The Daily Texan 2019-03-27 by The Daily Texan

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

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NEWS

OPINION

LIFE&ARTS

SPORTS

Author whose book inspired the film “BlacKkKlansman” spoke to students Tuesday. PA G E 2

RTF core classes need to represent more female directors. PA G E 4

UT student has not worn shoes in over two-and-a-half years. PA G E 8

Texas’ basketball season is on the line Wednesday night as Colorado visits town. PA G E 6

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UNIVERSITY

OFFBEAT

UT squirrels make print debut

Department of Education to investigate University admissions By Megan Menchaca @meganmenchaca13

copyright marie romano, and reproduced with permission These squirrels — Nutterbutter, an ‘acornology’ junior, Elle, a philosophy senior, and Snowpea, a computer science senior — are included in alumna Marie Romano’s yearbook and have different majors based on their location.

Alumna behind ‘Squirrels of UT’ Instagram, Facebook pages creates squirrel yearbook available through Kickstarter. By Emily Hernandez @emilylhernandez1

t’s official — over 115 glossy pages filled with friendly campus squirrels will now be available in a yearbook, brought to students by the creator of the “Squirrels of UT” Instagram and Facebook pages. 2016 alumna Marie Romano, the photographer behind the social media accounts, opened a Kickstarter lasting until the end of this month to raise funds for the yearbook project, which reached its goal of $5,000 Monday evening. Currently, the Kickstarter has raised $5,160 with 122 donors and has four days left, so students can still order yearbooks there.

Romano, who has been photographing campus squirrels since her undergraduate years, said she wanted to make the online photos into something more tangible. She said she first began making a simple photo book, which the University Co-op was going to sell. “I had finished everything around (last) October, and I was about to send an email to get a bunch of books produced, but then it just hit me,” Romano said. “I don’t know if it was a dream or something, but I was like, no, it can’t be a photo book. It has to be more than just a photo book. I (decided) I need to change the whole concept of the photo book into a yearbook.” The yearbook contains more than 200 individual squirrels split into four classes — freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors — complete with sports teams and different majors. Romano also

created polls on her Instagram page and awarded squirrels “class prizes” based on votes. Kickstarter donors could donate different amounts to be included in the book, such as $99 to become a professor for the squirrels. Kara Kockelman, professor of transportation engineering, will be the professor of “acornology” in the book since she donated at the $99 level. She said when she saw Romano post about creating a yearbook, she reached out to offer feedback for the yearbook. “Many of us find squirrels to be one of our world’s most accessible and gifted creatures,” Kockelman said in an email. “UT is incredibly fortunate to have so many on campus, offering a nice diversion and access to wildlife during one’s

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The U.S. Department of Education is investigating admissions practices at the eight universities involved in the federal admissions scandal, including UT. Federal education investigators told the eight universities in a letter Monday that they would examine whether they violated any laws or rules that govern federal student financial aid programs. In the letter, the department said they may deny Pell Grants and federal student loans in the future if the universities are found to have violated federal education regulations. “UT received a letter from the Department of Education regarding its preliminary national investigation,” University spokesman Gary Susswein said in a statement to the Austin American-Statesman. “We will be working with (department) officials and responding to a series of questions from them regarding admissions while we also conduct our own internal review, which is under way.” The department is requesting internal control policies and procedures related to admissions for recruited athletes, the names of all students mentioned in the investigation by the Department of Justice and a variety of other documents within the next 30 days. Letters were also sent to the presidents of Yale University, Wake Forest University, the University of San Diego, Stanford University, Georgetown University, the University of Southern California and the University of California-Los Angeles. “The allegations made and evidence cited by the Department of Justice raise questions about whether your institution is fully meeting its obligations,” the letter said. The investigation comes after the Department of Justice accused more than 50 people on March 12 of a nationwide scheme designed to fraudulently admit wealthy students into universities. UT fired men’s tennis coach Michael Center the following day after he was charged with agreeing to accept approximately $100,000 in exchange for designating a student who did not play competitive tennis as an athlete. Center is expected to plead not guilty to the charges in a federal courtroom in Boston

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UNIVERSITY

Faculty, staff no longer allowed to use Airbnb for University travel By Chad Lyle @lylechad

