April 4, 2017

TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2017 VOLUME 106 ISSUE 29

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

www.UniversityStar.com

PHOTO BY MAY OLVERA

DR. ANGELA DAVIS MAKES APPEARANCE Speaks to students on campus about controversial issues

By Shayan Faradineh News Reporter @shayanfaradineh The Texas State community filled Evans Auditorium March 31 to hear political activist Dr. Angela Davis lecture on critical issues.

Davis discussed topics surrounding gender and race rights, effects of capitalism, immigration, planet preservation, marriage equality, efforts by Black Lives Matter, terrorism and incarceration. She criticized the role President

“Our struggles are all interrelated.”

-Angela Davis

Donald Trump’s administration and policy plays in each of these subjects.

“People should really care when families are destroyed by the Trump administration’s immigration policy,” Davis said. “Our struggles are all interrelated.”

Davis grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and moved to New York during high school.

In 1969, she was removed from her teaching position due to her involvement in the Communist Party, USA. That following year, Davis was placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List “on

false charges, and was the subject of an intense police search that drove her underground and culminated in one of the most famous trials in recent U.S. history.

During her s16-month incarceration, a massive international “Free Angela Davis” campaign was organized, leading to her acquittal in 1972,” according to the Feminist Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz.

PAGE 3 GUEST

Vice president-elect Students represent at Undergraduate Research Day expresses disdain for guest

By Shayan Faradineh News Reporter @ShayanFaradineh Erica Osta, microbiology senior, and Mykle Ayala, criminal justice senior, attended March 28 an undergraduate research presentation at the Texas Capitol. Through the research opportunities within the Honors College, they presented their findings to the public and Texas legislators.

“My research is focused on explaining bullying behavior through general strain theory,” Ayala said. “I’m studying to see if a bully’s behavior is influenced by the negative strains and absence of positive stimuli in their lives.

It was an easy choice considering I’m a criminal justice major.”

While Ayala’s research pertains to the behavior of bullies, Osta took a different approach with her research.

Osta’s study deals with the use of new techniques and technology to identify diseases so proper steps can be taken to cure patients, earlier than before.

The research focuses on the “creation of an inexpensive technique for innovating and simplifying a rapid sample preparation step in the diagnostic workflow, which is necessary to detect and treat disease in a timely manner at the patient’s bedside,” Osta said.

The purpose of the annual event is to bring awareness to how research done by undergraduate students can positively impact communities in Texas. Every year consists of different themes. This year’s theme is “Transforming Texas Through Undergraduate Research.”

Every public and private university and colleges can display up to two students’ research that represent their institution. Over 75 posters were displayed from around the state. Each university president in Texas has been invited to identify a faculty liaison to determine the process for selecting the student researchers who will represent their institution at the Capitol.

The two students from Texas State were selected based on their research through the Honors College.

According to the Office of Distance and Extended Learning’s website, “The goal of this event is to promote Texas undergraduate research projects.” In addition, Osta said the purpose is “to summarize our research and findings to others; we will have the opportunity to network with accomplished researchers in the state, as well as learn about the significant research work from all of the other universities in Texas.”

PAGE 2 ACADEMICS

speaker Angela Davis

By Katie Burrell News Reporter @KatieNicole96 Student Government vice presidentelect Colton Duncan published a post on Facebook calling guest speaker Angela Davis an “American terrorist.” The post was removed from his page by Facebook for not following “the Facebook Community Standards.”

Duncan’s post was a response to an email sent to students, faculty and staff at Texas State announcing an event March 31 in which Davis was set to speak. The email detailed Davis’ work as an activist and referred her as “a living witness to the historical struggles of the contemporary era.”

“For anyone that is interested, Texas State University (with our tuition dollars) is sponsoring communist Angela Davis, ’70s American terrorist and the third woman to be placed on the FBI’s ten most wanted list,” Duncan posted on Facebook.

The post claimed Davis’ visit was funded by students “tuition dollars.” The Dean of Student’s twitter page tweeted that her visit is being paid by privately donated funds, and “no tuition is being used.” This fact was confirmed by members of the Texas State faculty senate

APARTMENT Dealing with HUNTING TIPS Depression PAGE 5 LIVING

Last semester I found myself in a rut. I stayed in bed for days, had zero motivation to do anything productive and found myself questioning the purpose of life more than the average, post-modern college student.

I was depressed, until I got some lifechanging advice.

during its March 29 meeting.

Due to the amount of attention Duncan’s post received, he was approached by members of the press within the San Marcos and Texas State community via

“I’m not speaking in my capacity as student vice president.”

-Colton Duncan email and phone. In response, Duncan decided to hold what he called an “UnOfficial Press Conference” March 3 on the patio of Bobcat Nation Bar and Grill.

The meeting between the press and Duncan was planned without the knowledge of Connor Clegg president-elect, and administration partner.

“Recently something’s come up with Dr. Angela Davis coming to our campus, and my vice president has said something,” Clegg said. “Now, he doesn’t speak for me, and at this point, doesn’t speak for our administration.”

PAGE 2 GOVERNMENT

Stay Connected

@universitystar universitystar.com

PAGE 8 SATIRE

2 | Tuesday, April 4, 2017

HEADLINES The University Star Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

The University Star Bri Watkins Headlines Editor @briwatkins17

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

ACADEMICS

Texas State’s Master of Education program ranks in the top of the nation

University Star Editors

LARA DIETRICH | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Editor-in-Chief: Emily Sharp, stareditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Bri Watkins, starnews@txstate.edu Lifestyle Editor: Denise Cervantes, starlifestyle@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Mikala Everett, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Lisette Lopez, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief: Claire Abshier, starcopychief@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Lara Dietrich, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Design Editor: Vivian Medina, stardesign@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Stacee Collins, starpromo@txstate.edu

University Star Contacts Director of Media Sales: Folee Hall, folee.hall@universitystar.com Account Executive: Christina Castro, christina.castro@universitystar.com Account Executive: Carina Cruz, carina.cruz@universitystar.com Sales Manager: Marisa Campbell, marisa.campbell@universitystar.com Media Specialist: Dillan Thomson, djt48@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator: A.J. Arreguin, aa1530@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator: Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu

University Star Information History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, April 4, 2017. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.

Print Copies: The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy.

Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.

Deadlines: Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.

Corrections: Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and are brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

Visit The Star at www.universitystar.com

The College of Education building April 3. The Texas State's Master of Education program has beeen ranked as one of the top graduate programs in the nation.

By Jonathan Gonzalez News Reporter @Jonny_Gonzalez_ Texas State’s College of Education has recently been recognized as having one of the top ranked graduate programs in the nation.

The rankings were conducted by the SR Education Group, an education research publisher founded in 2004 that researches colleges across the U.S to develop online resources for those seeking to pursue higher education.

“Our rankings are based on affordability, accessibility and quality,” said Taitum Ridgway, leading marketing manager at SR Education Group. “Our goal is to help prospective students find a degree program that matches their budget and career aspirations.”

Ranked as the 16th program in the nation out of the 19 that were selected by the organization, Texas State holds a 93 percent recommendation rating based on the reviews collected by SR Education.

