1
LIFE & ARTS PAGE 6
COMICS PAGE 5
SPORTS PAGE 4
Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
@thedailytexan
facebook.com/dailytexan
Thursday, March 26, 2015
dailytexanonline.com
LEGISLATURE
House hears texting while driving bill By Eleanor Dearman @ellydearman
The House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a statewide ban on texting while driving. HB 80 was approved with a 102–40 vote. The bill would ban text-based communication while driving in the state. If the ban passes, Texas would be the joining 45 other states that have already implemented
some form of a texting ban. “I think that we need a flat policy across the state that tells where we are,” Rep. Tom Craddick (RMidland) said in an interview with The Daily Texan. “A lot of people who go to different towns don’t know what the regulations are. If you have one bill that regulates across the state, people will know what the law is and what to abide by.” Exceptions to the bill
include typing to make a phone call, using GPS systems and replying to emergency texts, among other situations. “You’ve got to be realistic and there are certain situations, like emergency situations, where you’ve got to give people the flexibility,” Craddick said. At the bill’s second reading, Rep. Harold Dut-
TEXTING page 2
before 289c was chosen to be UT’s next licensee.” UT alumnus Achilles Morales spoke at the rally and said the new business relationship could affect the University’s affiliation
Rep. Helen Giddings (DDeSoto) filed a bill, HB 700, that would eliminate the state’s B-On-Time student loan program. The B-On-Time loan is a state forgivable loan funded by 5 percent of student tuition, according to Thomas Melecki, the University’s director of student financial services. Students on the loan receive $4000 per semester. The loan requires students graduate in four years with no more than six credit hours than needed by their degree plan. The House Higher Education committee left the bill pending after a public hearing held Wednesday. The bill would stop enrollment for the loan in September 2015, but current borrowers would be eligible for continued funding. Under HB 700, funds previously used for the loan would be granted directly to the institution from which they were collected to establish other aid programs, such as grants, loans or work-study programs. “In many cases, it’s virtually impossible for students to get out in four years,” Giddings said. “We believe that a better outcome will be received if universities are able to structure a financial aid program from these dollars that will meet the needs of students at their institutions.” Portions of the funds go unused statewide, and universities are not allocated the full value collected from student tuition. Giddings said these factors
SWEATSHOP page 2
B-ON-TIMEpage 2
Illustration by Melanie Westfall | Daily Texan Staff
By Zainab Calcuttawala @zainabroo94
Thalia Juarez | Daily Texan Staff
Franchesca Caraballo and Sarahi Soto from Students Against Sweatshops talk to Xiaoije Wei about their protest in front of Gregory Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
SYSTEM
which is huge.” Flores said the meeting was not productive because Westemeier refused to admit that there was a bidding process occurring for UT’s merchandising contract. “He flat out denied that there was even a bidding
Bill to end B-On-Time held pending in committee @ellydearman
UT apparel deal raises fair labor concerns
information, and, around the same time, we had workers from Bangladesh come on campus and speak out against sweatshops. Finally, surprisingly, we got a meeting with Craig Westemeier, who is the assistant athletics director for UT,
LEGISLATURE
By Eleanor Dearman
CAMPUS
Students Against Sweatshops protested a new 10year merchandising agreement between UT and 289c Apparel, which protesters allege has exhibited a pattern of labor violations in developing countries. Under the contract, 289c Apparel, which specializes in making universitythemed clothes, would produce collegiate merchandise for UT. At the protest rally held at Gregory Plaza on Wednesday, the organization’s leaders claimed that the University administration has systematically ignored the concerns of the student body regarding 289c Apparel’s harmful labor practices. The protest represented the organization’s latest efforts against the University’s involvement with 289c, according to psychology sophomore Andrea Flores. “In the beginning of the semester, we caught wind that 289c was trying to get on our campus,” Flores said. “So we sent out a [Freedom of Information Act] request to get some more
bit.ly/dtvid
process going on,” Flores said. “We asked that there be community dialogue before we make this huge decision, but he said, and I quote, ‘Right now, we don’t have anything to have a community gathering for.’ Again, this was three weeks
CAMPUS
New regent brings Israel Block Party sparks annual protest leadership to Board By Samantha Ketterer
By Josh Willis @joshwillis35
UT System Regent David Beck will sit on the Board of Regents for the first time Friday. Beck, a partner at the Beck Redden law firm in Houston, has held multiple leadership roles throughout his career, including president of the State Bar of Texas, International Association of Defense Counsel and American College of Trial Lawyers. Beck graduated from the UT School of Law and served as the president of the Law School Foundation. Beck Redden partner Alistair Dawson said Beck is well-recognized by his
Texas Hillel and Texans for Israel held their 17th annual Israel Block Party on Wednesday. For the first time, Israel Block Party organizers set up discussion tables in the East Mall, where students could talk to others and express their opinions.
@sam_kett
David Beck
UT System regent
colleagues for his leadership qualities. “Just about every organization in which [Beck] is involved recognizes his leadership skills and asks him to take a leadership role, which he does routinely,”
BECK page 2
While more than a thousand students came to celebrate Israeli culture at the Israel Block Party on the East Mall, dozens protested the party from feet away. Texas Hillel and Texans for Israel held their 17th annual block party, where students stopped to enjoy Israeli food, participate in discussion and take selfies with camels. From across the street, the Palestine Solidarity Committee held a protest, as they have done almost every year the event has occurred. Moriah Sonsino, Israel Block Party co-chair and international relations and
Marshall Tidrick Daily Texan Staff
global studies sophomore, said the party is not a political statement. “We don’t expect them to take away from any of our activities — we just do our own thing [and] make this as much as a cultural celebration as it is,”
Sonsino said. “We try to focus on our own stuff and not focus on what anyone else is doing because this is a topic that we really, really care about.” Ali Khan, an economics and computer science senior who helped organize the
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
ONLINE
Staff ombuds host outreach event. ONLINE
Students should be wary of what they say online. PAGE 3
Strong looks for growth during spring practice. PAGE 4
Turns out, albino squirrel isn’t actually albino. PAGE 6
Ownership of Native American remains disputed. ONLINE
Liberal Arts Dean Diehl defends shared services. PAGE 3
Women’s rowing honors female leaders. PAGE 4
UT students welcome all artists to new paint club. PAGE 6
For the latest on-campus stories and breaking news, follow The Daily Texan on Twitter. @thedailytexan
protest, said he believes the party adheres to a pro-Israeli political agenda. “Our biggest goal is to send a specific message [and] express exactly what we feel the block party is
BLOCK PARTY page 2 REASON TO PARTY
PAGE 5
2 2
Thursday, March 26, 2015
B-ON-TIME
FRAMES featured photo
thedailytexan
Volume 115, Issue 123
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
Thalia Juarez | Daily Texan Staff
People enjoy beer fresh from the tap at the tasting room in Adelbert’s Brewery on Wednesday. Adelbert’s Brewery is a local Austin brewing company that crafts Belgian-style ales.
