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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
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Volume 118, Issue 78 RESOLUTION
FEATURE
Resolution to partner with city council fast-tracked By London Gibson Senior News Reporter
alexander thompson| daily texan staff
Charles Anumnu, left, and Carlton Anumnu, twins and electrical engineering seniors, reached viral status last Thursday with a tweet about being the first black student athletes to graduate from UT’s electrical engineering department.
On track for graduation Twins join ranks of few black student athletes to earn electrical engineering degree By Maria Mendez and Katie Balevic Senior News Reporter and News Reporter
With graduation around the corner, Charles Anumnu tweeted that he and his twin brother, Carlton Anumnu, would be the first black student athletes to graduate from UT’s electrical engineering department. Within the day, Charles’ phone blew up with over 10 thousand retweets and 32 thousand likes last Thursday. The Anumnu twins, who are on UT’s track team, said
they first learned about this achievement in 2016 from Jim Shelton, their Texas Athletics academic advisor. “It was kind of amazing to think that nobody else like you really did this,” Carlton said. But as one Twitter user pointed out, the Anumnu twins are not UT’s first black student athletes to graduate with electrical engineering degrees. Lamont Hill was a 1996 electrical
engineering graduate and played for UT’s basketball team. “(Hill) definitely was a major in engineering, and he did play basketball,” Charles said. Shelton could not be reached for comment. Charles said he thinks Hill may not have been considered a student athlete because he was not originally admitted to UT with an athletic scholarship. Scott McConnell, assistant athletics director for
media relations, said Texas Athletics defines a student athlete as any student on an official UT sports roster. Texas Athletics could not verify the identity of the first black student athlete to complete an electrical engineering degree, McConnell said. Charles and Carlton interned at the electric delivery company
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At the final Student Government meeting of the semester, members passed last-minute legislation and tabled others, most notably signing off on a resolution to form a student advisory commission with the Austin City Council. Assembly Resolution 20 was fast-tracked with unanimous consent last night, supporting the renaissance of a college student task force originally formed by the Austin City Council in 2015, composed of students from each of the five major universities in Austin. The College Student Commission, to be officially voted on by Council on Dec. 14, would bring three UT students from diverse backgrounds to give the Council official input on issues impacting student life. Resolution co-author Alden Marshall said this initiative gives UT students the opportunity to work with local authorities on the decisions that often affect their lives in Austin. “A lot of times, college students and young people in general are left out of the political process,” said Marshall, management information systems and government sophomore. “I think, here at UT, we’ve really shown over the past couple of election cycles that we’re willing, and we’re ready and
RESOLUTION page 3 LECTURE
CITY
Archivist speaks on City of Austin releases Guadalupe local black history Street renovation recommendations By Allyson Waller
Devezin said. “Everyone wants to come here, and it’s like the top on everyone’s Through pictures, film and list, but, at the top of those storytelling, LaToya Devezin lists, sometimes, we don’t see engrossed a full house of stu- everyone’s experiences.” Devezin said these commudents and community members Tuesday evening, as she told the nities created a thriving envistories of West Austin’s Afri- ronment for African-Americans, with agriculture making can-American communities. Devezin, the African-Amer- up much of their income, and ican community archivist for that UT also played a signifthe Austin History Center, icant role in the small farm community spoke at the of Wheatville. event Black Aus“The demise tin Re-Memof Wheatville bered to explain (Austin’s history) had a lot to do the history of with the Uniseveral historiprovides insight on versity of Texcally black West Austin districts the transition and the as wanting to and how their evolution of Austin as expand westward, and that histories must be a community...” community preserved. Diswas in the way,” tricts Wheatville, —Jordan Walters, Devezin said. Clarksville and History freshman Although Kincheonville were established as communi- families did a lot of hard work, ties after the Civil War, made Devezin said, events such as up of recently freed slaves who fashion shows and livestock created lives for themselves and shows served as entertainment established schools, churches for families in the community. “Life varied in the commuand businesses, Devezin said. “It’s important to remember nities,” Devezin said. “It was these histories as we look at very hard. There was a lot of Austin, because Austin is this ARCHIVIST page 3 great place that’s welcoming,” News Reporter
By Chase Karacostas Senior News Reporter
Anyone who has glanced at the Drag knows trying to get anywhere along it — no matter the time — is likely to be the most stressful part of their day. Cramped lanes, poor road conditions, few crosswalks and bike lanes that only go a few blocks make navigating the street almost as hard as trying to put together a class schedule. To solve this headache, the city released recommendations Tuesday morning for the Guadalupe Street corridor to improve accessibility and reduce traffic in the area. Called the Corridor Mobility Plan Report, which the city started working on in 2014, the report also recommends several changes to streets near Guadalupe Street in West Campus. The major recommendations include reduction in the number of car lanes from two in each direction to one from MLK Boulevard to 29th Street, adding bus lanes in each direction and removing all on-street parking for that stretch, conversion of Nueces into a two-way street, creation of a two-way
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The city released recommendations for the Guadalupe Street corridor on Tuesday morning. The program still needs to be approved and has no construction date set.
bike path along 24th Street, reducing 24th Street to one lane going each direction and adding a center-left turn lane. On Twitter, many have already reacted to the proposed changes. Some suggested adding pedestrian bridges to Guadalupe Street, and, with rush hour traffic already problematic, others questioned the practicality of eliminating two of the car lanes. “I think it will make (traffic)
worse,” UT alumnus Nick Dauphin said. “If they’re going to cut down the ability to drive through there, you’re going to increase people’s commuting time.” Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, who represents parts of West Campus, said the plan raises important considerations about safety and traffic congestion. “It’s a pretty bold plan,” Tovo said. “I certainly look forward to hearing from constituents
in the University area and adjacent to it about whether they believe this is a workable plan. It’s definitely something that should be given very serious consideration.” Reducing the number of car lanes on Guadalupe Street could drive traffic to Nueces, which experiences high levels of pedestrian activity, Tovo said. With that in mind, Tovo
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
RESEARCH
Students to study LA gentrification
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By Brooke Vincent News Reporter
Los Angeles Domestic Study program fosters ethnographic research. This spring semester, 11 students will travel to Los Angeles to study the reality of gentrification for those who have called the City of Angels their home for decades. The African and African Diaspora Los Angeles Domestic Study will bring students into LA neighborhoods facing gentrification to study the effects of disruption and displacement through interviews, partnership with community organizations and self-reflection, known as ethnographic research. “What does it mean to be an ordinary citizen in those places?” said Omi Jones, African and African diaspora studies professor, who will travel with and teach the group in LA. “The ethnographic strategies allow us to be literally shoulder to shoulder with one another in ways the
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Omi Jones, African and African diaspora studies professor, and pyschology senior Jenifer Eze, along with 10 other students, will travel to Los Angeles this coming spring semester.
