The Daily Texan 2018-09-27 by The Daily Texan

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

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119,

issue

NEWS

OPINION

LIFE&ARTS

SPORTS

Bond proposals would address affordable housing, environment, and city libraries. PA G E 2

Students should turn off social media to make the most of their study breaks. PA G E 4

Students jump into Littlefield Fountain despite possible consequences. PA G E 8

Coordinators evaluate team progress, areas to work on as season continues. PA G E 6

CITY

UNIVERSITY

UT announces New York based program beginning next Fall semester By Gracie Awalt @gracieawalt5

The city that never sleeps will become a new home for selected students in the Moody College of Communication, McCombs School of Business and College of Fine Arts through the new UT in New York program. UT is working with the New York State Board of Education to gain approval for the UT in New York program to host its inaugural class next fall. The online applications will be open throughout November to students within the three colleges, with limited spots available for students outside the three colleges. Students can expect to earn 12 hours of course credit while living and interning in New York. “Our tagline is, ‘If you can make it in NYC, you can make it anywhere,’” said Michael Wilson, assistant dean of external relations in the Moody College of Communication. “New Yorkers are faster-paced than Texans, but both people are proud of their states, cities and cultures.” Wilson said the program is modeled after the existing UT in Los Angeles program, which allows UT students in the Moody College to work and study in LA and has hosted 1,600 students since 2005. New York City might

eilish o’sullivan | the daily texan file West campus apartments are advertised as being bigger and nicer than what is usually leased. Students sometimes may feel obligated to sign leases quickly to secure apartments without touring.

Leasing proves problematic campus fill up within the first month of school,” Pruitt said. “The websites always make the apartments out to be bigger and nicer than they actually are. We were told that my apartment’s appliances were recently updated, but when we got there the dryer didn’t work and only two of the four burners functioned.” When looking for an apartment, Pruitt said her leasing agent made promises they could not keep. “My roommate and I got to

By Jessica Regan @jessicareganUT

est Campus offers close proximity to campus, Greek life, restaurants and stores, but living there often comes at a steep price. For some students, the apartment hunting process is a challenge. Journalism sophomore Hannah Pruitt said she felt like she had to sign a lease quickly to secure an apartment. “Most of the nicer apartments that are close in proximity to

preference which rooms we would like to sign a lease for,” Pruitt said. “The American Campus leasing agent made us confident that we would get either our first or second preference, so we put down a random apartment with the same floor plan in a different building (for our third choice). We ended up getting the random apartment, which ended up being significantly smaller than the other two.”

WEST CAMPUS

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UTNY

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In light of a movement pushing employers to “ban the box” regarding prior criminal history questions on job applications, the U.S. Senate launched a similar effort to ban similar questions for college admissions. On Sept. 13 Sens. Brian Schatz, Dick Durbin and Cory Booker introduced the Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act, which would encourage colleges to remove criminal history questions from their admissions applications and give more students a chance at higher education. Based on three national survey, conducted from 2009-2014, 55 percent of public institutions require undergraduate applicants to answer criminal history questions in the admissions process, but UT does not. “Undergraduate students apply for admission (to UT) … through either the ApplyTexas application … or the Coalition for College application,” said Miguel Wasielewski, executive director

of admissions, in an emailed statement. “Both applications are used by other institutions and do not include questions related to criminal history.” While employers typically limit their questions to felony convictions rather than arrests, colleges commonly ask about all convictions, including misdemeanors and juvenile arrests. Criminal history information may also affect financial aid. In 1998, Congress added a new question on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to prevent applicants with prior drug-related convictions from receiving federal financial aid. The scope of this FAFSA question was reduced in 2007 to only include offenses that occurred while a student was receiving federal student aid. Ian Sims, co-president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy at UT, said

ADMISSIONS

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CAMPUS

UT admissions does not discriminate against students with criminal record By Megan Nguyen

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Prolitfic provides writing platform for community By Zoë Howard @zoehoward51

jeb milling

| the daily texan staff

Junior Nicole Sun, who helped found online peer-review community Prolitfic, said she believes all writers at UT should be given the opportunity to share their voice regardless of their majors. “There are so many people who are good writers, they just get buried in all the noise,” said Sun, a business honors and Plan II junior. Sun and three other UT students founded Prolitfic, an online writing community, in January. Co-founder Dan Tran says they have garnered more than 150 users since then. The website is similar to online writing communities like Wattpad, but with quality control. For example, Sun said many other writing communities do not have a way of filtering spam comments, but Prolitfic is currently looking for a way to only show relevant comments. “Writers are able to view analytics of interests to help them improve, like where readers drop off reading or

Writers are able to view analytics of interests to help them improve, like where readers drop off reading or where they get confused.”

