Serving The University Of Texas At Austin Community Since 1900 @thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Volume 120, Issue 87
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
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Capital Metro begins phasing in first electric buses, 12 buses will come to Austin this year.
UT has failed us on sexual misconduct yet again. It should never have come to this.
Australian students share experiences from fires, reflect on impact.
Kai Jones journeys from home in the Bahamas to Texas men’s basketball in Austin.
CAMPUS
SPORTS
‘Yes, we have failed you’ UT holds forum on sexual misconduct policies with President Gregory Fenves, campus leadership after last semester’s multiple protests, calls for transparency.
‘Alto was special’: Baseball coach David Pierce remembers college teammate By Marcus Krum & Alex Briseño
@marcuskrum @alex__briseno
eddie gaspar
/ the daily texan staff
Simona Gabriella Harry, left, and Tasnim Islam comfort Ana Sofia Ross while she voices her frustrations during the Open Dialogue with UT Leadership about Sexual Misconduct Policies & Practices in Belo Auditorium on Jan. 27, 2020. By Lauren Grobe @grobe_lauren
es, we have failed you,” UT President Gregory Fenves said after multiple students requested UT administration explicitly state if UT’s sexual misconduct policies have failed students. Fenves, along with Maurie McInnis, executive vice president and provost, and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly answered student questions at an open forum hosted by The Misconduct Working Group on Monday. Unsatisfied with “how deeply frustrating and hurtful” Fenves’ initial responses had been, one student said the administration was failing to listen to student concerns. “You’re not trying to help us. You’re trying to placate us and silence us,” she said. “I just want to see
some emotion from you. I just want you to acknowledge that you are failing us.” The forum was held in response
Our process is failing you. We need to fix it.” GREGORY FENVES ut president
to last semester’s student protests concerning two professors who were found guilty of sexual misconduct. It was meant to be a safe space for students to share concerns and was “open awareness,” meaning the
mandatory reporting requirements under SB 212 were suspended. A livestream with closed captioning will be available on the working group’s website. Over 200 students packed the Belo Center for New Media’s auditorium, and more watched the forum from overflow rooms. Students held up paper signs that said “NO” when they disagreed with a panelist’s response. “My belief is we don’t have faculty in the classroom that students should be scared of,” Fenves said. Students responded by raising “NO” signs and shouting, “We are.” Fenves has not attended any of the working group’s meetings. In response to two student questions about his absence, he said he will attend the next meeting. Last October, students held the first Sit-In for Student Safety to protest the continued employment of F O R U M PAGE 2
Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli was killed in Sunday’s helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, which killed Kobe Bryant and seven others. According to a statement on Twitter from Texas head baseball coach David Pierce, Altobelli was a longtime friend of Pierce from their playing days at the University of Houston. Altobelli’s wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa, were also killed in the crash. Alyssa played basketball with Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, who was also killed in the crash. The helicopter was bound for the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a Sunday game. “Yesterday we lost a dear friend, his wife and their daughter,” Pierce said in a statement tweeted out Monday morning. “Alto was special. We were roommates in college and have had the best relationship two old guys on opposite sides of the country could have. We’ve seen each other’s families grow and lives change for 35 years. He was so proud of his children — JJ, Lexi, and Alyssa. They were his world.” Pierce and Altobelli played together at the University of Houston from 1984–1985. Altobelli then began his coaching career as an assistant at Houston in 1987. After serving as an assistant coach at UC Irvine from 1988 to 1992, Altobelli accepted the position as head coach at Orange Coast College, where he would spend the next 28 years. He was the longest-tenured baseball coach in school history. Altobelli was recently named the American Baseball Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year for the Pacific Association Division after leading Orange Coast College to the California state championship. “I saw Alto earlier this month when he accepted his National Coach of the Year award,” Pierce said. “His impact in the baseball community was incredible. He changed the lives of countless ballplayers. He, Keri and Alyssa will be missed by so many, and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about: Making teammates, players, coaches, coworkers, friends and family better. Alto did just that. Susan and I loved and will continue to love Alto and his family. I know many can say the same. My heart breaks for all those affected by yesterday’s tragedy. May they rest in peace.” The Altobellis are survived by a daughter, Alexis, and a son, J.J. Altobelli.