“In order to be considered for the

list, schools were required to have at least 10 reviews specific to that program,” Ridgway said. “After meeting the requirements for inclusion, schools were ranked based on their student score, which is calculated by multiplying a school’s average student rating by 20 (in order to give a score out of 100.)”

Reviews for the schools were gathered through SR Education’s website GraduatePrograms.com where students can voluntarily submit reviews and ratings of their schools and programs.

Various factors were considered when reviewing each school including quality of instruction, rigor of curriculum, student diversity, financial services, campus safety, networking opportunities, career advising and career preparation.

The process for collecting reviews and complying the rankings has taken place since 2012, although the timeline for getting the data together for this year’s rankings took about eight months, according to Ridgway.

At Texas State offers 13 concentrations for the Master’s of Education degree that are different areas of study, depending on the career track that student is aiming towards.

“Some people come and want a Master’s degree in Reading while some people are more interested towards earning their degree in Educational Leadership, but we’re all contributing to the success of our students,” said Dr. Bergeron Harris program director for the Masters in Educational Leadership.

Harris, who graduated from the M.Ed Educational Leadership program at Texas State, attributes the College of Education’s success to the faculty’s continued dedication to growth.

“I believe in the program and working with a team that’s equally passionate about ensuring that all students receive a quality education keeps me here,” Harris said. “And of course I’m a graduate from here, so if I’m going to give my talent and skills somewhere, it’s going to be a place that did right by me.”

FROM FRONT ACADEMICS The program is coordinated by a series of different organizations and groups: Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. and the Texas Association of Community Colleges The students were accompanied by Dr. Heather Galloway, dean of the Honors College, as well as advisors

FROM FRONT GOVERNMENT Clegg, who was not in attendance, said although he disagrees with Davis politically, he will be in attendance at the event to hear her perspective on political issues.

“I’m not speaking in my capacity as student vice president,” Duncan said. “(Clegg and I) are not at ends on this, and it’s not even something we’ve discussed too terribly much, and this is my own personal view. It is something that I posted personally on my own personal Facebook, and it gained traction.”

During the meeting, Duncan repeatedly said his problem is not with Davis speaking on campus. He said his issue is with the university supporting it and “putting their name on it.” Duncan claims there are other activists who promote similar values as Davis but are not as controversial nor as radically left.

In response to the fallacies in his post, Duncan said he posted a correction in the comments of the deleted post before its removal but does not plan to post anything clarifying on the issue again.

and professors who have assisted their research efforts.

The Honors College offers a variety of opportunities for research. Students can fund, publish, print and receive course credit for research done independently.

“A big focus of the Honors College is to support undergraduate research.

Our goal for all of our students is

they graduate by writing a thesis, doing something signature as part of their undergraduate time here,” Galloway said.

From scholarships to early registration and other benefits, with a 3.25 GPA, students are welcomed and encourage to apply for the honors program.

The University Star

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 | 3

HEADLINES

Bri Watkins Headlines Editor @briwatkins17

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

EVENT

Duck Dash on the San Marcos River helps local youth PHOTO BY SKYLER JENNINGS

By Skyler Jennings Special to the Star Rubber ducks will race down the San Marcos River April 13 to raise money for the San Marcos Youth Service Bureau.

The Duck Dash, hosted by Leadership San Marcos Class of 2018, will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Lions Club.

Jennifer Rogers, a member of Leadership San Marcos Class of 2018, said the organization will sell rubber ducks for people to race down the river in a track constructed by the San Marcos Fire Department.

“We’re selling ducks for $5 apiece, and each duck that we have is numbered,” Rogers said. “All of the ducks will be dropped into the water at once. The first five ducks to arrive at the destination are the winners, and there will be prizes awarded.”

Rogers said the raised funds will be given as a donation to the San Marcos Youth Service Bureau, a nonprofit organization that started in 1975. The bureau’s mission is to assist youth in Hays County communities in becoming contributing members of society.

“We’re selling ducks for $5 a piece, and each duck that we have is numbered.

All of the ducks will be dropped into the water at once. The first five ducks to arrive at the destination are the winners, and there will be prizes awarded.”

- Jennifer Rogers Program director Julie Hollar said the organization works with those between 11 and 17 years old. Hollar said the bureau has 20 to 35 volunteers who

work with 80 to 90 kids annually in afterschool and summer programs. The primary focus is to get them involved in the community.

“We try to instill in our kids the feeling they get of serving their community,” Hollar said. “We also provide a lot of educational tools and knowledge for them to make better choices. We want them to graduate from high school and become productive citizens.”

Hollar said members talk to the kids about college and bring in Texas State University students to mentor them.

“We talk college every day so the kids kind of know some of the things to expect when they go to college,” Hollar said. “We all work and volunteer together.”

A key aspect to their volunteer work is transportation, something Hollar said hasn’t been updated since the ’70s. The program’s annual budget of $77,000, comprised of donations and grants, hasn’t afforded them the chance to buy new vans.

“We don’t want to get stuck on the road with a van full of kids in the middle of summer,” Hollar said. “I want to be able to show them things and take them places. We need safe travels.”

Rubber ducks float down the San Marcos River.

Jacob Campbell, a member of Leadership San Marcos Class of 2018, said the organization is a network of young professionals that get together to learn more about the community.

“Every class that comes through is charged with completing a project that somehow impacts the community,” Campbell said. “We figure out where there is a need in the community, and we host fundraisers such as the Duck Dash to support our cause.”

Those interested can purchase ducks online to participate in the race and donate to the San Marcos Youth Service Bureau.

FROM FRONT GUEST PHOTO BY MAY OLVERA

Angela Davis answers a student's question on March 31 in Evans Auditorium.

She now actively devotes her time to advocating for prison abolition, and speaks at universities across the country

to educate students on the criminal system. She encourages conversations on such topics.

“I like to encourage audiences to reflect on where we are. Think about the place, this place, where we are gathering as a community,” Davis said. “We are gathered here to reflect here on our common concerns.”

Davis’ visit brought forth controversy amongst the student body. Colton Duncan, student body vice president-elect, expressed his opinion on Facebook leading up to the event.

Duncan was not in attendance at the lecture, but said he watched the entire presentation from out of town.

“Seeing my fellow Bobcats praise an anti-capitalist policy was saddening,” Duncan said.

Although Duncan disagreed with most of Davis’ ideologies, he did concur with the prison industrial policy discussed. Duncan’s main concern about Davis’ visit was the university funded it and attached the speaker’s name to the event, in place of a student organization.

Duncan said he wished the univer-

sity would refrain from funding speakers who cater toward one ideology or group.

The event was organized by Skyller Walkes, associate director of the Office of Disability Services. The event was sponsored by Disability Services, Office of the Provost and VP for Academic Affairs. Other sponsors included Student Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Programs Committee, Departments of History and Philosophy, Center for Diversity and Gender Studies, Alliance at Texas State.

Holly Doyle, a public administration major, volunteered at the event.

“There are 40 volunteers, mostly students. There are some staff and faculty that act as the point people for the student volunteers,” Doyle said.

The event began at 3 p.m. March 31, but attendees began lining up before 10:30 a.m.

Davis extended appreciation toward Texas State President Denise Trauth for coordinating the discussion.

