The Mercury 4/25/16 by The Mercury

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April 25, 2016

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THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Campus carry list released

Recommendations for concealed handguns need Regents’ approval ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS Editor-in-Chief

Editor’s note: This story originally ran on The Mercury’s website. It has been updated since its original publication. After months of behind the scenes work by a special committee, President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal has released UTD’s recommendations for the implementation of Senate Bill 11, a law allowing the concealed carry of handguns on campus. Wildenthal, who sent the recommendations to UT System Chancellor William McRaven on April 8, made the public announcement on April 11. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed SB 11, a law that allows concealed handgun license holders, who have to be age 21 or older unless they are military veterans, to carry their weapons on public university campuses starting Aug. 1. Although no public institution within the state can opt out of allowing CHL holders to bring their concealed firearms onto school grounds, each public university president had the option to recommend to their governing board policies on how the law should be carried out at their respective schools, including suggesting exclusion zones where CHL holders can not bring their weapons. To do this, Wildenthal appointed a working group headed by criminology professor Alex Piquero to research the topic and discuss where exclusion zones should be on campus. In the recommendation, the group emphasized CHL holders must have their weapons concealed

PHOTOS BY ANDREW GALLEGOS AND CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF

Students of different races face challenges, find new environment at UTD ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS Editor-in-Chief

hen political science senior Nick Hernandez looks back on when he first arrived at UTD in the fall of 2012, he readily admits he felt out of place. Hernandez, who grew up in the predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhood of Pleasant Grove in Dallas, was used to being around those minorities from his time at Skyline High School and Eastfield Community College. When he came to UTD, however, he encountered a new environment. “Every time I would come to UTD, it would be completely different from my regular setting of Eastfield or my high school,” he said. “Honestly, it was like all Hispanic, all black and there were like one or two white people. We had one or two Asians as well, but coming here, it was completely different. … I just wasn’t used to this atmosphere, this environment.” For Hernandez and other minority students, UTD has been a place to learn and grow, but it has also been a place where the realities of racial relations — both good and bad — have taken shape. Early Encounters One of the traits that define the university is just how diverse it is. Although white students are still the majority, comprising 32 percent of the campus population, international and Asian American students combine to form 45 percent of

the student body. That’s one of the things that surprised neuroscience senior and Chinese Student Association member Cynthia Liang when she first came to campus, even making her uncomfortable at times. For much of her life, Liang didn’t want to fit

Everytime I would come to UTD, it would be completely different from my regular setting. And then

the rest. Nick Hernandez, political science senior the “stereotype” of the Asian who would only hang out with other Asians. In her high school, which only had a few minority students, she said she would spend most of her time with the white students in an effort to make herself stand out and not validate what she thought were the preconceived notions people had of Asians. Part of that attitude stemmed from an incident in a school bus on the way home from elementary school one day. “I was sitting next to this little boy. … We were both second graders, and I think he just turned to me and was like, ‘You shouldn’t be in the United States,’” she said. “And I was like, ‘What? What are you talking about?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah,

because you’re Asian.’” Liang, who was around 7 years old at the time, proceeded to get off the bus and cry before she went inside her house, trying to prevent her parents from knowing she was upset. Although she doesn’t blame the boy, she admits the incident still hurts, even 15 years later. Since then, she said she always felt weird around other Asian people in large groups. When she got to UTD, however, that all changed. “When I first joined the Chinese Student Association (and) the Filipino Student Association, it was all Asians, everywhere. So it did feel a little uncomfortable in the beginning, even though I was with my own people,” she said. “But I kept hanging out with them and I realized … that they also go around with themselves, groups of Asian people and it’s not a big deal at all. Before, I wouldn’t have been OK with that.” For Liang, going to UTD has been the first time in her life when she has actively hung out with people who are Asian and not felt awkward doing so. For other students, being around their own people was one of the main reasons for coming here in the first place. Home Away from Home Pavan Kanteti, an information technology and management graduate student and the president of the Indian Student Association, said he was choosing between attending UTD and San Diego State University after his move from India. He was

→ SEE RACE, PAGE 16

MOBILE HOME

Cash strapped student lives out of car for months

We talked extensively in our internal working group about all the isses and the advantages and disadvantages of the various places around campus. — Alex Piquero, campus carry working group head at all times, have direct control over their gun anytime it is on them, carry their firearms in an adhesive holster that covers the trigger and trigger guard area and properly store their guns when they are not on them. Along with areas where firearms are already prohibited by state law, including sporting events, patient care facilities and hearing facilities for disciplinary action, UTD’s recommended exclusion zones are Callier Center-Dallas, Callier CenterRichardson, the Center for Brain Health, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory, the Bioengineering and Sciences Building and all dorms on campus. Licensed CHL holders who live in on-campus apartments will be allowed to keep their weapons there, so long as they are properly stored. The potential exclusion zones did not include areas such as classrooms and professors’ offices, which have been points of contention at other universities implementing SB 11. Piquero said the working group had a long and deliberative process about which exclusion zones would be included. “We talked extensively in our internal working group about all the issues and the advantages and disadvantages of the various places around campus, but we wanted to also seek to minimize disruption while at the same time doing what we can do to secure safety and at the same time ensuring that we uphold what Senate Bill 11 says that we have to do,” he said. “And if you read the senate bill in its entirety and very closely, you will notice that the legislature put language in there basically saying that we cannot exclude parts of the campus where students have to go about their business of being students and it’s very clear.”