The University informed staffers Tuesday they would no longer be permitted to use lodging service Airbnb for University business citing Texas law about boycotts of Israel. Earlier this month, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s office added Airbnb to a list of three companies boycotting Israel. According to a law passed in 2017, House Bill 89, state agencies are not allowed to do business with companies on this list. In a statement to The Daily Texan, UT President Greg Fenves said the University’s decision was based on state law and condemned the boycott for singling out Israel. “The state of Texas prohibits agencies from doing business with companies that boycott Israel, as designated by the comptroller,” Fenves said. “The University of Texas at Austin follows that law. Economic boycotts that target Israel unfairly single out one nation and shut down the free exchange

of ideas that we value at UT.” Chris Bryan, a spokesperson for the comptroller, said the comptroller’s office decided to put Airbnb on their “Israel boycott list” after the company announced it would no longer provide listings in the West Bank — a disputed territory both Israel and Palestine are sparring over for control. Bryan said two investment research vendors were consulted for the decision. “In November, Airbnb put out a big announcement that they were going to remove listings in the occupied territories in Israel,” Bryan said. “We worked with our vendors to determine whether Airbnb was a suitable candidate for inclusion on the anti-Israel list — or the Israel boycott list — and the vendors agreed that they were … so effective March 1, Airbnb was added to that list.” In a statement announcing their decision to remove West Bank listings, Airbnb said it created a framework while evaluating the listings that considered their safety and contribution to regional conflict, among other factors.

“As a global platform operating in 191 countries and regions and more than 81,000 cities, we must consider the impact we have and act responsibly,” the statement said. “When we applied our decision-making framework, we concluded that we should remove listings in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that are at the core of the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.” It’s possible for companies to be removed from the boycott list, but only if they demonstrate a change in the behaviors that landed them on the list in first place, Bryan said. “We evaluate the list quarterly, but if there’s no change in action on behalf of the company or no change in direction on behalf of the Legislature, it would be unlikely that a company would be removed,” Bryan said. Bryan also said all companies are put through the same consideration process. “We don’t want to treat Airbnb any differently than we

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rachel tyler

| the daily texan staff

CLAIRE ALLBRIGHT NEWS EDITOR @THEDAILYTEXAN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25

PERMANENT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Liza Anderson Managing Editor Forrest Milburn Assoc. Managing Editors Catherine Marfin, Andrea D’Mello Director of Digital Strategy Alexandria Dominguez Assoc. Editors Bella McWhorter, Emily Caldwell, Angelica Lopez Forum Editors Jennifer Liu News Editor Claire Allbright Assoc. News Editors Anna Lassmann, Sami Sparber News Desk Editors Gracie Awalt, Meghan Nguyen, Meara Isenberg, Hannah Daniel, Raga Justin Beat Reporters Chase Karacostas, Tien Nguyen, Chad Lyle, Katie Balevic, Hannah Ortega, Savana Dunning, Rahi Dakwala, Mason Carroll, Nicole Stuessy, Jackson Barton, Emily Hernandez Projects Editor Ellie Breed Projects Reporters Maria Mendez, London Gibson, Lisa Nhan, Morgan O’Hanlon, Kayla Meyertons Projects Designer Rena Li Copy Desk Chief Kirsten Handler Associate Copy Desk Chiefs Jason Lihuang, Brittany Miller, Jimena Pinzon, Haylee Reed Design Editor Mireya Rahman Associate Design Editor Renee Koite Senior Designers Christiana Peek, Kendall Jordan, Nila Selvaraj

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112th SG meets for last time, approves adding MEC seats for increased diversity

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liza Anderson (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com

At the final meeting for the 112th Student Government assembly, members approved resolutions supporting athletic stadium metal detectors and a homeless, former UT student as well as an assembly bill instituting Multicultural Engagement Center representatives. University-wide representative Ryan Chandler presented Assembly Resolution 16, which serves to support a man named David Richard Carter. Chandler said Carter, who asks for money at 24th Street and Guadalupe Street, attended UT in the 1970s for nine semesters. He completed more than 87 credit hours as a studio art student, and now he wants to return to UT and obtain his degree. “The point of this bill is to show the administration that he has support from students,” said Chandler, a journalism and government sophomore who worked at The Daily Texan last semester. “(We want to try to) spur the process along so that we can actually get him into a meeting, so we can determine whether he is viable and able to actually obtain the degree that would change the rest of his life.” Chandler said Carter experienced drug and alcohol abuse during his time at UT, which led to a debilitating injury that left him unable to graduate. He later developed schizophrenia but eventually overcame his substance abuse. Despite

george wunch | the daily texan staff University-wide representative Ryan Chandler speaks in front of the last session of the 112th Student Government Assembly. Chandler, a sophomore, proposed a resolution that aimed to help a homeless former UT student finish his degree.

these past struggles, Chandler said he believes Carter can finish the education he started years ago. “He is entirely capable of this first because he is brilliant,” Chandler said. “All he wants to do is study and write a book and get a degree and go into academia. But that is his only goal. He has been an academic all his life. Every time I talk to him … his favorite topic is talking about all the books that he reads and all the research that he does.” The bill was fast tracked,

MANAGING EDITOR

(512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com.

AUSTIN WEATHER

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of the University, (does) not reflect the various backgrounds and ensuring that the assembly is representative … can only improve their advocacy efforts.” Members also approved Assembly Resolution 14, which supports metal detectors in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and all other athletic stadiums. The detectors should be installed in two to three years, said Longhorn legislative aide Brian Chavez at the March 5 meeting.

