September 7, 2016

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 2016 VOLUME 106 ISSUE 4 www.UniversityStar.com

Deadly K2 soars in popularity among college students

By VANESSA BELL Lifestyle Reporter @vanessayvebell The use of K2, otherwise known as synthetic marijuana, is causing an uproar as it is life-threatening and addictive.

Synthetic marijuana is a blend of industrial chemicals sprayed on plant material and mixed with red and brown dyes to make it a replica of natural marijuana. Weighted lifetime prevalence of K2 and Spice use at college entry was 7.6%.

An additional 6.6% of students reported first use during college. By the cohort’s fourth year, 17.0% reported lifetime K2, according to a study done by the National

Institutes of Health.

K2, also known as Spice, is marketed under various alias names such as Scooby Snax and Black Mamba.

Synthetic marijuana can sell for around $50 an ounce online or $10 at a gas station, increasing its popularity among adolescences and the homeless.

They are sold in colored packages with images of cartoon characters or with the name of the synthetic drug.

The packages openly state “not for human consumption,” although that is exactly what users intend to do when they purchase the synthetic drug.

In recent years, there has been an outlaw of chemi-

cals used to make K2. The drugs come from China and are sold to the U.S in bulk containers, making it more difficult for the federal government to put a stop to it.

Although the chemicals in synthetic marijuana are similar to cannabinoids (CBD) in natural marijuana, they both contain tetrahydrocannabinol. (THC) They affect brain receptors differently, which makes synthetic weed hazardous. Some synthetic CBDs are more potent than THC and operate on other brain receptors.

Some people who receive the drug without its marketing label mistake it for natural marijuana and are unaware of the side effects

that can occur after consumption.

According to one anonymous user, they can automatically tell the difference between natural synthetic marijuana after smoking.

“I took one hit from whatever I was smoking,” an anonymous user said. “I thought it was regular weed.

After I took one hit, I was super high and I knew that something was wrong because I smoke a lot and one hit won’t affect me like it did.”

Instead of experiencing an increased appetite or a sense of relaxation like some might experience with marijuana, K2 users experience psychotic episodes, seizures and hallucinations.

“It was like I was hallucinating and then I started seeing the people as cartoons and I knew that these weren’t the effects of regular weed,” the anonymous user said. “So, I just knew that I had smoked something more than that.”

One anonymous user said their body felt as if it was deceasing, and similar experiences have resulted in users’ suicides.

“My body was completely numb,” the anonymous user said. “I was completely paralyzed. My senses, my body, my eyes—everything was just completely shut off.”

An anonymous user said they ended up in the hospital after mistakenly smoking

UNIVERSITY

LGBTQIA

Construction to begin on University Events Center

By BRI WATKINS Assistant News Editor @briwatkins17

Students pose last fall at San Marcos City Park during the second annual Pride Fest.

STAR FILE PHOTO

‘Louder and prouder’: SMTX Pride week marks third year

By JERILYNN THORPE Senior News Reporter @jerilynnthorpe After the tragic event of the Pulse nightclub shooting, San Marcos will celebrate Pride with the LGBTQIA community from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.

10 at the San Marcos Park Plaza.

The event will feature a parade, live music, food, art vendors and drag shows.

The Pride Festival will celebrate its third year of unifying the community to take a positive stance against discrimination and violence toward the LGBTQIA community.

Sylvia Sandoval Hernandez, SMTX Pride organizer, said this year’s event will be bigger than ever because of the Orlando shooting.

“Especially San Marcos, right in between San Antonio and Austin, this is the middle of the pot that we can bring everybody together,” Hernandez said. “It doesn’t matter who you are.

Come and celebrate equality and civil rights. This year we have to remind everybody that regardless of gender, sexuality or color, we’ve got to go strong and unite as one.”

Hernandez said there will be two sets of security at the event, and though there

K2.

“They never told me exactly what type of weed it was,” the anonymous user said. “After I told my other friends how I was feeling, they were like, ‘oh dude, you’re on spice.’”

The user who ended up in the hospital said a friend would battle what he called “demons” during his experience with K2.

“I don’t want to talk to [him] again,” the anonymous user said. “That stuff messes people up really bad.”

may be some protestors, the safety of attendees will be a priority.

Chris Rue, general manager of Stonewall Warehouse—the first and only LGBTQIA bar in San Marcos—said the idea of persecution against their community or any other minority isn’t anything new.

“What’s new is the idea that, in America, you can’t go out on a Saturday night and have fun just by dancing,” Rue said. “You know you have a target on your back.”

In response to the shooting in Orlando, Rue and his employees have been trained by the University Police Department to take appropriate action if the bar ever encounters an active shooter. Rue said the UPD and San Marcos Police Department have been phenomenal.

Officer Sue Taylor and Officer Otto Glenewinkel of the UPD reached out to the community and Stonewall to educate people on precautions to take during circumstances similar to the Pulse nightclub shooting.

