The Daily Texan 2017-11-07

Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017

@thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com

UNIVERSITY

Volume 118, Issue 60

GREEK LIFE

UT Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter suspended

Students disapprove of threat of rising costs of tuition

By Ellie Breed News Editor

The UT chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been suspended as a result of health and safety concerns, SAE National officials said in a press release late Sunday night.

“Sigma Alpha Epsilon has zero tolerance for any actions or behaviors that are not consistent with our mission and our creed,” the press release said. “We are

By Maria Mendez Senior News Reporter

A recent Senate of College Councils survey shows almost half of UT students strongly disapprove of more tuition hikes.

The survey, which started early October and ended last Thursday, sought to gather student input as the University works on tuition proposals for the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 academic years. With state funding cutbacks, the University has relied on tuition increases for more funding over the past two years.

Out of 5,404 responses to the survey, almost 46 percent of students voted that they “definitely do not approve of tuition increases,” and another 38 percent voted that they would “probably not approve of tuition increases,” Senate President Austin Reynolds said.

“We’re definitely looking at a majority (of students) leaning towards the no tuition increase side,” Reynolds, an English senior, said. “If faculty or the administration are seeing (tuition increases) as a clear option, the students don’t understand why, and they’re not behind it.”

About 14 percent of the

committed to the safety and well-being of our members and others with whom they interact.”

SAE Nationals received a tip to their anonymous hazing hotline, and, after investigating, found the UT chapter was not complying with multiple health and safety policies, according to the release. SAE notified University officials of their decision to suspend the chapter. The Office of the Dean of Students was not immediately available for comment.

The chapter, which was founded in 1882, is suspended until current membership has graduated or for a period not shorter than four years.

“Although we regret the closure of any chapter, there are situations in which it becomes necessary and warranted,” the press release said. “Our leadership remains optimistic that we can re-establish Texas Rho in the near future with members who exemplify our beliefs and who

serve as leaders and role models on campus and in the greater Austin community.”

On Friday, Brandon Weghorst, chief communications officer for SAE, said the chapter was under a cease-and-desist order, but did not have a timeline for the pending investigation at that point.

Weghorst did not immediately respond to requests for comment after the chapter was suspended.

UNIVERSITY

TUITION page 3

illustration by rachel tyler| daily texan staff

ALUMNI

Case for pre-law certificate built

Research institute renamed after alumnus

By London Gibson Senior News Reporter

The certificate has been in the works for years and is back on the table.

By Anna Lassmann

A group of students and faculty members are currently building a case to add UT’s first law-focused certificate to the course schedule.

UT-Austin currently does not offer a minor or certificate program for pre-law students.

News Reporter

The renaming of a UT research center in the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences is sure to get students’ blood pumping.

Cardiologist Dr. James Willerson was honored by the institute after a cardiovascular research center was renamed the James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation on Oct. 26. Willerson is a distinguished UT-Austin alumnus, president emeritus of the Texas Heart Institute and former president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

“He has been a friend and collaborator and an associate of ICES and the University of Texas for many years … because of his expertise in cardiovascular medicine and because ICES has a center for cardiovascular simulation,” said J. Tinsley Oden, director of ICES. Willerson said the renaming is a great honor because he has

Students from the Senate of College Councils and administrators in the College of Liberal Arts are working to change that by developing a certificate to offer students the chance to take law-related courses as an introduction to similar classes they may encounter in law school.

Current pre-law students often have difficulties receiving college credit for law classes, because they do not always fit into their degree plans, Senate policy director David

Jenkins said.

“Because pre-law students come from a lot of different colleges and backgrounds, taking those classes is often difficult because they don’t contribute directly to your degree,” Jenkins, an English honors junior, said.

“You have to take them as elective hours, and the University only really allots for so many of those.”

PRELAW page 2

CAMPUS

Real-life Jerry Maguire talks honor, integrity

By John Melendez News Reporter

brooke crim| daily texan staff

Sports agent Leigh Steinberg spoke as a guest for the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation on Monday. Steingberg has represented over 300 pro athletes.

CARDIO page 2

Oscar De La Hoya, Troy Aikman, Evander Holyfield and Vince Young all have one thing in common — Leigh Steinberg.

On Monday, the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation hosted a talk by distinguished sports agent, Leigh Steinberg, the man who inspired the 1996 film “Jerry Maguire.”

Steinberg has represented a total of 62 first-round picks from the NFL Draft, including the number one overall pick eight times. He has secured

over $3 billion for over for 300 pro-athlete clients, according to his company’s website.

The idea for the film “Jerry Maguire” was inspired by Steinburg’s understanding of the importance of caring about the personal welfare of the players rather than just profiting off of them.

“I had a crisis of conscience,” Steinberg said. “Can I represent players if they might be on the road to dementia? No one (was) talking about it.”

John Winter, sport management graduate student, said Leigh’s unwillingness to compromise his moral

NEWS

OPINION

LIFE&ARTS

SPORTS

UT Woodworking turns trees into furniture for campus. PAGE 2

Columnist calls for Hollywood to seek out new, diverse talent. PAGE 4

Be ready to vote: Read about these five issues at the polls. PAGE 8

Herman, Longhorns continue battle for bowl eligibility. PAGE 6

INTEGRITY page 3

2

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

CARDIO

PRELAW

loved UT since graduating with his undergraduate degree in 1961.

“It’s a wonderful honor,” Willerson said. “I have a love affair with the University of Texas at Austin. It prepared me well for a future career in medicine.”

As part of the ceremonial event to rename the cardiovascular research center the Willerson Center, a $5 million fundraising event was completed to go towards an endowment.

“The endowment will be used, in part, to fund doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows who are interested in doing cardiovascular research in the Center and ICES,” said Michael Sacks, director of the Willerson Center.