Author of memoir ‘BlacKkKlansman’ gives talk at UT

NEWS OFFICE

HI LO

“A lot of this comes down to the hindrances, the obstacles and the difficulties of running for SG reps and winning those campaigns,” said Trip Davis, deputy director and communication studies sophomore. “There are years where they’re very competitive races. There are years where people across every seat do not make it into the assembly, and during those years, you can see a very homogeneous assembly, one that does not reflect the various identities

CAMPUS

Forrest Milburn (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com

TODAY Mar. 27

meaning members came back to vote on it after other legislation was approved. Members passed the bill supporting Carter. The other approved legislation included Assembly Bill 16, which will create a pilot program for Multicultural Engagement Center representatives. When proposed on March 5, the bill said two seats would be given to each of the six agencies within the Center, though this was changed to one seat per agency.

TOMORROW Mar. 28

HI 74º LO 61º

He’s actually normal looking.

By Graysen Golter @graysen_golter

Ron Stallworth, the best-selling author whose story is the basis for Spike Lee’s film “BlacKkKlansman,” spoke Tuesday at the Student Activity Center. Hosted by the Texas Politics Project, the conversation was dedicated to Stallworth’s memoir “Black Klansman: Race, Hate and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime.” Published in 2014, the memoir details Stallworth’s story as the first African-American detective for the Colorado Springs Police Department and his infiltration of the Ku Klux Klan in the late 70s. Along with his police career, Stallworth also spoke about issues of modern-day racism and the role society needs to play to address racism on the individual level and the institutional level. “Everyone has a role to play,” Stallworth said. “I had to fight within the system of the Colorado Springs Police

squirrels continues from page

school day or workday. I’ve never seen a book like this. Every page is a distinctive creative contribution.” Kockelman said her husband, who works in UT’s Office of Legal Affairs, helped review the book to give Romano UT’s permission to publish. “I think it’s an amazing addition to any animal-lover’s or Longhorn’s coffee table, and is a terrific treat to also place in many UT reception rooms for visitors to browse,” Kockelman said. “This is a terrific graduation gift. It’s just a hilarious

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would treat any other company that would be considered for listing or de-listing for that

Department. It was a lilywhite institution. I fought (racism) from within, and you all have to do the same. You can fight from the outside, but you also have to fight it from the inside to create change.” Film director Spike Lee adapted Stallworth’s story and released the film “BlacKkKlansman” in 2018. The film recently won an Oscar for the Best Adapted Screenplay. Ya’Ke Smith, a film director and radio-television-film professor, said the film is important because of its improved representation of African Americans and other people of color on and off the screen. The improvement is in contrast to the historical racism and classicism that continues to affect the film industry and society as a whole, Smith said. “These are not new problems,” Smith said. “But I think, in this day and age, especially in the era of Trump, these things are being exhumed. What Spike Lee is doing here is showing

token of the time spent here on campus.” Psychology freshman Siya Asatkar, who enjoys feeding the squirrels, said she has not bought a yearbook yet, but she would love to depending on the price. “I think it would kind of be the same as the Instagram, because it already has the name and the picture and a personality profile, but after I leave it would be a nice souvenir,” Asatkar said. Romano said those who ordered through the Kickstarter should have their books mid-May, and she is planning to create a website where people can continue to order the books for $25.

matter,” Bryan said. “The comptroller takes this role very seriously, and I think it’s been made clear that the relationship between Texas and the state of Israel is very important.”

chloe bertrand | the daily texan staff Ron Stallworth explains to the audience how his boss feared he would sound “too black” when speaking on the phone with the KKK prior to their investigation. “Tell me what y’all think a black U s man sounds like,” he said. “I’ll shoot you down.”

that these problems have always been here … and are repeating themselves, because we have not really dealt with them in a meaningful way.” The audience packed the room and consisted of both UT students and other

community members. Biochemistry junior Sadiat Agboola said understanding different kinds of people and cultures is the key to ending bigotry and fear. “Educate yourself on other people and cultures in

order to better connect with them and actually make progress,” Agboola said. “A lot of hate stems from fear and ignorance when there’s nothing to be afraid of. There’s nothing you can’t learn.”

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

CAMPUS

UT students channel Austin start-up energy

blaine young | the daily texan staff From left to right, Abby Schwartz, Jack Sharkey, Niv Henn, George Sears, Jared Wolff and Dan Danzger are all involved with Varfaj Leaders, an initiative that helps support rising student businesses.

