SPORTS PAGE 5
COMICS PAGE 4
LIFE&ARTS PAGE 6
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SYSTEM
McRaven: Dream Act ‘morally right’ By Josh Willis @joshwillis35
UT Chancellor William McRaven said he supports allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates to attend UT System universities at an event hosted by the Texas Tribune on Thursday. McRaven said the state already pays for the education of undocumented students and questioned the idea the state shouldn’t continue to provide similar assistance for
those students as they pursue higher education. “The state of Texas has paid to get [undocumented students] through high school, and, to think that we are not now going to help them get a college education, to me as an educator, I think it’s not right for us to do that,” McRaven said. McRaven emphasized that undocumented students will still be required to pay tuition for their education. “If it is about educating the young men and women
of Texas, young men and women who are — oh, by the way — going to pay in-state tuition, it’s not like we’re giving them a free education,” McRaven said. “I think it is the morally right thing to do.” McRaven said his position as chancellor means his first priority is assuring quality education for all Texans. “My job is to help educate the young men and women of Texas; that’s what I do — it’s why I took this job,” McRaven said. “All the other
things that are along side this, all the other issues that kind of circulate around it — [they are] not as important to me as educating the young men and women of Texas.” Gov. Greg Abbott partially endorsed the law, signed by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2001, which allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition when attending public colleges and universities across the state. This was the first such law signed in the United States. According to a statement
from Abbott’s office, “Governor Abbott believes that the objective of the program is noble, but the law as structured is flawed, and it must be fixed.” In an interview last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said denying undocumented students in-state tuition rates was a question of fairness to the students who are fully documented citizens. “Simply put this way: You have one spot left; you have a
TUITION page 2
SYSTEM
Diversified portfolio shields endowment By Josh Willis @joshwillis35
University of Texas Investment Management Company officials released a report Thursday detailing the effects of falling oil prices on the Permanent University Fund (PUF). The PUF is an endowment containing 2.1 million acres in West Texas that was created by the Texas Constitution in 1876 to benefit the UT and Texas A&M University systems. According to Mark Warner, managing director of natural resources investments, falling oil prices over the course of the last four months slightly hampered the assets UTIMCO manages, which total $34.5 billion. Domestic oil prices declined by 60 percent from a peak in late April 2014 before bottoming out in late November 2014. However, over the five months, the endowment maintained a return of 4 percent. Bruce Zimmerman, UTIMCO chief executive officer and chief information officer, said the investments made under UTIMCO are made safely to protect the funds that support
Griffin Smith | Daily Texan Staff
Bruce Zimmerman, CEO of UTIMCO, met with UTIMCO board members Thursday morning. The conference covered topics such as UTIMCO investments and how foreign oil activities may affect the University’s endowment and the Permanent University Fund.
the UT System schools. “Our first line of defense is a diversified portfolio because, generally, not everything is going up at the same time, and,
generally, not everything is going down at the same time,” Zimmerman said. Zimmerman said falling oil prices from April to
CAMPUS
November could actually help raise the endowment’s value. “Our best guess, our best projection, is that the supply shock — excess supply, lower
prices — is actually a slight positive for the endowment,” Zimmerman said. “Now, it’s
ENDOWMENT page 2
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LEGISLATURE
Texas Senate threatens to cut women’s health budget By Jackie Wang @jcqlnwng
Specialized clinics that offer breast and cervical cancer services, such as Planned Parenthood, will be the lowest priority recipients for women’s health care funding if the Texas legislature passes the proposed Senate budget for 2016-2017. The Senate budget, known as SB 2, would require the Texas Department of State Health Services to distribute funds for breast and cervical cancer services based on a three-tiered system. The bottom tier includes non-public entities, such as Planned Parenthood, that provide breast and cervical cancer screening, but not comprehensive care. The three-tiered system is built to ensure funding first goes to clinics unaffiliated with abortions, according to state Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. “We always want to ensure that we have an adequate provider base to appropriately serve low-income Texas women who need access to comprehensive women’s health services,” Schwertner said. “At the same time, the people of Texas have clearly indicated that they don’t want to see their state tax dollars delivered to abortion providers. It’s really a question of resources.” State Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said the tiered funding plan would be a blow for low-income women in the state. “I’m very concerned that
HEALTH page 2
WORLD
Panel: Regulating corporate To further international relations, speech threatens expression Russia should partner with NATO By Lauren Florence
By Nashwa Bawab
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@thedailytexan
Russia should develop a long-lasting partnership with NATO to help the involved countries face the challenges of the 21st century, according to Sharyl Cross, professor and director of the Kozmetsky Center at St. Edward’s University. Cross spoke on campus Thursday about the fluctuating relationship between NATO, Russia and the U.S., from the Cold War until today. NATO is a intergovernmental military alliance which includes 28 North American and European countries. Cross said she believes it is important for Russia to be seen as part of Europe and be economically involved with NATO. “NATO has the exceptional capacity to bring nations together,” Cross said. “I would
NATO has the exceptional capacity to bring nations together. I would say that the enlargement and increased cultural diversity [of NATO] has only aided the alliance.
