The Mercury 10/3/2016

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October 3, 2016

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BAND

Student’s background influences ’sunshine soul‘ music on band’s first record CARA SANTUCCI

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Managing Editor

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a three-part series on full-time students who are working to enter the music industry.

Students and alumni join leftwing campaign for state elections PAGE

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t was late one night in a hotel. Eight musicians from New Zealand sat around in a cramped living room.

A guitar lay across someone’s lap.

After a little tuning and a few strums, a swell of music filled the room.

The chorus of voices flipped a switch in 11-year-old Maya Hook’s mind, starting her on her own musical journey.

“I was supposed to be asleep,” she said.

“But hearing all their voices … it awoke something in me. If you have a guitar, and you have people who want to sing, you create a moment. And it was transcendent.”

Nine years later, Hook, an interdisciplinary studies senior, is creating her own moment as she prepares with her band to release their first record in October.

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ATEC majors receive awards after winning game design contest PAGE

The Inception

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UTD crosscountry runners from Alaska adjust to Texas trails

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY : HAMID SHAH | GRAPHICS EDITOR SID PATEL | MERCURY STAFF Interdisciplinary studies senior Maya Hook and her band, Maya Piata, performed tracks from their upcoming record “Sunny Days” on Sept. 24 in UTD TV’s studio. Hook said the record is set to release in October.

Hook said her music is heavily influenced by her background. She is half Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.

“If you look at New Zealand and the Maori culture, it’s all about singing and big chorus groups (and) tribes raising their voices,” she said.

Music has always been interwoven into her family’s culture. Her mother was a part of the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand and went on tours to North America performing with the group.

“I didn’t have a choice but to love music,” she said. “I’ve been saturated with it my entire life.”

→ SEE MAYA PIATA, PAGE 7

Students’ health among priorities for new dean

AROCHI TRIAL

Former interim dean of students to focus on student advocacy, engagement to shape initiatives Amanda Smith, who served as UTD’s interim dean of students for a year, recently assumed the role of dean of students permanently. The Mercury sat down with Smith to discuss her plans and what inspired them.

How are you adjusting to your role and has anything changed since your term as interim dean of students?

ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS | MERCURY STAFF

Jonni McElroy (far right) spoke at the press conference on Sept. 30 at the Collin Country courthouse after the trial of Enrique Arochi ended. Arochi has been sentenced to life in prison for the aggravated kidnapping of Christina Morris, a UTD alumna. McElroy, who is Morris’ mother, said the search for Morris will continue until she is found.

Arochi sentenced to life in prison Family, friends say search for UTD alum Christina Morris will continue ments to investigators, Morris’ DNA found in the trunk of Arochi’s Camaro and phone records placing Morris and Arochi in the Before leaving the witness stand of the same locations at the same time the night 401st District Court in the Collin Coun- of the disappearance proved the defendant took Morris against her ty courthouse for the final will. After Arochi waived time, Mark Morris had his right for a jury to detersomething to say to Enmine his sentence on Sept. rique Arochi, the man sen27, Judge Mark Rusch sentenced to life in prison for tenced him to life in prison the aggravated kidnapping on Friday. of his daughter and UTD The sentencing hearing alumna Christina Morris. came at the end of a trial “I hope you rot in hell,” that stretched for nearly he said. four weeks. After Arochi anFor the last two years, the story has been told over and ENRIQUE AROCHI nounced he would have the judge decide his fate, the trial over again: On Aug. 30, 2014, stalled for another two days. security footage captured AroOn Sept. 30, a crowd of around 50 chi and Morris walking together to a parking garage at the Shops at Legacy in Plano people anxiously waited outside the after a night out with friends. Morris has courtroom for the hearing to commence. not been seen since and is presumed dead. Around 8:45 a.m., they began to stream A Collin County jury unanimously in, starting with Morris’ family.

As the hearing began, prosecutors anfound Arochi guilty on Sept. 21 after 17 hours of deliberation, agreeing with the nounced they would request a life senprosecution that Arochi’s misleading state- tence and would additionally bring up ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS Mercury Staff

evidence from a separate case Arochi is involved in where he allegedly sexually assaulted a minor, along with evidence of deviant sexual images found on Arochi’s phone.

Despite the defense’s objections, Assistant District Attorney Zeke Fortenberry presented evidence from both the sexual assault case and the information found on Arochi’s phone.

Detectives from the Plano police department testified Arochi had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old when he was 22 where Arochi choked the victim, who went by the pseudonym of Jennifer Smith, on more than one occasion during sex.

Detective Aaron Benzick also testified he found at least 20 pornographic images of women tied up, raped and mutilated on Arochi’s phone, as well as links to two movies involving rape, torture and murder.

Fortenberry then brought Morris’ family to the stand to testify, starting

→ SEE AROCHI TRIAL, PAGE 14

Well, the fortunate part about being an interim for a year is there is not a lot of adjusting that has to be done. It was really just like I came in the next day and the job has continued. I poured my heart and soul into being the interim dean of students. I just continued on with what I was doing before.

Smith received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at the University of North Texas and pursued a career as a personal trainer.

Later, she applied for the job of Health Education Coordinator at UTD where she remained at the Health Education and Wellness Center for eight years.

How does your background in health and wellness influence your job as dean of students?

Health is the one common thread we all have. Really wanting students to be the very best person they can be, I think, is a really important mentality to have in this job. Wanting to see you succeed and go out and be good, producing citizens in society, I think, if you have a good base, then you’re a lot better able to function at whatever it is you’re doing. So I think it served me well in that capacity. The care about students’ well-being is number one and that goes hand-in-hand with what the dean of students is responsible for doing.

Do you have any initiatives you’d like to pursue that were inspired by your background?

There is a lot. For starters, sexual assault prevention is something we did a lot of before the Title IX office was created. Pursuing bystander intervention

and student advocacy for initiatives like this that are important, I’d like to see those propelled. For example, the “It’s On Us” program. It’s the national sexual assault prevention program that was started by the White House.

That’s something that continues to grow and get bigger every year, but it’s completely student driven. The peer health educators and Student AMANDA SMITH Government work closely together to produce a really robust program for students to attend, get on board with the cause and go out and make change with their peers. I would say that’s a big one. Just promoting student health in general, to me, is very important.

Do you have any specific visions for UTD that you’d like to see pan out and are any of those visions on their way to being realized?

I want to see all of our students engaged on campus. We have so many opportunities for students to be engaged outside of academics on campus. We have over 300 student organizations. Our fraternity and sorority life programs are huge. Our Office of Student Volunteerism has so many opportunities for students to get into volunteering. Diversity and inclusion is also something that is very important to me. One of the reasons I will never leave UT Dallas is because we are so diverse. I really enjoy that part of my job.

To be around such unique and different individuals that embrace that and are continuing to embrace that. I’m also about innovation and change, as well as keeping up with what’s happening globally and changes that are happening in my field.

I like to help others create change and develop programs that are new, different, innovative, and meet your needs.

→ SEE DEAN, PAGE 14

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THE MERCURY UTDMERCURY.COM Volume XXXVII No. 26 Editor-in-Chief Nidhi Gotgi

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Contributors Samee Ahmad Carolina Alvarez Vibu Anbarasan Ankith Averineni Esteban Bustillos Thomas Cassa Eunjee Chong Ariana Hadden Emmanuel Isaac Ramah Jaradat Patrick Le Summer LeBel Chris Lin Chiamaka Mgboji Yash Musalgaonkar Alvin Nguyenly Nyemike Okonkwo Sid Patel Shannon Ramirez Ian Seamans Roman Soriano Matt Strack Divya Sudhakar Dev Thimmisetty Kevin Vanhorn Noah Whitehead

NEWS

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

UTDPD Blotter September 19 • A student’s bike was stolen from a A Phase 8 bike rack at 3:43 p.m.

September 20 • Between 4:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. a student’s green parking permit was B stolen from their car in Lot D. September 21 • A student reported $304 missing from their wallet when another student C found it in JSOM and turned it in to the lost & found at the UTD police department at 2:50 p.m.

• At 10:43 p.m. a student's iPhone D was stolen from JSOM. September 22 • At 4:56 p.m. a student was issued a citation for minor in possesion of alcoE hol at Res Hall Northwest.

September 24 • An unknown man exposed his genitals while seated in his car to a female F student at the intersection of Franklyn Jenifer Drive and Rutford Avenue at 12:43 p.m.

September 25 • A student was issued a citation for G possession of marijuana at 3:35 a.m. in the Arts and Technology Building.

September 28 H • At 8:26 p.m. a male student was struck in the face by another male student’s hand near Res Hall Southwest.

E H

A

B F

G C

LEGEND VEHICULAR INCIDENT THEFT DRUGS & ALCOHOL OTHER MAP: UTD | COURTESY

JUST THE FACTS

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OPINION

OCT. 3, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

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Hillary Clinton only rational choice for Sanders’ supporters Sanders’ ideas will be reflected in Clintons’ plans regarding voter ID laws, college tuition making her only option for his followers ZACHARY KOLODNY OP-ED, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS FRESHMAN

During the 2016 democratic presidential primary, I, along with many other young people, strongly supported Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton. I continue to believe that he was the superior candidate in the democratic primary.

