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LIFE&ARTS PAGE 10
DTWEEKEND
Start having some fun in the sun because it’s beginning to feel a lot like summer
Couple’s restaurant is a family affair SPORTS PAGE 6
Adversity shapes Longhorn baseball star’s past
TH HE DAILY TEXAN Thursday, May 6, 2010
TODAY
Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900
TOMORROW’S WEATHER
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Bareness for fairness
Staff appreciation The President’s Staff Awards Ceremony honors and recognizes University staff. Texas Union Ballroom, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
when I learned more, I thought it was a great thing — helping people get better working conditions and better wages,” said Alejandro Barrientos, a member of the organization and government sophomore. The group’s cause already has the support of prominent student organizations, but members would like their cause to go even higher. “We have the backing of College Republicans, University Democrats and Student Government,” Barrientos said. “Pretty soon we’re going to present this to President [Bill] Powers [Jr.], and hopefully he’ll
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The University Yoga Club hosts a free classic yoga and meditation session. Texas Union Eastwoods Room, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Watch change
The Harry Ransom Center and Cine Las Americas host a screening of “El principio” as part of the Mexican Revolution Films of the ‘70s series. HRC Charles Nelson Prothro Theater, 7 p.m.
Talk nerdy to me
Nerd Nite talks about world domination, the rise of robots and a future space navy. Buffalo Billiards, 7 p.m.
Calling every body
The “Our Body: The Universe Within” exhibit is offering discounted tickets through May 15. Stark Center, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Coconuts, leis
Learn traditional and contemporary hula dancing in a 6-week course for beginners. Butler Dance Education Center, 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Today in history In 1937 The German zeppelin Hindenburg catches fire and is destroyed while attempting to dock in New Jersey, killing 36 people.
Inside In News: Water conservation necessary as city sees shortage page 5
In Opinion: Daily Texan columnist evaluates worth of Plan II degree page 4
In Sports: NBA playoffs showcase raw talent and old favorites page 6
In Life&Arts:
Sci-fi story plays out in live-action stage production page 10
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Quote to note “The facts are being put in the background. We are celebrating that we are Mexican.” — Linda Irizarry Crockett Coordinator at Mexican American Cultural Center NEWS PAGE 6
Chris Kosho | Daily Texan Staff
Leticia Silva, a biology and Latin American studies senior, uses an unconventional method of getting students to sign a petition Wednesday in protest against UT apparel made in sweatshops.
Student group demands UT affiliate with workers’ rights association By Radhika Sakalkale Daily Texan Staff Wearing only underwear, students draped signs over their bodies during the “Naked Rally” on the West Mall on Wednesday to protest poor conditions in sweatshops that manufacture official UT apparel. University of Texas Students Against Sweatshops is working to improve workers’ conditions in factories that make collegiate apparel. The members are demanding the University affiliate itself with the Worker Rights Consortium to ensure workers are making clothing under fair conditions. The five students who participated held signs with phrases such
as “Make UT Sweat-Free” and “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Sweatshop Apparel” to motivate other students and faculty to sign their petition. “UT is the No. 1 licenser of collegiate apparel in the country,” said Jacob Bintliff, a member of the organization and Latin American studies senior. “We don’t want to wear clothing that was made in a sweatshop.” Passers-by were asked to sign a petition in support of the group that will soon be presented to University officials. The consortium stemmed from Oxfam, which campaigns to prevent injustice worldwide. “Initially, I heard that I could stand out here naked, so I jumped on it, but
Registrar to consider Cenough for prerequisite By Shabab Siddiqui Daily Texan Staff The Office of the Registrar has decided to allow students hoping to move on to the next course in a sequence to make a C- in their class, as opposed to a C, in order to accommodate a change in the course catalog. A student receiving a C obtains a 2.0 grade point average for the class, while a student receiving a C- obtains a 1.67. Individual departments are charged with setting the prerequisites and grades students need in order to advance to the next course in a sequence. Shelby Stanfield, associate vice president for student affairs and University registrar, said all departments have been encouraged to allow “minus” grades to fulfill prerequisite requirements for registration in summer and fall 2010 classes. Even though the decision is a requirement for the summer and fall semesters, departments