Putting regulations on corporate speech might indirectly threaten private citizens’ right to free speech, according to KUT journalist David Brown, a panelist in a discussion Thursday about limits on commercial speech. The panel, which was hosted as part of the Dialogues on Free Speech Series, introduced different topics of commercial speech, such as the relationship between free speech and truth in advertising. The speakers, who included journalists, professors and attorneys, used experiences from their fields to present their perspectives on how commercial speech can change the way people express themselves. People, similar to corporations, are guilty of trying to sell
certain images of themselves through social media sites, Brown said. “Attempts to regulate the internet will ultimately end up squashing our speech,” Brown
said. “People like the idea because it seems to be a slap in the face to big corporations, but I feel that this idea will be bad for
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
ONLINE
History professor discusses Lyndon B. Johnson. ONLINE
Landlords shouldn’t play the victim on vouchers. PAGE 3
Anthony Fera still hopes to land NFL job. PAGE 5
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” inspires exhibit. PAGE 6
Professors work to improve solar panels. ONLINE
Run for SG to get involved.
Davis looks to lead softball in the circle again. PAGE 5
“Jupiter Ascending” proves dull and uninspired. PAGE 6
Movie review: “Seventh Son” falls flat, despite rich original source material.
Carlo Nasisse | Daily Texan Staff
KUT journalist David Brown speaks as part of a panel on commercial speech at the College of Liberal Arts on Thursday. The panel was part of the Dialogues on Free Speech Series, designed to generate discussions among students on issues of free speech.
PAGE 3
SPEECH
page 2
—Sharyl Cross, Professor and director of the Kozmetsky Center
say that the enlargement and increased cultural diversity [of NATO] has only aided the alliance. Russia is a major player and a major force that should not be discounted.” Although their cooperation is important, Russia and NATO countries will not be able to create an alliance overnight, Cross said. “I would argue that it’s a mistake to isolate Russia,” Cross said. “I don’t think that is the solution … Think longterm, be patient, define your objectives, be realistic, know
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that there will be setbacks but know also that there’s a lot at stake.” Nick Hemlock, international relations and global studies senior, said he did a capstone project focused on the 2008 Russian and Georgian war and has attended several of Cross’ previous lectures on Russian and Eurasian studies. “I liked her multifaceted approach and that she uses lots of different sources, because,
NATO page 2 REASON TO PARTY
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Friday, February 6, 2015
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Volume 115, Issue 94
CONTACT US Main Telephone (512) 471-4591 Editor-in-Chief Riley Brands (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com Managing Editor Jordan Rudner (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com News Office (512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com Multimedia Office (512) 471-7835 dailytexanmultimedia@ gmail.com Sports Office (512) 232-2210 sports@dailytexanonline.com Life&Arts Office (512) 232-2209 dtlifeandarts@gmail.com Retail Advertising (512) 475—6719 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com
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NATO
ENDOWMENT
usually, these things are very one-sided in the way they’re presented,” Hemlock said. Kari Andreev, a Russian, East European and Eurasian studies graduate student, said she attended the lecture to learn about how the relationship between Russia and NATO was impacted by last year’s Ukrainian revolution. “I’m in an international business class, and today’s topic was Russian and Ukraine, so I came to learn more about the situation and prepare myself,” Andreev said. Cross said she hopes war will not arise, and Russia will work with NATO to come to an agreement about Ukraine’s identity and future. “We need to try to de-escalate the situation, placing great emphasis on ending the humanitarian catastrophe and loss of life in Ukraine, and move things back to a more productive and peaceful course,” Cross said.
continues from page 1 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.
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clearly a negative for the energy industry, clearly a negative for the state of Texas … but this really gets at around 10 percent of our exposure is in energy; 90 percent is outside of energy.” Zimmerman said only 10 percent of the total investments made by UTIMCO are in the energy industry. The other 90 percent of investments are made in sectors of the economy that ordinarily
improve when oil prices decline. For consumers, lower oil prices mean cheaper gas, cheaper goods and more spending money to stimulate the economy. “Our investment returns, we think, will be slightly helped by the reduction in oil because there are more consumers than producers, and the consumers get a benefit,” Zimmerman said. Warner, the managing director of natural resources investments, said he looked at the correlation between the
value of the energy portfolio, the investments in the energy industry and the price of oil. The report established that, when the price of oil drops, the value of the portfolio drops 10 percent of the price. Warner said he has watched the energy industry’s downturn closely. “What I can tell you is that we’ve looked back at history, particularly the ’08’09 time frame, and this is historic by any measure,” Warner said. According to Warner,
lenders are more willing to make investments in the current economy because it is much healthier than it was during the 2008 recession. Warner said this makes him feel optimistic about the energy portfolio’s future value. “We’re hoping our partners are able to be opportunistic; this way, they have the money to do it,” Warner said. “We’re very encouraged by where we are in the cycle and by the partnerships that we have.”