Unfortunately, my candidate and the candidate of a large portion of UTD students lost the primary. Despite my disappointment in this result, I believe that Clinton is the candidate best able to carry on Sanders’ work.

All of Sanders’ progress will be lost

if Donald Trump is elected to be president of the United States. Trump has openly called for the privatization of the healthcare services provided by the Veterans Affairs Administration, a vaguely defined ban on immigrants and blocking remittances from Mexican workers to blackmail Mexico into paying for a wall along the border, among several other horrid proposals.

Those of us on the left who supported Sanders must make a very hard decision. In our first-past-the-post electoral system, a vote for a minor party candidate, even one who might be closer to our own views (i.e. Jill Stein), is essentially a wasted vote. It only serves to split the left-wing and centrist vote, subsequently making it

easier for Trump to be elected.

Unlike Trump, Clinton believes that we need to end “tough on crime” policies. She has proposed a more humane treatment of non violent drug offenders and an end to for-profit prisons.

Clinton supports steps to end police violence, which includes in part the formation of national standards on the use of police force, investing in research on implicit bias and matching funds from the federal government for police cameras.

She also has a detailed and vigorous plan for defending the LGBT community. Her plan consists in part of banning conversion therapy for those under the age of 18, funding law enforcement training which focuses on interactions

with the LGBT community and lifting impediments to transgender individuals being able to have their preferred name on identification.

She is opposed to voter ID laws, which have served to harm minorities and supports automatic voter registration, a position that Sanders strongly agrees with. She also wants to enact legislation that would ensure that every American would get at least 20 days to vote. Most importantly, Clinton wants to pass a new version of the Voting Rights Act that would end the current era of voter ID laws.

In addition, Clinton will not only defend the Affordable Care Act, but she also plans on instituting a public option. This would add competition to the healthcare

insurance market, forcing private healthcare insurance providers to provide more affordable plans.

In a nod to young people and Sanders, Clinton has proposed a plan in which students coming from families that earn up to $125,000 a year receive tuitionfree college at in-state public universities.

While Clinton is not anywhere near perfect, she is someone who we as progressives can push and pressure to do the right thing (we got her to oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership). From racial justice to the environment to student loans, Clinton has detailed proposals, which will make life better for all of us.

Thus, as painful as it might be for some progressives, the only rational choice in this election is to vote for Clinton.

Current voting system eliminates voter choice United States should take into consideration preferential balloting, proportional representation over unfair first-past-the-post setup IAN SEAMANS COMMENTARY

If you’re reading this, then you probably won’t vote this November.

According to the United States Census Bureau, only 38 percent of college age citizens voted in the 2012 election. That’s lower than any other group. George Mason University studied voter turnout in Texas and found only 49.7 percent of Texans voted in the 2012 presidential election, which is 8.5 percentage points lower than the national average.

A dominant reason why we are in this situation is not because of apathy, millennials or lack of information, but because of our unfair voting system.

In the United States, we use a straightforward voting system called first-past-the -post voting. In a FPTP system, the voter marks down which candidate they want for president and then drop their ballot in the box. The candidate that gets the largest number of votes wins.

Proponents of FPTP argue the system’s simplicity is what makes it the best. During the U.K.’s 2011 voting system referendum, former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron argued for First Past the Post on the principles that it is fair, simple, traditional and ensures each person gets one vote.

I disagree with Cameron. First-pastthe-post isn’t fair, it’s not much more simplistic than other systems, and there are

other voting systems that allocate votes equally. One of the largest problems with FPTP is that it eliminates voter choice. It does this by slowly consolidating government down to just two main parties.

You might say that people should just vote third party if they aren’t happy with the options, but a problem emerges if you do this. If people vote for a third party, they often siphon votes away from one of the two main parties. When this happens, the citizen that voted third party loses twice. The third party candidate they vote for loses and they take away votes from the main candidate that they agree with most.

Unless the electoral system is changed, all third party voters do is give the election to the main candidate they like the least.

In order to prevent the candidate one likes the least from winning, people end up voting strategically. Strategic voting means voting against a candidate by voting for another candidate who isn’t necessarily one’s most sincere preference. The Pew Research Center published a survey on Sept. 2 that showed 53 percent of Donald Trump’s supporters are voting against Hillary Clinton and 46 percent of Clinton’s supporters will vote against Trump. A majority of Trump voters are voting for him just because they do not want Clinton as president.

Strategic voting discourages compromise candidates and makes people vote for the individual they believe has the best chance, not the one that will best represent them. Strategic voting is an evil that is inherent in a FPTP system.

The solution is to abandon FPTP in favor of a better, more representative system. There are a myriad of options, but I believe that the best path would be the one that Canada is taking.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he plans for this fall’s Canadian elections to be the last under FPTP. His liberal government has announced a 32-point plan citing ways to make Canadian democracy (which is very similar to the United States) better.

The two options Canadians are weighing currently are preferential balloting and proportional representation. With preferential ballots voters rank their candidates and if no candidate receives a majority in the first round, the last place candidate and their voter’s second choices are counted. This process continues until there’s a clear winner.

Proportional representation allots multiple seats to each constituency and divides those seats among candidates and political parties based off of the number of votes each receives. Both systems discourage strategic voting and proportional representation specifically prevents gerrymandering and minority rule and allows political diversity.

Even though we currently live in an FPTP system, I urge you to vote. Participation in elections is the only way to get better representation under the current system or by changing the system. If you want better representation in government in the future then you should take advantage of your ability to vote now.

EUNJEE CHONG | MERCURY STAFF

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Let us know through a poll available on utdmercury.com starting Oct. 5

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THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

NEWS

JSOM introduces new concentration

UTDMERCURY.COM

CAR LOVERS UNITE Driver’s Club of UTD hosts monthly meets to share vehicles

Economics focus to make business degree more valuable RAMAH JARADAT Mercury Staff

This semester, UTD’s JSOM began offering a new concentration within the business administration degree plan known as business economics.

“We discovered that economics graduates do quite well in the job market,” said Peter Lewin, the director of the business economics concentration.

“We began to see some reports in the Wall Street Journal about how employers had come to value ecoGARY BOLTON nomics graduates because of the skills that a degree in economics teaches them.”

The concentration is currently available for students to switch into.

Lewin said PETER LEWIN business economics is a field of study that overlaps all other business degrees, helping students gain a wide variety of skills.

“All of the traditional business majors are, to some greater or lesser extent, predicated on economics. All of them.

Because economics is really about human action,” he said. “For example … human resources use a lot of analysis along the lines of incentives. Economics is an integrative discipline.”

An economics degree teaches students the mechanics of quantitative and statistical analysis. It explains

how to analyze data, the market, peoples’ decision-making and risk, Lewin said.

“Economics is about making choices, making decisions in an uncertain world … but doing it in a logical, consistent way,” he said.

“Having a training in economics suggests that somebody that you know has this ability. The third element is understanding the importance of incentives. In order to understand what people do, and understanding peoples’ behavior, you have to know what they want and what motivates them. This encourages you to think critically about how you structure the incentives in a work situation.”

Gary Bolton, the Jindal chair of managerial economics and group coordinator of the business economics concentration said the program differs from the economics major already offered to students at UTD. “The difference is one of focus,” Bolton said. “In economics, the focus is on public policy. In the business school, the focus is on using economics in order to propel your business forward.”

Dalton Owens, a marketing sophomore, is excited about the new concentration.

“I’m in the Davidson Management Honors Program, and so in order to be in that you have to be a business major,” he said. “I’ve always thought about doing economics but it’s not a business major, so I would have to give (DMHP) up. So I’m really interested in the concentration because it combines two fields that are pretty similar.”

Owens said double majoring in business and economics would possibly result in a delayed graduation

→ SEE JSOM, PAGE 11

SAHER AQEEL | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

The Driver’s Club at UTD met on Oct. 1 on the roof of Parking Structure 3 to host their monthly Cars and Comets meetup. Muhammad “Fez” Babar (front) is the president of the club and helps organize the event.

DIVYA SUDHAKAR Mercury Staff

Over 100 car enthusiasts gathered on the top floor of Parking Structure 3 over the weekend to feature their automobiles and share their mutual interest.

On Oct. 1, the Driver’s Club of UTD once again organized Cars and Comets, an event held on the first Saturday of every month. The club officially launched in January 2015.

Muhammad Faizan Babar, a mechanical engineering sophomore and the president of Driver’s Club, said Cars and Comets provides a platform for people to display their cars and meet other car lovers.

“This event is open not only to UTD students but also to people around Dallas since its inception. People come and showcase the best of their cars, make new friends and learn more about cars,” Babar said.

Babar, who joined the club his freshman year, said being a part of it has helped him grow his hobby.

“I was a car enthusiast since I was a kid and I wanted to join the club to make more friends that had similar in-

terests as mine and would help me advance my knowledge,” Babar said.