NICOLE SUN

BUSINESS AND PLAN II JUNIOR

where they get confused,” Sun said. “We’re all aspiring writers and readers, so we wanted a site that would basically combine the accessibility of self-publishing with the quality of traditional publishing.” Sun, the head of strategy and marketing for the site, said she was inspired to create Prolitfic through one of her business classes. “Our professor instructed us to do this very

PROLITFIC

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C H A S E K A R A C O S TA S NEWS EDITOR @THEDAILYTEXAN

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Get to know the bonds on November’s ballot By Chad Lyle @LyleChad

At the bottom of every midterm election ballot in Austin this November, there will be seven bond propositions that will cost the city $925 million total if enacted. Though bond propositions rarely receive the fanfare and media attention of individual candidates, Maya Patel, interim president of TX Votes, considers educating voters about them to be a top priority. “I always like to say the local elections are what’s going to affect your life the most,” said Patel, a chemistry senior. “If you ever complain about traffic in Austin, or the bus system, or you enjoy using Zilker park — everything you enjoy about Austin or dislike about Austin, those are the local issues that are being voted on in bond propositions.” Proposition A is the most expensive bond voters will be asked to consider, with a price tag of $250 million dedicated to affordable housing. According to the proposal, the bond would offer funds to build new affordable housing and improve existing low-cost options. With proposition B, the city looks to make major upgrades to Austin’s libraries and replace the Dougherty Arts Center. The proposal requests $128 million to accomplish those tasks and update other museums and

cultural centers in Austin. Both proposition C and D tackle environmental issues, such as maintaining parks and protecting water quality. Both would bear expenses similar to B, costing $149 million and $184 million respectively. All seven propositions are supported by Austin Mayor Steve Adler. Earlier this month, Adler spoke at a rally for Austin Together, a political action committee encouraging voters to support the bonds. “People look around this city and they say they want to keep things moving forward that we like, they want to respond to the challenges that we have,” Adler said at the event. “This is an opportunity for the community to come together to do that.” The least expensive proposition, E, is set aside for the construction of a new public health and human services building in Dove Springs. All $16 million approved in the bond would be dedicated to opening a center that would offer services including immunizations and childcare. Proposition F delegates $38 million for public safety resources such as renovations to fire stations, while proposition G allocates $160 million for transportation infrastructure, such as street, sidewalk and bridge reconstruction. Assuming all seven bond proposals are approved by

Liza Anderson (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com

2018 City Bond Proposals

$925 million T O TA L C O S T

Prop A – $250 mil

Prop E – $16 mil

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

H E A LT H & H U M A N SERVICES

Prop B – $128 mil LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, C U LT U R E

Prop C – $149 mil PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N

Prop F – $38 mil PUBLIC SAFETY

Prop G – $160 mil T R A N S P O R TAT I O N INFRASTRUCTURE

Prop D – $184 mil F L O O D M I T I G AT I O N , O P E N S PA C E , WAT E R Q U A L I T Y PROTECTION

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Austin voters, the $925 million bill would be paid for by a $5 increase in monthly taxes for most homeowners. Kathleen Doviken, communications director for University Democrats, which supports all seven proposals, said the tax increase is worth it in the long run.

“The city has been growing at such a fast rate that we really do need these propositions to pass so we can continue to make Austin a good place to live for everybody, regardless of your income level,” French senior Doviken said. “The long-term impact of the

S O U R C E : A U S T I N T E X A S . G OV

This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25

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bond propositions more than makes up for what the small increase in taxes would be.” The College Republicans at Texas and UT’s chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas have not publicly endorsed or opposed anyd bond propositions. n m t

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While it is common to see hundreds of students navigating UT while staring at their cell phones, this activity could potentially be dangerous, said Peter Scheets, assistant chief of operations for the UT Police Department. Scheets said cell phones interfere with situational awareness, which is the method of staying alert and aware of surroundings to avoid danger. “There’s been research that shows that people who are on electronic devices display the same delayed reaction as somebody that’s impaired by drugs or alcohol,” Scheets said. “From our perspective, it’s a safety issue. If you’re not aware of your surroundings, you are lowering your level of safety.” Scheets said he has seen pedestrians fall off sidewalk curbs and twist their ankle, run into street signs and have close encounters with vehicles because they were looking at their cell phones. Students using their cell

phones while walking can also be unaware of potentially dangerous situations that need to be reported, Scheets said. “If you’re too involved in your cell phone or your iPad or some electronic device, then you put yourself at risk,” Scheets said. “I’ve had people actually walk into the side of the patrol vehicle, because they’re not aware.” Mathematics sophomore Jazmyn Drumgo said she hardly witnesses students looking at where they are going, and she thinks there can be serious consequences for not being alert. “When you walk into class, you should be observant of what’s going on around you,” Drumgo said. “You should take into consideration things that have happened in the past on UT campus that required UTPD involvement.” Pharmacy graduate student Byron Scott said he does not mind the focus students have on their cell phones, but he wishes people had more spatial awareness. “I’m really nonchalant about it unless you’re disturbing my space,” Scott

channing miller

said. “They’re minding their business at the end of the day, and if you’re just doing that and not inconveniencing anybody else around you, you’re free to do that.” Although lack of awareness from cell phones

is dangerous, Scheets said it is unlikely UT would enact a policy against walking across the street on a cell phone, such as those in Honolulu and Montclair, California.

| the daily texan staff

“There’s a danger of overregulating behaviors,” Scheets said. “It’s not actu- f “ ally helpful for society or for r the relationship between t police organizations and y the community.” h

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The Daily Texan, a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78712. The Daily Texan is published daily, Monday through Friday, during the regular academic year and is published once weekly during the summer semester. The Daily Texan does not publish during academic breaks, most Federal Holidays and exam periods. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591), or at the editorial office (HSM 2.120). Entire contents copyright 2018 Texas Student Media.

