Longhorn Life: January Edition by The Daily Texan

JANUARY 18, 2011

an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan

inside:

STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, INCLUDING A Q&A WITH THE DIRECTOR PG 6, AN INFO MAP PGS 89 AND PHOTOS PG 15

LONGHORN LIFE

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January 18, 2011

STUDENT STYLE SPOTLIGHT

Welcome

Flora Ortega, a first year graduate student, dresses in a mix of vintage and designer apparel as she prepares for the spring semester. All of her vintage accessories were found in local boutiques.

It’s a new decade, a new year and a new semester here at UT, so it’s fitting that Longhorn Life gets a slightly different look as well. No worries though, we’re still focused on you and the activities that make up your lives at UT, on and off campus. Whether your resolution this year is to study abroad, embrace your inner geek or to simply feed your insatiable sweet tooth, we’ve got your back. Welcome to 2011 Longhorns! — Stephanie Bathurst and Jordan Schraeder, student editors

INSIDEthis edition pg 4 What our food writer thinks of compromising treats for the new year.

pg 5 The highlights and delights from the annual Consumer Electronics Show.

pgs 10-11

LONGHORN Life CONTRIBUTING STAFF Writers

Sheri Alzeerah Lara Grant Elisabeth Haarsager Ahsika Sanders Jordan Schraeder Colby White

Photographers

Stephanie Bathurst Sheri Alzeerah

Cover Design

Bianca Krause

Cover Photo

Stephanie Bathurst

Special Editions Student Editors Stephanie Bathurst Jordan Schraeder

Special Editions Manager Adrienne Lee

Steps to studying abroad and roadside stops in Texas.

ADVERTISING & CREATIVE SERVICES Director

pg 12

Jalah Goette

Assistant to Director

Student organization profile on the Texas Photography Club.

CJ Salgado Stephanie Bathurst Texas Student Media

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Student Ad Managers Maryanne Lee

Student Account Executives Leah Feigel Ryan Ford Selene Flores Sarah Hall Rachel Huey Cameron McClure Ian Payne Veronica Serrato Patti Zhang

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Longhorn Life is an advertising special edition of The Daily Texan written and produced by students. Copyright 2011 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission. CONTACT US: Special Editions Office, HSM C3-308 Texas Student Media tsmspecialeditions@gmail.com 512-232-8351

LONGHORN LIFE

January 18, 2011

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EDITOR’S COLUMN

Braving the untidiness under the bed By Jordan Schraeder

he missing half of my sock collection. Those textbooks I bought and never even opened. Potato chip crumbs and maybe even a pizza crust or two. These items all belong to the hideous pit of despair otherwise known as the space beneath my bed. I’d like to chalk up my untidiness to being a chronically busy college student, but it’s time to face the music: I am just a messy person. In the time of resolutions, we are all tempted to tackle the tough stuff: working off the newly gained freshman 15, spending less money at Whataburger on weekends or studying harder for classes we need to land our dream jobs someday.

A poll conducted by LiveScience.com confirmed that resolutions often focus on making big changes. The top five New Year’s resolutions for 2011 were to lose weight, be happy, save money, fall in love and get a job. But who says resolutions must be earth-shattering or lifechanging? There are so many little things that we overlook in our day-to-day lives. It was time for me to take a good hard look at what I was overlooking: my apartment. Living alone can be quite the trap. Why do I need to vacuum when I’m the only one who sees the lint-covered rug? Oh, I’ll get to my laundry … eventually. The excuses drag on and on. Between juggling a full class schedule, a part-time job and many failed attempts at main-

taining an active social life, cleaning my apartment was a lofty goal in itself. Sometimes, you do have to sweat the small stuff. So, armed with a newfound appreciation of the little things, a bottle of Windex and a surgical face mask, I got to work.

2:25 P.M. The dishes haven’t been done since my dishwasher (AKA my boyfriend) went home for winter break. I contemplate adding a second surgical mask as I roll up my sleeves.

2:40 P.M.

As I stare at the heap of clothing on my bedroom floor, I lament all the times I tried on ten different outfits before deciding what to wear. My indecisiveness comes back to haunt me. And really, who has time to hang up that many articles of clothing on a daily basis?

2:41 P.M.

