August 28, 2018 by The University Star

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

Volume 108, Issue 01

Back to School Special Edition LIFE & ARTS Meet Texas State's famous faces |PAGE 6|

Mermaid statues find homes around town |PAGE 6|

HOUSING

Housing department overbooks dorms

OPINIONS The Iconic Village fire is a tragedy without an easy solution |PAGE 10|

Hiring an immigration attorney the right call |PAGE 11|

SPORTS Volleyball looking to finish what they started |PAGE 13|

Sports Editor's Column: Don't give up on the 'Cats just yet

Students were assigned to either The Local, an apartment building off campus, (left) or to converted study rooms on campus (right) after Texas State overbooked dorms. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CARRINGTON J. TATUM

|PAGE 13|

SEE HOUSING PAGE 3

ARRESTS

Months following arrests, students await court date By Sandra Sadek Assistant News Editor

In the aftermath of the spring student sit-in arrests, four students await court dates as local law enforcement builds cases. The arrests of Journey Carnahan, Nayir ZieraFreeman, Russell Boyd II and Madison Houser stem from the April 12 53-hour student sit-in protest over the Student Government Senate's inability to reach quorum for the impeachment of former Student Government President Connor Clegg, who was later found guilty on six articles of impeachment, including misuse of Student

Government social media to call for the defunding of The University Star. As a part of the protest, students blocked a University Police Department vehicle escorting senators and cabinet members from leaving, which led to warrants issued for arrests. No students were arrested at the scene, but all four of the arrested were later charged with two Class B Misdemeanors of Obstruction of Highway and Interference with Public Duties. As a part of the protest, students blocked a University Police Department vehicle escorting senators and cabinet members from

Sue Taylor, University Police officer, mediates a conversation between students and UPD. PHOTO BY CARRINGTON J. TATUM

leaving, which led to warrants issued for arrests. No students were arrested at the scene, but all four of the arrested were later charged with two Class

B Misdemeanors of Obstruction of Highway and Interference with Public Duties.

SEE ARRESTS PAGE 5

LAWSUIT

More plaintiffs join lawsuit against Iconic Village

Iconic Village Apartments in the aftermath of the July 20 apartment fire. PHOTO BY CAMERON HUBBARD

By Christopher Green News Reporter Weeks after the July 20 apartment blaze, five plaintiffs cited negligence and wrongful death in a lawsuit directed at Iconic Village Apartment's managers and owners. The lawsuit was first filed by Phillip Miranda, father of deceased fire victim James Miranda. According to the amended petition filed in the Travis County District Court, the most recent plaintiffs to join the lawsuit are Iconic Village residents Abril Cardenas, Christina Martinez, Benjamin Munoz and Pablo Torres. Four of the plaintiffs were at the complex when the fire broke out and have joined the lawsuit because of consequential injuries, including broken bones. Munoz and Cardenas were trapped by flames in a second apartment floor and jumped from a second story window to escape the fire. As a result, Plaintiffs Munoz and Cardenas suffered severe injuries including a broken leg, broken ankle, as well as injuries to their backs, neck, and other parts of their bodies. Torres and Martinez also suffered injuries as they escaped the flames.

SEE LAWSUIT PAGE 4

ATTORNEY

University hires part-time immigration attorney By Katie Burrell Managing Editor University President Denise Trauth announced the hiring of a part-time immigration attorney months after student protests demanded the position be filled. During the President's Convocation Aug. 24, Trauth confirmed Austinbased Attorney Mark Kinzler was selected to fill the position out of 25 applicants and will start in September. Kinsler interviewed for the position in July after taking part in the university's April 18 pro-bono day, where three immigration lawyers were on campus for legal consulting. “My practice is made up of 50 percent defense for people against deportation,” Kinzler said. “I became interested in this position after I was invited for pro bono day.” Kinzler has worked in immigration law for 15 years and is bilingual in English and Spanish. “I’ve been spending time with the people here and everyone seems fantastic," Kinzler said during his interview with students. "Let’s get the job done. My approach is that we have serious stuff to do, but we have to be lighthearted together. If it’s too tense here we won’t achieve." Before being hired, Kinzler, one of three finalists, underwent a public interview July 24 and answered questions from students, faculty and staff in the LBJ Student Center. That same day, Kinzler was interviewed by the Office of the Attorney for Students, a special advisory committee and other administrative officials at the university.

SEE ATTORNEYPAGE 3

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Editor-in-Chief: Carrington Tatum, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Katie Burrell, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Sawyer Click, starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Diana Furman, lifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Zach Ienatsch, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: John Paul Mason II, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Gloria Rivera, stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Cameron Hubbard, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Tyler Hernandez, starsocial@txstate.edu

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About Us History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 5,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung. Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, August 28, 2018. 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. 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 universitystar.com

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government cabinet New agriculture picks to be confirmed this fall master, first of its kind

Vice President of Finance Jake Negvesky, Director of Marketing Alyssa Wakefield and Chief of Staff Collin Pruett. Shifting into those new roles are Adrian Cooper, biology senior and Texas State College Republicans president, as director of finance; Monnette Villareal, biochemistry senior, as director of marketing; Matthew Gonzales, physics senior and member of the 2018-19 Common Experience Committee, as chief of staff; and Brenda Zoltan, international studies sophomore and former senator. Legislation will be presented at Student Government's first meeting of the semester, with the confirmation hearing expected to happen the following week, according to Boreing. Gallardo said much of the change to come in Student Government is actually just reverting back to proper operating procedures. "The cabinet being delayed was the best decision for everybody," Gallardo said. "This summer, everyone went back and read. We were all given the codes, we were all given the legislation, but we all have that "follow the leader" mentality." Student Government meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in LBJ's Teaching Theatre. Constituents are encouraged by representatives to attend meetings and voice any concerns.

By Jakob Rodriguez News Reporter

By Triston Giesie News Reporter The College of Agriculture is rolling out a new Integrated Agriculture Master this fall, the first of its kind in the state. Enrolled students will be exposed to multiple disciplines instead of specializing in a particular field. This degree has received support from government officials, post-secondary educators and the professional industry. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said with one in every seven Texans employed in agriculture, students choosing a career in this path must find a way to get ahead. “A broad-based agriculture degree like this one, that includes economics, marketing and land use strategies might just provide that edge," Miller said. "Texas is a national leader in agriculture and I strongly support graduating a new generation of farmers and ranchers ready to take on the future.” This innovative degree plan has been authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and will allow students to receive a masters in science. Madan Dey, dean of the Department of Agriculture Arts, said students will learn about production, genetics, markets, soil, among other topics. "This program is in response to the demand for students who can more appropriately handle the complex agricultural needs of the modern industry," Dey said. “No others give an integrated approach that gives a comprehensive dictation.” Students have also been receptive of the degree. Students like Collin Hays who graduated from his undergraduate studies decided to stay at the university and pursue the degree. “I really appreciate the option to spend time building a wider range of knowledge and skills set rather than narrowing my focus too much on one aspect of this industry,” Hayes said.

"Texas is a national leader in agriculture and I strongly support graduating a new generation of farmers and ranchers ready to take on the future.” -Sid Miller Hayes is looking forward to furthering his education and receiving exposure to a number of different areas of interest. He feels like it will prepare him for the ever-evolving job market. “With integrated agricultural sciences, I can still focus a good part of my time and energy on animal science while connecting the dots with how that field is related to so many others in agriculture because the different branches of science in agriculture are highly interdependent,” Hayes said. Dianne Countryman, the Agronomy Division Manager at Hansen AgriPlacement, a professional agricultural agency, sees countless resumes from all types of applicants. After 12 years in the agricultural job-finding industry, she has learned what her clients are looking for. “What I’ve found is a broad-based degree is essential to have because it shows you’re invested in and passionate about your career path,” Countryman said. Countryman said this degree offers a similar approach by exposing students to several different practices in their studies. “These kinds of applicants are highly sought after,” Countryman said. “I can’t say enough about those students that have taken the time to do this.”