other strategies around urban issues have not.” Students will also study and create art that addresses social issues in their own lives and in the community with artist and professor Sharon Bridgforth. “The thing that I am bringing and most want to offer are the tools that artists use to make work and live and participate
in (the) community,” Bridgforth said. “(As) someone doing ethnographic work, part of what you’re doing is seeing other people’s vulnerability. It is unfair to do that if you haven’t practiced vulnerability yourself.” Each participating student will pay $11,006 for the program and housing, with normal tuition and flight costs paid separately.
Despite the cost, Azia Tisdale’s mom pushed her to have this different experience as a first-generation college student. “I’ve lived in the same house for 17 of my 19 years, and I can’t imagine what it’s like to be pushed out of your house and move even further down in living standards,” Tisdale, a psychology junior, said. “I believe there are a lot of pros in gentrification, but how do we take those cons and make them pros as well where it benefits both worlds?” The interpersonal skills the students will learn will translate beyond this semester, Jones said. “To be with somebody in an environment that you don’t know, that’s a skill that we seem not to have very much of,” Jones said. “We’re living inside of the failure of knowing how to listen, to be open (and) to change internally. My hope is (for) there to be a transformation in approach, collaboration, community building and interacting with other human beings, regardless of major.”
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AUSTIN WEATHER TODAY Oct. 23
Pre-health organization promotes stress management in preparation for finals By Sami Sparber News Reporter
For a little more than hour, a huge black poster on the West Mall lit up with stress-reducing strategies in fluorescent writing Tuesday afternoon. The colorful display was the focal point of the Alpha Phi Sigma Pre-Health Honor Society’s first-ever “Stand Up for Mental Health” event. Chapter president Rishabh Kothari said the event was created to educate students on the importance of mental health and promote various health-related resources available on campus. “Sharing your thoughts and expressing what you like to do to relieve stress is a great way to actually reduce your stress,” said Kothari, a biochemistry senior. “We thought it would be cool to make these boards where people can come and write and share their thoughts
TOMORROW Oct. 24
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and hopefully reduce their stress in their process.” Those who wrote on the boards received goodie bags filled with stress balls, pens, pins and informational pamphlets. Among the contributors was undeclared freshman Ashley Frey, who said she deals with stress by eating ice cream and was drawn to the event because of the colorful words on the board. “I enjoyed looking at what other people wrote as inspiration for new ways to deal with stress,” Frey said. “It’s also reassuring to see that I’m not the only one who gets stressed because it’s easy to sometimes feel like you’re alone.” Emmett Kennady, chapter treasurer and chemistry senior, said he and Kothari came up with the idea for the event shortly after the on-campus stabbing last May as a way to reduce stress for his fellow students. “Friends of the assailant observed that, in the weeks
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Oncor, where Hill is now director of information technology. Hill said he did not know who the first black student athlete graduate in electrical engineering at UT is either, but he said the Anumnu twins still deserve recognition. “I admire them both because they’re very bright young men,” Hill said. “The lessons and dedication they take to the track definitely translate to the classroom.” From Stafford, Texas, the Anumnu twins have been track stars since they were in high school. The twins originally wanted to just study engineering at UT, but when Texas Athletics recruited them for a sports scholarship, they decided to run track as well, Charles said. “The main concern was the normal stress of being an engineering major and also being an athlete,” Carlton said. “You’re already in a hard major, but with traveling, you’re missing classes, (and) you can’t go to office hours or TA office hours.” Because of scheduling conflicts with his classes,
Hill stopped playing basketball during his junior year. He said the dedication it takes to study electrical engineering and participate in sports may be the reason there have been few black student athletes to finish the program. “If you get into collegiate athletics, you’re pretty serious about competing,” Hill said. “Unless you really have people around you to give you guidance then, there may be a tendency to just focus on doing what you can in the class but not really push yourself.” But the Anumnu twins have excelled both on the track field and in the engineering industry. In June, Carlton and Charles broke UT records for the 4 by 100 meter relay. This month, they are graduating and have jobs lined up at Chevron and Valero, respectively. Charles attributes their success to the support of UT’s professors, mentors in Texas Athletics and his family. The twins were surprised by the number of people applauding them on Twitter. “Me and my brother are just here to show you that you can do it too,” Charles said.
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Alpha Phi Sigma hosted its inaugural Stand Up for Mental Health event at the West Mall on Tuesday.
prior to the attack, he was acting strangely, and I thought to myself, ‘Would I be able to intervene if I saw one of my friends acting in a strange way?” Kennady said. “That got me thinking about what I can do in the community to increase awareness for mental health.” Kennady said the event was strategically planned to take place shortly before final exams, one of
the most stressful times of the semester. “This is a really important time for students, but it can also be a really stressful time,” Kennady said. “The biggest thing we’re emphasizing to students is that mental health comes first. Through our encouraging, we hope they will make stress management a priority during finals season and beyond.”
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said the city will look into how this could affect pedestrians in the area. “We want to be sure it does not create an unsafe situation for pedestrians in that area,” Tovo said. The recommendations come as part of a preliminary report for the Guadalupe Street Corridor Improvement Program and will be considered for funding from the voter-approved 2016 Mobility Bond. The bond includes $482 million for “corridor improvement,” targeting primary roadways that affect the city’s overall transportation network. In the spring, officials will provide the City Council with a Corridor Construction Program, which must then be approved before any funding can be appropriated. According to a press release included with the report, the program proposed to the Council will also go into more detailed design work to improve community engagement in the area. The report also says Capital Metro expects the changes will save up to three minutes per trip and possibly attract hundreds of thousands of new riders. As the program still needs approval from the city, there is no date set for when construction will begin.