Life & Arts Office (512) 232-2209 dtlifeandarts@gmail.com Retail Advertising (512) 475—6719 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Classified Advertising (512) 471-5244 classifieds@ dailytexanonline.com
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.
COPYRIGHT Copyright 2015 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
High
81
Low
51
“If it’s yellow and it’s sticky I call it butter.” - Paula Deen
BLOCK PARTY continues from page 1 doing, which is a propaganda event which hides a very heinous reality of cultural appropriation and genocide,” Khan said. For the first time, Israel Block Party organizers set up discussion tables in the East Mall so students could talk to others and express their opinions. The event also had multiple booths on different topics, including human rights, diversity, politics and innovation. “Especially this year, we just want to make sure people have a good idea of what Israel is,” said Joshua Posner, Israel Block Party co-chair and undeclared junior. “We’re not trying to
politicize the issue and make anyone have a certain opinion. We want people to form their own opinion based on what they see and the facts that are given to them.” Khan said crimes committed against Palestinians are depicted in the media as “normal,” but that doesn’t make them acceptable. “I think the resistance has to continue,” Khan said. “The struggle continues for Palestinians every day, whether or not there is military presence within Palestine. I think it’s important to point out that these are persistent issues.” In the days leading up to Israel’s national elections
ultimately disaffiliated with the [Worker Rights Consortium] because the company was under too much pressure from the organization,” Morales said. “We are concerned that the same thing could happen at UT.” Texas Sports reported that UT remains committed
BECK
continues from page 1 This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25 Permanent Staff
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riley Brands Senior Associate Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noah M. Horwitz Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Berkeley, Cullen Bounds, Olive Liu Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jordan Rudner Associate Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brett Donohoe, Jack Mitts News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julia Brouillette Associate News Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . Anderson Boyd, Danielle Brown, David Davis Jr., Chanelle Gibson, Adam Hamze, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natalie Sullivan Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wynne Davis, Eleanor Dearman, Samantha Ketterer, Jackie Wang, Josh Willis Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taiki Miki Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Liza Didyk, Matthew Kerr, Kailey Thompson Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alex Dolan Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia Scherer, Kelly Smith, Iliana Storch Multimedia Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Resler, Lauren Ussery Associate Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Zhang Senior Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carlo Nasisse, Griffin Smith, Ellyn Snider, Marshall Tidrick, Daulton Venglar Senior Videographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Conway, Hannah Evans, Bryce Seifert Forum Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amil Malik Editorial Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Antonia Gales Senior Opinion Columnists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Shenhar, Claire Smith Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kat Sampson Life&Arts Associate Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle Lopez Senior Life&Arts Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cat Cardenas, Marisa Charpentier, Elisabeth Dillon Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Garrett Callahan Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evan Berkowitz Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Castillo, Claire Cruz, Jacob Martella, Aaron Torres Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsay Rojas Associate Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albert Lee, Connor Murphy Senior Comics Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Marie, Isabella Palacios, Amber Perry, Rodolfo Suarez Special Projects Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Voeller Tech Team Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miles Hutson Social Media Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sydney Rubin Editorial Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Chen
Issue Staff
Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nashwa Bawab, Zainab Calcuttawala, Rund Khayyat, Vinesh Kovelamudi, Sherry Tucci Multimedia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thalia Juarez, Stephanie Tacy Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .James Rodriguez, Ezra Siegel Life&Arts Writers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen Airhart, Emily Fu, Emily Gibson Page Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sujaan Lal Columinist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jori Epstein Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Davies, Blanche Schaefer, Hannah Wimberley
Business and Advertising
(512) 471-1865 | advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald Johnson Business/Operations Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Frank Serpas III Advertising Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Denise Twellmann Account Executives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Carter Goss, Allysun Gutierrez Advertising Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shukree Shabazz Digital Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Curt Yowell Student Account Executives. . . . . . . . . Keegan Bradley, Emma Brown, Alex Unger, Marianne Locht, Alejandro Diez Student Assistants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MyMy Nguyen, Dito Prado Senior Graphic Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Hublein Student Designers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jannice Truong Special Editions/Production Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stephen Salisbury
The Daily Texan, a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78712. 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. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591), or at the editorial office (HSM 2.120). Entire contents copyright 2015 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.
Texan Ad Deadlines
last week, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would never support the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu, who is now working to form a new coalition government, had previously said he supported a two-state solution. Since the election, Netanyahu has retracted his statement, but Mohammed Nabulsi, a law student who helped organize the protest, said he believes as long as Netanyahu is prime minister, unrest will only continue. “Before, there was room within the Zionist movement to say, ‘No, no, no, we still want peace, and we still want a Palestinian
state,’” Nabulsi said. “But, now that the right wing party in Israel has shown its teeth, there’s no denial that all the State of Israel cares to do is expand, to build settlements and continue to violate international law.” Posner said the intention is still to celebrate Israel and its culture despite the political protest. “There’s a lot of stuff going on in the region and a lot of unrest,” Posner said. “We just want people to understand that beyond all the politics of it, there’s a group of people, and there’s a worthwhile culture to understand.”
to ensuring the workers creating Texas products have fair working conditions. The University will conduct factory visits and continue its relationship with the Worker Rights Consortium and the Fair Labor Association, according to the report. Regardless, Petro On,
ethnic studies senior and Students Against Sweatshops member, maintained that Students Against Sweatshops will not stop their efforts until the University cancels the deal. “It’s not too late,” On said. “It’s been done before, and we can do it again.”
