The Daily Texan 2020-11-17 by The Daily Texan

DT pct participation Volume 121, Issue 35 tuesday, november 17, 2020

nears 5,000 per week As the holidays approach, UT says testing is increasing and walk-ups are more limited.

rocky higine / the daily texan staff

PERMANENT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Emily Caldwell Managing Editor Megan Menchaca 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 Assoc. Editors Abby Dasgupta, Hannah Lopez, Julia Zaksek, Sanika Nayak Forum Editors Daisy Kielty, Maria Sailale Illustration Coordinator Abriella Corker News Editor Emily Hernandez Assoc. News Editors Neelam Bohra, Lauren Girgis News Desk Editors Areeba Amer, Hannah Williford, Lauren Grobe Beat Reporters Andrew Zhang, Anna Canizales, Amanda FigueroaNieves, Brooke Ontiveros, Samantha Greyson, Neha Madhira, Lauren Goodman Life&Arts Editor Ariana Arredondo 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 Senior Sports Reporters Nathan Han, Carter Yates

Projects Reporters Marcus Krum, Nicole Stuessy, Meara Isenberg

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 Photo Editor Presley Glotfelty Assoc. Photo Editor Jamie Hwang Double Coverage Photo Editor Jack Myer Senior Photographers Kirsten Hahn, Nicholas Vo Comics Editor Barbra Daly Assoc. Comics Editor Rocky Higine Senior Comics Artists Dan Martinez, Destiny Alexander, Cynthia Trevino Social Media Editor Hal Riley Assoc. Social Media Editor Katya Bandouil Senior Social Media Staffers Benjamin Cohen, Nuzha Zuberi Audio Editor Harper Carlton

Projects Editor Sami Sparber

Editorial Adviser Peter Chen

ISSUE STAFF

Copy Editors Chloe Roman, Cara Daeschner, Courtney Blair, Katie Stam

L&A Reporters Miranda Garza, Gracyn Freiling, Grace Robertson News Reporters Arthur Yong, Elyanna Calle Sports Reporters Kaitlyn Harmon

Designers Juleanna Culilap, Hollie Oney

AUSTIN WEATHER TODAY Nov. 17

HI 77º LO 46º

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

News

Students worry about traveling home as COVID-19 cases surge locally and nationally.

life & arts

Alumnus creates comic book about moving from the Rio Grande Valley to Austin.

page

(512) 471-4591

page

UT must require students in dorms to self-quarantine upon returning to campus this spring.

sports

Head coach Tom Herman feels his job is secure despite swirling rumors.

TOMORROW Nov. 18

HI 79º LO 57º

she’s from OK State or something so it’s not that shocking that she would be insensitive.

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

MANAGING EDITOR

Megan Menchaca (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@thedailytexan.com

NEWS OFFICE

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

Senior Audio Producers Aurora Berry, Addie Costello, Chloe Young

Comic Artists Steph Sonik

opinion

MAIN TELEPHONE

Copy Desk Chiefs Jimena Pinzon, Lawson Freeman

Newsletters Editor Maia Borchardt

Columnists Yliana Roland

Contents: page

(512) 232-2207 news@thedailytexan.com

STUDENT LIFE

UT to promote student musicians across genres in new Spotify playlist

BUSINESS & ADVERTISING (512) 471-8590 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director Gerald Johnson Business/ Operations Manager Frank Serpas III Advertising Manager Emily Cohen Assistant Advertising Manager

By Arthur Yong @arthurjyong

UT plans to debut a Spotify playlist featuring student artists in early December to showcase students’ work to the community. The playlist will contain songs from all genres and is intended to connect students back to campus and UT’s music community. Playlist creator Michaela Newman, communications and industry relations assistant with the School of Design and Creative Technologies, said the idea for the playlist came from a lack of outlets for student musicians to showcase their work. “There was the Kerrville Folk Festival songwriting contest, and then showcases put on by Euphoria and other student organizations, but there wasn’t any official UT platform for student-musicians,” Newman said. Newman said the playlist is no longer taking submissions, and she is in the process of going through the 30 suggestions and putting it together. Newman said she tweeted a Qualtrics form Oct. 23 for students to add music to feature on the playlist. She said she hopes the playlist will help expose other people to

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.

