Serving The University Of Texas At Austin Community Since 1900 @thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Volume 120, Issue 93
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
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New Atari video gamethemed hotel plans to open in Austin.
Lending libraries with free books make classes more accessible to students.
Service connects students to short-term babysitting and tutoring gigs.
After a busy offseason,Texas tries to recover from disappointing 2019 season.
NATION
UTPD
Marijuana regulations persist UTPD will still issue citations, fines, arrests for marijuana possession despite City Council resolution.
By Lauren Grobe @grobe_lauren
By Brooke Ontiveros @Brookexpanic
he University of Texas at Austin Police Department will still issue citations, fines and arrests for low-level amounts of marijuana possession following Austin City Council’s resolution last month, which stopped funding the Austin Police Department to test whether a substance is marijuana or hemp. Hemp, which is similar to marijuana, has a lower percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and is now legal in Texas. UTPD can continue to test with the use of state funds because it’s a state-funded department, UTPD Sgt. Chris Vela said. However, Vela said state labs typically only conduct tests for felony cases of possession, which are defined as larger than four ounces. “All of our officers are state peace officers, so we’re going to enforce state law,” Vela said. Vela said individuals found with two ounces or less of marijuana can incur a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in up to 180 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000. He said a Class A misdemeanor could
I
be issued if two to four ounces of marijuana are found, and this can carry a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Anything greater than four ounces is considered a felony. “If we find somebody that’s in possession of a suspected drug, the think it’s difficult for students officers are going to understand how to to seize that item … then most of the navigate ... marijuana laws time, that’s going changing a lot.” to be sent over to a lab to test if we’re going to end up ALLYSON TODD trying to charge co-president of ut students for sensible somebody with it,” drug policy
Iowa caucus results for Democratic Party still delayed
steph sonik
Vela said, “If an officer seizes the drug but they don’t choose to file charges, meaning give them a citation or arrest them, that’s within the officer’s discretion.” Lab tests can take several weeks to several months, Vela said. James Lee, co-president of UT Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an organization that works to reform drug policy, said sending in all low-level possession tests would prove difficult. “It would be ridiculous for them to send all (possession cases) for testing,” Lee, a philosophy and sociology senior, said. “I think they’re just trying to scare people.”
/ the daily texan staff
UTPD may also defer to the University for cases of drug possession, Vela said. “(If) somebody doesn’t have a criminal record … the officers can still seize that drug and take it into evidence, but instead of charging somebody, we can use the UT administration avenue of having a conversation with them versus having to go to court,” Vela said. Vela said UTPD might also issue a citation and release for misdemeanor possession, which has individuals sign that they will appear in court at a later date. MARIJUANA
The results of the Iowa caucus are still unclear after a historic delay in vote counting Tuesday night. The Iowa caucus is the first primary election, kicking off the election season. At the time of print, only 62% of Iowa’s counties reported results with no update as to when the rest of the results would be released, said Mandy McClure, Iowa Democratic Party communications director, in a press release. Votes were counted on an app created by tech startup Shadow Inc., which was hired by the Iowa Democratic Party to record election results. The delay was due to inconsistencies between results reported on the app and on paper, McClure said. Because of an error in the app’s reporting system, the app was only reporting partial data, said Troy Price, Iowa Democratic Party chair, in a statement. “This is simply a reporting issue, “ McClure said in a statement on Twitter. “The app did not go down, and this is not a hack or an intrusion.” Josh Blank, director of research at the Texas Politics Project, said the delay in results itself is not as significant as how the campaigns spin the results in favor of their candidate. “The most important thing is for them to get the results right,” Blank said. “(The candidates) want to be able to use Iowa as the springboard to move on to New Hampshire
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UNIVERSITY
School of Geosciences receives $10.5 million endowment By Neha Madhira @nehamira14
The Jackson School of Geosciences received $10.5 million last week from The Munib and Angela Masri Foundation to create an endowment that will support graduate studies at the school. The organization was founded by a UT alumnus in 1970 as a humanitarian assistance organization for Palestinians. Now the foundation is expanding its outreach to UT. The donation will establish Masri fellowships for Jackson students with undergraduate degrees from Palestinian, Jordanian and Lebanese universities to support their education and research, according to a UT press release. The school also named its courtyard on the East Mall after the Masri Foundation to honor the endowment, according to the press release. UT alumnus Munib Masri said he owes his success in business and philanthropy to the University. “(I created the endowment) to support education and research on water, land use, energy, climate and environmental resilience,” Masri said. “(Therefore) the effects of human activities on habitat, water and energy resources and climate can be accurately predicted and the man-
