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MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017
@thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com
Volume 118, Issue 34 CAMPUS
UT Police offer Ride Along for hands-on experience
CITY
By John Melendez News Reporter
noel mahouch| daily texan staff
Thousands banded together on Saturday night with flags, balloons, and smiles to celebrate Austin Pride. The parade served as a reminder of the LGBTQ community’s strength, especially in light of the defeated SB 6 “bathroom bill.”
Pride Parade takes on new meaning By Chase Karacostas Senior Reporter
Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Austin on Saturday night to celebrate the LGBTQ community after Hurricane Harvey forced Austin Pride to reschedule its annual Pride Parade a month ago. For some, this year’s parade took on a new meaning following the defeat of Senate Bill 6, informally known as the “bathroom bill.” SB 6, also known as the Texas Privacy Act, was introduced during the 2017 legislative session. If passed, the bill would have required
Texans to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates. Proponents of the bill hailed it as a protective measure to ensure the safety of women’s bathrooms. Those who stood against it, including Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, said it was unnecessary and would only damage the lives of transgender Texans. With the bill in the rearview mirror, attendees said this year’s parade in Austin stood as a reminder of the LGBTQ community’s growing strength against adversity. “Being here, surrounded by all
the rainbow, it makes me feel amazing,” said Auston Carlson, health and society freshman and first-time Pride attendee. “I know the bill wasn’t defeated for exactly the right reasons. I know there was economic backlash, and that was probably the majority of the reason why it got defeated, but the fact that it did get defeated was just amazing. It feels like a triumph for the LGBTQ community — specifically trans people.” CEOs of dozens of companies, including AT&T, Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments, banded together to urge lawmakers to derail the bill or risk tarnishing the
state’s economy. In the waning days of the regular session, Straus refused to give the bill a committee hearing, effectively killing the bill. “This is the right thing to do in order to protect our economy from billions of dollars in losses and more importantly to protect the safety of some very vulnerable young Texans,” Straus said in a news conference three days before the legislative session ended. “There is no reason to make a tragic and a costly mistake.”
PRIDE page 2
Although the UT Police Department uses various initiatives to promote community outreach, one of the lesser-known options is the department’s Ride Along Program. The Ride Along program allows students to shadow a senior police officer as they go about their patrols. These ride alongs are available almost any time and are beneficial to the community for a number of reasons, said Cpl. Joseph Bishop, who has been on the force for three years. Bishop said Ride Along participants encounter many different kinds of scenarios depending on the time and call. “We wear a lot of different hats,” Bishop said. “On some calls we’re there for a criminal reason … a lot of us are trained as mental health officers. We do a lot of that … we’re kind of like a mix of counselor and police.” Ride Along participants may also be on foot at the discretion of the officer. Bishop said that walking around is one of the best ways to learn about problems within the community. “We (talk) a lot with the businesses,” Bishop said. “Sometimes the
RIDE ALONG page 2 UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS
Former UT president urges Third annual Public Art Dog students to go international Walk advocates adoption William Powers, former UT President and current law professor, encourages students to study a second language and study abroad during their time at UT.
By Grace Speas News Reporter
From the Bahrain Island to Kashmir, former University president William Powers, currently a UT law professor, has been all over the world. Despite his experiences abroad, Powers said his one regret looking back on his career is that he never fully absorbed a second language. He now urges students to study abroad and accomplish what he never could. “I think when students are in school, their schoolwork and making progress within the University is probably the most significant
courtesy of william powers
By Mason Carroll News Reporter
Volunteers and rescue dogs returned to campus on Sunday to walk and address an issue. The third-annual Public Art Dog Walk hosted by Landmarks, the organization handling UT’s public art collection, and Blue Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dog shelter, returned to the 40 Acres to see many of the University’s famous pieces of art and showcase the importance of adopting a rescue dog. “The best part is just the art, coming out in the community and
letting these dogs experience that group of people and dogs,” said Tina Meines, Blue Dog Rescue board member. Each year, Blue Dog Rescue brings some of their own dogs to the walk to let them socialize with people and other dogs. “Our goals are to find the best homes for each dog individually, and our main goal in the community is that people know about responsible dog ownership, spay, neuter and pet safety,” Meines said. “All of our dogs are microchipped and up to date on all their vaccinations — all medically cleared — so we have a
priority, but it’s not the only thing you do in college,” Powers said. Powers was a guest speaker at this year’s
University Lecture Series “Turning Points” three weeks ago. Powers spoke
NEWS
OPINION
LIFE&ARTS
SPORTS
Panel discusses failures of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. PAGE 2
Thoughts on changing majors and getting involved outside UT. PAGE 4
Local band Duncan Fellows got start in North Campus garage. PAGE 8
Unbeaten streak finally over for Texas soccer. PAGE 6
6348/UT Athletics; Process color
STUDY ABROAD page 2
pretty good idea about what kind of dog you would be adopting.” Landmarks’ education coordinator Catherine Zinser said the organization hopes to spread awareness for foster dogs and the art around campus, and has seen the event grow over the past three years. “We hope to have more foster dogs on the tour this time so they really are featured and put on a spotlight during the tour, and we really want to spread the word about the (art) collection really,” Zinser said. The dog walk drew
DOG WALK page 3