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barbra daly / the daily texan staff student musicians. “It’s a pretty robust community, but it’s not centralized,” Newman said. “You just have to find it, and there’s many more students making music than we would think, because there’s not really a commercial music degree.” Finance junior Thomas Sanchez, who is a blues rock singer, said balancing being a musician and a student is difficult. “It’s hard to juggle the responsibilities of upper-level classes and maintaining music that you want to create and foster and grow,” Sanchez said. “Especially since any live

opportunities have been pretty much eradicated by the pandemic.” Curt “The Funk” Glatz, guitarist for the student jazz-rock band Beach Blossom, which submitted music for the playlist, said the pandemic hit Austin’s music community particularly hard. “With Austin being the live music capital … there’s probably more musicians than there is demand,” graduate student Glatz said. “It’s causing quite a bit of financial strain because places aren’t willing to pay people anymore to play live because they don’t expect a crowd to

be drawn.” Advertising senior Madison Williams, who goes by the stage name Maddy Hatchett and submitted music for the playlist, said musicians in Austin were hurting because of the community’s focus on live performance. “In LA, Nashville and New York you see what they have right is that they focus not only on live music, but also they’re focused on the recording and songwriting industries,” Hatchett said. “But Austin put all of their eggs into one basket by putting everything into live music.”

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COPYRIGHT Copyright 2020 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in the print and online editions, are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission. The Daily Texan, a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78712. Our work is made possible by support from our advertising partners and donors. To provide individual support, please visit The Daily Texan page at supportstudentvoices.org. To highlight your business, please email advertise@texasstudentmedia.com. The Daily Texan does not publish during academic breaks, most Federal Holidays and exam periods. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591), or at the editorial office (HSM 2.120). Entire contents copyright 2020 Texas Student Media.

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

STUDENT LIFE

Students struggle to find roommates for upcoming semesters By Elyanna Calle @calleelyanna

Students planning to live in Austin next year are facing difficulties finding roommates, citing inability to meet new people and uncertainty about the future of the pandemic. Some students, particularly freshmen who have had a virtual first semester, have turned to social media sites such as Facebook to search for roommates. As of Monday, over 30 students have posted messages in the UT class of 2024 Facebook group looking for roommates since the start of November. Psychology freshman Justin Tran said he currently lives in West Campus, but is searching for new roommates for next school year. He said the process would be easier if more of the student body was on campus. “I feel like without COVID,

I would know so much more people through face-to-face interaction,” Tran said. “My ideal roommate would not just be a random person, I want to have someone know them or know them myself.” Undeclared freshman Josselyn De Leon stayed home this semester due to financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic but plans to come back to campus in the spring. So far, she said she has not been able to find a roommate for the spring semester. “It’s hard because some of them don’t call back or don’t text back,” De Leon said. “I’ve posted everywhere to try and find someone.” De Leon said living on campus would help her mental health. “If I could go (to campus), my mental state could be better because it’s hard to stay home and in the same room since you were younger,”

De Leon said. Business freshman Katelyn Ware is looking for multiple roommates to live in an apartment next year but believes the uncertainty of the virus will cause difficulty. “We have no idea how next year will play out, if COVID gets worse or it gets better,” Ware said. “I feel like it will be hard, because now I’m trying to convince someone to sign an official lease for 12 months.” COVID-19 safety levels have created another aspect to consider when choosing a roommate, Ware said. “It is hard to find people that you know you can trust when they are going out and being safe because whatever they do or wherever they go, they’re bringing it back to you,” Ware said. “You have to have an extra layer of trust with that person that you’re trying to room with.”