agement of natural resources can be optimized.” Former geosciences dean Sharon Mosher said the fellowship process will be similar to the admissions process for other graduate students. Mosher said graduate students will apply for the fellowships, indicating what they are interested in doing and who they may want to work for. “Starting next fall, there will be enough funding for one (student), but over a period of years there will be funding for even more to come,” Mosher said. “It is a fairly prestigious fellowship, so there will be competition for that.” Masri said the fellowships complement the school’s 10-year strategic plan to help the success of the school’s enterprises. The plan includes research initiatives such as Planet Texas 2050, which finds solutions to aid Texas’ gradual process of population growth, according to its website. “The most important thing is to bring the world together, and I believe the Jackson School of Geosciences has a lot to offer to the (Middle East),” Masri said. Mosher said the University and the Masri Foundation will also advertise this program to universities in the Middle East. “One of the things that we are hoping for is that this will build
aria jones
/ the daily texan staff
The Jackson School of Geosciences is renaming its courtyard in the East Mall to “The Munib and Angela Masri Family Courtyard.” The Munib and Angela Masri Foundation gifted the school $10.5 million last week. stronger collaborations between UT and those other universities,” Mosher said. Geological sciences gradu-
ate student Omar Alamoudi said this endowment may encourage students with diverse backgrounds to apply and be a part
of Jackson. “(The endowment)
provides
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Briscoe Center to showcase women’s activism By Nataleah Small @nataleahjoy
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A century after the 19th Amendment passed in the United States, an exhibition on women’s activism will be on display at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. The exhibition “‘On with the Fight!’ Women’s Activism in the Briscoe Center’s Collections” will include materials on women’s suffrage, organization and labor activism, representation and media outreach, said Sarah Sonner, associate director for curation at the Briscoe Center. The exhibition will be on display starting Feb. 27 until the end of July. “We want to show people what we have on these topics in American history and encourage them to delve further in the archives,” Sonner said. The exhibition is the result of collaboration between the UT Department of History and Briscoe Center collection archivists and staff members, Sonner said. Sonner said visitors will be able to view documents, photographs and objects, such as an Equal Rights Amendment button and a summer uniform for a woman who served in the military. Hal Richardson, a social science and humanities research associate at the Briscoe Center, said he helped pull photographs from the Center’s media repository and scanned what was needed for the exhibition. Richardson said it was fascinating to handle photographs and documents with historical significance. “It’s always exciting providing (materials), but I never really know what to expect until I actually see the exhibit,” Richardson said. “It’s always a fun surprise for me.” A section on women in politics
copyright sarah sooner, and reproduced with permission
The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History will feature an exhibition later this month on women’s activism throughout history. The show is called “‘On with the Fight!’ Women’s Activism in the Briscoe Center’s Collections.” draws legislative material like the Ann Richards Papers, Sonner said. Richards was the second female governor of Texas, and her papers include campaign records, legislative files and gubernatorial appointments, according to the Center’s website. “We do hope that people will discover more, and there’s so many things that we were excited to find and show,” Sonner said. Although the Briscoe Center is not a lending institution, Sonner said most of the displayed materials will be available for reference in the Center’s reading room once the
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It will be interesting, especially for younger people, to see that these are fights that have been going on for a long time.” JILL MORENA
exhibition closes. Jill Morena, art registrar at the Briscoe Center, said she hopes visitors will leave the exhibition feeling encouraged and inspired. Morena said the exhibition will demonstrate that there is not always a straight path to social change. “It will be interesting, especially for younger people, to see that these are fights that have been going on for a long time,” Morena said. Visitors will be able to see how the feminist movement has grown and
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TODAY Feb. 05
NEWS
Atari plans video game hotel opening in Austin By Austin Martinez @austinmxrtinez
Atari, an arcade game and home video game console company, announced it will begin building video game-themed hotels in eight United States cities, including Austin, according to an Atari press release this week. Napoleon Smith III, producer of the film franchise “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” the GSD Group and real estate developer True North Studio will contribute to the hotel development and design, according to Atari’s official website. David Cohen, arts and entertainment technologies assistant professor of practice, said he will be visiting the hotel to surround himself with his true passion: video games. Cohen said he remembers going to his friend’s house to play the Atari 2600 home video game console when Atari first released it in the 1970s. “I would love to go to a hotel where everywhere I look and everything I experience is something that I love,” Cohen said. “This is a chance for me to physically immerse myself in video games and be surrounded by everything that I love.” The hotels will include typical amenities such as a gym, event rooms, bars, restaurants and a bakery, according to the press release.
