Mercury 11/18

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UTD — WWW.UTDMERCURY.COM

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Homecoming | pages 8-9

VOLUME XXXIII NO. 18

Friends mourn loss of fellow student Witness: use of cellphone a factor in deadly car wreck SHEILA DANG

Managing Editor

Some people thought it was a joke.

When Dongkwon Shin posted a Facebook status to let friends know that Tam Hoang had died in the car accident they were both in earlier that day, Shin said some believed his Facebook had been hacked.

The tragic news was true. And the events leading up to the accident were nothing out of the ordinary.

Management inforTAM HOANG mation sciences junior Hoang and computer science junior Shin were returning to campus from Walmart, driving eastbound on Frankford Road at about 1:50 a.m. on Nov. 7, when Hoang took his eyes off the road to look at his phone, Shin said.

When he warned Hoang that the left lane they were in was going to end, Hoang jerked the car to the right, and hit the median before the car spun and hit a utility pole.

Unable to open the car door, Shin had to climb

fifty years ago, University’s forerunner lost a patron in jfk

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—In brief—

Sexual assault reported; second in three months A female student reported that she was sexually assaulted in the Phase III apartments between 1:30 and 3 a.m. on Nov. 10, according to UTDPD’s crime log.

The Mercury requested the police report regarding the incident in a phone call to Lt. Ken MacKenzie of UTDPD, who denied the request because the incident was still an ongoing investigation.

MacKenzie, however, said the victim knew the assailant, and students should not worry that this particular perpetrator was a random attacker.

Earlier this semester, another sexual assault was reported on Sept. 2 in which a female student said she was assaulted in her dorm room in Residence Hall West.

Two reported sexual assaults in the past three months stand in stark contrast to the past three years.

In 2012, only one sexual assault was reported on campus, while the one report that was filed in 2010 was unfounded, according to UTDPD’s Annual Security Report.

MacKenzie said the reason for the recent increase in reporting could be attributed to efforts both by UTDPD and the Student Counseling Center to help students feel more comfortable reporting such crimes.

—Sheila Dang

Safety concerns raised on parking lots, crossings

CHRISTOPHER WANG/PHOTO EDITOR

A request for a traffic signal at the corner of Rutford and Synergy Park has been placed with the city.

SARAH LARSON Life & Arts Editor

Students have been noticing the lack of upkeep of the E-Parking areas causing unsafe driving conditions as well as personal safety remaining an issue across Synergy Park Boulevard.

When biochemistry junior Josh Mathew parks

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in later years.

Dallas itself changed post-1963, and it took a while before the community could begin to put the event into perspective and move beyond the blame the world piled on its people, said Sharron Conrad, That afternoon, almost 2,000 people were at the director of Education and Public Programs at the luncheon at Trade-Mart in Dallas, waiting for the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. president to arrive and address the gathering.

Since 1989, the book depository window from Among those were the faculty and their wives where Kennedy was shot has been a museum from UTD’s predecessor, the Graduate Research hotspot, and people from all Center of the Southwest, or GRCS, and members of the Is JFK important to you? Is he relevant even today? over the world — researchers, journalists and tourists — have Dallas Citizen Council. visited the Sixth Floor Museum A soft announcement found CD)'<$3'3)+3,!,?)'!"'!.)'4,6.!3'"@'E-$>/3'$+#'!.)'4,6.!3' to learn about the man, his presits way from a pocket radio to "@'=,+"4,!,)3'&&&'('!.,+/'.)F3'="4)'$-,?)'!.$+'#)$#&'EG!'(' idency and his assassination.

Denise Hales’ ears — the presi!.,+/'.,3'#)$!.'<$3+F!'4)$--%'@"4'+"!.,+6'5)>$G3)'('!.,+/' dent of the United States had .,='#%,+6'HG3.)#'!.)'>,?,-'4,6.!3'="?)=)+!'@"4<$4#&B Kennedy’s legacy been shot — which she quickly Akeen Akinyele, part time student Fifty years after his death, relayed to her husband, Anton President Kennedy is rememHales, head of the geoscience bered by many as a man who indivision at the GRCS. CD)'H4)?)+!)#'$'+G>-)$4'."-">$G3!&'D)'<$3'$'5,6'$#8 spired young people into serving Shortly after, Erik Jonsson, ?">$!)'"@'>,?,-'4,6.!3&'D)'<$3'$+',+3H,4$!,"+$-'-)$#)4&' the nation, pioneered support one of UTD’s founding fathers, D)F3'!.)'"+)'<."'3$,#'I13/'+"!'<.$!'%"G4'>"G+!4%'>$+' for civil rights and spearheaded announced to the whole assem#"'@"4'%"G'5G!'<.$!'%"G'>$+'#"'@"4'%"G4'>"G+!4%&F'D)F3' man’s mission to the moon, said bly that the president had been "+)'"@'!.)'5)3!'J4)3,#)+!3'<)F?)')?)4'.$#&&&B Stephen Rabe, an arts and huinjured.

Jeff Walls, sociology senior manities professor and author Everyone sat in stunned siof multiple books on Kennedy’s lence, said a prayer and stared foreign policies. at the T-bone steaks that had “(JFK) is a big part of our history, and a lot of what he In 1963, the 14-year-old Rabe just been served, unable to eat, said and a lot of what he believed in still holds true and other Catholics like himHales said in an interview to UT !"#$%&'('#)*'+,!)-%'!.,+/'0121',3'3!,--'$'4)$--%'5,6'7"46$8 self were particularly inspired Dallas Libraries in 2002 that has +,9$!,"+:;'$+#'<."'/+"<3;'<)'=,6.!'#,3>"?)4'$'4)$-'

by Kennedy, the United States’ been archived in McDermott Li>"=)!'+$=)#'$@!)4'A)=">&B first Catholic president, and his brary’s University Archives SpeAnonymous, person playing Temoc motto for service to the nation, cial Collection.

Rabe said.

Just as they were leaving the Kennedy’s assassination was auditorium a half hour later, the followed by the Civil Rights event obviously cancelled, Hales Act, the Vietnam War and an heard a police radio announceera of changes, and the Kennedy ment that changed the city and presidency was probably the last the nation forever. administration to have had high It was 1 p.m. on Nov. 22, popular ratings before the deep 1963 when President John F. cynicism toward government Kennedy, 35th President of the took root in American minds, United States, passed away at Rabe said.

Parkland hospital from a bullet “Maybe because he was assaswound to his head fired by Lee sinated, he represents one of the Harvey Oswald. last few times that our nation was What most don’t know is that unified and he represented those with his passing remained an ideals of freedom and liberty and undelivered speech to the faculthe city on the hill that we aspire ty and founders of UTD, salutto but don’t constantly reach ing their scientific initiative and CECIL STOUGHTON/WHITE HOUSE recognizing GRCS as an initia- President John F. Kennedy inspects Mercury capsule Friendship 7 with its pilot, John any longer,” said Charlie Hannitor of astronomy, geoscience and Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, in this photo taken Feb. 23, 1963. Kennedy gan, vice president for Student famously called for manned exploration of the moon to begin by the end of the 1960s.

Government and a mathematics technology in the Southwest. sophomore.

Weeks before his scheduled For many, the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame at visit, letters were going back and forth between the versity Archives Collection. “We realized already at President’s office and Lloyd Berkner, then president that point that the loss of Kennedy would really be, the Arlington National Cemetery is the first symbol of patriotism, Hannigan said. of GRCS, planning details of Kennedy’s possible in the end, bad for science.”

For others, it is trying to be better, to aspire to the Rindler, who joined GRCS in September 1963, visit to the GRCS campus, said Davis Lovelady, curator of Special Collections at the McDermott was also at the luncheon, and in the same interview, romantic ideals that Kennedy stood up for and to said that Kennedy’s death led to the demise of enLibrary.

Ultimately, the plan that was decided upon would couragement, funding and enthusiasm for science

Story: ANWESHA BHATTACHARJEE/WEB EDITOR Photo Illustration: LINA MOON/GRAPHICS EDITOR Design: CHRISTOPHER WANG/PHOTO EDITOR

involve Kennedy presenting Berkner with an engraving at the luncheon that would recognize GRCS as an institute of national importance in research and education beyond the doctoral degree.

