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Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
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Thursday, October 2, 2014
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UNIVERSITY
CITY
Fixed tuition enrollment below estimate
Mayoral candidates deliberate water, taxes
By Alex Wilts
University’s first guaranteed tuition plan in May in accordance with House Bill 29, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2013. The bill mandated that all Texas institutions of higher education offer a four-year fixed tuition plan to incoming freshmen and transfer students. The plan locks its
@alexwilts
In the University’s first semester offering a guaranteed tuition plan, the number of students who signed up for the four-year fixed rate fell below University projections. The UT System Board of Regents approved the
students into the same tuition rate for each semester they attend the University. At the meeting, the University proposal projected between 2,000 to 3,000 students would sign up for the plan. According to University records, 1,094 students have opted into the plan — called “Longhorn Fixed Tuition” —
since its implementation this fall. Including UT-Austin students, 1,640 students have registered for the guaranteed tuition plan across System schools, according to the System. This total does not include UT–Rio Grande Valley and UT-Dallas. UT freshmen and transfer students who enrolled in
the plan for this fall are currently paying a fixed tuition rate of 8 percent over the fall 2013 traditional cost. In fall 2015, the guaranteed plan will be set at 4 percent more than the fall 2014 guaranteed plan cost. The University also offers a $3,500 rebate to
TUITION page 2
CAMPUS
Group rallies for imprisoned student By Josh Willis @joshwillis35
A group of demonstrators gathered Wednesday on the RLM bridge to raise awareness for Omid Kokabee, a former UT physics graduate student who has been imprisoned in Iran for almost four years. The group gathered in the shade of the building Kokabee would have returned to for class after visiting his family in Iran. Physics professor Herbert Berk spoke at the demonstration about the circumstances of Kokabee’s incarceration. “It’s hard to understand what it was, and there was no trial to really shed any light because, at the trial, the judge looked at him and declared him guilty and put him in jail for 10 years,” Berk said. Berk serves as chairman for the Committee on International Freedom of Scientists, an organization that
RALLY page 2
Jenna VonHofe | Daily Texan Staff
Ellen Hutchison (left) releases white doves on the RLM bridge Wednesday afternoon to raise awareness for former graduate student Omid Kokabee. Kokabee has been imprisoned for almost four years after visiting family in Iran.
By Jackie Wang @jcqlnwng
Seven mayoral candidates discussed water conservation, transportation issues and curbing property taxes in a forum at the Austin Convention Center on Wednesday night. Businessman Todd Phelps, retired electrical engineer Ronald Culver, City Council Member Mike Martinez, aircraft technician Randall Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, retired technology writer David Orshalick and attorney Steve Adler sat down at a forum hosted by the City Ethics Commission and League of Women Voters of the Austin Area. The only candidate listed on the ballot that did not appear is activist Mary Krenek. Adler said the affordability crisis in Austin has been exacerbated by the rising property prices. Cole said the increasing property tax rate is unacceptable. “We have to remember that it has two components: rate and appraised value,” Cole said. “What is really getting out of control is the appraised value. We have allocated money to work with the appraisal district to fight the appraisal values. We also need to go to the legislature and make changes there. I do not support a rate exemption, I support a flat tax exemption.” Orshalick said preemptive strategic planning would have stymied the water conservation
FORUM page 3
CAMPUS
CAMPUS
Crime prevention event engages students By Natalie Sullivan @natsullivan94
Madison Richards| Daily Texan Staff
A group of professors held a discussion panel over important controveries in the book and film “Gone with the Wind.”
Faculty panel discusses ‘Gone with the Wind’ By Wes Scarborough @westhemess13
A faculty panel discussed the controversy and historical background surrounding “Gone with the Wind” on Wednesday as part of the Harry Ransom Center’s ongoing exhibition, “The Making of Gone with the Wind.” “Gone with the Wind” was originally a book written in 1936 by Margaret Mitchell but was brought to the big screen in 1939 and was directed by David Selznick. The film was referred to as a classic of the golden age of Hollywood movies. At the time, it sparked controversy over how it portrayed sex, race and
violence in the South during both the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. According to Jacqueline Jones, history department chair, “hate mail” was sent before and during production of the movie from radical labor groups, veteran groups and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “They were eloquent statements about the book and how the Union veterans were depicted and how African-Americans were depicted,” Jones said. “They gave a sense of the real controversy that began even before production.”
PANEL page 2
Students participated in a simulation of drunken driving, tested their pepper-spraying abilities and met police officers to kick off National Night Out on the San Jacinto Residence Hall plaza Wednesday. National Night Out is a nationwide event designed to promote community involvement in crime prevention. UTPD, the Division of Housing and Food Services and other campus organizations partnered with each other to put on the annual event, which has been held at the University for the past 10 years. The event is part of Campus Safety Week, which is hosted by Student Government each year. “In essence, it’s to get law enforcement and the community to come out together and say, ‘We’re not going to tolerate crime,’” said William Pieper, UTPD crime prevention specialist and Campus Watch writer. Individual National Night Out parties take place in neighborhoods across the country every
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff
History freshman Angelina Medellin “pepper sprays” UTPD Officer William Pieper during National Night Out in front of San Jacinto Hall on Wednesday evening.
year on the first Tuesday of August. In Texas, the date is moved to October because of the heat, Pieper said. “It started out just getting neighbors to put their porch lights on, so the bad guys knew, ‘Hey, you can’t commit a crime here,’ and then it evolved to actually coming out of your house and meeting your neighbors and getting involved with the
community,”Pieper said. Students had the chance to practice their pepper-spraying skills with training spray and experience a simulation of drunken driving by using Fatal Vision goggles, a tool used to simulate the effects of alcohol on a person’s vision. While wearing the goggles, students practiced throwing beanbags and footballs
at targets to demonstrate how hand-eye coordination is impaired when intoxicated. “It really teaches you that drunk driving is not a good idea,” said James Rauhut, a management information systems senior who volunteered at the event. Business freshman Allison Walker said she
CRIME page 2
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REASON TO PARTY
Journalist discusses the significance of 1979. PAGE 3
Moody college dean discusses future plans. PAGE 4
Volleyball blows Iowa State away in straight sets. PAGE 6
Electric Dance Music cements its place at ACL. PAGE 8
Guest lecturer talks about new Blanton exhibit. PAGE 3
Powers got it wrong on tenure — here’s why. PAGE 4
Despite rough start, running back still confident. PAGE 6
UT alumna publishes her second book of poems. PAGE 8
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