However, Atari will be placing its own twist on hotels by including an esports studio, a gaming playground and a movie theater. “I think (Atari) is going to become a destination in and of itself, because how many hotels can you say have a gaming playground or an esports facility built in,” advertising graduate student Laura Sliker said. “It’s just another really distinctive thing that (Austin is) going to be able to brag on having.” Sliker is a part of the Texas Immersive program at UT, which teaches students how to design their own immersive technology experiences. Sliker said she wants to visit Atari’s hotels to learn about how they will design immersive technology experiences for their customers. “Obviously, gamers are going to be a primary market, but I also think this is going to be fun for people who grew up in the early ages of Atari,” Sliker said. “This is going to be an opportunity for them to get in touch with their inner child.” Cohen said Austin is a great city for a video game-themed hotel because it is a top city for video game development. He said he expects more video game-themed businesses to open in the next few years because the industry is focusing on providing immersive experiences for players. “We’re now going to be seeing things like esports bars,” Cohen said. “We’re going to start seeing these
rocky higine
kinds of things popping up because games are now something we all want to have a shared experience with.” Austin Espinoza, president of Longhorn Gaming, said he is excited Atari is reintroducing itself in a modern way to connect with younger audiences.
/ the daily texan staff
“I think the hotel is incredibly valuable,” Asian studies senior Espinoza said. “There are not enough places that are welcoming to your stereotypical video game player or just people A T A R I PAGE 3
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SG pauses international representative bill By Anna Canizales @annaleonorc
Student leaders gathered to discuss bills covering international student representatives and spring budget appropriations during the Student Government assembly meeting Tuesday. The bill to add an international student representative position in SG was put up for its second reading in front of the assembly. The bill was introduced last semester but was not voted on and was brought back to the assembly during the meeting. In the bill’s second reading, the author and sponsors said they want to add the position to ensure the concerns of international students — who make up over 10% of the student body — are heard. “The goal of the legislation is to hold a referendum in the fall semester to give the student body the choice to add a representative position whose sole job is to represent international students in the assembly,” said Jakob Lucas,
joshua guenther
/ the daily texan staff
Jakob Lucas, center and the Speaker of the Assembly, calls for the legislative body to vote on fast tracking the legislative process of AB 8 on Feb. 4. This amendment to the spring budget appropriations was taken up 29 for, 2 against and 1 abstaining. speaker of the assembly. “It would be blind to the candidate’s school or program and be merely whether or not they’re classified by the administration as an international student.”
The assembly debated the bill during an extended Q&A period and unanimously voted to send the bill back to the rules and regulations committee to be reamended. Student body president Cam-
ron Goodman said the main priority of SG should be to make sure every single student feels represented. “We notice a lot of issues in the (international) community that no one ever
bothered to bring up to the assembly,” communications representative Gabrielle Wongso said. “Unless you experience it, there’s no way you would know.” Before voting on each piece of legislation began, the assembly participated in SG’s first guided caucus, where representatives split into groups to discuss legislation, following representative Kerry Mackenzie’s survey results last week about the climate of the assembly. Last week, the survey found that not all representatives felt their voices were heard in the assembly. Lucas said in the meeting that the goal of the guided caucus is to give all representatives a chance to make their voices heard before voting. “A lot of the time there are very strong voices in the assembly that can polarize different groups,” said representative Michael Pontikes. “The opinions that came out of (the caucus) were not as polarizing. I’m really glad Mackenzie made that because it’s a really good way for reps to talk about things.”
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T H R O U G H T H E LENS
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Students gather to play music together on East Mall on Jan. 31, 2020. The group consists of musicians playing guitar, banjo and violin.
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“If you’ve ever gotten a speeding ticket, this is the same procedure,” Vela said. “You’ll have a court date … and
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and then these bigger states.” Eligible voters had to register with a party in order to vote in the Iowa caucus. During the primary, voters had to attend the caucuses of their corresponding party. At the Democratic caucuses, voters separated into groups based on their first-choice presidential candidate. “Any candidate who doesn’t receive (the support of) at least 15% of the cau-
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opportunities for people from these particular regions that may not necessarily be a part of this (program),” Alamoudi said. “It (also) helps the diversity
go through those processes.” Allyson Todd, co-president of UT Students for Sensible Drug Policy, said a problem with UTPD’s marijuana enforcement is a lack of consensus. “I don’t think that (there’s) a
problem with people thinking it’s fully been legalized,” said Todd, an international relations and global studies senior. “I think it is difficult for students to understand how to navigate … marijuana laws changing a lot.”
cus-goers present at the caucus, (voters) basically then get the option to support another candidate or walk away,” Blank said. Based on the first and final alignments, the candidates are awarded delegates who will go on to vote in the Democratic National Convention this July. For the first time, the Iowa Democratic party released three sets of results: first alignment, voters’ first-choice candidates; final alignment, how voters changed after the unviable
candidates were eliminated; and state delegate equivalents, how many delegates each candidate received, Blank said. Blank said this was part of Iowa working to improve its caucus over time. President Donald Trump won 97% of the Republican vote, earning 39 Iowa delegates, according to an article from the Associated Press. Trump has run largely uncontested for the Republican nomination as he is an incumbent president running for his second term.
that the Jackson school has been trying to promote for quite some time.” Masri said his experiences at UT contributed to his success in Palestine. Now, he said, he wants students from the Middle East to experience the same benefits UT has to offer. “Our planet is small and
affected by the environment, and we have to understand each other and work together in partnership to solve issues in the world’s interest,” Masri said. “It is very important to human beings to respect peace and dignity to face the social and economic challenges in which we live.”