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Editor-In-Chief E M I LY C A L D W E L L TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

OPINION

COLUMN

Mandate on-campus quarantine UT must require on-campus residents to self-quarantine before returning to campus this spring. By Yliana Roland Columnist

e s p i t e experts’ predictions of a COVID-19 spike this holiday season, UT will not require students to quarantine upon returning to campus in the spring. Since students will be traveling across the country — many into COVID-19 hotspots — to enjoy their break, there is no guarantee that everyone will return without the virus. Without proper preventative measures in place, campus spread will be a problem. To minimize the spread of the virus, UT should require on-campus residents to quarantine within their dorms upon arriving on campus and test them for COVID-19 throughout this quarantine. A joint resolution proposed by Student Government and UT Senate of College Councils last week proposed enhanced measures to combat COVID-19 spread during the spring semester. This plan keeps students from being completely isolated, yet still limits the possibility for COVID-19 spread. However, UT has decided to forgo the semi-quarantine and instead will only

require residents to get tested upon arrival. “What we are going to plan to do is test everybody moving back into the dorms sometime between the 19th and 20th,” Dr. Amy Young, chief clinical officer for UT Health Austin and professor of women’shealth, said. Mandatory testing is important, but it won’t be enough to stop campus spread without a quarantine. “We started to see (COVID-19 cases) peaked

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.

around seven days after (students returned),” Dr. Young said. “We know a lot more about COVID now, and we know that the majority of people will become symptomatic five days after exposure.” Since symptoms usually don’t show up until 2-14 days after exposure, a student could test negative a day after arriving on campus and still test positive later that week. A mandatory quarantine with sporadic testing throughout would help catch these

cases that would otherwise go undiscovered. Currently, UT is asking students to quarantine before they come back to campus. This is not a possibility for many students. For example, journalism freshman Molly Tilton has extenuating circumstances that will require her to be outside her home. “I know the week leading up to me coming to campus, I’m not going to be able to quarantine,” Tilton said. UT can provide a more controlled quarantine

environment than students can find at home. Thus, on-campus quarantine would be a much more effective way for the University to prevent COVID-19 spread at the beginning of the semester. “I think (a mandatory quarantine) would be something that would kind of force people to behave within the guidelines that the University has to set to prevent the spread of COVID,” radio-television-film freshman Shelton Locke said. Locke also thinks that most UT students will be on board with this quarantine, though there will be a “loud

minority” of students that are against it. “They see their college experience being impeded on, which I understand,” Locke said. “But, people are dying.” It’s not an ideal situation, especially for younger students who haven’t been allowed a traditional college experience. However, in order to protect students from unnecessary spread of COVID-19 when we return to campus in January, UT must add a quarantine for on-campus residents to their spring 2021 reopening plans. Roland is a radiotelevision-film freshman from Houston, Texas. GALLERY

rocky higine / the daily texan staff

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NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic accelerates as holidays approach By Andrew Zhang @andrewczhang

COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths and case numbers continue to climb nationally and locally, causing worry for some UT students as they look toward the holiday season. Texas surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases on Friday, a day where more than 184,000 cases were reported across the U.S. In the Austin area, the UT COVID-19 Modeling Consortium predicts a 73% chance the epidemic is growing based on the current reproduction rate. Emily Javan, a researcher with the consortium, said the recent surge of cases could be attributed to people’s

weariness toward following safety guidelines. “We’ve been in this (pandemic) for so long, and there’s been a general attitude of trying to behave like it’s over, even though it’s not,” said Javan, an integrative biology doctoral student. As cases surge, Javan said people need to take extra care in following health guidances — washing hands regularly, wearing a mask at all times and limiting interactions in poorly ventilated areas. People should also consider sheltering in place, although it may not be legally mandated, Javan said. “What we really need to do is to start striving to be the broken link in these transmission

chains, and really take great consideration over who we’re coming into contact with and what frequency,” Javan said. Javan said UT students should get tested before returning home or traveling for the holidays. Different types of social gatherings will come with different levels of risk. She said a “friendsgiving” between young people may have a less dangerous outcome than Thanksgiving with an older demographic. Javan said she recommends self-isolation after traveling to prevent chains of transmission if students decide to travel. Computer science sophomore Michelle Sanchez is currently taking classes

