The Daily Texan 2019-03-29

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

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NEWS

OPINION

LIFE&ARTS

SPORTS

Staff, alumni push for UT to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution. PA G E 3

The University needs to allot more rooms for freshmen and transfer students. PA G E 4

Students revive campus chapter of Design for America, utilize “design thinking.” PA G E 7

After an upset fall earlier this month, Alex Rogers bounced back in a big way. PA G E 5

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Roundup’s Long History of Racism What started as a homecoming event now alienates many on campus.

the daily texan archive

Top: Members of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity march in the 1955 Roundup parade wearing blackface and presenting a “Natives” themed float. Their float won “Most Comical” that year. Bottom: At a Roundup event in 1990, members of Delta Tau Delta pose with a car that an unidentified individual spray painted with racial slurs.

By Mason Carrol, Hayden Baggett & Nicole Stuessy @MasonCCarroll @haydenbaggett @nicolestuessy

hen Roundup was first advertised as a homecoming event in 1930, the ad read “The Texas Round-Up! Welcomes Each and Every Visitor to the University of Texas Campus.” However, after decades of racist displays occurring during the event, not everyone feels welcome to attend. After a Roundup event in 2017, public health junior Kassa Kassahun and a friend were approached by several students to take a group picture. Three days later, they were tagged in Instagram photos mistaking them as members from a rap group who performed that day — just because they are black. “When I saw the posts, I was completely taken aback,” Kassahun said. “That’s why they wanted

to take a picture, so I was pretty upset.” Neither Kassahun nor his friend resemble any member of the all-black rap group, FOE G4NG, they were mistaken for. Kassahun said he hasn’t been to a Roundup

event since then. “I know for a lot of minorities, their thoughts on Roundup are very negative,” Kassahun said. “It doesn’t make sense when you have black artists performing at your events, but you don’t

support black people on campus.” Throughout the 20th century, The Daily Texan and UT’s yearbook, The Cactus, chronicled several instances of blackface, racist parade floats and other insensitive actions at Roundup. In 1933, a yearbook photograph depicts “Thetas” clad in tribal attire and dark body paint. More than two decades later, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity members won “Most Comical” in the 1955 annual parade after painting their bodies black and presenting a “Natives” themed float. “By itself — as a spring homecoming for alumni and ‘party weekend’ for students — I wouldn’t classify the original version of Roundup as racist,” UT historian Jim Nicar said. “By the 1980s, though, it had evolved into something else.” In 1982, the Texan reported three Jewish fraternities withdrew from Sigma Chi’s Fight Night after the fraternity printed anti-Semitic

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Liberal Arts Council pushes for resolution hearing By Hannah Ortega @_hannahortega_

For a little over a year, the Liberal Arts Council has been crafting and attempting to implement a resolution supporting the addition of sensitive content disclosures to professors’ syllabi. The disclosures would not be required and would warn students when or during which topics sexual assault discussions would take place. Students would still be responsible for coursework assigned on that date, and attendance policies would not be adjusted to accommodate the student. Though Senate of College Councils and Student Government passed the resolution in fall 2018, authors of the resolution said they have experienced complications with receiving approval from the Faculty Council. “Chloe (Kersh) and I met with the (Educational Policy Committee) in December and had a very emotionally draining conversation, and then we emailed and heard nothing back,” said Ian McEntee, resolution co-author and council policy coordinator. At the end of January, humanities and sociology senior McEntee said the Educational Policy Committee notified them the resolution would not be heard by the whole Faculty Council. SG

george wunch | the daily texan staff Resolution co-author Ian McEntee speaks in front of the 112th Student Government Assembly meeting. McEntee, a humanities and sociology senior, and Chloe Kersh drafted a resolution that would add when topics regarding sexual assault would be discussed in class on the syllabus.

and Senate decided to post about their concerns with the Faculty Council’s decision on Facebook on March 8. “We have now received word that the Faculty Council committee in charge of approving this piece to be heard by the Faculty Council will not hear the resolution because they do not feel comfortable with the recommended proposition and are unwilling to prioritize this

resolution on their ‘really full agenda,’” the Facebook post said. The post asked students to email the council and encourage them to hear the resolution. Resolution co-author Chloe Kersh said students have been supportive of the resolution. “Sexual assault is obviously a part of a national conversation right now,” said Kersh, an international relations and French

junior. “There are a lot of things that UT (does) that need to be addressed in regard to sexual assault, and I think everyone — no matter what college you’re in — recognizes that.” However, Charlotte Canning, council chair and theatre and dance professor, said she felt the Facebook post did not accurately reflect ongoing conversations in the Educational Policy Committee’s process.