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that play casually.” Espinoza said Austin has the perfect unique and “weird” culture for a video gamethemed hotel. “I am excited to see more video game-oriented businesses,” Espinoza said. “They’ll get more people talking about the game industry and esports and how it’s a lot bigger and (more) complex than people might think.”
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become more inclusive over time, Morena said. By looking at documents from the 20th century, she said visitors can see how the people included and excluded from these movements has changed. “What we’ve shown here scratches the surface of what’s here in the archives,” Morena said. “If students want
to learn more, they can certainly do that by just delving deeper into some of those collections.” Advertising senior Cailyn Wesstrom said it is incredible that the Briscoe Center is hosting an exhibition like this, especially since 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment. “I know a lot of people put serious effort into creating the exhibits,” Wesstrom said.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020
OPINION COLUMN
COLUMN
alekka hernandez the daily texan staff
Publicize the extra costs in engineering classes By Ishan Shah helen brown
Columnist
/ the daily texan staff
Lending libraries would help students and professors alike By Abhirupa Dasgupta Associate editor
Picture this: me, unathletic, running as fast as I can — which is not that fast — to the University Co-op 20 minutes before it closes. Then picture this: me, emotionally unstable, almost collapsing on a freshly folded mound of overpriced burnt orange T-shirts when the employee tells me they don’t have any more copies of the book I forgot to buy. Now I fully acknowledge that I shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to buy a book I knew I had to read, but I’m a College of Natural Sciences student. I’m used to professors imploring students to read a singular textbook and then covering the exact same material in their classes because they know no one actually reads it. However, this isn’t the case for liberal arts or communications classes, where professors often require students to read multiple shorter books throughout the course. Depending on how many of these classes students end up taking per semester, they may find themselves making multiple trips to bookstores to buy a small fortune’s worth of books. They may also find themselves unable to get the exact copy of the book they need, preventing them from being able to follow along in class. To decrease the financial burden on their students and make sure everyone is (literally) on the same page, professors should consider establishing a lending library of the books they cover in class each semester.
Lending libraries were common at my high school. In fact, my teachers discouraged us from buying the books we would be reading that semester because they already had enough copies for all of their students. Obviously, the students didn’t complain — we didn’t have to spend money or make that mad rush to the bookstore before we had new readings due. The teachers benefited too because they could ensure every student had access to the same version of the text at the same time.
A lending library ensures that all students who need a copy have one, making the classroom more accessible for students.” Elon Lang, a senior lecturer in the Thomas Jefferson Center for Core Texts and Ideas, prefers this aspect of lending programs. “I’ve given up over time trying to insist on a particular edition because half the class won’t buy it,” Lang said. However, if he had about a dozen copies of the appropriate version of the books on hand, he’d be able to make sure everyone in the class was looking at the same thing. This is especially important when he covers
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.
When I walked into my first class this semester, I was expecting to be handed a syllabus detailing relevant course information. Instead, I was greeted with a costly list of lab equipment and textbooks that were mandatory to complete my assignments. As I talked to my friends, I realized many of them were equally surprised by the number of extra items we were expected to buy. While the prices of these items may not pose a problem for some engineering students, lower-income students on financial aid may be blindsided by these costs since there is little mention of them prior to the first day of class. The nature of these expenses begs the question: Why hasn’t UT made it clear to students that they may need to pay for extra materials when they sign up for a class? Maybe it’s because these costs frequently change, so it’s hard to provide students with an exact value before the class actually starts. But, at the very least, the UT Cockrell School of Engineering should give students an estimate of these expenses so the first day of class isn’t the first time they hear about these costs.
translated texts, Lang said, since it can be confusing when students show up to class with different translations. Lang generally covers the same texts from semester to semester, and he speculated that most of his colleagues do the same. As such, departmental lending libraries could have significant longevity, and it wouldn’t be a difficult process to cultivate a robust library through student donations. Biochemistry sophomore Emily Samson had to buy eight books in one semester and didn’t use them again. “I wasn’t able to sell any of my books, so they’re just sitting in my closet,” Samson said. If her professors had asked her to return or donate the books, she would have happily turned them over. To further incentivize donations, professors could offer extra credit on assignments or final grades. A lending library may seem like a redundant idea when the Co-op is so close by and campus libraries have copies of most books on any syllabus. However, those copies are limited, expensive and they can leave students in a bind when they run out. A lending library ensures that all students who need a copy have one, making the classroom more accessible for students and easier to manage for professors. So in future semesters, when I look down at my syllabus and see a list of six books I have to get, it would be nice to see the words “lending library available” right next to it. Dasgupta is a neuroscience and biochemistry sophomore from Frisco.