WARNING: Doing laundry

Stephanie Bathurst / Texas Student Media

Writer Jordan Schraeder, special editions student editor, challenges herself to get serious about cleaning her apartment.

is extremely boring without a distraction. I quickly relocate to the living room where “Pretty Woman” makes the chore a bit more bearable.

3:15 P.M.

I’m not even sure how to clean a shower. Note to self: Google “how to clean a shower” ASAP.

3:35 P.M.

There’s no harm in a short Facebook and Rita’s Italian Ice break, right?

4 P.M.

I’m literally frightened to crawl under my bed. Don’t horror films always show people getting sucked into some sort evil vortex under there?

4:45 P.M.

Don’t even get me started on what’s growing in my fridge right now.

BY 6 P.M.

I’d spent four hours battling dust, dirty dishes and monsters under the bed, and my apartment was finally presentable

to the outside world. The bathroom was sparkling, the dishes were squeaky and my clothes were hung in their rightful places in my closet. Even the space under my bed was neatly organized.

I felt accomplished. I felt exhausted, but accomplished. That’s when I realized the real purpose of a resolution. No matter how big or small, completing a task that you’ve set your mind to results in renewed self-confidence. You’ve fought the scale, your astronomy class or, in my case, dust bunnies, and you’ve succeeded. And what a truly great feeling it is to succeed. I’ve challenged myself this issue, and now I’m challenging all of you. It’s not too late to make a resolution for the semester. Tackle the little things and maybe, just maybe, you’ll end up enjoying both the process and the results.

LONGHORN LIFE

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January 18, 2011

Grazing

Need to have your wisdom teeth removed?

What students’ taste buds are saying about dining and drinking on and off campus

Don’t do it yourself. We have a research study. Right now, PPD is looking for men and women for a post-surgical pain relief research study of an investigational medication. Surgery for qualiﬁed study participants will be performed by a board certiﬁed oral surgeon. Financial compensation is provided upon study completion and the surgery is performed at no cost.

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Photos by Sheri Alzeerah / Texas Student Media Above, Gourdough’s doughnut trailer sits on South Lamar. Below, The Naughty & Nice (sugar and cinnamon) doughnut.

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Skip the resolutions; eat doughnuts instead By Sheri Alzeerah I hereby commence the AntiResolution Revolution of 2011. We, the food lovers, have had enough of the fad diets guaranteeing empty promises. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all foods are created equal, that they are endowed with certain undeniable rights to be eaten, that among these are fries, cookies and consequently, the pursuit of flabbiness. For many, the new year means one thing: time to give that ill-fated diet another go. But let’s face it — hungry people are grumpy people. For that very reason, I resolve to not resolve this year. Instead, I choose to go to Gourdough’s, a specialty doughnut trailer parked at 1219 S. Lamar Blvd. Its slogan — “Big. Fat. Donuts.” — says it all. However, to say that Gourdough’s serves “doughnuts” is an extreme understatement. Think gen-

erously sized funnel cakes, shaped like plump doughnuts, weighed down by toppings out the wazoo. Add some clever names like Granny’s Pie, Razzle Dazzle and Funky Monkey, and voila! You’ve got Austin’s finest food trailer. From the simple Miss Shortcake, a doughnut topped with cream cheese icing and freshcut strawberries, to the mother lode of the Mother Clucker, a doughnut vessel bearing a fried chicken strip drizzled with honey butter, Gourdough’s knows its no-good-for-you grub. As a proud Gourdough’s patron and connoisseur, my top recommendation is The Puddin’, a cream-cheese-filled doughnut piled with cream cheese icing (because you can never have enough cream cheese), bananas and vanilla wafers. With more than enough sugar and plenty of spice, this doughnut is oh-so nice. Then, at the very bottom of

the menu, tucked beneath 23 doughnut concoctions, is the Make-Your-Own. With great power comes great responsibility. Keeping this in mind, I call my creation “The Parent Trap” with peanut butter icing and crushed Oreos on top. Each doughnut costs $4.25 and is fully capable of feeding an entire family. If you’re a true Revolution patriot, add a scoop of ice cream for an extra buck. Therefore, we, the students of the University of Texas at Austin, solemnly publish and declare, that this united University ought to be free and independent of counting calories. Alzeerah is a journalism and radio-television-film junior and creator of Austin food blog Chow, Bella!, web.me.com/sherialzeerah /ChowBella.