“(The) proposal was treated like all proposals, in fact maybe got a little extra attention because it was coming to us from Student Government and that’s such a crucial partnership,” Canning said. “We wanted to make sure we were focused on it and giving it all due diligence.” Canning said the committee voted against proposing the resolution to the entire council because there were concerns over academic freedom. “Academic freedom means that a professor is in charge of the content of the course and how that content is presented,” Canning said. “There are good reasons for resisting how to be told to present content.” Canning said committee chair Christine Julien reached out to McEntee in December or January with an offer to meet and didn’t hear back. However, in emails sent to The Daily Texan, Julien reached out to McEntee on February 6 and he replied a week later. “We figured things were fine, and ... we were very blindsided (by the Facebook post) because we had not heard back, so we had no way of knowing that there was upset and concern,” Canning said. “And when I was asked to meet with Colton Becker ... and Ian and some other students, I was happy to do so, but there seemed to be a

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CLAIRE ALLBRIGHT NEWS EDITOR @THEDAILYTEXAN

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 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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AUSTIN WEATHER

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By Katelyn Balevic @KatelynBalevic

The Senate of College Councils’ vice president-elect and president-elect resigned Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, leading to a new nomination at the Senate meeting Thursday evening. The special election will take place next Thursday. The resignations of the elected students came after many members of Senate abstained from voting on March 14 in hope of invalidating the Senate election. Some councils expressed concerns that the candidates nominated did not include diversity as platform points and did not have enough experience to hold the positions they were nominated for, members of the Senate said. “During last cycle’s election, there had been a question brought up ... about what exactly the effect of (abstained votes) would be if enough of them accrued,” Senate president David Jenkins said. While members thought their abstention votes would invalidate the election by not having a quorum, Jenkins said the Dean of Students decided the election results were still legitimate. Neuroscience junior Christopher Apgar was chosen as president-elect, and

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“She has a bunch of bugs under her bed. It’s kind of quirky.”

eddie gaspar | the daily texan staff Senate of College Council president David Jenkins moves a motion to collect nominations for president and vice president of the council. The new election follows formally president-elect Christopher Apgar’s resignation over the council’s view that Apgar’s platform had little diversity points.

Praveena Javvadi, a government and plan II junior, was chosen as vice president-elect. “Once (the Dean of Students) came back with the ruling, and it turned out to be contrary to what many of the voting delegates believed, they asked (if) since they had already cast their votes, and with a new understanding of what that meant, if they would be allowed to recast their votes,” Jenkins said. “The (Dean of Students’) decision was no ... It’s

essentially just been a process of councils wanting to find some sort of way to redo the votes so they can feel that they’ve been properly represented despite the ruling placed down by the (Dean of Students).” Javvadi said she was uncomfortable keeping her position as vice president-elect knowing some councils did not feel their voices were accurately represented in the election. Since they could not revote, Javvadi said she

decided to resign. “Although I initially believed that remaining in the vice president position would be the best course of action in response to these problems, my feelings have changed,” Javvadi said in her resignation email Wednesday. “Of the many problems that have arose, the inability of all councils being able to vote has been a deep concern of mine, and I personally feel uncomfortable serving on a board that was not correctly

voted upon.” Following Javvadi’s resignation, Apgar resigned Thursday. Vik Shirvaikar, financial director for the Natural Sciences Council, proposed Senate Bill 1802 which would allow members of the Senate to make a motion of no confidence for the president-elect or vice president-elect. This would nullify the results of the election for that position and open a new nomination period. SB 1802 was fast-tracked and passed. “The goal was to make sure the councils have an opportunity to voice such an opinion in the election, because it was established in our previous election by the Dean of Students that no actual method for a vote of no confidence existed under the current election code,” Shirvaikar said. Shirvaikar said the bill may not be implemented by next week’s election because it has to be approved by the Dean of Students, the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs and the Office of the President. The new nominees for president are Michaela Lavelle, Elena Ivanova and Apgar. The nominees for vice president are Katherine Lee, Ryan Jaffe wand Javvadi. If no candidate receives a 50 percent majority in the election next Thursday, the election will move to a runoff.

TEXAS LEGISLATURE

House bill supports women’s health on college campuses @skjohnson1999

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Senate president-elect, vice president-elect resign