SWEATSHOP continues from page 1 with the Worker Rights Consortium, a watchdog organization that reports back to the University regarding labor rights violations perpetrated by its suppliers. “When the University of Southern California signed an agreement with 289c, they
3/26/15 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)
Dawson said. Beck earned his bachelor’s degree from Lamar University before getting his law degree from UT in 1965. In a video the Texas Exes created in 2010, Beck said his years of studying at UT were crucial in helping him advance his career. “Frankly, the most interesting part of Austin was being thrown together with a lot of kids from different backgrounds, seeing everyone one of which was very, very smart,” Beck said. “To
NEWS
continues from page 1 motivated her to file the bill. In 2014, more than $11 million of the B-On-Time fund were not used. Melecki said part of the discrepancy is because of universities’ inability to advertise the loan. B-OnTime is classified as a private loan, preventing universities from prompting the funding, Melecki said. Student’s must know about the loan and ask for it to be considered. “The B-On-Time loan program is a fabulous program from a student’s point of view,” Melecki said. “But, with that gag-rule, there are too many students who don’t know about it, and, with the way the legislature has been sitting on B-OnTime money that is collected by the state, we send money down that our students spend in tuition that we never get back to help our students.” Roshni Varghese, applied learning and development senior and one of 716 students at UT using B-OnTime loans, said most people do not know about the loan. “I actually told one of my friends about it when she was a senior in college, and she had never even heard of it,” Varghese said. “I’ve only had one other friend who has ever tried or gotten it, ever. The House budget, as currently written, would cut B-On-Time funding by $25.3 million. The Senate budget would decrease it by $12.2 million. “The Appropriations Committee does anticipate, in the House anyway, that the B-On-Time loan is just going to fund renewals,” said Giddings, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “If someone has already enrolled, we’re not going to jerk the rug out from under them.” Varghese said the loan is beneficial for students, such as herself, who do not qualify for need-based loans and grants because of their parents’ incomes but are essentially paying their way through school. “The good thing about the B-On-Time loan was that it didn’t matter if you technically needed it or not; it was still there for you to get,” Varghese said.
me, that really made me realize how competitive life was.” Dawson said Beck and his wife, Judy Beck, are passionate about education. “David and Judy [Beck] have been big supporters of education at his alma maters, Lamar University and the University of Texas School of Law,” Dawson said. “They have funded several scholarships at each institution to help students achieve their goals.” Beck said he shaped his career around striving to better society through helping individuals as
a lawyer. “That’s really part of your obligation as a lawyer, that you have got to make your community better — you have got to make your profession better,” Beck said in the video. “I’ve always believed that.” In the video, Beck said his law professors at UT taught him how to fight for the rights of other people. “I enjoy what I do so much that I can’t believe they pay us to do this kind of work,” Beck said. “Without the University of Texas law school, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today.”
According to the video, Beck became known for his ability to connect to those around him — most notably, to juries. “David’s courtroom skills and confidence grew in the 25-plus years he spent with [the Fulbright & Jaworski law firm], and his ability to connect with a jury became legendary,” the video said. Beck said working to win a jury’s trust influenced other aspects of his life. “I try to stake out the moral high ground because jurors invariably want to do what’s right,” Beck said.
TEXTING
including state entrance signs, highway rest stops and state highway maps, as well as the ability to text when stopped. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, about 40 cities have banned texting while driving in some form, with Austin being the first in 2009. In January 2015, Austin implemented a handsfree ordinance that prohibits the use of any handheld device while driving. Austin Police Department Lt. Robert Richman said he thinks the texting ban could be implemented statewide and increase driver safety, but the state could also look into adopting a hands-free ordinance. He said APD experienced challenges with the texting ban before Austin’s switch to a hands-free ordinance. “I think it’s very possible that it can be implemented on a statewide scale,” Richman said. “When we
first started the texting ban, the texting ban had some limitations when it came to enforcement. Enforcement was very, very difficult, almost impossible, for us to do.” The City’s ordinance is not enforced on campus, but the state’s would be if it were to pass, according to Cindy Posey, UTPD spokeswoman. “State law enforcement authorities generally do not enforce city ordinances,” Posey said in an email. “However, UTPD enforces any state law related to distracted driving. If the state were to pass a law specifically prohibiting texting while driving, then yes, UTPD would enforce.” Sen. Judith Zaffirini (DLaredo) has an identical bill filed in the Senate. HB 80 is scheduled for a third reading in the House on Thursday, when it may receive final approval and be sent to the Senate.