CAMPUS
WEST CAMPUS
UHS officials provide information on coronavirus during China outbreak
UTPD Chief David Carter plans to increase off-campus security
By Nataleah Small
@nehamira14
@nataleahjoy
Although there are no cases of the new coronavirus in Travis County as of Monday, University Health Services sent a campuswide email on Jan. 23 to educate students about the virus and seasonal respiratory illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared Sunday that a Texas A&M University student who had recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and displayed symptoms tested negative for the new coronavirus. Baylor University announced Monday that the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District confirmed a Baylor student, who also traveled from Wuhan and showed symptoms, tested negative for the virus. Doctors in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China, first reported the new virus to the World Health Organization on Dec. 31. It was later confirmed on Jan. 7 to be a novel coronavirus. Since then, the new coronavirus has killed more than 100 people in China and infected nearly 4,000 people worldwide, according to The New York Times. In the United States, 110 people are undergoing testing for the virus, with five testing positive and 32 testing negative, according to the CDC. “UHS, along with our other campus partners at the University, are monitoring the situation closely,” said Terrance Hines, UHS executive
on The Drag and off campus. “Even though we were not funded to patrol off campus, it was imperative for us to actually go off campus as UTPD Chief David Carter said he much as we could at the time,” Carter plans to increase West Campus pa- said. “Things have obviously changed trols and implement a new camera as of late, and the president, of course, security system near campus at a sent out his letter yesterday. And that press conference Monday. is something that I am working on in This conference a plan, in a proposal, came after Univerfor the president in sity President Gregterms of the operations ory Fenves sent a moving forward.” campuswide email An additional numIt’s important for ev- ber of officers will be Sunday about security, following the eryone to understand added to patrol in West off-campus stabbings Campus, but Carter that UTPD is a state said he is unable to go of two UT students police force with full into detail of the numlast week. Gov. Greg Abbott also requestprimary jurisdiction in ber of officers yet. ed the University “We are looking the city of Austin and at policing in an area “redouble their efforts to keep their in the entire county.” where you will find UT students safe” in a students living, contweet Monday. gregating, or UT stuDAVID CARTER UTPD does not curdents and faculty going utpd chief rently receive funding across campus to visit,” to police off campus, Carter said. “There is a Carter said. lot of foot traffic on West Campus where “It’s important for everyone to underpeople are coming on and off campus, stand that UTPD is a state police force so that is where we will be patrolling.” with full primary jurisdiction in the city UTPD will also be working to impleof Austin and in the entire county,” Car- ment technology such as High Activity ter said. “The difference is that while Location Observation cameras that we are a state police force that has full APD uses, Carter said. These cameras, jurisdiction, we are funded to police the also referred to as HALO, give officers a Forty Acres and UT property.” bird’s-eye view of what’s happening on Carter said after he moved from the the ground, according to KVUE. Austin Police Department to UTPD, he received anecdotes of issues happening C A R T E R PAGE 5 By Neha Madhira
barbra daly
director and chief medical officer. “We are having ongoing discussions and meetings amongst ourselves as well as tracking any developments that come out of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” There are multiple criteria for evaluating the novel coronavirus, according to the CDC. Symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. A history of travel from Wuhan and close contact with an individual who is either under investigation or has a
/ the daily texan staff
confirmed case of the virus are also signs of potential infection. “If we were to have someone present to the clinic meeting those criteria, we would coordinate that with Austin Public Health, and they would direct us on the testing and sending those specimens off to the CDC,” Hines said. There has been limited person-to-person spread of the virus in the U.S., Hines said. However, if there V I R U S PAGE 2
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
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Capital Metro introduces electric buses in effort to reduce environmental impact, improve air quality By Hannah Williford @HannahWillifor2
Capital Metro introduced its first electric buses into its routes Sunday. The buses will be much quieter, better for the environment and cooler with the lack of exhaust than the existing models, said Melissa Ortiz, community engagement team coordinator at CapMetro. “CapMetro just wants to do their part in helping the environment and having clean air,” Ortiz said. “Being able to bring electric buses just allows us to be part of how you contribute.” Ortiz said CapMetro is starting with two buses and will roll out 10 more later this year. All buses that are cycled out of the CapMetro system will be replaced by electric buses, but the process will take place over time to be economical and to make sure the buses being purchased have the updated technology, Ortiz said. The buses will be charged with solar power at a charging station at a CapMetro location in North Austin in order to power the buses with renewable energy, Ortiz said. The buses, which will circulate throughout Austin, will be decorated with wraps that feature a compilation of 23 pieces from a local children’s art competition. The kids were inspired by the prompt: “What does a healthy planet look like to you?”