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remotely from El Paso, a city she said is in a “nightmare scenario.” According to The Texas Tribune, inmates from county jails are assisting with processing dead bodies and several mobile truck morgues have been deployed as the local death toll climbs and hospitalizations soar. Sanchez said she thinks the government needs to act to protect the health of communities by enforcing shelter in place or isolation. She said leaving responsibility up to citizens has not been effective. “We were trying the individual responsibility thing … but considering the fact that over 200,000 people have died and infection is getting faster and

/ the daily texan staff

faster … (it’s) very obviously a failure,” Sanchez said. Sanchez said the nonchalant attitude regarding COVID-19 upsets her as she personally knows people who have died from the virus. Nearly 250,000 Americans have died from the virus as of Sunday afternoon, according to The New York Times. “Every single one of those numbers is a community member, a parent, a sibling, a best friend,” Sanchez said. “It feels pretty bad that we’ve gotten to this point, and I don’t think it’s going to get better.” Neuroscience sophomore Mohit Nadkarni lives in West Campus and said he feels other students do not take

the virus seriously, which punishes those who have taken proper precautions. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to be pretty up to date with what’s happening (with the pandemic),” Nadkarni said. “It’s not just your health. It’s everyone’s around you.” Nadkarni said he celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, online over the weekend and plans to participate in other holidays in a virtual format as well. “My family and I have chosen to cancel any kind of Thanksgiving holiday-related or Christmas holiday-related event,” Nadkarni said. “We’re still doing Zoom calls. … We’re just going to have something really simple.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

NEWS

COVID-19

Proactive community testing participation increasing, walk-ups no longer guaranteed By Amanda Figueroa-Nieves @amandafn02

Proactive Community Testing participation is now approaching the program’s 5,000 tests per week capacity after increased participation. Program director Michael Godwin said in an email that several factors have likely contributed to the increase in participation rates, including the incentives program, social media outreach, word of mouth and reducing the wait time between tests from 14 days to 7 days. “As we speed toward the holiday break, more people are getting the message that testing can help prevent bringing COVID home to their families, friends and communities,” Godwin said. “We expect this coming week to be very busy at our testing centers as many students prepare to travel home.” Godwin said 4,700 people were tested during the first week of November, and a similar number were tested last week. During the first week of October, 2,585 people were tested, and 4,635 people were tested during the first full week of November, according to the COVID-19 dashboard. The COVID-19 dashboard shows a lag of several days in the number of tests because it lists results by the date they were reported to the state, not when the specimens were collected, Godwin said. Godwin said the program is only guaranteeing tests for those with appointments. He said this policy will continue as testing demand remains high, and if an individual makes an

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appointment, but can’t make it at that time, they will still be guaranteed a test on the day of the appointment. “Walk-ups are now limited so that we can adequately serve the population that make appointments for testing,” Godwin said. “This is reflected in our website, and signage is posted at testing sites when we have reached our testing capacity for any given day.” Corinne Floyd, a human development and family sciences and Plan II Honors freshman,

said she’s been tested six times this semester. “It’s very easily accessible,” Floyd said. “There’s always time slots every day that I’m looking to go. It’s in Jester, so it’s super close to me … all of the nurses that are involved in it, and all the volunteers are really great.” Bhavya Kethireddipalli, a finance, business honors and Plan II sophomore, said she used to get tested every Tuesday morning at the beginning of the year. She said it’s become

harder to do so regularly because she is either in work or class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every week day, which is when the program offers testing. “I recently read that they’re starting to run out (of tests), because more people are participating, and, for me, that’s tough because I used to just be able to book an appointment the day of or a few hours before,” Kethireddipalli said. “Now I check and there’s no appointments for like four days, which can be really frustrating.”