UT Engineering should give students an estimate of these expenses so the first day isn’t the first time they hear about these costs.”
GALLERY
gianna shahdad
/ the daily texan staff
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Clark Poon, an electrical and computer engineering sophomore, said he estimates spending an extra $100-150 on materials for his classes each semester. “The main unavoidable costs I have noticed are for textbooks, including online ones … which are all required to complete homework assignments,” Poon said. This isn’t a problem that’s unique to Poon. For years, students have had to pay to access online homework and learning module services like Quest, which charges students $30 per class. Additionally, Poon said students often also have to pay for online access to books like McGraw-Hill Connect or zyBooks. Apart from this, engineering students also have to buy lab equipment for some classes, such as a $100 circuit design kit for Introduction to Electrical Engineering and around $65 in parts for Introduction to Embedded Systems. It is fairly difficult to get around these costs. Even though some students may be able to find online PDFs of their books, these could be different editions than those used in class. For lab equipment, students are encouraged to check out equipment, but Poon said this limits students to only work during lab hours. For these reasons, the Cockrell School of Engineering should allocate funds for class materials to be distributed on a need-based system. Michael Chuang, an electrical and computer engineering freshman, thinks adding need-based grants could potentially solve a major problem for lower-income students who may not have the resources to pay for these extra costs. “That would be a good safety net to implement for those who cannot afford it because they do not have a choice,” Chuang said. The University’s financial aid website claims that “UT Austin is committed to enrolling and graduating … high-potential students, regardless of income.” In order to remain true to their words, UT Engineering needs to help students shoulder these costs. Due to the lack of transparency about these extraneous expenses and financial support to alleviate these costs, I believe UT Engineering is doing its students a disservice. Students shouldn’t have to struggle to access their course materials. UT Engineering already does a lot for its students academically, but by allocating funds appropriately for students in need, they could do even more. Shah is an electrical and computer engineering freshman from Plano.
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STUDENT LIFE
Service connects students with babysitting, tutoring jobs By Anissa Reyes @thedailytexan
As graduation neared, Emily Garcia broke the news to a child she’d been babysitting for a year and a half that she would be leaving soon. “The plan was to graduate in December and stop watching her,” Emily Garcia said. “But then for Christmas, I surprised her and wrote on a card that I was staying and she was so happy. Emily Garcia was introduced to College Nannies, Sitters and Tutors when she was just a sophomore at UT. After graduating in 2019, she continued to work with the child she met and bonded with through the service. “I’ve become their primary babysitter,” Emily Garcia said. “I still can’t leave because I’m so attached.” College Nannies, Sitters and Tutors is a website and app that connects college students or adults with different families to babysit or tutor for. All they have to do is create a free online profile, get approved by a background check and meet for an in-person interview at one
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for a chosen community. Bearden said throughout the project he was forced to come face to face with the negative impacts of stereotypes against Black men. “During the more personal
of the local offices. Workers get paid through the company, which charges the parents who use the service. As someone who is pursuing a career in child development, Emily Garcia said she saw this as the perfect opportunity to get experience with kids. “I’m the youngest in my family, so obviously there’s no younger kids,” Emily Garcia said. “So it was hard for me trying to learn (how to work with children) because you’re reading the books and they’re showing you scenarios and telling you about (teaching), but you don’t really see it until you’re actually working with kids.” The service lets sitters and tutors set their availability, find a job as little as an hour in advance and take time off when needed. Cassandra Fleming, a human development and family sciences senior, has been working with the program for three months and said that the flexible schedule works especially well for college students. “It’s perfect because let’s say I have class in the morning and in the evening, but then I have that
times, it was sometimes overwhelming because for the documentary, I wanted to be true to myself,” Bearden said. “Once you try to forget something I feel like you really push it down. Bringing it back up just comes up with all those memories and feelings that happened in the moment.” “And They Were Loved”
break in the middle where I can go do a babysitting job and make money,” Fleming said. Katlyn Garcia, a human development and family sciences senior, has been working with the program for a year and a half. She said that the nontraditional setup works well with her schedule as a full-time student and member of an on-campus spirit organization. “You’re not bound to a certain schedule every week where you’re working so much,” Katlyn Garcia said. “It’s just hanging out with kids and having fun, which is a nice job to have instead of a waitress, for example, where you have a fixed schedule no matter what.” Emily Garcia will leave her babysitting job at the end of this semester but said she enjoyed her time working with children. “I (would work) for so many hours, and it feels like nothing for me because there are kids,“ Garcia said. “It brings so much joy to me seeing them smile and then giving you the biggest hugs. It really warms your heart.”
is set to be released Feb. 15. The film was recently awarded a $4,000 grant by the CEO of an Austin-based organization called What’s in the Mirror as part of their Art Heals project, which aims to help further expose the documentary to youth in the LGBTQ community. Ultimately, Julien’s goal is
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for people to see themselves in the film. “I want them to know that they are worthy of being loved,” Julien said. “They are worthy of having a sanctuary. They are worthy of that self-expression. Being free. Also on the other end, I want people to see the humanity of Black and brown people.”