BOBCAT CALENDAR April

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

04 05 06 07 STUDENT RECITAL WHAT: Double Reed Chamber Music WHEN: 6 PM - 7 PM WHERE: Music Building Recital Hall (MUS 236) COST: Free

STARS AT NIGHT WHAT: Attacca String Quartet WHEN: 7 PM - 8 PM WHERE: Performing Arts Center Recital Hall COST: Free

GUEST SPEAKER WHAT: Janet Mock: Trailblazing Truth Teller WHEN: 7 PM- 8 PM WHERE: LBJ Student Center Teaching Theater COST: Free

STAR GAZING WHAT: Weekly public observing WHEN: 6 PM - 9 PM WHERE: Supple Science Building Roof COST: Free

PAYMENT REMINDER

RESOURCES FAIR WHAT: Learn about the services offered to Texas State students WHEN: 11 AM - 2 PM WHERE: LBJ Student Center Ballroom COST: Free

STUDENT RECITAL WHAT: Double Reed Collaborative Concert WHEN: 6 PM - 7 PM WHERE: Music Building Recital Hall (MUS 236) COST: Free

WHAT: Charges for Spring 2017 semester are due today WHEN: All day WHERE: JC Kellam or Online COST: Free

FRENCH FILM SHOWING WHAT: Screening of Diva WHEN: 3 PM - 5 w PM WHERE: Centennial Hall G02 COST: Free

For more events, go to www.universitystar.com/today

4 | Tuesday, April 4, 2017

THE SCENE

The University Star Denise Cervantes Lifestyle Editor @cervantesdenise

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

BRANDON VALENCIA | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

MUSIC

Euphoria Music Festival brings unique culture to Austin The 2017 Euphoria Music Festival line-up includes Wiz Khalifa and Post Malone. Euphoria is set to kick off in Austin April 6-9.

By Stacee Collins Assistant Lifestyle Editor @stvcee Many events like Austin City Limits and South By Southwest take over the streets of the capitol, but Euphoria Music and Camping Festival introduces a unique and exclusive culture to one of the oldest existing ranches in Texas.

Euphoria launched in 2012, and has skyrocketed ever since. Founder Mitch Morales said the 2016 festival welcomed over 15,000 attendees per day—and that number is expected to increase this year.

“We’ve sold tickets in all 50 states and numerous countries, with 30 to 40 percent of the attendees coming from outside of Texas,” Morales said.

Guests come for the festival’s jampacked lineup. The 2017 festival will feature hip-hop artists Wiz Khalifa, Young Thug and Post Malone, with EDM acts Alesso, Chromeo and Pretty Lights Live.

More than 80 artists will perform over the span of four days—April 6-9 at Carson Creek Ranch in Austin.

Jeanette Olachia, ACC sophomore, is looking forward to seeing Zeds Dead, one of the festival’s headliners.

Olachia said 2017 will be her first year to attend Euphoria, so she and around 10 friends will attend all four days with general admission camping passes.

Morales said camping is the best way to experience Euphoria.

“It allows you to get in for a while, explore the venue and see all there is to see,” Morales said. “It’s a more affordable and enjoyable route than simply coming for a few hours a day and crashing at a hotel.”

Olachia chooses to attend different festivals each year, and she picked Euphoria because of its unique culture.

“Euphoria is different because it draws a different group of people together,” Olachia said. “ACL is great, but it’s definitely a different feel. At Euphoria, you can walk up to a stranger and start a conversation about anything. The EDM family is really big and welcoming.”

Olachia said those who have never been to an EDM festival should give it a

shot, because attendees are always inclusive and accepting of everyone.

“I always encourage newcomers to come out and try it,” Olachia said. “I’ve never met someone whose come out to a festival and hated it.”

Emily Ferris, digital media innovation sophomore, attended Euphoria in 2016 and said she fell in love with everything it had to offer. She will attend the fest this year as an iHeartRaves promoter.

The festival partnered with Sanctuary Yoga to offer daily classes during the festival, and Ferris said she enjoys that aspect of Euphoria.

“They have the yoga sessions in the campground, and it’s cool to relax for a minute and step aside from the festival to take a mental breather,” Ferris said.

Ferris is looking forward to the silent disco portion of the festival, where attendees listen to music through headphones and dance.

Morales said the silent disco is one of his favorite parts of the entire festival because it’s a great solution for late night music, which allows some peace and quiet for campers who want to get

to bed early.

“The silent disco allows for a more interactive music experience because you can simply take off your headphones and talk to your friends when you’d like,” Morales said. “It occurs in the Art Outside Village right on the bank of Carson Creek, which is one of the more magical places in the venue.”

The Art Outside Village is a festival within a festival, Morales said. It will feature curated art installations, live painters and a gallery. San Marcos’ very own Attic Ted will be featured.

Ferris said Euphoria does a good job at highlighting and showcasing local artists, and even food vendors. Food trucks will be available throughout the festival grounds.

“Euphoria is all about the community and the energy it creates,” Morales said.

“We have some characteristics of a bigger festival, but the feel and intimacy of a local event. It’s a festival for fans, by fans—and we think that really shows in the smiling faces created.”

THEATER

Theater preview:

‘Intimate Apparel’ and the desire for love

By Amanda Heileman Lifestyle Reporter @busybeeamanda The Department of Theatre and Dance will be exploring the themes of love and intimacy through the production of “Intimate Apparel.”

The story follows Esther Mills, a

"People will identify with the story because we are still struggling with the same issues."

-Melissa Maxwell skilled African-American seamstress in New York city circa 1905. She sews intimate apparel for customers spanning across the spectrum of social class.

The show will run April 4-9 in the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre.

Director Melissa Maxwell said the audience will be able to find a connection with the characters despite the show taking place in 1905. “‘Intimate Apparel’ is really about the five characters, and everyone is desperately looking for intimacy in their lives,” Maxwell said. “It’s one of those things that I think everyone can relate to because it is that search that we are all on in life, that soul to soul search of finding that one being who understand and recognizes us.”

Maxwell said the audience will be able to find the show relatable because it is

relevant to today’s society and culture.

“People will identify with the story because we are still struggling with the same issues,” Maxwell said. “Esther finds herself in a place in life where she is desperate to find love. She’s 35 years old and has never been married. She doesn’t want to die having never been noted.”

Esther then meets a man from Barbados and begins corresponding through hand-written letters.

“Today, technology has changed, but that is no different than social networks and people trying to meet each other on dating websites,” Maxwell said. “We are all desperately in search of our soul mates. Technology may have changed the way in which we are doing things, but we are still hardwired in that pursuit.”

Ashley Hildreth, theatre senior, will be starring as Esther.

“It’s about this woman who feels so alone. It can seem like she’s not necessarily desperate but just that there’s this need to be with someone that she settles for less than she’s worth,” Hildreth said.

“People will connect with this idea of settling for less, and what happens when we settle for less.”

George Lamar, theatre senior, said plays Esther’s ambitious lover from Barbados.

“He’s working on the Panama Canal for a better life, and he starts dreaming and corresponding with Esther in New York. She basically sells him on the dream that is New York,” Lamar said.

“He was used to the beauty of nature and that’s not what New York is.”

Lamar said he wants audience members to attend the play with an open heart.