By Sara Johnson

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TODAY Mar. 29

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The Texas House Higher Education Committee approved a bill last week that would change the way colleges promote women’s health programs. State Rep. Evelina Ortega, D-El Paso, authored House Bill 60, which amends the Education Code to require institutions of higher education — including public universities, trade schools and technical colleges — to share information more directly on their women’s health programs, the eligibility for those programs and the enrollment procedures. “The uninsured rate among college students in Texas is just over 18 percent,” Ortega said in an email. “In order to increase enrollment, it is important to implement new and interesting ways to inform Texans of the programs they are eligible for and how to apply.” Healthy Texas Women, the state’s program that allows low-income women to receive reproductive health and family planning services as an

alternative to Planned Parenthood, served more than 275,000 women in December, according to a service report updated in December 2018. This was 32,000 more than the same time for the previous year. Women make up nearly 53 percent of UT’s student population, according to a demographic report published last semester. The 2017 national Kaiser Women’s Health Survey found that many women do not have proper information on insurance coverage. Twenty-six percent of women on Medicaid were uninformed that their insurance would not cover a service they believed was covered and 33 percent of women on Medicaid had to pay expensive co-pays on prescription medication, according to the survey. “UHS doesn’t have a policy about sending student information on women’s health programs,” senior program coordinator at University Health Services said. “Our eligibility and insurance information is all on our website and are promoted in all outreach.” If HB 60 becomes law, UHS will also be required to send

an email notification of the women’s health programs the Health and Human Services Department provides through UHS, as well as eligibility and insurance information to all enrolled students during the fall semester of the academic year. The bill would become effective for the 2019-2020 academic year. Biology junior Angela Kang said even the changes made by HB 60 might not be enough to keep students in the know about what is available to them or if they qualify for the services. “Students receive a lot of emails about campus,” Kang said. “A yearly email isn’t sufficient.” However, Kang said more student outreach is something that UHS, promotional initiatives like Healthyhorns and student organizations could achieve through orientation presentations or health fairs. “I do like the health promotion efforts of student orgs and Healthyhorns,” Kang said. “Health is an integral part of students’ lives and should be promoted on a widespread level.”

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advertisements for the event. Two years later, the Texan reported Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Psi were penalized when they modeled Roundup floats that then Interfraternity Council president David Sheehan said “could be perceived as being racist.” Walter Buenger, a professor of Texas history, said this behavior occurred in part because participants sought enjoyment from degrading already marginalized groups. “I suspect that the crowds who watched appreciated having their racial stereotypes reinforced and perhaps also enjoyed demeaning others,” Buenger said. “It demonstrated and reminded them of their own racial and social superiority — at least in their minds.” In 1990, the Texan reported an unidentified individual painted racial slurs onto a car Delta Tau Delta used in the Roundup parade. During the same weekend, Phi Gamma Delta distributed t-shirts portraying Michael Jordan with ape-like facial features. Nicar said these acts ignited days of University-wide protests and resulted in a reduction of Roundup funding by Texas Exes. Then-UT president William Cunningham later announced in 1990 that Roundup would no longer be a University-sanctioned event, according to a 2011 Texan article. Since Roundup split from the University, it has become increasingly centered around Greek life, with mostly fraternities and sororities throwing parties and inviting popular musicians. Peter Driscoll, former Interfraternity Council president and current advisory board member, said he acknowledges Roundup’s racist past. He said he believes the council has not officially addressed Roundup’s history but would be eager to if it were brought to their attention.

| the daily texan staff

continues from page

the daily texan archive

Students march down Whitis Avenue in 1990 to protest t-shirts distributed by members of Phi Gamma Delta during Roundup. The shirts featured the face of a “Sambo” caricature on the body of NBA player Michael Jordan. “We’re so far removed from that history at this point that most people aren’t even aware of that history,” Driscoll said. “The only people that are aware, are because they researched ... Roundup’s history.” Driscoll said the council’s authority is only significant on paper, so its ability to control member fraternities at Roundup is limited. Fraternities value diversity, Driscoll said, but the cost to join these organizations can be a barrier. “Honestly, members of (the council) are not racist, and they are not perpetuating that reputation at all — it’s just purely circumstantial,” Driscoll said. “A lot of these organizations have diverse elements, and they really view it very positively when they can promote diversity within their organizations.” Kassahun said the Roundup events he attended in 2017 were primarily white, and because of the lack of diversity he’s not surprised he and his friend were mistaken as some of the entertainers at that year’s

Roundup. He said when he created a viral Twitter thread documenting his experience, many other students reached out to him with similar stories. “People came to me telling me and educating me on how this is one of many incidents that have occurred,” Kassahun said. “They were telling me what happened to them, and some people were telling me that they’ve been confused for a person who performed in the past as well.” Going forward, Kassahun said he would like to see the fraternity council address Roundup’s racist past and make changes to the event, such as partnering with multicultural organizations to welcome more students. “I know that they don’t speak on their history of (racism), but maybe (they should) address the history and actually own up to your history and say, ‘We’re trying to be better than this,’” Kassahun said. “Try to fix that connection because it’s very broken right now.”