/ the daily texan staff
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Housing available Available now - Historic 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom house in quiet neighborhood, close to campus and downtown, off-street parking, laundry in unit, newly renovated kitchen, all rooms oversized, back deck. Asking $3200/month, 6 month lease considered. Contact JoEllen Mason (512) 415-8887 or Amy Long (804) 307-9837 with questions and to tour. Short term rental is available. Also taking preleases for 12 months starting summer 2020. copyright malik julien, and reproduced with permission
UT and UTSA students Zion Mbeye, left, Jacundo Ramos, center, and Marcus Bearden are featured in the student documentary “And They Were Loved,” created by Malik Julien, a radio-television-film sophomore.
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MARCUS KRUM
Sports Editor | @TEXANSPORTS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020
BASEBALL
Another swing at things
Coming off a disappointing season, Texas baseball looks for a successful 2020 campaign. By Nathan Han @NathanHan13
t this time a year ago, Texas was riding high off a College World Series berth and a 42–23 final record after a sluggish 9–9 start. Now, the Longhorns look to restore that feeling after they started the 2019 season 12–3 but ended right at .500 after finishing conference play in a 7-16 skid and missing the Big 12 Tournament. It’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in college baseball. But the Longhorns’ fortune could switch again just as quickly, and head coach David Pierce has reason to believe that Texas can flip the narrative and get back to the winning ways that led to Pierce’s College Coach of the Year Award in 2018. The path back to those winning ways starts with improvement at the plate, where the Longhorns were dead last in the Big 12 in batting average, OPS, home runs and hits in 2019. One reason for hope is the return of all three starting outfielders. Sophomore Eric Kennedy, who was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team, led the Longhorns in 2019 with a .310 batting average and a .800 OPS. Senior Austin Todd led the team with 38 RBIs, while senior Duke Ellis was a walk machine, drawing 45 walks en route to a .411
JOSHUA GUENTHER
/ THE DAILY TEXAN FILE
Redshirt senior catcher DJ Petrinsky swings at a pitch during Texas 7‒2 win against Purdue on Feb. 22, 2019. Texas had a subpar 2019 campaign, going 27‒27. The Longhorns hope to start their 2020 campaign off on the right foot on Feb. 14, 2020, against Rice in Houston. on-base percentage. The group of outfielders has taken on the identity of the team. “I hope that we’re known for being just absolute grinders,” Todd said. But just as they reflect on the team’s strengths, the three returning outfielders also mirror the team’s weaknesses. Texas didn’t have a single hitter with a slugging percentage at or above the 50th percentile of all qualifying Big 12 batters last year. For reference, Texas Tech, the No. 1-ranked team in the
Big 12 in the Preseason Coaches Poll, hit 72 home runs and had a team slugging percentage of .471 compared to Texas’ .350. So how do the Longhorns go about regaining the power that lifted them to a College World Series berth? One answer could be the return of catcher DJ Petrinsky, who missed the majority of 2019 with a shoulder injury. The redshirt senior hit nine home runs and batted in 29 runs in 2018. Pierce lauded Petrinsky’s effect on a young pitching staff, but the catcher could also be
crucial to bolstering a Texas lineup sorely needing power. “Guys are trusting him and throwing more pitches with conviction and not worrying about a negative result,” Pierce said. “Having a guy like DJ back there gives you that security.” Freshman infielders Brenden Dixon and Trey Faltine along with junior infielder Murphy Stehly could potentially provide some pop in the middle of the infield and at third base. “Especially with those young guys, (we’re working on) just slowing them down at home
plate and getting them comfortable seeing those baseballs,” Pierce said. The offseason addition of five-time MLB All-Star Troy Tulowitzki as an assistant coach could serve to bolster this Longhorn lineup as well. “With (Tulowitzki) making a few adjustments and little tweaks, I think it helped me go in the right direction,” Todd said. First baseman Zach Zubia is a prime candidate for improvement in the power
department. Redshirt junior Zubia led the team with five home runs and had a high flyout rate, which is a positive indicator for power, but he will also have to manage the transition to first base from designated hitter. But no matter where it comes from, the Longhorns will need someone to step up and provide that spark to the offense that they were lacking last season. Otherwise, they may face another May sitting at home watching the rest of the Big 12 compete.