Student Government President Brooklyn Boreing's cabinet members are expected to be confirmed during the first few weeks of school, with additional prospects announced following the resignation of some cabinet members. Earlier this spring, Student Government members postponed the confirmation of 2018-19 Student Government President Brooklyn Boreing's cabinet members, with some senators contributing postponement votes to a lack of time to thoroughly vet the nominations. Graduate House Representative Anthony Gallardo said postponing the confirmation was crucial to mending Student Government's lack of oversight and accountability. "We did not have the oversight necessary over the past year or two to make sure that (platform or cabinet members' confirmations) would go through the proper channels," Gallardo said. Though not vetted, Boreing compiled a list of prospective cabinet members to be confirmed. During the summer, four of those prospective members unofficially resigned from Boreing’s cabinet and will not return: Director of Freshman Leadership Kyle Thompson,

Boreing's prospective cabinet picks Chief of Staff: Matthew Gonzales Director of Programs: Kara Brookbank Director of Marketing: Monnette Villarreal Director of Finance: Adrian Cooper Director of Governmental Affairs: Alison Castillo Director of Student Services: Lacie Aden Director of Diversity & Outreach: Keyonte Simmons Director of Freshmen Leadership: Brenda Zoltan Graduate House Leader: Maël Le Noc Chief Justice: To be determined

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FROM FRONT ATTORNEY Kinzler's position will function the same as other attorney's in the office: he will not be available as a lawyer but will be able to assist with legal advice, contracts, DACA renewals and visa applications, according to Kama Davis, an attorney in the Office of the Attorney for Students. For those interested in making an appointment, Kinzler will be available at the start of the semester.

"September 4, there will be a Pro Bono Day on immigration law at the Attorney for Students office wherein students can to sign up and for immigration law consultations," Davis stated in an email. Davis, alongside Director of the Office of the Attorney for Students Shannon FitzPatrick, said they began wanting to hire an immigration attorney years ago. They attribute the success in hiring someone to the spring student

sit-in protest where a list of demands were to be met by the university: the hiring of an immigration attorney, the impeachment of former Student Government President Connor Clegg, and timelines for the creation of Latinx Studies and African American Studies minors. "This position was really born from an idea from the students," Fitzpatrick said."There are a lot of positions that

need funding and we were in line. Its because of the students who sat down and said this is something that we want. That moved us up several notches. This office was started in 1973 by students." Students can make an appointment with the Office of the Attorney for Students by contacting 512.245.2370 or visiting the office in the LBJ Student Center at 5-1.5.

FROM FRONT HOUSING

Students forced into temporary housing to keep dorm rates low By Evelin Garcia News Reporter With a growing student population, the Department of Housing and Residential Life at Texas State acknowledged to overbooking student housing on campus, citing it as necessary to keep rates lower. Each semester DHRL accepts more housing contracts from incoming freshman than the department can permanently house, according to Director of DHRL Rosanna Proite. As a result, incoming freshmen who submitted late contracts have been placed in temporary housing, which range from a study room rigged to mimic a typical dorm, sharing a room with a resident assistant, or living off campus in an apartment complex. Proite said overbooking dorm contracts is normal at public universities and is necessary for budgetary reasons. “This is a very common practice and part of it is budget driven,” Proite said. “If I don’t overbook then I would have to charge everybody more money to start with because I have to make up that difference (for students with housing contracts who didn’t show up.) Without knowing how many people are going to show up, we still have to hire custodians, RA’s, buy toilet paper and pay the light bill.” This summer, DHRL accepted 500 more contracts than they had permanent

rooms for. One of those 500 is Madeline Sims, an incoming exercise and sports science freshman placed in temporary housing with her resident assistant. “I thought I was coming to a roommate and make a friend," Sims said. "My RA is nice, but we’re not the same age and there’s nothing we can do together. I would have liked to come up here and settle down. My family will have to come and help me move again.” For those living in study rooms, former Chautauqua Hall resident assistant Alexis Markowitz said the windows are lined with paper and the room is treated as a typical dorm room, with half the space of one. “They used the study room as a room," Markowitz said. "They brought in a bed, a desk (and) everything that comes in a dorm room, with just half the space of a traditional room. The study room doors were glass, so we had to put black butcher paper over the door so people couldn’t see over the door. It was an inconvenience.” The students selected for temporary housing submitted their housing contracts to DHRL late. After the submission, students had to wait until early August to hear from DHRL about their housing assignment, if they heard at all. Victoria Caballero, advertising and mass communications freshman, was placed at the Local Downtown Apartments by DHRL as a part of a lease

between Texas State and the apartments to house 40-50 overflow freshmen. For Caballero's apartment, this includes a private room and bathroom to herself. Her three other roommates, which includes two more freshmen and a junior, have the same layout. On campus, Lauren Maldonado, social work freshman, lives in a study room in her dorm with another freshman roommate and said she didn't know she was placed there until she moved in. Maldonado's room is adjacent to the common area of the dorm and she said the noise can be cumbersome, and the lack of closet and desk space can be frustrating. Caballero, Maldonado, and other freshmen in temporary housing did not have a say in where they were temporarily housed. Caballero said Texas State did not tell her she was placed in off-campus housing or in temporary housing altogether. Instead, Caballero learned of her housing condition after her roommates contacted her to introduce themselves. "No one called me," Caballero said. "I found out from (my roommates). I was excited that I got my own (room and bathroom), but it's a farther walk. I saw the study room, like a picture, and I did not want to be living in it." Students living at the Local pay the same rate as students living in Tower on campus and signed a year lease with the apartment, according to Caballero and

her roommates. Maldonado said DHRL told her she may be moved after her first semester but nothing was guaranteed. "The fee students in temporary housing pay is the lowest rate the DHRL has, they’re paying what everyone would pay in a traditional original hall," Proite said. "Those students living at the Local pay a little more. And for students who are transferred to other halls for permanent housing, they’re prorated from the day they move in to the new hall." Currently, there are 225 students assigned to temporary housing and waiting to be placed in a permanent dorm. Protie said DHRL will start canceling contracts for students who have not moved in or have not shown up by the first day of class. “We begin to cancel contracts and then it becomes very quick depending on how many no-shows we have," Proite said. By the 12th class day, DHRL will know how many contracts were no-shows. At this point, if there’s still not enough room to place students in permanent housing, they will stay in their assigned temporary accommodations for the rest of the semester. News editor Sawyer Click contributed to this story.

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REMEMBERANCE

Remembering Dru, Belinda, Haley, David and James By Brittlin Richardson News Reporter Kind, genuine and funny. Friends and family of the five residents lost in the fatal San Marcos apartment fire remember their loved ones as bastions of hope. The July 20 Iconic Village and Vintage Pads apartment fire left 200 residents displaced, five residents dead, a building entirely engulfed, and several others damaged. As fire investigators began working at the scene, they recovered the bodies of the five residents: Dru Estes, Belinda Moats, Haley Frizzell, David Ortiz and James Miranda. In the weeks following, family, friends and fellow students mourned their deaths. Dru Estes, history sophomore, had a passion for music, said Clarissa Saucedo, Estes' friend and math junior. Estes, according to Saucedo, lived by the mantra, "if it makes you happy right now, do it" and employed a strong faith in Jesus. "He could always make someone smile and no one could ever be mad around him," Saucedo said. "He didn't have a bad bone in his body. He got along with everybody and he made sure everyone he knew was okay."