“For us, it was a terrible shock because the enthusiasm for science, in those days, somehow had radiated away from Kennedy,” said Wolfgang Rindler, a physics professor, in an interview to UTD’s Office of Communications in 2009, also part of the Uni-

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News

THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

Just the facts

Thought-provoking statistics from Christopher Wang

LAUREN FEATHERSTONE

Student Advisory Council on Nov. 8 and 9 in Austin to finish editing a letter of opposition to the Board of Regents, whose proposed amendment would have the Student Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to offer more campus regents approve or reject each universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s referenda for amenities are coming into fruition with upcoming health student fee increases and capital improvements before vending machines, a significant addition of outdoor trash- the students are able to vote on the matter. Students cans and possibly recycling bins, as well as a proposal for representing all 15 UT System schools unanimously opposed this amendment, Liberman said. When Liberman a UTD app.

At the SG meeting on Nov. 12, SG Vice President and Hannigan met with Regent Robert Stillwell, he told Charlie Hannigan described the new health vending ma- them that he believed the amendment was accidently chines that were recently approved. The small machines worded incorrectly and must have been intended to say will contain six slots, and there will be one in the laundry that students should vote before the referenda go to the room of each residence hall. Proposed items to fill the slots Board of Regents. The regents will vote on the amendinclude ONE Condoms â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the same brand of condoms ment in their December meeting. t 4( T ĂŤSTU $PNFU $IBU FWFOU XJMM CF BU Q N PO the Wellness Center uses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and medicines such as Aleve, Motrin, a generic sinus decongestion, Ibuprofen and an Nov. 20 in The Pub. In this casual setting, senior lecturers Jared Pickens and Matt Polze will talk about whatever antacid.

Residential Life has agreed to purchase the machines, they would like to discuss, Hannigan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to create this atmosphere at UTD that is and SG will buy the initial items to fill each machine, allocating up to $550 for supplies. From there, the machines this city of learning,â&#x20AC;? Hannigan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Professors can go will be self-sustaining through profits kept in an account up and talk about the subject that they study, or they can set up by Student Affairs that will be used to keep the tell you about all this cool stuff that they do.â&#x20AC;?

This informal gathering will humanize professors, machines stocked and in working order. Peer advisors will and student questions will be answered in an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ask Me restock the machines.

SG is also hoping to add 20-30 trashcans, along with Anythingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (AMA) session at the end of the event, said paired recycling bins, to outside, high-traffic locations Academic Affairs Chair Joseph Lim. There will be a around campus. The Office of Administration told SG $3.99 popcorn chicken special that Hannigan said he that they could pick the locations and propose the num- hopes will draw students to The Pub. If the kick-off is ber of bins they want. SG President Liza Liberman said successful, senate will see about doing more sessions in this is something SG has been pushing for years, and it the future, Liberman said. Senate allocated up to $100 looks very likely that a large amount of trashcans will be for decorations and supplies for the event. t 4PVOE PĂŞ SFTVMUT SFWFBMFE TPNF TUVEFOUT BSF EJTTBUJTgranted. The senate is currently making the final decisions on where exactly they would like the trashcans to fied with how their school handles advising, particularly in JSOM and BBS where students reported not having be placed.

Senateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other emerging initiative is a university app a specific, regular advisor. The Academic Affairs Comproposal that is being finalized before being presented to mittee wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure if advising was an issue, but now that the dean of students and vice president for student affairs. thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supporting data, senate will look into addressing Hannigan said the main idea for the app is for a student to advising as well as tobacco-ban enforcement, which was be able to have all of his or her UTD information in one another widely reported concern, Hannigan said. t 4( XJMM CF QVUUJOH $PNFU TVHHFTUJPO CPYFT BU UIF place. This could include a campus map, on-campus dining hours, a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class schedule and connection to the front desk of each residence hall. Liberman said she Comet Calendar, Hannigan said. Ideally, the app would hopes that this convenient location for residential stube developed by the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Information Resources dents will encourage them to let senate know about any department, Liberman said, which is how many other thoughts or concerns they have. Senate allocated up to colleges create their apps. SG is willing to go through a $124 for the suggestion box kick-off and $40 for the third party and is waiting to see what kind of app features boxes. t 4( BMMPDBUFE VQ UP GPS UIFJS 1IBTFT * *** TVSWFZ are possible before they decide on more advanced app suggestions such as GPS tracking for UTD buses. Liberman event. Refreshments will be available at the event; time said she hopes to see the app in the development stage and date are still to be determined. t ɨF OFYU 4( NFFUJOH XJMM CF BU Q N PO %FD next semester. t -JCFSNBO BOE )BOOJHBO NFU XJUI UIF 65 4ZTUFN in one of the Galaxy Rooms.

Editor-in-Chief

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UTD Police blotter

Oct. 29 t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE B UIFGU PG B bicycle.

Oct. 31 t 65%1% PĂŻDFST SFTQPOEFE UP Residence Hall South in reference to a student possessing drug paraphernalia. The student received a citation and was arrested.

Nov. 1 t " TUVEFOU XBT DJUFE GPS QPTTFTsion of alcohol by a minor. t " OPO BĂŻMJBUFE QFSTPO XBT BSrested for DWI. t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE IJT DFMM QIPOF was taken without his consent from the library. t " OPO BĂŻMJBUFE QFSTPO SFDFJWFE a criminal trespass warning from the campus.

Nov. 2 t " OPO BĂŻMJBUFE QFSTPO XBT DJUFE for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nov. 3 t " TUVEFOU XBT BSSFTUFE GPS QPTsession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. t " DPOUSBDUFE FNQMPZFF SFQPSUFE receiving an obscene phone message during business hours.

Nov. 4 t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE IFS DFMM

Caught Reading

phone was taken without her consent from the library.

Nov. 5 t " TUBĂŞ NFNCFS SFQPSUFE UXP computer cables stolen from two private offices. /PW t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE UIF UIFGU PG her bicycle.

Nov. 7 t " OPO BĂŻMJBUFE QFSTPO XBT BSrested for other agency traffic warrants.

Nov. 8 t 4UVEFOUT XFSF GPVOE USFTQBTTJOH in the construction site of the new residence hall. t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE TPNFPOF IBE taken her bicycle without her consent. t " VTBCMF BNPVOU PG OBSDPUJD BOE paraphernalia were discovered by Residence Life staff members during a random health and safety check. t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE IBSBTTNFOU by a non-affiliated male. t " TUVEFOU XBT BSSFTUFE GPS QPTsession of marijuana. Another student was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nov. 9 t 'JWF TUVEFOUT XFSF JTTVFE DJUB-

tions for consumption of alcohol by a minor. t 5XP TUVEFOUT XFSF JTTVFE DJUBtions for consumption of alcohol by a minor. t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE TPNFPOF damaged his motorcycle as it was parked in the Building 43 parking lot.

Nov. 10 t " TUVEFOU XBT BSSFTUFE GPS %8* t " GFNBMF TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE CFJOH sexually assaulted. t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE UIF CVSHMBSZ of her vehicle in Lot U. Nov. 11 t "O BMVNOVT SFQPSUFE IJT MBQUPQ taken without his consent from the mall fountain area.

Nov. 12 t 5XP TUVEFOUT XFSF JTTVFE DSJNJnal trespass warnings for the JSOM construction site. t " OPO BĂŻMJBUFE QFSTPO XBT BSrested for theft committed at the bookstore. t 5XP OPO BĂŻMJBUFE QFSTPOT XFSF issued criminal trespass warnings for canvassing on campus without prior authorization.

Nov. 14 t " TUVEFOU SFQPSUFE B UIFGU

The Mercury

Josie Fan, finance graduate student, was caught reading The Mercury.

She will win a $20 gift card to Palioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza, a local pizza, pasta and salad restaurant.

You can contact Palioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at 972-234-4002.

Thank you Palioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza!

Opinion

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NOV. 18, 2013 ! THE MERCURY ! WWW.UTDMERCURY.COM

Writing headlines is the hardest thing to do in news; try it sometime, you dummy JOSEPH MANCUSO COMMENTARY

It’s your own fault anyway; do you just read everything you pick up? You were practically asking for it. If you didn’t have those gorgeous eyes and that literate mind, I’d never have insulted you.

What? You think I’m at fault? No, victim blaming is unbelievably common and it only makes it easier for heinous

people to get away with their crimes.

An opinion, “Women: Prevent sexual assaults,” was printed in the Nov. 1 edition of Southern Methodist University’s The Daily Campus. The title of journalism senior Kirby Wiley’s piece seemed well-intentioned enough, at least until the reader’s gaze fell upon the first paragraph of the story. Here, Wiley informed her audience that the perpetrators of sexual assault “can’t be the only ones taking blame.” Such a distorted perception inappropriately serves to condone rape and violence and excuse rapists and violent people.