When Babar first joined, only 10 to 15 cars would come to the meet, but after increasing advertising, hosting meets on campus and playing music to change the environment, the number of cars that turn up now are 110 to 120 each time.

Babar said the cars displayed at the Cars and Comets meets sometimes have a meaningful significance to their owners.

“There was once a man in his 60s whose son had passed away in a car accident,” he said. “His son was an avid lover of cars. In the memory of his son he made a car model with parts from three different models that his son loved and showed it up at the event.

That car was the best car and it was very emotional to see how the father had built the car in the memory of his son.”

Alexandar Chou, a computer science sophomore and the funding chair of the club, said he enjoys bringing his car to the events and talking to people about the latest cars in the market.

“I admit to the fact that having this hobby as a college student is pretty ex-

pensive,” he said. “But when you get to learn new and cool stuff about cars like the new models, the parts, current market trends it always compensates for the cost of the hobby.”

Chou also said companies attend the meets and the club is working on building relationships with them. In the past, representatives from a Lexus dealership and Texas Tire came to target potential customers.

“We have partnered up with Formula Society of Automotive Engineers, an automobile manufacturing company and are hosting tech sessions to let people get hands on experience with cars and motorcycles and help them to work on their cars,” he said.

The members of the club also started a YouTube channel to feature videos of their meets and events.

With these projects in the works, Babar said he wants to move the club in a direction that will provide more opportunities to its members.

“I would like to build a culture for car enthusiasts at Dallas,” he said. “Bring in more companies and dealerships to not only display cars but also to help our members find jobs with them.”

UTD organizations mobilize Local politician enlists UTD students, alums student voters for election on campaign trail Deputized groups highlight campus-wide effort to register students to vote as know what kind of ways that they can vote,” Padigela said.

Mercury Staff SG’s entire legislative committee is deputized to register voters in Collin With the presidential election rapidly approaching student organiza- County as of Sept. 20.

Annelise Heinz, an assistant profestions, university faculty and staff are mobilizing as many people as they can sor of history, is deputized as a volunteer registrar in Dallas County. As to go vote.

As a part of the effort, Residential Life a faculty member, she said she has a held a Comets Rock the Vote voting drive special role as a deputy. on Sept. 21 in Residence Hall West.

“I think that faculty serve, in part, “Voting is a way for citizens to have as community resources. Texas lags their voices heard. There are major top- behind almost every other state in ics being discussed in this election cycle voter turnout. There is still a lot of that will affect students,” said Sarah Am- confusion about the Voter ID laws, berson, the Residential Life assistant di- and not everyone knows that voters rector of community development. need to register 30 days before pollA DJ blaring music, a food truck ing,” Heinz said. with sliders and a number of giveaways Despite the complexity, Heinz made the event more maintains the importhan just a voter registratance of voting.

The vote is tion drive.

“In our society, the vote is the emblem “We also want to get the emblem of of having a political residents excited, inhaving a povoice. So many women terested and educated and men have suffered about this upcoming litical voice. So and died to gain this election. If students many women right. We cannot take don’t feel educated and men have it lightly,” she said. enough about issues or Heinz stressed the candidates or excited suffered and value in young people they may not turn out died to gain this voting in the election. to vote,” Amberson said. “(College students’) Akshita Padigela, the right. We cannot voter turnout is reachpresident of Student take it lightly. ing distressing record Government, said SG lows. However, college shares a similar goal in — Annelise Heinz, students are engaged organizing a separate assistant professor in learning, are beRock the Vote event on of history ing exposed to differOct. 11, 12 and 13 in ent points of view, are the Galaxy Rooms. practicing evidence“It’s going to be a lot of not just telling people to vote, but based thinking — what valuable permaking sure that they are informed spectives to add to elections. I also voters, not just, ‘Hey we are register- make it clear (to my classes) that I ing you to vote, go vote.’ We want to think everyone should educate themmake sure they know who they’re vot- selves and participate, regardless of poing for, what their options are, as well litical persuasion,” Heinz said.

Jim Burke promotes ‘For students, by students’ motto

SAMEE AHMAD

CHAD AUSTIN | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR

VIBU ANBARASAN Staff Writer

PATRICK LE | MERCURY STAFF

Two students fill out voter registration forms at Residential Life’s Rock the Vote event, which was held in the Residence Hall West courtyard on Sept. 21.

Nancy Fairbank, a political science senior who founded UTD’s No Labels chapter explained the utility of the organization on campus during the election season. No Labels is a non-profit organization that educates voters and participates in nonpartisan and impartial election mobilization.

“No Labels influences and energizes the people to get involved in politics by showing them that there is still a political space left where politics is about fixing, not fighting,” Fairbank said.

She affirmed the educative feature of No Labels at UTD. “No Labels also informs many people about key bipartisan issues and motivates them to push their elected representatives to engage in a constructive dialogue surrounding these issues,” Fairbank said.

→ SEE VOTING, PAGE 11

In this election season, Texas’ district 114 is brewing an interesting matchup with Republican Rep. Jason Villalba facing Jim Burke of the Dallas County Democratic Party in the Texas House of Representatives election.

Burke’s platforms share similarities with Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign agenda. The campaign is a student-run initiative that involves students from multiple universities within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including UTD. Kovan Barzani, an economics junior at Southern Methodist University, serves as the campaign manager for Burke’s run.

“I got involved with the campaign in early September. I had done some work on candidates in Dallas County and the breakdown of the counties and saw an opportunity to challenge someone whose policies I fundamentally disagree with,” he said.

Barzani put together a cohort of UTD and SMU students and alumni who are behind the “For students, by students” motto.

He envisioned the student-run idea and has created a network of coordinated volunteers who are dedicated to the campaign.

Burke believes Texas schools need to make their classrooms smaller to distribute the teacher’s attention in bigger chunks. He also maintains the importance of funding for academic programs to propel Texas students into good universities and improve their options for careers.

UTD alumna Tessa McGlynn currently works for the Dallas County Democratic Party as communications director and she has known Burke personally since she started at DCDP. “(Burke) cares about people, his continued involvement and effort gives him a solid understanding of the issues his fellow con-

stituents face,” she said.

Burke expressed his concerns to his community by informing them of their political landscape, such as who their representative is and what their policies are. Under Barzani, the campaign outlook changed to a more personal approach.

“The motivation for the campaign’s structure is to give students an opportunity to be heard in a new way. In this instance, there is an inherent civics lesson built into it. It came together very organically. I reached out to any one I thought could be interested and the network grew naturally,” Barzani said.

McGlynn walked the blocks in Burke’s district on Oct. 1. Burke’s camp is prioritizing going door-to-door to promote the campaign and reaching out to as many constituents as possible.

“Block walking is the most effective way to contact voters. The face-to-face interaction makes it more personal and generally yields a higher turnout rate. It can be one of the more

→ SEE BURKE, PAGE 11

CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF

Alumna Tessa McGlynn went block walking in neighborhoods on Oct. 1 to encourage people to vote for Jim Burke.

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NEWS

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

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Accounting program celebrates 10 years

Professional Program in Accounting strives to build relationships with major firms to give UTD students high-profile opportunities ARIANA HADDEN Mercury Staff

The Professional Program in Accounting hosted an alumni event to celebrate its tenth anniversary at UTD and its overall 90 percent acceptance rate for PPA students into public accounting internships and jobs since the start of the program.

Amy Troutman, the director of the PPA at UTD, founded the program in 2007. The program has grown in size from 30 in the first year to almost 100 this year. She said despite the stress of facilitating public accounting firms’ recruiting process, the program offers a strong support network for students pursuing a career in public accounting.

“It’s a community of like-minded students that are all headed in the same direction professionally and it gives them the opportunity to walk through their three years on campus as a group,” Troutman said.

Students enter the PPA program in the fall semester of their junior year, and accounting firms recruit them in the spring semester for an internship that will take place the following spring. After their senior year, students continue at UTD for another year to complete their master’s in accounting.

Troutman drew from the structure of the PPA program at the University of Texas at Austin when she set up the program at UTD. “I recognized that while other uni-

versities had this program, we didn’t and we needed it to make the connection with the firms … so that our students were getting the same opportunities that other students were at other universities,” Troutman said.

Students prepare for spring recruiting by attending professional development workshops. During recruitment they attend information sessions, cocktail events, dinners and social events to network with the firms’ representatives, who then arrange on-campus interviews with the students.

PPA’s Associate Director Elizabeth Pigg said the sometimes-difficult process of accounting firm recruitment is made easier for UTD PPA students through Troutman’s relationship with the firms.

“The public accounting streaming process is very streamlined and very specific,” Pigg said. “When (Troutman) developed this program, she took it upon herself to make and keep a personal relationship with the firms so that we are not just another school on their list to recruit from.”

Troutman’s previous position at the accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers made forming personal relationships with the firms easy, as she already knew people through work. She keeps those relationships intact by scheduling lunch dates and other events.

