The Daily Texan 2019-09-13

Serving The University of Texas at Austin Community Since 1900 @thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com NEWS Panelists discuss environmental impact of and response to the Amazon rainforest fires.

Page 3

Friday, September 13, 2019

OPINION Students must stand with their peers in East Riverside against a looming redevelopment vote.

Page 4

Volume 121, Issue 23

SPORTS Texas travels to Houston to face Rice and bounce back following the LSU loss.

LIFE&ARTS Created by UT students, ElecTrip is the new Uber for traveling professionals.

Page 6

STATE

Page 8

WEST CAMPUS

SB 12 expands contributions to Teacher Retirement System

By Areeba Amer @areeba_amer

Senate Bill 12 has increased employer, employee and state future contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

SB 12, which adds a onetime supplemental payment to members of the Teacher Retirement System, was signed in June and went into effect on Sept. 1. As a result, the amount the University pays the system will increase by $4.62 million per year until fiscal year 2021.

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas is a retirement program to which employees pay a certain amount each year based on service credit and salary, and each UT employee is automatically added to the program upon employment, Barbie Pearson, chief benefit officer for the TRS, said in an email. If eligible UT employees choose to switch to UT’s separate retirement program, the Optional Retirement Program, they do not have to contribute to the system.

According to the bill, eligible TRS members who retired on or before Dec. 31, 2018 will receive a one time supplemental payment of either $2,000 or the amount of their monthly annuity payment — whichever is less.

Pearson said once a TRS member begins service retirement under the rules of the plan, the member is eligible to receive a monthly retirement benefit for life.

“The monthly retirement benefit is defined by the formula under law, and it is not limited to the amount of the employee’s accumulated contributions in (their) TRS account,” Pearson said.

Tany Norwood, former assistant Dean of Students and member of the system, said while she is grateful the legislature is paying attention to the issue of low teacher pensions, it is not enough because retirees need to live comfortably.

“It helps make up for the years that we haven’t seen

lauren ibanez

/ the daily texan staff

Chase to open on Guad Madam Mam’s old location on Guadalupe Street will now host the street’s second Chase Bank, to open in 2020.

By Sara Johnson

@skjohn1999

second Chase Bank will replace Madam Mam’s old location on Guadalupe Street and open its doors to students in 2020.

Madam Mam’s, a Thai restaurant located in West Campus, moved from Guadalupe Street to 26th and Nueces in the GrandMarc apartment complex in January 2017, The Daily Texan previously reported. Greg Hassell, the Chase

T E A C H E R PAGE 2

Bank regional media contact, said renovations on the former Madam Mam’s location began after the city of Austin issued approval on July 2. He said the company chose the location based on its size and proximity to campus, even though another Chase Bank already operates near Space 24 Twenty.

“We do have another location on Guadalupe,” Hassell said. “This new office will be a little bigger and allow for more clients to be served at a time.”

Hassell also said the new location would bring another ATM to student customers, which would keep students

from paying a withdrawal fee when taking out money from non-Chase ATMs. “The fee isn’t waived for college checking accounts or the more basic checking accounts students tend to get with us,” Hassell said. “We figured that would appeal to clients in the area, who we think are mostly going to be students.”

The previous building for Madam Mam’s has remained unoccupied for the past two and a half years, said restaurant manager May Chiravisit.

“Our old space was one we really liked,” Chiravisit said.

CHASE

PAGE 2

NATION

CAMPUS

2020 Democratic presidential candidates debate in Houston

University to develop Waller Creek as Campus Master Plan addition

By Tori May & Graysen Golter @graysen_golter @toricmay

Ten Democratic presidential candidates took the debate stage Thursday evening to discuss issues such as gun control, immigration and health care.

The debate at the historically black Texas Southern University in Houston featured all the candidates who met certain polling and fundraising thresholds by the Aug. 28 deadline, including Texans’ former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

The moderators mentioned two recent mass shootings in Texas — the El Paso shooting and the Odessa-Midland shooting — in which 29 people lost their lives.

In response, O’Rourke said the U.S should not be seeing weapons “designed to kill people on the battlefield” or high-impact velocity rounds “meant to injure someone so badly they can’t get up” used on children. Instead, he wants to confiscate certain types of guns.

“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15 and your AK-47,” O’Rourke said. “We’re not going to allow them to be used against fellow Americans anymore.”

O’Rourke and Castro also discussed their immigration plans, which include rewriting immigration laws and providing a path to

citizenship for millions of Dreamers.

“Donald Trump has a dark heart when it comes to immigrants,” Castro said. “I have my own dream for immigration. We’re not going to give up DACA. We’re not going to give up protections for anybody.

We’re going to pass immigration reform within the first 100 days.”

Catherine Wicker, president of Texas College Democrats, said she agreed with O’Rourke for wanting stricter gun control laws and Castro for wanting to make legal immigration easier and safer.

“Beto tonight has taken a strong stance on guns, especially post-El Paso,” Wicker said. “He deserves the praise for the work he is doing in the fight for guns.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden said people should not be jailed for nonviolent criminal offenses and that the criminal justice system has imprisoned too many people for drug offenses.

Biden said the system should instead divert people who have committed drug offenses to rehabilitation resources and expunge the criminal records of people who have been criminalized for marijuana possession.

“The whole model has to change,” Biden said.

“When we’re in the White House, we’ll release 36,000 people from the federal prison system. No one should be in jail for a drug problem. When we put people in prison, we have to equip them when they get out.”

D E B A T E PAGE 2

barb daly

By Laura Morales @lamor_1217

UT is planning to develop Waller Creek by improving its walkability, environmental health and stability.

The Waller Creek Framework Plan spells out recommendations for existing campus construction projects near the creek to protect its

/ the daily texan staff

ecosystem, including plans for safe walkway systems, small parks around the creek and reduction of erosion. The plan was approved in May 2019 and released to the public in early fall.

“The problem was that for decades, we had not embraced (the creek) as a feature of campus,” director of sustainability Jim Walker said.