LONGHORN LIFE

January 18, 2011

Drool-worthy products from 2011 Consumer Electronics Show

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is the time for us tech nerds to drop our jaws at phrases like “qHD,” “Honeycomb” and “AMOLED,” and feel perfectly cool about it. Here are five of the show’s stars that made a few of us drool.

MOTOROLA XOOM The latest in the “iPad killer” market, the Xoom leads the way in a pack of Honeycomb tablets expected to hit the market this year. With a 10.1-inch screen slightly bigger than the iPad, both rear- and front-facing cameras and a simple yet competitive look, the Xoom is set to be the leader in the growing Android tablet field. Expected Release Date: First quarter.

MOTOROLA ATRIX 4G The marriage between Motorola and Android continues with a concept that doesn’t quite fit at first. Motorola is calling the Atrix a Webtop, but we’ve never seen the idea put in use with a smartphone. The Atrix features a docking station that allows it to be ported to a larger computer and used as a laptop. Expected Release Date: First quarter.

NINTENDO 3DS The latest in the DS series uses the process of autostereoscopy in order to produce a 3D effect – without the glasses. This falls into the category of “have to see to believe,” but early reports indicate the 3DS actually pulls off adding another dimension to Nintendo’s old-school animation style. Expected Release Date: March.

INTEL SANDY BRIDGE The Sandy Bridge isn’t a consumer electronic in the traditional sense, but no consumer’s against a faster computer. Intel’s new microprocessor is expected to be significantly faster than its predecessors, especially when it comes to graphics and video. Expected Release Date: Already shipped, according to Intel.

SAMSUNG’S AMOLED SCREEN The actual real-world uses for a bendable screen aren’t necessarily practical but it just looks so cool. Samsung offered up the best videos of the Consumer Electronics Show, with its small display that can be bent into a perfect Ushape before snapping back into its original shape. Expected Release Date: . Unannounced. - Colby M. White

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Tech Breeds

De-coding the ins and outs of all technological makes and models

COLUMN

Honeycomb adds sweet OS to tablets By Colby M. White Four days of pure, unashamed four-eyed geekdom have without a doubt put an unequivocal, luminous and unwavering spotlight on tablet computers as the go-to gadget for technophiles in 2011. Of course, I said the same overthe-top statement after last year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But, I promise, this time it’s for real. It’s not like the first year of tablets has been bumpy. The iPad sold a million units in 28 days and the “iPad killer” – well, it’s actually called the Galaxy Tab, but most tech blogs seemed to ignore that memo – took only two months to hit the same milestone. People clearly like the idea of making those scenes from Star Trek a reality, but tablets still haven’t quite reached that Captain Kirk level. That’s where Google steps in. The highlight of CES 2011 and the winner of more than a few awards is the Motorola Xoom, which sports the brand new Android 3.0 operating system, otherwise known as Honeycomb. (I’m assuming the name comes from the fact it’s pretty sweet. After the iPad, corny names might be the industry trend.) Honeycomb is the first version of Android designed specifically for tablets. It’s way too early to tell, but if the shaky YouTube videos taken from this year’s show are any indication, the superior design that has become Google’s signature has finally made it to tablets. Screen transitions are significantly smoother; multi-tasking abilities are actually easy to get to; and there is an emphasis on on-screen buttons as opposed to physical ones. Honeycomb makes tablets look like more than just overgrown phones. “It’s like if you grew up playing Street Fighter, you now have to play chess,” Google’s lead user interface designer Matias Duarte told engadget.com of

Isaac Brekken / Associated Press

Motorola’s Sanjay Jha introduces the Xoom tablet computer during a press preview for the Consumer Electronics Show on Jan. 5 in Las Vegas.

the new OS. Google and Duarte, who helped keep Palm afloat toward the end with the development of webOS, seem to be the first to get the concept behind designing software on new hardware. The same principles that worked on older hardware will not work when a revolutionary product comes along. Simply putting your old software on new hardware does not work (*cough Windows 7 tablets cough*). The relevance of this design principle shows itself regularly in technology, where new products seem to come out every year. Newspapers are still copyingpasting content onto the Web, board game companies are still trying to incorporate video game systems in their products and television networks are just now realizing Internet video and DVR mean viewers are going to fastforward through commercials. As easy as it is to root against Google because it’s Google, the company may be on to something. We’ll see how well Honeycomb optimizes itself for the tablet

Julie Jacobson (first and third photos); Isaac Brekken (second and fourth photos) / Associated Press

Four new tablet devices presented at CES the first week of January. Clockwise from upper left: Motorola Xoom tablet, Dell Streak 7 4G tablet, Panasonic’s Viera Tablet and the Samsung 7 Series sliding PC.

environment once it moves from the showroom to the shelves. But if Honeycomb makes the tablet look half as good as the Consumer Electronics Show videos make it seem, 2011 will be called “The Year of the TabletFocused OS.”

