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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Abbott, Davis debate for final time By Jackie Wang @jcqlnwng
DALLAS — During their second and last televised debate Tuesday, Attorney General Greg Abbott accused state Sen. Wendy Davis, DFort Worth, of profiting from an incentive deal handled by her title company to bring a Cabela’s store to Fort Worth while she was on the Fort Worth City Council. The gubernatorial candidates attacked each other repeatedly on several issues,
including health care, public education and ethics. In light of the recent state audit of the Texas Enterprise Fund, which criticized the fund’s lack of oversight, Davis said Abbott was questioning her ethics to divert attention from his own record. “I have always acted within the ethical guidelines and have been very careful to do so,” Davis said. “As a public servant, my job has always been to the people that I represent.” The candidates also discussed abortion during the
debate. Davis said she believes it is a woman’s right to decide whether to have the procedure, while Abbott defended his position on abortion in cases of rape and incest and said he wanted to promote a culture of life in Texas. “It’s incredibly important that whenever we talk to a woman who is a victim of rape or incest, we start with the compassion and support they deserve,” Abbott said. “That is what I have done as attorney general, by providing a record
DEBATE page 3
By Eleanor Dearman @ellydearman
Jenna VonHofe | Daily Texan Staff
Greg Abbott, Republican gubernatorial candidate and attorney general, poses with supporters at a watch party following his debate with Democratic candidate Wendy Davis.
CITY
Austin bicycle accidents underreported By Natalie Sullivan @natsullivan94
Two hundred ninetyeight bicycle collisions happened in Austin last year, according to statistics from the Austin Police Department, but UTPD crime prevention officer William Pieper said most bicycle accidents go unreported on campus. Pieper said people involved in bike collisions on campus usually do not report them to UTPD. “It has been my experience that people tend to only report a bicycle accident to the police when there is an injury or major damage,” Pieper said. “Most bicycle accidents go unreported by the parties involved.” Pieper said UTPD is only required to file crash reports with the Texas Department of Public Safety when a motor vehicle is involved. Collisions involving only pedestrians or
ACCIDENTS page 2
Students, Riley collaborating to revise city sound rules
Amy Zhang | Daily Texan Staff
Students bike through the intersection of 24th and Speedway streets Tuesday morning. Intersections with dense vehicular traffic are prone to bicycle collisions, most of which go unreported on campus.
Student Government and International Fraternity Council members are working with Austin City Council member Chris Riley to revise the city sound ordinance, which, in its current state, could alter West Campus’ social scene. The sound ordinance is part of a city plan intended to reduce sound levels in West Campus. The plan requires groups to apply for permits at least 21 days before an event and submit a site plan with specifics of their properties. According to Taral Patel, SG university-wide representative, the maximum sound level allowed by the ordinance is equivalent to a cell phone ringing at its highest volume. At Tuesday’s SG meeting, the assembly approved a resolution that voices student concerns with the ordinance. The proposal mirrors a resolution sponsored by Riley to be presented at the City Council meeting Thursday. IFC President Edwin Qian met with Riley on Tuesday to discuss the issue. “Our focus is really to make sure they know they have a channel through which they can advocate to the city,” said Robert Svoboda, co-director of the SG City Relations Agency. The SG assembly sent the resolution to the Legislative Affairs Committee at Tuesday’s meeting. Both SG’s and Riley’s
SG page 2
ART
CAMPUS
Architecture students study an exhibit by Jeff Williams at The University Co-op Materials Lab on their way to class. Williams’ pieces are made from a variety of items, including salvaged glass, wood cement and recycled cellulose.
Apollo 12 astronaut awards scholarship to Plan II senior By Sebastian Vega @sebantoniovega
Chris Foxx Daily Texan Staff
Professor creates art from eclectic sources By Josh Willis @joshwillis35
The University Co-op Materials Lab is featuring an art exhibit by Jeff Williams, an art and art history assistant professor, that uses materials ranging from everyday to exotic to create vibrant models. Jen Wong, director and curator of the lab, said Williams’ artwork is made using a method that connects the various materials in beautiful ways. “He took new samples and existing samples and arranged
them artfully, and they really kind of highlight the qualities of the materials in the way that he has balanced them and the way that he has set them up and mixed colors and textures,” Wong said. The exhibit, “Part for the Whole,” has been on display since Sept. 17 and will run until Oct. 17. Williams’ pieces are displayed in the front of the lab and are made of different items — including salvaged glass, wood cement and recycled cellulose. The pieces are
meant to serve as examples of what can be created using materials available to students. “They are a mix of really ubiquitous materials, like roofing tile and brick and really innovative materials like aluminum foam and other recycled material,” Wong said. Architecture senior Stancey Moore, who works at the lab, said Williams’ art is an example of various art forms working together. “A lot of his work deals
ART page 2
Alan Bean, a former Apollo astronaut and UT alumnus, visited campus Tuesday to present a scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and talk about the knowledge he gained from being a NASA astronaut. Sai Gourisankar, a Plan II and chemical engineering senior, was selected to receive the $10,000 scholarship. Gourisanker is focusing his collaborative research on nanotechnology for biomedical therapy and imaging used to detect and treat cancer. Bean said Gourisankar should be proud of his research and individuality. “It is amazing what this young man has accomplished,” Bean said. “We need people like you, Sai. We need these people for the future of this country and for the future of human beings on earth.”
Mike McGraw | Daily Texan Staff
Alan Bean, alumnus and Apollo 12 astronaut, discussed his experiences in space while on campus to present a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Bean, who flew on the Apollo 12 mission, said he thinks it is important for people to pursue their dreams — despite opposition from others “One of the things I’ve noticed in my life is it’s hard to hold onto your dream because your parents and other people don’t have the same dream, and they don’t necessarily see your dream
as worthy,” Bean said. “You have got to hold on to what feels good to you.” According to Bean, the ability to cooperate with others is necessary for someone who wants to be a good team member. Beans said during his training he disagreed with a
SCHOLARSHIP page 2
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Guest lecturer says preserving historic sites in Cuba is important for the country’s heritage.
Actions of COLA in TA/AI decisions present problems. PAGE 4
Jordan Hicks is making the most of his final season. PAGE 6
UT engineering alumna gives back to community. PAGE 8
As first exams approach, let your TA be your friend. PAGE 4
Volleyball looks to spin Iowa State on Wednesday. PAGE 6
Associate professor opens exhibit at AT&T Center. PAGE 8
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