The Daily Texan 2020-09-04 by The Daily Texan

DT Volume 121, Issue 14 friday, september 4, 2020

making connections barbra daly

/ the daily texan staff

PERMANENT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Emily Caldwell

Projects Editor Sami Sparber

Managing Editor Megan Menchaca

Projects Reporters Marcus Krum, Nicole Stuessy, Meara Isenberg

Assoc. Managing Editors Jason Lihuang, Trinady Joslin Director of Digital Strategy Michael Hernandez Director of Diversity & Inclusion Angelica Arinze Collaborations Director Neelam Bohra Internal Relations Directors Areeba Amer, Ariana Arredondo

Double Coverage Copy Editor Brittany Miller Design Editor Sierra Wiggers Assoc. Design Editor Maria Perez Double Coverage Designer Christina Peebles Senior Designers Megan Fletcher, Eunice Bao Video Editor Jackson Barton Assoc. Video Editor Jennifer Xia, Brendan Long

Illustration Coordinator Abriella Corker

Photo Editor Presley Glotfelty

News Editor Emily Hernandez

Assoc. Photo Editor Jamie Hwang

Assoc. News Editors Neelam Bohra, Lauren Girgis

Double Coverage Photo Editor Jack Myer

News Desk Editors Areeba Amer, Hannah Williford, Lauren Grobe

Senior Photographers Kirsten Hahn, Nicholas Vo

Assoc. Life&Arts Editors Aisling Ayers, Grace Barnes Sr. Life&Arts Writers Jennifer Errico, Anissa Reyes Sports Editor Myah Taylor Assoc. Sports Editor Stephen Wagner

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news

The University implemented a new building certification process before reopening campus.

life & arts

Seniors going to graduate school face obstacles choosing and applying to programs.

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MAIN TELEPHONE

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It may be more important now than ever before to learn how to register to vote.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

sports

Texas guard Shae Routt is continuing her mother’s Longhorn basketball legacy.

Apartment complexes may evict students who host parties of 10+

BUSINESS & ADVERTISING

Grant Daniels

Production Michael Gammon Account Executives Diane Byram, Pam Garner, Julianne Phillipp Design Tillie Policastro

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The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. E-mail managingeditor@thedailytexan.com.

Director Gerald Johnson Business/ Operations Manager Frank Serpas III Advertising Manager Emily Cohen Assistant Advertising Manager

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WEST CAMPUS

Comics Editor Barbra Daly

Senior Sports Reporters Nathan Han, Carter Yates

Emily Caldwell (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com

NEWS OFFICE

Assoc. Copy Desk Chiefs Phoebe Hayes, Irissa Omandam, Megan Shankle

Assoc. Editors Abby Dasgupta, Hannah Lopez, Julia Zaksek, Sanika Nayak Forum Editors Daisy Kielty, Maria Sailale

Life&Arts Editor Ariana Arredondo

opinion

Copy Desk Chiefs Jimena Pinzon, Lawson Freeman

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Beat Reporters Andrew Zhang, Anna Canizales, Amanda FigueroaNieves, Brooke Ontiveros, Samantha Greyson, Neha Madhira, Lauren Goodman

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ISSUE STAFF

jack myer

Comic Artists Nat Hadaway, Leah De La Rosa, Marissa Xiong

Students could face consequences for violating social distancing guidelines in apartment complexes in West Campus. The apartments may evict students that hold gatherings of more than 10 people.

Opinion Illustrators Helen Brown Sports Reporters Carter Yates, Daniela Perez

By Brooke Ontiveros @brookexpanic

AUSTIN WEATHER TODAY Sept. 4

HI 84º LO 73º

/ the daily texan staff

TOMORROW Sept. 5

HI 91º LO 73º

Happy Bey Day!