Nowhere near as sexy as the “The Year of the Tablet,” but hey, that was last year anyway.

White is a computer science senior who is a Web programming and services consultant for an Austin technology provider.

• Put cat on a diet • Visit my parents more often • Save my change • Buy less expensive beer • Climb something tall • Blog about my new cat • Buy a book a month and read it • Rescue a dog • Find a cool apartment • Go swimming more often • See a dentist • Find apartment near campus • Read my mail • Turn a new leaf • Literally find a new leaf and turn it • Stop playing Farmville • Try sushi • Stop taking my neighbors newspapers in the morning • Find a new apartment • Stop smoking • Jog more • Eat more yogurt • Buy some cool furniture for my new awesome apartment • Get a new eye exam • Change the oil in my car more often than once a year • Pick up a daily texan every day • Save a whale • Stop texting while walking infront of on coming traffic • Have a wicked house warming party for my awesome new apartment • Drink more orange juice • Cook more often • Get a hair cut more than once a year • Play more word puzzles in the newspaper• Put cat on a diet • Visit my parents more often • Save my change • Buy less expensive beer • Climb something tall • Blog about my new cat • Buy a book a month and read it • Rescue a dog • Find a cool apartment • Go swimming more often • See a dentist • Find apartment near campus • Read my mail • Turn a new leaf • Literally find a new leaf and turn it • Stop playing Farmville • Try sushi • Stop taking my neighbors newspapers in the morning • Find a new apartment • Stop smoking • Jog more • Eat more yogurt • Buy some cool furniture for my new awesome apartment • Get a new eye exam • Change the oil in my car more often than once a year • Pick up a daily texan every day • Save a whale • Stop texting while walking infront of on coming traffic • Have a wicked house warming party for my awesome new apartment • Drink more orange juice • Cook more often • Get a hair cut more than once a year • Play more word puzzles in the newspaper • Put cat on a diet • Visit my parents

more often • Save my change • Buy less expensive beer • Climb something tall • Blog about my new cat • Buy a book a month and read it • Rescue a dog • Find a cool apartment • Go swimming more often • See a dentist • Find apartment near campus • Read my mail • Turn a new leaf • Literally ﬁnd a new leaf and turn it • Stop playing Farmville • Try sushi • Stop taking my neighbors newspapers in the morning • Find a new apartment • Stop smoking • Jog more • Eat more yogurt •

Buy some cool furniture for my new awesome apartment • Get a new eye exam • Change the oil in my car more often than once a year • Pick up a daily texan every day • Save a whale • Stop texting while walking infront of on coming trafﬁc • Have a wicked house warming party for my awesome new apartment • Drink more orange juice • Cook more often • Get a hair cut more than once a year • Play more word puzzles in the newspaper• Put cat on a diet • Visit my parents more often • Save

my change • Buy less expensive beer • Climb something tall • Blog about my new cat • Buy a book a month and read it • Rescue a dog • Find a cool apartment • Go swimming more often • See a dentist • Find apartment near campus • Read my mail • Turn a new leaf • Literally find a new leaf and turn it • Stop playing Farmville • Try sushi • Stop taking my neighbors newspapers in the morning • Find a new apartment • Stop smoking • Jog more • Eat more yogurt • Buy some cool furniture for my new awesome apartment • Get a new eye exam • Change the oil in my car more often than once a year • Pick up a daily texan every day • Save a whale • Stop texting while walking infront of on coming traffic • Have a wicked house warming party for my awesome new apartment • Drink more orange juice • Cook more often • Get a hair cut more than once a year • Play more word puzzles in the newspaper• Put cat on a diet • Visit my parents more often • Save my change • Buy less expensive beer • Climb something tall • Blog about my new cat • Buy a book a month and read it • Rescue a dog • Find a cool apartment • Go swimming more often • See a dentist • Find apartment near campus • Read my mail • Turn a new leaf • Literally find a new leaf and turn it • Stop playing Farmville • Try sushi • Stop taking my neighbors newspapers in the morning • Find a new apartment • Stop smoking • Jog more • Eat more yogurt • Buy some cool furniture for my new awesome apartment • Get a new eye exam • Change the oil in my car more often than once a year • Pick up a daily texan every day • Save a whale • Stop texting while walking infront of on coming traffic • Have a wicked house warming party for my awesome new apartment • Drink more orange juice • Cook more often • Get a hair cut more than once a year • Play more word puzzles in the newspaper • Put cat on a diet • Visit my parents more often • Save my change • Buy less expensive beer • Climb something tall • Blog about my new cat • Buy a book a month and read it • Rescue a dog • Find a cool apartment • Go swimming more often • See a dentist • Find apartment near campus •