→ SEE CAMPUS CARRY, PAGE 16

ANDREW GALLEGOS | PHOTO EDITOR

For the majority of last year, Chris, a geoscience senior, didn’t have a home because of expenses he had to cover for a program required by his major. Instead of finding an apartment, he opted to sleep in his car. CARA SANTUCCI News Editor

Editor’s note: The source’s name has been changed to protect his identity. His car was outfitted with two Coleman coolers filled with non-perishable food. He hid everything he owned under a tarp in the bed of his truck, or on the floor of the passenger side. From April to November of last year, Chris lived entirely out of his car. The geoscience senior began living out of his car in the summer of 2015, when his major required taking six hours of field camp, which entailed taking geoscience courses out in nature. When Chris saw the $9,000 price tag, however, he decided to take the credit hours with Oregon State. He packed up his truck and started the 2,300-mile journey from Houston to Corvallis, Ore. To prevent paying for his on-campus apartment over the summer to keep his spot, Chris elected not to renew. “Instead of paying for school and an apartment where I’m not going to be, I was like, ‘Okay, let me just duke it out (for the summer),’” he said. From April 15 until school started in August, Chris travelled around the United States, living out of his car and attending field camp. When he came back to campus, the opportunity to live in the house he had planned to move into had closed. Because he was not employed, he had trouble find-

parking garage. If he was feeling bored with campus, ing another place to live. “August through the last week of October through he said he would drive to rest stops in Corsicana or November, I was either in my truck or at the library,” near the Winstar Casino. He said he wasn’t sure if there he said. were other students in the same Due to the money he was savsituation. He has seen people ing on rent, Chris had plenty of Your creature sleeping in their cars, especially funds to put towards food. He said comforts are international students, but he because there is often free food didn’t know if they lived there. on campus, his biggest concerns gone ... If you get Chris would stay in the library became about sleep and hygiene. too hot you want two or three nights a week. Between the Activity Center Sometimes he’d rent the study and his membership to 24-Hour to roll down the rooms there to get at least two Fitness, Chris had no problem windows, but if hours of uninterrupted sleep in a finding places to shower. locked room. After his time was “If I really needed to, I probyou roll down the up, he’d sleep on the couches in ably could have found a place a windows it’s easy the Veteran Services Center, his lot quicker than I did,” he said. backpack straps securely around “I could have lived in McCallum, for someone to his legs to prevent theft. but I really didn’t want to deal reach in. Going from sleeping in a comwith McCallum. … I’d rather hold fortable bed in an apartment to out and stay in (my truck) than go staying in his truck took some somewhere I wouldn’t be happy.” Around five times a week, Chris would spend the getting used to. “Your creature comforts are gone,” Chris said. “No night in the cramped cab of his truck. By putting bags on the floor of the car, he was able to sleep in climate control. You don’t have blackout curtains. … an “L” shape. He’d put the sun visor up on the dash- If you get too hot you want to roll down the winboard to prevent people from seeing in, since sleeping dows, but if you roll down the windows it’s easy for someone to reach in.” in a car is illegal in Texas. Although safety was one of his biggest concerns “I had two run-ins with UTD Police,” he said. “They were very nice. I just explained my story and when starting out, he said he slowly took more and … they understood.” → SEE HOMELESS, PAGE 16 Chris usually parked by the baseball fields or in the

THE MERCURY UTDMERCURY.COM Volume XXXVI No. 19

THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

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April 14 • Three students were given citations for consuming alcohol while underage in Res Hall Southwest at 12:19 a.m. • An unaffiliated person was violating UT System rules by selling and buying books at 11:20 a.m. in JSOM and was issued a criminal trespass warning for the campus. April 18 • An unaffiliated person was arrested for driving with an invalid license with a previous conviction at 2:27 p.m. in Phase 8. • At 4:47 p.m., a student reported her phone stolen from the soccer fields. • An unaffiliated person was issued a criminal trespass warning for the entire campus at 7:31 p.m. in Phase 2. April 19 • A six vehicle accident happened in Lot M at 11:30 a.m. • An unknown person made indellible black markings and inscriptions on a bathroom in McDermott Library at 12:06 p.m.

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JUST THE FACTS

OPINION

APRIL 25, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Green fund needed for future of university conservation Initiative with focus on sustainability needed to help propel UTD towards Tier One status, become more eco-friendly

BRETT CEASE OP-ED

For UTD, this first year’s Green Initiative will be financed exclusively from an allocation of several thousand dollars from the SG executive committee’s budget. In the future, the hope is such an initiative will expand to become incorporated as a larger pool of funding, and for the student body to be involved in proposing sustainability-oriented solutions on campus. Are we in good company (who else is doing it)?

Imagine having a role in proposing how the fees collected with your tuition are spent. Imagine part of that money will be set aside for specific sustainability initiatives on campus. These possibilities came closer to reality after April 5, when Student Government senators voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting the establishment of a Student Government-run Green Initiative Fund. The vastly popular resolution was co-authored by this year’s SG president, Caitlynn Fortner, and vice president, Grant Branam, and myself, and had over 30 sponsors. So what exactly is a Green Initiative? As defined by the SG resolution, a Green Initiative is a separate pool of funding that will go toward improving campus sustainability initiatives. This will include efforts such as infrastructure and efficiency improvement projects, recycling and waste and water reduction efforts, expanding mass transit availability, ongoing sustainability oriented internships, scholarships and research grants for students, studentfocused sustainability-oriented assistantships/staffing and other sustainability initiatives proposed by university students.

Why criticism is needed

Readers role in future of The Mercury, journalism vital for success As the year comes to a close, students across campus are taking time to reflect on just how far they have come. As I do the same to look back on my year as Editor-in-Chief, I’ve realized that the times when our readership has been the most critical of The Mercury have played the biggest role in shaping our publication. More importantly, I’ve realized just how much we need people to hold us accountable and how important it is for readers to tell us when we’re wrong. I’ll be the first to admit we’re not perfect. I’ve lost much sleep over stories that I thought we could have reported better. Even though the paper has picked up a number of awards this year, I think less about those and more about the ways in which we should be improving. Luckily, I haven’t been the only one to scrutinize these weaknesses. At first, whenever people would criticize my team’s work, I would get defensive. I felt that if I wasn’t leading the team to make a perfect paper every time, I wasn’t doing my job. When people have sent us angry letters and emails and made frustrated phone calls, it was hard to deal with. However, when I take a step back to look at what those messages have taught the team and myself, the lessons have been invaluable. Too often we go through life thinking that we can do no wrong. Having people tell me otherwise has been humbling and educational at the same time. It’s made me realize the people who have different perspectives than me aren’t villains — they’re humans who have their own set of beliefs and values just like me. Looking at the future of journalism, one of the aspects I lament the most is how many people have turned to mistrusting the “mass media.” I’ve realized part of the reason for this is because the majority of news outlets have decided to treat those who disagree

COMET COMMENTS

Setting up a Green Initiative actually fits well with our drive to achieve Tier One status.