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
CAMPUS
Texas Political Union debates world order By Emily O’Toole News Reporter
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Texas Political Union members discussed on Tuesday the end of the world order as we know it. The nonpartisan citizen engagement group questioned whether the world order, with America as a global arbiter, has been beneficial overall and if the internet is to blame for its potential downfall. Physics graduate student Paul Vonder Haar said the current world order is created by people who decide how the world works, such as leaders of powerful countries like the United States. “(It’s) the people who create things like the EU (and) the people who open up countries like China to international influence,” Vonder Haar said. The winners of World War II set up a system which relied on the cooperation of the states to solve problems, said Nick Romanow, moderator of the panel. “This sort of grand scheme is kind of coming apart at the seams,” said Romanow, an international relations and global studies freshman. “The world order is possibly no longer a useful tool for sustaining peace. There’s been no World War III … but you could make the argument that it’s coming any day.” Government sophomore
e r r l m 2ARCHIVIST -continues from page 1 -hard work, but people also had la lot of fun.” Stephanie Lang, visionary of -the event and program admin-istrator for the Warfield Center ,for African and African Amerdican Studies, said the displace-ment of African-Americans -from West Austin influenced the edemographics of the city today. l “Ironically, a lot of people in -East Austin are there because yof the displacement in West Austin,” Lang said. - Jordan Walters, history p sCAMPUS
International relations sophomore Bryan Applefield responds to the discussion with a brief history of the ancient world order of Asia and the influence Britain had on its structure at the Texas Political Union debate on Tuesday night.
alexander thompson daily texan staff
Camilla Kampman said the creation of the internet greatly changed the world order. “The way that we see the world, the way that we interact with the world and the way the world interacts with us has changed in the last 20 years or so,” Kampman said. “A lot of what we prioritize today is shaped by the internet.” Government senior Morgan
freshman and associate events coordinator for the Warfield Center, said he was intrigued to learn more about black Austin, being a UT student and living in the city. “I think it’s beneficial to know about Austin’s history of freedmen communities,” Walters said. “It provides insight on the transition and the evolution of Austin as a community, and it allows people of color, and just in general, other people in the city, to become aware of the types of people that built the city into what it is.”
Peavy said the internet makes the world order seem like it is not providing security and economic prosperity anymore. “Everything is hyperbolized into something worse than it really is,” Peavy said. “Terrorist attacks are horrible, that’s obvious, but you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning. We think the world is collapsing
because we can’t stop terrorist attacks … (The internet facilitates) instantaneous unfiltered communication.” Romanow asked if small countries with limited resources could prosper without the aid and protection of larger countries, which is he said is currently what much of the world order is based upon. Bryan Applefeld, an
RESOLUTION
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hannah simon| daily texan staff
Accounting junior Alton Braxton, left, asks speaker LaToya Devezin a quesion after her talk on West Austin’s black history Tuesday evening.
UT postdoctoral fellow says antiMuslim crime must be addressed
o n
By Sara Schleede News Reporter
On the morning of June 18, 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen was on her way to the mosque for Ramadan prayers. By the end of the day, she had been abducted and murdered. Some called it an unfortunate result of road rage. Others called it a hate crime. “Not tying the death of Nabra Hassanen to racial violence, Islamophobic violence, to gender and sexual violence, only buys into the logic that we can’t prevent this,” said Balbir Singh, a women’s and gender studies postdoctoral fellow. “We owe Nabra (Hassanen) more.” Singh discussed everyday anti-Muslim violence, especially against women, at the Glickman Conference Center on Tuesday, as part of the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies Faculty Development Program. More than 307 anti-Muslim hate crimes were reported to the FBI in 2016, according to the Pew Research Center. “While hijabs and turbans are objects of liberal and orientalist fascination on a good day, these kinds of attacks are evidence of ways these dressed bodies are vulnerable to violence,” Singh said. Caitlin Wright, petroleum engineering sophomore, said she is passionate about equal treatment, no matter race or religion, and wants to use her
international relations and global studies sophomore, said a small country cannot succeed at first without the resources of a country like the U.S. or China, but that problems may arise if the U.S. continues to intervene too much after the country is successfully standing on its own. “We don’t want to completely Americanize these countries,” Applefeld said.
eager to participate in this process and keep moving forward with that.” The ordinance for the commission provides space for three students each from UT, St. Edwards University, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin Community College and Concordia University. It is a revival of the Student Quality of Life Committee formed in 2015, which was approved by City Council in May to be reframed as a permanent fixture. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo said the initiative has had a lot of support from City Council so far, and she expects the ordinance to pass next week as a significant step on behalf of the city. “We’ve been in a pattern as a city of reducing the number of boards and commissions,” said Tovo, who represents areas of West Campus. “The fact that the Council is willing to add another ongoing, permanent commission says a lot about how much the council values input from students.”
The commission will meet twice a year and is expected to represent the diverse population of each campus, according to the city ordinance. Only one member from student government may serve on the commission at a time and each term will last two years. Santiago Rosales, SG chief of staff, said he is supportive of the initiative because similar models have proven successful in the past, such as the UT President’s Student Advisory Committee and the UT System Student Advisory Council. “What this commission would allow is for students to have a very formalized place where they can talk about those issues directly to city officials,” Rosales said. “We’ve seen this model work for student advocacy in other realms … it’s been a proven way of advancing student interests.” During the same meeting, a resolution in support of removing policy differences for women in coed intramural soccer and softball was approved, as well as a declaration of a mental health crisis at UT and in the state.
ashley nava| daily texan staff
In a densely packed classroom, Dr. Balbir K. Singh, women’s and gender studies postdoctoral fellow, spoke on the everyday occurrences of anti-Muslim violence.
privilege as a white woman to amplify the voices of disadvantaged groups. “(This conversation was) an eye opener that this has been happening for a long time and nothing has really changed,” Wright said. “It was cool to see that there are groups that are staking steps toward (changing) that, and hopefully I can be a part of that in the future.” Singh’s presentation included reading from her upcoming first book, “Militant Bodies: Violence and Visual Culture Under Islamophobia.” She drew from her research in Asian-American studies, Arab-American cultural studies and transnational feminism to get to the heart of anti-Muslim issues.
anthony mireles| daily texan staff
(This conversation was) an eye opener that this has been happening for a long time and nothing has really changed.” —Caitlin Wright, Petroleum engineering sophomore “From these innovative, interconnected foundations, she’s providing new ways to understand and respond to racial violence,” said Caroline Faria, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment. Singh said her main goal is to make people realize that the terrors Muslims
face are everyday occurrences and to find ways to combat acts of “unrelenting Islamophobia.” “I want to think about how and when to be, not allies, but accomplices, and how and when we choose to take sides,” Singh said. “This work is for those who choose to challenge, unsettle and disrupt.”