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS • • • • • • • •

Excercise Quit Smoking Study More Spend more time with family Enjoy life more Help others Get Organized Find great deal on a apartment.

R’S A E Y W E N NE O T S A E L BE T L A L I W U O Y N O I T U L O S E R ! P E E K O T E ABL

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Director dishes on activity center’s spaces, offerings By Ahsika Sanders For almost two years construction has crowded the space next door to Gregory Gym, but officially starting today, that space is home to the new Student Activity Center. SAC Director Crystal King sat down to answer some questions about the center’s ins and outs. Longhorn Life: What brought about the need for a new student union? Crystal King: For several decades students would assemble themselves and work towards getting a new building on campus because they felt there wasn’t enough activity space for students. And so a group of students in 2005 put together a referendum through Student Government and the student body voted to tax themselves a $65 fee, and they started paying that this past fall to build and operate this building. And that’s what got it on campus. LL: How long did it take to build? CK: The building process started in 2005 with the meetings. The University had to select an architecture firm; they had to then decide how it was going to be designed and the location of the building. Then they started having all the workshops, and students were actually invited to these workshops. They gave them building blocks and said, OK build your building. Students were able to kind of construct their own building in these work groups. Any student was able to come, it was an open process, so the architects took all that information from students and then they built this building. The actual construction began in January 2009. LL: When will students be able to access it? CK: Starting at 7 a.m. Jan. 18. LL: What do you anticipate being the best new feature? CK: I think the best new feature is the really cool lounge places. They’re very unique in nature, with a lot of really cool comfortable furniture, and a

Stephanie Bathurst / Texas Student Media

Student Activity Center Director Crystal King.

lot of pockets with places for students to plug in. That’s a hard question to answer because I have so many great things to say about the new additions. Also, the dance rehearsal room is going to be a huge space that I think students are going to be excited about because we support any form of dance and there are all these mirrors and they’ll be able to practice and prepare for performances. I think it’s a space that students are really going to enjoy. LL: How much did it cost? CK: It’s a $68 million project, but it also has the Department of Anthropology in it so I think students paid for about $48 million of it. LL: How was it funded? CK: It’s a stand-alone fee that students pay and that $65 specifically goes into this building. You know exactly where your money is going. LL: Can you tell me a little about the new black box theater? CK: The black box theater seats about 150 students and it’s a flexible performance space, so we’ll support all kinds of art form in that space. It has a very state-of-the-art lighting system, as well as sound system, so students could really do theatrical performances if they want to. LL: How is the performance space in the SAC different from other performance spaces on campus? SAC Q&A continues on page 15

LONGHORN LIFE

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STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER INFO MAP

LONGHORN LIFE

January 18, 2011January 18, 2011

LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3

GRAD STUDENT ASSEMBLY

3.102 SG SUITE

opening january 18!

page 9

3.102

The body representing grad student interests at UT moves to this suite from the Main Building. The group holds meetings every other Wednesday.

GREEN ROOFS

3.104

These sustainable roofs will collect rain water to be used for the building’s exterior landscaping. Additionally, the roofs will slow the amount of storm water leaving the site, aiming to alleviate flooding in Waller Creek.

2.102

This space is the new home to Student Government offices, moving from the Student Services Building. For more information on SG, visit them here or online, at utexas. edu/studentgov/index/php.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

2.102

LEVELel intr1 oduces meeting rooms, the Multicultural Information Center suite

The first lev food venue space, in attractions here include the and raised patio seating. The ma ium. Included on dressing-room-equipped auditor the and s nge lou dy stu lace firep ed with especially the fountain, engrav ng, api dsc lan r doo out the is the ground floor dents as they enter. UT’s core values, that greets stu

2.112

The Gender and Sexuality Center’s new suite (another move from the Student Services Building) will make available its mentor programs, lending library and walk-in advising.