The concept of a Green Initiative (also known as a Green Fund) is nothing new. The University of Colorado Boulder initiated the first one in the United States in 1973. The Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education tracks such initiatives and estimates that, since its humble beginnings, there are now more than 150 of them set up on college and university campuses across America. Setting up a Green Initiative actually fits well with our drive to achieve Tier One status. When one looks at the many campuses that have been designated as R1 Doctoral Research Universities, one of the common themes is student engagement through the presence of a Green Initiative on their campuses as well. In our great state of Texas, eight different campuses have taken measures through their student governments to implement a Green Initiative.These funds have been broadly supported on virtually every campus that has adopted them. For example, Texas State’s was approved by an overwhelming 82 percent of the student vote, while UT Austin’s student body ratified their Green Fund referendum with over 70 percent of the student vote.

Editor’s Desk

This kind of support is seen here on our campus as well. In early February, SG members conducted a weeklong, in-person survey of the UTD student body. We spoke with over 200 students passing through the Student Union about the idea of a campus Green Initiative and found that over 94 percent of those we talked to support it. How does it work?

One of the appealing features of a Green Initiative is that it empowers students in multiple ways to have more engagement in the decision-making on campus. On one level, students stand to gain valuable experience making financial decisions after conducting reviews of submitted project proposals if they serve on the SG Green Initiative committee. On the next level, students are engaged by being sought after to propose ideas and solutions on how to use our campus Green Initiative to help UTD save energy, water and our campus’ biological diversity. As a student senator who has spent the past year having many conversations with students, staff and administration regarding this topic, I have found our campus culture to care deeply about being green. From the many student organizations that have supported SG’s efforts to institute a Green Initiative, to the amazing research our professors are doing in fields related to sustainability, renewable energy and battery storage, the pursuit of sustainability surrounds our community.

Comets and Craters

with them as hostile complainants, rather than as a member of the communities they should be striving to serve. If journalism is going to be saved, that needs to change. Part of this falls on the journalists themselves, but another part falls on those who are taking in the news. Because of this, I want to present a challenge to our readers in the future: disagree with us. Hold us accountable for the words we give you. Make us better. Although saying this in the age of TMZ may seem borderline crazy, I still believe in the power of the Fourth Estate. Without journalists, there would be no direct mechanism to hold those in power accountable. That’s a responsibility we cannot take lightly.In some of the letters I’ve received, I’ve gotten the feeling that those writing to me thought I couldn’t care less about them. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Here at The Mercury, we know we’re fighting for the people of UTD. So let us know your concerns. Tell us when we’re wrong, because we’re always striving to try and make it right. As I end my term, I’m more than confident that the staff staying on will carry out their mission exceptionally. They’re some of the most talented, intelligent and caring people I know. But they need your help to make them even better. Over the course of the last year, I’ve learned just how powerful words are. With that power comes an intense amount of responsibility. The Mercury owes you the best coverage and stories you can get. Expect nothing less and tell us when we can do better. Believe me, you’re complaints won’t fall on deaf ears. Even when it feels like no one else is, we’re listening. -Esteban Bustillos, Editor-in-Chief

Finals weigh down on students Although summer is just within reach, students must crossover the hurdle of finals to fully reap its rewards. The next two weeks will be filled with tests, projects, stress and loads of coffee as Comets try to survive the barrage of challenges thrown at them.

Crane removed from campus The SSB extension’s construction site was left barren when the crane was removed earlier last week. ENARC, as the crane had fondly come to be known among students, represented growth on campus, the great sense of humor of Comets and a force that united the student body. It will be dearly missed.

Also, crane removed from campus Construction has long been a fixture at UTD, with improvements being made left and right and new buildings constantly emerging. Recently, the crane that hovered over the construction site of the SSB extension has been removed, signaling progress on the project that will house a 500-seat auditorium and a new Veteran Services Center.

Comet Cupboard gets boost Student Media and Student Government worked together to donate resources to the Comet Cupboard, a food pantry on campus for students in need. A total of 212 cans of food were donated, and the two groups also faced off in a friendly game of kickball. Student Media emerged victorious, of course, winning 15-13.

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Vote in our online poll or let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the #CometComments

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THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

NEWS

Survivor speaks

Annual event spreads sexual assault awareness, offers support

UTDMERCURY.COM

Spotlight on refugees Documentary tells struggles of relocated Syrians, their families

RACHEL GUILLORY | MERCURY STAFF

IRC | COURTESY

Freshman Nithya Balachandran (second from right) participated in an activity at the Take Back the Night event. The speaker, Katie Koestner, wanted to demonstrate that “hands aren’t for hurting” through this exercise.

Razan Ali (left), a Dallas-based International Rescue Committee caseworker, Zinah Al Baidhani, a resettled refugee from Iraq and Cathe Neukum, the IRC’s executive producer, were all part of a panel that discussed two documentaries that shined a light on the plight of Syrian refugees.

ARIANA HADDEN Mercury Staff

A survivor’s story of her sexual assault and how she overcame the aftermath was the centerpiece of an annual event centered on educating college students about the issues of assault and rape. Every year, UTD hosts “Take Back the Night,” an event with the goal of educating students on the prevalence of sexual assault as well as provide support, spread awareness and give perspective on the issue of sexual assault. Katie Koestner, who was featured in Time magazine for speaking up about her experiences and providing guidance to other victims affected by sexual assault, gave her insight on the topic on April 20 at the Clark Center. “[I knew I could make a difference] the moment I went over to the police station, when [the perpetrator] and I had that last conversation,” Koestner said. Kacey Sebeniecher, the event coordinator, said that “Take Back the Night” is a foundation that serves to give voices to sexual assault survivors. “I want (students) to be aware that these issues do happen, and how they can possibly prevent it and if it does happen, how to report it and what are our resources on campus,” Sebeniecher said. She explained that although sexual assault is a personal subject, it is important to show college students that there are resources available in dealing with it, such as support services and professional staff at UTD. “We don’t take anything related to sexual assault lightly,” Sebeniecher said. “I think if someone maybe hasn’t reported or talked about it at all, having an advocate like Katie Koestner come on campus could be that reason they change their mind and tell someone.” Sebeniecher added that Koestner’s choice to speak out on the subject of sexual assault not only provides students with a greater understanding, but also helps educate them on what to do if they have been affected by sexual assault. “Katie Koestner is one of the first people to come out and publicly speak about sexual assault happening on campus,” Sebeniecher said. “She’s an advocate and educator who focuses on prevention.” Sebeniecher, the Galerstein Women’s Center, and