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Sahotra Sarkar, philosophy and integrated biology professor, and English associate professor Coleman Hutchison. In 2017, the Office of Inclusion and Equity found that Sarkar violated sexual misconduct policies. An OIE investigation in 2018 found Hutchison failed to disclose a relationship with a graduate student and made inappropriate comments to graduate students. In November, the University announced the
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UTPD identify suspects, Bonnet said. “It can be especially hard Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 minutes before the hour during class change where there’s 30,000, 40,000, maybe 50,000 (people) walking,” Bonnet said. “That can be difficult, especially for a car to get through. That’s where the bikes and our foot patrol help
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is a confirmed case on campus, Hines said health officials would isolate the individual, notify necessary contacts and monitor the evolving situation. Hines said the campus community should take general cold and flu season precautions, such as keeping hands clean and avoiding close contact with sick people. He said the majority of healthy, college-aged people who have contracted this virus have recovered quickly. “They might have a fever, cough or sore throat,” Hines said. “Fortunately, the illness thus far has had relatively mild effects on people who are otherwise healthy.” Haley Luse, a
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Capital Metro is introducing electric buses (not pictured) into the public transit system this year. CapMetro says the new buses will be quieter and better for the environment. Ortiz said. science graduate student. “Why are we getting “I think there’s a ‘cool facelectric buses? It’s realtor’ as well to riding an ly so we can leave a betelectric bus, knowing it is alex__briseno ter planet for our future,” electric and just better for Ortiz said. “We wanted to the environment.” make sure that those who are going to inherit what we’re leaving behind are part of this vision.” I think there’s a ‘cool In addition to making the buses recognizable factor’ as well to ridwith art, CapMetro will ing an electric bus, be rolling out a service on their website that allows knowing it is electric community members to and just better for track where the electric the environment.” buses are on their route. “I would be very interKRISTIAN CHAN ested (in riding),” said Kristian Chan, planetary
hiring of law firm Husch Blackwell to review its sexual misconduct policies. McInnis said the administration expects recommendations on policy changes by spring break. At the panel, students also asked about Title IX investigations and navigating what can be a difficult and complicated process. In response to a survivor sharing their story, Fenves said the administration would work to improve the investigation process. “Our process is failing you,” Fenves said. “We need to fix it.”
during those periods of high congestion.” James Richardson, a second year law student, said UTPD has done an excellent job of keeping the University safe. “(Students) appreciate how much they have ramped things up in terms of patrolling in recent years to help keep us safer,” Richardson said. “We should always strive to do as best as we could do, so of course it would be great if we could get that time down.”
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biomedical sciences sophomore at Texas A&M, said when she first heard about the coronavirus case in College Station, she thought of buying a surgical mask and staying away from public transportation to avoid infection. “I didn’t want to leave the house and be exposed because it’s scary not knowing or not having … a vaccine or anything like that,“ Luse said. Nutrition sophomore Gabrielle Capesius said she thinks UHS has done the best job they can to address this situation. “They do as much as they can because you can’t really force people to read emails,” Capesius said. “They do the best they can to get the word out around campus, and it’s just better traveling by word of mouth.”
planetary science graduate student
Advertising junior Paige Cabianca commutes to class every day on the bus and said she would feel better about riding an electric bus because of the environmental benefits. “It will probably make a lot more people want to take (the bus),” Cabianca said. “I think a lot of people bike instead of ride the bus because of the gasoline.” Although Cabianca said she is excited about the electric bus system, she said CapMetro should prioritize rider safety because she does not always feel safe when taking the bus
at night. “There’s so many incidents. It’s kind of shocking,” Cabianca said. “They should really focus on (safety).” Chan said public transportation is at a crossroads because it is not yet big enough to service Austin at the rate that it is growing. “With Austin growing (and) a lot of people moving in (not only) next to the UT community but just in Austin in general, I think the public transportation system is also maybe trying to grow as well,” Chan said. “It’s not quite there yet.”
NEWS
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
CAMPUS
UT to require measles vaccination proof from incoming students By Austin Martinez @austinmxrtinez
The University will require all students entering school in fall 2020 to show proof of measles immunity, according to the University Health Services website. This requirement was created after the City of Austin confirmed in a press release on Jan. 8 the first case of measles, reported on Dec. 21, in Travis County since 1999. Less than a month later, Austin Public Health announced a case of rubella in a press release on Jan. 16. Both vaccine-preventable diseases had not been seen in Austin for 20 years, according to the release. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by symptoms similar to rubella, including coughing, sneezing and fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rubella is a viral illness that is less contagious than measles but can cause pregnancy complications, said Anna Lassmann, a public information specialist for Austin Public Health. Lassmann said those not immune to measles have a 9 out of 10 chance of getting the disease because measles has an attack rate of 90%, whereas rubella has an attack rate of 10%–30%. “The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is the best way to prevent rubella, along with measles and mumps,” Lassmann said. “Since rubella is transmitted through droplets from an infected person when they cough, talk or sneeze … it is a good practice to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face to prevent the spread of germs.” Dr. Terrance Hines, executive director
raquel higine
/ the daily texan staff
and chief medical officer for University Health Services, said the University requires international students to show proof of rubella and measles vaccinations. Domestic students are not required to obtain the rubella vaccination because the U.S. eradicated the disease in 2004, Hines said. “(Rubella is) pretty uncommon,” Lassmann said. “The U.S. sees less than 10 cases per year. In Texas, we’ve only had three cases since 2006, not including this one.” Jeff Saniuk, nurse practitioner for UT Health Austin, said in an email that the CDC recommends children receive one dose of the MMR vaccine at 12–15 months of age and a second dose at 4–6 years of age, but people can be vaccinated at any age. He said receiving two doses of the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles and rubella. “Adults who are uncertain as to whether they’ve had the MMR vaccine may be tested using an MMR titer,” Saniuk said in the email. “The titer is a blood test that checks to see if an individual is immune to measles, mumps and rubella.” Public health junior Steven Anguiano said being vaccinated for rubella creates herd immunity, which lowers the frequency of rubella being spread and helps protect people who are not vaccinated. However, he said domestic students should not be required to show proof of a rubella vaccination because most students are vaccinated during early childhood. “If (people are) coming on campus and never vaccinated, students would have already been affected by the virus,” Anguiano said. “It would do nothing to treat the effects, just prevent the spread.”