Estes pursued his love of music through his band, Apt. 216, which played concerts between Austin and San Antonio. He had a love for roller coasters and visited Six Flags often, where Saucedo frequently joined him. Haley Frizzell, theatre sophomore, had an immense love for film, music and theatre. Frizzell was funny and goofy and always put others above herself, said friend Zach Guzman. "She is one those people who you always hear about being taken too early," Guzman said. "She was the funniest person who always had a smile on her face and made nothing about her. If anyone was ever feeling down, she would find a way to make them feel better, whether it was driving around listening to music or watching movies." Frizzell wanted to become a director and envisioned moving to New York or California to pursue her dreams. She always had friends around her and was known for creating moments in people's lives, according to Guzman. James Miranda was always smiling and always sought out ways to help others said girlfriend Miranda Nichols. Miranda loved his job at Discount Tire and was ultimately trying to become a store manager as part of his 10-year plan

David Ortiz

Dru Estes

Belinda Moats

FROM FRONT LAWSUIT The plaintiffs are seeking a sum in excess of $1 million in damages from the defendants for gross negligence due to the alleged failure of smoke detectors, alarms and absence of fire sprinklers, according to court documents. The defendants are San Marcos Green Investors, LLC, Elevate Multifamily, LLC as well as apartment complex managers Deborah Jones and Thomas Steubing, Jr. As a part of the case, the plaintiffs are demanding a trial by jury. No court date for the trial has been set yet. The plaintiffs' attorney, Kyle Finley of Arnold & Itkin LLP, said the firm decided to take the case for a number of reasons. “We had young students and people who were injured as a result of this," Finley said. "Based on our review, it appears it’s something that could have

been totally prevented and shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The main reason why we took it was to make sure of our clients are taken care of and make sure those responsible are held accountable so something like this doesn’t happen again.” Finley also said they have made contact with the defendants’ attorney but have not had direct contact with any of the managers or owners of the apartment complex. “We’re coordinating on getting the discovery process done and getting the evidence to figure out why this happened.” Management from the Iconic Village apartment complex has declined any further comment on the fire or lawsuit. The University Star will update this story as it develops.

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with Nichols. "It is hard to sum up who James was as a person in words... he was an amazing, family-oriented guy," Nichols said. "He was trying to better himself and just make a life." Miranda loved watching movies, with Nichols frequently joining him at The Spot. Almost every weekend, he tubed the river with his friends and loved his dog. Belinda Moats always brought a book wherever she went and had a true love for everybody, according to her father, Tom Moats. If she wasn't listening to One Direction or watching Korean dramas, she was talking about birds, which led to her family-coined nickname, Birdlinda. "She didn't have much in life but the things she had she loved," Moats said. "She knew nothing of greed or selfishness... she was just a great person and everybody loved her." Belinda loved literature and wanted to live her life surrounded by books. She was taking a break from school and was saving up money to go back. In doing so, she walked a mile to work everyday, but always with a smile on her face, according to Tom Moats. David Ortiz, exercise and sports

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sciences junior, had a contagious laugh and smile said friend Perla Vega. Ortiz had a passion for singing and playing instruments and would often create performance videos for social media. "He was a genuine and sweet person and probably one of the funniest people I've ever met," Vega said. "I am so glad I got a chance to meet one of the most amazing people." When not at work or at school, Ortiz enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Ortiz's dog, Layla, was like his baby, according to Vega, and Ortiz could always be found with her. The Honors College, who traditionally begins the semester with an open house on the first day of class, remembered the victims of the apartment fire through dramatic readings and a moment of silence. “I think it’s important to have a time for us to come together as a community,” Heather Galloway, dean of the Honors College, said. “This was a loss for the families first and foremost, but it was also a loss for students here. One of the students has family members still here Texas State so we really wanted to mark the occasion here.”

James Miranda

Haley Frizzell

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FROM FRONT STUDENT ARRESTS The cases are still under review according to Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau, meaning no trials have occurred yet. The Hays County Intake Division is putting a file together for each defendant and gathering all relevant information before moving forward. Mau said there is a lot of subjectivity in cases like these that could sway the outcome of the case once a trial is held. "A person can see civil disobedience and another person can see criminal trespass or resisting arrest," Mau said. "There are going to be situations where people are violating the law and they may have the opinion that they are exercising their rights. It will be up to the courts to determine whether they are or not." Carnahan, criminal justice sophomore, was arrested May 1 in

Chautauqua Hall, the first of the four to be arrested. Carnahan was released May 2 on a personal recognizance bond, meaning a signature and a promise to appear in court is required but a deposit is not. All four students were released on these bonds. An email was sent to the other three students the following day telling them a warrant was issued for their arrest and advising them to voluntarily surrender. Ziera-Freeman, studio art and electronic media sophomore who prefers they/them pronouns, said they knew it was only a matter of time before police came for the protesters. Freeman turned themselves in May 5, a week after the warrant was issued, alongside anthropology sophomore Madison Houser, who also had an arrest warrant issued. The final student, Boyd, was arrested May 7 during finals week.

"As soon as the sit-in was over, I stopped living on campus," Freeman said. "I slept on a friend's couch for a month and a half. I was technically homeless because I just didn't feel safe on campus. I was in Beretta so I was directly across from the police building." The arrest warrants were issued by Justice of the Peace Maggie Moreno on behalf of affidavits submitted by University Police Department officer Adam Rodriguez. Vice President of Student Affairs Joanna Smith said though the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs has oversight over UPD, the administration had no say in the police department's decision to issue arrest warrants for those specific students. "The police department has the authority to handle anything relate to police matters," Smith said. "The

administration does not interfere or is not a part of any conversation about that. If an arrest is made, that's a police authority issue. The university does not take a stand in either saying you can or can't arrest anybody." Freeman said they will continue to do activism work, despite their arrest. Houser, Carnahan and Freeman will come back to school this fall. Boyd graduated this spring, shortly after his arrest. "I'm always going to do it," Freeman said. "I did some work over the summer. It's definitely something that's always been a part of my life." The University Star will continue to follow the trial and story of the four students arrested, and will provide updates as they become available.

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MERMAIDS

MERMAID STATUES FIND HOMES AROUND TOWN

By Evelin Garcia News Reporter The City of San Marcos strategically placed 10 fully-decorated mermaid statues around town to promote the city’s cultural history. In 2016, the San Marcos Arts Commission announced the launch of Mermaid March, a 10-statue installation project featuring different artists' work on each mermaid. Today, the 7-foot-tall mermaids overlook the city's 10 most popular spots in an effort to bring in more tourism, according to Lisa Morris, recreation manager at the City of San Marcos. “It’s been a very long process of about two-and-a-half-years; we had to choose locations and artists,” Morris said. “We picked high traffic locations to make for very colorful pictures around town." Over 50 artists submitted designs to the city, with only 10 being selected, according to Trey Hatt, communications specialist for the City of San Marcos. “There’s been a very good response from the community and we hope it

will attract more tourism to the city," Hatt said. In size, all 10 mermaids are identical. However, their individual decoration is unique to the artist. Among those chosen was Doug Hiser, who created the wildlifeinspired Fish of the San Marcos Waterways, which sits on the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Guadalupe Street. “I submitted three different designs and one of them got picked,” Hiser said. “I painted fish all over my mermaid and I did it because in the San Marcos River you can see fish (swimming) in the clear water." A complete list of locations and the respective artist and work's name can be found on the City of San Marcos' website.

Ode to Ralph Latimer PHOTO BY DIANA FURMAN

FAMOUS

Meet Texas State's famous faces By Sonia Garcia Life & Arts Reporter

STAR FILE PHOTO

Joseph Losoya, also known as "The Bubble Believer".