the Title IX office were all partners in the annual “Take Back the Night” presentation, and the Counseling Center set up booths for support to students triggered by the event. “It’s a great way to get all of our resources in one spot, do some advocating, do some educating, show support to our survivors and hopefully someone learns something,” Sebeniecher said. While it is not her first time speaking to college students, Katie Koestner said she enjoyed educating all students on the subject despite it being difficult at first. “We run about 600 events around the world every year,” Koestner said. “The foundation is all volunteer (based) and we just help facilitate and get people started and then they can really do it any way they want. It’s not a one size fits all.” Although the foundation schedules many events to speak to college students all around the world, Koestner said that it is not enough just to have a speaker come in once, and that it is important that campuses implement a program that is thorough in educating students on sexual violence. “Don’t just try to do one orientation online, really integrate it all the time,” Koestner said. “Involve as many people as you can and as many departments as you can.” Amongst other students who attended the event, freshman Nithya Balachandran said the event at UTD was very enlightening and helped her learn that it is important to stand your ground and be strong, even in the worst situations. “I think this event is really important whether you are a survivor or know someone who went through something similar, because rape happens so often and when anybody tries to report it, their case doesn’t usually go through,” Balachandran said. “It’s also important because (Koestner) shared her story and great advice that everybody should keep in mind.” Koestner said that equality among male and female college students is crucial in the fight against sexual assault. She also said that while college students are the focus, it is also important that there is nobody in a positon of power that is considered untouchable, such as a professor or other faculty. “If you don’t create equality, then you have lost the battle,” Koestner said. “The only person telling us we can’t is ourselves.”

BHARGAV ARIMILLI Mercury Staff

The stories of Syrian refugees are now being heard across the world, thanks to two short films produced in conjunction with the International Rescue Committee, a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian services in 40 countries. “Who are these thousands of Syrian migrants?” said Cathe Neukum, the director of both documentaries and the IRC’s executive producer. “I wanted to put a face to the numbers.” “Escaping Syria,” a short film that examines the lives of four Syrian families living in refugee camps in Iraq and Lebanon, was screened on April 19 at the Granada Theater at an event hosted by GenR: Dallas, the young professionals wing of the IRC’s Dallas chapter. “I wanted to find families that were iconic and had issues that Americans could relate to,” Neukum said. “You take stories such as separation or dealing with a handicapped child and put them in a refugee camp and they become even more intense.” The documentary was filmed in 2013 at the Domiz refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan and in a refugee town in the Akkar district of Lebanon. As the film was sponsored by the IRC, Neukum didn’t have difficulty accessing the refugee camps. Once she got there, however, she faced other challenges. “Initially, it was difficult to get families to agree to do it,” she said. “I also wish I could have spent more time with them. That’s always a problem — you never have enough time.” After the screening, the IRC organized a panel to discuss the backstory of the documentary. As part of its resettlement program, the IRC finds new homes for refugees in 26 U.S. cities. Among the panelists was Zinah Al Baidhani, a resettled refugee living in Dallas who fled Iraq because of her work with the U.S. Army when it was stationed there in 2003. “I worked with them as a translator, (so) people saw me as a traitor to my country,” she said during the panel discussion. “It wasn’t a safe situation. My family was relieved when I got a chance to go to the United States because I would be safe and there would be a bright future for me and my son.” A large part of the resettlement process for

children focuses on education. For many youths, schooling was not available or was interrupted by the war. The documentary shared the story of a family that moved to the Domiz refugee camp while leaving their son with his aunt in Syria so he could continue his education. After the situation in Syria deteriorated, the IRC worked to reunite the boy with his family at Domiz. This camp is unique as it is the only refugee camp in Iraq to have a high school. Syrian refugees in Lebanon, however, are not as fortunate. “Half of Syrian kids living in Lebanon don’t have access to education, whether it’s physically not having access or economically not having access,” Neukum said. Adjusting to the American concept of daily schooling is a particular challenge for resettled refugees said Razan Ali, a Dallas-based IRC caseworker. To help young refugees resettled in Dallas acclimate to the environment, the IRC partnered with UTD to introduce high school-aged students to college opportunities. A group of students made a field visit to UTD recently and spent an afternoon on campus. “It was a great way of showing them that they, too, have a future ahead,” said Donna Duvin, executive director of the IRC in Dallas. “It encourages them to stay in school, to work hard and gives them something to look forward to.” After the panel discussion, a second film, which was also produced and directed by Neukum, was screened for the first time worldwide. The film told the story of the Al Sharaa family, resettled Syrian refugees who escaped to Dallas, and their successful experience with integrating into American society. The IRC’s pledge to provide humanitarian services and raise awareness about Syrian refugees extends far beyond these two films. Neukum returned to Iraq nine months ago to follow up with the four families and film another documentary, which is currently in the editing stage. GenR: Dallas, which had its soft launch during the screening event, hopes to support IRC’s global operations through fundraising, volunteering and working with resettled refugees in the DFW area. “What I really want … is for people to see Syrian refugees as ‘normal,’” Neukum said. “We need to see ourselves in them. Their struggles are our struggles.”

ladieS first New organization aims to work with international nonprofit to fund girls’ education across the world, shape female leaders SURAIYA RAHMETULLA Mercury Staff

Casual surfing on the internet over Thanksgiving break led finance and global business freshman Nishaat Rupani, to come across a website about an international non-profit called She’s the First, which quickly piqued her interest. “I always wanted to start my own organization,” Rupani said. “I never got a chance to do that in high school. As I read about it, I thought it would be really interesting to start something like this here at UTD. We have a lot of organizations that catered towards educations and women’s rights, but nothing like this.” Rupani said the mission statement of STF was to help first generation graduates — females in particular — and the next generation of global leaders. “Every $400 helps us send one girl to school for one year. She’s the First partners with 11 countries around the world,” Rupani said. “The money that we raise goes to the She’s the First headquarters in New York and the scholars are identified in the partner countries based on their financial need, their merit and their potential to become community leaders.” Throughout the month of December, Rupani underwent a thorough vetting process with the STF national headquarters. She participated in two sets of interviews with STF, which included a phone interview as well as an application process. “After that, STF was officially accepted as a chapter,” she said. “It was around the beginning of January that I started creating awareness around campus of the organization. I simultaneously began working with the UTD Student Organization