STATE
UTPD
Co-requisite models may help underprepared college students
UTPD records quick response times, averaging between 1 to 6 minutes By Brooke Ontiveros @Brookexpanic
The UT Police Department holds some of the quickest call response times in Austin, UTPD executive officer Chris Bonnet said. On average, UTPD responded to calls in approximately one to six minutes last semester, according to UTPD records. The Austin Police Department responded to 911 calls in eight minutes and 53 seconds in 2019, according to the City of Austin’s data website. “Our call times have remained consistently pretty low,” Bonnet said. “That’s mostly because we’ve been (using) bicycles and
steph sonik
By Neha Madhira @nehamira14
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved an evaluation of co-requisite models Thursday, requiring students to take an additional course to assist them if they have not demonstrated college readiness. All students entering college must meet the Texas Success Initiative’s requirements for college readiness or pass the initiative’s assessment to enroll in coursework at any Texas public college or university, according to a report by the board. These requirements involve reaching minimum scores on the SAT, ACT, AP tests or other college-level equivalents. “If a student does come in underprepared, then absolutely we are in favor of any sort of help … to ensure completion of the college course,” said Suzanne Morales-Vale, the board’s director of developmental and adult education. “We don’t want students to fail courses, which also adds to the cost. In order to mitigate that, it does help them if they take tutoring, supplemental instruction or any sort of additional support.” Students who do not meet the benchmark on any part of the assessment, such as math, must work with an adviser to develop a plan to become college-ready. In the co-requisite model, a student enrolls in
an entry-level college credit course and a corresponding course designed to support the student in the college credit course, according to the board’s report. The board wants to measure the models’ success rates, Morales-Vale said.
We don’t want students to fail courses, which also adds to the cost. In order to mitigate that, it does help them if they take tutoring, supplemental instruction or any sort of additional support.” SUZANNE MORALES-VALE director of developmental and adult education
Morales-Vale said community college students do not have any entry requirements other than a high school education, which could mean they are not completely college-ready. “In the traditional delivery of these courses, students were required to take these courses as prerequisites before they were allowed to enroll in the entry-level or college-level courses that are required,” Morales-Vale said. “The co-requisite model changes this delivery system.” Morales-Vale said the difference between regular college courses and the additional
alternative means of transportation.” Officer Kenneth Parada, who is a part of UTPD’s Bike Unit, said his unit of 12 officers helps maintain a rapid call response time during their daily patrols. Parada said police deploy units into the surrounding areas of campus, such as West Campus or North Campus. “We’re constantly riding around and patrolling those areas to not only mitigate a threat that could come up but also … to turn those two, three minute response times into second response times by being in the area before it happens,” Parada said. Every UTPD officer receives a weeklong training in bicycle patrolling, and each
officer has a bicycle assigned to them if needed, Parada said. Although UTPD does not have a target response time, Bonnet said they are looking to improve. Bonnet said the time of day, transportation hindrances and information given by the person who called 911 affect call response times. “If they say, ‘We saw this suspicious person hanging around the (Perry-Castañeda Library) or (Jester West Residence Hall),’ we might get there in a minute or two,” Bonnet said. “But if it’s a big area our officers have to walk around … (the suspect) may have gotten on a bus, and then it takes us a minute to get behind the bus, pull the bus over and go in and find a person on the bus.” Suspicious person calls were the most frequent calls UTPD got and took an average of five minutes and 50 seconds to complete last semester, according to UTPD records. These situations yield the slowest response times since the clock will run until officers have arrived at a specific location that was reported or, in the case of a more general area, have located the suspected person. At least two dispatchers work on any given day, Bonnet said. When they receive calls, specifics such as the type of shoes a person is wearing can help
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corresponding courses is that additional corresponding courses cannot apply toward a student certificate or degree program. “(The additional corresponding courses) probably cost the same or very similar to a typical college credit course,” Morales-Vale said. “In addition, students also have to pay for course materials which are typical for any course.” According to a report presented at the board meeting in October 2019, 58% of first-time Texas college students were considered college-ready in fall 2018. “We, as an agency, want to look at and see who’s (using the co-requisite models) really well, whether there has been an improvement (and) where we can kind of copy and share with other institutions,” said Jerel Booker, the board’s assistant commissioner for college readiness and success. Kelly Polden, the board’s external relations assistant director, said the co-requisite model would work toward the board’s 60x30TX program. This higher education strategic plan includes four goals: increasing Texas’ educated population, completion of a degree from a higher education institution, completing programs with marketable skills and decreasing student debt. “The way that the co-requisite model would tie in would be to help students complete college and also help manage their student debt,” Polden said.