joshua guenther| the daily texan staff From left, mathematics senior Alex Collins, business honors and plan II junior Nicole Sun, plan II sophomore Vanessa Aguirre and management information systems senior Dan Tran discuss strategies to further secure their peer-review and self-publication website Prolitfic. Collins, Sun, Tran and management information systems senior Daniel Nelson (not shown) founded the website in January and are preparing for a hard launch in the coming weeks.

impromptu pitch activity, to pitch a new idea to reform a traditional industry,” Sun said. “I chose publishing because I like writing a lot.” Tran, a management information systems senior, said she is impressed at the growing popularity of the website. “It’s been really exciting seeing us just starting, a couple of months ago, from nothing to having a full-functioning site,” Tran said. Sana Hameed, a management information systems sophomore, said one of her favorite aspects of participating in the Prolitfic community is that it does not require prior

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writing experience. “It doesn’t matter that I’m a business major or that I don’t have any professional training or a string of writing-related classes under my belt,” Hameed said. Prolitfic also offers writing workshops and monthly competitions for writers to participate in, Sun said. Currently in the beta testing stage, Prolitfic is preparing a hard launch in the coming weeks. In the future, the Prolitfic team hopes to gain an even larger user base, Sun said. “There’s just so many people who want to write and have no opportunity to get their work out there,” Sun said. “We want to be that opportunity.”

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

STATE

Meth deadlier than opioids By Gracie Awalt

While the opioid crisis has been heavily discussed by the press and politicians alike, a new report issued by a UT professor shows methamphetamine use was a factor in more drug overdoses in Texas than opioids. Jane Maxwell, a research professor with the Addiction Research Institute in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, released the report in late August. Maxwell said the most important finding in her research is that not only are methamphetamines involved in more drug overdoses in Texas, but the amount it is being used is also increasing. “Methamphetamine is the number one drug threat ranked by the Dallas, El Paso and Houston Drug Enforcement Administration Field Divisions,” the report states. “Indicators of drug use … all show methamphetamine is a larger problem than heroin.” Maxwell said there is no medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help treat those addicted to methamphetamines. This differs from opioid abusers, who can be saved by Naloxone, which reverses overdose effects. She said there is a need for more research on how to treat methamphetamine addiction. “The only treatment we have

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deeming someone a criminal has little to do with their morality and more to do with their race, class and zip code. “UT is not an equitable institution. Only 15 percent of students come from the bottom 40 percent,” said Sims, an international

Increasing Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States 2015-2018

80000 70000 60000 50000 40000

2015

2016

2017

2018

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for meth is cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling,” Maxwell said. “I’m really concerned, because not only do we not have the drugs (to treat methamphetamine addiction), we really haven’t paid attention in the last 10 years to how to treat people.” The United States Senate recently passed The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, a legislative package that addresses

relations and global studies junior, in an email. “If UT required students to answer background check questions, students with non-violent offenses, such as simple drug offenses, would not be viewed holistically and would be barred from receiving an education at this institution, which would be foul.” Last month Common Application, used by more

the opioid epidemic in the U.S. by proposing several intervention methods and increasing funding for opioid treatment. Maxwell said she wishes the bill would also address the methamphetamine problem in this country. “We need to assess what are the popular drugs right now and what are we going to do about them,” Maxwell

than 488 universities, decided to remove criminal history questions from their form starting August 2019. ApplyTexas, the centralized admissions portal for all public institutions of higher education in Texas, has never collected criminal background information or high school disciplinary records since its inception in 1997. Although UT doesn’t

said. “I think this bill is coming at the right time, but I am concerned that with all this money coming for opiates, do you see any money for methamphetamine treatment?” Lucas Hill, director of Operation Naloxone, said his program stocks Naloxone at all 24-hour residence hall desks on campus. He said at least three student lives have been saved due to

conduct background checks on student applicants, it began conducting background checks for potential employees in 2011. Generally, anyone who has served prison time for or been convicted of a certain type of felony within seven years of their application is not allowed to work at the University. Lynn Pasquerella,

SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

@gracieawalt5

| the daily texan staff

their efforts. “Opioids, to a certain extent, have been taking up all the oxygen in the room,” Hill, a pharmacy clinical assistant professor said. “People are hyperfixated on opioids and we certainly run the risk of overlooking things like the harms of alcohol, tobacco and amphetamines. When we talk about amphetamines, we simply do not have highly

president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, released a statement in May urging member institutions to review their practices related to criminal justice involvement. “Many institutions collect information about criminal justice involvement as part of the college application process, and some data

Methamphetamine is the number one drug threat ranked by the Dallas, El Paso and Houston Drug Enforcement Administration Field Divisions.” JANE MAXWELL PROFESSOR

evidenced-based medication treatments for amphetamine use disorder.” Hill said while Maxwell’s findings are notable, he will continue to advocate for opioid prevention efforts in Texas. “I would agree with Dr. Maxwell that we should try to be doing more for people who are suffering from amphetamine use disorder in Texas,” Hill said. “We should be doing more on a national level to study and identify treatment. However, it’s a good sign that The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 is at least one thing that politicians from both parties are able to agree on, and hopefully it will be helpful.”

suggest that applicants with convictions on their records are considerably less likely to finish their college applications, perhaps due to fear that stigma will derail their dreams,” Pasquerella said in the statement. “Yet the evidence does not indicate that campuses are safer as a result of criminal history screening.”