“The firms would get frustrated that they couldn’t easily identify the good candidates,” Troutman said. “With starting the program, I was really just

YASH MUSALGAONKAR | MERCURY STAFF

Amy Troutman (left) sits down with Kristina Kieu, an accounting senior, in the Professional Program in Accounting lounge. Troutman is the director of the PPA and founded the organization in 2007 as a service for students to gain real-world experience in accounting firms.

the matchmaker. I put all the great students who are interested in working at these firms in a bucket, make sure they’re all polished up and look good, then court (the firms) and make sure they are ready to recruit (the students).”

The program has a 75 percent rate of

student placement in top five accounting firms. Pigg said it still takes a lot of work behind the scenes to keep the program moving forward.

“In the fall and spring we spend all our time helping the students,” she said.

“In the summer, we … check in with the

firms to make sure they are happy with our students and make sure recruiting goes smoothly.”

Troutman said while PPA provides current UTD students with career

→ SEE PPA, PAGE 11

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OCT. 3, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

LIFE&ARTS

Amateur philosophers find community Q&A: One Revived student organization provides weekly outlet for discussion, contemplation through collaboration

O’ Clock Lab Band

Award-winning group continues long tradition of playing at UTD

NOAH WHITEHEAD | MERCURY STAFF

CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF

Electrical engineering senior Micah Brouwer (far right) and arts and humanities sophomore Elisabeth Sloan (second from right) are the president and vice president of The Philosopher’ s Society. The club was restarted last fall and now meets every Friday in the Jonsson Academic Center.

The One O'Clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas plays reguarly around the country and the world.

NYEMIKE OKONKWO Mercury Staff

On any given Friday afternoon, several students gather in a classroom in the Erik Jonsson Academic Center to discuss the unexpected: epistemology, ethics, logic, metaphysics, morality and justice.

After spending some time trying to find an identity, The Philosopher’s Society is gaining stability as a student organization and working to establish itself as a unique outfit of curious and contemplative students.

“The vision for the club is to provide a place for people who like philosophy to come be together so we can talk about these things,” said Micah Brouwer, an electrical engineering senior and president of The Philosopher’s Society. “You don’t really have discussions about the meaning of life, how do we know what we know or do we have free will. These aren’t really things that come up in your everyday conversations.”

Brouwer said he and some friends developed an interest in philosophy while taking an introductory philosophy course at UTD. “I was with a couple of buddies and we had a group project in an intro to philosophy class and we worked together and thought we really like talking about this stuff, so let’s keeping meeting up after

class just to talk about philosophy. Then ences in meetings flow into her daily life.

“The discussions at our meetings have we thought, ‘Well, why don’t we make a influenced my conversations outside of the club for it,’” he said.

The club was formed two years ago, but club immensely,” she said. “There isn’t a dissolved shortly afterward and experi- day that I don’t resurge ideas over a concept enced a revival last fall. Brouwer acknowl- that someone had brought up to another.”

Sloan said she believes introspectively edged that it took some time to figure out exploring philosophy is crucial in develexactly what the club’s identity would be.

“We weren’t really sure what we were oping a better sense of self.

“It’s important to philosophically or what to do, so it started as a book club explore because underwhere we chose a phistanding an objective losophy book to go It has helped me view of the many ways through,” he said. “It of life and the concepts went well for a little ask a lot of queswe mindlessly live by while, but then people tions and undernot only gives us a betstopped doing the reading because it felt stand myself and the ter awareness of the world we live in, (but) like homework.” world a lot better. also aids our grasp toThat’s when he ... It gives me more wards questions that said the club took lead to understanding a more discussionpeace of mind. what it means to be based turn in which a single theme — Benjamin Hogan, alive … which I think drives the conversaPhilosopher’s Society every person, known unknowingly, tions. Rather than treasurer and strives for,” she said. focusing on reactive Benjamin Hogan, a conversations, the club examines the reasons why events computer science sophomore and treasurer of the group, said he believes the take place.

Elisabeth Sloan, an art and perfor- structure of the meetings helps the group mance sophomore and vice president of share and collaborate more effectively.

Usually 20 to 25 students attend The Philosopher’s Society, said her experi-

meetings and are then divided into smaller groups. Near the end of the meeting, the groups reassemble to share the direction of their conversation with the rest of the group.

Hogan said it’s not necessary for members to be familiar with or well versed in philosophical history and texts, but the club does add specific optional readings that are meant to drive the discussion forward.

“It helps to have a background but you can learn from the ground up,” he said. “If you are interested, odds are you will pick up a book at some point.”

Hogan said he believes the increased exposure to philosophical discussions has had a positive impact on his life.

“It has helped me ask a lot of questions and understand myself and the world a lot better and it gives me more peace of mind,” he said.

Brouwer said he believes the club can be a real inspiration to people of all types.

“Aristotle said, ‘The unexamined life is not worth living,’ so we’re just trying to get people to examine their lives,” he said. “We really try to get as many different perspectives as we can to hear what people have to say.”

Juniors place first in nat’l game design competition UTD ATEC team gears up for commercial distribution of winning game after competition setbacks ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS

What inspired you to follow a career in the jazz music industry?

Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a musician. I’m the youngest of six kids and all my older sisters and brothers all played music. Jazz (music) kind of hit when I was in grade school. My brother brought home a Miles Davis record and once I heard that it changed my life. I really loved the sound of Miles Davis’ trumpet and the freedom that the music seemed to have. At that point, I really wanted to learn more about jazz.

You’ve been the director since the beginning of the fall. What’s the experience of directing been like so far?

It’s been really thrilling. One of the things I love about it is how quickly we had to perform. We had about five hours of rehearsal before we had to play for three hours. …

I love that challenge and I think members of the band also love that challenge — the excitement of having to perform at a high level so quickly into a semester. It’s been really intense, but in a positive and productive way.

What do you find are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of your job?

Mercury Staff

Foofaraw is defined as a great deal of fuss or attention to a minor matter. ATEC juniors David McCullough and Brandon Blakemore had never used the word before Sept. 23, but they had to learn it on the fly to win first place at this year’s “Chillenium,” a game jam held at Texas A&M University that attracts game developers from across the country.

The concept of a game jam is simple: Participants have a set amount of time, in this case 48 hours, to create a functioning videogame from scratch. Judges then play the game and measure it on everything from concept to playability.

This year’s “Chillenium” featured students from 11 different universities from across the country, who came to College Station to compete. Once there, they were told to center their games around one word: foofaraw.

Then the clock started to countdown.

The 48 hours had begun.

McCullough and Blakemore first heard about the contest through the Student Game Developer Alliance at UTD. “Chillenium’s” coordinator, Ben House, reached out to SGDA President Grant Branam to invite UTD to participate. Several teams from UTD, including Branam’s, competed in the contest.

“We didn’t really know what to expect going in, but it was my first game jam, so I was super excited anyways and we had a lot of interest,” Branam said.

A group of about 20 people got together and headed down to Texas A&M, where 243 other students packed into an auditorium in the campus’ equine complex. McCullough and Blakemore

The One O’Clock Lab Band, a Grammy-nominated jazz ensemble from the University of North Texas, performed at UTD on Sept. 23. The Mercury had a chance to sit down with Alan Baylock, the recently appointed director and an alumnus of the band, to talk about his experience so far and the group’s upcoming projects.

I think the rewarding part is just the look on the musicians’ faces of joy as they’re playing the music and the laughter that we often have in rehearsal, even though it’s often intense and focused.

The biggest joy is just hearing these young musicians develop right before our eyes and ears. Within the first four weeks of school, they’ve progressed as a band a tremendous amount. It’s really rewarding to see the progress they’ve made.

I think the challenging aspect of it is the other side of that same coin, where we are expected to perform at such a high level so quickly. It’s a real challenge, but it’s equally as rewarding.

Why did you choose to perform at UTD?

ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS | MERCURY STAFF

ATEC juniors David McCullough (right) and Brandon Blakemore bounced between a few ideas before settling on “Don’t Rock the Boat,” a game centered around a waiter who tries to serve customers while on a ship rocking back and forth.

said long rows of tables were littered with wires spewing from computers in the temporary game studio.

“The first few hours I was really hyped,” McCullough said. “I was looking around like, ‘This is really cool.’”

Once they were given the topic, McCullough and Blakemore, equipped with their custom PCs, did what any logical developer would do — they Googled what foofaraw meant.

Then, they started to brainstorm con-

cepts centered on the game’s jam theme, coming up with ideas varying from a game about cats to a hotel manager taking care of guests to a cooking game.

“We were trying to focus on the minor thing but making a big deal about it,” Blakemore said.

Eventually, around 3 a.m. on Saturday after having scrapped their other plans, Be Chill, as McCullough and Blakemore dubbed their team, settled on the idea of a game about a waiter

trying to serve water to customers on a cruise ship rocking back and forth.

Titled “Don’t Rock the Boat,” the top-down game features players looking down from above as a dapper waiter frantically runs up and down a deck while crates, chairs and people move back and forth threatening his health.

On the left side of the screen, meters track how quickly patrons are drinking

→ SEE CHILLENIUM, PAGE 7

It’s a tradition. Our dean said this was the 19th year in a row that the One O’Clock has played as part of (UTD’s) art series. I think it’s a wonderful relationship that we have with UTD. I met a few music students after the concert.