continues from page 1 ton (D-Houston) said he is concerned about how a statewide texting ban would be enforced. He said he thinks officers would have a difficult time identifying when a person is texting on their phone rather than holding it or performing another action, such as making a call. Dutton said the bill creates potential for probable cause and filed an amendment that would prevent officers from pulling over a person solely based on the belief that the individual is texting. The amendment ultimately failed in a 73–66 vote. “Just because I hold my cell phone in my hand, doesn’t suggest that I am texting,” Craddick said. In total, six amendments out of 14 were passed. The amendments passed included increased signage,
4A OPINION
RILEY BRANDS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / @TexanEditorial Thursday, March 26, 2015
3
Q-AND-A
College of Liberal Arts Dean Diehl talks shared services, faculty Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of Qand-A’s with UT’s deans. Randy L. Diehl is dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He assumed the position in 2007. The Daily Texan: Can you tell us what the most exciting projects are in the college right now? Randy Diehl: Right now we are working on an initiative that will take about five years to recruit truly outstanding faculty. This is an initiative that has been made possible by funding, from the provost and the president, and it’s targeted at a relatively small number of departments that are considered priorities — history, English, philosophy, government, economics and psychology. Our entire mission, the main components of our mission — teaching, research and community engagement — really depend on attracting top faculty. By attracting great faculty, you can attract other great faculty, great students. It’s what allows us to provide really high-quality graduate and undergraduate teaching. DT: As some of us are students of the college ourselves, we are sometimes a little overwhelmed by the size of the administration and how many different people there are that you have to communicate with. Can you explain to us what you do as dean? Diehl: Well, to be honest, I spend a lot of my time with people. I spend the better part of my day in meetings. These are individual meetings with my top staff, ad hoc meetings that are requested by department chairs or groups of people. I meet with each of my associate deans…I also spend a lot of time in the provost’s office or the president’s office. I meet with other deans. A big chunk of my time is devoted to development, and that is talking to friends of the college, alumni, prospective donors. I spend a lot of time on the road meeting folks who are friends of the college. I would estimate that about 30 to 40 percent of my time is devoted to development — raising the kind of funds we need to build excellence in the college. My job, really, is to work with my colleagues, both in the college and in the Tower, to build excellence in every aspect of our mission. It is what I think of when I wake up. I do very little that
is purely bureaucratic. Mostly what I’m doing is working on major strategic issues. DT: Is it likely at this point that future cohorts of TAs and AIs will be smaller? [Editor’s Note: Since this interview was conducted, a special task force has released its report on the state of TAs and AIs in the college.] Diehl: They may be a bit smaller. I will be honest: We reduced our cohort size starting at the beginning of the downturn. For us, that was in 2009. Our cohort sizes and our total number of graduate students have gone down by around 21 percent since 2009. I think we can’t go too much further in terms of reducing graduate cohort size. In some programs, if we were to go further, it would actually damage the program. They would be below the critical mass they need to actually have a viable graduate program. In the longer term, as new money becomes available, we may be looking toward an infusion of new, recurring money. That money will be used in a number of ways. It will be used to hire great faculty, to restore the size of our faculty to earlier numbers. DT: On the issue of graduate student stipends: One of the ways to increase those would be to decrease the size of future cohorts, right? Diehl: Yeah. And in 2009 we were already experiencing a loss of competitiveness in the size of our graduate stipends. I came up with a plan right before the downturn. To help pay for that, we reduced the size of what is called our soft money budget, which helps to pay TAs, AIs and lecturers. We had no choice. But before that, I had come up with a plan to enhance the competitiveness of our stipend by modestly reducing our cohort size. We see the reduction in graduate cohort size as temporary, or at least a component of it as temporary. And then we’ll come back when we have some new money. DT: Will you talk a little bit about how the shared services model works? Diehl: It works extremely well. The idea was we aren’t forcing anyone to go to shared services, it was voluntary. I have never gotten a complaint from anybody about the quality of the shared services operation. Instead, I’ve gotten nothing but, “Wow, this
COLUMN
Charlie Pearce | Daily Texan File Photo
The Liberal Arts Building.
is so much better than when we had so and so doing this.” The turnaround time on reimbursements, the reduction in simple errors that required the paperwork be reprocessed... it’s really helped the department. The way we do it is when we save money — and we do save money — we divide that money between the college and the unit. Typically, the college gets more of the savings than the unit does. It varies a little bit. We’ve done 50-50 divisions in a couple of cases where it was warranted. Otherwise, one-third goes to the unit or the center or the department, and two-thirds goes to the college to pay for the staff that are required for the central business office, or go to pay for other aspects of the college mission. What we’ve found is that the quality of service is higher than it was before, and we are saving money. DT: Will you talk about the new geography building and what will be happening there? Diehl: The building will have a different name. Right now it’s black studies and Mexican American studies. That’s what’s going to be housed there. Both black studies and Latino studies would not have hap-
pened, either as departments or as research institutes, without the incredible support of Bill Powers, with full support from the dean and the faculty. He made the funds available to go out and get a new faculty and support research. This campus now would be viewed nationally, internationally, as one of the centers for ethnic studies, particularly black studies and Latino studies. DT: How do you respond to critics’ claims that the College of Liberal Arts here, and its counterparts at other universities, don’t adequately prepare students for today’s workforce? Diehl: It’s nonsense. The marketable skills we provide our students are at the very core of a liberal arts education. I am talking about critical thinking, the ability to write coherently, the ability to speak, the ability to understand how we got to where we are as a society; in other words, to understand enough history, enough of the humanities to understand our culture, to understand our international culture. It is no surprise that a majority of CEOs, when surveyed, will say they are looking for, in terms of hiring, not so much technical skills but the kind of skills that liberal art majors bring to the table.