dan martinez
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SPENCER BUCKNER
Editor-In-Chief | @TEXANOPINION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
OPINION
NO UT has failed us. No more excuses until we are safe in our own classrooms. Thank you to everyone for courageously sharing your stories at yesterday’s town hall. Thank you to everyone who attended. It should never have come to this.
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.
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.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
T H R O U G H T H E LENS
Featuring the best from the photo department.
kara hawley
| daily texan staff
Tourists ask to take a picture with a teenage girl during her quinceañera photoshoot. They were posing in front of the Texas Capitol building on the afternoon of Jan. 26, 2020.
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LSU last Saturday. With his tall frame, Jones has the physical tools and
raw ability to become a lethal combination of size and skill. “On film, Kai Jones looks very talented, super athletic, obviously,” said Robert Ehsan, University of Alabama at Birmingham head men’s
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in and night out.” Even with the fickle nature of the Big 12, both teams boast outstanding veteran coaches. After defeating Oklahoma State in Stillwater over
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basketball coach, following an early season matchup against the Longhorns. “I think he’s full of potential. His upside I would think is as high as maybe anyone in college basketball.”
the weekend, Aston picked up her career 279th win and has, in eight seasons, reinstated Texas women’s basketball as among the nation’s elite. Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale has won six Big 12 regular season titles and four Big 12 postseason titles since taking over in 1996.
Until he fully realizes that potential, Jones will continue to develop and further his education of the college game. With a supportive coaching staff and his teammates behind him, that may happen
But the Longhorns will ultimately have to execute, play a complete game and stop turning the ball over. Stellar 3-point shooting from sophomore center Charli Collier and leadership from senior point guard Sug Sutton pulled Texas out of a hole at Oklahoma State, but the team will have to take care
of the ball better moving forward, especially against a historic rival in a hostile environment. With a highly ranked Baylor team coming to Austin Friday night, the matchup in Norman should test Texas’ focus on the present. According to Aston, history, wins and losses mean little in the Big 12 right now.
we have and probably the hardest worker that we have on our team, and he doesn’t know it. Once he figures it all out and his body matures with his game, he’s going to take off.”
“Forget it,” Aston said after Texas blew out Texas Tech on Jan. 15. “You can’t let one loss turn into two back to back, and you can’t let a win cause you to relax and let your guard down … if we don’t get in that mix of teams that are really starving, then we’re going to find ourselves on the outside looking in.”
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“(The HALO) camera system has proven to be very, very effective … by the fact that after the stabbings occurred on 6th Street, APD was able to use their HALO system to locate the suspect,” Carter said. Carter said it is important for the UT community to know UTPD relies heavily on APD to assist people off campus, and since Abbott requested greater safety measures, the Department of Public Safety will also be involved. “Let’s be clear, (APD) clearly do not have enough staffing,” Carter said. “In our estimation, they need more support from the city of Austin, and we will work with them to support them and their mission the best we can. The way I see it, UTPD, APD and (the Department of Public Safety) are all collaborating on this problem that we are dealing with today.”
sooner rather than later. “Kai just has to find himself,” sophomore guard Courtney Ramey said. “He’s playing a new position and new spots. Kai is probably one of the best athletes that
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Housing available chase karacostas
/ the daily texan file
UTPD Chief David Carter speaks during a Student Government general assembly meeting in October 2016. The chief held a press conference on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, to discuss increasing campus security measures.