“The “The opportunities opportunities the the College College of of Liberal Liberal Arts Arts allowed me to pursue, ranging from Russian allowed me to pursue, ranging from Russian studies studies to to international international economic economic policy, policy, provided provided me me with an immeasurable head start to compete with an immeasurable head start to compete and and excel excel in in aa rapidly rapidly changing changing workforce. workforce. My My career career as a CBS News correspondent/anchor & CNN as a CBS News correspondent/anchor & CNN contributor contributor would would not not have have been been possible possible without without the the liberal liberal arts arts education education II received received at at UT.” UT.” Bianna Bianna Golodryga, Golodryga, B.A. B.A. Russian, Russian, East East European European and and Eurasian Eurasian Studies Studies ’00 ’00 rena li

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offer critical networking experiences for students, Wilson said. “New York offers a different pace,” Wilson said. “Deals are made in elevator runs. New York is just one thing that you can add to your résumé and when you have that, you can say you’ve spent six months living and working in NYC and that

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Daniel Armendariz, housing specialist for the Austin Tenant’s Council, said it’s crucial to tour buildings before signing. “In Texas, there is no legal obligation for a landlord to show the apartment before a lease signing,” Armendariz said. “You’re then stuck signing a lease in the fear you will lose the place, and then in a yearlong contract.” Armendariz said the council is available to students to help with reading and signing a lease. “We will sit down with students and go through the lease to help them through the process,” Armendariz

| the daily texan staff

gives you extra lift as you are competing for jobs.” Doug Dempster, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said the program will not be “educational tourism” like some study abroad programs. He said students in the program should be focused on gaining professional experience. “One of the things students learn in the real world is that your hand won’t be held every step of the way,” Dempster said. “Students have to be self-starters and

energetic and know what they want.” Public relations sophomore Susie Porier said she has been to New York, because she has family in the area and is interested in applying. “The city is big and busy, but everyone fits in,” Porier said. “Calling New York ‘the city that never sleeps’ is not a lie, because at 3 o’clock in the morning you can still hear people. It’s a good place to be.”

said. “Six times out of 10, a landlord will only give them the first eight pages, but fail to give them the addendums. When you’re signing it, you need to make sure you get the full copy. That’s your legal right.” Taylor Haymour, a leasing manager for Ruckus 2.0, a new apartment currently being constructed, said they are adding staff in the next few months to ensure the leasing process goes smoothly. “The best thing we can do is follow-up with everyone who is interested in living here,” Haymour said. “We cannot always give students the exact floor plan they want, and we wish we could accommodate everyone. It makes us sad that we aren’t able to.”

Haymour said she suggests touring buildings early to get an idea of all available options. “Even if you’re not ready to sign a lease yet, touring early will help you to make a decision further down the road,” Haymour said. “It will save you trouble in the long run.” Pruitt said she urges students to conduct research before signing a lease and consider all options. “My advice would be to figure out housing in September, and make sure to fully research all the options,” Pruitt said. “There are many privately owned apartments that are less expensive and nicer than many of the bigger named, corporately owned apartments.”

WHY LIBERAL ARTS

LIZA ANDERSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @TEXANOPINION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

COLUMN

brittany le

| the daily texan staff

Let’s talk about mental health By Mia Cooper Columnist

The most common piece of advice thrown at incoming freshmen isn’t even a word, it’s an acronym — CMHC. It stands for the Counseling and Mental Health Center. What’s missing is a description of what students can do for themselves to promote better well-being and mental health. Both new and current UT students need to use the CMHC resources available to them so they can learn to improve their health on their own terms. Dr. Rosa Schnyer, who lectures for both the School of Nursing and Plan II, is currently researching the effect of acupuncture and Chinese herbs on nervous system function and clinical symptoms in patients with depression and anxiety. According to Schnyer, anxiety is the number one issue she has encountered in students. It’s important that students learn when they need to access outside resources for aid and how they can help themselves on a day to day basis. For students who live with a mental illness, Schnyer said that it can severely impact their daily activities. This then

affects every aspect of their life, especially when it comes to concentrating on academics. Schnyer practices a holistic approach to care where targeted therapy and treatment is individualized, and she encourages and supports patients to participate in their own care. This approach pertains to students, who often need a self-care strategy to address their mental health. “Self-care, to me, can be seen as a practice in which an individual prioritizes themselves and assures that their whole well-being is in pristine condition,” mathematics freshman Eric Canizalez said. “I sometimes practice self-care, mostly (by) taking breaks, whether that be walking around, working out or just being on my phone.” Self-care helps students take their mental health into their own hands, and UT has resources to teach students how they can achieve this, whether it be the CMHC staff and resources or professors such as Schnyer. UT also provides resources for students when self-care isn’t enough — resources that students need to take advantage of to benefit from. “UT has great resources and offers great support for students through the

Counseling and Mental Health Center,” Schnyer said. The CMHC’s six short-term free counseling sessions are the most common example, but their programs don’t stop there. “(CMHC) runs two MindBody labs on campus where UT students can explore at their own pace various resources for improving their emotional and physical health,” Schnyer said. “I often make an assignment for students to visit the labs.” It’s up to us as students to take charge of our own well-being and take advantage of the many resources provided to us. “Students basically live their lives right here on campus and spend a majority of their time here,” Canizalez said. “Mental health should be more of a priority, not only for students but everyone.” All the resources in the world won’t make a difference if students aren’t aware of them. For CMHC to best help the student body, students should discuss these resources with friends and classmates, encourage professors to address mental health in class and most of all take their health into their own hands. As Schnyer put it, take care of yourself and each other. Cooper is a Plan II and journalism freshman from Austin.