For Taylor, she refers to her position as “interesting”— identifying herself as lesbian as well as police officer.

“I do understand their feelings of helplessness,” Taylor said. “As a police of-

ficer though, I’m trained to respond. Things like this just click into place. It’s interesting when you’re a part of a community and something like this happens.

Even though it’s in Florida and not Texas, the feeling kind of resonates that it could easily happen here.”

The “what if ’s” are not something Rue and Hernandez rule their lives by.

Hernandez said many times people warn her of attending certain places for fear of violence, but the community cannot just hide or stop living. Rue said he will not create an army or militia within Stonewall.

“We aren’t going to bring the idea that someone wants a warzone,” Rue said. “We are still going to be loud and proud, but we know we are going to be on the forefront of security. The Pulse nightclub, if nothing else, he who should not be mentioned, he brought us together. He brought the nation together. If he wanted to silence us—honey, that’s the wrong group to go after. We are just going to get louder and prouder. We are Pulse. We are Orlando.”

For more information, visit the SMTX PRIDE Facebook page.

In order to provide appropriate facilities to maintain student growth, the Texas State University Board of Regents approved a $62.5 million construction project of a University Events Center to fulfill student needs.

The construction for the project will begin in November 2016, and it will include additional space for Strahan Coliseum, said Thomas Shewan, associate vice president for facilities at Texas State.

The UEC will expand an additional 81,000 gross square feet and add 1,748 seats to the complex for multi-use purposes including Commencement ceremonies, Convocations and athletic events.

“With the additional space, there should be more room for students and families during major events,” Shewan said. “The university desperately needs additional space for Commencement and Convocation. The additional 1,748 seats will address some of this need.”

This project will also assess increased space for athletic locker rooms and offices, and provide additional parking.

With major ceremonies, events and current athletic offices being relocated from Jowers Center to the UEC, Jowers will be used for academic purposes only.

This specific project is being funded by Athletic’s Department Reserves and Higher Education Funds and is expected to cost $62.5 million.

The Denver-based architect firm, Sink Combs Dethlefs, are the designers of the UEC. The development for the project was submitted for approval by the Board of Regents in Aug., and the project was approved by the board in the Aug. 18 System meeting.

The UEC project is expected to be completed by October 2018.

Shewan said his hopes for this project will be improved Commencement, Convocation and Athletic experience, as well as enhance campus community pride.

With Texas State’s rapid growth, the expansion of the UEC will provide more more space and support to the student population and help sustain student growth,

‘The university desperately needs additional space for Commencement and Convocation.’

Shewan said.

According to Texas State’s University Marketing statistics, Texas State is ranked the fourth largest university in Texas with nearly 38,000 students recorded for the fall year of 2015.

“Maintaining the University’s facilities is fundamental to providing a sustainable future,” Shewan said. “The lowest resource impact can only be accomplished with proper maintenance.”

The university is in the process of projecting other facilities and developments all around campus. The UEC project is only one of the many projects that are being created to improve the university to complement the collegiate experience. Several of the university projects are in different stages of development, and altogether combined, represent over $659 million in current and future investment.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2016 | 3

NEWS

Bailey Buckingham News Editor @bcbuckingham

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

CAMPUS

All the right buzz: bees come to San Marcos

By DARYAN JONES News Reporter @DaryanJoness Bees are mysteriously dissappearing from Earth, an early warning of the effects of global climate change.

But Texas State’s Bobcat Buzz Apiculture Club gives students an opportunity to learn and care for bees.

Bobcat Buzz is a sister organization to the horticulture club on campus, which educates people on the importance of bees.

Members of the organization participate in events in-

cluding bi-weekly meetings, maintenance on the hives and keeping up with the bee garden.

The organization amplifies the role bees exert in the food supply.

“Bees are one of the most important pollinators,” said Kayla Roll, vice president of Bobcat Buzz.

“Grocery stores wouldn’t have the variety of produce we have now, and there are also different things that they provide, such as honey and beeswax.”

Bobcat Buzz invites guest speakers to attend its meet-

ings to learn and get insight into other organizations centered on bees.

“The Bee Wranglers of San Marcos came two semesters ago and gave a presentation on bee health, how to take care of bees and how to cultivate honey,” said Cody Brown, president of Bobcat Buzz.

Every meeting is different. Some will have guest speakers, whereas other days, there will be activities.

“We have a bee garden on campus where we grow the plants that are useful for bees, and we try to keep it

going year-round,” Brown said. “Sometimes when we get together, it’s to make lotion bars out of the honey wax that we’ve collected, or we’ll start new plants in the greenhouse.”

In addition to meetings, Bobcat Buzz is active in multiple activities throughout the year.

“Every semester we make lotion bars that we sell at the farmer’s market, participate in Bobcat Build and we frequently do garden maintenance to keep up with the bee garden,” Brown said.

Another reason Bobcat

Buzz goes to the farmer’s market is to educate the community about caring for bees.