“A lot of the time there’s a stigma with theater that it’s not relevant,” Lamar said. “I think (this play) can tell us more about our current dating situation when we take a microscope and look at this older situation.”

Tickets for “Intimate Apparel” are available at txstatepresents.com.

Jimmy

WE DELIVER! TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM ©2016 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The University Star

THE PULSE

Tuesday, April 4 , 2017 | 5 Denise Cervantes Lifestyle Editor @cervantesdenise

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

LIVING

Four things to know before signing a lease at an apartment

By Ana De Loza Lifestyle Reporter @Sami_loza95 As the spring semester comes to an end, Bobcats are weighing their housing options for the next year.

With multiple off-campus living options, making a final decision can be challenging, but these easy tips can make the search easier.

1. Know ACT Achieving Community Together is a collaborative program between the city of San Marcos and Texas State. The program works to ensure students have an ideal living environment.

Margaret Yackel, off-campus living coordinator, said apartment complexes can become ACT members if they uphold to certain criteria.

“We make sure that they keep their property up, that they pick up their trash and they don’t advertise with alcohol,” Yackel said. “We also go through and check their crime prevention and make sure it’s a safe property.”

Apartment complexes must pass this evaluation every year. Once a complex’s membership with ACT is renewed, it is listed as one of the properties encouraged for students by Texas State.

2. Know the resources The Department of Housing and Residential Life offers many helpful resources for students. Using some of the tools it provides can be helpful in the process of finding an apartment.

The DHRL offers a list of all of the apartments that are ACT members and a detailed spreadsheet showing what each complex offers.

There are a number of other resources provided by DHRL students can explore to choose an apartment and help plan out budgets to accommodate new apartment expenses.

Cabana Beach Apartment’s lounge area March 24. Like many complexes in San Marcos, Cabana Beach is leasing for fall 2017. (TOP)

3. Price One of the biggest concerns students have when deciding where to live is the price of rent.

The apartment complexes under ACT vary in prices. Students should find a complex right for their budgets.

Students who want a lower rate should sign as soon as possible, because the prices for all apartments rise as the semester goes along.

Jeanette Gonzales, CastleRock apartment complex leasing consultant, said many apartments use the tiered system, meaning they are required to raise prices periodically throughout the year.

“With the tiered system we start out

Vista at Plum Creek Apartments March 24 in Kyle, Texas. The Vista offers one to three bedroom apartments. (LEFT) NATHALIE COHETERO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

at one price for the first fifty people,” Gonzales said. “After those first fifty people, the price goes up for the next fifty, and then for the next fifty and so on.”

4. Flood zones San Marcos is known to be prone to flooding. Students should ask if a complex is known to flood and how the

management handles emergencies.

Alexandra Keanini, Aspen apartment complex assistant general manager, said even while being on two flood zones, the complex worked well with students during flooding periods.

“When it flooded, our property was one of the first to respond,” Keanini said. “We had a higher renewal rate the next year because of how well we handled it and how quickly we got student’s apartments fixed and had them move back in.”

PROJECT

Texas State student works to push change among millennials MELISSA UECKERT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

lives and explore solutions to better the community they are a part of,” Wysong said.

Rosemond said MLNNheal is a way to connect with different people and gain different perspectives.

“They can come in, and together we can learn what other people are saying about certain movements; how can they help us out, what privileges do they have that we can gather together and use,” Rosemond said.

Emmy Orioha, political science junior, said Rosemond was great at fostering the environment of the event.

“What Isha did was provide a space for millennials to frankly discuss and share some of our current struggles and ways we view the world today,” Orioha said. “More importantly she provided courses of actions, groups and resources that are out there for people to make changes in their communities.”

Hirrah Barlas, a friend of Rosemond, said she likes the work that MLNNheal is doing, especially for millennials of color.

“We need a space to talk stuff out, share our experiences and figure out how to work toward a society that is better for all of us,” Barlas said. “These events are all about sharing, healing and starting conversations about what we need to do to build a better world.”

Rosemond also got involved with a nonprofit organization, Camp Pericare, when she was asked to help with the creation of the website.

Camp Pericare is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to inspire, empower and improve the lives of the people

of Camp-Perrin in Haiti. The organization focuses on health, education and community development.

Through her involvement with the organization, Rosemond also had the opportunity to travel to Haiti for a month.

Throughout her journey Rosemond hopes to bring awareness to social issues. Rosemond has experienced difficulties, but it isn’t something that stops her from continuing her work.

“I know there are going to be bumps on the road, but I am not worried about that,” Rosemond said. “All they are going to do is make me think about it harder.”

Rosemond said knowing what she is doing is bigger than her, pushes her to keep going.

“I’m trying to make a space where black women can join and realize they are not one of those tropes that people have tried to tie nicely into a box,” Rosemond said. “They are more than that.”

Rosemond said overall she is creating spaces where all people of color can come out, join forces and show they are not worried about what society has depicted them as.

Rosemond said ultimately her works message is to stand united with the majority.

“We all have the power to influence, we just have to sit there and realize we all have different struggles,” Rosemond said. “But if we come together and say I am not going to stand there for you to be abused this way and you’re not going to stand there for me to be exploited this way, then we can easily make a huge difference.”

Isha Rosemond serves as the founder of the MLNN heal open mic, as well as a curator of her own personal brand.

By Paola Esquivel-Oliveros Lifestyle Reporter @paolaoliveros

One Bobcat sparked the initiation of organizations that invoke change by starting conversations and representing understated artists and activists.

Isha Rosemond, English junior, started MLNNheal, a social issue discussion group, is the curator of Prototyp(e) FILM and works for Camp-Pericare, a Haitian non-government organization.

Prototyp(e)FILM is a website which serves to diversely represent African American women, Haitian and black people all over the world. Rosemond began this project last year while living in Austin and noticing the lack of African American artists and activists representation.

“It was something I felt had to be done,” Rosemond said. “I feel like there is this cut-off culture where a black person or any person of color feels they have to represent this culture as a whole, and they carry this responsibility thinking ‘I’m the only one here, I have to do this, I have to act this way’.”

With Prototyp(e)FILM, Rosemond wanted to show black women, simply being black women.

“I wanted to make sure these were black women were connected to their communities and doing something in their communities,” Rosemond said.

The website includes Rosemond’s personally filmed stories of African American artists and activists.

“I feel like art is activism and everybody has to find their place in reforming this social climate, and it doesn’t have to be one where you are out in the streets protesting,” Rosemond said. “That is why I really wanted artists and activists to come forward.”

Rosemond also founded MLNNheal, which is a monthly event held for millennials of color to connect and converse on social issues and exchange solutions.

“I wanted a place were everyone is enjoying music, making films, doing art and talking about real issues and solutions,” Rosemond said.

William L Wysong, Rosemond’s boyfriend and active participant in MLNNheal, said attendees can expect to get a broad spectrum of views and opinions of millennials inside and outside of the university sphere.

“MLNNheal is a great event where millennials of color can speak candidly about issues that affect their everyday

Roommate Date Deal: Two Can Dine Roommate Date Dealfor $9.99 Choose two: small Tropichop or quarter chicken with rice and beans Choose one: regular-sized sweet plantains or fried yucca Plus: 2 fountain drinks.