West Campus apartment complexes may evict students for violating social distancing guidelines that restrict indoor gatherings to 10 people in response to college students’ parties around the nation. “As a reminder, our lease agreement has a policy that residents should not have gatherings of more than 10 people,” American Campus Communities wrote in an email to its tenants obtained by The Daily Texan. “If these guidelines are not followed we will be taking

disciplinary action that could lead to eviction.” American Campus owns multiple West Campus properties including The Callaway House, The Castilian, The Block, Crest at Pearl, Texan and Vintage, and 26 West, and say they will enforce social distancing rules at all their apartment complexes. The addendum in residents’ leases requires students to have fewer than 10 total people in their apartment, including those living in the apartment. “We are dedicated to promoting the well-being of our residents and doing what we

can to help you feel a part of the community, especially in these dynamic times,” American Campus said in an email to residents. “Our ability to have a successful fall semester depends on it. We’re in this together.” The city of Austin’s eviction moratorium order placed bans on evictions until Sept. 30. But according to the moratorium order, evictions are allowed if tenants “pose an imminent threat of physical harm to the property owner, the property owner’s employees, or other tenants, APARTMENTS

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NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

2020 ELECTION

County clerk’s office will set up drive-thru mail-in ballot locations By Lauren Goodman @laurgoodman

Travis County will have three drive-thru locations for voters to mail in ballots for the November election. At drive-thru locations, voters can hand-deliver their ballots to the business office of the county clerk, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said. According to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, those eligible to vote by mail-in ballot must be either disabled, 65 or older, out of the county during early voting and on Election Day or be in jail. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Texas Democratic Party’s effort to expand the eligibility to all Texans who wish to vote by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the Supreme Court’s dismissal, DeBeauvoir said voters can request a mail-in ballot based on health concerns of themselves or people in their household based on the Texas Supreme Court ruling in May. Election officials do not need to check disability claims, DeBeauvoir said. “Voters have the right and prerogative to make their own determination about whether they qualify for a ballot by mail under the disability categories,” DeBeauvoir said. “This is a plain language reading of what the law says.” DeBeauvoir said the drive-thrus will hopefully lessen the workload of the U.S. Postal Service in light of the decommissioning of four sorting machines and an automated flat sorting machine in Austin specifically used for mail-in ballots. William Moody, president of the National Association

of Letter Carriers for Local Branch 181, said the decommissioned machines previously serviced the Greater Austin metropolitan area and surrounding cities. “One of those letter sorting machines can sort 30,000 letters an hour … so there’s a lot of mail that’s not being sorted,” Moody said. Mike Siegel, Democratic candidate running for Congress in Texas’ 10th Congressional District, said removing the sorting machines is an attack on the Postal Service and its workers. “It’s an essential public good and a public service,” Siegel said. “They actually helped unite the country in a way that no other service does.” Incumbent Rep. Michael McCaul, R-TX-10, voted in August on a $25 billion House bill to support the Postal Service and stop changes that would slow mail delivery services. “This pandemic has highlighted the importance of mail when so many individuals are

unable or feel unsafe leaving their homes,” McCaul said to the Austin American-Statesman. According to a poll from the Texas Politics Project, 52% of Democratic voters would choose to vote by mail, versus 13% of Republican voters. The poll shows 54% of Republican voters would choose to cast their ballot during early in-person voting. “(The poll) exhibits the overwhelming impact of partisanship on perceptions of the voting process,” said Joshua Blank, Texas Politics Project research director. “The partisans of both sides are employed to either try to expand access … (or) embrace the status quo.” The deadline for a mail-in ballot to be received is Oct. 23. DeBeauvoir said people must request a ballot as soon as possible for their request to be processed in time. “You can safely vote in-person, you can vote by mail — don’t let anybody take your options away from you,” DeBeauvoir said.

rocky higine

/ the daily texan staff

Editor-In-Chief E M I LY C A L D W E L L FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

OPINION

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

‘This year’s not the year to procrastinate’ Make sure you register by Oct. 5 to vote in the upcoming November elections. By Emily Caldwell Editor-in-Chief

lection season is approaching quickly and so is the deadline to register to vote. Your vote this fall may matter more than it ever has before — whether it’s through the presidential election, the United States Senate election, the Austin City Council election or through the countless other races on the ballot this November, we have the potential to shape local, state and national history as we know it. I spoke with Bruce Elfant, the Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, to make sure I got not only the logistical information students need to know, but also why this election season is so critical. You can read excerpts from our conversation below. Daily Texan: What is the deadline to register to vote in November for Travis County, and is that deadline to register to vote by mail different? The

Yes. The register to vote is just getting your voter registration. The vote by mail is a different issue. The registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 5. What we don’t want to encourage people to do is mail their voter registrations in at the last minute because they might get burned this year. This year’s not the year to procrastinate. If you need to register Bruce Elfant:

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.