The Willerson Center pursues basic and applied research using computer models that are focused on the needs of an individual’s health goals, Oden said.

“Instead of making diagnoses on the basis of thousands of cases, we actually predict the functions of the cardiovascular system … using mathematical and computational models that are tuned to specifics of an individual,” Oden said. “This is patient-specific medicine, and (Willerson) is a

Work on the certificate started about two years ago when students brought the need for a pre-law degree program to the attention of the Senate. After a series of roadblocks on both student and administrative sides, the organization is finally bringing the initiative back to the table, Jenkins said.

Government professor Raul Madrid is working with the team to get the project started, and they are currently in the process of working with members of the liberal arts college to form a committee and develop a proposal. He said the certificate would probably not be available to students for at least two to three years.

“We’re just in the process of forming a committee to try to study what it would consist of and what it would be called and the gist of what would be the requirements,” Madrid said. “We’re in the very early stages.”

Although the certificate will draw across departments for law and the criminal justice system classes, it will likely not be advertised as a pre-law certificate, so that students do not interpret it to be preparatory in any way for law school applications,

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copyright joe youngblood, and reproduced with permission

The cardiovascular research center in the Institute for Computation Engineering and Sciences at UT was renamed in Dr. James Willerson’s honor on Oct. 26.

proponent of this.”

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world, Oden said, and through ICES and the Willerson Center, researchers are working to combat heart disease.

“We’re going to save tens of thousands of lives by understanding the functions of individual hearts by designing medical procedures, therapies, drugs and so forth,”

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Cross-country collaboration art exhibit opens

By Ross Burkhart News Reporter

Six graduate students traveled from across the country to Austin for a collaboration with UT studio art graduates to explore and express their commonalities for a new art exhibition, “Room before.”

The six graduate students from Yale University, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of California-Los Angeles stayed with nine UT Studio Art graduates as part of an exploration into the question: “How do you prepare your guest room to host a person you’ve never met?” After getting to know each others’ similarities and differences, students created art about the identifying commonalities between artists studying within different graduate programs.

Marisa Laguardia, one of the studio art graduate participants from UT, said the collaboration required them to take risks.

“We took a chance by allowing the artists from participating schools to choose their own work,” Laguardia said. “They sent us a few images that they were thinking of, and then we as a group decided which we thought would be best fit for the show.”

Although the goal was to build connections between graduate students from different universities, Laguardia said she felt a growing sense of community within her scope of peers at UT as well.

“I was excited to collaborate with my peers at UT,” Laguardia said. “As a group, we’re starting to really solidify. It’s exciting that we’re all women, so I think we have a very strong connection in that sense. It turned out really wonderfully.”

UT studio art graduate student Emily O’leary said although the work focused on their shared commonalities, the actual work produced by each student expressed their

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copyright sasha baskin, and reproduced with permission

The display of Sasha Baskin’s “Glitch Series,” which is hand-woven with tencel, wool and alpaca. Room before contains the work of each individual artist participating in the exhibit.

Once you really got everything in the room, it was just amazing how wildly diverse and divergent the work was. There weren’t even a lot of commonalities in the UT students’ work.”

—Emily O’Leary, studio art graduate student

own individualities.

“Once you really got everything in the room, it was just amazing how wildly diverse and divergent the work was,” O’leary said.

“There weren’t even a lot of commonalities in the UT students’ work.”

Sasha Baskin, a studio art graduate student at VCU, said being able to experience this opportunity at UT was amazing to her.

“I was just so honored to be invited and included in this exchange and conversation between so many (masters of fine arts) programs,” Baskin said. “The UT grads were so welcoming and so lovely. I felt at home almost immediately.”

The exhibit opened Nov. 3 and is now on display at the Visual Arts Center through Dec. 9.

CAMPUS

Room to Read promotes preschool literacy

By Tehreem Shahab News Reporter

$40.00

Summer Session

Wednesday

Oden said. “We’re going to advance cardiovascular science.”

The research being completed at the Willerson Center is looking for ways to improve cardiovascular health, Willerson said. “(The research) focuses on imaging of blood vessels and finding new ways to treat heart disease, generally,” Willerson said. “(They are) trying to prevent heart attacks and strokes.”

Madrid said.

Madrid said he would like to dissuade students from thinking graduating with the certificate will tip the scales in their favor in regards to law school applications.

“Law schools themselves are not particularly interested in recruiting students that have a pre-law certificate,” Madrid said. “This has never been a priority for law schools.”

Senate vice president Lu Barraza said he does not expect the certificate to be a contentious proposal to pass, and that adding the certificate would be beneficial for students who want to take the first steps towards law school without the jump of taking the LSAT and applying.

The certificate might also have an affect on the number of applicants for the UT School of Law, Barraza said.

“One of the things that the law school brought up to us was that law schools across the country are experiencing a decline in applicants overall,” Barraza said. “We hope that this certificate will allow UT’s law school, as well as law schools around the country, to tap into the incredible students that we have here on campus and hopefully motivate them to pursue a career in law as well.”

Room to Read at UT is hosting “Read Across UT” Week, a fundraising campaign composed of different events each day, until this Thursday to raise money for children’s literacy and girls’ education in the developing world.

The kickoff event was a bake sale on West Mall. The money raised by this campaign will be donated to the national Room to Read, based in California. The nonprofit spends its funds for building schools and libraries and creating safe spaces for girls to learn, primarily in Asia and Africa, said Sarah Syed, president of Room to Read at UT. “In countries like India and Laos and all the countries Room to Read works in … the specific focus is on girls getting to secondary school,” said Syed, a biochemistry and Plan II senior. “By the time girls approach secondary school, a lot of their help is needed in the household or

they need to help raise siblings. And even the girls that want to go to school are unable to.”