According to a study by JAMA Pediatrics, Wiley isn’t the only one to place blame on victims and survivors.

JAMA published a report that broke down the demographics of sexual violence in early October, almost a month before Wiley’s opinion drew coverage from CNN and prompted her to write an apology in response.

The authors of the report found shocking results. Not only had one in 10 young Americans committed an act of sexual violence, but in nearly half of all cases, the perpetrator felt that the victim was completely responsible for being

assaulted.

Wiley believed the culprit of sexual violence to be alcohol use, and encouraged women to stop appearing vulnerable when consuming drinks. Typical of victim blaming culture, she wrongly claims that women are inviting rape when they drink. However, the JAMA study also revealed that only 15 percent of perpetrators used alcohol to their advantage.

Despite her shortcomings, Wiley has succeeded in shedding light on where the blame should be placed when it comes to sexual violence. Her mistake shows that in the same way infants are taught

to share and to act nicely to each other, young people need more education about sexual violence. How else could so many young aggressors blame their victims?

Whether you picked up this article from a newsstand or are viewing it online, you weren’t sitting at a keyboard in a newsroom with the explicit intention of calling a stranger an idiot. Whether you decide to take a shot or drink the whole bottle, you wouldn’t be the rapist making the conscious decision to harm someone. The blame for rapes and acts of sexual violence belongs solely to the rapists themselves.

Green campus in reach, if only sprinklers reached green grass Letter to the Editor

CLARISSA POLLACK

Art and performance senior

The rainy weather of late has helped our area out of drought. Fields are greener than they’ve ever been since I started at UTD, and it’s refreshing to watch that change grace Texas.

Unfortunately, one thing has not changed: UTD continues to waste an incredible amount of one of the most precious resources — fresh water — via irresponsible landscape irrigation. This is wrong.

I have alerted the UTD police on several occasions when water was gushing out of a burst sprinkler head. Bro-

ken and misaligned heads are a regular occurrence on this campus’ sprinkler system.

What amazes me most is that sprinklers regularly continue to water during periods of rain.

The placement of the sprinkler heads is equally nonsensical, as many heads spray directly into parking lots and roads.

Instead of aiming heads efficiently, they were installed along curbs so that much of the water from curbside sprinkler heads shoots directly onto the roads. Much of the water used for landscaping never soaks into the ground and instead flows down streets in “rivers” that campus residents are accustomed to encountering nearly every

night. The water is not only wasteful but also dangerous to longboarders and skateboarders who cannot ride safely when roads are wet. The regularity of the rivers in the middle of roads is so common that students observe the running water as a regular campus occurrence. This is an atrocity.

Ironically, UTD is portrayed as a “green” university. In fact, UTD was named one of the greenest universities in the 2013 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges. Our Student Services Building holds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Platinum status, and the UTD website touts, “The design incorporates water conservation measures.” Unfortunately, a stone’s throw away, irrigation runoff pours down the storm drains. I hope that we can live up to our reputed title as a green campus

and stop using so much water to wastefully maintain a “green” façade.

As Director of the Center for Green Schools Rachel Gutter says, “The University of Texas at Dallas is setting a powerful example of innovation in green building while promoting institutional change for the entire campus.”

UTD must correct the inefficient sprinkler systems so that our campus can uphold its honor as an exemplary university.

I understand that it will be a large and expensive undertaking to redesign the sprinkler system. But on a campus that is in the habit of building world-class facilities, I think it is not out of the question to have an efficient watering system. Moreover, as a university that specializes in technology, it seems fitting that we redesign the sprinkler systems to adapt to weather patterns

and other variables. I hope that UTD can correct the inefficient sprinkler systems so that our campus can truly be a lodestar for environmental responsibility.

It is embarrassing to see the banners declaring “Stage 3 Water Restrictions In Effect” all along Campbell Road and across Richardson while water runs down the pavements at UTD, a university aiming for Tier One status. Water use exemption status is no excuse for carelessness — wasting water is wrong. As the cost of this wasted water is clearly not reason enough for the university to remedy this institutional ailment, perhaps the absolute hypocrisy of wasting water is. At UTD, we showcase our own school colors: Cosmic Orange and Eco Green. Let’s uphold UT Dallas integrity and show that Eco really can coexist with Green.

CATHRYN PLOEHN/STAFF

!"#$%&'$(&)*+,&-$.*,/%0&#*102*1/34&0.03%&$35&'#)67 “I liked the parade; it was nice to seeing everyone out and showing UTD spirit instead of hiding away and studying.”

“The parade, because I got free stuff like popcorn, gloves and a mug.”

“The Powder Puff game because I love football. But I didn’t get to go because I was building a float.”

Sania Khan

Jaymi Jacob Healthcare studies junior

Bailee Conrad Neuroscience freshman

“The parade, because I saw many people of different races other than Indians.”

“I didn’t go to any homecoming events.”

“The parade. Different organizations were presented, and I got chocolate and candy.

Ankur Jindal Information technology and management graduate student

Dustin Marshall Economics senior

Atul Nagar Information technology and management graduate student

Neuroscience sophomore

Online Content Manager Ian Pirich Editor-in-Chief Lauren Featherstone Managing Editor Sheila Dang Director of Sales and Promotions Nada Alasmi

Web Editor Anwesha Bhattacharjee Photo Editor Christopher Wang Life & Arts Editor Sarah Larson Graphics Editor Lina Moon

Ad Sales Representative Juveria Baig Media Adviser Chad Thomas Staff Writer Miguel Perez Staff Photographers Connie Cheng Parth Parikh

Contributors Pablo Arauz Arghya Chatterjee Animesh Chowdhury Andrew Gallegos Srayan Guhathakurta Matthew Horton Joseph Mancuso Anurag Matharasi Madison McCall Cathryn Ploehn Parth Sampat Ellen Shih

Yue Tang John Thottungal Yubin Wang Yang Xi

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THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

Alumnus: “I just feel helpless” Filipino-American watches from afar as Typhoon Haiyan terrorizes family in Phillipines; students, university come together to support disaster victims PABLO ARAUZ Mercury Staff

Marketing alumnus Benedict Bernadas has family in the Leyte province of the eastern Philippines where Super Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, hit hardest on Nov. 9.

Much of his family on both his father and mother’s side live in Tacloban City, where the storm left the most devastation. Bernadas said he knows that his relatives are alive.

“Since the storm struck, some of my relatives in nearby Cebu went over there to try to find them physically,” Bernadas said. “So, right now we’re trying to get them to evacuate out of the city to somewhere nearby where it’s actually safe and sanitary.”

With winds up to 195 mph, the typhoon was one of the strongest storms ever record-

ed. The typhoon’s death toll has reached at least 3,600 as of Nov. 15, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Bernadas said he saw devastating photos his cousin took of a house where his family lived near the waterfront off a main road of Tacloban, which is still standing but sustained heavy damage.

“I just feel helpless,” he said. “We all thought it was just another typhoon, like hurricane season here, but once we heard the news — all this death and destruction — it hit hard because being here knowing that you want to do as much as you can, but there’s not a whole lot because you’re across the ocean.”

He plans on going to visit his family there as soon as he can to see that they’re safe and out of harm’s way.

Bernadas said students can help by do-

nating to organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross, Save the Children and the Catholic Relief Service.

“Whatever anyone can do, whether it’s donate to these organizations, send their thoughts or even pray, it will help,” Bernadas said.

Computer science senior and president of the Filipino Student Association Nikki De Ocampo said she also has family in the country, but luckily they weren’t in the hardest hit area.

De Ocampo said the Office of Student Volunteerism is providing an online page where students can donate to the relief effort at http://utdallas.edu/volunteer.

She also said the FSA is holding a talent show in December of which all the proceeds will go to the relief effort. More information can be found at the FSA Facebook page.

BENEDICT BERNADAS’ FAMILY/COURTESY

UTD alumnus Benedict Bernadas has family in eastern Phillipines, an area where Typhoon Haiyan caused major destruction. More than 3,600 people are confirmed dead.

Donations for disaster relief can be made through the Office of Student Volunteerism.

Early investment best bet for students Employers considering Professors, students offer advice for getting started with stocks and savings results of personality test MIGUEL PEREZ Mercury Staff

Millennial investors, those born after the late-1980s, are inheriting a financial environment affected by the recession of 2008, but some people in the finance community believe that college students who start investing early will still see higher returns and a more secure future.

Clinical professor of finance Randall Guttery said getting out of debt is the first step young people should consider before starting any investment strategy.

