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Perrin loses ‘interim,’ gains two years By Jori Epstein @JoriEpstein
University President Gregory Fenves extended Mike Perrin’s contract as the men’s athletic director through 2017–18 on Thursday. Perrin had filled the position on an interim basis since Sept. 16, one day after Steve Patterson resigned. In the interim role, he supervised men’s sports, helped close a 15-year, $250 million Nike deal and assured football season-ticket
holders that prices won’t rise in the next two years. Perrin was hired on a $750,000, one-year contract. Fenves’ office told ESPN that Perrin’s salary won’t change in the two-year extension. Instead, he’ll be an “atwill employee” without a formal contract. Fenves said he’s confident Perrin will continue bringing “positive change and pride” to the athletics department. “Since Mike became interim AD, he has proved to
be a resourceful and valuable asset,” Fenves said. “His experiences as a student-athlete and a successful lawyer and businessman have given him unique insight that complements his strong leadership.” Perrin lettered as a linebacker under legendary Texas coach Darrell K Royal from 1966 to 1968. He received his bachelor’s in math and a J.D. at the University. He then practiced law in Houston until
PERRIN page 11
Rachel Zein | Daily Texan file photo
University President Gregory Fenves, right, and Men’s Athletic Director Mike Perrin speak at Perrin’s introductary press conference in September. Perrin is now the full time men’s AD.
By Matthew Adams @MatthewAdams60
1978 1996 2003
Grutter v. Bollinger - The Court ruled in a 5-4 decision saying the University of Michigan Law School using race as an admissions factor was constitutional.
2003
Gratz v. Bollinger - In a 6-3 decision, the Court decided using a point system for undergraduate students was unconstitutional.
Infographic by Kelly Smith | Daily Texan Staff
Court ruling that declared affirmative action unconstitutional in 1996’s Hopwood v. Texas, the Texas Legislature created the Top 10 Percent Law. This law, which originally admitted the top 10 percent of high school students
On campus post office lease to last until 2017 @tsaoashley
Previous cases could affect Fisher outcome
Equal Protection Clause, forbidding a state from denying “any person with its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law” and said the California System “must be rejected … as racially invalid.” Following the Supreme
CAMPUS
By Ashley Tsao
NATIONAL
Although Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas will be heard for a second time on Dec. 9, the US Supreme Court has addressed the issue of affirmative action many times before. Fisher, a white applicant, was not admitted to UT in 2008 and is suing the University because she claims she was denied based on her race. The court has previously heard four other cases on the topic, none of which have yet to set the standard for affirmative action policies. In 1978, the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke addressed the issue of reserving spots for minority students. At the University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 16 of the 100 seats for students were reserved for minority students. Allan Bakke, a white applicant, was denied admission twice although his GPA, MCAT score and benchmark scores were higher than the minority students. Justice Lewis Franklin Powell determined California’s use of racial quotas violated the Constitution’s
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in each class, now fluctuates between 7 and 8 percent at UT. In 2003, the court heard two cases from the University of Michigan on the topic of affirmative action. One case, Grutter v. Bollinger, looked at
the law school using race as an admissions factor, while Gratz v. Bollinger addressed a point system explicitly awarding points to minority students in undergraduate admissions.
ACTION page 2
The on-campus post office has extended their lease until Feb. 28, 2017, according to Cindy Posey, associate director of communications for University Operations. The lease was originally set to expire in Feb. 2016, but USPS and UT-Austin approved a one-year extension plus five one-year options to extend the lease at a November meeting. This follows a two-year extension period that was approved at the end of 2013. “[The lease was extended] to provide postal services to the campus community,” Posey said. Electrical engineer junior Jenny Lee said it would have been a huge inconvenience if the post office on campus were to have closed in February 2016 because she frequently ships packages out to sell on Ebay. “Ebay asks how long the handling will take and instead of taking me one day [to ship a package] it’ll take me three days,” Lee said. “That would be really bad because consumers like for you to ship things out quickly. I also don’t have a car on campus, so I would probably have to take the bus or Lyft to get to another USPS site.” Hiba Alkhadra, fifth year psychology student, said it would not have been an inconvenience if the post office had closed. “I live on Lake Austin, so I would just mail from wherever is closest to me,” Alkhadra said. “I only use this office when I’m on campus. I do think UT should have a postal office on campus because a lot of students live here and it would be more difficult to mail things if we didn’t have one right here.”
CAMPUS
CAMPUS
Students protest blackface, Looking ahead: stories to ask for increased inclusivity watch as fall semester ends By Forrest Milburn
By Samantha Ketterer to make her case, Fisher
@forrestmilburn
To protest the theatre department’s use of blackface in its latest production, a group of students laid down on the ground in the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre lobby Thursday. The production partially spurred the demonstration, called a “die-in,” but also points to the larger issue of racial inclusivity, according to organizers and protesters. “Do not trust what you see as a reflection of this community,” theatre and dance senior Oktavea Williams said during the protest. “When you leave, do not allow caricatures, stereotypes and prejudices that will be presented tonight to persist.”
@sam_kett
Kate Sanchez | Daily Texan Staff
Theatre and dance senior Fallon Christian participates in a die-in on Thursday evening in Brockett Theatre lobby.
Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas will hit the US Supreme Court for the second time next week. The case will determine the constitutionality of UT’s policies concerning race as a factor in admissions decisions. Fisher, a rejected UT applicant who is white, claims she was not accepted to UT in 2008 on the basis of her race. The case was heard in the Supreme Court in 2012, where it was then sent back to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. When the Fifth Circuit ruled that Fisher failed
appealed to the Supreme Court again. The Court will hear arguments from both sides starting Dec. 9.
Hall v. McRaven A hearing in the case between UT System Regent Wallace Hall and UT System Chancellor William McRaven will be heard the week of Dec. 7. Hall filed a lawsuit against McRaven after he denied Hall’s request for documents in the Kroll Report, which detailed cases where former UT President William Powers Jr. influenced the admissions process. McRaven cited Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts laws as
The department’s production of “The Wild Party,” co-written by Michael John LaChiusa and African-American playwright George C. Wolfe,
is set during the Roaring ‘20’s and includes several “debaucherous” scenes.
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As the year ends, we look back at all the action. PAGE 3
Editor bids au revoir to her home of two years. PAGE 4
Volleyball takes down Fairfield in first round. PAGE 9
Watch our video recap of the highlights of the semester.
Halal and kosher food could be added to menu. PAGE 3
Conditions for refugees must improve in the States. PAGE 4
Football prepares to face Bears in Waco. PAGE 9
Editor trades in crown for diploma. PAGE 14 Students share experience with sexual assault. PAGE 15
THEATER page 2
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a reason for denying Hall’s request, in an effort he said was to protect students and families’ private information. Tuition In October, the Board of Regents approved a plan that will allow UT System schools to raise tuition by up to 2 percent. The proposed increase at UT Austin would total around $150 a semester per person and will be implemented during the 2017 and 2018 fiscal years. UT President Gregory Fenves will make a recommendation on the tuition increase to the UT System next week.
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So long. Farewell. I bid you adieu.
In Grutter, the court declared the law school’s procedure was constitutional. In Granz, the court ruled Michigan’s undergraduate system was found unconstitutional. A brief filed by the University of Michigan for the upcoming Fisher case argues that race as an admissions factor plays a crucial role for the institution. “Admissions officers should be able to consider race in some circumstances in order to be attentive to the distinctive characteristics of individual applicants,” the Michigan brief said. “Just as growing up in a particular region or having particular professional experiences is likely to affect an individual’s views, so too is one’s own, unique experience of being a racial minority in a society, like our own, in which race unfortunately still matters.’” Richard Lempert, a
professor at the University of Michigan School of Law who filed a brief supporting UT, said while it is hard to predict how Justice Anthony Kennedy will vote, there is a wrinkle in this case after Justice Elena Kagan recused herself in Fisher I. “From a point of view of advocates of affirmative action, its quite unfortunate,” Lempert said. “As dean of Harvard Law School, she’s the one person on the court who could talk to the other justices about what affirmative action is and what it looks like in the educational process.” UT law professor Lino Graglia said when the case is heard again, what it will come to is how Kennedy votes because he has swayed different ways before. “You have four justices, who very predictably, will vote to uphold affirmative action,” Graglia said. “There are four others who are almost just as predictable.” The biggest question
THEATRE Admissions officers should be able to consider race in some circumstances in order to be attentive to the distinctive characteristics of individual applicants. —University of Michigan brief
that arises is how Kennedy will vote, and Graglia said he expects Kennedy to vote affirmative action unconstitutional. “In other race cases, [Kennedy] is not as strict as [Antonin] Scalia or [Clarence] Thomas … but he has generally been tough on race discrimination,” Graglia said. “A lot of times these cases today come down to how Kennedy votes, which is not entirely predictable.”
continues from page 1 The play also includes about two scenes where the character Burrs puts on blackface, a form of theatrical makeup used by non-black actors to mock black stereotypes. In an email, theater department chair Brant Pope said his program is not including the blackface as an endorsement of the practice but as a critique used by cowriter Wolfe, a playwright whose works deal with race and identity. “It’s critical to understand that we are producing the play as written,” Pope said. “The writers use blackface in this play as one of many elements that point to a lack of a moral compass in both the character and the world he inhabits.” Several students and protesters argued that the problem with the production lies less with the play itself, but more so with inclusivity problems shown through
FORWARD
A police officer tells a supporter of campus carry, not affiliated with UT, to step down from the West mall area during the campus carry rally. He was later arrested for trespassing where Gun-Free UT had reserved a rally space.
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Green fee The green fee, a $5 per semester fee included in student tuition, is set to expire summer 2016. The amount, which supports environmental projects and research at Texas universities, has helped provide funding for 83 projects at UT. While a bill could be introduced in the next legislative session to renew the fee, students and the Office of Sustainability are hoping the fee will be included in the possible tuition increase. Campus carry The fall semester was in many ways defined by conversation about campus carry, a law which will allow for the carry of concealed
handguns in campus buildings. The law, which will be implemented on Aug. 1, 2016, has been met with much opposition on campus, resulting in many protests and rallies headed by
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Th and bega and Thalia Juarez Daily Texan file photodorm Ha anti-campus carry group recommendations on theare n Gun Free UT. As August issue. The group will releasewhic approaches, the Univer- their suggestions as early asgious sity will have to decide next week, according to theIslam how to implement the law group’s chair Steven Goode.Some — Fenves formed a work- Fenves said he will announcefoods ing group which will make his decision shortly after. certa lation mals the meat W tions Follow us for news, updates and more. ing h veget and free o A DHF resea and that AFTER READING YOUR COPY Rodr servi guez look stude igan recen and k “Th a kit kitch
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what they said was insufficient communication with the black community about the use of blackface. “For a number of our students we were able to engage in deep and critical conversations about the play’s content,” Pope said. “But it’s clear that we needed to have reached out to other populations in our department. We are in conversation now about how to improve these processes around our productions.” Theatre and dance senior Fallon Christian, who spoke at the demonstration, said she hopes the protest will lead to better conversations about race later down the road. “I challenge this department to continue to make bold choices in selecting the shows that will represent our bodies and practice what it teaches,” Christian said. “We want to educate our peers, our instructors, our friends and our families in this institution that in so many ways have become our home.”
MELLOW MUSHROOM on Guadalupe has closed. Good news though... NEW FRANCHISEES are in town and are opening a new location in Round Rock. We are currently hiring for all positions. To join our Mellow Family, go to Mellowmushroom.com or come see us at 2600 N Interstate 35 Round Rock, TX 78681. We look forward to seeing you soon. Stay Mellow!