will be able to choose if they want to allow pluses or minuses to fulfill the requirements in the future starting in November, when students will begin registering for spring classes. “Basically, we’re going from whole letter grades to whole letter with a plus/minus option,” Stanfield said. “When registration for spring 2011 starts, that inference goes away.” Stanfield, in conjunction with the provost’s office, made the decision in order to avoid any confusion created by the course catalog, which is evaluated every three years. The plus/minus grading system came into effect for the first time in fall 2009. Consequently, the current course catalog, which was printed shortly before 2008, does not make any reference to whether students who receive a minus fulfill their requirements. The
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Black leaders hold forum to encourage community By Audrey White Daily Texan Staff “If we’re going to have a community forum but we’re going to be spread out, we’re missing the point,” said Kyle Clark, urging those at a program for black students to move to the front rows of the auditorium. Clark’s words set the tone for the rest of the two-hour event Wednesday night titled, “We need to talk! State of the Community!” Clark, a student affairs administrator, and education graduate student Rian Carkhum addressed the oft-divided nature of black students on campus and encouraged the 200 students in attendance to take pride and leadership in the black community on campus by working in student groups, such as the Black Students Association or Greek organizations, and as individuals. “This is about forward movement, coming up with practical solutions and being a part of the process,” Carkhum said during her presentation. “I ask that you trust this process. The worst thing we can have is people in this room believing nothing can happen.” It is important for students to be accountable for their actions and represent both themselves and the community as a whole, she said. Too many students use social media to spread gossip and tension and refuse to consider their own behavior and its repercussions, she added. “When you act a certain way, you are giving permission to people to treat you a particular way,” Carkhum said. “Stop committing character assassination. All of you are bright and gifted and talented.”
Stretch your dollar
First Thursday on South Congress features music, food and shopping. Many stores will extend their hours, closing at 10 p.m.
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Campus political groups elect officers College Republicans vote in candidates; UDems leaders win race by narrow margin By Nehal Patel Daily Texan Staff UT’s College Republicans and University Democrats elected new officers for the 2010-2011 school year Wednesday night at their final meetings of the semester. College Republicans elected history sophomore Melanie Schwartz as president and government junior Justin May as vice president. University Democrats elected government senior Michael Hurta as president and government freshman Billy Calve as vice president. “I was really encouraged to see a lot of underclassmen and dedicated members getting involved and running for positions,” current College Republicans President Ryan Ellis said. Schwartz said the most important mission for the College Republicans is to help elect conservative officials to the Texas House of Representatives and U.S. Congress in the November elections. There are currently 79 Republicans and 71 Democrats in the Texas House. “We need to show the [University Democrats] that the College Republicans are going to campaign hard and get conservative seats back,” Schwartz said. “I want to focus on recruiting new members early in the semester so we can [make] a bigger impact with block-walking and phone-banking.” Ellis said the new College Republicans officers plan to take office by the end of the week. “We’re trying to get [the new officers] working as quickly as possible so they can meet and plan agendas for the fall before they leave for the semester,” Ellis said. Hurta was elected to be the new president of University Democrats by a margin of four votes, and Calve, the new vice president, won by 12 votes. “We had several hotly contest-
Shannon Kintner | Daily Texan Staff
UDems presidential nominees Michael Hurta, left, and Jeremy Yager and outgoing President Melessa Rodriguez laugh at a joke during another candidate’s speech. Yager later congratulated Hurta on being elected next year’s president.
Mary Kang | Daily Texan Staff
Junior architectural engineering Tyler Greeves speaks during the College Republican elections Wednesday night. Greeves was elected as volunteer coordinator. ed positions, especially for president, cause of the [gubernatorial] election vice president and public relations di- coming in November.” rector,” current University Democrats Hurta said his most important issue for president Melessa Rodriguez said. “I the upcoming school year is to get more think the presidential position will be extremely important next year beELECT continues on page 5