“It’s kind of hard to get a place on the quad these days, but we usually set up at the farmer’s market, and we tell people about how to take care of beehives and how to build certain beehives,” Brown said.

One of the ways Bobcat Buzz is helping with the bee crisis is through its bee garden.

“We’ve planted flowers in our bee garden to help with pollination and to help

with the bee crisis,” said Katie Chumchal, Bobcat Buzz Treasurer. “Our slogan is plant flowers, buy local and save the bees.”

Participation in the organization is welcomed to all students. Chumchal joined Bobcat Buzz during her first semester at Texas State.

“I joined Bobcat Buzz because my fiancé joined, and I kind of wanted to meet new people because it was our first semester at Texas State, but it turns out I really enjoy it,” Chumchal said.

LIFESTYLE

Proposal takes place by Bobcat statue

By DENISE CERVANTES Lifestyle Editor @cervantesdenise The second class day wasn’t just another normal day for one Bobcat. By the end of the day, Yesenia Serna, mathematics sophomore,

was newly engaged to longtime girlfriend, Adrianna Macias.

Macias proposed to Serna this past Tuesday in front of the Bobcat Statue on campus.

As Serna walked out of her ethics class, she was sur-

prised to find her now fiancée Adrianna Macias waiting for her.

“I was just surprised,” Serna said. “I was happy to see her but I was kind of just like ‘what are you doing here?’”

Macias arranged Serna’s best friend to be with her during the proposal.

“She told me she had to be there,” Macias said. “And I know she (Serna) doesn’t get to see her often and she misses her. So, I knew I had to ask her now.”

Serna said she was excited to see her best friend and girlfriend but didn’t expect her real surprise to be a proposal.

“We were going to take a picture,” Serna said. “And I was a little confused on who was going to be in the picture but then I turned

Rose Garden

congratulations and complimented us.”

The couple received both congratulations and judgment remarks on the photo from strangers. Comments targeted the young age of the couple.

“I think we just look young,” Serna said. “But we’ve been through a lot together.”

Since April of 2013 Serna and Macias have been fighting for their “Romeo and Juliet” relationship.

The couple met in ROTC. Serna said she always had her eye on Macias – although Macias was in a previous relationship.

Serna said she kept her distance, not wanting to disrespect Macias and her relationship. The couple became best friends as Serna helped mend Macias after her break up.

“I always had my eye on her,” Serna said. “I was just a freshman and I know she didn’t notice me until later but we were best friends.”

Serna said her parents found it difficult to accept

her relationship with Macias as a lesbian couple.

“I grew up in a very conservative and Christian household,” Serna said. “My parents didn’t really understand. My mom was worried about the family talking about me and my dad said he didn’t want (me) to grow attached because he thought this would be temporary.”

Macias said she still asked for Serna’s parents’ permission to propose.

“I just knew it wouldn’t be right,” Macias said. “So, I still asked them for their blessing.”

Serna said her grandparents have served as a support system.

“They’re really accepting,” Serna said. “We visit all the time. My grandma said she would have known even if I hadn’t told her just by the way we look at each other.”

Serna and Macias have set their tentative wedding date for June of 2018.

LIFESTYLE

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around and saw her (Macias) on her knees.”

Jenna Bollweg, international studies sophomore, was able to catch the special moment with her phone camera.

“I saw Adrianna was holding a little black box behind her back,” Bollweg said. “I realized what was happening and ran to the other side of the bobcat so I could get a picture.”

Bollweg said she took it upon herself to take the photo when she noticed Serna’s best friend filming but saw no one taking a photo.

“I pulled out my camera because I thought to myself ‘nobody is noticing this,’” Bollweg said. “When they started hugging still nobody was noticing, so I just started furiously clapping. I was really excited.”

The photo gained attention after Texas State’s Instagram posted the photo congratulating the couple.

“Someone actually just congratulated us,” Macias said. “Walking by they said

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The outside of the Marc Sept. 3, where artists like Zeds Dead and PHOTO BY BRANDON VALENCIA | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lil Uzi Vert will play in the upcoming months. The Marc will celebrate its three year anniversary this year.

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The Marc venue is preparing to celebrate its threeyear anniversary with the biggest show yet.

Rap star Lil Uzi Vert has sold out the venue in a matter of a few days.

Technically, The Marc is celebrating three years of new ownership, which has successfully trafficked more artists towards San Marcos.

The building has been historic to the San Marcos community for over 114 years. It has shifted from being a country dance hall to showcasing rappers like Lil Uzi Vert.

The transition has been black and white, but the response has been positive.

Omar Dawoud, owner and operator, said the building was originally built in 1878, 138 years ago. It was burned down in 1892 as a saloon and reconstructed in 1902.

“The address is about 138 years old, but the current building is 114 years old,” Dawoud said. “Since 1902, it’s been a billiard hall, barber shop, grocery store, drug store, a cafe, seafood restaurant, burger joint, and

a ton of other various businesses.”