to vote or update your address, we encourage people to do it now. Is texting REGISTER to iVOTE and completing the voter registration application online the easiest way to register that you know of right now? DT:

Yes, it is, because you don’t have to leave your house or your dorm room. We do use the mail for “Text to Register,” but when we get to about a week before the deadline, they will receive a message about alternative ways to register and they will have to go obtain a registration application and fill it out and turn it in directly to a volunteer deputy registrar. That would be the preferable way to do it at that point because we just can’t guarantee postal delivery on the deadline. We encourage people to register now. If you’re going to be close to the deadline, the Tax Office is going to be open till midnight on Monday, Oct. 5, and we will have other locations that we’re going to announce pretty soon where people can go on the last weekend and the last day to personally turn in their cards. If they’re concerned about being out in public with the pandemic, the “Text to Register” is a really good option, and they can do it now and we’re not worried about them getting registered at this point. BE:

Every time you move to a new apartment or you move to a new place in Austin, you have to register to vote again, right? DT:

Yes, you do. If you move literally from apartment 101 to apartment 103 across the hall, you have to update your address, or your mail won’t get to you — your voter registration application or any other election information. You’re supposed to update every time you move, and that’s why probably 30% of the people we’re registering are updating their addresses. BE:

helen brown

/ the daily texan staff GALLERY

Why is it so important for college students to register to vote? DT:

It’s their future. The decisions that local governments especially are going to make are going to profoundly impact younger people the most. When you talk about affordability for college and student tuition and housing, all those kinds of issues are being decided by local governments. It’s just vital and critical for young people to participate and help shape the community and the national policies. To register to vote, text REGISTER to iVOTE (that’s the letter i, not the number one) and complete the voter registration application online as soon as possible. Caldwell is a Latin American studies and journalism senior from College Station, Texas. She is the editor-in-chief. BE:

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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charlie hyman

/ the daily texan staff

EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanOpinion) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.

NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

UNIVERSITY

UT research funding data ‘slightly distorted’ in report

ture amounts to the best of our ability with the data at our disposal.” The University pays several expenses to employees that are unrelated to their salaries, such as workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits. The misrepresentation of data, Howell said, is due to reporting the individu-

al nonwage expenses under the “State Appropriations” category. Those expenditures are now reclassified under the “Federal” category, Howell said. Linda Haster, the associate director of sponsored projects and award administration for the Office of Sponsored Projects, said the

University has since shifted to reporting nonwage expenses with a pooled fringe methodology, reporting fixed rates for benefit packages per department instead of each individual employee. “Converting to a pooled method allows institutions to recover a higher percentage of the cost while reduc-

ing the administrative burden related to establishing and managing the budgets,” Haster said. Karl Fisher, the executive director of Applied Research Laboratories, said the lab is a University-affiliated research center contracted by the United States Department of Defense and 99% funded by

federal funds. “We act as effectively trusted agents for the government,” Fisher said. “We avoid real or perceived conflict of interest, and we do that primarily by not taking contracts directly from industry.” Fisher said project funding is negotiated through the Office of Sponsored Projects with the government in an omnibus contract or grant. Changes of funding come from the adjustments of the Department of Defense’s budget over time. “We do kind of track the government spending,” Fisher said. “Sometimes, though, (Applied Research Laboratories) tends to do even better when money is tight because we are pretty cost-effective.” Haster said the office hasn’t seen any significant changes in federal funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial impact of the pandemic on research funding likely won’t be reflected in an accountability report until fiscal year 2021 or 2022, Haster said. “We haven’t seen a decrease in the proposal submissions that we’ve been applying for, and the awards that we’ve been getting granted,” Haster said. “If anything, there’s a different sector that’s become available because of all the research going around (COVID-19) in general.”

Martin Serra, an attorney at Legal Services for Students, said if residents signed leases or community policies stating they would follow guidelines on gatherings of 10 or more people, landlords can pursue an eviction hearing despite the moratorium. Amy Shreeve, a rhetoric and writing sophomore

who lives in The Block, said when she learned eviction was a potential consequence, she felt less inclined to report parties. “I would like some kind of penalty, but eviction seems very severe, especially since a lot of people are struggling with housing insecurity right now,” Shreeve said. “Even if

you’re having a large party that is potentially risky to other people, you still deserve to have a place to live.” Shreeve said American Campus has not clearly communicated how students will be monitored and if eviction is the first step — or the tenth step. According to American

Campus, they will investigate large gatherings if a staff or resident submits a report. Nicholas Senktas, an international relations and global studies and economics junior who lives in The Pointe on Rio, said although he was initially pleased to hear American Campus would enforce social distancing guidelines,

he soon changed his mind when they mentioned the potential for eviction. He said fining people for hosting parties would be a better system. “I don’t think they will actually evict anyone,” Senktas said. “However, I think the fact that they even threatened to do that in the first place is ridiculous.”