Godwin said building and maintaining the testing capacity includes securing competent staffing resources, investments in laboratory equipment, a reliable supply chain for testing materials and personal protective equipment for testing staff. “UT is competing with all of the other large institutions, agencies, hospitals and clinics and private companies around the state and country for all of the same resources,” Godwin said. The program will continue

/ the daily texan staff

testing for the remainder of the year with the exception of University holidays and resume after the winter break. Godwin said the program does not plan to expand capacity, but hopes to maintain the current level of participation. “Especially as students return from the winter break, we’ll want to encourage immediate testing so we can all work together on providing a safe campus environment,” Godwin said.

LIFE&ARTS

Life&Arts Editor A R I A N A A R R E D O N D O TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

FEATURE

‘I FEEL SO CONNECTED TO MY PATH in IN life’ LIFE’ After developing her craft throughout her childhood, a UT art student now has her own creative business. By Gracyn Freiling @gracynfreiling

s movers bustled around her family home, 4-year-old Sienna DelConte sat at the kitchen table with a piece of paper and a handful of crayons. She looked at the blank page and began to draw. A few minutes later, she stood up to show her mom what she had created: a sketch of Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Her mother, Robin Ward DelConte said she remembers having one thought: “Oh my goodness, this girl can draw.” Now a studio art sophomore, Sienna runs a business called Sienna Olivia Designs, where she sells handmade art, stationery, jewelry and more. Sienna grew up admiring the work of famous artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Georgia O’Keeffe, and she said she quickly began to experiment and discover her own artistic talents. When Sienna was in seventh grade, she began to receive commissions and decided to create Sienna Olivia Designs to display her work. “I was 13, so it wasn’t nearly what it is now,” Sienna said. “(But) the older I got, the more advanced art classes I took, and I started to explore other artists and (mediums). I really started to build (my brand) up, and I created a website.” To expand her clientele, Sienna approached several boutiques in her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas,

and asked if they would sell some of her items. “I’ve been so fortunate to have had wonderful people who have supported my career, who saw (past) the 13-yearold girl standing in front of them,” Sienna said. Seven years since Sienna first knocked on a local boutique’s door, she has successfully made deals with boutique owners across Texas and even one in Chicago. Her art, jewelry and stationery is sold in eight boutiques from Austin to Fort Worth.

I’ve been so fortunate to have had wonderful people who have supported my career, who saw (past) the 13-year-old girl standing in front of them.” SIENNA DELCONTE studio art sophomore

As a result, Sienna Olivia Designs has taken off and become nearly a full-time job for Sienna. She said her “big break” has been her recent work with local designer Kyle Bunting on color choices for his new line of cowhide rugs. “There’s no down time,” Sienna said. “If I’m not at school

Sienna DelConte, a studio art sophomore, started running a jewelry business called Sienna Olivia Designs. DelConte sells handmade art, jewelry, stationery and more.

doing homework, I’m at home painting. It’s not always easy, but if it’s something you’re passionate and excited about, it doesn’t necessarily feel like work.” Shannon Holley, a family friend and a loyal customer of Sienna’s, said she admires Sienna’s talent and professionalism. “(Her stationery makes) great gifts, especially when you know the person who did the art,” Holley said. “Then, when you give (the gift) to someone else and you tell them that the artist is such a close friend, that makes it even more special in my opinion.” Years after watching her daughter draw “Starry Night,” Robin said she loves living in a house full of her daughter’s artwork, even if it means the

occasional mess. “When we lived in Fort Worth, Sienna had taken over my indoor office space and she would do her painting in there,” Robin said. “There was paint on the bookshelves, on the hardwood floors, on the window panes. She just got paint everywhere.” Sienna hopes to eventually turn her passion into a full-time career with aspirations of exploring other avenues, such as interior design. She dreams of one day designing a home’s interior completely from her own designs. “There’s so much in the world that I want to put out there and create,” Sienna said. “Every day that I create more and more, I feel so connected to my path in life.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

LIFE&ARTS

ALUMNI

Alumnus releases comics collection on identity, growing up in Rio Grande Valley By Miranda Garza @mirandagarzza