Brian Cooper

PHOTO BY CAMERON HUBBARD

The Bubble Believer An iconic member of the Texas State community is Joseph Losoya, an alumnus better known as The Bubble Believer. Every Monday, between Alkek and the Quad, Losoya sets his little piñata down and spreads positivity and encouragement while blowing bubbles into the passing crowds. Losoya said blowing bubbles is a pastime he picked up when he was in the U.S. Air Force and had nothing to do. His first year at Texas State in 2015, he decided to bring the bubbles to campus and allow people to be a part of something that is positive and requires low commitment. “Try to keep your head up because college is a challenge, but it’s nothing you can’t conquer," Losoya said. Graduating in 2017 did not stop Losoya from coming to campus with his bubbles in the coming semesters. He plans on continuing to blow bubbles once a week and attend events with his piñata.

STAR FILE PHOTO

Kevin Bluhm walking to class while juggling three tennis balls.

Ms. Susie

PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN BLUHM

The Juggler Kevin Bluhm, business management junior, is known for casually juggling while walking to and from classes. Typically, he is juggling three tennis balls. “I don’t exactly do it to impress people, but if they get a kick out of it, I’m happy to oblige to their entertainment,” Bluhm said. “I do it because it’s entertaining for me and it’s a cool little mind tool.”

Susie Mullen, also known as Ms. Susie is found at different dining facilities around campus. Her long, silver hair is always in pigtail braids and she is always warm and welcoming. Mullen is a San Marcos native and is a Texas State alumna. She has been working for Chartwells at Texas State for more than 10 years. She was nominated to be a namesake for the 2015 Bobcat Preview. Mullen said she is committed to helping her community fight food insecurities by donating and spreading awareness on campus. Her character is sincere and has the ability to brighten anyone’s day.

Another popular face on campus and the Twittersphere is senior lecturer of geography and undergraduate coordinator for geography Brian Cooper. Rising to Texas State Twitter fame in the past two years, he has gained a twitter following of about 5,000. He has reached close to 45,000 likes on a tweet and has many viral tweets. Cooper said he keeps his tweets light and funny, but also offers advice. He currently has a pinned thread on his account about graduate school recommendation letters. He said students have gone up to him to tell him the thread was helpful. Cooper said his main goal is to show professors are human too. "I use twitter to take out the mental garbage. It's random stuff that pops in my head that is interesting or silly, and people have found it funny," Cooper said. "A lot of times it's not what I've tweeted, but it's that it's me, a college professor, and it adds an extra layer of humor."

MOVING IN

Freshmen make a major move on campus

Cat Crew helps residents move into their new dorm rooms. PHOTO BY CAMERON HUBBARD

By Diana Furman Life & Arts Editor Move-in weekend welcomed freshmen into a new chapter of life. Fresh faces bustled across campus as students settled into their dorms for the first time. Parents and students lugged boxes

through dorms Aug. 18-19 across campus. The stress of the move and heat of the day wore down on numerous families. However, the struggle did not lessen the excitement and emotion in the air. Kaitlin Villarreal, biology freshman, is the first member of her family to move

away from home to attend a university. Though she is living almost five hours from her family, she said she is eager to live on her own and has plans to join organizations across campus in order to find her second family. “I’m really not nervous about leaving home at all,” Villarreal said. Other students have families much closer to campus but face similar challenges. Monique Sevin, marketing freshman, is from Kyle, Texas. Her mother, Linda Sevin, said even though the distance is short, it is still hard to see Monique Sevin leave home. “Her sister, her niece and dad back home are teary eyed and already ready for her to come visit,” Linda Sevin said. “Being away (from home) is a milestone.” It was a rarity to find a freshman who wasn’t smiling with joy at the thought of living alone. Although tired from getting moved in, the anticipation of college life kept the students fully charged. Xavier Owens, business freshman, said waiting in endless lines all morning

paid off once he ompletely moved into his dorm. He said he was excited to start this new chapter and explore the prospects college presents him. “It’s really an opportunity to see who you really are,” Owens said. The current construction on LBJ Student Center deterred students from fully exploring campus. Owens said navigating around the construction initially caused confusion. “It took me a while to even realize the bookstore was inside LBJ and that it was open,” Owens said. Bookstore cashier Misty Perez said the bookstore seemed to have less customers than it typically did during move-in weekend. “The only reason I think there may be less traffic inside the bookstore is the construction going on outside makes people think we’re closed,” Misty said. Through the chaos and confusion, students still found their way around. Once moved in completely, they were free to enjoy the town they will call home for the coming years.

The University Star UniversityStar.com @universitystar

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 | 7

LIFE & ARTS

Diana Furman Life & Arts Editor @Dianna9696

SUMMER

ICYMI: Summer 2018 in San Marcos By Diana Furman Life & Arts Editor

Scott Bowman is the new special assistant to the provost inclusion and diversity. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT BOWMAN

Professor takes on new position Scott Bowman, associate professor in criminal justice, has been hired as Special Assistant to the Provost for Inclusion and Diversity. The position is new and intended to create an inclusive and diverse faculty experience. Bowman's background in criminal justice allows for him to lead the new position with an eye for justice. He said while the new position revolves around hiring diverse faculty members, he wants students to have a role in the development as well.

Firefighters work July 20 to douse flames at Iconic Village Apartments on North LBJ Drive. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHERINE RIVAS

Community assists fire victims

On July 20, residents of The Iconic Village Apartments and Vintage Pads awakened by a fire that broke out from an unknown cause. The San Marcos Community quickly rose to the occasion and hosted multiple events to assist those affected by the tragedy. United Campus Ministry held a

prayer vigil that weekend to pray for those affected. The Society of Women in Engineering started a Go Fund Me for victims. Mochas and Javas and Metroflex opened their doors for clothing and household item donations in the hopes of providing relief for victims. Student organizations KTSW

Cold War Kids lead singer Nathan Willet and guitarist Dann Galucci.

89.9, S.C.O.P.E., The University Star, Queer Cats and Latinas Unidas teamed up to host a benefit show Aug. 1 at United Campus Ministry. They raised about $8,000 for fire victims. Wezmer, a local band still continues to host benefit concerts every Sunday of August from 2-6 p.m. in the square at The Porch.

STAR FILE PHOTO

PHOTO BY VICTOR RODRIGUEZ

Float Fest rocks the San Marcos River

Community celebrates Pride Month

MARTINDALE - From Saturday July 21- Sunday July 22, Martindale hosted Float Fest along the San Marcos River. Guests camped, floated the river, and enjoyed a weekend of live music. A variety of artists rocked the audience of 15,000. Lil Wayne, Modest Mouse, Snoop Dogg, Bassnectar, Cold War

San Marcos celebrated Pride Month with a Miss Stonewall Warehouse Pageant on June 29. Stonewall Warehouse, the first and only gay bar in San Marcos, hosts the pageant annually around the anniversary of the famous Stonewall Riots. Outside of San Marcos, Pride San

Kids and Tame Impala were headlining shows. Float Fest hired three groups of cleaners ahead of the festival. The groups were made up of river-cleaning regulars. A clean-up crew also disposed of litter left behind when the weekend came to a close.

Antonio hosted the annual Bigger Than Texas Parade and Festival June 30. From a pride parade to a high heel race, the day celebrated the diversity among the community. All proceeds were donated to benefit local nonprofits such as B.E.A.T. AIDS.

CAMPUS MAP

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Understand dining on campus

By Sonia Garcia Life & Arts Reporter Texas State offers meal swipes and dining dollars to students living both on and off campus. Through Chartwells Food Service, the university has dozens of unique places to eat with various ways to pay. Commons and Harris, buffet-style dining halls, offer students the ability to utilize a meal swipe for a meal equaling about $9. First year students are required to purchase one of three meal plans. Additional swipes and dining dollars can be added to meal plans at any point in the semester by calling 512-245-9930 or going online. Jessica Marichalar, interdisciplinary studies junior, had the smallest residential plan consisting of 150 meal swipes and 125 dining dollars her first year at Texas State. “It was easier to swipe than go to the grocery store, especially without a car,” Marichalar said. “The meal plan helped out a lot because it was already paid for in the beginning so I didn’t have to worry about food money.” Retail dining locations inside LBJ, Jones and The Den, accept dining dollars.

