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Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
@thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com
Volume 118, Issue 26 UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY
4-Year UT Graduation Rates by Class
52%
55%
61%
58%
UT Austin’s 4 Year Graduation Rates, 2016
By London Gibson
66%
Senior Reporter
61%
56.4%
27.2%
UT Arlington
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
25%
UT Austin
UT Dallas
UT San Antonio
15.8% UT El Paso
Source: http://reports.utexas.edu/spotlight-data
infographic by mingyo lee | daily texan staff
Graduation rate rises 5 percent By Jenan Taha Senior Reporter
UT-Austin has the highest graduation rate of Texas universities Sixty-six percent of the class of 2017 graduated within four years, UT announced, achieving the University’s largest ever jump between years in its
Dell Med School will open set of new clinics in October
four-year graduation rate — an increase of about five percent from the previous year. Maurie McInnis, executive vice-president and provost, said she and the Student Success Initiatives team worked to increase four-year graduation rates and provide resources to help students complete their degrees.
“We have improved graduation rates by more than 15 percent in a very short period of time — that’s an incredible accomplishment,” McInnis said. “Many things contributed to the increase and, first and foremost, it was the students themselves who have set high standards for themselves.” UT-Austin has the highest
graduation rate out of all Texas universities, according to the Provost’s Office. “Most universities tend to be in fairly static modes in relation to their graduation rate,” McInnis said. “The University of Texas really stands out as a national leader who decided to really focus on raising it.”
RATE page 3
The Dell Medical School will open an innovative set of new patient care clinics Oct. 17 in the first of several launching waves over the next two years. The clinics are part of the new UT Health Austin medical practice and will employ a team-based model to provide customized care to patients. UT President Gregory Fenves announced the launch at his annual State of the University Address last week. Amy Young, chair of the Department of Women’s Health at the Dell Medical School, said she helped set up the clinic’s model, which will allow patients to meet with a variety of specialists at once. This provides a more thorough care experience. “The opening of these clinics gives us a really wonderful opportunity to give back to the community,” Young said. “It also gives us an opportunity to develop innovative care models that will help push the needle on health, hopefully in a faster way.” Starting next semester, all students at the medical school will be able to learn by going into the clinics and assisting professionals with their work. Some second-year medical students have already started clinical rotations at a pilot program
CLINIC page 2 UNIVERSITY
CITY
Legislative director Momentum scholars seek to expand accepts new position tutoring services to local K-12 students By Chase Karacostas Senior Reporter
Jay Dyer, legislative director to Gov. Greg Abbott, will soon be the University’s direct liaison to the state legislature. Beginning Oct. 16, Dyer will serve as deputy to UT President Gregory Fenves for government relations and manage all University contact with the legislature and other state agencies for funding, research and student support issues. During Dyer’s first legislative session in the governor’s legislative office, Abbott signed the Governor’s University Research Initiative into law. The initiative is a grant-matching program to help higher education institutions recruit notable researchers. Dyer is also an alumnus of the College of Liberal Arts, where he majored in government, and is a graduate of the School of Law. Fenves said Dyer will be an asset in accomplishing the
University’s legislative goals, such as maintaining affordable education. “As the state’s flagship university, our future depends on having the trust of the Texas Legislature and state leadership, being accessible and affordable for students and their families, and providing value to the entire state,” Fenves said in a press release Tuesday. Gary Susswein, University chief communications officer, said Dyer stood out because of his background with UT and the legislature. “What made Dyer stand out was a combination of his experience in state government and his deep, deep ties to UT,” Susswein said. “He loves the University, and he is solidly committed to it.” During legislative sessions, Dyer will work directly with lawmakers to advocate for the University’s priorities, while simultaneously advising the University president on pending
DIRECTOR page 2
By Michael Hankins Reporter
Momentum Scholars is kicking off this semester with new plans for initiatives to help Austin-area students in elementary through high school from achieve academic success. Momentum Scholars is a student-run organization that provides after-school programs and tutoring services at underfunded schools. The group has previously given writing workshops and standardized test preparation, but they hope to branch out with new services this semester, Max Bernhardt, government junior and chief executive officer of UT Momentum Scholars, said. “Basically, we’re trying to expand into more concrete stuff such as tutoring AVIDJuniors at (Anderson High School),” Bernhardt said in an email. “We’re hoping to grow the club and work with a more
zachary imperial| daily texan staff
Momentum Scholars, a student-run organization, provides after-school programs and tutoring services for K-12 Students.
diverse set of people along with continuing the successful programs we already have in place.” AVID is an organization that aims to prepare low-in-
come students for college, Bernhardt said. Momentum Scholars originally started at Westwood High School in Austin. Saavan Nanavati, business honors
NEWS
OPINION
LIFE&ARTS
SPORTS
Blanton Museum holds exhibit on South Asian culture. PAGE 2
Columnists discuss their unique experiences with colorism. PAGE 4
Dobie pastry chef takes on Food Network’s Bakeoff. PAGE 8
Women’s soccer changes narrative about program. PAGE 6
6267/UT Athletics; Process color
and computer science freshman, founded the organization along with three other Westwood students in 2013
SCHOLARS page 2