Dawoud said prior to The Marc, the venue was a dance hall called Texas Music Theater, which really only catered to country fans.

Dawoud said music has always and will always change, so the Marc will change as well.

With more mainstream artists headlining at The Marc, it has now received constant praise and made a name for itself.

“Thanks to all the support our events and concerts receive, and the constant hard work from our team, lots of people from all over know of The Marc in San Marcos,” said Dawoud.

“From the agents and their artists, to the general livemusic fan.”

Dawoud said he used to have to educate agents on where San Marcos is and what The Marc was.

He would beg for them to give the town and venue a chance to host their artist.

Now, after three years The Marc consistently receives requests to play the venue, from the biggest acts, to locals.

Hector Garcia, general manager, said The Marc’s mission has always been to

be the premiere night life attraction.

“The core idea of The Marc is the same,” Garcia said. “We want to create the best environment for everyone in town to enjoy and I feel we’ve done that night in and night out.”

On September 10th, rapper Lil Uzi Vert will take the stage preforming for The Marc’s biggest crowd of the year.

“He’s easily one of the hottest artists out right now,” Dawoud said. People ask our DJ’s to play his music every night. He puts on a really awesome, high-energy show. There’s no doubt that it’ll be an absolute blast.”

The Marc has another show coming up to celebrate its anniversary. Snails, bass producers from Montreal, will be preforming on Sept 8 as part of a 3rd anniversary show.

Avery Mack, manager and marketing senior, said attendees should look forward to an exciting night.

“This is very exciting for The Marc, because it will be our biggest party of the year,” Mack said. “The 3-year anniversary will be a night to remember.”

4 | Wednesday, August 7, 2016

The University Star

LIFESTYLE

Denise Cervantes, Lifestyle Editor @cervantesdenise

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

New boutique caters to college student fashion

By MIRANDA FERRIS Lifestyle Reporter @mjferris_

location in San Marcos to cater to the Texas State college community.

O’Neill House of Fashion is here to help students stay classy and comfy – all while providing current trends and styles.

The boutique features rompers for every occasion, as well as plaid shirts and sandals.

Addison Bridges, advertising and mass communication sophomore, said her typical campus style is class comfort.

“I usually do my hair and makeup and wear comfy clothes,” Bridges said.

“Something super toned

O’Neill House of Fashion, a boutique filled with a blend of comfort and style recently opened its doors to San Marcos.

The store came to life in New Braunfels. According to the Facebook page, the store is described as an “upscale women’s clothing boutique where shabby meets fashion.”

With a high and growing customer demand, Me Linda O’Neill, owner of O’Neill House of Fashion, decided to open a second

down, but also cute.”

Bridges said she is looking forward to visiting O’Neill House of Fashion.

“Most of the stores here that I’ve seen have been thrift shops or university stores,” Bridges said. “So it’ll be nice to have that diversity.”

While many of the stores around Texas State’s campus involve pre-owned or lightly worn clothing – sometimes making it hard to cater to current trends – O’Neill House of Fashion will allow students to expand their style options.

O’Neill said she chose to open a store in San Marcos

because students asked for it.

O’Neill said she personally chooses each article of clothing that enters the store – as well as online orders from her carefully chosen vendors.

According to O’Neill, she orders clothing in a variety of sizes – including small, medium and large.

“I handpick every item that comes into this boutique based on the quality of the material,” O’Neill said. “Even though fashion is very important, I think that quality should speak volumes.”

O’Neill House of Fashion

offers cute and affordable clothing that is advertised as much better quality than the stores around town.

O’Neill said she wants students to be able to afford fashionable styles that will last longer than the average article of clothing.

“I go all the way to Los Angeles, and I meet with those vendors, and I touch everything and make sure everything is great,” O’Neill said.

Selena Torres, vice president of fashion nation and public relations and mass communication junior, said the small community of San Marcos is welcoming to new

Bonnie and Clyde have history with San Marcos

By VIVIAN MEDINA Lifestyle Reporter @vjmedina6 Bonnie and Clyde, the infamous bank robbers who swept through Texas and surrounding states, may have passed through San Marcos during their crimefilled journey.

The couple of outlaws, both born in the lone star state, became known for their many robberies during the Great Depression, stealing hundreds of dollars and taking lives along the way.

Speculation suggests the duo stopped in San Marcos and robbed what is now a local bar, The Hive, once the “Old State Bank” in the 1920s.

Krista Pollett, history graduate student, found the history of the old building very interesting and conducted research during the summer.

“I think that it might be fun to speculate that Bonnie and Clyde might have passed through San Marcos, but I think that there needs to be evidence to back it up,” Pollett said.

San Marcos public records does not provide any

confirmation Bonnie and Clyde had any relation to the city, or even mention the couple’s names.

Heather Haley, history graduate student, believes more digging can be done to determine the validity of the rumor.