Besides using fundraising to promote the cause of children’s literacy and girl’s education in the developing world, Room to Read at UT has also partnered with a local literacy organization called BookSpring. Through the program, student volunteers read to preschoolers in underserved communities in Austin to promote the love for reading.

Sophia Syed, communication sciences and disorders junior, is a member of Room to Read at UT who volunteered to read to preschool children through BookSpring. She said she did not initially expect the preschoolers to be responsive.

“They (preschool children) learned a lot from our simple five-page books,” Syed said.

“They were always participating really well with us.

We thought it was going to be kind of awkward because they are really young, and

carlos garcia | daily texan staff

Biochemistry and Plan II senior Sarah Syed and Communication Sciences and Disorder junior Sophia Syed sell baked goods on Monday afternoon in West Mall as part of a fundraiser for Room to Read. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards funding children’s literacy and girls’ education in developing worlds.

we didn’t know if they would understand everything we were reading, but they understood everything, and it was really rewarding.”

Miranda Toy, events committee member for Room to

Read at UT, said the cause for Room to Read is important to her because it is easy to forget that not everyone is fortunate enough to get an education.

“I went to an all-girls school here in Austin,” said

Toy, Plan II and psychology sophomore. “So, I’ve kind of been surrounded by girls’ empowerment, and it has helped me a lot, and I know not everyone is this fortunate to get that experience.”

3

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

CAMPUS

UT workshop recycles, transforms trees into furniture

By Grace Speas

UT’s carpentry shop’s supervisor Armando Blanco and his department have built furniture for campus buildings and diploma frames using reclaimed wood from campus trees.

News Reporter

Before 2014, trees removed from campus ended up as mulch. Now, trees are getting a second life as diploma frames, campus benches and even drink coasters thanks to UT’s carpentry shop.

Reclaiming wood from campus trees began three years ago as a side project for the shop when the Nursing School requested outdoor furniture for its central courtyard, Landscape Services Manager Jim Carse said. Ten members work in the shop under Project Management & Construction Services, the University department responsible for renovation projects under $10 million.

“It wasn’t a formal program,” Carse said. “It’s not even really a formal program now, but we’re trying to make it that way.”

Reclaimed wood now lives on as picnic tables in the nursing courtyard, benches in the Union and desks in Garrison Hall. The shop will place furniture and frames into more campus facilities to encourage departments to put in a service request for pieces in their own buildings.

Carpenters at the shop use the wood to make furniture for campus buildings and custom frames for diplomas and retirement

juan figueroa daily texan staff

certificates, Carse said. In 2015, Carse had 20 to 30 frames made and raffled them off to graduating students because Earth Day fell so close to commencement.

UT alumna Justyn Huckleberry received a frame and said a number of people asked her where she got it.

“I would love to have another one because I have a Master’s

degree now,” Huckleberry said.

“But it’s such a unique thing that I don’t know how I would match it.”

When wood from live oak, pecan and cedar elm trees is milled down by facility services on campus, trunks and large limb sections are cut into different lengths and thicknesses. From there, the pieces are not exactly even and require

machines called surface planers to make straight lines in wood for benches and shelves.

But the shop is not searching for perfection when it comes to more organic pieces, said Armando Blanco, the shop’s supervisor.

“The wood will tell you what to do,” Blanco said. “Every piece is individual.”

A final touch includes a clear finish which prevents stains and scratches. The shop also tries to laser engrave the location where the tree lived on campus, Blanco said.

“We’re trying to make this a program, of course, but it’s only until supplies last,” Carse said. “We’re not going to go cut trees just to make furniture.”

BOOKS

Award-winning Australian author, UT alumna reads work

By Raga Justin News Reporter

Eavesdropping at an airport gate before a flight, Australian author Fiona McFarlane overheard a middle-aged couple nervously admit to each other they were terrified of the holiday they were about to embark on.

“It was so deeply touching and vulnerable but so silly at the same time,” McFarlane said.

The incident spawned a story in McFarlane’s latest book, a short story collection titled “The High Places.” The award-winning Australian writer and 2012 graduate of UT’s Michener Center for Writers gave a reading from the collection Monday night.

The event was sponsored by Plan II and College of Liberal Arts Joynes Reading Series.

McFarlane said the book took her 10 years to write and was inspired by moments of inexplicable human behavior or oddities she observed around her.

“None of the stories in this book were written with the other stories in mind,” McFarlane said. “I hope that each story creates a different world.

It’s about just the interesting or strange ways we engage in the artificial, that’s the thread that sort of binds the book together.”

The book won the Dylan Thomas Prize, an accomplishment that comes with $50,000 and is only given to authors under 40. McFarlane’s 2014 debut novel, “The Night Guest,” was also well-received by critics, chosen for the Voss Literary Prize and shortlisted for Australia’s most prestigious literary award, the Miles Franklin.

It’s somthing where each story is distinctive, but you feel like you’re there in each one.”

—Madison Schulz, Plan II and business freshman

When citing the accomplishments of McFarlane, who was born in 1978, English professor Kurt Heinzelman pointed out McFarlane’s youth.

“She’s one of our local prizes, but she’s also a global prize,” Heinzelman said. “Not bad for a kid.”

STUDENT OPINIONS ON TUITION HIKES 1.97%

DEFINITELY DO NOT APPROVE OF TUITION INCREASES

13.93%

PROBABLY DO NOT APPROVE OF TUITION INCREASES PROBABLY APPROVE OF TUITION INCREASES

45.87% 38.24%

SOURCE: SENATE OF COLLEGE COUNCILS

TUITION

continues from page 1

students surveyed said they would probably approve of increased tuition to fund more University resources. Only about two percent strongly approved of tuition hikes.