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Semester in review: UT’s biggest moments After controversy over Confederate representations on campus the Jefferson Davis statue was removed from the Main Mall in August. It will be moved to the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
By Samantha Ketterer @sam_kett
President Gregory Fenves inaugurated Gregory Fenves was inaugurated as the new UT president in September. During his first few months as president, he commissioned a task force to make recommendations on the Jefferson Davis statue. He also formed a working group to make suggestions on the implementation of campus carry. Jefferson Davis statue removed from Main Mall Following a summer of conversation regarding the position of Confederate symbols on campus, the University removed the statue of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, from its position on the Main Mall in August. The removal came after a task force, created by Fenves, released multiple suggestions asking for the removal of some or all Confederate symbols at the University. The Woodrow Wilson statue on the Main Mall was also removed for symmetry, and both statues will be moved to the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. Steve Patterson resigns as Athletic Director Steve Patterson resigned as
Charlotte Carpenter Daily Texan file photo
athletic director in September following nearly two years of employment by the University. Patterson caused waves in the last few months of his time as athletic director — he increased season ticket prices for football and basketball, and he had trouble within his department when he fired longtime
football sports information director John Bianco. The University bought out Patterson’s contract in a $3 million deal. Sexual assault survey results released The Association of American Universities released survey results that found almost
one-fifth of female undergraduates have been sexually assaulted since arriving at UT. The results were part of a larger campus conversation on sexual assault. The University is also conducting an internal survey to assess students’ experiences with sexual assault, and multiple campus groups have
emerged to raise awareness of the issue. UHS also announced in November that they will offer forensic exams for survivors of sexual assault. Bevo XIV dies from bovine leukemia UT’s mascot, Bevo XIV, died in October at 13 years
old. Bevo did not travel with the football team for the annual Red River Rivalry, and resigned shortly after, following an announcement that he had been diagnosed with bovine leukemia virus. Bevo served as mascot for 11 years. The Silver Spurs Alumni Association will oversee the search for Bevo XV.
CAMPUS
Wendy Davis discusses liberalism, representation By Forrest Milburn @forrestmilburn
Speaking in a tight space in a room packed with students, former State Sen. Wendy Davis discussed her failed gubernatorial campaign and the issues Texas faces at a Tejas Club Coffee conversation Thursday night. During the conversation, Davis detailed how her campaign was a turning point in state politics and how she hoped to inspire young people to not only turnout at the ballot box but to also run for office one day. “We’re such a cocky bunch of people, we ought to be shouting every time we have the opportunity to go shout at the ballot box,” Davis
said. “It’s really incumbent upon us to help people cut through the feeling that their voices don’t matter.” Davis, a former city council member from Fort Worth, unseated incumbent Republican Kim Brimer of Senate District 10 in an upset that shocked many political observers throughout the state. Davis later gained national fame in progressive circles after she spent 13 hours filibustering an anti-abortion bill, and the state party pushed her to run for governor when incumbent Gov. Rick Perry stepped down in 2013. During the conversation, Davis expressed her disappointment in the state’s refusal to accept Syrian
refugees and the recent decision from Attorney General Ken Paxton to sue the federal government in the hopes of keeping refugees out of the state. Franz Belz, a German biomedical engineering junior, said he constantly hears negative views about Texas from his relatives that do not represent the message Davis was showing Thursday night. “We often look silly in our stances on important issues,” Belz said. “I can’t help but agree with her that it is sad that we’re putting on a face that we’re not accepting refugees.” Undeclared sophomore Chloe Gomez said the issues Davis touched on showed just how important her campaign was to progressives throughout the state.
UNIVERSITY
DHFS prepares to offer halal, kosher food in campus dining By Nashwa Bawab @nashwabawab
The Division of Housing and Food service recently began looking into halal and kosher options for UT photodorm dining halls. Halal and kosher foods theare names given to products eleasewhich adhere to specific relirly asgious restrictions under the o theIslamic and Jewish faiths. oode.Some requirements for these ouncefoods include restrictions on r. certain foods, specific regulations on slaughtering animals and strict rules against the mixing of dairy and meat products. While halal and kosher options are not common in dining halls, there are currently vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other types of allergenfree options for students. A registered dietitian in DHFS has recently started research on adding halal and kosher food options to that list, according to Rene Rodriguez, director of food services in DHFS. Rodriguez said he was inspired to look into more options for students after visiting Michigan State University, which recently began its own halal and kosher food program. “They contracted with a kitchen, with an outside kitchen, to bring in this
food, and it’s all prepackaged, and it’s all wrapped with separate utensils and everything else,” Rodriguez said. “One of the things we want to do, for hopefully next semester, is to make a survey for students to see if they would need these different options.” Rawand Abdelghani, psychology senior and president of the Muslim Students’ Association, said the group started a petition on change.org that garnered more than 100 signatures in order to get halal food options added to the UT dining hall menu. “A lot of Muslims don’t go to the dining halls because it doesn’t meet their dietary needs,” Abdelghani said. “It’s really hard to get a burger at the hall because it’s not certified halal, so I think we can help make some sort of difference.” Rodriguez said DHFS is looking to contact locations in Austin that sell halal and kosher options in order to contract with them or receive insight about their process. For kosher options, those locations include the HEB Kosher Store, Madras Indian Pavilion and Joe Bob’s Kosher BBQ. For halal foods, options include The Halal Corner, Halal Bros
and Phoenician Resto Cafe. Nutrition senior Meital Boim said she now strictly follows a kosher diet but lived in Kinsolving and ate at campus dining halls for two years before she made her dietary change. Once Boim decided to follow a kosher diet, she decided the dining halls on campus could not serve her dietary restrictions, and she moved to her own apartment. “I think that because there’s such a low demand for it at UT that we understand that the dining halls can’t offer it because it will require a more involved process,” Boim said. “But I think that it definitely deters more fervent Jewish students from attending UT because there’s not a lot of resources for them.” Rodriguez said about five years ago, DHFS tried having a halal option for students that failed because of poor advertising. He said if students want the extra options, then he is sure a new program could succeed. “We are stewards of students’ money,” Rodriguez said. “If it’s feasible and we have enough students that are requesting this, then we would entertain the idea and figure out where and how we can do it.”
Wendy Davis, former State Sen-Wendy Davis, talks to students at a Tejas Club Coffee on Thursday night. Davis spoke of her failed gubernatorial campaign and answered questions from several students.
Gabriel Lopez Daily Texan Staff
“Just hearing that she’s still in Texas being a liberal woman, fighting for rights for women everywhere — I think that’s such a good thing for people to see in Texas,” Gomez said.
Throughout her talk, Davis described how her political career has left her with tough skin and a love for her state — factors that one day may compel her to return. “Look at each battle scar
you’ve earned as a tiny crack that will heal and make you stronger than you were before,” Davis said. “And, as we’d say in Texas, get back up on that horse and ride to see another day.”
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4 OPINION
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CLAIRE SMITH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | @TexanEditorial Friday, December 4, 2015
—30— COLUMN
Editor leaves Texan in a ‘good place’ Editor’s note: A 30 column is a chance for departing permanent staff to say farewell and reflect on their time spent in The Daily Texan’s basement office. The term comes from the old typesetting mark (-30-) to denote the end of a line.
By Kat Sampson
Daily Texan Associate Editor @katclarksamp
The Daily Texan is the biggest tease. The worst part about the Texan is that it convinces people it’s a code they can’t crack or a text message they can’t interpret. It acts like it doesn’t need you, and in the beginning, it doesn’t. The first time I entered the basement, no one noticed me and I noticed everyone. I walked out and didn’t come back for another semester. But when I did, I didn’t look back. I remember calling my dad after Hannah hired me to gush about this “Texan place,” as if the boy I had a crush on for half a year finally asked me on a date. Hannah later told me she hired me because I was the only person to take notes during a tryout. Once I snuck in the door, I spent my first two semesters relentlessly cracking jokes and memorizing the names and positions of my peers, all the while clinging to Lauren as if she knew the answer to everything because often, she did. She held the secrets of Life&Arts legacies and, if I was lucky, told the stories of editors that had made it big. The Texan was also my first college love. But that’s not saying much. The Texan makes it easy to fall in love, and some time in between my quest to make people
The Texan was also my first college love. But that’s not saying much. The Texan makes it easy to fall in love, and some time in between my quest to make people laugh and burning my afternoon popcorn, I noticed Danielle. laugh and burning my afternoon popcorn, I noticed Danielle. The first thing I remember was her stunning hazel eyes that sat below immaculate, winged eyeliner. The second thing I noticed was her writing — clear, brave and poetic. Time would reveal how deep and intelligent she is, the perfect friend and teammate. I owe you too many Chick-fil-A chicken wrap combos. You’re the Sookie to my Loreli, though I’m sure you’d insist it’s the other way around. We talk of L&A legacies, but what you’ve created is a dynasty. Stay wild and true. The list didn’t stop there. Robert taught me to love science, punny headlines and harsh edits. Chris forced me to stop bullshitting music facts because I knew he would know the truth. Alex and Charles took me to the movies for free, and Katie wrote the “Keep Austin Weird” beat better than anyone I’ve ever read. Marissa strings words together in ways that
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff
Journalism and French junior Kat Sampson worked as a Life&Arts writer and editor, and most recently served on the Editorial Board. She is most proud of the her unforgettable oneliners during budget and stories she’s been lucky to read.
makes me proud and envious. Cat is scrappy and tenacious, but what I love most is her incisive wit. To Jordan and Claire: Thank you for challenging me to create a product that was worthy of sharing. Jordan taught me that newspapers still have standards, and your job is done when you’ve exceeded those. Claire showed me there is humor in the world’s harsh realities. You should know that whatever you decided to be, you’ll be a great one.
Then there’s Peter, our guiding light. How lucky are we all to be led by someone so reliable, compassionate, critical and honest. Truly, the perfect combination for a journalist. My relationship has run its course in a way I hope all my future ones do too. It’s hard to say where I’m headed, but wherever I end up, I know I will love this place forever. Sampson is a journalism and French junior from Chevy Chase, Maryland. —30—
COLUMN
Discontinue use of detention centers for refugees By Leah Kashar
Daily Texan Columnist @leahkashar
As Syrian refugees flee for their lives and enter the United States, they can expect to be basically jailed. Upon entering the United States, whether or not they present themselves to customs, asylum seekers are herded into detention centers, where they are met with inhumane conditions and held until they gain refugee status. The process of gaining refugee status can take anywhere from months to a couple of years, and they are not released from detention centers until they gain refugee status. Asylum-seekers are kept in groups of around 100 and typically spend 23 hours a day in large dormitories or common areas. They often do not receive adequate medical care and despite the decision to outlaw putting children in detention centers, family detention centers are re-opening their doors as more refugees enter the United States. Asylum seekers are held in detention centers unless they become part of the 1 percent of people who are able to complete the two year process to properly emigrate to the United States, according to Rebecca Katz, Hillel director of social justice programs. Katz previously worked with the undocumented population in Chicago, including refugees, for eight years. She said the policies that lead to citizenship allow more people from European countries to emigrate to the US than from other nations. “Our immigration policies have always been dictated by other concerns: economic
Instead of creating housing communities or finding a more humane solution, the government treats refugees like a problem, instead of like people. concerns, xenophobia, anti-semitism, racism,” Katz said. “We’re talking about people who are fleeing for their lives.” Considering how difficult this process is to complete, it is unfair and unreasonable to expect those fleeing persecution and violence to wait two years. Furthermore, detention centers are a short-sighted bureaucratic way of dealing with the larger issue of where to place asylum seekers. Instead of creating housing communities or finding a more humane solution, the government treats refugees like a problem, instead of like people. Upon gaining refugee status, refugees have the opportunity to apply for government benefits, such as cash and medical assistance. They often cannot utilize government benefits because the process of being approved can take almost two years from the time a refugee leaves the detention center. By the time government aid can be applied, refugees have already had to figure out an alternative plan and are no longer eligible. Just 20 minutes outside of UT’s campus, Casa Marianella is a positive alternative to
Thalia Juarez | Daily Texan Staff
Casa Marianella is a safe space where refugees can go after being released. The organization provides housing and helps with job placement and the citizenship process.
detention centers. Refugees are often released from detention centers with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Casa Marianella is a safe space where refugees can go after being released. The organization provides housing and helps with job placement and the citizenship process. In order for change to occur, Katz explained that the American tax dollars that currently fund detention centers should be put towards projects like Casa Marianella. Inhumane conditions are the reason why
refugees left their homes in the first place and they should be treated with dignity. There is no reason these detention centers should still be employed. “I used to say that the immigration system was broken, but I was corrected by an activist who told me, ‘the immigration system is not broken, it is operating exactly how it is supposed to,’” Katz said. “We need to remember what it says on the Statue of Liberty.” Kashar is an English freshman from Scarsdale, New York.