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really important misunderstanding between us about what constituted a fair and appropriate process.” McEntee said the statement was not aimed at Canning, who has been open to discussion with him and his co-authors. McEntee said he and the other authors are still meeting with Faculty Council members and are considering taking the resolution to the Faculty Council floor, which members like McEntee are allowed to do. “We’re trying to give professors the tools that they need and tools that they want ... to prioritize a student’s mental health,” McEntee said. “And so regardless of the end result, I think having the resolution on the floor itself, professors can identify with that.” Canning said she has encouraged McEntee to consider other ways of discussing sexual assault content in class but supports his right to bring the resolution forward. “I think it’s great that the students are bringing these things up,” Canning said. “I think right now we’re disagreeing perhaps about the best vehicle for ... the conversation, for our implementation, that kind of thing.”


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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

CAMPUS

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Athletes balance school, sports By Emily Hernandez @twitterhandle

Dropping an entire semester of classes for an organization may seem unthinkable, but corporate communication sophomore Savannah Madden was forced to do exactly that her freshman year. She said her professors had strict attendance policies and would not work with her having to miss class because she played UT women’s soccer. “One semester, I had to drop all my classes and completely pick up a new schedule, so it completely set me back,” Madden said. “I needed to take (them), and it sucks because I had to push (classes) until this year or keep pushing because I can’t take Texas government until next year.” Texas Athletic Student Services assigns each student an academic coordinator to guide them through their degree plan and those coordinators try to schedule classes for athletes based around their practice schedule. It also offers specialized tutoring and study areas in the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to help with their academics. LaToya Smith, senior

associate athletics director for Texas Athletic Student Services, said the number of required study hall hours varies depending on the sport and student. Students have to meet minimal eligibility benchmarks and National College Athletic Association requirements to keep playing. “They have autonomy over their academic support and let us know when they need tutoring,” Smith said. “We tend to focus a lot more on these required hours their first year and as they continue to show they don’t necessarily need that structure.” All student athletes must use Sports Medicine services at University Health Services when they need medical attention because athletes cannot take some medications, Smith said. Mental health counselors for athletes are also available to help with burnout. Mechanical engineering sophomore Sam Bertelson has played baseball for UT since his freshman year, and said he practices about 16 hours every week — not including games or his 13 hours of class. “According to the standard rules, no matter how long the games last, they count as three hours,” Bertelson said. “We’ll have (maximum) four games

a week, so probably 12 hours. But our pre-game starts ... four hours before game time, so seven hours per game (which is) 28 hours of just baseball for games.” Bertelson said he often feels overwhelmed, but he continues to balance school and baseball because it is what he wants to do. “It’s kind of relentless,” Bertelson said. “Even spring break, you’re supposed to have off, but I had to start doing work during spring break to stay ahead of my classes so I could be able to still do baseball and school, and we played throughout the week. If I were to say that I never questioned why I do it, then I’d be lying. That thought comes up every two weeks or so where I’m just like, ‘Why do I do this to myself?’” Madden said she plans to play professional soccer, but she still prioritizes her degree because she wants a back-up plan in case of injury. “That’s ultimately why you’re here — you’re getting a degree,” Madden said. “If you wanted to go pro ... you need experience to be able to go pro. In order to get that, usually you have to go through college. So either way, you’re going to get what you want.”

eddie gaspar | the daily texan staff Mechanical Engineering sophomore and baseball player Sam Bertelson says he sometimes feels overwhelmed by the balance between school work, baseball games and practices. Student athletes often times have to juggle academic and sports life while also adhering to NCAA policies.

UT seeks classification as Hispanic-Serving Institution By Cynthia Miranda @cynthiamirandax

This school year, the Council for Racial and Ethnic Equity and Diversity — which advises the Provost on how to recruit and retain diverse faculty — is focusing on studying the status of Hispanics at UT and is looking into the possibility of UT becoming a HispanicServing Institution. Hispanic-Serving Institutions are higher education institutions where at least 25 percent of the undergraduate students are Hispanic. They are eligible to apply for federal grants through the federal Title V program. Deborah Parra-Medina, director of the Latino Research Institute, said the institution committee was created under the University’s diversity council this year. The committee includes admissions faculty, faculty from other departments and alumni, among others. Parra-Medina said in 2018, the number of undergraduate Hispanic students at UT was 21 percent, which makes UT an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. In order to increase the Latinx enrollment rate, she said there needs to be work done with admissions outreach and trying to retain students. She also said a concerning number of minority students such as Hispanics,

eilish o’sullivan | the daily texan staff Professor Deborah Parra-Medina is part of the Council for Racial and Ethnic Equity and Diversity — a committee that advises the provost on diversity at UT. With UT’s emerging Latinx student population, the committee is looking into the possibility of the University becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution, making it eligible to apply for federal grants.