The locations also accept meal swipes for certain food items. Dining dollars are part of every resident meal plan. Dining dollars act as real money at retail dining locations across campus. Starbucks and Paws-N-Go do not offer meal trade options, but dining dollars can purchase food and drink options at these locations. David Garza, business finance junior, lived at Bobcat Village last school year and used his meal plan between classes when he was on campus. “Starbucks ate my dining dollars,” Garza said. “Every day I had an 8 a.m. so I would go to Starbucks to start my day.” Commuters can customize a meal plan best fit for them. The more swipes bought equal less money per swipe. For instance, 20 swipes is $7.34 per swipe, while 80 swipes is $6.64 per swipe. Jourdan Spence, political science sophomore, has decided he will be getting a commuter plan. “Having (a meal plan) is going to continue making my life easier because grocery shopping is something I have never done and using my swipes is convenient,” Spence said. Dine on Campus and Tapingo are useful apps that help students discover more about their on-campus dining

First year Texas State student takes advantage of the required meal plan. PHOTO BY CAMERON HUBBARD

experience. The Dine On Campus app allows students to see menu options of different dining halls, nutrition of meal options and another way to buy meal trades and dining dollars. Tapingo places a unique order and lets customers pay with

methods including meal trades to pick up their order when ready and skip the line to order and pay. Texas State and Chartwells insist no student goes hungry. This school year every student can eat efficiently with the meal plan of their choice.

The University Star UniversityStar.com @universitystar

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 | 10

OPINIONS

Zach Ienatsch Opinions Editor @zachnatch

The Iconic Village fire is a tragedy without an easy solution The tragedy at the Iconic Village apartments, which claimed the lives of five individuals, injured six and displaced hundreds, was the culmination of negligence, systematic failure, bad timing and bad luck. As the affected alongside their families and friends attempt to return to a sense of normalcy, people in this community have questions and some, understandably, will accompany those questions with pointed fingers. Individuals attempting to link what happened that night to a specific face or body deserving of blame and retribution will only be disappointed with their options. Perhaps the very origin of the source of the blaze is the culprit. After all, without the spark, the fire would not have started. However, a lack of details from the Fire Marshal's office make this accusation not only dubious but impossible in the given time frame. And even if this information were available, does every flicker of flame

carry the weight of hundreds of lives? When we use electricity, vehicles, tobacco products, appliances and more, we are consenting the very real possibility they can and will result in a fire. But this is rarely if ever the intention of any of these products. Perhaps the building itself and the people charged with its maintenance are to blame. This would make sense as the effects of a fire can often be directly linked to the construction of the building and the materials that fueled a fire. But in the case of Iconic Village, the building was up to code worthy of its age and was inspected recently according to protocol. Then maybe it is the law and bureaucracy where we will lay blame. If the laws did not include exemptions for old buildings to be grandfathered in to code without the installation of sprinklers or flame retardant material, then maybe fires would be less common. Should landlords only act in the safety of their tenants when

the law forces them to? Sprinklers are difficult to install into buildings that do not already have them. It involves plumbing, electricity and even walls must adapt for the new material. In most cases, it would be cheaper and easier to just build an entirely new structure; a proposition few property owners are keen to see happen without threat of law. Fire alarms are much easier to install and are required in all bedrooms and common areas regardless of the age of the building. Proper maintenance of these alarms is vital. Even with these charges, one must question if fault lies with the university itself for including the Iconic Village as one of the recommended lodging options for students? This is the same location that has, even in the face of the tragedy, refused to allow tenants to break their leases and flee for their safety. What, if any, was the criteria the university took into account when

declaring Iconic Village safe and worthy of recommendation when its age and lack of fire prevention provisions spoke otherwise. The answer is all of the above. All of these institutions and circumstances betrayed the trust of the apartment residents. But what did not betray them was the response students and community members made in attempts to ease the pain of loss. Every dollar donated and act of service for those affected is testimony that even if the system fails, there are always helping hands looking to pick us up and dust us off. We should not forget this when hope seems like a distant memory. And we should not forget this when we attend meetings for city council, commissioners court, student government and other places where the system originates.

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University.

POLITICS

City Councilman invokes Iconic Village fire to justify unethical vote By May Olvera Opinions Columnist After voting in favor of a program that uses taxpayer dollars to assist commercial property owners, City Council member Scott Gregson put himself in a morally questionable position. As a notable landlord in San Marcos, Gregson’s properties are some of the largest beneficiaries of the Business Improvement & Growth Grant Program. Instead of admitting wrongful participation in the vote, he tactlessly justified his unethical involvement by invoking the recent Iconic Village fire that took five lives. As reported in his 2017 financial disclosure form, Gregson conducts business under a number of entities; among them, East Hopkins, LLC. In the report, the council member’s share of the LLC is valued at $1.9 million. The other half is owned by Vance J. Elliot. Together, they have rented out properties to businesses in San Marcos since 2007.

According to the BIG Grant Program guidelines found on the city’s website, its purpose is to “increase the sales and/or revenue for the property owner or tenant” by providing them with technical and financial assistance to make improvements to the property. Still, Gregson decided his potential conflict of interest as a landlord was not significant enough to recuse himself from the vote in April 2016. Now, thanks to local activist and city council hopeful Jocabed Marquez, it has come to light that $24,075, or 29.3 percent of the program’s total funds allotted so far have gone to Gregson’s East Hopkins, LLC. According to city documents, Buzz Mill received $4,075 for a new sign and Blue Dahlia Bistro received $9,100 for “awning, glazing and historic feature restoration” as well as $10,900 for a fire suppression system.

ILLUSTRATION BY CAMERON HUBBARD

SEE POLITICS PAGE 12

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Investing in Your Education is an Investment in America’s Future U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett I was honored to welcome new Bobcats at the convocation on Saturday at Strahan Coliseum. Whether you’re just learning your way around the campus or are only months away from jumping into the San Marcos River at graduation, I’ve always known Bobcats to engage with the community and take on new adventures. I believe that an investment in you is an investment in America’s future. Now, more than ever, it is clear that we need educated leaders like you who can join in leading our country forward with skill and moral clarity. WORKING FOR YOU: For students willing to work hard to obtain higher education, we must be willing to work hard to make it more affordable. One in three Bobcats rely on Pell Grants. Unfortunately, the cost of college has skyrocketed since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Higher Education Act in 1965 on what’s now our Texas State campus. Yet President Trump has proposed to slash education spending by $3.8 billion and

cut federal student aid by $203 billion over the decade. That move, among his other budget cuts, would weaken our ability to subsidize interest on student loans, adding thousands of dollars to the debt that accompanies a diploma. After years of work, you should graduate with a door-opening degree— not bogged down by restrictive debt. I will persist and resist budget cuts to critical funding for education, Pre-K through post-grad. Every Bobcat relies on an open internet, but there is no guarantee that it will stay that way. With a complete disregard for public opinion, Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman led the repeal of the net neutrality rules, allowing the creation of fast lanes for some customers while competitors are forced to use the internet equivalent of a dirt road. As a longtime advocate for a free and open internet for all, I am sponsoring a congressional resolution to override the FCC’s decision. With the support of three Republicans joining all Democrats, the U.S. Senate has already passed this resolution, but