HEALTH
TUITION
the only thing we accomplish by implementing a tiered funding mechanism in Senate Bill 2 is to limit access to cancer screenings that can help lowincome women identify breast or cervical cancer at a time when it’s most easily and successfully treated,” Watson said. “We simply must stop playing politics with women’s health.” According to Planned Parenthood’s 2013 report, 2.7 million patients in the U.S. received 10.6 million services, of which 3 percent were abortions. Amanda Bennett, global policy graduate student and member of the student organization Feminist Policy Alliance, said she thinks legislators are hiding behind the words “comprehensive care.” “What they say is they want to give women more comprehensive care by sending them to doctors not in these specialized clinics, but, often, these are the only places that women know about and are comfortable going to,” Bennett said. “I knew [at Planned Parenthood] they could answer my questions better than the guy at CVS.” There are 31 clinics that offer breast and cervical cancer services within 50 miles of Austin, according to the Department of State Health Services’ clinic locator. The Rio Grande Valley region has only eight clinics within 50 miles of Rio Grande City. “A lot of the Planned Parenthood clinics are in places where there aren’t really other reasonable options,” Bennett said. “You see legislators in the Capitol deciding how far a woman should have to drive to get her pap smear … if you don’t have a car or public transportation, it can be really hard to get to the clinic you decide to [go to].”
student who is not a citizen [and] a student from Oklahoma, who wants to come to a school with one spot left,” Patrick said. “That child from Oklahoma is going to pay out-of-state tuition, and that child is a citizen, and maybe that child is a Mexican-American citizen, maybe that child is a citizen of
one of our soldiers fighting for our country. And we’re going to charge that family $20,000 more?” Patrick said he thinks the legislature should end in-state tuition for undocumented students. “I think anything the United States gives away free to people who don’t come here legally, you could argue, is a magnet,” Patrick said.
In response, McRaven said he wants to see the proof that higher education acts as a magnet for undocumented immigrants. “I think it goes back to, how do you disprove this negative?” McRaven said. “Can you show me the statistics that say people are coming across the border in order to get a higher education? I mean, I haven’t seen those statistics.”
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SPEECH
continues from page 1 free speech.” Businesses producing false advertisements has become a major problem, according to panelist Tamara Piety, law professor at the University of Tulsa. She said she believes when companies try to claim they are cruelty-free or organic, it is difficult for consumers to verify their statements. “Some regulations are starting to change, and I think in a bad way, to make commercial advertising more protected the way regular speech is protected,”
You can’t say false things to sell your product, and that shouldn’t seem controversial or problematic. —Tamara Piety, Law professor at the University of Tulsa
Piety said. “You can’t say false things to sell your product, and that shouldn’t seem controversial or problematic.” Dance junior Lizzy Tan, who attended the event, said her interest in the discussion stemmed from wanting to know more about free speech in relation to the University and the honor code, rather than in relation to
commercial speech. “I think one thing that comes up is the University honor code to uphold the values of integrity and fairness,” Tan said. “My critique on the way the University is run or a professor I don’t like raises a gray area on whether I could be punished for my opinion, and I think that sort of speech involves all students.”
Name: 3480/Salvation PIzza; Width: 29p6; Depth: 5 in; Color: Black, 3480/Salvation PIzza; Ad Number: 3480
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RILEY BRANDS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / @TexanEditorial Friday, February 6, 2015
COLUMN
In housing voucher case, Austin landlords wrongly play the victim By Mary Dolan
Daily Texan Columnist @mimimdolan
Over the past couple of decades, Austin’s population has grown enormously. This has forced many city residents to engage in the ever-frustrating sport of house hunting. However, it seems that most Austin residents are eventually able to find a desirable living space — excluding, unfortunately, those with housing vouchers. To provide a little context, the Housing Authority of the City of Austin provides housing vouchers, funded by the federal government under the “Section 8 Program,” to residents who earn less than 50 percent of Austin’s median income. These vouchers are meant to help lower-income residents pay for rent without overwhelming them financially. Because of this, residents with vouchers are supposed to have a greater choice of places to live. The Housing Authority’s own website boasts that it helps 5,100 families a month afford safer and better housing. At least, this is how it’s supposed to work. Regrettably, many homeowners and rental apartment complexes have refused to accept vouchers. Therefore, even those who had received vouchers were forced to stay in the same lower-income areas from which they had hoped to escape. Due to many landlords’ refusal to rent to tenants using vouchers, the program was ineffective in preventing concentrations of poverty in Austin. Last April, there was an apparent breakthrough when the Austin City Council decided that landlords couldn’t discriminate against potential tenants on the basis of whether or not they
use housing vouchers. The ordinance was passed in December, but U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled to temporarily stop enforcement of it in early January after the Austin Apartments Association challenged it in court. A hearing Jan. 26 allowed supporters and opponents of the ordinance to present evidence and make their case. Sparks announced that he would decide in the next couple of weeks whether or not to order that the ordinance be stopped indefinitely. Sparks, who was nominated to the bench by President George H. W. Bush, stated at the hearing that he was concerned that the ordinance was “an act of bullying” toward landlords. Sparks’ concern in this regard is misplaced. In fact, at least 12 states and 30 local jurisdictions have enacted provisions prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income, according to a 2014 Austin Chronicle article. Far from being bullying, the City Council’s action on this issue reflects sound and mainstream public policy aimed at integrating the less fortunate into the wider community. The real problem in this matter is not the ordinance but the attitudes of landlords that made the ordinance necessary. According to a 2012 survey by the Austin Tenants Council, fewer than 10 percent of Austin landlords accepted Section 8 vouchers. Surely the refusal to accept Section 8 vouchers is based mostly on stereotypes that demonize lower-income families. It is an understatement to say that it is unfair to discriminate against families who want safer or more convenient housing simply based on their method of payment. In general, the pattern of debate on this issue seems to be that liberals support the ordinance
COLUMN
Don’t let the opportunity to serve UT pass you by; run for SG seats
Chris Foxx
The United States Courthouse in downtown Austin, where District Judge Sam Sparks ruled against Austin’s housing voucher ordinance.