By Libby Cohen @libbycohen211

Thirty University of Texas and New York University students are expanding their technology consultant company, Varfaj Partners, to support other student businesses in a initiative called Varfaj Leaders. Varfaj was started in 2018 by Austin resident Cameron Zoub and NYU student Steven Schwartz to provide affordable tech-related services to existing businesses, varying from website building to digital marketing. After generating $250,000 in sales, Varfaj has expanded their Austin branch to include 15 UT students. With their

charity initiative starting April 1, the company will begin providing free service to young entrepreneurs ranging from middle school to college. Niv Henn, advertising sophomore and chief operations officer, said Varfaj wants to give students an opportunity to start their company at a young age. “We were fortunate enough to have the resources we were able to call upon to make (Varfaj) happen,” Henn said. “We started realizing other people have these same dreams we do, but they don’t have the means to get there.” Through the Varfaj website, students can submit business ideas to the company. If approved, Varfaj will

help student entrepreneurs build their business, a service costing up to $50,000 for regular clients. “To get our attention — sell your inspiration the best you can, and if it’s feasible, Varfaj will help make it happen,” Henn said. Jared Wolff, business freshman and chief marketing officer, said the most rewarding aspect of Varfaj Leaders is sharing Varfaj’s success. “The best part about it is we can help young entrepreneurs, because we have personally seen the earlier you get into business, the better off you are,” Wolff said. Co-founder Zoub said Varfaj initially faced age bias. “There’s always going to be people

who will say, ‘You guys are too young for this task’ and write us off immediately,” Zoub said. “Once we are able to establish a relationship with a potential client, they begin to realize how professional we are and we know what we are talking about.” Jack Sharkey, computer science freshman and developer, said although finding a balance between managing projects and school was challenging, the real-life application of computer science made the extra hours worth it. “I love the fact that I can take on any project, learn about how to do it and then actually go through with making it, and in the end, I come out a smarter version of myself,” Sharkey said.

Come take your FREE GRADUATION PICTURE

for the Cactus Yearbook!

zoe fu | the daily texan file UT is involved in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education related to the college admissions scandal. The University could face consequences if found guilty of violating federal regulations.

admission

e continues from page 1 . m n on Thursday. d UT President Gregory Fenves u said in an email to students March 13 that Jim Davis, vice

president for legal affairs, is conducting a thorough review of Center’s actions and whether the University’s admissions practices need to be modified to prevent future problems. “At UT, tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff

members, coaches and admissions officers conduct themselves with honor and distinction every day,” Fenves said in the email. “Any ethical breach overshadows their accomplishments and violates our culture of service and distinction.”

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATES SHAZAM! Starts 4/4

$3 off Mon–Fri before 5 pm! *Some exclusions apply. Walk-up purchases only on day of show.

Your ticket purchases support the Bullock Museum’s exhibitions and educational programming. IMAX® is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation.

When: March 25-29 Time: 1 – 7 PM Location: HSM Building Lobby 2500 Whitis Just show up, no appointment necessary. Business-casual attire recommended. Receive a $10 discount off of the Cactus Yearbook with your picture.

LIZA ANDERSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @TEXANOPINION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

COLUMN

RTF core classes should screen more films directed by women By Isabella Waltz Columnist

abriella corker

| the daily texan staff

Expanding university sex education would fill in gaps, help students By Julia Zaksek Columnist

You have an embarrassing question. A question about sex. You can’t ask anyone so, cringing, you type it into your web browser. Some magazine articles pop up — bright pages with breezy advice but no answer to your question. You try a more practical approach. You know UT has information about sexual health online. You modify your search and scroll through the healthy sexuality page to find out more about STDs, contraception, relationship advice. No answer. Students are coming to UT with unanswered questions and misconceptions about sex — something college students are expected to already know quite a bit about. If UT’s sexual health program is expanded to include practical information about sexual anatomy and address frequently asked questions about sex, UT students will have a reliable source when they have difficult questions. UT offers great information about STD prevention and sexual safety, but students need online resources that candidly address common misconceptions about sex and discuss sexual anatomy — how sex works, how it doesn’t and how it can be enjoyable. Health promotion coordinator for UT’s Healthy Sexuality program Katherine Protil said UT’s sex

education services are predominantly prevention based. “We have information on everything from STDs to information about contraception,” Protil said. But students aren’t expected to just know about birth control and STDs when they arrive on campus. “When you get to college, you’re expected to know how sex works and be good at sex, and if you don’t know anything about it, it can be very isolating,” said Kendall Dunn, a Plan II and biology freshman. Almost 90 percent of UT students are Texas residents, and Texas has one of the worst sex education programs in the country. Sixty percent of Texas public school districts teach abstinence only sex education and 25 percent have no sex education programs at all, according to a study from the Texas Freedom Network. This means a lot of UT students enter college without formal sex education. “We had someone come talk to us in middle school about STDs and abstinence,” Dunn said. “The gist was that, if you have sex, you will get cervical cancer, you will get pregnant and then you will die.” A lack of intensive and realistic sex education in middle and high school leaves college students with questions a simple Google search can’t remedy. The glamorized, unrealistic articles available online only further embarrass and alienate students. “A lot of online sources are written