Republican leadership continues to block a vote in the House. MAKING PROGRESS: To make college more affordable, I have supported legislation limiting interest rates on federal loans and to provide more student Pell Grants. I also authored provisions in the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), allowing a tax cut of up to $10,000 on education expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and fees. I authored the Equitable Student Aid Access Act to offer the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available earlier, make more students eligible for the full Pell Grant amount, and enable qualifying students to answer fewer questions in completing this overly complex form. SUPPORTING DREAMERS: Some fellow Bobcats are “Dreamers”—they got to Texas as fast as their parents brought them. While undocumented, they have cleared a criminal background check, paid a fee, and are pursuing their studies in the only country most have ever known. As a longtime sponsor of the DREAM

Act, I believe that their future must be nonnegotiable, and that we must reject Trump and his Congressional enablers, who would expose them to deportation to countries they barely know. These hardworking young people have much to offer to our country. GET INVOLVED: If there were ever a time for Bobcats to unite and participate in government, it is now! Our very democracy is in peril. We must act together to restore some genuine checks and balances. I hope you each choose to join in making a difference by registering to vote—where you now live, here in San Marcos— prior to the deadline, Tuesday, October 9. One way to register, is by visiting www.Register2Vote.org, which provides a simple registration process. Throughout your time at Texas State, I encourage you to get involved on campus and in our community through Bobcat Build and other important service activities. As you settle into your classes this school year, I too will be at my desk, hard at work, ensuring your priorities are my priorities. Have a great year, and eat ‘em up Cats!

11 | Tuesday, August 28, 2018 UniversityStar.com @universitystar

The University Star

OPINIONS

ADDICTION

Zach Ienatsch Opinions Editor @zachnatch

STAFF

The college experience is not worth an addiction By Jaden Edison Opinions Columnist Four short years at any university leaves college students with many unforgettable memories, cherished times and habits, both good and bad. Among the good, students gain necessities like time management and networking skills. The bad, however, can consist of irresponsibility, drug abuse or even worse — drug addiction. The bigger mistake occurs when the latter compounds with fulfilling the “college experience.” The college experience, or “college life,” as portrayed in Hollywood, consists of endless partying, several sexual encounters and an excessive use of drugs. In reality, all of those things -- if not done responsibly or in moderation -- result in dangerous situations that can very easily jeopardize one’s future. Simply stated, temporary “fun” is never worth the risk. Texas State student, Matthew Ellis, died following his fraternity initiation where he consumed a massive amount of alcohol. Although there were no reports of Ellis suffering from addiction, simply overdrinking cost him his life. He was only 20 years old. University of Arkansas student, William Doerhoff, was a young man who did not begin using drugs until he entered a college fraternity. As a result of injecting and smoking prescription pills, “Will” suffered from addiction, which would ultimately cost him his life years later. He, too, was only 20 years old. While the falsely portrayed college life may seem like a great time, the inevitable negative outcome is not. Drug abuse may lead to death. Drug addiction may lead to death. And if not, both possess the powerful ability to take a toll on one’s state of mind, making misuse very difficult to overcome. AddictionCenter, a drug rehabilitation website, stated that “The temptation to drink is strong because college students overwhelmingly find

that alcohol makes socializing easier.” Moreover, “Not all college students immediately start binge drinking and doing drugs, but routinely drinking to have more fun leads many students toward addiction." It is completely within reason that students wish to have a great time while attending college, but there is absolutely no reason to place one’s own life in jeopardy. Addiction is absolutely real. It is not picky when choosing its victims. It does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity or origin. It has one goal only and that is to ruin the well being of as many individuals as possible. No version of the college experience is worth any of the negative outcomes that are associated with addiction. It is extremely important to seek extraordinary experiences upon entering college, but it is even more imperative to graduate a wholesome, healthy and well-rounded individual. No amount of fun undermines the importance of being mentally healthy. College already places several difficulties on students. The weight of an addiction, which is what is being risked when abusing drugs, is not by any means going to make life easier. College students are expected to have fun, but they are also expected to be responsible. College students are expected to meet new lifelong friends, but they are also expected to know the difference between right and wrong. College students are expected to step out of their comfort zones, but they are also expected to know their boundaries. Addiction is a very serious disease and is not to be toyed with. Its defenseless victims are forced to suffer throughout a long, treacherous and dark journey. Every school year is supposed to bring new and exciting challenges, constant self-growth and unforgettable times with peers. That is the real college experience; the only risky experience worth a try. - Jaden Edison is an electronic media sophomore

ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLINE JANES

ILLUSTRATION BY CAMERON HUBBARD

Hiring an immigration attorney, the right call By Yunuen Alvarado Opinions Columnist Students have been fighting for the creation of an immigration attorney position for years, through student government legislation and meetings with administrators behind closed doors. Although the fight for the issue did not become as prevalent until two years ago, immigrant students have been in need of an immigration attorney for much longer, one that functions just like the attorney for students, but with a specialization in immigration. After all, immigrant students pay tuition too. They pay twice as much because they don’t qualify for in-state tuition. It is incredibly important for Texas State to support its immigrant students in all ways, especially with the university sitting in a county that infamously turns people over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be deported for something as little as a traffic stop. There is no clear number as to how many undocumented students are enrolled at Texas State, but even without a set number, it is important to make sure that immigrant students get the full scope of services for what their student service fee is paying for. A common argument against having an immigration attorney available on campus is that the university would be complicit in aiding an immigrant’s criminal activity, such as staying in the country, but it is often forgotten that non-immigrant students often go to the attorney for students to receive help on cases of possession, fake ID's and drunk driving Immigrant students, and more commonly DACA recipients, are told that if they have not committed a crime, then they should not be afraid of being detained. But the reality is, black and brown immigrants are criminalized every single day, and in Texas in which laws like SB4 make racial profiling legal, DACA recipients only need to exist to be criminalized and detained.

After a long and tiring fight led by student activists to create the immigration attorney position, President Trauth held a meeting with several student leaders last semester in which she announced the decision to create the part-time position. A hiring committee made up of students and staff was put together and interviews went on throughout the summer. The three top candidates were brought to campus to answer questions from interested students, staff and faculty. Finally, the position was offered to a candidate on Aug. 22, accepted on Aug. 23 and announced to the public during the President's Convocation on Aug. 24. The next steps for the attorney is to get them on board, and have them meet with key student organizations that led the fight for the creation of the position, such as the Student Community of Progressive Empowerment SCOPE and the Pan African Action Committee PAAC, as well as to start taking appointments right away. The immigration attorney will function just like the attorney for students; they will provide counseling, but will not represent students in court. The immigration attorney will serve not only undocumented students, but international students and students wanting to study abroad. Having an immigration attorney on campus is monumental and the key to keeping immigrant students safe. Before, students had to risk driving in Hays county (again, infamous for trying to deport people over traffic stops) to Austin or San Antonio so that they could get immigration help, from renewing their DACA to applying for visas that could save their lives. With an attorney located in the LBJ Student Center, students will have better accessibility and a sense of security. Everyone, regardless of status, deserves to not feel targeted or afraid of being violently uprooted. Our peers deserve to feel safe. -Yunen Alvarado is a journalism senior

STUDENT HOUSING

Texas State lacks space for students moving forward By Jordan Drake Assistant Opinions Editor Headlines were made in mid-July when it was revealed that Purdue University overbooked its dorm rooms and students were forced to live in a large office-like space where the standard dorm furniture functions as the walls and outline of a room. While Purdue students online were outraged at the living conditions, the reality is that admitting more students than there are dorm spaces is a common problem that appears to have existed since at least the 80s. As some students have found out, Texas State is no different. While students were sent an email that indicated they may be placed in temporary housing, it was not until they arrived from their break to check into their dorm found themselves being told there was no more available space and that they would be moved into temporary housing. Most of these students are moved into either Resident Assistant’s rooms or into the study rooms on each floor of certain dorms. For students living in study rooms, they will also have a

ILLUSTRATION BY CAMERON HUBBARD

converted guest bathroom to use as a private bathroom until they move out. The Department of Housing and Residential Life also struck a deal with The Local, an apartment complex, to house affected students for the semester. This is completely unfair to students who show up expecting a new place to stay only to be stuck in a setting that they were not prepared for and will be likely uncomfortable living for a time.