Benjamin Solder, co-author of AR 20, dicusses the resolution with SG representative Jordan Cope. The resolution supports the revival of a college student task force that would give City Council input.
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
COLUMN
Notify students about sexual assaults near campus By Emily Vernon Senior Columnist
Last Wednesday, a woman was kidnapped and sexually assaulted in Hyde Park. In the early hours of the morning the Saturday before, a UT student was groped in West Campus, and later that night, reports surfaced of a man flashing numerous women in front of Thai, How Are You. That’s three cases of sexual harassment in five days. All took place in student neighborhoods. Two of the women affected were UT students. Students were notified of one of these three incidents. The Clery Act requires UT to report on-campus assaults, but the same is not true of off-campus incidents. Granted, The University of Texas Police Department — and therefore, UT — does not have jurisdiction over West Campus and other surrounding student neighborhoods, but a lack of jurisdiction shouldn’t mean a lack of communication. UT notifies us of some off-campus crimes, thereby going above and beyond the federal requirements set forth. But we still need just an email more. “When UTPD is notified by APD of off-campus crimes where a UT student is potentially a victim we review on a case-by-case basis and notify the campus community via email, text or social media if the information is timely and vital to campus safety” Cindy Posey, director of internal and campus safety communications, noted in an email. She also points out that sexual assaults aren’t always reported in a timely manner, meaning that it may be difficult to respond to such situations soon enough to protect other students.
illustration by rachel tyler | daily texan staff
Nevertheless, the same can be said of many assaults that happen on campus. The epidemic of sexual assault doesn’t end on college campuses. While the University has taken steps to protect survivors, the rhetoric feels empty when they fail to notify us of an incident simply because it occurred on the wrong side of Guadalupe. These crimes are gender motivated. More than half of UT’s population is at risk. We need to know. The three crimes in discussion were handled by APD. In the Hyde Park case, the crime “occurred outside the Clery reportable boundaries and was even outside the boundaries of which APD has agreed to make notification to UT,” according to Posey. UTPD retweeted APD’s tweet
about the incident, so students were not completely left in the dark. Nevertheless, the spot of the crime is exactly one mile from the Student Activity Center — it’s close enough to campus that students should be proactively made aware. The University needed to send us an email. We received a notification earlier in the semester when a student was physically assaulted at a Hyde Park bus stop. We got an email just a few weeks ago about police activity in West Campus. And we need to get one when students are sexually assaulted or harassed near campus and the perpetrator is still on the loose. It’s simple. An email or text message could make students think twice about walking home from the library at 2 a.m. the next day. It could make
COLUMN
COLUMN
Los Alamos bid is an accident waiting to happen
Robert Lee Moore Hall is due for a name change
illustration by melanie westfall| daily texan staff
By Spencer Buckner Columnist
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a bastion of the nuclear community — instrumental in the creation of the first atomic bomb and countless innovations since. Any opportunity for UT to work with Los Alamos should seem common sense. That’s the argument the UT System Board of Regents gave in a narrow 4-3 ruling in their most recent bid to operate LANL in late November. But it’s not that cut and dry. Los Alamos, which has been managed by the University of California system since World War II, has increasingly faced scrutiny for a litany of safety violations that have now twice forced the Department of Energy to open up the managing contract for a bid — the second time being this year. You’d think that after failing to win a bid to manage LANL back in 2005, the regents would realize they dodged a plutonium bullet. Instead, the regents who approved the bid claim that the UT System holds the key to reversing a trend of reckless near-misses with nuclear disaster, loss of classified nuclear information and consistent failure to meet basic national safety regulations. These claims are no more than wishful thinking. Los Alamos is plagued with issues the UT System is ill-equipped to solve, and an association is more prone to harm our reputation than elevate it. Under the current system at Los Alamos, scientists attribute chronic mishaps and headaches to private industry pressures and Department of Energy policy. The UC system runs Los Alamos in a public-private partnership with multiple corporations, putting research-driven university initiatives
at odds with profit-driven corporate initiatives that often throw safety out the window. Management is further complicated by Department of Energy monetary kickbacks that are only handed out if the lab meets what can be infeasible deadlines. Nothing about the UT System’s bid changes this fact. In fact, the UT System has announced an unnamed private partner — much like the UC System’s — to help manage Los Alamos if UT were to get the bid. The fact that the partner is unnamed should set off alarm bells. How can we possibly have confidence in the UT System’s chances of successfully managing a troubled nuclear laboratory if we don’t know who we’d be running it with? Even if we have a commendable private partner, the reputation our regents are betting on will still likely take a hit. The very process of bidding has already cost us $4.5 million. Add to that the likelihood of tens of millions of dollars in funding cuts from the federal government used as punishment for every lab accident, and suddenly, the System has bills to pay — bills that would further strain a budget already at its breaking point. Combine this with the probability of taxpayer-funded billion dollar cleanup efforts caused by a dysfunctional culture at Los Alamos that the UT System can’t fix, and suddenly, our reputation is at jeopardy. Our Board of Regents must recognize that a contract with Los Alamos is as volatile as the isotopes they produce. Bidding for management of LANL puts the System at risk of further budget strains and the high-profile headaches that come with a troubled lab. Let’s do ourselves a favor and back out while we can. Buckner is a Plan II and government freshman from Austin.