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.

by professional, confident people who have a lot of knowledge about sex, and it’s not written in an educational way,” Dunn said. Several universities have extensive sex education programs — even in Texas. Trinity University has an online sex education guide that includes Q&As with local sex specialists and provides direction to other reliable resources. Stephen F. Austin State University has a selfhelp page with links to information about sexuality and “Ask the Sexperts,” a website where anyone can submit questions to sex specialists. Other universities in Texas provide students with information about sexual health beyond prevention. University Health Services must expand their online resources to incorporate information about sexual anatomy and allow students to ask difficult questions. Their link to this information isn’t currently working. UT can improve its sex education in a variety of ways. The University can expand its sexual health index to incorporate sexual anatomy information, include a forum for asking sex questions like Stephen F. Austin or create a video series about sex ed topics — UHS already has one about contraception. Enhancing the Healthy Sexuality program at UT can make students feel informed, confident and less alone. Zaksek is a Plan II and women and gender studies freshman from Allen.

By failing to adequately represent women in cinema, the RTF program isolates aspiring female filmmakers.”

GALLERY

yulissa chavez

| the daily texan staff

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.

At this year’s Oscars ceremony, like so many others before it, women were almost entirely shut out of the writing and directing categories. Last year, only four of the highest-grossing U.S. films were directed by women. With such a glaring gender imbalance, it’s critical for film schools to encourage female students to achieve success in an industry where they will face many obstacles — which are even more challenging for women of color and members of the LGBTQ community. UT’s radio-television-film department requires every student to take three introductory media studies classes. This semester, all three of these courses are screening films and television shows almost exclusively written and directed by men. To make core classes more inclusive, professors should screen more content with women in leadership roles behind the camera. By failing to adequately represent women in cinema, the RTF program isolates aspiring female filmmakers who would benefit from learning about successful women in the industry. “Because I am interested in cinematography, which is a field that statistically has less than 5 percent female representation, I often feel as though my own talent isn’t good enough simply because of the gender I identify with,” radio-television-film junior Madeline Johnson said. “When I see badass women like Ava DuVernay, Greta Gerwig and Issa Rae who are thriving in the film and television industry, it makes me feel like I can do the same.”

One of these core classes spends one week each semester featuring prominent female filmmakers in screenings and lectures. After this week, screenings go back to putting women on the periphery. “It makes (students) think that women in cinema are niche or special instead of central,” said radio-television-film lecturer Jennifer McClearen. “They don’t become central to the foundation of the curriculum.” A common justification for lack of female representation in foundational media studies courses is the notion that women haven’t been writing and directing films for as long as men have. “The canon is used as an excuse a lot of the time,” McClearen said. “The history of film is very male-centric. But there were women directing alongside the whole time — they’re just not celebrated and not brought to the forefront.” RTF professors have a responsibility to bring this overlooked history of female filmmakers to prominence in core classes, which will help end the cycle of everyone studying the same catalog of films that were largely written and directed by white men. While the department offers a wide range of media studies courses that feature more representation of female filmmakers, students with upper division standing are free to choose which subjects they want to study. Not every student will choose to take classes that highlight the work of female filmmakers. For this reason, the core classes that all RTF students have to take should feature a more balanced catalog of films. Film schools are in a unique position of power, because they have the ability to affect the way students think about issues such as representation. “Film schools are places where change can happen,” McClearen said. “If we’re centering these things in our curriculum, it can make a change later on when (students) are in positions of power, or making their first film and thinking of who they’re hiring.” By devoting more time in core classes to the study of women’s work, RTF professors will encourage female students to pursue filmmaking despite the hardships they will face in a male-dominated industry. Making female filmmakers a central part of the media studies curriculum will also create a more inclusive culture as students go on to positions of power in the industry. This way, Hollywood’s next generation of filmmakers will be more mindful of making space for stories we haven’t seen yet. Waltz is a radio-television-film senior from Dripping Springs.

RECYCLE | Please recycle this copy of The Daily Texan. Place the paper in one of the recycling bins on campus or back in the burnt-orange newsstand where you found it. EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanOpinion) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

SOFTBALL

Dominant pitching drives Texas to strong start in Big 12 play By Marcus Krum @marcuskrum

