it 25 times in the past 15 years. A few 12 seeds to watch are Harvard and North Carolina State. Without a doubt, there will be a handful of surprises this year. Some seem fairly predictable — NC State is a popular upset pick — but there is bound to be a team or two that comes out of nowhere to pull off a shocker. Until then, cross your fingers and pray an underdog doesn’t bust your bracket in one fell swoop.
TOURNAMENT continues from page 1 tournament. “It’s exciting,” Taylor said. “Especially going against a Pac-12 team. I think I can speak for the rest of the team, that everybody is excited.” Sophomore center Cameron Ridley will provide one of the most interesting matchups of the game when he faces the Sun Devils’ 7-foot-2-inch
HEAT
allowing only two hits while striking out six and walking two on the night. The loss drops Texas to 18-15 on the season. Texas will get out on the diamond again Saturday to kick off Big 12 play when it travels to Waco to take on Baylor in a two-game series.
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
The NCAA Championships will begin Thursday and run through Saturday night at the University of Minnesota’s aquatic center. Nine swimmers and three divers will represent the No. 6 Longhorns. Along with those individuals, all five of Texas’ relay teams qualified for the championships. The Longhorns are well acquainted with the NCAA Championships, having won seven in their history, in addition to three secondplace finishes, and reaching a meet-record 746 points in 1991. The Longhorns will be led by senior All-Americans Ellen Lobb, Samantha Tucker and Lily Moldenhauer, making their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championships. Diving coach Matt Scoggin also has his share of experience heading into the championships. Senior Maren Taylor is making her fourth appearance, while junior Emma IvoryGanja, a transfer from UCLA, and freshman diver Murphy Bromberg will be making their first appearances at the championships. Lobb is seeded 12th in the 50 freestyle and 35th in the 100 freetyle. On top of that, she is seeded 29th in the 100 butterfly. Moldenhauer, the Texas record holder, is seeded seventh in the 100
CELTICS
Despite falling to Houston and a seventh inning rally 5-4, senior shortstop Taylor Thom became the Texas all-time leader in RBIs with an RBI single in the sixth. Thom has been a staple in the Texas offense, batting in the three hole.
center Jordan Bachynski, who leads the nation with 4.1 blocks per game. Ridley comes in three inches shorter, but leads his team with 8.2 rebounds per game. Barnes uses Texas’ win against UNC earlier this season to describe how he thinks his team is ready for its opening matchup.
“If you go back to the North Carolina game, there is a great picture of them,” Barnes said. “They are walking off the court arm in arm, but not too emotional. Not jumping around like we didn’t expect this. They know they can win.” The game will start at 8:40 p.m. CST and will be broadcast on CBS.
Texas senior RHP/ infielder Ty Marlow underwent Tommy John surgery successfully Wednesday morning to reconstruct his ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm, according to associate athletic trainer Michael West. The surgery will sideline Marlow for the rest of the 2014 season. He should be cleared to play next season and will receive a medical red shirt. Marlow, who had been battling elbow tendinitis, made two appearances for the Longhorns this season, throwing two scoreless innings. Marlow has a career 2.16 ERA for the Longhorns after transferring from McLennan College. He made 18 starts in the field, while appearing 24 times on the mound. —Evan Berkowitz
TODAY IN HISTORY
1989
Major Leauge Baseball announces Reds manager Pete Rose is under investigation.