Two Can Dine for $9.99

Valid through 5/15/17 5/15/2

Coupon Code: 518

6 | Tuesday, April 4, 2017

OPINIONS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

The University Star

ILLUSTRATION BY ISRAEL GONZALEZ

Next year’s student body vice president shouldn’t be calling Angela Davis a terrorist

PRIVACY

The government spying on it's citizens is not safe for anyone

By Carrington Tatum Opinions Columnist @th3unt0uchable Thug, gangster, criminal and terrorist are words the media sometimes uses to describe people of color, and one of these was applied to the renowned and accomplished political activist, Dr. Angela Davis.

The label came from Texas State’s future student body vice president, Colton Duncan, in a Facebook post criticizing her for an upcoming talk on campus. While Duncan isn’t the first person to make shortsighted comments about the legacy of Dr. Davis, the real harm lies in the label of terrorist.

Duncan should not call Dr. Davis a terrorist, because it perpetuates the narrative that black people are dangerous even when they are not.

Mass media has been used to discredit many black historical figures since their prime years in the ’60s and ’70s. This only serves to draw attention to the double standard of how stories are told and the way people are portrayed in the media based on their race.

White Charleston shooter Dylan Roof murdered nine innocent people, Colorado theater shooter James Holmes killed 12 people and Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza murdered 20 children and six adults all while maintaining the descriptions of “lone wolf ” and “victims of mental illness.”

Those domestic terrorists can murder innocent people while Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Trayvon Martin can kill no one, and still die to excessive force.

The media is responsible for the way black people are generally perceived in society, and this portrayal did not start within the past 20 years. “The Birth of a Nation” portrayed a black man as a savage who would only take a break from eating his turkey leg to rape a white woman.

Duncan’s rhetoric is no different; it feeds into the narrative that causes people to view African-Americans as more dangerous than they actually are.

We have to understand when we call Black Lives Matter a terrorist group or say President Trump is the new Hitler, we run the risk of eliciting real fear from people.

Unwarranted fear can cause people to be more hostile toward specific groups and pose a bigger threat to the person they are afraid of. Maybe Trayvon and Tamir would still be alive today if they appeared just a bit less dangerous in the eyes of their killers.

Duncan attempted to justify his attack on Dr. Davis’ character by mentioning she was placed on the FBI’s most wanted list. But if Duncan did his homework, he would know Davis was placed on the list because guns she purchased were used in a hostage situation. She was later tried and acquitted of all charges by an all-white jury.

Duncan stated tuition dollars should not be spent on someone whose “ideologies caused more harm than any war or famine in history.” This seems awfully ironic considering he claimed to be a proponent of free speech and First Amendment rights during his campaign. Surely Duncan isn’t suggesting Davis shouldn’t be considered in conversation, because her Communist ideas don’t agree with his Republican ideas.

Even Duncan’s administration partner, future student body president Connor Clegg, denounced Duncan’s comments. Clegg made it clear Duncan’s comments “speak for neither his own views or the views of the administration.”

I think the lesson we should take from future vice president Duncan’s Facebook post is that it’s never a good idea to speak in hyperbole and superlatives when discussing people because it can associate inaccurate personas that could spur actual danger for those individuals.

-Carrington Tatum is an electronic media freshman

Mikala Everett Opinions Editor @mikala_maquella

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

By Ryan Seidel Opinions Columnist @TruthOf1776 Crime and safety, much like technology has drastically evolved over the course of the past century. The most apparent change is in the distribution of conversation. While Paul Revere warned of the approaching British by word of mouth, email and a plethora of messaging apps allow communication to transcend distance, and in some cases language.

In October 2001, as part of the terrible aftermath of 9/11, President George W. Bush signed into effect the United States Patriot Act. Under the guise of “uniting and strengthening America by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism,” the U.S. government now has the power to legally intercept any and all digital information under the pretense of safety. This ranges from wiretapping to redirecting Internet usage.

Ten years later, President Barack Obama extended on the power and

The CIA, through power given by past presidents, can archive and manage any individual’s entire digital profile and do what they want with information gathered without the consent of the person. scope of the act to target “lone wolf ” terrorism. People were, and still are, understandably fearful that the government would indict them for non-terror related actions discovered through this form of espionage. They were correct for worrying.

WikiLeaks March 8 compiled and dumped several thousand files relating to the CIA and its spying capabilities.

Vault 7 organizes massive amounts of documents that touch on a num-

ber of topics: the CIA’s capability to mimic foreign hackers and give reason to sanction nations, their ability to board and monitor any device with internet capabilities and the fact that companies which produce these products were made aware of weaknesses in designs and paid to not fix them.

The CIA, through power given by past presidents, can archive and manage any individual’s entire digital profile and do what they want with information gathered without the consent of the person.

“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety,” said Benjamin Franklin.

The darkest future would be one in which the population willingly sacrifices its ability to conduct business in private on the notion that the government would not and could not protect them otherwise. The government needs to stop spying on its citizens under the guise of protecting them.

- Ryan Siedel is a business information sophomore

OP-ED

We must make college affordable

By U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett

When I spoke at Texas State’s student convocation last August, I met hardworking and passionate students who deserve support that allows them to thrive. While spring break can provide a rest from studying and midterms, the reprieve most students need is a break from school loans. We must make college affordable.

Lowering costs: Last November, Lyndon B. Johnson’s Higher Education Act celebrated its 50th anniversary. President Johnson described this first piece of federal legislation to reduce the cost of education as ensuring the “path of knowledge is open to all that have the determination to walk it.” While it improved college affordability at the time, half a century later, far too many of our students face financial barriers to furthering their education—and many of those who do make it to college leave with a mountain of debt. Student debt nationwide now totals more than one trillion dollars, surpassing even credit card debt.

Tax credit for higher education: To lower the debt burden, I helped successfully pass the American Opportunity Tax Credit to save students and families up to $10,000 on tuition, textbooks and other fees. Aptly known as the “More Education” tax credit since 2009, the credit has helped millions of students and working families pay for college. This year, I introduced legislation to allow Pell Grant recipients to receive the full tax benefit of this credit, increase the credit’s lifetime maximum limit and provide more help to those who most need it.

Simplifying student aid: Many students and their parents are too discouraged by the price tag of college to even apply. For many that do apply, they find FAFSA too complicated to complete. This means they lose access to the available aid for which they qualify. It can mean the difference between going to your college of choice or even going to college at all. Students who do not complete FAFSA leave millions in federal assistance

Classifieds

Shuttle Bus Drivers needed for San Marcos area. CDL with passenger endorsement required. Start immediately. Contact Cory 314-422-2020.

unclaimed. To lower financial barriers so students can achieve their full Godgiven potential, I am introducing the Equitable Student Aid Access Act. FAFSA improvements: My new bill, like my prior successful FAFSA legislation, is designed to take the next step in removing unnecessary obstacles to ease access to student financial aid.

All students who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, for example, would be able to complete a shorter form FAFSA to access the full Pell Grant amount. Ensuring that our most vulnerable students get the grant money they deserve without answering burdensome asset-based questions removes a significant barrier to college access. The bill also mandates that FAFSA be available earlier, in October instead of January, and broadens access by restoring the eligibility cap for the full Pell Grant to all of those with the qualifying family income level that applied through 2011.