As Big 12 play enters full swing, it’s time for the good teams to start to show they’re just that. With four conference games coming this week, the Texas softball team will be looking to hit its stride and prove its place in this conference. The Longhorns’ start to conference play went almost exactly as planned. Winning the three games at McCombs Field by a combined score of 24-3 to sweep Iowa State, Texas gained the momentum it was looking for. “(It was) really important,” outfielder Kaitlyn Washington said. “It was a big confidence booster for us, and it helps us get ready for the rest of the conference.” The three wins came at the hands of a stingy pitching staff which is rounding into form at just the right time. The Longhorns have given up just three runs over the last six games as pitchers Miranda Elish, Shea O’Leary and Brooke Bolinger have really settled into their roles after Bolinger and Elish went through a couple rough starts against powerful lineups in non-conference play. “All of us, we all work together really well, and we all have different kinds of pitches,” Bolinger said. “(Texas head) coach (Mike) White works great with us working on our pitches, and we all mix really well.” The odd one out is Ari Adams, whose 1.79 ERA is atypical for someone who is left out of a rotation. Yet, with Elish and Bolinger’s experience combined with O’Leary’s NCAA-leading 0.45 ERA, there’s just not a spot for her as one of the three starters at this point in the season. “It all depends on how we do,” White said. “Ari Adams, right now she’s kind of that fourth one, probably working the middle half of the order, that middle part in early relief.” If having “too many” solid starting

joshua guenther | the daily texan file Ari Adams has dominated in the circle throughout her sophomore season, posting a 1.79 ERA. Adams, who has a 4-0 record and 16 strikeouts this season, is one of the Longhorns' many star pitchers on a roster that includes the NCAA's current ERA leader.

pitchers is the biggest problem that White is faced with this season, then Texas will be just fine. A wealth of pitching talent could prove key as the Longhorns dive into conference play this week, with one game at Baylor on Wednesday and a weekend series in Stillwater against

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“That ball gets out of our park just about every single day. I mean, it continues from page 6 was absolutely crushed.” Instead, Hibbeler’s deep fly ball Matteo Bocchi and Matt Whelwas the second out of the inning, an, who combined for 6.1 innings and after a Tate Shaw strikeout, the pitched and just one run allowed. Longhorns’ fate was sealed. With Texas down 3–2 in the ninth The Longhorns had a series of inning with one out and a runner on hard hit balls that just were not base, Texas shortstop Masenwill HibTexas Student Media keep you connected lucky enough to find the plush green beler hit a deep fly ball to left field with daily links to the news, sports and culture grass of Nelson Wolff Municipal that was just inches short of serving storiestwo-run shaping the Stadium, and as a result, the rally as the go-ahead home run.UT community. needed to manufacture the game’s “(Masen Hibbeler) absolutely crushed that ball,” said Pierce. tying run never came.

Oklahoma State. The first away conference series could end up being a test for Texas. At 23–9, the Cowboys have beaten the likes of Kentucky, Arizona State and Oregon — all ranked teams. Oklahoma State is 5–0 at home, as well.

The sweep one weekend ago was not just a good start to conference play, but a step towards the Longhorns’ postseason goals. In series against teams like Oklahoma State, continuing to try to pick up more three-win weekends is something that will help push Texas to

the next level. “The biggest thing is to win the series,” White said after last weekend’s series. “Sweeps are bonuses. Obviously to have a chance at the championship, you’ve got to be able to get those sweeps.”

(Masen Hibbeler) absolutely crushed that ball. That ball gets out of our park just about every single day. I mean, it was absolutely crushed.

“We had some hard hit balls late (in the game),” said Pierce. “Ryan Reynolds, with a runner in scoring position, (hit a) line drive to first base. So, I mean, that one you have to tip your cap to them, they played really well.” The tough stretch over the past week combined with tonight’s loss sends the Longhorns to 17–11 on the season, with a conference record of 3–3. Whether the team is playing well or not, the only stat that

matters still remains unchanged: wins. The Longhorns will return to Austin for the first time in over a week this Friday to begin a three-game series against Xavier with first pitch currently set for 7 p.m. If there was ever a place for Texas to get back on track, it would be at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The Longhorns are currently 12–4 on the turf in Austin, and a good weekend would work wonders with Big 12 play set to resume the weekend after.

baseball

DAVID PIERCE HEAD COACH

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ROSS BURKHART SPORTS EDITOR @TEXANSPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

BASKETBALL

NIT more than consolation for Texas Roach, the Longhorns shelve disappointment to focus on successful NIT run. By Robert Larkin @r_larkintexas

uring the first half of Texas’ game against Xavier, Kerwin Roach II wanted to let the Texas fans inside the Frank Erwin Center know that he cared. After sinking a layup despite being fouled at the rim, Roach turned toward the fans to his right, beat the letters in “Texas” across his chest and screamed for them to get fired up. Scenes like the one with Roach transpired across the court during the Longhorns’ overtime victory against Xavier on Sunday. In an extremely physical game, Texas players were diving on the floor, taking charges and refusing to be beat down by a bigger team inside the paint. Players were yelling at one another and pumping up the fans in the crowd. Despite the talk of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) being a consolation prize, the Longhorns have ditched that attitude altogether. Their win against the Musketeers was the product of good basketball, but more so, it was the result of the Longhorns playing with the energy they lost in the last week of their season. “All 45 minutes, it was all about heart,” Roach said after the win. “You know, just coming into the game, we knew they were going to bully us. There were altercations on the floor, them trying to be physical and stuff like that. We just had to have a physical mentality and stand back up to them.” The NIT used to stand for something significant in college

andre fernandez | the daily texan file Shooting guard Kerwin Roach II drives to the basket during Texas' 78-76 overtime win over Xavier in the second round of the NIT. Roach posted an impressive, versatile stat-line of 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. As a senior, his college career extends with an upcoming game against Colorado.