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MARCUS KRUM
Sports Editor | @TEXANSPORTS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
MEN’S BASKETBALL
jones finds home at texas Freshman forward Kai Jones adjusts to the speed of college basketball and life as a Longhorn after his humble beginnings in the Bahamas.
jack myer
/ the daily texan file
Freshman forward Kai Jones flashes the “hook ‘em horns” hand gesture with teammates during a rendition of “The Eyes of Texas” after Texas’ 67-57 victory over UAB on Dec. 3, 2019. By Wills Layton @willsdebeast
t didn’t take much for Shaka Smart to become enamored with Kai Jones. After watching film on his phone of the 6-foot-11-inch forward dominating high school games, Smart knew he had found someone special. “I just saw a guy with incredible energy and what looked like a ton of upside, a lot of potential, a lot of athleticism, and we started recruiting him,” Smart said. “We started talking to him, and it became really easy to tell over the phone that he had just an infectious spirit about him and a really good personal foundation as a person.” Beyond the basketball talent, Smart found an athlete with a unique journey to college basketball. Hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, where track and field reigns supreme, Jones found himself following the path of many other top Bahamian athletes. “I was actually a track athlete to start,” Jones said. “I ran track growing up. Everybody knew me from being a long jumper and high jumper. I was on a few national teams, but I didn’t start playing (basketball) until I moved to the States at age 12 or 11.” After coming to the U.S. as a preteen, Jones moved back to the Bahamas to further his career in long jump. A few years later, a natural curiosity and a growth spurt pushed him toward basketball. “I’d play pickup outside, but I didn’t play any organized ball until I was 15,” Jones said. “When I went back home, I had a huge growth spurt and everybody saw how much better I got, and people started to know me around town as a basketball player.”
As his new identity in a new sport took shape, Jones moved back to the United States to attend both Orlando Christian Prep in Orlando, Florida, and Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, to finish out his high school career. The adjustment took time, but in the end, it paid off. “That was my first time coming to school for basketball, so it was tough for me,” Jones said. “I had to just lock in a lot on basketball. I was at the school for basketball so there was a lot of time commitment, but I love the game so I was ready for it. That was the biggest adjustment.” A four-star recruit out of high school, Jones had a choice to make. According to 247Sports, he had accrued 21 offers across the country, including traditional basketball powers such as Georgetown and Kansas. In the end, he landed at
The University of Texas and started school in the fall semester of 2019. Jones’ upbringing in Nassau was not always comfortable. Because of this, he’s grown to appreciate every moment since his arrival in Austin. “It definitely goes into my appreciative spirit while I’m here because I know what it’s like to not have 24-hour access to the gym,” Jones said. “I know what it’s like to sit in a classroom where it’s 100 degrees with no A/C. So I am very appreciative of the things I have here.” As his presence on the team has grown each week, so has his play on the court. Playing only five minutes in the season opener against Northern Colorado, Jones has seen a gradual increase in minutes over the course of the season, culminating in his first career start against JONES
joshua guenther
PAGE 5
/ the daily texan file
Freshman forward Kai Jones jumps in the paint during Texas’ 69-45 win over Northern Colorado on Nov. 5, 2019.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Longhorns seek fifth-straight win over rival Sooners By Myah Taylor @t_myah
Now tied for second with TCU in the Big 12 standings, the Texas women’s basketball team will seek another conference victory when it travels to Norman, Oklahoma, for Tuesday’s matchup against rival Oklahoma. In the 40-year history of the women’s basketball rivalry between the two schools, the Longhorns have bested the Sooners 33 times, and Texas has won in each of the teams’ last four meetings. However, history won’t matter when the Longhorns tip off at Lloyd Noble Center. Even though Texas is riding a four-game winning streak and Oklahoma has recently dropped its third straight game, the parity in the Big 12 this season has made most contests competitive and unpredictable. “I think we’re seeing some teams that traditionally were used to getting into the NCAA Tournament that didn’t get in last year,” Texas head coach Karen Aston said. “I think we’re just seeing a sense of urgency with more teams across
the board.” The Sooners fit the profile Aston referenced. Oklahoma missed the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time since 1999 after finishing 8–22 overall and 4–14 in conference. Currently 10–9, the Sooners improved their record from last season but are still a far cry away from their winning résumé over the last two decades. While Aston’s squad has excelled in conference play so far, there have been struggles, too. In the early stretch of the season, the Longhorns were blown out at home by Arizona and lost to the University of South Florida on the road and the Rainbow Warriors at a tournament in Hawaii. But as Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider said last Wednesday after losing to Texas, the coaches make a difference in the Big 12. “Why is it so competitive?” Schneider said. “Because there are great players in this league, and there’s fantastic coaches, so it’s going to be really competitive night B A S K E T B A L L PAGE 5
jack myer
/ the daily texan file
Freshman guard Celeste Taylor muscles past a Kansas defender in Texas’ victory over the Jayhawks at the Frank Erwin Center on Jan. 22.