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.
others think twice about listening to music on their walk home, or even further, cause a student to consider calling SURE Walk or Lyft. Police don’t immediately catch many of these suspects, meaning it’s possible that there is an ongoing risk in the community. It’s easy to consider yourself invulnerable when you live a short 10-minute walk from campus, but unfortunately that’s not the case. UT has provided us with numerous services for this exact reason, but students are often ignorant of crimes occurring around the area. Continuation of a daily routine without knowledge that a perpetrator of an act of sexual violence is on the loose could jeopardize students’ safety and increase the crime rate around campus. Students certainly should take steps to better ensure their safety, but so should the University. While students have a responsibility to keep up with the news like all other citizens, most aren’t checking the Austin American-Statesman website before leaving the PCL to see if there have been any reported sexual assaults in their neighborhoods. The University is employing social media and some emails to alert us, which is certainly better than nothing. They are extending beyond the law’s requirements, and we need to recognize that. Nevertheless, there is still more that can be done. These incidents are dangerous, and women already often feel as if assaults and harassment are swept under the rug. If we’ve learned anything from the #MeToo movement, it’s that talking about these incidents is powerful and can result in change. It’s vital this lesson is applied at a university level. Vernon is an anthropology and rhetoric and writing junior from The Woodlands.
illustration by rachel tyler | daily texan staff
By Jacob Kunz Columnist
As we move ever forward to improve the state of race relations in this country, looking back at our history seems to only reveal the issues of the past. I have remarked before that we must reflect on the ideals of those we have chosen to revere. A growing population of students who wish to do so have turned their sights on Robert Lee Moore Hall. Earlier this month, I attended a forum on campus discussing the storied history of the namesake of the building that houses the math, physics and astronomy departments, as well as a call to rename the hall. Aside from a few light-hearted suggestions for potential names, the forum exemplified a serious dedication to an issue that has spurred recurring discussions, petitions and even articles from this paper. Robert Lee Moore was a tenured professor and an accomplished mathematician that pioneered the Moore method, his signature approach to teaching. Any of his accolades as an educator, however, are trumped by his notoriety as a staunch segregationist and the many examples of his contempt for black students. In one case, Moore told a black student interested in his class that “(he was) welcome to take (his) course, but (he would) start with a C and (could) only go down from there.” Another time, Moore walked out of a lecture by R.H. Bing, a world-renowned topologist and student of Moore’s methods, upon discovering that Bing was black. A month ago, another in a long list of students created a petition calling for a name change that has reached 49 of its 100 intended signatures. In arguing for the renaming of the hall, education freshman Taylor Godwin said that “The University of Texas at Austin is an in-
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.
stitution that stands for change and embraces its range of diversity” and that “the name Robert Lee Moore is a shame and disgrace to this campus, and (the hall) should thus be renamed to something that celebrates the beautiful color and diversity found on this campus.”
Although a diverse community of students call UT home, people of color are constantly reminded that some still perceive them as unequal or inferior.” Although a diverse community of students call UT home, people of color are constantly reminded that some still perceive them as unequal or inferior. From the appearance of racist flyers on campus in May, to the recent offensive depiction of an African-American man on the door of the dean’s office at the McCombs School of Business on Friday, black students have plenty of reasons to feel unwelcome on campus. Despite any contributions Moore made to the University of Texas, the choice to commemorate a segregationist is a slap in the face to any person of color that walks into that hall. No student should have to feel like topologist Scott Williams, who was greeted by two ex-Moore students at a conference with, “You are lucky he is dead. Otherwise, you would not be here.” Kunz is an English freshman from New Braunfels.
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 (@TexanOpinion) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
FARMS
continues from page 8 everything from the perfect Christmas tree to wreath making classes under the roof of a small, wooden and metal shed. “People come out here to make it an experience. It is not just dragging a tree out of the attic or just going to a tree lot,” said Beth Walterscheidt, who co-owns Evergreen Farm with her husband. “It is a whole-day experience for them, so it makes them slow down and enjoy each other.” Evergreen, along with other local farms, allows visitors to experience the renowned holiday tradition of picking the perfect tree for their home, whether a precut Washington fir or a Lone Star evergreen. Walterscheidt said they first had the idea for a farm when they lived in Michigan, but it didn’t become a reality until 1989, after they moved to Texas. Here, they waited five years to grow the trees, the average growth rate in the South, using an irrigation system to beat the droughts. Austin area resident Jef Hahl, who has bought his Christmas tree from Evergreen for the past couple of years, said the farm is a reminder of his New York roots. He said when he moved to Austin, he was worried there wouldn’t be many options for tree farms here. After a fire burned down many of the trees in the Bastrop area in 2011, that became a reality. “There is something special about being able to go around to find your tree and cut it down, as opposed to running to Home Depot and
NUTCRACKER
continues from page 8 Plan II freshman Audrey Balliette said she danced as an academy student for Ballet Austin’s “Nutcracker” from second to 10th grade. As someone whose childhood dream was to become a professional dancer, she said this experience was as magical as the events in the play.
picking one that isn’t even from Texas,” Hahl said. “(The farms) provide a way to carry on a childhood tradition.” Wendy Hale Davis of the Austin Optimist Club Tree Lot said they used to get part of their pre-cut trees locally, but were unable to continue doing so after the Bastrop fire. She said it will be another couple of years until they can begin selling Bastrop trees again because of the slow growth rate, and customers who once bought in Bastrop have begun visiting the Optimist Lot. Davis said they opened this season the day after Thanksgiving with one of their most successful openings in 66 years of selling pre-cut trees to the Austin community. She said many visitors have told her they continue to support them because the Optimist Lot donates to local youth organizations. “People want to do things for the community, and they want to give charitable giving (this season) — that is why you have blue and brown Santa,” Davis said. “People know that by coming here, they can give back to the community.” As they begin this selling season, Walterscheidt said it is as enjoyable for them as it is for customers because of all the memories they get to witness being made as they help spread the holiday cheer. “We got extended families now. Even the grandparents will come out with their grandkids, and they will sit up here and watch the kids play,” Walterscheidt said. “There is a lot of reward from those kind of things.” “The first year I was in it, all I had to do was run onto the stage and run back off, and I remember being super nervous,” Balliette said. “As I got older and got more comfortable, there was an excitement of getting to perform. ‘The Nutcracker’ is something that for so many families is part of their holiday tradition, and getting to be a part of that was really cool.”