It also begs the question of how the university is choosing who would be selected to go to an apartment for a semester and who gets to be stuck in a study room waiting around. Texas State is admitting a record number of freshmen students each year to the point where they now no longer have the capacity to house all these students. Combine this with a policy of forcing freshmen to live on campus and the problem is now one of Texas State's

own creation. It is all based on a greedy policy that allows the university to push more students through their own doors thus creating more revenue at the expense of its students. The policy might have backfired on the university since they now have to cover the costs of not only the students who moved into The Local but also that of Resident Assistants, who are normally compensated with a free single room but are now being paid a small stipend for taking on temporary roommates. While it is nice to believe those costs won't somehow lead to rising tuition, it is hard to trust colleges on pricing anything. At the end of the day, this process of over admitting really is an inexcusable problem that places money in the pockets of the university at the expense of the students who are paying to go here and Texas State should look at both its admittance policy and freshmen living policy before this problem spirals out of control even further. - Jordan Drake is an communications senior

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Tuesday, August 28, 2018 | 12

OPINIONS

Zach Ienatsch Opinions Editor @zachnatch

FROM PAGE 10 POLITICS Despite modifications immediately serving the current tenants, building renovations and sprinkler systems do not simply disappear when the occupants do. If Blue Dahlia Bistro decides to move locations, chances are they won’t take the sprinklers with them and East Hopkins, LLC can then take the publicly-funded investment into account when pricing the property for the next tenant. Nonetheless, Gregson denied any wrongdoing in a written statement to Spectrum News. Instead, he bashed Marquez for bringing attention to the matter and used the Iconic Village fire to justify his actions. “It’s clear election season is getting into gear and anti-small business

activists are attacking an outgoing council member who is not running for re-election to attract attention,” Gregson wrote. “What’s not clear is why they would attack a program that helped a small business acquire fire sprinklers so soon after a deadly fire." However, the program itself is obviously not what is currently being called into question. With this statement, Gregson not only attempts to evade responsibility, but he unintentionally highlights another horrific injustice. As a property owner, it should be Gregson’s responsibility - not a selective government program’s - to ensure the safety of every customer who sets foot in his buildings. Gregson’s 2017

financial disclosure lists his income as $300 thousand from the LLC and over $1 million in total from seven sources. Considering the cost of the fire suppression system (listed as $21,800), it is evident that the property owner himself could have and should have provided the small business the necessary equipment to avoid a deadly fire in his building. Ultimately, it was the landlord's responsibility to ensure their tenants' safety whether or not the city government granted them the funds. Gregson’s statement excuses property owners’ negligence in cutting imperative corners that they could easily afford, instead passing the burden on to taxpayers.

Whether or not Gregson is seeking re-election, constituents have every right to be informed of the decisions made by their local representatives and to question whether their actions are principled or self-serving. Moreover, when there is evidence to suggest the latter, it is unbelievably offensive to invoke a recent tragedy to guilt people out of raising questions. At a time when trust for public officials is so fragile, the most meaningful action the councilman could take moving forward is simply to hold himself accountable. -May Olvera is a journalism senior

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John Paul Mason II Sports Editor @thereal_jpmason

COLUMN

Don't give up on the 'Cats just yet By John Paul Mason II Sports Editor The last season the Bobcats had a winning record was 2014, when the team was able to pull of a 7-5 record in one of former head coach Dennis Franchione's final seasons at the helm. Since that season, the Bobcats have a combined total of seven wins, and have done so without the hardest of schedules, with a below average rating of -7.31, according to College Football Statistics and Reference. Head Football Coach Everett Withers, has seen the Texas State football team at some of its lowest points in recent memory. The team has been the low point of Texas State sports for years. So why should the upcoming season bring the bobcat faithful anything but hair-pulling moments of anguish and frustration when the team does not perform up to the expected standards? Simply put from Withers: experience from the quarterbacks. "I'm really excited that Willie (Jones III) is a sophomore. He has a lot of talent and a tremendous upside," Withers said. "And to have two quartebacks behind him that have that same upside is good, because iron sharpens iron. Everyday Willie goes to work he knows someone is nipping at his heels. And there isn't anything wrong with a little competition." Quarterback play is one of the most important parts of a successful and consistent football team at any level of play. The Bobcats were plagued with inconsistencies from the position last season, and despite some brighter moments, it turned out to be the teams Achilles Heel while they posted 0-2 record in games decided by single digits. Along with quarterback play, line play is just as important, if not more so. Without a solid foundation of players blocking for him, the quarterback cannot make the plays and throws needed from him. Initially, the coaching staff was leaning towards choosing Willie Jones III, sophomore quarterback, as the week one starter for the season. "Willie played some last year and competed really well. He has done a really good job in camp," said Withers. "I don't think that it is a declaration that he is our starter. But, after the first scrimmage it was evident to us as a staff that he has a little bit more command out there." Jones was officially declared the starter for the Bobcats on Monday, August 27. The lanky 6'3" sophomore appeared in ten games in 2017 for the Bobcats. Jones threw 18-37 with just under three hundred yards but was sacked eight times. Going hand in hand with the offensive line and quarterback play, the wide receivers are also a key component of success in 2018. But Withers and his fellow coaching staff are encouraged by what they have seen so far from the position group. "The biggest surprise in camp has been the number of receivers with talent who can make a play", said Withers. "I expected us to have a number of receivers. But the numbers are there, and they have the ability to go make a play." Withers also has more players to work with this season compared to previous years. These new additions will be pivotal in changing the losing culture of the team that has been hanging over their heads since 2014. "We are going to have 76 scholarship players in 2018 after we had 62 and 68 in the last two years. The numbers are increasing so we are excited about that," Withers said. "We have had a lot of competition at a lot of positionsat receivers, secondary, and lineman. And we have gotten better because of the completion. When you start building that, your team has every opportunity to get better in practice." With plenty to work with this fall, Withers will have to produce wins fast, or he might suck all the optimism out of future and current bobcat fans forever.

SPORTS VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball looking to finish what they started By Daisy Colon Senior Sports Reporter The Texas State women’s volleyball team spent the summer preparing for the upcoming season with hopes of making a run for the SBC title this year after finishing second to Coastal Carolina in 2017. The Bobcats finished last season with an overall record of 25-10 and a conference record of 14-2, finishing first in the West Division, then proceeded to fall second to the Chanticleers in overall SBC standings. The preseason coaches’ poll is predicting the Bobcats to bring home first place this year in the conference tournament only adding more incentive to the team’s work ethic. Micah Dinwiddie, junior 2018 preseason sun belt defensive player of the year, says last season was a learning experience for her and her teammates. “Last season brought a lot of lessons that have prepared us," said Dinwiddie. "You know sometimes you have to go through losses like that in order for you to grow as a team and be able to finish first instead of second,” The junior explains how the team’s chemistry is constantly increasing and how she plans to implement herself as a leader. “This season I want to be more of a lead by example type of player, so when I go hard, other people will go hard with me,” said Dinwiddie. "That’s how I try to inspire my teammates so we gradually get better and become more cohesive as a team.” Some notable 2018 season matchups for Texas State include games against Rice, Texas, Kentucky and Arizona State. Kentucky will face the Bobcats in

STAR FILE PHOTO

the newly renovated Strahan Coliseum on Saturday, September 8 at 4 pm. Dinwiddie expresses her gratitude for the upgraded facilities, yet says there are more important factors to focus on when trying to win. “Having a new stadium is great but thats all materialistic stuff, its what you do on the court that matters,” said Dinwiddie. “The coaches have high expectations of us, they know what we can achieve,” said Madison Daigle, senior 2018 preseason All-Sunbelt Conference team member. “They’re gonna get everything out of us that they can to

see us win.” The Bobcats kicked off their 2018 season with an exhibition match versus SMU on August 16. The match ended in three games, all won by the Mustangs. Texas State hopes to reinstate their power at the Hampton Inn & Suite Waco North Baylor Invitational on August 24 and 25. Expectations are high this season, as the Bobcats have much to prove. The incentive to bring home a championship is strong with this years team, and the entire Texas State community will be anticipating another great season.