African-Americans and first-generation students are not graduating within six years, and one reason could be because these students don’t feel like they fit in. “I think (by) increasing diversity, students maybe will feel less socially isolated in the environment,” Parra-Medina said. “The (Hispanic-Serving Institution) status will allow us to then access resources that we can bring in to help support students and their success.” Jorge Haynes is a UT alumni and has worked for Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the California State University System for 14 years. He said he supports the idea of UT gaining Hispanic-Serving Institution status. “It would be a huge thing for the University of Texas to achieve Hispanic-Serving Institution status, and they would be

such a strong voice within the (Hispanic-Serving Institution) community,” Haynes said. He said some people might think that by becoming a Hispanic-Serving Insitution, the University would be lowering its standards. “None of this is about lowering standards,” Haynes said. “It’s merely about doing a better job of recruiting the largest consumer base that you have in the state of Texas.” Haynes said there are few tier one research universities in the country that are Hispanic-Serving Institutions. According to Best Value Schools, there are only three in the United States. “I think that having a Hispanic-Serving Institution that’s also a tier one research-intensive university would send a signal that you can still be superior and have diversity at the same

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time,” Parra-Medina said. “One does not compromise the other.” Casilda Clarich, network chair of the Hispanic Texas Exes Alumni Network, said she also supports the idea of UT receiving Hispanic-Serving Instution status because it would benefit students. “I’m excited about the possibility of what it can offer our students in the areas of retention, graduation (and) acclamation,” Clarich said. Parra-Medina said UT is preparing the next generation of leaders, which includes Latinx. “As the state and country are becoming more diverse we need to prepare the leaders of tomorrow,” Parra-Medina said. “We need those leaders to represent and reflect the population, and more and more we’re going to need Latinos to be in those positions.”


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LIZA ANDERSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @TEXANOPINION

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

EDITORIAL

ely german

| the daily texan staff

University needs to allot more rooms for incoming students Current dorm quotas for returning students aren’t fair to new students.

By The Daily Texan Editorial Board Cecille Lopez, a psychology freshman and first-generation student, waited until the last minute to secure off-campus housing because she was waiting for a housing offer from UT. When Lopez didn’t receive a contract, she didn’t know what to do. Many incoming students have the same problem. More than 86 percent of UT students live off-campus. Off-campus living offers a lot of benefits for students — cheaper options, larger spaces, more privacy. But this also means more responsibility and, for many incoming students, the need to find off-campus housing fundamentally hurts their college experience. UT doesn’t have enough dorm rooms for every student who wants one. So the school is forced to decide how to allocate the existing space. According to University Housing and Dining, the University reserves between 80 and 85 percent of available dorms for incoming freshmen, while 15-20 percent are reserved for returning students. UT needs to prioritize more spaces for incoming students — both freshmen and transfers. While first-year students are given priority in the housing process, almost 20 percent of dorms are given to non-freshmen, who — with notable exceptions — benefit less than new students from on-campus housing. Living on-campus your first year in college gives you time to adjust to college life. In a community of almost 50,000 students, incoming students can struggle to find a place at UT, and living in a dorm is often the best way for students to carve out their community. Most of us meet our best friends in our dorms, and off-campus housing simply doesn’t have the same atmosphere. Living on-campus your first year not only gives you an automatic community — it puts you close to your classes and

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.

eliminates the need for you to also figure out how to navigate a new city while adjusting to college. Perhaps most significantly, not getting a spot on-campus your first year means apartment hunting while in high school. The housing market around UT is notoriously competitive, and all UT students recognize the importance of securing on-campus housing as early as possible — often in October or November of the year before they expect to move in. When Lopez did not get a housing contract from UT, she signed a lease at the last minute with a complex deep in West Campus. Like many apartments near UT, it offered low quality at a high price.

It isn’t fair to punish high school students for not understanding UT’s complicated housing system.” Not only are incoming students without dorm contracts a few months behind to rent near campus — most of them are apartment hunting from a distance. This makes it far more likely they fall victim to some of West Campus’ well-documented predatory leasing practices. UT students often learn how to navigate West Campus leasing during their freshman year, as most of our fellow students work to secure housing for the next year. Incoming freshmen don’t have access to any of these resources — and by the time they hear back from UT that they don’t have a spot, they’re already late to the game. This means students like Lopez are left scrambling for options without fully understanding the system. It creates a

situation where some incoming students live in housing they can’t afford, or in housing that unnecessarily complicates their first year at UT. First year students shouldn’t be forced to commute long distances or rent an apartment when they aren’t ready for this level of responsibility. It’s not unreasonable for parents to assume their freshmen children will be able to live on campus when they enter college. Some parents understand the precarious nature of UT’s on-campus housing, but a lot of parents don’t. Parents who know how restrictive on-campus housing is push their kids to apply early — long before they know where they’ll attend school — for fear of waiting too long and missing the opportunity. This puts first-generation, non-traditional and out of state students at a significant disadvantage, as their parents probably aren’t aware of how tricky it is to secure a room on UT’s campus. UT needs to work harder to ensure more incoming students can get a spot in a dorm if they want one. By increasing the percent of rooms allotted for incoming freshmen, UT can ease students’ transition to college. Of course, some upperclassmen should still get priority in on-campus housing. Students with disabilities, students with on-campus housing-specific scholarships or students with military funding should be considered first when choosing which upperclassmen get spots. But right now, too many upperclassmen get spots they don’t need. Most UT students live off-campus by choice, and many incoming freshmen are among them. But it isn’t fair to punish high school students for not understanding UT’s complicated housing system by forcing them to look elsewhere. When UT fails to provide incoming students with housing, they feel like they’re entering UT alone. As always, if you have questions on this issue or any other, reach out to us at editor@dailytexanonline.com.