COMICS 7
COMICS
7
Thursday, March 20, 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 Thursday, March 20, 2014
Edited by Will Shortz
Crossword ACROSS
28 Cinco follower
1 One way to stand 29 Wash. neighbor
55 Boxster competitors
30 One on the move 57 In situ, as stones 31 ___ the custom 14 Come up again, 58 “Psst!” follower, (traditionally) as a web page perhaps 32 1968 Beatles hit 15 Statement preceding a blunt 35 Backs, as a front 59 Sonnet enders truth 60 Corona 37 Member of the alternative 16 Title girl in a familia children’s book 38 Big name in series set in Paris DOWN plastic 17 Meter reading 1 Carrier of 42 Almond ___ 18 Like the first two plates? (candy brand) “Brandenburg” 2 Asset for a 43 Big hit Concertos mimic 44 Earth sci. 19 City known as 3 Notoriety “Florence on the 45 What shouldn’t Elbe” follow you? 4 Cry of mock incredulity 21 Prefix with -form 46 Macbeth or Macduff 5 Wedding staple 22 Trim 47 Golfer ___ Pak 6 River through 24 Plotter’s place Pomerania 25 Sportscaster who 48 Woman 7 “Evangeline” lent his name to 49 Ogle locale a popular video 52 Justice Dept. game series 8 More easygoing division 26 Unconvincing 9 Nabokov novel 53 “Modern Family” after “Lolita” 27 Fleet actor 10 Justice Dept. ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE division 7 Sources of wool
SUDOKUFORYOU t
5 3
1 4
8 9 1
9 2 7 7 3 4
5 7
9 1
1 2 9 7 6 2
1 6
5 9 3 9 8
Earn a graduate degree at St. Mary’s University
Today’s solution will appear here next issue
1 2 5 3 7 8 4 9 6
3 8 9 5 4 6 7 2 1
6 7 4 2 1 9 3 5 8
Get started today at www.stmarytx.edu/grad Arrr matey.•ThisPh.D. scurrvy•beast is today’s answerrrrrr. Master’s Joint Crop it out, or it’ll be the the fishes for ya! Degrees • Combined Bachelor’s San Antonio, Texas and Master’s • Online and 4 5 Learning 7 1 2 8 9 3 6 Distance
1 3 9 4 6 5 8 2 7
2 3 7 9 8 4 6 1 5
5 4 8 1 6 2 9 3 7
9 6 1 7 3 5 2 8 4
4 9 2 6 5 1 8 7 3
7 5 6 8 9 3 1 4 2
8 1 3 4 2 7 5 6 9
S U D O K UPrep to highest Fthe degree. O S H S H A T U R P T A T K C L I A E R T R I
M I S T S
A D I E U X
C O L L I E
E E S H R P E I N I N G H O S N C T O O R O MM I N E E K D E L L I Z E I C O N L I N G T E T S S H
T O E T A G
N I H I L I S T
O M A T H H A U N
E P A L N D I A E T R I D L P O E O V T N E H E T R A Y E L E S A L A C G E D O E T R U N E R T M S
I N C I S I V E S H U T I N
A K A D E E T I T H E
11 Italian actress Cardinale 12 Nickname for Michael Jordan, with “His” 13 Welcome to one’s home 15 1963 movie with the tagline “Everybody who’s ever been funny is in it!” 20 The Jetson boy 23 Disregard
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
14
8
9
10
11
12
13
40
41
15
16
17
18
19
22
20
23
26
27
29
30 32 35
21
24
25 28 31
33
34
36
37
42
38
43
45 49
53
47 50
54
39
44
46
48
55
57
58
59
60
51
52 56
PUZZLE BY DANIEL LANDMAN
27 Added stipulations 28 Nine-digit ID 31 Flying without ___
36 Witticisms 39 Summer drink 40 Pitcher’s woe
33 ___ loss
41 George Eliot and George Sand
34 Hold forth
43 Balance
35 Titian subject with Bacchus
45 Musical middle name
46 Time spent doing time, say 49 Dry 50 Marseille mates 51 “Glee” girl 54 Weirdo 56 Arabic name meaning “highly praised”
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.
25 Caused a stir
MCAT® | LSAT® | GMAT® | GRE® Available:
No. 0213
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 Thursday, March 20, 2014
8
MUSIC
Issues inspire local punk album By David Sackllah @dsackllah
The members of Feral Future want their music to make listeners feel uncomfortable. The feminist/ queer punk band based in Austin released its album, Haematic, in February on local label Western Medical Records. The album contains nine songs of blistering punk that hone in on issues of abuse, rape, alcoholism and the struggle for queer rights, often going into vivid detail. The lead singer of Feral Future, who goes by the name Relle, said its songs are grounded in real-life issues. “I think that these things we sing about have a lot do with frustrations and anger we all have but feel like we can’t say really,” Relle said. Feral Future writes songs that are aggressive and uses them as a platform to share stories of survival. “Hostile” tells the story of Relle traveling to confront her rapist, which she wanted to share so other survivors could find music to relate to. “No Means Nothing” takes an unusual angle by telling a story of attempted sexual assault from both the aggressor and target’s point of view. “I thought that it would be an interesting idea to see it from both sides and broach the idea that victims of abuse often become abusers and vice versa and that it is a huge problem with rape culture,” Relle said.
Lauren Ussery / Daily Texan Staff
From left, Kate Moyer, Hunter Ross, Relle Sonnenschien and Steph Mueller of the feminist/queer punk band Feral Future recently released their album Haematic and will be performing at Beerland on Sunday.
The band has been playing in Austin for a little less than two years. While each of the band members has different influences and bands she admires, they all point to The Slits and ESG as post-punk bands they enjoy.