Center and taking care of the paperwork and formalities that we have to go through in order to start the organization here.” STF became an official organization at UTD in mid-February. Since then, it has aimed to raise its first $400 and has achieved nearly 75 percent of that goal. The members and leadership team started with a kick-off interest week and have participated in UTD’s Spring Fundraiser, where they raised $290. The STF team also initiated their first informational booth at the lower level of the SU, where they were able to spread awareness about the organization and start a mailing list. “The first week, just after doing officer interest sessions, the info booth and the fund raiser, we got about 69 people interested in those four days. We did our general meeting (and) that brought in about 17 or 18 people. Right now, we have about 73 people that have signed up,” Rupani said. “We did not expect so many people to show interest, especially at this point in the semester when things are getting crazy and people have to kind of cut down on their activities.” Out of all the national STF chapters, both on a high school and college level, Rupani has big goals for the chapter at UTD. “Sometimes I find myself working on She’s the First related stuff and leaving my own school work behind. I am definitely going to be a part (of the organization) till the very end. I want to see it grow,” she said. “I want She’s the First to be one of the top fundraising chapters across the world and, not only that, I want to promote a lot of leadership on campus.” Rupani said she hopes to have a balance of males and females in STF. She expanded the organization’s executive leadership board to include

CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF

Finance and global business freshman Nishaat Rupani started a chapter of “She’s the First,” an international nonprofit that raises money for girls’ education worldwide, at UTD. Membership has risen over the course of the semester and their efforts have already raised $290 of their $400 goal.

positions that would appeal to a variety of majors and students. “We really want guys to join the organization too,” Rupani said. “It’s really important (because) this is definitely not a girls-only organization. Probably the name or what we do drives guys away, but we are really excited about the fact that about 20 percent of our executive board is made up of guys.” Economics sophomore Ben Henderson is the fundraising chair for STF. “Charity has been something I have been wanting to get at for a long time,” Henderson said. “Particularly with She’s the First, I have really started to see in the last couple of years the impact that organizations like that have, especially on the com-

munities that are underprivileged.” Henderson said he believes the mission statement for STF is unique because it intertwines the charity and awareness. “It’s something that’s really important to me because it’s an issue that I don’t think gets a lot of attention, especially in the United States, and I don’t think a lot of people know about it,” Henderson said. “I really appreciate what She’s the First is doing by helping spread awareness and also trying to do something about the issue. A lot of organizations, they will try to inform you or they’ll ask for money, but they won’t really do

→ SEE SHE, PAGE 16

LIFE&ARTS

APRIL 25, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

MAKING A SCENE

Professor’s PBS show hits 26th year

Student actors tackle tough content in Spring play

Program offers unbiased political discussion to local audience

YASH MUSALGAONKAR | MERCURY STAFF

Thomas Riccio, a professor of performance studies in Arts and Humanities, directed University Theater’s production of “Woyzeck,” which opened on April 21. BHARGAV ARIMILLI Mercury Staff

University Theater’s production of “Woyzeck” opened last week to positive reception, following the department’s successful production of “subUrbia” earlier this year. Because of the play’s different style and physical nature, the cast members faced unique challenges in their work backstage. Set in a German provincial town, “Woyzeck” follows the story of a soldier living with Marie, the mother of his child, and his descent into psychosis after volunteering to be a part of a medical experiment to earn extra money. “I chose ‘Woyzeck’ because right now there’s much discussion about social and economic inequality, which are central to (the story),” said Thomas Riccio, a performance studies professor and director of the play. “Even though the play was written in the 1830s, the lesson is still pertinent and speaks to (audiences) today as it spoke to them.” Auditions for the play took place at the end of the fall semester. The cast of 12 members rehearsed over a period of five weeks beginning in late February, before performing in four shows during the week of April 14. Each rehearsal focused on one scene. The cast would read through the scene and then hold a discussion about its meaning and historical context. As scenes were rehearsed and stitched to-

gether, lightning, sound and props were gradually folded in. “When we pieced the scenes together, everything started clicking for me,” said Ryan Scott, a psychology sophomore who played the titular role of Woyzeck. “I started connecting with my character even more.” As audiences only watched the live performance, they didn’t get to see the flurry of activity backstage. Because some actors portrayed more than one character, costume and makeup changes occur between scenes. A crew of five students managed the lighting, sound, scene and prop changes. “Most of the time, we’re having fun backstage, but (we) always keep our characters in mind,” Scott said. Because of the play’s expressionist style and overarching themes of insanity and madness, some cast members said they faced difficulty relating to their characters and keeping up with the taxing nature of the play. “I’m still covered in bruises, (as) I’ve been choked, thrown around and stabbed to death,” said Stephanie Oustalet, an arts and performance sophomore who played the role of Marie, Woyzeck’s girlfriend. “Ryan always made me feel really safe when he ‘abused’ me. If I didn’t have actors I trusted alongside me, this would be a very different show.” For Scott, “Woyzeck” marks his theatrical debut and first lead role. He said he found it difficult at first to get into the mindset of his character. “Before Kathy Lingo, my improv teacher, told me about manic bipolar disorder, I was having a difficult

time grasping the character and figuring out what exactly was wrong with him,” he said. “After I looked up (the disorder), I was able to grasp onto this character that isn’t fully part of a tangible existence.” Despite the challenges, both actors emphasized the rewarding aspects of being in the production. “Woyzeck doesn’t have a happily ever after, but it has a message that changes people’s perspectives and gets them to think,” Oustalet said. “I really love doing shows like (this), because I’d rather do a show that changes communities rather than a show that just makes you feel good when you walk out.” Scott echoed Oustalet’s sentiments, noting the complexity of the play and its potential impact on audiences. “The most rewarding thing for me is that everyone appreciates how much work has gone into it and that people are actually enjoying the show, even though it’s kind of loony and hard to understand at times,” he said. After performing in four shows, Oustalet said her biggest take-away from the experience was the importance of maintaining her character’s persona — even after blunders onstage. “You’ll learn in Acting 101 to keep going … even if you screw up. It’s especially important with this play, because we have to keep such a strong illusion of ‘weird,’” she said. “We cannot break that illusion.”