“Those with an avid interest in this subject could trace their movements on a map through newspaper headlines to definitively determine if they came through San Marcos,” Haley said.

Although it is only a legend that Bonnie and Clyde ever committed a bank job in San Marcos, it is confirmed that in 1923, the Newton Boys, a criminal gang, robbed the “Old State Bank.”

Jeffrey Mauck, American history senior lecturer, does not know much about the history of the building, but does recall a very interesting detail about the Newton Gang robbery.

“They used so much explosive that coins rained down on the entire square,” Mauck said.

The less recognized gang managed to escape successfully with a load full of cash

in their pockets.

Pollett thinks any robbery, even if it was not done by the famous couple, is great history.

“I feel like once people know about the story of the Newton Gang, they are more inclined to learn about the building, about that gang, and even about the era in San Marcos,” Mauck said.

Haley believes the media’s extravagant view of Bonnie and Clyde has left many in awe with their story.

“I think that people especially love the romance between Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow,” Haley said.

“The 19(67) film starring the glamorous duo Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway undoubtedly immortalized the daring escapades of the couple.”

Despite Hollywood’s perception, Mauck knows Bonnie and Clyde’s life was not always about romance and bold adventures.

“Bonnie and Clyde were not nearly as glamorous as people think,” Mauck said.

The outlaws spent most of their time fearing they were going to be caught, and always had to stay on the move, never getting a

fashion businesses.

“When something new opens up everybody gets excited about it because we always like new stores and new styles,” Torres said.

Torres said she usually aims for something simple and cute for class – such as a romper or trendy top.

“We are very diverse and not everybody dresses for comfort,” Torres said. “A new boutique opening is a good way for everybody to expand their style and see what else they like besides the usual everyday school wear.”

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chance to settle down.

Bonnie and Clyde spent most of their free time in a car, hidden from the public. This could suggest they made frequent stops in small towns like San Marcos.

“The story is intriguing, but historical research does not support the argument that Bonnie and Clyde passed through San Marcos,” Haley said.

Pollett said the thought of the legend being true is enough to please anyone.

“Bonnie and Clyde are iconic in popular media,” Pollett said. “When people feel like there is a connection between them or their hometown and very famous people, of course anyone would find it interesting.”

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OPINIONS

The University Star Mikala Everett Opinions Editor @mikala_maquella

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

HEALTH

The EpiPen—healthcare does not inject care into costs

By BRIDGETT RENEAU @bridgelynnn Opinions Columnist Many people with severe, potentially life-threatening allergies have to shell out astronomical amounts of money for medicine necessary to their well-being.

The EpiPen is a device that allows patients with allergic reactions to inject epinephrine into their systems and is owned by the pharmaceutical company Mylan. Mylan purchased the EpiPen from another company in 2007 when the cost of a two-pack was $94.

While not necessarily cheap, it was a reasonable price for a life-saving drug.

However, in 2014, seven years after Mylan acquired the product, the price for two EpiPens rose to $608.

The 547% price increase accounts for much of the $18.9 million annual earnings of Mylan’s CEO, Heather Bresch.

Bresch diplomatically declared the money is irrelevant, and that she sides with the consumer on the outrageous costs of the drug. In an interview with CNBS, Bresch claimed “no one is more frustrated” than she is about the rise in price of the EpiPen. That is hard to believe.

Bresch is apparently so frustrated, she has chosen to take action. Now, consumers have two options: if $608 is unaffordable for individuals who need an EpiPen, they can purchase a generic version of the drug in a two-pack for only $300.

This may seem like slow progress, but it is not.

Mylan is still making major profit on the generic version of the EpiPen. In fact, even the American Medical Association is wary, asking Mylan to “rein in these exorbitant costs.”

Not only is the AMA questioning Mylan’s motives, but so are other experts. Rachel Sachs, an associate law professor at Washington University, wrote in a blog post for Harvard Law, “because a significant portion of EpiPen purchasing happens during the back-to-school season, Mylan has done little harm to its revenues this year. It is only next year that this product may affect their bottom line.”

In fact, according to an analyst report made by Susquehanna Financial Group’s Andrew Finklestein, Mylan’s 2017 revenue for the EpiPen will likely still be around $1 billion— which is not much differ-

ILLUSTRATION BY ISRAEL GONZALEZ

ence from the forecasted $1.2 billion this year.

Regardless of how you slice it—or inject it—one thing is clear: Mylan’s last concern is the consumer.

There is little regard for the mom who must purchase the EpiPen for her child or the college student struggling to pay for books and medicine.

Bresch may be able to

RELIGION

answer interview questions with pseudo-sympathy, but anyone who does a little research can see she is simply doing whatever it takes to cover up the truth and increase her own profit margin.

This is the name of the game in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies such as Mylan often defend their hefty prices by stating

- Bridgett Reneau is a psychology junior

It is not okay to be addicted to love

ILLUSTRATION BY MARIA TAHIR

The Burkini Ban should be banned I realize it is very American to declare that people should be allowed to wear what they please.