COLUMN
Affirmative action is not enough for education reform By Michael Jensen Daily Texan Columnist @michaeltangible
In less than a week, the U.S. Supreme Court will rehear the controversial Fisher v. University of Texas case. The plaintiff, Abigail Fisher, claims that as a white woman, she was denied admission to UT because of her race. UT currently considers race as part of a holistic admissions process for students, as do many other universities. The decision to rehear the Fisher case worries proponents of affirmative action, with some predicting the Supreme Court will strike down any use of race as an admissions criteria. Regardless of the Supreme Court’s 2003 decision to uphold affirmative action in Grutter v. Bollinger, minorities — particularly African-Americans — are clearly underrepresented at elite universities. If race-conscious admissions policies are ruled unconstitutional,
then we have an obligation to fix the failures of our primary education system, which make affirmative action necessary in the first place. Education has powerful effects on children’s development and future life outcomes. It is associated with improved health, lower criminality, higher incomes, greater life satisfaction and countless other benefits. By fixing our broken public schools, Texas could safeguard future generations while promoting diversity in higher education, even in the absence of affirmative action. The protective effects of education are most vital earlier in life, when the brain and body are still developing. This critical developmental period is where we should focus our efforts if we want to use our tax dollars most effectively, while safeguarding diversity at the same time. By protecting diversity in higher education and doing so in a cost-effective way, this could be both a progressive and fiscally conservative plan. There is no reason
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.
By fixing our broken public schools, Texas could safeguard future generations while promoting diversity in higher education, even in the absence of affirmative action. why improving our schools should not enjoy bipartisan support. Despite the abundance of evidence citing the importance of early life education, Texas’s current policies do not reflect this. Our public school system is ranked 39th in the nation, with a lackluster “C-” grade. We only spend 27.8% of our budget on K–12 education, our schools are still quite segregated,
SUBMIT A FIRING LINE | Email your Firing Lines to editor@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.
and minority students lag behind white students in graduation rates and standardized test scores. There’s undoubtedly much room for improvement and changes at the primary level can achieve that. In 2005, Texas officially became a minority-majority state. Protecting diversity in higher education is about more than politics. It’s about ensuring that the every Texan, regardless of race, receives a fair and equal education which adequately prepares them for the future and unlocks future opportunity. Fixing our failing public school system will cost taxpayer money and energy, but all Texas students — not just minorities — would benefit from better public schools. If we invest in the children of today, then the Texas of tomorrow will be smarter, more productive, healthier and better positioned to tackle the complex challenges of the 21st century. It’s also just the right thing to do. Jensen is a neuroscience junior from Houston.
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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Friday, December 4, 2015
Managing editor to hang up his Mitts By Jack Mitts @JackMitts
The Texan is all I’ve ever known. Sure, I worked at that restaurant and took a few classes, but those were just temporary phases in my college career at the Texan — like that time I pierced my ear. It feels like yesterday when we leisurely hit our 2 a.m. deadline, or when we celebrated the managing editor’s 32nd birthday, or when my hair was almost as long as my 3 ½ years here. Has it really been that long? I walked into the basement my freshman year and got a job in design. I was looking for a club to join, but I got a little more than I bargained for. I found my house (thanks, Hannah) and my home. I found a community of ambitious idealists dedicated to educating, entertaining and improving the University. I found indefatigable staffers who refused to be defeated by the inevitable mistakes and growing pains that are characteristic of a student newspaper and life in general. Fifteen inches isn’t long enough to thank everyone I ought to, and anyone still here probably wouldn’t recognize half the names anyway. Plus, I know how annoying it is when a story comes in over inch count, so I’ll be brief. I’ve had the pleasure of working with and learning from staffers whose names
Amy Zhang | Daily Texan Staff
Jack Mitts served as managing editor in the fall. Previously he was an associate managing editor, a design editor, a general reporter, a design dog and a copy kitten. He also had two comics published.
are now just faint whispers in the basement. Many have gone on to do great things in and beyond the field of journalism, and a few have become my best friends. But I’ve undoubtedly learned the most from the
staffers who helped me run this place for a semester. You inspired me and kept me going. You challenged and surprised me. You really ran the show. The Texan taught me how to lead. It taught me how
to learn. It taught me that every day can be brighter than the one before. But it never prepared me for this. I’ll never feel as lost as when I step foot on campus next semester without
the Texan. It’ll be my last semester, but I’ll never feel more like a freshman. At least I have the calming thought of graduation to ease my mind. It’ll be nice to see the paper with fresh eyes for a change, and I can’t wait to see
what’s next. I’m still not really sure why I ended up here, how I got the managing editor gig or, honestly, what I’m doing. And I’m definitely not sure why I’m leaving. -30-
For editor, it’s all about ‘news, news, news’ By Samantha Ketterer @sam_kett
Writing for The Daily Texan can be a bit of an out-ofbody experience. I can tell you where I was when I heard the latest breaking news or how I participated in our coverage. But ask me to recount my thought process of these things? I couldn’t. With news, you don’t always think — you just do. It’s extraordinary that, as students, we have the privilege of participating in events in a way that can affect so many people. I’ll never forget the fork-stabbing of 2013 or the West power plant explosion earlier that year. I’ll always remember the excitement of Student Government elections and the fear of the West Campus bomb threat. And I know I’ll look back someday and remember that time the Jefferson Davis statue was removed, as well as the time Abigail Fisher requested her case against the University be heard in the Supreme Court — again. But it doesn’t matter who you are at the Texan. You can be in comics, news, tech or design — we’re part of these experiences all the same.
We’re by no means professionals and have no expertise, but when we’re in the newsroom, we get to do something special. What we do here is important. We have the opportunity to do something small that translates into something so much bigger. That’s why the Texan is such an amazing production. We have nearly 200 students in 10 departments, collaborating to make a daily paper in a world that doesn’t like newspapers so much anymore. And I think everyone at the Texan truly believes in what we’re doing, or else we wouldn’t care so much. I’ve seen enough tears, frustration and late nights at the office to know that. But I think more than we believe in the paper, we believe in each other. We really do try, and by goodness, we want each other to succeed. There are so many times I’ve felt discouraged because I felt I wasn’t cut out to be a journalist. Without the support of these friends, I would have left the Texan a long time ago. Bobby, I owe more to you than you realize — thank you for everything. Riley, thanks for taking a chance on me. Jordan, Julia, Jack
Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff
Samantha Ketterer was the news editor for the fall 2015 semester. She was previously a senior reporter on the campus beat, editorial assistant, associate news editor and copy kitten. And mainly, she’s just really grateful for her time at the Texan.
— thank you for helping me grow as a writer, leader and person. Thank you to my friends — Wynne, Josh, Amanda, Madlin, to name a few — who have made the Texan such a fun place
to work. Thank you to my senior reporters and news desk editors. Your dedication and talent is unparalleled. News, news, news! Thanks to my general reporters — this paper relies
on you more than you realize. It’s been a pleasure watching you all grow. And finally, thank you to Anthony, for being my number one every step of the way. I really couldn’t have
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done it without you. So this is for everyone I’ve ever met here. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend most of my college years in a basement with anyone else. -30-
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Friday, December 4, 2015
NEWS
CAMPUS
Fundraising challenge, event to benefit St. Jude Psychology freshman Brittany Smith is an “Up Til Dawn” donor and contributes to organization’s social media. “Up Til Dawn” raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
By Catherine Marfin @ccaatheeerineee
Since the fall of 2013, UT students have been working together to raise funds to support child cancer treatment and research for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. “Up Til Dawn” is a student-led philanthropic organization based out of the hospital. The program gives college students the opportunity to raise funds for the hospital. Students raise funds throughout the entire academic year and celebrate their success with an all-night event in January. St. Jude’s researches and treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, according to its mission statement. In fall 2013, international relations senior Regan Seckel set up the Texas chapter of “Up Til Dawn.” Any organization or student is welcome to join the program. Teams are challenged to raise at least $600, and individuals are challenged to raise $100. Besides online fundraising efforts, the Texas chapter raises funds through activities such as bake sales, snow cone stands and profit shares. Each day, it costs $2 million to keep St. Jude in operation, and nearly 75 percent
Mike McGraw Daily Texan Staff
of these funds come from individual contributions, according to the hospital. The Texas chapter of “Up Til Dawn” currently has 195 fundraising participants and has collectively raised over $5,000. Participating groups include the Texas Bluebonnets, Texas Darlins and Texas Tri-Delta. Over
a dozen individual student donors are working towards the $100 goal. “Despite all odds, St. Jude is such a hopeful place,” Seckel said. “I take such pride in knowing that our organization makes even a small difference in the lives of these children and their families.”
In October, psychology freshman Brittany Smith joined the growing list of “Up Til Dawn” donors. Smith said she joined the organization in honor of her cousin, who recovered from cancer twice thanks to treatment from St. Jude’s. “My cousin wouldn’t be here today if St. Jude Chil-
dren’s Research Hospital hadn’t stepped in,” Smith said. “I want to make an impact on the lives of the patients and families. Cancer doesn’t just affect the person with cancer — it affects everyone who loves them.” Besides fundraising, “Up Til Dawn” aims to raise awareness about childhood
cancer and cancer research. “This hospital exemplifies everything we are taught as Longhorns,” Haley Williams, internal executive director for the organization, said. “What starts at St. Jude is really changing the world for every patient who walks through the door.”
CAMPUS
UT students add to UN gender violence discussion By Eunice Ali @euniceali
Around 10 UT students joined a worldwide discussion aimed at combating genderbased violence across college campuses. Only two of them were males, including the male co-host. In support of the United Nations Secretary General’s 16 day campaign to end violence against women, UT students sat in a circle Thursday to brainstorm solutions to fight sexual assault on college campuses as part of the first global gender equality campaign by UN Women — #HeforShe — held at universities worldwide. Erin Burrows, Health Education Coordinator for Voices Against Violence, also participated in the discussion. “One in four women in the US experiences sexual assault on campus,” co-host neurobiology and government senior Taral Patel said. “The number is twice [as high] for the LGBTQ community. More than 90
percent of sexual assault cases are left unreported.” Burrows said VAV provides clinical services for students on campus, including access to financial assistance for student survivors of sexual violence. In addition, students can now access sexual assault forensic exams free of charge at University Health Services. “Sexual assault is never the fault of the survivors,” Burrows said. “We also don’t require students to report to the University or the police to work with VAV.” Burrows said people often lack open, honest conversation with no assumption, or aggression, or sense of possession over someone else’s body in regards to consent. Research shows offenders in cases of sexual assault tend to be repeat offenders, and most sexual violence happens between people who know each other, according to Burrows. “We have to make the clarification that rape isn’t sex – rape is violence,” undeclared freshman Ashton Sauseda said. Patel, who is also the
A group of students discuss gender-based violence on college campuses Thursday. The event was a part of the first global gender equality campaign by UN Women, called #HeForShe, which is occurring at universities worldwide.