Club orchestra features anime music Anime Orchestra Ensemble gives student musicians with niche tastes place to showcase talents MIRIAM PERCIVAL Mercury Staff

The Anime Orchestra Ensemble isn’t like anything one has ever heard before. Rather than playing traditional classical music, the AOE plays anime or video game music. Neil Nguyen, president of AOE and a supply chain management sophomore had a passion for orchestra but wanted to play something a little different, so he founded the ensemble last semester. Nguyen said one of the reasons he chose to create an orchestra that played anime music was because of his early exposure to the genre. When he began to play violin in elementary school, he found anime sheet music online, which ignited his passion for music and kept him playing from elementary school to high school. “I feel like anime music and video game music is something that not a lot of orchestras do, so I just wanted to get that started and I felt that it was unique,” he said. CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF The club has doubled their membership in the last Supply chain management sophomore Neil Nguyen (left) started the Anime Orchestra Ensemble on nine months. Jessica Villarreal, a marketing senior, attributes the campus because of the important role Anime and video game music played in his development as a musician. The club recently put on its second-ever performance on April 22 in a concert, entitled “Hero.” ensemble’s success to the culture at UTD. “I think a lot of it has to do with the school in general,” she said. “Because we’re very knowledge based “It would be nice if we could get enough money to “Just because someone doesn’t like anime, doesn’t and we have a lot of international students and they mean you can’t come and enjoy the music because go out to other anime conventions and go and play really like (anime).” it’s really well composed, or we even transcribe it there,” she said. “We’ve thought about going to the Los Angeles anime convention.” Since AOE is an entirely student-run organi- into a better composition itself," he said. zation, Nguyen and the officers of the club This summer, they are playing at A-KON, organize all of their concerts and weekly an anime convention held yearly in Dallas. I want to establish the anime enpractices. He said that coordinating 40 peoNguyen also said he hopes AOE can begin to collaborate with other anime orchestras at ple can be challenging, but he enjoys leading semble as something that is rooted colleges in the area. the orchestra. into UTD and a part of the culture. “It’s a hard process, but I think we’re learning His long-term goal with AOE is to make something,” he said. “It’s been a great experience, it an important part of the life and culture — Neil Nguyen, at UTD. I really like the orchestra.” So far, the group has only had two concerts President of AOE “I want to establish the anime ensemble since it was founded. Its first was at CometCon as something that is rooted into UTD and and the other was the "Hero" concert on April a part of the culture," he said. "I feel like 22 at the Clark Center. that’s something that makes UTD different Debbie Ng, a neuroscience sophomore, said that from other schools is that we don’t have a football Nathan Blackmon, a mechanical engineering sophomore, said students don't have to like or know she hopes AOE could eventually start playing at an- team, but we do have a bunch of small niches. It’s ime conventions across the country. much about anime to attend their events. what makes UTD diverse.”

THE MCCUISTION PROGRAM | COURTESY

JSOM professor in the Executive Education program Dennis McCuistion hosts “The McCuistion Program” every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on KERA. McCuistion created the show with his ex-wife Niki McCuistion, who is also the co-producer. RAMAH JARADAT Mercury Staff

A clinical professor in the Executive Education program in JSOM, just celebrated his television show’s 26th year of production. Dennis McCuistion and his co-founder, producer and ex-wife Niki McCuistion started the show, titled “The McCuistion Program,” in January 1990. The informative show, which discusses socioeconomic and political issues, now airs every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on KERA, with episodes posted online as well. “We realized that television by large doesn’t have a lot of programming on social, economic and political issues,” Niki McCuistion said. “We do our very best to show diverging viewpoints … so that’s why we went forward with the television program — to get good information out so that people could make up their own minds. Good television is really needed.” The show provides an unbiased view of important issues by bringing in people of opposing viewpoints and having discussions. “A good part of it is a lot of reading and research to find the very best people who can give their voice and their opinion,” Niki McCuistion said. It covers controversial topics such as China’s economy, the past, present and future of health care and freedom of press issues. The show also brings in guests. Some important people featured on the show include Buell Frazier, the man who drove Lee Harvey Oswald to work on the day he assassinated John F. Kennedy, and Flemming Rose, who was notorious for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Working on a show that has no bias towards a certain viewpoint for 26 years has had an effect on McCuistion, he said. “I think the thing that has been the most interesting change is the exposure to so many different points of view,” he said. “It’s easier for me to see both sides than it ever was before.” The McCuistion Program attracts a local and national audience of viewers. McCuistion has received positive feedback about his show from those around him. “One of my rotary friends said to me one day, ‘I used to watch your program occasionally and still do occasionally. I started watching it every weekend and found out what smart people watch,’” he said. The nonprofit show used to air nationally on several stations throughout the country, from Indiana to Montana. Then the stations raised prices for national exposure, which led to it airing locally on the PBS station in North Texas. The show has remained fairly consistent throughout its 26-year run. “First we started doing the show at an hour. Now it’s only 30 minutes because it’s easier for people to watch 30 minutes than it is to watch an hour,” McCuistion said. “Other than that, I don’t think the show has changed a lot. Our tagline is talking about things that matter with people who care, and so we have stayed pretty true to talking about things that matter.” McCuistion said they tried to make the show a television program to air on UTD TV, but the plans fell through. Still, McCuistion pointed out UTD is one of his biggest supporters. “I don’t know that we have made a lot of impact on campus from the show,” McCuistion said. “But we’d like to make it something that every student knows about.”

THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

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Just Kickin' ďż˝9 LAYOUT BY ANDREW GALLEGOS | PHOTO EDITOR PHOTOS BY LINDA NGUYEN | MERCURY STAFF

or the first time, members from Student Government and Student Media came together to compete in a friendly game of kickball on Saturday, April 16. The purpose was not only to get to know each other better, but also to collect food for the Comet Cupboard. A total of 212 cans were collected by both organizations in what hopes to be a continuing tradition.