GALLERY
Students’ social media behavior carries real-life consequences By Jori Epstein
Daily Texan Columnist @JoriEpstein
As the only time college ball supersedes professional sports, the NCAA Tournament bestows a maddening amount of attention on colleges. When lower-seeded teams pull off scintillating upsets, fans laud their perseverance, grit and character. When storied teams fall in early rounds, fans lament their mistakes, poor decisions and lack of heart. It takes little more than a few seconds — the time required for a buzzer beater — to change the storyline. This suspense and unpredictability attract millions of fans to follow the tournament each year. Emotions packed into game-changing moments reel us in. The heartbreak of lost chances pulls at us. But in recent weeks, the tournament isn’t the only college news making headlines. Joey Casselberry, who played first baseman for the Bloomsburg University baseball team through last week, changed his own storyline Friday night with a single tweet about the female Little Leaguer Mo’ne Davis. “Disney is making a movie about Mo’ne Davis? WHAT A JOKE. That slut got rocked by Nevada,” he tweeted. Trash-talking is nothing new in the worlds of social media and sports. Casselberry’s message, sans the slang, jabs more at Davis’ athletic ability than at her character or gender. But society doesn’t condone speaking derogatorily about women, much less a 13-year-old girl, in a public forum. On Saturday, Casselberry was promptly dismissed from the team. (Davis later asked the university president to reinstate Casselberry since she “knows he worked hard to get where he is” and didn’t want him to ruin his dreams. No luck.) Casselberry’s consequences are the latest in a series of college kids’ errors rocking national headlines. Including a videoed racist chant at OU and a Facebook group at Penn State with photos of nude women, social media account-
ability is surging rapidly. None of these three instances showed new phenomena in society — racism, nude photography and derogatory language — and yet each instance garnered much attention and will stunt the students’ futures. Why? Higher education spans further than professional aspirations and academic competency. College campuses aim to foster diversity, broaden students’ horizons and — to borrow the motto of the Plan II Honors program in the College of Liberal Arts — enable students to make for themselves a life, not just a living. When students act counter to these goals, they face the consequences. The rabble-rousing unfolding on college campuses in the past few weeks doesn’t suggest new trends so much as new accountability for old trends. As college students in the digital age, we must remember that technology enables others to watch at any time. Though 2020 hindsight frames these instances as cases of stupidity or prejudice, each is more unique for its consequences than its initial actions. Sadly, such depravity trickles through all college campuses (and far beyond campuses), often without malicious intent. Lessons of morality and sensitivity abound. But another lesson lies beneath these scandals as well: humility. College students have a penchant for strongly overestimating their capabilities, invincibility and sphere of influence. We’re simultaneously able to capitalize on campus opportunities and make poor decisions after hours, right? No. Thinking twice (maybe three times) about the impact of our actions beyond our personal spheres is a crucial life lesson. Our storylines, and storylines of many others who are intertwined, can change irreversibly in no time. Let’s channel such moments and decisions in both life and on social media into positive outcomes — change people’s lives for the better instead. Epstein is a Plan II and journalism senior from Dallas.
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.
Saniya Walawalkar | Daily Texan Staff
ONLINE Our commentary doesn’t stop on the page. Check out our editorial blog, A Matter of Opinion, on our website, www. dailytexanonline.com, every day for commentary on the day’s news from members of the Texan editorial board.
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.
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.
4
4
GARRETT CALLAHAN, SPORTS EDITOR | @texansports Thursday, March 26, 2015
FOOTBALL
What to look for in spring practice By Aaron Torres
Head coach Charlie Strong is looking to senior linebacker Dalton Santos to be a leader on defense in 2015. The Longhorns defense has big shoes to fill after losing key players last season.
@aarontl11
It’s that time of year when the flowers begin to blossom, the temperature outside warms up, and spring practice commences for the Longhorns. Head coach Charlie Strong’s first season didn’t have the traction that was expected, and it ended with a 31–7 defeat at the hands of Arkansas. Texas enters spring practice with a sense of urgency to get back to national relevance. Here are a few things to keep an eye on during the start of spring practice. The quarterback situation “Who will be the starting quarterback?” It’s the question everyone wants to know the answer to. Last season, sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes lacked consistency in his play, and by the season’s end, fans were ready to move on from the Swoopes era. Strong made it clear both Swoopes and redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard, who hasn’t seen any action yet, will compete for the starting job. “Going into the spring practice, we’re going to give them equal reps; give them a chance to compete against each other,” Strong said. Players are often judged by their stats and how they
SIDELINE NBA ROCKETS
PELICANS
CAVALIERS
GRIZZLIES
Ethan Oblak Daily Texan file photo
perform on the field; it’s no different for quarterbacks, who are often in the eye of the storm. Swoopes and Heard will not be solely judged on their skill set and ability to execute but also on their ability to lead and unify the team. “At that position you got to have leadership,” Strong said. “With these two quarterbacks, can we get the team to follow them?” Defense It’s an old saying: “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” The Longhorns go into
this spring season losing key players on the defensive end, including linebacker Jordan Hicks, cornerback Quandre Diggs and defensive tackle Malcom Brown. Texas has the right personnel for a successful defense, but time will tell whether it will become elite. Texas is looking for leaders, especially in the middle linebacker position, which is regarded as the “quarterback” of the defense. According to Strong, rising senior linebacker Dalton Santos is in place to start as middle linebacker. As the backup to se-
FOOTBALL | COLUMN
nior linebacker Steve Edmond last season, he saw the field a fair amount, helping him gain the experience to take over. But spring practice will provide important reps for him with the first team. Fans will also get their first glance at freshman outside linebacker Malik Jefferson, who is considered to be the star member of Strong’s recruiting class. Team chemistry, leadership and intangibles The Longhorns’ team chemistry, pride and leadership are all important for success, going hand-in-hand with each other.
“One thing [the coaches and I] talked about — the number one — and it’s very key is to go build us a football team,” Strong said. “A team with team chemistry.” While pride of being on the team can create leaders that galvanize others on the team, Texas will look for its team chemistry to show. Beyond the ‘X’s and ‘O’s, Strong and the Longhorns strive for the intangibles that make successful teams. Spring practice begins Wednesday, and fans will see whether Texas can begin to blossom like flowers are doing now.
WOMEN’S ROWING
Texas names boats after women leaders
BULLS
RAPTORS
TOP TWEET Isaiah Taylor @Zay_Ctmd11
Happy Belated Birthday to a great guy, mentor and brother @ tj_ford. You set the standard for basketball culture in these Austin streets.
By James Rodriguez @jamie_rod
Amy Zhang| Daily Texan file photo
Sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes struggled with consistency during the 2014 season. One of Texas’ biggest needs for next season is better quarterback play.