Of the students I talked to afterwards, there does seem to be a mutual interest in both schools. I think UTD has a strong music program. I think it’s important for us to collaborate. It could be musical concerts like we just did, or vice versa where someone gets their undergraduate (degree) from UTD and goes up to North Texas for graduate school. I think it’s ripe for opportunities for us to collaborate.

→ SEE ONE O'CLOCK, PAGE 7

LIFE&ARTS

UTDMERCURY.COM → MAYA PIATA

Polynesian, too,” she said.

Hook bought her first guitar when she was 12 years old, saving Hook’s father is from New all of her nickels and dimes until Orleans. She was born and she had enough. Instrument in raised there. Although she hand, she taught herself to play grew up in the United States, original compositions.

She first practiced performshe was able to connect with the other side of her heritage ing in front of a crowd in local yogurt shops for tip money. as well.

“Hearing “I went to someone stop school for a Hearing talking when I year in New started singing Zealand,” she someone stop and everybody said. “I got to talking when I started to look, tap into it (and that felt scary at reach) for my started singing first, but it felt Maori side. … and everybody really good to Tapping into started to look, have that spotmy Maori culture has been that felt scary at light,” Hook said.

Hook’s first something I’m first, but it felt major perforextremely pasmance was in sionate about really good to New Zealand. because I feel have that spotAfter stepping rooted, just like light. off the plane, she I have roots in learned “Homai New Orleans.”

— Maya Hook, Te Pakipaki” — Hook said seeinterdisciplinary the Maori vering a Kahurangi studies senior sion of “The show in San Voice” and one Antonio when she of her favorite was 11 sparked shows — was having open audiher love for music.

“It was this group of lovely tions that same day.

Groggy and disoriented after Maori people, and anytime I get to see Polynesians, it lights 17 hours in the air, she tried to a fire in me because I’m a settled down for a nap before CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

heading over to the station to try her luck on the show.

“I could barely sleep,” she said.

“That’s Maori national television.”

Although she didn’t win, she said she would always have the experience of it.

“I guess that was kind of the inception for really trying to go after (music),” she said.

“After (the show), we got to do a couple local radio stations … and I got to sing some of my original songs live on air. …

It was a little taste of what life could be like.”

The Band Before coming to UTD, Hook attended Collin College.

She found her bassist in 2013 at the cafeteria at Collin, where she was playing her guitar. Two years later, the college hosted a talent show, in which Hook was getting ready to perform when her amp blew. She turned to the guy next to her and asked to borrow his amp.

He later became the keyboard player for her band.

Hook then met her drummer at a house show this summer, where he was playing in another band. She soon convinced him to come aboard and join hers.

“All of these things have been

→ CHILLENIUM

CHAD AUSTIN | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR

THOMAS CASSA COMMENTARY

Sony released information regarding the hardware specs of their new version of the Playstation 4, the Playstation 4 Pro, which is being marketed for its ability to display games in 4K resolutions. Even if you are a die-hard Sony fan, or just someone who always buys a new console on release day, it may be worth it to see what Microsoft, Sony’s main console competitor, has to offer.

The PS4 Pro is set to be released this coming November priced at $399.99.

When looking at the PS4 Pro’s hardware, what differentiates it the most from the current PS4 is the addition of Advanced Micro Device’s new graphics technology called Polaris, which hit electronic retailers earlier this June.

It is thanks to the performance differences in this new technology when compared with the old that consoles will be able to upscale games to a higher 4K resolution. Gamers who don’t have a television capable of 4K will be running

chance happenings,” she said.

“An individual can only be one slice of the pie. … I need an amazing team, and that’s what I got with these guys.”

Hook, and her band, “Maya Piata,” have almost finished their first record, titled “Sunny Days.” She said all that’s left is the mixing of the tracks.

Piata is Maori for “shining glory.” It also happens to be Hook’s middle name.

She describes her band’s sound as “sunshine soul,” but is hesitant to confine herself to just one genre.

“I don’t ever want to be a cookie cutter kind of person.

I like my weird, eclectic background. I like being sincere to myself,” Hook said. “(I’ve learned) how to accept not really fitting into a box.”

Hook just signed a contract with a graphic design team to make her very own website.

“It’s kind of becoming a reality,” she said. “Things are really coming along.”

Right now, she said it’s hard to say what she wants to do after graduating. But, her heart seems to be pulling her in one direction.

“If you don’t take the shot, you’ll never make it,” she said.

“I don’t see myself giving up.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

most games at the same resolution as with the old hardware, but they can still get some use out of the PS4 Pro’s stronger graphical capabilities. If the game developer allows it, they can create their game to take advantage of the new hardware and run more smoothly than on the old consoles.

With that said, Sony isn’t the only one making a console capable of 4K. Microsoft also has a new product up its sleeve, which is codenamed “Project Scorpio.” The new console however, has no confirmed hardware specifications yet, and isn’t set to release until the holiday season of 2017.

For a lot of gamers who want the shiniest new toy as soon as possible the PS4 Pro is the more apparent choice, since it releases a year earlier. But for the consumers who want the unit with the best performance, the answer may not be so simple.

Project Scorpio will most likely run on AMD-made graphics hardware, since the original PS4 and Xbox One, as well as the new PS4 Pro do as well. But because there is about a year difference in release dates between the new consoles, Project Scorpio may end up running on fairly different graphical hardware than the Polaris tech-

nology in the PS4 Pro. If Microsoft’s Project Scorpio will run on newer graphical hardware than the PS4 Pro, which is likely, it would have a noticeable performance edge over its competitor.

AMD’s previous line of graphics hardware that predated Polaris came out in June 2015, only a year before. If they pull it off again in 2017, we may find that Microsoft’s new console will run on the newer hardware, since it is coming out approximately a year after Sony’s console. On the other hand, this could potentially result in Scorpio having a heftier price tag on release day.

If you’re a gamer looking into replacing your Playstation 4 or Xbox One with one of the new 4K consoles, it may be smart just to simply wait.

The currently existing consoles aren’t too old yet, so they will still be strong enough to run what the games developers put out for a few more years to come.

It would also definitely be worth it to find out what Microsoft’s Project Scorpio has to offer before dropping your hard earned cash on a nice brand new unit, only to find out you actually wanted the other one instead.

their water, forcing the player to get their refills before they run out, all while having to fill up on his own water supply from sinks located every few meters in the level. If they fail to adequately serve even one customer before they run out of water, they lose.

McCullough and Blakemore only got around four hours of sleep a night during the competition. “Chillenium” offered contestants a large room for them to sleep in, but the duo took other routes for rest, with McCullough opting to sleep on the marble floor of the main room with just a pillow and blanket and Blakemore sleeping in his car at least once over the course of the weekend.

The pair split up the duties of making the game, with McCullough focusing on the engineering and the art and Blakemore taking care of the level and sound design.

“From the beginning, it’s really just getting stuff moving on the screen, getting the core mechanic in so that we could build off that,” McCullough said.

“And then from there it’s like, ‘OK, well now we need a winstate or a lose-state.’ Then once we had that, it’s like, ‘OK, now we need a menu and a tutorial.’”

After working through the 48 hours and multiple setbacks, including a power surge

→ ONE O'CLOCK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

What was it like to perform at UTD? For all of us in the band, it was a thrilling performance. The audience seemed to give us an energy and we could interact with the audience. They definitely were into it and seemed to enjoy it. They

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

7

MAYA HOOK | COURTESY

Maya Hook performs live at a concert in Klyde Warren Park. Her Maori background inspired her music. Hook plans to release her debut album later this month.

that did not wipe out all of their of miss in game development is work, it finally came time to just like game feel or like polish, just making individual interacturn in the game.

McCullough and Blakemore tions within the game fun,” he said they didn’t expect much, hon- said. “So there’s there’s just a lot estly thinking they would get third of visual feedback.”

Along with taking home the troplace at best because of what they phy, McCullough and Blakemore got still could have tweaked.

“We were bummed out,” Blake- access to development programs promore said. “We thought it was just fessionals use, $50 in Steam cash that can be used on the PC gaming netaverage or whatever.”

When the judges announced work and tickets to South by Souththe winners, they had to calm west, which they got after the game the crowd down, telling them to impressed a SXSW representative.

They also were “be chill.” Not accepted into surprisingly, that This is our Startup Aggieland, made it all the a job creation more confusing crowning at Texas when the judges achievement... program A&M focused on announced Be We've been startups. They’ll Chill as the firsthave office space place winners. working to be and professional “Right after acknowledged contacts to help (saying ‘be chill’), with no tone and this is kind them eventually the game. difference, (the of the first sign publish Knowing that judge) just goes, that we're dothey went up ‘Be Chill,’” Mcagainst developCullough said. ing something ers from across “And no one says right. the country and anything, because everyone thinks —Brandon Blakemore, beat them is still sinking in for he’s still saying ‘be ATEC junior McCullough and chill.’ So I stand Blakemore, who up and I go, ‘Be Chill?’ And he goes, ‘Yeah, team plan to use their experience at “Chillenium” to help further Be Chill!’”

McCullough explained what their careers.