COLUMN

Not all study breaks are made equal, social media isn’t helping By Abby Krishnan Columnist

All too often I find myself deep into a study session when I realize my brain needs a break. Like clockwork, I open a new tab and type in Facebook. As I mindlessly scroll through the endless memes and videos, my brain wanders, and I fail to feel any less stressed than I was at the beginning of my break. Most students recognize the necessity of taking a pause when doing schoolwork. However, by spending most of their time on their phones and social media, students aren’t using their study breaks to their full potential. Instead, we can use alternative, scientifically proven approaches to maximize our study breaks.

By spending most of their time on their phones and social media, students aren’t using their study breaks to their full potential.”

A 2014 University of Texas study showed that not all mental rest is equal. In the study, participants took a break between two tasks and were allowed to think about whatever they wanted. The researchers found that the participants who rested and thought about what they just learned were able to better process and rehearse new information than those who attempted new things during the break. Because the participants who rested weren’t faced with new mental challenges, they were able to more effectively retain information. The research demonstrated that study breaks aren’t meant to be periods of pure distraction and mental stimulation. Rather they should be times of decompression that allow your brain to process the material you just studied. Social

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.

ella williams

| the daily texan staff

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media often presents us with an overload of information — we’re force-fed a litany of digital media within seconds. While social media might feel mindless, in reality we’re interfering with our recent learning and harming our ability to retain information. While the science on study breaks can be complicated, we can use their findings to break bad study habits. Paige Schilt, the interim director of the Sanger Learning Center, said that one of the most important aspects of an effective study break is creating a built-in time component — setting aside the exact amount of time you want to take for your break. Activities with no end in sight, like scrolling on Twitter or cleaning your apartment, aren’t the best option. Schilt said that the most effective study breaks are ones that require your brain to “switch gears.” When moving to a new and different task, you activate the your brain’s executive functions, the part of the brain that helps you organize time. She recommends taking a 15 minute jog, spending time in nature or connecting with a friend in real life. Schilt also urges students to separate their studying into shorter bursts because it helps keep their brain on task. Both Schilt and Katy Redd, associate director for Prevention and Outreach at the Counseling and Mental Health Center, highly recommend practicing mindfulness during study breaks. They said that practices like meditation aren’t as esoteric or mystical as they may seem — in fact, they’re accessible to all kinds of people. Getting started can be as easy as visiting a MindBody Lab on campus, which are set up to help guide students through meditation and thinking about their physical and mental health. The next time you pick up your phone to scroll through the UT Longmemes Facebook group, remember that the picture of McCombs photoshopped onto a snake isn’t as harmless as it seems — it could actually be restricting your brain’s ability to rest and process your recent work. Instead, put your brain to rest by doing something that you find truly relaxing — you deserve it. Krishnan is a computer science sophomore from Plano.

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.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

FOOTBALL

Orlando, Hand talk team progress, road ahead

carlos garcia | the daily texan staff Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando huddles with his players during a game against then-No.22 USC at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 15, 2018. In the past two games, Orlando’s defense has held opponents to just three points in the second half.

By Ross Burkhart @ross_burkhart

As the Longhorns prepare to travel to Manhattan, Kansas for Saturday’s game, defensive coordinator Todd Orlando and offensive line coach Herb Hand shed some light on the current state of the team. Here’s a rundown of what the two Texas coaches had to say leading up to the matchup in Manhattan:

Orlando hesitant to declare second unit finished product

In the last two games, defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s unit has been the pulse of the Longhorns. The victories and late game stops can’t merely be attributed to the

defensive stars, though. Texas has relied on a number of key reserves to step up during the two big games. Many reserves such as sophomore defensive end Ta’Quon Graham and freshman cornerback Kobe Boyce have answered quickly when their number has been called, but Orlando isn’t quite ready to say they’re as talented as the starters. “There is a gap there,” Orlando said during an availability session on Wednesday. “I’m sure when you looked at (Breckyn) Hager and (Charles) Omenihu when they were puppies or sophomores, you’d probably say there was a big gap to the guys they were behind too.” Though Hager and Omenihu, a pair of senior defensive ends, have

now earned their positions as elemental pieces in Texas’ defense, Orlando said that patience with the up-and-coming athletes is important to their future success. “We’ve got to catch up on that and continue to push those guys along because that’s a long, long road,” Orlando said. “If you burn the wheels off those guys, you’re going to get nothing in November.”

Hand grades offensive line performances

So far this season, the Texas offensive line has dealt with injuries to a number of different players. Hand said Wednesday that while the team is still being forced to shuffle around players as a result of absences, there are still some athletes that are standing out above the rest.