Christina Severson Daily Texan Staff
Student Government chief of staff, discussed SURE Walk — an SG-run volunteer group which provides walks for students, faculty and staff to and from campus between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through
Thursday — as a readily available preventative safety measure to keep Longhorns safe at night. Currently, 5 to 10 people request SURE Walk every night, Patel said. He said he expects this
number to grow next semester as SG recruits more volunteers from student organizations and the athletics department. “Men need to understand the humanity of the situation,” Patel said, referring to
the low attendance of males at the meeting. “When we’re in a position of privilege, we have to work extremely hard to support those who are not, or who are suffering because of our privilege.”
CAMPUS
Kahl: US government’s ‘grand strategy’ requires diplomacy By Mikaela Cannizzo @mikaelac16
According to national security expert Colin Kahl, previous attempts by both the Bush and Obama administrations to influence regime changes and send ground troops
into the Middle East have been unsuccessful. Kahl, national security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, spoke to an audience on campus Thursday afternoon as part of an event hosted by the Clements Center for National Security and the Strauss
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Center for International Security and Law. He discussed the grand strategy of the Obama administration, which he identified as a worldview in which the United States should use diplomacy to advance its own interests. Kahl said recent terrorist attacks in Paris are evidence that the US needs to do more to disrupt Islamic State efforts. “What gives us the optimism that an enormous expression of US military power to include the expenditure of trillions of dollars can solve this region?” Kahl asked. “The notion that we can just sprinkle leadership dust over the Middle East and back it with military force and transform this region is ahistorical.” While Kahl said using these types of military forces to combat terrorist groups in past instances of Iraq, Lebanon and Libya have been ineffective, he said he believes the current situation in Syria is also a disaster despite using neither military regime change nor ground troops in the country. Catherine Cousar, a global policy graduate student, said she believes better strategies are needed for the future in or-
Thalia Juarez | Daily Texan Staff
Dr. Colin Kahl, National Security Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden discusses “The Grand Strategy of the Obama Administration” at Sid Richardson Hall on Thursday afternoon.
der to make a difference in the Middle East. “I think we probably need more preventive stuff like education programs, better health programs and more preemptive aid to different struggling regions,” Cousar said. “I’m not surprised military intervention doesn’t have the desired outcome because it matches a lot of human history.”
Kahl said the Obama administration focuses on the logistics of when and how to use force. He said force is used in the face of imminent threats and believes Obama will use force when it is necessary for protection, but the administration regards force as a last resort rather than a first choice. Jacqueline Chandler, program manager at the Clements
Center, said Kahl’s academic and political expertise help him explain topics such as security and international relationships to students. “I think he’s a good bridge between the academic community and the policy world,” Chandler said. “He’s just a really great resource for students at UT and around the country because of that.”
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Friday, December 4, 2015
Editor reminisces on regents, friendships By Madlin Mekelburg @madlinbmek
Of all the pieces I’ve written for The Daily Texan, this is by far the hardest. When you cover a particular beat, you tend to write stories on the same issues over and over again. You find yourself falling into patterns, writing practically the same explicative sentences in each story until your fingers can move across the keyboard uninterrupted, repeating the same keystrokes they have for the past two years. When I covered shared services, I was writing about “a plan to centralize the University’s human resources, finance, information technology and procurement services.” When I wrote an update on the state’s examination of UT System Regent Wallace Hall, I constantly reminded readers that he was “under investigation for potentially overstepping his bounds as a regent.” This time, I have nothing to
fall back on, and I can’t seem to find the right words to say goodbye to the place that has been my identity since I started at UT. My time at the Texan wasn’t all centralization initiatives or embattled regents, although those two storylines defined the semesters I spent as a senior reporter. It was so much more than that. The Texan gave me the space and confidence I needed to grow as a reporter and discover my passion for great storytelling. It gave me a home away from home my freshman year when I didn’t know a single person on campus. It gave me the chance to work alongside the most talented, driven journalism students at UT and forge friendships that will last long into the future. It even gave me the push I needed to find growing opportunities elsewhere, as the exceptional Michael Brick helped me land my first internship outside of the Texan.
Madlin Mekelburg was the special ventures editor in the fall. She previously worked as associate news editor, podcast host and senior reporter. She appreciates the Texas Travesty for their efforts to capture the essence of President Fenves.
Daulton Venglar Daily Texan Staff
It’s hard to quantify the significance of The Daily Texan in your life when you’re on the frontlines. Sometimes you forget that you’re making lasting mem-
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff
Virginia Scherer was the design editor in the fall. She previously worked as senior designer and page designer for four additional semesters. While abroad, she will miss Kismet the most.
Design editor tracks out for the last time, says ciao to basement By Virginia Scherer @scherer_ginia
I have no idea what I’m doing. I used to think I did. I had a plan: I was going to be a journalist, starting as a news reporter for The Daily Texan. Suffice it to say, this is the first and only thing I will write for the Texan, though I’ve designed more pages than I can count. I used to think I wouldn’t stay long. Five semesters later — well, I think that speaks for itself. I used to think picas were annoying and eight hours a night was way too long to work. Now, I realize picas are a saving grace and eight hours isn’t nearly long enough. I used to think I’d make a friend or two at work. Instead, I found a family of the most tireless, canny, driven people I think I will ever meet. My time here has been filled with love and laughter. From designing Life&Arts special packages to messing with the sassy sports guys; from bugging news about teasers and
photo about captions to fighting about where to get dinner every night; from playing M.A.S.H. and hangman during maestro to designing BOBs and BOAs and timelines and infographics and pretending like I knew what I was doing when, really, I never did. I don’t know whether I was ever really eligible for any position I held at the Texan, but I can without a doubt say I’ve been luckier than most because I’ve called the basement home. Three days ago, I bought a plane ticket to Spain. It was a big decision, one that means I won’t be putting my name on the “don’t worry, I’ll be back next semester” list like I have the past four. My nights of jamming to “P.Y.T.” and “Sexotheque” with Kelly, Lillian and Iliana, watching Nick dance to “Hotline Bling” or eating pints of ice cream with Aaron are now officially over. My life of predesigning, redesigning, tracking in, tracking out, page edits and midnight deadlines have finally, finally come to a close. To the current design team
— I’ve never had more fun. Y’all make me endlessly proud. I’ll miss each one of you. Nashwa — you’re quite simply the best. Keep stylin’. I’ll miss our cozy apartment. Megan — Tuesdays were my favorite day because of you, and I cannot wait until next year. Kelly and Lillian — y’all are seriously rock stars. Don’t forget to Skype. Iliana – you’re the news to my paper. The basement is a better place with you in it, and I’m a better person for knowing and loving you. You’re right — this will always be our thing. And to Jack — thank you for being the long-haired fellow who inspired me to give design and this wild place a chance. Without you, I wouldn’t be the designer I am today. It was never easy working for the Texan. I had no idea what I was doing half the time, and I honestly still don’t. In the end, all I know is it was worth it. Besides, the Texan will always be there — a constant in someone’s life, if no longer in mine. -30-
ories when you’re working on deadline, chasing a lead or trying to track down a particularly evasive source. It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture when you’re
coordinating the production of a special ventures package with three different elements or trying to edit a 60-inch story down to 35 inches.
But one day you look up and realize that you have made a life here. Thank you to everyone who made that possible. -30-
Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff
Josh Willis has worked as a general reporter, a senior reporter on the System and Administration beat, and a news desk editor. He will miss causing trouble around the office.
Rachel Zein | Daily Texan Staff
I remember walking around the HSM building for a good while before I finally found the sign on the door that led me to the dark dingy basement known as the Daily Texan office. The photo editor at the time informed me I had to try out in order to be a staff photographer. As soon as I heard the word “try out” I came up with a million excuses in my head to not do it, and I didn’t. Now as a senior photographer the only regret I have is not trying out sooner. In the short time that I’ve been here I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone for what seems like every time I went out to shoot. I’ve gotten the opportunity to go to various events, places, rallies, and meet and photograph an immense variety of people. Thank you to my photo editors for waiting on me to write my detailed two sentence captions that would end up getting cut anyway and for answering my endless amount of questions on editing nights. —Thalia Juarez
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Friday, December 4, 2015
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Reporter finds dream job at the Texan
elBy Matthew Adams e @MatthewAdams60 ures fall. “Matthew,” managing editor sly Brett Donohoe shouted at me ssoon June 27. ditor, t and News editor Andy Boyd ter. also shouted the same thing from Brett’s office. The only as thing my body knew to do was their hop into action. pture That date and that moment
is vivid for me because everyone at the paper was scrambling to keep up with the coverage following the Supreme Court’s decision making same sex-marriage legal. Though the phrase “Matthew” became more common when someone was shouting at me about edits or planning a groundbreaking piece, I belar came accustomed to the phrase aff had many meanings. I stayed with paper last summer, and I was thankful to do so. News had plenty of coverage in the summer, from the main commencement ceremony cancellation, the Memorial Day floods, same-sex marriage and the one and only Jefferson Davis statue. I hung on in the fall as a senior reporter again. I did not know what to expect with the large change-over in staff. Despite being concerned, I am grateful for having worked with the news and associate news editor, Samantha Ketterer and Anthony Green. We all had to get started quickly with the Davis statue and campus carry, but we managed to han-
Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff
Matthew began his career as a sports blogger and general news reporter. He moved up to senior reporter in the news department for his last two semesters. Adams said his time at the Texan was focused on producing great stories while living up to those who set the standard.
dle everything. The department was a little understaffed toward the end, but through the good times and the bad, we handled a heavy load. Last Sunday in the basement was a little sad — even for me — when the subject of who was not returning
was brought up and my name was mentioned. It hurt to know people wanted me to stay. To those who I managed to gain respect from, I thank you for that. At this point, I need to venture out and gain some internship opportunities. However, if
something happens, I will certainly reach out and help the Texan any way I can. To all of our readers, I will still be around for a little bit longer. Fisher v. the University of Texas happens next week, and we will be busy covering it. The Texan also
reported a while back that the Hall v. McRaven hearing is supposed to take place next week. At this rate, the department will have to be prepared for another story or two occurring. We like to say “news, news, news” never stops. While it
would be nice to occasionally have a break, I still would not take it. Finding the story and reporting it is what I crave. No matter where I am or where I go, my time as a reporter made me realize this is the best job I will ever have. -30-
Reporter: 10/10 would recommend working for the Texan By Rachel Lew @rachelannlew
I stumbled into The Daily Texan office last semester and decided to write a tryout story on a whim. I was met with a whirlwind of activity, which I soon learned is just a typical night in the office. I found the hustle and bustle and the sea of unfamiliar faces intimidating. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t quite like my first impression during my first few visits to the office, but I decided to complete the tryout process because I knew I would regret not seeing it through. Looking back, I’m so glad I stayed. If you were to ask me why I joined The Daily Texan, I probably would have stuttered and quickly said something along the lines of, “Well, I like writing. I want to make friends and just try something new.” I don’t know exactly what I was searching for when I wandered into The Daily Texan n Staffbasement, but what I found was a place where I felt acthe ffice.knowledged and capable and a team that I could learn from and grow with. There have been many times not
out ne to
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I didn’t feel like going to work after a long day, but I can confidently say that I have always left the office in brighter spirits than when I came. There were days when multiple stories did not work out, and the stress and disappointment were disheartening. All of the negatives, however, paled in comparison to the satisfaction of seeing everyone’s unwavering dedication to producing a paper we could be proud of. I am thankful to The Daily Texan for providing me with the opportunity to grow in my writing and editing skills, but I am even more thankful that it introduced me to some of the best people I’ve met in college. The fall 2015 news department team is incredibly diverse, and it has been a privilege to spend so much time with them. I will never forget all the Deep and Meaningful conversations and post-work hangouts. Josh, thank you for all the Waffle Winesdays. Anthony, your effortlessly cool and calming demeanor always makes me feel better. Caleb, I’ll never meet anyone with a greater love for Favor delivery guys. Sameer, thanks
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff Rachel Lew has worked as a general reporter and a news desk editor. She will miss bringing her stuffed bunny Mr. Brambles to work.