“There was strong agreement with everyone C R E E K PAGE 2

News

2

Friday, September 13, 2019

Editor-in-Chief Spencer Buckner Managing Editor Catherine Marfin Assoc. Managing Editors Alex Briseño, Lisa Nhan Director of Digital Strategy Peter Northfelt Assoc. Editors Angélica López, Emily Caldwell, Abby Springs, Sanika Nayak Forum Editors Julia Zaksek, Kateri David News Editor Megan Menchaca Assoc. News Editors Gracie Awalt, Savana Dunning News Desk Editors Hayden Baggett, Nicole Stuessy, Jackson Barton, Hannah Ortega Beat Reporters Neelam Bohra, Lauren Grobe, Laura Morales, Emily Hernandez, Lauren Girgis, Sara Johnson, Graysen Golter, Tori May, Areeba Amer Projects Editor Chase Karacostas Projects Reporters Trinady Joslin, Tiana Woodard, Savana Dunning Projects Designer Emma Overholt Copy Desk Chiefs Jason Lihuang, Brittany Miller

Selvaraj, Sierra Wiggers Video Editor Faith Castle Assoc. Video Editor Jackson Barton Photo Editor Eddie Gaspar Assoc. Photo Editors Anthony Mireles, Joshua Guenther Senior Photographers Amna Ijaz, Ryan Lam, Brittany Mendez, Blaine Young Life&Arts Editor Jordyn Zitman Assoc. Life&Arts Editors Trinady Joslin, Brooke Sjoberg Sr. Life&Arts Writers Noah Levine, Mackenzie Dyer Sports Editor Donnavan Smoot Assoc. Sports Editor Wills Layton Senior Sports Reporters Daniela Perez, Myah Taylor, Stephen Wagner, Marcus Krum Comics Editors Channing Miller, Lauren Ibanez Assoc. Comics Editor Alekka Hernandez Senior Comics Artists Ella Williams, Rocky Higine, Barbra Daly, Steph Sonik Social Media Editor Rebeccah Macias

Associate Copy Desk Chiefs Lawson Freeman, Irissa Omandam, Jimena Pinzon

Assoc. Social Media Editor

Design Editor Christiana Peek

Audio Editor Sara Schleede

Associate Design Editor Renee Koite Senior Designers Kendall Jordan, Nila

Michael Hernandez Newsletters Editor Taylor Leen

Audio Producers Divya Jagadeesh, Harper Carlton Editorial Adviser Peter Chen

ISSUE STAFF L&A Reporters Meghan Holland Nikhil Agrawal

Sports Reporters Clark Dalton

News Editor @THEDAILYTEXAN

RESEARCH

This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25

PERMANENT STAFF

MEGAN MENCHACA

UT research indicates unregulated marketing leads to more e-cigarette use

By Lauren Rahman @RahmanLauren

Exposure to different kinds of electronic cigarette marketing, especially in retail stores and on TV, is associated with increased initiation of use in young people, according to a new study led by a UT researcher.

The study looked at 2,288 teens and 2,423 young adults across Texas who never used e-cigarettes before, and predicted their use of e-cigarettes two and a half years later, said Alexandra Loukas, UT professor and study lead. Loukas said the study looked at the effect of five different types of marketing on those who have never smoked e-cigarettes: TV, radio, billboards, retail stores and the internet.

“We found that retail store e-cigarette marketing was associated with higher odds of e-cigarette use among both youth and young adults two and a half years later,” Loukas said. “Among the young adults, recall of marketing on TV also predicted an increased likelihood of e-cigarette initiation.”

Loukas said everyone in the 2014 study had never smoked e-cigarettes before. However, by the end of the twoand-a-half year period, 14% started using e-cigarettes.

The study concluded that the Food and Drug Administration should consider increased

regulations on e-cigarette marketing.

Keryn Pasch, associate professor of kinesiology and health education, said she thinks removing tobacco marketing or putting it out of the direct line of sight of youths when they’re making purchases would decrease tobacco and e-cigarette use.

“We know from lots of previous research that the retail environment is really important as far as a predictor of cigarette use in youth and young adults, so I think it’s really important that we’re now seeing that the retail environment has a similar effect for e-cigarettes,” Pasch said.

Loukas said the study was conducted before Juul entered the market in 2015, which could have led to more severe results.

“We’re actually looking at pre-Juul data here,” Loukas said. “We have been following these adolescents and young adults across time. It could be possible that it would be even stronger if we looked at Juul data for marketing, but that’s not included.”

Biology senior Jarrett Rong said he frequently sees the retail marketing of Juul around campus.

“I see Juul advertisements at gas stations all the time, and most of the time they’re incredibly discounted for the entry cost to be low,” Rong said. “I think it’s unfair and unethical for companies and stores to easily market addiction to young adults.”

steph sonik

/ the daily texan staff

CONTACT US MAIN TELEPHONE (512) 471-4591

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Spencer Buckner (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com

MANAGING EDITOR Catherine Marfin (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com

NEWS OFFICE

(512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com.

AUSTIN WEATHER TODAY Sep. 13

HI LO

97º 74º

TOMORROW Sep. 14

HI LO

97º 73º

We are feeling spooky today.

BUSINESS & ADVERTISING (512) 471-8590 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director Gerald Johnson Business/ Operations Manager Frank Serpas III, Brady Beal, Janie Castillo-Flores Advertising Manager Emily Cohen Production Michael Gammon Special Projects Stephen Salisbury Account Executives Diane Byram, Pam Garner, Julianne Phillipp, Justin Zuloaga Design Tillie Policastro

THE DAILY TEXAN MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Semester (Fall/Spring) $60.00 Two Semesters (Fall & Spring) $120.00 Summer Session $40.00 One Year (Fall, Spring and Summer)

$150.00

To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 471-5083. Send orders and address changes to Texas Student Media, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713-8904.

ADVERTISING DEADLINES Monday ....................... Wednesday, 12 p.m.

Tuesday ..........................Thursday, 12 p.m.

Wednesday .......................... Friday, 12 p.m.

Thursday .......................... Monday, 12 p.m.

Friday ...............................Tuesday, 12 p.m. .......................... 11 a.m.

(Last business day prior to publication.)

COPYRIGHT Copyright 2019 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in the print and online editions, are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission.

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 2.120). Entire contents copyright 2019 Texas Student Media.

RECYCLE your copy of

teacher

continues from page

1

N a

increases in our annuity,” Norwood said. “For the future, I hope that the changes that the legislature will make … the retirement fund more financially stable and allow TRS to give — hopefully — an annual increase.”

Norwood said expenses have significantly increased after retirement for her and fellow retirees, partially due to medical expenses.

“Both (my husband and I) expected to be able to still travel and do things like that after we retired,” Norwood said. “We really haven’t been able to do that as much as we had hoped … That has been a hard reality for us to accept and deal with.”

The contribution of employees’ to the Teacher Retirement System pension trust fund will gradually increase from 7.7% of their current salary to 8.25% by Sept.

1, 2023, Pearson said.