Reynolds, a student representative in the University’s Tuition Policy Advisory Committee, presented the results to University members of the committee on Friday. A full report of the survey, including college specific-data, will be available at the next Senate meeting on Nov. 16, Reynolds said.

Jay Bernhardt, dean of the Moody College of Communication, also forms part of the committee. He said he isn’t suryprised by the student concerns fraised in the survey.

- “As the father of a UT dfreshman, I understand these -concerns,” Bernhardt said in tan email. “In the absence of detailed information about

DEFINITELY APPROVE OF TUITION INCREASES *Based on a survey with 5,404 participants

infographic by aaliyah jenkins| daily texan staff

actual costs and benefits, it is not surprising that many students would oppose any tuition increases in principle.”

The committee will send out an email to students with more information about the tuition setting process and proposed tuition changes this week, said Joey Williams, communications director for the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.

“I hope our student leaders will encourage students and families to get the facts on how a modest tuition increase would actually affect their costs and help improve our university,” Bernhardt said.

There is no specific timeline for student input, but Williams said the committee plans to also look at more student input provided by Student Government and the Graduate Student Assembly.

“Student involvement is critical in these discussions, and

Neuroscience freshmen Meghan Mallya and Alisha Ahmed had their copies of “The High Places,” a collection of short stories, autographed by author Fiona McFarlane in the Joynes Reading Room Monday night.

the students on the committee are clearly working very hard to accomplish this,” Williams said.

“TPAC will be taking all this feedback into consideration going forward.”

The University email will also include a link to a TPAC survey for students to provide feedback on the tuition information released, Williams said. “(The TPAC survey) is just another avenue for us to get more input,” Williams said.

“We’re obviously going to leave the survey open as long as possible. That’s why we’re trying to push to get this message to campus very soon.”

The committee has until December to recommend tuition changes to President Gregory Fenves. With these recommendations, Fenves will present a final tuition proposal to the UT System Board of Regents in February. The Board of Regents will then set the final tuition for the next two academic years.

alec blair daily texan staff

“Buttony,” one of two stories McFarlane read from the collection, was an O. Henry Award winner, a distinction given annually to 20 short stories published in American and Canadian magazines.

“I think ‘Buttony’ fits into the undercurrents of

INTEGRITY

continues from page 1 compass is refreshing.

“To hear really successful people, that really helps, but the fact that he’s a guy at the top of his field and he’s done it by having ethical values — you don’t have to be side swiper or a backstabber — was very pleasing to hear,” Winter said.

Developing relationships with the athletes he represented was especially important in a game with such heavy contact as football, Steinberg said.

“I love football, but if 50

strangeness that I hope are in the book, of people behaving in ways that are sort of mysterious to them and the people around them,” McFarlane said.

Madison Schulz, a Plan II and business freshman, said she was almost transported by the stories McFarlane shared.

“The stories were really beautiful and poignant,” Schulz said. “The feel of the characters and of the situations going on were thrust on the listener. It’s something where each story is distinctive, but you feel like you’re there in each one.”

percent of the mothers in this country actually knew the facts about concussions, it will become a gladiator sport where the only people who continue to play are people from impoverished backgrounds who need it for economic opportunity,” Steinberg said.

Steinberg also said there are many ways for athletes to give back to their communities, and they have an obligation to help where they can.

“Rebellious adolescents do not listen to authority figures,” Steinberg said. “But a macho

athlete who carries a different message can permeate the perceptual stream that young people put up against all those messages.”

Justin Graeber, an advertising graduate student, said he appreciated the way Steinberg shared the stories and experiences as a way to explain his opinions and actions rather than list all of his accolades. “(The talk was) very character-oriented,” Graeber said. “(Steinberg’s) performance is not what is driving the discussion. Values based motivation is what, to me, is compelling.”

4

LAURA HALLAS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

@TexanOpinion

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

COLUMN

Students must stop censoring their speech

By David Howell Columnist

Bite your tongue enough and it will swell.

Keep biting it, and it will keep swelling.

Eventually, you’ll find that your bloated tongue impedes speaking. Either you’ll stop speaking, or you’ll sound like a muttering fool when you do.

The University of Texas is replete with tongue biters. Students are too timid to voice their opinions, so they don’t — they bite their tongues. In today’s polarized political climate, their timidity is understandable. But it is tragic.

When people refuse to air their opinions, even their faulty opinions, they cannot be taught the truth. That is how falsehoods survive — not in an open debate, but in the internalized, unchallenged assumptions that never escape a tongue biter’s lungs.

That is how free speech on campus ends — not with the government banging on doors, but with a tongue biter’s submissive whimper.

Earlier this year, protesters at Texas Southern University shouted down Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain. In response, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed the Senate Committee on State Affairs to investigate “censorship which violates the constitutional rights of students” on college campuses.

For all his bravado, Patrick’s well-meaning campaign for free speech leaves the main roadblock to free speech on campus untouched. The dominant barrier to free

illustration by melanie westfall | daily texan staff

speech on campus is cultural, not legal. It’s a wrong that only students can make right.

And to do that, students must stop biting their tongues.

Conservatives are often compulsive tongue biters at progressive universities like UT. But the condition is spreading; progressive are beginning to bite their tongues too.

Olivia Griffin, a Plan II, government and East Asian studies senior, is the membership director of the University Democrats.

COLUMN

Speaking only for herself, she said that some of “the best Democrats you’ll ever meet (have been) almost harassed” for inadvertently offensive statements. “People aren’t having dialogues,” she lamented. “They’re ready to accuse rather than teach — it just exacerbates this (free speech) problem …

We’re reaching a point at UT where people are afraid to express their views.”