Graphic and spread by Bianca Krause / Texas Student Media staff

This 2,360-square-foot room is designed to accommodate large student legislative bodies such as the Senate of College Councils and Student Government.

DANCE STUDIO PATIO SEATING

1.102

zations and lou om for registered student organi rkro wo a as ll we as tes, sui ter Cen bly Room ting joins the Legislative Assem sea t que ban h wit m lroo bal for relaxing. The dio, one of the level. Additionally, the dance stu this on r ate the box ck bla the and and ballet barres. s a mirrored wall, sound system more anticipated spaces, feature

require regular e intensive green roofs, which students sits outside with thre -sustaining. The green roofs, which are more self ive ens ext two and ce, nan inte ma the Graduate cony meeting rooms and houses third level also includes three bal Students Office suites. Student Assembly and Dean of

2.112

GENDER & SEXUALITY CENTER

2.302

VEL 2 LE der and Sexuality Student Government and Gen nges This middle floor is home to the

3ary features are its outdoor spaces. A quiet reflection space for VoorEL LE prim ’s fl s Thi

BALLROOM

This room can seat up to 500 people, depending on how it’s divided. It measures 5,206 square feet and features basic audio-visual capabilities, such as a projector, screen and speakers, great for lecture-centered events.

MULTICULTURAL INFORMATION CENTER

1.102

Relocating from the Student Services Building, the Multicultural Information Center houses these student agencies: Afrikan American Affairs, Asian/Desi/ Pacific Islander American Collective, Latina/o Leadership Council, Longhorn American Indian Council, Queer People of Color and Allies, and Students for Equity and Diversity.

2.310

1.610

2.304

BLACK BOX THEATER

1.302 CAFE

1.708-1.712

1.402 1.402

With 474 seats, a digital movie projector and dressing rooms, the auditorium will be perfect for all students’ rehearsing needs. However, reservations for this room don’t begin until April 1.

AUDITORIUM

STUDY LOUNGE with fireplace

2.304

This flexible, four-sided event space seats 150 people and serves as an excellent theater option for various student productions.

1.708 - 1.712

Two Texas Union repeats and a couple of campus newbies, this stretch of food options is sure to tingle everyone’s taste buds. Expect to eat at these food venues:

FOOD COURT

Chick-fil-A Starbucks Coffee Taco Cabana Zen Plus! They all accept Bevo Bucks.

LONGHORN LIFE

page 10

Roaming

January 18, 2011

Tips, guidance and students’ experiences traveling and studying across the state, throughout the country and around the globe

Finding right program first step in studying abroad By Lara Grant Whether students are looking to learn a new language, experience another culture first-hand or simply explore the world, the University offers many study abroad options that are available any semester. More than 2,300 UT students study abroad each year, said study abroad adviser Jenny Achilles. Study abroad programs offer UT credit of approved coursework in a foreign country. They also allow students to gain valuable experience and skills while learning about various cultures, according to the Study Abroad Office’s website. The website also deems that effectively learning a language is made possible, as there is a program specific to several different languages. Aside from learning how to speak a particular language by being immersed in daily activities, several programs have courses taught in foreign languages. “My primary reason to go abroad was to be immersed in French culture so I could be-

come more confident and hopefully fluent in the language,” said psychology sophomore Preston McIlveen, who participated in a study abroad program in Nantes, France. “So, I searched for a program that would allow me to do that.” Finding the right program is the first step in the study abroad process, and there are several ways to learn about the programs offered. The office’s website provides information about programs by searching for country, semester, language of instruction or area of study. “Credit, eligibility requirements and cost vary widely depending on the particular study abroad program a student chooses,” said study abroad adviser Erika Katz. Standard requirements state that students cannot be on academic or disciplinary probation. The study abroad office, located on the second floor of Wooldridge Hall, offers daily appointments with advisers to help confirm the type of program desired and then discuss the next steps in the process. For those not

