Serving The University Of Texas At Austin Community Since 1900 @thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com
Volume 121, Issue 26
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
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Betsy DeVos introduces loan forgiveness program for defrauded college students.
Defend Our Hoodz calls for student action against gentrification.
UT alumna Jane Ko releases pocket guide to Austin food scene.
The Texas secondary bounces back in a solid performance against Rice.
SG
UTPD
UTPD launches on-campus liaison initiative
SG passes legislation in support of Austin’s homeless By Neelam Bohra @_neelam_b
Student Government proposed and passed legislation voicing support for Austin’s homeless population at its meeting Tuesday in response to Austin City Council reconsidering homelessness ordinances initially passed in June. The current city ordinances allow people to camp, sit and lie down in public places if they do not create a safety issue or prevent use of public facilities. The assembly voted 19-15 in favor of AR 3, a resolution supporting the Council’s current city ordinances. Austin City Council members Kathie Tovo and Ann Kitchen have proposed restricting these ordinances in West Campus and a large portion of downtown. Mayor Steve Adler and council member Greg Casar proposed an alternate plan to restrict the ordinances in other public areas, such as high pedestrian activity areas, while expanding housing for the homeless. They will discuss these proposals at their meeting Wednesday. Jakob Lucas, speaker of the assembly, authored the legislation with philosophy junior Florent Marchais. “It’s specifically to raise awareness for students, clarify our stance on the issue and also show the student body that SG
barb daly
UTPD introduces interest-based representatives to serve as resources for student groups. By Emily Hernandez @emilylhernandez
he UT Police Department has introduced a LGBTQIA+ liaison, athletic liaisons and a military
and veterans liaison to act as points of contact between law enforcement, students and employees in these groups. The goals for the interest-based district representatives this semester include increased officer training and support for students. LGBTQIA+ liaison David Chambers said the representatives provide resources and representation within the department to different campus groups, some of which that have historically not had positive relationships with police. “(The purpose of the liaisons is for groups to) have a resource to come talk to someone, but if there are things that we need assistance
with, we can also go to them, and we have that relationship built,” Chambers said. “I believe we’re trying to develop these programs even more to include groups that historically may not have had the best relationship with law enforcement.” The first official liaison was UTPD detective Chambers, who identifies as gay. Before the position was created in 2018, Chambers said he acted as an unofficial voice for the LGBT+ community within UTPD for years. “It’s just been a passion of mine to make sure people feel they are represented and that they have a voice in our department, both as officers working in our department that may identify as LGBT, but also
community members,” Chambers said. “Because, let’s be honest, you look at the history between law enforcement and the LGBT community, and it’s not always the greatest.” Chambers said he is part of the LGBT+ steering committee headed by the Gender and Sexuality Center, which examines LGBT+ issues across campus. He said he is working on transgender awareness training to educate UTPD officers on how to appropriately interact with people of all gender identities. Chad Garton, military and veterans liaison, said he served in the military after graduating as a cadet in the Reserve Officer Training U T P D PAGE 2
S G PAGE 2 CRIME
/ the daily texan staff
STATE
Gov. Abbott releases plans to mitigate gun violence Thursday include strengthening domestic violence high-risk teams across the state, expanding training offered through the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training In wake of the two recent mass shootings program and educating health professionals in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas about the disclosure of confidential information to law enforcement. Safety Commission released the Texas Safety “As much as I recognize having these conAction report, which emphasizes the role of versations, especially at this governmental the community in preventing gun violence. level, are important, I feel like there’s more The report released Thursday expands on the executive orders mandated in previ- that we could be doing,” said chemical engineering sophomore Caroline Garcia. “It’s ous weeks to create a more defined public great that Gov. Abbott is enacting necessary safety protocol for the prevention of mass change for the good of the shootings. According to state, but even with the a press release, the remeasures that he’s instiport also includes recomtuted, I feel like we’re still a mendations for the Texlong way from feeling like as Legislature and state mass gun violence is not a agencies to consider to big fear.” make Texas communities At the beginning of the safer while also respecting month, nearly all of the the Constitution. Texas House Democrats “We must act with resigned a letter asking for a solve in response to the special legislative session despicable acts of violence to discuss gun violence we have witnessed in Texpolicy. In the letter, the as,” Abbott said in the Democrats said the action press release. “Solving the GREG ABBOTT they recommend could problems that have led to texas governor save lives. these horrific events will “… it is not only mass take more than governmental action. It will require parents, fami- shootings we must respond to — more than 3,000 people lose their lives to gun violence in lies, churches, law enforcement, community Texas each year,” the Texas House Democrats groups, schools and others working together said in the letter. “That horrifying statistic to fortify the social fabric of our society. Toalone should prompt us to take action.” gether, we will transcend this test and forge The Texas Safety Commission, tasked an even better future for our state.” with helping Abbott draft the report, consistAbbott also issued eight executive orders, which allow more armed marshals on school ed of over 50 experts throughout the state, including survivors of mass shootings, faith grounds and prevent school districts from leaders, business representatives and other prohibiting licensed gun owners from storing guns and ammunition in school parking lots. The executive actions Abbott implemented G U N PAGE 2 By Victoria May @toricmay
zoe fu
/ the daily texan file
UT alumna sues over defamation in rape case By Lauren Girgis @laurengirgis
A UT alumna filed a class action lawsuit against two employees of the Travis County District Attorney’s office last week, claiming a district attorney and her assistant lied to the public about her sexual assault. According to the lawsuit, Emily Borchardt was abducted, strangled and repeatedly raped over a period of more than 12 hours during her senior year in January 2018. After escaping, the lawsuit
Jumping into this school year like...
says, Borchardt reported the sexual assaults to the Austin Police Department and submitted a rape kit examination. No portion of the APD police file said Borchardt admitted consent to any sexual act, according to the lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, district attorney Margaret Moore and assistant district attorney Melinda Montford, who were prosecuting the sexual assaults on behalf of Borchardt, made defamatory statements and violated Borchardt’s civil rights. In a phone call that was recorded by her family friend, LAWSUIT
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Together, we will transcend this test and forge an even better future for our state.”
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