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THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

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DESIGN BY: CHAD AUSTIN | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR

THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

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THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

LIFE&ARTS

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PINPOSSIBLE

Graduation Cap LINDA NGUYEN | MERCURY STAFF

he end of the semester is quickly approaching. All my social media feeds are filled with pictures of banquets and formals, and the countdown to graduation is steadily ticking down. My undergraduate graduation was a bit nontraditional — I finished my classes and defended my honors thesis in June, but I didn’t graduate until August. A couple days later, I moved to Dallas, so my graduation with my Master’s degree has been an experience filled with all the nostalgias and countdowns my last days as an undergraduate would have been filled with — including decorating the mortarboard of my graduation cap. Surprisingly, there are very few places with instructions about how to decorate your graduation cap, but there is a lot of inspiration online. Many of us have seen the posts of clever and funny graduation caps. In fact, I’m part of a group on Facebook where people post pictures of their decorated graduation caps. As a result of all the inspiration from Pinterest and Facebook, and the fact that I didn’t have the opportunity to do so for my undergraduate graduation, I wanted to try my hand at decorating my Master’s graduation cap for commencement for my last Pin Possible.

WHAT YOU NEED - Graduation cap - Lace fabric - Gold metallic sharpie - Pearls - Cardstock or scrapbook paper - Mod podge - Hot glue

- Super glue - X-Acto knife - Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut the cardstock to fit the top of the cap. I had to glue a couple pieces together since the cap is 10 by 10 inches and the card stock was 8.5 by 11 inches. 2. Using an X-Acto knife, cut a hole into the middle of the cardstock where the button that holds the tassle is. 3. Trace the cardstock on to the fabric and measure out approximately an inch on each side and cut. 4. For the window of the lace, use a large circle to trace in the middle of the lace fabric and cut. 5. Paint mod podge all over the side of the cardstock that will be the top of your cap and lay the lace on top. 6. Smooth the lace on top of the cardstock and allow it to dry. 7. Wrap the lace around the edges of the cardstock and again secure with the mod podge. Allow it to dry. 8. Using hot glue, line the pearls around the outer edge of the cardstock. 9. Measure, on another piece of cardstock, a circle that is slightly bigger than the middle of the lace fabric window. Cut it out and cut out a hole for the tassle button. 10. Write the quote on the circle using the metallic sharpie. Be careful about where the quote is being written so that it will line up correctly on the cap.

1 1 . M o d podge the circle onto the lace cardstock with the holes aligned. 12. Line the lace window with pearls. 13. Secure the whole thing onto your graduation cap using super glue. If it’s difficult to put on, try using the X-Acto knife to widen the hole just a little bit. Obviously, this is just one example of a graduation cap decoration. Instead of pearls, you could use a bright ribbon to line the cap or use scrapbook letter stickers in place of the hand-lettering. There are so many more that involve using rhinestones, paint, stickers, scrapbook paper and even fake flowers. Instead of using lace, you could use a piece of colorful or patterned paper or fabric. And if you dislike your handwriting, you can even use scrapbook stickers or print out the letter and trace them onto the cardstock. For me, one of the most important aspects of decorating the cap was making sure I did it piece by piece. First I cut the cardstock until it was what I wanted and the hole was cut out appropriately without having too much of a gap and without the cardstock having to be warped and wrinkled to be put on. Then I cut the fabric out and positioned it how I wanted and ensured that the window of the

lace was what I wanted. Finally, I wrote the quote on a separate piece of paper instead of writing it in the window left by the lace and just hid the edge with another circle of pearls. This same concept can be applied to other designs such as creating the background for the cap on the cardstock first and then using stickers to write whatever you want on the cap. For a cap that is completely calligraphy and paint, I would also suggest painting it on a piece of cardstock first and then gluing it onto the cap so that if you accidentally mess up you haven't ruined your cap. I’m going to be honest. The entire project was a bit challenging, but I would say that for me, the hardest part was getting the quote written the way that I wanted it, and I’m not 100 percent happy with it how it is. The scrapbook letter stickers would probably be a good way to make this project a lot easier. Also using scrapbook paper as the background rather than a fabric with holes everywhere might help make the project a little easier. Overall it’s very doable, especially for people who have a lot of experience working with paint or hand-lettering, and I can’t wait to wear it for graduation.

Every issue, The Mercury’s craft connoisseur will scour Pinterest and craft blogs in search of the best and worst DIY projects. Show us your results on social media using #pinpossible and @utdmercury.

SPORTS

APRIL 25, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Men’s tennis set to host ASC tourney Ads on NBA Team finishes undefeated season in ASC West, favored to meet UT Tyler in championship match jerseys bad for league TENNIS TEAM STATS

OVERALL RECORD: 7-1

Corporate sponsorship will take away from purity of sport

ASC RECORD: 5-0

PABLO JUAREZ COMMENTARY

ONLY LOSS: VS. SOUTHWESTERN, 5-4 The proliferation of advertisements on jerseys has been a negative trend in sports in recent years. Unfortunately, that fad is now coming to one of the biggest leagues in America. On April 15, the NBA announced it would undertake a three-year pilot program, beginning with the 2017-2018 season, which would allow teams to sell advertisement space on their jerseys to corporate sponsors. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that it was the perfect time to test out the program, given that it will be instituted the same season that the NBA changes from Adidas to Nike as the league’s official jersey manufacturer. Companies will be restricted to buying a 2.5-inch-by-2.5-inch “patch” to be worn on the upper left side of a team’s jersey with the Nike “swoosh” logo directly opposite of that, along with the league’s official logo. The NBA will become the first of the four major U.S. sports leagues to put advertisements on regular game-day jerseys. The problem lies in whether these patches are merely a means to an end. While the initial program and relative size of the approved advertisements are modest in nature — contributing only $100 million a year to the league’s $7 billion projected revenue for the 2017-2018 season — there’s nothing withstanding a balloon effect in the long-term. A few inches of advertisement space in a corner today could mean a foot of space spanning across the entire jersey a decade down the road. The controversy is whether the NBA is becoming more of a commercial business rather than an entertainment sport. “The media landscape is changing,” Silver said. “People are watching less live television outside of sports. People are watching fewer commercials. This The global econwill become an omy is constantly important opporchanging, but it tunity for compabegs the question nies for connecting directly with as to whether this their consumers.” NBA initiative is Frankly, pasmade to accentusionate NBA ate and further the fans don’t watch economy, or just games because they want to be deepen the pockbogged down by ets of the players, commercials. In owners and league fact, they do so overall? for exactly the opposite reason — in order to evade consumerist tactics and to be entertained by watching some of the best athletes in the world compete at the highest level. Another problem with this initiative is that notorious star players on each NBA team have multiple endorsements with various companies, which may cause contractual issues when rival companies purchase advertisement patches for a specific team that directly conflict with individual endorsements. The NBA has not made it clear how those conflicts will be resolved. However, retail jerseys will be sold without the sponsor patch just as they are on the market right now. It is at the owner’s discretion as to whether the patch versions will be sold alongside the current retail versions in their independent team outlets. Soccer is famous for its corporate logos on its team jerseys. In fact, the teams’ logos take up just a small fraction of the overall jersey space. However, soccer and basketball are two very distinct sports, especially when introducing the commercial business aspect. Soccer is played on a 90 minute running clock split between two halves. There are zero commercial breaks during each half, meaning less commercial time than the average sport, and that’s part of the reason why such big advertisements work and why such few people have a problem with them. On the other hand, basketball features multiple commercial breaks each quarter, turning what should be a 48-minute game into a twohour spectacle due to commercial breaks. That fact in and of itself shows why ads on jerseys aren’t an immediate need. At the forefront is the issue of tarnishing the integrity of the game. The global economy is constantly changing, but it begs the question as to whether this NBA initiative is made to accentuate and further the economy, or just to deepen the pockets of the players, owners and league overall? This pilot program looks to set a bad precedent for future generations.