By Lauren Goodman @laurgoodman

Research fund amounts sent to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for UT’s annual accountability report have been unintentionally “slightly distorted” over years to inaccurately show more significant changes in funding, according to the University’s Office of Sponsored Projects. The board’s Accountability System compares and tracks the performances of higher education institutions annually, according to the board’s 60x30TX website. The institutional data collected by the board is used by state legislators and university boards in allocating funds and evaluating the success of higher education programs. The UT fiscal year 2019 accountability report, which was published in May 2020, showed a 22.4% decrease from 2017 to 2019 in the distribution of state funds toward research spending. Michael Howell, grants and contracts manager for the Office of Sponsored Projects, said he calculated the real percent change to be a 4.1% decrease in research spending with state funds. “This issue was unforeseeable at the time we were preparing the (accountability) report,” Howell said. “We had to report the expendi-

a pa r t m e n t s

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including other tenants within the household.” Warnings will be issued before eviction, but how many warnings are issued varies on the severity of the incident, according to American Campus.

megan fletcher

/ the daily texan staff

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

NEWS

CAMPUS

Buildings must go through COVID-19 checklist during reopening process By Neha Madhira @nehamira14

Since the University reopened for the fall semester, new building certification processes were put in place to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, a University spokesperson said. Every building reopened for the fall semester has gone through a building certification process, which includes a review of the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, UT media manager Veronica Trevino said. “Our approach and protocol for preparing campus facilities for safe reoccupancy align with the standards and guidelines being recommended,” Trevino said. Before a building can reopen, building managers must inspect each building and complete two checklists that are approved by authorized personnel, according to the UT Facilities Services website. “The University is following and monitoring public health guidance around ventilation systems and air circulation, including guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,” Trevino said. Trevino said in addition to

routine maintenance such as filter replacement, facility HVAC systems have been tested and will bring increased outdoor air intake to campus buildings. UT population health professor Dr. Elizabeth Matsui said there is not good evidence that coronavirus can travel and infect people on the receiving end of a HVAC system. “We haven’t seen that yet,” Matsui said. “The scenarios we’ve seen are the story of people traveling on a bus together, where the windows were all rolled up and the air was being recirculated, and a lot of people got infected.” Matsui said there are three main classifications as to how various viruses spread. “One way is fomites,” Matsui said. “Fomites are simply particles that are on surfaces that contain, in this case, viral viruses that are infections. So if you touch a doorknob and then rub your nose and you get (a) virus on mucus membranes on your nose, then you may be inoculating yourself with (a) virus.” Matsui said the other two are called droplet spread and aerosol spread, which involve particles that can travel longer distances in the air. “Droplets are admitted when someone sneezes or coughs, and they don’t travel very far, and they

nat hadaway

can land on your eyes or mucus membranes or you can inhale them if you are (in) close contact,” Matsui said. “In the medical community, aerosols are smaller particles that

If there is a way that COVID-19 can be spread through vents or buildings, that is concerning because I planned on staying in a dorm.” SRIKAR MANGALAPALLI

computer science freshman

/ the daily texan staff

travel further distances in the air.” Computer science freshman Srikar Mangalapalli said he is participating in online classes from home because of the pandemic. “If there is a way that COVID-19 can be spread through vents or buildings, that is concerning because I planned on staying in a dorm,” Mangalapalli said. “Maybe I will come back if there is a vaccine or more tracking of who is sick.” Matsui said droplets and aerosols can be spread depending on the size of particles after someone coughs or sneezes. “What we are learning is that there are smaller airborne particles that contain viruses that are measured in environments now, and those environments tend to be indoors where there is crowding and less ventilation,” Matsui said.