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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ROSS BURKHART SPORTS EDITOR @TEXANSPORTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Rogers bounces back with strong showing at Texas Relays

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| the daily texan staff Senior Alex Rogers jumps over a hurdle in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 92nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin. Rogers claimed first place in the event. elias huerta

“Get around this guy!” an opposing fan yelled at the runner trailing Rogers. “You gotta beat him!” But the New Braunfels With the lights shining native wasn’t having it. By bright at Mike A. Myers the last lap, it was clear Stadium and the crowd that Rogers was taking cheering loudly in the the victory home. As a sestands, the stage was set nior this year, his big win for the second day of the was especially sweet. 92nd Clyde Littlefield “It’s a great feeling,” Texas Relays. Rogers said. “To come Athletes from across back and (win) it for Texthe nation and the world as one more time on my circled around the track last rodeo feels pretty Thursday, sprinting, good. (I’m) very blessed, jumping, falling and evvery lucky.” erything in between. Rogers’ control over Some didn’t finish and the race was evident to others may not have had spectators, but the runner the performances they was unaware of just how were expecting. But the far ahead he was of the lights weren’t too bright competition. Rather than for Texas distance run- another person, it was an ner Alex Rogers — not emotion which propelled even close. him forward. When the 3,000-me“Fear said that he was ter steeplechase began, right behind me so I just Rogers burstMedia from will the keep Texas Student you connected ran faster, otherwise I line. Surging in front been culture caught,” with start daily links to the news,would’ve sports and of the competition, he Rogers said. “And I didn’t stories shaping the UT community. stayed there for the duwant to be embarrassed in ration of the race, leaps front of everybody.” and bounds ahead of Fear did its job. Rogeveryone else. ers looked like a pro,

By Myah Taylor @t_myah

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posting a personal record in an event he hasn’t run in two years. But his training up to this point has also played a crucial role. Fresh off an upset fall in the 3,000-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Championships in early March, the runner transitioned into his outdoor season debut smoothly. “We barely took any time off, so my fitness has already been at a pretty good level,” Rogers said. “We’re just going to build on top of that ... I mean, it’s only one way to go and that’s up.” Roger’s victory under the stadium lights at the Texas Relays sets the bar high for a season in which he wants to keep climbing, win big on larger stages and create a legacy for himself and his teammates. “This (win) is gonna set the tone for myself,” Rogers said. “Hopefully it sets the tone for the younger guys, too. We’re trying to do some pretty cool stuff this outdoor season.”

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 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 Friday, March 29, 2019

SUDOKUFORYOU 3

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This scurrvy beast is today’s answerrrrrr. or it’ll be the the fishes for ya!

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31 “Knock that off!”

1 Rum drink popular at beach bars

33 Oratorio opener, often

11 Cold ___ 15 Hawaii landmark featuring four seven-ton clocks 16 Modern entertainment device 17 It’s no cause for alarm 18 Patent prerequisite

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61 62 50 “Grand” or “demi” 7 Rita who was 24 Hawk awarded a ballet move 25 Animal Presidential PUZZLE BY DANIEL NIERENBERG 52 In prime associated with Medal of condition Palm Sunday Freedom in 2004 25 Ophidian 48 “Without a 35 First name in doubt!” court fiction menaces 28 Wear for a queen 56 Express letters? 8 Floors 50 Derby car 37 In accordance 9 Tenderizer target 26 Getz who was material ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE with nicknamed “The 10 “All ___ is a kind 51 River to the Sound” 40 Hand-held R A G S W W I H E H E of confession, Arctic Ocean organizer, briefly more or less 27 Phenomenon A L E U T I A N P O R E S that emits X-rays 41 The biblical cubit 53 Interjection of oblique”: James P A T R I C K S T E W A R T dejection was based on its Baldwin I M S E K E O N E S E E D 29 2016 hit length 54 Some curtain animated film D E W A R S D A S I R A 11 Temple, for one trim 43 Boot covering O D I C J U D I D E N C H 12 Source of empty 30 It might have 55 Gimmers are 45 Video store A T T U N E D E R R bonus features calories young ones category H U G O W E A V I N G 32 Cartoon 57 Hubbub 13 Bessemer 46 Dye used in A G R T H E B E A N Casanova process output some ballpoint 58 Oldest tech W I L L S M I T H S M O G ink 34 Hinge (on) school in the U.S. E C O A R E H A T E T O 14 Get by T E C H B R O J O N R A P 21 Popular drinking Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past game C H A R A C T E R A C T O R puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). A T R E E I T A L I A N O 23 Installments Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. P E E R X E S A G E S 24 Season opener?