“This is our crowning helped “Don’t Rock the Boat” stand out among the competition achievement,” Blakemore said. is exactly what the conference fo- “We’ve been working to be acknowledged and this is kind of cused on: attention to detail.

“Something that’s really im- the first sign that we’re doing portant that a lot of people kind something right.”

seemed educated too – it wasn’t their first jazz concert. Playing for folks who know a little bit about jazz is more fun for us. The place wasn’t packed but for those who were there, they seemed to really enjoy it. The combination of a good crowd and new facility was memorable for us.

What’s your vision for the group going forward?

We want to … continue the international touring and annual recording. We really want to reach the newer generation in the way that new generation listens to music and buys music. Beyond social media and streaming events, it’s (about) getting into everybody’s radar no matter how they consume their music. We want to be accessible at all times because the music that we’re performing is really creative and really exciting.

CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF

UNT’s jazz department plans to collaborate with UTD’s music department by co-hosting concerts.

8

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

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SPORTS

OCT. 3, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

9

Cross-country runners from across country Athletic sisters adjust to Texas trails after growing up in Alaskan wilderness PABLO JUAREZ Sports Editor

Ever since senior Samantha Hartke and freshman Sara Hartke were little, they have always enjoyed being active. Fast-forward years later and they continue to run side-by-side — this time on UTD’s women’s cross-country team.

Sara and Samantha Hartke grew up constantly moving because of their father’s position in the Air Force. They spent a few years in Germany in the early portions of their life before moving to Alaska where they spent the majority of their childhood. It was in Alaska where the two sisters were first

introduced to cross-country. “(Alaska) is somewhere where it’s really easy to get into running and skiing,” Samantha Hartke said. “It’s something you get into because it’s fun, not because you’re looking to be on a team or looking for a workout.”

Sara Hartke said what made running so much fun in Alaska was the nature. That was the biggest difference between running in Alaska as opposed to Texas.

“There are a lot of hills, but (running) was fun,” she said. “There’s a lot more work but we were on trails where it was really pretty and you were surrounded by trees and just nature.”

Occasionally, they had to evade

wild animals during their afternoon runs with friends. “(We’d) spend two hours after school running on these trails with all (our) friends and running away from moose once in awhile,” Samantha Hartke said.

Sara Hartke said it’s sometimes hard for people to understand why they miss Alaska and why they occasionally have trouble orienting themselves here. “(We miss Alaska) so much because of the intimacy with more rural areas where you can go out and not see a whole bunch of people or cars on the streets when you’re running,” she said.

“We’re not running on paved sidewalks.

→ SEE SISTERS, PAGE 10

UTD CROSS-COUNTRY | COURTESY

Samantha Hartke, a geoscience senior, runs in a cross-country meet for UTD. Hartke is teammates with her sister, Sara Hartke. They both moved to Dallas from Alaska, where they spent most of their childhood.

New assistant athletic Baseball facilities trainers adjust to UTD undergo upgrades

Trainers help out sports teams with years’ experience in college programs

Athletic department adds additional batting cage, first press box to UTD baseball fields

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Kerri Kalina, one of the new assistant athletic trainers, works out an injury for a player on the baseball team. Kalina came to UTD from East Texas Baptist University, where she gained experience working with the head athletic trainer.

SUMMER LEBEL Mercury Staff

UTD’s two new assistant athletic trainers have settled into their positions with the help of engaging athletes and a supportive athletic department.

Kerri Kalina, one of the new athletic trainers, attended East Texas Baptist University where she was a student athlete.

“I played volleyball at ETBU and I work with volleyball and baseball here (at UTD),” Kalina said. “I like being able to stay with volleyball.”

Kalina didn’t always know she wanted to be an athletic trainer, but knew she wanted to be involved with the sports field in some way. As a stu-

dent at ETBU, she started to work with the head athletic trainer.

“Two weeks into the school, once I got to campus, I was like, ‘Oh, this is what it’s all about. I love this,’” Kalina said. “It was a perfect fit.”

The other new athletic trainer, Karl Smith, said he first knew that he wanted to be involved in the field watching Cowboys games as a child.

“I always wanted to be the person, I didn’t know who it was, but whoever helped Emmitt Smith or Troy Aikman,” he said. “That’s who I wanted to be.”

Smith, who played basketball and golf growing up, works at UTD with men’s basketball, women’s soccer and both men’s and women’s golf.

Smith’s connections to UTD started before he was hired. While attending the University of Central Arkansas, he shadowed UTD’s head athletic trainer Tom Monagan. As a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State University, he worked with another future colleague.

“My first year (at OSU), I was with the women’s softball program with coach Rich Wieligman, who’s actually the softball coach here now,” Smith said.

On a daily basis, Smith said he and the other athletic trainers typically spend their time overseeing practices, working with athletes on

→ SEE TRAINERS, PAGE 10

Club team to promote competition Badminton group to implement leaderboards, drills for all players to increase success DEV THIMMISETTY Mercury Staff

Badminton Club, which started as a social gathering of students who enjoyed the sport, is putting more of an emphasis on building its competitive team as the organization gears up to hold tryouts on Oct. 3.

The club was founded three years ago and a competitive team was also formed immediately for those students who sought to compete against players from different universities.

This year math senior and the club’s Director of Communications Luke Bang has a specific plan for not only the competitive team but also the club as a whole.

“I am working on making a website and leaderboard for rankings, like other sports have. I definitely want to make the club more competitive, very competitive,” he

→ SEE BADMINTON, PAGE 10

RUTH VARGHESE | MERCURY STAFF

Two players on the Badminton team at UTD square off in Recreation Center West.

Although participating in the club provides a social atmosphere, the team is making strides to focus more on competition.

ROMAN SORIANO | MERCURY STAFF

John-Paul Weber (left), a sophomore outfielder, practices in the new batting cage facilities with Griffin Mavis, a sophomore catcher. The cages were completed on Sept. 26 and cost approximately $20,000. Head coach Shawn Shewmake said the upcoming press box cost about $125,000 and will be opening soon.

ROMAN SORIANO

there have been other improvements that were made, such as redoing the bleachers and dugouts.

He said now that the batting cage The Athletics Department added a new batting cage to the baseball is complete, the team has been able to field last week, and a press box is practice more efficiently.

“It just allows them to be able to soon to follow.

The batting cage was completed hit more, we can have more people on Sept. 26 and cost about $20,000. hitting at one time, less standing Head baseball coach Shawn Shew- around. It opens up more opportumake said these plans have been in nities for guys to get better and to the works for about a year. work,” Shewmake said.

Currently, the “As we do some baseball field does fundraisers and As we do some not have a press raise some money box. Shewmake said we do a project fundraisers and it is another addihere or there every raise some money, year, so we’ve been tion that has taken a thinking about this long time to become we do a project one for a while,” a reality. here or there every Shewmake said.

“The press box was year, so we’ve been a big one that we Mitchell Barati, a senior catcher, thinking about this knew was (going to) cost a pretty good explained that this one for a while. penny, and it’s taken new cage is different us a few years from from the old one.

— Shawn Shewmake, when we thought “They split the head baseball coach about it to being batting cage into able to get it to now,” two parts so we Shewmake said. can either have two full batting cages or one full With the addition of the new press batting cage and two halves of one,” box, which will cost $125,000, the Barati said. “Which is nice to work press will no longer have to setup at on drills, and then we can go to live the top of the bleachers and take up pitches in the full batting cage.” seating. Instead, they will have a dediShewmake said the old batting cated area for all of their equipment. cage had been around for 15 years, “Right now where our scorekeeper and although they’ve wanted to add a second one for a long time, → SEE BASEBALL, PAGE 10 Mercury Staff

10

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

→ TRAINERS

Smith said the strong academic focus of the student athletes has made for a different their rehab and doing paper- and enjoyable experience for work. He said they do their him at UTD. The athletes are best to work around athletes’ smart and driven in a way that class agendas, but their day-to- brings him joy.

“They really keep you on your day schedules fluctuate based on need. toes,” he said. “They ask you, Tom Monagan, the head ath- ‘Why are we doing this?’ in rehab. letic trainer and associate ath- ‘How is this gonna make me betletic director, said one of the ter?’ There’s always these questions things he looks for in a good and they’re challenging and makathletic trainer ing sure you’re on is the ability to top of your game, adjust quickly.

Every day is which has been “Every day great for me.” different. You is different,” Kalina said one never know Monagan said. of the most en“You never know joyable things is what’s going to what’s going to the level of comhappen. happen. A kid petition at UTD. could walk in “It’s always — Tom Monagan, one day with great to work for head athletic trainer a university that appendicitis, or you could have is competitive and someone have a that wins,” she ruptured spleen on the field, or said. “It’s fun to work for a school, they could come in and want an but if you’re not winning, then ankle sprain looked at. You’ve that’s sometimes discouraging.” got to be able to adjust to that.

Kalina also said she appreciates Schedules change constantly.” how well everyone in the athletic Kalina said instead of find- department works together.