The Rio Grande Valley, inclusivity and a talking cat named Seymour all have one thing in common: They’re all essential elements of UT alumnus José Alaniz’s latest comic book series, “The Phantom Zone and Other Stories: Comics and Prose.” “The Phantom Zone” includes a collection of stories Alaniz has written throughout his life that shed light on disability representation and his identity as a Mexican American. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, Alaniz’s fascination with comics began when he received his first comic book from his mother at 6 years old. Since then, he said comics have been a central part of his growth as a reader, writer and artist. “Almost as early as I started reading comics, I started making comics,” said Alaniz, professor of Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Washington-Seattle. Alaniz left home to attend UT and joined the comics department of The Daily Texan in 1992. There, he found a way to express himself through his work and created the first series of “The Phantom Zone,” which included 100 illustrated comic strips based on his own experiences adjusting to life away from the Rio Grande Valley. “It’s about being lost,

disoriented and trying to find the meaning in life,” Alaniz said. “That’s why it’s called ‘The Phantom Zone.’ You’re kind of in this zone of indeterminacy and uncertainty, and trying to find a moral compass.” The most recent series begins with the adventures of main character Chip González, based on Alaniz, and his talking cat, Seymour, after he returns home to the Rio Grande Valley from Austin. Alaniz includes details such as the heart-wrenching guilt of leaving home for college, Spanglish family conversations and one-sided breakups. The collection of comics goes on to include short stories, both in Spanish and English, and has garnered praise from individuals in the Latinx community for its inclusivity and accurate representation of the community. “Those strips really kind of reveal what it means for Latinos to be in a college space and kind of dealing with class issues, ethnic and race issues, even issues of sexuality,” Luis Aldama said. An English professor at Ohio State University, Aldama became familiar with Alaniz’s work after seeing his comics presented at Aldama’s annual community expo and student symposium. Aldama, a comic fanatic himself, said the two met online and have supported each other ever since. “These stories, like José’s, provide the complexity of our identities and our

experiences that we really need to be out there that we’re hungry for, but that will also help the world see that we’re not just these essentialized stereotypes,” Aldama said. Another supporter of Alaniz’s work is Raúl Martínez Jr., a reference librarian at Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library in Edinburg, Texas. While reviewing the book

for his Instagram page, he said he was pleasantly surprised to see some of the Rio Grande Valley’s landmarks included in the illustrations, such as the now-demolished Edinburg Public Library and the Citrus Theater. “I appreciate seeing, especially on the comic book cover, the demolished landmarks in the city of Edinburg,”

Martinez. “I loved seeing that bit of history represented.” Alaniz said he wants to continue to create stories others can relate to and see themselves in. “When you put it on paper and express it, other people can read it and see it. And you come to realize that your experience is kind of universal,” Alaniz said.

UT alumnus José Alaniz recently published a comic book series, “The Phantom Zone and Other Stories: Comics and Prose.” The series focuses on disability representation and Alaniz’s identity as a Mexican American.

LIFE&ARTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

FEATURE

Two students, high school friends launch podcast, “This Is Absurd!” By Grace Robertson @gracearobertson

Armed with a microphone and recording software, two best friends brought their favorite high school government teacher to tears on their podcast, “This Is Absurd!” Psychology and history sophomore Tarek Arouse and management information systems sophomore Arturo Rolón dreamed of launching their own podcast since their junior year of high school. Like many other students, Arouse and Rolan found themselves stuck at home without much to do when the spring semester ended in May. “What it finally came down to was my dad gave me an ultimatum,” Rolón said. “He said, go do the podcast or go get a job.” Since then, they have released 57 episodes and garnered 2,000 listeners on Apple podcasts. The laid-back, conversational podcast usually starts with a brief on the podcast guest, an update on their personal lives and then a deep dive into politics, philosophy or pop culture. They say their goal is to “explore the chaos of being human in the 21st century.” The podcast tackles everything from Kanye’s latest single to thanking their government teacher for giving them the courage to think critically about the world. “There’s this philosopher I like who defined the word ‘absurd’ as humans wanting to know the answers to why the hell we’re here and what comes after, but the universe answers with a resounding silence,” Arouse said. “We want to know why and we want to know how and we want to ask the unanswerable questions.” Rolón said the conversations on the show have helped him learn more about how to relate to others.