whereas conservatives wish to strike it down. Indeed, a conservative Republican state Senator, Charles Perry, recently introduced a bill in the Texas Senate that would prohibit local communities from enacting ordinances requiring landlords to lease to tenants who pay with housing vouchers. This stance by Perry is confusing. Housing vouchers are a way for poorer residents to afford better housing for themselves and their families. This also has the effect of providing them with more employment, educational and social opportunities throughout the city. If con-
servatives like Perry truly believed in empowering individuals instead of the government, they wouldn’t oppose measures like the Austin ordinance which seek to maximize the opportunities for low-income individuals and families to move up the economic ladder. We certainly don’t have all the answers, and there are undoubtedly legal nuances for Judge Sparks to navigate. However, it seems obvious to us that everyone deserves a chance to enjoy the opportunities Austin offers, not just “bullied” landlords. Dolan is a journalism sophomore from Abilene.
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Our commentary doesn’t stop on the page. For more of our thoughts on the issues of the day, check out our blog, A Matter of Opinion, at dailytexanonline.com.
EDITORIAL
Large field of candidates offers hope for reorienting institution
Amy Zhang | Daily Texan File Photo
Former UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa speaks at a Student Government meeting in 2014.
By Taral Patel Guest Columnist
Only 13 students have signed up to run for 43 Student Government positions, according to University data, and students can easily file until Feb. 17 at noon in SAC 2.102 (see: http:// deanofstudents.utexas.edu/campuswideelections/howtofile.php). Having been involved with the organization as a University-wide representative over the past year, I’ve come to see that SG is an important organization that could benefit by being more representative of the student body and that means involving more students and especially those who don’t normally participate. Throughout my time at UT, I’ve seen many diverse groups of people, but I rarely see them involved in SG. SG gets a lot of criticism because many see it as ineffective and unimportant, but I’ve come to see its significance. For example, members of SG represent the student body to the Legislature and to the regents, examine local issues with city and county task officials and lobby in many areas to benefit students. When I came to UT, I didn’t think much of it, either, but I came to see its importance. When I first became interested in SG, I had heard mostly bad things about it. Even though honorable leaders like J.J. Pickle and Lloyd Doggett got their start in UT’s Student Government, it seemed to a complete outsider like me and many others as nothing more than a resume booster and rubber stamp for unpopular ideas the administration wanted. Furthermore, a primary criticism against SG was not being composed of the colorful strings of diversity that stretch from Austin to the Rio Grande Valley and all across the world tying our campus together. Moreover, some of the most pressing issues on campus including affordability, transportation and sexual assault were not being addressed. Students saw SG discussing trite issues like toilet paper and other internal conflicts that
had no significance to most. When important issues came up, students felt like SG took no real action. For example, SG failed to consider the popular objections to the tuition hikes proposed last March and gave “student approval” via a haphazardly constructed ad hoc committee. On top of all this, the negative stigma increased when a former president made national news for his controversial views on women. However, SG can have a bigger influence and should raise its voice regarding important issues. That’s why I decided to run, even though many of my friends said it would be nigh impossible because I wasn’t in a Greek or spirit organization. We created a platform focused on listening to students and including priority issues like sexual violence prevention, increasing facility hours and lobbying the Texas legislature. We also met with UT staff to determine how to best make our goals happen. To overcome the popularity contest, we created a strong legislative agenda that has yielded concrete solutions while connecting with student groups. For those who want to make a difference but are worried that SG isn’t worthwhile or that you won’t get elected, I have a few solutions. First, truly believe in what Gandhi-ji said: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Then, form ideas that focus on the needs of students, rather than just the old, over-used slogans. Lastly, communicate your message and vision to every group and reach out to every student (hint: social media isn’t enough). It’s imperative the diverse population that composes the campus, regardless of whether they reside in North Campus, Riverside or elsewhere, get involved and help continue to better UT. Students need to highlight other issues and concerns for SG to focus on. Join an agency, apply to get nominated for a committee or even run for the various positions that are open this spring! You really can be the change you seek. Patel is a biology junior from Katy.