“I think people almost look to be offended sometimes. They overanalyze and they

assume bad motives,” she added.

The data confirms Griffin’s suspicions.

According to Yale’s William F. Buckley, Jr. Program, 51 percent of college students felt intimidated when disagreeing with their classmates. A YouGov study conducted on the behalf of the conservative-leaning Foundation for Individual Rights in Education reached a similar conclusion.

Although the YouGov/FIRE study found that students claim to feel comfortable sharing their opinions both inside and outside of class, it also revealed that 54 percent of students practice self-censorship. In class, 48 percent of those students self-censored out of the fear that their peers would judge them. Outside of class, that number dropped to 38 percent.

In high school, people bite their tongues.

In their professional lives, people bite their tongues. But universities differ from high schools and businesses. Students attend university to learn and to broaden their intellectual horizons. Ultimately, they attend university to better themselves. When two students disagree and engage in a civil discussion, both students learn and better themselves.

Patrick and his legislative busybodies can do nothing to confront free speech’s preeminent enemy on campus: a self-censoring culture. Only students can stop biting their own tongues. And we must stop, for it is right to do so. We must accept each other’s right to be wrong.

Howell is a history sophomore from Dallas.

COLUMN

AISD Bond Proposal will help, Hollywood needs to hire new, not harm, all district schools unknown actors of color

illustration by madi beavers | daily texan staff

By Josie MacLean

when money is tight. Schools with facilities in the worst condition are getting the most money.

Austin ISD has taken a political risk by lumpThis week, I’ve been treated to multiple phone ing different types of district-wide improvecalls, most sponsored by the Save East Austin ments into one package as a way to block skewed Schools Political Action Committee urging me voter turnout, which would lead to skewed alloto vote against the AISD 2017 Bond Proposal. cation of resources to the already better-off west They claim the bond continues discrimination side where people vote the most. by favoring well-off It gives LBJ High campuses on the west School a new magnet side of the city. program and EastIt is a fact that many side Memorial a new East Austin schools chance to thrive on “Everyone got face disparate chala historically signifilenges due to years of cant campus. In short, some of what they segregation and ineqit will alleviate overuity. But I’m in favor wanted and funding crowding on the west of this bond because side and initiate college for what was most I believe it will work prep and specialty proto heal that divide by grams to underserved needed. That’s how giving all Austin public east side schools. schools basic necessiNo one school got all compromise and ties and platforms for of what they wanted. growth. government are Everyone got some The district has billed of what they wanted supposed to work.” the bond as an attempt and funding for what to modernize and bring was most needed. technology to Austin That’s how compropublic schools, projects mise and governthat are undoubtedly ment are supposed necessary. But the heart to work. of this bond is long-overdue facility repairs and And this bond is not going to raise your rebuilds across the district. tax rate. Even better, the money from the “We need to take the chance (so that) fu- bond stays in Austin schools. “Currently only ture generations can continue to learn, teach 40 percent of tax money stays in the district, and grow,” said Jerusalen Garcia Jordan, a while every penny of this bond will stay in the youth development professional with Boys district,” said Shelby Hobohm, a mechanical and Girls Club. engineering freshman and UDems member.

Here’s the breakdown: This bond is, quite literally, saving East Despite initial fears, this bond does not Austin schools. include school closures.

Now get off your butts and go vote for it.

It allocates money based on the worst first MacLean is an advertising and geography policy, which is the most ethical way to do things junior from Austin.

Senior Columnist

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.

illustration by audrey williams | daily texan staff

By Kereece McLean

are circulated among well-known household names, making it difficult for actors starting out to find success.

On Friday, Disney announced that BeBlack Americans have Samuel L. Jackyonce and Donald Glover will be starring son, Morgan Freeman and Viola Davis. in the 2019 live-action Lion King mov- Asian Americans get Lucy Liu and Jackie. This is a step toward diversity on the ie Chan. Latinas are used to Jennifer Lobig screen, but it was a missed opportu- pez, George Lopez or Eva Longoria. But nity to give talented that’s it. We must and unknown artists put some new faces a chance to display on the big screen their craft. Hollybecause these acwood habitually rotors don’t represent “People want to tates the same crop of everyone. Real repactors and actresses resentation is the see people that of color in large-scale inclusion of difproductions. Diversiferent experiences look like them. It ty is a great objective, that exist within a can be inspiring but achieving variety single community. within that diverse Sociology junior and cathartic when group is an even bigAmeze Guobadia ger step forward Holagrees that repreyou can relate to a lywood needs to take. sentation is imIt’s not just about specific character’s portant in the film representing peoindustry. “People situation.” ple of color, but also want to see peogiving the up-andple that look like coming actors an opthem,” Guobadia portunity to provide said. “It can be indiversity to represent spiring and cathartheir race. tic when you can People of color make up 40 percent relate to a specific character’s situation of the U.S. population yet are underrep- or you witness someone that looks like resented on every front. There are three you achieve greatness.” white actors for every minority film lead, Relatability is why we connect with films. and the ratio drops to 4 to 1 among film No actor of color will approach the same directors. But it is not that people of color part in the same manner. Diversity comare unwatchable. munities of people of color allows for better A UCLA study reported that America’s representation of all viewers. Hollywood increasing diversity correlates with the audi- needs to reflect America’s ever increasing ence’s increased preference for diverse films diversity by hiring a greater range of actors and television. The problem is that most ac- of color — so the recycling must stop. tors of color aren’t given an opportunity. Jobs McLean is an English junior from Houston.

Columnist

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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

YOUTH

continues from page 8 tions have a direct impact on their futures. The idea of debt forgiveness and health care has undoubtedly kept both students and potential senators tossing and turning at odd hours of the night.