LISTICLE
mel westfall| daily texan staff
Have yourself a green Christmas, recycle your tree after the holidays By Andrea Tinning Senior L&A Reporter
The holiday season is finally here, and people are putting up festive trees in their living rooms. In a couple of weeks, those trees will be withering husks of the jolly Christmas symbols they used to be. But make sure not to throw out your tree just yet — it can spread joy past the holiday season. As part of the City of Austin’s zero waste goal, the city plans to divert 90 to 95 percent of waste from the landfill by 2040. Organic waste is the second biggest contributor to landfills, and Christmas trees fall into that category. By recycling your tree, this holiday tradition will keep on giving year-round. Zilker Park For 33 years, Austin Resource Recovery has offered Christmas tree drop-off services at Zilker Park, where trees will be repurposed into mulch for free.
The tradition continues this holiday season, as residents are invited to donate their trees between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 30 and 31, as well as on Jan. 6 and 7. The Christmas tree mulch will be available at 9 a.m. on Jan. 18, 2018, free to anyone who brings the proper tools and storage containers to transport it. Curbside Recycling If you’re not interested in seeing the holiday season until next December and would rather part with your tree forever, curbside pickup is available for any resident already participating in curbside recycling. Residents are asked to remove all tree decorations and set their trees on the curb by 6:30 a.m the morning of their regular collection day. The city asks that trees taller than 6 feet are cut in two. Free & Paid Recycling Centers If you’d rather drop off the tree yourself, several local
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landscaping businesses are offering tree recycling services in order to reduce the number of Christmas trees going to the landfill. If you can’t make it to Zilker, consider dropping your tree off at a recycling center. Organics by Gosh is in partnership with the City of Austin’s Zero Waste goal and is accepting Christmas tree donations. Other groups, such as Walker Aero Environmental and Whittlesey Landscape Supplies, will take your tree for free and dispose of it in an environmentally conscious way. Alternatively, for the cost of a 12-inch Subway sandwich, Austin Wood Recycling will take your tree and turn it into mulch. Ecological Donations If you’re extremely invested in having your tree live beyond the holiday season, the National Christmas Tree Association has a list of ecological projects that can benefit from your tree. From erosion prevention
to creating a habitat for fish in man-made lakes across the country, there are several environmental projects that can make use of your tree long after you’ve removed the presents from underneath it. Creative Alternatives Are you the artsy type? Try repurposing a tree on your own! If you are passionate about the outdoors and crafty, recycled Christmas trees are known to make excellent bird feeders. By cutting the tree into large sections, trimming some of the branches and drilling holes into the wood, it’s possible to create a hangable bird feeder from the old yuletide logs after filling the holes with peanut butter. Own a saw? Slice the tree trunk into circular coasters or use them as wall art. Use the pine needles as a fragrant sachet. Fire wood. Eat the bark for nutrients and become one with the earth.
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6
MICHAEL SHAPIRO SPORTS EDITOR
@texansports
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
MENS BASKETBALL
Smart, Texas escape nail-biter at VCU By Dalton Phillips Senior Sports Reporter
Six years ago, Texas head coach Shaka Smart led VCU to its first-ever Final Four appearance. On Tuesday night, Smart notched another milestone in the place where his coaching career took off. With a 71-67 victory, Smart earned his 200th career coaching win in familiar territory, bringing his Longhorns to 6–2. Smart’s return was almost spoiled as the Longhorns watched a 19-point second-half lead evaporate. But a late rally from the Texas frontcourt helped the team escape by a four-point margin in its first true road matchup of the season at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia — Texas’ first road victory since March 2016. “This is a hostile environment,” Smart said. “This is a tough place to play. There is a reason that they’ve won between 85 and 90 percent of their home games since this place was built.” Junior power forward Dylan Osetkowski was the hero for the orange and white down the stretch, earning 17 points and seven rebounds, including a huge 3-pointer in crunch time. After Smart berated his players for a lethargic effort last week against Florida A&M,
katie bauer| daily texan staff
Texas power forward Dylan Osetkowski drives down the left side of the court during Texas’ 78-60 victory over New Hampshire on Nov. 14. Ostekowski has continued his dominance in the post, contributing 17 points and seven rebounds at VCU.
Texas looked to rebound with a dominant performance. Early in the contest, it looked like the Longhorns would do just that. Near the start of the first half, freshman center Mo Bamba caught a pass at the logo with an open court in front of him. Two dribbles later, he sailed
high above the rim for a commanding flush, pushing Texas’ early lead to 11 and prompting a VCU timeout. The Longhorns continued to keep VCU out of the game coming out of halftime, quickly extending the lead to 19 with 12 minutes to play. The roar of the
home crowd was reduced to a murmur as the game seemed all but decided. But the Rams responded as they often do at home, leading a furious 22-5 rally to cut the lead to two points with just under five minutes remaining. With the momentum firmly
in VCU’s favor, Texas’ junior shooting guard Kerwin Roach missed a pair of free throws, allowing the Rams to take their first lead of the game, 63-62, on a 3-pointer with 3:52 on the clock. Moments later, sophomore guard Andrew Jones continued his struggles from the
line by missing two foul shots. Despite the struggles from the charity stripe, it would be the Texas frontcourt who revived the team in crunch time. Bamba connected on two free throws to reclaim the lead, and on the ensuing play, Osetkowski knocked down a corner three to make it a two-possession game. “(Bamba’s) free throws were as big as anything,” Smart said. “Because at that point, we had missed five out of six free throws. We were really struggling. Our guys were really out of sorts. That calmed us down, and gave us the one-point lead that we were able to hang on to.” Texas escaped a free-throw shootout to close out the contest, leaving the Longhorns with a happy flight home before they prepare for a home matchup with Michigan on Dec. 12. But despite the win, Smart seemed concerned with another lead squandered by his young roster. “Regardless of how the end of this game went, we have plenty of things to work on and improve on,” Smart said. “It certainly feels good going into this week coming off of a win, but we really need to have a sense of urgency right now to improve in some areas because this is the time of year where you can really make a big jump.”