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.
Shweta Gulati | Daily Texan File Photo
Outgoing Moody College of Communication Dean Roderick Hart speaks at the March 2014 meeting of the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.
Texas Student Media, which in recent years has been a sleepy outpost of the annual University-wide elections, has come to life as nine students have official thrown their hats in the ring for four position: editor-inchief of the Texan, a College of Communication seat on the Board of Operating Trustees and two at-large seats. We are pleasantly surprised at the interest in the board seats, which in recent years have gone alternately uncontested or undesired. The three candidates for editor-in-chief are history and humanities junior Claire Smith, French and international relations and global studies senior David Davis Jr. and economics and journalism senior David Maly. The candidates for the communication seat are journalism junior and former Texan staffer Jan Ross Piedad and Plan II and corporate communication junior Annie Albre-
We are pleasantly surprised at the interest in the board seats, which in recent years have gone alternately uncontested or undesired.
SUBMIT A FIRING LINE OR GUEST COLUMN | E-mail your Firing Lines and guest columns to editor@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be between 100 and 300 words and guest columns between 500 and 1,000. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.
cht. Albrecht is currently a representative for the College of Liberal Arts in Student Government. The candidates for the at-large seats are incumbent Pauline Berens, a Plan II and biomedical engineering senior; Amil Malik, a Plan II, business honors and finance junior who is currently a Texan staffer; McKay Proctor, a business honors and English senior; and Stephen Svatek, a civil engineering junior. Adam Alloy, the other member whose seat is up for grabs, is not running. Both Berens and Alloy were appointed to the board in August to finish unexpired terms. We are cheered to see so much interest in our pocket of the campus-wide elections this year. As is public record, TSM has in recent years suffered a number of financial blows, most stemming from the lurching transition to a digital-first media landscape. But with resurgent concern for TSM from students, we hope that creative solutions are imminent. Most of the student contingent on the board will be turning over next year, so now may be the perfect opportunity for the board to offer a firm but guiding hand in TSM’s future. Before having their names placed on the ballot, all nine candidates will have to appear before the board and be certified at its meeting Friday at 1 p.m. in BMC 1.108A. The meeting is open to the public. We will reserve comment on the candidates until the ballot is finalized.
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.
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GARRETT CALLAHAN, SPORTS EDITOR | @texansports Friday, February 6, 2015
FOOTBALL
Former kicker waits for shot in NFL
SIDELINE NHL LIGHTNING
By Daniel Clay @dclay567
After transferring to Texas from Penn State and suffering a groin injury that delayed his Longhorn debut, Anthony Fera took to the field his senior year to become one of the most consistent kickers Texas has ever seen. During his tenure, he hit 15 straight field goals — tied for the longest streak in school history. Fera, who kicked and punted for the Longhorns in 2012 and 2013 after transferring from Penn State following the Sandusky scandal, was a consensus All–American in 2013 and a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the nation’s best kicker. “We saw the real Anthony Fera in his last year at Texas,” former head coach Mack Brown said. “He was focused and excited, and you could see that in his kicking. To go from such a difficult situation to becoming a Groza Award finalist really speaks to his determination.” Kicking may be the most high-pressure job in football, but for Fera, the task became second nature. “For me, kicking … it’s easy to me,” Fera said. “Once you learn it and you master it, then it’s not a problem.” Now a year removed from college, Fera needs the confidence and determination that allowed him to thrive amid a collegiate career sullied by scandal and injury. The kicker, whom ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. referred to as the best in the 2014 draft class, is still
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During his time on the 40 Acres, kicker Anthony Fera proved to be one of the best kickers Texas has seen with a school record-tying 15 straight field goals. Though he did not receive an NFL spot last year, Fera is hoping to get another shot.
trying to join the tiny fraternity of NFL kickers and punters. “It’s a waiting thing,” Fera said. “It hasn’t really worked out for me yet.” Though he was not drafted, the former Longhorn standout did get a taste of the NFL dream at the Miami Dolphins’ rookie minicamp. But by the time the regular season rolled around, Fera found himself without an NFL roster spot. “Right after the draft, I went down to the rookie minicamp down in Miami and had a little setback with a school injury,
just a strained muscle, and a couple weeks later I went to Jacksonville, but they were looking more for a punter,” Fera said. “That didn’t really work out as planned.” Despite the yearlong setback, Fera is still dead set on landing in the NFL. He now spends his time hopping around the country, punting and kicking at veteran combines and working out in Austin. “[I’m] working out … probably five, six times a week, still kicking … probably two times a week just
trying to stay fresh.” Fera said. Still, no player can maintain peak physical performance for long — as anyone who has labeled the NFL as “Not For Long” can attest. For a player such as Fera — an undrafted specialist hanging in limbo after a full season on the market — it is especially important to have a backup plan in place. When Fera is not trying to maintain NFL levels of fitness, he is busy learning the ins and outs of the oil industry from his father at MidStar Energy, a directional drilling
company in Houston. He hopes to eventually have enough industry knowledge to land a career in sales. “I’m just trying to learn the whole process at the moment,” Fera said. “Every now and then, I’ll go out to an oil rig and check out a few things.” Fera said his fledgling career will not pry him away from his dream of landing on an NFL roster. “My main focus is making the NFL,” Fera said. “I’ll probably give it a try the next year or two.”