Millennials are now the largest age demographic Pesky millennials have “ruined” everything from chain restaurants to brunch. Now their formi-

POLL WORKERS

continues from page 8 students don’t participate is that they simply don’t know enough,” Barroquillo said. “They don’t know they have to register in advance, or aren’t sure how. We do a lot of activities with civic engagement alliance to try to curb this.”

Last year, the organization used photo booths to celebrate first-time voters. This year, Barroquillo said, they plan to give out cookies to students who participate in the Texas government election. The organization remains highly successful, as it received the award for Most Improvement Voting rate among undergraduate students at the ALL IN Challenge Awards ceremony at Washington D.C. last October.

“We work with numerous organizations around campus,” Barroquillo said.

dable numbers have put them in a position to “ruin” or cancel out the votes of older people. As the population of baby boomers, people aged 51-69, declines, the population of millennials, people ages 1834, is at an enormous and steady size. Data collected

by Pew Research Center suggests that millennials actually outnumber baby boomers and now hold slightly more influence over the electorate.

College students make

“I’ve seen a sorority register more than 200 voters in just 90 minutes. We just have to get people involved and inform others about the process.”

Barroquillo said low student voter turnout can be attributed to not only their lack of knowledge on the registration processes, but also to the fact that they are unaccustomed to the area they are living in.

“Research shows that college students are transient,” Barroquillo said.

“College students move so often, and many don’t know that they need to re-register.”

There also remains the issue of indifference among students who aren’t convinced that the election is of pressing importance. Plan II and business freshman Jessica Shu said she, among others, simply feels apathetic about it.

“I kind of have a ‘leave it

up the most diverse group of voters Not only is the generation of avocado toast the largest demographic of eligible voters, they are also the most culturally diverse.

As the age demographic increases, diversity decreases according to this analysis of US census data.

This trend means that with almost half of the millennial population consisting of racial minorities, millennials are the most diverse age demographic and best fit to address the

needs of a culturally inclusive population compared to those age 55 and older, whose demographic is 75 percent white.

Young people can influence an election College students who don’t vote often justify their behavior with the illusion that their vote doesn’t matter anyway.

But why did Hillary Clinton dab on live television? Because the college vote is a key component in every election. Young

to the experts’ mentality,” Shu said. “Ideally, I would get involved, but it’s just not a high priority for me with exams coming up.”

Plan II freshman Shoumik Dabir said he noticed this indifference as well, but believes that there are numerous ways for students to recognize the importance of voting.

“It can seem quite useless, especially how the political climate appears in the news nowadays,” Dabir said. “But it’s really important to get involved, because these issues affect all of us.”

Despite the controversy associated with last year’s national election, Barroquillo said she hopes that students continue to arrive at the polls.

“The expected turnout for tomorrow is about 12 to 13 percent of all registered voters,” Barroquillo said.

“It’s really essential that as many people participate as possible.”

check us out

Voting at a young age develops a positive habit Although behaviors college students consider

“habit forming” are not always viewed in a positive light, if a person votes once, they are likely to do it again in future elections and throughout their lives.

Computers and smartphones have made it easier than ever to stay informed and learn about a candidate’s stance or history. It is never too late for a person to learn how an election will impact their community, but the earlier it happens the better, and the more likely they will continue to care.

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voters make up almost one third of the electorate and have influenced the election in key states in the past. Barack Obama won the majority of the youth vote during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns, which made a difference in swing states like Florida, where President Trump’s margin of victory was less than 3 percent.

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MICHAEL SHAPIRO SPORTS EDITOR

@texansports

Thursday, November 7, 2017

FOOTBALL FEATURE

Longhorns continue bowl eligibility battle

By Alex Briseno Senior Sports Reporter

The Longhorns are running out of time, and they know it.

Texas’ latest loss to No. 8 TCU knocked the Longhorns’ record to 4–5, still two wins away from gaining bowl eligibility. Success is hard to measure in college football. It varies from program to program, but with three contests remaining on the schedule, the Longhorns’ goal is clear: reach a bowl game.

Herman was asked if qualifying for a bowl game will define this season as a success or if their 4–5 record is already enough to deem the year a huge disappointment. He took a step back and flashed a grin before answering.

“Those are my only two options, success or huge disappointment?”

Herman said. “I think anything better than previous years has to be considered somewhat of a success. It’s called improvement.”

Herman has been hesitant to use the term “rebuilding year,” during which a program regains its footing, pivots and goes in a different direction. With it, however, often comes a mediocre record and sometimes failure to qualify for postseason play to reach a bowl game.

“You don’t ever want to sacrifice winning now for winning in the future,” Herman said. “The seniors deserve a staff and a head coach and a team that is going to put every ounce of effort into winning immediately.”

Texas’ efforts fell short in Fort Worth on Saturday, and with it came questions geared toward the coaching staff, specifically offensive coordinator Tim Beck. This comes after the Longhorns only managed to score seven points against TCU and 10 points against Oklahoma State.

katie bauer | daily texan staff

Sophomore wide receiver Collin Johnson evades the grasp of a TCU defender during Texas’ 24-7 loss to No. 8 TCU on Saturday. Johnson finished with three receptions for 49 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to give Texas its first and only points of the game.

However, when asked if he plans on sticking with the current coaching staff moving forward, Herman didn’t flinch.

“Oh my gosh yes, 100 percent,” Herman said. “I hired these guys knowing exactly what I was gonna get. We’ve all gotta get better, especially on that side of the ball, but I have full confidence that we will.”

If Herman retains all nine assistants, he would, for the time being, end the revolving door of coaches that have come through the 40 Acres. Players like

fifth-year senior linebacker Naashon Hughes have now seen 34 different assistant coaches in their time at Texas.

“I think continuity and consistency with your staff is really, really important in college football,” Herman said.