More work remains: I have been working with the IRS and the Department of Education to restore a critical tool on the FAFSA website that allows tax information to be automati-

cally populated into the form. I have spoken out against President Trump’s proposed budget cuts, including slashing funding for the Department of Education by 13.5 percent. We need to invest in education and in our students just as they are investing in us and in our communities. I have always enjoyed participating in Bobcat Build throughout the years, and am constantly amazed by the dedication to service Texas State students have for their communities. This year was no different. While you continue to work hard to serve your community, I will continue to serve you.

Truly making America great depends on the next generation of welleducated, empowered citizens. Helping students get a break is something we should all be able to support.

Let me hear from you – you can email me at Lloyd.Doggett@mail. house.gov. If you are interested in an internship in either my Austin or DC office, please indicate your interest and send your resume, writing sample, and three references to Lloyd.Doggett@ mail.house.gov.

The University Star

OPINIONS

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 | 7

By John Lee Opinions Columnist @ leeeeyonce President Donald Trump’s Twitter account has almost 30 million followers, and the mass media coverage of the Executive Branch is unprecedented.

The presidential platform is enormous and should be used to communicate important issues and establish transparency between the American people and their leader.

However, it has been used inappropriately for the first family’s personal gain, specifically concerning Ivanka Trump’s fashion line.

Ivanka Trump’s fashion line experienced a major boycott due to her father’s hateful rhetoric against women in his campaign. The “Grab Your Wallet,” campaign calls for people to distance themselves from any company in relations to the Trump family. Ironically, the campaign name was inspired by President Trump’s infamous comments about women.

Through this boycott, companies such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus have decided to stop selling Ivanka Trump’s line of merchandise. However, despite these boycotts, the line is doing exponentially well online and continues to break company records.

According to Lyst, an e-commerce aggregator, Ivanka Trump’s sales increased 346 percent from January to February. It was ranked number 550 in sales and jumped to number 11 in a month.

“Since the beginning of February, they were some of the best performing weeks in the history of the brand,” said Abagail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump line for an interview in Refinery29. For several different retailers, Ivanka Trump was a top performer online, and in some of the categories it was the best performance ever.’’

This spike was at the same time Kellyanne Conway, presidential advisor, encouraged Americans to buy “Ivanka’s stuff.” Conway’s free promotion of a business directly benefiting members of the Trump administration is ethically dishonest and should be con-

MENTAL HEALTH

Ivanka Trump should not use the presidential platform for personal business ILLUSTRATION BY ISRAEL GONZALEZ

demned. The American people deserve to have their communication free of all ulterior motives—especially if it is for the personal gain of a party meant to be serving them.

Twitter has been a platform both President Trump and Ivanka Trump have used to bring attention to the line.

Trump criticized Nordstrom on his account for discontinuing his daughter’s line. Before the election was finalized, Ivanka Trump used her father’s politi-

LGBTQIA

Mack Beggs has made history and changed the transgender community for the better

By Rachael Shah @rachaelshah Opinion Columnist Mack Beggs is a 17-year-old transgender student who recently gained national attention after he was faced with an uncompromising choice: to wrestle against girls or quit the sport he loves.

Despite popular opinion, Beggs chose to wrestle and potentially enact policies that would recognize the 1.4 million transgender Americans.

Prior to the Texas state-wrestling tournament, Beggs asked if he could wrestle in the boys division since that

“Trump is leaving so many variables out.

Who is going to protect these kids in school who have to watch their back every single day?”

-Mack Beggs is the gender he identifies with. The University Interscholastic League denied Beggs’ request due to a UIL policy that requires athletes to “compete against the gender listed on his or her birth certificate.”

During the competition, Beggs decided to halt the transitioning process and lowered his testosterone intake in order to be fairer to his female opponents. Despite his recent victory, Beggs has received harsh criticism, and several of Beggs’ female opponents even decided to forfeit because they didn’t feel comfortable wrestling

Mikala Everett Opinions Editor @mikala_maquella

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

against him.

Lisa Latham, the mother of a female wrestler who lost to Beggs, called the match “completely unfair,” but acknowledged the match as a “no-win” situation for him.

“Mack wants to wrestle boys and he’ll never be recognized as a boy because of the birth certificate in the state of Texas. And female wrestlers don’t have a chance,” Latham said.

Fortunately, Latham’s statement is proving to be false after USA Wrestling caught wind of Beggs’ situtation.

For the first time in history, USA Wrestling has decided to enact a transgender policy that will allow those who are transgender to wrestle in the division they self-identify with.

According to Dallas News, the policy states “Those who have undergone puberty and are transitioning from female to male are required to wrestle in the boys division if they self-identify as male. For those transitioning from male to female, to wrestle as a female the person must self-identify as a female and keep testosterone levels under a certain threshold, which may be monitored by testing.”

The fact USA Wrestling has recognized the transgender community is a huge step in the right direction—especially since Trump recently denounced protection against transgender students.

“It’s ridiculous and dangerous,” Beggs said, regarding the regression of transgender rights. “Trump is leaving so many variables out. Who is going to protect these kids in school who have to watch their back every single day?”

Thankfully, Beggs is continuing to fight for the rights of transgender individuals. At just 17-years-old, Beggs made a tough decision that ultimately spoke for millions of individuals who are currently fighting for equal rights.

Beggs encourages those individuals struggling with gender dysphonia to “never give up.”

“There are so many variables and people just don’t understand that. My masculinity doesn’t define who I am. I define who I am.”

Under this rhetoric, I hope transgender individuals will receive the protection and recognition they deserve.

-Rachael Shah is an electronic media junior

cal platform to encourage followers to buy the dress she wore to the Republican National Convention.

Is it no coincidence the sales of her line rise in numbers the same month Donald Trump and Conway speak positively about Ivanka Trump’s brand.

These two important political figures have used their influence and platform to benefit a company with direct ties to the Trump family business.

Although Ivanka Trump has tem-

porarily taken a leave of absence as president of the line, it is not enough reassurance. She continues to play a role in the White House, and it is for that reason Ivanka Trump should actively condemn these actions for the sake of the American people. Free advertisements have no place in the White House.

John Lee is a marketing freshman

POLITICS

Trump should not cut AmeriCorps’s funding

By Amanda Heileman Special to the Star @busybeeamanda President Donald Trump wants to eliminate AmeriCorps, a national volunteer service program that receives widespread bipartisan support and is a subset of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

AmeriCorps consists of Americans who dedicate their time and skills to get things done for a small financial stipend and a large social impact.

More than 80,000 people join AmeriCorps each year and address issues ranging from supporting veterans and military families to environmental conservation, economic opportunity, disaster relief and education efforts.

I joined AmeriCorps in 2013, and I remember how it took three days to teach Fernando how to use a compass.

I remember how excited I was when he finally understood the needle only points north instead of in the direction you want to go.

I remember when I took my group of five girls outside on our last day together, and they asked me to explain what a menstrual period was because their mothers wouldn’t talk about it with them and they felt uncomfortable asking their teachers.