“It’s funny, because we have a grading system,” Hand said. “At 85 percent, you get a championship level grade. I think in the last few games, we’ve only had about three guys who have graded out at that level. We’ve had a lot of guys who are close to it, they’re in the 80s … so hopefully we’ll have some more guys grade out.” Unsurprisingly, Hand said that three of the line’s veteran members are the players who have graded out at a championship-contending level. “(Elijah Rodriguez), (Derek) Kerstetter and (Patrick) Vahe,” Hand said. “We’re just scratching the surface with how good they can be. When we do things well, we’ve got a chance to be really good. When we don’t, we don’t. We’ve got to execute all the time.”

6 SPTS

ALEX BRISEÑO & ROSS BURKHART SPORTS EDITORS @TEXANSPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

VOLLEYBALL

anthony mireles | the daily texan staff Junior outside hitter Micaya White goes up for a kill in a No. 4 Texas’ match against No. 21 Baylor at Gregory Gym on Sept. 26, 2018. White finished the game with a team high 10 kills and nine digs to help the Longhorns complete a three-set sweep against the Bears.

Texas sweeps Baylor in return home Longhorns lock down Bears after making adjustments in week off. By Keshav Prathivadi @kpthefirst

he last time Texas played at Gregory Gym a little less than two weeks ago, there were more groans than cheers. On Wednesday, fans had a lot more to cheer about. The Longhorn faithful didn’t see 10 service errors in a single set or have balls sail past out-of-position players. Instead, they saw a strong, almost error-free effort indicative of a team that had made necessary adjustments. After a weeklong break from conference action, No. 4 Texas returned to the floor and promptly dispatched No. 21 Baylor in straight sets (2523, 25-16, 25-15). The Longhorns played close early on and got better and better as the match went on. “I think that first game (set) our offense struggled a bit and just kept

them (Baylor) in the game,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “As the match went on we got a lot better.” Baylor got off to a quick start, nabbing a 17-13 lead halfway through the set, forcing a Texas timeout. Elliott’s huddle during that time out sparked a 5-0 run got them the momentum they needed to close the set and match. The Longhorns took off from there, bamboozling a well-ranked Baylor team and holding them to less than 20 points for the remaining two sets. This swing can be attributed to both the timeout and a defense that locked down as the match went on. Here’s another reason why: The Longhorns out-blocked the Bears 12-3. “We just have to take each point as itself and not focus on the score as much,” sophomore setter Ashley Shook said. “(We need to) keep resetting after every point so we can just play our game.” Texas’ win tonight improved its record to 7–3 overall and 2–0 in Big 12 play. On the way to their seventh win, the Longhorns shook off one of the bugs that’s been hurting them recently: serving. Junior outside hitter Micaya White spent time after Texas’ match with Stanford to try out a new serve. Elliott himself started changing up his rotations to ensure the

We just have to take each point as itself and not focus on the score as much. We need to keep resetting after every point so we can just play our game.”

ASHLEY SHOOK

SOPHOMORE SETTTER

Longhorns had their best servers on the floor. Small tweaks like these helped the Longhorns tonight, and it showed with eight service errors tonight compared to Baylor’s 14. “Across the country you’re starting to see a few more missed serves because of how good the offenses are,” Elliott said. “The serving side (of our game) improved and our offense improved (as well).” The Longhorns also missed the presence of senior outside hitter Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani, who sat out with an ankle injury. Freshman outside hitter Katarina Luketic filled in for her well, tallying 4 kills and blocks on the night. Texas got exactly what it wanted out of its return to Gregory Gym: a reinvigorated attack, stronger defense and a much-needed morale boost. After tough losses to Stanford, stringing back-to-back wins was just what Texas needed. “I think the break was really well-needed. We’ve been going strong since preseason,” redshirt freshman middle blocker Brionne Butler said. “It was just a good time to just regroup and refocus.” The Longhorns won’t have much time to catch their breath as they head to Morgantown, West Virginia, this Saturday to face the Mountaineers (8–7, 1–2 Big 12). First serve is set for 12 p.m.

BIG 12 NOTEBOOK

Oklahoma has close call, Texas Tech, Texas trending up By Donnavan Smoot @Dsmoot3D

Members of the Big 12 conference experienced an interesting weekend after Week Four concluded last Saturday. From the Texas Christian University’s back-to-back losses to Texas Tech putting the conference on notice, this week will be yet another jam-packed weekend of conference play. Here’s how the conference is shaping up:

Texas

The Longhorns knocked off thenNo.17 TCU, and the clamors of Texas being “back” instantly became shouted sentiments from fans leaving Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. Texas allowed a last-second touchdown at the end of the first half and went into the locker room down, 13-10. After a field

goal early in the first half by TCU, it was all Texas from there on out. The Longhorns scored 21-unanswered points to close the game to win, 31-16. The Longhorns were led by their defense, specifically freshman safety Caden Sterns. Sterns had two interceptions on the day to go along with five tackles. With Sterns and the defense leading the way, Texas puts itself in a position to contend for a Big 12 championship appearance.