While the band has some riot grrrl influences, it doesn’t identify with the movement because of its issues with queers and people of color. Instead, it is trying to move forward with other like-minded bands that
identify as feminist. “Unless we can time travel back to 1993, we’re not a riot grrrl band,” guitarist Kate Moyer said. “Inevitably, if you’re ever in a semiaggressive girl-fronted punk band, you’re going to get that
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
comparison forever and ever.” The band members hope they can spread their message through their music to other people who are struggling with the same issues they went through. Moyer said growing up in a small
town, she had a hard time finding like-minded people who cared about punk music. She said she didn’t meet anyone who had heard of Bikini Kill until she was 22.
PUNK page 5
ART
Women, words war in continental poetry slam By Sarah Montgomery
WOMEN OF THE WORLD POETRY SLAM
For the seventh year in a row, 72 women from around the U.S. and Canada will gather in Austin to compete against each other using only their words and a stage. The Women of the World Poetry Slam showcases up-andcoming women with powerful voices in the world of spoken word performance. The kickoff for the festival was Wednesday at Spider House Ballroom. The preliminary rounds, called “bouts,” will begin Thursday at Love Goat and Spider House. “It’s just an outlet specifically for women to express themselves in ways they possibly couldn’t in other arenas and give them a national platform,” said Tova Charles, the event’s host chair coordinator. Each poet’s performance will be scored by five judges on a scale of one to 10. After each of the five scores is given, the highest and lowest will be removed, and the three remaining scores will be averaged. The top 12 poets with the highest scores will move on to the finals, which will be held Saturday at Paramount Theatre, where the winners will receive cash prizes and trophies. Internationally renowned poet Andrea Gibson won the first competition in 2008
When: March 20-22 Where: Spider House and Love Goat Tickets: Available online at wow.poetryslam.com
@withalittlejazz
Illustration by Ploy Buraparate / Daily Texan Staff
Experiment exposes fishy use of stats
By Robert Starr @robertkstarr
A study published in the now defunct Journal of Serendipitous and Unexpected Results featured researchers showing several pictures of people interacting to a subject who sat inside an fMRI machine that took brain measurements. What makes the experiment somewhat unusual is that the subject was an Atlantic Salmon — 18 inches long, 3.8 pounds and dead. After taking measurements, the scientists cooked and ate it. And yet, even this dead fish produced results that suggested its brain actively responded
to the stimulus with a 99.9 percent certainty. These results are, to put it mildly, absolutely absurd, yet the study has taken on a life of its own, earning accolades from other scientists as well as the prestigious Ig Nobel Prize, which is offered to achievements that “first make people laugh, then make them think.” That’s because the point of the experiment had nothing to do with measuring brain waves of dead fish — it was a demonstration showing that researchers can’t blindly trust statistical methods. In this particular case, the fMRI generates such an astounding amount of data — about 130,000 points per measurement — that some of the noise will appear to be signal and produce apparent correlation out of coincidence. This same kind of problem permeates research by scientists unbeknownst to them. In order to publish,
What makes the experiment somewhat unusual is that the subject was an Atlantic Salmon — 18 inches long, 3.8 pounds and dead. After taking measurements, the scientists cooked and ate it. the scientists need to do statistical tests that produce a probability value, referred to as a p-value, below .05. This indicates that there is less than a 5 percent chance of getting the same results if there is no correlation between the two things being compared. But formulas can’t take human error or potential bias into account. With the dead fish study, the scientists didn’t state what they were expecting to find before they went looking for it and found a result where none existed. This is like throwing a dart at the wall and drawing a target around it. The extent of the problem can best be
summarized by the title of a theory paper published in 2005: Why Most Published Research Findings Are False. Nearly 10 years old, the paper still ranks as the second-most viewed on the PLOS Medicine website. As the paper explains, if researchers don’t take into account the probability of a finding being true prior to an experiment, they will produce a lot of results that fizzle out upon closer inspection. The science community is slowly becoming aware of how bad this “phacking” problem is. Studies have looked at results across several journals and discovered there is a much
FISH page 5
in Detroit. “I was so flipping excited,” Gibson said. “The finals bout included some of my favorite poets in the world — poets I had admired for years. I think I smiled for a solid month after that.” Gibson’s work is famous for highlighting issues surrounding gender roles and rights for the LGBTQ community. “I think any event in the world that highlights women’s voices is important,” Gibson said. “I think WOWPS is a place where women are consistently reminded that their voices are needed and valued and vital.” Local poet Lacey Roop will represent Austin in the poetry slam. In December 2013, Roop competed at Spider House against other local poets for the spot. “Austin is definitely one of the best places for poetry, especially for women,” Roop said. “It’s great that we have a poetry slam every Tuesday and it’s always packed. For us to have
SLAM page 5
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Style Magazine
Andrea Gibson won the first ever Women of the World Poetry Slam in 2008. Gibson said the event, which starts Thursday, reminds women that their voices are needed and valued.