LONGHORNS IN THE NBA
VOLLEYBALL
Thompson’s role with Cavaliers up in the air upon return from injury
Ogbogu ready to return to volleyball’s biggest stage
By Henry Corwin Former Longhorn point guards D.J. Augustin and Isaiah Taylor have both returned successfully from injury, while Tristan Thompson’s pending return is putting Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue in a tough spot. The former Longhorn center is returning to a Cavs team that has won 12 straight, thanks largely in part to inserting Kevin Love to the post. Here’s how the rest of the season has shaped up for the three former members of the burnt orange.
playoff contenders. And while only one of these performances translated into a win with the defeat of Oklahoma City, it is encouraging to see Augustin back in rhythm after he missed seven games because of a hamstring injury. Augustin is continuing to come off the bench, averaging 19.5 minutes per game. Orlando is currently sitting at 10–15 and have lost eight of their last 10. If this season turns into a wash, Augustin’s minutes could wane, going to Orlando’s young point guard of the future, Elfrid Payton.
D.J. Augustin Augustin has an impressive scoring streak that started last week against the Philadelphia 76ers. Augustin has scored in double figures in four straight games, against some tough competition, too. In addition to the 76ers, he had three impressive performances against the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, all
Tristan Thompson Thompson has been out since Nov. 1 with a calf injury and is expected to return sometime this week. He has missed 14 games with his injury but should be completely healthy before the end of the month. There is one problem: the Cavaliers have been playing well in Thompson’s absence, and head coach Tyronn Lue must find a balance between utilizing Thompson
Sports Reporter
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and not disrupting the team’s current chemistry. Going into Wednesday’s matchup with the Kings, the Cavs have won 12 straight games. Lue hinted at bringing Thompson off the bench upon his return. Isaiah Taylor Just under a month ago, Taylor began seeing NBA playing time, earning a spot in the Hawks rotation as a secondary point guard. But his consistent appearances ceased last week, when Taylor suffered a retinal tear in his eye and had to miss five games. Since his return, Taylor is averaging 17 minutes per game, near his average before the injury. In Taylor’s second game back from injury against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, he put up 11 points in 17 minutes, helping guide Atlanta to 114-102 win. Look for Taylor to continue to be part of the rotation; it doesn’t look like his time on the mend has affected his minutes.
By Keshav Prathivadi Sports Reporter
Almost a year ago, Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, was the center of the volleyball world. Two powerhouses, Texas and Stanford, clashed for all the marbles. While Texas eventually fell at the hands of Stanford, one player wasn’t able to contribute to the effort: senior middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu. “It was a hard experience just not being a part of everything we worked toward (last year),” Ogbogu said. “I’m just super excited that I get another chance.” After sitting out last season due to academic ineligibility, Ogbogu hasn’t shown any signs of rust since her return to the team in 2017. The 6-foot-2 middle blocker has recorded 250 kills over the course of the season along with a team-high 159 block assists. Apart from her impressive numbers, Ogbogu also became the all-time block-assists leader and is one block away from angel ulloa| daily texan staff tying Texas’ all-time block Senior middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu serves at Gregory Gym. leader. But by no means was She has 20 kills in her last two tournament matches. Ogbogu’s path to the record includes the book a short one; she mod- senior is that your experience is that eled her play after the Long- enough to help out the young- Longhorns’ underclassmen. “(It’s) one of the reasons I horns before her, almost five er players,” Ogbogu said. “We years before setting foot on the believe in them, and if they schedule tough,” head coach follow our lead, they’re gonna Jerritt Elliott said. “It gets our 40 Acres. freshmen acclimated to differ“It’s insane to think about,” be okay.” This season has been a gru- ent and tough environments.” Ogbogu said. “I just think Ogbogu, who already has about all of the middle block- eling one for Texas, who for ers I grew up watching when stretches had two or more three years of road and tourI was in middle school and road games in one-week nament games under her belt spans. This year’s schedule so far, is one of the main reahigh school.” Her presence on the stat sheet included games from Flori- sons the Longhorns head into as well as the court has helped a da to California, standing out matchups such as this one Longhorn team with a young to even experienced players with a sense of confidence. It’s more of a challenge than core flourish and position itself like Ogbogu. This also had an impact a chore. for a run at the ever-so-elusive “It’s just the excitement of on players’ academics as well. national championship. Along with seniors Ebo- Players were forced to miss the unknown,” Ogbogu said. ny Nwanebu and Cat Mc- exams on campus because of “None of us have really played Coy, Ogbogu has continued the rigorous traveling schedule at Stanford. The bigger the to be one of Texas’ leaders in and will require academic staff crowd, the more exciting it is.” In her last run for the title, to administer tests at Stanford all respects. Ogbogu knows each game With the postseason in full this weekend. This weekend’s action sees could be her last, and her focus swing, the Longhorns adopted a game-at-a-time mental- Texas traveling to yet another is similar to that of the team’s: ity so as to not look past any hostile environment. Hav- not looking ahead. With her last few games as game or opponent. Ogbogu ing played in front of capacand the rest of the senior class ity crowds against then-No. a Longhorn coming up, Oghave been an integral part of 17 San Diego, then-No. 12 bogu will get to lock in for one this adjustment, and they’re Florida and then-No. 9 Kan- last run. “(This year) was different,” making sure younger players sas this year, there’s more excitement than uncertain- Ogbogu said. “But ultimately, take notice. “What comes with the ty heading into this trip to it was to set us up for this mo— and ment (to win).” responsibility of being a California
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
SUDOKUFORYOU
Today’s solution will appear here next issue
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MORGAN O’HANLON LIFE&ARTS EDITOR
@thedailytexan
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
TODAY’S ISSUE OF LIFE&ARTS
HOLIDAY EDITION FESTIVAL
Christmas markets preserve German heritage By Collyn Burke L&A Reporter
It’s December, but visitors at this German market are wearing neither coats nor mittens. Visitors at Austin’s annual German Christmas market don T-shirts and flip-flops as they wander through booths sipping both iced tea and mulled wine. “Usually when you go to a German Christmas market, you’re bundled up (and) you’re drinking lots of Gluehwein, which is like hot, spiced wine to warm you up, cause you’re cold,” said Christopher Markley, director of operations for the German-Texan Heritage Society. “Here in Texas, we get where it’s either gonna be cold, or it’s gonna be 80 degrees, and you’re gonna be in flip flops.” The Christkindlmarkt, a beloved German tradition that dates back centuries, has been adapted in Texas, which has one of the largest and richest German communities in the country, with nearly 7 percent of the Texas population speaking German. Markets have popped up in Fredericksburg, New Braunfels and Austin. One of the biggest differences between Christmas markets in Germany and Christmas markets in Texas, Markley said, is the weather. He said this may have contributed to the 3,000 people who attended their own Christmas market on Dec. 2.
anthony mireles| daily texan staff
Anne Simpson, a German-Texan Heritage Society volunteer, helps decorate a section of the Sigi Market collection of the German Free School on Saturday, placing a handmade wooden ornament on a tree during the German-Texan Christmas Market festival.