LIFE&ARTS

Life&Arts Editor A R I A N A A R R E D O N D O FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

STUDENT LIFE

Freshmen connect virtually Class of 2024 utilizes TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and sticky notes to communicate amid social distancing. By Anissa Reyes @anissaareyes

he class of 2024 has needed to make connections in new and unusual ways through TikToks, Facebook, Twitter and sticky notes. Since classes began Aug. 26, UT has reported 72 student COVID-19 cases as of the writing of this story. At least six of these cases have been reported in both on-campus and off-campus dorms. To stay safe, some freshmen are staying away from in-person interactions and connecting with the UT community via social media instead. Journalism freshman Sara Zaidi currently lives in West Campus and said she takes a lot of precautions because she’s immunocompromised. “I’ve been staying in my apartment a lot,” Zaidi said. “I’m just trying to be more careful than most people are right now, (and) if I do see people, I keep my distance and it’s outdoors.” To socialize, Zaidi has taken to TikTok and recently reached out to someone who posted a video trying to connect with other UT students. “I saw the TikTok and messaged her, ‘Hey if you ever (are) okay (with) meeting

up or getting tea or coffee, like, I’m down to meet new people,’” Zaidi said. Claudia Roman, a communication and leadership freshman, has been living alone in her room in Jester West since her roommate went home four days after moving in because of concerns related to COVID-19. Roman said she has been socializing with other people on her floor through Post-its and handwritten notes on their doors. The various notes contain introductory messages and social media handles. “I have a note on my door that says, ‘Come stop and say hi,’” Roman said. “I’ve met people online, but most of them I haven’t seen in person.” Unlike Zaidi and Roman, history freshman Xiangyu Fang is connecting

with UT from his home in Beijing. He said he would rather meet people in person, but has only socialized through his First-Year Interest Group’s Zoom sessions and the class of 2024 Facebook page. “(I’m) just stuck at home (and have) nothing else to do, (so I go) and chat online,” Fang said. “(But) I’m not comfortable (meeting) online because I think that conversation or friendship wouldn’t last very long offline.” Fang wasn’t able to get a student visa for the fall but hopes to return to campus in the spring. Until then, he is attending virtual information sessions for organizations where he hopes to meet people. “I’m just trying to enjoy the (virtual) events and see if I get a chance to meet some nice, awesome people,” Fang said.

While Fang said he doesn’t approve of attending parties during the pandemic and plans to avoid them when he returns to campus, he also understands why some students are drawn to them. “People really have to socialize, and sometimes you (can’t) control your intentions or desire for meeting new people,” Fang said. “Some (people) just enjoy partying, and … rules are (not) going to stop that.” Zaidi said her plans for socializing and meeting new people next semester depend on COVID-19 conditions. “Whenever you meet new people (this) semester, you don’t know if they’re being careful, so you don’t know if you should be exposed to them,” Zaidi said. “Hopefully, (things) can get better and I (can) let my guard down a little bit.”

Whenever you meet new people (this) semester, you don’t know if they’re being careful, so you don’t know if you should be exposed to them.” SARA ZAIDI

journalism freshman

barb daly

/ the daily texan staff

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

LIFE&ARTS

STUDENT LIFE

Graduate school applicants unsure about future By Jenny Errico @errico_jenny

Safa Zia slammed her computer shut after her MCAT was postponed for the third time. “It’s frustrating because I did everything I was supposed to do,” UT alumna Zia said. “I studied and scheduled my testing date months in advance so I wouldn’t be stressed.” Zia currently attends the University of North Texas in a one-year graduate program to complete her Master of Medical Sciences, providing her with a fast track to medical school. She is currently applying to 15 medical schools, but COVID-19 has complicated the process. The pandemic has stunted the graduate school application process, leaving seniors stressed and unsure about their futures. “Applications are very stressful under normal circumstances,” Zia said. “It would be nice to have in-person interactions with my counselors, advisers and peers who could give me guidance and understand (my) struggles.” AlexaaaaArredondo, speech-language pathology senior, also worries about losing in-person connections, especially since her graduate program mostly consists of work with elementary school students. With the virtual program, she fears that she won’t gain the same knowledge and experience needed for the workforce. Arredondo said she’s applying to both in-state and outof-state universities such as New York University. She said she hasn’t toured all of the schools and is scared she’ll

have a hard time adjusting to a new environment. “I’m worried I’ll settle for the safe option right now,” Arredondo said. “Everything’s constantly changing, and I know I’d feel more comfortable going to a university in Texas that I’m familiar with. But I don’t want to miss out on any opportunities, like living in New York, because of my fears.” Because Arredondo is graduating two years early, she worries she may seem inexperienced and underqualified for graduate school — especially since two of her summer internships were canceled. “I had to cram all these internships and experiences into two years, while most people get four,” Arredondo said. “I have a good amount of things on my résumé, but what if it’s not enough?”