Longhorns Stay with the Herd!

9 in 10 Longhorns

stay with the same group of friends all night when they go out. @UTBruceTheBat 2018 UT-Austin National Social Norms Center Survey


CLASS 7

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TIANA WOODARD & JORDYN ZITMAN LIFE&ARTS EDITORS @THEDAILYTEXAN

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

APP

FA S H I O N

UT revives Design for America By Celesia Smith @celsmit

amna ijaz | the daily texan staff Dede Mahrouq created iarabFM after seeing a need for Arab representation in her community.

iarabFM increases media diversity By Trinady Joslin @trinady05

Shaimaa Khodr, a University of North Texas interior design junior, came to the United States from Lebanon on a student visa in 2014. Feeling homesick, she discovered iarabFM in 2017, an app built to represent the Arab community in America, and reconnected with her culture. Created by journalism sophomore Dede Mahrouq, iarabFM began as an online streaming outlet before Mahrouq created an app that includes live streaming, news reporting, entertainment and a podcast series. “We’re trying to make it a media (group) that covers and focuses on the (Arab) community,” Mahrouq said. After moving from Saudi Arabia in 2015, Mahrouq said representing the Arab community has been on her agenda since arriving in the U.S. Noticing the lack of Arab representation in American media, Mahrouq said she decided to study journalism and create a space of her own, rather than work for an existing company. “I wanted to also focus on the youth because we are in the generation where we are integrating a lot with American culture,” Mahrouq said. “I want (Arab-Americans) to remember

they have another culture.” Ahmad Salah, media marketing and producer at iarabFM, said another focal point is the upcoming 2020 elections. iarabFM hopes to engage the Arab community by providing news coverage and alerts to politicians’ upcoming events. “We, as Arabs, are part of this community,” Salah said. “We have to support and tell politicians exactly what we want so they can help us.” After seeing different cultures reporting on the 2016 elections, Mahrouq saw the impact the coverage had on her community and said she wants to use her platform to encourage young Arab-Americans to vote. “I was raised in Saudi Arabia and never knew the importance of our voice to the government,” Mahrouq said. “It’s amazing to learn how the government works, but you have to represent yourself for (that to happen).” In order to reach all members of their community and educate those outside of it, iarabFM plays some shows in Arabic and some in English depending on the subject matter. “Some shows are English-based because there are some Arabs who don’t understand Arabic, and we don’t want to make them feel like they have nothing to represent them,”

Mahrouq said. With listeners in over 39 countries, iarabFM also covers events outside of the U.S. that are relevant to the global Arab community. After the New Zealand mosque shootings earlier this month, Khodr said iarabFM announced an event in Dallas where the mayor planned to speak about the attacks. “It wasn’t all the old-school Arabs,” Khodr said. “It was interesting that there were Christians, Jews and different religions (at the event).” Mahrouq said publicizing the various communities supporting the Muslim community through iarabFM was her way of conveying support for New Zealand users. “Even if you’re not Muslim, you should be there, and I’m very grateful how (everyone) came to show support,” Mahrouq said. “I believe this is what America is built for.” As a Muslim and an Arab, Mahrouq said supporting the community is personal because tragedies—like the shooting— can happen to anyone, including her family members who pray at their mosque on Fridays. “I show support because, at the end of the day, this is my community,” Mahrouq said. “These are Arabs.”

What starts here changes the world, and UT students drive that change. This semester, two students set out to do just that by reviving the on-campus chapter of Design for America. Brooke Reaves, business honors, plan II and government sophomore, and finance and plan II sophomore Shoumik Dabir are working to recover UT’s Design for America chapter, a national network committed to design, innovation and entrepreneurship. The organization aims to use “design thinking,” a design methodology that provides a solution-based approach for problem-solving, to make change at UT. The UT chapter is committed to using this methodology to work on social and aesthetic issues they find on campus and in the city of Austin. Prior to this semester, Reaves said Design for America had been inactive for about a year following faulty leadership transitions. “The idea is to specifically focus on social issues and to make the world a better place through small projects,” Reaves said. “We interview beneficiaries and stakeholders, understand the problems deeply and ideate solutions before eventually implementing (them).”