“I would say that I would have been supportive even though it’s a little bit left

creek

continues from page

emma overholt

out of your monthly check,” Norwood said. “I would have been happy to do that rather than run the risk of counting

1

involved that we should take better care of this amazing amenity going through the middle of campus.”

According to the Office of Sustainability, the framework is an addition to the 2013 Campus Master Plan, which established the University’s plan to develop the Waller Creek and San Jacinto area. Walker said although the framework plan provides no timeline or specific projects, the plan will guide the direction of future creekside construction projects.

Allan Shearer, UT associate professor and framework plan advisory committee member, worked on the framework with Walker in 2018. He is also a member of the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, a nonprofit partnering with the city of Austin to improve the water quality of the creek.

The creek floods frequently because all the stormwater on campus flows into the creek, Shearer said. The plan directs UT Landscape Services to plant Cypress trees, which will mitigate the severity of this flooding because their roots hold the soil in place.

“You don’t have to admire their root system for a minute to see how entangled in the banks they are,” Walker said. “We are wanting to focus more on Cypress trees than limestone blocks to reinforce the bank.”

Shearer said the University has

chase

continues from page

1

“We’re just as happy with our new space, though. We just wanted to stay close to this community.”

Chiravisit said the other Madam Mam’s restaurants in the Bee Cave area, on Brodie Lane and on West Anderson Lane are at least a 20-minute drive from campus and would not offer

on Social Security.”

Changes to employee contribution rates do not take effect until fiscal year

attempted projects to develop the Waller Creek area before, including when it constructed a pedestrian bridge across the creek. The lack of cohesion between these projects caused issues, Shearer said.

“The framework plan is an important missing link for how we envision the creek,” Shearer said. “With the framework plan, we will avoid those types of problems because the framework gives guidance going forward.”

Many faculty members also use the creek for teaching, especially in the College of Natural Sciences, where students often do water quality tests.

“It’s important for lowering stress levels and being happier,” Shearer said.

“We have an urbanizing campus, so we asked ourselves, ‘How can we use Waller Creek as an amenity to allow for experience with nature on campus?’

Waller Creek has the potential to be a living laboratory for teaching.”

Sustainability studies sophomore Lauren McKinney works with the Office of Sustainability to organize monthly creek cleanups. She said she was motivated to clean the creek after taking a Sustaining a Planet class, where students tested the water quality of the creek.

She said she reviewed the framework plan and hopes the office will fulfill its promises in the coming years.

“It is a step in the right direction, but really large-scale change would have to happen for any benefits to come from it,” McKinney said.

students easy access to their food.

“Most of our customers are UT students at this location,” Chiravisit said.

“We’ve been a presence near campus pushing 20 years. It’s something we’re proud of, so we want to stay in this area for a long time.”

Architectural engineering senior Gabrielle Manalili said she felt glad to see the building in use after being closed for such a long period.

“It was a little awkward walking by and still seeing the sign and everything

2021-2022, according to the UT Budget Office.

“We are currently evaluating funding sources to

d e b at e

continues from page

1

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said her “Medicare for All” health care plan will be the most efficient way to cover people’s health care. She said the plan will require people who make more than $50 million per year to pay more in taxes and alleviate the financial burden for middle class families.

“I’ve actually never met anybody who likes their health insurance company,” Warren said. “We need

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan staff

determine which sources will be used to pay for the increase,” the UT Budget Office said in an email.

to make sure everybody is covered by health care at the lowest possible cost.”

Wicker said health care is the most important issue for these candidates and especially impacts college students.

“America is in a health care crisis and we need solutions,” Wicker said. “We have college student(s) deciding to go to the doctor or pay for medications (and) how to pay for living and school. That should never be a decision they need to make.”

& beto pedro luna / the daily texan file

Julián Castro (left) speaks at a meet and greet following his appearance in the first Democratic presidential debate on June 28, 2019 at Cheer Up Charlies. Beto O’Rourke (right), then-U.S. Senate candidate for Texas, holds a town hall at Spider House on July 28, 2019.

up even though it was closed,” Manalili said. “It might have been a little weird for the younger students who didn’t know it moved.”

Chiravisit said she figured the confusion Manalili described might have happened early on, but she thinks word of mouth has helped clear that up.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Chiravisit said. “It’s been almost three years now, though, so if there are newer students out there looking, we should be

easier to find especially now that it’s kind of boarded up over there.”

Manalili said she has no problem with a bank going up in the building, but she hoped some other eatery could have filled the former restaurant space.

“I’d love to see more local places on The Drag,” Manalili said. “It’s part of what appeals to students, having places like Mam’s or Kerbey Lane that basically everyone knows about. It gives campus its character.”

3

News

Friday, September 13, 2019

CAMPUS

joshua guenther

/ the daily texan staff

Neuroscience sophomore Mackenzie Morton, center, holds Pearlie, a two-month-old female puppy from the Austin Humane Society, while biology sophomore Camryn Macdonald, left, and computer science sophomore Riddhi Bhave pet her during a recruiting event for Seva Charities on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.

Student charity recruits with ‘Yappy Hour’ event

By Shreya Chari @shreyacharii

Seva Charities brought puppies, cookies and popsicles to Speedway on Thursday to recruit members for their philanthropic organization.

The recruitment event, called Yappy Hour, served as a way for prospective members to get to know the charity, which does philanthropic work for the Austin area and in India, events officer Jahnvi Patel said.

She said this was the first time Seva Charities organized an event specifically for recruiting members.

“Normally, we just (set up a) table

and then have our big events throughout the year,” business sophomore Patel said. “We want people to come by, listen to our message, fill out the interest form if they want and then play with puppies for free.”

Seva Charities partnered with the Austin Humane Society, a local animal shelter, to bring puppies on campus for students. Erin Jolly, the society’s education and events manager, said the shelter works with the charity because they both give students an opportunity to give back to their communities. “(Seva Charities) is here not only to give students a way to give back, but they’re promoting their own charity in India,”

Jolly said. “We have worked with them in the past, and we’re here (again) helping them spread their mission, as well as (spread) our mission.”

Soumika Karusala, Seva Charities vice president, said Yappy Hour had a much bigger turnout than expected.

“It was awesome,” said Karusala, a mathematics and philosophy junior. “We had about 300 people fill out the interest form. A lot of people associated with (Austin Humane Society) came out as well, which brought a whole different crowd.”

Patel said the event promoted one of Seva Charities’ biggest philanthropic projects. She said Seva Charities sends all proceeds made through their events during

CAMPUS

CAMPUS

Author highlights contributions of Russian immigrants to US tech

e

By Chase West @thedailytexan

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan staff

Edward Shore, a research fellow at the UT School of Law, presents a map of the Amazon rainforest with areas affected by lack of government intervention in environmental protection on Sept. 12, 2019.

