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Thursday, October 9, 2014
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SG moves forward with voter ID resolution By Eleanor Dearman @ellydearman
Student Government is continuing its effort to make University IDs an acceptable form of voter identification for federal, state and local elections. SG representatives submitted an issue brief to the
UT System Board of Regents concerning their resolution, voicing student support for University IDs as voter identification in May, according to Chris Jordan, SG chief of staff. Jenny LaCoste-Caputo, UT System’s executive director of public affairs, said the brief was received by the University System and
approved as legislative priority at the University. The brief was not sent for regent approval, but, rather, to inform the system that University IDs used as voter identification is something UT-Austin students are in favor of. “The Office of Governmental Relations essentially
signed off on it and said they favored UT-Austin making it a legislative priority if they chose to do so, which I believe they have,” LaCosteCaputo said. LaCoste-Caputo said the regents have seen the brief but did not comment on it. According to Jordan, SG normally does not share their
resolutions with the System. SG President Kori Rady, who proposed the idea when running for his current position, said this policy could apply to other UT campuses, making it necessary to inform the System. “I think any legislation that can apply to multiplesystem schools — the Board
of Regents and System have interests in,” Rady said. Even though the issue brief has been sent to the System, Jordan said SG will work on lobbying the Texas Legislature to discuss the issue. Jordan said the timeline for this project is unknown
VOTING page 3
FOOTBALL
Ash reflects on start, end of career Former quarterback looks ahead to life after football
Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff
Because of concussion injuries, former junior quarterback David Ash makes the hard decision to retire from football, choosing to focus on life outside of football.
By Garrett Callahan @CallahanGarrett
Outside of the 15th Street Church of Christ in Temple, there is an old bush with a small hole in the middle. Every Sunday, before church, a young David Ash started his morning by hiding his football in the center of that bush, and, when church was let out, it was the first place he ran. Slinging off his church
clothes to reveal his play clothes underneath, he and his brother, along with a few of his cousins and friends, ran routes, pretending they were future stars. While these times wouldn’t be the first or last they played football, it was likely the most memorable. “Those times really meant a lot to us,” said Stephen Ash, David’s younger cousin who lined up with him on 15th Street. “It just meant a lot that
we were together playing, and football just happened to be something we all loved.” Even back then, David knew football was only a game. He knew he couldn’t play it forever, so he realized the importance of family and spirituality in his life, which has guided him since and, most recently, helped him make the tough decision to retire from football. “The biggest joy I’ve had in football was doing it all for my
dad,” David said. “And I dedicated my career to Jesus when I was in eighth grade, and it’s really incredible to see how far I’ve come. But my football period is ending.” Ash grew up in a conservative home in Belton, 60 miles north of Austin, with five other siblings. Growing up, his family never watched television and only watched movies on the weekend — his favorites were “The Fox and the Hound” and
CAMPUS
“The Grinch” — so he spent most of his time outdoors. “Instead of watching TV, we spent our time on sports,” Stephen said. “It just gave us the time to just do and learn other things. We always played football. He would make me run routes all the time with him, and even sometimes, though rarely, I got to throw it to him.” Outside of his comfort zone, Ash is reserved around most people, but his demeanor
flips around close family and friends, showing off his goofy, fun-loving side. Friends know him best for his compassion and commitment to others. “He is a great example of caring for others,” Stephen said. “A lot of college football players are arrogant, but not David. He’s a servant at heart. He always tried to make
ASH page 6
UNIVERSITY
UTPD interacts with students at Cop Day Scholarships to increase By Natalie Sullivan @natsullivan94
Wednesday, as part of Cop Day on Speedway plaza, students climbed into a SWAT vehicle, practiced their Taser skills and learned about fingerprinting. As a part of UT’s Safety Week, UTPD, the Division of Recreational Sports and Student Government hosted Cop Day. The event brings law enforcement agencies from Central Texas together to help students get to know law enforcement and learn what they do on a day-to-day basis. “Our goal is to allow students to come out and interact with the officers and … get to know them a little bit so they understand we’re not just out there to get them — we’re actually here to help the community and be a part of the community,” said William Pieper, UTPD
Crime Prevention specialist and author of Campus Watch. Students had the chance to view equipment from UTPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit and see a Taser demonstration put on by UTPD officers. While using training Tasers, students fired at a cardboard target of a suspect and tried to hit certain body regions. Detective Michael Riojas said the Tasers work best in close range when officers have a wider area of a suspect’s body to aim at. “On the inside, there’s some probes, and it’s like a little, tiny harpoon to catch onto the body or the clothing,” Riojas said. “If some people aren’t affected by it, it means you didn’t get a good spread on it, and it didn’t stick onto the clothing.” Deputies from the Travis County SWAT response team also attended the
for low-income students By Adam Hamze @adamhamz
Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff
Lieutenant Charles Bonnet gives students insights on gun equipment during safety week on Cop Day..
event and explained their job to students. Deputy Joseph Zahn said the SWAT vehicle, which carries 10 to 14 officers and goes on 60 to 80 operations per year, is used in search warrants, barricades and other highrisk situations. “It pretty much goes out for everything, unless it’s too big of a vehicle to get out in
certain areas,” Zahn said. Undeclared sophomore Anggie Atocha said seeing the SWAT truck allowed her to learn about something she would not normally experience. “It’s something that you only see on TV, but when you see it for real, and all the
COPS page 2
Starting next fall, the University will award highperforming, socioeconomically disadvantaged incoming freshman in 2015 with $15 million-worth of scholarships through a new initiative titled “Texas Advance.” The program will also admit students to the college of their choice and give them exclusive access to organizations that aim to help them succeed at the University. The funds for the scholarship come from both the Pell and TEXAS Grants. According to an office at the U.S. Department of Education, the maximum Pell Grant that can be awarded in the 2014-2015 school year is $5,730. “Texas Advance” will be awarding up to $15,000 per year to students who
have earned the scholarship. Gregory Vincent, vice president of the Division for Diversity and Community Engagement, said one of the greatest barriers to access of higher education is the cost. He said his department does not only want students to pass their courses, but to excel. “I think we are taking a giant step, and I commend President [William Powers Jr.] and Senior Vice Provost [David] Laude for their leadership — the BDCE is proud to partner with them,” Vincent said. “Making campuses affordable is always an issue.” Vincent said an important aspect of the program is to ensure that marginalized students, especially those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, feel comfortable once
ADVANCE page 2
NEWS
FORUM
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
ONLINE
REASON TO PARTY
Professor receives neuroscience grant. PAGE 2
Members of the UT community debate whether Austinites should vote in favor of Proposition 1.
Volleyball looks to continue dominance. PAGE 6
UT students of Uh Theatre Co. put on immersive play. PAGE 8
Dallas-area Longhorns return home for OU game. PAGE 6
Students create organization to discuss self-esteem. PAGE 8
Regardless of whether you are going to Dallas for the rest of the week, you should check out The Daily’s Texan’s website. dailytexanonline.com
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Students protest Mexican government’s inaction. PAGE 3
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