“It is one of the most underrated reasons for success in my opinion, and that is why as a head coach now I see why all the other head coaches I worked for were always so protective of their assistant coaches, they understood the value of continuity.”

FOOTBALL BRIEF

BIG 12 NOTEBOOK

Big 12 competition shakes up conference standings

Head coach Tom Herman stands alongside the Longhorns during “The Eyes of Texas” following their loss to No. 8 TCU in Fort Worth on Saturday.

By Dawson Hinkley Sports Reporter

katie bauer daily texan staff

Herman talks inexperieced offensive line, injury update

By Trenton Daeschner Assoc. Sports Editor

Head coach Tom Herman met with the media for his weekly press conference on Monday inside Bellmont Hall at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Among the topics discussed, Herman provided some key injury updates and talked about the offensive line’s struggles.

Injury updates In a bit of an odd turn of events, freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger did not partake in warmups before the TCU game on Saturday night. Instead, Ehlinger came out wearing shorts and did not suit up.

It was originally announced earlier in the week that Ehlinger was cleared from a head injury, which he suffered in the Oklahoma State game a couple weeks ago, and available to play against TCU. But after the loss to TCU on Saturday, Herman said Ehlinger experienced a setback with what he described as an “inner ear issue.”

Herman said Ehlinger practiced non-contact on Sunday and was scheduled for an evaluation on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Herman was asked on Monday if it was possible that Ehlinger could miss the rest of the season.

“I have not heard that, no,” Herman said. “This type of injury is not one that is typically

But that is all later down the road.

For now, Texas enters the final stretch of the season in a battle for six wins and bowl eligibility. And the Longhorns are aware of that.

“Our guys really believe in what we’re doing and they understand the urgency here going into the last quarter of the season and that time is ticking on guaranteed opportunities to play this game this season,” Herman said.

“The urgency is definitely there and definitely palpable.”

more than a couple weeks, if at all.”

Sophomore center Zach Shackelford and freshman running back Toneil Carter both practiced on Sunday and were non-contact. Both are expected to be fully cleared for contact for Tuesday’s practice.

Carter sustained a head injury in the Baylor game and did not play against TCU. Shackelford sustained a head injury against Oklahoma State and missed both the Baylor and TCU games. Like Ehlinger, he was originally cleared to play against TCU but was ultimately held out.

Herman said junior nickelback P.J. Locke III, who suffered an ankle injury against Baylor and missed the TCU game, is doubtful for Saturday’s game against Kansas.

Sophomore linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch suffered a high ankle sprain against TCU and is out for the Kansas game, with Herman saying he’ll probably be out a couple weeks.

Offensive line forced to “mask the deficiencies” The weakest unit for the Longhorns this season, and thus the one likely holding them back the most, has been the offensive line. Junior right tackle Elijah Rodriguez was lost to an ankle injury in preseason camp and junior left tackle Connor Williams suffered a knee injury against

USC on Sept. 16 and hasn’t played since. Shackelford and junior right guard Jake McMillon have also missed time due to injuries. Texas has been forced to thrust inexperienced players into starting roles this season, including freshman Derek Kerstetter, sophomore Denzel Okafor and junior Terrell Cuney. None of those three had ever started a game for Texas prior to this season.

Texas’ offensive line has struggled greatly in pass protection and hasn’t been able to help the Longhorns establish a running game — a bad combination for a team desperately seeking a bowl bid.

“I think fixing the problem is probably a very tall order to expect in three weeks,” Herman said. “Derek Kerstetter is not gonna gain 20 pounds in the next three weeks. All of the issues aren’t gonna be solved.

They’re gonna be solved through bowl practices, winter offseason, spring football and all of that. So I think the biggest thing that we can do as a staff is mask the deficiencies as best we can.”

In order to do that, Herman suggested the ball will have to get out of the quarterback’s hand quicker and onto the perimeter and the offensive line will need less one-on-one blocking assignments. But with just three games left on the schedule, Texas will have to make do with what it has.

Texas traveled to Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday in hopes of earning its second-straight conference win. No. 8 TCU proved to be a tough matchup for the Longhorns, though, as the Horned Frogs defeated Texas 24-7. The rest of the Big 12 was also in action with four other conference games on Saturday. Here’s how they shaped up: Texas Tech unable to snap losing streak Te x a s Tech has been on quite a skid since it began conference play. While the Red Raiders were undefeated in non-conference play, they have only produced one win against a Big 12 opponent thus far in the season. Texas Tech looked to get back on track over the weekend as Kansas State traveled to Lubbock, but the Wildcats stunned the Red Raiders behind backup QB Skylar Thompson’s game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Texas Tech came out slow against the Wildcats, but the Red Raiders showed their usual brand of high flying, up-tempo offense behind QB Nic Shimonek’s 405 passing yards by the end of the first quarter. However,

Kansas State showed their own version of a prolific offense, keeping up with the Red Raiders the entire way. The game would ultimately enter overtime after a late Kansas State two-point conversion.

In overtime, Thompson sealed the Wildcats win, throwing an eight-yard touchdown. With the 42-35 defeat, Texas Tech now sits on a four-game losing streak.

Oklahoma wins stunner in Bedlam rivalry All eyes were on Saturday’s game in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as two of the top Big 12 contenders went head-tohead in one of the biggest rivalries the conference has to offer. This year’s Bedlam matchup would prove to be one of the most memorable, setting offense records while racking up 114 total points and more than 1,400 yards.

Coming into the matchup, both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, each led

by Heisman candidates at the QB position, held one loss. The game would prove to be an epic back-andforth with baffling offense stat lines in the passing and running games. Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph each threw for

five touchdowns, but in the end it would be Mayfield remaining at the top of the Heisman campaign. The senior ended his day with 598 yards passing on top of the five scores. After the 62-52 shootout victory, the Sooners now sit at No. 5 in the AP Poll.