FOOTBALL
Longhorns hope to fill out recruiting class with final prospects By Donnavan Smoot @Dsmoot3D
With spring ball and the start of the 2020 season on the horizon, Texas’ hectic offseason will come to a close with National Signing Day. The Longhorns, like most of the nation, secured the core of their recruiting class in December during the early signing period. Even after signing highly touted recruits like Hudson Card, a Lake Travis dual-threat quarterback, and Bijan Robinson, a running back from Salpointe Catholic in Tucson, Arizona, Texas still has top prospects in its sights. According to 247Sports, Texas has just one five-star recruit in Robinson. The Arizona native is ranked as the top running back in the nation and is set to be a key piece for Texas’ offensive future. “To give you an example of what kind of kid he is, he’s a very spiritual, very godly person from a very strong Christian family,”
Texas head coach Tom Herman said in December. “This guy would drive the bus and take out the trash if you ask him to. And that is (not) coming from coaches trying to sell him, (but) assistant principals to security guards at the front gate.” Currently, Texas has the No. 10 ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports. While that’s a small dip from the back-to-back top-five classes Texas has put out each of the last two years, only Oklahoma, ranked No. 9, has a better class within the Big 12. If Texas has a big day, it can catapult itself back amongst the nation’s elite. Of the recruits still weighing their options, Duncanville cornerback Ennis Rakestraw is set to be the first to make his decision. Rakestraw, a three-star player, would immediately be in a position to help Texas’ secondary under new leadership. Texas might also have already secured an inside track after securing his teammate, dual-threat quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson.
BLACK HISTORY DAY TEXAS BASKETBALL VS TEXAS TECH
Along with help in the secondary, Texas needs to replenish its receiving core. Both Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson declared for the NFL Draft, leaving rising junior Brennan Eagles and rising sophomore Jake Smith as the top returning targets for the Longhorns. Two receivers signed with Texas during the early signing period, but Texas still has its sights on more pass catchers. “That’s a position that we’ll probably go into February looking for one more,” Herman said about recruiting receivers in December. “We got our sights set on a couple that did not sign today.” Texas could make the biggest splash by landing defensive ends Alfred Collins and Princely Umanmielen. Both rank as Top 25 defensive ends in the ESPN 300, so Texas could replenish its line and surround budding star Keondre Coburn with significant talent. According to 247Sports, Collins’
JACK MYER
/ THE DAILY TEXAN FILE
Head coach Tom Herman speaks to the media during a press conference on Nov.19, 2019. Herman and the Longhorns are hoping for good fortune on National Signing Day. decision will be between Oklahoma and Texas. His decision could be the deciding factor to push the Longhorns over the Sooners in the rankings. National Signing Day won’t be a day for the Longhorns to
pull together a cream of the crop class, but it will be a chance for them to retool. The 2019 graduating class wasn’t a big class in terms of size, but Texas lost pillars of the program. Down the stretch of the 2019 season,
depth — and the development of it — was a major point of emphasis for Herman. With all the changes that have occurred within the last two months, that process of developing depth begins today.
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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
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 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 Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Crossword ACROSS
SUDOKUFORYOU 9 7 1 1 2 3 5 9 4 8 1 7 1 3 8 6 5 5 9 3 8 9 2 6 3 3 1 7 8 3 5 9 1
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ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE S H I R K S
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55 Fruit in some gin 56 Animal relative of a hinny 57 Pointy bill or tail feathers? 60 Dr. ___, film enemy of Austin Powers 61 Bring up … or something that might be brought up 62 Unidentified person, in slang 63 Climax in “Hamilton” 64 Dunderhead 65 Having a body mass index over 30, medically DOWN 1 Actor Edward James ___ 2 State of mind 3 Jokey parts of prank calls, often 4 Sci-fi travelers, for short 5 Presidential advisory grp. 6 Times New Roman alternative 7 Accumulated, as expenses 8 “Jeez, I did NOT need to know that!” 9 Fictional sport whose rules are invented during play 10 Sarge’s superior 11 Something a bride or groom might acquire 12 Fruit from an orchard
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PUZZLE BY CHRISTINA IVERSON AND JEFF CHEN
15 Give in (to)
31 Knot-___ (scout’s skill) 32 Necessity for 23 One of 17 life, chemically Monopoly speaking properties: Abbr. 34 Be a hermit, say 25 Traditional 35 Supreme leaders wedding wear, for 36 Five-time Pro some Bowl receiver 26 Really needs a Welker bath, say 39 Diluted 28 Complained 41 Not as bright angrily and loudly 44 Itinerary word 30 What “choosy moms choose,” in 45 T.A.’s overseer ads 46 Having renown 18 Levi’s alternatives
47 Message on a candy heart 48 “Cross my heart!” 49 Pops, to tots 50 Things that might make one cry “Foul!”? 52 Black tea variety 55 Knife 58 Promoter of Teacher Appreciation Week: Abbr. 59 Sellout show inits.