“There are two ways to make money: You either put other people’s money in your pocket, or you don’t put your money in other people’s pocket,” Guttery said. “Try to pay down as much of your debt as you can, especially unsecured debt like credit cards.”

Guttery said a student should also create a budget. He suggests using mint.com, a free online budgeting service.

Services like mint.com allows users to manage their income and decide how much to earmark for investing.

Once preliminary steps like budgeting are sorted out, students interested in investing can begin considering their options. Stocks, bonds and mutual funds are among the most commonly cited financial products.

Accounting and finance junior Benson Lee has been investing for about four years and said investment is no different from any other skill worth learning; it’s better to start now, rather

than later.

“One of the ways I got started was through my dad,” Lee said. “He kept convincing me to do stocks and gave me $500 and I never touched it. I finally started playing with it and I did a lot of the research on my own.”

Senior lecturer of finance Frank Anderson said the concept of compound interest is one of the main benefits of early investing.

The earlier a saver decides to put

YUE TANG/STAFF

money into an investment, the more returns he or she will gain. Someone who begins saving at 20 will see a significantly larger investment from accrued interest than someone beginning at 35.

Business administration junior Kirby Chenkin started investing two years

ago and is an admirer of Warren Buffett’s investment strategies.

“My grandfather was an avid investor, and he always told me ‘pick companies that you really love,’” Chenkin said. “His theory is to put your $100 into something you love and let it sit for 20 years.”

Chenkin owns stocks in Nike, one of his favorite companies, and said it’s exciting to think of himself as part owner of a big company.

Guttery, who teaches personal finance, said the main thing young investors should focus on is preserving the initial investment made by leaving your assets alone for a long period of time.

An investment is money saved for five years or longer. “A lot of people are surprised by that definition,” Guttery said.

“Get with an investment company like Vanguard or Fidelity,” Guttery said. “Try to find a conservative mutual fund that’s primary mission is to preserve the investor’s capital.”

For those interested in scoping out the stock market, Lee said there are several ways someone can test and build up their trading skills.

“I would start with practice accounts. That’s what I started off with, and it’s essentially an online simulation,” Lee said. “You give yourself a set amount of funds, and you can play with that money and treat it like real money.”

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Myers-Briggs Type Indicator features 16 possible types MIGUEL PEREZ Mercury Staff

Personality tests can be an easy way to eat up time online, but they may more seriously affect job-seeking students as some employers continue to use tests to assess applicants and existing employees alike.

These assessments are usually administered by a certified proctor and are used in a variety of capacities to check compatibility in groups or see if an individual’s qualities are congruous with his or her setting.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, is one of the tests used to assess personalities, dividing people into 16 possible types.

Tom Kim, assistant dean of the Career Management Center, says some companies are using the MBTI in some form or fashion to gauge workplace compatibility and increase productivity.

Kim said there are different companies that not only use the MBTI, but also their own personalized assessment aimed at ensuring candidates will be a good match with the company’s atmosphere and ideals.

“It’s important that you get somebody into a position in a company that’s going to fit your culture that you’ve set up,” Kim said. “The worst

mistake a company can make is hiring someone that isn’t going to fit in, and the person either leaves or the company has to terminate them.”

Neil Johnson, assistant director of the Career Management Center, said that tests similar to the MBTI could also be used in the screening process prior to employment.

“Most employers now are looking to assess your role within their company in terms of skill set, work ethics and trainability factor,” Johnson said. “They’re going to be looking at these things during the hiring process.”

This is why the hiring process always begins with a behavioral interview used to assess a candidate’s character, Kim said.

This isn’t to say personality tests have become a standard among employers in the hiring process. On the contrary, the task still falls on the job-seekers to process test results and make informed decisions about potential employers and their desired workplace culture, Kim said.

Both Kim and Johnson suggest students make the most of site visits, info sessions and networking events to gauge the office culture and cross match personalities with potential

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Mediterranean restaurant opens near campus Zoës Kitchen offers healthy options such as pita sandwiches, chicken kabobs at affordable prices and with Southern flair ANWESHA BHATTACHARJEE Web Editor

Zoës Kitchen, a restaurant chain that serves healthy Mediterranean cuisine, opened its 101st store on Nov. 14 at Campbell Road and U.S. 75 in Richardson, five miles from campus.

The restaurant, which replaced Carl’s Jr. at the location, offers a variety of healthy offerings that have no preservatives or msgs, and many of the restaurant’s menu choices are gluten-free, said Daniel Bonilla, regional kitchen manager at Zoës.

“It’s very different from your typical Greek restaurant,” Bonilla said. “It’s a variety of Mediterranean food, not just Greek but a little bit of Italian — it’s Mediterranean, but from the South.”

However, unlike typical Southern food that is fried and greasy, Zoës does not have any fryers and uses grills and healthy extra-virgin olive oil for cooking, Bonilla said.

Zoës started in Birmingham, Ala. when the founder, Zoë Cassimus, started cooking for friends and family. She opened her own place in 1995 that would mostly use recipes she had created.

In 2007, Zoës Kitchen was bought by a

private owner and has continued expanding to various locations, maintaining Zoës’ original recipes and adding additional items like hummus and the Indian version of tzatziki, or raita, Bonilla said.

Decorated in vibrant orange, green, blue and yellow, the interior of the restaurant is inviting while at the same time utilitarian.

The chain targets women as its primary clientele, which is the reason for the bright colors and the lighter, more vegetable-based menu, Bonilla said, although more young people are choosing to eat healthy over fast food.

Most of the food is priced between an affordable $7 to $10; the steak and salmon kabobs are the only two items on the menu that are more expensive.

“It’s a little pricey, but I don’t feel like death after eating here; I feel really good,” said Poonam Banakatti, a neuroscience junior who was there on opening night to try out the place.

Cognitive science junior Demi Krieger, who came with Banakatti, had been to other Zoës locations and said she was happy that one opened up close to campus.

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CHRISTOPHER WANG/PHOTO EDITOR

The chicken kabob skewers include onions and tomatoes, served on a bed of rice with a side of Greek salad and pita bread. Zoës Kitchen is on the northeast corner of Campbell Road and U.S. 75 in the former Carl’s Jr. location. Other menu items include a variety of pita bread sandwiches, salads and gruben. Zoës Kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

News

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Heritage month draws mixed views

PABLO ARAUZ/STAFF

Amy Bruton-Bluemel teaches students about Southeastern cultures at the Native American Heritage Month celebration on Nov. 5 in the faculty dining room. Wearing her red regalia and surrounded by artifacts, Bruton-Bluemel demonstrated the customs of Chickasaw life.

Efforts to honor Native American culture met with some skepticism PABLO ARAUZ Mercury Staff

Storyteller Amy Bruton-Bluemel sported her deep-red Chickasaw regalia as she spoke about the lives of Native Americans in the past and present at the Nov. 5 celebration for Native American Heritage Month set up by the Multicultural Center in the faculty dining room.

Students got a chance to learn about a specific indigenous culture, enjoy free food and make dream catchers, but not everyone agrees that this annual recognition is what the Native American community needs.

Southeastern cultures and customs At the celebration, Bruton-Bluemel gave demonstrations of how Southeastern tribes hunted. For example, Chickasaw people once used three-foot bows and feathered arrows to hunt large game and blowguns to hunt smaller animals.

Many southeastern tribesmen also played stickball, an earlier and more violent version of lacrosse where men would play to the death.

In courtship, a Chickasaw man would play a flute for a woman he desired as a potential partner. If the woman’s father approved of the man, the two would join as partners.

Bruton-Bluemel said it’s important for non-native peoples to realize that there were hundreds of tribes and cultures before the land known as the Americas were colonized.

“Most people tend to assume that there’s only two types of Indians:

There’s the plains people with the big war bonnets and then there’s Navajos, so I think it’s important to remember that there are hundreds of different cultures,” she said.

She also said that a major problem facing native cultures is the loss of language. Currently, there are very few speakers of the Muskogeean language, which is shared in varied dialect by both the Chickasaw and the Choctaw.

Bruton-Bluemel said she sometimes gets mistaken for a non-native because she doesn’t wear native clothing when she goes to places like Walmart, a traditional marketplace where many natives go.

“There’s so many people that I’ll see that will say ‘You’re not Indian, you’re not dressed like one!’ Well, in every day life I wear blue jeans and a T-shirt,” she said, “Most Indians I know, they don’t wear their regalia to go to Walmart.”

Life as a Native American Today Political science sophomore Marisa Lucky is part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe and is one-fourth Choctaw.