Baylor earns first win The Bears have seen their fair share of disappointment in 2017, starting the year with eight-consecutive losses to kick off head coach Matt Rhule’s tenure. Baylor has been able to keep a few of its conference games surprisingly close, but the team has never been able to hold on to a lead till the end.

That changed Sunday, as Baylor overwhelmed Big 12 bottom-feeder Kansas in a 38-9 victory. Baylor QB Charlie Brewer led the scoring barrage against the Jayhawks, throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Bears wide receiver Denzel Mims would also show out in the victory, with 122 yards on just five receptions. While the win does not help the Bear’s conference championship hopes very much, it does provide a good boost of confidence to Rhule and the rest of his first-year coaching staff.

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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

SUDOKUFORYOU

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MORGAN O’HANLON LIFE&ARTS EDITOR

@thedailytexan

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

CITY

Top issues on ballot directly affect Austinites

By Acacia Coronado Senior L&A Reporter

Three ballots, seven constitutional amendments and a variety of expensive bonds may make the 2017 Travis County election day seem a bit intimidating. Though this year may not be host to a contentious presidential election, the issues up for vote this year are just as likely to affect the lives of Central Texas residents.

On Nov. 7, polls across Travis County will open at 7 a.m. on election day. It’s easy to brush off local elections, especially if you’re from another part of Texas or out-of-state, but make sure to check out these issues before the polls close at 7 p.m. — you may be paying for them with your Chipotle dollars.

The $184.9 million Travis County bond It will be up to Travis County residents — yes, that

includes you, dear West Campus inhabitants — to fund this suggested infrastructure bond. According to the Travis County website, $93,445,000 of the bond will go to Proposition A, which will fund roadway, draining, bridge, bicycle and pedestrian projects.

Proposition B of the bond, the remaining $91,495,000, would fund environmental conservation efforts throughout the county, including local parks.

The $1 billion AISD bond Today, the Austin Independent School District will seek approval from the public for a bond of little more than a billion dollars. According to the AISD website, it would help build or improve 16 campuses. The money would mainly help reduce overcrowding, improve technology and create modern learning environments for local students, but it would also cost residents their taxpayer dollars and

to Vote Texas, this amendment would also require courts to inform the attorney general of cases arguing the constitutionality of state laws. This would allow a window of time for the attorney general to appeal. In the case of Texas’ controversial “sanctuary cities” law, this would mean the lawsuit would have been held for up to 45 days after informing the attorney general before a judge could make a decision about it being unconstitutional.

illustration by rachel tyler| daily texan staff

extra time on their commutes through construction.

State constitutional amendment Proposition 4 This amendment to the

state constitution would, according to the Austin Chronicle, require that courts have a waiting period of up to 45 days in cases debating the constitutionality of a law. According

State constitutional amendment Proposition 5 According to Vote Texas, this amendment regards charitable raffles conducted by professional sports team’s charitable foundations. This means that the definition of the term “professional sports team” would be further detailed so that a team would not have to be like the Astros to be recognized as a foundation. Additionally, the

requirement for the team’s foundation to have existed by Jan. 1, 2016 would be taken away. According to the Austin Chronicle, this amendment would mean more sports team foundations than the currently approved 10 would be allowed to hold charity raffles.

State constitutional amendment Proposition 6 For the surviving spouse of first responders killed during duty, this amendment would allow an exemption for their homes from ad valorem taxes, which are determined by the value of a property. This exemption, according to Vote Texas, would also extend to the new home or property, to the extent of the former property’s value, of the surviving spouse should they move following the passing of their loved one. It would only be applicable to a spouse who has not remarried since their s pouse’s passing.

CAMPUS

UT organization aims to boost student voter turnout on election day

By Kirthi Dronamraju become

Students stand in line to vote early alongside other Austin residents at the FAC on Oct. 26, 2016. UT-Austin’s undergraduate voting increased to 53 percent in 2016.

L&A Reporter

A 2-hour wait stretched outside the election booths on a sunny morning last November as UT students waited eagerly to cast their ballots.

The same night, students gathered after sunset to watch the election results roll in.

The campus election watch party was hosted by TX Votes, a student voter organization that urges students across Texas to participate in local and national elections. The watch party’s coordinator, then-first-year journalism graduate student Kassie Barroquillo, said she noticed students have

Chase Karacostas daily texan file

more involved in the election process over the past few years.

“Last year, we had a 15 percent improvement in voter turnout,” Barroquillo said.

“UT students are caring more about issues that affect them.”

Indeed, UT-Austin’s undergraduate voting increased to 53 percent in 2016. This was a significant improvement from the 2012 and 2014 elections, both of which had a lower-than-average turnout.

But TX Votes, which organizes student voter registration, continues to encourage civic engagement.

“The reason a lot of

POLL WORKERS page 5

NATION

Millennials outnumber baby boomers but skip polls

By Andrea Tinning Senior L&A Reporter

The college vote makes a difference in politics. If it didn’t, politicians wouldn’t use Snapchat. For those who are skeptical, here are five important facts about the role college age voters play in the elections.

Young voters have the lowest turnout of any other age group but live with the repercussions of elections the longest.

It makes sense that people ages 18-35 consistently shirk their civic duty since the demographic is newest to the process and least sure of their political views. According to the U.S. Census, this trend has been predictable since 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson first tried to seduce the young folk to go “all the way with LBJ.” But for college students, especially those who’ve taken out loans to pay for college or will have to cover their own health insurance soon after graduation, the results of elec-

YOUTH page 5

illustration by esther shin| daily texan staff