basketball. But with the NCAA Tournament’s expansion and exhaustive television coverage, the NIT has become more of an afterthought with fans seeing it as the byproduct of a disappointing season. Texas, however, doesn’t see it that way. The Longhorns see it as an invaluable opportunity to achieve something special in the postseason. And that motivation to prolong their season has seeped into an energized brand of basketball. “Every win is a big time win, especially to keep our season going,” guard Courtney Ramey said. “I feel

If you don't advance in the NIT, that's the taste you have in the mouth as a senior for the rest of your life. If you're a returning player, for several months” SHAKA SMART HEAD COACH

like we got some good juice right now, and we want to keep playing.” Texas head coach Shaka Smart insists that performing well is a point of pride for his program. And if anyone knows about the struggle of keeping a team focused in this tournament, it’s him. When Smart was an assistant coach at Clemson in 2007, his team qualified for the NIT after limping through ACC play. But that team refocused itself and ended up making it to New York City for the tournament final and finished second. On Wednesday night, Smart will

have a chance to return to the Big Apple should the Longhorns defeat Colorado in the NIT quarterfinals. While some may view that as a lesser accomplishment, the Longhorns don’t really care. They’re focused on winning the tournament that’s ahead of them. “If you don’t advance in the NIT, that’s the taste that you have in the mouth as a senior for the rest of your life … If you’re a returning player, for several months,” Smart said. “We have one more game until we make it to New York and the goal is to win the whole thing.”

BASEBALL

Incarnate Word pitching dooms Longhorns in San Antonio

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Texas had an opportunity Tuesday night to get back to winning ways with a meeting in San Antonio with the University of Incarnate Word. They failed. The Cardinals from Incarnate Word defeated Texas 3-2, handing Texas its second straight loss and its fourth loss in the last six games. “It was a good baseball game,” head coach David Pierce said in his post game interview with Texas Sports. “They earned their first two (runs). We probably gave them the third (run), but at the same time that’s a very solid team.” Pierce trotted out starting pitcher Ty Madden

joshua guenther | the daily texan file Infielder Masen Hibbeler almost corrected Texas' woes at the plate by blasting a near-home run, but the Cardinals recorded an out to secure an Incarnate Word victory.

for his first appearance since March 17, after battling a minor shoulder injury. The return to the mound for Madden went anything but smoothly. Facing just six batters, Madden recorded

two outs, allowed four hits and allowed one Cardinal to score before being pulled. Texas was able to keep the game close due to the performances by pitchers

BASEBALL

page

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

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, March 27, 2019

Crossword

SUDOKUFORYOU 8

3 6 7 1 8 5 9 2 3 7 2 8 7 5 9 7 5 4 1 6 2 4 3 7 4 4 7 5 2 1 3 8

Today’s solution will appear here next issue

6 2 1 3 5 9 7 4 8

5 9 8 7 2 4 3 1 6

3 7 4 8 6 1 5 2 9

4 5 3 1 8 6 9 7 2

7 1 9 2 4 5 8 6 3

8 6 2 9 3 7 1 5 4

9 8 6 5 7 2 4 3 1

2 3 7 4 1 8 6 9 5

1 4 5 6 9 3 2 8 7

ACROSS 1 “Not so!” 8 Modifier for “film” or “pinot” 12 *Instructions for premade dinner rolls 14 *Noble couple 15 With 4-Down, each year 16 Election day in the U.S.: Abbr. 17 Workplaces for scrub nurses, for short 18 Wrestling combos 21 Come through in the ___ 24 Completely mistaken 25 With 38-Across, hex that’s hard to shake 26 Cotton gin inventor Whitney 27 Have the wheel 28 Holier-___-thou 30 Partiality