She said she feels that a month isn’t sufficient to acknowledge the full history of native peoples — especially because it falls during the same month as Thanksgiving.

“I’m not really a supporter of Thanksgiving,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of misconceptions. ‘That’s all we get?’ is how I feel.”

Living in Texas, where according to the 2010 U.S. Census only 1 percent of the population identifies as

American Indian or Alaskan Native, Lucky said its hard to find other native people on campus.

Currently, there are about 2.9 million people identified as Native American or Native Alaskan in the country according to the census.

Many people don’t acknowledge the harsh mistreatment and colonization of native people in the Americas, Lucky said. In a continent where there were many millions of native people and hundreds of tribes, she said its hard to connect with her culture that seems have disappeared now.

Along with that, she said the hardships native people face today are magnified compared to those of non-native peoples.

“History of alcoholism, history of diabetes — those are all very serious on reservations and in native communities,” she said.

Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among native peoples aged 15 to 34 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lucky said that when her culture is brought up in an everyday setting, some people still associate indigenous people with savages.

“I think it’s funny how we have Halloween right before Native American awareness month. You have people dressing as Pocahontas and Sacagawea or Cowboys and Indians kind of stuff. I don’t know if they understand the ramifications of that.”

ELLEN SHIH/STAFF

!"#$%&'$())% !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 people who tend to have more extreme personalities.

Researchers find that, like most personality measures, people are usually in the middle with more fluid, changing personalities. Poucher said the MBTI isn’t as effective for people with less fixed personalities.

“Use it for what it’s intended to be used for,” Poucher said. “Don’t

use it to hire people, but once they’re hired and you’ve got them in a group. You can see how they shape up and interact with each other.”

Mickey Choate, associate director of the Career Center, said the test has many applications. It can be used to help students assess their learning style, pair roommates or build teams.

All 16 types have skills to contribute to a group, but each approaches a situation differently, Choate said.

Ultimately, however, personality tests act only as a supplement, not an answer. Results can help jobseekers understand what they can contribute to a team or how they’ll fit into a specific company.

“The more you know about yourself as you go through the interview process, the better you’re able to determine if any job is a good fit, if these people are a good complement to your personality,” Choate said.

CHRISTOPHER WANG/PHOTO EDITOR

Zoës Kitchen regional manager Daniel Bonilla explains what sets the restaurant apart, including using grills and extra-virgin olive oil to cook instead of fryers. Many of the dishes are also gluten-free.

*+#% !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 Banakatti ordered a veggie pita pizza for $8.39 before taxes that came with a side salad and wasn’t as thick-crusted nor as greasy as pizzas are usually, she said.

Krieger ordered a plate of shrimp kabobs, which is one of the restaurant’s specialty dishes that comes with a side salad, pita bread and rice.

The restaurant will provide travel cups to all customers and beverages will be free until Dec. 14. After the month is up, drinks will be $0.99

instead of $1.99 if customers bring the travel mugs with them.

Zoës also has a loyalty program, and customers can download their app and scan every receipt into the app to win free goodies, Bonilla said.

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

6

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NOV. 18, 2013

Life&Arts

Cults headlines, brings retro tunes for crowd New York-based band plays expansive set for Dallas audience, balances soft vocals with powerful sound MATTHEW HORTON from RADIO UTD COMMENTARY

CHRISTOPHER WANG/PHOTO EDITOR

Madeline Follin, lead vocalist for the band Cults, seranades the audience at Trees in Dallas on Nov. 6. Joined by openers Mood Rings and SACCO, Cults played songs from their new album as well as popular hits like “Go Outside.”

Being a follower of any cult has rarely turned out well for anyone.

Whether it be the People’s Temple, Heaven’s Gate or the Manson Family, cults often end horrifically. Luckily, the subject of this review is the band Cults, and their Nov. 6 show at Trees ended in something that couldn’t be further from tragedy.

Playing their first headlining show in Dallas, Cults were joined by the openers, Mood Rings and SACCO. Mood Rings were up first and did an excellent job of warming the crowd up on a chilly night with superb stage en-

ergy and a varied collection of songs.

The Atlanta quintet’s set explored the dream-pop, synthesizer-driven soundscape.

After a brief intermission, Mood Rings were followed by SACCO, who showcased laid back, piano-infused grooves, as well as heavier, garage rock stompers. Songs such as “Driving” and “Carnival Ghost” were a highlight and signaled a band to watch, with their debut album due next year.

When combined with Mood Rings, these openers led to one of the more surprisingly and pleasantly strong bills in recent memory. At this point in the show, it was highly unlikely that any attendee’s mood ring was any color but the happy-indicating violet.

A piercing feedback blare during the second intermission did its un-

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Ninpo Taijutsu Club trains students in mind, body Students learn unarmed, defensive skills

JOHN THOTTUNGAL Mercury Staff

Ever Monday at 8 p.m., a group of students move in a line quietly in the Galaxy Rooms as they come to a mat, and with a quick chant of the specific move they are executing, each person flings onto the mat, landing effortlessly in a roll and is back up as if gravity wasn’t an issue. Learning to break a fall by rolling and getting up quickly into a defensive stance is just one of the basic steps taught in the Ninpo Taijutsu Club.

The club, which was founded in 2009, aims to teach the UTD community the sacred Japanese martial arts of Ninpo according to the teachings of Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura of the Genbukan Ninpo Bugei Federation in Japan. The word “Ninpo” in Japanese means “the way of perseverance,” an ideal that attracts members such as biochemistry freshman Brynfor Morris to this more-than-just-physical activity.

“It’s discipline; it also promotes strength of character. I enjoy the hand-to-hand combat techniques taught here,” he said.

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PABLO ARAUZ/STAFF

The Ninpo Taijutsu Club brings physical and mental training together in the unarmed martial art of defense and awareness with opportunities for students to advance to higher levels of Ninpo Taijutsu training. Meetings happen at 8 p.m. every Monday in the Galaxy Rooms.

Homecoming tradition Youngest kid on mix of fun and strategy campus strives

for dream career

CONNIE CHENG/STAFF

Marco Hagens, business administration sophomore (left) and Erik Hubner, management information systems freshman, both of the Chi Phi fraternity, compete in this year’s contest, held the evening of Nov. 15 in the Actvity Center pool.

Cardboard Regatta competitors use creativity, engineering to build boats SRAYAN GUHATHAKURTA Mercury Staff

Cardboard Boat Regatta has become one of UTD’s most popular homecoming traditions.

Seven years after the first Cardboard Boat Regatta, the basic rules of building boats to race using one’s imagination, cardboard and duct tape remain the same.

Benjamin Piper, the assistant director of Intramural Sports coordinated the event this year.

“We have teams that make a boat just to sink” Piper said. “It is fun watching the teams trying to balance on the starting line. On the other hand we also have two boats this year, which were used last year as well.”

The event is judged on two categories: most creative and most homecoming spirit. The criteria used in judging are creative usage of

duct tape, originality, application of theme, usage of costumes and enthusiasm and showmanship.

The event starts with the primary qualifier round, which involves all the participating teams competing to make it to the finals.

Piper said the rules have evolved over the years, mostly concerning the width and length of the boat and the propulsion system.

The race requires participants to be completely enclosed and on top of the boat. Either cardboard paddles or arms can be used to propel.

Computer engineering senior Sadhvi Bisaria said her team USS Comet used creativity and a little bit of engineering to create their boat.

“While designing the boat, the main things that we were think-

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PARTH PARIKH/STAFF

Andrew Merrill, the youngest student at UTD at 16 years old, speaks about the positive experiences he’s encountered during his first semester of college.

Aspiring neurosurgeon pursues challenge of starting university education, fast-tracking career ANURAG MATHARASI Mercury Staff

It is often said that age is nothing but a number. With a collected persona and a staggering height that is deceiving, 16-year-old freshman Andrew Merrill is well on his way to completing his first semester of college as UTD’s youngest student.

The Frisco native’s calm and col-

lected nature sets him apart from most teenagers his age. Merrill’s sincere emotions toward achieving his future endeavors of becoming a neurosurgeon define the young man. The challenges of entering college at such a young age might feel overwhelming to most, but for Merrill, it is nothing

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THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

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New fraternity makes !"#$%&'$()*+,"-)')./$0,1% its own unique group

Delta Tau Delta recruits for philanthropy, community service KAYLA PELE Mercury Staff

A new fraternity at UTD named Delta Tau Delta joined the Greek community in October, and its new leaders are eager to shape their chapter and create a brotherhood that is unique to them.