Environmental specialists hold panel to discuss recent Amazon rainforest fires

e

the year to Akshaya Patra, the world’s largest nongovernmental school lunch program, to feed impoverished children in the country.

“Last year, we raised $6,000 (for Akshaya Patra), which fed 400 children for a whole year,” Patel said. “This year, we want to raise $10,000, or double that.”

Aside from Akshaya Patra, Seva Charities also does philanthropic work with local charities, Patel said.

“One big thing I’ve learned (from Seva Charities) is that there are people in this world who have it worse than we do,” Patel said. “Just taking time out of your day to give back to those people is important.”

By Rayne Daniel @Rayne_Daniel_

The eradication of the Amazon will significantly change the movement of energy and oxygen around the Earth and shift climates globally, a UT professor said at a panel Thursday.

Four environmental experts discussed the recent fires throughout the Amazon rainforest during an panel hosted by the UT College of Liberal Arts in Patton Hall on Thursday.

The Brazilian state of Amazonas declared a state of emergency in late August due to a rising number of fires in the region, according to BBC News.

Eugenio Arima, geography and environmental associate professor, said he is uneasy about the future implications of the fires.

“Needless to say, the scientific community is very concerned,” Arima said. “The Amazon is a pump that puts oxygen into the

atmosphere, and considering 40% of rainfall in the Amazon is recycled from the forest, if this trend continues … the Amazon will become a savanna.”

The panelists included Arima, Edward Shore, research fellow at Texas Law, Cynthia Simmons, University of Florida geography professor, and Chris Searles, the founder and director of Austin-based environmental nonprofit BioIntegrity.

Simmons said changing governmental actions in recent years, such as the freezing of Amazon funds dedicated to environmental policy enforcement and a reduction in offender fines, have contributed to the fires.

Searles said policymakers and scholars must confront how these fires impact indigenous peoples, who are primarily being affected because they live near the area.

“We can’t understand these fires without acknowledging previous governmental legislation,” Searles said.

Arima said people have expressed concern about a depletion of breathable oxygen in the Amazon, but he said this is not a scientifically valid concern. Arima said the world will not run out of air to breathe, but rather the eradication will lead to perceivable changes in U.S. temperatures and precipitation patterns.

“I want to understand how this happened,” biochemistry junior Katelyn Kennedy said. “To what extent was this human-inflicted? And is it possible to fix this?”

Simmons, who recently completed field work in the eastern Amazon, said the eventual suppression of the fires won’t necessarily be the end of the world’s environmental problems.

“It’s unlikely that any conservation efforts can be implemented in time, and worse fires are yet to come,” Simmons said. “Unless we really change what we care about … we don’t have much of a chance.”

Daniel Satinsky, a business consultant and associate at Harvard University, spoke on campus Thursday about his new co-authored book “Hammer and Silicon: The Soviet Diaspora in the U.S. Innovation Economy.”

During the event hosted by the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies, Satinsky said his new book explores the impact highly educated Russian immigrants have made in the intellectual hubs of Silicon Valley and the Boston-Cambridge area. He spoke to a small group of mostly graduate students and professors at Burdine Hall.

“Immigrant scientists have played a key role in U.S. technological leadership,” Satinsky said. “This book is a complicated story that interweaves geopolitics with immigration, law and personal stories. And in many ways, it is about the human side of events that transpired in the grand stage of politics.”

Satinsky said the economic collapse of the Soviet Union was one of the key historical factors that led to Russian emigration. While members of the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies examine Russia’s impact on the United States as part of a broad historical perspective, he said the contributions of Russian immigrants to today’s U.S. tech industry have largely gone unnoticed or unacknowledged.

“It’s important that Texas students and American students in general understand what’s going on in Russia and the surrounding region because, historically, Russia has been very important for U.S. power and the U.S. position in the world, and history

repeats itself,” said Michelle Daniel, a graduate student in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. “In order for history to not repeat itself in the same negative way that it has before, it is important that we build bridges by building knowledge.”

As a business consultant, Daniel Satinsky said he uses his broad knowledge of Russian history, culture and entrepreneurship to facilitate Russian-American business.

He said his understanding of Russian-American identity formation assists him in bridging the cultural barriers between Russian entrepreneurs and potential American business partners.

Immigrant scientists have played a key role in U.S. technological leadership.”

DANIEL SATINSKY business consultant, associate at harvard university

“(The event) really focused on the contributions of the Soviet diaspora in U.S. innovation, which is honestly overlooked,” international studies junior Janet Abou Elias said.“It is really interesting because he focused on a lot of other things, like how people have to transition not only politically to get through different states but also the formation of their identity and how they constructed that and came to terms with that.”

OpiniOn

4

Friday, September 13, 2019

SPENCER BUCKNER

Editor-in-Chief @THEDAILYTEXAN

EDITORIAL

Defend East Riverside With the fate of a community in City Council’s hands, UT students must stand against the redevelopment of East Riverside.

By The Daily Texan Editorial Board There are 1,308 units in the Town Lake, Ballpark North, and Quad East, West and South apartments on East Riverside. Sixty percent of them house students — and much of the rest house working class Austinites.

On Sept. 19, Austin City Council will vote for the final time on whether or not to rezone this affordable housing community to make way for a luxury mixed-use development.

In other words, Austin City Council will vote on whether to destroy this community.

If the rezoning is approved, developers will tear down the current student housing complexes and replace them with luxury apartments, hotel rooms and commercial space. Riverside as we know it today, one of the last affordable housing options for students, will cease to exist.

Resisting the predatory forces of gentrification is always important, but with many UT students now directly in the crosshairs, the student body must stand united against threats to our peers.

As Austin’s population boomed over the past few decades, communities have been forcibly relocated by the interests of developers. The cultural fabric of East Austin, the epicenter of this phenomenon, has been disappearing. These “up-and-coming neighborhoods” are not coming out of nowhere. Their construction furthers a legacy of cultural violence that people who champion how progressive Austin is would prefer to forget.

Beginning in the early 20th century, Austin was deliberately segregated. Black and Latinx people were forced to live on the east side of the newly-constructed Interstate 35, and their communities were systematically denied basic resources — quality education, health care, food — by racist city planners. Austin remains one of the most segregated cities in the United States.

Today, developers have found these neighborhoods convenient for a new project — housing a new and wealthy population of tech workers and transplants.