Especially if they decide to wear certain articles for religious reasons, regardless of what the government deems acceptable. People, specifically women, have been told what to wear since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden.

It is not the duty of the government or a highminded politician to decide what women should wear and how they should feel about what they are wearing. Burkinis, swimsuits covering the entire body except for feet, hands and face, have been objects of contentious debate in the picturesque beach towns dotting France’s coast.

The French courts have ruled town officials do not have the right to ban burkinis, yet several mayors have ignored the ruling and upheld their bans.

Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, claims the burkini is a “symbol of the enslavement of women.”

Last I checked, Valls is not and has never been a woman, so how would he know?

A member of the national government has no business telling women

ity on the drug company’s part only further solidifies the absence of concern for the consumer. It exposes the truth: the main concern is the acquisition of capital, not the health of those in need.

RELATIONSHIPS

By BRIDGETT RENEAU @bridgelynnn Opinions Columnist

By MIKALA EVERETT Opinions Editor @mikala_maquella

insurance companies will pay for the drugs.

This notion is inexcusable. “The idea that monopolistic pricing is ethically acceptable because someone else (insurance companies) has to pay for it lays bare a serious abdication of responsibility,” states Robert Pearl, M.D. in his article for Forbes.com.

This lack of accountabil-

they should feel enslaved by something they chose to wear. At the end of the day, it is the Muslim woman’s choice to practice her religion as it is for other religions.

Much like the United States of America, France believes in the separation of government and religion. The French government is so proud of its secularism, several laws have been passed to enforce the idea.

For a significant amount of time, French government was strongly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church. It was because of the church’s power France decided to part ways with religion in government. For many first-world countries, including the United States, the government seems to only become involved with religion when Islam is being practiced.

As long as citizens of the country are practicing Christianity and minding their own business, the government is pleased.

However, if a Muslim girl wants to wear her hijab to school, the government goes up in flames.

Islam has been around since 7th century C.E., and is the second largest practicing religion in the world. Islam is not new and neither are its practices, so it absolutely baffles me governments can be so

intolerant of a religion that has been around for so long.

Fear is the reason why women cannot wear a burkini on a sunny day at the beach with their family. It is the reason why a bomb threat was called on a teenage boy when he wanted to show his teacher a clock he made. And it is the reason many are afraid to openly practice their religion in countries claiming to be secular.

Not everyone who practices Islam is a terrorist.

Let us not forget the terrors caused by Christianity.

Will we discount the lives of the Native Americans slain by Christian conquistadors? Will we forget the number of slaves told to be subservient to their masters as it says in the Bible?

What about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church?

These atrocities are not irrelevant because their abusers were Christian.

There are members in every belief system twisting the original intent of the group. Wearing a piece of clothing for religious purposes has never hurt anyone and it never will—unless the government pushes someone to that point.

If someone else’s rights can be taken—yours can too.

-Mikala Everett is a mass communications junior

Countless people are addicted to alcohol, food, porn and drugs—but what about those addicted to another person?

Relationship addiction, or love addiction, is recognized by the American Society for Addiction Medicine as a type of behavioral addiction. People who are classified as love addicts are enticed by the experience of falling in love. According to Recovery Ranch, a Drug and Mental Health Center, “love addicts are searching for something outside of themselves—a person, relationship, or experience—to provide them with the emotional and life stability they lack.”

Love addiction is not simply an amplification of someone with a romantic personality—it is an unhealthy fixation on being in a relationship. Love addicts feel an intense increase of dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, when they are in the stage of a budding romance. This surge in chemicals is much like that of other addictions such as an alcoholic taking a drink.

This feeling of pleasure creates a cycle for love addicts. They desperately seek new relationships to feel whole and wh en the relationship inevitably ends, the cycle repeats.

The idea of love addiction seems like a lofty hyperbole. However, Recovery Ranch lists the common signs of love addiction and they are the antithesis of what would be considered

healthy.

Some of these signs include: “mistaking intense sexual experiences for love,” “when not in a relationship, feeling desperate and alone,” “when not in a relationship, using sex to fill the loneliness” and “repeatedly returning to previously unmanageable or painful relationships despite promises to oneself or others to not do so.”

While unhealthy, these signs of love addiction are not uncommon behaviors.

This doesn’t mean everyone is a love addict, but it hints at society wrongly normalizing unhealthy tendencies of love addiction.

We see these unhealthy habits in movies, TV shows and advertisements. We are being subconsciously fed with unhealthy notions. It is not only commonplace, but necessary to be head-overheels in love—no matter the cost.

However, there is a hefty cost. Love addiction can cause “guilt, loss of identity, depression, obsession and compulsion, hopelessness” and countless of other repercussions.

These consequences seem obvious in the light of addiction, but are difficult to identify because they are so ingrained in our culture.