I don’t want to miss out on any opportunities … because of my fears.” ALEX ARREDONDO speech-language pathology senior

Both Zia and psychology senior Taylor Himes also experienced event and internship cancellations caused by COVID-19. “Me and my friends planned on going to a psychology conference in the fall to enhance our résumés,” Himes said. “There’s no virtual conference offered, so that part of my résumé will just be blank.”

marissa xiong

Himes is applying to eight different Ph.D. research-based programs where her relationship with her academic adviser will be crucial. “I need to make sure what I’m interested in, they specialize in, so I can learn from them,” Himes said. “I also need to make sure we’ll get along because we’ll be working together for five years.” Himes said as part of her application, she must undergo an interview process where usually she would fly to the college, stay with a graduate

student currently in the department, attend a weekend seminar about the program and receive a tour of the university. However, this process will now be virtual. “I’m worried because I won’t get to see how we interact together, but I plan on asking a lot of questions about how each adviser runs their program, so hopefully I’ll get a good feel,” Himes said. “I mean, if we can get along on Zoom, we’ll be able to in person.”

/ the daily texan staff

Zia and Himes said some universities have been helping make the application process less stressful. Himes said UT, for example, isn’t requiring the Graduate Record Examinations General Test right now for some departments. “My confidence has been stunted because of COVID-19,” Himes said. “There’s more variables to consider when applying that weren’t there before. In my mind, if just one school accepts me, I’ll be happy.”

LIFE&ARTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

CAMPUS

Liberal Arts service helps set up, film online classes for faculty By Anissa Reyes @anissaareyes

Some professors have joined the ranks of YouTubers and influencers in using studio equipment and lighting to film their classes and perfect their angles. On March 11, when UT announced a spring break extension due to COVID-19, Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services began working on a plan to use their studio resources for widespread online learning. LAITS has been filming professors in their studio to create online coursework since 2013. Now, they’ve helped over 100 classes switch from in-person courses to online formats. LAITS not only assists with technology but also improves professors’ on-camera presence and digital teaching quality. “Why would professors ever think about this, right? You don’t need to worry about that when you’re in a classroom,” said Michael Heidenreich, director of studio operations with LAITS. “Professors don’t become professors to be TV stars.” When campus closed in March, Heidenreich and his team created the Remote Studio System, which allows professors to teach from their homes. This fall, professors can also teach from a classroom studio in Mezes Hall, which LAITS calls the Remotely Switched Classroom. “So, (we say to professors) ‘Let’s start with your discipline. How (do) you normally teach?’ And then, ‘Let’s talk about ways to achieve that and more online,’” said Marla Gilliland, director of course development.

Ann Johns, art and art history senior lecturer, said she has produced online courses in the studio with LAITS since 2015. “When you’re recording in a studio, it’s much closer to being in a classroom in terms of it feels real, (and) even though there’s cameras, there’s people behind the cameras,” Johns said. “This Zoom thing just feels so strange to be sort of pouring your heart out about something to a computer screen in your house.” She said she is now teaching with the Remote Studio System and prefers this format over Zoom. In the system, professors are given studio equipment to use at home while directors work remotely to send the lectures to UT servers. Technical directors assist professors in transitioning between presentation slides, giving demonstrations and using the equipment. Gilliland said the student experience is at the center of the work they do when producing these online classes. “If you are taking an online class, you don’t really want to be left alone in cyberspace to wade through material,” Gilliland said. “You want the ability to engage and interact, and we want to enable that.” Heidenreich said he hopes students and faculty have a positive experience communicating and engaging with their courses through the help of LAITS. “Hopefully very soon, we’re back to a much more normal in-person experience,” Heidenreich said. “But this could be a way we can help UT reinvent itself for the next 150 years or so, and students will play a great role because they’re the ones who will say (what) works or doesn’t.”