SOFTBALL
Davis ready to lead Horns from circle By Jason Epstein @jwepstein96
Led by sophomore pitcher Tiarra Davis, who now has a full season under her belt, the Texas pitching staff looks to be a dominant force as they kick off the season Friday in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona. “We’ve got five [pitchers] that we’re working,” head coach Connie Clark said. “A big staff, we’ll rotate them through, we’ll see what it looks like, but Tiarra brings some really good things to the table.” As a freshman, Davis recorded a 2.38 ERA, holding opposing hitters to a .208 batting average while striking out 176 in 200 innings last season. She wasn’t just a threat in the
circle, as she hit .313 with 25 RBIs and 13 runs, ultimately earning her recognition as Big 12 Freshman of the Year. “I think going off of last year’s season, I have a basis to build on,” Davis said. “I’m really looking forward to the season and what it has to bring.” Davis, who threw three one-hitters and six complete game shutouts in her freshman year, said she hopes she is ready to step up to the mound for the Longhorns to take them to the next level. “Coach Clark and I had a number of conversations last year about me believing in myself,” Davis said. “This year, I’m hoping to be the top pitcher in our conference.” Davis isn’t the only pitcher
on the team, however. Davis is joined by senior Gabby Smith and sophomore Lauren Slatten as veterans in the rotation. Freshman pitchers Kristen Clark and Erica Wright will debut this spring. “We’ve got a great freshman, Erica Wright, in the mix who just competes hard,” Clark said. “She’s got that kind of ‘wild thing’ piece going on.” Joining Kristen Clark and Wright as new additions to the team are shortstop/outfielder Alyssa Angel and catcher/utility Randel Leahy. “Our freshman class isn’t huge, but they are definitely difference makers,” junior second baseman Stephanie Ceo said. “I truly believe [we have] a great chance to make it all the
Shweta Gulati | Daily Texan file photo
After winning the “ace” position last year, sophomore Tiarra Davis hopes to build on her freshman performance, when she struck out 176 batters and won the Big 12 Rookie of the Year.
way this year.” In the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, Texas is ranked No. 25 going into the season, and the team is projected to finish third in the Big 12. After amassing a 35–23 record last year
and capturing the school’s 10th consecutive NCAA tournament bid, the team is looking to make the leap to the next tier and advance beyond regionals. “I think this team is very optimistic,” Clark said.
Stephens, Ceo look to provide spark in batter’s box By Claire Cruz @claireecruz5
When Texas’ softball season ended at the NCAA Lafayette Regional final last May, its offense was struggling. The Longhorns only managed four hits against Louisiana-Lafayette, with the lone score coming off a solo home run by senior Gabby Smith. But as the team heads into a new season, it has two veteran juniors returning in place to lead this season’s offense in the right direction. Junior right fielder Lindsey Stephens and junior second baseman Stephanie Ceo are the only two players on the current roster who played in all 58 games last season. Stephens, who is one of 50 players on the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year watch list, had one of the most dominant offensive seasons in Texas softball history in 2014 with a .371
batting average for the year. She led the team in six offensive categories and ranked in the top 10 in nine offensive categories in the Big 12. “She’s one of our captains,” Clark said. “She’s really going to step up and do some things really well. She definitely will help us offensively.” Despite last season’s postseason struggles, Stephens said she believes her team has the confidence to succeed this season. “We have such a strong foundation,” she said. “Everyone on this team is ready to learn, ready to make adjustments and ready to take that next step.” Ceo is also expected to capitalize on her leadershipskills in the upcoming season. The junior hit .362 last season and recorded 10 multi-hit games. Ceo’s biggest talents were often on display at the plate in the postseason, where she notched team-high postseason batting averages as a
Junior Stephanie Ceo is ready to step into a leadership role this season after posting a .348 batting average and 34 RBIs so far in her career at Texas.
Shweta Gulati Daily Texan file photo
sophomore in 2014 (.375) and as a freshman (.400) during the Women’s College World Series (WCWS). In June, Ceo watched as her older sister, Courtney, competed for Oregon in the WCWS. This season, Ceo hopes to have that same experience. “Last year had a lot of learning moments that we went through,” Ceo said. “Now we get to build off of that.”