The Delts Leadership Consultants, in charge of helping grow the brotherhood, began recruiting this fraternity at UTD on Sept. 23, and after four weeks, achieved success in selecting the guys who would be responsible for starting the chapter from the ground up.

The group of Delts Leadership Consultants chose neuroscience junior Luke Lewis to be president for UTD’s Delta Tau Delta chapter.

With this power, Lewis has already created a vision for the upcoming chapter.

Delta Tau Delta’s national philanthropy is the diabetes research organization JDRF, but The Delts at UTD will also be a part of the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) walk every year, Lewis said.

“We want the Delts to be known as the guys who are making a difference on campus as well as the community,” Lewis said.

To help charter his vision, the Delts Chapter Leadership Consultants also chose supply chain management sophomore Justin Mauller as vice president. Mauller said that he never considered joining a fraternity before the Delts came to UTD. “I’m someone who would never join a fraternity, but when the consultants told me I had the opportunity to be a founding father, that’s what got me interested,” Mauller said.

Delta Tau Delta is unique in the fact that they have no set traditions

or rules. It’s an opportunity to form a brotherhood and create a chapter that best fits its new members, Lewis said.

They still hold their core principles of truth, courage, faith and power, but what makes the Delts different from the other established fraternities at UTD is that these new members are co-founders and get to have a say in every aspect of this upcoming chapter.

“The reason I chose Delta Tau Delta, and I think a lot of the guys did, is because it is a chance to shape things, which allows us to have much more freedom,” Lewis said.

Since all of the members of the Delts are new, it’s created a strong brotherhood amongst the guys, Lewis said.

“It’s a very unique experience and everyone is learning and growing together,” Mauller said.

Corrections: In the Nov. 4 edition of The Mercury, in the article titled “Student shows-off band’s grungy new album,” Spencer Carrol’s and Lukas Bartke’s names were misspelled.

The Mercury regrets these errors.

Admit it, owning up to our mistakes only makes us more likeable.

YANG XI/STAFF

facebook.com/theutdmercury

Tashfia Bhuiyan dances as a part of Bangladesh Nights, a celebration of Bangladeshi culture held Nov. 2 in the Activity Center. Guests shared traditional foods, culture and dance with each other.

!"#$% -1%0,%2)("3/14"5$&)"6 intended part to make sure the audience was alert and awake for the headlining set. Shortly after the lights dimmed, the house music faded and Cults took the stage. In what was one of the more inventive Deep Ellum stage backdrops; Cults had screens hung that flashed various images, including those of static, an obvious and effective reference to their recently released album, “Static.” Better still was the projector set up behind the audience that silhouetted the band members in images and colors, static again being a main theme.

Madeline Follin, the band’s main vocalist, was perhaps even better live than on record.

There were times, however, that her vocal levels got somewhat lost in the sound mix, but that was a minor issue at most. Bri-

an Oblivion’s instrumentation was likewise top notch. Songs from the new album like “So Far” and “I Can Hardly Make You Mine” and their darker and louder sounds translated exceptionally well live, allowing Oblivion and the backing band to stretch their wings and turn it up to 11. It was wwsomewhat of a disappointment that the band did not always fully explore this heavier and darker avenue as it added a new dimension to the band’s sound, especially considering the presence of three additional members to the band’s normal core of Follin and Oblivion.

“Always Forever” from “Static” and “You Know What I Mean” from their 2011 debut, “Cults,” showed the band’s romantic side and were aptly dedicated to all the lovers in the audience, eliciting gentle swaying among those in Trees. The ’60s-tinged, softer instrumenta-

tion when combined with Follin’s saccharine vocals added a sense of variety to the band’s sound, with the softer moments transitioning well to the louder songs and vice-versa.

After an expansive set list covering both albums, Cults retreated from the stage to set up the inevitable encore, but perhaps more importantly, to take shots in celebration of Follin’s birthday the next day.

The brief encore included fanfavorite “Go Outside,” which garnered the biggest response of the night from the audience.

The song itself was exceptional live and flirted with launching into something entirely different than on record as it swelled with turned-up guitars.

After a few songs, the encore ended and the house lights came up as the audience trickled out, having fully drank the Kool-Aid like the devoted followers they were. It was a good choice.

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!"##$%% !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 but fun.

Following his passion for knowledge, Merrill declared a dual degree in math and physics.

He found enjoyment in math at a young age, but it was his introduction to physics that fulfilled everything he wanted his education to embody.

“Math is often the language used for science, and physics offers a realistic, kind of howthings-work application of science in the real world. My main

interest in physics is in quantum mechanics,” Merrill said.

Always doing slightly advanced math from a young age, Merrill said his competitive nature left him not feeling truly challenged by the coursework at hand. With encouragement from his mom, he took a test that helped him skip the third grade. Still a year ahead in math and taking advanced classes, his advisor told him he would be ready to graduate in three years from the Science and Engineering Magnet High School in Dallas.

L&A “My decision to graduate a year early from high school was spurred by the notion of college being a place where I could harvest my curiosity, take on challenges and take the classes I was passionate about studying,” Merrill said.

Instead of experiencing traditional high school milestones, Merrill decided to forgo experiences like prom, despite being invited, due to his introverted nature and lack of interest in the entire ordeal. Merrill said he would much rather enjoy spending that time reading and engag-

ing in intellectually stimulating conversations with friends.

Merrill said he chose to attend UTD because of the strong academic culture and cultivating environment of the school.

“UTD has a great math and physics program with an incredible small school atmosphere that has helped me become closer to my professors,” he said.

Merrill’s extracurricular activities include doing gymnastics, practicing the piano and playing chess. He is currently on the math team on campus and plans on joining the chess team when

THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

he gets the opportunity, but with a 20-hour workload, it’s not easy to find the time, he said.

After almost spending a semester at the school, Merrill’s used to a shocked look with a “You’re 16?” response when fellow colleagues find out his age.

He said, however, that he has never felt any age discrimination and truly appreciates the cultivating atmosphere that UTD offers its students to grow to their full potential.

“I really like UTD. Its lots of fun; there are a lot of kind and helpful people that make you

feel like you belong to a family,” he said.

After graduation, Merrill plans to go to medical school where he wants to become a neurosurgeon. He said he has an emotional connection to the field because his baby sister struggled at birth with cerebral palsy, a disease where half of her brain died, causing heart problems and kidney failure.

“I believe that the brain is the most complex organ in the body, and if you can fix the brain, you can fix just about anything,” Merrill said.

('$)*(+* !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 Members are taught not only to avoid the blade — which comes in the form of a Japanese wooden training sword known as bokken for the meetings — but also to defend against it through a series of defensive postures, said political science graduate student Calin Scoggins.

“Ninpo is a traditional martial art; we call it Ninpo-Taijutsu because we focus on the unarmed combat and self-defense techniques,” he said.

Scoggins said Ninpo-Taijutsu sticks to its true Japanese roots that date back to the early 11th century and is unlike other martial arts that incorporate tournament fighting and sports events.

Greg Caplinger, a teacher at the Richardson Genbukan studio, instructs for free at the club meetings.

He said that the practice can be beneficial to students in everyday life.

“I notice a lot of students who look at the ground when they walk, often in their own world and not aware of the environment around them, which can lead to dangerous situations,” he said.

The club is open to all students regardless of skill level, and any student who wishes to train seriously can pay a nominal yearly fee to be an official member of the Genbukan Federation.

CONNIE CHENG/STAFF

Two teammembers race to the finish line in a homemade cardboard boat for the Cardboard Regatta Homecoming tradition in the Activity Center indoor swimming pool.

#"&'((' !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 ing about are how to make the boat float and aerodynamic at the same time,” she said. “Along with that, since two players need to trade positions with the other two players, we also want our de-

sign to be easy to get on and off.”

Over the years, the event has seen a variety of designs.

“We have had a boat shaped like a batmobile, which could transform a few different ways,” Piper said. “However the canoe is the most preferred option in terms of its simple design of get-

ting people in and out.”

Mechanical engineering junior Sean Byrne said his team American Society of Mechanical Engineers adopted a scientific approach to tackle the design problem and at the same time have fun with it.

“We created our design in

a CAD program, and then we tested our design using ANSYS (a simulation software),” he said.

“From those results we knew our boat could support the weight of two riders.”

The careful preparation is key to a strong comeback for Byrne, whose team also participated in

the competition in 2012.

“What’s inspiring us this year is in last year’s race we didn’t do that great,” Byrne said. “We had a great boat, but we just didn’t perform as well. So we are back this year using the same boat, and our goal is to make it to the finale.”