Although Christmas markets in Germany can sometimes span the entirety of the city with various themes and vendors, the society’s Christmas market is restricted within the walls of their compound on the corner of Red River and East 10th Street. “You have the religious
corner, and then you have one that’s just focused on pyramids, or music and art focused Christmas markets,” Markley said. Markley said their Christmas market, which has been open for nearly 25 years, may differ from their German counterparts, but
the society strives to maintain the traditions passed down by their members. “While here we import all the items from Germany and sell food and German items,” Markley said, “we still try and hold the traditions in our society that a lot of our members who are from Germany talk
THEATRE AND DANCE
about or their parents would talk about.” The society’s Christmas market has seen increased interest in the past few years, growing from a small affair to having lines out the door. James Kearney, Germanic studies lecturer, believes people’s desire to connect with
their heritage is the reason for the attendance, which he said has increased over the past several years. “People feel that Germans have remained true to the spirit of Christmas,” Kearney said. “(The Christmas markets are) an attempt to recreate in Texas what is in Germany.” Kearney said these markets can also be a good chance for people to connect with their heritage, as many of the original Texas Germans left a rich heritage for their descendants. “There is a renewed interest in heritage,” Kearney said. “In Texas, we have examples of cultural persistence in the German community, people hanging on to what was good in their culture while embracing the new.” Steven Bartels, Middle Eastern studies graduate student, said the markets aren’t only for people of German descent, but can be entertaining for people from all around Central Texas looking to gain insight on German traditions and foods such as Christmas stollen, a bread with candied fruits, nuts and spices, and Saint Nicholas Day, a day of celebration for the Santa Claus figure, Saint Nicholas. “I think the opportunity for people living in Central Texas to encounter that same atmosphere is a good thing,” Bartels said.
STATE
Ballet Austin to return for 55th annual ‘Nutcracker’ performance By Acacia Coronado Senior L&A Reporter
A stout bearded man projected across the terrace of the Long Center for the Performing Arts will mark the start of the Christmas season. As Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker” kicks off its 55th season on Dec. 8, patrons will gather here to watch dancers bring a magical world of rat kings and sugar plum fairies to life. “‘The Nutcracker,’ besides being a very special ballet, has become a part of a community’s holiday tradition, just like Hanukkah or Christmas or whatever you celebrate,” said Stephen Mills, artistic director of Ballet Austin. Mills first choreographed Ballet Austin’s performance in 1999, and they’ve continued performing his adaptations ever since. His later work with Ballet Austin has incorporated increased innovation, such as in his choreography for “Light/ The Holocaust and Humanity Project,” a human
rights collaboration. But for 200-year-old source material such as “The Nutcracker,” Mills said he tries to stick to the core of tradition loved by so many. Mills said the biggest difference so far came four years ago, when they got new sets and costumes for the entire performance. Instead of making drastic changes each season, what makes every year unique is the dancers that portray each historic role. Aara Krumpe, who has been dancing with Ballet Austin since 1999, said this will be her 19th season performing in Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker.” After taking on roles such as a rat, flower and the coveted Sugar Plum Fairy, she said it has become a central part of her holiday tradition. “(The Nutcracker) has been a part of my life, my December holiday season since I was 10,” Krumpe said. “It is a way great way to celebrate the holidays.” For Krumpe, she said her most memorable “The Nutcracker” moment came
when she was given the opportunity to take on the role of Sugar Plum Fairy for the first time in 2005. She said for any little girl training in ballet, that is her biggest dream part. “I was terrified, I was so nervous,” Krumpe said. “My husband came to that show, and I had told my husband, ‘I don’t want flowers until I do Sugar Plum,’ so it was a big deal for him to come and after my first performance, give me flowers.” Mills said his favorite part so far of working on “The Nutcracker” has been witnessing the growth of those who take on smaller roles. He said he specifically enjoys watching the more than 200 Ballet Austin academy students, ages 9 and up, who participate throughout the season representing the future of the ballet tradition. “The first role they will do is as an angel,” Mills said. “We send them out on the stage, sometimes for the very first time in their lives.”
NUTCRACKER page 5
Wife and husband Beth and Mike Walterscheidt own and run a Christmas tree farm in Elgin, Texas. Outside of selling Christmas trees, the duo also host school field trips and run a carnival in the fall.
angela wang daily texan staff
Local pine tree farms attract families, offer holiday staple By Acacia Coronado Senior L&A Reporter
Driving down Monkey Road in Elgin, Texas, drivers are smacked across the face with the sharp scent of holiday spirit. Its source: a crop
of green, triangle shaped trees creating, forcing an emerald green sea on the horizon. At Evergreen Farm, the Walterscheidt family have made every effort for guests to get the most out of their
holiday experience for almost 21 Christmas seasons. Like in a nativity scene, a donkey and three goats greet incoming cars near the gate as they enter the property. Here, shoppers can find
FARMS page 5
TEXAS STUDENT MEDIA APPLICATION AVAILABLE FOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE DAILY TEXAN Term of Office: June 1, 2018 - May 31, 2019
Information & application are available at texasstudentmedia.com This application and supporting materials must be submitted to the TSM Business Office (HSM 3.200 / William Randolph Hearst Building, 2500 Whitis Avenue) by Monday, January 29, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.
esther shin| daily texan staff
Candidates are due to be certified at the TSM Board meeting scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2018 Please plan to attend and discuss your application with the Operating Trustees.