Trump wants to completely eliminate funding for AmeriCorps and 18 other federal government agencies in order to increase military spending. Republicans signed a letter asking Trump not to eliminate AmeriCorps because the public-private partnership actually saves taxpayers money, and 78 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats both strongly support investing tax dollars into national volunteer service. In addition to this, eliminating and steeply cutting funds to the programs proposed in Trump’s budget plan could cut 100,000-200,000 federal civilian jobs that benefit the

U.S. economy.

Trump also claims he will “redefine the proper role of the government.”

To him, this means reducing involvement in domestic areas, and putting that money into the military to protect Americans. At face value, this sounds perfectly fine; I understand people want to feel safe and keep more of their hard-earned money for themselves and their family instead of going to organizations that serve the community.

I want safety and prosperity just as much as the next American, but I also believe in supporting communities and providing resources all citizens need to thrive.

Using the tools and resources given to her through government aid, my mother was able to break the cycle of poverty—not just for herself, but for all of her children. AmeriCorps did the same thing for me. I am proud to say that I am a first-generation college student, but I am even more proud of the work I was able to do inspiring middle-school-aged kids to break the cycle as well.

AmeriCorps gave me the opportunity to mentor young people who were experiencing similar challenges I once faced myself, and to encourage them that even when they have nothing, they can achieve success.

Trump’s budget plan singles out Americans who need our help the most. AmeriCorps provides resources that allow people to break through challenging life circumstances and the cycle of poverty.

AmeriCorps inspires young people, provides workforce development opportunities and helps local communities thrive. To defund or divest a program that benefits so many in order to increase an already massive military budget would not only be nonsensical, but un-American.

8 | Tuesday, April 4, 2017

OPINIONS

The University Star Mikala Everett Opinions Editor @mikala_maquella

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

FROM FRONT SATIRE

Depression—just get over it

By May Olvera Opinions Columnist @yungfollowill Last semester,I found myself in a rut. I stayed in bed for days, had zero motivation to do anything productive and found myself questioning the purpose of life more than the average, post-modern college student. I was depressed, until I got some life-changing advice.

I never asked for his help, but out of the kindness of his heart, an acquaintance offered me brilliant advice.

“Just get over it,” said my profoundly knowledgeable acquaintance.

As I processed his advice I began to wonder why both my psychologist and my psychiatrist kept this secret hidden

from me for months. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on professional help, I could have used that money for motivational posters as reminders that the chemical imbalance in my brain is actually just my fault.

According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance approximately 14.8 million American adults have chosen to live lifestyles of depression.

I can only hope that someday they receive the same groundbreaking advice that I did.

The truth is, those 14.8 million adults choose to be selfish. Instead of being depressed, they could just think about all the people that have it worse than them. Mental illness is, in fact, a competition.

I found a great website about a book

called “Depression Is A Choice” with plenty of Do’s and Don’ts to instantly get better. The overly saturated, early 2000s layout was enough to get my serotonin levels pumping.

“Don’t talk in a weak, sad voice; Get some jokes off the Internet and tell them to somebody,” wrote A.B. Curtis, the author of the book. “Or tell them to yourself. Laugh out loud. It doesn’t matter if it is a fake laugh.”

If you already feel worthless and miserable, the next step is to Google some bad jokes and force yourself and others to awkwardly fake laugh without inflicting more self-loathing. What could go wrong?

Another great tip is to go ahead and throw out your eyeliner, all of your Nirvana albums and every article of

black clothing you own. It turns out that only people who fit a very specific aesthetic can choose depression, so put on your armor of neon colors or pastels and play Spotify’s “Happy Chill Good Time Vibes” playlist repeatedly.

This way you can just trick depression into totally ignoring you in the first place.

Most importantly, remember that every person who has chosen depression needs to hear your opinion about his or her mental health. It might not seem like they appreciate it at first, but they just need to get over it.

- May Olvera is a journalism junior

CHILDREN

Fostering a better relationship between foster kids and the media

By Jakob Rodriguez Opinions Columnist @JakobRyRod Foster children have been portrayed in movies and television shows as rogue, mysterious and badass. Often, these kids are branded heroes for disobeying the status quo and making their own rules as they go along.

Not only does this paint a bad image for the community, but propagates a false narrative of what foster care is really like.

“The only thing I could think to do was to welcome them into my gingerbread home that smelled like cookies, where I thought everything was perfect,” said Michelle Burnette, a foster parent for more than 40 kids over the course of 15 years in an interview with NPR. “Instead of that happening, I was met with ‘don’t touch me,’ ‘you’re not my mommy,’ and these screams.

And I started to panic, thinking to myself ‘I want my own mommy.’”

The media chooses to ignore the reality foster families face, allowing room

for movies and television shows to subjectively brand foster kids—truthful or not.

“They don’t understand that these kids have lost everything,” said Burnette.

In movies and television, foster kids are represented in a series of unfortunate events and they bounce from system to system, family to family.

Reporters and writers focus on the negative when addressing foster care.

However, not every foster kid is on the run, wearing a leather jacket, or found in a cage awaiting the police or Child Protective Services.

According to children’s rights.org, there are nearly half a million children in foster care in the United States. Yet, these children are not involved in the decisions made about their lives.

Not all foster parents are in it for the money, and what aid they do receive is to help support the child. The process of becoming a foster parent is long and hard. In Texas alone, there are 16 basic requirements all potential foster parents need to complete before the

set your summer

ILLUSTRATION BY HALEY PRIETO

interview and visitation process.

While it is important we focus on the injustices some foster children face, creating a caricature of them in the media is dangerous. Movies such as “August Rush,” “Gracie’s Choice” and “The Space Between Us” paint foster care and adoption in the wrong light

by not focusing on family reunions or adoptions.

Children need the help and support from individuals such as Burnette and cannot depend solely on themselves in order to truly be “badass.”

- Jakob R. Rodriguez is a journalism freshman

free!

Move in as early as July 15 and spend the rest of your summer worrying about anything else. th

TheLocalSanMarcos.com LEASING OFFICE: 306 N. Edward Gary St. | Suite A San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: 512.504.7686

The University Star

SPORTS

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 | 9 Lisette Lopez Sports Editor @lisette_1023

UniversityStar.com @universitystar

BASKETBALL

Ojai ‘The Juice Man’ Black: perseverance, determination, hard work

By Melea Polk Sports Reporter @meleadenae Ojai Black's blood, sweat and tears were well worth his time as a Texas State basketball player.

Coming from McLennan Community College, Black did not find his fit right away. After preparation and building his confidence, the Killeen native went from averaging 1.3 points per game with 0.7 assists to 8 points per game and 4 assists.

“I had to mature, develop and become a smarter basketball player,” Black said.

With over 140 assists in one season, Black earned himself a top ten spot in the program’s history. With two seasons at Texas State under his belt, it was only right for the senior to step up and take a leadership role on the team.

Black accepted the challenge and helped lead the team during the season, the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

Head Coach Danny Kaspar continually calls Black an outstanding leader and defensive player. “Coming from him, that is great, because he has been doing this for a long time,” Black said. “It is an honor to hear that out of Coach Kaspar’s mouth.”

Black is used to being underestimated by others, and it is what has motivated him throughout the season. When Texas State was voted to finish last in the conference, it did not sit well with him.