UT has participated in this pattern of predatory development by purchasing cheap land to expand its campus across the highway. Now, many of its students face the same threat that the University has contributed to — the loss of affordable housing options near campus, the loss of community.

The developers, Presidium

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.

Group and Nimes Real Estate, have promised 400-565 affordable units if the redevelopment happens. City Council members in favor of the project use this as a selling point — that this project is “friendlier” to current residents than a hypothetical alternative.

The additional compensation the developers advertise reads more like a slap in the face than a charitable gesture: $500 to help move out of an apartment you’re being forced out of, $1,200 toward a new lease inevitably in a part of town more far-flung than this one. A few lucky residents, however, would have first choice of units in the new development and get a chance to watch the rest of their community vanish.

So what will happen to the UT students and working class people on East Riverside if the aptly nicknamed “Domain on Riverside” is built?

Lacking affordable housing options in the city, they will be forced to relocate farther away.

Enough pressure would let your City Council member know that this vote could cost them their job.”

Two decades of Austin gentrification provide a meaningful case study.

Although Austin’s population grew by over 20% between 2000 and 2010, the city lost black residents, primarily as a result of gentrification. Communities such as Pflugerville and Del Valle have become new homes for many working class families, but they are much farther away from downtown, from peoples’ jobs and from the communities they have long called home.

For students, the continued destruction of affordable housing will likely exacerbate the debt of those already here and force future students into housing situations that are either too crowded or too far away from campus.

In anticipation of the upcoming City Council vote, UT students who will be affected by this redevelopment, as well as those who stand in solidarity with their peers and fellow Austinites, have little choice but to protest, or at the very least to make their

voices impossible to be ignored.

Ensuring that our voices are heard has been difficult. Much of the debate — and all previous votes — that have occurred at City Council took place over the summer, when most UT students weren’t in Austin.

Couple this with the fact that those directly affected by this development — like so many in the past — are attending school, working one, two, three or more jobs, and the idea of the “democracy” behind these decisions — of making everyone’s voice heard — seems even more laughable. This is why those who don’t call East Riverside home must stand behind those who do to ensure that City Council knows where the people and students of Austin stand.

Public hearings on Item 113, the rezoning initiative, are closed. That doesn’t mean your opportunity to make your voice heard has to be, however. Austinites directly affected by gentrification and those who stand against it have long demonstrated against this destruction of community, and aiding these efforts or starting your own is incredibly effective at making our stance clear.

Although it’s often a hollow call to action, you can also call your City Council member to let them know where you stand. The most recent vote to rezone East Riverside, which took place Aug. 22, saw City Council split 6-5 in favor. Only one more vote now needs to be flipped to put an end to this project, at least for the time being.

Council Members Pio Renteria (512-978-2103), who represents East Riverside, Natasha Harper-Madison (512-978-2101), Ann Kitchen (512978-2105), Jimmy Flannigan (512-9782106) and Paige Ellis (512-978-2108) all voted in favor of rezoning East Riverside on Aug. 22. Although Austin is growing, it is still small enough that enough pressure would let your City Council member know that this vote could cost them their job.

Resisting gentrification, the destruction of the fabric of the city of Austin, is not a one-time event. As the city continues to grow, new neighborhoods will inevitably come under threat. Civic engagement and defending your communities mean a lot more than voting and demand much more action than a single stand. Regardless of where in the city you live or how long you plan on living here, we must fight to ensure everyone has the agency to stay in and protect their communities.

The editorial board is composed of associate editors Emily Caldwell, Angélica López, Sanika Nayak, Abby Springs and editor-in-chief Spencer Buckner.

abriella corker

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.

/ the daily texan staff

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.

Life&Arts

Friday, September 13, 2019

S NA PS H OT o f the W E E K

Featuring the best from the photo department.

5

amna ijaz

| daily texan staff

Events + Entertainment hosts a silent disco where students dance away stress Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2019, at the SAC Ballroom.

TECH

tat t o o s

continues from page

8

Whether they memorialize a loved one or cement a bond, tattoos are one of the many ways students keep the people they love close. Some plan their ink for years in advance, while others spontaneously choose a design.

“Tattoos are so subjective to so many people,” Hill said. “I only have one tattoo because it’s so significant to me and I put two years of thought into it. I didn’t just go and get it done at 6th Street really late at night. So for me, they hold a lot of value.”

Apple iPhone Event 2019 unveils updates, features to mobile device lines that could help student creatives work

By Brooke Sjoberg @Sj0b3rg

Creative and digitally savvy students may be interested in new iPhone and iPad features. On Tuesday, the Apple iPhone Event unveiled a refreshed iPhone and iPadOS which are particularly useful for on-the-go writing, filming and creating.

Here is a roundup of the new gadgets and features that may

Housing available Skyloft is a new high-rise close to The University of Texas for students who want to live in the heart of West Campus. Our firstclass amenities and million-dollar views of Austin take off-campus life to all new heights. Everything about the Skyloft high-rise is designed with a luxury experience in mind. Amenities include rooftop pool deck, fully furnished apartments with modern kitchens and a smart TV, a fresh market, parking garage, bike parking, beautiful Austin views, in-unit washer and dryer, multiple study rooms, coffee bar, controlled-access entry, a business center and a fitness center. Skyloft is also pet-friendly! Visit SkyloftAustin.com and call 737-207-9400 to set up a tour.

be useful for student creatives. iPadOS

For the first time ever, iPads will no longer run the same software as iPhones. iPadOS promises a Slide Over feature, which allows the user to have several apps running simultaneously in a sidebar, where they remain visible and accessible. This is perfect for the multitaskers or for those who take notes with the Apple Pencil while reading a digital

textbook or website. Other features include being able to run the same app, such as the Notes app, in different windows on the screen, as well as a redesigned home screen. iPad 2019

A follow-up to the 2018 9.7-inch “student” iPad, the 2019 successor has expanded to a 10.2-inch screen with narrower bezels and support for the Smart Keyboard. It is still compatible with the Apple Pencil.

NOW OPEN! BLOCKS FROM UT CAMPUS

Housing available

iPhone Pro and Max

An additional camera has been added to the newest iterations of the iPhone line.

The simultaneous recording that can be done with all three cameras may appeal to students who prefer to use their phone to film class projects or on the go. This produces separate videos, as each camera is capable of recording its own feed.