for giving me a ride home every night. Matthew, your tireless work ethic, enthusiasm and ability to push past the
body’s limits of fatigue will always amaze (and scare) me a bit. Sam, thanks for keeping our morale high and making
this team feel like a family. All of you in the news department have been nothing but understanding, and each of
you has made my time here far more than adequate. #newsnewsnews -30-
Multimedia-video editor leaves behind fond memories, laughs By Bryce Seifert @bryceseifert
Bryce Seifert, former Daily Texan video editor, was found completely exhausted on the floor of the Daily Texan office Friday. He was 20 years old. Seifert served as a videographer at the paper for two years and as the video editor for like six months, but he will probably round up on his LinkedIn profile. He is survived by over 90 videos he helped create during his time at the Texan. He sincerely regrets the “Bananas” and “Ice Cream Taste Test” videos. Seifert’s career at the paper began as a wide-eyed freshman who accidentally scheduled a meeting in the office where he was accidentally offered a job. He then accidentally continued to make videos for the paper covering such divisive topics as the Jefferson Davis statue, campus carry and how many calories are in a 7-Eleven Double Gulp. A longtime staffer, Seifert was well known for dis-
rupting meetings to make stupid jokes and also for winning third place in the staff Ping-Pong bracket. Among his staff, he is fondly remembered for his late-night texts asking, “Seriously, who has our SD cards?” After hearing about Bryce’s condition, managing editor Jack Mitts said, “Sounds about right.” Seifert thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Texan even though he knows absolutely nothing about journalism and is still not sure if they knew that when they hired him. Despite being “completely, utterly exhausted,” Seifert ensures he had fun. Before his stint of exhaustion, Seifert noted that he hopes the video department will continue to become an increasingly prominent presence at the paper since. “Who really wants to read articles in 2015 when they can watch videos?” Seifert said. At press time, it was unclear if they would let him
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff
During his seven semesters at the Texan, Bryce Seifert worked as multimedia-video editor, a senior videographer and a videographer.
publish this statement. The viewing will be held Friday afternoon in the
beloved Daily Texan basement. In lieu of flowers, Seifert’s coworkers and
friends are asking that you just put the Daily Texan’s YouTube channel on repeat
to artificially rack up views on our content. -30-
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JORI EPSTEIN, SPORTS EDITOR | @texansports Friday, December 4, 2015
SIDELINE
VOLLEYBALL
NFL PACKERS
LIONS
NBA THUNDER
HEAT
SPURS
GRIZZLIES
TOP TWEET Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff
Senior outside hitter Amy Neal serves the ball against Fairfield on Dec. 3 in Gregory Gym in the NCAA Tournament first round. Neal and the rest of the team take on No. 17 Purdue in the next match of tournament play.
Longhorns sweep first round opponent By Claire Cruz @claireecruz5
No. 3 Texas defeated Fairfield 3–0 on Thursday at Gregory Gym. The Longhorns are now 29–0 all-time in NCAA Tournament firstround matches. “We’d like to congratulate Fairfield on a great season,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “I thought they played with a lot of heart. We were sloppy in a lot of areas, but we were able to stay together enough to get the victory.” Texas led set one from the beginning en route to a 25– 18 win. Junior outside hitter Paulina Prieto Cerame was Texas’ go-to hitter early and
finished the set with six kills. Fairfield put together a 4–0 scoring run behind big swings from sophomore outside hitter Skyler Day. Senior outside hitter Amy Neal’s serving prowess showed late in the set, leading to a set-clinching scoring run. The Stags showed why they made the tournament in set two, challenging Texas before the Longhorns pulled away to win 25–18. The Fairfield defenders tallied 12 digs and three blocks to hold Texas to a .133 hitting percentage. “We had some quality digs in that second set,” Fairfield head coach Todd Kress said. “But I thought we left some
points out there. If we’d picked up a couple digs here and there we have the opportunity to take the set.” Texas’ defense, however, struggled in transition and left holes open that Fairfield’s hitters took advantage of. But, Neal came up to serve late in the set and her two service aces along with several errors from Fairfield helped Texas take the win. “I have a lot of confidence,” Neal said about her serve. “I know getting the team out of system is important so I’m just trying to get us an easier ball back.” The Longhorns came out of intermission looking more focused. Senior middle blocker
MEN’S BASKETBALL
I thought they played with a lot of heart. We were sloppy in a lot of areas but we were able to stay together enough to get the victory. —Jerritt Elliott, Head coach
Molly McCage and junior setter Chloe Collins combined for two blocks to put Texas up early. Fairfield’s missed serves and attack errors helped Texas build its lead. McCage and Neal led Texas’ offensive attack with five and four kills, respectively. Texas will face off against No. 17 Purdue in a secondround match on Friday at 6 p.m. in Gregory Gym. Elliott said he wasn’t pleased
with the energy his team displayed on Thursday, but doesn’t anticipate that being a problem in the next match. “[Purdue has] been battle tested and is very capable of playing at a high level,” Elliott said. “I’m looking forward to it, I welcome the toughness. It’s going to be an exciting match and we have a lot of confidence in what our team can do.”
By Nick Castillo @Nick_Castillo74
Rachel Zein | Daily Texan file photo
Junior guard Isaiah Taylor drives to the rim against UT-Arlington on Dec. 1. Taylor had 21 points in the win. The team plays Samford on Friday night.
Shaka Smart wants team to stick to process of winning @ViewFromTheBox
Against UT-Arlington on Tuesday, the Longhorns looked like the team ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season. They struggled shooting, couldn’t control the ball and looked as though they were just trying not to lose. After halftime, a different Texas team came out. The Longhorns attacked the basket, made their shots and finished the game in overtime. Head coach Shaka Smart wants that Longhorn team to come out every game. “We’ve got to go out and play with an aggressive, confident, loose approach towards attacking the
Last Day of my first semester as a College Freshman.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2010
Auburn beat South Carolina 56–17 in the 19th SEC Championship game.
FOOTBALL
Texas hopes to end season on high note
By Jacob Martella
DeShon Elliot @DeShon_Elliot4
game,” Smart said. “We’ve got to go after the win as opposed to playing not to lose.” Against Washington on Nov. 13, senior guard Javan Felix missed two consecutive 3-pointers to seal a loss in China. The Longhorns clawed back from doubledigit deficits to get within striking distance against both Michigan and Texas A&M in the Bahamas. Again, they didn’t find a way to take the lead. Three-pointers from freshman guard Eric Davis, Jr. and senior forward Connor Lammert late in overtime against UTA broke the cycle of lategame struggles. After the game, however, Smart said he was frustrated
the players played tight in the first half. “The focus has to be what goes into winning, because if it’s about the result, you look up at the scoreboard, and we’re down four in the first half or whatever, then you start freaking out,” Smart said. Junior guard Isaiah Taylor said Smart told the team during halftime simply “go play.” The Longhorns did just that, shooting 53 percent in the second half and overtime including seven 3-pointers. Taylor also came through, scoring 21 points — all in the second half and overtime. He attacked the basket more in the second half,
SMART page 10
This season was one of missed opportunities — the disaster in South Bend, the shanked extra point against California and the shutout in Ames — and the Longhorn coaching staff isn’t afraid to admit it. “When you win four games, you’re going to be bad at everything,” defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said. “This was a year of missed opportunities. It’s a year of inconsistencies. That’s why we are where we are today.” The Longhorns (4–7, 3–5 Big 12) began the season with high hopes. But they quickly crumbled when Texas suffered a 38–3 loss in their season-opener against Notre Dame. Texas’ woes continued on the road as they lost four games and were outscored 150–7. The Longhorns beat Oklahoma
on Oct. 10, 24–17, but never recreated that performance. “All season we’ve been saying we’re close,” senior center Taylor Doyle said. “You watch the film — I think the effort is there. The will is there. We had the athletes. It just came down to getting the job done and not shooting ourselves in the foot.” Head coach Charlie Strong said Texas needed better team chemistry this season. “A lot of times it goes back to team chemistry and guys playing together and playing for what you represent,” Strong said. “It’s not always the name on your back but what’s in front of you, and that’s what it’s got to come down to. You’ve got to play for what’s across your chest.” Texas looks to finish the season with an upset win
BAYLOR page 10
Rachel Zein | Daily Texan file photo
Junior safety Dylan Haines looks to the sideline in Texas’ 5920 victory over Kansas on Nov. 7. Texas plays Baylor on the road in the season finale.
SPORTS BRIEFLY Clark sets record at Texas Invitational
Junior Clark Smith set a school record during day two of the Texas Invitational on Thursday. Smith completed the 500-yard freestyle in 4:08.82, breaking the record set by Michael Klueh at the 2009 NCAA Championships. The time nearly broke the American record of 4:08.54 and the NCAA record of 4:08.06 — both set by Peter Vanderkaay. “For this time of year, that’s really a great swim,” head coach Eddie Reese said. “Will Licon was telling me afterward that Clark can be a second or two faster at the end of the year in March.” On the women’s side, junior Madisyn Cox clinched the nation’s top time in the 200 IM with 1:54.29. “There’s some meat left on the bone with that 200 IM,” women’s head coach Carol Capitani said. “It’s neat that she had the best time in the country, but I think that’s one of the best breaststroke splits I’ve seen at 31.9. That’s tough. It’s something we’ve been working on for a while.” Freshman Nora McCullagh finished No. 7 in the 200 IM with 2:00.48. The Longhorns continue the Texas Invitational at 9 a.m. Friday at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. —Akshay Mirchandani
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Friday, December 4, 2015
SPORTS
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Sports editor reflects on reporting, leadership By Jori Epstein
Jori Epstein has worked in sports, copy and opinion since fall 2012. I l Currently the 3 a.m sports editor, and t she has also covered football, I h basketball, soft- and t ball, track and I did cross country. to pr She spent 1,178 didn’ days (yes, she Lik counted) car-w on staff.
@JoriEpstein
I wanted to join the Texan as soon as I committed to UT. The decision: Which section? I felt unqualified to offer opinions when I barely knew my way around campus. News reporting was tempting, but I heard news reporters had to miss class. I don’t like missing class. So I applied to sports — and copy, too, on a whim. I was at a loud party when the copy desk chief left me a voicemail. Minutes later, my email buzzed: I scored a sports position, too. “Guess what???” I screamed to my parents on the phone. They couldn’t hear me over the music. I went outside to tell them the news. We celebrated. It was the first of several thousand calls home with Texan updates. Mom, Dad, Daley, Jason and Zach — thanks for still answering. The Texan has taught me a ton through 1,178 days on staff. Three lessons stand out. 1) Reporting: The Texan will teach you to report. It let me grow from 180-word recaps to 800-word features. It allowed me to tell of devastating hurricanes, Special Forces service and deceased spouses. We transitioned from printed, one-way writing to multiplatform, interactive reporting. Because of the
Daulton Venglar Daily Texan Staff
Texan, I sometimes dream about SIDs. I try not to. The Texan allowed me to make countless mistakes, too — sassy remarks to offensive linemen, trying to cover games I couldn’t attend and editing reporters too harshly. I missed a lot of deadlines. The Texan understood. Each time, it pushed me to be better. 2) Leadership: I once
received emails from two Texan editors within hours. “Your 10 worst headlines,” one read. “Thank you for everything y’all have done — let’s celebrate with candy,” the other said. The juxtaposition was so stark it seemed almost like a prank. The Texan wasn’t perfect. We learned from each imperfection.