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interested in spending the long fall or spring semesters abroad, the summer or Maymester sessions may be more ideal. “It’s never too early to start thinking about study abroad,” Achilles said. “The earlier students start discussing study abroad, the easier it is to plan ahead for scholarship opportunities and class credits.” Financial aid and scholarships are available for all study abroad programs. Online, there is a budget calculator to determine to amount needed for a specific program. The interactive budget is provided to give you a general idea of how much studying abroad is going to cost in comparison to the costs associated with studying in Austin, according to the study abroad website. In regards to living arrangements, there are several options. Many students live in either on-campus housing or off-campus apartments, according to the study abroad website. Several live with host families, particularly those participating in language oriented programs. The study abroad office

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considers on-campus the safest available housing, but some programs still allow students to find their own accommodations. Additionally, many programs allow students to request to live together. General questions such as these can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Study Abroad Office’s website, Katz said. “Having lived in France has increased my love for the French language and influenced me to want to incorporate it more in my future career. I’m so glad I chose to study abroad,” McIlveen said. • Application Deadlines: Summer Programs - Feb. 15 ; Fall Programs - March 1; Spring Programs - Oct. 1; Maymester Programs - Nov. 1 • Depending on the program, the application will require: essays, professor recommendations, UT student transcript, $50 application fee Students will typically learn of admittance status 2-3 weeks after the application deadline. Once students have been accepted, they will need to attain a valid passport, health insurance and determine living arrangements abroad.

LONGHORN LIFE

January 18, 2011

page 11

Quirky spots ideal for road-tripping in Texas By Sheri Alzeerah

nstead of compressing life into 4-ounce bottles and overhead compartment-sized suitcases, hit the open road this year for a TSA-pat-down-free way to travel. No need to voyage across the seas to find adventure. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the number of possible road trip destinations. From the obvious historic landmarks and theme parks to the quirky, only-in-Texas roadside attractions, the Lone Star State is a road tripper’s haven. Check your engine, and check off this year’s road trip bucket list:

CADILLAC RANCH

Amarillo (507 miles from Austin) In the dry and yellow Texas Panhandle, it’s hard to grow a tree. Thanks to a guerilla artist’s 1974 public art installation, it’s easy to grow a Cadillac. A row of 10 classic Cadillacs dot the horizon, halfburied hoods first into the dirt ground, reinforcing their pop culture icon status. The attraction played part in the movie “Cars” and inspired The Boss (it’s the title of a Bruce Springsteen song). Bring a can of spray paint. It’s legal and encouraged to add your own artistic flair to the installation as long as you dispose of your empty can accordingly.

BLUE BELL CREAMERY

Brenham (89 miles from Austin) I scream. You scream. Texans all scream for Blue Bell Ice Cream and settle for nothing less. Tours of the factory are offered Monday through Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. For just $5, you can be Charlie Bucket without the Oompa Loompas and whacky tour guide. Tours last 45 minutes and include, of course, a serving of fresh ice cream.

THE BOARDWALK

Kemah (196 miles from Austin) Travel to a place exuding old-fashioned coastal charm just 40 miles south of bustling Houston. The Kemah Boardwalk buzzes with life, featuring carnival rides, live music, boating, seafood and even a year-round

Christmas shop. Although the bay-side stop is always alive with energy, the boardwalk hosts special events throughout the year. Whether September’s Kemah Jazz Festival or October’s Boo on the Boardwalk, no time is a bad time on the Kemah waterfront.

Sheri Alzeerah / Texas Student Media

MARFA LIGHTS

Marfa (430 miles from Austin) It’s not a bird, a plane nor even Superman — it’s the mysterious Marfa lights. At any time after sunset all year, twinkling, often colored lights, are said to appear, disappear, split apart, melt together and bounce across the sky. Though many have their explanations, from electrostatic discharge to ghosts searching for gold, there’s no denying the phenomenon’s magnetic pull, drawing visitors, skeptics and believers alike from around the globe.