GET SOCIAL WITH DARNA RESAURANT TSM EXPERIENCE MOROCCAN & MEDITERRANEAN

OFFER

(512) 220-9705 www.darnatx.com

ENTREE PURCHASE

10% DISCOUNT WITH UT ID & FOR MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDERS

FRESH CATFISH, BLUE CRAB, OYSTERS, SHRIMP, CHICKEN BASKETS

3208 GUADALUPE ST. 512-580-0350 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

{

This is it! Desirable corner unit with no upstairs neighbor, movein ready! Features wood and tile floors, high ceilings, Bosch dishwasher, new microwave, upgraded plumbing, new paint, and a jumbo tub! Relax on the large covered back patio with new Terra-cotta tile and storage space. The private laundry room is to the left of the front door. Entertain on the large covered front patio.

In a quiet, gated community, tennis court, and ample parking. On the UT shuttle route and walking distance to Metro bus stops and the Riverside corridor, making access to downtown a breeze! Low HOA dues cover water, waste/trash, recycling, landscaping, and pool maintenance. Best unit in the complex- this incredible unit won’t last long! Contact Maryam Gharbi at 512-914-8326. Visit https://1705crossingpl.com

mobile-oriented photographers.

The iPhone 11 continues the two-camera tradition established by the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016, with a new glass back, wide-angle lens and enhanced video features.

Similar to Snapchat’s video recording mechanics, the capture button can be held to seamlessly switch between photo and video. There is also a slow-motion capture mode, enhanced night mode and other features for

CUISINES DOWNTOWN Texas Student Media willINkeep you AUSTIN connected with daily links to the news, sports and culture 408 stories W. 11th St shaping the UT community.

Austin, TX 78701 FREE MOROCCAN TEA POT WITH

Housing available High Rise Student Luxury only steps to campus! Tour today to see why space matters in our spacious floorplans. Great amenities, caring staff and much more! Call 21 Rio at (512)391-1991 to schedule a visit.

iPhone 11

digest.texasstudentmedia.com

Wanted: waitresses Now hiring waitresses. Make great $, flexible schedules, experience not necessary. Apply in person. Austin’s most fun gentlemen’s club, Perfect 10. 16511 Bratton Lane. Or our sister Club p10 Cabaret 404 Highland Mall Blvd. 512-238-7700

DAILYTEXANONLINE.COM Facebook at dailytexan Twitter @thedailytexan

WATCHTSTV.COM Facebook at texasstudenttelevision Twitter @texasstudenttv

KVRX.ORG Facebook at kvrxaustin

CACTUSYEARBOOK.COM

Reduce • Reuse • Recycle ADVERTISING TERMS There are no refunds or credits. In the event of errors made in advertisement, notice must be given by 10 am the fi rst day of publication, as the publishers are responsible for only ONE incorrect insertion. In consideration of The Daily Texan’s acceptance of advertising copy for publication, the agency and the advertiser will indemnify and save harmless, Texas Student Media and its offi cers, employees and agents against all loss, liability, damage and expense of whatsoever nature arising out of the copying, print-ing or publishing of its advertisement including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees resulting from claims of suits for libel, violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright and trademark infringement. All ad copy must be approved by the newspaper which reserves the right to request changes, reject or properly classify an ad. The advertiser, and not the newspaper, is responsible for the truthful content of the ad. Advertising is also subject to credit approval.

Reduce • Reuse • Recycle

SportS

6

Friday, September 13, 2019

D O N N AVA N S M O O T

Sports Editor @TEXANSPORTS

FOOTBALL

Banged-up Longhorns hit the road Three weeks in, an injury-plagued Texas team travels for its first game away from home.

joshua guenther

/ the daily texan file

Sophomore safety B.J. Foster and sophomore linebacker Joseph Ossai track down LSU senior quarterback Joe Burrow in Texas’ 45-38 loss to the Tigers. Foster is one of several Longhorns in the defensive backfield that will miss time due to injury.

By Donnavan Smoot @Dsmoot3D

he injury bug has spread from the Texas running back room to the defensive room.

Texas head coach Tom Herman announced Monday that sophomore safety B.J. Foster would not play in Saturday’s game due to a hamstring injury. Before his replacement, sophomore safety DeMarvion Overshown, could step onto the field as a starter, it was

We’re used to seeing a lot of spread stuff and fast pace … so it’s different, (and) we’ll have to be different.”

TODD ORLANDO

Defensive coorDinator

announced that he would also be sidelined due to injury.

“DeMarvion Overshown will not play,” Herman said. “(He) has a stress fracture in his back. I know that sounds really bad, but from what I’ve been told, (he’s) weekto-week.”

Now that Foster and Overshown are out, junior safety Chris Brown is next in line.

Brown is a hard-hitter that has had his impact felt in the locker room just as much as on the field.

“He’s just a dog and has a dog mentality,” sophomore safety Caden Sterns said. “(He’s) definitely one of the leaders in the DB room, the secondary and a guy that we need on the field with us.”

On the opposite side of the ball, senior wide receiver Collin Johnson will be a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury. Johnson said Tuesday that the hamstring bothered him in the matchup against LSU. Prior to the game, Herman revealed the injury in his weekly press conference.

“You know we’re going to be smart with

it because we’re going to need him all season,” Herman said. “But I know he wants to play, so he’s traveling.”

Injuries have been the story of Texas’ season. While every team goes through injuries, Texas is in the middle of one of the most unique injury situations in terms of what has transpired in the running back room.

Yet, the Longhorns received some good news on the injury front this week as junior running back Daniel Young has recovered well from his high ankle sprain, which at the time was believed to be significant.

“I think it would be a two-man rotation with Keaontay and Roschon and then (Young) if needed,” Herman said.

“But it is comforting to know that at least we’ve got another experienced body back there.”

Having a familiar face in the backfield will prove to be helpful as the Longhorns are facing a team that operates differently from what they are used to.

“Rice is unique because there’s a lot of two tight ends, three tight ends, two back

in the backfield,” defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said Wednesday. “We’re used to seeing a lot of spread stuff and fast pace … so it’s different, (and) we’ll have to be different.”

The change in scheme is compounded with the change of scenery. Saturday will be the first time this season Texas is on the road. Herman, his staff and even some players have played in NRG Stadium before, in the 2017 Texas Bowl. Nevertheless, the Longhorns are filled with youth at key positions and have to help manage the differences between road games and the comfort of home.

“It’s just educating them on what to expect and minimize as many distractions as you can,” Herman said.

Rice provides an opportunity for Texas to return to the winner’s circle and move past the sting of losing to LSU. “Hopefully, everybody had already done that by Tuesday,” Herman said. “But we can have no lingering effects from that because at the end of the day, Rice doesn’t care whether we won or lost.”