3) Working with people: The Texan gave me incredible coworkers. I owe them thanks. Thanks to my early editors — Christian, Chris, Stefan and Garrett — for teaching and mentoring me. Thank you Evan for teaching me rejection. Thank you to my current staff for working tirelessly, leaving your comfort zone and reading budget meme to meme. Thank
you everyone who accommodated my religious practices. From Garrett creating the football columnist position because of Shabbat to Jacob covering Steve Patterson’s resignation on Rosh Hashana — I can’t express my appreciation adequately. I never thought I’d leave the Texan before graduation. I made concerted efforts to bash early retirees in hopes
BAYLOR continues from page 9 over No. 12 Baylor. The Bears enter the game with the No. 1 offense in the country. “[Baylor does] a great job of running the ball,” Strong said. “With [thirdstring quarterback Chris] Johnson, you look at the second half where he came in and played, he still made the throws because they’re still going to stretch you
out. … They’re going to let [junior wide receiver Corey] Coleman run down the field and throw the ball up and see either you’re going to make a play on it or they’re going to go up and take it from you.” Junior safety Dylan Haines said trumping the Bears in Waco would mean a lot. “You look at this season
peop a lim Inche Fo came mond throu got t tled “ know wher W made W Daily woul colle this journ
that we’d all ride out into the sunset together (or still be in the basement graduation weekend pondering why we don’t have jobs). But thesis calls, and I’m ready — excited, even — to answer. The Texan taught me sometimes to say no and step back. Thanks, Texan, for all you’ve taught me. -30-
SMART continues from page 9 with the wins and losses, obviously not having gone the way wanted to, anytime you can go out there … and get a win against a good team,” Haines said. “To get a win against them in Waco would mean something for our seniors.” The Longhorns missed plenty of opportunities this season. But they want to channel their Okla-
Name: 4150/Jersey Mike’s Franchise Sy; Width: 29p6; Depth: 10 in; Color: Process color, 4150/Jersey Mike’s Franchise Sy; Ad Number: 4150
homa performance into Saturday’s game. “I believe anything is possible,” junior linebacker Tim Cole said. “Any team can be beaten on any given day. It’s about being the best team that day. For us, we’re just going to have to don’t take this game bigger than it is and play with the same attitude we played with against OU.”
drawing fouls and shooting 13-of-17 from the freethrow line. Smart said Texas must worry less about the immediate result. “We’re not going to stop and throw our process in the trash,” Smart said. “We’re going to build it.” Texas will continue that process when it hosts Samford on Friday night in the second of five
straight home games. The Longhorns welcome the long home stretch after traveling 17,000 miles the first two weeks of the season. Taylor said he thinks Texas will regroup during that span. “We knew that we were not going to be perfect,” Taylor said. “We didn’t expect this start. But it happened, and we are going to battle back from it.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan file photo
Head coach Karen Aston looks on as the Longhorns play UTSA on Nov. 14. Texas plays Little Rock on the road Dec. 6. Texas has won six straight games.
Defense propels Aston, Texas to six-game winning streak By Tyler Horka @TexasTy95
Life is good for the Longhorns right now. Texas enters the seventh game of its season riding a sixgame winning streak, including back-to-back victories over top-10 opponents. Now, Texas hits the road for the third time this season as it travels to Arkansas to battle Little Rock at 2 p.m. on Sunday. In Texas’ last road contest Sunday, it held the then-No. 4 team in the country, Tennessee, to its lowest point total of the season in a 64-53 win. Head coach Karen Aston said the defense was a bright spot in what she called an ugly game. “Our defense from a team perspective was extremely good, and we stayed disciplined defensively,” Aston said. “The exciting thing is I
think we can get a lot better.” The Texas offense averages 73.7 points per game, but it’s the Texas defense that makes its presence felt early on. No. 9 Mississippi State brought an offense that scores 93.6 points per game to the Frank Erwin Center on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs left with their first loss of the season while putting up their lowest point total of the season — 47. Texas averaged 73.7 points per game before Wednesday night’s contest but only needed 53 points to remain undefeated. Aston said the team’s defensive effort was terrific again. “I thought we had a couple individuals in particular, Empress [Davenport] and Tasia [Foman], that really did a good job defensively,” Aston said. “I thought that everybody else played smart. We are in a
The exciting thing is I think we can get a lot better. —Karen Aston, Head coach
good groove defensively.” Junior guard Brianna Taylor said the team’s depth is a major reason why the defense is executing so well. “We have all the people to do what we want to do, how we want to finish this year,” Taylor said. “I think we have those people that can step up.” Texas will try to use its stout defense to extend its streak to 7–0. The Longhorns beat the Trojans 60– 26 in the teams’ last matchup in 2013.
lar aff
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Friday, December 4, 2015
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Sports reporter leaves couch for real world By Aaron Torres @aaron_torres95
I laid in bed Tuesday at 3 a.m., tossing and turning and thinking. I had to write this missive and turn it in 17 hours. But I didn’t know who to thank, to praise, to compliment. I didn’t know what to write. Like the speech of an Oscar-winner, I have so many people to thank, but there’s a limit — time limits them. Inches limit me. For some reason, I became curious about diamonds. So I thumbed through my phone until I got to a Wikipedia page titled “Diamond.” I wanted to know how they’re made and where they come from. What I learned: They are made underground. When I started at The Daily Texan, I thought I would be here for my entire collegiate career. I thought this was the pinnacle of journalism for a student at
UT — working for one of the best student newspapers in the U.S. But I knew this would be my last semester. What I needed was more time here because, like anyone leaving a place, I’m left asking, “Where did the time go?” But I know where the time went and where most of it was spent — in the office. It’s where I ate; it’s where I cried; it’s where I slept. There probably hasn’t been a day of school when I wasn’t in the office. It’s because that’s where most of my friends are — where the people are elegant, precious and beautiful like diamonds. They are the people who will stay up with you until 3 a.m. in the office on a summer day to support you. The ones that place a sticky note on your computer wishing you good luck on your test and that “Roger is rooting for you.” The great friends that place a packet of peanut M&M’s on your desk with
Senior sports writer Aaron Torres worked at The Daily Texan for one-and-ahalf years. He was a general sports writer, senior sports writer and the sports editor in the summer of 2015. He will miss being at the basement every day and seeing all of his friends there.
Amy Zhang Daily Texan Staff
another sticky note that says to cheer up. (That sticky note is still in my wallet.) I’m glad I joined the Texan, and I think most people who work here are glad they joined, too. The sports writers who
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critiqued me, the Life&Arts and photo editors who I played Ping-Pong with, the other staffers I played staffsketball with and also became friends with. The two page designers who became like my sisters —
one younger, the other older — who I looked forward to seeing every single day. You should join the Texan. You’ll have a blast. If you don’t know where it is, just go to the HSM building
and take the elevator or the stairs underground. You’ll enter a place where careers begin. Where friendships are born. Where diamonds are found. -30-
FOOTBALL
Tre Thomas returns to UT campus, speaks to Longhorns By Leah Vann
@Vanntastic_Leah
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff
Senior sports reporter and copy editor Blanche Schaefer worked two-and-a-half years for The Daily Texan. She drank a career-high 125 cups of coffee this season.
Sports reporter, copy cat finds family, feels fear By Blanche Schaefer @schaefer_bb
I used to allow fear to control me. I imagined myself growing into a dogged reporter, but in reality, I was terrified. In August 2013, I sheepishly went to a Daily Texan info session with all intents and purposes to try out for sports staff. The more I imagined myself covering University of Texas athletics, the more terrified I became. So I tried out to be a copy editor instead. I love grammar. photo I wouldn’t have to interview Little anyone. No one would see my byline. That’s exactly how my first semester at the Texan went. I made one friend, and I didn’t return the next semester. But I missed the Texan basement. I was still too afraid to pursue my dream of becoming a sports reporter, so I re-joined the copy desk. I met some interesting characters my first night
as
PERRIN
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September, focusing on personal injury litigation. Women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky said Perrin’s y.” legal background has helped annahim navigate the athletic dedepthpartment landscape. why “He’s such a quick study utingon this stuff,” Plonsky said. “I just keep thinking ple toof all this stuff he’s been howsitting through, from Nike year,” have p up.” se its d its Longs 60– atch-
back. They were obsessed with Paula Deen and had the strangest inside jokes. But they brought me into their weird little circle, and, for the first time, I felt truly at home in the Texan basement. We bonded over the shrieks of Paula Deen parody videos — she became central to office culture. We lived on late-night coffee as we hunted down facts, cranked out headlines and replaced hyphens with em dashes. I wouldn’t have met my best friends at the copy desk if I had tried out for sports my first year. I took the dive two years later and joined sports as a senior reporter. I enjoyed hearing the athletes’ and coaches’ stories so much that I forgot why I was afraid. I couldn’t believe the opportunities in front of me — my favorite was an interview with Edith Royal for her 90th birthday. Everyone in the Texan sports department was so patient and helpful, and I
never once felt like “the new kid.” I soaked up everything I could from the other senior reporters and editors. They answered my silly questions and welcomed me into their Texan family. I grew immensely as a reporter and writer thanks to their help, and I gained several best friends during my semester in sports. I used to regret waiting so long to join sports staff. I thought I’d doomed my chances of a career as a sports writer. I hated that I let my fear of risks take over. But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing — my time at the Texan was divided perfectly. I picked every grape off the vine. I leave The Daily Texan as a skilled copy editor and a less-fearful sports reporter. I leave with a group of lifelong friends and memories from the basement. And I learned that if you’re scared, you should probably go for it. -30-
negotiations to audits, just trying to understand how this sponsorship stuff happens. It’s not uncomplicated, and he picks it up like there’s no tomorrow.” Perrin assumes the position at a changing time for the athletics department. Many anticipate he will help football coach Charlie Strong rebuild his staff — but responsibilities stretch further. The department will knock down the school’s
Press and Printing buildings this month to clear space for a new tennis center, due to open in fall 2016. It expects to relocate basketball facilities for the medical school and formalize a sports science center for Student Athlete Wellness and High Performance. Plonsky said leadership even has master plans for a South End Zone project at Darrell K RoyalTexas Memorial Stadium —
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Walking across campus Thursday brought back memories for Tre Thomas, a former Longhorn safety. “I’m really enjoying this visit today,” Thomas said. “I guess this is why you have to grow up. It has a lot more meaning to me now. This was a part of my life. I was here for a long time.” Thomas, who played for Texas from 1993-96, was on campus to motivate this year’s football team. He made three NFL practice squads after helping his team win the first Big 12 Championship in 1996. The championship was Texas and Thomas’ second straight – they also kept the Southwest Conference crown the last year before conference realignment. “Winning those games was a way of stamping, ‘Hey, we ran this, and we’re going to start this new era,’” Thomas said. But his team, too, struggled before reaching success. In 1993, Texas went 5-5-1 under head coach John Mackovic. “We came in 1993 young, took a lot of whoopings
We came in 1993 young, took a lot of whoopings and grew together...So by... my junior year, it felt good. It changed our attitude of never letting go of our self-perception. —Tre Thomas, Former Longhorn safety
and grew together,” Thomas said. “So by the time we played the Southwestern Conference Championship my junior year, it felt good. … It changed our attitude of never letting go of our self-perception.” Texas was projected as 21-point underdogs against defending champion Nebraska in the 1996 Big 12 Championship Game. But then-quarterback James Brown addressed the skepticism at his Monday press conference the week of the game. “Hey man,” Brown remembers saying. “We might just beat these guys by 21 points.” The Texas coaches didn’t encourage trashtalking – Brown said they didn’t want to give the opposing locker room further motivation. But Thomas said Brown’s belief gave his teammates
motivation to win. “It broke the elephant in the room,” Thomas said. “Why are we all coming in here expecting to lose?” Now, when Thomas attends Texas football games, he sits in the stands. He said the energy at Darrell K RoyalTexas Memorial Stadium feels different than when he played. “I wish there was a way to fuel that energy as a player,” Thomas said. “As a player, you’re just listening to your headphones before a game thinking about how you need to win.” Now, at age 40, Thomas looks to impart advice to the team. His message for their game at Baylor was simple. “The talent is there,” Thomas said. “Y’all are going to be good. Don’t let the losses define your team going forward.” Tre Thomas visted the UT campus on Thursday to speak to the football team. Thomas play for Texas from 1993—1996.