FOOTBALL

Bobcat football eager to take the next step By Anthony Flores Assistant Sports Editor With summer coming to an end, fall is right around the corner and with it comes the 2018 Texas State Football season. After a disappointing 2017 campaign that saw the Bobcats go 2-10, with matching 1-5 home and away records, Texas State is aiming for redemption this upcoming season. During the 2018 Sun Belt Conference Media Day, Head Coach

Everett Withers showed optimism in his upcoming third season at the program’s helm. The head coach emphasized a now more seasoned roster with improved skill positions and the overall size and strength. "What I think is going to be different from year one and two is that we are more experienced,” Withers said. “We have a little more talent in our skill positions and we are bigger and stronger in our defensive and offensive lines. We are going to have two or three guys at quarterback that can play."

While speaking with reporters at Sun Belt Conference Media Day, Aaron Brewer, junior offensive lineman, stressed the important role that the strength and conditioning coach has had on the team. Brewer in his third year has seen the changes the team has gone through physically and also mentally.

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 16

“Physically we’ve changed. Our

ALUMNI

From Student Athlete to NFL Player By Atkin Garza Sports Reporter Beginning his NFL career in 2015, David Mayo has not only established himself as a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, but also as an honored Texas State Bobcat alumni. David Mayo made his debut at Bobcat Stadium on September 1, 2012, and has not looked back since. Mayo was ranked in the top seven players of the conference in 2012, and contributed 41 tackles in his freshman season (2012). Mayo was later named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2014) and was selected AllAmerican fourth team (2014) in his final season at Texas State. Mayo has made an impact on Texas State football, and his stats were catching eyes in the next level of professional football, the NFL. “I think the key to success on the football field is the work you put in during the off-season and in practice. You’ve got to keep getting better every play.” Mayo said to sportingnews.com. David Mayo’s road to success has not always been easy, as his setbacks included living in a shed with no electricity or plumbing his first year of college, and playing college football more than 1000 miles from his family in California, who sometimes could not attend games. “They didn't get to watch me play (home games). That was probably the worst part. Well, the worst part was

STAR FILE PHOTO

missing the rest of the season, but the cherry on top was that my whole family was not there,” said Mayo. David Mayo was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft as the 33rd pick of the round and 169th overall pick of the draft. David Mayo has appeared in 43 games the past three seasons with the NFL team. Playing under Carolina Panthers superstars Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, Mayo is learning more and more every season on what it takes to become a successful linebacker. “I mean, how can you not? They know the game and nuances of the

position,” said Mayo. Mayo is no stranger to rotating positions with the Panthers, as he switches between a weak side linebacker and strong side linebacker, but still playing his natural position, middle linebacker. Many professional Bobcat athletes have been competing at the next level. David Mayo is no exception, and he has been representing the school well in the NFL. Mayo will embark on his fourth season this fall with the Carolina Panthers, and will look to make his imprint on the NFL while doing so.

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Tuesday, August 28, 2017 | 14

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John Paul Mason II Sports Editor @thereal_jpmason

SPORTS CLUBS

Sports clubs keep campus community active By Ashley Tabor Sports Reporter There are 33 sports clubs available for students to join each year at Texas State. Not only do the clubs act to exercise skills within a sport but also help one develop a role for themselves in the campus community. Qualifications to join a team vary sport to sport. Experience is not always a requirement, but to join a team, one must attend the required tryouts if they are needed. If needed, these are held usually at the beginning of each semester for some but not all clubs. Clubs are offered during the Fall and Spring of each school year. Many are found with smiling faces advertising in the campus quad during the first two weeks of each semester, where students can stop by to ask questions or simply introduce themselves to the coaches. Clubs hope for fresh members to join each semester term even if a student does not have the right materials, just the right attitude. Equipment and coaching usually come included with joining. The equestrian sports club is a prime example by providing horses for its members which make it possible for more people to have a chance to join. They travel around the region competing in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association having successful competition outcomes alongside informing different communities about proper horse care and the equestrian sport. From the soccer club to the quidditch team, many clubs travel off-campus to compete against other universities giving students opportunities to meet and make connections with people from other campuses. Being part of a sports club isn’t just about representing the school but also the overall community

involving the sport. Outside games and practices are social events planned throughout the semester by clubs, overseen by the club officers. This gives students a chance to get involved and meet others, deepening relationships. Fundraisers bring a unique bond between the club and campus and even San Marcos community. All club teams are student-organized and operated. Texas State helps provide facilities, transportation, and some financial support to a few clubs but most are only financially supported by the members that join and pay dues. Wakeboard team President Ryan Morris, a senior at Texas State, finds it important that there is a strong relationship among people on the team. “Bonding on and off the water is what makes us more of a family” said Morris, “all the practices and fun events we do bring everybody together. It makes us better riders and competitors. We get better funding, become more reputable, and more recruiting opportunities become available” The Texas State wakeboarding organization has been part of campus since 2012. They are in the process of finishing up to become the 34th official sports team instead of just an organization at Texas State for a multitude of reasons. Any student has the availability to create a new sports club. More information involving all clubs can be found at the sports club office located in the campus recreational center. So if you are looking for something to do outside of just the normal class schedule, look no further than the club teams offered on campus! There is sure to be one that will pique your interest.

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John Paul Mason II Sports Editor @thereal_jpmason

SPORTS

FROM PAGE 13 FOOTBALL strength and conditioning coach, Coach AB, he’ll be on us, having us grinding. So really everybody is starting to form off his workouts,” Brewer said. “Another big thing that’s changed is everyone’s mentality, everyone is buying in to what the goal is.” One of the biggest factors in the team’s confidence this season is that 2018 saw the football program increase its number of scholarship players to 76 from 68. "We are going to have 76 scholarship players in 2018 after we had 62 and 68 in the last two years, Withers said. “The numbers are increasing so we are

excited about that.” The increase in scholarships provides the team with greater depth at each position, something the head ball coach believes can bring out the best out of his players. “Anytime you have more depth at a position, our players are competing at a higher level because there is someone behind them who is competing for that position too,” Withers said. “It makes your team better and the overall competition gives you a chance to go and compete against your opponents.” The depth Wither’s is excited about can be seen in the roster’s abundance of

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talent at wide receiver, something the head coach was expecting but not to the extent they have available. "The biggest surprise in camp has been the number of receivers with talent who can make a play,” said Withers. “I expected us to have a number of receivers. But the numbers are there, and they have the ability to go make a play. It has been really exciting.” Tasked with the job of completely rehauling the program when he arrived, three years later the goal is still the same, win. "We have wanted to win since the day we got here. We realize that's what

is important to people and that is what will get people in the stands. What I look for is the growth of this program and once the growth of program is there, the wins will come.” Bryan London II, junior linebacker, has been with the program from the beginning of Wither’s tenure and said he believes Texas State is close to a break through. “I feel like we’re right there, I feel like once we get over the hump we just won’t look back. It’s just a matter of getting over that hump,” London said.