“I get to learn about what I believe in and I learn how to speak better with people,” Rolón said. “I’ve had to work in this new line of thinking and progress the conversation.” When Arouse and Rolón began “This Is Absurd!” they had no experience with audio equipment. The two even had to re-record their first episode after a listener told them the audio was so bad they barely got through it. “The audio was so bad I don’t know how their ears weren’t bleeding by the end of it,” Arouse said. “It was a learning curve for sure, learning how to use the equipment, how to record.” Over the course of the show, Arouse and Rolón said they’ve learned how to make their conversations as natural as possible to engage the listener. They said their technique compelled one of their earliest guests to join the show: Sadie Hough, the daughter of the pair’s high school biology teacher. “(She said) it sounded like y’all were having a conversation and I wanted to jump in and add something,” Arouse said. When they came back to Austin for the fall semester, they invited fellow UT students on the show, including government sophomore Leland Murphy. “I had been following the podcast before that, so it was awesome that he reached out to me,” Murphy said. “We talked about my involvement in the Senate of College Councils and how my experience as an orientation advisor over the summer virtually was.” Murphy said he admires Arouse and Rolón’s drive. “It’s so hard to start up anything anymore,” Murphy said. “I think that it’s awesome that we have a student body that’s so engaged.”

Sophomores Arturo Rolón, far left, and Tarek Arouse, far right, who launched their podcast, “This is Absurd!” pose for a photo with sophomore Jack Napoli, who was a guest on the podcast.

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Sports Editor M Y A H T A Y L O R TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

SPORTS

GOLF

Hammertime: Junior golfer shares bond with Jordan Spieth Cole Hammer finds a mentor in the PGA tour champion.

By Kaitlyn Harmon @kait_harmon

ole Hammer and Jordan Spieth linked arms on the ninth hole of the 2020 U.S. Open with four other Longhorns on their flanks. This past September wasn’t the first time the junior golfer had seen this stage or crossed paths with Spieth, a Texas golf alumnus-turned seasoned professional. In 2015, Cole traveled to Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, where then15-year-old played in the same major championship that Spieth later won. Cole would be the first to point out he had no clue what he was doing in 2015. “It felt like a circus and I didn’t feel like I was playing in a golf tournament,” Cole said. “That was definitely overwhelming, seeing all those guys I’ve looked up to for so long, and then I’m hitting balls in the range next to Rory McIlroy.” The amateur golfer was much more comfortable this time around, especially playing alongside Spieth. For five years, the two have shared the same coach, Cameron McCormick, and have kindled a

friendship on and off the greens. “We’re similar people and we go about our golf ways the same way,” Cole said. “Whenever I’m around him and coach McCormick, we have a good time and we’re not too serious around him.” It’s a surreal experience to play at a major championship, not just for Cole but for his entire family. Cole’s father, Gregg Hammer, has seen the progression of Cole’s game since he first picked up a golf club. Gregg made the trip to Washington in 2015 to caddy for Cole. “Cole’s golf journey has taken him and us to some fun places,” Gregg said. “We’re golfers too, so seeing first hand what it’s like to be inside the ropes at these big events is special.” Although his dad was by his side in Chambers Bay, Cole attributes the biggest difference between his first and second Open performances to being more prepared. Cole’s preparation comes from playing alongside Spieth, learning from McCormick and growing as a golfer in Texas’ program under head coach John Fields. Aside from collegiate golf tournaments, Cole has competed against a handful of PGA Tour pros in his hometown at the Houston Open. “This time I felt like I could