Daulton Venglar Daily Texan Staff
but timelines are fluid. “When it’ll be a reality, we don’t know,” Plonsky said. “You never stop around here.” But athletics does know one more thing now — regardless of each project’s deadline, the department expects Perrin to be at the helm overseeing the next two and a half years of projects. Perrin said that prospect excites him — and apparently the Longhorn
fan base, too. He said he’s “humbled and overwhelmed” by the support he’s received. Losing that support base was Patterson’s biggest issue in his exit. Patterson’s initial contract ran through 2019, but he left after 22 months when rising ticket prices, rocky relations with donors and a business-first mindset upset fans. University officials and constituents have spoken
positively about Perrin’s relationships with fans and donors. Plonsky said he’s “so enjoyable” to be around — a quality the department needs. “Mike Perrin was a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant decision by President Fenves,” Plonsky said. “He’s bright off the charts, he’s calm, he’s Texas, his wife is Texas. And again, just so respected. A man of integrity.” —Additional reporting by Akshay Mirchandani
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L&A 15 Editor’s Note: This week, the Life&Arts department will cover the semester’s most prevalent issues on campus, from campus carry to sexual assault. Today’s package addresses students’ experiences with sexual assault on campus. —Danielle Lopez, Life&Arts editor
Friday, December 4, 2015
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SEXUAL ASSAULT
Editor’s note: The names in these stories have been changed to protect the sources’ identities.
Blurred Lines: Alice
Greeks Speak: Sarah
Survivor Story: Nathan
By Danielle Lopez
By Marisa Charpentier
By Cat Cardenas
UT seniors Alice and Matthew had been best friends since they met in their freshman year interest group. For three years, he was her go-to person, her best friend, someone she trusted completely. So when he drunkenly took her into his bedroom one night after a party, tried to remove her clothes and forced himself on her, she let him. “It was really aggressive and weird,” Alice said. “At one point, he just decided to have sex with me and there wasn’t really anything I could do.” Although she tried to say no numerous times, he didn’t stop. And when morning came, she left before he woke up. She didn’t consider what had happened between them rape. She started sleeping with him on a regular basis. A haze had set over her, making her think they could have a real relationship.
Go out, have fun, be cute, meet a lot of boys. When UT junior Sarah joined a sorority her freshman year, she found these were some of the pressures she and other women in Greek life faced. “Everyone’s going to mixers and everyone’s going to fraternity parties,” Sarah said. “It seems like everyone in your sorority is doing it, so it seems like the only thing to do.” In a study conducted by the National Institute of Justice, nearly a quarter of the identified sexual assault victims were in a sorority. Sarah said the Greek community’s culture makes sexual assault a prevalent issue within this group. “I feel like at fraternity parties, there’s a bigger chance of being sexually assaulted because you’re surrounded by all of these people that you don’t know,”
UT sophomore Nathan was waiting to cross the street by McCombs when someone called out to him. Mark was a stranger, drunk and asking for a kiss. When Mark confided he was questioning his sexuality, Nathan, who is gay, took sympathy on him. He understood what it was like to be confused. He offered to sit and talk with Mark and on a bench in a well-lit area. During their conversation, Mark kept making advances toward Nathan — kissing him, groping him, grabbing him. “He started feeling me up,” Nathan said. “He was stroking my thighs and my penis, and I moved his hand away. I told him to stop and he would keep doing it. I was persistent. I got up and started walking away, but he started following me.” When Nathan saw one of his friends walking down the
ALICE page 14
SARAH page 14
NATHAN page 14
@ldlopz
@marisacharp21
@crcardenas8
Survivor Story: Cheyenne
Greeks Speak: Michael
By Cat Cardenas
By Marisa Charpentier
By Danielle Lopez
She was in the middle of the frat party talking to him when he asked if she wanted to go get drinks. The bar was behind them, but before she got up, she blacked out. The rest of UT sophomore Cheyenne’s night at her old school in Washington played out in muddled bits and pieces. She remembers the unfamiliar boy guiding her through a strange hallway, them sitting on a bed, him leaning in to kiss her and then her laying there as he raped her. “I didn’t understand what was happening and I couldn’t stop it,” Vanessa said. “I had had sex drunk before, but I always knew I consented. I knew it was what I wanted. That time, I wasn’t able to move. I couldn’t control myself.” The next day, she went to her sorority’s president and reported the rape. Though his fraternity said they were
UT sophomore Michael has seen the news articles denouncing fraternities across the nation for sexual assault allegations. He knows what people think. He knows people say fraternity members only want one thing: to take advantage of girls. “I’m not going to deny the fact that there have been bad things that have happened, but I do think Greek life is targeted, and it’s difficult because our intent is not anything bad,” Michael said. “It is just a brotherhood. We’re just trying to find common interest with other people and create friendships.” Throughout his two years in a UT fraternity, Michael said he’s noticed a negative trend in the media. When universities anywhere from Virginia to Montana are in the spotlight for sexual assault issues, fraternities everywhere earn a bad reputation.
The locker room of UT freshman Jake’s high school was filled with talk about porn sites, the latest sex videos and who recently got laid. If someone didn’t have a story to share, they were the odd man out. “If pornography ever came up everyone would just make jokes about it,” Jake said. “If you’re in a locker room with guys and hear the way they talk about women, it’s just in this really derogatory way. It felt normal, but when I stepped away from it, it felt disgusting” Jake, who started using porn in middle school, said he remembers often feeling pent up aggression against his female peers. He wasn’t always able to explain why, but after he stopped using porn in high school, he realized how much he had been objectifying women. “When I was using it, I used to get a lot of sexual pokes in the head and sexual thoughts that were irrel-
CHEYENNE page 14
MICHAEL page 14
JAKE page 14
@crcardenas8
Violent Truth: Jake
@marisacharp21
@ldlopz
SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS
18%
Students offer perspectives on sexual assault By Danielle Lopez and Thomas Boswell @thedailytexan
For this Q&A, The Daily Texan met separately with male and female students to discuss sexual assault and how campus culture and gender play a role. The names of the students have been changed to protect their identities. The Daily Texan: How do you define sexual assault? Courtney: Any sexual content that is unwanted by the other person. Richard: Any sexual encounter without a firm
consent given from a reasonable state of mind. DT: How big of a problem do you think sexual assault is on campus? Is it talked about enough? Courtney: Probably a bigger problem than we think it is. I feel like most people think that it is an issue, but there are a lot of cases that go unreported because they don’t think it’s a big enough deal or they don’t feel comfortable. Will: I think, especially for me, in my group of friends, there’s an unspoken attitude that that would never happen to us. We just don’t even talk
about it. Where with campus carry, if I had a gun we would talk about it a lot more. Its more of a “real” issue. DT: Do you do anything to prevent sexual assault? Courtney: I just try to keep an eye on how many drinks I’m having. I try not to get too inebriated, though sometimes if I get out of hand and then I will have safe words with friends. If I am not feeling a guy, I’ll say something and they’ll know immediately, stuff like that. All male students: No. James: It’s not enough to change my behavior. I
think girls have to change their behavior everyday for it. As a guy its not always on your mind. The danger being paired with [an] actual threat isn’t really there. DT: Do you think differently about someone who’s been sexually assaulted? Nick: Everybody’s got baggage. For people who’ve been sexually assaulted that’s just their baggage. They didn’t choose it. Its something that happened to them, it isn’t who they are. Elizabeth: Not in a bad
Q&A page 13
At UT, almost of female undergraduates have been victims of sexual assault during their time as students.
53.5% of the surveyed students did not report an event related to force by penetration because students said they did not think the “incident was serious enough to report.”
6%
The study found that only about of female students who reported being victims of “nonconsensual sexual touching” reported the assault incident to authorities.
Sexual assault occurs when someone knowingly performs any form of unwanted sexual contact without Illus the victim’s consent. Acts prohibited under Texas’ sexual assault law include touching, oral sexual stimulation, and intercourse. Rape is a subcategory of sexual assault.
70%
of assault cases in Texas are perpetrated by someone known or related to the victim, according to a study published by the UT Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault.
1 in 5
men statewide have experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. Men have an almost equal chance of being assaulted by either gender, whereas women are primarily sexually assaulted by men. Sources: Association of American Universities, UT Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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LIFE&ARTS
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Friday, December 4, 2015
ALICE
CHEYENNE
It wasn’t until a couple of months later that her best friend helped her see she had been raped. After that, Alice said she couldn’t look at Matthew the same way. She decided to confront him. But when she brought up that night, he hadn’t realized he had done anything wrong. “He had no clue,” Alice said. “He was like ‘I remember you saying no that night, but it didn’t feel real.’” It’s been months since the two last spoke. Although she considers what Matthew did as rape, she said she would never report it. ”I feel like Matthew would hate me afterward,” Alice said. “I feel like people would think I’m overreacting and start victim blaming. There aren’t hard lines.”
taking the incident seriously and that he had been suspended, her friends let her know he was still actively attending functions. The fear that what happened to her would could happen to another girl prompted her to report him. After they both provided witnesses and he was found guilty, he chose to contest the verdict. When she found out her case was going to court, she made the decision to transfer to UT. “I just didn’t feel safe on campus anymore,” Vanessa said. “I would see him a couple of times on campus, and I started having panic attacks.” She wanted to forget it. She wanted to put it behind her. But with the trial just days
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SARAH
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NATHAN
continues from page 13 street, it was his way out. He called out to his friend and offered to help him with some of the things he was carrying. Mark didn’t get the hint.
program. She said the sisters themselves have their own prevention system. When they go to events where alcohol is involved, many go in groups and stick together. “If you go with a group, and you don’t leave with the group, then something’s off,” Sarah said.While she has no personal experience with sexual assault, Sarah said one of her friends at UT has been assaulted by another UT student. She said even if students haven’t had a personal experience, they at least know someone who has. “I feel like if you know someone personally whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, you will be much more likely to watch out for other girls,” Sarah said. “Just knowing that it’s real and not just hearing statistics really helps.” He followed them back to their dorm, but after heading upstairs, Mark finally left. “It could’ve been a lot worse, but I don’t think I should undermine what happened,” Nathan said. “It made me feel very scared. I didn’t think it would
Q&A
continues from page 13 way or a good way. It makes me feel for them. It doesn’t make me think badly of them it makes me feel like “wow that is really awful.” DT: What institutions or activities on campus facilitate assault? James: Some parties, even the names, connotate sexual attire. Girls get free drinks or don’t have to pay anything to enter. That’s an indicator of the cultural acceptance of it. And it’s not just fraternities, any party where there’s alcohol. Hannah: Parties bring out predators as well. They seek the vulnerable and also drinking at least in the way of “I’m going affect me as much as it did.” In the following weeks, Nathan couldn’t even bring himself to walk past where it happened. He didn’t feel safe anymore, but he didn’t feel like he could report it. He said he finally gained closure while
MICHAEL
into a risky situation.’” When someone accuses a continues from page 13 member of Michael’s frater“Because we are all part of nity of sexual assault, the ora group, and we all identify ganization expels him from with our group, if one per- the group. Michael said the son does something it’s easy fraternity members recogto deductively say it’s the nize this standard. entire group’s fault,” Michael “There is absolutely zero said. tolerance for it in fraterniDuring each semester, ties,” Michael said. “FraterMichael said the national nity members understand level of his fraternity, the the consequence of these alumni association, the actions.” Dean of Students and the Although he does not fraternity’s own student think fraternities should leaders lead seminars and always be in the spotlight discussions about sexual as- when it comes to this issue, sault. He said his brothers Michael said that doesn’t look out for each other at mean sexual assault does not parties and events. happen. “You’re out with your “It comes down to the infriends and someone’s dividual in the end,” Michael drinking a lot, and they’re said. “It’s their personal deciseverely impaired,” Michael sion. Making sure everyone said. “We’ll go up to them knows what constitutes and say, ‘You need to call it a sexual assault and what is night because you’re getting not acceptable is important.”