FIRST OPPONENT IN TOURNEY: OZARKS COMETSPORTS | COURTESY

Sophomore Alberto Hernandez returns a volley during a match earlier in the year. The Comets have gone undefeated in conference play this year and are favored to reach the tournament final against UT Tyler. ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS Editor-in-Chief

After finishing its season with an undefeated record in the ASC West, the men’s tennis team is preparing to host the conference tournament for a shot at the ASC crown. To win the tournament, which starts April 28, the Comets will have to best an old foe that has also gone undefeated in conference play — UT Tyler. Last year, the Comets were 5-9 overall, including a 2-2 mark in the ASC. The team qualified for the ASC tournament, but fell 1-5 in the first round to the Ozarks. This year, the team’s fortune has taken a turn for the better, with the Comets posting a 7-1 overall and going 5-0 in the ASC West. Head coach Bryan Whitt said the biggest reason for improvement has been the depth of talent the squad has. “Some teams have a strong, nationally ranked-type number one, but if they don’t have anything behind it, they’re only getting one point,” he said. “We have some good players at the top, but we also have depth all the way through. My number five is undefeated, my number four is undefeated in West Division play. We can get points from anywhere in the lineup.”

He said having that talent spread throughout the team helps to take some of the pressure off of the top players so they don’t have to feel like they have to score all of the teams points in play. Rodney Brown, a transfer sophomore who is on the team, said another key part of the team’s success this year is the unity members have on and off the court. “I think we bond really well together,” he said. “And with that aspect it allows us to really compete out there. … We’re out there not fighting individually, but fighting as a team for UTD.” While hosting the tournament comes with a certain number of advantages, Whitt said it also comes with a number of challenges, such as players not being in the same hotel together and having more distractions around them. He did say, however, that hosting may possibly lead to a literal home-court advantage for the Comets. “I think we’re going to be able to get a lot of people out and make it a rowdy environment, which hopefully can inspire our guys and keep them fired up and keep their energy level high,” he said. “You don’t usually get that when you’re on the road, because the other team, they try to do the opposite to you. So from that standpoint, it’s good.” Although the team is favored to win a majority of

its early matches, Whitt said they will have to face a number of unknown factors since they will be playing team from the East division. The only team they have played this year from the East has been ETBU. “It is a challenge. … You don’t get a chance to kind of look at what you’re dealing with,” he said. Throwing more confusion into the mix is UT Tyler, who took home the ASC East title this year after going undefeated in division play. The Patriots, who were recently ranked as high as No. 32 in the country, are the favorites to meet the Comets in the tournament final. Although UT Tyler is considered the favorite to take the title, Whitt said he still expects his team to compete for the crown. “From our standpoint, I want to be winning points at various spots and having a chance with matches on the court to beat whoever we play in the finals if we make it,” he said. “If we can go in and maybe steal a doubles point, maybe get up a set or two in some areas in some different spots and then make that other team think, ‘Hey, wait a second, we might have a chance to lose,’ then we’ve got a chance. Because they’re a pretty confident bunch over there, so if we let them get momentum and let them start rolling, it could be a quick day.”

SPORTS QUICK HITS Women’s tennis falls in ASC round two After beating the Ozarks in the first round of the ASC tournament, the women’s tennis team was eliminated from the competition in a 5-0 match to UT Tyler on April 23. The trip was UTD’s sixth consecutive trip to the ASC playoffs. The team finished its season with a 6-9 overall record.

Softball set to play as third seed The softball team is set to make its first appearance in the ASC tournament in over a year after sweeping its final three-game series against Louisiana College. The Comets (22-18, 18-12 ASC) will face off against Louisiana College once again when the tournament starts on April 28 at UT Tyler.

Baseball season set to close With just four games left to go in the regular season, the baseball team needs to win out the rest of its games to get a good seed in the ASC tournament. Currently, the team is sitting on a 19-16 overall record, with a 9-12 record against teams within the conference.

CHAD AUSTIN | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR

THE MERCURY | APRIL 25, 2016

SPORTS

AWARD TOUR

UTDMERCURY.COM

The best of the best from UTD sports in 2016 ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS AND PABLO JUAREZ Mercury Staff

MERCURY ARCHIVES AND COMET SPORTS | PHOTOS

BEST WOMEN'S TEAM

BEST MEN'S TEAM

BEST COACH

Volleyball

Soccer

Rich Wieligman, softball

The volleyball team (31-3, 11-0) tied the highest winning total in program history on their way to winning their third ASC championship. At one point in the season, the team won 23 games in a row. Six Comets were tabbed All-ASC.

After finishing with a 15-4-3 record, the men’s soccer team took home the ASC title in a double-overtime contest against rival UT Tyler. With a large part of the cast returning next year, expect the Comets to have an even better performance next season.

Wieligman got the softball team to the ASC tournament this season. Although this may not seem like much, it is a major victory considering how far behind the team was last year. It will be interesting to see how far the team can go with him in the future.

Honorable Mention: Women’s soccer

Honorable Mention: Men’s Tennis

Honorable Mention: Marci Sanders, Volleyball

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