But before the Longhorns start thinking about the postseason, they will have to focus on their tough nonconference schedule. Texas will face several ranked opponents early, including No. 2 Oregon on Friday night at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona. Sunday afternoon, it faces No. 16 Arizona State. The Longhorns will start their season by playing 11
teams that are either ranked or receiving votes in the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball rankings. Eight of those games will occur throughout the month of February and serve as challenges the Longhorns must face if they want to reach their ultimate goal. “Not only do we want to get to the World Series, but we want to win the World Series,” Stephens said.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1895
Baseball great Babe Ruth is born. Ruth would finish his 22-year career with a then-record 714 home runs.
SPORTS BRIEFLY Horns need better start vs. Kansas State
When No. 25 Texas travels to Kansas State on Saturday, the team may be playing to save its season — and it may have to do so shorthanded. Junior guard Javan Felix missed Wednesday’s game with a concussion, and in the same game, senior forward Jonathan Holmes left early with an injury. The Longhorns won 10 of their first 12 games and initially appeared to be a near lock for a high seed come March, but more recently have found themselves slipping out of national relevance. They’ve dropped four in a row and lost six of their last eight. Texas sits at an unimpressive 3–6 in Big 12 play, with only one win coming against a team near the top of the conference. But they haven’t counted themselves out just yet. “Confidence is still high,” sophomore point guard Isaiah Taylor said. “We are still a good team. We still have good players on this team.” In order to end this skid, Texas can’t afford to get behind early. It has found itself down double digits in three straight games, and, despite a few valiant comebacks attempts, the hole consistently proves too deep to climb out of. And with the season hanging in the balance for Texas, head coach Rick Barnes’ team is hungry. “We put it all together, and we can go on a run,” Barnes said. “It’s not about a run, though. It’s about tomorrow.”
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KAT SAMPSON, LIFE&ARTS EDITOR | @thedailytexan Friday, February 6, 2015
CAMPUS
‘Wonderland’ exhibit brings life to classic tale By Megan Kallus @thedailytexan
Human-sized playing cards cover the walls of the Harry Ransom Center and fully-decorated tea tables with pullout chairs prompt visitors to engage in games of make-believe. For children and adults alike, the “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” exhibit offers a distinctive break from traditionally organized museum exhibits. The Ransom Center will open its new exhibit, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” on Feb. 10. The exhibit celebrates the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s classic fantasy novel. Danielle Brune Sigler, the Ransom Center’s associate director for research and programs and the exhibition’s curator, said she faced a major challenge when constructing an exhibit narrative that would address the novel’s complicated story. Although Sigler’s first instinct was to simply follow “Alice in Wonderland”’s plot, she eventually moved in a different direction. “It’s embedded in our culture,” Sigler said. “People use words that come from
Carroll’s story, and they casually reference the characters. Carroll influences other important works … so instead, I decided to move through major theme groupings.” Sigler said she was lucky to have a wealth of material to choose from. Warren Weaver and Byron and Susan Sewell made extensive donations, including manuscripts, film strips and other “Alice in Wonderland” paraphernalia, to the exhibit. The Ransom Center took special measures to display the materials to the public because many were old and fragile, according to Sigler. For example, the exhibit’s paper conservator Heather Hamilton worked on the paper film strips used to project videos of “Alice in Wonderland.” “These film strips might have been unusable and forgotten,” Hamilton said. “The paper was almost translucent, and it had been taped. I was able to minimize the appearance of damage by using Japanese tissues.” Other materials in the exhibit presented challenges for the Ransom Center. The exhibit features one particularly old photograph, and though
Illustration by Melanie Westfall| Daily Texan Staff
typically, vintage photographs are displayed behind heavy curtains to prevent light damage, the Ransom Center used a different approach. “We wanted to do something more contemporary, so we put it behind a glass frame,” chief preparator David Aaronoff said. “It’s
completely black normally. But in the installation, there’s also a motion sensor, so when someone’s standing in front of it, it turns clear until they leave again.” Aaronoff said the Ransom Center made a special effort to ensure that the exhibit is accessible and interesting
to children. “We varied the heights a bit,” Aaronoff said. “We put more colorful things at a child’s eye level and text-heavy things at an adult’s height.” The exhibit features several custom-designed installations, such as a rabbit-hole that children can walk through. The
exhibit also displays cartoons, children’s books and other kidfriendly features. Above all, Sigler said she hopes to encourage an active interest in archives through the Alice in Wonderland exhibit by offering the public the opportunity to interact with cultural artifacts.