Longhorns need to improve offensive scheme for success By Ezra Siegel @siegelezra
Head coach Charlie Strong has his work cut out for him. The Longhorns offense needs fixing, and it needs it badly. When the Longhorns weren’t turning the ball over, they were simply unable to sustain drives — ranking 89th in plays-per-game and 110th in third-down conversion percentage last season. While injuries and dismissals played a role in their offensive woes, predictable play calling and a vanilla offensive scheme didn’t do sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes and company any favors. “We have to tweak [the offense],” Strong said after National Signing Day. “We know this. I look at five games last season where we scored 20 points or less. We know we have to get better.” The games that Strong mentioned were cringe-worthy. Among them were losses to Kansas State, TCU and Arkansas, in which describing the offense as looking lost is an understatement. It was clear the personnel and the scheme did not add up to a successful offense. Strong knows that Texas’ offensive struggles last season were unacceptable, and he’s emphasized adjusting
the scheme to fit his players and new recruits. In this case, Texas’ recruits mostly come from Texas, which is notorious for a high-tempo, high-scoring spread offenses at the high-school level. “I look at this state ship, and I would say probably 98 percent of this state is a spread offense,” Strong said Monday at the first spring press conference. “So, when we bring players into our program, let’s not change them.” Perhaps the best indication of the coming system tweaks is the hiring of Jay Norvell, former Oklahoma wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator, as Texas’ new wide receivers coach. Norvell was partly hired for his experience in coaching spread offenses, and his impressive track record at Oklahoma is encouraging. In five of his seven years with the Sooners, Oklahoma’s offense ranked in the top 30 in scoring and plays-per-game. In simpler terms, Norvell’s spread stayed on the field, gained first downs and scored points. Texas needs all of the above. The new offense’s biggest beneficiaries may be the quarterbacks. Both Swoopes and redshirted freshman Jerrod Heard were top dual-threat quarterbacks
coming out of high school, and spreading the offense will give them a chance to prove themselves as runners and throwers in spring play. Even incoming freshman quarterback Kai Locksley — who won’t be in practices until the summer but is still a candidate for the starting job, according to Strong — excelled in a spread offense in high school. “They are good enough where they can throw the ball, good enough where, if you had to pull it down, they could run the football,” Strong said. “But, you have to take advantage of what you have.” If Strong and his staff can get consistent play from their quarterbacks through a scheme change, it would be an enormous step toward fixing the offense. Regardless of who is under center, Texas has no more excuses for poor offense. Strong and his staff need to find a way to get the most out of their players, and, whether it’s a complete offensive overhaul or some slight scheme changes, Texas’ offense will look different next year. If Strong and his staff can deliver on their promise to improve the offense, it will be a big step in bringing the Longhorns back into national relevance.
When the Longhorns hit the water for the San Diego Crew Classic this weekend, they will have two new boats. This week, before the start of its first regatta, Texas rowing dedicated two of its new boats to influential women in Texas athletics. The first boat, which was dedicated Tuesday, will be named “Tina Bonci” in honor of the longtime head athletic trainer and co-director of sports medicine. On Wednesday, the team dedicated the second boat to alumna Ruth Striver, who was the first Longhorn rower in school history to be named an All-American. Bonci, a nationally renowned pioneer in the field of sports medicine, was a staple of Texas women’s athletics until her death in March 2014 because of a rare form of cancer. “She was an incredible woman who left a great legacy,” senior captain Casey Redman said. “I got to know her on a personal level when I first came to Texas, and I can truly say that she has forever impacted my life.” Bonci was known for forging close relationships with the students she treated. At the time of her death, Bonci was still a full-time employee with Texas athletics and was highly regarded for her unwavering devotion to student-athletes and consummate knowledge of sports medicine. Bonci was hired at Texas in 1985 and wrote the entire training-room manual — a set of guidelines and procedures that is still in use today. “She faced a pretty courageous battle with cancer, but, honestly, you would have never known when you were talking to her because her work ethic and the compassion for her athletes never changed,” Redman said. “Even in the face of extreme adversity, she always put others before herself. We are all really honored to be rowing in a boat dedicated to her and her memory.” Traditionally, new boats are named after influential
She was an incredible woman who left a great legacy. I got to know her on a personal level when I first came to Texas, and I can truly say that she has forever impacted my life. —Casey Redman Senior Captain
women in Texas, such as Barbara Jordan, who has a boat named in her honor. More recently, this criterion has been expanded to include influential figures in the UT community and in Texas athletics, such as Jody Conradt, former women’s basketball coach and women’s athletic director, and Lynn Wheeler, former associate athletic director. Head coach Dave O’Neill said the idea to name the boat after Bonci grew out of discussions with the team captains. Unlike lengthier dedications in past years, this year’s dedications were held after rowing practice and were kept much shorter and simpler. “It was a very organic process,” O’Neill said. “It wasn’t like, ‘Here’s a vote, and here’s a naming committee.’ I like to keep things relatively simple and not lose sight of what the main thing is.” The dedication to Striver on Wednesday comes at an appropriate time, as the Longhorns are trying to return to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2004. Striver was on that crew, and she helped lead Texas’ first varsity eight boat to its first two appearances in the NCAA Championships during her junior and senior seasons in 2003 and 2004. “I want the team to get that connection that it doesn’t have to be Kay Bailey Hutchison, but it can be someone who’s influential in the UT community [and] UT athletics but also Texas rowing,” O’Neill said.