The ramifications of love addiction are embarrassing to talk about which is why no one discusses them. No one wants to admit they have problems. It is much easier to enter a relationship or have great sex and feel the rush of dopamine to alleviate the reality of the situation.

When considering it in this light, it is easy to see

how love can turn into an addiction. However, I am not saying being in a partnership is bad by any means. When dating the right person for the right reasons, a relationship is one of the most sacred and special things in life.

However, when people enter relationships to selfishly fill a void, it is likely the connection to the other person is neither special nor sacred. It is simply a coping mechanism to avoid dealing with on the underlying problem.

It is unknown why people become addicts.

Some psychologists believe is comes down to “biological vulnerability.” Others believe addiction is a result of learned behavior. Regardless of the underlying cause, it cannot be argued addicts are struggling with some psychological baggage. There is always a reason why they so desperately need something outside of themselves in order to feel good.

I look around and see many people relying on others to feel okay. I especially witness many women dependent on garnering love in order to feel they are worthy. There is not an overnight solution, but the first step to recovering from anything is recognizing there is a problem.

I have a small piece of advice for anyone going through this addiction: keep in mind you are worthy beyond measure without anyone else by your side.

- Bridgett Reneau is a psychology junior

ILLUSTRATION BY ALYSSA CURRY

The University Star

SPORTS

Thurday, September 7, 2016 | 5 Autumn Anderson, Sports Editor @aaautumn_

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

FOOTBALL

The Withers Effect

By RYDER BURKE Sports Reporter @RyderBurke

The Texas State football organization has been under a microscope ever since head coach Everett Withers took over the program in January. The Bobcats’ main consistency throughout the past several seasons, unfortunately, happened to be inconsistency. Withers came in aware of the challenge ahead, stating, “it’s not going to be an overnight change,” for what it would realistically take to reestablish Texas State dominance.

For many fans and skeptics, the first game was going to be the litmus test as to whether or not anything has really changed for Texas State. Even though there are many more determining factors required to make that judgment, the Bobcats did not disappoint in their debut game under Withers.

Everything Texas State had faltered on in previous seasons was brought to the table for reevaluation in the 2016 opener against Ohio University. Many questions were going to be addressed as to how the team would transition from last season with the new coaching staff; we got our answer.

The Bobcats were consistent through the first half, holding a 14-6 lead during the break. The third quarter, however, began with a turnaround for Ohio in a

STAR FILE PHOTO

sequence of events reminiscent of the old Bobcats—a fumble in their own redzone that was instantly converted into six for Ohio.

“Our motto in camp [was] attention to detail,” Withers stated at Texas State’s Media Day. This statement was backed up by performance and execution on Saturday night. Rather than rolling over and conceding by way of inconsistency and crucial mistakes, Withers and the

newfound Bobcat football team continued to fight.

The two exchanged blows throughout the entire 4th quarter; a combined 17 points were scored in the final 51 seconds alone. A Texas State field goal tied it up at 38 to end the game and send it into overtime.

After three OT’S and a Hollywood-like double-pass touchdown to QB Tyler Jones from receiver L.G. Williams, the Bobcats were

able to finish off Ohio 5654 in the fiery season opener.

Tyler Jones played a big role in the win, completing 40 out of 55 passes (72%) for 418 yards and six total touchdowns. He threw two interceptions early, but compensated by adding his fifth touchdown by foot and catching number six on Texas State’s final overtime possession.

This is an invigorating

and promising start to the new era and culture of Texas State football. This game was no roll-over fluke or beginner’s luck. The team had to endure extreme highs and lows, while maintaining composure until the final buzzer—or in the case of Saturday’s triple-overtime— all four of them.

The defense got stops when crucially needed, and the offense answered the call in combatting Ohio’s

big plays with ones of their own. The Bobcats have lived up to Withers’ creed of being “a tough... disciplined... relentless... focused football team,” through the first week of the season.

Texas State will face Arkansas next in Fayetteville Sept.

17.

SOCCER

Women’s Soccer hopeful for revenge

By LISETTE LOPEZ Assistant Sports Editor @Lisette_1023 Soccer season is back in action, and the Bobcats are coming for revenge in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Last season, the team finished third overall in the Sun Belt Conference. It had a record of 12-6, and a conference record of 6-3.

The Bobcats made it into the SBC Tournament, but were eliminated by No. 6 Georgia State in the first round.

Just 12 days before, the Bobcats beat the Panthers 4-1 in the 2015 Pink Game at home.

In the first round game, the Panthers took an early lead with a penalty kick. In the 27th minute, the Panthers capitalized again going into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Former Bobcat Lynsey Curry scored in the

64th minute with a header.

The Bobcats were on the scoreboard, but it was not enough to get them to the second round.

Texas State had nine shots, four of them were on goal, but could not finish.

For the upcoming season, the Bobcats will play Georgia State at home. The upset in the first round of the tournament last year could be enough motivation for Texas State to win.