“Coaches are more undering the changing schedules difficult, she thinks it’s one of the standing of my job, and definiteperks of the job. ly the athletes and the coaches are “That’s one of the things I love more appreciative,” Kalina said. about being an athletic trainer,” “They can be more appreciative she said. “Every day is different. of what I do and what we do.”

You don’t get bored just doing Both Kalina and Smith said the same thing every day.” they are happy with the dynamic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

→ BASEBALL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

and announcer sit was actually in the bleachers with the fans.

We do radio and our games are on the internet, so we got cameras and things that are taking up seating and kind of were in each other’s way,” Shewmake said.

Barati said on top of benefitting the press and the fans, players’ parents, including his own, will also have something

to gain from this addition.

“I know I’m from Florida and my parents really enjoy the webcast that we do during games, so they’ll be able to watch more games,” Barati said.

Shewmake said the press box should have been completed already, but weather issues have delayed it. An exact timeline for the box’s completion is unknown, but he said it’s not too far from being finished.

Barati explained that the

SPORTS within the athletic department.

“This is the smallest athletic department I’ve ever been in,” Smith said. “That makes it more of a family and more close knit. It’s almost like a little community over here in the athletic department.”

Monagan, who is in his seventh year at UTD, said it’s important to have a good educational background and experience as an athletic trainer.

“When I hired Kerri and Karl, they both came from strong academic schools for undergraduate education and then they both got experience at Division I institutions, which I think is important because you’re put under a little bit of pressure,” Monagan said. “You see a wide variety of things. … They’re able to use that on an everyday basis.”

Monagan said the new trainer’s diverse backgrounds were also important to him.

“I don’t want a bunch of yes people,” Monagan said. “I want some people with new ideas. I want people that are going to challenge what we do.”

Monagan said he thinks Smith and Kalina fit in well with the athletic department.

“They have good personalities,” he said. “They all work well with the student athletes and the coaches. They’re well respected by them all.”

team does not have much time to practice during the fall semester, so the new batting cage has give them the resources to put in more hours.

“Since we only have 16 days we can practice in the fall, the majority of the practicing is what us, the players, can do on our own,” Barati said. “More cages means more swings for us, allowing us to be prepared for the first game of the spring.”

UTDMERCURY.COM

→ SISTERS

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(People) don’t understand why we can’t find our way around (UTD) because there’s no topography. Back home if you head towards a certain mountain you know you’re going to make it home or if you head towards the inland, but here it’s just building and roads.”

Samantha and Sara Hartke weren’t always as close as they are now. But attending and running for the same university has helped their relationship grow stronger.

“We’re about two and a half years apart, so my little brother is close to (Sara) in age and our older sister is close to me, so it was always me and my older sister and her and our younger brother,” Samantha said. “As we got older, with high school we realized it was more important to stay close

→ BADMINTON

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

said. “For me, it’s fun to get better, and I want to spread the fun to get other people to improve.”

Bang said that he would like to make practices more rigorous, but he doesn’t want to detract from the social, funloving component of the club.

“The social aspect has always been important,” Bang said. “(But) we’re going to start doing more drills. Usually, these have only been for the competitive team, really, but this year I want to include everyone.”

Zhen Zhang, an electrical engineering sophomore and director of recruitment, is looking to be part of a more competitive team. The club is split equally between members of the competitive team and

and use each other as resources.

The number of times I called (Sara) and snapchatted her my freshman year (of college) is embarrassing.”

Sara said running with her sister has given them an opportunity to explore the world sideby-side.

“With traveling in general, we have ran at a lot of different places together,” she said. “Like this summer (I) visited (Samantha) in Kansas City and we went running there and so many different places together.”

Samantha Hartke said because of the nature of the sport an athlete’s running buddy becomes like their sibling, but having your actual sibling beside you makes it more fun and special.

“It’s really nice to have someone whose door you can knock on be like, ‘We’re going running, come on,’” she said.

When applying to colleges, Samantha and Sara Hartke

said they never considered dropping sports because it has always been a part of their academic life. But sometimes there are tradeoffs to being a student-athlete.

“The other morning we were doing a tempo run at 6:40 a.m. and I look over and I’m pouring sweat, my legs are hurting. … I look over at (Residence Hall South) and I think, ‘All my friends are in there sleeping … wouldn’t it be nice to not be out here pouring sweat and breathing really hard,’” Sara Hartke said.

As Samantha and Sara Hartke continue to adjust to Texas, they remain on the hunt for favorite trails to run on.

“In the off-season I’ll go to the Preston Ridge Trail, White Rock Lake and Arbor Hills,” Samantha Hartke said. “There’s a lot of really good (trails out there).

Obviously not Alaskan trails, but as close as you can get.”

simply members of the club.

“We do advertising first for the tryouts, putting up flyers and posters. We want the best players from everywhere on campus (for the competitive team),” he said.

“Anyone who wants to try out can do it, but we usually take five boys and five girls. Usually, those on the team also practice outside of the club’s weekly practices in the Activity Center.”

Even though the competitive spirit runs high this year, Bang said all the players are united by a common love for the game. “(I joined) essentially because I liked badminton. I picked it up from my dad, as a kid. In fact, for a lot of us, there’s the whole ‘dad-minton’ thing. A lot of guys just played with their dads when they were younger,” Bang said. “What I love about Badminton Club is that it at-

tracts a diverse group of people who can all share the bond of a sport that isn’t as popularized.”

The team competes in tournaments during the fall and spring involving universities such as the University of Houston, Texas A&M, Baylor University, Rice University and others.

The first tournament of the year usually takes place about a month or two after the competitive team is formed, which will be during the week of Oct. 3.

Muhib Chaudhuri, a computer and electrical engineering junior, who joined the club to play badminton, has stayed because of the community he’s found.

“I joined because of my love of the game,” he said. “I really enjoy the welcoming environment, and the people are friendly, so it makes me value the organization to keep it going.”

UPCOMING EVENTS COMET CREDIT Learn about building good credit with Comet Cents.

Oct. 3, 5 - 6 PM, SU 2.602C CINEMATHEQUE: SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Join Meteor Theater for a film and a discussion.

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UTDMERCURY.COM → VOTING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Joanna Haug, a sociology sophomore, is a deputized volunteer registrar involved with No Labels. She said student organizations have a big effect on election mobilization.

“To be honest, I don't think I would have gotten deputized if (it weren’t for) No Labels. I probably would have been interested, but No Labels is giving

→ PPA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

opportunities, the program also relies heavily on the support and participation of alumni.

“The only thing I ever ask for (from the alumni) is constant love and appreciation,” she said. “We want to make sure they come back on campus and recruit, and make sure they’re representing the firm well. We’ve always just asked for support.”

Every year the program hosts an alumni event in which PPA graduates come out to represent the accounting firms they’ve joined as well as network with the current members of the pro-

NEWS

me the opportunity to actually do it,” Haug said.

Deputization can be done in a few simple steps.

“We just had to go to (the Collin County Elections) office, fill out a few forms and take a quiz. During the quiz, we had access to a PowerPoint with all the information we needed.

Painless process,” Haug said.

Haug said she feels the disappointment young voters have with their choices in the upcom-

ing election, but maintains the importance of mobilizing to get young voters to impact the polls.

“I understand being disillusioned. I'm from Louisiana and a lot of times I feel like my vote really doesn't matter. But I feel like voting is a civic duty and I want my voice to be heard, no matter how little it actually counts. The only way to combat it is to show young people that their opinions matter and that they can make a difference,” Haug said.

gram. This years’ event was held on Sept. 22. About 100 alumni were in attendance.

“It might be one of my favorite days of the year,” Troutman said. “All these alums show up and are happy with their jobs and successful. They are headed in such great directions, and I think there are very few jobs and career paths in this world that you can get that sort of self-satisfaction from helping people out.”

Accounting and finance graduate student Melissa Huang said she heard about the PPA program from a friend and decided to apply two years ago. Through the program, Huang has gotten internships as well as a job.

“I know I am not alone when I

say that I am eternally thankful for all (Troutman’s) hard work and tireless efforts to genuinely help each student in the program,” Huang said.

Although Troutman works to maintain good relationships with the firms, she said the program owes all of its success to the students.

“The one reccurring theme that we get from the firms is the fact that our students are not just hard working, but genuine and humble and thankful for the opportunity they’re given,” Troutman said. “When you are in the corporate world, you don’t get those warm and fuzzy opportunities very often, and that’s the greatest thing about my job.”

→ JSOM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

date, but the business economics degree will allow students to combine areas of study within a suitable time frame.

“I feel like having a business economics degree is something that will fit a lot more people,” he said. “When I hear business economics, that sounds a lot more tailored to JSOM students, and so that is something that would interest me.”

The curriculum in the business economics concentration

→ BURKE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

exhausting campaign efforts, especially in the Texas heat during the summer, but it's worth it,” McGlynn said.

Humza Khan, a UTD alumnus, has been involved with the campaign as digital communications director.

“This is my first involvement in local elections. It’s really interesting to get a first-hand perspective on how districting affects policies,” he said.