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NOV. 18, 2013

Sports

to watch this season WORDS: PARTH SAMPAT/STAFF | DESIGN: CHRISTOPHER WANG/PHOTO EDITOR

Leading basketball players ready to shine on the court

1 2 3 4

5

35

Kyle Scheigh, senior

32

Morgan Kilgore, senior

Forward

Forward

Last season’s ASC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Schleigh is a perennial powerhouse. Schleigh averaged 21.4 points per game and broke the program’s record for most points in a single season with 578 points. Schleigh is lethal from the foul line and scored 156-of-195 (80 percent) last season. Schleigh is also a defensive specialist recording 200 defensive rebounds, 67 turnovers, 59 steals and 25 blocks. He is a deadly player and the one to look out for the most this season. Schleigh was also named ASC’s Preseason Player of the Year for the upcoming season.

Kilgore in her first year at UTD as a transfer junior was named MVP of the ASC tournament last season. Kilgore averaged 13.3 points per game and scored 387 points last season. She was 139-of-265 (52.5 percent) from field goals and 109-of-132 (82.6 percent) from the foul line. She recorded double points in 21 of her 29 games and scored 20-plus points on six occasions. With 103 defensive rebounds, 75 turnovers, 35 steals and 26 blocks, Kilgore dominated both ends of the court.

3

Nolan Harvey, junior

20

Amber Brown, junior

34

Chris McOmber, junior

Harvey, the point guard of the team, executed his tasks superbly last season. He excelled at assists, recording 97 assists last season and averaging 3.6 assists per game. He shot 46.2 percent from the field and from the three-point line. With a marked improvement over his freshman year, Harvey scored in double figures in 10 games and grabbed a career-best of eight assists in a game. Harvey shot 66.7 percent from the foul line and led the team with 70 turnovers. He was also named Academic All-ASC last season.

Guard

Guard

Forward

Brown recorded an exceptional sophomore year last season, starting all of her 29 games. She averaged eight points per game and ended the season with 233 points. She scored in double figures on nine occasions and scored a career-high of 25 points in a game. She shot 86-of-209 (41.1 percent) from field goals and 54-of-71 (76.1 percent) from the foul line.

Brown assisted 54 times, second only to Katie Korioth. She was also second in the team with 104 defensive rebounds.

She ended the season with 72 turnovers and 43 steals.

With Schleigh, Carter Nash and Dmitriy Chernikov in their senior year, this is McOmber’s year to really shine. He had a solid sophomore year last season, playing in 25 games with 15 starts. He scored in double figures in 12 games, scoring 79-of-155 (51 percent). He has a knack for sinking three-pointers, leading the team with 47 percent from the three-point line and scoring 31-of-66. He recorded 119 rebounds last season, second only to Schleigh. With a little improvement from the foul line, McOmber could become a valuable player for the team.

Seniors reflect on women’s soccer season

Fallout in finals

Fan deals with season lows as promising teams fail to make mark in ASC tourneys PARTH SAMPAT COMMENTARY

both teams struggling to get points on the board.

In the second half, Hardin-Simmons scored off a corner kick and won the match. Although it was tough to lose in the finals, the Comets still had a good season behind them.

“I enjoyed my senior experience toward the

The world of sports is cruel. I’ve sustained a love-hate relationship with sports since I was a kid. Nothing gets my heart pumping and blood rushing like sports. I love playing and watching sports, but every once in a while, when my team loses, there is this knee-jerk reaction that I have yet to learn to handle.

“I hate sports.”

The thought lingers for probably five seconds, like a candle trying to stay alive on a windy night, before it is vanquished by all the good memories.

The unpredictability of sports is what attracts us to it. There is no guaranteed winner, and there is no guaranteed loser. In the period of the game, the team with their A-game can win it.

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MERCURY FILE PHOTO

Senior defender Elizabeth Sohns (left) runs to reach the oncoming ball before her opponent from Texas Wesleyan. Sohns was named Academic All-ASC two seasons in a row in 2011 and 2012. As a student athlete, Sohns said she feels more connected to UTD because she is so involved with the university.

Defender and goalkeeper look back on time spent with the Comets after last game at UTD MADISON MCCALL Mercury Staff

The women’s soccer team had a tough loss in the American Southwest Conference tournament finals on Nov. 10, but some seniors still look back fondly on their UTD soccer career as the season comes to a close.

The team won their first match in the ASC Championship Tournament against Mary-Hardin Baylor. The game looked like it might be a tie when junior forward Carli Beckett scored in the last five minutes.

In the finals of the tournament, the Comets struggled against Hardin-Simmons University.

The first half of the match was stagnant and left

THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

!"#$%& !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')01 Even before I started writing for The Mercury , I attended a few UTD games but over the past year, I have become a huge Comets sports fan. But, the conference week was particularly tough as I witnessed the Comets being knocked out of their tournaments one-by-one like sacrificed chess pieces.

I was utterly dejected when the men’s basketball team failed last year and ecstatic when the women’s basketball team captured the trophy in dramatic fashion. As I continue to cover the teams more, my connection with them grows stronger and it pains to watch them lose.

The week of Nov. 4 started off with a lot of hope. It was like the sun shining brightly on a cold winter’s day. Three of our teams were in the ASC Tournament. All three teams were performing extremely well, and all were strong contenders to win their respective conferences.

Men’s soccer, after a decent performance in the quarterfinals against Ozarks, was left distraught in the semi-finals after losing to UT Tyler. A 1-1 draw after double over-time took the match to a penalty shootout. The team lost the shootout 5-3 and with that the hopes of clinching the trophy that has eluded them for five years.

And then there were two.

The volleyball team was having what can only be referred to as

a dream run. They entered the tournament on the back of an 18-match undefeated streak, and as the No. 1 seed, they were the team to beat in the tournament.

They faced Hardin-Simmons in the first round, a team they had defeated twice this season with ease and style. The hopes that they would repeat their earlier performances were thwarted as the Cowgirls handed the Comets a tough loss.

The loss meant that the Comets were placed in the elimination bracket and that every match from that point on was a do-or-die match. This team had thrived under pressure this season with pulling out some narrow wins when the games could have gone either way.

They did well to win their first elimination match against Concordia-Texas in straight sets. The Comets should have made an easy meal of East-Texas Baptist in the next elimination match, but the Lady Tigers attacked the Comets hard from the start. The Comets were once again handed the daunting task of coming back from two sets down. They did well to win the first set, but the Lady Tigers were merciless in the fourth set and wrapped it up 25-13, eliminating the Comets from the tournament.

The women’s soccer team on the other hand was the dark horse of the tournament. They team was the No. 2 seed but hadn’t had the most prolific season. The players had a torrid start winning just two of

Sports their eight pre-season matches.

Their performance improved fairly, and they were quite consistent in the regular season, recording just two losses, one to Hardin-Simmons and the other to Mary Hardin-Baylor.

The Comets as No. 2 seed were given direct entry into the semi-finals and were to face Mary Hardin-Baylor on the second day of play. The Comets exacted revenge upon their opponents as they scored with the game’s lone goal with four minutes on the clock.

Finally, there was some ray of sunshine in what had been a bleak few days. We had a team in the finals of the ASC Tournament. But, they were to face Hardin-Simmons, the only other team to beat the Comets this season.

The Comets played hard, and the match was goalless for 75 minutes before HardinSimmons scored a goal and won the match 1-0.

And just like that, there was no more sunlight, and all that was left in Richardson was a cold, hard winter’s day.

That is sports. It can be really bitter. All the teams played remarkably well this season and gave it their all, and they just have to come to terms with the fact that sometimes no matter how hard you try, things just don’t work out.

But, I’d like to sign off with a tweet from men’s soccer player Matthew Macesich after their semi-final loss that demonstrates the Comets’ true strength and character — “We’ll be back.”

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MERCURY FILE PHOTO

Senior goalkeeper Brittany Best was named Academic All-ASC in 2011 and 2012. She said she enjoyed the season and has a 73.6 percentage in shots saved. Best helps train goalkeepers for a Plano soccer league called the Texas Thunders and plans to become a coach in the future.

'(&)**+, !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')01 end of the season,” healthcare studies senior Brittany Best said. “Once we hit conference, the season picked up.”

As student athletes come into their senior year, it can be a bittersweet experience. Student athletes dedicate time and effort to their respected teams throughout their college careers. Some students

struggle with injuries and surgery, others struggle with the time constraints of being on the road during season. Players develop time management and also gain a sense of community from the team.