The Bobcats will aim to make it past the first round of the SBC Tournament this season.

There are seven freshmen added to the 2016 roster, and nine juniors returning.

The team is experienced, and with the addition of freshmen, young and up to the challenge, it can make it to the championship game.

Texas State played No. 1 South Alabama and No. 2 Troy last season and lost both away games.

The Bobcats lost 1-4 to Troy and 1-2 to South Alabama. This season, the Bobcats will be playing both teams back to back in Alabama again.

South Alabama won the game with a tie-breaking goal in the 80th minute.

The Bobcats and the Jaguars both had 11 shots, but Texas State could only capitalize on one.

There were numerous fouls in the game as well, with a total of 23 combined from both teams.

The Bobcats need to capitalize on shots, and not burn out in the last minutes of the game. If they give it their all, the Bobcats can beat the reigning SBC champions.

The team to look out for this season is Coastal Carolina. Last season, the Chanticleer’s were 12-7-1 overall and 7-2-1 in the conference.

The team fell short in the semifinals of the Big South

Conference.

This will be the first time the Bobcats and the Chanticleers go head to head. With a similar standing in last season, it could be the game to

The Bobcats need to capitalize on shots, and not burn out in the last minutes of the game. If they give it their all, the Bobcats can beat the reigning SBC champions. watch.

With a few Bobcats to watch out for, anything can

happen this season.

Brooke Ramsey and Rachel Grout, junior midfielders, have worked together in the middle to send through balls to the forwards.

Grout already has one goal and one assist this season.

Lauren Prater and Clarissa Leon, senior forwards, are taking shots and finishing to get Bobcat wins.

Prater has one goal and one assist to her name. Leon has one goal so far.

Last season, Prater was a part of the 2015 All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team.

Genesis Turman, freshman defender, has been a game changer in preseason.

Turman has defended the ball and made plays resulting in Texas State wins.

Ali Jones, senior defender and Chandler Cooney, junior defenders, have been a dynamic duo this season.

They work together to stop

plays, and push the ball up the field.

Heather Martin and Kathryn Budde, freshmen goalkeepers, have played a game this season, and both are capable of a stand out season.

Budde played the entire match against Houston, earning six saves.

Martin played the first half against Prairie View A&M, starting her collegiate career with one save.

With seven freshmen added to the roster, any one of these athletes can have a stand out season.

The Bobcats will battle it out with a few teams in the conference. It will lead to an interesting season, with hopes of the Bobcats winning the title of the Sun Belt Conference Champions.

BASKETBALL

Bobcats gain back lost leadership regulations. At Arkansas, Bostad played in 32 games and scored a career-high of 15 points.

STAR FILE PHOTO

By AUTUMN ANDERSON Sports Editor @aaautumn_ Texas State women’s basketball lost a key part of its team when two star guards graduated from the program.

Both Ayriel Anderson

and Raven Burns made names for themselves on the Texas State hardwood.

Because of that, one thing subject to change this year is the lead ership roles.

Anderson, starting point guard last season, was one of the team’s biggest leaders.

Anderson was quiet, but it hardly affected her leadership skills. She did her job as a point guard, leading and picking up the team when need be. Burns was the other leader on the court.

With Burns and Anderson gone, who’s next to step up?

There are a number of possible players who could step up.

McKinley Bostad, redshirt sophomore, was on the team last season but never got to touch the court. Bostad came from Arkansas, so she had to sit out a year under NCAA

Bostad could offer some leadership to the court, but the Bobcats also have five juniors on the roster—four of which have been playing alongside Anderson most of their college career.

The juniors on the team consist of, Ericka May, Ti’Aira Pitts, Taeler Deer, Whitney Apari and Zandra Emanuel. Emanuel is the only junior who didn’t play with Anderson or Burns.

There’s no doubt the four returning juniors will bring an intense amount of leadership to the court.

Emanuel is a transfer from Coastal Bend College.

While at Coastal Bend, the forward led the NJCAA DI with 428 total rebounds.

Emanuel was second in the nation with 14.8 rebounds per game. Being a total force down low, she could definitely bring leadership and skill.

In addition to Emanuel, the Bobcats also gained two talented freshmen.

Bailey and Brooke Holle are twin sisters from Austin who played their high school basketball career at Westlake.

The two led their team to a District 14-6A Championship last season. They were both also McDonald’s AllAmerican nominees.

Brooke Holle averaged a total of 17 points a game, and earned District Offensive MVP her senior year.

She was also named the 2015-16 Austin-American Statesman Female Athlete of the Year.

Bailey Holle is more of a defensive minded player.

She was named District Defensive MVP her senior year. Both sisters are ranked in the top-60 players in Texas.

The Bobcats lost leadership, but have gained even more.

With the addition of two highly anticipated freshman, a rebounding powerhouse from Coastal Bend and the educated returners, Texas State has a lot to look forward too.

8 | Wednesday, August 7, 2016

The University Star

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