In Khan’s experience, Burke acts in accordance with his stances. He said Burke is dif-

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

11

involves classes like microeconomics and macroeconomics and other courses that build statistical skills, negotiation strategies and help shape decision making. Microeconomics and macroeconomics are required courses for all business majors, but business economics places a higher emphasis on them and requires additional coursework.

“Economics gives students such a firm grounded understanding of the economy and of the business environment,” Lewin said. “So it’s really a good preparation for anything

that any business student wants to do.”

The business economics degree is also offered at other universities, like The University of Texas at Austin. The Wall Street Journal cited the starting median salary for an economics major is $50,100 and mid-career salaries can range from $50,600 to $210,000.

“If you’re going to graduate school to do an MBA or to do a law degree, data shows us that there is a premium to having had an economics background,” Bolton said.

ferent from the existing spectrum of national politicians. “(Burke) is the complete opposite of the current political discourse. He cares about his constituency whether they be white, black, Latino, gay, straight, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, whatever they may be.

If you fall into his district he will do his best to look out for your interests,” Khan said.

Biomedical engineering senior Rafi Ayub was brought on board as a recruiter and promoter. His role in the campaign has been to spread the word at UTD and bring political awareness to local grassroots efforts.

“Politics may seem very distant

from us especially since we're always chilling in this sanctuary called UTD, but policies will always affect our lives. We need to be in the loop,” he said.

Since education is Burke’s main platform, Barzani said he and the rest of Burke’s camp are hoping that more students connect with their outreach efforts and volunteer to assist the campaign as the election approaches.

“Students are not just products of a policy. They are the constituents that should drive the policy.

Candidates need to acknowledge that and not only recruit students as volunteers, but take in their input on outreach,” he said.

12 7

OCT. 3, 2016 | THE MERCURY

COMICS&GAMES

HOMEWORK INFLUX

FRESHMEN

SHANNON RAMIREZ | MERCURY STAFF

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN

SHANNON RAMIREZ | MERCURY STAFF

EUNJEE CHONG | MERCURY STAFF

THE CAB

MEAL SWIPES

CAROLINA ALVAREZ | MERCURY STAFF

POLITICAL POISONS

CHIAMAKA MGBOJI | MERCURY STAFF

MAZE

ALVIN NGUYENLY | MERCURY STAFF

SUDOKU

MATT STRACK | MERCURY STAFF

UTDMERCURY.COM

LIFE&ARTS

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

13

TEXAS PARTY

EMMANUEL ISAAC | MERCURY STAFF

Student rides a mechanical bull while others wait in line for their turn at the annual Texas Party hosted on Sept. 24 in the Student Union. The party introduces students to Texas culture with events like armadillo racing, line dancing and a Western-themed photobooth.

EMMANUEL ISAAC | MERCURY STAFF

A man in a cowboy hat performs rope tricks around three students attending this year's Texas Party.

Other attractions included a live mariachi band, Texas-themed snacks and a ring toss game.

14

THE MERCURY | OCT. 3, 2016

NEWS

→ AROCHI TRIAL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

with her mother, Jonni McElroy.

She held back tears on multiple occasions as she described her experience looking for her daughter over the past two years.

“I searched and I didn’t stop,” she said.

McElroy eventually lost her job once she moved from Tulsa, Okla. to look for Morris fulltime. She described how she finally gave up hope of ever finding Morris alive around November of last year.

The gallery was filled with Morris’ supporters, clad in varying shads of purple — Morris’ favorite color.

Mark Morris, Christina Morris’ father, came up next to tell his story of searching for his daughter.

He started off by recounting how he began by gathering information about what happened the night she disappeared.

“As a dad, you’re supposed to protect your kids and knowing that you weren’t there to do that, I can’t tell you how that feels,” he said.

Before he stepped off the

→ DEAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

You’ve recently started to develop a plan to establish the new Social Justice and Inclusion Institution. What is that and who is a part of it?

We are on the ground floor of looking at this. If there is a cause that students are on board with and wanting to see change happen, influence policy, shape dialogue, I want those students to have a place to come where they can sit down with professional staff and talk about ways that they can positively focus their energy and go out and make those changes. I foresee the Multicultural Center being very involved, the Women’s

KEVIN VANHORN | MERCURY STAFF

Enrique Arochi, who has been sentenced to life in prison for the aggravated kidnapping of Christina Morris, a UTD alum, is also involved in a separate sexual assault case.

stand, Mark Morris looked directly at Arochi and told him he is constantly “thinking about what you could have done with my little girl.”

Arochi’s lawyers had no questions for either parent.

After hearing the testimony of Morris’ parents and the argu-

ment from Fortenberry that the evidence shown in court proved Arochi presented a danger to others, Rusch announced his decision to sentence Arochi to life in prison. The defendant, outfitted in a grey suit and tie with a mustard yellow shirt, looked on upon hearing his fate.

Center being very involved, the Office of Student Accessibility.

We have students who are on the autism spectrum here. I certainly want to give those students a voice and help them be advocates for themselves and their cause.

are very capable. So contributing by giving you all the tools to be able to go out and do that is the whole motivation behind it.

What motivated you to establish the new Social Justice and Inclusion Institution?

You, as students, are the future leaders of this country and you will have very loud voices if you want to have them. Getting our bright, educated, motivated students (and) giving them the right tools to go out and shape dialogue and influence policy.

I want my future to be in your hands because I know you all

What changes do you hope to see with the Social Justice and Inclusion Institution?

Changing with the times is another thing that has drawn me to want to stay here the rest of my career. How innovative we are and how we are rooted in our traditions, but we are open to change.

I look forward to the amazing things this institution does as a whole. The value of your degree just continues to increase and that is pretty special too.

The court then allowed Morris’ family members to speak their piece to Arochi before he left. Arochi mostly looked down as Jake Morris, Morris’ younger brother, McElroy, Mark Morris and Anna Morris, Morris’ stepmother, came up to the witness stand.

McElroy promised to be at every probation hearing for Arochi, warning him she would be the voice for her daughter.

“I will fight … to make sure you never see the light of day,” she said.

Arochi remained silent when Morris’ family members asked him to tell them where she is.

Although he mostly averted the family’s gaze, Anna Morris made Arochi look her in the eye as she challenged him with a simple question.

“Why?” she asked. “Why would you choose to create this much suffering?”

After hearing the family’s final words, the judge ordered the bailiff to detain Arochi until he could be transferred to a prison.

He walked out of the court one last time in the same manner he came in — in handcuffs.

As the court recessed, attorneys

UTDMERCURY.COM traded handshakes and Morris’ family members and friends gave each other hugs as the room slowly emptied. After nearly a month, the trial of Enrique Arochi had come to a close.

At a makeshift press conference held in the lobby of the courthouse for the dozens of reporters and cameramen present, Steve Miears, one of Arochi’s lawyers, said he’d be appealing the sentence based on the sufficiency of the evidence, the venue where the trial took place and the suppression of evidence in the case.

“We think that our position on appeal is one that is strong,” he said.

After Miears finished, Morris’ family and friends, accompanied by the prosecution team, members of the Plano Police Department and the Collin County District Attorney, also talked briefly to the press.

Rumors had been swirling about a possible plea deal where Arochi would give a location for Morris in exchange for less time in prison, but Fortenberry said no arrangement had ever been made.

“I can’t get into the specifics of what our negotiation was and what the hold ups were, but we weren’t able to reach a resolution,” he said.

As the conference came to an end, the prosecutors, police, Morris’ family members and friends talked before saying their good-byes and trickling out of the courthouse.

Even though the trial of Arochi has wrapped up, however, Morris’ case is far from over.

Her supporters, who came to the courtroom day after day, will still continue their search, going out on the weekends to comb the fields and woods of North Texas for any clues of Morris’ whereabouts.

After all this time, one question still remains: Where is Christina Morris?

“She’s not home yet,” McElroy said. “We will not stop searching until Christina is found. Christina deserves closure, we deserve closure, no matter what that may be. She deserves it and we will not fail her, we will find her and we will not give up until then.”

Notice posted in RHNW confirmed as prank Several copies of a notice that claimed a build up of human semen was causing blockages in shower drains were found in Residence Hall Northwest on Sept.

25. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Matthew Grief confirmed the notice was a prank.

“This kind of a letter is a relatively well-known prank that’s out there,” he said.

The notice, which included the University Commons letterhead, claimed the blockages had caused $3,500 in damage and urged residents to “refrain from activities such as masturbation in the showers.” Grief said the letters didn't harm any residents, so

other than taking them down immediately, no further action was taken.

“It’s not really a violation of any particular rule,” Grief said. “If there were damage, certainly there’d be more reason to bring a student in to talk to them to find out who it is, but we look at it as a prank.”

The notice was only circulated in RHNW, and because of the prank’s harmless nature, the Residential Life team is not searching for those responsible.

“It’s a non-issue. It’s not real appropriate but it’s certainly something schools have dealt with and we will move on from it,” he said.

Grief said if the prank had

taken a more serious turn, that would’ve been cause for investigation, but it didn't come close to that.

“If you were to cause a severe disruption to normal living environment of the students, then that could be a problem, but this doesn't even approach that,” he said.