Oklahoma

No. 6 Oklahoma avoided a potentially catastrophic loss to Army over the weekend. After a Kyler Murray scramble put them in the lead going into halftime, the potent Sooner offense went stagnant in the second half. Army held them scoreless and forced overtime. In the end, Oklahoma was able to grind out a win and remain undefeated, but the performance did cost them as

they dropped one spot in the rankings, Despite the close call, the Big 12 still knows the road to a conference championship goes through Norman. The Sooners have won the last three Big 12 championships and don’t have any plans to have that streak ended soon.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders played their way back into the top-25 this week with a thrashing of then-No.15 Oklahoma State. The win put the explosive offense back in the national spotlight and gave them a win to open conference play. Freshman quarterback Alan Bowman had another dynamic day in the air with 397 yards and two touchdowns. With Bowman leading the team, the Red Raiders are on pace for another successful season. Texas Tech can’t revel in their ranking for long. The Red Raiders host No. 12 West Virginia on Saturday. The Mountaineers have no problem going

point-for-point with any of their opponents, so there is no reason not to believe it will be a shootout in Lubbock.

TCU

The Horned Frogs are looking to get their season back on track this week against Iowa State. Their year has been thrown off by back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Texas, respectively. This week should be a chance for them to gain momentum. Iowa State comes into the matchup unranked and under .500, which sets the stage for a game TCU should win handily. TCU will also be at home for the first time since the season opener against Southern University. TCU has chances to redeem itself because of the strength of the Big 12. However, this week does feel like a must win. Gary Patterson’s team will have to be ready to rebound in a game that can serve as a turning point for their season.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Thursday, September 27, 2018

Crossword ACROSS

Mount Rushmore figure, familiarly 4 Bit of camp gear 7 Gave personally 13 Setting for peak viewing? 15 “O ___” (greeting on many lolcat memes) 16 Kevin ___, one of the sharks on “Shark Tank” 17 “My goodness!” 19 Alternative to plugs 20 Title for Prince Charles’s Camilla 22 Lug 23 This day and age 24 Biblical “father” 28 General amount of money that something sells for

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ANDREA TINNING LIFE&ARTS EDITOR @THEDAILYTEXAN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

MUSIC

Student spreads positivity with EP Sophomore Eric Loop’s ‘The Dorm Room Demo’ focuses on sound over perfection. By Celesia Smith @celsmit

ric Loop, business honors and finance sophomore, has quite an impressive résumé. Between being an active member of a Christian fraternity, a Young Life leader, a founder of a service organization and cohost of a KVRX sports radio show, Loop somehow finds the time to develop and share his musical talent. Loop recorded his EP, The Dorm Room Demo, now on Spotify and Apple Music, in his freshman dorm room. “Everything that I wrote for The Dorm Room Demo happened in Castilian,” Loop said. “It was a fun process to learn the production side of it. In high school, I was just goofing around. So when I got to college and got more pieces of equipment and musical acumen, I was able to piece everything together. I watched some YouTube videos

cheryl guiterrez | the daily texan staff Eric Loop, business honors and finance sophomore, produced his EP in the Castilian and plans to release more music before the end of spring 2019.

and figured out how to produce songs.” Loop began his musical career in high school in a garage rock band, but his personal style has changed since his rock and roll days. The Dorm Room Demo and the songs that Loop covers on his Facebook page give off singer-songwriter vibes, featur-

ing layers of acoustic guitar played by Loop himself. Business honors sophomore Chandler Rouse has heard Loop’s EP and seen him perform at various ministries. Rouse commended Loop’s natural ability and drive when it comes to both producing and performing. “He’s a seriously talent-

ed musician,” Rouse said. “I think it really just comes naturally to him. He really enjoys being on stage, and not because he’s trying impress anybody and not because it brings him attention. I think it comes through that he’s just comfortable and at ease and really loving what he’s doing when he’s singing.”

CAMPUS

In addition to performing at ministries and releasing his EP, Loop showcases his talents on YouTube. His most recent endeavor is a series called “Eric and Friends,” in which he records covers or original songs with his peers. Studio art sophomore Nicholas Wong designed Loop’s album cover and videotaped the re-

leased “Eric and Friends” videos. Wong said that Loop lets the music speak for itself in the videos. “It’s all about the music. Keeping the process pure is important,” Wong said. “For example, there would be some mistakes in film, but we like that. It makes it really human and it doesn’t look very overproduced or commercialized. This is a dude in college who is making music in his free time and we try and show that.” Loop’s musical endeavor won’t end with his “Eric and Friends” video series. He plans to release a full length album by the end of the spring 2019 semester. Looking farther in the future, Loop is focused on two potential scenarios that he hopes to develop. “One is like an upbeat big band where I envision three or four other people playing with me and playing music like James Bay or Allen Stone, the upbeat indie rock,” Loop said. “The other, softer side would be like Penny and Sparrow —the mellow, nice indie folk.” Loop’s underlying goal through his videos, covers and performances is to reach people on an emotional level. “[Music has] the physical instrumentation and the vocals on a track, and they may sound beautiful or crazy or happy or sad or whatever and that’s one thing. But then you have the emotion of the song and that’s something I’m trying to tap into,” Loop said. “I like writing about experiences and bringing out emotions, so I think my mission as I put out music is to bring positive vibes out into the world.”

FILM

Students keep tradition of jumping into Littlefield Fountain despite risks

Classic movies continue to shape film industry of today

pedro luna | the daily texan staff Littlefield Fountain serves to be more than just a beautiful fountain for students.