COMICS
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A L E K K A H E R N A N D E Z & B A R B R A D A LY
Comics Editors| @THEDAILYTEXAN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Crossword ACROSS
32 *Carpenter’s decorative molding 7 Old cornball 35 Low in fat variety show with 36 Co. in the Dow Buck Owens Jones index since 1979 13 “The Misanthrope” 37 Museum-funding playwright org. 38 N.Y.C. museum, 14 Beer buy with “the” 15 *Bologna, e.g. 40 Genetic “messenger” 16 Of a ring-shaped part of the iris 41 Personal manner 17 Commencement 43 *Abundant harvest celebrant, in brief 46 Common bar 18 *Device for order, with “the” holding papers 47 “One more thing together …,” in a text 20 Renter’s contract 48 Hesitant assent 22 Alternative to 49 Yelps of pain café 51 On the briny 23 Larsson who 54 With 63-Across, wrote the singing group “Millennium” … or a hint to trilogy the ends of the answers to the 26 Capp and Capone four starred clues 29 First things you 58 Española, por ejemplo learn 1 Offset, as costs
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O T C O U R O P I E V E X E N D E I S L A S E W A V O D R I L O L I O U S P T E I D E L R O N I E S T
M A R A M E W L
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62 Ballplayers with birds on their caps 63 See 54-Across 65 David Bowie song whose title subject is “waiting in the sky” 66 Take apart, as a tapestry 67 Book that might include “Silent Night” 68 Managed, somehow DOWN 1 Way in or out 2 Lady ___ (nickname in jazz) 3 Played at a hoedown, perhaps 4 ___ hall (place to play) 5 Dutch-speaking Caribbean vacation spot 6 Hairy Himalayans 7 Bring on board 8 Bring to bear, as pressure 9 Of a historic period 10 “Monster’s Ball” Oscar winner 11 Black-purple fruit from a palm tree 12 Cincinnati radio station of bygone TV 13 Director of 2000’s “Charlie’s Angels,” to film fans 14 In need of cheering up 19 At hand
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21 “Ghostbusters” character ___ Spengler 23 Does the crawl, say 24 Bone paralleling the fibula 25 Epitaph words 27 Compensate for a sprained ankle, say 28 Hook’s sidekick 30 Lakeside rental 31 Loses one’s cool
33 Spud ___, 5’7” N.B.A. star who famously won a Slam Dunk Contest 34 Lacking slack 39 Factual 42 “Glory to the ___ king” (carol line) 44 Air kiss sound 45 Oversaw, as a committee 50 2014 movie about Dr. King 52 Brimless chef’s hat
53 Liveliness 54 Brit’s “Baloney!” 55 Pseudocultured 56 Not staged 57 Target of an ID thief 59 Wild guess 60 Impose, as a tax 61 Cleaned the dishes? 64 Feeling of wonder
Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.
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T R I N A DY J O S L I N
Life&Arts Editor | @TRINADY05
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
FEATURE
LIFE&ARTS
No more blue skies in Sydney
Australian students feel helpless as severe bushfires continue to rage through their home country. By Aisling Ayers @aisling_ayers
hen Liv Kohan and Liam Wilson waved goodbye to their families in August and each hopped on a plane to Austin, they saw blue and cheery Sydney skies. During their return to Australia over winter break, they were met with an entirely different sight. “When I was landing, I thought we were just going through the clouds,” undeclared freshman Kohan said. “But the clouds didn’t stop, and I realized it was all smoke. Now our skies aren’t blue anymore.” An estimated 25.5 million acres in Australia have evan l’roy / the daily texan staff burned since September, and Freshman Liv Kohan and senior Liam Wilson hold up the Australian flag to support their home country on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Since they arrived two months of fire season in Austin in August, both have been affected by the wildfires and worry about what the future holds for Australia if the fires continue. still remain. Both Kohan and Wilson she said her community colSydney’s air are the equivaits way inside the house.” “The global community debated process of deliberlive near the Sydney Harbor, lected donations to support David Mohrig, an associ- lent to smoking 37 cigarettes. has been banding together to ately burning an area in order where they said the normally struggling families. “In the previous year, raise awareness and funds, ate dean for research for the carefree region is now cov- to prevent future severe fires. “I feel a bit helpless comJackson School of Geosci- Australia had record heat but the efforts only started From the first time she saw ered in a layer of ash, and ing back (to Austin),” Kohan droughts,” Mohrig ences, said the concentra- and four or five months after the news coverage of a forested people are being advised said. “People are dying, and said. “(This) increases the tion of ultrafine particles in fires had been burning and area near a Sydney beach to only go outside with P2 the scale of it is enormous. likelihood of triggering had already done so much burning in August to now, face masks. (There’s) a lot of recovery, a bushfire.” damage,” Wilson said. Kohan said the scale of the “When I first touched too. Because it’s not just now While he is confident his Wilson said his grandparfires and the effects on the down in Sydney, there was but in the years to come befamily will evacuate if necesents live in a rural area north animal population, shocked smoke everywhere,” said cause people have lost their sary to remain safe, Wilson of Sydney and have almost Wilson, a biochemistry and her and her