leah de la rosa

/ the daily texan staff

A Student’s Right To Privacy The below is considered directory information. Under federal law,federal directory information The information information below is considered directory information. Under law, directory can be madecan available to the public. You maypublic. restrictYou access this information visiting https://by information be made available to the may to restrict access toby this information onestop.utexas.edu/student-records/personal-information. aware that would if you like to visiting http://registrar.utexas.edu/restrictmyinfo. Please be Please aware be that if you request that ALL your directory information be restricted NO information about you be given restrict information from appearing in the printed directory, you must make yourwill changes at to this anyone, including family members, required by law. request Any restriction youyour makedirectory will web page by theyour twelfth class day of except the fallassemester. If you that ALL remain in effect you revoke it. information be until restricted NO information about you will be given to anyone, including your

by law. Any restriction you •make willparking remainpermit in effect until •family Namemembers, except as required • Classification Student revoke it. •you Local and permanent • Major field(s) of study information addresses • Expected date of graduation • Most recent previous educaname number • classification heightattended if member of •• Phone • Degrees, awards, and honors • weight tional and institution athletic team local address and permanent •• Email received (including selection •anJob title and dates of employ• major field(s) of study addresses • Public user name (UT EID) criteria) date of graduation • student ment when employed parking permitby the • expected •• Place birth • Participation in officially university in a position that information phoneofnumber • degrees, awards, and honors •• Dates attendance recognized activities and sports requires student status e-mailofaddress received (including selection • the most recent previous • Enrollment status • Weight and height if member of educational institution attended • public user name (UT EID) criteria) an athletic team • job title and dates of employ• place of birth • participation in officially ment when employed by the recognized activities and • dates of attendance DIRECTORY INFORMATION SHOULD BE KEPT CURRENT. OfficialUniversity correspondence is sent that in a position sports • enrollment status to the postal or email address last given to the registrar. If the student requires has failedstudent to correct this status

address, they will not be relieved of responsibility on the grounds that the correspondence was not delivered. For details about educational andCURRENT. official communications with the university DIRECTORY INFORMATION SHOULD records BE KEPT Official correspondence is sent see General Information, 2020-2021 catalog. to the postal or e-mail address last given to the registrar; if the student has failed to correct

this address, he or she will not be relieved of responsibility on the grounds that the correspondence was not delivered. For details about educational records and official communications with the University see General Information, 2011–2012.

Sports Editor M Y A H T A Y L O R FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

SPORTS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Like mother, like daughter

Texas guard Shae Routt is continuing her mother’s legacy at UT 24 years later. By Carter Yates @Carter_Yates16

unior guard Shae Routt first suited up for the UT women’s basketball team in 2018, but burnt orange has been in her blood since she was born. Routt’s mother Erica was a standout forward for Texas from 1992-1996 under former coach Jody Conradt. During Erica’s four seasons at UT, the Longhorns went to the NCAA tournament second round three times and won the Southwest Conference twice. The success and lifelong bonds that Erica formed on the basketball court inspired Shae to follow in her footsteps. “Before I even decided to come to Texas, I was already coming to events like Exes Weekend,” Shae said. “I was already around all of

the other alumni and hearing stories about the things they did and their college experiences, which made me more excited to come to Texas and try to emulate what they did on and off the court.” Despite being a proud alumna of the University and Shae’s high school basketball coach, Erica never forced her daughter to choose the same path she did. The decision to become a Longhorn was all Shae’s, Erica said. “Ultimately for Shae, I think she really wanted to go to the University of Texas and get her education there,” Erica said. “I think her looking at a bigger picture of what her future could be, having a degree from Texas changed her mindset and her decision.” Now, more than two years into Shae’s Texas career, Erica said she could not be happier that her daughter is playing basketball on the same court she did in the ‘90s. “It’s an honor to have her play at the same school I went to and play the same sport,” Erica said. “I think it’s a neat situation that she’s able to have similar experiences that I had playing in the (Frank)

Erwin Center. But she’s also had different experiences because so many things have changed.” Indeed, Shae has already seen more turnover in the coaching staff than Erica ever experienced. While Erica played for Conradt her entire collegiate career, Shae will be suiting up for her first season with new head coach Vic Schaefer later this fall. “I am super excited about the new coaching staff,” Erica said. “What he did at A&M with the national championship team and what he did with Mississippi State, he is bringing all of that to Texas, and I think that’s going to make it to where Texas can be back where it was when coach Conradt was there.” One thing the Routts and Schaefer have in common is the value they place in family. Schaefer’s daughter, Blair, serves as the team’s director of player development and is a member of his staff, who moved with him from Mississippi State to Texas. Assistant coach Elena Lovato said Schaefer’s emphasis on putting family first is what makes him a great coach. “He’s an amazing dad,” Lovato said to the Texan in June.