Spray-painted classic Cadillacs protrude from the ground in Amarillo at Cadillac Ranch, where graffiti is encouraged. An artist erected the installation in 1974 to serve as public art.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST…

Admit it: It isn’t a road trip without a goofy picture of the world’s largest trivial item. Across the state, there are plenty of Texas-sized roadside attractions. Check out the world’s biggest blue catfish in Athens, fishing pole in Corsicana, wheelbarrow in Caddo, spur in Fort Davis, tamale in Pearland, rattlesnake in Freer, ice cream cone in Port Isabel and world’s second largest fire hydrant in Beaumont. Before you start your engines just yet, check out txdot.gov for planning maps, safety rest area locations, road conditions and other road-trip essentials.

watch for the next

in The Daily Texan x on Feb. 11 & Se Lovedition e

The Herd

Profiles on UT’s widely varied student groups and organizations

Photography club welcomes all skill levels By Lara Grant As the sun began to set, several students took out their cameras to photograph the Capitol. The Texas Photography Club has made it an annual trip to walk from campus to the Capitol to capture the building at sunset. For this student organization, the only requirements necessary are an interest in photography and a small membership fee, and the club is open to all skill levels of photography As noted in the club’s purpose statement, the organization works to help beginning, intermediate and advanced photographers improve their skills through lectures, workshops

and photo shoots. Lectures are given by professors, professionals and fellow students, according to the organization’s website. The photo shoots allow members to put those lessons to practice on the several trips taken throughout each semester. “People should join the club because you get to meet other photographers and go to cool places to shoot,” said Yang Liu, Texas Photography Club president and biology senior. Last semester the group took a trip to Lost Maples near Vanderpool, Texas to shoot photos for fall foliage (the phrase used to describe when the trees’ leaves have changed colors). The Texas Photography Club has also shot First Thursdays on South Con-

gress, where stores stay open later and various vendors set up in the street. Club officers also inform all members of paid and volunteer photography opportunities. Even if members do not want a career in photography, the club allows students to get hands-on experience during photo trips and creates an atmosphere to learn about ways to improve photograph composition. The Texas Photography Club plans to have a few photo trips this semester, including one outing to photograph bluebonnet patches. For more information about the Texas Photography Club, check them out on Facebook, facebook.com/group. php?gid=26420238086.

Calling all students! If you have any suggestions for student organizations to be featured in The Herd section, feel free to e-mail us at tsmspecialeditions@gmail.com.

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LONGHORN LIFE

January 18, 2011

page 15

SAC Q&A: Student groups can reserve large meeting rooms continued from page 6

Photos by Stephanie Bathurst / Texas Student Media

Top, One of the lounges in the building that will give students a place to study and relax in front of a cozy fireplace. Above, Richard Stimpert, head of the Student Activity Center’s audio-visual offerings, tours the building’s large multi-purpose room. Left, The fountain in front of the entrance on Speedway.

CK: One of the reasons we have a black box theater here is because it was a group of students that were non-fine arts majors that said, ‘We need a space.’ If you’re in the Fine Arts Department, you have access to their theater space but students can’t use it if they’re not fine arts majors. They said, ‘We also feel like what we do is important and we’d love to have a space where we can express ourselves through different forms of art.’ So my reservations team is really being thoughtful about giving reservations to non-fine arts majors since they don’t already have a space to practice. So we want to honor what those students originally asked for. LL: Will classes be held in the SAC? CK: Yes we have an auditorium that seats 474 people, and starting in the fall the registrar will schedule large classes in that space. LL: Can student organizations reserve the new meeting rooms and large spaces? CK: Yes they absolutely can. All of the spaces are open to any student organization and any student on campus, so they can reserve it. We are fortunate that Student Government, Graduate Student Assembly and Senate are all going to have their meetings in the Legislative Assembly Room, but then everybody can also have meetings in there; they just have to reserve it in the reservations office.

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LL: What are the new food options opening at the center? CK: We have an additional Chik-filA and it will have sweet tea and milk shakes so it’ll be a broader menu. We will also have a Starbucks, Zen and Taco Cabana. LL: Are there any opening events? CK: The ribbon cutting ceremony is Monday Feb.7. Starting [this week], we’re not going to have any scheduled events. For the first few weeks you can really explore and go in and out of all the meeting rooms and use all the space and see what it feels like and kind of find your home in the building. At 11 a.m. [today], we’ll have a formal ceremony that will last about an hour. But starting [today] we’ll have a lot fun stuff to do like caricature artists, face paintings and concerts at night. It’ll be about a month of real fun activities for students. LL: Is there anything else you’d like students to know about the new center? CK: I’m just thrilled for students to be able to use the space that they’ve designed. I hope they explore every area of it and make it home. I’m super excited about this building. Students have waited so long for a space like this and I just hope that they can appreciate everything that has gone into making this special for them. Me and my staff are dedicated to students and making this a great experience for them while their on campus.

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