to get wasted” is a risky thing. I feel like people will try and get away with things when they are doing risky behavior. DT: Do you feel like the other person expects something of you when you go out? James: In the past there’s been times, I’d expect something, but it wouldn’t be a date. I’d know that I was trying to hookup. If there was a girl where we would have a thing going on but we weren’t dating, it was implied. So I did have an expectation going into it. If I was going on a date with a girl, I wouldn’t really expect anything. Elizabeth: I feel like the pressure is put on me. I have to establish researching male sexual assault for a class project. He realized it was a stigmatized but prevalent issue among men, especially in the gay community, where gay men are almost twice as likely to experience sexual violence than their straight counter-
DT: Concerning sexual assault, what do you wish was different about being a man or woman? Richard: I wish there was more emphasis on raising our sons to not expect anything. To not think the way I know a lot of people do. Hannah: The thing that bothers me most is when I know that I am doing everything I can to be safe, and I’m still caught in a situation where I’m like ‘fuck, I’m 50 percent sure I’m about to be raped.’ It’s like what else can I do when I am doing all these things and I’m still getting caught in a scenario where I’m scared. It’s really frustrating. parts. “I think if there wasn’t such a big stigma around men, whether they’re gay or straight, I would’ve sought help,” Nathan said. “It needs to be spoken about and treated with the same level of respect and care.”
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Sarah said. “There’s so much room for uncertainty.” Throughout her own experiences maneuvering the crowded spaces and dance floors, Sarah said she has noticed it’s difficult for partygoers to keep track of how much alcohol they are consuming. “There’s Everclear, so you can’t taste how much alcohol is in their punch,” Sarah said. “You don’t know how much is ever too much. That makes it pretty easy to go too far.” In an attempt to prevent sexual assault, Sarah said UTPD gives her sorority a safety class that discusses the topic, and all new members undergo an alcohol awareness and sexual safety
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ahead of her, she couldn’t. She hadn’t been planning on testifying, but when he asked one of her friends to testify against her, she felt like she had no other choice. “He got my friend as a witness for him,” Vanessa said. “Nothing has hurt worse than that. She was saying that it wasn’t unusual for me to get drunk and basically saying that I deserved it.” Vanessa won’t know the results of the trial for another couple of months. Though she’s glad it’s behind her, she said she wants more people to take sexual assault seriously. “I don’t think the guy who did it ever understood how awful it made me feel,” Vanessa said. “It needs to stop being normalized in the media and we need to talk about how wrong it is.”
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Friday, December 4, 2015
LIFE&ARTS
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Life&Arts editor to trade in crown for diploma By Danielle Lopez @ldlopz
Few people know how much the Texan saved me. Before I became a daily fixture by the basement door, I didn’t really belong anywhere. I was a journalism sophomore who had never written a journalistic piece in her life. But two years and thousands of words later, the Texan taught me I’m capable of anything. I learned that strangers are my favorite types of people — and no matter how crazy someone seems at first, just listen to them speak for an hour, and you’ll fall in love. I learned that no matter what my personal problems were, they didn’t matter, because there are always stories much bigger than me waiting to be told. The Texan led me to people I never thought I’d meet. I interviewed my favorite band, First Aid Kit, before their careers took off. I hung out with Richard Linklater in a hallway of Violet Crown, and I chatted with Lemony Snicket about the Baudelaires’ misfortunes. But there was also the first woman engineer in Austin, who assured me it’s possible to have it all. There were the men with intimidating beards who showed me how to live life colorfully. There was the bus driver who told me a love story and a couple of insightful filmmakers who
Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff
In her five semesters at The Daily Texan, Danielle Lopez worked for the Life&Arts department as editor, associate editor and reporter.
said traveling the world would save me one day. And then there’s Kat. She is the friend I looked for in every person I had ever met in college. She is one of my best friends, my gold dust woman, my sister. Thank you for picking me to be your right hand man. Cat and Marisa, please
know how forever grateful I am to have had you by my side these past few months. You catered to my ever-ridiculous list of demands, humored my bad jokes and taught me loneliness no longer has a place in my world. Moonflower, I’m envious of your relationship with words and
AP style. Cat, I can’t wait to see your creativity shine as you become the next L&A queen. To the rest of my staff, I say goodbye with a heavy heart. L&A would not be the beauty that it is without all of your hard work. You taught me to be a leader, and you taught me to be kind.
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Jack, Brett and Amy — thank you for encouraging each of my insane projects. And Ginny, Bryce and Daulton — thank you for making each of those projects possible. Peter, thank you for supporting me every day for the past year. As I take the graduation
stage tomorrow, I will walk confidently into adulthood, knowing the Texan will always be behind me. And so, I end my L&A reign with the words my loveliest writer once said to me — I’m more excited today than the first time I walked in here. -30-
MUSIC Alex Pelham worked as a senior Life&Arts writer, reviewing films. Previously he reviewed films as an issues staffer.
Year in review: top 10 albums of 2015 By Chris Duncan @chr_dunc
Daulton Venglar Daily Texan Staff
Resident film critic to roll credits as his Texan tenure comes to cinematic end By Alex Pelham @TalkingofPelham
Despite everything horror movies have taught me about going into dark, scary basements, I’m incredibly lucky I plucked up the courage to visit The Daily Texan’s office. Nearly two and a half years later, I’ve arrived at the end credits. I can’t believe I’ve risen from an issue writer to head film columnist for one of the most prestigious college newspapers in the country. It’s been a journey that has granted me many privileges and has been one of the defining aspects that has shaped my college career. If I had to edit together a montage of my favorite moments at the Texan, Christo-
JAKE
continues from page 15 evant to the moment,” Jake said. “We could just be getting ice cream and there was this nudge to kiss or get sexual with her.” Much of the pornography he was watching had desensitized him from the violence it depicted. According to the International Communica-
pher Nolan would think the runtime was excessive. I’ll never forget experiencing my first Fantastic Fest, where I watched the freakiest, grossest and possibly greatest films ever conceived. I’ll always cherish the time I interviewed Tommy Wiseau, famous for creating the best worst movie ever made. I’ll even look back fondly on the first day I covered South by Southwest, where I forgot to eat for 12 hours and practically crawled back to my dorm. My success at the Texan is due to a cast of magnificent editors who guided me through five insane semesters. Sarah-Grace Sweeney, Hannah Smothers and Lauren L’Amie helped turn me from an unexperienced
writer to a responsible journalist. I want to give a special shout-out to Kat Sampson, who was crazy enough to let me cover the film festival at SXSW single-handedly, and Danielle Lopez, who kept me from going insane when editing sessions stretched to two hours. Marisa Charpentier and Cat Cardenas deserve medals for putting up with my annoying tendency to repeat words in the same paragraph. And none of this would have ever happened without Alex Williams, who made me into the critic and film fanatic I am today. It’s all been a rush, and one I hope to remember as I look back years later. Hopefully, whenever I open a copy of the Texan, I’ll keep see-
ing strong, insightful film reviews. I’ve had the pleasure of working with other awesome film-lovers. I look forward to reading more of Charles Liu’s pun-filled reviews, and I hope his journey at the Texan will continue to be as fulfilling as mine was. After such a heartfelt farewell, it only seems fitting to end with a horrendous cliché by finishing with the last words from a late, great film critic. But I’d like to think that if Roger Ebert had ever seen any of the hard work I’ve put in these past few years, he wouldn’t mind at all. Perhaps he would spare me a thumbsup or two. So with that, goodbye. I’ll see you at the movies. -30-
tion Association, 88.2 percent of top rated porn scenes contained aggressive acts. He said many people don’t consider pornography’s role in rape culture. “Porn is very violent,” Jake said. “It calls women names constantly — dirty women or sluts. There’s this thing that the woman doesn’t deserve to be respected. They make it seem like she wants it.”
He often thinks about his female friends who say they feel pressure from their boyfriends to perform sexual acts that make them uncomfortable. He said the best way for a guy to know if pornography’s affecting them is if they ask their partner to do something they have seen in porn. It has been more than a year since Jake last watched
porn. He said he wants to advise every guy to take a break from using porn and see how that changes their daily lives. “I think there are a lot of guys who get angry when a girl doesn’t sleep with them and I think that is highly correlated to the images they’re seeing,” Jake said. “Once I stopped watching, it was satisfying enough to just spend time with her.”
In terms of both sales and artistic endeavors, 2015 was a blockbuster year for music. The Daily Texan’s selections for the top 10 albums of 2015 not only entertained, but pushed the boundaries of what it means to compose a record. 10. Summertime ‘06 – Vince Staples After successful guest verses on several songs, including Earl Sweatshirt’s “epaR,” Vince Staples quit gang life and started rapping. His portrayal of the harsh realities of his childhood is nearly unrivaled in modern rap, helping him garner acclaim for his poetic style and flow. 9. Have You In My Wilderness – Julia Holter Art pop evolved the most of any genre in 2015, and Julia Holter is in part responsible for that. The Los Angeles composer and musician experienced mild success with her first three albums, but her fourth, Have You In My Wilderness, narrows its focus into a collection of individual pieces, each displaying the beauty and intimacy of the album as a whole. 8. Currents – Tame Impala Tame Impala took a break from music after 2012’s Lonerism, but Kevin Parker came roaring back with a newfound energy and production style in Currents. Blending huge guitar riffs, vintage synth lines and an intriguing R&B style of piano, Parker intentionally bogs himself down in smooth sounds, making the payoff of each song all the more sweet. 7. In Colour – Jamie xx Most fans of The xx will know the group because of its entrancing production from Jamie xx, but the English producer proved in his solo debut that he’s much more than a one-dimensional producer. Each song is rich and complex in sound, and its colorful and joyous collection of songs come off as not only exciting but emotional.
6. Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes Transferring a band’s stage presence onto an album can be a daunting task, but Alabama Shakes pulled it off with ease on their second record. Sound & Color invigorates listeners with its diversity and command of several different musical genres. Brittany Howard’s voice is the best it has ever been, making the group’s interlacing of old and new southern soul music the most enjoyable of its kind. 5. Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit – Courtney Barnett Barnett doesn’t try to do anything spectacular on her debut LP, sticking to rock traditions and writing ballads of pure noise. Combine this with her carefree songwriting, and Sometimes I Sit lives solely in the moment through the perspective of a clever and compelling woman. 4. I Love You, Honeybear – Father John Misty Sarcasm in music is difficult to master, but in his second solo album, Josh Tillman hit the nail on the head. His jaded and proper appearance complements the irony of his music, helping create an oddly affectionate self-deprecating attack on modern relationships. At times, Tillman’s serious delivery can throw off listeners, but ILYH’s reward is worth the effort. 3. Art Angels – Grimes Grimes is known for her all-out style of pop music, and Art Angels takes it one step further. With the album’s production tying everything together, Art Angels is one of the most joyous and easy listens of the year, displaying Grimes’ talents as both a producer and a singer to create a boundary-pushing album. 2. Surf – Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment Although Surf is the result of contributions from dozens of artists, its unity as a project helps create one of the most sonically interesting and rewarding listens of
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