Reaves said her motivation to revive the chapter and make this kind of change at UT stemmed from her desire to use classroom-learned skills in a real-life scenario where social impact could be made. “I realized that I can apply concepts (from class) and make differences in people’s lives even now as an undergrad,” Reaves said. “I’ve been fascinated by the process of design thinking, so I was like, ‘Yeah I learned this in my business class, but I can apply it in a really real way here on campus (through Design for America).’” Prior to becoming inactive in 2018, the UT Design for America chapter made strides through projects concerning sustainability and campus beautification. The chapter spearheaded creation of the environmentalist mural located in Jester through a partnership with the UT Office for Sustainability. DFA also worked with student government to ideate a way to beautify campus, adding a gateway near the Union. Dabir said the UT chapter’s executive board has discussed more solutions for various issues on campus. He said Design for America plans to work with UT administration and other organizations to fund and implement creative solutions like they have in the past. “One of the things we

talked about is what would we do with the spaces in Main Mall where the Confederate statues (were) located,” Dabir said. “Another one was how to optimize study spaces and work with ‘dead spaces’ on campus that are unused, ugly or that can be improved.” To optimize the reach of the organization, Design for America includes students from all corners of campus. Dabir said students from all majors can contribute and gain useful skills from Design for America. “When you’re going through the problem solving process, the skillset you’re gaining is transferable,” Dabir said. “You’re learning things that are applicable to any future career path. (Design for America) allows students to develop themselves as students, leaders, thinkers and innovators.” Computer science and Sanskrit senior Vaishali Jayaraman said her favorite part of the organization is the diverse group of students working together. “It’s really cool to work with so many different people across so many disciplines and make things happen on campus,” Jayaraman said. “It’s also nice to work with students and think about things from other people’s perspectives. (Design for America) shows how powerful students are.”

rachel olvera | the daily texan staff Brooke Reaves and Shoumik Dabir have revived the UT chapter of Design for America, a national network of design thinking workshops dedicated to design, innovation and the capacity to make change in and around capter communities.

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From: Parents and Alumni for Student Safety

Dear Texas Greeks and Fellow Longhorns, Round Up is a great weekend and historically a wonderful experience for members of the Longhorn community.

It can be a fun time, but in past years we’ve seen avoidable incidents of fighting, sexual assault, and injuries due to over-intoxication and an immature approach to planning, security, alcohol service and personal bystander intervention. We ask everyone to consider a more mature approach to Round Up this weekend. Parents and Alumni for Student Safety (PASS) asks all of you for the following to ensure a safe environment during Round Up, especially for those who are coming to UT for the first time unsupervised by their families.

Be responsible: If you’re hosting a party, do not serve anyone who is not wearing a wristband

showing they’re over 21. Do not over-serve people who are legal to drink. Make sure security and third-party bartenders know the rules and are trained to handle excessive drinking.

Be safe: Overconsumption of alcohol — especially hard alcohol — can be dangerous or even

lethal. If you’re over 21, know your limits and consume responsibly. If you’re under 21, follow Texas law and don’t drink.

:

Be caring If you see someone who’s had too much, even if they’re not legal to drink, especially if they can’t communicate or appear to be passed out, get them help RIGHT AWAY by calling 911 or on-site EMTs to take the person to the Austin Sobering Center. There, the person will receive proper medical attention. Neither they nor you will face any criminal liability for doing the right thing.

:

Be the adult When you intervene by calling for help when you witness a hazing incident, assault, sexual assault, or see someone dangerously over-intoxicated, UT rules and Texas law require you to report, but offer you total amnesty no matter whether you’ve been drinking yourself. APD will not question you or shut down a party if called for assistance.

:

Be respectful Big parties can be fun, but they can also be risky. Treat each other with the respect you all deserve. If you suspect or see anyone being sexually harassed or assaulted, do the right thing and speak up — either directly by calling 911, or by finding a fraternity officer or uniformed security guard.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. BYSTANDER INTERVENTION SAVES LIVES. Be Safe, Have Fun and Hook ‘Em Horns!

Resources: Austin Sobering Center: 512-957-1900 www.soberingcenter.org Austin Police, Fire, and EMS: 911 Sorority and Fraternity Life in the Office of the Dean of Students: 512-471-9700

Texas Amnesty Law: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning:

§106.04 CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR.

Unconscious or semiconscious (passed out)

(a) A minor commits an offense if he consumes an alcoholic beverage.

No response to pinching

Slow or irregular breathing: less than 8 breaths per minute, 8-10 seconds between breaths

(a) A minor commits an offense if he possesses an alcoholic beverage.

Low body temperature

Subsection (a) does not apply to a minor who:

Slow heart rate

(1) requested emergency medical assistance in response to the possible alcohol overdose of the minor or another person;

Bluish or pale, cold clammy skin

Vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out

§106.05 POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR.

(2) was the first person to make a request for medical assistance under Subdivision (1); and (3) if the minor requested emergency medical assistance for the possible alcohol overdose of another person: (A) remained on the scene until the medical assistance arrived; and (B) cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel.


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