family. Australians have homes and are going to have said it’s still difficult to feel so evacuated several times. “People don’t realize how finance exchange senior. “I’ve to rebuild from scratch.” far removed. When he visited them, Wilmany (animals) can be in so much pride never seen anything like that. As Wilson and Kohan settle “(My) home is almost beson said the temperature was Smoke and ash (were) flush- small vicinities of forests that and joy, especialin for their next four months ing completely destroyed by 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenare being burnt,” Kohan said. ing down from hundreds of ly in the animals these (fires), and I’m over- at UT, they said they hope the heit and he could barely see “Not just koalas and kangamiles away and blanketing state of their home country seas basically doing whatever 60 feet in front of him. roos — there’s also dingos the city.” and land. I don’t will be different the next time I want while my family is over “If you have any respiratoKohan said she remem- and little things like sugar want Australia to they land in Sydney. there in these drastic condiry problems at all, you can’t gliders opossums.” bers looking out the windows change.” “Australians have so much tions,” Wilson said. Wilson said the fires be- go outside because the smoke when she was younger and pride and joy, especially in Kohan said the uncertainis really bad,” Wilson said. came severe in August and seeing smoke in the distance. LIV KOHAN the animals and land,” Kohan ty of Australia’s future and September, but they just re- “My grandfather had to be on But she said she knew the undeclared freshman said. “I don’t want Australia the continuation of the fires oxygen because of the smoke smoke was from nearby con- ceived large media attention concern her. Back home, to change.” that was managing to work last month. trolled burning — a highly Q&A
Q&A: Professor talks how to beat back-to-school slump By Mackenzie Dyer @mackdyerr
The post-holiday funk is real, and Art Markman knows how to help students avoid it. Between teaching psychology and marketing and hosting his KUT podcast, “Two Guys on Your Head,” Markman has authored several books and blogs about cognitive science, organization and decision-making. Markman recently spoke with The Daily Texan to give students tips on how to prevent burnout by starting their spring semester off strong. The Daily Texan: What is the number one thing students can do to start school off on the right foot? Art Markman: Over the break, it’s easy to shed the habit of doing a little bit of work every day, and a lot of times, classes are like a freight train. They take a while to speed up. Once they get rolling, they’re rolling. Create small habits to get on top of the workload early. Be focused on specific things you can do that will get you back into the flow because when you do small things, you gain a sense of accomplishment. It gives you the confidence that everything’s going to be okay. DT: If a student feels like everything is not going to be okay, what should they do? AM: If you’re having trouble getting into the semester, be willing to talk about that with somebody. A lot of times, we
copyright human dimensions of organizations, and reproduced with permission
Art Markman’s podcast, “Two Guys on Your Head,” gives students advice on staying healthy and motivated during the spring semester. The podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts or npr.org. look around and think, “I’m the only one going through this. Everybody else seems to have it together.” What you discover when you start talking with
people is that they are going through the same thing or maybe they went through it in the past, and they can share some of their experiences.
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DT: How can students get their brains into a school mindset? AM: We often get less physical activity at the beginning of the
spring semester because it is still winter. Our bodies are not designed to sit around, so when we don’t engage in regular physical activity, we’re not putting
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ourselves in a situation where our minds are going to work effectively. Exercise is a great way to get out of the funk. DT: If you’re too tired or unable to exercise, what is an alternative? AM: Pay attention to your sleep schedule. One of the easiest ways to burn yourself out is to start sleeping a bunch of six-hour nights when you really need eight hours. Sleep promotes learning. You learn while you’re studying or practicing something, and then you learn more when you sleep. It’s what’s called the consolidation of memories. Sleep also helps with emotion regulation, so it is harder to be resilient against problems when you don’t get enough sleep. DT: How can students who start the semester off strong avoid burnout? AM: Life is a marathon, not a sprint. There’s a tendency for us to focus on things as if we’re just going to sprint, and you can’t survive like that. One of the things (my partner, Bob Duke) said on (our podcast) periodically is that a high GPA is a sign of a fertile mind. A very high GPA is a sign of misplaced priorities. There’s more to your college career than just doing everything to perfection. It’s important to take advantage of all of those opportunities outside the classroom. When you do that, you don’t feel like every day involves waking up to a slog of homework assignments and readings you don’t care much about.