“I think (being a student athlete) gives us a different perspective because we are so involved,” said global business and political science senior Elizabeth Sohns. “You feel more connected to the university.”

While the athletic program is unable to provide athletic scholar-

ship to students, that does not stop the Comets from giving their all for the team.

“We don’t play for the money … we play because we love the game,” Best said.

Just because it is the end of the season doesn’t mean these players will forget about soccer. Both Best and Sohns said they intend to keep soccer in their lives.

“I help train goal keepers with the Texas Thunder, and I want to go into coaching,” Best said.

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Comics&Games

NOV. 18, 2013

Hats 4 - Homecoming

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by Emily Grams

by Varun Kumar

by Antuan Ma Just a Feeling

by Abanish Mishra

by Cedric Davis II

THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

Comics&Games

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Super Love #2

by Justin Thompson

16 !"#$% !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 out of the passenger seat window.

A man and woman, whom Shin said he believes are UTD students, called 911 and attempted to help Hoang. The car door had caved in on Hoang, Shin said.

“I didn’t get the chance to know them or thank them,” Shin said of the good Samaritans. “The girl gave me her jacket because it was cold, and the guy took me to the side so they could take care of the situation and call the police and ambulance.”

Hoang was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Dallas PD. “We’re all still a bit shocked,” said Mohammad Yarsin, a close friend of Hoang and Shin’s and an Arts & Technology sophomore. “I was taking an exam and after I got out I

&#'()$% !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 his car at the back of Lot A, he has to navigate through potholes and weathered asphalt.

Lots A and B behind Green Hall are the two largest and oldest parking lots on campus. The E-Parking areas designated in the back have particularly been worn down by loose gravel into cracked asphalt and potholes that collect rainwater.

“Once you go down by E-Parking where all the gravel is, it’s a little rougher,” Mathew said. “There are spots where you can’t really park because of the potholes.”

Among the biggest issues are the painted parking lines that have significantly washed away in some areas, leading to parking confusion and often hazardous conditions.

D’ric Jackson, former parking enforcement officer, said he had noticed the rough surface of the E-Parking areas that led to unruly parking.

“It was horrendous,” Jackson said.

“The parking jobs were bad … but I guess it wasn’t entirely their fault since you could hardly see the lines.”

Cristian Aquino, director of park-

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saw a missed call from Dongkwon, so I called him back and he told me about it. I was at the fountain in front of the SU, just standing there in shock for about five minutes.”

Psychology senior Beruk Taye met Hoang through his roommate at the beginning of the semester and found out about Hoang’s death through Facebook. Taye’s last encounter with Hoang left little closure.

“We were with my roommate and (Hoang) just got up and said ‘I’ll be right back,’” Taye said. “I sleep, and then I see this thing on Facebook. It still doesn’t seem real.”

Taye, Yarsin and Shin all described Hoang in similar terms: friendly, open with his emotions and very energetic.

Hoang would often ask the others to go to the gym with him, sometimes even at midnight. His open nature was apparent even in

high school, when he first met Yarsin in science class.

“There was an empty seat next to him, and I took the seat. He turned around and told me his name, and we started talking,” Yarsin said. “He was my first friend in high school.”

Like many students, Hoang focused much of his energy on his schoolwork and would panic about a low test grade. His motivation, though, always stemmed from his goal of eventually supporting his parents, who had moved the family from the Philippines, where Hoang was raised for part of his life, to the U.S. for their son to go to school, Shin said. “(Hoang) knew how important it was to do well in school,” he said.

“He was the only child … and he didn’t want to let (his parents) down. He meant everything to them and they lost him because of a cell phone.”

ing and transportation, said that while few complaints about the parking lot have come in, parking enforcement does issue warnings and citations on vehicles parked in unusual locations.

Parking enforcement happens every three hours around campus.

An E-Parking permit costs $81, which is only $19 cheaper than upgrading to a Green parking permit.

However, the future repair of the E-Parking area is expected to happen sometime after the construction of the planned Loop Road extension through Lots A, B and C, said Douglas Tomlinson, director of engineering, construction and planning for Facilities Management.

“On that particular segment of road, the city will have the lead, but we’re working with the city on the plans which have not exactly been nailed down yet, but we are in active dialogue with the city,” Tomlinson said.

UTD is partnering with the City of Richardson on the project currently known as Segment D of Loop Road.

While not yet confirmed, the goal is to begin construction of Segment D during summer 2014, Tomlinson said. The exact location of the Loop Road extension is also currently in the

works by the City of Richardson’s architect.

Another parking issue of increasing concern is the safety of people walking across Synergy Park Boulevard to and from the parking lot that UTD has leased from the real estate company Synergy Park North.

Student Government Vice President Charlie Hannigan said students have complained of the danger of crossing Synergy Park, especially at peak traffic hours and at night.

“Because drivers speed on Synergy, it becomes a six-lane, 50 mile per hour highway,” Hannigan said. “One time I was driving, and I saw a student almost get hit by a car going 45 miles an hour and my heart stopped.”

Aquino said the main complaint made by students was in connection to a lack of sidewalk, which was recently remedied by UTD. While UTD requested the addition of a red blinking light at the crosswalk, the City of Richardson installed a yellow blinking light, which Hannigan and other students have noticed doesn’t always work.

Hannigan said he hopes another measure can be taken soon to protect students’ safety, like a full traffic signal with crosswalk light.

THE MERCURY ! NOV. 18, 2013

LINA MOON/GRAPHICS EDITOR

)$,-./0 !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')1 Lee suggests online sites like Thinkorswim and Investopedia as free resources for young investors. The program gives users a set amount of virtual cash to play with. Users buy and sell virtual stocks based on the actual market.

Lee said a cheaper way to enter the investment arena is through penny stocks.

“Penny stocks are a great way to learn the ups and downs or the volatility of the market,” Lee said. “There is less risk and they’re a fraction of a penny.”

Penny stocks are shares of a smaller company that isn’t listed by national exchanges like The NASDAQ Stock Market. These stocks trade for lower prices compared to other

*+( !"#$%#&'()*+",)-./')0 constantly strive for improvement, he said.

Kennedy will always be remembered for his aggressive support of science and space exploration and for starting the Peace Corps program, which continues to be very popular among young Americans, Rabe said.

“If (there’s) anything I would like to see return, it would be a greater sense of public spiritedness and a certain sense of adventure and exploration of doing more, being bigger than yourself,” he said.

Even as Kennedy’s existence for the younger generation

stocks and there’s less risk of losing significant amounts of money.

Economics and finance junior Kris Jackson said he also got his start in investment through practice accounts.

“I actually came to UTD wanting to learn how to invest. I found the Investment Club and, from there, I had a lot of virtual accounts,” Jackson said. “Most investment accounts require you to have a minimum amount of money that as a poor college student, I don’t really have. “ He said people could learn plenty from financial companies like Bloomberg to online sources like Youtube channels with users sharing their own style of investment.

“If you’re a really busy person, I wouldn’t say devote all your time to it, but you

can still make a nice amount of money,” Jackson said. “If you’re investing with real money, it will always be worth your time.”

Whatever the investment may be, smart investors never look at an investment’s return without also considering the risk, Guttery said.

With experience as a financial consultant, he said nothing disappoints him more than having a client who is 60 tell him they’re ready to start a financial plan.

“The earlier you start investing, the greater the probability you’re going to retire comfortably. Nothing can replace time,” Guttery said. “You cannot systematically beat the market, and the earlier you start, the more ups and downs you can handle in the economy.”

changes, his legacy of service to the nation remains in the American consciousness, and to honor that spirit, the Sixth Floor Museum has started multiple community service programs involving the Dallas Morning News and Dallas ISD, Conrad said.

“Young people have a very powerful reaction (to) President Kennedy and the role of media (in) their lives,” she said. “We have another young president in office with a young family, and who is in many ways, seen to be by some as a successor to John F. Kennedy, and young people make these connections for themselves.”

Middle school students volunteer with the museum and work on gathering stories from

family and other members of their community who might have lived through that day or have memorabilia associated with JFK, she said.

Part of the Sixth Floor Museum’s work has been to encourage more dialogue about Kennedy’s work and help people understand what happened 50 years ago, on Nov. 22, as the presidential motorcade made its way from Lovefield Airport to Trade-Mart, Conrad said.

“Obviously, we all know that President Kennedy died a tragic death here in Dallas, but we should use that moment — the 50th anniversary — to reflect on what his legacy should be, and that is service for the country, a love for arts and a love for humanity,” she said.