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball ramps up enemy for big matchup with BYU

By Clark Dalton @Clarktdalton1T

This Friday, the energy for Texas Volleyball will be through the roof when the Longhorns arrive in Wichita, Kansas, to take on the BYU Cougars in the first of two games this weekend.

Last year, the Longhorns fell in the regional final against BYU, a loss that prevented Texas from earning a Final Four trip. Both teams are strong once again, and this weekend will provide another top-25 matchup.

For Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott, it’s been a matter of slowly building.

“Nothing defines who we are and what we’re going to by the end of the season,” Elliott said after the win against Minnesota. “Right now, everything is just a résumé builder.”

Texas suffered its first loss Sunday against Stanford in a five-set thriller. Although the loss doesn’t sit well, the Cardinal is the defending national champion, so it’s a good sign for Texas that they can take them the distance on the road.

According to Elliott, the main focus for the Longhorns in the early goings is on how they can improve defensively.

“We need to focus on

joshua guenther

/ the daily texan file

Sophomore outside hitter Logan Eggleston goes for a kill in Texas’ sweep of Minnesota. Eggleston is one of several young players on the Longhorn squad that has stepped up in the early goings of the season. being a much better defensive team,” Elliott said in a press conference on Sept. 26.

“Right now we have freshman Asjia O’Neal, who’s phenomenal and can dominate, but she’s still young and learning

the flow of the game. We also have freshman Molly Phillips in that area who’s done a great job.”

Phillips and O’Neal have gained a tremendous amount of confidence so far. Phillips

was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week after impressive performances last week against Minnesota and Stanford. The middle blocker was at her best against Stanford, totaling a season-best 11 kills

at .464 clip, leading the Big 12 that week.

The Longhorn offense has been moving like a well-oiled machine thanks to senior outside hitter Micaya White and sophomore outside hitter

Logan Eggleston. The pair each totaled 19 kills in the hard-fought loss to Stanford.

“I think Logan and Micaya have made some strides in the backcourt,” Elliott said.

“If you have two six-rotation players, that’s great. If you have three, you’re golden.”

If freshman opposite hitter Skylar Fields continues to progress, she could be the golden piece. Fields has been a spark plug, posting the second-best hitting percentage in the Big 12 so far at .520.

In 2019, the Longhorns look to avenge the regional final loss by exploiting the youth of the Cougars roster.

BYU lost five seniors from last year’s team, including outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry, who led the team in kills. The Cougars have tried to make up for this production by adding nine freshmen to the rotation.

Later in the weekend, the Longhorns face Wichita State on its home floor. While the Shockers are just 3–3 this season, the pressure of playing in a true road game is never easy. Yet Elliott knows they are ready.

“There’s pressure every year whether you’re a young or an experienced team,” Elliott said. “We’re going to get everybody’s best shot.

To handle it, we have to be emotionally fresh.”

SUDOKUFORYOU 8

1 5 8 9

7 3 5 8 7

6 3 5

6 1 2 9 4 2 8 4 5 6 4 8 5 3 1 2 6 3 4 9

Today’s solution will appear here next issue

4 8 5 1 6 3 2 7 9

9 1 7 5 2 8 4 3 6

2 3 6 4 7 9 5 8 1

6 5 1 3 4 7 8 9 2

3 2 8 9 5 6 7 1 4

7 4 9 2 8 1 3 6 5

1 6 2 8 3 4 9 5 7

8 7 4 6 9 5 1 2 3

5 9 3 7 1 2 6 4 8

Lorem ipsum

Longhorns Get Home Safe!

. This scurrvy beast is today’s answerrrrrr. , or it’ll be the the fishes for ya!

9 2 1 4 3 5 8 7 6

5 4 7 2 1 6 9 8 3

8 1 3 5 9 4 7 6 2

2 6 9 7 8 3 1 5 4

1 5 6 9 2 8 4 3 7

3 8 2 6 4 7 5 1 9

7

ComiCs

Friday, September 13, 2019

7 9 4 3 5 1 6 2 8

Lorem ipsum

Lorem ipsum

93% of

Longhorns make arrangement to get home safe at the end of the night if they plan to drink. @UTBruceTheBat

2018 UT-Austin National Social Norms Center Survey

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Friday, September 13, 2019

Crossword ACROSS 1

Wall light

7

“Well, excu-uuse me!”

14

Frisk

15

What short sleeves leave

16

Feebleness

17

Wholly

18

The religiously unaffiliated

34

38

40 41

Frustrating place to be stranded

55

Gambling card game that up to 10 may comfortably play at once Involve, as in controversy

Wipe out

45

Days of old

20

Carrier to Tokyo

46

Decays

21

Monk’s title

47

Pair

22

Single-___

49

24

Twerp

Org. that penalizes carrying

25

Terse response accepting responsibility

50

27

Unnerving look

Places where people wear masks, for short

30

4K

51

32

Midwest tribe

Actress Katherine of “27 Dresses”

33

Private R&R

53

Fool

P A C E S C A T P I T C H I T I C O M I C O R E S A S K A L H Y G L L E E G S T C P U Z Z A N A K H I G I A R E N T E E

P S A I D O L H A M

O P A R P O L E T W I C E B A T R I P U L B I O E N I S E L L P S P O E R V A S I A K I C K L E I L S A

59

61

1

2

3

4

T A T S S A T

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

36

37

15

16

17

18

19

21

22

25

26

30

20

23

24

27

28

31

29

32

33

41

No. 0809

34

42

43

39

35

40 44

45

Rare-earth element named 46 47 48 49 after where it was discovered 50 51 52 53 54 2 Engage in some 55 56 57 P.D.A. 3 Handy item in 58 59 the kitchen?

61 4 The ___ Nugget 60 (alliteratively named PUZZLE BY JOHN GUZZETTA newspaper since 1897) 19 Sized up 43 “We’ve got the 36 Like the 101st 5 English potato green light” Division 23 Stick chip 44 Most common 6 Subj. of a 24 Like a cloudless 37 Skin care noble gas product “Delayed” sign night 48 Hinder 7 Cheese 39 Kind of velocity 26 Gets carried 51 “Shoot!” sometimes in planetary away flavored with physics 52 Emmy winner 28 Capturer of dill Falco an unguarded 40 And others: 8 Subjects of 54 “Heavens to remark Abbr. tests for purity Betsy!”