compete with the guys and I didn’t feel like I was lacking in any part of my game,” Cole said. “Before, I didn’t really feel like I had a chance at all. The biggest difference was the fact that I was more prepared for this one.” Cole has also learned how to juggle being a student-athlete. From high school tournaments to moments as big as the 2020 U.S. Open, he has found ways to maintain both identities. “(At the Open), I had a quiz I had to plan my day around, which was unfortunate but fun,” Cole said. The 2020 U.S. Open, hosted at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, featured 13 amateur golfers, Cole being one of them. To a certain extent, Winged Foot was intimidating for Cole, but playing alongside Spieth the Monday before the tournament lessened his nerves. Gregg no longer caddies for Cole, so he’s grateful that veterans like Spieth are pouring into his son. “Jordan has been a great model to so many young players and Cole has been lucky to have spent some time with him,” Gregg said. “Jordan is, first and foremost, a great person and someone that you’re glad your son has the chance to learn from.”

Junior golfer Cole Hammer pumps his fist after sinking a putt during the Austin Regional tournament May 13-15, 2019. Hammer has since played in the U.S. Open.

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Herman confident in job security despite swirling rumors By Myah Taylor @t_myah

The Kansas football team has hit a new low this season, even for its standards. With an 0–7 record, the Jayhawks are undoubtedly the worst team in the Big 12 for a second consecutive year. Still, they could beat No. 22 Texas Saturday when the Longhorns make the trip to Lawrence, Kansas. In Austin last year, Kansas put up 48 points on Texas. The Longhorns squeaked by on the will of Cameron Dicker’s leg, which put the ball between the uprights to give Texas the two-point lead and win. The 2019 matchup was perhaps the Longhorns’ worst against Kansas since 2016, when Texas lost 21-24 to the Jayhawks in overtime. Charles Omenihu threw his helmet that day in Lawrence and tempers flared. UT fired thenhead coach Charlie Strong shortly after. Suffice it to say, Tom Herman, Strong’s replacement, won’t be sleeping on the Jayhawks this weekend. “Recent history has shown that we’re going to need to bring our A-game to win the game and do the things that we know that we’re capable of doing,” Herman said in a Monday teleconference. Rumblings in the Texas fanbase suggest that Herman has been coaching for his job since the Longhorns dropped backto-back games to TCU and rival Oklahoma in October. If Texas hopes to deliver on the promise of a Big 12 championship, the team has to win out. And that’s all Herman is concerned about this weekend: winning. Longhorns fans will want a blow out, but Herman

jack myer

/ the daily texan file

Tom Herman fields questions from the media Nov. 18, 2019. The fourth-year head coach emphasized in his Monday teleconference that he believes his job is safe despite incessant rumors from the Longhorn faithful that he is on the hot seat.

said a win is a win. “A two-point loss to TCU counts the same as a seven-point victory against Oklahoma State,” Herman said. Ugliness aside, Texas “got the job done” in its previous matchups against the Jayhawks. But if the Longhorns somehow lose to Kansas this weekend, the aftermath could be as catastrophic as the 2016 matchup. Fed up fans would have all the more reason to call for Herman’s firing and advocate for Texas’ hiring of former Florida and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer,

a popular candidate among the Longhorn faithful. Amid all the noise, Herman said he isn’t concerned about his job security. “No, not at all,” Herman said. “I’m concerned about our players. I’m concerned about this program. I’m concerned about beating Kansas. I’m concerned about all of our goals still being in front of us.” While Herman said he believes the pandemic-stricken season counts for something since the players are putting their bodies on the line to entertain the masses, he doesn’t think the final

record should reflect poorly on coaches. Games have been canceled left and right, and no one thought the season would still be on into mid-November, Herman said. Not only that, but programs across the country have had to overcome so many obstacles. Unlike the “vocal minority” who spread rumors about the program, Herman actually knows the truth and so do the players. That’s why he said he feels secure. “It gets exhausting more than anything to have to extinguish all of these

unfounded, baseless claims that are hidden behind unnamed sources and agendas,” Herman said. The coach said he’s also in good standing with Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte, regardless of whether Del Conte tweets as much kudos to the football team as he does other Texas sports. Herman isn’t listening to the chatter. He has bigger priorities, such as beating Kansas. “There is no stock placed whatsoever in the tweet count of a 50-year-old man,” Herman said.