“When he’s not coaching, he takes his family seriously.” With all the turnover on the staff and inside the locker room, Shae has taken a more vocal role on the team as a multiyear veteran on one of the youngest rosters in the Big 12. Now, with the season inching closer, Shae hopes to continue what the ‘90s teams her mom played on worked so hard to build. “I think it’s about keeping the traditions in mind when you step on the floor,” Shae said. “Passing that knowledge onto (the underclassmen) so when I leave, they still know those things.”

Former Texas forward Erica Routt drives past a SMU defender. She played four seasons at Texas from 1992-1996.

Texas guard Shae Routt puts up a shot at the rim against Northwestern State on Dec. 29, 2019. The then-sophomore had a season-high in points and minutes in the 91-49 win.

COMICS

Comics Editor

B A R B R A D A LY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

SPORTS

VOLLEYBALL

Fans react to volleyball’s Frank Erwin Center move By Daniela Perez @danielap3rez

For the first time since 1997, Longhorn fans will cheer for the Texas volleyball team at the Frank Erwin Center instead of Gregory Gymnasium. Texas Athletics announced the venue change for all 2020 home volleyball matches July 6. The Erwin Center provides fans adequate space for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the athletic department said. While fans will miss the atmosphere of Gregory Gym, some are optimistic about the change, saying it encourages them to go to the matches. “I think I will be going, but the primary reason I am willing to go is because they switched to the Erwin Center,” management junior Jared Mondragon said. “The intimacy in Greg is what makes it awesome and all, but you really cannot be close to people right now. At the Erwin Center, you’ll be able to enjoy the game and be there, but not (have) to worry about who’s around you.” Mondragon said he did not miss a home match during the 2019 season and vividly remembers when thenNo. 4 Texas swept the undefeated No. 1 Baylor Bears in a straight-set victory on Oct. 23. He recalls the entire student section standing and screaming the whole match, clumped together on the bleacher-style seats

jack myer

/ the daily texan file

A section of fans in Gregory Gymnasium cheer on junior outside hitter Logan Eggleston in close proximity as she prepares for her serve. For the upcoming season, home volleyball games will be played in the Frank Erwin Center to give fans adequate space to social distance.

that line Gregory Gym — an idea that once seemed normal before the pandemic. Like Mondragon, sport management junior Caleb Boujemaa has attended many Texas volleyball matches. At Gregory Gym, he said the fans were constantly making a difference — especially because they were so close to the court — whether it was from being loud or getting in opponents’ heads. For many fans,

that’s what made Gregory Gym so special; its intimate setting encouraged energy and interaction from the crowd. Boujemaa, however, does not feel the energy will be any different in the Erwin Center, which has a capacity of 16,540 compared to Gregory Gym’s 4,000-person limit. “I don’t think it will change the atmosphere that much,” Boujemaa said. “I think that the players bring the en-

ergy, and the energy is contagious. And I don’t think the jump from stadium to stadium is going to impact Texas volleyball in a negative way.” Biology junior Max Lidstone welcomes the change, but wonders how fans will feed off of each other’s energy if they are dispersed throughout the Erwin Center. “It might honestly change the momentum a lot because you have

your home-court advantage,” Lidstone said. “Right now we’re feeding so much off of each other that that homecourt advantage just keeps piling up. And now that we’re going to be kind of dispersed, it’s going to dilute the intensity.” The Texas volleyball team will start its season Sept. 24 in Norman against Oklahoma but will make its home debut Oct. 1. Although fans will be trading in

their usual trek down Speedway for one down MLK Boulevard, Mondragon, Lidstone and Boujemaa said they will be attending the matches. “Hell or high water, I’m going to be a Longhorn fan until I die,” Lidstone said. “I’m going to go enjoy the game. As long as we’re being safe, I absolutely think that I’m going to enjoy it — even if it may not be the same way that I enjoy it.”