By Caroline Betik @carolinebetik

Every year, students jump in Littlefield Fountain to pose for graduation pictures, some even decked out in their stoles and champagne in hand. Other mischievous students take a spontaneous dip in the middle of the night in hopes they don’t suffer the consequences. Health and society sophomore Renee Alducin said she recently partook in the traditional fountain dip with friends to start the semester with an exciting experience. Once they saw a police car coming, several members of the group made a beeline towards the Tower. She said a few friends stayed behind to talk to the officer. “The officer didn’t even get out the car,” Alducin said. “He just sat there a couple minutes to make sure we weren’t coming back, then he left.” Penalties for getting into the water include being subject to disciplinary action and a fine up to $200. While many students know fountain hopping is not permitted, it doesn’t stop them. Since 1933, Littlefield Fountain has decorated 21st street, sitting directly in line with the UT Tower. Named for George W. Littlefield and originally dedicated as a memorial to honor Confederate

war soldiers, the fountain is now an iconic spot for graduation photos. Alducin said she recognized Littlefield Fountain as a beautiful campus landmark, and although it isn’t intended for students to swim in, her time jumping in the water was a bonding experience with friends. “At first, we texted a bunch of people to have a water balloon fight at the Tower at midnight and after decided to hop in the fountain,” Alducin said. “We all lined up on the second tier of the fountain and jumped in to get our whole bodies wet. We took pictures, hung out and splashed around for a bit.” Psychology and philosophy senior Michael Krol said he has never fountain hopped before because he considers it a rite of passage for graduation. But he said he isn’t concerned with getting in trouble with the University if he were take a dip next spring. “I haven’t done it yet, because I am not graduating,” Krol said. “(If I were) it would probably be jumping in for graduation photos, but that is just me. The idea is pretty cool though.” Despite the fact that students and Austin Monthly Magazine dub Littlefield Fountain as a bucket list item for many students, there are concerns for anyone who participates.

The fountain lacks steps to enter and exit, and the area around the fountain and rock may be slippery, which puts students at risk for injury. “The fountain is not a pool and contains hazards wherein someone could slip and hit his or her head,” John Salsman, director of the Environmental Health and Safety Department, said in an email. “In addition, the water in the fountain is not maintained to the same water quality standards as a pool, so the University cannot ensure the water is safe for human contact.” In order to ensure the safety of students and protect property, Regents’ Rules and Regulations Rule 80110 states it’s unlawful for any person to enter the water of any fountain not designed for “recreational or therapeutic purposes” controlled by the UT System or institutions unless they have prior written permission. Despite Alducin and her friends getting caught, Alducin said it was definitely worth the experience and memories she made. “The fountain is a Texas landmark, something everyone walks by every day,” Alducin said. “But it’s a big thing and it makes you feel a part of something bigger than yourself and it really solidifies your relationship to Austin and UT. Jumping in the fountain makes you feel like you’re not just a student, you’re a Longhorn.”

copyright universal pictures, and reproduced with permission Classic films such as “Apollo 13” made in 1995 are making a comeback on streaming services and allow insights into popular culture of past decades.

By Noelle Henry @noellee_h

Classic movies are eternal. They are often referenced in popular culture and everyday conversations. They are those movies that you can watch time and time again and feel the same happiness you felt that first time you saw it. They’re mentioned in today’s movies, literature and art, and they still matter. Radio-television-film professor Kathy Fuller-Seeley said that a classic stands the test of time and involves characters you can relate and a story that intrigues you. She said classic films are created by all the elements of cinematography coming together in a memorable way. “It’s not just the story and the characters and the stars who play them and the director and cinematographer who makes the look,” Fuller-Seeley said. “It involves all those things.” Famous classic movies range from silent films like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Casablanca,” to “The Godfather” and “Groundhog Day.” Fuller-Seeley said classics can come in all forms, such as comedies, dramas, musicals, gangster movies and westerns. Sophomore radio-television-film major Tuesday Becker said she thinks classic

movies reflect the era they are made in. Becker said the movie “Can’t Buy Me Love” as an example of iconic pop culture in the 80s, where cheesy romance stories and Patrick Dempsey-types were idolized. With movies that reflect obstacles related to the time in which they were produced, such as “Sunset Boulevard,” which marked the transition from silent films to sound films, it can be hard to understand why they still resonate with people today. The popularity of historic classics can be attributed to streaming platforms, Fuller-Seeley said. Additionally, she said the longevity of the classics has a lot to do with the audience. “The Wizard of Oz” was not a hit when it first came out, but younger generations loved it, Fuller-Seeley said. “Classics are being made at different times and different places,” Fuller-Seeley said. “Sometimes it’s when they first make it and sometimes it falls flat and people come later and say, ‘Wait, revisit this movie,’ and now it’s a classic.” Classics are still being made today, film professor Charles Ramírez Berg said. “No Country for Old Men” and “Memento” are examples of recent movies that are only 10 to 15 years old and that people return to over and

over again, Berg said. “If you want to understand anything, art, music, literature, film, you have to understand the tradition. You start watching movies and

Classics are being made at different times and different places”

K AT H Y F U L L E R - S E E L E Y RTF PROFESSOR

you start making connections and seeing how one film influenced another,” Berg said. Even if you’re not a film major, watching classic movies can be beneficial to any student because they allow you to get a deeper understanding of the past, Becker said. She said people can experience and understand the emotions that their family members did when the film originally came out. “It connects individuals to the past and to their ancestors,” said Becker. “And you get to see predecessors to your current favorite movies.”