“When I saw that we were picked 12th, I felt disrespected,” Black said.

STAR FILE PHOTO

“I took that to heart, and realized that we were going to have to work hard to prove them wrong.”

It looked a little shaky in the beginning, but Black held faith in the team.

He had no idea that they would go so

We knew we could do “something special, but I had no clue how special.

”

-Ojai Black

far into the postseason. Believing in himself and everyone else was the key.

“We did not have a picture of what we were going to look like early on,” Black said. “January rolled around and everything just began to click. We knew we could do something special, but I had no clue how special.”

With the underclassmen taking over when he leaves, Black has great expectations. Along with the rest of the team, Black has helped create a new tone for the Bobcats and the upcoming seasons.

“For sure we set a new tone, considering the shape the program was previously in, and how it has turned in one year,” Black said. “I feel like we set a great example for the new guys, so they will be OK.” He is looking for teammates like Nijal Pearson, freshman guard, Nedeljko Prijovic, freshman forward, and Marlin Davis, freshman guard, to step up as leaders due to experience they were able to gain this season.

“Of course Pearson, Prijovic, and Davis, considering they are the ones who have played the most out of the new guys,” Black said. “They just have to work hard and buy into what Kaspar is selling.”

Black summed up his entire Texas State experience in a few words: perseverance, determination and hard work.

The health and fitness management major will graduate this fall with hopes of taking his basketball career to the next level.

GOLF

Chase Ambrose: A passion for the green

By Anthony Flores Sports Reporter @BornToRun19 Being a successful athlete goes beyond practice and preparation; it requires a love of the sport: a love Chase Ambrose demonstrates on the green.

Hailing from Katy, a small-but-growing town with a population of 15,013, the sophomore attended Seven Lakes High School before becoming a Bobcat.

Attending Texas State wasn’t a difficult decision for Ambrose. Even before making his decision, he had ties to the school.

‘I feel more accomplished when I play well. All the hard work pays off.’

-Chase Ambrose

“My dad went here, way back when, when it was named Southwest Texas,” Ambrose said. “I just love the campus; I love the area.”

Ambrose was introduced to the game of golf by his father and grandparents.

Growing up, Ambrose played almost every sport except golf, but that changed when he began middle school.

“I grew up playing every sport besides golf, basically,” Ambrose said. “I started playing golf in like the seventh or eighth grade.”

It was during his freshman year of high school he fully committed to the sport of golf.

“When I got to my freshman year of high school, I had a choice: I could either be on varsity golf as a freshman, or I could play other sports and then play

JV golf,” Ambrose said. “That’s when I decided just to play golf, and that was the last time I played any other sport.”

Ambrose enjoys the mental and physical challenges of the game as well as the unpredictability of it. These factors played a big part, if not the biggest part, in why he chose to commit to golf.

“It’s more challenging, ‘cause no matter how much you practice or whatnot, you can still have a different outcome,” Ambrose said. “It’s tough, like I could be hitting the ball great, I could go out there and shoot a lot higher than I would think I’d shoot, or I could go out there and hit the ball bad: you never know.”

More than anything, Ambrose gets satisfaction from when he’s able to take his hard work and practice, and translate it into success on the links.

“I feel more accomplished when I play well. All the hard work pays off,” Ambrose said.

Golf requires consistent practice and focus, which is something the sophomore welcomes openly.

“In another sport, you know you can practice a bunch, take a month off, and go right back to it,” Ambrose said. “You take a week off from golf, and you’re out there like ‘how do I hit the ball straight again?’”

Though it’s a sport that centers squarely on individual play, Ambrose enjoys the camaraderie that comes from the team aspect of golf.

“It feels great when you’re out there playing good, especially when you’re playing with the team and you put a good number in,” Ambrose said.

When taking a break, he enjoys hanging out with his fellow teammates. On their days off, the teammates do things together, but even when taking a break from the sport, golf occasionally comes up.

“When we have like a day off or something, we go out and float as a team. There’s like another driving range close, but that’s golf outside of golf,” Ambrose said. “This semester we would get Tuesdays off, so on Monday nights the whole team would go bowling.”

When it comes to being a sports fan, Chase is very much in a committed relationship with the city of Houston.

“Houston all around: Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, boom, 100 percent,” Ambrose said. “I kind of like the whole Rockets team but obviously, James Harden is the best.”

With two years left at Texas State, Ambrose has time to weigh his plans for the future, including going pro or not.

“I’ve put a lot of thought, and I have two more years of college,” Ambrose said. “I’ve got to see if I still love it enough. You’ve got to love it cause you’re spending a lot of time on yourself practicing and traveling. If you love to do it it’s perfect; if not, you’re wasting your time.”

Should things not go as planned with golf, Ambrose intends to use his finance degree to follow a path like that of his father, a financial advisor for Morgan

As you might expect, the people involved in developing new medicines wear lots of different hats. What you might not expect is that one of those hats could be one like you might wear. The professionals at PPD have been working with healthy volunteers— people like you— for more than thirty years.

You can be compensated when you participate in a medically supervised research study to help

Stanley.

At 20, Ambrose is making the most of his time at Texas State, creating memories and finding his own path in life.

evaluate a new investigational medication at PPD. So when you volunteer to help create new medications at PPD, everyone wins.

Learn how you can benefit while helping improve life for all of us by volunteering at PPD. Go online or give us a call today for more information. You’ll find studies to fit most any schedule listed here weekly.

CURRENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES You must meet certain requirements to qualify, including a free medical exam and screening tests.

AGE

COMPENSATION

REQUIREMENTS

TIMELINE

Men and Women 18 to 45

Up to $2800

Healthy & Non-Smoking BMI 18 - 30

Men and Women 18 to 50

Up to $1500

Healthy & Tue. 4/11 - Thu. 4/13 Non-Smoking Tue. 4/18 - Thu. 4/20 BMI 18 - 30

Men and Women 18 to 55

Up to $3000

Fri. 4/7 - Sun. 4/9 Thu. 4/20 - Sat. 4/22 5 Outpatient Visits

Healthy & Thu. 4/13 - Sat. 4/15 Non-Smoking Thu. 4/20 - Sat. 4/22 BMI 20 - 30 6 Outpatient Visits Weight 132 - 198 lbs.

800-866-0492

Text “PPD” to 66746 to receive study information

ppdi.com

Lock in your housing before Summer break!

PRIVATE BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

FURNISHED & UNFURNISHED UNITS AVAILABLE

SWIMMING POOL WITH SUN DECK

AMENITIES FOR A FIT & HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

GATED COMMUNITY

PET FRIENDLY WITH ON-SITE DOG PARK

INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY LEASES

ROOMMATE MATCHING AVAILABLE

a

ck

Av

e N LB

Cr

o dd

JD r

BISHOPS SQUARE

Ol d Ra nc h Ro ad 12

Apply online today at

AMERICANCAMPUS.COM M

oo

re

E Hopkin

St

St ins pk Ho W

AMERICANCAMPUS.COM Fees & amenities subject to change.

Limited time only. See office for details.

PROUD MEMBER OF ACT ALLY

ity Dr

Save $350 with zero down

Univers

S LBJ Dr

OFFICIAL STUDENT HOUSING PARTNER OF TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS

s St