ALBUM REVIEW | ‘HYPERVIEW’
Title Fight experiments, shows versatility in new album By Emily Gibson @thedailytexan
Title Fight’s third studio album, “Hyperview,” feels like a car ride down a forest-lined road. It feels like the days after a breakup, where the world stands still except for the quiet
beating of your heart. It feels like the uncertainty and confusion of being young. “Hyperview,” the Pennsylvania natives’ junior work, expands on the band’s previous experimentation with shoegaze, a musical style that blends distorted guitar and
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subdued vocals, which they attempted in their second album, “Floral Green.” “Hyperview” officially marks the band’s transition from the abrasive pop-punk that made them famous to ambient, angst-drenched indie suitable for hours spent lost in sound with your forehead pressed against a bus’ cool glass window. For long-time Title Fight fans, who are accustomed to seeing the band delve into different genres, this album serves as a reminder that the band has the flexibility to evolve in any direction. The album’s premier track, “Murder Your Memory,” envelops the reader in a dreamy haze of guitar and low-key, repetitive vocals. For anyone familiar with Title Fight’s previous work, this track serves as a disclaimer: “No, this is not Floral Green or Shed. Yes, we
This album serves as a reminder that the band has the flexibility to evolve in any direction. are trying something new. Yes, we can pull it off.” The album’s strongest track, the lovesick ballad “Your Pain Is Mine Now,” appears halfway through the album. Its amorphous mix of guitars and vocals are simultaneously relaxing and heartwrenching. Vogue called the track “the pretty side of punk.” Although the album does mark a definitive shift in the band’s sound, fans of their old material will find solace in songs such as “Mrahc” and “Hypernight.” Although these songs are decidedly relaxed, they maintain hints of the band’s former aggression. In 31 minutes, “Hyperview” delivers a solid listening experience, but the best thing about
the album is that it isn’t perfect. “Hyperview” exemplifies the band’s search for a sound they feel truly comfortable in because, at times, it is disjointed and strange. The album has its dull moments, and, at times, the tracks seem to bleed together because of their similar-sounding guitar riffs. The album also conveys an odd sense of urgency — at any moment, the sound could explode. Far from diminishing the album, these blemishes make “Hyperdrive” an emotional piece, and they are the reason the tracks stick with you long after the music stops. “Hyperdrive” suspends the listener in a void between the real world and a dreamy space of personal reflection. Though its brilliance might not be
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immediately apparent, the listener will want to immediately start it over after the final gripping note of the album’s last track, “New Vision.” With their new album, the foursome from Kingston, Pennsylvania, prove they have matured since their formation in 2003. Although they have yet to find their niche, “Hyperview” shows that Title Fight can play multiple genres and play them well.
MOVIE REVIEW | ‘JUPITER ASCENDING’
‘Jupiter Ascending’ delivers cinematic mess By Alex Pelham
Mila Kunis waits to be saved by Channing Tatum in the tedious and horribly written “Jupiter Ascending.”
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HYPERVIEW
In “Jupiter Ascending,” released Friday, directors Andy and Lana Wachowski attempt to combine a space opera, an action-adventure spectacle and political power struggle into one epic film. Instead, they cram three separate stories into one mediocre and confusing movie. The Wachowski siblings have cobbled together a poor excuse for a sci-fi spectacle, failing to repeat the success they generated from “The Matrix.” Far off in space, the ancient, alien Abraxas family claims ownership over the Earth and several other planets. When the matriarch of the Abraxas clan dies, siblings Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) and Titus (Douglas Booth) fight for supremacy and total control of their inheritance. On Earth, a young woman named Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) learns that she genetically matches the trio’s deceased mother, making her the Earth’s owner. With the help of genetically modified ex-soldier Caine (Channing Tatum), Jupiter attempts to survive the onslaught of the jealous heirs who seek to claim her birthright. “Jupiter Ascending”’s biggest problem is the Wachowskis’ unfocused story. It’s clear that “Jupiter” isn’t aiming to be
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
a serious drama, but the logic the Wachowskis insert into this universe is, at times, just nonsensical. For instance, Jupiter learns she is a descendent of the royal family because bees refuse to sting her. The story is packed with an absurd amount of subplots. As a result, the pacing is an absolute mess. By itself, Jupiter’s conflict with the three siblings would have provide enough story for an entire trilogy — much less a 120-minute film. But on top of the sibling squabbles, the Wachowskis also throw in love triangles and spend copious amounts of time developing minor characters. It’s disappointing that the story is mediocre, as some of the Wachowskis’ ideas do have the potential to be fascinating. The notion of a galactic royal
family in control of the Earth is an intriguing concept. The Wachowskis let their original storyline fall to the wayside as they focused on less interesting characters and plot points. Kunis can’t do anything to save the dull, weakly written Jupiter. Despite being heir to the entire planet, Jupiter never rises above the textbook damsel-in-distress. Caine saves her countless times, but even his role as a protector doesn’t make his character any more interesting. Tatum is reduced to a scowling grunt, and it’s difficult to take him seriously when he wears eyeliner and prosthetic ears. Meanwhile, Redmayne gives a bizarre performance as main antagonist Balem, rarely speaking above a whisper — except when he shrieks loudly during
moments of displeasure. The movie’s visuals served as a rare bright spot in what was otherwise a mediocre movie. The Wachowskis demonstrate their knack for creating massive worlds and spectacles through beautiful cities and environments that hover around in space. Even though practically every effect is computer-generated, the result is still dazzling. “Jupiter Ascending” is a great looking movie with clever ideas, but it is crippled by dim characters. In its attempt to be an over-the-top galactic adventure tale, the film forgets to flesh out its main characters — and loses the chance to deliver a clear, focused story. What could have been a promising space adventure is instead an incompetent, disappointing mess of a movie.