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
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020
FOOD
LIFE&ARTS
Satisfy your Valentine’s Day hunger Six Austin restaurants offer ways to set the mood without breaking the bank on Valentine’s Day. By Catherine Cardenas @c_aaattt
alentine’s Day is just around the corner and love is in the air. Whether you decide to spend it with your significant other or your best friends, The Daily Texan has compiled a list of restaurants to set the mood and save your wallet. Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s Little Italy provides the iconic date night experience at a location just a few miles away at The Domain. Without necessarily stretching the budget, Maggiano’s serves classic family style Italian meals. The interior of the restaurant is equipped with mood lighting, romantic candles and desserts that will make you believe in love. If you prefer a romantic dinner at home, Maggiano’s also offers carryout. To get the most bang for your buck, get the “Today and Tomorrow” pastas, where you can order a classic pasta ranging from $14–$17 and get a second portion to take home. Colleen’s Kitchen
If you’re looking to have a great Galentine’s with your favorite gal pals, brunch at Colleen’s Kitchen will do the trick. Located in the Mueller Market District, Colleen’s Kitchen is about a 10-minute car ride from campus. With a bright atmosphere and flowery aesthetic, Colleen’s Kitchen is a picturesque location where you can treat yourselves to a Southern-style meal. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, the average price for a plate is around $13–$15.
barbra daly
Lucky Robot
Lucky Robot has you covered if you’re in the mood for Japanese food this Valentine’s Day. Located in the heart of South Congress Avenue, Lucky Robot offers a colorful interior and intimate setting. Additionally, Lucky Robot focuses on “responsible seafood,” which means the restaurant obtains their seafood in a way that doesn’t harm the surrounding
environment. This Japanese and Peruvian fusion restaurant is great for the environmentally conscious and romantics alike. Mandola’s Italian Kitchen
Located 10 minutes north of campus, Mandola’s Italian Kitchen boasts an authentic Italian food experience. The interior is intensely decorated with brick walls and colorful lights, making it feel like
an Italian restaurant in the heart of New York City. The restaurant is also equipped with a small dessert market, with items ranging from pastries to gelato. It’s easier to be conscious of your wallet here, with the highest-priced dinner plate ringing up at $16. Odd Duck
On the more expensive side and offering some odd food
combinations is Odd Duck. Located on South Lamar Boulevard, the main selling point of this quaint restaurant is that all of the ingredients used are from local Austin producers. The greenery that decorates the restaurant makes for a fresh, modern aesthetic, perfect for those looking for an Austin-esque date night. Picnic at Zilker
If you’re not in the mood to
/ the daily texan staff
stay home but don’t want to yell over the crowd at a noisy restaurant, take a nice stroll through the city and finish with a picnic at Zilker Metropolitan Park for a view of the Austin skyline. Weather permitting, it’s easy to make this space versatile. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date with your partner or a chill picnic with friends, Zilker is the perfect place to start.
FILM
Student film follows journey of 3 LGBTQ men of color By Bithia Dantoumda @bithiaaa
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Malik Julien made his first film at the age of 6. After reluctantly asking his mom for permission, she said, “Okay, let’s do it.” “In my mind I’m thinking she’s probably going to be like, ‘No,’ and I was just ready for that defeat,” Julien, a radio-television-film sophomore, said. “That honestly
was the moment that pushed me to become the filmmaker that I’ve always aspired to be.” Years later, he has dedicated his life to telling other people’s stories through his camera lens. After working on other short films and documentaries, Julien began creating a documentary called “And They Were Loved.” Julien said his film came to fruition after he began searching for sources who would be
willing to share their stories about being a person of color in the LGBTQ community. Julien identifies as queer, Black and Christian. He said that the way he identifies has allowed him to see things differently. “My identity is radical in itself and I am starting to really realize that,” Julien said. “I 100% acknowledge the suffering that the church community has caused upon the LGBTQ community, which
is why I feel like if I am seeing these problems, I have to do something about it.” The film features two UT-Austin students: Zion Mpeye, a health and society and Black studies junior, and Marcus Bearden, a human development and family sciences sophomore. The film also features Jacundo Ramos, a health and society junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio. “Malik is such a caring guy,” Mpeye said. “He always wants
to make sure that you’re taken care of, (he’s) always checking up on you. This documentary gave me a space to just be more of myself.” The documentary follows the three LGBTQ men of color, each one with a diverse range of experiences. Julien said he hopes that in sharing their stories, a voice will be given to issues within the Black and brown LGBTQ community, such as living with HIV. “I’ve been doing a lot of
HIV advocacy work for a few years now,” Ramos said. “I’m living with HIV. It’s been a crazy roller coaster from when I got diagnosed to now being in the position that I am in. I have spoken on a global, state and national level regarding HIV advocacy.” The film takes place in Austin, San Antonio and Denison, and highlights the experiences of each subject in their search
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