TODAY’S EVENTS Track & field/cross country 88th Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays 10 a.m. Austin, Texas Longhorn Network Men’s swimming and diving NCAA Championships 11 a.m./7 p.m. Iowa City, Iowa
SPORTS BRIEFLY Women’s golf earns second-place finish
Texas women’s golf finished second at the Anuenue Spring Break Classic in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Wednesday. “This was a great team effort this week,” head coach Ryan Murphy said. Senior Bertine Strauss anchored the Longhorns and finished in a tie for fourth. Strauss has now finished in the top 10 of a tournament four times this season and seven times in her career. Other notable performances came from sophomores Julia Beck and Anne Hakula. Beck finished in a tie for ninth, marking her first top-10 finish this season. Hakula earned her second-consecutive top-20 finish with a tie for 19th. The Longhorns will compete again on April 5 in the UTSA MatchUp at Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio. —Claire Cruz
5
COMICS
5
Thursday, March 26, 2015
t
SUDOKUFORYOU 6 9 7
5 4 8 3 2
9
3 4 2 2 4 3 9 8 7 8 1 1 6 3 2 5 3 9 2 6
7
9 6 3 7 4 5 8 1 2
5 8 7 1 3 2 4 6 9
4 2 1 6 8 9 3 5 7
3 5 6 9 7 8 1 2 4
8 7 9 4 2 1 6 3 5
1 4 2 3 5 6 7 9 8
2 1 8 5 6 4 9 7 3
7 9 5 8 1 3 2 4 6
6 3 4 2 9 7 5 8 1
CLASSIFIEDS
r matey. This scurrvy beast is today’s answerrrrrr. Name: CLASSIFIEDS; p it out, or it’ll be theU the fishes for ya! NS
AD IRNE FOR L 1 5 2ON6
6 1 4
Today’s solution will appear here next issue
T
D
T
Width:HE 60p0; Depth: 10 in; EXAN Color: Black, CLASSIFIEDS; Ad Number: AILY
8 Ely! 7 4 9 E R s on d F a d 6 5 9 8 3 1 2 wor 7 Self-serve, 24/7 on the Web at www.DailyTexanOnline.com 7 1 2 3 4 6 8 5 400 Condos-Townhouses 870 Medical 1 3703Unf. Apts. 4 8 2 9 5 6 PRE-LEASE WEST CAMPUS TO2BED2BATH CONDO AVAIL5 DAY!!! 4 Studios 3 9starting 6 at8$795 7 ABLE 1 NOW! 3016 Guadalupe St. and 1-1’s starting at $850. 1,100sqft. includes w/d. $1,695/ Seeks College-Educated Men LOCATION 5129 Now 8 pre-leasing 1 5 for 7 summer/ 2 3 mo 4 AWESOME 18–39 to Participate in a 791-0945 512-791-0945 fall move-ins. Located at: Six-Month Donor Program Donors average $150 per specimen. 4 Diplomat 9 7- 19116San3Gabriel 5 2 8 790 Part Time Apply on-line Red Oak - 2104 San Gabriel WANT TO MAKE $400? Help us www.123Donate.com 3 Envoy 6 - 2108 8 San 2 Gabriel 1 4 9 create 7 study guides for courses 2 Barranca 7 5Square 4 - 910 9 W.126th 6 you 3 are taking! Contact: marie@neuacademic. Rio Grande Square - 2800 Rio SEE WHAT OUR com Grande Montage - 2812 Rio Grande Call us direct at (512) 499-8013 or visit us at www.wsgaustin.com PRE-LEASE HYDE PARK TODAY!!! Studios starting at $795 and 1-1’s starting at $850. Now pre-leasing for summer/ fall move-ins. Located at: Melroy - 3408 Speedway Le Marquee - 302 W. 38th St Monticello - 306 W. 38th St Call us direct at (512) 499-8013 or visit us at www.wsgaustin.com
Sell Textbooks SCIENCE FICTION: After catastrophic biological warfare, we may not agree on what nature is or what civilization is. WILDERNESS is a novel by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon.com SCIENCE FICTION: What will we become, years from now? Better or worse? Fools, victims, fortunate souls in dangerous times? REMEMBERING THE FUTURE: stories by Alan Kovski. Available via Amazon.com
recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle recycle
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.
dailytexanclassifieds.com
ONLINE SYSTEM has to offer, and place YOUR AD NOW! dailytexanclassifieds.com
Sign up for the Daily Digest and receive coupons DAILY! Scan this code >
WATCH FOR
LONGHORN LIFE FRIDAY 3/27
keep an eye out for the
super TUESDAY COUPONS
every week
6
6
KAT SAMPSON, LIFE&ARTS EDITOR | @thedailytexan Thursday, March 26, 2015
ART
Freshmen create painting club, Project: Paint By Emily Fu @efu_utexas
Aspiring artists, stressedout students and curious amateurs can channel their inner Van Goghs, Picassos and Monets through UT’s newest painting club, Project: Paint. Project: Paint provides a relaxed but structured atmosphere for painters of varying skill levels. The club, which business freshman Julia Lu and philosophy freshman Grace Thomas founded this semester, welcomes students of all majors. “Once you get into college, you want to explore who you are and try different things,” Thomas said. “You get [so] caught up in your major and résumé-building that you don’t explore other options, so this is an opportunity for those who are not in art to indulge in that artistic endeavor outside of academics.” The club focuses specifically on canvas painting and meets for two hours each week. Club members can come and go any time during those two hours. To encourage new members who may not already own art supplies, the club pairs with the University Co-op to offer members a special discounted art package that includes canvas, brushes and paints for a little more than $30. Members bring their own supplies, canvas and easel, as well as any paintings they are already working on, to each meeting. They paint in a variety of styles, from bold landscapes to colorful abstracts. The club members exchange critiques, tips and suggestions in a casual group setting. Thomas, who has been interested in art since she was young, said she values the
Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff
From left, philosophy freshman Grace Thomas, marketing sophomore Kelsie Rogers and business freshman Julia Lu work on paintings at the Project: Paint meeting in the Sanchez Building on Monday evening. Project: Paint offers a relaxed atmosphere for students to paint and de-stress.
social aspect of art and the opportunity to bond with people who have similar interests. She and Lu formed the idea for the club last semester when they discovered their mutual love of art. “I remember one day, as we were getting to know each other, [Lu] came out with her sketchbook, and she was just showing me some of her stuff,” Thomas said. “I paint, and that’s when we first found out we both shared this interest.”
They added marketing sophomore Kelsie Rogers to their staff as their marketing and creative director. Although Rogers said she doesn’t necessarily consider herself an artist, she said she never felt deterred from joining the club. “I like art of all kinds, so I thought it would be a cool way to expand my horizons,” Rogers said. “In my management class, we learned that learning new skills is a great way to expand knowledge. I
thought I’d put that idea to the test and get involved.” The three students appreciate art for a variety of reasons. Lu said breaking out her canvas and paints this semester helped her realize how therapeutic painting can be. “It’s a very in-the-moment kind of thing where you get to focus on yourself but in a non-conventional way,” Lu said. “When I draw or paint, it’s like conscious meditation. It’s a time for you to reflect on
SCIENCE SCENE
‘Albino’ squirrels’ true colors revealed
yourself. To me, it’s that moment that I really like.” Rogers said art can bring people together in a community and said it’s important that students at UT do not feel alone when they face struggles. “We all know what the stress of a college student feels like, but painting is a way in which we can come together to alleviate some of that stress,” Rogers said. “Creating that community through a medium as cool and challenging as art is
pretty awesome.” Thomas said she finds the way people observe, engage with and communicate through art fascinating. “People have so many different viewpoints of what the artist is trying to convey,” Thomas said. “When you get to create that and partake in that little world, I think it’s really rewarding.” Lu said there’s a very simple reason to go and check out the club: “It’s fun. Period.”