29 Stick in a 9 “___ sorry …”

41 Some social 56 Wine aperitif cabinet, say media 10 Beam 57 One of the commenters 31 Latin 101 word 11 Illinois college first artists to town incorporate 35 Clear choice for 42 Kept going and random chance auto buyers going 12 Key of Mozart’s “Requiem” Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past 13 Demesne puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

15 Greek city visited by Paul Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. before Athens 1

T R E Y S

5

14

38

DOWN

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE P E P E A V O N W I L D D E S F E B O N E M N C A A D E N T S T B L O G I A C R O T H I N C O N D H A D I

58

60

Some social media celebrities

19

57

Like wellconnected investigative reporters, say Detests “If ... then” sort of thinker Faux brother of a popular rock group Do a school visit, in a way?

Play favorites with

Edited by Will Shortz

8

Friday, September 13, 2019

Life&Arts

J O R DY N Z I T M A N

Life&Arts Editor @JORDYNZITMAN

Q&A

Students create startup with Teslas UT student, alumnus work together to change transportation landscape by building company that chauffeurs industry professionals in luxury zero-emission vehicles.

By Nikhil Agrawal @agrawan26

ake a flight. Hop on a bus.

Drive. For those looking to travel across Texas, the options are limited.

UT alumnus Mandeep Patel and engineering senior Eliott Lee have a better idea: Whip a Tesla. Founded in 2017, Austin-based startup ElecTrip aims to change the traveling landscape by providing a reliable and hassle-free service to clients. Together, the two own a fleet of Teslas that oil and gas executives, law firms and other professionals book for chauffeured rides.

The Daily Texan sat down with ElecTrip’s founders to discuss their journey starting a company as students at UT. The Daily Texan: Where did the idea for this company come from? What did it start out as?

Patel: I did some internships, and the engineering workflow was too slow for me. To make any sort of change, it would take forever. That’s when I decided I wanted to pursue more entrepreneurial ventures. ElecTrip came out of attempting to solve the personal problem of going to Houston to see my girlfriend and dreading taking the Megabus. I was interested in electric vehicles at the time and ended up purchasing a Telsa. I sold individual seats to students who wanted a ride and would drive for Uber to cover the rest of the costs.

DT: How did Eliott get involved?

Lee: Mandeep posted on Facebook about this workshop when I was a sophomore. I saw that he had internships at places like Lockheed, United Airlines and BP. I really wanted to pick his brain about recruiting. Over the course of the next few months, we talked a lot over messenger and ended up doing a case competition together.

copyright electrip, and reproduced with permission

Mandeep Patel and Eliott Lee have created a network of electric vehicles around Texas to provide a more efficient and economical solution to professional clients.

After the competition, he asked me if I wanted to work on ElecTrip, and I was on board.

DT: You’ve transitioned from selling individual seats to only private trips. Why? Patel: The economics of selling individual seats wasn’t working. It was hard getting a full booking, and even if we did, it would be cramped and people didn’t know each other.

Lee: When we started marketing the entire vehicle to teams at these bigger companies, they were able to work while in the car. They could hold a meeting in those few hours, which they wouldn’t be able to while on a flight.

It was hours that they could bill to their client instead of losing to travel time. With this model, we’ve gotten to completing around 800 rides so far.

DT: What is running a company while in school like?

Lee: It gets difficult at times. You have to essentially be “on” all the time. I’ll be sitting in class and have a confirmation pop up in my email, at which point I have to take care of that client.

If someone asks for a quote, I have to be on it immediately, responding within like 30 minutes just to have good customer service.

DT: Mandeep, you are now working full time on this. Is there any stress

from giving up a job to work on your own company?

Patel: As I get older, it gets a little stressful thinking about the three years I’ve spent working on electric vehicles.

I could have gone into industry and gotten a substantial salary and security, but the opportunities and network I’ve built with this company really outweigh that, in my opinion. I’ve met executives of companies like Whole Foods and Shell, partners at Deloitte who have ridden with us. Sometimes things will go wrong with the business, but at the end of the day, it has been worth the risk for me and given me a really unique set of experiences.

STUDENT LIFE

evan l’roy

/ the daily texan staff

Agustus Hill has a series of numbers tattooed on his rib cage. Each digit represents the year in which one of his family members were born, beginning with ’71 and ending with ’08.

YOUTUBE.COM/THEDAILYTEXAN

UT students explain stories, meanings behind their tattoos

By Meghan Holland @MeghanHolland20

AUG. 15 SEPT. 15

Singles Doubles Fulls Queens

20-50%

OFF!

So Many Sizes, Styles & Colors...

It’s Amazing!

NOW WITH FOUR STORES!

617 W. 29th (512) 482-0630 1931 E. Oltorf (512) 448-3313 9505 Burnet (512) 836-6287

After two years of planning, undeclared freshman Agustus Hill got his first tattoo a month after turning 18.

Whether students’ tattoos carry a personal meaning or no reason at all, they serve as an expression of themselves, making the process and appearance that much more significant.

Hill said he put so much thought into the piece because of its personal meaning — the importance of family.

The tattoo features a series of numbers wrapping around his ribcage. To anyone else, the numbers may seem random, but each digit represents the year in which one of his family members was born, beginning with ’71 and ending with ’08. Hill said he might add to it as his family grows.

“It’s just to always remind me that family is the most important,” Hill said.

Although Hill chooses to keep his tattoos hidden for professional reasons, he said he may eventually get another

piece on his wrist.

“I couldn’t tell you when, but I’m going to get a tattoo for my stepdad, who passed away,” Hill said. “It’s going to be a heartbeat sensor, but in the middle, it basically turns into

We wanted to get matching tattoos together to signify our bond, so we did.”

TOM MESA

communication and leadership senior

a mountain and there’s a river flowing down the mountain.”

Tom Mesa, communication and leadership senior, also has a tattoo that symbolizes family.

Mesa got his tattoo with his dad when he was 20. The two of them went on a trip to the island of Guam, which is where his dad’s side of the

family is from. It was Mesa’s first time visiting.

“My dad and I have always been really close,” Mesa said.

“When we went to Guam, we wanted to get matching tattoos together to signify our bond, so we did.”

Mesa’s tattoo consists of two solid black rings that wrap around his forearm, one representing himself and the other representing his father. He said he doesn’t mind that the tattoo is visible.

“I don’t think that tattoos should have any influence in the job industry as long as they are appropriate,” Mesa said.

Journalism junior Ariana Kianous got her tattoo on Friday the 13th, when many parlors offer discounts on tattoos. She said she did not intend to get a tattoo that day, but couldn’t resist the low rate.

“My mom died on Friday the 13th, and it was raining,” Kianous said.

In honor of her mom, Kianous got an umbrella tattoo on her shoulder.

T A T T O O S PAGE 5