ANSWER C O C A

A V O W

P I L E D

E N D

I M A D A P T O B E M I S C U C H I N R E M I A L S O B L E U S O T S

31 *Latin American 58 *Duo of side dish that magicians combines two who are the food staples longest-running headliners in Las 34 *Title pair in Vegas history a 2004-07 59 Bit of pond scum Nickelodeon sitcom 60 Mark ___, longtime game 37 Practically an show partner of eternity Bill Todman 38 See 25-Across 39 Set aside for later DOWN 43 Bath tissue layer 1 Rankle 44 Earth Day’s mo. 2 Sock tip 45 Word of caution 3 Try to hit, as a fly 46 Items scattered 4 See 15-Across on bridal paths 5 Fills a cargo hold 48 Almond-flavored liqueur 6 Unaffiliated voters: Abbr. 50 Cool, in dated slang 7 URL ending associated with 51 Ancient kingdom the beginnings of in modern-day the answers to the Jordan six starred clues 52 Sn, to chemists 8 P.M. who inspired 53 *Eponymous a 1960s jacket founders of a 9 Trilogy of Massachusettstragedies by based firearms Aeschylus manufacturer 10 I.C.U. drippers TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 11 Hi-___ monitor D C A L L B R A T 12 Enter to steal from E O M I T R E D O S O B B E R O H O K 13 Upbraid S U R E A W A R E 14 Gave out hands E T A R Y F I B B E R 15 School support grps. R S O L D E T G O Y A A D A Y 19 Shakes one’s booty O R N O T T O B E R A T S T I T A N 20 Unnervingly strange S E D M E N 21 Positive kind of E S E C A B A G E attitude X A M A T L A P W E W A S R O B E D 22 Extended family O W E S A L O O F 23 Sound of contemptuous W E D S Y A W N S disapproval

Edited by Will Shortz 1

No. 0220 7

14 15

28 31

45 48

50 53

51 55

52 56

58 59

PUZZLE BY BYRON WALDEN

25 Hootenanny instrument 28 Barbershop quartet voice 29 Pilgrimage to Mecca 30 “Act like you’re supposed to!” 32 Sleeps in a tent, say 33 Rigel or Spica, by spectral type 34 Johnny of 2005’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

35 Part to play 36 “Can I get you ___?” 40 Casino patron 41 Language of 15-Across 4-Down 42 School founded by Henry VI 44 ___ male 45 Caravan animals 47 Insurance giant based in Hartford 48 Supplement 49 Cut the lawn

51 Prefix meaning “within” 53 Employer of a masseur 54 Brooks with Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards 55 “Brokeback Mountain” director Lee 56 ___-pitch softball 57 One of 100 in D.C.: Abbr.

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.

TIANA WOODARD & JORDYN ZITMAN LIFE&ARTS EDITORS @THEDAILYTEXAN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019

STUDENT LIFE

Student lives barefoot lifestyle Heath Massery takes ‘no shoes, no problem’ motto seriously, even if other students don’t. By Kenzie Kowalski @kenz_dra_scott

or most, socks and shoes are essential to making an outfit pop and protecting feet from the harsh Texas elements. Linguistics and philosophy sophomore Heath Massery hasn’t worn shoes for two and a half years. Believing that shoes alter foot function, Massery said he prefers his feet to be one with the ground. “If you change the form of your foot, then you change the function of your foot,” Massery said. “That can lead to pain all the way from foot pain to lower and upper back pain.” Massery said the barefoot lifestyle frightens some due to liability and health code concerns. However, he says this is a double standard, because customers can track anything into a business and be unaware of it, because their feet are not in direct contact with the ground. Massery’s lifestyle attracted the attention of radio-television-film junior Justice Beverley, who included Massery in a documentary project. Beverly said he plans to incorporate his story into a bigger project this semester. “(Being barefoot is) not hurting anybody,” Beverley said. “That’s really why the documentary needs to be made. It needs to show the fact that this is not as bad as people say.”

amna ijaz | the daily texan staff Heath Massery shows off his commitment to his barefoot lifestyle in front of the tower March 4, one of the coldest days of the semester.

Although Beverley said that Massery is not harming anyone by being barefoot, Massery has actually injured himself on his campus commute. Massery exercises caution when walking outside, but in the couple of cases where he was running late to class he cut the bottom of his foot on exposed metal and lost a toenail to a bathroom door. “(People say) ‘You opened a door on your toe, you should have been wearing shoes,’” Massery said. “I could have. It could have happened on my way out of the front door or if I was going to the bathroom and just opened the bathroom door on my toe.” Despite a letter from the Texas

Department of State Health Services showing that it is not illegal to be barefoot in a restaurant, Massery has been kicked out of many restaurants, dining halls and libraries. He received a refund for the Dine In Dollars he did not spend due to the frequency with which he was kicked out of J2 and Kinsolving Dining. Travis Willmann, communications officer for the University libraries, said campus buildings’ rules are often chosen by the facilities manager of the building itself. “That’s how they come up with these rules, and they base it on any number of things.” Willmann said, “It can be social norms, it can be safety, it can be welfare,

it can be another criteria, whatever they choose to base it on.” The Perry-Casteñeda Library building use policy considers going barefoot “disruptive” and does not allow Massery in the building without shoes. Willmann said rules on wearing shoes in the library will remain in place as long as the majority of people stand unaffected by them. “I’m not saying it won’t ever be a policy where people are allowed in barefoot, but for the time being, a facilities manager in coordination with staff has determined that (going barefoot is) not acceptable presentation in the building right now,” Willmann said.

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