ALBUM REVIEW | ‘LOVETAP!’
Smallpools’ debut album covers familiar territory By Emily Gibson @emgeemtee
By Ellen Airhart @ellenairhart
There is no albino squirrel at UT. There have never been any albino squirrels at UT. I know you probably don’t want to believe this. According to local legend, students who see the albino squirrel are destined to ace their next exam. But the pale, furry creatures that students have believed in for generations are actually color variants of the fox squirrel, and they’re white because of a condition called leucism. If the squirrels were truly albino, they would have red eyes. The white squirrels at UT are leucistic, which means their skin and hair lack pigment cells, according to the journal Polar Biology. Leucism affects animals at a later stage of their embryonic development than albinism would, and it does not affect a squirrel’s body beyond the skin and fur. Albinism is a rare disorder that results from a disruption in melanin production. Melanin is a group of pigment cells that cause darker skin, and darker skin is more resistant to sun damage. Melanin deficiencies cause genuine albino squirrels to have substantial health problems, including vision issues, hearing loss and ineffective immune systems. The white squirrels on campus don’t have these issues because their condition is only skin deep. Fox squirrels have many different color variations. There are the white squirrels
Illustration by Lindsay Rojas | Daily Texan Staff
on campus,the gray squirrels that are everywhere and a darker variety that reside in colder climates. The darker squirrels’ color is the result of hyperactive melanin. Dark coloring helps the squirrels absorb heat to conserve energy during the winter months, according to research in the journal Southeastern Naturalist. Austin’s relatively warm climate takes the pressure off white fox squirrels. The pale UT squirrels, like many urban animals, are suited to their unusual environment — a sunny college campus. Although albino and leucistic squirrels might be more conspicuous to some types of predators in the wild, the white fox squirrels on campus are not likely to encounter these threats. Predation causes less than 5 percent of squirrel deaths in cities. Since students consider the white squirrels to be good
luck, the squirrels get food and other types of special treatment beneficial. The pale squirrels aren’t the only animals to take advantage of human neighbors. Squirrels generally survive better in cities than in the wild. Other animals benefit from living in populated areas, too. Crows have more successful nests in suburban areas, where they adapt to their environment by eating human waste or taking advantage of other human protections. Brown rats have thrived in cities, as well. Of course, those animals don’t quite command the status and attention of pale squirrels with legendary grade-boosting abilities. While animals find more protection from predation and more access to food in cities, there are still risks. Although raccoons survive better in urban environments, they are at greater risk of
Multimedia
Learn more about the not-so-albino squirrel in our video at dailytexanonline.com. contracting diseases such as rabies, according to the Canadian Journal of Zoology. Similar to humans, animals have higher population densities in cities, where infections quickly spread from one animal to another. Here’s the good news, superstitious readers: Although there are no true albino squirrels on campus, spotting a white squirrel might still give you the confidence boost you need to ace an exam. After all, despite their limited camouflage skills, these leucistic squirrels are still around. They’ve passed the test of time, so maybe you’ll pass your exams, too.
Just seven months after Los Angeles-based band Smallpools formed in 2013, they signed with major label RCA Records and their song “Dreaming” climbed the alternative charts. On Monday, 22 months after they first appeared on the radio, the band released its highly anticipated debut album, LOVETAP!. Despite the nearly two years it took Smallpools to release their first full-length album, it isn’t a particularly groundbreaking effort. But its feel-good vibe makes it the perfect soundtrack for springtime in Austin. Smallpools’ fast-paced, dance-around-your-room music isn’t the most critically acclaimed or memorable — but it is always fun to dance to. The band’s sound is reminiscent of Walk the Moon, Magic Man and The Mowgli’s. LOVETAP! is roughly 45 minutes of the catchy choruses and upbeat synthpop that made Smallpools famous in 2013. It features all of the band’s previously released tunes, including those from their 2013 four-track EP and their two 2014 singles, plus eight new tracks. The album’s strongest songs are the previously released ones, including “Dreaming” and “Karaoke.” New songs such as “Street Fight,” “Admission to Your Party” and “9 To 5” also stand out as memorable tracks. As is the case with most pop efforts, some of the songs get lost in the mix. When Smallpools do nail a song — which they do frequently on LOVETAP! — it stands out.
LOVETAP! Artist: Smallpools Tracks: 14 Rating: 6/10
The album begins with “American Love,” a threeminute track that starts off with the relaxing sound of violins before picking up with sharp guitar riffs, enthusiastic clapping and singer Sean Scanlon’s highpitched vocals. The song is a strong start to the album and a good introduction to the rest of LOVETAP!’s indie-pop track list. The album’s title track, “Lovetap!” feels like it was written for speeding down a highway on a hot summer night or for the sound track of an indie film. Scanlon’s vocals are altered in a subtle and ’80s-esque way, and guitarist Mike Kamerman’s riffs, accompanied by an upbeat synth, give the song a vintage, retro-pop vibe. If nothing else, the repetitive lyrics are memorable enough to sing along to after the first listen, and the cheerful beats induce dancing throughout the entire album. LOVETAP! is a solid debut work. Through the songs, the listener can feel how much fun Smallpools had recording and performing the album, which makes it a more enjoyable listen. To hear Smallpools perform the songs from LOVETAP! live, check them out at Forty Acres Fest at 7 p.m. Saturday.